When did the phrase "health care reform" become a euphemism for socialism? Based on the proclamations we've witnessed at town hall meetings across the nation, it would seem citizens of this great capitalist nation are satisfied with the present health care system. Of course, many of the attendees have been recruited by right wing groups opposed to health care reform, but why mention this nettlesome point and undermine the staunch defenders of our great capitalist nation?   more »

Took a ride down to the New England Patriots training camp on Tuesday. We made a wrong turn and ended up in Rhode Island, but we got there in time for the afternoon practice session. (How did we end up in Rhode Island? Don't ask.)   more »

Death panels are chasing me. Team Euthanasia, led by a former presidential assassin, is knocking on my door. Philadelphia is clearly the land of opportunity and second chances. A robin is studying me from its perch outside my window. Wilco is playing on the stereo and summer is soon to end.   more »

I tend to stay away from stadium concerts. Invariably, the performers resemble microscopic insects on the stage and any "good seat" will cost you hundreds of dollars. The last stadium rock show I attended, before the AC/DC show at Gillette Stadium, was the Rolling Stones on the Steel Wheels tour in late September of 1989.    more »

My brain isn't firing on all cylinders today. The synapses are a little slow doing the math, which may stem from last night's beer drinking endeavor in a Boston parking lot. After Thursday night's 12-4 loss for the Spartacus softball juggernaut, the team gathered in the parking lot to drown our sorrows with a few suds.    more »

The Philadelphia Phillies have spent the better part of their weekend shellacking the pitching staff of the St. Louis Cardinals. Saturday the Phillies hammered the Cards into submission, 14-6, and things didn't improve much Sunday afternoon when Philadelphia laid the hammer to St. Louis in a 9-2 win punctuated by Ryan Howard's Ruthian blast to center field.   more »

The New York Mets under the leadership of general manager Omar Minaya have shown the baseball world how not to run a major league franchise. After Friday night's 5-4 road loss to the Houston Astros, the Mets are playing .463 baseball and are trailing the NL East Philadelphia Phillies by 11 games in the loss column. The Mets have been hit by a plague of injuries - Old Testament style - but Minaya has been unable to tap the farm system for assistance, because there is nothing down on the farm.    more »

I once shared an elevator with Professor Gates, which gives me no more insight into his arrest by the Cambridge Police Dept. than anyone else. Thursday on MSNBC's "Morning Joe", CNBC blowhard Jim Cramer made the comment that when he attended Harvard in the 1970s African-American students were routinely rousted by the Cambridge Police. Knucklehead, it ain't the 1970s. Let's have a conversation that has some relevance to 2009.   more »

In the 1980s the Buggles created a hit with "Video Killed The Radio Star." Video crippled radio, but it did not make music extinct on the FM dial. If the Buggles were to rewrite their hit today, it would be titled "The iPod Killed The Radio Star."   more »

I'm typing this dressed in my compression shorts sans shirt, with a recently purchased Nutty Buddy protecting me from any low blow blogging posts. Paired with the compression shorts and cutting-edge Nutty Buddy, I have chosen to wear some sold school black stirrups. Of course, I never blog without eye black, which gives me an edge on anyone who wants to talk smack in my house. THIS IS MY HOUSE!   more »

Let me understand this, there was a Top Secret For Dick Cheney's Eyes Only C.I.A. sponsored program, that was established to assassinate terrorists in foreign lands and not one member of Congress knew about it. How does that actually work in a democracy?   more »

Last night's action at Friendly Fenway was obscured by the San Francisco Giants Jonathan Sanchez throwing a no-hitter at AT&T Park, but Kansas City's Brian Bannister and Boston's Jon Lester were nearly as impressive dueling in the Sox's 1-0 win under a star lit Boston sky.   more »

The Newark Star-Ledger's M.A. Mehta provides a solid analysis of today's deal between the New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves on nj.com. In a nutshell, the two teams swapped right fielders. (I'll give you my Barcalounger for your La-Z-Boy.) Los Mets parted with Ryan Church and Los Bravos sent Jeff Francoeur to patrol the right field pasture at Citi Field.   more »

Friday afternoons in the summer can feel like Mayberry, U.S.A. Nothin' goin' on, nowhere to go to ... just another sleepy, sunny Friday afternoon in the Northeast with the Ramones playing on the radio. A rainy and dank June made the best among us reach for the anti-depressant medication, made me reconsider a move to Scotland or Ireland, and left most of us sedated.   more »

Wednesday night was spent watching the Mannywood Los Angeles Dodgers take on the New York Mets at Citi Field. After spending over three hours watching this baseball boondoggle in Flushing, here are some thoughts on the Mets 5-4 win:   more »

It's been more than a month since my last post and I'm sure my loyal legion of readers are lost without my pearls of wisdom and rants of apoplectic fury. We're all searching for a path to follow and Lord knows this blog ain't taking you to meet St. Peter at the Pearly Gates or having your way with 72 virgins in Paradise. (Are female suicide bombers given the same 72 virgins deal? Don't you think they would prefer an experienced lover?)    more »

At times, I wonder why I started a blog. Was it to score with MILFS or bag a few young ladies looking for Daddy Dearest types? Was it the positive financial impact on my bank account's bottom line or am I blogging to provide the nation with a Sheridan stimulus package? Am I blogging to contribute to the nation's elevated discourse on "Jon and Kate Plus Eight" or did I reach for the keyboard to become a blogger/publishing dyamo/younger and more handsome version of Rupert Murdoch in a subversive attempt to undermine the mainstream media.   more »

For the last few weeks, I've put The Band's debut album "Music from Big Pink" on heavy rotation. Driving in the car I'm listening to it, working on the computer I've got its songs ringing through the house and watching a ballgame I have the sound muted, with The Band in the background, in my own nefarious attempt to waterboard my girlfriend with "Music from Big Pink." 

I can see the look of sheer desperation in her eyes, "We're listening to this again. Is this the only album he's loaded in the iPod?"

With the beard and the year long length of hair, I must be stuck in a West Saugerties, New York, state of mind.

Bob Dylan's gem, "I Shall Be Released" is one of my favorite songs off the "Music from Big Pink" album. This live version from Wilco and Fleet Foxes is a worthy addition to the ever increasing covers of this song. Helping out Wilco front man Jeff Tweedy, the Fleet Foxes show they can carry a tune.

Liner Notes

Jack Johnson does a tremendous version of "I Shall Be Released" on "Lost Highway - The Music of The Band." Another great cut from the "Lost Highway" collection is Lee Ann Womack's rendition of "The Weight", which even my girlfriend really likes.  

I cannot express enough how I loathe what is going on in the NBA, in regards to the officiating, and the league-wide mandates emanating from Commissioner David Stern's league office in Manhattan. Today the Orlando Magic were told that Dwight Howard's sixth technical, assessed in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals, was rescinded after a review by the league. A seventh technical foul would have forced the Magic superstar to miss a future playoff game - another United Nations Security Council Resolution imposed by NBA Commissioner/Grand Poobah David Stern.   more »

When did all of the baseball games televised on Memorial Day disappear? Didn't ESPN used to show a whole slew of games on Memorial Day? For a sports fix, I resorted to watching the NCAA national championship in lacrosse, which I sometimes watch, but how about a little more of the national pastime?   more »