Three Popular Stories

 Since this blog began , most stories have been well read and received . Just like anything else , some have had more attention than others . For example in April topics dealing with elderly parents care , death of parents , and dealing with the estate of loved ones , garnered a great deal of attention . Their has been articles on remembering the family vacation , or ten movies for Baby Boomers that very much resonated with the audience . A article on Baby Boomers returning to Starbucks brought a great deal of attention to the blog and have resulted in a vast readership ................ But there has never been a week llike this last one . Where three consecutive stories became so poplular with the Baby Boomer audience , the readers of this blog . The spike in the readership has been gratifying . It is great that Baby Boomers have found a home to read about topics that interest them , and as the publisher , one can only hope that when you create something , it finds a audience................. The three stories that are being refered to , deal with separate and diverse topics. The only thing they have in common is that they were written back to back , and written and largely read in the same week , last week . The warm comments from fellow Baby Boomers , about the stories prompted me to make a note of it this morning . They were as follows : " Presidential Timber " , dealing with the qualifications to run for President and be President . Another concerning , " Tim Tebow " , the much talked about young quaterback of the Denver Broncos , and the third , and this one really lit up the phone lines [ the e-mail inbox ] , the story about the , " Question of Failure " . What made this such a hot button issue was that it was based on a discussion that has been going on in the group page of the Harvard Business Review page on  Linkedin . Taking the position that Harvard connected people could be doing more for the world that we are living in , then a feel sorry for themselves , or class project on Social Network , got Baby Boomers juices flowing .............................. In the end , I wanted to take the time to Thank all of you who read on a regular basis , and the new readers , who maybe found a voice through the articles of the past week................   Regards , Rick Bava

News- Paterno- Veterans Day

Well it has been some week , culmanating in the dismissall of Coach Joe Paterno . Penn State , sometimes known as happy valley , has been more like depressed and disallusioned . It is a sad state of affairs . Here is a man who gave 61 years to a university , was revered for his character , the shaping of boys to men . He is synonymous with the institution . He has raised coutless dollars , given much of his own money , and his name along with his wife is on the library . But the scandal will forever taint his legacy . It is said by the trustees of Penn State , that it was in the best interest of the university , that he be fired . They called him on the phone to deliver the news in curt fashion , after sending a courier to his house , telling him to call a number , like it was a episode of Mission Impossible . Within minutes 61 years down the drain, all the good forgotten . Coach Paterno by his own account said , in hindsight , he wished he would have done more .......Just a few thoughts , in 2002 , a graduate assistant comes to him along with his father , to tell Coach Paterno , that a man he has known for 35 years , was doing something with a young boy in the shower at the football facility . What actually , was Paterno told , was it horse play , or graphic details of molestation ? Did the coach , who holds loyality as one of his life tennents , think to himself , not Jerry , this is hard to believe . Should he have confronted his friend ? Should he have followed up , after reporting the conversation with the administaration ? Did he think this would all blow over ? When nothing happened , did he think it was a mis understanding ? Did he believe , that a man who was helping troubled youth , was doing something wrong ? Think about it , if someone came to you about a good friend  , with disturbing information , what would you do ? What we know for sure , is that Paterno reported it , but only learned of the graphic and serious nature , when he read the grand jury report . At that point he was horrified . But as they say , the horse was now out of the barn . A incident in 2002 , that comes to light in 2011 . The problem is that , it was not horse play , it was a man , who took advantage of children . His day in court [ Jerry Sandusky ] , will be December 7th , he claims innocense , as does the two officials that Paterno went too , with the complaint , the AD , and the V.P. of business affairs , the campus police was under his perview . Paterno , it is said did the legal right thing , but not the moral right thing . But different then the media reports to date , and the rush to judgement , I want the full story to come out before , we as a society , prosecute , a man Joe Paterno . Like the scandal with the catholic church , we have a hard time accepting , that men on the surface who appear good , do wrong . Like the church scandal , the cover-up was as bad as the acts themselves . My guess is that Paterno was not part of a cover up , but was maybe reluctant , or did not seem to think it was important to pursue matters further . Baby Boomers I will leave you with this thought on this subject , before covering a bit about Veterans Day . Do you remember , Franco Harris , Lydel Mitchell , John Cappaletti , Jack Ham , they all played for Joe Paterno . Thes are names Baby Boomers remember , from the time they were in high school . From that point to the present , Joe Paterno has been the role-model , of the way college sports was to operate . For 46 years as a head coach , ballplayers , played and did in fact graduate . They knew of the college experience , they found the library . Penn State was in fact , '" Success with honor " . As horrible as this set of circumatances are , let us not throw rocks , at a man who for 84 years , has done a lot of good for a lot of people . Could he have done more , in this situration , that is obvious , and Joe Paterno will have to live with that , but let us not completely diminish the man, until we either know all the facts , and let us also remember that the true villian here is Jerry Sandusky , a.k.a. , the predator [ allegedly ] .................. Finally today , tomorrow is Veterans Day . I am so happy to see that places like Applebee's and The Olive Garden and others , are going to once again feed veterans . The reason why this is worth mentioning , is because many who will take advantage of the offer , are Baby Boomers , who served in Vietnam , and which 20% , are said to be homeless . After World War II , we embraced the fighting man , who fought for are freedom . Today , we honor all that serve . When the soldiers came home from Vietnam , they were spit upon . They never got the respect they deserved . They were just the men who went and did the fighting , it wasn't there war . The anti-war sentiment was not there fault . These men are now old , who need help , and deserve our respect . So I applaud  all who raise a hand to help ............................

Publisher Note......

To date there are 114 articles available for Baby Boomers to view . They are on a wide range of topics . One can read about Elderly Care for Parents or Baby Boomers returning to Starbucks . Baby Boomers can explore the realism of losing a parent , and dealing with there Estate, or more light hearted topics such as recalling the family vacation of your youth , or 10 Movies for Baby Boomers . When coming on to the site , perhaps after reading one of the current articles , feel free to go through the archives , look over the titles , and enjoy subject matter germane to the Baby Boomer Generation ................ To date 312 Baby Boomers have been interviewed , and feedback from articles read has been rich , thus the content reflects , Baby Boomers , where they have been , where they are in there life today , and thoughts toward the future ................................ Thank You for reading ,,,,,,,, Rick Bava

News and Notes [ October ]

Have you been following this story out of Orange County , Ca. In the small hamlet of Seal Beach , a gunman walked into a hair salon , and opened fire killing eight , and another is in critical condition . Apparently a custody battle , for the son sparked the shooter , a male who also injured his leg on the job out at sea . He also watched a man die , as part of the same kind of work and accident . But while the little boy was at school waiting to be picked up , his father killed his mother and others during moments of terror . The Orange County District attorney , is going to prosecute to the max , and ask for the death penalty . This raises the discussion for Baby Boomers . What is your feeling on the death penalty? Of 312 Baby Boomers interviewd , the results found almost a even split . The more conservative your politics , the more you favored , the more liberal , one was more inclined to say , the death penalty was not a deterent to crime . Some argue that cases exist where , the false accused , have been put to death . Illinois , had this occur over the last decade , prompting change . In Texas they lead the nation , in putting people to death . The answer , is not a good one .So many factors enter the thoughts of Baby Boomers . Factors such as Religion , Socio-Economic circumstances , Area of the country in which you were raised , all influence your thinking . It should be noted , Orange County , Ca. is a bastion , of conservative thinking , but it is also fair to consider , that a rampage , pre-meditated , motive defined , killer immediatly caught , is as clear a case as you will find for the advocates of the death penalty. But is it morally right ? Baby Boomers continue the debate ...............................................Are Baby Boomers shifting to the right ? This is the quetion posed by Karlyn Bowman and Andrew Rugg , as seen in the Los Angeles Times .There thesis is , and they state , " as Baby Boomers get old , they're becoming more conservative . "  The shift they think will alter the political landscape , and could have a impact on the 2012 election . They base there thought on the fact that only about 25% of Baby Boomers were as wild as the reputation of the 60's and 70's would suggest .They also suggest events such as Watergate effected , the way Baby Boomers think about politics .There conclusion is that Baby Boomers are now the establishment , and have been moving to the right politically . It begs the question , are Baby Boomers as they age becoming more conservative ? They say interview after interview that they expect there retirement , to look different than there parents . They imply change , they talk of staying active , fit , seeing to a weelness campaign . They say there judgement has not been clouded by world events , the economy . But underneath the surface , Bowman and Rugg may be on to something . As Baby Boomers age , there mindset does shift , health concerns , and security become more in focus . Baby Boomers today talk just as much about , Social Security and Medicare, as they once talked about changing the world , and having it all . Do Baby Boomers look more like there parents than they want to admit ? There children may be the barometer , as well as the miiror . The children see parents , and the mirror does not lie . As far as political beliefs , the 2012 election , may tell the story ................................................. Ok , I have read my e-mail , there are a lot of fellow Baby Boomers telling me that nobody is paying attention to the baseball playoffs . That me writing about it with the theory , that because we grew up on baseball , loved baseball , does not account for tastes changing . They site the ratings being down , that football is now king . That interest fell by the wayside once the Yankees , Red Sox , and Phillies were eliminated . Well fellow Baby Boomers I respect your opinion but disagree . The games this year have been compelling . Both the Rangers-Tigers Series , as well as Cardinals- Brewers , both at 3-2 , as of this writing has been great theatre . The Cardinal Fans last night waving there white towels , were dedicated . The night before in Detroit , hard hit by economic downturn , were there supporting there team. You see comparing baseball to football is apple to oranges . Football is event driven once a week to gear up , like going to a concert . There is nothing like that three hours on Sunday , for sure. But baseball is part of the fabric of society , part of a daily routine , it is over a period of time . You enjoy it for the culmination of a series of events  , for its complexities , and drama of situration . It is for people 9-99 . You pass time with baseball . Yes , like with everything today , perhaps money has diminished the romance of baseball . But Baby Boomers tune in to the remainder of the playoffs , and the World Series , you won't be sorry .

Commentary

 It was nice to have Baby Boomers write in to share that they have appreciated the occasional Commentary . It is designed to comment on issues of the day from a Baby Boomer point of view , covering topics that are at the heart of the Baby Boomer landscape . That will be continued today . But before getting into that agenda , let me take a moment to thank the many , who have written in concerning the Poll Question , and you can be assured , that the topics you suggested for discussion will be taken up , in fact, the top topics in term of frequencey , will be taken on this month . One thing is for sure , all that has been written in , has relevance . What is interesting is the tone , which matches quite neatly , the interviews that have been conducted with Baby Boomers to date ................................... So , tonight in New Hampshire , at Dartmouth  , the Republicans will enter into there 7th debate , of the 2012 Election cycle . At this time in 2007 , the debates averaged about 3.5 million viewers , this time around the numbers have increased to 5.4 million , this according to the , Wall Street Journal . Perhaps Sarah Palin was on to something when she noted that these debates are like Reality TV . To many Baby Boomers , they are playing a significant role , in helping to sort out the candidates in the field . No matter your political affilation , the process to see who will run against President Obama has engaged , Baby Boomers . Tonights debate will be of significance , because it will involve a set field . With Governor Christie , saying no to a run , as well as former Governor Palin turning down the opprtunity , the choice for the nomination , will be the people on stage tonight , which should provide , a new round of fireworks and compettion . President Obama for his part , is in full campaign mode . He recently spent extended time on the west coast , raising momey , and taking on the Republicans , from some of there debate comments . He knows he is in for a race , so the war chest will be needed , as well as a early definition of the discussion . By the way , Baby Boomers who went to the Presidents fundraisers , like the one in La Jolla , Ca. [ San Diego County ] , were expected to donate up words of 35k ..................As mentioned in this space before , Baby Boomers are following the Baseball playoffs . The St. Louis Cardinals and the Milwaukee Brewers , tied at 1-1 as of this writing promises to be a series for the ages . There is no love lost between these two clubs , and both teams are blessed with Baseball talent . This National League series, will remind Baby Boomers , of days gone by . This is like the way Baseball was played in the 1960's , when Baby Boomers fell in love with the game , probably watching the World Series , in school , when the games were played in the daytime . Over in the Americn League , Baby Boomer Icon , Nolan Ryan , the legendary pitcher , and now CEO of the Texas Rangers , has produced a team, that may go to the World Series for the second staight year . Playing the injury depleted , Detroit Tigers , who have already accomplished a major feat ,  having knocked off the Yankees . The Tigers who are managed by , the Great Baseball man Jim Leyland , also features , one of the best Right Handed Pitchers to come along , in many a decade , that being Justin Verlander . He could have piched in the days of Gibson , Drysdale , and Marachial , the great Right Handers of that time .................................Tiger Woods had a hot dog thrown at him , during his final round of the Frys.com tounament , during the final round on Sunday . The fall from grace of this individual , is hard to imagine . But a smaller point , but germane to golf fans is that , another year will go by , without him winning a tounament . For Baby Boomers the golf part has happened before . Arnold Palmer dominated golf , like Woods , in the late 50's and 1960's . But age and compettion , caught up with him as well , finally in 1973 , he won one last tounament on the  PGA , The Bob Hope Classic . Of course , as Arnold Palmer decended , Jack Nicklaus , came to prominance . Woods who had hoped to break Nicklaus , record for majors , if history is a judge , will fall short . Unfortunately , he will also fall short in the character quotion . But rather then thrash Tiger , everyone seems to do that , Baby Boomers would rather look to the fine example of the two golfers they loved , Palmer and Nicklaus , and point out that these two men have carried themselves with excellant deportmant , given back to the game of Golf , and to this day are the gold standard for the Golf industry ..........................Finally , in Corporate News , Starbucks is about to expand to a new market ,  India . Fast growing and prosperous , the people of India , have become coffee drinkers, Starbucks hopes to capitalize . What a different company Starbucks is , with Howard Schultz back at the helm . They are back on track , as one of the World's great brands , after losing there way . Companies make mistakes , think [ new coke ] , but it how you recover that makes the difference . The legendary company from , Atlanta , saw the error of there ways and adjusted , and there brand remains the most admired . So now it will be NetFlix , to handle the consumer backlash . Baby Boomers , big movie buffs , were taking great advantage of the mail delivery service , movies to your door affordably . But in there infinite wisdom , Netflix changed there businees model , Baby Boomers led the charge to cancel the service . Netflix has made a about face , on there strategy , Baby Boomers will be following the story closely .........RB

Poll Queastion

 To Baby Boomers who are frequent readers , and those who visit the site . It has come to my attention that Baby Boomers would like to offer , the list of the three most important issues facing Baby Boomers . Some who write in would like me to write about , comment on the issues , as well as to incorporate the data of the 312 Baby Boomers I have interviewed to date , from all parts of the country ............. Thus , What are the three most important issues facing Baby Boomers , and your current stage of life ? Please write your answers and any comments you would like to add , and send them via e-mail to me , Rick Bava , at , [ rbava1218@hotmail.com ] . Thank You for your participation , Regards , Rick Bava of , Rick Bava on the Baby Boom Generation , and spokesperson for Baby Boomers ..

Quick Takes [ Part Two ]

Yesterday we discussed in this space the epic collapse of the Boston Red Sox . Well last night there " September to Remember " , as the Associated Press called it , came to conclusion . They blew a 3-2 lead in the 9th , while Tampa Bay came back from a 7-0 deficit against the Yankees , and now Boston is homeward bound instead of playoff bound . It is said by Baseball experts that what the Red Sox managed to do , in losing , in September , is of historic proportion . They for most of the Baseball Season were a certain lock for the playoffs . No diehard Tampa Bay Rays fan , if there is such a thing , could ever imagine , even in day dream form , that they would catch the Red Sox . The Theo Epstein led team , he being the real Money Ball GM , are a little less full of themselves this morning , on Yawkey Way . Most Baseball people think that there manager , the good Baseball man , Terry Franconia , will take the heat . But the front office , who tends to think they are smarter then all others , are eating humble pie this morning . But one can't leave this story without giving true credit to maybe one of the best Basball minds in the business , Tampa Bay skipper , Joe Madden . Congratulations to him and his team for a Baseball ACOMPLISHMENT FOR THE AGES ................................................... The other great Basball mind , in fact by this writers estimation , the best of the best , Tony LaRussa , of the Cardinals , completed there historic comeback last night as well . Down 10.5 games in late August , The St. Louis Cardinals refused to quit , a credit to a La Ruusa led team . There ace Chris Carpenter , shut out the Astros last night . He was a big game pitcher , in a big game . Tied with Atlanta going into last night , the Braves could not hold a lead against the Phillies , and lost painfully in extra innings sending the Cards to the Playoffs . Last night was certainly a night for Baseball to celebrate . Perhaps one of the great nights in Baseball history . Why this is so important to Baby Boomers is because , Baseball is the game Baby Boomers were raised on , the Sixties , argueably one of the great decades for Baseball is when Baby Boomers cut there teeth on the game . This was a time when Baby Boomers , would take there transistor radio with them to bed , and fall asleep listening to there team . It was time when Baby Boomers traded Baseball cards , and discussed and played Baseball all the time . So to Baby Boomers last night in Baseball was not only exciting , but also a bit RETRO....................................... Before we go today one non -Baseball story of importance . Emily Rooney , a Baby Boomer , and a television person of note , at WGBH in Boston , ponders not only the Red Sox , but the retirement of her dad , Andy Rooney . He will sign off from , " 60 Minutes "  on Sunday . Many call him , one of a kind . Some say it is the end of a era . But this is more than a great journalist riding off in the sunset . For Mr. Rooney is the last of his kind , a  " Professional Reporter " . His era was about the story , the facts , and the business of observation . His era was about the reporting , not making themselves the issue . His colleagues , like Cronkite , Wallace , Bradley thought getting to the bottom of the story , with keen talent for the issues , were at the heart of there job . This was before , a reporter or a network deceided to take a stand in the debate . So Good Luck to Andy Rooney , may you enjoy your time with your wonderful family , and continue to notice the world around you ...............................................