See You Then!!!

Unlike some, I was never surprised when a woman reportedly tried to extort money from Louisville men’s basketball coach Rick Pitino. Pitino is a good looking, well dressed, successful basketball coach who makes a ton of money. But the story took on a whole new turn when the Louiville Courier-Journal reported that Pitino told police he had sex in a restaurant six years ago with the accused woman, Karen Sypher. According to the report, the coach gave Ms. Sypher $3,000 to have an abortion two weeks after the sexual encounter.
On the newspaper’s web site, it was reported that Pitino told police he had been drinking in a Louisville restaurant and had consensual sex with Ms. Sypher in August 2003. He however denied Ms. Sypher’s allegations that he raped her after the restaurant closed and a second time somewhere else.
Ms. Sypher reported the rape allegations to police last month, but a Kentucky prosecutor said the complaint wouldn’t be prosecuted because it lacked supporting evidence. Sypher, 49, has pleaded not guilty to federal charges of lying to the FBI and trying to extort $10 million from Pitino.
Pitino, a married father of five, when told of the alleged pregnancy, said that since he had five kids and she had four, he didn’t know what to do. When she told him she didn’t have health insurance, he gave her the money.
The case became public in April when Pitino announced that someone had tried to extort him. Pitino said he reported it to the FBI, and Ms. Sypher surrendered to authorities a few days later when she was named in a criminal complaint. At the time, several media outlets declined to air interviews with Sypher about allegations against Pitino, saying they were personal and unsubstantiated.
According to Pitino’s bosses at the University of Louisville, Athletic Director Tom Jurich and School President James Ramsey said in separate statements that Pitino has been truthful with them all along.
What makes this even more interesting is that Ms. Sypher is married to the team’s equipment manager although there are reports of divorce papers being filed. The criminal complaint said Tim Sypher brought Pitino a written list of demands from his wife, including college tuition for her children, two cars, money to pay off her house and $3,000 per month. The demands later escalated into multimillions the complaint said. So far, Tim Sypher has not been charged.
There are so many questions about this case: how is Pitino’s wife Joanne taking this? He obviously wasn’t as completely honest with her as he was with his employers. What is the relationship between Pitino and Tim Sypher like? Who else is Pitino “schtupping “in his office? Would you want to have your daughters acting as managers or even cheerleaders for a school coached by Rick Pitino.
This is no surprise: coaches have all of the same “perks” as players – famous, rich, and if they happen to be good looking, so much the better. Here is Chicago, I am reminded of the surprise firing of Chicago Bulls’ coach Doug Collins in 1989. It was said that he couldn’t take the team to “the next level,” borne out by the fact that Collins’ replacement, Phil Jackson, led the team to six championships in eight years (and could have been more if a certain Michael Jordan hadn’t temporarily retired for two years in the middle of that run). But, it was rumored that a major reason for Collins’ firing was due to him having as much extra-marital sex as any of the players.
Even then, these were professional athletes who allegedly knew of Collins’ dalliances. Pitino is an authority figure for young college athletes, and since he heads an elite program, many of his players have a better than equal chance at the NBA where even more women and temptation await. What message does it send if the coach is having sex with the equipment manager’s wife?

Here’s yet another reason to fear for the intelligence of the American public. No, not the health care debate or the “birthers.” I’m talking about the $58 million that “G.I. Joe – The Rise of Cobra” took in last weekend.
Yes, I know that there were no recent (within 2 weeks anyway) action blockbusters to compete again it, but “Joe,” according to the critics is mindless tripe in the “Transformers” school of “let’s blow s#$t up – isn’t it cool” moviemaking. Of course, Paramount knew that it was hoisting a turd of tremendous proportions on the American public because it refused to screen the film for critics. The latest in a trend of cowardly behavior – you can just hear the million dollar salaried studio executive: “maybe if the critics don’t pan it, we can fool enough suckers into the show to get the big opening weekend.”
Unfortunately, because of the big box office generated you can bet that “Transformers 3” and “G.I. Joe 2” are “green lit” and the putrid end product will be playing in your local multiplex to further depress IQ scores and my mood as I have to avoid them like the plague.

I have been busy giving my opinion through my own e-mail account. I sent the e-mail below to Ms. Julia Keller, cultural editor/writer for the Chicago Tribune. On Sunday, she wrote an articale where she defended the fact that she enjoys graphic novels (aka comics) to her high brow friends and was taking a beating for it (figuratively speaking of course). Here’s what I sent to her…

Dear Ms. Keller,

I read your column from time to time, and while I’m glad that you took the time to stand up for the graphic comic/novel medium, I was troubled by the headline – “shame.” Dictionary.com defines shame as “the painful feeling arising from the consciousness of something dishonorable, improper, ridiculous, etc.by oneself or another.”
I understand that writers generally do not write the headlines, I appreciate your championing the art form, maybe “secret pleasure” would have been a better term.
I have been reading comics since the mid-1960s, stopped when I was 13-years-of-age, and rediscovered comics in college. I understand that the graphic stories that interest you are probably far from the “spandex superhero set,” (more “Maus” than “Watchmen”), I am proud to read my superhero and other comics proudly. I don’t give much of a damn what some tight-@$$ed “pseudo-intellectuals” think.
I would remind them that graohic storytelling has gone far beyond the 1950s and 1960s; even superhero comics have depth of characterization that highlights the human condition, beyond the fan boys who still live in their parents’ basements. After all, “Watchmen” was hailed as one of the best novels of the 20th Century by Time Magazine, but still we comics fans and even creators fight for acceptance and respect.
If your “friends” want to keep the discussion aimed at the very young, one could site the studies that show that the vocabularies of kids that read comics are usually 2-3 grades higher than other kids in their age groups. If more kids were reading instead of playing video games, perhaps they may find the joys of Shakespeare, philosophy, higher thinking.
So, I proudly wear my Batman ring. I read my comics on airplanes, on communter trains, and wherever I damn well please. I tell people about my wife and that while other husbands are stending their time in bars, or casino boats or strip joints, a good time for me is a cold drink and a stack of comics to read.

Sincerely,

Tony Fernandez

I forwarded an e-mail sent to me from Move On.org today to my closest friends today and I’d like to share it with you:

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Could you take a moment to read this e-mail and perhaps pass it on to others. Once again, the monied forces of the status quo are doing their best to kill health care reform for ALL. HEALTH CARE IS NOT A PRIVILEGE, IT IS A RIGHT!!!
And they are using the typical lies and deceptions to do it. If people have a problem with the program on its merits, that’s one thing, but too many listen to the 30 second bile from the likes of Rush, et.al. and don’t even investigate the truth about the plan.
It’s important. why should the US be the only industrialized country int he world that does not guarantee health care for all of its citizens. And the current state of health care costs more than any other plan in the world.
I know that there are some Conservative Republicans on my list and I’m sure that you disagree with all that I’m saying, but don’t we have a responsibility to our fellow man, and not just the “deadbeats” that you think are the people who don’t have health care. but it isn’t – it’s the common working people who lose jobs, or whose companies are going under, or have to cut back on benefits that suffer a serious illness and risk financial ruin.
Instead of lauding the morons (or paid infiltrators) that are fouling the discourse preventing undecided people from considering the plan seriously, instead we have people calling the president a Nazi.
We can no longer sit on the sidelines. Change is needed before we bankrupt the country for the good of big insurance and big pharmaceutical companies. Can you spread this around?
Best,
Tony

Dear MoveOn member,
The health care fight has turned ugly, fast. Right-wing mobs are crashing congressional town halls,1 lies are spreading via anonymous email chains,2 and Sarah Palin bizarrely said that President Obama was going to set up a “death panel,” whatever that is.3
Many of these claims are just incredible—but if we don’t fight back with the truth, the right will continue to poison the health care debate. So as part of our Real Voices for Change campaign
Top Five Health Care Reform Lies—and How to Fight Back
Lie #1: President Obama wants to euthanize your grandma!!!
The truth: These accusations—of “death panels” and forced euthanasia—are, of course, flatly untrue. As an article from the Associated Press puts it: “No ‘death panel’ in health care bill.”4 What’s the real deal? Reform legislation includes a provision, supported by the AARP, to offer senior citizens access to a professional medical counselor who will provide them with information on preparing a living will and other issues facing older Americans.5
Lie #2: Democrats are going to outlaw private insurance and force you into a government plan!!!
The truth: With reform, choices will increase, not decrease. Obama’s reform plans will create a health insurance exchange, a one-stop shopping marketplace for affordable, high-quality insurance options.6 Included in the exchange is the public health insurance option—a nationwide plan with a broad network of providers—that will operate alongside private insurance companies, injecting competition into the market to drive quality up and costs down.7
If you’re happy with your coverage and doctors, you can keep them.8 But the new public plan will expand choices to millions of businesses or individuals who choose to opt into it, including many who simply can’t afford health care now.
Lie #3: President Obama wants to implement Soviet-style rationing!!!
The truth: Health care reform will expand access to high-quality health insurance, and give individuals, families, and businesses more choices for coverage. Right now, big corporations decide whether to give you coverage, what doctors you get to see, and whether a particular procedure or medicine is covered—that is rationed care. And a big part of reform is to stop that.
Health care reform will do away with some of the most nefarious aspects of this rationing: discrimination for pre-existing conditions, insurers that cancel coverage when you get sick, gender discrimination, and lifetime and yearly limits on coverage.9 And outside of that, as noted above, reform will increase insurance options, not force anyone into a rationed situation.
Lie #4: Obama is secretly plotting to cut senior citizens’ Medicare benefits!!!
The truth: Health care reform plans will not reduce Medicare benefits.10 Reform includes savings from Medicare that are unrelated to patient care—in fact, the savings comes from cutting billions of dollars in overpayments to insurance companies and eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse.11
Lie #5: Obama’s health care plan will bankrupt America!!!
The truth: We need health care reform now in order to prevent bankruptcy—to control spiraling costs that affect individuals, families, small businesses, and the American economy.
Right now, we spend more than $2 trillion dollars a year on health care.12 The average family premium is projected to rise to over $22,000 in the next decade13—and each year, nearly a million people face bankruptcy because of medical expenses.14 Reform, with an affordable, high-quality public option that can spur competition, is necessary to bring down skyrocketing costs. Also, President Obama’s reform plans would be fully paid for over 10 years and not add a penny to the deficit.15
We’re closer to real health care reform than we’ve ever been—and the next few weeks will decide whether it happens. We need to make sure the truth about health care reform is spread far and wide to combat right wing lies.
Can you forward this email to your friends today? And remember, also post it on Facebook by clicking here: http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51746. And on Twitter, by retweeting: @MoveOn Check out the Top 5 Health Care Lies—and How to Fight Back. http://bit.ly/Bncs5
Thanks for all you do.
–Nita, Kat, Ilya, Michael and the rest of the team
P.S. Want more? Check out this great new White House “Reality Check” website: http://www.whitehouse.gov/realitycheck/ or this excellent piece from Health Care for America Now on some of the most outrageous lies: http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51729&id=16778-6670741-X.FM2nx&t=1
Sources:
1. “More ‘Town Halls Gone Wild’: Angry Far Right Protesters Disrupt Events With ‘Incomprehensible’ Yelling,” Think Progress, August 4, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51733&id=16778-6670741-X.FM2nx&t=2
2. “Fight the smears,” Health Care for America NOW, accessed August 10, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51729&id=16778-6670741-X.FM2nx&t=3
3. “Palin Paints Picture of ‘Obama Death Panel’ Giving Thumbs Down to Trig,” ABC News, August 7, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51728&id=16778-6670741-X.FM2nx&t=4
4. “No ‘death panel’ in health care bill,” The Associated Press, August 10, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51747&id=16778-6670741-X.FM2nx&t=5
5. “Stop Distorting the Truth about End of Life Care,” The Huffington Post, July 24, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51730&id=16778-6670741-X.FM2nx&t=6
6. “Reality Check FAQs,” WhiteHouse.gov, accessed August 11, 2009.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/realitycheck/faq#i1
7. “Why We Need a Public Health-Care Plan,” The Wall Street Journal, June 24, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51737&id=16778-6670741-X.FM2nx&t=7
8. “Obama: ‘If You Like Your Doctor, You Can Keep Your Doctor,'” The Wall Street Journal, 15, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51736&id=16778-6670741-X.FM2nx&t=8
9. “Reality Check FAQs,” WhiteHouse.gov, accessed August 10, 2009.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/realitycheck/faq#r1
10. “Obama: No reduced Medicare benefits in health care reform,” CNN, July 28, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51748&id=16778-6670741-X.FM2nx&t=9
11. “Reality Check FAQs,” WhiteHouse.gov, accessed August 10, 2009.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/realitycheck/faq#s1
12. “Reality Check FAQs,” WhiteHouse.gov, accessed August 10, 2009.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/realitycheck/faq#c1
13. “Premiums Run Amok,” Center for American Progress, July 24, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51667&id=16778-6670741-X.FM2nx&t=10
14. “Medical bills prompt more than 60 percent of U.S. bankruptcies,” CNN, June 5, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51735&id=16778-6670741-X.FM2nx&t=11
15. “Reality Check FAQs,” WhiteHouse.gov, accessed August 10, 2009.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/realitycheck/faq#c1
Sources for the Five Lies:
#1: “A euthanasia mandate,” The Washington Times, July 29, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51732&id=16778-6670741-X.FM2nx&t=12
#2: “It’s Not An Option,” Investor’s Business Daily, July 15, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51743&id=16778-6670741-X.FM2nx&t=13
#3: “Rationing Health Care,” The Washington Times, April 21, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51742&id=16778-6670741-X.FM2nx&t=14
#4: “60 Plus Ad Is Chock Full Of Misinformation,” Media Matters for America, August 8, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51734&id=16778-6670741-X.FM2nx&t=15
#5: “Obama’s ‘Public’ Health Plan Will Bankrupt the Nation,” The National Review, May 13, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51744&id=16778-6670741-X.FM2nx&t=16

There has been a lot of press here in Chicago today about the arrest of Blackhawks star Patrick Kane for allegedly beating up a cab driver in a dispute over 20 cents. At first, it sounded like Kane and his cousin, James had viciously beaten the cab driver, Jan Radecki, but since then, the cabbie’s attorney says that the incident has been “blown out of proportion” and that he couldn’t see it turning into a felony.
ChicagoTribune.com posted that “the (police) report said the fare was $13.80 and the two Kanes had paid the driver $15.” Radecki’s version in today’s paper said that “(t)hey broke my glasses, they ripped my clothes … all over 20 cents.”
The Kanes were arrested about 5 a.m. after leaving Chippewa Street, an area in Buffalo known for its nightlife. The police report said the Kanes were picked up by Radecki while downtown around 4 a.m. After driving them to Eastwood Place, a residential street a few miles away, the altercation occurred and a witness called police.
Now, there are several questions that arise: first, Patrick Kane is 20-years-old, not old enough to be served in bars, so what was he doing there? Although I think that the drinking age is too high – 18-year-old can vote, fight and die for their country, but if they want to imbibe, they cannot. It’s hypocritical.
But Kane is responsible – he is a public figure – a hockey player, and while young hockey players are hardly rocket scientists (and have done their share of stupid things bordering on criminal), the day when you aren’t held responsible is over. (Still, how many of us did really stupid things when we were 19 or 20?? Come on – you know you did.)
What is funnier is that the cab driver said that if he had known who Kane was, he wouldn’t have made such a fuss. What, should he wear his uniform 24/7? And by the same token, should he get preferential treatment because he is a star hockey player?
All in all, a tempest in a teapot; he may have a small punishment from the league, but chalk this one up to youthful indiscretion. I know that some will say that I have this opinion because I am a Blackhawk fan, but I disagree – I can just remember what it was like to be 20.

When one thinks of drivers causing accidents, one usually thinks of a person (usually young, usually male) speeding down highways and roads and causing accidents. But, ask a cop as to another version of bad driving that causes accidents, and its driving too slow. Most roads have not only a speed limit, but a minimum speed as well. Well, the daily commute of The Indignant Wife and I is almost always effected by a very slow driver who one day, is going to cause an accident.
On a typical weekday, we gather the Indignant children in the car, drive them to day care, and then take Lincoln Ave. to Petersen Road to Ridge Ave. to Hollywood Ave to Lake Shore Drive. Too often we encounter an elderly Indian/Pakistani woman on our route who takes LSD downtown. However, while the posted speed limit is 40 mph (it used to be 45 mph in the summer time – another Daley plot to elevate speeding tickets and income???), this woman, who drives a black late model Volkswagon regularly does 30 mph all the way downtown. Worse, she stays in the second lane of four – if she is going to go that slowly, she should be in the far right lane, or preferably, take city streets.
You should see all of the commotion she causes as people go out of their way to go around her. I’m sure she is a very nice lady, but she can barely be seen in the windows of the car, and she is going to cause someone to have an accident, but it won’t involve her of course, she’ll just be tootling on down the road, blissfully ignorant of the major hazard she is.