Archive for March 2024

Different strokes..

March 31, 2024

Thinking only four games into the MLB season and Houston Astros fans are missing Dusty Baker already.

SF Giants gave Joey Bart plenty of chances. Having said that Bart might have been forgiven for smiling just a bit at the result from the man who took his roster spot today. Ugh.

“Joey Bart designated for assignment, RHP Daulton Jefferies added to 40-man roster.”

Jeffries was the SF Giants starting pitcher today. Gave up 9 runs, 6 earned, in 2 innings….

The NCAA has announced 3-point lines in Portland for the regional women’s basketball tournament were “not the same distance.” They declined to say how far off.. And four games were played before it was announced.

SF Chronicle, however, reported that one was the correct distance of 22 feet, 1¾ inches that was adopted for the 2021-22 season, and the other was the old 3-point distance of 20 feet, 9½ inches. Over 16 inches difference.

If only the NCAA were an organization that could afford to hire people to get details right. #sarcasm

https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/college/article/impact-divergent-3-point-distances-portland-19378182.php

Trump violates gag order in hush money case by REPEATED attacking judge’s daughter, with pictures which make her a MAGA target: Fox News headline is all about Nicole Wallace: “MSNBC host angrily throws her script during show in reaction to Trump calling out judge’s daughter.”

Republican Mark Esper, Trump’s former Sec of Defense told Bill Maher “There’s no way I’ll vote for Trump, but every day that Trump does something crazy, the door to voting for Biden opens a little bit more, and that’s where I’m at.” It’s a start.


House and Senate on vacation for Easter. But has a single GOP member of Congress condemned Trump posting a picture of a kidnapped and bound President Biden. Getting tired of using the line – “I’ll wait.”

CNN actually gets a headline right. This shouldn’t be that much of a shock. “Republicans slam Biden for proclaiming Transgender Day of Visibility on Easter, though it’s yearly observed on March 31.”

So next year Easter, April 20, is on Hitler’s birthday. Waiting to see how GOP will blame President Biden for that too.

Different standards

March 30, 2024

Not fan of LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey. She’s a Trump fan, has had issues with gay players, and defended Baylor back in the days they covered up women students being raped.

But after a much hyped-Washington Post story basically just rehashed the same stuff we’ve known for years.


America Ferrera’s Barbie speech applies especially for politics & sports. LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey subjected to harsh lens no male coach is.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/columnist/nancy-armour/2024/03/30/kim-mulkey-personality-brings-criticism-no-male-coach-gets/73154743007/?tbref=hp

Meawhile, Iowa has played a couple games in March Madness that had Caitlin Clark fans, ESPN, and advertisers seriously worried about the team advancing. Today was one of those games.

And if Caitlin Clark and some very talenting women’s teams including players like Angel Reese and JuJu Watkins weren’t compelling enough, UConn marching through the men’s brackets looks increasingly like lions vs. christians.

Hoped for great Pac 12 final year in college basketball, so sorry to see Arizona out.

But this story on disappointed Arizona star Caleb Love “I love these guys, been through so much, sad we couldn’t finish it… Die-hard Wildcat? No. not exactly. Love transferred from University of North Caroline to Arizona last spring.

RIP Louis Gossett Jr.

Loved Officer and a Gentleman, though some of best lines are so un-PC they probably can’t be quoted today.

But this one to Richard Gere still works “In every class, there’s always 1 joker who thinks that he’s smarter than me. In this class, that happens to be you. Isn’t it, Mayonnaise?”

Republicans lost their collection sh*t over peaceful protests outside SCOTUS homes & comedian holding rubber Trump head with paint. But their nominee incites violence against judges AND their families, then posts picture of Pres. Biden trussed up in the back of a truck.. .

Collective shrug

Could NYTimes be more in love w/ Trump?

Three top political headlines Saturday

“Why It’s So Expensive to Live in Phoenix” (and how this could affect Arizona for Democrats.)

“Trump appealed ruling that allowed Fani Willis to keep GA case”

“Did Biden, Obama & Clinton look casual or “little disheveled” wearing open-neck shirts at fund-raiser?”

Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters chanted outside President Biden’s NY fundraiser last night.

Not claiming that Biden has been perfect. But he’s trying and as some who hates Netanyahu and Hamas, don’t know the solution.

But why do they never protest GOP/Trump events? Donald has promised to deport protestors plus a Muslim ban.

When two Minnesota police officers and a first responder were murdered responding to a domestic violence call Donald Trump said nothing.

Ditto when women and girls are murdered by their husbands and boyfriends.

He doesn’t care about anyone unless it’s a photo op.

Opening daze

March 28, 2024

So Rockies pitcher Kyle Freeland pitches 2.1 innings on Opening Day, gives up 10 runs and exists with a 38.50 ERA.

Followed by Anthony Molina, who gives up 6 runs in .1 inning and exits with a 162 ERA

Then there’s SF Giants pitcher Luke Jackson who gives up 3 runs, doesn’t get anyone out, and leaves with a infinite ERA.

Fortunately it’s a long season.

MLB commissioner on baseball’s Ohtani investigation “I hope [it’s] short, but I just don’t know.” Translation, as soon as we can figure out a way to accept enough of Shohei’s most recent story to keep him playing.

Monday night’s women’s basketball game with Iowa vs West Virginia, with 4.9 million viewers was the most-watched NCAA tournament game — men’s or women’s — on cable this year.

No punchline, I just like sharing that.

=

Has a single Republican blaming Biden and Buttigieg for the Francis Scott Key bridge collapse suggested we spend more money on infrastructure? I’ll wait.

And also

Has a single Republican who attacks immigrants regularly said anything nice at all about the six men who lost their lives on the Francis Scott Key bridge? I’ll wait.

Expensive structures known as “dolphins” might have helped Francis Scott Key Bridge survive cargo ship disaster. Or not. But leaving aside how unexpected AND catalysmic the accident was, does anyone doubt if Democrats asked for funding GOP would have blocked it as excessive regulation?

Newest University of Michigan survey shows that consumers are feeling increasingly confident that inflation will continue falling. Waiting for CNN to tell us how this is bad news for President Biden.


This Politico headline – like it’s a bad thing: “Biden opens the door to revisiting early days of the pandemic.” More like “President Biden talking about how Trump’s lying & trying to minimize COVID cost lives. Donald knew it was deadly, he knew it was airborne. And he lied.

Meanwhile CNN’s MJ Lee, on NY fundraiser w/ Bill Clinton, Barack Obama & Joe Biden, which apparently raised over $25 million

“3 presidents together going is to highlight deep anxiety so many Democrats are feeling about prospect of Trump returning to White House.”

How about it’s highlighting how unified Dems are? Do better media.

Some conservatives and right-wing media are upset with NBC letting go Ronna Romney McDaniel less than a week after she was hired.

If Ronna’s so fantastic, why haven’t Fox or Newsmax or some other network hired her yet?

Sam Bankman-Fried today was sentenced to 25 years in prison. When he gets out will NBC try to hire him as a contributor?

Joe Lieberman, 82, most recently of No Labels, has passed away. I wish the best for his family and friends.. But if you can’t say anything nice. Well, enough said.

CNN in eulogizing Joe Lieberman says there are no Senators left with an independent streak now. Because Sinema. Manchin and Murkowski are always party line voters? For starters. (Yes, I know, 2 of those 3 three are leaving… but there are other Senators who work across aisle.

Would hope Americans see through RFK Jr’s act and his absolutely being unqualified to be President. But have to wonder if some enterprising Democrat might do ad “Trump claims to be anti-vaccine but he got behind the COVID vaccine in 2020. Your only TRUE anti-vaxxer is RFK Jr.”

Why would anyone be surprised that Nicole Shanahan says and believes some crazy things. Isn’t accepting the offer to be RFK’s running mate proof of crazy?

Mistakes were made

March 27, 2024

Hey SF Giants.

NBA admitted they made a mistake in hiring Ronna Romney McDaniel. Now time for you to admit you made a mistake in firing Renel Brooks-Moon.

Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes last Saturday averaged 3.23 million viewers, the most-viewed first-found game in women’s NCAA tournament history.

And round two against West Virginia had 4.9 million viewers, the most watched cable tv college tournament game in history period.

Meanwhile, can anyone name a men’s player?

When Dianne Feinstein was SF Mayor, she learned parapet encircling Candlestick Park was in danger of collapse so spent millions on repairing & reinforcing it- BEFORE 1989 World Series Had it collapsed in quake many fans probably died. We never credit infrastructure when it works.

So which members of Congress will refuse to authorize federal funds to repair the Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore? Well besides Marge Three Names.

Some conservatives on SCOTUS seem skeptical of arguments to ban mifespristone or even just to ban it being sent by mail. Maybe it’s occurred to them that such a ban could also be used for Viagra?

RFK Jr’s running mate Nicole Shanahan is so unqualified you almost expect that she would have been hired by NBC News.

We’ll never know. But wonder if Rachel Maddow and Lawrence O’Donnell threatened to quit MSNBC. Ditto for that matter the cast of NBC SNL and Jimmy Fallon. For whatever reason, NBC did the right thing after doing the wrong thing. It’s a start.

So as Donald Trump is selling Bibles as part of his latest grift, for an extra fee will he autograph the page with all the commandments he breaks?

“We used to have protections for women under Roe. Whether it’s IVF, medication abortion, emergency care, we’re going to continue to see attacks because Trump ended Roe.”

Tis statement from Amy Klobuchar sums up November in one Sentence. “We could codify Roe into law if we elect Democrats who stand on the side of women.”

Sweet sixteens

March 26, 2024

Who breathed a bigger sigh of relief when Caitlin Clark and the Hawkeyes came back to win tonight’s game and advance to the women’s Sweet Sixteen. Iowa fans? Or ESPN?

Another reason to cheer for Caitlin Clark, she’s proved if your heart takes you somewhere in college basketball, doesn’t have to be of 1 biggest name schools. If you’re good enough, you & school will be big names. More know Caitlin’s name than any man in college basketball.

Actually, the stars in men’s basketball have become the coaches. At least the names most of us remember.

Why in the world would NBC think they need to give MORE airtime to an election denier? Like most of cable news they already give too much airline to the #1 election denier – Donald Trump

If President Biden announced he had cured cancer increasingly convinced that “Breaking News” on cable TV would be coverage of Donald Trump’s (dishonest) reaction to that news.

Donald Trump whines that you can’t have a trial in the middle of an election – “not fair.” So why hasn’t he told his House GOP cult members to knock off their election year impeachment efforts against President Biden?

Sen. Raphael Warnock was on Face the Nation talking voting rights & defending Joe Biden’s accomplishments -including “Black wealth is up 60%… black unemployment is at all time low…” He got zero headlines. Whereas NBC platforming an election denier…..Competence isn’t clickbait.

WTF? Marco Rubio tried to defend Trump on immunity for conduct while in office, but conceded “Donald couldn’t “go out & basically kill staff overnight inside White House” which Rubio called “absurd” hypothetical.

Right, Donald wouldn’t hang Mike Pence himself, he’d outsource it.

Donald Trump claims that dealing with a trial in court will keep him from campaigning. But President Biden is capable of running the country while also campaigning. Joe is up to the job, but clearly Donald is too old to be President.

.-

You know how brilliant Joe Biden’s response to Donald Trump’s dishonest bragging about golf- “Congratulations Donald, quite an accomplishment,” was by the number of MAGAs today who say President Biden doesn’t run his own Twitter account.

President Biden’s tweet congratulating Trump continues to go viral & clearly got under Donald’s skin. Joe needs more snarky nice surrogates.

Fortunately Amy Klobuchar supports Joe & is up to task. Remember this from Trump’s illege RNC speech on White House South Lawn?

“@amyklobuchar

·Aug 27, 2020

Get off our lawn.”


Did not have Chuck Todd as one of the first voices of reason attacking NBC News on my 2024 Batsh*t Bingo card.

Rachel Maddow tonight talks about how radical people have wanted to take over American democracy before. “What has always been fringe project before now” has support of major party-GOP. And it could win. Because people in so-called normal politics have laundered it. Nailed it.

Also ,

“Want to associate myself with my NBC-MSNBC colleagues who’ve have voiced loud & principled objection to company putting someone on payroll who’s part of ongoing project to get rid of our system of govt. She’s still trying to convince us elections are fraudulent.” Rachel Maddow

Weak end

March 23, 2024

Just love the fact that if you ask average American sports fans to name a college basketball player most of them right now will name a woman. #CaitlinClark

Oregon came so close to an upset, with 2 point lead and a chance for two free throws with 27 sections left in regulation. Instead the Ducks became a trivia answer. Has anyone scored less than 3 points in an 2nd overtime period. (And Oregon had zero points until 30 seconds were left in 2 OT.)

This week’s Meet the Press will feature both Kristen Welker AND Ronna Romney McDaniel.

If you needed another reason to sleep in on Sunday.

NBC now says Ronna Romney McDaniell will only appear on NBC not MSNBC.

Uh, sorry, NBC News. This horrible idea is past conception. By GOP standards you can’t just abort it.

Apparently Tulsi Gabbard has gotten consideration from both Donald Trump and RFK Jr. as a potential running mate. And can I say again, what is it about a pretty woman who’s nice to them that makes men think she’s honest and smart.

Carrie Budoff Brown, senior VP of politics at NBC News. “It couldn’t be a more important moment to have a voice like Ronna’s on the team. So if she could, would Carrie hire the Charleston mass murderer to hear his voice on race relations?

Kim Mulkey has never been bothered by bad press. When the LSU coach threatens to sue before a Washington Post article even is released, it’s pretty sure that article is bad indeed.

NY Times latest headline fail: “Kari Lake, a Trump Acolyte, Struggles to Find Her Path.”

Uh, fixed it for the #NYTimes: “Kari Lake, election denier and right-wing conspiracy theorist struggles to find a way to make Arizona voters forget her recent past.”

Bracketed

March 23, 2024

ESPN headline “Oakland embracing newfound attention” (after their upset of #3 Kentucky.)

Wonder how many of the team’s newfound fans have figured out they’re not in California

Apparently the school has sold thousands of dollars worth of t-shirts to fans in… LOUISVILLE?!

(for the uninitiated the University of Louisville is the arch-rival of Kentucky, which is located in Lexington.)


Still mad about the SF Giants not being able to work out a deal to keep public address announcer Renel Brooks-Moon.

Not so disappointed however that SF didn’t land Shohei Ohtani.

Honestly sounds like Ohtani paid his old friend’s debts knowingly, and then someone pointed out to him or the Dodgers that such a wire transfer was a crime. Didn’t we learn that lesson about cover-ups and crimes with Nixon?

From my funny friend Paul Lander “Ohtani is looking like it’s Japanese for Pete Rose.”

So is there any political criminal NBC won’t stoop to hire for ratings? Let’s be honest: If they could get Donald Trump as an on-air contributor to boost their ratings, they would.

Kristen Welker will have new MSNBC/NBC commentator Ronna Romney McDaniel on Meet the Press.

If you didn’t already have enough reasons to sleep late this Sunday.

Now it’s GOP Rep. Mike Gallagher who will step down from Congress on April 19. Which will cut the GOP majority to 217-213 since Ken Buck is also leaving early.

Maybe one of those “moderate” Republicans in swing districts could cut a deal with future Speaker Jeffries?

Won’t get much media coverage but with Senate 74-24 vote to avoid government shutdown, only Senators who tried to derail bill w/ amendments were GOP.

Imagine if McConnell or another Republican had the gavel. Trump would have ordered a shutdown to make Biden look bad.

Patty Murray, Amy Klobuchar, Mark Warner & other Senators I probably missed posted after 2am Eastern time about averting a government shutdown. All of them worked hard on bill.

None of them will get a fraction of the media attention as Marge from Georgia who did nothing, attacked GOP Speaker, then went on vacation.

And ICYMI -Marge Three Names filed a motion to vacate Speaker Johnson over passing the Spending Bill She said “I do not want to throw the House in Chaos.” Funeral services for satire are pending.

And another one bites the dust

March 22, 2024

Bracket, that is

In fact, my favorite St. Patrick’s Day toast…

“May your troubles last as long as your perfect brackets.” #MarchMadness

How many people had Oakland over Kentucky? How many people know that Oakland is not in California but Michigan?

Story keeps changing with Shohei Ohtani and his friend/interpreter. No one at this point is accusing the star of betting himself. But if Ohtani paid Mizuhara’s debts, it would violate multiple federal criminal statutes & violate MLB Rule 21(f).- association with illegal gamblers. Remember this? When Mantle & Mays were banned from baseball. They just had “meet & greet” casino jobs..

https://www.nbcsports.com/mlb/news/today-in-baseball-history-when-mantle-and-mays-were-banned-from-baseball

So much of GOP sham Investigation into President Biden is false allegations that he used his political position to enrich himself.

Yet Republicans have no problem with their leader fundraising for his own benefit and turning RNC into his own personal piggy bank.

Make it make sense.


Thursday Jim Jordan actually chaired a congressional hearing right now on locker room safety.

That moment when reality is an SNL cold open

As Trump and GOP politicians push an anti-vaccine narrative, could reporters start asking them on camera if THEY and their families are vaccinated.

Guessing they won’t risk their own children’s lives even if it’s a good anti-government narrative to spew for their base.

Bracketology

March 20, 2024

So it’s that night before March Madness starts

When picks come down to those really important questions…. like “I used to live there. Or “cutest mascot”

Kentucky’s John Calipari thinks 68 is enough, but admits there are ogoing discussions about about putting as many as 80 teams into various permutations of March Madness.

Of course, if the NCAA moves to 80 teams, we know that teams 81-85 will complain as loudly as the first four out do now.

So if Congress passes aid to Ukraine in the form of a loan. And Presidents have immunity. What’s to stop President Dark Brandon Biden from signing the aid bill and immediately forgiving the loan?

2016 “I’m hard core true believer in (GOP) But if Donald Trump is nominated, I’ll consider that hostile take over & no longer associate myself w/ THAT… Reince Priebus (GOP chair) is doing best he can with lunatic invading the party.”

Ohio Senate 2024 candidate Bernie Moreno

Billionaire Bernie Moreno likes to talk about starting out w/ small car dealership in Cleveland. . Admire his success. But he doesn’t say – it was Mercedes Benz dealership. His clients now include Lebron James & he serves clients $135 a pound coffee. Real man of the people.

Media has no problem pointing out that younger generation is upset with President Biden over not supporting Palestinians and Gaza enough. So why isn’t same media also pointing out how Trump & GOP are attacking President Biden for not being pro-Israel enough?

President Biden announces a $20 billion deal with Intel for computer chip plants – a deal that will create tens of thousands of new jobs. Thank goodness the good & bipartisan CHIPS act passed in 2022. Because in 2024 Trump would have ordered GOP Senators to tank it.

And then there were 66.

March 20, 2024

The University of Virginia men’s basketball team, into March Madness as a play-in 10 seed, lost to Colorado State 67-42.

Most embarrassing night for sports in Virginia? Well, until the Wizards or Commanders move to the state.

Supreme Court said Texas can immediately begin enforcing immigration law allowing state officials to arrest & detain people they suspect of entering the country illegally. So when do police start questioning white fans outside of hockey games to find undocumented Canadians?

“KateGate” seems to be top story in England these days, But in USA, watching former President & current candidate talk about jailing opponents, saying some immigrants are not people & throwing around word ‘bloodbath,” uproar over doctored royal family photos seems so quaint.

On top of everything else how much taxpayer paid time are we wasting with Senate continually having to bail out House & renegotiate spending bills to avoid government shutdowns? We didn’t have this circus with Nancy Pelosi in charge & we won’t with Speaker Jeffries. #VoteBlue

Hey CNN and MSNBC, can you just stop with these clown exit poll questions – “Do you think Biden legitimately won in 2020?” It’s an illegitimate dishonest question and keeps the lie front and center on Trump’s behalf.

Trump could do to the RNC what he did to all his Atlantic City casinos. What a shame.

And a fundraising email I got today:

“Dems flipped seat in NY Special Election. GOP razor-thin House Majority cut down even further Joe Biden opened up 100 field offices in key battleground states, hired 300 campaign staff & shattered fundraising record.”

Who knew fundraising for RNC, Lara Trump would be more positive about Democrats than MSM!

Win some lose more.

March 19, 2024

Giants got Snell. I’d rather have Renel

Seriously, has there ever been a franchise that managed to screw up PR on a day they signed a star free agent as much as the SF Giants, in also parting with one of the most popular faces- and voices -of the franchise?

As SF GIants fan who’s hated As since 1972 when they beat my childhood team the Detroit Tigers in the ALCS, been guilty of schadenfreude watching Oakland ownership.

Not today, not sure who to blame, but getting rid of beloved PA announcer Renel Brooks-Moon seems like a decision even John Fisher wouldn’t have made.

South Carolina freshman basketball forward Sahnya Jah entered transfer portal. Coach Dawn Staley suspended her in Feb for “conduct detrimental to team.” But Jah is good enough she’ll probably find another school to take chance on her. Not sort of equality women’s sports aspired to.

These people who Donald Trump calls “unbelievable patriots” participated in an event that resulted in many police officers being injured, and in the death of Brian Sicknick. Hey GOP – Say HIS name.

Saudis had no problem committing $1.89 billion in equity to help Musk purchase Twitter. But they didn’t see fit to help Trump post a bond. Are Saudis deciding the useful idiot is no longer useful?

How can American voters even be thinking of trusting a man to lead our country when that man can’t even find a single lender willing to trust him with a $456 million bond?

Really tired of headlines like this: “Congress scrambles to avert shutdown after weekend delay.” More accurate headline – “GOP House circus puts USA on verge of yet another unnecessary potential shutdown drama.”

Not claiming Biden is handling situation perfectly w/ Israel & Gaza & not claiming there IS a good solution.

But to Gen Z & others saying they will stay home or vote 3rd party- this statement from Donald Trump: “Any Jewish person that votes for Democrats hates their religion.”

Can reporters start asking EVERY Republican member of Congress if they agree with Donald Trump’s statement now that those convicted and in prison over January 6 are “patriots” & “hostages?” So far only Louisiana GOP Senator Bill Cassidy has publlcly disagreed with Trump.


Trump’s attorneys say they cannot make the $464 million bond in his civil fraud case. Too soon to start the pool as to when the RNC under Lara Trump will announce they are broke?

Let the Madness begin…

March 18, 2024

It’s that time of year when millions of Americans are outraged over some teams not making March Madness, at the same time they can’t name a single player on those teams. #SelectionSunday

Oklahoma, Indiana State, Seton Hall and Pittsburgh were the first four teams left out of March Madness. And Oklahoma, Pittsburgh plus St. John’s declined invitations to the NIT tournament.

Is NIT now officially the tournament of chopped liver?

Know Scott Boras is supposed to be a super agent.

But it seems like only yesterday Blake Snell was asking for 9 years and $270 million

Putin apparently has won the Russian “election” with 87.8% of the votes. The other 12.2% presumably will be dying soon of “natural causes.”

So apparently RFK Jr is considering Nicole Shanahan, as his running mate. Nicole is the very rich 2nd ex-wife of Sergey Brin, who he divorced after she allegedly had an affair with Elon Musk.

Feel like I lost IQ points just writing this sentence.

So if you found out a while back that your “English-Irish” heritage was really Ulster Protestant – orange – is it cultural appropriation or worse to wear green on St Patrick’s Day? Asking for a friend.

NY Times ignores former VP Mike Pence saying he won’t endorse Trump. But they had no problem giving previously unknown congressman Dean Phillips headlines for criticizing Biden.

I just wish the NY Times would give as much coverage to Mike Pence not endorsing Donald Trump as they give to random people in diners who claim to be disillusioned with President Biden.

NY Times headline “How Trump Is Scrambling to Raise Cash – “Former president facing converging financial crunches as he & GOP confront shortfall against Pres. Biden & Dems. Way buried lede -part of cash crunch is over $500 million in bonds needed from the TWO court findings against Donald..

Speaker Mike Johnson on GOP bashing each other in primaries. “I told them to cool it. I’m vehemently opposed to member-on-member action in primaries. It’s not productive, it causes division & we should not be engaging in that.” Has he listened to Orange Jesus Trump lately?

Many MAGAs routinely say that Donald Trump didn’t really mean what he was saying, it was a joke, slip of the tongue, whatever. But if Joe Biden ever so much as stumbles on a word, or utters a gramatically imperfect sentence, it’s grounds for declaring him unfit.


Can anyone imagine if President Biden was the one who said he had beaten Barack Obama?

Nasty GOP primary for US Senate in Ohio gets nastier as Trump-Backed MAGA candidate Moreno is linked to gay hookup site., He says it was a prank.

Personally don’t care if he’s gay or not, except that he’s anti LGBTQ rights.

But Ohio has a better option than all 3 GOP running. Re-elect Sherrod Brown. Effective no drama Senator who cares about Ohio.

Peak bloom for Cherry Blossoms in Washington DC – March 17 – was not only the 2nd earliest on record – it was three days before the over 3-week-long Cherry Blossom Festival even started. But sure,there’s no climate change. #sarcasm

Media headlines all Biden’s verbal stumbles, but not his Gridiron quotes.

But love these Dark Brandon lines. “Expectations were so low, I just had to show up & remember who the president is.” “One candidate’s too old & mentally unfit to be president, The other guy’s me.”

Saw Jacksonville Beach trending and hoped it was just stupid spring break behavior. Nope, another active shooter. Not quite a mass shooting for now as only three were shot.

It’s the guns, stupid.

Jimmy, we hardly boo yee

March 15, 2024

Driving a couple hours to and from a board meeting heard a lot of discussion as to whether SF 49ers fans, unhappy with Jimmy Garoppolo’s tenure with the team, would support him being back in San Francisco.

Well, he might have gotten booed as a 49ers, but going to be amusing to see what the response is now if/when Jimmy G returns to Levi’s Stadium as a back-up QB for the Los Angeles Rams.

Meanwhile SF Giants have had their third or fourth Spring Training game this year rained out in the desert. But sure, there’s no climate change… #sarcasm

When you say woman who allegedly lied under oath about sex must be disqualified as a Prosecutor…

And also say man who lied about sex with THREE oaths, as in “forsaking all others,” & was found guilty of lying about sexual assault must be our next President.. #SignsItMustBeACult

Texas Rep. Dan Crenshaw isn’t moderate. He recently attacked Biden for saying GOP trying to “take away women’s rights.””

Uh, GOP ARE trying to take away women’s rights.

But now Crenshaw said US intel agencies don’t meddle in domestic news coverage so MAGA calls him Eyepatch McCain.

Another of those #SignsItMustBeACult

As Russia goes through yet another sham election, your reminder “The President of Russia is limited to no more than two consecutive six year terms…”

Vladimir Putin has been in power over 20 years. Think his US puppet doesn’t have similar plans if he gets re-election?

As many who genuflect before a serial adulterer clutch their pearls over Fani Willis and her “appearance of impropriety,” I remember Seinfeld’s line during Clinton-Lewinsky scandal. “So he lied about sex. Everyone lies about sex. Most people lie DURING sex.”

NY Times headline: Latinos, Shifting Toward Trump, Land at the Center of the 2024 Campaign If only there were a national newspaper to cover Donald’s threats of arrests and deportation of even legal immigrants if they don’t carry papers or take part in protests.

Regular reminder. If Donald Trump thought he’d be found innocent in ANY of his trials he’d be pushing for that trial to start as soon as possible, so he could brag about, and fundraise off of, the acquittal.

Getting flack

March 15, 2024

Random dose of awww…

A distant relative of the late great Flaco. (In Napa County)

Lottery balls in the NBA mean less tanking

But this year, guessing more sports fans have heard of the top WNBA draft pick than about the potential #1 and #2 for the men

(For that matter, Cameron Brink should go #2.)

Linebacker Eric Kendricks turned down the SF 49ers to join the Dallas Cowboys as a free agent. Money? Or does Kendricks just like to have his Februarys off?

As a Democrat and Saints fan have known for years my favorite QB Drew Brees is almost certainly a Republican. I can live with that.

Don’t have to share political views with my sports heroes.

OTOH, feeling very grateful as Stanford alum I was NEVER an Aaron Rodgers fan. #Weenies

Donald Trump on possible VP: “Not a person in politics that doesn’t want it & that includes Democrats. If I wanted, I’d have a Democrat, I’d have a liberal, I’d have anybody I want.”

Political ego version of “I moved on her like a b*tch, when you’re a star they let you do it”

Tommy Tuberville called Joe Biden a “garbage human being”

I would call Tuberville a garbage human being but at least garbage can be useful as fertilizer or if recycled.

This NC Superintendent of School election in November should be a bigger story. “Michele Morrow, who has 5 homeschooled children, called public schools “indoctrination centers” & attended Jan. 6, 2021, attack on U.S. Capitol. She also attacked incumbent for being endorsed by GOP Sen. Thom Tillis

https://www.charlotteobserver.com/opinion/article286339975.html

What stuns me, looking at a local story, only “77% of Biden voters back Green.” How could ANYONE who supports President Biden support this scary woman?

Remember when we could go to sleep at night and for all the stress in the world we could at least know that a good decent President was in the White House? Like last night. And every night since January 20, 2021 #ThankYouBiden

Beyond satire

March 12, 2024

This headline “RFK Jr. eyeing Aaron Rodgers, Jesse Ventura as top ’24 running mate contenders.”

As someone who writes jokes about sports and politics it’s really hard to top that.

Tommy Tuberville actually posted on Twitter -no joke “Joe Biden is a garbage human being.”

Again, Nick Saban, you kicked his derriere on the field, please enjoy a couple years off and then run for US Senate in Alabama and kick it again.

https://apnews.com/article/voting-rights-college-football-sports-alabama-crimson-tide-football-jerry-west-eb9b7b0a33e81f7f3661ad528959cf1c

-Even smallest things. NYTimes headline. “Trump and Biden Clinch Nominations, Setting Up November Rematch Former President Trump & President Biden secured delegates necessary to get their parties’ presidential nominations.” Uh, shouldn’t POTUS come first?

@NYTimes loves Trump

But apparently one of 50 plus RNC officials just fired by Lara Trump says he never thought the Trump family would betray his years of loyalty.

We are watching the scorpion and the frog story play out in real time.

So what’s next for Robert Hur? A gig at Fox News? Or running for office as a Republican?.

And does Judge Cannon think Donald will put her on SCOTUS or is she hoping to be wife #4?

Florid and other duhs.

March 11, 2024

NAACP asking Black student-athletes to reconsider Florida colleges due to DeSantis’s efforts to get rid of DEI.

Good start- but what about asking WOMEN student-athletes to reconsider Florida colleges due DeSantis’s efforts to make pregnancies a potential death sentence?

Kirk Cousins agrees to deal with Atlanta Falcons. Actually think this is good news, for the New Orleans Saints.

Seeing a lot of complaints that the Oscars were boring. So i guess it would have been better if the Academy paid someone to slap somebody?

Washington Post Headline – RNC fires dozen of employees after Trump-backed leadership takes over.

Uh, “Trump-backed leadership?” Donald’s daughter-in-law, with no real political experience, is co-chair

Imagine if President Biden had so much as a distance relative appointed to the DNC.

But yeah, reports that Donald Trump’s newly installed leadership team at RNC fired over 60 staffers, including 5 senior staffers. Presumably all of them who objected to Donald using RNC as his personal piggy bank.

Kari Lake, running this time for Senate in Arizona, is now trying to pretend she wasn’t full on MAGA.

Except Lake’s been a Trump acolylte for years. Sorry, Kari, you are well past 15 weeks which even your cult leader at his most moderate would say is too late to terminate.

John Fetterman on Bob Menendez refusing to resign after latest indictment my colleagues are “okay with having a sleazeball in the Senate.” Well, there’s not just one sleazeball in the Senate. But NJ is a blue state, Schumer could take away his committees & force him to resign.

Marching towards madness…

March 10, 2024

Just saying, if you haven’t discovered women’s college basketball yet you are seriously missing something.

Iowa down eight points with 2:38 left in regulation, somehow pulled it off to tie the game and win in OT.

And then for those who like drama beyond the game –the LSU– South Carolina game ended soon after a bench-clearing brawl with six ejections.

Might be first year more casual fans asked to name a college basketball player would think of a woman before a man.

Pope Francis said “Ukraine must have the courage to raise the white flag and to negotiate.” So if Putin invaded Italy what part of the country would the Pope suggest be surrendered as part of the negotiation?

Or heck, what treasures would he give them from Vatican City?

So Chip Roy, a MAGA Republican is complaining “Katie Britt was thrown to the wolves with her SOTU response” as she was too inexperienced and “didn’t have time to fact check.” And exactly who forced her to give that speech?

And what exactly is in the water in Alabama…. Katie Britt still might not be the worst Senator from the State, since her competition is Tommy Tuberville.

Oppenheimer won most of the awards, including the Oscar for Film Editing. A three-hour movie? Because otherwise it would have been a four or five hour movie?!

Jimmy Kimmel, with the line of the night, responding in real time to Velveeta Voldemort’s angry rant on Truth Social about the Oscars – “Isn’t it past your jail time?”

Although earlier in the night Jimmy Kimmel might have already gotten MAGA’s to turn the show off with this line.

“In Poor Things, Emma Stone played an adult woman with the brain of a baby, like the woman from Alabama who gave the State of the Union rebuttal.”

Last night, Scarlett Johansson just did to Katie Britt what Tina Fey did to Sarah Palin. And I am so here for it.

Katie Britt now says she didn’t mean to imply 20 year old child trafficking incident happened under Biden’s watch, but said Joe’s policies that lead to horrific things like this. Well, shoot, why not blame President Biden for the Civil War, Great Depression & both World Wars too?

Hey progressives. No one is saying Biden is perfect. But Bernie Sanders appeared on Face the Nation to talk about his support of President Biden. If Joe is good enough for Bernie, shouldn’t he be good enough for you?

Katie Porter’s not happy she’s not in runoff in Calif. US Senate race.

But let’s be honest. Race between Schiff & Porter would’ve cost 1/2 billion to elect 1 of 2 Democrats- money that could make difference in close House or Senate races. Schiff vs Garvey is good for Democrats

Media shrugs off Trump’s embrace of Viktor Orbán. Have ANY of them paid attention to journalism now in Hungary? “Public broadcasting turned into propaganda organ, many private media outlets were taken over or silenced. Orbán party has seized control of 80% of country’s media

Nancy Mace, who is open about being a rape victim herself, was upset w/ George Stephanopoulos questioning her support for Trump – “Not going to sit here on your show & be asked question meant to shame me about another potential rape victim.”

Actually, Mace shames herself by supporting a rapist.

Cold and colder

March 9, 2024

Several fans, so far, who were at the January 13, Kansas City Chiefs win over the Miami Dolphins, have had to undergo amputations from frostbite.

Sort of puts all those old Croix de Candlesticks in perspective.

Now there are investigations into both Loyola Marymount and Temple men’s basketball programs for unusual betting activity.

Nothing against Mid-Atlantic Conference basketball but if you wanted to cheat under the radar wouldn’t you pick games where presumably any serious betting is “unusual betting activity?”

Now not only will VIctor Wembanyama, with a sprained ankle, miss Saturday’s game against the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco, so will Steph Curry.

Fans who spent big $$ for the game might be almost as unhappy as TV advertisers.

.

One reason you know Biden made a great speech. Lots of unhappy MAGA types on social media today But if your Twitter bio calls yourself a “common sense conservative” and you repost Marge Three Names, well, you’ve already lost credibility.

And maybe it’s just me… but if you show up to the State of the Union Presidential address somewhat underdressed for a Little League banquet, well, you’ve also lost credibility. Not that she already had any.

GOP Senator Lankford, along with his staff & & others worked for MONTHS on bipartisan bill & invited participation from his colleagues. Can some reporter please ask Republicans ranting about border security why they didn’t tell James one word from Trump would make them vote “no?”

Mike Lee wants an amendment to the government funding bill to block DOJ funding for federal cases involving political candidates.

Since Trump was reportedly trying to reach Senator Lee on January 6 does Mike really want to remind Americans of his possible role on that day?

Some number of GOP Senators are voting to eliminate Congressional earmarks in the Government Spending bill. Of course those same Senators will all take credit when the earmarked money gets spent in their states.

An International Women’s Day reminder, we need to talk more about women in politics who actually get job done.

Am always Amy Klobuchar fan but kudos now for Senators Patty Murray and yes though it pains me to say it, Susan Collins, the chair & ranking member on Senate appropriations committee, for steering the bipartisan bill through for now to avoid a government shutdown.

Meanwhile for Progressives still not happy with our President, this tweet today

“Only one candidate understands that we must address the threat of climate change; that women have a right to control their own bodies; and that our economy must work for working people and not just billionaires. That candidate is Joe Biden.”

The writer? Bernie Sanders.

Starry and not starry nights.

March 8, 2024

ESPN reports that Victor Wembanyama with a sprained right ankle is likely to sit vs the Golden State Warriors in SF.


That moment as a Spurs fan in the SF Bay Area that you’re really glad you didn’t decide to splurge to see San Antonio’s rookie phenom

Meanwhile, on a positive basketball note, the Big Ten women’s basketball tournament, in Minneapolis is sold out, for the first time ever.

And have to wonder, is this the first time more casual American sports fans can name a top woman’s college player before they can name a men’s NCAA basketball star?

Meanwhile at SOTU speech, I’m about 17 years younger than President Biden, and I wish I had his Dark Brandon energy.

President Biden references overturning Roe V. Wade. “With all due respect justices, women are not without electoral and political power. You’re about to find out how much.”

We may have a ketchup shortage in Florida with all the ketchup that must be being thrown against the wall tonight at Mar-A-Lago. Helluva SOTU speech, and the former reality TV host knows it.

Truly awful. Katie Britt has nerve to claim “Americans are dying” because of President Biden while her own party scuttled a border security bill. No mention of Americans dying from gun culture or from domestic violence. Those lives don’t matter to GOP.

And Katie Britt has nerve to talk about “our word is our bond” as Americans. Uh, if as a Republican Britt is not completely against reading, may I suggest reading the Afghan Adjustment Act? And about NATO, & about Putin & Ukraine. And a little history, starting with Hilter?

Ted Cruz spoke on Senate floor to honor Zeb Smith, fire chief who died fighting panhandle fire. & to ask for federal aid for Texas. Good speech but

1.Would it kill him to acknowledge Biden immediately offered federal assistance

2..Cruz voted no on federal aid for NJ after Sandy. And to Colorado after their fires.

New Alabama law temporarily shields IVF clinics from liability if embryos are damaged or destroyed. It doesn’t address if egg fertilized outside womb is a person. Uh, IF life begins at conception, then embryo IS a person. GOP doesn’t care about life. They care about control.

Meanwhile in California:

Didn’t vote for Barbara Lee, but admire her. “We’ll continue to mobilize voters throughout state & demand action for better California & not settle for 1/2 measures. I congratulate my colleague, Rep. Adam Schiff on his victory in advancing in this race.”

While Katie Porter claims her election loss was “rigged by billionaires.” It was an expensive primary campaign and both Porter and Schiff had serious money. Schiff’s ad’s didn’t attack Porter, they reminded voters Garvey was the top Republican, which boosted Garvey, and he ended up in 2nd place.

But with three Democrats running there was always a chance any GOP candidate could squeak into 2nd. Most of my Dem friends agree that Porter is being a sore loser.


But when a Republican loses and claims the election was rigged, most of his/her followers just fall in line and agree.

NY Times “Mitch McConnell Endorses Trump, Whom He Once Denounced.” I like Stephen Colbert’s line better ” Tortoise Endorses Hair.”

Ashen Wednesday

March 6, 2024

After a maybe not so Super Tuesday?

Politics aside, sure does seem sometimes like NBA players are as bored with the regular season as the media is with Joe Biden’s Presidency.

Opening day is March 28, 2024. Three weeks away.

I’m so old I remember when this time of year you’d wonder who’d win starting jobs for a few positions at your favorite teams. Not if many players, especially Scott Boras clients, would be on your favorite teams?

EIGHT Democratic candidates were on the California ballot for the Presidential primary.

Haven’t heard of most of them. But how’s media going to spin the few who vote for each of them as bad news for Biden?

And answer to a trivia question a two part trivia question some day.

  1. Who won the California Democratic Presidential primary in 2020? Bernie Sanders (Kamala Harris was still neutral at the time, not sure if it would have mattered)
  2. Who finished second in 2024 ? Marianne Williamson.

Alex Wagner on Joe Biden – “He is not a great campaigner, he has been a really effective President.” Nailed it. Why is it so hard for many Americans to realize democracy is not a reality TV show.

Trump fundraising email subject line “I’ll never stop loving you.” DId Donald write it looking in the mirror?

Have to wonder….as Mitch McConnell, who is already stepping down as Senate leaders, endorses a man who has insulted him for years, and still attacks his wife with racial slurs, is there ANYTHING Trump could do that would go too far for these cowards?

Trump International Hotel, Waikiki has rebranded as the Wākea Waikiki Beach. So the hotel was able to cleanse themselves of the Trump name. Too bad the GOP couldn’t do the same.

Arizona GOP Senate candidate Kari Lake is now trying to convince Republicans and independents that she is no longer MAGA. Sorry, Kari’s been MAGA much longer than 15 weeks, it’s way too late to terminate.

Fun sidebar from last night: Adam Schiff in top 2 for US Senator in California. So Stanford with plenty of representation in Congress already, now is likely to have two alums in Senate two years apart: Adam Schiff, class of 1982 & Minnesota’s Tina Smith, class of 1980!

Not sure if greed or fear is stopping them. But there’s legitimate argument to be made for Republican with long-term aspirations to say “Given alternatives, I’ll vote GOP for House/Senate, but I’m voting for Biden so we have a country & a democracy left to fight over in 2028.”

Unpopular opinion: Have often been furious at Kyrsten Sinema. But had Martha McSally won AZ in 2018, Mitch McConnell would’ve kept gavel 2 more years. Worst Democrat now is better than best Republican. Something we need to remember in purple states, especially primaries.

Not a bad Super Tuesday for Democrats.

But if there were a primary referendum on the color of the sky, some voters in the party would vote for an alternative to blue as not being pure enough.