Keller @ Large Blog

Mother Popcorn

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:25:16 GMT

Here is a link to more information about the movie-theatre popcorn study referenced in my 11pm report. The issue is simple -- are any promises of better, cheaper health-care to be believed if a significant segment of the population thinks it's OK to eat three quarter-pounders and a stick of butter during a two-hour movie more than once a year?

Your thoughts below...

More Palin Fallout

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:05:37 GMT

Here are links to statements about the controversial Newsweek cover from Sarah Palin and the magazine's editor. Any buyers?

The Junkness of it All

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:27:12 GMT

Foxwoods bonds downgraded to junk status by a major bond-rating agency?

Yet another reason to wonder of resort casino advocates here: what are they smoking?

No, Don't Go For It

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:46:59 GMT

I was every bit as stunned as every other Pats fan Sunday night when the team blew a big lead and lost in the final seconds to the Colts. Our beloved Pats remain a work in progress, to say the least. But I was equally stunned by some of the ridiculous over-reactions we heard all day yesterday. "Bill Belichick is not the genius everyone thinks he is," wrote one typical online commenter. Concluded another, in all capital letters: "FIRE BELICHICK."

Excuse me? Fire the best coach in football and the most successful coach in modern-day New England sports? Ridiculous. But I really shouldn't be surprised. Our popular culture loves nothing better than to see an icon brought down to size. Isn't that right, President Obama? Consider what he must be thinking, the toast of the nation one year ago, now struggling to crack 50% approval in the polls and deflecting criticism that by pushing a costly health-care fix right now, he's going for it on fourth-and-two from his own 29 yard line.

Say what you will about Belichick's call Sunday night, but I wonder -- since when did "going for it" - taking a risk at a moment of crisis - become cause for derision? Aren't we always hearing a chorus of complaint - about our political leaders, our football coaches, even Hollywood script-writers - that they're playing it too safe, not showing leadership and creativity? "Going for it" can lead to spectacular success or unpleasant failure - that's why they call it "risk." I thought that risk-taking spirit was part of the fabric of America. I still think it is. But so, apparently is second-guessing, whining, and impatience.

Is Newsweek's Cover Sexist?

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:24:43 GMT

Does this guy have a point about the Sarah Palin photo on Newsweek's cover?

Palin's Me-Tour

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:11:51 GMT

In the days after John McCain picked Sarah Palin to run with him, we had fun here lampooning the hysterical over-reaction of some on the left, especially cultural snobs who simply gagged on her un-PC atmospherics. Especially ludicrous were the "feminists" whose knee-jerk response was no, we didn't mean to see that kind of woman promoted. (A notable recusal from the bash-Palin brigades -- Hillary Clinton, then and now.)

But the bottom-line on equality is, you've still got to deliver the goods. And while Palin continues to demonstrate a knack for connecting with some on certain issues (she sure got a lot of mileage out of "death panels") that is to be ignored by other pols at their own risk, the latest episode in what appears to be a run for president in 2012 reeks of the kind of narcissism that conservatives love to skewer President Obama for.

If there are deep thoughts about public policy or a detailed vision for our future contained in Palin's new book, it isn't apparent from the ongoing publicity blitz, which features the former governor rattling on endlessly about herself and her personal style and her personal feelings and other ephemera. Urged on, of course, by her interviewers, but I haven't yet heard of her throwing down the mike and stalking off the set in disgust. Meanwhile, her literary contribution has an ambivalent relationship with the facts. And by choosing to walk away from the job she sought where she could actually prove her bona fides in favor of fueling the starmaking machine, it appears she has turned off plenty of folks.

When the only one keeping you from being the least-popular national figure is John Edwards, you're doing something wrong.

Lights! Camera! Phony Spin!

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:31:44 GMT

Terriffic job here by the Boston Globe Spotlight team exposing the sham "Hollywood East" project that's been a highly-touted part of our state's "economic development strategy."

Punch line: "....a look behind the breathtaking vision of Plymouth Rock Studios reveals a project marred by over-the-top claims, broken promises, legal infighting, and the chronic lack of one crucial ingredient: money."

Sounds a lot like the Big Dig, the Rose Kennedy Greenway, transportation "reform" and universal health care, to name just a few of the mega-policy disasters of the last quarter-century or so here in Eden East. (Add to my list below.) Our arts-related resources are a potential source of legitimate economic growth, and movie and TV-production spending that generates profit for the Commonwealth ought to be a part of that. But pie-in-the-sky-when-you-die fantasies about thousands of high-paying jobs in Plymouth? Please. It was meep when Rev. Ike used to peddle it on late-night TV and it's been mega-meep coming from the Reverends Cellucci, Swift, Romney and Patrick.

By the way, while we're making lists, can you add to one I'm starting of disastrous legacies of the Cellucci years? A runaway Big Dig, the pretend 2000 income-tax rollback, infatuation with Hollywood, Jane Swift.....

Cash for Grades

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:51:41 GMT

Here is a link to a website with appalling information about the grade inflation practices of American institutions of "higher learning," as cited in my report at 11pm Wednesday. And while the topic isn't inherently funny, you may get a rueful laugh out of this.

"A Mixed Bag"

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:21:51 GMT

Here is a link to an interesting web site exploring some of the issues raised in our piece tonight about the 40th anniversary of Sesame Street.

Quiz answer: "Rubber Duckie."

Good News/Bad News

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:03:07 GMT

I know a guy, probably the most loyal supporter Deval. Patrick has left, who never whines to me about media coverage of the governor. But the other day he had a complaint - the lack of attention paid to a November 5 statement from three major bond-rating agencies praising the state's fiscal management.

He has a point. Not too many people think of Beacon Hill when they hear phrases like "effective management during strained economic times" (Moody's), "a record of prudent financial management" (Fitch's), and "strong and conservative budget management practices'" (Standard & Poors). But that's what they're saying. And it should be noted.

Then again, last Thursday also brought news of downgraded credit ratings for a number of municipalities. So all is not perfect here in the Garden of Eden. For which Patrick can probably expect plenty more blame.