More Stupid Remarks by Someone Who Should Know Better

It is comforting to see that even though all the rhetoric about women in science has died down, there is still legitimate research being conducted that continues to refute the remarks made by the still-in office President of Harvard. Apparently, there is still nothing g to support his claim that women have a lower aptitude for science and math.
http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/science/08/19/science.women.reut/index.html

This week, I must admit that Sommers' remarks paled in comparison to some made in the past by televangelist Pat Robertson. I missed them first time around, but have heard them repeated recently in reports about his call for the assassination of the president of Venezuela. Apparently, in a previous diatribe against feminism, Robertson claimed that it turns women against their husbands, makes them kill their children and indulge in witchcraft. Suddenly, I feel transported back to colonial Salem. Will he be suggesting burnings and drownings next?

While we are worried about Islamic fundamentalism denying the rights of women and using religion to subjugate half of the population around the world, we apparently have our own home grown extremist also using the shield of religion to spout his hateful views. I find the fact that this man still has a pulpit to preach from and followers who hang on his words even more frightening than the rise of religious fundamentalism in other countries. Especially given his constant penchant for running for office.

Here in the US, we are supposed to know better. Our whole reason for being a nation was because of religion being used for political purposes. Here in the US, we are supposed to know better than to give power to any religious fanatic. And yet, here we are, subjected to the very public rantings of someone who, quite clearly has left the realm of sanity a long time ago. Sure he has the right to free speech, but what is wrong with the people who continue to support his televised soapbox?

To use a sort-of religious cliché, it scares the bejesus out of me.

Is This Really News?

I understand the concept of a "slow news day," and how that is the time when news outlets may run the more unusual story, or that meritorious human interest story that there was never time for. But exactly how slow of a news day is it, when the headline is something like "Police On the Lookout for Snake." Sure the occasional wayward 50 foot boa constrictor that is peeking up from someone's toilet is an amusing tale, even a cautionary one - but usually the closing story on televised news on a "slow news day."

Yesterday, apparently, despite a multitude of world events screaming for attention, it was a snake story that was the lead for hours on an New York City all news radio station. I know this because I was traveling from central New Jersey to the Bronx, New York, in daytime traffic. I heard the snake story at least 4 times. Police were actively searching for a copperhead snake that had the unmitigated gall to bite someone. Of course, this was a someone who was trying to get the snake out of the middle of the road, and was rewarded for his concern in typical snake fashion.

There is nothing funny about a poisonous snake bite. It is an important message to tell people to avoid handling snakes or any wild animals with bare hands, no matter how good the intentions. But the impression from the news coverage was that this snake was being relentlessly pursued by local police, with the same voracity as a bank robber.

So, I thought, well, maybe this was important and unusual because this was a snake that didn't belong in New Jersey, and like the wayward boa constrictors, had been let loose by mistake, was out of its natural element, and needed to be captured. We certainly don't need a wild, poisonous attack snake pouncing on the unsuspecting.

However, in checking the web, and most recently this web page, Township of West Milford Search , I find that not only is the copperhead snake native to New Jersey, it is one of TWO venomous snakes here - the other being the timber rattlesnake.

Rattlesnakes? In New Jersey? I'm never going out without heavy boots again ... So now, I'm thinking, not only was this an important lead story for news radio, it is something that the populace of New Jersey need to be aware of - immediately.

I'm wondering if it is too late to joing the posse and bring that criminal snake in for some Jersey justice...

Who is REALLY screwing up America?

A number of years ago, my daughter won the "scariest" Halloween costume contest at the local American Legion parade. Was she a monster, a vampire, a serial killer? No, she was dressed as a hippie. The gentleman who awarded her the prize said, "for those of us who remember, THIS is what really scared us." We all laughed.

I was reminded of this recently while watching an interview with Bernard Goldberg on the Today Show. Apparently, he, too, is frightened of "hippies" or at least those who still embody the war-protesting, liberal-thinking, equality-wanting, government questioning philosophy they represented. What isn't funny is that he is now trying to incite Americans to rally against those who think this way. He calls them the "culturally elite," the "America-Bashers," and he goes so far as to identify where these people live - in the "blue parentheses" of America. THIS is truly frightening. Read more about this on my other blog at:
Proud to be in the Parentheses... - General: Senior Web Logs

Good-bye Peter

The death of Peter Jennings this week caught me off guard. I remember that he had left the evening news, remembered he was sick, but never expected to hear this kind of news so soon. I only knew Peter as that calm and comforting news presence, but it is amazing how used to that kind of presence one can become.

The news of his death created an odd coincidence in my life. Last week, I was in Dallas for business, and had a few extra hours to visit the city. I went to Dealey Plaza, to see the Kennedy assassination site, and to visit the museum in the Book Depository building. On the top floor of the building was a special exhibit dedicated to the journalists who covered the tragedy. There was the Cronkite news footage, him being perhaps the most legendary news icon ever, breaking down as he announced the death. There was the infamous film of the shooting of Oswald, something many of us witnessed live on television. And there also, was a panel devoted to Peter Jennings. A Canadian reporter at the time, he was in the airport when he heard something about the shooting. He called his boss, told him there was only one flight going to Dallas, and asked, should he go. His boss said no. Jennings went anyway.

As the reality of the news reached our Canadian neighbors, Jennings was a step ahead of all the others, thus beginning his reputation for getting to the story first. It wasn't too long after that when he was hired in the US. I read this story with admiration and surprise, I had never known that Jennings was a reporter in that era.

Then, I return to New Jersey, to the sad news of his passing, and I think, this is one story he didn't need to rush to cover. And now, hearing the additional sad news that the non-smoking widow of Christopher Reeve has announced that she, too, has lung cancer, I say to those people in my life who still insist on lighting up - quit now. This horrid disease can get anyone, but why invite it in.

If You Could Find a Better Reason to Do a Commerical ...

The man who once told us "If you can find a better car, buy it," is back pitching for Chrysler. Some are questioning why the company has brought back their 80-year old former CEO. But for Lee Iococca, the reason for doing this recent string of commericals might come as a surprise to you.
Read my blog here:
To Lee Iococca I Say, Welcome Back... - Entertainment: Senior Web Logs

I Picked the Wrong Day to Travel

For those of you who know me personally, some of you may recall that today I was flying to Dallas on business. Some of you may remember what airline. And still, others may have seen on the news that an airplane belonging to the airline I was on had a forced chute evacuation on the runway because of smoke in the cabin. For anyone who was worried, it wasn't my flight, but then again, a little too close for comfort.

Today apparently, is the anniversary of the worst air disaster in the Dallas Fort Worth Airport history. While we were landing safely, someone was placing 130 long stemmed roses in the fence in memory of those who died. Not something one likes to think about while on a plane ...

Then, as we sat down to lunch, the news channel began showing scenes of the airplane crash in Toronto. It would be several hours before it was announced that all had miraculously survived. In the meantime, I checked into my hotel and turned on the television to see scenes of an Amtrak derailment in North Carolina in which the driver of the truck that struck the train was killed, and more scenes of a road closure due to a fatal car accident just a few miles from the hotel.

Is it any wonder that my co-worker and I decided to walk across the street to a restaurant to eat? Some days, it would seem, are just bad for traveling. Let's hope things calm down before it's time to fly home.