On the trail

It is outrageous that President Obama is trumpeting his assassination of Osama bin Laden  as a positive campaign issue.  Whether or not there was a discussion of restraining, capturing, arresting, holding for trial, or even "just tuning him up," the President's final order came down as, "Shoot first and ask no questions."  When the Seals met no resistance, they must have been seriously conflicted having to commit premeditated murder without provocation.  It certainly does disturb me that the President proudly takes credit for such an abominable act.

When, as a candidate, the future President said that some old people might just have to be given pain killers because it's too expensive to treat them, I knew he was insensitive, but his willingness to order the cold-blooded execution of anyone makes him no better than the terrorist he killed.  When we're talking about alleged hate crimes, I might put this one at the top of the list.

Nobel Peace Prize, indeed.

Confirmed

I wasn't entirely sure when I asserted that old-time doctors charged according to what their patients could afford, until I recently saw the film, "A Man to Remember" (1938).  It is the story of a small-town doctor who averts a massive outbreak of infantile paralysis (polio) before Jonas Salk, by insisting the grasping businessmen cancel the county fair.  It was one of those aforementioned weasels who had earlier asked, "Are you going to charge me the rich man's price or the poor man's price?"  His fee was $100 (X32?), but the good doctor accepted $2 (X32?).  See.  .  . I was right.  Sometimes, even the undeserving got a break.

Curmudgeon

Lest I appear insensitive, I wish to say something about Aubrey that, in part, explains his strange behavior at second base, and how, if I sounded less than civil, I apologize.

Aubrey went on the disabled list on Wednesday because of an "anxiety disorder."   A contributing factor is his .182 batting average, but his memory glitch is probably what sent him over the edge.  As the old saying goes, he may have forgotten more than some young players will ever know.

The other day, I wrote a letter to the editor excoriating "hunt clubs."  I suspect it will not be published, because the editor is a hunter, but I do understand that he eats every wild beast he kills for its exotic taste.  My criticism was of the practices of other "sportsmen" who pay $85 for the privilege of killing birds which have been previously captured and subsequently "released" to satisfy their blood lust.  Especially offensive is the unlimited pheasant hunt being regularly featured at the local "Indian" casino.  How ironic is this perversion of Native American culture?

If you watch enough baseball. . .

Aubrey Huff of the San Francisco Giants has played Major League Baseball for thirteen seasons, mostly at first base.  A few feet to his immediate right a number of second basemen have plied their trade, but apparently, Aubrey has never noticed them.

Yesterday, he was called upon to fill in at second base late in the game, because the logical substitute was ill and hadn't even made the trip from SF to the venue yet.  Aubrey (probably the only man so named to ever play MLB) had never played second before, but even I, who was too "uncoordinated" to play organized sports, but having watched lots of baseball (mostly on TV), have a rudimentary knowledge of how it's done.

Yesterday, with a man on first and one out, the batter hit a perfect double play ball to the shortstop.  A quick toss to second and the relay the first and the inning is over.  It's Baseball 101.  The shortstop scooped up the ball, and looking up at second base, he saw that Aubrey wasn't there.  When he recovered from the shock, it was even too late to throw out the runner at first.

The Giants eventually lost the game because Aubrey wasn't there.  In sixty years of watching baseball, I have seen tens of thousands of double plays, some successfully executed and some not, but I have never before seen an occasion when there was no one at second base to receive the throw.  That's the fascination of the game; you never know what's going to happen.

Thank you

Yesterday, I received a much appreciated picture postcard from the family world traveler sent from San Francisco. I speculated it could be the one in Argentina, the Dominican Republic, or one of the two in Mexico. But WAIT, it has a U.S. postage stamp, so it could be the one in Colorado, except with the recent cutbacks, they probably lost their post office. I've decided it's the one in California. Actually, the image of the nice Nob Hill B&B ($254, including dinner) on the front was a dead giveaway.

All of that was just an intro to the fact that in my youth, such a mailing was called "a penny postcard." It really cost one cent to send, and judging from the 32 cent price today, everything now must cost about 32 times as much. Therefore, the new house that my parents bought in 1941 for $4,500 would sell for $144,000 today. If it's still in good shape, and the neighborhood has not been degraded, I'd pay that, even though it has only two bedrooms and 1-1/2 baths. After all, my life there until I went off to college was idyllic.

Gasoline was 25 cents a gallon in 1941, but when the war broke out in December, availability was limited, and you can be sure the price rose. However, that cost won't be 32 times as much until President Obama is re-elected.

Pictures of my heart

Yesterday, I paid my regular six-month visit to the cardiologist. First born was able to fit me into her busy schedule for the short ride to his office in that nearby town that is also home to Rinky-Dink University. (I call it that, because I have been on a number of campi, including two Big Ten schools, and I have never before heard of drunken, partying college students beating and knifing each other on the adjacent streets, and apparently getting away with it,)

The doctor certified I was indeed alive. Actually, he described my heart as "strong." You may verify his results by calling MY HEART DOC. Have your credit card ready.

This was the first time in the 7-8 years I have been going there that I met Steve who hangs out in a small dark room at the end of a hall I had never noticed before. It turns out Steve is an affable young technician who performs ultrasounds. I asked him if he was new, because the last time I was thus tested, it was across the street during my initial visit. It had never happened since, but apparently I said some magic word that triggered this repeat procedure. Steve's response to my question was, "This used to be Doctor's private office," When he was installed there he didn't say. I hope someone plans to replace the narrow, uncomfortable bed I was made to lie on. Being a troublesome old codger, I suggested that to Steve. After all, Louie and I once reformed a skilled nursing facility, didn't we?

Today

Sometime in the middle of the night, we had one of the foals. I was asleep, but ever-vigilant was in attendance to insure all went well. We had sacrificed an important family event, because when you own animals and/or accept responsibility for them, it's a sacred trust.

I contemplated risking a possible $721 fine and impoundment of my vehicle, but in the end, I realized that, not having driven for several years, I'm not really ready to spend four hours behind the wheel.

So, today I watched some tape to catch up on some TV shows I missed, but it didn't help. I am still unhappy and regretful. I ask for understanding, and pray things go better next time.

TO HONOR JACKIE ROBINSON, every player in every MLB game is wearing his number (42) today. The significance fits my somber mood.

FYI

1) My replacement SS check arrived Thursday.

2) The Bee stopped arriving the day before.

3) My letter to/about Louise Weitze was published.

4) If you can't be kind to worms, leave them alone.

What?

The White House chef (what makes him an expert?) reports that the U.S. spends $150 billion per year on obesity- related problems. That's billion with a "b."

If you and/or your children are obese, isn't it your financial responsibility to deal with it? Does this mean we have to pay for everyone else's obesity as well through Obamacare?

For a few bucks, Michelle could have "Eat Healthy" tattooed on ol' big-mouth's forehead, and we could see it when he's out there bloviating every day. Wouldn't his apostles instantly obey?

Outline

Remembering my schooling, I am preparing the following outline which my teachers assured me would help one organize his thoughts before starting to write, for you. I never found an outline necessary. (Rush Limbaugh left college because he refused to prepare outlines, which are an anathema to an orderly mind.)

I. Every violent death is a tragedy.

A. It's irrelevant that the victim was black
B. It's equally unimportant that the shooter was Hispanic*
C. The media's repeatedly calling the victim "unarmed" is deliberately prejudicial

II. Someone is dead, possibly as a result of misbehavior on the part of another person.

A. Such a death must be met with appropriate punishment
B. No judgment can be rendered until all the facts can be ascertained
C. Public demonstrations do nothing to further justice; a trial will be necessary

III. Should a neighborhood watch participant be permitted to carry a loaded weapon?

A. Traditionally, watchers are instructed not to engage potential wrong-doers
B. Who initiated the confrontation?
C. Is arms control an issue here? Is it ever?

You now have enough to write an article about the Martin/Zimmerman* affair. Be sure to begin with a clever attention grabbing statement or story, and end with a summarizing conclusion.

Don't forget to follow the trial.

*Please see correction. Unexpected name.

Letter

Letter writer Louise Weitze (4/8) sounds like one of those misguided parents who used to victimize their children by letting them burn their hands on the stove instead of yelling out, "Don't touch that!" She appears to be so afraid of a little strong language that she can't or won't listen to those with whom she disagrees, and is content to accuse them of lying.

Weitze begins her letter by observing the obvious -- liberals and conservatives are frequently diametrically opposed -- but she quickly characterizes conservative thoughts sent to her as "hate email" from her friends and relatives. In one breath she calls for tolerance, and a moment later, she's excoriating those who deign to disagree with her.

This kind of liberal hypocrisy could tear her family apart and alienate her friends, some of whose ideas, she may discover, are as valid as hers, and not always, as she has said, "fabricated, toxic, and [peppered with] malignant name calling."

Miracle

My Social Security check did not arrive as scheduled on Tuesday. A few minutes ago, I called them and got RIGHT THROUGH. Actually, an electronic voice had recited a menu, and while I was deciding which category applied, they transferred me to a human being. Moments later, after I identified myself, she told me a replacement check would be coming within a week. Boy, that Obama really wants my vote. . . .

Opening Day

Although Seattle and Oakland have already played two games that count in Japan, today is being called Opening Day. The St. Louis Cardinals will play the Miami (formerly, Florida) Marlins in the only game.

LADY AND THE TRAITOR: Jane Fonda will be portraying Nancy Reagan in the upcoming film "The Butler." Henry and Ronnie are no doubt turning over in their graves.

RATS: They took away my freebies. And I was hoping to see the beginning of "Midnight in Paris." The Starz freebies lasted all last year, but this time it was only a short teaser. It's hell being poor. Maybe along with our healthcare, Messiah Obama could give us free cable/satellite too. Isn't that just another one of our "entitlements?"

Yesterday

With the Dish giving us premium channels free for a while, I was able to watch most of "Bridesmaids," and "Midnight in Paris." I say "most," because I never seem to get in at the beginning. (I don't get any printed schedule, because, as you'll remember, I don't pay for it. Shhh.)

Directly, "Bridemaids" is DREADFUL. It's aimed at pre-teen girls, but they shouldn't see it because of the liberal use of variations of the word "fuck," and the sexual innuendo. Additionally, I hate movies with people about whom I don't care, and whose activities are unbelieveable. . . stupidly so.

Conversely, I commend Owen Wilson for delivering Woody's lines without trying to be him. The unbelieveability here is clever, and who doesn't love Paris? When are we leaving?