DRAWING on OBSERVATIONS

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A relative term that’s tricky to define.

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Those reading Russian tea leaves are still not certain who rules the Kremlin. Medvedev seems to have taken the Russian ruler training wheels off by firing political rival Yuri Luzhkov from his two decade position as Mayor of Moscow. But many believe he was slow to remove the thorn from his side because he needed to seek the approval of Putin who had a good rapport with Luzhkov.

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Her eight decade career on stage, film and TV included roles in The Invisible Man, The Old Dark House and The Prisoner of Shark Island, but she earned her first Oscar nomination at age 87 for her portrayal of Rose Calvert in James Cameron’s Titanic.

Stuart, a long time breast cancer survivor, had been diagnosed with lung cancer 5 years ago. She passed away in her sleep from respiratory failure.

Click here to donate to the American Cancer Society.

Taken from my comfy seat behind home plate

I was glad that Yankee manager, Joe Girardi came to the realization that the Yanks need to clinch the regular season before deciding to rest players and line up his post season rotation. After dropping four in a row and falling out of first place, the manager reversed coarse, starting Phil Hughes… and, if there were any remaining doubt that Girardi wanted to win last night, he brought in Mariano in the eighth inning.
Hughes deserved a better fate, pitching six plus innings, giving up only one run but exiting down 1-0 as the Yankee bats remained in deep hibernation.

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It wasn’t until the seventh inning that the Yanks got off the snide when A-Rod parked a Dice-K pitch into the Yankee ball pen with Teixeira on first to take the lead 2-1. Even though Mo blew the save as a light mist began to fall, Robinson Cano drove in the tying run in the bottom of the 9th before Boston’s pen walked in the winning run in the 10th. The 4-3 win brings their magic number down to one.

Thanks Maise, John, Tim and John for the great seats!

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Can a republican governor of New Jersey, a democrat inner city mayor, a 26 year old billionaire geek from California and a talk show host from Chicago hammer out a deal to put Newark city school system back on track? Many are skeptical. Watch Oprah today and stay tuned.

read the story
read the doubters
more doubters

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China Prime Minister Wen Jiabao demands Japan release a fishing trawler captain caught fishing in Japanese waters. China has blocked the export of rare earth minerals used by Japan to produce hybrid cars, wind turbines and guided missiles.  Wen threatened further actions if Japan does not comply.

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Even in death, George is larger than life and still inspiring controversy. Many fans were taken aback by the size of George’s plaque installed in monument park before Monday nights game. The 7 foot wide, 5 foot tall plaque dwarfs the monuments honoring Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Roger Maris and other Yankee greats.

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Pardon me while I remove my jaw from my cereal bowl.

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Republicans in Georgia were counting their fried chicken’s before they were hatched. That was before they learned that their standard bearer in the gubernatorial race, Nathan Deal, failed to report over five million dollars in debt and that he may have to sell his home to avoid bankruptcy or foreclosure.

Click here for the recipe of the day

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La de da de de, la de da de da.

Song of the Day

Note: I will be away from my studio tomorrow and Friday. The comments feature will be turned off until I return.

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Rafael Nadal beat Novak Djokovic, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, to win the U.S. Open and become the seventh man in history to win all four majors.

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Lady Gaga took home eight MTV Video Music awards including best video of the year.

26 years ago I was fortunate to have found myself in the audience at Radio City Music Hall for the very first VMA’s and witnessed this performance.

Everything old is new again.

Drawing done to help the victims of 9/11

When you give people the freedom to pursue happiness, you have to take the good with the bad. A few will always push the boundaries of decency (see previous posts) but most people are good.

Lets celebrate that today.

I was fortunate to see Ray Charles sing this song live at the State Theater.

Click here to donate to The Robin Hood Foundation

This morning I ran a 5K to support The Love, Hope, Strength Foundation Click, here to donate

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La de da de de, la de da de da.

Read the insane beat.

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Businessman, pioneer of independent television and philanthropist, John Kluge made his mark. He was 95.

NYT obit

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Florida Pastor Terry Jones is organizing Qur’an burning day on September 11th.

Since the Qur’an strictly forbids suicide,, it would be far more instructive for the pastor to quote Luke 23:34 on 9/11  “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

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An old but effective strategy is being employed by Arizona Republicans: split the opposition vote and roll on to victory. But recruiting street people to put on the ballot has to be a new low in American politics.

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Unfair, uncommon, undemocratic, brace yourself for Kim Jong-un.

Reports of large numbers of top ranking North Korean officials being killed in mysterious traffic accidents and declared missing appears to be Kim Jong-il purging the government of his political enemies to make way for his son Kim Jong-un to succeed him.

Stay tuned

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From athe angelic Corot “Portrait of a Girl” springs a mystery filled with corruption, shady characters and alleged drunken debauchery.

This story caught my eye yesterday, but it’s getting better.

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News from Italy.

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Also, we heard from Alyssa 4:30 am EST and she landed safe and sound.