Nobody 660
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Nobody # 660
Nobody Asked Me But:
Weldon Drew on basketball: “We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors.”
July 24 - My wife thinks I’m crazy, but I’m not. I am just a fan(atic) about Bruin basketball. That’s why I spend so much time reading about recruiting, and that’s why I will be nervous until sometime tomorrow when High school senior Kevin Love, a 6’ 10” tower of talent from Lake Otswego, Oregon, will announce his decision about where he is going to play starting in the fall of 2007. The number 1 or number 2 ranked recruit in the U. S. in his class, depending upon which ranking service one reads, will choose between UCLA and North Carolina and almost everyone expects it to be my Bruins. Actually, I do too, but recruiting is much more art than science and artists can surprise.
If he does choose Westwood I promise to listen to his Uncle Mike, and the rest of the Beach Boys sing “California Girl” all summer and “Merry Christmas, Baby” all winter.<<<
July 25 - It is 23 minutes until Love announces. I am still nervous but that’s okay. It means I care and caring is a good thing. When he announces I will feel ecstatic or depressed. If the latter, it won’t last long, because being a fan is a small piece of frosting on life’s cake. But I do like frosting.
The wait is over. Kevin Love is a Bruin. He will be the best Bruin center since Bill Walton graduated in 1974 and may be good enough to lead an already excellent team to our next National championship. (If we don’t win it this coming season.)
Was it worth the wait, worth all the hopes and fears? Absolutely.<<<
Barb says that I am good at multi-tasking. I finally do a task after she has asked me multi-times.<<<
This, from the current Time, may be old news, but not to me. According to the fanatics who control Iranian power but not the minds of many of the people, Pepsi stands for “pay each penny to save Israel?"
Pepsi is one of the products that these nuts, often unsuccessfully, urge the people to boycott.
My reaction: Since I prefer Coke, does that mean I am anti-Israel? Actually the article reminds me that, while they are not ready for a neocon type regime change, the hearts and minds of the Iranian common people are not lost. Attack them and their loyalty reverts to their government and the clerics who mostly control it. Don’t use force and many Iranians are not so sure that the Arab problem is a Persian problem - "If the lantern is needed at home, donating it to the mosque is haram [forbidden]."
Iran is a house divided. The religious and power elites on one side, supported by a substantial number of cause-oriented, easily swayed youth. On the other side are the good people, a majority in number, a clear minority when it comes to the distribution of power.
How do we deal with the former without alienating or even killing the latter? Sound familiar? Check out Israel in Lebanon. But we have an edge over Israel. We may be hated but we are recognized as legitimate. We can directly engage Iran diplomatically, but the Bush bunch won’t do it. And the tragedy is that their policy of shunning Iran, Syria and North Korea is as big a failure as their military fiasco in Iraq.<<<
Before we totally leave the subject, is there any reason why a stray Israeli missile can’t accidentally land on “Braveheart?” Mel Gibson, the self-appointed defender of Christianity, when arrested for drunk driving last week reportedly said that, "the Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world."
If not a missile, how about a boycott? Sign here _____________.<<<
The Internet is soooo coooool. While Barb was taking a bath the other night, I watched a panel discussion by 3 NY Times columnists on politics. When David Brooks, the conservative in the trio, said that he thought Hillary would make a pretty good president, I almost fell out of my chair.<<<
Patt Morrison, in the LA Times, wonders if photography is becoming illegal in the United States?" She sites the following examples:
A man taking pictures of a symmetrical array of school buses gets a visit from Homeland Security.
A shutterbug shooting 16-millimeter film of the scenery outside the train window is questioned, and the film is confiscated.
A history student taking photos of the New York state Capitol for her class project finds the police at her door.
Another student in Seattle, photographing a popular tourist sight, is corralled by men declaring themselves to be "homeland security."
A Texas railroad buff takes pictures of trains and gets grilled for five hours by the FBI and the cops.
In the online photo magazine Vivid Light Photography, Jim McGee writes about photographer-cop encounters and "wild tales about 'made-up' laws that cops pull out of the air to justify their actions.”
My reaction: The Alien and Sedition Laws begat the Indian Removal Act, which begat Lincoln suspending the right of Habeas Corpus, which begat the Red Scare, which begat FDR’s executive order sending Japanese Americans to Manzanar and other “relocation” camps, which begat McCarthyism, which begat domestic spying by the FBI, which begat The Patriot Act.
AND NOT ONE OF THESE “EMERGENCY” ATTACKS ON THE BILL OF RIGHTS WAS NECESSARY!<<<
From the Sacramento Bee: Kids die in pools as safety bill stalls - In June, alone, four more small children drowned in pools.
The goal of Assembly Bill 2977 was to double protection around new residential swimming pools, while, at the same time, requiring older pools undergoing even slight upgrades to be retrofitted to the same.
And the killers are: lobbyists for the pool and spa industries, the only group listed as opponents to the bill. They emphatically stated that, “their industry will never support the requirement for two safety features for every pool.”
Did I read somewhere that their motto is, “Better a few kids dead than a few bucks lost?”<<<
"YO, BLAIR," AND COPPING A FEEL OF THE GERMAN CHANCELLOR – BUSH’S “HANDS ON” FOREIGN POLICY.
With England it’s frat boy style, “Yo, Blair,” probably followed by “get your ass over here or I’ll snap your butt with a towel.”
With Germany it’s hands on diplomacy – as in the surprise neck rub our beloved leader gave to German chancellor, Angela Merkel, during the Group of Eight meetings.
I’m all for friendly, but when our president makes the British Prime Minister look like a lackey, and offends the German chancellor with an inappropriate touchy/feely moment, it may be past time for some Rice advice.<<<
“There are places I'll remember” John Lennon
For me, Saratoga Springs, New York is one of the best.
Although Barb and I did not go there “for the waters,” nor for the ponies, we discovered a small town where the living would be easy. Start with the main street, Broadway, lined with immaculate shops, restaurants and a cool Starbucks where one can have excellent coffee or, on special occasions, a grande mocha while reading today’s NY Times - and then plug in the laptop for some browsing and writing.
After your wife has finished her type of browsing, she picks you up at SB and you cross the street to Congress Park, a delightful place to take a break and ride on the historic 1910 Marcus Illions carousel. Then venture down small side streets complete with their own delights including Hatties, a great Southern up-country restaurant. After some fried chicken or dirty shrimp, wander back to Broadway. Turn right, walk a couple of blocks and discover rows of Victorian homes to drool for.
Here is a bit of Saratoga Springs history, but don’t get too intrigued with the place. It’s mine.
The springs have been there forever - well almost forever. Iroquois hunters discovered the springs and celebrated their healing properties in the 14th century. Each is distinctive. The State Seal Spring is fresh, sweet and noncarbonated. Polaris, while delicious, is also naturally slightly radioactive - one sip gives you that glowing feeling. Island Spouter is so rich in gas and minerals that it shoots 15 feet into the air, which makes sipping a little difficult but try a bathhouse that uses it and you may be cured.
Saratoga Race Course, built in 1846, is one of the country's oldest and was featured in the movie “Billy Bathgate.” The racing season is July and August. Fans fill the town, which makes these months a good time to stay away unless you love crowds and trifectas.
Back on Broadway and across from the park is the Canfield Casino, which had a peculiar rule. Gambling, though illegal, was operated solely for visitors. Diamond Jim Brady, John Philip Sousa and a goodly share of mobsters played roulette and blackjack, but Saratoga residents were banned.
Things changed after the Kefauver hearings in 1951 that linked gambling to the mafia. The Canfield Casino closed and local residents were again treated the same as visitors. Nobody gambled.
But you can swing by the brick building, now a museum and learn that in 1853 Native American chef George Crum invented the potato chip at Moon's Lake Lodge near Saratoga Lake.
So munch on a few as you explore. Even stop by Starbuck’s and say hello. I’ll be the one (in my dreams) sitting by the window reading today’s news or pecking at my laptop. But then go home. I’m the last of the new residents. From now on this is a zero population growth town.<<<
Nobody # 660
Nobody Asked Me But:
Weldon Drew on basketball: “We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors.”
July 24 - My wife thinks I’m crazy, but I’m not. I am just a fan(atic) about Bruin basketball. That’s why I spend so much time reading about recruiting, and that’s why I will be nervous until sometime tomorrow when High school senior Kevin Love, a 6’ 10” tower of talent from Lake Otswego, Oregon, will announce his decision about where he is going to play starting in the fall of 2007. The number 1 or number 2 ranked recruit in the U. S. in his class, depending upon which ranking service one reads, will choose between UCLA and North Carolina and almost everyone expects it to be my Bruins. Actually, I do too, but recruiting is much more art than science and artists can surprise.
If he does choose Westwood I promise to listen to his Uncle Mike, and the rest of the Beach Boys sing “California Girl” all summer and “Merry Christmas, Baby” all winter.<<<
July 25 - It is 23 minutes until Love announces. I am still nervous but that’s okay. It means I care and caring is a good thing. When he announces I will feel ecstatic or depressed. If the latter, it won’t last long, because being a fan is a small piece of frosting on life’s cake. But I do like frosting.
The wait is over. Kevin Love is a Bruin. He will be the best Bruin center since Bill Walton graduated in 1974 and may be good enough to lead an already excellent team to our next National championship. (If we don’t win it this coming season.)
Was it worth the wait, worth all the hopes and fears? Absolutely.<<<
Barb says that I am good at multi-tasking. I finally do a task after she has asked me multi-times.<<<
This, from the current Time, may be old news, but not to me. According to the fanatics who control Iranian power but not the minds of many of the people, Pepsi stands for “pay each penny to save Israel?"
Pepsi is one of the products that these nuts, often unsuccessfully, urge the people to boycott.
My reaction: Since I prefer Coke, does that mean I am anti-Israel? Actually the article reminds me that, while they are not ready for a neocon type regime change, the hearts and minds of the Iranian common people are not lost. Attack them and their loyalty reverts to their government and the clerics who mostly control it. Don’t use force and many Iranians are not so sure that the Arab problem is a Persian problem - "If the lantern is needed at home, donating it to the mosque is haram [forbidden]."
Iran is a house divided. The religious and power elites on one side, supported by a substantial number of cause-oriented, easily swayed youth. On the other side are the good people, a majority in number, a clear minority when it comes to the distribution of power.
How do we deal with the former without alienating or even killing the latter? Sound familiar? Check out Israel in Lebanon. But we have an edge over Israel. We may be hated but we are recognized as legitimate. We can directly engage Iran diplomatically, but the Bush bunch won’t do it. And the tragedy is that their policy of shunning Iran, Syria and North Korea is as big a failure as their military fiasco in Iraq.<<<
Before we totally leave the subject, is there any reason why a stray Israeli missile can’t accidentally land on “Braveheart?” Mel Gibson, the self-appointed defender of Christianity, when arrested for drunk driving last week reportedly said that, "the Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world."
If not a missile, how about a boycott? Sign here _____________.<<<
The Internet is soooo coooool. While Barb was taking a bath the other night, I watched a panel discussion by 3 NY Times columnists on politics. When David Brooks, the conservative in the trio, said that he thought Hillary would make a pretty good president, I almost fell out of my chair.<<<
Patt Morrison, in the LA Times, wonders if photography is becoming illegal in the United States?" She sites the following examples:
A man taking pictures of a symmetrical array of school buses gets a visit from Homeland Security.
A shutterbug shooting 16-millimeter film of the scenery outside the train window is questioned, and the film is confiscated.
A history student taking photos of the New York state Capitol for her class project finds the police at her door.
Another student in Seattle, photographing a popular tourist sight, is corralled by men declaring themselves to be "homeland security."
A Texas railroad buff takes pictures of trains and gets grilled for five hours by the FBI and the cops.
In the online photo magazine Vivid Light Photography, Jim McGee writes about photographer-cop encounters and "wild tales about 'made-up' laws that cops pull out of the air to justify their actions.”
My reaction: The Alien and Sedition Laws begat the Indian Removal Act, which begat Lincoln suspending the right of Habeas Corpus, which begat the Red Scare, which begat FDR’s executive order sending Japanese Americans to Manzanar and other “relocation” camps, which begat McCarthyism, which begat domestic spying by the FBI, which begat The Patriot Act.
AND NOT ONE OF THESE “EMERGENCY” ATTACKS ON THE BILL OF RIGHTS WAS NECESSARY!<<<
From the Sacramento Bee: Kids die in pools as safety bill stalls - In June, alone, four more small children drowned in pools.
The goal of Assembly Bill 2977 was to double protection around new residential swimming pools, while, at the same time, requiring older pools undergoing even slight upgrades to be retrofitted to the same.
And the killers are: lobbyists for the pool and spa industries, the only group listed as opponents to the bill. They emphatically stated that, “their industry will never support the requirement for two safety features for every pool.”
Did I read somewhere that their motto is, “Better a few kids dead than a few bucks lost?”<<<
"YO, BLAIR," AND COPPING A FEEL OF THE GERMAN CHANCELLOR – BUSH’S “HANDS ON” FOREIGN POLICY.
With England it’s frat boy style, “Yo, Blair,” probably followed by “get your ass over here or I’ll snap your butt with a towel.”
With Germany it’s hands on diplomacy – as in the surprise neck rub our beloved leader gave to German chancellor, Angela Merkel, during the Group of Eight meetings.
I’m all for friendly, but when our president makes the British Prime Minister look like a lackey, and offends the German chancellor with an inappropriate touchy/feely moment, it may be past time for some Rice advice.<<<
“There are places I'll remember” John Lennon
For me, Saratoga Springs, New York is one of the best.
Although Barb and I did not go there “for the waters,” nor for the ponies, we discovered a small town where the living would be easy. Start with the main street, Broadway, lined with immaculate shops, restaurants and a cool Starbucks where one can have excellent coffee or, on special occasions, a grande mocha while reading today’s NY Times - and then plug in the laptop for some browsing and writing.
After your wife has finished her type of browsing, she picks you up at SB and you cross the street to Congress Park, a delightful place to take a break and ride on the historic 1910 Marcus Illions carousel. Then venture down small side streets complete with their own delights including Hatties, a great Southern up-country restaurant. After some fried chicken or dirty shrimp, wander back to Broadway. Turn right, walk a couple of blocks and discover rows of Victorian homes to drool for.
Here is a bit of Saratoga Springs history, but don’t get too intrigued with the place. It’s mine.
The springs have been there forever - well almost forever. Iroquois hunters discovered the springs and celebrated their healing properties in the 14th century. Each is distinctive. The State Seal Spring is fresh, sweet and noncarbonated. Polaris, while delicious, is also naturally slightly radioactive - one sip gives you that glowing feeling. Island Spouter is so rich in gas and minerals that it shoots 15 feet into the air, which makes sipping a little difficult but try a bathhouse that uses it and you may be cured.
Saratoga Race Course, built in 1846, is one of the country's oldest and was featured in the movie “Billy Bathgate.” The racing season is July and August. Fans fill the town, which makes these months a good time to stay away unless you love crowds and trifectas.
Back on Broadway and across from the park is the Canfield Casino, which had a peculiar rule. Gambling, though illegal, was operated solely for visitors. Diamond Jim Brady, John Philip Sousa and a goodly share of mobsters played roulette and blackjack, but Saratoga residents were banned.
Things changed after the Kefauver hearings in 1951 that linked gambling to the mafia. The Canfield Casino closed and local residents were again treated the same as visitors. Nobody gambled.
But you can swing by the brick building, now a museum and learn that in 1853 Native American chef George Crum invented the potato chip at Moon's Lake Lodge near Saratoga Lake.
So munch on a few as you explore. Even stop by Starbuck’s and say hello. I’ll be the one (in my dreams) sitting by the window reading today’s news or pecking at my laptop. But then go home. I’m the last of the new residents. From now on this is a zero population growth town.<<<
posted by jmt | 10:04 AM
2 Comments:
This is a test comment
Great Nobody! I love the new blog format!
Post a Comment
<< Home