Many of New York City's best outdoor sites are not conveniently located. Often they are found in the outer boroughs and take a while to reach by car or public transportation. The result is that when it comes to outdoor activities, you usually find large numbers of locals and visitors in places like Central Park or Coney Island, but far fewer at equally beautiful places like Rockaway Beach, the Cloisters, or the New York Botanical Gardens.
Today I am going to discuss the special technique which my wife and I utilize on weekends to increase our exposure to less travelled places without inconvenience or discomfort. Our secret involves the Sunday New York Times, which everyone knows is particularly large and engrossing. What many New Yorkers including us typically do on Sunday is wake up, eat breakfast or brunch, and then settle down to continue reading it for up to several hours.
What we increasingly do, instead, is select a place to visit, grab a quick bite, and head out with "the paper" for our destination via the NYC Transit System, otherwise known as the subway. As you know, our subway system is one of the largest and busiest in the world, with lines reaching out to many remote areas of the City. While we read, the subway goes the hour or more it may take to reach our destination. Although typically packed during the week, the subway on Sunday is usually quiet and often almost deserted. There's always a seat, good lighting, welcome air conditioning during hot weather, and a gentle rocking motion. Before you know it, an hour or more has passed (sometimes with a required connection) and you've arrived at your destination. A collateral benefit is you're accomplishing something and not having to say--"Oh nothing, we just sat home and read the paper."
In addition to the destinations listed above, we plan future visits to the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge in Queens, and Van Cortlandt Park and Wave Hill (free shuttle from train) in the Bronx. Other destinations include Inwood Park and Alexander Hamilton's home in upper Manhattan, and Governor's Island (free ferry from train). As a beach and water lover, I'm always ready to revisit Manhattan Beach and Sheepshead Bay or go to Red Hook (connecting bus) in Brooklyn for canoeing or kayaking.
Hope this idea is helpful to you. We'll know you've taken our suggestion if we get off the train on a future weekend at a remote location and see another couple looking around while carrying the Sunday Times with them.
Toucan
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Monday, July 30, 2012
Woodlawn Cemetery
My urban adventure this weekend was to historic Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, which is reached by taking the No.4 Lexington Avenue train to the last stop. You can read my detailed review of Woodlawn on YELP; it is currently their lead review dated 7/29/2012. Suffice it to say this was a cemetery to die for: the stone mausoleums of the very rich interred here are huge and magnificent, with bronze doors sometimes accompanied by statuary and Tiffany stained glass. My wife and I spent hours hiking around the vast acreage, which is filled with manicured lawns and mature foliage. It's very quiet, peaceful and deserted except for a few guards.
As we wandered around, I couldn't help thinking that if only these people were alive today, they would constitute Mitt Romney's natural constituency. Mitt's ideas about cutting taxes even further for the wealthiest and reducing benefits for everyone else at a time of need would, I suspect, make perfect sense to many of them. Maybe he could stage a fundraiser on the grounds of Woodlawn, and the descendants of these moguls from the Gilded Age and later could come and make large contributions to his campaign in memory of their deceased benefactors. If only the GOP could somehow get special "proxy" voting approved for some of these 300,000 deceased elite, Mitt might even have a chance of carrying normally Democratic Bronx County in the election. Perhaps the conservative justices on the Supreme Court could devine an original intent by the framers of the Constitution for this to happen.
I would be remiss if I failed to mention some of the many distinguished Americans buried at Woodlawn, whose fame and contributions to our country transcend partisan politics. A partial list would include musicians Irving Berlin, George M. Cohan, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Victor Herbert, and Augustus Juilliard; merchants F.W. Woolworth, J.C. Penney, Roland Macy and the Strauss Family; political leaders Fiorello LaGuardia, Charles Evans Hughes, and Robert Moses; writer Herman Melville; and publisher Joseph Pulitzer. A free map and complete listing of famous people buried at Woodlawn is available to all visitors at the entrances.
The next stop on our hike was the New York Botanical Gardens, located about two miles away. We decided to walk there after fortifying ourselves by a brief stop at Dunkin Donuts across the street to buy cold drinks and a small bag of munchkin donuts for a sugar boost. More than half of the distance was a single side of the multi-sided cemetery, which will give you some idea of the vast size of Woodlawn.
On arrival at the Botanic, where we are members, we headed straight to the "forest" area, which gives you the feeling of being in the woods in upstate New York rather than in part of a crowded city with over 8 million inhabitants. Running through these grounds is the Bronx River, the only natural river still running through New York City.
As we wandered around, I couldn't help thinking that if only these people were alive today, they would constitute Mitt Romney's natural constituency. Mitt's ideas about cutting taxes even further for the wealthiest and reducing benefits for everyone else at a time of need would, I suspect, make perfect sense to many of them. Maybe he could stage a fundraiser on the grounds of Woodlawn, and the descendants of these moguls from the Gilded Age and later could come and make large contributions to his campaign in memory of their deceased benefactors. If only the GOP could somehow get special "proxy" voting approved for some of these 300,000 deceased elite, Mitt might even have a chance of carrying normally Democratic Bronx County in the election. Perhaps the conservative justices on the Supreme Court could devine an original intent by the framers of the Constitution for this to happen.
I would be remiss if I failed to mention some of the many distinguished Americans buried at Woodlawn, whose fame and contributions to our country transcend partisan politics. A partial list would include musicians Irving Berlin, George M. Cohan, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Victor Herbert, and Augustus Juilliard; merchants F.W. Woolworth, J.C. Penney, Roland Macy and the Strauss Family; political leaders Fiorello LaGuardia, Charles Evans Hughes, and Robert Moses; writer Herman Melville; and publisher Joseph Pulitzer. A free map and complete listing of famous people buried at Woodlawn is available to all visitors at the entrances.
The next stop on our hike was the New York Botanical Gardens, located about two miles away. We decided to walk there after fortifying ourselves by a brief stop at Dunkin Donuts across the street to buy cold drinks and a small bag of munchkin donuts for a sugar boost. More than half of the distance was a single side of the multi-sided cemetery, which will give you some idea of the vast size of Woodlawn.
On arrival at the Botanic, where we are members, we headed straight to the "forest" area, which gives you the feeling of being in the woods in upstate New York rather than in part of a crowded city with over 8 million inhabitants. Running through these grounds is the Bronx River, the only natural river still running through New York City.
Sunday, July 29, 2012
North Central Park
Nearly 25 years ago, a young woman went jogging at the north end of Central Park during the night and was severely beaten, raped, and left for dead by her assailant. The plight of the Central Park Jogger, as she was called, sealed the fate of the North End of Central Park in the minds of many New Yorkers. It was considered a dangerous place to be avoided, as many places above 96th Street in Manhattan were regarded in the past.
That reputation has continued for many right up to the present day. As a life-long New Yorker, I definitely would include myself in that group. It was therefore a complete surprise and revelation for me to hike along the paths and up the hills of North Central Park this past weekend and encounter a wholly unexpected environment and population. My wife likes to hike in the outdoors and convinced me to accompany her for a Sunday afternoon outing.
Aside from periodic visits to the tennis courts and the Conservatory Gardens at Fifth Avenue around 105th Street, the transverse at 96th Street previously marked my furthest point north. On this first-time visit, I was astonished at the beautiful landscaping and paths above 96th Street, where birds were singing everywhere and paved walkways passed waterfalls and colorful flower beds. Also in this area is the renovated Lasker Pool, a vast swimming pool open to all ages for water sports. The grass was mowed everywhere, except for places intentionally left wild to reflect Manhattan in its original pristine state. Families and couples were hanging out on the grass, but in far fewer numbers than those visiting the southern end of the park.
Although the south end starting at 59th Street is better known and justly popular, I now feel the north end is quieter, more beautiful and relaxing than its counterpart. It has become a hidden and largely undiscovered jewel well worth exploring. One has a feeling of complete safety today, as it is totally different from previous dangerous conditions. Overall, it is hillier and rougher than the mostly manicured south.
The credit for this turnaround belongs largely to the Central Park Conservancy, a non-profit that has raised and spent millions to turn the park, especially the north end, into a great wilderness in the middle of Manhattan.
That reputation has continued for many right up to the present day. As a life-long New Yorker, I definitely would include myself in that group. It was therefore a complete surprise and revelation for me to hike along the paths and up the hills of North Central Park this past weekend and encounter a wholly unexpected environment and population. My wife likes to hike in the outdoors and convinced me to accompany her for a Sunday afternoon outing.
Aside from periodic visits to the tennis courts and the Conservatory Gardens at Fifth Avenue around 105th Street, the transverse at 96th Street previously marked my furthest point north. On this first-time visit, I was astonished at the beautiful landscaping and paths above 96th Street, where birds were singing everywhere and paved walkways passed waterfalls and colorful flower beds. Also in this area is the renovated Lasker Pool, a vast swimming pool open to all ages for water sports. The grass was mowed everywhere, except for places intentionally left wild to reflect Manhattan in its original pristine state. Families and couples were hanging out on the grass, but in far fewer numbers than those visiting the southern end of the park.
Although the south end starting at 59th Street is better known and justly popular, I now feel the north end is quieter, more beautiful and relaxing than its counterpart. It has become a hidden and largely undiscovered jewel well worth exploring. One has a feeling of complete safety today, as it is totally different from previous dangerous conditions. Overall, it is hillier and rougher than the mostly manicured south.
The credit for this turnaround belongs largely to the Central Park Conservancy, a non-profit that has raised and spent millions to turn the park, especially the north end, into a great wilderness in the middle of Manhattan.
Friday, July 27, 2012
Vertigo
I've been reading lots of stories about sick people and their hospital experiences lately, so I've decided to share my own story about the time that I had a sudden medical emergency and the hospital stay that resulted. This was a first for me as a hospital in-patient, rather than as a visitor to family or friends.
What happened was that on an exceptionally hot summer day in Manhattan several years ago, while I was completely suited up and carrying some heavy documents, I noticed that the ground seemed to sway beneath my feet. By the time I arrived home, the room was spinning wildly and I barely made it onto the bed. When it became clear after several hours that my condition was not going to improve, my wife called an ambulance, and EMS carried me out on a chair and took me with a blaring siren to Maimonides Hospital, the best in Brooklyn.
During this time I was convinced that I was going to have a stroke. I regretted every fattening meal I had ever eaten in my life -- I love all the things I shouldn't eat-- and pondered whether to promise God that if he spared me, I would totally reform. Considering this would include not eating another pastrami sandwich or hot dog for the rest of my life, I decided to wait and see whether I could pull through without such a drastic commitment.
I was quickly "admitted" at Maimonides-- the medical equivalent to being a "made man"--and awaited speedy medical intervention, which to my astonishment did not arrive for some time in the crowded ER. Eventually, following an examination and tests, I was told I had Vertigo. My mind raced to recall the Alfred Hitchcock film with this title. The doctor said it was a common problem involving a disruption in the inner ear, which causes balance problems until it goes away. I was so relieved that I was alive and not having a stroke that I (almost) didn't mind spending the night in a noisy and brightly-lighted ER with a needle taped into my arm; a hospital robe completely open in the back; a bedpan instead of a bathroom; a nurse who woke me up in order to give me a sleeping pill; and an orderly who woke me up again after the sleeping pill worked to mop and clean up around my bed. My wife was very supportive.
By the next morning, I was feeling much better and pleased to learn that my case had been included on that day's list for grand rounds. The senior medical doctor escorting the interns came to my bedside, reviewed my telltale symptoms, and then totally burst my bubble when he informed them with a big smile that the technician who did my CAT Scan had written in his report that my images "looked like a brain that had never been used!"
Fortunately for me, I was discharged from the hospital shortly thereafter, the vertigo slowly dissapated, and I haven't had a single reoccurrence since then.
What happened was that on an exceptionally hot summer day in Manhattan several years ago, while I was completely suited up and carrying some heavy documents, I noticed that the ground seemed to sway beneath my feet. By the time I arrived home, the room was spinning wildly and I barely made it onto the bed. When it became clear after several hours that my condition was not going to improve, my wife called an ambulance, and EMS carried me out on a chair and took me with a blaring siren to Maimonides Hospital, the best in Brooklyn.
During this time I was convinced that I was going to have a stroke. I regretted every fattening meal I had ever eaten in my life -- I love all the things I shouldn't eat-- and pondered whether to promise God that if he spared me, I would totally reform. Considering this would include not eating another pastrami sandwich or hot dog for the rest of my life, I decided to wait and see whether I could pull through without such a drastic commitment.
I was quickly "admitted" at Maimonides-- the medical equivalent to being a "made man"--and awaited speedy medical intervention, which to my astonishment did not arrive for some time in the crowded ER. Eventually, following an examination and tests, I was told I had Vertigo. My mind raced to recall the Alfred Hitchcock film with this title. The doctor said it was a common problem involving a disruption in the inner ear, which causes balance problems until it goes away. I was so relieved that I was alive and not having a stroke that I (almost) didn't mind spending the night in a noisy and brightly-lighted ER with a needle taped into my arm; a hospital robe completely open in the back; a bedpan instead of a bathroom; a nurse who woke me up in order to give me a sleeping pill; and an orderly who woke me up again after the sleeping pill worked to mop and clean up around my bed. My wife was very supportive.
By the next morning, I was feeling much better and pleased to learn that my case had been included on that day's list for grand rounds. The senior medical doctor escorting the interns came to my bedside, reviewed my telltale symptoms, and then totally burst my bubble when he informed them with a big smile that the technician who did my CAT Scan had written in his report that my images "looked like a brain that had never been used!"
Fortunately for me, I was discharged from the hospital shortly thereafter, the vertigo slowly dissapated, and I haven't had a single reoccurrence since then.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
China and Realpolitik
When I was growing up, two of the measures routinely cited by commentators to demonstrate the power of the United States were the tons of steel produced and the number of cars manufactured in America every year compared to the rest of the world. Things have certainly changed dramatically in just a few decades. Consider the following:
--- China now produces nearly half of the world's steel vs around 5% for the US. Even Europe, not a low cost area, produces twice as much as we do.
--- China is now the world's largest market for both the production and sale of automobiles vs the US, where the car companies required federal assistance to avoid bankruptcy. Chrysler is now owned by a foreign company and GM sells more cars in China than in the US. Buicks are apparently a hot item in China.
--- China last year became the world's largest market for art and antiques.
--- China has foreign reserves of over $3 trillion vs national debt of $16 trillion in the US.
--- China is still growing at more than 8% a year, down from double digit growth for years vs a US economy with over 8% unemployment and little growth year over year.
According to former US Senator Alan Simpson (R,WY), co-chairman of the Bowles-Simpson Commission, things are so bad that the US, which is under treaty obligation to defend Taiwan in case of attack, would not be able to do so without a loan from China to finance the war. The ascendance of China on the world stage as a superpower is not a new revelation. As former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger has pointed out, China has existed for something like 5,000 years, and for most of that time it has been the strongest and wealthiest country in the world. The past couple of hundred years, he noted, were aberrations. China is now once again starting to claim its position of power on the world scene.
Personally, I'm thankful that I'm living here and not there. I would not enjoy their lack of political, economic, and personal freedom. Their smog-filled cities and increasingly polluted environment-- the result of rapid industrialization-- would not appeal either. However, realpolitik dictates that this is not an appropriate time to espouse American exceptionalism or assert that America must reclaim its position as the number one unchallenged superpower in the world. Yet this is precisely what Mitt Romney has been doing on the campaign trail lately, and it's just plain wrong-- even as campaign rhetoric.
--- China now produces nearly half of the world's steel vs around 5% for the US. Even Europe, not a low cost area, produces twice as much as we do.
--- China is now the world's largest market for both the production and sale of automobiles vs the US, where the car companies required federal assistance to avoid bankruptcy. Chrysler is now owned by a foreign company and GM sells more cars in China than in the US. Buicks are apparently a hot item in China.
--- China last year became the world's largest market for art and antiques.
--- China has foreign reserves of over $3 trillion vs national debt of $16 trillion in the US.
--- China is still growing at more than 8% a year, down from double digit growth for years vs a US economy with over 8% unemployment and little growth year over year.
According to former US Senator Alan Simpson (R,WY), co-chairman of the Bowles-Simpson Commission, things are so bad that the US, which is under treaty obligation to defend Taiwan in case of attack, would not be able to do so without a loan from China to finance the war. The ascendance of China on the world stage as a superpower is not a new revelation. As former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger has pointed out, China has existed for something like 5,000 years, and for most of that time it has been the strongest and wealthiest country in the world. The past couple of hundred years, he noted, were aberrations. China is now once again starting to claim its position of power on the world scene.
Personally, I'm thankful that I'm living here and not there. I would not enjoy their lack of political, economic, and personal freedom. Their smog-filled cities and increasingly polluted environment-- the result of rapid industrialization-- would not appeal either. However, realpolitik dictates that this is not an appropriate time to espouse American exceptionalism or assert that America must reclaim its position as the number one unchallenged superpower in the world. Yet this is precisely what Mitt Romney has been doing on the campaign trail lately, and it's just plain wrong-- even as campaign rhetoric.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Sinking Feeling
Despite my innate optimism that things will be all right in the end, I have not seen anything in the last five years that convinces me that things will improve nationally or internationally any time soon. Although the world does not appear on the verge of imminent economic meltdown, the underlying problems from 2008 have not been resolved and could readily occur again in the same or different form. Recent huge trading losses at JP Morgan Chase demonstrate the potential for disaster.
When one examines the scene dispassionately, there are few grounds to objectively be hopeful. If Romney wins in November, the chances are that the lyrics in a well-known song from the Great Depression-- "There's nothing surer, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer"-- will prove prophetic. The discouraging realization, however, is that even if Obama wins reelection, the deadlock between the Democrats and Republicans, especially in Washington, will continue unabated and nothing of substance will be accomplished.
Turning to economic affairs, the problems are pervasive and world-wide. There is obviously too much debt everywhere and little prospect of digging out from under. Some countries already have unemployment at 20% or higher-- similar to the US in the Great Depression-- and there is no plan anywhere to improve conditions. The idea that everyone will solve their problems by producing more to sell to others, many of whom are in the same or worse economic conditions, is ludicrous. Meanwhile, austerity plans imposed on countries like Greece and Spain to slash national budgets and other outlays drastically are clearly making bad situations even worse.
I certainly have no answers to these problems, and those few who are willing to tackle them, as President Obama did with the American auto industry, are typically stymied by intransigent opposition. When one adds to these problems the ongoing conflicts across the globe, where armed conflicts rage unabated and countless millions lack the bare necessities for a decent life, it is not an encouraging overall picture.
A recent poll shows that about three-quarters of the American people share my sinking feeling about the future. However, it's always darkest right before the dawn. Just when things seemed hopeless, the Soviet Union collapsed and the Cold War ended-- to take one dramatic example from the not so distant past.
When one examines the scene dispassionately, there are few grounds to objectively be hopeful. If Romney wins in November, the chances are that the lyrics in a well-known song from the Great Depression-- "There's nothing surer, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer"-- will prove prophetic. The discouraging realization, however, is that even if Obama wins reelection, the deadlock between the Democrats and Republicans, especially in Washington, will continue unabated and nothing of substance will be accomplished.
Turning to economic affairs, the problems are pervasive and world-wide. There is obviously too much debt everywhere and little prospect of digging out from under. Some countries already have unemployment at 20% or higher-- similar to the US in the Great Depression-- and there is no plan anywhere to improve conditions. The idea that everyone will solve their problems by producing more to sell to others, many of whom are in the same or worse economic conditions, is ludicrous. Meanwhile, austerity plans imposed on countries like Greece and Spain to slash national budgets and other outlays drastically are clearly making bad situations even worse.
I certainly have no answers to these problems, and those few who are willing to tackle them, as President Obama did with the American auto industry, are typically stymied by intransigent opposition. When one adds to these problems the ongoing conflicts across the globe, where armed conflicts rage unabated and countless millions lack the bare necessities for a decent life, it is not an encouraging overall picture.
A recent poll shows that about three-quarters of the American people share my sinking feeling about the future. However, it's always darkest right before the dawn. Just when things seemed hopeless, the Soviet Union collapsed and the Cold War ended-- to take one dramatic example from the not so distant past.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Cycle of Fear
You know those New Year's Resolutions that people make with the best of intentions? I left home this afternoon with a new resolve firmly in mind. I decided to ride my bike from Brooklyn to Greenwich Village in Manhattan on an errand while obeying every traffic law. As a long-time car driver, I am very familiar with all these laws. This is necessary, because bike riders in NYC are subject to all rules governing motor vehicles, plus additional rules which the typical car driver would not need to consider, such as no travel on sidewalks.
My motivation was not due to a sudden burst of civic virtue. Rather, the impetus was this morning's newspaper, which contained a detailed article about the recent crackdown by the NYPD on bikers who fail to obey the Vehicle & Traffic Law. The article discussed the fines now imposed on errant bikers for going through red lights or traveling the wrong way on a one-way street, which could easily exceed the value of one's bike. The article included a picture of young bikers ordered to attend a one day training session to teach proper riding practices. The final motivator was learning that punishment now sometimes included the requirement of community service, which might mean cleaning the streets for a whole day. Wow! An urban Cool Hand Luke!
So off I went on my 14 mile round trip. In the past, I've loved the exercise and the freedom which biking afforded. This time, however, there was no joy in Mudville. It isn't that I got a ticket, but by the time I got home I was frustrated and exhausted trying to obey rules designed primarily for automobiles, cabs, and trucks.
At first it was easy, though in my mind senseless. I stopped at every red traffic light, even at corners where there were no cars and watched pedestrians cross all around me. I imagined they were quietly smirking and laughing at me. In general, I put myself in more danger than ever before to reach my destination. When I spotted cops or police patrol cars, I imagined I still did something wrong, and notwithstanding my best efforts would get a ticket for something I missed--e.g.,failure to signal a turn or to ride in a designated bike lane. My common sense and good judgment had become irrelevant. By the time I got home, I was like a nervous wreck. This routine trip almost ranked with times I've had a flat tire miles from home or gotten caught in a sudden downpour with no place to stay dry.
Hopefully, the supporters of increased biking at the City's Dept of Transportation, who have dramatically increased the number of dedicated bike lanes in the City, will champion a reasonable modification of the rules to make them more accommodating to the growing number of bike enthusiasts in the City.
My motivation was not due to a sudden burst of civic virtue. Rather, the impetus was this morning's newspaper, which contained a detailed article about the recent crackdown by the NYPD on bikers who fail to obey the Vehicle & Traffic Law. The article discussed the fines now imposed on errant bikers for going through red lights or traveling the wrong way on a one-way street, which could easily exceed the value of one's bike. The article included a picture of young bikers ordered to attend a one day training session to teach proper riding practices. The final motivator was learning that punishment now sometimes included the requirement of community service, which might mean cleaning the streets for a whole day. Wow! An urban Cool Hand Luke!
So off I went on my 14 mile round trip. In the past, I've loved the exercise and the freedom which biking afforded. This time, however, there was no joy in Mudville. It isn't that I got a ticket, but by the time I got home I was frustrated and exhausted trying to obey rules designed primarily for automobiles, cabs, and trucks.
At first it was easy, though in my mind senseless. I stopped at every red traffic light, even at corners where there were no cars and watched pedestrians cross all around me. I imagined they were quietly smirking and laughing at me. In general, I put myself in more danger than ever before to reach my destination. When I spotted cops or police patrol cars, I imagined I still did something wrong, and notwithstanding my best efforts would get a ticket for something I missed--e.g.,failure to signal a turn or to ride in a designated bike lane. My common sense and good judgment had become irrelevant. By the time I got home, I was like a nervous wreck. This routine trip almost ranked with times I've had a flat tire miles from home or gotten caught in a sudden downpour with no place to stay dry.
Hopefully, the supporters of increased biking at the City's Dept of Transportation, who have dramatically increased the number of dedicated bike lanes in the City, will champion a reasonable modification of the rules to make them more accommodating to the growing number of bike enthusiasts in the City.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Compare and Contrast
Today was a beautiful sunny day in Brooklyn, New York. This morning, my neighbor and I saved the backyard of a third neighbor's house by scaling the high fence between our properties to turn off the raging water hose which she forgot to turn off before leaving for the weekend. She still isn't home this evening, and by now her house might well have been flooded. In Park Slope, neighbors try to look out for each other. I well remember when our boys were little and the school bus used to drop them off at a nearby corner every afternoon. On more than one occasion, my wife or I were late arriving due to a slow subway train. We never worried, however, because one neighbor or another picking up her own child would notice our absence and simply take our son home for a playdate with her kids, followed by dinner. Eventually our boy would get home.
This afternoon, I rode my bike the eight miles or so from our house to Sheepshead Bay, one of the places on Brooklyn's south shore where the City meets the Atlantic Ocean. I met my wife there and we walked along the beach where hundreds were enjoying summer weather by swimming, sun-bathing, and grilling food. Later we looked at fishing boats moored at their piers and hundreds more people enjoying food and drinks at seaside restaurants.
While all this was going on, President Obama was in Aurora, Colorado consoling the families and surviving victims of Friday's senseless massacre. The war in Syria to oust President Assad continued unabated. Several more American soldiers were killed in Afghanistan. Experts warned that American cities, counties, and states had nowhere near enough money to satisfy their obligations to citizens, creditors, and retirees, separate and apart from the daunting financial problems facing the Federal Government.
It is tempting to tune everything out and simply enjoy a balmy summer day. This evening, my wife and I had a dinner consisting of ice cold beer, a hot chicken cutlet hero takeout from our favorite local pizza store, and chilled watermelon for dessert, but the calm presently prevailing in parts of Brooklyn is obviously not representative of the state of affairs in our nation or world today. If only it were as easy as pitching in and turning off a neighbor's hose gushing water in every direction. The rich and powerful should wake up and recognize that the rest of the nation is not living as they are in their huge estates and sprawling mansions, or even in less spectacular but still pleasant places like Park Slope. There is turmoil everywhere, and there will be no long-term peace for anyone until things change for the better.
This afternoon, I rode my bike the eight miles or so from our house to Sheepshead Bay, one of the places on Brooklyn's south shore where the City meets the Atlantic Ocean. I met my wife there and we walked along the beach where hundreds were enjoying summer weather by swimming, sun-bathing, and grilling food. Later we looked at fishing boats moored at their piers and hundreds more people enjoying food and drinks at seaside restaurants.
While all this was going on, President Obama was in Aurora, Colorado consoling the families and surviving victims of Friday's senseless massacre. The war in Syria to oust President Assad continued unabated. Several more American soldiers were killed in Afghanistan. Experts warned that American cities, counties, and states had nowhere near enough money to satisfy their obligations to citizens, creditors, and retirees, separate and apart from the daunting financial problems facing the Federal Government.
It is tempting to tune everything out and simply enjoy a balmy summer day. This evening, my wife and I had a dinner consisting of ice cold beer, a hot chicken cutlet hero takeout from our favorite local pizza store, and chilled watermelon for dessert, but the calm presently prevailing in parts of Brooklyn is obviously not representative of the state of affairs in our nation or world today. If only it were as easy as pitching in and turning off a neighbor's hose gushing water in every direction. The rich and powerful should wake up and recognize that the rest of the nation is not living as they are in their huge estates and sprawling mansions, or even in less spectacular but still pleasant places like Park Slope. There is turmoil everywhere, and there will be no long-term peace for anyone until things change for the better.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Aurora Massacre
Today's mass killing in Aurora, CO of at least a dozen people and the wounding of dozens of others, many critically, does not come as a surprise. My comments are not meant as finger-pointing or an exercise in I-told-you-so. For one thing, I am in no position to finger-point to anyone on any subject. For another, there is too much pain and suffering over the carnage for criticism at this time. Nevertheless, as I listen to the bleeding hearts and watch the news reports on TV, there is a part of me that is unsympathetic to people who consistently oppose gun control and still demand support and understanding when the inevitable occurs.
Why does anyone need to carry automatic assault rifles, and why were these weapons legalized after being outlawed? This was one of the four lethal but totally legal weapons carried by this 24 year old (deranged) killer into the movie theatre where he opened fire on the audience and systematically gunned people down. I am not a hunter or gun owner, but I do not believe hunters use these weapons to hunt game. They are designed for use in war or other hostile endeavors against people.
So here is the situation confronting America. The gun lobby is rich and powerful. Most politicians are unwilling to oppose them; the lobby makes generous contributions to its supporters, so only a handful of leaders-- like Mayor Bloomberg of NYC-- is willing to oppose them. Furthermore, large numbers of Americans want to own guns and believe this right to bear arms is safeguarded by the Constitution.
The upshot of this state of affairs is that whether it is Aurora this week, or Columbine High School in the recent past, or Virginia Tech on a different occasion, these outbreaks of carnage are going to keep occurring over and over again, until and unless meaningful restrictions are placed on gun ownership in this country.
First we'll watch the politicians of both parties say their hearts go out to the Aurora victims and their families. Then there will be a day of mourning, and commentators will speak of the grieving process and the need of the families to find closure. We will also hear about the special people who died, and listen to their individual stories as we gaze at their pictures on our TV screens and listen to sad music in the background.
To me, this is hypocritical and inexcusable-- the people should wake up and insist on gun control, and the gun lobby should be reined in. Too many innocent people are being killed, and it will continue until a change is made. I'm not so sympathetic any more.
Why does anyone need to carry automatic assault rifles, and why were these weapons legalized after being outlawed? This was one of the four lethal but totally legal weapons carried by this 24 year old (deranged) killer into the movie theatre where he opened fire on the audience and systematically gunned people down. I am not a hunter or gun owner, but I do not believe hunters use these weapons to hunt game. They are designed for use in war or other hostile endeavors against people.
So here is the situation confronting America. The gun lobby is rich and powerful. Most politicians are unwilling to oppose them; the lobby makes generous contributions to its supporters, so only a handful of leaders-- like Mayor Bloomberg of NYC-- is willing to oppose them. Furthermore, large numbers of Americans want to own guns and believe this right to bear arms is safeguarded by the Constitution.
The upshot of this state of affairs is that whether it is Aurora this week, or Columbine High School in the recent past, or Virginia Tech on a different occasion, these outbreaks of carnage are going to keep occurring over and over again, until and unless meaningful restrictions are placed on gun ownership in this country.
First we'll watch the politicians of both parties say their hearts go out to the Aurora victims and their families. Then there will be a day of mourning, and commentators will speak of the grieving process and the need of the families to find closure. We will also hear about the special people who died, and listen to their individual stories as we gaze at their pictures on our TV screens and listen to sad music in the background.
To me, this is hypocritical and inexcusable-- the people should wake up and insist on gun control, and the gun lobby should be reined in. Too many innocent people are being killed, and it will continue until a change is made. I'm not so sympathetic any more.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
MOOCs
One of the most satisfying experiences I had in college was attending periodic evening lectures called "Battle Night". These were lectures given by a full professor of history whose hobby was studying great military battles throughout history. He was fascinated by this subject and gave these lectures, focusing on the opposing generals and their tactics as diagrammed on a blackboard, without compensation or recognition of any kind. His enthusiasm was contagious, and he always filled a lecture hall with undergrads, some of whom were notorious for cutting their regular classroom lectures. His talks on pivotal battles in history were never to be forgotten. I always wished my entire education could be this way and that it could continue all my life.
Today, thanks to the Internet, one of my lifelong wishes is actually coming to fruition, thanks to something relatively new known as Massive Open Online Courses, or MOOCs. Some of our very best universities -- including Harvard, MIT, Columbia, and Stanford, to name a few-- have teamed up to make this vision a reality. You can sign up for course credit in certain cases, which will inevitably mean some tuition and testing, but the basic concept is "attendance" is free and open to all via your computer. Travel to a distant classroom at set hours will be unnecessary; it will be like Delta Airlines, which is ready when you are.
This system has the potential to galvanize learning in the less-developed areas of the world. It can also reduce the need to build costly brick-and-mortar buildings for classrooms. Significantly, both my sons went to prestigious research universities and discovered that, however brilliant a professor may be, it is no guarantee that he or she is an inspiring or effective teacher. In fact, from time to time they watched a professor from another institution online explain concepts that their professor failed to make clear in his classroom lectures.
For me, this innovation is exhilarating, as it affords me the opportunity for lifelong learning without cost(!) in subjects which I never got to or was too afraid to take, such as difficult but fascinating areas in science. Now I may get to hear lectures by some of the world's greatest and inspiring teachers. If my "Battle Nights" experience is any indication, and I think it is, I can't wait to get started.
Art history, physics, sociology, psychology, architecture, music and world history-- these are the fascinating areas that immediately come to mind. How great is this!!
Today, thanks to the Internet, one of my lifelong wishes is actually coming to fruition, thanks to something relatively new known as Massive Open Online Courses, or MOOCs. Some of our very best universities -- including Harvard, MIT, Columbia, and Stanford, to name a few-- have teamed up to make this vision a reality. You can sign up for course credit in certain cases, which will inevitably mean some tuition and testing, but the basic concept is "attendance" is free and open to all via your computer. Travel to a distant classroom at set hours will be unnecessary; it will be like Delta Airlines, which is ready when you are.
This system has the potential to galvanize learning in the less-developed areas of the world. It can also reduce the need to build costly brick-and-mortar buildings for classrooms. Significantly, both my sons went to prestigious research universities and discovered that, however brilliant a professor may be, it is no guarantee that he or she is an inspiring or effective teacher. In fact, from time to time they watched a professor from another institution online explain concepts that their professor failed to make clear in his classroom lectures.
For me, this innovation is exhilarating, as it affords me the opportunity for lifelong learning without cost(!) in subjects which I never got to or was too afraid to take, such as difficult but fascinating areas in science. Now I may get to hear lectures by some of the world's greatest and inspiring teachers. If my "Battle Nights" experience is any indication, and I think it is, I can't wait to get started.
Art history, physics, sociology, psychology, architecture, music and world history-- these are the fascinating areas that immediately come to mind. How great is this!!
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Just Say No
During the 1980's, First Lady Nancy Reagan instituted her (in)famous "Just Say No" campaign, which was initially designed to reduce the use of illegal drugs by teens. Later on, the slogan also became associated with campaigns to fight premarital sex and violence.
Today, intentionally or unintentionally, this slogan has become the operating mantra of the Republican Party. The Republican response to any initiative or program proposed by President Obama is almost always the same uniform and unanimous response -- "Just Say No." I haven't seen anything like it since Russia was the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and virtually any UN Security Council resolution proposed by the West elicited the same reaction: Nyet!
It is one thing to encounter this response from your acknowledged Cold War adversary; it is quite another to receive this unchanging response from the opposing political party in your own country. This is not opposition based on principle, but instead a calculated strategy to undermine the president and thereby gain political power for themselves in the upcoming elections.
On one level, a dysfunctional government is created. On a deeper level, great distrust and cynicism are generated against our government, and our nation and its citizens sustain serious damage due to the government's inability to act. All of this is occurring at a time when the country is suffering and can ill afford gridlock and inaction.
There was a time when politics stopped at the water's edge. There was a time when everyone put politics aside in time of need and pulled together for the good of the country. That time appears to have passed. Nowadays it's obstruct, block, and oppose so nothing gets accomplished, then assert a change in leadership is needed because the party in power has accomplished nothing. It's really true these days in Washington,DC that half of the city hopes you fail if you are the president.
Meanwhile, millions of Americans suffer from lack of employment, inadequate medical care, declining educational standards for their kids, and a host of other problems. Still the Republican mantra remains firmly in place while America "burns"'-- Just Say No. Personally, I think their actions border on treason, and I can only hope that somehow we will return to a true concern for the general welfare of the country.
Today, intentionally or unintentionally, this slogan has become the operating mantra of the Republican Party. The Republican response to any initiative or program proposed by President Obama is almost always the same uniform and unanimous response -- "Just Say No." I haven't seen anything like it since Russia was the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and virtually any UN Security Council resolution proposed by the West elicited the same reaction: Nyet!
It is one thing to encounter this response from your acknowledged Cold War adversary; it is quite another to receive this unchanging response from the opposing political party in your own country. This is not opposition based on principle, but instead a calculated strategy to undermine the president and thereby gain political power for themselves in the upcoming elections.
On one level, a dysfunctional government is created. On a deeper level, great distrust and cynicism are generated against our government, and our nation and its citizens sustain serious damage due to the government's inability to act. All of this is occurring at a time when the country is suffering and can ill afford gridlock and inaction.
There was a time when politics stopped at the water's edge. There was a time when everyone put politics aside in time of need and pulled together for the good of the country. That time appears to have passed. Nowadays it's obstruct, block, and oppose so nothing gets accomplished, then assert a change in leadership is needed because the party in power has accomplished nothing. It's really true these days in Washington,DC that half of the city hopes you fail if you are the president.
Meanwhile, millions of Americans suffer from lack of employment, inadequate medical care, declining educational standards for their kids, and a host of other problems. Still the Republican mantra remains firmly in place while America "burns"'-- Just Say No. Personally, I think their actions border on treason, and I can only hope that somehow we will return to a true concern for the general welfare of the country.
McCain on Romney
I just spent an enjoyable and instructive couple of hours reading a portion of US Sen. John McCain's (R,AZ) internal campaign dossier on Mitt Romney, which was compiled by McCain's people in 2008 during the previous presidential cycle when the two were competing against each other for the Republican nomination. The document recently leaked and was published on the Internet.
The entire document is 200 pages long and covers in detail, with relevant quotes and policy decisions, Mitt Romney's changing positions on a vast range of issues that arose throughout his career. I wish I could have read the document in its entirety, but I got tired and after 50 pages, the pattern became clear enough. Obviously, this book was not written to praise Romney, but rather to bury him. Nevertheless, it was not written in a polemic style. Instead, the issues were presented in an orderly fashion and consisted entirely of actual positions and statements made by Romney over many years.
The result, I am sorry to say, confirms what I have long believed about Romney: he can and will readily change positions to suit his needs and circumstances. There are no fixed positions; the important thing is to win, and pretty much anything you need to say or do to get there is fair game.
Speaking of fair game, one of the most amusing sections dealt with Mitt's history as a gun owner and hunter. To attract this constituency, Mitt asserted that he owned guns and went hunting all his life. Reporters and researchers relentlessly pursued Romney on this subject. It is funny as hell to read his qualifications and explanations as he backtracks over time. Eventually, they get him to admit that he actually doesn't own a single gun or rifle, though he started by flatly saying he owned guns. It turned out his son owned a gun and kept it in one of Mitt's houses. Similarly, he confessed he went hunting only twice in his life-- once as a teenager and then more recently at some bigwig meeting. They showed he never got a single hunting license in his life. No problem, responded Mitt, he only hunted small varmints like squirrels.
There is nothing wrong with changing one's position on issues over time as circumstances change and one's thinking evolves. It can be a sign of growth and maturity. In Romney's case, however, it is simply opportunism and political expediency. You waste your valuable time taking what he says seriously.
The entire document is 200 pages long and covers in detail, with relevant quotes and policy decisions, Mitt Romney's changing positions on a vast range of issues that arose throughout his career. I wish I could have read the document in its entirety, but I got tired and after 50 pages, the pattern became clear enough. Obviously, this book was not written to praise Romney, but rather to bury him. Nevertheless, it was not written in a polemic style. Instead, the issues were presented in an orderly fashion and consisted entirely of actual positions and statements made by Romney over many years.
The result, I am sorry to say, confirms what I have long believed about Romney: he can and will readily change positions to suit his needs and circumstances. There are no fixed positions; the important thing is to win, and pretty much anything you need to say or do to get there is fair game.
Speaking of fair game, one of the most amusing sections dealt with Mitt's history as a gun owner and hunter. To attract this constituency, Mitt asserted that he owned guns and went hunting all his life. Reporters and researchers relentlessly pursued Romney on this subject. It is funny as hell to read his qualifications and explanations as he backtracks over time. Eventually, they get him to admit that he actually doesn't own a single gun or rifle, though he started by flatly saying he owned guns. It turned out his son owned a gun and kept it in one of Mitt's houses. Similarly, he confessed he went hunting only twice in his life-- once as a teenager and then more recently at some bigwig meeting. They showed he never got a single hunting license in his life. No problem, responded Mitt, he only hunted small varmints like squirrels.
There is nothing wrong with changing one's position on issues over time as circumstances change and one's thinking evolves. It can be a sign of growth and maturity. In Romney's case, however, it is simply opportunism and political expediency. You waste your valuable time taking what he says seriously.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Tom, Dick or Harry
Today I am thinking about a young relative of my wife who lives in central New Jersey. He's a nice guy in his mid to late thirties, with a wife and two young kids. Trained as an engineer, he has worked for one of the largest tech companies in the world since college graduation. His wife stopped working when she gave birth and has been a full-time housewife since then. They have a nice suburban house and yard with a mortgage and two cars, which are necessary in the 'burbs. I don't know whether his kids are going to public or private schools at this time. He could be any typical middle-class Tom, Dick, or Harry with a good job and loving family in America today.
When I was growing up, the typical job trajectory was one of choice. He could probably remain with his company for life, if he did a reasonably good job, and retire with a nice pension from a defined benefit pension plan and full medical coverage. Eventually, his mortgage would be paid off and he'd live a comfortable retirement in NJ or perhaps Florida or the Southwest. Alternatively, he might seek a promotion elsewhere based on training and experience. In any event, if he lost his job for some reason, there was typically another company somewhere that could use a good man. That is not the norm any more, as we all know.
What would happen now if, God forbid, our relative should lose his job? First, there is a danger that another job might be difficult or impossible to find, especially if he wanted to remain in the same area as his relatives. Today, that job loss could easily set off a chain of events leading to disaster. Without a job, his company's health and dental coverage would disappear. Unemployment insurance coverage is limited in amount and stops after a period of months. Eventually, the mortgage can't be maintained and the house is lost; one or both cars often follow. If the kids are in private school, they probably will have to leave, because the high cost of living can't be met indefinitely from the typical savings of a Tom, Dick, or Harry.
Soon enough, if a lifeline is not received in the form of a new job (often at a sharply reduced salary and no benefits) or help from relatives, the family losses its middle class status and rapidly descends into poverty. When contemplating this fate for a family member instead of strangers or statistical populations, the consequences are especially horrible and painful to consider. But this is the harsh reality confronting many Tom, Dick, or Harry families living in America today. The same situation exists overseas for previously middle class people in countries like Spain and Greece, where unemployment levels are now as high as they were during the Great Depression.
Our safety net needs to be strengthened, not undermined, during these parlous times.
When I was growing up, the typical job trajectory was one of choice. He could probably remain with his company for life, if he did a reasonably good job, and retire with a nice pension from a defined benefit pension plan and full medical coverage. Eventually, his mortgage would be paid off and he'd live a comfortable retirement in NJ or perhaps Florida or the Southwest. Alternatively, he might seek a promotion elsewhere based on training and experience. In any event, if he lost his job for some reason, there was typically another company somewhere that could use a good man. That is not the norm any more, as we all know.
What would happen now if, God forbid, our relative should lose his job? First, there is a danger that another job might be difficult or impossible to find, especially if he wanted to remain in the same area as his relatives. Today, that job loss could easily set off a chain of events leading to disaster. Without a job, his company's health and dental coverage would disappear. Unemployment insurance coverage is limited in amount and stops after a period of months. Eventually, the mortgage can't be maintained and the house is lost; one or both cars often follow. If the kids are in private school, they probably will have to leave, because the high cost of living can't be met indefinitely from the typical savings of a Tom, Dick, or Harry.
Soon enough, if a lifeline is not received in the form of a new job (often at a sharply reduced salary and no benefits) or help from relatives, the family losses its middle class status and rapidly descends into poverty. When contemplating this fate for a family member instead of strangers or statistical populations, the consequences are especially horrible and painful to consider. But this is the harsh reality confronting many Tom, Dick, or Harry families living in America today. The same situation exists overseas for previously middle class people in countries like Spain and Greece, where unemployment levels are now as high as they were during the Great Depression.
Our safety net needs to be strengthened, not undermined, during these parlous times.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Caricature
In many ways Mitt Romney seems like a caricature. To me he embodies many of the things which a supposed majority of Americans want to avoid in their politicians, yet there he is, running for President in what may turn out to be a close election.
The current crisis in America was caused by greedy capitalists, eager to make a buck no matter who got hurt and what damage they may cause. So who do the Republicans choose as their standard-bearer-- a leading and very successful Wall Street financial restructuring specialist! He has all the trappings of the species: a personal fortune of $250+ million, offshore bank accounts in such places as the Cayman Islands, most of his multi-million dollar annual income coming from capital gains, an income tax rate lower than his secretary's at 15%, several mansions all around the country, many high-priced cars, and plans for a car lift to stack cars at his California home after a $10 million plus house expansion there. To top it off, he attended the best schools (Stanford and Harvard- JD/MBA) and comes from a wealthy Michigan family. The Republican Party, which has done this sort of thing before, is a long way from the days when political parties used to vie over which candidate was born in a simple log cabin (including the first Republican Party president, who must look down from his ubiquitous likeness at party rallies in disbelief).
When it comes to party platform, Romney does not disappoint here either. It almost seems like a parody, except it's real. At a time when millions of Americans can't make ends meet, he favors even lower taxes for the very rich. In fact, he seems opposed to any increases in revenue from the wealthy under any circumstances. As for business, which got us into trouble due to non-existent or lax regulation, he favors less government regulation. Obamacare, which promises relief to millions who now lack medical care, is something he promises to repeal if elected. He declares it was bad policy before the Supreme Court upheld it and that it remains the same today.
It is no wonder that Romney is collecting hundreds of millions from some of the richest multi-millionaires and billionaires in America, who see their priceless opportunity to make even more. It looks like a TV news comedy to watch the 1% arriving in their Rolls Royces and Mercedes to fundraisers at their brethren's summer homes of 20,000 square feet and more in the Hamptons or Palm Springs, except it's happening every day.
As a comedy, satire, or parody of the current American political scene, you can't improve on the current Republican candidate, unless you go back to his unsuccessful predecessor's vice presidential nominee.
The current crisis in America was caused by greedy capitalists, eager to make a buck no matter who got hurt and what damage they may cause. So who do the Republicans choose as their standard-bearer-- a leading and very successful Wall Street financial restructuring specialist! He has all the trappings of the species: a personal fortune of $250+ million, offshore bank accounts in such places as the Cayman Islands, most of his multi-million dollar annual income coming from capital gains, an income tax rate lower than his secretary's at 15%, several mansions all around the country, many high-priced cars, and plans for a car lift to stack cars at his California home after a $10 million plus house expansion there. To top it off, he attended the best schools (Stanford and Harvard- JD/MBA) and comes from a wealthy Michigan family. The Republican Party, which has done this sort of thing before, is a long way from the days when political parties used to vie over which candidate was born in a simple log cabin (including the first Republican Party president, who must look down from his ubiquitous likeness at party rallies in disbelief).
When it comes to party platform, Romney does not disappoint here either. It almost seems like a parody, except it's real. At a time when millions of Americans can't make ends meet, he favors even lower taxes for the very rich. In fact, he seems opposed to any increases in revenue from the wealthy under any circumstances. As for business, which got us into trouble due to non-existent or lax regulation, he favors less government regulation. Obamacare, which promises relief to millions who now lack medical care, is something he promises to repeal if elected. He declares it was bad policy before the Supreme Court upheld it and that it remains the same today.
It is no wonder that Romney is collecting hundreds of millions from some of the richest multi-millionaires and billionaires in America, who see their priceless opportunity to make even more. It looks like a TV news comedy to watch the 1% arriving in their Rolls Royces and Mercedes to fundraisers at their brethren's summer homes of 20,000 square feet and more in the Hamptons or Palm Springs, except it's happening every day.
As a comedy, satire, or parody of the current American political scene, you can't improve on the current Republican candidate, unless you go back to his unsuccessful predecessor's vice presidential nominee.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Under the Bus
A brief article in "Metropolitan Diary" in Monday's NYTimes submitted by a reader recounts the hilarious true story of a Manhattan bus that was recently stopped during its route due to a small pet bird that escaped from its owner and sought refuge on the roof of the bus. Someone stepped in front of the bus -- Tiananmen Square style-- to prevent forward movement until the bird could be rescued. The passengers quickly divided into opposing groups: those who supported waiting until the bird could be recovered; a second faction who insisted the bird must die so the bus could keep moving; and a third group (not contemplated by the contributor) which formed to protect the hapless bus driver who faced potential official sanction no matter what he did.
This event got me thinking about whether a consensus might exist among New Yorkers about what living things should or should not be rescued from the roof of a traveling bus in the City. Lately, for example, I have read about some irate Jewish voters who were planning to vote for Romney because they felt President Obama was willing to throw Israel under the bus.
Clearly, any living person, regardless of their national origin or circumstances, would automatically qualify to stop a bus in its tracks. This may seem obvious, but all over the world people are routinely killed every day for any reason or no reason at all. It is sad to think that a human being may be safer on the roof of a transiting City bus than lots of other places in the world today.
Moving on to non-human creatures, I am confident that a consensus would exist to save an errant dog. As a dog lover, my heart warms whenever I watch rescue crews on TV save a hapless dog from natural disasters or see people evacuate their homes leaving all possessions behind except their pets. Same result for a cat, but probably a lot more grudging from some New Yorkers.
It's hard to imagine how this could occur, but I suspect any reasonably-sized animal with a face would receive the same treatment. Snakes would receive no consideration whatsoever unless it was a rare species escaped from a wildlife conservation center.
This brings me to birds. A wounded American eagle would clearly qualify and generate much sympathy; any other treatment would seem unpatriotic. Lately, New Yorkers have taken peregrine falcons into their hearts, so that would also pass muster. Large birds, like owls or peacocks, would also make the grade. Small birds are problematic, because in the end size does matter, as our true story demonstrates.
PS. The bird on the bus roof eventually flew off and the bus proceeded on its route.
This event got me thinking about whether a consensus might exist among New Yorkers about what living things should or should not be rescued from the roof of a traveling bus in the City. Lately, for example, I have read about some irate Jewish voters who were planning to vote for Romney because they felt President Obama was willing to throw Israel under the bus.
Clearly, any living person, regardless of their national origin or circumstances, would automatically qualify to stop a bus in its tracks. This may seem obvious, but all over the world people are routinely killed every day for any reason or no reason at all. It is sad to think that a human being may be safer on the roof of a transiting City bus than lots of other places in the world today.
Moving on to non-human creatures, I am confident that a consensus would exist to save an errant dog. As a dog lover, my heart warms whenever I watch rescue crews on TV save a hapless dog from natural disasters or see people evacuate their homes leaving all possessions behind except their pets. Same result for a cat, but probably a lot more grudging from some New Yorkers.
It's hard to imagine how this could occur, but I suspect any reasonably-sized animal with a face would receive the same treatment. Snakes would receive no consideration whatsoever unless it was a rare species escaped from a wildlife conservation center.
This brings me to birds. A wounded American eagle would clearly qualify and generate much sympathy; any other treatment would seem unpatriotic. Lately, New Yorkers have taken peregrine falcons into their hearts, so that would also pass muster. Large birds, like owls or peacocks, would also make the grade. Small birds are problematic, because in the end size does matter, as our true story demonstrates.
PS. The bird on the bus roof eventually flew off and the bus proceeded on its route.
Monday, July 9, 2012
INFLATION
A few years ago, when inflation was raging out of control in Zimbabwe, and it took a "wheelbarrow" full of money to buy a loaf of bread, my older son bought me one of the higher denomination bills off the Internet. He paid a few dollars for it and shipped it to me as a present. It is a real bill, with engraving similar to what appears on other nation's currencies, and to this day I keep it in a frame and enjoy looking at it.
The amount of this bill, issued by Zimbabwe, is the staggering sum of $100 billion dollars! I believe things eventually got even worse in Zimbabwe, and the Government was compelled to issue bills in denominations so large that a $100 billion note no longer seemed impressive. I was always hoping that someone would need a net worth statement from me but fail to specify that the aggregate dollar amount should not include any Zimbabwe dollars.
For me the existence of that bill is a tangible reminder that the hyper-inflation that occurred in Weimar Germany during the 1930's was very real and could actually occur again. It also makes me more understanding of German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her counntry's resistance to policies which generate inflation.
Notwithstanding the foregoing and recognizing that I have only a rudimentary knowledge of economics, I am convinced that inflation is going to be embraced by the West, and that inflation is unfortunately one of the few remaining tools available to dig the world out of its financial morass. With inflation, overburdened debtors need not default; their bills are more easily repaid with depreciated currency. If Greece retained the drachma, for example, it could keep its printing presses running until its debts were paid off. This approach could easily set off a host of new problems, as my $100 billion note demonstrates, but literal default would not be one of them.
Distinguished economists like Paul Krugman have already advocated a limited inflationary approach. The US Government and the Fed have watched inflation erode the value of our greenbacks for decades. I believe there is no other way to make a meaningful dent in our $16 trillion national debt. Paying off in depreciated dollars, however, would provide some relief for an otherwise hopeless situation. The entire Western world is trapped in the same situation. Everyone-- governments, businesses, and individuals-- have relied too much on credit and created unmanageable mountains of debt.
I think we will eventually start seeing calls for controlled inflation, or policies which produce the same result without labeling it for what it is. People on fixed incomes will suffer the most.
The amount of this bill, issued by Zimbabwe, is the staggering sum of $100 billion dollars! I believe things eventually got even worse in Zimbabwe, and the Government was compelled to issue bills in denominations so large that a $100 billion note no longer seemed impressive. I was always hoping that someone would need a net worth statement from me but fail to specify that the aggregate dollar amount should not include any Zimbabwe dollars.
For me the existence of that bill is a tangible reminder that the hyper-inflation that occurred in Weimar Germany during the 1930's was very real and could actually occur again. It also makes me more understanding of German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her counntry's resistance to policies which generate inflation.
Notwithstanding the foregoing and recognizing that I have only a rudimentary knowledge of economics, I am convinced that inflation is going to be embraced by the West, and that inflation is unfortunately one of the few remaining tools available to dig the world out of its financial morass. With inflation, overburdened debtors need not default; their bills are more easily repaid with depreciated currency. If Greece retained the drachma, for example, it could keep its printing presses running until its debts were paid off. This approach could easily set off a host of new problems, as my $100 billion note demonstrates, but literal default would not be one of them.
Distinguished economists like Paul Krugman have already advocated a limited inflationary approach. The US Government and the Fed have watched inflation erode the value of our greenbacks for decades. I believe there is no other way to make a meaningful dent in our $16 trillion national debt. Paying off in depreciated dollars, however, would provide some relief for an otherwise hopeless situation. The entire Western world is trapped in the same situation. Everyone-- governments, businesses, and individuals-- have relied too much on credit and created unmanageable mountains of debt.
I think we will eventually start seeing calls for controlled inflation, or policies which produce the same result without labeling it for what it is. People on fixed incomes will suffer the most.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Fine Art
At any given time there are more fine art shows in New York's museums and galleries than anyone could possibly see, even devoting full time to this endeavor. This weekend my wife and I spent Saturday and Sunday afternoons looking at extraordinary art. I am listing these venues in case you are seeking a memorable art experience in the near future. As an extra bonus, all these art venues are literally very chill-- as much to preserve the art as for your personal comfort over the hot summer months.
Metropolitan Museum of Art-- At the moment, there are a number of temporary shows at the Met worth seeing. We went to see the exhibit of Ellsworth Kelly's "Plant Drawings", which he has been making with pen and black ink or graphite for over 50 years. When people think of Kelly's work, they usually think of his colorful abstract works. I have always preferred his plant drawings, which are so straightforward in their realistic simplicity, yet powerful and beautiful at the same time. The show is on through Sept 3. I am also planning to see several summer shows of Northern European art currently on view.
Cloisters Museum-- As you may know, the Cloisters are part of the Met and house the bulk of its outstanding medieval collection. It is located in Fort Tryon Park on the Upper West Side overlooking the Hudson River. There is no special exhibition on view, but we went to relax amidst authentic reconstructed cloisters and to again view the exquisite art works on permanent display. No matter how often we visit these works over the years, they never fail to awe and delight.
Arader Galleries-- This is a private art gallery located at 1016 Madison Avenue, about 3 blocks from the Met, and also at 29 East 72 St in Manhattan. If you enjoy looking at old maps, botanical prints, city views, and similar material, this is the place for you. If not the greatest, it must be the repository of one of the greatest old map collections in the world. Many of these historical maps are huge and filled with fascinating detail. The staff is happy to let you wander among these treasures hung on every floor of this spectacular mansion. Admission is free. Closed Sunday.
Brooklyn Museum-- I can't resist an opportunity to recommend one very worthwhile exhibit in the event you happen to visit Brooklyn, where I live. The Museum has set up a special exhibit to show how different artists and peoples throughout history have created different kinds of art to reflect universal human concerns and needs. Some of the museum's most iconic and beautiful objects have been selected to reflect the responses.
Metropolitan Museum of Art-- At the moment, there are a number of temporary shows at the Met worth seeing. We went to see the exhibit of Ellsworth Kelly's "Plant Drawings", which he has been making with pen and black ink or graphite for over 50 years. When people think of Kelly's work, they usually think of his colorful abstract works. I have always preferred his plant drawings, which are so straightforward in their realistic simplicity, yet powerful and beautiful at the same time. The show is on through Sept 3. I am also planning to see several summer shows of Northern European art currently on view.
Cloisters Museum-- As you may know, the Cloisters are part of the Met and house the bulk of its outstanding medieval collection. It is located in Fort Tryon Park on the Upper West Side overlooking the Hudson River. There is no special exhibition on view, but we went to relax amidst authentic reconstructed cloisters and to again view the exquisite art works on permanent display. No matter how often we visit these works over the years, they never fail to awe and delight.
Arader Galleries-- This is a private art gallery located at 1016 Madison Avenue, about 3 blocks from the Met, and also at 29 East 72 St in Manhattan. If you enjoy looking at old maps, botanical prints, city views, and similar material, this is the place for you. If not the greatest, it must be the repository of one of the greatest old map collections in the world. Many of these historical maps are huge and filled with fascinating detail. The staff is happy to let you wander among these treasures hung on every floor of this spectacular mansion. Admission is free. Closed Sunday.
Brooklyn Museum-- I can't resist an opportunity to recommend one very worthwhile exhibit in the event you happen to visit Brooklyn, where I live. The Museum has set up a special exhibit to show how different artists and peoples throughout history have created different kinds of art to reflect universal human concerns and needs. Some of the museum's most iconic and beautiful objects have been selected to reflect the responses.
Saturday, July 7, 2012
KUDO 4 JADO
More than fifteen years ago, my wife and I did extensive renovations on our 100 year old Booklyn brownstone. One of the nice things we purchased was a Victorian-style kitchen fixture with hot and cold water faucets and a water sprayer. It cost hundreds of dollars. Our salesman said that it came with a manufacturer's lifetime warranty. We were seeking a period look for the kitchen so, despite our skepticism about the warranty, went ahead with the purchase.
All went well for the following decade and a half, until last year when the little round ceramic disk on the faucet that says "HOT" in florid Victorian script somehow cracked, thereby ruining the appearance of our pricey but wonderful fixture. I searched and called everywhere without success for a replacement part. I finally got a phone number for the company and called them, somewhere in Arizona. After emailing a photo of the fixture, they confirmed that it indeed had a lifetime warranty and that a replacement part would be shipped to me by overnight FedEx without cost. I couldn't believe what I was hearing! This was no fluke, because this year, around the fifteenth anniversary of our original purchase, the sprayer hose started to leak, and the same customer service rep cheerfully shipped a replacement part to me. The most remarkable thing was that I had long ago lost my original purchase receipt and couldn't provide any proof of purchase, and the retail store's records only went back 10 years. Thus, in the end there was a clear element of trust on the part of the manufacturer, which only inquired where I purchased the item and the approximate date of purchase.
Everything is now once again copacetic. My heartfelt thanks and admiration go out to JADO, a maker of expensive but high quality kitchen and bathroom fixtures for the home. They really do stand behind their products and lifetime warranties at a time when others often look to cut corners and take advantage of consumers. They make the old slogan-- "Made in America"-- something which the world used to recognize as a symbol of quality.
There are undoubtedly some products still produced in America of which we can be proud, but I conclude by contrasting my JADO experience with other long-term consumer items in our home which fall short by a wide margin. These would include a brand new gas range in the kitchen and a new washer-and-dryer set in our basement. Both were purchased around the same time as the JADO product. By contrast, these came with only limited warranties, which conveniently (for the company) expired prior to the "computer control panel" failure of these appliances. Together with the cost of a local repairman, each appliance cost between 1/3 to 1/2 of its original cost for a replacement part-- just enough to tempt consumers to dispose of the original and buy a brand new unit.
All went well for the following decade and a half, until last year when the little round ceramic disk on the faucet that says "HOT" in florid Victorian script somehow cracked, thereby ruining the appearance of our pricey but wonderful fixture. I searched and called everywhere without success for a replacement part. I finally got a phone number for the company and called them, somewhere in Arizona. After emailing a photo of the fixture, they confirmed that it indeed had a lifetime warranty and that a replacement part would be shipped to me by overnight FedEx without cost. I couldn't believe what I was hearing! This was no fluke, because this year, around the fifteenth anniversary of our original purchase, the sprayer hose started to leak, and the same customer service rep cheerfully shipped a replacement part to me. The most remarkable thing was that I had long ago lost my original purchase receipt and couldn't provide any proof of purchase, and the retail store's records only went back 10 years. Thus, in the end there was a clear element of trust on the part of the manufacturer, which only inquired where I purchased the item and the approximate date of purchase.
Everything is now once again copacetic. My heartfelt thanks and admiration go out to JADO, a maker of expensive but high quality kitchen and bathroom fixtures for the home. They really do stand behind their products and lifetime warranties at a time when others often look to cut corners and take advantage of consumers. They make the old slogan-- "Made in America"-- something which the world used to recognize as a symbol of quality.
There are undoubtedly some products still produced in America of which we can be proud, but I conclude by contrasting my JADO experience with other long-term consumer items in our home which fall short by a wide margin. These would include a brand new gas range in the kitchen and a new washer-and-dryer set in our basement. Both were purchased around the same time as the JADO product. By contrast, these came with only limited warranties, which conveniently (for the company) expired prior to the "computer control panel" failure of these appliances. Together with the cost of a local repairman, each appliance cost between 1/3 to 1/2 of its original cost for a replacement part-- just enough to tempt consumers to dispose of the original and buy a brand new unit.
Friday, July 6, 2012
Mitt
I just read in the newspaper that publisher Rupert Murdock is unimpressed with Mitt Romney. Yesterday I heard on TV that Mitt Romney's supporters raised $100 million in June for their candidate.
Frankly, I agree with Murdock, an influential conservative Republican, and I personally wouldn't give a dime to Romney's Presidential campaign. This should come as no surprise to anyone who knows me, since I am a life-long Democrat. What I can't figure out, however, is why anyone besides very rich people and corporations support or contribute anything to Mitt's campaign.
Aside from the fact that he speaks out of both sides of his mouth and routinely changes positions so often that it is impossible to know what he really stands for, there are two much deeper problems. The first is that he truly represents the interests of the wealthy and powerful. Any benefit to the middle or lower classes from his programs would need to come from outdated and ineffective trickle-down policies. Just look at his proposals, such as even lower taxes for the rich, less regulation for powerful corporations, and inadequate vouchers instead of enhanced coverage for the medical needs of ordinary citizens. On the political side, I don't even hear lip-service to the desirability of reining in super PACs and their obscene political contributions. I guess when you can rake in $100 million in a single month, it's best to keep your mouth shut.
The deeper issue is that, for all of his business experience, Mitt has no real answer to the problem of finding new jobs for millions of un(der)employed people. Living in New York, I hear the politicians always say they know how to restore employment in Upstate New York. Actually, they don't have a clue any more than Mitt does. Listen to Mitt carefully; he says he knows how to do it, but there are never specifics and he really hasn't a program or solution either.
Millions of ordinary Americans are taken in by these vacuous promises and seduced by the hundreds of millions in slick campaign ads which promise a better life. In fact, look at the areas of Republican domination and you'll see more lay-offs, reduced social spending, and even worse conditions for average Americans. The rich, however, will continue to thrive if Mitt wins the election. No wonder they give so much-- well over $1 billion in total contributions is expected. Think what the 1% will expect in return.
To me it is so obvious. Why don't ordinary middle-class Republicans see the same thing?
Frankly, I agree with Murdock, an influential conservative Republican, and I personally wouldn't give a dime to Romney's Presidential campaign. This should come as no surprise to anyone who knows me, since I am a life-long Democrat. What I can't figure out, however, is why anyone besides very rich people and corporations support or contribute anything to Mitt's campaign.
Aside from the fact that he speaks out of both sides of his mouth and routinely changes positions so often that it is impossible to know what he really stands for, there are two much deeper problems. The first is that he truly represents the interests of the wealthy and powerful. Any benefit to the middle or lower classes from his programs would need to come from outdated and ineffective trickle-down policies. Just look at his proposals, such as even lower taxes for the rich, less regulation for powerful corporations, and inadequate vouchers instead of enhanced coverage for the medical needs of ordinary citizens. On the political side, I don't even hear lip-service to the desirability of reining in super PACs and their obscene political contributions. I guess when you can rake in $100 million in a single month, it's best to keep your mouth shut.
The deeper issue is that, for all of his business experience, Mitt has no real answer to the problem of finding new jobs for millions of un(der)employed people. Living in New York, I hear the politicians always say they know how to restore employment in Upstate New York. Actually, they don't have a clue any more than Mitt does. Listen to Mitt carefully; he says he knows how to do it, but there are never specifics and he really hasn't a program or solution either.
Millions of ordinary Americans are taken in by these vacuous promises and seduced by the hundreds of millions in slick campaign ads which promise a better life. In fact, look at the areas of Republican domination and you'll see more lay-offs, reduced social spending, and even worse conditions for average Americans. The rich, however, will continue to thrive if Mitt wins the election. No wonder they give so much-- well over $1 billion in total contributions is expected. Think what the 1% will expect in return.
To me it is so obvious. Why don't ordinary middle-class Republicans see the same thing?
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Latest News
As I write this entry, the latest news from CERN in Geneva is the possible discovery of the Higgs boson, the mysterious force which pervades the universe and gives everything its mass. It sounds to me like Obi Wan Kenobi in Star Wars saying the Force is everywhere and "May the Force be with you!" Maybe it is the "God" particle after all.
On a more mundane level, I have been following the stories about the dozens of wildfires raging throughout the western US and the hundreds of homes and many thousands of acres of land burned to the ground. I've been curious whether people who have helplessly watched their homes turn into ashes could have bought fire insurance as part of their homeowner's policies to protect themselves. The news stories have not covered this point, so I did some research on my own. I learned that, unlike flood insurance, which is often hard to obtain in vulnerable areas, fire insurance is generally available. However, when it comes time to file a claim, people are finding that the insurance companies are paying out only about one-third of the actual cost of rebuilding homes. This is occurring even where policies for full replacement cost may have been issued. Part of the problem is that agents have been selling policies with inadequate coverage to keep premiums low and competitive.
On a less serious note, I have been reading about writer Nora Ephron in recent obituaries and her desire to have a hot dog from Nate 'n Al's Deli in Beverly Hills as her last meal. As a fellow lover of hot dogs, I can easily understand her choice. My last meal would also be from a deli, but I would use the occasion to revisit Katz's Deli in NYC and order a lean pastrami sandwich on rye with Dijon mustard, half sour pickles, a side of French fries, and a Dr. Brown's cream soda. I certainly agree with her to eat your last meal soon while you're still healthy and can enjoy it.
My final subject is considering who will succeed Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State now that she has announced her intention to step down after the November elections. So far there has not been much speculation on this point. It must be someone of stature who is actually qualified to do this important job, although Obama (assuming, as I do, that he wins reelection) will continue to make final foreign policy decisions on his own. Second, it must be someone that the Republicans in the Senate can approve and live with. Finally, there must be trust and good chemistry between the Secretary and his President. I think Obama will select long-time Senator and former Senate colleague John Kerry (D,MA) for the job. Kerry of course ran for President unsuccessfully against George Buch and is currently Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Obama has chosen Kerry to play Mitt Romney in his upcoming practice presidential debates and has also previously sent Kerry on several sensitive diplomatic missions, which were successful. I think Kerry will be the choice in a small candidate field.
On a more mundane level, I have been following the stories about the dozens of wildfires raging throughout the western US and the hundreds of homes and many thousands of acres of land burned to the ground. I've been curious whether people who have helplessly watched their homes turn into ashes could have bought fire insurance as part of their homeowner's policies to protect themselves. The news stories have not covered this point, so I did some research on my own. I learned that, unlike flood insurance, which is often hard to obtain in vulnerable areas, fire insurance is generally available. However, when it comes time to file a claim, people are finding that the insurance companies are paying out only about one-third of the actual cost of rebuilding homes. This is occurring even where policies for full replacement cost may have been issued. Part of the problem is that agents have been selling policies with inadequate coverage to keep premiums low and competitive.
On a less serious note, I have been reading about writer Nora Ephron in recent obituaries and her desire to have a hot dog from Nate 'n Al's Deli in Beverly Hills as her last meal. As a fellow lover of hot dogs, I can easily understand her choice. My last meal would also be from a deli, but I would use the occasion to revisit Katz's Deli in NYC and order a lean pastrami sandwich on rye with Dijon mustard, half sour pickles, a side of French fries, and a Dr. Brown's cream soda. I certainly agree with her to eat your last meal soon while you're still healthy and can enjoy it.
My final subject is considering who will succeed Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State now that she has announced her intention to step down after the November elections. So far there has not been much speculation on this point. It must be someone of stature who is actually qualified to do this important job, although Obama (assuming, as I do, that he wins reelection) will continue to make final foreign policy decisions on his own. Second, it must be someone that the Republicans in the Senate can approve and live with. Finally, there must be trust and good chemistry between the Secretary and his President. I think Obama will select long-time Senator and former Senate colleague John Kerry (D,MA) for the job. Kerry of course ran for President unsuccessfully against George Buch and is currently Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Obama has chosen Kerry to play Mitt Romney in his upcoming practice presidential debates and has also previously sent Kerry on several sensitive diplomatic missions, which were successful. I think Kerry will be the choice in a small candidate field.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)