Obama, Afghanistan and the `Yes, we can' Trap

My friend Russ Hoyle has a new, cautionary post on The Daily Beast, the new webzine edited by Tina Brown, with political editing by Sid Blumenthal, long-time Hillary friend and adviser.

Russ's message is: "The danger is that Petraeus’s full-blown, can-do, war-fighting doctrine will so dazzle the usually cautious but change-minded new president that Afghanistan policy could well turn into a “Yes, we can!” trap."  The essay is here.

The Araboolies of Liberty Street

The 1989 children's book by Sam Swope has been turned into an acrobatic musical - with music composed by Hudson Heights' Kim D. Sherman - a regular at Vicky's Diner, where I have breakfast practically every morning with James J.Muldoon tied up outside to the iron fence around the tree. Kim's website reveals a composer of amazing range - musical theatre, opera, choral music, and the somber, moving Bosnia-inspired Graveside.

Kim's music and the Araboolies (who speak Araboolean and don't follow rules) have gotten some play on NPR's ATC which gives you some snippets of Kim's music.

Issuma puts in to La Paloma, Uruguay for repairs, rest

Richard and George entered the Rio Plata, and are moored at La Paloma, Uruguay, next to a warship.  As you'll see from their post it was a bit of a rocky arrival - with the engine dying and the cable that pulls up the swing keel parting as they reached the dock.

Richard's post is a good example of his ability to describe in detail just how things go wrong - with apparent detachment.  Details are here

The Filibuster-proof Senate Trap

A 60-vote Democratic majority in the Senate (the number needed to close debate and proceed to a vote) - a fervent wish of many - presents dangers for Democrats. As the Stevens-Begich count, the Coleman-Franken recount, and the Chambliss Georgia runoff approach, I post a warning on Talking Points Memo.

Mayhem in the Bay of Biscay

45 knot winds, 7 meter waves and horrific Bay of Biscay weather has ravaged the Vendee Globe fleet in the first 32 hours.   8 of the 30 starters have headed back to port:  2 dismasted, legend Bernard Stamm's bowsprit destroyed in collison with a freighter, champion Michel Desjoyeaux with engine and electrical trouble, Alex Thomson (Hugo Boss) - hull damage (after recent repairs from a collison with a trawler). For more click on the bold text above.  

East River Bass and Blues

The title refers to fish, not jazz.  A beautiful fall afternoon demonstrates the prescience of Judge Griesa of the U.S. District Court in Manhattan.  25 years ago, in Sierra Club v. Army Corps of Engineers, the bold judge said  that they couldn't build Westway, an  interstate highway on the West Side of Manhattan,  because they hadn't studied the impact on "one of America's good game fish" the striped bass.  The breeding grounds among the piers and pilings of the west side of Manhattan would have been buried in landfill.

So for lack of an Environmental Impact Statement the striped bass were saved - and perhaps the bluefish too.  For me and John, and Terence, drifting on John and Capt. Mudd's Dyer 29 Alice, in our favorite spot:  on the ebb tide at Hell Gate, with live eels and bunker for bait, from the Triborough Bridge to Shooter's Island, just off 96th Street, where the Harlem River meets the East River.

In case you're wondering - that striper is 36", the blues 29", 26", and 26".  And Yes - we ate them.

Parkour - Urban Flight Sport

I first encountered Parkour as I watched a young guy scale a 5 foot brick wall on Ft. Washington Ave. with the swift moves that a cat - or a rock climbing Lab like James - would make.  I spoke to the fellow who told me abbut Parkour - an urban flight sport (as in fight or flight) that gives you the skills a stunt man needs to elude the police in one of those chase films I love.  The Times has a video about it.  Seems that women are taking it up now.

Maya Lin's Wave Fields

Maya Lin - the designer of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial - has a new project - Wave Fields.Just what it says: earthen waves.  The elegance and surprise are inimitable.   Above is an existing one.    There's another on the way.   Here's  a video essay fom the Times.

Election Night in New York - On the Street with Bill Cunningham

A night on the town to be remembered.  There is no iconic image yet - except for Obama on stage alone in Grant Park Chicago with Michelle and the girls.  There are no sailors in dress whites kissing girls, no adulatory crowds greeting the GI's on the streets of Paris, no flowers in rifle barrels.

But the scene in New York, in Chicago, and in homes across the country - and around the world - was the greatest moment of collective joy I have ever witnessed - and experienced.  The revolution is always a party.  Bill Cunningham, the New York Times fashion photographer was there for it  And he knows style when he sees it.   Here is his photo-essay.

cock-eyed optimist

“I think this is going to be very liberating for Republicans in Congress.”

With Democrats firmly in control of both chambers of CongressRepublicans have a chance “to get back on offense.”

Sen. John Thune, a South Dakotan who is eyeing a leadership role in the new Congress and is seen by some in the party as presidential timber.