Comedian Jimmy Kimmel devoted part of his monologue last night to the school shooting in Parkland, Florida on Valentine's Day which claimed the lives of 17 people, 15 students and two staff members. After playing a clip of President Trump's comments on the shooting, Kimmel said the following:
Agreed. So I agree with both of those statements. And here’s what you do
to fix that: Tell your buddies in Congress, tell Paul Ryan and Mitch
McConnell and Marco Rubio, all the family men who care so much about
their communities, that what we need are laws, real laws, that do
everything possible to keep assault rifles out of the hands of people
who are going to shoot our kids. Go on TV and tell them to do that.
But Kimmel doesn't say what he wants Trump to tell Congress to do. Does he want more background checks? Does he want a ban on the sale of AR-15 rifles? Or does he want the implementation of a mandatory buy back & confiscation program?
Kimmel did take Trump and Congress to task for a "roll back the regulations that were designed to keep firearms out of the hands of the mentally ill." In February 2017, Trump approved Congress' reversal of such a regulation implemented by the Obama Administration to do just that, well sort of. Following the December 2015 San Bernardino attacks, Obama issued an executive order requiring the Social Security Administration to submit information to the National Instant Background Check System of people "adjudicated as a mental defective". This regulation would have affected approximately 75,000 people. But unless the suspect in the Parkland shooting had a) applied for Social Security disability benefits and b) been deemed a mental defective then there's a good chance this regulation would have no effect. It wouldn't have had an effect in Las Vegas. Nor for that matter would it have had an effect in San Bernardino where a straw buyer was involved.
Indeed, it is worth noting that Kimmel didn't state Trump should reverse himself on repealing Obama's executive order. I suspect that Kimmel didn't get into specifics because deep down he knows that such measures don't yield any meaningful results.
I do, however, agree with Kimmel on one thing he said:
It is amazing to me that if one illegal immigrant causes a car accident,
we’ve got to build a wall to keep the rest of them out. Why are you
looking for solutions to that problem and not this one?
This is absolutely true. If the perpetrator in Parkland, Florida had been an illegal immigrant, Trump would not have adopted any measured tones. He and his Republican lemmings would be screaming to do something - namely building a wall. But what good is a wall when it comes to someone who has overstayed their tourist or student visa? What of the 9/11 hijackers? There are laws on the books, but they don't mean much if they aren't properly enforced.
The truth of the matter is that people on both sides of the political spectrum are guilty of either inflicting easy answers upon us or demand that we do something without saying what ought to be done. Whatever the solution there's a good chance the cure will be worse than the disease.
Of course, no parent should have to worry about whether they'll see their child again when they leave home to go to school. But I wonder how many of those parents own at least one firearm. Is Jimmy Kimmel among them? If Kimmel does own a firearm would he prepared to have the government take it away from him in the name of ensuring his child's safety away from the home? In that instance, I'm not so sure Kimmel would be so eager to say do something.
Friday, February 16, 2018
Tuesday, February 13, 2018
Tom Rapp, R.I.P.
Tom Rapp, the founder and lead singer of the 1960's psychedelic group Pearls Before Swine who later became a civil rights attorney, has passed away at the age of 70.
I must confess I was unfamiliar with Rapp and his music until two years ago when I began to hear Pearls Before Swine as well as some of Rapp's solo music on my Google Play Music service. Combine Rapp's vocal lisp with gorgeous arrangements and you have music which lasts.
My favorite Pearls Before Swine song is "The Jeweler" which was later covered in the early 1980's by This Mortal Coil. The original is truly original from the opening vocals. Please have a listen. R.I.P.
I must confess I was unfamiliar with Rapp and his music until two years ago when I began to hear Pearls Before Swine as well as some of Rapp's solo music on my Google Play Music service. Combine Rapp's vocal lisp with gorgeous arrangements and you have music which lasts.
My favorite Pearls Before Swine song is "The Jeweler" which was later covered in the early 1980's by This Mortal Coil. The original is truly original from the opening vocals. Please have a listen. R.I.P.
Sunday, February 11, 2018
Some Thoughts For My Grandmother
On February 1st, my maternal grandmother Anna Marconi passed away at the age of 98.
In recent weeks, she had fallen on two occasions requiring hospitalization on both occasions. Although it was very likely she would need to transfer from her retirement home to a long term care facility, her condition was not deemed to be imperiled. But at that age and in unfamiliar surroundings, the stability of one's health is not predictable. Sadly, her condition deteriorated very suddenly.
Naturally, I wanted to travel up to Ottawa to attend her funeral. Unfortunately, my ongoing work situation (or lack thereof) is now such that I must leave my apartment of 10 years. Needless to say there are pressing matters which required me to remain here in Boston. Fortunately, my family is understanding about these circumstances.
Of course, I had been looking forward to the possibility of grandma reaching her 100th birthday in August 2019. Although cenetarians are is less of a rarity now reaching that mark is nevertheless a remarkable achievement which deserves a joyous celebration. Alas, this will not come to pass.
With that said, I think if you told most people they would live to the age of 98 they would be reasonably satisfied. Born Anna Alampi she grew up in Reggio in the Calabrian region of Italy, she emigrated to Canada in her early teens settling in Coleman, Alberta, a coal mining community in the Crowsnest Pass. She would not return to her native land for 70 years until my parents took her back there on vacation in 2002.
On September 1, 1939, she married Jack Marconi. Yes, my grandparents were married the same day Hitler invaded Poland. Needless to say their union easily outlasted the Third Reich. By the time my grandmother married my grandfather, he had been working in the mines nearly a decade earlier at the age of 15. They would become parents of two children. First came my Uncle John who still lives outside Ottawa. Then came my mother Arlene three and a half years later. Eight grandchildren (including myself) plus numerous great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren would follow. My grandparents were married 60 years until granddad died in April 2000, shortly after I moved to Boston.
When I was growing up in Thunder Bay, we usually saw my grandparents once a year during the summer. I saw them more frequently in 1978-1979 when my Dad took his sabbatical to Victoria, British Columbia. We stayed in Coleman en route to Victoria and on the way back with them visiting us in B.C. I had more extensive contact with my grandparents when they took care of us (save for my older brother Ezra who was in New York City) during the summer of 1983 when my parents went to Europe. While my grandfather was sweet and prone to spoiling his grandchildren, my grandmother was far more strict, less likely to offer praise and was blunt. Although she had mellowed somewhat when she and my grandfather moved to Ottawa in 1995, she still had her moments. I can recall during one visit in 2009 she told me, "Aaron, you're fat!!!" Needless to say, this didn't fill me with confidence. But having looked at a picture taken of me with her from that visit which was shown during her funeral, I have to admit she was right. I just wish she had a chance to see me 30 pounds lighter.
But my grandmother had a very strong artistic side. She spent many years making pottery, jewels and painting. On her 95th birthday, I made a point of giving her a large paint brush as her tribute to her artistry.
In some ways I wish I had known her better. While I have seen many pictures of her in her youth, I saw a picture of her on a horse. I don't ever remember seeing that picture. If I had then I surely would have asked her about it. It certainly would have given me a greater understanding of how she adapted to life in Canada. But adapt she did. R.I.P.
In recent weeks, she had fallen on two occasions requiring hospitalization on both occasions. Although it was very likely she would need to transfer from her retirement home to a long term care facility, her condition was not deemed to be imperiled. But at that age and in unfamiliar surroundings, the stability of one's health is not predictable. Sadly, her condition deteriorated very suddenly.
Naturally, I wanted to travel up to Ottawa to attend her funeral. Unfortunately, my ongoing work situation (or lack thereof) is now such that I must leave my apartment of 10 years. Needless to say there are pressing matters which required me to remain here in Boston. Fortunately, my family is understanding about these circumstances.
Of course, I had been looking forward to the possibility of grandma reaching her 100th birthday in August 2019. Although cenetarians are is less of a rarity now reaching that mark is nevertheless a remarkable achievement which deserves a joyous celebration. Alas, this will not come to pass.
With that said, I think if you told most people they would live to the age of 98 they would be reasonably satisfied. Born Anna Alampi she grew up in Reggio in the Calabrian region of Italy, she emigrated to Canada in her early teens settling in Coleman, Alberta, a coal mining community in the Crowsnest Pass. She would not return to her native land for 70 years until my parents took her back there on vacation in 2002.
On September 1, 1939, she married Jack Marconi. Yes, my grandparents were married the same day Hitler invaded Poland. Needless to say their union easily outlasted the Third Reich. By the time my grandmother married my grandfather, he had been working in the mines nearly a decade earlier at the age of 15. They would become parents of two children. First came my Uncle John who still lives outside Ottawa. Then came my mother Arlene three and a half years later. Eight grandchildren (including myself) plus numerous great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren would follow. My grandparents were married 60 years until granddad died in April 2000, shortly after I moved to Boston.
When I was growing up in Thunder Bay, we usually saw my grandparents once a year during the summer. I saw them more frequently in 1978-1979 when my Dad took his sabbatical to Victoria, British Columbia. We stayed in Coleman en route to Victoria and on the way back with them visiting us in B.C. I had more extensive contact with my grandparents when they took care of us (save for my older brother Ezra who was in New York City) during the summer of 1983 when my parents went to Europe. While my grandfather was sweet and prone to spoiling his grandchildren, my grandmother was far more strict, less likely to offer praise and was blunt. Although she had mellowed somewhat when she and my grandfather moved to Ottawa in 1995, she still had her moments. I can recall during one visit in 2009 she told me, "Aaron, you're fat!!!" Needless to say, this didn't fill me with confidence. But having looked at a picture taken of me with her from that visit which was shown during her funeral, I have to admit she was right. I just wish she had a chance to see me 30 pounds lighter.
But my grandmother had a very strong artistic side. She spent many years making pottery, jewels and painting. On her 95th birthday, I made a point of giving her a large paint brush as her tribute to her artistry.
In some ways I wish I had known her better. While I have seen many pictures of her in her youth, I saw a picture of her on a horse. I don't ever remember seeing that picture. If I had then I surely would have asked her about it. It certainly would have given me a greater understanding of how she adapted to life in Canada. But adapt she did. R.I.P.
Saturday, February 10, 2018
Are The Cubs Better Off With Yu Darvish Than Jake Arrieta?
The Chicago Cubs have persuaded free agent pitcher Yu Darvish to sign a six year, $126 million contract to come to Wrigleyville.
This effectively means that Jake Arrieta's tenure with the Cubs is over. Arrieta had been seeking a contract in the range $200 million. The most the Cubs were willing to offer was in the neighborhood of $110 million over four years. That would amount to $27.5 million per year as opposed to $21 million Darvish will get. But why were the Cubs willing to give Darvish six years and Arrieta only four? Arrieta is only six months older than Darvish.
It might come down to strikeouts. Although Darvish had a so-so 10-12 record with a 3.86 ERA with both the Texas Rangers and the Los Angeles Dodgers last year, he also fanned 209 batters in only 186 2/3 innings pitched. Meanwhile, Arrieta went 14-10 with a 3.53 but fanned 163 batters in 168 1/3 innings pitched.
It could also be the case the Cubs think Arrieta had a career year when he won the NL Cy Young Award in 2015 and will not reach those heights again. Then again Darvish has been a .500 pitcher since coming back from Tommy John surgery in 2016.
The question remains is where Arrieta will end up. The Brewers? The Nationals? Perhaps Southern California - Angels or Dodgers? But it won't be in the Windy City.
This effectively means that Jake Arrieta's tenure with the Cubs is over. Arrieta had been seeking a contract in the range $200 million. The most the Cubs were willing to offer was in the neighborhood of $110 million over four years. That would amount to $27.5 million per year as opposed to $21 million Darvish will get. But why were the Cubs willing to give Darvish six years and Arrieta only four? Arrieta is only six months older than Darvish.
It might come down to strikeouts. Although Darvish had a so-so 10-12 record with a 3.86 ERA with both the Texas Rangers and the Los Angeles Dodgers last year, he also fanned 209 batters in only 186 2/3 innings pitched. Meanwhile, Arrieta went 14-10 with a 3.53 but fanned 163 batters in 168 1/3 innings pitched.
It could also be the case the Cubs think Arrieta had a career year when he won the NL Cy Young Award in 2015 and will not reach those heights again. Then again Darvish has been a .500 pitcher since coming back from Tommy John surgery in 2016.
The question remains is where Arrieta will end up. The Brewers? The Nationals? Perhaps Southern California - Angels or Dodgers? But it won't be in the Windy City.
Did You Know Wally Moon Bested Both Hank Aaron & Ernie Banks for 1954 NL Rookie of the Year?
Former St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Wally Moon has passed away at the age of 87.
After a distinguished collegiate career, Moon signed with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1950. Prior to the 1954 season, Moon was told by the Cardinals to report to minor league camp. Moon made the brash move of reporting to big league camp and demanding he be given the chance to make the big league roster or retire. The Cardinals took Moon up on his offer and he had a such a good spring training he was named the starting right fielder replacing the popular Enos Slaughter who was then traded to the New York Yankees.
This was not a popular move in St. Louis as Slaughter had played his entire 13-year MLB career with the Cardinals. But Moon quickly won over fans by hitting a home run in his very first big league at bat. Moon hit .304 with 12 HR and 76 RBI along with 18 stolen bases. Those numbers earned him the 1954 NL Rookie of the Year easily beating out future Hall of Famers Hank Aaron and Ernie Banks.
Moon would make his first NL All-Star Team in 1957. That year he would hit a career high 24 home runs. However, Moon's numbers slipped in 1958 when he mustered only 7 home runs along with a 57 point drop in his batting average to .238. The Cardinals would trade Moon to the Los Angeles Dodgers for outfielder Gino Cimoli prior to the 1959 season.
This trade proved to be over the moon for the Dodgers. Moon would have the best year of his career in 1959 leading the NL in triples which was good enough to finish fourth in NL MVP balloting and earning the first of three World Series rings with the Dodgers over the next seven years. Although Cimoli drove in 72 runs for the Cardinals in 1959, he was shipped off to Pittsburgh the following year.
While Moon did not have the Hall of Fame career of Aaron or Banks, he won more World Series rings than both of them combined. In 12 big league seasons, Moon hit .289 with 142 HR and 661 RBI. If you've ever heard the term "Moon Shot" in baseball you can thank Moon. Although 142 HR wasn't Aaron like, he tended to hit his home runs long distances. Those home runs made Moon the favorite player of Dodgers fans like Bryan Cranston of Breaking Bad fame. In fact, Cranston named his production company Moon Shot Productions in honor of his favorite player.
Moon was profiled by his alma mater during last year's World Series between the Dodgers and Astros. Their timing couldn't have been better. R.I.P.
After a distinguished collegiate career, Moon signed with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1950. Prior to the 1954 season, Moon was told by the Cardinals to report to minor league camp. Moon made the brash move of reporting to big league camp and demanding he be given the chance to make the big league roster or retire. The Cardinals took Moon up on his offer and he had a such a good spring training he was named the starting right fielder replacing the popular Enos Slaughter who was then traded to the New York Yankees.
This was not a popular move in St. Louis as Slaughter had played his entire 13-year MLB career with the Cardinals. But Moon quickly won over fans by hitting a home run in his very first big league at bat. Moon hit .304 with 12 HR and 76 RBI along with 18 stolen bases. Those numbers earned him the 1954 NL Rookie of the Year easily beating out future Hall of Famers Hank Aaron and Ernie Banks.
Moon would make his first NL All-Star Team in 1957. That year he would hit a career high 24 home runs. However, Moon's numbers slipped in 1958 when he mustered only 7 home runs along with a 57 point drop in his batting average to .238. The Cardinals would trade Moon to the Los Angeles Dodgers for outfielder Gino Cimoli prior to the 1959 season.
This trade proved to be over the moon for the Dodgers. Moon would have the best year of his career in 1959 leading the NL in triples which was good enough to finish fourth in NL MVP balloting and earning the first of three World Series rings with the Dodgers over the next seven years. Although Cimoli drove in 72 runs for the Cardinals in 1959, he was shipped off to Pittsburgh the following year.
While Moon did not have the Hall of Fame career of Aaron or Banks, he won more World Series rings than both of them combined. In 12 big league seasons, Moon hit .289 with 142 HR and 661 RBI. If you've ever heard the term "Moon Shot" in baseball you can thank Moon. Although 142 HR wasn't Aaron like, he tended to hit his home runs long distances. Those home runs made Moon the favorite player of Dodgers fans like Bryan Cranston of Breaking Bad fame. In fact, Cranston named his production company Moon Shot Productions in honor of his favorite player.
Moon was profiled by his alma mater during last year's World Series between the Dodgers and Astros. Their timing couldn't have been better. R.I.P.
Sunday, February 4, 2018
Eagles Upset Patriots to Win Super Bowl LII; Backup QB Foles Wins MVP
There won't be a parade in Boston this time.
The five time Super Bowl champion New England Patriots could not make it six as they fell 41-33 to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII who earned their first championship in the Super Bowl era. The Eagles won the NFL Championship Game versus the Green Bay Packers back in 1960. Despite passing for 505 yards and three touchdown passes, Tom Brady couldn't do it alone.
Except for a brief period in the fourth quarter, the Eagles led most of the game and set the pace. There were two questionable touchdown catches by Corey Clement and Zach Ertz. Frankly, they would not have been counted as TDs during the regular season. Nevertheless, Eagles backup QB Nick Foles rose to the occasion with three TD passes for 373 yards and wasn't the least by intimidated by Brady or Belichick. Foles shone when he caught a TD pass by tight end Trey Burton. Earlier in the game, Brady had tried the same thing but dropped a ball thrown to him by Danny Amendola. It also didn't help that Stephen Gostkowski had missed two field goal attempts (the first miss could be attributed to a bad snap by Ryan Allen). The Pats weren't bad, but this was far from their best effort despite briefly coming back from yet another 10 point deficit.
Needless to say, Foles won the Super Bowl MVP. Despite this, he will be revert to being a back up QB after Carson Wentz returns from injury next season. Some back up.
It's probably just as well. Boston has had 10 championship parades since 2002. Yet we never seem to entirely appreciate what we have. It's not that we're sick of winning it's just that misery is our default disposition. Well, let Philly have their parade. It's been nearly a decade since they last had one after the Phillies won the 2008 World Series. Perhaps they will savor it better than us.
The five time Super Bowl champion New England Patriots could not make it six as they fell 41-33 to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII who earned their first championship in the Super Bowl era. The Eagles won the NFL Championship Game versus the Green Bay Packers back in 1960. Despite passing for 505 yards and three touchdown passes, Tom Brady couldn't do it alone.
Except for a brief period in the fourth quarter, the Eagles led most of the game and set the pace. There were two questionable touchdown catches by Corey Clement and Zach Ertz. Frankly, they would not have been counted as TDs during the regular season. Nevertheless, Eagles backup QB Nick Foles rose to the occasion with three TD passes for 373 yards and wasn't the least by intimidated by Brady or Belichick. Foles shone when he caught a TD pass by tight end Trey Burton. Earlier in the game, Brady had tried the same thing but dropped a ball thrown to him by Danny Amendola. It also didn't help that Stephen Gostkowski had missed two field goal attempts (the first miss could be attributed to a bad snap by Ryan Allen). The Pats weren't bad, but this was far from their best effort despite briefly coming back from yet another 10 point deficit.
Needless to say, Foles won the Super Bowl MVP. Despite this, he will be revert to being a back up QB after Carson Wentz returns from injury next season. Some back up.
It's probably just as well. Boston has had 10 championship parades since 2002. Yet we never seem to entirely appreciate what we have. It's not that we're sick of winning it's just that misery is our default disposition. Well, let Philly have their parade. It's been nearly a decade since they last had one after the Phillies won the 2008 World Series. Perhaps they will savor it better than us.
Friday, February 2, 2018
Dennis Edwards, R.I.P.
Former Temptations lead vocalist Dennis Edwards has passed away of a lengthy, but unknown illness one day shy of his 75th birthday.
Originally a member of The Contours, in the summer of 1968, Edwards was given the unenviable task of replacing his friend David Ruffin as the voice of Motown's most popular group aside from The Supremes. Ruffin did not help matters when he crashed Edwards' debut and several other Temptations' concerts that summer.
But Edwards would persevere and leave his vocal imprint on the group singing lead on such hits as "Cloud Nine", "I Can't Get Next to You", "Ball of Confusion" and "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone". Edwards remained with the group until he was fired by Temptations' founder Otis Williams prior to the departure from Motown in 1977, but would rejoin the group in 1980. After embarking upon a solo career in the mid-1980's, Edwards rejoined The Temptations in 1987, but was fired by Williams again in 1989. Edwards also toured and collaborated with Ruffin and Eddie Kendrick, but their deaths in the early 1990's derailed the trio's plans.
Edwards formed his own version of The Temptations during the 1990's raising the ire of Williams. After starting out as Dennis Edwards & The Temptations, the group became The Temptations Revue featuring Dennis Edwards. This group remained active until Edwards' death.
It sure was a ball of confusion. But Edwards help make that confusion sound pretty good. R.I.P.
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