tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77158482552107789362024-03-18T16:17:46.835-04:00Bruce's JournalBruce Slutsky was born in New York City in 1949. I retired six years ago after working as a Science/Engineering Librarian at the New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark for 25 years. I was married to Karen until she passed away in February 2021. I have a son Lee who is now 35 years old. I am very much interested in the popular music of the 1960s, especially Bob Dylan and the Beatles. I am interested in rock and roll radio. I am an enthusiastic fan of the New York Mets. Bruce Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01610442036443687161noreply@blogger.comBlogger4912125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715848255210778936.post-13399627862166090082024-03-17T09:33:00.002-04:002024-03-18T08:52:42.373-04:00Older Adults Especially Should Watch Out for the Lottery Scam<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hzwY09KJEw89x9ATuzPMiV9wlFWiBQ9oKUl-5tAE5odFaWJ8-KZJxZVR5jL5NWqcXX7Dn0pT65hTQixE6d8nWGTAFNFja_b5OZtSQ2A8aDsmVwVEHHAomtLKW5yIwV7ryE-BNDBTIthezjq7Jc-nJ3y0ZQ_DPN62nRkyvzynvAv0rX3VQinzTWrIUqs/s1030/Older%20Scams.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="511" data-original-width="1030" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hzwY09KJEw89x9ATuzPMiV9wlFWiBQ9oKUl-5tAE5odFaWJ8-KZJxZVR5jL5NWqcXX7Dn0pT65hTQixE6d8nWGTAFNFja_b5OZtSQ2A8aDsmVwVEHHAomtLKW5yIwV7ryE-BNDBTIthezjq7Jc-nJ3y0ZQ_DPN62nRkyvzynvAv0rX3VQinzTWrIUqs/s320/Older%20Scams.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yesterday there was a letter in the mail addressed to my late wife Karen with a postmark from Canada with no return address. I opened it up and there was a note saying she had won $500,000 in a lottery. They enclosed a check for $6,985 to cover taxes, insurance, and other expenses. They gave me a phone number to call an agent to get instructions. A courier would later deliver the rest of the prize.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The letter was from a lottery company in Atlanta while the check was from another company with a bank in Charlotte, NC.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It is obviously a scam. I Googled and found that other people received similar letters. I don't understand how they got Karen's name and address three years after she passed away.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My advice is to watch out for this and similar scams that can be sent via, snail mail, email, and the phone.</div><br /><p></p>Bruce Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01610442036443687161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715848255210778936.post-45160897351369477792024-03-15T15:14:00.001-04:002024-03-15T15:14:19.219-04:00Random Thoughts of the Day - March 15, 2024<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0pBnf1-Po4RXZJNs_kTNooiOejRJ7EP7aNC1MvP70765whCjE6lHn9YUsty5D735-5APIz0WIfe1LYVdcMH0bS9Fv6G4K_MUPZGiibUO0R3BNinz0oD12qXCSxgOhpVzkg-gOTRl0THBcQIWoacg-7woonY16xQ8rO7OTyNewkuo7BOMwzrlH9htggMs/s255/Random%20thoughts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="198" data-original-width="255" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0pBnf1-Po4RXZJNs_kTNooiOejRJ7EP7aNC1MvP70765whCjE6lHn9YUsty5D735-5APIz0WIfe1LYVdcMH0bS9Fv6G4K_MUPZGiibUO0R3BNinz0oD12qXCSxgOhpVzkg-gOTRl0THBcQIWoacg-7woonY16xQ8rO7OTyNewkuo7BOMwzrlH9htggMs/s1600/Random%20thoughts.jpg" width="255" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Every day there is a new story about gun violence. It is not just in the subway or NYC. There is gun violence throughout the United States. Why do these people need guns? It is too easy for people to buy guns and one can manufacture illegal guns using 3-D printing. Sadly, too many guns are getting into the hands of mentally disturbed people. Another day, another tragedy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I just don't understand American's fascination with the British Royal Family. What would happen if the mass media just ignored them? King Charles III, the most important royal gets the least press coverage.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tattoos are popular with people of all ages. All I can say is to each his own. It is your body, so do what you want with it.</div><br /> <p></p>Bruce Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01610442036443687161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715848255210778936.post-21076306371930683152024-03-13T16:36:00.000-04:002024-03-13T16:36:15.917-04:00New York City Chapter of SABR to Meet on Saturday March 23 - All Baseball Fans are Welcome<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi915EVpz4U65vTSpD4HUTvVEzy2CvtHBYJmjmo7xX95osCJt0q9WunPtETuqsYsuBcYtoXxmpg5bh7Fefawc1051pzQ3PGz7_tvI-hBba3qteWtFF9Q_pnE5fHIiQoFkySsT3xQxdRnOq0G3CDJFei__Jbph4Lw72XDZmViU_UP692S6G5uerf7XVMqJ0/s225/SABR.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi915EVpz4U65vTSpD4HUTvVEzy2CvtHBYJmjmo7xX95osCJt0q9WunPtETuqsYsuBcYtoXxmpg5bh7Fefawc1051pzQ3PGz7_tvI-hBba3qteWtFF9Q_pnE5fHIiQoFkySsT3xQxdRnOq0G3CDJFei__Jbph4Lw72XDZmViU_UP692S6G5uerf7XVMqJ0/s1600/SABR.png" width="225" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none !important;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none !important;">Our annual in-person meeting is on Saturday, March 23 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm when Casey Stengel Chapter members have another exciting program for you at Scandinavia House - 58 Park Avenue (between 37th and 38th Streets) - a short walk from Grand Central Terminal.<br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none !important;"><br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none !important;">A Guest Presentation will be by Kevin Baker - The New York Game: Baseball and the Rise of a New City and there will be a Panel Discussion on The Pulse of New York Baseball: Present and Past with Anthony McCarron (The Mets: A 50th Anniversary Celebration - with Andy Martino), Billy Altman, and Laura Albanese. Additionally, newly added Jay Goldberg will give a Presentation on The Memory of America: Stories from a New York Baseball Clubhouse. This meeting is open to non-members so please feel free to invite a guest!<br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none !important;"><br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none !important;">Pre-registration for this event is preferred. Please contact David Lippman, Treasurer by emailing him at <a href="mailto:kiwiwriter47@gmail.com" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" shape="rect" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank" ymailto="mailto:kiwiwriter47@gmail.com">kiwiwriter47@gmail.com</a> (Credit Card, Check or PayPal). Please note that checks should be made out to New York City Committee SABR. In-person registration (Cash Only) on March 23 is also an option. It is $30 admission and $10 for students. Pre-register today!<br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none !important;"><br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none !important;">Full Official Program:<br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none !important;"><a href="https://sabrnyc.org/2024SABRNYCschedule.pdf" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" shape="rect" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">https://sabrnyc.org/2024SABRNYCschedule.pdf</a><br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none !important;">Chapter news and updates:<br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none !important;"><a href="https://sabrnyc.org/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" shape="rect" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">https://sabrnyc.org/</a><br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none !important;">Inquiries and suggestions:<br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none !important;"><a href="mailto:questions-comments@sabrnyc.org" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" shape="rect" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank" ymailto="mailto:questions-comments@sabrnyc.org">questions-comments@sabrnyc.org</a><br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none !important;"><br clear="none" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: none !important;" /></div></div><p><br /></p>Bruce Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01610442036443687161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715848255210778936.post-11370928182199380092024-03-11T15:40:00.003-04:002024-03-11T15:40:44.451-04:00An Example of the Media Creating the News - Are We Interested in Charles Spencer, brother of the late Princess Diana?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTPKJvPPhPvT1BIi_p4fUJ0hjFbAmjCIvaQMKMiXNLKKB9kq_qrM3yxsV3GpAsKwdmAGkY5AqKaIhHQS151oxqf3ReazVYvDYqk2ysiJsKCPNaw0hPGH48_2HnGnPCngCRLgNV2P8D8-xslxPa58XuPLDa9p0ZPhZ_GJdyzUpmV6YrQxDx3KJZeOALs8/s2560/Media%20Literacy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1404" data-original-width="2560" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTPKJvPPhPvT1BIi_p4fUJ0hjFbAmjCIvaQMKMiXNLKKB9kq_qrM3yxsV3GpAsKwdmAGkY5AqKaIhHQS151oxqf3ReazVYvDYqk2ysiJsKCPNaw0hPGH48_2HnGnPCngCRLgNV2P8D8-xslxPa58XuPLDa9p0ZPhZ_GJdyzUpmV6YrQxDx3KJZeOALs8/s320/Media%20Literacy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> In an NBC News exclusive, it was reported that Charles Spencer, brother of the late Princess Diana, revealed that he was sexually abused at age 11. He is now 59 years old. Why should anybody care about what happened to him 48 years ago? I never understood the fascination of the American public with the British royal family. Charles Spencer is a marginal member of the family. I think this is a perfect example of the media creating the news and brainwashing viewers that this is important. I will not provide a link to the video of this story.<p></p>Bruce Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01610442036443687161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715848255210778936.post-38370906825753082392024-03-09T19:22:00.001-05:002024-03-09T19:22:07.930-05:00St. Johns 86 Georgetown 78 at Madison Square Garden<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHR9R17gEnomRYmvfVnpu-2zhs_UcATgQon1VHuUzqghmr9FslSTnEDLMogBcQbmcLtjt_Bc_H4lgHQISKDDZgtIGGaUcP8obxKcvXhqunSTdcktjix1I5GBbvkkprIOmpy6IYyafRPUPARb3PGFffSejBn9IFKw4mThe-8yAneOlayROXYRK29VPz_VY/s2016/St%20Johns%20vs%20Georgetown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHR9R17gEnomRYmvfVnpu-2zhs_UcATgQon1VHuUzqghmr9FslSTnEDLMogBcQbmcLtjt_Bc_H4lgHQISKDDZgtIGGaUcP8obxKcvXhqunSTdcktjix1I5GBbvkkprIOmpy6IYyafRPUPARb3PGFffSejBn9IFKw4mThe-8yAneOlayROXYRK29VPz_VY/s320/St%20Johns%20vs%20Georgetown.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /> Today's game was the Red Storm's last before the start of the Big East Tournament next week. Daniss Jenkins paced the Red Storm with 23 points, shooting 7-for-11 from the field and 8-for-9 at the free-throw line. The 6-foot-4 point guard dished out seven assists, made two steals, and blocked two shots. The Johnnies led most of the game but didn't blow away the Georgetown Hoyas. It was good to see a competitive game.<p></p><p><a href="https://redstormsports.com/news/2024/3/9/mens-basketball-st-johns-takes-down-georgetown-86-78-at-msg" target="_blank">Game Recap</a></p><p><br /></p>Bruce Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01610442036443687161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715848255210778936.post-88467829259075454842024-03-08T09:16:00.004-05:002024-03-08T09:16:47.417-05:00Roll Over Beethoven by Bob Dylan, Beatles, and Chuck Berry<p> </p><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TdU0Mf9Mrog?si=0dJVPoUOaIOfOtle" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Last night in Fort Myers, Florida during the Rough and Rowdy Ways Tour, Bob Dylan sang Roll Over Beethoven. Somebody was able to sneak in a recording device and posted the audio on YouTube. Someone may take it down.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Hz5jXwOXgKQ?si=kKhBX8mzfp2nztUE" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/o3CAAcndhlM?si=8LsWFvUoFNkFAJGH" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div>Bruce Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01610442036443687161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715848255210778936.post-20324469091798453672024-03-07T10:44:00.003-05:002024-03-07T10:44:24.956-05:00The Editorial Board of the New York Times Tells it Like it is About the Sad State of Politics<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikLSQMh4wwAiGeZMrg5VmD0jDSH_lNdQvjau0Npsdi3w-U2HwAQ5XtEsjdQWRXPUTVa4viN3LQvv2tqv5XI2NlCfB7XNc567z4K2XkfAynbErxqxtl_VkVsfzZ0-yAK-p-BK23vzLzmZHy6ZlAHISIuEDTH1C2s8rlxKecXKwSr7NIHAycA9N2R9ckYzU/s600/politics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="342" data-original-width="600" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikLSQMh4wwAiGeZMrg5VmD0jDSH_lNdQvjau0Npsdi3w-U2HwAQ5XtEsjdQWRXPUTVa4viN3LQvv2tqv5XI2NlCfB7XNc567z4K2XkfAynbErxqxtl_VkVsfzZ0-yAK-p-BK23vzLzmZHy6ZlAHISIuEDTH1C2s8rlxKecXKwSr7NIHAycA9N2R9ckYzU/s320/politics.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I suggest that my followers read this <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/06/opinion/trump-republican-party.html?unlocked_article_code=1.a00.Rtm8.Z5Sk3xqWVKg4&smid=url-share" target="_blank">article by the editorial board of the New York Times.</a> I just hope that all Americans understand what is said here and vote for a democracy, not for a dictatorship. I can't believe that millions would vote for a man indicted 91 times in four jurisdictions. How could any woman vote for him after he was abusive to several?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am in an oy very state of mind.</div><br /><p></p>Bruce Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01610442036443687161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715848255210778936.post-8487673349183727412024-03-05T09:37:00.001-05:002024-03-05T09:37:12.156-05:00Pancho and Lefty by Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson<p> </p><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VmYOC3lUZyQ?si=R3r_LE9Cbuy_f-nt" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Maybe they will play it on tour this summer.</div>Bruce Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01610442036443687161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715848255210778936.post-47300052712426098722024-03-03T10:51:00.000-05:002024-03-03T10:51:09.135-05:00This is Frightening - Majority of Biden’s 2020 Voters Now Say He’s Too Old to Be Effective<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkaR0p48w4N9_ktXqyONqlF5pzhSM9-Rm7hjBVNUr2anRPa9nN0mAhBTTL7U7TZjahz9L9Xrjd4Bv8oa2dhT5RlRsbW_gxSHXnKWDXiE5zM1eZVrvqgjxGEfeD_m7ZRSTvhyZUfNGU4U4llF6fugRUQMCBK3BATKrjNe9bX9ooYpsonvCbz-OgTkrfpSs/s2594/joe-biden-white-house-0708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1460" data-original-width="2594" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkaR0p48w4N9_ktXqyONqlF5pzhSM9-Rm7hjBVNUr2anRPa9nN0mAhBTTL7U7TZjahz9L9Xrjd4Bv8oa2dhT5RlRsbW_gxSHXnKWDXiE5zM1eZVrvqgjxGEfeD_m7ZRSTvhyZUfNGU4U4llF6fugRUQMCBK3BATKrjNe9bX9ooYpsonvCbz-OgTkrfpSs/s320/joe-biden-white-house-0708.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Reading this <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/03/us/politics/biden-age-trump-poll.html?unlocked_article_code=1.Z00.XBrk.b6Bf6_o5plMz&smid=url-share" target="_blank">story in the New York Times</a> frightens me. The alternative to Joe Biden is a man who was indicted 91 times and led a riot to overturn the results of the 2020 election for president. I would rather have an elderly man as my president than someone with no ethics and who only cares about himself. I certainly can't understand why a woman would vote for him when he was having relations with a porno star while his wife was caring for his baby. Also, a jury found him liable for sexual abuse and awarded his accuser $5 Million.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I dread the thought of this man becoming president again. It could mean the end of democracy as we know it.</div><br /><p></p>Bruce Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01610442036443687161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715848255210778936.post-45069414977976945422024-03-01T09:39:00.005-05:002024-03-01T09:39:34.595-05:00Book Review - The Fenway Effect by David Krell<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs6UL47xkjnK-gYenVZ94-pjlWoQXeJc1SObY4F2gljBtBitL8BT_tjHZWWElgcq6bQzxnKTZItAhAo17r821w2jRTUVZb11CJvv6FcVvcYl1ISxF_pAK3Iqdg3fXsqLfBlr9o6ERceIRL6PyAoY_fscPwz0vakbMnkvXzjYI985Xx4QiudatD1sbkUcI/s1000/Fenway%20Effect.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="666" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs6UL47xkjnK-gYenVZ94-pjlWoQXeJc1SObY4F2gljBtBitL8BT_tjHZWWElgcq6bQzxnKTZItAhAo17r821w2jRTUVZb11CJvv6FcVvcYl1ISxF_pAK3Iqdg3fXsqLfBlr9o6ERceIRL6PyAoY_fscPwz0vakbMnkvXzjYI985Xx4QiudatD1sbkUcI/s320/Fenway%20Effect.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Baseball fans and the general public must understand that
sports teams affect society beyond the playing field. Teams in every sport also have a history that
fans should know. In his book <i>The Fenway
Effect </i>baseball historian David Krell offers a cultural history of the
Boston Red Sox's hold on American Life for fans and foes. Some of the topics considered include:<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">David Ortiz’s speech to the Fenway crowd a few
days after the Boston Marathon bombing.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The frustration of Red Sox fans not winning a World
Series for 86 years</span><br /><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Bill Buckner’s error on Mookie Wilson’s grounder
in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The Jimmy Fund – reading that chapter motivated
me to donate to that fine organization.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The TV Series Cheers</span><br /><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The Citgo Sign</span><br /><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Carl Yastrzemski</span><br /><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Ted Williams</span><br /><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Tom Seaver’s ending his career with the Red Sox.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Narragansett Beer – When I was a student at the
University of Rhode Island in the early 1970s I drank it.</span><!--[if !supportLists]--><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">As a Met fan and a member of the Society for American
Baseball Research, I highly recommend this book to all baseball fans.<o:p></o:p></p></div><p><br /> </p>Bruce Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01610442036443687161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715848255210778936.post-8016256184453041622024-02-29T11:34:00.000-05:002024-02-29T11:34:01.947-05:00New York Rangers 4 Columbus Blue Jackets 1 at Madison Square Garden<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlCeIzTTARyICtyE7SkyadECtdYfI6NbVuSeTnScUXWhAkftwsOq1Vyed2gDShnxYPioQmSCKL7rSeBmkRjO-Kz5x4HCEm_kHvUoPZpX2uaYOK6un-4sGjPkwot_xxCgREt5tpfUZY6eZz_R3zjFZd2i21FZhThzLhm2uiJVZm8NBNqyFqfzEx2FlC1E/s1389/New%20York%20Rangers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1389" data-original-width="1358" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlCeIzTTARyICtyE7SkyadECtdYfI6NbVuSeTnScUXWhAkftwsOq1Vyed2gDShnxYPioQmSCKL7rSeBmkRjO-Kz5x4HCEm_kHvUoPZpX2uaYOK6un-4sGjPkwot_xxCgREt5tpfUZY6eZz_R3zjFZd2i21FZhThzLhm2uiJVZm8NBNqyFqfzEx2FlC1E/s320/New%20York%20Rangers.jpg" width="313" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We usually don't attend sporting events in Manhattan during the week, but the tickets are lower than on weekends. The Rangers won their 11th game out of their last 12 and sixth in a row at home as Artemi Panarin had two goals and an assist, Chris Kreider had a goal and assist, and Adam Fox also scored. Goalie Igor Shesterkin stopped 30 shots. The score was inflated as two of the Ranger's goals were on an open Columbus net with less than a minute to play.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Most of the fans were in their 20s and 30s while many young kids were featured on the video screen. I guess their parents must fork over the big bucks for the tickets.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap/_/gameId/401560166" target="_blank">Game Recap</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Bruce Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01610442036443687161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715848255210778936.post-34569635021623441062024-02-27T09:22:00.001-05:002024-02-27T09:22:22.232-05:00Outlaw Music Festival 2024 to Feature Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW8AZ66Mte3CfyplDFy512yoVXPtm5y1r6wkR_GrlevB6dgxObWoIq8JQJzrTtz4Y-Cbdn_8arPck_WfnmA-DmUCKjMk9K-y_gnEuW2rDVjOgvhmsME0J-ukRNrhBa2jKUW9ZK-zp8MkUbDxDggWgLdQ1AkMtjUAdh76ASgppddxbSO7vL9x2nqQhJx1A/s1800/bob-dylan-willie-nelson-tour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW8AZ66Mte3CfyplDFy512yoVXPtm5y1r6wkR_GrlevB6dgxObWoIq8JQJzrTtz4Y-Cbdn_8arPck_WfnmA-DmUCKjMk9K-y_gnEuW2rDVjOgvhmsME0J-ukRNrhBa2jKUW9ZK-zp8MkUbDxDggWgLdQ1AkMtjUAdh76ASgppddxbSO7vL9x2nqQhJx1A/s320/bob-dylan-willie-nelson-tour.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Rough and Rowdy Ways Tour is scheduled to resume on March 1 in Fort Lauderdale and stop in Austin Texas on April 6. It was reported today in <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/bob-dylan-willie-nelson-outlaw-music-festival-tour-dates-1234974909/" target="_blank">Rolling Stone Magazine</a> that Bob Dylan will be joining Willie Nelson and others at the <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/bob-dylan-willie-nelson-outlaw-music-festival-tour-dates-1234974909/" target="_blank">Outlaw Music Festival</a> from June 21 - September 17. The good news for me is that the tour will stop at the Jones Beach Theater on June 29.</div><br /><p></p>Bruce Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01610442036443687161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715848255210778936.post-52536373385741130832024-02-25T20:15:00.001-05:002024-02-25T20:15:16.478-05:00St. John's 80 Creighton 66 at Madison Square Garden<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6oJ8i5yekaPPJ2jcCDN4CPjjj0QtiMhBzua0gyCTwXAWYS6wKTh4gAe-K_qf0GYK-XpO-lsXyl2n9htEOi6txeoPUeIzm4YYhqVLMmT3tgGICjc-dYyi_IV8cxNOJ3IVo-GAcNxeqKVKD8jzBSvDteFf9jCKNJcknTkkfHH3UnjLrhrU_b_rcyhaplbg/s1097/St.-Johns-Red-Storm-Logo-1992.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="690" data-original-width="1097" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6oJ8i5yekaPPJ2jcCDN4CPjjj0QtiMhBzua0gyCTwXAWYS6wKTh4gAe-K_qf0GYK-XpO-lsXyl2n9htEOi6txeoPUeIzm4YYhqVLMmT3tgGICjc-dYyi_IV8cxNOJ3IVo-GAcNxeqKVKD8jzBSvDteFf9jCKNJcknTkkfHH3UnjLrhrU_b_rcyhaplbg/s320/St.-Johns-Red-Storm-Logo-1992.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Since prices for basketball tickets are so high, we decided to take in a college basketball game at Madison Square Garden. After all the student-athletes don't command multi-million dollar contracts.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Daniss Jenkins scored 27 points and dished out six assists to lead the St. John's men's basketball team in a Big East matchup. As a team, the Red Storm shot 47.2 percent from the field and hit 32 of its 34 made field goals inside the 3-point arc. St. John's also shot a perfect 10-for-10 from the free-throw line. Defensively, the Johnnies allowed Creighton to shoot just 23.1 percent (6-26 3FG) from 3-point territory while forcing 13 turnovers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">St. John's is now 16-12 overall and 8-9 in the Big East Conference. The men's basketball team has always been popular in the New York metropolitan area but has yet to be nationally ranked since Lou Carnesecca retired in the early 1990s.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Most customers got a free T-shirt.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9of6v65_1F7DQTI-FON64FCtasckcP3udg3AVlHUet2puYGRiE1oz1QdsjChvpdvKnRjXUy1qy1S7FV6dy4yXYxRBXW3JbfWnATjP1gKerOKpIGLVoilaInUg90OZ53WuYPjLhz7BsZcYDhtnTnLsIwKVDLV0GgICxI2R-NX90KemZo5oR9gXCJP3Y9Y/s2016/Lee%20with%20St%20Johns%20shirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9of6v65_1F7DQTI-FON64FCtasckcP3udg3AVlHUet2puYGRiE1oz1QdsjChvpdvKnRjXUy1qy1S7FV6dy4yXYxRBXW3JbfWnATjP1gKerOKpIGLVoilaInUg90OZ53WuYPjLhz7BsZcYDhtnTnLsIwKVDLV0GgICxI2R-NX90KemZo5oR9gXCJP3Y9Y/s320/Lee%20with%20St%20Johns%20shirt.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Bruce Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01610442036443687161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715848255210778936.post-27298597550627857252024-02-23T09:14:00.001-05:002024-02-23T09:14:12.057-05:00First Bad News of 2024 for the New York Mets<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1s40gacfIYh7rxCrNVgNZGr30C4FZrYdKh_w64GcGB4LxyisArBl9z3KJtDYTciIgy8e16CzQyjqGNlFHevcBbGUIlhz4OP3zYwftDYq1rE9Us5i0sXMQdoHEqsuVq1WG-WxKTMtLnmnRKUqARRe2hJT2WpDT0dwgpiAXEGg_RoTb4DabiMtzwgYomK8/s225/Mets.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1s40gacfIYh7rxCrNVgNZGr30C4FZrYdKh_w64GcGB4LxyisArBl9z3KJtDYTciIgy8e16CzQyjqGNlFHevcBbGUIlhz4OP3zYwftDYq1rE9Us5i0sXMQdoHEqsuVq1WG-WxKTMtLnmnRKUqARRe2hJT2WpDT0dwgpiAXEGg_RoTb4DabiMtzwgYomK8/s1600/Mets.png" width="225" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The number one starter Kodai Senga was diagnosed with a moderate posterior capsule strain in his throwing shoulder Senga is being shut down until his symptoms subside. He’s out indefinitely and will open the year on the injured list. Teams spend millions of dollars in salaries for players who are injured. Hopefully, Senga can return early in the season. The Mets shouldn't rush him back since that could aggravate his injury.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The pitchers most likely to replace Senga in the rotation are:</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Tylor Megill</li><li>Joey Lucchesi</li><li>José Butto</li><li>Max Kranick</li></ul><div>David Peterson will also start the season on the injury list.</div></div><p><br /> </p>Bruce Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01610442036443687161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715848255210778936.post-52120410233586669002024-02-21T16:20:00.002-05:002024-02-21T16:23:31.066-05:00I Participated in the SABR Baseball Memories Project<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88NY0VRBDHprqPHfoWOMcLh24219MbYrDvk-yOXK481i4eFCbTup1hDoN4kCZIQxZue9VsPRc7HHCWACrgv_9FeVxcXn9TWKJwZ9wk2WDcEmuKIbPMjTKArIkabNhURdkRsy2R52PKzHOXyCKMpu6Vn5fNmG79mRZo65hTrY3rDd9lxSg1qwqhgnK6Mo/s225/SABR.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88NY0VRBDHprqPHfoWOMcLh24219MbYrDvk-yOXK481i4eFCbTup1hDoN4kCZIQxZue9VsPRc7HHCWACrgv_9FeVxcXn9TWKJwZ9wk2WDcEmuKIbPMjTKArIkabNhURdkRsy2R52PKzHOXyCKMpu6Vn5fNmG79mRZo65hTrY3rDd9lxSg1qwqhgnK6Mo/s1600/SABR.png" width="225" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Since 2015, members of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) have been developing and delivering baseball reminiscence programs in partnership with chapters of the Alzheimer’s Association, Veterans Administration facilities, and local senior/memory care organizations. This will hopefully improve the quality of living for people with dementia who like to reminisce about baseball.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today I went to an organization in Manhattan with local SABR members called <a href="https://www.caringkindnyc.org/#" target="_blank">Caring Kind</a> which provides services to adults at different stages of dementia. We talked about the early New York Mets, Brooklyn Dodgers, and New York Giants, ticket prices, and salaries. It was a rewarding experience.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://sabrbaseballmemories.org/" target="_blank">For more information.</a></div><br /> <p></p>Bruce Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01610442036443687161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715848255210778936.post-36156403078989313862024-02-20T09:13:00.004-05:002024-02-20T09:13:36.159-05:00I am Saddened by Political Polarization Today<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihgsffKbBoG9UD4pJYS_wYIYwFbBIjqfjjEE0wPyoIEYhTkIOsFMB0am1kHSuD3-uC7YVlB4SEYhaYvXbetdIZDddsKT_D9YSe_JPv6BrR8lYv5fcu5NvwmOeqmZ_Pt39URtQ4jaiqkgiVw6TWPI64eGYMzmWgmIRJrCmbidUe6oMcHhy1_REwioqDpTs/s1258/political%20polarization.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="833" data-original-width="1258" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihgsffKbBoG9UD4pJYS_wYIYwFbBIjqfjjEE0wPyoIEYhTkIOsFMB0am1kHSuD3-uC7YVlB4SEYhaYvXbetdIZDddsKT_D9YSe_JPv6BrR8lYv5fcu5NvwmOeqmZ_Pt39URtQ4jaiqkgiVw6TWPI64eGYMzmWgmIRJrCmbidUe6oMcHhy1_REwioqDpTs/s320/political%20polarization.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I remember the polarization between Hawks and Doves during the Vietnam War era. The rift between Democrats and Republicans or Liberals and Conservatives is much worse today. People either love Donald Trump or hate him. I just cannot understand why people would a man indicted 91 times as their president. Joe Biden is old but is not a criminal.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here are a few examples of how polarization has hurt the country:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>In 2016 President Obama nominated Merrick Garland for Supreme Court Justice. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to allow Garland to be evaluated saying that the next president should make the appointment. Sadly, Trump appointed three conservative justices confirmed by a Republican majority in the Senate.</li><li>Speaking of Mitch McConnell, I read in a biography of Nina Totenberg, a close friend of the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg that McConnell would not allow Justice Ginsburg to lie in state in the Senate Chamber. She did lie in state in the House chamber. McConnell did not have the decency to pay respects to her. He is 82 years old and hopefully will retire soon.</li><li>George Santos should have been expelled from the House as soon as it was revealed that he lied about his credentials to the voters. The Republicans would not expel him for nearly a year.</li></ul><div>I could go on and on about political polarization, but i will close here.</div></div><br /><p></p>Bruce Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01610442036443687161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715848255210778936.post-31116765889908662502024-02-18T09:06:00.000-05:002024-02-18T09:06:02.586-05:00Big Man in Town by the Four Seasons - My Favorite Big Song<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6Hkx-Txg04M" width="320" youtube-src-id="6Hkx-Txg04M"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ten days ago I stated that Little Children by Billy J. Kramer was my favorite "Little" song. Let me go in the other direction and choose Big Man in Town by the Four Seasons as my favorite "Big" song.</div><br /><p></p>Bruce Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01610442036443687161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715848255210778936.post-42786552007128216412024-02-16T08:50:00.003-05:002024-02-16T08:50:32.499-05:00The Way We Were by Barbra Streisand - Song for a Sad Anniversary<p> </p><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ifWOSnoCS0M?si=-0j0nCV0OZR952AU" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div><div>Memories</div><div>Like the corners of my mind</div><div>Misty watercolor memories</div><div>Of the way we were</div><div>Scattered pictures</div><div>Of the smiles we left behind</div><div>Smiles we gave to one another</div><div>For the way we were</div><div><br /></div><div>Can it be that it was all so simple then?</div><div>Or has time rewritten every line?</div><div>If we had the chance to do it all again</div><div>Tell me, would we, would we,</div><div>Could we, could we?</div><div><br /></div><div>Memories</div><div>May be beautiful and yet</div><div>What's too painful to remember</div><div>We simply choose to forget</div><div>Can it be that it was all so simple then?</div><div>Or has time rewritten every line?</div><div>If we had the chance to do it all again</div><div>Tell me, would we, would we,</div><div>Could we, could we?</div><div><br /></div><div>Memories</div><div>May be beautiful and yet</div><div>What's too painful to remember</div><div>We simply choose to forget</div><div>So it's the laughter</div><div>We will remember</div><div>Whenever we remember</div><div>The way we were</div><div><br /></div><div>The way we were</div><div><b>I miss you baby</b></div><div>The way we were</div><div>The way we were</div><div><b>I miss you so much baby</b></div><div>I miss the way we were</div></div>Bruce Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01610442036443687161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715848255210778936.post-10748606523122932482024-02-14T16:41:00.000-05:002024-02-14T16:41:18.548-05:00There was a Vote in Congress to Abolish the Electoral College in 1969<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRzyu3a4YVhiSll1VatEZzNiM3idY5K0o2JAQMpkladas0oZ4Vgylps10WKqtruaB5AAqNJ3u937uFVotkJmfNapCOfqdylss6McRwuGY3TxBBoUZZHYEoMBjt9G1sbl3iAcyhqfdnUmbBlfN_3o5taeZrRQkc2_M7bgdEmkGoCIVn8MFFZEtP61odlo0/s290/Electoral%20College.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="290" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRzyu3a4YVhiSll1VatEZzNiM3idY5K0o2JAQMpkladas0oZ4Vgylps10WKqtruaB5AAqNJ3u937uFVotkJmfNapCOfqdylss6McRwuGY3TxBBoUZZHYEoMBjt9G1sbl3iAcyhqfdnUmbBlfN_3o5taeZrRQkc2_M7bgdEmkGoCIVn8MFFZEtP61odlo0/s1600/Electoral%20College.jpg" width="290" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have expressed my displeasure with the Electoral College in this journal and on X (formerly Twitter). Should we have 1 election or 51 elections? Why should a candidate with less popular votes win the election? It would require a vote of 2/3 in the House and the Senate followed by ratification by 38 state legislature. This would never happen in today's political climate. Until today, I was only aware of <a href="https://www.bruceslutsky.com/2023/11/finally-someone-else-is-bashing.html" target="_blank">New York Times journalist Gail Collins </a>speaking out against this dinosaur from our constitution. I just wish that some Senators or Representatives would bash it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I found out today from a <a href="https://www.history.com/news/electoral-college-nearly-abolished-thurmond" target="_blank">History Channel website</a> that in 1969 the House of Representatives by a wide margin voted to abolish it, but a filibuster in the Senate led by Southerners killed the bill. Even if the Senate passed the resolution, 38 state legislatures must approve it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also found out about the book <i>Let the People Pick the President: The Case for Abolishing the Electoral College </i>written by Jesse Wegman, a member of the New York Times editorial board. Back in 1968 80% of Americans felt the president should be elected by popular vote. How many would want that today?</div><br /> <p></p>Bruce Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01610442036443687161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715848255210778936.post-49121615653098744142024-02-12T15:22:00.002-05:002024-02-12T15:22:18.582-05:00I Won a Basketball Autographed by Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg74SclgkEHS8OkzxiorhzT-bM-efWz48OgQwIse2SGsnLpWhBDhY-8Bj2nFKe3h0Nzf1UtPiINbL_1xezdIdSwtKI0OktFdSmLb9mfZmpZ1LZFUEoC_Ny3o3O4LL3rOhVN35jK3zSGOXkfA3j6KkN4FdHVhQyjwKaWckYjnzLyONhTdL0iE0SjVO9vQk/s2016/Jalen%20Brunson%20Bsketball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg74SclgkEHS8OkzxiorhzT-bM-efWz48OgQwIse2SGsnLpWhBDhY-8Bj2nFKe3h0Nzf1UtPiINbL_1xezdIdSwtKI0OktFdSmLb9mfZmpZ1LZFUEoC_Ny3o3O4LL3rOhVN35jK3zSGOXkfA3j6KkN4FdHVhQyjwKaWckYjnzLyONhTdL0iE0SjVO9vQk/s320/Jalen%20Brunson%20Bsketball.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A few weeks ago the <a href="https://www.gardenofdreamsfoundation.org/" target="_blank">Garden of Dreams Foundation</a> had a fundraising drive on New York Knick telecasts. Donors were entered into a drawing for various prizes to incentivize people to participate. I won the Jalen Brunson autographed basketball, as seen above. I rarely enter contests and I am not an autograph hound.</div><br /><p></p>Bruce Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01610442036443687161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715848255210778936.post-3258133481760253592024-02-12T11:35:00.003-05:002024-02-12T11:35:55.995-05:00Oldie of the Day - No Sugar Tonight by the Guess Who<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yMG-Mi9I0-k" width="320" youtube-src-id="yMG-Mi9I0-k"></iframe></div><br /> I heard No Sugar Tonight on Sirius/XM this morning.<p></p>Bruce Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01610442036443687161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715848255210778936.post-13579084728033132592024-02-10T09:13:00.003-05:002024-02-10T09:13:40.203-05:00Are Readers of My Journal Interested in Dick Tracy Cartoons?<p> </p><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Sro9dWC-CgM?si=p5rpY6aNK2SO6fy5" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;">This video includes 16 episodes of the Dick Tracy cartoon series</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Back in the early 1960s Channel 11 in NYC showed Dick Tracy cartoons with Chief Joe Bolton as the host. It has not been seen on TV in several decades since the episodes are politically incorrect with ethnic stereotypes.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In March 2015 I posted an entry <a href="https://www.bruceslutsky.com/2015/03/mumbles-was-my-favorite-dick-tracy.html" target="_blank">Mumbles was My Favorite Dick Tracy Villain</a> . In nine years this post has been hit 1,930 times, the 12th most popular article in the history of this journal. Why? Are my readers big fans of the Dick Tracy cartoons?</div>Bruce Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01610442036443687161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715848255210778936.post-50783024060705566732024-02-08T10:59:00.002-05:002024-02-08T10:59:53.899-05:00Little Children by Billy Jay Kramer and The Dakotas - My Favorite Little Song<p> This morning's Question of the Day on WFuv was songs with tiny, small, little or the like in the lyrics. Host Corny o"Connell packed the following four:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Wilson Pickett "Mini-Skirt Minnie"</li><li>Chuck Prophet "Smallest Man in the World"</li><li>Elton John "Tiny Dancer"</li><li>Susan Tedeschi "Little by Little"</li></ul><div>My favorite is Little Children by Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SJBq7HY46oI" width="320" youtube-src-id="SJBq7HY46oI"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><p></p>Bruce Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01610442036443687161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715848255210778936.post-17646615667913838352024-02-06T09:51:00.001-05:002024-02-06T09:51:30.927-05:00Kudos to the NYPD and Queens DA Melinda Katz for Removing Illegal E-Scooters and E-Bikes<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4QTtlrl_m5s_qLl3p9d5d_-mIWSO6EGBiiFsAM0ysy7CmYFkHne27x_mXRMnFQ77fjgN79fxcvtXzUTgALHnt7vNAZgW7TSlzvdwHFHDGIsmurAkK4Q0S17IWjODAYyvJ1bXLtZ1UzKQx3VCFYu5IYK8-7W3-TjfDdPcTkiv3FiBtbz4YPrKbNEKHPcw/s1600/e-scooters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4QTtlrl_m5s_qLl3p9d5d_-mIWSO6EGBiiFsAM0ysy7CmYFkHne27x_mXRMnFQ77fjgN79fxcvtXzUTgALHnt7vNAZgW7TSlzvdwHFHDGIsmurAkK4Q0S17IWjODAYyvJ1bXLtZ1UzKQx3VCFYu5IYK8-7W3-TjfDdPcTkiv3FiBtbz4YPrKbNEKHPcw/s320/e-scooters.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There was an <a href="https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2024/02/06/nypd-and-queens-district-attorney-remove-illegal-scooters" target="_blank">excellent story on NY1 News</a> last night by reporter Justine Re on the efforts by the NYPD and Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz to remove e-scooters and e-bikes. Their major concern was the use of these vehicles to commit crimes. For example, an e-bike will approach someone and steal his cell phone.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am concerned with their menace to pedestrians and automobiles. These creeps drive on sidewalks with little regard for walkers. It is impossible to hear a bicycle or scooter if it is behind you. I have had a few calls with those vehicles almost hitting me. If they do hit a pedestrian, they would just drive away. These cyclists disregard traffic lights and stop signs when they are on the streets. Of course, there is the issue of the lithium-ion batteries causing fires.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This will continue to be a problem especially since e-bikes are used to deliver food. There certainly cannot be a police officer on every block to regulate e-bikes and scooters. I thank them for doing their best to combat this problem.</div><br /><p></p>Bruce Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01610442036443687161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715848255210778936.post-70645090160185985272024-02-04T09:44:00.001-05:002024-02-04T09:44:04.448-05:00Random Thoughts of the Day February 4, 2024<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijAlXDxqrHTcdjUb7P5AQFEnS-vpNFBRcKYdcTFOZT0nUJijp17I93tqQIUzU20HVcPi7V_nFF3Gfa1TJIG5Wvf1x-aeaT54PWdSzRzzFZNaXBSjrX9gNvjtbO-VwDYPu_ekMcpGRitVXy2csycag0g4W3hep0RbJ5L9ZCa0-vLpF906gpiTfmRlrbumk/s255/Random%20thoughts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="198" data-original-width="255" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijAlXDxqrHTcdjUb7P5AQFEnS-vpNFBRcKYdcTFOZT0nUJijp17I93tqQIUzU20HVcPi7V_nFF3Gfa1TJIG5Wvf1x-aeaT54PWdSzRzzFZNaXBSjrX9gNvjtbO-VwDYPu_ekMcpGRitVXy2csycag0g4W3hep0RbJ5L9ZCa0-vLpF906gpiTfmRlrbumk/s1600/Random%20thoughts.jpg" width="255" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Occasionally, I listen to podcasts, but many are just too long. Do people want to listen for an hour or more? I wish podcasters would limit their discussions to 30 minutes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I don't understand why people want to start chats with strangers that are quite intense for a day or so and then all of a sudden just die out. I have had several such chats with young Asian women. I don't understand why they pick me. I always advise them of my age and status.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I appreciate the enthusiasm of my radio friends who are chart enthusiasts. Back in the day, I would follow the surveys of WABC and WMCA and root for my favorite songs to move up the charts. I remember statements from two famous radio personalities:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Murray the K - If you enjoy a song, why should you care about what number it is.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jerry Blavat (The Geator) - I play from my heart not by the charts.</div><br /> <p></p>Bruce Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01610442036443687161noreply@blogger.com0