stop the world, I want to get off

By Ron on August 12, 2004

First a disclaimer: today was the departmental summer party. I arrived at the party at 2:15pm and had to rush to catch a 6:25 train. That translates to half a chicken salad sandwich, a cup of pasta salad, two beers, five cigarettes, and seven frozen margaritas. The hour commute home flew by. I’m still buzzed as I write this.

I’m also pissed off. What New Jersey governor James McGreevey did today was despicable. So he’s gay. He’s apparently long questioned his sexual attraction — two marriages, two children, a male lover. It’s far from a unique story, and it’s certainly no reason to resign a job — even (or especially) if you are a governor. But it’s not only the fact that he is resigning that pisses me off, it’s what he said during his speech: “I engaged in an adult consensual affair with another man,” he said, adding that “it was wrong, it was foolish, it was inexcusable” and that it violated the bonds of his marriage. Yes, it violated the bonds of his marriage, but that happens at some point in the majority of all marriages, so that can’t be a requirement for effective public service. What is so infuriating to me is the “wrong, foolish, and inexcusable” part of his announcement.

This sort of tacit shame must stop. It’s destructive to individuals and destructive to society. This is why I am fundamentally torn over the practice of “outing” homosexuals. Yes, it’s personally invasive, but I’m firmly convinced if homosexuality were something one wouldn’t (or couldn’t) hide, the associated stigmas would rapidly deteriorate. And there would also be no question about drawing parallels with so-called “civil rights.” In my perfect world, movie stars and all-star athletes and pop celebrities and news anchors and community leaders would all be “out” if they were gay. And so would my closeted friends and acquaintances. Instead, we have cowardly soon-to-be-ex governors who feel it’s wrong and inexcusable for a same-sex attraction. McGreevey should be ashamed, but not because he’s gay — because he’s a spineless wuss.

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tax relief

By Ron on August 11, 2004

This Saturday is a so-called “tax relief” day in the commonwealth of Massachusetts. Goods purchased by individuals for personal use are exempt from sales tax for the day. There is a threshold ($1000 for some items, $2500 for others … I’m not certain on the details) so it doesn’t apply to automobiles and such. I’ve convinced myself to take advantage of tax relief, as well as a grand opening sale at a new camera store in Kenmore Square, to purchase a new digital camera. My Canon Powershot S10 is now over 4 years old, has a handful of dead pixels, and the batteries (original Canons and replacement off-brands) barely hold a charge. Plus I’ve been itching for a digital SLR. I had been leaning toward the Canon D10, but I think I’ve changed my mind (and will save a few hundred bucks) by purchasing the Canon EOS 300D (aka the Digital Rebel). We just got one of these cameras a work recently, and I finally got my hands on it today and I’m impressed. I especially like the photo of the firepokers in the new photo gallery I posted this evening. And maybe — just maybe — with a new camera, the photo pages here on the blog will see a little more action. One can never have too much action.

In other news, my hectic schedule prevented me from blogging about the end of the DNC, so I’ll try to keep it short and sweet. Kerry’s acceptance speech was one of the best I’ve seen him deliver, but that’s not saying a lot. He was on message, but he’s not big in the charisma department. The fact the convention didn’t produce a so-called “bounce” in the polls is not all that surprising given how few undecided voters remain for such an early point in an election season. I still think Kerry’s best chance to land a decisive blow in this campaign will be the debates. That is, IF they have any debates. Wouldn’t it be convenient for Bush and the Republicans if a terror(!!) threat forced the cancellation of a debate (or all of them, for that matter). I wouldn’t be surprised. Now the Democrats go back into silent mode while the Olympics will dominate the headlines and the Republicans host their coronation for the emperor. I have a feeling the Republic National Convention in New York City is going to be ugly.

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what the F in JFK?

By Ron on July 29, 2004

News story linked from the splash page: Sullen, Depressed President Retreats Into Private, Paranoid World, describes a tightening political circle around Bush, who is depicted as a “dry drunk” who is on strong anti-depressants. Of course, it’s attributed to staff members and officials who will only make these statements “privately” but it’s an interesting read, nonetheless, and if true would certainly make a lot of other things add up in ways they currently do not. The only way this story gets legs is if someone goes on the record, and that would lead to swift political retribution. Log away in the “things that make you go hmmmmmm” category.

Meanwhile, it’s John Kerry’s big night in Boston and I can’t stop feeling a bit uneasy. The scripting of this convention and the run-up to Kerry’s acceptance speech has set huge expectations. Basically, if he doesn’t hit the proverbial home run, it’s going to be a disappointment. I fear it’s not a wise strategy because Kerry is not anywhere near the most dynamic or personable speaker in this political party. The Democrats are projecting unprecedented unity and are staying on message. I just think the message should be credibility, compassion and intellect as opposed to a shining beacon of strength and hope.

Barack Obama’s keynote speech Tuesday night is probably the highlight of the convention so far, but it’s a toss-up with Bill Clinton’s address. Obama is that good. Obama is so good, in fact, that John Edwards used a passage from Obama’s speech nearly word for word (that part about we’re not White America, or Black America, or Latino America, or Asian America … we’re the United States of America). Obama wrote his own speech and delivered it a night before Edwards. More hmmmm. Overall, I thought Edwards came across a little too contrived. But I’ve never been an Edwards fan, so my perception is somewhat tainted. I am a fan of Teresa Heinz Kerry and I loved what she had to say, but she’ll be a hard sell in this campaign. Maybe she’s better in smaller groups, but to some people (for instance: my neighbors, my parents) she acts as though she is talking AT them and not talking WITH them — not the type of image you should project as an opinionated, multi-millionaire philanthropist. And the space-age ambassador dress didn’t help.

Finally, how well do the Democratic convention delegates know their presidential candidate? Unless you’re a convention junkie, you probably missed this, but it’s very telling that Anybody But Bush is the real nominee of this party: during the roll call for the official nomination last night, well after Edwards’ speech was over and after most cable and network coverage had ceased (I still had CSPAN on), two delegations (I think it was Nevada and Utah) cast their votes for John “Fitzgerald” Kerry and poor Walter Mondale cast Minnesota’s presidential votes for John Edwards (he was quickly corrected). It’s John Forbes Kerry, folks … and he’s the one you nominated for president last night. Tonight we’ll see if he can fill the awfully big pair of shoes you’ve placed behind the Democratic podium.

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strength and wisdom are not opposing values

By Ron on July 27, 2004

The first day of my DNC-induced vacation was domestic day, so I played househusband — cleaning, laundry, and cooking. Dinner was tuna steaks encrusted with peppercorns, ginger and wasobi, seared under the broiler … yum … firm and spicy on the outside while pink and tender on the inside … and now that I’ve just written that, I see it’s full of sexual innuendo, probably because another benefit of playing househusband is that I can spend the day wearing nothing but gym shorts and a wifebeater and look at pervy websites and Beau’s chest while, for instance, the floor is drying. But I digress.

I also tuned in to the Democratic National Convention all day. At the 4pm opening gavel, the hall was sparsely populated, and the early parts of this convention were boring, quirky, and for the most part, not quite as highly scripted as the primetime show featuring Democratic presidents past and should-have-been. The theme was centrist, and the primetime speeches struck a terrific balance of optimism and humanity, seriousness and humor. Bill Clinton had the best speech and the best line of the night: “Strength and wisdom are not opposing values.” This is a theme the Dems need to hone, because it sticks. Bush is not a teflon president. He’s a magnet for divisiveness. He’s a magnet for animosity. Grant the fact he has personal strength and resolve, but he doesn’t concern himself with the details. Those traits could still make a good president IF you had a team of top-notch, learned advisors. Bush’s team is full of ideologues who suppress views and opinions they don’t share.

The absence of talking heads on CSPAN is refreshing, so that’s what I had on television most of the day. After the primetime speeches finished, however, I watched a bit of CNN and Fox “News” to see how the spin was being spun. The most conservative commentator on the Fox panel was fumbling mightily and never really conveyed a coherent thought, which was telling. Perhaps the Republicans weren’t expecting the Dems to come out fighting in a unified and civil manner. Overall, the other Fox panelists were pretty fair — this despite the fact that Fox “News” was booed heartily on the convention floor a few hours earlier. In one of those charming and nostalgic moments for convention geeks, somewhere around 8pm EST, they were lining folks up for a long-exposure photograph with an antique camera and instructed the assembly to look up near the Fox News sign. The delegates greeted those words with loud disapproval.

Tonight’s keynote address by Barack Obama is much anticipated. I’ve read a good deal about Obama, and I’m looking forward to his speech tonight. The Dem keynote is often delivered by a rising star in the party (Bill Clinton delivered it 1988). Obama was the first black president of the Harvard Law Review, is considered a shoo-in for the open senate seat in Illinois, and there are some who think he could be the first black president of the U.S. (a mantle formerly worn by Colin Powell, until he got himself entangled in the Bush web of deceptions and cronyism).

And on the first day of the convention outside the Fleet Center, there were few protestors and even fewer commuting and traffic headaches. All the same, I’m staying on vacation for the rest of the week. Gotta mop those floors ;)

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winged bat terrorizes … wait til they get a load of me

By Ron on July 23, 2004

Marlin was channel surfing the other night while prepping dinner and happened to stop on the Sci Fi channel, which was playing one of my all-time favorite movies: Batman (the Tim Burton version — not the campy version based on the television series). This movie was a box office monster but did not get the critical acclaim I think it deserved. And Jack Nicholson was robbed by not even being nominated for an Oscar … it’s one of his best performances ever.

As the movie continued while we were eating dinner, I found myself reciting most of Jack’s/Joker’s lines, on cue, and in character. This got me thinking — perhaps this could be an interesting blog meme* type of thing. So here goes:

If you could play any character in any movie, who would it be?

For me, top choice would be Jack Nicholson’s Joker in Batman. Runners-up (in no particular order) would be Tim Curry’s Frank-N-Furter from Rocky Horror, Elizabeth Taylor’s Martha in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Mandy Patinkin’s Inigo Montoya in The Princess Bride, and F. Murray Abraham’s Salieri in Amadeus.

*And no, I didn’t bother to research if someone, somewhere has already blogged this idea … so if you have, relax and don’t go all ballistic on me. Been there, done that.

In other news, while waiting for the train this afternoon on the way home from work, I smoked a cigarette and walked halfway around the Fleet Center just to see what it’s like before they turn it into a demilitarized zone. They’ve already started doing random searches of commuters carry bags or backpacks. The so-called “protest zone” is behind a 12-foot high cement and chain-link fence. How’s that for freedom of speech and freedom of assembly? If the terrorists were smart, they would strap some lethal chemicals on the pigeons, who pretty much have the run of the Fleet Center, dive-bombing commuters and nesting in rafters and above signs and doorways, both inside and out. And I somehow doubt the pigeons bother listening to anything Tom Ridge has to say (as if anyone other than the radical fundies put much stock in his warnings, either).

As for me, I’m taking the entire week off work, and won’t be going anywhere near Boston.

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six feet over (the top)

By Ron on July 20, 2004

I’ve been a big fan of the HBO series Six Feet Under since the very beginning. If the first season was just short of brilliant, then I think the second season was entirely brilliant. But early in the third season, the show ran off the tracks — not enough Brenda, not enough Claire, not enough Keith (in fact, it would be impossible to have too much Keith), and way, way, way too much of Lisa (Lili Taylor is a terrific actress, but I hated her character on this show). Now, several episodes into the fourth season, I was beginning to think the show was back on track.

Warning: spoilers ahead if you’re not watching the show in the current run.

While the final half of the most recent episode was intensely gripping, it was also frustrating, aggravating, and incredibly stupid. How can David’s character be such a fucking doormat. I literally yelled at the television on more than one occasion. It stretches the bounds of credibility established for this character that he could act so passively, and it belies common sense that anyone couldn’t (or wouldn’t) have successfully extricated himself from that ordeal, given the multiple chances to run away, drive away, or to deliver a tire iron in the head of the creep who abducted him. It will be interesting to see what the writers do with this character moving forward, but I’m concerned one of the few televisions series I make a point watch might have just jumped the shark.

In other news, when I saw this report about Linda Ronstadt’s final performance at the Aladdin casino in Las Vegas, I whipped out the iPod and made it Linda Ronstadt Day. The lady’s got balls, as well as one of the best voices on the planet. “This is an election year. I want people to get their head up out of their mashed potatoes and learn something about the issues and go and vote,” Ronstadt told The Los Angeles Times. “I’m not telling them how to vote. I’m saying, get information about the issues.” You go, girl!

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mega millions

By Ron on July 6, 2004

Everyone from my mom, to college friends, to fellow bloggers have called or written over the past few days to inquire about the lottery winner. Don’t worry, folks … Marlin and I won’t forget any of you. You will understand, of course, if we don’t contact you until after returning from our trip to purchase a beautiful, secluded island in the Caribbean.

I wish.

I bought 7 lottery tickets last week for the big jackpot, but I bought my tickets in Boston on my way home from work. The fact that the winning ticket was sold at a liquor store just a few blocks down the street from our house probably means I would have better luck if I drank more. Our neighborhood is understandably abuzz with the news, wondering if we might have a multimillionaire around the corner or next door. Until the winner comes forward, I’m guessing all our neighbors are going to be very friendly to one another.

Meanwhile, my prediction for Kerry’s veep choice was off the mark: it IS John Edwards. I didn’t expect this. This choice will please more people than it will disappoint, even though I fall into the latter category. It will be interesting to watch Edwards debate Cheney — that is, IF they debate. I’ve also predicted there will be no debates this fall (hopefully that prediction will fail, too).

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side effects may include nausea

By Ron on June 30, 2004

U.S. citizens pay dearly for prescription drugs. We pay more, for the same drugs, to the same giant multinational pharmaceutical companies, than Canadians, Europeans, and citizens from most other regions of the world. The U.S. is the sugar daddy to the pharmaceutical industry. And how about this startling fact: the 2002 combined profits for the ten drug companies in the Fortune 500 ($35.9 billion) were more than the profits for all the other 490 businesses put together ($33.7 billion). Read that last sentence again and let it sink in. That fact is lifted from this must-read article: The Truth About the Drug Companies, featured in the New York Review of Books. Of course, the U.S. government is complicit in this situation more than anyone else, but this excellent article (adapted from a book due out in August by Marcia Angell, physician, senior lecturer at Harvard, and former editor of the New England Journal of Medicine) also debunks some of the myths the pharmaceutical apologists regurgitate as “fact” in nearly every argument — such as “since we’re a richer country, we pay more to fund the research and development.” Hogwash. Big pharma makes more in profits than it spends in research and development. Big pharma spends much more in marketing and administration than it spends in research and development. In fact, most significant research is still being done by universities and teaching hospitals. In big pharma, it’s the lobbyists, patent lawyers, advertising and PR folks that have much bigger budgets to sell yet another version of an erectile dysfunction pill.

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