Published: October 12, 2008 11:10 pm            

Mike Reliford: 10/13/08

Clocks play an important role in the lives of us all. We’re no longer a nomadic bunch of berry pickers who curl up to sleep because it’s dark and hit the bushes again when it’s sunny.

One clock has stood in Times Square since 1989. A Manhattan real estate developer was getting peeved about the national debt and decided to display it to the world. What angered him then was a debt of $2.7 trillion.

Now the National Debt Clock stands without the $ sign. The debt has grown to the point they needed the space for a numeral. Two new spaces will be added next year.

This happened because the national debt hit $10 trillion, something that probably has Seymour Durst, that real estate developer, swirling in his grave.

Oh, and as a sign of pessimism (or optimism, depending on your viewpoint), the new spaces next year will allow the clock to display a debt that reaches a quadrillion.

Now that’s a word most of us haven't heard in a long time, if ever.

Leno’s quandary

I’ve long been accused of being “liberal,” and when people throw that word at me they seem surprised I'm not bothered. Unlike them, I don’t consider it a dirty word.

Neither do I consider the word “conservative” as something nasty. Believe it or not, every now and then I’m accused of that. But I’m really like Jay Leno.

Interviewing a guest Thursday night, Leno was explaining he didn’t know where he fit on the political spectrum. But what he did say is right on target with mine.

Leno said he was very conservative when it came to money, but liberal when it came to people. That’s what I’ve claimed for myself for years ... conservative on spending, liberal on the human condition.

An example of a “conservalib” person would be this: One who believes in welfare, but also believes in eliminating welfare cheats.

AIG? UGH!

Some folks will just never get it. If the sky was truly falling, they’d still go for a ride in their convertible.

That’s what it must be like for the leaders of AIG, the insurance company that is getting an $85 billion loan from the federal government.

Just a few days after receiving the bailout, AIG treated top agents to a retreat at an exclusive California resort that cost almost half a million dollars.

Everybody went nuts, from comedians to commentators to Congress to the president.

AIG apologized and then announced it had another retreat (Ritz-Carlton Resort in Half Moon Bay, California) planned for THIS week.

The complaints got louder: Barack Obama wanted the money back and the company leaders fired, and President Bush called it despicable.

Now the second trip is canceled, even though AIG leaders say this has always been a way to do business throughout the industry.

Really. Maybe that’s why we’re where we’re at today.

AIG also says maybe they should rethink their actions during these hard times.

You reckon!

The good guy Bonds

There has been a Barry Bonds sighting.

Barry Bonds, now in his please-vote-me-into-the-Hall of Fame-mode, is honorary chairman of Macy's Christmas tree lighting. At a kickoff event, he gave a speech, passed out autographed baseball cards of himself (free, even) and chatted with patients from UCSF Children's Hospital. Lights on the tree are sold to benefit the hospital.

One kid asked him if he would play again and Bonds said: "I had fun. But I like my freedom." The answer, kid, is no ... because nobody wants to deal with the baggage the king of steroid home runs drags with him.

Bonds dodged reporters.

The tree lighting is scheduled for Nov. 28. I wouldn't want to be standing next to him if he's the one plugging it in.

Why? Well, if there's any justice out there ...

MIKE RELIFORD can be reached at mreliford@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2647.

        

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