A Con Well Done

Pardon me while I go on a rant.

I’m tired of all the banks. I’m tired of Wall Street. I’m tired of the bailouts. I’m tired of all the greedy goddamn suits.

It was recently reported in The New York Times, that Wall Street executives last year collected over $18 billion in bonuses. For what?

In most cases, there was no profit, just executives with their hands out to the American people – the taxpayer – to bail them out. They show their appreciation (actually, I think they could care less) by patting themselves on the back for a con well done.

I’m certain this greed was only encouraged by the greedy Bush Administration over the past eight years. Will Obama change things? According to a report yesterday, he’s upset about this irresponsibility too.

And don’t get Maureen Dowd started – I couldn’t agree more with her column last Wednesday.

I don’t know about you, but I earn every penny I make. I budget. I take the bus to work. I don’t buy things I would like to have, because I can’t afford them. I save until I can. I consider myself an American. I consider myself responsible.

Tell me: Do you consider these asshole executives taking billions of dollars from us American? Is this the new American way – to not be responsible?

I hope not. Let’s see if Obama can fix this sickening mess. Corporate Greed is an ugly sight.

(Photo from media.kiiitv.com)

Marge and Schottzie’s Big Adventure

Maybe this will help take your mind off the messy weather outside.

Remember Marge? Remember her dog Schottzie? Some years back, the both of them took off to New York to do Dave Letterman’s show.

Be a part of their big adventure. Take a look at the video down below.

(Photo from Cincinnati.com)

Isn’t it Pretty? – Day #2

Because of the weather here – the big news in Cincinnati – I’ll do a second post today. I assure you; this will not become a habit.

Here in Westwood – ice. We have a little more than an inch I’m guessing. Under that ice is snow and yes, it’s kind of pretty but I’ve had to shovel a little this morning and my back is starting to hurt, so the word “pretty” will probably change to “suck” in only a matter of minutes.

Give us your comments on how you’re handling this mess and stay with Cincinnati Nation to keep track if the weather is going to get better or worse. Perhaps tomorrow it will be in the 70’s but maybe I’m dreaming.

. . . back to shoveling.

(Isn’t it pretty? Photo found on Google)

One of Our Best Writers has Died

John Updike, one of the best writers of our time, passed away Tuesday at the age of 76. He died of lung cancer. Click here to read more information on his life, his work and his death.

Pulitzer Prize winner Updike could do it all. He was a novelist, a poet, an essayist, a critic – but I think my favorite part of his massive body of work is his short stories. There may be other short story writers just as good as him, but there are none any better.

One of my favorite short stories that he wrote is called  “A & P.” In 1995, he sat down for an interview to discuss the story. Part of that discussion is in the video down below.

(Photo from Google)

Isn’t It Pretty?

Tell me – were those the first words out of your mouth when you looked out your window this morning?

It is kind of beautiful, but if you have to be out and about today, you may have other thoughts in your head.

Take it easy out there. Snow mixing with sleet will lead to slick roads and by the time this is over tomorrow, we may have total snow and sleet accumulations of 6 to 11 inches. The Cincinnati Nation can keep you posted on the weather as the hours go by.

As for me, I’m staying in. I’ve got pretty of food, cigarettes and vodka – or what I call the staples of life.

Be careful.

(Photo from farm1.static.flickr.com)

All Good Things Must Come to an End

Shocking, shocking news yesterday. The New York Times has decided to end Bill Kristol’s column.

It was only in the paper for a little more than a year. Is this the thanks he gets?

I don’t understand. Kristol’s column was well written, thought provoking and he never, ever got his facts wrong. He was a must read – now he’s gone.

Too soon. Too soon.

If you can stand to read more on this horrible decision, The Huffington Post can fill you in.

But all is not lost. Apparently The Washington Post will use him occasionally on their online feature “Post Partisan” and he’ll do a print column for them once a month.

Hey Billy, if that’s not enough work, I’m always looking for fresh, excellent writing for CityBeat’s Living Out Loud column. Send me a column. Come join us!

Billy, I am – of course – totally, completely kidding.

(Photo from www.hoffmania.com)

There’s no Fooling the Metro

Yes. Here’s another bus adventure.

A couple days ago, I was heading home taking the #6 bus to get me back to Westwood.

A lady gets on when we’re heading up Queen City Avenue. She doesn’t have her bus fare ready, so she sits down digging through her bag.

She finds her money, but the lady sitting next to her says “here – use my bus card, save some money.”

The newly arrived passenger takes the lady up on her offer.

She walks back up to the front of the bus, takes the bus card and slides it through the slot located next to the bus driver. It doesn’t take.

“Try it again,” the bus driver says.

She slides the card again – still doesn’t work.

“Has somebody else already used this card?” asks the bus driver.

With that said, the lady simply pays her fare.

Apparently, once you use that bus card when you get on the bus, you can’t pass it on to somebody else to use. That’s something I didn’t know.

The woman who gave the other passenger the card – well, I think her heart was in the right place. We’ll call this an act of kindness, but there’s no fooling the metro.

(Photo from WCPO – Channel 9)

I Have a Cold

I have a cold. That’s my excuse for not doing the “That Was the Week That Was – In Blogs” post today. It will return next Sunday.

I can’t really complain. I haven’t had a cold in a long, long time – but maybe I’ll complain anyway. I always hate not feeling 100%.

Kids never let anything get them down – certainly not colds. Take a look at the video down below.

(Photo from Google)

Pigall’s Closing Down

Jean-Robert at Pigall’s, downtown’s only remaining four start restaurant, is closing its doors. The last day of operation will be February 28. Click here to learn more and to read the restaurant’s press release.

I heard rumors of this a couple weeks ago from an employee who works there. He stated that there simply wasn’t any business and that employees were just “standing around.” I guess the writing was on the wall.

It’s a shame to see a nice place like Pigall’s go under – but in trying to look on the bright side, at least here downtown, we still have Arby’s.

(Photo from soapboxmedia.com)

Balls of Money

President Obama.

Has a nice ring to it don’t you think?

After eight years of bad government (namely after eight years of Bush), Tuesday’s inauguration of Obama was a big day for our country. We have something to celebrate – and celebrate we did.

Tuesday night in Washington, there were 10 inaugural balls. I got to wondering how much these things cost. If you’re interested too, click here to get more information.

Tuesday’s inauguration – in total – cost between $150 to $170 million dollars.

Don’t misunderstand me. I understand yesterday was an important change for our country and those inaugural balls were important. I also understand that the money raised for these balls mostly came from private donations – but millions and millions of dollars spent on this?

Last night in downtown Cincinnati, I got approached by a women just looking for a few dollars to buy some milk for her kids. I don’t think her mind was on any of those balls. Her mind was on survival for her children.

Obama’s a good man. These are just thoughts running through my head this morning. I know in reality, Obama is just as concerned about that mother with two hungry children as I am.

The celebration is now over. This country is now in a better place. Let’s get to work.

(Photo from wsj.net)