Yesterday, at a United Jewish Communities debate in D.C., here's what representatives from the McCain and Clinton campaigns had to say:
Lawrence Eagleburger (remember him?) claimed that his candidate "will not talk with the Syrians, will not talk with the Iranians, will not talk with Hamas and Hezbollah. . . . He isn't going to push the Israelis." Fantastic! Another president who doesn't do diplomacy. Bush's third term indeed.
Ann Lewis, from the Clinton campaign, declared that "The role of the president of the United States is to support the decisions that are made by the people of Israel. It is not up to us to pick and choose from among the political parties." Silly me, I thought this was a campaign for the presidency of the U.S.! Apparently the White House should merely act as a rubber stamp for Israel's government.
As race, ethnicity and religion are dragged to the forefront of this campaign, it's going to get really ugly (rather, uglier), really quickly. I find the idea somewhat ridiculous that one must agree one-hundred percent with the political and even religious views of one's pastor. Not much room for free-thinking in U.S. politics. Not anymore.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Friday, March 14, 2008
The Ghost of Steve Blake
Another season, another NIT appearance for the mighty Terrapins of Maryland. Any residual goodwill from the 2002 title has dissipated, so what now? There are all sorts of prescriptions being tossed around online and in the papers: Fire Gary. Gary needs to recruit better. Vasquez shouldn't be playing the point. What's wrong with Gist? The freshmen should have played more, because now next year's frontcourt will be awful.
A bit of truth to all of those. But I think [disclaimer: I have never played organzied basketball, coached organzied basketball, or been to a single Final Four as a player, coach, or spectator] that it begins and ends with the PG position. Since Steve Blake went on to the NBA, Maryland's point guard play has been erratic at best, and often just plain awful. John Gilchrist would rather score - or pout - than pass the ball. D.J. Strawberry was never a point guard but was forced into the position due to some questionable recruiting and didn't do so well (although he tried!). And Mr. Vasquez perfers to turn the ball over by either attempting impossible passes or by dribbling around in the lane until the ball is stolen.
Is there talent on this team? Absolutely. Although it's always interesting to hear Gary's teams described as so athletic when their talent is discussed. When's the last time that Gary's teams were described as smart? Maybe...the early years of the 21st century? Was that because Lonny "Six-Gun" Baxter was any brighter than James "1st Half" Gist? Certainly not. But he seemed to be, out on the court, because Blake wouldn't pass him the ball if he was at a spot on the court where he couldn't make a good play. That's a quality PG. Everyone else on the court looks smarter. Sure, it helps to have a backcourt partner like Juan Dixon. But this team proved down in Chapel Hill months ago that the ability is there, and that it just needs to be tapped consistently.
I know the origin of the word "fan", so I understand why people are calling for Gary's head. But logically, what are the odds that Debbie Yow is going to strike gold and find a coach that will do what Gary has already done? Statistically speaking, it's unlikely. There aren't too many coaches out there that been to even a single Final Four. That being said, I don't think he has a free pass for much longer. For instance, I can't see him holding onto his job if this year's NIT appearance is followed by two more years of the same. Hell, he might only have one more year - the big-money boosters at an ACC school aren't much for patience.
So what will Gary do? Move Vasquez to the shooting guard position, for starters. This puts him back in his natural position (he is a decent scorer), takes the ball out of his slippery hands, and moves Hayes to the bench (Eric doesn't look like an ACC starter to me, not after this season). Then, find a real pass-first PG. Maybe it's Adrian Bowie. Maybe it's the 2008 JuCo PG transfer with the awesome name, Bobby Maze. There's talent on this team; all it needs is someone with the ball in his hands who can help it to reach its potential.
A bit of truth to all of those. But I think [disclaimer: I have never played organzied basketball, coached organzied basketball, or been to a single Final Four as a player, coach, or spectator] that it begins and ends with the PG position. Since Steve Blake went on to the NBA, Maryland's point guard play has been erratic at best, and often just plain awful. John Gilchrist would rather score - or pout - than pass the ball. D.J. Strawberry was never a point guard but was forced into the position due to some questionable recruiting and didn't do so well (although he tried!). And Mr. Vasquez perfers to turn the ball over by either attempting impossible passes or by dribbling around in the lane until the ball is stolen.
Is there talent on this team? Absolutely. Although it's always interesting to hear Gary's teams described as so athletic when their talent is discussed. When's the last time that Gary's teams were described as smart? Maybe...the early years of the 21st century? Was that because Lonny "Six-Gun" Baxter was any brighter than James "1st Half" Gist? Certainly not. But he seemed to be, out on the court, because Blake wouldn't pass him the ball if he was at a spot on the court where he couldn't make a good play. That's a quality PG. Everyone else on the court looks smarter. Sure, it helps to have a backcourt partner like Juan Dixon. But this team proved down in Chapel Hill months ago that the ability is there, and that it just needs to be tapped consistently.
I know the origin of the word "fan", so I understand why people are calling for Gary's head. But logically, what are the odds that Debbie Yow is going to strike gold and find a coach that will do what Gary has already done? Statistically speaking, it's unlikely. There aren't too many coaches out there that been to even a single Final Four. That being said, I don't think he has a free pass for much longer. For instance, I can't see him holding onto his job if this year's NIT appearance is followed by two more years of the same. Hell, he might only have one more year - the big-money boosters at an ACC school aren't much for patience.
So what will Gary do? Move Vasquez to the shooting guard position, for starters. This puts him back in his natural position (he is a decent scorer), takes the ball out of his slippery hands, and moves Hayes to the bench (Eric doesn't look like an ACC starter to me, not after this season). Then, find a real pass-first PG. Maybe it's Adrian Bowie. Maybe it's the 2008 JuCo PG transfer with the awesome name, Bobby Maze. There's talent on this team; all it needs is someone with the ball in his hands who can help it to reach its potential.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
2008 Rock & Roll HOF Induction
I'm not one for award shows, but I am a fan of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame show because it's so unlike the Oscars or the Grammys. For one, the audience is full of the most random collection of celebrities and music executives - this year there was Meg Ryan, Tom Hanks, some SNL cast members, and a random supermodel or two. The performances are also somewhat rough but come off as really genuine, maybe due to the relatively small venue at the Waldorf in NYC, as opposed to the cavernous amphitheaters that contain the bigger awards shows.
But the best part is the unscripted nature of the whole production. You never know what the inductees, or inductors (?) are going to say. And they can say pretty much whatever they want, for as long as they want. We recorded the show on Monday night and watched it last night; it was a good thing that it was recorded because we could zip through some of the inductees that we didn't know or care about and just get to the main acts (Leonard Cohen, Madonna, Mellencamp), because otherwise we would have been sitting there watching for four hours. On MHD they show the whole thing, edited only for bad words, without commercials, including stage change-overs and random backstage footage ("backstage" for some reason consisting of a kitchen/walk-in freezer area of the hotel). I think they edit it down to 2-hours, with ads, when they re-broadcast it on VH1 in a few weeks.
So what about all those crazy speeches and introductions? First of all, you kind of wonder how they come up with some pairings. Back in 2003 Gwen Stefani inducted the Police, and Elton John inducted Elvis Costello. Not the most natural pairings, if you ask me, but kinda fun nonetheless. This year Mr. Cohen was treated to a rambling, disjointed, when-will-it-end monologue by...Lou Reed? Sure, why not. Lou's odd introduction was thrown into even sharper relief by Cohen's brief, funny, touching acceptance speech.
Next up was Justin Timberlake to induct Madonna, a pairing that made a bit more sense to us. Justin started strong, but all the innuendo and lame jokes, not to mention his attempts to work in as many Madonna song titles as possible, became somewhat painful to listen to after a few minutes. Not terrible enough to wonder if Lou was still available, but still not good. Madonna herself had a solid and sincere acceptance speech prepared, nothing controversial or particularly noteworthy. But then...she didn't perform! Huh? Instead fellow Michigan native Iggy Pop performed in her stead (at her request?!?), "treating" the audience to two Madonna covers, the first which I didn't even recognize and the second an awful version of Ray of Light. Ugh.
Billy Joel inducted John Mellencamp, and while he started slow, he really delivered the most entertaining speech of the whole night. The role of sardonic and bitter aging rock/pop musician suits him quite well, plus he was very funny. I especially enjoyed his impression of Randy Newman. Mellencamp's speech was a bit rambling but solid, he seemed almost weary though at the podium. Fortunately, he had plenty of energy once he got on stage to perform three of his hits, although none of the three was Jack and Diane; what's up with that?
The big finale number, in which all inductees perform together, was just OK. They covered a song by the newly-inducted Dave Clark Five, and while Madonna didn't make it on stage, Iggy Pop didn't either, which was fine with us. So it ended up being John "Don't Call Me Cougar!!!" Mellencamp and his band, joined by John Fogerty, Joan Jett (told you this show was weird), plus Billy Joel looking clueless on keyboards - I wonder if anyone remembered to tell the old guy what song they were playing, or at least what key they were in.
But the best part is the unscripted nature of the whole production. You never know what the inductees, or inductors (?) are going to say. And they can say pretty much whatever they want, for as long as they want. We recorded the show on Monday night and watched it last night; it was a good thing that it was recorded because we could zip through some of the inductees that we didn't know or care about and just get to the main acts (Leonard Cohen, Madonna, Mellencamp), because otherwise we would have been sitting there watching for four hours. On MHD they show the whole thing, edited only for bad words, without commercials, including stage change-overs and random backstage footage ("backstage" for some reason consisting of a kitchen/walk-in freezer area of the hotel). I think they edit it down to 2-hours, with ads, when they re-broadcast it on VH1 in a few weeks.
So what about all those crazy speeches and introductions? First of all, you kind of wonder how they come up with some pairings. Back in 2003 Gwen Stefani inducted the Police, and Elton John inducted Elvis Costello. Not the most natural pairings, if you ask me, but kinda fun nonetheless. This year Mr. Cohen was treated to a rambling, disjointed, when-will-it-end monologue by...Lou Reed? Sure, why not. Lou's odd introduction was thrown into even sharper relief by Cohen's brief, funny, touching acceptance speech.
Next up was Justin Timberlake to induct Madonna, a pairing that made a bit more sense to us. Justin started strong, but all the innuendo and lame jokes, not to mention his attempts to work in as many Madonna song titles as possible, became somewhat painful to listen to after a few minutes. Not terrible enough to wonder if Lou was still available, but still not good. Madonna herself had a solid and sincere acceptance speech prepared, nothing controversial or particularly noteworthy. But then...she didn't perform! Huh? Instead fellow Michigan native Iggy Pop performed in her stead (at her request?!?), "treating" the audience to two Madonna covers, the first which I didn't even recognize and the second an awful version of Ray of Light. Ugh.
Billy Joel inducted John Mellencamp, and while he started slow, he really delivered the most entertaining speech of the whole night. The role of sardonic and bitter aging rock/pop musician suits him quite well, plus he was very funny. I especially enjoyed his impression of Randy Newman. Mellencamp's speech was a bit rambling but solid, he seemed almost weary though at the podium. Fortunately, he had plenty of energy once he got on stage to perform three of his hits, although none of the three was Jack and Diane; what's up with that?
The big finale number, in which all inductees perform together, was just OK. They covered a song by the newly-inducted Dave Clark Five, and while Madonna didn't make it on stage, Iggy Pop didn't either, which was fine with us. So it ended up being John "Don't Call Me Cougar!!!" Mellencamp and his band, joined by John Fogerty, Joan Jett (told you this show was weird), plus Billy Joel looking clueless on keyboards - I wonder if anyone remembered to tell the old guy what song they were playing, or at least what key they were in.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Kinetic Link, Daylight Savings
After participating in our first Kinetic Sculpture Race last year (as volunteers), we were determined to enter this year's race as "competitors". Not gonna happen; we slacked off big-time. Aside from coming up with a few good ideas, we gathered no materials and didn't draw up any plans. Well, there's always 2009. Meanwhile, these kinetic sculptures are in a class of their own.
Meanwhile, what's with this extended daylight savings time, anyway? It probably increases electricity consumption, but do other health and safety-related benefits outweigh that factor?
Meanwhile, what's with this extended daylight savings time, anyway? It probably increases electricity consumption, but do other health and safety-related benefits outweigh that factor?
Monday, March 03, 2008
Disaster In Garyland
Tough to win a game in which you're up by 20 points in the second half, but this team finds a way! I've always defended Gary, because more often than not he finds a way to turn it around. But there is a lot of talent on this team, and I just don't see how a good coach allows the debacle of last night's loss. Not to mention the fact that so often since 2002, his teams have needed to turn it around almost every year, just to have a shot at the NCAA tournament. Why is that the case?
That being said, it's hard to imagine a scenario under which Gary is involuntarily removed from his position in College Park. So something's gotta give.
That being said, it's hard to imagine a scenario under which Gary is involuntarily removed from his position in College Park. So something's gotta give.
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