Morning short takes on selected news
---The second season of "Fargo" began on FX channel last night. It remains the same quirky and off beat show. The characters all seem zoned out, in a way that may be closer to real life than is apparent at first glance. If only the show was on a cable channel that had no advertisements it would be exceptional. It's still a program that definitely will be watched if the Monday night 10pm time can work out consistently.
---Tonight's Democratic debate will surely be odd. Of the five participants, two are running almost completely invisible campaigns. Jim Webb and Lincoln Chafee have absolutely nothing to lose except maybe the opportunity to appear in advertisements touting reverse mortgages to seniors or veterans. Martin O'Malley is an attention seeker, outspoken and amiable, but he barely cracks the polls at 1%. His record as governor of Maryland was far from exemplary although he really enjoyed the job. Hillary and Bernie are the show, and hopefully they are not overly disrupted by the other so-called candidates.
---The appointment of Jes Staley as CEO of Barclay's could not be a called a surprise, but it is still a choice that causes concern for that institution. The New York Times business article today describes him as "smooth and quietly ambitious". Experience here with the JPMorgan veteran would lead to calling him "obsessively self- promoting and manipulative". He was not viewed as a person of great depth except in his carefully nurtured connections, but he carries on in the world of banking.
---The success of Michael Vick last night as back-up quarterback of the Pittsburg Steelers was a redemption that was watched with interest here. He grew up in a rough culture in Virginia Beach and he was taken into its ritual behavior in a horrible way, some might say exploited. He has paid for his poor behavior and it was nice to see him back to his old style and on track at age 35.
---Tonight's Democratic debate will surely be odd. Of the five participants, two are running almost completely invisible campaigns. Jim Webb and Lincoln Chafee have absolutely nothing to lose except maybe the opportunity to appear in advertisements touting reverse mortgages to seniors or veterans. Martin O'Malley is an attention seeker, outspoken and amiable, but he barely cracks the polls at 1%. His record as governor of Maryland was far from exemplary although he really enjoyed the job. Hillary and Bernie are the show, and hopefully they are not overly disrupted by the other so-called candidates.
---The appointment of Jes Staley as CEO of Barclay's could not be a called a surprise, but it is still a choice that causes concern for that institution. The New York Times business article today describes him as "smooth and quietly ambitious". Experience here with the JPMorgan veteran would lead to calling him "obsessively self- promoting and manipulative". He was not viewed as a person of great depth except in his carefully nurtured connections, but he carries on in the world of banking.
---The success of Michael Vick last night as back-up quarterback of the Pittsburg Steelers was a redemption that was watched with interest here. He grew up in a rough culture in Virginia Beach and he was taken into its ritual behavior in a horrible way, some might say exploited. He has paid for his poor behavior and it was nice to see him back to his old style and on track at age 35.
posted by John Borden at 11:30 AM
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