From the Associated Press, former wonder boy, and current poster boy Alex Rodriguez just doesn't seem to get it. What is with the pampered. Do they truly believe what applies to all others just does not apply to them?
Report: Cousin must stay away
2009-02-26
Associated Press
NEW YORK -- Alex Rodriguez has been told by the New York Yankees to keep his cousin away from ballparks.
The message was given to the star third baseman on Thursday, said a person familiar with the situation, speaking on condition of anonymity because the team did not make an announcement. The message applied both to spring training and the regular season, the person said.
Speaking at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Fla., general manager Brian Cashman said only that matter of Rodriguez being picked up from his spring training opener Wednesday by his cousin "has been handled."
A day earlier in Dunedin, Rodriguez homered and walked twice before getting into a SUV driven by Yuri Sucart, who has been identified as the cousin who provided Rodriguez with performance-enhancing drugs obtained in the Dominican Republic. Rodriguez admitted using them while playing for Texas from 2001-03.
Rodriguez acknowledged to the Yankees that having the cousin meet him at the ballpark in Dunedin was a mistake, the person who told The Associated Press about the situation said.
Rodriguez received mostly cheers with a few boos mixed in Thursday. He went 0-for-2 and left after five innings with the Yankees leading Tampa Bay 2-0.
The crowd included Yankees owner George Steinbrenner.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
2009 Oscar picks
I'll be short and sweet. Just winners. Just the big ones for movie fakers like me. And these are real predictions. None of this shoulda, woulda, coulda nonsense. Just pick 'em.
Best Actress:
Didn't see her, but saw her make fun of herself playing such a role in a second season episode of 'Extras', so the winner for Best Actress will go to Kate Winslet.
Best Actor:
Tough choice, but Mickey Rourke put in a helluva performance in 'The Wrestler.' This will make for an interesting midnight speech!
Best Supporting Actress:
Marisa Tomei for 'The Wrestler.' Besides the fantastic nakedness, there was an earthiness and exceedingly revealing quality to this performance. Just as much as with Rourke's role, Tomei's required guts, character, and some knowledge of the situation. This one she deserves.
Best Supporting Actor:
Dead men where lots of makeup.....Heath Ledger
Best Director:
Danny Boyle. I left the theater thinking that Boyle had taken standard fare and made it into a compelling film. He created a focus where there just would have been a story arc. He riveted us to the chair, brought fantastic entertainment, an amazing story, fantastic visuals, all part of a love story for the ages. Classic cinema. Very untraditional backdrop, and style.
Best Film:
Slumdog Millionaire. This was a fantastic story, exceedingly well told, and hopefully something that in a way can begin to make a difference in the lives of some of the kids and families stuck in the slums and shantytowns in Mumbai and elsewhere in the world.
Best Actress:
Didn't see her, but saw her make fun of herself playing such a role in a second season episode of 'Extras', so the winner for Best Actress will go to Kate Winslet.
Best Actor:
Tough choice, but Mickey Rourke put in a helluva performance in 'The Wrestler.' This will make for an interesting midnight speech!
Best Supporting Actress:
Marisa Tomei for 'The Wrestler.' Besides the fantastic nakedness, there was an earthiness and exceedingly revealing quality to this performance. Just as much as with Rourke's role, Tomei's required guts, character, and some knowledge of the situation. This one she deserves.
Best Supporting Actor:
Dead men where lots of makeup.....Heath Ledger
Best Director:
Danny Boyle. I left the theater thinking that Boyle had taken standard fare and made it into a compelling film. He created a focus where there just would have been a story arc. He riveted us to the chair, brought fantastic entertainment, an amazing story, fantastic visuals, all part of a love story for the ages. Classic cinema. Very untraditional backdrop, and style.
Best Film:
Slumdog Millionaire. This was a fantastic story, exceedingly well told, and hopefully something that in a way can begin to make a difference in the lives of some of the kids and families stuck in the slums and shantytowns in Mumbai and elsewhere in the world.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
A-Rod meets the press
Well, he at least seemed ready for prime time this afternoon.
In Tampa, Alex Rodriguez met a large press corps at a well managed New York Yankee training facility.
A-Rod did OK, but clearly hadn't thought it all through.
He acknowledged he was injected around 2x/month for 3 years, so 36 times, with a substance the derivation of which he was not certain. He did this with his cousin, who bought the stuff in the Dominican Republic.
He kept referring to himself as young and stupid for doing this. Repeatedly. A lot. Like really young and stupid, like someething he did when he was 24 or 25. He wished he had gone to college, so he might not have done this stuff.
The once HoF lock danced around questions of history or an asterisk or whether he would give incentive money or money for major marker HRs back to the Yankees. He didn't fully acquit himself, but this is a whole lot more than any of the other liars who either continue to deny ever having taken steroids or clear or flaxseed oil or whatever have done over the past 10 years.
In a word, A-Rod manned up.
That said, it took him a week to do so, and he clearly didn't say everything he had to last Monday during his 'chat' with Peter Gammons.
Makes you wonder, if he was young and stupid 8 years ago, what he was last year when he ruined his marriage to 'study Kabbala' with Madonna, a cougar 17 years his senior. It harkens back to ten years ago, the height of the Clinton-Lewinski saga, and then House Judiciary Chairman Henry Hyde acknowledged having an affair in his youth, when he was 35 years old. Depending on your perspective, he was right, or A-Rod has two more years of youthful indescretions ahead of him before he really gets in trouble.
In Tampa, Alex Rodriguez met a large press corps at a well managed New York Yankee training facility.
A-Rod did OK, but clearly hadn't thought it all through.
He acknowledged he was injected around 2x/month for 3 years, so 36 times, with a substance the derivation of which he was not certain. He did this with his cousin, who bought the stuff in the Dominican Republic.
He kept referring to himself as young and stupid for doing this. Repeatedly. A lot. Like really young and stupid, like someething he did when he was 24 or 25. He wished he had gone to college, so he might not have done this stuff.
The once HoF lock danced around questions of history or an asterisk or whether he would give incentive money or money for major marker HRs back to the Yankees. He didn't fully acquit himself, but this is a whole lot more than any of the other liars who either continue to deny ever having taken steroids or clear or flaxseed oil or whatever have done over the past 10 years.
In a word, A-Rod manned up.
That said, it took him a week to do so, and he clearly didn't say everything he had to last Monday during his 'chat' with Peter Gammons.
Makes you wonder, if he was young and stupid 8 years ago, what he was last year when he ruined his marriage to 'study Kabbala' with Madonna, a cougar 17 years his senior. It harkens back to ten years ago, the height of the Clinton-Lewinski saga, and then House Judiciary Chairman Henry Hyde acknowledged having an affair in his youth, when he was 35 years old. Depending on your perspective, he was right, or A-Rod has two more years of youthful indescretions ahead of him before he really gets in trouble.
What's wrong with the media, at least in this case
Thanks to our friends at Conde Naste Portfolio for providing some commentary and links to a panel session conducted earlier today by Ken Auletta and featuring Barbara Walters and Steve Kroft.
Walters provided a moment of clarity when she acknowledged how much she thinks of herself, and how that seems to be more than she thinks of the new President, a certain Barack Obama. For a person straining at her age to remain a size 2, she sure wears some big pants.
Here's the link, http://www.portfolio.com/views/blogs/mixed-media/2009/02/17/barbara-walters-only-the-morning-shows-will-last?tid=true
And if that's too much effort, here's the line:
A couple of years ago, [Obama] was interviewed [at a public event] and I went up to him when the interview was over and said, "How nice to see you. I would just hope one day, Senator, that you would appear on The View." And he said, "I have." And I said, "I'm so sorry I wasn't there that day." And he said, "You were."
Priceless, as they say. My money says Obama was right on this, and Walters was wrong. In the race to the 'get' you have to recognize that there's always a price. I prided myself on not only remembering who was booked on our show, but in speaking with them and engaging with them, regardless of how it went, after the show. Communications and memory go a long way, especially in the communications field.
Walters provided a moment of clarity when she acknowledged how much she thinks of herself, and how that seems to be more than she thinks of the new President, a certain Barack Obama. For a person straining at her age to remain a size 2, she sure wears some big pants.
Here's the link, http://www.portfolio.com/views/blogs/mixed-media/2009/02/17/barbara-walters-only-the-morning-shows-will-last?tid=true
And if that's too much effort, here's the line:
A couple of years ago, [Obama] was interviewed [at a public event] and I went up to him when the interview was over and said, "How nice to see you. I would just hope one day, Senator, that you would appear on The View." And he said, "I have." And I said, "I'm so sorry I wasn't there that day." And he said, "You were."
Priceless, as they say. My money says Obama was right on this, and Walters was wrong. In the race to the 'get' you have to recognize that there's always a price. I prided myself on not only remembering who was booked on our show, but in speaking with them and engaging with them, regardless of how it went, after the show. Communications and memory go a long way, especially in the communications field.
Friday, February 13, 2009
time to stand up and be counted
It's gut check time.
Which side are you on?
The side of truth, justice, and the American way, or, the side the opts for political theater at the expense of content and depth.
Of course, it's not that easy, but it sure as hell should be.
Check out the issue that fellow goateed newsie Chuck Todd has made of the Obama White House restricting press access to individuals who served as props at a press conference today.
Share what you think. Is Todd on to something? Would the work of the White House press corps be better if they were less penned in? Did you know that they already have more access in the White House under Obama than under Bush, Clinton, or other Presidents? Do you think that access will last? Do you even care, or is this just inside baseball for journalism junkies?
Here's the comment from TVNewser:
Todd Takes on White House Over Press Access
NBC White House correspondent Chuck Todd says he may be "one of the newbies," but writes on the First Read msnbc.com blog today about the press access restrictions made by the White House. "Nothing is more frustrating than covering an actual event here at the White House if you at all believe in anything remotely having to do with the First Amendment," he writes.
Todd's beef today involves a speech by President Barack Obama to a group of CEOs at the White House. After the speech, the press was not allowed to talk to any of the CEOs. "Once the CEOs were clear and escorted downstairs, then we were let out of our East Room pen," writes Todd.
The comments section of the post brought strong debate from both sides, and Todd added an update. "Beat us up all you want, but this isn't about us whining, it's about us not even being able to do the job you want us to do and that is be the people's questioner here," he writes.
Which side are you on?
The side of truth, justice, and the American way, or, the side the opts for political theater at the expense of content and depth.
Of course, it's not that easy, but it sure as hell should be.
Check out the issue that fellow goateed newsie Chuck Todd has made of the Obama White House restricting press access to individuals who served as props at a press conference today.
Share what you think. Is Todd on to something? Would the work of the White House press corps be better if they were less penned in? Did you know that they already have more access in the White House under Obama than under Bush, Clinton, or other Presidents? Do you think that access will last? Do you even care, or is this just inside baseball for journalism junkies?
Here's the comment from TVNewser:
Todd Takes on White House Over Press Access
NBC White House correspondent Chuck Todd says he may be "one of the newbies," but writes on the First Read msnbc.com blog today about the press access restrictions made by the White House. "Nothing is more frustrating than covering an actual event here at the White House if you at all believe in anything remotely having to do with the First Amendment," he writes.
Todd's beef today involves a speech by President Barack Obama to a group of CEOs at the White House. After the speech, the press was not allowed to talk to any of the CEOs. "Once the CEOs were clear and escorted downstairs, then we were let out of our East Room pen," writes Todd.
The comments section of the post brought strong debate from both sides, and Todd added an update. "Beat us up all you want, but this isn't about us whining, it's about us not even being able to do the job you want us to do and that is be the people's questioner here," he writes.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
hip shit for old folks
You ever have one of those moments where worlds collide.
Where there are things that should mix but do, and somehow it works out fine.
Like Sinatra and Bono. Peanut butter and chocolate. Even Flavor Fav and Sly Stallone's crazy ass Danish ex, Bridgette Nielson.
I just had one of those moments, and it involved the MSM, multi-media, MTV, parody, and the name everyone tries to work into a sentence, Barack Obama. It may even be an epiphany, a, hey, why didn't I think of that moment. (Perhaps at some time I'll post the Washington sitcom I drafted in 1999 that involves an election too close to call that both candidates took the office together, and had to share governing responsiblity, but that's for another time.)
Newsweek has begun to run an online parody of the MTV show 'The City.' And it works.
'The District' is voiced by 'Barack,' a guy from Chicago who decides to 'risk it all' and go for the big job. It follows the news of the week, takes enough stuff out of context, and mixes shots, to give MTV and all those fake reality shows a run for the money, and does so in such an original way that I might not look at Congress and the Executive Branch the same way for, oh, about another 15 minutes.
Here's the link, http://video.newsweek.com/#?t=9961941001&l=9860081001, check out all 3:47 of it yourself and see what you think.
Hipsters will find it cheesy. But then again Washington most definitely is not for the hip. Never was. Never will be. Even with all that's going down these days. For sure.
Where there are things that should mix but do, and somehow it works out fine.
Like Sinatra and Bono. Peanut butter and chocolate. Even Flavor Fav and Sly Stallone's crazy ass Danish ex, Bridgette Nielson.
I just had one of those moments, and it involved the MSM, multi-media, MTV, parody, and the name everyone tries to work into a sentence, Barack Obama. It may even be an epiphany, a, hey, why didn't I think of that moment. (Perhaps at some time I'll post the Washington sitcom I drafted in 1999 that involves an election too close to call that both candidates took the office together, and had to share governing responsiblity, but that's for another time.)
Newsweek has begun to run an online parody of the MTV show 'The City.' And it works.
'The District' is voiced by 'Barack,' a guy from Chicago who decides to 'risk it all' and go for the big job. It follows the news of the week, takes enough stuff out of context, and mixes shots, to give MTV and all those fake reality shows a run for the money, and does so in such an original way that I might not look at Congress and the Executive Branch the same way for, oh, about another 15 minutes.
Here's the link, http://video.newsweek.com/#?t=9961941001&l=9860081001, check out all 3:47 of it yourself and see what you think.
Hipsters will find it cheesy. But then again Washington most definitely is not for the hip. Never was. Never will be. Even with all that's going down these days. For sure.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Sports and Politics and TARP
Here's my first prediction for 2009. I know it's February 1, and these things are supposed to be done on January 1, but I'm not much for protocol, let alone predictions thing.
But here goes.
With Congress all bent out of shape about getting ripped off by Wall Street last fall, and with Obama's Treasury Department, and the White House, out for a pelt or two to prove to the public that this is what change means, place some good money down on the new Mets' stadium NOT being named Citi Field for much longer.
With a $50 million airplane purchase just scuttled, wait till folks here in DC recognize that the naming rights for the Queens ballpark run $20 million a year, or $400 million over the course of the twenty year contract. Sure, it was negotiated in 2006, but there are buyout clauses, and we're in tough times.
The naming rights bonanza may finally have run its course. At least for now.
Anyone for Mark McGwire Andro Stadium? Or Barry Bonds Flaxseed Field? Wonder what MLB would have to say about those options.
But here goes.
With Congress all bent out of shape about getting ripped off by Wall Street last fall, and with Obama's Treasury Department, and the White House, out for a pelt or two to prove to the public that this is what change means, place some good money down on the new Mets' stadium NOT being named Citi Field for much longer.
With a $50 million airplane purchase just scuttled, wait till folks here in DC recognize that the naming rights for the Queens ballpark run $20 million a year, or $400 million over the course of the twenty year contract. Sure, it was negotiated in 2006, but there are buyout clauses, and we're in tough times.
The naming rights bonanza may finally have run its course. At least for now.
Anyone for Mark McGwire Andro Stadium? Or Barry Bonds Flaxseed Field? Wonder what MLB would have to say about those options.
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