Saturday, July 29, 2006
NEGATIVE BIO I looked up a biography of a writer recently and, in return, I got a printed bio written by someone who, it seems, got up on the wrong side of the bed that morning! The bio writer listed just about everything negative concerning the subject other than a simple statement of his name and a mention of his latest literary achievement of about one year ago. I'm going to list those "no-no" items, given just to see how soon you can guess who the subject might have been. When I got into the article I began to wonder if I really wanted to know any more about the subject or not. How can anything worthwhile, I wondered, come from a background of such weird circumstances? This man was born in Hackney, London-town, England in 1930. That gives you his age so you can fit him into a certain level of literary time, if you like. He was the only son of immigrant Jews who ran a small tailoring shop in Stoke Newington. When the bombing of London began during World War II, his parents packed the boy off to a haven of supposed safety haven from the blitz nights then the shower of rockets. It is recorded that during that period he lived in "a deserted castle" in Cornwall with twenty-seven other boys deposited there by their parents for the duration of said war. It is said he returned from his stay in Cornwall "with a passion for the works of Franz Kafka and Ernest Hemingway." He found what seemed to be his niche in acting. He appeared in several school productions at Hackney Grammar School. He accepted a grant to study at London's " Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts" but he dropped out of that prestigious college. Upon doing so he found himself in Court in 1949 for refusing to complete his National Service obligations declaring himself to be a constitutions objector. He was fined, but wasn't required to serve any confinement time. n 1950 he published his first poems. You may have guessed his identity by this time. I had not. His first play "The Room" was published in 1957. His first full-length play "The Birthday Party" was a West End production the next year! Now, you've tagged him! Harold Pinter, poet, playwright, actor, director - and perpetual critic, it sees to me , of every thing and every one. Reviews for the play were dismal. It closed after one week, but nothing seemed to deter Harold Pinter, who then wrote his second full-length drama - "The Caretaker". It made the grade for him in 1960. Prime Minister John Major offered him a Knighthood, but Pinter turned him down. I do not know what words Pinter used to refuse such an honor, but the records clearly show that he has called the present PM - Tony Blair - among other things - "a deluded idiot". He calls our President George W. Bush "a mass murderer." No one seems to like Harold Pinter except the Swedish Academy which awarded him a Noble prize valued at 1.28 million dollars for being "the towering figure" of English drama. Bad luck continues to haunt this caustic man of letters. In 2002 he was found to have cancer of the esophagus. I was reading some of his recent retorts, comments, Kafka-like connectives, Hemingway he-man shadows and other clutter he stays snagged upon. Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 7-29-06 [c586wds]
Friday, July 28, 2006
NEW NAME The term "coalition" is again in use this morning and it seems to be anticipated as the key word to be used in the immediate future when we speak of troop placements in the mid-east war areas. It is a welcome addition, for the simple term - a multi-national coalition - "shares the blame". That, I'm sure, it may strike many people as a rather crude way to look at it, but it quite important that we maintain a level of confidence in our involvement in such "foreign" affairs. It is far better for nations - other viewpoints to be evident in any such attempt o alter the status quo among nations and peoples In truth, the incursions of the recent past may well have involved troops of our own in excess of the precise numbers of other national troops in the action, it is still, in intent, a group action. It is good for us to keep it that way. It was not an easy thing for President George W. Bush to build a community of nations oppose Saddam Huessen's evil regime and had weaknesses which allowed it to fall apart under stress. It will be even more difficult to form such an alliance at the present stage when much more evidence of deadly costs involved are apparent. Some leading voices said this morning that "this will be a long war! " The difficulty in forming a visible and viable union of allied powers will add that delay tendency but not, of necessity to the length of the actual conflict. Public opinion is going to play a role in what takes place in Lebanon and other smitten locales. These elements seem to be stronger and potentially more influential than on prior occasions. Television coverage has been detailed largely because of new events to cover. Repeated showings of severe condition have resulted in stronger public awareness of some of the worst aspects of modern warfare. The building of an alliance concept will take time and diplomatic skill. Care should be taken to look and listen for voices on either or both sides called for "Holy War". That is a step... a name be avoided at all costs! Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 7-28-06 [c381wds]
Thursday, July 27, 2006
'TAINT FUNNY, McJENNINGS Nothing can get any flatter than a supposed joke being told by a person who cannot tell a joke well to a person who doesn't get it anyway! Such a situation seems to have developed just this past week when the well-known quiz contestant Ken Jennings was seized with an idea to do something unusual - to be different from his usually staid self. He decided, it seems, upon brightening up his Web Page - which I did not even know he had going - by doing some copy reminiscent of the old "Saturday Nite Live" TV days which heaped ridicule and scorn on an unsuspecting personality - "just for fun", to see what wild things the victim might say or do. Don Rickels did it in his face-to-face act years ago and got away with for a time. Jennings upped his Utah humor enough to accuse Trebek of being a robot who thought changing the predominently backdrop color on the show "Jeopardy" every presidential election year was "change" enough. He is said to have called called Alex Treblinka a "robot" but insists he meant a "cyborg" even though was the only one a "cy-whatever" might be. (Note: its "a portmanteau of cybernetic organisms mixed with mechanical (synthetic) parts. (I looked it up!) Why would Jennings stoop to use this incident as a reference: "Nobody knows he (Trebek) died in that fiery truck crash a few years back and was immediately replaced with the Trenton's 4000. (I see your engineers still can't get the mustache right.)" Jennings also scorned the show for its "effete, left-coast" categories and the "same old "format". Recent dictionary editions still say "effete" sets forth the idea of prissiness and undo restraint." The term "left coast", however, now refers to wild, radical, off-beat political and social ideals. Ken also expresses strong dislike for "the same old format." I have no idea that Trebek's pick-up truck fender-bender (bad though it may well have been) experienced on his way home to his ranch, was "fiery" at all. The format which Jennings dislikes so much now did very well for him during his seventy-four game streak making him a millionaire. It just may be that Jennings would prefer it be loosened up a bit to suit his apparent liking - perhaps something akin to the "Jerry Springer" Show - now seeking funds enabling them to bring their stage musical "Jerry Springer: The Opera" from London to Broadway. Check it out K. J.. There's a format for you! It may be a good investment opportunity for you, too. It has certain cyborgish feel about it, you will like. Let's stay with straight copy, Ken. No more of this "brighten my corner" humor stuff... which is what I'm calling it all. I can't believe you could be serious. Relax "Jeopardy" viewers. This, too, shall pass. Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 7-27-06 [c494wds]
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
SAY SO!We seem to be in one of those times during which the right people feel it best not to say the right things. There is wisdom in retreat. If it occurs as an introductory motion preceding the forward thrust of a mailed-fist serving, perhaps, as a deliberated effort to conceal or disguise the impending severe blow it can then be worthwhile. It might be seen as a lie, on a way to becoming, a deception by a victim rather a subtle instance of technique refined to a point of becoming an essence. The coming of Truth , in its realization, relies, at times, on the weakness of those things which are not true, not factual and eternally fallible. Those persons charged with bringing about a time of peace in war-ravaged nation are facing danger even in merely attempting such a task. There are entire layers of lying, cheating, stealing and misjudgments of the worst kinds which must be penetrated and done away with Truth. It is no easy task. If ever, in the history of mankind, a single soul has been asked to stand forth as a champion symbolizing Truth it would certainly seem that this mighty mite of woman named Condoleezza Rice is a choice made long ago. She has been prepared for the this moment in history by training, experience, difficulties, doubts, fears, political, racial and other threats and built a self associated with a precise respect for the Truth. One hears such distinctive praise for this woman of our times and it is fully justified in my way of thinking - earned, deserved...what you may call "good" in my ("warped?") way of thinking. We are on the edge of naming another Joan-of-Arc who will, in effect, if some enthusiasts have their way, take over our problems and be the only one who knew what had to be done. That is what so many - far too many - people are going to expect and insist upon. That is an unfair premise. Joan of Arc characters are rare and not currently available on common markets - NATO, ECCO or other such tagged divisions. We should see Condoleezza Rice as already being deeply involved in a Joan-of-Arc situation. She ventures into the fray as our spokesperson. The historic Joan of Arc in her own time of emergency stood as an example for others to follow. Her admirers rob her of her individuality to make her fit their dreams. Let's be very careful that we, in our enthusiasm, for the coming weeks, do not infringe upon her right to be her own person. The Joan of history lives in hearts and in minds of millions because she pointed the way. She did it dramatically in her case and her actions have been enlarged and decorated to suit the romantic tastes of those who lived since that time. We are blessed with the physical presence of this remarkable young woman Dr. Condoleezza Rice among us in a time of need. She is showing leadership of quality. Let's not spoil the potential heritage of goodness she seems to be building for us, by foisting upon her the weighty mantel of a fictionalized, Disney-rated "Joan." Package instructions: "Handle With Care." Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 7-26-06 [c553wds]
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
TODAY The present moment - the exact seconds of time we are living right now - are of vital concern to all of us. I think we, basically, agree with that statement, but a great many of us in our excess of leisure time and of comforts of life, ten d to expand that time restriction to include event which will, take place within the next few minutes. At this moment in Sherman Oaks, California, a small, flash forest fire is raging. It is very small. Just an acre or two, at the moment but it is making its way across a heavily encrusted "open " space between heavy forest growth. It seems headed for expensive homes which is the main reason we are considering it at all. It was unknown this morning. No one reported any such fire danger, most of us hadn't thought of Sherman Oaks, California for, well - years,but ,suddenly, it is a part of our "now" Our present moment is, suddenly, filled with dire threats of potential loss for other people. It is all happening far, far away, too. TV cameras and the comfortable helicopter we are soaring above it all make it a real part of our present moments. Their concerns are ours, as those thousand of people displaced by war in Lebanon, Israel, other mid-east and African nations where "at-war" attitudes rule entire nations of suffering people seemingly with any help of any change for the better. My real reason for mentioning all of this composite, world-wide evil brought so very close to our daily lives affect us on the ways we must deal with them. These are major problems we face. The are new in proportions, in being physically closer, involving such strange variations of social, economic, and religious backgrounds. I also have a disturbing feeling that keeps telling me that our greatest trials will be in the religious differences. We are all in dire need of leadership bringing about serious transformation of the manner in which we control our religious beliefs and actions. Even if you merely glance at the complexity of the day's news, you can see it is far more involved and confused than ever before and so very much closer to the average one of us. We see it happening. We find affecting us more and more as individuals - even to the extent of loosing loved ones. Do we watch too much news? Do we have proper respect for authority? Is "today"more than we can handle? Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 7-25-06 [c432wds]
Monday, July 24, 2006
SHATTERED WALLS The sight of shattered walls and tumbled trash from homes scattered over the landscape in bombed and blasted Beruit, Lebanon, reminds me of days in the past which I had hoped could remain memories in our time. I look at these current scenes of destruction and say to myself: "Haven't we learned anything in the past half century!" Why does all of this misery and deprivation have to happen over and over again and again? I remember spending a night in a bombed out shell of a former hotel in London. It was far from being elegant. I has a typical bed, as I remember, two straight chairs, a two drawer chest and a stack of what happened to be used lumber salvaged from somewhere - anywhere in the city. It was in an area known at one time as "Kensington Palace Mansions" and being used by the American Red Cross as a hostel area. The two sides of the corner room had been and roughed-in with rough second-hand lumber. I had outer shell only. No sign of a "wall" was there, but I knew that would follow in due time. I slept well that night in a primitive-mod setting. There was a working W.C. just down the corridor. I remember lying there in the darkness thinking of how the English people had responded the the crushing disaster which had come upon them. By that time I had come to know enough English men, women and children to have close feeling for them and the suffering they had to endure. We see little of people in these photographs from Beruit. We assume that, since much of what we are shown is "downtown" in business establishment structures with humans less obvious than residential areas might reveal. We like to feel that any humans trapped in such an area "made it out" in some way. Some did. Some did not. Those who escaped took with them memories they would rather not have today, I'm sure. I have no memory of hearing people complain about their lot. I try to think about that when things go a bit awry in our present day mode of living. The troubles we experience are almost petty compared to that which is a routine occurrence among people trapped in the desolation of any war-torn area. It's a small part of it all, I know. This being concerned about what is to become of the people involved. One is forced, at such times, to wonder it we are progressing as speedily as we like to think we are. I can doubt that we are - very easily. I can cushion the thought somewhat by inserting "in some ways". Hope endures. Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 7-23-06 [c469wds]
Sunday, July 23, 2006
ADDITIONS You are watching " Google" a great deal more today that you did short time ago, even if you don't have a computer. You may not have been aware of the change, but often, now, when you see an aerial TV shot of a city or of a specific building or geographical feature there will be a small credit line in the upper right corner of the TV screen telling you " Google - Earth" has brought you that dramatic bit of visual information. The change has been b brought about about by Tangle's rather recent gift to armchair travelers such as myself. You can see fly over any area of this old planet which has ever been been subject to the prying lens-eyes of photographers on the wing. The TV newsrooms are now doing what you can do at home at your PC keyboard. Install "Google-Earth"';ask for any location you might wish to see and you can be on your way to that spot right away. You fly there and see your goal ahead of you and then fly over it at whatever altitude you select. You can go higher to take in a wider range or you can zoom in and skim toward rooftops to take closer look a specific building features, or activities on the streets below You can slant the view you get to see the sides of buildings, walls or towers. You can go around the subject in a circle other right or to the left. You can you can stop and stare if you like, too. Controls are simple. If I can do it - you can! To this moment the TV news show are using the aerial shots mainly as an introductory phase of a particular news item about a place. The film would not, of course, picture destruction and death now taking place on some of those very streets in so many of the towns and cities. You will want to add "Google Earth" to our computer. We have found it to be a wonderful addition to our family enjoyment are re-visiting places we saw - places we lived many years ago and seeing some others we never got to visit in person. There are a number of prepared "Tours" available, too, so waste not another day - get "Google -Earth" and go! Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 7-23-06 [c403wds]
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