Number Six and Mr. Roarke are cancelled forever

Patrick McGoohan, left, and Riccardo Montalban

Two icons of television passed away within a few hours of one another yesterday. One had a rather prominent place in the pantheon of my youthful heroes, while the other was not, but was someone I met in real life. Patrick McGoohan, 80, and Riccardo Montalban, 88, may have not been on the A-list for most people in Hollywood, but they both played characters who were larger than life. McGoohan was "Number Six" in the strange cult-followed British TV series "The Prisoner," but he was also more than that. The season before McGoohan premiered as the captive on the strange little island, he was the epitome of the British super spy in the short-lived series "Secret Agent Man." Although the series only lasted for one season, its theme song by Baton Rouge native Johnny Rivers was a mainstay of the Sixties at parties and other events where music was played. It was during the height of the interest in the James Bond films starring Sean Connery and McGoohan played the role with aplomb. I loved watching it. McGoohan also played a great villain as evidenced in the first Gene Wilder - Richard Pryor pairing in "The Silver Streak" or as King Edward Longshanks in "Braveheart." He was always cocksure and brooding and I loved him as an actor. Montalban, on the other hand, started work in Hollywood as a singer in movie musicals of all things. Most people will remember him for his role as the mysterious Mr. Roarke on "Fantasy Island," the hit ABC series of the early 1970s. Of course, trekers (or trekies) will recall him as Khan Noonien Singh, the eventual villain in "Start Trek II: The Wrath of Khan." Montalban was way past his prime as an actor when he happened into a jazz club in New Orleans in the late 1980s. He came in one winter night with an entourage and it was decided to let him into the club as a celebrity. I couldn't help noticing he was wearing a leather jacket and...yes...I couldn't help it...I asked him if it was made "of rich, Corninthian leather." To his credit, he laughed genuinely with me, even if he had heard that line 10,000 times before. In any event, he was gracious and I enjoyed sharing a piece of New Orleans with him as he and his guest plainly enjoyed the music that night. So, goodnight, "Number Six" (or as he became in the last episode "Number Two")and goodnight Mr. Roarke. May you both rest in peace until reruns.

A teacher says goodbye to New Orleans

The Recovery School District in New Orleans has lost yet another dedicated teacher in its ongoing work in progress towards improvement in public education. This teacher took a chance and hoped that she could make a difference. She contacted officials in New Orleans and alerted them that she was available and willing to leave her home on a long term basis in order to apply for a position with them. After months of the application process in which her certifications were checked, she made several trips back and forth to the city at great expense. Finally, in July she was told to report to work by the middle of the next week. She started off the school year with promise in her heart. In the end she found the system so broken down that there was little doubt she could accomplish very much and it became increasingly clear that conditions would never improve. As to discipline in the classroom, a few of the children were entirely out of control. Many had never attended pre-schools and lacked the most basic tools in learning. In some cases they lacked proper skills and manners such as how to properly hold a fork at mealtime or a pencil in the classroom. The children and the teachers were forced to endure impossible hours. Paul Vallas, the superintendent of the Recovery School District, implemented a school schedule that stretched from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. School teachers found precious little time for bathroom breaks during the day and the only downtime seemed to be during lunch. The conditions endured by faculty and students alike throughout the school day were nothing less than horrid. Like others in the Recovery School District, this teacher spent many of her own dollars on school supplies that should have been provided by the Recovery School District such as paper or pens. What became unimaginable and eventually intolerable for this teacher was the sad fact that the education of many of the students in her elementary classroom was being hijacked by the one or two who acted out throughout the day. If they were incapable of understanding the work or were bored, all they had to do was act outlandish or threaten other students. Their behavior would bring about the total disruption in the classroom and the teacher would have to stop instruction in order to attend to the behavioral problems of the one or the few. It was a way for these students to "dumb down" the educational process, guaranteeing that all would eventually fail in the wake of their disruptions. Sadly, this teacher who had big hopes for making a difference in the lives of Hurricane Katrina affected youngsters is preparing to go back from whence she came, a drive of well over a thousand miles and several states away. So goes the hopes of one teacher who wanted to make a difference. How sad for her and how sad for the Recovery School District.

A rally by any other name

Four area cantors sing "Am Yisoel Chai ("The People of Israel Live") at the JCC

Last night the Jewish community-at-large and segments of other communities (notably the Coushatta Nation and a representative of the Baptist community) assembled together at the uptown JCC in solidarity with Israel as it entered its second week of fighting against Hamas. The program was spirited with an opening outside by Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans executive director Michael Weil. Weil, a citizen of the United Kingdom with two daughters living in Israel told of how the rocket attacks launched by Hamas terrorists in Gaza now threatened them both. Small glowsticks were passed out to the crowd who lifted them high in solidarity with the Jewish state as large candles burned in a menorah at the front entrance of the JCC. Weil then invited three area cantors and one cantorial solist to sing two powerful renditions of "Am Yisroel Chai ("The People of Israel Live")" and "Od Yavo Shalom (Peace Will Come")" before leading everyone in the singing of "Hatikvah ("The Hope")," the Israeli national anthem. Afterwards everyone was invited inside to hear from several of the invited speakers. Touro Synagogue Rabbi Alexis Berk spoke first on behalf of the New Orleans Rabbinic Council. Then came an impassioned City Councilman-at-Large Arnie Fielkow, a probable entrant in the next mayor's race. Speaking as both a concerned public leader and a prominent Jew, Fielkow spoke more about Israel than I ever had heard him before. He alerted everyone that his speech was going to run over the alloted three minutes the program had offered him. No one minded a bit. He was very dynamic and downright statesmanlike. Community shalicha Savion Medaleion spoke of the ongoing psychological damage suffered by the constant barrage of missile, rocket and mortar attacks and the loss felt by the entire Israeli community when one 17-year-old female was killed in one such attack, acting as a shield to save her 12-year-old brother. Congregation Beth Israel's chazzan (cantor) Ofer Kurtsberg, a native of Sderot, spoke of his personal knowledge of family and friends who are in constant peril. First Baptist Church senior pastor David Crosby offered unwavering support from the Christian community in a short address to the mostly-Jewish crowd. Next up was the vice chairman of the Coushatta Tribe, David Sickey. Since last November, the Coushatta Tribe situated in Louisiana and Mississippi became the first Native American tribe to recognize the state of Israel. So, it was deemed most appropriate for a representative of another sovereign nation to lend its support for Israel at the public forum. The last invited speaker to appear was Asher Yarden, the Consul General for the State of Israel representing the Southwest United States, which includes -- by Israel's figuring -- the New Orleans metropolitan area. Yarden's speech spoke to the heart of the reasons that the Jewish state could no longer tolerate the status quo. He bemoaned the loss of life, but spoke to the moral imperative that Israel has placed at the fore in their struggle against Hamas. Echoing earlier statements that Rabbi Berk uttered, Yarden exclaimed that Israel has chosen life, not embraced death as their enemies. He pointed out the extreme measures Israel has taken in calling their targets and advising them to vacate their premises because an attack was forthcoming. Hamas leaders would gather their families around them, foolishly believing that Israel would stand down, he continued. But Israel will no longer back down to Hamas or any other terrorist group that feels they can threaten them with a possible backlash of unpopular world opinion. The greatest duty a government has in its charge is to protect its citizens, he continued. As long as a threat from Hamas continues, Israel will continue to wage war against them, Yarden vowed. The final words for the evening came once again from Federation executive director Weil, who expressed his thanks for all who had been in attendance in solidarity with Israel at the gathering. Once again,"Hatikvah" was sung and the crowd dispersed. It was a powerful night and, like the national anthem that resonated throughout the auditorium, everyone left with a feeling of hope for Israel. (A highlights video is available online by clicking here.)

Oh, I see one ate very well

What is it about January 8 that makes it so very special? True, today is the 194th anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans, but not to downplay the contributions of Andrew Jackson and Jean Lafitte, I am more keen to look back in history to this date...less nine months. What I mean is: what is it about April 8 (or dates around then) that inspires genius in the progeny of lovers who romp in Cupid's grove at that time? Let's examine the record: January 8 is the birthdate for several composers of note including Robert Schumann. Also, for those of you who remember several James Bond theme songs, it's the birthday for Shirley Bassey, who still has the record for the most Bond title songs sung. Most of us know that this would have been the 74th birthday of the King, Elvis Presley. But how many of you know that it's also the birthday for David Bowie (his 62nd) and the Doors' Robby Krieger (his 68th)? Children's author R. L. Stine, who is one of the most prolific of authors, was also born on this date in 1943 and the incredible genius of Stephen Hawking entered the black hole of existence on this date exactly one year before. Director John McTiernan (Diehard, Predator and The Hunt for Red October) is one of several stars of the big screen and Darrell Hammond of Saturday Night Live fame is one of the small screen stars born this date. They are a fairly disparate group, but all brilliant in their own way. Yes, the cold of today's winter makes me think of the warm, inviting spring day that brought about these incredible celebrities. All of them have made a significant impact on me and maybe even you. And as the King would say, "Thank you....thank you very much!"

The Extinguished Senator from Illinois

The drama in the Senate as the 111th Congress of the United States assembled for the first time was palpable. Not since John F. Kennedy's days as the junior senator from Massachusetts has a member of the world's most exclusive club vacated his post because of his selection as president. As any student of the Constitution knows, when a senator resigns office or dies in office, his replacement is made by an appointment from the sitting governor of that state. The Constitution is very specific about this, because our founding fathers considered the Senate as the "upper" body of Congress, not unlike the House of Lords is considered in Great Britain. If a member of the lower house needs replacement, as in the case of the House of Representatives, an election process is instituted. This was a compromise between federalists and those favoring states rights at the time of the drafting of the Constitution. Many of our revered early leaders felt the people should not be entrusted with direct replacement of a member of the upper chamber and named governors as those who could best determine the best person for the job. Sometimes this causes major difficulties. When Louisiana Senator Allen J. Ellender, the 94th president pro tempore of the Senate, died in 1972, he was already in the midst of a re-election campaign against J. Bennett Johnston, who had just lost the gubernatorial election to Edwin Edwards and decided to throw his hat into the ring. Edwards was forced to name someone to the Senate right away whom he could trust. So who did he name to the Senate? Why , none other than his own wife Elaine! She served as the junior Senator from Louisiana from July to November of 1972 and resigned to give eventual winner of the campaign, J. Bennett Johnston, more seniority. Illinois Governor Rob Blagojevich may have been crazy to think he could sell a Senate seat to Obama's replacement, but give the man credit. At least he didn't try to put his wife into the chair. Meanwhile, Roland Burris, the former attorney general of Illinois whom Blagojevich named to fill the vacancy, is clearly enjoying himself at center stage in the media circus. He'll be back again today to try to persuade other Senators that his appointment is legitimate, which I believe it is. Also, there have been a number of former detractors, like Diane Feinstein, who now believe he should be seated among all the other members of the Senate. Burris could be seated as early as today or tomorrow if Feinstein's influence has anything to do about it. Then again, it is possible that Burris may be heading back to Illinois with his proverbial tail between his legs. We shall see. There is also the tale of woe in Minnesota that needs to be played out as the junior senator-to-be Al Franken is being challenged by the incumbent Senator Norm Coleman after a recount certified the former rather than the latter as the winner. That contest will be determined by the courts, a precedent of which was set in the 2000 year election for president. Hmmm... that's a switch. Normally comedians make fun of politicians. What happens when the politicians turn out to be comedians?

A wholly unacceptable holy war

As the Bush regime prepares to give way to the Obama administration, there would seem little time in Washington to focus on world events. But the situation in Israel and in Gaza needs to be examined if only to decry the bloodshed going on unabated by both sides and to try to put in a U.S.-sponsored peace initiative there. It is my understanding from experts who have assessed the situation that the current ground engagement that follows the nearly several days-old Israeli air pummeling could take many weeks to complete and could ramp up the death toll considerably on both sides. That is clearly not acceptable given the whole scale numbers of dead left in the wake of Israeli bombing and shelling. The Israeli response has been planned for well over a year and has been carefully considered after constant barrages from Gaza openly sanctioned by Hamas. Ehud Olmert is acting as the most entrenched Prime Minister Israel can ever have. Despite a shaky future due to suggestions of political pandering and the threat of indictments from his political foes, Olmert is, by nature of the Israeli Constitution, incapable of being driven from office during this period while he is in charge of a caretaker government. This is hard for Americans to understand, but Canadians and members of the United Kingdom know how coalition governments work. Olmert is acting decisively and swiftly because in another month, he will be forced to relinquish his post when new elections are scheduled. It had long been the hope of American interests that the Middle East plans pushed forth by presidents and secretaries of state would materialize into democratically-elected regimes representing governments for the people and by the people. How horrible it must have been for Washington players to have seen the results of the 2006 election that legitimized Hamas as a government in place of the Palestine Authority headed up by Mahmoud Abbas. While both Palestinian groups call themselves freedom fighters, the freedom they most desire makes no contingencies for peaceful coexistence with Israel. What they want is freedom from Israel based on post 1917 and pre-1948 borders, but that will never happen as long as present day U.S. policy and the sovereign nation of Israel exist. The response to the cross border rocket attacks by Hamas seems to be out of proportion. Yet, when one considers that Israel has suffered through thousands of seemingly endless attacks over the last year and a half (most notably in Sderot) and that everyone has lived under imminent threat (including infants and schoolchildren) every day and night during that time, the response may seem more justifiable. I recall that Gaza was given to the Palestine Authority by the Israelis in the hope they would use the land to establish a peaceful government that would improve their people's lot in life. Instead, the continued use of homicide bombers and terrorist rocket attacks have resulted in a controversial security wall being erected and this multi-faceted retaliation by the Israelis. Given this small window of opportunity, I have no doubt the Israeli military will be harsh in its response to Hamas. Veteran Washington players and the President-Elect have largely been mum on what is happening in Gaza right now. The fighting is not localized to Gaza. As an American, I believe the biggest problem to shake out of this conflict has been the organized nationwide response by Palestinian interests. There have been huge rallies with horrible racist banners that advocate launching nuclear attacks against Israel, for example. One might think that these protests are taking place in areas where there are large Islamic populations. Not so. These protests are taking place in metropolitan areas, many in and around major Jewish communities. The protests will not abate until a cease-fire is put into place and that won't happen in my opinion until a military solution finds favor in Israel's eyes with the elimination of Hamas' capacity to launch unchecked rocket attacks in the future. A report in Haaretz suggests the Israelis won't stop Operation Cast Lead until they recapture and reoccupy the entire Gaza Strip. Surely, that won't make the protestors happy, but it may relieve a lot of uneasiness in Washington.

The anniversary of Kosher Computing

Congratulations! I've made it to my first anniversary as a blogger. The past year has proven to be full of challenges and has been a fairly instructive period for me as I took a journeyman's leap into the blogosphere. Yet, it has been richly rewarding and, I hope for you, very productive in terms of output and what I had intended to create with Kosher Computing. Although the number of comments has been a bit lower than what I had hoped, those that have chosen to do so have in almost all cases had salient points they wanted to raise and to which I paid close attention. As a journalist, I have attempted to keep the highest levels of ethics and have tried to be objective in a great many, but not all, cases. A blog tends to be of a very personal nature and therefore requires some subjectivity from time to time. It is my desire to not go overboard in this regard. So, if anyone wishes to object to anything I have written, you need only post a response online. No one has been edited in this past year and I hope that the need will not arise to curtail readers' opinions in the future. With my second year now beginning, I want to continue to pledge myself to the task of reporting items of interest in a fair and timely fashion and to make comments that are deemed appropriate, if not specifically on target. Thank you all for being with me through this first important and formative year. I hope year number two offers us time and opportunity to share and consider a multitude of new thoughts and ideas on a variety of topics.

Wishing you all the best,

Alan