August 1, 2023

Show business is replete with aging singers, who didn’t know when it was time to give it up. We recently lost crooning legend, Tony Bennett. I think it would be fair to say that his best singing days were behind him. Towards the end, he was yelling his parts as he sang duets with Lady Gaga. He left his voice in San Francisco. Elvis was a mess as he gyrated and sweated on stage. Sirupy Paul has had difficulty carrying a note for years, and the other Paul, Simon, pushed the envelope to bursting. Despite the degrading vocal chords, however, everyone wanted to hear them sing the hits.

And that brings me to Trump because you know it would. Trump is just a tired lounge act that appeals to people mostly of his generation. Like Tony, he was one big hit that he keeps reprising. Like Elvis, he is overweight with bad hair and bad make-up. Like the Paul’s, his notes crackle. His fans want him to “sing” the hits, but the hits seem old and in the way. His rallies are like rock ‘n roll, fund-raising shows on PBS where the fans sing along to the stars, all pretending to be fifty years younger. When it’s over, the fans want more, but can’t remember why. The red hats will help.

July 31, 2023

Anyone who is reasonably familiar with the Mafia film genre knows that a father and son do not constitute a crime family. John Gotti and John Gotti Jr. were the heads of a crime family, but they were not a crime family. Not even a father, two sons, a daughter, and a son-in- law constitute a crime family. Despite the name, most crime families are generally not based on actual family connections, although many members may in fact be related to one another.

A crime family needs a Don, who exerts total control over the organization. A crime family need dozens of underbosses, capos, and soldiers, who are willing to lie for the Don, go to jail for the Don, and attack the enemies of the Don.

A crime family needs a consigliere. The consigliere is the Don’s private attorney, who makes things go away. He is totally loyal to the Don. He battles with the FBI, the Department of Justice, and the IRS on behalf of the Don. His attitude is that the Don is all-powerful, and his authority cannot be questioned.

Loyalty is a fundamental principle in crime families. Members are expected to be fiercely loyal to the organization and its leadership. Omertà is a code of silence, where members are forbidden from cooperating with law enforcement or discussing the organization’s activities.

Crime families aim to infiltrate and corrupt various sectors, including politics, law enforcement, and business, to protect their interests and avoid prosecution.

July 24, 2023

Turmoil has been roiling Paris and the rest of France for months, and I don’t mean the Tourmoil de France. Citizens protested a stiffening of the rules regarding retirement age, and, more recently, a 17 year old boy of Algerian and Moroccan descent was shot dead by police. Riots ensued. Clearly, the French subsidiary of Black Lives Matter was responsible. In Israel, hundreds of thousands of protestors have been marching against Netanyahu’s heavy-handed, autocratic proposals to overhaul of the judiciary. Members of AntiFa have been identified in the crowds. Thousands of people packed into central Madrid on Saturday to protest against the Socialist government, and accuse it of undermining the constitution. Rumor has it that FBI agents were embedded in the crowds.

Political protests are a fact of life. My frame of reference goes back to the Viet Nam protests in the 60’s, but protests have existed as long as we have had governments. Protests are different from insurrections, however. People protest all over the world about a variety of things. There doesn’t have to be a conspiracy du jour to explain it away. People protest wars, infringement of liberties, police brutality and so on. People get mad, and they want solutions. You don’t have to agree with them, or even like them. You should, however, make an attempt to understand them.

July 22, 2023

Donald Trump said it would be “very dangerous” if Jack Smith sent him to jail. Finally, Donald Trump and I agree on something. Jail can be a very dangerous place for any inmate, including Donald Trump. He might have to share a cell with Bubba. Some inmate doing life might think that if I shived the former President of the United States, he would at least die famous. Prison has fast food, but not the kind Trump is used to. Trump would have to exercise in the exercise yard. Many of the inmates would like to grab him by his “pussy,” which, I am told, you can do in prison even if you are not famous. It is very possible Trump would run into someone he stiffed on the outside, and that would not go well. The world would finally get to see what Trump actually looks like without his golden pompadour and orange skin. Melania would reject conjugal visits. Lastly, the prison guards may not look too kindly on the man, who allowed an unruly mob to attack fellow law enforcement officers. Yes, it could be “very dangerous” if Jack Smith sent him to jail.

July 19, 2023

Poor Joe Biden. Despite his landmark achievements, the polls show that he is no one’s favorite candidate for 2024. What gives?

Biden is a non-traditional candidate for President. He graduated from law school, served on a local city council, and then spent the next 36 years in the Senate. During that time, he served as Chairman of both the Judiciary and Foreign Relations Committees. He was Barack Obama’s Vice President for eight years.

He was preceded by a string of more traditional Presidents. Donald Trump was a game show host with no political experience. Barack Obama was a U.S. Senator for three years, and a community organizer. George W. Bush was the ultimate legacy candidate, which got him into Yale, Harvard Business School, the Texas Governor’s office, and the Presidency. Bill Clinton was the Governor of rural Arkansas with no Washington experience. George H.W. Bush is the exception to the trend, but he couldn’t win re-election. Ronald Reagan was an actor and Governor of California with no D.C. experience. Jimmy Carter was the Governor of Georgia with no Washington experience.

Joe is once again up against two more traditional Presidential candidates, a twice impeached game show host with numerous felony indictments and a Florida Governor with no national experience. At least he doesn’t have the baggage of being a former Senator from New York and a Secretary of State.

July 17, 2023

Senator Tom Cotton recently referred to military personnel who would have to travel out-of-state to get healthcare based on current proposed legislation as abortion tourists. The following is a tongue-in-cheek repost that is almost prescient.

June 1, 2019

Abortion Buses

Now that the state of Missouri is trying to abort the last abortion clinic in its state (unsuccessful so far,) the women of Missouri are going to need an out-of-state alternative. Actually, let me more specific. Poor women are going to need another alternative. Women who can afford it will not have a problem finding a qualified physician to perform an abortion. But, back alleys are so yesterday. My entrepreneurial concept is to combine abortion buses with a destination abortion. Women who need an abortion could meet at designated bus stops throughout the state as we do now for Bolt Bus. For a modest price, the abortion bus would pick them up, and whisk them off to the nearest state and clinic that offers 21st century healthcare, planned parenting counseling, and an abortion if requested.

The abortion bus would be stocked with refreshments, hors d’oeuvres, good music, pertinent literature, and other women in a similar situation. There would be a physician’s assistant on board to discuss what is going to happen once they get there, and to answer any questions they might have. Once the procedure had been completed, the women would be brought back home same day. These services would be paid for through charitable donations. I suspect that the pro-lifers, who can afford to use Uber to get to their doctors, will similarly support the poor women who decide to go full term with continuous supplies of food, clothing, shelter, and educational opportunities.

July 14, 2023

Congratulations to Judge Michael Ponsor, Harvard ‘69, for his letter to the New York Times titled, “Does the Supreme Court Realize How Bad It Smells?” Judge Ponsor is a senior judge on the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. Judge Ponsor doesn’t need me to opine on his commentary. Judge Ponsor is well-known to the Pioneer Valley legal community so I forwarded the piece to several friends, who know and/or have worked with him to make sure they didn’t miss it. Their comments are elucidating.

“Ponsor does a nice job of explaining how, for most judges, a buzzer goes off when they get close to the line. I don’t really understand why the Supreme Court should be different.”

“Well-written by a learned man, who clearly understands the difference between right and wrong. Thomas and Alito have gone beyond appearance of impropriety and crashed into what is clearly impropriety.”

“It’s incredible to me that all judges and lawyers across the country are bound by rules and oversight, but the Supreme Court Justices never have been supposedly overseeing themselves.”

Track and field athletes are known for their unwavering dedication, relentless training, and remarkable physical prowess. Yet, amidst the intense competition and rigorous preparation, many athletes find solace and strength in their faith. For numerous track and field athletes, expressing gratitude and acknowledging a higher power is an integral part of their journey. This was evident in the recent US Track and Field Championships.

For track and field athletes, thanking God serves various purposes. Firstly, it allows them to recognize the blessings they have received, such as natural talents, opportunities, and supportive networks. Gratitude becomes a powerful mindset that keeps athletes grounded, humble, and appreciative of their abilities.

Secondly, faith provides athletes with a sense of comfort and guidance. The demanding nature of track and field can lead to moments of doubt, setbacks, and challenges. Believing in a higher power offers solace during these times, reminding athletes that they are not alone and that there is a greater purpose to their efforts.

Moreover, thanking God instills a sense of purpose and meaning in their athletic endeavors. Athletes often view their talents as gifts from a higher power, and by showcasing their abilities on the track or field, they believe they are using those gifts to the best of their ability.

In the world of track and field, thanking God is an expression of gratitude, faith, and a belief in something greater than oneself. It serves as a reminder of the blessings received, provides comfort during challenges, and imbues a sense of purpose into athletic pursuits. Ultimately, the decision to thank God is deeply personal and varies from athlete to athlete, but it remains an essential aspect of the track and field journey for many.

Thank you, ChatGPT.

July 3, 2023

Fatal dog attacks in the U.S. cause about 30-50 deaths per year with pit bulls being the number one culprits. In the majority of cases, the victim is known to the dog so the probability of being killed by a strange dog is remote at best. In 2021, the most recent year for which complete data is available, 48,830 people died from gun-related injuries in the U.S., according to the CDC.

Currently, 45 states allow open carry of guns in one form of another. Dogs are still not allowed anywhere indoors where food is prepared. Twelve states allow dogs to enjoy outdoor dining. Here is a thought experiment. Would you rather be sitting next to a fellow customer carrying a lethal weapon in a restaurant, or a dog? The dog will most likely sit quietly, which would allow you to keep a wary eye on the paranoid diner next to you.

July 2, 2023

During the 1600’s, white slave traders from Europe affirmatively went to Africa, affirmatively captured natives, and affirmatively sold them into slavery in the new world. Plantation owners and others affirmatively bought these slaves at auction and affirmatively put them to work at the business end of a whip.

Article one, section two of the Constitution of the United States affirmatively declared that any person who was not free would be considered three fifths of a person for the purposes of determining Congressional representation.

In 1896, Plessy v. Ferguson affirmatively ruled that racial segregation laws did not violate the U.S. Constitution as long as the facilities for each race were equal in quality, a doctrine that came to be known as “separate but equal”.

The Jim Crow Laws affirmatively introduced in the Southern United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries enforced racial segregation. Such laws remained in force until the 1960s.

After the 19th Amendment was passed in 1920, many states affirmatively passed laws that discriminated against African Americans and limited their ability to vote. Similar affirmative practices persist to this day.

Today, we have a group of young people whose only crime is that they want to affirmatively get a decent education despite an affirmative history of discrimination and disenfranchisement, and a present that affirmatively involves poor schools, housing, healthcare, and nutrition.