*I'm all for the U.S. to seeking better relationships with Cuba and Venezula. I also have no problems with photo-op handshakes between Barack Obama and Hugo Chavez. But Obama was snookered when Chavez strolled over to hand him his book. The president clearly was caught off-guard. Taking the book and immediately putting on the desk, rather than holding it for photogs, would have been the way to go.

*Several stickball-like scores have Yankee fans worried about their team. But if you take away the three routs promulgated by former ace pitcher Chien-Ming Wang, the team's record is 7-3. And 7-3 - .700 baseball - will win you a pennant. Of more concern is the way the ball is flying out of the new stadium - and how the diminished crowd noise has cut into the home field advantage.

*I hear four Republicans are jockeying for position in the race to replace retiring Ulster County Court Judge Mike Bruhn. Among them are former DA Don Williams and Mike Kavanagh Jr., the son of his mentor and predecessor. That should make for an interest dynamic.

*In reference to an earlier blog, other sports broadcasters to whom I'd listen before John Madden include: Marty Glickman, Tony Kubek, Jim Simpson, Charlie Jones and Al DeRogatis, to name a few. In fact, the latter - old timers will remember him from NFL Giants radio and later NBC TV - set the standard for football analysts.

*Amazing statistic of the weekend: The Freeman's editorial in support of same-sex marriage did not generate one comment, pro or con, to our Website. Heck, a newspaper could to an editorial in support of mom and apple pie and somebody would find a way to criticize it.