Elisabeth Sladen, the actress best known for playing Sarah Jane Smith on the long running British science-fiction TV series Doctor Who and more recently in The Sarah Jane Adventures, died on Tuesday of cancer. She was 63.
Sladen joined the cast of Doctor Who in 1973 and stayed for three and a half years playing first alongside Jon Pertwee and then Tom Baker, the Third and Forth Doctors, respectively. She reprised the role on several occasions but a guest appearance in 2006 with David Tennant (The Tenth Doctor) proved so popular that she was offered her own series The Sarah Jane Adventures which debuted on the BBC the following year. The Sarah Jane Adventures was geared towards younger viewers and ended up bringing her a new generation of fans. It availed her of the opportunity to work with Matt Smith who plays the current Doctor.
My earliest memories of Doctor Who were in the late '70s. On Saturday nights, TVOntario would broadcast old episodes and the first episodes I remember seeing featured Pertwee as the Doctor and Sladen as Sarah Jane. Admittedly, I was a casual fan of the show but my older brother Ezra became a Who devotee and remains one to this day. I am sure he will be devastated by this news. Goodbye Sarah Jane.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
His First Fuld Season
I enjoyed reading Larry Thornberry's piece on Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Sam Fuld who is making the most of his opportunity.
I remember seeing Fuld play with the Cubs during the 2009 season and was impressed by his spectacular defense. He also hit .299 that year. But I think the emergence of Tyler Colvin in 2010 severely cut into Fuld's playing time and when he did play last year, he didn't hit.
So the trade to Tampa Bay was in his best interests and with Manny Ramirez's sudden retirement, Fuld now has the opportunity the play everyday. Barring injury, he will enjoy his first full season in the majors. Or should I say his first Fuld season?
I remember seeing Fuld play with the Cubs during the 2009 season and was impressed by his spectacular defense. He also hit .299 that year. But I think the emergence of Tyler Colvin in 2010 severely cut into Fuld's playing time and when he did play last year, he didn't hit.
So the trade to Tampa Bay was in his best interests and with Manny Ramirez's sudden retirement, Fuld now has the opportunity the play everyday. Barring injury, he will enjoy his first full season in the majors. Or should I say his first Fuld season?
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Dodger Doldrums
Today, Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig announced that MLB would be taking over the day-to-day operations of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Selig is expected to name a steward to oversee this task in the next several days.
This move comes only days after Dodgers owner Frank McCourt received a $30-million loan from FOX (which previously owned the team) to meet the Dodgers' payroll.
McCourt has been embroiled in a bitter divorce which has frittered away at his fortune and has thrown the storied franchise into chaos. It is believed that McCourt is in debt to the tune of $400-million.
Of course, this could have happened to the Boston Red Sox. McCourt, who is a native of Brookline, Massachusetts, tried to buy the Red Sox a decade ago. The Sox, of course, were instead purchased by John Henry and Tom Werner. So MLB definitely made the right call on that one.
Still, it is a shame to see an organization like the Dodgers in this sorry state.
This move comes only days after Dodgers owner Frank McCourt received a $30-million loan from FOX (which previously owned the team) to meet the Dodgers' payroll.
McCourt has been embroiled in a bitter divorce which has frittered away at his fortune and has thrown the storied franchise into chaos. It is believed that McCourt is in debt to the tune of $400-million.
Of course, this could have happened to the Boston Red Sox. McCourt, who is a native of Brookline, Massachusetts, tried to buy the Red Sox a decade ago. The Sox, of course, were instead purchased by John Henry and Tom Werner. So MLB definitely made the right call on that one.
Still, it is a shame to see an organization like the Dodgers in this sorry state.
Trump in '07: Bush Should Talk to Ahmadinejad
To read this post please check out The American Spectator.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Mike Leake Springs a Leak
Yesterday, Cincinnati Reds pitcher Mike Leake was arrested for shoplifting less than $60 worth of t-shirts from a Macy's Department Store in downtown Cincinnati.
This incident is bewildering. After all Leake is earning a salary of $425,000 which doesn't include a $2 million signing bonus. At the time of his arrest, Leake had $250 and two credit cards on him. So clearly his motive was not financial nor does he have any previous involvement with the criminal justice system. It would appear this behavior is quite out of character. Nevertheless he put himself into this situation.
What is interesting about Leake is that in 2010 he became the first player in a decade to make his major league debut without having played in the minors. Leake, who pitched collegiate ball at Arizona State University before being drafted by the Reds in 2009, was considered "a finished product." Much was made of Leake's maturity. A decade ago, Leake played on the same little league team as Washington Nationals phenom Stephen Strasburg. In those days, Leake was a catcher. When Strasburg had a rough game it was Leake who tried to console him.
So what the heck made him do it? Was it just for the thrill and excitement? Or was it a cry for help? Assuming it's the latter I couldn't tell you why Leake needs help. But if he does need help I hope he gets it.
This incident is bewildering. After all Leake is earning a salary of $425,000 which doesn't include a $2 million signing bonus. At the time of his arrest, Leake had $250 and two credit cards on him. So clearly his motive was not financial nor does he have any previous involvement with the criminal justice system. It would appear this behavior is quite out of character. Nevertheless he put himself into this situation.
What is interesting about Leake is that in 2010 he became the first player in a decade to make his major league debut without having played in the minors. Leake, who pitched collegiate ball at Arizona State University before being drafted by the Reds in 2009, was considered "a finished product." Much was made of Leake's maturity. A decade ago, Leake played on the same little league team as Washington Nationals phenom Stephen Strasburg. In those days, Leake was a catcher. When Strasburg had a rough game it was Leake who tried to console him.
So what the heck made him do it? Was it just for the thrill and excitement? Or was it a cry for help? Assuming it's the latter I couldn't tell you why Leake needs help. But if he does need help I hope he gets it.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Thoughts on Patriots' Day
Today is Patriots' Day which commemorates the first shots fired in the Revolutionary War at Lexington and Concord in 1775. This holiday is observed only in Massachusetts, Maine (which was part of Massachusetts until achieving statehood in 1820) and in Wisconsin public schools.
In this part of the country when people think of Patriots' Day they are more inclined to think of the Boston Marathon and morning baseball at Fenway Park. Indeed, the first Red Sox game I ever attended took place on Patriots' Day. The beginning of the American Revolution tends takes a back seat.
I think the events of April 19, 1775 are every bit as important as July 4, 1776. Patriots' Day ought be a national holiday.
In this part of the country when people think of Patriots' Day they are more inclined to think of the Boston Marathon and morning baseball at Fenway Park. Indeed, the first Red Sox game I ever attended took place on Patriots' Day. The beginning of the American Revolution tends takes a back seat.
I think the events of April 19, 1775 are every bit as important as July 4, 1776. Patriots' Day ought be a national holiday.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Steigerwald Still Doesn't Get It
A few days ago, I took John Steigerwald, a former Pittsburgh sports anchor, to task for blaming Giants fan Brian Stow for the attack he endured following opening day at Dodger Stadium. Stow remains in a medically induced coma. Steigerwald was, in fact, subject to a great deal of criticism for his position and deservedly so.
Today, he issued a half-hearted apology. While Steigerwald expressed regret for causing Stow's family any pain he blames the internet for the response he received to his article. Steigerwald said he had not receive one complaint until the article went viral two days after it went to print. But why did the article go viral? Because what Steigerwald had to say about Stow was so vile.
If Steigerwald was truly sorry he would accept full responsibility for his words and not blame it on the internet. The web might have disseminated Steigerwald's words to a wider audience but it doesn't change the fact that Steigerwald still wrote them. Steigerwald writes, "Nowhere in my column did I suggest Brian Stow deserved the beating." But then why would Steigerwald entertain asking Stow why he thought it was a good idea to wear a Giants jersey to a game at Dodger Stadium if he didn't think Stow deserved the beating or at the very minimum invited the attack? Steigerwald still doesn't get it and probably never will.
Today, he issued a half-hearted apology. While Steigerwald expressed regret for causing Stow's family any pain he blames the internet for the response he received to his article. Steigerwald said he had not receive one complaint until the article went viral two days after it went to print. But why did the article go viral? Because what Steigerwald had to say about Stow was so vile.
If Steigerwald was truly sorry he would accept full responsibility for his words and not blame it on the internet. The web might have disseminated Steigerwald's words to a wider audience but it doesn't change the fact that Steigerwald still wrote them. Steigerwald writes, "Nowhere in my column did I suggest Brian Stow deserved the beating." But then why would Steigerwald entertain asking Stow why he thought it was a good idea to wear a Giants jersey to a game at Dodger Stadium if he didn't think Stow deserved the beating or at the very minimum invited the attack? Steigerwald still doesn't get it and probably never will.
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Friday, April 15, 2011
The Changing Fenway Park Experience
I enjoyed Larry Thornberry's review of John W. Ferguson's Why Fenway:Exploring the Red Sox Mystique. As someone who has attended more than 70 games at Fenway since 2000 perhaps what is most amazing is how much it has changed over the past decade.
The changes, of course, began after John Henry and Tom Werner took over the club in 2002. It is worth remembering that there was talk by Red Sox ownership in the late 1990s and early 2000s about building a new Fenway. There was strong community opposition which coalesced into a coalition called "Save Fenway Park." Even Ralph Nader got in on the act.
All talk of a new ballpark stopped once the Henry/Werner group came into the picture. They were committed not only to preserving Fenway Park but enhancing it. Red Sox President Larry Lucchino estimates the team has spent "about $285 million" renovating the oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball. The most obvious changes were the addition of seats above the Green Monster in left field and the construction of the right field pavilion. The additions have been so seamless it's as if they were always there. But a lot of the changes that have been made aren't visible to those who watch Red Sox games on TV. There have been significant renovations to the concourses and concession areas. When I first went to Fenway those areas were like a dark, overcrowded basement. And heaven help you if you were there during a rain delay. Today, the lighting has improved and it is much easier to move about the ballpark.
Of course, there's always room for improvement. For instance, the seats in the grandstands were constructed at a time when the average American male was 5,6 and 140 pounds. Let's just say it can be a tight fit. Nevertheless, Fenway Park is a national treasure. The same, however, cannot be said of the Red Sox thus far in 2011.
The changes, of course, began after John Henry and Tom Werner took over the club in 2002. It is worth remembering that there was talk by Red Sox ownership in the late 1990s and early 2000s about building a new Fenway. There was strong community opposition which coalesced into a coalition called "Save Fenway Park." Even Ralph Nader got in on the act.
All talk of a new ballpark stopped once the Henry/Werner group came into the picture. They were committed not only to preserving Fenway Park but enhancing it. Red Sox President Larry Lucchino estimates the team has spent "about $285 million" renovating the oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball. The most obvious changes were the addition of seats above the Green Monster in left field and the construction of the right field pavilion. The additions have been so seamless it's as if they were always there. But a lot of the changes that have been made aren't visible to those who watch Red Sox games on TV. There have been significant renovations to the concourses and concession areas. When I first went to Fenway those areas were like a dark, overcrowded basement. And heaven help you if you were there during a rain delay. Today, the lighting has improved and it is much easier to move about the ballpark.
Of course, there's always room for improvement. For instance, the seats in the grandstands were constructed at a time when the average American male was 5,6 and 140 pounds. Let's just say it can be a tight fit. Nevertheless, Fenway Park is a national treasure. The same, however, cannot be said of the Red Sox thus far in 2011.
Regime Change if Necessary But Not Necessarily Regime Change
I must say I was quite amused with John Tabin's assessment of President Obama, French President Sarkozy and British Prime Minister Cameron's efforts to "clarify" the mission in Libya. Tabin writes, "The military operation isn't designed to topple the dictator, but the military operation will continue until the dictator is toppled."
When I read that I was reminded of MacKenzie King. For those of you who are unfamiliar with King he was Canada's longest serving Prime Minister despite having a reputation for eccentricity which often involved seeking advice from his dead mother and dog. When King met with Adolf Hitler in 1937 he described the Fuhrer as "one who truly loves his fellow man and his country."
But I digress.
Canada was deeply divided over conscription of soldiers during the First World War. King was thus eager to avoid similar domestic discord during the Second World War. When King would be asked about conscription he would reply, "Conscription if necessary but not necessarily conscription."
When I read that I was reminded of MacKenzie King. For those of you who are unfamiliar with King he was Canada's longest serving Prime Minister despite having a reputation for eccentricity which often involved seeking advice from his dead mother and dog. When King met with Adolf Hitler in 1937 he described the Fuhrer as "one who truly loves his fellow man and his country."
But I digress.
Canada was deeply divided over conscription of soldiers during the First World War. King was thus eager to avoid similar domestic discord during the Second World War. When King would be asked about conscription he would reply, "Conscription if necessary but not necessarily conscription."
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Thoughts on Barry Bonds' Verdict
As you probably know by now a jury convicted Barry Bonds of obstruction of justice this afternoon. However, the jury could not come to a verdict on the three perjury charges.
Last week, the feds dropped one of the perjury charges against Bonds. A hearing is scheduled for May 20th. Bonds' defense team is going to try to persuade the judge to set aside the guilty verdict. I wouldn't be surprised if this was successful. But if it isn't then Bonds could be sentenced that day. At most, he probably would spend a few months in a minimum security facility or be placed under house arrest. The feds wouldn't have much to show for their efforts which began eight years ago and took three and a half years to bring to trial.
The greatest punishment Bonds could receive would be from the Baseball Writers Association of America. Next January, Bonds is eligible to be selected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Even if Bonds' conviction is overturned I suspect the BBWAA would mete out their own punishment and not vote Bonds into the Hall - on his first try at least. However, it can be argued that Bonds had Hall of Fame career before the time he began to be suspected of taking steroids. As such they might not leave him out of Cooperstown indefinitely.
Last week, the feds dropped one of the perjury charges against Bonds. A hearing is scheduled for May 20th. Bonds' defense team is going to try to persuade the judge to set aside the guilty verdict. I wouldn't be surprised if this was successful. But if it isn't then Bonds could be sentenced that day. At most, he probably would spend a few months in a minimum security facility or be placed under house arrest. The feds wouldn't have much to show for their efforts which began eight years ago and took three and a half years to bring to trial.
The greatest punishment Bonds could receive would be from the Baseball Writers Association of America. Next January, Bonds is eligible to be selected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Even if Bonds' conviction is overturned I suspect the BBWAA would mete out their own punishment and not vote Bonds into the Hall - on his first try at least. However, it can be argued that Bonds had Hall of Fame career before the time he began to be suspected of taking steroids. As such they might not leave him out of Cooperstown indefinitely.
Hamilton Blames Third Base Coach For Injury
Yesterday afternoon Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton broke his arm sliding head first into home plate during a game against the Detroit Tigers. The reigning American League MVP is expected to miss six to eight weeks.
Here is what led to the injury. Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre hit a foul ball which Tigers third baseman Brandon Inge and catcher Victor Martinez converged upon with Inge catching the ball. While Inge and Martinez were converging on the ball, Rangers third base coach Dave Anderson noticed that no one was covering home plate. So Anderson told Hamilton to run home. Unfortunately, not only was Hamilton injured but he was also called out at the plate. The Rangers lost the game 5-4. To complicate matters Hamilton has publicly blamed Anderson for his injury:
It was just a stupid play. I definitely shouldn't have done it. I listened to my third-base coach. That's a little too aggressive. The whole time I was watching the play I was listening. [He said] 'Nobody's at home, nobody's at home.' I was like, 'Dude, I don't want to do this. Something's going to happen.' But I listened to my coach. And how do you avoid a tag the best? By going in headfirst and get out of the way and get in there. That's what I did.
Now if Hamilton had scored on the play and hadn't been injured, Anderson would have been praised for engineering a heads up play. Of course, things didn't work out and now Anderson is being second guessed both by the team's star player and by the baseball media. I sincerely hope the Rangers don't fire Anderson because it would not only send a message that it's okay to disrespect authority but that there are one set of rules for your superstar and one set for everyone else.
Of course, I understand Hamilton is upset that he got hurt and will now have to miss a significant portion of the season. But if Hamilton had a beef with Anderson he should have handled it with him directly inside the clubhouse, not with the nearest reporter. In the long term, I don't think the Rangers will be adversely affected on the field. After all, Hamilton missed nearly all of last September due to a rib injury and yet this didn't prevent the Rangers from reaching the post-season and winning the AL pennant. Despite yesterday's loss to the Tigers, the Rangers 9-2 record is the best in MLB. Still, Hamilton's response leaves a bad taste in the mouth. I hope Hamilton reconsiders what he has said and apologizes to Anderson both publicly and privately.
UPDATE: After a night's sleep, Josh Hamilton remains unrepentant. Hamilton told reporters this morning, I threw him under the bus by telling the truth about what happened." As of this writing, Hamilton has still not spoken with Anderson.
Here is what led to the injury. Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre hit a foul ball which Tigers third baseman Brandon Inge and catcher Victor Martinez converged upon with Inge catching the ball. While Inge and Martinez were converging on the ball, Rangers third base coach Dave Anderson noticed that no one was covering home plate. So Anderson told Hamilton to run home. Unfortunately, not only was Hamilton injured but he was also called out at the plate. The Rangers lost the game 5-4. To complicate matters Hamilton has publicly blamed Anderson for his injury:
It was just a stupid play. I definitely shouldn't have done it. I listened to my third-base coach. That's a little too aggressive. The whole time I was watching the play I was listening. [He said] 'Nobody's at home, nobody's at home.' I was like, 'Dude, I don't want to do this. Something's going to happen.' But I listened to my coach. And how do you avoid a tag the best? By going in headfirst and get out of the way and get in there. That's what I did.
Now if Hamilton had scored on the play and hadn't been injured, Anderson would have been praised for engineering a heads up play. Of course, things didn't work out and now Anderson is being second guessed both by the team's star player and by the baseball media. I sincerely hope the Rangers don't fire Anderson because it would not only send a message that it's okay to disrespect authority but that there are one set of rules for your superstar and one set for everyone else.
Of course, I understand Hamilton is upset that he got hurt and will now have to miss a significant portion of the season. But if Hamilton had a beef with Anderson he should have handled it with him directly inside the clubhouse, not with the nearest reporter. In the long term, I don't think the Rangers will be adversely affected on the field. After all, Hamilton missed nearly all of last September due to a rib injury and yet this didn't prevent the Rangers from reaching the post-season and winning the AL pennant. Despite yesterday's loss to the Tigers, the Rangers 9-2 record is the best in MLB. Still, Hamilton's response leaves a bad taste in the mouth. I hope Hamilton reconsiders what he has said and apologizes to Anderson both publicly and privately.
UPDATE: After a night's sleep, Josh Hamilton remains unrepentant. Hamilton told reporters this morning, I threw him under the bus by telling the truth about what happened." As of this writing, Hamilton has still not spoken with Anderson.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
In Defense of Sarah Palin (Again)
In assessing the odds of prospective Republican aspirants actually making a run for the White House, Ross Kaminsky describes Michele Bachmann as "Sarah Palin with brains and real-world experience."
Where do I begin?
Well, let me start by stating that Kaminsky's remark is disrespectful, demeaning and unbecoming. Am I making the argument that Sarah Palin is above criticism? Absolutely not. Kaminsky is, of course, entitled to believe that Palin is not the best alternative for the GOP to put up against President Obama. Fine. But surely there is a difference between disliking Palin's policies or public speaking style and calling her stupid.
Now perhaps Kaminsky is of the opinion that working on a commercial fishing boat doesn't constitute real-world experience. But if Palin is so devoid of intellect then how come she worked her way from being a small-town councillor to small-town mayor, a state oil & gas commissioner to state governor, to vice-presidential candidate in a little over fifteen years? If Palin had no brains then how come she made Time Magazine's list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World? Sarah Palin has brains and real-world experience in spades and both qualities will be put to use in one way or another in the 2012 election.
Besides it wasn't Palin who stated that the first shots of the American Revolution were fired in Concord, New Hampshire. Nor for that matter was it Palin who claimed FDR went on television to address the nation about the stock market crash in 1929. Nor did Palin ever say she had travelled in all 57 states "with one more to go."
Where do I begin?
Well, let me start by stating that Kaminsky's remark is disrespectful, demeaning and unbecoming. Am I making the argument that Sarah Palin is above criticism? Absolutely not. Kaminsky is, of course, entitled to believe that Palin is not the best alternative for the GOP to put up against President Obama. Fine. But surely there is a difference between disliking Palin's policies or public speaking style and calling her stupid.
Now perhaps Kaminsky is of the opinion that working on a commercial fishing boat doesn't constitute real-world experience. But if Palin is so devoid of intellect then how come she worked her way from being a small-town councillor to small-town mayor, a state oil & gas commissioner to state governor, to vice-presidential candidate in a little over fifteen years? If Palin had no brains then how come she made Time Magazine's list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World? Sarah Palin has brains and real-world experience in spades and both qualities will be put to use in one way or another in the 2012 election.
Besides it wasn't Palin who stated that the first shots of the American Revolution were fired in Concord, New Hampshire. Nor for that matter was it Palin who claimed FDR went on television to address the nation about the stock market crash in 1929. Nor did Palin ever say she had travelled in all 57 states "with one more to go."
Monday, April 11, 2011
Gbagbo Captured
Today, forces loyal to Alassane Ouattara have taken Laurent Gbagbo from his home and into their custody. It is not clear if Gbagbo was arrested by French troops or by Ouattara's forces but it is clear the French played some role in facilitating Gbagbo's capture.
Gbagbo was President of the Ivory Coast for more than a decade until losing an election last fall to Ouattara. However, Gbagbo refused to cede power. I guess this means Ouattara will soon take office.
Of course, it isn't so cut and dry. Last week, Roger Kaplan wrote an excellent analysis of the conflict at The American Spectator in which both sides have blood on their hands. The Ivory Coast gained independence from France more than fifty years ago but has struggled since the death of its first leader Felix Houphouet Boigny in 1993. In its simplest terms, the southern part of the Ivory Coast is loyal to Gbagbo and is predominantly Roman Catholic while the northern part supports Ouattara and is predominantly Muslim.
Perhaps the best possible means to avert a full scale civil war would be to partition the country along these lines. It will be interesting to see what happens when Southern Sudan formally secedes from Sudan and becomes an independent nation in July. If things work in Southern Sudan (and it is a big if) then perhaps it could serve as a model in alleviating further conflict in the Ivory Coast.
Gbagbo was President of the Ivory Coast for more than a decade until losing an election last fall to Ouattara. However, Gbagbo refused to cede power. I guess this means Ouattara will soon take office.
Of course, it isn't so cut and dry. Last week, Roger Kaplan wrote an excellent analysis of the conflict at The American Spectator in which both sides have blood on their hands. The Ivory Coast gained independence from France more than fifty years ago but has struggled since the death of its first leader Felix Houphouet Boigny in 1993. In its simplest terms, the southern part of the Ivory Coast is loyal to Gbagbo and is predominantly Roman Catholic while the northern part supports Ouattara and is predominantly Muslim.
Perhaps the best possible means to avert a full scale civil war would be to partition the country along these lines. It will be interesting to see what happens when Southern Sudan formally secedes from Sudan and becomes an independent nation in July. If things work in Southern Sudan (and it is a big if) then perhaps it could serve as a model in alleviating further conflict in the Ivory Coast.
WSJ Declares Victory For The Tea Party
The Wall Street Journal put out a solid editorial this morning in support of last Friday's budget deal between Congress and the White House:
Yes, we know, $39 billion in spending cuts for 2011 is less than the $61 billion passed by the House and shrinks the overall federal budget by only a little more than 1%. The compromise also doesn't repeal ObamaCare, kill the EPA's anticarbon rules, defund Planned Parenthood, reform the entitlement state, or part the Red Sea. On the other hand, the Obama-Pelosi Leviathan wasn't built in a day, and it won't be cut down to size in one budget. Especially not in a fiscal year that only has six months left and with Democrats running the Senate and White House. Friday's deal cuts more spending in any single year than we can remember, $78 billion more than President Obama first proposed. Domestic discretionary spending grew by 6% in 2008, 11% in 2009 and 14% in 2010, but this year will fall by 4%. That's no small reversal. The budget does this while holding the line against defense cuts that Democrats wanted and restoring the school voucher program for Washington, D.C. for thousands of poor children. Tom DeLay-the talk radio hero when he ran the House-never passed a budget close to this good.
This deal, of course, has come under criticism in conservative corners. Andy McCarthy at National Review Online was completely unimpressed:
The only thing Boehner won is future assurance that GOP leadership can safely promise the moon but then settle for crumbs because their rah-rah corner will spin any paltry accomplishment, no matter how empty it shows the promise to have been, as a tremendous victory.
While the WSJ doesn't address McCarthy directly they do respond to general conservative disenchantment with Boehner by stating "conservatives are misguided if they think they could have done much better than Mr. Boehner, or that a shutdown would have helped their cause." The editorial concludes with the WSJ raising The Tea Party's hand in victory as it is able to "take credit for spending cuts that even Mr. Obama feels politically obliged to sell as historic."
I don't think conservatives got everything they wanted out of this deal but I do think they got more than crumbs.
Yes, we know, $39 billion in spending cuts for 2011 is less than the $61 billion passed by the House and shrinks the overall federal budget by only a little more than 1%. The compromise also doesn't repeal ObamaCare, kill the EPA's anticarbon rules, defund Planned Parenthood, reform the entitlement state, or part the Red Sea. On the other hand, the Obama-Pelosi Leviathan wasn't built in a day, and it won't be cut down to size in one budget. Especially not in a fiscal year that only has six months left and with Democrats running the Senate and White House. Friday's deal cuts more spending in any single year than we can remember, $78 billion more than President Obama first proposed. Domestic discretionary spending grew by 6% in 2008, 11% in 2009 and 14% in 2010, but this year will fall by 4%. That's no small reversal. The budget does this while holding the line against defense cuts that Democrats wanted and restoring the school voucher program for Washington, D.C. for thousands of poor children. Tom DeLay-the talk radio hero when he ran the House-never passed a budget close to this good.
This deal, of course, has come under criticism in conservative corners. Andy McCarthy at National Review Online was completely unimpressed:
The only thing Boehner won is future assurance that GOP leadership can safely promise the moon but then settle for crumbs because their rah-rah corner will spin any paltry accomplishment, no matter how empty it shows the promise to have been, as a tremendous victory.
While the WSJ doesn't address McCarthy directly they do respond to general conservative disenchantment with Boehner by stating "conservatives are misguided if they think they could have done much better than Mr. Boehner, or that a shutdown would have helped their cause." The editorial concludes with the WSJ raising The Tea Party's hand in victory as it is able to "take credit for spending cuts that even Mr. Obama feels politically obliged to sell as historic."
I don't think conservatives got everything they wanted out of this deal but I do think they got more than crumbs.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
60 Minutes Not Up To The Second on Albert Pujols
I enjoyed Bob Simon's profile of St. Louis Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols on tonight's edition of 60 Minutes. As Simon correctly noted, Pujols has not hit below .300, hit fewer than 30 homeruns or driven in fewer than 100 runs in his first ten big league seasons and is the only player MLB history to do so.
However, what Simon did not mention is that Pujols is off to slow start in 2011. In nine games, Pujols is batting only .143 (5-for-35) with one homerun and 4 RBI. This includes an 0-for-5 performance today against the San Francisco Giants.
I am sure Pujols will soon return to form. Perhaps he is pressing because his contract is up at the end of the year.
However, what Simon did not mention is that Pujols is off to slow start in 2011. In nine games, Pujols is batting only .143 (5-for-35) with one homerun and 4 RBI. This includes an 0-for-5 performance today against the San Francisco Giants.
I am sure Pujols will soon return to form. Perhaps he is pressing because his contract is up at the end of the year.
Only in Canada
As you may know Canadians will vote for a new government on May 2nd.
When there is an election campaign in Canada, everything else pretty much takes a back seat. Well, almost everything. This coming week there are two debates scheduled between the leaders of the four political parties - one in English and one in French. However, the French language debate which is scheduled to take place on Thursday night coincides with Game 1 of the NHL playoffs between the Montreal Canadiens and the Boston Bruins.
Gilles Duceppe, leader of the separatist Bloc Quebecois, has called for the French language debate to be moved to the previous night so that Canadians (Quebecois or not) can watch the playoff game. The governing Conservative Party, the Liberal Party and the New Democratic Party (NDP) appear amenable to moving the debate.
Only in Canada.
When there is an election campaign in Canada, everything else pretty much takes a back seat. Well, almost everything. This coming week there are two debates scheduled between the leaders of the four political parties - one in English and one in French. However, the French language debate which is scheduled to take place on Thursday night coincides with Game 1 of the NHL playoffs between the Montreal Canadiens and the Boston Bruins.
Gilles Duceppe, leader of the separatist Bloc Quebecois, has called for the French language debate to be moved to the previous night so that Canadians (Quebecois or not) can watch the playoff game. The governing Conservative Party, the Liberal Party and the New Democratic Party (NDP) appear amenable to moving the debate.
Only in Canada.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Sidney Lumet, 1924-2011. R.I.P.
Director Sidney Lumet died yesterday of lymphoma. He was 86. Lumet received four Academy Award nominations as Best Director for 12 Angry Men, Dog Day Afternoon, Network and The Verdict.
Although he never won an Oscar he did receive an honorary Academy Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2005. He also directed films such as Murder On The Orient Express, The Wiz and Prince of the City. Lumet directed his last film, Before The Devil Knows You're Dead, in 2007.
My favorite Lumet film of all is Serpico starring Al Pacino.
Although he never won an Oscar he did receive an honorary Academy Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2005. He also directed films such as Murder On The Orient Express, The Wiz and Prince of the City. Lumet directed his last film, Before The Devil Knows You're Dead, in 2007.
My favorite Lumet film of all is Serpico starring Al Pacino.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Manny Ramirez Retires
While listening to the Red Sox-Yankees game on the radio this afternoon, I learned that Manny Ramirez had abruptly announced his retirement. Ramirez had signed with the Tampa Bay Rays this off-season.
In five games with the Rays, Ramirez had gone 1-for-17 with one RBI. Major League Baseball announced that Ramirez had failed a drug test for a performance enhancing substance during spring training. Ramirez could have faced a 100-game suspension. In 2009, while a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Ramirez was suspended for 50-games for a positive test.
In 19 big league seasons, Ramirez collected 2,574 hits, had a .312 lifetime batting average, hit 555 career homeruns, and collected 100 or more RBI a dozen times. Ramirez also won an American League batting title in 2002, named to a dozen AL All-Star teams and played in four World Series - two with the Cleveland Indians (1995 & 1997) and two with the Boston Red Sox (2004 & 2007). He was named the 2004 World Series MVP.
But Ramirez also had a history of mercurial behavior, unreliability and disrespect towards the teams for whom he played. The very worst of this were his actions during his final days with the Red Sox during the middle of 2008 season which I wrote about in great detail.
Will Manny ever see Cooperstown? A lot of it will depend on how the baseball writers treat Barry Bonds when he becomes Hall of Fame eligible next year. Some argue that Bonds "pre-steroid" offensive output are sufficient for him to warrant inclusion. The same argument could probably be made for Ramirez. But if Bonds doesn't get in then Ramirez won't either. And even if the baseball writers do vote Bonds in one could also make the argument he, unlike Ramirez, never tested positive or at the very minimum tested positive when steroids and performance enhancing substances were banned by MLB.
In five games with the Rays, Ramirez had gone 1-for-17 with one RBI. Major League Baseball announced that Ramirez had failed a drug test for a performance enhancing substance during spring training. Ramirez could have faced a 100-game suspension. In 2009, while a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Ramirez was suspended for 50-games for a positive test.
In 19 big league seasons, Ramirez collected 2,574 hits, had a .312 lifetime batting average, hit 555 career homeruns, and collected 100 or more RBI a dozen times. Ramirez also won an American League batting title in 2002, named to a dozen AL All-Star teams and played in four World Series - two with the Cleveland Indians (1995 & 1997) and two with the Boston Red Sox (2004 & 2007). He was named the 2004 World Series MVP.
But Ramirez also had a history of mercurial behavior, unreliability and disrespect towards the teams for whom he played. The very worst of this were his actions during his final days with the Red Sox during the middle of 2008 season which I wrote about in great detail.
Will Manny ever see Cooperstown? A lot of it will depend on how the baseball writers treat Barry Bonds when he becomes Hall of Fame eligible next year. Some argue that Bonds "pre-steroid" offensive output are sufficient for him to warrant inclusion. The same argument could probably be made for Ramirez. But if Bonds doesn't get in then Ramirez won't either. And even if the baseball writers do vote Bonds in one could also make the argument he, unlike Ramirez, never tested positive or at the very minimum tested positive when steroids and performance enhancing substances were banned by MLB.
Red Sox Finally Win
Red Sox Nation breathed a collective sigh of relief this afternoon as the Sox found their way into the win column for the first time in 2011 with a 9-6 win over the New York Yankees in their home opener at Fenway Park.
The Red Sox had got off to their worst start since 1945 with an 0-6 start having been swept by both the Texas Rangers and the Cleveland Indians. Now even the best teams have bad weeks. But with a lineup that includes David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis plus newcomers Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford nobody expected this out of the gate. Maybe some homecooking was just what the doctor ordered.
The Red Sox had got off to their worst start since 1945 with an 0-6 start having been swept by both the Texas Rangers and the Cleveland Indians. Now even the best teams have bad weeks. But with a lineup that includes David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis plus newcomers Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford nobody expected this out of the gate. Maybe some homecooking was just what the doctor ordered.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Captain Beefheart & Tammy Wynette Together At Last
Today, the Library of Congress announced its 25 new additions to the National Recording Registry.
Amongst the recordings the Library of Congress plans to preserve are Tammy Wynette's signature song "Stand By Your Man" and Captain Beefheart's landmark album Trout Mask Replica.
It is interesting to note that Trout Mask Replica was released less than a year after "Stand By Your Man." The diversity of great music that was recorded in the late 1960s is absolutely remarkable. However, I think it is safe to say that this marks the first and only time Tammy Wynette and Captain Beefheart will be mentioned together in the same sentence. But who knows? Perhaps Wynette is standing by Don Van Vliet in music heaven.
Amongst the recordings the Library of Congress plans to preserve are Tammy Wynette's signature song "Stand By Your Man" and Captain Beefheart's landmark album Trout Mask Replica.
It is interesting to note that Trout Mask Replica was released less than a year after "Stand By Your Man." The diversity of great music that was recorded in the late 1960s is absolutely remarkable. However, I think it is safe to say that this marks the first and only time Tammy Wynette and Captain Beefheart will be mentioned together in the same sentence. But who knows? Perhaps Wynette is standing by Don Van Vliet in music heaven.
Will Bonds Be Acquitted?
Barry Bonds' defense team must be pretty confident because they rested without calling any witnesses to the stand. Their confidence is no doubt also buoyed by the fact that the federal government dropped one of the perjury charges against MLB's all-time homerun leader.
It would not surprise me in the least if Bonds is acquitted on the four remaining charges (three counts of perjury and one for obstruction of justice.) If the feds had a better case against Bonds it would not have taken them nearly three and a half years to bring the case to trial. Closing arguments are expected to take place tomorrow. I expect a swift verdict.
It would not surprise me in the least if Bonds is acquitted on the four remaining charges (three counts of perjury and one for obstruction of justice.) If the feds had a better case against Bonds it would not have taken them nearly three and a half years to bring the case to trial. Closing arguments are expected to take place tomorrow. I expect a swift verdict.
Peter Beinart Has a Point
John Podhoretz takes issue with Peter Beinart's assertion that President Obama will be re-elected in 2012 "because, well, incumbents usually win." To read the rest of this post please visit The American Spectator.
How to Know Paul Ryan is on to Something?
You know Paul Ryan is on to something when Paul Krugman calls his proposed budget "ridiculous" and "megalomaniacal."
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Goldstone: Israel Did Not Target Civilians in Gaza
On Friday, The Washington Post published an article by Richard Goldstone, the South African jurist whose UN report excoriated Israel for deliberately targetting civilians in Gaza during its defensive operation there from December 2008 to January 2009.
Well, now Goldstone states Israel did no such thing and if he knew now what he knew then his report would have drawn a different conclusion. While I suppose I ought to praise Goldstone for being willing to admit he was wrong. Yet I am troubled as to how he could have ever believed that it was Israel's policy to wantonly kill Palestinian civilians. Of course when one spends any amount of time amongst UN apparatchiks one is suspectible to believe any aspersion cast against Israel at face value.
Well, now Goldstone states Israel did no such thing and if he knew now what he knew then his report would have drawn a different conclusion. While I suppose I ought to praise Goldstone for being willing to admit he was wrong. Yet I am troubled as to how he could have ever believed that it was Israel's policy to wantonly kill Palestinian civilians. Of course when one spends any amount of time amongst UN apparatchiks one is suspectible to believe any aspersion cast against Israel at face value.
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