Politics and the Red Sox
Al Sharpton (who has absolutely no chance of winning the Democratic presidential nomination) said Saturday night in Detroit that the 2004 race will be a contest between the "Christian Right and the right Christians." On the sports front, the Red Sox declined to pick up Manager Grady Little's contract for next year,.
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#147
Friday, October 17
The Red Sox
Family comments on the Red Sox after October 16, 2003:
My sister Carol:
Right now, the manager is being tarred and feathered in Boston. This even surpasses Buckner's error in 86. What can we say except this is the bottom of the abyss.
My brother Charles
Abyss is right!
Grady's decision is far worse than McNamara's decision to leave Bucker in the game. Now maybe management will be inclined to replace Grady before next spring. The team and the fans deserve someone new at the helm of this exceptionally talented team. For heavens sake, they out slugged the 1927 Yanks and have better than average pitching with a bullpen that 'rose' to the occasion.
My thoughts:
This is the most "horribilus week" of my young life. First, the Packers on Sunday. Then Grady Little. I was screaming at the TV, "Take him out. Pat him on the ass, but take him out." Unfortunately, my TV doesn't broadcast as far as New York. I believe Charlie you are wrong about replacing "Grady before next spring." What (the hell) is so sacred about Friday afternoon? Job psychologists tell us it is better to fire someone late Friday afternoon and get on with a fresh start on Monday. This is beneath the abyss.
Bud
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#146
Family comments on the Red Sox after October 16, 2003:
My sister Carol:
Right now, the manager is being tarred and feathered in Boston. This even surpasses Buckner's error in 86. What can we say except this is the bottom of the abyss.
My brother Charles
Abyss is right!
Grady's decision is far worse than McNamara's decision to leave Bucker in the game. Now maybe management will be inclined to replace Grady before next spring. The team and the fans deserve someone new at the helm of this exceptionally talented team. For heavens sake, they out slugged the 1927 Yanks and have better than average pitching with a bullpen that 'rose' to the occasion.
My thoughts:
This is the most "horribilus week" of my young life. First, the Packers on Sunday. Then Grady Little. I was screaming at the TV, "Take him out. Pat him on the ass, but take him out." Unfortunately, my TV doesn't broadcast as far as New York. I believe Charlie you are wrong about replacing "Grady before next spring." What (the hell) is so sacred about Friday afternoon? Job psychologists tell us it is better to fire someone late Friday afternoon and get on with a fresh start on Monday. This is beneath the abyss.
Bud
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#146
Friday, September 26
Two Years In a Row, More in poverty
"More than a million Americans sank into poverty last year, an annual Census report is expected to show today. It would be the first time in nearly a decade that the number of poor rose two years in a row.
"Experts at the University of Michigan, the conservative-leaning Heritage Foundation and the liberal-leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities said they expected official figures to show the U.S. poverty rate growing from 11.7% in 2001 to around 12.3% in 2002. Their predictions generally are accurate within a few decimal points." (Source: USA Today, September 26, 2003.)
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#145
"More than a million Americans sank into poverty last year, an annual Census report is expected to show today. It would be the first time in nearly a decade that the number of poor rose two years in a row.
"Experts at the University of Michigan, the conservative-leaning Heritage Foundation and the liberal-leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities said they expected official figures to show the U.S. poverty rate growing from 11.7% in 2001 to around 12.3% in 2002. Their predictions generally are accurate within a few decimal points." (Source: USA Today, September 26, 2003.)
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#145
Tuesday, September 23
Hillary and Republicans
In response to a Slate article on the Republicans who want Hillary to run in 2004, I posted this reply: "Subject: Republicans for Hillary
From: Archinsc
Date: Sep 23 2003 1:48AM
Hillary ought to keep her eye on the prize in 2008 and until then continue to invigorate supporters and infuriate the right. She is going to be the first female president of the United States - and in the meantime, Bill ought to stay abreast of world affairs and continue to travel, speak and enjoy the cuisines of the world. He will be needed as Secretary of State in Hillary's administration."
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#144
In response to a Slate article on the Republicans who want Hillary to run in 2004, I posted this reply: "Subject: Republicans for Hillary
From: Archinsc
Date: Sep 23 2003 1:48AM
Hillary ought to keep her eye on the prize in 2008 and until then continue to invigorate supporters and infuriate the right. She is going to be the first female president of the United States - and in the meantime, Bill ought to stay abreast of world affairs and continue to travel, speak and enjoy the cuisines of the world. He will be needed as Secretary of State in Hillary's administration."
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#144
Saturday, September 20
African Americans in South Carolina
African Americans represent about 30 percent of South Carolina's population of 4 million -- the third-highest percentage among states. They are twice as likely to be unemployed than white workers. The state has the third-highest percentage of black people who rank below the national averages in education and income. Black infants die at twice the rate of white infants, and black men are three times more likely to die from prostate cancer than white men. (Darryl Fears, Staff Writer, The Washington Post, 9/20/03, pg A08)
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#143
African Americans represent about 30 percent of South Carolina's population of 4 million -- the third-highest percentage among states. They are twice as likely to be unemployed than white workers. The state has the third-highest percentage of black people who rank below the national averages in education and income. Black infants die at twice the rate of white infants, and black men are three times more likely to die from prostate cancer than white men. (Darryl Fears, Staff Writer, The Washington Post, 9/20/03, pg A08)
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#143
Monday, September 1
Response on "Labor Day"
Very good and appreciated. Would like to let you know in fairness that there was an article in yesterday's Post & Courier on Labor Day and its meaning. I had gotten a call from a reporter who had seen a letter to the editor I had written about a month ago and started to question the meaning behind Labor Day It was on the front page of one of the sections (I think the Life Section) I had sent in an editorial also which they did not print. At the ILA picnic today there were some politicians . I saw the following: Inez Tenenbaum, Mayor Riley, Jimmy Bailey, David Mack, Floyd Breeland, Seth Whipper, Senator Ford, Congressman Clyburn, and reverend Sharpton, and a young man running for CPW. It is also good to read your emails. Thank you and hope you enjoyed your Labor Day.
Erin McKee
Pres. Charleston Labor Council
Dear Arch,
I'm happy to report that, here on the Grand Strand, a community known for its success in keeping the unions out of the hospitality industry and, thus, low wages and minimal benefits, the "Sun News," our local paper, did run a tribute to those of us who work on holidays so others can relax.
Jon
My dad always said labor day was his favorite holiday because it was for the 'working man.'
Our family always celebrated with a trip to the lake or a cookout at home.
Yesterday found me scrubbing and painting a vacant rental unit, but thinking of dad.
Rose Mary
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#142
Very good and appreciated. Would like to let you know in fairness that there was an article in yesterday's Post & Courier on Labor Day and its meaning. I had gotten a call from a reporter who had seen a letter to the editor I had written about a month ago and started to question the meaning behind Labor Day It was on the front page of one of the sections (I think the Life Section) I had sent in an editorial also which they did not print. At the ILA picnic today there were some politicians . I saw the following: Inez Tenenbaum, Mayor Riley, Jimmy Bailey, David Mack, Floyd Breeland, Seth Whipper, Senator Ford, Congressman Clyburn, and reverend Sharpton, and a young man running for CPW. It is also good to read your emails. Thank you and hope you enjoyed your Labor Day.
Erin McKee
Pres. Charleston Labor Council
Dear Arch,
I'm happy to report that, here on the Grand Strand, a community known for its success in keeping the unions out of the hospitality industry and, thus, low wages and minimal benefits, the "Sun News," our local paper, did run a tribute to those of us who work on holidays so others can relax.
Jon
My dad always said labor day was his favorite holiday because it was for the 'working man.'
Our family always celebrated with a trip to the lake or a cookout at home.
Yesterday found me scrubbing and painting a vacant rental unit, but thinking of dad.
Rose Mary
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#142
Labor Day
Today is the day set aside to honor the workers who labored in the multiple vineyards of America from the factories to the fields, from the bridges to the stores, and from the docks to the moon. In so doing these men and women built America into the most prosperous country throughout history. Unfortunately, the true meaning of this day appears to be lost. For most it is just an end-of-summer holiday. Our Republican Governor has not issued any proclamation; not surprising in a state which abhors labor unions. Local politicians are off somewhere, probably the beach enjoying the holiday. The local daily (The Post and Courier) did not have an editorial saluting workers or even mentioning the occasion. Over the weekend, our pastor did not mention workers in his sermon, as others have done in the past. (Remember Reum Novarum?) One union (the longshoremen) will have a picnic in the suburbs. Regardless, we ought to recall the hard labor, long hours, and sacrifices made by workers to build America and the continuing equally hard and challenging tasks today's workers are called upon to meet. Capital and labor go hand in hand in America and it is necessary to give each its due.
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#141
Today is the day set aside to honor the workers who labored in the multiple vineyards of America from the factories to the fields, from the bridges to the stores, and from the docks to the moon. In so doing these men and women built America into the most prosperous country throughout history. Unfortunately, the true meaning of this day appears to be lost. For most it is just an end-of-summer holiday. Our Republican Governor has not issued any proclamation; not surprising in a state which abhors labor unions. Local politicians are off somewhere, probably the beach enjoying the holiday. The local daily (The Post and Courier) did not have an editorial saluting workers or even mentioning the occasion. Over the weekend, our pastor did not mention workers in his sermon, as others have done in the past. (Remember Reum Novarum?) One union (the longshoremen) will have a picnic in the suburbs. Regardless, we ought to recall the hard labor, long hours, and sacrifices made by workers to build America and the continuing equally hard and challenging tasks today's workers are called upon to meet. Capital and labor go hand in hand in America and it is necessary to give each its due.
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#141
Thursday, August 28
Red Sox Nation
A local doctor wrote an article in today's The Post & Courier, Charleston, SC, about the beloved Red Sox and the "Curse of the Bambino." I sent him the following e-mail:
Hello Doctor,
I hope you are some sort of peek-a-boo doctor because if you were my head shrinker I would flee from you. I will be 72 come October and have been a conscious Red Sox believer since the end of World War II. I can recall those heady days when Rudy York, the lumbering, over weight, hard drinking, Detroit-castoff, first baseman almost had a heart attack trying to run out a triple when he belted one off the center-field wall. There was no EMS at the time, but undertakers were starting engines in their meat wagons as the old Indian lumbered around the basepaths. Your story in today's Post & Courier about the Curse of the Bambino and recitation of the horrors suffered over the years was a harsh way to start the day. I may have to forego whatever it was I planned to do and just do something else to pleasure myself and erase the memories of Bucky Dent and Billy Buckner (I really love Billy and think he was treated shabbily by his neighbors). On an upbeat note I do have a favorite memory of the '75 series. My mother (who died a couple of years ago) was visiting at the time here in Charleston. Our children and my wife's relatives were also in the house for a family get together. We had a TV in the bedroom and in the evening I went in and turned on Game Six. In a short while my mother came in and sat on the edge of the bed ( "Just want a glimpse at the action. Have to get back to the guests," she said.) After a few minutes she was sitting up on the bed alongside me with our backs against the headboard and we stayed that way until Fisk's homerun. It was a great Mother/Son moment and one I treasure. No one in the family ever uttered a word of criticism about us being more interested in the Red Sox than with them. It was a moment.
"...if not this year...then surely '04"
Thanks for the memories.
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#140
A local doctor wrote an article in today's The Post & Courier, Charleston, SC, about the beloved Red Sox and the "Curse of the Bambino." I sent him the following e-mail:
Hello Doctor,
I hope you are some sort of peek-a-boo doctor because if you were my head shrinker I would flee from you. I will be 72 come October and have been a conscious Red Sox believer since the end of World War II. I can recall those heady days when Rudy York, the lumbering, over weight, hard drinking, Detroit-castoff, first baseman almost had a heart attack trying to run out a triple when he belted one off the center-field wall. There was no EMS at the time, but undertakers were starting engines in their meat wagons as the old Indian lumbered around the basepaths. Your story in today's Post & Courier about the Curse of the Bambino and recitation of the horrors suffered over the years was a harsh way to start the day. I may have to forego whatever it was I planned to do and just do something else to pleasure myself and erase the memories of Bucky Dent and Billy Buckner (I really love Billy and think he was treated shabbily by his neighbors). On an upbeat note I do have a favorite memory of the '75 series. My mother (who died a couple of years ago) was visiting at the time here in Charleston. Our children and my wife's relatives were also in the house for a family get together. We had a TV in the bedroom and in the evening I went in and turned on Game Six. In a short while my mother came in and sat on the edge of the bed ( "Just want a glimpse at the action. Have to get back to the guests," she said.) After a few minutes she was sitting up on the bed alongside me with our backs against the headboard and we stayed that way until Fisk's homerun. It was a great Mother/Son moment and one I treasure. No one in the family ever uttered a word of criticism about us being more interested in the Red Sox than with them. It was a moment.
"...if not this year...then surely '04"
Thanks for the memories.
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#140
Saturday, August 23
Why?
If in 2004, Congressman Henry E. Brown (R-1st District SC) is unbeatable in the Republican Primary and won't have credible Democratic opposition in the General Election, why does he continue to raise money? Is there no end to the line of lobbyists and special interests willing to fill the coffer of an incumbent congressman not in need? Why?
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#139
If in 2004, Congressman Henry E. Brown (R-1st District SC) is unbeatable in the Republican Primary and won't have credible Democratic opposition in the General Election, why does he continue to raise money? Is there no end to the line of lobbyists and special interests willing to fill the coffer of an incumbent congressman not in need? Why?
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#139
Thursday, August 7
California Here We Are
"Jay Leno's complaint on Monday...that California is the 'laughing stock of the nation' smacked of self-fulfilling prophecy...Other characters [considering entering the race] include nearly 400 Californians - including assorted oddballs, mischief makers and the self avowed 'smut peddler who cares,' Larry Flynt - who have taken out candidacy papers." (Jackie Calmes, The Wall Street Journal, August 7, 2003, pg. A4)
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#138
"Jay Leno's complaint on Monday...that California is the 'laughing stock of the nation' smacked of self-fulfilling prophecy...Other characters [considering entering the race] include nearly 400 Californians - including assorted oddballs, mischief makers and the self avowed 'smut peddler who cares,' Larry Flynt - who have taken out candidacy papers." (Jackie Calmes, The Wall Street Journal, August 7, 2003, pg. A4)
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#138
Wednesday, August 6
California Politics
"The [California] public has reacted to these soulless exercises [political campaigning solely on television] with disdainful apathy; Californians tend to be more interested when the state's nutty kernel of political extremists put some hot-button initiative - about race, immigration or taxes, inevitably - on the ballot." (Joe Klein, Time Magazine, August 11, 2003, pg. 21).
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#137
"The [California] public has reacted to these soulless exercises [political campaigning solely on television] with disdainful apathy; Californians tend to be more interested when the state's nutty kernel of political extremists put some hot-button initiative - about race, immigration or taxes, inevitably - on the ballot." (Joe Klein, Time Magazine, August 11, 2003, pg. 21).
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#137
Saturday, August 2
California recall
From The Economist, August 2, 2003, pg. 29: "Californians do not like Mr. [Governor Gray] Davis, but they may also decide that a recall process, originally meant to get rid of crooks not incompetents, has been distorted." Each person who plans to run against Mr. Davis - who pledges to fight like a Bengal tiger - have until August 9 to come up with $3,500 and 65 signatures. The recall election is scheduled for October 7, 2003.
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#136
From The Economist, August 2, 2003, pg. 29: "Californians do not like Mr. [Governor Gray] Davis, but they may also decide that a recall process, originally meant to get rid of crooks not incompetents, has been distorted." Each person who plans to run against Mr. Davis - who pledges to fight like a Bengal tiger - have until August 9 to come up with $3,500 and 65 signatures. The recall election is scheduled for October 7, 2003.
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#136
Sunday, July 20
A word for baseball fans everywhere
New Hampshire's Mary Jo Ray, 108, was at her first Red Sox game on Sunday at Fenway Park. She went to a game last year but it was rained out. The Red Sox have won five World Series in her lifetime, the last in 1918. ...(The Sox won on Sunday!)
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#135
New Hampshire's Mary Jo Ray, 108, was at her first Red Sox game on Sunday at Fenway Park. She went to a game last year but it was rained out. The Red Sox have won five World Series in her lifetime, the last in 1918. ...(The Sox won on Sunday!)
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#135
Saturday, July 12
Criticism
“The essence of a free and civilized society is that everything should be subject to criticism, that all forms of authority should be treated with a certain reservation, and … that once you have produced … a totally conformist society in which there were no critics, that would in fact be an exact equivalent of the totalitarian societies against which we are supposed to be fighting a cold war.” (Malcolm Muggeridge in an interview by Mike Wallace, mid 1950s.)
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#134
“The essence of a free and civilized society is that everything should be subject to criticism, that all forms of authority should be treated with a certain reservation, and … that once you have produced … a totally conformist society in which there were no critics, that would in fact be an exact equivalent of the totalitarian societies against which we are supposed to be fighting a cold war.” (Malcolm Muggeridge in an interview by Mike Wallace, mid 1950s.)
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#134
Wednesday, July 9
Strom Thurmond
I do not recall the precise Latin phrase Dean Acheson used when asked to comment on Senator McCarthy's death, but I recall it was translated as, "Of the dead, say nothing but good." Noble sentiments at all times, however, I am inclined to pass along the observation that after 48 years in the United States Senate the late Senator Strom Thurmond's name is not associated with any major legislation benefiting all Americans. What a waste.
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#133
I do not recall the precise Latin phrase Dean Acheson used when asked to comment on Senator McCarthy's death, but I recall it was translated as, "Of the dead, say nothing but good." Noble sentiments at all times, however, I am inclined to pass along the observation that after 48 years in the United States Senate the late Senator Strom Thurmond's name is not associated with any major legislation benefiting all Americans. What a waste.
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#133
Friday, July 4
Point to consider
According to Consumer Reports, August 2003, "Hormel Foods needed 65 years to sell 6 billion cans of Spam. It takes marketers less than three days to e-mail the same number of 'spam' messages to America Online customers alone", to say nothing of the millions of other serviced by alternate ISP.
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#132
According to Consumer Reports, August 2003, "Hormel Foods needed 65 years to sell 6 billion cans of Spam. It takes marketers less than three days to e-mail the same number of 'spam' messages to America Online customers alone", to say nothing of the millions of other serviced by alternate ISP.
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#132
Sunday, June 29
Home-Friendly Projectors
The projector industry is leaving many of us behind ["Bright Lights, Big Pictures," April]. Remember those 35mm Kodak-style projectors with a carousel of slides and a screen set up in the living room? Where is the new-age portable projector that can be used standing alone, with a remote and a slot for a CD-R/RW or DVD so you can flash the pictures on the old living room screen? This would make life better for many home users.
Francis X. Archibald, Hanahan, South Carolina
(Letters, PCWorld, June 2003, pg 44.)
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#131
The projector industry is leaving many of us behind ["Bright Lights, Big Pictures," April]. Remember those 35mm Kodak-style projectors with a carousel of slides and a screen set up in the living room? Where is the new-age portable projector that can be used standing alone, with a remote and a slot for a CD-R/RW or DVD so you can flash the pictures on the old living room screen? This would make life better for many home users.
Francis X. Archibald, Hanahan, South Carolina
(Letters, PCWorld, June 2003, pg 44.)
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#131
Tuesday, June 17
Moving On
"There's an old joke in which a couple married 75 years visits a divorce attorney, who asks why they waited so long. The reply, 'We wanted to wait until the children were dead.'" (Quoted by Jeffrey Zaslow, Wall St. Journal, June 17, 2003, pg D1)
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#130
"There's an old joke in which a couple married 75 years visits a divorce attorney, who asks why they waited so long. The reply, 'We wanted to wait until the children were dead.'" (Quoted by Jeffrey Zaslow, Wall St. Journal, June 17, 2003, pg D1)
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#130
Thursday, June 12
David Brinkley
This eminent reporter, anchor man and host of a widely acclaimed TV Sunday morning news hour died today in Houston, Texas. Mr. Brinkley inspired confidence and trust in his readers and listeners and is one of a very small group of news personalities who will be missed.
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#129
This eminent reporter, anchor man and host of a widely acclaimed TV Sunday morning news hour died today in Houston, Texas. Mr. Brinkley inspired confidence and trust in his readers and listeners and is one of a very small group of news personalities who will be missed.
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#129
Wednesday, June 4
Break out the Advil
Forget about Bush, Israel and Palestine. We Americans have serious stuff on our plates: Sosa caught with a corked bat, Martha Stewart indicted and Barry Manilow broke his nose. Where is the Advil?
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#128
Forget about Bush, Israel and Palestine. We Americans have serious stuff on our plates: Sosa caught with a corked bat, Martha Stewart indicted and Barry Manilow broke his nose. Where is the Advil?
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#128
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