Train Keeps a-Rollin’
So is the debt deal a win or loss for Republicans, for the nation? The Freedom Caucus is angry, but it lacks the power, the numbers to create the change it wants. Only the swamp has the numbers, including members of both parties. Is it reasonable to expect congress, which has run up astronomical debt/deficit, to come up with sound fiscal policy? In its defense, the financial collapse long predicted has yet to come. Let’s hope those who see doom are wrong. Meanwhile, foxnews.com headline about a South Carolina House rep: “Nancy Mace blasts GOP for getting fleeced on debt ceiling deal by a president ‘who can’t find his pants’.”
Headline from newsmax.com at once sad and hopeful: “Healthy Newborn Placed in Tennessee’s First ‘Baby Box’.” The kid has a chance.
RIP George Maharis, 94. Born Maharias in Astoria to Greek immigrants, he served in the Marines after graduating high school. He studied at the Actors Studio and appeared in off-Broadway productions. From 1953-’60 he did many guest shots on popular TV shows, and had roles in two big screen films: The Mugger (1956) and Exodus (1960). He then struck gold as Buzz Murdock in Route 66, and captialized on his fame by releasing several albums, and had a top 40 hit with Teach Me Tonight, which rose to #25 in ‘62. He sang on Shindig!, Hullabaloo and The Judy Garland Show, the latter a major coup many artists must have envied. After three years and 82 episodes, he tired of the grind and left the popular series, whose ratings then plummeted. His career from then on was steady but checkered. Only The Satan Bug (1965) is an above average film. He eventually returned to TV, most notably in 13 episodes of The Most Deadly Game and six of Fantasy Island. His last credit came in Doppelganger (1993). He then focused on impressionistic painting. He did not become the matinee idol many expected, but still had a significant run few achieve. Kudos, Sir.
Nice haul at the floating book shop on this gorgeous day, the outgoing far more than the incoming. My thanks to the kind folks who bought, donated and swapped books, and to Ira and Gordon, who waxed nostalgic about collectibles for about a half hour. Here’s what sold: four hardcovers in Russian, a kids’ book in Hebrew; a red carryall; Quickie by James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge; The Dangerous Days of Daniel X by James Patterson & Milo Ventimiglia; an ABBA concert and The Brotherhood of Justice (1986) on DVD; vinyl Christmas albums by Bing Crosby and Andy Williams, and a .45 of Laura Brannigan’s How Am I Supposed to Live Without You. Here’s one of the items discussed by those senior citizens — Lionel Trains:
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