Nobody 767

Sunday, May10, 2009
Nobody # 767

Nobody Asked Me But:

What is the most generous thing I can do in this situation?

How about the above as a Golden Rule to apply at all our points of indecision? I found it in the book I am currently reading, “The Sum of Our Days; A Memoir,” by Isabel Allende. Allende is a Chilean-American novelist and the niece of Salvador Allende, the President of Chili who was deposed, murdered and replaced by the dictator Pinochet. (With help from the CIA.)

She lives in Marin County, and Book Passages (I included a picture of it in my post-trip Nobody) is sort of her home bookstore. She appears there frequently, and they have signed copies of all her books. I wanted to buy a book, (support your independent bookstore) and I chose “The Sum of Our Days” pretty much as a ”suppose to” rather than an “I want it.” I began reading it for the same reason. Boy was I wrong. It is a terrific book.<<<

NOT-SO-SECRET INGREDIANTS

Last week CNN had a piece on hunting for the secrets of a happy marriage. I could have saved them the trouble. Here is the Turner formula:

Love - Like – Respect - Support - Love.<<<

PERSPECTIVE

This joke is old and has made the rounds. But I think it is funny enough to repeat.

Two bulls were grazing atop a hill and the younger one said: "Look at all those cows in the valley, let's run down and take one of them." The old bull snapped back: "No, let's walk down and take them all."<<<

LOOKING BACK

(I wrote this 13 years ago this past week in Nobody # 7 – May 7, 1996)

Turning the coin over, my daughter just called. My new grandchild, due early in July, is going to be a girl. I'm thrilled. No one could be more wonderful than our grandson Ryan, (if I were a religious man, I would swear he was an angel in disguise), but Elizabeth and George frown on him wearing girls clothes, and there are so many precious dresses and outfits that Barbara and I are dying to buy. So don't rush Elena, but don't be late either. We are anxious to hold you. (Between May and July Elena somehow became lovely Emily.)<<<

And this a good place to say I miss you Mom and Mom Gold and to wish a Happy Mother’s Day to all.

UPS AND DOWNS

DOWN: The conservatives who are already attacking possible Obama appointments to the Supreme Court for being gay. Have they no shame? (Or no sense of timing either in a nation where liberal California is suddenly behind the times as traditionally conservative states are legalizing gay marriage.)

UP: Britain – For banning Michael Savage as an “agent of extremism and intolerance.” Actually, probably the best way to handle people like Savage and Rush and Ann Coulter is to laugh at them. They have earned it.

DOWN: Bipartisanship – Except in rare cases its importance is way overrated.

UP: The President – for his plan to crack down on overseas tax loopholes.

DOWN: The BBB – Better Business Bureau - for opposing the plan. They are in their usual profits over patriotism mode.

DOWN: Manny – Oh Manny, Manny such a disappointment.

UP: UouTube EDU – Want to see a Harvard professor lecture on your favorite subject? Or one from UCLA? Stanford? Yale? You can see these and many others free on my discovery of the week.

DOWN: Guns in Arizona – The legislature is about to pass a law protecting the right to have a gun in a parking lot. A gun owner was heard saying – “At last I am free to shoot any car that bothers me.”

DOWN: The banks - for getting a free pass through the crisis. Maybe it is time for the government to either own the banks or let them fail.

UP: Karen Tumulty of Time magazine for the best political one-liner of the week – In response to a CNN guy who wrote that “a comedian will determine the balance of power in the Senate,” she asks “when has that not been the case?”<<<

Anyone else see The Divine Sarah as the puppet master in Bristol Palin’s new abstinence campaign?<<<

Consider this! When conservatives serve in public office they do it with a “get out of jail” pass. If they are successful they take credit for their success. If unsuccessful, they can say, “see, we told you that government doesn’t work.”<<<

STARTING AN ARGUMENT

Defining modern as post WWII, I believe that the greatest catchers of modern times are:
1. Johnny Bench – Best ever combination of O and D.
2. Yogi Berra – In many ways, the heart of the Yankees.
3. Roy Campanella – The soul of the Dodgers.
4. Mike Piazza – The greatest O catcher of all.

Other suggestions?<<<

Why are banks being treated more gently by the government than are the auto companies? Are they in some way sacred cows? If so, it is a reverse thing, as it is they who are milking the American taxpayers.<<<

Because we are going to NY City later this year, I read with special interest a hamburger story in yesterday’s NY Times. It seems there is a Burger of the Month Club that has accepted the difficult mission of finding and rating the best burgers in the five boroughs.

It’s not an easy job. In fact, one member is on injured reserve due to high cholesterol. They do have their standards though. One of their principles is that “vegetables are to be eaten by rabbits and liberals.”

And in case you are wondering, their top ranking goes to Peter Lugar’s Steak House in Brooklyn where we were already planning to go. Barbara can have the burger, I’ll take steak.<<<

ON APPOINTING JUDGES

Republicans in power – “We’re got the power! We don’t have to listen to you.”

Republicans out of power – “You’re got the power but you better listen to us – or else.”

Or as the late Republican Senator Everett Dirksen, said: "Sometimes a man just has to rise above principle."<<<

Gift of the week – an alarm clock for Elizabeth Edwards, so that she can wake up and see that John was just as responsible as was the other woman.<<<

ANSWERS FROM MY KIND OF DOCTOR

Q: I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life. Is this true?

A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it. Don't waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.<<<

Last week, CNN asked the following question – “Would you volunteer to repair a road if the government wouldn't?”

61 % said yes and 39% said no. Count me as a no, because that’s what I’m paying them to do.<<<

Remember – ask yourself:

What is the most generous thing I can do in this situation?