Category Archives: One-Foot Putts

A Passing Thought
Posted on December 20, 2013 by CHC   ᐃ ᐁ

I would like to live in a world where we bestow tributes, remembrances and adulations for a person well before he or she dies, rather than on the day following his or her passing.  Tens of thousands gathered to mourn the loss of Nelson Mandela and celebrate his being, when he could no longer appreciate such a gesture.

Peter O'Toole receiving his honorary Oscar

Peter O'Toole in 2003, receiving his honorary Oscar (AP)

The Kennedy Center Honors and the Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Academy of Motion Pictures are rare examples of organized public tribute to fellow humans while they are still alive.  We need more celebrations of this kind.  I think Peter O’Toole and Johnny Cash would have agreed, as would our own friends and loved ones.

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Asked & Answered: 2.0
Posted on October 17, 2013 by CHC   ᐃ ᐁ

Dear Readers:

Don’t you find it annoying when you are asked a question that isn’t really a question at all but just a provocative way for the speaker to express his or her opinion?  Example:

Do you really think we are better off now that the shutdown is over and the government is spending money like crazy again?

This device is called a rhetorical question — ironically, since there is scant rhetoric involved and it is not really a question.

I tire of those who frequently pose rhetorical questions.  It isn’t enough that they express their opinions — no, they must also have you agree with them.  In that sense, a rhetorical question can be considered an aggressive act; it is certainly a selfish one.

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* Another example is provided in the opening statement of this post.  Shame on me.
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The P is for Punishment
Posted on July 25, 2013 by CHC   ᐃ ᐁ

Today, the Pittsburgh Pirates had a four-run inning in the top of the ninth to erase the Washington Nationals’ lead and tie the score, 7-7.   This was one of the rare times I was able to find a Pirates game on television here, and the rally was fun to watch.  Sadly,  the Nationals proceeded to hit a two-out home run in the bottom of the ninth to win the game. So much for that.

It takes a certain kind of fortitude to follow a baseball team all season long.  For one thing, even if your team is having by all definitions a great year, you are certain to watch them lose at least 60 times.*

I will be attending a Pirates game in person this year for the first time in over twenty years.  I can’t wait, but I hope I can stand the pain until then.

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* A baseball team plays 162 games a year.  A team has an outstanding year if it wins 5 of every 8 games it plays.  A team has a terrible year if it only wins 3 out of 8.  Squirrels would make great baseball fans.  Even if a squirrel finds seed in your bird feeder only 3 times out of 8, it will be sure to visit every day.
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