Should You Be Skeptical?

Yes, you should be skeptical:

That the sanctions against Russia will do any good.

That US/Afghan relations will improve once Karzai is gone.

That the Supreme Court will rule it’s OK for Obamacare to require contraceptive coverage.

That the NCAA will allow players to unionize anytime soon.

When the Democrats say they won’t lose their Senate majority in the 2014 midterms.

About Kerry succeeding in his Israel/Palestine initiative.

That Egypt will be more democratic under Sissi than it was under Mubarak.

That actions by the business community to stop a global climate change catastrophe will succeed.

That actions by political leaders to stop a global climate change catastrophe will succeed.

That actions by environmental activists to stop a global climate change catastrophe will succeed.

That the Catholic Church will make any fundamental changes under Pope Francis.

When you hear that Chris Christie didn’t know his people had blocked the bridge.

Have a nice day!

Spring Training BS!

The season starts in about ten days.  The baseball universe is getting ready for another round – and in the spring hope springs eternal.  By now we should know what to expect from players and managers as they collude to keep the truth from us.  But we listen just the same:

About the starting pitcher who gave up 5 runs, 7 hits, 3 walks and 2 home runs in two innings:  Don’t worry.  He’s working on his control and his velocity wasn’t bad.

About the infielder who has only played two innings so far this spring and has back pain:  Don’t worry.  He’s 50-50 to be ready Opening Day. 

About the outfielder who hasn’t played in two weeks because of a leg problem:  Don’t worry.  I’d be in there every day if these games really counted.

About the relief pitcher who left after facing one batter:  Don’t worry.  I’m just being careful to build up my arm strength gradually.

About the catcher who sat out the last two games because of a ‘minor’ tweak in his arm:  Don’t worry.  I’ll be fine tomorrow.

About the closer who hasn’t yet struck out a batter:  Don’t worry.  He’s trying some new pitches so he doesn’t rely solely on his slider.

Right, boys.  Nothing to worry about.  Thanks for filling us in.

Any Common Threads?

Tell me if you notice any commonalities in these stories:

James Burton, pastor of the Greater Faith Baptist Church in Ft. Wayne, is convicted of child molesting.

Scott Gilliam, former pastor at Perry’s Branch Holiness Tabernacle in Kentucky, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute oxycodone.

Rene Labelle, pastor and chaplain at Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School in Ontario, is guilty of sexual assault and other sex crimes.

Joshua Earls, youth pastor at Arapaho Road Baptist Church in Garland, Texas, gets 12 years for receiving child pornography.

Gary Gauthier, host of “It’s God’s Money” on Christian radio, is charged with racketeering and fraud.

Charles Pittman, youth minister at Providence Baptist Church in Tennessee, is accused of shooting his fiancée to death.

Edward Arsenault, a Catholic monsignor, pleads guilty to theft.

Timothy Jones, pastor at New Bethel Baptist Church in Framingham, MA, is charged with assault and battery, kidnapping, larceny and more.

Otis Jetter gets 40 years for child molesting.  He was pastor at Pilgrim Chapel Church in Indianapolis.

Have a nice day!

Looking For Mr. Goodnews!

The Senate claims the CIA is spying on them – not too good.

Obama’s approval rating hits a new low – not too good for the Dems.

Still can’t find the missing Malaysian airliner – definitely not good.

Sanctions against Russia because of Crimea are on the way – may be too little too late.

Ex-leader of Ukraine says upcoming election is illegal – the guy is braying in the wind.

Enrollment in new health plans is below target – not good.

Republican won election in Florida – not good for the Dems.

Swedish journalist is killed in Afghanistan – not good.

Libya’s prime minister is booted out – good? 

Trial of general accused of sex-assault halted so they can work out a plea – good for him, bad for

            the criminal justice system.

Demonstrations in Turkey – not good.

Overall assessment:  Maybe tomorrow will be better.  Maybe not.

Remembering!

Mostly irrelevant pieces of information that I remember:

The earth, if in a black hole, would be 0.7 of an inch wide and would weigh what it does now.

Brandon deWilde, who died in 1972, played the little boy in “Shane.”

Bob Chesnes was the only player on the 1946 Salt Lake City baseball team who made it to the big leagues.  Played for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Before Burkina Faso became Burkina Faso it was Upper Volta.

When Lord Shiva, expressing his sorrow at the death of Sati Devi, carried her decomposing corpse throughout India, body parts fell off and where they landed became shrines.  Kalighat Temple in Kolkata is one such place.  It is said her right toes landed here.

To change centigrade to Fahrenheit multiply 1/5 of the centigrade number times 9 and add 32.  So 10° centigrade = 50° Fahrenheit.

John Coltrane died on July 17, 1967.

Bill Miller was Barry Goldwater’s running mate in 1964.

Great years for Port that I have cellared are 1945, 1948, 1955, 1963, 1970, 1977 and 1985.

That’s enough for now.  Have a great day!