The political commentator who fancies himself America’s Pinata recently criticized a number of Obama nominees because they didn’t credit public programs as having any influence in their successes.
Instead they acknowledged such things as parental support, mentors, and teachers. Mr. Pinata should have the common sense to know that most of us would credit the people in our lives before a nameless government program. Whatever.
Because of the recent Sotomayor nomination, Lizette Alvarez and Michael Wilson interviewed a number of high profile ‘graduates’ of the Projects in NY City for a recent article in the NY Times. In addition to (obviously) Sonia Sotomayor, can you say Jay Z., Howard Schultz (Starbucks), Lloyd C. Blankfein (Goldman Sachs), Whoopi Goldberg, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wesley Snipes, and the list goes on.
What’s more important are the thousands of ‘graduates’ (not famous) we never hear about who are also doing just fine.
Although I didn’t grow up in the Projects I did grow up in the Bronx, and all kids pretty much played the same games in the streets. It was a kick to read about what I played as a kid: stickball, stoopball, one wall handball, tag and ringolevio. I’ve never even seen ‘ringolevio‘ written; that alone was worth the price of admission! Blast from the past. And if you can’t remember how to play, here’s your wikipedia link.
Not A Mystery 
If everyone agrees someone isn’t thinking. Dead fish float downstream. Long live America’s Pinata.
Posted by Sand Pounders Union | May 31, 2009, 7:11 amBob, you left out another prominent New Yorker, born of two communist parents who managed to think his way free: David Horowitz
“For thirty years, beginning with the invention of a privacy right in the Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade, the Left has been waging a systematic assault on the constitutional foundation of the nation.”
David Horowitz
“What the left says sounds very good but, in practice, it works out very badly.”
David Horowitz
“Politics is about winning. If you don’t win, you don’t get to put your principles into practice. Therefore, find a way to win, or sit the battle out.”
David Horowitz
Posted by Sand Pounders Union | May 31, 2009, 8:14 amSal, One word: Ringoleveo.
Posted by Bob Gelber | May 31, 2009, 8:36 amExtra strong coffee this morning. We played a version of this game as kids but don’t remember what we called it.
Just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you.
Posted by Sand Pounders Union | May 31, 2009, 8:56 amHello Bob, I can tell you are trying REAL hard not to jump into the water. You’re sticking your toes in, even sometimes up to the ankles. I can’t remember, do you swim?
Newman
Posted by Newman | May 31, 2009, 9:17 amThink seinfeld.
Posted by Newman | May 31, 2009, 9:20 amSal, Switch to De-Caf, take a few deep breathes, and things will start to come together for you. Remember I’ve taken a pledge to remain non-controversial.
Posted by Bob Gelber | May 31, 2009, 9:27 amTell that to “those of you in Rio Linda”
Posted by Newman | May 31, 2009, 9:45 amHow long do you think he can pull it off?
Posted by Sal | May 31, 2009, 9:52 amI’ve started a betting pool. You want in?
Posted by Newman | May 31, 2009, 9:54 amYou are trying to get me in trouble, again.
Posted by Bob Gelber | May 31, 2009, 10:34 amhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reluctant_hero
Posted by Sal | May 31, 2009, 10:46 amHe’s just biding his time and then –BAM– out it will come.
Posted by Newman | May 31, 2009, 10:51 amWhere is Bob?
Posted by Sal | May 31, 2009, 11:01 amI think it’s his yoga time of day. Twisting himself into a knot.
Posted by Newman | May 31, 2009, 11:03 am