Tuesday, August 28, 2018
He Was, After All, Only Human -- Yes?
From our friends at the Save Jersey blog:
By Matt Rooney (reprinted with permission)
I found out about Senator John McCain’s passing at a Saturday wedding, Save Jerseyans, so unlike most of the political/social media universe, I had a little healthy time to reflect on the legacy of this navy hero, iconic U.S. Senator from Arizona, and a two-time presidential hopeful who played the part of conscience (or foil) at some key points in the political debates of modern American history.
Perspective is a good thing. More people should spend twice as much time thinking as they do reacting in my humble opinion, but social media typically provides too much temptation. Trite responses and straight-up nastiness seem to dominate the conversation. Half of Facebook and Twitter immediately eulogized John McCain, “The Maverick,” as the Second Coming; the other half decried him as a modern Judas who barely earned the right to a Christian send-off.
The truth? He was a human being. Nothing more, nothing less. And McCain’s human-ness might be the reason why so many found him either lovable or loathable.
McCain’s public life began with a singularly heroic act of bravery:
In 1967, after he was shot down over North Vietnam, McCain (the son of an admiral) languished for the next 5+ years in the infamous Hanoi Hilton. He could’ve gone home early because of his rank and connections, sparing himself a lot of loneliness and pain; McCain refused, wanting to got home only in the order in which he was captured. It’s an experience which undeniably shaped the brash young pilot and changed him in ways that I’m not qualified to understand and neither are you unless you’ve had a similar experience.
There were plenty of other times since his release from prison that McCain displayed valor, or at least a willingness to take risks. His dignified acceptance of his fatal brain cancer diagnosis — something he was willing to discuss on national television — is an example for us all.
But the end of his life also revealed the other side of McCain. On July 28, 2017, shortly after learning of his cancer diagnosis, McCain gave a “thumbs-down” vote to the GOP’s final, great attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act aka Obamacare, a move which he followed up with a speech calling for a return to “civility” in the Senate. He could have helped end America’s dangerous and expensive experiment with socialism in the health care arena — something against which he spent much of his life fighting — but he balked when it mattered most.
Unadulterated stubbornness? Overconcern at the end of his days with preserving his “maverick” brand? Or uncontrolled emotion given his own instant medical challenge?
I’d wager a bit of all three. McCain had principles and felt things deeply, but he also frequently allowed his temper and grudges to undermine his party’s laudable initiatives and, I’d argue, his own legacy. He was often far meaner and aggressive in beating up his fellow Republicans than the liberals, and the Media, who did him no favors in Election 2008 when their favorite disloyal Republican stood in the way of Barack Obama. You may say he “put country ahead of party,” especially if you’re insistent upon putting everything in the context of our present Trumpian reality; I’d argue that McCain was often unable to put higher pursuits ahead of McCain, consciously or not.
Again, we’re all part sinner and part saint.
Senator McCain was no different. He inspired us and he deeply disappointed us. He achieved great things and also missed out greatness, largely due to his own flaws. He was a famous man, but he certainly wasn’t a marble man.
Good luck finding a consensus as he’s laid to rest. McCain wasn’t a consensus builder. If one develops? It should be that politicians are people, and we might be doing them (and our republic) a disservice when we contort their post-mortem biographies to fit our ideological narratives or lionize/demonize them to serve that same worldview. Life, and people, are a lot more complicated than all that.
Why He's Hiding From His Own Home Base!
Tuesday, Sen. Bob Casey announced he has only agreed to debates in the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh media markets, declining to debate Lou Barletta in the Harrisburg media market and their mutually-shared home region of Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.In response, Republican Party of Pennsylvania Communications Director Jason Gottesman, made the following statement:
“Given his penchant for obstruction, resistance, and supporting far-left policies like sanctuary cities, it
is not surprising that Bob Casey is trying to hide from the voters of Pennsylvania in the hope that they will confuse him with the moderate he first claimed to be.
“The fact that Bob Casey is hiding from a debate in his hometown market of Scranton/Wilkes-Barre is even more telling since he has turned his back on the region’s values and people by voting in lock-step with the liberal-progressive leaders in Washington. Why is Casey afraid to face his friends and neighbors?”
Bombshell Testimony May Now Implicate Pope!
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Schools Open, Then Closed: Why It Happened
The School District of Philadelphia announced that students will be dismissed at 1 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday due to excessive heat.
A heat advisory has been issued for the Philly area today and tomorrow with "real feel" temperatures exceeding 100.
Pennsylvania schools opened exceptionally early this season and now they're paying the price. Why the rush?
A heat advisory has been issued for the Philly area today and tomorrow with "real feel" temperatures exceeding 100.
Pennsylvania schools opened exceptionally early this season and now they're paying the price. Why the rush?
C'mon Now -- Here Are Today's MUST Reads!
A Major Victory on Trade |
Whiton notes that the President’s trade critics “have been proved wrong by an unmitigated victory for the USA. Trump understood the simple math that countries with which we have trade deficits would have to come to the negotiating table.” 
In The Washington Times, Gabriella Muñoz reports that “most Americans don’t want to see the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency abolished,” according to a new survey. “Only 24 percent of voters advocated for terminating ICE while a 40 percent plurality disagreed with the proposal. The trend continued across all political parties,” she notes.
The Trump Administration’s Affordable Clean Energy Rule “respects how America’s founders limited authority of the federal government for good reason,” the Colorado Springs Gazette Editorial Board writes. “This plan assists states, consumers, and the market in achieving cleaner air with guidelines, proposed technologies, and incentives that work for diverse regions of the country.”
First Lady Melania Trump “planted an Eisenhower oak sapling Monday afternoon on the White House’s South Lawn. . . Mary Jean Eisenhower, the granddaughter of former President Dwight Eisenhower, and Richard Emory Gatchell, Jr., a fifth generation grandson of former President James Monroe, joined the First Lady,” Diana Stancy Correll reports in the Washington Examiner.
“Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh's former colleagues at the Kirkland & Ellis law firm sent a letter Monday to the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee urging his confirmation by the senate,” Cameron Cawthorne reports in The Washington Free Beacon. “We saw first hand that he consistently displayed a keen intellect, sound judgment, exceptional analytical ability, and the highest level of integrity in representing our clients,” Judge Kavanaugh’s former colleagues write.
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This Sports Tender Moment Will Warm Your Heart!
Johnny Russell, a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a forward for the US club Sporting Kansas City made this little girl's day. He's a model of a great athlete (and a damned good sport) and he reached out to the young fan after Sporting Kansas City won the game Saturday before last. BTW: That's a heart monitor vest Johnny's wearing -- not a sports bar.
Monday, August 27, 2018
Death And Eulogies: A Diabolical Dilemma
Let's get a few things clarified, OK?
Under the official US flag code, flags should be flown at half staff for 24-48 hours following a the death of a member of Congress. That's really all that is designated. The Code, adopted in 1942, dictates that when a member of Congress dies, the flag should be lowered “on the day of death and the following day.”
In the case of Senator John McCain, President Trump extended that period.
Let's face it: no matter how President Trump handled or reacted to the death of McCain, he would have been criticized.
To begin with, the two men were neither friends nor political allies. In fact, they really didn't like one another and, given the temperament, background and outlook of each man, it's really unlikely they would have ever meshed in any significant way.
So, if President Trump had joined in the effusive praise of McCain and, in effect lionized the man, Trump would have been called a phony, a patronizer and a typical politician. On the other hand, if President Trump ignored the death of McCain he would have been excoriated for being spiteful, stubborn and just plain mean.
Look, we think it's sad that someone would choose to leave this world while still harboring an apparent grudge. And one would have hoped that the two men could have resolved their differences.
But, haven't we had enough of phony politicians praising colleagues that they really hate and/or have secretly thwarted, repeatedly? Aren't there enough of those kinds of people in Washington? Isn't that what's wrong with the town -- what makes it a swamp?
President Trump attempted to work with McCain. He tried to bring him into the loop. But on one of the president's top priorities (the repeal of Obamacare) McCain let administration down at the last possible moment even though McCain led everyone to believe he was in favor of (and, indeed advocated for) Obamacare's repeal. It was nothing less than a heartbreaker.
Hey, Washington is a tough town.
And this is just another thorny chapter in its prickly history.
The Best And Worst Of AC's Newest Casino!
We've been to the new Hard Rock Casino Hotel in Atlantic City.
We stayed overnight.
We tried the restaurants.
We took the slots for a spin.
We went to a show.
We made our way around the entire property -- no small undertaking!
Here's our take on the best and worst of it.
The Management
The whole thing is under the domain of the Seminole Native American nation out of Florida, so you'll see old and new Indian influences here and there, all very tastefully presented.
The Location
At the North End of the world famous Boardwalk right across from the Steel Pier which is now an amusement pier with lots of great rides. If you have kids (or if you're a kid at heart) you'll like that. Also, the beach at this end is very nice and less crowded.
The Big Guitar
Yeah, it's right outside at the carriage entrance. And yeah, it lights up at night. And, they've even set up a platform for you to take pictures there. Sweet!
The Staff
Everyone seemed well-trained and friendly. Lots of staff on hand everywhere -- especially to help guide you as the place is truly vast and there are areas that haven't even been developed yet.
The Rock Memorabilia and Artifacts
This stuff is all over the place -- everywhere you turn. But some of the best of it is under the grand staircase: Elvis' Rolls, The Beatles outfits and hand-written lyrics by legends. All FREE!
The Rooms
They're new, reasonably spacious, sleek, bright and feature large bathrooms, king size beds and lots of nice extras like free, fast wifi, mini fridges and coffee makers. And, each floor is themed to a different rock star.
The Beds
Not so high that you need to be super limber to get in and out and not overly frilly. Above all, they're firm and very comfortable. Rooms seem to be amply soundproofed as well, lending to a good night's sleep.
The Views
Great from most any any guest room. You'll get a view of the ocean or the bay. Ours actually had a view of both and it cost us no extra.
The Pool
A sore spot. They've had a lot of trouble getting it ready. When we were there, it still wasn't open. Well, even when it's open (far as we can tell) it's nothing special -- largely indoors, nondescript and with astroturf. They refunded us our resort fee.
The Slots
All new, vivid and up-to-the-minute with many special features. Lots of fun but they weren't very loose for us.
The Bonuses
You can easily score yourself tickets to a show (we did) or some other premium without investing too much at the slots of the gambling tables. But you must be a Wild Card member and check your card's promotions.
The Architecture
Sleek and functional. All those garish minarets from the Taj are gone and replaced by simple right angles and subdued colors except for traces of the Hard Rock's logo-inspired purple and gold. It's impressive without being overwhelming
The Interior
Everything is new -- inside and out. Very digital. Lots of big screens and dazzle but toned down as well with more subtle textures, no chandeliers and no neon. Harmonious visually and aurally. Yes, there's plenty of rock music but it isn't ear-piercing.
The Food Court
Unfortunately it's stretched out along the overhead walkway that leads from the casino to the parking garage. It can get crowded and seating can be a problem. Lots of pedestrian traffic.
Breakfast
It's a challenge. If you want a quick breakfast (and most people do) the one place in the food court that features breakfast is small and crowded. You wait in line to order and then they bring it out to you. Only other option seems to be the Hard Rock Cafe.
Lunch
A few good choices: The hoagies and steaks at The White House outlet of the famed AC eatery are the best you'll find anywhere. But even the regular hoagie size tends to be big. A salad place makes perfect salads at your direction and all the ingredients are fresh. That was a favorite of ours. At the coffee bar even a small regular coffee will cost you three bucks. A very large cookie (the only size they have) will set you back more than five bucks. We hear the pizza at the food court is wonderful, however. As for the gelato, it looks wonderful but tastes of nothing. Skip it.
Dinner
We tried the Council Oak seafood and steak restaurant. The big deal here is really seafood. Spacious and airy with nice views onto the Boardwalk. But it lacks intimacy and can be noisy, almost taking on all the ambience of a mass feed. The food was only OK. Of course, we had been to Steve & Cookie's the night before and nothing compares to that!
The Show
We went to the Motown tribute show in the Soundwaves theater. It features live music (a rarity in many of these types of shows) via an eight-piece band and a talented groups of more than a dozen singers and dancers. It started out fine but grew increasingly more shrill. The seats in Soundwaves are not real theater seats -- they're collapsible and not very ample. Tight fit. And the acoustics seemed off. Something wrong with the sound system? Maybe they're still breaking the show in. We left before it was over.
The Temperature
It varied throughout the hotel and casino. Some areas were frigid, others were surprisingly warm. A light jacket-type shirt came in handy.
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