For what was supposed to be a detailed policy speech on illegal immigration featuring an awful lot of yelling as well as discussion of issues which had little or nothing to do with illegal immigration such as the Second Amendment, Obamacare and the military.
If George Orwell had the two minutes hate, Trump offers too much hate.
I was hoping there would be a sliver of policy somewhere inside the red meat Trump was serving. But as usual we got a raw deal.
I'm sure Kellyanne Conway put her head in her hands and asked herself, "What have I done?"
Because when Trump says, "My first hour in office these people are gone," it tells me the "pivot" such as it ever was is gone. While Trump claims to love Mexicans he also claims that Mexicans here illegally take more out of the system than they put in. Evidence please.
It's all well and good that Trump talks about rescinding Obama's unconstitutional executive orders on illegal immigration, But he is only doing it so he can impose some unconstitutional executive orders of his own.
Isn't it funny how Trump (or for that matter any immigration hawk) never talk about the 50,000 illegal immigrants from Ireland?
But I'm sure Hillary Clinton's people are happy tonight. After a bad week with e-mails, this is bound to be a shot in the arm. I'm sure Team Hillary wants Trump to talk more about illegal immigration and "extreme vetting" because every minute he does her numbers will go up a point.
Although I think it would be preferable if Syrian refugees settled in the Gulf States what incentive do they have to co-operate with Trump given his anti-Muslim rhetoric?
In a similar vein, Trump said he would compel 23 countries to take back the criminal illegal aliens we deport. How? Will he send in our troops?
For that matter, how will he deport 11 million illegal aliens when it would require a force larger than that of the NYPD? And how does he pay for it?
Nor does it inspire confidence when he tells an already angry crowd he thinks there are criminal illegal aliens in the audience. Sooner or later someone is going to get killed at a Trump rally.
When Trump asked what we had to lose, I tweeted, "Well, let's see. The Constitution, liberty, free markets, freedom of the press for starters."
It was however quite clever of Trump to have the Angel Moms take the stage and speak on behalf of their children and loved ones killed by illegal immigrants. It made for a stunning visual image.
Yes, there is a problem when someone can be repeatedly deported only to come back and commit murder. But what percentage of illegal immigrants actually come to America to commit murder?
Yet by displaying the Angel Moms, Trump effectively made illegal immigrants synonymous with murderers.
To that I can only say that easy answers are invariably the wrong answers.
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
Monday, August 29, 2016
11 Straight Losses for The Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins, the team with the worst record in the American League, has now lost a season high 11 consecutive games. The Twins fell 1-0 to the Cleveland Indians in 10 innings and are now 25 1/2 games back of the Tribe in the AL Central.
It wasn't supposed to be this way.
In 2015, under first year manager Paul Molitor, the Twins were an AL Wild Card contender and stayed in the race until the next to last day of the season. Expectations were high. I predicted they would win the AL pennant.
The Twins began the season 0-9. Unlike their 1-8 start in 2015, the Twins would not overcome. An 8-game losing streak would follow in May. At the All-Star Break, they were 32-56.
It appeared the Twins had turned a corner of sorts though. Following the All-Star Break, the Twins were 17-15. But they have not won a game since beating the Atlanta Braves 10-3 on August 17th. As it happens, the Braves are the only team in MLB with a record worse than the Twins.
Yet the Twins have been competitive in these losses. During this 11-game losing streak, they lost by one run four times.
There are some bright spots. Brian Dozier has hit 30 home runs, Miguel Sano has 20 and rookie Max Kepler has slammed 15 while Brandon Kintzler has filled in admirably in the closer's role following Glen Perkins season ending injury while Ervin Santana has been giving the team innings (and I'm not just saying that because he follows me on Twitter).
Still, it has been long season for the Twins and it cannot end soon enough.
It wasn't supposed to be this way.
In 2015, under first year manager Paul Molitor, the Twins were an AL Wild Card contender and stayed in the race until the next to last day of the season. Expectations were high. I predicted they would win the AL pennant.
The Twins began the season 0-9. Unlike their 1-8 start in 2015, the Twins would not overcome. An 8-game losing streak would follow in May. At the All-Star Break, they were 32-56.
It appeared the Twins had turned a corner of sorts though. Following the All-Star Break, the Twins were 17-15. But they have not won a game since beating the Atlanta Braves 10-3 on August 17th. As it happens, the Braves are the only team in MLB with a record worse than the Twins.
Yet the Twins have been competitive in these losses. During this 11-game losing streak, they lost by one run four times.
There are some bright spots. Brian Dozier has hit 30 home runs, Miguel Sano has 20 and rookie Max Kepler has slammed 15 while Brandon Kintzler has filled in admirably in the closer's role following Glen Perkins season ending injury while Ervin Santana has been giving the team innings (and I'm not just saying that because he follows me on Twitter).
Still, it has been long season for the Twins and it cannot end soon enough.
I Enjoyed Seeing The White Shadow Again
Yesterday evening and very early this morning I got to see The White Shadow on TV for the first time in many years (it aired on Decades which broadcasts a single program every weekend). In fact, most of the episodes I watched I hadn't seen since they aired more than 35 years ago.
If you've never seen The White Shadow, it aired on CBS from 1978 to 1981 and starred Ken Howard as Ken Reeves, a former NBA player who becomes the coach of a basketball team at a high school in the inner city.
Even as a young boy, I understood this was something different. There was a multi-racial, multi-generational cast that wasn't afraid to live in the real world warts and all and yet retained a sense of humor about itself. It also didn't hurt that Howard had a basketball background the cast could play. And yes, there was a character named Goldstein.
Most of the episodes hold up quite well, In fact, some of these episodes are fresher in 2016 than they were in the late '70's and early '80's. The one in particular which stands is the one where a police officer shoots one of the basketball players mistaken for a robbery suspect. Yet the episode is done in such a way which gives both the police their due as well as demonstrating that justice isn't always fairly applied.
Sadly, Ken Howard died earlier this year at the age of 71. But his work on The White Shadow will resonate for generations to come.
My Somber Encounter with Gene Wilder
To give one a sense of what an impact Gene Wilder had on the public following the announcement of his death at the age of 83, he comprises four of the top ten trends on Twitter (Gene Wilder, #WillyWonka, #YoungFrankenstein & #BlazingSaddles).
Mind you, this is from an actor who effectively withdrawn from the stage nearly a decade ago. But some performers will be remembered and beloved for eternity. I once remember watching The Producers at the Harvard Film Archive many years ago and the moment Wilder appeared on screen the audience gave him the loudest applause I've ever heard a movie theater crowd give to an actor.
I'm sure I will hear equally rapturous applause in October when Wilder appears on the screen as the Waco Kid with Mel Brooks looks on when he appears at the Wang Theatre in Boston for a screening of Blazing Saddles.
I am lucky enough to have met Gene Wilder although our encounter ended on a sad note. It was May 2005 and I was in Toronto visiting my older brother Ezra. Wilder was in Toronto to promote his first book Kiss Me Like a Stranger: My Search for Love & Art and appeared at the The Bloor Cinema where he would be interviewed by longtime CBC personality Ralph Benmurgui.
Honestly, I don't remember much from the interview although some guy impersonating Marty Feldman interrupted the proceedings and, without missing a beat, Wilder told him, "Get a job ya bum!"
Following the presentation, Wilder signed autographs. I wanted to ask him about Richard Pryor because he had not uttered a word about him during the interview. While I knew that Pryor wasn't in the best of health, I figured I would ask if they were still in touch.. I did just that and when I did a very sad look came over his face. "Oh, I don't know, I wish I knew." We said nothing more. Nevertheless, he graciously autographed my book. Seven months later, Pryor was dead at the age of 65. Seven months later, Pryor was dead at the age of 65.
As it turned out, while Wilder and Pryor had a strong professional relationship and deeply respected the other's work, they seldom hung out away from the studio. They sure look liked the best friends in Silver Streak and Stir Crazy. In fact, I remember watching Stir Crazy when I was a teenager and remember my cat Izzy looking behind the television during the scene when they were dressed as birds. I thought this was rather daft, but my Mom thought it remarkably clever. I didn't think much about it until my encounter with Wilder many years later.
As for the book, I longer have it. I lent to a girlfriend who went out of my life long ago. But I always have the memory even the memory was a sad one.
R.I.P.
Mind you, this is from an actor who effectively withdrawn from the stage nearly a decade ago. But some performers will be remembered and beloved for eternity. I once remember watching The Producers at the Harvard Film Archive many years ago and the moment Wilder appeared on screen the audience gave him the loudest applause I've ever heard a movie theater crowd give to an actor.
I'm sure I will hear equally rapturous applause in October when Wilder appears on the screen as the Waco Kid with Mel Brooks looks on when he appears at the Wang Theatre in Boston for a screening of Blazing Saddles.
I am lucky enough to have met Gene Wilder although our encounter ended on a sad note. It was May 2005 and I was in Toronto visiting my older brother Ezra. Wilder was in Toronto to promote his first book Kiss Me Like a Stranger: My Search for Love & Art and appeared at the The Bloor Cinema where he would be interviewed by longtime CBC personality Ralph Benmurgui.
Honestly, I don't remember much from the interview although some guy impersonating Marty Feldman interrupted the proceedings and, without missing a beat, Wilder told him, "Get a job ya bum!"
Following the presentation, Wilder signed autographs. I wanted to ask him about Richard Pryor because he had not uttered a word about him during the interview. While I knew that Pryor wasn't in the best of health, I figured I would ask if they were still in touch.. I did just that and when I did a very sad look came over his face. "Oh, I don't know, I wish I knew." We said nothing more. Nevertheless, he graciously autographed my book. Seven months later, Pryor was dead at the age of 65. Seven months later, Pryor was dead at the age of 65.
As it turned out, while Wilder and Pryor had a strong professional relationship and deeply respected the other's work, they seldom hung out away from the studio. They sure look liked the best friends in Silver Streak and Stir Crazy. In fact, I remember watching Stir Crazy when I was a teenager and remember my cat Izzy looking behind the television during the scene when they were dressed as birds. I thought this was rather daft, but my Mom thought it remarkably clever. I didn't think much about it until my encounter with Wilder many years later.
As for the book, I longer have it. I lent to a girlfriend who went out of my life long ago. But I always have the memory even the memory was a sad one.
R.I.P.
Saturday, August 27, 2016
Libertarian VP Candidate William Weld Ignored My Question About The Iran Nuclear Deal
Towards the end of his address on The Boston Common this afternoon, Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson said, "I have no idea why you showed up on a beautiful Saturday afternoon."
Well, neither do I.
While I was open to voting for Libertarian ticket, n the two Libertarian forums on CNN, I've been fairly critical of the Johnson-Weld ticket. I didn't think much of their praise of President Obama and Hillary Clinton. By the end of their second CNN appearance, I concluded that I would rather hire Gary Johnson to be my personal trainer than be our President.
The only reason I attended the rally because it was advertised "Both Governors will answers questions from the audience."
Baloney.
Johnson couldn't get out of there fast enough. At least, Weld stuck around a little bit to pose for pictures including with a Libertarian candidate for Congress. But when I asked, "Where do you stand on the Iran nuclear deal?" he completely ignored me. I was standing no more than 10 feet away from him. Really, really annoying.
If Johnson and Weld didn't want to answer questions then why was this gathering billed as one featuring Q & A?
This now completely eliminates any possibility that I will cast my ballot for the Libertarians.
It's probably just as well. I doubt Gary Johnson will get on the debate stage and if he did he would set back the libertarian cause back 50 years. Honestly, the audience wasn't in to what Johnson was saying except for when he said he would legalize marijuana. Weld (who, of course, is a former Massachusetts Governor) had far more of a connection with the audience.
Oh well. No need for me to get out of joint about all of it.
At least, I got this picture.
Well, neither do I.
While I was open to voting for Libertarian ticket, n the two Libertarian forums on CNN, I've been fairly critical of the Johnson-Weld ticket. I didn't think much of their praise of President Obama and Hillary Clinton. By the end of their second CNN appearance, I concluded that I would rather hire Gary Johnson to be my personal trainer than be our President.
The only reason I attended the rally because it was advertised "Both Governors will answers questions from the audience."
Baloney.
Johnson couldn't get out of there fast enough. At least, Weld stuck around a little bit to pose for pictures including with a Libertarian candidate for Congress. But when I asked, "Where do you stand on the Iran nuclear deal?" he completely ignored me. I was standing no more than 10 feet away from him. Really, really annoying.
If Johnson and Weld didn't want to answer questions then why was this gathering billed as one featuring Q & A?
This now completely eliminates any possibility that I will cast my ballot for the Libertarians.
It's probably just as well. I doubt Gary Johnson will get on the debate stage and if he did he would set back the libertarian cause back 50 years. Honestly, the audience wasn't in to what Johnson was saying except for when he said he would legalize marijuana. Weld (who, of course, is a former Massachusetts Governor) had far more of a connection with the audience.
Oh well. No need for me to get out of joint about all of it.
At least, I got this picture.
Friday, August 26, 2016
I Guess LePage Just Shot To The Top of Trump's Ambassadorial Picks
What are we to make of Maine Republican Governor Paul LePage who left this voice mail with Democrat lawmaker Drew Gattine?
Mr. Gattine, this is Gov. Paul Richard LePage. I would like to talk to you about your comments about my being a racist, you (expletive). I want to talk to you. I want you to prove that I’m a racist. I’ve spent my life helping black people and you little son-of-a-bitch, socialist (expletive). You … I need you to, just friggin. I want you to record this and make it public because I am after you. Thank you.
What are we to make of Governor LePage wishing it were 1825 so he could have a duel with Gattine and point the gun "straight at his eyes"? For his part, Gattine denies calling LePage a racist.
What are we also to make of Governor LePage when discussing drug dealers in Maine asserting that "people of color", namely blacks & Hispanics, are the enemy?
Well, I'd say Paul LePage would be the top ambassadorial pick in a Trump Administration.
Yet it's kind of hard though for Trump to call Hillary Clinton a bigot when one of his top supporters just oozes bigotry.
Mr. Gattine, this is Gov. Paul Richard LePage. I would like to talk to you about your comments about my being a racist, you (expletive). I want to talk to you. I want you to prove that I’m a racist. I’ve spent my life helping black people and you little son-of-a-bitch, socialist (expletive). You … I need you to, just friggin. I want you to record this and make it public because I am after you. Thank you.
What are we to make of Governor LePage wishing it were 1825 so he could have a duel with Gattine and point the gun "straight at his eyes"? For his part, Gattine denies calling LePage a racist.
What are we also to make of Governor LePage when discussing drug dealers in Maine asserting that "people of color", namely blacks & Hispanics, are the enemy?
Well, I'd say Paul LePage would be the top ambassadorial pick in a Trump Administration.
Yet it's kind of hard though for Trump to call Hillary Clinton a bigot when one of his top supporters just oozes bigotry.
Thursday, August 25, 2016
Here's Why Hillary's Anti-Alt-Right Speech Lacks Credibility
Hillary Clinton is expected to make a speech today denouncing the "alt-Right" movement, its support for Donald Trump and Trump's encouragement of their efforts.
Naturally, I have no sympathy for the "alt-Right". If given the opportunity, it would put Jews back into gas chambers. They certainly don't like me and that's just fine. I wear their derision as a badge of honor.
With that said, just as I don't think Trump is any position to call Hillary a bigot I also don't think Hillary is in any position to be the arbiter of extremism in this country. Consider that it was nearly a year ago to this day Hillary likened Republicans to terrorist groups:
Republican presidential candidates are striking back Friday after Hillary Clinton compared some of them who hold conservative views on abortion and women's reproductive rights to "terrorist groups."
Naturally, I have no sympathy for the "alt-Right". If given the opportunity, it would put Jews back into gas chambers. They certainly don't like me and that's just fine. I wear their derision as a badge of honor.
With that said, just as I don't think Trump is any position to call Hillary a bigot I also don't think Hillary is in any position to be the arbiter of extremism in this country. Consider that it was nearly a year ago to this day Hillary likened Republicans to terrorist groups:
Republican presidential candidates are striking back Friday after Hillary Clinton compared some of them who hold conservative views on abortion and women's reproductive rights to "terrorist groups."
During a riff Thursday where Clinton name checked Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Ohio Gov. John Kasich, Clinton said Republicans are "dead wrong for 21st century America."
"Now, extreme views about women, we expect that from some of the terrorist groups, we expect that from people who don't want to live in the modern world, but it's a little hard to take from Republicans who want to be the president of the United States," Clinton said at a speech in Cleveland. "Yet they espouse out of date, out of touch policies. They are dead wrong for 21st century America. We are going forward, we are not going back."
If Hillary is willing to liken John Kasich, Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio to ISIS then what Republican doesn't she consider to be an extremist? Let us remember that in the Democrat debate last November, Hillary bragged that Republicans were the enemy she was proudest to have and stood by that comment as recently as last month.
Simply put, Democrats consider all Republicans to be racists, extremists and terrorists with the Obama White House leading the charge. Earlier today, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest accused Republicans of having a long history of courting extremists and accusing the GOP of disenfranchising minority voters.
Hillary Clinton, the Obama White House and Democrats at large cry racism and extremism where it concerns Republicans so often that by the time they do draw attention to a genuine case of racism and extremism within the Republican Party their words have no weight and their credibility is compromised. Consequently, many people who might have otherwise listened simply tune out.
Trump Is In No Position To Call Hillary a Bigot
At a rally last night in Jackson, Mississippi, Donald Trump said this of Hillary Clinton:
Hillary Clinton is a bigot who sees people of color only as votes, not as human beings worthy of a better future.
While I agree that Hillary sees people of color only as votes, I think this is how she views the rest of America as well. In this respect, Hillary distributes her condescension and contempt equally. Needless to say, I cannot stand the sight nor sound of Hillary Clinton. But while you can call Hillary many things, a bigot isn't one of them.
More to the point, even if Hillary was a bigot, Trump is no position to lecture her on the subject. Not after he called for the total shutdown of Muslim immigration and said that Judge Curiel was unfit for the bench because of his Mexican heritage. Given that Donald Trump has seen fit to judge people solely by their skin color, heritage and religious beliefs, his cries of "bigot" simply has no credibility.
Hillary Clinton is a bigot who sees people of color only as votes, not as human beings worthy of a better future.
While I agree that Hillary sees people of color only as votes, I think this is how she views the rest of America as well. In this respect, Hillary distributes her condescension and contempt equally. Needless to say, I cannot stand the sight nor sound of Hillary Clinton. But while you can call Hillary many things, a bigot isn't one of them.
More to the point, even if Hillary was a bigot, Trump is no position to lecture her on the subject. Not after he called for the total shutdown of Muslim immigration and said that Judge Curiel was unfit for the bench because of his Mexican heritage. Given that Donald Trump has seen fit to judge people solely by their skin color, heritage and religious beliefs, his cries of "bigot" simply has no credibility.
Trump: Never Mind What I've Been Saying About Deportations For The Past Year
Call it a pivot, an evolution or a "flip-flop-flip" (though not a flip-flop).
Donald Trump has basically said, 'Never mind what I said for the past year about deporting 11 million people.'
Of course, deporting 11 million people would have been hopelessly impractical. A few months back, Conor Friedersdorf of The Atlantic told a young Trump supporter that it would take a force larger than the NYPD to accomplish such a thing.
I'm sure Trump is aware of all this and knew there was no way he could have implemented such a policy. Under normal circumstances, Trump would have waited to get into the White House to change course. But Trump is so far behind Hillary, he calculates that he has to make his "flip-flop-flip" now. The reason I refer to this as a "flip-flop-flip" is because following the 2012 election Trump was critical of Mitt Romney for his policy of "self-deportation" characterizing it as "maniacal" and "crazy".
As a result of this "flip-flop-flip", Trump is basically telling us that he takes us for chumps. And why not? A majority of Republicans were stupid enough to vote for him. If Trump fooled most of the Republicans, why shouldn't he think he can fool most of the country?
I don't think Trump is going to fool the Jorge Ramos of the world. His crowd thinks Trump is an out and out racist and nothing he can say now will change their minds. The question is what happens to Trump's supporters who flocked to him because of immigration. Are they so enthralled with him that they do anything he says? Or will this be a bridge too far? Or should I say a wall? If it's the former he's got a fighting chance. If it's the latter Hillary is headed for a landslide victory.
Donald Trump has basically said, 'Never mind what I said for the past year about deporting 11 million people.'
Of course, deporting 11 million people would have been hopelessly impractical. A few months back, Conor Friedersdorf of The Atlantic told a young Trump supporter that it would take a force larger than the NYPD to accomplish such a thing.
I'm sure Trump is aware of all this and knew there was no way he could have implemented such a policy. Under normal circumstances, Trump would have waited to get into the White House to change course. But Trump is so far behind Hillary, he calculates that he has to make his "flip-flop-flip" now. The reason I refer to this as a "flip-flop-flip" is because following the 2012 election Trump was critical of Mitt Romney for his policy of "self-deportation" characterizing it as "maniacal" and "crazy".
As a result of this "flip-flop-flip", Trump is basically telling us that he takes us for chumps. And why not? A majority of Republicans were stupid enough to vote for him. If Trump fooled most of the Republicans, why shouldn't he think he can fool most of the country?
I don't think Trump is going to fool the Jorge Ramos of the world. His crowd thinks Trump is an out and out racist and nothing he can say now will change their minds. The question is what happens to Trump's supporters who flocked to him because of immigration. Are they so enthralled with him that they do anything he says? Or will this be a bridge too far? Or should I say a wall? If it's the former he's got a fighting chance. If it's the latter Hillary is headed for a landslide victory.
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
Could Chris Archer Lose 20 Games, Lead The League in Strikeouts & Waken The Ghost of Sam Jones?
Last night, Tampa Bay Rays starter Chris Archer lost his American League leading 17th game of the season as the Boston Red Sox bested him 2-1. (Archer is an abysmal 1-10 against the Bosox during his five year big league career). Remove the Red Sox from the equation and he's a .500 pitcher (39-39).
With still a left week in August, Archer is now 7-17 on the season. Archer has seven more starts left this season which means he could become the first MLB pitcher to lose 20 games in a season since Mike Maroth lost 21 games for the 2003 Detroit Tigers. Of course, most clubs like to avoid having their pitchers lose 20 games in a season. So it's quite possible the Rays could take Archer out of the rotation or shut him down for the season. But I can think of good reason they might not do so.
Despite recording his 17th loss of the season last night, Archer also fanned six batters. That in of itself isn't that impressive unless you consider the fact that he leads the American League with 192 strikeouts.
Whether or not Archer loses 20 games this season, there is a good chance that Archer he could do what hasn't been done in over 60 years - lead the league in losses while leading the league in strikeouts.
The last time that was done was back in 1955 when a rookie pitcher for the Chicago Cubs named Sam Jones went 14-20 with a 4.10 ERA but struck out 198 batters. Jones also led the league in walks with an astounding 185. The walks didn't keep him from earning neither a NL All-Star Team selection and a no-hitter against the Pittsburgh Pirates. In fact, Jones would become the first black pitcher to throw a no-hitter in MLB history.
Jones would lead the NL in both strikeouts and walks again in 1956 and 1958. Jones' best season came in 1959 with the San Francisco Giants when led the NL wins (21), ERA (2.83) while finishing second to Don Drysdale in strikeouts with 209. He would finish runner up to Early Wynn in Cy Young balloting (which at that time covered both the AL and NL). Sadly, Jones died of cancer in 1971 at the age of 45.
Hopefully, Archer will have a longer, healthier life (he turns 28 next month). If nothing else, Archer has much better control. While I'm sure Archer would rather not lose 20 games much less be the owner of a 7-17 record, he can take comfort that he has walked only 58 batters in 162 innings pitched this season whereas Jones' 185 walks in 1955 came in 241 2/3 innings. Even when Archer has pitched badly, he hasn't been that bad.
With still a left week in August, Archer is now 7-17 on the season. Archer has seven more starts left this season which means he could become the first MLB pitcher to lose 20 games in a season since Mike Maroth lost 21 games for the 2003 Detroit Tigers. Of course, most clubs like to avoid having their pitchers lose 20 games in a season. So it's quite possible the Rays could take Archer out of the rotation or shut him down for the season. But I can think of good reason they might not do so.
Despite recording his 17th loss of the season last night, Archer also fanned six batters. That in of itself isn't that impressive unless you consider the fact that he leads the American League with 192 strikeouts.
Whether or not Archer loses 20 games this season, there is a good chance that Archer he could do what hasn't been done in over 60 years - lead the league in losses while leading the league in strikeouts.
The last time that was done was back in 1955 when a rookie pitcher for the Chicago Cubs named Sam Jones went 14-20 with a 4.10 ERA but struck out 198 batters. Jones also led the league in walks with an astounding 185. The walks didn't keep him from earning neither a NL All-Star Team selection and a no-hitter against the Pittsburgh Pirates. In fact, Jones would become the first black pitcher to throw a no-hitter in MLB history.
Jones would lead the NL in both strikeouts and walks again in 1956 and 1958. Jones' best season came in 1959 with the San Francisco Giants when led the NL wins (21), ERA (2.83) while finishing second to Don Drysdale in strikeouts with 209. He would finish runner up to Early Wynn in Cy Young balloting (which at that time covered both the AL and NL). Sadly, Jones died of cancer in 1971 at the age of 45.
Hopefully, Archer will have a longer, healthier life (he turns 28 next month). If nothing else, Archer has much better control. While I'm sure Archer would rather not lose 20 games much less be the owner of a 7-17 record, he can take comfort that he has walked only 58 batters in 162 innings pitched this season whereas Jones' 185 walks in 1955 came in 241 2/3 innings. Even when Archer has pitched badly, he hasn't been that bad.
When Someone Shouts "Allahu Akbar!!!" The Motive is Very Clear
From The Associated Press:
SYDNEY — A French man shouting the Arabic phrase "Allahu akbar" stabbed a British woman to death and wounded two men in an attack at a hostel in northeast Australia, police said Wednesday.
I think it's pretty damn clear what this man's motivations were regardless if he had links to ISIS or not. They are every bit as clear as the motivations of the Fort Hood shooter who shouted "Allahu Akbar" and left a business card which read "Soldier of Allah" as he gunned down 12 soldiers (including one who was pregnant) and a civilian. Of course, none of this prevented the Obama Administration from declaring it an act of "workplace violence" and in so doing put the families of those who died through needless heartbreak as they were denied Purple Hearts and the benefits associated with them for nearly six years.
Whether taking one human life or thousands, people don't just shout "Allahu Akbar" for no reason. Rather it is to send a message to us infidels whether we find ourselves on a U.S. military base, working in lower Manhattan, inside a concert hall in Paris, inside a museum in Tunis, awaiting a train or plane in Brussels, a bus station in Jerusalem, a spectator at Bastille Day celebrations in Nice or at a sporting event in Boston, a war memorial in Ottawa, a Christmas party in San Bernardino, a gay nightclub in Orlando, a hotel in Mumbai, a wedding party in Turkey and now a youth hostel in Australia.
The motive is same all over the world. Submit to Islam (or at least our version of it) or die.
SYDNEY — A French man shouting the Arabic phrase "Allahu akbar" stabbed a British woman to death and wounded two men in an attack at a hostel in northeast Australia, police said Wednesday.
The 29-year-old suspect did not have any known links to the Islamic State group and appeared to have acted alone, Queensland Police Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said. Police were trying to determine whether the man had been motivated by extremism, or something else
I think it's pretty damn clear what this man's motivations were regardless if he had links to ISIS or not. They are every bit as clear as the motivations of the Fort Hood shooter who shouted "Allahu Akbar" and left a business card which read "Soldier of Allah" as he gunned down 12 soldiers (including one who was pregnant) and a civilian. Of course, none of this prevented the Obama Administration from declaring it an act of "workplace violence" and in so doing put the families of those who died through needless heartbreak as they were denied Purple Hearts and the benefits associated with them for nearly six years.
Whether taking one human life or thousands, people don't just shout "Allahu Akbar" for no reason. Rather it is to send a message to us infidels whether we find ourselves on a U.S. military base, working in lower Manhattan, inside a concert hall in Paris, inside a museum in Tunis, awaiting a train or plane in Brussels, a bus station in Jerusalem, a spectator at Bastille Day celebrations in Nice or at a sporting event in Boston, a war memorial in Ottawa, a Christmas party in San Bernardino, a gay nightclub in Orlando, a hotel in Mumbai, a wedding party in Turkey and now a youth hostel in Australia.
The motive is same all over the world. Submit to Islam (or at least our version of it) or die.
Tuesday, August 23, 2016
Steven Hill, R.I.P.
Actor Steven Hill, best known for his portrayal of New York D.A. Adam Schiff during the first 10 seasons of Law & Order, has passed away at the age of 94.
It's been a bad couple of days to be 94 as Toots Thielemans shuffled off with his harmonica only yesterday.
That Hill attained TV stardom in his 70's is all the more remarkable considering he had only returned to acting a few years earlier after a prolonged absence. Hill was cast in the lead role of Dan Briggs during the first season of Mission: Impossible (next month marks the 50th anniversary of the show's premiere). However, Hill's observant Orthodox Judaism did not sit well with the show's producers due to his refusal to work during Shabbat from sundown Friday to Saturday. Hill would be replaced by Peter Graves and the rest was TV history.
After appearing in '80's films like Yentl with Barbra Streisand, Teachers (directed by Arthur Hiller who passed away last week) and Legal Eagles, Hill would be cast as TV series regular in Law & Order for the first time since departing Mission: Impossible nearly 25 years earlier. Loosely based on former New York D.A. Robert Morgenthau (who just turned 97 last month), Steven Hill portrayed Adam Schiff as a cynical curmudgeon who never thought any of his ADAs had a case even if they had physical evidence and a confession. How often in the course of 10 years did Schiff tell either Benjamin Stone or Jack McCoy, "Make a deal!!!"?
Hill never made any other acting appearances after leaving Law & Order in 2000. It's probably just as well. Some characters are impossible to follow.
But there is more to life than the stage. There is life which itself is a blessing and something for which to be thankful as Steven Hill describes in the video below.
It's been a bad couple of days to be 94 as Toots Thielemans shuffled off with his harmonica only yesterday.
That Hill attained TV stardom in his 70's is all the more remarkable considering he had only returned to acting a few years earlier after a prolonged absence. Hill was cast in the lead role of Dan Briggs during the first season of Mission: Impossible (next month marks the 50th anniversary of the show's premiere). However, Hill's observant Orthodox Judaism did not sit well with the show's producers due to his refusal to work during Shabbat from sundown Friday to Saturday. Hill would be replaced by Peter Graves and the rest was TV history.
After appearing in '80's films like Yentl with Barbra Streisand, Teachers (directed by Arthur Hiller who passed away last week) and Legal Eagles, Hill would be cast as TV series regular in Law & Order for the first time since departing Mission: Impossible nearly 25 years earlier. Loosely based on former New York D.A. Robert Morgenthau (who just turned 97 last month), Steven Hill portrayed Adam Schiff as a cynical curmudgeon who never thought any of his ADAs had a case even if they had physical evidence and a confession. How often in the course of 10 years did Schiff tell either Benjamin Stone or Jack McCoy, "Make a deal!!!"?
Hill never made any other acting appearances after leaving Law & Order in 2000. It's probably just as well. Some characters are impossible to follow.
But there is more to life than the stage. There is life which itself is a blessing and something for which to be thankful as Steven Hill describes in the video below.
Monday, August 22, 2016
Why Hillary Clinton Will Get Away With Holding Back Nearly 15,000 E-Mails
Is anyone out there surprised that Hillary Clinton withheld turning over nearly 15,000 e-mails which were found by the FBI?
Of course not. Hillary lies as naturally as the rest of us eat and sleep.
And we all know that Hillary is going to get away with it.
Hillary will get away with it and not merely because she's above the law.
Hillary will get away with this because as duplicitous & dishonest as she is Hillary simply does not scare anyone.
Donald Trump, on the other hand, scares the living shit out of most Americans.
Of course not. Hillary lies as naturally as the rest of us eat and sleep.
And we all know that Hillary is going to get away with it.
Hillary will get away with it and not merely because she's above the law.
Hillary will get away with this because as duplicitous & dishonest as she is Hillary simply does not scare anyone.
Donald Trump, on the other hand, scares the living shit out of most Americans.
Trump Calls Clinton Foundation Corrupt, But He Was a Donor So What Does That Make Him?
So Donald Trump says that The Clinton Foundation is "the most corrupt enterprise in political history".
Well, he would know. Trump after all was a big donor to The Clinton Foundation. So what does that make him?
There is little dispute that The Clinton Foundation is little more than a massive slush fund masquerading as a humanitarian organization. I just don't think Trump is in any position to say that he's shocked, shocked, to learn The Clinton Foundation is corrupt.
Well, he would know. Trump after all was a big donor to The Clinton Foundation. So what does that make him?
There is little dispute that The Clinton Foundation is little more than a massive slush fund masquerading as a humanitarian organization. I just don't think Trump is in any position to say that he's shocked, shocked, to learn The Clinton Foundation is corrupt.
Jean "Toots" Thielemans, R.I.P.
Harmonica virtuoso Jean "Toots" Thielemans passed away in his sleep today at the age of 94.
A case can be made that outside of Jacques Brel, Thielemans is Belgium's greatest musical and cultural export to this country. Originally a jazz guitar player, Thielemans would play the harmonica like no other.
Like many people, I first heard Thielemans on harmonica with the closing theme of Sesame Street only I didn't know it at the time.
I first became fully aware of Thielemans himself on an obscure jazz album called Pure as Rain by Gil Goldstein (no relation) on a cut called "Boy Inside a Drum (For Timmy)". To give you an idea of how obscure this song is I am unable to provide a video clip. But there are others.
Who could forget Thielemans' contributions to John Barry's "Midnight Cowboy Theme"?
Or to Stevie Wonder's "Isn't She Lovely?"
Need I add more? Absolutely. See Toots join Billy Joel on stage for "Leave a Tender Moment Alone".
Last but not least here's Toots accompanying Paul Simon on "I Do It For Your Love" on the BBC late in 1975.
On a personal note, I had the opportunity to see Thielemans in concert on two occasions at Scullers Jazz Club here in Boston most recently in 2010.
While he had to be helped onto the stage, once he began to play the years fell away in an instant. Music has a way of doing that and did that to Toots Thielemans for nearly a century.
A case can be made that outside of Jacques Brel, Thielemans is Belgium's greatest musical and cultural export to this country. Originally a jazz guitar player, Thielemans would play the harmonica like no other.
Like many people, I first heard Thielemans on harmonica with the closing theme of Sesame Street only I didn't know it at the time.
I first became fully aware of Thielemans himself on an obscure jazz album called Pure as Rain by Gil Goldstein (no relation) on a cut called "Boy Inside a Drum (For Timmy)". To give you an idea of how obscure this song is I am unable to provide a video clip. But there are others.
Who could forget Thielemans' contributions to John Barry's "Midnight Cowboy Theme"?
Or to Stevie Wonder's "Isn't She Lovely?"
Need I add more? Absolutely. See Toots join Billy Joel on stage for "Leave a Tender Moment Alone".
Last but not least here's Toots accompanying Paul Simon on "I Do It For Your Love" on the BBC late in 1975.
On a personal note, I had the opportunity to see Thielemans in concert on two occasions at Scullers Jazz Club here in Boston most recently in 2010.
While he had to be helped onto the stage, once he began to play the years fell away in an instant. Music has a way of doing that and did that to Toots Thielemans for nearly a century.
Sunday, August 21, 2016
My Out Of This World Experience Watching The Bill Lee Biopic "Spaceman" at The Somerville Theatre
On Friday night, my roommate Christopher Kain and I went to the Somerville Theatre to watch Spaceman, the biopic of former Boston Red Sox and Montreal Expos pitcher Bill "Spaceman" Lee. starring Josh Duhamel of Transformers fame.
Lee is also running for Governor of Vermont under the Liberty Union Party banner (Bernie Sanders ran for Governor with them four decades ago). As such, I thought this would be a good article for The American Spectator, but so much for those plans.
When we arrived at the theater, much to my shock I saw Lee walk out of the theatre. I have seen many a biopic, but this is the first time I've ever seen the subject of a biopic in the flesh. Lee was busy talking with a bunch of people, so I didn't have a chance to say hello. Evidently, he was present for the earlier show. As it turned out, I could understand why he left. Until we came along no one had bought tickets for the second showing. That was too bad. It would have been fun to spend an evening with The Spaceman. I told one of the ushers, "I didn't know Bill Lee was going to be here." The usher replied, "Neither did we."
The movie was shown in a very small theater in the basement across from the washrooms. There could have been no more than 20 seats. Initially, we sat in the second row. Why? If we have the theater to ourselves, we might as well sit in the front row.
The audience briefly doubled in size about half way through the movie when this father and daughter came into the theatre. The girl couldn't have been more than 7-years old. At the very point they entered the theatre, there was a scene featuring Lee giving dope to his new teammates on the semi-pro Longeuil Senators. I'm sure the girl's mother would have been utterly horrified at the spectacle.
The movie itself was OK. It was loosely adapted from Lee's autobiography The Wrong Stuff (which I first read 30 years ago when I was in the eighth grade). It specifically focused on when Lee walked out on the Expos early in the 1982 season protesting the release of Rodney Scott & how he was effectively blackballed from Major League Baseball. There wasn't much here for Red Sox fans although the home run he gave up to Tony Perez in Game 7 of the 1975 World Series is mentioned while the Eliot Lounge was given a plug as well.
Ernie Hudson of Ghostbusters fame is in the movie as is Wallace Langham who some of you might report from The Larry Sanders Show starring the late Garry Shandling. Cameos were also made by baseball writer Jonah Keri (a native of Montreal) and former NL Cy Young Award winner Eric Gagne, also a Montreal native who was a co-producer on the film. Gagne briefly pitched here in Boston albeit past his prime. Alas he is not so fondly remembered by Red Sox Nation. But that as they say is another story.
What is most remarkable about the Bill Lee story is that he is still pitching as he nears the age of 70 (his birthday is on December 28th). He is the Satchel Paige of this generation, barnstorming all over the world playing baseball, softball or anything else where a ball and a bat are involved. I'm sure being Governor of Vermont would be boring by comparison.
But all things considered it could be worse. While I'm not crazy about Lee when he acts as an apologist for Cuba and wears Che Guevara clothing, given Donald Trump's admiration for Vladimir Putin, Republicans are hardly in any position to complain.
In any case, this was the strangest experience I've ever heard had at a movie theater. But far from the worst.
Lee is also running for Governor of Vermont under the Liberty Union Party banner (Bernie Sanders ran for Governor with them four decades ago). As such, I thought this would be a good article for The American Spectator, but so much for those plans.
When we arrived at the theater, much to my shock I saw Lee walk out of the theatre. I have seen many a biopic, but this is the first time I've ever seen the subject of a biopic in the flesh. Lee was busy talking with a bunch of people, so I didn't have a chance to say hello. Evidently, he was present for the earlier show. As it turned out, I could understand why he left. Until we came along no one had bought tickets for the second showing. That was too bad. It would have been fun to spend an evening with The Spaceman. I told one of the ushers, "I didn't know Bill Lee was going to be here." The usher replied, "Neither did we."
The movie was shown in a very small theater in the basement across from the washrooms. There could have been no more than 20 seats. Initially, we sat in the second row. Why? If we have the theater to ourselves, we might as well sit in the front row.
The audience briefly doubled in size about half way through the movie when this father and daughter came into the theatre. The girl couldn't have been more than 7-years old. At the very point they entered the theatre, there was a scene featuring Lee giving dope to his new teammates on the semi-pro Longeuil Senators. I'm sure the girl's mother would have been utterly horrified at the spectacle.
The movie itself was OK. It was loosely adapted from Lee's autobiography The Wrong Stuff (which I first read 30 years ago when I was in the eighth grade). It specifically focused on when Lee walked out on the Expos early in the 1982 season protesting the release of Rodney Scott & how he was effectively blackballed from Major League Baseball. There wasn't much here for Red Sox fans although the home run he gave up to Tony Perez in Game 7 of the 1975 World Series is mentioned while the Eliot Lounge was given a plug as well.
Ernie Hudson of Ghostbusters fame is in the movie as is Wallace Langham who some of you might report from The Larry Sanders Show starring the late Garry Shandling. Cameos were also made by baseball writer Jonah Keri (a native of Montreal) and former NL Cy Young Award winner Eric Gagne, also a Montreal native who was a co-producer on the film. Gagne briefly pitched here in Boston albeit past his prime. Alas he is not so fondly remembered by Red Sox Nation. But that as they say is another story.
What is most remarkable about the Bill Lee story is that he is still pitching as he nears the age of 70 (his birthday is on December 28th). He is the Satchel Paige of this generation, barnstorming all over the world playing baseball, softball or anything else where a ball and a bat are involved. I'm sure being Governor of Vermont would be boring by comparison.
But all things considered it could be worse. While I'm not crazy about Lee when he acts as an apologist for Cuba and wears Che Guevara clothing, given Donald Trump's admiration for Vladimir Putin, Republicans are hardly in any position to complain.
In any case, this was the strangest experience I've ever heard had at a movie theater. But far from the worst.
Saturday, August 20, 2016
Canada Stops to Watch Gord Downie & The Tragically Hip's Final Concert
I am originally from Canada and any Canadian who has been sentient for the 25 years knows the music of The Tragically Hip (or simply The Hip).
For some reason, The Hip never resonated in this country although in the rare instances that I heard their music down here people seemed to like it.
Back in May, their lead singer Gord Downie was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. The Hip responded with a final tour which concluded this evening in their hometown of Kingston, Ontario on Saturday night.
The CBC broadcast the concert in its entirety, commercial free. There were viewing parties all over the country and even a few outside Canada. Much like when The Beatles debuted on The Ed Sullivan Show, I believe the country's crime rate will have dropped while people were watching the concert.
I must admit that I never saw The Hip in concert & didn't own any of their albums. But I did really like one of their songs - "Ahead By a Century". As it turns out, it was their final song of the evening. Here is the original video when the song came out 20 years ago.
God only knows how much longer Gord Downie has on this Earth. But how many of us get the chance to participate in our own wake much less lead the choir? In Gord Downie's case, he had a nationwide audience.
For some reason, The Hip never resonated in this country although in the rare instances that I heard their music down here people seemed to like it.
Back in May, their lead singer Gord Downie was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. The Hip responded with a final tour which concluded this evening in their hometown of Kingston, Ontario on Saturday night.
The CBC broadcast the concert in its entirety, commercial free. There were viewing parties all over the country and even a few outside Canada. Much like when The Beatles debuted on The Ed Sullivan Show, I believe the country's crime rate will have dropped while people were watching the concert.
I must admit that I never saw The Hip in concert & didn't own any of their albums. But I did really like one of their songs - "Ahead By a Century". As it turns out, it was their final song of the evening. Here is the original video when the song came out 20 years ago.
God only knows how much longer Gord Downie has on this Earth. But how many of us get the chance to participate in our own wake much less lead the choir? In Gord Downie's case, he had a nationwide audience.
Why I Am No Longer Writing For The American Spectator (Yes, It's Because of Donald Trump)
For the past seven and a half years, I have been a regular contributor for The American Spectator.
That is until yesterday and hence why I have now started this blog.
If you are unfamiliar with The American Spectator (TAS) it is a conservative/libertarian journal which was founded in 1967. As I mentioned, I have been a contributor to its online edition since the early days of the Obama Administration in 2009.
During that time, I have been a very strong critic of the Obama Administration. But I have also written about a variety of other subjects particularly baseball and music. After all, man cannot live by politics alone.
But yet what is a political magazine without political commentary? As critical as I have been of the Obama Administration and Hillary Clinton, I have been equally critical of Donald Trump's candidacy for the White House. Indeed, when Trump announced his candidacy in June 2015, I wrote, "God help us if our two choices for President are Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump." Well, it looks like God has told us, "You're on your own."
My stance against Trump has put me at odds with several TAS contributors including Jeffrey Lord who you may have seen advocate for The Donald on CNN. It has also put me at odds with our publisher R. Emmett Tyrrell, Jr. (who most people call Bob).
These problems began in July 2015 when a column I wrote objecting to Trump's comments on John McCain's POW captivity was spiked. At that time, I was told to lay off Trump by TAS editor Wlady Pleszczynski. In time, however, as Trump continued to say stupid things I was able to write columns and blog posts taking him to task for various indecencies.
In January 2016, after National Review declared itself "Against Trump", Tyrrell wrote in The Washington Times:
At The American Spectator we have always been a big tent magazine. We have writers who favor Sen. Ted Cruz, Sen. Marco Rubio, Gov. Chris Christie, Gov. Jeb Bush — the whole lot of them. We run criticism of Donald Trump by the likes of Ross Kaminsky, Aaron Goldstein, Larry Thornberry and others. We have run the pro-Trump writing of Jeff Lord, Esther Goldberg and Frank Buckley, and, of course, me. It is a big tent at The Spectator, as big and wide-open as this race for the presidency.
But now that Trump is the GOP nominee, this big tent has receded. Last month, I would have yet another article critical of Trump spiked, this one focusing on his boorish treatment of The Khans. At which point, I confined my criticisms of Trump to my blog posts.
Despite the fact that I have written for TAS for the entire duration of the Obama Administration, I never once communicated directly with Bob Tyrrell. That is until yesterday when he sent me this e-mail:
Dear Aaron:
I consider you our culture gogue and all around expert at stirring up the animals. You even know more about culture than Wlad! It is always a joy to have you in our pages. I only object to one thing. Now that the presidential race is in earnest and HRC has a chance of winning we cannot frivol with the Republican candidate. Too many court openings and government regulations are at stake. Please lay off Donald. He has turned a page, and we cannot contribute to the unthinkable. A new and civilized Donald is heading down the homestretch. Do not be an Inadvertent Conservative for Hillary.
As ever,
ret
Sure, Bob pays me some compliments. But let's read between the lines. You would think he might have found the time to show his appreciation at some point over the past seven and a half years prior to yesterday. As such I have to wonder if Bob would have bothered to acknowledge these contributions unless he was planning to give me a "Lay off Donald" ultimatum. Somehow I doubt it.
The idea that my anti-Trump writings will contribute to a Hillary victory is laughable. Trump is doing a good job of that on his own. How exactly does reading a couple of speeches from a teleprompter constitute turning a page? How does it make him "new and civilized"? It doesn't change the fact that he made fun of a man with a physical disability, it doesn't change the fact that he questioned a federal judge's humanity nor does it change the fact that he took a Gold Star mother to task for not speaking about the death of her son.
As for Bob's claims that too many court openings and government regulations are at stake, what makes him or anyone else think that Trump will stick his neck out for a conservative jurist if Chuck Schumer is the Senate Majority leader? The only government regulations that Trump is interested in is having the FCC fine any journalist who criticizes him.
I loathe what Hillary Clinton stands for just as much as any other conservative. But that doesn't mean Donald Trump is entitled to my vote. Honestly, I don't think anything good comes out of November 8th. I'm not sure how I can justify my continued presence at The American Spectator if this view is out of bounds. How can I write for a political magazine if I am rendered unable to express my political point of view?
Of course, Bob is the publisher and he can omit from it anything he sees fit. Because of this development, I informed Bob that I could not continue contributing to The American Spectator. While I am grateful for the seven and a half years I've spent writing for The American Spectator I told him I thought it best to go our separate ways.
So where do I go from here? For now, I'll write my thoughts here. If I can hook up with another conservative publication that would be great. If not, c'est la vie. But whatever I do, I shall do on my own terms.
That is until yesterday and hence why I have now started this blog.
If you are unfamiliar with The American Spectator (TAS) it is a conservative/libertarian journal which was founded in 1967. As I mentioned, I have been a contributor to its online edition since the early days of the Obama Administration in 2009.
During that time, I have been a very strong critic of the Obama Administration. But I have also written about a variety of other subjects particularly baseball and music. After all, man cannot live by politics alone.
But yet what is a political magazine without political commentary? As critical as I have been of the Obama Administration and Hillary Clinton, I have been equally critical of Donald Trump's candidacy for the White House. Indeed, when Trump announced his candidacy in June 2015, I wrote, "God help us if our two choices for President are Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump." Well, it looks like God has told us, "You're on your own."
My stance against Trump has put me at odds with several TAS contributors including Jeffrey Lord who you may have seen advocate for The Donald on CNN. It has also put me at odds with our publisher R. Emmett Tyrrell, Jr. (who most people call Bob).
These problems began in July 2015 when a column I wrote objecting to Trump's comments on John McCain's POW captivity was spiked. At that time, I was told to lay off Trump by TAS editor Wlady Pleszczynski. In time, however, as Trump continued to say stupid things I was able to write columns and blog posts taking him to task for various indecencies.
In January 2016, after National Review declared itself "Against Trump", Tyrrell wrote in The Washington Times:
At The American Spectator we have always been a big tent magazine. We have writers who favor Sen. Ted Cruz, Sen. Marco Rubio, Gov. Chris Christie, Gov. Jeb Bush — the whole lot of them. We run criticism of Donald Trump by the likes of Ross Kaminsky, Aaron Goldstein, Larry Thornberry and others. We have run the pro-Trump writing of Jeff Lord, Esther Goldberg and Frank Buckley, and, of course, me. It is a big tent at The Spectator, as big and wide-open as this race for the presidency.
But now that Trump is the GOP nominee, this big tent has receded. Last month, I would have yet another article critical of Trump spiked, this one focusing on his boorish treatment of The Khans. At which point, I confined my criticisms of Trump to my blog posts.
Despite the fact that I have written for TAS for the entire duration of the Obama Administration, I never once communicated directly with Bob Tyrrell. That is until yesterday when he sent me this e-mail:
Dear Aaron:
I consider you our culture gogue and all around expert at stirring up the animals. You even know more about culture than Wlad! It is always a joy to have you in our pages. I only object to one thing. Now that the presidential race is in earnest and HRC has a chance of winning we cannot frivol with the Republican candidate. Too many court openings and government regulations are at stake. Please lay off Donald. He has turned a page, and we cannot contribute to the unthinkable. A new and civilized Donald is heading down the homestretch. Do not be an Inadvertent Conservative for Hillary.
As ever,
ret
Sure, Bob pays me some compliments. But let's read between the lines. You would think he might have found the time to show his appreciation at some point over the past seven and a half years prior to yesterday. As such I have to wonder if Bob would have bothered to acknowledge these contributions unless he was planning to give me a "Lay off Donald" ultimatum. Somehow I doubt it.
The idea that my anti-Trump writings will contribute to a Hillary victory is laughable. Trump is doing a good job of that on his own. How exactly does reading a couple of speeches from a teleprompter constitute turning a page? How does it make him "new and civilized"? It doesn't change the fact that he made fun of a man with a physical disability, it doesn't change the fact that he questioned a federal judge's humanity nor does it change the fact that he took a Gold Star mother to task for not speaking about the death of her son.
As for Bob's claims that too many court openings and government regulations are at stake, what makes him or anyone else think that Trump will stick his neck out for a conservative jurist if Chuck Schumer is the Senate Majority leader? The only government regulations that Trump is interested in is having the FCC fine any journalist who criticizes him.
I loathe what Hillary Clinton stands for just as much as any other conservative. But that doesn't mean Donald Trump is entitled to my vote. Honestly, I don't think anything good comes out of November 8th. I'm not sure how I can justify my continued presence at The American Spectator if this view is out of bounds. How can I write for a political magazine if I am rendered unable to express my political point of view?
Of course, Bob is the publisher and he can omit from it anything he sees fit. Because of this development, I informed Bob that I could not continue contributing to The American Spectator. While I am grateful for the seven and a half years I've spent writing for The American Spectator I told him I thought it best to go our separate ways.
So where do I go from here? For now, I'll write my thoughts here. If I can hook up with another conservative publication that would be great. If not, c'est la vie. But whatever I do, I shall do on my own terms.