The Garlic: 06/08/2008

Saturday, June 14, 2008

This Date ... On The Garlic

14 June 2007... On The Garlic

Libby, Libby, Libby ... It's A Scooterpalooza!

14 June 2006... On The Garlic

Developing Story! Bush Use Of Electronic Signal May Have Been Employed To Lull Opponents; White House Being Investigated For Using Mosquito-like Device On Congress, Media; Frequency Employed Allowed Bush Team To Sell War, Avoid Laws and Stymie Prosecutor

Top Ten Cloves: Why Members Of The Congress Voted Themselves A Raise Yesterday

14 June 2005... On The Garlic

Jackson Cleared; Ponders Future; Considers Children's Album and Moving Neverland To Vegas

Schwarzenegger Calls for Special Elections; New Republican Strategy as Cue Taken From Frist To End-Run Rules

"More Losses" Light Flashing For Krispy Kreme

Top Ten Cloves: Other British Memo Comments on Bush Administration Strategies

Friday, June 13, 2008

My, My, My ...

Timmy Russert has shuffled off to that big, beloved, bilious Buffalo in the sky.

I will, in all likelihood, do a Garlic Obit on this later, tomorrow, or at some point, however, we have to get this down now.

I had been working when the first NYT News Alert dropped in (Fri 6/13/2008 3:29 PM), with the startling news - "Tim Russert Is Dead of a Heart Attack, His Family Says".

WOW!

Talk about it being Friday the 13th!

Since I had the television on, and tuned to MSNBC, I whipped around and they had some flood story on, then David Shuster came back and they went off into a political story (or vice versa) ...

Strange, I thought, that they weren't breaking with the news.

It must have been another 3+ minutes before the blaring graphics and fanfare of "Breaking News" filled the screen, and, while expecting Shuster to level with the news, low-and-behold, it was none other than retired anchorman, Tom Brokaw.

And I immediately began laughing, hysterically.

No, not at the news of Timmy passing away, but rather of the old Saturday Night Live skit, with Dana Carvey impersonating Brokaw, taping, one-after-another, breaking news notices on the death of President Gerald Ford (he hadn't passed away yet).

Unbelievably sublime ... And, hysterical

And here it is;

Links

It's wall-to-wall tributes on the television, as well as out on the World Wide Web.

Will Bunch/Attytood: Tim Russert, 1950-2008

Wonkette: A Video Tribute To Tim Russert, Dead Today At 58

Greg Sargent/TPM - Report: Tim Russert Has Passed Away

Chris Cillizza: On Tim Russert

Andrew Sullivan: Big Russ's Son II

Mediabistro - Death of Tim Russert: CNN and FNC Report

Howard Kurtz and William Branigin: NBC's Tim Russert Dies at 58; Host of 'Meet the Press' Stricken While at Office

Skippy the bush kangaroo: tim russert dead, news lives on

This Date ... On The Garlic

13 June 2007... On The Garlic

Chinese Surname Problem Equals Golden Career Op For Bush - Name Czar

13 June 2006... On The Garlic

Breaking News! Cheney Pushed President Out Of Washington To Avoid Subpoena; President’s Surprise Iraq Visit Not Diplomacy; White House Wanted Distance From Rove; Staff Gets Info Wrong, Thought Bush’s Brain Indicted; Wanted President Out Of Capital, Away From Subpoenas

Top Ten Cloves: Things Overheard At Bush's Camp David War Summit

13 June 2005... On The Garlic

Bush To Merge Two Agenda Items To Get Approval; Private Patriot Acts For Those Who Open Private SS Savings Accounts

Tyson Says Media Twisted His Words

Some G8 Members Concerned About Cancelled Debt

Top Ten Cloves: Surprising Things Dick Cheney Will Say In His Hannity Interview Tonight

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Paging Linda Blair ...

"Your mother sucks cocks in hell ..."

No, Stumblin' Bumblin' John McCain isn't denigrating and chewing out his wife again.

But it may be words the Governor of Louisiana has heard.

Eric Kleefeld and Kate Klonick, over on TPM Election Central, have a rip-roaring tale today;

Is Bobby Jindal -- Who May Be On McCain's Veep Shortlist -- An Exorcist?

But one of Jindal's job titles hasn't gotten much attention -- and it just might prompt a few questions if his Veep candidacy gains steam: Exorcist.

As others noted during his 2003 and 2007 gubernatorial campaigns (see update), in an essay Jindal wrote in 1994 for the New Oxford Review, a serious right-wing Catholic journal, Jindal narrated a bizarre story of a personal encounter with a demon, in which he participated in an exorcism with a group of college friends. And not only did they cast out the supernatural spirit that had possessed his friend, Jindal wrote that he believes that their ritual may well have cured her cancer.

WOW!

Hmmm .. That has to lead to more questions, like has Jindal ever been hired to find Johnny Favorite, or, has he met Mr. Louis Cyphre?

With Jindal being touted as climbing that greasy Republican ladder, perhaps the McCain Camp has other designs, like having Jindal exorcise all the Stumblin' and Bumblin' out of McCain.

Or, maybe this is to ease Linda Blair into the campaign, since Barack Obama has already sewn up Scarlett Johansson.

We shall see ...

Go over to and read Is Bobby Jindal -- Who May Be On McCain's Veep Shortlist -- An Exorcist? ...

It's a gas!

Bonus Links

Jesus General: Your Mother Sews Socks That Smell

Jay Newton-Small: Jindal's Exorcism

Perrin On McCain, Clinton and Pornographic Ringtones

He's A Senator - And A Dessert Topping!

On This Date ... On The Garlic

12 June, 2006... On The Garlic

Breaking News! - Bush Didn’t Want “Another Mission Accomplished” On His Hands; Bush Talked Out Of Having Zarqawi Photo Lay In Capital Rotunda; Sources Say West Wing “Run Ragged” With President’s Efforts To Tone Down Terror Rhetoric

Top Ten Cloves: How Staff Is Dealing With Robert Byrd Now Being Longest-Serving Senator

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Hmmm ... I Wonder If Cindy Kisses His Balls ...

Stumblin' Bumblin' John McCain is now stumblin' and bumblin' in the world of Golf merchandise.

On his campaign website, there's the John McCain Store, and among the bevy of Stumblin' and Bumblin' items for sale, is a Golf Package (They call it "Father's Day McCain Golf Pack", available for the low, low price of $50).

And with this retail foray, the Stumblin' and Bumblin' staff got a refresher in the "Be careful, you might get what you ask for ..." department.

From John Cole, over on Balloon Juice

High Comedy at the McCain Golf Store

I think the Stumblin' Bumblin' John McCain website crew has taken it down, and I don't want to spoil it for ya ...

It's hysterical .. Jump on over there to check it out...

And, Cindy, the kitchen whiz wife...

As we ask in the title, does "Cindy kiss his balls?"

Go Here, to check the legend of that ...

Bonus Links

Brilliant at Breakfast: Now that's comedy

No Intel Inside

The Bob Dole For The New Millennium

Retro Garlic: I Phone, You Phone, We All Phone For The G3 Phone ...

Well ... Someone had to be first, ponying up that extra $400 bucks last year ...

3G iPhone will be available next month for $199

Apple CEO Steve Jobs on Monday celebrated the iPhone's one-year birthday a few weeks early by unveiling a cheaper and faster version of the device that is part phone and part mini-computer.

The widely anticipated announcement of a 3G iPhone - dubbed 3G for AT&T's "third generation" network - at Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco was greeted with the kind of enthusiasm found at rock concerts. The new iPhone will be available July 11 in the United States and 21 other countries for as low as $199, down from $399. When the original model was released June 29 last year, it cost $599.

You can watch the video of it Here ...

Or, find out The Really Big Thing About The New iPhone, Here ...

While this new iPhone was rumored (and, like Hillary, inevitable) back last November, but, of course, it was shrouded in that infamous Steve Jobs secrecy.

Like only a handful of others, The Garlic has broken many a scoop when it comes to Apple.

So, to enlighten all those new G3 owners, we'll take a stroll down Retro Garlic Lane, to check out a few ...

Apple Takes Blog Ruling As New Club On Criticism and Dissent

Apple Announcement Today May Unveil Miers iPod

New iPod Phone Requires Downloading Calls

iSqueal Busy Over Stock Slide and iPod Rumor

Apple Settles With Cisco!; Rolling Dice With New iBeckham Phone; Jobs Promises Aging Soccer Star Can Store "Billions of Photos" of Himself; New "Posh" Command Added

Top Ten Cloves: Other Features Of New iPhone Not Mentioned At MacWorld

This Date ... On The Garlic

11 June 2007... On The Garlic

It's About The Legacy, Stupid! ... The Results - The Garlic Weekly Poll

Top Ten Cloves: Ways CIA Will Cut Back On Using Contractors

11 June 2006... On The Garlic

Weekend Special - Sautéed Cloves 11 June 2006

Results from The Garlic's Weekly Poll June 4 - June 11 2006: “The Marine’s cover-up of the massacre in Haditha is because of ...

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Change You Can't Really Believe In

Don't know much about history
Don't know much biology
Don't know much about a science book
Don't know much about the French I took ...

Don't know much about geography
Don't know much trigonometry
Don't know much about algebra
Don't know what a slide rule is for ...

Sam Cooke's "Wonderful World (Don't Know Much)

We have already noted that Stumblin' Bumblin John McCain is The Gift That Refuses To Stop Itself From Giving, and early on in this campaign, he continues to come through in flying colors.

Spectacular flying colors.

The speech last week, the one that would have stumped and mystified Leonard Pinth Garnell, leaving the tart-tongued reviewer "deliciously absent of proper condemnation", but one example (and inside it, this little nugget).

And, of course, first, Scott McClellan's book, and now the Senate Intelligence Report, is blowing holes you could drive the Straight Talk Express bus through on SB John's Iraq position.

So, what's this week latest installment?

Only This ...

McCain thinks Putin is the President of Germany

Say What?

Did it slip under-the-radar, that the McCain Camp has hired Miss Teen South Carolina for their Foreign Policy team?

Or, did The Commander Guy throw some help to him, teaching him on how to use The Google?

Or, Mark Penn, to draw up their maps?

Frankly, Barack Obama can likely set his schedule to only go out campaigning part-time, as long as Stumblin' Bumblin' John McCain continues to make public appearances and speeches.

But for you Die Hard Stumblers and Bumblers, you can look forward, if he does manage to Stumble and Bumble his way into the Oval Office, to this;

McCain: 'I will veto every single beer'

Like we've been saying, this is going to be an awful lot of fun ...

This Date ... On The Garlic

10 June 2007... On The Garlic

Of Talking Head Paloozas ... Ahh, Dennis, I'll Take Has-Been Hosts for $500, Please ... And Wait A Minute, Didn't You Read This Before? ...

10 June 2005... On The Garlic

Bush Lobbies For Patriot Act; RSVP's To Terrorists Not In; May Move Sunset Provisions To Clear Skies Act

Aruba Struggles With Investigation But Plans For Future; Talks Started With CBS; Planning CSI Theme Park To Bolster Tourism

Top Ten Cloves: Other Ways Howard Dean Plans On Annoying The Republicans

Monday, June 09, 2008

Editor's Note: Yes, Again ...

Good Evening Garlic Fans

We hope you are all well, especially for you reading from one of the sections of the country stuck in the 90+ degree heat ...

No posts today, specifically due to another homefront situation with the Aunt yesterday.

Once again, had to get her to the hospital, as multiple complaints were building up and, in the "better-safe-than-sorry" mode, took her up.

Surprisingly, she only had a minor ailment (it was not heat-related), and was not admitted, so we got home late last evening.

Today brought extra monitoring of her, primarily due to a new med being introduced (as well as the heat, before we got cooled off with a sea breeze), a detailed consultation with her doctor (a variety of items), meeting with Elder Services, visiting relatives, and rescuing a neighbors' car from the tow trucks (due to street cleaning).

So, with a rather hectic past 24-36-hours, not feeling especially creative this evening (trust me, my "Deleted" file is packed with attempted narratives of a handful of hot news items).

I had intended to do another post, or two yesterday, and will get the one completed up tomorrow.

Stay Cool!
Peace
JTD

P.S.

So, not to leave you empty-handed, groove on this classic (a personal favorite; IMHO, the best rendition of this tune) ...

'Dindi' by Willie Bobo

This Date ... On The Garlic

9 June 2006... On The Garlic

Top Ten Cloves: Things About Tom Delay’s Last Day In Congress

9 June 2005... On The Garlic

Second Shoe Drops: Govt. To Pay Tobacco Companies; Written Apology For Putting Smoking Exec's "Through Hell" Also Part of Settlement

Chicago Braces For Millions and End Of The World; Red Sox-Cubs Match-up First Since 1918; Cataclysmic Clash of Curses Expected

Top Ten Cloves: Other Things That Make Barbara Walters Uncomfortable

Sunday, June 08, 2008

The Thrill of Jim McKay

When hearing of a prominent obituary, The Garlic often goes into satire mode (like here, for instance, or here).

However, hearing the news late yesterday, on the passing of sportscaster Jim McKay, brought about sadness.

McKay was likable enough, and certainly was in the right place at the right time, with ABC covering the 1972 Summer Olympics, McKay anchored the coverage of that terrible tradegy.

From The NYT;

His professionalism and sensitivity melded in 1972. During the Munich Olympics, as he left the hotel sauna and was about to go into the swimming pool on his only day off, he received word that Arab terrorists had invaded the Israeli living quarters in the Olympic Village. Mr. McKay hurried to the studio, and for 16 consecutive hours he anchored ABC’s extraordinary news coverage, with field reporting from Peter Jennings, Howard Cosell and others.

The episode ended with the killing of 11 Israeli athletes, coaches and trainers. When that word reached Mr. McKay, he said he thought that he would be the person who told the family of David Berger, an Israeli-born weight lifter whose family lived in Shaker Heights, Ohio, “if their son was alive or dead.”

He looked at the lens and said, “They’re all gone.”

What and where I remember McKay most from is the Saturday, 5PM show, ABC's Wide World of Sports.

Every week, McKay highlighted a sports event, anything from boxing, swimming, skating, skiing, auto racing or weightlifting, to more exotic offerings, such as curling or rodeo.

And what's the big deal of that?

Well, if you happen to grow up in the 1960's, that was one of the few sports shows on television.

Back, before the 24/7/365, zillion-channel world of cable, it was extremely slim pickings.

For basebell, you only had the Saturday, Game-of-the-week (and not until the late 60's, with advent of UHF channels, did we start getting a trickling of the home town team games, almost exclusively, road games, not home games).

Sundays brought the NFL doubleheader (and being stuck here in New England, we always got beamed the New York Football Giants' games) on CBS, while NBC picked up the fledgling AFL schedule.

Like I said, slim pickings.

And, above all else, I can thank Wide World of Sports for giving me the love-of-my-life for that period of time.

One reason for the religious viewing, especially in Fall and Winter, was to, hopefully, catch ice skater Janet Lynn.

Lynn, who won a Bronze in the 1972 Olympics was, perhaps, heir to be the darling of the ice skating world, left void by Laurance Owen, and the 1961 U.S. Figure Skating Team, who all perished in a plane crash.

It was a big-time crush for this young boy, who would have been happy if every Wide World of Sports program was with Janet Lynn.

So long Jim McKay ...

You gave us many more thrills, than agony ...

Bonus Links

Jim McKay, 86; pioneer sports broadcaster covered kidnapping at Munich Games

Legendary Sports Journalist, Father Of CBS News Pres., Jim McKay Dies

Jim McKay, `ABC Wide World of Sports' Host, Is Dead (Update2)

US sports' McKay dies, told world of Munich tragedy

Bonus Bonus

Thrill of victory

1972 Winter Olympics Janet Lynn

Something Cool

A little treat today, especially if you are in the Northeast (as well as other locations), where we are in Day 2 of an expected four-day heatwave (90+, and very humid).

Since I couldn't find a YouTube of Carmen's McRae's "Heatwave", we go in the other direction.

June Christy.

Christy made a name for herself with the Stan Kenton Orchestra (you can check her out here, from 1945, on 'Tampico'), back in the day of big bands, with boy or girl crooners, before striking out on her own (dig her here, accompied by Nat King Cole and Mel Torme - on drums - with 'How High The Moon')

She may not be on the same rung with Ella, or Sarah, but she is, in my book, definitely, on the ladder, and way up there.

Here's June Christy with 'Something Cool

And, since we mentioned Stan Kenton, and you like the heat, a bonus treat of the Kenton Band, circa early 1970's, from a concert in London, with "El Manisero", otherwise known as "The Peanut Vendor".

Stay Cool, however you do it ...

Something To Look Forward To ...

Well, since we won't have Hillary interrupting our summer, we should have time to kick back and enjoy this;

A zany cartoon debut for an animated pair; New turn for 'Click & Clack' and PBS

Yes, that zany pair from NPR's 'Car Talk", Ray and Tom Magliozzi, are hitting the small screen, in an animated cartoon, highlighting ... Well, what else, their zaniness.

"As the Wrench Turns" is a tongue-in-cheek take on what Click and Clack's off-air lives might be like, featuring those familiar radio voices in exaggerated car toon bodies. It centers on a fictionalized version of the brothers' car repair shop in Cambridge, where some characters glug motor oil in coffee cups and a local politician is named Marty Bezzle. (The campaign button reads "M. Bezzle.")

"How much stupid stuff can we possibly - oh, in that case, the show might be able to go on forever," Ray Magliozzi said in a recent conference call with his brother, who pointed out that all they had to do for the show was sit in a studio and read a script.

"It's dumb work; we didn't have to think much," Tom Magliozzi said. "We usually don't."

Can't wait to see the show credits on this one!

Bonus Links

As The Wrench Turns

PBS ANNOUNCES NEW SERIES “CLICK & CLACK’S AS THE WRENCH TURNS” LAUNCHES IN SUMMER 2008 FIRST-EVER ANIMATED PRIMETIME SERIES INSPIRED BY NPR’S POPULAR “CAR TALK”