Archive for June 2017

The 2nd ring’s the thing?

June 30, 2017

 

Andre Iguodala won’t meet with Golden State Warriors during initial free-agency period. Maybe he wants to start taking May and June off?

Iguodala is meeting first with #Spurs. So maybe it’s not being tired of playoff basketball, maybe he thinks he’s the missing piece like KD?

United Airlines sends out email about new award travel options with Mileage Plus. Why don’t they just use a true title. “If you think it was hard to get a free ticket before…”

Trump 3am tweet “Republican Senators are unable to pass what they are working on now, they should immediately REPEAL, and then REPLACE at a later date!”
In the meantime, who needs health insurance at all? #WTF?

And then to all those gun rights activists who think that it’s really a mental health problem more than a gun problem –  somehow I have missed the NRA protests over proposed cuts in mental health coverage under Trumpcare.

At least one dead besides the killer at a Bronx Hospital. The dead suspect had a past with multiple sexual harassment, abuse and other crimes. But he was just an angry man with a gun. Move along, nothing to see here.

Can we have a moment imagining the reaction if Obama had responded to his critics with same sort of insults & vitriol of Trump?

So now latest Trump scandal involves the National Enquirer. Enough to make us long for the days when their headlines were about Kardashians.

 

Open note to @realDonaldTrump voters, is there ANYTHING he could say or do to make you think it was mistake to elect him? #seriously

Okay, I cannot imagine the pain of losing a child. But Kate’s Law, which Trump is trumpeting as an example of saving American lives,  goes after immigrants who have been deported before, fair enough. What about those who have been killed by those who are repeat abusers, or drunk drivers, or simply those who have some sort of criminal history where they shouldn’t have had a gun…… their deaths don’t count?

 

(As one more aside, how about laws making it a FELONY to leave a gun in an car when tht gun is stolen and used in a crime.  The gun used in this poor woman’s death was stolen after being left in a car by a federal agent playing tourist in San Francisco.. the media never said for sure if the car was even locked.)

Baseball is life, the rest is just details.

June 29, 2017

Another reason baseball is better than politics. You can hate Yankees & absolutely feel horrible & wish the best for Dustin Fowler.

(for those who don’t follow baseball, he made his major league debut, a dream come true, and crashed into a wall.  Looks like an injury that will put him out for a while.)

ESPN reports Kentucky coach John Calipari has told the Knicks that he’s interested in their president of operations role. Well, Calipari does have a track record of success with amateur talent.

SF Giants  have an off day. So the winning streak continues at least until Friday.

 

Braves DFA’ed Bartolo Colon, Mets are considering taking him back. Unless SF Giants get there first. They could use his bat.

A Toronto man who threw a can of beer at Orioles OF Hyun Soo Kim during last year’s playoffs has been sentenced to community service and ordered to stay away from major league ballparks for one year. So does that mean he can still go see the Phillies?

A fire at JFK Airport that temporarily forced the evacuation of Terminal 4 apparently started in a Panda Express kitchen. Shocking. They do actual cooking at Panda Express?

RIP Gary DeCarlo, 75, co-author of “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye.” Well, I guess we know what song they will play at his funeral – “Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey, hey, goodbye

Regarding the current version of the Travel Ban, anyone with a “bona fide” relationship in the US is exempt. Now, I’m not a fan of the ban in general, but the only woman terrorist recently in the US WAS the wife of the man she staged the attack with. #securitytheater?

Macron invites Trump for BastilleDay Paris visit. Is PM trying to flatter US Pres, or reminding those who voted against him- could be worse.

Remembering those days when people were complaining that Bill Clinton’s behavior in a consensual sexual relationship with an adult intern  set such a bad example for children…

 

At what point do GOP leaders go from being disappointed, upset etc, w/ Trump’s behavior actually to DOING something? Asking for a country.

 

Following @JustinTrudeau is a good reminder of how a world leader should behave on Twitter. But sadly, as an American, he’s not ours.

So an open question to all these GOP leaders who keep excusing Trump’s behavior: Do any of you have daughters? Seriously.

Trump doesn’t seem to realize that nothing the so called “fake news” media can write will embarrass him as much as his own tweets.

Leaving aside all else that was wrong w/ his tweet, why does Trump think women bleed from face lifts? Is that what his wives have told him?

Will everyone stop saying how childish @realDonaldTrump tweets are? Most mothers would not let children get away with behaving like that.

Melania Trump’s communications director: “As First Lady has stated publicly…when her husband gets attacked, he will punch back 10 times harder.”
Two words “Stockholm syndrome.”

Just wondering, was “bleeding from a face lift” line result of @realDonaldTrump having had bad experience with plastic surgery in the past?

 

Happiest people in the US right now? Advertisers who bought space ages ago for Friday’s #MorningJoe show.

A sweep is not just a broom.

June 28, 2017

SF Giants  now have a winning streak. Hope this isn’t a sign of the apocalypse.

Cavs owner  owner Dan Gilbert crashed the Chicago Cubs White House photo-op with  Trump. Is Dan trying to get Lebron to give it a 2018 shot with Popovich and the Spurs.

Chris Paul heading to the Rockets. Celtics,  and Spurs are working on improving their lineups. Cavs trying to hold it together.  And about 25 NBA teams have been eliminated from championship consideration before preseason.

 

Jae-Gyun Hwang, after his first MLB home run, and his first post-game beer shower with SF Giants (through a translator) “There’s not such a thing in Korea, but I’ve gotten to know there is such a thing, personally, just a few minutes ago. I was actually more surprised about how cold the beer was.”
Yeah, Hwang could fit in just fine here. Has someone warned him about the mouse turds?

Who’s on first. What’s on second. But “I don’t know” on third might be replaced by Hwang for the foreseeable future. #byebyebaby @SFGIants

Cowboys DE David Irving is the latest to get a four game suspension from the NFL for violating their PED policy. And of course he says it was a mistake with an over-the-counter substance.
Even if that’s true, if you’re a pro athlete and put ANYTHING in your body where you don’t know all the ingredients, consider the suspension a stupidity tax.

The Cubs DFA catcher Miguel Montero after he ranted he can’t throw runners out because pitchers can’t hold them on. A.J. Pierzynski is a charming teammate by comparison.

Phil Jackson fired from the Knicks.   And here with Ringling Bros folding some were worried Madison Square Garden would never have another circus.

At SFO, an airport screener pleaded guilty to taking a $4,500 bribe to let 50 lbs of cocaine go through his x-ray machine. $4,500!? Imagine what he’d do, or might have done, for REAL money.

Trump accepted Macron’s invitation to attend Bastille Day ceremonies in France. First will someone let him know what Bastille Day is?

Man arrested for destroying ARK #TenCommandments destroyed OKC one in 2014. Also threatened to kill Obama. Must be Hillary’s fault..

 

More on the suspect in the destruction of the Ten Commandments monument in Arkansas. He calls himself a “Satanist.” Where are all the defenders of religious freedom on this one?

Jason Chaffetz will join FoxNews. Where former rep who couldn’t make it on $174K a yr will rail against those who can’t afford healthcare.

Trump Tweet “Tomorrow the House votes on #KatesLaw & No Sanctuary For Criminals Act. Lawmakers must vote to put American safety first! #SaveAmericanLives ”

Right, unless those lives conflict with gun rights.  Or unless they depend on healthcare, especially women’s healthcare.

 

Ann Coulter – “Sean Hannity would endorse communism if Trump decided to implement the policies of ‘The Communist Manifesto.'” Well, yeah, but he’d have to get in line behind most of the GOP members of Congress.

from TC    “Vince Young, I believe is #701 on the QB depth charts, right behind a tennis pro.”

Colin Kaepernick is looking better and better…

June 27, 2017

Vince Young, upset that he hasn’t been signed this year by an NFL team, is complaining that other “garbage” QBs have jobs and he doesn’t. “I hate to name-drop, but [Ryan] Fitzpatrick is still playing!? He leads the league in interceptions, and he’s still f—— getting paid? I mean, what the f— is going on?”
Well, and who would turn down a chance to have a backup QB with that kind of positive attitude in their locker room?

 

A rare bit of good news for  SF Giants.  Madison Bumgarner not only making rehab start in Sacramento – he’s taking batting practice. #pitcherswhorake

Must have been a slow news day in Boston – TSA found a 20-pound live lobster in checked luggage at Logan Airport. Apparently this is legal as long as the crustacean is properly packaged. But how long until someone tries to avoid checked bag fees by calling their lobster a service animal?

In Florida, a man spent 90 days in jail because cops suspected he had cocaine in his truck, which a lab eventually confirmed was white powdered drywall. Of course, since this was Florida suppose the guy has to be grateful he wasn’t shot.

Rick Perry got to the  White House press podium today and seemed like he wanted to stick around. Will he come up w/ 2-3 good reasons why he should be Press Secretary?

A woman is suing a Manhattan bar after she tore her ACL because she said they allowed her to ride their mechanical bull while “visibly intoxicated.”
Isn’t being “visibly intoxicated” a requirement for riding mechanical bulls?#Darwinwouldbeproud

Bruce Bochy with the baseball quote of the year after a Fox Sports story indicating closer Mark Melancon’s ending a stretching session is part of the SF Giants problem this year -. “It’s pole vaulting over mouse turds.”

A flight at a Shanghai airport was delayed after an elderly lady threw coins into the engine for good luck. Your move, Florida.

(Don’t tell people going on Disney rides.)

 

GOP to delay Trumpcare vote until after July 4. If they delay more than 63 days do they have to wait 6 months to try again?

New owners of Toronto Trump Intl Hotel & Tower made deal to have Trump name taken off property. Many wish White House could make same deal.

Ivanka Trump  “I try to stay out of politics” That’s why she chose to leave her business & kids to be “senior advisor to President of US? #WTF?

 

Pretty amazing that the President who continually rails against “Fake News” retweeted FOUR items from “Fox and Friends” this morning.

Is one win a streak?

June 27, 2017

Inquiring SF Giants fans want to know.

SF Giants play “When the lights go down in the city” if team is ahead in 8th. Fans might be forgiven for wondering if it’s “Oldies night. ”

Meanwhile, NBA finally gets around to naming MVP,  Coach of the Year, etc.   Had some of those playoff series gone a bit longer have to wonder if they’d have had to have the ceremonies at halftime during preseason games.

Oracle Team USA blown out by Emirates New Zealand 7-1 in #AmericasCup. So US is now longer best in billionaire boat racing. #IblameTrump

Trump now accusing Obama of collusion in Russian election meddling that he said didn’t happen. #Whythereisnosatire

 

New provision in Trump care, not a mandate, but anyone uninsured for 64 days or more would have to wait 6 months for new insurance. So it’s simple, if you lose your job and can’t afford COBRA, don’t get sick.

But for those who get cancer or something else horrible –  in the name of removing the Obamacare mandate –  Live free AND die.

 

 

CBO Score says 22 million would become uninsured under Trumpcare. GOP disagrees, number will be much smaller as some of them will be dead.

 

Media complaining White House Press Conferences now “audio-only” No doubt Trump and Sean Spicer will respond by turning sound off.

Fox News’ Brit Hume said on Russia that colluding with a foreign government to influence an election would “obviously be alarming and highly inappropriate.” But, “it’s not a crime.”
Somewhere Nixon is going “Did I live in the wrong time or what?”

Police say the 14-year old girl who was videoed dangling from a Six Flag gondola ride in New York apparently deliberately slid under the safety bar. So the men who caught her did save her life, but apparently also prevented a well-earned Darwin award.

 

Got to love millennials. Two of them talking loudly in  a train car about the drama of their lives. For almost an hour. “Totally.”. Then one says “Don’t tell anyone I told you this but….”. All I can do not to turn around and say ” anyone?” You’ve just told everyone within earshot.

Battle of the aged?

June 25, 2017

John McEnroe – Serena Williams would be “about 700 on men’s tour.” Sounds like someone has wishful thoughts about a sequel to Riggs-King.

Of  course, right about now I’d put money on Serena, 7 or 8 months pregnant.  Or heck, she could probably dispatch him between contractions.

 

Right about now #SFGiants seriously need to recruit Crash Davis and Annie Savoy.

Hunter Pence is thrown out stealing second with the Giants down 2 runs,  in a first and third, two out situation with Belt up.  Joe Panik gets doubled off 2nd when Posey pops-out.  Takes lot of creativity to lose this consistently. #SFGiants

The Mets promoted Tim Tebow to their high-A , Port St. Lucie (Fla.) Minor League team. Alas for Tim, with this weekend’s series over it’s already too late in the year for him to have a chance of facing SFGiants pitching.

Adam Schiff says now that President Obama should have done more about Russian election hacking. Hindsight is 20-20, but remember, everyone thought Hillary was going to win easily, especially after the “pussy tapes.”
And with Donald Trump talking “rigged” election and not promising to accept the results, can we seriously think what would have happened if Obama came out and said Russia was trying to get Trump elected?

Lara Trump – “Republican Party is becoming the only party of tolerance here in the United States.” #nopunchlineneeded

 

 

Trump today on “Fox and Friends” admitted he called the House health care bill “mean” And then claimed that Obama only said the same thing because HE had done so first – “He used my term – “mean.”
When you look under “petty” in the dictionary…. #sorestwinnerever

 

Trump said Obama stole his “mean” term for the healthcare bill. How long until Trump claims he & not Al Gore invented the internet?

 

 

John McEnroe – Serena Williams would be “about 700 on men’s tour.” Sounds like someone has wishful thoughts about a sequel to Riggs-King.

 

Think a healthcare solution might be just to allow Trump to rename Obamacare “Trumpcare?” Then he might call it best in world.

 

 

From T.C.   “QB Vince Young has been placed on waivers by the CFL Saskatchewan Roughriders. In related news, Colin Kaepernick has Googled Saskatchewan.”

 

 

 

 

Not so fabulous

June 24, 2017

A travel ban over LGBT rights could affect California teams traveling to play colleges in eight states, especially in football. Now this could actually result in real change. What horror if the Alabama Crimson Tide couldn’t fatten up their record against teams like Fresno State.

 

Florida vs LSU for the College World Series title. Or did they schedule an SEC pre-season football game and not tell us?

 

#SFGiants advertising July 9 “Slumber Party on the Field” for fans. Alas team has been having slumber party on field all season.

They’d never remake Bull Durham with 2017 SF Giants Triple-A team. Anyone half-way  decent would be called up to the show mid-movie.

Losing Madison Bumgarner to a dirt bike injury certainly didn’t help the SF Giants this season. But pitchers don’t need to be dare-devils to end up on the DL. Rangers’ starter Martin Perez is on the DL with a broken fingertip after a “hotel door accident.” (Yes, he’s a lefty…. Paging Jeremy Affleldt.)

So did they schedule a preseason Redskins Browns game in DC and not warn us? #Nationals #Reds

(18-3 Washington was the final over Cincinnati.)

Lara Trump, Eric’s wife, upset about Johnny Depp’s (admittedly stupid) assassination joke. “Let’s be very clear: this has never happened in this capacity to any other president.”
Time for a new hashtag. #nopunchlineneeded

Mike Pence says that he & Trump support GOP version of Trumpcare. How long will ir be until either of them might actually read the bill?

If the Trumpcare/ GOP Healthcare bill is so good  why does #AmericaFirstPolicies,  a pro-Trump PAC, need to spend seriously big money on Twitter to pressure GOP Senator Heller to vote for it?

(the promoted hashtag, #Hellervoteyes)

 

If Trump DID “stand in middle of 5th Ave and shoot someone” not only would he not lose some voters, he and they would blame Obama.

 

 

An American tourist is in serious condition after being shot during a robbery in Turks and Caicos. Horrible thing to happen on vacation, but have to wonder why this is big time news. Easier to be randomly shot back here in the good old US of A.

The new normal?

June 23, 2017

Could be worse, in England soccer teams who do as badly as #SFGiants are doing this year get dropped down to equivalent of Triple-A.

 

-Just got a Facebook ad for SF Giants fidget spinners… . Sorry, Giants fans need a lot more than a fidget spinner to reduce stress in 2017.

#SFGiants had to play late night game in Atlanta, flew home to arrive after sunrise, played Mets Friday night.  So much for the zombie strategy.

 

Reality star Savannah Chrisley (who?) said on Instagram that she’s dating Luke Kennard, who was just drafted by the Detroit Pistons. Well, and dating reality stars has worked out so well for NBA players with the Kardashians.

 

Markelle Fultz, Philadelphia’s #1 draft pick, said he thinks the 76ers are now a playoff team. Well, in the Eastern Conference, all they need is to win about 30-40 of 82 games.

Three teenagers were handcuffed yesterday in DC by plainclothes police for selling bottled water without permits on the National Mall. Don’t think we have to guess their race. No charges were ultimately filed, but supposed the kids should be grateful they weren’t shot.

A woman complained on Yelp that that she found a dead frog in her salad at BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse in West Covina, California. Good thing she wasn’t in San Francisco. For the frog they’d have charged extra.

 

A Florida college student accused of stabbing a couple to death last year says he wants to “be a normal kid again.” The young man, then 19, not only killed them, he attacked a neighbor who tried to help, and chewed on one victim’s face. I believe that “normal” ship has sailed.

Week after the Virginia shooting,  Johnny Depp joked about assassinating Trump. And we thought his stupidest idea ever was making “Pirates of the Caribbean 5.”

Friday was #BringYourDogToWorkDay. GOP senators don’t need to do that, they already have the Trumpcare bill.

Trump said repeatedly “we’ll have to see,” about potentially firing Mueller. Translation “if he gets close to an indictment.”

 

-At his Iowa rally this week, Trump received cheers when he called for a new law barring immigrants from receiving welfare for at least five years. Okay, but Bill Clinton signed a law doing exactly that in 1996.
How long until Trump claims credit for the Civil Rights act? Or Social Security?

 

 

Open question to working class @realdonaldTrump voters – can you name 1 thing he’s done as President that actually benefits you?

Trump said he lied about tapes to keep Comey honest – Uh, that means everything the former FBI director said was true. #wtf?

 

From TC:    Trump took credit this week for building Panama Canal, which occurred over 100 years ago. If nobody challenges him then next week… Great Wall of China?

Buying time.

June 22, 2017

LaVar Ball says that Lonzo will “take the Lakers to the playoffs in his first year.” So is he buying them tickets?

White Sox and Twins started a game after 4 hr & 50 min rain delay. 4 hours & 50 min!? That’s almost as long as average Red Sox Yankees game.

Derek Jeter apparently has told Major League Baseball he is looking for other investor as he still doesn’t have enough money to buy the Marlins.
Well, he can always make up the money in a year by charging Yankee Stadium beer prices.

Cubs sending struggling World Series star Kyle Schwarber to Triple-A. Can #SFGiants do that with (almost) their entire team?

 

In last week #SFGiants have had games where they scored, 8, 9 and 11 runs. And they lost all three.

Bill Cosby wants to do a series of town halls to tell young people how to avoid being charged with sexual assault. Step 1- become a big celebrity.

Los Angeles police arrested a man and his son for allegedly keeping 44 pounds of cocaine at their unlicensed day care. What was their first clue…. a really really bouncy house?

#PlannedParenthood defunded, coverage for Viagra remains. You’d almost think GOP #HeathcareBill was put together by old white men.

Since Trumpcare cuts Medicaid it’s a good thing that contraception is covered so fewer poor people will be born…. Oh wait, never mind.

A man from the Bronx was arrested yesterday at JFK Airport before he boarded a flight to Istanbul, allegedly to join ISIS. #Wearegoingtoneedabiggertravelban

Trump has chosen a site for his big DC re-election fundraiser- the Trump hotel. “I’m shocked,” said nobody.

Trump finally says there are no tapes on day GOP Trumpcare abomination bill is revealed. I’m sure it’s just a coincidence.

In Feb. #Trump gave a jobs speech at Boeing in South Carolina. Today, plant announced they would lay off 200. Surely this is Obama’s fault

 

Trump announced Jamie McCourt, former co-owner of the Los Angeles will be the U.S. ambassador to Belgium. Hasn’t the country suffered enough?

So time for one of my serious comments : Darryl Hamilton was killed two years ago yesterday, June 22, 2015, shot in a murder-suicide by an estranged ex-girlfriend, the mother of his youngest son. She had pleaded guilty in 2008 to felony arson for burning her ex-husband’s house down in 2006… after trying to douse him in gasoline. She received 10 years probation, which prohibited her from having a gun, but a judge terminated it early in 2010, so the weapon she used was legal.

Didn’t know Hamilton that well, but he was in my experience a thoughtful, funny really nice guy who liked talking sports AND politics.  Adored his kids.  Didn’t always adore United Airlines, though he was good humored about it –  a fun and down to earth client.  He was liked, even beloved by others in baseball who knew him well.  And his ex was clearly a disturbed woman.

Laws don’t prevent all crimes. But in this country it is way too damned easy to get a gun. Period. #whenwillweeverlearn

Living on a prayer…

June 21, 2017

Pope Francis met with a NFL Hall-of-Fame delegation that included Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones. Did his Holiness thank Jones for all the years Tony Romo had fans on their knees praying?

Dwyane Wade will pick up $23.8 million player option for 2017-8. Asked why? “24 million reasons.” Who says there’s no honesty in sports?

In Colorado, the fine for texting while while driving has increased from $50 to $300.” But the fine does not apply if texting isn’t done in a “careless or imprudent manner.”
Uh, does anyone who texts and drives think they are being careless or imprudent? #nottheonion

 

 

JetBlue is testing facial recognition software to replace boarding passes. Sounds interesting, but what are they going to do in Los Angeles where faces are regularly surgically altered?

One problem for Dems with GA-06 is that race was treated like a possible slam dunk when it was always a half-court shot.

A friend points out that Jon Ossoff looks like a guy who doesn’t know what pimento cheese is….

 

 

Trump today, attacking Obama for not doing enough in North Korea. “Look at Otto, beautiful Otto. Went over there a healthy, beautiful boy.”.
Fair enough, but Portland hero and stabbing victim Taliesin Myrddin Namkai Meche, 23, was a healthy beautiful boy too.

Uh-oh, terror subject at Flint Airport is from Quebec. Time to put Canada on the travel ban list?

As more and more allegations and rumors swirl around the White House, good to see the State Dept finally opening a formal investigation… into Hillary’s emails again? #WTF?

Today is #NationalSelfieDay And millennials are going “Isn’t every day National Selfie Day?

Jared Kushner arrived in the Middle East today trying to restart talks between Israel and Palestine. He will return home tomorrow.. Well, sure, Mideast shouldn’t take more than 24 hours.

Home Depot being sued for selling 3 1/2″ by 3 1/2″ lumber as 4” x 4″s. Maybe they figure, well, male buyers always overestimate inches.

Leaked copy of Senate #Trumpcare bill plans to eliminate #PlannedParenthood funding So more unwanted pregnancies & abortions. #prolifemyass

So what exactly does a police officer have to do to be convicted of manslaughter in fatally shooting a black man?

 

An Alabama couple was arrested when they brought their baby to an Indiana bar – and mom was drinking and smoking while breastfeeding. The best part, the woman’s occupation is life coach. Your move, Florida.

Worse and worser.

June 20, 2017

Just when watching the SF Giants was beginning to be the classic definition of insanity…. an actual win.    And there’s good news on the horizon for the team when they return home -also known as the NY Mets.

Cavs fire GM.    If this is how dysfunctional the  team is  WITH Lebron & with a good team, imagine the franchise if  King James leaves Cleveland.

All this drama with Cavs in Cleveland. If Lebron wants a peaceful life thinking Gregg Popovich might take his call.

 

GOP is having a contest where winner will dine with Trump in DC this month. Runner-up is Melania who gets the night off.

Think we can all agree the guy in Brussels was the best kind of suicide bomber – the kind who only gets himself killed.

 

So can anyone from the NRA tell me how Philando Castile’s having a gun made him safer?

 

#TravisKalanick has resigned as CEO of Uber. Wow. What’s next? A position with Fox News or the Trump Administration?

Let me get this straight,  Steve Bannon, who works for Donald Trump, is fat-shaming Sean Spicer. Talk about fat round pots and kettles….

Warner Bros says that they investigated “Bachelor in Paradise” when an “female cast member” was allegedly too drunk to consent to a sexual act with a “male cast member” and the findings did “not support any charge of misconduct.”
Translation, all our hookups are consensual. Please watch. Ratings! $$$$

Trump – #OttoWarmbier “should have been brought home that day.” So what about 3 Americans Reuters says are still detained in North Korea.

Six members of Trump’s Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS have resigned. One member said in an Newsweek op-ed that the “president simply does not care.”
Wrong, the President does care. It’s just that he only cares about himself.

 

Those moments you remember why John McCain used to be every moderate and liberal’s favorite Republican: Bloomberg reports he was asked today if he has seen a copy of Trumpcare legislation. He said no and “Nor have I met any American that has. I’m sure the Russians have been able to hack in and gotten most of i

So in the end, Handel beat Ossoff by about 52% to 48% in one of the more expensive races in history. But then look at a very conservative district in South Carolina, where comparatively little was spent. Maybe the real lesson is people are tired of too many ads and too much outside $$$ in local races.

Ralph Norman Republican 44,889 51.1%
Archie Parnell Democrat 42,053 47.9

Barely getting by

June 19, 2017

Kevin Durant is reportedly going to turn down a $28 million  player option & sign for $24 million to help Warriors keep Iguodola.    How will he feed his family?

As SF Giants stumble again vs Braves, wonder any way they can reschedule later this week to face teams in College World Series. #fairerfight

Oracle Team USA is getting beaten badly in this year’s America’s Cup. Most Americans are thinking “Wow… what America’s Cup?

 

Martin Shkreli wants judge to cut his bail from $5 million to $2 million. What a great time for PharmaBro to get lesson in market pricing.

Jet Airways is giving free travel for life for to a baby born on one of their flights. Is this really a good idea? Can only imagine how many 8-plus months pregnant women suddenly get an urge to fly.

Sorry to hear of the sad death of Otto Warmbier, 22. Apparently though his father said he went to North Korea with a Chinese tour operator who used slogans like “This is the trip your parents don’t want you to take!”
Sometimes, yes, your parents are right.

Since Trump is so against radical religious terrorism of course he tweeted about awful #FinsburyPark attack. Oh, wait, never mind.

Murder of Muslim teenager in VA will not be investigated as hate crime. Sigh. Have to wonder, what if undocumented person kills a Muslim?

(I wrote this Monday morning. As it turns out, her killer might turn out to be an illegal alien.  On top of how awful and sad her death is, this is really going to make some GOP heads explode.)

7 injured when a fight broke out on Myrtle Beach and man pulled out gun & started firing. Guess we have to reset US mass shooting clock to 0

If  Sean Spicer is fired, what makes us think Trump will even feel the need to replace him with another press secretary?   #whoneedsthepress?

Got to wonder why Trump went to #CampDavid for just one night. Maybe to see if there were any traces of the Obamas he could remove?

Never could get into the Harry Potter series, (gasp,) But may have to try again. JK Rowling tweeted a screen shot of a headline from the Daily Mail, which called the Finsbury Park attacker a “white van driver.”
Her comment “The Mail has misspelled ‘terrorist’ as ‘white van driver Now let’s discuss how he was radicalised.”

Kellyann Conway, about Trump’s tweet that he was being investigated, said that was just his way of saying “Wow, look at the irony here.'”
Uh, with all due respect, does anyone in the planet think Trump knows what irony is? Unless he thinks it’s an adjective like coppery or silvery.

Trump- “#PanamaCanal is doing quite well. I think we did a good job building it.” Now will he want Trump name on the Canal too?

When you are proud of something, you show it off, a new dress, a new baby, a new healthcare bill….#HoldtheFloor

Giant downer.

June 18, 2017

 

In a good year for SF Giants it’s every day a different hero. In 2017 it’s every day a different goat.

Will all these  Giants fans who have been saying “It could be worse” please stop.

But at least the SF Giants didn’t give away their entire farm system to get  Melancon last year before the playoffs.

This SF Giants  season would be so much easier to take if there were a big name number 1 draft pick at the end of it.

Oops.  When Brooks Koepka won the US Open, he kissed his girlfriend. And Joe Buck identified her as Becky Edwards. Except Edwards was his OLD girlfriend, he is currently dating Jena Sims.   Normally when Buck is that embarrassing, baseball is involved. #wannagetaway #whatthebuck

 

 

Jim Harbaugh will make Barack & Michelle Obama honorary captains for Michigan home game. Standby for “Loser Wolverines” tweets in 3.2.1.

25 people injured, some critically when a deck collapsed at a Montana resort. Regulations may kill jobs, but a lack of regulations can kill people.

Remember when Bill Clinton was criticized for “selling” the Lincoln Bedroom? Trump at least won’t do that, makes more $$$ from his hotels.

North Korea’s state-run news agency claimed US officials, “literally mugged” its delegation at JFK by “forcibly” taking away “a diplomatic package from the delegation by an illegal and heinous act of provocation.”
So what happened, did TSA confiscate Kim Jong-Un’s favorite shampoo?

Cuba now has more than half a million people who are working independently outside the state-run economy, with restaurants, AirBnb etc. Now independent American travelers won’t be able to visit the island, only rich people on expensive tours.
And Trump says his actions will benefit the Cuban people with a straight face.

Sorry, if you’re offended by Shakespeare you should also be offended by Caitlin Jenner joking that “liberals can’t even shoot straight.”

 

We didn’t need #FinsburyParkMosque attack to show us terrorism is terrorism, regardless of religion or beliefs. But it’s a sad reminder.

 

The proof is not in the pudding?

June 17, 2017

Mistrial in Bill Cosby case. So apparently you can’t overcome reasonable doubt with he said, she said, she said, she said, she said.

So how long until Bill Cosby gets offered a position in the Trump administration.
Bill Cosby indicates that he wants to go back to comedy. That might be the most comical thing he’s said.

 

The London Bridge-Borough Market attack killed seven in London. The Grenfell Tower fire killed at least 58. Both stories are awful. But a sad reminder that negligence and lack of regulations can be as deadly as terrorism.

NFL may pull future Super Bowls from Texas over the state’s bathroom bill. Is football developing a social conscience? Or do they realize that LGBT”s and supporters spend a lot of $$$?

 

Roger Goodell on Colin Kaepernick not having a job, teams are going to do “whatever it takes to make their football team better. So those are football decisions. any other player, is going to improve that team, they’re going to do it.”
Translation, if you’re going to be a pain-in-the-a**, or even a criminal, you’d better be a star.

So with Amazon’s $13.7 billion purchase of Whole Foods, did they get 5 cents off for bringing their own bags?

Newt Gingrich,”Technically, the President of the United States cannot obstruct justice,” Yep, still the same high-minded guy who was having an affair himself when he pushed to impeach Clinton on charges of…. obstruction of justice.

Three Florida men have been arrested forr allegedly stealing $300,000 worth of avocados. Holy Guacamole Batman

 

 

Sad news.   Stephen Furst,  ,  Flounder in Animal House, has died. Will his first act in heaven be to throw up on John Vernon? #DeanWormer

A matador was gored to death at a bull fight in France. Sad. But on other hand, how many bulls are stabbed to death at fights annually?

The name game.

June 16, 2017

Good thing Barack didn’t introduce Donald to Melania. Trump would have to divorce her just to undo another Obama accomplishment.

SF Giants are doing their best to get fans ready for 49ers season. When everyone will be thrilled if the team wins a game most weeks.

Apparently the Warriors will reimburse the city of Oakland the $4 million it cost to hold their championship parade. Which is a cool thing. Although it helps that the team made an extra $12-15 million by losing game 4 for that second home game.

Draymond Green & Lebron James arguing over who started “superteams.” Meanwhile, 25+ teams w/ no chance to win @NBA title thinking STFU.

Amazon buys Whole Foods for $13.7 billion. Wow. For that amount of money a family could shop at Whole Foods for a year.

A woman has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter for sending her 18 year old boyfriend texts encouraging him to commit suicide, even telling him not to back out when he had doubts while filling his truck with carbon monoxide. Somewhat shocking…why wasn’t it wasn’t at least voluntary manslaughter?

Now Alex Jones is accusing Megyn Kelly of double-crossing him over their interview and is releasing secret recordings of their phone calls. What is that old adage about lying down with dogs….

Kellyanne Conway decrying heated rhetoric said “If I were shot, some would applaud.” She’s right
But Kellyanne didn’t have a problem with her boss saying this. “Hillary wants to abolish, essentially abolish the Second Amendment. By the way, if she gets to pick her judges, nothing you can do folks Though the Second Amendment people, maybe there is, I don’t know.”

 

Similarities to #Watergate with Trump administration are an insult. Nixon had real accomplishments.

In Florida, after another court ruled against them, the state is dropping a 2011 law that would sanction or imprison doctors for -get this -discussing gun safety with patients. But apparently the GOP is talking about trying again. Once again, four words ‘pro life my ass.”

Trump says he is “canceling Obama’s deal with Cuba” but apparently the changes are minimal and mostly posturing. So by “cancel” does he mean take Obama’s name off of it?

Let’s get to the real important stuff for many Americans.  Can we continue to drink Cuban rum and smoke Cuban cigars,  and can MLB teams still sign Cuban ballplayers?

 

Trump says he is ending tourism to Cuba except for “educational” trips. Travelers will be subject to Treasury audit and will have to keep records of all their transactions in Cuba for five years.
So cruises to Cuba will be under much tighter scrutiny than Trump’s tax returns….

Why should US Citizens who keep detailed Cuba travel notes to prove travel was for educational reasons be more believed than FBI director?

Trump’s personal attorney has now hired his own attorney. Well, when it comes to lawyers, @realDonaldTrump is right about Jobs! Jobs! Jobs!

 

 

That moment when Ted Nugent decides “hateful rhetoric” is a bad idea before the President of the United States does….

White privilege in 140 characters or less – -knowing even if your son gets pulled over by police officer for cause, you won’t be planning his funeral. #PhilandoCastile

Trump tweeted “regulations way down, enthusiasm and jobs way up.”   Now, the US currently bans cladding used on London’s Grenfell Tower for safety reasons. Is this another regulation he will get rid of as unnecessary? #jobkillers? #peoplekillers?

 

Another liberal media type heard from – “This jackass is really ticking me off. And today…Cuba? F—ing Cuba? If he’d run a campaign promising to do everything he’s done in the last 6 months, he’d never have been elected.”
The writer, Ann Coulter. Actually if the two of them want to do something good for the USA, you might get bipartisan agreement on a charity-supporting debate on pay-per-view.

Super and not so super teams.

June 15, 2017

Kevin Durant is insisting Warriors are not a “super team.” Does that mean they want to sign another All-Star for next season?

Jerry West  leaving Warriors for Clippers. Maybe he wants a challenge. Or maybe West just wants to start taking the month of June off.

 

Have been making sarcastic comments about SF Giants looking like 1962 Mets. At this point the 1962 Mets are looking like an upgrade.

 

Still,  why baseball is greatest game, example #3425. In blowout game against Rockies, SF Giants forced to pinch-hit starting pitcher forced to pinch-hit Ty Blach & he gets RBI single.

 

Why baseball is greatest game, example #3426.  SF Giants come back to tie 9-9 being down 9-1 against Rockies  &  Jeff Samardzija pinch hits.

And then the Giants lose, 10-9.  The best of times, the worst of times.

The NCAA D1 Committee on Infractions has put Louisville’s men’s basketball team on probation and suspended coach Rick Pitino for 5 games over a sex-for-pay scandal – “Without dispute, NCAA rules do not allow institutional staff members to arrange for stripteases and sex acts for prospects, enrolled student-athletes and/or those who accompany them to campus,”
Wonder how many other programs are thinking ‘Uh oh.”

Thinking of all those workplace signs “X days without an accident.” Maybe we need to start a national sign “X days without a mass shooting.”

 

No fatalities, fortunately, but 10 people injured today in Midtown Manhattan when a driver lost control of her SUV at a light and jumped a curb. Another reminder that not traveling is no guarantee of safety, and carpe diem.

Trump tweet today” You are witnessing the single greatest WITCH HUNT in American political history.” Well, just guessing he never made a campaign stop in Salem.

Someone should remind @realDonaldTrump that in real witch hunts they threw you in water to see if you drowned. Investigations are nothing.

 

A Secret Service officer who was blocking a street for Trump’s motorcade suffered minor injuries when a car drove into him. Terrorist? Nope, according to reports an Uber driver in a hurry….

 

Russian lobbyist Richard Burt says he did indeed attend dinners hosted by Jeff Sessions, contradicting the AG’s testimony. This whole Trump administration is turning into a he said- he, he, he, he, he, and he said story.

Trump apparently plans to reverse President Obama’s travel policy to Cuba. In a statement – “Further changes will depend entirely on the Cuban government’s willingness to expand the Cuban people’s political freedom, respect their universal rights, and allow freedom of press as well as free and fair democratic elections.”
Did they type that last phrase with a straight face?

Well, a nice statement to pass on for a change “There is so much you do that I disagree with. But you have long since earned my respect, and you deserve to be heard, and you are an honorable individual.” GOP Texas Rep. Jeb Hensarling to DEM California Rep. Maxine Waters.

While we talk about ratcheting down the hate in this country, a good place to start might be in honoring Crystal Griner, the Capitol policewoman who helped take down the Virginia gunman and no doubt saved lives, while being shot and injured herself.
Ms. Griner is married, to another woman. #Chooselove

 

Rant time. First, I hope Steve Scalise recovers fully. No one should be shot over politics. Although I find his past efforts for a constitutional amendment against gay marriage, and a fight to exempt states from now honoring them, to be abhorrent. But some conservatives might question why I posted about the fact that one of the police officers who saved Steve Scalise’s is a black lesbian married woman. It’s not just “identity politics” or even the appreciation of irony.
Here’s a simple statement. Crystal Griner herself was shot. Without gay marriage, her WIFE might not be able to visit her in the hospital. That is wrong. That is all.

Keep calm and play ball.

June 14, 2017

Despite today’s shooting at the GOP Congressional baseball practice, Thursday night’s charity game will go on as scheduled between Democrats and Republicans.

One way to fight terror is not to give into it.

 

The news from London is horrible, many dead and missing after an high-rise apartment tower fire. Reports are the blaze was started by a faulty fridge, and made much worse by flammable cladding (covering) added to the building in a recent refurbishment.  And then there was only a single escape route.
But hey, here in the US let’s get rid of expensive safety regulations.

 

It’s hard to call something a nice story in the midst of such a terrible story. But apparently the death toll at London’s Grenfell Tower could have been much higher. But Muslim residents in the building stay awake until 2am or so because of Ramadan for their last meal and prayer. Many of them were able to alert others to get out.’

A Wisconsin GOP lawmaker on today’s Virginia shooting “This media frenzy and absurdity MUST STOP! There are people crazy enough to carry out these heinous acts.”
I don’t remember hearing the same Republican outrage after Gabby Giffords was shot after that ad showing Democrats in cross-hairs. Or when “crazy” people have gone after abortion doctors assailed as baby-killers

GOP position: guns don’t kill people, Shakespeare kills people.

So where is the demand that all older white men disavow acts of terrorism committed by an older white man? #Alexandria #VAshooting

#SanFranciscoUPS mass killer reportedly had “history of mental illness.” But let’s make it easier for people like him to get guns.

 

I really would like to know WHEN GOP thinks it’s a good idea to have gun control debate. “Between mass shootings” doesn’t leave open dates.

Fox News is dropping their “Fair and Balanced” slogan. Are they going to change it to “Alternative Facts?”

·

Befitting solemn mood in Wash. DC today, @realDonaldTrump’s Twitter page is STILL  festooned with colorful moving birthday balloons. #WTF?

 

Got invite as an SF Giants fan to join team a “Giants Vacation” to Hawaii in late November. November? Why wait, this year’s team will be free in October.

Johnny Cueto seems like he might want a trade from the SF Giants to a contending team.  But if he doesn’t start pitching consistently better, no contender will want him.

 

 

Special counsel Mueller apparently investigating Trump for #ObstructionOfJustice. Too soon to start a pool on what date Trump will fire him?

 

 

A United flight from Newark to Venice was canceled today after a a wing leaking fuel on the runway. The airline provided passengers with hotel rooms But oh the horror – not only missing out on a day in Venice, but needing to spend another night in Newark.

Unstoppable?

June 13, 2017

 

At this point Warriors look like such a juggernaut that only thing that could derail them is a couple players starting to date Kardashians.

Rumors that Golden State turned down White House invite but team says they have not been asked. Anyone think you’ll ever see Kerr & Trump together?

Have to wonder, someone spent $133,000 for courtside seats to @NBAfinal17 game 5, when same teams expected back next year? #gameofalifetime?

 

 

In a “one & done” college basketball world should we be shocked players want to move to a super team to get an instant win?

 

Yasiel Puig gave the finger today to fans booing him. Who does he think he is, Mr Met?

In Oklahoma, two inmates who had been recaptured after escaping from jail three months ago through a ventilation system, have escaped again. This time with two others. Through the same ventilation system.
In related news, El Chapo has asked to be extradited to Oklahoma.

A 33-yr-old woman was arrested at JFK Airport in a motorized wheelchair with a cushion filled with cocaine. What was their first clue, that the chair was traveling about 60 MPH?

Marissa Mayer is walking away from Yahoo with a nearly $260 million golden parachute. Well, that should be enough for her to tout her leadership experience in a run for California governor.

Wow. Just wow. SF Chronicle reporting that at an Uber board meeting to address unprofessional conduct and harrassment of women, board member Dvid Bonderman “joked” that adding female board members would make it “much more likely there’ll be more talking.” #clueless

Jeff Sessions “I am not stonewalling.” To quote Princess Bride “I do not think that word means what you think it means.”

Just wondering, would GOP treat @KamalaHarris with any more respect if she body slammed a FoxNews reporter?

Remember those innocent days when #DennisRodman was the craziest American who would go aboard to talk with a foreign leader?

Today @realDonaldTrump blocked @StephenKing & @VoteVets on Twitter. Stand up to ISIS? Trump can’t even stand up to critical tweets.
.

 

Trump  says the  House Trumpcare version  is “mean”, and that he wants a Senate version with more “heart.” Translation, don’t care what you do if I can spin it as win.

Listening to Jeff Sessions drawl on about not really remembering meetings etc.  half-expected to hear him say he & Trump “have always relied on the kindness of (Russian) strangers.

Same time next year?

June 12, 2017

So the NBA postseason is finally over. NBA 2017-18 preseason starts next week.

 

Congrats Golden State Warriors, but announcers calling it “redemption? Great win but “redemption” when team with three all-Star starters and the best record in 2016-17 then adds  Kevin Durant?

Unknown buyer paid $133,000 for 2 courtside seats for tonight’s #NBAFinals game 5. Did they vote Trump thinking they needed a tax cut?

Some unknown buyer paid $133,000 for a pair of courtside seats to tonight’s Warriors-Cavs game. Well, guess they don’t think they need to save money this year for SF Giants World Series tickets.

Madbum Bumgarner has started throwing off a mound and hopes to be making rehab starts sooner. Which is good news for SF Giants, except that his replacement Ty Blach might be their best pitcher.

Anyone remember who won the Belmont Stakes this weekend. Yeah, me neither. #noDerbywinnernoPreaknesswinner

 

Monday and already have the first world problem for the week: Local Starbucks has a broken machine & can sell you “anything but coffee.”

Look, Julius Caesar isn’t my favorite Shakespeare play, but using a US president as Caesar is old news. It’s happened frequently, and  in 2012 with a Minneapolis production with Obama.

And have any of these conservative snowflakes actually read the play so they know the point?

 

While GOP is so upset about #JuliusCaesar, remember this line from the play – “What a terrible era in which idiots govern the blind.”

The first new U.S. coal mine since Trump’s inauguration opened in Pennsylvania today. (Even though it was started last August during the Obama adminstration.) All of 70 jobs.
Assume a parade of dignitaries rode in with their horse and buggies.

Reports that Trump is considering firing Special Counsel Robert Mueller. As soon as he decides whether to replace him with Ivanka or Jared?

 Ivanka Trump on being a White House advisor ” There’s a level of viciousness that I was not expecting”

Guessing someone doesn’t spend a lot of time reading her Dad’s tweets.

 

This would be funny if it weren’t so sad. Trump has now tweeted “What has happened in Orlando is just the beginning. Our leadership is weak and ineffective. I called it and asked for the ban. Must be tough.”
Uh, first, the Pulse shooter was born in the US. And second, what about the five innocent people murdered last week by a disgruntled white guy with a criminal history and gun?

 

Where are people screaming about a lack of decency in a Shakespeare play on subject of NBC giving Alex Jones an interview?

 

Congressman-elect Greg Gianforte pleaded guilty today and avoided jail time for body-slamming a reporter. He will have to serve 40 hours of community service, attend anger management courses, and pay a $385 fine. Gianforte would have paid more had he run a red light in California.

Goals?

June 11, 2017

If SF Giants want to score 15 runs in a series might be a good idea not to score almost all of them all in one game.  (13-8 win over the Twins today.)

A goal by the Nashville Predators in game six of the Stanley Cup playoffs was disallowed after a referee blew a whistle in error but nonetheless affirmed that since the whistle had blown, the play was dead.  And people say baseball has strange rules.

 

Warner Brothers has stopped filming on this season of Bachelor in Paradise, saying “We have become aware of allegations of misconduct on the set of ‘Bachelor in Paradise’ in Mexico.
Wait. Isn’t misconduct the point of the show?

 

 

The $447.8 million Powerball winning ticket was sold in Menifee, California. Wonder if this means the first thing the winner does is moves out of Menifee.

A Powerball winner in California will take home a $447.8 million jackpot. Wow. That’s almost enough to buy a house in San Francisco.

Noticed a bottled water at a hotel has an expiration date? So what exactly happens when water expires?

Nick Gordon, the ex-boyfriend of Bobbi Kristina Brown, has been arrested on a domestic violence charge in Florida.  Not sure about the Smart or Not Smart Women here, but can you say REALLY foolish choice?

 

Also in Florida a judge decided to grant bail to a self-proclaimed neo-Nazi  who idolizes the Oklahoma City bomber and Hitler  and has said he used bomb-making devices in a college engineering club.  “I am unable to conclude there is clear and convincing evidence that Defendant represents a threat to any other person,”

The young man was arrested after he purchased a gun and several rounds of ammunition in June, this after police found explosives in his apartment in May when his roommate was arrested for murder.

What could possibly go wrong?

Apparently Donald Trump doesn’t want to make a planned state visit to Britain if the Prime Minister cannot guarantee him there will be no major protests.

And millions of Brits are going “Promise?”

 

 

Guessing at this point if Trump said “Yes I did threaten Comey” his defenders would say it was in the nation’s interest.

 

John McCain just told #Guardian that American leadership was better under President Obama. Standby for “Loser McCain” tweets in 3.2.1….