Joe wants to "Keep Your Team Out of My Book"

I usually enjoy Joe Queenan's columns and essays wherever I encounter them, as well as his rare appearances on TV shows such as Bill Maher's Real Time on HBO. His essay in last Sunday's (April 18, 2010) New York Times Book Review is exceptionally funny, especially for baseball fans. Yankee-haters will laugh out loud love it. I have to say that even I laughed out loud several times; it is just a wonderful piece about cultural realities. A link to the essay is provided here. Enjoy!

Capitalism is Dead!

Earlier this week, International Paper (IP) announced that it would close its Millersburg, OR Kraft paper plant in December. 240 people will be laid-off, bringing the total of folks who have lost their jobs at this facility in 2009 to 270.

A few days earlier, we viewed Michael Moore’s new documentary, “Capitalism: A Love Story” at the local Regal Cinema theater. There were about ten people in attendance.

A couple of weeks ago, we viewed another documentary, “Flow,” about how water companies such as Nestle and Vivendi are vying to control water distribution throughout the world.

Last weekend, we viewed an HBO documentary called “Schmata: Rags to Riches to Rags,” about the collapse of New York’s garment district.

Of course, we all know about Wall Street getting bailed out and we, the people, getting the shaft.

Indeed, it’s the end of capitalism as we know it, and I do NOT feel fine!