Left Coast Sports Babe

I know today is Selection Sunday. But maybe with everything going on in Ukraine, this might be a good year to find a temporary NCAA tournament name other than “March Madness.”

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So this year the NCAA, besides picking 68 teams for the tournament, listed their “First Four Out.” – the teams that just missed out – Dayton, SMU, Texas A&M and Oklahoma.

Not surprisingly, fans of those four schools are furious.

Have we heard yet from the schools who are equally angry because they believe they should be in the top 72?

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Tom Brady is un-retiring and says he will play for the Buccaneers next year. Translation, Gisele is already tired of having him around the house?

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So is Tom Brady enough of a narcissist he didn’t really intend to retire but just wanted to grab some headlines from a Super Bowl he wasn’t going to be playing in?

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Maybe Brady didn’t announce his temporary retirement just after NFC/AFC championships to take attention from Super Bowl. And he’d never unretire deliberately on Selection Sunday, NCAA basketball’s biggest day…

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RIP William Hurt. Way too young at 71. While he didn’t get an Oscar nomination for it, the Big Chill, while parts of it haven’t aged well (like all of us) remains one of my favorite movies. With one of the best soundtracks ever.

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Four Senators, Amy Klobuchar, Roger Wicker, Richard Blumenthal and Rob Portman flew over to Poland, 15 miles from where Russia bombed Ukraine, today to meet with military and other leaders.

And how many other Senators, especially Republicans, bravely took to Twitter to complain about President Biden response to Putin’s invasion?

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After 4 years of US President who told police not to be “too nice” to protesters, referred to other nations as sh*thole countries, to immigrants as “animals,” & to journalists as enemies of the people…. Is anyone really shocked his puppetmaster is being so evil in Ukraine?

Criminal grand jury in Texas declined to indict Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson, despite 22 civil lawsuits filed by women accusing him of sexual misconduct during massage therapy sessions. They decided it’s just a He Said, She Said, She Said, She Said, She Said……situation?

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Reports that Joe Buck will leave Fox Sports and join ESPN to become voice of ‘Monday Night Football.’ Does this mean Buck won’t be calling the World Series anymore? Doesn’t make up for the obscenity of the DH in NL? But #smallmercies

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Heard from a friend – with the lockout, MLB punished fans harder than they punished the Houston Astros.

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Why doesn’t the media spend as much time covering what Hillary Clinton says as what Velveeta Voldemort says? 1. She cares about the country instead of just herself. 2. She’s been right all along.

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Many Americans are wondering how Russians could possibly fall for propaganda claiming Putin is telling nothing but the truth. Many of those same Americans believe every word Velveeta Voldemort says.

My head hurts..

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Apparently Putin put head of foreign intelligence branch under house arrest because he’s furious security services didn’t warn Ukraine could fiercely resist invasion. Because nothing is ever Vlad’s fault. Where have we heard that before?

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Speaking last night, Clarence Thomas attacked Democrats who talk about changing the Supreme Court “At some point the institution is going to be compromised.” And he said it with a straight face.

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Wisconsin crime lab destroyed rifle Kyle Rittenhouse used to fatally shoot 2 people in Kenosha. Kyle had asked for it back claiming he would destroy the gun himself “so that no one would profit off the weapon.” Uh, does ANYONE believe that? Maybe no one profit off it but him.

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Joe Manchin annoyed at Chair of Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) over perceived stalled natural gas pipeline permits & told him to “do your damn job.” Exactly the 4 words millions of Democrats & many of his fellow Senators want to tell Manchin on voting rights.

Baseball is back. Now how many players will be injured after a shortened spring training? And how many Arizona businesses won’t make it after losing a month of their busiest time of year? Still mad at MLB owners.

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So after saying less than 24 hours ago that weeks of the season were canceled, the owners agreed to have a full season when players went against MLBPA players executive commitee recommendations and agreed to a deal.

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Of course, now that owners twice in a week claimed it was players’ last chance why should players have any reason to mistrust the deal they just agreed to?

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And here we go…while COVID restrictions are loosening in many parts of the world, had a client about to make his first international business trip. Which may be canceled because the biggest meeting is scheduled in Poland.

F*ck Putin.

So on top of all the nasty out-of-touch crap Velveeta Voldemort is spewing while Ukraine is being bombed, he’s sending regular emails today about a cash “blitz.” #tonedeaf as well as despicable.

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The only good thing about the Former Guy begging for money on a non-stop basis, have heard stories that it’s making it harder for other GOP candidates to fundraise.

#smallmercies

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Madison Cawthorn just called Zelensky a THUG. The GOP race to the bottom continues.

Ron DeSantis to sign law against “any corporate training making employees feel discomfort or distress by suggesting they’re responsible for actions “committed in past by other members of same race, color, sex…” Translation: Homophobes, racists, misogynists -welcome to Florida.

And Florida also has the #DontSayGay bill which prohibits school instruction on “sexual orientation or gender identity in manner that is not age appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students.” Supporters say vague language is “innocuous.”

If it was, GOP wouldn’t have passed law. #SayGay

MLB just canceled the second week of the regular season. So did owners decide as long as Russian invasion of Ukraine is going on Americans don’t have the bandwidth to be outraged?

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At this point MLB opening day at the earliest will be Jackie Robinson Day.

Your reminder, most MLB owners didn’t want Jackie Robinson to play ball either.

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Noticed MLB has followed MLBPA in creating fund for spring training stadium workers who will lose money due to lockout. What about restaurants, bars & other small businesses who count on Feb & March for a substantial part of their revenue? After COVID losses in 2020 & 2021.

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Stephen Colbert points out no one knows what “Z” which is being used as symbol supporting Russian invasion of Ukraine, means. Z doesn’t exist in Cyrillic Russian alphabet. Well, with sanctions maybe Z was the only letter left at Russian ruble equivalent of Dollar store?

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Although maybe “Z” is the Russian “Q?” And is JFK Jr somehow involved?

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Russian oil accounts for only about 8 percent of U.S. oil imports. So why are gas prices skyrocketing? (Take a look at oil company stocks, for starters.)

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Apparently Hilton, Hyatt and Marriott are still operating locations in Russia. Uh, with all the sanctions, planes grounded, banks closed, etc, uh, for exactly what kind of travel these days?

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Disney CEO Bob Chapek, who has not condemned Florida’s #DontSayGay bill, said he called Governor Ron DeSantis today to convey the company’s “disappointment and concern.” “Disappointment and concern?” So when Chapek retires will he run for the Senate in Maine?

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Governor Ron DeSantis’s Florida now is telling children not to get vaccinated for COVID, and new state guidance says 16 & 17 year old children may face more risk from the vaccine than from the virus… I miss the days when Florida man was only a danger to himself.

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Former Velveeta Voldemort Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham was on “The View” yesterday. Uh, if she couldn’t be bothered to have a press conference when it was her job, why should anyone watch her now. Asking for a country tired of this BS.

Atlanta WR Calvin Ridley suspended at least a year by NFL for betting on games. He apparently placed parlay bets involving 3, 5 & 8 games while on injured list -all including Falcons to win. The Falcons to win? Wonder if Ridley asked for clemency by reason of insanity? #whodat

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How pathetic is MLB right now? The owners’ second or third self-imposed deadline for ending their lockout & keeping a full season came and went tonight, and it’s not even on the top page of ESPN’s sports’ headlines.

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Well, not that they’ve been shamed into doing the right thing for fans, but at least MLB were shamed into helping workers – they launched a $1 million fund today day to support spring training workers impacted by canceled games, matching what players did last week.

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Per a telephone survey, about 58% of Russians approve of the invasion of Ukraine, while 23 % oppose it. But have to wonder, how many people polled by phone in Russia think their phones are tapped?

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Higher fuel prices hurt, & they especially hurt lower & middle-income Americans. So let’s make it simple for all those GOP who think gas prices are most significant issue facing USA now. Repeal Trump tax cuts & use money for tax credits or to subsidize gas prices. You’re welcome.

Weekend before USA shutdown in March 2020, was in Washington DC & bought a copy of “The Splendid and the Vile” about Churchill during the London Blitz. Great book. But never expected anyone to come before UK Parliament now for a 21st Century version.

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Susan Collins met with Ketanji Brown Jackson for nearly two hours today “It’s clear that her credentials & the breadth of her experience are impressive.” I WANT to believe Senator Collins is a yes. Or will she come up with a “very troubling” reason to vote no?

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January 1977, my senior year of high school in Florida,, Dade County Commission passed gay-rights ordinance, Anita Bryant launched dishonest ‘Save Our Children” campaign & Voters repealed gay rights in June 1977 Until DeathSantis this seemed like Florida dark ages.

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Gawd we are a nation of snowflakes Not making this up, went into bank to cash check & get some small bills for tips for travel. Woman in front of me in line asked teller if Wells Fargo would notify them if Ukraine war meant “we won’t be able to get our money out of the bank.”

Congrats to Gregg Popovich for tying Don Nelson’s NBA record of career coaching wins. San Antonio Spurs beat the Lakers tonight 117 to 110. 1,335 total wins. And at least that many reporters who regret asking Pop stupid questions.

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Not a single MLB owner will miss a meal or rent payment because spring training & regular season games are canceled. Not a single MLB owner will miss a dream spring training or opening day trip. & these are millionaires/billionaires some politicians tell us still need a tax cut?

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It’s about time: Senate just PASSED the Emmett Till Antilynching Act, cosponsored by Cory Booker and Tim Scott, which designates lynching as a federal hate crime by unanimous consent. Didn’t think Senate could get unanimous consent on the color of the sky.

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Putin has been suppressing votes by every means necessary for years in Russian elections. Now, it is basically impossible for him to be voted out of office. While we support democracy in Ukraine we need to remember to support democracy at home. And pass a new Voting Rights act.

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We’re all in awe of Zelenskyy – “I’m staying in Kyiv. In my office. I’m not hiding. I’m not afraid of anyone.” Remember now Jan. 20, 2021? Many Americans thought inaugural committee led by Klobuchar & Blunt, along w/ Biden, were nuts just to keep Joe’s inauguration outside.

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Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo announces the state is going to be the first to recommend against the COVID-19 vaccine for healthy kids. What’s next, Florida telling parents their kids don’t need to bother getting vaccinated against mumps, measles and polio?

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New Florida motto – come for the sun, stay for the deadly diseases?

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Russia constitution says a President can only serve two terms. With various machinations, Putin has been in power since 2000,, and just changed rules, again, to allow him to stay in power theoretically until 2036. Think Velveeta Voldemort wouldn’t have tried to do the same here?

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CNN reports how Russian ambassador to UN says “We are NOT bombing civilians.” And blames “Ukraine Nationalists.”

If you wonder where the Former Guy & his cult got the idea to blame “Antifa” for everything…

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Since we need all the moments of positivity we can get these days. I love everything about this picture: Queen Elizabeth Meets with Justin Trudeau for First In-Person Engagement Since COVID..

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Apparently women’s basketball star Brittney Griner has been detained in Russia now for about 3 weeks. Makes me wonder, did Putin order Griner held indefinitely, while he planned to invade Ukraine, as a possible hostage?

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Apparently MLBPA has agreed to ban shifts. So they’re conceding that major league hitters can’t learn how to hit to the opposite field. Or to bunt?

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When with about 20 games – about 25% – left in NBA season & for all but about 3-4 teams on the bubble – it just comes down to postseason seeding, you’ve created a sport where the regular season doesn’t matter. And MLB wants to move in that direction

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As some in GOP peddle the statement that Putin didn’t invade Ukraine on Velveeta Voldemort’s watch? Well of course not, in what Vlad thought would be Former Guy’s first term the Russian dictator was too busy consolidating his efforts to take over America.

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So now that the #PeoplesConvoy has experienced the joys of being stuck in DC beltway traffic, protesting COVID restrictions that have largely been lifted, what’s next? Another convoy to protest gas prices after the truckers all wasted so much of it idling in stopped traffic?

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So if the truckers’ #PeoplesConvoy insists they are protesting COVID restrictions would it be churlish to suggest they try driving to the only state remaining with seriously tight statewide restrictions? That would be Hawaii.

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Got my fingernails done yesterday and amazed how touching it was to see high school girls excitedly getting mani-pedis for a formal dance tonight. A small thing maybe, but we need all the joy we can get these days.

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SNL Cold Open last Saturday has Kate McKinnon as Laura Ingraham and Alex Moffat as Tucker Carlson… raising money for those who Fox News believes are the real victims of Putin invading Ukraine – Russian oligarchs. Would be funnier if less accurate.

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This may end up forgotten and hoping the Ukrainian President literally dodged a bullet. But Saturday morning, Zelenskyy gave updates to U.S. Senators and member of Congress on a Zoom chat.

The Ukrainian ambassador requested that nobody share anything on social media during the meeting, because Russians could use it to pinpoint Zelinkskyy’s location. Sens. Rubio and Daines posted screenshots from the Zoom anyway, putting Zelenskyy’s life at risk.

Bad enough some in former adminstration put book sales over country. But twitter impressions over a world leader’s life?

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Feb 12, 2021 Nikki Haley on Velveeta Voldemort “We shouldn’t have listened to him. We can’t let that ever happen again.”

April 13, 2021. Nikki Haley says she’ll support & not challenge Trump if he runs in 2024

Why the f**k does ANYONE care what Haley says now about Ukraine?

Not that it would make a difference with most of the serious problems in the world right now. But it sure would be nice to have MLB spring training games as a distraction now.

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Of course, the NBA plays 82 games, about half the teams make the playoffs. and much of the season is meaningless. So maybe that’s MLB owners’ goal?

MLBPA apparently preparing a written response to MLB’s owners last offer. Wonder if the response contains any words that might get you suspended from Twitter or Facebook?

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34 House Republicans voted with ALL House Democrats for bill to dramatically boost health care services & disability benefits for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits in Iraq & Afghanistan. 174 voted no. So about 16% of GOP house members actually give a d*mn about our troops.

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Noticing a lot of people saying they don’t care about Ketanji Brown Jackson’s LSAT scores. I don’t care either, she’s a brilliant judge and was an editor of Law Review. But pretty sure her test scores were higher than average for SCOTUS & certainly higher than F*ckwit Carlson.

So with Facebook and Twitter now banned in Russia wonder if Vladimir Putin will allow Russians to use Truth Social?

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Vladimir Putin has signed bill with new prison sentences of up to 15 years for spreading information going against Russian government’s position on war in Ukraine. How close did we come to Velveeta Voldemort trying to do something similar by executive order in a 2nd term?

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Vladimir Putin called Friday for the “normalization” of relations with other states, saying Moscow has “absolutely no ill intentions with regard to our neighbors.” Amazed Vlad didn’t say the invasion was “legitimate political discourse.”

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Reports that Russia is poised to deploy up to 1,000 more mercenaries to Ukraine in the coming days and weeks. With all the sanctions what is Putin going to pay them with

Would never accuse MLB owners & commissioner Rob Manfred of being glad Russia has invaded Ukraine. I’m sure that all decent people are appalled. But it has been good timing that Putin keeps Manfred for being one of the most universally hated people in America.

#PlayBall

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Meanwhile, if you didn’t already love former SF Giants pitcher and current announcer Mike Krukow, Thursday he compared Manfred to a Batman villain.

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Uh, so now Bill Barr, who covered up Velveeta Voldemort’s abuses of power and sat on important evidence of his criminal behavior, has a big interview on NBC News with Lester Hold as part of his rehabilitation book tour. Hard pass. #ChangeTheChannel

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The gerrymandered GOP Florida Senate passed a bill to ban abortion after 15 weeks.

Governor Deathsantis will sign the bill. A Democratic governor would have vetoed to. Ron DeSantis won election in 2018 by fewer than 32,500 votes out of over EIGHT MILLION.

Don’t anyone ever tell you your vote doesn’t matter.

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As Senate votes on resolution to end the COVID-19 national emergency declaration passed 48-47. Now, Senator Dianne Feinstein was absent after the death this week of her husband, but California Senator Alex Padilla was also not able to vote – because he just tested positive for COVID-19.

You cannot make this “stuff” up.

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Some in media still want to report what the Former Guy says about Ukraine. Uh, If we hear from any recent Presidential candidate it should be Hillary Clinton – she’s been right about everything.

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In a 4-3 decision, Wisconsin Supreme Court chose Gov. Tony Evers’ “least change” legislative maps proposal keeping Wisconsin GOP from truly horrific gerrymandering. Remember this in April, 2020? Jill Karofsky was elected this day. Elections matter. Our votes matter.

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Spring training games don’t matter that much in the the grand scheme of things. – unless your business depends on people attending those games. But they are a great distraction. And a lot more fun than headlines about the latest Lebron James or Aaron Rodgers drama.

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Not sure how many games will be canceled for MLB, though one of the things being debated is how many teams will end up in the playoffs. Right now looks like minimum could be 12. Owners want 14.

So as MLB loses fans to other professional sports leagues, somehow I don’t think fans are flocking to NBA over baseball because the regular season matters less?

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Ebay has auctions for charity. Are they going to have a new category just for seized Russian assets that benefit Ukraine?

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A nice story for a change today – CNN reports AirBnb is offering free temporary housing for Ukrainan refugees.

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I’m not going to use the name of the rude piece of garbage who interrupted President Biden talking about his late son Beau. IMHO, we need to stop giving her attention.

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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has an immuno-compromised wife battling breast cancer and he still tries to score political points by bullying students wearing masks. There is no bottom.

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Velveeta Voldemort is ranting in a fundraising email about “MY State of the Union Address when Crazy Nancy Pelosi RIPPED UP my speech on LIVE TELEVISION?” So it would have been better if Madame Speaker acted Presidential, took the speech home and flushed it?

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Stephen Colbert tonight points out how the DC Trucker rally, which put the city on high alert, was expected to number over 3,000. But when SOTU started “only 12 rally-goers had actually assembled.” Waiting for Sean Spicer to tell us how it was the largest rally crowd ever.

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President Biden asked by a reporter today “As a Catholic, why do you support abortion, defying church teachings?” His response. “I don’t want to get in a debate with you on theology, but I’m not going to make a judgment for other people.” Nailed it.

Green Bay Packers GM Brian Gutekunst says he’s not getting a lot of teams calling to inquire about Aaron Rodgers’ availability via trade.

What, you mean most NFL teams aren’t interested in a high-priced almost 39 year old who lied to his team and the NFL last year over his vaccine status and then may have distracted the team by continually publicly doubling down on the controversy?

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MLB Opening Day being canceled is trivial in comparison to Ukraine right now. But if President Biden gets a few minutes, he could probably score a lot of bipartisan points by an executive order simply locking MLB owners in a room until they agreed to a deal with players unions.

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But if Joe really wants Democratic votes, maybe Biden could just remind baseball fans – under the previous administration, all the MLB owners got tax cuts!

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Senator Marco Rubio thinks it’s “theater” to take COVID test before SOTU because he’s says he’s not sick. But many cases of COVID are asymptomatic Average age in Senate is 62.9 years, in House, 57.6, with many of Octogenarians. “Theater,” sir, is risking their lives to avoid a 5 minute test.

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And Rubio skipped SOTU because “he didn’t have time.” for the test. But he had time to tweet during Biden’s speech. A rapid COVID test takes less time than composing a tweet.

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President Biden in his SOTU will say “When dictators do not pay a price for their aggression, they cause more chaos.” Joe will be talking about Vladimir Putin, but he might as well be talking about Velveeta Voldemort leading a fatal coup attempt on January 6.

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“Light will win over darkness” President Biden quoting Ukranian President Zelensky!🕯️

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Since Russian aircraft can no longer enter US airspace that may put a serious crimp in attendance at events at Mar-A-Lago.

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Democratic House Member Cori Bush is still saying tonight “defund the police.” While I’m for police reform, I can say as a fellow Democrat, I believe she is wrong. Hey, GOP, see how easy that is? You don’t HAVE to be a lockstep mindless cult.

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Even GOP have to privately be glad about some social distancing at tonight’s #SOTU
Means none of them had to risk drawing the short straw to sit next to Ted Cruz.

In all seriousness can we imagine the SOTU speech Velveeta Voldemort would have given tonight?

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When did Andrea Mitchell decide she wanted to be Chuck Todd?

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At time of writing, MLB and players’ union have paused negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement after a 16-hour day of meetings that stretched into 2a Tuesday.

MLB has extended its deadline for reaching a deal to 5 p.m. on Tuesday in order to salvage a March 31 opening day.

Okay, now what about the businesses, especially in Arizona,, who have already lost more than two weeks of revenue from Spring Training?

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A 12 team MLB playoff is only a win compared to the idea of a 14 or more team playoff. Baseball has been last major sport where all the games in the regular season actually mattered.–

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Among many reasons I love Rachel Maddow, instead of giving ANY airtime to Velveeta Voldemort’s lies about Ukraine, she went to the woman who warned us. And who should have been elected President in 2016. #HillaryClinton

We thought Putin chose a useful idiot who turned out to be insane. But maybe the puppet master was always as insane as his puppet?

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Senator Susan Collins, who claims to be pro-choice, voted against opening debate on Women’s Health Protection Act. Wonder how “troubled” was she by her decision?

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Senate couldn’t get close to 60 votes today to even open debagte on Women’s Health Protection Act, a bill aimed at codifying the right to an abortion. Would take some of these anti-abortion GOP Senators, who CLAIM to care about children, more seriously if they also hadn’t voted against the child tax credit.

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While what is going on in the Ukraine is awful, the courage and resistance of the Ukrainian people is truly inspiring. And I can’t be the only person who feels comfort in having Rachel Maddow temporarily back on air covering things!

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Rachel Maddow “If this is David versus Goliath we are wired as humans to cheer for David and to believe in David.” “But David is going to need help.” Once again, Rachel nails it

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Stephen Colbert – the late night newscaster we didn’t know we needed now – “Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a humanitarian crisis, but also a triumph of humanity. Because despite all Russia’s military prowess the ordinary people of Ukraine will not back down or bow down.”

Meanwhile, while many people are convinced COVID is over… deaths were UP again last week. And the US is on pace to reach 1 MILLION deaths in March. Imagine if Velveeta Voldemort had just pushed vaccines as hard as he is pushing the Big Lie.

Ukrainian athletes are urging IOC to sanction Russian and Belarusian Olympic, Paralympic Committees. Guessing the IOC MIGHT in time enough get enough backbone to make Russia change their team name again.

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So with MLB owners and players far apart, more spring training games have been canceled. At a time when many businesses, especially in Arizona that depend on Spring Training, are hurting. Leaving aside COVID vaccines, MLB owners need a vaccine for greed & stupidity.

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Amy Klobuchar points out on CNN with Jim Acosta that not only is Ketanji Brown Jackson the first black woman nominated to the Supreme Court she has more judicial experience than four of the justices currently serving.

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If you needed reminder sometimes there is no bottom, some conservative media & GOP members of Congress attacking President Biden for not being in DC this weekend. Uh, Joe was in Delaware, where they have phones & computers, attending his late son Beau’s mother-in-law’s funeral.

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Understand about a business deciding to stay out of politics. But a white nationalist conference? Would the Orlando Marriott World Center have been okay if a group titled themselves National Socialist German Workers’ Party supporters?

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Putin is finding it’s going to be harder to install a puppet government leader in Ukraine than it was in the United States.

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SNL Weekend Update starting out with more truth than humor: Russian President Putin launched the Ukraine attack with support from allies like Belarus and Tucker Carlson.

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So at this point the only new international golf courses and resorts Velveeta Voldemort will be able to build will be in Russia, Saudi Arabia and Belarus?

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Stephen Colbert Friday night on anti-mask mandate trucker convoy heading towards DC. As 49 states are dropping mask mandates, so “If you really believe in what you’re protesting, you better drive to Hawaii.” (Actually as travel agent I HAVE had folks ask about driving between the islands.)

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As we approach 8 months until midterm elections, imagine what world would be right now if Russia invaded Ukraine with Velveeta Voldemort in charge and Qevin McCarthy as House Speaker. Then remind yourself as my late great stepmother said “We’re not perfect but they’re nuts.”

Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin, a Putin supporter: “He’s my president. But I’m not in politics. I’m an athlete. I hope everything is going to be done soon. It’s a hard situation right now for both sides.” Uh, “both sides?” One side is not invading & killing the other.

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Major League Baseball canceled three more days of spring training games today.

And Monday is the deadline per owners to start season on time. If games are canceled players will NOT be paid for those games.

Again, almost wonder if MLB owners are wishing crisis in Ukraine continues to distract from just how much of a**holes they are being.

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Formula 1 has canceled Russian Grand Prix. UEFA has moved Champions League final to Paris from St. Petersburg. So what’s the International Olympic Committee going to do, have Russia change their team name again?

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Reading some of the comments from GOP Senators about President Biden choosing Ketanji Brown Jackson for SCOTUS makes me think the GOP should just go ahead and sell red dog whistles on their fundraising site.

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·Putin probably waited until after Olympics to invade Ukraine in hopes of not angering China and President Xi Jinping. But is it possible he also didn’t want to risk his top “ROC” athletes finding a way to defect when out of the country?

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CEO of Papa Johns, John Schnatter, said Biden caused Russia to invade Ukraine to “distract” from problems in America at CPAC.

Almost wished I didn’t think Papa Johns was crap pizza so I could start boycotting them.

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Lindsey Graham complaining on Ketanji Brown Jackson – “Harvard Yale train to the Supreme Court.” Lindsey Graham didn’t complain when Velveeta Voldemort picked Harvard grad Gorsuch & Yale grad Kavanaugh. Lindsey Graham can go do what Ukranian soldiers told the Russian warship

ICYMI –

Much of the world is putting strong sanctions against Russia. Had Putin invaded during the Olympics wonder what the IOC would have done? Made them change their team name again?

Your reminder, not only is Senator Tommy Tuberville stupid both the last universities where he coached PAID him big bucks to go away.

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Dear America: The next time you feel like electing an amateur former celebrity to the Senate and wonder “how bad could it be?” here’s yet another example. Tommy Tuberville says Russia is still a ‘communist country’ and is invading Ukraine because ‘they need more farmland’

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Novak Djokovic will lose his #1 ranking after being upset by Jiri Vesely (who?) in Dubai quarter-final. Thinking now maybe Djokovic wishes Dubai had given him the excuse of a vaccine mandate?

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As Russia starts an unprovoked war against Ukraine, one that will involve deaths of many innocent people, Governor Ron DeSantis at CPAC is talking about “The Brandon Administration.” Not only are some GOP leaders awful, but also they have the maturity of spoiled 10 year old boys.

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While this won’t solve anything major in the long run I’d be happy to make a donation to an animal shelter of Jill Biden’s choice if Willow the First Cat would just cough up a hairball on Peter Doocy.

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Not that I was a real M*A*S*H fan. But how could “Hot Lips Houlihan” possibly have been 84? RIP Sally Kellerman.

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If President Biden is sanctioning those who derive much of their wealth from Russia, does that include the guy at Mar-A-Lago?

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As some Republicans and right-wing media types seem to be on the side of Russia, who’d a thunk Americans would support a megalomanical would-be dictator who cares about no one and nothing but his own power? Oops, never mind.

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So with Russian banks being sanctioned and money transfers frozen, what is this going to do to GOP fundraising?

Back in sports, MLB says they’ll cancel regular season games if players don’t agree to new collective bargaining agreement by Monday. And players will not be paid full-season salaries. If Russia weren’t invading Ukraine this might be one of the bigger outrages of week.

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Tom Brady will apparently appear in and produce a film, which will star Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, Rita Moreno and Sally Field as women who travel to see Brady play in Super Bowl LI.

Not a fan of Brady. But silver lining as a Saints fan. that’s the Super Bowl where the Atlanta Falcons led the Patriots 28-3.

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Per The Hill ” Rep. Rashida Tlaib will deliver ‘Working Families Party”s response to Biden’s State of the Union address next week.”

WTF. Not comments but an actual REBUTTAL? From the “Working Famiies Party?”” What happened to being Democrats? Are “progressives” TRYING to make midterms worse?

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The so called People’s Convoy of truckers leaving California for Washington DC today is basically a well-funded anti-government protest. Organizers say the “government has forgotten its place.” So why don’t they drive cross-country on private roads then?

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If there’s a grain of truth in GOP statements that Putin would not have invaded Ukraine had TFG been re-elected it’s that Vladimir knew with Velveeta Voldemort in the White House he was already winning the battle against democracy.

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As Mitt Romney might be entitled to feel some redemption tonight for being laughed at in 2012 when he called Russia our “No. 1 geopolitical foe.” it would be a good time for Mitt to urge his own GOP to get over partisan petty politics & unite behind our President. #Ukraine

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Most Americans are horrified about the idea of a deadly attack on Ukraine. Why do I get the idea, however, that Velveeta Voldemort will watch bloodshed with the same glee he watched the fatal insurrection on January 6?.

So as an optimist I have to say I don’t think tonight was September 1, 1939. But as a realist I have to say, if tonight WAS September 1, 1939, many in today’s GOP would be cheering Hitler.

More Stephen Colbert “

Of course Norway won Winter Olympics, they invented winter. Americans would dominate if it was the ‘getting into a fistfight over steak at the Golden Corral Olympics.'” (Or sadly if biathlon applied to more sports, we’re good at shooting stuff. And people.)

A Republican party that will take the side of a deadly virus and a deadly insurrection will take the side of a deadly dictator.

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Imagine if Mexico decided that Texas, Arizona and California were historically Mexican, so they were declaring them independent territories rather than states, and sending in “peacekeeping troops.”

Some are saying GOP is dismissing Putin’s attack because it’s Ukraine, a country few Americans could find on a map. But let’s be real. Some Republicans would dismiss a Russian attack on England or France if Velveeta Voldemort supported it.

So on Monday, how many Americans watched as much of the Olympics as they watched in the last two weeks?

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Meanwhile today MLB negotiations went nowhere. Per ESPN “No one either side believed Monday would be the game-changer — as deadline to play Opening Day on time is at least a week away.” Who cares if spring training trips get canceled and businesses in AZ suffer.

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Medina Spirit, who died in December, has just been disqualified as the 2021 Kentucky Derby winner over a banned medication & trainer Bob Baffert was suspended 90 days. So Kentucky Horse Racing Commission wouldn’t give Bob the option of the “Baffert Racing Committee?

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At least Medina Spirit didn’t live to learn he’d been disqualified. Although heck, both he and Maximum Security know they won.

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So two of the last three horses, Medina Spirit and Maximum Security, who crossed the Kentucky Derby finish line first have now been disqualified. It’s enough to make you long for the purity of pro wrestling.

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Wonder how many times Velveeta Voldemort and Vladimir Putin have chatted in the last week?

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If President Biden does meet with Vladimir Putin, whatever happens, at least we know he won’t flush the records down the White House toilet.

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Tulsi Gabbard is planning to speak in Orlando at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) this week. Time to start the pool on what day Tulsi announces she’s becoming a Republican?

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Also is it too soon to start a pool on how long Truth Social will last?

Former Russian Ambassador Michael McFaul points out how Putin calls leaders of Ukraine separatist regions “People’s republics” – that’s what Stalin called his puppet regimes in Eastern Europe. Wonder how close we came in USA if TFG were re-elected to being a “puppet regime?”

“Shot rock,” “skip,” “guard…” Just when I can actually explain all these terms Olympic curling is over.

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US skaters have lost an appeal to get their team silver medals before the end of Beijing games. Same CAS that decided Kamila Vaileva is “protected person,” now “protecting” USA & Japan from getting ANY medal while case & appeals are heard, which could be months, or years. WTF?

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Lebron James says door is “not closed” on a potential return to Cleveland Cavaliers. Lebron is becoming to NBA teams what Elizabeth Taylor was to husbands.

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As much as I hate all this talk in February about the NFL draft and next season’s Super Bowl, MLB owners have abdicated one of baseball’s best times of year for attention – when (almost) all fans are optimistic – by delaying Spring training.

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Whatever happens with Ukraine, at least we have a US President who’s on the side of democracy and not Putin.

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Fox News attacking Justin Trudeau as “dictator” for using police to clear out protesters blocking city streets & making life h*ll for Ottawa residents. But they had no problem w/Velveeta Voldemort using police to clear out protesters in the way of his Bible photo op.

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As much as I hate all this talk in February about the NFL draft and next season’s Super Bowl, MLB owners have abdicated one of baseball’s best times of year for attention – when (almost) all fans are optimistic – by delaying Spring training.

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With everything going on in world right now major Fox News headline is AOC was seen on Austin to NY flight in FIRST CLASS. Uh, leaving aside security issues & need to work on planes, thinking most members of Congress fly enough to get upgraded, especially w/ good travel agent.

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Senators at Munich Security conference: Durbin, Graham, Whitehouse, Sasse, Sullivan, Klobuchar, Ernst, Shaheen, Warner, Gillebrand, Coons, Portman, Murphy, Van Hollen & Tuberville. Nice bipartisan unity show. But what’s Tuberville, who didn’t know 3 branches of govt, doing there?

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Listened to Amy Klobuchar at Munich Security Conference tlalking about her good friend Senator John McCain. Have to wonder, if McCain were alive would today’s GOP be different? Certainly HE wouldn’t have been afraid of the Former Guy.

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Appparently Former House Speaker Paul Ryan was convinced the Former Guy had Narcissistic Personality Disorder. In related news, Paul Ryan was convinced water was wet.

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Once again wake up Sunday morning on the West Coast to see Chuck Todd trending Once again, have a simple solution for dealing with Chuck Todd – don’t watch him.

If it’s about Olympic spirit – so much more fun to watch the Jamaican bobsledders than the ROC figure skaters.

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College Football Playoff committee did not reach an agreement on potential expansion, so the playoff remains at four teams through the 2025 season.

Translation: There have been SEC teams in all of the playoffs so far, so don’t mess with success.

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Stephen Colbert still unhappy about USA figure skaters not getting medals while IOC sorts out ROC. “Team USA will reportedly receive Olympic torches. That’s smart thing to do when you really’ve p*ssed someone off, give them a torch. Evidently they were out of Olympic pitchforks”

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National Archives says tonight that Velveeta Voldemort staff conducted official White House business using “non-official electronic accounts that were not handled properly.” All together now “But HIS emails?”

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Ted Cruz’s anti vaccine amendment didn’t pass because four GOP Senators left early for their week long Presidents’ Day “Senate Work Period.” So how many votes can Chuck Schumer tee up right before most of GOP Senators have flights scheduled for Easter break?

24 months for manslaughter??!! Kim Potter could get twice as long a sentence if she moves to Texas when she’s on supervised release from prison and tries to vote.

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If you take a computer home when you leave a job that has sensitive information, you can be arrested and charged in federal court. So what is DOJ waiting for?

-Hostess is moving beyond Twinkies to making caffeinated doughnuts. “Boost Jumbo Donettes” will contain slightly less caffeine than an 8 ounce cup of coffee. Elementary school classrooms after lunchtime are gonna be lit.