IT IS MORE THAN A CUPPA
My Son Kevin asked me to join him for some conversation, and a cup of coffee. It required no more explanation. I knew where we were headed. You see he is addicted. Mention Starbucks and his eyes light up. In a way the enchantment has penetrated my staid ways. Kevin, as I have claimed in the past is my role model, but never imagined it to extend to my drinking habits.
This is more than my Son’s influence, and a coffee habit, it is the result of a success story. It is one of the greatest contemporary examples of Capitalism at its’ finest. The genius of Starbuck’s marketing cannot be overstated. They have not responded to a demand, they “created” the demand, and others have followed suit.
It is one of unique ideas and innovation. Outside of the technology industry, one of the best examples of marketing savvy to come down the pike in a long time, and it all started at a venue called Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington.
Coffeehouses had been around for years and coffee drinking for centuries. Both came together during the last sixty years to create a phenomenon of unheard of proportions. Starbucks is not the only firm producing extremely good tasting coffee. There has been an explosion of businesses catering to a variation of newly acquired tastes of the bean. With it there is the romance of how the coffee bean is nurtured and processed. It all has become more than just a cup of coffee. It is sold to an eager populace as an “experience”. They almost have one believing; “better than sex”!
Let us get back to the good old coffeehouse. By the way one thing we must make clear, Starbucks should not be considered a coffeehouse, it is a “coffeehouse company” Let’s talk briefly about coffeehouses any way because the “company’ would like you to subliminally enjoy some of the benefits coffeehouses of the 60’ and 70’s offered.
Those wonderful, friendly establishments offered coffee, but the coffee was not the primary attraction. In fact, the brew in most cases left much to be desired. These dimly lit venues were primarily the gathering place for the Jack Kerouac’s, and Allen Ginsberg’s of the world. My visits to those in Venice, California and Hollywood (cannot forget the Xanadu on Melrose) satisfied my conversation and curiosity needs but usually were followed by a trip to the local Denny’s for a good cup of Joe.
Starbucks is a Seattle based company. This is where it all started. It also was the location of one of the first “true” coffeehouses; “Last Exit on Brooklyn” that opened in June of 1967 by entrepreneur and chess player Irv Cisski. Unlike many similar venues it did provide an original espresso concoction. In order to give you a better understanding of what the “old coffeehouse” was about I offer you several excerpts, and quotes from those that lived the “Last Exit” experience.
Yasser Seirawan a noted chess player wrote; “a chess haven where an unlikely bunch of unusual people congregate to do battle”. He also described the Last Exit as “scrabble players, backgammon players, chess and game hustling. This became my home. This was to become my family.Cisski himself said, “So what if games-people turn away business, they add flavor. They are assets to a coffeehouse. He also described his intent to “create a haven where students and benign crazies ‘were welcome and where everyone felt equal and there were no sacred cows.
Seattle writer and journalist Knute Berger wrote; “It was one of Seattle’s great 60s landmarks, a gathering place for University of Washington students, radicals, poets, nut jobs, chess masters, teens, intellectuals, workers, musicians, artists, beatniks, and hippies.. I remember the din, the open-mike music, cigarette smoke, impromptu poetry readings, and the arguments of lefties, libertarians, crackpots, and cultists. You can hear the rhythm and roar of the counterculture as it lived and breathed.”
Now I ask; “does this sound like a Starbucks to you?
Howard Schultz the founder of Starbucks on a trip to Milan Italy put the concept together! At that time in 1982 Mr. Schultz was the director of marketing for a fledgling Starbucks named after Captain Ahab’s first mate in Moby Dick. He noted that coffee bars existed on practically every street. They served as a meeting place or public square. There were over 200,000 in Italy!
He could not sell his inspiration to those in charge but eventually through his genius, he took over Starbucks, implemented his ideas and the rest is history, Today there are 17,000 (11,000 in the U.S.) stores in 55 countries with India being next!
There exists in marketing something I call, “variations of a theme, it sells”. The theme of course is the product, and in this case it is coffee. Everything from café latte to a frappachino. You desire it you get it. In addition to coffee there is an inviting list of food items. Merchandise includes; equipment and music CDs.
Two of Howard Schultz’s business principles: the common goal is to act like a small company, and make sure growth does not dilute the company’s culture. They seem like contradictory statements but in essence it all works.
Just what is the company’s culture? To whom does the business cater? There is the suggested relationship to the American coffeehouse, and Italy’s coffee bars. The primary money making product is coffee. Give them credit. Through their committed effort to offer the finest of blends, Starbucks has achieved this magnificently, and have kept up, if not surpassed their competitors for an excellent variety of brews.
In order to separate his company from others and make it an inviting venue Mr. Shultz incorporated all the elements that existed in those coffee establishments in the old houses and in Italy. Although it really does not resemble those of old, the way it is set up, “hints the appearance of a place for intellectuals, and those that aspire”. There is a flavor or suggestion of a good old meeting place. But is it really? They do offer plug-ins for PCs, Wi-Fi, games, tables and chairs, and piped in jazz. A Starbucks will never be construed as a coffeehouse, and I do not think they wish to, it is merely implied for affect.
Whereas the coffeehouses of the 60s attracted a specific element of our society, they really were a result of that element. They were the product of a movement that began in the 50s with a segment of society labeled “Beatniks. The Beatniks were then followed by the Hippies. Both entities were in the most part made up of restless intellectuals, veterans of WWII, and the Korean War. The emerging Vietnam War added to the frustration. Dissatisfied with the status quo, they desired change in the controlling aspects of daily life. and all levels of society. Traditions as well as government were the targets. Freedom of expression was finally at work. And coffeehouses provided the forum. After all this was the 60s and as you are well aware, the impact of those voices resulted in a dynamic societal transformation!
A confession of sorts; as most of you that followed the weekly Re-Cappy are aware; there were occasional cynical and sarcastic references to Starbucks. This blog’s intention at the onset was to downplay the success story that is Starbucks. Commercialism at the expense of sacrificing honesty, and promoting mediocrity in a business enterprise was going to be the message.
I love capitalism but have an aversion to commercialism which is lifeblood of successful businesses. I have struggled with this dichotomy mainly because of commercialism’s likelihood of consequential mediocrity. Alas, somewhere during this challenging endeavor; I too, have become addicted.
No question about it Starbucks is a business and as a business must attract consumers. As I stated at the beginning of this article Starbucks created a demand. Drinking coffee has been elevated to a sophisticated level. When one mentions a Starbucks brew it is a far cry from the potentially rancid cup we formerly purchased for a nickel at a run down counter. The price? Who cares! I have a cuppa with a very respectable status logo on it. It has become so prized to order a café latte that when I ask for mine black-with no embellishments; I feel strange vibes over my shoulder:-)Soon!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
WIRED (A Cappy Political Reach)
There is a film clip often used when sports broadcasters, or historians present a flashback of legendary Green Bay Packer coach; Vince Lombardi. In heavy overcoat on the sidelines after something he did not like occurred on the field, he is heard to exclaim; “what the hell is going on out there?” Those words echo in my mind when trying to make sense of the current national political turmoil – specifically this primary season!
Do you experience confusion, or are we all wired to be all right with the mayhem occurring regardless of position?
One thing that should be stated up front; I am a Liberal Democrat. Have I been wired from birth to be a Democrat, or is my present political philosophy the result of a series of personal experiences? Let us examine that, and perhaps we may arrive at some definite conclusion, or perhaps none of what I have to say will matter! Hopefully there is an answer to the question “what the hell?” Let us try.
In 1948 I turned twenty one, just in time to vote in the Presidential election between Harry Truman, the incumbent Democratic President and Thomas Dewey, Republican and the Governor of the State of New York. I must confess my knowledge of politics was nada, nada. I did however follow current events but not in a concentrated or studious manner. My interests leaned toward pop culture - you know; the celebrities of the day, be-bop, dancing, and girls were of course high on the priority list.
Most of us were aware that Truman’s predecessor Franklin Delano Roosevelt was loved by the majority of Americans, including me. But for some reason I was in awe of Thomas Dewey! I guess it was because he came close to being identified as a celebrity.
Add to this unreasonable leaning toward Dewey, my older brother had a good argument to persuade me to register Republican and vote for Dewey. I am sorry to say his job depended on satisfying some local Republican city officials. That was the way it was in city politics, and for certain the case today. My dear brother recruited me, and the result is history. My first vote for a President of the United States was for naught!
Did that change my political leanings? Certainly not! During WWII one of my heroes besides General Patton was Dwight D. Eisenhower. I voted for Dwight, a Republican and happily so. His speech when he uttered those lines about the “military industrial complex” still rings in my ears!
If one is not tuned in to political beliefs at birth then it must be those life experiences an individual encounters throughout their whole life. Most important perhaps much of it is formed during early impressionable and adult growth years. I do not pretend to know anything of the human psyche. What I offer here, is in essence the result only of my personal experiences.
While working at a TV station in Phoenix Arizona in the late 50s I had the pleasure of shaking hands with Barry Goldwater. He impressed me with his statesman like persona and I did not mind his ultra conservative views. But then along came the Presidential election of 1960. The Nation and yours truly were introduced to John F. Kennedy. All of my political leanings toward the right faded; like scaffolding at the end of a construction project. It was at this time, politics became serious thought in my life. It did not consume me, but it ceased to exist at the bottom of the totem pole.
Vividly I recall the first TV debates between JFK and Richard Nixon. Kennedy with his cool demeanor and Nixon sweating profusely under the glaring lights. I cannot forget the newly elected President’s “ask not” inaugural speech. Also recalled; the moments when the president called Khrushchev’s bluff during the Cuban missile crises. Were these the impressions that nudged me?
Civil rights legislation during Johnson’s term looms large in my memory. The unfortunate events of Carter’s time in office, i.e.; double digit inflation, and the Iranian hostage situation, failed to dim my ideological fervor. After all, the oil embargos were not of his doing and he did win a Nobel Peace prize for helping to arrange peace between Israel and Egypt. The die was cast. I guess you might say I became a Liberal somewhere during that time. Unless there is an earth shattering negative experience caused by the Democrats, or I fall deeply in love with a Republican lady, that mindset will remain!
Was my becoming a liberal, innate, all the while? Was it dormant within my consciousness and just required some outside prodding? Is my personality, one that tends to be restrained and non-aggressive have something to do with it? I do not have the answers and do not know if anyone does.
There are some obvious conditions that can be discussed. The percentages I may quote are purely my guess and not based on any scientific research. It may be fair to say that somewhere between twenty to thirty five percent of the electorate ideologically lies on either side of the political spectrum. This for simplicity strictly within this blog is defined as the base of each political party. The individuals belonging in this group, of which I am one, will probably never change their opinions.
From personal experience I have found that those individuals that lean right think the current group of Republican candidates is of the highest order. Whereas those on the left regard the current Republican primary process and debates a joke. For further proof give a listen, as I have to the talking heads on MSNBC and those on FOX. The difference in respect and belief is alarming!
That brings us to the question raised at the onset; “what the hell is going on out there?”
This query is reference to the ongoing Presidential electoral process of the year 2012. After watching the Republican political debates have you been asking the same question? Are you as perplexed as I?
As you have surmised by the historical accounts in this piece, which by the way is much longer than ever anticipated, I am an aged man, eighty four years aged. Notice I refrained from saying the three letter word usually reserved for one that is beyond seventy. Well through all those years, and I am sure others my age would repeat; “never, ever witnessed a Presidential election progression as bizarre as this! One element; it is being performed on the Republican stage. The Democrats in most part have been the spectators and primarily the subject, or in this case the sub plot.
Before I go any further, if I may, let us look at your perspective. Do you identify with what I am uttering? Do you align yourself with my experiences? Are you reading this and exclaiming; “Cappy has gone totally overboard?’ What the hell is he drinking?’ The answer; “none of the above” OK enough with the quotes.
If you are still with me, then you perhaps agree with this presentation, anxious to hear more, do not agree, and are curious enough to continue, or angry enough to find it necessary to accumulate a foundation in order to retort, or change channels!
My thoughts are merely assumptions, very subjective, and offered to perhaps provide some humor to what up to now has been a parade of Presidential candidates that do not rise to the high standards of their own Party. My intent is not to evaluate each of the candidate’s capabilities, nor to comment on performance. Those assessments will be up to the electorate.
We have become victims. Regardless of beliefs, our vulnerabilities and sensitivities are under attack! What follows is my opinion of; “what the hell is going on out there!”
Is it possible we are witnessing a “reality show”? It sure seems so. We have had contestants eliminated one by one, unable to remember their lines, or who they really are. Unfortunately the cast has dwindled to an un-precious few. Placing it in focus; the Republican Party base may or may not be content with the available selection. So what do we have and what lies in the future?
This show has been supported by all major TV networks. Because it is a reality show it must go on as a hard fought struggle to survive. If you have doubt this is a TV rigged show I would like to recall a little history. When Joe Louis was the heavyweight boxing champion of the world his popularity was starting to wane. His fights which he won with ease were two infrequent. The promoters decided to feed Mr. Louis a victim each month. This became known as the “bum of the month club” because the competition was so thin. Nevertheless his popularity soared even though he dispensed with most of them before the third round. I am familiar with all this because I was one of those entranced with others as we gathered around the radio.
I draw this parallel to the debates primarily because as you now know the phrase “flavor of the month” has been used to describe the on-going parade of candidates where the leading candidate seems to change with each state’s primary. Romney, then Gingrich, then Santorum and even Paul getting in there for a few punches.
However, the TV ratings for the debates are in jeopardy because we have had nineteen or so and the specter of a “brokered convention” looms on the horizon. The absence of any brokered talk has been noticeable. It would take away the competitive angle of this wonderful intense production! The media will have none of that chatter through the summer and are doing their hardest to shut the threat of that commotion down!
There are two reasons why a brokered convention is only whispered 1) the aforementioned TV attraction of competitiveness for interest and survival, and 2) the negative appearance of the Republican Party because there is no clear-cut candidate!
Stranger things have happened. Perhaps the media, the GOP claims is liberal, is in essence making the GOP look good in its’ quest to nominate a viable nominee?
Oh, before I forget; there is a supporting cast in this drama. In the wings we have; Sarah Palin and Donald Trump. This entire production would be a colossal failure if their voices were not injected. If there are doubts as to my assumptions that this is a reality show then one must ponder the question, why are they featured so often?
Many Republicans, not of the base, are dissatisfied with the current collection of candidates, and I do not blame them. If there is a brokered convention, do not be surprised if one or two additional hats will be tossed into the ring! These would be individuals that did not care to appear on any reality show, and could not afford to do so. Have you noticed during the CPAC; Marco Rubio auditioning? Perhaps looking forward to 2016, or just maybe, just maybe?
In summary, as noted the title of this piece is “Wired”. Without doubt, one would conclude I am a wired liberal. That is OK, whether at birth or by influence. Can you identify the origin of your political leanings? It could have been a teacher, a friend, family member, spouse, talk show host or a celebrity. Myriad influences exist out there especially now in this age of rapid and accessible information. In the end it all comes down to your ability to sift through fact and fiction. Normally we all are open to influence, and the media has taken advantage of all their weapons. We do, however have the ability to reason and use common sense. In a way these mental attributes rely on a Wi-Fi probability. So there is hope - for all of us!
At the core of it all, the final judge is you. Soon!
There is a film clip often used when sports broadcasters, or historians present a flashback of legendary Green Bay Packer coach; Vince Lombardi. In heavy overcoat on the sidelines after something he did not like occurred on the field, he is heard to exclaim; “what the hell is going on out there?” Those words echo in my mind when trying to make sense of the current national political turmoil – specifically this primary season!
Do you experience confusion, or are we all wired to be all right with the mayhem occurring regardless of position?
One thing that should be stated up front; I am a Liberal Democrat. Have I been wired from birth to be a Democrat, or is my present political philosophy the result of a series of personal experiences? Let us examine that, and perhaps we may arrive at some definite conclusion, or perhaps none of what I have to say will matter! Hopefully there is an answer to the question “what the hell?” Let us try.
In 1948 I turned twenty one, just in time to vote in the Presidential election between Harry Truman, the incumbent Democratic President and Thomas Dewey, Republican and the Governor of the State of New York. I must confess my knowledge of politics was nada, nada. I did however follow current events but not in a concentrated or studious manner. My interests leaned toward pop culture - you know; the celebrities of the day, be-bop, dancing, and girls were of course high on the priority list.
Most of us were aware that Truman’s predecessor Franklin Delano Roosevelt was loved by the majority of Americans, including me. But for some reason I was in awe of Thomas Dewey! I guess it was because he came close to being identified as a celebrity.
Add to this unreasonable leaning toward Dewey, my older brother had a good argument to persuade me to register Republican and vote for Dewey. I am sorry to say his job depended on satisfying some local Republican city officials. That was the way it was in city politics, and for certain the case today. My dear brother recruited me, and the result is history. My first vote for a President of the United States was for naught!
Did that change my political leanings? Certainly not! During WWII one of my heroes besides General Patton was Dwight D. Eisenhower. I voted for Dwight, a Republican and happily so. His speech when he uttered those lines about the “military industrial complex” still rings in my ears!
If one is not tuned in to political beliefs at birth then it must be those life experiences an individual encounters throughout their whole life. Most important perhaps much of it is formed during early impressionable and adult growth years. I do not pretend to know anything of the human psyche. What I offer here, is in essence the result only of my personal experiences.
While working at a TV station in Phoenix Arizona in the late 50s I had the pleasure of shaking hands with Barry Goldwater. He impressed me with his statesman like persona and I did not mind his ultra conservative views. But then along came the Presidential election of 1960. The Nation and yours truly were introduced to John F. Kennedy. All of my political leanings toward the right faded; like scaffolding at the end of a construction project. It was at this time, politics became serious thought in my life. It did not consume me, but it ceased to exist at the bottom of the totem pole.
Vividly I recall the first TV debates between JFK and Richard Nixon. Kennedy with his cool demeanor and Nixon sweating profusely under the glaring lights. I cannot forget the newly elected President’s “ask not” inaugural speech. Also recalled; the moments when the president called Khrushchev’s bluff during the Cuban missile crises. Were these the impressions that nudged me?
Civil rights legislation during Johnson’s term looms large in my memory. The unfortunate events of Carter’s time in office, i.e.; double digit inflation, and the Iranian hostage situation, failed to dim my ideological fervor. After all, the oil embargos were not of his doing and he did win a Nobel Peace prize for helping to arrange peace between Israel and Egypt. The die was cast. I guess you might say I became a Liberal somewhere during that time. Unless there is an earth shattering negative experience caused by the Democrats, or I fall deeply in love with a Republican lady, that mindset will remain!
Was my becoming a liberal, innate, all the while? Was it dormant within my consciousness and just required some outside prodding? Is my personality, one that tends to be restrained and non-aggressive have something to do with it? I do not have the answers and do not know if anyone does.
There are some obvious conditions that can be discussed. The percentages I may quote are purely my guess and not based on any scientific research. It may be fair to say that somewhere between twenty to thirty five percent of the electorate ideologically lies on either side of the political spectrum. This for simplicity strictly within this blog is defined as the base of each political party. The individuals belonging in this group, of which I am one, will probably never change their opinions.
From personal experience I have found that those individuals that lean right think the current group of Republican candidates is of the highest order. Whereas those on the left regard the current Republican primary process and debates a joke. For further proof give a listen, as I have to the talking heads on MSNBC and those on FOX. The difference in respect and belief is alarming!
That brings us to the question raised at the onset; “what the hell is going on out there?”
This query is reference to the ongoing Presidential electoral process of the year 2012. After watching the Republican political debates have you been asking the same question? Are you as perplexed as I?
As you have surmised by the historical accounts in this piece, which by the way is much longer than ever anticipated, I am an aged man, eighty four years aged. Notice I refrained from saying the three letter word usually reserved for one that is beyond seventy. Well through all those years, and I am sure others my age would repeat; “never, ever witnessed a Presidential election progression as bizarre as this! One element; it is being performed on the Republican stage. The Democrats in most part have been the spectators and primarily the subject, or in this case the sub plot.
Before I go any further, if I may, let us look at your perspective. Do you identify with what I am uttering? Do you align yourself with my experiences? Are you reading this and exclaiming; “Cappy has gone totally overboard?’ What the hell is he drinking?’ The answer; “none of the above” OK enough with the quotes.
If you are still with me, then you perhaps agree with this presentation, anxious to hear more, do not agree, and are curious enough to continue, or angry enough to find it necessary to accumulate a foundation in order to retort, or change channels!
My thoughts are merely assumptions, very subjective, and offered to perhaps provide some humor to what up to now has been a parade of Presidential candidates that do not rise to the high standards of their own Party. My intent is not to evaluate each of the candidate’s capabilities, nor to comment on performance. Those assessments will be up to the electorate.
We have become victims. Regardless of beliefs, our vulnerabilities and sensitivities are under attack! What follows is my opinion of; “what the hell is going on out there!”
Is it possible we are witnessing a “reality show”? It sure seems so. We have had contestants eliminated one by one, unable to remember their lines, or who they really are. Unfortunately the cast has dwindled to an un-precious few. Placing it in focus; the Republican Party base may or may not be content with the available selection. So what do we have and what lies in the future?
This show has been supported by all major TV networks. Because it is a reality show it must go on as a hard fought struggle to survive. If you have doubt this is a TV rigged show I would like to recall a little history. When Joe Louis was the heavyweight boxing champion of the world his popularity was starting to wane. His fights which he won with ease were two infrequent. The promoters decided to feed Mr. Louis a victim each month. This became known as the “bum of the month club” because the competition was so thin. Nevertheless his popularity soared even though he dispensed with most of them before the third round. I am familiar with all this because I was one of those entranced with others as we gathered around the radio.
I draw this parallel to the debates primarily because as you now know the phrase “flavor of the month” has been used to describe the on-going parade of candidates where the leading candidate seems to change with each state’s primary. Romney, then Gingrich, then Santorum and even Paul getting in there for a few punches.
However, the TV ratings for the debates are in jeopardy because we have had nineteen or so and the specter of a “brokered convention” looms on the horizon. The absence of any brokered talk has been noticeable. It would take away the competitive angle of this wonderful intense production! The media will have none of that chatter through the summer and are doing their hardest to shut the threat of that commotion down!
There are two reasons why a brokered convention is only whispered 1) the aforementioned TV attraction of competitiveness for interest and survival, and 2) the negative appearance of the Republican Party because there is no clear-cut candidate!
Stranger things have happened. Perhaps the media, the GOP claims is liberal, is in essence making the GOP look good in its’ quest to nominate a viable nominee?
Oh, before I forget; there is a supporting cast in this drama. In the wings we have; Sarah Palin and Donald Trump. This entire production would be a colossal failure if their voices were not injected. If there are doubts as to my assumptions that this is a reality show then one must ponder the question, why are they featured so often?
Many Republicans, not of the base, are dissatisfied with the current collection of candidates, and I do not blame them. If there is a brokered convention, do not be surprised if one or two additional hats will be tossed into the ring! These would be individuals that did not care to appear on any reality show, and could not afford to do so. Have you noticed during the CPAC; Marco Rubio auditioning? Perhaps looking forward to 2016, or just maybe, just maybe?
In summary, as noted the title of this piece is “Wired”. Without doubt, one would conclude I am a wired liberal. That is OK, whether at birth or by influence. Can you identify the origin of your political leanings? It could have been a teacher, a friend, family member, spouse, talk show host or a celebrity. Myriad influences exist out there especially now in this age of rapid and accessible information. In the end it all comes down to your ability to sift through fact and fiction. Normally we all are open to influence, and the media has taken advantage of all their weapons. We do, however have the ability to reason and use common sense. In a way these mental attributes rely on a Wi-Fi probability. So there is hope - for all of us!
At the core of it all, the final judge is you. Soon!
Monday, January 30, 2012
The Good Old Days
Rarely do I eat out, only on occasions-mainly with my sons. It would be fair to say that ninety percent of the time, my appetite gets satisfied by preparing and cooking meals at home.
I live alone and mostly have to prepare the necessary ingredients, and cook for one person, me. This would seem simple and require very little effort. But not really! A good estimate of daily commitment to this chore is approximately 2 to 3 hours. Yes, I do take longer to do things these days but less time would be sacrificing quality and sanitation.
While preparing breakfast this morning of cereal, berries and a slice of wheat toast my thoughts drifted to housekeeping responsibilities thrust upon parents. The thoughts included a comparison of house chores performed by the parents of today with those of long ago.
The only personal reference I had was of course my experiences as a child in a large family that took place in the 1930’s during “The Great Depression”. My Mother was a pure homemaker. Her day was totally dedicated to; feeding us, making sure there was an adequate supply of food for all of us, house cleaning, washing clothes, etc. One would think this would not be so difficult because she had the whole day. On the contrary!
Think of it, as stated earlier, feeding myself is a 2 to 3 hour necessity. Mom had to feed nine daily! This all took place early in the twentieth century prior to the appliances available today. To detail the comparison of today’s home conveniences to those of that era could be the basis of another discussion. Just as an example though; Mom cooked on a “coal burning stove”. Merely to access the coal, ignite, regulate, sustain, and maintain it is thought provoking if not mind boggling!
For the first nine years of my life we did not have running hot water. To this day the absence of a hot water heater in that house remains a mystery. This house and its' environs will be referred to in future discussions as "The Villa". We did have a wonderful furnace that provided good heat in the winter months. All needs for hot water, bathing, cooking, dish washing was achieved via, you guessed it, that coal burning range. Come to think of it even the iron used for pressing clothes required heating on that stove!
Mom baked bread. Store bought bread was a luxury we did not have. In hindsight this was probably a blessing because no other bread could replace Mom’s home baked for taste and nutrition. So perhaps my folks knew this important fact and intentionally shied away from the store bought doughy stuff. Does “Wonder Bread” ring a bell?
During our residence at the “Villa”, we were very fortunate to have a “kiln” in the back of our house. Still fresh in my mind remain vivid impressions of Mom placing the dough on a long handled paddle, placing the dough in the kiln. and retrieving a loaf of freshly baked bread. The breathtaking aroma that accompanied this activity has never been replicated in all my subsequent visits to bakeries.
Of course, washing clothes by hand, except for some delicate fabrics is unheard of today. Monday was designated clothes washing day come rain, snow, or shine. Why that day of the week was preferred I do not know - it just was.
Imagine having to wash clothes with no hot running water. Again, all the water was heated on that reliable coal stove - big pots of it! The water from these huge pots would then be poured into a large galvanized metal tub placed on a not so sturdy bench or stool.
A very indispensable tool required for hand clothes washing was a “scrubbing board”. If you are not familiar with this not so modern convenience of the day, it is merely a panel of corrugated metal that came in varying sizes.Ours was the size of a large cutting board. The trick was to rub the fabric over the rough surface at the risk of bruising one’s knuckles. Not only was this a hazard to hands but shortened the life of each piece of clothing after repeated washes.
At that time, clothes dryers were a figment of some ones imagination, so in the winter the clothes were hung to dry in the house. Figure that one out. Of course in spring and summer, outside drying was welcomed regardless of wind or rain.
Are you tired yet? Man-Oh-Gee we have not even come to cooking, housecleaning, planting tomatoes, or picking berries! That and more will be forthcoming in: "Good Old Days".Soon!
Rarely do I eat out, only on occasions-mainly with my sons. It would be fair to say that ninety percent of the time, my appetite gets satisfied by preparing and cooking meals at home.
I live alone and mostly have to prepare the necessary ingredients, and cook for one person, me. This would seem simple and require very little effort. But not really! A good estimate of daily commitment to this chore is approximately 2 to 3 hours. Yes, I do take longer to do things these days but less time would be sacrificing quality and sanitation.
While preparing breakfast this morning of cereal, berries and a slice of wheat toast my thoughts drifted to housekeeping responsibilities thrust upon parents. The thoughts included a comparison of house chores performed by the parents of today with those of long ago.
The only personal reference I had was of course my experiences as a child in a large family that took place in the 1930’s during “The Great Depression”. My Mother was a pure homemaker. Her day was totally dedicated to; feeding us, making sure there was an adequate supply of food for all of us, house cleaning, washing clothes, etc. One would think this would not be so difficult because she had the whole day. On the contrary!
Think of it, as stated earlier, feeding myself is a 2 to 3 hour necessity. Mom had to feed nine daily! This all took place early in the twentieth century prior to the appliances available today. To detail the comparison of today’s home conveniences to those of that era could be the basis of another discussion. Just as an example though; Mom cooked on a “coal burning stove”. Merely to access the coal, ignite, regulate, sustain, and maintain it is thought provoking if not mind boggling!
For the first nine years of my life we did not have running hot water. To this day the absence of a hot water heater in that house remains a mystery. This house and its' environs will be referred to in future discussions as "The Villa". We did have a wonderful furnace that provided good heat in the winter months. All needs for hot water, bathing, cooking, dish washing was achieved via, you guessed it, that coal burning range. Come to think of it even the iron used for pressing clothes required heating on that stove!
Mom baked bread. Store bought bread was a luxury we did not have. In hindsight this was probably a blessing because no other bread could replace Mom’s home baked for taste and nutrition. So perhaps my folks knew this important fact and intentionally shied away from the store bought doughy stuff. Does “Wonder Bread” ring a bell?
During our residence at the “Villa”, we were very fortunate to have a “kiln” in the back of our house. Still fresh in my mind remain vivid impressions of Mom placing the dough on a long handled paddle, placing the dough in the kiln. and retrieving a loaf of freshly baked bread. The breathtaking aroma that accompanied this activity has never been replicated in all my subsequent visits to bakeries.
Of course, washing clothes by hand, except for some delicate fabrics is unheard of today. Monday was designated clothes washing day come rain, snow, or shine. Why that day of the week was preferred I do not know - it just was.
Imagine having to wash clothes with no hot running water. Again, all the water was heated on that reliable coal stove - big pots of it! The water from these huge pots would then be poured into a large galvanized metal tub placed on a not so sturdy bench or stool.
A very indispensable tool required for hand clothes washing was a “scrubbing board”. If you are not familiar with this not so modern convenience of the day, it is merely a panel of corrugated metal that came in varying sizes.Ours was the size of a large cutting board. The trick was to rub the fabric over the rough surface at the risk of bruising one’s knuckles. Not only was this a hazard to hands but shortened the life of each piece of clothing after repeated washes.
At that time, clothes dryers were a figment of some ones imagination, so in the winter the clothes were hung to dry in the house. Figure that one out. Of course in spring and summer, outside drying was welcomed regardless of wind or rain.
Are you tired yet? Man-Oh-Gee we have not even come to cooking, housecleaning, planting tomatoes, or picking berries! That and more will be forthcoming in: "Good Old Days".Soon!
Sunday, January 29, 2012
A VISIT WITH RE-CAPPY I
Re-Cappy was a very delightful weekly experiment. Regretfully it had to end as a weekly offering. This will be a version of RC and from time to time it will appear on this site.
Because news items vanish as quickly as they pop up some of the content may seem stale or possibly of no interest. We are victims of instant information that may or may not be news items. After all it is entertainment and media outlets are only interested in ratings not enlightenment.
Stuff: Let’s play some football. One week away from Super Bowl XVLI and the books in Vegas are playing their ‘money game”. New England favored over the NY Giants anywhere from two and one half to three and one half points This is called the “line” All this means is, if you like the Giants you get those points added to your final score. The books do not care who wins they just care how much money is wagered because they get what is called the juice and for most books it is ten percent of each wager. Oh, I have forgotten! Hope you enjoy the game:-)
My team, yes they still are my team; the Pittsburgh Steelers are going through some major changes. Bruce Arians the offensive coordinator that helped lead them to two Super Bowls was let go. Big Ben is a little peeved about it. Art Rooney II, the owner is getting quite a bit more involved than the Rooney family has in the past. Do not know where all this will lead.
Baseball season almost here. Just seems like yesterday that the St. Louis Cardinals won the World Series. Do not know how the loss of Albert Pujols to the Angels will affect them. Being a Card fan of course am optimistic of a repeat.
Odds and Ends: One of my favorite subjects; Starbucks will introduce alcohol (beer and wine) in selected locations in So. California. Beer Latte anyone? Terrible item; leprosy linked to Armadillos. All of a sudden, “going to the dogs” seems very attractive. and please don’t buy your jewelry at a pet shop. The Costa Concordia tragedy continues.What the heck was that Captain and his crew thinking (or....it rhymes)? To date all but thirty three of 3229 passengers and 1023 crew members have been accounted for.The problem now is how to salvage the 500,000 gallons of fuel.In order to fend off lawsuits the firm is offering each passenger $ 14,460 each! What?
Stuff plus: Blue Note. Actor Robert Hegyes (60) who played Juan Epstein, one of the “sweathogs” on that very entertaining sitcom of the 70’s. That is the show that introduced John Travolta to the adoring young ladies of the day. Etta James (73) one of the most prominent singers during the rise of the Rhythm and Blues era. She was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993 and was the recipient of four Grammy Awards. When she sang you understood the lyrics, something I cannot say for some contemporary vocalists. Once heard that the mark of a good singer was excellent diction. What happened to that criteria? Her rendition of “At Last “is a classic that will be a favorite of any generation.
One of the major news items of the past week was the passing of Penn State legendary football coach, Joe Paterno (85), endearingly called JoePa by all who followed his career. Most of you who are familiar with Re-Cappy are aware of my respect for the man.
The cause of his passing was listed as lung cancer diagnosed as recently as last October. Many, including me, feel he died of a “broken heart”
His passing was the subject of many articles in various publications and on-line. Although I respected the offerings of the authors which were of the highest order commemorating Mr. Paterno’s committed and generous life, there was one thread in most of them that annoyed me. In attempting to make it all complete, in essence they wrote, and I quote; “He was a great man, BUT….” “He was a good man, BUT…..” Why did they ruin their excellent complimentary remarks about him with a suggestion of wrongdoing with the jury still out?
We do not know all the facts and probably never will. Even the man that reported the incident to Joe has revised his recollection of what occurred. Place your self in Mr. Paterno’s shoes. He had worked in the same capacity for 46 years. Can you imagine what was reported to him all those years and how he handled each situation? He was not in a vacuum all that while, then something dire was relayed to him. He did what he normally would do, regardless of the subject; he reported it to his superiors. This all worked in the past and he had faith that his superiors would take care of the matter as they had for 46 years!
It is important to keep in mind some of the information given to Joe in certain circumstances would be merely judgmental or plain hearsay, as was the report concerning Jerry Sandusky. There really was no hard evidence of any kind offered to him, and the accuracy of that is now in question. Mr. Paterno followed procedure, something he may have done many times over the years. He reported it to the next level. It would then be up to those with investigative responsibilities to proceed with any action. That is where the system failed the university, and essentially Joe Paterno.
Thank goodness Phil Knight, co-founder, Chairman of Nike, and close friend of JoePa set it straight in his eulogy at the memorial services. His heartfelt eulogy, one of personal respect and love for Mr. Paterno ended with an indirect assertion and one with which I concur, that the Penn State Board of Trustees acted hastily in JoePa’s discharge. Mr. Knight’s quote; “what ever the details of the investigation are, this much is clear to me: there is a villain in this tragedy that lies in that investigation, not in Joe Paterno’s response to it”. Phil Knight received a very impressive standing ovation from the more than twelve thousand in attendance at the memorial. A very impressive showing of love for a great human being with NO BUTS about it!
Of course as you may have surmised I am somewhat biased in this whole terrible event. I do respect Joe for his lifetime body of work. We have ample evidence of that. Perhaps it is the preponderance of that work that leaves me with a sense of unfairness about it all. With out hearings or the revelation of more facts we are unfortunately left with a judgement situation. The old saying "life isn't fair" seems to fit, doesn't it?
I leave you with this quote: “It is not the number of friends you acquire through life; it is the quality of experiences you enjoy with your friends”. Soon
Re-Cappy was a very delightful weekly experiment. Regretfully it had to end as a weekly offering. This will be a version of RC and from time to time it will appear on this site.
Because news items vanish as quickly as they pop up some of the content may seem stale or possibly of no interest. We are victims of instant information that may or may not be news items. After all it is entertainment and media outlets are only interested in ratings not enlightenment.
Stuff: Let’s play some football. One week away from Super Bowl XVLI and the books in Vegas are playing their ‘money game”. New England favored over the NY Giants anywhere from two and one half to three and one half points This is called the “line” All this means is, if you like the Giants you get those points added to your final score. The books do not care who wins they just care how much money is wagered because they get what is called the juice and for most books it is ten percent of each wager. Oh, I have forgotten! Hope you enjoy the game:-)
My team, yes they still are my team; the Pittsburgh Steelers are going through some major changes. Bruce Arians the offensive coordinator that helped lead them to two Super Bowls was let go. Big Ben is a little peeved about it. Art Rooney II, the owner is getting quite a bit more involved than the Rooney family has in the past. Do not know where all this will lead.
Baseball season almost here. Just seems like yesterday that the St. Louis Cardinals won the World Series. Do not know how the loss of Albert Pujols to the Angels will affect them. Being a Card fan of course am optimistic of a repeat.
Odds and Ends: One of my favorite subjects; Starbucks will introduce alcohol (beer and wine) in selected locations in So. California. Beer Latte anyone? Terrible item; leprosy linked to Armadillos. All of a sudden, “going to the dogs” seems very attractive. and please don’t buy your jewelry at a pet shop. The Costa Concordia tragedy continues.What the heck was that Captain and his crew thinking (or....it rhymes)? To date all but thirty three of 3229 passengers and 1023 crew members have been accounted for.The problem now is how to salvage the 500,000 gallons of fuel.In order to fend off lawsuits the firm is offering each passenger $ 14,460 each! What?
Stuff plus: Blue Note. Actor Robert Hegyes (60) who played Juan Epstein, one of the “sweathogs” on that very entertaining sitcom of the 70’s. That is the show that introduced John Travolta to the adoring young ladies of the day. Etta James (73) one of the most prominent singers during the rise of the Rhythm and Blues era. She was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993 and was the recipient of four Grammy Awards. When she sang you understood the lyrics, something I cannot say for some contemporary vocalists. Once heard that the mark of a good singer was excellent diction. What happened to that criteria? Her rendition of “At Last “is a classic that will be a favorite of any generation.
One of the major news items of the past week was the passing of Penn State legendary football coach, Joe Paterno (85), endearingly called JoePa by all who followed his career. Most of you who are familiar with Re-Cappy are aware of my respect for the man.
The cause of his passing was listed as lung cancer diagnosed as recently as last October. Many, including me, feel he died of a “broken heart”
His passing was the subject of many articles in various publications and on-line. Although I respected the offerings of the authors which were of the highest order commemorating Mr. Paterno’s committed and generous life, there was one thread in most of them that annoyed me. In attempting to make it all complete, in essence they wrote, and I quote; “He was a great man, BUT….” “He was a good man, BUT…..” Why did they ruin their excellent complimentary remarks about him with a suggestion of wrongdoing with the jury still out?
We do not know all the facts and probably never will. Even the man that reported the incident to Joe has revised his recollection of what occurred. Place your self in Mr. Paterno’s shoes. He had worked in the same capacity for 46 years. Can you imagine what was reported to him all those years and how he handled each situation? He was not in a vacuum all that while, then something dire was relayed to him. He did what he normally would do, regardless of the subject; he reported it to his superiors. This all worked in the past and he had faith that his superiors would take care of the matter as they had for 46 years!
It is important to keep in mind some of the information given to Joe in certain circumstances would be merely judgmental or plain hearsay, as was the report concerning Jerry Sandusky. There really was no hard evidence of any kind offered to him, and the accuracy of that is now in question. Mr. Paterno followed procedure, something he may have done many times over the years. He reported it to the next level. It would then be up to those with investigative responsibilities to proceed with any action. That is where the system failed the university, and essentially Joe Paterno.
Thank goodness Phil Knight, co-founder, Chairman of Nike, and close friend of JoePa set it straight in his eulogy at the memorial services. His heartfelt eulogy, one of personal respect and love for Mr. Paterno ended with an indirect assertion and one with which I concur, that the Penn State Board of Trustees acted hastily in JoePa’s discharge. Mr. Knight’s quote; “what ever the details of the investigation are, this much is clear to me: there is a villain in this tragedy that lies in that investigation, not in Joe Paterno’s response to it”. Phil Knight received a very impressive standing ovation from the more than twelve thousand in attendance at the memorial. A very impressive showing of love for a great human being with NO BUTS about it!
Of course as you may have surmised I am somewhat biased in this whole terrible event. I do respect Joe for his lifetime body of work. We have ample evidence of that. Perhaps it is the preponderance of that work that leaves me with a sense of unfairness about it all. With out hearings or the revelation of more facts we are unfortunately left with a judgement situation. The old saying "life isn't fair" seems to fit, doesn't it?
I leave you with this quote: “It is not the number of friends you acquire through life; it is the quality of experiences you enjoy with your friends”. Soon
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
HUMMING A TUNE
I woke up this morning singing the song; “Laura”. You know, “the face in the misty light”. I wasn’t singing it out loud but sort of humming it. Why Laura? I do not know. Love the tune though.
This brought to mind, as you will notice in my scribblings there will be consistent reminders of the phrase; “brought to mind”. Anyway, many years ago someone told me that he never had a song on his mind. He knew no lyrics let alone a melody! How sad. I found this strange, but perhaps I am strange!
I’m a lover of the Great American Song Book. These were tunes penned in the early to mid twentieth century. Most were written for Broadway musicals, and movies. Certainly you are familiar with many of the composers and the songs they wrote.
Among my favorites are Jimmy Van Heusen’s work in collaboration with lyricists Johnny Burke and Sammy Cahn. Together they produced great songs such as; All the Way, Swinging on a Star and Come Fly with Me. Cole Porter definitely is my all time favorite. Why not, he is responsible for; Anything Goes, Just One of Those Things, I’ve Got You Under My Skin, Night and Day. I could go on and on. He penned almost one thousand songs. What a prolific talent!
These songs in the pop and jazz worlds normally referred to as “standards” made up the musical repertoire of the big bands of the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s. They were recorded by the leading singers of the day, such as; Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, etc.
The beboppers (jazz musicians of a wonderful different kind) of that era quickly recognized the intrinsic musical possibilities of the chord changes of these compositions. They would improvise on the chords, and produce a dramatic, profound individual melody unlike the original sound. For example; Charlie Parker's “Ornithology” is based on How High the Moon chords, and Dizzy Gillespie’s Groovin High on “Whispering”
The freedom to explore and improvise was seized upon by all jazz musicians of the day. Many of these tunes became known as jazz standards, Played over and over by jazz influenced artists were tunes such as: Body and Soul, Round Midnight, After You’ve Gone, and Indiana.
Being the romantic led me to the fascination of love lyrics. Are there any other kind? Of course contemporary composers do appeal to the appropriate generation but I am attached to those that wrote the "Great American Songbook. Not only the lyrics but the accompanying musical scores. How can any tender heart not be aroused by Jerome Kern's; "All the Things You Are"? Just a few notes from Charlie Parker's improvisation of Kern's "Things" called; "Bird Of Paradise" should delight many music lovers from any generation.
Many people over the years have told me they like all kind of music.I guess they were informing me that their appreciation of music was more involved and broad in scope in contrast with my concentration on a specific genre. That's fine and understandable. Each decade has produced an identifiable popular musical style. My ears are in tune with those sounds experienced during my most impressionable years, those of my youth. I am certain that is the case with most followers of popular music.
There exists ample evidence; The Great American Songbook has endured the test of time!
By the way, I am not a musician, nor a music critic, just an aficionado. My appreciation and respect for those talents that create wonderful music regardless of genre is boundless!
This started with having a song on my mind. I could never imagine going through life void of the company of a song, as my friend of long ago sadly confessed he was. Here is hoping you are always; “humming a tune”. I know I am, like right now: "All or nothing at all, half a love never appealed to me." Soon!
I woke up this morning singing the song; “Laura”. You know, “the face in the misty light”. I wasn’t singing it out loud but sort of humming it. Why Laura? I do not know. Love the tune though.
This brought to mind, as you will notice in my scribblings there will be consistent reminders of the phrase; “brought to mind”. Anyway, many years ago someone told me that he never had a song on his mind. He knew no lyrics let alone a melody! How sad. I found this strange, but perhaps I am strange!
I’m a lover of the Great American Song Book. These were tunes penned in the early to mid twentieth century. Most were written for Broadway musicals, and movies. Certainly you are familiar with many of the composers and the songs they wrote.
Among my favorites are Jimmy Van Heusen’s work in collaboration with lyricists Johnny Burke and Sammy Cahn. Together they produced great songs such as; All the Way, Swinging on a Star and Come Fly with Me. Cole Porter definitely is my all time favorite. Why not, he is responsible for; Anything Goes, Just One of Those Things, I’ve Got You Under My Skin, Night and Day. I could go on and on. He penned almost one thousand songs. What a prolific talent!
These songs in the pop and jazz worlds normally referred to as “standards” made up the musical repertoire of the big bands of the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s. They were recorded by the leading singers of the day, such as; Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, etc.
The beboppers (jazz musicians of a wonderful different kind) of that era quickly recognized the intrinsic musical possibilities of the chord changes of these compositions. They would improvise on the chords, and produce a dramatic, profound individual melody unlike the original sound. For example; Charlie Parker's “Ornithology” is based on How High the Moon chords, and Dizzy Gillespie’s Groovin High on “Whispering”
The freedom to explore and improvise was seized upon by all jazz musicians of the day. Many of these tunes became known as jazz standards, Played over and over by jazz influenced artists were tunes such as: Body and Soul, Round Midnight, After You’ve Gone, and Indiana.
Being the romantic led me to the fascination of love lyrics. Are there any other kind? Of course contemporary composers do appeal to the appropriate generation but I am attached to those that wrote the "Great American Songbook. Not only the lyrics but the accompanying musical scores. How can any tender heart not be aroused by Jerome Kern's; "All the Things You Are"? Just a few notes from Charlie Parker's improvisation of Kern's "Things" called; "Bird Of Paradise" should delight many music lovers from any generation.
Many people over the years have told me they like all kind of music.I guess they were informing me that their appreciation of music was more involved and broad in scope in contrast with my concentration on a specific genre. That's fine and understandable. Each decade has produced an identifiable popular musical style. My ears are in tune with those sounds experienced during my most impressionable years, those of my youth. I am certain that is the case with most followers of popular music.
There exists ample evidence; The Great American Songbook has endured the test of time!
By the way, I am not a musician, nor a music critic, just an aficionado. My appreciation and respect for those talents that create wonderful music regardless of genre is boundless!
This started with having a song on my mind. I could never imagine going through life void of the company of a song, as my friend of long ago sadly confessed he was. Here is hoping you are always; “humming a tune”. I know I am, like right now: "All or nothing at all, half a love never appealed to me." Soon!
Thursday, January 19, 2012
An Interesting Look Back
The media announcement regarding the increasing growth rate of poverty in America, currently estimated at 45 to 49 million, prompted me to recall an article I scribbled during the disastrous "Hurricane Katrina" event in 2005. The article has been gathering dust in my files for the past six plus years.
I invite you to peruse the following piece titled "Some Thoughts On Katrina and New Orleans", which I wrote during those terrible days. Reading it once again with the knowledge of an increase in poverty of ten million in the last nine years confirmed my deepest concerns. I'm curious as to your thoughts on what was so obvious then and the subsequent perpetuation of; increased poverty, wage stagnation, and the shrinking middle class.
Your comments are appreciated.
September 3, 2005
I invite you to peruse the following piece titled "Some Thoughts On Katrina and New Orleans", which I wrote during those terrible days. Reading it once again with the knowledge of an increase in poverty of ten million in the last nine years confirmed my deepest concerns. I'm curious as to your thoughts on what was so obvious then and the subsequent perpetuation of; increased poverty, wage stagnation, and the shrinking middle class.
Your comments are appreciated.
SOME THOUGHTS ON KATRINA AND NEW ORLEANS
PROLOGUE:
Was the outpouring of support and emotional response for the unfortunate victims of Katrina one of guilt or genuine compassion?
The ugly face of poverty long glossed over by the controlling political, business, and media factions of America has been revealed in a startling manner! “God works in mysterious ways was spectacularly evident the hours and days after the storm. Katrina, most will say was an “act of God”. Accepting this as fact then in reality what manifested following “The Act” indeed displayed His purpose.
RECONSTRUCTION AND EXPLOITATION
Yes, the sounds of Preservation Hall will be heard again, the street musicians and mimes will work the tourists, the trolley will clank its’ way along St. Charles Street, crawfish and Cajun delicacies will be devoured, and Mardi Gras may persist but will all of it be the same? Most likely not!
Engineering designers, architects, ambitious developers, and engaging entrepreneurs will rebuild the city and attempt to sell it as once again being a genuine part of American lore. Of course all the physical parts will be in place. Talented and ingenious workers will put in the replacement parts and restore the cherished landmarks. The “new” New Orleans will be designed and sold to give instant gratification but chances that it will provide lasting impressions are minimal!
How can you rebuild or re- capture the art and character of a city that took a significant period of time to evolve and grow from within? The “old” New Orleans was the result of a unique evolutionary process; a meld of Caribbean, French, Spanish, Anglo and African -American ethnicity. The process was allowed to flow freely and perpetuated by a fascination for life with very little restraint. Its’ woes and travails resulting from wars, corruption and exploitation were fully absorbed into the fabric of society to form a strength and vitality that sustained it for generations and respected throughout the world as a world class city with a flavorful taste of “la dolce vita”.
It would be an insult to the heritage of New Orleans to sell it as a commodity. The Crescent City was all about its’ people. The heart, soul and spirit of its’ inhabitants made New Orleans what it is. It should be revered and looked upon as a shining example of how diverse groups can contribute to a better society when free to do so. No Disneyland make-over can replace what evolved naturally for over two hundred fifty years. Re-build the city but please bar the hucksters and the carpetbaggers.
New Orleans earned its’ place among the world’s most venerable cities not only because it possesses unique cultural characteristics but essentially it maintained an identifiable attitude. However, the last part of the twentieth century was witness to an erosion of the “Big Easy” aura. The city, as the song about another renowned city goes,”was beginning to lose its’ charm” To use a parallel, just as Jazz in its’ evolutionary process had given way to the shallow and commercial forms of American music maybe New Orleans, long a vibrant city was following a similar path to a superficial form of what it once was, Perhaps this in itself was symptomatic of the fragility of its’ infrastructure, economic vulnerabilities and class disintegration.
Nevertheless, Katrina did expose for the world to see; the underbelly of our country on a grand scale, the existence of extreme poverty. The question posed to all, “could this probably be a microcosm of America”? You can be sure that these conditions came as a complete surprise to most Americans and shocked them beyond comprehension. They should not have been!
EPILOGUE
The American people must recognize that the problems we face, in addition to those caused by nature and foreign adversaries come from within. Greed, twisted ideologies, power struggles, arrogance and negligence are thriving in our little world and they affect each and every one of us.
Make no mistake the poverty exposed in Louisiana is not an aberration. These conditions exist in all of our cities large or small regardless of ethnicity.
Our country has remained steadfast for generations because we always had a large and confident middle class. The middle class shoulders the burden of securing the nation. It sustains the economy, ensures the order of society, protects the lower class, supports and empowers the government. This vital position in the hierarchy of societal structure, if maintained, prevents the emergence of a ruling and controlling class that has no constraints.
Amongst all of our checks and balances, the existence of a strong and viable middle class is imperative. To a free and independent people the middle class is of the utmost importance for national survival.
Alas, what has come to pass in recent years is the unfortunate deterioration of this all important segment of our economic existence. This condition is one of the main reasons for the rapidly increasing poverty levels. The process of a vanishing middle class is not a result of a certain set of occurrences that happened naturally. In fact it would be unnatural in a republic such as ours to not have a viable middle class. Perhaps it is one of design?
The gap is ever wider between the haves and have-not and threatens the quality of life for most Americans. The unfortunate victims of Katrina have been living with this fact for a long time and maybe, just maybe, their looks of anguish and voices of despair will awaken us all.
Note: There is no standard definition of “middle class”. According to the U.S. Census Bureau households of annual income between $25,000 and $75,000 occupy the middle half of income/population distribution levels. The year 2004 poverty level was 37million, up from 35.9 million in 2003. 2003 and 2004 experienced a combination of stagnant income and the fact that, while some middle class households moved to upper income groups, a much larger proportion moved down.
September 3, 2005
Monday, December 12, 2011
A Bit of Re-Cappy
Stuff: The big story of course in baseball was Albert Pujols changing uniforms from Cardinal to Angel. It hurt to hear him say he was glad to be an Angel but then what do you expect him to say to the tune of 25 million a year? Unfortunately, disappointment within the fan base and confusion with offers has led to some very negative reactions. One good thing; a generous portion of the money will go to his foundation and other charities he supports for challenged kids.
The Steelers beat their friendly rival Cleveland in one of the ugliest games seen in some time. Big Ben is a monster coming back after a high ankle sprain sent him to the locker room. That guy will play off a stretcher if need be. Fired coaches in the NFL: Todd Haley , Kansas City and Tony Sparano, Miami. Do not know how Haley's departure will affect Tyler Palko's future. Haley was a staunch supporter.
A Tebow commentary: He is one heck of an athlete. One thing for certain; it is well known by NFL running backs that accumulated punishment to the body shortens a career profoundly. Tim Tebow takes more hits than a quarterback with a poor offensive line. He definitely is enjoying success and deservedly so, but to quote Brian Urlacher of the Bears; "It's fairly simple once you know what the formation is and what runs they can do out of that formation". In short, opposing teams will devise game plans to limit his running capability. Tebow would have been more of a sensation in the 30's and 40's running the old single and double wing formations.
The NBA is a mess. Enough said!
Penn State having hearings this week which will be twittered, emailed and texted (is that correct?). As mentioned on a Re-Cappy it will be a long sad process. Contradictory and false statements add to the tragedy. A thought: after the Penn State story broke there was a series of similar reports concerning child sexual abuse involving men that work with children and young adults. How does this affect the careers of well intended others that choose this honorable line of work?
Brief stuff: Bad do it yourself story. A woman was spotted in a Walmart mixing chemicals to manufacture meth. She was at it for six hours before apprehended. Jodi Foster's estranged father(what does that mean?) eighty nine years old convicted of twenty one misdemeanor counts of grand theft. Quite a bit for an old dude. It may be in the wrong direction, but the man is still thinking! BTW, Jodi, one of my all time favorites. Texting while driving, an activity I abhor, has increased fifty percent in the last year. Fifty percent percent of what :-)
Make Note; This is 12-12 11. Brings to mind that next year 12-12-12 will be the last of these date oddities for another eleven years. Since 01-01-01 we have seen this every 13 months. The next one will be 2-2-22 and then only to come about every eleven years; 3-3-33, etc. It all reminds me of when I first became aware of this occurrence. It was 5-5-55. I was around for 4-4-44 but having too much fun dancing to notice. We will not go back further:-)Soon!
The Steelers beat their friendly rival Cleveland in one of the ugliest games seen in some time. Big Ben is a monster coming back after a high ankle sprain sent him to the locker room. That guy will play off a stretcher if need be. Fired coaches in the NFL: Todd Haley , Kansas City and Tony Sparano, Miami. Do not know how Haley's departure will affect Tyler Palko's future. Haley was a staunch supporter.
A Tebow commentary: He is one heck of an athlete. One thing for certain; it is well known by NFL running backs that accumulated punishment to the body shortens a career profoundly. Tim Tebow takes more hits than a quarterback with a poor offensive line. He definitely is enjoying success and deservedly so, but to quote Brian Urlacher of the Bears; "It's fairly simple once you know what the formation is and what runs they can do out of that formation". In short, opposing teams will devise game plans to limit his running capability. Tebow would have been more of a sensation in the 30's and 40's running the old single and double wing formations.
The NBA is a mess. Enough said!
Penn State having hearings this week which will be twittered, emailed and texted (is that correct?). As mentioned on a Re-Cappy it will be a long sad process. Contradictory and false statements add to the tragedy. A thought: after the Penn State story broke there was a series of similar reports concerning child sexual abuse involving men that work with children and young adults. How does this affect the careers of well intended others that choose this honorable line of work?
Brief stuff: Bad do it yourself story. A woman was spotted in a Walmart mixing chemicals to manufacture meth. She was at it for six hours before apprehended. Jodi Foster's estranged father(what does that mean?) eighty nine years old convicted of twenty one misdemeanor counts of grand theft. Quite a bit for an old dude. It may be in the wrong direction, but the man is still thinking! BTW, Jodi, one of my all time favorites. Texting while driving, an activity I abhor, has increased fifty percent in the last year. Fifty percent percent of what :-)
Make Note; This is 12-12 11. Brings to mind that next year 12-12-12 will be the last of these date oddities for another eleven years. Since 01-01-01 we have seen this every 13 months. The next one will be 2-2-22 and then only to come about every eleven years; 3-3-33, etc. It all reminds me of when I first became aware of this occurrence. It was 5-5-55. I was around for 4-4-44 but having too much fun dancing to notice. We will not go back further:-)Soon!
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