irishgit's Reviews on RateItAll.com

2 hours ago

irishgit reviewed Sarah Palin Resigns as Governor of Alaska before finishing Term in Events of 2009:

My take here is that if this is a clear the decks move to start a run at the presidency in 2012 it is a serious tactical error on her part. This can easily be spun (and already has been) as abandoning the constituents she was elected to represent in order to pursue personal ambition, or spun as (and this has been heard too) that she can't handle the heat of a staggering economy and declining oil revenues in her home state.

The old political apparatchik in me smells something underneath this, however. There have been implications of ethical misconduct that began well before her VP run, and I can't help but wonder if she's getting out before chickens come home to roost.

Either way, its interesting but not significant. Palin has no legitimate shot at the presidency, and the GOP (despite its remarkable aim in shooting itself in the foot of late) knows it.

2 comments

votes 5 Helpful / 0 Funny / 4 Agree / 0 Disagree

3 hours ago

irishgit reviewed Canada Day in Holidays:

July 1, the anniversary of the formation of the union of the British North America provinces in a federation under the name of Canada.

Celebrated with various degrees of fervour, depending on what part of Canada you happen to be in, although most Americans think we're pretty low key about it, compared to their national holiday 3 days later.

But you've gotta give credit to a country that has the foresight to schedule its national holiday in the summer.

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votes 7 Helpful / 0 Funny / 0 Agree / 0 Disagree

3 hours ago

irishgit reviewed Politics v. Sports (Topics To Debate) in Rivalries And Preferences:

I've worked in politics, and I love sports, and there are a lot of similarities between the two (and a host of differences, of course, but that's for another day.)

I don't have much patience for "my team is better than your team" debates in either topic, but I enjoy nuances in either.

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votes 2 Helpful / 0 Funny / 1 Agree / 0 Disagree

3 hours ago

irishgit reviewed Fishing v. Playing Golf in Rivalries And Preferences:

Hmmmph.

The only way I'm likely to catch fish is if I tossed a grenade in the water.

And as for golf, I'll channel Babe Ruth for a moment and say that when I hit a ball I want someone else to chase it.

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votes 1 Helpful / 2 Funny / 1 Agree / 0 Disagree

3 hours ago

irishgit commented on a review of Country Music v. Rock & Roll in Rivalries And Preferences:

I can't say I'm much of a country fan, but I like those guys. (The first set you mention, that is.)

4 hours ago

irishgit reviewed Fourth of July (Independence Day) in Holidays:

To my American friends, enjoy your national holiday today in whatever manner seems most fitting to you.

Just remember that for us folks up her in the Great White North, its just another Saturday.

Cheers.

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2 days ago

irishgit commented on a review of Sell it and give proceeds to childrens' charities in What should happen to Neverland Ranch?:

Yeah, I think the list of creditors stretches around several city blocks.

2 days ago

irishgit reviewed Karl Malden in 2009's Dead Celebrities:

If someone had asked me, I would have assumed he had been dead for some time. I guess being 97 causes a guy to slow up some.

Competent although not compelling supporting actor type, Malden was memorable for that nose that looked like a bran muffin and an earnest intensity that he brought to most roles. He is probably best known for his roles in On the Waterfront and Patton, although folks of my generation will remember him playing the mentor cop to young Michael Douglas in Streets of San Francisco.

He was no threat to make anyone forget Nicholson, Brando, or Scott, but he was reliable and professional in his work.

15 comments

votes 3 Helpful / 0 Funny / 2 Agree / 0 Disagree

2 days ago

irishgit reviewed Alexis Arguello in 2009's Dead Celebrities:

The little guy was tough like some guys think they're tough, able to take the punches, and even more importantly hand them out. In a ring career that approached 30 years he held championship belts in three divisions, and defended them with violence and aplomb.

One of the true gentlemen of the ring as well as one of its great assassins, Arguello was a huge favorite of mine.

Following retirement, he went on to a political career in his homeland, being elected mayor of Managua Nicaragua in 2008. Apparently he shot himself today, for undisclosed reasons although the results of an autopsy are still to come.

Adios, Alexis....

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