( 7:52 PM )
400 Words or Less....
Over the weekend, I was relaxing poolside having a deep, thoughtful and very adult conversation with a fellow inhabitant of the Falls at Marina Bay. The conversation touched down on numerous topics: alternative energy, our best presidents (with Yours Truly throwing out the name James K. Polk just for shits and giggles) and political party affiliation. My friend identified himself as a fiscal conservative – to which I could only say: “there is no such thing.”
Politicians, too, define themselves as fiscal conservatives. Republicans usually dominate this category: "I'm socially liberal and fiscally conservative," but Democrats, in a fury to shed the old "tax and spend" label, also define themselves this way. One only has to look at what this Republican Congress is passing and what the Republican President is signing to see that the words fiscal conservative are as Homer Simpson said, meaningless, just like the phrase: "give peace a chance."
The Republican Congress just passed the largest and most expensive public works bill in history, a $288 billion dollar Department of Transportation Appropriations Bill. The President, who also calls himself a fiscal conservative all the while creating new government bureaucracies like the Department of Homeland Security and the multi-trillion dollar Medicare expansion, has signified that the veto pen will remain safely tucked away, and he will sign the bill. In fact, the President has said that this bill is "fiscally responsible" even though it came in some $30 billion above what he requested.
The problem is, we need fiscal restraint when it comes to government spending. The Concord Coalition, which lobbies for fiscal restraint and is far from the "radical left" that Bill O'Reilly rallies against, recently said that deficits may still amount to $5.7 trillion over the next decade. This rush of government over-spending is all on the GOP's head. As reported in the Chicago Tribune, since Bill Clinton left office, "federal outlays, under a GOP-controlled Congress, have risen from 18.5 percent of gross domestic output to 20.3 percent.
It's time to put fiscal conservative, in the same bin with "compassionate conservative" and "mission accomplished" as another empty, meaningless phrase used by the President in order to get votes.
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( 10:02 AM )
400 Words or Less….
Even though, I'm not certain why CNN cancelled Inside Politics, I am certain that its replacement, The Situation Room is far from the groundbreaking broadcast journalism as advertised. Someone green lights three hours of Wolf Blitzer, yet I can’t find a job. The Situation Room is nothing less than a not-so-cleverly disguised way to keep guys like Lawrence Eagleburger and William Cohen on TV. That 3 pm Baghdad video game segment was, well, scary. There’s got to be more important things to report than a goggled Susan Candiotti busting a few caps into a computer-generated-enemy.
With Fenton Communications in the house, it’s clear that Democrats are using Cindy Sheehan like Republicans used Terri Schiavo…
On PTI, Bob Ryan of the Boston Globe says the Nats are over their rough patch and now have a clear shot at the NL Wild Card. Michael Wilbon thinks a healthy Clemens, Pettite, and Oswalt put the Astros in the playoffs. Kornheiser still thinks the Yanks have life but he’s been on vacation for August and doesn’t know any better. Me, I’m still pulling for the Amazin's (also not knowing any better) but good luck trying to get anyone outside of my Port St. Lucie buddy Linda Cohn to say that. The Marlins? When Brian Lawrence is holding you to two runs, it’s hard to remember that Miguel Cabrera is hitting .341. Sure, Beckett, Burnett, and Willis are as good as any three Houston or St. Louis can throw at you, but after those three you’re relying on guys like Ron Villone to get you to lights out closer Todd Jones.
Been listening to Time Out by Dave Brubeck in the ride for the past three days. Just thought I’d share.
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( 12:11 PM )
400 Words or Less…..
Five years after Florida stops weighing racial diversity when choosing students for its public universities, the percentage of black freshman admitted declined. In 1999, when Governor Bush ordered an end of admissions advantages for minorities, black students made up 18.1 percent of the freshman class. Today, its 16.6 percent. It would be nice to hear Florida lawmakers talk about this lack of diversity with the same passion they’ve displayed on whether Florida State is being insensitive by its continued use of the name Seminoles. Blind devotion for a washed-up program is one thing, blind devotion for a washed-up program starting a third string QB is another, that’s babies on the terrorist watch list stupid.
Inclusion is also for Raphael Palmeiro today. Into the Hall of Fame that is; home of alcoholics, racists, and domestic abusers. Haven’t we taken this steroid thing too far? Convictions. Perjury. Credibility for Jose Canseco. Both “your boy” JA Adande and Jay Mariotti said they wouldn’t vote for Palmeiro. Sports Weekly survey of eight writers reveals five give Palmeiro the great big no. Jon Heyman of Newsday showing his North Shore sensitivity says plainly, “I will never vote for Rafael Palmeiro for the Hall of Fame. Never. Ever. Period.” It’s going to be at least five years before anyone has to make a decision on Palmeiro and the Hall of Fame, and time will become his best friend. Time will help heal, time will help discover and more importantly, time will help us forget. Think Clinton early days Lewinsky.
For dessert, we're also lobbying to place 400 Words… on the whole ‘Blogroll’ thing Arianna has going on at Huffington Post. Certainly this space has the credentials: Alternet. The Baseball Diaries. Pop & Politics. Not to mention a little thing called the Daily Feed, which was wise-ass and progressive back when Joe Trippi returned phone calls. This space is less scary than the pro-Bush ramblings of that Balloon Juice character, and gives you more content than the Zagat's job postings that Chelsea Peretti calls a blog. Plus, if I have to, I'll pull a Buggin' Out. That's how strong I feel about the subject.
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( 12:33 PM )
Double Duty
Joe Trippi had a conference with liberal bloggers the other day. Hey Joe, just in case my contact data is in your other phone, I'm at gjoseph@2walls.com. I shouldn't be surprised though, I'm still waiting for Trippi to return my phone calls from June.
The big talk among the Internet crowd is Gail Sheehan, who lost a son in Iraq, and is now camped herself outside of Bush's Crawford ranch demanding an apology from The President. Liberals love her, conservatives hate her, and the real people who actually decide and participate in elections, they're too busy shuffling their kids off to school for the first time in months, and coping with record high gas prices, which hit $2.53 in East Greenbush, New York.
Mugger could care less. Russ Smith writing in this week's New York Press opts to talk about the whining coming out of, as Smith calls them 'Generation Grand Theft Auto' over too much homework and demanding school and social schedules. Last week, Smith took John Podhearst to the woodshed over his laughable characterizations about the game of baseball. Now, I happen to agree with all of what Smith wrote in both columns. We're not talking about a matter of content here. However, with moderate Republicans facing tough choices over Roberts (ads linking Bush's nominee to abortion clinic violence recently began airing in Maine and Rhode Island; home to two moderate Republicans) and with the lukewarm reception moderates have been getting as they test early 2008 GOP primary waters, why is one of the best moderate Republican columnist out there writing about two non-issues?
How about we downgrade the CAFTA 15 to 14? You know how this space feels about Ed Towns, but we can’t be so quick to glaze over the name William Jefferson. The last time Yours Truly saw the Congressman from Louisiana, we were taking in a trumpet battle between Irvin Mayfield, Maurice Brown, and Christian Scott, in a club high above the NOLA streets. Jazz musicians, like manufacturing jobs, are in high demand overseas. Let’s consider Jefferson’s support of homegrown jazz artist as his commitment to keeping US jobs on US soil.
And, I guess we're still looking for smart media consultants who just won't throw an ad on the air because the check didn't bounce. Whoever green-lighted the spot linking Supreme Court nominee Vanilla Ice Cream Roberts to clinic violence, not only: 1) solidified Roberts seat on the bench; 2) needs to sit down with Dan Carol so they can see the proper way to prove a negative true. Trying to link Roberts to violence that occurred seven years AFTER he authored the brief in question, is low. Karl Rove low.
But in an all-out effort to prove that one shouldn't get so comfortable on the moral high ground, it has been revealed that the Republican National Committee has been paying the legal bills for the New Hampshire GOP. Seems the NHGOP got caught jamming phones and have counted on the RNC for close to a million dollars to defend themselves. If the RNC really had "zero tolerance" for voter suppression, than why are they trying to save the NHGOP from these charges. Oh, I guess this is zero tolerance, Miles Brand-style.
T.O. - Man, I'm glad I hate the Eagles. Why are talking about T.O. when baseball is full with interesting subplots? The Angels and A's are battling for first? The NL Wild Card is anyone’s guess. David Wright went 4-5 with 6 RBI's Wednesday, and on Tuesday made one of the best catches of the year. (Don't tell me you saw Kevin Mitchell do the same thing, because you didn't. Mitchell's ball was a towering fly, not a dying quail, and Mitchell didn't have to make the catch over-the-shoulder) And, don't forget the Yanks could actually be dead and out of the playoffs for the first time in almost a decade, especially if they're relying on people like Aaron Small during these dog days of August.
Speaking of sports. Theodore Ratcliffe, who had one of the best sports nicknames ever passed away yesterday at the age of 103. "Double Duty" as he was dubbed by sports writer Damon Runyon, because he caught Satchel Paige one game, and then strapped on the "tools of ignorance" to catch the second game of a double dip. "Double Duty" once called Jackie Robinson his roommate, was chosen as an All-Star 6 times: three times as a catcher and three times as a pitcher. Plus, how can you not love a guy who ate lunch at the same Memphis joint everyday for decades.
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( 1:15 PM )
The Bronx Comes to Boston
ESPN staying with the action after the top half of the first inning just they could show the reaction Kenny Rogers got from the Fenway faithful. Wonder if Papa Bush, who was in attendance and took a wicked one off the shins from a 59 footer thrown by wife Barbara, gave Rogers the Bronx cheer.
CEO Selig showed visible signs of being human, appearing quite upset with the fact that Rogers reduced was suspension at the hands of the arbitrator. Yeah, short-sighted decisions that aren't good for the game do suck, but the guy who created inter-league baseball has no right to complain. But since he did speak, I hate to say I agree with Selig. After beating up an unprovoked cameraman, Rogers shouldn't be allowed anywhere near a baseball stadium. It was funny, Rogers kept yelling at the cameraman that he's "trying to do his job," yet while beating up the cameraman was preventing him from doing his. If a fan ran out on the field, and unprovoked beat down Kenny Rogers, he would quickly find himself in "county-blues" as Ice Cube said. Plus, he would never allowed back in the ballpark. The penalty for Rogers should have been just as severe. Playing baseball doesn't give you the right to ignore basic human rights and our laws Unless you're the 86 Mets, playing baseball doesn't give you the right to ignore basic human rights......
If anyone can explain the ending of L'Auberge Espagnole to me, please email here: gjoseph@2walls.com. One minute you're studying marketing, and the next you're writing the great French novel. Sorry, don't buy it, but still give the flick a thumbs-up.....
You know progressives are getting pissed when they start giving out names like The Dirty Dozen when they're trying to fire up environmentalist over Congressional polluters. Now, in an attempt to fire up the barely breathing labor movement, progressives have gone back to the drawing board, coming up with and calling for the head of the CAFTA-15.
If you're cooler than me, you have no idea what or who the CAFTA-15 are. Their names, congressional districts, and phone numbers are below, and all we need to know for now, is that these 15 members of Congress, by virtue of voting for Central American Free Trade Act, have become targets to their own party. Among this 15, this space is really only concerned about Edolphus Towns, who escaped my wrath in 1998, but has always remained in my cross hairs. When Towns shows up to vote (and trust me that's not very often) its so he can side with the chemical and tobacco companies. With Barry Ford the product of a smear campaign, this space is hoping a few good people, who lean progressive, to step up and take a shot at representing folks who need a stronger, more reliable voice. If you know any community heroes at there: email me at: gjoseph@2walls.com
The CAFTA-15
Melissa Bean, Illinois (8th District): 202-225-3711,
Jim Cooper, Tennessee (5th District): 202-225-4311
Norm Dicks, Washington (6th District): 202-225-5916,
Henry Cuellar, Texas (28th District): 202-225-1640,
Ruben Hinojosa, Texas (15th District): (202) 225-2531
William Jefferson, Louisiana (2nd District): (202) 225-6636
Jim Matheson, Utah (2nd District): (202) 225-3011
Gregory Meeks, New York (6th District): 202-225-3461
Dennis Moore, Kansas (3rd District): (202) 225-2865
Jim Moran, Virginia (8th District): (202) 225-4376
Solomon Ortiz, Texas (27th District): 202-225-7742
Ike Skelton, Missouri (4th District): 202-225-2876
Vic Snyder, Arkansas (2nd District): 202-225-2506
John Tanner, Tennessee (8th District): (202) 225-4714
Edolphus Towns, New York (10th District: (202) 225-5936
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( 12:38 PM )
Best of Summer
Guess, it was something in the air that drove me to Blog this afternoon. That's the only way to describe how a few minutes outside in the Florida heat, has led me to this website, jotting down these thoughts.
It's been a long time since I left evidence on this site, so long that it took me three attempts to successfully log-in. The days of spring training baseball are long gone but just in case you were wondering, yes, I still do keep in touch with my favorite Starbucks employee, Amelia, and no, I never really did end up buying one of those: 'What Would Paris Do?" t-shirts.
So, what have I been doing since my last post in April? A lot of nothing. Watching the good looking women parade in and out of the Starbucks, shuffling the 5,000-plus songs on both my I-Pod and I-Tunes, and trying not to sing out loud when a song like: 'The Catch' off 'Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me' by the Cure plays over my headphones. It's been years since I've heard that song: "I use to try to catch her, but never really caught her name."
I've also been tring to organize all these random thoughts and ideas into something concise and bounded, with a hardcover that will probably set you back a $15 bucks, if you're so inclined,
I've also been reading. So far, the summer reading list has including: 'Pillar of Fire' by Taylor Branch; 'Live from NY: An Oral History of Saturday Night Live; 'Kitchen Confidential' and 'Ladies and Gentleman; The Bronx is Burning' which is the best book I've read this summer. I did see Episode 3 and hated it. That was the first and last movie I've seen this summer.
The best meal I've had all year took place at W.A. Frost in St. Paul, MN. It was 9-coures, and featured three of the best bottles of wine I've ever had.
The live show I've seen this summer had to be G. Love and Special Sauce at Jazz Fest. A close second goes to Ozomalti at the Howlin Wolf and Big Sam's Funky Nation at the Fais Do-Do stage at Jazz Fest.
Best Nights were spent at The Rendezvous, a great marina-side bar and restaurant in Ft. Lauderdale, partially owned by former All Pro, NE Patriot Bruce Amstrong. It was a great summer knocking back Bass Ales with Stacey, Matt, Leah, Shane, NJ, Robin, Pedro, Jonathan, Steve, Janette, and of course, Bob, who has the best trivia questions these ears have ever heard.
Biggest surprise, outside of Ms. Chantel, is that we haven't had a major hurricane hit South Florida yet. By this time last year, it felt like we've had three already.
Favorite music this summer: 'Outre Mer' by Garage a Trois and 'In Between Dreams' by Jack Johnson. The new songs by Julian Velard rock but he says I can't burn them for friends and well-wishers. I guess that makes me one of the cool kids to have his stuff before the rest of "America" does. And speaking of music, wait until you see Raina Moore. She just may be the most beautiful woman in the world. Of course, its not hard to look great standing next to Webb and Orcutt.
The Day of Infamy returned angrier and now 16 year old. I missed their show in Ft. Lauderdale but as a consolation prize, I did get to see Mo Vaughn exiting the Delano in South Beach. This Met fan asked him if he's coming back, to which he said, in that Big Mo way: "Nah, man, I'm done." The only other celebrity sighting this summer was Vlade Divac, and wouldn't you know, I went to shake his hand and he flopped to the ground.
Summer TV. Don't get me started. Being so far away from my Mets, it makes summer TV even worse. A few things that caught my eye on the tube this summer. Florida Marlins baseball. Exiciting team with the best double play combination in baseball, West Wing Mondays on Bravo. Never liked this show until a few months ago. Now, it has replaced former guilty pleasure Law & Order; Kathy Griffin's Life on the D-List, let's just chalk this up to over saturation on the Bravo airwaves. Just be thankful that I've still never watched Queer Eye or Being Bobby Brown. And Entourage, which is the best use of Kevin Dillion since Platoon.
On the media front, we said goodbye to Inside Politics and Judy Woodruff from CNN. We said goodbye to Bill Hemmer and Jack Cafferty on American Morning. Suzanne Malveaux is no longer convering the White House, the only surprising thing about that is CNN was the last to know she couldn't handle the gig. MSNBC is still on the air and Countdown is still the best show it has to offer. ESPN is going Hollywood - as long as they stay away from the made-for-TV movie business, they can sit on the Supreme Court for all I care. Woody Paige deserves his own show before Steven A. Smith does.
On the political front, we're getting ready for a fight in September over the Supreme Court. Actually, don't expect so much of a fight. Democrats don't like to get sweaty. Roberts - good choice if the goal was nominating a big scoop of vanilla ice cream. This is America, can't we at least get sprinkles. Is Roberts the best we can do. I feel like Bruce Willis in Armeggedon, after he hears NASA's plan involves him drilling a hole into the astroid. "Is this the best the government can do? Lastly, when Karl Rove instructed Scott McCellan, White House Press Secretary to tell the press corps (or as we like to call them, the American people) that it was absurd to think Rove had anything to do with the CIA blown cover story, it was a senior White House ofificial, knwoingly lying to the American people.
And we can't talk summer until we talk about Rafael Palmeiro. What is it about DC that leads people to wag the finger? OK, you got steriods in your system. Let's say we knock off 1,000 hits, and 100 home runs. In my book, 2,000 hits and 400 HR's stil lmake you a Hall of Famer. It's time to cast this man's head in bronze and for MLB owners and fans to stop pretending like they didn't know about the juice.If owners are that upset about the tainted records, then give back all that cash you made off us suckers who came to see Brady Anderson hit 50 HR's.
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