I see Larry about once a week. Last week when I seen him he had this wicked ugly black guy. It was really fucking bad. So I says to him hey Larry what the fuck happened. He turns to me and he says hey it's none of your fucking business. So I let it go.
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Monday, August 25, 2014
Review of The Brit by English Professor
I just stumbled upon this review of The Brit: Drawing Dead, posted some time ago by George Haggerty, an English professor from The University of California - Riverside. I thought I would share it here.
The Brit tells the story of the professional gambler, T.S. Fowler, and various people who encounter him during his short time in Las Vegas, Nevada. T.S., who is mostly called The Brit in the novel, has come to Las Vegas to improve his earnings at poker, which he plays for high stakes, as does his wife, and they both support themselves in this way. The Brit is not cheating or working any system besides luck and his knowledge of the game. But he gets so into playing that he hardly eats, pops amphetamines to stay awake, and drinks, with coffee or gin, depending on whether he wants to keep playing or to crash.
On this particular visit to Las Vegas, he seems to be doing well in reconstructing his fortunes. He is strung out, but he still manages to keep up decent conversational patter, and when he does chat late one night with an attractive corporate lawyer, she is on her guard, but she likes him enough to give him her card.
Meanwhile, in London, his wife Edith is trying to cope with a sense that her life has become meaningless. She visits a counselor and feels for the first time in a long time happy about her prospects and the chance of working things out with the husband, whom she realizes she hardly knows. During his second day, the Brit’s luck turns sour, and he almost instantly loses not only all his gains but everything he brought with him to Las Vegas. This sends him into a crazed spell in which he does some horrendous things, and the next thing Edith hears is that he is being held in a Las Vegas jail on an indictment for murder. Edith responds to his call and heads to Las Vegas with the little cash she has and no idea where to turn.
In the meantime, the Brit has phoned the lawyer, Mary, explaining his plight and asking for her help. She says she will try to help him find an attorney, but she does nothing and he is appointed a public defender. That turns out to be an overworked but very competent and concerned young man, who helps the Brit to shape a defense. He calls Mary again, however, and asks her to help with his wife. Feeling guilty, Mary agrees to contact Edith and offer her a place to stay when she arrives in Las Vegas.
The two women hit it off immediately, and the intensity of their feelings help them both deal with the crises surrounding them. I say “crises” because everything seems to go wrong. The judge rejects a plea—because he is upset that a Lockerbie defendant has been set free in Britain; there is an explosion at the jail; and Edith ends up returning to London alone.
It is a simple tale, almost a long short story or a novella, but it is powerful and thought provoking in lots of ways.
The Brit tells the story of the professional gambler, T.S. Fowler, and various people who encounter him during his short time in Las Vegas, Nevada. T.S., who is mostly called The Brit in the novel, has come to Las Vegas to improve his earnings at poker, which he plays for high stakes, as does his wife, and they both support themselves in this way. The Brit is not cheating or working any system besides luck and his knowledge of the game. But he gets so into playing that he hardly eats, pops amphetamines to stay awake, and drinks, with coffee or gin, depending on whether he wants to keep playing or to crash.
On this particular visit to Las Vegas, he seems to be doing well in reconstructing his fortunes. He is strung out, but he still manages to keep up decent conversational patter, and when he does chat late one night with an attractive corporate lawyer, she is on her guard, but she likes him enough to give him her card.
Meanwhile, in London, his wife Edith is trying to cope with a sense that her life has become meaningless. She visits a counselor and feels for the first time in a long time happy about her prospects and the chance of working things out with the husband, whom she realizes she hardly knows. During his second day, the Brit’s luck turns sour, and he almost instantly loses not only all his gains but everything he brought with him to Las Vegas. This sends him into a crazed spell in which he does some horrendous things, and the next thing Edith hears is that he is being held in a Las Vegas jail on an indictment for murder. Edith responds to his call and heads to Las Vegas with the little cash she has and no idea where to turn.
In the meantime, the Brit has phoned the lawyer, Mary, explaining his plight and asking for her help. She says she will try to help him find an attorney, but she does nothing and he is appointed a public defender. That turns out to be an overworked but very competent and concerned young man, who helps the Brit to shape a defense. He calls Mary again, however, and asks her to help with his wife. Feeling guilty, Mary agrees to contact Edith and offer her a place to stay when she arrives in Las Vegas.
The two women hit it off immediately, and the intensity of their feelings help them both deal with the crises surrounding them. I say “crises” because everything seems to go wrong. The judge rejects a plea—because he is upset that a Lockerbie defendant has been set free in Britain; there is an explosion at the jail; and Edith ends up returning to London alone.
It is a simple tale, almost a long short story or a novella, but it is powerful and thought provoking in lots of ways.
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
The Opposite of Morality
"The direct opposite of the principle of morality is, when the principle of private happiness is made the determining principle of the will..." (Emphasis added) Emmanuel Kant
Do we let what drives us be what makes us privately happy?
I wonder. And I wonder what you think?
Do we let what drives us be what makes us privately happy?
I wonder. And I wonder what you think?
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
I Worry About Fracking - Do You?
Energy independence would be good; reducing greenhouse gases would be better. I'm just not convinced that natural gas through fracking is the answer. Here, in Southwestern PA, we are at the epicenter of a whirlwind of fracking activity. The drilling is outpacing the regulation. The rush to fuel, no pun intended, the economy and to extract this energy resource might be a fool's game. At a minimum, it pocks the countryside with tanks and drainage ponds and all the aftermath of a well. Beyond that, I am afraid of what time will tell. The law lags science and science lags economic impetus to move forward and cash in. But at what cost? I only advocate caution and, more importantly, precaution. I'm not a scientist or a geologist, but I don't think the gas is going anywhere. Can't we take some time to make sure we're not doing more harm than good.
What do you think?
http://www.cmaj.ca/content/early/2014/04/22/cmaj.109-4725.long
What do you think?
http://www.cmaj.ca/content/early/2014/04/22/cmaj.109-4725.long
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Monday, June 25, 2012
Mission of Love Foundation
This past Saturday my wife and I met an extraordinary woman in the Denver airport. The circumstances of our meeting involve being bumped from a flight, the rudeness with which the airline handled it, blah, blah, blah... But the circumstances also introduced us to Kathy Price and her organization's amazing mission - to help the poorest of the poor in the poorest parts of the world. We were coming home from vacation; she and her son were coming home from building houses for Native Americans in Idaho.
Check out this organization and the work they do at www.missionoflove.org. We did and were thoroughly impressed.
There are some really great people out there. Kathy Price, the founder of this organization, is one of them. Consider helping her and The Mission of Love Foundation.
Keep up the great work, Kathy. We are all better off because of your compassion and empathy.
Check out this organization and the work they do at www.missionoflove.org. We did and were thoroughly impressed.
There are some really great people out there. Kathy Price, the founder of this organization, is one of them. Consider helping her and The Mission of Love Foundation.
Keep up the great work, Kathy. We are all better off because of your compassion and empathy.
Friday, June 8, 2012
Haiku - The Chase
Haiku - The Chase
Copyright 2012 Matt Cairone
All Rights Reserved
Lithe and lean in spots
Divulsing prey with rancor
Known by no other
Haiku - The Snake
The Snake - Haiku
Copyright 2012 Matt Cairone
All Rights Reserved
Curled up snake
Hot rock in potent sun bakes
Marks into my soul
Haiku - Mother Earth
Copyright 2012 Matt Cairone
All Rights Reserved
Bright rainbow on high
One arm here other arm there
Caresses the earth
Friday, May 25, 2012
Thanking Those Who Served and Serve
As we approach another Memorial Day holiday weekend, with its barbecues and beach parties and so on, let's not forget to remember what the day is for: to remember those who have served, and those who continue to serve, so that we can enjoy the peace and freedom to grill in our backyards and play safely on the beach.
Many of them paid the ultimate price. We owe them a huge debt, and the same to their families and loved ones, who shared just as much in the pain and sacrifice.
Hats off and eternal gratitude to the men and women who give up so much so that we don't have a to give up anything.
Happy and peaceful Memorial Day to all. Thanks Dad, and rest in peace.
Many of them paid the ultimate price. We owe them a huge debt, and the same to their families and loved ones, who shared just as much in the pain and sacrifice.
Hats off and eternal gratitude to the men and women who give up so much so that we don't have a to give up anything.
Happy and peaceful Memorial Day to all. Thanks Dad, and rest in peace.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
The New Real Deal
Amazing. The same things matter to us: jobs, security, national defense, liberty, life, the freedom to which we are and should be accustomed, and the pursuit of happiness. Why can't we agree on the fundamentals? Because really the same things don't matter to us in the same ways. So the rhetoric goes on, the debate(s) continue, and we don't really make any forward progress.
And the beat goes on.
And the beat goes on.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Monday, January 16, 2012
Venture Capital
The notion that being a successful private equity venture capitalist qualifies one to be the chief executive of the country is nonsense. It just is.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Income Disparity
It strikes me that when all hell broke loose with the US economy in 2008, everyone felt the pain (or so it seemed). Now, it seems like the wealthiest are okay again and they have left the rest of the people behind. That is what, it seems to me, has given rise to the protests and the backlash and the depth of frustration. Makes sense to me; when will the very wealthy (or the politicians who are in their pockets) get it?
Happy New Year, and here's hoping for some real change and real progress and real opportunity for everyone in 2012.
Happy New Year, and here's hoping for some real change and real progress and real opportunity for everyone in 2012.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Just About Sums It Up
From Thomas Friedman's piece in the New York Times:
As Senator Richard Durbin, an Illinois Democrat, bluntly said in a 2009 radio interview, despite having caused this crisis, these same financial firms “are still the most powerful lobby on Capitol Hill. And they, frankly, own the place.”
As Senator Richard Durbin, an Illinois Democrat, bluntly said in a 2009 radio interview, despite having caused this crisis, these same financial firms “are still the most powerful lobby on Capitol Hill. And they, frankly, own the place.”
Friday, October 28, 2011
A Third Political Party
It is time for a credible, centrist political party in this country; a third party that makes a difference and challenges the pathetic status quo. The two party system, which has dominated since the late 1800's, is dysfunctional. The two party system often presents voters with a false choice, i.e., any middle option is excluded. It may be viewed as a Hobson's choice, i.e., there is no real choice if you accept the proposition of a present plutarchy in America. No matter which candidate you vote for, the same money controls.
Neither party is free from the influences of corporate and wealthy America; neither is in tune with the vast majority of Americans and their struggles in the current economic malaise; and neither is worthy of being one of only two.
If you agree, let me know. And let me know what you think can be done about it. Happy Weekend.
Neither party is free from the influences of corporate and wealthy America; neither is in tune with the vast majority of Americans and their struggles in the current economic malaise; and neither is worthy of being one of only two.
If you agree, let me know. And let me know what you think can be done about it. Happy Weekend.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Class Compromise
There is an inherent tension between democracy and capitalism. The trick is to come up with a class compromise that results in fairness and equity. Class power is a game changer in the development of a sustainable class compromise. The current demonstrations, if they are sustained and remain peaceful, will create the class power that will permit the necessary, rational discussions to effect class compromise.
Why don't we see any national political figures engaging the demonstrators? Because they are part of the problem. The money owns the politics and the politicians. Until that changes, we are at stalemate.
Why don't we see any national political figures engaging the demonstrators? Because they are part of the problem. The money owns the politics and the politicians. Until that changes, we are at stalemate.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Obliviousness
Whether Marie Antoinette ever said "Qu'il mangent de la brioche" or "Let them eat cake," is debated. There does not appear to be any evidence that she ever did. No matter; it stands for the obliviousness of the aristocracy to the plight of the working class. It is the same sentiment many Americans have now for the occupy Wall St demonstators. Take a look at history and see how that worked out for the French.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Can "The People" End the Plutarchy?
Is the following correct?
Political power no longer resides in the ballot box (if it ever did); it resides with the owning class who, if the people get uppity (Wall St. demonstrators), will simply turn the economic screws until we knuckle under.
It is in part a rhetorical question. It is in part not a rhetorical question. Please leave a comment with your thoughts on the matter.
Political power no longer resides in the ballot box (if it ever did); it resides with the owning class who, if the people get uppity (Wall St. demonstrators), will simply turn the economic screws until we knuckle under.
It is in part a rhetorical question. It is in part not a rhetorical question. Please leave a comment with your thoughts on the matter.
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