Outta My Mind On Monday Moanin'

It's the start of a new week and several things have gotten me to thinking over the weekend. I'll share them here because maybe they'll cause you to think too.

If the bulk of General Motors profits in the last 10 years came from their overseas (Europe, Asia and South America) markets why is the government making them sell off those units? Wouldn't it make sense that if the object is to have a viable domestic auto industry in the United States you'd want to keep your most profitable branches in the company?

So Sidney Crosby is the face of the NHL, huh? This is the kid they have chosen to be their standard bearer, the poster child for the wholesome sport of hockey? I wonder if that's what Gary Bettman had in mind as the hockey world watched "Sid the Kid" take an unprovoked, cheap shot, slash with his hockey stick to the side of Henrick Zetterberg's knee in the second period of the game Saturday night, just because thing weren't going his way? I seriously doubt you would ever see Mario Lemeiux, Steve Yzerman, or Wayne Gretsky pull a stunt like that, they had too much pride and class.

While we are talking hockey what the hell is with NBC? Here in Detroit we have what is called "Joe Vision". When the Wings play an away game during the playoff they open Joe Louis Arena and broadcast the game on the big screen TVs. I think they charge all of about $5 or $10 to get in and it's a cheap way for people, that may not be able to afford a regular playoff ticket, to experience the excitement of a playoff game in the arena. I think it's pretty decent. So what does NBC do? They say the Wings can't do it because it might effect their ratings! Their ratings? First of all this is the same network that all but cancelled "Chuck", did cancel "Life, "Deal or no Deal" and "Lipstick Jungle", and then had the stones to put Conan O'Brien on the tonight show. And you're worried about ratings? Conan O'Brien is to Leno or Carson what a life raft is to a battleship. Rating? C'mon you greedy morons let the people enjoy the series! Oh, and did I mention NBC isn't even paying the NHL to broadcast the games? Another great move by that mental midget, Gary Bettman!

So let me get this right. Kwame owes the City of Detroit $1,000,000 in restitution and is supposed to make payments to the city of $6,000 a month but was late because he only makes about $8,000 a month and there isn't enough left over to live on? Furthermore he is living in a subdivision of million dollar plus homes, Carlita is still driving an Escalade, his kids go to a private school, and we are supposed to feel bad for him? Can you say "A special kind of stupid" I think you can!

I love this! Roger Penske has bought Saturn from GM at the fire sale and he announced he'll have the lowest bidder with the best quality build the Saturn's for sale here! There is the reason this gentleman is the successful millionaire that he is....he thinks outside the box!

They found little Nevaeh's body last week along the banks of the River Raisin. They are currently awaiting the autopsy results as to the cause of death. During the time she was missing they arrested, I believe, 3 convicted sex offenders that were friends of the little girls mother yet thus far have not charged any of the men. Her mother said they paid their debt to society but I guess I have to ask, how in the hell did she befriend, not one, not two, but three sex offenders in a town the size of Monroe? You'd have to pick them off the web site! The other thing that is bothering me is over the weekend the mother started to profess her innocents in what happened to this poor little girl. Now, granted, I haven't read every item on the case but until she mentioned it I had heard no reference made that she was suspected of any wrong doing. Things that make you go hmmmmmm....

So they are coming out with a remark of "Taking of Pelham 123". I have to ask, as a baby boomer, have any of you people behind us ever had an original thought? Every time I look at movie releases you're remaking an old movie, TV show, or stage play thinking you can make it better with computerized blood and gore or special effects. I dare you, name 10 movies made in the last 5 years that were original screenplays and hits.......

The "Old Tiger Stadium Conservancy" is trying to prevent the remainder of the demolition of old Tiger Stadium again in court. They filed for an injunction to prevent the wrecking ball from swinging this week. Now I have as many fond memories of Tiger Stadium as the next guy. Hell I even have memories of it as Briggs Stadium. I remember watching the Lions play there and of course the Tigers. Al Kaline, Willie Horton, Norm Cash, Gates Brown, Bill Freehan, Dick McCauliff, Alan Trammell, Mark Fydrich were just a few of the Tigers I saw Play. Then there were the other hero's of the day Mickey Mantle, Whitey Ford, Rod Carew, Harmon Killibrew, Reggie Jackson, Rollie Fingers, and George Brett. I'll never forget the first time I walk in and saw that amazing green grass and the old wooden green seats, (you clunk them up and down to cheer), and tasted my first "ball park" hot dog but those days are gone now. Yes, I cherish those memories but the grand old lady has been sitting empty now for 10 years and it's time to let her go. You've had 10 years to come up with options or plans, yet here you are again in the 11th hours wanting to halt the demo? It's time to move on, take your memories, embrace them, and pass the stories along to the next generation.

As some of you may know I've been on this workout kick that began back in February. After losing about 18lbs I have been holding steady now for about 6 weeks. I have already gone to eating one meal a day (dinner) which trims my caloric intake by about 3,000 calories a week, I walk 3 miles a day on an inclined treadmill and then spend 20 minutes on the weights. So now I'm thinking, ok, what's next? Diet? God no! You need to know that I have never met a cookie I didn't like, pastries are a food group of their own, when I increase my dairy intake it usually involves names like "Bryers, Baskin-Robbins, Edy's or Strohs" but I do it in moderation so I figure it all balances out. One of my favorite night time snacks is Frosted Brown-Sugar Cinnamon Pop Tarts while watching the tube. So I thought this can't be helping but what can I do? Aha! I said as I pushed the shopping cart down the breakfast foods isle at the supermarket, LOW FAT POP TARTS! It was a sign from God! I knew the answer to my problem I'd cut back on fat! Surely I would again start to shed pounds and it probably would be too bad for the cholesterol either! I bought a box and Saturday night, while watching the Red Wings spank Cindy...'er Sidney Crosby, I went up stairs and got a pack. I sat back down and opened the foil container anticipating the flavor of the tasty little morsel and took a big bite!! As I started to chew the image in my brain went from a dancing myriad of flavors to the floor of an old saw mill! My God I said to myself as I drank half a 20oz bottle of Pepsi, they make these LOW FAT things out of sawdust!!! No wonder diets don't work. Now, I have tried diet pop, low fat pop tarts and a few other low fat items and I can say without a shadow of a doubt, they are only suitable for laboratory test rats. The only exception to that rule is Bryers Low Fat Chocolate Ice Cream with Chocolate Chips, it has half the fat and is darn tasty! I guess I'm not in that big of a hurry to lose weight anyway.....

I just want to mention an old friend Bob Talbert who used to write a column for the Detroit Free Press. He passed away several years ago but the headline above was hi regular Monday by-line. I always loved his in site into people and events in Detroit....so I may do Monday Moanin' again some time.