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

The weekly flip of the fedora to Jimmy Cannon

 NOBODY ASKED ME BUT......

    

1)          Eric Bogle has it right in “Silly Slang Song” (if you want to hear it again just e mail me to play it) the language has been bolly woggled and changed---do you remember when “friends” were friends and not virtual things on Facebook---those are acquaintances ---and “virtual” ones at that.  So, what will be the new term for “friend”---the real deal that is.

2)          The Founding Fathers were not saints but they sure got things right and, perhaps, we should let other people have “Founding Fathers” even if they are not very nice dads.  Their choice---not ours.  If only corporate interests stay out of the way it could work---globalization does have a negative side—or better yet---sides

3)          Andre Braugher is in a new play and, while not having seen it yet, I would recommend it because of the subject and Andre B.  

4)          The internet does open up opportunities for communication that did not exist. SO---anyone needing a wonderful Cantor for High Holyday services—seriously---I know of one who would be interested---just e mail me: sundaysimcha@yahoo.com

5)          Icicles are getting bigger, patience is wearing thin,  the world is going to hell in a wheelbarrow, and I, having cabin fever now, and thinking the past life seemed a lot simpler and, damn it, I guess it was not.

6)          Have you ever wondered how and why (NYC Police excluded here) the Police in suburban areas that have less risk than Metropolitan areas are paid the high salaries and the great pensions?   One cop in a car with not much to do and (an area I know of) retires with a 300,000 pension.  My mother would have been proud---“my son the cop”---beats “my son the doctor” and nothing to really learn—other than how to beat a system.

7)          Even though I stopped smoking over 19 years ago but I think this banning of smoking in parks, beaches, etc; is really over the top.  Whatever happened to freedom of choice, taxes a person paid supports the parks, etc;---and, of course, taxes paid to buy that pack of cigarettes?   Maybe cars should be banned from “Parkways”—they pollute and for some strange reason a “highway” is called a “PARKway”. 

8)           The weather has been truly lousy this winter but the newscasts on TV spend more time with pictures of people complaining as they shovel and less time with a revolution going on in the Middle East.   I guess they are waiting for a scoop (not of ice) if the snow starts to fight back.  Smart move!

                                              

THURSDAY--ANOTHER EDITION OF.......

A flip of the fedora to Jimmy Cannon:

 NOBODY ASKED ME BUT......

    

1)      It is great that a pendulum swings but it sure can be overdone with total miscreants such as the shooter in Arizona.  Lynching is gone but we do have incarceration and death sentences for people caught on video tape.  The defense team, not withstanding, this seems like a “no-brainer” even for the politically correct and those who want to save a few tax payer dollars.

2)      Don’t you love that expression about “tax payer dollars”?   When did you ever feel you were save a few dollars?  Even a lynching would not line a taxpayer’s pocket---that has been taken care of by many elected honest and allegedly idealistic people.  

3)       Speaking of elected people---did Chuck Schumer ever pass a mic. or camera he did  not like and have focus on him?   He is a great test pattern.

4)      Is there anyone out there who might be willing to sell me a small amount of snow to decorate my lawn with---it is in short supply.  The holidays are only 11 months away---wait---I just heard the forecast and I will be getting it for free once again---now, if summer does not screw things up, I am all set.

5)        It seems, according to news reports, that the financial debacle was avoidable.  Now that the matter is decided we can wait for the next “avoidable” one because greed and self-interest usually win out.  Ask the robber barons of yore—now residing in ornate mausoleums.

6)      Studies, surveys, policy matters, programs all say that money is the issue.  Money---is paper backed by the government. Idealism is doing something because it is right---SO—what happened to Volunteerism on the local, state, and federal levels.  If it needs doing let it be done.

7)      Speaking of Volunteerism why do local town councils get paid for their part time jobs (including medical and pension benefits many times) while the local library boards and ambulance people “volunteer”?

8)      Topicality is important so let’s wonder why Jesus was spied going into a bar and asking for a wine glass---but, have it filled with water.

9)      The French are now apologizing for their RR system’s transporting of Jews to Germany----because there is the possibility of some lucrative contracts.  Do you think BMW (the Holocaust Museum in DC makes a point of giving those initials when mentioning Bavarian Motor Works), Siemens, and Bayer might make some mention of their complicity?  

10)                    Funerals can be really convenient these days.  Some providers even have live internet feeds---so much for personal involvement.   Perhaps the new opening comment for the cleric is—“...All ye gathered here and on our reasonably priced TV feed let us mourn the personal and electronic loss of----“.

11)                    What a thrilling moment to hear a speech (State of the Union) that was an oratorical gem as opposed to the monosyllabic incomprehensible words of a previous deliverer of this address.

12)   Does Meche ring a bell?   I am no sports fan but news about him reinforced my thinking that there are still some idealistic and honest people around.

13)  Tom Paxton has a brilliant new piece of, sadly, short shelf life material about guns on Youtube---either check it out or let me know to post it here.

14)  Did you know that Utah has a "gun appreciation day"?  Here is a bit of irony---they want it to coincide with MLK day since "....they both made major contributions to freedom and liberty".    I bet MLK would have appreciated that.  Can legislators be that ignorant?   It is a rhetorical query.

                                 

                                          

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

A flip of the fedora to Jimmy Cannon  (and a day late---probably a dollar short as well).

 NOBODY ASKED ME BUT......

    

1)    The translation into German of the name “Austria” is East Reich.  Sort of tells you something about that “invasion” in 1938.

2)    Since airplanes are now flying cattle cars (for high prices to board the “sty”) it is nice to recall the days of Piano Lounges, decent food, and the drama that once was air-travel.  Railroads, as well, had quality service with (on commuter trains) drinks served in a bar car among other amenities.   What a glorious time it was for “Mad Men”  and other commuters.

3)    A Shakespeare play opened next door to the ill fated Spiderman----fraction of the cost, just as exciting, and more meaningful.  Nothing more to say on that matter other than no one really got hurt---not even financially.

4)    Speaking of wonderful entertainment moments---Larry Siegel at the Orangeburg Library was a great hit.  This proves, once again, the best things in life are free---you do not need to pay exorbitant prices for quality at Arenas or Bway---hype does not mean quality.

5)    Since NYC is, allegedly one unit does not the expression “the outer boroughs” sound condescending?  And you wonder why Manhattan gets plowed out right away.

6)    President Hu is here---does that mean VP What is in China and where is the ever popular I Don’t Know?

7)    Dick Cavett’s book  “Cavett” is a good read---and his Groucho stories are delightful---Couple spy Groucho in a restaurant and the man says “...Would you say something funny and insulting to my wife---Groucho:...looking at your wife I should think you would have enough insulting remarks to make on your own”.

8)    Has anyone ever wondered why one name never appears on my playlists? And why?  Occupants of this phone booth have plenty of room to write down an answer. We are not overcrowded yet.

9)    If someone is a big fish in a little pond does that have to make that person a bully or just egotistical?

10)                      I do believe that I have it right about semantics and advertising. “ More” is less and “new and improved” is same old crap under a new name.   The banks have it down perfectly---I bet you won’t get that “free meal from Chase”  but you sure as hell will get the new charges they are billing to you. 

11)                      Bless DVR to help avoid seeing some of the above.

12)                      Speaking of Advertising---it surely has changed with the Internet---now just images and not even clever copy.  I will admit that an ad for Honda on TV was subtle and a knock on the Ford ads---I wonder how many people got it?

                                                        

Some Thoughts About Hypocrisy and Current Events

Welcome to the phone booth---I hope our small contingent is not too crowded and that we all showered so that the soap suppliers do not have to receive a bonanza.

Given the events of this past week and given all the commentary about it I thought the following would be appropriate---it is something I posted to Facebook as a response to another item (having to do with Dylan and the subject)---which seems to have disappeared. Who know why things appear and disappear on that site---algorithms, I suppose. I do not know that damned word even means---anyway---below is my post which I felt was pertinent to the events of last week:

I am certain that Phil Ochs would have a just as pointed and meaningful a commentary---but it matters not since the deed is done and the tragedy happened---for whatever reason. Thankfully, Pres. Obama has properly evinced the moment with c...ommentary on healing and hope for a more meaningful and peaceful discourse since we are one nation and should not be swayed by the acts of a "lunatic"---at least here we do not have to worry about the legalisms of comments--years back we also did not---now we and the Pres. have to watch the words we use---cannot even call a "nut job" that---he is "mentally challenged" and the police will try to find out his motives---well, they will do better than "shrinks" then----no one else seems to have wanted. legally,to invade the territory of---basically---a nut case and this is what the results are.

OK---Time for Phil Ochs

 

THURSDAY ---Another Editions Of....................

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

 NOBODY ASKED ME BUT......

    

1)            Was is it not pleasant to find out that Mayor Bloomberg was not even there for the first storm and all the while giving a 1^st person account of the problems “he” faced.   Lindsay was there.  So good to have that silky skin that allows things to slide off even when ---politely now---prevaricating involvement.  I bet there was no ice or snow in Bermuda.

2)            We mourn the loss of such a talent at so young an age—59.   Debbie Friedman.  We shall commemorate her on Sunday Simcha this Sunday ---1/16/11

3)            Is there really a reason we have to be gentle in finding the motives of a horrendous murderer who “allegedly”---mandatory word since the days of “take em” out an hang “em”, even though we know they performed an act?  Well, at least to satisfy our curiosity.  

4)            Jeremy Brett still seems, to me, to be the ultimate Sherlock Holmes---Dick Cavett’s opinion, in his latest book not withstanding. He loved Basil Rathbone.  Basil Rathbone hated the role---just did it for the money.

5)            Jon Stewart has to be complimented for his brilliant monologue after the Arizona tragedy and his wonderful seque into another matter (shtick) not involving him to lighten the moment. Bravo!!

6)            Loved the commentary recently about “..presumed innocent until proven guilty”---all the lawyers (except female ones) got it wrong.  It is not stated anywhere---basically you are guilty and the Defense Attorney has to prove you innocent given the preponderance of evidence.   Sounds right to me.

7)            I am still trying to understand when and how a $30,000 house became worth $500,000 and an apartment in NYC in Harlem became worth over $1,000,000.  Even, as it is said, “adjusted for inflation”.  That is not inflation---that is an explosion.

8)            Which brings to mind the other thought about people who have lived there and been “gentrified”---I doubt they are in Florida (God’s Waiting Room).

9)            NYS has a new administration and I have to mourn the loss of an idealistic Governor because he was not politically correct or popular.

10)      My daughter has it right---have a Funeral Rehearsal---like a Wedding Rehearsal---at least you get to be feted while you are still alive and not have to miss all the belated BS you would have enjoyed.  Hopefully!!

11)      Why does not the public hold that good old “snow removal grudge” against M. Bloomberg as they did against John Lindsay.  He was idealistic and this dear mayor is just pragmatic.  Who gets it?

12)   Bravo to Pres. Obama on his speech and his unifying and peace provoking moments rather than the hate filled rhetoric one might have heard.

                                  

Crosshairs & Hindsight

Sarah Palin---what more is there to say. Out of nowhere she becomes a wealthy and celebrated celebrity that has the mentality and knowledge of a cauliflower and the  morals of dear old Mephistopheles. 

Hard to understand that a person that was almost---well not even close--President is the person that McCain would choose such a non-entity as a running mate and create such a media frenzy about her.  And make rich  with her speaking fees, her FOX contracts, and such.   May I quote Christine Lavin---who, as many folk artists, have more insights than  many politicians....
"....what was I (he) thinking".

You surely know that this refers to the horrendous events in Tucson and my comments about the good ole bear killer are not the thing that instigated it.  It was that piled upon the rants and raves of media in this day of instant communication and gratification affecting one sick mind.   Time to slow down, think things out reasonably, and pay more attention to committing the mentally ill to places where they can be either helped  or held from doing harm. 

As to Arizona.   Guns and heat---what a great combination.   What does it take to make people realize that guns are used only  by  the criminals and the "crazies"?   You can get hunting permits if you really feel the need to kill some poor "critter" in the woods---are there any woods in Arizona?

Stick around for tomorrow's Nobody Asked Me But---just a little preview here---but as to the Music and Radio portion of this blog---well, a  few items--

1)  January 16---SUNDAY SIMCHA ---we remember and commemorate Debbie Friedman
2)  January 23---TRADITIONS---------Richard Berman joins me as a guest to play and talk of his meaningful and insightful music. This is a far cry from the Top 40 and Sinatra---for sure.

This might be a good time to leave you with some music from the above 2: