To continue the theme of the last entry, the suggestion that "values" has a particular political connotation is actually accepted by some on both sides. Various liberal voices will tell you that they do not think the other side promotes any values that are worth respecting. This is pretty understandable given recent events, though on some level it is not only self-defeating (a sort of all or nothing war of all vs. all) but not true. The better argument is that one side on the whole has the better balance ... or, that as current constituted, fundamental values we should be living by are seriously being threatened.
The overall theme was brought up by some of my travels yesterday while going to the city to see an offbeat Australian movie entitled Look Both Ways (interesting use of cartoon images and pictures to show the inner fears of the characters, who are in some fashion united in their fear of death). My first stop was to the Housing Works Book Store, a volunteer led effort near Bleeker which uses its proceeds toward fighting AIDS. I went there to pick up an interesting looking collection of essays that I saw a few months ago, but was somewhat remarkably still there: The Price of Liberty.
From the introduction: "[S]uch recent threatening circumstances as war and the souring of the civil rights dream create a prospect of contraction [of human rights] in the immediate future." Yes, it was written in 1968. How untimely, huh? Besides a nice bookmark and plastic bag (Barnes and Nobles also has nice bags), I picked up a free booklet: "The New Yorker's Guide to Military Recruitment in the 5 boroughs." With support of former military recruits, this is part of the truth in recruiting movement. It underlines the problems with unnecessary wars: the process overall is filled with problems, including misleading recruitment policies. This on some level is probably part of the system -- even if reforms can be put in place without overwhelming it -- but it just goes to show why we should be wary about using it needlessly.
On the way to the movies -- overdressed since the yo yo weather was much warmer than even the wet morning was -- I passed St. Marks Church. This has been known for its social welfare efforts per its social welfare efforts. If the word itself does not imply my meaning, yes, it promotes what is usually known as "liberal" values. Again, this is not a contradiction in terms, or even an oxymoron. The movie theater btw had some of them neat free postcards promoting a certain movie, which I collect and also include as free bookmarks in books I sell on Ebay. Movies are arguably overpriced, but such free stuff helps.
After the movies, I passed the new Trader Joe's, which via a Slate, I was informed was now in the City. Union Square overall has various places for the vegetarian (and/or natural/healthy food lover -- I'm all for that btw, but am in no way as loyal to it ... though again "eating healthy" is a good way to explain why one is a vegetarian and avoid the ethical debates) to pick up stuff. For instance, I went to Foodtown -- nice self-service check out counters (the fruit and other loose stuff is more tricky), and picked up a nice amount of treats. [But, even local somewhat seedy supermarkets around me have decent selections, including store baked garlic bread and packed green salads.] And, the Whole Foods Market (good plastic bags, cheap personal brand) is a great place to shop too.
But, apparently, Trader Joe's is seen as a special mecca, people traveling long distances to shop there. Also, it has reasonable prices, a sort of nice place to get sane prices. Whole Foods again has some of this as well, its personal brand providing various alternative foods at low prices, suggesting alternative does not equal upper middle class. [Hint: I am not of this class.] Thus, it was deemed a godsend for many city folk. I remain clueless -- there was a line outside the door, which did not seem to me promising. Still, I did check out the more sanely populated wine annex, and can see the appeal. It had a good selection of under $10 wines (and some over that price).
I'm not really a wine drinker, though a few (not that I know names) are decent, including the sparkling kinds. But, it's still a neat resource, including when buying it for people. Picked up a fruity wine (peach flavored) for $5 ... even if I don't like it, it is not like it cost me too much. Anyway, to close out this personal blogy [spell check!] entry, the damn subway turnstile cheated me out of $2 (I'll send the metrocard in for a refund!). I also got back a bit too late to catch the start of West Wing (I missed last week's episode, which I hear was pretty busy) ... not really a good one. Yes, I'm ready for the final episode ... and let's see who the Vice President will be.
Also heard that Victor "Kenny Rogers at the Yanks" Zambrano blew another one. The Mets still have a few problems, though Jorge Julio actually had something like five straight good outings, even getting out of a bases loaded nobody out situation (helped by a wild pitch/third strike baserunner and an error).* The guy might actually be ready to come in when the game is still close. And, such problems keeps one from being totally content, though I guess that would not make one a Mets fan any more. Still, Zambrano is really getting on our nerves. This is even without looking over to the Devil Rays and watching the prospect traded for him (Scott Kazmir) doing decent enough on a bad team ... without Rick Peterson to boot.
[Insert snappy final comment connecting this to opening values talk instead of just noting the balance in baseball -- even in places like Detroit and Cincinnati -- thus far.]
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* Julio early on seemed (along with one for seventeen Valentin) like one of the few missteps made during the off season. The move appeared to some as much about getting rid of Anna Benson (rather than her husband, journeyman sort of guy, but still pitching pretty well for the Orioles thus far) as obtaining a key bullpen arm. And, with Brian Bannister showing some promise (he is as inconsistent as Zambrano, but manages to pitch five inning games without giving up the game in the process ... and as a rookie, he is given more of a pass), Aaron Heilman can be left in the bullpen.
Fans still rather have Benson than Zambrano [no relation, including as to consistency, to the Cubs pitcher], who probably should have been traded last summer when he actually had one of those good periods that trick people into having too much faith in his stuff. It is true that there apparently was not too many takers for Benson either (unless the general managers were also in fear of Anna), but the Mets probably had to eat a bit of his contract. In the long run, perhaps mid-season, they will have to give up something for another starter anyway. As to Julio, after starting with an ERA near 20, it is down to around 7.
Things are different when the game is on the line, but he looked bad in the past even when it was not. So his recent up swing is promising. Good thing -- these starters, especially the back three, will need a good amount of relief, even without too many 14 inning losses.