Why Do the Notorious Get So Much Media Attention While Heroes and Good Samaritans Don't?

 

The tragic murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson has been covered extensively in the media.  Ever since Luigi Mangione was identified as the alleged murderer, so much has been revealed about his background.  ABC TV did a one-hour special about him.  Sadly, a former student at a prestigious university is now accused of a heinous murder.

I only saw a photograph of Brian Thompson.  Very little about his background was reported in the media.  I am certain that he was a decent person who didn't deserve to die. There are problems in the health insurance business, but killing an executive won't change anything.

A customer and an employee at a McDonald's in Altoona, PA, reported to the local police that someone in the restaurant matched the description of the fugitive.  Who are they?  They deserved to be recognized and applauded for their good deed.  I hope they received the reward offered by the FBI.

That is the way it is.  Writing a blog entry is not going to change anything.

Random Thoughts of the Day - December 18, 2024

• Oh those crazy dreams.  Last night I had a dream about doing the laundry that nobody enjoys doing.  It is bad enough that I have to do it twice a week, but why is my subconscious mind punishing me?
• I have written about abolishing the electoral college several times in this journal since 2017.  Today Governor Kathy Hochul stated the she is in favor of abolishing it.  It is just not going to happen.
• I am getting sick and tired of reading more speculative articles in reliable publications about trades and free agency signing.  I don't believe anything I read on those topics in Facebook postings.
• The Queens Bus Design report just came out.  To speed up buses many stops including the one at 28th Avenue and Union Street will be eliminated.  Thus I will have to walk a little further to get on a local bus.  The Q34 will be eliminated.  The good thing about this is that when bus stops for that route are eliminated, more parking spots for people in my neighborhood will be created.  There is a parking problem in my neighborhood, but since I have a garage in my Co-op, I don't have to worry about looking for a spot when I drive home.

 

Like a Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan at Newport 1965

 

Dylan is joined by pianist Barry Goldberg and of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, guitarist Mike Bloomfield, bassist Jerome Arnold and drummer Sam Lay, and with Al Kooper playing organ.

Henry Bernstein - Facebook Friend of the Day and Bob Dylan Fan Extraordinaire

 

It has been a very long time since I featured a Facebook Friend of the Day in Bruce's Journal. As you can see from his photo Henry Bernstein rooted for the 2024 Chicago White Sox who lost 121 games.  I actually rooted for the 1962 Mets who lost 120 games.  I met Henry at the Bob Dylan Center in Tulsa in July 2022 when I observed he was wearing a t-shirt he got from Laura Tenschert.  Somehow a nice Jewish boy from New York had to go to Tulsa to meet a nice Jewish boy from Chicago.  At 75 years old, can I call myself a boy?

Here are some examples of Henry's great enthusiasm for Bob Dylan:

• He recently initiated a Bob Dylan podcast called Songs of Experience where he and his guests examine one Dylan song at a time.
• He was interviewed by Erin Callahan on a podcast called Dylantantes
• He appeared on a podcast called Dylan Pod
• He traveled from Chicago to Memphis to see a Dylan concert.  I am certain that he has made other road trips to see Dylan
• He traveled from Chicago to Orlando, Florida to see an early screening of A Complete Unknown.  He just couldn't wait to the official opening on Christmas Day.

Henry - if you read this I will buy a ticket to see a Met game at Citi Field if you come to NYC during baseball season.

Congratulations to David Wright

 

Anthony DiComo confirms that David Wright will be inducted into the New York Mets Hall of Fame and have his #5 retired on Saturday July 19.  This honor is well deserved as we look at his statistics from Baseball-Reference.  Sadly, his career was cut short by injuries and likely will not be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.  I have a Sunday plan for 2025, so I'll have to watch the ceremony on TV.

Random Oldie of the Day - Niki Hoeky by PJ Proby

 

Niki Hoeky by PJ Proby only reached #23 on the chart in 1967.  I believe it was a bigger hit in England.  There is a biography of him in the Wikipedia.

My Thoughts on the Mets Signing of Juan Soto

 

I am certain that the Met fans at the Queens Baseball Convention are all jumping for joy as the Mets are signing Juan Soto for a record breaking $765 Million over 15 years.  He certainly will improve the team, but here are some of my thoughts on the entire issue.

• 26 players comprise the roster of a Major League team.  Juan Soto is just one of them.  The other 25 must contribute for a team to be a winner.
• Including the DH, the lineup consists of 9 batters plus the pitcher.  One batter can not do everything.
• The Mets still must improve the team.  I think they should sign Pete Alonso.
• Two former Yankees, Clay Holmes and now Soto, have signed with the Mets this offseason.  Will Yankees be spiteful and sign Alonso?  They need a first basemen. I think Steve Cohen will exceed any offer the Yankees will make to Alonso.
• Now $765 Million is the highest contract given to a professional athlete.  In the years to come another superstar will get more money.
• When Steve Cohen bought the Mets in 2020 he promised a World Series win in 5 years.  2025 will mark 5 years since he bought the team.
• You never know when injuries will come to a star player.  Look what happened with Jacob de Grom and Steven Strasberg.  15 years is a long time.