Odds and ends

Pulling together a few random thoughts and ideas while continuing to digest THE story:

• The personification of everything wrong with American sports today has rolled into town. He's been described as "loathsome, surly, churlish, rude, arrogant, petulant, boorish, pompous, spoiled, and mean-spirited, among other aspersions ... a lout, a twit, a jerk, and a jackass." Barry Bonds is the subject of grand jury probes for perjury and tax evasion. He called Boston a racist city without setting foot into it (OK, not the first and not without at least some justification in the past). He collects his millions while he cheats, sneers and disrespects every human being he encounters. Boos aren't enough. Solitary confinement -- just him and his ego -- seems like a good plan.
  

• So they key to democracy in the Mideast is through elections? George Bush's legacy continues to be written amid the bullets and bloodshed of Baghdad and Gaza. But who can fault Hamas leaders if they say they have indeed learned from Republicans who sought to overthrow the Clinton administration though bogus legal proceedings, then scammed an election and turned the Constitution into bathroom tissue.

• Hell hath no fury like a mayor scorned. Mayor-for-Life Tom Menino won't be shopping at Filene's Basement -- even after they re-open in 2009. Menino is irked that Filene's spurned city efforts to help them a temporary home during renovations in Downtown Crossing and instead made a "corporate decision." What were they supposed to do? Be the only business open in that shopping district that has withered and is about to die under your watch?

• Myth Romney flip-flopping again? I didn't think there was any room left for the Great GOP Acrobat but the Mittser continues to amaze all comers with his political dexterity.