Kudos to Mary Murphy of PIX-11 News for Standing Up to the Mayor

I rarely comment on politics in my journal, I would like to put my 2 cents in about a situation reported in FishbowlNY by Jerry Barmash.  I can never accept hypocrisy on the part of any of our elected officials. I must give great kudos to PIX-11 reporter Mary Murphy who really nailed Michael “Money Bags” Bloomberg.  I certainly commend the mayor for his public stand on gun control especially in the light of recent tragedies, in Colorado, Wisconsin, and Arizona.  Sadly, there have been too many shootings in NYC and I applaud the mayor for his stand on gun control.  He has even taken on President Obama and the presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney on this issue.

In June  NYC sold 28,000 rounds of spent shell casings from the NYPD firing range in the Bronx to an ammunition dealer in Georgia.  Thus, it is quite possible  that this metal will be used to create bullets that will kill innocent people.  Ms Murphy confronted both the mayor and the police commissioner on this issue.  Bloomberg told her that there must be competitive bidding and since the ammunition submitted the highest bid, the city must accept it.  On one hand Bloomberg is fighting for gun control, but the almighty buck is more important to him.  The city should sell the spent shell casing for scrap metal even it it gets less money for it.

An ordinary citizen can not confront a public official, thus we must rely on the media to do it for us.  Very often I have felt that the media creates the news by making heroes of people like the Kardashians for the almighty rating point.  In this case Mary Murphy really put Mayor Bloomberg on the spot while he was irresponsible to the citizens who want to thwart the makers of guns and ammunition anyway we can.  Please see the article in FishbowlNY which includes the video of Mary’s questioning of the mayor and police commissioner.

Devil's Radio by George Harrison - 1980s Album Cut of the Day

I remember in the 1980s when I worked at the New York Public Library at 5th Avenue and 42nd StreetI would walk a few blocks during my lunch hour to the Record Explosion where I would browse and often buy music.  I remember one day in 1987 I bought Cloud Nine by George Harrison on cassette.  One of my favorite songs on it was Devil's Radio which I just heard on Dennis Mitchell's Breakfast with the Beatles.

Yankees 6 Mariners 2

About twice a year we take the subway to the Bronx to see the Yankees.  Even though I am a Met fan, I don't hate the Yankees.  I only root against them during the Subway Series.  Freddie Garcia, the weak link in the starting rotation, was able to limit the Mariners to 2 runs in 5 innings as the bullpen closed the door from the 6th inning on.  Designated hitter Raul Ibanez hit a home run and drove in 3 runs.  New Yankee Ishiro Suzuki was able to maintain his 12 game hitting streak since joining the team as his fly ball was lost in the sun.  I think it should have been scored an error.  Our old friend former Met Oliver Perez pitched for the Mariners.  The $36 Million that he got from the Mets was the worst money they have ever spent.

Game recap

Just Love the IHOP

There is an IHOP at 156th Street and Northern Blvd. just a 5 minute ride from home.  I should really go there more often, but it is somewhat more expensive than a  regular diner.  I just love their chocolate chip pancakes.

Some Bob Dylan News

I thank Alan Berman for bringing this to my attention.  As reported before his new album Tempest will be released on September 11th.  A preview of Early Roman Kings may be heard in the Trailer for the Cinemax show Strike Back.  Unfortunately there are voices heard over the music.  A preview of an interview he did with Rolling Stone magazine is also available.

Vince Santarelli - Facebook Friend of the Day

I haven't named a Facebook friend of the day for some time.  Today the honor goes to Vince Santarelli whom I've never met, but whose radio reports I have read for many years.  He regularly writes a column called Apple Bites   where he comments on the history of New York City radio.  He also writes for an online newsletter called the New York Radio Examiner.  He most recent column is a very kind tribute to Bob Shannon who recently left WCBS-FM.

When I examine the Google Analytics Data for Bruce's Journal I observe that many people have hit my two journal entries on Bob.  I highly suggest that my readers check out Vince's column.  I certainly hope that Vince will keep up his good work as a writer and radio historian.

Rarity of the Day - Any Wednesday by the Royal Guardsmen

 Since today is Wednesday and I don't have anything much to report, I thought I would  play "Any Wednesday" by the Royal Guardsman.  According to my Joel Whitburn book it peaked at #97 nationally in 1967.  I definitely remember that WMCA played it.  According to Youtube the name is "Any Wednesday", but in the Whitburn book it is listed as Wednesday.