Will I have my third perfect Women's Final Four (2005, 2009)? We'll see.
WOMEN: Maryland, LSU, Baylor, Stanford. Baylor over LSU in the final, 57-53.
MEN: North Carolina, Ohio State, Michigan State, Baylor. Baylor over Ohio State in the final, 76-73.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Andrew Breitbart: Fearless
I almost always take pause when someone famous passes away. My mind whirs while I begin thinking of everything (s)he did or said. It's true about people I know, too.
But this came as a shock, plain and simple. Rarely has someone this relevant, this current, gone so suddenly.
AB crammed about 120 years of guts and work and lack of fear of confrontation into 43 too-short years. Honor to him. Condolences to his family and friends.
And everyone else is going to have to step it up a notch from now on.
But this came as a shock, plain and simple. Rarely has someone this relevant, this current, gone so suddenly.
AB crammed about 120 years of guts and work and lack of fear of confrontation into 43 too-short years. Honor to him. Condolences to his family and friends.
And everyone else is going to have to step it up a notch from now on.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Little-Known Fact About Leap Year
The adjustment known as leap year goes even further than some people know. To be even more precise and keep the earth from gaining or losing too much time, every year that is a multiple of 100 but not a multiple of 400 will not be a leap year. For example, 2100, 2200, and 2300 will not have 366 days, but 2400 will.
Hope everybody made the most of today.
Hope everybody made the most of today.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Two Writing Titans
Just about everyone who has a blog has Andrew A. Rooney to thank.
Yes, that Andrew A. Rooney. The one who was often caricatured as a cranky old man who griped about absolutely nothing at the end of 60 Minutes. A small fraction of those dismissing Rooney knew that he was a writer long before becoming, reluctantly, a television personality. Of his days as a war correspondent for The Stars and Stripes or his years as a newspaper columnist.
Whereas many of my fellow Gen-Xers were watching MTV and reading Mad Magazine, I was reading Andy Rooney's collections of old columns, and would occasionally envision myself commenting equally breezily on life's big questions as on life's more mundane things, bringing observations to light, and causing millions of people to think, "Yeah! I thought I was the only one to notice that..."
I would often nod my head in agreement with things Andrew A. Rooney (as he preferred to be known) wrote or said, and would shake my head when I would disagree, but such is the case for every pundit, columnist, or blogger. I imagine that many of those who would ridicule Rooney for his weekly segments on things such as cereal boxes would rush to Twitter or Facebook or [ahem] Blogspot to tell the world the great new cheese they sampled the other day at WholeFoods.
I was less familiar with the writings of Christopher Hitchens, but whatever I did happen to read of his wowed me with his command of the English language and what to do with it. Yes, one could agree or disagree with his ideas, but no one could seriously attack him for his prose. In a semi-conscious state from a hospital bed, Hitch was able to come up with far deeper thoughts than most people could on their best days.
Andrew A. Rooney was far older than Christopher Hitchens, but Rooney, like Hitchens, "retired" only out of necessity, not for a want to stop writing. With both, we get the feeling that a great practicer of a faded art was taken from us far too soon.
Yes, that Andrew A. Rooney. The one who was often caricatured as a cranky old man who griped about absolutely nothing at the end of 60 Minutes. A small fraction of those dismissing Rooney knew that he was a writer long before becoming, reluctantly, a television personality. Of his days as a war correspondent for The Stars and Stripes or his years as a newspaper columnist.
Whereas many of my fellow Gen-Xers were watching MTV and reading Mad Magazine, I was reading Andy Rooney's collections of old columns, and would occasionally envision myself commenting equally breezily on life's big questions as on life's more mundane things, bringing observations to light, and causing millions of people to think, "Yeah! I thought I was the only one to notice that..."
I would often nod my head in agreement with things Andrew A. Rooney (as he preferred to be known) wrote or said, and would shake my head when I would disagree, but such is the case for every pundit, columnist, or blogger. I imagine that many of those who would ridicule Rooney for his weekly segments on things such as cereal boxes would rush to Twitter or Facebook or [ahem] Blogspot to tell the world the great new cheese they sampled the other day at WholeFoods.
I was less familiar with the writings of Christopher Hitchens, but whatever I did happen to read of his wowed me with his command of the English language and what to do with it. Yes, one could agree or disagree with his ideas, but no one could seriously attack him for his prose. In a semi-conscious state from a hospital bed, Hitch was able to come up with far deeper thoughts than most people could on their best days.
Andrew A. Rooney was far older than Christopher Hitchens, but Rooney, like Hitchens, "retired" only out of necessity, not for a want to stop writing. With both, we get the feeling that a great practicer of a faded art was taken from us far too soon.
Monday, November 7, 2011
The Bigotry Facing Herman Cain
Published in the November 3, 2011, issue of The Philadelphia Inquirer:
http://articles.philly.com/2011-11-03/news/30355430_1_herman-cain-student-loans-debt
I'm still learning about Herman Cain, and I don't know what I think about his tax plan, but I'm disappointed (though unsurprised) at the bigotry he has faced. Cain joins the queue of prominent conservatives who don't happen to be Caucasian (see also Clarence Thomas, Condoleezza Rice, Alberto Gonzales, Marco Rubio) and have been on the receiving end of treatment that would be rightly condemned if they'd been more left-leaning.
Now that we have a multiracial president, the narrative that has been built is that anyone who questions or disagrees with him is guilty of racial prejudice. Since Cain's popularity among conservatives greatly weakens that narrative, he is now being labeled a "sellout" or an "Uncle Tom" - outrageously offensive terms.
It's rather racist to expect all people of a certain color to think the same way. It's also noteworthy that the only people who feel the need to reference Herman Cain's race are those on the left who oppose him.
Naturally, as I got top placement and my letter was topical, I've gotten much feedback. Unfortunately, functional illiteracy appears to be another trait of Cain's critics, who mistakenly believe I was endorsing Cain, while astute readers will notice I was not endorsing any one candidate. One sad fool who likes to make everything about race has resurfaced in my inbox. It's gratifying when they prove your point.
http://articles.philly.com/2011-11-03/news/30355430_1_herman-cain-student-loans-debt
I'm still learning about Herman Cain, and I don't know what I think about his tax plan, but I'm disappointed (though unsurprised) at the bigotry he has faced. Cain joins the queue of prominent conservatives who don't happen to be Caucasian (see also Clarence Thomas, Condoleezza Rice, Alberto Gonzales, Marco Rubio) and have been on the receiving end of treatment that would be rightly condemned if they'd been more left-leaning.
Now that we have a multiracial president, the narrative that has been built is that anyone who questions or disagrees with him is guilty of racial prejudice. Since Cain's popularity among conservatives greatly weakens that narrative, he is now being labeled a "sellout" or an "Uncle Tom" - outrageously offensive terms.
It's rather racist to expect all people of a certain color to think the same way. It's also noteworthy that the only people who feel the need to reference Herman Cain's race are those on the left who oppose him.
Naturally, as I got top placement and my letter was topical, I've gotten much feedback. Unfortunately, functional illiteracy appears to be another trait of Cain's critics, who mistakenly believe I was endorsing Cain, while astute readers will notice I was not endorsing any one candidate. One sad fool who likes to make everything about race has resurfaced in my inbox. It's gratifying when they prove your point.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Remembering Patricia Overberg
From the website of Stop Abuse for Everyone (www.safe4all.org), on the recent passing of Patricia Overberg, who sought to ensure that all victims of domestic abuse, irrespective of gender, get the help they need:
SAFE Speaker Patricia Overberg, Pioneer Domestic Violence Advocate Who Refused to Discriminate Leaves Lasting Legacy
Overberg was trained in social work before most social work programs adopted the philosophy that all domestic violence is rooted in patriarchal power and control. She believed that family violence needs to be viewed holistically, and her commitment to the principle of equal treatment for all informed everything she did.
Although most battered women's shelters refuse admittance to sons 12 years or older and force mothers to place their sons in foster care or be denied entrance to a shelter, Overberg refused to require mothers to choose between their own safety and the well-being of their children.
When male victims, whether on their own or with their children, sought help, she didn't turn them away. Overberg was director of the Valley Oasis Shelter in Lancaster, Calif. from 1989 through 1998. During that time, Valley Oasis was the only shelter in the U.S. that men needing help could turn to. Even today Valley Oasis remains one of the very few shelters in the U.S. that offers the same level of services to male victims as to female victims.
Overberg treated gay men and lesbians with the same respect and level of service accorded to all the people she helped. She pioneered in bringing a transgendered volunteer on board at the Valley Oasis.
Erin Pizzey, founder of the first modern battered women’s shelter, says: “Pat was a brave, honest and courageous woman. She faced persecution from her colleagues in the domestic violence field and fought back. All of us who work at the coal face of human relationships owe Pat a great deal.”
Because of Overberg's principled refusal to discriminate on the basis of sex or sexual orientation, she was treated as a pariah by many of her peers. In a 2002 sworn deposition, Overberg testified that she "was subjected to continuous abuse by other shelter directors for sheltering battered men."( http://www.ncfmla.org/pdf/overberg.pdf )
Undaunted, Overberg encouraged the Los Angeles chapter of the National Coalition for Men (NCFM) to file a lawsuit to end the discrimination against male victims of abuse, and their children. With help from Overberg's testimony, NCFM won a landmark ruling that held it is unconstitutional for the State of California to exclude male victims from state-funded domestic violence services.(David Woods v. Horton (2008) 167 Cal.App.4th 658,http://law.justia.com/cases/california/court-of-appeal/2008/c056072 )
The effects of this ruling are far-reaching. All states are now on notice that equal protection clauses in constitutions mean what they say. State funds cannot be used to support agencies that discriminate on the basis of gender.
Overberg’s legacy lives on for all victims of domestic violence and in efforts to provide equal access to services for people everywhere.
SAFE Speaker Patricia Overberg, Pioneer Domestic Violence Advocate Who Refused to Discriminate Leaves Lasting Legacy
Overberg was trained in social work before most social work programs adopted the philosophy that all domestic violence is rooted in patriarchal power and control. She believed that family violence needs to be viewed holistically, and her commitment to the principle of equal treatment for all informed everything she did.
Although most battered women's shelters refuse admittance to sons 12 years or older and force mothers to place their sons in foster care or be denied entrance to a shelter, Overberg refused to require mothers to choose between their own safety and the well-being of their children.
When male victims, whether on their own or with their children, sought help, she didn't turn them away. Overberg was director of the Valley Oasis Shelter in Lancaster, Calif. from 1989 through 1998. During that time, Valley Oasis was the only shelter in the U.S. that men needing help could turn to. Even today Valley Oasis remains one of the very few shelters in the U.S. that offers the same level of services to male victims as to female victims.
Overberg treated gay men and lesbians with the same respect and level of service accorded to all the people she helped. She pioneered in bringing a transgendered volunteer on board at the Valley Oasis.
Erin Pizzey, founder of the first modern battered women’s shelter, says: “Pat was a brave, honest and courageous woman. She faced persecution from her colleagues in the domestic violence field and fought back. All of us who work at the coal face of human relationships owe Pat a great deal.”
Because of Overberg's principled refusal to discriminate on the basis of sex or sexual orientation, she was treated as a pariah by many of her peers. In a 2002 sworn deposition, Overberg testified that she "was subjected to continuous abuse by other shelter directors for sheltering battered men."( http://www.ncfmla.org/pdf/overberg.pdf )
Undaunted, Overberg encouraged the Los Angeles chapter of the National Coalition for Men (NCFM) to file a lawsuit to end the discrimination against male victims of abuse, and their children. With help from Overberg's testimony, NCFM won a landmark ruling that held it is unconstitutional for the State of California to exclude male victims from state-funded domestic violence services.(David Woods v. Horton (2008) 167 Cal.App.4th 658,http://law.justia.com/cases/california/court-of-appeal/2008/c056072 )
The effects of this ruling are far-reaching. All states are now on notice that equal protection clauses in constitutions mean what they say. State funds cannot be used to support agencies that discriminate on the basis of gender.
Overberg’s legacy lives on for all victims of domestic violence and in efforts to provide equal access to services for people everywhere.
Monday, August 8, 2011
SMEARWEEK
Let me say first that I do not agree with everything Rep. Michele Bachmann does or says. I disagreed, por ejemplo, with her renegade response to President Obama's State of the Union address.
But I've never heard her "rage." So I see Newsweek's latest cover with Bachmann, replete with the title "The Queen of Rage," as one more example of the magazine's ceding credibility in order to carry the far left's dihydrogen monoxide.
The picture's not great, but it's the headline that's intentionally outrageous.
But I've never heard her "rage." So I see Newsweek's latest cover with Bachmann, replete with the title "The Queen of Rage," as one more example of the magazine's ceding credibility in order to carry the far left's dihydrogen monoxide.
The picture's not great, but it's the headline that's intentionally outrageous.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
BeneGram's 2011 Final Forecasts
Is it March already? Guess it is. Remember: I had all four teams right on my women's bracket in 2005 and in 2009, and three of four teams right on my 2003 men's bracket. Last year, I had two teams right in the men's bracket, but West Virginia couldn't quite finish.
Women: Connecticut, Stanford, Notre Dame, Baylor. Connecticut over Baylor in the final. (3-for-4. Pretty good, but the women's tournament is mostly chalk.)
Men: Ohio State, Pittsburgh, Notre Dame, San Diego State. Ohio State over Pittsburgh in the final. (Another zeeero-for-four in the men's.)
Women: Connecticut, Stanford, Notre Dame, Baylor. Connecticut over Baylor in the final. (3-for-4. Pretty good, but the women's tournament is mostly chalk.)
Men: Ohio State, Pittsburgh, Notre Dame, San Diego State. Ohio State over Pittsburgh in the final. (Another zeeero-for-four in the men's.)
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
From 2008: "How to Take the Buss"
In 2008, around this time, the Washington Post ran a story in tune with Valentine's Day, and I thought another view ought to be represented. The following letter of mine was published three years ago today:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/15/AR2008021503206.html
How to Take the Buss
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Having read "The Differences in Gender -- Sealed With a Kiss" [Science, Feb. 11] I'd caution against anyone making any sort of judgments about a love interest based solely on if and how the person kisses.
Many people are more reserved and prefer to hold hands and kiss on the cheek rather than get all hot and heavy, even -- yes -- in 2008. But if their partners have been conned into believing that these more modest gestures are signs that they are uninterested, then they may miss out on something special.
Meanwhile, others engage in "soul-kissing," even with people they have no romantic interest in. So sexual attention, or lack thereof, is not a reliable barometer for love.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/15/AR2008021503206.html
How to Take the Buss
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Having read "The Differences in Gender -- Sealed With a Kiss" [Science, Feb. 11] I'd caution against anyone making any sort of judgments about a love interest based solely on if and how the person kisses.
Many people are more reserved and prefer to hold hands and kiss on the cheek rather than get all hot and heavy, even -- yes -- in 2008. But if their partners have been conned into believing that these more modest gestures are signs that they are uninterested, then they may miss out on something special.
Meanwhile, others engage in "soul-kissing," even with people they have no romantic interest in. So sexual attention, or lack thereof, is not a reliable barometer for love.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
A Horrific Tragedy, a Shameful Response
I had a letter published in the Jan. 11 edition of The Philadelphia Inquirer, though it was shortened significantly. Below the link is my letter in full.
http://articles.philly.com/2011-01-11/news/27021841_1_mental-illness-issue-of-gun-control-semiautomatic-weapons/3
"Like most, I was appalled by the horrific incident in Tucson, in which six innocent people were killed and more than a dozen others wounded, including Rep. Giffords. Then I was disgusted with the eagerness of so many to politicize the tragedy.
Yes, the decision by the operators of Sarah Palin's website to 'target' political opponents was in bad taste and uncalled for -- as was the less-scrutinized ad* in which the campaign of Democrat Harry Mitchell did the same to Republican opponent J.D. Hayworth. But it's still just a clumsily constructed metaphor. Neither Palin nor Mitchell was advocating violence toward another human being.
The more we learn about the young man who shot twenty people on Saturday, the more we find an incoherent mess not resembling any pundit or politician -- of any political stripe. So let's absorb this sad day without pointing fingers at illegal aliens, the Tea Party, environmentalists, Glenn Beck, Richard Jewell, or heavy-metal music. The person responsible is the one who pulled the trigger, and we dishonor the victims when we opportunistically use their murder as an weapon for bludgeoning our political opponents."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqB4tyvxWKA&feature=youtu.be
http://articles.philly.com/2011-01-11/news/27021841_1_mental-illness-issue-of-gun-control-semiautomatic-weapons/3
"Like most, I was appalled by the horrific incident in Tucson, in which six innocent people were killed and more than a dozen others wounded, including Rep. Giffords. Then I was disgusted with the eagerness of so many to politicize the tragedy.
Yes, the decision by the operators of Sarah Palin's website to 'target' political opponents was in bad taste and uncalled for -- as was the less-scrutinized ad* in which the campaign of Democrat Harry Mitchell did the same to Republican opponent J.D. Hayworth. But it's still just a clumsily constructed metaphor. Neither Palin nor Mitchell was advocating violence toward another human being.
The more we learn about the young man who shot twenty people on Saturday, the more we find an incoherent mess not resembling any pundit or politician -- of any political stripe. So let's absorb this sad day without pointing fingers at illegal aliens, the Tea Party, environmentalists, Glenn Beck, Richard Jewell, or heavy-metal music. The person responsible is the one who pulled the trigger, and we dishonor the victims when we opportunistically use their murder as an weapon for bludgeoning our political opponents."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqB4tyvxWKA&feature=youtu.be
Saturday, December 25, 2010
On Christmas, a Choice
I really hate to write this actually on the holiday, but I can't take the "have it both ways" attitude any longer.
If you celebrate Christmas, I hope you have a wonderful one. But please pick one of the following philosophies. Choose carefully!
a.) There is nothing wrong with having Christmas displays in the town square, in front of City Hall, or in public schools. Furthermore, we should all say "Merry Christmas!" and not this watered down "Happy Holidays" stuff -- but, recognizing that, we are acknowledging that Christmas is a completely secular holiday with no religious meaning whatsoever, and that it's about Santa Claus and drinking cider and not remembering Bethlehem at all.
b.) Christmas has become way too secular, and we've forgotten its religious roots. We need to remember that the birth of Christ is the reason for the season -- but, recognizing that, we are acknowledging why it's inappropriate for public tax dollars to be used towards a public display honoring Christmas, and that it's perfectly fine for stores and shopping centers to say something more inclusive than the belief-system-specific "Merry Christmas."
I'm closer to (b.). How about you? No hybrid choices, though. Pick one.
Oh, and Happy Holidays!
If you celebrate Christmas, I hope you have a wonderful one. But please pick one of the following philosophies. Choose carefully!
a.) There is nothing wrong with having Christmas displays in the town square, in front of City Hall, or in public schools. Furthermore, we should all say "Merry Christmas!" and not this watered down "Happy Holidays" stuff -- but, recognizing that, we are acknowledging that Christmas is a completely secular holiday with no religious meaning whatsoever, and that it's about Santa Claus and drinking cider and not remembering Bethlehem at all.
b.) Christmas has become way too secular, and we've forgotten its religious roots. We need to remember that the birth of Christ is the reason for the season -- but, recognizing that, we are acknowledging why it's inappropriate for public tax dollars to be used towards a public display honoring Christmas, and that it's perfectly fine for stores and shopping centers to say something more inclusive than the belief-system-specific "Merry Christmas."
I'm closer to (b.). How about you? No hybrid choices, though. Pick one.
Oh, and Happy Holidays!
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