Tonight I flew home on Frontier Airlines. They have Direct TV. Unlike Jet Blue, they charge five bucks for it. I find that annoying, but on longer flights I usually give in and swipe my Visa. This was a one-hour flight, so I had no intention of doing so.
The TV is free until the plane takes off, so I saw the San Francisco baseball game was on. Although I don't follow baseball much anymore, it is the sport I grew up with. If you don't pay attention to this stuff, Barry Bonds of San Fran has been on the verge of breaking Hank Aaron's all time home run record. I'm sure some folks will say, "I thought that was Babe Ruth's record." True, up 'til 1974, that was the case.
I saw that Bonds was scheduled to bat in just a few minutes. Al though I would not have otherwise sought to view this game, I felt compelled to continue watching. I had a premonition this would be the at-bat and the fact that I was placed in front of this little screen with ESPN on seemed somehow meaningful. So I paid my money.
Bonds pulled to a 3-2 count, including one foul that probably should have been at least a hit, but he was behind the ball. Then the screen went blank.
That happens when there's turbulence, but often, although the screen is blank you still have sound. I would have, except the purser took that moment to give her spiel about paying for TV and what beverages they have and what electronic devices you may or may not use and to please sit back and relax and enjoy the flight. Like, what was the last time you enjoyed a flight? That's like saying, lie down, relax, enjoy the colonoscopy. Best case result is if it isn't too painful.
When she was done, the screen was still blank, but I heard fireworks.
Fuck me. I missed it.
Eventually, the picture resumed and I saw all the pomp and circumstance, Bond's teary thank yous, his godfather Willie Mays at his side, the recorded message from Hank Aaron. And of course the replay of the home run.
But I missed it.
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
As I slipped the surly Bonds of earth
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Friday, July 13, 2007
Bird Had it Right
Watch the left arm. Bird should have aimed a little to his right.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Or Else
Senator Obama asks my favorite question and gets a telling answer from the Scretary of State:
Rice: "Senator, I want to be not explicit about what we might do because I don't want to speculate. But I will tell you this, the benchmark that I'm looking at -- the oil law is important, the political process is extraordinary important -- that the most important thing that the Iraqi government has to do right now is to reestablish the confidence of its population that it's going to be even-handed in defending it. That's what we need to see over the next two or three months, and I think that over the next several months they're going to have to show that."
Obama: "Or else what? . . . "
Rice: "Or this plan -- or this plan is not -- this plan is not going to work."
You Just Gotta Believe!
"I wouldn't ask a mother or a dad -- I wouldn't put their son in harm's way if I didn't believe this was necessary for the security of the United States and peace of the world. And I strongly believe it. And I strongly believe we will prevail. And I strongly believe that democracy will trump totalitarianism every time. That's what I believe. And those are the belief systems on which I'm making decisions that I believe will yield the peace....I obviously have a unique view of things at times."
- George W. Bush, July 10, 2007
full transcript of speech
HuffingtonPost commentary on same quote by Marty Kaplan
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Subpoena Cheney
The White House said today it would not comply with congressional subpoenas for documents and testimony relating to the firings of federal prosecutors last year, setting up a potential constitutional confrontation over its claim of executive privilege.
- Washington Post
Since Cheney has stated his office isn't part of the Executive Branch, subpoena his office. Maybe we'll get lucky and he'll have been copied on some of this stuff. Sphere: Related Content
Thursday, June 21, 2007
The Endgame
I've always been reluctant to buy into conspiracy theories.
Some bloggers have theorized that come January 20, 2009 the Bushies will not be leaving. I've scoffed at that. Hey, they're bad, but not that bad.
Then something put me over the top. It was Cheney's claim that his office is exempt from Presidential orders because it is not part of the Executive Branch.
I can't say why this is the act that has brought me to the conclusion that there is nothing Cheney and Bush won't do if given the opportunity, but it has.
So here's my theory on the endgame: As taxed as our military is fighting the war in Iraq, at any given time there are still many thousands of soldiers, airmen, sailors, marines and national guard on American soil. However, if we start another major war (i.e. Iran) while continuing to fight this one, we'll really have to empty the bases and send everyone to the theater of war.
What a perfect time for a coup.
I firmly believe that the military would rise up against that. If they were here.
It's January 20, 2009. G.W. Bush has announced that, due to unprecendented voter fraud, he cannot accept the result of last November's election and will not relinquish power. The Supreme Court, not wanting to repeat the 2000 fracas, is silent.
Yes, it's a ridiculous idea. But let's review the realities of the past 6 years and ask:
Is there anything they wouldn't do?
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Blogging Ennui
When I realized today that it had been more than three weeks since the last post here, I knew something was up. With the real me and several alter-egos (including this one) available to contribute, none of us has had anything to say for a while.
Work has been overwhelming and sapping my physical (even though it's a desk job) and psychic energy.
Fortunately, I have two mini-vacations coming in the next weeks to favorite places on opposite coasts. Perhaps they will rejuvenate me.
Perhaps I should visit a spa, but only one that knows how to spell.
Or, having not been to Shul in nearly two years, I should reJEWvenate.
But I must stop watching presidential "debates" -- they just depress.
(if you're behind on Sopranos skip this paragraph)
And then they killed Bobby Baccala, and Sil is in a coma. If you saw that episode, the scene where they get Bobby in the model train store is fucking brilliant. But tomorrow is the finale, and I feel like I'm losing friends, even though they were very bad people.
Friends, don't give up on us. I'm sure we'll see a return of our vigorous and sardonic ways soon, and get that daily hit counter back up to 5.
Saturday, May 05, 2007
Dedicated to Katie Schwartz
Send this one along to Leewee...
p.s. - is he related?
