A MEMORABLE DATE! OCTOBER 1, 1962 history was made at segregated University of Mississippi, known as ‘OLE MISS! Mississippi born JAMES MEREDITH, denied admission to the school, sought the help of the NAACP to transfer to the University, an all White institution; his pursuit made national headlines. After several court battles, defiance by Governor Ross Barnett, dogs set upon him and a campus-wide RIOT! He bravely walked amid RACIST jeers, escorted by 23,000 Federal troops through those doors that historic day and REGISTERED! for classes! He graduated in 1963.

Who would have thought 46 years later, history would be made again when a BLACK MAN - SENATOR BARACK OBAMA, Democratic Presidential nominee, walked through the doors of ‘OLE MISS to DEBATE Republican Presidential Nominee Senator JOHN McCAIN! BETCHA’ some of those diehard segregationists were rolling over in their GRAVES at the thought of a BLACK MAN soon to take over the WHITE HOUSE!!!

I watched the OBAMA/McCAIN Debate at my neighbor CHARLES JONES pad with distinguished guests JOHN AND PAULETTE VANN. Jones is currently active with the Bay Area OBAMA Campaign office, recently returned from RENO - a key state to get out the vote for Obama! We agreed the debate was good - about even between the two BUT felt Obama should have seized the opportunity when both were questioned by Moderator Jim Lehrer, anchor “The News Hour w/Jim Lehrer” aired on PBS, to offer comments on the current economic crisis and the President’s $700 BILLION BAILOUT proposal to rescue the financial district!

This week the crisis deepened as of Monday when House Representatives REJECTED the unpopular bailout; Perhaps just as well IF there was nothing for MAIN STREET, BUT ALL FOR WALL STREET! Have yet to read, but understand Foreclosure and unemployment issues not in the package!

McCain's campaign slogan “COUNTRY FIRST” does not fit his choice of Vice President running mate, for if he thought so much about the country WHY pick Alaska Governor SARAH PALIN??? Disastrous thought if he should win!!! Obviously he selected her for SELFISH political reasons in hope SENATOR HILLARY CLINTON’S female supporter would support Palin and help him win the Election!

SOUND REASON is needed at the POLLS, more than ever the FUTURE of this NATION depends on the outcome of this election! If you have not REGISTERED, PLEASE EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT - LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD at the ballot box!


A LITTLE RELIEF from all the political woes, RESPITE Sunday at At&T Park to enjoy BASEBALL! The GIANTS have packed their bags, headed home! In my opinion the season had not been too bad. As usual the last day billed FANS Appreciation Day! Everyone was HAPPY over defeating the LA DODGERS 3-1! SUPERSTAR PITCHER TIM LINCECUM the winner; hopefully the remarkable ALL-STAR will win this year’s CY YOUNG AWARD!!!

The day also celebrated the LEGACY and FAREWELL TRIBUTE to RETIRING General Partner PETER MAGOWAN - THE MAN WHO SAVED THE GIANTS!!! Magowan’s vision kept the GIANTS in San Francisco and gave the team, fans and the City of San Francisco a BEAUTIFUL ballpark, and memories of GIANTS STARS in sculptured works - THE SAY HEY KID -WILLIE MAYS, WILLIE “STRETCH” McCOVEY, PITCHER JUAN MARICHAL AND recently BABY BULL - ORLANDO CEPEDA. and so much more. Magowan is a long time resident of San Francisco and lifelong baseball enthusiast. Wish him well in his future endeavors - rest, write his memoirs!

Surprised when I walked in the PRESS BOX, along with sports SCRIBES, to a treat - chocolate Sundae and cake - THANKS to MARIA JACINTO, GIANTS Director of Broadcasting and Media Services shared in celebration of BLAKE RHODES, Director of Media Relations who has worked in the Giants’ PR department for the last 16 years, moving on!

I faithfully watched Giants games on TV. The departure of BARRY BONDS caused attendance to drop, tickets readily available game days. Manager BRUCE BOCHY and GIANTS’ GM BRIAN SABEAN fledged young players on the field who hustled, hungry to make the lineup. SPECIAL PROPS to Lincecum and pitcher MATT CANE - BOTH GIANTS POSTER PLAYERS!!! Prior to Opening Day, met the the two at a PRESS Luncheon in celebration of the GIANTS 50th Anniversary! They NEVER let the team down!

Outfielder FRED LEWIS, a ROOKIE in 2007, returned this season and has become a rising STAR, playing left field, Barry Bonds old turf! LEWIS left the team in late August to undergo a BUNION operation on his right foot; played many a day in pain, BUT did not show it ! Lewis is expected back in SPRING TRAINING!

I praised the young player, BUT not the only one for he’s been written up in an ESPN article that was heartwarming, an insight to the man, and how he’s handled tragedy! Would have missed the article if Maria, knowing my professional interest in Lewis, had not informed me. AND Lewis was also featured in GIANTS’ September issue of G MAGAZINE, entitled “RISING STAR”. Well, I’m already looking forward to SPRING TRAINING, and once again BASEBALL at the Park!

HEY, IT’S NICE TO BE NICE AND TO ALL OF YOU OUT THERE...LOOK FOR ME...I’LL BE THERE...
E-mail Rochelle at iheard@earthlink.net