Charlie's Books

Charlie's Books
Buon Giorno, Amici!

Our motto ...

Leave the (political) party. Take the cannoli.

"It always seems impossible until it's done." Nelson Mandela

Right now 6 Stella crime novels are available on Kindle for just $.99 ... Eddie's World has been reprinted and is also available from Stark House Press (Gat Books).

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Independent? ... Strangers on a Train ... Defending the Gold ... Fix the thing ... DOC says ...

Amici:


Indendent? Are they (Republicans) seriously trying to pass this clown off as an indepndent?

Wait, we'll get back to that ... in the meantime, TK asks:

What’s all the fuss about? So what, Scott Brown won Ted Kennedy’s seat. What’s the difference? Health care? Are yous kidding me? The “health reform” bill the Democratic Senate proposed was written by the insurance industry and it couldn’t get passed when Ted Kennedy was still alive. Brown may save us by killing it first. Howard Dean had/has it right ... let it die and start over (preferably when someone who can accomplish something for the people is President).

Brown is also for leaving the banks alone regarding oversight … that seems in lockstep with President Obama, too. As for the war in Afghanistan, hell, the two are on the same page again; this President recently upped the anti and couldn’t make Republicans happier doing so.

Independent my ass ...

But let’s not kid ourselves about this Scott Brown fella. He didn’t use the word “Republican” in his acceptance speech the other night in an attempt to make it sound like he’s a populist independent owing allegiance to neither party. Yeah, right … this guy has voted with the Republicans 96% of the time. He’s as “independent” as MSNBC Obama ball washer, Chris Matthews is (or anything Republican ball washer Sean Hannity is).

Frankly, I don’t understand all the hoopla on either side of the aisle. The Dems are acting like Republicans and the Republicans aren’t happy about it? Geez, Louise.

Never thought I’d say it (much less print it) but Hillary would’ve been the better lesser of two evil choices compared to Obama … the kind of wheeling and dealing she’s been involved in her entire life (including her “marriage”), would’ve guaranteed SOMETHING was accomplished by a veto proof Senate.

Even Wolf Blitzer asked David (“I won’t discuss Dennis Kucinich”) Gergen how come Republicans with much smaller Congressional majorities and minorities managed to pass legislation, including George Dumbya Bush while the Dems held the majority from 2006 on, but Obama can’t get his own party to pass anything substantive (except for Republican policy--the war, corporate welfare, etc.)?

Okay, so Wolf didn't mention that bit about Republican policy, but he did ask the question and Gergen fumbled with an answer but eventually had to admit because (paraphrasing here:) Obama trusted those around him, maybe from inexperience(?)"

Obama looks to be one and done unless he can figure out that the job entails more than photo ops and speeches the out-of-work are tired of hearing. His attempt to “tax the banks” now (after giving them a $38 BILLION tax break) is an insult to our collective intelligence. He may look and speak better than the last empty suit, but that’s where it ends. Whether he wins or losses in 2012 is irrelevant if a Republican or another Democrat replaces him (and don’t think Hillary isn’t watching this disaster unfold with eager eyes).

This country needs action. It needs a leader who can get things done, preferably for the citizens who elect him or her and not the banks that continue to hold us hostage. The time for a third party is long overdue. Vote for ANYBODY who isn’t a Democrat or a Republican in the next SEVERAL elections--DON'T QUIT IF YOU DON'T WIN RIGHT AWAY. Think about it: Are the two major parties doing anything for you? Liberals vote for who they REALLY want. Conservatives vote for who they REALLY want. Stop choosing the lesser of two evils already … it’s a zero sum game.


Strangers on a Train ... yet another wonderful read from the nasty and supremely talented Ms. Highsmith. This one is a psychological thriller that takes off early and doesn’t slow down. There's no slack in the suspense as Charlie Bruno, a spoiled drunk who wants to whack his old man, meets up with Guy Haines, an architect about to divorce a floozy and marry the proverbial good girl. No spoilers here, of course, but Highsmith does an incredible job of luring us into the manic world of Guy Haines and the predicament that develops from his chance meeting with Charlie Bruno on a train. There are always homosexual overtones in anything Highsmith and this one is no different, although I have to admit I wouldn’t have been as sensitive to them had I not read the Shankar biography of The Talented Miss Highsmith. So far it’s been one great book after another ... and now I get to see the movie!


I ate a baby ...


Defending The Gold … Around this time last year the ugly one entered his first powerlifting meet in a good many years. The competition was fierce (in all the other divisions but his) and there were some kids who were lifting like cranes, but in the old, obese division (Masters II, SHW), there was just Knuckules (pronounced Knuck-U-Lees). Next month he’s going to defend his state championship (unless another old, obese lifter shows up) in Princeton on Sunday February 28th. This morning (4:00 a.m.) started the serious training … and the breaking open of the Ben Gay seals …

The diet coach, cousin (and stud) Jason Pierantoni, will be coming along for support (and to help Knucks get in and out of the car afterward) ...


Fix the thing ... from a fellow Canarsie kid, Tom Cerami: There recently was an article in the St. Petersburg Fl. Times. The Business Section asked readers for ideas on: "How Would You Fix the Economy?" I think this guy nailed it!

Dear Mr. President,

Please find below my suggestion for fixing America's economy. Instead of giving billions of dollars to companies that will squander the money on lavish parties and unearned bonuses, use the following plan. You can call it the "Patriotic Retirement Plan": There are about 40 million people over 50 in the work force. Pay them $1 million apiece severance for early retirement with the following stipulations:

1) They MUST retire. Forty million job openings - Unemployment fixed.

2) They MUST buy a new American CAR. Forty million cars ordered – Auto Industry fixed.

3) They MUST either buy a house or pay off their mortgage – Housing Crisis fixed.

It can't get any easier than that!

P.S. If more money is needed, have all members in Congress pay their taxes.

Mr.. President, while you're at it, make Congress retire on Social Security and Medicare. I'll bet both programs would be fixed pronto!


—Knucks

And the DOC says ...

Hey, Chaz,

Judging by the amount of typos in your rant I would hazard a guess that you cracked the seal on more than a tube of Bengay tonight. There has to be at least one empty bottle of Chivas floating around Casa Stella or have you trained Spartacus to conceal the evidence.

I think you are rushing past curmudgeon. You hate it when the Republicans win, but you hate it worse when the Democrats win. You have to pick a side, bro. The last time a third party candidate had a shot to win, I had long, thick, blond hair. Way back when, I didn't get Perot. I didn't get Bush which would have been my second choice. I ended up with B.J. Clinton. (Bill Jefferson... not what you were thinking, you pervert) and that led to lessons on what the definition of the word "is" is. To put it bluntly, the next time Nader wins will be the first.

So let's recap. You're drunk, cantankerous, uncomfortable with victories, a pervert and too lazy to use spellcheck. Congratulations, Chaz, I think you have become French.

And to counterract the moon shot of the Sumo wrestler I offer you this.


Au revoir
le Doc