Dear Commons Community,

All of the media outlets are reporting that Newt Gingrich, scored a stunning victory over Mitt Romney in South Carolina’s Republican presidential primary today. As soon as the polls closed at 7 p.m., the major TV networks called the race for Gingrich.  With about 76% of the precincts of the precincts reporting, Newt Gingrich had 40% of the vote to Romney’s 26%.  Rick Santorum had 17% and Ron Paul 13%.

The Huffington Post in an article commented that:

“Gingrich’s win in South Carolina capped off a remarkable week in politics that saw the former House Speaker from Georgia decimate Romney’s 10-point lead in the state in just five days”

However, not all Republicans are  enthralled with Gingrich’s showing.

“He is a ticking time bomb,” said Henry Barbour, a top Republican party fundraiser from Mississippi who moved his support to Romney from Texas Gov. Rick Perry after Perry dropped out on Thursday.  “He won’t last. He’s great for a cable news show, but when does he blow up?” Barbour told HuffPost.

“Romney has the plan, infrastructure and resources to win a quick or protracted campaign. Gingrich and Santorum will have a very hard time managing this as the pace quickens beyond their ability to execute in all the places they need to campaign. It’s a brutal process.”

Brutal indeed!

Tony

Dear Commons Community,

The Huffington Post has a short piece on the “Secrets of Grand Central Terminal”.   Actually it is more of a come-on for a walking tour.  Regardless I found an accompanying short video interesting (see below).  For instance, the basement of Grand Central goes down ten stories.  Franklin D. Roosevelt’s special train car can still be seen on one of the tracks.  The Terminal clock above the Information Booth may be worth as much as $20 million. And you can still see a couple of the original ceiling tiles that were left  when the new star/constellation ceiling was installed.

Tony

Dear Commons Community,

On April 15 this year, it’ll have been 100 years since the Titanic sank. Robin Gibb,  of Bee Gees fame, has composed a classical tribute to the tragedy, Titanic Requiem.  As a preview, one of the songs, Christmas Day,   is available at the Robin Gibb website, and is performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with soloist Isabelle Suckling.  It tells the story of a young girl on one of the lifeboats, singing about her father who perished on The Titanic. She sings of a light above her, a star in heaven that will always bear his name, but laments that every Christmas there will be an empty chair. It is a poignant example of the many personal tragedies that were sadly manifest in The Titanic’s short but illustrious voyage, ultimately concluding in the death of over 1,500 souls on board.

The website comments:  “This song is paramount in expressing the respect and admiration for those who bravely gave up their seats for the women and children, complete strangers as well as their own kin. Isabelle Suckling has made Christmas Day come to life. She has the right voice for the song and it was a pleasure working with her. Please enjoy”

It is quite beautiful.  Enjoy indeed!

Tony

http://www.robingibb.com/splash