Shout Outs

Quick words of recognition, praise and encouragement on this Monday evening:

- A hearty backslap and "well-deserved!" to newly-bestowed Pulitzeree Nick Kristof, who won his award for commentary today, partially for his columns on the slaughter in Darfur and particularly (in this blogger's eyes) for introducing the world to the magnificent human strength of Pakistani hero Mukhtaran Bibi. Now if only the Times would tear down their egregious wall.

- Best of luck to the Rev. Tom Watson in the New Orleans election. Sure, the name is pure magic. Goes without saying. But the Rev. Tom - himself a refugee in Texas post-Katrina - seems a real strong candidate in a crowded field, possibly a unifying force. As my parliamentary namesake points out, there are at least two Democratic TW's active in the nation today. UPDATE: The TW connection is called out by, well, this TW, the one with the cool extra "h." And funnily enough, I also received an email today asking for advice on a vintage Fender Stratocaster from well-known guitar writer (and editor of Strat Collector), the fretful Tom Watson. Wrong guy, of course. I play a Tele.

- Finally, a throaty whoop for another great Democrat and his triumphant colleagues: young Carlos Delgado, who went yard (as the roustabouts say) in tonight's big Pedro Martinez win over the formerly dynastic swells of the NL East, your Atlanta Braves. Mssrs. Wright, Reyes, Beltran, LoDuca, Nady, Floyd have the big cat at the center of their lineup - and good lefty Billy Wagner in the ninth. 10-2. A five-game lead. Echoes of '86?

Comments

[Tony Alva]

"...over the formerly dynastic swells of the NL East, your Atlanta Braves."

I wouldn't be too quick to label them "formerly" :-)

[Eric]

Second Tony Alva's caution against assigning the Braves any "former" status. Yes, their starters have a composite ERA that would be dreadful for even the Rockies; and yes, the Mets have at least 5 top-quality hitters. (We can argue about Reyes' ability to consume outs...) But the Mets staff has the potential to implode in any month of the season; the Braves will perform better (and will be bolstered by the return of Chipper in the next 10 days); and I tip my cap to the conventional wisdom that you don't pick against the Braves to win the NL East until the year after they lose it. (14 straight and counting...)
On a personal note, it's good to see that you and other true Met fans -- rather than the "fans" who've been showing up as of the team's fast start -- have reason to be giddy again.
Best of luck for the remaining 150 games.

[Tom K]

Nobody's as good as they look while going 10-2, but these Mets seem like the real deal to me. I have doubts about Reyes and LoDuca at the 1-2 spots, especially about Reyes getting on base enough, but he's young and improving and does many other things well. Even if his OBP proves sub-par for leadoff, they have enough strengths to offset that. Assuming the pitchers stay healthy (esp. but not only Pedro), 92-95 wins seems a very reasonable estimate.

[Tom W.]

Yeah, Reyes was 5th in the NL in hits last year and 11th in runs, top 20 in total bases - to go with being 1st in SBs and triples. And I think he's getting better at age 23. OBP is not the end-all to me: it's just part of the story. The kid can play. But I would like to see Beltran hit 2nd and Wright 3rd...

[Tom K]

I understand someone used to run a blog at this address. Anyone heard anything about that?

[DEAN BERRY -- REAL AMERICAN]

JESUS CHRIST HAS REMOVED HIS BLESSING FROM AMERICA AS HE IS WONT TO DO WHEN A NATION BECOMES THOROUGHLY CORRUPT AND MURDEROUS. THANKS TO THE CONFUSATIVES/AMERINAZIS.

http://www.deanberryministries.org/index3.html

DINOBERRY@FRONTIERNET.NET

[mel]

Jesus and the Virgin Mary appeared to the late Veronica Leuken in Bayside New York from 1970-1995 and gave her over 300 messages of great urgency for all mankind in our times. To read the messages and miraculous events that occurred over the years at this great apparition site bring up their websites at www.smwa.org and www.tldm.org

[Mel]

Background story to
Our Lady's appearances
to Veronica of the Cross
Veronica of the Cross Index | Home

This beautiful story of grace, peace and redemption opened publicly on June 18, 1970 when the Mother of God visited Veronica Lueken on the grounds of the old St. Robert Bellarmine Church in Bayside, New York and later at the Vatican Pavilion site (blessed by Pope Paul VI) in Flushing Meadows Park, New York. Beginning in 1968, St. Theresa the Little Flower prepared Veronica for these Heavenly apparitions.

It was at the original St. Robert Bellarmine Church in Bayside, New York, that Jesus and Mary would regularly appear to Veronica from 1970 to 1975. The Virgin promised that a miraculous spring of curative waters will one day erupt on these grounds (just like in Lourdes, France) and that She will also appear over this church building (May 17, 1986). Also, it is here that will rise the magnificent basilica prophesied by Our Lady.


For 25 years, the Virgin Mary and Her Divine Son would appear to this mother of five children during Rosary Vigils until her passing in 1995. At the request of Our Lady, a Sunday Holy Hour for the Pope and priests was also established.

Over 300 comprehensive messages packed with guidance and wisdom for these latter days were transmitted through this seer named by Heaven, Veronica of the Cross.

The lay Order of St. Michael, a vibrant community of dedicated, celibate men have been appointed by Heaven to lead this global mission. Our Lady has prophesied that from this lay order will emerge the full-fledged religious Order of St. Michael, an order founded on tradition, which will also include women.

The Vatican Pavilion Site

The prayer services have been held here since May 1975. Jesus and Mary regularly appeared here to Veronica of the Cross from 1975 to 1994. Michelangelo's Pieta was exhibited here during the 1964-65 New York World's Fair and it was on October 4, 1965 that Pope Paul VI capped off his historic journey to the United States with a visit here, bestowing an Apostolic Blessing to the multitudes.

Our Lady has also stated that curative waters will erupt and a magnificent basilica will be erected at the original site of St. Robert’s.

The Vigils and Holy Hours continue to this day at the Vatican Pavilion inspired by Our Lord’s promise: “We have made Our home upon these grounds.” Cures and conversions abound and for countless pilgrims, faith and hope have been restored. We invite you to join us.