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Lerach: Don't Blame Public Union Members. Blame Wall Street
With regard to Lerach's comment on the rate of return, you have to look at the individual pension system and the measuring period. SDCERA, the County system, says that over 25 years, it's net rate of return has been 9.6%. That is pretty good. I'm sure it would be much less if you just looked at the last 10 years. I don't know what a reasonable measuring period to evaluate the reasonableness of rates would be. Obviously, when you get a huge hit like 2008, it takes a long time to make it up even if returns are good because you are starting from a lower base.— February 28, 2011 1:36 p.m.
Wisconsin Governor Proposes Deep Benefit Slashes
Public employees, whether collective bargaining exists or not, will always be able to organize associations, show up at meetings and ask for higher pay and benefits. The advantage of collective bargaining is to formalize the process and require BOTH parties to bargain in good faith. If the public employer can't reach agreement with the unions, it can impose its last offer unilaterally. The employer always has the final say. With regard to the clout of unions, I can only speak from my own observations as to local unions, such as SEIU at the County level. They are wimps. After a few rounds of negotiation, they take something exactly or very close to what the County offered in the first place. When times have been tough, the unions have agreed to wage freezes, even effectively cuts (e.g., contributing more to retirement.) Things may be different on the state level, but their influence is no greater than that of business lobbyists whose clients are regulated by government.— February 24, 2011 3:15 p.m.
Many Jobs Are More Dangerous Than Police, Firefighting
The reason for lower retirement ages for police and fire is not because of danger, but because of the desire to have departments with younger, more physically fit people. Danger was never the reason.— February 24, 2011 1:55 p.m.
One Hit Wagner
Too me a "one hit" composer needs to be someone who only wrote one well-known work, That can hardly be said of Wagner. Mascagni and Leoncavallo, yes and also, Ponchielli, but not Wager or Verdi. There are also "one-hit operas." For example, who remembers anything from Massenet's Werther other than "Pouquoi me reveille?"— February 24, 2011 1:51 p.m.
One Hit Wonders
Speaking of Vesti la giubba, this classic Rice Krispies add shows how well know it at least used to be. ' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7joApY9dnw— February 24, 2011 1:46 p.m.
Ligeti
If you need someone to write "big slab" music, Ligeti's the one!— February 13, 2011 7:56 p.m.
Wisconsin Governor Proposes Deep Benefit Slashes
Gosh, why not collective bargaining for public employees? The employers have no obligation to grant excessive benefits, if that if what they think are being requested. Blame the employers, not the unions. My own experience with the County is that the public employee unions, with the possible exception of Deputy Sheriffs, are rather weak, and not militant at all.— February 13, 2011 7:45 p.m.
Tale of Two Tenors
I have heard Licitra twice; once in the L.A. Opera Tosca and again in the L.A. Opera Il tabarro. I think he is ok, nothing special, but I understand he is a mixed bag and can turn in an exciting performance, so I have hope for Carmen. With regard to current tenors, based on Met moviecasts and one live performance, I have liked Calleja and Beczala the best. So maybe Maltese and Polish tenors will dominate the stage.:) I have heard that Beczala will return to San Diego for Ballo in Maschera, a very tenor-centered opera. I hope that happens. San Diego's last Ballo was the last time I heard a decent performance from Richard Leech. What a sad decline for him. Of course in the Bel Canto repertory, we have the great Florez. I think the decline in the Italian tenor simply reflects the decline in popularity of opera in Italy. Although the Italians are proud of their institutions, listening to or attending opera has largely been replaced by the sinister influence of American popular music. I am looking forward to the development of Stephen Costello. He has great potential, but needs to mature. Since he is not yet 30, he has plenty of time.— December 22, 2010 2:58 p.m.
Tale of Two Tenors
The most interesting tenor phenomenon of the last 30 years is the emergence of the Spanish and Latino tenors, such as Domingo, Carreras, Cura, Ramon Vargas, Villazon (he is probably finished) and many others. Genuine Italian tenors such as Giordani and Filianoti don't seem to have reached true star status. (Filianoti; however, was seriously ill). It will be interesting to see what Italy produces.— December 20, 2010 1:36 p.m.
Tale of Two Tenors
Pavarotti's 1982 performance as Nemorino of Una furtiva lagrima is breathtaking. Saying that every note sounds alike does an injustice to his ability to caress a phrase as he does in this aria. The problem with Bonisolli or anyone throwing anything into the pit is that orchestra musicians can be injured. The behavior is totally uncalled for.— December 20, 2010 1:09 p.m.