Paraphrasing a song lyric
The Beatles song "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" begins with the lyric 'it was twenty years ago today." What is on my mind at the moment is something that happened forty years ago today (while this is the daily blog for 7/21/2013, I'm getting an early start on it on 7/20/2013). Lee Jun-Fan died on this day in 1973. Doesn't sound familiar? Perhaps if I'd called him by the name the world knew him by...Bruce Lee.
In the minds of many, he was the greatest martial arts movie star; and greatest martial artist who ever lived. He was an amazing man, so popular that to this day rumors and mystery swirl around his death at the tender age of 32.
I was 13 at the time of Lee's death, waiting with baited breath for his new film to come out. The trailer for "Enter the Dragon" had been showing for awhile and I was very excited to see the man I'd watched as "Kato" on the "Green Hornet" TV show starring in a "kung fu flick". At that point I hadn't seen "Chinese Connection", "Fists of Fury" or "Return of the Dragon" although now I know all of these films like the proverbial back of my hand.
What Bruce Lee managed to accomplish in his all too brief life is simply amazing. He created a whole new martial art of his own, Jeet Kun Do (The Way of the Intercepting Fist). He gave demonstrations at the Long Beach International Karate Championships in 1964 and 1967 that no one else could duplicate. He hit a man with a "one inch punch" and didn't just knock him over. Bob Baker said that his chest hurt so badly that he had to stay home from work following the exhibition. Then in 1967 Lee showcased his "unstoppable" punch. He told the USKA world karate champion Vic Moore that he was going to hit him in the face with a straight punch. All Moore had to do was block. He tried and failed eight times to block Lee's punch (Lee stopped his punch before it actually reached Moore's face).
One mother after his death, "Enter the Dragon" opened and it remains the seminal martial-arts film. Wildly successful. At his funeral, Steve McQueen, Chuck Norris, James Coburn, George Lazenby and Dan Inosanto (among others) were the pallbearers.
RIP.
* * *
Mel Brooks said it quite well. It's good to be the King. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StJS51d1Fzg
We don't have any kings in the U.S., except those in exile and on chessboards but we do have people who get to live like kings, on the government's dime. They're called generals and admirals. By federal law, the military can have only 22 four-star generals on active duty at any moment (not counting four stars serving in what are known as "joint billets" although those count against the overall limit on officers with two stars or more). General John F. Kelly is one of those 22. He is the commander of the U.S. Southern Command, overseeing U.S. military contingency plans and operations in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean (except for U.S. territories). Their headquarters is located near Miami International Airport for obvious reasons.
He assumed this new command last November. Military housing allowances are tied to pay grade and zip code. Where he is living now he would get a housing allowance of just under $3,300 per month. That would be on top of a salary that's capped at $14,750 per month. The pay chart lists a higher salary but those higher numbers were limited years ago in a cost-cutting move that also involved pay equity.
But he's not getting a housing allowance. He will live rent-free in a home that the taxpayers are leasing at the cost of $160,000 per year. The excuse is that security and secure communications equipment are involved. The bill to upgrade the house to meet those standards was more than $400,000.
Generals and admirals are some of the most coddled people in the entire government. The more stars, the larger their area of responsibility. That also means they get more aides, more other staff and so on. When I was stationed at Homestead Air Force Base, near Miami as it happens, I discovered we were the home of the Air Force Conference Center. It was basically a facility for high-ranking officers to meet in a secure facility in-between their shopping, tennis playing and trips to local golf courses. When a conference that was code-named Corona South was going on, all nine of the Air Force's four star generals were there. It would take almost all of the high-quality sedans that were available in the motor pool. Nine enlisted personnel were detailed to be drivers for the generals while they were there.
Having enlisted personnel below the rank of E-6 in dormitories where they share rooms and latrines is appropriate. Giving enlisted E-6 and above, and all officers, private rooms is also appropriate. But General Phillip Breedlove (currently the commander of all NATO forces) doesn't need to be living in a 15,000 square foot chateau in Belgium.
I don't have a problem with the large historic homes that the military already owns in the D.C. area. Renting high priced real estate for pampered officers when lower ranking enlisted personnel are taking part-time jobs or getting food stamps to survive is just wrong.
* * *
Random Ponderings:
If religion is the "opiate of the masses", why is it that we don't recognize frequent trips to the house of worship as an addiction? Where's the Prayers Anonymous 12 step program for those who want to be freed from their condition?
When is enough, enough? Dwayne Wade gave his ex-wife $1 million when the marriage ended. He has custody of the kid. She's getting thousands of dollars each month in support. Apparently it isn't enough as she's protesting on the streets of Chicago.
Is it a good or bad thing that President Obama's new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau chief was a five-time Jeopardy champion? Good thing.
Do we need to redefine the phrase "any minute now" after hearing that over and over during the last eight days on "royal baby watch"?
Actress Lily Collins says the toughest part of chasing demons in a movie is doing it in five-inch heels. I guess the bolts of lightning and other stuff demons use to try to kill you come in a close second.
How pissed off would you be if you were a boxer and the referee counted you out at nine, never getting to ten? I'd be more than a little pissed. Unless of course there was no hope of getting up in that last second.
Isn't it interesting that Congress would jump in and bail out big car manufacturers, but won't step in to help Detroit?
If you were John Cena, would you marry Nikki Bella? I guess it doesn't matter, their "love" is just part of the script on Monday Night Raw.
If you're a thug who is also a rap star, do you go to jail for giving a photographer a beat-down? Ask Kanye West.
Someone needs to please tell the men wearing "skinny jeans" that no matter how slender they are, it isn't a great look for them.
Why do we always look for the absolute closest parking space, even if there's one only ten or so spaces from the door?
* * *
This Date in History:
On this date in 365, Alexandria, Egypt was devastated by a tsunami.
On this date in 1645, the Quing Dynasty regent Dorgon ordered all Han Chinese men to shave their foreheads and braid their hair in the manner that Manchu Chinese did.
On this date in 1861, the First Battle of Bull Run is fought, ending in a victory for Confederate forces.
On this date in 1865, the first "showdown" takes place with Wild Bill Hickok shooting and killing Davis Tutt.
On this date in 1925, John T. Scopes is found guilty of teaching evolution and fined $100.
On this date in 1944, U.S. forces land on Guam. The battle ended on August 10th.
On this date in 1949, the U.S. Senate ratifies the North Atlantic Treaty.
On this date in 1959, Elijah "Pumpsie" Green plays for the Boston Red Sox, making them the last team to integrate.
On this date in 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walk on the moon.
On this date in 1973, agents of the Mossad kill an innocent waiter in Lillehammer, Norway. They thought he was involved in the murder of members of the Israeli Olympic team at the 1972 Summer games in Munich.
Famous Folk Born On This Date:
Jean Picard
Sam Bass
Ernest Hemingway
Marshall McLuhan
Isaac Stern
Don Knotts
Norman Jewison
Bob Orton
John Gardner
Kaye Stevens
Janet Reno
John Negroponte
Ken Starr
Steven Georgiou (aka Cat Stevens, aka Yusuf Islam)
Garry Trudeau
Al Hrobsky
Robin Williams
Taco
Jon Lovitz
Brandi Chastain
Ali Landry
CC Sabathia
Juno Temple
Movie quotes today come from "The Birdcage" because Robin Williams was in it, and because it is funny as hell:
Senator Kevin Keeley: That's just what Rush Limbaugh said!
#2
Albert: You know, I used to feel that way too until I found out that Alexander the Great was a fag. Talk about gays in the military!
#3
Albert: Don't give me that tone!
Armand: What tone?
Albert: That sarcastic contemptuous tone that means you know everything because you're a man, and I know nothing because I'm a woman.
Armand: You're not a woman.
Albert: Oh, you bastard!
#4
Armand: You do an eclectic celebration of the dance! You do Fosse, Fosse, Fosse! You do Martha Graham, Martha Graham, Martha Graham! Or Twyla, Twyla, Twyla! Or Michael Kidd, Michael Kidd, Michael Kidd, Michael Kidd! Or Madonna, Madonna, Madonna!... but you keep it all inside.
In the minds of many, he was the greatest martial arts movie star; and greatest martial artist who ever lived. He was an amazing man, so popular that to this day rumors and mystery swirl around his death at the tender age of 32.
I was 13 at the time of Lee's death, waiting with baited breath for his new film to come out. The trailer for "Enter the Dragon" had been showing for awhile and I was very excited to see the man I'd watched as "Kato" on the "Green Hornet" TV show starring in a "kung fu flick". At that point I hadn't seen "Chinese Connection", "Fists of Fury" or "Return of the Dragon" although now I know all of these films like the proverbial back of my hand.
What Bruce Lee managed to accomplish in his all too brief life is simply amazing. He created a whole new martial art of his own, Jeet Kun Do (The Way of the Intercepting Fist). He gave demonstrations at the Long Beach International Karate Championships in 1964 and 1967 that no one else could duplicate. He hit a man with a "one inch punch" and didn't just knock him over. Bob Baker said that his chest hurt so badly that he had to stay home from work following the exhibition. Then in 1967 Lee showcased his "unstoppable" punch. He told the USKA world karate champion Vic Moore that he was going to hit him in the face with a straight punch. All Moore had to do was block. He tried and failed eight times to block Lee's punch (Lee stopped his punch before it actually reached Moore's face).
One mother after his death, "Enter the Dragon" opened and it remains the seminal martial-arts film. Wildly successful. At his funeral, Steve McQueen, Chuck Norris, James Coburn, George Lazenby and Dan Inosanto (among others) were the pallbearers.
RIP.
* * *
Mel Brooks said it quite well. It's good to be the King. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StJS51d1Fzg
We don't have any kings in the U.S., except those in exile and on chessboards but we do have people who get to live like kings, on the government's dime. They're called generals and admirals. By federal law, the military can have only 22 four-star generals on active duty at any moment (not counting four stars serving in what are known as "joint billets" although those count against the overall limit on officers with two stars or more). General John F. Kelly is one of those 22. He is the commander of the U.S. Southern Command, overseeing U.S. military contingency plans and operations in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean (except for U.S. territories). Their headquarters is located near Miami International Airport for obvious reasons.
He assumed this new command last November. Military housing allowances are tied to pay grade and zip code. Where he is living now he would get a housing allowance of just under $3,300 per month. That would be on top of a salary that's capped at $14,750 per month. The pay chart lists a higher salary but those higher numbers were limited years ago in a cost-cutting move that also involved pay equity.
But he's not getting a housing allowance. He will live rent-free in a home that the taxpayers are leasing at the cost of $160,000 per year. The excuse is that security and secure communications equipment are involved. The bill to upgrade the house to meet those standards was more than $400,000.
Generals and admirals are some of the most coddled people in the entire government. The more stars, the larger their area of responsibility. That also means they get more aides, more other staff and so on. When I was stationed at Homestead Air Force Base, near Miami as it happens, I discovered we were the home of the Air Force Conference Center. It was basically a facility for high-ranking officers to meet in a secure facility in-between their shopping, tennis playing and trips to local golf courses. When a conference that was code-named Corona South was going on, all nine of the Air Force's four star generals were there. It would take almost all of the high-quality sedans that were available in the motor pool. Nine enlisted personnel were detailed to be drivers for the generals while they were there.
Having enlisted personnel below the rank of E-6 in dormitories where they share rooms and latrines is appropriate. Giving enlisted E-6 and above, and all officers, private rooms is also appropriate. But General Phillip Breedlove (currently the commander of all NATO forces) doesn't need to be living in a 15,000 square foot chateau in Belgium.
I don't have a problem with the large historic homes that the military already owns in the D.C. area. Renting high priced real estate for pampered officers when lower ranking enlisted personnel are taking part-time jobs or getting food stamps to survive is just wrong.
* * *
Random Ponderings:
If religion is the "opiate of the masses", why is it that we don't recognize frequent trips to the house of worship as an addiction? Where's the Prayers Anonymous 12 step program for those who want to be freed from their condition?
When is enough, enough? Dwayne Wade gave his ex-wife $1 million when the marriage ended. He has custody of the kid. She's getting thousands of dollars each month in support. Apparently it isn't enough as she's protesting on the streets of Chicago.
Is it a good or bad thing that President Obama's new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau chief was a five-time Jeopardy champion? Good thing.
Do we need to redefine the phrase "any minute now" after hearing that over and over during the last eight days on "royal baby watch"?
Actress Lily Collins says the toughest part of chasing demons in a movie is doing it in five-inch heels. I guess the bolts of lightning and other stuff demons use to try to kill you come in a close second.
How pissed off would you be if you were a boxer and the referee counted you out at nine, never getting to ten? I'd be more than a little pissed. Unless of course there was no hope of getting up in that last second.
Isn't it interesting that Congress would jump in and bail out big car manufacturers, but won't step in to help Detroit?
If you were John Cena, would you marry Nikki Bella? I guess it doesn't matter, their "love" is just part of the script on Monday Night Raw.
If you're a thug who is also a rap star, do you go to jail for giving a photographer a beat-down? Ask Kanye West.
Someone needs to please tell the men wearing "skinny jeans" that no matter how slender they are, it isn't a great look for them.
Why do we always look for the absolute closest parking space, even if there's one only ten or so spaces from the door?
* * *
This Date in History:
On this date in 365, Alexandria, Egypt was devastated by a tsunami.
On this date in 1645, the Quing Dynasty regent Dorgon ordered all Han Chinese men to shave their foreheads and braid their hair in the manner that Manchu Chinese did.
On this date in 1861, the First Battle of Bull Run is fought, ending in a victory for Confederate forces.
On this date in 1865, the first "showdown" takes place with Wild Bill Hickok shooting and killing Davis Tutt.
On this date in 1925, John T. Scopes is found guilty of teaching evolution and fined $100.
On this date in 1944, U.S. forces land on Guam. The battle ended on August 10th.
On this date in 1949, the U.S. Senate ratifies the North Atlantic Treaty.
On this date in 1959, Elijah "Pumpsie" Green plays for the Boston Red Sox, making them the last team to integrate.
On this date in 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walk on the moon.
On this date in 1973, agents of the Mossad kill an innocent waiter in Lillehammer, Norway. They thought he was involved in the murder of members of the Israeli Olympic team at the 1972 Summer games in Munich.
Famous Folk Born On This Date:
Jean Picard
Sam Bass
Ernest Hemingway
Marshall McLuhan
Isaac Stern
Don Knotts
Norman Jewison
Bob Orton
John Gardner
Kaye Stevens
Janet Reno
John Negroponte
Ken Starr
Steven Georgiou (aka Cat Stevens, aka Yusuf Islam)
Garry Trudeau
Al Hrobsky
Robin Williams
Taco
Jon Lovitz
Brandi Chastain
Ali Landry
CC Sabathia
Juno Temple
Movie quotes today come from "The Birdcage" because Robin Williams was in it, and because it is funny as hell:
Senator Kevin Keeley: That's just what Rush Limbaugh said!
#2
Albert: You know, I used to feel that way too until I found out that Alexander the Great was a fag. Talk about gays in the military!
#3
Albert: Don't give me that tone!
Armand: What tone?
Albert: That sarcastic contemptuous tone that means you know everything because you're a man, and I know nothing because I'm a woman.
Armand: You're not a woman.
Albert: Oh, you bastard!
#4
Armand: You do an eclectic celebration of the dance! You do Fosse, Fosse, Fosse! You do Martha Graham, Martha Graham, Martha Graham! Or Twyla, Twyla, Twyla! Or Michael Kidd, Michael Kidd, Michael Kidd, Michael Kidd! Or Madonna, Madonna, Madonna!... but you keep it all inside.
posted by me at 1:48 PM
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