This may be one of the best frivolous ideas to come out of New York Silly Council in a long time. The last of the Mohicans Republicans, Vincent Ignizio and James Oddo, are proposing that the Mets’ new stadium be renamed Citi/Taxpayer Field, in honor of “the taxpayers of the country who will foot the bill for not only part of stadium, but for the company itself.”

This is exactly how I feel during open enrollment.

“You want to ask me about your HMO? Get the @#$% out of my office before I throw you out of my @#$%ing office.”

Who knew that Norwegians could be so funny?

It is often said imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but for one Norwegian comedian imitation led to a full on verbal smackdown – expletives included – by New York City Councilman, James Oddo (R-Staten Island).

Photo: www.nyccouncil.info

Pia Haraldsen of the Norwegian comdey show “Rikets Rost”- Norway’s version of the Daily Show – pretended to be a news interviewer who questioned the Staten Island councilman about Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

But what Sacha Baron Cohen’s characters, Borat and Ali G. possess, the faux news reporter tremendously lacks: charisma, comedic skills, and charm – three things even a city councilman couldn’t see. After a string of unfunny and idiotic questions, Oddo erupted at Haraldsen dropping the F-bomb approximately 16 times.

Oddo said it was a gut reaction and has since apologized for the outburst, but does not regret the sentiment.

Oddo’s blow-up gained national and even world attention after a viral video of the confrontation spread on the internet.

Since it’s “debut” a week ago on Youtube, the video has been viewed a staggering 549,577 times.

But what about the backlash? An editorial in the NY Daily News called Oddo “a genuine Stand-Up New Yorker.” On NY1’s website “Snap Poll” 68 percent believed the councilman should receive praise, 26 percent would like to see him criticized, and 5 percent wanted both. Even George Arzt, a Democratic consultant and lobbyist in Manhattan offered words of support: “It is tough to be civil when you’re being set up,” Arzt said. “This is such a minuscule issue. It won’t affect anybody, and he was scammed.”

But leave it to The Washington Post to offer the best summary possible:

“His reaction is that of an average citizen — a citizen of Staten Island.”

Great video

In a battle of embattled presidents, the US’ George W. Bush meets with Israeli Prime MinisterEhud Olmert. Ok, so its not really a battle. But the two are meeting to discuss “isolating” Iran til it gives up its Nuclear Ambitions (you like the random capitalizing? I call it my German Font). Read here, courtesy of the AP and NYTimes (I have to believe Iran is working on a nuke as well, although I believe it to be years away). The dynamics of US-Israeli relations are bound to get more nuanced now that Democrats have essentially taken over Congress. (I doubt that qualifier will be of any consequence over the next two years)

Then there’s this little diddy about Democrats pushing for troop withdrawals withen several months, also from the New York Times, this time by Sheryl Gay Stolberg and Mark Mazzetti.

nut graff…

“The Democrats — the incoming majority leader, Senator Harry Reid of Nevada; the incoming Armed Services Committee chairman, Senator Carl Levin of Michigan; and the incoming Foreign Relations Committee chairman, Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr. of Delaware — said a phased redeployment of troops would be their top priority when the new Congress convenes in January, even before an investigation of the conduct of the war.”

In NY, the five year aniversary of Flight 587 went down in Belle Harbor, in Far Rockaway, Queens. 15 blocks away from where the DR-bound flight crashed, a memorial has been set up. More stuff from the Times on it.

by the by.. safford and rivoli, according to the gotham gazette there’s some discussion of reinstating a fare for the Staten Island Ferry. If they do this, they’re gonna totally sneak this in under our noses. The New York Tabloids, with their rabid obsession with war and silicone, will only start to kvetch, bitch and whine only after it is passed, and just before it is instated. Councilman James Oddo, of some parts of BK and SI, is behind this effort. Under his plan, there would be an effort made to ensure that those who live or work in Staten Island don’t have to pay the fare.

For a terrible lede but a somewhat helpful article, click here.

Governo-elect Eliot Spitzer announcd that he would do his utmost to make sure the MTA fare doesn’t get any higher then it’s current $2.oo. Here we have Pete Donohue of the Daily News, doing his NYTabloid Jig.

What do I mean? How about this article, linked as Angry Gay Man’s Revenge. Even though blogger Ben Smith looks freshly weaned from some Mid-American teet, he does an excellent and compelling job of explaining the power plays it takes to take a Congressional Seat from an Incumbent. Interestingly enough, the winner is a pop-star from the mid 70s (i think) by the name of John Hall (of “Dance with me” er, “Fame”..)

For sports these days, I usually go through insidehoops.com or Dan Shanoff’s blog.

I tried to leave a comment on his page but here it is instead. He mentions the karmic marmalade of the Mets opening up against the Cardinals, who the mets lost to with bases loaded and carlos beltran being struck out looking… Dan, Dude, Carlos Beltran striking out looking was the perfect metaphor for the Mets’ season. They remind me, rather tragically, of the NBA TrailBlazers during the Pippen age. Buttloads of talent, but essentially just not a group of winners.

And finally, a personal note…

J-school has finally gotten the best of me. Maybe I’ve aimed too high or bitten off chunks far too big, but my stories are starting to sound more and more like topics. I hope I’ll have the grades to stay in the school. I’ve focused exclusively on reporting and writing, often at the expense of some of my other classes. Idk… Maybe I’ll sell a book or something.

Speaking of, come see me Dec. 2nd in New Brunswick, NJ.

On that note… a brief shout out to late great Ed Bradley… we’ll do ye proper, sir.

–Rev Manny and Mamba Jamba