Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Brinkmanship

It was in the early 1960s that the Kennedy administration, indeed the country itself, was on the brink of World War Three. The blockade of Cuba pitted the USSR, now Russia, and the United States in a game of brinkmanship, two countries eyeball to eyball 90 miles south of Florida, in the waters surrounding Cuba, on the brink of a world war. Warship against warship in close confines. Way too close. And then the gamble paid off. The Russians....................backed down. That was brinkmanship. And now, in circumstances much less dire, the Mets find themselves in a similar position. They're on the brink of going home. Home for the season, their quest unfullfilled. They must win two in a row. This after the St. Louis Cardinals defeated them 4-2 yesterday in St. Louis. Jeff Weaver outpitched the Met's ace, Tom Glavine. The Cardinals go for the knockout punch tonight with their ace, Chris Carpenter, on the hill. It's time for the Mets to put up. Or pack it in until the spring. What do I think? I would like to see a game seven. Bigtime.

14 Comments:

At 10/18/2006 11:36 AM, Blogger Bosox Fan in Wichita said...

Let's see if the Mets have the moxie like Adlai Stevenson did on the brink ... "His most famous moment came on October 25, 1962, during the Cuban missile crisis, when he gave a presentation at an emergency session of the Security Council. He forcefully asked the Soviet representative, Valerian Zorin, if his country was installing missiles in Cuba, punctuated with the famous demand "Don't wait for the translation!" in demanding an immediate answer. Following Zorin's refusal to answer the abrupt question, Stevenson retorted, "I am prepared to wait for my answer until Hell freezes over." In a diplomatic coup, Stevenson then showed photographs that proved the existence of missiles in Cuba, just after the Soviet ambassador had said they did not exist."

 
At 10/18/2006 11:42 AM, Blogger Peter N said...

And that was a true moment in history...JFK and the powers that be, including Bobby, watched that speech. And they were happy. I was just a kid, but I was so taken up by JFK's charisma...and his brother, too. Sadly, they perished violently much too soon. Thank you for your insightful comment. It meant so much to me.

 
At 10/18/2006 12:31 PM, Blogger Suldog said...

Well, as I've said in another couple of places, I'm rooting for the Mets tonight.

Interesting sidelight: My Dad ran for Congress in Massachusetts in 1956, same year as the second time Stevenson ran for the presidency. Probably his most treasured photo was one of him shaking Stevenson's hand at a fundraiser for Stevenson, held in Boston.

Alas, as with Stevenson, my Dad did not win that year.

 
At 10/18/2006 12:49 PM, Blogger Peter N said...

But you won, just because he was your Dad! Thanks for the comment..I loved the "Bridge Trilogy!" Be well.

 
At 10/18/2006 7:44 PM, Blogger Katiee said...

I'm rooting for the Mets cause well idk I just am

 
At 10/19/2006 12:44 PM, Blogger Peter N said...

Caring and Sharing.....I hope you continue to visit...every day. And I was just a boy during JFK's time. Thanks for visiting!!! I do remember him well, and his brother Bobby too. I miss them.

 
At 10/19/2006 1:13 PM, Blogger Bosox Fan in Wichita said...

JFK was great for this country! He revitalized the U.S. with his speeches, programs, energy and intelligence. To back down the communists without starting WWIII was the best possible solution for our country and probably the world.
Yes, the Bay of Pigs was a big mess that was started by the previous administration.

If he had simply died in office, it still wouldn't have been a good thing, but to have the leader of our great country assassinated was vicious, treacherous and horrible. I think he would have done much more to make this great country better if he had lived. More than the presidents that followed him.

Now if you could expound on the attributes of dubya, we could have some more comments.

 
At 10/19/2006 2:01 PM, Blogger Peter N said...

BFW...I'm back.. You know my name is Peter, and I agree with you. You knew that! And this might turn into a political upheaval worldwide. Oh the humanity!! Caring and Sharing, and Whichita Bosox fan...we all have different opinions. And I so love it that you're here... But right now, I have a wonderful lunch begging to be eaten. But please...never think I don't welcome your comments...I hope there are a few more when I come back...promise? And Wichita..we will talk..promise. You too c&s.....tuna sandwich with Caesar salad are beckonig. Thanks.....Peter

 
At 10/19/2006 2:03 PM, Blogger Peter N said...

And no matter what, I was, and will be a forever fan of JFK. From a child's, and now an adult's viewpoint...take care...P...and don't stop visiting...everyday!!!!!!

 
At 10/19/2006 4:13 PM, Blogger Bosox Fan in Wichita said...

Personal feeling aside, history will show dubya as one of our worst presidents. I would have a different opinion if he had stayed with fighting terrorism and finding bin laden, but he used terrorism as an excuse to invade Iraq and line his buddies pockets with gold. The only evil across the globe he is fighting is the mess we're in that was made after taking down Sadam (the man who tried to kill his daddy). He's strictly a big corporation man and the corruption going on in Iraq is endangerin soldiers' lives and ruining a chance for peace. He allows Halliburton to make millions of dollars over there while their employees take over soldiers' missions that the Halliburton employees have neither the training or equipment. The soldiers are relegated to other duties that they are not trained to do while the contractors fumble through the soldiers' old jobs getting paid way more than any soldier; resulting in putting our troops in life-threatening situations with unsafe equipment. All for the sake of the buck without regard for the safety of our men in uniform. A great president should stand up against that and be ashamed of senseless deaths of our brave soldiers - GOD HAVE MERCY ON THEIR SOULS!

Thank God we live in the greatest country on earth that we can have a different opinion. My fantastic wife, Kim, did not vote for bush & has no use for him. The sooner he's out of power, the better off this country will be. We hate the bush and all his conivings.

 
At 10/19/2006 4:43 PM, Blogger Peter N said...

Dubya is a war criminal...pure and simple...he is so responsible for dragging us into this useless conflict. VietNam REDUX!

 
At 10/19/2006 4:44 PM, Blogger Peter N said...

He is doomed for HELL...for eternity

 
At 10/19/2006 4:53 PM, Blogger Peter N said...

"his dying wasnt' the worst thing for this country, I'll tell you that!"
C&S...shame on you for saying that!! My opinion, but here, that counts for a great deal!

 
At 10/20/2006 2:10 PM, Blogger Peter N said...

C&S..I love you, but we'll never agree. I love that you read my blog. I REALLY do!! Enjoy the Series! Peter...and stay well!!!!

 

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