While trying To Remember

While trying to remember: -

 Which city suffered the most damage at the hands of white guys following the OJ decision?

When was the last time that the Steelers actually had a "shutdown cornerback - and why didn't they retire him when  "shutdown" was replaced by "the open door policy"?

Why can't we insist on a "Fact Check" for attorney ads?

Who was that old Irish fool - relegated to watching his beloved Steelers in a bar - because he doesn't have the Dish - who paid his very reasonable bill and walked out after the end of the third quarter of the Steeler/Saints game while telling everybody he passed "I've had enough!"?

What was the name of the nationally recognized black leader who went on national TV and pleaded with his "people"  that they not riot and plunder should the Ferguson Grand Jury decide there was insufficient evidence to indict?

Why it is that I really - really struggle with the Staten island Grand Jury decision but have little trouble with the one made in Missouri?

Am I in a "New York State of Mind"?

Which people at Penn State, responsible for hiring their new President,
did so with the caveat that - if hired - the one selected must read
the extremely long and comprehensive Freeh report at upmost speed
and discuss his findings?

Why it is that I really - really - struggle with the Staten Island grand jury decision but pretty much agree with the one in Missouri? (Oh, I alreadys said that?)

Which Pennsylvania paper reported the Freeh report was either an apparent indictment of the former FBI Director or the prior administration at PSU - who accepted the findings of the report? Did I miss it?

How much will fund raising improve from the alumni sources?

Why it is that court decisions or detailed lengthy investigations like the Freeh report always cause those whose beliefs do not correspond to those of the fact finders to get so much attention from the media?

Isn't this the same media that refuses to reveal their sources when indicting others and then tells us : "You just have to accept that our conclusions are correct - and the final word on the matter?"

At what point in a professional football game do the coaches begin to wonder if there was something wrong with their decision to put and keep in the game the cornerback who just recently returned from a serious injury and in the first game back gave up three touchdowns - and got worse in the next game?

Hey, that's enough "trying to remember".

I'm exhausted and the headaches are now so bad I can no longer hear those weird voices in my head that encouraged me to write this blog?

MAYBE!.

Just finished reading another good blog by my friend Harry -  http://harry2335.blogspot.com.

We're close in age - appear to have similar thoughts regarding life experiences - parental teachings - ethical and moral behavior - while admitting to one and all - that we're struggling with what's going on in this great country of ours.

Remember the joke about the patient who complained to his doctor about severe headaches resulting from hitting his head on the wall? The doctor's thoughtful prescription was "stop hitting your head".

Perhaps that's advice I need to follow if I wish to continue to write a blog which is often drawn from current events in this country; like what many of us witnessed on CNN last night.

So, should I stop writing a blog?

My concern is what happens if I - and many others - follow the unsought advice of people who advise us to simply turn off the TV when what is being broadcast we so often find offensive?

Of course, that means I'd have missed all those informative political ads paid for by PAC's who were financed primarily by big money - and whose right to do so were promulgated via Supreme Court decisions made by folks who were political appointees.

I'd also fail to experience the pleasure of being blitzed by attorney ads ad nauseum from folks who seem to be intent on convincing me they're running a Non-Profit who's only goal is to serve us as a Good Samaritan.
.
Aha, got your attention, right?

Regardless as to whether you'd agree with that last paragraph - please tell me via email - or even a note tied to a rock and pitched through my closed kitchen
window - that you are  beginning to see the problem?

As previously inferred, this is a country so great that people are dying to get into it. Many of them have seen and lived with worse conditions than most of us.

The shame is too often the reaction to their plight is that those of us who got here legally - (like being birthed in Pittsburgh to documented parents)  act too often like a child fixated on grabbing their toy away from another child, despite the fact they have no interest nor intention of playing with it.

Unfortunately, this is particularly descriptive of those among us who when confronted with any interruption to their comfort levels via reports of political and financial corruption, employ a defense mechanism sounding vaquely familiar to that of a popular insurance company ad: "Well everybody knew that!"

Suggesting to others that the mere act of ''Recogniton" of a problem can be equated to that of arriving at a "Solution" to that same problem totally misses the point. Maybe you had to live through WW II to understand how devastating it can be to do nothing. 

Perhaps, that's why my friend Harry and I  - keep writing these blogs.

You'll have to ask him.

As for me, if I really had ALL the answers I'd take all those big sacks of money at my disposal and hire somebody else to write these !@#$%^ blogs.

Maybe!

A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

Enough about the Steelers already! It's time for a PSA.

It was clear to me, after reading a recent "State By State" page in the first section of the USA Today, some of our States are in  serious trouble.

Don't get me wrong. They appear to communicate frequently with each other, politically; but perhaps need to read more.

My conclusion is based on two things: the recent mid-term election results and the USA Today column above.

On the first front: apparently, with the possible exception of Pennsylvania ( a true anomaly), most state election voters have not met a Republican Gubernatorial candidate they don't like.

But, if  Jefferson and Madison's goal to promote and improve states' rights is to succeed, some of these current State guys and gals are obviously going to need my help.

Take this item I recently observed in the "States By States" column:

TENNESSEE: A Middle Tennessee State University professor is driving from Key West to Seattle in a vehicle fueled by waste chicken fat and waste vegetable oil from school dining facilities. Researcher Cliff Rickett (not to be confused with "Cliffy" from "Cheers") began his journey this past Thursday.

Well, time is a-wasting! You see, in that same section of the paper was an interesting item about the plight of the State of Alabama.
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ALABAMA: The School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences at Auburn University (if not destroyed after their football teams recent loss) will begin catching and tagging black bears at Little River Canyon National Reserve and outfitting them with GPS collars which cost the state $2,500 each, for a study of the bears, their population viability and their movements.

I immediately sent off a tweet  to the Alabama officials advising them it may not be too late to reroute Sir Ricketts and his innovative alternative fueled vehicle (AFV) straight into the Canyon from I-95 in order to greatly reduce their black bear "round-up" expenses.

Let's face it! What self-respecting black bear can resist that Circe like allure of waste chicken fat and vegetable oil?

Always there for Public Service duties - particularly if the Steelers get a wake up call before engaging the 2 and 7 Tennessee Titans NFL team next Monday.

WHY BEAT A DEAD HORSE?

Yesterday's blog regarding the Steelers and their LACK of coaching was written before I had a chance to read in the Post-Gazette just how bad the game actually was.

The fact that two of the Steelers four losses in 2014 were against NFL teams who are 2 and 16 this year was sort of glossed over by the Pittsburgh sports media.

Perhaps that was because it's not totally unexpected. Since 2012 the Tomlin coached Steelers have lost seven games to teams that were nine and thirty-six.

This makes it even more intriguing to me that "Tomlin & Associates" dumped their offensive coordinator Bruce Ariens a couple of years ago. Ariens and QB Ben Roethlisberger were extremely tight.

For those of you who follow NFL football, you're probably aware that Ariens is now the head coach of Arizona , a team that leads the league's two divisions with an 8 and 1 record.

Hey, I'm not saying ANYTHING - other than: (1) I thought it was a coaches job is to get his team prepared for EVERY game and, (2) Apparently, the Pittsburgh sports media - for the most part - are acceptive of Tomlin's lousy performance in games they clearly should have won over the last three years.

One dissenting voice appears to be sports writer Ed Bouchette whose  column expressing mild outrage can be found at ebouchette@post-gazette.com

So, while it's inappropriate to "beat a dead horse"  by criticizing a coach who apparently is sacrosanct in Pittsburgh - we're not exactly beating a "dead' horse.

Apparently, Tomlin still has a lot of life left in him.

NOT GOOD ENOUGH!

I finished the last blog by addressing Steeler coach Mike Tomlin's warning that his team was - in essence - not ready for their game today against a Jets team that had to date won 1 out of 9 football games.

Before I go any further, I want to make it clear I really do understand the "On Any Given Sunday" mandate that tells us any team can win regardless of the opponents strength or how truly inadequate they are.

In most cases, it is the conclusion of so-called "sports experts" that an unexpected loss like the one teh Steelers suffered today boils down to the fact the weaker team APPARENTLY wanted the win more than the other team.

That scenario is true prior to the first snap or the other teams first score. After that  - it's "catch-up" time at which point the predicted to be superior team compound their poor preparation and rotten overconfident mental attitude by panicking and losing the concentration that locked up their prior victories.

Yes, there are several other variants that come into play for the team with the far better record.

They may have incurred serious injuries during the game to one or more of their play makers  -  the noise of the desperate home team's fans was so loud that their quarterback, runners, and receivers were not on the same wave length - maybe even the possibility the other team played over their head in order to save the job of their beloved and usually folksy coach.

I'll rule out the last one. Seeing as how the Jet's coach Rex Reid had not been fired prior to either this game - or possibly even this season - I was convinced   retaining his job was pretty much a "lock" .

Regardless of  totally illogical decisions like bringing in his starting QB at the end of a totally meaningless exhibition game; one in which he sustained a serious injury - he's still around and the team as well as the fans defends him.

Yet, it became clear to most clear thinking folk the only reasonable explanation for "Rexie's" longevity as coach of the Jets was that he had to have in his possession some really bizarre and risque cellphone photos of either the GM or the owners he had taken during a team Christmas party (or two) - that clearly got out of control.

I won't go into the absurdity of the Steelers performance here as the papers can and will do a much  better job of enumerating the fumbles, missed chipshot FG atttempt- and previous unheard of interceptions thrown by their future HOF - QB. Maybe it was just poor karma.

The bottom line is the Steelers were simply:"Not Good Enough"

Now back to my closing comment in the last blog:

Based on the Steelers history of losing to teams clearly inferior to their own personnel (See Steelers/Buccaneers scoreboard) plus Tomlin's pre-game assessment,  and unlike todays Pittsburgh team - I was not caught unprepared.

For the first time this year when it became clear the Steelers were not going to be making an appearance today on the Sullivan's 56 inch Sony - neither my wife nor I ran out frantically seeking a bar that had the Dish.

Now if a guy like me - with admittedly questionable knowledge of the intricacies of the game - was so suspicious of the eventual outcome that he passed on the game, should any of us  really be surprised that the Steeler players obviously made the same decision?

And yet, the bottom line is still - "Who's responsibility was it to make sure that the Steelers were prepared - and won a very- very- very winnable game?".

That answer clearly qualifies as  "Not Good Enough" too.

NOBODY ASKED ME - BUT

I truly believe in the importance of voting and did so again recently.

My vote went to the Independent candidate who received 4% of the vote- versus the 5% needed to suggest our Florida two-party system is inadequate.

If the two nominees for Governor were the best choices our two leading political parties could come up with - am I wrong in concluding that neither party really gives a damn about what's best for the Florida voters?

Who vetted these two guys? Bernie Madoff?
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The media  - particularly USA Today - continue to dwell on the alleged political incorrectness of The Washington Redskins in refusing to change it's name.

Recently, columnist Nancy Armour reminded us that the issue is still a high priority "sports" issue because:

      The number of the people still SUPPORTING the name Redskins
      is shrinking from a "1992" polled 89%  to 71%  in September,
      2014 - a decrease of 18% over a 22 year period - in which I'm
      sure nothing else of particular interest or change took place.

      Armour failed to breakdown how many of the allegedly 3500
      "protestors" at Washington's last game were actually Native
      Americans  - and how many were there for the sole purpose
      of scalping tickets for the game.  (OOPS!)
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In the last couple of years, the board of the Augusta Golf Club - site of the annual Masters tournament - in a concession to the "pressure of the press" added females to their previously all male membership list.

With the 2015 Masters coming up in a few months ,can we now fully expect a media push demanding that, out of fairness -  the number of female members should more closely reflect the state of Georgia's male-female populace breakdown?

And, if so, should we be surprised - that their next demand will be for one of those female members - former Secretary of State Condaleeza Rice - to be  appointed to the board of  the club?

One assumes that would be as opposed to her being relegated to playing piano during the Sunday Brunch.
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The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported early in the week that Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin is concerned about a possible letdown by his team when they go on the road to play the "one win - eight loss ''Jets", this Sunday - following winning their last three games in spectacular fashion.

Tomlin apparently fears an "intensity" breakdown similar to that which occurred when the Steelers caved in to the notoriously dangerous Tampa Bay Buccaneers one week after a brilliant team victory.

Is there anybody out there old enough to remember when making sure that doesn't happen - used to be the responsibility of the Coach?

Pehaps the reason for him voicing his concern so early is that, in the event of another spectacular "El-Foldo" by his team- and he is asked to explain  by the post game sports reporters - his prepared reply would logically be : "Hey, I warned you guys this might happen!"
_____________________________________

OK, I'm done!

Never should have quit smoking.

ANDY HARDY REDUX - "ON A ROLL!"

I can only assume that the Steelers management and coaches got together this past weekend - put their pocket change in a pile - and started a beer fund that would keep the screenwriters for last Monday night's game from leaving the park prior to the second half - thus keeping us from sitting on the edge of our seats as we did the previous Monday night.

Look! You got to admit this is getting scary!

We got two consecutive games of good football from the 2014 Steelers. What comes next, the Pirates end up with the highest MLB payroll in 2015?

A little history here.

I finished a tongue in cheek blog early this past Sunday morning - asking for a little screenwriting help for the Steelers in their game against the Indianapolis Colts later that afternoon. And then starting at about 4:35 or so - all Hell breaks loose at Heinz Field for our victorious Steelers.

Here are just a few examples:

A tall rookie receiver - who apparently was not ready to play prior to last week - catches his 3rd TD pass in two games.

Roethlisberger, the QB to whom I referred as possibly lacking mobility this year  - breaks a passing record for QB's by having his second 500 yard game - and throws 6 touchdowns w/o an interception in the process.

Our Defensive front helped by several judicious blitz packages launches a "ferocious attack" against our opponent, the Indianapolis Colts - the likes of which we haven't seen since Mickey Rooney was a KID.

Our Offensive Line strategy lacked only "a moat" filled with Tiger sharks as a sure fire plausible method of protecting our QB - who had enough time during the game to autograph the footballs with the signature "BBR - 500(2)" before heaving them.

One veteran back - not named Polamolu, (GAY) - actually intercepted the opponents pass - and ran it back for a touchdown.

Another new defensive back gave a tutorial to Cortez Allen on how you can actually keep track of the opposing receiver and still track the ball sufficiently so as to intercept it.

True, there were some lingering memories from the Steelers first 7 games - as well as some necessary follow-up questions?

Will the Steelers always be assessed more penalty yards than the opposing team?
(Where are the old Oakland Raiders when you need them?)

Could someone please explain the hands-in- the- face penalty to me - and are you allowed to call it against both teams - or is that part of a pre-game referee strategy that presumably is accompanied by secret handshakes?

Those two former Steelers who we let go and then re-signed? What were the Steelers feeding them last Sunday and whom do we thank for their visionary prowess?

And a few less specific questions:

Can somebody please explain - in detail - what caused this team to do such an about-face against a team that had just won 5 straight?

Can we expect to see this type of play by the Steelers next Sunday against the Ravens?

If and when the screen writers who assisted the Steelers game plan last Monday, and again this Sunday, become "free agents"  will somebody in the Steeler's organization please promise to find a way to fit their salaries under the cap?

With the success these guys had last Sunday in writing a new and even better follow-up script for the 2014 Steelers, one can safely assume the Pittsburgh Police blocked all exits leading out of town immediately after the game..

 Perhaps those guys (and gals?) can be found holed up in the old William Penn Hotel - drinking a few free beers to the tinkling of a piano by the ghost of Oscar Levant as they write screenplays for sequels to "The Great Gatsby" "Citizen Kane" and "Casablanca".

After Sunday's Steeler performance they can erase the name Andy Hardy from their memories - as well as their "curriculum vitaes".

These guys are clearly "on a roll!"

WE'LL MISS ANDY HARDY!

Another Steeler Football game has arrived. First, let's talk about the one last Monday night.

Perhaps some of you are old enough to be familiar with the old Mickey Rooney/Judy Garland "Andy Hardy" films?  If so, you'll recall a plot line in several of them that went something like this:

(Mickey) "Hey, I've got an idea. Let's hold a bake sale (or put on a play - or sell apples and cumquats - or clean up the barn and hold a dance , etc)  - so we can raise enough money for dear old Mrs. Mooney, and she can avoid getting kicked out of her home by that mean banker, Mr. Miserly".

This year a Steelers fan may well wonder if the Steeler owners (different Rooneys) and their management team and players, haven't also devised a similarly "well researched" plan for 2014 football success.

I make no claim for any prescient football wisdom nor illusions of grandeur regarding the extent of my football knowledge.

Despite that, I continue:

Most NFL teams have a downward spiral occasionally, but here are some  possibilities for the second half of the Steelers season; if a few things pan out for them:

They made a few good draft choices this year after a 16/16 record the past two seasons. Their discerning  decisions on the acquisition of available free agents prove to work out. They hired some new good coaches. They will see increased positive development of latent player skills. They will encounter a continuing stream of good luck (like last Monday). They will take advantage of their more  advantageous schedule resulting from the NFL's desire for team parity. They get together and make a decision in the second half of the season to obtain a more cohesive approach to building momentum from the few positive performance of players they currently have under contract.

OK? But, the most important one in my mind is: "Hire more more good screenwriters" - and pay them well!

Let's explore the screenwriter scenario option play (a little pun, if you will)

When you have:
- one good quarterback whose mobility is fading.
- a safety who is HOF material, but is slowing down.
- only one proven good receiver ( who for some unfathomable reason
  you are convinced is your best choice to run back punts against special
  teams who will do almost anything legal or illegal for a chance to be
  promoted from the practice squad).
- one established successful young running back/receiver.
-  a  veteran tight end whose name and number has apparently been removed
  from  your playbook
- a tendency to have forgotten about good clock management:

 YOU MAY NOT MAKE IT BACK TO AN 8 & 8 RECORD W/O THEM.

Excuse my fading memory here, but I believe late in the second half of Monday Night's game, while still ahead - the Steeler coaches made a decision to use up some of the remaining game clock time by inserting their "U.R.Z.S.S."* into their backfield - despite the fact they were still on their side of the field.

For any fan of the old Penn State University teams, it became abundantly clear they had mastered the Joe Paterno offensive strategy we once knew, loved -- and predicted.

As a matter of fact, at that point, I diverted my attention from watching the game by choosing to attempt to lip- read the fan's reactions. I very quickly spotted a young girl of about 5 or 6 years old who turned to her father and whispered: "They're going to give the ball to Blunt - aren't they Dad?"

It was clearly the same old Steelers strategy that had cost them the game against the Tampa Bay Teacups.

Let's go back to my "screenwriter" advice:

Late in the first half with the Steelers losing badly many Steeler TV fans had reached for the remote in their attempt to track down Marlin Perkins reruns.

Then a miracle APPEARED - not dissimilar to the one in the old flick "Angels In The Outfield" filmed not too far away at the old Forbes Field where the Steelers once played a game or two.

I'll skip the details, because by now, any true Steeler fan knows what happened in the closing seconds of the first half. With 3 minutes and 8 seconds left in the second quarter the Steelers scored 24 points - 21 of which arrived in the final 87 seconds - partially, "courtesy" of a long lost ball hawking Defense .

What followed in that brief period of time was as implausible to any current  Steeler fan as the sight of Andy Hardy - wearing a leather helmet four sizes too big - that completely obscured his vision - running for the winning touchdown  and saving his  beleagured coach's job in the process.

But, in the second half, those same screenwriters who once aided Andy - and re-appeared to scribe our second quarter miracle - had apparently left the stadium in pursuit of more reasonably priced alcoholic beverages- and our beloved Steelers reverted to their more typical game plan by scoring only two field goals.

Today, against the Indianapolis Colts at 4:25 PM - on that SAME  home field advantage location - we'll learn if the screenwriters have graciously returned to provide us with another miracle scenario.

One word of caution: Yesterday afternoon, at about the same time the Steelers begin play this Sunday afternoon  - and on that same field - The University of Pittsburgh -( Pitt as it is better known to those Pittsburghers who still retain local  college football hopes) - obviously lacked commensurate positive screenwriting assistance.

Pitt surrendered 5 fumbles in the first half  - tying a college football record - rewarding their opponent Georgia Tech with a 28 to 0 lead - by dint of the 4 touchdowns they scored from those fumbles  - and Pitt never recovered.

You got to wonder: Where is Andy Hardy when you really need him?

Game Day Question: Will the screenwriters return today with a more favorable scenario for the home team?

*URZSS - Unreliable Red Zone Super Stud

WORDS TO LIVE BY

In the September 29 "Time" magazine, Kristin Van Ogtrop had some good, if a little unusual, advice for kids who may be struggling with Common Core standards and their dream of college.

She first addresses the parents:"These will not help your kids get into college, but they will make them better people."

She followed with a message to the kids. "You need to be able to do the following in order to get your high school diploma."

1. Write a letter. An actual letter that does not begin with
    "Hey" and is written, in handwriting, on real paper.

2. Learn to cook a good meal that can feed the entire
    family - - -  One nice chicken roasted on a bed of
    vegetables might even provide leftovers.

3. Hold down an unpleasant job that makes you hate
    your parents a little bit because they won't let you quit.

4. Go somewhere for the weekend without your phone,
    just so you know what it feels like to be in solitary
    confinement, or dying.

5. Every time you get a new toy or gadget, give an old
    toy or gadget away to someone who doesn't get new
    things as often as you do.

6. Take care of someone or something other than
    yourself. A pet does nicely here. And if it's a dog,
    learn to brush your dog far enough from the back
    door that the hair does not all come  whooshing
    (love that word) back in when you are finished..

    (She admits she did that.)

7. Write a heartfelt thank you note to someone
    over the age of 70. Even if this person hasn't
    given you a holiday or birthday present, find
    something to thank them for.

8. Read a book for pleasure. If you start one and
    hate it on page 50,find another one. Repeat it as
    needed until you find a book you really love.

9. Do something nice for a neighbor without
    expecting any credit for it.Rake the leaves,
    shovel the walk, put the newspaper on the
    front step if it landed in the middle of the
    driveway. Keep your identiy here secret.

10. Don't race to the top. Never race to the top.
      If you want to aim for the top, good for you.
      But try to get there slowly, deliberately,
     without knocking everyone else out of the
      way. or missing the beautiful view.

Words to live by.

Good for adults as well.

WITH AUTHORITY - COMES RESPONSIBILITY

The title of my blog is meant only to repeat a simple rule of Managment that was drilled into my thick skull over 50 years ago. Unfortunately, it is a rule that seems to have been either overlooked or discarded by today's business leaders and politicians.

That's a shame.

Most of us understand there are 4 to 6 "stages" of grief". Not coincidentally, there are an equal number of "rules" for problem resolution.

As we currently deal with the long overdue outrage over subjects like athlete's concussions, child and spousal abuse, and immigration - many of us, particularly those who have witnessed these problems first hand - are experiencing various stages of grief.

So, perhaps this is a good time to review the problem solving model that is so tied in with that experience of grief.

My favorites are fairly basic:

1. Define the Problem.
2. Determine the Root Causes.
3. Develop Alternative Solutions
4. Select a Solution.
5. Implement the Solution
6. Evaluate the Outcome.

Of the six - I have always felt the last was the most important.

Too often - similar to laws we have passed (red light cameras comes quickly to mind), without  #6  the previous 5 steps can often be an exercise in futility that dashes and disappoints the hopes of those crying out for resolution.

If problem solvers fail to monitor the results of the proposed "solution" (and there may be several facets contained within), all the well intentioned thinking that led the deciders right up to that final stage may be all for naught.

Too many times their failure causes us to lose faith in those we discharged, either via the ballot box or our acceptance of their oft stated promises to "do the right thing".

It appears that's where we are today.

I also believe you can put together a thoughtful, intelligent, goal oriented team to follow the problem resolution exercise and it doesn't take until after the Super Bowl next February or the 2016 elections to come up with a game plan that can be monitored.

                      " With Authority - Comes Responsibility"

STRICTLY AN OPINION

A friend told me recently that the voters in his town recently elected a very liberal professor as their new Mayor. According to my friend, the mayor's first act in office was to have all of the town's stop signs changed so they now read  "STOP - ( IF YOU'D LIKE TO)".

You gotta love those liberals!*
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If our I-phones are so smart - WHY DO WE HAVE TO KEEP RECHARGING THEM - EVERY OTHER DAY?.
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I know our President is a sports fan. We've read and heard so much about it in the media. But, perhaps it's best he didn't choose team scouting as opposed to politics.

Regardless of your political persuasion one might think  to ask: "How does a group of athletic guys in Syria go from "JV" status in January - to full blown travelling squad members on the " first team" varsity in August - or/ to paraphrase Britains Prime Minister  - to become "our worst terrorist threat yet?"
--------------------------------
I saw the Prez defending his alleged comment in a recent Meet The Press inteview but still wondered to myself, "You always thought 'G.W' had the worst intel?"
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I truly do love this country - despite what some of my blogs might suggest.

Perhaps it simply boils down to a theory I had back when they hung the title "management" on me - and I subsequently became a self-appointed preacher: "If everybody just did their job - you know that thing they're being paid to do - we'd have a lot fewer problems to deal with."

I fielded most of the complaint calls and would go to the employee to confirm or deny what I had patiently listened to. When I inquired why they had failed to follow up with the customer on the status of their claim, they would usually reply "I had nothing new to report."

"Then Tell Them That!" - I said....

Common sense just ain't that common for so many of us.
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I will never be  bored as long as the Pittsburgh Post Gazette continues to include comments to the sports page from the readers. Similar to humorist Will Rogers -  thought:(paraphrased here) "I will never run out of material  - as long as there is a Congress" .

My panacea for occasional mild depression is reading the comments from the Steeler's so-called experts, advising Steeler management as to what they REALLY need to do in order to be competetive this year.

There is nothing wrong with having an opinion  - as long as one understands, usually - that's ALL it is. Opinions aren't necessarily truisms.
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Is it just me, or are we fans of the old show "West Wing" and now "The Veep", possibly getting the inside scoop as to what actually does go on in the White House - regardless of party affiliation?

If even 50% of what the writers include in "The Veep" scripts is accurate, we can understand how difficult it is for people in power to reach a decision.

 I once thought business management required some "squirrely thinking" in order to succeed. But in todays world of politics the battle cry seems to be:"YOU AIN'T SEEN NUTTIN YET!"
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I enjoy NBC's Meet The Press. In referencing my viewing of their  8/31/14 show I couldn't help but wonder about the criticism I was hearing: "What if we find out that despite his off the cuff comment, our President really did have a workable plan regarding Syria, Iraq, Iran, and the Ukraine?''

If so, how many politicians and commentators will be bailing ship now in an rush to obtain air time so they can tells us :"I knew it all the time!"

Of course, even if true, the Republicans still will find something to disagree with, ie, "too late, too little, too sketchy, etc.". We'll know more tomorrow night.
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In all my years of following politics - I cannot recall a Congressional body who simply appear to have nothing on their mind but advancing their own interests.

Just out of curiosity, I looked up the term "traitor" in my Merriam Webster's Collegiate dictionary  (Hey, old habits die hard)  and found the leading  definition was: "One who betray's another's trust or is false to an obligation or duty".

You've all read the polls as to the current Congress's ratings. You decide.
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Yeah, I've lived through the Harry Truman vs "Do Nothing Congress" years but  the 80th passed a total of 906  bills - including 'The Truman Doctrine", "The Taft-Hartley Act," "The National Security Act" - "The Foreign Assistance Act" (Marshall Plan) - "Presidential Succession Act" - "Federal Water Protection Act", amongst other significant legislation.

Despite their argument to the contrary - about the only think noticeable this vainglorious group appears to have passed is - "gas."
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But remember, all of the above is strictly an opinion.

* OK, I made that up.

SPAM - I AM?

So-called "Experts" tell you to avoid viruses via opening e-mail from people you don't know. I assume that applies particularly to spam mail - the source of most of what I'm receiving lately.

 The problem, as I see it, is that if you don't open them you have no idea who sent them to you and why.

Articles I've read suggest it has something to do with "cookies"' I've stored. If that's true, I'm definitely giving up sweets.

 Some of my spam mail is scary, like. "YOUR FREE LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP IS ABOUT TO EXPIRE" (There goes my goal of living longer than my parents.)

Thank God for Publishers Clearing House" - which soon after - offered me a cure: "AVOID CANCELLATION BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE, MR. SULLIVAN"

(OK, I'll buy one of your damned eggbeaters in four easy installments. But, I gotta tell you - my wife and I are getting awfully tired of leaving non-consumed milk and cookies on the dining room table at night for The Prize Patrol.)

"YOU HAVE SIX NEW FLIRTS" ( Now that scares me too. I can't even remember what I did with my car keys - let alone try to track down my "old" flirts.)

"FLIRT LIVE WITH SEXY GIRLS ON RUSSIAN BRIDES". ( Whatever happened with everyone just heading up to Niagara Falls for a week-end honeymoon - alone with their honey?  Assuming this is not a typo, I still want to make it clear that I have no interest in lesbians. Not that there's anything wrong with that, of course.)

 "MEET ME TONIGHT. I'M LONELY - SEXUALLY EXPLICIT" (Sorry, gotta pass. My BW isn't even that crazy about me driving in the daylight by myself.)

 "MEET FEMALE SWINGERS AND HOOK UP". (Count me out. My " hook" is simply not what it was at one time. Besides, with my current coordination challenges, I'd probably  fall off the trapeze and break my neck.)

"BEAUTIFUL CHINESE WOMEN ARE LOOKING FOR SEX. (Yeah, sure. And, in an hour I'd be hungry again! Due to my dietary restrictions I can't even take that sort of risk with Fritos - let alone women.)

"LIFETIME EASY SEX - VIEW MY (8) PRIVATE PHOTOS". That one caught me off-guard as the next spam - the first of two received from Facebook - referenced a good lady friend of ours: "WINDI SANDERS ADDED A NEW PHOTO"

What made matters worse was when they immediately followed that one up with: "A WOMAN ON THE FACEBOOK OF CHEATERS WANTS YOU." (Windi, say it 'taint' so.)

"JENNY 26 WANTS A BOOTY CALL" (Sorry Jenny, we got rid of all our booties years ago.)

 And, my favorite?

 "GOT BIG BOOBS AND KNOW HOW TO USE THEM"

(Some parental advice here. "Relax lady. It's just a phase all teenage boys go through. Their brains develop slower than girls. However,  the idea of getting them jobs is right on target. But, quickly! Make your local Amscot office off-limits and insist your kids immediately turn over their paychecks to you.

Otherwise, they'll continue to eat you out of house and home - even after treating all their new BFF's to all that junk food they purchased with their newly discovered wealth.)

Sorry, Dr. Seuss.

Porn spam?  Honest, that's just not me!

HEAVEN?

It wasn't just in my aging years that I've been curious about the workings of and the existance of Heaven.

Of the many sources I've sought out about the subject - partially due to being well churched in my later years - I found I enjoyed the New Testament Church vision the most. They tell us God forgives our sins and offers hope via what they claim is a fool- proof method of making Heaven become my final resting place.

Unfortunately, despite their assurances and good intentions, after reviewing both real or imagined transgressions of my life to date, I have my doubts.

There have been days when I came away with the conclusion I'd have a better chance of passing the Bar exam on the first try.

The Bible has given us several stories of folks who "discovered the light" after living a disparate lifestyle. Assuredly, Paul, who was first introduced to us as Saul, a truly mean dude - through his transformation and his lengthy communications thereafter - has provided many of us with hope and guidance.

C.S. Lewis - a similarly reformed author - also gave us considerable insight via his delightful "Screwtape Letters".

Even admitted atheist-comedian W.C. Fields suggested it's never too late to think about the possibility of finding a path to Heaven when his biographer Gene Fowler observed him on his death bed reading the Bible.

Fields, when questioned by Fowler , copped out in that expected manner of his - and simply stated,  "I'm looking for loopholes."

Don't know about you, but I have to admit that through the years I've asked myself, "What is Heaven really?  What does it look like? "What are my chances of getting there?"

I admit to having unholy suspicions when realizing that, despite so much space exploration, nobody has come back with any snapshots of Heaven. I can only assume the reason is that NASA is really hellbent on controlling astronaut voyeurism.

Evangelist Tony Evans - who I met in Hershey of all places - has in several of his sermons provided a description of Heaven that suggests it is the most glorious and by far biggest shopping mall like gloriosity you could imagine - and, I suppose, with no shopping carts carelessly disposed of  randomly throughout the the parking lot.

More recently, authors Mitch Albom and Todd Burpo - among others - have provided a glimpse of Heaven to any us possibly less devout and on the cusp.

But my search for real meaning has led me again to that master author - Mark Twain - allegedly known as "Sammy" only to his close friends.

Per Twain:

(Man) "For instance, take this sample: he has imagined a heaven, and has left entirely out of it the supremest of all his delights, the one ecstasy that stands first and foremost in the heart of every individual of his race - and of ours - sexual intercourse!

It's as if a lost and perishing person in a roasting desert should be told by a rescuer he might choose and have all longed-for things but one, and he should elect to leave out water."

And, from the same source ("Letters from the Earth: Uncensored Writings") :

"Now then, in the earth these people cannot stand much church - - an hour and a quarter is the limit - and they draw a line at once a week. That is to say, Sunday. One day in seven; and even then they do not look forward to it with longing. And so - - consider what their heaven provides for them: "church" that lasts forever, and a Sabbath that has no end!

They quickly weary of this brief  hebdomadal Sabbath here, yet they long for the eternal one; they dream of it, they talk about it, they think they think they are going to enjoy -- with all their simple hearts they think they think they are going to be happy in it."

Hey, you got to admit - it's definitely something to "they think" about - particularly if you're wondering if it may be too late in life for any hope of inclusion.

NOBODY ASKED ME, BUT - - -

Nobody asked me, but - - -

Is it just my imagination that various uninvited charity mailings containing name and address labels arrive as a perverted interpretation of the Maltusian theory on food production and population? In my case, the less snail mail I produce - the more free name and address stickers I receive.
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Is there any memory more satisfying that that of pulling into your driveway after a tough work day and spying your young child sitting in the living room window anxiously awaiting your arrival?
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Many quotes are attributed to Albert Einstein. "Two of my favorites are: "The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has it's limits."

The second quote, and one which I experienced first hand recently, is "Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."
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Is there anything more beautiful than the glow on the face of a newly pregnant woman? Okay, there is the other one - but this is a family blog.
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Making a decision on cremation and then paying for it is part of a life cycle. We start out as kids being required to practice the three "R's" - "Reading , Riting, and Rithmatic" and,when we get old we, of our own volition, practice two entirely different "R's": "Resolution and Resignation."
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Isn't it amazing that you can sit on your back porch as Seniors looking up at those "huffy puffy clouds and still enjoy making cloud pictures like you did back when you were a kid or a young lover?
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In referring to a recent comment I made about the electoral process, I believe most voters go to the polls appearing to have watched too much TV.

By repeatedly voting for incumbents for whom they profess little love, they appear to be like characters in a Frito-Lay ad. They can't seem to eat just one.

Conversely,  Every two or four years we seem to enjoy playing a political form of TV dramas' Russian Roulette by expecting there will be no bullet in the electoral chamber this time.(see Einstein above)
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Can you experience any more satisfaction than that of this unemcumbered retiree who - while seated in his favorite lounge chair in front of the TV - feels the soft tiny stuffed animal which our 2.7 lb Chihuahua has just placed on the top of one of my bare feet?
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Are some people just plain cruel and insensitive - or is it our fault that their actions and words simply reflect our terribly misplaced expectations?
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Do you still feel the sensation that your hearing isn't as bad as you suspected when you take the time to sit in the dark late at night  - with your libation of choice - and listen to that favorite quiet soothing music you still enjoy?
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When you watch the latest edition of "Who Wants To Be a Millionaire"' - and still have some semblance of a memory left - do you also sub-consciously think of the movie "Quiz Show" back in 1994 - or the quiz show "21" participant Charles Van Doren?.

I can still recall those days when my entire family sat around our first TV, totally enraptured by answers provided by the contestants, while sitting in those "isolation booths".

If you're old enough, chances are your ability to forget the negative side of those "old days" is about as successful as when you are listening to the William Tell Overture and trying not to think about "The Lone Ranger."

No accusations here. Just reflecting on the workings of the human mind.
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Did God give us our sense of smell solely so we could hold a new baby up to our cheeks and enjoy both the softness and the smell of their skin?
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Should you as an adult - a seasoned movie and entertainment fan - cancel your People magazine subscription when you come to the conclusion you seldom  recognize any of the celebrities featured between it's covers - or anybody elses?
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Is there anything more reassuring than knowing and shouting out the correct answer to the "Final Jeopardy" Question when none of the three bright contestants on the panel seem able to recall it?

Hey, just thinking. But, nobody really asked me.

THE MEMO

It's true the world has become much more complicated for guys like me who are still plodding along with old school ethics. Honesty and accuracy were a big thing back in the day; but perhaps a little less so now.

(and no, thank you, I don't care to address the cigarette industry's explanation about "the T zone")

Political ads like the ones running between the two camps for Florida governor Rick Scott and his opponent, former governor and new wannaby Charlie Crist
have me in a constant state of confusion - which is only slightly smaller than the State of Rhode Island.

The problem is each campaign team is attacking the records of the other and incredulously  are using the same alleged examples to try to make their point.

Therefore, if you're listening with only one ear it's difficult to determine which candidate the political ad is attempting to support - as well as what they did or did not do while in office.

But, that's politics and apparently we don't pay much attention to political ads anyway.

I reach that conclusion because pre-election we continue to be polled and tell those doing the polling we overwhelmingly don't like the incumbent and then go out and vote most of them back into office.

But, confusing views are not restricted to politics.

There's a lot of "Eaching" going on due to the constant repetition of TV ads beating us over the head with their alleged "truisms".

 "Each' day we are deluged with advertisements from a drug company's representatives. "Each" ad - which appears to be a little more aggressive with "each" showing "each" day -is dunning the quality of their competitors product. "Each" one also is claiming their medication is the one proven to give us the best results.

In the Sullivan household we (okay, ME)  sometimes swear to ourself that  one grizzled old guy out there in an TV ad  - shooting hoops with an obviously coordination challenged youth - is the same one we saw a few months ago in a advertisement for a competing product.

Repetition  - when combined with old age - will do that to your memory sometimes.

Fortunately, by the time each commercial finishes telling you all of the bad things that may happen to you from ingesting or injecting their product - you tend to reach for the old reliable Bayer aspirin bottle, instead - and forget about their claims.

The end result of these advertising deluges - costing the drug companies millions (probably billions) of dollars is that many of us walk away not knowing who to believe - if anyone - and, because of advertising expense, we will never see the price of their products come down to a point it will fit our family pocketbook.

And, fortunately for you, I won't even attempt to tackle the attorney ads in an attempt to support my point.

I mean, if we want the straight scoop on something - we go to the sports pages anyway. Right?

That's what I thought too, until this morning when reading about the election of the new MLB commissioner Rob Manfred. Two of USA Today's columnists or contributors covered this occurrence as well as the current state of professional baseball.

One guy, Bob Nightingale - a regular contributor wrote: "The biggest obstacles facing Manfred will be to help modernize the game, with attendance stagnant for the past decade and with declining national TV ratings."

The other guy, Paul White, reported: "Baseball revenue has steadily increased to record levels - projected to be in the $9 billion range this year. Teams are lining up record TV contracts."

My question is: Which guy didn't get the "memo"?

THE BACK-UP PLAN - JUST IN CASE

I couldn't be more pleased to follow the Pittsburgh Pirates experiment of having their third baseman Pedro Alvarez practice at first base - a entirely new position for him as third base has always been his assigned positon in professional baseball.

The guy's a great athlete - whose muscle memory in throwing the ball - may just be on the fritz.

However, the benefit to his team - working so hard to make the playoffs - maybe even win their division - is that you now have a guy with a two position skill set.

In addition, his manager, Clint Hurdle claims Pedro is one of the hardest working players on the team.

Pedro may not become the next Don Mattingly or Keith Hernandez - with several golden gloves between them - but it won't be for not trying. In addition, it should be beneficial to have his bat back in the lineup.

My only question - assuming I have my facts right - is " Why did it seem to take so long to try the experiment?"

I agree one stumbling block may have been the different skills required to play first base versus third - despite the fact first base has often been the last position played by several pros on a farewell tour.

To this "retired athlete" it would seem one of the additional bonuses to having Pedro play there - even if only occasionally as he learns this new position - will be his opportunity to gain an entirely different perspective on the game.

O.K, a less serious and more informed discussion.

My knowledge of baseball - particularly the professional kind - is almost nil - ending in my failure to react acceptably to a curve ball in pony league. This is no doubt why I gravitated to slow- pitch and 3/4 motion softball in my later 20+ playing years.

Even in that setting I didn't set the world on fire - but, I had a lot of fun and it was a great place to babysit my 4 kids while their Mom was working 3 to 11 shifts at Pittsburgh's Mercy Hospital.

Now, you don't have to be the sharpest knife in the drawer to know there's a big difference between playing professional baseball and messing around with the alternative choice as so many of us did.

However, it does give you some perspective.

My recollections of the intertwined sports of baseball and softball was the mechanics (as well as that skill set) differed greatly.

Reflecting on my holiday tournament days, it's doubtful if Major League management allows you to drink alcohol between the first and second games of a double-elimination tournament (the past Red Sox experiment to promote conviviality among their players notwithstanding).

Secondly, even when the Pros did consume alcohol during a game, it's doubtful their players engaged in this behavior while lying in the grass on a hot day for a 3 or 4 of hours under a grueling sun, attempting to "cool one-self down" while awaiting their teams second chance.

One Memorial Day, during a second game - I watched an outfielder trip and fall over his can of beer while attempting to retrieve an infield overthrow - an egregious error. The jeers and laughter intertwined.

As most serious beerdrinkers will assure you, having a teammate spill a beer is considered by his buddies to be a serious and disastrous infraction - particularly if he was the  guy who retrieved the last cold one.

Most definitely, recreational softball - and the valuable lessons learned - only serve to illustrate the distinct difference between the two sports.

That comparison does not include the semi-pro version of softball where our good friend and pitcher Jack O'Connor was selected as "All World" in a championship tournament held in Detroit.

Perhaps Jack's biggest test, however, was his willingness to be the Pitcher on a few of our bar-sponsored teams during his semi-retirement years. Quite a unique  experience, as well.

"Back in the day", some of the more successful recently retired former Pittsburgh Pirates experienced firsthand the difference in the two sports when they attempted - with mixed results - to extend their ballplaying career by signing up for Jack's semi-pro softball league.

Timing the pitch was only one of the many adjustments required.

In addition, when you're trying to field your position while slipping and sliding on a wet and muddy softball field, you quickly become aware a Zamboni crew doesn't magically appear on the field when it rains.

There is one valid comparison, however.

If you're playing the outfield - pitching - even wearing the tools of ignorance - in either sport - you must quickly adapt to the necessity of  backing up the play when teammates #1 thru 6  are "throwing the ball around" the infield in search of an out or two.

The results can be "disastrous"'  - even without the beercan obstacles.

So, my unsolicited advice to the current Pirate management is:

"Take it from a washed up old holiday tournament veteran; better work on a back-up plan for your experiment - just in case."

COMEDY - WE NEED MORE OF IT.

One of our favorite TV shows is "Whose Line Is It Anyway"

It's a show based on improvisional humor performed by three regulars: Wayne Brady, Colin Mochrie, and Ryan Stiles, as well as various guests.

If you've ever attempted improv humor you realize just how difficult it is.

I grew up in a 3/4 Irish household that had a lot of humor when we were all younger and less serious about life.

One of my favorite memories is when my two brothers and myself had the guts to give it a try while sitting around the Sunday dining room table  enjoying one of Mom's fantastic roasts, garnished with potatos and carrots.

The "roasts" included much more than the food.

While we probably didn't realize it at the time, I still believe most of the comedy was dry humor we had inherited mostly from our dad - before all of our lives became much more serious.

The beauty of  the one liners was that it was ad-lib humor with Mom mostly the target, but included Dad - when we worked up the nerve.

Mom usually took it well and occasionally had a great comeback - which, if you enjoy humor, you don't resent it - you invite it.

Perhaps, that was because she was comfortable in that setting and just enjoyed having us all together at a time in which life was beginning to take her three boys in different directions.

Another reason may have been because Mom really didn't have much of a choice, being the only female seated around a table of five.

It was a time before making fun of your Mom - or any female for that matter- became both politically incorrect and proof of your male insensitive ways to so many.

That's a shame. Humor need not be perceived as hurtful. Often it's a demonstration of how much you like and enjoy someone. I am, as are many - many others - a great fan of  my wife Phyl's sense of humor - even when I become the occasional target.

I'm convinced that humor - as well as the people who practice it - is an inherited trait. Perhaps, it's just my imagination, but I seem to fall in most comfortably when trading humorous attempts with folks - both male and female - of Irish heritage.

It was not unusual for me to hear, after introducing our Dad to my friends and co-workers, "Now we know where you get your sense of humor." Therefore, when in my 20's and early 30's Dad sometimes became a welcome addition to our entourage.

I may still have a copy of  one-liner humor between my brother Tom and myself  when he invited me to visit him in California in the 70's, and we traded jibes on tape while attending "The Swap Meet.".

Not only did we sound alike back in those days - causing Tom to occasionally respond when I called, "Is this me?" - but, our humor was similar.

I believe our dry humor was more appreciated "back in the day". I base this upon the many blank facial responses I get down here in "seniorland' when tempted to begin a comeback tour.

Of course, it might just be my faded memory of comedic timing, but Phyl warns me that not all people understand my attempts at humor. I kinda picked that up on my own, but still appreciate the advice.

Apaprently like good scotch - dry humor is an acquired taste - so I dip my humor pen in the water less frequently these days.

However, I still enjoy those folks with whom I can trade those one-liners  - (probably equally twisted people) - as we bask in the smiles and outright guffaws that our combined efforts generate - even among ourselves.

While I miss playing golf , I miss the jokes and camaradie even more.

For now, do yourself a favor and turn to the TV listings for The CW - and enjoy good comedy - even if possibly a little ribald at times for some tastes.

"Comedy - we "definitely" need more of it.

PROOF- READING - A DYING ART

Despite diligently doing my proof- reading of my blog, and feeling satisfied I had cleaned things up - I then push "publish" - only to discover either my proof- reading or my eyesight has let me down again.

Apparently, I'm not alone with my proof -reading problems. Friend and former Harrisburg neighbor Rick Coe recently sent along an email which offers "proof" of that.

Here are some of the examples - taken from various headlines that managed to slip by somebody's attention.

MAN KILLS SELF BEFORE SHOOTING WIFE AND DAUGHTER
(Apparently a "life after death" experience is to blame!)

SOMETHING WENT WRONG IN JET CRASH, EXPERT SAYS.
(Really? Nothing get's past the FAA!)

POLICE BEGIN CAMPAIGN TO RUN DOWN JAYWALKERS
(Now, that's taking things WAY too far.)

PANDA MATING FAILS; VETERINARIAN TAKES OVER
(What a guy!)

MINERS REFUSE TO WORK AFTER DEATH
(Republican warning:"See what happens when Unions abuse their power!")

JUVENILE COURT TO TRY SHOOTING DEFENDANT
(Apparently the courts are getting tougher!)

WAR DIMS HOPE FOR PEACE
(I can see where it might have that effect!)

IF STRIKE ISN'T SETTLED QUICKLY - IT MAY LAST AWHILE
(Ya think?)

COLD WAVE LINKED TO TEMPERATURES
(Who would have thought?)

ENFIELD (LONDON) COUPLE SLAIN; POLICE SUSPECT HOMICIDE
(Did France's Inspector Clousseau move to England?)

RED TAPE HOLDS UP NEW BRIDGES
(You mean there's something stronger than duct tape?)

MAN STRUCK BY LIGHTNING: FACES BATTERY CHARGE
(He probably IS the battery charge!)

NEW STUDY OF OBESITY LOOKS FOR LARGER TEST GROUP
(Makes one wonder just how fat you have to be in order to be eligible!)

ASTRONAUT TAKES RESPONSIBILITY FOR GAS IN SPACECRAFT
(Perhaps he should have passed on the freeze dried brocolli !)

KIDS MAKE NUTRITIOUS SNACKS
(Do they taste like chicken?)

LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUTS CUT IN HALF
(Surely, more study is required here!)

HOSPITALS ARE SUED BY 7 FOOT DOCTORS
(Caution: These guys aren't just tall - they're pi--ed!-  and they have weapons!)

TYPHOON RIPS THROUGH CEMETERY; HUNDREDS DEAD
(Feel free to add your own caption.)

ENJOY!

''TOO BIG TO FAIL - A ROLE REVERSAL?"

As proof of my recent apparent fascination with the world of gloom and doom I share the following:

When GM was accused of several mechanical problems with their vehicles that led to considerable injuries and deaths, CEO Mary Barra appeared to be willing to gather America into her bosom and assured us that all will be well - as GM would "do the right thing"

That was one Mary Barra.

What impressed me at that time was her sworn promise to uphold civic responsibilities - not just legal ones - and that the GM we all have known and loved for years would be "fully transparent."

It was apparently another Mary Barra who met with Congress last week, and her testimony suggested she had an epiphany - something that, according to the Oxford Dictionary has more than one meaning.

One definition is "A manifestation of a divine or supernatural being."

Unfortunately, this is not the one we have embraced in the  corporate decisions made by "big business."

The one with which we have more familiarity - found further down in the definition list is: "A moment of sudden revelation or insight".

Apparently, this is the one experienced by Ms Barra - and also the one that will be celebrated by GM's executives and most of their stockholders.

You got to assume that Mary - similar to another well known lady referenced in our last blog -  had apparently "mis-spoke" in her previous promise of full disclosure. I can think of no other plausible explanation

Our Mary said in response to questions by Congress last week:

GM will not unseal confidential settlements reached with the families of      victims who died in cars with faulty switches. As one Congressman stated, "this could have saved lives" had they become public earlier (or at all?).

GM will not release documents and interviews that were part of an internal investigation by a handpicked former prosecutor.

GM will not waive a shield against lawsuits won in it's 2009 bankruptcy reorganization when our glorious appointed/and or elected leaders bailed out GM and gave them immunity for pre-2009 sales of millions of defective cars.

GM will not support making executives criminally culpable when they hide a defect that kills or injures.

GM will not dismiss the lawyer who ran the legal department that "secretly" settled claims for the misfunction of the Chevy Cobalt and says "he was unaware of the car's deadly problem until this year."

Last week, The New York Times also reported that GM "repeatedly" dodged safety regulators' inquiries about fatal crashes in which GM airbags failed - raising a red flag in the face of  most sane individuals as well as questions about what executives knew and when they knew it.

Oh, you sinners, - a category in which I ingratiatingly include myself - when you arrive at the Gates of St. Peter - fret not.

Just tell him you're "Too Big To Fail".

NOBODY ASKED ME, BUT- -

I can't seem to determine who my bff really is, but if it is based on frequency of communication - a real plus normally in a healthy relationship - then it obviously is a toss-up between local Attorney John Morgan and Publisher's Clearing House.
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I recently read that campaign ads do not have to state the truth - one more cog or bullet in the argument that the truth has become realitively unimportant in our lives these days. My friend Harry at http//harry2335.blogspot.com/ has written in his blog often about the lies that politicians tell - largely based on the extensive research he has done to prove his point.

When caught, I love the  response politicians give, such as Nancy Pelosi's reply recently, "I mis-spoke."

There appears to be one heck of a lot of "mis-speaking" going on these days.
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After six months or more of watching so many repetitive ads in which each candidate blasts his opponent in the race for Florida Governor - and the obvious contradictions observed in those ads - do you think you may have a handle on why fewer eligible voters seem to want to go to the polls?
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Finally. As mentioned previously, one of my favorite weekly columns is written by two guys who are longtime friends - Cal Thomas, a conservative and Bob Beckel, a liberal Democratic strategist.

What makes the column appealing to me is that, unlike today's politics, each individual - while holding different political views - discuss current events and their personal  reaction to them- and perhaps most importantly,do so with class, intelligence, and insight.

I was very interested in their latest discussion entitled "Today - what's wrong with America?"Like me, you may have pondered the answer many times as well.

I was surprised to see that one of the writers, Cal, who was apparently having what some might describe as "a bad day" - held views that were rather pessimistic. However, you may disagree.

Here's just one example:"The world no longer respects us, terrorists don't fear us, the border with Mexico has been erased, major cities resemble combat zones, (there is)a failure of Middle East policy, a $17 trillion debt, fewer fathers in the home, overflowing prisons, a sense of entitlement rather than personal responsibility, loss of privacy, threats to the Constitution and a drop in approval of our political institutions. Need I go on?"

Bob replied in a much more positive spin: "The problems you outlined are not new. The civil war in Iraq was predictable. The centuries-old conflict among the Shitites, Sunnis and Kurds was exacerbated by America going to war against a country whose borders were drawn by the British."

They followed the above by discussing with the topic of "empires" and whether or not The United States, qualified as such.

Bob's opinion was the empires that collapse from within (as suggested by Cal of our country) are those who tried to dominate the world, mostly by military agression and that the United States has never sought to be an empire.

It was Cal who then dug into historical/sociological references and quoted Sir John Bagot Glubb, (1897 to1986) a British General and historian, and Glubbs'  book "The Fates of Empires and Search For Survival".

What struck me most was when Cal recalled Sir John noted that during the age of intellect, academia produces skeptical intellectuals who oppose the values and religious beliefs of it's founders.

Cal said, "Add to this what he (Glubb) called the corrosive effects of material success. The modern media glorify promiscous sex and everything else that would have shocked our grandparents, another cause of our decline."

Bob replied:"Generations move on. Each generation develops it's own values and cultural icons. I agree the media are obsessed with the worst parts of cultural landscape. We may see that as a sign of decline, but the majority of Americans embrace it, as do billions worldwide. Where you and I see our materialistic culture as a sign of decline, we are in the minority."

Cal then responded with scholar/preacher J. edwin Orr's "a concert of prayer" concept. He referenced previous revivals in our country (ex. post Civil war) with which this phenonema he associated and in which massive numbers of Americans were converted and decided to live differently. He added: "Revivals break out when an authority higher than government decides to rescue people from their wrong choices and a fear that 'without such a revival' we might be doomed."

Bob's opinions differed. He spoke of polarization - alleged it was a few that were the culprits and finished with: "Until the majority demands common ground, this silly notion of 'America in decline' will continue."

Interesting article: " USA Today - Common Ground -Thursday 7/17/14, p.8A"

Lots to think about.

I guess we all have to decide for ourselves if we are indeed an "America in decline" and what the remedy  might be  - (assuming that is the case).

"THE SILVER BULLET LIVES ON"

It was a chilly Arizona night as The Lone Ranger and Tonto were sitting with their back to the fire  - ponchos covering their shoulders - discussing their respective potty habits .

(This part intrigued me because, as a kid listening to their show while lying on the floor in front of our huge Philco radio, I was puzzled and convinced they must never have had to go to the bathroom. Like, you never heard the Lone Ranger say to Tonto before they rode off to chase bad guys, "Hold it Tonto, I've got to take a whiz".)

Apparently, I had "B.R". problems of my own back then, which many claim have still not abated. I digress. Lets get back to our story:

Suddenly, our heroes heard a rustling sound in the woods behind them.

The guy with the white hat went into a panic. His first thought was that the notorious Butch Cavendish gang had snuck up on the two of them and was now seeking to fulfill their vow to wipe out both he and Tonto - without whose help he wouldn't have been around anyway.

In his panic, the Ranger rushed to pull down the black mask protecting his true identity. Tonto was caught off guard as well, and hurriedly reached into the back of his poncho in a vain attempt to reach an arrow from his quiver.

The revered "mask of identity protection" ended up under one ear and over the Ranger's nose but still offered some discreet protection.

Tonto, on the other hand, just stood there looking puzzled as he forgot he had no arrows in his quiver - partially due to the fact he had no quiver and used a rusted gun instead. Old habits die hard.

It mattered not. The noise they heard actually came from someone seeking their help - not their demise.

Hands held high, an Irish guy by the name of Denny Kelleher from the nearby town of "Rim Shot" appeared and began to explain how he and his fellow  residents were seeking relief from the dastardly behavior of the sole town bankers, Sydney and Grope (known simply as Sydney/Grope) and sought the help of the two "good guys"  .

He related to them how the bankers had combined both their assets and their name in order to build the largest and most luxurious bank existing that side of the Mississippi - wiping out all the decent smaller bankers in the process.

He then explained that recently the towns people discovered how Sydney/Grope s had been stealing them blind.

It seemed the two "supposedly" accomplished this by lying to the town folk about the safety of their investments, failing to disclose termite infestation in the store fronts they offered for sale or lease, were salting gold mines, alleging to the citizens that their "premier" mines were loaded with gold (which turned out to be iron pyrites), and had hired bad guys to over-water their sick cattle to inflate both their weight and sale price, and which also appeared to have had the banks brand superimposed on a previous brand.

In short, it was a typical plot for most of the Lone Ranger story lines with which we first became familiar as kids who were fans of both the Lone Ranger and Fran Stryker, his creator.

The Lone Ranger and Tonto acted quickly. But first, fearing the exaggeration of the town folk's allegations, the Ranger wanted to see for himself.

Disdaining his usual choice of "town" disguise as "the old prospecter", the Lone Ranger instead went into "Rim Shot" seeking information while appropriately dressed as an itinerant drummer, a purveyor of womens unmentionables.

Immediately after confirming the suspicions of Kelleher and his neighbors, the two crime fighters confronted the bankers who, not unexpectedly, denied all of their accusations.

Our heroes then engaged the bankers Sydney and Grope in a ferocious gunfight outside the bank that lasted nearly all weekend (without the need to reload their guns). It ended successfully only when Tonto's gun misfired and struck a container of coal oil inside the bank where the bankers had fled from the hail of bullets.

The huge bank burned to the ground - leaving the citizens no place to pursue their banking needs . Miraculously the bankers had survived, as the Lone Ranger never killed anybody, choosing to wound them instead.

The already outraged town citizens demanded that the bankers be hanged immediately and their bodies left on the scaffold "for all the world to see".

The Lone Ranger refused their demands stating, "I think these heartless villains have suffered enough", and he sent them packing out of town.

Unbeknownst to the citizens, after the bankers gratuitously turned over all of their holdings to "Rim Shot" allegedly to make amends, the two secretly wired their insurance company in New York and had the huge insurance proceeds from the fire forwarded to them at a secretly established branch office there.

Then the two whooped it up and celebrated their freedom and ill gained profits during their train ride East as they began their plans to form what turned out to be a very successful investment business in New York City.

However, even after receiving all of the worthless bank assets, the real "kick in the head" for the Rim Shot citizens, was never disclosed to them.

After making his usual pronouncement after a successful mission , "Tonto, it looks like our work is done here!", the soft hearted (and apparently soft headed) Lone Ranger surreptitiously reached into his poke and, unseen by the townies, privately gave the bankers (not the citizens) several of his priceless silver bullets - presumably for train fare .

He and Tonto then "Hi-Ho'd" it off into the sunset followed by several members of the Rim Shot symphony who were struggling to reproduce the William Tell overture on their dust covered instruments.

Weird story, right? I mean, if you've read this far, you can't be blamed for wondering what the moral to this sad tale could possibly be.

Ah so! You're in luck. We're about to tell you.

It's two centuries later now, and in keeping with the repeated Department Of Justice (DOJ) promise to us citizens to turn around the corruption in our financial system via the use of more stringent punishment of the miscreants, Attorney General Eric Holder, in his infinite wisdom, recently made an announcement:

He slammed the banking and investment firm Citigroup (not to be confused with Sydney/Grope) about a week ago. He accused them of hiding information about toxic mortgages after Citi, the worlds largest bank, agreed to pay $7 billion to settle charges tied to the global financial crisis that rocked the world six years ago."

Perhaps, most of us now dutifully shaking our collective heads in the affirmative, like the poor folks of "Rim Shot" - last seen in the town square muttering  about bankers Sydney/Grope, "that'll learn em!" -  the irony of the DOJ's actions hadn't really settled in for us yet.

Perhaps that's just as well.

You see, unlike our old time Westerns story above, there really is a guy named Dennis Kelleher today, and he has made some more relevent comments about Citigroup, the D.O.J. and the now infamous settlement. Denny is the CEO of an interest advocacy group, entitled "Better Markets" and, who loudly "bashed" the deal.
 
Kelleher did this despite the widely and presumably grateful publicized reaction to the words of our "A.G" Holder, and his revelatory statements regarding Citigroup's knowledge of the serious and widespread defects of the risky loans that the lender and it's employees concealed.

In his speech Holder also acknowledged: "Citigroup increased it's profits at the expense of millions of ordinary Americans and investors of all types. Then he confided to us, "Ultimately these investors suffered billions of dollars in losses when Citi's false and fraudulent claims came crashing down!"

He must have been right because, in reaction to the gigundous penalty handed down from the D.O.J, Citigroup CEO Michael Corbe said, "The settlement allows us to move forward and focus on the future - NOT the past"

Okay, enough already. But, what did Dennis Kelleher, the only guy who seems to have a grasp on what really just went down, have to say?

"DOJ brags about and wants everyone to focus on the $7 billion settlement dollar amount, but that amount is meaningless without disclosure of the key information about:

How many hundreds of billions of dollars Citigroup made.
How many tens of billions investors lost.
How many billions in bonuses were pocketed.
Which investors were involved, and,
What positions they now have with the bank."

It is truly interesting to note A.G Holder also didn't relate which Citigroup folks ended up in the "hoosegow" - or what they were planning to do with their "silver bullets", either!



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NATURAL SELECTION - A POSITIVE SPIN

Recently, my favorite blogger, Harry (http://harry2335.blogspot.com) sent along an important e-mail - about the relative merits of drinking beer.

I believe I may have seen it before - but I also believe I took geometry in high school - and recall little that I read of that as well.

I do remember my teacher,Mr. Glessner, and his pithy sayings like, "Many hands make light work" - but, then again, that might have been Holly Hobbie.

While sitting at PNC Park in Pittsburgh in my First Base box seat - with a direct line from First Base to Third - courtesy of my Fathers Day gift from oldest son Bruce and wife Patty, I was amazed at all the activity taking place off the field.

The beer vendors were going nuts. They all had their own unique patter accompanied by the loud and familiar cheerful declaration  -  "Beer Here".

Pittsburgers love their beer.

One might conclude there were more purveyors of beer than there were fans sitting in the right field stands. Then again, I'm much more accustomed to sitting at that location than field level box seats.

Apparently, the conclusion of the vendors is that there are many more fans in the upgraded section who can afford the $9 beers offered up in those tiny cups.

So why so many beer drinkers?

Harry's e-mail seems to answer that question quite well:

"One night at Cheers, the famous bar, Postman Cliff Clavin said to his buddy, Norm Peterson: 'Well ya see, Norm, it's like this . . . . a herd of buffalo can only move as fast as the slowest buffalo.Therefore, when the herd is hunted, it is the slowest and weakest ones at the back that are killed first.

This natural selection is good for the herd as a whole, because the general speed and health of the whole group keeps improving by the regular killing of the weakest members.

In much the same way, the human brain can only operate as fast as the slowest brain cells. Excessive intake of alcohol, as we know, kills brain cells. But, naturally it attacks the slowest and weakest brain cells first. In this way, regular consumption of beer eliminates the weaker brain cells, making the brain a faster and more efficient machine.

That's why you always feel smarter after a few beers."

It's only natural.

("Beer, helping ugly people have sex since 3000 BC!" - W.C. Fields)

PET PEEVES

One of my biggest "pet peeves" is the number of folks who commit so-called "white collar" crimes - and never do any jailtime.

My next vexation is; while this disproportionate punishment that is being meted out continues to grow like an epidemic, I am puzzled why so many people are still asking "What's wrong with this country and why do we have so many people cheating and lying?"

When travelling around doing my "dog and  pony" show back in the 90's - talking about business ethics in the insurance industry, I was often faced with the question: "Are we more unethical as a society than we used to be?"

The too easy answer was, "There's not more unethical behavior - just more people". I chose to believe it was much more effective to bounce the question back to my audience, to generate some discussion and hear and see what they thought.

The results were interesting.

Similar to the responses to ethical questions I posed  in the "A Question of Ethics" column I edited, I was amazed by the contrast out there as to what people had decided "now' constituted acceptable behavior.

And that was almost 20 years ago.

Please believe me when I say I no more thought of myself  as the "arbiter of right and wrong" back then, than  I do now. I am much more curious as to what others think about the subject.

Despite that admission, and while having no desire to be your favorite naysayer in the present, I'm concerned there is little in our current times to suggest a positive ethical change is taking place.

We continue to hear and read about some truly outrageous behavior in both business and the military.

Some blame the trend of increased unethical behavior on the inequitable accumulation of power and wealth we are experiencing. They also say that along with that comes an assumption the rules for you and me don't apply to them.

Perhaps they're right.

My most recent reference is taken from a story in the USA Today about Brigadier Army General Jeffrey Sinclair who reportedly cut a plea deal with prosecutors over extramarital affairs he had with subordinates, one of whom accused him of sexual assault - and then allegedly threatening to kill her.

His deal included a $20,000 fine - but he avoided a jail term - and therein lies the foundation of my premise.

What exactly was the leverage in his plea deal? Was it that Sinclair was possibly going to reveal several other highly placed military brass who had committed more serious crimes? Was it his threat to name names?

We'll probably never know, just as we may never know how other high ranking military personnel and ( titans of industry as well) amazingly avoid jail time,  despite being accused of committing despicable acts that have affected so many of us - in so many ways.

Let's face it. At the same time we have the contrast of "mere mortals" who are caught up in our "justice" system and are receiving 3 to 5 years hard time for selling a nickel bag of pot, many others, in a position of authority, and found guilty of much more serious crimes, are going scott free.

Is it because we are dealing with a domino effect wherein too many of us appear to have become enured to the tawdry behavior by a priviledged few and simply conclude: "It's just boys being boys - and it's been going on for years"?

So has Cancer! But, we seem to be making progress.

Whatever happened to the former popular guiding moral principle: "If you do the crime - you do the time?" Did it go the same way as "The Golden Rule"?

I believe people empowered to do so truly need to re-examine our legal system in this country and determine what messages we're sending to a lot of fertile minds in their formative years.

Let's do it before it's too late for that next generation - many of whom are going to be calling the shots that impact our kids and grandkids.

Then let's extrapolate those conclusions from the legal system analysis as to how we are handling so-called adult "white collar" crime, reignite our understanding of the simple concept of cause and effect, and get this country back on track.

Please consider my conclusion that this issue is important enough to be elevated from just a "pet peeve" by some old blogger to the status of a huge problem well worth our national concern.

But, you decide.

Twelve Steps & More

The unsolicited giving of  self-help messages seems to have increased lately, and as Martha S  likes to say, "that's a good thing."

Sometimes we need reminders as we all have bad days - or sometimes a sequence of same.

I recently read a survey of people asking, "If you could change the world what would you do?"

Some of the replies were interesting.

My favorite response was, "First I'd like to figure out how to remove those !@#$%^  thick plastic clam shell wrappers that all the manufacturers seem enthralled with. Then I'd love to come up with a cure for world hunger."

See, we all need priorities.

I agree. It's not that we don't care about the really serious issues featured on the editorial pages. It's just that it's the day-to-day frustrations that can ruin it for all of us - if we let them.

My daughter Beth sent along a self- help guideline thing entitled "12 steps" that may aid our curative process:

1.   If it feels wrong, don't do it.
2.   Say "exactly" what you mean.
3.   Don't be a people pleaser.
4.   Trust your instincts.
5.   Never speak bad about yourself.
6.   Never give up on your dreams.
7.   Don't be afraid to say "NO."
8.   Don't be afraid to say "YES."
9.   Be KIND to yourself.
10. Let go of what you can't control.
11. Stay away from drama and negativity.
12. LOVE.

Number 10 sort of reminds me of the Serenity Prayer that has often been a real lifesaver for me.

So, if I'm reading the 12 steps correctly , the next time you get one of those "clam shell" wrappings - feel free to take a chainsaw to it.

Then place all the pieces and your receipt neatly in your Wal-Mart bag and return it. Explain what happened. I'm sure they'll give you back your money -  and may even throw in a new blade.

We've all been there.

MAKE UP YOUR MIND!

I say this respectfully to my beloved Pittsburgh Pirates: "Make up your mind!"

My message to the Pirates is,"It would be a lot easier if you guys could figure out whether you've decided to be a winning major league ballclub this year - or not.

Every time I think you're going down the tube - you turn around and win a couple of games and I get excited all over again.

Not only do you win these games; but many times the incentive to do so came from formerly unproductive offensive ball players flirting with the Mendoza line who for some strange reason now and then find a way to get a timely hit or pitch a good game."

The old Boston Braves team was covered by Boston Globe sportswriter Gerald V. Hern among others. In 1948 (Yeah, I was a Pirates baseball fan back then, too) Hern wrote a poem about the Braves supposedly 'thin" pitching staff.

It's not that the guys were on "weight loss" - it hadn't been invented yet. It's just they were up and down with their pitching as Hern lamented.

The two reliable and more consistent pitchers were Warren Spahn and Johnny Sain, but they couldn't pitch back to back every game, thus the old saying"Give me Spahn and Sain, and pray for rain."

The Pirates seem to be having difficulty finding their own second consistent starter after Gerrit Cole. We thought it would be one of about three. But, they can't seem to recall how to win as they did in 2013 and we let Burnett get away for a sum that's considered chump change these days in professional sports.

Unfortunately, the "rain" prospects for the Pirates are as difficult to predict as their starting pitching. The talents are there. What seems to be lacking is a good sports psychologist.

We desperately need a starter who will emulate Cole and regain their memory.

Cole, our former #1 draft choice - beat the Dodgers the other day and received appropriate backup from his team.

Unfortunately, when I saw that Liriano (0-5) was the next starter up and facing a Dodger pitcher Josh Beckett who had just come off a no-hitter, I reached for the Tums.

Fortunately, Beckett was no Johnny Vander Meer.

 Liriano pitched a good (almost) 6 innings - and we got timely hits against Beckett, along with  a good bullpen performance from previously reliable guys who seem to have finally jelled.

(It's okay. I had both my fingers AND my legs crossed.)

Rooting for this years Pirates team this year has been a lot like asking Lucy van Pelt to hold the football while you attempt a field goal.

Oh, and the second  "Make Up Your Mind"?

That's for yours truly - your impatient blogger who apparently forgot what it's like to be a "good' Pirates fan - and who, by the way,  has been known to have  more than a few bad days now and then, too..