Et tu, Charlie?

Though not entirely unexpected, it's terribly disappointing that New York Senator Charles Schumer publically came out against the 5 + 1 nuclear agreement with Iran. Schumer looked at his Uncle Sam, who signs his government paycheck; looked at his Uncle Bibi, who gives him his marching orders to support Israeli foreign policy over that of the United States; and opted to support the latter. The only glimmer of optimism in Schumer's egregious insult to his party, his country and his president is that his NO vote will likely not prevent the agreement from becoming effective and defusing our endless and insane policy of confrontation and war in the Middle East.

Israel and their lockstep supporters in the US government, including Senator Schumer, were heavily involved in inciting the US to launch a criminal and murderous war against Iraq which shattered that country and greatly destabilized the region, possibly for decades to come. ISIS is the bastard offspring of that monstrous pillage. The only logical alternative to the Iran agreement is another war; priority one for the Israeli government, but a certain catastrophe for America and the rest of humanity, including Israel.

The rest of the world is beginning to trade with Iran and this trend will accelerate should the Israel Lobby succeed in the US substituting more sanctions instead of reasoned détente, something we practiced with Russia for decades in avoiding nuclear Armageddon.  They will be ecstatic in scarfing up the billions in trade that we will leave on the table to placate a country that does not consider our national interests whatsoever.

Senator Schumer simply doesn't get it, and likely never will.

Roskam, GOP, no friend to Cecil; future Cecils

My congressman Peter Roskam, is nothing if not loyal to GOP tenants opposing every government program to help the species of man here in the US. By extension, they also oppose any efforts to help endangered species of animals around the world.

Take the case of Cecil, the majestic African lion wantonly killed by Walter Palmer. The GOP, with Roskam's lockstep support, opposes all efforts to strengthen the Endangered Species Act (ES...A) by including African lions as 'threatened', making the importation of their trophy heads or pelts virtually impossible. African elephants are protected which is why Palmer was tracking Cecil and not Dumbo. Since 2011, the Humane Society and other animal rights groups have been petitioning the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to include Cecil and Friends under the ESA. Had they been successful, Palmer would still be off the radar, planning his next kill of something less cherished. But Roskam, mindful of Republican fealty to special interests and science deniers, participates in the GOP's six fold increase, since 2011 (compared to the previous 15 years) to gut the EDA and hamper the FWS' ability to apply its protections (according to a Center for Biological Diversity study released Tuesday). Last month Roskam's GOP House buddies submitted an appropriation bill that would cut more than 50 percent of the requested budget for the FWS’ overworked, undermanned foreign conservation division. Don't look for Roskam to support Raul Grijalva's (Dem. AZ) bill Rare Cats and Candids Act, which would fund big-cat conservation projects. That money is reserved for endless military interventions, the only government program Roskam supports 100%.

Maybe it's time for Roskam and his GOP to change their party symbol. Friends to no endangered species, they might consider swapping out the beleaguered elephant for a filthy rich shotgun totin' dentist.

Palmer first to be Cecilized

Dentist Walter J. Palmer pumped lots of lead into wealthy teeth to pay to pump lethal lead in Cecil, the beloved lion Palmer killed on his manly hunting expedition. Now, thousands have turned Palmer into the hunted, using social media to paralyze his personal and professional life. But Palmer won't suffer Cecil's fate, wounded bu a crossbow, then tracked for two days before the fatal gunshot. We might say Palmer has been 'Cecilized', something that should befall any blood sportsman who kills nature's innocent denizens of the animal kingdom. That sort of justice might be a fitting tribute to Cecil, who was cruelly and viciously taken before his time.

Brady needs a disguise

Although I fret not over QB Tom Brady's suspension for tampering with the tools of his trade, I'm annoyed whenever his face floats across  my screen expressing shock, shock, anyone would consider him a cheat. Finally determined the source of the annoyance. He reminds me of Pat Boone.

A special Billy Pierce memory

Sox pitching great Billy Pierce died yesterday at 88. I followed Pierce's career for the last 11 of his 13 seasons with the Pale Hose (1949-1961). He was worth the price of admission, flashing a compact southpaw motion that won 211 games, including 38 shutouts, 193 complete games, 1,999 strikeouts, 4 one hitters and 7 two hitters; stats far beyond the reach of virtually every pitcher today. Opponents couldn't muster even one for four against Billy the Kid. He is one of a select few to start 3 All Star games.

There was no night home game TV back on June 27, 1958, as I tuned to Bob Elson on WCFL radio to hear another Pierce victory over the visiting Washington Senators. Staked to a 3 run lead, Pierce mowed down the first 26 DC'ers, and seemed poised for a Perfecto. The Washington manager sent utility man Ed Fitzgerald to pinch hit for the pitcher. Elson sighed as Fitz laced Pierce's first pitch just inside the right field line for a double. I was still in shock as Pierce blew 3 fast ones past Albie Pierson to end the game for one of his 211 victories.

Maybe the 16 member committee voting on Hall of Fame candidates from Baseball's Golden Era will announce Pierce's election to the Hall at baseball's winter meetings December 8. Sox fans and anyone following baseball in the 1950's put this classy hurler in their Hall of Fame decades ago.