Josh in Rogers Park

Seattle state of affairs re: motorists

joshman5761usa@yahoo.com (JMNOR55) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 04:45:00 +0000

Seattle is a city that loves bicyclists more than motorists, at least if you live south of Capitol Hill, because Seward Park and Rainier Valley are viewed as less important to the city power brokers than those who live in Capitol Hill and the North End. Imagine if Lake Shore Drive was closed once or twice a week to bicyclists.

June 12, 2009

Hon. Jan Drago
Council Person
Transportation Committee
Seattle City Council
PO Box 34025Seattle, WA 98124-4025

Re: Transportation from Seward Park/Rainier Valley into center of city substandard

Dear Ms. Drago:

It is my understanding that you are on the Transportation Committee of the Seattle City Council. The reason that I am writing to you is because the transportation from Seward Park/Rainier Valley into the center of the city (i.e. Downtown, Capitol Hill, etc.) is substandard. First, for some unfathomable reason, Lake Washington Boulevard is closed every Sunday and Thursday during the summer, to accommodate the bicyclists. Secondly, on Rainier Avenue, between Martin Luther King Blvd. and McClellan, the city is doing a lot of construction and repaving of the road. I feel that the citizens of the Seward Park/Rainier Valley Neighborhood are being ill served.

In my humble opinion, Lake Washington Boulevard should be open to motorists on every other Sunday. There is no reason why the motorists should have to accommodate the bicyclists like this and deprive themselves of access to the center of the city.

Thank you kindly for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely yours,

Joshua Normand

wy the Miss California controversy matters

joshman5761usa@yahoo.com (JMNOR55) — Sun, 10 May 2009 18:17:00 +0000

Why is this Miss California thing such a big deal? Because the Political Left and the Democratic Party Establishment want to deny conservatives or traditionalists a platform to reach the public. They have ruined Miss Prejean but when they remove her crown, they will be sending a message to future contestants, toe the line on Homosexuality and other cultural issues or else you will be punished and not permitted to enter. This is very sad and we traditionalists need to wake the hell up (pardon my language) and stop this from happening. The Miss California committee is interested in setting a precedent and message to all traditionalists, you have no place in popular culture. We have to resist this. Not everyone is fortunate enough to be locked away in a religious or traditional setting. Television, movies and music are accessed by more than 85% of the American population and for us to ignore this is foolish.

goodbye

joshman5761usa@yahoo.com (JMNOR55) — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 05:16:00 +0000

As I no longer live in West Rogers Park, having moved back to Seattle about two weeks ago, this is my last post on this blog. It was nice to have been in RP, but it's time to move on, and as we hear in the political world, time for change.

Good luck to all Rogers Park and Chicago residents.

Josh

sports ramblings

joshman5761usa@yahoo.com (JMNOR55) — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 17:09:00 +0000

1) Congratulations to Gonzaga's men's basketball team on winning the Old Spice Classic in Orlando, Florida last week and reaching the fifth spot in the polls. Gonzaga beat Oklahoma State, Maryland and Tennessee to win this event. Unfortunately, the best team in the country is North Carolina and they would beat Gonzaga by at least a dozen. That can wait until March.

2)Oklahoma (or Choke-lahoma), Ohio State and Florida State are football teams that I can NEVER root for. They're a bunch of bullies who run up the score on inferior teams, but lose to the good ones. I bet USC would beat Chokelahoma in the BCS title game by ten to seventeen points.

3) Seattle and Washington state sports teams need to get difference makers if they ever expect to win anything. Nice guys finish last, unfortunately.

Zag hoops

joshman5761usa@yahoo.com (JMNOR55) — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:41:00 +0000

Gonzaga could win Old Spice in Orlando.

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/27828394/

ND is in Maui, hopefully they will beat the Horns tonight and beat the Heels tomorrow.

college hoops update

joshman5761usa@yahoo.com (JMNOR55) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:16:00 +0000

1) Gonzaga is 2-0 after easy wins over Montana State and Idaho.
Next is the Old Spice Classic in Orlando, Florida. Oklahoma State is first, followed by Maryland/Michigan State. MSU is ranked. Potentially a Georgetown matchup for the title. As a Big East follower, I would LOVE for Gonzaga to face Georgetown. They will play UConn in Seattle at Key Arena on December 20th.

2) Good win for the Illini yesterday at Vanderbilt over the Commodores, 69-63. McCamey had 23 and Davis had 11 points and 12 boards before fouling out. Next weekend, the Illini are in South Padre Island, Texas for a tournament.

3) To my friend at Chase who's a big Wolverine fan, I love your team even more for beating UCLA in NY last night. Even if the football team stinks, at least the basketball team beat UCLA.

interesting thought

joshman5761usa@yahoo.com (JMNOR55) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:02:00 +0000

In light of the historic nature of the presidential campaign, I wish to post these words from a guy named William Hennessy. I don't know if he's a neo-con, leprechaun or paleo-con, but it is worth noting.

Having identified some quintessential conservative groups, I believe I must devote some space to several organizations which do not represent conservatism in any way shape or form, but do provide ammunition for our enemies to use against us. Among these groups are the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), the Aryan Nation, the Skinheads , and the American Nazi Party.

These groups do not support limited government, they support government activism of the worst kind. They do not promote individual freedom, but group hate. They do not advance freedom, but seek to restrict virtually every aspect of life through terror. They oppose seemingly everything but drunk and stupid. These groups, for the most part, seek to eliminate Blacks, Asians, Mediterraneans, Hispanics, Jews, Catholics, liberals, intellectuals, the wealthy, the poor, libertarians, civil libertarians, agnostics, etc.

Seattle sports in the toilet

joshman5761usa@yahoo.com (JMNOR55) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 16:34:00 +0000

With losses by the Hawks, Huskies and Cougars, the three team football total is 3-28. Cougs were shut out 31-0 by ASU and the snake Erickson, Huskies lost 27-7 to the Bruins and the Hawks lost 26-20 to the Arizona Cardinals. That is a total of 84-27 if you're counting.

BTW, Team Affirmative Action, aka Washington Huskies' basketball team, lost at Portland Saturday night, 80-74, two losses to non-BCS teams, lost first round of CBI to Valparaiso. Pretty sad.

Thank G-d for Gonzaga hoops. Maybe they will get on a roll. WSU will be okay, but unless they have an Adam Morrison, I don't expect more than an 8-10 seed and a first round loss to a bigger name school.

update

joshman5761usa@yahoo.com (JMNOR55) — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 23:58:00 +0000

Well I haven't blogged here because of some changes in my life. Moreover, when I do feel like blogging or getting things off of my chest, it's usually on facebook (www.facebook.com .

Anyway, we should hope for a good new year both Jewishly, secularly and security-wise regardless of who runs Washington, City Hall, Springfield or Olympia.

Great day for Washington Husky baseball fans, Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants won the 2008 NL Cy Young Award today over Brandon Webb of the Arizona Diamondbacks, the 2006 winner.

Dustin Pedroia

joshman5761usa@yahoo.com (JMNOR55) — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 18:46:00 +0000

Dustin Pedroia is the new Derek Jeter, in case anyone who was watching the ALCS on TBS was paying attention. He received accolades like "he plays the game the right way" "he's the heart and soul of the Red Sox", he's a gamer and leader, etc.

Why is Buck Martinez such an expert on baseball. Is he not Canadian and considering how well the Toronto Blue Jays have done in the past ten to fifteen years, hiring a Blue Jay to guide viewers as to how "winners" play is a little silly. Ron Darling, the other analyst, was on the World Champion 1986 Mets so that's a little better. Personally, Paul O'Neill would do it for me.

sports musings

joshman5761usa@yahoo.com (JMNOR55) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:41:00 +0000

1) That performance by the Cubs was atrocious. Even the 2001 Mariners waited until the ALCS to lose a series. Get Soriano out of here and send him to Texas, Seattle or Baltimore and eat 2/3 of his salary.
2) The Bears may yet win their division which would mean more Lovie Smith, which isn't good. In order to succeed today, these one-dimensional defensive coordinators who preach defense, ball control and 16-13 games, don't work for more than a year or two.
3) Northwest sports is TERRIBLE. Seahawks, Huskies and Cougars lost by a combined score of 120-23. At least Chicago has the Bears and Illini.

book I recommend

joshman5761usa@yahoo.com (JMNOR55) — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 19:48:00 +0000

During Rosh Hashana, I read and re-read Flipping Out, by Yashar Books. In that book, there was a reference to The Outside World, by Tova Mirvis. The book was printed by Knopf Books. It was really good and illustrates the way that Modern Orthodox people grew up in the past 20 years or so.

Shana Tova

joshman5761usa@yahoo.com (JMNOR55) — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 17:59:00 +0000

Shana Tovah to all bloggers out there. Enjoy Rosh Hashana 5769.

MLB Awards

joshman5761usa@yahoo.com (JMNOR55) — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 16:49:00 +0000

Here are my picks for the 4 major awards in the AL & NL.

NL MVP: David Wright, even if the Mets lose to the Phillies, I think he's the most complete player in the NL. No Phillie deserves the award, good players, not great. Howard strikes out too much, Rollins didn't run out ground balls, Utley doesn't have enough speed.

NL Cy Young: Webb or Lincecum. As of Labor Day, it was Webb's award to lose. Now, with the losses and the Snakes falling behind the Dodgers, give it to Lincy.

NL ROY: Soto, Volquez is second

NL Manager: Torre, yes the Dodgers have a big payroll, but getting the Dodgers in the race was a tremendous job.

AL MVP: Probably Pedroia, give Josh Hamilton a Silver Slugger.

AL Cy Young: Lee of Cleveland, a NO-Brainer!!!

AL ROY: ???, any one have a good idea, let me know.

AL Manager: Maddon of Tampa or Gardy of Minnesota.

quick football thoughts

joshman5761usa@yahoo.com (JMNOR55) — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 17:57:00 +0000

1) The NFL does not let the game breathe. There are too many games where a ton of penalties are called. For example, in the Bears-Panthers game yesterday, there were 22 penalties called, 12 on Chicago and 10 on Carolina. 10 of the 14 games played yesterday had at least ten penalties called. One of them was not the Pats-Jets because as we sports fans all know, Bill Belichick is so smart and his team is filled with geniuses who never commit penalties.

2) Too many defensive coaches in the NFL. I like the Bill Walsh approach. Unfortunately, there are too many Lovie Smiths and John Foxes and Mike Tomlins around.

Washington State sports PITIFUL or for the Dawgs

joshman5761usa@yahoo.com (JMNOR55) — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 23:31:00 +0000

To all Washington State Sports fans:

Although I live in Chicago, the Midwest, I still follow and root for the Hawks, Mariners, Cougars, Huskies and Zags.

The Mariners got swept by the Angels and helped Frankie Rodriguez (K-Rod) set a record for saves in a season with 58. He will be a wealthy man by Christmas (or Hanukkah).
The Seahawks lost at HOME to the 49ers in overtime.
Washington State flew to Waco to play the Baylor Bears early because of the hurricane and lost 45-17 and Washington embarrassed itself at home against Oklahoma 55-14.

This is the nadir of Washington State sports that I can recall. No Sonics (now in Oklahoma) and every team is pitiful. I hope that Gonzaga has an ENORMOUS YEAR. However, the schedule will be really tough.

By the way, the Bears lost as well, U of I escaped over Louisiana Lafayette and Northworstern romped over SIU. Yippee.

sad story

joshman5761usa@yahoo.com (JMNOR55) — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 17:34:00 +0000

Here's a really sad story out of Virginia. Thanks to Mark Levin for telling his audience about this last night. It's a story of the ultimate sacrifice that a father made for his son, can't measure it in money, awards, offices won, etc.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/09/AR2008090903691.html?hpid=moreheadlines

I think that as religious Jews or all Jews (don't mean to be discriminatory) in light of the fact that Rosh Hashana is less than three weeks away, as we read the story of the Akedah, the binding of Isaac to the altar as G-d told Abraham, that we think about this man, Mr. Vander Woude of Virginia who saved his disabled son from death.

Shabat shalom,

Josh

Burleson out for season

joshman5761usa@yahoo.com (JMNOR55) — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 15:08:00 +0000

While Nate Burleson isn't a QB, plays in the West Coast and doesn't date anyone famous, his being out for the season is almost as crippling as Tom Brady is to New England.

This year can't get any worse for Northwest sports fans. No NBA team, lousy baseball team, terrible college football teams and a weakened NFL team.

When does Gonzaga practice? Heck when does Tony Bennett and the Cougs practice?

sports thoughts

joshman5761usa@yahoo.com (JMNOR55) — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 17:00:00 +0000

1) As someone who attended classes at the University of Washington, and has family members with a lot of contact with UW, I was very disappointed in this weekend's effort against BYU.

In my humble opinion, this game proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that Ty Willingham cannot lead this team to a 6-6 record. Giving up two long fourth quarter drives to BYU, as well as the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, shows me that he cannot close the deal. I would fire Mr. Willingham now (today) and appoint someone on a temporary basis for the rest of the season and when the season is over, call Missouri to get Gary Pinkel to come to Seattle.

WSU's performance was abominable, however, the coach is a young guy and the talent level isn't where it should be, but in a couple of years, WSU will be better than UW.

Seahawks shouldn't have been embarrassed by Buffalo. It is a losing organization that was good 15 years ago.

The Toronto Blue Jays have been playing better, yet their GM, J.P. Ricciardi, should not keep his job because he has not improved this team significantly in seven years.

Regarding the NCAA unsportsmanlike conduct rule about excessive celebration. This is a LIBERAL attempt by know-it-all NCAA administrators who are 75 years old and living in 1955 and expecting kids to behave like Wally Cleaver. These people think that we're too stupid to figure out how to behave, so they legislate it. Once you have a rule like that, you have to apply it all the way in all situations. Attacking the referees doesn't address the problem. They simply enforce the rules. I care about the rule-makers and their snobby attitude.

stuff

joshman5761usa@yahoo.com (JMNOR55) — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 16:46:00 +0000

Well, I had a nice weekend and saw some good people over shabbos up around Touhy Avenue.

One good thing that happened was earlier in the week, I got back my tallis (tallit) with new tzitzit (fringes) that are stronger than the ones I had previously had. A shout out to Kesher Stam for their good work. It's good to have both Rosenblum's and Kesher Stam, they have different purposes.

On Labor Day, I heard a shiur/lecture on Shidduchim from one of the respected Rabbis in West Rogers Park. While he made some good points, it was geared at a different audience, one younger and frummer. However, the "modern" side does not have a Rabbi or an adequate response, at least over here. Telling someone to go to Shabatons in NY/PA is a dodge, not a good answer.

women sports reporters

joshman5761usa@yahoo.com (JMNOR55) — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 22:07:00 +0000

One thing that amazes me is how there are quotas for women sports reporters. There are the tomboys, think Amy Lawrence of ESPN Radio and Suzy Kolber of ESPN TV. Also Jill Carlson of Fox 32 in Chicago. However, then there are people like Erin Andrews and Charissa Thompson so as to give men "eye candy" while watching the game.

What gives? For example, why can't Fox 32 hire Sarah Kustok and dump Jill Carlson. Carlson is older and a tomboy and Kustok is younger, prettier and a former athlete.

Thank you Fox 32, www.myfoxchicago.com

Also, please explain to me why Jack (A!@#$%^&*() Conaty is your political reporter. He is a Liberal Hack who loves Daley and the Dems.

sports thoughts

joshman5761usa@yahoo.com (JMNOR55) — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 21:54:00 +0000

1) Since my whole life has been spent in Seattle, Chicago and New York, I have never warmed to teams from the South. While the citizens of Texas, Florida, etc. are nice people, their teams really bore me and it amazes me that the Seattle Mariners and Chicago Cubs both lost series this week to teams from Texas. Texas is one of the most unsophisticated baseball states around despite the fact that many good players hail from that state.

2) I like the Saints in the NFC to surprise and if the Seahawks had good running backs or wideouts, I would pick them to win 12 games. 10-6 will be enough in the NFC Worst.

Gustav and the point of a convention

joshman5761usa@yahoo.com (JMNOR55) — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 21:21:00 +0000

In light of Hurricane Gustav, the GOP is curtailing some of the activities in the convention.

What is the point of a political convention? To call roll and nominate a ticket (President and Vice President). However, the whole thing should NOT be canceled. Why? Isn't that heartless of you Josh.

Well, the Minneapolis-St. Paul region allocated hotel space and an arena for four days, plus vendors. Additionally, the Minnesota Twins baseball team went on the road for two weeks to accommodate the RNC. Should we send the Twins team down to the Gulf Coast to help with the relief effort?

Let's use a more practical example. Suppose one wants to get married, B'Ezrat Hashem in a nice hall. However, there is a natural disaster in one of the cities of one of the guests. Do you cancel the whole wedding? Not unless there's a death in the family or Lo Alenu a terrorist attack.

All that has to happen at a political convention , whether the Constitution Party, DNC, RNC or the Greens, is to call roll, approve the platform and nominate a ticket. Anything above and beyond that is gravy. If the RNC wants to meet in the Halliburton headquarters, be my guest.

By the way, how come the Democrats didn't get flack for this greek temple set-up at Invesco Field at Mile High? Isn't that elaborate.

There are Rabbis who have proposed a set of guidelines for a simcha, limiting the size of the event, how many guests can be invited and so on and so forth.

All comments are appreciated.

Quick thing

joshman5761usa@yahoo.com (JMNOR55) — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:16:00 +0000

Check out this citizenship test that I saw on AOL. It cracked me up.

http://noticias.aol.com/inmigracion/quiz/citizenship?icid=100214839x1207903332x1200471466

various things

joshman5761usa@yahoo.com (JMNOR55) — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 23:40:00 +0000

1) The weather is quite nice.

2) I wish that Bristol (ESPN) wasn't so East Coast Centric in their selection of teams to appear on Sunday Night Baseball (SNB). Why should the Phillies be on 4 times in 6 weeks, 8/3, 8/17, 8/24/ & 9/7? I don't get it.

3) I have no idea where the 2012 Conventions will be held. But the Dems should hold it in a "red state" like Cincy or Cleveland or St. Louis and the Republicans should hold it in a place like Milwaukee, Detroit or Pittsburgh.

4) For Baalei Teshuva who are "rightish" oriented: Please explain to me why the way you have chosen means that those of us Modern Orthodox/Religious Zionist are somehow "not as good" as you are.