Stephen Solarz, 1940-2010. R.I.P.

Stephen Solarz, a Brooklyn Democrat who served nearly two decades in Congress, died yesterday of esophogeal cancer. He was 70.

Solarz was first elected to Congress following the Watergate scandal in 1974. He became something of an anomaly in the Democratic Party - a foreign policy hawk. A Scoop Jackson if you will. In 1991, Solarz was one of the most outspoken Democrats in favor of authorizing Saddam Hussein's removal from Kuwait.

Solarz was also a noted critic of the Ferdinand Marcos regime in the Phillipines. I did not know it was Solarz who revealed Imelda Marcos' extensive shoe collection.

However, Solarz's legislative career came to an abrupt end in 1992 after his congressional district was redrawn and became more predominantly Hispanic. Solarz would lose the Democratic nomination to Nydia Velazquez, who holds this seat to this very day.

I remember Solarz's dismay in the aftermath of Tiananmen Square when he debated Henry Kissinger on the McNeil-Lehrer News Hour. I wish I had video to link but here's Solarz speaking out on the subject in June 1989.

Gil McDougald, 1928-2010. R.I.P.

Gil McDougald, who played ten seasons with the New York Yankees, died on Sunday due to prostate cancer. He was 82.

Even though 1951 is remembered as Mickey Mantle's rookie season, it was McDougald who was named AL Rookie of the Year hitting .306. McDougald played in the World Series in eight of his ten big league seasons and was on the winning side on five of those occasions. He was also named to five AL All-Star teams. McDougald was a super utility man who excelled at second base, shortstop and third base.

However, McDougald would retire following the 1960 season at the age of 32. His joy for the game diminished when he hit Cleveland Indians pitching sensation Herb Score in the face with a line drive. Had he stayed in the game he might have had a shot at Cooperstown.

McDougald did coach at Fordham University in the Bronx from 1970 to 1976. However, he largely stayed away from the game after that due to long term hearing loss sustained when he was struck in the head by a baseball during batting practice in the 1955 season. But McDougald's hearing would be significantly restored in 1995 due to cochlear implant surgery. McDougald would become a strong advocate of cochlear implants becoming the unlikeliest of activists.

Franco, Hathaway to Co-Host 2010 Oscars

So James Franco and Anne Hathaway will be hosting the Oscars.

Well, I don't know if this will pull in younger viewers but I do know I would rather spend four hours looking at Anne Hathaway than Alec Baldwin.

Leslie Nielsen, 1926-2010. R.I.P.

Actor Leslie Nielsen passed away yesterday due to complications of pneumonia. He was 84.

Born in Saskatchewan, Nielsen appeared in hundreds of films and television shows going back to the mid-1950s. Early in his career, he was cast a villain. But that all changed in 1980 when he was cast in Airplane as Dr. Alan Rumack when a comedy legend was born. He subsequently starred as Lieutenant Frank Drebin in the short lived TV series Police Squad. Nielsen would reprise the Drebin character in the three Naked Gun movies.

Nielsen's older brother, Erik, was a Conservative Member of Parliament from the Yukon who served as Canada's Deputy Prime Minister in the administration of Brian Mulroney from 1984 to 1986. The elder Nielsen passed away in 2008.

My favorite line from the Naked Gun? When Nielsen presents an engagement ring to a hypnotized Priscilla Presley and says, "It's a topsy-turvy world, and maybe the problems of two people don't amount to a hill of beans. But this is our hill. And these are our beans!"

Portland's Mayor Goes Into Politically Correct Mode

In response to the thwarted terrorist attack in the Pacific Northwest, Portland's Democratic Mayor Sam Adams has gone into politically correct mode concerning Mohamed Osman Mohamud, the man arrested in connection with the attempted bombing. Mohamud was born in Somalia and is a naturalized American citizen. He is also Muslim.

"Bad actions by one member of any group does not and should not be generalized or applied more widely to other members of that same group," said Adams, "Otherwise, as the biggest racial group in Portland, we European-Americans would be in deep trouble."

Mayor Adams misses the point. This isn't about race. For that matter it isn't about nationality either. This is a global problem. As mentioned earlier Mohamud is Somali. Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab (a.k.a. The Christmas Day Bomber) was born on the other side of the Africa in Nigeria; Faisal Shahzad (a.k.a. The Times Square Bomber) is from Pakistan and Nidal Malik Hasan (a.k.a. the Fort Hood shooter) is an American of Jordanian-Palestinian origin. Let us also not forget John Walker Lindh and Jose Padilla were also born in this country.

So what do all of these men have in common? They were willing to kill people (mostly civilians) in the name of advancing Islamic jihad. At what point will our political elite stop pretending that Islam has no connection with terrorism? Mayor Adams (and for that matter President Obama) ignore the cries of "Allahu Akbhar" at our peril. This is a problem that is not going away. It has already claimed too many innocent lives and one of these days it is going to claim a large number of innocent lives again. But how can you solve a problem when our political elite insists it doesn't exist?

President Obama can say to his heart's content that America is not at war with Islam. But that doesn't mean that Islam (or at the very least a critical mass of it) isn't at war with us.

Those Crazy Oregon Teens

Last night, an act of Islamic terrorism was thwarted when the FBI arrested 19-year-old Mohamed Osman Mohamud when he attempted to set off a bomb in Portland, Oregon. The young jihadist had planned to detonate a car bomb during the lighting of a Christmas tree in Portland's downtown area. The FBI had been monitoring him for more than six months by convincing Mohamud they were fellow operatives.

Yet somehow The New York Times managed to report this story without mentioning Mohamud is a Muslim. Their headline?

Oregon Teen Arrested in Plot to Bomb Holiday Event

Ah, but you know those crazy Oregon teens.

Tom Underwood, 1953-2010. R.I.P.

Former major league pitcher Tom Underwood passed away on November 22 after an eighteen month battle with leukemia. He was 56.

Drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1972, Underwood pitched in the bigs from 1974 to 1984 with the Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics and the Baltimore Orioles. The Indiana born southpaw finished his career with an 86-87 record. His younger brother Pat, another lefty, also pitched in the majors for four seasons with the Detroit Tigers.

While Underwood's stats didn't make for a particularly memorable major league career he thoroughly enjoyed experience. Underwoood said, "For 10 years I saw the entire U.S. for free and had five months vacation. I just wish I could have played the game longer."

Tom Underwood lived his American Dream.

CNN's Roland S. Martin Says Palin Should Be Kicked

Syndicated columnist and CNN contributor Roland S. Martin has called for violence against Sarah Palin.

Martin took Palin to task for her criticisms of First Lady Michelle Obama's anti-obesity initiative.

Martin writes, "Hmmm. Let's move is Obama's "kick"? Maybe someone should kick Sarah Palin so she can understand how devastating obesity is to the future of the United States."

Well, needless to say, if a conservative writer (like myself) had suggested that President Obama or the First Lady be kicked we would hear a chorus of cackles telling us how violent conservatives are. But I guess it's O.K. for Martin to call for violence against Sarah Palin simply because she expresses an opinion contrary to his own.

Martin should do the right thing and publicly apologize to Palin. But will it happen? Fat chance.

In that case, CNN should fire Martin.

Thoughts on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

This morning I struggled to make my way to the steps of the First Church of Christ, Scientist on 68th and Central Park West to meet up with my Dad to watch the 84th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. But I made it.

What a spectacle!!!

Some of the floats are so enormous (i.e. Snoopy, Ronald McDonald, Kung Fu Panda) they must need thirty people to carry them.

Of course, there were marching bands from all over the country. The NYPD was there in full force.

Then there were the celebrities. I saw, amongst others, Arlo Guthrie, Miranda Cosgrove, Kylie Minogue, the cast of Sesame Street, Gladys Knight, Jessica Simpson, Joan Rivers, India Arie, Betty Buckley and Kanye West (ugghhh). No Carly Simon though. Oh well.

Still, I'm glad I got to see it.

I'm not posting any pictures. You'll have to use your imagination. If you don't want to use your imagination then you'll have to come here next year.

I'm Thankful for Taking the Bus

If I'm thankful for anything this season is that I didn't have to fly to New York.

Yes, the bus is crowded, uncomfortable, traffic is miserable and you take your life in your hands when you proceed to the loo.

But I'll take all that over being probed and exposed to gamma rays any day of the week.

Of course, if al Qaeda decides to attack buses then I can't even be thankful for the bus.

And in the spirit of the holiday season....

Could Jeter End Up in Boston?

The New York Yankees have declined to offer future Hall of Famer Derek Jeter arbitration. In fact, Yankees GM Brian Cashman has said he told Jeter to "test the market and see if there’s something he would prefer other than this. If he can, fine."

The Yankees have offered Jeter a three-year contract worth $45 million. I am sure that Cashman would not have uttered such a statement if he thought any other club was prepared to pony up more money than that. After all, Jeter's batting average and on base percentage fell by more than sixty points during the 2010 season. He's also 36 and has lost a step at short.

On the other hand, Jeter could take Cashman's comments as an affront and sign elsewhere out of pride. There are also clubs that would love to one up the Yankees. I'm sure Boston Red Sox President Larry Lucchino stills consider the Yankees "the evil empire." Jeter needs only 74 hits to reach the coveted 3,000 mark. Could you imagine if he reached that milestone in a Red Sox uniform instead of wearing pinstripes?

Thoughts on North Korea's Attack

North Korea's attack yesterday which claimed the lives of two South Korean marines and its recent public discussion of its nuclear capabilities is said to be an attempt at re-starting six party talks which China supports.

If that is what results of this belligerence then the Obama Administration will have rewarded North Korea's behavior. Of course, at this point, it is not clear that will be the outcome. But sooner or later, the United States is going to have to deal with North Korea, nuclear weapon or no nuclear weapon.

Hamilton Wins AL MVP

While Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton didn't come away with a World Series ring he has won the 2010 AL MVP.

Hamilton led the AL in batting with a .359 average, hit 32 homeruns and drove in 100 runs.

He has come a very long way. Originally the top draft pick in the country in 1999 by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Hamilton's career was sidelined by alcohol and drug abuse. He did not play professional baseball between 2004 and 2006.

Hamilton got his second chance with the Cincinnati Reds in 2007 and was then traded to the Rangers prior to the 2008 season for pitcher Edinson Volquez (a deal that has worked out for both clubs.) He set the baseball world afire with his performance during the Home Run Derby at the 2008 All-Star Game at old Yankee Stadium.

Of course, it has not been easy for him. He did have a relapse early in 2009. But Hamilton's Christian faith has for the most part kept him on the straight and narrow.

His teammates certainly have been supportive. When the Rangers clinched the AL West, the ALDS and the AL championship they were there to spray him with ginger ale instead of champagne. Now that he's won his first MVP trophy perhaps there's one more ginger ale celebration is in order.

Victor Martinez Signs with Detroit

Well, the Boston Red Sox will be looking for a new catcher.

Victor Martinez has signed a four-year, $50 million contract with the Detroit Tigers.

I wonder if the Sox were disappointed with his offensive production. He certainly didn't put up the numbers in Boston that he did in Cleveland. But at 31 he is in the prime of his career and would have been a long term contributor at Fenway.

So where that leave the Sox? Will they re-sign team captain Jason Varitek for a song? I would love to see a platoon of Varitek and Bengie Molina behind the plate. O.K., they are past their prime but in a platoon situation you could maximize their production. Plus their combined experience behind the plate would be invaluable for the Sox pitching staff.

As always we'll see.

Votto Named NL MVP

Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto was named the National League Most Valuable Player.

Votto received 31 out of 32 first place votes. The only other first place vote went to St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols who had won the last two NL MVP Awards.

Votto led the Reds to their first playoff appearance in 15 years. He hit .324 with 37 homeruns and 113 RBI.

What makes Votto's MVP campaign all the more remarkable was that he missed part of the 2009 season battling depression.

A native of Toronto, Votto becomes only the third Canadian to win an MVP. Larry Walker won the NL MVP for the Colorado Rockies in 1997 and in 2006 Minnesota Twins first baseman Justin Morneau won the AL MVP.

At 27, Votto is entering the prime of his career. This MVP might not be his last.

Mets Name Collins as New Manager

The New York Mets have named Terry Collins their new manager.

Collins has previous big league managerial experience with the Houston Astros (1994-1996) and the Anaheim Angels (1997-1999). Although he has not managed in the bigs for more than a decade he did manage in Japan for a couple of seasons and also managed Team China in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. Collins spent the 2010 season as the Mets minor league field co-ordinator.

It's a gamble. I don't think it will pay dividends in 2011 but it could yield fruit in 2012.

Laurie "Bambi" Bembenek, 1958-2010. R.I.P.

Laurie "Bambi" Bembenek, a former Milwaukee police officer convicted of murder, died yesterday of liver and kidney failure. She was 52.

In 1982, Bembenek was convicted of the murder of Christine Schultz, the ex-wife of Milwaukee police detective Fred Schultz to whom Bembenek was married. Her conviction, however, had always been a source of controversy. She was nicknamed "Bambi" because of her brief stint as a Playboy bunny. A song, "Run, Bambi, Run" was written in her honor.

In the summer of 1990, Bembenek escaped from prison with the help of her boyfriend Nick Gugliatto and ended up in Thunder Bay, Ontario. In fact, they lived half a block from my family's house. Of course, I did not know this until they had been arrested.

Before you knew it, there was a van from A Current Affair on our block. In fact, they stopped my brother Micah and his friend Dave Azzolini (they would later play together in the Canadian indie rock band The Golden Dogs) and shot video of them walking down past Bembenek's house.

As for me, I had met Bembenek during her stay in Thunder Bay although I obviously did not appreciate the significance of who she was at the time. It was while I was canvassing for the NDP during the 1990 Ontario election. The only reason I remember having spoken to her was that she told me she was American and was thus not eligible to vote.

Like in Milwaukee, Bembenek had developed a sympathetic following in Thunder Bay. She had worked as a waitress in a restaurant near City Hall and I remember the owner publicly coming to her defense. Bembenek later applied for refugee status in Canada. While this did not come to pass, the Canadian government told authorities in Wisconsin they wanted Bembenek's case reviewed before they agreed to extradite her. Bembenek's case was reviewed and she was granted a new trial in 1992. However, instead of going through with the trial, Bembenek pled no contest, sentenced to ten years probation and was released from prison.

In 1993, a made for TV movie about Bembenek was released starring Tatum O'Neal. Let's just say the Thunder Bay depicted in that movie bore no resemblance to the Thunder Bay where I grew up.

Bembenek would live out the remainder of her life in Oregon. She unsuccessfully tried to have her conviction overturned. In recent years, Bembenek had fallen on hard times. In a bizarre incident in 2002, she jumped out of a hotel window after staff on the Dr. Phil show had restricted her movements. She injured her foot so badly it had to be amputated.

Here's Bembenek on Oprah in the early 1990's.

Great profile of Ward Connerly and his work on Arizona's Prop. 107 in City Journal

Some interesting information about Ward Connerly in this revealing profile piece. He's certainly not the typical right-winger the left stereotypes him as.

Boxer Likens U.S. to Iran, N. Korea, Pakistan Over DADT

Recently re-elected California Senator Barbara Boxer has compared the United States to Iran, North Korea and Pakistan because of its policy to not allow gays to serve openly in the military.

During a press conference with Senator Joe Lieberman, Boxer said, "We now stand - with this rule - with countries like Iran, North Korea and Pakistan in banning gays and lesbians from military service."

Um, "don't ask, don't tell" was a policy initiated during the Clinton Administration. Is Boxer seriously comparing the Clinton White House to two totalitarian countries and one country where the military is the only thing that works?

But I guess the people of California get the representation they deserve.

Pat Burns, 1952-2010. R.I.P.

Legendary NHL coach Pat Burns has died after a long battle with cancer. He was 58.

Burns served as head coach of the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins and the New Jersey Devils. In his first year as a coach, the Canadiens reached the Stanley Cup Finals. In 14 seasons as a coach, Burns' teams made the playoffs eleven times. Burns reached the pinacle of his success in 2003 when the Devils won the Stanley Cup. Burns finished his career with 501 wins as an NHL coach.

However, Burns would be diagnosed with cancer the following year bringing his coaching career to a premature end. There was an effort to get Burns into the NHL Hall of Fame but this was not successful. This is a shame as Burns ranks 11th on the all-time list of NHL coaches with the most wins. If not for his health, Burns certainly had a shot at being one of the top five winningest coaches in NHL history.

The greatness of Pat Burns is probably one of the few things Canadiens and Maple Leafs fan can agree on.

When My Dad Met Stan the Man

Tomorrow, St. Louis Cardinals legend Stan "The Man" Musial turns 90.

Check out Larry Thornberry's article on Musial at The American Spectator.

When my father was a teenager he had the opportunity to meet Musial at the Polo Grounds. You can check out my account of this meeting at The AmSpec Blog.

King Felix Crowned AL Cy Young Winner

On Thursday, Seattle Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez won the AL Cy Young Award despite posting a won loss record of 13-12. Last year, Hernandez posted a 19-5 record and finished runner up in the Cy Young balloting to Zack Greinke of the Kansas City Royals.

But what earned Hernandez his first Cy Young was leading the AL in innings pitched and ERA and finishing second in strikeouts. It also must be noted that the Mariners offense was pitiful. They scored only 513 runs in 2010. To put that number into perspective the New York Yankees scored nearly 350 more runs than the Mariners. Had the Mariners scored a few more runs he might have been closer to his 19-5 mark of 2009.

Still, twenty years ago it would have been inconceivable that a starting pitcher with only 13 wins over a full season would have a chance at winning the Cy Young. In 1990, Bob Welch of the Oakland Athletics won 27 games en route to his only Cy Young. How pitching has changed.

Thoughts on Bud Black & Ron Gardenhire

A few days ago, Bud Black and Ron Gardenhire were named NL and AL Managers of the Year.

Winning NL Manager of the Year has to be bittersweet for Black. After all, the San Diego Padres led the NL West for nearly the entire season only to collapse in late August and early September. The Padres were overtaken by the San Francisco Giants who got a ticker tape parade. Still, the Padres did much better than anyone could have expected in 2010.

As for Gardenhire, this honor was long overdue. Gardenhire led the Minnesota Twins to their sixth AL Central divisional title in nine years. Well, the day after Gardenhire won the award, the Twins extended Gardenhire's contract through 2013.

Outrageous new TSA regulations requiring invasive private body part patdowns, airport scanners peering through clothing

The TSA is out of control under the Obama administration, and hypocritically, where is the left to protest? The protests against these invasive new searches of airplane travelers are mainly coming from a few Republican Congressman. The TSA is aggressively implementing airport scanners that see your genitals through your clothing at airport after airport. If you refuse them, or set off the metal detector, the TSA requires you to take a more thorough version of the patdown. This photo was taken by the Denver Post, of a man undergoing an invasive patdown of his genitals. This is outrageous, and as strongly as I feel about fighting terrorism, there has to be a better way than this.

The US Travel Association has put up a website to deal with the TSA's aggressive searches after receiving more than 1000 unsolicited complaints about the recent level of increased TSA searches. Facebook - facebook.com/yourtravelvoice and Twitter channel to use is #travelvoice.

The photos below are from TSA scanners: