Re: Annoyed by Restaurant Playlists, a Master Musician Made His Own

See the New York Times Article here. Photo: Nathan Bajar for The New York Times

Oh yes!!!! Thank you for this article (and thank you Mr. Sakamoto for your music). Music is never background for me--I am very attentive to it and sensitive to it (although I have very catholic taste--what kind of music do I like? Good music. . . ). If it is playing--whether an elevator a restaurant or now, inescapably and unfortunately in United's new Polaris lounges, I pay attention to it (which I think is what the artist and or composer would wish). Often it is actually a physical experience and if it is bad, it is terribly distracting (if not painful), especially in a restaurant and I just have to leave. Kajitsu is such a extraordinary restaurant, with such exquisite attention paid to the food, it is surprising that the music seemed an afterthought. Thank you for rectifying such a significant oversight Mr. Sakamoto, and contributing the enjoyment of a meal there . . .

Re: Dowd--Harvey Weinstein, Hollywood’s Oldest Horror Story

See the NYT article here.

“It is a dark equation. . . In Hollywood, unlike at other Fortune 500 companies, the one-on-one meetings take place in hotel suites and bars. . ."

Tim Robbins is more accurate: "it’s every business.”

At conferences and other gatherings, the life blood of any industry is

the meetings (which you must attend to succeed) that occur in bars and other places (this is NOT about private office meetings between men and women. For the men who are confused about that, please . . .) This behavior may be most blatant in Hollywood and Weinstein may be the most egregious perpetrator, but fundamentally this is about power and it is pervasive: in the legal profession (I speak from personal experience), in Silcon Valley (see Ellen Pao), in business, in politics. And often, to call it out is to be ostracized subtly or overtly. And up until now it has been not only condoned, but rewarded ("locker room talk" indeed). And while Trump's behavior was not in a business setting, his very occupation of the White House despite his documented criminal assaults of women; despite the testimony of brave women who came forward to attest to his unwanted and humiliating pawing implies an unsettling social acceptance of such treatment of women.

Although it implicit in this long overdue conversation, we must specifically connect all of these dots. When are men (and so many women) going to finally understand the depth and nature of sexism and its emotional, psychological and economic consequence.

Re: Dowd--Of Monuments, Arguments, Vampires and Thanksgiving

See the New York Times Article here.

While I admire the Dowd family's love and commitment to each other, so much of this column is deeply troubling. I understand steering clear of issues that provoke family discord, especially at Thanksgiving, but all this speaks to the most superficial of relationships. Keep it all civil and make believe, like a John Wayne movie. When nothing deeper is possible, best to keep the peace. Kevin's support of Kavanaugh is a reversion to tribal loyalty ("be true to your school") rather than a transcendence of such a limited world view to something more inclusive. He "waits for the crazy to pass"? Exactly when does he witness elusive thing? We all are waiting for that, hoping for a radical change and sanity to prevail in elections two years from now (it seems to be taking hold, judging from the recent results). Finally, perhaps politics should not be "high up on your emotional scale," but if it is not a "determining factor in your life," I question what kind of life one is living. However imperfectly, our politics reflects our deepest values, and our political participation in the polity is the way we try to creat the world we want to live in. To deny the truth of this is to negate the very basis of this country. Thanksgiving (ignoring the stories of its provenance) is the to most sacred of holidays. A day to express gratitude for the foundational aspirations of the US--life, liberty and happiness for all. trump wants it for few. Happy Thanksgiving to all.