How sweet it is! as the Great One, Jackie Gleason, used to say. Manhattan state Supreme Court Justice Milton Tingling has shot down NYC nanny-mayor Michael Bloomberg's ban on the sale of soda, or pop, as my Midwestern friends call it, in sizes 16 ounces or greater. The judge wrote in his
opinion that the rules are "arbitrary and capricious," applying to only
certain beverages and only certain stores. I would argue that it's an attack on the freedom to be foolish. I limit myself to about ten ounces a day, even though I long for the stuff. The real crime is having tax-payers pick up the medical tab for those who overindulge in anything. Some believe that is compassionate. I call it enabling.
What a day in the NFL! Division rivals the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers both made eye-opening trades. The Hawks acquired top-notch wide receiver Percy Harvin, who suffers migraine headaches, from the Minnesota Vikings for this year's first round pick and two others. The 9ers got WR Anquan Boldin, who tormented them in the Super Bowl with spectacular catches in tight coverage, from the champion Baltimore Ravens for a sixth round pick. The Ravens would not meet the salary demands of the aging future Hall of Famer. Don't be surprised if both Seattle-San Francisco games are televised in prime time next season. What a rivalry!
Also on the sports front -- an uplifting story out of the NBA. The Dallas Mavericks have signed Chris Wright to a ten-day contract. Despite four solid years as a point guard at Georgetown, the young man went undrafted. He decided to play in Europe. While practicing for a Turkish team, he fell. That night he began experiencing frightening symptoms he did not understand, and went to a hospital. He was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Many said his career was done. He received treatment in the U.S. and the MS is currently in remission. He went to the D League, the NBA version of the minors, and now has seen his dream come true. Even if he never makes it into a game, he reached the highest level and overcame a considerable handicap to get there. He is an example to all. Kudos.
It was a nice day for the floating book shop. I sold several books and received a substantial donation from Old Simon. He noticed a book on the making of the film Titanic (1997) and mentioned that he'd crossed the Atlantic on an ocean-liner with his mom at the age of two. He was surprised I remembered he sang Yiddishe Mama to passengers. It's something so vivid a writer would not likely forget it. I'll probably use it somewhere other than a blog some day. Thanks, folks.
Visit Vic's sites:
Vic's Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
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