THURSDAY--Another Edition of--

A flip of fedora to Jimmy Cannon

NOBODY ASKED ME BUT.......

1)   Don’t you sometimes wonder why a person would just walk into some other people’s conversation and start talking about what it is they want to talk about?   Seems strange that this could be a grown person who, probably, taught his/her own children years back---do not interrupt people unless it is important and then say “...excuse me...”

2)   Does the name Pavlov ring a bell?

3)   In this day of promotion and hype and 24/7 nitpicking news coverage one will overlook a pearl amongst the swine---I give you John Huntsman.   My own preference is still the incumbent but I do respect his knowledge and seeming sincerity.

4)   But I need some understanding on this---if a homeless person sleeps in a park he may well be arrested but unfocused “protesters”(to who knows what) get to encamp for over a month it is OK.   Seems like a conflict of priorities here. 

5)  My problem is I do not get to a punchline rapidly----SO—“..If I have your millions Mister---can I sleep in your park..?”

6)  Chanukah will soon be upon us and since it is the “festival of lights” given the miracle of the oil---that small amount lasted all those days---perhaps we might hope for another miracle of the oil as we fill our tanks with almost $4.00/gal. gas and have it last for weeks on end so it will average---you pick a price you like.

7)   A little heads up for a bargain is always good.  Here is your heads up for a wonderful FREE concert by an amazing talent---PAT WICTOR.  He will be at The Orangeburg Library on Dec.18 at 2 PM---BUT you must call to make a reservation because seating is limited.  There is no charge---merely call 845 359-2244 to reserve your seat.  You want a place to your seat and this will be a good place to put your seat on a reserved seat.  Bet they match and fit well.

8)  Here is an idea from a letter writer to the NY Times---sounds good to me:

               
Re “Beyond Seizing Parks, New Paths to Influence” (front page, Nov. 16):
Officials should designate an area in a New York City park as a public speaking forum for Occupy Wall Street in the tradition of Speakers’ Corner in Hyde Park in London. Maybe with a designated forum for ad hoc and prepared speeches, a leader of the movement will emerge.
Who knows? The better speeches could go viral on YouTube.

       9)   On the lighter side let me add this final thought as seen on Stephen Colbert last evening---in wonderful bad taste---there is a fortune to made in bad taste t-shirts with slogans such as “...I’m not squinting---I’m Korean.”  Let’s not do away with ethnic humor---it is in the mix as was Amos N Andy—on which I could I write an essay on their pertinence.  George Carlin understood that as did Lenny Bruce.  Not the shock comics of today with no point.  It is in the context of the presenter and any point he/she might make in that context.   That said---Sarah Silverman is one who I still find offensive and pointless but I will give her points for one good line that only a  Jewish woman could pull off----“...I was raped by a doctor---it was sort of a bittersweet experience...)  I am sure it is a paraphrase but I believe you will get the point.

 10) A round number like 10 is always the best way to go out---so a last thought--do not miss a wonderful program this Sunday on Sunday Simcha.    Wonderful music and interesting conversations.

                              

THURSDAY--Another Edition of--

A flip of the proverbial fedora to  JIMMY CANNON

NOBODY ASKED ME BUT.......

1)   One hears so many comments about “our brave Veterans”, “oh, the sacrifices they have made for the love of this nation..” and they are all true.  It would be nice and proper if comments were also made about how they were suckered into a mistaken and falsely explained war by the former administration---and also that many needed the employment. The risks come with the territory of unemployment.  Of course the miscreants of said administration are now cashing in with books and comments of their correct decisions---as if they were facts

2)  Another sad loss in the music community.  The sad and rapid loss of Terrence Martin who was on the way to a brilliant career---and, more important, raising and enjoying his family.  He passed away so young like many others---famous and not famed folks---but in the “famed” department he joins (sadly) Kate Wolf, Phil Ochs, Townes Van Zandt, and more too numerous to mention.

3) Why do some people have the urge (and follow through on it) to post their every move and thought on Facebook---mostly mundane?  Better yet---why do people respond to this nonsense?  Then again there is Twitter so you can even faster and briefer updates on the above.  Yeats, Shakespeare, Shirer, and other writers and memoirists would be proud.

4)  I am certainly hoping you will be tuned in this Sunday for SUNDAY SIMCHA on WFDU at 10 A M ET (or on the web at www.wfdu.fm where it will be archived for 2 weeks).  A wonderful segment about the new Folksbiene Season---AND---an interview with Neshama Carlbach about her, her music, and her father Shlomo---with some great insights by Neshama. In addition wait for the surprises next week---we are on a roll here now in ---Here is the slogan---WFDU—KEEPING YIDDISHKEIT ON THE AIR.   Anyone wanting to ask the station for a bumper sticker and be a proud supporter---go ahead!!

5)   If you recall Steve Allen and his spoof of the NY Daily News letters to the Editor (which was just great) you have to appreciate the intelligent and succinct ones in the NY Times. 

6)  Mario Battalli, the chef with political opinions, is being pilloried for a fairly true statement in which he was not praising Hitler but, rather, denigrating the denizens of Wall Street---OK---he bit the hand that feeds him.  Good for him!  I am glad that I never re-mortgaged the old homestead to eat in his highly priced (not prized—priced) restaurant(s) even though I agree with him.

7)  Has anyone ever noticed the inverse relationship to quality between a film or a book and the amount of time the people involved appear on talk shows?

                                                                 

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.