Taylor Swift's New Neighborhood

Taylor Swift's New Digs

Celebrity sightings are not unheard of along our stretch of pricey shoreline, and the Watch Hill section of Westerly just added a big name to its list of property owners.   Pop and country sensation Taylor Swift plunked down over 17 million dollars in cold hard cash to purchase a huge beachfront mansion on five acres.    That deal was negotiated down from an asking price of $20 million, but I still would've loved to have been her realtor.    This is kind of a big deal to locals, but I have to wonder how much time many celebrities even get to enjoy a luxury home when they're so busy touring or making the gossip columns.     Although Watch Hill is slightly off the beaten path, a prominent estate like this is not likely to provide a lot of privacy in this village of small shops.    I guess if Katherine Hepburn could escape the media spotlight spending so much of her later life in Old Saybrook, then perhaps Taylor Swift can get away from the paparazzi during her time in Watch Hill... but I doubt it.     

This Is Obscene

A novice weekend anchor at a small-market North Dakota TV station got instantly and infamously canned when he let out a couple of swear words when he didn't realize his microphone was live.   This was obviously a very dumbass thing to do, but a post today on rock station WPLR's Facebook page brought my attention to something much more obscene.   It mentioned an outrageous rant KTCN/Minneapolis morning co-host Bob Davis made about families of Newtown victims getting involved in the national gun control debate   According to All Access, the original comment, directed at the victims of Newtown "or any other shooting," aired on the April 12th show, went this way: 

 

"Just because a bad thing happened to you doesn’t mean that you get to put a king in charge of my life. I’m sorry that you suffered a tragedy, but you know what? Deal with it, and don’t force me to lose my liberty, which is a greater tragedy than your loss.  I’m sick and tired of seeing these victims trotted out, given rides on Air Force One, hauled into the Senate well, and everyone is … terrified of these victims. I would stand in front of them and tell them, ‘Go to hell.’ ”

 

One Connecticut resident invited Davis to visit Newtown himself.   Maybe then he can see how "exploited" they have been.   He never responded and even continued his warped talking points for days after.   It took Davis an entire week to issue a brief apology.   How sincere could the apology have been if he is allowed to continue his show uninterrupted with the loss of only one sponsor?    To my disgust, some posters on WPLR's Facebook actually said, "but he does have a point."    No, he has a deal breaker.   You've lost any legitimate argument when you have to stoop to that level.   Davis needs to visit Newtown himself or leave talk radio.  It's just the latest shameful tale in a diminished industry.  

A Celebration Turns Tragic

The Boston Marathon, one of this nation's most massive celebrations of life, turned deadly in just a matter of seconds as two explosions rocked the area of the Boylston Street Finish Line.   As the images flash across our screens over and over, we draw from what we learned from the worst attack in our history: 9/11.    Again, in this visit by humanity's darkest side we witness the most inspirational deeds.   Emergency responders and others on hand made their way to the center of the carnage to help.    Yes, we're going to hear a lot about who might have committed this unspeakable act.   That's unavoidable.   Outside of the loss of life and limb, I find the most emotional part of an event like this to be the work and words of the helpers.   That spirit was everywhere on 9/11.   It was on display in Newtown and hasn't left yet.   That is the real spirit of America which will undoubtedly be celebrated by even more the next time the Boston Marathon comes around.     

Life's Curveballs

Linda and I will be getting married May 4th.   You would think that everything related to the wedding would now be the center of our attention during the weeks leading up to it.   Think again.   Other aspects of our lives seem to be crying out for immediate attention.   I wouldn't pretend to play down the importance of our wedding day, but it was made simpler for me by listening to friends' advice and deferring to Linda on the details (although I did get the DJ).    Life has other complications now.   For one thing, Linda has been trying to get her house sold so she can then move in with me.   Selling a house is nerve wracking enough.   I tell her it will work out, but she'll believe that when the deal is done.   Some medical issues have dragged on for me since last summer, thanks to some neck arthritis that has painfully radiated into my shoulders and can seriously disturb my sleep.    I really want to be on the road to recovery as I start this new phase of my life.    Some folks say it's just part of getting older, but I refuse to attribute it all to that.   I've still got years that require me to be productive and I wouldn't have it any other way.   When life throws curveballs, it's more important than ever to prioritize and simplify.   The wedding itself?    Piece of cake!

The Bipartisan Route Through Hartford

As the NRA waits for the "Newtown Effect" to fade, we got two reminders today of the continuing impact of the mass shooting.   Before the Red Sox/Yankees opening day game in The Bronx, there was a fitting remembrance of what happened in December.    Meanwhile in Hartford, Connecticut lawmakers announced a deal on what they called some of the toughest gun laws in the country.    Unlike many other states, the newly enacted laws drew both Democratic and Republican support.    I heard a local talk show host waste no time in riling up his right wing listener base claiming the new laws would have done nothing to prevent the Newtown massacre.   Since the 1993 national assault weapons restrictions expired in the last decade, we'll never know that, will we?    The one thing the NRA has proposed has been making armed camps out of all our public schools.   Sure, that "take it or leave it" contribution to the national gun debate guarantees even more widespread business for the gun makers they represent, it's not enough.   Towns can hire more armed guards if they so choose, but if mass shootings can occur on military bases then what makes this the one effective answer to a determined killer armed for maximum destruction?    The only other argument by gun control opponents is the whole idea that this is the start of a federal government plan to confiscate all firearms.   That is pure paranoia based on nothing real.   Today, our Connecticut lawmakers can be proud of reaching across the aisle and taking a stand.   Are you listening, Washington?    I have my doubts.