Bad Deal

There's a deal, a bad deal. It includes a committee meeting in November to review all the cuts. The compromise almost got hung up on defense cuts. Talk about deja vu.

And with all that slash and burn cutting, Boehner may still not have the votes. Incredible.

Boehner is saying that he has conquered “job killing default.”

Obama looks weak, let's face it. The markets probably won't like it. And it will kill more jobs. In this economy, you don't want austerity.

People will get hurt.

This deal stinks.

Endgame

They're getting 15,000 voicemails and 30,000 emails in Boehner's office, mostly saying these guys are crazy.

Most people seem to think it will be resolved, however, somehow believing they'll figure it out.

They are crazy, and they will figure a way out. But it won't be pretty.

Reading the Leaves

In the end, the Tea Party will get its way, I think. Potus may have to invoke the Fourteenth Amendment. don't tell me Scalia and pals get to decide. We've gone down that road before.

To the Mattresses

They gave up and went to bed.

Pizza Party

9:30 and he still doesn't have the votes. They're eating pizza. The tea party is holding out, with the full knowledge that it ain't gonna pass the Senate anyhow.

At the end of the day (or night) who gets blamed? It's gonna take some quick stepping from O., but I still believe this is ultimately a disaster for the GOP. They will pay a price for playing games with the common good.

Adios Carlos

Due Date

One week to go on the debt limit. Obama got his veto ready; Boehner is ready to count. Now the press is saying Wall Street can deal with missing the deadline. A massive game of chicken.

I think it's going to cost the republicans; the Tea Party is about to fall off the dock, and maybe drown. Do we really want to throw them a life raft?

O. has to find a way to act unilaterally.

Birthday Boy

I'm so proud of Matt at 27. Even when he was in high school, I thought he thought he was already a man of the world. He's always had great friends, great girlfriends -- especially Scarlet in the present -- great apartments, great knowledge of music and pop culture as well as the news, and a great job. And he has been a 100% stand up guy when it comes to supporting his old man.

Thanks Matt.

Sunday at Home

The heat kept me in. It's supposed to break tomorrow. Tomorrow is also my son Matt's birthday. He's 27. I'm so proud of him. online editor of Esquire magazine.

In the past, I've always gotten Matt really nice birthday presents. This time he's getting a card, a card I didn't even buy. His mom called to ask what I got him, and I said nothing, reminding her I didn't have any money, which of course she knew.

David Wright hit a home run today, first one since he came off the DL, which sort of compensated for the Mets losing.

Men on the Bus

I'm president of the Men's Club. There are only 25 men here; 125 women. Seems unfair. And it's not a very sturdy group. Even with Parkinson's, I'm one of the "younger" guys. And since I'm 6'5" I'm also an imposing presence.


The new 26-year old "Engaged Life' director is helping me get TDM back up and running, and trading ideas with me for the club.

Today, in 100 degree heat, we took the Atria bus down to Battery Park, at the southernmost tip of Manhattan. Probably one of the coolest spots in the City, but still hot enough to make the Statue of Liberty break into a sweat.

Too Damn Hot

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t0NJvKaO1dI/TEjfdms0eoI/AAAAAAAAElE/bM9oMG-eg7E/s400/hot+weather.jpg

One thing about a heat wave: it brings people together. It's all anybody talks about.

The only other item of interest to me was John Boehner's walkout. Not only did Mr.Speaker leave the debt talks, he also didn't take President Obama's phone call, going beyond obdurate to rude.

But David Wright is back in the Mets lineup.

The Mens Club is going to Battery Park tomorrow, where it should be noticeably cooler.

Too Damn Hot

Hello Again

Back after a year. Where did I go?

Do you really want to hear the whole story?

It all started with a cruise last October to Nova Scotia. To see the changing leaves. Except there were no changing leaves. But I kept falling all over the ship, and crewmembers kept taking me around in a wheelchair.

At Thanksgiving, at home and in the street, I started to fall. Twice, I was taken to the hospital, and then I was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. I spent Christmas in rehab, then checked into assisted living on New Year's Eve. My current dateline.

I go to rehab three times a week and use a cane.

The "engaged life" director wants to encourage residents to do social networking, so she's suggested I resume my blog. Hence, this post. The Return of the Menace.

Tomorrow, I can start having fun with Boehner and Kantor, Rupert and Rebekah, Beltran and Reyes.

Nice to be back.

What a scorcher! What a scorcher!