Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Why Chesney Sullenberger Matters

Monday, March 23rd, 2009

Despite an avalanche of media attention, one person I have not spoken or written about it Chesney “Sully” Sullenberger.

Every time I try to condense my thoughts, I end up crying.

While the story of how he and his crew safely landed a plane in the Hudson River has been told over and over, it was an appearance on 60 Minutes that had me fully grasping his significance.

I had not watched 60 Minutes in years, but he was the feature story. I had to watch. Out of all of his appearances, this one was the most meaningful. He was asked why people were so drawn to this story.

His response was simple, truthful, and important.

“People need to feel good again. They need to feel a sense of hope.”

Times are tough. People are starving for good news. They do not need a ten course meal of it. They will settle for bread crumbs.

Throughout history, during tough times, various events have lifted us up.

Sometimes it is sports.

After 9/11, the New York Giants won with courage. So did the New Orleans Saints after Hurricane Katrina.

The 1980 Men’s Olympic Hockey team beat the Russians but it was not about hockey. It was about that America was truly in a malaise. Misery was widespread. People were doubting if America itself had no longer possessed the will to be the best. We were on the decline.

I remember being in New York several years ago when the city was really down. Then all of a sudden, baseball player David “Boomer” Wells did what only 16 pitchers have ever done in the Major Leagues. He pitched a perfect game.

David Wells was an overweight drinker and brawler. Yet as the New York Post pointed out, at any given moment, even a very imperfect man for a moment can be perfect.

I was in the city when this happened. New Yorkers of all stripes hugged and high-fived each other. They also did it when troubled Dwight “Doc” Gooden pitched his no-hitter.

I do not even like baseball. I certainly do not root for the Yankees. Yet the fact that people had their spirists lifted by what some people consider to be an insignificant event does not minimize that they felt better.

Yet sports events do not ever compare to real life. The most honorable thing a person can do is save a life. Saving one life is saving the world.

Sully Sullenberger saved 150 people. More importantly, not one person died. Not one.

When 60 minutes showed Sully reuniting with the passengers, that was overwhelming. Yet he also met their families. One woman thanked him for being the reason she was not a widow. Children thanked him for saving their parents.

Somehow he kept his composure. That steely eyed resolve was what turned a crisis that lasted less than five minutes from turning into a catastrophe.

There would be tragedy in the coming days. Yet not on the day Sully flew.

Several days later there was a plane crash in Buffalo. There were plenty of deaths. Even today we had two tragic plane crashes on the same day, spreading pain all the way from Montana to Tokyo. This only magnifies the need to hang onto Sully Sullenberger.

The bad news has got to stop, or at least slow down. The bleeding has got to stop. We desperately need to feel good again. We need to feel a sense of hope. We need good things to happen. The bad stuff will never stop, but at least let it take a break.

I remember a pair of mining incidents in the recent past. One took place in Pennsylvania. Nine miners that everybody thought were dead somehow survived. When the governor of Pennsylvania came on television, his words were magic.

“All nine are alive.”

I remember pumping my fists in the air, thinking that on this day, people would not be taken from us.

I just wish that the miners in West Virginia had the same luck.

Thirteen of them were trapped, and thought dead. Had the story ended there, it would have been awful, but what occurred next made matters far worse.

A report came out that said all but one of them had survived. One death was a tragedy, but 12 out of 13 alive was something. I pumped my fists again, and the families hugged each other.

The report was wrong. The numbers were backwards. All but one of them had died. One had survived. He was coughing badly, and may never be the same.

The families were devastated, and television viewers were crushed.

I have had it with bad news. I understand that good times cannot last forever, but bad times cannot and must not last forever either. In 2009, financial markets violently crashed. Foreign policy crises exploded throughout the globe. Unemployment reached levels not seen in a quarter of a century.

Yet for a few brief moments, people reaffirmed that this nation is made up of ordinary individuals who reach levels of greatness by just doing what they do.

For once, the media did not, and I hate to use this word, “sully” this man. No stories came out about him being an alcoholic, wife beater, or anything else that would tarnish this story.

I don’t care if stuff like that does come out. Nothing will ever minimize his heroic deeds.

Yet it is still refreshing to see that he truly does seem to be a person we can look up to. His wife loves him. So do his friends. So does his crew. He might be the real deal.

An angel named Sully Sullenberger took an entire nation on his wings. As his plane was crashing, in the coming days our spirits were soaring.

150 people may have worries about America, but they have a sense of perspective we will hopefully never see.

I personally had a health scare a couple of weeks ago. My appreciation for life is far greater than it was before my scare. I am fine now, and grateful.

I also know that most of what we deal with in life does not matter.

Life and death matters.

150 people are alive today because of one man. If these 150 people spread what they were given, the whole world truly could become a better place.

If evil can be spread, it should not be so farfetched to think that good cannot be an equally powerful wildfire.

We have our divisions with daily events, but when the chips are truly down, Americans truly do come together. We are better people than we give each other credit for.

We all have some Sully Sullenberger inside of us.

Sometimes it just takes the real Sully Sullenberger to remind us of this.

When we dig down deep, some special things happen.

Thank God for Chesney Sullenberger.

Get some rest Sully. Go play a round of golf or enjoy a good steak.

We will take it from here. You have earned some peace and quiet.

May good news come to all of us in abundance.

When it does come, let’s be ready with appreciation and gratitude.

For those who truly are ready, don’t wait. Make it happen.

We need good news. We need hope. We need to believe again.

God bless us all.

eric

The Eyes Have It

Sunday, March 15th, 2009

It is one thing to say something behind a man’s back. It is another to look into a man’s eyes.

When members of Congress debate legislation, and it passes, we are told that “the ayes have it.” Yet unfortunately, too many people voting with the ayes do not look at the people that they portend to help. They do not look into their eyes.

So many people across politics, sports, music, and other facets of life communicate without even needing words. Just look into their eyes. The message is crystal clear. While I never wish to imply that being an actor or an athlete is as consequential as defending and protecting America, there is a certain fierceness and seriousness of purpose that allow some to reach true levels of greatness in whatever they do.

Starting with acting, I have always admired Dennis Farina.

In 1985 and 1986, he played Lieutenant Michael Torello on a brilliant crime drama known as “Crime Story.” On Tuesday nights, I begged my dad to let me stay up late to watch it. I am still amazed to this day that the show only lasted two seasons. Torello grappled with Crime Boss Ray Luca in 1963 Chicago, and followed him all the way to Las Vegas and Latin America in 1964.

Ray Luca had a temper. When one of his lawyers tried to bring up a jurisdictional issue, Luca shot back, “Do I look lost?!!” The attorney calmly replied, “No. You look angry.”

The reason for Luca’s worry was because he knew not to underestimate Torello. Perhaps Farina played the role so well because he was a real life Chicago cop before turning to acting. In one scene, Luca is calling out for his henchman, “Paulie, I thought I told you to buy cheaper meat.” Torello then walks in the room, dumps Paulie on the table in front of Luca, and says, “You can’t get any cheaper than this.”

One of the very best scenes was when Torello has Prosecutor David Abrams hand Luca an injunction banning him from his own casinos. An angry Luca tries to throw the injunction in Abrams’s face, saying, “The hell I am banned!”

Torello takes over. “The hell you’re not! One step Ray…one step, into your own casino, to count your own money, drink your own booze, or bop one of your own broads, and you’re going to the joint! You want to start something tough guy? Start something with me.”

Neither man backed down, but when a subordinate mentioned to Luca that “Torello is a punk. He’s nothing.” Luca knew better. He calmly told the subordinate, “Torello is no punk. Try looking into his eyes some time.”

While Robert Deniro has the famous faces and stares, I still think Dennis Farina, from Crime Story to his stint on Law and Order, was a master at letting his eyes do the talking. That stare was real.

In real life, our soldiers capture my attention. It is one thing to carp from the sidelines. Look them dead in the face. Tell them what you feel. Then listen to them. Their presence is compelling.

www.greatamericans.com

www.soldiersperspective.us

www.theyhavenames.com

The War on Terror is an ongoing struggle. It is the determination to win this war that turned me from a casual admirer to a defender forever of President George W. Bush.

This is not about politics for me, although many of his critics let their politics prevent them from even showing him the slightest amount of humanity and decency. When he picked up the bullhorn on September 14th, 2001, I saw his goodness. On September 20th, 2001, his speech to Congress was when I saw greatness.

The reason why I love this man is simple. I looked into his eyes when he spoke, and I believed him. His sincerity never left him. In his final speech, he looked into the camera and said, “Some people went back to normal after 9/11. I never did.”

It is not about uttering powerful words. It is about sincerity. His predecessor and his successor are both more eloquent. Yet eloquence is no substitute for being heartfelt. Some people said stuff. He actually meant it. That shines through.

That is why, long after the irrelevant ones disappear, Ronald Reagan remains revered. “Tear down this wall,” was not a slogan or a platitude. It changed the world. Look at a videotape, and look in Reagan’s eyes when he delivers that line.

On a lighter political note, one set of political eyes that I will never forget is that of a Florida judge whose name I do not even recall. During the 2000 recount, one judge was so exhausted that his eyes bulged out when looking at a ballot. That look was lampooned on a potato chip commercial. The recount ended, and that Florida judge had his eyes put back in the sockets, similar to when cartoon characters expand and contract. The moment was lighthearted, but the context was significant.

Toughness is not just as simple as acting. It is also not as vital as issues of war and peace. Yet somewhere in between comes the world of sports.

Various eyes have lit up photographs forever. In baseball, Carlton Fisk hit the winning home run and then gazed at it, not in ego, but in wonder. Although that was only game 6, and his team would lose game 7, it remains a classic photo.

In hockey, Mark Messier was the heart and soul of the New York Rangers. Trailing the New Jersey Devils 3 games to 2, and on the road, Messier guaranteed victory in game 6. He then went out and delivered, becoming a one man ice equivalent of a wrecking crew. Down 2-0, and later 2-1, Messier scored 3 goals himself in the final period for a 4-2 win. After the Rangers won game 7, and then won an epic 7 game finals against the Vancouver Canucks, it was Messier looking into the camera that solidified the moment. He vowed. He delivered.

Yet a bigger hockey moment would be the 1980 Miracle on Ice at the Olympics in New York. Yes, the USA beat the Russians. Al Michaels asked if we believed in miracles. We did. Yet the sight of every American player trying to get on the stage was a sight. The Russian players looked on in amazement. The eyes of every player on both sides showed the world that something far more significant than sports had just happened.

Many people forget that the game was only the semifinals. In the finals the USA defeated Finland. Before the game, American Coach Herb Brooks showed the most powerful eyes in hockey history. He told his players before the game that, “If you lose this game, you’ll take it to your graves…your f*cking graves.”

Basketball conjured up only one man…Michael Jordan. Some say it was the flu, but others said it was food poisoning from a bad slice of pizza. Either way, a wobbly Jordan could barely walk in game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz. During breaks, Scottie Pippen would towel off Jordan’s head. With the game tied 85-85, Jordan got the ball and launched a 3 point shot with seconds remaining. Nothing but net. The announcer said the phrase that was said so many times when talking about Michael Jordan.

“There’s the dagger!”

Jordan collapsed on the bench, and put his head on Pippen’s shoulders. The Bulls won the championship in 6 games, and even more amazingly, in 6 appearances in the finals, the Bulls never lost. “The dagger” may have been the clutch shots, but I maintain that Michael Jordan had a pair of daggers where most people have eyes. I have never seen another athlete with a will to win that intense. Tiger Woods in golf and Pete Sampras in tennis have come very close, but Michael Jordan truly stood alone. His stare penetrated before his shot.

Yet the toughest game has to be football. Mike Singletary is legendary on film. The famous photo of the Chicago Bears defensive standout breathing cold air, staring down an overmatched opponent, was epic. I still remember him screaming, “We’re gonna be here all day baby! I like this kind of party!” He eventually went on to Coach the San Francisco 49ers. Make no mistake about it. The players know the coach is in charge.

Dick Butkus was famous for his bloody hands and hard hits. Yet Singletary had the eyes. Only one other player comes close. That is middle linebacker Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens.

He dances before the game, and he screams intently, at his own teammates as well as the opponents. Before every game, he asks his teammates, “Any dogs in the house?!!!” They all bark back in unison. He instills fear from the opening snap. I have only seen one player ever truly get in his face. I still remember the playoff game between the Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens.

“Ray Lewis is in Eddie George’s face, and Eddie George isn’t backing down!”

The Titans won that game, but when told about how tough Eddie George was (the two players tangled many times and had a deep mutual respect for each other), Ray Lewis reminded the sports reporters and America watching that, “Yeah, that play was a three yard loss for him.”

Very little in music approaches the visual intensity of sports. While rock music can be intense, pop music is often fluff. Either way, music is more auditory than visual, even with videos playing a role.

Yet the power of the eyes can translate into powerful music. Kylie Minogue sings, “It’s in your eyes.”

Jeff Healey is a blind guitarist. He sings about “Angel Eyes.” Yet blindness does not diminish his swagger. His other song that got airplay was “Confidence man.” “I can talk old ladies out of all their money, talk young girls into calling me honey, you know my love, is just a flim flam…yet you can’t pull the wool over me, cause I’m a confidence man.”

Slyvester Stallone will forever be famous for being Rocky Balboa, but even his intense stare had considerable help from rock group Survivor. The story about never giving up or giving in gets off to a rocking start from the first notes. Victory then awaits the person that has the “Eye of the Tiger.” Later on in Stallone’s career, he was an arm wrestler that would not give in. His look was amplified by Sammy Hagar singing “Winner Takes it all” in the movie “Over the Top.”

Third Eye Blind brought us “Semi-Charmed Life.” “I want something else, to get me through this, semi-charmed kind of life.”

Peter Gabriel gave an understated performance of “In your eyes,” for the movie “Say Anything.”

Aerosmith also did a powerful song called “Angel Eyez,” for one of their many movie soundtracks. Steven Tyler and Joe Perry have long been known for their facial reactions, especially Tyler. The word “eye” is often his battle cry, although it comes in the form of “ayayayayayayayayayay.” It sounds like Chasidic Jews chanting, although either louder or not as loud depending on the holiday or celebration.

For pure rock music, Def Leppard offers the most intense staredown with the song “Mirror Mirror.”

“Take a look into my eyes…tell me what you see…tell me is it true…when I look at you…tell me is it me…mirror mirror.” The song fades out with lead singer Joe Elliott crooning over and over again “take a look into my eyes.”

As for me, this Tygrrr once offered the song “Eyes of Rain.” A completely fictional (I wonder where these visions come from) story of a broken relationship descending into rage and violence (again, fictional thank God), it leads the story teller to lament, “Eyes of Rain…love is so insane.”

For those who care, he catches her with somebody else. At first he debates whether to kill her or kill himself in front of her. Instead he decides to destroy all their property so that they could both sit and see everything they ever worked for become rubble. I swear, in a past life, I had it bad.

I think about all of this because my first week in college brought conflict. A guy accused me of calling him a “d*ck” behind his back. I looked straight in his eyes and told him that I would never say something behind somebody’s back. I was a standup guy. I would say it to their face. Three times he made the allegation, and finally I told him for one last time that I would only say something like that to a guy’s face. He asked me how he could be sure I was telling the truth. I loudly replied, with everybody watching, “Simple, because you’re a d*ck!”

When all was said and done, his attempt to get me to back down was not happening. I knew everything was ok when I overheard him talking to his friends.

I doubt they watched Crime Story, but when one of them pointed out that I was no big deal, one of the other guys had another take on the matter. “Did you look in his eyes? He’s crazy. That guy doesn’t give a f*ck. I would stay out of his way.”

Like many people in this world, I doubt one word I said that night had any impact. The words were just icing on a cake made of ice itself.

He got my message. He looked into my eyes.

eric

Wit and Wisdom from Big Daddy Wayne

Saturday, March 14th, 2009

At the Laugh Factory several weeks ago, I had the pleasure of seeing Jeff “Big Daddy” Wayne.

http://jeffwayne.com/bio.html

Evan Sayet does the monthly “Right to Laugh” conservative comedy night, and on this night Big Daddy Wayne was the emcee.

http://www.evansayet.com/home.htm

For those who are fans of 1980s rap music, that is not him. You are thinking of Big Daddy Kane. His hit rap album was entitled “It’s a Big Daddy Thing.”

http://www.officialbigdaddykane.com/

Anyway, back to Jeff Wayne. His routine is below.

“People who support illegal immigration say that walls don’t work. Look at the Great Wall of China. It’s worked for 2000 years.”

“I say we should fill the Rio Grande with battery acid and crocodiles.”

“Why did I vote for McCain? My first four choices didn’t make it.”

“John Edwards said he saw two Americas. I saw two John Edwards’s.”

“Look at a battle between Clinton and Edwards. That is like the death penalty versus life reassignment.”

“I looked at the Statue of Liberty the other day. The inscription said that we have enough tired, poor people.”

“Nancy Pelosi should have been burnt at the stake 200 years ago.”

“Of course Yogi Bear was a liberal. He lived in a park, stole picnic baskets, and had boo boo as his companion.”

“The Care Bears…they were definitely liberals.”

“Smokey the Bear was absolutely a liberal. He had a cushy government job. All he did was walk around all day and tell people not to start fires.”

“Imagine corporations marketing products to help us reduce crime. Westinghouse electric chairs…’It’s Westinghouse, it works.'”

“More people have died in Ted Kennedy’s car than from a U.S. nuclear reactor.”

“I have nothing against lesbians. They like some of the same things I do.”

“My mom calls the Speaker of the House Nancy Lugosi.”

“I want government out my pockets, and government out my bedroom. With this government, I have nothing in my pockets, and I have nothing in my bedroom.”

“Of course Democrats should tax porn. That’s their base.”

For those of you that have not had a chance to see him perform, do so. Big Daddy rocks the house.

eric

Wisdom and Warmth from Charles Schulz

Saturday, March 7th, 2009

(This is marvelous!!  Scroll thru slowly and read the entire e-mail carefully.)

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schulz, the creator of the ‘Peanuts’ comic strip.

You don’t have to actually answer the questions.

Just read the e-mail straight through, and you’ll get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.

2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.

3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.

4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.

5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.

6. Name the last decade’s worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

The point is , none of us remember the headliners of yesterday.

These are no second-rate achievers.

They are the best in their fields.

But the applause dies..

Awards tarnish.

Achievements are forgotten.

Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here’s another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.

2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.

3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.

4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special!!

5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier?

The lesson:

The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials..

the most money…or the most awards.

They simply are the ones who care the most.

Pass this on to those people who have made a difference in your life, like I did.

‘Don’t worry about the world coming to an end today. It’s already tomorrow in Australia !’

”Be Yourself. Everyone Else Is Taken!’

I remember the week that Charles Schulz died for two reasons. First of all, it was the very week he wrote his final strip. He “retired,” and then left us.

Yet the second reason I remember his death was because it occurred the exact same week as another legend and all around good man. Dallas Cowboys Coach Tom Landry roamed the sidelines from 1960 through 1989. A deeply religious man, he inspired many.

One of the gentlest and most heartwarming cartoons I have read in a newspaper involved these two men. Tom Landry and Charles Schulz had their backs toward us, getting ready to enter heaven. Tom Landry was wearing his famous fedora, while Charles Schulz was wearing the Charlie Brown t-shirt with the wavy lines. Landry has his arm around Schulz and says to him, “Chuck, it’s time I showed you a thing or two about kicking a football.”

What Tom Landry and Charles Schulz both taught people over their decades behind the bench and the comic strip was that every human being had dignity.

Tom Landry at one point was the Charlie Brown of coaching. He “couldn’t win the big one.”

Coach Landry finished with a pair of Super Bowl rings. He did it the right way, always maintaining his integrity.

Charles Schulz never compromised his integrity with his comic strip. Charlie Brown lost with honor. There was no cheating.

They both left a legacy, and are still influencing people today.

Somewhere up in heaven, they are watching games during the season. Charles Schulz must be better at football now, with Tom Landry teaching fundamentals.

That is all life is about…the fundamentals.

When we get those right, the rest falls into place.

eric

Slapchop Saturday

Saturday, February 28th, 2009

This Saturday is more than an infomercial. It is an infomercial so powerful that only the fellow behind the Slapchop could fully appreciate it.

Yes, I know that most Americans want to get him off of their television set one slap at a time, but every minute he advertises the Slapchop, we are being spared the Shamwow.

Anyway, here are some links and worthy causes for today.

I received the following email in my inbox.

Hi,

“My name is Allen Dutton and I’m the Veteran Liaison for the Mesothelioma
Cancer Center (Asbestos.com); an organization devoted to assisting veterans
through their application processes for VA benefits, and helping them obtain
the maximum benefits for which they are entitled. I’m also a Veterans
Benefit Counselor for the Veterans Assistance Network, and a retired
Lieutenant Commander in the US Navy. I came across your site while searching
for bloggers who post about veterans’ issues.

Countless veterans are currently suffering from life-threatening illnesses
that are a result of exposure to asbestos, a material that was commonly used
in hundreds of military applications, products, and ships primarily because
of its resistance to fire.  Unfortunately, asbestos-related diseases are not
always recognized by the VA, which is why I’m reaching out to veterans — in
hopes of helping them win the rights to their benefits.

The Mesothelioma Cancer Center provides a complete list of occupations,
ships, and shipyards that could have put our Veterans at risk for developing
asbestos-related diseases. In addition, they have thousands of articles
regarding asbestos and mesothelioma and they’ve even created a
veterans-specific section on their website in order to help inform them
about the dangers of asbestos exposure.

The main reason I’m contacting you is to see if you’d be interested in
posting an article about military asbestos exposure on your blog.

Thank you for all your help,

Allen Dutton
Mesothelioma Cancer Center
Asbestos.com”

Here are links to centers.

http://www.asbestos.com/

http://www.mesotheliomaweb.org/cancercenters.htm

Another email I received is from Jason Meszaros. I have interviewed Jason in the past. He is a former soldier and a ranking person at the Minnesota Chapter of the group Vets For Freedom.

“Eric,
I set up two groups on Facebook: “MN 6th Congressional District Republicans” and “Republican Party of Wright County”

Feel free to give them a shout out on your radio show.

FYI my book will be out very soon.

See the preview:  http://www.lulu.com/content/5862824

Jason”

The book is entitled “Interrogation of Morals.”

http://www.interrogationofmorals.com/

For a $2 off Discount on Paperback use code: W9VPQVFV

My friend Hauk is the next great rock star. His band performed in San Jose recently.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWiJv-JLL3M&feature=PlayList&p=096356AECC31CC46&index=9

Another take on Sean Penn and the Oscars was written.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1324495/sean_penns_diary_2009_new_years_resolutions.html?cat=2

The following website tracks letters to the president.

http://letterstopotus.com/

Milo Martin has a book of poetry out called “Utopian Nihilist.”

http://www.amazon.com/Poems-Utopian-Nihilist-Milo-Martin/dp/0979151457

Andy Hefty is a father to a baker’s dozen, and a genuinely good man.

http://www.jacksonville.com/interact/blog/achefty/2009-02-25/an_umployed_citizen_write_president_obama

The Barack Obama Amateur Hour has a hard hitting column.

http://nymike.blogtownhall.com/

Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum will be speaking at Stanford on Monday, March 2nd. From 7pm to 8:30pm he will be speaking at Kresge Auditorium.

Matthew the Political Tipster is forming a new site.

http://houghtonstreeteconomics.typepad.com/

Sam Freshman has a book on the smartest way to save.

www.thesmartestway.com

New friends of mine are putting out a fabulous movie about media malpractice.

http://www.howobamagotelected.com/spread-the-word.asp

My techie fella does a great job. He has a new venture.

http://www.skindirect.com/

Lastly, somebody will be fired on Sunday March 1st. The Celebrity Apprentice returns.

Now if only Donald Trump could have fired every celebrity before the Oscars and had the event canceled.

I would buy money for that Slapchop action.

eric

I fainted in the shower today

Monday, February 23rd, 2009

All,

This is not a joke.

I felt disoriented this morning. Instead of sitting down, I tried to take a shower, figuring that would wake me up. Next thing I know I am laying down in the shower with a bloody nose and lip.

Physically I am a little weak, but psychologically I am feeling battered. I am only 37 years old. I remember my grandmother falling when she was alive, but she was 100.

Luckily a friend of mine was sleeping over. I told him what happened. He said if I needed, he would drive me to the hospital. UCLA Medical Center is right near my home.

For now I am just frightened at what happened.

As for my normal column, I wrote it last night and am about to publish it. Treat it as you would any other column.

eric aka the Tygrrrr Express

Sacramento Sunday

Sunday, February 22nd, 2009

More adventures abounded at the California State Republican Convention.

I had some interesting conversation with Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, who is a officially a rock star in the Republican Party.

I got to meet and greet California Gubernatorial nominee Meg Whitman, the founder and former CEO of eBay. Another California Gubernatorial nominee, California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner, is also here. I am officially neutral in the race for now, since I do not know anything about either of them. Ms. Whitman is a fabulous speaker. She not only agreed to an interview, but her people were very friendly about it. I have not met Mr. Poizner at this event yet, but I heard him speak a year ago. For an insurance commissioner, he is quite lively.

Mr. Romney is backing Ms. Whitman.

There are a million things to be said, and they will be soon enough. I fly home today.

As for now, I am thinking of a phrase a bowling partner used to say. On th very last ball, he bowled a split, leaving the virtually unmakeable 7-10 combination. He did not have another ball, so he just looked and said, “That’s a good place to leave it.”

Well rather than try to extract every ounce past exhaustion, a good night of sleep followed by more socializing makes more sense.

Just before my head hit the pillow, a commercial for Fox News began talking about Chandra Levy, Haylie Cummings, and every other sensationalistic story. I did not want to end the night with that, but Lee Greenwood came on television and began singing “God Bless the U.S.A.”

For now, that is a good place to leave it.

eric

Sacramento Saturday

Saturday, February 21st, 2009

The Tygrrrr Express arrived in Sacramento last night. I am attending the California State Republican Party Convention.

For those wondering, yes, the GOP still does exist in California. One just has to get outside of Los Angeles and San Francisco. Thankfully I did both, although it was not easy. I could only get a flight into San Francisco. Apparently because of the state budget crisis, the politicians try to discourage citizens form storming the Bastille by making sure that tickets to Sacramento are outrageous.

Thankfully on my way in the rental car from San Francisco to Sacramento, I got to go through Oakland. I could feel the power of the Raider Nation behind me on the road. It was a silver and black highway, although that could be less about football than the cover of the pavement and the lights respectively.

I made it to Sacramento just in time, and got to participate in a blogger forum with South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford. He is a calm and thoughtful man, and it was a pleasure meeting him. I will publish that interview later in the week. I will also be publishing my interview with California Senate Candidate Chuck Devore, who will be taking on Barbara Boxer. These were more serious interviews, since I had enough time to probe. They are both fabulous.

Mitt Romney and Bill Bennett may be on the menu for Saturday, although I will be happy just networking and making new friends.

Rather than write more, today is a day to live life. Besides, I read something in the new today that was so hysterically funny that anything else I could say shall wait another day. It was about ex and perhaps once more future football player Michael Vick. Regardless of what one thinks of him, this situation was classic. I could not make this up if I tried.

“(Michael) Vick was also sued for $63 billion by a South Carolina inmate, who alleged the quarterback stole his pit bulls, sold them on eBay, and used the proceed to buy missiles from Iran. The suit was dismissed.”

The article did not say if Michael Vick was part of the Zionist conspiracy, or if he was pro or anti-Mullah.

I have nothing to add on this one. It is priceless.

Oh, and as for eBay, former CEO Meg WHitman is here. She is a candidate for Governor of California.

If I run into Arnold Schwarzenegger, aka the Governator, I am going to see if I can give him an IOU in exchange for cash equivalent to my state tax refund.

I always thought that California would cease to exist at some point. However, I figured it would be an Earthquake connecting us to Russia, and not bankruptcy.

So if we truly are in decline, we might as well party. After all, before I know it, I will be back at work.

I believe it was rapper Coolio who said that there “ain’t no party like a West Coast Party cuz  West Coast Party don’t stop.”

Well it is time for some liberal doses of socializing with my fellow conservatives.

Happy Sacramento Saturday all.

eric

Animals live like this

Tuesday, February 17th, 2009

For those wondering why the quality of my columns have been declining in the last few days, it is because my energy has been sapped. I have a bad cold, and God willing will be back to my old self in a day or two.

Last night I got back from Chicago. For those who have never flown when ill, believe you me it is worse than it sounds. What little strength I had left was used to kiss the ground when I got back to Los Angeles.

Two snowstorms in three days made me realize what I think of any time I am in Chicago.

Animals live like this.

That’s right, animals. It is not for people.

While most people migrate to red states due to the low tax climate, make no mistake about it. Cold weather takes a toll on the human body that is just not at all human.

Growing up in New York, every time the weather turned bad, the power would go out. LILCO )Long Island Lighting Company) was a curse word in my home. The slightest droplet of rain meant no television reception.

When it would snow, my dad would exclaim, “Oh great, now we are all going to get the flu and die.”

He was right.

It is not just influenza that does people in. One of the most dangerous aspects of flying in bad weather is when icicles form on the wings. A tragic plane crash in Buffalo, New York would not have occurred under warmer conditions.

Snowball fights? Yeah right. Don’t throw it at me, I won’t throw it at you, and I won’t have to kill you.

Building a snowman? No. I can make enough money to buy one. They both die quickly anyway.

I remember one quiet moment indoors while visiting the previous sexual administration. We were safely indoors, and the snow was coming down hard. She pointed out that it felt like we were in a “snow globe.” She thought it was romantic. I was praying to God that the seals on her window were working perfectly.

I live in a building with underground parking, and I work in a building with underground parking. My life is set up so the bad stuff never has to touch me. On the rare occasions it rains in Los Angeles, somebody else can take down the company mail. Lunch can be delivered.

Some people love the change of seasons. I want sunny and 72 degrees every day of the year. For every person that romanticizes cold weather, I say we refuse to treat them in hospitals for hypothermia or influenza. After all, if they want to live like Canadians, they can be treated like Canadians…slowly.

I made it out of Chicago alive. Yet some people choose to voluntarily live there.

I keep hearing that living in cold weather climates toughens people up. I lived in New York 18 years. I have nothing to prove. Now I want to enjoy my remaining decades on Earth far away from bone chilling temperatures.

Yes, I watch the NFL. Yes, I know the players play in frigid weather while I cheer them on from an indoors haven in Los Angeles. Yet make no mistake about it. These players are just as human as I am.

Keith Jackson threaten to retire before the 1996 season when the Miami Dolphins wanted to trade him to the Green Bay Packers. He was at the tail end of his career, and did not want to play in frigid weather. He relented, and joined the team. After the Packers won the NFC Title Game, Keith Jackson held up the George Halas Trophy. The Super Bowl still remained, but Keith Jackson was asked if he was happy he came to the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field. He remarked that he was happy to be going to the Super Bowl, but that, “It is cold out here. I am going inside and getting in the Jacuzzi.”

Brett Favre became a hero in Green Bay, but he did not live there. He lived in Kiln, Mississippi.

It is not just sports. Every aspect of life is worse during cold weather. If I hear one more person tell me about global warming while I am freezing to death, I am going to deck them.

Anyway, tomorrow will be back to the world of politics, sports, and everything else that separates this blog and other columns dealing with hard news from stream of consciousness rants.

As I left snowy Chicago, I sang the song made famous by Rock Group Poison.

“I wanna go…I wanna go home now.”

I got my wish. I made it home.

In Chicago they sing “Sweet Home Chicago.” They sing “Baby Dontcha wanna go.”

No, I don’t. There is nothing sweet about it.

Off to sleep, and lord willing, soon enough, breathe.

At least I escaped the land of the savages, and made it back to where the sun shines.

Let the animals stay up north. They choose to live there. They deserve what they get.

eric

Presidents Day 2009 Musings

Monday, February 16th, 2009

Today is a Presidents Day. Let’s remember what we are celebrating when we celebrate Presidents Day. We are celebrating the fact that America is now too cheap to give us days off from work for George Washington and Abraham Lincoln separately.

For the 12 to 14 people watching MSNBC, despite what they tell you, Presidents Day is not about our current President. Yes, I know that they worship him almost as much as he worships himself. Yes, I know he and they compare him to Lincoln. Yet further discussion of our current President will be put on hold until he actually accomplishes something. Today is not devoted to speakers. It is devoted to doers.

The world of sports also has plenty of talkers that did anything. They never played the game. The trend this week is beating up on Brett Favre. (This is the first non-football weekend, and I am already grouchy. 30 weeks of misery…blah. Yes, the Daytona 500 happened yesterday, but the Chicago apartment I am staying in does not have a television.)

As for Favre, the stories are hard negative. As a born and raised New Yorker, let me bring some sanity to the discussion. The Jets were nothing without Favre, and they will go back to being nothing in the near future. They finished 9-7 this year. Last year without Favre they were 4-12.

Had the Jets started 4-7 and finished 9-7, there would be praise. Yet they began 8-3, and collapsed down the stretch. In fact, at 6-3, they then went on the road, defeated New England in a thriller, and then shocked 10-0 Tennessee on the road as well. Then they lost games at home they should have won.

Yes, the Jets fell apart, especially in the final game at home against Miami. This is what the Jets have done throughout their history since Joe Willie Namath retired. In the 1980s they had one season where they began 10-1 before losing their final five games. In 1997, Bill Parcells took a 1-15 team the year before and got them to 9-7. However, they were 8-5, and losing 2 of their last 3 cost them a playoff spot. In 2000, the Jets were 9-4 under Al Groh and in first place. They then lost the final 3 games to miss the playoffs. The last game was against the eventual champion Ravens, but the Jets led that game 14-0 before wilting. So to blame Brett Favre for a team collapse in 2008 is nuts. Without him, they were garbage. Without him, look how well the Packers did this year. They went from 13-3 and the NFC Title Game to a losing record. Aaron Rodgers played well statistially, but football is not all about statistics. It is about leadership. Favre is a leader. I hope he unretires again.

One person who should never retire is Tennessee Volunteers Women’s Basketball Coach Pat Summitt. I do not watch women’s basketball, but I make an exception when Tennessee is in the final game. Pat Summitt has 1000 wins. This is unfathomable. I also confess to being scared to death of her, although people who have met her have said she is very friendly. Yet when she has that snarl on the sideline, I am just glad I am not the one in trouble.

While I am not trying to compare people in sports to what great presidents have done in terms of significance, there is a common thread. That thread is leadership. Some people do things better tha everybody else. They have something inside of them. The problem is that they then get put on pedestals, which is unfair to them.

Abraham Lincoln was considered a loser during his time in office. He is only now revered. his reward for saving the Union was a bullet to the head.

Brett Favre is getting the emotional equivalent of that. People are saying that he tarnished his legacy. This is nonsense. People barely remember Johnny Unitas playing for the Chargers or Joe Namath playing for the Rams. Those men are heroes of the Colts and Jet respectively. Brett Favre can play as long as he wants. He will be a hero for the Packers long after the Jets still search for the successor to Namath.

Who the heck are we to tell people to step aside? We do this in business as well. We give older people their gold watch, their retirement dinner, and ship them off. Everybody wants new, hip, young, and cool. The problem with this is that old people know things. A lifetime of experience provides more value than any new slogan or powerpoint presentation.

Think of that when thinking about Valentines Day. Rather than try to market to every young couple, let’s honor the people that have been married 40, 50, or 60 years. They may not be telegenic, but they sure know what love is about.

Anyway, I have a plane to catch. I am leaving this dreadfully cold city of Chicago and heading back to Los Angeles. I will kiss the ground upon my return to warm weather.

While I am in the air, I wish you all a peaceful Presidents Day. Just remember to spend less time praising those that promise big things, and even less time than that listening to the critics that never accomplished anything.

Honor those that got the job done. They did not seek praise. They let their actions build their legacy.

Now if only George Washington and Abraham Lincoln were judged individually, we could have two days off again like we used to get.

eric