Black man to the rescue....again!

Once again, and for the nth time, thinking about the disaster President Obama inhereited--two wars, a devastated ecomomy, unemployment near record levels, financial system in total disarry, dozens of bank failures throughout the country, a nation no longer respected anywhere in the world....all of this and more--it occurs to me that in some ways this is an old story: Black man cleaning up the white man's mess. This is what it;s about, this is what is happening. And....white man not happy about this at all.

BJH--Oct 2, 2009

M. Dowd--makes the call--letter to NYT

To The Editor:

After all this time, and all the many clues, signs and signals, why did it have to be left for Maureen Dowd to make the call and the diagnosis: much of the country cannot stomach even the thought that a black man is now President. Everything else, all the other noise, is filler. The problem is race. How sad, how very sad, all of this is. Shame on all of us.

Yours truly,

Bernie Hargadon
435 S. Tryon St. #606
Charlotte, NC 28202
704 377 5305

J. Osteen--Elmer Gantry--letter to observer

To The Editor:

What has happened to our beloved Queen City? Is it something in the water? First it was Wachovia and the disastrous purchase of Golden West. Next came B of A and the acquisition of Merrill. And now Tim Funk reports (Sat., Sept 12) that Joel Osteen arrived in town and delivered his spiel on Friday to thousands of unsuspecting souls at the Time Warner Cable Arena!

No slur on Mr. Funk intended, but had Sinclair Lewis been reporting the event, Osteen would have been skewered. He is your latter-day Elmer Gantry--a total charlatan, nothing less. How else to explain this guy, who has the audacity to stand up there and with a straight face tell his adoring audience that God is just waiting for the right moment to come to their rescue, etc.,and so be patient......but in the meantime, we're passing the hat, folks, and would you please let me have all your spare change? He then finishes off with an I thank you for that, God thanks you, and God bless you!

Folks, if this is advertised as a winning ticket, I say consider the lottery as a very attractive alternative.

Bernie Hargadon
435 S. Tryon St. #606
Charlotte, NC 28202
704 377 5305

letter to observer--steven brown review--9/12

To The Editor:

Looking for that reporter who can file an A to Z story with a "take-no-prisoners" deadline? Then look no further than your own Steven Brown. It is baffling to pick up Saturday morning's Observer and be able to read all about last night's Charlotte Symphony concert, which had ended only a few hours earlier. And, it was an excellent review, I thought! Kudos and three cheers for Mr. Brown.

Yours truly,

Bernie Hargadon
435 S. Tryon St. #606
Charlotte, NC 28202
704 377 5305

Dump Carlos Krauthammer

To The Editor:

My thanks for your lead editorial yesterday (Take a deep breath..." ), which while mild, nonetheless was timely and very much in order. Nonetheless, it hardly compensates for the tirade offered readers on the following page--yet another hateful column of bile and repetitive ranting, by Charles Krauthammer. He loathes President Obama, as all of us have learned weeks, if not months ago. He writes of nothing else of late! We understand now, we get it...Obama is evil, a loser and already a failed President. We don't need to be told this any more! Away with you, Carlos!

Yours truly,

Bernie Hargadon
435 S. Tryon St. #606
Charlotte, NC 28202
704 377 5305

Letter to Charlotte Observer--Time's 'Awastin'

To The Editor:

Time's awastin'--someone has to come out and say it and I figure it might as well be me: Republicans want no part of health care reform, let alone universal health care. Protestations to the contrary are balderdash.

Thus, if these (more or less) United States of America are ever to have anything resembling universal health care, Democrat lawmakers must bring it about. There will never be another time and so, Democrat lawmakers: On Your Mark, Get Set. Go!

Sincerely,

Bernie Hargadon

Letter to WSJ--Senator Kennedy

To The Editor:

One can have hoped that the Journal might set aside just one day to lay off Democrats, but no, "Rules Eased on Bank Buyouts" is your day's lead story and headline--and not the passing of Senator Kennedy. The Journal must be the single newspaper in the country able to make this case. You have accomplished nothing by this, save to dishonor this man and, in so doing, embarrass and further cheapen an otherwise pretty good newspaper.

Sincerely,

Bernie Hargadon
435 S. Tryon St. #606
Charlotte, NC 28202
704

Letter to Taylor Batten--Editor--Charlotte Observer

Taylor--Should you be looking for material for your next op-ed piece, this would be a worthy one. Brother Fred has been pounding on this for a long time. He served as Dean of Admissions at Stanford U for many years and afterwards at Princeton until retirement a few years ago. (Both he and I served in the military long before entering college--in fact, that was the only way the two of us, like many thousands of others, were able to go to college (GI Bill)).The topic --universal military (or other kind of civic) service--only gets an occasional airing any more, and rarely by an newspaper's editor. Anyhow--for what it's worth. Regards, Bernie -----Original Message-----From: Fred Hargadon <hargadon@Princeton.EDU>To: Bernie Hargadon <bhargadon@aol.com>Sent: Tue, Aug 25, 2009 11:32 pmSubject: NYT op-ed: The Ultimate Burden
Bernie,That I couldn't agree more with this op-ed is obvious from my Letter to the Editor in the NYT four years ago.FredTo the Editor: Allowing college deferments during the Vietnam War and then subsequently doing away with the draft altogether was terrible public policy. The result has been not only to exacerbate the socioeconomic inequities of our society but also to render political decision-making about the uses of our military completely untethered from any broad national consensus on which objectives are worth our making what kinds of sacrifices - including, if necessary, our own lives or the lives of our children or fellow citizens. No law passed by Congress could more effectively democratize this nation of ours than one requiring some sort of universal military service. Fred Hargadon Princeton, N.J., Aug. 18, 2005 OPINION August 25, 2009 Op-Ed Columnist: The Ultimate Burden By BOB HERBERT If the war in Afghanistan is fundamental to our defense, as President Obama stated, then we shouldn't be leaving the entire monumental task to a tiny portion of the population.

Letter to NYT--Obama and Michelle

To The Editor:

This "debate" about health care has gone on too long. Much as I think the world of President Obama, it seems clear now that he's just too nice a guy to be leading this charge.. We need to get this wrapped up--how about his turning the job over to Michelle for a few weeks?

Yours truly,

Bernie Hargadon
435 S. Tryon St. #606
Charlotte, NC 28202
704 377 5305

Letter to Charlotte Observer--What Has Happened?

To The Editor:

This reader is in very bad humor and again anxious to try to find out just what in the world President Obama has done to the Charlotte Observer to deserve the harsh treatment, the terrible pounding he is subjected to several times every single week, when you feature, front and center, the writings of Charles Krauthammer and Cal Thomas--both of whom have a serious, if not pathological obsession about the President. They seem now incapable of producing a single column which in one form or another, does not deprecate, demonize and denigrate yours and my President. Does no one at the Observer ever read these columns? Is there anyone at the Observer able to successfully argue that there is any longer ANY redeeming value to be found in these columns? Yes, I think you owe your readers a full-fledged ecditorial, explaining why you continue to do this.

Sincerely,

Bernie Hargadon
435 S. Tryon St #606
Charlotte, NC 28202
704 377 5305

Letter to Charlotte Observer--Don't Fall for the Lies

To The Editor:

Your lead editorial today is a noble example of why responsible newspapers serve as the bedrock lifeline of civil societies. The editorial pulls no punches. With regard to the words and outrageous behavior of those who will stop at nothing to bring about defeat of efforts to cure our dismal, pathetic "health care" system, the editorial in effect says Enough! One wonders why, after all that we have allowed to happen to this great country these past eight years, why we continue to bring yet more shame on ourselves? Some of the photos from town hall meetings this past week in these United States of America, are nothing short of hideous.

Sincerely,

Bernie Hargadon
435 S. Tryon St. #606
Charlotte, NC 28202
704 377 5305

Letter to Charlotte Observer--Cal Thomas and Charles Krauthammer

To The Editor:

The decisions a newspaper makes regarding what op-ed columns to carry are, or should be, some of the most responsible ones editors are required to make each day. The very act of printing a given column invites the reader's attention, and awards the column at least some measure of worth.

Op-ed pieces which convey well- thought-out and various contrary views, add value, and help to inform the reading public. Columns which spew hatred, poison and falsehoods, have no business appearing in any responsible newspaper. The writings of Charles Krauthammer and Cal Thomas--those particularly of late and about health care issues--are just such op-ed pieces. These do not inform but rather infect the community,

The Charlotte Observer should not ask permission--it should simply notify the McClatchy organization that it will no longer publish either of these two columns. More than anything else, they bring disgrace to the newspaper, and to the newspaper's community..

Sincerely,

Bernie Hargadon
435 S. Tryon St. #606
Charlotte, NC 28202
704 377 5305

Letter to NYTimes--GM Chairman Vows to Defend Market Share

To The Editor:What a difference in just a half-century: your story today took me back to 1956 when, as a representative of General Motors working their dealerships in the Delaware Valley Region of Philadelphia, I was called to a meeting in New York City to get the latest update on G.M. from an executive dispatched from its home office in Detroit. Along with other reps on the Eastern seaboard, the first words we heard were these: General Motors today enjoys a U.S.-auto market share of 52%, with Chevrolet alone accounting for 30%! The spokesman went on to say that while this was an enviable achievement, management had nonetheless decided that it should not take market share any higher!--so as not to (further) antagonize the anti-trust boys in Washington! It's not possible to read anything about the company's condition today and not reflect back to that meeting in New York City!Sincerely,Bernie Hargadon435 S. Tryon St. #606Charlotte, NC 28202704 377 5305

Letter to Charlotte Observer--Charles Krauthammer

To The Editor:

Chalk it up to being overly sensitive or protective if you will, but the two (not one, but two!) Krauthammer columns you carried in the past week had no place on your pages. Both were dripping with scorn, disdain and ridicule for President Obama and reached far beyond limits which a civil society would find acceptable. I found the columns to be an embarrassment, and a discredit to the newspaper as well as the community whose name appears in your masthead.

Sincerely,

Bernie Hargadon
435 S. Tryon St. #606
Charlotte, NC 28202
704 377 5305

A heated exchange regarding Palin, Bob Herbert, Bob McNamara

Hard to believe something like this could happen in this sleepy town but....here you go anyhow:

Sun, Jul 12, 2009 5:06 pmSubject: Bob Herbert/Sarah PalinIn the Charlotte Observer:-This Letters-to-the-Editor exchange took place right here in River City, USA July 9, 10, and 12:July 9:

In response to “If loopiness qualifies, Palin's ahead of the curve (July 7 Opinion) and “McNamara's legacy: needless deaths” (July 8 Viewpoint):

Palin, McNamara columns proof Observer becoming irrelevantBy following Maureen Dowd's drivel on Sarah Palin with Bob Herbert's sophomoric hate-filled rant on Robert McNamara, you continue your inevitable march toward irrelevance.H. Gene Lockab yCharlotte

July 10:In response to “Palin, McNamara columns proof Observer becoming irrelevant” (July 9 Forum) and “McNamara legacy: needless deaths” (July 8 Viewpoint) and related columns:

Hard to imagine some people still defend the Vietnam War. Forum writer H. Gene Lockaby should be gratified that the Observer still carries an occasional Bob Herbert column.The column taking former Defense Secretary Robert McNamara to task may well be Herbert's best, most courageous one yet.That there are still people out there who defend the Vietnam War is stupefying.As for Maureen Dowd teeing off on Sarah Palin, I say: Bring it on. Let us all celebrate having dodged this bullet that John McCain and the Republican Party came so close to inflicting on all America.Bernie Hargadon Charlotte

July 12:In response to “Liberal media perplexed by strong, conservative woman” (July 10 Forum):

Kudos for presenting both sides of the issue on Gov. Sarah PalinIt's been a puzzle for me to understand the ferocity of the vitriolic attacks against Sarah Palin by the likes of Forum writer Bernie Hargadon, who suggests we “celebrate having dodged” the Palin “bullet.”Sherwood Page's letter suggesting Palin knows exactly what she's doing, hit the nail on the head.The Observer has been helpful in presenting both sides of this issue.David P. HaganHuntersville

letter to NYTimes--July 21--Honduras/Catholic Church

On July 16, The New York Times published a story reporting that the Catholic Church in Honduras had supported the ouster of President Zelaya and urged that he not be allowed to return. In response to that article, I had this to say in a letter dated July 21:

To The Editor:As someone who has lived and worked in Latin America most of his adult life, I realized when your article appeared that I could have written the same piece days before, in fact that very moment Zelaya was booted out. From time immemorial, the Catholic Church and Latin America's oligarchs, virtually everywhere, remain the same bosom buddies they've always been. The poor campesino? For these wretched souls the Church could care less as long as they continue to propagate. Yours truly,Bernie Hargadon435 S. Tryon St. #606Charlotte, NC 28202 704 377 5305

July 20 letter to Observer--Palin/Sanford

To The Editor:I'm not saying we readers don't deserve an occasional spanking, but two in one week seems a bit much. Just a couple of days ago, at least in the edition I got at home, who should appear with an op-ed piece, but the one and only Sarah Palin! And then today we are treated to the latest installment in the life of Mark Sanford, this time learning that God has come to his rescue, and so leave the guy alone, wouldja?If this is the way it is going to be there at The Charlotte Observer, please be advised that this reader surrenders. This reader has seen the light; bring back those daily Billy Graham columns instead!Yours truly,Bernie Hargadon435 S. Tryon St #606Charlotte, NC 28202704 377 5305

Letter to the Charlotte Observer

This letter was filed this morning with the Observer:

Maybe someone there can clarify: your story today announcing that National Right to Life will be holding its annual convention here in Charlotte next week, is for some reason classified under Faith and Values in your online edition.Two questions about this: what is the connection here with the word faith--faith in what? and what about values--what sort of values are we talking about here? Please elaborate.

Yours truly, Bernie Hargadon 435 S. Tryon St. #606 Charlotte, NC 28202 704 377 5305

Granddaughter Savannah Garrett

My granddaughter Savannah, aged 11, visited here some weeks ago, and upon her return to Dallas made some notes about what she did when she was visiting us in Charlotte, and her grandfather Frank in Holden Beach, NC. Here are the notes, transcribed:

Saw Harlem Globetrotters; went to 5 Guys; walked a lot; saw the governor (editor's note--Bev Perdue); saw Uncle Mark; saw Aunt Penni; saw Will and Sam; saw Granny and Pa;went to the parade; went to Holden Beach; went to Charlotte; went to VFW; went to grocery store; went to Chicago Dog; watched the St Patrick's Day parade; played a lot w/Will and Sam; Austin loved me; "mico" is still alive; Jeff Gordon doesn't live here anymore; saw Hall of Colors; went to Chinese Restaurant; raced Will and Sam a lot; Will beat me "every time." Grannny laughed at.....Watched North Carolina basketball game; drew pictures; Pa never played the trumpet! Pa "supposely" went to the opera (who knows where he went!) End. (Nice work, Savannah!...Pa)

Letter to the Charlotte Observer--Symphony Orchestra

The letter presented below was submitted to the Observer on May 10. 2009:

To the Editor:

For citizens of all stripes who work hard to build and sustain a community to be proud of, a community to try to have be, the model if not the envy of other like communities, nothing can poison the water more than citizen attitudes such as expressed in a letter appearing in the Forum today, a letter which in effect "disses" the very notion of a city and its citizenry lending financial support to its symphony orchestra.No symphony orchestra, no opera company, no arts organization of a any kind, anywhere in the world, can be sustained though ticket revenue alone. It has been tried, over and over again, and it just can't be done. Every one of them must rely to some extent on philanthropy, and on the community at large--and not just on those who attend the concerts and visit the museums. The Rolling Stones themselves, mentioned by the writer, understand the economics of what they do and what arts organizations do, and would be the first to reject and laugh at the suggestion that they, or any group like them, be thought of as similar to or a suitable substitute for, a community's symphony orchestra.

Yours truly, Bernie Hargadon

Letter to the New York Times-- David Brooks

The letter below was submitted to the Times on May 19, 2009:

To The Editor:

In his "In Praise of Dullness" Mr. Brooks takes us through his analysis of what it takes to be a successful corporate C.E.O., and then suddenly ends the column with a thud, warning that nothing good can come of Washington "interposing itself in the management culture of industry after industry." And so I ask, just what point is he trying to make? Surely Mr Brooks understands that the only reason politicians have gotten involved is because of the massive failure of much of corporate America and its C.E.O. leadership.

Yours truly,
Bernie Hargadon

Letter to the New York Times--General Motors

The letter below was sent to the Times on Tuesday, June 2, 2009:

To The Editor:

In the mid-1950's, I was employed as a G.M. representative to dealerships in the Delaware Valley region and one day was called to a meeting in New York City for an announcement by someone from Detroit. The gist of the announcement was this: General Motors has attained a 52% market share, with Chevrolet alone at 30%, and management (i.e., Harlow Curtis) has decided not to pursue any further gains in market share, such is their fear of anti-trust action! It is painful, and in a way surreal, to think back to that meeting in New York, as I read today of G.M.'s bankruptcy.

Sincerely, Bernie Hargadon

A letter in the Charlotte Observer

This letter of mine appeared in the Charlotte Observer yesterday (June 4, 2009). It refers to an op-ed piece which appeared on May 30, 2009. I have been unable to copy the article itself so as to print it here. (6/5/09)

To The Editor:Every once in a while, readers get lucky when their newspaper features something which meets the uncommon "Required Reading" standard. Such an article appeared this morning in Mary Newsom's "Just who is really the "illegal scum"? It deserves national circulation and the attention of the entire nation. I hope for that to happen and hope also that this community's religious leaders--of all denominations,--will have seen the article and will hammer home its message to their respective congregations. Congratulations and thanks, Mary Newsom!Sincerely,Bernie Hargadon435 S. Tryon St. #606charlotte, NC 28202704 377 5305.

latest jokes from Cecil Taylor, my barber

Cowboy rides into town, pulls up in front of the saloon. Dismounts, walks back to the rear of the horse, lifts the tail, and kisses the horse's arse. Walks into the saloon. Saloonkeeper has been peering out, has taken this all in. Cowboy asks for a double whiskey. Saloonkeeper offers cowboy the drink on the house if he will explain what he was doing behind the horse. Cowboy says simply, "Chapped lips." Saloonkeeper asks, you mean that prevents chapped lips? No, says the cowboy, it just keeeps me from licking my lips.

***************************************************************

A guy who been a flasher all his life confides to a friend that he is thinking about giving that up. Friend asks why, reminds the flasher that he has gotten a lot of pleasure from doing that, has never reallly harmed anyone, and so why give it up now? Flasher mulls it over, and says yeah, maybe you have a point....I think maybe I'll stick it out.

*****************************************************************



Flasher walks past a park bench where three elderly women are seated. He does his thing (flashes)...the lady on the end has a stroke, the one in the middle does also, third woman unable to....she can't reach it.



**************************************************************



Two five-year olds are in the men's room, peeing. One looks at the other's peepee, and exclaims, yours looks a lot different than mine does. The other kid says yes, mine was circumcised right after I was born. The other kid asks "did it hurt a lot?" "You bet it did," said the other kid, "I couldn't walk for almost a year."



****************************************************************

The Galloping Horse of History

Some (one) time in your life, the galloping horse of history rides by. Are you going to jump on it? Huh?
(Someone's quote which Chris Matthews used the other night.) 'Caught my attention. BJH

Cash for your Warhol

Burn The Floor--the Most Fabulous Show

Jill and I took this show in the other night and the following day sent this email blast to one and all:

Dear Friends---This is a blanket blast/alert so that, if nothing else, you can never charge me with the crime of "Why Didn't You Tell Me?" Jill and I had tickets to this show last night (at the Belk), really knew nothing about it and came THIS CLOSE to bagging it.....but then we didn't. We went, and are SO GLAD WE DID. IT IS A SUPERB SHOW, FRONT TO BACK. Three more nights! It's an Aussie owned/promoted show, arrived here earlier in the week from a fabulous run in San Francisco, and I can understand why. For pure enjoyment, I rate it right up there with Mama Mia and Phantom. Anyhow.....just letting you know which, after all, is what friends are for. Isn't it?xo Bernie

A Tribute to John Hope Franklin--letter to Observer

To The Editor:

No matter how you plan to cover whatever ceremonies will be be held for John Hope Franklin, understand at the outset that it won't be enough, so be content with that. Given who this man was, all you can do is the best you can do.

This irreplaceable mountain of a man will not be along again. He has left us. Those of us privileged to have read his works and to have met and spoken with him, are the better for it, but still, he leaves us without due notice, and in the lurch. Courage? He was what all of us aspire to be and can never be and so, fellow men, accept that. I asked him one evening how could it be. ..how was he able to manage his life and all that he had accomplished, and not be an angry man. He smiled kindly and responded simply "How, you ask? With difficulty."

Yours truly,

Bernie Hargadon 435 S, Tryon St. #606Charlotte, NC 28202704 377 5305

Sue Myrick--let's end all taxes--letter to Observer

To The Editor:

Representative Myrick's political adviser has done her no favor at all, standing by while she makes a fool of herself with an op-ed piece like the one the Observer published over her name this morning. That guy-whoever he or she is--should get the boot. Ms.Myrick should stay with that tried and true message which has gotten her re-elected so often, that simple, uncomplicated one that lambastes immigrants, particularly the dastardly illegal ones. Lou Dobbs has made a name and a fortune for himself at the expense of these same unfortunate people and he is relentless in his pursuit of this cause. Representative Myrick should continue to do the same, and never get off message. Bernie Hargadon435 S. Tryon #606Charlotte, NC 28202704 377 5305www.berniehargadon.blogspot.com

David Brooks and the Winnable War--to NYTmes

To The Editor:

So.....David Brooks decides to find out for himself and takes off for Afghanistan to look around, talk with people, and settle the issue once and for all. He writes to tell us that it's going to be OK after all, and that we should "win" this thing. It is all very inspiring and it is also surprising--he's been around enough to know better. The poor guy has been seduced again (see Iraq). Somebody please do him and all of us a favor and snatch his passport.Yours truly, Bernie Hargadon435 S. Tryon St. #606Charlotte, NC 28202704 377 5305www.berniehargadon.blogspot.com

Sam and Will Reynolds are our twin grandsons (sons of Penni and Mark Reynolds) and they constitute a sizeable part of the reason why we departed Orinda and moved to Charlotte. We are in Charlotte now 5 and a half years and that is their age as well. Their language and in general the way they interact with each other will never cease to captivate me and I find myself from time to time writing down (so as not to forget) some of what they say. That which follows is a sampling.


Additional Jewels from Sam and Will
March 27, 2009

They spent two weekends ago with us (Fri, Sat, Sun). On Sat night, Sam says to Jill (Meme to them): “I think we should relax, not go to church tomorrow. When we’re with Mommy, sometimes we don’t.”

Will: After a bit of whining, asking for help putting together a model airplane and looking for a certain piece for it for some time: “Actually, I have just found what I needed.” NOTE—“Actually” was his principal new word that day—we heard it all the time.

We went out for pizza….Will ordered pepperoni—when it came he asked the waiter for “ranch dressing, please.” Mark anyone?

Will one morning--as related to us by Penni: he woke up, went in to wake Penni up grinning all the while, singing, “Penis is puffy! Penis is puffy!”

Sam to Meme: “Do I look cool with my sunglasses and hat on backwards and my surfer shirt on?”

Sam to Meme, both of them out on our balcony as Jill tended to the flowers planted out there: “Meme, I didn’t know that you grew rosemary. Do you cut these flowers and take them inside?”

The other day in their backyard replying to Mommy when asking what they were doing: “We’re making a girl destroyer.”

Sam was given a toy battery-powered forklift. He explains to us” This forklift can generate its own power.”

Sam with the same forklift, shortly after getting started with it: “Meme, this tag on the forklift is frustrating me.” Mimi took scissors and cut it off. Sam: “Now I don’t have to deal with that.”

Out in their yard, while Mark is doing the first mowing of the season, the boys are cleaning up the cuttings left in the driveway. Jill pulls up, asks Sam what he is doing and why he has that bag over his shoulder. He explains to Jill that the bag won’t fall, that it is tethered to his belt. (Yes, that’s what he said….tethered.)

Letter in The New York Times

Bernie's letter appeared today...read on.

---------------------

To the Editor:

Re “As Jobs Vanish, Motel Rooms Become Home” (front page, March 11):

This story is enough to make a grown man cry. I know it is, because I just did.

My life growing up in the Great Depression was no picnic, and many of those memories leave me embittered even to this day. But never did our family, at least, experience anything like what your article depicts.

Help those of us who have read this story: tell us where we can send money to help these down-and-out people.

Bernie Hargadon
Charlotte, N.C.
March 11, 2009

Cuban Baseball--The Best, The Very Best

Cuba's Pastime Beating Foreign Competition
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/13/sports/baseball/13cuba.html?scp=1&sq=Cuba

How I loved reading this and what Dan Rosenheck has discovered! Why? Well, for years now, Cuba is where the best baseball is played, where the best players are planted and grown. Not USA. Not the D.R. Not Venezuela. Cuba. Clinton should have done it....now it's up to Obama. Done what? Scrapped this idiotic embargo and reestablish full diplomatic relations with Cuba. That's what. Along with lots else, it would turn major league baseball on its head.

Vanishing Jobs

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/11/us/11motel.html?emc=eta1

To The Editor (NYTimes):

This story is enough to make a grown man cry. I know it is, because I just did. My life growing up in the Great Depression was no picnic and many of those memories leave me embittered even to this day. But never did our family, at least, experience anything like what your story here depicts. Help those of us who have read this story: tell us where we can send money to help these down-and-out people.

A belated thanks to my son Geoff

For it is Geoff whose idea it was for me to have this "Bernie's Views" blog and for that, I'm grateful. I think. It was also Geoff who set the whole thing up. We shall have to see how it goes. My "blog" public, such as it might turn out to be, may find itself not to be even close to "grateful" at all...but such, as they say, is life. So with that, onward and upward and again, thanks, Geoff. Dad

Overheard today

Overheard this afternoon....Jill and Sam walking through the girl's toy section in one of Charlotte's Walmarts. (sorry Geoff,....suck it up)..........

Jill: Let's get out of here--this stuff is all for girls.
Sam: Yeah, I really don't like girls except for you and Mommy.

Madoff

To The Editor (of the Charlotte Oberver):

The photo you published this morning of Bernard Madoff (p. 3D) has an unbelievably striking similarity to the traditional photo of the father of our country, i.e., the one on your and my dollar bill. Immediately the thought occurred to me that finally, with this photo of Madoff, the Treasury Department has the perfect reason, at long last, to issue the $3 dollar bill!

The Citadel

This is the best strory. If you haven't read The Citadel or The Great Santini, what have you been doing with your lives?

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/03/sports/ncaabasketball/03citadel.html?_r=1&emc=eta1