January 10, 2005

Hello All:


         Friday night we went out for Sheila's birthday. We went down to
Lunasa on 1st Avenue. Tara and I met Sheila, Mary, Michelle, Bernadette,
Danielle, and Kathy down there. I also got to talk with cousin Patrick for the
first since our famous break in at the old apartment in Woodlawn.
    Sheila's birthday is usually a great time because it does wonders for the
post holiday letdown that usually accompanies early January. This year, there
wasn't much of a holiday let down for me, but it was a good time. And it was
great to see everyone. Unfortunately, I had to work early the next day.
    (BTW-working early is a relative term. I had to be in at noon. Since I
usually work at 6:30PM on Sat, noon is early)



The Tsunami
    I was at work Christmas night when the news first started coming over the
wires. The wire would update itself every couple of minutes, and the numbers
kept getting bigger and bigger. I don't really know if my brain is capable of
comprehending the numbers of dead that was caused by this tragedy.
    The other thing I can't get my mind around is the size of this wave. I've
seen the amateur videos taken of the approaching wave, and in a lot of ways,
it looks almost magical. But you have to appreciate how strong a force the
tides are, how they can sweep you away so easily. When you think about it like
that, it's downright scary.
    And you don't have to go to Southeast Asia to experience that either. On a
day when the water is rough, you can feel the pull at any of the Atlantic
Ocean beaches here in NY. Rockaway, the greatest beach in the world, is
considered one of the most dangerous in NY.
     The worldwide reaction to the destruction of the tsunami is very
heartwarming. Over $5 billion in aid has been pledged.
     Of course, the tragedy gave some folks an opportunity to slam the US. I'm
not going to take to task Jan Egeland, the UN undersecretary who described
some countries as stingy, because he wasn't just talking about us. However, I
didn't really understand what was the use sending cash over there, when there
was nothing to buy. Money wasn't worth the paper it's printed on.
    What the US and the rest of the world needed to do first was send over
medicine, food and water. And they have. They also needed to assess the damage
and see where the money that will be donated would be best served.
     And they have. And for all the complaining that the world is going to do
about our government's lack of contributions, it will be more than made up by
business donations, church donations and of course donations by the American
people, no matter what their race, creed, or political affiliation.
     Some politicos are saying that if we offer enough help we will reverse
some of the Muslim resentment towards our country. Maybe, but not too much.
USA TODAY reported on Thursday that a TV Station in Egypt blamed the Tsunami
on a US Nuclear missile test. And I have no doubt that untruth will make it
into Michael Moore's next Anti-Bush film.

Alberto Gonzales-
    President Bush's nominee to succeed John Ashcroft as Attorney General came
under fire during his Senate Confirmation hearings this week, because some
believe that he approved some of the methods used in Abu Gharib prison.
      Now I believe that what went on in that prison was a combination of some
battle weary soldiers acting out and a bunch of bad-ass mofo's who would act
that way anyway. I don't think that Gonzales approved piling naked Iraqi's on
top of each other, or walking them around on leashes.
      But dammit, if he did approve slapping some of these animals around for
the purposes of getting information about insurgents and other terrorists,
especially Al-Qaeda, then more power to him. Our guys are getting beheaded
over there and being dragged through the streets. I don't think roadside bombs
and fighters dressed as civilians is part of the Geneva Convention. If they
get to toss the rulebook out, why do we have to follow it to the letter of the
law?

Mets get Beltran

    I have my apprehensions. Number 1, I think if it weren't for his scuzzball
agent, Scott Boras, Carlos Beltran would have re-signed with Houston. His lack
of enthusiasm for coming to the Mets worries me.
    2) The really good numbers he put up last year were mostly at Minute Maid
Park, one of the best hitters parks in the league Shea Stadium is one of the
worst parks to hit in.

Otherwise, this is a great deal for the Mets. Beltran turns 28 in April,
meaning the Mets have him for the prime of his career. He's capable of hitting
35 HR's and stealing bases, plus he's an excellent fielder. If somehow Mike
Cameron can remember how to play the outfield, the Mets could have some good
outfield defense.
    The Post reported that Boras called the Yankees and told them that Beltran
would accept a 6 year $100 million deal from them and they said no thanks.
That also make me nervous. But what really pissed me off was that the back
page of the Post had the headline "Yankee Reject". I went back to Sports and
voiced my displeasure, but it fell on deaf ears. One guy told me maybe if the
Mets didn't (stink) maybe they would get some respect! The night sports
editor, one of my good friends there, (and a big Yankee fan who green-lighted
the headline) told me to stop being a hater. Ouch!
    I just love the fact that the Yanks can't stand the Mets getting some
spotlight Everybody says it's Steinbrenner, but its the fans too.

The Jets
    I can't remember if I ever was more convinced that a team was going to
lose and then come back and win as I was about the Jets on Saturday night.
    Eric Barton was about to cop Nerd of the Herd on the earliest day in
history when he nailed Charger QB Drew Brees with an inexcusable flying
forearm to the head. Had he not done that, the game would have been over right
then and there. At around 11:15 or so.
    Instead, the Chargers got two more shots at the end zone and they cashed
in, forcing the game into overtime.
    It got even worse. The Chargers won the OT coin toss, giving them first
crack at the win. They went three and out, and now maybe the Jets could pull
it out. No dice, they went three and out as well, putting their exhausted
defense quickly back out on the field.
    The Chargers preceded to march down the field, getting within range for
their star rookie kicker Nate Keating. It was a 40 yarder, not particularly
difficult on a normal night, but with rain pouring down in San Diego (I
thought it never rained in Southern California) it was tough. But I was
convinced he'd nail it. Nothing had gone right for the Jets.
    And wouldn't you know it, he missed it. Wide right.
The Jets took over and Chad Pennington, looking like the star we all thought
he would be and not the bum he's been the past few weeks, got the Jets down to
the 9, where Doug Brien came out and kicked what appeared to be the game
winning field goal.
But again these are the Jets we are talking about here.
    Brien kicked the ball right through the uprights, but Charger coach Marty
Shottenheimer called time out just before the ball was snapped. I had visions
of a blocked kick dancing in my head, as Brien got ready to kick again.
Thankfully the second kick was better than the first one, and NY breathed a
huge sigh of relief.
    Now hopefully the Colts can knock those scum of the earth New England
Patriots off next week. Peyton Manning can prove to the world that he's a
better QB than pretty boy Tom Brady. If not, it will be left to either the
Jets or the Steelers. I won't insult your intelligence by saying I won't be
bitter if the Jets lose Saturday, but all will be forgiven if the Steelers
knock off the Pats.

Happy belated birthday Sheila. You're one of the best people in the world.

Everyone else have a great week
Bill