Nobody 725

Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Nobody # 725

Nobody Asked Me But:

FASHION STATEMENT OF THE YEAR - (above)

TRAGEDY AND THE ELECTION

Some say that Benazir Bhutto's tragic death by assassination will give a boost to the presidential candidates in both parties who have the most experience in foreign policy. That would be Clinton and McCain, unless Rudy’s being mayor of NY counts as foreign policy. What I hope the voters are smart enough to realize is that the candidates mentioned have experience in FAILED foreign policy. Even with Hillary at his side, the international arena was most certainly not President Bill’s strongest area, and both HRC and McCain have poor track records on Iraq.

I will take superior ability and inexperience over experience any day. And so, according to the polls, may the voters in New Hampshire.<<<

Speaking of polls, Ryan questioned me in Tucson about why I support Obama over Hillary. My answer is best summarized in the results of last week’s LA Times/Bloomberg poll. Barack scored the highest of all Democrats in the areas I value most:

Would be more likely to produce new ideas
Has more honesty and integrity
Best at saying what he believes

Speaking of Ryan, here he is, as usual, up a Tucson tree.

Speaking of Tucson, we had a great two days there – pizza and presents, time (but not enough) to talk or just be together and a very good movie.

Speaking of the movie, “Dan In Real Life,” it was was accompanied by a bit of a miracle. I walked up to the box office and asked for two adults, one child and one senior. I laid down two $20s but the cashier returned $28. Four movie tickets for $12 – if that’s not a miracle, I don’t know one.

Speaking of miracles, my children and grandchildren all qualify. Greg and Ben made a quick Christmas stop Friday night on their way to Tucson. It was a great joy to watch them open their presents.

Speaking of joy, it was really neat to spend Christmas night at Tom’s place in La Quinta. He cooked a terrific Christmas dinner – roast pork, homemade applesauce, potatoes, corn, green beans and a delicious Julian apple-raspberry pie.

HERE ARE A FEW PICTURES OF OUR TRIP.


I don't go to school to talk to God. I'm in school to learn." - High school freshman Dawn Sherman on a new Alabame law requiring public schools to provide a moment of silence each day.<<<

Billionaire investor Sam Zell purchased the Chicago Tribune Co. last week. In a memo to employees, he summarized his reformation plans. As soon as I read his four goals, I realized that they could be perfectly applied to education.

We will take intelligent risks and reward innovation.
We will tear down bureaucracy and reward entrepreneurial spirit.
We will compete fiercely but with integrity.
We will work hard and have fun.

If this is not a blueprint for success in public education at all levels – students, teachers, administrators – then we are most surely lost.<<<

A few days ago, while Barb’s car was having recall repairs, I went to two movies - (yes, I paid twice) – something I have not done in a long time. I thought “I Am Legend” was quite good, although I wasn’t happy with something near the end. I debated going back for “Charlie Wilson’s War.” After all, the critics were mostly lukewarm about it. I made the right choice. I thought it was one of the most entertaining films I have seen in a long time. The teacher in me would give it a B+ for quality and a solid A for entertainment.

But what about the critics? I think that sometimes they judge a movie based on what they want it to be, rather than what it is. “CWW” does not make a profound statement about the downside of American aid to the Afghan rebels in their battle against the invading Soviets, although it makes two passing references at the end about America’s being better at the fight than the follow-up. But it does make you think a little and laugh a lot. That is not a small grace.<<<

Here is a partial list of my bests (and some worst) of 2007

PEOPLE OF THE YEAR

My children - for their incredibly good parenting.

MOST BORING NEWS COVERAGE

Presidential candidate debates (both parties) – too early, too many, too vapid.

UNNECESSARY REVELATION OF THE YEAR

J. K. Rolwing saying the Dumbledore was gay.

BEST SPORTING EVENT

The Final Four – even though we lost in the semi-final game, it was exciting to be in Atlanta for the greatest “weekend” in sports. (actually Saturday - Monday)

BEST TV

“The Sopranos.”
Runner-up – “Rome”

BEST MOVIES

“No Country For Old Men”
Runner-up – “3:10 To Yuma”
Most entertaining – “Charlie Wilson’s War”

TEN BEST BOOKS (In alphabetical order by author)

“The Blood-Dimmed Tide,” by Rennie Airth
“The Tin Roof Blowdown,” by James Lee Burke
“The Bone Garden,” by Tess Gerritsen
“The Kite Runner,” by Kahled Hasseini
“The Children of Men,” by P. D. James
“The Road,” By Cormac McCarthy
“Atonement,” by Ian McEwan
“The Abstinence Teacher,” by Tom Perrotta
“Harry Potter And The Deadly Hallows,” by J. K. Rowling
“The Race,” by Richard North Patterson.

AND THE WORST

“The Machiavelli Covenant,” by Allan Folsom

MY ANSWERS TO LAST WEEK’S QUESTIONS

If you could create a drive-through that would offer one product or service while you waited in your vehicle, what type of drive-through would you want to create?

Turner’s De-Vine Grape Soda Shop would be a drive-through that carried only grape soda. The customers could choose from five brands: Grapette, Nehi, Grape Crush, Stewart’s and Traubi, the latter of which originated in Communist Hungary.

I have loved grape pop since I was a kid, and I think I could make it America’s favorite soda that isn’t Coke. To do that, I would add a walk-up window for comparison samples or, as I would call them, flite tests.

If you could fall in love with someone in any city in the world, what city would you choose?

Westwood, at a Bruin basketball game. My runner-up place would be St. James Park in London.

Hugh’s answer:

Any city where you fall in love would probably be the best city on the face of the planet!

And Hugh’s answer to the earlier sudden wealth question:

If I was a rich man! I suppose I would want to spread some cheer to my
family. With that taken care of I would probably take care of a friend (or
two?). With the domestic side of the issue taken care of I would want to
spread some cheer to my favorite charity, the Salvation Army (no I do not
have a military band in my basement*). I just like the fact that they are
quick to help in times of disaster and they have a VERY low overhead.

I do not have a basement...............yet!

Three questions for next week

Babe Ruth, James Dean, Elvis Presley…. If you could bring back one superstar for one final performance in their respective field, whom would you choose?

What is a fun New Year’s resolution that you wish you had kept?

And Hugh's:

Who is the most important PERSON of the last 1000 years?

I Heard the Bells 2007

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882), 1867)

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all (Humandom)
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head:
"There is no peace on earth," I said,
"For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"Good is not dead, nor doth it sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men."

Till, ringing singing, on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
Of peace on earth, good will to men!

Nobody 724

Sunday, December 23, 2007
Nobody # 724

Nobody Asked Me But:

Yesterday was a very special day. Our neighbor’s children gave them a surprise 50th anniversary party. Over 100 people were waiting to greet them at the Chop Suey Café in Japantown. We had drinks, lunch and cake and an excellent slide show of fifty years together. What made it even more mind-boggling was that Alice and Kats celebrated their marriage on this day in 1957 AT THIS VERY SAME RESTAURANT.

They are such special people that it was an honor to pay tribute to them.<<<

“Obama is an inner-directed man in a profession filled with insecure outer-directed ones.” David Brooks

The news is Grim – Grim Johnson, that is. I received an E from his law firm in London last Monday informing me that Uncle Henry Cox died two years ago and left me “Ten Million, Seven Hundred Thousand British Pounds Sterling.” He apparently willed it to me because he knew that I would use the money for humanitarian purposes. All I am required to do to collect is to “forward the following details of yours; Identification, Full Names, Contact address, Occupation, age, phone/mobile and fax numbers for verification and re-confirmation.”

Poor Uncle Henry, I hardly knew you. And now I must let you down. I cannot take your money, because I do not trust myself. My definition of humanitarian is a new computer every year and even better Bruin basketball seats.

But thanks for the memories – if I could only remember them.<<<

MY VERY BAD

Hugh answered this question from Nobody 722, and somehow I missed his E. So here is the question again, and his answer:

In your opinion, what is the most significant event that has occurred in world history over the last thousand years? (Define significant any way you wish.)

"OK, but beyond my birth I give the nod to the Reformation. Martin Luther a liberal? Imagine if he had gone all the way with the concept of Equality (and supported the peasants for example)? Most shameful act of Martin Luther was his “old world” ideas on the Jews. I understand that he even supported the Earth Centered Universe Theory. Despite these shameful and serious issues he started mankind on a path that has not stopped since his faithful day in the woods in Germany when he was nearly killed by lightning!"

Another question for your Nobodies:

Who is the most important PERSON of the last 1000 years. No cheating, only one!

All right, let’s make his question one of the three for next week.

Two more Hugh answers:

To the “porch question.” (Front porch overlooking…?)

“I would love to overlook Augusta National and St. Andrews!!! (Pebble Beach would be my 3rd choice). Notice my ideal porch is VERY big!”

To the “what would you do differently question?”

“I could have always used some better financial advice 5 years ago! Yahoo or Google anyone? Oh well, three and a half more years of middle school kids COULD be worse I suppose!”

Here are my answers to last week’s questions:

If you could add one feature to your home (e.g. a waterfall in the living room), one would it be?

A front porch where Barb and I could sit evenings and watch the day fade into darkness.

A close second would be windows in the front of the house. The only way we can know what’s happening on Minnehaha is to go outside.

If you were a multimillionaire what do you think that you would be doing this very moment?

The question has two possible interpretations. The first is that I have suddenly come into this vast fortune. The second is that I have been rich for some length of time. My answer would vary depending upon the situation. For this reason, I will give two answers.

If I have suddenly come into my wealth, the first thing I would do is head for Tucson to hire the best custody attorney in town to help my son win his battle to stay in Reno, rather then be forced to move back to Arizona. Part of my effort, if the attorney said it was legal, would be to try to buy Samantha’s surrender of all custodial rights.

After that problem was solved, I would buy, as Christmas presents, new cars for Elizabeth, Greg, George and Alec.

Then I would hurry home so that we could shop for our Christmas present – a new home in Westwood or North of Montana.

In the second scenario, I would already have taken care of the above, and we would be in Manhattan Christmas shopping.<<<

ON BEING PRO-LIFE AND PRO-DEATH

Some have labeled as hypocrites those people who are pro-life but still believe in the death penalty. This is not necessarily true. One can be pro-life and pro-death penalty. (I am neither) Pro-life does not necessarily mean pro "evil’ life.

The moral argument against the death penalty rests on the injustice of its administration, not on false calls for consistency. Rich live and poor die. Whites live and non-whites die. And, because justice is imperfect, innocents die.

Nothing is more immoral than that.<<<

And before I leave the subject, many have said, and I agree, that we need a national debate on the moral issues that divide us. We have a perfect opportunity to do that in the upcoming primaries.

Demand that ALL of the candidates answer this question: I will appoint SC judges who favor (upholding/overturning) Roe v. Wade. Then let the voters make their choice.<<<

In the current Newsweek there is a list of their 10 best books of the year. I have read three of the top four, which once again proves that if you search through enough lists you will find one that makes you look good.<<<

55555 is not the sign of Satan:

Tuesday, while on the way to UCLA, Barbara glanced down at the instrument panel and saw that it was 5:55 and the temperature outside was 55.<<<

ANATHEMA

Of all major candidates from either party, the person I would least like to be elected president is Mitt Romney. While several candidates would sell their soul to win, I believe that Mitt would add his first born to the mix. On my trust scale among those running, he gets a -10.<<<

Here are the other two questions for next week:

If you could create a drive-through that would offer one product or service while you waited in your vehicle, what type of drive-through would you want to create?


If you could fall in love with someone in any city in the world, what city would you choose?

I made up the bracketology below for the holiday season. I hope that you have the time to test your choices against mine. If not, just enjoy – or ignore – or boo and hiss. Whatever lights up your season. jt

Note: This was an exercise in anguish. Well, maybe not anguish, but it was tough, because there is not a song here that I do not love – in the platonic sense, of course.


SWEET SIXTEEN

Game 1:
The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting)
Vs.
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

I love “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, but when Judy sings, “Through the years we all will be together, I melt. Winner - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.

Game 2:
White Christmas
Vs.
Grandmother Got Run Over By A Reindeer.

This one is closer than first appearances might indicate. Who wouldn’t love grandmother getting trampled by Rudolph? But when Bing dreams in white, everyone listens. Winner – White Christmas.

Game 3:
I’ll Be Home For Christmas
Vs.
Winter Wonderland.

Snow again, and mistletoe = wonderful. But can ANYONE not sing along with “a beautiful sight, we’re happy tonight?” Winner – Winter Wonderland.

Game 4:
Silver Bells
Vs.
Jingle Bells

Here the bells, bells, bells! Hope sang “City sidewalks, busy sidewalks” to Marilyn Maxwell in “The Lemon Drop Kid” and it became an instant classic. But everybody sings Jingle Bells as they dash through the snow (or through the shoppers). Winner – Jingle bells.

Game 5
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
Vs.
Santa Baby

The winner, Santa Baby, when sung by Eartha Kitt, is a sheer delight. And, besides, the kid should not be up that late spying on Santa.

Game 6
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
Vs.
Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree

Rockin’s really gets a person moving, but I cannot choose against that Red nose, at least this early in the tournament. Winner - Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer.

Game 7
Let it Snow
Vs.
Deck The Halls

This match is really tough. “The weather out side is frightful”
vs “Fa la la la la, la la la la.” The old beats the new – barely. The winner – Deck The Halls.

Game 8
Blue Christmas
Vs.
The Twelve Days of Christmas

Another tough one, (aren’t they all) but even Elvis has to give way to ten lords a leaping and the partridge in that pear tree. Winner - The Twelve Days of Christmas


ELITE EIGHT

Game 1:
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Vs.
White Christmas

Two romantic songs. Two dreaming songs. The winner – White Christmas, but not by much.

Game 2:
Winter Wonderland
Vs.
Jingle Bells

Again, very close, but Winter Wonderland encompasses Jingle bells and more and, therefore wins.

Game 3
Santa Baby
Vs.
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer

I like Santa Baby a bit more, but Christmas is for children, as is Rudolph. The red-nosed reindeer again wins by a nose.

Game 4
Deck The Halls
Vs:
The Twelve Days of Christmas

WOW! These are tough. But Deck the Halls is easier to sing along with and is our winner.

FINAL FOUR

Game 1:
White Christmas
Vs.
Winter Wonderland

White Christmas is second only to Rudolph in Christmas records sold. But I would buy or listen to Winter Wonderland first.

Game 2
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
Vs.
Deck The Halls

Kids love it. I love it. But since I am only part kid anymore, I love Deck The Halls even more.

NATIONAL CHAMPION

Winter Wonderland
Vs.
Deck The Halls

Now that I have made my choice, “I’m walking in a winter wonderland.”

Nobody 723

Sunday, December 16, 2007
Nobody # 723

Nobody Asked Me But:

Let’s start with the good stuff. The picture is of Emily Friday night as she was leaving for her FIRST dance.

I have been told that after being escorted to the ballroom door by her older brother, the beautiful young woman entered and proceeded to dance the night away.<<<

Now to Nobody.

Here is something to remember during this holiday season. It is not the size of the gift that counts; it is the cost.<<<

IT’S ENDORSEMENT TIME

I have been equivocating for too long. It is time for me to formally endorse my choice for the Democratic nomination.

My head says Hillary. She has a better chance to be elected, is more experienced and would be our long-overdue woman president.

My heart says Barack. He shares more of my values, inspires me more and is the new blood this country needs.

Advantage heart. Barack Obama for President of the United States!<<<

Add on Barack – IMO, many more people will be turned on by Obama’s honesty about using drugs when he was young than will be turned off. And shame on the Hillary camp for using such low tactics.<<<

It’s a marshmallow world in the winter
When the snow comes to cover the ground.

Barb was heartbroken a couple of weeks ago when we ate at one of our favorites, Clementine’s, before a Bruin basketball game. She had planned to buy her fix, coffee marshmallows, for our winter hot chocolate. Alas, the gourmet restaurant/take-out no longer sold them over the counter – although they still served them in their cocoa. It looked like a long winter ahead, with no hot chocolate.

Then joy again when she discovered that the small company that makes them had opened a shop in Pasadena. (See information at end of Nobody)

We stopped Thursday on the way home from a lunch with Tom, and the owner, Christine Moore, was so delighted that we had sought her out that she gave us a tour of the kitchen and free samples of many of her wonders. We left with full tummies, bags of the marshmallows and a complementary logo tee for Barb.

And hot chocolate Friday morning.<<<

ON MITT

“JFK’s speech was to reassure Americans that he wasn’t a religious fanatic. Mitt’s was to tell evangelical Christians, ‘I’m a religious fanatic just like you.’”<<<

Question: Can a patriot ever think that his country’s defeat in a war is desirable?

Answer: Yes, if the war is unjust.<<<

A comment heard in the year 1955 - "I'll tell you one thing, if things keep going the way they are, it's going to be impossible to buy a week's groceries for $20."<<<

A question from the Religious Right: Are Mormons Christians?

Or – as asked at a Huckabee campaign event:

"Will his (Romney’s) prayers even get through?”

Certainly not while God is walking the precincts for Mike Huckabee who, commenting on his rapid rise in the polls said Thursday, "There's only one explanation for it, and it's not a human one.”

And then there are game days when HE is kept very busy choosing sides as He answers the prayers for victory coming from so many Christian athletes. God bless the Trojans.<<<

COURAGE AND DISCOURAGE

Courage: California Congresswoman Jane Harmon (picture) – when Congressional Intelligence Committee leaders, of both parties, were fully briefed on CIA interrogation techniques, including waterboarding and stress positions in 2002 and 2003, Harmon was the only one who protested.

Discourage:

California Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi said nothing.<<<

JT – On the Golden years:

I think the golden years are only golden when good luck combines with a strange combination of effort and acceptance.<<<

Here are my answers to last week’s questions:

If you could have a grand, beautiful front porch with a relaxing porch swing overlooking any place in the world, what would it overlook?

I have two nominees. The first would be located in the hills of Sausalito looking down on the Golden Gate, the bay and San Francisco. I would want my porch warmed so that I could experience it in the rain and the fog as well as the sun.

My second nominee is Princeville looking down on Hanalei. I can see the bay reaching eastward to the Pacific, the green jungle lushness beyond and in the background, the cliffs of NaPali.

And the winner is……

Sausalito. It is difficult to turn down the island paradise of my dreams, but my choice offers more varied and therefore interesting vistas.<<<

If you were five years younger but knew everything at that age that you have actually learned over the last five years, what is one thing that you would definitely do differently than you did?

I would damn myself less for my limitations.<<<

Politics and sports are represented in my Quotes Of The Week:

“Westerners think the Communist Party still has something to do with political ideology. You know there is no political philosophy in China except prosperity.” David Brooks, NY Times.

“Reason No. 4,837 why college hoops is far superior to the NBA: You never see NBA players lock their arms on the bench when one of their teammate is shooting free throws at the end of a close game.” Seth Davis, Sports Illustrated.<<<

SAN FRANCISCO -- An Episcopal diocese in central California (San Joaquin) voted Saturday to split with the national denomination over disagreements about the role of gays and lesbians in the church. (Priest's picture )

It is my understanding that the topic of Sunday’s sermon was No Gaiety Allowed.<<<

Asked of Tom Brokow in Time Magazine: Who was the most influential person of the past 40 years?

Brokow: “Mikhail Gorbachev, internationally, was critically important. Ronald Reagan had a big impact on American life. So did Osama bin Laden. You can't ignore that.”

JT: I think Brokow’s choices are about right, so I will make them my nominees. My choice is Osama. What’s yours? ( Remember, you are not limited to these three.)<<<

Here are two points that interested me in the latest NY Times/CBS poll:

The Democrats like their candidates much more than the Republicans like theirs. Both parties, the Republicans by 61% to 27% and the Democrats by a closer vote, said that they preferred experience over new ideas in their presidential candidate.

I disagree on the second point. America is in a political rut. It is a time when, other than in making war, the old saying was never more appropriate: “When everything is said and done, much more is said than done.”

It is time for fresh ideas to get us moving again.<<<

In a recent NY Times Magazine, Deborah Solomon interviewed British writer Ian Mc Ewan, who’s superb novel “Atonement” was made into a film that was released Friday.

I found this question and answer especially interesting because it speaks to a subject close to my heart – that morality and religion are not joined at the hip.

Solomon: “It seems to me that the impulse to atone is a religious one, and yet you are a self-declared atheist.”

McEwan: “Yes, I am an atheist, and probably Briony (the book’s main character) is, too. Atheists have as much conscience, possibly more, than people with deep religious conviction, and they still have the same problem of how they reconcile themselves to a bad deed in the past. It’s a little easier if you’ve got a god to forgive you.”

\And on Norman Mailer:

Solomon – “He was probably the last American novelist who was known as much for his antics as for his writing.”

McEwan – “Boxing and writing were wonderfully confused in his mind.”<<<

The Supreme Court finally got something right (no not that kind of right). Last week they overturned one of the “black laws – a law that mandated longer sentences for crack cocaine users, predominately black people, than for those who are caught using regular cocaine – not called white powder for its color alone.

And, as usual, Justice Thomas, who was one of two dissenters, (Justice Alito was the other) voted against his race.<<<

In the past five days, five groups the National Board of Review, the Boston Society of Film Critics, the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, the Washington D.C. Film Critics Association have named their Best of 2007 film awards. “No Country For Old Men” was chosen best picture by four of the groups, with the LA critics dissenting. Their choice was “There Will Be Blood.”

And what about this review line for “Blood?” “…an audience-punishing epic.”

Obviously the reviewer was not part of the LA gang.<<<

ON THE STEROID SCANDAL IN MLB

I am still trying to find my center on this whole thing, but I must say that Andy Petitte seems to have been telling the truth when he said that he has “adopted a lot of Roger Clemen’s workout habits.”

And I love Jerry Crowe’s comment in his LA Times column: “Remember in 1998 when Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa were hitting all those home runs and fans and media wondered whether the baseballs were juiced?”<<<

Here are next week’s questions:

If you were a multimillionaire what do you think that you would be doing this very moment?

If you could add one feature to your home (e.g. a waterfall in the living room), one would it be?

Answers anyone? And it is not too late to answer last week’s questions.<<<




Little Flower Candy Company Cafe Opens

It’s been said you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone.

A lesson that really hit home during the Little Flower Candy Company’s nine-month hiatus.

Good thing Christine Moore’s back. And now she has a perfectly simple bakery cafe to call her own.

On top of churning out her famous caramels and flavored fluffy marshmallows, Moore, a pastry chef before busting out as a candymaker, bakes up a handful of fresh goodies every day. Look for croissants, muffins, scones, cookies, rustic tarts, and cakes like the Foley (a densely delicious gooey almond butter cake). Grab a table inside or out or take City Bean coffee to go.

The plan is to grow the Pasadena space into a market full of her favorite things (The Santa Monica Farmers’ Market Cookbook and Acapulco Tortilleria chips have already arrived).

You’ve still got a lot to learn.

Little Flower Candy Company, 1424 West Colorado Boulevard, between Avenue 64 and Melrose Avenue, Pasadena (626-304-4800 or littleflowercandyco.com).

Nobody 722

Sunday, December 8, 2007
Nobody # 722

Nobody Asked Me But:

As the gun lobby likes to say, if the government doesn’t coddle the Omaha killer, but instead locks him up for the rest of his life, it will set an example for all the bad guys with guns while leaving the good guys alone.<<<

Six years in Guantánamo Bay naval base – tell me why a “land of liberty” doesn’t either put these people on trial or release them?

Also, tell me why I shouldn’t be ashamed of my country for allowing this?<<<

"Pullman also turned out to be no dogmatist. His practice of tossing out provocative statements struck me as a habit acquired during his years as a middle-school teacher, intended not to shut out opposing ideas but to flush them from the underbrush of adolescent inertia.” – Laura Miller is a staff writer for Salon.com and the editor of "The Salon.com Reader's Guide to Contemporary Authors."

Philip Pullman is the British author of “His Dark Materials’” a fantasy trilogy. The first volume, “The Golden Compass,” has been made into a movie that opened Friday.

Recently, Catholics have been receiving e-mails from their church warning that the movie was made solely to persuade children to read the books, which may cause them to become atheists.

The messages, writes Miller, have “the breathless, marginally literate quality of rumors about spider eggs in bubble gum.”

It is a different story on the other side of the pond. In England they recognize that Pullman, although an atheist, does not attack religion in his books. His targets are theocracies, governments invaded and conquered by religion, where all non-believers, whether in God or a particular view of God, suffer some consequence. He has been invited to speak or participate on panels sponsored by the liberal and moderate clergy, many of whom value his books for tackling the great questions of existence: life, death, morality and humanity's role in the universe.

Two notes: No, I have not yet seen the film, but it will be our annual Tucson/Christmas trip movie.

Yes, Ryan has visited the library and is reading the book.<<<

Here are my answers to last week’s questions along with the ones that a few of you sent in.

If like milk or the newspaper, you could have anything you like delivered to your doorstep every morning, what particular item would you want it to be?

I would choose a snapshot album filled with previous day pictures of my children and grandchildren.

Libby: “I would like Coke in a bottle delivered to my door every morning. Nothing tastes better; especially in the 8oz bottle.”

Hugh: “How about a good old fashion cup of Joe! Wonder when SBs will figure this out since their sales appear to be down a bit. I would love to get my cup of Joe around 6 in the morning on school days and 7 on Saturdays and Sundays.”

Elizabeth: "I think I would like a complete breakfast, just like room service, with fresh squeezed OJ, eggs, hash browns, bacon and a bagel w/ cream cheese. If all that is too much, then just various fresh bakery goods."

Barbara: "A cup of Ghirardelli chocolate mocha cocoa with a homemade mocha marshmallow from Clementine’s."

Jeeesh: Check out these four answers. And I’m the one who is supposed to be obsessed with food and drink. But I have to admit that they all sound great.<<<

In your opinion, what is the most significant event that has occurred in world history over the last thousand years? (Define significant any way you wish.)

I will start by defining it in the most personal term. For me, the most significant event was my birth. Without that there is nothing. This holds true for every other human as well.

In a more general term, I would name a period of interlocking events – the Enlightenment. (The portrait is of John Locke) It was this series of scientific discoveries and philosophical pronouncement that allowed humans to break free from the tyranny of church and state. It was a declaration that experience is to be preferred over authority.<<<

Here is a question posted on CNN: What kind of driver annoys you most?

Tailgater
Slowpoke
Cell phone user

It’s a tough choice, but my vote goes to the tailgater.<<<

JIM’S WISDOM (A name, not a claim.) BOOKS, MOVIES AND TELEVISION.

SIDEWAYS: “Beowulf,” a terrible movie that is worth seeing in IMAX 3D for the special effects.

UP: “No Country For Old Men,” book and movie. Rarely have I seen a film that followed the book so closely. The screenwriter lifted scenes and dialogue directly from the novel – which I read after seeing the movie. But both are worth your time. The story, about a man in the Southwest on the run after finding $3,oo,ooo at a drug deal gone bad, and about the chilling hit man on his trail, becomes a film sure to be nominated for a Best Picture award.

Later: I see the reviewer saw things the same way as I did – only he called it “purest adaptations” – ("No Country for Old Men" was the top choice "because of the direction of the Coen brothers. I think it is one of the purest adaptations of a book.”)

UP: “The Race.” I have mentioned Richard North Patterson’s book before, but I want to remind all of you that this is not only an excellent novel about American politics but about our society today as well.

UP: Samantha Who? This new television comedy stars Christina Applegate as a young woman who has amnesia and has to make up for her past while discovering herself in the present.

DOWN: JT for liking Vince Flynn. Flynn’s hero, Mitch Rapp, who does everything I abhor. He tortures! He kills! But protecting America is a dirty job; especially when weak-assed liberals like me want to take the moral high road. I can hardly wait for his next book.

One problem though for Flynn – in his latest book, “Protect and Defend,” Rapp saves the United States from Iran’s non-existent nuclear threat.

UP: “The Woman’s Murder Club.” I never thought I would write anything positive about something with origins in James Patterson’s book-of-the-week club. But this new TV series is very good. The story line follows four San Francisco women, a cop, a medical examiner, an assistant DA and a reporter as they solve murders in America’s favorite city. As in all good television, a deep supporting cast ably assists the four leads, and the show does not take itself too seriously.

UP: “Imperium” – I finished listening to this Robert Harris novel about Cicero and Rome circa 50BC last week. If you are interested in Rome, this is a book worth reading – or listening to.

Note: while in Edinburgh last fall I met Harris and had him sign “Imperium” as a Christmas gift for Jim.

MORE UPS AND DOWNS

UP, DOWN? It depends on the day – The Chinese grandmother whose child-rearing philosophy was summed up by her motto: “Do not smile until the children are in bed.”

UP: The Bruin’s great come-from-behind victory over Davidson at the Wooden Classic yesterday. They should have never allowed themselves to get behind by 18 points, but when they play with passion, as they did starting about 16 minutes into the game, they are among the best teams in basketball.

DOWN: Mitt Romney, for labeling me and mine as outcasts. His “religion” speech was all about the inclusives (religious – of all types, except maybe those leftist Quakers and Unitarians) needing to band and stand against the exclusives (sectarians) who threaten America’s moral fabric. Theocracy anyone?

WAY FAR DOWN – Neocons everywhere. They sold us a bad war with Iraq using faulty intelligence about WMDs, and almost did the same in Iran.

UP AND DOWN: The Bush PR machine for trying to “pretzelize” this information in such a way as to make the President look good. UP, because I am in awe of people who try to do the impossible, and DOWN because I hate liars and their lies.

SO FAR DOWN HE HAS TO LOOK UP TO SEE HELL: Norman Podhoretz, the elder. One of the founders of the neocons, Podhoretz is so disappointed that we have lost our excuse to bomb Iran that he wrote – “But I entertain an even darker suspicion. It is that the intelligence community, which has for some years now been leaking material calculated to undermine George W. Bush, is doing it again. This time the purpose is to head off the possibility that the President may order air strikes on the Iranian nuclear installations.”

A conspiracy nut? No, just a NUT!

UP: This picture from Google – just because I like it.

DOWN: Joe Biden for saying this about Bush’s claim that he was out of the loop on the nuclear/Iran issue - “If that's true, he's one of the most incompetent presidents in modern American history."

It’s the “one of the” that earns Joe the DOWN.

And let me get this straight. All those who pushed for a war in Iran, all those who lied about Iran’s nuclear threat, all those who supported a hard line will now get a positive popularity bump, because not they can’t make good on their goal to take us to war?

UP: FIERY CHICKEN SOUP – “Chicken Poached in a Spicy Red Chile Broth with Red Onions, Hominy, Topped with Avocado, Roasted Corn and Red Cabbage.”

Great pazole at a pizza place? Yes! I had a bowl last Sunday when we tried a new restaurant, Pit-Fire Pizza, in Westwood. It was delicious, as was the pizza that Barb and I shared. There are several Fire Pit Pizza places around Los Angeles and many items on their menu that I want to try. We shall return.

Quote of the Week – “I have a T-Mobile cell phone, which uses GSM technology; it works all over the world - and in parts of New Jersey. One of the parts of New Jersey where it doesn't work happens to be my own home. As a result, I've been acutely aware of the price America paid for not doing what Europe did, and settling on a single mobile standard.” Paul Krugman, NY Times.

Here are this week’s questions. My answers and yours (?) next week.

If you could have a grand, beautiful front porch with a relaxing porch swing overlooking any place in the world, what would it overlook?

If you were five years younger but knew everything at that age that you have actually learned over the last five years, what is one thing that you would definitely do differently than you did?

Nobody 721

Sunday, December 2, 2007
Nobody # 721

Nobody Asked Me But:

As a nation, who are we? We are less progressive than most of Europe and more religious. Perhaps we are just younger. I hope that is it.<<<

I am starting CANO (Committee Against Newspapers Obscenity), and I need help. Now!

When a family newspaper like the LA Times can actually use the words “alcohol-free wine” in a positive context, the good people of the world must raise their voices in protest. Even free speech has its limits.<<<

Here are my answers to last week’s questions.

Suppose that right now, you could be at your favorite vacation spot reading your favorite book, listening to your favorite CD and eating your favorite food. What would your choices be in each if these categories? I am going to change the question slightly and make it my favorite (local) food.

Here are my answers:

Place – The Chatham Bar Inn (pictures) by the Atlantic shore on Cape Cod.

Book – For fiction, I would re-read James Clavell’s “Shogun.”

Book – For non-fiction I would choose Hendrik Hertzberg’s “Observations and Arguments 1966 – 2004.”

CD – Simon And Garfinkle’s Concert In Central Park. But I would also try to sneak in Bruce Springsteen’s We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions Album.

Local Food – A fresh berry sundae from Sundae School. (picture)

If you could take a ride on anything in the world, what would you most want to ride?

I think that it would be total kicks to take a bobsled ride on an Olympic Run.<<<

Here’s Hugh’s answer to this question: If I could ride anything it would be the space shuttle into orbit (and back)!<<<

Two quotes of the week past:

“Stories and novels are entertainments that help us cope with the intense pressures mortality brings.” - Walter Mosley

"The entire American economy is based on the rich buying things they don't need and the rest of us buying things we can't afford.” Steve Lopez, in his LA Times column.<<<

DOWN: Fox News. Like its (semi)-fictional counterpart in Richard North Patterson’s current novel “The Race,” Rupert M’s “fair and unbiased” network is working hard to insure that Rudy Giuliani becomes the Republican candidate for president.

I have a big quarrel with their choice and a bigger quarrel with advocacy news. Fox refuses to separate their news department from their editorial counterpart.<<<

Way far down: John McCain. Last week I wrote about bringing humility, courtesy and respect into the race for the presidency. McCain either failed to read Nobody 720 or he ignored that part. A woman at a South Carolina Republican rally asked the Senator – “How do we beat that bitch?”

McCain’s reply – “Good question.”

A better question is – “No guts, John?”<<<

DOWN: Rudy. Giuliani for lying ----again!

I am sure that none of you remember the old radio program “To Tell The Truth.” A panel had to guess who was lying from among several participants.

With Rudy G., it is not who but when.

Here is Rudy as mayor of New York: “We recognize the reality,” which led him to issue Executive Order # 124. This order protected undocumented immigrants from being reported when they used city services.”

At the signing the mayor said, “If you come here and you work hard and you happen to be in an undocumented status, you’re one of the people who we want in this city.”

Here is Rudy, the candidate for the Republican nomination for president - "If you elect a Democrat, they're just going to open the borders, and more illegals are going to come in."

So I ask the same question that they asked on TTTT – “Will the real (Rudy Giuliani) please stand up?”<<<

Cautionary question: Can the Republican candidate jingo the illegal immigrant issue into an upset victory in next year’s presidential election? Or are the anti-illegals mostly Red State people?<<<

From Elizabeth:

I heard an interesting bit on CNN yesterday about a new movie coming out – “The Golden Compass.” Apparently some Christian/Catholic groups are encouraging a boycott of the film, which comes out in about 2 weeks, since they say it promotes atheism. We saw the previews on Friday and it looked pretty good. It stars Nicole Kidman and is based on a trilogy series by an English author. The following is this excerpt from the people boycotting it: "The movie will serve to tempt children into reading the books," Catholic League spokeswoman Kiera McCaffrey said from the group's New York headquarters. "It's sugarcoated atheism - just in time for Christmas."

Isn't that funny? Now I want to see it even more.<<<

My reply:

Hi Elizabeth,

I, too, have seen a trailer and it looks quite good. But, like the Catholics, I am worried. We can't allow movies that encourage our kids to read. Nor ones that make them think. What is Hollywood coming to? Anyway, we will both see it and compare notes.

Or we could go Christmas and put on a show. Ryan and Emily are into performing, so they could pretend that they do not want to see it, and we could drag them in against their will. Just think, our names in the paper – and probably on the Catholic "get" list as well.

Love, Dad

From the NY Times – “Republican Party officials are aggressively recruiting wealthy candidates who can spend large sums of their own money to finance their Congressional races, party officials say.”

JT: An inside source tells me that the rationale they use is:

Our policies helped you get rich, or richer, and it is time to give something back.

But I will give them credit for having a catchy campaign slogan – Rich, Run and Rule.<<<

She said, he said - see chart.

Great movie lines – “Singing In The Rain:”

Remember, in this greatest of all musicals, it is supposed to be the beginning of “talkies,” and silent star Lina Lamont, (Jean Hagen) has a small brain and a screechy voice. When she learns about a plot to have Kathy Selden (Debbie Reynolds) do a voice-over she screams: “Why, I make more money than, than Calvin Coolidge! Put together!"

From Alan Greenspan’s autobiography:

Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton were “by far the smartest presidents I’ve ever worked with.”

On responding to a Clinton aide who accused Nixon being anti-Semitic – “You don’t understand. He wasn’t exclusively anti-Semitic. He was anti-Semitic, anti-Italian, anti-antic-Greek, anti-Slovak. I don’t know anybody towards whom he was pro. He hated everybody.”

On Gerald Ford being the only truly “normal” president he has known – “I have been pushing for years for an amendment that says that anyone willing to do what is required to become president is hereby barred from taking that office. And I am only half joking.”<<<

Come on! Let’s get serious here. Are you ready for a president named Freddie? I’M NOT.

So let’s agree right now not to elect Fred Thompson, because Freddie is his birth name.<<<

More on names from Hendrik Hertzbeg’s column in this week’s New Yorker:

Most of the candidates are running on shortened versions of their birth names – Mike, Mitt, Rudy Ron, Jon, Chris, Bill. This is especially different for Republicans who have had only one man run for President under a shortened name – Bob Dole in 1992.

Hertzbeg points out that had we been shortened-name-happy throughout our history we would have ended up with these “silly-sounding Presidents:”

Tommy Jefferson
Jemmy Madison
Chet Arthur
Billy McKinley
Lyss Grant Bill
“Big Lub” Taft
Woody Wilson
Herb Hoover
Frank Roosevelt

But at least, as he points out, “we were spared Harold S. Truman.”<<<

UP: The Bruins for moving into the number 1 spot in the ESPN/Coaches basketball poll. And for Alfred Aboya who has donned his supermask and is playing with a broken bone beneath his left eye.
THE UNDERSTATEMENT OF THE WEEK

A brawl turned deadly in Valencia last week and a young man jumped into his car, ran over his victim, got out, stabbed him, and then got into his car and ran over him again.

Here is what Los Angeles County Sheriff's Lt. Dan Rosendberg said about the killing:

"Based on what I've heard so far it appears the individuals involved don't have criminal records. They're kids who made some poor decisions that ultimately resulted in someone's death."

Poor decisions?<<<

This just in: “The Onion” reports that its Center For Figuring Out The Really Obvious has discovered that a definitive causal relationship exists between drug and alcohol use and teen sex.<<<

From “Text Messages From The Press Box,” Jerry Crowe’s column in the LA Times:

“Happy belated birthday to Vin Scully, who turned 80 Thursday. As the saying goes, ‘The older the fiddle, the sweeter the tune.’"<<<

Here are your participation questions for this week:

If like milk or the newspaper, you could have anything you like delivered to your doorstep every morning, what particular item would you want it to be?

In your opinion, what is the most significant event that has occurred in world history over the last thousand years? (Define significant any way you wish)<<<