Saturday, November 8, 2008
Friday, November 7, 2008
Bad news comes in threes
Someone once said there were two unemployment rates that matter: 100% (employed) and 0% (unemployed). If that's so, lots more people have moved into the 0 column this year: http://money.cnn.com/2008/11/07/news/economy/jobs_october/index.htm?postversion=2008110711
But the proof of the old adage that bad news comes in threes? After being told my services were no longer required last week, my Pops got popped on Wednesday and my father-in-law got the bad news today. Actually, in the final case, it's that his company and job are moving to Texas. He has politely declined to join them. So in December he'll join the rest of us jobless types.
Again I can't complain. My friends at The Union Leader have thrown me a part-time lifeline. Many other folks aren't so lucky. But now, more than ever, I reaaaaaaaaally hope the Obama fever spreading the nation shows itself in a few more jobs created. I can think of three places to start.
-- MJM
But the proof of the old adage that bad news comes in threes? After being told my services were no longer required last week, my Pops got popped on Wednesday and my father-in-law got the bad news today. Actually, in the final case, it's that his company and job are moving to Texas. He has politely declined to join them. So in December he'll join the rest of us jobless types.
Again I can't complain. My friends at The Union Leader have thrown me a part-time lifeline. Many other folks aren't so lucky. But now, more than ever, I reaaaaaaaaally hope the Obama fever spreading the nation shows itself in a few more jobs created. I can think of three places to start.
-- MJM
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Thought for the day
Imagine you were frozen at the turn of the century (21st century, not the 20th). Say, Jan. 1, 2002. And you were thawed out on Wednesday.
Here's what you would have learned happened in that nearly seven-year span:
- The Red Sox have won not one, but TWO World Series. . . and the Yankees haven't won any.
- The Patriots have won three Super Bowls and came within 30 seconds (not to mention one dropped INT and one amazing play) of a fourth and an undefeated season.
- The Celtics acquired two All-Stars/HOF candidates and won Banner No. 17.
- The stock market rallied, then crashed. Again.
- Oh, and we've elected an African-American President. By a huge margin.
Which of these would you have deemed most likely to happen? Least likely to happen? What unbelievable stuff can we add to this list?
Seriously, an African-American President was conceivable, but unlikely even five years ago. And here we are.
-JDE2
Here's what you would have learned happened in that nearly seven-year span:
- The Red Sox have won not one, but TWO World Series. . . and the Yankees haven't won any.
- The Patriots have won three Super Bowls and came within 30 seconds (not to mention one dropped INT and one amazing play) of a fourth and an undefeated season.
- The Celtics acquired two All-Stars/HOF candidates and won Banner No. 17.
- The stock market rallied, then crashed. Again.
- Oh, and we've elected an African-American President. By a huge margin.
Which of these would you have deemed most likely to happen? Least likely to happen? What unbelievable stuff can we add to this list?
Seriously, an African-American President was conceivable, but unlikely even five years ago. And here we are.
-JDE2
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Just do it
I voted today. I know this because I have a little sticker the poll worker gave me that says, "I voted."
Of course, they gave my 23-month-old daughter one as well. To be fair, she was in the booth with me and is the only other person who knows how I filled out my ballot. But I think the historical importance of what she did is lost on her.
Nonetheless, that was what struck me as I went to the polls today: Seeing the number of parents with young children going in there.
Now granted, maybe they didn't have other childcare options. And perhaps my parenting radar is up due to the fact I have kids now. But perhaps they, like my wife and I, grasped the importance and the privilege we have of voting and wanted to show their children.
One of my big gripes in past elections has been voter turnout. Now granted, there have been enough irregularities to raise more than an eyebrow the last two elections.
But at the same time, half of the people in this country consistently don't vote every four years.
Yes, we should bitch - LOUDLY - about those who want to vote and can't.
At the same time, I'm sick of hearing people complain about all the calls they receive (and I live in a big-time battleground state, so I've probably gotten as many, if not more, calls than anybody.). Especially today, where I bet there are a handful of calls already on the home answering machine asking if I needed a ride to the polls.
YOU KNOW WHAT: MAYBE IF PEOPLE TOOK THE F-ING TIME TO GO VOTE, WE WOULDN'T NEED ALL THESE REMINDERS!
Come on. Just go vote. Take it seriously for a change. Be a part of history.
(Editor's note, Nov. 6: Why didn't I end this with: "Go get your sticker." I hate thinking of that two days later.)
-JDE2
Of course, they gave my 23-month-old daughter one as well. To be fair, she was in the booth with me and is the only other person who knows how I filled out my ballot. But I think the historical importance of what she did is lost on her.
Nonetheless, that was what struck me as I went to the polls today: Seeing the number of parents with young children going in there.
Now granted, maybe they didn't have other childcare options. And perhaps my parenting radar is up due to the fact I have kids now. But perhaps they, like my wife and I, grasped the importance and the privilege we have of voting and wanted to show their children.
One of my big gripes in past elections has been voter turnout. Now granted, there have been enough irregularities to raise more than an eyebrow the last two elections.
But at the same time, half of the people in this country consistently don't vote every four years.
Yes, we should bitch - LOUDLY - about those who want to vote and can't.
At the same time, I'm sick of hearing people complain about all the calls they receive (and I live in a big-time battleground state, so I've probably gotten as many, if not more, calls than anybody.). Especially today, where I bet there are a handful of calls already on the home answering machine asking if I needed a ride to the polls.
YOU KNOW WHAT: MAYBE IF PEOPLE TOOK THE F-ING TIME TO GO VOTE, WE WOULDN'T NEED ALL THESE REMINDERS!
Come on. Just go vote. Take it seriously for a change. Be a part of history.
(Editor's note, Nov. 6: Why didn't I end this with: "Go get your sticker." I hate thinking of that two days later.)
-JDE2
Monday, November 3, 2008
RIP MSM
Having earned a living through the mainstream media for the better part of 17 years, its demise is causing me some anxiety. Alan Mutter, a former journalist and now a Silicon Valley CEO, offers his thoughts on the decline of newspapers in his outstanding blog, Reflections of a Newsosaur. His post today on the close of campaign 2008 is insightful. It's at http://newsosaur.blogspot.com/2008/11/campaign-08-msms-last-hurrah.html
-- MJM
-- MJM
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Old-time hockey
I love old-time hockey. So I loved last night's offering at the Nouveau Gah-den: http://www.boston.com/sports/hockey/bruins/articles/2008/11/02/feisty_bruins_leave_dallas_seeing_stars/
Hockey's a tough game and there's a reason beyond love of violence for the occasional fight: It's how the players police the game. You cut down on cheap shots, dangerous hits and stickwork when everyone at the rink knows there'll be hell to pay for it. In a way, fights make the game cleaner and flow better, allowing skilled players to shine.
The call to end fighting in hockey sounds to me like asking offensive and defensive linemen to take it easy on each other. But the hard work of the guys in the trenches allows the offensive and defensive skill players to shine.
So let's all go Don Cherry and see a few more fights!!!!!!
-- MJM
PS: In the more good news category, BU 7 Vermont 2. Could the high-flying Terriers top the NCAA pucks poll this week???
Hockey's a tough game and there's a reason beyond love of violence for the occasional fight: It's how the players police the game. You cut down on cheap shots, dangerous hits and stickwork when everyone at the rink knows there'll be hell to pay for it. In a way, fights make the game cleaner and flow better, allowing skilled players to shine.
The call to end fighting in hockey sounds to me like asking offensive and defensive linemen to take it easy on each other. But the hard work of the guys in the trenches allows the offensive and defensive skill players to shine.
So let's all go Don Cherry and see a few more fights!!!!!!
-- MJM
PS: In the more good news category, BU 7 Vermont 2. Could the high-flying Terriers top the NCAA pucks poll this week???
GO MO Part Deux!
I'd like to second Mr. Enright's motion. I've always been in awe of anyone with the guts and determination to run 26.2 miles. We're behind you all the way, Maureen!
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