June 14, 2004

Hey


   Very busy weekend. I worked Friday night, (and got an additional reporting credit) for interviewing
women in Canarsie asking for their reaction to the capture of the Canarsie Rapist. Saturday I did a double
shift. reporting during the day, and working in the office at night. I did a story about a car accident that
happened on Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn.
All this work left me no time for partying, but after last weekend, that was OK.

 http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/25555.htm   (Saturday afternoon)

http://www.nypost.com/seven/06122004/news/regionalnews/22885.htm  (Friday night)


    Former President George Bush (I know there are many of you who can't wait to use that phrase, but
I'm talking about our 41st President not the one we have now) celebrated his 80th birthday by jumping
out of an airplane on Sunday. And I'm damn glad he made it too, because if there is one thing we didn't
need this week was another Presidental Funeral    
    Now look, anyone who knows me well, knows that I'm a media junkie, so I eat this stuff up. And a
former President dying deserves attention and coverage. But for the love of God, was Ronald Reagan's
funeral over the top or what? First, they showed him lying in California, then they showed the plane
landing in Washington followed by a parade from the airport to the Capitol. Then they had a ceremony
when his body was placed in the Capitol's rotunda. C-SPAN (I kid you not) showed nonstop coverage of
people walking by the casket. (I checked in every couple of hours Still dead) By the time they had the
actual funeral in Washington's National Cathedral, I had to cry uncle. I just watched the end of it. I'm sure
it was a beautiful ceremony too. I just couldn't take it anymore.
    Mercifully, the networks didn't show the entire trip back to the airport, but picked it right up again when
the Reagan's landed back in California.  
     This was all the brainchild of Nancy Reagan, who was known for going over the top as First Lady,
spending lavishly on china for the White House and whatnot. Supposedly, she started planning all this
crap way back in 1981. What she got was a funeral fit for a President who had died while in office, not
one who had been out for 15 years.


          CELEBRITY DEATHMATCH- MAYOR BLOOMBERG VS. MR. SOFTEE

   The fun busting mayor of New York is at it again. This time he's taking on those menaces to society,
Ice Cream Trucks. It seems like the city's 311 line draws more noise complaints than any other. Now, I
understand complaints about drag racing cars and booming radios. I can even understand bars and
clubs, though I feel if you live in Manhattan you should learn to live with it. But apparently, even the Mr.
Softee jingle has led to a number of noise complaints. Maybe it's because of my ice cream background,
but for goodness sake, are these people kidding me? It's not like these ice cream trucks are playing
Quiet Riot, its usuallylight hearted jingles letting you know the ice cream man is right outside. I really can't
imagine it bothering anyone besides the most cranky of residents. But Mayor Mike, like Mayor Rudy
before him, will do anything to raise money, even if it means taking ice cream away from a baby.

THE OLYMPICS

    If the Olympics started today, the crowd at Athens Olympic Stadium would be standing room only.
Not because they have sold out, but because the stadium has no seats. That's right folks, a stadium that
is supposed to be ready to seat close to 100,000 people by August 13 cannot seat anyone as of this
writing because they have yet to install seats. (According to US News and World Report) Maybe I'm
wrong, but I don't think that is something that can be done at the last minute.
    Also according to the same article, the security in Athens is not up to par with what's needed in this
post 9/11 world. They might as well let Al-Qaeda march in the opening ceremonies.
     What really galls me about all this is that way back in the late 80's Athens was pushing to get the 1996
Olympics. Why not? The first modern Olympics were held in Greece back in 1896, what a perfect way to
honor the Olympics centennial year? But the Olympics were awarded to Atlanta, and oh, how the Greeks
complained. They claimed they were victims of corporate greed and American favoritism.
    Now with less than 60 days and after having 7 years to prepare, not to mention all the years before
1996 to at least have plans ready, we still don't have anyplace for Olympics fans to sit. That's a
disgrace.

    I could live with Kaz Matsui and Mike Cameron not hitting if they could play defense like they were
advertised. Instead Matsui leads the NL in errors by a shortstop, and Cameron has made some
defensive decisions that reminds me of Roger Cedeno. The only reason the Mets are anywhere near .500
is Mike Piazza and the starting rotation.

Two great writers celebrate birthdays this week. Paul McCartney turns 62 and Chris Bunting turns 26.
Happy Birthday!


The Rest of y'all have a great week
Wild B.

COMING TOMM  JUNE 1994