Big Winner... Obama & Williams

It was obvious who won in last night's election, Brian Williams & Tom Brokaw.   They were pretty much on the ball all night long.  They went way past calling Virgina at around 2:22 am EST.  NBC's coverage outlasted all the major networks excluding cable but I'm not counting cable because CNN coverage is CNN & FOX is FOX.  To me, as an ex-broadcast reporter, it's always more fun & amusing to watch the networks duke it out.

I started out with FOX but they were already calling the election in Romney's favor early in the evening with Romney at 19 Electoral votes to Obama's 3.  I proceeded to PBS and they are always consistent.   PBS had the best commentary & insight into Romney's concession speech but the networks always out do PBS in looking dynamic with all the different live shots. 

I used to watch ABC for election night coverage but since the passing of Peter Jennings, ABC's been at a loss in the lead anchor role.  Diane Sawyer might be warm & slightly fuzzy but she's plain terrible.  Her asides are consistently awkward as her delivery.  They should have just handed the election desk to George Stephanopoulos but instead they have no choice but to include Diane Sawyer as she's their main anchor.

George is superb in election coverage but he got drowned out by Diane and their round table of analysts.   It was slightly embarrassing watching Diane go on and on about the importance of pollsters when NBC had pollsters sitting right behind non-other than Tom Brokaw, the elder anchor-veteran shooting shotgun to Brian Williams.

Even when ABC's Jake Tapper got that great scoop before anyone else that Romney had called Obama congratulating him on the win, they completely fumbled the ball when one of their analysts called this the "last Presidential election between two white men."   You might ask Chris Rock but I'm pretty sure Obama isn't white.

Everything was more academic on CBS.  These guys have seen it, done that and nothing could ever top Dan Rather's election coverage in 2000. The height of their coverage seemed to be Bob Schieffer repeating "you can't win the presidency without Ohio."   And sure enough Obama did.

Congratulations to Obama and kudos to Mitt Romney in his appeal for national unity asking Americans, including Republicans, to pray for the President in leading the company.

Vote 2012

At a very young age, I was indoctrinated as a Republicans by my family.  When I was in 2^nd grade my older brother gave me a “Vote for Reagan” campaign button and at school when the teacher gave us a “Remember to Vote” ribbon,  I wrote “Vote for Reagan” all over it in red ink.   Later in 6^th grade, I was the only kid in class who raised their hand when asked who would vote for Reagan.  Back then, I couldn’t understand what people saw in Mondale.  

Ronald Reagan was something like a movie star to me back then.  Even after I found out  that he actually-kinda was a movie star turned politician, my remembrance of watching him on TV is like remembering watching Charlton Heston in the Ten Commandments on Easter.  Somehow you always knew God was on Reagan's side.

When I was finally the age to vote, we were well into the Clinton Era.  I studied journalism in college and interned at an affiliate station in Austin.  While I was there I actually escorted George W. Bush down the steps of the Texas Governor’s Mansion when he was elected as Governor.  I’m not sure where Ann Richards was nor why W. was already in the Governor’s mansion for the photo-op but there he was, along with his dad who seemed pretty surprised that he won.

Fast forward to today.   The political landscape has completely changed.  We’re living in a post-Karl Rove era.  Where Clintons again dominate the landscape and where Obama is living the dream.  Republicans are sworn enemies to Democratsand the party is losing footing on a constituency that’s becoming moreethnic.   Although money still pervades politics, it’s the Republican party that has an image problem with their ties to the rich, which is readily apparent in a short and satirical Simpsons YouTube encouraging people to vote.

I frankly don’t know if the Republican party of my youth will ever return.   At this point, reaching across the aisle and compromise is being replaced only by what’s good for corporations.   It’s been well over 50 years since we’ve had a real world war.  Since then companies have grown into corporations and corporations into conglomerates.   We’re living in the age of growing disparity in wealth and that wealth currently owns the political system on both sides of the aisle.

What’s left is people’s voice.  Go out and vote.  Your vote counts more than any loud shock jock’s ratings hyping opinion. 

Longhorns Defense Brings in the Win Against Texas Tech

Longhorns Defense Brings in the Win Against Texas Tech

Even after Mack Brown stepped in to help Longhorn defensive coordinator Manny Diaz, many sports casters, local and national felt it may be a bit of a toss up on who might take the game.   The doubt was so pervasive my enthusiastic cashier grocer knew about it although it was obvious after talking to him for 3 seconds that he had no real understanding of football at all.

I personally felt it was the Longhorns’ game to win as long as the Defense did their job.  And apparently that was the word on the field this past week.  “Do Your Job.”  A

David Ash apparently had it drilled into him and it’s obvious Manny Diaz heard that plenty this past week too.

The Longhorns came out & took control of the game from the get go.  The media was hyping the Longhorns-Tech game as UT’s official new rival since the departure of A&M from conference earlier this year.   Tech put up a good fight and they would have made the game much closer if it wasn’t for some inspired play by  #23 – Carrington Byndom & #32 on offense Johnathan Gray.

Texas Tech would be a good measuring stick for Texas.   Tech had trounced on West Virginia after West Virginia beat the Longhorns by a field goal.    Even though the Horns were on a 2-game winning streak with wins against Baylor & Kansas, it became obvious that there was plenty to fix with the Longhorn defense.   In fact there was sports caster who called the Longhorns D the most maligned defense in the country, which is why Mack Brown had no choice but to “Do his Job.”

And Mack Did.  Instead of arm tackles and missed assignments, you had people holding on to the Texas Tech running backs.  Although Tech had a couple of chances in the end there, Byndom stepped up stopping 2 critical plays in the last defensive series that brought home the win.

The Longhorns who ranked #23 is sure to move up in the polls after this win.   They face Iowa State & TCU in the coming weeks and if they keep playing this level of football, it’s conceivable that the Horns may be 9-2 going into December in their game against K-State.

Although UT’s Defense looks good, Mach Brown should keep working on the Defense with Diaz.  The Defense finally has the spark under them they need and Mack should mind that fire.

At this point, there’s little question the Longhorns will make a Bowl game.  But wouldn’t it be interesting, if the Longhorns meet A&M in the post season.   For this to happen the Longhorns & A&M would need to keep winning and either both beat or lose to #2 Kansas State & #1 Alabama respectively who happened to squeak by #5 in a very emotional & may prove to be an epic win at LSU.  An interesting scenario to image in what is proving to be a very enjoyable 2012 college football season.

I love you Jimmy Kimmel!

I love Jimmy Kimmel.  Ain’t no 2 ways about it.   Ever since I first saw him on the Man Show.  I wasn’t sure who the brains of the operation was but I know now it wasn’t Adam Carolla.

Jimmy is a comedy genius and it seems he knew actually what he wanted to be from his first day of being a teenager.  And his dream came true Halloween night 2012 when he interviewed David Letterman on his own show Late Night with Jimmie Kimmel.

It was great to see Jimmy get choked up while interviewing his idol.   I even got chills seeing him get verklempt chatting with David Letterman in a very one-sided bromantic conversation trying to get Letterman to hang out with him as his buddy.   The night was great for Kimmel as this meeting of Late Night talk show minds attracted 2.35 million views.

Jimmy has been on a roll since his early days on the Comedy Channel but this year he’s on fire.  From being the headliner at The White House Correspondent’s Dinner earlier this year to being at the right place at the right time, bringing his show to Brooklyn, bringing much needed laughter to some very times in New York.   He even popped as I was watching the South Park “Fish Dicks” episode on Netflix, just as I was about to write this blog entry.   Jimmy is currently omnipresent.

The reason I love Jimmy (and the reason I believe everyone loves Jimmy Kimmel) is because not only is he funny, he’s genuine.   From the time he picked his loyal sidekick Guillermo to the time he devoted a whole show to his late Uncle Frank, Jimmy had me not from “hello” but definitely from his first “I have to apologize to Matt Damon & Goodnight.”

You can’t say that about David Letterman or Jay Leno.   No offense to Jay Leno fans, but I can’t stand the site of the guy on Jimmy Carson’s old show.  I like Letterman much more but that’s the thing with the elder statesmen of the Late Night shows, you either love’em or hate’em.   But Jimmy has always been one of the guys, has his cousin & uncle on the show, has a portly Mexican friend who he made work out last night in Subway pre-commercial and gets all fumble-cotton-pukey-mouth around his idol.   Jimmy feels like family.

Keep up the great work Jimmy.  It’s obvious you knew a bit of the “Secret” before it became a book & video phenomenon.    Simply putting “L8 Night” on your birthday cake at 13 & on the license plate of your first car may not have made you a Late Night King but it definitely put you on that path.  You’ve become the inspiration you saw on the screen as a kid.

Thank you for the laughs & Keep’em coming.   By the way, nice touch in ending the show last night from Brooklyn with The Avett Brothers' I and Love and You.   Genius.  

Voting - Don't just vote Straight Ticket

November 1st, 2012

   Don't just take my word for it, listen to the folks from the West Wing...  Don't just vote straight ticket.  There have been several West Wing "Reunions" particularly around election time and this one is obviously biased towards one particular candidate but they state a good point.   Regardless of your state or city, take your time and go through the whole of the ballot.   Do your best to vote on each proposition and on non-partisan races.

  By now, about 30 percent of all likely voters have cast their ballot.  More and more people are taking advantage of early voting.  Even President Obama voted early, the first President to do so.   Many of my own friends take advantage of early voting.   Even my wife I make it a habit of voting early because in our own busy lives if we don't take advantage of the opportunity to vote when we have it, we know we'll miss it later.  There's usually never a line during early voting and since it's quick you might have time to smell the roses or catch a squirrel drinking from a water fountain.

   And since you have the time, double check your ballot.  Whether or not you vote straight ticket, go back and check your ballot.  Make sure you checked the boxes you wanted to check and go over the whole of the ballot including propositions and non-partisan races.  Computers aren't perfect, as they're made by human beings, and sometimes they do make mistakes.

  When I cast my vote a few days ago, my wife and I witnessed a gentleman who voted straight ticket but his choice for President was somehow changed.   We overheard firsthand in this particular case that the gentleman voted straight Democratic ticket but his Presidential pick was changed to Romney.  However, there are plenty Republicans that are screaming foul the other direction, that their straight ticket vote for Romney was somehow changed to Obama.   I've personally taken an oath not to believe in conspiracies like the Diebold somehow rigging the election.  However, if you do experience something odd, make sure to report it.

  Simply remember to take the time to double-check your ballot and remember that voting straight ticket will also skip over important nonpartisan elections.   Take your time, review your ballot and make sure that your vote counts.   Happy voting!


 

Disney gets the “Force” for a Steal

While Hurricane Sandy surged onto the Eastern Coast, a torrent of social media posts surfaced regarding the purchase of Lucasfilm by the ever more powerful Walt Disney Company.

Fans immediately gave the $4 billion Disney purchase the moniker “A New Hope” coined after the title of the first Star Wars movie released in 1977.  This might be a long day remembered but it’s far from the end of the rebellion for fans.  Simultaneously Star Wars fans were blessed with the news that a new Star Wars movie would be released by 2015.  Not only that but there would be a brand new trilogy with movies released every 2 to 3 years!   The Harry Potter movies obviously taught the conglomerate that episodic movies series really rake in the dough.

However the sale of “The Force” doesn’t completely make sense.  It’s surprising Lucas let the franchise go for only $4 billion when the whole of the franchise has generated $27 billion.  The franchise includes the movies with Box office sales of $4.3B),DVD sales ($3.7B), Video Game Sales ($2.9B), Book Sales ($1.8B), and Toy Sales of at least $12 Billion on their own.   If you’re keeping count, theirs even some loose change totaling $1.3 Billion of miscellaneous revenue.  Lucas is apparently getting cash & stock for the deal but it still doesn’t completely add up.

Lucas apparently wants to hand over the deal to someone he trusts and frankly, who doesn’t trust Disney.  Disney movies & the old Sunday show World of Disney practically raised me from my infancy until Star Wars took my adolescence.  But let’s not forget how powerful Disney is.  Disney is a global power in its own right owning Marvel, ESPN, ABC, parks, restaurants, resorts and even a fleet of cruise ships.  If that wasn’t enough, Disney even owns the Jonas Brothers.   

Star Wars grabbed the imagination of the world.  I personally watched Star Wars in the theater at least a dozen times the last few times with my grandmother and cousin.  We even watched the 3 movies back-to-back-to-back when the first trilogy was re-released in theaters the first time.  Most fans are still mega-gaga over the stars of the first film.  Even I was a little speechless with a brush I had with the force when I was standing in line with Mark Hamill at one of Richard Garriott’s last haunted houses in Austin, where we actually got to tell him, “May the Force be with you” before he went in.   We had apparently just missed Harrison Ford too. 

I trust Disney will do its best with the Star Wars franchise but let’s not forget that Disney is a major global corporation.  As the writers of SouthPark noted, “Disney has run the show for last 50 years” and now it owns “The Force”.  Disney loves to outsource, they like high prices and it all comes down to the bottom line.  They have built a monopoly on content and they will most definitely exploit it for their own gain.  Just don’t be surprised if a chain of Star Wars restaurants pops out of hyperspace in a galaxy near you.

Hurricane Sandy "Defender of Men"

October 30, 2012

            My family had a tradition of having collies as pets for well over 75 years.  My grandparents had 3 successive collies as did our family each of which lived well over 15 years old.  All of the collies were named Sandy.  I think grandma, who’s name was Annie, coined the first collie’s name after Little Orhan Annie’s little dog, Sandy, and the name stuck, living on with each new dog we raised.  But yesterday, Sandy - a name synonymous with a beautiful personal family memory, turned into one of the worst hurricanes in history.

            Hurricane Sandy hit the eastern coast of the US yesterday evening.   It’s looking to be one of the biggest storms in 200 years and one of the most costliest in US History.   Currently, 33 are believed dead and up to 8 million people are without power.  This was the first witnessed mega-storm some are calling a “franken-storm” because it hit so close to Halloween during a full moon when the tides are the highest.

            The storm surge reached Wall Street, the heart of the world’s financial district in Manhattan, shutting down the New York Stock Exchange for 2 whole days.

The storm is unprecedented in its size even compared to Hurricane Katrina that slammed Louisiana in 2006.  It is tough to forecast just how much damage Sandy will cause but so far there is an estimate of $50 billion in damages and lost business.

            History will remember Sandy as a the largest and one of the most impactful storms in history; so far, affecting as many as 60 Million people which equates to a one-fifth of the US population.  The nation was lucky as the storm also caused problems with at least 5 nuclear power plants, the oldest of which remains on alert in New Jersey bringing back memories of the Fukushima Daiishi Power Plant Disaster that was flooded by a tsunami a year & half ago.

            There was little doubt the storm was going to flood New York but I personally wondered if any buildings would collapse under the weight of the water moving foundations.   Fortunately, only one four-store building seemed to have a partial collapse but at least 23 fires did break out during the storm similar as to what happened with Hurricane Katrina burning down at least 80 buildings in Queens alone.

            The past few years have shown increasingly powerful storms and costlier natural events around the globe.  In a deeper & much larger scale all this may be cyclical.  In fact many scientists are finding more and more ancient cities underwater from the Gulf of Mexico and the Mediterranean to Egypt & possibly one off the coast of Japan.  

            But this story started with the name Sandy which actually has a Greek origin meaning “defending men”.    Perhaps this storm will strengthen our resolve to build  stronger defenses against tidal surges; however, you can’t really beat mother-nature.  Better yet, perhaps the storm will remind us of the perils of living so close to the ocean and to head leaders' calls to evacuate when needed; reminding people to defend themselves from the unbridled forces of nature.

            Our immediate family no longer has any collies.   My parents are septuagenarians and I live in an apartment, not very conducive to larger dogs.  However, my cousin continues the tradition ironically currently raising 3 collies of his own of whom are named Sandy.  The name Sandy may go down as the biggest storm in recent history but deep in my heart, Sandy will always be the family dog.