Liberals & Conservatives, ‘Explained’

17 Tuesday Apr 2012

David P. Stang, a friend, upon reading Chris Mooney’s Liberals and Conservatives Don’t Just Vote Differently, They Think Differently, which I posted yesterday in my new addition to this website, took exception to the article, intimating Mooney was 51 cards short of a full deck (my interpetation of Dave’s comments).

But rather than just throw stones, Dave composed what he calls an ‘essay” to school us on what he believes we all need to know about Liberals and Conservatives.

As I’m in my extended search to understand how good folks can see things so differently, particularly in the area of politics and religion, I post Dave’s thoughtful piece below.

See what you think.

Blogger Nails Sox Sports’ Writers

17 Tuesday Apr 2012

Posted by Richard in Go Sox

≈ 2 Comments

For some time now I have been annoyed by various (Boston) sports’ writers who seem to me delighted to create controversy, stoke ‘controversy,’ and generally confuse good sport’s reporting with manufactured controversies.

I know Boston writers have a history of being tough on the Sox (Teddy made it easy for them), but I’m not talking about that so much as the ‘manufactured’ controversies, the over interpreting, the seeming delight in augmenting even the smallest issue into a major bruhaha (sp?).

The latest along this line is the Bobby V comment on Youk and the fallout resulting. We all know that Bobby talks too much. But so do the (Boston) sports’ writers who need controversy to fill their columns.

I don’t plan to comment on each and every so called controversy this season, but I just read on a friend’s blog what I think is all that needs to be said about Bobby & Youk and whatever else will come along along these lines this season.

Check out what Jere Smith wrote last night in his A Red Sox Fan From Pinstripe Territory blog: An Elvis Man Should Love It.

He nails it.

The New MoneyBall

17 Tuesday Apr 2012

Posted by Richard in Go Sox

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Now that the season is underway, and especially since most Sox fans have put down sharp objects and stepped away from high places, we can settle into the season and try to enjoy the sport with all its infinite variety.

I’m always looking for articles and discussions about baseball that go beyond the daily scores and the media hype that many writers seem to get paid to produce, articles that add to my understanding of the game.

A few weeks ago I came across this Forbes magazine article by Tom Van Riper, The New Moneyball. Take a look at it.

When you finish reading the article, be sure to click on the link at the end of the third page, Special Report: The Business Of Baseball 2012, to see what your baseball team and all the other teams are worth.

Moneyball it is.

Articles of Interest.1

16 Monday Apr 2012

Posted by Richard in Misc

≈ 3 Comments

One of the wonderful benefits of the Internet is the access it allows to a wide range of articles, videos, etc., on many, many subjects. One could spend, for example, an hour a day just reading articles on say the Boston Red Sox, much more than was previously available on one’s local sports page where there might be only a few lines and a box score.

Now that I have more leisure to follow my interests (not only the Red Sox, but as you know from MillersTime, escapes and pleasures, family and friends, local, national and global issues, etc.), I come across numerous articles each week that I never would have seen prior to the advent of the Internet and my own retirement from my professional life.

Some of these articles I mention on the website, and some of you have written that you appreciate these links as you never would have seen the article(s) otherwise. But there are many more ‘articles’ I find and read/watch, etc. that don’t necessarily fit into a blog post.

The thought occurred to me that perhaps once a week, perhaps more irregularly than that, I could simply post links to a half dozen or so articles on a variety of topics, that might have interest for MillersTime readers. I’m not sure if this ‘addition’ to the website will pan out over time nor exactly into what form it may morph. (For example, I might include original writing from folks who want a place to post something they have written.)

Robert Caro: “”The Passage of Power”

13 Friday Apr 2012

Posted by Richard in The Outer Loop

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

biography, LBJ, Robert A. Caro, The Passage of Power, The Transition, The Years of Lyndon Johnson

I just finished Robert A. Caro’s The Transition, an excerpt* (April 2 The New Yorker ) from his soon to be published fourth volume, The Years of Lyndon Johnson biography.

This excerpt describes the day LBJ took over the Presidency, and, like everything else in Caro’s LBJ biography, it’s a page turner.

If you know the three previous volumes, you know what to to expect from Caro. And he doesn’t disappoint.

If you don’t know Caro or haven’t read any of the LBJ biography, you have a treat in store, a long one. His first volume, The Path to Power came out in 1982 and was about 900 pages. It was a page turner.

Angels Will Beat Phillies in the WS

12 Thursday Apr 2012

Posted by Richard in Go Sox

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

2012 World Series, Angels, baseball, NYY, Phillies, Red Sox, Washington Nationals

As I prepare to head to the Nationals’ home opener today, I ‘note’ that my beloved Sox are in last place in the AL East with a 1-5 record, an improvement over last years opening of 0-6.

I also note that the Nationals are tied for first in their Senior Circuit Division with a record of 4-2. While the Nats, or any other team, could never replace my Sox infatuation/obsession, it’s nice to consider that my ‘home’ team may be competitive this year.

Anyway, neither the Sox nor the Nats seemed to impress the contestants in this years MillersTime Baseball Contests.

Here, then, the wisdom of those who succumbed to my endless nagging to participate in the six contests:

Elizabeth, Annie, Eli, & the Alligator

11 Wednesday Apr 2012

Posted by Richard in Family and Friends

≈ 4 Comments

Need a story line.

Any thoughts?

If You Love Sushi…or Even If You Don’t…

10 Tuesday Apr 2012

Posted by Richard in Escapes and Pleasures

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Foreign Films, Jiro, Sushi

Jiro Dreams of Shushi ****1/2

I don’t know for sure how long this 81 minute film, documentary, is going to be around in DC (it’s here now), but if you like sushi, then definitely make time to see it.

It’s the story of a sushi restaurant in a Tokyo subway station that has earned a three star Michelin review.

Actually, it more about its owner and chef, 85-year old Jiro Ono. His 10-seat, sushi only restaurant, apparently made famous by a restaurant reviewer(s), is a very expensive, call-a-month-in-advance sushi bar that folks come from far beyond Tokyo to ‘dine.’

This man, this chef, is the definition of a perfectionist, and, even at his current age, apparently continues to work at perfecting his sushi offerings.

It is also the story of his two sons. His elder one will one day succeed him but has ‘apprenticed’ for at least 30 years. His younger son has established his own restaurant elsewhere in Tokyo.

The film is fascinating as a study of Jiro, what he has created, what drives him, and how and why he continues to develop his restaurant. It is also fascinating from the point of view of the father-son(s) relationship(s).

Even if you don’t like sushi, the film will make your mouth water and give you an appreciation for someone who does his craft well.

Orioles on Top? Nats Next to Last?

05 Thursday Apr 2012

Posted by Richard in Go Sox, The Outer Loop

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Tags

baseball, Money in Baseball & Politics

Finally those data geeks at The Sunlight Foundation (transparency: that’s where my wife works) have done something I can understand.

They’ve taken a look at how much each baseball team is spending in the political arena. And there are some surprises.

The Yanks are not even in the top five. The Nats, who play in the nation’s capital, are next to last in giving.

And who gives the most?

The Orioles.

What’s that about?

To learn more about how the MLB teams are spending their money and to see a list of where your team stands in political money giving (which no doubt comes out of the money you pay for tickets), see Major League Fundraising.

Understanding the Importance of the 2012 Elections

05 Thursday Apr 2012

Posted by Richard in The Outer Loop

≈ Leave a Comment

Again, thanks to a tweet by Jay Rosen, NYU journalism professor, here is another NY Magazine article worth reading.

In this Feb. 26 piece, Jonathan Chait explains why the 2012 elections are of supreme importance to Republicans. Generally, when I hear “this is the most important election of this century,” I just roll my eyes (can one really ‘roll’ one’s eyes?).

But check out 2012 or Never, as Chait explains why the Republicans are fearful.

The Best Laid Plans…

04 Wednesday Apr 2012

Posted by Richard in Family and Friends

≈ 4 Comments

I was sure I was about to have the material for a brilliantly funny post about two grand parents taking care of the grand kinder over night.

After all, the little prodigies were 3+ and 1+, and as wonderful as they are, sleeping away from Mommy and Aba was not their idea of a good time. And the younger prodigy has been known to prefer her mother to every thing else in the world.

Another Film to See

03 Tuesday Apr 2012

Posted by Richard in Escapes and Pleasures

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Tags

Boy, Foreign Films, Monsieur Lahzar, Movies

Monsieur Lazhar **** ½

This Canadian film is another one that was nominated for an Oscar in the Best Foreign Language Film category (A Separation won the award and A Footnote was also a contender for the prize).

The Best Birthday Dinner Ever

02 Monday Apr 2012

Posted by Richard in Escapes and Pleasures, Family and Friends

≈ 3 Comments

So last year for my birthday, Ellen arranged a four-hour cooking lesson with one of DC’s best chefs.**

Pretty special.

This year, she topped that with reservations (HT to Penn S for help in securing said reservation) and an evening at DC’s Minibar, a six person extavaganza of small bites of tastes and combinations you’ve never had but somehow (mostly) work wonderfully.

Hunger Games

29 Thursday Mar 2012

Posted by Richard in Escapes and Pleasures

≈ 4 Comments

by Miami Beach resident Elizabeth R. Miller

For those dedicated MillersTime.net readers, you’ll remember that the Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins was featured heavily as a favorite on many people’s lists for the best books read in 2011.

If you read the books and haven’t seen the movie, what are you waiting for?

The Hunger Games made $155 million over its opening day weekend (third only to last year’s Harry Potter finale movie and 2008′s The Dark Knight) and, in my opinion, was worth every penny.

“Sucker Punch” – Simply Good Theater

28 Wednesday Mar 2012

Posted by Richard in Escapes and Pleasures

≈ 1 Comment

If you saw and enjoyed the ‘fight’ scene (i.e., canvas preparation) in the play “Red,” then hasten to Studio Theatre to see the current production of “Sucker Punch.”

There is a scene toward the end of the hour and a half, no intermission production that is even better than that wonderful scene in “Red.”

“Sucker Punch” is a play about boxing, and much more , but ultimately it is the boxing that wins the day. You don’t have to like or care about boxing to enjoy it, and you don’t have to worry about any grizzly scenes.