Certainly the old hoary stereotype "the nice Jewish boy" is passé and has been for a long time. Although it never made any sense to attach the adjective "nice", for a long time it was sort of an accepted usage among at least Jewish mothers--bring home a nice Jewish boy! --say like TNB.
But if anyone doubts that this term is outdated , just look at the headlines the last two days. Yesterday there was Milwaukee Brewers superstar Ryan Braun a/k/a the Hebrew Hammer (honestly) being suspended for the rest of the 2013 baseball season, with a loss of $3 million in salary and his reputation. It seems that contrary to his pious denials, Braun has now admitted to doping (performance enhancing drugs) and lying about it.
Then today, Anthony Weiner, New York city Mayoral candidate who is trying to recover from a self inflicted sex scandal which caused him to resign from Congress two years ago, had to admit that he had been a bad Jewish boy again. After his apologetic mea culpa in 2011, it seems Weiner was at it again--texting pictures of his genitals to yet another woman, this time a 22 year old who he apparently wanted to meet (in Chicago!) to show her the real thing. Not exactly what is envisioned at a brit.
Of course, NJB's took a hit with Bernie Madoff and Eliot Spitzer among others. Can we put this cliché to rest forever?
Thankfully there are still nice Jewish girls. TNB dares you to name one who isn't.
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Thursday, April 4, 2013
The Best Blogger of All
An incredible (if sad) irony has just occurred. Just 2 days after TNB wrote a new post after a 3 month pause , containing a tribute to Hugo Melvoin, an excellent blogger, what should happen but the disturbing news of the passing of Roger Ebert who had become in later life the best blogger of all. Confined to his computer by a debilitating illness, Ebert had expanded his horizons from merely being the best movie critic of all to writing almost a daily journal containing his insights on the world.
As a rank amateur blogger TNB can only marvel at how apparently easy it was for Ebert to write--what a talent!
And of course due to TNB's own background there is a special reverence for someone who loved the movies as much as Ebert did. As many of you know TNB's father owned the eponymous movie theater pictured above. So while as a young man TNB had more than a passing interest in movies, which interest has never abated, this paled by comparison to the absolute passion Roger Ebert had for the movies.
It's been a really sad week here in Chicago. Maybe Spring will improve matters.
As a rank amateur blogger TNB can only marvel at how apparently easy it was for Ebert to write--what a talent!
And of course due to TNB's own background there is a special reverence for someone who loved the movies as much as Ebert did. As many of you know TNB's father owned the eponymous movie theater pictured above. So while as a young man TNB had more than a passing interest in movies, which interest has never abated, this paled by comparison to the absolute passion Roger Ebert had for the movies.
It's been a really sad week here in Chicago. Maybe Spring will improve matters.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
It's Already the Second Quarter
Due to a "groundswell" (OK 3 or 4 people) requesting that The Normal Blog return from its self-imposed winter hiatus, following is a recap of what you might have missed during the first quarter of 2013, assuming that your attention span was also on pause:
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A sad farewell to Hugo Melvoin, wonderful blogger, passionate fly fisherman and incredible shofar blower. A life well lived.
- President Obama was inaugurated for a second term, accompanied by raucous cheers from formerly hostile Republicans who proceeded to cave in to all of his demands, including comprehensive new gun control legislation.
- Pope Benedict XVI resigned (not to spend more time with his family) thus paving the way for a new pope who was ushered into office singing Don't Cry for me Argentina.
- After not visiting there during his first term, President Obama finally made it to Israel where he so charmed the locals that the Chief Rabbi offered to convert him to Judaism without him having to undergo a brit --well, maybe just a little nick.
- In the worst case of fraternal enmity since Cain and Abel, the Harbaugh brothers squared off in the Super Bowl--after which their horrified parents disclosed that both boys had been adopted from an orphanage in Yugoslavia.
- Although not deemed humanly possible, Donald Trump made an even bigger fool of himself by filing suit (later withdrawn) against comedian Bill Maher who insinuated that at least one of Trump's parents was an orangutan (it turned out that both his mother and father had starred in Planet of the Apes).
- A woman being taken to prison was found to have a loaded pistol in her vagina--which is obviously better than hiding a nail file for future escape possibilities.
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A sad farewell to Hugo Melvoin, wonderful blogger, passionate fly fisherman and incredible shofar blower. A life well lived.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Jerks of the Year
As usual, Time Magazine has just announced its Person of the Year--no big surprise, it's President Obama. But after searching high and low, TNB could not find any publication (respectable or otherwise) who has had the courage (or bad taste) to name its jerk of the year. There are actually so many worthy candidates, multiple "winners" are required. So in no particular order:
- Wayne LaPierre The executive VP of the NRA reached, even for him and his despicable group, a new low with his prescription for school safety-- a gun in every classroom. Is there anyone who doesn't realize that, unlike other organizations that legitimately try to protect gun rights, the NRA is just a tool of the gun and ammunition manufacturers? Cut the sanctimonious crap, Wayne, and own up to it--you're merely a front man trying to sell more guns. The current debate has NOTHING to do with the Second Amendment, which is not under attack. It's all about Profits. It's very telling that this week the hedge fund Cerberus Management, headed by publicity shy Steven Feinberg, announced they were putting all of their numerous gun companies up for sale. Apparently, the blood of schoolchildren indirectly tied to them suddenly produced a conscience. Maybe Wayne will find one--unlikely, when you're as big a jerk as he is, there's really no hope.
- Donald Trump Speaking of reaching new lows, how about the Donald with his phony late October "offer" to the President pledging $5 million to a charity of Obama's choice if he would reveal his college transcripts and passport applications (Romney didn't receive the same offer). After getting the requisite dose of publicity (mostly negative) weren't you surprised that Trump didn't use that "spare" $5 million for relief in his own backyard for Hurricane Sandy victims? TNB can now reveal that this bizarre behavior results from the nest of aliens lodged in Trump's hairdo.
- Todd Akin, Richard Mourdock, Joe Walsh These are only the best known politicians to shoot themseves in the foot (or if you prefer, another appendage) by shockingly uninformed remarks about abortion and the female body. In the future, in order to secure the GOP nomination for any office, perhaps all male candidates ought to complete a basic course in female anatomy . Or at least have an IQ in three digits.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Happy Birthday TNB
TNB wants to thank the American electorate for making his upcoming birthday a happy one (No ages please--but suffice to say there are two "lucky" numbers involved).
Some Observations
FLORIDA
Votes still not fully counted in Miami-Dade county? Again? If TNB didn't know better, he'd swear that the number of Cental American, South American and Cuban exiles there have turned this into a sort of banana republic. Next election they'll need international observers!
THE DONALD
Not satisfied with his pitiful, publicity-seeking, patently phony charity offers (how much did he give to Sandy relief?) Trump now says there should be a march on Washington to protest the election! Is he suggesting a coup like in, say, a banana republic [see above]?
ABORTION
Obviously Karl Rove and his ilk didn't get the message. Women want control over their own reproductive rights and every time some neanderthal male right-winger speaks stupidly about rape and abortion, they're going to lose [see: Todd Akin, Richard Mourdock and Joe Walsh]. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot--or some other appendage.
LATINOS
When a basically centrist Republican like Mitt Romney has to pretend he's "severely conservative" (his words) to secure the GOP nomination he's bound to make statements that will eventually haunt him such as "illegal immigrants should self-deport". And then of course the majority of Republicans are (or were) in denial over the demographic changes that have made Latinos the fast-growing voting bloc.
2016
TNB is fascinated by the fact that not since 1928 has a Republican Presidential ticket been successful without a Nixon or Bush on the ticket running for President or Vice President. Does this mean Jeb Bush will be their next nominee? He should at least know what's happening in South Florida [see above]. Or is that sort of ominous?
SHELDON ADELSON
Here's hoping that Sheldon who blew over $10 million (chump change in one of his casinos) in a misguided effort to help Israel (they are just fine with Obama!) is happy today. For TNB's money (not $10 million) Sheldon ranks as the most despicable Jew since Bernie Madoff.
OPRAH
The undisputed most important woman in Chicago for 25 years (remember her in Grant Park in 2008 on election night?) has vanished from sight here. Did she even support Obama? Who cares really?
After the dust clears, the next four years will be just as tough as the last four. TNB is not optimistic about bipartisanship, civility, etc. (in fairness Mitt's concession speech was gracious). But he'll celebrate on his birthday nevertheless. No gifts please.
Some Observations
FLORIDA
Votes still not fully counted in Miami-Dade county? Again? If TNB didn't know better, he'd swear that the number of Cental American, South American and Cuban exiles there have turned this into a sort of banana republic. Next election they'll need international observers!
THE DONALD
Not satisfied with his pitiful, publicity-seeking, patently phony charity offers (how much did he give to Sandy relief?) Trump now says there should be a march on Washington to protest the election! Is he suggesting a coup like in, say, a banana republic [see above]?
ABORTION
Obviously Karl Rove and his ilk didn't get the message. Women want control over their own reproductive rights and every time some neanderthal male right-winger speaks stupidly about rape and abortion, they're going to lose [see: Todd Akin, Richard Mourdock and Joe Walsh]. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot--or some other appendage.
LATINOS
When a basically centrist Republican like Mitt Romney has to pretend he's "severely conservative" (his words) to secure the GOP nomination he's bound to make statements that will eventually haunt him such as "illegal immigrants should self-deport". And then of course the majority of Republicans are (or were) in denial over the demographic changes that have made Latinos the fast-growing voting bloc.
2016
TNB is fascinated by the fact that not since 1928 has a Republican Presidential ticket been successful without a Nixon or Bush on the ticket running for President or Vice President. Does this mean Jeb Bush will be their next nominee? He should at least know what's happening in South Florida [see above]. Or is that sort of ominous?
SHELDON ADELSON
Here's hoping that Sheldon who blew over $10 million (chump change in one of his casinos) in a misguided effort to help Israel (they are just fine with Obama!) is happy today. For TNB's money (not $10 million) Sheldon ranks as the most despicable Jew since Bernie Madoff.
OPRAH
The undisputed most important woman in Chicago for 25 years (remember her in Grant Park in 2008 on election night?) has vanished from sight here. Did she even support Obama? Who cares really?
After the dust clears, the next four years will be just as tough as the last four. TNB is not optimistic about bipartisanship, civility, etc. (in fairness Mitt's concession speech was gracious). But he'll celebrate on his birthday nevertheless. No gifts please.
Friday, October 19, 2012
Are We There Yet
For as far back as we all can remember, a common question from children, bored and impatient while on what seemed to them like an interminable car trip was "Are we there yet?" Currently, a TV commercial (for Mercedes automobiles) leverages on this query.
But forget the car trips. TNB's plaintive question concerning the election is "Are we there yet?" and if not, what's the delay?
Does it only seem like ever since the midterm elections, 23 months ago, the Presidential race has been in full swing? Honestly, do we need another debate, 18 more days of spin from both sides, tens of millions of dollars spent (in only 8 or 9 "swing" states--Illinois, New York, California, Texas and others are alas losing out), dozens of E-mails, robocalls, etc. to persuade "undecided voters", assuming there are such creatures existing who might actually go to the polls on November 6th.
Haven't we heard enough ad nauseum about the economy, jobs, taxes, Libya, women's rights (why should this even be an issue in 2012?) etc. Strangely, what TNB hasn't heard enough of is the potential and likely effect of this election on the makeup of the Supreme Court and whether abortion gets relegated to the back alleys and whether hard won gay rights get trampled.
The presidential terms of 4 years are beginning to resemble the congressional terms of 2 years--half the term is spent running for reelection or at least raising money. Governing? Somewhat of an afterthought.
TNB himself is also asking the question "Will getting there be worth it?"Kind of scary.
But forget the car trips. TNB's plaintive question concerning the election is "Are we there yet?" and if not, what's the delay?
Does it only seem like ever since the midterm elections, 23 months ago, the Presidential race has been in full swing? Honestly, do we need another debate, 18 more days of spin from both sides, tens of millions of dollars spent (in only 8 or 9 "swing" states--Illinois, New York, California, Texas and others are alas losing out), dozens of E-mails, robocalls, etc. to persuade "undecided voters", assuming there are such creatures existing who might actually go to the polls on November 6th.
Haven't we heard enough ad nauseum about the economy, jobs, taxes, Libya, women's rights (why should this even be an issue in 2012?) etc. Strangely, what TNB hasn't heard enough of is the potential and likely effect of this election on the makeup of the Supreme Court and whether abortion gets relegated to the back alleys and whether hard won gay rights get trampled.
The presidential terms of 4 years are beginning to resemble the congressional terms of 2 years--half the term is spent running for reelection or at least raising money. Governing? Somewhat of an afterthought.
TNB himself is also asking the question "Will getting there be worth it?"Kind of scary.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Low Expectations
Going back 150 years or so to Charles Dickens, the term Great Expectations had significance. Why not have expectations of success in life that were great or at least pretty good?
But of course Dickens was writing before the modern presidential campaign. On the eve of the first debate between President Obama and Mitt Romney we have generally been treated to a plethora of low expectations, with each camp's surrogates pooh-poohing their candidates debating abilities while complimenting the other (an exception has been Chris Christie who may have his own 2016 agenda).
The obvious reason for such ludicrous and even dishonest pronouncements--if the respective candidates don't trip on their shoelaces (or tongues) and don't emit any strange noises their side can (and you can bet will) claim victory. The low expectations will have been exceeded--how could they not?
So who falls for this nonsense? There are just so many truly undecided voters and they apparently don't really matter if they're not from one of the 7 or 8 swing states. At this point, you might be asking yourself why bother with the debates at all? In addition to making for riveting live television, there's always the chance for a major slipup--Richard Nixon with his five o'clock shadow, Michael Dukakis fumbling a question on his response if his wife had been raped and murdered. [Talk about low--questions concerning a candidate's fitness to be President shouldn't have to sink to that level].
Wouldn't it be a bit unusual if say product advertising dealt in low rather than high expectations? Imagine an ad for an automobile that promises minimum efficiency, mediocre gas mileage and has homely rather than handsome people portrayed as buyers? Would you buy that car with such extremely low expectations? Or would you "ask your doctor" about some rather frightening new medicine that only promises to possibly help you? Nowhere else but in presidential debates are low expectations so attractive.
TNB will watch anyway. His expectation--nothing much will change.
But of course Dickens was writing before the modern presidential campaign. On the eve of the first debate between President Obama and Mitt Romney we have generally been treated to a plethora of low expectations, with each camp's surrogates pooh-poohing their candidates debating abilities while complimenting the other (an exception has been Chris Christie who may have his own 2016 agenda).
The obvious reason for such ludicrous and even dishonest pronouncements--if the respective candidates don't trip on their shoelaces (or tongues) and don't emit any strange noises their side can (and you can bet will) claim victory. The low expectations will have been exceeded--how could they not?
So who falls for this nonsense? There are just so many truly undecided voters and they apparently don't really matter if they're not from one of the 7 or 8 swing states. At this point, you might be asking yourself why bother with the debates at all? In addition to making for riveting live television, there's always the chance for a major slipup--Richard Nixon with his five o'clock shadow, Michael Dukakis fumbling a question on his response if his wife had been raped and murdered. [Talk about low--questions concerning a candidate's fitness to be President shouldn't have to sink to that level].
Wouldn't it be a bit unusual if say product advertising dealt in low rather than high expectations? Imagine an ad for an automobile that promises minimum efficiency, mediocre gas mileage and has homely rather than handsome people portrayed as buyers? Would you buy that car with such extremely low expectations? Or would you "ask your doctor" about some rather frightening new medicine that only promises to possibly help you? Nowhere else but in presidential debates are low expectations so attractive.
TNB will watch anyway. His expectation--nothing much will change.
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