What’s Going On in da ‘Hood?

Barack Obama: Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama continues to build on the momentum of his victory in the Iowa caucus with a substantial lead over Hillary Clinton in the polls leading up to the New Hampshire primary. Polls over the weekend show that Obama has built as much as a ten point lead over Clinton while John Edwards and Dennis Kucinich continue to trail the two front runners.

Obama apparently captured the hearts and imagination of the voters with his message about the need for a change. It’s still very early in the primary season but the real news is that the Democrats now have a genuine race for the nomination. Polls prior to the Iowa caucus indicated that Clinton’s campaign might have been an unstoppable juggernaut to the White House. Registered Democrats now have a reason to tune in, get involved and get to the polls.

Hillaryland in Flames: The last week has not been kind to the Clinton presidential bid and, despite the calm spin being pitched by Bill and Hillary, there is a new sense of urgency from campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle and her staff. Urgent emails seeking more donations for the massive Clinton war chest, and another desperate email sought volunteers to participate in a phone blitz of New Hampshire voters. The smug attitude previously presented by Clinton’s campaign, much like the guerilla marketing tactics of an industry leader, has now made a dramatic shift to the “We Try Harder” image of a “Number Two” company like Avis Car Rental.

Clinton is now focusing on Obama’s weak points, including his record and lack of experience. It is foolhardy to think that the Clinton campaign is circling the bowl at this early stage of the game. Obama has momentum and the Oprah Winfrey factor working in his favor, but the Clinton campaign is backed by big money from shadowy figures like George Soros. The unseen forces that profited from Bill’s presidency have much to gain by another Clinton in the oval office. The battle for the nomination is far from over.


There are three issues that remain to be seen as primary season continues. First, one has to wonder whether Obama can continue to garner the funds to stand toe-to-toe with Clinton. Secondly, there are more than four weeks until “Super Tuesday” and over two dozen primaries. The Clinton campaign, stacked with experts in “come from behind” in political races, will get down and dirty. Obama will be attacked in every way possible and it won’t be pretty.

Finally, four weeks on the campaign trail isd a political eternity. The Democrats will determine if Obama’s electoral support comes from a belief in his message of change and moderation or if it is an anti-Hillary reaction. It will truly be entertaining. It will be interesting to see how frustration and desperation show up in Hillary’s words.

Billary: The latest email from Hillaryland comes from the master salesman himself, Bill Clinton. Granted, it is intended for Hillary supporters, not interlopers like me, but it was still “hill-arious” to see an email from Billy with the subject “Two things we have in common.” Other than the basic anatomical and biological similiarities, there is not a single thing that I have in common with my neighbor to the south (especially our taste in women and wives).

To quote Bill:

”First, we both know Hillary will be a great, great president. There’s no limit to what she can achieve, because she has the best combination of heart and mind of anyone I’ve ever met.”

”Second, we can both make a difference for Hillary right now in this extremely close race.”

Once again, it’s essential for Democrats and Republicans alike to remain vigilant and wary despite Obama’s early success. The Clinton campaign is more like a claim of ascendency to the throne rather than earning the confidence of the electorate. As more Americans begin to see through the shroud of illusion in Hillary’s leadership abilities, the marketing ploys will become more shameless.

As Bill wrote, “I’ve known Hillary long enough to know she’s running for president for exactly the right reasons. She’s running for the same reason she didn’t pursue lucrative job offers from big law firms when she left law school — and instead worked to help children. She’s running for the same reason she has worked hard for the last 35 years, to bring real change to people’s lives.”

If you don’t find words like this insulting to your intelligence, you need a reality check. Nobody runs for president of the United States because they are some political “kissing cousin” of Mother Theresa. Running for president is about power and ambition. Period. And now that Obama has established himself as the Democrats choice for change, Clinton’s campaign will be spinning Hillary’s image in that direction. Stay informed and keep your eyes and ears open.

The Republican Candidates: It is odd to see that the Republican race has all the interest and excitement of watching grass grow, taking a back seat to the Democrats. Iowa winner Mike Huckabee is not even close in New Hampshire while John McCain and Mitt Romney are trying to recover from the surprising Iowa results.

With McCain as the frontrunner in New Hampshire and the rest of the Republicans pretenders fading into the sunset, the next month will be an important time. The Republican primary race lacks the intensity and adversity of the Democratic races, yet it has the potential to be truly about leadership and vision (and not like the desperate spin of the Clinton campaign). Ultimately, an Obama versus Romney/Huckabee/McCain may be the best slate of fair choice for the American electorate in six decades.

Don Imus: The fans and opponents of Don Imus continue to have a strong interest in the radio host’s return to the airwaves. The first month of Imus at his new home with WABC-AM and Citadel Broadcasting has been both exciting and refreshing. With long-time sidekicks Charles McCord and Rob Bartlett, newcomers Karith Foster and Tony Powell, and the embattled Bernard McGuirk in the background, Imus truly has taken the show up a few notches.

There isn’t another morning show that offers a better balance of news, information, entertainment and breadth of Imus in the Morning. The political analysis and commentary of Imus and his guests are well above and beyond any other daily program. While the humor and wit have been obviously toned down to avoid some slippery slopes, long-time Imus fans would be hard-pressed to remember a time since the 1970’s when Imus was ever more relevant.

Imus has expressed his preference for Obama and McCain which, as many would agree, might produce the fairest and most exciting Presidential race. The next 30 days leading up to “Super Tuesday” is a critical time in politics and Americans really need to pay close attention to the news from the campaign front. Whether Americans choose Imus or another source for their political education, it is the obligation of the electorate to make wise and well-informed choices.

Michael Bloomberg: While Imus has labeled Hillary as the anti-Christ, God help us if Michael Bloomberg ever buys the presidency of our country. New York City government is a predatory system of agencies and management committed to providing as little as possible in return for high taxes and increasing fees. With real estate and the cost of living sky-rocketing in New York City, Bloomberg has systematically fought the unions and employees to favor big business and his image. Again, stayed tuned and pay attention.

Roger Clemens: The newest “Who Cares?” media event for the next several weeks will be the attempted spin by Roger Clemens to salvage his reservation in Cooperstown and the Hall of Fame. Following his pathetic interview with Mike Wallace on 60 Minutes, Clemens has become the pitching version of Barry Bonds. After being named in the Mitchell report, Clemens’ propensity for “loose play with the truth” has become all too clear. Now that his bank account is set for ten extravagant lifetimes, the superstar will be on a quest to enrich his ego and preserve his fame at the expense of the truth. Ho-hum. According to the Mitchell report, he’s just another steroid user.

Are All Montreal Fans Brain Damaged?

Last night (Sunday, Dec. 30) the New York Rangers beat the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 on a breakaway overtime goal by Brendan Shanahan. The real highlight of the game, however, was the hundreds of Montreal fans who paid two and three times the face value of a ticket and then proceeded to act like idiots in the stands. More on that later.

After taking a 2-1 first period lead on goals by Dan Girardi and Jaromir Jagr, the Rangers played a lackluster second period. It was most likely a letdown following a very emotional 6-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night.

The league-leading Montreal power play took advantage of the referee’s generosity to score two second period goals and lead 3-2 to start the third period. Montreal scored on three of their four power play opportunities but were a marginal offensive team at even strength. One of Montreal’s goals came after a hit on Dan Girardi that should have been called boarding but was not.

After early success against the highly-touted Canadien defense, the Rangers reverted back to their “excessive passing” game and stopped skating. While the Canadien defense looked like traffic cones on the ice, the Rangers seemed to have lost their offensive drive.


When the referee signaled a goal on a shot by Fedor Tyutin with 7:10 left, the video replay clearly showed that the puck was never in the net and had deflected off the crossbar and post. This seemed to wake up the Rangers and their fans, and Madison Square Garden erupted when Chris Drury banged in a rebound at 14:09 of the third to even the score 3-3. Sean Avery had tied up a Montreal traffic cone in front of the net and screened goalie Cristobal Huet.

About one minute into the overtime period, with three Canadiens steaming into Rangers’ zone, Dan Girardi deflected a Montreal pass to Chris Drury along the boards. Drury laid the puck out nicely to a speedy Shanahan who snapped the puck by Huet before the Montreal goalie could even react to the shot.

It was an exciting win for the Rangers and their third in a row approaching the half-way point in the season. Despite a dismal start, the Rangers find themselves in second place in the Patrick Division and fifth place in the Eastern Conference. Jaromir Jagr has effectively changed his game to play with Scott Gomez, and even the most casual hockey observer has to be impressed with the talent and dedication of the Ranger captain.

Normally, most of my post-game observations would include my usual irreverent commentary about referees. As bad as they were, excluding the video reversal of phantom Ranger goal (they were right to reverse it), the game was not a shining moment for Kevin Pollock and Rob Martell. Like the night before, when the refs missed the slash by Toronto goon Nikolai Antropov, Dan Girardi was fortunate to escape serious injury on a hit from behind into the boards.

A number of interference penalties by Montreal went uncalled. There were at least two times that Ranger players who were well away from the puck were checked into the boards. While that is reminiscent of “old” hockey, it is a strategy used by teams too slow to keep up with their opposition.

Regardless, in light of the game misconduct call by Dean Warren and Mark Joannette against Colton Orr for his clean check on Matt Cullen (a penalty that was remarkably reversed by the league), an ugly pattern of prejudice by refs against the Rangers is emerging again. Is Colin “Soupy” Campbell up to his old games? Are the Rangers being punished for suing the NHL? Are the refs reacting to the reversal of Orr’s penalty? Stay tuned and watch closely with an objective eye.

It is also a good time to look back at the Ranger fans who were ready to jump off the nearest NYC bridge when the team was a dismal 4-6-1 in 11 games in October for a pathetic 9 points. The Rangers’ discussion forum was full of posts condemning Scott Gomez and Chris Drury. Brendan Shanahan was called over the hill and some thought it was time to trade Jaromir Jagr. Why did we trade Matt Cullen and Michael Nylander? And, of course, there were the “Pavlov’s dogs” knee-jerk reactions calling for Tom Renney’s termination.

Again, this type of fanatical, impulsive and irrational reaction brings a dark side to all sports. It is also indicative of a society that loves to affix blame. Ranger fans were sick to death over the start by a team favored to be a Stanley Cup contender. Rather than manage their own lack of emotional control and accept responsibility for a total loss of priorities, their hearts, minds and souls became full of a need for retribution. Blame the players. Blame the coach. Blame the GM. Blame the owner. Blame the league.

The hockey geniuses from the Rangers’ discussion forum are now eating crow (but are still likely upset that the Rangers did not go 82-0). Since October, the Rangers are 16-9-3 in 28 games for 35 points. Somehow, if Ranger fans are any indication, America is losing its grip on reality. That is a another discussion for another time.

But, after last night’s game, my hope is that all the Montreal Canadien fans are not as stupid, obnoxious, ignorant and rude as the ones who attended last night’s game in New York at Madison Square Garden … well, at least the Montreal fans who were sitting at the Seventh Avenue end of MSG.

Only an idiot would presume that all New Yorkers are not bilingual. Yelling out curses and insults in French might seem cute, but some of us understood what was being said. When seven of Canada’s finest hoseheads finally crossed the line by insulting a female fan, several Ranger fans turned to them and spoke very proper French. The only printable comment made to “les ventilateurs du les Habitants” was “Se tais-toi! Fermer votre bouche!” which means, “Shut up! Shut your mouth!”

Not being one to pass up an opportunity to join in the fun, I added, “Votre mere s**ks et votre père mange moose turd pie!” It wasn’t much, but it got a few laughs. I guess you had to be there.

I have often talked with my child prodigy about the need for him to avoid taunting the fans of other teams. “Trash talk” has somehow become an accepted part of sports, and the fans feel the need to participate. It has been my personal experience that trash talk rarely serves any purpose other than to do two bad things. First, it gets the other guy mad. Secondly, it sets the trash talker up for an incredible embarrassment.

When I was playing high school football as a senior, a junior from another team who would go on to receive a scholarship from Notre Dame threw a really good block on me as I blitzed the quarterback. However, he stupidly said something to me that really got me mad. On the next series of downs, as he was lining up in the backfield, he made the mistake of looking at the hole he was headed for. We met in the hole at full speed and, when the lights came back on, he was on his back moaning and I was on top of him. He sat out the second half and we won the game.

I also learned the lesson the hard way. I once swore that I would kill myself if the New York Islanders ever won the Stanley Cup. From 1980 to 1983, every May and June resulted in the delivery of packages full of various poisons and even a visit from Dr. Kevorkian. My child prodigy is still learning the lesson as he is reeling from another Red Sox World Series and the Patriots undefeated season.

Many of the Montreal fans at MSG on Sunday night obviously have not learned the lesson. Some portly dude stuffed into an Alex Kovalev t-shirt that was at least three sizes too small decided it would be fun to taunt the Ranger fans. Other vegetables decided that it would be quite courteous to stand up during play to wave signs and banners, blocking the view of the spectators sitting behind them.

The self-control exhibited by Ranger fans in attendance was actually impressive. I’ve seen fans from the Islanders, Sabres, Devils and Flyers do the same stuff in MSG, only to be sprayed with beer and soda or get beaten to a pulp by Ranger fans. The Montreal fans may have been the unwitting recipients of some mitigating factors: there were a number of children at the game because of the school holiday, people were still in the Christmas spirit and the behavior of these Montreal fans was truly pathetic (evoking deep pathos).

But, once again, there was a payback. Every one of those Montreal fans had to watch Chris Drury tie the game, and then watch the celebration as Shanahan won it. And they certainly got a full payback of trash talk as they exited the Garden. Some of it was embarrassing, but (as mama told me) you get what you give. So, after paying a fortune for tickets and making the long drive from Montreal to New York and back, les ventilateurs du les Habitants are left with nothing.

Can you possibly deny that there is a God? Happy New Year to all, especially all the Montreal fans who had to slink back home along the Northway late last night. Thanks for the amusement.

Where Are We 2,000 Years Later?

It is Christmas Eve and, as a youngster, this was my favorite night of the whole year. It was the night that my mother’s family came to our home, we had a fabulous fish and seafood dinner, and then we stayed up all night playing games, singing and waiting for my Uncle Red to ascend from the basement as Santa Claus.

Things have changed through the years but it is still a special night, the time when my children join me as we try to keep certain family traditions alive. The changing context of family life and the demands placed on parents do not make holiday celebrations very easy. My family has adapted by going to to The Crab Shanty on City Island (Bronx, NY) for our fish and seafood dinner, saving us the time and work to shop, cook, serve and clean up. It is money well-spent.

During the last few years, devoid of children on Christmas Day, I have enjoyed the time alone in marvelous meditation on the true meaning of the day. My recent marriage has made visiting family on Christmas Day a necessity, so I’ve turned to those quiet hours around midnight on Christmas Eve to remember a special birthday.

Just over 2,000 years ago, a very special child was born into a humble, holy family. While researchers and various religious organizations continue to put forth theories, suppositions and proselytisms about the circumstances of the baby boy’s birth and youth, we know for certain that Jesus later emerged on the shores of the Jordan River to be baptized by St. John. Jesus would use the next three years to teach lessons that have influenced 2,000 years of humanity.


We are also certain that Jesus preached a gospel of love for God and love of one’s neighbor. My favorite gospel is the one where the Pharisees attempt to trick Jesus by asking him to name the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:34-40). Jesus gives a wonderfully simple answer. First, we should love God fully; secondly, we should love our neighbors as ourselves. It all sounds so easy, doesn’t it?

There is not a major religion in the world that does not preach this same message: love God and love your neighbor. Somehow, between organized religion, government, the aristocracy and our own lust and greed, we have put the love of God and love of our neighbors as afterthoughts. Our lives are about all choices and, as a wonderful message from E-Home Fellowship tells us (read both pages), the answers lay not in religion but in our hearts.

This is going to sound silly, but the other day was a very sickening day because one woman at my job has a heart full of hate and has targeted me and my wife. During our dinner that night (which included some take-out Chinese food), my wife cried over some nasty things this woman said to her. We opened our fortune cookies and one fortune read, “Hate has never been conquered by hate … only love can conquer hate.”

Those words have touched my heart and soul for many years … some of the “more experienced” readers may recognize those lyrics from What’s Going On? by Marvin Gaye in 1970 (a protest song about the Vietnam War). The full lyrics were, “Father, father, we don’t need to escalate … You see, war is not the answer … for only love can conquer hate.” Over the years, especially after the events of 9/11, those words have eased my pain and filled my eyes with tears.

Rather than file a grievance against this sad bureaucrat, I said a prayer for her and her son. It wasn’t easy, and it may have little or no effect on her personality and attitude, but hate was not allowed to rule the day.

What Jesus brought us on His birthday 2,000 years ago was the gift of love. He brought the love of God to us. He gave us His life, a life that showed us how to love God and love our neighbors. He gave up His life so that the sins of man may be forgiven. Most of all, Jesus showed us how life should be and how we can live a simple life devoted to God and our fellow man.

And that is what Christmas is truly all about … love and simplicity. It is love of family, love of neighbors, and love of God. That realization came to me long ago when I realized that my fondest childhood memories of Christmas were really all about love. And it is at this time of year that many of us find ourselves drawn away from the shopping, the malls, the crowds, the insane drivers on the roads and a government that puts Caesar and Herod to shame.

Christmas for me is driving down Pelham Parkway in the Bronx to see a house that is a true Christmas spectacle which makes Clark Griswold’s house look naked. Christmas was me, my sister and my cousin playing toy instruments along with Herb Alpert and The Tijuana Brass to the songs from South of the Border. It was sitting next to my grandmother, enjoying her homemade Sicilian pizza and stolen sips of her Anisette, while we played poker to all hours of the morning.

Christmas for me was always about giving (once I was old enough to buy gifts for others with my own money). Gifts that I received from others never really made me happy or sad, and they still don’t. No gift could ever top the greatest gift of the season: the gift of Jesus. It is the love and sharing of the Christmas spirit that makes me joyous, not the physical gifts themselves.

And it is always at this time of year that I ask myself about what I’ve done with the gift of love received from Jesus. There is no way that I’d ever be able to fully do this gift justice, and I can’t say that I’ve even done the best I could. I’ve given lots of love as a teacher, but not enough. I have given lots of love as a husband, but that love never fully rewards the love that I have received in return. I’ve given lots of love as a parent, but that love is not anywhere near perfect. I’ve given lots of love as a friend, but could have done better. I’ve given love to strangers, but I could have done more.

And, like many people in this world, the person who I’ve probably cheated the most is myself. Over the years, I’ve let my employers, my bosses, the government, various commercial industries and other ridiculous enterprises suck the life and love out of me. That meant there was less love for all those around me, and less love for myself.

So, this year, following a horrific year in my health and, subsequently, my career, I’m making a pledge to myself to simplify my life. I am taking back control by refusing to get caught up in the rat race. There is nothing good that can come from commuting two hours a day to work. I refuse to pay any more taxes to New York … if American colonists had been paying taxes like these, regardless of the services that SOME of the money buys, they would have killed King George and every politician in England.

I’m tired of making oil companies, car manufacturers, utilities, pharmaceuticals and other profiteers rich at the expense of me and my family. Rosalita and I discovered that we can live a very simple and fulfilling life. Life should be about loving God and loving our neighbors, pursuing a Gnostic existence devoted to the love of God, enlightenment and enriching the life of others through all that we do. Our careers in teaching dovetail nicely with this goal.

In the meantime, as I wish you a very Merry Christmas full of peace, love and happiness, I hope you are able to fully embrace the love embodied in the life and teachings of Jesus (you can also find that same love in other religions). Love God and love you neighbor … those are the two greatest commandments. At the same time, ask yourself one simple question:

How far have the people of this world come in fulfilling the two greatest commandments since a holy child was born this night 2,000 years ago in Bethlehem?

As for me, I am going to look at my little symbolic tree, listen to Dean Martin sing (“Let It Snow”) and then I am going to thank God and Jesus for all the love in my life. In the words of Kevin Spacey as Lester Burnham in American Beauty, I am “grateful for every single moment of my stupid little life … You have no idea what I’m talking about, I’m sure. But don’t worry… you will someday.”

Again Merry Christmas to all and, to all, a good night!

Colin “Soupy” Campbell Blows It Again

The NHL suspended Islander “bad boy” Chris Simon for 30 games for kicking Pittsburgh Penguin Jarkko Ruutu with a razor-sharp skate blade during an altercation last Saturday. The suspension is the longest in NHL history and comes following a suspension to Simon last Spring for swinging his stick at the face of New York Ranger Ryan Hollweg.

Remarkably, Islander head coach Ted Nolan called the penalty “excessive.”

Although the record clearly shows my favoritism to the Rangers, my perspective on Simion’s latest incident has nothing to do specifically with the attack on Hollweg. However, the two-handed swing at Hollweg was the cause of one of the seven suspensions that highlight the career of Simon.

As much as I dislike Jarkko Ruutu and would love to see him fed slowly through a meat grinder, my condemnation of Campbell has absolutely nothing to do with Ruutu as a victim. Had the victim of Simon’s attack been Ken Linsman, Dave Schultz or Dale Hunter, the NHL’s most despicable players over the years, I would still say the Soupy Campbell continues to show how he is a poor politician, inept manager and ridiculous hockey executive.


Hockey fans must unite to demand better attention by the refs and the league in protecting players against hits that injure. It is precisely for this reason that Soupy must be called out for being a total wimp. The suspension was far too lenient … Simon should have been banned forever from the NHL. Again, the bull-you-know-what rivalry between the Rangers and Islanders is not an issue in my demand for Simon’s ban … if a Ranger player did the same thing, I would be just as disgusted.

If you want to fight, fine. If you want to rough it up, fine. However, if you intentionally or accidentally cause a severe injury to a player, there needs to be some consequences. The NHL must develop a clear list of professional ethics that ban cheap shots such as low hits, aiming for the knees, blind-siding players, charging, boarding, “deliberate” slashing and high sticking, or anything that can be described as a deliberate intent to injure.

Some might argue that accidents will happen, and that is where intent and control must be part of a code of ethics. The NHL is full of players who are bigger, faster and stronger than the boys who played the game years ago. The professional in the NHL needs to be in control of his speed, skating and stick every moment he is on the ice.

Simon’s actions were blatantly criminal. Deliberately stepping on a player with a razor-sharp skate blade and attacking an unprotected area of the body is not the act of a rational human being. I don’t care how emotional Simon is or how wonderful a team player is or how big a jerk Ruutu is. Simon’s actions cannot be tolerated in a professional sports league.

As usual, Soupy Campbell took a moment that demanded decisive, forward-thinking leadership and acted like a coward through his lack of intestinal fortitude. As a result, Simon goes dancing off to counseling sessions for all the love and hugs he has been missing to prepare for his return to the NHL 30 games from now. Sure, we can expect him to be rehabilitated. NOT! If six previous suspensions didn’t teach the young wayward lad a lesson, by what deep insight does Soupy see this Simon playing again in the NHL?

Soupy needs to get his head examined. Meanwhile, the consistency and professionalism of the NHL has been taken down another notch. Players, teams and fans all will suffer a little more because Soupy guts are as thin as chicken broth. And where the heck is Gary Bettman and his spectacular leadership about this latest incident that tarnishes the image of hockey??

Pulling the Plug on Electronic and Print News

Having spent a few years on this planet (just enough, not too many), I had the joy of growing up as television evolved in the 1960’s. I had a chance to watch some of the gods of television news during my youth: Chet Huntley, David Brinkley, Walter Cronkite and others. I don’t remember Edward R. Murrow, but I learned of him studying journalism in college.

Through the 1970’s and into the 1980’s, the forces that made television news reliable and balanced began to mutate. One memorable event was when Roone Arledge, the genius behind ABC’s Wide World of Sports, became the news guru for the network. This marked a progression from news as a public service to news as entertainment (and a profitable source for advertising revenues).

Another memorable moment (in the midst of tremendous sadness) was when the American Embassy in Tehran was stormed in 1979 and ABC began running an 11:30 PM review of the day’s events called America Held Hostage: Day xx with Ted Koppel. Although we were later spared the indignity of this ridiculous title when the program was renamed Nightline, we have since been subjected to a never-ending stream of ludicrous monikers for heart-breaking news events and boring news stories (doesn’t AMERICA DECIDES sound so wonderfully thrilling?).

The final event worth noting was the birth and expansion of cable/satellite TV and the swelling of available channels into the hundreds. As a kid growing up outside New York City, we were blessed with ABC, NBC and CBS along with three independents (WOR, WPIX, and WNEW) plus WNET, the PBS station. How the heck did we survive with so few choices?

Network news programs at 6:00 PM were soon preceded by local news. Local news programs expanded to an hour. Ted Turner launched CNN. Before we knew it, we had talking heads shouting news and fluff at us 24/7 on dozens of channels, each competing for advertising revenues and audience shares by shoving every conceivable story under our noses. Thus, the mutation of true news stories into “no-news” news, sound bytes, spin and every imaginable human interest story possible.


On Dec. 18, another ridiculous news story was used as a tease for close to 45 minutes during the news by FOX-TV in NYC to keep their audience riveted to their advertising messages (which I did not see because, as a master of remote control science, I was flipping back and forth to Seinfeld). Finally, I got disgusted waiting and went to my normal online news sources. A summary of Rush Limbaugh’s comments can be found at from Australia’s News.Com (I like reading stories without the spin prevalent in American media and an ample dose of anti-American commentary).

The Limbaugh comments were inspired by a picture of Hillary Clinton on The Drudge Report’s web site … frankly, Hillary looks exactly like the way I feel when I think about her running for President (yes, that horrific). The News.Com web site quotes Limbaugh rather thoroughly so I suggest that you see the comments in a somewhat “stand-alone” context. But I have problems with the reporting of this story … it is more “non-news” news designed to inspire outrage.

The term “shock jock” is an overused, inappropriate, inaccurate and idiotic idiom in the media. Radio personalities are people with opinions and points of view that apparently draw listeners. I refuse to read most newspapers because their editorials and reporting slants are just sheer propaganda (and that’s from both sides of the political aisle). If you don’t like the radio station or you don’t like the radio personality (whether it’s the opinions, looks, music taste, sound, attitude, voice or whatever), turn the damn dial and stop telling us how the show is killing you.

I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of people complaining about “what he said” or “what she said” or “what they said.” It sounds like a bunch of people sitting around and stuffing their faces with moose turd pie (if you don’t know the story, click HERE for an audio file of Utah Phillips at his best).

As News.Com quoted, Limbaugh was very careful to say to his audience, “I want you to understand that I’m talking about the evolution of American culture here, and not so much Mrs. Clinton.” Granted, it is a sad fact of life, as my precious Rosalita reminds me every ten minutes, that age is often much kinder to men than women. The age of a woman has never really affected my view of her beauty because age is a natural part of life. However, I’ve endured more than my fair share of women suffering through the onset of their latter years.

Limbaugh, in essence, was questioning the electoral process in this country that places a high value on looks and appearance. It is not a valid point in determining who might make the best president but, since our presidents are more like TV and media stars than real leaders, you can bet that it will be a consideration by many.

Limbaugh’s real point is that America is a society obsessed with image and appearance. If you have any doubts about that, then how do you explain boob jobs, Botox, health clubs, fad diets, cosmetic surgery and every other physically self-indulgent product and service on which Americans blow billions of dollars? Many young women have paid a small fortune for the plastic in their chests and butts … enough money to feed an entire African village for a year or to get dozens of impoverished American children the medical attention they need. Priorities?

Do you think that Media Matters for America, George Soros and Clinton money are behind the “uproar” being embraced by the media over Limbaugh’s comments? Probably … Limbaugh is one of the main targets of the Democratic Party. Was there a cheap shot at Hillary in Limbaugh’s comments? Probably, but who really cares? We know Limbaugh hates Hillary. If you are a man or a woman who thinks Limbaugh is evil or stupid or inhuman, turn the damn dial and don’t listen.

Of course, we have to get commentary on this non-news news from another divisive force in America, the National Organization of Women. If you think that the kind of prejudice that Limbaugh discussed exists, gentle NOW supporters, then join me in fighting to eliminate America’s pathetic obsession with boobs, butts, beauty queens, tattoos, Botox, cosmetics, steroids, HGH, plastic surgery and all the other trappings. Before you condemn Limbaugh for his remarkable grasp of the obvious, attack the source of the problem: AMERICAN attitudes and our self-indigent psyche.

For the rest of you, turn off your damn TV’s. Stop watching the news and learn to read. Forget the newspapers … there are lots of balanced news sources on line (learn to “see” the spin). Stop watching the TV commercials and stop reading the beauty magazines and stop wishing you were some anorexic babe or “six-pack” guy. GET HEALTHY FOR THE SAKE OF GOOD HEALTH AND LONG LIFE.

Learn to live with the boobs, and butts and johnsons that the Good Lord gave you. Learn to love people for what is in their hearts, minds and souls … not the number of piercings in their nipples, navels, lips, ears, noses, tongues and elsewhere. Worry about what you can do to love your neighbor and stop getting trapped by insignificant stuff in the mass media designed to get readers and viewers for their advertisers.

Take responsibility for yourself.

WABC and the “New Imus” is Great Radio!

As the end of Imus’ 2nd week back on the radio approaches, the critics have drifted into the background and Imus is better than ever. Well, as least he is better based on today’s ridiculous expectations of political correctness.

WABC-AM and its management have provided Imus with the supervision and support that a high profile personality deserves. The 21-second delay built into the broadcast may seem oppressive by some, but it is a beautiful failsafe effort that makes people like Ryan Chiachiere, Media Matters for America, George Soros and Hillary Clinton impotent in their efforts to discredit Imus.

For those of you not familiar with Soros, he is a multi-billionaire who funds politically-oriented organizations under the guise of philanthropy. He has publically professed that he would use all his resources to end the Bush presidency. He has close ties to the Clintons and is the funding behind extreme political fronts like MoveOn.org and Media Matters for America.

In many ways, WABC-AM and Citadel Broadcasting have shown a tremendous amount of dedication and commitment to Imus. While some of their actions can be rationalized as a protection of their investment in Imus and the station’s ratings, there also seems to be a sincere effort to help make Imus even more successful. This type of loyalty is a rare commodity in radio (let alone the corporate world) where replacements are usually a dime a dozen. WABC and Citadel obvious see the unique potential of Imus.


The “new look’ of the Imus program includes his old sidekick, Charles McCord, and newcomers Ms. Karith Foster and Mr. Tony Powell. A New York Times article made sure to state that both, besides being comedians, are also black.

Katy Bachman in MediaWeek reports that the maiden broadcast on December 3 showed a substantial increase in WABC’s listeners. A poll on the WABC web site shows impressive support for the Imus rebirth. It is difficult to estimate the long-term impact of Imus’ broadcast until the Arbitron ratings, however useless they are, are released for the winter months. In the long run, as syndication opportunities increase and RFD-TV adds more viewers, Imus is likely to gain listeners as the 2008 presidential election gets more serious.

Although I have only heard about 10 hours of Imus, mostly over the Internet stream, it seems that Imus is running at a much better level than ever before. Although there have been some engineering glitches that will disappear in time, Imus is still the best interviewer on radio or TV. Imus has a style that probes deeply into questions that require answers beyond the normal fluff that turns into sound bytes rather than real information.

Imus is able to attract high-quality, intelligent personalities who have insider knowledge and deep insight about the workings of government, politics, the military, foreign affairs and the corporate world. The discussions are almost always in language that is simple to understand because it transcends the usual jargon and rhetoric. Listening to Imus on a regular basis is a promise that you will be informed thoroughly but in a fair and balanced manner.

And, despite Imus’ ability to head straight to the jugular, he never leaves his guests bloodied and crippled. The definitive proof is that Imus’ guests continue to return to his program time and time again.

Imus and the team are still exploring the new bounds of their comedy, but there have been many light and humorous moments. Imus remains amusing and it will continue to get better.

There is little chance that Imus will develop a monumental base of new fans, but it is possible there are new fans to be had. Imus has traditionally been a polarizing element because you either loved him or hated him. However, WABC-AM and Citadel seem committed to improving Imus’ image and broadening the listener base. Although a good portion of the radio world is waiting for Imus to slip on a another banana peel, holding your breath in anticipation is definitely not a good idea.

Maybe we are still in the “honeymoon” period when Imus, by necessity, has to be the good boy dressed in his Sunday-best jeans, cowboy boots, cowboy hat and denim shirt. Listening to the metamorphosis that the program will undergo in the coming weeks should be quite enjoyable.

You don’t have to like Imus. You don’t need to appreciate his philanthropic efforts. You don’t have to enjoy his humor or respect his irreverence. You don’t have to believe that he is intelligent and knowledgeable. You don’t need to forgive him for his past sins, both personal and professional.

But you really do need to be informed. Imus is an excellent choice. If not, please find another that is fair and balanced. Do not allow yourself to be misinformed by the mass media. Most of all, do not be complacent. Take responsibility for fighting against the forces that are attempting to deprive you of the ability to be in control of your life.

How One Officer Profiles Americans and Violates Their Rights

During the first week of August this past summer, Rosalita and I were sadly returning to New York from a wonderful vacation in Northern Ontario. We had become quite fond of the people in Northern Ontario because they were friendly, warm and caring.

After spending the summer traveling across the United States and Ontario, we came to the sad conclusion that New York State may well be the worst state in America. Forget the taxes, traffic, dirt, Hillary Clinton and the cost of living … New York simply leads the country in blatant stupidity and greed. My next article will explain that in more detail, so stayed tuned!

However, this article is all about a dumpy little town called Pembroke, Ontario, and its own version of Dudley Do-Right … well, actually, he was more of a combination of Inspector Clouseau and Sheriff Buford T. Justice.

It is highly suggested that all travelers, but especially Americans, should avoid the Trans-Canada Highway (17) between North Bay and Ottawa. If you must travel this horrid stretch of road, go BELOW the speed limit, block traffic and do not stop in any of the towns. You should not stop in Pembroke or spend a single cent within its town limits.

Here is the story of an early afternoon on the first Saturday in August. Some family, straight from The Grapes of Wrath, is driving a truck eastbound on Highway 17 approaching the stink-hole called Pembroke. The truck looks like something from The Little Rascals. Stuff is hanging off the sides and the back, the truck is bouncing up and down, and it is wobbling like it has different sizes of tires on each wheel. It is a menace to itself and other vehicles.


Highway 17 is like most roads in Canada: two lanes, poorly paved and far too winding to provide opportunities to pass slow-moving traffic. There are very infrequent stretches where three lanes allow a safe passing lane for one side of the highway. Apparently, the quality of roads in the rural part of Canada is of little concern to the government and the populace.

Since Highway 17 is the only direct route from North Bay to Ottawa, it is heavily traveled by trucks, cars, campers, RV’s and buggies like the broken-down piece of you-know-what that was well in front of us. The driver was quite oblivious to the jam he was creating and did not have the decency to pull onto the shoulder to let other cars around him. The concern in this situation always has to be for other drivers who are going to get ballistic and do something stupid.

Eventually, with the grace of God and incredible patience (largely a result of being so chilled from two weeks of glorious fishing), we found ourselves directly behind the dilapidated pick-up truck. As we approached an upcoming passing lane near the Laurentian Hills, three cars behind me crossed the double yellow line and started to pass, flying by us at about 150 km/hr (about 90 mph). By the time I was able to pull into the passing lane, there was only about ¼ of a mile left to complete the pass safely.

So, starting from below 50 km/hr (which was the speed of the truck), I quickly accelerated, getting close to 60 MPH (100 KM/HR), completed the pass and let the car slow down to the posted 90 KM/HR without hitting the brakes. As we started down a hill around some wide curves, we were surprised to see the three speeders in front of us (with one car in between the last car and us). They had unfortunately caught up to the biggest road hazard in the world, an RV towing a car behind it. I had also failed to see the Canadian Smokey Bacon hiding in the trees.

We slowed down to maintain a safe distance as six of us paraded behind the RV. Meanwhile, in the rear view mirror, we saw a car crossing double yellow lines to pass other cars. When it finally passed the Joad family truckster and was behind me, I could see it was a highway patrol car. Dudley Do-Right then made a dangerous maneuver to pass me, forcing me to slam on my brakes to avoid hitting him as he cut in and missed an oncoming car. He then made an even more dangerous maneuver, passing the car in front of me on a blind curve, again narrowly missing the oncoming traffic.

In the meantime, the first two cars that had flown by me a few kilometers back made their own dangerous passes around the RV and had clear sailing … and they were fading into the horizon. You would guess that Dudley would be off after them but, instead, he put on his lights and pulled over the third car in the speeding caravan. As confusing as that was, it would get worse.

The car in front of me slowed down as Dudley and his victim pulled to the side. Dudley quickly jumped out of his car, almost falling down, but then just looked back towards us. He waved at us to pull over. Rosalita was totally stunned and we both were wondering “WTF” Quinn the Eskimo was doing with us.

When the Mighty Mountie-Wannabe approached the first vehicle, also a New Yorker (we recalled his plates as he flew by us … the first two cars had Ontario plates), he seemed to be having a very loud and heated argument with the driver. This went on for five minutes. Finally, Officer Do-Right came to our vehicle and the following conversation ensued:

Dudley: And I suppose you are also Americans who think that you can speed and do whatever you want in Canada?

Me: Excuse me?

Dudley: So what’s your excuse for speeding?

Me: Speeding? Why didn’t you go after the other two cars who were in front us? They were the guys who were speeding.

Dudley: Because you and your buddy up there are Americans and I knew that you would pull over. You Americans really don’t give a s**t about how fast you are drive, do you?

Me: Officer, we are not looking for a fight, but when were we speeding?

Dudley: I’ve got you on the radar going 148 km/hr in a 90 km/hr zone.

Me: Are you talking about when we passed that broken down truck in the passing lane?

Dudley: Yes. And because you were going more than 125 km/hr, I have to write you a ticket that requires you to appear in court.;

Me: There’s no way that we were going that fast, you must have gotten the three cars that passed me, including the guy up there. It’s impossible for this car (a fully packed Honda CRV automatic) to go from 45 km/hr to 148 km/hr in six seconds.

Dudley: I’ve got all four of you on the radar.

Me: I really don’t think it is possible. Can I see the radar?

Dudley: No. I already erased it. Just give me your license and registration. (Rosalita begins searching the glove compartment).

Me: Then may I please go and talk to the other driver? (note: my plan was to get his information so we could fight the ticket).

Dudley: Absolutely not.

Me: You can search me or whatever …

Dudley: No. It would be unsafe for you to be out on the shoulder.

Me: Well, would you then be kind enough to give him a note?

Dudley: No. You are not going to get out of this. Give me the license and registration.

Needless to say, Dudley had parked the smokey-mobile right up on the guy’s bumper, so we could not see the license plate). When Dudley emerged from his vehicle, he gave the other guy his ticket first. As the driver pulled away, Dudley somehow managed to block our view of the other driver’s license plates. He also took another ten minutes with us to make sure we could not catch up to the guy.

Dudley then tried to show what a nice guy he was. He said that he was writing the ticket for going 125 km/hr in a 90 km/hr zone. This way, I would be charged the maximum penalty but would not have to make a court appearance. We refused to say anything else to this poor excuse of a law enforcement professional.

After we drove through that disgusting little landfill called Pembroke, we decided that we could not be bothered going back there to fight the ticket. In retrospect, this was a bad decision. We actually called attorneys when we got home, but they said the chances of getting justice in an Ontario traffic court as an American were non-existent. As one lawyer said, “I would do it but you are wasting your money. There is really nothing I can do to help. The justices are even more blind and anti-American than the highway patrol. It’s cheaper to pay the fine.”

As you may have suspected, I sent a detailed letter to the court with my guilty plea explaining that we could not possibly have been traveling at the speeds cited. We also explained how Dudley profiled us and violated our rights. The letter was written in both French and English, apparently to no avail. It seems that Justice N. Mitchell was not impressed (or possibly cannot read), and simply processed the charge to my credit card with all the emotion of a cash register. Maybe Mitchell and Dudley are drinking buds?

You may think the story ends here, but the next part of the saga is more bizarre. Dudley (also known as officer XXX91 … the first three digits are concealed to protect his privacy) is probably still out there preying upon unwary American travelers. Even though I’ve reported this area to many speed-trap web sites, there will still be dead meat for Dudley’s invisible radar. Stay away from Pembroke … take another route. Drive through hell if you have to.

In the meantime, maybe the folks at Honda will take this letter as testimony, documented by the Ontario Kangaroo Court System, as proof of the sheer power and acceleration of a CRV. Dudley Do-Right’s radar gun apparently proved (despite his erasure), that a fully loaded CRV went from below 30 MPH to 90 MPH in about 7 seconds. Maybe Dudley will sign the testimonial?

The End of Insanity … Serenity Now!

Former NFL superstar Michael Vick was sentenced to 23 months in prison yesterday following his guilty plea last summer for his participation in a dog fighting operation that included gambling and killing pit bulls. Vick could possibly be out in 20 months for good behavior while in prison.

Vick apologized to his family and to the court. The judge said that he also owed an apology to the millions of fans who saw Vick as a role model.

Many reports have described the gruesome nature of the activities performed by Vick and his partners. The brutal torture and execution of any animal is absolutely unconscionable. The concept of dog fighting is too indicative of a hedonistic, self-indulgent philosophy that seemingly permeates many layers of modern ethics and morality.

I personally dislike dogs because I’m allergic to them. I do not dislike people who own dogs and I can appreciate their attachment to their pets. Although I will never live in a house where there is a dog, I don’t understand how somebody could torture an innocent animal.

The really disgusting part is that Vick’s actions give the morons at PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) another pedestal from which they can espouse their one-sided fluff. The real issue here is that we have another high-profile legal case that demonstrates the incredible lack of balance in our attitudes and perspective as a society.


First of all, Americans are the contemporary version of our distant predecessors in the Roman Empire. We want the lifestyle, fame and fortune of the emperors and the aristocracy. We watch our sports heroes with a passion like the Romans watching the gladiators in the Coliseum. We glorify athletes, the glamorous, the rich and the beautiful as gods. We aspire to be like them. Are our lives so shallow and mundane that we need to find our escape by worshipping these false idols?

Don’t get me wrong. I have my heroes, just like many of you. When I was five, I wanted to be my Dad. When I was ten, I wanted to be Mickey Mantle. But, by the time I was 18, I just wanted to be me. I still have heroes: Jesus Christ, Mickey Mantle, Abraham Lincoln and Robert E. Lee. Mickey is not my hero for what he did on the baseball field, but because of what he did as he faced his death. The others should require little explanation.

I can name hundreds of sports figures I admire and appreciate. Mark Messier is my hockey Messiah. I’m thankful that I can watch Jaromir Jagr and Brendan Shanahan play on the Rangers. There have been many parallels between my life and that of Roger Maris. But, despite my awe for the talent and performance of these athletes (and others), I cannot see them as a role model for me.

But kids do need role models. My experience from working in schools with socially and economically challenged children tells me that role models help children to aspire to great things. Although it is just an opinion, it seems to me that the need for role models in America grew as families became more dysfunctional. Role models become surrogates for those who are not able to give us the gratification, hope and sense of achievement we need. It is also highly plausible that role models are yet another ugly by-product of the infusion of print and electronic mass media into the America psyche.

Did Michael Vick ask to be a role model? I doubt it. Unlike Derek Jeter, who may be the consummate role model (darn, I hope I didn’t curse him!), Vick was just a football player with above-average talent playing in a lousy city on an average team. As he watches the ice melt around him and all his supporters disappear, Vick is left with a jail sentence that seems extraordinarily harsh, even when you consider the racial implications of the community.

Make no mistake … having lived in Atlanta for the worst six months of my life, I can assure you that there is still a great deal of bigotry and racial tension in the metropolitan Atlanta area. The antebellum South still lives in many of the wealthy communities surrounding the city. But Vick was also a victim of that other parasitical organization, PETA. It was PETA’S alarming leadership in the condemnation of Vick’s actions that led to this ridiculous jail term.

Once again, what Vick did was an atrocity. Was it more of an atrocity than selling drugs or committing murder, robbery, assault or rape? Was Vick more contentious than white collar criminals who defraud the public, embezzle funds and commit larceny on an unimaginable scale? Was Vick more licentious and despicable than politicians or governmental agencies and employees who lie to, cheat and steal from the unwary, complacent American population?

It seems to me that justice implies the word “fairness” in its application. Yes, the punishment should fit the crime, but the scales need to consider the punishment in light of other crimes. While cruelty to animals is morally and ethically gruesome, how do we justify a sentence that is more severe than a sentence for a first time sex offender, a first time drug conviction or many first time assault and robbery convictions?

Something is very, very wrong here. If Vick deserves 23 months in prison, what do the boys from Enron deserve? Shouldn’t all first-time offenders be in jail? Why is Vick going to prison? Are they going to rehabilitate him to prevent a crime he will most likely never commit again?

Most people will be happy that the story will now fade off into oblivion. The PETA folks will try to keep it alive to promote their message about animal life … but what about the sanctity and spirituality of ALL human life? Why can’t the richest nation on this planet make sure that all Americans have food, shelter, health care and a job? Sorry but we have bigger fish to fry than Michael Vick.

Maybe Gordon Gekko was right in Wall Street when he said, “That’s the thing about WASPs, they love animals, can’t stand people.” Maybe it’s time we focus on people in this bass ackwards country of ours. Serenity now … insanity later.

It’s Time for Some Accountability

Like many other diabetics around the country, I had been prescribed a GlaxoSmithKline medication called Avandia back in July of 2001. Later, in June of 2006, I was switched to a product called Avandaryl, a combination of Avandia and Glipizide (a sulfonylurea used to help control blood sugar levels).

If you took the time to do a search on Avandia, you would find that GlaxoSmithKline is under siege from lawsuits by stockholders and customers. I contacted my wife’s attorney (and a fellow alumnus of Iona Prep), Luis Penichet of The Penichet Law Offices in White Plains (NY) for his usual expert advice. Luis is truly one of the great guys walking around on this planet.

Luis referred me to a very trusted colleague and personal injury attorney, Phil De Caro of De Caro & De Caro in nearby Harrison. Mr. De Caro is a caring, sensitive, intelligent and understanding attorney who listened to my personal Avandia saga. He carefully noted the facts and asked great questions. His advice was honest and forthright, and he had my best interest first at all times.

Lots of people are going to cash in on the GlaxoSmithKline bonanza from the BILLIONS they raked in on a drug with unpublished lethal and debilitating effects. Unfortunately, it is likely that I will never see a penny for the pain, suffering, lost wages, illnesses, physical damage and the mental anguish endured by my wife.

Everything that has happened to my health since October 27, 2005, could have been avoided if GlaxoSmithKline simply disclosed that Avandia was contra-indicated for individuals with a history of heart disease. It is only now, as of November 2007, that “black box” warnings appear on Avandia products and the Avandia web site.


It seems that Avandia and the other products like Avandaryl that contain Avandia increase your risk of serious heart problems if you already have a weakened heart. As the survivor of a massive myocardial infarction and a triple by-pass, you would wonder why I took the product. My doctors, who have taken superior care of me, were not given the information about Avandia. They were helpless to protect me. Nor were they told that Avandia was not to be used with insulin products such as Lantus, a time-release insulin product for diabetics.

Even the news of the Avandia risks were downplayed. The information was made public on June 6 and the FDA scheduled a hearing for July 30. When I became seriously ill in September, it was only by accident that I uncovered the news of Avandia and was switched to a similar medication, Actos. When my doctors learned that Actos was causing the same problems as Avandia, they discontinued the Actos.

As you probably have already guessed, I started to recover from a host of medical problems: reduced kidney functions, reduced liver functions, fatty liver disease, anemia, blurred vision, dizziness, chest pains, swollen legs, and fatigue. After June 2006 when I started Avandaryl, I put on 20 pounds despite a well-managed diet; I gained another 15 pounds from September 15 until November 7. However, since ending the Avandia/Actos regimen on November 2, I have lost 18 pounds. The rest will come once the Avandia/Actos is completely flushed from my system and I can get a decent night’s sleep.

It is also important to note that I had similar episodes to this, lasting one or two weeks, on five prior occasions. I was tested for Lyme Disease and mononucleosis, but the tests were negative. Every one of those episodes occurred after October 2005 but, thanks to GlaxoSmithKline’s unending quest for profits, I have lost about five months of a life with an expectancy that is already severely compromised.

I’ll be the first to admit that there are people with far worse problems than mine. I have a few new problems that seemed to emerge during my latest struggles. First, I developed an enlarged heart. The good news is that I think this symptom will go away once the Avandia/Actos is gone and as my kidneys heal. I has also developed shortness of breath which turned out to be COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) that was exacerbated by the enlarged heart. Again, this can be minimized with weight loss and exercise.

If you look specifically at the Avandaryl warnings, you’ll note that individuals with low pumping rates should not be on the product. Well, that’s me again. My pumping rate is so low that I qualified for a defibrillator placement.

The cost to my health insurance company during the last few weeks has been astronomical. Those costs will ultimately be passed along to employers and consumers in the cost of their health care insurance. I have been spending at least $100 per week on doctor co-pays with examinations, tests, treatments and follow-ups. I have had every orifice and cavity explored including everyone’s favorite, the colonoscopy. The colonoscopy itself wasn’t so bad because I was unconscious, but drinking two gallons of TriLyte was truly something that I never want to do again.

A number of legal firms have initiated class action lawsuits against GlaxoSmithKline, but they are only taking cases where somebody had a heart attack after starting Avandia products. As Phil De Caro explained, the impact of the drug is far easy to prove especially if the patient died. The problem with my claim is that I am getting better and expect to return to work. Also, despite the fact that a recent cardiac catherization showed that my triple by-pass (including the grafts) was still perfect after eight years, it would be hard to prove that all my other symptoms (which are medically documented) were caused by Avandia.

The fact that most of the symptoms started to clear up after stopping the Avandia/Actos could be argued as coincidental.

The simple fact, as Phil explained, is that a single person trying to fight the pharmaceuticals is helpless. The attorneys defend these cases vigorously, and the paperwork alone from the discovery process would bankrupt most clients. The only hope is a class action case but, so far, no attorneys have come forward to represent victims like me who already had the bonanza of a heart attack.

It is wishful thinking to believe that the greedy, profit-oriented pharmaceuticals, operating under the façade that they are concerned with helping humanity, would step forward of their own accord to help the victims that they harmed. It is even more improbable that the Food and Drug Administration would create programs that protect consumers, businesses and health insurance providers from being bilked by pharmaceuticals selling medications that have been poorly tested or found to be hazardous. The FDA is little more than than the government’s red stamp to get money for the pharmaceuticals.

The pharmaceuticals also need to have regulations that establish and demand wide notification when a medication has come into question. The fact that I was on vacation most of the time when the Avandia issues came to light is irrelevant. Had my local pharmacy and my “90-day” supplier been notified of the Avandia risks, I could have been off the medication well before this episode that has disabled me for almost three months.

I have two hopes for getting compensated by GlaxoSmithKline (well, actually four hopes if you include “slim” and “none”). One is if this message can reach others like me who were damaged by Avandia AFTER a prior heart attack. The other, which looks promising, is if the stockholder lawsuit against GlaxoSmithKline proves the company guilty of its sins of omission and commission (essentially negligence and fraud). A criminal act on record or an admission of guilt would pave the way for all of us who were injured.

I obviously don’t have many answers and my main concern has to be for keeping myself alive and supporting the herd of a wife, an ex-wife and six kids (including a high-schooler and three in college). I have children at the school where I teach that have been emotionally damaged by my absence (one went so far as to think that I got sick after I disciplined the class for its behavior one day. Meanwhile, a bunch of balding, fat guys who wear $1,500 suits are living it up and laughing all the way to the bank, comfortable in the knowledge that they will never lose a thing.

Rangers’ Discussion Board is for the Birds

Before we begin, my thanks go to my sister-in-law Patricia for pointing me to The Enneagram Institute, a web site that offers both free and fully validated personality assessments. Under the guise of classifying me as a Reformer (well, it could happen), it proved what people have been telling me for years: I am a pain-in-the-butt, anal-retentive type-1 personality.

For now, my destiny as an idealistic reformer steps forward.

The last 10 weeks haven’t been especially pleasant ones for me, an endless monotony between doctors, hospitals and my little cavern in the basement of my home. I won’t bore you with the details but my functionality has been severely limited. As of yet, I haven’t found a plausible explanation as to why I could work on a computer in limited stretches but, when watching TV, I fell asleep in a heartbeat.

During my recovery, I listened to the Rangers’ games on television despite the brutally painful results of the first ten games. You have to understand that the worst part was reading the pathetic discussion board on the New York Rangers web site. You’d think that the world was coming to an end and people were jumping off every bridge in NYC.

To break up my daily monotony, I joined a fantasy hockey league. I never played fantasy sports before this because I just didn’t have the time. At a previous job, I watched employees spend three hours a day on an in-house league … and the department’s productivity was an illusion because the manager and two supervisors spent more time than anyone else chatting and trading players.

The best part was that the Director of MIS and his staff actually helped to set up the league and conceal it from management. As you might imagine, it left a bad taste in my mouth for fantasy sports.


Being a devout Ranger fan, I have tried to be a good hockey fan and not a typical Ranger butthead fan. I realized earlier this year that my perspective, sanity and logic were between twisted by visiting the official New York Rangers discussion forum. I now understand why the Rangers and Ranger fans are so hated throughout the NHL.

First of all, the discussion forum is unsupervised and there are no moderators … two major sins for any public discussion forum. Secondly, the average age of the users is about 13 years … and you have a bunch of cranky, old adults (probably shut-ins) who are trying to correspond with teenagers. Everybody is a friggin’ expert … especially the guys who play roller hockey, high school hockey, recreation league hockey and broom hockey. They all know more about the NHL than professional coaches and general managers who have spent a lifetime in professional hockey.

I’ve also come to realize that Ranger fans are the biggest whiners and crybabies in any sport. I realized it after I wrote my article about Chris Neil’s hit on Sean Avery. I spent too much time reading the trash on the Ranger discussion board, and I let it influence me. I’m still not happy with Neil’s hit or any other hit that leads to a severe injury; however, a dismal fact of the NHL is that players get injuries that sometimes end or ruin careers.

Another funny thing about the Ranger discussion board is the webmaster, affectionately called “Webby” by users, an enigma who apparently isn’t tuned into popular culture. Webby shows his dominance from time to time by booting users for using terminology that he doesn’t understand. Booting new users is a way of honoring long time users who have achieved 10,000, 20,000 and even over 50,000 postings. The “in-crowd” can basically say whatever they want, but newer users get booted on the whim these hallowed hockey pundits (or Webby when he is having a bad day … you’d think he has PMS every single day).

One has to wonder … what kind of person averages 12,000 to 15,000 discussion board postings a year. For hockey?

In any event, many of the more mature and intelligent users have abandoned the Rangers’ discussion forum. I am proud to say I am one of them (maturity and intelligence questions aside). And I won’t go back.

My disillusionment with hockey and the NHL had been growing since 2006. One reason was the constant negativity of the Ranger discussion board. My opinion of the game that I loved so much had become myopic and my depth of knowledge was growing shallow. How intelligent are fans who still chant “Potvin Sucks” almost 20 years after the guy played his last game in the NHL? But, fortunately, fantasy hockey came along to save the day.

My first reality check (imagine that … from fantasy hockey) came when I had to draft a team from players all over the NHL. It was then I realized that I was dealing with lots of unfamiliar names. However, using a broad variety of player ranking tools an