My Birthday at the New Yankee Stadium

In recent years, most of my birthdays have been spent at Fenway Park when the Red Sox have a home game.  In fact, I have gone to Fenway on my birthday four times (2002-2004 & 2007).

The Sox had a home game on my birthday this year as well against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.  However, since my Dad is taking an extended vacation in New York City I thought I would make my first trip to the New Yankee Stadium on my 37th birthday.

The Yankees hosted the Toronto Blue Jays.  The question before the game was would there be a resumption of hostilities that occurred in last night's game which was won by the Jays 10-4. Yankees catcher Jorge Posada and Blue Jays reliever Jesse Carlson came to blows last night at home plate after Posada scored a run. Carlson had thrown a pitch behind Posada in retaliation for Yankees reliever Mark Melancon plunking Jays second baseman Aaron Hill in the back. This caused the benches to clear and Carlson ended up with a big welt over his left eye.  Even Yankees manager Joe Girardi had a couple of scratches on his face.  

However, there would be no shenanigans.  Both Posada and Carlson were suspended for three games.  It was initially to be four games but MLB reduced the suspension when both men agreed not to appeal their suspensions.  

No, it was just baseball.  The Blue Jays had a 4-2 lead in the 8th when Hideki Matsui tied the game with a two-run home run.  The Yankees won it in the 9th on a single by third string catcher Francisco Cervelli.  Though I wish the outcome had been different I feel good when a guy like Cervelli gets an opportunity and makes the most of it.  It's not often third string catchers get that sort of chance and there's a good chance Cervelli will never see an another moment like this again.  Yankees won 5-4.  

Still, I probably would have been more excited to be in Fenway as the Red Sox came back from behind to beat the Angels 9-8.  The comeback was controversial though as Red Sox shortstop Nick Green appeared to be out on a check swing but the first base umpire ruled he did not swing.  Green then walked with the bases loaded to bring in the tying run.  Alex Gonzalez then hit the game winning single en route the Sox's seventh straight victory.  That would have been fun.

But no complaints here.  I had a splendid day.  I've never traveled for my birthday and the New Yankee Stadium is a must see for baseball fans.

Mary Travers, 1936-2009. R.I.P.

Mary Travers, a member of the folk trio Peter, Paul & Mary has died after battling leukemia for several years.  She was 72.

Travers lent her vocals to songs such as "Puff The Magic Dragon", "Early Morning Rain" and "Leaving On A Jet Plane."  Like many folk musicians of that era she was active in left-wing political causes.  I do remember her being heavily involved in anti-Apartheid activities in the mid-1980's.  I also remember that she had a very deep, husky speaking voice.  I'm not sure if smoking contributed to that or not but it certainly made for a rich singing voice.

Henry Gibson, 1935-2009. R.I.P.

Character actor Henry Gibson died of cancer on September 14th.  He passed away a week shy of his 74th birthday.

If you came of age in the 1960s, you remember him as a cast member on Rowan & Martin's Laugh In.  If you came of age in the 1980s, you remember playing an Illinois Nazi in The Blues Brothers.  

Of course, like most character actors he did a lot more work before and after those roles.  Most character actors garner little recognition and fanfare.  Gibson was fortunate enough to find the right roles at the right time.  In life we are all but actors on a stage but not everyone gets to say something.

Linda McMahon Bids for GOP Nomination in Connecticut Senate Race

This is very interesting indeed.  Linda McMahon has resigned her position as the CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment to seek the GOP nomination for the 2010 Senate race in Connecticut where Chris Dodd is hanging on by tenterhooks.

Professional wrestling isn't everyone's cup of tea but that didn't stop the people of Minnesota from electing Jesse Ventura more than a decade ago.

And Linda McMahon has only made sporadic appearances on World Wrestling Entertainment programming and when she does she is usually as the voice of reason.  O.K., she's been on the wrong end of tombstone piledriver but haven't we all?

Now whether entrepreneurial success can translate into political success is a whole other question.  She is pro-choice and that could turn off some conservative voters.  On the other hand, let us remember that Connecticut Republicans voted en masse for Joe Lieberman two years ago despite his pro-choice views.  

Chris Dodd has become an embarrassment and if Linda McMahon emerges as the Republican most likely to pin him 1,2,3 then I'm all for her candidacy.

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To New York (Or What Happens When Two Jews Gather On A Bus)

I am in New York City for a few days to see my Dad.  It is also my birthday tomorrow.

I have taken my fair share of buses over the years.  But today was the first time I've ever seen anyone davening on a bus.  Yet that is what a young Hasidic Jew was doing shortly after he boarded the bus in Framingham.

Later on he approached me and asked if I was Jewish.  When I replied in the affirmative he asked me to lay tefillin with him.  I hadn't done it in years but he walked me through it.  I'm not sure what was more embarrassing - what I had forgotten or what I had never known. But there's a first time for everything and this was surely one of those times.  And on this occasion despite my ignorance I found both his davening and my participation in laying the tefillin comforting.

He later introduced himself as Mandel, a Yeshiva student, who was traveling to Crown Heights in Brooklyn to celebrate the High Holidays before going to study in Britain. Crown Heights is the home of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement.

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, commences Friday at sundown.

Is This The Best Jimmy Carter Can Do?

So why did Joe Wilson yell at President Obama last week?

Because he's a black man.  Or so former President Jimmy Carter would have you believe.  

"I think an overwhelming portion of the intensely demonstrated animosity toward President Barack Obama is based on the fact that he is a black man," said the 39th President.

Is this the best Jimmy Carter and liberal America can do?

Does criticism of President Obama constitute an act of racism? Doesn't criticism, fair or not, come with the territory?  Did President Obama expect not to be criticized for his policies? Must we bow before the Anointed One and bestow reverence upon him?

As for Carter does he honestly think Wilson wouldn't have made such an outburst if Hillary Clinton or any other Democrat had proposed a set of health care reforms that would have had the effect of covering illegal immigrants?  

It's about time Jimmy Carter and liberal America stop judging critics of President Obama by the color of our skin.  Because every time they do this they make a mockery of the teachings of Martin Luther King, Jr.

ACORN San Bernadino Child Prostitution Investigation Part I

Obama Rips Kanye West - Off The Record

President Obama ripped Kanye West for his disruption of Taylor Swift's acceptance speech at the MTV Video Awards referring to the hip hop artist as a "jackass" in an interview with CNBC.

However, the comment was made off the record and ABC (Terry Moran broke the story on Twitter) is falling all over itself to apologize.

Yet I wonder why President Obama didn't want his comment on the record? Did he simply not want salty language aired out in public? Or is he afraid of offending Jay-Z, Diddy (or whatever he's calling himself this week) and the hip hop constituency? I mean this could have been a Sistah Souljah moment for Obama at a time when a critical mass of the electorate are deeply skeptical about his health care policies. As such methinks it's a case of the latter rather than the former.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention West's appearance on the debut of The Jay Leno Show last night. West along with Jay-Z and Rihanna had been booked on the inaugural show to sing. However, West wanted to speak with Leno about the incident. West "apologized" in a rambling, incoherent manner. I get the impression West isn't really sorry for what he did. He feels badly that he got caught. I'm sure this won't be the last time he pulls a stunt like that. It's just in his nature.

Federer Upset at U.S. Open by del Potro

On Sunday, after Roger Federer hit a shot between his legs en route to defeating Novak Djokovic in the U.S. Open Mens Semi-Final, I gave short shrift to his Men's Final opponent Juan Martin del Potro. When CBS Sports mentioned del Potro's name I said, "The guy who stands no chance in hell."

Well, what do I know?

In a five hour, five set match, del Potro snapped Federer U.S. Open Title win streak at five. The six foot six Argentinian defeated Federer 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-7(4), 2-6. It was the first time Federer had lost a Grand Slam final to anyone other than his arch rival Rafael Nadal who also fell before del Potro in the tournament. Another first.

So what a U.S. Open. First, Kim Clijsters wins the tournament as an unranked and unseeded player and now del Potro beats the best two players in mens' tennis. It might rank as the best U.S. Open tournament ever. Tennis fans should rejoice.

Jane Fonda Pulls a Van Jones

You will recall that Jane Fonda was one of a number of celebrities to sign an open letter protesting the selection the spotlighting of Tel Aviv at the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this month.

However, Fonda has had a change of heart. Well, sort of. "I signed the letter without reading it carefully enough, without asking myself if some of the wording wouldn't exacerbate the situation rather than bring about constructive dialogue," said the star of Barbarella.

I'm not buying it. Like Van Jones, who resigned as the Green Jobs Czar when it was revealed he had signed a 9/11 truther petition, I think Fonda knew exactly what she was signing.

What I don't think she expected though was the backlash against the protest. Celebrities such as Jerry Seinfeld, Natalie Portman, Sacha Baron Cohen, Lenny Kravitz and Patricia Heaton have signed a petition in support of the spotlight on Tel Aviv. The Toronto International Film Festival runs through Saturday.

Patrick Swayze, 1952-2009. R.I.P.

Actor Patrick Swayze lost his battle with pancreatic cancer today. He was 57.

Swayze was best known for his roles in films like Dirty Dancing and Ghost.

But Swayze cut his teeth as a dancer. And when I think of Swayze I think of the time he hosted Saturday Night Live and did the Chippendales skit with Chris Farley. I remember when the skit aired live and how loudly my whole family laughed. As funny as Farley was it was genius because Swayze played it straight.

Sadly, both of these gifted men are now gone.

Assaf Ramon, 1988-2009. R.I.P.

Israeli fighter pilot Assaf Ramon died during a military traning exercise yesterday in southern Israel. He was 21.

Now nearly every young Israeli man and woman does compulsory military service. But there were two things about Ramon that were notable. First, his father Ilan Ramon was a legendary fighter pilot who participated in the 1981 raid that took out the Osarik nuclear facility in Saddam's Iraq. The world condemned Israel publicly while thanking it privately. He was later selected to be the first Israeli on the Space Shuttle. Sadly he would not return home as he was one of seven astronauts to be killed in the Space Shuttle Columbia explosion in February 2003.

Second, Ramon was determined to follow in his father's footsteps. It was only this past June that he received his fighter pilot's certification graduating at the top of his class. Today, he was buried beside his father.

How Pete Townshend Would Have Handled Kanye West

One more thought on Kanye West. Yes, I know it's one more thought than he deserves. But it occurred to me that one music legend Kanye might not want to pull that stunt on is Pete Townshend of The Who.

When The Who performed at Woodstock, Abbie Hoffman jumped on stage in the middle of their set to rant about John Sinclair who had been sentenced to 10 years in prison for possession of two marijuana sticks. Now Townshend happened to agree with Hoffman but this was neither the time nor the place for such an intervention. Townshend was irked and told Hoffman to "get off my f*#^&n stage" and then hit him with his guitar. There is no video image of Townshend actually hitting Hoffman but I don't think Kanye would want to piss off the man who wrote "Won't Get Fooled Again."

In Praise of Kim Clijsters

Add tennis player Kim Clijsters to the list of great people and things to come out of Belgium. She joins a list that includes the late Jacques Brel, Jean "Toots" Thielemans, french fries and, of course, Belgian waffles.

Last night, Clijsters won the U.S. Open Womens' Singles Championship with a straight set victory over Caroline Wozniacki to become the first unseeded and unranked player to win a Grand Slam tournament, man or woman.

Clijsters retired from tennis in 2007 due to injuries. She subsequently gave birth to her first child last year. The former number one ranked women's tennis player announced this spring that she would return to competitive tennis this summer.

In only her third tournament, Clijsters defeated both Venus and Serena Williams. Serena's temper tantrum (which would have made John McEnroe blush) got her disqualified on match point overshadowed Clijster's brilliant performance.

Clijsters, 26, is the only the second woman to have won a major tennis tournament after giving birth. The other was Australian Evonne Googalong at Wimbledon in 1980.

Prior to last night, the only other major Clijsters had won was the U.S. Open back in 2005. In July, prior to her return at Western & Southern Financial Group Women’s Open in Cincinnati, Clijsters said, “We’ll evaluate things after the U.S. Open and take it from there.”

Somehow I think Clijsters is going to be playing tennis for awhile. Then again perhaps all Clijsters wanted to prove that she could still play with the best of the best and now that she has done so she'll return to full-time motherhood. Again, she'll take it from here. If nothing else she has given people a reason to talk about someone in womens' tennis other than the Williams sisters and Maria Sharapova. Clijster's victory has to rank as one of the greatest triumphs in tennis.

American Liberty Tour is in full swing!

And here are some updates/news bits for those of you watching.

-2,500 Patriots in Salt Lake City
http://americanlibertytour.com/2009/09/2500-patriots/

As a follow up, the Deseret Newspaper wrote a pretty good story about the Tour yesterday.
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705329688/Protesters-ask-for-less-government.html

-Start a Brushfire of Freedom
http://americanlibertytour.com/2009/09/start-a-brushfire-of-freedom/

You can read all of the blog updates and catch the latest videos on our website at http://americanlibertytour.com

Don't forget to use hashtag "brushfire" with your tweets and make sure you RSVP for an upcoming event near you.

For Liberty,

-Eric Odom

Beyonce & Taylor Swift Good; Kanye West Very Bad

I have very little interest in most of the music that comes out in this day and age. Thus I have no reason to watch the MTV Music Video Awards.

So it wasn't until this morning that I heard about how Kanye West upstaged Taylor Swift by taking the microphone away from her while she was accepting an award for her video. Kanye said that Beyonce's video was the best of the decade as Beyonce sat in the audience looking mortified.

Well, Beyonce did win Video of the Year and in a grand act of generosity asked Swift to come out on stage and make her acceptance speech. Again, I'm not really a fan of Beyonce's music but she has always come across to me as a decent person and this gesture certainly reinforces this perception.

As for Kanye West, he apologized. Or did he? Here's an article I wrote four years ago after his infamous remarks in the wake of Hurricane Katrina that "George Bush doesn't care about black people." I had forgotten that West had also alleged the federal government had given the National Guard permission to shoot black people. Ironically, West had been on the cover of Time the previous month and was billed as "Hip-Hop's Class Act." I kid you not. Well, it's not the first time the liberal media got it wrong.

How Jeter Brought Out The Best in President Bush

In between innings of the Mets-Phillies game, I watched the 2004 HBO Documentary Nine Innings From Ground Zero.

The documentary analyzes how the 2001 World Series between the New York Yankees and the Arizona Diamondbacks helped bring back a sense of normalcy to New York City in the wake of the September 11th attacks.

You will undoubtedly remember Game 3 of the 2001 World Series where President Bush threw out the first pitch which turned out to be a perfect strike. What you might not know (and I didn't know) is that while practicing his throw he met with Derek Jeter. The Yankees shortstop, having heard that he would throw out the first pitch, asked Bush if he would be throwing from the mound or in front of the mound. President Bush said he would be throwing from the front of the mound. Jeter advised Bush against such a move stating that he would be booed. After all this was Yankee Stadium. Bush agreed to heed the advice of "the great Derek Jeter."

As Jeter is leaving he looks over his shoulder and tells President Bush, "Don't bounce it. They'll boo you." Bush confessed to being nervous but the Yankee Stadium crowd chanting "U.S.A.!!! U.S.A.!!!" helped him overcome those jitters to throw a perfect pitch.

How so far removed we are from those days.

But Jeter did give President Bush some good advice though.

Pedro Finds Fountain of Youth in Philly

Pedro Martinez is 5-0 as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Pedro won 5 games in 20 starts with the Mets in 2008.

Tonight, he shone bright against his old team pitching eight shutout innings, striking seven while surrendering six hits and walking two. In all he threw 130 pitches. It was the first time he threw that many pitches in a game since May 2001 and the first time he pitched 8 innings in a game since May 2006. Joe Morgan was fretting about all those pitches especially after he gave up a two out double to Daniel Murphy. But inexplicably, Murphy attempted to steal third after a ball in the dirt momentarily got away from Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz. Murphy was thrown out by a mile. What was that about not making the third out of an inning at third?

I have watched Pedro pitch most of his career especially during his time with the Montreal Expos and the Boston Red Sox. For many years he was the best pitcher in baseball.

I remember when he pitched a perfect game against the San Diego Padres in 1995 for the Expos. A perfect game for Pedro? Well, not quite. Despite retiring all 27 batters he faced the score was 0-0 at the end of 9 innings. Joey Hamilton pitched nine innings of shutout ball giving up only three hits. Hamilton was taken out in the 10th and the Expos scored three runs. Pedro finally gave up a hit to Bip Roberts in the bottom of the 10th and settled for a 3-0 one-hit shutout.

I remember when all seemed hopeless for the Red Sox in Game 5 of the 1999 ALDS against the Cleveland Indians. They were down 8-0 early in the game. But by the third inning the Sox had tied the game. Pedro had been injured in Game 1 with a bad back but their backs were against the wall so Pedro came into the game in relief. It was like the big kid from school had come into the game because the whole tenor of the game changed. He shut down the best offense in baseball - Albert Belle, Jim Thome, Manny Ramirez. Pedro pitched six innings of no-hit ball and the Sox came back to win the game and the ALDS, 12-8.

I also remember him throwing a complete game at Fenway Park on my 31st birthday against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. My roommate Christopher also remembers because he was with me at that game. Pedro was pitching a shutout into the 8th inning but a pinch hit single from Al Martin broke up the shutout and the tying run was coming to the plate. Red Sox manager Grady Little appeared to be taking him out but he opted to leave him in the game. Pedro then struck out Carl Crawford and got Rocco Baldelli (who is now with the Red Sox) to fly out to right to end the inning. Pedro gave up another run in the 9th but ended up winning the game 3-2.

Exactly one month later, Pedro found himself in a similar 8th inning jam and Grady Little decided to stick with him. Only this wasn't the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. It was the New York Yankees in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS. This time the move didn't payoff. A 5-2 victory and a berth in the World Series instead became an extra inning loss via a homerun by Aaron Boone and the end of both the season and Little's tenure as Red Sox skipper.

Of course, Pedro got his World Series ring the following year. He signed with the Mets shortly thereafter and I didn't see as much of him. After winning 15 games with the Mets in 2005, injuries caught up with Pedro. He won only 17 games between 2006 and 2008 and thus found himself out of baseball. Pitching with the Dominican Republic in the WBC didn't help matters after they were unceremoniously eliminated by the Netherlands in the first round.

The Phillies took a chance and Pedro has exceeded their wildest expectations. I certainly didn't expect to see him throw eight innings of shutout ball in September. Not bad for a 37 year old. (N.B. I will turn 37 on Wednesday.) Watching him pitch tonight was a reminder of all those great games I saw him pitch on TV and at Fenway. Phillie fans hope he can continue his renaissance down the stretch and into back to back World Series titles. It could happen.

Ichiro: Another Season, Another 200 Hits

Ichiro Suzuki is in a class by himself.

Tonight, the Seattle Mariners outfielder collected his 200th hit of the season in the second game of a doubleheader against the Texas Rangers. He did so in the top of the second inning on an infield hit off Rangers starter Derek Holland. It was the ninth consecutive season he has reached the 200 hit plateau. Such a feat is unprecedented in MLB. Wee Willie Keeler had eight consecutive seasons of 200 or more hits between 1894 and 1901.

A week ago, Ichiro collected his 2,000th major league hit against the Oakland Athletics.

If he stays healthy he could have 3,000 hits by 2013 or 2014.

Ichiro should write a book titled Zen & The Art of Hitting. It wouldn't matter if it were written in English or Japanese because he can hit in both languages.

Thoughts on Obama's Latest Appearance on 60 Minutes

Tonight, 60 Minutes aired what seemed like its 190,653rd interview with President Obama.

He's on so often they should make him a special correspondent.

President Obama both came across as both evasive and defensive. He did not answer Kroft when he asked him if there were enough votes in Congress to get a health care bill passed. He was also very testy when Kroft reminded him he had effectively nationalized the banking and automobile industries. I also thought he was disingenuous in saying he had tried to work with Republicans with regard to health care reform.

But perhaps the segment of the interview I found most annoying was on the matter of civility in Washington in the context of Rep. Joe Wilson's interjection during his speech before Congress a few days ago:

KROFT: Do you think that Congressman Wilson should be rebuked? There was talk about that today, and now he's claiming that he is a victim. That he's being attacked.

OBAMA: (LAUGHS) But see, this is part of what happens. I mean, it becomes a big circus instead of us focusing on health care.

KROFT: I think Bob Schieffer's point was that, I think he thought that…in some ways, this debate has brought out the worst in us.

OBAMA: Well…

KROFT: Not the best.

OBAMA: …well, I think you've got a convergence of things. Look, worst recession since the Great Depression. People feeling anxious. I think we're debating something that has always been a source of controversy, and that's not just health care, but also the structure, and the size, and the role of government. That's something that basically defines the left and the right in this country. And so, extremes on both sides get very agitated about that issue.

I will also say that in the era of 24-hour cable news cycles that the loudest, shrillest voices get the most attention. And so, one of the things I'm trying to figure out is, how can we make sure that civility is interesting. And, you know, hopefully, I will be a good model for the fact that, you know, you don't have to yell and holler to make your point, and to be passionate about your position.

KROFT: So, your goal to bring civility back to Washington is still a work in progress?

OBAMA: It's still a work in progress. No doubt about it.

Please be serious. There were a hundred Joe Wilsons during some of President Bush's later State of the Union addresses. I don't recall anyone in the liberal media bemoaning the loss of civility in Washington.

But more to the point President Obama is hardly in any position to lecture anyone on civility. Particularly when he accuses those who criticize his health care policies as liars, as tellers of tall tales and of bearing false witness. Let us also not forget his threat to call out those who he deems to be liars, tellers of tall tales and bearers of false witness for daring to speak out against him and his health care policies. President Obama's voice might be neither loud nor shrill but it is every bit as uncivil.

Are you a Creepy Republican Guy?

Too funny not to share

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ARE YOU A CREEPY REPUBLICAN GUY?

If you are a male and active in Republican politics, answer the following questions to determine whether or not you creep women out. If you answer yes to at least 2 of the following questions, you need to examine your behavior. It may not be fair, but we are living in a politically correct era and the definitions of stalking and harassment have been expanded. There is a certain level of behavior in Republican circles that goes beyond simple friendship into creepiness, and you need to be aware of what it is or risk being the talk of Republican women around the water cooler.

PRELIMINARY DISQUALIFIER:

Are you as good looking as George Clooney, and do almost all women you meet want to go out with you? If you answered yes, stop right there, you don't need this test, you are not a CREEPY REPUBLICAN GUY.

THE QUIZ: ANSWER YES OR NO

1) Do you find yourself calling or texting attractive women frequently and finding they don't respond half the time?

2) Do you give attractive women big, lingering hugs, and maybe even a kiss on the cheek every time you see them or say good-bye? Just because YOU traditionally like to do this, doesn't make it right, the odds are half the women can't stand it.

3) Do you give attractive women compliments frequently?

4) Do you go up to female after female at social events when drinking (making it obvious to the other women there that you are trying to score)?

5) When an attractive female turns you down when you ask her to hang out, do you jump right in and suggest an alternative, badgering her into saying yes so she'll hang out with you?

6) Are you always trying to catch attractive women's eyes, looking at them every time they look up at a meeting? That is completely obnoxious by the way.

7) Are you married? If so, that's even worse.

If you answered YES to 2 or more of these, you need to adjust your behavior. If women decline to hang out with you, and give you a fishy excuse, it is most likely because they find you a CREEPY REPUBLICAN GUY. You do not then suggest something else to do with them! That is amplifying the creepy behavior. Do not call them and text them constantly. That doesn't make them like you any more, it has the reverse effect and makes them dislike you more. Guys, it comes down to this: if a woman does not find you appealing, she doesn't like to hear your overdosage of compliments, phone calls, invites, etc. Keep it professional - or risk getting a reputation as a CREEPY REPUBLICAN GUY.

Ahmadinejad to Obama: Chuck You Farley

President Obama who has been so eager to obtain an audience with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was told that any discussions between the United States and Iran would not concern Iran's nuclear program.

President Obama put all his cards on the table and not surprisingly its Ahmadinejad who is now holding all the cards.

I don't think Kenny Rogers can help Obama out of this one.

Brown to Seek GOP Nomination for Massachusetts Senate Seat

Today, Massachusetts State Senator Scott Brown announced he would be seeking the Republican nomination for the special Senate election to fill the seat vacated as a result of Ted Kennedy's death last month.

Brown is one of a handful of Republicans in the Massachusetts Senate. Prior to becoming a State Senator, Brown was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and before that he was a Selectman from his hometown of Wrentham. His daughter Ayla was a contestant on American Idol several years ago and currently plays basketball at Boston College.

Assuming Brown carries the GOP banner he faces long odds. Massachusetts hasn't had a Republican in the U.S. Senate in more than thirty years. But if Brown were to win in January it would reveal tremendous discontent with President Obama in the bluest of states. A Republican victory in Massachusetts would make Obama sit up and take notice. Yet all the more reason why it is highly unlikely.

Jeter Passes Gehrig

On September 11th of all dates, Derek Jeter became the New York Yankees all-time hit leader.

Jeter collected his 2,722nd career base hit when he singled down the right field line in the bottom of the 3rd inning off Baltimore Orioles pitcher Chris Tillman. In so doing, Jeter eclipsed Lou Gehrig as that storied franchise's all-time hit leader.

I might be a Red Sox fan but anytime someone passes Lou Gehrig it's a big deal.

I am planning to write more about Jeter from the point of view of Red Sox Nation.

Obama Administration Plans Bilateral Talks With North Korea

The Obama Administration is planning direct talks with North Korea.

I'm not sure if September 11th is the right date to make such an announcement.

On the other hand today was Friday and I found about this just before 5 p.m.

State Department spokesperson P.J. Crowley said, "We are prepared to enter into a bilateral discussion with North Korea."

Why?

This, after all, is a regime that took two American reporters hostage earlier this year and it took a visit from former President Bill Clinton (and Lord knows what else) to get them released.

As with Iran, I don't see anything good coming of it.