Category: Politics & Government

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Gone-zo

“I can handle things, I’m smart, not like everybody says. Not dumb, I’m smart, and I want respect!”

That quote from Fredo to Michael in Godfather II can sum up not only the start but the entire bunch of cronies in the current administration. So we have the news that another one lays down. I know nothing of the man that is Alberto Gonzales except what I read and hear in the news, and what I do know is that the perception of competency in the current Justice department has just about eroded away in my and many fellow American minds. Our country is based on freedom, liberty and the right of man to choose. If our own government decides they are above the people’s rights and choose to selectively enforcer laws when only it’s convenient for them, their friends and their political or lobbying affiliations, then we are no longer a land of law but a land lead by men of power.

Alberto Gonzales

      Enabled the firing of 9 US attorneys with out cause or justification, but for political retribution. (1)
      He mislead congress about the extent and conduct for which domestic spying on native and foreign US citizens, in the name of fighting terrorism. (2,3)
      He drafted the torture memo that lead to the physical abuses in Abu Ghraib and the constitutional ones in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. (4)
      Lastly Gonzo was weak. Weak in standing up for himself, his actions as AG, and most of all weak for standing up for justice for the people of the US. He and his fellow attorneys may server at the pleasure of the president, but the president server at the pleasure of ALL the people of the USA and he is no longer welcome at his post.

“Fredo, you’re nothing to me now; not a brother, not a friend. I don’t want to know you, or what you do.”

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Police action state…on the tennis court?

So today I was on my way to play tennis with a friend in Central Park and was prevented from doing so because of police action in my subway stop. I entered the gates and quickly noticed a tension from the community of people standing around the platform. Two uniformed officers were frantically searching the tracks and the platforms for someone; the same procedures were occurring across the platform at the downtown stop.

I spoke with a woman, whom said she saw a man jump the turnstyle and run down onto the tracks at the station. The officers quickly followed in pursuit. As a result, the police decided to not allow passengers to leave the station until they’ve checked everyone in the station (presumably looking for the suspect). Additionally, trains coming and going were not allowed to drop off or let on passengers until given the code green go!

As a result I was thirty minutes late to my work out. Unfortunately my partner had left prematurely. Although our court was given up, I was fortunate enough to meet someone that wasn’t able to use there’s and continued with my work-out unrestricted. Dealing with the control freaks at the central park tennis facilities is like dealing with militant officers unwavering in their own rule of law for managing patrons for the courts.

First NYers have to pay for the privilege to play tennis in the city, by purchasing a park permit for $100 at the beginning of the season. A permit, however, does not guarantee that you’ll play though. Next step in this process (and I assume this is only specific to Central Park), you must either purchase a reserve ticket for $7 a player for the date, time and court, or you must sign up early in the morning the day you want to play, to reserve the space. Reserving the space, you and your partner (all 4 for doubles) must be present 15 minutes before the time of play or you forfeit your court time. There is a no-show wait list and for those people that have not shown up 15 minutes prior or there’s open courts will get the opportunity to grab open space. This is very rare so get there VERY early for any type of wait-n-see options.

Other restrictions for the clay courts, are you have to have white flat shoes, follow all tennis etiquette rules, turn your cellphones and blackberrys off, and where acceptable clothing for the courts – I guess no jockstraps or bikinis allowed…

For the most part this is very efficient, yet very painful way to start a work out or have a fun time on the tennis courts. I personally am not a fan of the clay courts, preferring the hard courts and have been going to a particular spot where there’s less of a hassle and a better environment for a good time… no they don’t have courts at Larry Flint’s Hustler club… but hey?!

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Politics is not Sports

Just a few days ago, the AFL-CIO democratic debates aired and I assume you probably didn’t watch this (I didn’t but I got the highlights). A retired and disabled AFL-CIO union member, Steve Skvara, presented a question at the debate for John Edwards. This was the only time during the entire debate where a standing ovation was offered a participant… and it wasn’t for a politician.

I maintain that this should be answered by all politicians (dems, reps, libs, whips whatever). Any American (think your parents first) could fall into a dire situation similar to Steve with nowhere to turn for what must be considered the most basic of human rights — health care. We are the only free industrialized nation in the world that has been conditioned to think of health care as only a “benefit” and not a mandatory service. This MUST change!

What ever your opinion is, I do hope you get involved in the process somewhere along the line… even if to pass this message on to those that would listen to at least this mans plea.

“We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” – A Einstein