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The Bridge Home

Monday, January 30, 2012

Occupy HUNC

I got an email from a friend who told me that he is concerned about losing his job because business is so slow. Since he is in his early sixties he does not think he will work again. His plan is to retire at 62 and turn over his Social Security to a low cost senior housing program, “And just exist.” This conjures visions of 21st Century Apocalyptic Hell for me.

I know at least three other men in their late fifties to early sixties who have lost or may loose jobs. Most have had relationships end and I imagine may have to consider such an existence. Where is the revolution when you need it? Of course, there is the Occupy Wall Street et al movements. This movement, especially the Occupy Oakland division, seems to be more of a field of play for the young and anarchistic. In Oakland last weekend the Occupiers went on a rampage destroying city property, including a 100 year old architect's model of city hall. The motives of some of these protesters/rioters are questionable. If these were right wing demonstrations, ala 1930s Germany, many of the current crop would participate. One thing is clear; neither Democrats nor Republicans are really acting to solve these problems and I think more radical solutions are necessary and Occupy does not appear to be it. They have changed the tenor of the discussion, but then they blow all they have gained with scenes like last weekend.

Friday, January 27, 2012

Mychael Urban On Board

It is pleasing to hear that at least one local sports personality views coincide with Carpe HUNC. Today Mychael Urban says on 95.7 The Game that sports owners are billionaires and their purpose in sports is to finance championships (see Carpe HUNC of July 26, 2011) and that As' owner Lew “Boob” Wolff is not fulfilling this function. Too many in the media say that these teams must be run as a business, but they ignore the reality that ownership of a sports franchise, race horses, race cars, racing yachts, etc. are mostly for the massage of wealthy egos. The media must stop coddling these guys and hold their feet to the fire for lack of aggressiveness in putting a winning team on the field.
Giant's fans beware! With Tim Lincecum signing a two year deal and with no appreciable upgrade to the offense it looks like ownership is satisfied with one championship ring and may be willing to go the way of the As. If the Giants stay barely competitive, the turnstiles will keep turning for a couple of years and the owners will not have to invest in a top hitter. They may trade Lincecum next year near the deadline, dump the rest of his salary and continue to collect more money until the team finally declines. Bay area fans deserve better.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Brandon Tierney and Creeping Dodgerism

During recent thirtieth celebrations of Dwight Clark's “The Catch,” 95.7 The Game's Brandon Tierney commemorates with a replay of the sound byte of Vince Scully's television call. First of all, Tierney should play Lon Simmon's great radio call. Secondly, Tierney gives a sigh of satisfaction and makes a remark about the great Vince Scully. Scully is an icon in the broadcasting industry and it is understandable that the local announcers respect and admire him. However, they should reserve this for the broadcasters' club, because this is nothing less than Creeping Dodgerism. Even though Vince Scully is doing a network NFL playoff game, fans in the Bay Area identify him as a symbol of the Los Angeles Dodgers and, as such, the locus of all evil in the world. When the Anti-Christ appears he shall be a Dodger fan. Tierney also whines about the choking performance of Alex Rodriguez. A's fans enjoy this, except if he is playing against the Dodgers in the World Series. Some might say that local fans benefit from an outsider's view. They already have this with the Eastern SPorts Networt (ESPN) and they crave dedication in local programming. Brandon Tierney is a newcomer to the area, but he needs to be taught proper values by those around him, possibly the likes of Greg Papa or Mychael Urban. The most important of the local values someone representing Bay Area sports must champion is proper Dodger hate.