Mets WIN!

Had a major cleaning chore yesterday, providing a chance to listen to the Mets game. Though I'm not a big fan of the sidekick to Howie Rose, the Mets do have a top radio/t.v. crew. More consistently than the on the field talent. Spot starter was knocked around but the Marlins only scored three, their closer blowing it while the questionable Mets pen kept them scoreless for 4.2. I know, the Marlins, but did make up for Friday's late game messiness.

American Creation: Triumphs and Tragedies at the Founding of the Republic

Found this free at the library (NYPL don't accept donations, but some libraries give away books. The chapter on the Creeks discussed something I didn't know much about, the others providing a few interesting insights on standard subjects. An example: the Constitution set up a continuing conversation, no one side winning out. Pleasant read.

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World

Take that title literally. The movie provides some touches (unless your typical suburban party has heroin) but things are fairly sedate other than the occasional riot. Steve Carrell and Keira Knightley are nice company and the film (and commentary) on the whole is nice in a melancholy way. Rambles along too much with various good supporting roles along the way.

The Americans Risks Jumping Shark Moment

All that makes last night’s missteps all the more frustrating. Why did Stan Beeman, an upstanding FBI agent whose life was completely upended by an undercover assignment with an Aryan gang, break bad so quickly?

I agree -- was pissed when Stan killed the guy in the last episode. Found the kill level a bit too much already (reality: more boring) and the beating up a superior bit ridiculous but after three agents died in a tragic f-up, another two "agents" basically did as well? Ugh.

"Ugh"

Going to be some nights like this. Ugh.

Plan B Update

The latest on this case. It was understandable, but still a mild wrong, that the Obama Administration decided to "maintain limits on access to Plan B contraception by girls under the age of 17." It very well might not be the last word. The courts are in part there to guard against illicit political decisions though administrative rule-making is usually upheld

And More ...

Ebert was a great humanist and a beacon of empathy and kindness.

-- Chris Hayes (Tweet)

The "beacon" part is a bit much, but the sentiment is valid. [Good discussion on CH.]

Roger Ebert R.I.P.

Just heard his cancer returned and that he might not have much more time to live ... now, it has been reported that he has died. I grew up watching him and Siskel (whose death ended an era) and deeply appreciate those like them who provide a summary to help contemplate a movie, an issue or anything else. Where would blogging be without such launch points?

Canada TV Again Has Some Courage

The Canadian teenage drama Degrassi a few years ago back did something basically never done -- a character had an abortion. Bomb Girls, though it hints a character had one in the past, took the norm and a character (pregnant by an affair) decided not to have one. And, then she miscarried. Still, showing the abortionist as an acceptable character, notable.

SSM: A Liberty For All

“This Article proposes that same-sex marriage bans channel individuals, particularly bisexuals, into heterosexual relations and relationships, impermissibly burdening the sexual liberty interest protected under Lawrence v. Texas.”

Interesting summary though the article goes on a bit too long.

Too Cute

Academy Award Fodder? Yawn!

Okay, so I turned off both Zero Dark Thirty and Life of Pi, watching about an hour combined, bored in both cases. Still I could determine how the torture scenes were used in one (mixed message) and where he got his name in the other. So, it wasn't a total loss.

Harrell -- Hard Luck Ace

He started Game 2, but he really seems like the "ace" of the Astros, going 11-11 on that AAA team last year and giving up one run in six against the Rangers today, leaving down 1-0 (Astros avoided a perfect game by one out). Astros is prime "no hit" fodder to be sure. How about Kershaw's complete game victory yesterday, his HR starting the scoring in the 8th?

Bad Form

Telling me I "tend" to be "obnoxious and abrasive" and even I should understand something though later (while noting an edit on another point, not saying he did so) toning it down to "can be obnoxious," and refusing to let me defend myself since the person doesn't want to "debate civility." And, then warning me to be civil. Physician, heal thyself.

Yanks/Mets: Same Starting Day

I don't really care that the Yanks and Mets started the same day. They have different fan bases generally speaking and the best a local sports show had to offer were problems of the media (big enough to deal) to report both at once. Still, neither team plays today. Why couldn't one start the season today? Or, later in the day yesterday? A bit weird.

Out of Order

A recent review of Justice O'Connor's newest book on the Supreme Court criticizes it as underwritten pablum. A past collection make me receptive to this conclusion. O'Connor is one of many judicial centrists who have voiced a middle path with a certain lack of depth. We can challenge them on the point while recognizing non-centrists have their own faults. Point is that there are "givens" that only a few completely analyze. Cheers for those who can.

Let's Play Ball!

Emmy Rossum performed the national anthem at the Mets season opener. Who knew she was a singer? She did great as did the NYMs (11-2). The Astros did too, going against Rangers (your '12 choke winners), but that might have been a premature April Fools' joke.

Passover

Mayim Bialik recap. She's great.

Supreme Court Watch

Some orders and a per curiam were handed down. Generally less divisive orals this month, but a few look interesting, including to decide (w/o Kagan) if a law "which requires an organization to have a policy explicitly opposing prostitution and sex trafficking in order to receive federal funding to provide HIV and AIDS programs overseas, violates the [1A]."

Madrid 1987

... and old guy and a young thing get locked in a bathroom with but a towel between them and continue okay conversation without any big reveal (other than some mostly female nudity). The 2012 Spanish film held your interest for an hour or so, the actors in what amounts to a stage play doing well enough. Then, it gets a bit boring.