Mr. McCain brought his campaign to Florida on Friday, a state that he must win but where he has been losing ground to Mr. Obama in recent polls. Campaigning with him was Senator Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut, who tried to appeal to Cuban-Americans in the audience by trying to say “Joe the Plumber†in Spanish.
Paul Newman had some great scenes in his unbelievable 53-year cinematic career. Here’s one from Slap Shot (1977) with Strother Martin (in a twist on their roles in Cool Hand Luke). I love the way he acted with his eyes (Not safe for work!).
Besides being a great actor, Newman protested the war in Vietnam, was proud to be on Richard Nixon’s enemy list, and helped save The Nation when it faced economic troubles (here’s John Nichols on Newman in The Nation yesterday), among other things. And he did his own skating in Slap Shot. What more could you want from a guy?
Like Wacky Mommy said about him and Joanne Woodward, “It’s not like they were out taking off their panties in public and having nervous breakdowns in their SUVs.” No, Newman was a class act.
Thank you, Paul Newman for showing the world how to do it right. I’m going to go watch Slap Shot right now.
The Portland Winter Hawks owners managed to survive their audit by the WHL, which means they’ll probably be playing in Salem by 2010.
In other WHL news, the city of Moose Jaw and the league have reached an agreement keeping their franchise in Moose Jaw, predicated on the city building a new arena to replace the “crushed can,” one of the smallest arenas in the league.
The prairie town I grew up in wasn’t exactly like Moose Jaw, but I can relate.
They say hockey guys talk dirty. Huh. Listen to Seattle Mariners’ manager John McLaren cuss up a blue streak.
On the hockey front, Congrats to Detroit, even though I was bound by blood to root for the Pens. I wore my Pens’ hat throughout the series, but that wasn’t good enough. The best team won, and it was a great series.
Pittsburgh is going to be a force to be reckoned with, and will have the cup in the next few years, just you wait.
The first installment of photos from the St. Johns parade: candidates walking their talk (or not).
Fritz walked.
Fish walked.
Bissonnette walked.
Branam walked, too (sorry, no picture). But what about Chris “Streetcar” Smith, the guy who wants to cut our carbon footprint in half by replicating the Pearl district on the east side?
Smith got a ride.
Say what?!?
Is that a Prius, Chris?
I don’t think so!
But it’s okay, he’s sharing the road with bikes. You can’t make this stuff up, folks!
The Mayor rode, but he hitched a ride with the convertible club. Plus, he’s a real dignitary.
The Mayor-in-Waiting, rode, too. It was good to see him looking so comfortable mixing it up with the regular folk. “Hi neighbor! Hi neighbor!” he called, trying really hard to smile. Or at least not grimace.
Next installment: Clowns for Christ. I’m not kidding. What a great day for a parade!
From February 2008 to March 2010, I wrote about public school issues, particularly Portland Public Schools, on PPS Equity.
Before that, I wrote about the same on this blog in the schools
category.