Sorry, couldn't resist...
11 months ago
Monday, April 05, 2010
Sunday, April 04, 2010
First Jim Rice, now...
The Boston Globe is reporting that the late Dennis Johnson -- who died in 2007 -- has been elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame. Long overdue.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Slouching Towards Rome
An interesting article on how it was governmental confiscatory practices and not necessarily the Visigoths that brought down the Roman Empire.
Friday, February 12, 2010
The Greatest of All time
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Gorewellian
Jonah Goldberg and I share the same thoughts on Audi's Super Bowl ad (is that an anteater at 0:41?), although he does a better job of articulating them. I honestly couldn't tell if it was making a mockery of the left-wing or the right-wing, but I will admit it caught my attention and made me watch the whole thing, which I guess is the point of any good commercial.
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Lessons Not Learned
Two things are apparent from Wednesday night's SOTU -- (1) The Obama machine doesn't read this blog, or at least doesn't put much stock in the lessons learned by the last Democrat to be in the White House; and (2) They don't seem to care much for the sanctity of the Supreme Court, either. Really. The partisan cheap shot on the Citizens United case is unprecedented and disgraceful. Reasonable people can disagree on a 5-4 judicial decision, but if ever a chief executive took a shot down Pennsylvania Avenue at a constitutionally independent body, let alone from the highest-profile forum available, I am not aware of it.
Embarrassing and unpresidential. And he got his facts wrong, too.
Embarrassing and unpresidential. And he got his facts wrong, too.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Out of the Danger Zone
(with apologies to DeGarmo & Key; I just happened to be listening to the D&K album yesterday)
Scott Brown's senate victory in Massachusetts is remarkable on several levels, and a clear shot across the bow of the Obama administration. Granted, Martha Coakley was about the worst senate candidate in recent memory, but a Republican winning in Massachusetts by a healthy margin on the issue of health care for the seat held by Mary Jo Kopechne's killer for nearly 50 years is pretty amazing.
Draw whatever conclusions you want, and make whatever prognostications you wish about November 2010 or even 2012. That's part of the fun. I draw the parallel to the first two years of the Clinton Administration -- in November 1993, the Republicans swept all three major races (NYC mayor, VA governor & NJ governor). The Clintonistas didn't take the hint, and plowed ahead not only with HillaryCare, but the Great Gun Grab of 1994. This more than anything sealed the fate of the Democrats not only in the Senate (which may have gone Republican in any event), but also in the House.
Only then did Bill & Company wise up, reposition themselves as centrists, and survive the 1996 election to serve six more years in office. Monica notwithstanding, Clinton learned his lesson from 1994 and left office with some degree of favorability.
Fast-forward to 2009, and, again, the Republicans swept the three major races in November -- NYC Mayor, VA Governor and NJ Governor. In all fairness, it's difficult to read a strong anti-Obama sentiment into these races. However, Scott Brown's victory two months later seals the deal. The only question now is how the Prime Minister and his Chicago Mafia at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, and their allies at the other end of the street, will respond --
Should they plow ahead against a clear public sentiment with the elitist attitude that they are wiser than the proletariat they seek to govern, they will face annihalation later this year and beyond.
However, should they take the clear lesson from Brown's victory, follow Clinton's example from fifteen years ago, and inch themselves back towards the center -- not just on healthcare, but on terrorism, taxes, spending and foreign policy -- they and their party may survive 2010 and 2012. In such a case, Brown's victory will -- ironically -- serve as the long-term counterbalance not to the Obama administration, but to Republican prospects in the next few election cycles.
Curt Schilling . . . yankee fan . . . good grief.
Scott Brown's senate victory in Massachusetts is remarkable on several levels, and a clear shot across the bow of the Obama administration. Granted, Martha Coakley was about the worst senate candidate in recent memory, but a Republican winning in Massachusetts by a healthy margin on the issue of health care for the seat held by Mary Jo Kopechne's killer for nearly 50 years is pretty amazing.
Draw whatever conclusions you want, and make whatever prognostications you wish about November 2010 or even 2012. That's part of the fun. I draw the parallel to the first two years of the Clinton Administration -- in November 1993, the Republicans swept all three major races (NYC mayor, VA governor & NJ governor). The Clintonistas didn't take the hint, and plowed ahead not only with HillaryCare, but the Great Gun Grab of 1994. This more than anything sealed the fate of the Democrats not only in the Senate (which may have gone Republican in any event), but also in the House.
Only then did Bill & Company wise up, reposition themselves as centrists, and survive the 1996 election to serve six more years in office. Monica notwithstanding, Clinton learned his lesson from 1994 and left office with some degree of favorability.
Fast-forward to 2009, and, again, the Republicans swept the three major races in November -- NYC Mayor, VA Governor and NJ Governor. In all fairness, it's difficult to read a strong anti-Obama sentiment into these races. However, Scott Brown's victory two months later seals the deal. The only question now is how the Prime Minister and his Chicago Mafia at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, and their allies at the other end of the street, will respond --
Should they plow ahead against a clear public sentiment with the elitist attitude that they are wiser than the proletariat they seek to govern, they will face annihalation later this year and beyond.
However, should they take the clear lesson from Brown's victory, follow Clinton's example from fifteen years ago, and inch themselves back towards the center -- not just on healthcare, but on terrorism, taxes, spending and foreign policy -- they and their party may survive 2010 and 2012. In such a case, Brown's victory will -- ironically -- serve as the long-term counterbalance not to the Obama administration, but to Republican prospects in the next few election cycles.
Curt Schilling . . . yankee fan . . . good grief.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Another Year...
2009 brought its fair share of disappointments and challenges, but we end on a positive note.
I'll see you on the beach.
I'll see you on the beach.
Monday, December 07, 2009
...more Band-Aids...
Here is the 12" (extended) version. No actual video, but the full audio. Worth listening to for Phil Collins' drum solo and the assorted comments that begin at 2:50.
Saturday, December 05, 2009
...and there won't be snow in Africa this Christmastime...
This tune got some attention back in 1984. Can you believe it's been 25 years?
Nowadays, it's easy to cynically dismiss humanitarian efforts by entertainment megastars as grandstanding at worst, or politically naive at best, and in most cases one or both are correct. However, I must admit I felt a little different about the whole Band-Aid effort. To my knowledge, it was the first recording by a supergroup specifically for the purposes of charity, and certainly the first for this generation of musicians. It's hard to question Bob Geldof's sincerity, particularly since he's given up much of his musical career for the sake of causes greater than himself, and Do They Know It's Christmas? was where it all started.
We Are The World and Live Aid would follow within a year, and before the decade was over we'd see Farm-Aid, Ferry-Aid, and various other permutations.
The slippery slope theory held true, and the sincerity of the celebrities became diluted almost immediately, but Geldof and his pals deserve credit not only for inventing the charity single (and reinvigorating the concept of a benefit concert) but also for giving a generation of self-absorbed stars -- including the one who first appears at 1:24 -- at least something of a conscience.
Finally, it's refreshing to hear the word "Christmas" used so freely in a completely secular recording. And it still gives me chills -- maybe because of where I was in 1984, or maybe because it's an absolutely brilliant song.
Nowadays, it's easy to cynically dismiss humanitarian efforts by entertainment megastars as grandstanding at worst, or politically naive at best, and in most cases one or both are correct. However, I must admit I felt a little different about the whole Band-Aid effort. To my knowledge, it was the first recording by a supergroup specifically for the purposes of charity, and certainly the first for this generation of musicians. It's hard to question Bob Geldof's sincerity, particularly since he's given up much of his musical career for the sake of causes greater than himself, and Do They Know It's Christmas? was where it all started.
We Are The World and Live Aid would follow within a year, and before the decade was over we'd see Farm-Aid, Ferry-Aid, and various other permutations.
The slippery slope theory held true, and the sincerity of the celebrities became diluted almost immediately, but Geldof and his pals deserve credit not only for inventing the charity single (and reinvigorating the concept of a benefit concert) but also for giving a generation of self-absorbed stars -- including the one who first appears at 1:24 -- at least something of a conscience.
Finally, it's refreshing to hear the word "Christmas" used so freely in a completely secular recording. And it still gives me chills -- maybe because of where I was in 1984, or maybe because it's an absolutely brilliant song.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Ten Years Ago continued
The world we avoided. I only saw this commercial once, now it lives on courtesy YouTube.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Ten Years Ago
This happened.
Game 5 of the 1999 Division Series between the Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox was one of the most memorable baseball games I ever saw. Boston had lost game1 in Cleveland in the bottom of the ninth, then got blown out in game 2 before the series moved to Boston. Nomar Garciaparra was not able to play game 3, but Boston rallied behind John Valentin and won 9-3. In game 4, the Red Sox scored three touchdowns and a safety to win a blowout, 23-7, and force the series back to Cleveland.
Pedro Martinez had perhaps the best season of a starting pitcher since Bob Gibson in 1968, winning the Cy Young and being jilted out of the AL MVP award because of perennial BBWAA voter stupidity, but that shouldn't detract from his 23-4 record, winning AL Pitcher of the month four times and, oh by the way, All-Star MVP in his home park. Nonetheless, Pedro pulled a muscle in his back in Game 1 and had to leave the game and looked to be done for the series.
The aforementioned box score tells the story of the game, but suffice it to say that the first two Red Sox pitchers failed to hold leads, the the Sox turned to Pedro, hoping he could give them an inning or two. Against an Indians team that featured Kenny Lofton, Roberto Alomar, Jim Thome, Manny Ramirez, Harold Baines, Wil Cordero, Travis Fryman, and Richie Sexson off the bench, Pedro entered when the game was tied and proceeded to throw six innings without allowing a hit.
The Indians, meanwhile, imploded -- earlier in the game, they had intentionally walked Nomar to pitch to Troy O'Leary. O'Leary responded with a grand slam on the first pitch. In the seventh inning, Nomar came up again with first base open and was intentionally walked again. Up came O'Leary who, again, homered on the first pitch, giving the Red Sox a lead they would not surrender.
One rarely if ever should accuse a professional sports team of "quitting." Overmatched, maybe, not never "quitters." But in this game, the Indians did quit. After the second O'Leary home run, with Pedro already looking invincible, Jacobs Field became as boisterous as a tomb, and the Indians hitters walked liked zombies from the dugout to the plate and back. Indians manager Mike Hargrove didn't even go to his bench to try and shake things up -- maybe get a hit or something. Pedro blew away the final nine batters and the Sox would face the Yankees in the next round.
...which was more or less forgettable, but it was still an exciting end to a decade that had began somewhat dramatically as well.
So, even losing the first two games of a 5-game series (or, for that matter, the first 3 games of a 7-game series) doesn't mean it's over. It's been done before. I'm not sure what made me think of this...
Game 5 of the 1999 Division Series between the Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox was one of the most memorable baseball games I ever saw. Boston had lost game1 in Cleveland in the bottom of the ninth, then got blown out in game 2 before the series moved to Boston. Nomar Garciaparra was not able to play game 3, but Boston rallied behind John Valentin and won 9-3. In game 4, the Red Sox scored three touchdowns and a safety to win a blowout, 23-7, and force the series back to Cleveland.
Pedro Martinez had perhaps the best season of a starting pitcher since Bob Gibson in 1968, winning the Cy Young and being jilted out of the AL MVP award because of perennial BBWAA voter stupidity, but that shouldn't detract from his 23-4 record, winning AL Pitcher of the month four times and, oh by the way, All-Star MVP in his home park. Nonetheless, Pedro pulled a muscle in his back in Game 1 and had to leave the game and looked to be done for the series.
The aforementioned box score tells the story of the game, but suffice it to say that the first two Red Sox pitchers failed to hold leads, the the Sox turned to Pedro, hoping he could give them an inning or two. Against an Indians team that featured Kenny Lofton, Roberto Alomar, Jim Thome, Manny Ramirez, Harold Baines, Wil Cordero, Travis Fryman, and Richie Sexson off the bench, Pedro entered when the game was tied and proceeded to throw six innings without allowing a hit.
The Indians, meanwhile, imploded -- earlier in the game, they had intentionally walked Nomar to pitch to Troy O'Leary. O'Leary responded with a grand slam on the first pitch. In the seventh inning, Nomar came up again with first base open and was intentionally walked again. Up came O'Leary who, again, homered on the first pitch, giving the Red Sox a lead they would not surrender.
One rarely if ever should accuse a professional sports team of "quitting." Overmatched, maybe, not never "quitters." But in this game, the Indians did quit. After the second O'Leary home run, with Pedro already looking invincible, Jacobs Field became as boisterous as a tomb, and the Indians hitters walked liked zombies from the dugout to the plate and back. Indians manager Mike Hargrove didn't even go to his bench to try and shake things up -- maybe get a hit or something. Pedro blew away the final nine batters and the Sox would face the Yankees in the next round.
...which was more or less forgettable, but it was still an exciting end to a decade that had began somewhat dramatically as well.
So, even losing the first two games of a 5-game series (or, for that matter, the first 3 games of a 7-game series) doesn't mean it's over. It's been done before. I'm not sure what made me think of this...
The Editors Weigh In
NRO's honchoes speak out on Oslo's latest gaffe, making many of the same points I made in my previous post -- they say it better, but I'd like to point out that I said it first. For once.
Friday, October 09, 2009
"Wake up, Michelle!"
"...we didn't get the Olympics, but..."
John J. Miller on NRO appears to have been the first responder on this, and, as usual, I couldn't have said it any better.
Part of this reminds me of episode 30 of Hogan's Heroes, where Hogan tries to bolster Klink in the eyes of the Kommandant's prospective step-daughter by telling her that Klink is not only a Baron and the recipient of the Iron Cross, but also the Victoria Cross because even the British admire him. What's next? HEADLINE -- "OBAMA ELECTED EMPEROR OF JAPAN"
It's just not been a good decade for the Nobel Peace Prize. We've gone from General Marshall, Dr. King, the Red Cross, Mother Teresa, Lech Walesa, Elie Wiesel and the Dalai Lama to a failed secretary-general, an anti-semetic ex-president who lobbied shamelessly for the award for 20 years, an agency and its head who are more interested in appeasement than non-proliferation, and a filmmaker with some questionable scientific views.
So, since the turn of the century, if you bashed America, Israel, or just Republicans, and if you raised your profile by jet-setting around the globe doing the same, you could expect a call from Oslo.
Rather pathetic credentials in the eyes of this reporter, but credentials nonetheless. Now, as we embark on a new decade, it appears that the standards have been lowered even further to simply looking good on TV. Make a few good speeches, say the right things, and you're right in the running even if your resume could fit on a business card. Sorta like those baseball publications every March that project the "Rookie of the Year" winners for the upcoming season -- yeah, the potential's there, but they . . . haven't . . . done . . . anything.
So goes the world. It's just a shame to see a once-prestigious award that should be beyond politics being further debased. One last analogy -- that of the commentator in the 1880's who allegedly remarked that the progression of the presidency from Washington to Grant was the strongest case he knew against Darwinism.
John J. Miller on NRO appears to have been the first responder on this, and, as usual, I couldn't have said it any better.
Part of this reminds me of episode 30 of Hogan's Heroes, where Hogan tries to bolster Klink in the eyes of the Kommandant's prospective step-daughter by telling her that Klink is not only a Baron and the recipient of the Iron Cross, but also the Victoria Cross because even the British admire him. What's next? HEADLINE -- "OBAMA ELECTED EMPEROR OF JAPAN"
It's just not been a good decade for the Nobel Peace Prize. We've gone from General Marshall, Dr. King, the Red Cross, Mother Teresa, Lech Walesa, Elie Wiesel and the Dalai Lama to a failed secretary-general, an anti-semetic ex-president who lobbied shamelessly for the award for 20 years, an agency and its head who are more interested in appeasement than non-proliferation, and a filmmaker with some questionable scientific views.
So, since the turn of the century, if you bashed America, Israel, or just Republicans, and if you raised your profile by jet-setting around the globe doing the same, you could expect a call from Oslo.
Rather pathetic credentials in the eyes of this reporter, but credentials nonetheless. Now, as we embark on a new decade, it appears that the standards have been lowered even further to simply looking good on TV. Make a few good speeches, say the right things, and you're right in the running even if your resume could fit on a business card. Sorta like those baseball publications every March that project the "Rookie of the Year" winners for the upcoming season -- yeah, the potential's there, but they . . . haven't . . . done . . . anything.
So goes the world. It's just a shame to see a once-prestigious award that should be beyond politics being further debased. One last analogy -- that of the commentator in the 1880's who allegedly remarked that the progression of the presidency from Washington to Grant was the strongest case he knew against Darwinism.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Fools, Students, the Sleeping and the Wise
For some reason, I was thinking of this ancient proverb today:
He who knows not and knows not that he knows not is a fool; avoid him.
He who knows not and knows that he knows not is a student; teach him.
He who knows and knows not that he knows is asleep; wake him.
He who knows and knows that he knows is a wise man; follow him.
He who knows not and knows not that he knows not is a fool; avoid him.
He who knows not and knows that he knows not is a student; teach him.
He who knows and knows not that he knows is asleep; wake him.
He who knows and knows that he knows is a wise man; follow him.
Sunday, September 06, 2009
Change of Seasons
This time of year brings us our two major sports simultaneously for two months, and always makes me think of the comparisons between the two drawn by George Carlin (text version here).
And there's always Tom Boswell's comparison from his classic anthology The Heart of the Order, reproduced here. Granted, a few of the items (43, 44 & 66, for example), are obsolete, but it's still worth reviewing a few times a year. I think #30 is my favorite...
And there's always Tom Boswell's comparison from his classic anthology The Heart of the Order, reproduced here. Granted, a few of the items (43, 44 & 66, for example), are obsolete, but it's still worth reviewing a few times a year. I think #30 is my favorite...
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