Posted on February 15, 2016
The Supreme Court justice Antonin Scalia and I would probably not have been on the same side in many of the recent decisions that have been handed down. He was known for his conservativism, while I’m probably more accurately described as a liberal. But this isn’t what propels me to criticize the GOP for politicizing his death even before he’s been buried.
From what I’ve read in the past couple days, Scalia believed that we should interpret the Constitution as it was written back in the eighteenth century without trying to interpret what the founders of our country personally thought. He held to the idea that the words themselves were what counted, and that we should base judicial decisions on them.
So, if the Constitution says that the President nominates an individual for the Supreme Court when a vacancy occurs, why is there debate about waiting? It’s because the GOP believes it will win the White House in November and the next President would be more conservative than the current one in choosing a new justice. So the GOP thinks President Obama should stall for its benefit.
Really? There is no time limit in the Constitution for choosing a person to fill a Supreme Court vacancy; and I supposed if a President wanted to wait, that is an option. But to wait because Mitch McConnell and the rest of the GOP presidential wannabees feel “the people should decide” by their approval of the next President is far fetched.
Given that Justice Scalia was prone to a strict interpretation of the Constitution, I’m saddened that his many years on the bench are being short-shrifted for political gain.
See more 10 Minutes in category 2016 Election
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Posted on February 11, 2016
Currently there is a lot of hubbub about Barbie, the quintessential doll with the grown up figure and the perpetually pointed toes. Created by Mattel in 1959, the original version will be fifty-seven years old next month. That’s a lot of staying power!
Today’s noise, however, isn’t about her age. It’s about newer versions being marketed by the manufacturer. Now there is a petite version, a tall version, and a curvy one. (A black version was introduced in 1980, although it had Caucasian features.) Because of this Barbie was recently on the cover of Time magazine; and her long-suffering boyfriend, Ken, even wrote an “editorial” about how if we love Barbie as much as he does, we should “allow” her to change.
This is a typical chicken/egg situation. Did the chicken, Mattel, produce the new Barbies in the hope that diversity would sell? Or was it the eggy public that drove this decision? I don’t know, but Time reported that sales for the doll declined twenty percent between 2012 and 2014? It does make me wonder.
Personally I have little experience with Barbie, although that doesn’t keep me from having a lot of opinions. It’s a doll with adult features; perhaps it enables children to “pretend” about adult situations during playtime. It’s about time the high heels disappeared. Barbie could be less popular as more and more activities and professions are open to people of all ages and gender. What took Mattel so long to manufacture different versions? Will we now be treated to various Kens?
I could go on, but the bottom line is: Barbie has become a type of American Girl doll long after that franchise realized children wanted different characters for their make-believe adventures. Basically she is late to the game.
See more 10 Minutes in category Changing Scene, Things to Ponder
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Posted on February 10, 2016
A lot has happened since I wrote about Iowa over a week ago. Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos defied the prognosticators and won Super Bowl 50. Cam Newton didn’t handle it well. The new Barbie doll got extensive press, appearing on the cover of Time magazine, on many television channels, and probably in retails stores everywhere. (I didn’t check this last point, but it seems logical.) And the various awards shows continued the controversy over the “whiteness’ of the upcoming Oscars.
Whether you’re into sports, contemporary culture, or film, it was an interesting week. It was an interesting week for politics too.
The presidential candidates left Iowa as quickly as Cam Newton left the stadium in San Francisco. They focused their binoculars and their money on New Hampshire, the Granite State, which claims to be the first primary in the nation, Iowa using the caucus method to reveal its preferences. There were more debates, more negative campaigning, and more town hall meetings.
Last night’s results weren’t particularly tense, since the front runners in both parties came in first as expected. Then there were more speeches, more analysis, and more grumps. Before the night was over, the winners and losers were all heading to South Carolina and then Nevada, the next states to take center stage.
I’m not sure I’ll report on every caucus and primary; political analysts already have that job. But all this does make me think there should be a time limit on campaigns. Running for office for a year or two means the candidates are probably not focused on their “real” jobs. And everyone is a loser.
Tomorrow: I comment on Barbie. Yes, that Barbie.
See more 10 Minutes in category 2016 Election, Annoyances
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Posted on February 2, 2016
It was out of character, but I watched television for four hours last night as the results of the Iowa Caucus, the first in the nation (and proud of it), came in. Until then, I’d been hiding under a rock trying to avoid all things political. And here is what I learned that wasn’t noted by the talking heads on MSNBC.
Four of the five top contestants gave victory speeches: Rubio, Cruz, Clinton, and Sanders. But “victory” seemed to mean different things. Rubio came in third but was sure he is headed for the White House because of momentum. Cruz came in first and was also sure he would be his party’s nominee this summer. Clinton and Sanders were both less strident, but equally sure their time had arrived.
Donald Trump, who hoped to win Iowa, gave the most humble speech I’ve ever heard him give. Don’t get me wrong; it wasn’t that humble; but it did show how he handles losing. I expected a tantrum and a tirade; I got neither.
When I headed to bed at 12:15 AM, MSNBC had yet to declare a winner in the Democratic contest even though both lead candidates had given speeches. I was pleased, because in the past there’s been a tendency by the various networks to push to be first to declare winners. Perhaps the media are going to be more cautious as center stage heads to New Hampshire.
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Posted on January 31, 2016
Some friends and I are about to celebrate our second anniversary as mall walkers. I’m not sure we’re doing the cake and ice cream thing, but it is worth acknowledging.
We live where winter can be inhospitable for walking outdoors. It isn’t the cold as much as it is the wind, the ice, the snow, and often the lack of sidewalks. While the mall isn’t particularly scenic once you’ve seen all the store fronts a couple times, it is safe, dry, well-lit, and warm. There is also a free, fairly clean restroom.
We have “rules” for our regimen. First, it’s really about exercise and not about shopping. Next, we share the rent for a locker to store our coats and purses. That’s a whopping twenty-five cents per person.
We do two laps around the inside perimeter of the mall – passing such diverse shops as the tattoo parlor, the nail salon, Carson’s, and Penny’s. It’s approximately two-thirds of a mile per lap. Then we reverse and do two laps the other way.
Finally we try to get our walking in before the inflatable castle and slide and other contraptions come to life at one end of the mall. Children may love to bounce on these giant toys, but they emit a huge amount of heat. And we already produce our own. For a group of retired ladies, we’re no slouches.
See more 10 Minutes in category Small Town Life
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Posted on January 30, 2016
If we thought last fall’s attention to political candidates and various debates was exhausting, then we’ve underestimated what’s ahead.
The most recent GOP debate minus Donald Trump; the analysis of the most recent debate minus Donald Trump; and the preparations in Iowa and New Hampshire for their moments in the spotlight this coming week are everywhere.
Trump, Cruz, Rubio, Sanders, and Clinton — it sounds like a law firm – are all trying to outshine each other. The media are too, with this one touting an “exclusive” and another claiming an “inside look”. Words like “winner,” “unbeatable,” and “favorite” are commonplace.
Donald Trump has said it’s all about commanding and controlling the news feeds to get the most attention. Certainly he’s a pro at that. Hilary Clinton isn’t so bad at it either, although some of the notoriety about her emails probably isn’t what she had in mind.
And after the two upcoming primaries, there are forty-eight versions more. And most likely forty-eight versions of “Look at me, look at me, look at me.” The thing is, we shouldn’t equate the ability to put on a good road show with the ability to govern.
See more 10 Minutes in category 2016 Election
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Posted on January 29, 2016
I thought I was the only one who wondered why the NFL isn’t using Roman numerals for this year’s Super Bowl extravaganza. I mean it’s been a tradition since Super Bowl V.
I have a theory. Last year’s event was number XLIX; unconsciously that’s a formidable image with an X on either end. It’s strong enough to convey all the “glory” of the modern-day gladiators as they duel in a contemporary coliseum to the death, defined as being the losing team.
Next week marks the fiftieth occurrence of the Super Bowl, and the powers-that-be have named it Super Bowl 50. In Roman numerals, the symbol is a lonely yet powerful L. But L is nowhere to be seen. Maybe it’s because the general public doesn’t know its numerals very well any more, but just maybe it’s because more hype can be generated by using 50. And we all know the coming week is about hype.
I hadn’t intended to see if the Internet was abuzz with this issue, but I did research one site where somebody by the name of Jenn Rose penned an article basically mirroring my own thoughts. She also said that the NFL is returning to Roman numerals in 2017, but the design team simply couldn’t come up with a viable graphic for this year.
Her comments were posted on a site called Romper, which seems to be supported by Walgreen’s and is all about raising children.
I rest my case.
See more 10 Minutes in category Annoyances, Changing Scene, Special Events
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Posted on January 28, 2016
I took up piano in my fifties; and, while my brain understands such things as chords, rhythm, and staccato, my hands must work hard to play the music. It’s like learning a second language as an adult, except that you speak it with your hands.
I’ve tried various techniques to make my practicing effective. Have split it into twenty minute segments throughout the day; have set the same hour aside every day; and have even tried a technique whereby one doesn’t even approach the piano for a few days while analyzing the music. All met with varying degrees of success, and all had drawbacks.
So I decided on my recent vacation on another new approach, one that requires I get up in the morning and head to the piano before my day becomes filled with other activities. Coffee in hand, I study my music while my brain is about as empty as it gets.
I’ve done this for only four days, but so far it’s working like a charm. I seem to remember more from practice to practice and am not mentally thinking about other things. There is only one small drawback: I am not a morning person, so getting out of bed is still a challenge, even when it’s to work on something I love.
See more 10 Minutes in category Things to Ponder
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Posted on January 26, 2016
You might think this post is about the upcoming Super Bowl on Sunday, February 7; but that’s not the case. It’s really about a description of these two species in the animal kingdom.
According to www.smithsonian.com, “a bronco is a type of horse, not a species or breed.” The word came to us from the Spanish broncos, meaning ‘rough’. This eventually morphed into a horse that was untamed. So broncos are often used in rodeos as a way for cowboys to demonstrate their skills. Because horses are herd animals, they play well with others. They also don’t get stage fright in front of a crowd.
According to www.a-z-animals.com, the panther is not a species or breed either. Rather the word describes a large member of the Big Cat Family that includes leopards and jaguars. Panthers are powerful, intelligent, and agile; but they are also quiet and elusive. Because of their dark fur, camouflage is one of their survival tactics.
So if a real bronco and a real panther met somewhere, which animal would have the advantage? I think it would depend on who watched the encounter. If there were rowdy fans, the bronco would feel right at home, while the panther would probably want to hide. But if they were alone, the panther would use its cunning to take down the bronco.
Obviously, from this short scenario we can’t predict the Super Bowl, but if I were naming a new football team after some animal, I’d certainly research its background first. Perhaps that’s why there are no teams called the Turtles or the Sloths or the Opossums.
See more 10 Minutes in category Flora/Fauna
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Posted on January 24, 2016
It’s been almost ten years since we visited some of the ports on this cruise; with the exception of the rebuilding of Grand Cayman, I was disappointed in what the decade has brought. Back then, the ships docked at local piers, often in the heart of the real city.
With the advent of the larger ships, new piers have been constructed, especially in the two places we stopped in Mexico. I don’t have a problem with newer or bigger piers, but I found that the end that wasn’t attached to the cruise ship was designed to deposit passengers in fabricated “town squares” created specifically for shopping. Now you can island hop and never actually see the real island culture. Instead you can get margaritas, shop name brands, and take your chances with local food that’s all designed for the shopper. Think of it as a movie set . . .
I’m the first to admit that spending a day in a Caribbean port has never been a way to have an in-country experience. But this new trend makes it even more removed from experiencing the many different Caribbean islands. Make no mistake, each one is different; but turning them all into duty free shopping destinations obliterates that. The area and the cruising industry, as well as the passengers, are the worse off for it.
