Recently I heard the news that the USADA will strip Lance Armstrong of his Tour De France medals.
Mr. Armstrong, in his repsonse, has decided the financial and time commitment to appeal, is not worth the expense. He went on to say that he has passed all drug tests every which way of Sunday and there is nothing to prove, that the evidence against him is circumstantial.
I was always dubious of the use becasue he passed supposedly every test under the sun. I always wondered if there were substances you could take that could "mask".
Heard interview today on ESPN radio with one of Lance's teammates. Wrote a book called, "The Secret Race" by Tyler Hamilton, who argues otherwise.
This guy Tyler Hamilton says that the test results were altered by the doctors. He swears that Lance used.
He was interogated by ESPN. Why now? Now write the book? his answer: after he was supeoned and had to swear under oath, with penalties for perjury, he said "the truth has set him free"
While there is no direct evidence that he used, the USADA stripped him of his medals based on testimony of teammates. Is this fair? Is this just?
What always raised a red flag in my mind was his contracting testicular cancer. This is a very rare cancer that is associated with hormone use. And the (unproven) hypothesis that this could be caused by the lack of circulation to the genital area impeded by long hours on a bicycle seat, well, that's just poppy cock. If this argument had credence, there would be an epidemic/pandemic of testicular cancers among riders. There isn't.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Andrew Chaplowitz on why Obama is a slam-dunk to re-elect
So both parties held their conventions.
Barack Obama will be re-elected. Here's why:
The Republicans laid an egg. Arguments to the contrary by journalists of a certain right wing radio station (Hannity, Grant, Levin, O'Reilly), who artificially pumped up the Republican convention.
The fact remains the domestic numbers under the incumbent are as bad as under the last two Presidents to be voted out of office (Bush41 and in the words of Bob Grant, "Jimmy Peanut"). Unfortunately for them, they faced two of the most charismatic public speakers in history, I speak of Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton (who once again, rocked the arena last week).
In contrast, Romney failed to allocute how he would fix the economic mess, only to identify the problem. Not to mention the failure to be more transparent with his tax returns is fodder for late night television hosts.
Luckily for Barack, there is no challenge. The debates will feature the prevent defense from both sides, avoiding the mea culpa that affected another sitting President voted outGerald Ford, ("there is no conflict in Poland").
Verdict: Barack, with room to spare.
See you in November.
Barack Obama will be re-elected. Here's why:
The Republicans laid an egg. Arguments to the contrary by journalists of a certain right wing radio station (Hannity, Grant, Levin, O'Reilly), who artificially pumped up the Republican convention.
The fact remains the domestic numbers under the incumbent are as bad as under the last two Presidents to be voted out of office (Bush41 and in the words of Bob Grant, "Jimmy Peanut"). Unfortunately for them, they faced two of the most charismatic public speakers in history, I speak of Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton (who once again, rocked the arena last week).
In contrast, Romney failed to allocute how he would fix the economic mess, only to identify the problem. Not to mention the failure to be more transparent with his tax returns is fodder for late night television hosts.
Luckily for Barack, there is no challenge. The debates will feature the prevent defense from both sides, avoiding the mea culpa that affected another sitting President voted outGerald Ford, ("there is no conflict in Poland").
Verdict: Barack, with room to spare.
See you in November.
Andrew Chaplowitz on Brooklyn's $5 Pizza Slice
Read about a place in BK, called De Fara
Slices: $5
Whole Pies: $30
The owner's daughter was interviewed by the local newspaper. When asked if the price would ever go down, she tersely replied, "never, it will never go down, it can only go up".
Got to admire her candor.
When the interviewer asked her father, the only pizza maker in the joint. how he justifies these price points, his response was, "we import our basil from Israel".
Time out:
How much basil goes on a slice of pizza?
Perception is everything.
Slices: $5
Whole Pies: $30
The owner's daughter was interviewed by the local newspaper. When asked if the price would ever go down, she tersely replied, "never, it will never go down, it can only go up".
Got to admire her candor.
When the interviewer asked her father, the only pizza maker in the joint. how he justifies these price points, his response was, "we import our basil from Israel".
Time out:
How much basil goes on a slice of pizza?
Perception is everything.
Andrew Chaplowitz on New Arizona 20TH Anniversary Flavor
ARIZONA CHERRY-LIME RICKEY
Dear Arizona
I think you've you've got something here.
A fantastic packaging, looks like something that Peter Max would do as an album cover for the Beatles.
Carbonated. The flavors come out you, I can imagine Guy Fieri sampling it and doing his in-depth approval/analysis.
Carbonated. The flavors come out you, I can imagine Guy Fieri sampling it and doing his in-depth approval/analysis.
But....Arizona.........
can you please deep six the damn high fructose corn syrup? Its effects are deleterious.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Andrew Chaplowitz on Relay For Life at Kean
"The truth has few allies these days". -Woody Harrelson
"He who answers a matter before he hears the facts – it is folly and shame to him.”
~ Proverbs 18:13
The Relay For Life is an event to be held at Kean University on October 7, 2012, on behalf of the American Cancer Society, to raise money for the ACS.
It is disturbing to me because the participants have the very best of intentions, and believe in their heart and soul, they are donating their time and resources to defeat the dreaded disease we all know as cancer.
Unforunately, the ACS has sold the public a bill of goods, influenced our perception of who they are and what they stand for. Because of the firm grip the "world's most powerful and influential charity" has on the public, my opposition may be dismissed as heresay and conspiratorial.
But before you rush to judgment.....
Please understand that if any of the information contained in the link below were untrue, the ACS would have, as a remedy, a civil suit for defamation.
The sad fact is, they do not because when the facts are presented, there are no damages.
I know the participants did not wake up this morning and believe a stranger would ask them to change their minds about their commitment. I ask only that they have an open heart and mind and exercise due diligence when donating to any cause.
http://www.preventcancer.com/losing/acs/wealthiest_links.htm
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
ANDREW CHAPLOWITZ: DENVER TRAGEDY AT BATMAN MOVIE
Been following the news wires on this senseless tragedy. Albeit timidly. Too painful to read how innocent people's lives were upended and obliterated by this horrific and brutal act.
This is the part that just baffles me:
There is nothing in this young man's past to show he had a propensity for this. Nothing. No rap sheet. Squeaky clean. In the Columbine tragedy, there were triggers. And those kids were on anti-depressents, which can backfire. In the case of Mr. Holmes, it's like his brain temporarily short-circuited. In my opinion, he is going to awake from this fog and be extremely remorseful and in shock he actually comitted these crimes. Just my take.
And while the probability of any of us experience what those poor patrons in Denver went through, it's only natural for a dialogue to develop about being pro-active going forward. Governor Christie argued the discussion is premature, let the families grieve. Mayor Bloomberg, obviously in a state of exasperation, called for the police to go on strike to expedite a paradigm shift in the current gun laws.
What's next? Metal detectors in theatres? From the theatre's legal liability standpoint, not entire impossible.
p.s. 8-07-12 news wires reporting that Holme's psychiatrist saw trouble brewing prior to incident. For more click here
This is the part that just baffles me:
There is nothing in this young man's past to show he had a propensity for this. Nothing. No rap sheet. Squeaky clean. In the Columbine tragedy, there were triggers. And those kids were on anti-depressents, which can backfire. In the case of Mr. Holmes, it's like his brain temporarily short-circuited. In my opinion, he is going to awake from this fog and be extremely remorseful and in shock he actually comitted these crimes. Just my take.
And while the probability of any of us experience what those poor patrons in Denver went through, it's only natural for a dialogue to develop about being pro-active going forward. Governor Christie argued the discussion is premature, let the families grieve. Mayor Bloomberg, obviously in a state of exasperation, called for the police to go on strike to expedite a paradigm shift in the current gun laws.
What's next? Metal detectors in theatres? From the theatre's legal liability standpoint, not entire impossible.
p.s. 8-07-12 news wires reporting that Holme's psychiatrist saw trouble brewing prior to incident. For more click here
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
ANDREW CHAPLOWITZ ON THE LATE GREAT GEORGE KIRBY
I write here to pay tribute to a great entertainer of the past who seems to have been forgotten and to keep his memory alive.
I write of the great George Kirby.
Back when cable came to the suburbs in the 1970's, it introduced a lot of great entertainers into people's homes, who made have seen only a portion of their work when they appeared as guests on variety shows.
I saw Mr. Kirby for the first time on HBO. They showed his entire act. I was literally mesmorized by his impersonations. He was over and beyond.. Today a lot of the material would not go over because of our becoming such a niche society, . Prior to the advent of cable, with only a handful of TV stations to choose from, celebrities were universal, known to young and old. An impressionist didn't have to worry if an audience knew who they were mimicking.
The thing that really made George Kirby unique was his dead-on impersonations of the greatest singers of all time. He did all of them: Frank Sinatra, Joe Williams, Sarah Vaughan, Nat Cole, Pearl Bailey. I mean, Sarah Vaughan! One of the greatest jazz singers of all-time, and he just nails it.
What you have to understand, these were unique artists with very micro-detailed idiosyncracies. And he pulled it off with aplomb.
He was a natural musician, so he could imitate a jazz trombone or upright bass, with the improvisational ability of a professional.
What I loved about him was he would do one of his impersonations, the audience would applaud, and he would break out in this huge grin, an acknowledgement of the crowd while having fun at the same time. The consummate professional.
And, without missing a beat ,he could go to accurate mimics of Archie Bunker, Fat Albert or Richard Nixon.
He played piano like Count Basie. And for a man with his girth, he was suprisingly nimble on his feet. He could dance, too.
What I did not know until now is that Mr. Kirby changed the landscape and paradigm for black enterainers. He ignored the black stereotype and appealed to the masses, opening the doors for future comedians such as Richard Pryor and Bill Cosby.
An excellent article chronicle Mr. Kirby's life can be found here
An excerpt of his brillant nightclub act can be found by clicking here
As is the case with history, times change and tastes change. By the late 1970's, it took more stimuli to entertain and enthrall audiences. Saturday Night Live, the genesis of late-night TV, the zany humor of Steve Martin, Andy Kaufman. etc. became hip. His following dwindled and sadly, in a last ditch effort to save his home, he was caught in a drug selling sting.
To his credit, he did come back, but not the level he was at.
But from 1964-1972, he was in demand, earning an estimated $38,000 per week, which would be the equivlent of well over $150,000 in today's dollars.
He appeared on all the top shows, including the Tonight Show, Dean Martin, Ed Sullivan, Jackie Gleason.
I hope this article will pique your curiosity in going back and looking at this great entertainer, and that his work gives you as much entertainment as it gives me.
I loved George Kirby.
I write of the great George Kirby.
Back when cable came to the suburbs in the 1970's, it introduced a lot of great entertainers into people's homes, who made have seen only a portion of their work when they appeared as guests on variety shows.
I saw Mr. Kirby for the first time on HBO. They showed his entire act. I was literally mesmorized by his impersonations. He was over and beyond.. Today a lot of the material would not go over because of our becoming such a niche society, . Prior to the advent of cable, with only a handful of TV stations to choose from, celebrities were universal, known to young and old. An impressionist didn't have to worry if an audience knew who they were mimicking.
The thing that really made George Kirby unique was his dead-on impersonations of the greatest singers of all time. He did all of them: Frank Sinatra, Joe Williams, Sarah Vaughan, Nat Cole, Pearl Bailey. I mean, Sarah Vaughan! One of the greatest jazz singers of all-time, and he just nails it.
What you have to understand, these were unique artists with very micro-detailed idiosyncracies. And he pulled it off with aplomb.
He was a natural musician, so he could imitate a jazz trombone or upright bass, with the improvisational ability of a professional.
What I loved about him was he would do one of his impersonations, the audience would applaud, and he would break out in this huge grin, an acknowledgement of the crowd while having fun at the same time. The consummate professional.
And, without missing a beat ,he could go to accurate mimics of Archie Bunker, Fat Albert or Richard Nixon.
He played piano like Count Basie. And for a man with his girth, he was suprisingly nimble on his feet. He could dance, too.
What I did not know until now is that Mr. Kirby changed the landscape and paradigm for black enterainers. He ignored the black stereotype and appealed to the masses, opening the doors for future comedians such as Richard Pryor and Bill Cosby.
An excellent article chronicle Mr. Kirby's life can be found here
An excerpt of his brillant nightclub act can be found by clicking here
As is the case with history, times change and tastes change. By the late 1970's, it took more stimuli to entertain and enthrall audiences. Saturday Night Live, the genesis of late-night TV, the zany humor of Steve Martin, Andy Kaufman. etc. became hip. His following dwindled and sadly, in a last ditch effort to save his home, he was caught in a drug selling sting.
To his credit, he did come back, but not the level he was at.
But from 1964-1972, he was in demand, earning an estimated $38,000 per week, which would be the equivlent of well over $150,000 in today's dollars.
He appeared on all the top shows, including the Tonight Show, Dean Martin, Ed Sullivan, Jackie Gleason.
I hope this article will pique your curiosity in going back and looking at this great entertainer, and that his work gives you as much entertainment as it gives me.
I loved George Kirby.
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