From the morning papers

There's a good story, not so much about the Angels as about Angel fandom, here. (It's the L.A. Times so you must, like John Charles Daley's next contestant, sign in please.)

I flew back to Beijing that August wearing an Angels cap. I started reading the International Herald Tribune to check the abbreviated Angel box scores on the back page. When the Angels made the 1979 playoffs, my father, at my urging, bought an enormous shortwave radio so that, from across the world, I could have the first of many experiences with October disappointment. The Angels lost to the Orioles in four games.

Otherwise, the only baseball to be had in China was the Wiffle ball contests I organized in a parking lot next to the Forbidden City. Convincing curious Chinese passersby to pitch, I imitated the batting stance of Don Baylor (think Tim Salmon, with more power). Throwing a ball in Tiananmen Square, I pretended I was Nolan Ryan. (When the Angels let him go to Houston, I finally understood the depths of the Chinese dismay with free markets.)


And the "elections". . . .

There is much in the Times and the Press Telegram about our alleged elections which will be coming up in November. Most of the ink is, of course, spilled on the governor's "race", since most of the other "races" have been predetermined by the bargain basement mafia that runs this state. Re-districting, doncha know. There probably aren't a half dozen incumbents who have an actual contest on their hands.

And can someone tell me what happened to Bill Simon? You know, the fellow who's supposed to be running for governor against the late Gray Davis. Is Simon dead, too? Has he been kidnapped by terrorists? Or is it just another in our series of Republican candidates for office in this state who fight for the nomination and then go into hiding for fear someone might vote for them.
Shouldn't someone notify the authorities and have a search mounted?

If he has any kind of campaign organization at all, perhaps in his absence they might consider mounting at least a small campaign for him. Maybe a television ad or two. Or some sort of notice in the newspapers. Send out a flyer. Or has the entire campaign staff been kidnapped, too?

Is anybody there? Anybody? Hello? Bill, can you hear me? If you can, call your office: THERE'S AN ELECTION IN TWO WEEKS!