SAIGONBOB

Satchel Paige-the New Book and my Cancer

 Author Larry Tye has written a new book on one of the great baseball players-Satchel Paige.
 The title is : SATCHEL--The Life and Times of an American Legend.
  I just started it, and it is a wonderful read.
  As I go into the hospital for my stem cell transplant, I can't think of a better book to escape reality and pass the time.
  Satchel was my childhood hero.  When my father was 12 years old, in Forbes Field in Pittsburgh, he sold soft drinks, while Satchel Paige pitched in a "Negro" league game.
  As a young adult, when I worked at KMPC radio in Los Angeles, I had the fortune to meet Satchel Paige.
  Even in 1965 he was in great shape--tall and slender--he came dressed in a dark suit and skinny tie, with black shoes, and white sweat socks.  I met him as he entered the station to be interviewed by sports announcer Fred Hessler and "sports at 6."
 When I was in college, I did my first public speaking class based on the autobiography by Satchel Paige, and how he learned to play baseball in the segregated south, while incarcerated in a juvenile facility.
During the summer months, I'll be listening a lot to Ella Fitzgerald, reading "Satchel," and recuperating from my transplant.
Thanks,
Bob Kholos

THE OBAMA "EFFECT."

UPDATE:(9/13/2009) It appears that the "reform" candidate in the Iranian elections lost--but there are riots in the streets--I still consider this the Obama "Effect."

It appears, after waiting for many years, we have a President who, when he speaks, the world listens.
After his speech in Cairo, an American friendly administration was voted into office in Lebanon.
Now, although the vote still hasn't been counted, and Obama reached out his diplomatic hand to the Iranians, a so called reformer has made a real challenge to the more reactionary elite of that country.
Its not a real democratic election in Iran, because the religious leaders decide who can and cannot run for public office---but it is still a major shift, particularly among the younger voters of the Shia controlled country.
This new Obama Effect is challenging the old world order, and his vision and toughness in the area of health reform, domestically, for example, has brought much of that special interest community into a movement, not seen since the persuasive Lyndon Johnson.
We may not get exactly what we want on the health care front, but because of the OBAMA EFFECT, Americans will see an entirely different health care delivery system, this time around.
Thanks
Bob Kholos

Another Stem-Cell Transplant

    

In a couple of weeks, I go into a big city hospital for a donor's stem cell transplant.
     I have had recurring Cancer for over two years now.  I did have an earlier transplant, but it was from my own body, and that didn't work.
     The doctor's are thinking that this one will work, because, in essence, I'm getting some one else's immune system.
    Of course, the danger here, is that my body rejects the transplant.  At which time, I'll be in some trouble.
    The hospital is two hours from my home, and therefore I will have to rent an apartment for 4 months.  I have to follow certain dietary rules, and be very close to the hospital for constant follow-up.
    If I get a fever, after the transplant, for example, they throw me into a special isolated Emergency Room, because I will be very susceptible to illness.
    Right now, even with my broken foot, I feel pretty good....and still blog.
     The week of June 16, I probably won't be able to blog for about a week or so....we'll see.
     While undergoing treatment, I love to listen to Ella Fitzgerald....and a friend is going to download on my MP3 player, a professor's entire course on WWII.  This should be very interesting.  I was born in Los Angeles during World War II.
      I'll be watching the usual baseball games, but unfortunately, will not be able to attend any major league games this summer. This is a real loss for me.
     When I was a young man, I wanted to be a baseball play by play announcer, and my first major job, was with KMPC radio in Los Angeles....where I got to practice sports announcing.
      Thanks for reading:
      Bob Kholos

LA Mayor Villaraigosa-- Too Controversial for Governor Run?

   

  Once again, according to the Los Angeles Times, Mayor Villaraigosa is dating another pretty TV news anchor.
     Although separated from his wife, the last time he had an affair with a Los Angeles based TV journalist, she wound up losing her job, because of conflict of interest, in her reporting of the Mayor.
     There is mounting evidence, with another affair, that Mayor Villaraigosa is much too controversial to run for Governor.
     This is a big boost of State Attorney General Jerry Brown, who is likely to capture much of the Latino vote, should Villaraigosa exit the 2010 gubernatorial contest.
     Here is an excerpt from the Los Angeles Times story, June 2, 2009.
     For follow-up check Steve Lopez column in the same newspaper:

    

KTLA

Lu Parker is a general assignment news reporter and weekend anchor for KTLA Channel 5.

L.A. mayor is dating local newscaster

Email Picture

KTLA

Lu Parker is a general assignment news reporter and weekend anchor for KTLA Channel 5.

Villaraigosa has been seeing Lu Parker of KTLA Channel 5 since March. An affair with another newscaster broke up his marriage two years ago.

By Phil Willon
June 2, 2009

A Los Angeles television reporter is dating Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, about two years after his extramarital affair with another local newscaster led to the breakup of his 20-year marriage.

KTLA-TV Channel 5 reporter Lu Parker, a former Miss U.S.A., has been dating Villaraigosa since March, station officials confirmed Monday. On Sunday, while working as a weekend anchor, Parker announced a story about the likelihood of Villaraigosa running for governor in 2010.
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Bob Kholos

Dick Cheney Should Shut Up--Draft Dodger--Mean Spirited

I've had it with that famous draft dodger from the Vietnam War, former Vice President Dick Cheney, and his "new openness."
It's hard to believe that a guy who screwed up so badly on the War in Iraq, now gets no scrutiny from the national media, when he criticizes the Obama administration.
He has the audacity to take on President Obama for going to Egypt to make a speech, while Cheney was Haliburton's "boy" as VP.(I make this comparison because Obama is above board and honest about why he is going to an Arab country, while Cheney was making war profits for his former bosses at Haliburton)
President Obama will be making a trip to Saudi Arabia, also.  It's no surprise that he won't get criticized by Cheney for that trip, considering the Saudi's owned the Bush White House.
I haven't heard one reporter ask Cheney why he avoided the draft so many times during the Vietnam War, and then didn't hesitate to send others to their deaths in Iraq.
No one is challenging Cheney on his remarks about Colin Powell, and wouldn't it have been prudent to listen to the former Chairman of the Joint Chief of staff, on going slow in Iraq.
Thanks for reading:
Bob Kholos