The Morning Line (Again)

Paul Daugherty of the Cincinnati Enquirer has once again graciously allowed me to guest write his The Morning Line blog.

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Free Nelson Mandela’s Estate

Winnie Mandela, the ex-wife of Nelson Mandela, filed a claim against his estate seeking control of his ancestral home for her daughters.  Mandela divorced Winnie in 1996 after he charged that she had been unfaithful to him during his 27 year imprisonment.  Mandela’s  will left the ancestral home to his 3rd wife who later waived her right to half of his estate in exchange for  properties in her native Mozambique. Mandela’s grandson later ordered the exhumation of the bodies of 3 of Mandela’s children from the ancestral home, but Mandela’s daughter had the bodies re-interred at the disputed home.

Several points, if I must:

1.  It is odd that an elderly mother would be the one to file a claim on behalf of her middle aged daughters.  Adolescence is seemingly prolonged every year.

2.  If the South African court system moves at the same pace as it did for the Oscar Pistorius trial, Winnie and the third wife will die before there is a resolution.

3.  Whoever can convince the various members and factions of the Mandela family to have a group hug deserves a Nobel Peace Prize.

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R.I.P. Robin Williams

My favorite piece was his take on golf.  He will be missed.

 

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His Feet Should Be in the Ground

Casey Kasem died a month ago but his body remains unburied.  Reportedly, just prior to his daughter obtaining a court order to keep his body in the U.S., his wife had his body shipped to Montreal, the home of her alleged boyfriend.   Additionally, Jean Kasem’s law firm is seeking to resign as her attorneys after she has allegedly incurred unpaid legal bills of $500,000 during her dispute with his children. The law firm has threatened to file a claim a claim against his estate for payment of its services.

Two points, if I must:

1.  Creditors of a decedent can file a claim against the estate for unpaid debts.  Services rendered on behalf of one party in a deathbed dispute are not necessarily the responsibility of the estate especially if the party loses.

2.  I would would not think too long about continuing a romantic relationship with a meat throwing and scripture quoting partner who has her deceased husband’s remains shipped to my hometown.  To paraphrase Kramer on Seinfeld, “Two words, Jerry.  Break up.”

 

Jean Kasem, widow of Casey Kasem

Jean Kasem, widow of Casey Kasem

Back in Town

Just returned from 2 weeks in Spain and Morocco.   Blog post to follow.  In the meantime, here are some vacation pics of my children.

Blair and Jack at Majorelle Gardens in Marrakech.  Gardens were created by Yves St. Laurent.

Blair and Jack at Majorelle Gardens in Marrakech. Gardens were created by Yves St. Laurent.

Blair and Jack at Medersa Ben Youssef in Marrakech.

Blair and Jack at Medersa Ben Youssef in Marrakech.

Blair and Jack in Grenada with view of Alhambra.

Blair and Jack in Grenada with view of Alhambra.

Blair and Jack at Alcazar, Seville, Spain.

Blair and Jack at Alcazar, Seville, Spain.

Jack in Marrakech

Jack in Marrakech

Blair wit snake charmer in Jemaa el-Fnaa Square in Marrakech.  Note cobra in the right hand  corner.

Blair wit snake charmer in Jemaa el-Fnaa Square in Marrakech. Note cobra in the right hand corner.

Jack with "ape" of Gibraltar.

Jack with “ape” of Gibraltar.

Blair and Jack in Barcelona.

Blair and Jack in Barcelona.

Blair and Jack at Gibraltar with Africa in background.

Blair and Jack at Gibraltar with Africa in background.

Blair at Medersa Ben Youssef in Marrakech.

Blair at Medersa Ben Youssef in Marrakech.