THURSDAY--Another Edition of--

A flip of the fedora to Jimmy Cannon

NOBODY ASKED ME BUT.......

1)  Recording has really evolved---from shouting into a horn to 78s/LPs/ CDs/ MP3 Downloads and allowing artists to “mail” their segments in and let the engineers create the final product.  The final product was better as a recording than a single song download we now get with no thematic thread. 

2)   99 cents for a song (download)---you used to get a 78 rpm record for that price.  I guess the circle goes around---though that had 2 songs and you could use your steel tipped needle to listen and destroy it.\

3) “Folksbiene”---the National Yiddish Theater has some wonderful presentations planned.  Stay tuned to Sunday Simcha to find out about them----you do not want to miss them

4)  Wouldn’t it be best if people could sympathize with your serious problems rather than saying that things could be worse.  They could be but they are what they are.   On the brighter side one should also consider one’s good fortune when a disaster strikes (storms, illness, etc;) and one’s damage and/or pain is minimal.  

5) From tiny acorns mighty Oaks grow and then the get hit with an out of season snowstorm and crash.

6)  November 9^th is the sad anniversary of Krystalnacht and Sunday Simcha & Traditions have commemorated this sad event over the years.  Due to the unseasonal weather problems that will not be the case this year but the event will be in my mind and I hope you, as well, will reflect on it.

                                                           

THURSDAY--Another Edition of--

A flip of the fedora to Jimmy Cannon

NOBODY ASKED ME BUT.......

1)        What is it about Psychologists?  Many came from other areas before settling on re- decorating our minds---be it Interior Decorating, Carpentry, and more (I know of them).  Does that make them competent?

2)          A true story of one I know---a former art dealer now expert (?) in people’s problems.  I was in a social group and was about to say something and she said please do not speak since I know what you are going to say and I am tired of it.  My response---“what do you think I will say?” (which, had it been so, was complimentary to someone in the group) and she picked the wrong statement.  She apologized and allowed me to speak..  Wow—what generosity and insightfulness worthy of a totally incompetent “shrink”.  Any wonder why I cannot abide these self appointed purveyors of healing and logic?

3)          I often wonder if life was simpler and better with fewer media choices.   Forgetting “the good old days” cliche since everyone things of past times as such. It does seem that there was quality in the early days of TV. Children had limited choices on radio and geared only for them (at certain early hours). We spent time communicating with each other.  Now we deal with “apps” and constant streaming of all kinds of material that we do not need immediately or, perhaps, at all.  In addition, the children end up sitting in front of some sort of screen for hours if one allows it.  Does anyone really believe that Sponge Bob is a better companion than some live interaction with friends and parents?

4)          We have to enter “lighter note” time so a brief thought---Going to Church or Synagogue does not make you a Christian or a Jew anymore than going to a garage makes you a car.   Baboom!!

5)          I am hoping to die peacefully in my sleep just like my dear Grandma----unlike those 3 passengers screaming in her back seat.

6)          Since I like Gospel music so much I nominate Mr. Cain to be a lead Gospel singer.  A vocation that may well suit him more than being President of anything larger than a Pizza Company---and please do hold off on the Pepperoni and Bullshit toppings as well as the Gracie Allen inspired malapropisms.

7)          This Sunday you do not want to miss SUNDAY SIMCHA at 10 AM ET (on the web at www.wfdu.fm)  when we present the quarterly Capitol Steps in an extended Comedy Corner---make sure you have your girdle on to prevent any explosions of your sides.

8)          On Traditions on that same day at 3 PM we start a new feature---your input is requested.  Tune in and find out and also discover some brilliant new artists.

9)          Having read about the rates charged by one Paul Clement for his legal services you have to realize it is just a smidgeon above minimum wage.  Taking on cases one may or may not agree with is a lawyer’s forte---sort of like the Jewish expression regarding Talmudic arguments---Pil Pul.   I won’t venture to give my definition of that in terms of animals that graze in the meadows and their digestive processes.

10)    Are we all not happy that the missing cat at JFK was finally found?  Are we all not also delighted that the cat’s owner who loves the cat so dearly already got another one---to keep another one she owns company?   All I can add is---Hmmmm?

                                            

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

A flip of the fedora to Jimmy Cannon

NOBODY ASKED ME BUT.......

1)       What does it say about the Israeli Prime Minister when he negotiates with terrorists and will not sit down with responsible Palestinian leaders from Fatah?

2)       It’s tough to be a leader and avoid emotion but that is what is required from a true leader and not having his subordinates put a spin on it. One of the subordinates I had the privilege of interviewing some time back---sad to think  really believes what he says, albeit in a most erudite manner.

        On a side note, a word of wisdom from the young---13 yr old Grandson on hearing his dad remark how unfair the prisoner exchange was but if it were his son he might feel differently---the grandson's comment---"every boy is someone's son"

3)       When someone says “death is the great equalizer” they are right---good old Muomar crawled into a hole and quivered like all the others he destroyed while living in his palatial places and not giving a damn about people.  Remains to be seen how the newcomers will do---given the history there “pessimism” is the watchword

4)       Is it me or does TV just get worse and worse and worse since the halcyon days of classic programming?  

5)       “Prime Suspect” is not anywhere near the quality of the British version.  Just another 2d rate Detective story now---featuring 2d rate actors and 1^st rate actors (Aiden Quinn) in a second rate role.

6)       Over 25 year old Brit. Sitcoms are still more interesting and quality oriented than today’s pack of pap---think of Keeping Up Appearances and As Time Goes By.

7)       Now that Cablevision has deigned to put BBCA on its line-up why is it that it just a re-hash of old 2d rate American programs and WNET and WLIW (the twins of repeat programming) air the quality material?

8)       I finally figured out the real reason that the Chicken crossed the road----

9)        Politicians don’t really want to get out the vote---they want to get out the vote that will vote for them. 

10)Let’s end with a trivia question---in the early days of this nation the Republican Party begat which other party and the Federalists begat which party---that begat another?  Ever so biblical wording in this query.  It all proves what, I believe, old Bill Shakespeare said (forget this Anonymous business)---What’s In A Name.

11)  One last word of wisdom from the young---a 9 year old says that "Practice Makes Perfect" is incorrect---"Practice Makes for Promise".  Good point--whatever is " perfect"  Out of the mouths of babes.

                                      

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

A flip of the fedora to Jimmy Cannon:

NOBODY ASKED ME BUT.......

1)      I am still trying to understand what the 99% demonstrations will accomplish since human nature precludes voting your self interests out of existence. Unfortunately hard ball politics wins the day at most time.

2)      Given all the police overtime costs the demonstrations surely will accomplish a windfall for the police and higher taxes if the tax collections are really off.

3)       It certainly seems that sometimes “...more than you need to know...” is true.  Why does anyone need Twitter---to keep up with instant word on one’s totally unimportant information.

4)      Why do people constantly post such nonsensical things on Facebook?  Do we really need to know that you just came home or just had dinner---then the next day we find how the dinner went with that person’s bowel movements---or lack thereof.

5)      In Algebra class the other day the teacher confiscated a rubber band slingshot---it was a weapon of math disruption.

6)      In the early days of TV you had 7” screens (or smaller) in black and white and now there are giant ones in color; so, why would people want to watch a film (or anything) on a tiny smart phone. Is that known as retro in the guise of progress?

7)      Do TV ad sponsors really believe making people using their products look stupid and inept sells the product?

8)      If endorsements by celebs sell products then those who buy into it are really off-kilter.  All that is accomplished is enriching the endorser and raising the price of the products.  I, for one, have a great bridge to peddle once I find an endorser so that the unwashed masses can line-up to purchase it.

                                                 

THURSDAY--Another Edition of--

A flip of the fedora to Jimmy Cannon:

NOBODY ASKED ME BUT.......

1)       Since Jimmy Cannon is always thanked for this idea at the top it would be nice to recall who he was.  Probably the best sportswriter ever to come down the pike and since I am not a sports fan, for the most part, it has to be added that he could write on so many other topics as well---as evidenced by the title of this column.  He wrote for the NY Post when it was a “newspaper” and, dare I be critical now, and not a repository for the wrapping of dead fish.

2)       The new TV season is one that could do well to just leave a test pattern on the screen since it may well have more interest than the programs.  Specifically, Pan Am.   Why knock off Mad Men (which is a quality show) that captures an era and has a great story line and just walk around parading logos---the logos are better than the show.

3)       As to Pan Am---Pan American World Airways (before we abbreviated everything) was truly a great way to travel when flying was still a great adventure and this airline made it even more adventurous.  Today---welcome to the airborne cattle cars and the loss of class and comfort.

4)       A true story of a Pan American World Airways flight from L A to NY with 3 abreast seating and I am at the window seat, a man is next to me (an opera singer he says) and an lady from India on the aisle with her baby.   The Stewardess (yes, that was what they were called) asked for the meal order and the Indian lady asked for fish since she cannot eat beef since cows are sacred in her land,  the “opera singer” orders meat and says to the lady---“ you know we have sacred fish here as well---did you not hear of Holy Mackerel..”  Diplomacy was his middle name.

5)       I have another airline story of the many I have remembered over the years.   Disliking flying, as I do, I had struck up conversations many a time with the flight attendants and one time I mentioned that I am sure they were well trained in helping us evacuate in case of emergency and her reply was “....damned right---to mine own ass will I be true---I am out of here in an emergency...”   Her quest was for finding an eligible bachelor---probably in 1^st class.

6)       You cannot choose the greatest performer in history since it is so subjective but I do believe one is able to choose the greatest newsperson ever.  Only one person fills that slot.  Edward R. Murrow.

7)       Here is a religious thought---Atheism is a non-prophet religion.  No plate passing here.

8)       Debates are not really debates anymore; they more like uninformed arguments and diatribes.  Instead of speaking in headlines would that potential candidates would discuss an issue and focus on the nuances of the matters without overlooking the actual facts of a given matter such as executions in Texas and who does or does not have the power to stay them;  what Mass. Medical care laws were really all about and not the slogans about them; the list goes on.

                                       

NOT THURSDAY BUT---Another Editions of................

A flip of the fedora to Jimmy Cannon:

NOBODY ASKED ME BUT.......

1)       There is only one today since there was supposed to be a 2 week hiatus but this seemed rather pertinent and brought back some thoughts that might benefit you should you be in a position to have to deal with what you will read here.

         Having just finished reading the book     “Wendy & The Lost Boys” a particular part struck me toward the end of the book.  I am not going to review this book about Wendy Wasserstein. Suffice it to say she was brilliant, she died at a young age with much suffering and the author captures her and her family quite well.  Warts and all.  What struck me near the end of the book and the end of Ms. Wasserstein’s short life was her final stay at a particular hospital---Sloan Kettering.

           What struck me was anger.   Let’s start by my saying three things---1) Sloan Kettering does have advanced and excellent Cancer treatment programs and 2) I believe that in our capitalistic society “if you can afford it go for it”, and 3) I truly resent their slogan heard many times in “commercials”—“The Best Cancer Treatment Anywhere”(perhaps a bit of a paraphrase).

          So, let us start with #1.   I agree.

           Now to #2.   According to the book (and verified) there is, I believe, the 18^th floor which has rooms—VIP rooms done up as posh hotel suites and the services are commiserate with that.  Medical and otherwise.  Again, “if you can afford it---go for it”.

          Finally we get to #3.   This comes from personal experience and will be the first to say that people’s experience color their anecdotal comments.   I will also add that once you have received a diagnosis treatment depends a lot on the care and interest of the medical staff.   Sloan Kettering has, from my experience, proven to be a cold and unwelcoming place that puts their protocol, arrogance (the best indeed), ahead of patient care and sensitivity.  Not, of course, on the 18^th floor.  I have no problem with that.  My problem comes when in my own dealings with them (not for myself, I add) one became a cipher and when treatment was to begin was told coldly by the (then) head of radiology when called to ask when treatment would start—“...when I find a slot.  If that does not suit you then try to find another hospital”.  Sensitivity and caring.  Indeed.   You can also take a number at a supermarket and get more diplomacy.

     This leads me to the positive part of this commentary.   Westchester County Medical Center at Valhalla, NY.   While it is true one has to relate with one’s physicians I found there the most caring physicians, nursing staff, and when they see a problem they schedule accordingly and as rapidly as possible   Are they always successful?  Of course not.  Is the treatment state of the art?  That it is.  With the added bonus of a caring and diplomatic staff.

         I am sure there are other places in this          nation that also have such staffs and do not trumpet their brilliance---but not their insensitivity—as Sloan Kettering. Look at the parking fees you save by avoiding the place---unless you go for the 18^th floor and then you have a limo driver anyway.

        As to physicians at Westchester County Medical Center I won’t mention them here but should you want some recommendations (w/ special attention to ENT and Radiation) contact me privately.

         Nobody asked me but....., that page really opened a can of long buried worms.