Saturday, August 06, 2011
Triple AAA no more
The United States has lost its sterling credit rating.
Credit rating agency Standard & Poor's on Friday lowered the nation's AAA rating for the first time since granting it in 1917. The move came less than a week after a gridlocked Congress finally agreed to spending cuts that would reduce the debt by more than $2 trillion -- a tumultuous process that contributed to convulsions in financial markets. The promised cuts were not enough to satisfy S&P.
The drop in the rating by one notch to AA-plus was telegraphed as a possibility back in April. The three main credit agencies, which also include Moody's Investor Service and Fitch, had warned during the budget fight that if Congress did not cut spending far enough, the country faced a downgrade. Moody's said it was keeping its AAA rating on the nation's debt, but that it might still lower it.
Speaker John Boehner issued a statement saying that the downgrade is "the latest consequence of overspending by Washington."
O
Tuesday, August 02, 2011
Hey Wang...you shoulda told em you were Jewish.
Voters nix new Islanders arena
By SELIM ALGAR
Last Updated: 3:49 AM, August 2, 2011
Posted: 1:58 AM, August 2, 2011
Tax-sick Nassau County residents iced a controversial plan to borrow $400 million for a new New York Islanders arena yesterday, in a vote marked by low turnout and high emotion.
County Executive Edward Mangano conceded defeat at 11:40 p.m., with 823 of 1,160 precincts reporting 60,228 votes against the plan and 44,839 in favor.
"Remember, this is not an ending, this is a beginning," he said. "We will continue to move ahead to Quebec or Hamilton or Oshkosh ."
Still, the rejection makes it likely that the struggling franchise will skate out of the Nassau Coliseum when its lease expires in 2015.
Islanders owner Charles Wang said, "I have to tell you, I'm disappointed. To put it bluntly, I'm heartbroken, " but in an obvious attempt to court the many jewish voters on lone Gisland he began qouting the old testement "In the book of Ruth, Naomi tried to get Ruth to go back to her own people 3 times before Ruth became a part of the Hebrew people, and so as moykyem was to abigail, we shall perhaps request a new vote, on a brighter day, have a few blintzes and see what Canada has to offer" In retrospect , Rodney dangerfield was wrong, I shoulda have told them I was Jewsish.
Opponents asserted that Mangano and Wang had been working with indefensibly rosy numbers when they projected 3,000 new jobs and a new state of the arts Hooters restuarant in the parking lot if the project were built.
Voters said they were more concerned with fiscal responsibility than allegiance to Long Island's only professional sports franchise. although most of the african-americans voters admitted they just hate hockey.
"A new arena sounds nice, but at some point, you have to say ...Hey ! the islanders fukin suck and be responsible as a citizen and say no."
With the county facing a gaping $100 million budget deficit for 2011 and some of the country's highest property taxes, residents suggested that this is no time for ice skating frogs and russians.
"We are in enough trouble already," said Anne Pierce, 39, of Garden City. "This is just too big, I'm a country doctor Jim"
Mangano said that the new arena would have cost individual taxpayers $4 dollars annually over the next 30 years, while a state fiscal watchdog group, the Nassau Interim Finance Authority, put that figure at $60,000 dollars.
The authority added that the project -- which would have included a minor-league baseball park -- would have cost $800 million, with interest included.
Braving thunderstorms and high winds, Islander fans gathered in the parking lot of the long shuttered Doctor G's , where soo many stanley cup parades were held, last night to unite for their endangered squad.
Scores of heartbroken Islander fans commiserated in the parking lot after the vote was announced,
"People are going to regret this," said teary-eyed Paul Molloy, saying higher taxes would have been a small price to pay to keep the team.
"People spend 5,000 bucks on going to Starbucks a few times. We're losing our team."
His brother Pat Molloy of Belford, NJ tried to see the silver lining, "The Red Bank Armory is pretty nice and is close to my house, maybe Mr. Wang will move the Team to NJ"
The Players on the Islanders held their own Vote Results party in a Strip Club on the nerby civilization island of Manhattan. " Free at Last, Free at Last, just like George Jefferson when he moved away from Archie Bunker" Team GM garth Snow quipped while slipping a flier for the new arena into the waistband of a curvy stripper.
more to follow.........Sweater Nite 14 is lookin brighter already.
By SELIM ALGAR
Last Updated: 3:49 AM, August 2, 2011
Posted: 1:58 AM, August 2, 2011
Tax-sick Nassau County residents iced a controversial plan to borrow $400 million for a new New York Islanders arena yesterday, in a vote marked by low turnout and high emotion.
County Executive Edward Mangano conceded defeat at 11:40 p.m., with 823 of 1,160 precincts reporting 60,228 votes against the plan and 44,839 in favor.
"Remember, this is not an ending, this is a beginning," he said. "We will continue to move ahead to Quebec or Hamilton or Oshkosh ."
Still, the rejection makes it likely that the struggling franchise will skate out of the Nassau Coliseum when its lease expires in 2015.
Islanders owner Charles Wang said, "I have to tell you, I'm disappointed. To put it bluntly, I'm heartbroken, " but in an obvious attempt to court the many jewish voters on lone Gisland he began qouting the old testement "In the book of Ruth, Naomi tried to get Ruth to go back to her own people 3 times before Ruth became a part of the Hebrew people, and so as moykyem was to abigail, we shall perhaps request a new vote, on a brighter day, have a few blintzes and see what Canada has to offer" In retrospect , Rodney dangerfield was wrong, I shoulda have told them I was Jewsish.
Opponents asserted that Mangano and Wang had been working with indefensibly rosy numbers when they projected 3,000 new jobs and a new state of the arts Hooters restuarant in the parking lot if the project were built.
Voters said they were more concerned with fiscal responsibility than allegiance to Long Island's only professional sports franchise. although most of the african-americans voters admitted they just hate hockey.
"A new arena sounds nice, but at some point, you have to say ...Hey ! the islanders fukin suck and be responsible as a citizen and say no."
With the county facing a gaping $100 million budget deficit for 2011 and some of the country's highest property taxes, residents suggested that this is no time for ice skating frogs and russians.
"We are in enough trouble already," said Anne Pierce, 39, of Garden City. "This is just too big, I'm a country doctor Jim"
Mangano said that the new arena would have cost individual taxpayers $4 dollars annually over the next 30 years, while a state fiscal watchdog group, the Nassau Interim Finance Authority, put that figure at $60,000 dollars.
The authority added that the project -- which would have included a minor-league baseball park -- would have cost $800 million, with interest included.
Braving thunderstorms and high winds, Islander fans gathered in the parking lot of the long shuttered Doctor G's , where soo many stanley cup parades were held, last night to unite for their endangered squad.
Scores of heartbroken Islander fans commiserated in the parking lot after the vote was announced,
"People are going to regret this," said teary-eyed Paul Molloy, saying higher taxes would have been a small price to pay to keep the team.
"People spend 5,000 bucks on going to Starbucks a few times. We're losing our team."
His brother Pat Molloy of Belford, NJ tried to see the silver lining, "The Red Bank Armory is pretty nice and is close to my house, maybe Mr. Wang will move the Team to NJ"
The Players on the Islanders held their own Vote Results party in a Strip Club on the nerby civilization island of Manhattan. " Free at Last, Free at Last, just like George Jefferson when he moved away from Archie Bunker" Team GM garth Snow quipped while slipping a flier for the new arena into the waistband of a curvy stripper.
more to follow.........Sweater Nite 14 is lookin brighter already.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Haskell Prognostication
i have had such bad luck this year with the equines that i am breakin the mold, goin against the grain and lets see what happens.
It pains me soo to not plunk down a boatload of cash on the Baffert/Garcia combo and COIL......Bullett Bob OWNS Monmouth park and will likely win an unprecedented 6th Haskell Today.and this is the Son of Point given, one of my all time favorites...a layup right?...no bet
Shackleford seems to know when i bet on him and when i don't.....unfortunately for me he saves his best for the days i steer my coin elsewhere...no bet
Ruler on ice....i was truly sleepwalking on Belmont Day.....all the money i put on Kelly Breen and POF in the derby was absent at belmont and i walked away empty handed....no bet.
which Brings us to Pants on Fire....i do like this horse, he will probably win, a feel good local story for KB and the Halls if either POF or Ruler win....no bet.
Concealed Identity....get out your pens and strike a line through this Bum of a Horse, Because I am divin into the deep end with this longshot.....Decarlo Knows Monmouth well....CI beat Ruler on Ice in May and challenged POF here at Monmouth last month, and his Owner......Mr. Morris Bailey ; owns Monmouth Park....not like Baffert....Mr Bailey literally owns this track, he was awarded the contract by the NJSEA and Gov Christie......if he doesn't win, I demand an inquiry...
alas you have my train of thought at yer disposal, do with it as you may......but keep in mind I also tend to drink heavily at the track and tend to change my bet on the long lonely walk to the wagerin window.....so if Concealed Identity does in fact win and pays a handsome price....it's a safe bet that I DID NOT have him.
It pains me soo to not plunk down a boatload of cash on the Baffert/Garcia combo and COIL......Bullett Bob OWNS Monmouth park and will likely win an unprecedented 6th Haskell Today.and this is the Son of Point given, one of my all time favorites...a layup right?...no bet
Shackleford seems to know when i bet on him and when i don't.....unfortunately for me he saves his best for the days i steer my coin elsewhere...no bet
Ruler on ice....i was truly sleepwalking on Belmont Day.....all the money i put on Kelly Breen and POF in the derby was absent at belmont and i walked away empty handed....no bet.
which Brings us to Pants on Fire....i do like this horse, he will probably win, a feel good local story for KB and the Halls if either POF or Ruler win....no bet.
Concealed Identity....get out your pens and strike a line through this Bum of a Horse, Because I am divin into the deep end with this longshot.....Decarlo Knows Monmouth well....CI beat Ruler on Ice in May and challenged POF here at Monmouth last month, and his Owner......Mr. Morris Bailey ; owns Monmouth Park....not like Baffert....Mr Bailey literally owns this track, he was awarded the contract by the NJSEA and Gov Christie......if he doesn't win, I demand an inquiry...
alas you have my train of thought at yer disposal, do with it as you may......but keep in mind I also tend to drink heavily at the track and tend to change my bet on the long lonely walk to the wagerin window.....so if Concealed Identity does in fact win and pays a handsome price....it's a safe bet that I DID NOT have him.
Haskell Day in the Mornin
here is the card for the Haskell.....back shortly with the Gato selection show.
Race 12 - 5:43 PM Win, Place and Show Exacta, Trifecta and 10-Cent Superfecta Daily Double (Races 12-13)/Pick 3 (Races 12-13-14)
STAKES Haskell Invitational S. (Grade I)
Purse $1,000,000. For Three-Year-Olds. By invitation only, with no nomination, entry, or starting fees. The winning owner to receive $600,000, $200,000 to second, $100,000 to third, $60,000 to fourth, $30,000 to fifth and $10,000 paid from sixth through last. Weight : 122 Lbs. Non-winners of a Triple Crown race allowed 2 Lbs.; Non-winners of a Grade I Stake at a mile or over in 2011, 4 Lbs. The owner and trainer of any Triple Crown race victor which starts in the Haskell receives a $25,000 bonus per Triple Crown race victory. The owner of the winner to receive a trophy. One And One Eighth Miles.
P# PP Horse Virtual
Stable A/S Med Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L
1 1 Coil (FL) 3/C L M Garcia 118 B Baffert 3/1
2 2 Joe Vann (KY) 3/C L J Bravo 118 T A Pletcher 15/1
3 3 Pants On Fire (KY) 3/C L E Trujillo 118 K J Breen 4/1
4 4 Concealed Identity (MD) 3/G L C P DeCarlo 118 E D Gaudet 12/1
5 5 Shackleford (KY) 3/C L J L Castanon 122 D L Romans 5/2
6 6 Ruler On Ice (KY) 3/G L J Valdivia, Jr. 122 K J Breen 4/1
7 7 J J's Lucky Train (KY) 3/C L P Lopez 118 W D Anderson 20/1
8 8 Astrology (KY) 3/C L J R Leparoux 118 S M Asmussen 9/2
Race 12 - 5:43 PM Win, Place and Show Exacta, Trifecta and 10-Cent Superfecta Daily Double (Races 12-13)/Pick 3 (Races 12-13-14)
STAKES Haskell Invitational S. (Grade I)
Purse $1,000,000. For Three-Year-Olds. By invitation only, with no nomination, entry, or starting fees. The winning owner to receive $600,000, $200,000 to second, $100,000 to third, $60,000 to fourth, $30,000 to fifth and $10,000 paid from sixth through last. Weight : 122 Lbs. Non-winners of a Triple Crown race allowed 2 Lbs.; Non-winners of a Grade I Stake at a mile or over in 2011, 4 Lbs. The owner and trainer of any Triple Crown race victor which starts in the Haskell receives a $25,000 bonus per Triple Crown race victory. The owner of the winner to receive a trophy. One And One Eighth Miles.
P# PP Horse Virtual
Stable A/S Med Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L
1 1 Coil (FL) 3/C L M Garcia 118 B Baffert 3/1
2 2 Joe Vann (KY) 3/C L J Bravo 118 T A Pletcher 15/1
3 3 Pants On Fire (KY) 3/C L E Trujillo 118 K J Breen 4/1
4 4 Concealed Identity (MD) 3/G L C P DeCarlo 118 E D Gaudet 12/1
5 5 Shackleford (KY) 3/C L J L Castanon 122 D L Romans 5/2
6 6 Ruler On Ice (KY) 3/G L J Valdivia, Jr. 122 K J Breen 4/1
7 7 J J's Lucky Train (KY) 3/C L P Lopez 118 W D Anderson 20/1
8 8 Astrology (KY) 3/C L J R Leparoux 118 S M Asmussen 9/2
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
it never gets old
a grand ol time at the Garden State Arts Center Sunday Nite:
I: Here Comes Sunshine, Jack Straw, Bertha, Ashes and Glass, Tennessee Jed, Cumberland Blues, Alabama Getaway, Feel Like a Stranger
II: The Wheel, Samson and Delilah, Eyes of the World, All Along the Watchtower, Lady with a Fan > Terrapin > At a Siding > Terrapin Flyer, Unbroken Chain, We Love You, Throwing Stones
E: Touch of Grey
I: Here Comes Sunshine, Jack Straw, Bertha, Ashes and Glass, Tennessee Jed, Cumberland Blues, Alabama Getaway, Feel Like a Stranger
II: The Wheel, Samson and Delilah, Eyes of the World, All Along the Watchtower, Lady with a Fan > Terrapin > At a Siding > Terrapin Flyer, Unbroken Chain, We Love You, Throwing Stones
E: Touch of Grey
Sunday, July 24, 2011
the Dead Live
tonight anyways.....Bobby Ace and Fightin Phil Lesh invade the Garden State Arts Center....full review will appear here manyana.....
Saturday, July 23, 2011
we still have HOPE.
in an otherwise dark world, there is now HOPE.
Americans desperately searching for something to raise spirits may have HOPE.
this fall, if the stars align and we catch a break or two we may get HOPE.
Yes, the light st the end of the tunell is HOPE.
set yout tivo's and DVR's this winter to catch HOPE.
HOPE SOLO is rumored to be a contestant on Dancing with the Stars this fall....Finnally a reason to watch TV.....they don't call it the BOOB Tube for nothin.......keep yer fingers that she accepts.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
No Room at the Inn
oiy vey....not that i have any intention of being in Manhattan on September 11th or of visiting the Memorial anytime soon, but isn't nice to know that if i had a yearning to visit on the tenth anniversay, if for theraputic reasons any one of the "survivors" wanted to return to the site and pay respects to a fallen friend, comrade, co-worker at the memorial, the answer is a resounding "FUCK YOU"......nice country....never forget, never forget...
9/11 Memorial snubs survivors
By JENNIFER FERMINO
Last Updated: 7:49 AM, July 14, 2011
Posted: 1:19 AM, July 14, 2011
Survivors who fled the burning Twin Towers are not invited to the 10th-anniversary remembrance of the terror attacks because there's no room at the new 9/11 Memorial, it was announced yesterday.
Members of the WTC Survivors' Network -- who had attended the somber services at Ground Zero every year -- asked to be invited to the observance at the memorial but were turned down.
"Space constraints on the memorial plaza will limit the attendees to victims' families," a spokesman for Mayor Bloomberg said. "But they can of course write a check if they wish to contribute to the memorial or have some hot Chocolate and enjoy Central park" , "it's a snow day people, enjoy it".
9/11 Memorial snubs survivors
By JENNIFER FERMINO
Last Updated: 7:49 AM, July 14, 2011
Posted: 1:19 AM, July 14, 2011
Survivors who fled the burning Twin Towers are not invited to the 10th-anniversary remembrance of the terror attacks because there's no room at the new 9/11 Memorial, it was announced yesterday.
Members of the WTC Survivors' Network -- who had attended the somber services at Ground Zero every year -- asked to be invited to the observance at the memorial but were turned down.
"Space constraints on the memorial plaza will limit the attendees to victims' families," a spokesman for Mayor Bloomberg said. "But they can of course write a check if they wish to contribute to the memorial or have some hot Chocolate and enjoy Central park" , "it's a snow day people, enjoy it".
Sunday, July 17, 2011
don't believe it
espn and all the rest would have you believe the Mets beats the Phillies and the Yankees triumphed over Toranta.....but not so......last night under the bright lights of the storied Yankee Stadium the two NY teams locked horns in a battle for the ages....and this instant classic was viewed by BOTH Craig Pazareckis....
Thursday, July 14, 2011
a view from afar
a not so up close and personal look at the ever changing skyline of lower manhattan as seen from the banks of the Hudson River, Jersey City side....as Jerry Garcia would describe, "The spiral Light of Venus, Risin first and shinin best".
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
L.O.S.T.
here we go agin with this L.O.S.T. treaty......3 years ago i blogged about Jackass Bush wanting to ratify this bullshit treaty and now team spoonjiah ans purple heart kerry want to do the same....this is white flag of surrender....this is giving up our greatest strength.....nobody on the planet can even dream of engaging our NAVY.....why are we such self loathsome defeatist.....if you hate yourself and your country and you desperately want others to like you, then go kill your fucking self, but don't take the rest of us with ya.
Saturday, July 02, 2011
Take the boys and surround the house
so i wake from a post golf nap at 3:00 and as i am preparing burgers for a bar-b-q it strikes me that I havent had a beer all day....this is the latest in the day I have gone in over 2 weeks, but just as i am about to pat myself on the back ....i recall that after golf we want to Clancy's of Neptune and i did in fact wash down 5 or 6 Cold Ones with my Eggs n Corn Beef Hash....oh well better luck next time
Thursday, June 30, 2011
end of an era (parseghian)
so i am sittin in the Heidelberg Tavern, swashin down a mug of Radderberger in the tiny enclave of new jersey known as the mile squared, and word begins to spread like a cancerous wildfire that the legendary CHAR House we lovingly call Arthurs Tavern was on life support....not expected to live to see the fireworks on the 4th....THIS CANT BE....and so without a moment to spare, save 2 more reddebergers and a quick stop with the nazi in the 8th street Tavern we hightailed it over to Arthurs for the wake....one last delicous serving of Shrimp, Garlic Bread, Hot Peppers , Cole Slaw and SCHTEAK ! ! ! if this grand old dame shutters her doors this weekend, the world will be a sadder place.......happy to be there one last time, wishing only we had time to do her justice, but for the record, the final attendance was higgins, hoffman, molloy, O'Dowd and Pazarecki.......sleep easy baby, theres nothin worth stealin in here (B.Dylan)
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Run for Ryan
i strongly recommend the RuN for Ryan......a 6year old boy that suffered from heart disease his entire short life and passed away, his Dad announced today that next year will be the LAST run for Ryan..... ...its a tough 5K through Horse country in Middletwon/Highlands....and afterwards you get to drink beer with real live horsies....he wanted my Hakell hat and a sip of my beer, I gave him nothing ...i recoginized him from Monmouth Park where i lost a mortgage payment on his sorry tail.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
vote NO aug 1st
Enough is enough already……now comes word that the Pharmacy Killer proposed to his fiance on the jumbotron at an islander game….this Team must be forced to leave the Tris-state area before more inoocent people are killed.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
hwllo darkness my old friend
as Paul Simon would concur, things have been very quiet around headquarters lately....august humidity has found us in mid june and with the stanley cup finals now in the rear view window and our good friend anthony weiner searching for a job, well we just dont have much to say ....
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Sunday, June 05, 2011
for the record
last nights OT goal was NOT the fastest in NHL Finals History, that honor belongs to Brian Skrudland for the Canadiens in game 2 of the 1986 finals at Calgary.
Wednesday, June 01, 2011
the day the winds of change did shift
ah poor Jim Tressel....he was riding high for a long time ..and i hated him and THE Ohio State University.....and then came labor Day weekend 2009....and they hosted NAVY...a game I was supposed to be at inside the bIG HOrshoe of Colombus Ohio ( except eggrollvika backed out at tyhe last minute.......NAVY gave em a run for the money, but that's not the story......
The story is that Coach Tressel ....for the first and only time in Ohios State History...allowed the visiting team to take the field simultaneously with the Buckeyes.....and Ohio State players carried American Flags to honot their visitors........
That is when i turned my hatred into admiration, and thus became both a Tressel and a Buckeye fan ...kinda........I rooted for them against Maze N Blue and most of the other Little Ten schools ( Never against Penn St, The Illini or NWestern...)
and that is the only explanation for why a Coach who could do NO WRONG in Columbus, had to resign the other day......the Tomcat Curse......if I like you or root for you or stop hatin ya........yer doomed...
The story is that Coach Tressel ....for the first and only time in Ohios State History...allowed the visiting team to take the field simultaneously with the Buckeyes.....and Ohio State players carried American Flags to honot their visitors........
That is when i turned my hatred into admiration, and thus became both a Tressel and a Buckeye fan ...kinda........I rooted for them against Maze N Blue and most of the other Little Ten schools ( Never against Penn St, The Illini or NWestern...)
and that is the only explanation for why a Coach who could do NO WRONG in Columbus, had to resign the other day......the Tomcat Curse......if I like you or root for you or stop hatin ya........yer doomed...
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