Author Archive

Not putting out fires.

April 5, 2017

Early times. But thinking #SFGiants bullpen pitchers who were optioned to AAA this might not want to get too settled in Sacramento.

Three days into the season, the only undefeated team in the National League is the Washington Nationals.    Maybe even the baseball gods are feeling sorry for D.C. these days.

 Spurs proved tonight against the Lakers you don’t officially need to rest players to have the team basically take the night off.
Dustin Johnson may not play in the Masters.  His agent said he hurt his back falling down stairs. Was Dustin washing his truck at the time?
Marshawn Lynch is apparently planning to un-retire. “The first time is the hardest” said Brett Favre.

A Northern California woman sustained major injuries but is expected to survive after she tried to take a selfie in a restricted area of the Foresthill Bridge. Another Darwin #Misseditbythatmuch

Germany may start fining social networking sites up to $50 million if they don’t remove hate speech/”fake news.” Will there be @POTUS exception.

#BarryManilow, happily married to his long-term partner, in an interview with People Magazine  -“I thought I would be disappointing (fans) if they knew I was gay,”

Right, at least 2 of them were shocked.

Rumors are that actor Jimmie Walker (JJ) of Good Times is dating Ann Coulter. Wow. never dreamed JJ might be gay.
Trump really wants to play blame game on this intelligence controversy; maybe he should look at idiot who tweeted out the Obama accusation.
Trump has removed Bannon from the National Security Council. Will Bannon be replaced by Ivanka or Jared or both?
WH says Bannon out from National Security Council because he’s no longer needed to keep an eye on Flynn. So Trump just appointed him as NSC’s 1st babysitter?
Ivanka Trump, about living in DC for 1st time “I treat it almost like I’m a visitor.” Maybe she doesn’t think they’ll be in town that long?
Trump on Bill O’Reilly ““I think he’s a person I know well — he is a good person, personally I think he shouldn’t have settled, Because you should have taken it all the way. I don’t think Bill did anything wrong.”
Translation – he didn’t do anything I wouldn’t have done?
Trump says Bill O’Reilly, who’s settled $13 mill of lawsuits, is innocent. Anyone is surprised after $25 million in Trump Univ. settlements?
So just wondering, other than Jared and Ivanka, should anyone in the Trump administration sign a long-term lease in Washington?
Reports are now that Russian generated fake news stories were allegedly focused for social media in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania & Michigan. So as @FullFrontalSamB said today Russia had a better Midwest strategy than Hillary Clinton. Ouch.
As various foreign policy crises occur. Trump’s response yesterday “I’m not, and I don’t want to be, the president of the world I’m the President of the United States — and from now on it’s going to be America first.”
Never thought I’d miss “shining city on a hill.”
Apparently reporting of violent crimes, including rape, by Hispanics across the country is way down. Some may think, sad, but not my problem, if undocumented immigrants have bad things happen to them they have only themselves to blame for being here illegally. But what happens if someone sees a crime against a US citizen, but is still afraid of going to the police?

Bottom of the barrel

April 5, 2017

NBA game tonight featured Nets vs 76ers, with 46 wins between them. Five words “Thank heaven it’s baseball season.”

At Johnny Cueto line drive to right field Tuesday night in his second at bat was first time an SF Giants pitcher has been retired in 2017. #pitcherswhorake

Nothing is certain but death, taxes, and the Dodgers struggling against lefties.

Lexi Thompson lost an LPGA tournament because a fan called in the next day saying officials missed Thompson slightly moving her ball. In related news, the St. Louis Cardinals called MLB. They want that 1985 World Series trophy. #DonDenkinger.

Last night’s #nationalchampionship did answer one question “Whatever happened to all those replacement refs?”

#TonyRomo is going to retire from professional football. So that still mean there’s a chance he could sign with the #49ers.

Although it’s tough, Tony Romo retiring less than 6 months after the Cubs win the World Series.    Double blow for comedy writers.

A picture is circulating of 6’5″ NYC Mayor Bill De Blasio crammed into a coach seat on a cross-country Delta flight. “Don’t even think about it” said Chris Christie.

And I thought “He went to Jared” was irritating enough when it was just a jewelry commercial.

The Islamic State said today the United States was drowning and “being run by an idiot.” @PRESlDENTBANNON responds “I am not an idiot.”

 

Spicer attacks ProPublica, Trump Jr. says Pizzagate blogger deserves a Pulitzer. Just another day in the new abnormal.

 

Got it, everything inherited that’s good, like low unemployment & a recovering economy is Trump’s doing, Bad stuff like Syria Obama’s fault.

22 companies have pulled ads from Bill O’Reilly’s Fox News show. Could put the show in jeopardy, not for sexual harassment but for $$$.

North Korea reportedly fired a ballistic missile towards Japan. Waiting for Trump to respond after getting intelligence briefing from Jared.

Ivanka Trump says she doesn’t know what it means to be “complicit.” Well, another example of overrated expensive private school educations.

Trump called Putin w/ his condolences on St Petersburg subway bombing, Vladimir appreciated it as he hadn’t heard from Donald in 12 hours.

Trump now finds time to tweet about Drudge report but nothing on Russia bombing. Because no Americans killed & bomber wasn’t an immigrant?

So while Trump is tweeting outrage on leaks think he could spare a little outrage and compassion for dead children in Syria?

First in war, first in peace….

April 3, 2017

Nationals are undefeated when Trump avoids the stadium. Coincidence?

So it was a rough ending to game one for Giants fans. But this morning’s MLB leaderboard still is one for the ages.

leaderboard

 

By Aug MLB players will be dinged up & desperate for a break. ESPN does Opening Day for six teams then gives them off day. Prioritie$

And of course Santiago Casilla gets the save for Oakland As tonight. Baseball is a funny game. Though SFGiants fans aren’t really laughing

Good news for Atlanta baseball fans, #Braves have a new stadium. Bad news, Braves have the same old players.

Trump’s obsession with Hillary is as if Cubs this spring were ranting about Indians supposedly stealing signs.

 

If @MLB was like the @EnglishPremier league the Padres would have been relegated to AAA a long time ago.

Refs tonight clearly spent as much time in officiating school as some former North Carolina players spent in class. #NationalChampionship

 

If fans really wanted to watch an hour of free throws they’d tune into last five minutes of an @NBA game.

The Wizards are upset that the Warriors, leading 137-115, tried to shoot a three with the clock running out. Now, was it great sportsmanship by Golden State, no, but Washington really should be more upset that they had gotten down 22 points.

Trump mantra for the first 100 days “If at first you don’t succeed, make something else up.”

Trump was golfing again today. But maybe we shouldn’t complain. Golfing is probably one of least dangerous things he does.

Just imagine if President Obama had constantly touted MSNBC as being more knowledgeable than FBI & US intelligence agencies.

 ·

The FAA has cleared Harrison Ford, 74, after he mistakenly landed a small plane on a taxiway at Orange County Airport, barely missing an American AIrlines 737, and he will be allowed to keep his pilot’s certificate.
So having flown the Millennium Falcon means never having to say “I’m sorry, take my keys?

Trump calls for $1.6 billion cuts to Interior Dept but donates $74k of salary to National Park Service. Next will he donate $100 to PBS?

Trump playbook. Make up a story, spread it around, then complain the media isn’t covering it. Lather rinse repeat. #wiretapping #SusanRice

 

Might be faster & simpler at this point to list the attractive women at Fox  News Bill O’Reilly hasn’t (allegedly) harassed.

We don’t need no stinkin’ DH.

April 2, 2017

Can Madbum play left field when he doesn’t pitch for the SF GIants? And bat fourth?

One of Bumgarner’s two 400 plus foot home runs was against Zack Greinke.  Clayton Kershaw has to be really happy the Dodgers didn’t open against the Giants.

 

Two blown SF Giants save in one game. Too soon to talk about the curse of Casilla?

This was not been a good opening day for closers. (Rodney, Melancon and Oh all gave up runs in the 9th)  Can we blame Trump?

MLB Opening Day, firs game is Yankees – Rays?  In St. Pete.   What? The Red Sox didn’t want to risk their opener being snowed out?

Derrick Rose is out for the rest of the NBA season. Making him luckier than Knicks season ticket holders.

So a TV viewer watching Saturday”s 3rd round of the ANA Inspiration LPGA golf tournament on tape-delay Sunday contacted officials to say Lexi Thompson had very slightly moved her ball after marking it before putting for a tap-in. Thompson was then, while leading by 2, at the 14th hole of the final round, assessed a 4 shot penalty, 2 strokes of which were signing the suddenly wrong 3rd round scorecard. She ended up tying for the lead but losing in a playoff.
I don’t want to hear that the balk rule is the stupidest in pro sports ever again.

As GOP tries to become party with best circular firing squad, maybe Democrats could stop infighting long enough to watch?

Trump says “surveillance and leaks” are the problem. I suppose he thinks @washingtonpost & Deep Throat were the problem with Watergate

Nikki Haley today “Certainly, I think Russia was involved in the election. There’s no question about that,”
Is Haley bidding to be President Pence’s VP choice?

 

Jared Kushner is in Iraq right now. Trying to find a location for a Trump/Scion hotel Baghdad?

Trump today in an interview with the Financial Times “Yeah, I don’t lose.” #alternativevictories?

 

More Trump to the Financial Times  “If China is not going to solve North Korea, we will.” Well, sure, now that Trump’s already used his plan to beat ISIS.

A newspaper in Juarez, Mexico says it is shutting down because too many journalists have been murdered. So yes, media attacks can get worse.

 

 

From Alex Kaseberg  “A survey shows the number of older women binge drinking has increased significantly. Asked to comment, Hillary Clinton said, “Shut up and do a Jager shot.”

 

 

Play ball!

April 1, 2017

Anyone but me still having a hard time getting adjusted to hearing “Defending World Champion Chicago Cubs?” #OpeningDay

 

Another March Madness draws to close. Now the real challenge, getting millions of Americans as thoughtful & involved w/ voting as their brackets.

Wonder how many turned #SouthCarolina #Gonzaga game off at half figuring it was over. & Zags had won. They were right. Sort of. #FinalFour

And thousands of youth basketball coaches have the all time video to illustrate the lesson “box out.”. #Oregon #UNC #FinalFour

James Harden claims Draymond Green punched him on his sore wrist last night Green responded He pinched me, so I punched his wrist,” Green said. “That’s pretty much it. He does it often actually, which is kind of adolescent, but whatever.”
Six words. “Thank God Opening Day is Sunday.”

Feel for Jon Samuelson at Women’s Final Four.  He’s the  dad of Connecticut’s KatieLou & Stanford’s Karlie.   He was stressed about conflicting loyalties. But had to assume at least 1 daughter in final

April Fool’s Day was a lot more fun when America didn’t have daily Presidential tweets rivaling any absurdity we could come up with.

Maybe if Ivanka & Jared really want to do a holy thing on Sabbath they could take her dad’s phone with them when they go offline for day

A homeless man was arrested & charged with arson in connection with the collapse of Atlanta’s I-85. So our infrastructure is in such wobbly shape terrorists don’t need bombs they can just set fires under freeways?

And just guessing this homeless man will now end up with state-paid, and mandated, housing for from 5- to 15 years.

 

As GOP tries to become party with best circular firing squad, maybe Democrats could stop infighting long enough to watch?

The NY Times reports Bill O’Reilly or Fox have paid $13 million to five women since 2002 over sexual harrassment complaints “in exchange for agreeing to not pursue litigation or speak about their accusations against him.”
O’Reilly says it’s just because of his “high-profile job” that makes him “vulnerable.” Right, because every male celebrity pays out this kind of money regularly? #SMH

Now there are reports security experts are worried about laptop bombs, which could lead to more restrictions in bringing them on planes. So we’re already spending over $7 billion a year on TSA, waiting hours in lines, can’t bring toiletries, bottled water or wine with us, and now we may not be able to work or entertain children on planes.
In many ways the terrorists have already won. #fearitself

Keep on keeping on.

April 1, 2017

5-time Olympic gold-medal swimmer Dana Vollmer, 6 months pregnant, plans to race in 50-meter freestyle next month. Weaker sex my ass.

Wonder if Vollmer might actually have an advantage – swimming in the carpool lane?

 

Tiger Woods says he will not be ready to play in #TheMasters. A shame that Tiger doesn’t feel able even to play two rounds of golf.

Just what college sports needs, another all #SEC championship. Seriously,  congrats to #MississippiState, ending #UConn 111 game win streak in the NCAA Women’s Final Four.

Probably more people had Gonzaga,  South Carolina, Oregon and UNC in the men’s final four than had South Carolina vs Mississippi State in the women’s final.

Apparently the entire coal mining industry in this country employs few workers than Arby’s.  And moreover, as customers know,  Arby’s is a more consistent source of cheap gas.

Crayola is replacing Dandelion with a bluish color. So hey, can we say Trump is starting to turn America blue again? #NewCrayonColors

Got it, investigations into Russia & election are “witch hunts.” Investigations into Hillary are still necessary & important. #sarcasm

#Uniglo says they will leave the US if Trump insists on “Made in America” products. No more cheap cashmere sweaters? This is serious.

Holland America will drop cruise ship port calls in Acapulco over fears of violence. But their ships will still stop in Los Angeles.

Trump should REALLY be angry at the guy who got this whole #SenateIntelHearing started by accusing Obama of wiretapping.

If V.P Mike  Pence feels it’s inappropriate to have dinner alone with a woman without his wife present fine. But really to avoid all appearances of impropriety why doesn’t he also eschew having dinner alone with other men?

Condoleezza Rice met with Trump today in the White House, after reportedly meeting privately with Pence earlier. So presume due to the VP’s beliefs no food or drink was served?

#FoxNews upset “private citizens” affiliated w/ Trump “wrongly unmasked…for political purposes.” Funny, I clearly missed their outrage over Valerie Plame.

Pretty clear if Trump had social media during Watergate he’d be tweeting calls for prison time -for John Dean & “Deep Throat.”

Jon Stewart would be proud. Trevor Noah on @TheDailyShow “Paul Ryan has turned into such a pussy it’s amazing Trump hasn’t grabbed him yet.”

The end of the beginning.

March 30, 2017

Interesting how the pre-seasons for MLB and NBA are ending about the same time.

 –
So at what point do TV executives start worrying about a potental Warriors or Spurs vs Raptors Wizards or Celtics @NBA final?
Meanwhile,  CBS executives waking up in the middle of the night with visions of Oregon–South Carolina.
Albert L. Lord, a Penn State trustee reportedly wrote in an email that he is “running out of sympathy for 35 yr old, so-called victims (of Jerry Sandusky) with 7 digit net worth… Do not understand why they were so prominent in trial.”
Okay, what’s more unbelievable, that the guy actually thinks this, or that he’s stupid enough to put it in an email?
#NeverAskAWoman If she’s REALLY fine. If she says she’s “fine” you’re already toast.
So how long until Hawaii starts a tourism campaign advertising a “Trump-free” vacation? #Hawaiiboycott
McDonald’s says they will start making their Quarter-Pounders w/ fresh beef. So is this a change that the meat is fresh or that it’s beef?
Mike Pence is so pure he can’t be alone w/ any woman who isn’t his wife. But he has no problem being VP for a pussy-grabber.    Priorities.
Mike Pence won’t have dinner alone w/ a woman. Sir, I think I speak for millions of US women – “Your virtue is safe with us.” #notinterested
So the way Trump, Pence & rest of GOP are talking about women now, can only assume the witch trials commence by summer?
Trump’s now upset at some of his own party. “The Freedom Caucus will hurt the entire Republican agenda if they don’t get on the team, & fast. We must fight them, & Dems, in 2018!”
So would Trump like to put out a list of who he thinks IS on his team? Besides Ivanka and Jared.
As Trump says “We must fight” the Freedom Caucus and the Dems, paraphrased question of the day “Who’s we, orange man?
Trump attacks @NYtimes, wants to “change libel laws.” Amazing how someone so in love w/ 2nd amendment can so disregard the 1st.
Trump apparently threatened Mark Sanford with a Congressional primary challenger if he didn’t vote for Trumpcare. Never thought it could be done – but someone has put Mr. Appalachian Trail on the moral high road.

#MikeFlynn reportedly to testify ff granted immunity. Remember when these Russian espionage movies required scriptwriters? #passthepopcorn

Trump loves to talk about loyalty. But he basically fired #MikeFlynn. I’m sure Flynn didn’t take it personally. #passthepopcorn

Now that we’re officially in Spring, time to start a pool on which of his resorts Trump will dub the “Summer White House?  (assuming he makes it to Summer.)

Not how you start…

March 30, 2017

Spurs had 16 point lead on the Warriors after 1st quarter and lost.  So will the league fine Popovich for resting his entire team for three quarters?

The Warriors-Spurs matchup, one of the marquee regular season games, tipped off at 930pm ET, 830p central.   Even Major League Baseball is thinking, don’t you care about your fans?

 

To be fair to Spurs that 8:30pm start meant 2nd half was past Gasol, Parker and Ginobili’s bedtimes.

T.J McDonald suspended 8 games by NFL after being arrested for driving under the influence of prescription drugs. Hmm, so had he hit a woman instead of driving would he have only gotten six?

Does it make you a snowflake if you get upset because your favorite #Starbucks is closing? Asking for a friend.

Consumer confidence reportedly up.   Or it’s just Americans feeling, “We might as well spend, we’re all going to die.”

Trump approval ratings now at 35% . Waiting for #SeanSpicer to explain how this is really like golf. Lowest scores win.

Not sure what was worst, that Matt Cain gave up 4 runs in 5.1 innings  for the SF Giants. Or that the outing actually lowered his Spring Training ERA to 7.82.

Trump & Christie pledge to fight opiod epidemic. No one told them GOP healthplan would strip coverage for mental health/addiction services?

Chris Christie met with Donald Trump at the White House today, the same day one of his former top aides was sentenced to 2 years in prison over “Bridgegate.” Only the little people pay penalties.

GOP-controlled Congress voted to let internet providers sell our browsing history.. So yep when it comes to privacy, these are the good old days

So with this new bill gutting internet privacy rights is it too much to ask that Trump has filed his taxes online?

Apparently none of the White House staff will attend annual correspondents’ dinner in “solidarity” with President Trump, Translation, “solidarity” means “keeping your job.”

#Trump asked women today “Have you heard of #SusanBAnthony? No doubt he heard she & #FrederickDouglass are being recognized more & more

Who says Trump is not a uniter? CNN reporting how the GOP vote to repeal internet privacy rules, a bill expected to be signed by the President, has been “panned by both the editorial board of The New York Times and by commenters on conservative media outlet Breitbart News.”

“The Classic” concert just announced this summer will feature the Eagles, Steely Dan, Doobie Brothers, Fleetwood Mac, Journey, and Earth Wind & Fire. So based on the target audience demographic assume all tickets will include a senior citizen discount.

Jeb Bush on Donald Trump “He should stop saying things that aren’t true.” Would Jeb care to opine on what things Trump says that are true?

#Hawaii judge issues an injunction against Trump’s travel ban. Too soon to start a pool on the timing of #FakeState tweets?

Ivanka Trump gets a White House desk & top level security clearance. Wonder if Donald will invite Tiffany to the Easter Egg Hunt?

Iowa GOP bill would allow parents to stop abortion if “woman is less than eighteen years of age or unmarried.” #Bridgetothe19thcentury

 

 

 

And with Opening Day almost upon us.   Thanks to JD for this Carnac moment I had forgotten  “Another favorite Carnac memory: The answer is “Catch-22.” The question is “What do the Los Angeles Dodgers do with 50 fly balls?”

Going, going, not quite gone.

March 28, 2017

The Raiders sent out an email today to Season Ticket Holders offering to let them put down a deposit on tickets in Las Vegas.

 

Isn’t this sort of like your significant other telling you he/she is leaving you for someone else as soon as they get their home built, but she’d love to have you come to the housewarming party.

 

A Nevada brothel owner today said he will open a Raiders-themed bordello in 2020. Meaning that unlike Oakland fans, new Las Vegas fans of the team can at least get value for money while being screwed.

Average high temperature in Las Vegas in September, 95%, down from a 103% in August. But hey, fire up those grills for tailgates. #Raiders

As Raiders prepare to pack up & move, a good time to remember that #SFGiants just paid off their PRIVATELY FUNDED stadium.

Lonzo Ball and Markelle Fultz are likely to be the top 2 chosen in the 2017 NBA draft. Today in an interview, Ball said he can “lead a team better, and that “Markelle’s a great player, but I feel I’m better than him.”
Sounds like the apple doesn’t swagger far from the tree.

The world’s largest dinosaur footprint just found in ‘Australia’s Jurassic Park’. Was it from a pickup game involving Tim Duncan?

 

Heard a commercial for FanDuel fantasy golf. Thinking if you seriously play fantasy golf for money you just might have a gambling problem.

 

White House says Trump turned down invite from #Nationals to throw out 1st pitch Opening Day. Bummer. Would have been Bigliest boos ever.

Has it occurred to anyone in Trump administration that Mexico builds tunnels a lot faster than we could build a wall?

Bill O’Reilly insulted Maxine Waters’ hair. Can someone get Bill drunk and ask him what he really thinks of Donald Trump’s hair?

.

Johnny Carson as Carnac would do answers first, then questions. An old favorite -“UCLA.” The question – “What happens when smog clears over Los Angeles?”
Doesn’t seem so funny when Trump signs an executive order getting rid of regulations for clean-air.

President signs  EO gutting fed regulations against climate change. If global warming floods FloridaL could it please start with a Trump golf course?.

#TrumpAFamousQuote “Loving myself means never having to say I’m sorry.”

Supreme Court ruled 9-0 w/ Paula Jones & Clinton that Pres could be sued. Trump now filing motion to overturn. #Fakecourt tweet in 3.2.1…

CNN reports Sean Spicer refused to say who signed Nunes onto the White House grounds late at night, “as would be required protocol.”
Standby for the Trump Executive Order outlawing “required protocol.”

The GAO (Government Accountability Office) is apparently going to look into security costs for Trump’s Mar-A-Lago trips and see if he, as promised, is paying the treasury for profits his hotels make from foreign government visits.
Standby for Trump signing an EO to defund the GAO in 3.2.1….

Quote of the day “There was a very serious effort made by Mr. Putin and his government, his organization, to interfere in major ways with our basic, fundamental democratic processes. In some quarters that would be considered an act of war.”
But who listens to crazy liberals like Dick Cheney?

 

Checkpoint Charlie museum honors those who died trying to scale the Berlin wall for a better life. Will Mexico build museum if Trump ever builds his wall?

 

 

Lonzo Ball and Markelle Fultz are likely to be the top 2 chosen in the 2017 NBA draft. Today in an interview, Ball said he can “lead a team better, and that “Markelle’s a great player, but I feel I’m better than him.”
Sounds like the apple doesn’t swagger far from the tree.

Cavalier treatment

March 27, 2017

It’s beginning to look possible that even without Tim Duncan the San Antonio Spurs are a pretty good basketball team.

(San Antonio 103- Cleveland 74.)

San Antonio assistant coach Becky Hammon apparently turned down the head coaching job with the women’s basketball team at the University of Florida. Clearly the idea of a woman coach staying in their locker room didn’t hurt the Spurs too badly tonight against the Cavs.

 

Looking at way UConn women are cutting a swath through their NCAA tournament you almost wonder if they should have been seeded w/ the men.

#Raiders moving to Vegas. Still may be cheaper for Oakland fans to fly to Las Vegas for a game than buy tickets in #Warriors new SF arena.

Jed York, on the Raiders move “I don’t think it’s a big win for the 49ers.” Well, yeah, Oakland fans have gotten used to watching a professional team.

Only vote against #Raiders move came from #Dolphins. Did Miami owner have dreams of moving to Vegas himself?

 

Being a San Francisco Bay Area fan of the Saints and Spurs, there are some advantages: Teams can’t break your heart by moving out of town. The SF Giants on the other hand, better stay put.

Cleveland LT Joe Thomas says no one has signed Colin Kaepernick for this year because he’s a “distraction.” Hmm, the way the Browns play guessing their fans could use all the distractions they can get.

Now it comes out that Nunes says he was on the White House grounds the day before revealing Trump surveillance info. because he was just looking for a safe place to go over the information.
If this were a movie script it might be rejected as too unbelievable.

I will believe airlines have a real dress code first time they kick some man off flight for wearing inappropriate clothing

The Dow is down for an 8th straight day. #WWTB – Who will Trump blame?

The Trump administration wants $1 billion funding just to cover 62 miles of their proposed border wall. $1 billion?! All of a sudden California’s proposed high-speed rail is looking like a bargain.

Jeff Sessions says “sanctuary cities must end.” So anyone who wants protection after committing a crime better join Trump administration.

Now Tomi Lahren has been suspended permanently from the Blaze for saying she was pro-choice. So has her slippery slope to liberalism begun?

In Russia, opposition leader Alexei Navalny was sentenced today Monday to 15 days in jail and fined $350 for leading anti-govt protests in Moscow. Wonder if Trump has called Putin saying “How do you do that?”

Maybe you should dance like there’s nobody watching. but that doesn’t mean you should govern that way.

What were the odds?

March 27, 2017

Roger Goodell seems to be so much in favor ot the #Raiders going to #LasVegas you almost wonder what kind of odds he got on the move.

Didn’t really care between #SouthCarolina & #Florida. But going to miss watching Canyon Barry shoot underhanded free throws. @NBA take note

This year’s Final Four features all teams from coastal states – Washington, Oregon and the Carolinas. No team from the Midwest or Kentucky.  Is this somehow still  Obama’s fault?

 

In Lexington, University of Kentucky students rioted after losing their Elite 8 March Madness game by lighting things on fire and chanting “f–k UNC” Just imagine what they might have done if the Wildcats had won?

=

Tara Vanderveer would probably think coaching #Stanford men’s basketball would be at best a lateral move, but Cardinal could use her. #WomensFinalFour

United denied boarding to girls wearing… leggings?  But hey, it’s an about an  offensive look they should refuse many male tourists boarding in shorts.

And okay, I get it, the girls were employee children and there is a dress code when using free tickets. But United’s Twitter feed didn’t try to strike a conciliatory or explanatory town, just doubled down on the airline’s “conditions of carriage”  #wannagetaway?

Whoever is running #United‘s Twitter account is doing a good enough PR job to be considered for position as assistant to Sean Spicer

 

Uber halted self-driving car testing in Phoenix following crash involving 1 of their SUVs. Cars still probably safer than most snowbirds.

15 people shot, 1 fatally in #Cincinnati. Not terrorism, just a good old-fashioned American night with guns. Move along nothing to see here.

John Kasich on a possible 2020 Presidential run “I’m not really interested in running for political office again. You don’t close the door on anything, but I don’t have my eyes on that.”
Translation, only if I think I can win.

Wait, Kellyanne Conway gets called out on ethics violations, justifiably for promoting Ivanka’s clothes & then President tells us to “Watch @JudgeJeanine on @FoxNews?” #WTF

Reince Priebus “I think it’s time to potentially get a few moderate Democrats on board as well.” Does he think they’ll be easier to bully?

Now talk of Trump trying to work w/ Dems. Yeah, it’s going to go real well when Bannon says “You have no choice you have to vote for this bill.”

An ill wind

March 26, 2017

The #1 seed Jayhawks, who’d breezed through their first three games,  were upset in basically a home game in Kansas City by Oregon.  Last time things were so unexpectedly turned around for Kansas, a tornado and witches were involved.

So two of the Final Four men’s basketball teams  are from the West Coast. Are we sure this result can’t be negated by the electoral college?

Xavier vs Gonzaga and Kansas vs Oregon for berths in Final Four and the games were on… TBS?   This is the same television brilliance MLB uses to grow their fan base.

Another disappointing night for NBA fans, the #Knicks weren’t resting their starters

Knicks center Joakim Noah, who hasn’t played in over a month, was suspended 20 games by the NBA for a banned supplement. Well, Barnum & Bailey Ringling Bros may be gone, but the circus is alive and well at Madison Square Garden..

(and then after the Knicks outscored the Spurs by 14 in the 3rd to cut the lead to 4…. well, anyone but me want to hear what Popovich really said to his team during the break?)

Roger Goodell in a letter to Oakland’s mayor said he thinks the city has yet to find “a viable solution” to keeping the Raiders. And then no doubt when the 3rd NFL team moves in the last two years Goodell will no doubt proclaim the importance of fan loyalty.

Oops, ads congratulating GOP on repealing Obamacare actually aired last night. Did they also congratulate Super Bowl Champ Atlanta Falcons?

Kris Jenner is apparently shopping a new Kardashian cartoon. Wait, aren’t the Kardashians already a cartoon?

A man was taken into custody after shooting two people, one fatally, on a bus in Las Vegas today, shutting down the Strip for hours. Police say it was not terrorism. But the horror, thousands of people couldn’t get to their sports books and slot machines.

Trump tweet “ObamaCare will explode and we will all get together and piece together a great healthcare plan for THE PEOPLE. Do not worry!”
Just wondering, now that he’s in charge, why didn’t Trump offer that “great healthcare plan” the first time?

Dems & GOP now both realizing, it’s a lot easier to be united against legislation than it is actually to craft such legislation.

Trump “we learned a lot about loyalty.” Yep, Amazing thing, when you throw people under buses they don’t usually recover & bring you flowers.

As Ivanka moves into White House office wonder again how many voted against Hillary thinking  one family shouldn’t have that much power.

Joe Biden, on his decision not to run:, “I regret not being President right now.”

And millions of Americans are thinking “Not as much as WE regret you not being President right now.”

Mike Pence said today Trump “won’t rest” until Obamacare is dismantled. Right and Trump’s time on the golf course will be as helpful as OJ’s was in his search for the real killers.

Trump loves celebrities and social media. But maybe he shouldn’t have used Charlie Sheen as a role model for #Winning?

Healthcare bridge, one no Trump?

March 24, 2017

Lonzo says he is one-and-done at UCLA. In related news, Trumpcare never had a realistic chance and water is wet.

Meanwhile, the only exciting game out of Friday night’s Sweet Sixteen matchups – Wisconsin vs Florida – finished after midnight on the east coast.  So maybe NCAA with basketball really is considering themselves a major professional sport.

Pirates infielder Jung Ho Kang may miss the 2017 MLB season due to his being denied a US visa, possibly due to a DUI arrest. Yep, if you want to be a star athlete who drinks and drives, you better be born here in the USA.

Today is #NationalCheesesteakDay To be followed tomorrow by National EKG day?

USA Today reports that Baywatch’s David Hasselhoff now has his own cruise will host a five-night “fan cruise” this Fall on Costa Cruises. Think someone could manage to push him into a lifeboat?

Former Penn State president Graham Spanier was convicted today of one count of child endangerment. He had chosen not to report Sandusky to the state Department of Public Welfare, despite the report from Mike McQueary about seeing him in the showers with a young boy. Apparently Spanier plans to appeal. On what grounds? That he thought he was running a Catholic university?

CNN reports Trump aide says President “agitated” by Trumpcare bill process which he thinks is all “political.”   Hello…it’s politics.

GOP just changed their Trumpcare Facebook status to “It’s complicated.”

Is even Paul Ryan starting to think he might have been better off with Hillary in the White House

 

If GOP willing to eliminate all gender based healthcare from coverage with Trumpcare we could talk. Prostrate exams & ED drugs to start.

Curiously enough, pulling out is also the GOP’s new birth control strategy. #KilltheBill

Sean Spicer  “If you’re an older man, you can generally say you’re not going to need maternity care.” So how old was Trump when Barron was born?

Right about now, Obama might be forgiven a small smirk.

Paul Ryan “We’re going to be living w/ Obamacare for the foreseeable future.” Well, better than dying w/ Trumpcare in the foreseeable future.

While Dems celebrate, if some party leaders or wannabe leaders have ideas to tweak Obamacare, it  would be excellent time to put them forward.

Amazing that Trump just didn’t rename #Obamacare & take the credit. Though no doubt that’s his plan B.

 

Trump today “when you get no votes from the other side, it’s a very difficult situation.” And how big is @BarackObama’s smile right now?

You’d think with such small hands Trump wouldn’t be so quick to point his small fingers?

 

Thinking Ryan had a lot more fun when he could blame all the GOP failures on Obama.

Latest leak #fakenews CNN reports Trump is upset that his son-in-law and senior adviser was not around during this crucial week.” (Jared and family were skiing in Aspen.)
Actually this one has the ring of truth, if Trump is angry, it wouldn’t be at himself, or heaven forbid his perfect daughter.

Trump now to a Wash Post reporter “As you know, I’ve been saying for years that the best thing is to let Obamacare explode and then go make a deal with the Democrats and have one unified deal.”

So if that’s the best thing, why have wasted all this precious time and effort trying to get Trumpcare through? Why not have used the HUGE power of the Presidency to tell Ryan to stand down weeks ago? #alternativerationalizations

Long time

March 23, 2017

San Antonio Spurs tonight paid tribute to WWII vet Richard Overton, who at 110 years old is the oldest living veteran. And one of the few men alive who remembers Tim Duncan’s rookie year.

A five minute plus instant replay stoppage w/ 1:59 left in #WestVirginia #Gonzaga game making fans long for crisp speed of MLB instant replay

The Oakland As are offering a free cap to any fan who trades in any SF Giants cap. Well, if someone wants a hat in better condition – .A’s caps ARE less likely to be worn out from being worn through the playoffs.

 

When you do not score in the last 2:52 of the 2nd half, it’s pretty hard to win a Sweet Sixteen game. #Arizona #Xavier #marchmadness

#ESPN allowing people who regret their #MarchMadness choices to do a “Second Chance Bracket.” Any way we can do that for the US election?

Matt Barnes, now with the Warriors about playing his former team the Sacramento Kings Friday. “I’m trying to kill them Plain and simple. Things didn’t go well there.”
Great statement from a player with an arrest history now facing a 2017 trial for domestic violence.

Patriots to visit White House on April 19. Wouldn’t it be simpler to invite Kraft, Brady & anyone else who wants to attend to Maralago?

Theresa May opens parliament as usual. #WeAreNotAfraid trending. Well played London, well played.

Fortune magazine names  Theo Epstein greatest leader in world. So is everyone connected with 3-time WS Champion @SFGiants chopped liver?

Trumpcare did not come to a vote today due to lack of GOP support. Can’t wait to see how they’re going to blame this on Obama.

New poll showed today only 17% of Americans support  Trumpcare. Wow. Didn’t know that many people worked for insurance companies.

#NYTimes – Trump says privately he regrets going along w/ Ryan for quick healthcare reform. Because nothing EVER is @realDonaldTrump’s fault

 

Fox News headline says Trumpcare is “on life support.” Well, life support no doubt won’t be covered going forward either.

Trumpcare to exclude preventive care maternity care & pediatric care. While GOP defunds Planned Parenthood. Again 4 words -Pro life my ass.

More populism at its finest. The House today just voted to strike down privacy rules that kept internet providers like AT&T and Comcast from selling your web browsing history without permission.
Make Advertisers Great Again?! #SMH

In Kentucky, a 4-year old is dead after he accidentally shot himself with a gun that the boy’s uncle, a police officer, had left in his truck. #Ifonlyhewerearmed

 

Washington Post reports that the OMB turned down the Secret Service request for an additional $60 million this year to handle security for Trump & his family. Which means per the Post “the agency will likely have to divert other spending to handle the additional burden..
No worries, the only other duties of the agency involve things like cyber crime, credit card/identity fraud. and cases involving missing/exploited minors. Do we feel great again yet?

 

Whatever Happened To … waking up in the morning and not saying “Our President said WHAT?”

From Marc Ragovin, one more on Chuck Barris – “RIP Chuck Barris: Gong but not forgotten.”

Keep calm and f*ck terrorism

March 22, 2017

lego

 

 

My favorite city in the world. And yes I would go back tomorrow. If we stop traveling the bad guys win.

This mural, btw,  is made completely out of Lego, in the London store – Leicester Square.

Wow. A reasonable and measured response. Maybe the rumors that Tillerson won’t last long as Secretary of State in this administration are true. “We condemn these horrific acts of violence, and whether they were carried out by troubled individuals or by terrorists, the victims know no difference,”

It’s always awful when innocent people are hurt. But Britain has very tight gun laws, at least London assailant wasn’t armed.

 

Four murdered, including a police officer, until the suspect himself was shot by police. Not just London, but today in Wisconsin. The suspect is an American man with a gun. Move along, nothing to see here.

CNN reports FBI has information indicating Trump campaign associates communicated “with suspected Russian operatives to possibly coordinate the release of information damaging to Hillary Clinton’s campaign.”
#Fakenews tweet from Donald in 3.2.1….

Ghanaian Soccer player Mohammed Anas, who made headlines when he thanked his wife AND girlfriend during an interview now says “My family knows that I call my daughter my girlfriend. That’s what I was talking about. I don’t have a girlfriend.”
Is Anas trying for a post in the Trump administration?

Trumpcare will not have a requirement to cover mental health. While Congress also reduces gun regulations. What could possibly go wrong?

 

Puerto Rico has seen enough of Brandon Crawford.  Late in tonight’s game what they really wanted to see is the 2016 SF Giants’ bullpen. #WBC

Just guessing  Ian Kinsler, who hit a home run after bashing Puerto Rico’s style of play, might want to plan his next Caribbean vacation somewhere other than San Juan?

Almost didn’t recognize Dodger Stadium for #WBC championship tonight. Stands were basically full in first inning. @espn

#BeckyHammon is apparently a finalist for the head coaching job at Florida. Alas it’s the women’s team. She can coach men. @Spurs

Roger Goodell says that the NFL will address when a commercial is followed by a kickoff and then followed by another commercial. “I hate that, too. Our goal is to eliminate it.”
By just running longer commercials after kickoffs?

 

Bases and balls

March 22, 2017

Now that #TeamUSA is in the Word Baseball Classic final will Americans actually start caring? USA ! USA! USA! #WBC

Wonder if the #WorldBaseballClassic would be more popular if there was a way to put teams into brackets and bet on them in office pools?

Gregg Popovich on the NBA rest debate “Luckily all the participants are sane people and care about the same thing and want to get it right.”
Right, $ane people and the $ame thing. Anyone heard a complaint yet when a “rest” game wasn’t being televised.

CKE Restaurants, owners of Carl’s Jr, said today that CEO Andrew Puzder. Trump’s first pick for Labor Secretary. who withdrew after negative publicity, will be replaced by Jason Marker in April. Well, that’s one job Trump can take credit for creating.

Supreme Court hearings seem to have devolved into situations where nominees won’t opine on what color they think the sky is.

Barry Bonds is back with the #SFGiants as a special assistant to the CEO. Let’s hope he doesn’t get a swelled head about it.

In a memo to team owners Adam Silver called the practice of teams resting star players “a extremely significant issue for our league.” Lakers fans are going “What star players?”

Trump’s latest “It was reported that NFL owners don’t want to pick (your San Francisco quarterback) him up because they don’t want to get a nasty tweet from Donald Trump.”
Kind of makes you want some team to sign Kap.

Trump of all people should know that saying outrageous things wouldn’t stop you getting a job if people think you are competent.

Headline “Republicans change health care bill in search for votes.” Maybe they could just change the name and keep Obamacare?

British PM Theresa May will be featured in US Vogue magazine. Waiting for Trump to claim in a tweet that Vogue asked him first.

Dow fell by about 238 points today. Waiting for the Trump tweet saying this is Obama’s fault.

For years, smart travel agents have warned travelers NOT to put laptops and iPads in checked luggage. New rule may be good for security but also open season for thieves. #unintendedconsequences

Remember all those people worried that Hillary’s election would make Bill a top WH advisor? Somehow I’m missing the outrage on Ivanka.

#TheNewsin4Words. “What’s Trump done now?”

 

 

This laptop ban really makes airlines like Turkish, Emirates & Ethiad less attractive to US fliers. Add UAE & Turkey to Trump insult bingo

Major budget cuts for the DOJ and a “Memorandum for all Federal Prosecutors” from new AG Jeff Sessions, directing prosecutors to focus not on corporate crime, but on violent crime.
But hey, I am sure under Trump now all potential white-collar crooks are now on their very best behavior.

 

Trump’s company, now managed by his sons, is starting a new hotel change, Scion,  and talking to about 20 developers around the country, with 50-100 hotels planned within the next three years.

Move along, nothing to see here. No one I am sure would mind if Chelsea Clinton and her husband had done the same thing if Hillary were elected.

 

The wrong kind of hits.

March 20, 2017

Really sad about Dwight Clark having ALS. And the ties to traumatic brain injury and CTE are getting more and more obvious. A little-known fact about Lou Gehrig is that he went to Columbia on a football scholarship. It’s getting harder and harder to watch football, seriously.

Tom Brady’s quarterback’s game-worn jersey from Super Bowl LI  has apparently been found in Mexico.

Deflate that wall?

 

#Duke is out of the tournament. So Grayson Allen won’t have anyone to kick around any more. #marchmadness

 

Actually a shame  for Duke being out of the tournament.  Until the  Yankees start playing baseball for real there’s no one for most Americans to united against as a diversion frojm politics.

And Allen was one of the few recognizable players in a 1 and one NCAA.

 

That moment when you actually sympathize for Tomi Lahren for getting fired when she says ‘You know what, I’m for limited government, so stay out of my guns, and you can stay out of my body as well.'”
#comeovertothedarksideTomiwehavecookiesandchoice

 

-RIP, David Rockefeller, 101. So Trump finally killed him?

 

 

Sean Spicer said today that Trump’s $3 million a week Mar-a-Lago trips are just “part of being president.” Uh, but what about money for museums and the arts being “part of being Americans.

So anyone get that sense if that if the House actually voted to impeach Trump he’d just decry it as “Fake News?”

And the madness just keeps on coming.

March 19, 2017

That moment when you haven’t been following NCAA basketball but saw 10 min of Mich-Wisc & thought “darn they look good”. #GoBlue #brackets

The NCAA seeding committee did such a good job with Wisconsin and Wichita State they’ve been named honorary Presidential pollsters.

Now Germany on the Trump insult list. How many more people have Bingo?

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast made $170 million at the box office this weekend. With this much success wonder if someone will suggest a cartoon sequel.

 

Uber President Jeff Jones is quitting, less than a year after joining the company, after multiple controversies. An example to those in the Trump cabinet??

Trump today said North Korea’s Kim Jong-un was ‘acting very, very badly’ “Back at ya” said most of the Western World.

A California waiter was fired after he refused to serve several Latina women until they showed him “proof of residency.” Well, no doubt if he wants to move he might be offered a position at a Trump Hotel.

Fox + Friends’ Brian Kilmeade “We keep marrying other species + other ethnics…” What punchline could possibly top this?

George Conway, Kellyanne’s husband, will reportedly be chosen as head of the Justice Dept’s civil division, the office that will handle legal challenges to Trump’s policies. For all those who were worried that the only nepotism in DC now benefited the Trump family.

Paul  Ryan tweeted “Another one heads to President Trump’s desk. This legislation allows states to have drug testing to receive federal unemployment benefits.”

So can we have the same bill apply to members of Congress?

Former U.S. NATO representative Ivo Daalde responded to Trump’s tweets about Germany needing to pay more money “Sorry, Mr President, that’s not how NATO works. Adding “The US decides for itself how much it contributes to defending NATO. This is not a financial transaction, where NATO countries pay the US to defend them. It is part of our treaty commitment.”
“Sorry, Mr. President, that’s not how NATO works.” Substitute any other word for NATO and you’ve basically got a description of the last two months.

More madness.

March 18, 2017

 

Normally when #FloridaState‘s athletic program is this embarrassed, the police are involved.

California teams doing surprisingly well in NCAA tournament.  Will Trump accuse refs of fake scoring?

 

NCAA admits missing goaltending against Gonzaga, leading to Northwestern technical. 4 pt swing in 79-32 game. What about electoral college?

But of course, with calls against Northwestern, figure the NCAA may pay for it in future decisions involving alumni law school graduates.

Two Jupiter police sergeants, Amy Walling and Sgt. Jason VanSteenburgh, were fired for having sex with each other while they were on duty and he apparently sexted her a partially nude picture while wearing his uniform. Back on your game, Florida

rrassed, the police are involved. #marchmadness

Ah for the days when the worst embarassment Americans had with their President and Angela Merkel was a quick back rub.

Dorothy Parker used to open door and ask “What fresh hell could this be?” Now millions of Americans feel the same about Trump’s twitter feed

The Secret Service tonight stopped a man trying to climb over the White House fence who claimed he wanted to give a letter to the President. Well, the guy was clearly crazy. What sane person would think Trump stays in Washington for the weekend?

Sad. #ChuckBerry, 90, has passed away. Can we blame Trump?

Reports are that when he was fired, after being first asked to stay on by Trump, Preet Bharara was investigating Tom Price’s trading of health care stocks while he was involved in health care legislation in the House – a total of over $300,000 in shares.
I’m sure it’s just a coincidence.

Yeah, we’re  definitely in an alternative universe. China now urging United States to remain “coolheaded” over North Korea

 

 

Donna Brazile just admitted that she tipped off the Clinton campaign on potential questions about the death penalty at one debate and the Flint, Michigan water crisis. And how would Hillary have ever thunk otherwise that those questions might come up?

Amateur hour

March 17, 2017

 

29-38 Mavericks vs 24-43 76ers tonight. Talk about ratings disaster. Fans of amateur basketball have so many other #marchmadness options.

SMU blew a 10 point lead with 11 minutes to play to lose to USC, who had already survived a play-in game. Normally for this much embarrassment, SMU relies on their football team.

Michigan not making friends in Las Vegas. They won 92-91 over Oklahoma State. But the Cowboys’ buzzer beater 3 point shot meant the Wolverines didn’t cover the 2.5 point spread. The horror.

Pregnant client landing in London was asked by customs both when she was due, and if the baby was insured. Expecting US Trumpcare refugees?

So in honor of #StPatricksDay wonder why Trump didn’t order ICE to round up and deport some Irish illegals?

We weren’t supposed to vote for Hillary Clinton since she didn’t have enough stamina for the job? She never came home early as Secretary of State.

So now Trump is tweeting against North Korea, and Tillerson is saying a pre-emptive strike is possible. What could possibly go wrong?

So who had England in Trump insult bingo?

Sean Spicer “We are sorry.” You can say that again.

The Hill reports GOP-led House today passed a bill allowing VA employees to be fired more quickly “if they are found to be incompetent or engaging in wrongdoing.”
Damn, can we have legislation like that for members of Congress? And the executive branch? #wecandream

 

Trump ignored Angela Merkel’s request today for handshake during White House photo op. Assuming because she has bigger hands than he does.

Rick Santorum, on Trumps wire tap allegations “We’re not in an election anymore, who he’s hurting is not a rival, he’s hurting himself.”
Another incredible Trump accomplishment.- turning Rick Santorum into a voice of reason.

After Britain demanded an apology for Sean Spicer’s claim they had colluded with Obama to wiretap Trump Tower, Trump today responded “You shouldn’t be talking to me, you should be talking to Fox,.” Uh, is there any difference?

 

 

From T.C.  “The new Disney film Beauty and the Beast has been banned in places like Alabama and Malaysia due to one of its characters being gay. But Donald Duck can run around  “commando”, and also not wear any pants at all; without controversy. “