THURSDAY--Another Edition of.............

A flip of the fedora to Jimmy Cannon  as always---

NOBODY ASKED ME BUT.......

1)            Psychologists and Psychiatrists have degrees in their specialties but, honestly, what does it really mean when I have yet to meet one (not professionally) that is not truly annoying and opinionated.   Professionally I did meet one years back---that ended rapidly when I realized exactly what was said above.   I do have a theory how to help people in need and it needs only a doctor who listens and cares and an Rx pad.

2)            The tragedy on Colorado is a prime example of Psychiatry and those problems.

3)            What a great delight find that there are people who still appreciate films that celebrate people of all ages without special effects---think Marigold Hotel, and such.

4)            I, once again, have to tip my never worn hat (or yarmulka) to WFDU for keeping Yiddishkeit on the air with Sunday Simcha---and how that came about. Story on request.  Talk about the right place on the left side of the dial----that is it—period.

5)            I highly recommend a wonderful “coffee table” book---Hirschfeld on Line.  It is a play on words but his work spanned almost a century and, frankly, amazing in how he captured the people he drew along with their “personas”.  He comments on all drawings---and also why “Nina” is so much a part of it.

6)            I still wonder why some authors---better than I, certainly, find a computer keyboard a detriment.   Frankly, this is better than typing and whiting things out.  I will add that I cannot stand lap tops and flat keyboards---us old timers need to touch type on a regular keyboard.

7)            I am still trying to understand why we would allow a person who kills and maims many the privilege of changing a plea to avoid a death penalty. I may or may not believe in the death penalty but I surely don’t want a murderer, who cares not whit about who he kills, to avoid his fate because he struck a deal.  His victims struck no deals---he decided. Let us decide and, in thinking of it, this is going to cost us taxpayers (as if that really matters to anyone) a lot more than his sudden demise.

8)            Great idea selecting Paul Ryan as VP running mate.  Now people can see the difference and also realize, at this late date, what a fiasco it was for McCain to choose Palin for all the wrong reasons.

9)            Palin, and her being chosen for the fiasco, must have set back the Woman’s movement many years---perhaps 100.  But, it did show that a nincompoop was thought able to be a heart beat away from the Oval Office and the “Button”.   Speaks volumes of McCain and his thinking. Geraldine Ferraro where were you when we needed you?

10)     Do Facebook people really believe they have friends as opposed to “friends”.   Best not to call them for an evening out to find out.

11)    Clever idea giving undocumented immigrants a temporary 2 year stay of the threat of deportation. When the 2 years are up the records are up to date and, I suppose, planes and boats are at the ready.   Am I missing something here or is this a really inspired “sting” operation?

12)    Yo Ho Ho---15 men on a dead man’s chest---the question is were they there when he was alive?  If so then they killed him.  Then again if it was his treasure chest they were on they probably killed him as well.  Just not sure to which chest the rhyme refers.

                                

THURSDAY--Another Edition of--

A flip of the fedora as always to Jimmy Cannon

NOBODY ASKED ME BUT.......

1)                I  hope you saw the new Woody Allen film---To Rome With Love.  Frankly,  it is Woody Allen reliving his earlier wonderful moments in a creative and boring way---2 hours that seemed like 4.   Bless the cinematographer for bringing beauty to the mundane moment that is a re-hash of some clever stand-up moments.  Shoemaker, stick to your last.

2)                Jeff Daniels will be my guest (as an encore that is topical) on TRADITIONS this coming Sunday---please do join me.  What a multi-talented man this man is.

3)                Chick Fil-A is probably crap to eat in any case.  I do, however, agree with those who allow the founder his freedom of speech and rights.  Best thing is to avoid his chain (and heart burn along with nausea) and go eat in a healthier place and forget the political commentary.   By the way, if Gay folks want to eat there---well, there goes their longevity.    That should make him delighted.

4)                I am glad that I did not go into Advertising in the Mad Men days (as I had planned).   I doubt I could have changed with the times---from creative copy to internet intense items of one line.

5)                There is a problem in my mind in rationalizing the civility we heap on mass murderers (Aurora CO)  and the days of yore.   Today, inhuman things are done in countries---read Sharia law---to people with lesser offenses.   Might we not, at least, present a case to a court without lawyerly doubletalk and just present the facts and get the DAMNED thing over with.

6)                I am not great fan of Psychiatrists, Psychologists, and their ilk and, while patient privilege is sacrosanct, it should only be sacrosanct to a point.  The “perp” in CO was under the alleged care---whatever the hell that means---of a Psychiatrist.  Either he was incompetent or he might have suspected how dangerous this crazed animal was.   Either way his silence speaks volumes of the specialty’s ineptitude or his own criminal negligence.

7)                Psychiatry on TV is about as close to real life as Law/Order, NYPD Blue  etc; are.   I hope one never has to find that out.

8)                I was saddened to hear about the death of the Pillsbury Doughboy.  Sad.  He is survived by his wife Jane Dough, a son—Play Dough, an annoying brother—Sour Dough and his single sister—Dill Dough.  The funeral was held last week at 3:50 and lasted only 20 minutes.   One of the causes of his death was over-poking the poor fellow which caused his little tummy to finally implode.

9)                Since you read my views on Psychiatry and the lesser members of that ilk I would add that it may well be that Facebook serves a better purpose.   People can let their personal thoughts and frustrations out and some of them are so off the wall that they do end up getting caught.

10)        Don’t tell that to Facebook.  They may want to charge a high hourly rate if they think they are “shrinks”.  That would be more profitable for their unhappy shareholders than the stock fiasco.  But, bright side, Mark Zuckerberg needs no benefit concerts for himself.

11)        But if you want to truly laugh out loud read the piece in this week’s New Yorker about Marriage invitations and weddings.  Better than anything I am capable of.  Which is why they get the big bucks---or any bucks and I strive for humor here and on radio.

                                                                                  

Some items other than folk---which this might well be

I do hope that there are Gilbert and Sullivan aficianados out there---as I am. Here are two samples of their work and I do have to wonder why today we are not able to have this many encores when an audience appreciates a performance---Oh---, of course---computerization of performances.



Then there comes the question of topicality---and, were the lads ever that---



The last piece does represent of how the U S now handles political and military entanglements. Good or bad it is a fact and one that seems to me to be most appropriate.

THURSDAY--Another Edition of--

A flip of the fedora to Jimmy Cannon--

NOBODY ASKED ME BUT.......

1)            There was a time when you could get on a subway train with a coin or a token and then a MetroCard. I doubt that they are collectible and I certainly think that having ads on them is over the top.   Whatever happened to just riding the subway or going to a ball park named after a team (or a locale)?  

2)            Here is another great thought for defacing public properties---Subways have gotten rid of graffiti (which, now, some consider art—go figure) so why not let each car be named for a corporation if they pay for it.

3)            On that subject I urge you to listen to a song by Modern Man on that very same subject. (The New Ball Game)

4)            Was it not simpler and better when kids tuned into radio programs at scheduled times for them rather than these all day marathons of nonsensical and less than creative programs today?

5)            Larry King has a new program on an unwatched cable channel which brings new meaning to the old saw---“..old soldiers never die---they just fade away (and smell that way).”

6)            Buying “forever” stamps from the Post Office may not be a great investment.   Who knew.

7)            What a delight to see that Pete Seeger (with David Amram) appeared in Bryant Park for his book release and signing---and also his wonderful interview with Brian Lehrer on WNYC.

8)            I am sure that there are some very good new TV programs out there.  I only wish I could find them. Since Mad Men left for the season I am having a problem.   Please do not say Newsroom.   Soaps are meant for daytime.

9)            I do hope you will be tuning in to TRADITIONS (3 PM ET at 89.1 FM—WFDU)(THE right place on the left side of the dial)  this Sunday as I remember both Dave Carter and Harry Chapin.  Memorable moments with memorable people.  By the way---we are also streaming the program on the web at www.wfdu.fm

10)      Have you ever wondered if the price of tickets for concerts, Bway shows, etc; is truly in keeping with the inflationary rate?  Let me recommend local venues with the same great talent at a fraction of the cost.

                         

Things Rightfully Live On

July 14---today---it the anniversary of the birth of Woody Guthrie.  Who would ever imagine that a wandering (as it turned out) troubador (minstrel as Gilbert and Sullivan have it) would become one , if not the greatest, of influences in our musical history and, perhaps, in the nation's patriotic history.  Given his life and his adventures it also lead to the true definition of brotherhood, empathy, and understanding.

I am happy that my co-host, Ron Olesko, will be airing an interview he did with Marjorie Guthrie so many years ago.  A real coup.   Next week I will be remembering Woody just briefly given all the commemorations to date and on Sunday Simcha on 7/22 I will be featuring some of the wonderful music that has been re-worked and newly found in a Jewish mode.  By the Klezmatics.   On Traditions I will, as said, briefly be recalling him with some music from some rare old recordings featuring him and also Cisco Houston and Leadbelly.

Now---the legacy of Woody Guthrie continues through so many of our wonderful artists of today and, also, through the ongoing interest in his work and his persona.  One of the disciples is a person I have had on my program---TRADITIONS---is Rik Palieri.   Rik travels the world playing all kinds of music and has written a wonderful book which I had the honor to proof read.   For Woody's 100th commemoration he post this on Youtube (what is not there today?)  I think it something worth seeing---it is what Woody Guthrie was about.  Can you imagine what he would have done with the internet?


Please feel free to share this---as if I could stop you--with friends, relatives, and enemies---they will be uplifted.

                                                   

THURSDAY--Another Edition of--

A flip of the fedora, as always, to Jimmy Cannon

An aside this week to those of you who may not know who Jimmy Cannon was---a great sportswriter who had other interests and came up with this column idea for the NY Post---when it was THE NY Post and not what my dead fish get wrapped in.

NOBODY ASKED ME BUT.......

1)                Let me see if I have this right---Mayor Bloomberg was not supposed to have another term but he got around that law and now is playing the “mommy” to the public with his edicts.  Be it the teachers, the consumers, you name them.  Mayor Lindsay (damn, nostalgia is great and so was he) just tried to do his best idealistically and the trashbin of history was his reward.  There must be a moral in there somewhere.

2)                 I loved the Garrison Keilor bit about Mayor Bloomberg and his well stocked limo---a few punchlines but the one I really liked---   "well stocked mini bar with no bottle larger than 6 ozs."   Good for you Mommy Mayor

3)                Why does someone with quite a few large homes want to change NYC zoning to allow for 300 sq. foot apartments---a large walk in closet?  It is consistent with the soda idea---smaller bottles for smaller apartments.  Good for him and consistency.

4)                But the piece in the NY Times about privatization of people on probation really struck a chord—Probation was a judicial decision—when did some private companies get involved to profit from the poor inductees of this comedy  of errors?  And, why is it allowed?

5)                The ads for TED are intriguing and, kids should avoid it. I want to see “Brian” (Family Guy) resurrected as a Teddy Bear.  Frankly---having seen the trailer---not even close.  Creativity can go just so far.

 6)   Speaking of “trailers” .   This summer there will be a documentary coming out about the song “Hava Negilla” (joke is, of course, have two—they are small) do not miss it. Faces and voices you do not expect to see in this wonderful film which is truly enlightening and enjoyable about this great piece of music.   We will be talking of it and playing some samples this Sunday on Sunday Simcha.

6)                Shakespeare and his humor and his tragedies with all their insights have lived on for over 400 yrs.   Other than Arthur Miller is there a playwright that one can name that might be in that category---and even Arthur Miller may not be there.

7)                 Between the “Stop & Frisk” issues and the issuing of summonses (tickets) for drinking (beer/soda –it turns out) in public even though on one's own stoop one has to think the NYPD is truly overstepping and is quite insensitive to the public.  An essay could follow this but, suffice it to say, I do respect their professionalism as compared to the average suburban overpaid police person given the lesser pay of the more risky work and discipline of the NYPD.   If you want the essay send some notes---I will oblige.

8)                Next week on TRADITIONS (7/22) we will remember Dave Carter and Harry Chapin who, sadly, passed away during this time frame.   I will be playing an interview I had the pleasure and honor of having with Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer.  Unfortunately I never interviewed Harry Chapin---but there will be some interesting and memorable moments. Also a brief reading by me of a wonderful tribute to Harry I received the other day from a true aficionado.

9)                I am truly delighted in retiring from the local library board after some 40 years there and knowing that we have the best director now that anyone could wish for, a board that is responsible and creative, and most of the extensive renovations are behind us.  Now if only our town elders (who are not that old or that wise) would allow us the “privilege” of renovating the auditorium so that is not the embarrassment it is compared to other facilities.  I am sure the artists that we book would also be delighted. I know I would be.  Sort of like having guests in a shabby home even though you have a very nice entryway.

10)        I was truly intrigued by the lead article in the NY Times today about Doctors, Rxs, and the doctors selling them to patients rather than giving scrip for a pharmacy---at exorbitant costs.  Seems the gov’t is picking up the tab for this since it is mostly MDs who deal with cases that involve some gov’t---Workmen’s Compensation, etc;  There is a moral here.   Arrest the 3 card monte hustler in the street and reimburse the hustler with a degree.  Better to prosecute him.  Madoff needs company.  He is lonely.

11)        You do have to believe that as technology in TV gets better the content just gets worse.  Seems the only live things of quality left are sports (I am not a fan).   Escapism with quality drama is gone but Reality TV is here even though we are trying to escape the reality of the day from the mundane everyday things we deal with.