$1,000 Isn't What It Used To Be But I'll Take It

 

Like many people, I like to gamble. 

I strive to do so in moderation and with minimal risk.

Smoky casinos don't do it for me. I've only been to a casino twice in my life. The first time was in the late 1990s when I was invited to go to the Casino de Hull in Hull, Quebec (across the river from Ottawa). Not having an abundance of money, I didn't play anything and was soon bored out of my mind. I also saw some very desperate people there.

The second time was nearly a decade ago when my friend Christopher Kain and I went to the Twin River Casino in Lincoln, Rhode Island to see Don Rickles perform. It was a depressing and dreary place. As I wrote at the time, "Never have I seen so many walkers, oxygen tanks, wheelchairs and canes assembled in one place."

Sadly, Don Rickles was not much longer for this world passing away 7 months later.

I prefer to do my gambling with scratch tickets.

Perhaps once a week (give or take) I like to buy a scratch ticket.

A single scratch ticket usually. I've seen too many people buy dozens of scratch tickets. Naturally, that is their business. But for me that seems too much. For me, less is more.

My favorite is the $2,500 a Week for Life game. Sometimes, I'll buy the $250 a Week for Life or the $1,000 a Week for Life game if the $2,500 a Week for Life is game is unavailable.

The idea I could win those amounts seems a more realistic proposition than playing Mega Millions or Powerball although I do play those games once in a blue moon.

Mind you, the $2,500 a Week for Life isn't actually for life. It is paid out over a 20-year period. Of course, one can take the prize in a single lumpsum. Should I ever get that ticket, I will have to do some thinking as to I would receive such a prize given the tax implications. But I'll cross that bridge should it come.

In the meantime, I do win a fair bit on this game. Usually $15, $20, $50 - a little walking around money. 

As some of you might recall, I won $100 during my most recent visit Walden Pond visit but the store wouldn't give me the money. After alerting the Massachusetts Lottery Commission about the situation, they told me I could redeem my money at any one of their outlets and recommended I go to a grocery store which would be all but guaranteed to have the cash on hand. As such, I was able to redeem my winnings from a nearby grocery store. 

Last month, on a Saturday, I sojourned to Southie to play candlepin bowling. On my way to Southie Bowl, I stopped into the J&J Discount Mini-Mart on West Broadway and bought the $2,500 a Week for Life ticket. There are six winning numbers on the ticket, and one can win up to 15 times.

I began by scratching the right-hand side of the ticket. My excitement was aroused when one of my numbers matched a prize of $400. The next column saw another number with a prize of $100. I was now at $500. The next column saw two more $100 prizes. I was now at $700. 

At this point, I was both disappointed and exhilarated. Given that lottery outlets could not redeem more than $600, I could not collect the money then and there. At the same time, I had not completed scratching the ticket.

The next column saw two more $100 prizes. I was now at $900. The last column gave me one more $100 prize to put me at a grand total of $1,000. Needless to say, I walked out of J&J Mini-Mart considerably happier than I did when I exited Cumberland Farms last November after winning $100.

And then I kept the excitement to myself. Because there was now the logistical detail of collecting the money. Until I collected the money I didn't want to tell anyone. Prior to writing this dispatch, I told Dad about my good fortune.

Those who win between $601 and $103,000 can collect their prize by mail, mobile app or visiting a local lottery office in person. I opted for the latter. However, this meant taking an afternoon off of work which meant I waited more than a month to claim my prize. All winnings must be claimed within one year.

That afternoon came today. I went to the Massachusetts Lottery Commission's headquarters in Dorchester. In very short order, I signed the back of my lottery ticket, filled out a yellow form, produced my state ID and Social Security number and received a check for $950 as 5% state tax is withheld.

Now $1,000 isn't what it used to be nor is $950. It doesn't cover the rent anymore. Of course, I'll have to pay federal tax on it next year. But for the moment I have money I would not otherwise have.

Of course, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the Massachusetts Lottery Commission sells lottery tickets including the $2,500 a Week for Life ticket. Since I was in the neighborhood, I bought a ticket. No dice this time. But there will be other days. Besides, I was still able to quit while I was ahead.

UCLA Student Gov't Calls Appearance by a Surviving Israeli Hostage Omer Shem Tov a "One-Sided Narrative"

Omer Shem Tov was kidnapped by Hamas at the Nova Music Festival on October 7, 2023 and held hostage for 505 days. 

Since his release over a year ago, Shem Tov has been telling his story and making public appearances. Last May, he even got to throw out the first pitch at Fenway Park.

Earlier this month, Shem Tov spoke at UCLA. 

Following the event, UCLA's student government condemned his visit to campus. The Undergraduate Students Association Council (USAC) issued a statement which read:

Universities must not be complicit in the production or amplification of one-sided narratives that erase systems of oppression and occupation, USAC has, and continues to stand in unwavering solidarity with Palestinian students and all those impacted by state violence and displacement.

Perhaps the USAC would have preferred that UCLA had invited Shem Tov's Hamas captors to speak on campus and regale them with tales of kidnapping, rape and murder.

Now that one would have been a one-sided narrative.

For his part, Shem Tov has issued a statement of his own:

If you are willing to silence a survivor of 505 days in captivity to protect a preconceived narrative, it’s worth pausing.

When a worldview requires you to override your own values, something is misaligned. The hope is that it’s the worldview that changes — because the values are worth keeping.

Alas, when a group of people see fit to condemn a man who was the victim of unspeakable violence it is a demonstration that they have no value system other than hatred and contempt of Jews. In their eyes, Jews are subhuman and thus Shem Tov is unworthy of any compassion and sympathy.

You are either with the hostages, or you are with Hamas. UCLA's student government has chosen Hamas.

Mets Snap 12-Game Losing Streak as Phillies Extend Their Skid to 8 Games

The New York Mets finally got into the win the column for the first time in more than 2 weeks besting the Minnesota Twins 3-2 on a Mark Vientos' single in the 8th inning. Tonight's triumph snapped a 12-game losing streak.

Perhaps the Mets got a lift from the returning Juan Soto. Unfortunately, Francisco Lindor left the game with a calf injury.

But they'll take the W.

Because the Philadelphia Phillies haven't been a winning a lot of games either. The Phillies extended their losing skid to 8 games falling to the Chicago Cubs 7-2. Conversely, the Cubs are enjoying an 8-game winning streak.

The Phillies aren't hitting, pitching or catching the ball. The sorts of things a team needs to do to win ballgames. What jumps out at me is Trea Turner batting .235. That's nearly 70 points below what he hit a year ago to win the NL batting title.

Well, perhaps misery loves company. Both the Mets and Phillies have identical records of 8-16 and are both 8½ games back of the Atlanta Braves in the NL East. Not to mention both are looking up at the Washington Nationals and Miami Marlins.

There is still time to dig out of the hole. But if things don't start changing soon, Mets and Phillies fans will be more interested in watching a wrestling match between Mr. Met and the Phillie Phanatic.

With The Trump Admin Pursuing Criminal Charges Against SPLC Will They Do The Same With The ADL?

I have one further thought about the Trump Administration's pursuit of criminal charges against the Southern Poverty Law Center. 

Is the Anti-Defamation League next?

I pose the question because the FBI severed its association with the SPLC and the ADL on the same day last October. At the time, FBI Director Kash Patel described the ADL as an "extreme group functioning like a terrorist organization."

Needless to say, I found Patel's assertions disturbing:

Keep in mind that Patel isn't some run-of-the-mill social media influencer. He is the top law enforcement official in the country. Instead of taking that role with the seriousness and sobriety it requires, Patel is claiming a long-standing civic organization "functioning" like a terrorist organization. For all intents and purposes, Patel is claiming the ADL is no different than al Qaeda, ISIS or, for that matter, Hezbollah. If that wasn't enough, Patel is also accusing the ADL of "spying on Americans." In so doing, Patel is essentially calling ADL "unAmerican" and othering Jews. Furthermore, Patel is making these claims without evidence.

Irresponsible and reckless statements like this from top public officials give legitimacy to anti-Semitism. It is only a matter of time before someone attacks an ADL office, another Jewish civic institution or a synagogue (like we saw in the UK today) resulting in a mass slaughter. Should such an event come to pass, Patel will undoubtedly condemn the attack. But he will have enabled the conditions to allow such an attack in the first place.

However, in view, of the criminal charges which have now been levied against the SPLC, one must consider the distinct possibility the DoJ may choose to pursue a criminal investigation against the ADL. Who knows? Given Patel's rhetoric perhaps they would see fit to charge the ADL with providing material support to a terrorist organization. A preposterous notion. Then again so is charging the SPLC for financing white supremacist groups.

I hate to say it but there would be less of a political cost in pursuing criminal charges against the ADL. Somehow, I doubt Senator Van Hollen or the ACLU would speak up for the ADL as they have for the SPLC. Unlike the SPLC, the ADL would be on its own should the Trump Admin decide to come after it.

In which case, one can only hope the courts will rein in the efforts of the Trump Admin to go after those who they perceive as enemies of America.

The Trump Admin is Going After The Southern Poverty Law Center Over January 6th

The Trump Administration is going after the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) as the DoJ persuaded a grand jury in Alabama to issue indictments concerning wire fraud, money laundering and false statements. Hours earlier, the SPLC publicly disclosed they were under federal investigation.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche (who we must remember was once President Trump's personal lawyer) claims, “The SPLC is manufacturing racism to justify its existence.” Simply put, the DoJ is claiming the SPLC is actually funding white supremacist networks rather than trying to end them.

I don't think these charges are going to withstand the scrutiny of a trial. The Trump Administration will be no more successful in bringing a guilty verdict against the SPLC than it has been with former FBI Director James Comey or New York Attorney General Letitia James let alone Senator Mark Kelly.

As with Comey, James and Kelly, this is an act of retribution on behalf of President Trump, and it will keep both Blanche and embattled FBI Director Kash Patel in good standing with the Oval Office - at least until charges are dismissed or a not guilty verdict is rendered.

From where I sit, Trump's main anger towards the SPLC regards January 6th as they worked closely with the January 6th Committee monitoring groups such as the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers who were involved with the attack on the U.S. Capitol. The SPLC subsequently condemned the pardons given to those convicted of crimes for their actions on January 6th.

President Trump and members of his administration are certainly entitled to disagree with the SPLC. I am not pleased that the SPLC isn't prepared to call Hamas a terrorist organization and believe they are wrong in this regard. But being wrong isn't a criminal act.

To pursue this action against the SPLC is little more than an effort by the Trump Administration to stifle organizations that would be critical of it and intimidate others from doing the same. We are not a democracy without an independent civil society which is free to criticize the government without fear of reprisal.

What Private Sector Employer Would Hire Ex-Labor Secretary Chavez-DeRemer?

Today, Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigned as President Trump's Secretary of Labor. 

Chavez-DeRemer, a former Republican Congresswoman from Oregon, is the third member of President Trump's cabinet who has departed in less than two months. In March, Trump demoted Kristi Noem from Homeland Security to Special Envoy for the Shields of America and earlier this month Trump fired Pam Bondi as Attorney General.

In Chavez-DeRemer's case it was corruption and personal misconduct. Among other things, Chavez-DeRemer allegedly found time to have an extramarital affair with a subordinate, drank on the job while her aides masked personal travel under official government business. Chavez-DeRemer's husband Shawn DeRemer was also barred from the Labor Department's HQ after several female employees accused him of sexual harassment. Chavez-DeRemer was due to meet with the Department's Inspector General concerning the allegations. 

What gets me is that White House Deputy Press Secretary Steven Cheung's explanation that Chavez-Demer was departing the Trump Administration "to take a position in the private sector." Yes, I know the Trump Administration is trying to save face here. But given what has happened at the Department of Labor under her watch what private sector employer would to see fit to hire her?

Well, I suppose she could always work at Fox News or somewhere in the conservative media ecosystem. I cannot imagine anyone else hiring Chavez-Demer.

So, who will be next to be fired or forced out of the Trump Administration?

My money would be on FBI Director Kash Patel, defamation lawsuit or no defamation lawsuit. If Chavez-Demer needed to leave the Trump Administration for drinking on the job and using government resources for personal business, then Patel deserves the same fate for his own behavior in these areas.

Reflections on The Boston Marathon

Today, I took the day off of work to watch the Boston Marathon in person.

It was the first time I had done so since 2022, just under a year after returning the Boston area. Upon looking at my posts, for whatever reason, I did not see fit to write about it at the time. Perhaps I just wanted to experience it and keep the memory for myself. But that isn't like me.

Yet given that the Boston Marathon is an event known all over the world and I've had a chance to view it firsthand on a number of occasions, I think it warrants a few thoughts.

For those who don't know, the Boston Marathon occurs on Patriot's Day which is observed in Massachusetts and in Maine (which was originally part of the Massachusetts colony) as the start of the American Revolution. On that same day, the Boston Red Sox play a home game which starts at 11 a.m. which aside from the Washington Nationals' 11 a.m. start time on the Fourth of July are the only morning games on MLB's schedule.

When I first lived in Boston, I lived in the Fenway neighborhood. Some years, I would go to see the Red Sox play in the morning and then saunter over to Commonwealth Avenue to watch the marathon. In other years, when I was at work, I would walk from Downtown Boston to the Back Bay and take in the marathon from Commonwealth Avenue or even make my way to Boylston Street near the finish line.

I remember the 2012 Boston Marathon as temperatures neared 90 degrees. Not ideal weather in which to run a marathon.

Then came the 2013 Boston Marathon. 

That year, I decided to go to Concord and visit Minuteman National Historical Park and stand on the bridge where the first shots of the American Revolution were fired. This may very well saved my life.

While I was there, Mom phoned to tell me of the Boston Marathon Bombing. Yes, in the internet age, Mom knew about the terrorist attack from her living room in Thunder Bay, Ontario earlier than I did as I stood less than 25 miles away.

I immediately made my way home.

It was a tense week as the bombers remained at large and then the whole city was placed on lockdown on Friday until the last bomber was pinned down in Watertown. Much of Boylston Street was shut down for more than a week. I remember watching people in white hazmat suits from Newbury Street. It was right out of a sci-fi movie and every bit as eerie.

Under the circumstances. I was determined to be at the Boston Marathon in 2014 and made good on my vow. But one could not get near Boylston Street. From that year onward, I would watch the marathon near the intersection of Mass and Commonwealth Avenue (as you can see in the picture above) about ½ mile from the finish line.

Of course, I left Boston for a few years. I didn't see the New York Marathon although I saw many of its participants on the Upper West Side. Since returning here, aside from today and in 2022, I have spent most of my Patriot's Day traveling from or to New York. During last year's Boston Marathon, I headed to NYC for my very first business trip.

Today, I probably spent a little over half an hour watching the 130th running of the Boston Marathon. In that time, I probably saw hundreds, perhaps over 1,000 runners. There was a mix of men and women, young and old of all shapes and sizes. Most were running, some walked. Several wore military uniforms. For some, this was not their first race while for others this was the first time they made it over Heartbreak Hill. There were people from all over the world passing by in that short space of time. I'm not sure how they did it, but they did. I have no doubt all of those people spent a lot of time and effort preparing for this race. 

Could I do such a thing? Perhaps if I spent all my waking hours doing so. I've never been much good at running. Never had much speed. Although this is race of endurance. Alas, I am prone to shin splints. Besides I prefer to get my exercise in the swimming pool.

I do remember running a 2K race when I was in the eighth grade. It took place on the campus of Lakehead University in Thunder Bay. I remember running by one of the campus residences and a fellow opening his window and shouting out at me, "Fuck you, asshole!!!" That wasn't exactly the kind of encouragement I was seeking. Mom did tell me that a couple of runners from Thunder Bay made their way here to compete in this year's event. It turns out one of them also struggled during his first 2K race.

Truth be told, when it comes to running be it the Boston Marathon or a 2K road race, I think I am content to be an observer and a spectator.