The Kennedy clan has always had one. We learned this past weekend that the Jackson family (Michael) has one. We know of other affluent and/or important families that have them. They're called "compounds", and they sound like the thing to have. Must be something much better than just a home.
I want one. Maybe the northern camp from which I write tonight could be our compound. "The Northern Compound" I think I'll call it. Important. Mysterious. Private. Remote. Impregnable. Yup, I've decided. Cool.
So now, for any of you reporters, process servers, fans or even just friends that might be looking for me, I'm likely to be holed-up at The Northern Compound, just being vital.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Something to Celebrate?
Lots of headlines today about "glad" Iraqis celebrating the pullout of American troops in certain cities.
I'm happy that they're happy. But for how long will they be?
I'm recalling a blog I did almost two years ago. In it, I used the analogy of a zookeeper to describe Saddam Hussein's reign over his country before the U.S. invasion. I was writing about the factional fighting between Shiite and Sunni that was killing thousands now that he was gone, and how Saddam the zookeeper, had kept them from tearing each others throats out through his decades of iron-fisted rule.
President Bush, his policy folks, intelligence teams and most Americans were very surprised at how these people, once freed from their keeper, instantly wanted to annihilate one another. Why would they not be celebrating and embracing freedom instead? Some of the violence from the Shiite Muslims, could be understood (not justified) by the fact that they were seeking revenge on the Sunni for all of the years of oppression by the dictator who was a Sunni himself (at least "on paper"). But still, I think most of us thought that over a reasonable amount of time, that might work itself out through a balanced democratic government facilitated by the U.S. action.
Wrong.
I guess as Americans we really are naive. Unlike us (well, most of us), freedom means very little to these people. Not as much as killing each other's women and children.
My earlier blog continued on by not only calling Hussein the zookeeper, but by calling the radical Shiites and Sunnis the animals. Just an analogy remember. But it sure fits. Imagine a real zoo wherein are kept hyenas and lions separated only by a thin fence. Then imagine what happens when the fence comes down. They are neither smart enough nor civilized enough to comprehend what a gift they have been given in freedom. Instead, they only see an opportunity opened up to once again kill each other.
So under Barack Hussein Obama's current plan, the U.S. troop withdrawals will continue. The celebrations will occur, but only for a short time until the killing restarts. The animals are once again free and it's all that they can think about. The same Iraqi who is celebrating today, could be very easily blown to bits tomorrow, simply by going to the market or attending his mosque.
At least those awful Americans, now keeping the zoo, will be gone.
Those who have been very critical of Bush's plan from the start were right. We had no business bringing freedom to those not yet civilized enough to appreciate it. That's the real tragedy.
I'm happy that they're happy. But for how long will they be?
I'm recalling a blog I did almost two years ago. In it, I used the analogy of a zookeeper to describe Saddam Hussein's reign over his country before the U.S. invasion. I was writing about the factional fighting between Shiite and Sunni that was killing thousands now that he was gone, and how Saddam the zookeeper, had kept them from tearing each others throats out through his decades of iron-fisted rule.
President Bush, his policy folks, intelligence teams and most Americans were very surprised at how these people, once freed from their keeper, instantly wanted to annihilate one another. Why would they not be celebrating and embracing freedom instead? Some of the violence from the Shiite Muslims, could be understood (not justified) by the fact that they were seeking revenge on the Sunni for all of the years of oppression by the dictator who was a Sunni himself (at least "on paper"). But still, I think most of us thought that over a reasonable amount of time, that might work itself out through a balanced democratic government facilitated by the U.S. action.
Wrong.
I guess as Americans we really are naive. Unlike us (well, most of us), freedom means very little to these people. Not as much as killing each other's women and children.
My earlier blog continued on by not only calling Hussein the zookeeper, but by calling the radical Shiites and Sunnis the animals. Just an analogy remember. But it sure fits. Imagine a real zoo wherein are kept hyenas and lions separated only by a thin fence. Then imagine what happens when the fence comes down. They are neither smart enough nor civilized enough to comprehend what a gift they have been given in freedom. Instead, they only see an opportunity opened up to once again kill each other.
So under Barack Hussein Obama's current plan, the U.S. troop withdrawals will continue. The celebrations will occur, but only for a short time until the killing restarts. The animals are once again free and it's all that they can think about. The same Iraqi who is celebrating today, could be very easily blown to bits tomorrow, simply by going to the market or attending his mosque.
At least those awful Americans, now keeping the zoo, will be gone.
Those who have been very critical of Bush's plan from the start were right. We had no business bringing freedom to those not yet civilized enough to appreciate it. That's the real tragedy.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
R.I.P. Michael Jackson
It was a saddest day in the increasingly sad life of Michael Jackson.
Some reports are saying that he was on the verge of a huge come-back attempt. I would have had very serious doubts about the chance of that ever succeeding. Whatever freakish mental health issue has had it's grip on him for the last 20 years, seems to have made it impossible for him to ever have regained even a tenth of his once monumental creativity and popularity.
It's a sad story.
Was it drugs? Pop culture celebrity pressure? Or was it a true mental health issue that would have made him just as twisted if he had been an accountant or a grocery store clerk? Maybe a combination of all of these things? One thing's for sure: the money (he used to have) didn't help matters for him. It only enabled him for awhile, and not in a positive way.
No one can deny his talent. It was huge. But no one stays on top for very long. And the crumbly foundation of any celebrity talent can take a person down hard. Even Michael as a freak show had lost it's entertainment value, if you want to call it that. No one really paid attention anymore to the good Michael, or the sick Michael. Yet he remained bigger than life. So where do you go when that happens?
Details of his death will emerge. 50 year-olds do have heart attacks, but don't you just expect it to be something more than "natural"? Just like his entire life.
R.I.P. Michael Jackson.
Some reports are saying that he was on the verge of a huge come-back attempt. I would have had very serious doubts about the chance of that ever succeeding. Whatever freakish mental health issue has had it's grip on him for the last 20 years, seems to have made it impossible for him to ever have regained even a tenth of his once monumental creativity and popularity.
It's a sad story.
Was it drugs? Pop culture celebrity pressure? Or was it a true mental health issue that would have made him just as twisted if he had been an accountant or a grocery store clerk? Maybe a combination of all of these things? One thing's for sure: the money (he used to have) didn't help matters for him. It only enabled him for awhile, and not in a positive way.
No one can deny his talent. It was huge. But no one stays on top for very long. And the crumbly foundation of any celebrity talent can take a person down hard. Even Michael as a freak show had lost it's entertainment value, if you want to call it that. No one really paid attention anymore to the good Michael, or the sick Michael. Yet he remained bigger than life. So where do you go when that happens?
Details of his death will emerge. 50 year-olds do have heart attacks, but don't you just expect it to be something more than "natural"? Just like his entire life.
R.I.P. Michael Jackson.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Goodbye Kodachrome
"Mama don't take my Kodachrome away..." - Paul Simon - 1973
I'm not sure who was trying to take Paul's film away back then. I think it was something about his film being confiscated by the police in some unfriendly foreign country. But now, after 74 years, it is Kodak itself that is taking it away, ending production of their iconic slide film. The film of press photographers, artists, astronauts, film producers, ad agencies, and your uncle on his trip to the Grand Canyon. Yes, there are competitive products, but most photographers worth their salt, (and me) valued the color quality of Kodachrome over those other brands. It was always "truer".
I still have two cameras upstairs loaded with Kodachrome. Many national labs have already said that they'll process the film until sometime in 2010. When I finally go through those couple of rolls I'll be done with my supply of the same film that Zapruder used when he caught Kennedy's assassination, or that Buzz Aldrin used to photograph his crew mate Armstrong on the moon
Photography is a powerful tool, and if you think of all the images captured on Kodachrome since
1935, and all the events it has chronicled, then this is the end of an era I think.
I'm not sure who was trying to take Paul's film away back then. I think it was something about his film being confiscated by the police in some unfriendly foreign country. But now, after 74 years, it is Kodak itself that is taking it away, ending production of their iconic slide film. The film of press photographers, artists, astronauts, film producers, ad agencies, and your uncle on his trip to the Grand Canyon. Yes, there are competitive products, but most photographers worth their salt, (and me) valued the color quality of Kodachrome over those other brands. It was always "truer".
I started to get serious about my hobby of photography about the same time Paul wrote his song, and once you're serious, you start to have dreams of something being published some day. If you wanted any chance at that, you had to be ready to supply the publication with a "positive" film like Kodachrome. Initially, that was why I switched over from negative film, but just like your uncle, I also loved to set up the projector and see my work on the "big screen". I cured several friends and relatives of their insomnia with those lovely slide shows. They were great!
And now, I'm to blame as much as anyone for it's demise. I have made the claim that digital photography may be one of the greatest technological advances of our time. A few years ago, even as a serious film hobbyist, I had no qualms at all about making the jump to digital. I've never looked back.I still have two cameras upstairs loaded with Kodachrome. Many national labs have already said that they'll process the film until sometime in 2010. When I finally go through those couple of rolls I'll be done with my supply of the same film that Zapruder used when he caught Kennedy's assassination, or that Buzz Aldrin used to photograph his crew mate Armstrong on the moon
Photography is a powerful tool, and if you think of all the images captured on Kodachrome since
1935, and all the events it has chronicled, then this is the end of an era I think.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Liberalus Typicus
The esteemed Senator Barbara Boxer dresses down an Army Brigadier General for calling her "ma'am". Did you happen to see this?
Apparently it was a senate hearing regarding the Corps of Engineers progress on repairing levees in the New Orleans area.
Boxer insisted that he call her Senator. Says that she "worked too hard to get that title".
To me, her outburst says a lot more:
1. She has no clue of military protocol. Whether a respectful response or one required when addressing a higher rank, Sir and Ma'am are the appropriate response by a military person. If a female Army superior is satisfied with "ma'am" then maybe it should be good enough for Boxer.
2. She has little regard or respect for the military. Yeah, I know: shocking.
3. This was a male addressing her. I have a feeling that had it been a female General, she might have laid off. The again, maybe not; she would have still represented the Army!
4. This is still fallout from hurricane Katrina. Boxer can't resist a chance to slap not only a military person, but one who serves the Corps of Engineers: the evil branch of the military responsible for purposely ignoring the safety and security of thousands of minorities.
She then told the General that "it's just a small thing", but needed him to comply. Well, Barbara, it was obviously no small thing to a California lib like you, otherwise why berate the General as you did?
Because, you're a liar.....ma'am.
Apparently it was a senate hearing regarding the Corps of Engineers progress on repairing levees in the New Orleans area.
Boxer insisted that he call her Senator. Says that she "worked too hard to get that title".
To me, her outburst says a lot more:
1. She has no clue of military protocol. Whether a respectful response or one required when addressing a higher rank, Sir and Ma'am are the appropriate response by a military person. If a female Army superior is satisfied with "ma'am" then maybe it should be good enough for Boxer.
2. She has little regard or respect for the military. Yeah, I know: shocking.
3. This was a male addressing her. I have a feeling that had it been a female General, she might have laid off. The again, maybe not; she would have still represented the Army!
4. This is still fallout from hurricane Katrina. Boxer can't resist a chance to slap not only a military person, but one who serves the Corps of Engineers: the evil branch of the military responsible for purposely ignoring the safety and security of thousands of minorities.
She then told the General that "it's just a small thing", but needed him to comply. Well, Barbara, it was obviously no small thing to a California lib like you, otherwise why berate the General as you did?
Because, you're a liar.....ma'am.
Friday, June 19, 2009
And That's The Way It Was
I am reading today that Walter Cronkite is very ill, and taking a turn for the worst with whatever ails him. There were no details released. He is 92.
Like millions, I grew up with Walter Cronkite's CBS evening news. The guy was an icon for sure. I became so much more learned on important topics like politics, the space program and the Vietnam war by listening to his reports. I know that there were many others writing about or broadcasting about these things, but Cronkite is who I recall listening to. Whether it was the regular evening news, or one of his "special reports", he made a bigger impression on me I think, than anyone else on television. Or in any media.
That makes me pause and think.
In light of how the major TV media does things today, I wonder now Cronkite handled "the facts"? Was he different? What about Huntley /Brinkley? Were the major networks different back then? Did they actually report the news, without interjecting their own (liberal) bias on almost every story? I remember Walter's somber tone when he displayed the "scoreboard" of U.S. and "allied" soldiers versus the Vietcong killed in action that day. I don't remember any commentary about it. It wouldn't happen that way today, would it?
I remember Cronkite's sign off, "And that's the way it is." But was it really? Damn, I'd like to think so. But there was no Internet. And I rarely read a newspaper when the television could bring the news to us in a much more exciting medium, at least for a kid. We were the TV generation after all, so I certainly believed everything I heard there. That is a bit scary isn't it, again thinking about today's broadcast news.
Today of course, we have the Internet. It is both a blessing and a curse. Lots of different views, that's for sure. Lots of inaccuracies too. Extremely tough to sort it all out. Tougher for a 12 year-old today, than when I watched Walter.
If he had been the grandfather of all libs, like those running the major broadcasts today, then he didn't influence me very much! So either he was a somewhat conservative guy, which I seriously doubt, or he was just a plain, old ordinary newsman, and what I got, what we got, was just the news. Imagine that. That's what I'd like to believe. That's what we need today.
Like millions, I grew up with Walter Cronkite's CBS evening news. The guy was an icon for sure. I became so much more learned on important topics like politics, the space program and the Vietnam war by listening to his reports. I know that there were many others writing about or broadcasting about these things, but Cronkite is who I recall listening to. Whether it was the regular evening news, or one of his "special reports", he made a bigger impression on me I think, than anyone else on television. Or in any media.
That makes me pause and think.
In light of how the major TV media does things today, I wonder now Cronkite handled "the facts"? Was he different? What about Huntley /Brinkley? Were the major networks different back then? Did they actually report the news, without interjecting their own (liberal) bias on almost every story? I remember Walter's somber tone when he displayed the "scoreboard" of U.S. and "allied" soldiers versus the Vietcong killed in action that day. I don't remember any commentary about it. It wouldn't happen that way today, would it?
I remember Cronkite's sign off, "And that's the way it is." But was it really? Damn, I'd like to think so. But there was no Internet. And I rarely read a newspaper when the television could bring the news to us in a much more exciting medium, at least for a kid. We were the TV generation after all, so I certainly believed everything I heard there. That is a bit scary isn't it, again thinking about today's broadcast news.
Today of course, we have the Internet. It is both a blessing and a curse. Lots of different views, that's for sure. Lots of inaccuracies too. Extremely tough to sort it all out. Tougher for a 12 year-old today, than when I watched Walter.
If he had been the grandfather of all libs, like those running the major broadcasts today, then he didn't influence me very much! So either he was a somewhat conservative guy, which I seriously doubt, or he was just a plain, old ordinary newsman, and what I got, what we got, was just the news. Imagine that. That's what I'd like to believe. That's what we need today.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
The "Golden" Radish
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We returned to Chicagoland yesterday after ten days at the northern camp, and were delighted to find our very modest garden in full splendor. I had been fertilizing before the trip, and had constructed my own "Rube Goldberg" watering system. Both seemed to have worked well in our absence.
The tomatoes and peppers are covered with blossoms, the cucumbers are starting to spread out across the garden, and today we picked lettuce and radishes! In fact, our dinner salads were made up totally from our own garden. Five different mixed greens and some very sweet radishes that were almost golf ball size and not mealy at all. Can't get much fresher than that!
The "payoff", if we use that term to describe our early bounty, would be a misnomer for sure. Because of the fertilizer, the watering apparatus, the rabbit fencing, the cages and supports, etc., those salads probably cost more than had we ordered them in the main dining room at The Tavern on the Green! Oh well. Hard to put a price on the satisfaction of dropping some seeds in your own backyard and pulling them and shaking off the dirt a few weeks later. Makes them taste so much better somehow.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Mayflies in June
Just arrived back at the northern camp today. This time for a bit of an extended stay. Nice.
Apparently, we are here just in time for the annual fish fly hatching in northern Michigan. That's what we always called them as kids over at my uncle's cottage near Indian River, but I'm pretty sure that the actual name is the Mayfly. Fish, especially trout, love 'em. Hence the name we always called them.
Kind of nasty things. They aren't exactly small, and they tend to fly in after hatching off the lake and alight on everything and anything. They'll fly under your awning and take over the furniture, and if your out in the evening they seem to favor your hair.
I know that like most bugs, light can attract them. As a kid, I can remember certain years when they would cover the pavement under a street light so thickly that cars would slide on them. Phew!
Anyway, despite the mess, they don't bite. They can't; they have no mouth parts! Guess that's why they only live a day after hatching. What a strange process for a life though. Even a bug's life.
I like to see them for one reason: they indicate a healthy, clean lake.
Tonight as I fished on lovely Lake Leelanau, they were popping to the surface and flying off after airing out their wings. Well, most were. I saw a few though that were pulled under by some unseen fish-life before they could fly. In an instant, only rings on the water remained; their apparent purpose on earth fulfilled. Fat chance for my efforts; dangling a fake worm while these delicacies floated on the water!
Although I don't see the huge swarms of them that I did as a kid, they are still here. Part of my memories of the northern lakes. Still part of the experience of being out of doors on a beautiful June evening when even at 9:30, the sun's still warm on your back at the 45th parallel. So if I have to pick one out of my hair once in while, that's just fine with me.
Apparently, we are here just in time for the annual fish fly hatching in northern Michigan. That's what we always called them as kids over at my uncle's cottage near Indian River, but I'm pretty sure that the actual name is the Mayfly. Fish, especially trout, love 'em. Hence the name we always called them.
Kind of nasty things. They aren't exactly small, and they tend to fly in after hatching off the lake and alight on everything and anything. They'll fly under your awning and take over the furniture, and if your out in the evening they seem to favor your hair.
I know that like most bugs, light can attract them. As a kid, I can remember certain years when they would cover the pavement under a street light so thickly that cars would slide on them. Phew!
Anyway, despite the mess, they don't bite. They can't; they have no mouth parts! Guess that's why they only live a day after hatching. What a strange process for a life though. Even a bug's life.
I like to see them for one reason: they indicate a healthy, clean lake.
Tonight as I fished on lovely Lake Leelanau, they were popping to the surface and flying off after airing out their wings. Well, most were. I saw a few though that were pulled under by some unseen fish-life before they could fly. In an instant, only rings on the water remained; their apparent purpose on earth fulfilled. Fat chance for my efforts; dangling a fake worm while these delicacies floated on the water!
Although I don't see the huge swarms of them that I did as a kid, they are still here. Part of my memories of the northern lakes. Still part of the experience of being out of doors on a beautiful June evening when even at 9:30, the sun's still warm on your back at the 45th parallel. So if I have to pick one out of my hair once in while, that's just fine with me.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
The Silence is Deafening - Part 2
Still not a word from the czar today(The Silence is Deafening, June 2) Nothing from his press secretary. Nothing.
Of course, this would be a tough one to address right on the cusp of his "World Apology Tour" to all of our Muslim friends. On the other hand, anyone who can walk into Notre Dame University preaching pro-choice, ought to be able to handle this. Just not a priority I guess.
Of course, this would be a tough one to address right on the cusp of his "World Apology Tour" to all of our Muslim friends. On the other hand, anyone who can walk into Notre Dame University preaching pro-choice, ought to be able to handle this. Just not a priority I guess.
Why Shoot the Dealers?
I haven't seen any real answers to this from our state-run auto companies:
Why the need to close so many GM and Chrysler dealerships? The justification by Obama and his cronies running these operations, is that it saves costs. My question is, what costs? I'm sure there is something, but it can't be much. I really have no idea, but here are some guesses:
1. Training mechanics.
2. Printing literature.
3. Freight costs for shipping vehicles and parts.
4. Inspection and conformance monitoring.
Even among these, there may be some things paid for by the dealer directly, and these don't look like big costs in the grand scheme of things anyway.
On the surface, you would think that having more outlets for sales, promotion and service, would be a good thing as long as the facilities were actually independently owned and operated, and not part of the automaker's profit and loss. So maybe there are still "company stores" around that are actually owned by the automakers? Don't know.
Why the need to close so many GM and Chrysler dealerships? The justification by Obama and his cronies running these operations, is that it saves costs. My question is, what costs? I'm sure there is something, but it can't be much. I really have no idea, but here are some guesses:
1. Training mechanics.
2. Printing literature.
3. Freight costs for shipping vehicles and parts.
4. Inspection and conformance monitoring.
Even among these, there may be some things paid for by the dealer directly, and these don't look like big costs in the grand scheme of things anyway.
On the surface, you would think that having more outlets for sales, promotion and service, would be a good thing as long as the facilities were actually independently owned and operated, and not part of the automaker's profit and loss. So maybe there are still "company stores" around that are actually owned by the automakers? Don't know.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
The Silence is Deafening
Not a word today from Barack Hussein about the jihad attack on the two Army recruiters in Arkansas. No condemnation of the heinous attack and senseless violence. No condolences for the families of the targeted men or praise for the military recruiters who have been under increasing attack on U.S. soil. No statements from the Department of Justice or the Pentagon either.
Nothing from this "commander in chief" as some loosely refer to him. Nothing.
Yet within hours of an equally senseless slaying of a late-term abortion doctor, Obama rushed to his tele-prompter to express his disgust, and rightfully so. But why such a difference? I think we all know, and that's disgusting in it's own right.
Nothing from this "commander in chief" as some loosely refer to him. Nothing.
Yet within hours of an equally senseless slaying of a late-term abortion doctor, Obama rushed to his tele-prompter to express his disgust, and rightfully so. But why such a difference? I think we all know, and that's disgusting in it's own right.
Just Put It On The Tab
BEDFORD, Va. – On the eve of the 65th anniversary of D-Day, the foundation that runs the National D-Day Memorial is on the brink of financial ruin. Donations are down in the poor economy. The primary base of support — World War II veterans — is dying off. And the privately funded memorial is struggling to draw visitors because it's hundreds of miles from a major city.
Facing the prospect of cutting staff and hours, the memorial's president believes its only hope for long-term survival is to be taken over by the National Park Service or by a college or university.
So far, he's found no takers.
Hey Barack. Since it's so easy to print money these days, how about diverting just a couple hundred-thousand to help finish off this project? You could do it in memory of your "Gramps" who served in England.
Heck, you'll print up more than this just to keep the lawn cut at a UAW local.
Facing the prospect of cutting staff and hours, the memorial's president believes its only hope for long-term survival is to be taken over by the National Park Service or by a college or university.
So far, he's found no takers.
Hey Barack. Since it's so easy to print money these days, how about diverting just a couple hundred-thousand to help finish off this project? You could do it in memory of your "Gramps" who served in England.
Heck, you'll print up more than this just to keep the lawn cut at a UAW local.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Hope for Government Motors
Meet the new GM bankruptcy czar, Brian Deese, appointed by supreme czar, Barack Hussein:
- 31 years old
- Never ran a business. Any business.
- No MBA. No Engineer is he. An almost-grad from Yale is what he is. An almost-attorney.
- No Wall Street experience. None.
- No automotive experience. None. He just happens to look like the guy who wrote up your repair order at Midas Muffler. Truth is, he would likely have a problem even pointing out the muffler on your car!
- Total career experience, (using the term career very loosely) : In and out of school, and working on Hillary Clinton's campaign. No lie.
This is Obama's personal choice to guide one of the world's largest multi-national corporations through the most complicated bankruptcy case ever. He's got no real experience in anything related to his task. No problem. This is Obama, and there's always hope.
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