Major League Baseball formally announced that the independent Atlantic League would be experimenting with a number of potential changes which could take place in MLB. These changes include moving the pitching mound back two feet to 62 feet, 6 inches from home plate, robot umpires to assist in calling balls and strikes, a ban on shifts and widening the bases from 15 to 18 inches. I'm not sure why Manfred doesn't install a field goal post in center field.
I suppose we can be grateful they aren't putting runners on first and second during extra inning games as was done in the World Baseball Classic in 2017. But this simply annoys me to no end.
It annoys me because it tells me that MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred doesn't like baseball very much. All we have been hearing about from Manfred since he became Commissioner in 2015 is pace of play and pace of game. In 2018, Manfred called pace of play "a fan issue." In all the years I've been watching baseball, I've never seen a fan tell me they watched a game at the ballpark, on TV or listened to it on the radio tell me that it was too long. But when you repeat something often enough people accept it as fact. Sports Illustrated was too busy complaining how long World Series games between the Red Sox and Dodgers were as compared to when they last faced off in the Fall Classic in 1916 to appreciate what was in front of them.
From where I sit, Manfred is a bureaucrat and bureaucrats like to give the appearance of being busy and doing something when it usually makes things worse than they were. During my lifetime, there have been three significant changes to the game - the DH rule, interleague play and instant replay. I could easily do without the first two.
There is nothing fundamentally wrong with the way baseball is played. By its very geometry, it is different from football, basketball, hockey, soccer and tennis. The game takes place in a diamond where the defense has the ball. Because of that the pace isn't as fast as the other sports, but it can be depending on the given day. To me that is the beauty of baseball. Every game has its own rhythm within the confines of the diamond and there is no need to disrupt that rhythm or the diamond.
Of course, Manfred isn't the first busybody Commissioner bought and paid for by shortsighted owners. Yet as baseball historian Glenn Stout once said, "Baseball will survive the idiots who run it." I suppose the same can be said of America. But it was George Harrison who sang, "All things must pass away."
Baseball has been one of the few consistent joys of my life. In a life where I have seldom known where I stand from one day to the next, I have always taken comfort in knowing the pitcher's mound is 60 feet, 6 inches from home plate. I have a bad feeling that sense of comfort shall soon disappear.
Friday, March 8, 2019
Thursday, March 7, 2019
Gillibrand Is The Lone Democrat to Criticize Omar By Name For Her Anti-Semitism
As someone who cannot stand President Trump, I am quite dismayed with the Democratic Party.
House Democrats passed a mealy mouthed resolution condemning anti-Semitism among other forms of hate and did not mention Ilan Omar by name. Speaker Nancy Pelosi denied Omar is anti-Semitic and incredulously claimed, "She didn't have a full appreciation of how they landed on other people where these words have a history and a cultural impact that might have been unknown to her." Um, Omar's "Israel hypnotizing the world" tweet was composed in 2012 and was defending it back in January. Omar is well aware of her message and its intent. Needless to say, whatever warmth I was feeling towards Pelosi before, during and after the government shutdown has gone out the window.
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said Omar's comments aren't as bad as Iowa Republican Steve King's history of racism. Of course, I've already commented on House Whip Jim Clyburn's view that Omar's experience was more personal than those who had family members perish in The Holocaust and in the hours since has not budged from that position.
Sadly, a lot of the Democratic presidential contenders weren't any better. Bernie Sanders declared:
Criticism of the Israeli government itself is not anti-Semitism, and we have to make that separation quite clear. So, anti-Semitism, absolutely, unacceptable and must be fought at every level. Criticism of the Israeli government and their policies is not, per se, anti-Semitism.
Branding criticism of Israel as automatically anti-Semitic has a chilling effect on our public discourse and makes it harder to achieve a peaceful solution between Israelis and Palestinians. Threats of violence -- like those made against Rep. Omar -- are never acceptable.
We all have a responsibility to speak out against anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, homophobia, transphobia, racism, and all forms of hatred and bigotry.
But like some of my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus, I am concerned that the spotlight being put on Congresswoman Omar may put her at risk.
Speech that fuels hate and prejudice has no place in public discourse, whether it’s directed at Jews, Muslims, African Americans or other Americans. Those with critical views of Israel, such as Congresswoman Omar, should be able to express their views without employing anti-Semitic tropes about money or influence, just as those critical of Congresswoman Omar should not be using Islamophobic language and imagery that incites violence, such as what we saw in West Virginia.
We must also call out the hypocrisy of the Republican Party in this instance. Many Republicans have taken offense to Congresswoman Omar’s remarks and condemned her in the harshest terms, but said little or nothing when President Trump defended white supremacists at Charlottesville or when Leader McCarthy promoted a conspiracy about Jewish donors buying elections.
Both are unacceptable. As elected officials, we must be held to a higher standard and we must all do better.
House Democrats passed a mealy mouthed resolution condemning anti-Semitism among other forms of hate and did not mention Ilan Omar by name. Speaker Nancy Pelosi denied Omar is anti-Semitic and incredulously claimed, "She didn't have a full appreciation of how they landed on other people where these words have a history and a cultural impact that might have been unknown to her." Um, Omar's "Israel hypnotizing the world" tweet was composed in 2012 and was defending it back in January. Omar is well aware of her message and its intent. Needless to say, whatever warmth I was feeling towards Pelosi before, during and after the government shutdown has gone out the window.
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said Omar's comments aren't as bad as Iowa Republican Steve King's history of racism. Of course, I've already commented on House Whip Jim Clyburn's view that Omar's experience was more personal than those who had family members perish in The Holocaust and in the hours since has not budged from that position.
Sadly, a lot of the Democratic presidential contenders weren't any better. Bernie Sanders declared:
Criticism of the Israeli government itself is not anti-Semitism, and we have to make that separation quite clear. So, anti-Semitism, absolutely, unacceptable and must be fought at every level. Criticism of the Israeli government and their policies is not, per se, anti-Semitism.
How exactly does criticizing the loyalty of American Jews have anything to do with criticizing the Israeli government?
Meanwhile, both Elizabeth Warren and Kamala Harris also defended Omar and treated her like the victim. Here's Warren:
But criticizing the loyalty of American Jews to this country is absolutely anti-Semitic. And who exactly is making threats of violence against Omar? AIPAC? The ADL? Warren doesn't say who.
Most disappointing though is Kamala Harris who I thought had some pro-Israel bonafides. Alas, Harris hears where the wind is blowing and is following instead of leading:
We all have a responsibility to speak out against anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, homophobia, transphobia, racism, and all forms of hatred and bigotry.
But like some of my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus, I am concerned that the spotlight being put on Congresswoman Omar may put her at risk.
At risk by whom? What Harris is really saying while we have a duty to speak out against anti-Semitism it only applies if it comes from Republicans and that someone like Omar who is a woman, a racial minority and a Muslim is above criticism. The corruption of identity politics on full display.
Much to my surprise, the only Democrat who was prepared to criticize Omar by name is New York Senator and 2020 presidential hopeful Kirsten Gillibrand. While Gillibrand was strongly critical of Republican tolerance of Trump's racism, she did not shy away from the real elephant in the room (or in this case donkey):
We must also call out the hypocrisy of the Republican Party in this instance. Many Republicans have taken offense to Congresswoman Omar’s remarks and condemned her in the harshest terms, but said little or nothing when President Trump defended white supremacists at Charlottesville or when Leader McCarthy promoted a conspiracy about Jewish donors buying elections.
Both are unacceptable. As elected officials, we must be held to a higher standard and we must all do better.
Who would have thought that Gillibrand, who has a long history of flip-flopping, would emerge with the profile in courage.
Knowing Gillibrand's history, there is always the possibility she could change her mind tomorrow. No doubt this stand won't help her with the Democratic Party's so-called progressive wing. Perhaps she already knows her chances aren't good and is putting political considerations aside. While I have reservations about Gillibrand, I'll remember her for going against the wind on this one. If she is still around by the time New York has its primary I could very well cast a vote for Kirsten Gillibrand.
A Thought for Tom Seaver
Tom Seaver, a nearly unanimous Hall of Fame pitcher, has been diagnosed with dementia and is withdrawing from public life. In recent years, Seaver has had trouble with memory loss but it was attributed to Lyme disease which he first contracted in 1991.
Seaver pitched the bulk of his career with the New York Mets emerging as a star in 1969 when he won the first of his three NL Cy Young Awards and was the centerpiece of the Miracle Mets who shocked the world by winning their first World Series in franchise history after being baseball's laughing stock since their expansion season in 1962 when they lost a modern MLB record 120 games. Due to his health, Seaver will be unable to attend ceremonies at Citi Field for the 50th anniversary festivities of the '69 Mets World Series title. However, the Mets plan to give a special honor to Seaver during the season. Many Mets fans believe Seaver should be honored with a statue.
Known as Tom Terrific, Seaver led the NL in strikeouts five times, in ERA thrice, was named to 12 NL All-Star Teams and finished his career with 311 wins. Seaver also had stints with the Cincinnati Reds, Chicago White Sox and the Boston Red Sox. A case could be made that Seaver should have won a fourth NL Cy Young in 1981 when he went 14-2 with a 2.54 ERA with the Reds during the strike shortened season, but was overshadowed by Fernandomania that summer.
Most of Seaver's post-playing career was spent in the broadcast booth for both the Mets and the Yankees as well as with NBC. In this century, Seaver focused most of his attention on his winery in Napa County along with his wife Nancy and this is where he will spend the sunset of his years. It is a terrible diagnosis, but he will remain California's wine country where he can live his remaining days in peace.
House Majority Whip Clyburn Defends Omar's Anti-Semitism By Trivializing The Holocaust
Democrats just keep stepping into it where it concerns the anti-Semitism of freshman Congresswoman Ilhan Omar.
Today, it was House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn's turn in an interview with The Hill. Clyburn excused her anti-Semitism on account of her experiences as a Somali refugee:
Her experience, Clyburn argued, is much more empirical — and powerful — than that of people who are generations removed from the Holocaust, Japanese internment camps during World War II and the other violent episodes that have marked history.
“I’m serious about that. There are people who tell me, ‘Well, my parents are Holocaust survivors.’ ‘My parents did this.’ It’s more personal with her,” Clyburn said. “I’ve talked to her, and I can tell you she is living through a lot of pain.”
Where to begin?
Could Clyburn please explain what do Jews have to do with Omar's pain? What do Jews have to do with the civil war in Somalia during the 1990's? How do Jews figure in her "empirical" experience?
If Omar is living through a lot of pain then perhaps she shouldn't be seeking elected office and determining public policy by singling out a group of people who had nothing to do with her troubles.
As for saying Jews are far removed from the experience of the Holocaust, I would remind him there are still living Holocaust survivors among us. It is very personal with them and their descendants. It is very personal for Jews not directly affected by it because it serves as a reminder that we are the world's eternal scapegoats. It doesn't take much for anti-Semitism to bubble to the surface. Today's refusal to condemn anti-Semitism is tomorrow's synagogue massacre and next year's concentration camp.
Somehow I cannot imagine Clyburn, who is African-American, saying the black community is far removed from slavery even those who were directly affected by it have been dead for centuries. Indeed, Democratic presidential hopefuls Kamala Harris and Elizabeth Warren are both discussing reparations. While, to be fair, Clyburn opposes reparations I don't think he would trivialize its legacy in the African-American community.
It is also worth noting that there are also still living survivors of Japanese internment camps such as Star Trek alum George Takei. I am curious what he thinks of Clyburn's remarks.
Democrats could have done the right thing and condemned Omar's anti-Semitism. Instead, they are excused and rationalized Omar's behavior and now the House Whip has seen fit to trivialize The Holocaust as a thing of the past.
Clyburn ought to step down. But I doubt he will resign any more than Omar will be condemned for her anti-Semitism.
Today, it was House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn's turn in an interview with The Hill. Clyburn excused her anti-Semitism on account of her experiences as a Somali refugee:
Her experience, Clyburn argued, is much more empirical — and powerful — than that of people who are generations removed from the Holocaust, Japanese internment camps during World War II and the other violent episodes that have marked history.
“I’m serious about that. There are people who tell me, ‘Well, my parents are Holocaust survivors.’ ‘My parents did this.’ It’s more personal with her,” Clyburn said. “I’ve talked to her, and I can tell you she is living through a lot of pain.”
Where to begin?
Could Clyburn please explain what do Jews have to do with Omar's pain? What do Jews have to do with the civil war in Somalia during the 1990's? How do Jews figure in her "empirical" experience?
If Omar is living through a lot of pain then perhaps she shouldn't be seeking elected office and determining public policy by singling out a group of people who had nothing to do with her troubles.
As for saying Jews are far removed from the experience of the Holocaust, I would remind him there are still living Holocaust survivors among us. It is very personal with them and their descendants. It is very personal for Jews not directly affected by it because it serves as a reminder that we are the world's eternal scapegoats. It doesn't take much for anti-Semitism to bubble to the surface. Today's refusal to condemn anti-Semitism is tomorrow's synagogue massacre and next year's concentration camp.
Somehow I cannot imagine Clyburn, who is African-American, saying the black community is far removed from slavery even those who were directly affected by it have been dead for centuries. Indeed, Democratic presidential hopefuls Kamala Harris and Elizabeth Warren are both discussing reparations. While, to be fair, Clyburn opposes reparations I don't think he would trivialize its legacy in the African-American community.
It is also worth noting that there are also still living survivors of Japanese internment camps such as Star Trek alum George Takei. I am curious what he thinks of Clyburn's remarks.
Democrats could have done the right thing and condemned Omar's anti-Semitism. Instead, they are excused and rationalized Omar's behavior and now the House Whip has seen fit to trivialize The Holocaust as a thing of the past.
Clyburn ought to step down. But I doubt he will resign any more than Omar will be condemned for her anti-Semitism.
Wednesday, March 6, 2019
A Thought For Alex Trebek
Nothing is forever, but sometimes you take things for granted. The sun rises in the East, it sets in the West and Alex Trebek is the host of Jeopardy!
But now Trebek finds himself in jeopardy. Today, the Canadian born TV personality announced he had been diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer. Despite its low odds of survival, the 78-year old insists he will keep hosting the show as he is under contract for three more years.
This is half the battle. A determination to fight with good humor. He'll need it because I'm sure there will be rough days ahead. But I have a feeling cancer might have picked the wrong target. Cancer might be more scared of Trebek than Trebek is of it. No question about it.
But now Trebek finds himself in jeopardy. Today, the Canadian born TV personality announced he had been diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer. Despite its low odds of survival, the 78-year old insists he will keep hosting the show as he is under contract for three more years.
This is half the battle. A determination to fight with good humor. He'll need it because I'm sure there will be rough days ahead. But I have a feeling cancer might have picked the wrong target. Cancer might be more scared of Trebek than Trebek is of it. No question about it.
Democrats Are Ceding The High Ground to Trump on Anti-Semitism
For once I agree with President Trump's tweets:
It is shameful that House Democrats won’t take a stronger stand against Anti-Semitism in their conference. Anti-Semitism has fueled atrocities throughout history and it’s inconceivable they will not act to condemn it!
OK, this tweet was probably not written by Trump himself, but he certainly approved its message.
And yes, Trump has his own problems with bigotry. This is why I responded with a tweet of my own:
For once you are right. If House Democrats cannot condemn anti-Semitism they'll face the same fate that has befallen Britain's Labour Party where Jews are harassed simply for being Jewish. With that said, please refrain from besmirching judges of Mexican heritage, Mr. President.
Democrats need to get their act together. This shouldn't be a tough call. However, The WaPo describes the divisions among House Democrats and inability to make a firm stand against anti-Semitism:
But moments later, multiple House members stood up to challenge the decision — endorsed by Pelosi and the rest of the House Democratic leadership — to move forward with a resolution condemning religious hatred. Initially the measure targeted only anti-Semitism, with some Democrats pushing for a direct rebuke of Omar, but by Tuesday night — facing backlash from members not on board with the plan — leaders decided to expand it to include anti-Muslim bias.
On Wednesday morning, it was unclear whether there was consensus around passing any sort of legislation at all.
This is a byproduct of identity politics and how Jews have been expelled from the coalition of the oppressed. The Left is quick to condemn racism, but when it's one of their own displaying their bigotry and at that bigot is a woman, a person of color and a Muslim then it is something they don't want to touch with a ten foot poll.
This could also be a byproduct of letting a 29-year old freshman with a large Twitter following determining what is worthy or not worthy of condemnation.
Whatever the reasons, Democrats are ceding the high ground to Trump on the question of anti-Semitism. If Democrats want to unseat Trump in 2020 then they are going to have to get their house in order and practice what they preach.
It is shameful that House Democrats won’t take a stronger stand against Anti-Semitism in their conference. Anti-Semitism has fueled atrocities throughout history and it’s inconceivable they will not act to condemn it!
OK, this tweet was probably not written by Trump himself, but he certainly approved its message.
And yes, Trump has his own problems with bigotry. This is why I responded with a tweet of my own:
For once you are right. If House Democrats cannot condemn anti-Semitism they'll face the same fate that has befallen Britain's Labour Party where Jews are harassed simply for being Jewish. With that said, please refrain from besmirching judges of Mexican heritage, Mr. President.
Democrats need to get their act together. This shouldn't be a tough call. However, The WaPo describes the divisions among House Democrats and inability to make a firm stand against anti-Semitism:
But moments later, multiple House members stood up to challenge the decision — endorsed by Pelosi and the rest of the House Democratic leadership — to move forward with a resolution condemning religious hatred. Initially the measure targeted only anti-Semitism, with some Democrats pushing for a direct rebuke of Omar, but by Tuesday night — facing backlash from members not on board with the plan — leaders decided to expand it to include anti-Muslim bias.
On Wednesday morning, it was unclear whether there was consensus around passing any sort of legislation at all.
This is a byproduct of identity politics and how Jews have been expelled from the coalition of the oppressed. The Left is quick to condemn racism, but when it's one of their own displaying their bigotry and at that bigot is a woman, a person of color and a Muslim then it is something they don't want to touch with a ten foot poll.
This could also be a byproduct of letting a 29-year old freshman with a large Twitter following determining what is worthy or not worthy of condemnation.
Whatever the reasons, Democrats are ceding the high ground to Trump on the question of anti-Semitism. If Democrats want to unseat Trump in 2020 then they are going to have to get their house in order and practice what they preach.
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
AOC Excuses Omar's Anti-Semitism; Pelosi Backs Down
House Democrats were all set to vote on a resolution tomorrow condemning anti-Semitism prompted by a series of anti-Semitic statements made by Minnesota Democrat Ilhan Omar, but now that vote has been delayed until at least Thursday by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The resolution is likely to be watered down to include language pertaining to Islamophobia.
For this we can thank Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez who rushed to her fellow freshman's defense in a series of Tweets beginning with this one:
It’s not my position to tell people how to feel, or that their hurt is invalid. But incidents like these do beg the question: where are the resolutions against homophobic statements? For anti-blackness? For xenophobia? For a member saying he’ll “send Obama home to Kenya?”
I often think about how I work with white or male allies when they say something insensitive. The 1st thing I do is pull them aside + say “hey, you may not be aware of X thing regarding Latinx people, but here is the history and it’s hurtful. If you want to learn more, read Y.”
For this we can thank Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez who rushed to her fellow freshman's defense in a series of Tweets beginning with this one:
It’s not my position to tell people how to feel, or that their hurt is invalid. But incidents like these do beg the question: where are the resolutions against homophobic statements? For anti-blackness? For xenophobia? For a member saying he’ll “send Obama home to Kenya?”
So because Congress might not see fit to condemn homophobia or xenophobia therefore we mustn't condemn anti-Semitism.
This is a cop out.
It is an attempt to minimize anti-Semitism and to absolve Omar from responsibility for her repeated defamation of Jews. Evidently Pelosi is going to let someone who has been in elected office for all of two months run the show. At this point, AOC has no reason to believe otherwise:
If AOC talked that way to me I would say, "Hey, you might not be aware that when you spoke with Jeremy Corbyn over that 85% of British Jews think Corbyn is an anti-Semite. If you want to learn more, please give Britain's former chief rabbi a ring."
Somehow I don't think she would be so receptive to that message.
Britain's Labour Party used to be the political home of Jews. That is until Jeremy Corbyn came along.
I have a bad feeling that in the not so distant future we will say, "The Democratic Party used to be the political home of American Jews. That is until Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez came along."
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