Some politicians’ behavior after leaving office reinforces precisely why they were in politics in the first place, whether for the money or for the power or, in a few enlightened instances, for the chance to make a positive difference. Jimmy Carter is an example of the latter. While much of what he did both while president and afterwards has been very idealistic, he has obviously spent much of his life trying to improve conditions in the country and in the world. Al Gore is rapidly becoming another positive example. His ecological crusade has help imprint global warming into the public consciousness, and now he has published a new book The Assault on Reason about how “the reasoned debate our country was founded on is being endangered by a variety of allied forces.” I liked Al Gore when he was a presidential candidate 8 years ago, but I have grown to like him even more since.

Did any other Yankee fans notice that in 2006 the Boston Red Sox ownership and management did not panic when the team went through difficult times and performed well below their usual level all season? They fought through it, made some adjustments in their lineup, and as a result have the best record in baseball so far in 2007. Now that the Yankees are struggling, does anybody believe that George Steinbrunner will NOT panic and tear the team apart the way he did regularly in the 1980s and early 1990s? We’ll see.

This summer has been heralded as the summer of blockbusters, and I find it very amusing–and, yes, somewhat condescending–that the three blockbusters which have been released so far are all the 3rd installment in very lightweight series: Spider-Man, Shrek, and Pirates of the Caribbean. All the more reason for me to stay home and read some very enjoyable books. ☺