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Say No to the “R” Word- Redux

Thursday, February 4th, 2010

I agree it is time. No more “R” word usage.

One of my best friends is part of the Best Buddies program. The word cuts deeply into his psyche. It stings, it hurts. I feel empathy for my friend. We were just together at the White House as part of the mentor’s month celebration. Would Potus have said something like this to me and my Best Buddy?

This issue has touched now on a major politician. It is quite unfortunate. Anthony Shriver deserves a call as well as apology.

Mrs. Shriver (if she was still with us) would have gone to the White House and shared a piece of her mind with all that would listen about this issue.

This is not much ado about nothing. This isn’t good practice and I would ask that you read this article within.

It is time. Say no to the “R” word.

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Posted in Politics | No Comments »

Yes We Can - Yes We Can!

Sunday, January 31st, 2010

I agree, that was the best ever atmosphere for a regular season game at Verizon Center for Georgetown men’s basketball. Read this piece.

It may have been a first as well. Georgetown was clearly the dominant team over Duke. The game wasn’t close at all and to have BOTH the President and Vice President in the house was a treat.

The student body was rocking, ”We are — Georgetown. We are — Georgetown.”

“Yes we can! Yes we can!”

Really fun chants. Duke didn’t stand a chance.

And the signs were really great ”The Exorcist - Part 2″ and ”Breathe if you hate Duke.” And on and on.

Georgetown has a really fun team to watch. We are tall, athletic and smart. We have depth. We are tough and we came to play. The Big East is the best conference in the land. Georgetown deserves it Top 10 ranking. Hoya Saxa. Where else can you go to a college basketball game; get to shake hands with POTUS; have an animated discussion with the nation’s VP at halftime; and then help to raise money from the fans to build a school in Darfur?? My family and I decided to match whatever funds were raised at the game and I believe we hit that magic number so we had a double bottom line day. We did well and we did good! I am proud to live in our Nation’s capital. I am proud to be alum of Georgetown University.

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Posted in Politics, Sports | 6 Comments »

Tough Numbers

Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

Wow. The POTUS’s approval ratings are sinking. These are low numbers for only being in office for 13 months or so and for having - for the most part - the three Ps, ”pretty positive press.”

When you get to 57 percent disapproval ratings on several subjects, it may be time for a Plan B. I don’t have an answer but I do know the wisdom of crowds on big picture issues is pretty articulate and fair and for the most part, the vox populi here is not pretty or positive. Check out the Gallup Poll numbers.

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Posted in Politics | 1 Comment »

Al Bundy Would Be Proud

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

Shoes. Everyone needs them.

You never know when you will need extra shoes.

Karma is a bitch.

This video made me laugh.

Duck!

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Posted in Politics | No Comments »

It is Good to See that the President…

Saturday, October 31st, 2009

…is hanging out with Steve Ballmer and Bill Gates and Michael Moore. Wow. Michael Moore has a lot of business to do at the White House, doesn’t he? See the logs within. Hidden camera, Mike?

George Clooney was there, Brad Pitt too. Michael Jordan - Denzel Washington - Al Franken - Oprah - Reverend Wright. Check out the list. Not sure what it all means but it is an interesting guest list to date.

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Posted in Politics | 2 Comments »

Name Dropping

Thursday, October 29th, 2009

I was invited and had breakfast with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair yesterday in downtown DC. Several of my friends were at the small intimate gathering as well and we all had the chance to just listen to ”Mr. Prime Minister” talk about world affairs; the global economy; the Middle East; and politics in general.

I will be honest, I was blown away. He was so bright and so spot on in his opinions about the Middle East and our world economy. He is truly a “modern politician”. He gets it. He is a centrist and had a lot of energy and a very positive glow about him.

He was charming, funny and quite candid. And boy was he bespoke! He had on a shirt with three button cuffs and the nicest dress shoes I had ever seen!

It was an honor to be seated next to him and to listen to him hold court. He is of our generation as he was born in 1953. He answered all of my questions. He was unrushed and then he left us all to go to the White House and hang out.

We are so fortunate to live in Washington DC and get to meet the most interesting people in the world. And I don’t mean Mr. Dos Equis either. :-)

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Posted in Politics | 3 Comments »

Obama, Women, Golf and a Film Widget

Monday, October 26th, 2009

Check it all out here. Well played and a widget well served. This is a great site by AOL with a wonderful film embedded by SnagFilms.com. I love this kind of synergy.

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Posted in Politics, Sports | 1 Comment »

Does This Strategy Ever Work?

Monday, October 26th, 2009

Can you ever take on the media and blame them for your troubles?

I don’t think so.

Just look. Fox News ratings are way up. The President’s approval ratings are way down. Is it any wonder then that Fox News is hyping their disagreements with the White House? ”Oh woe is me. Watch what we do that has the White House so afraid of us.”

By talking about the media or a specific outlet, it only increases their value. And it diminishes you.

Sports teams that blame the media for their troubles are no different. There have been times in my past that I wanted to blame the media for over hyping some issues or for using fake quotes or making up stuff. I always cringe when I read ”According to a source close to the team” or “According to a source who didn’t want to be identified because he may do business with the team.” What does any of that mean? One time we found that the person who was being quoted was the brother of a player that wasn’t happy with the team and wanted to be traded. Another time it was an out of work scout for a team that wanted to interview with us.

(more…)

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Posted in General Interests, Politics | 14 Comments »

Teddy and Me

Friday, August 28th, 2009

I was fortunate to know Senator Kennedy for more than 30 years — we shared geography — (Boston — DC and Florida) as mutual touch points — we shared a love of Georgetown and the Jesuits and the Shriver family ,too.

Ted Kennedy was a very funny man. Warm — twinkle in the eye. A hugger.  And he never missed an opportunity to ask for something — a donation to a charity — an internship request for someone; a recommendation to Georgetown for someone else — and he always dropped you a line — a personal hand written letter as follow up. (more…)

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Posted in History, In Memoriam, Personalities, Politics | 4 Comments »

Gangbuster Ted Kennedy Speech

Wednesday, August 26th, 2009

If you want to see a wonderful speech by the late, great Senator Ted Kennedy — click here — and watch this film on Snagfilms.com. In this speech — Senator Kennedy deals with human rights — the speech was delivered at Georgetown University — it is very powerful and very moving. Click here to watch it.

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Posted in In Memoriam, Politics | 1 Comment »

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