Ten Great Songs From One Great Year

1986

1986 was the year of the Challenger disaster. The Russians opened the Mir Space Station and that same month, Pixar Studios opened for business. It was also the year Geraldo Rivera opened Al Capone's secret vault and the nuclear reactor at the Chernobyl Power Plant, in Pripyat, Ukraine, explodes - killing an estimated 4,000 people and causing the entire area to be permanently quarantined.

In June, Jonathon Pollard plead guilty to spying for Israel, Len Bias - the second overall selection by the Boston Celtics in the NBA Draft, suffers a fatal cardiac arrhythmia from a cocaine overdose. Eric Thomas develops LISTSERV, the first email list management software and U.S. Postal Service employee Patrick Sherrill guns down 14 of his co-workers before committing suicide.

In October, President Ronald Reagan met with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in Reykjavík, Iceland, to continue discussions about scaling back their intermediate missile arsenals in Europe. Also, the Iran-Contra affair first becomes public. In December, three black men are assaulted by a group of white teens, in Howard Beach (Queens, NY). One of the victims, Michael Griffith, is run over and killed by a motorist while attempting to flee the attackers.

Sara -- Starship



Something About You -- Level 42



Big Man on Mulberry Street -- Billy Joel



Falling in Love -- The Miami Sound Machine



Russians -- Sting



Rain on the Scarecrow -- John Cougar Mellencamp



Tonight She Comes -- The Cars



Calling America -- Electric Light Orchestra



Only Love Knows Why -- Peter Cetera



Black and White -- Jackson Brown



BONUS TRACK

I Wanna Be a Cowboy -- Boys Don't Cry

"You would think they'd be saying 'thank you'."

Ten Great Songs From One Great Son

Mayer's list

When I decided to start blogging again, I knew I would continue my Top Ten Songs list. It was a lot of fun to do and the responses I received were always very good. Through the lists, I connected with some of the artists who I profiled and also friends of those artists.

Usually, I focus on a particular year, or decade. On occasion, I'll feature a single artist or band. But this week, I was asked by my oldest son, Mayer, to create a list of his favorite songs. Before I do this, I'd like to tell you a little about my boy.

Mayer was born in December 1993, in Sinai Hospital in Detroit. From birth, we knew he was different from other kids. Very early on, we feared he was autistic. He was showing all the classic signs of it and, as young parents with a 2 year old daughter, we weren't prepared for such a challenge. Because of hos issues, he was a very difficult child who cried and fussed a lot He was delayed in everything. But interestingly, he excelled at jigsaw puzzles well beyond his age level. Furthermore, he was showing signs of a remarkable memory.

When he was almost 3, an event happened that seemed to "wake him" up. Although he was only in a particular school for a few weeks, he was allowed to take part in the class' graduation ceremony. For the first time, Mayer smiled and laughed and he seemed to revel in the new attention he was receiving. From that time on, Mayer started to come out of his shell and begin to show promise.

Over the following years, Mayer handled all the changes and issues that was thrown at him. He was deeply affected by my illness and he began having serious issues at the school he was in. It became apparent that a change needed to be made. Once I was well enough, we moved back to Chicago and hoped for a more settled life. But a year later, his newest school folded and he was forced to attend another school. Unfortunately, the students at this new school decided that because Mayer was a little different, he could just be ignored or made fun of. This has continued through high school as well.

On the other side, Mayer is a very intelligent kid who has been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome. This form of autism affects social skills more than anything else. And when you are in high school, nothing matters more than your social life. It's heartbreaking to me and his mother when we see how depressed and discouraged he is because he desperately wants to be accepted by everyone and considered just another guy. But he also knows he isn't.

Mayer has a wicked sense of humor, loves sports - especially the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers (well, look who his dad is). But he also likes the Cubs and the Bulls. He is devoted deeply to his brothers and sister, as well. He's a great kid and someone worth befriending because he is a very loyal person who wants everyone to get along. He is my oldest boy and I can not be any more proud of the man he's becoming.

Come Sail Away -- Styx



Don't Stop Believing -- Journey



Dream On -- Aerosmith



Livin' on a Prayer -- Bon Jovi



Follow You Down -- The Gin Blossoms



Stairway to Heaven -- Led Zeppelin



Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) -- Green Day



More Than a Feeling -- Boston



Bohemian Rhapsody -- Queen



Hotel California --The Eagles

Ten Great Songs From One Great Year

1979

The biggest selling band of the decade, The Bee Gees, started off their last great year fronting a benefit concert for UNICEF. While they still dominated the charts in '79, the next year brought the end of disco and the Brothers Gibb's chart dominance to a screeching halt. That same month (January) saw the end of a somewhat democratic Iran, as Muslim fanatics overthrew the government and eventually held 53 American hostages for 444 days. Thus began the inevitable downfall of President Jimmy Carter.

In what was soon to become a worldwide juggernaut, Sony Corporation releases the Sony Walkman in Japan. This was the first widespread use of a personal music player. In Chicago, in a between-doubleheader, promotional event between the hometown White Sox and Detroit Tigers, WLUP disc jockeys Steve Dahl and Gary Meier, in conjunction with White Sox owner Bill Veeck and others, devised a promotion that involved people bringing unwanted disco music records to the game in exchange for an admission fee of 98¢ (the fee representing the station's location on the FM dial, 97.9). The records would be collected, placed in a large crate in center field, and blown up by Dahl. The ensuing riot and fiasco caused the last forfeiture of a baseball game and caused the "blacklisting" of Mike Veeck (the owner's son who was the "brains" of the event) from Major League Baseball.

Nuclear energy becomes a major issue when reactor 2 at Three Mile Island melted down. While there were no deaths or even any health risks to the general public, outcry over the safety of nuclear power became a hot button issue. In September, Pioneer 11 becomes the first spacecraft to orbit Saturn. The year ends with the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. It is the beginning a a now 3 decade struggle for the Eastern nation.

Heart of Glass -- Blondie



The King of Hollywood -- The Eagles



Fire -- The Pointer Sisters



Rosalinda's Eyes -- Billy Joel



Is She Really Going Out With Him -- Joe Jackson



No More Tears) Enough is Enough) -- Barbara Streisand and Donna Summer



What You Won't Do for Love -- Bobby Caldwell



Sail On -- The Commodores



The Devil Went Down to Georgia -- The Charlie Daniels Band



This Night Won't Last Forever -- Michael Johnson



BONUS TRACK

The Rainbow Connection -- Kermit the Frog

The "Death Penalty" Awaits

This post will not be long because everyone already knows the horrid details out of Penn State University. The sheer criminality of the acts are outweighed by the incompetent reaction of the school's staff. And if it weren't incompetence that allowed these sexual assaults to continue for years, then it was blatant cover up in order to remain a successful (read: profitable) school.

I recall in the mid 1980's, living in Dallas at the outbreak of the Southern Methodist University scandal. In that case, SMU had been warned a number of times about serious violations occurring at the school. Even the-then Governor of Texas, Bill Clements, had his administration marred by the ongoing scandal - from which he was implicated, as well.

Because of the seriousness of the charges, the NCAA - which had threatened such action - imposed the "death penalty" upon the Mustang's football program. While SMU may appear to be some small, insignificant program, in it the 1980's - led by future NFL Hall of Hamer Eric Dickerson, as well as former New England Patriots running back Chris James - the Mustangs became a powerhouse in the now-defunct Southwestern Conference. In fact, in 1982, they won the conference with a 10-0-1 record, rated as high as #2 in the nation after defeating Dan Marino's Pittsburgh Panthers in the Cotton Bowl.

So SMU's decline was a stunning development - and a well deserved one as well. Of course, there were many people who felt that it was unfair to punish the entire program for the actions of just a few boosters, coaches and students. But the only way to ensure the rehabilitation of the program was to start over again.

The argument was made that football should not be a priority on campus while they have so much corruption that needs to be cleans away. It was painful - especially for those who recently joined the team. But for the most part, the student body, while discouraged and angry, moved on to the business of rebuilding SMU's reputation. It took almost 20 years for their football program to begin again. And now, after just 5 seasons, they have won a bowl game and have applied to join the Big 12 Conference. It's a great story of repentance and renewal.

In Happy Valley, we are seeing something far, far worse than recruiting violations. We are seeing sexual abuses to minors by a member of the football staff that has been going on since 1998. In addition, while certain officials did bring this story up the ladder, it either didn't make it to the top, or it was conveniently put aside. The only excuse for doing that was fear of the fallout, should they get caught.

Unfortunately, the pain from earlier fallout pales in comparison to the pain Penn State is suffering through today.

It would be very easy for me to blame Joe Paterno, Mike McQuearry or any other official who was told of the assault, but never followed through. In fact, as far as I'm concerned, JoPa may well have done nothing legally wrong. But as the head coach - an perhaps the most recognizable coach in all of college football, it falls on him to be on top of everything that happens within that program. You do not coach at one place for 60 years without being the main guy.

But aside from the coaches and other officials. What this scandal has done to Penn State is nothing short of disastrous. Every game played between the Nittany Lions and any opponent will be marred on television with respect to the charges. Players will be hounded relentlessly for soundbites from the media and the school will go from a place of education to a circus.

Like it happened to the innocent Mustang players before, Penn State must immediately shut down its football program. If they don't, it is very likely the NCAA will shut it down for them. At least if PSU goes first, they will begin to appreciate the errors in judgement and begin to mend their ways.

This is not something that can be excused by cancelling a game or two. The entire program must be gutted and given time to mourn. College football will survive - in fact, it will gain a greater respect for authority. And when PSU is able to put the past behind them, they should follow SMU's role and start off small.

It is the very least they could do for the 10 year old boys who did nothing but idolize Jerry Sandusky - all the way to the wall. No one is more vilified than a man who chooses to rape a young boy. The stench of this scandal will take years to dissipate. Keeping their football team active only serves a reminder of what is more important - life over football.

Penn State, do the right thing.

Is This What You Wanted, America?

Do you remember, back in 2008, when President Obama said we have to "fundamentally change" the United States of America?

For those 53% of America who voted, are you happy now?

Take a good look at the "Occupy" crowd. You know, the ones sexually assaulting women, defecating in bank buildings and police cars, setting fires to condominiums, rioting against police, marching with Neo-Nazis, Communists and anti-Semites.

This is your change, America.

Obama said back then that "We cannot continue to rely only on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives that we've set. We've got to have a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded."

Since our mainstream seems so efficient at digging up innuendos, rumors and any bit of dirt they can on Conservative blacks and women, perhaps one of them should have inquired what, exactly, Mr. Obama meant.

It goes without saying that the media spent more time and energy vilifying Herman Cane in one day than they spent connecting the then-future President to his strong ties to radical Marxists, Islamists and unrepentant terrorists.

Do you recall when Joe Biden said, "Mark my words. It will not be six months before the world tests Barack Obama like they did John Kennedy. The world is looking. We’re about to elect a brilliant 47-year-old senator president of the United States of America. Remember I said it standing here if you don’t remember anything else I said. Watch, we’re gonna have an international crisis, a generated crisis, to test the mettle of this guy"?

So let's count up the "international crisis" that have transpired under Obama...

Iran - Obama ignored the "Green Revolution" and instead sided with the Mullahs (in the interest of his insistence that we could be "friends" with these maniacs. Had Obama offered support for the protesters, the likelihood that we would now be facing a nuclear Iran is at best minimal.

Iraq - During his campaign, Obama repeated called the Iraq War a terrible mistake and voted against the surge that secured what should have been a victory. However, he has now gone against his military experts (who know a thing or two more that he does) and has idiotically announced a complete withdrawal of military personnel in the Iraq theater. Thereby basically allowing Iran to fill the void left by American withdrawal. Like in Vietnam, we are basically leaving those who needed us that they are on their own. No wonder the world hates us.

Russia - One of the first decisions Obama made as President was to renege on President Bush's promise to Poland to build a missile defense shield program. He did this in order to "reset" relations with Russia. However, aside from the fact that under President Bush, Russia and the US got along fine, it was a total betrayal to Eastern Europe and leaves them at the mercy of both a more aggressive Russia and a psychotic Iran.

Egypt - Whether or not Hosni Mubarak was good for Egypt or not, the way Obama handled the situation was nothing less than incompetent. His calling for Mubarak's dismissal, after saying he should stay - and ignoring the ultimate outcome of a power vacuum that is being filled by the murderous Muslim Brotherhood, set the stage for the massacre of the Coptic Christian population, as well as Egypt's severed peace with Israel.

Libya - This was another terrible mess. Obama completely overstepped his authority in bombing the Hell out of Libya. Again, losing Gaddafi was not a terrible outcome. However, Obama sided with our sworn enemies of Al-Qaeda in order to accomplish this feat. Now, with Gaddafi dead, Libya has accepted Sharia law to the strictest. I guess the liberation of Libya wasn't also for women, Christians or Jews. Nice Job.

Syria - See Iran.

Forget for a moment that under Obama, the economy is in the toilet, unemployment is still around 9% (under employment estimated around 20%), the US is $15 trillion in debt and the President's signature legislation - ObamaCare is a complete disaster that is just as unpopular today as it was when it was forced down the nation's throat. Forget the fact that while Obama promised to have the "most ethical, transparent administration, the scandals that are currently plaguing the White House makes the Nixon administration jealous.

Forget all that for a moment and answer this - how do you possibly re-elect Obama at a time when his incompetence on the world stage is so glaring?

I give credit to the man for hunting down and killing Osama Bin Laden. I'll even give him credit for Gaddafi's demise. But neither of these accomplishments were his alone and they are terribly inconsequential in the grand scheme of things.

I do want to point out that this is not a comparison between President Obama and President Bush. There were a number of issues where Bush failed as well. I am simply stating the truth about Obama. This is also not an endorsement of any of the Republican candidates in the race. Obviously, there are questions regarding which one of them is the best option for 2012.

All this is is a condemnation on the record of President Obama and a rational reason why he should be soundly defeated next November.

Brilliant and necessary.

Ten Great Songs From One Great Year

1993

The year started with the inauguration of William Jefferson Clinton, as the 42nd President of the United States. Less than a month later, Vaclav Havel is elected President of the Czech Republic. Also in politics, Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney resigns amidst political and economic turmoil. Kim Campbell, his successor, becomes Canada's first female Prime Minister. However, she resigns from the Conservative Party in November. General Motors sues NBC, after Dateline NBC allegedly rigged 2 crashes showing that some GM pickups can easily catch fire if hit in certain places. Just a few days later, Islamic terrorists set off explosives in the garage of North Tower of the World Trade Center.

April brought in the stand off at the Branch Davidian complex, in Waco, ends in a fire that kills 76 people. A few days later, the Holocaust Museum is opened in Washington, D.C. The end of April saw tennis star Monica Seles stabbed in the back by an obsessed fan of Steffi Graf. Joe Carter, of the Toronto Blue Jays, hits a 3-run home run to win game 6 of the World Series, giving Toronto back to back championships. In football, the Dallas Cowboys became the third straight NFC East team to win the Super Bowl, beating the Buffalo Bills 52-17 in Super Bowl XXVII. And in pro basketball, Michael Jordan leads the Chicago Bulls to their 3rd straight NBA title.

In what was the first alleged scandal for President Clinton, Deputy Council Vince Foster committed suicide in July. Microsoft Windows changed the way we used computers with the release of Windows 3.1. The year ends with America embroiled in the Savings and Loan scandal, while President Clinton signs the North American Free Trade agreement.

Come Undone -- Duran Duran



Two Princes -- Spin Doctors



Bed of Roses -- Bon Jovi



Cryin' -- Aerosmith



Linger -- The Cranberries



Because the Night - 10,000 Maniacs



Man on the Moon -- R.E.M



Sober -- Tool



Found Out About You -- Gin Blossoms



Daughter -- Pearl Jam

Why he was the best Mayor in NYC's history:

Unoccupied

So, what I have I missed since I last wrote?

This "Occupy" nonsense is quickly getting out of hand. Aside from the fact that no one has a clue why they are there, it has become a breeding ground for anarchy and violence. Again today, there were two more stories of sexual assault. And in Oakland, rioters destroyed stores, banks and other businesses. In NY, a Kosher restaurant has had to lay off 21 workers because Mayor Bloomberg refuses to clean up the area around Zuccotti Park. Instead, they have kept barriers in place, which has dried up foot traffic in the Wall Street area.

The shame is two-fold. For those who truly feel that there is a reason to protest, they are protesting he wrong people. Actually, their complaint is not dissimilar to the Tea Party. The Tea Party also believes the bailouts were wrong. However, these protesters in Zuccotti Park (and elsewhere) are calling for more government regulation and action, without realizing (or caring) that it's government largess that is the problem. What they should be doing is marching on Washington. After all, the banks have been forced to take the bail-out money, as crazy as that sounds. Furthermore, most of the banks have paid back the money they were forced to take.

The second shame is that the protests have been co-opted - first by the Communist Party and then by anarchists. In fact, prisoners released from Rikers Island have been told to go down to Zuccotti Park because they can get food and drugs. The "Occupiers" have already complained that the homeless are using up their resources (I guess if you are homeless, you don't fit in). Talk about hypocrisy!

It really is time for Bloomberg to act like the Mayor and defend the laws he has sworn to protect. The same goes for Oakland and everywhere else the rules have been broken.

In some cities, it's starting to bite the city officials in the butt. When the Tea Party wanted to have a protest in that city, the Tea Party was charged over $10,000 and had to go through hoops to get the proper licensing. However, the "Occupy Richmond" group was told by city officials they didn't need to go through any process and could stay - free of charge - as long as they would like. Of course, the Tea Party is now suing the city of Richmond for this injustice. Good for them.

What makes this even more sickening is how the White House, and other Democrats, are aligning themselves with this movement. Does Obama really believe that siding with Nazis, communists and anarchists will enhance his re-election chances? It sure didn't help Hubert Humphrey.

It's clear to anyone who is paying attention that Obama is purposely siding with the occupiers for two reasons. Number one - it takes the attention away from his failed presidency, and two - it helps solidify his base. But this will backfire on him. Eventually, the cold weather will send the true believers home and leave just the fringe of society to stay. Even though the mainstream media portrays these people with undue respect, the story will (and is) growing old and there will be more important matters that will come up - like how do they destroy the Republican front runner.

In addition, as these protests continue to get out of hand (as we saw in Oakland today),city officials will eventually grow tired of placating to these people and will be forced to restore law and order. Remember, the people who own the businesses that are being destroyed are taxpayers.

In 2008, we elected a man who told us he wanted to "transform the United States." Too many people paid little attention and were just happy to elect someone "historic." We are paying the price for our ignorance. We now have a President who is openly advocating for those who wish to overthrow our government and destroy our capitalistic society.

Let me ask you this, if Obama were honestly and openly trying to destroy our country, what would he be doing different that he is doing now?