After the World Series, Harvey's and Burt's attention shifts to the 1952 presidential election.
The Republicans choose (retired General) Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower, who seven years earlier had been an American military hero at the conclusion of World War II. He led the D Day invasion at Normandy. Ike is still very popular among Americans in general. There were Democrats who wanted him to lead their ticket.
However, with Eisenhower unavailable, the Democrats choose Governor Adlai Stevenson of Illinois. During the war, he had served as Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Navy.
As a businessman, Harvey's natural inclination is to vote Republican. He also very much likes Ike's persona as a general and a former football player at West Point.
Burt appreciates Stevenson's appeal to "the young, emergent postwar intellectual class" which he wants to be part of. He also likes that Stevenson is a popular and effective public speaker.
On the other hand, Ike's "words were unfocused and all over the map. His public speeches were even worse. He was unable to make his point to the voting public in a clear, legible manner. Ike needed to condense his message down to a few simple, easily digestible slogans." His most effective one is "I like Ike."
"Stevenson was ridiculed in some quarters (including Harvey) as too effeminate to be president. The staunchly conservative New York Daily News called him 'Adelaide'." Stewart Alsop, a Connecticut Republican, called him an "egghead."
Despite the above negativity, Burt appreciates Stevenson's oratory. At the Democratic Convention, he said, "The ordeal of the twentieth century is far from over. Sacrifice, patience, understanding and implacable purpose may be our lot for years to come. Let's talk sense to the American people. Let's tell them the truth, that there are no gains without pains, that we are now on the eve of great decisions."
In mid-October 1952, Ike has perhaps an insurmountable lead of nine points in the public opinion polls. Burt believes there is only one thing that could turn the tables: a televised presidential debate between the two candidates. Stevenson would murder him.
Sunday, June 30, 2019
Sunday, June 23, 2019
2019 USA Trip
On Thursday, May 30, Cristina and I departed Brazil via Delta flight #472. Thanks to my friend Carolina for her recommendation of the taxi driver, Antonio Carlos, who proved efficient and dependable.
During the flight, I watched the following films: The Children Act (based on the book by Ian McEwan) with Emma Thompson, The French Connection with Gene Hackman and Crazy Rich Asians with Constance Wu and Henry Golding.
Upon arriving about an hour late in New York on Friday, May 31, we took a taxi to my daughter's (Rachel's) home on East 78th Street in Manhattan. I got cell phone service around the corner at an AT&T store. Rachel, Cristina and I lunched at Just Salad on Third Avenue.
At 3:00 PM Cristina and I went for a happy hour rendezvous at The Penrose, a bar on Second Avenue. We were joined by our friends, Joe, Janet and Betty. It was a great success as we shared drinks, food and conversation.
For dinner, Cristina and I went to the Jones Woods Foundry on East 76th Street. In the bar section of the restaurant, someone was celebrating their 28th birthday. How young they were!
On Saturday, June 1, we took a subway to Herald Square as Cristina wanted to buy a winter coat (for Nate's Bar Mitzvah in March 2020) at Macy's. She succeeded. We lunched at the Just Salad on the fourth floor of the store.
Afterwards, Cristina and I went to P.S. 6 to watch my 8 year-old grandson Leo play in a basketball game. We were impressed. Mike, Rachel, Nate, Leo, Bonita, Cristina and I had hamburgers at Luke's on Third Avenue. For dessert, we bought some slices of cakes at Harbs.
On Sunday, June 2, Rachel, Nate, Cristina and I lunched at Ess-a-Bagel on Third Avenue near my old office at 800 Third Avenue. I bought some books at Barnes & Noble (including Tom Sawyer for Nate, Don Quixote and Machines Like Me, Ian McEwen's latest novel). Mike cooked us an outstanding chicken dinner topped off with his very own key lime pie.
On Monday, June 3, we flew on Delta flight #3497 to Raleigh Durham Airport. We taxied to the Staybridge Suites Hotel on Mt. Moriah Road in Durham for a two week stay. First, we had some business to attend to at the SunTrust branch on West Franklin Street in Chapel Hill.
On Tuesday, June 4, we shopped at Bed, Bath and Beyond, Whole Foods Market and CVS Pharmacy.
On Wednesday, June 5, Cristina and I had dinner with our friends Kevin and Connie at the Stoney River Steakhouse (University Mall in Chapel Hill).
On Thursday, June 6, we shopped at Target, Walgreen's and Johnny T Shirt in Chapel Hill. We lunched at Cava and had dinner at Applebee's.
On Friday, June 7, we started the day with breakfast at the True Flavors Diner in Durham with Kevin, Connie and Kevin's step-mom. I ordered pancakes, which came with bacon and eggs. A lot of food. It was a rainy day so we just hung out in our comfortable hotel suite. We ordered a Papa John's pizza later.
On Saturday, June 8, we took an Uber to Southpoint Mall in Durham. First order of business was to help Cristina pick out a dress for Nate's Bar Mitzvah again at Macy's. Together, we made a great selection. Cristina and I had lunch at Maggiano's where we also earned two meals we could take home and eat another day. What a bargain!
On Sunday, June 9, we were invited to the home of our friends Raymond and Belinda who live in nearby Graham, NC. First, we lunched at the Smokehouse at Steve's Garden Market and Butchery. Very good pulled pork. Later Raymond surprised us with his homemade rhubarb (grown in his garden) pie. After some chicken wings we watched the movie Heat (with Robert Di Nero and Al Pacino) on their huge movie screen.
On Monday, June 10, we shopped at Walmart at New Hope Commons in Durham. I was wearing my Penn alumni hat and was spotted by George Kaufman, Penn, class of 1965.
On Tuesday, June 11, Cristina and I celebrated O Dia dos Namorados one day early with lunch at the City Kitchen restaurant located at University Mall.
On Wednesday, June 12, we went to stroll through the UNC Chapel Hill. First stop was McCorkle Park to see it without Silent Sam. Good riddance! We had lunch at Lenoir Hall at the center of the campus. This is the main food court where students eat. For
$13.44 members of the public can eat a meal there as well, and as much as they want. I recommend it.
On Thursday, June 13, my son Bret drove up from his home in Jacksonville, Florida to spend some quality time with Cristina and me. We dined at the nearby Outback Steakhouse. Later he and I enjoyed watching the final playoff game of the NBA season with the Toronto Raptors winning their first ever championship. The game went down to the last second.
On Friday morning, June 14, Bret left us after breakfast to drive to Charleston, South Carolina to meet up with his friend, Laura. That evening, Cristina and I enjoyed bluegrass music at Fridays on the Front Porch at the Carolina Inn. Later, we had dinner with our friend Patricia at the Med Deli on West Franklin Street. The day was topped off with ice cream at the Stone Cold Creamery on East Franklin Street.
On Saturday, June 15, we went back to Whole Foods where we bought food for both lunch and dinner. In addition, I ate one piece of a delicious apple pie, something not available here in Brazil.
On Sunday, June 16, Cristina and I returned to the Stoney River Steakhouse, this time for fish instead of meat. Afterwards, at the Silverspot Cinemas, we saw the movie Rocketman, about the early life of Elton John. Cristina and I both liked it.
On Monday, June 17, we started our journey home, first flying from RDU to JFK, via Delta flight #5274. After waiting many hours at the airport, we took Delta flight #471 to GRU arriving early Tuesday morning, June 18. While on board the latter flight, I watched portions of three films I had previously seen: All About Eve with Bette Davis, The Sound of Music with Julie Andrews and The Breakfast Club with Molly Ringwald. I also had some Bailey's Original Irish Cream compliments of Delta.
Cristina and I both enjoyed our trip to the USA. We plan on going to Portugal in September.
During the flight, I watched the following films: The Children Act (based on the book by Ian McEwan) with Emma Thompson, The French Connection with Gene Hackman and Crazy Rich Asians with Constance Wu and Henry Golding.
Upon arriving about an hour late in New York on Friday, May 31, we took a taxi to my daughter's (Rachel's) home on East 78th Street in Manhattan. I got cell phone service around the corner at an AT&T store. Rachel, Cristina and I lunched at Just Salad on Third Avenue.
At 3:00 PM Cristina and I went for a happy hour rendezvous at The Penrose, a bar on Second Avenue. We were joined by our friends, Joe, Janet and Betty. It was a great success as we shared drinks, food and conversation.
For dinner, Cristina and I went to the Jones Woods Foundry on East 76th Street. In the bar section of the restaurant, someone was celebrating their 28th birthday. How young they were!
On Saturday, June 1, we took a subway to Herald Square as Cristina wanted to buy a winter coat (for Nate's Bar Mitzvah in March 2020) at Macy's. She succeeded. We lunched at the Just Salad on the fourth floor of the store.
Afterwards, Cristina and I went to P.S. 6 to watch my 8 year-old grandson Leo play in a basketball game. We were impressed. Mike, Rachel, Nate, Leo, Bonita, Cristina and I had hamburgers at Luke's on Third Avenue. For dessert, we bought some slices of cakes at Harbs.
On Sunday, June 2, Rachel, Nate, Cristina and I lunched at Ess-a-Bagel on Third Avenue near my old office at 800 Third Avenue. I bought some books at Barnes & Noble (including Tom Sawyer for Nate, Don Quixote and Machines Like Me, Ian McEwen's latest novel). Mike cooked us an outstanding chicken dinner topped off with his very own key lime pie.
On Monday, June 3, we flew on Delta flight #3497 to Raleigh Durham Airport. We taxied to the Staybridge Suites Hotel on Mt. Moriah Road in Durham for a two week stay. First, we had some business to attend to at the SunTrust branch on West Franklin Street in Chapel Hill.
On Tuesday, June 4, we shopped at Bed, Bath and Beyond, Whole Foods Market and CVS Pharmacy.
On Wednesday, June 5, Cristina and I had dinner with our friends Kevin and Connie at the Stoney River Steakhouse (University Mall in Chapel Hill).
On Thursday, June 6, we shopped at Target, Walgreen's and Johnny T Shirt in Chapel Hill. We lunched at Cava and had dinner at Applebee's.
On Friday, June 7, we started the day with breakfast at the True Flavors Diner in Durham with Kevin, Connie and Kevin's step-mom. I ordered pancakes, which came with bacon and eggs. A lot of food. It was a rainy day so we just hung out in our comfortable hotel suite. We ordered a Papa John's pizza later.
On Saturday, June 8, we took an Uber to Southpoint Mall in Durham. First order of business was to help Cristina pick out a dress for Nate's Bar Mitzvah again at Macy's. Together, we made a great selection. Cristina and I had lunch at Maggiano's where we also earned two meals we could take home and eat another day. What a bargain!
On Sunday, June 9, we were invited to the home of our friends Raymond and Belinda who live in nearby Graham, NC. First, we lunched at the Smokehouse at Steve's Garden Market and Butchery. Very good pulled pork. Later Raymond surprised us with his homemade rhubarb (grown in his garden) pie. After some chicken wings we watched the movie Heat (with Robert Di Nero and Al Pacino) on their huge movie screen.
On Monday, June 10, we shopped at Walmart at New Hope Commons in Durham. I was wearing my Penn alumni hat and was spotted by George Kaufman, Penn, class of 1965.
On Tuesday, June 11, Cristina and I celebrated O Dia dos Namorados one day early with lunch at the City Kitchen restaurant located at University Mall.
On Wednesday, June 12, we went to stroll through the UNC Chapel Hill. First stop was McCorkle Park to see it without Silent Sam. Good riddance! We had lunch at Lenoir Hall at the center of the campus. This is the main food court where students eat. For
$13.44 members of the public can eat a meal there as well, and as much as they want. I recommend it.
On Thursday, June 13, my son Bret drove up from his home in Jacksonville, Florida to spend some quality time with Cristina and me. We dined at the nearby Outback Steakhouse. Later he and I enjoyed watching the final playoff game of the NBA season with the Toronto Raptors winning their first ever championship. The game went down to the last second.
On Friday morning, June 14, Bret left us after breakfast to drive to Charleston, South Carolina to meet up with his friend, Laura. That evening, Cristina and I enjoyed bluegrass music at Fridays on the Front Porch at the Carolina Inn. Later, we had dinner with our friend Patricia at the Med Deli on West Franklin Street. The day was topped off with ice cream at the Stone Cold Creamery on East Franklin Street.
On Saturday, June 15, we went back to Whole Foods where we bought food for both lunch and dinner. In addition, I ate one piece of a delicious apple pie, something not available here in Brazil.
On Sunday, June 16, Cristina and I returned to the Stoney River Steakhouse, this time for fish instead of meat. Afterwards, at the Silverspot Cinemas, we saw the movie Rocketman, about the early life of Elton John. Cristina and I both liked it.
On Monday, June 17, we started our journey home, first flying from RDU to JFK, via Delta flight #5274. After waiting many hours at the airport, we took Delta flight #471 to GRU arriving early Tuesday morning, June 18. While on board the latter flight, I watched portions of three films I had previously seen: All About Eve with Bette Davis, The Sound of Music with Julie Andrews and The Breakfast Club with Molly Ringwald. I also had some Bailey's Original Irish Cream compliments of Delta.
Cristina and I both enjoyed our trip to the USA. We plan on going to Portugal in September.
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