Friday, February 29, 2008

Friday-Sunday, February 29-March 2, 2008

Cobwebs grow on FCC MB Docket No. 07-57...

It's Day 266 since the XM-Sirius proposed merger application was accepted by the FCC (http://www.fcc.gov/transaction/xm-sirius.html) . It's been over 365 days but evidently the folks in Washington stop the clock at 5 p.m. Fridays. We're no closer now than we were one year ago to knowing whether or not the merger will be approved or denied. Perhaps today's e-mail from Sirius indicates that they're ready to turn the page. "See what's going on at SIRIUS this March." I'll tell you what's not going on in February - a merger...

Could this every fourth year occurrence of Leap Day be the charm and come to think of it, shouldn't the extra day have an extra hour? Part of the legend and lore of this day is for females to propose to males. Maybe XM and Sirius can turn the tables of protocol and propose a merger to the FCC. Oh wait, they did that over a year ago...

Whether the merger is approved on February 29th or not, as long as it's approved any day of the year except the 12th of never - 'cause that's a long, long time...

Enjoy Leap Day Hits through the years 1956 - 2008, compliments of YouTube:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=B6DYcMsW-5A ...

10 Timeline Memories:
  1. 1903] Martha Washington slept here: The Martha Washington Hotel opens for business in Manhattan becoming the first hotel exclusively for women (3/2)...
  2. 1923] Time is on our side: TIME hits the newsstands for the first time (3/2). I love their commercials: http://youtube.com/watch?v=VTemhWF_X2k&feature=related ...
  3. 1932] Kidnapped: The 22-month old son of Charles and Anne Lindbergh is kidnapped from the family house near Hopewell (NJ) (3/1). The baby's lifeless body will be found in May...
  4. 1933] The King swings: The original "King Kong" world premieres at the Roxy and Radio City Music Hall theaters in Manhattan (3/2). The quality of the enhanced original trailer is remarkably good: http://youtube.com/watch?v=_JcKdgAQ8s0 ...
  5. 1940] Hats off to Hattie: Hattie McDaniel becomes the first African American to win an Academy Award (2/29) for her role in "Gone With The Wind". An ever-grateful Hattie: http://youtube.com/watch?v=t3hpmgn7Q30 ...
  6. 1941] Birth of an FM nation: W47NV in Nashville (TN) begins transmitting, becoming the first licensed FM station in America (3/1). They kick it off with a commercial for Nashville's Standard Candy Company. Who programmed this station???
  7. 1949] Curtains: The legendary Joe Louis who held the heavyweight title longer than any fighter in history, retires with a record of 63-3 with 49 KO's and 25 successful title defenses (3/1)...1969] Mickey Mantle tells the Yankees, "I can't hit anymore" and with that, retires (3/1). Number 7 will return in June for 'Mickey Mantle Day' at Yankee Stadium. Mantle will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974 with 88% of the vote...
  8. 1951] NBA All-Stars: The first NBA All-Star game is played in Boston Garden (3/2) as the Celtics 'Easy' Ed McCauley leads the East to a 111-94 victory over the West. Only 10,094 witness the game created by publicity man Haskell Cohen and Celtic founder Walter Brown... 1962] Wilt Chamberlain drops 100 points on, who else? The Knicks (3/2). The 'Stilt' enjoyed that: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Fux3lORVInY ...1986] Billy Cunningham, Tommy Heinsohn and Red Holzman are voted into the Basketball Hall of Fame (3/1)...
  9. 1953] As easy as A-B-C: WJZ-AM becomes WABC in New York City (3/1)...
  10. 2000] Alone for 6 years: Sparky Anderson, the only manager to win World Series titles in both leagues, is elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame (2/29). In 2006, Tony La Russa (with Oakland and St. Louis) joins him...

Music Memories:

Commentary:

Those born on February 29th are known as "leaplings". In non-leap years most people celebrate on either February 28th or March 1. Here's a special "Happy Birthday" to all you leaplings. These are some you might know:

Ja Rule (32), motivational speaker Tony Robbins (48), Dennis Farina (64), Henri Richard (72), Tempest Storm (80) and Al Rosen (80)...

Non-leaplings:

(3/1) Javier Bardem (39), CSI's George Eads (41), Tim Daly (52), Ron Howard (54), Catherine Bach (54), Alan Thicke (61), Roger Daltrey (64), Robert Conrad (72), Harry Belafonte (81) and Robert Clary (82)...

(3/2) Robert Iler (23), Bryce Dallas Howard (27), Jon Bon Jovi (46), John Cowsill (52), Laraine Newman (56), Eddie Money (59), Lou Reed (66) who will be taking 'A Walk on the Wild Side': http://youtube.com/watch?v=qJV0MljEcTk , Mikhail ("Tear down this wall") Gorbachev (77), Tom Wolfe (78), John Cullum (78) and Jennifer Jones (89)...

Timeline Countdown: 7 days until Daylight time, 18 days until the first day of spring and 24 days until opening day...


Thursday, February 28, 2008

Thursday, February 28, 2008

What the devil is the European Union???

Like you, I'm reading about this $1.3 billion fine imposed on Microsoft by the European Union yesterday for charging rivals too much for software information and wondering, what gives this union the authority to do such a thing. What the devil is the European Union? According to their website http://europa.eu/abc/panorama/index_en.htm the union is "a unique economic and political partnership between 27 democratic European countries" and its aims are, "peace, prosperity and freedom for its 495 million citizens, in a fairer, safer world." Evidently that 'fairer and safer' world being inhabited by Bill Gates could be even "fairer and safer"...

The EU even has a commissioner for competition - Neelie Kroes. Ms. Kroes undressed Microsoft in Brussels (which always reminds me of a Men at Work song) yesterday to the tune of $1.3 billion. Not that Microsoft can't afford to fork over a mere pittance of the $14.07 billion they earned in fiscal 2007 but $1.3 billion could feed a couple of dozen countries for life. That's a bunch of bucks! Ms. Kroes put an exclamation mark to the announcement by saying "talk is cheap. Flouting the rules is expensive." ...

Barring a possible appeal by Microsoft, this fine closes the door to "bad behaviour" by the company dating back to 1998 when Sun Microsystems filed a complaint which basically said that Microsoft refused to supply information that servers needed to work with their systems. They also accused Bill Gates of having bad breath and cheap sweaters...

Okay, so the big question now is if Microsoft doesn't appeal will they pay the fine in Euro or U.S. dollars? The Euro amount would be a paltry 899 million but given the strength of the U.S. dollar these days, go U.S., Bill...

10 Timeline Memories:
  1. 1854] Having a grand old time: The Republican Party is organized in Ripon (WI) when 50 opponents of slavery start the new political party. Democrats, skip this video clip: http://youtube.com/watch?v=bj0vzAuHqPk ...
  2. 1940] Jumping it up: The first televised basketball game is aired on experimental TV station W2XBS in New York when Pittsburgh beats Fordham at Madison Square Garden. Only several hundred homes locally watch the game that features a 20-minute blackout caused by technical problems...
  3. 1953] Going to helix: Scientists James D. Watson and Francis H.C. Crick discover the double-helix structure of DNA, the molecule that contains human genes in a Cambridge University laboratory. Here's Nobel laureate, Mr. Watson in a 2005 appearance telling the story of the discovery: http://youtube.com/watch?v=2HgL5OFip-0&feature=related ...
  4. 1960] Olympic gold: The U.S. wins its first Olympic gold medal in hockey with a 9-4 win over Czechoslovakia at the Squaw Valley (CA) games...
  5. 1962] Call letter change: WMGM in New York changes calls to WHN...
  6. 1968] 'Happy Trails': Frankie Lymon, lead singer of the Teenagers overdoses on heroin at 25. What a tremendous loss this was. Had Frankie lived he would be headlining today. Seen here is the great talent of the singing phenom: http://youtube.com/watch?v=OZhlRUnWKYQ&feature=related ...1974] Bobby Bloom dies from a self-inflicted gun shot wound at 28. "Montego Bay" was his only hit but it was a good one: http://youtube.com/watch?v=gXjVd0TeOX0 ...
  7. 1983] M*A*S*Hing the competition: The final episode of "M*A*S*H" draws a household rating of 60.2%. Seen in over 50 million homes it's still the highest rated show of all-time. The series started in September, 1972. Here's a TV promo for the finale seen on Oz TV: http://youtube.com/watch?v=PZiCgVm40mc ...
  8. 1986] Busted: Twenty-one major league players are fined or suspended including Keith Hernandez and Dave Parker in the largest drug scandal in baseball history. As you know, there's much more to come...
  9. 1993] Wacko in Waco: U.S. Federal agents raid the compound of the Branch Davidians, led by David Koresh in Waco (TX). The 51-day standoff will result in the killing of 4 agents and 6 Davidians, including Koresh...
  10. 1994] Brady bill: The Brady Law, imposing a waiting period for hand-gun purchases goes into effect...

Music Memories:

  • 1967] Number One on this date: "Ruby Tuesday" - Rolling Stones. The "B" side was the controversial "Let's Spend The Night Together", banned by most stations except WRKO-FM in Boston. Our AM wouldn't sign on until March 13th. Here's a live version of "Ruby Tuesday": http://youtube.com/watch?v=9y_pMbEDlbM ...1974] "Seasons in the Sun" - Terry Jacks...
  • 1984] Grammy Gold: Michael Jackson wins a record 8 Grammy's for the LP "Thriller"...

Commentary:

'Happy Trails' to: The legendary Steelers color analyst from 1970 to 2004, Myron Cope, who passed away yesterday at 79. Cope died at a nursing home in Mount Lebanon, a Pittsburgh suburb after being treated for respiratory problems and heart failure recently. The 'Terrible Towel' waved by fans was inspired by Cope, another example of a dying breed of personality sportscasters...Mr. Conservative, William F. Buckley Jr. was found dead in his Stamford (CT) home at 82. Buckley had been ill with emphysema...Two deaths in the music business to note: The passing of former Jimi Hendrix collaborator and fine musician in his own right, drummer Buddy Miles passed away from congestive heart failure at 60. Not too many people know that Buddy sang the lead on the California Raisins commercials too...And finally, belated condolences to the family of Phil Gernhard, Curb Records Sr. VP of A&R. I met Phil when I worked in Tampa at WFLA and WALT. Phil signed and produced the Royal Guardsmen and Lobo. He also worked with Jim Stafford, Tim McGraw, Jo Dee Messina and others. Phil, who passed away last Friday was a very fine producer who was not that well known in the music business. Phil was in his late 60's. No reason for his death was given...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Ali Larter (32), Robert Sean Leonard (39), John Turturro (51), Gilbert Gottfried (53) caution: do not play this video clip if kids are present: http://youtube.com/watch?v=f1NRBWkmP74&feature=related , Bernadette Peters (60), Joe South (68), Mario Andretti (68), Tommy Tune (69), Dean Smith (77), Gavin MacLeod (78) and Charles Durning (85)...

Timeline Countdown: 10 days until Daylight time, 22 days until the first day of spring and 27 days until opening day...


Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

A wake-up call for the music industry...

Apple's iTunes knows how to move product while the retail music business is remembering the good old days and little else. If you worked for a music station or record label this should interest you. I am one of many who dabbled in both industries and it just amazes me that more product is being sold by an online music store than at all retail outlets not named Wal-Mart. It's called marketing a viable product better than the producer and seller of the product can. The shopping mall is out - iTunes is in. While CD sales nationwide fell 19% in 2007 from the previous year, sales of digital songs jumped 45%, according to Nielsen SoundScan...

While number one retailer Wal-Mart seems to be the only retailer who knows how to sell product, guess what online music store is number two. Correctamundo - Apple's iTunes. Yes, people are still downloading songs on the web illegally but legal downloading now accounts for 10% of music bought in the U.S. NPD Group reports that the number of people buying music legally online jumped 21% to 29 million in 2007 from 24 million in 2006...

You would think that if you're a retailer not named Wal-Mart, you would find out how they do it. You would think that if you're a manufacturer, you would spend more time selling your product more effectively online. Hey, what am I saying? You have to think to do that...

10 Timeline Memories:
  1. 1883] Stogies on a roll: Oscar Hammerstein I, grandfather of the legendary lyricist, patents the first cigar-rolling machine. In addition to being involved in the theater, Hammerstein founds the U.S. Tobacco Journal and makes a fortune selling cigars...
  2. 1922] Susan B. Anthony to the rescue: The U.S. Supreme Court upholds the 19th amendment, guaranteeing women the right to vote: http://youtube.com/watch?v=CtDPZudU0ek&feature=related ...
  3. 1949] L'chaim: Chaim Weizmann becomes the first Israeli President. Break out the Manischewitz and challah...
  4. 1974] People who need People: People Magazine hits the newsstands for the first time...
  5. 1982] Guilty as charged: Wayne B. Williams is found guilty of murdering 2 of the 28 bodies found in the Atlanta area in a two-year period...1990] The Exxon Corp. and Exxon Shipping are indicted on 5 criminal counts in reference to the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill...
  6. 1988] Olympic gold: East Germany's Katarina Witt becomes the first repeat winner of an Olympic gold medal in figure skating since Sonja Henie won 3 straight in the 30's. Later that year she'll win her 4th title in 5 years at the World Figure Skating Championships. Here's Katarina: http://youtube.com/watch?v=k-rMfIyX4rM ...
  7. 1991] I feel good: James Brown is paroled from prison after serving 2 years of a 6-year term for leading police on an interstate car chase...
  8. 1991] Liberation day: President George Bush (41) announces that 'Kuwait is liberated' on live TV...
  9. 1992] Miniature golfer: 16-year old amateur golfer Tiger Woods becomes the youngest player to compete in a PGA Tour event (The Nissan L.A. Open) and posts a one-over-par 72, just barely missing the cut...
  10. 2003] 'Happy Trails': Fred Rogers a.k.a. 'Mister Rogers' leaves our neighborhood, a victim of stomach cancer at 74. He's missed to this day: http://youtube.com/watch?v=UcvRMHz4mb4 ...

Music Memories:

Commentary:

I haven't seen the overnight figures for the presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama but should there be a bit of burnout, it wouldn't surprise me. This was the pair's 20th debate. What more can either candidate add that they haven't already covered? In the words of the immortal Archie Bunker, "it's time to stifle it"...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Josh Groban (27), Chelsea Clinton (28), Howard Hesseman (68), Ralph ("I'm running") Nader (74), Elizabeth Taylor (76), Joanne Woodward (78) and Ariel Sharon (80)...

Timeline Countdown: 11 days until Daylight time, 23 days until the first day of spring and 28 days until opening day...


Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

FCC to play Internet traffic cop...

The FCC played to a packed house at Harvard yesterday and the outcome of the meeting was made abundantly simple and quite clear. Internet service providers can't block consumers from using lawful Internet activities under the guise of offering better service. Are you listening Comcast? Here's how FCC commissioner Kevin Martin put it, "while networks may have legitimate network issues and practices, that does not mean that they can arbitrarily block access to certain network services." ...

And what does the FCC intend to do about liberties taken by service providers in that regard? Here's what. Martin has made the argument that the FCC already has the juice to stop Internet companies from "unfair data discrimination." Here's what he said in a recent interview, "I think we have the authority already to enforce our current network neutrality principles." ...

There are those, like U.S. Representative Edward Markey of Massachusetts who feel that service providers should have more competitors in each market. Harvard law professor Yochai Benkler adds, "what we need is robust, open competition." He proposes that the U.S. government should force cable and phone companies to lease access to the wires they've installed in millions of homes. Rival companies could use the wires to deliver competing broadband services, creating many more broadband companies...

Until and unless that happens, look for the FCC to enforce the rules by playing Internet traffic cop...

10 Timeline Memories:
  1. 1919] The original Big Dig: Congress establishes Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. You really can't enjoy the magnificence of this world wonder until you visit it, something we did last year. Here's a clip of a moonset and sunrise from 2006: http://youtube.com/watch?v=5UOYvO-p8xA&feature=related ...
  2. 1930] Go at the green - not in between: New York City installs traffic lights. Prior to that New Yorkers start what's commonly known as 'flipping the bird'. Of course the lights don't work too well in a traffic jam, seen here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=lTu6-AqfEkY&feature=related ...
  3. 1951] After two, you're through: The 22nd amendment to the Constitution is ratified, limiting U.S. Presidents to two terms in office...
  4. 1955] The '45' rules: Billboard Magazine reports that the 45 rpm single is outselling 78's for the first time...
  5. 1987] Slapping the wrist: The Tower Commission rebukes President Ronald Reagan for failing to control his national security staff in the Iran-Contra hearing...
  6. 1990] In cold blood: Cornell Gunter of the Coasters is murdered in Las Vegas while sitting in his car. Gunter was just 53...
  7. 1991] Saddam backs down: Iraq's President Saddam Hussein orders his troops to withdraw from Kuwait...
  8. 1993] The first WTC bombing: Six are killed and more than one thousand injured when a van explodes in the World Trade Center parking garage. An act of terrorism by Islamic extremists and a precursor to something far worse in 2001. Here's actual footage of the first attack: http://youtube.com/watch?v=7WB9xXdGMOg ...
  9. 1998] O no, you don't: A Texas jury rejects an $11 million lawsuit by cattlemen who blamed Oprah Winfrey for a price drop after her on-air comments about mad-cow disease. To show her appreciation Miss O buys everyone in her audience a year's supply of steak and steak knives...
  10. 2007] Shaq attack: Shaquille O'Neal passes the 25,000 point mark for his career in the Heat's losing effort to the Knicks, 99-93. Shaq becomes the 7th player to reach 25,000 points and 10,000 rebounds...

Music Memories:

Commentary:

Don't look now but we've reached the Octogenarian age for Rock & Roll performers. Antoine "Fats" Domino turns 80 today. "The Fat Man", the Rock & Roll icon's first release was in 1949, almost 60 years ago. Fats still remains selectively active in and around his home town of New Orleans. After being rescued in Katrina a few years back, Fats is doing well and still rockin and rollin after all these years. Here's a clip of "Blueberry Hill" from Fats' recent DVD: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcaKsUOweh8 . Happy Birthday Fats...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

James Brady (24), Corinne Bailey Rae (29), Erykah Badu (37), Michael Vettor (50), Michael Bolton (55), Sandie Shaw (61), how many of you remember "Girl Don't Come"?: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyIyZVncN8Q , Mitch Ryder (63), Robert Novak (77) and Fats Domino (80)...

Timeline Countdown: 12 days until Daylight time, 24 days until the first day of spring and 29 days until opening day...




Monday, February 25, 2008

Monday, February 25, 2008

YouTube knocked off the air by "erroneous Internet protocols" - Huh???

Well here's a new topic for the FCC to tackle. Perhaps they can add this to the agenda of today's FCC confab in Cambridge (MA) - how a third-world country like Pakistan can knock the video-sharing website YouTube off the air globally. It happened yesterday for two hours due to "erroneous Internet protocols" ...

Not wanting to offend the puritanical eyes and ears of its citizens, Pakistan knocked YouTube off the air which is a bit totalitarian but if you choose to control your citizens rights, contain the ban to your country, not the world. The offending video was a movie trailer of an anti-Quran movie, deemed offensive to the government. Turkey and the Thai's have done similar banning of YouTube with one difference, they didn't knock YT off globally like Pakistan did yesterday...

The blackout was caused by global Internet service providers around the world mistakenly blocking servers connected to Pakistan Telecom and Internet Service Provider PCCW. The block on the servers was lifted after PCCW was alerted by YouTube engineers...

Hey Pakistan - don't mess with our YouTube...

10 Timeline Memories:
  1. 1836] Run and gun: Inventor Samuel Colt receives a patent for the Colt .45 - the gun not the malt liquor. Here's the son of Sam with the story: http://youtube.com/watch?v=tUgzi6BWBQs ...
  2. 1940] Dropping the puck: The Rangers and Montreal play the first televised NHL game on W2XBS in New York, using just one camera in a fixed position. The Rangers beat the Canadiens 6-2 at Madison Square Garden...
  3. 1950] Debuted on this date: "Your Show of Shows" debuts on NBC-TV. Sid Caesar, Imogene Coca, Carl Reiner and Howard Morris become household names. Woody Allen, Mel Brooks and Neil Simon were writers of the show. In this clip, Sid Caesar plays a German general: http://youtube.com/watch?v=e0iMF6DWpo8&feature=related ...
  4. 1964] Eat your words: That's what Cassius Clay told Sonny Liston after upsetting Liston to win the heavyweight crown. Liston couldn't answer the bell for round 7...
  5. 1983] 'Happy Trails': Playwright Tennessee Williams is found in his New York hotel suite after choking on a bottle cap. Williams was 71...
  6. 1989] This Cowboy gets roped: After 29 seasons and 2 Super Bowl Championships as Dallas coach, Tom Landry is dumped by new Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. Jimmy Johnson replaces Landry. Here's the coach in better times: http://youtube.com/watch?v=ChQE1V0if_0&feature=related ...
  7. 1994] Holy Cow: That was the reaction by Phil Rizzuto when told he was finally elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame at age 76...
  8. 1994] Lucy faced: Bad girl Tonya Harding puts the 'Peanuts' Lucy face on when a last-minute loose skate lace turns her from lutzing contender to klutzy pretender in the Olympics...
  9. 1997] Guilty as charged: A jury in Media (PA) convicts multimillionaire John E. DuPont of third-degree murder but decides he was mentally ill when killing world-class wrestler and neighbor, David Schultz...2005] Municipal employee and church leader Dennis Rader is arrested for the BTK serial killings that terrorized Wichita, Kansas. Rader is now serving 10 years to life. This is one scary dude: http://youtube.com/watch?v=fCh_9Oe2OA8 ...
  10. 2000] Acquitted: A jury in Albany (NY) acquits four NYPD officers of second-degree murder and lesser charges in the February, 1999 shooting death of Amadou Diallo...

Music Memories:

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Rashida Jones (32), Daniel Powter (37): http://youtube.com/watch?v=oIcFgl6zf3A , Sean Astin (37), Nancy O'Dell (42), Carrot Top a.k.a. Scott Thompson (43), Tea Leoni (43), sportscaster James Brown (57), Sally Jessy Raphael (65), Billy Packer (68), Diane Baker (70), Bob Schieffer (71), Larry Gelbart (80) and Baseball Hall of Famer Monte Irvin (89)...

Timeline Countdown: 13 days until Daylight time, 25 days until the beginning of spring and 30 days until opening day...


Friday, February 22, 2008

Friday-Sunday, February 22-24, 2008

The future of the Internet is the topic...

Yesterday I mentioned Monday's FCC meeting on the Internet being held at Harvard. More information on the agenda of that meeting has surfaced which indicates it could be a significant meeting. It's rare for the FCC to hold a public hearing and the agenda of this hearing will include a discussion of their investigations of Internet companies who have been repeatedly been caught blocking and spying on customers' activities on the web. A Boston Herald blog reports that Comcast, AT&T and Verizon will be named in the report...

It's unlikely that the future direction of the Internet will be determined on Monday but it could be a start that will ultimately determine how much freedom you and I will be allowed to enjoy online. For that reason alone, this is an important meeting...

The meeting is open to the public and will start at 11 a.m. Monday, February 25th at Harvard Law School. If you're in the area and would like to attend, clicking on the following Harvard website will give you directions: http://www.law.harvard.edu/about/contact/directions.php ...

10 Timeline Memories:
  1. 1822] Please come to Boston: Boston is incorporated as a city (2/23). Dave Loggins says 'Y'all come": http://youtube.com/watch?v=un2aQmNUt08&feature=related ...
  2. 1879] Five and Dime: In Utica (NY) Frank W. Woolworth opens his first '5 and 10 cent' store (2/22)...
  3. 1927] Signed, sealed, delivered: President Calvin Coolidge signs a bill creating the Federal Radio Commission. On July 1, 1934 the name will be changed to the Federal Communications Commission a.k.a. the FCC (2/23). Penn Gillette 'splains: http://youtube.com/watch?v=lg5zodsZdds ...
  4. 1954] Salk it to me: The first mass inoculation of children against polio using the Salk vaccine begins in Pittsburgh (2/23)...
  5. 1960] Dem Bums: Millions mourn in Brooklyn as the wrecking ball, looking like a baseball, begins the demolition of Ebbets Field, the home of the Dodgers from 1913 to 1957 (2/23). Here's a highlight video of the Brooklyn Dodgers: http://youtube.com/watch?v=TYpwonB7e4c ...
  6. 1965] 'Happy Trails': Stan Laurel (Laurel & Hardy) dies in his sleep following a heart attack at 74 (2/23)...1976] Original Supreme, Florence Ballard is the victim of a fatal heart attack. At 32, she was living on welfare after being fired from the Supremes 9 years earlier. She left 3 children (2/22)...1987] Pop Art guru Andy Warhol dies of a heart attack in his sleep following gall bladder surgery. Warhol was 58 (2/22)...1995] Melvin Franklin, bass singer of the Temptations passes away from heart failure at 52 (2/23)...1998] Legendary comedian Henny Youngman dies of pneumonia at 91 (2/24)...
  7. 1980] Olympic Gold: Al Michaels makes the call, "Do you believe in Miracles?" as the U.S. Hockey team beat the Russians in a semi-final game (2/22). Two nights later, they beat Finland for the gold: http://youtube.com/watch?v=QTev5pSuYLk ...1980] Skater Eric Heiden wins the 4th of 5 gold medals at the Lake Placid games (2/23). Two nights later he wins an unprecedented 5th gold medal...1994] Figure skater Oksana Baiul of the Ukraine injures her back in practice (2/24). Two days later she beats Nancy Kerrigan to win a gold medal at Lillehammer, Norway...
  8. 1981] Murder she wrote: Jean Harris is convicted of murdering Scarsdale Diet Dr. Hyman Tarnower (2/24). HBO makes a movie out of the case in 2006...
  9. 1987] The King and I: Larry King suffers a heart attack requiring quintuple bypass surgery which is a success (2/24)...
  10. 1996] "D-I-V-O-R-C-E": Halle Berry files for divorce from David Justice (2/22). They were married 4 years...

Music Memories:

  • 1956] First and Ten: Elvis Presley has his first Pop Top 10 hit, "Heartbreak Hotel" (2/22)...
  • 1959] Number One on this date: "Stagger Lee" - Lloyd Price (2/23)...1969] "Everyday People" - Sly & Family Stone (2/23)...
  • 1963] Released on this date: "He's So Fine" - Chiffons (2/23) - Doo Lang doo lang doo lang: http://youtube.com/watch?v=nToEQ3HRM18 ...1974] "Piano Man" - Billy Joel (2/23)...1979] "Roxanne" - The Police (2/24): http://youtube.com/watch?v=_3kG-7I_Y6k ...
  • 1965] Recorded on this date: "Help Me Rhonda" - Beach Boys (2/24)...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

(2/22) Drew Barrymore (33), James Blunt (34), Julius 'Dr. J' Erving (58), Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (76), Paul Dooley (80) and Don Pardo (90)...

(2/23) Dakota Fanning (14), Kristin Davis (43), Bobby Bonilla (45), Tom Bodett (53), Ed 'Too Tall' Jones (57), Johnny Winter (64), Ron Hunt (67) and Peter Fonda (68)...

(2/24) Mike Lowell (34), Paula Zahn (52), Eddie Murray (52), Rupert Holmes (61), Barry Bostwick (63), Senator Joseph Lieberman (66), Joanie Sommers (67), Bob Sherwood (67), Michel Legrand (76), Dominic Chianese (77), Steven Hill (86) and Abe Vigoda (87)...

Timeline Countdown: 16 days until Daylight time, 28 days until the beginning of spring and 33 days until opening day...


Thursday, February 21, 2008

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Is this the right prescription for Google???

What's going on here? Google, storing medical records? Well, yes. The Internet search leader has just announced their pilot project in which they will store the medical records of up to 10,000 patients at the Cleveland Clinic. The patients are all volunteering to allow Google to transfer their personal health records to Google's new service, to be retrieved, with safeguards. The general public will not have access to these most personal and private records. WebMD never tried that one...

How safe is this? Your guess is as good as mine but this comes from a guy who hasn't yet ventured into online banking. The Cleveland Clinic decided to work with Google according to Marissa Mayer, the Google executive overseeing the health project, saying "we believe patients should be able to easily access and manage their own health information." That statement, supplied by the Cleveland Clinic. Presumably patients previously were able to retrieve their medical histories online courtesy of MyChart, employed by the hospital. Apparently Googling your medical records online is a lot sexier...

This is not the first venture of its kind. Last year, Microsoft Corp. introduced a similar service called HealthVault and AOL co-founder Steve Case is backing Revolution Health, which also offers online tools for managing personal health histories...

Welcome to a new era in medicine. What's next? Dr. Feelgood.com???

10 Timeline Memories:
  1. 1878] Let your fingers do the walking: The first telephone directory is distributed by the District Telephone Company of New Haven (CT). It contained 50 names on one page, a far cry from today: http://youtube.com/watch?v=ILB2OxfiJWY ...
  2. 1925] Debuted on this date: "New Yorker" magazine is published...1931] Alka Seltzer is introduced with a "plop, plop, fizz, fizz": http://youtube.com/watch?v=bxjb2UJZ-5I ...1947] Edwin Land demonstrates the Polaroid Land Camera to the Optical Society of America in New York City. It's the first camera to take, develop and print a black and white photo in 60 seconds. The camera goes on sale the following year...
  3. 1958] Peace with Love to follow: The Peace symbol is designed by Gerald Holtom, in protest against the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment: http://youtube.com/watch?v=eCY9pjA_1Ew&feature=related ...
  4. 1965] In Cold Blood: Malcolm X is assassinated at the Audobon Ballroom in Manhattan at the age of 39. Three Black Muslims were charged and jailed for the murder...2002] The State Department declares Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl dead, one month after he had been abducted by Islamic extremists in Pakistan...
  5. 1972] Up against the Wall: Richard M. Nixon begins his historic visit to China...
  6. 1975] Guilty as charged: Former Attorney General John N. Mitchell and former White House aides H.R. Haldeman and John D. Ehlichman are sentenced to 2 1/2 to 8 years in prison for their roles in the Watergate cover-up...1988] TV evangelist Jimmy Swaggart tearfully confesses to his congregation in Baton Rouge (LA) that he was guilty of an "unspecified sin" and temporarily leaves the pulpit. Reports that he had taken up with a prostitute are later confirmed by him: http://youtube.com/watch?v=FVHTv0CHwVw ...
  7. 1982] 'Happy Trails': Murray the K (Kaufman) is a victim of cancer at the age of 60. Here's Murray in action: http://youtube.com/watch?v=48cEmLDqvUM ...
  8. 1992] Olympic Gold: Kristi Yamaguchi completes a yearlong leap from runner up U.S. national champion in 1991 to win a gold medal at the Alberville, France games. She's the first American since Dorothy Hamill in 1976 to win the women's Olympic figure skating title. Kristi was just announced as a "Dancing With The Stars" contestant...2002] 16-year old Great Neck North student Sarah Hughes shocks the world by winning the women's figure skating gold medal at the Salt Lake City games...
  9. 1995] Up, up and away: Chicago stockbroker Steve Fossett becomes the first person to fly solo across the Pacific Ocean. He lands in Canada...
  10. 2000] Off the disabled list: David Letterman returns to his Late Night Show about 5 weeks after having emergency quintuple bypass heart surgery...

Music Memories:

  • 1965] Number One on this date: "This Diamond Ring" - Gary Lewis & Playboys, seen here in a recent performance: http://youtube.com/watch?v=ob1HxFuq0yM ...1975] "Pick Up The Pieces" - Average White Band...
  • 1970] Debuted on this date: The Jackson Five make their "American Bandstand" debut...
  • 2001] Grammy Gold: Faith Hill, Steely Dan, U2 and Eminem each win 3 awards. Faith won hers for this song: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Iw4aFNg3MSM ...

Commentary:

The Federal Communications Commission announced that a hearing on Broadband Network Management Practices will be held Monday, February 25, 2008 at Harvard Law School, starting at 11 a.m. The hearing is open to the public. For directions to Harvard, click on: http://www.law.harvard.edu/about/contact/directions.php ...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Ellen ('Juno') Page (21), Charlotte Church (22), Jennifer Love Hewitt (29), William Baldwin (45), Kelsey Grammer (53), William (CSI) Petersen (55), Tricia Nixon Cox (62), Tyne Daly (62), David Geffen (65) and Rue McClanahan (74)...

Timeline Countdown: 17 days until Daylight time, 29 days until the beginning of spring and 34 days until opening day...




Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

One year later, it's still a proposal...

It's been a year since the XM-Sirius merger was first proposed. Despite predictions that approval for the merger is imminent, tell that to Mel Karmazin. If antitrust groups, the NAB and Clear Channel have anything to do with it, it will be over - the decision, not the merger. Was there a message in FCC chairman Kevin Martin's quote of a year ago, when he referred to the hurdle to a merger as "being high as the commission originally prohibited one company from holding the only two satellite radio licenses."???

Reports indicate that the Department of Justice will approve the deal with "conditions". Pricing for consumers and perhaps combining programming on one compatible radio could be part of those conditions. Should they not approve the deal, it's back to square one and an attempt to rework the marriage between Sirius and XM. Either that or one of the two will go bye-bye. One year ago, I wrote the following, "the two companies have an enterprise value of about $13 billion including $1.6 billion in net debt." How much have those numbers changed in a year's time???

Lots of nervous people sit and wait while billions of dollars are on the line. They've been waiting a year. The decision can't be too far away, can it???

10 Timeline Memories:
  1. 1792] Going postal: George Washington signs the Postal Service Act, creating the U.S. Post Office. Hopefully this video clip was not taken at your PO: http://youtube.com/watch?v=4FZOe-nkYPg ...
  2. 1872] In the eye of the beholder: The Metropolitan Museum of Art opens in New York City. It's still there 136 years later...
  3. 1952] Premiered on this date: "The African Queen" starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn opens at the Capitol Theater on Broadway. Here's the trailer: http://youtube.com/watch?v=8s2r8_BwkQo ...
  4. 1962] Going in circles: John Glenn makes space history, orbiting the earth 3 times to become the first American to orbit the earth aboard 'Friendship 7'...
  5. 1974] "D-I-V-O-R-C-E": Cher files for separation from husband Sonny Bono. America's favorite couple were married for 10 years...
  6. 1982] Wedding Bells: Pat Benatar and her band's guitarist Neil Giraldo rock down the aisle. The rockers have two daughters during their marriage...
  7. 1988] Olympic gold: Brian Boitano wins the gold medal in figure skating, the first gold medal won by the U.S. at the Calgary Winter games...1998] American Tara Lipinski, 15, is the youngest gold medalist in Winter Olympic history when she wins the Ladies figure skating title in Nagano: http://youtube.com/watch?v=_X9MrZmKChg&feature=related ...
  8. 1992] Won't you wear my ring: Paula Abdul and Emilio Estevez announce their engagement. They will marry in April of '92 for 2 years...
  9. 1999] 'Happy Trails': Movie critic Gene Siskel dies from complications following brain surgery at 53...2005] Rock & Roll journalist and author Hunter S. Thompson shoots himself to death at 67... 2006] Curt Gowdy loses his extended battle with leukemia at 86. Curt's funeral procession circles Fenway Park before he's interred...
  10. 2003] Death by fire: Fire breaks out in a West Warwick (RI) club killing 100 including Great White guitarist Ty Longley. 200 are injured. Law suits are still being settled 5 years later...

Music Memories:

  • 1949] On the Radio: Ricky Nelson joins his family's cast on their radio show...
  • 1964] Recorded on this date: "Don't Worry Baby" - Beach Boys. This is one of the best BB videos I've ever seen: http://youtube.com/watch?v=3QCZ_bv9aLc ...
  • 1970] Released on this date: "Instant Karma" - John Lennon (with blindfolded knitting by Yoko): http://youtube.com/watch?v=MieDFkhlByo ...
  • 2000] Tutti Frutti, oh Rootie: ABC-TV airs the "Little Richard" movie...

Commentary:

Belated congratulations to Joe D'Ambrosio who had 3 clients that won Grammy Awards. Congratulations to: Tony Visconti & Mario McNulty ("Best Contemporary World Music Album" for Angelique Kidjo's Djin Djin, Razor & Tie) and Mick Guzauski ("Best Contemporary Blues Album" for J.J. Cale & Eric Clapton's Road to Escondido)...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Rihanna (20), Lauren Ambrose (30), Lily Taylor (41), Cindy Crawford (42), French Stewart (44), Charles Barkley (45), Patricia Hearst (54), Walter (Steely Dan) Becker (58): http://youtube.com/watch?v=Ns58ird_Vgc , Ivana Trump (59), J. Geils (62), Sandy Duncan (62), Phil Esposito (66), Buffy Sainte-Marie (67), Nancy Wilson (71), Sidney Poitier (81) and Gloria Vanderbilt (84)...

Timeline Countdown: 18 days until Daylight time, 30 days until the beginning of spring and 35 days until opening day...

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Taking the words right out of my mouth...

The funniest thing that happened over the weekend has to be the charge by Hillary Clinton that Barack Obama plagiarised Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick in a recent speech. If I'm Obama I'm thinking, "is that the best you've got?" In an age of suspicion created by steroid use, spygate, referees on the take and worse, using someone else's words is a bit of a joke. Who doesn't use other people's words? My guess is that not all of Hillary's words are her own. She might even have someone who writes words for her occasionally. She might use, dare I say it? A speechwriter???

Could this be a sign of desperation on the part of Hillary, now trailing Obama in the polls? I think Obama, in this case, should have quoted his friend, Patrick because the quotes paraphrased were historic. Obama did say that he "should have." But this is no big deal. I doubt that Hillary gained any points by even bringing it up...

I must confess that when I said it was no big deal in the previous paragraph, those were not my words. It was part of a quote by Barack Obama. The direct quote was "I really don't think this is too big of a deal." Please accept my apology...

10 Timeline Memories:
  1. 1878] Crank it up: Thomas Alva Edison patents a music player. The phonograph is born and here's a demonstration of a similar device: http://youtube.com/watch?v=qGJR2DZBfF0 ...
  2. 1942] Racially divided: Franklin D. Roosevelt signs an executive order giving the military authority to relocate and intern Japanese Americans...
  3. 1953] Truly Splendid: Ted Williams, a Marine pilot since 1951, escapes after crash-landing his F-9 Panther after being hit in Korea. He climbs down from the cockpit just before the plane explodes...
  4. 1966] Joe Pa: Joe Paterno moves from assistant head coach at Penn State, where he began at the school in 1950, to head coach replacing Rip Engle, 42 years later he's still head coach. In this video clip, Joe Pa breaks the all-time record for victories: http://youtube.com/watch?v=0rzzsEWvE4o ...
  5. 1977] I beg your pardon: President Gerald R. Ford pardons Iva Toguri D'Aquino a.k.a. "Tokyo Rose"...
  6. 1984] Double your pleasure: Twin brothers Phil and Steve Mahre finish 1-2 in the men's slalom on the final day of the Sarajevo Winter Olympics...
  7. 1985] Cherry Coke: Cherry Coke is introduced by Coca-Cola. This is a drink that was discovered a lot earlier than that in every neighborhood 'candy store' in New York City. What's next? The Egg Cream??? They did make good commercials though: http://youtube.com/watch?v=hZCdteA8T5g ...
  8. 1987] The smoking light goes out: A controversial anti-smoking ad airs for the first time on network TV. It features Yul Brynner after he had died from lung cancer caused by heavy smoking: http://youtube.com/watch?v=JNjunlWUJJI ...
  9. 1995] Wedding Bells: Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson rock down the aisle. This relationship has been off and on ever since...
  10. 2004] Guilty as charged: Former Enron chief Jeffrey Skilling is charged with fraud, insider trading and other crimes in connection with the energy trader's monumental collapse. Worst of all, his loses his company parking space...

Music Memories:

  • 1956] Recorded on this date: "The Magic Touch" - The Platters, right off the record: http://youtube.com/watch?v=uRsBPoeMtrQ ...
  • 1974] TV debuts: Kiss make their TV debut on "Don Kirshner's Rock Concert"...1974] Dick Clark's "American Music Awards"...
  • 1981] Sound familiar?: George Harrison is ordered to pay ABKCO Music $587,000 for "subconscious plagiarism" which surpasses "temporary insanity" as a defense, between his song, "My Sweet Lord" http://youtube.com/watch?v=95LFNe3Uw-w&feature=related and "He's So Fine"...

Commentary:

As a follow up to Friday's feature on fact checking, Gordon Brown offers the following website to varify so called "facts": http://www.snopes.com/ . Here's another one which I found recently: http://www.truthorfiction.com/ . Both are good sources for fact checking...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Haylie Duff (23), Justine Bateman (42), Seal (45), Prince Andrew (48), Jeff Daniels (53), Lou Christie (65), Bobby Rogers and Smokey Robinson of The Miracles are 68 today and here they are with the legendary Motown group: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Ad1RDt1WsHY ...

Timeline Countdown: 19 days until Daylight time, 31 days until the beginning of spring and 36 days until opening day...

Friday, February 15, 2008

Friday-Monday, February 15-18, 2008 Presidents' Day Weekend...

A reason to watch what you write and read...

Despite warnings advising us not to believe everything we read on the Internet, we're all guilty of doing that. The same applies to spreading slanderous items sent to us by friends or relatives about another person, not knowing whether it's true or not. When in doubt, don't, is my advice. There was a story that I read yesterday that didn't sound real. The President wants a falling satellite shot out of the sky. Really? C'mon, you don't expect me to believe that, do you? It was true. Then there was the story this morning, about a typo made by a federal court, indicating that Barry Bonds failed a drug test. The news spread globally only to prove false. The typo part was correct, Bonds failing a drug test was not...

Erroneous reports and mistakes have been made for years, that's why the print media issues corrections but in today's instantaneous media world, there are no corrections posted. Like me, I'm sure you've seen your share of doubtful 'factual' items. There's no way to know whether or not a story is true or not, unless you investigate it. Get more than one source of reference. Be suspicious if you can't verify it. This is especially important if you write. Don't spread anything unless you know it's true...

One more piece of advice. If you get information you know is wrong, reply back to the sender and let them know...

10 Timeline Memories:
  1. 1903] Won't you be my teddy bear?: Russian immigrants Morris and Rose Michtom introduce the first teddy bear to America (2/15). Michtom's, the Vermont Teddy Bear Co. thanks you: http://youtube.com/watch?v=6_xpWdb7SvE ...
  2. 1933] Wedding Bells: Blondie and Dagwood walk down the cartoon aisle, 3 years after meeting in the comic strip (2/17). They celebrate their 75th anniversary today...1969] Lulu and Maurice Gibb rock down the aisle in England (2/18). They divorce in 1973...
  3. 1936] Olympic Gold: Sonja Henie of Norway wins her 3rd straight gold medal at the German Winter games (2/15)...1968] France's Jean-Claude Killy wins the triple crown of Alpine skiing at the Grenoble Olympics winning 3 gold medals (2/17)...1984] 23-year old Bill Johnson becomes the first American to win an Olympic downhill skiing, gold medal at Sarajevo (2/16)...
  4. 1951] A close shave: The biggest point-shaving scandal in college basketball history begins when 3, defending-champion CCNY players are charged with accepting bribes to throw games (2/18). They eventually admit their crimes along with 29 others from 6 schools, including major power, Kentucky...
  5. 1959] Have a cigar: Fidel Castro seizes power in Cuba after the overthrow of President Fulgencio Batista (2/16)...
  6. 1965] 'Happy Trails': Nat "King" Cole passes away from lung cancer (2/15) at 46...1984] Ethel Merman dies at 76 of an inoperable brain tumor (2/15)...1998] Legendary Cubs/White Sox play-by-play man, Harry Caray dies from a heart attack at 83 (2/18). Here's Harry being interviewed after being hired by the White Sox: http://youtube.com/watch?v=oPiO28byCAA&feature=related ...2001] Dale Earnhardt dies from injuries suffered in a crash at the Daytona 500 (2/18). Earnhardt was 49...
  7. 1968] Where it all started: The first 911 emergency telephone system is inaugurated in Haleyville (AL) (2/16) where I started my radio career at WJBB...
  8. 1970] Smokin' Joe: Joe Frazier begins his reign as undefeated heavyweight champ by knocking out Jimmy Ellis in 5 rounds (2/16). Frazier keeps his title until losing it on January 22, 1973 to George Foreman. It would be Frazier's first loss...
  9. 1970] Guilty as charged: Five members of the 'Chicago 7' are found guilty of intent to incite a riot at the 1968 Democratic National Convention (2/18). The convictions will later be overturned...1992] In Milwaukee, mass murderer Jeffrey Dahmer is sentenced to life (2/17). In November of 1994 he is beaten to death by inmates...1995] LIRR killer Colin Ferguson is convicted on 6 counts of murder (2/17) in the December, 1993 shootings. Ferguson is later sentenced to a minimum of 200 years in prison. Many feel the sentence is too lenient...
  10. 2005] Why YouTube?: YouTube is launched in the U.S. (2/15). Why do people YouTube? Find out why: http://youtube.com/?v=RwRwAUgPwVs ...

Music Memories:

  • 1954] Recorded on this date: Big Joe Turner records the original version of "Shake, Rattle & Roll" (2/15). Bill Haley & the Comets have the pop hit. Big Joe in action in glorious black & white: http://youtube.com/watch?v=20Feq_Nt3nM ...1959] "What'd I Say" - Ray Charles (2/18). Ladies & gentlemen, Ray Charles: http://youtube.com/watch?v=4NyDtMdwvkg&feature=related ...1961] "Blue Moon" - Marcels (2/15)...1966] Brian Wilson begins recording "Good Vibrations" (2/17)...
  • 1955] Resume to follow: Little Richard sends his first audition tape to Specialty Records (2/17). It worked. He's signed by the label...
  • 1976] Released on this date: "Greatest Hits" LP - Eagles (2/17). And it's still selling...
  • 1979] Grammy Gold: Billy Joel ("Just The Way You Are") and Donna Summer ("Last Dance") are the big winners with 2 Grammy's a piece (2/15). Here's the song that Billy Joel doesn't like doing live: http://youtube.com/watch?v=afhDaXZU9S8 ...

Commentary (devoted to Jess Cain):

Len Zola: "Jess was scheduled to inteview Jerry Lewis on his noon-time TV show and this is what happened when Jerry had to cancel, Jess was seen hopping up on his chair, turning left and asking the absent star a question. Then he hopped down and up to the one that Jerry would've sat in and 'did' Jerry Lewis responding. For ten or 15 minutes it went on - ad lib - with Jess hopping up and down from one stool to another and carrying on both sides of the conversation. It is the only occasion when I, watching at home, actually was rolling on the floor laughing."...Harvey Mednick: "Sad news about Jess Cain -- alongside Joe Knight in Baltimore, Dick Purtan in Detroit and John Gambling in New York, he was one of those stability legends. Turn on your radio, he's there and all's right with the city!" ...Frank Kingston Smith: "When I came back to Boston in 1974 to do afternoons at WHDH, Jess was, of course, the morning man. Jess, who was a helluva actor, actually took me under his wing. I did a character in a couple of plays. His sense of humor was so dry...he'd deliver a line and 3 lines later, what he said would dawn on you. You would wind up laughing in the 'wrong' place. A true one of a kind"...John Gorman: "My father listened to him every morning and I got to meet him a couple of times at WHDH. Nice guy all the way around"...George Capalbo: "I always enjoyed his humor and dry wit. May his heavenly ratings be as good as his earthly ones"...R.I.P. Jess Cain...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

(2/15) Jaromir Jagr (36), Matt ('Simpsons') Groening (54), Jane Seymour (57), Melissa Manchester (57), Motown's Brian Holland (67), Claire Bloom (77), Harvey Korman (81), Alan ('M*A*S*H') Arbus (90), Hank Locklin (90) and Kevin McCarthy (94)...

(2/16) Jerome Bettis (36), John McEnroe (49), Ice-T (50), LeVar Burton (51), James Ingram (52), Kin Jong Il (66), Gretchen Wyler (76) and Patty Andrews (Sisters) (90)...

(2/17) Paris Hilton (27), Jason Ritter (28), Denise Richards (37), Michael Jordan (45), Lou Diamond Phillips (46), Rene Russo (54), Janice Dickinson (55), Rick Majerus (60), Dodie Stevens (62), Mary Ann Mobley (69), Jim Brown (72),
Bobby Lewis (75): http://youtube.com/watch?v=BbrY8EwXgEU , Roger Craig (78) and Hal Holbrook (83)...

(2/18) Molly Ringwald (40), Dr. Dre (43), Matt Dillon (44), Vanna White (50), John Travolta (54), Cybil Shepherd (58), Dennis De Young (61): http://youtube.com/watch?v=RuO4BNosAFM , Herman ('Teenagers') Santiago (67), Yoko Ono (75), Toni Morrison (77), John Warner (81), Luis Arroyo (81), George Kennedy (83) and Helen Gurley Brown (86)...

Timeline Countdown (February 15, 2008): 23 days until Daylight time, 35 days until spring begins and 40 days until opening day...




Thursday, February 14, 2008

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Murdoch is sweet on Yahoo but not that sweet...

It might be Valentine's Day but don't look for Rupert Murdoch to walk down the aisle with Yahoo. The general consensus among experts who know, or think they do, is that the News Corp. mogul is not interested in owning Yahoo but would like to link his MySpace.com to the Internet pioneer. The question is, would Yahoo be satisfied by something that would prove more beneficial to Murdoch than Yahoo? What do you think???

While Murdoch has nothing to lose and all to gain, Yahoo is making a case to prove their worth is more than the $44.6 billion or $31 a share proposed by Microsoft. Don't think for one second that this isn't about money. Yahoo shareholders don't count sheep at night, they count dollar signs. And how much does Microsoft covet Yahoo??? That is best explained in song:

(Sung to the music of "L-O-V-E")

'L- is for the way you longed for me...
O- is for the only one for me...
V- is very, very extra ordinary...
E- is even more than anyone that you adore...
and bucks is all that I can give to you...
bucks, is more than just a game for two...
two in lust can make it,
take my deal and please don't break it...
bucks were made for me and you'...

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

10 Valentine's Day Timeline Memories:
  1. 1918] Me Tarzan...you Jane: "Tarzan of the Apes" is released. Here's the ape dude, played by Johnny Weissmuller in the 1945 movie, "Tarzan And The Amazons": http://youtube.com/watch?v=1Sret7a9a7g ...
  2. 1919] What can brown do for you?: United Parcel Service is formed: http://youtube.com/watch?v=KJ_ZSLt-HvQ ...
  3. 1924] The real Big Blue: IBM is founded by Thomas Watson...
  4. 1929] Happy Valentine's Day: The 'St. Valentine's Day Massacre' in Chicago takes 7 lives. All of the mobsters were rivals of Al Capone: http://youtube.com/watch?v=KwVgfggbDFU ...
  5. 1932] Winter Gold: The U.S. wins the first bobsled competition at Lake Placid...1984] Jayne Torvil and Christopher Dean of Britain win a gold medal in pairs figure skating at Sarajevo...
  6. 1952] Wedding Bells: Comedian Joey Adams marries gossip columnist Cindy Heller. They were married until Adams died in 1999 (47 years)...1984] Elton John and Renata Blauel crawl down the aisle. This marriage lasts 4 years increduosly...1994] The Grateful Dead's Jerry Garcia marries Deborah Koons. They stay married until Jerry's death in 1995...1995] Roseanne Barr marries bodyguard Ben Thomas. They divorce in 2002...1996] Prince and Mayte Garcia exchange vows. The marriage is annulled in 1999 but they partied like it was '1999' from '96 through '98...
  7. 1962] Hi, I'm Jackie your tour guide: First lady Jacqueline Kennedy gives us a televised tour of the White House...
  8. 1989] The best Valentine's Day gift: Mike Tyson gives Robin Givens a divorce...
  9. 1989] No green bananas for you: Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini advises Salman Rushdie not to buy any green bananas as he calls on Muslims to kill the author of "The Satanic Verses". Salman Rushdie lives despite the death warrant...
  10. 2007] Nor'easter: It will be called "The Valentine's Day Blizzard". It starts on February 12th and won't end until February 20th. It peaks on Valentine's Day, killing 37 and dumping 48" of snow in Stowe, Vermont. The storm affects the east coast from Philadelphia to New England and midwest from Nebraska to Ohio...

Music Memories:

  • 1967] Recorded on this date: "Respect" - Aretha Franklin http://youtube.com/watch?v=_DZ3_obMXwU ...
  • 1977] Valent-Ian Day: Janis Ian receives hundreds of Valentine's Day cards after she reveals that she never received any in her teens, in the song, "At Seventeen": http://youtube.com/watch?v=oKY-Xn6UKVg&feature=related ...
  • 1983] Number One on this date: "Baby Come To Me" - Patti Austin and James Ingram. The song became a hit when it was featured on "General Hospital"...

Commentary:

The New York Daily News conducted a poll overnight, asking people whether they believed Brian McNamee or Roger Clemens after their testimony on steroids yesterday. McNamee was believed to have told the truth by 78% to Clemens' 22%...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Steve McNair (35), Drew Bledsoe (36), Rob Thomas (36) http://youtube.com/watch?v=KjIJF5Dwxq4 , Meg Tilly (48), Jim Kelly (48), Jo Jo Starbuck (57), Teller (60), Pat O'Brien (60), Carl Bernstein (64), Mike Bloomberg (66), Florence Henderson (74), Phyllis McGuire (77) and Hugh Downs (87)...

Timeline Countdown: All pitchers & catchers report voluntarily today, 24 days until daylight time, 36 days until spring begins and 41 days until opening day...

Breaking News: I'm sorry to report that legendary Boston radio personality Jess Cain, 81, passed away early this morning at 5 a.m. after a long battle with cancer. Jess did morning drive on WHDH (now WEEI) for 33 years before retiring in 1991. Michael Cain, Jess' son, said "He was like an uncle to his listeners. I just loved the look on people's faces when they said, I used to listen to your father." Michael reports that there will be no wake or funeral. A memorial service will be announced at a later date...





Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Tips on identifying liars...

One thing we know as Roger Clemens and his former trainer Brian McNamee get set to testify about steroid use in Room 2154 of the Rayburn Building this morning, is that one of them is telling the truth and the other is a liar. Dr. Gabriel and Nili Raam, authors of "Masters of Body Language", a study of what body language can disclose about people(http://www.angelfire.com/co/bodylanguage/ ) offers the following mannerisms to look for:
  • Whatever messages you are sending from the facial region will be picked up, at least on a subliminal level. Beware of people who are shifty-eyed, tight-lipped, a furrowed brow, staring or grinning. Judgements about these people may not be accurate, but they are usually difficult to reverse...
  • Tight smiles and tension in the facial muscles often bespeak an inability to handle stress. Little eye contact can communicate a desire to hide something. Pursed lips are often associated with a secretive nature. Frowning, looking sideways or peering over one's glasses can indicate haughtiness and arrogance...
  • Looking away from an interviewer for long periods while he/she is talking, closing your eyes while being addressed, repeatedly shifting focus away from the subject are likely to leave the wrong impression...
  • Eyebrows send a message as well. Under stress, one's eyebrows may wrinkle, sending a negative signal about handling challenges...
  • Rapidly nodding your head can indicate impatience. Slower nodding emphasizes interest. Tilting the head slightly while maintaining eye contact demonstrates friendliness and approachability. The tilt should be momentary and not exaggerated, almost like a bob of the head. This technique should not be overused! ...
  • Fidgeting with objects such as pens, paper or hair or pen tapping is the action of an impatient person. These trivial habits take on immense significance. Proper use of the hands throughout the rest of the interview will help to convey an above-board, "nothing-to-hide" message...

Live TV coverage of the hearing will be covered on C-Span3 starting at 10 a.m. (ET) and many radio stations will be streaming events live. Today's events may not tell us anything new but might get us closer to the truth. Might, with a capital 'M'...

10 Timeline Memories:

  1. 1635] School bells ring and children sing: Boston Public Latin is founded. It is our nation's first public school. The school will open on April 23, 1635...
  2. 1914] Royalties are born: The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers a.k.a. ASCAP is formed in New York City. Seen here is an 'ASCAP 101' lesson about the society, done in English and translated for some visiting folks not from our shores: http://youtube.com/watch?v=bTlv5x8gP_A ...
  3. 1935] Guilty as charged: A Flemington (NJ) jury finds Bruno Richard Hauptmann guilty of kidnapping and killing the infant son of Charles and Anne Lindbergh. Hauptmann is later executed for the crime...
  4. 1954] Hitting the century mark: Eight years before Wilt Chamberlain drops 100 points on the Knicks, Furman's Frank Selvy scores 100 against Newberry College in a 149-95 victory (if you had the under 244 points, you lose). Both schools are located in South Carolina...
  5. 1971] Reaching par: VP Spiro Agnew hits 3 spectators, one is hospitalized, with his first two shots in the Bob Hope Desert Classic...
  6. 1976] Gold Standard: Dorothy Hamill wins a gold medal at the Winter Olympics and captures the hearts of Americans with her youthful innocence, good looks and flawless style...
  7. 1983] What's goin' on?: Marvin Gaye sings our national anthem before the NBA All-Star game in Los Angeles. In the game, Julius 'Dr. J' Erving is named MVP in leading the East to a 9-point win. Presenting the incomparable Marvin Gaye: http://youtube.com/watch?v=QRvVzaQ6i8A ...
  8. 1997] Outtaspace repair: Discovery astronauts bring the Hubble Space Telescope aboard their space shuttle, repair it and send it back into space. They bill NASA, $25 for a replacement part and $5 million for service...
  9. 2002] 'Happy Trails': Country outlaw singer Waylon Jennings dies in his sleep, a victim of diabetes at 64. "Luckenbach, Texas" is one of Waylon's legacies: http://youtube.com/watch?v=KMtdWoZqXSo ...
  10. 2002] Curtains: Charles Schulz's final "Peanuts" comic strip runs in Sunday newspapers, the day after the cartoonist dies (noted in yesterday's MPR)...

Music Memories:

  • 1967] Released on this date: "Penny Lane/Strawberry Fields Forever" - Beatles (bringing back some fond memories of the WRKO startup). Here's "Strawberry Fields Forever": http://youtube.com/watch?v=Ywg-PdeGVL0 ...
  • 2005] Grammy Gold: Ray Charles' final album, "Genius Loves Company" wins 8 Grammy Awards. Here's Ray and some of his 'company' - Diana Krall, from the LP: "You Don't Know Me": http://youtube.com/watch?v=8T8Yjy_ERk8 ...

Commentary:

On Monday, May 19th, the 17th ELLA Award will be presented to Andy Williams at a spectacular event to be held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills. Many friends of Andy including Glen Campbell, Steve Lawrence, Barry Manilow and Johnny Mathis have already committed to support the evening. If you would like to attend this monumental tribute to one of America's great singer's and entertainers, contact Jerry F. Sharell at 818-995-7100 or e-mail him at sos@singers.org. The award is presented by SOS, the Society of Singers...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Mena Suvari (29), Randy Moss (31), (Leslie) Feist (32): http://youtube.com/watch?v=om2-M4Tmn0o , Peter Gabriel (58): One of the all-time great videos, 'Sledgehammer': http://youtube.com/watch?v=hqyc37aOqT0 , Mike (Coach K) Krzysewski (61), Jerry Springer (64), Stockard Channing (64), Peter Tork (66), Carol Lynley (66), George Segal (74), Kim Novak (75), Dorothy (McGuire Sisters) McGuire (80) and Chuck Yeager (85)...

Timeline Countdown: One day until pitchers & catchers report voluntarily, 25 days until daylight time, 37 days until the beginning of spring and 42 days until opening day...