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Thursday, August 17, 2017

Between the Bridges....


Between the Bridges in Broad Channel

by
 Peter J. Mahon
August 17th, 2017

ECLIPSE THE MAYOR

On Monday, August 21, 2017, all of North America will be treated to an eclipse of the sun. Anyone within the path of totality can see one of nature’s most awe inspiring sights - a total solar eclipse. This path, where the moon will completely cover the sun and the sun's tenuous atmosphere - the corona - will only be seen along a path stretching across the country from Salem, Oregon to Charleston, South Carolina. Although the "Total" phase of this coming Monday's eclipse of the Sun will not be visible in our area here in Broad Channel, it will still be a sight to behold as, weather permitting,  we will still be treated to a partial solar eclipse where the Moon will blot out more than 70% of our Sun's surface. Monday's partial eclipse will start at 1:23 pm with the totality of the partial eclipse taking place at 2:44 pm and finally ending at 4:00 pm.  Remember - never look at the Sun directly without protective eye gear. Even very dark sunglasses cannot protect your eyes from the damage the Sun's rays can do to them.  That being said, a solar eclipse is one of nature’s grandest spectacles  you can safely enjoy the view and be rewarded with memories to last a lifetime.

You have to love Mayor de Blasio.  Earlier this year when speaking about the homeless problem in New York City lour warm and sensitive Mayor urged the rest of us to be more compassionate describing the homeless as "Everyman" riding the subway.  Unfortunately, the Mayor's self stated empathy for the homeless was brought into question a few weeks ago when de Blasio finally got up the moxie to actually ride the city's subway.  Of course his decision to enter the subway was preceded by directions that the NYPD was to sweep all the subway stations the Mayor would be visiting in order to clear out all the homeless "Everymen" hanging about those stations. When asked about this our city's chief administrative officer imperiously responded by stating - "I don’t care, my friend, because it does not matter, read my lips: I don’t care. It’s an irrelevancy."  One would think that a politician with an ego as large as de Blasio's would would remember the last time a politician told us all to read his lips was George H.W. Bush back in 1988 during a speech at the Republican National Convention when he told everyone to "Read My Lips - no new taxes." Anyone who follows political history would know how those words came back to haunt George H.W. 

Oh, by the way. would someone out there call City Hall Monday afternoon around 1 pm and remind a staffer that perhaps they should make sure our Mayor is awake so that he does not sleep through the partial eclipse?  Apparently Mayor Bill is so worn out from his morning gym workouts that he finds it necessary to take lengthy naps on the couch in his office when he finally does show up for work.  On second thought, let him sleep!

Lest I forget, I would like to pass along my sincere appreciation to all of you out there who took the time to attend my beloved Grace's surprise 39th birthday party at the Broad Channel VFW this past Saturday.  A great time was had by all and your presence really made her day!  Unfortunately Jack Benny, who had originally promised to attend, had to cancel at the last minute due to scheduling conflicts.

Broad Channel, why would anyone want to live anywhere else?

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