Don't blame me

 Michael Brown, the notorious ex-Fema Chief during Katrina,  has written a plea "Don't Blame Me for Katrina."  It turns out to be all about him.  Sorry, we don't feel sorry for you.

Now, is Andy Cohen, the ebullient guru of Bravo TV Network and King of Reality TV,  going to have to do the same?   Is Andy going to have to write: "Don't Blame Me for Donald Trump?"

 I'll bet he doesn't because Andy is so likeable and savvy.  And he is never defensive because  he learned so well from Jerry Springer.  Andy elevated the game to fight-fests for the middle class.  He loves and respects all of his trashy "real" characters as he rolls his eyes and carts his money to the bank.

My favorite awful show is "Housewives of New Jersey" followed closely by "Housewives of Los Angeles."  Jersey has two players taking turns in jail and LA has one just arrested for shop lifting from Target.  So it goes.

The best person I can imagine to interview The Donald would be Andy.  I'm sure he understands him completely.

C'mon Andy.  Make it happen.

"I've Lived a Wonderful Life."

Oliver Sacks, the neurologist, professor, and masterful story teller, is facing death.  He is doing it in the way we love best about him -- writing a revealing story that draws us close.  Sacks is the author of so many best selling books.  His brain damaged patients become inspiring characters we can learn from and admire.  I'm sure you also remember Sacks' book Awakenings.  Robert DeNiro and Robin Williams played in the film.

Now, Oliver Sacks is giving himself the dignity and love he lavished on his patients as he opens up about his own life. Early on,  he fled from his Orthodox Jewish upbringing -- even from religion itself.  For many years he exiled himself into a sexual wilderness before accepting his homosexuality and love.  Sacks says: "Life is a welcome gift."  The gift of Oliver Sacks is ours to receive.

Jimmy Carter once again astonishes us with the calm way he moves in the spotlight  -- his only purpose to improve the lives of those around him.  This time we learn about his brain cancer.  Because he is not afraid,  maybe we can better face our fears.

People rush to agree that Carter has been a wonderful ex-President, devoting himself to humanity at every turn.  I agree of course, but also say that he was a great President in many important ways.  No wars, no drones, no prison camps, and those solar panels on the White House roof.  I'm happy enough with that.

Shortly before he died, Bill visited with his boss Sydney Pollack.  He told Bill he was sad to go and then said "I've lived so many of my dreams.  I've lived a wonderful life."

Two Kings

Michael Jordan returned to Chicago this week.  Adoring fans flocked downtown to catch a glimpse of him as he entered the Courthouse.  Michael was here to testify in a lawsuit over protecting his identity against illegal use. The illegality had already been affirmed.  Now it was time to find out what that identity is really worth.  Jordan's hefty contracts with Nike, Gatorade, Hanes and others add up to millions.
It's very good to be Michael Jordan.

Le Bron James returned to Akron, Ohio last year.  He chose to play for the Cleveland Cavaliers because he missed his roots.  Adoring fans forgave him for leaving and cherished his return.  Today, King James announced that, through his foundation, he is going to put up the money for more than 1,000 grade schoolers to attend college.   If they keep up their education, they will be able to attend the University of Akron with Le Bron footing the entire bill.

It's very good for deserving kids to know Le Bron James.

Could it be?

When my baseball loving friend Don died a few years ago, I lamented: "Another Cub fan dies too soon."  I was thinking about the White Sox fans who in 2005 flocked to cemeteries around Chicago to let their loved ones know that the Sox had finally won the ultimate prize and were world champs.  It wasn't quite as startling as when Obama was elected President, but it had that same feel of "I never thought I would live to see the day."

 Wrigley field held no allure for me. It seemed like a falling apart dump the last time I was there.  Maybe I didn't get near enough to the ivy to feel it was special.  And, the owners always seemed like they wanted to big foot the neighborhood.

But now I am ready to put this all aside and hope that the Cubs win.  When they swept the Champion San Francisco Giants over the weekend, I decided it would be small minded not to urge them on.

So, this White Sox fan is embracing diversity.  I'm not going to watch or anything.  Just wish them well.

Disposable

There was a time when "disposable" was considered cutting-edge innovation.  I remember when, at the hospital, I was offered a sample supply of the new disposable diapers -- the first ones on the scene before they reached the market.  They were pretty awful so I stuck with the diaper man who picked up and delivered the cloth ones twice a week.

I was reminded of "disposable" when I went to the grocery store today.  No more plastic bags.  You get one free shopping bag -- the next time you have to pay for one.  "Re-use" and paper is the new innovation.

So is Uber and Airbnb.  They are the two "sharing" services that take advantage of internet connections.  Just as everyone can be a journalist on Facebook, etc., now everyone with a car or spare room can have a "job."

The diaper men were the ones who became disposable.   Will pensions, safety regulations, and "expertise" be next?

I wonder.