No!!

Have you ever, as I, talked back to the recorded message you received while trying to reach a business?  All I need to hear is “Your call is very important to us” and my resultant reaction is somewhat less than subtle.

Make a decision! The Red Sox need a new manager....get with it, spring training is but a couple of weeks away. How ‘bout Dustin Pedroia. Also Tom Brady, whether he’ll play next season and where. Likewise, move on.

A substantial outcry erupted over the suspending of a Washington Post reporter’s writing of an alleged 2007 incident supposedly involving the late Kobe Bryant. While some question may surround the paper’s action, there’ no doubt the reporter’s sense of appropriateness was poor. Yup, we all realize that journalists are bent on legitimate details but there still exists a sense of timing, both good and bad.

This item recalls the title of the Simon and Garfunkel classic, “The Sounds of Silence”. Prince Andrew after being named a friend of Jeffrey Epstein and a participant in some of Epstein’s lurid activities was quoted as saying he would cooperate in the investigation. By contrast, the Royal Palace and Andrew have gone mum on any further communication.  

A recent series of tweets from George Conway, yup, the husband of you know who, pointed out the nearly two dozen geographical blunders Donald Trump has made since he took office.  One of his most recent gaffs stated his confusion about the difference between England and the UK. He thought England changed its name.

Quote of the week actually originated in 2016. “Donald Trump had engaged in corruption and would likely continue to be corrupt if he took office”:  Lawyer of the Trump impeachment defense team Alan Dershowitz.

Gotcha3

The announcement that Prince Harry and Meghan Markel are backing away from their royal duties  has been met with both surprise and scorn.  Surprise from the Brits, scorn from the Royal Family. Harry’s rationale makes sense recalling the turmoil with which his mother, Princess Diana, was forced to endure for much of her shortened life.  Yes, an abbreviated life that should have seen members of a pursuing press held responsible for her death. It’s certainly understandable that he doesn’t want his wife, their son Archie and himself to suffer a similar pursued existence.

A recent poll shows 54% of Brits saying Meg and Harry should be stripped of their royal titles. The poll also revealed that the pair should have their royal allowances denied and need to repay some $3 million in renovation money for their estate, Frogmore Cottage.  The poll’s majority also indicated that Harry should give up his 6^th position to the British throne. Both Canadian and U.S. welcomes could bring the couple a more enjoyable life and countless opportunities. 

Another day, another tweet, another lie from the orange faced one concocting yet one more  whopper adding to his already record setting list. This false claim accuses the opposition stating, “The do nothing Democrats have spent the last three days defending the life of Qassem Soleiman”. There’s absolutely no evidence of that happening. Perhaps it’s the ancient philosophy that if you say it often and loud enough there will be some who’ll believe it. Undoubtedly the rally attending MAGA hat wearers fall into that sorry category.

Seems the Huffington Post has been keeping a running total of the Trump golf related and security expenses.  The most recent cost estimate is some $123.6 million over the course of his time in office.

Beware, the 92nd Academy Awards will be clogging ABC on Sunday, Feb. 9^th. The Academy has ignored this year’s diversity by nominating just one nonwhite acting performer. Women have been shut out from the director category while for the second consecutive year there will be no host. Fear not, stout hearted viewers, the network is touting “huge entertainment values, big musical numbers, comedy and star power”. Can’t wait? Meantime, I’ll be seeking alternative viewing.

Disappointing to say the least regarding manager Alex Cora and the Red Sox being involved in a cheating scandal. Seems he was a part of the same while being the bench coach of the Houston Astros who have just canned their manager and general manager. Both instances of sign stealing were made during World Series wins by Houston and Boston. A sad day for both teams. If the Sox indeed need to fire Cora it would follow that their entire coaching staff might need to be replaced as well. Certainly more grist for the mill that grinds hatred for Boston sports teams.

Patriot fans are bereft following the team’s Wildcard loss and elimination.  Surely much of the rest of the country is delighted. Pro or con, it must be admitted that this year’s team was of the mediocre variety. Even its future Hall Of Fame quarterback turned in a sub-par performance owing in large part to the lack of Rob Gronkowski and other good receivers beside Julian Edleman  Now a free agent, the speculation grows as to Brady’s future. My sense is he should retire now before he risks permanent injury. He has nothing else to prove and should enjoy life and the multi offers outside the game of football which, doubtless will come his way.

A new year and yet another run for office by former U.S. Senator (only because of his father, Senator John Chafee, passing), former Warwick Mayor and R.I. Governor. He’s been a Republican, a Democrat, an Independent and now a Libertarian as he once again seeks the office of the presidency! What’s that old expression about hell and a snowball? I’d suggest he find a hobby but it seems he already has one.

The Golden Globe Awards are the least offensive of all that show type. Sunday night’s latest featured an oft humorous and outspoken Ricky Gervais as emcee, celeb introducers and winners who voiced limited remarks. The wonderful Tom Hanks was given the Cecile B. DeMille award as Ellen DeGeneres received the female equivalent, the Carol Burnett award. Hanks, is just one of a pair of actors to ever have won Oscars two years in a row. He was nominated this year as “Globe” best actor for his role as Mister Rogers in ‘It’s A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”.

The stupid quote of the week award goes to comedian George Lopez after he posted an Instagram comment about assassinating Donald Trump. When Iran issued an $80 million bounty on Trump after the killing of General Qassem Soleimani during last week’s U.S. drone strike, Lopez said “We’ll do it for half that amount”. The ever doubtful Kathy Griffin commented that she thought the Lopez comment was hilarious. She already has a reserved seat on that “One Way Trip to Nowhere Train”. Lopez should be booked nearby.

Some are asking why now for the Trump killing of Soleimani. A ploy for reelection or an attempt to remove focus from the impeachment?  Perhaps just another example of attempting to stand out by the use of radical behavior and distorted decisions.

Mentioning “distorted” reminds me of a recent Trump lie: "The missiles fired last night at us and our allies were paid for with the funds made available by the last administration”. Add that to his stating that “Obama gave Iran billions of dollars”, previously proved untrue.  I just don’t get his fetish with the former President ever since those days when he claimed Barack wasn’t a U.S. Citizen.

Looks as though Meghan McCain, daughter of Senator John McCain, isn’t high on the popularity lists of her fellow “The View” panelists. Deemed “rude” to guests, Whoopi Goldberg and the other regulars, calls are being made for McCain’s removal. Don’t look for that to happen as long as her acid attitude is attracting bigger audience numbers.   

Direct from the “He should have known better department” and shades of a former Starbucks happening. It seems a Kansas cop made up a tale that a McDonald’s employee wrote “****ing pig” on his coffee cup. The Police Chief replied “We found that McDonald’s and its employees did not have anything whatsoever to do with this incident. This was completely and solely fabricated by a Herington police officer who is no longer employed”. Apparently, the incident was meant to be a joke. Neither McDonald’s, the Chief nor the canned cop are laughing.

As has been long said, New Year’s Eve is for amateurs. Consequently, the following morning is rife with aching heads and sour stomachs. It’s always seemed to me like a dumb way to begin a new year.

We’ve been alerted to the fact that the now available Donald Trump statue is in limited number. Seems it stands over a foot tall, weighs about five pounds and takes 14 to 21 days for shipping.  Included are the case, a Trump letter and brochure plus a 30 day money back guarantee.  The cost is $299.99.  Okay, MAGA hat wearers, empty those piggy banks. Don’t be left out.

Contrasting  the feeling that “there’s no good news” 2020 has begun with a positive item which reveals that conspiracy advocate Alex Jones has been slapped with $100,000 court costs and legal fee penalties by his claiming the massacre of 20 Sandy Hook school children and six school staff members on December 14, 2012 was a hoax. I often wonder why these false claimants make such absurd statements. Publicity for possible personal gain I would suppose.

Have wondered if Matt Lauer not only lost his “Today Show” job but his bank account as well.   Apparently not as word has it that he’s dating a glamorous marketing exec after the divorce from his wife of 20 years became final. Guess he’s far from destitute, affording plane fare for the pair to New Zealand where he maintains a $9 million lakeside ranch.

This now being 2020, maybe efforts could be made to contact longtime hosts of the tv show such as Hugh Downs, now 98, and Barbara Walters, 90. Perhaps ABC will air a tribute to 20/20, the cohosts and its remarkable 41 year life. 

The Hallmark Channel began its wall to wall showing of Christmas movies Friday, October 26^th.  According to the latest listings they’re still at it.  Talk about radio and the too lengthy playing of holiday music, Hallmark is right there in the “overdoing department”.

No!!

I’m vowing to not saturate these “epics’ with Trump related material during 2020, at least, hopefully. We all know New Year’s resolutions generally become broken but I’ll give this one a try. 

An opinion piece in the N.Y. Post claims the past decade was the best, stating “We are living through the greatest improvement in human living standards in history. Among other things, global inequality is “plunging,” child mortality has “fallen to record low levels” and famine “virtually went extinct”. Has the writer looked at the negative attitude that prevails? How about the violence that ranks this country high on the list? Maybe the recognition of the “me first” attitude that precludes courtesy, thoughtfulness and generosity to others? These are but a few of the characteristics of the passing decade that locates it miles away from “The Best”. Additionally, hearing someone state a preference to vote for the incumbent in the upcoming presidential election because the stock market is up in shortsighted.

One of the chief reasons for the negative decade just passed is the national prejudicial crime rate that has reached a 16 year high. Sadly, some 13 anti-Semitic attacks happened in New York City during the last few weeks. Five were injured when a man broke into a Rabbi’s home and started knifing people who had gathered for a Hanukkah celebration. The city’s Mayor DeBlasio blames Washington while Rudy Giuliani points to the Mayor saying that he’s not doing enough to stop such attacks. “He should be paying more attention to what’s going on”

One of the books I gratefully received for Christmas was Mike Rowe’s “The Way I Heard  It”. His initial story involved an Army corporal named Kaminsky who during World War 2 risked climbing a 40 foot Belgium tower in order to place a speaker that would send American classics such as “Toot, Toot Tootsie Goodbye” to the nearby enemy German troops. His daring and sense of humor served him well as he later carved out a great show business career, becoming better known at Mel Brooks.

2016 saw The Trump presidential campaign dole out more than a million dollars to Victory Solutions, a minor Ohio telemarketer who owed hundreds of thousands of bucks to the Internal Revenue Service and was being sued by investors. The following year, it filed for bankruptcy. Meantime, the White House has awarded the company’s chief exec, Shannon Burns, a job as an associate, managing official presidential appearances including those rallies stuffed with screaming MAGA hat wearers.   

Baby names that soared in popularity during 2019 were: Girls- Everly, Luna and Skylar.  Boys: Maverick, River and King. Down the road I can just hear these wedding ceremony questions, “Do you Skylar take Maverick as your lawfully wedded husband?” and “River do you take Everly as your wife”. Here are some of the names parents wanted to use but were rejected by the courts:  Messiah, Facebook, Nutella, Mini Cooper, Fish and Chips (for twins). Let’s hear it for the courts!

Wishing you and yours Love and Good Health during 2020 from Bev and myself.