Knicks blown out as crowd calls for Ms Vladek, Ms Rx Specs and ...Moi?

Very Local News - Norah, a little free publicity on these items and we could forget all about Norm & Andy Part 6.

See my stand-up act, Monday, October 8, 7PM, Caroline's , 49th and Broadway - an odd yet somehow intriguing combination of autobiographical and political humor. You will hear what W learned from 41 about naming an Attorney General to replace Alberto Gonzales, then lurch on the flimsiest of segues to the intimate details of parenting infant boy-girl twins.

Listen to Rx Specs, Tuesday Nights 10PM - 12 PM - WSPN - Skidmore Radio - use the link, then click "tune in" to listen over the Internet. Next week, DJ Rx Specs swears the show will include material from Weather Report's Mysterious Traveler, per request of As Good As News. You can request anything - call 518 580 5787. If you sit back and take what comes you will get an eclectic night with a spine of indy rock. Listen to WSPN anytime, consistently rated as a top college station.

U.S. Jury Finds Against Knicks In Harassment - Tax cheat and relentless corporate infighter Anucha Browne Sanders wins $11.5 Million in punitive damages from Madison Square Garden and its CEO James Dolan. Compensatory damages yet to come. The trial was a slimefest starring former Knick's exec Sanders, Knick's Coach and GM Isaih Thomas, who emerged as a crude racist and sexist, and guard Stephon Marbury - called to testify on his curbside rendezvous with a Garden intern that seemed to have little to do with the case. Dolan cluelessly committed suicide on cross examination with absolutely no suspicion of what was happening. Reports on this affair were so ghastly that As Good As News could not finish reading them, even for the worthy purpose of mocking the principals. Lessons learned: if you want to bring a sexual harassment claim, or an employment discrimination claim of any kind, retain Anne Vladek, a pioneer with a track record of success. She keeps her name out of the headlines unless it will help her client. If you want to predict the outcome of a case, read the NY Post, especially Knicks Blog's Mark Berman- the perfect reverse indicator. On September 27 he panned Vladek with some gratuitous nastiness, misread the impact of Dolan's cross, demonstrated a total inability to understand how juries work - it's not quite the same as the Nielsen ratings Mr. Berman - and predicted a quick victory for Thomas.

Kuriousiq?

TGIF -Yes, even the retired can be worn down by the oppressive humor level lurking in the headlines of the NY Times. Today we give the front page, Fuji and Norm & Andy a rest (Norah, you can relax for now, but Part 6, A & B versions are ready, it's still your call) and take on the fluff.

He's a Baby, He's Big and the Aquarium Is So Proud - The first walrus born at the NY Aquarium made his public debut yesterday. Pictured with his mom, Kulusiq, the big guy does not have a name yet. He weighed 115 pounds at birth on June 12 (glad it wasn't twins Kulusiq?) and he's already up to 268 pounds. Curators say he is advancing in a mensa kind of way, propelled by his curiousity. The linked article includes a reference to a name that walrus site, but the choices offered by the Aquarium don't excite As Good As News. How about Kuriousiq? OK, not great - leave a comment with your nomination.

Life Lessons In a Global Marketplace - As Good As News gave "Outsourced" a very positive review (Sept. 25) and the NY Times likes it even more. "a wonderful surprise", "unique - a charming culture clash romance that could be taught in business schools". Well, maybe- very fun film and highly recommended. As economics it could be taught in grade school, as a case study in cultural adaptation it might merit a B-school screening. First, thank you Times. This review means "Outsourced" will reach more screens, produce big DVD rental numbers, lead to more and better financed movies by Mr. Jeffcoat. Just one nagging question, NY Times - why is the "Darjeeling Limited", an "overstuffed suitcase", showcased with a huge photo and review on page E-1 while "Outsourced" is buried on E-14?

Partisans and Picture Makers in Love and War - The Republican militiawoman training in heels for the Spanish Civil War is back in the Times (photo at As Good As News, Post of Sept. 22, What Does IHTFP Mean Again). Now it's the showcase photo for a Gerda Taro Exhibit at the International Center of Photography. The formal shooting range pose and dressy attire make the gun seem almost like a prop in a fashion shoot, but there's something about the subject's expression and stance that says she means business as her dark image jumps from the light background of clouds and dust. Kudos, Times, this grabbed us for a reason and it's worth a second look.

Papers Study August Crisis, From First Wave to Last Ripple - This item reviews two studies, both concluding that one hedge fund's decision to sell set off a ripple effect that contributed to August's steep stock market decline and the same thing could happen again. Hedge funds using similar strategies now manage hundreds of billions of dollars, something that has developed within the last decade. This development, combined with the herd instinct (like algorithms sell alike) creates a market dynamic that has not been thoroughly studied. Yawn! But wait, "[MIT] Professor Lo is trying to prove it [extra market risk resulting from $billions managed with similar strategies] not grandstand about it, which is unusual when it comes to any topic related to hedge funds", writes Jenny Anderson. Hear! Hear! Now Ms Anderson, can you convince your colleagues at the NY Times to change their grandstanding and simplistic ways, stop getting all their hedge fund stories from Congressional staffers who don't understand the field and start doing some independent reporting? See Disclaimer Day and Taxes are Death - To Comics and Journalists.

Headline Crawl 2

As seems to be the case every day lately, the comic opportunites presented by the NY Times are overwhelming my limited time - and I'm retired with nothing else to do. All we can squeeze in is a quick run through of page A1, with one extra item that was too good to miss:

Harvard Student is Given Extra Exam Time to Pump Breast Milk - Since when has Harvard offered a course in breast milk pumping? When is it taught, is it co-ed, can non-enrolled students audit and attend the final exam?

Blackwater Logs Most Shootings of Firms in Iraq - The other contractors are doing their best, just give them time to get up to speed. Only Blackwater has reached the point where it is taking out entire firms instead of just isolated private citizens. (note - this flaw was repaired in the title for the linked e-story, quoted title is from the hard copy Times).

GM-Union Deal Could End Business As Usual In Detroit - Business as usual ended for Detroit in the late 1960s. Try visiting downtown after dark. As for the auto industry, defeasing health care obligations to a funded trust was a win-win idea. GM gets a load off its financial statements, UAW members get to look to a funded trust for future benefits instead of a shrinking payor that might fail someday. The mini-strike was probably needed to give the plan credibility with UAW members, but it was no sell out, just Union leadership with vision.

Myanmar Attacks Protesters, Arresting Monks - OK, so Doc Gurby of Turkmenistan is crazy but Myanmar is just conducting business as usual when it attacks arresting monks? Why were these monks so arresting anyway? Yes, that Britney Spear, Sinead O'Connor shaved head look can be a real head turner. (e-headline changed to "Raids Monasteries"- curse you Time's editors - why do you fix these mistakes before I'm finished making fun of them.) Myanmar sounds like a chocolate coated, marshmallow filled treat sold only in Summer. Besides getting some leadership that's not a military junta with a stone-age mindset, this country needs a branding makeover, starting with a new name. Burma has a nice ring to it.

Time. Pencils down. Stop. This means you Mr. Borrok. Stop or I'll be forced to report you. I don't care who your father is, you must stop writing immediately.