November 2014 - Page 4 of 7 - Ramblin' with Roger

Kursed by Kardashian; Garry Marshall turned 80

Garry Marshall is probably best know for being the creative force behind such TV shows as Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, Mork and Mindy, and The Odd Couple.

There is infotainment in popular culture that I chose not to know, such as just about anything about the Kardashians. I can’t help but know there’s a bunch of sisters, some the daughters of the late OJ Simpson murder trial attorney Robert Kardashian. All their names begin with the letter K. They have (had?) a reality show that must be popular. Kim has a child named North West.

There becomes a time, though, when “everyone’s talking about it.” I was watching this ad for a new game show called Celebrity Name Game, hosted by soon-to-be-former late-night talk show ringmaster Craig Ferguson. Courtney Cox is giving a clue, “She’s on TV and she’s got a big butt,” and the contestant immediately responds, “Kim Kardashian.”

I would have had no idea. Seriously.

Shortly thereafter, I become inundated with KK news. She’s on an ad for the show Two Broke Girls, playing herself. Kim sues an actress for copying her poses and having a large butt; apparently, she’s very litigious.

Then, there are the recent magazine shots, which Mark Evanier helpfully described as having “her bare butt glistening with oil and, it would seem, her waistline photoshopped down to make it thinner, therefore making her butt seem bigger.” And then she showed even more.

Fortunately, KK’s bottom did not get as much social media response as the recent comet landing, so she failed to “break the Internet,” whatever that means.

Not knowing about Kim Kardashian was really nice. And now I can’t unknow it.

In general, I’m just not that social media aware. Of the 50 items listed in The Best Memes of the Last 15 Years, I had not heard of 2/3s of them. I’m perfectly fine with that.

Oh, I do need another topic here.

I managed to miss the fact that Garry Marshall turned 80 on November 13. In case you don’t know him, he’s an actor. He was a writer for the Dick Van Dyke Show in its later years. He directed several movies such as The Princess Diaries, Runaway Bride, Pretty Woman, Beaches, and The Flamingo Kid. He’s probably best known for being the creative force behind such TV shows as Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, Mork and Mindy, and The Odd Couple.

Thanks to newspaper writer Mark McGuire, I discovered something. Those of you who watched The Odd Couple might remember the intro (WATCH): “On November 13, Felix Unger was asked to remove himself from his place of residence. That request came from his wife.” Thus that date, November 13, was not random, but rather self-referential.

For next year, know that, according to McGuire, “Happy Odd Couple Day… can celebrate the fact that opposites attract. It can be a day to give a shout-out to old friends. It can commemorate one of the all-time great comedies. Really it can mean just about anything you want it to mean.”

Here’s the Password episode
***
Speaking of Jack Klugman (sort of), Glen A Larson has died. I was an avid watcher of Quincy, M.E., as well as McCloud, Switch and It Takes A Thief. He was also involved with Magnum P.I., Battlestar Galactica, Knight Rider, and much more.

The FantaCo/Smilin’ Ed Kickstarter; the Wells Fargo refund

FantaCo owner/publisher/co-creator of Smilin’ Ed, Tom Skulan,, is organizing a Kickstarter to create The Complete Smilin’ Ed Comics. He’s trying to raise $7500 by Thursday, December 11, 2014 at 1:12 AM EST.

Those of you who lived or worked in Albany from 1978 to 1998 might remember this sign, created by the late Raoul Vezina in the window of FantaCo Enterprises, the comic book store/mail order house/publisher/convention organizer at 21 Central Avenue; the sign has been digitally enhanced from the original by artist Bill Anderson. Raoul drew the logo rat for the store, the character eventually dubbed Smilin’ Ed Smiley.

A few years later, Smilin’ Ed became the star of some comic books published by FantaCo, as well as in strips in Albany’s Metroland magazine and the Comics Buyers Guide. Unfortunately, Raoul died in 1983 – of an asthma attack.

Now, FantaCo owner/publisher/co-creator of Smilin’ Ed, Tom Skulan,, is organizing a Kickstarter to create The Complete Smilin’ Ed Comics. He’s trying to raise $7500 by Thursday, December 11, 2014 at 1:12 AM EST.

As I have mentioned in the past, I worked at FantaCo, running the mail order, editing a handful of magazines, and various other tasks, from May 1980 through November 1988. I had a hand in scripting one of the stories. I played interlocutor for a couple of parties involved in this project and found a few pieces that are included in the book. I wrote one of the text pieces contained therein. Oh, and I took the picture of Raoul that appears on the Kickstarter page.

Thus, I do have an emotional investment in seeing this project succeed. Raoul’s sister Maria has also been heavily involved with the project, and it’s very important to her. One of the pieces in the book will be the script and some art pages to a never-published Ed story.
***
I got this envelope in the mail this month. It appeared to be junk mail, but in fact, it contained a check for $214.85, and not one of those phony “use this check as a down payment on a car from us,” but a real cashier’s check.

Dear ROGER O GREEN:

Our records show you previously purchased, then cancelled an identity theft protection plan. During your enrollment the credit monitoring benefit may not have been activated.

We recommend reviewing your credit history, and are providing a free Experian credit report. Please call… and provide this code…

We are reimbursing yoy for fees paid during a period of time when your your credit monitoring benefit may not have been activated.Cashing the check will not reactivate your plan. For other questions please call Wells Fargo…

Thank you. we appreciate your business.

Interesting. I no longer remember how much the service cost, maybe $5.95 a month, maybe more. But even at $9.95 a month, and it wasn’t that much, that’s over 21 months where the right hand knoweth not what the left hand doeth. I haven’t had a Wells Fargo credit card in years, and seldom used it when I did.

Of course, I DID make use of the Experian report. Surprisingly, they did not try to buy their OWN service; thank you, very much.

Call the police; voter ID

I’ve been pondering this topic pretty much since I got booted from jury duty on a trial for a police officer who had allegedly been assaulted.

Yes, I DO think being part of the police is inherently much more dangerous than what I do, what most people do. And it’s not just going after the bad guys, such as when two Los Angeles cops were killed during a shooting spree. I found recent cases where they were targeted rather disturbing, such as the New York City cops assaulted by a hatchet-wielding man.

You may have heard about Eric Frein, a survivalist who is accused of shooting and killing a Pennsylvania State Police officer, Bryon Dickson, and wounding Trooper Alex Douglass in an ambush September 12 outside the Blooming Grove state police barracks in Pike County, PA. He has fortunately been captured, seven weeks later. What you may not have read about is the man who was repeatedly mistaken for Frein. His allegation of rough treatment, unfortunately, rang true with me.

I was oddly happy to see a local cop acting badly, and the citizen involved being white. That’s because it removes the racial stereotypes; you’ll still see them in the comments to the video. That cop has resigned. Saratoga County, BTW, is one of the more well-to-do counties in the state, certainly in the Albany metro area.

This will tie in, eventually: a friend sent me an article Texans Slam Voter ID Law: ‘Now That It’s Happened To Me, I’m Devastated’. An “84-year-old grandmother who lives in an assisted-living facility in Austin, Texas, has voted in every major election in her life since she became eligible. But ..she couldn’t get the right identification…” Women who have ID under different names are particularly vulnerable.

“Critics of the law estimated that up to 750,000 people in Texas wouldn’t have sufficient ID and would need to get an election certificate to vote. Yet between June 2013 and the week leading up to Tuesday’s midterms, only 371 certificates had been issued…” Since these IDs are expensive, the purchase of same would amount to a poll tax, which is in violation of the 24th Amendment to the US Constitution.

The linkage here is that people often are oblivious to the wrongs that take place, sometimes under the presumption of legal authority, and believe it’s no big deal, until it affects them personally. My friend was really ticked about this in the voter ID case. I tend to think that it’s just human nature to think a problem is “theirs”, until it becomes “yours.”

Office JEOPARDY!

What was originally the Houston Oilers is today this NFL team.

There has been some interdepartmental game of the TV show Jeopardy going on around here. I was invited to join by this guy, not in my department, who told the organizer “Alex” that I’m really smart; thanks for the pressure. I wonder if “Alex” knows I was once on the real JEOPARDY?

Here are some of the rules.
* All the answers and questions come from the Jeopardy Desk calendar of the current date.
* Don’t cheat. NO looking at the desk calendar, NO looking up the answer anywhere (i.e. internet, dictionary, etc), NO discussing or giving it away with anyone.
* The Answer must be in the form of a question or you will lose points
* Don’t argue the answer. “Alex” will go only by what is on the desk calendar. If you have a problem with that, write the desk calendar people.
* Results are posted each day so that you know your standing.
* Spelling does not count; however, it does have to phonetically resemble the answer so “Alex” can give you points.
* Only those with positive points can play Final Jeopardy.
* Jeopardy will only be played on working days.

There are 17 players.

Play along and see how many points you’d get, WITHOUT looking it up.

Today’s Answer is worth $200 and the category is: Sports Talk
The Jeopardy game answer is: These two National Basketball Association teams play in the Staples Center.

I know this straight off. Those two teams in Los Angeles.

What are the Lakers and the Clippers?

Eight-way tie for first place.
***

Today’s Answer is worth $600 and the category is: Sports Talk
The Jeopardy game answer is: Forty-Two-Pound polished stones with a handle on top are slid on ice in this sport.

I’ve watched the Winter Olympics several times, and know a guy who used to play locally.

What is curling?

Still an eight-way tie
***

Today’s Answer is worth $1000 and the category is: Sports Talk
The Jeopardy game answer is: What was originally the Houston Oilers is today this NFL team.

Sad, but I’m pretty expert at the moves of Major League Baseball and NFL teams. NHL relocations might trip me up.

What are the (Tennessee) Titans?

Four-way tie for first.
***

Today’s Answer is worth $1200 and the category is: Dramas
The Jeopardy game answer is: In the 15th Century, this alliterative type of play dealing with Jesus’ crucifixion could take 3 days to complete.

I used to get invitations to go to Europe to see these; never did it.

What is a Passion play?

Alone in first place by $1000. To my surprise, only one other person got it, and it wasn’t one of the co-leaders.
***

Today’s Answer is worth $1000 and the category is: 5-Letter the Better
The Jeopardy game answer is: This five-letter coffee flavor comes from a Red Sea port in Yemen where coffee was exported.

I knew not drinking coffee would come back to bite me. Nothing is coming to mind. No guess, for getting it wrong costs points.

What is a mocha?

Lead cut to $200, $3000 to $2800 for 3 others.
***

Today’s Answer is worth $400 and the category is: Vice Precedents
The Jeopardy game answer is: She was the first woman nominated for Vice President by a major party.

Funny, but her name briefly left me. It knew it was 1984, I know she was on Walter Mondale’s ticket, I knew she was short, blonde, Italian. She’s now deceased. FINALLY it came to me.

Who was Geraldine Ferraro?

Maintain a $200 lead over 2 opponents, but 2 others are only $1000 back, with three more $1200 behind.
***

Today’s Answer is worth $1200 and the category is: Vice Precedents
The Jeopardy game answer is: He was the first Vice President to assume the Presidency upon the death of a President.

I knew this instantly. William Henry Harrison’s veep was elevated a month after the 1841 inauguration.

Who was John Tyler?

I have $4600, and my nearest opponent has $3600, with two others at $3200. BTW, there are 4 people at $0, and two less than zero.
***

Today’s Answer is worth $200 and the category is: Economic Terms
The Jeopardy game answer is: Two-word term for business between 2 countries unhindered by governmental restrictions like tariffs or quotas.

I was home sick that day, so that’s my explanation for not knowing this. I kept thinking “bilateral agreement,” but wasn’t feeling confident. I passed. And a good thing.

What is free trade? (It was the TWO countries that bugged me; NAFTA is among THREE countries, e.g.)

I still have $4600, and my nearest opponents have $3600, $3400 and $3200.
***

Today’s Answer is worth $600 and the category is: Economic Terms
The Jeopardy game answer is: This term is from the Greek for “one” and “to sell”.

Well, one is mono. But I thought polis meant city, poly had to do with sides of a shape. Still what else could be “one seller”? Took a chance.

What is a monopoly?

A $1400 lead.
***

Today’s Answer is worth $1000 and the category is: Economic Terms
The Jeopardy game answer is: It’s the study of large-scale or general economic factors, a country’s total economic activity.

Watching the show, sometimes stuff sticks.

What is macroeconomics?

With $6200, an $1800 lead.
***

Today’s Answer is worth $400 and the category is: TV
The Jeopardy game answer is: On January 22, 2010, this late night host said goodbye to NBC after 17 years on the network.

With a big lead, I got careless and guessed Jay Leno, when he left (for the last time), much later.

Who is Conan O’Brian?

I have $5800; second place is $4400, third is $4200, fourth is $2400, so it’s really a three-person contest right now.
***

Today’s Answer is worth $1200 and the category is: TV
The Jeopardy game answer is: He won a Golden Globe for playing himself playing a hockey coach in Showtime’s Episodes.

Don’t know, so didn’t guess.

Who is Matt LeBlanc? (Oh, the guy from Friends; if I were to have taken a wild guess, it would have been him.)

Top three stay the same, though someone got it right and is up to $3000 for fourth place.
***

Today’s Answer is worth $600 and the category is: States by Cities & Towns
The Jeopardy game answer is: Medicine Lodge, Sublette, Leavenworth.

There’s a famous prison in Leavenworth, Kansas. My question: is there another Leavenworth? I take the chance.

What is Kansas?

Correct.
Coming up: the last question before the final.

I have $6400, followed by $5000, $4200, $3000, $2600, $2400. The rest have $1800 or less, including 6 with zero or less.
***

Today’s Answer is worth $1000 and the category is: States by Cities & Towns
The Jeopardy game answer is: Ville Platte, Opelousas, Plaquemine.

The scoring now affects my play. If I’m wrong, and 2nd place person is right, I could lose the lead. But if I’m right, maybe I won’t have to bet so much in the Final. I actually have no specific knowledge, but they all sound French, which suggests Louisiana. And doesn’t Opelousas SOUND like Louisiana? Or Mississippi?

What is Louisiana?

(Crosses fingers, and hopes that those French-sounding names didn’t deceive me; they did not!)

I have $7400, followed by $5000, $4200, $4000, $2600, $2400
***
Now it’s Final JEOPARDY!
Alex gives the category and nothing else. Based on this, we need to place a wager with the amount of money we have. We get the final Jeopardy answer the next day.

The Final Jeopardy Category is: 19th Century Literature. This is not my favorite topic. I can’t keep the Bronte sisters straight and haven’t read a great deal in the category.

I have, really, only two choices. One is to bet nothing, and make one of the three people with $4000 or more get the answer correct. The other is to bet enough to win, $2601 or more, get it right, and it doesn’t matter WHAT they do. I opt for the latter, wagering $2700.
***

Friday you all sent me a wager based on this Category: 19th Century Literature
Your answer to this category is: In an 1877 novel, Mrs. Gordon initially suggests the name Ebony for this title character.

“Remember, if you wagered nothing ($0) then your money stays whether you answer or don’t answer. If you did not wager your total will automatically become your wager. If you wagered and you answer the question you will either gain or lose whatever you wagered based on whether or not you answer the question correctly.”

I have NO idea who Mrs. Gordon is. But ebony is black, so I took a guess.

Do you have a guess? I mused about a character that looked like black wood.

What is Black Beauty? (Talk about your educated guesses.)

If I have ever read that book, I don’t remember.

This turned out to be CORRECT.

And the October Jeopardy winner is…moi!

I had $10,100, followed by $10,000, $8000, $4200, $3600, $2000, $1199 and $400. Betting nothing would have put me in third place. Getting it wrong, in this instance, would ALSO have put me in third place.
***
In the next round, I ask “Alex” to invite some of my office colleagues. It should be a real challenge to defend.

The case against The Case Against Liberal Compassion

This is some hope for you liberals who are feeling a bit… down after November 4.

Somehow, I have received in the (snail) mail the current (October 2014) issue of Imprimis. The article, The Case Against Liberal Compassion by William Voegeli, the Senior Editor of Claremont Review of Books, arrived right after the 2014 midterm elections. He attacks “the five big program areas that make up our welfare state.”

Basically, it’s the same old trope about liberals using other people’s money to do good. He uses the Affordable Care Act, and specifically the disastrous rollout of the Obamacare website as “proof”, ignoring the value of the actual program to the previously unemployed.

Of course, he does not once mention the major “welfare state,” corporate welfare. Even FORBES magazine, no liberal bastion, asked this year, Where Is The Outrage Over Corporate Welfare? Not to mention the cover-up of economic malfeasance.

In fact, I believe that it would be a very good thing to reduce the number of working families who are on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which I knew as Food Stamps. Ultimately, the government is supplementing Wal-Mart and McDonalds and those other businesses providing less than livable wages to their employees, expanding the welfare state.

But rather than creating a blow-by-blow response, for which I haven’t the energy, I recommend to you the Weekly Sift’s Republicans have a story to tell. We’re stuck with facts. It does not actually deal with the Imprimis article, but was, rather, an antidote to it for me.

Everything the Democrats support is on the wrong scale: We want to raise the minimum wage, and subsidize your health insurance, and pay women the same as men, and cut back the war on minor drugs, and create jobs building infrastructure, and put a little less carbon in the air. All good stuff…

What the current Democratic strategy misses is precisely the caring-about-things-that-don’t-directly-affect-you that the Republican story inspires…

It may also provide some hope for you liberals who are feeling a bit… down after November 4.

Ultimately, though, I’m convinced that it’s not just the expenditure of government money that is at issue. That would not explain the increasing number of municipalities that are criminalizing the hungry and the homeless, because it would not “look good.” This made national news. This does not involve government, except as an agent of non-compassion.

Meanwhile, newly-reelected Wisconsin Scott Walker wants jobless and food stamp recipients to face drug testing, an exercise in other states, such as Florida, that is not only demeaning but actually costs more to do than the savings from cutting off drug users; a lousy use of the public dollar.

So, yes, I’ll still accept the liberal mantle. Unlike the straw horse argument by Voegeli, I DO value the implementation of efficiency. Too often, though, those “efficiencies” are implemented to either line the pockets of the connected or obfuscate the real problems.

I’ll opt for compassion.