Author: Eric

INTJ personality. Jack of many trades, master of some. Former banker, consultant, technical writer, marketing manager, infopreneur and communications manager, now retired. Eclectic and sometimes eccentric. Cynical and often critical.

Notes and Asides : Potty Mouths and Pickleball

There can’t be many more stressful and thankless jobs than being the Director of the U.S. Secret Service. Kimberly Cheadle resigned from the job after dodging more bullets from a House Committee meeting yesterday than John Wick running through a gauntlet of assassins. Members of both political parties set their sights on Ms. Cheadle and took their best shots. There also have been complaints about the women who are on Trump’s secret service detail. They were accused of being too small in stature and one female agent was shown having difficutly in unholstering her gun. Best of luck finding a successor in taking a job where any misstep or failure in a very volatile political and violence prone country will get you ridiculed and fired no matter how diligent you and your associates perform.

I thought that having women in high elective office would elevate the national conversation and promote civility. Boy, was I wrong!. Nancy Mace, Lauren Boebert and Marjorie Taylor Greene among others (usually Republican women) have mouths that would embarrass a trucker, rapper or biker.

If you want to guarantee a solid workout playing pickleball, then either play singles or play with a hand-picked group of like-skilled players in a competitive landscape. Do not just go to the park and play 2 hours of pickup and expect it to be a great workout.

The Workout Value Of Pickleball Compared To Other Racquet Sports
Forbes · by Todd Boss · July 22, 2024

I think that the author of the referenced quote did not take into account the age and physical condition of the player. I would agree that for a 20 or 30 year-old, two hours of recreational Pickleball doubles would not be a very good workout. But for someone who is in their 60s or 70s, it constitutes a very good workout.

The Top Athletes of the 21st Century

ESPN just published its list of the top 100 athletes of the 21st-century. Included on the list are people who competed in tennis, basketball, swimming, football, baseball, auto racing, and boxing. These are what I would consider the mainline sports. However, I am not sure that’s where you will find the best “athletes.”

In my mind, a great athlete incorporates the following: (1) stamina, (2) strength, (3) speed (4) agility, (5) reflexes, (6) focus/competitive spirit, and (7) competitive skills to excel in the sport one is performing. For example, Tiger Woods is a great golfer. But does one have to be a great athlete to be a great golfer? Maybe not? Jack Nicklaus. and John Daly were excellent golfers in their heyday, but I would not consider them very good athletes.

My list gives credit to sports and athletes that are not well publicized. For example, a triathlete needs to be an excellent swimmer, biker and runner. Incredible stamina is required as a competition may take place over several hours or even most of the day. There are no triathletes on the ESPN list. There are no CrossFit athletes that are on the ESPN list. That strikes me is a bit odd as ESPN does cover CrossFit competitions.

So here is my list of names that at least should be considered for the top 100 athletes to 21st century:

The Party is Over, Democrats!

So I’m wondering next month at the Democratic national convention, whether Joe Biden will give his concession speech for the presidential election. Why wait till November? It sure looks like a large number of Democrats have thrown in the towel and are already conceding that Donald Trump will be our next president.

I have to admit that Trump and his supporters have been awfully lucky (?) the past few weeks. Not only does Trump survive an assassination attempt but his politically appointed judges have provided incredible cover for his various legal misdeeds. Three months ago, Trump was a convicted felon and established rapist. Now he is anointed as God’s chosen one with polls showing him pulling away from Biden in the presidential race.

But let’s not pass blame on the Democratic Party. They win the cocktail party arguments, get the media endorsements and favorable press coverage but given the political power they have, do not use it effectively. Republicans are ruthless in political power games. They take no prisoners! Democrats return GOP haymakers with gloved hand slaps.

You would think that Merrick Garland would be an inspired avenger against the GOP who blocked him from gaining a Supreme Court seat after being nominated by Barack Obama. However, Trump is largely winning on the legal battlefields. Yesterday, the case against him for hiding and destroying secret documents was dismissed. Even though Trump was found guilty in the Stormy Daniels payoff case, I seriously doubt that he faces any real punishment, especially jail. From my perspective, it looks like the prosecution of Donald Trump was done half assed with very little coordination of effort and timing between State and Federal authorities.

The Democratic Party is weak! They need a “killer” not a feeble old man to take up the fight in the 2024 presidential election. If they choose not to replace Biden with another candidate, I sense that a lot of Democrats and Independents are going to stay home on election day.

Nuclear War:A Scenario by Annie Jacobsen (A Book Review)

Nuclear War: A Scenario by Annie Jacobsen

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

So if the reader enjoys horror stories, there is no potential horror story greater than described in this book. What Jacobsen writes about is the end of human civilization. As soon as North Korea sends missiles towards the United States, there really is no mystery on how this story will end. The world is relying on nuclear deterrence. However, if a crazed leader of a country gets an idea in his head or a terrorist group manages to obtain and arm a nuclear warhead, all bets are off.

What Jacobson wrote is not particularly novel. There have been movies and other books which have explained what could happen if there is a nuclear war. This book does contain additional material and references based on her extensive research. The consequences of a nuclear war to mankind is described in horrifying detail.

The author is guessing as to how decision-makers within this type of scenario will respond. At one point, there is indecision by the secretary of defense, who now acting as President, to issue a full out nuclear retaliation. It seems that once the first nuclear rocket is launched, there is no going back. Nuclear winter is described in great detail – – however, very very few of us would experience it, maybe no one.

I remember reading Failsafe when I was a young boy. That book provided no horrific details as to the horrible ways that people would die, be maimed and struggle to survive.

Much of this book is based on the author’s research. She describes the process by which various agencies, military and government officials should follow if a nuclear war is to start. After reading this book, if I anticipate an imminent nuclear attack by a foreign government, I am not going to hide in some basement. I am going to look for away to die quickly before I experience the horror of a nuclear bomb.

A lot of people should read this book before they go vote this November.





View all my reviews

A Nation on Edge: The Dangerous Consequences of Partisan Politics

Donald Trump is a survivor. He has weathered indictments, impeachment attempts, business failures, deep-seated animosity from half the nation, a failed reelection bid, and now, an assassination attempt. This latest incident may not only cast him as a hero but could also bolster his chances of winning the 2024 presidential election.

The occurrence of such an event should not come as a surprise. The volatility, hatred, and intense partisanship that define contemporary American politics inevitably breed violence. The current climate makes such “craziness” almost inevitable.

In the immediate aftermath of the assassination attempt, accusations flew, suggesting that Joe Biden or liberals, implicitly or otherwise, were responsible for the shooting. However, given Trump’s incendiary rhetoric, it could be argued that he was an accomplice to his own shooting. The political polarization pot has been stirred, and the maelstrom is just beginning.

This moment is critical in American history. We are in dire need of sound and rational judgment. Unfortunately, such judgment seems to be lacking among our national political leaders, the media, and, regrettably, within many of our citizenry.

Dick Cavett Books and Review

Brief Encounters: Conversations, Magic Moments, And Assorted Hijinks By Dick Cavett
My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I am going to combine this review with Talk Show: Confrontations, Pointed Commentary and Off-Screen Secrets also written by Dick Cavett. I read these books at the same time. I admire Cavett’s wit, intelligence, humor, and storytelling. I enjoyed his talk show when it was on in the 1970s. Both books were series of short essays and articles that he wrote for the New York Times. Here are some of the people and topics that he covered, and with which I enjoyed: Groucho, Marx, George W. Bush, Johnny, Carson, Muhammad Ali, John Lennon, James Gandolfini, William F Buckley, Elizabeth Taylor, the Vidal – Mailer incident, Richard Nixon, David Letterman etc.

Cavett’s writing is crisp and humorous and as elegant and entertaining as the many interviews that he did on his ABC talkshow.

I doubt that very many readers under 60 years old may know of Cavett, but he was a bit of a cultural icon and hero in my day. His books represent a nostalgic trip for me into the celebrity world of the 1960s and 70s.

Good fun!

Evil vs. Dumb

This should have been an easy presidential election to figure out. There are three candidates. I guess there are people who take RFK Junior seriously. I can’t. The apple has fallen very far from the tree in his case. And like Donald Trump, he also has been involved in a sexual assault. he holds very many strange, political and scientific views. His vice presidential choice makes Sarah Palin look like John Quincy Adams.

The Republican party is just plain evil. They no longer are interested in a democracy or what average Americans want in their political leadership or direction. Plus their nominee is a convicted felon who has also been indicted for a variety of federal and state violations. I seriously doubt that he will spend one hour in a jail cell for all the crimes he has committed. More likely he will be taking the presidential oath of office next January in Washington DC. What a country!!

This leads me to the Democratic Party. Good intentions, absolutely stupid and timid leadership, and badly out maneuvered by the Republican party. Their political platform probably represents what most Americans are in agreement with but that only matters if we are talking about a working democracy. They made a bad mistake in following the dictum of Michelle Obama, who said, and I paraphrase “when they go low, we go high.” How is that worked out for the Democratic Party and for the nation as a whole?

So now there is angst about the candidacy of Joe Biden for re-election. Biden is holding out that he can remain Trump’s opponent based on the support of his family and inner political circle. Just as I saw with my own eyes on January 6, 2021 that Donald Trump initiated and fomented a hostile political takeover so I also see and hear that Joe Biden is regrettably not up to the job as he is just too old. Time is unbeaten and Joe is another one of its victims. Looks like Joe needs a push out the door…

Many Democrats supposedly are rallying around the President. They point out his achievements over the past 3 1/2 years which are commendable and considerable. I think he has brought honor back to the presidency. But what the Democratic Party needs today is a killer. A leader who will not take any prisoners and will win the presidential election in November. Two of the most important qualifications for any Democratic candidate is youth and energy. Then make that contrast with an old and feeble Donald Trump.

The Democrats had four years to either put Trump in jail, in exile or out of business. Timidly, they have not accomplished anything. The Democrats lack a “closer”, a visionary, a political heavyweight who can take on the Republican party.

I will be interested to see who in the Democratic Party stands up and demands the job. Whoever it is has only about 3 to 4 weeks to make his or her case.

No Debate about the Debate

Even before Joe Biden uttered a word before the CNN Presidential debate last night, I knew he lost. He shuffled out to his podium like a senior citizen going to wait in line for food donations. His demeanor was emotionless. There was no energy in his walk, his eyes and his demeanor. He epitomized the worst fears of his critics who said he was too old.

So what should the Democrats do?

First, they need Joe to step aside. I’m sure the polls after this debate will be devastating. Joe did have support from last night, but it was from pity.

Second, anyone who has been involved with having Joe run should be fired. Did they think this charade would work through November? I have serious concerns that he will finish his term.

Third, find the best opponent against Trump. Not Hilary Clinton but a young, energetic candidate that can be elected. And find them fast as there are state election regulations requiring that a candidate be named within 40 days.