Official Minutes – HVBS Meeting on Wednesday, September 24, 2003

  1. The HVBS Northern Contingent arrived in timely fashion, piloted by PC Wiz, at 11:24 AM to the Hoffman House meeting site. Geronimo, in his inimitable style, arrived in an under-the-wire 11:29. Whew! After a short discussion about dining on the patio, members entered the premises and retained our usual corner table. Deliberator confided one reason he preferred inside was not to disturb an elderly couple on the patio. Official Waitress Vickie immediately took orders for beverages – three opting for wine (PC Wiz and Deliberator trying the Shiraz, Shadow the Cabernet) and Geronimo going for his customary Killian’s Red.
  2. Pulling out a Schenectady Gazette clipping, PC Wiz gave Geronimo a copy of an e-mail sent to Deliberator concerning a certain "John Jahan". Shadow had alertly caught the name in an article about a lone protestor to a large home-building and golf course project and notified PC Wiz. Deliberator confessed he had caught the reference and asked his son about it. Sure enough the Gazette’s reputation for accuracy(?) was upheld – it certainly was Deliberator’s son John. The builder has promised a fence and signs at John’s property. We shall see.
  3. The Shadow reported on the devastation in Virginia from Hurricane Isabel. Son Russell and family went to Richmond for the storm and returned to no power (or telephone) for more than a week. Russ reported the situation and that he had disposed of all the food in their refrigerator, by cell phone. Luckily their house was spared, others were not so fortunate – high winds rather than water causing most of the damage. Geronimo stated that son Danny is coming to New York soon for a Trade Show so he has stocked up with wines (all under $12 a bottle) for a tasting session. PC Wiz raised Associate Member Shirley’s issue of the verity of some of Geronimo’s e-mails such as the purported blackout satellite photo. Shadow pointed out that true satellite photos are made up of several sections and the photo was a known hoax. Geronimo admitted that members should be skeptical of submissions.
  4. In our political section Shadow raised the issue of "what does a Republican believe in"? Deliberator opined that he would be business oriented and fiscally conservative, which would qualify Arnold Schwartzenegger – although being a social liberal. Deliberator continued by stating that New York will be a loss to Republicans – undoubtedly, considering the recent election results. The future of Rudolf Guiliani, the best candidate the Republicans have, was considered and PC Wiz opined he would most likely run for Senator Schumer’s seat with Elliot Spitzer opting to try for Governor. Shadow repeated that homeland security was a fraud to which members agreed in general with porous borders, very little shipping container inspection and confusion in how to accomplish security. PC Wiz stated that no major act has occurred in two years after 9/11 (luck?) and perhaps we should ask the Israelis to teach us about security precautions.
  5. Our sports section generated the most heated discussion; not surprising considering the playoffs and NFL season. PC Wiz had a copy of the NY Post cover "Fassel Fool" about the Giants loss to Dallas (Parcells) 35-32. Deliberator stated that Parcells has a "big ego" while Geronimo felt he is an opportunist. Shadow called it a "pathetic loss" and that Fassel is using identical statements in his radio interviews – playing not to lose rather than playing to win. Mike Francessa on WFAN was defending the coach against irate callers. Geronimo commented that he is not a "football guy". Following are HVBS Giant predictions for the season: Shadow: 11-5 Giants make playoffs. Deliberator: 10-6 Giants make playoffs. Geronimo: 9-7. Shadow thought it a shame that women’s professional soccer league, with a winning team, has been terminated because of competition with baseball and other sports. Concerning the NY Yankees Deliberator considered them much improved in the last two months. Geronimo said Posada is not the best defensive catcher while Shadow thought he should be selected MVP of the league. Derek Jeter quoted Frank Thomas of the Chicago White Sox as saying the reason the Yankees won their game was because of their large payroll. Although Soriano had 15 lead-off homers in the season Geronimo thought him a "lousy second baseman" – Deliberator agreed. At our last meeting on August 6 Geronimo raised the issue of Roger Clemens entering the Hall of Fame (Red Sox or Yankee). PC Wiz passed around a clipping from the Wall Street Journal comparing Clemens, Maddux, Seaver, Spahn and Koufax – great pitchers all!
  6. Official Waitress Vickie notified Shadow he had a telephone call, quite a surprise. Associate Member Shirley had gotten a doctor’s appointment for later in the day. HVBS Official Scheduler Deliberator raised the question of our next confab – whether to have one or two more sessions this year. The vote was unanimous for two sessions so Deliberator proposed Wednesday October 29, 2003 which was ratified. The final meeting will be in early to mid December, weather permitting (Shadow). The session was adjourned at 1:45 PM.

Thanks to Geronimo for his corrections.

HVBS Official Scribe Laureate PC Wiz

October 15, 2003