Throwing Out Some Summer Thoughts

It’s one of those days so let me throw out my thoughts on a variety of topics:

Two people were shot at a hip hop concert Monday night at the PNC Bank Arts Center, just the latest in a long list of problems associated with concerts at that venue and other locations in New Jersey.

It seems that hip hop, Electronic Dance Music and certain heavy metal concerts are likely to be the ones that garner headlines for violence, drugs and other problems but they are not alone. There’s been growing concern over behavior at country music live events where the crowds have gotten younger and the alcohol tends to flow. No different than some sporting events when you get a lot of young people in one place that’s the setting for trouble.

However, as long as venues like the Arts Center put on concerts with a history of problems then they are simply getting what they deserve. Let’s face it; they didn’t have a lot of problems when Liberace, Harry Belafonte and Steve and Eydie were regulars in the 70’s. (If you don’t know who they are then Google their names. Or ask an old person).

So Governor Christie has made it (barley) into the top ten for Thursday’s prime time Fox News Republican debate in Cleveland. Christie and Ohio Governor John Kasich secured the final two spots to appear on the stage in the prime time debate which was determined based on an average of five recent national polls.

Heading up the group is Donald Trump who clearly will be the star of the evening with much of the focus on him, good or bad. Christie, whose campaign has not generated much interest even in his home state, needs to pick up some momentum and scoring points tomorrow night would help.

I don’t think the Mets will lost another game this season. Well, they might drop one or two during the playoffs on their way to the team’s first World Series title since 1986.

Sunset today is 8:07. I find that very depressing. So is the fact that the first NFL preseason game is this Sunday.

If you think your family is screwed-up then watch “Ray Donovan” which is the best TV show most of you have never heard of and airs Sundays on Showtime. Liev Schreiber is brilliant as the lead and season three includes a very different Katie Holmes. It’s great TV, for adults.