Posted tagged ‘news’

Debatable and undebatable.

June 27, 2024

Sigh, who else saw Luke Jackson coming in the 10th and thought “game over?” #SFGiants

Can anyone imagine if SCOTUS were asked to rule on treating a medical emergency of a man taking Viagra and having an “erection lasting more than four hours”? They’d have a decision in mens’ favor within four hours

Yes, President Biden had a raspy voice and seemed like he had a bad cold. Not his best performance. But Washington Post headline. “Biden struggles. Trump deflects questions.” Should have at the least been “Biden struggles, Trump lies.”

A CNN exec in the control room reportedly said “We are very proud of Jake and Dana. Our job was to make sure candidates were heard so voters can make informed decisions and we are pleased we were able to do that.”

Has someone drug tested CNN executives?

Now I REALLY wish Dana Bash had skipped the debate to announce the women’s Congressional Softball Game as she usually has done last night… She’s good at it, far better than her softball performance as a CNN moderator tonight.

President Biden says Trump has the morals of an alley cat. Okay, Joe’s first lie of the night. Alley-cats have far better morals than Donald Trump.

Can someone remind Donald Trump please during this campaign that the people he is now bragging about firing, he HIRED IN THE FIRST PLACE?

NY Times “Facing Trump’s Misleading Attacks, Biden Appears Shaky at Times.” They have no problem attacking Biden but can’t say “Facing Trump’s LIES?”

But hey, anyone still on fence about voting in November?

Presidents appoint Federal Justices beyond SCOTUS. Biden has now gotten over 200 judges confirmed & would get probably that many confirmed in 2nd term with a blue Senate. Want more Biden judges? Or judges like Aileen Cannon?

President Biden stutters & at times sounds old.

Joe’s been a great president and surrounds himself with a strong staff & Dem leaders who he trusts and relies on for advice & counsel

Trump blusters & lies at top of his voice. He listens only to himself. The choice isn’t hard.

Sweet home Alabama.

June 20, 2024

Rough night for SF Giants who lost 6-5 to the St. Louis Cardinals at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, when starting pitcher Keaton Winn gave up 5 runs in 2 innings

But a great tribute night. (Retired pitcher CC Sabathia, 43, on hand for the game, might have been a better starter.)

On a brighter note, Willie Mays has to be smiling that Heliot Ramos, 24, a home-grown rookie, now playing center field for the SF Giants, hitt a three-run home run for the SF Giants. #ByeByeBaby

Has MLB considered having the Oakland As play some games next year at Rickwood Field in Burmingham? The stadium holds 10,800. Far more than the As draw most home games.

Los Angeles Lakers hired J.J. Redick,, who has never coached before, as their next head coach on a four year deal.

So maybe J.J. figures he can learn the job for the first year or two as Lebron James’ assistant coach?

Had people ask how I could support former Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards, who is VERY anti-choice. Wasn’t easy, but Bel Edwards is a Catholic who does support welfare. And as I said and we see now, the alternative is much worse. – Governor Jeff Landry is the man who just signed the bill saying schools and universities must post the 10 commandments.

Still want to know as a Saints fan… will the Ten Commandments need to be posted in the New Orleans Superdome? Most home games ARE played on the Sabbath.

Buried lede – Orlando Sentinel story – Disney employees sue over canceled relocation to Lake Nona campus

“After Disney reversed plans, home prices in Orlando area fell..Since 2022, home prices in LA have climbed.” Wait, thought DeSantis claimed everyone wants to move to Florida. –

Wonder how many pregnancies result after men use Viagra? If the Comstock Act were applied to mailing erectile dysfunction drugs, men in Congress would have repealed it years ago.

In 2000, SCOTUS decided Bush v. Gore in 4 days. Now it’s been about 115 days just on Trump’s claim of absolute immunity. Three of these judges were appointed by Donald. They don’t need a ruling to be their quid pro quo. A delay is working just fine.

Not just that the story has leaked how other (conservative) judges advised Judge Aileen Cannon not to take the Trump classified document case. But that these conservative judges are so upset by how bad and biased Cannon is, that they talked to people who would leak the story.

Trump VP running mate wanna-be J.D. Vance – “I’m extremely skeptical that Mike Pence’s life was ever in danger.” Translation “I want to be President badly and I’ve convinced myself Donald would never turn on me like he’s turned on everyone else eventually.”

As much as we complain now about SCOTUS and Aileen Cannon, there isn’t much we can do about current judges with lifetime appointments. What we CAN do! Vote Blue in November so President Joe Biden will keep appointing new judges, & a Democratic Senate will keep confirming them

Donald Trump repeatedly says things to remind us he is terrified of sharks.

Would it be against the debate rules next Thursday if President Joe Biden decides to make his walk-out music the theme from Jaws?

So young…

June 19, 2024

Someone asked me when I became an SF Giants fan.

The answer was 1986. Thompson, Uribe, Clark.

And Will Clark just posted this picture from May 1, 1986.

Willie Mays would have appreciated the SF Giants gritty effort to come back from a 6-1 deficit today to only lose 6-5, as a former Giant he’d probably have more enjoyed the Dodgers walk-off loss to the Colorado Rockiets and the NY Yankees 10 inning loss to the Orioles.

Former Stanford star & now Los Angeles Sparks rookie Cameron Brink tore her ACL, today. Earlier this month Brink was named to four-member U.S. women’s 3×3 team for Paris Olympics so must be replaced.

Have never watched 3×3 basketball so don’t really care. And apparently per friends you need to be really tall.. But let the Caitlin Clark controversy begin again….

Edmonton Oilers are now one win away from forcing a game seven in the Stanley Cup finals…. Yeah, still long odds. But it’s been such a long drought – 1993 – since a Canadian team won.

If the Oilers do come back could they thank Trump for basically congratulating the Panthers after they went up 3-0?

Donald Trump fills up a black church with white supporters – supposedly to show his connection to the black community.

But can’t be bothered to say or post a worth on Juneteenth. Make it make sense.

Okay, the RNC has told reporters who want access they can’t ask Donald Trump about 2020 elections at RNC convention.

Can they ask how he feels about the Ten Commandments which Louisiana is posting? Special emphasis on #6 (adultery) & #9 (coveting thy neighbor’s wife.)

“I did try to f**k her. But she was married…”

Rmember those commercials “Is it live or is it Memorex?”

Today it’s “Is it NY Times Pitchbot (satire) or is it a real NY Times headline.” This is latter.

Front page. “Robert F. Kennedy Jr. keeps ravens as wild pets. They’re better behaved than a jealous emu that attacked his wife.”


So has Donald Trump joined Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un’s alliance yet?


As of Tuesday, 110 days had passed since SCOTUS court agreed to hear the Trump immunity case. And still no decision. Almost as if Donald told them to delay it.

Perseverance…

June 16, 2024

If you didn’t read the story of pitcher Spencer Bivens, 29 years old and now 1-0 with the SF Giants, it’s worth a few minutes. Even if he never wins another game. Story is from 2022… which means he’s kept the dream alive 2 more years.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/3898494/2022/11/15/san-francisco-giants-spencer-bivens

Lots of parity in MLB this season, where in the National League only the Marlins and Rockies are realistically out of the Wild Card race at least.

And there there are the Chicago White Sox. 19 and 54, with after 73 games a minus 155 run differential.

Almost enough to have baseball fans long for English soccer where relegation down a level is a possibility. …

Actually like Mookie Betts even if I dislike the Dodgers. But for all these headlines about what a blow it is to Los Angeles to lose their star with a fractured wrist, have to assume the Dodgers willl just find a small-market team to trade them a star with a big contact and rewriite the contract to give that player a huge deferred salary

Thinking my Los Angeles friends may not love this Adam Schiff fundraising email for US Senate from California against Steve Garvey. But we in the SF Bay Area approve: “Once a dodger, always a dodger, and not in a good way…” #BeatLA

North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum this morning talking about Trump -“This guy is tireless, he’s committed, he’s smart, he’s funny.” After statements like that, how does Burgum get the boot-polish off his tongue?


Uh, absolute top story on front page for New York Times on Saturday was headlined: “One week that revealed the struggles of the anti-abortion movment.”

Almost as if the NY Times is sympathizing with the anti-choice movement taking away women’s rights and putting women’s lives at risk.

One problem with the media being so in the tank for Trump these days. It feeds into Donald’s narrative that he is going to win and if he doesn’t that the election is rigged. Not like Velveeta Voldemort needs any more ammunition to try again to overturn an election.

Trump fundraising email from this weekend

Sat, Jun 15 at 6:54 PM “You still awake? MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! I CAN’T GO TO BED UNTIL I HEAR FROM YOU!” Note the time stamp. It’s not even 10:00 PM in Florida. Donald is telling us he’s too tired and old to be President.

And the same weekend Trump said at a rally of President Biden “”I think he should take a cognitive test like I did. I took a cognitive test and I aced it. Doc Ronny. Doc Ronny Johnson. Does everyone know Ronny Johnson, congressman from Texas? He was the White House doctor, and he said I was the healthiest president…

Yes, ICYMI, Trump bragged about passing a cognitive test and forgot the name of the doctor – Ronny Jackson -who gave it to him.

Admit I clicked on story about President Biden’s dog Commander biting Secret Service agent, though thought dog was no longer at White House. Was right. Commander isn’t in DC now. These are newly released records from Sept 2023. Yet it made headlines. Competence isn’t clickbait.

Just a number…

June 12, 2024

RIP Jerry West, 86.

He was one of my first favorite NBA players when I was a little kid and used to spend a couple weeks at Christmas with grandparents in Ridgecrest, CA. Lakers games were regularly on TV. But how could have he have possibly been 86 years old. ?

Something having nothing to do with Caitlin Clark nor Angel Reese that may help the WNBA: We appear to be one game, at most two, away from the end of the league’s major professional spring competition – the NBA playoffs.

From Marc Ragovin -“A recent study casts doubt on the longstanding theory that repeated failures are learning experiences that ultimately lead to success. The study participants?: The Toronto Maple Leafs.”

Waiting for the first Republican who has been celebrating Hunter Biden’s conviction to introduce legislation for drug testing at point of sale for all gun buyers.


‘Life-threatening’ flooding in South Florida as severe rains continue to fall

Meanwhile, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis just signed legislation he pushed to delete Climate Change from Florida policy. Science doesn’t care if you believe in it or not.

As hundreds of flights have been canceled and much of south Florida is under water, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared an emergency for Broward, Collier, Lee, Miami-Dade, and Sarasota counties.

Isn’t it nice at least to know that if things get worse, President Biden will step in offering federal aid without recriminations?


In North Dakota voters said 81 is too old to serve in Congress. Have they talked to nearby Iowa, who just re-elected Senator Chuck Grassley, now 90?

So is Sen.Grassley, 90, suffering from dementia or is he just a shill? “In our constitutional system, you gotta rely on what judges & juries decide. Sorry for Biden family but people decide what justice is” Asked if that applies to Trump “it’s an entirely different situation,”

If President Biden seemed as disconnected from his son Hunter as Donald Trump seems from all his children not named Ivanka pretty sure Hunter would never have been prosecuted.

So Trump is terrified of sharks. How much do I want some Democrats to show up outside his rallies playing the theme from Jaws?

Trump fundraising email of day has video message full of angry lies calling his trial a “rigged case,” with Donald saying “we’re going to do something about it. Very big.”

Uh, gag order aside, that sounds like a threat. DOJ, if you’re listening.

Of all issues GOP think Americans care about, would someone in do-nothing House like to explain how “holding Merrick Garland in contempt for not releasing audio tapes of interviews with Pres. Biden even GOP special counsel said showed no crime?” is high on that list? I’ll wait.

The biggest problem with Republican Larry Hogan, who was a semi-moderate Governor, running for U.S. Senate from Maryland.

Republican party leadership now demands absolute loyalty for anyone who wants committee assignments etc. Hogan would be a reliable GOP vote for whatever Mitch’s successor tells him to do. If you want a voice for Maryland, vote Angela Alsobrooks.

Senator Chris Coons “The highest court in the land should not have the lowest ethical standards.” How is this controversial?

Meanwhile, Sen. Lindsey Graham is blocking effort by Senate Democrats to unanimously pass a Supreme Court ethics. When John McCain died he took Lindsey’s soul with him.

Some hate-filled right-wingers claim Jill Biden isn’t Hunter’s mom because she isn’t his biological mother? Has anyone pointed out that one of many anti-choice lies about abortion is all fetuses could be adopted if brought to term? But now adopters aren’t parents?

Some Republicans, including Speaker Johnson,want to make America all about the Bible

So has a single Republican attacking President Biden over Hunter read Luke 15:11-32? (the story of the prodigal son)

Tonics.

June 10, 2024

SF Giants found one cure for the baseball doldrums. Play the Houston Astros

U Conn coach Dan Hurley has turned down a six-year, $70 million offer from the Los Angeles Lakers to stay in college basketball

So he didn’t want the stress? Or he the Lakers didn’t offer Dan enough of a severance package for when LeBron James was going to get Hurley fired?

Sports media is spending far more time on Caitlin Clark being snubbed for USA Olympic team than they are covering some very good and exciting WNBA games. Like Las Vegas Aces vs Los Angeles Sparks last night. Far more competitive and closer than Mavericks-Celtics.

And that the Connecticut Sun are now more fun to watch than the Phoenix Suns were this year.

NY Mets owner Steve Cohen says his team can still turn around its season and fans “have been through worse.” Well, yes, in 1962 for example.

As GOP gleefully try to spin and spread a satiric post as truth about Trump’s felony convictions, thinking these are the people in my wayward youth we convinced to go on a snipe hunt.

Apparently Donald Trump is terrified of sharks, which partially explains a rambling rant about boats and sharks at his Las Vegas rally.

So which enterprising Biden supporters will show up at his next rally playing the theme from Jaws?

Found this buried in AP story on Trump Vegas rally.

“Clark County Fire Department said most of the medical calls were related to the heat, and six people were sent to a hospital & 24 others were treated on site.”

SIX sent to hospital? Seems like that should be a bigger story.


So how do you virtually pee in a cup for a probation officer? Asking for a convicted felon who is not a friend.

NY Times does front page story headline “Biden Loves to Tell Tall Tales – We Cut Them Down to Size.” But no headline on Trump’s rambling word salad speeches – or his accidential truth yesterday “I don’t care about you, I just want your vote.

Sorry media, you don’t get to cover billionaire David Sacks having a Silicon Valley fundraiser for Donald Trump without saying that Sachs ALSO had a big fundraiser last year for RFK Jr.

I trust Four-Star General John Kelly a lot more than I trust convicted felon Donald Trump.

Increasing reports of people requiring medical aid & even needing hospitalization after Trump’s vanity rallies in scorching heat. Assume numbers are worse than reported since some of his followers would rather die than report attending Velveeta Voldemort’s rally made them sick.

Stretched out…

June 7, 2024

After Game one of NBA finals, there’s a break for 48 hours until game two. Game seven, if necessary, is June 23.

If Major League Baseball spread out their playoffs like the NBA did, World Series Game 7 could be Christmas Eve

One reason to be careful demoting MLB players to minors: Cubs’ IF Nick Madrigal had hand broken by pitch in 1st game in AAA.

Yes, talent level is lower… But pitchers’ control is not as good in minors.

In 2015 SF Giants Hunter Pence had forearm fractured in Spring Training by prospect Corey Black who never pitched in MLB


For some reason while Fox News is headlining the Hunter Biden trial and has space on their website front page for “Matrix star leaving Hollywood,” they have NOTHING on Steve Bannon being ordered to report to prison on July 1. I am sure it’s just a coincidence.

Fox also has nothing on President Biden’s D-Day speech. So we know it was good.

And wasn’t it nice that the weather forecast didn’t matter at Normandy Beach? Isn’t it nice that it doesn’t matter. We now have a President we knew would show up for the D-Day ceremony rain or shine.


Would be very interesting to know how many wealthy Republican women – including wives, daughters and girlfriends of GOP politicians – in deep red states have flown to a blue state for an abortion since Roe was overturned.

New Yahoo News/YouGov poll: “After Trump felony conviction, Biden leads for 1st time in month”

Okay, which newspaper or cable news site is first going to ask “Did Biden peak too soon?”


AP:US hiring & wage growth picked up last month in sign of sustained economic health

CNN: US economy added whopping 272,000 jobs in May

NY Times: The pace of hiring was unexpectedly robust in May, showing gain of 272,000 jobs, but it wasn’t all good news..

Are we surprised?

FL GOP Sen: “My youngest daughter has been undergoing IVF treatments to grow her family. I’m Rick Scott & this grandpa will always protect IVF. You can count on it.”

So Scott means he will support abortion- ie selective reduction when successful IVF results in too many fetuses? (And it happens pretty frequently.)

U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention says 162 people have reported illness & 54 people have been hospitalized with salmonella following a cucumber recall by a Florida producer. So waiting for Trump & DeSantis to say – “Eat Florida cucumbers. Own the libs!”

Even when NY Times grudgingly acknowledges President Biden being a strong leader… And so much better than the Former Guy.

This is the headline. “Forty Years Later, Biden Seeks to Echo Reagan’s Legacy of American Leadership.”

Many GOP and right wing pundits making big deal out of Hunter Biden allegedly deliberately purchasing a gun while using drugs. So would Republicans like to work with Democrats on a federal law to drug test anyone who buys a firearm

What’s the over-under?

June 5, 2024

MLB suspended four players for betting, and permanently banned Tucupita Marcano after determining that the Padres’ infield bet on baseball.

So will there be a documentary about the investigation sponsored by Fan Duel or Draft Kings?

Whatever you think about the current controversies in the WNBA, at least people are talking about women’s basketball. Let’s hope they keep talking and turning in. (Btw, the Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty are especially good teams with superstars…

GOP’s latest lie is that DOJ is completely weaponized against Republicans. So how do they explain indictments against Democrats Bob Menendez and Henry Cuellar? Not to mention the Special Counsel instigated case against Hunter Biden.

I’m waiting.

Trump WTF fundraising email today. Encouraging supporters to donate to win a private trip with him

: “Want to take a trip together? Just the 2 of us. We’ll talk about my rigged conviction, we’ll have amazing dinner & at end of it all we’ll take a picture so we can remember this day FOREVER!”

Has anyone ever seen anything, even in conservative media, about a “lucky winner?”

Democrats aren’t posturing or pontificating outside Hunter Biden’s trial in hopes of currying favor with his father. The people actually supporting Hunter at his trial are his family who love him.

What a concept.

Pres. Biden urges Congress to pass bipartisan border legislation.

GOP Senators scuttle bipartisan border bill on Trump’s orders & say Biden has authority to fix border himself. Biden issues executive order on border. GOP attacks him for doing it.

GOP WANTS border to be a problem.

What a POS. Florida Governor Ron Desantis, attacking Washington DC and President Biden.

“We don’t typically depend on federal government.. Hurricane recovery is a bottoms-up thing. You don’t want Washington directing anything.”

Ron, he didn’t mention more than $9 billion Washington pumped into Florida following Hurricane Ian in 2022.. not to mention other disaster relief.

Progressives are not happy with President Biden’s executive order on the border and immigration. I get it, the situation is complicated. But I’ve been an active LIBERAL Democratic volunteer for decades.

Progressives are rarely happy about anything Democrats do, period.

Not a one woman show

June 2, 2024

Big Caitlin Clark fan but hate this headline. “Clark struggles, Boston exits as Fever routed by Liberty.” Fever got #1 WNBA draft pick for a reason. They were bad. And coming off a back to back.

Liberty were 32-8 in 2023, were expected to beat Las Vegas Aces in finals & are 7-2 in 2024. Give NY women their due.-

But how cool was it that the Chicago Sky and the Indiana Fever were on National television – ESPN on Saturday?

Thank you Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark.

(And even rookie of the year Wemby couldn’t get the Spurs more than the 4th worst record in the NBA.)

It’s been 31 years since any team from Canada won Stanley Cup.

And Edmonton Oilers are in NHL finals.

There was the usual nice display of sportsmanship with Dallas Stars shaking hands at end of game. Wonder if Trump or one of his Texas minions will call the Stars “losers” & claim the series was rigged?

Tonight’s Trump fundraising email…. “A jury just convicted Trump! This is SICK!” No, this is justice.

Mitt Romney actually said Alvin Bragg should have settled the case against Donald. “as would have been the normal procedure,” instead of bringing it to trial.

Uh, Mitt is not a stupid man. Presumably he knows that to settle a case a defendant has to admit SOME responsibility.

Meanwhile, as Senate returns this week, Politico headline “Eight Senate Republicans vow to oppose all Biden nominees, Democratic legislation.” The far-right Republicans are led by Mike Lee & include VP wannabes J.D. Vance & Rick Scott. So it’s a day ending in Y?

GOP pretends they care about issues that matter to Americans. What is House doing? Fighting internally, sabotaging border bills, defending a convicted felon & having performative hearings like next’s week’s attack on Dr Fauci.

Democrats are the party that cares about our lives.

As we approach the 80th anniversary of D-Day imagine if we had today’s Republicans at the time. GOP would have opposed the invasion, claiming that Hitler guy wasn’t really a threat to us, and because it could have helped FDR against Dewey.

1st: Donald Trump was convicted in STATE not Federal Court & President Biden had nothing to do with the trial. 2nd:

if Joe Biden was both all-powerful & unscrupulous enough to use courts for his personal gain, wouldn’t you think he’d have made Hunter Biden’s charges go away?

In “As Good as it Gets,” Jack Nicholson says to Helen Hunt “You make me want to be a better man.”

Joe Biden inspires us all to be better men and women.

Watching the increasing level of anti-democracy vitriol from Trump supporters, it’s clear he wants them to be worse.

Today’s GOP: There’s no problem with supporting Donald Trump, a convicted felon with other pending cases, to be re-elected as Presidentf.

Also today’s GOP: Joe Biden’s unconditional love for his son, who is facing charges from his addict days, makes him unfit to be President.-

Meanwhile, congratulations to Claudia Sheinbaum, who will become Mexico’s first female president. And Mexico becomes yet another country to leapfrog the United States.

Neighbor to the north lights?

May 31, 2024

Oilers 3 -Stars 1.


Which puts Edmonton one game away from the NHL finals.

One step closer to a Canadian team winning the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1993.

(Side note if you are lookng for a reason to root for a Canadian team. The country has very tight laws about visitors convicted of crimes, even misdemeanors. But felons are generally banned. So the country is a potential vacation Trump free zone.)

Was and remain a Barry Bonds fan. But while I booed him getting walked, I also understood why any smart team would do it. Having said that, why does ANYONE pitch to Aaron Judge right now with a base open?

Hate to see SF Giants shortstops struggling. And yes, I miss Brandon Crawford. Or what Crawford used to be. But with St. Louis Cardinals in 2024 entering tonight Crawford is hitting .097 on the season – 3-for 31.

=

Something we can get bipartisan agreement on? SO tired of hearing from Major League Baseball announcers “it’s a challenging strike zone tonight.”

There is only ONE strike zone, whatever drama queen umpires want to say. Time for robot umps, or at least challenges.

President Biden today was talking about a possible roadmap towards a lasting cease-fire in Gaza A roadmap that no doubt his administration helped negotiate. It got a bit of coverage. But competence isn’t clickbait.

So Trump & supporters claiming he can’t be treated fairly in New York court. Fine. so let Donald stop trying to delay his trial in Florida, where he feels beloved. Tell Judge Cannon to start asap. If he’s innocent & gets acquitted, THEN he can scream “Witch Hunt.” Problem solved

Give me a break. Trump was convicted of falsifying records to interfere with an election. But it doesn’t matter what it was. If he had just been convicted of stealing and selling classified documents, Donald’s acolytes would still attack the judge and verdict. It’s A Cult.

JD. Vance calls Trump’s 34 felony convictions “A paperwork violation.” Presumably Vance, who wants to be vice president, would consider Donald’s stealing and possibly selling America’s classified documents also to be “paperwork violations?”

Some experts – “Trumps’s advanced age might be a factor in not sentencing him to prison.” We shouldn’t share that… it would be very embarrassing for Donald Trump, who turns 78 in a couple weeks, to escape prison because he is elderly.

So far the only negative comment from a GOP Senator about Trump guilty verdict was Lisa Murkowski who said “a Republican nominee without this baggage would have a clear path to victory.” Bill Cassidy, who I had hopes for, said the verdict was wrong.

Anyone seen Mitt Romney?

Meanwhile, seems like this should be a bigger story: “Google said it was scaling down the use of AI-generated answers in some search results, after the tech made high-profile errors including telling users to put glue on their pizza and saying Barack Obama was Muslim.”

Just a bit outside

May 29, 2024

Retired MLB Umpire Joe West, 71, defended Ángel Hernández’s career as an umpire: ‘He Was Good At It”

71 is young for dementia issues so have to assume that West mean “good” as in Angel Hernandez made other umpires look less bad?

Caitlin Clark Tuesday night became the first rookie to record 30 points, 3 blocks and 3 steals in a game in WNBA history.

And the Indiana Fever still lost 88-82 to the LA Sparks.

And anyone who followed the Spurs and Wemby will just laugh.

(Unanimous Rookie of the Year,and San Antonio was still one of worst teams in NBA.)

  –

Los Angeles Dodgers were on a five game losing streak.

But they discovered the cure-all. AKA the Mets bullpen.

Justice Samuel Alito claimed his wife flew an upside down flag in January 2021 in response to an argument with a neighbor. Now a NY Times story, buried in the paper, says that argument happened in February 2021.


You would think for a major national paper like the NY Times that “SCOTUS judge caught in lie” would be a bigger story.

Regarding that freezing cold courtroom. Years ago I took computer course in Dallas in July. Brought every work appropriate sleeveless summer dress I owned. Almost froze in 65 degree airconditioning.

And ended up wearing my airplane sweater daily. Does Trump not have sweaters, or does he think they make him look fat?

How lucky is Velveeta Voldemort that the courtroom IS cool.

If it were warmer, with all those people in it, which raises the temperature, thinking by the end of the day his orange makeup would start running..

=

Seriously NY Times?

“Trump Leans Into Outlaw Image as Criminal Trial Concludes”

Underneath is REAL headline: “Preparing for potential verdict in NYC, Trump increasingly aligns himself w/ fellow defendants & people convicted of crimes.

Outlaw sounds more romantic than criminals and crooks.

Trump and MAGA pretending to be outraged by what they say is Biden campaign “staged media stunt” with Robert DeNiro outside former guy’s New York City criminal trial.

As opposed to the VP tryouts & other cult member media stunts Donald staged almost every day outside the trial?

Libertarians actually had a good idea. What if people start showing up to Trump events with rubber chickens because the former President chicken was afraid to testify?

Trump’s lawyers are trying to paint Michael Cohen into the worst and most selfish person of all time… who also decided on his own to pay $130,000 out of his own money to help out his boss. Two words – “Yeah, right.”

So close

May 26, 2024

Two big leads lost late in three games. Who do the Indiana Pacers think they are? The NY Mets?

Whatever happens this season, the SF Giants at least won’t have fans turning off the game early.

It’s less that Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever got their first WNBA win yesterday, against the LA Sparks.., with Clark’s late three being the dagger. But that millions of sports fans and media, actually cared. The #WNBA is for real.

Washington Post Headline “Trump loudly heckled and booed at Libertarian National Convention.

NY Times “Trump Will Address the Libertarian Convention. Some Members Are Outraged.”

Waiting for them to say how this is bad for President Biden.

Let’s sum it up for today’s GOP. To be considered as a possible VP candidate for the Republican candidate in 2024 election. You have to promise you won’t accept election results unless you win.

RFK Jr actually compared wearing a mask to being a slave, and said he’d rather die of COVID than wear one.

So presume he doesn’t wear a seatbelt either?


Washington Post didn’t cover Alito’s upside down flag when they first learned about it in Jan 2021, because they decided it was just his wife’s doing. But Washington Post has no problem covering & amplifying Trump’s lies about Judge Merchan’s daughter.

As insane as Donald Trump is sometimes, there’s a way in which his insistence he is winning every state makes sense. Because then when he loses in November he can scream “stolen” and get his cult members to try to overturn the election again.

Can’t be coincidence that today’s Trump fundraising email is to launch his new MAGA flag.

My father, a professor at Duke, passed away 4 years ago. We didn’t agree on much politically but he’d have appreciated logical falacy that Democrats’ Biden & Merchan are influenced by their adult children, but GOP judges Thomas & Alito pay no attention to their wives’ doings.

Meanwhile, would President Biden get more attention for his accomplishments if he promised to talk about them in a press conference where he took no questions

Is one a streak?

May 16, 2024

The Giants win a game, the Giants win a game! #BeatLA

SF Giants had signed Curt Casali to a one-year contract on Wednesday after all their recent injuries, including to three of their catchers.)

(Casali is less 2 years older than Buster Posey. Say, didn’t manager Bob Melvin used to catch? )

SI reports that on May 24 Joe Buck is set to call his first MLB Game in three years, Cardinals-Cubs, with Chip Caray.

“I’ve really missed hearing Joe Buck calling a baseball game” said nobody.

Am a San Antonio Spurs fan so haven’t been laser-focused on the NBA playoffs. But in a world where Red Sox-Yankees still dominates baseball, seems a bit odd that we are a game away from Boston-New York Eastern Conference final and sports media so far is strangely quiet.

More trial news out of New York. We have a jury in the Senator Bob Menendez trial. I’m a Democrat, if he’s found guilty he should go to jail. See how easy that is?

Florida Governor Ron DeathSantis just signed GOP legislation that will make climate change a lesser priority in Florida and largely disappear from state statutes.

Of course as Florida increasingly suffers from climate disasters DeSantis will demand more federal aid.

Trump responds to backlash over Noem killing her dog: ‘We all have bad weeks.”

You know who wishes they had bad weeks these days? Cricket.

After Don’s interview aired, Biden campaign statement, “At the Biden campaign, we are proudly anti-puppy-killing & don’t think those who murder puppies are ‘terrific.’”

Many GOP Senators on Senate Floor Wednesday talking about National Police Week and memoralizing fallen officers.

For some reason none of them mentioned Brian Sicknick.

Tuesday Biden hit Chinese electric vehicles & chips w/h higher tariffs.

Asked on Trump’s claim China now “eating our lunch” economically, Dark Brandon replied “He’s been feeding them for a long time.”

Little coverage in national media. Would it help if Joe insulted reporters?

So will Donald Trump ask Hannibal Lecter to attend the first debate?

Media is all over former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan running for U.S. Senate and saying how bipartisan he supposedly is..


Has anyone asked Larry Hogan who he is voting for for President in November?

Faded memory?

May 13, 2024

Tommy Tuberville says attending Trump trial was “‘Most depressing thing I’ve ever been in’ Did Coach Tubby forget about that 2008 36-0 Auburn loss to Alabama? (It was after that year Auburn paid him $5 million to go away)

So would Senators J.D. Vance and Tommy Tuberville like to explain to their constituents how they are promoting family values by attending the trial of a man charged with election crimes over paying to cover up sex with a porn star?

–  · 

Okay. SF Giants manager Bob Melvin said Luis Matos will “get a good shot here” in center field with Jung Hoo Lee out.

Cue a rousing chorus of “I am not throwing away my shot” from Luis Matos. (Three run home run that at the time gave SF Giants a 3-1 lead.)


Jimmy Carter is 99 years old and I’ll bet he wouldn’t confuse Donald Trump with Braves catcher Chadwick Tromp.

Donald Trump was attacking President Jimmy Connors. How long until he starts ranting about Senator Chris Evert and DOT Secretary Pete Sampras?

KC Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker attacked Biden in speech at Benedictine college for being Catholic but pro-abortion. As Trump courts evangelical voters while on trial for paying illegal hush money over sex with a porn-star & his Playboy bunny mistress.

NY Times & other major media love to write about young people being upset with Biden over Mideast. Shame they don’t have time or space to cover Trump’s regular promises to institute Muslim ban, arrest & deport pro-Palestine protesters & his absolute support for Netanyahu.

New York Times/Siena College nationwide poll last month found that 31% of registered women voters think Trump respects women. Uh, what would Donald he have to do to convince them he doesn’t respect women? Sexually assault someone in the middle of Fifth Avenue?

Maybe he just went about it wrong. If Bill Clinton had tried to pay hush money to Linda Tripp and others to cover up his affair with Monica Lewinsky would the GOP have supported him?

Even Stan Barnes, an Arizona GOP strategist gets it on Kari Lake. “She regrettably, has been on record on all sides of abortion issue. And the 1 thing you cannot do in the pro-life, pro-choice argument as a political figure, is to be on more than 1 side.”

Ruben Gallego is an easy choice for Arizona

Trump fundraising email. “The FILTHY BIDEN JUDGE could throw me in jail at any moment. So before I step back into that New York courtroom tomorrow & face possibility of LIFE IN PRISON, I need to know: Are there any final words you’d like to share with me?” Should we tell him?

Worth watching

May 9, 2024

Over 13,000 people showed up in Indianapolis today to watch Caitlin Clark in her first WNBA preseason game.

For the record, that’s about three times what the Oakland A’s drew earlier this week.

Meanwhile Colorado Rockies put 9 runs on the board today against SF Giants The Rockies have been so bad, their 9 runs now matches their win total for the season. (They are 9-28.) As an SF Giants fan, this season is painful.

No one runs the table, or rather the court, in the NBA postseason. But who expected the last undefeated team left in the playoffs after Thursday night would be the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Four of Trump’s children are RNC delegates, plus Don Jr’s fiancee & Tiffany Trump’s husband.

While Eric’s wife is RNC Chairman. But sure, let media promote GOP talking point that it’s abuse of power simply that President Biden loves & supports his former-addict son who isn’t involved in politics.


Trump is saying in PUBLIC that he will change laws for donors, free convicted January 6 criminals, weaponize the federal government.. and oh yeah, “Russia, do whatever the hell you want.”

Can you imagine what Donald thinks he needs to keep secret?

SMALLEST MAN WHO EVER LIVED is trending on social media and it turns out to be about a Taylor Swift concert. But okay, I can’t be the only one who thought, was this something that came up in cross-examination of Stormy Daniels about Trump today?

MAGA world: A man who cheats on all of his wives, including with at least two women while his current wife is home with their baby son, is perfectly fine to be President. But a single woman who has a consensual affair with a co-worker shouldn’t be able to be a prosecutor.

Story just posted today & is already off front page of NY Times website: Former & would be President told oil companies executives to donate $1 billion to his campaign because, if elected, he would roll back environmental rules.

This should be a bigger headline.

Donald Trump is also fundraising today off by selling t-shirts with his mug shot. “NEVER SURRENDER – IN STYLE!” A minimum $47 donation! Though the site prefers $75 or even $100 Imagine how much Trump will charge for a picture of him behind bars.

Ted Cruz today on Senate floor complained of United Airlines trying to stop additional flights out of National Airport because of their near monopoly at Dulles.

While I hate agreeing with Ted Cruz he’s right.

But Ted’s might have a have tough time getting upgraded on his next United flight to Cancun.

Setting in the West

April 29, 2024

As Lebron James’ Lakers bow out in 1st round, understand King James’ desire to play with his son Bronny at least briefly. But beyond that, maybe Lebron might give some thought, as beloved son of Ohio, into challenging JD Vance for UA Senate in 2026?

Clippers blew 31 point lead but still beat Dallas Mavericks yesterday 116-111 to even up series 2-2. Otherwise with Minnesota Timberwolves sweeping Phoenix Suns, and Lakers losing Monday, we’d be awfully close to a 2nd round in NBA’s Western Conference with not one team left from Pacific time zone.

(even half the year as Phoenix is)

Not that Nancy Pelosi wasn’t magnificent as Speaker. But no f**ks to give Nancy as Speaker Emeritus with Katy Tur was chef’s kiss.

“PELOSI: He had the worst record of any president. If you want to be an apologist for Donald Trump, that may be your role.”

And Nancy Pelosi’s very accomplished daughter Christine praised mom on Twitter Monday.

Cannot imagine what it would have been like as a teenager growing up trying to sneak something past Nancy.

Mitch McConnell says he doesn’t ‘currently’ see path forward for national abortion ban. Translation if GOP gets the Senate back they will block Biden from getting judges confirmed including SCOTUS judges. And if Trump gets elected and GOP has Congress they will pass ban THEN.

Trump’s election interference/hush money trial was not in session today as it’s one of last days of Passover. Which means Donald, who’s been whining about not being able to campaign, spent the day on the trail…

Oh, who are we kidding? Have no idea what he did but he spent day at his resort, golfing and rage posting.

Lower than low

April 23, 2024

Just how bad are the Chicago White Sox?

Not just 3-18 bad, but they’ve allowed 129 runs while scoring just 50. No team except the Atlanta Braves (133) has scored more runs than the White Sox have allowed.

Don’t look now, but the SF Giants are one game below .500.

Why is it so shocking how old Donald Trump looks in court? His public appearances have been carefully scripted, made for TV, short appearances at rallies, on TV, or at his resorts. Ask any woman of a certain age, easy to look younger for short-term photo-op. Not all day.

-ICYMI.

Trump and Putin did not want aid to Ukraine. Congress just passed aid to Ukraine. Is the orange chokehold loosening?

Tommy Tuberville today ranting GOP in House has sold out by voting to send aid to Ukraine. And claiming Senate should be voting on border legislation. Which he and Donald helped scuttle. Tubby is so orange & awful, does he really think Trump might pick him as a running mate?

Yes, New York City hotels are expensive. But is it time to start talking about sequestering the Trump jury?

Meanwhile, tuition at Columbia University over $66,000 Wonder how many student protesters who shut down university have tuition paid by wealthy parents? And how many of those parents are fine with kids’ actions because they think it will help Trump get re-elected & ensure their tax cuts?


Thinking students protesting & attacking President Biden over not helping Palestians & Gaza enough should listen to Republicans like Rick Scott. Scott & other GOP accuse Democrats of being anti-Israel & pro-Hamas. They demand ALL aid to Gaza should stop. Why not protest THEM?

So as Donald complains again that the courtroom is freezing. Isn’t another sign of dementia losing the ability to do simple things like put on a sweater?

Meanwhile President Biden is in Florida. Talking about things that matter – Now in America today in 2024, women have fewer rights than their mothers and grandmothers had — because of Donald Trump,”

And yes, he’s not the first to say it, in January 2023 Amy Klobuchar’s statement: “We’re not backing down or giving up and we won’t settle for a reallity where our daughters have fewer rights than their mothers and grandmothers.

But Joe’s the President, a Catholic at that, and if we just vote in November he’ll sign the bill to codify Roe V. Wade into law.

Say what?

April 22, 2024

Hunter Wendelstedt warned Aaron Boone after the Yankees manager claimed he missed an Oakland A batter swinging at a pitch: ” You got anything else to say, you’re gone.”

Next pitch, a fan behind the dugout yelled at the umpire and Wendestedt ejected Boone.

So Hunter is hard of hearing as well as maybe losing his eyesight.

Reminds me of a story I read as a child, I think it was about Casey Stengel. When an umpire told his team to zip it and then someone from dugout yelled one more thing. Ump said “You’re out of here.” Stengel said who did you toss? Ump named the player. Casey said ‘Better yell louder than that, I sent him to AAA last week.”

76ers blew game to Knicks after taking a five-point lead with 47.3 seconds to go.

Hold our beer, said Lakers, up 20 over Nuggets in the 3rd quarter.


The lawyer for a known liar is basing his defense on calling the defendant’s previous lawyer a liar. Got it.

Travel agent PSA Trump claims he cannot campaign due to trial. His NYC trial adjourned 1230p. He has 757 plane. Means several important states within 2 hour flight. NH, OH, PA, VA, NC – for starters If Donald weren’t so lazy he could campaign in one & be back tonight.

Hey CNN, You’re talking this am about Donald Trump not taking opportunities to campaign (he has all afternoon and evening today, plus his own plane) while President Biden is out on the campaign trail. But you don’t COVER Joe Biden on the campaign trail.

Ditto

No-name Dem Rep. from Minnesota (Dean Phillips) primaries Pres. Biden. Nonstop national coverage.

Senate leader & 2020 Presidential candidate (Amy Klobuchar) is top Biden surrogate again in 2024. and spent much of last weekend opening Biden-Harris field office in New Hampshire

-Crickets from major media.

World according to today’s GOP.

It is critically important that President’s son, who was never elected to office, and admits his mistakes, is former addict who used prostitutes.

But the former President paying off a porn star and paying to kill stories about his mistress – move along, nothing to see here.


Alina Habbas, trying to say Trump did nothing criminal in paying off a porn star. “You hire lawyers to solve problems, lawyers solve those problems. That’s it.” Shame Henry II didn’t have Alina around when he asked about Becket “Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?”

Has any media outlet covering the anti-Israel student protests also including the rather important sidebar that Donald Trump has promised, besides his Muslim ban, to revoke student visas for protesters and DEPORT THEM? I’ll wait.-


Okay who else saw Donald Mustard trending on Twitter today and thought Trump had run out of ketchup bottles?

Changes in attitudes..

April 18, 2024

You know one person has made a difference when you see this headline on ESPN.com “Olsen, nation’s No. 3 scorer, transferring to Iowa.”

And you assume, correctly, that it’s a women’s college basketball story

And Caitlin Clark is apparently about to sign an eight figure shoe contract with Nike.

While she has an under $80,000 a year rookie contract in the WNBA.

Most people really making under $80,000 a year probably couldn’t afford to buy the shoes.

Los Angeles Dodgers – 2024 payroll – even with Ohtani and other deferred salaries – $227,309,737.

Record 12-9

Milwaukee Brewers – 2024 payroll – $107,606,690

Record 11-6

No punchline, I just like writing it.

NBA announced Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter has been banned from the NBA for life over a gambling scandal. Stay tuned for in-depth reports on the story sponsored by Fanduel and ESPN Bet.


United said Boeing’s problems this year have cost the airline $200 million. How long until they institute a “Boeing fee?”

Alaska Airlines had a ground stop for ALL their planes this morning for an hour due to an IT issue. Again, this travel agent PSA. If you really have to be somewhere this spring summer, from a cruise to a wedding to a critical meeting… allow extra time.


Despite Trump’s claims, Judge Merchan hasn’t said he can’t attend his son’s high school graduation, saying it will depend how the trial is going.

How mad will Donald be if judge does adjourn for the day and he actually has to go to Barron’s graduation?

If President Biden fell asleep two days in a row in public it would be national headlines and CNN breaking news.

Some of GOP seems completely focused on the idea of prosecuting anyone who lies to Congress. Okay, then, can we start with going after Senators and House members who claim Donald Trump is not influencing their votes?

Kansas GOP Sen. Roger Marshall waneds to adjourn Mayorkas proceedings until Nov 6; day after election so “American people can have a vote on this impeachment trial. Where was this concern for Americans having a vote when GOP rushed through Amy Coney Barrett SCOTUS nomination?

Hey, GOP, when you are done throwing tantrums over this failed impeachment, maybe you could talk to your own Senator Lankford about resurrecting his BIPARTISAN bill to fix some border issues?

Ted Cruz, upset that the Senate dismissed impeachment charges against Secretary Mayorkas: “I don’t know that there has been a more shameful day in the US Senate than today…” Well, this one for starters.

Dollars and sense

April 16, 2024

LA Dodgers have 1/2 billion dollar payroll & will spend more before trade deadline to win.

But for non-Dodgers fans isn’t it fun right now their record is worse than both Milwaukee Brewers & Pittsburgh Pirates? Whose combined payroll is less even without Ohtani deferral. #BeatLA

Meanwhile, in the most watched WNBA draft ever. (okay, until this year who knew WNBA televised their draft, Caitlin Clark went of course to the Indiana Pacers.

But then the Chicago Sky took both South Carolina center Kamilla Cardose and LSU’s Angel Reece.

Wonder how much Sky-Fever tickets will go for in 2024?

CNN Breaking News headline “President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden have released a joint tax return that shows they made almost $620,000 in 2023.”

Fixed it for them

Wrong headline CNN. Fixed it for you.

“President Joe Biden & Dr. Jill Biden released their 2023 tax return. While former President Trump still refuses to release any tax returns..”

And yes, your serious reminder at the end of April 15, tax day, that Donald Trump has still never released ANY of his tax returns.

As Donald Trump whines about his hush money trial meaning he is not able to go to his son’s graduation can some reporter ask him in real time on camera what school Barron attends?

Has anyone asked Barron Trump if he WANTS his father at his high school graduation?

We shouldn’t repeat this but sounds like Donald Trump’s nap today lasted longer than what he paid Stormy Daniels for..

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. now says that Donald Trump asked him to be his running mate, and he declined. Clearly RFK Jr. has decided to challenge Trump for the votes of those who admire the biggest liars.

Meanwhile, though it didn’t get the headlines. Few issues are more bipartisan than fairness in pricing and availability for concert/event tickets.

Senator Amy Klobuchar even has Mike Lee on her side against Ticketmaster’s monopoly. And now Biden’s DOJ has clearly beens listening as Ticketmaster will face federal antitrust lawsuit:…

Competence isn’t clickbait.