Still, I was a little surprised when I saw that the Expos were officially relocating to Washington next spring. The Expos played their last game in Montréal last night.
R.I.P.
Thursday, September 30, 2004
Au revoir Montréal
I was in Montreal in July to see the Expos and Mets. I knew at the time that it was probably the Expos' last season there. There was a feeling of death about Olympic Stadium.
Still, I was a little surprised when I saw that the Expos were officially relocating to Washington next spring. The Expos played their last game in Montréal last night.
Montreal Expos 1969-2004
R.I.P.
Still, I was a little surprised when I saw that the Expos were officially relocating to Washington next spring. The Expos played their last game in Montréal last night.
R.I.P.
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Jury service
I never saw an Irish jury summons until today. It had me scratching my head, to be honest.
It seems awfully low to me. I don't think it would be worth it to show up for jury duty if all you risk losing is €63.49. For how many people is that a day's wage?
I also don't understand why these people are excused "as of right":
A PERSON WHO, HAVING BEEN DULY SUMMONED AS A JUROR, FAILS WITHOUT REASONABLE EXCUSE TO ATTEND FOR JURY SERVICE OR, HAVING ATTENDED IN PURSUANCE OF A SUMMONS, IS NOT AVAILABLE WHEN CALLED UPON TO SERVE AS A JUROR OR IS UNFIT FOR SERVICE BY REASON OF DRINK OR DRUGS, IS GUILTY OF AN OFFENCE AND IS LIABLE ON SUMMARY CONVICTION TO A FINE OF €63.49.€63.49? What sort of bizarre figure is that? I realize it's £50 in old money, but couldn't they have rounded it up to at least €63.50?
It seems awfully low to me. I don't think it would be worth it to show up for jury duty if all you risk losing is €63.49. For how many people is that a day's wage?
I also don't understand why these people are excused "as of right":
- a person in Holy Orders, a regular minister of a religious denomination or community, nuns
- doctors, dentists, nurses, midwives
- veterinarians
- heads of health boards
- school principals and any teacher the school claims is needed
- whole-time students
- licensed pilots
They use the "new math" at the Times Union
First the quote:
I presume the journalist's shoddy math is not related to the fact that the Times Union endorsed Mr. Soares in the primary?
Soares, who won the Democratic primary by an official tally of 14,909 votes to Clyne's 9,741, was meeting with Attorney General Eliot Spitzer on Monday and did not attend the news conference.To be honest, I don't really care who won the Democratic primary for Albany County District Attorney, but why is this journalist claiming that 14,909 is two thirds of 24,650? By my reckoning, it works out at just over 60%. A sizable victory, certainly, but not 2 to 1. Maybe 5 to 3 didn't sound as good?
. . . Though he lost the primary by a ratio of 2 to 1, Clyne, 44, will be on the Nov. 2 general election ballot as the nominee of the Independence Party. He said Monday he has no intention of dropping out, even as McEneny and others said it was the right thing to do for party unity.
I presume the journalist's shoddy math is not related to the fact that the Times Union endorsed Mr. Soares in the primary?
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
Who's your daddy?
I wasn't going to mention this, but I can't get it out of my head. Who is the D-U-M-B-E-S-T man in all of baseball?
How about Boston Red Sox pitcher Pedro Martinez?
How about Boston Red Sox pitcher Pedro Martinez?
What can I say – just tip my hat and call the Yankees my daddy. I can't find a way to beat them at this point. ... They're that good. They're that hot right now – at least against me. I wish they would disappear and not come back.For any sportsman to make such a comment is bad. For a player on a team that has to face the Yankees 19 times a season, it's stupid. But, for a member of the Red Sox to say that is like telling everyone in Boston to 'just shut up and take your beating'.
Peace train
Okay, I may have been too hasty regarding Cat Stevens (Yusuf Islam) last week. In fact, I may have been wr*&$. Wait, let me try that again. I may have been wro$-. Obviously, something's up with the keyboard, but you get the point.
Anyway, if this article (reg. required) from Sunday's London Times is accurate, Islam didn't actually support the fatwa against Salman Rushdie. He simply supported a "letter campaign requesting the book's publisher to withdraw support", which is somewhat less odious than calling for the man to be killed. {Actually, it's way, way different and I have no problem with such a protest at all.}
I'm sure his political views wouldn't always find favor with me, but
Anyway, if this article (reg. required) from Sunday's London Times is accurate, Islam didn't actually support the fatwa against Salman Rushdie. He simply supported a "letter campaign requesting the book's publisher to withdraw support", which is somewhat less odious than calling for the man to be killed. {Actually, it's way, way different and I have no problem with such a protest at all.}
I'm sure his political views wouldn't always find favor with me, but
[r]ecently he admitted he had become too partisan, citing Muhammad Ali as another Muslim convert whose radicalism was tempered by time. "There's always a zealous period," he said. "I used to want to rebel against everything, and that was great. After that, you get back to the job of living."Having read this, I'll cut him some slack.
. . . Islam was extremely vocal in his condemnation of the September 11 bombings in New York and Washington, affirming his duty to make clear that such acts of "incomprehensible carnage" had nothing to do with Islamic belief. He also spoke out against other recent terrorist outrages.
What are US interests?
Last Monday's editorial in the Taipei Times questions if the US government, particularly the State Department, knows what's in the best interests of the United States.
As the editorial points out, a NY Times report (about Taiwanese spying allegations) earlier had highlighted Taiwan's problem.
I can understand how there may be people who work hard to maintain strong ties with China, but a realistic view is that, at best, China is a rival to America in Asia, if not globally. Why would we turn our backs on some of the few friends we have in the region for the dubious benefit of the Chinese government's favor?
As the editorial points out, a NY Times report (about Taiwanese spying allegations) earlier had highlighted Taiwan's problem.
"I don't know of any senior officials who are pro-Taiwan," one former senior State Department official said.Okay, I think if someone working in the State Department was spying for Taiwan, then throw the book at him. But, what on Earth is going on in the State Department? Isn't the State Department supposed to be pro-US? Why are there people who are "pro" China working there?
He and others said Foreign Service officers largely viewed some Taiwanese officials' struggle to stay separate from China as a distraction, when the truly important relationship for the United States is China.
Carl W. Ford Jr., an assistant secretary of state for intelligence and research until he retired last year, worked directly with Mr. Keyser. He agreed that few if any State Department officials were openly pro-Taiwan.
He added that a handful of them "are at least neutral."
"And Don was very much down the middle. That did set him apart from the others."
I can understand how there may be people who work hard to maintain strong ties with China, but a realistic view is that, at best, China is a rival to America in Asia, if not globally. Why would we turn our backs on some of the few friends we have in the region for the dubious benefit of the Chinese government's favor?
Friday, September 24, 2004
Poet-president takes over TV
When I saw this headline on the Daily Telegraph's web site, I thought that I had missed Michael D. Higgins being elected. It sometimes happens that big events pass me by, so I was only a little surprised when I thought we'd had an election for President and I had missed it. And, that Michael D. would take over TV for poetry readings (only his own, of course) if he were elected President is as certain as night following day.
Alas, Michael D. has not been elected (and won't be, apparently). The story has to do with President Saparmurat Niyazov of Turkmenistan, who is "interested in poetry, philosophy, history and music", according to Turkmenistan's Washington Embassy. He is also a man of great humility having decided not to appoint himself President for life and not to receive the title of the greatest Turkmenian writer. {The Daily Telegraph is somewhat disparaging of Mr. Niyazov, but really, shouldn't all nations have a national holiday celebrating their leader's favorite fruit?}
Sounds like Mr. Niyazov and Michael D. have so much in common. Maybe Michael D. could succeed Mr. Niyazov in Turkmenistan?
Alas, Michael D. has not been elected (and won't be, apparently). The story has to do with President Saparmurat Niyazov of Turkmenistan, who is "interested in poetry, philosophy, history and music", according to Turkmenistan's Washington Embassy. He is also a man of great humility having decided not to appoint himself President for life and not to receive the title of the greatest Turkmenian writer. {The Daily Telegraph is somewhat disparaging of Mr. Niyazov, but really, shouldn't all nations have a national holiday celebrating their leader's favorite fruit?}
Sounds like Mr. Niyazov and Michael D. have so much in common. Maybe Michael D. could succeed Mr. Niyazov in Turkmenistan?
Christian comedy - who knew?
Over the past 30 months, the Christian Comedy Association has grown from 40 to 300 members. Yes, you read that right – the Christian Comedy Association. There are even dedicated Christian comedy clubs.
In the past year, several Christian venues, including the Skyline in Oklahoma City and Synergy in Beltsville, Md., have opened, occasionally drawing big crowds. "We just want to provide an outlet for performers who are using their talent for Him, and to provide an alternative for college-area young adults," says Erik Sellin, director of Synergy, an 80-seat club that opened in July.I don't know what to make of this, but obviously it's not a bad thing. It sure is surprising, though.
Thursday, September 23, 2004
The new 'Sandy Koufax'
Last week I wondered where Sandy Koufax had gone following the decisions of two Israeli teams to play their UEFA-scheduled soccer games on Rosh Hashanah.
Maybe Shawn Green of the Los Angeles Dodgers is the new 'Koufax'? Green will not play at least one of two games this weekend (Friday night or Saturday afternoon) because it's Yom Kippur. Green is not particularly religious.
Maybe Shawn Green of the Los Angeles Dodgers is the new 'Koufax'? Green will not play at least one of two games this weekend (Friday night or Saturday afternoon) because it's Yom Kippur. Green is not particularly religious.
"It's something I feel is an important thing to do," Green said at the time, "partly as a representative of the Jewish community and as far as my being a role model in sports for Jewish kids, to basically say that baseball, or anything, isn't bigger than your religion and your roots."The fact that he's not religious makes his decision all the more laudable. He may not be religious, but he is a public Jewish figure and he feels an obligation to those Jews who are religious. By not playing even one of the games this weekend (and they're BIG games) he's showing respect for those Jews who are religious, something that neither UEFA nor the Israeli teams managed to do.
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
Kicking the Taiwanese
China's bullying of Taiwan continues apace. Last week China - again - thwarted Taiwan's attempt to join the UN. 93 countries, including France, Germany, Britain, & Italy (don't know about Ireland) spoke against Taiwan's efforts to join. At least the British offered some praise before they damned Taiwan for another year.
China also successfully completed an Olympic double in Greece. First, Greece caved in to Chinese threats and removed all ads that the Taiwanese government was running on billboards in Athens during the Olympics. Now, well, let Tim Lehmann tell it.
China also successfully completed an Olympic double in Greece. First, Greece caved in to Chinese threats and removed all ads that the Taiwanese government was running on billboards in Athens during the Olympics. Now, well, let Tim Lehmann tell it.
China's efforts to thwart Taiwan aren't limited to high politics, either. Elsewhere, in Greece, China couldn't resist the opportunity to interfere with Taiwan's participation in the world of international sport. Taiwan's first lady, Wu Shu-jen, arrived in Athens a week ago Sunday with the intention of leading Taiwan's delegation at the opening ceremonies of the 2004 Paralympic Games, a parallel event to the Olympics dedicated to athletes with disabilities. Wu, the emeritus president of the Chinese Taipei Paralympic Committee (CPTC), has been paralyzed from the waist down since 1985.And, just to round off the week, China also forced UNESCO to change its mind about a painting for its International Day of Peace stamp. The painting, which was done by a 13 year old Taiwanese boy, was offensive because it included a small Taiwanese flag.
Welcoming Muslims
Should Turkey be admitted to the EU? According to today's Guardian, there are a lot of Europeans who say 'NO, this is not what we won the Battle of Vienna for'.
Moon Shadow
Cat Stevens is being followed by more than just a moon shadow these days. It seems the Feds are also keeping a close watch on him.
I remember back when the Salman Rushdie fatwa was new (ahh, the innocence of those care free days) I heard a parody of Moon Shadow on the radio in New York which went along the lines of "Rushdie's being followed by an Ayatollah -- Khomeini, Khomeini". It was great. Stevens, of course, supported the Ayatollah's fatwa, which is why I have little sympathy for him today.
I remember back when the Salman Rushdie fatwa was new (ahh, the innocence of those care free days) I heard a parody of Moon Shadow on the radio in New York which went along the lines of "Rushdie's being followed by an Ayatollah -- Khomeini, Khomeini". It was great. Stevens, of course, supported the Ayatollah's fatwa, which is why I have little sympathy for him today.
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
Friday, September 17, 2004
Polls - Schmolls
Interesting column by Jimmy Breslin yesterday. He notes that none of the polling companies actually calls people on cell phones.
Now, Breslin being Breslin, he takes what might be a barely interesting angle on statistical sampling and turns it into a diatribe against the polling companies and those media outlets that use polls. Breslin notes that there are nearly 170m cell phone owners in the US and none of them has been polled.
Breslin quotes John Zogby who says he doesn't use telephone polls anymore because they're outdated. Unfortunately, he doesn't reveal what method Zogby does use. I'm curious.
Breslin doesn't deal with a few obvious follow-on questions such as (a) what percentage of cell phone owners are of voting age? (if it's anything like Ireland, I'd say about half) and (b) what percentage of cell phone owners don't have a land-line?
And, what about the Do Not Call Registry? Polls "with no commercial purpose" are exempt from the Registry, but is it possible that people on the Registry's list are not as receptive to polls now? Or is it possible that some polling organizations are shying away from calling people listed with the Registry?
Undeniably, Breslin raises an interesting point about the polls. Are we getting skewed data? Are the polling companies selling us short because addressing these concerns would be too costly and too involved?
Obviously, we won't know until after the votes are counted, but these sorts of questions should be causing both campaigns at least some concern.
Now, Breslin being Breslin, he takes what might be a barely interesting angle on statistical sampling and turns it into a diatribe against the polling companies and those media outlets that use polls. Breslin notes that there are nearly 170m cell phone owners in the US and none of them has been polled.
Breslin quotes John Zogby who says he doesn't use telephone polls anymore because they're outdated. Unfortunately, he doesn't reveal what method Zogby does use. I'm curious.
Breslin doesn't deal with a few obvious follow-on questions such as (a) what percentage of cell phone owners are of voting age? (if it's anything like Ireland, I'd say about half) and (b) what percentage of cell phone owners don't have a land-line?
And, what about the Do Not Call Registry? Polls "with no commercial purpose" are exempt from the Registry, but is it possible that people on the Registry's list are not as receptive to polls now? Or is it possible that some polling organizations are shying away from calling people listed with the Registry?
Undeniably, Breslin raises an interesting point about the polls. Are we getting skewed data? Are the polling companies selling us short because addressing these concerns would be too costly and too involved?
Obviously, we won't know until after the votes are counted, but these sorts of questions should be causing both campaigns at least some concern.
"Sometimes stingy"???
Dennis Yusko writing in today's Albany Times Union , refers to the town I grew up in as "sometimes stingy". The article is about yesterday's vote to approve an increase in property taxes to pay for a new library.
These questions never enter Mr. Yusko's mind. All he sees is an electorate that needed to be told "try again" when the new library proposal was rejected the first time.
Yusko's swipe at the people of Clifton Park is so common in journalism on both sides of the Atlantic. Not only is Yusko putting in his own opinion, unnecessarily, but he's doing so in a snide way. I really wish the people of Clifton Park would boycott the Times Union.
The facility proposed for Moe Road marked a successful turnaround for the library's Board of Trustees, which last year saw the sometimes stingy district reject a 68,000-square-foot facility.The new library will be 55,000 square feet. The "old library" was only built in 1980 and extended to its current 18,600 square feet in 1990. The population of Clifton Park is about 33,000. How big a library does a town need? How often should tax-payers be called upon to pony up for a new library?
These questions never enter Mr. Yusko's mind. All he sees is an electorate that needed to be told "try again" when the new library proposal was rejected the first time.
Yusko's swipe at the people of Clifton Park is so common in journalism on both sides of the Atlantic. Not only is Yusko putting in his own opinion, unnecessarily, but he's doing so in a snide way. I really wish the people of Clifton Park would boycott the Times Union.
If you're a long-standing Bruce fan . . .
You should check in with Chris at alt tag on a regular basis. Chris is in the middle of a now nearly one-year-old revelation.
Before 2003, Bruce Springsteen was just another name to Chris, another singer she occasionally heard on the radio. Now she is, I guess the word is ... obsessed. I worry about her. I don't think she's made it to Freehold yet (she hasn't mentioned it on the blog, anyway), but that can't be far away. Soon she'll be quitting her job to fly to NJ to hang out near where Bruce gets his oil changed.
For anyone who's been a fan for a long time it's like watching a child wonder the first time he throws a rock that makes ripples in a pool. You just sit back and smile at it all.
Before 2003, Bruce Springsteen was just another name to Chris, another singer she occasionally heard on the radio. Now she is, I guess the word is ... obsessed. I worry about her. I don't think she's made it to Freehold yet (she hasn't mentioned it on the blog, anyway), but that can't be far away. Soon she'll be quitting her job to fly to NJ to hang out near where Bruce gets his oil changed.
For anyone who's been a fan for a long time it's like watching a child wonder the first time he throws a rock that makes ripples in a pool. You just sit back and smile at it all.
Bush a "cutie"?
Well, I've seen that in various places on the web in the past day or two. I'm obviously no judge, but apparently some women are taken by pictures of the young George W. from his National Guard days. Apparently, Bush beats Kerry in the "who's better looking in military duds" contest.
Maybe all this National Guard stuff is actually helping the Bush campaign?
Maybe all this National Guard stuff is actually helping the Bush campaign?
Kerry's voters don't like him
That's the essence of Dick Morris's column in yesterday's NY Post and as far as I can make out from friends of mine, that's pretty much the truth. (My friends are all liberal northeasterners and most of them are pretty negative about Kerry's chances too, for whatever that's worth.)
Whether that fact is as important as Morris claims is hard to know. Just because people don't like him as a candidate doesn't mean that Kerry still won't get their votes. Also, Morris casually advises that all "Bush has to do is to persuade a few Kerry voters to stop disliking him, and he can get their votes". Well, I'm not convinced that it's all that easy for a sitting President to change anyone's mind after 4 years. The public knows him now and if someone doesn't like him, they don't like him.
Whether that fact is as important as Morris claims is hard to know. Just because people don't like him as a candidate doesn't mean that Kerry still won't get their votes. Also, Morris casually advises that all "Bush has to do is to persuade a few Kerry voters to stop disliking him, and he can get their votes". Well, I'm not convinced that it's all that easy for a sitting President to change anyone's mind after 4 years. The public knows him now and if someone doesn't like him, they don't like him.
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