For the most part, President Trump was even keeled and bi-partisan in his address to a Joint Session of Congress.
But this is Donald Trump we're talking about and inevitably he was going revert to form.
President Trump called upon the Department of Homeland Security "to create an office to serve American victims". The organization is to be known as VOICE. That would be the Victims of Immigrant Crime Engagement. Not how the organization makes no distinction between crimes committed by legal and illegal immigrants.
Later, President Trump turned the spotlight to Jemile Shaw, Sr. whose Jemile, Jr. was murdered by a gang member who was an illegal immigrant.
One cannot begin to imagine Shaw's pain. But would Shaw's pain be any less had his son been murdered by an American citizen? Would President Trump have invited him to attend his address had his son been murdered by a black teenager?
I have no objection to deporting illegal aliens who commit murder, rape and other violent crimes.Somehow I doubt a majority of illegal immigrants are violent criminals. But the way President Trump talks he would have you believe that illegal immigrants are synonymous with violent crime. All establishing an entity of "Victims of Immigrant Crime Engagement" does is reinforce this notion.
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Monday, February 27, 2017
Liberals No Longer See George W. Bush As The Devil Incarnate
When George W. Bush speaks, liberals react.
But when Bush defended freedom of the press in an interview with Matt Lauer, liberals reacted very differently than ever before.
Here's a sample from Twitter:
George Takei: "You know things are bad when George W. Bush starts sounding like a member of the Resistance."
Former San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom: "I am typing these words: President George W. Bush is right. Freedom of the press is 'indispensable to democracy.'"
Glenn Greenwald: 2005: George W Bush is a pillaging, torturing war criminal who let a city drown.
2017: I may have disagreed with Bush but he was A Good Man™.
Jedd Legum, Editor ThinkProgress: "When did George W. Bush become a voice of reason?"
It wasn't so long ago that liberals routinely compared Bush to Hitler, said he lied about WMDs in Iraq or claimed he had advance knowledge of 9/11.
Perhaps all these years spent painting portraits in relative silence during the Obama Administration has softened feeling towards Bush. Perhaps liberals are learning how a real demagogue acts. Perhaps liberals are learning that George W. Bush was never the fascist, racist or Nazi they thought.
But there's a good chance liberals haven't learned anything. We'll know if they start praising President Trump when another Republican sits in the Oval Office.
Sunday, February 26, 2017
Poor Warren Beatty & Faye Dunaway
I thought it nice touch to have Warren Beatty & Faye Dunaway announce the Best Picture award at the Oscars in honor of the 50th anniversary of Bonnie & Clyde.
Both seemed unsteady with their words. Beatty took the longest time after opening the envelope & before giving it to Dunaway who announced that La La Land had won Best Picture. The crew of La La Land came up to accept the honor, but moments later one of the film's producers Jordan Horowitz took a look at the envelope and saw that Moonlight had actually won the honor, emphasized he was not joking and welcomed their crew to the stage.
I immediately thought of Steve Harvey and the Miss Universe debacle. But before I could tweet it, Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel invoked his name.
Beatty came back to stage and explained that he had opened the paper with Emma Stone winning Best Actress for La La Land.
An embarrassed Kimmel said he would go back to his regular job and never come back again. I hope he's joking because he was pretty good.
But poor Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway. Most of the audience doesn't know about Bonnie & Clyde or Chinatown, Shampoo, Network or Reds. Beatty and Dunaway will forever be remembered for this flub which shouldn't overshadow their wonderful careers.
I have a feeling that the folks with La La Land would like to ambush Beatty & Dunaway in the same way they were ambushed as Bonnie & Clyde.
Both seemed unsteady with their words. Beatty took the longest time after opening the envelope & before giving it to Dunaway who announced that La La Land had won Best Picture. The crew of La La Land came up to accept the honor, but moments later one of the film's producers Jordan Horowitz took a look at the envelope and saw that Moonlight had actually won the honor, emphasized he was not joking and welcomed their crew to the stage.
I immediately thought of Steve Harvey and the Miss Universe debacle. But before I could tweet it, Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel invoked his name.
Beatty came back to stage and explained that he had opened the paper with Emma Stone winning Best Actress for La La Land.
An embarrassed Kimmel said he would go back to his regular job and never come back again. I hope he's joking because he was pretty good.
But poor Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway. Most of the audience doesn't know about Bonnie & Clyde or Chinatown, Shampoo, Network or Reds. Beatty and Dunaway will forever be remembered for this flub which shouldn't overshadow their wonderful careers.
I have a feeling that the folks with La La Land would like to ambush Beatty & Dunaway in the same way they were ambushed as Bonnie & Clyde.
Joseph Wapner, R.I.P.
Judge Joseph Wapner, best known for presiding over the original version of The People's Court from 1981 to 1993, has died following a brief illness at the age of 97.
Before achieving fame, Wapner spent 20 years on the bench first as a municipal court judge and later a superior court judge in California. Prior to his legal career, Wapner served in the Pacific during WWII earning a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star.
The producers of The People's Court abruptly dumped Wapner in 1993. For the most part, Wapner remained out of the limelight although he did return to TV in the late 1990's for the short-lived Judge Wapner's Animal Court on Animal Planet. Wapner did return to The People's Court in 2009 in honor of his 90th birthday to preside over one last case.
Here's a sample of his judicial work.
Judge Wapner even presided over a dispute between Johnny Carson and David Letterman. They may have been the Kings of Late Night, but Wapner was the King of the Court. R.I.P.
Before achieving fame, Wapner spent 20 years on the bench first as a municipal court judge and later a superior court judge in California. Prior to his legal career, Wapner served in the Pacific during WWII earning a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star.
The producers of The People's Court abruptly dumped Wapner in 1993. For the most part, Wapner remained out of the limelight although he did return to TV in the late 1990's for the short-lived Judge Wapner's Animal Court on Animal Planet. Wapner did return to The People's Court in 2009 in honor of his 90th birthday to preside over one last case.
Here's a sample of his judicial work.
Judge Wapner even presided over a dispute between Johnny Carson and David Letterman. They may have been the Kings of Late Night, but Wapner was the King of the Court. R.I.P.
Slate Needs to Wipe Itself Clean After Smearing Alan Colmes
Following Alan Colmes' death on Thursday, Isaac Chotiner of Slate penned what I would loosely call an obituary. Take a look at its title:
But while Colmes may not have been a genius, he wasn’t a complete moron either; in short, he was smart enough to know he was being used, and to take the money that his services demanded. If this is something less than morally reprehensible, it is still pretty gross. We can mourn that Alan Colmes won’t be around to watch the political era he, as an important cog in the Fox News machine, helped usher in; unfortunately, the rest of us have no choice.
Alan Colmes, Buffoon and Patsy, Was Fox News’ Original Liberal Weakling
Sadly, it only got worse:
Why? All because Colmes worked for Fox News? If Chotiner despised Colmes so much why didn't he challenge him when he was alive and could defend himself? Because Chotiner is a coward.
It has been nearly 72 hours since Chotiner posted the article. As of this writing, it is still up with the headline intact. The fact that Chotiner nor Slate do not have the decency to pull the article or say they went too far and apologize to Colmes' widow speaks volumes. Slate needs to wipe itself clean.
Bill Paxton, R.I.P.
On the eve of the Oscars, actor Bill Paxton has passed away after suffering a stroke following heart surgery. Paxton was 61.
Over the past three decades, Paxton has been a fixture in both movies and TV. Paxton appeared in films like The Terminator, Weird Science, Commando, Aliens, Navy SEALs, Boxing Helena, True Lies, Apollo 13, Twister, Titanic, A Simple Plan and Million Dollar Arm. In recent years, Paxton has appeared on TV starring in HBO's Big Love, The Hatfields and McCoys mini-series on The History Channel and in CBS' relaunch of Training Day earlier this year. Paxton received three Golden Glob nominations for Big Love and an Emmy nomination for The Hatfields and McCoys. His final film The Circle with Emma Stone and Tom Hanks is to be released in April.
I did not know that at the age of 8 Paxton had watched President Kennedy speak in Dallas hours before he was assassinated. R.I.P.
Saturday, February 25, 2017
The Trump Administration Has Some Explaining To Do Re: The Muhammad Ali, Jr. Incident
This incident involving Muhammad Ali, Jr. and his mother is really disturbing:
The son of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali was detained for hours by immigration officials at a Florida airport, a family friend told the Courier-Journal.
Muhammad Ali Jr., 44, and his mother Khalilah Camacho-Ali, the second wife of Muhammad Ali, were arriving at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on Feb. 7 after returning from speaking at a Black History Month event in Montego Bay, Jamaica. They were pulled aside while going through customs because of their Arabic-sounding names, according to family friend and lawyer Chris Mancini.
Immigration officials let Camacho-Ali go after she showed them a photo of herself with her ex-husband, but her son did not have such a photo. Mancini said officials held and questioned Ali Jr. for nearly two hours, repeatedly asking him, "Where did you get your name from?" and "Are you Muslim?"
When Ali Jr. responded that yes, he is a Muslim, the officers kept questioning him about his religion and where he was born. Ali Jr. was born in Philadelphia in 1972 and holds a U.S. passport.
The son of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali was detained for hours by immigration officials at a Florida airport, a family friend told the Courier-Journal.
Muhammad Ali Jr., 44, and his mother Khalilah Camacho-Ali, the second wife of Muhammad Ali, were arriving at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on Feb. 7 after returning from speaking at a Black History Month event in Montego Bay, Jamaica. They were pulled aside while going through customs because of their Arabic-sounding names, according to family friend and lawyer Chris Mancini.
Immigration officials let Camacho-Ali go after she showed them a photo of herself with her ex-husband, but her son did not have such a photo. Mancini said officials held and questioned Ali Jr. for nearly two hours, repeatedly asking him, "Where did you get your name from?" and "Are you Muslim?"
When Ali Jr. responded that yes, he is a Muslim, the officers kept questioning him about his religion and where he was born. Ali Jr. was born in Philadelphia in 1972 and holds a U.S. passport.
U.S. Customs & Border Protection will not comment on the incident, but they (and the Trump Administration) have some explaining to do.
Why was Muhammad Ali, Jr. asked about his religious affiliation?
Why was Muhammad Ali, Jr. subject to further questioning when he indicated he is Muslim?
This incident took place four days after a federal judge put President Trump's Muslim travel ban and two days before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the judge's decision. What directives, if any, did the Department of Homeland Security issue to its officials concerning the travel ban? Did the White House issue any directives of its own?
Of course, Ali, Jr. was born and raised in the United States and the ban should not have applied to him. Why was his U.S. passport insufficient documentation for U.S. Customs & Border Protection?
At this point, no one has denied the story. Of course, it is possible new information may come to light which disputes what the Ali family has asserted.
But assuming the story is true, I suspect the Trump Administration will say they were rogue agents and try to sweep things under the rug.
For their part, the Alis have threatened to take legal action. I hope they do and force the Trump Administration to come clean on their disgraceful treatment of the Ali family and other Muslims who have been questioned only because they are Muslim.
Democrats Show Some Sanity, Pick Perez Over Ellison as DNC Chair
In something of an upset, former Labor Secretary Tom Perez has defeated Minnesota Congressman Keith Ellison to become the new chairman of the Democratic National Committee.
Ellison was widely favored by the so-called progressive wing of the Democratic Party and was endorsed by Bernie Sanders. But there was the question of Ellison's history of anti-Semitic remarks and ties to the Nation of Islam and in the end it proved a bridge too far for top Democrats.
Given President Trump's reluctance to condemn anti-Semitism, choosing someone with his own history of anti-Semitism would have undermined the credibility of the Democrats. It seems there is a semblance of sanity within the DNC which is more than I can say of the Trump Administration.
Upon his election, Perez named Ellison his deputy. One could argue that Perez is setting the stage for Ellison to be his eventual successor. On the other hand, it was probably the most politically expedient thing for Perez to do. It would mollify the progressives while at the same time "keeping his friends close, keeping his enemies closer."
Perez has quite a task ahead of him. Aside of being shut out of the White House and Congress, Democrats, they have only 16 Governor's mansions and only control 12 state legislatures. Much of that can be put at the feet of Perez's former boss, Barack Obama. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz and Donna Brazile were utterly ineffectual and did their party more harm than good. But I have heard good things about Perez. During the last years of the Clinton Administration, Perez was the Director of the Department of Health and Human Services' Office for Civil Rights (I work as a contractor in its New England regional office).
It will be interesting to see though if Perez can keep Ellison in line or if Ellison will work behind the scenes to undermine him. But for the moment, Democrats have chosen wisely.
Ellison was widely favored by the so-called progressive wing of the Democratic Party and was endorsed by Bernie Sanders. But there was the question of Ellison's history of anti-Semitic remarks and ties to the Nation of Islam and in the end it proved a bridge too far for top Democrats.
Given President Trump's reluctance to condemn anti-Semitism, choosing someone with his own history of anti-Semitism would have undermined the credibility of the Democrats. It seems there is a semblance of sanity within the DNC which is more than I can say of the Trump Administration.
Upon his election, Perez named Ellison his deputy. One could argue that Perez is setting the stage for Ellison to be his eventual successor. On the other hand, it was probably the most politically expedient thing for Perez to do. It would mollify the progressives while at the same time "keeping his friends close, keeping his enemies closer."
Perez has quite a task ahead of him. Aside of being shut out of the White House and Congress, Democrats, they have only 16 Governor's mansions and only control 12 state legislatures. Much of that can be put at the feet of Perez's former boss, Barack Obama. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz and Donna Brazile were utterly ineffectual and did their party more harm than good. But I have heard good things about Perez. During the last years of the Clinton Administration, Perez was the Director of the Department of Health and Human Services' Office for Civil Rights (I work as a contractor in its New England regional office).
It will be interesting to see though if Perez can keep Ellison in line or if Ellison will work behind the scenes to undermine him. But for the moment, Democrats have chosen wisely.
Friday, February 24, 2017
If It Was Wrong For Obama to Ban Fox News Then It's Wrong For Trump to Ban CNN & Co.
I'm sure there are many conservative activists who are delighted with the Trump Administration's decision to bar CNN, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Guardian, Politico, BuzzFeed and the BBC from a press briefing with Sean Spicer.
Mind you these same conservative activists were appalled when the Obama White House barred Fox News from an interview with White House pay czar Ken Feinberg in 2009.
So if it was wrong for the Obama Administration to bar Fox News from access to the White House then why is it right for the Trump Administration to do the same to CNN and company?
If you think it's OK for Trump to ban the press, but not Obama or OK for Obama to ban the press, but not Trump then what you are telling me is that you don't believe in freedom of the press, freedom of speech or liberty but rather in the heavy hand of government's capacity to silence those they do not want to hear.
Of course, I am not surprised the Trump White House would do such a thing. Most of the outlets banned were organizations he deemed enemies of the American people. When Trump does this and says the media shouldn't be allowed to use anonymous sources I fear this is only the beginning.
Mind you these same conservative activists were appalled when the Obama White House barred Fox News from an interview with White House pay czar Ken Feinberg in 2009.
So if it was wrong for the Obama Administration to bar Fox News from access to the White House then why is it right for the Trump Administration to do the same to CNN and company?
If you think it's OK for Trump to ban the press, but not Obama or OK for Obama to ban the press, but not Trump then what you are telling me is that you don't believe in freedom of the press, freedom of speech or liberty but rather in the heavy hand of government's capacity to silence those they do not want to hear.
Of course, I am not surprised the Trump White House would do such a thing. Most of the outlets banned were organizations he deemed enemies of the American people. When Trump does this and says the media shouldn't be allowed to use anonymous sources I fear this is only the beginning.
Thursday, February 23, 2017
Alan Colmes, R.I.P.
Like many people, I had no idea Alan Colmes was ill when I learned of his death this morning of lymphoma at the age of 66.
Sometimes I felt sorry for Colmes because he was practically the only liberal at Fox News and he would get absolutely hammered by Sean Hannity and from six other directions while liberals thought he was a sellout. I must admit his occasional anti-Israel rants were annoying.
But Colmes got to make a living doing something he loved and enjoyed a happy marriage which lasted the final 14 years of his life. If you have that then you can overcome whatever suffering you must endure on a day to day basis. I suspect he left this world with few regrets. R.I.P.
Sometimes I felt sorry for Colmes because he was practically the only liberal at Fox News and he would get absolutely hammered by Sean Hannity and from six other directions while liberals thought he was a sellout. I must admit his occasional anti-Israel rants were annoying.
But Colmes got to make a living doing something he loved and enjoyed a happy marriage which lasted the final 14 years of his life. If you have that then you can overcome whatever suffering you must endure on a day to day basis. I suspect he left this world with few regrets. R.I.P.
"A United Kingdom" Gives Botswana a Well-Deserved Turn in The Spotlight
I don't go to the movies very much and when I do it is usually a vintage film.
There has to be a compelling reason for me to go to a newly released movie.
In the case of A United Kingdom it was my late friend Logong Raditlhokwa. He was my housemate in Ottawa a quarter century ago. A native of Botswana, he was studying his MSW at Carleton University. He regaled us with stories of about his homeland and of Botswana's first President Seretse Khama, his marriage to a white British woman named Ruth Williams and how she became as revered a figure as he was. Although Logong was a supporter of the opposition Botswana National Front (and later the Botswana Congress Party), he nevertheless greatly admired both Seretse and Ruth and was proud for what they had done for Botswana.
Their story finally gets its due with A United Kingdom. David Oyelowo and Rosamund Pike are compelling as Seretse and Ruth. Downton Abbey fans get to see Laura Carmichael as Ruth's sister Muriel while Tom Felton and Jack Davenport are serviceable villains as British government representatives determined to keep Seretse and Ruth apart. I did not realize that Tony Benn was such a crucial ally of Seretse while he was in forced exile in Britain (I had the opportunity to interview Benn when I was a parliamentary intern in London). Jack Lowden captures the spirit of Benn as a young man in a hurry.
If A United Kingdom teaches us anything is that racism can afflict anyone. Sure Seretse and Ruth's marriage offended many a Briton and Afrikaner, but it equally offended members of Seretse's family who were appalled at the site of a white woman. But Seretse and Ruth triumphed because they were both people of character who led by example and had the support of fair minded people who despised injustice. Their character has been passed down to their son Ian Khama who has been Botswana's President since 2008.
Since its independence in 1966, Botswana has become a beacon of stability on an African continent besieged by war, famine, disease and corruption. Sure Botswana is rich in diamonds, but there are many an African nation that have a found a way to squander bountiful resources. While it is cause for concern that Botswana has been ruled solely by the Botswana Democratic Party since independence, it can never be mistaken for Zimbabwe.
I would be remiss if I did not mention the film's director Amma Asante. She knows how to tell a story and the juxtaposition between the U.K. gray and the arrid atmosphere of Botswana is absolutely breathtaking. This will not be the last we hear of Asante. I give A United Kingdom my highest possible recommendation both as a piece of art and for giving Botswana a well-deserved turn in the spotlight.
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Bob White, R.I.P.
Bob White, the founding President of the Canadian Auto Workers and later President of the Canadian Labour Congress, passed away on February 19th at the age of 81.
During my NDP days I would see him from time to time. I didn't know him particularly well although I do remember talking with him at length during Stanley Knowles' wake 20 years ago. He was a friendly, approachable fellow. He didn't have much formal education, but was self-taught and had a way with people.
White became a trade unionist in his teens and put himself on the map in the mid-1980's when he successfully disaffiliated from the United Auto Workers. The UAW was and is a big union and splitting from it was no small doing. Above all else, White never lost sight of his commitment to working people because he always was of the working class.
During my NDP days I would see him from time to time. I didn't know him particularly well although I do remember talking with him at length during Stanley Knowles' wake 20 years ago. He was a friendly, approachable fellow. He didn't have much formal education, but was self-taught and had a way with people.
White became a trade unionist in his teens and put himself on the map in the mid-1980's when he successfully disaffiliated from the United Auto Workers. The UAW was and is a big union and splitting from it was no small doing. Above all else, White never lost sight of his commitment to working people because he always was of the working class.
Conservatism Has No Future With Trump
This evening I went to Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government to attend a forum on "The Future of Conservatism".
The door was locked.
At the risk of reading far too much into things, in the space of six months I've gone from being prohibited from criticizing Donald Trump to not being able to get into the room.
Perhaps I don't have a future with conservatism, but I don't think conservatism has a future with anyone not as long as Donald Trump is President.
Say what you will about Trump. He might implement the odd conservative policy or appoint a conservative jurist to the bench. But he is not now, never has been and never will be conservative. He doesn't think America is any better than its adversaries. He hasn't given a single thought to liberty, free markets, limited government or freedom of the press.
How can conservatism have a future when President Trump is beyond criticism in many precincts? What does conservatism mean if it is reduced to worshiping at the altar of Trump? Without an environment conducive to open discussion and debate, Trump will be an albatross around conservatism. Of course, even if Republicans do get wise to Trump there are no guarantees the GOP can't get fooled again.
The door was locked.
At the risk of reading far too much into things, in the space of six months I've gone from being prohibited from criticizing Donald Trump to not being able to get into the room.
Perhaps I don't have a future with conservatism, but I don't think conservatism has a future with anyone not as long as Donald Trump is President.
Say what you will about Trump. He might implement the odd conservative policy or appoint a conservative jurist to the bench. But he is not now, never has been and never will be conservative. He doesn't think America is any better than its adversaries. He hasn't given a single thought to liberty, free markets, limited government or freedom of the press.
How can conservatism have a future when President Trump is beyond criticism in many precincts? What does conservatism mean if it is reduced to worshiping at the altar of Trump? Without an environment conducive to open discussion and debate, Trump will be an albatross around conservatism. Of course, even if Republicans do get wise to Trump there are no guarantees the GOP can't get fooled again.
Friday, February 17, 2017
If Trump Thinks The MSM Is An Enemy What Does That Make ISIS?
There is a school of thought which suggests that one ought to ignore President Trump's tweets because they are a distraction from the big things going on behind the scenes.
Yet Trump is the leader of the free world (well, free for now at least). So when the President tweets it carries a certain weight.
On Friday, Trump offered, "The FAKE NEWS media (failing @nytimes, @NBCNews, @ABC, @CBS, @CNN) is not my enemy, it is an enemy of the American People! @NB."
If Trump thinks the MSM is an enemy of the American people then what does that make ISIS?
Criticize the MSM all you want, but it has never killed anyone.
Besides how does one become an enemy of the American people by criticizing Trump?
If so how ought to deal with our "enemies?" Does this involve incarceration? Shutting down newspapers and TV stations?
Trump's tweets often provoke more questions than answers. In that spirit, the media should continue to ask Trump questions especially if he doesn't like what he hears.
Yet Trump is the leader of the free world (well, free for now at least). So when the President tweets it carries a certain weight.
On Friday, Trump offered, "The FAKE NEWS media (failing @nytimes, @NBCNews, @ABC, @CBS, @CNN) is not my enemy, it is an enemy of the American People! @NB."
If Trump thinks the MSM is an enemy of the American people then what does that make ISIS?
Criticize the MSM all you want, but it has never killed anyone.
Besides how does one become an enemy of the American people by criticizing Trump?
If so how ought to deal with our "enemies?" Does this involve incarceration? Shutting down newspapers and TV stations?
Trump's tweets often provoke more questions than answers. In that spirit, the media should continue to ask Trump questions especially if he doesn't like what he hears.
Michael Novak, R.I.P.
Catholic theologian, writer, scholar and one-time Ambassador to the UN Commission on Human Rights Michael Novak has died of cancer at the age of 83.
I once had the privilege of hearing Novak speak when I attended the Robert L. Bartley Dinner organized by The American Spectator in Washington, D.C. in November 2012. Unfortunately, Novak's voice was frail and hearing him was something of a challenge.
But it's not every man who influences the thought of Presidents, Popes & Dissidents. Novak is one of the few people who can make such a claim.
I haven't read as much Novak as I ought to given that he was one of the original neoconservatives. But I did make a point of reading one of his last books Writing from Left to Right: My Journey from Liberal to Conservative. Novak was a man of The Left who saw them in action and recoiled in horror at their effect on academia, culture, turning a blind eye to Communism and ignoring the excesses of the welfare state and embraced conservatism despite remaining a lifelong Democrat.
Separation of church and state is important, but temporal economics and politics does require guidance from a higher authority from time to time. Perhaps more than any other writer over the past half century, Michael Novak made the case there was room for a spiritual dimension in both economics and politics. The question is who will be able to make that case in his permanent absence. R.I.P.
I once had the privilege of hearing Novak speak when I attended the Robert L. Bartley Dinner organized by The American Spectator in Washington, D.C. in November 2012. Unfortunately, Novak's voice was frail and hearing him was something of a challenge.
But it's not every man who influences the thought of Presidents, Popes & Dissidents. Novak is one of the few people who can make such a claim.
I haven't read as much Novak as I ought to given that he was one of the original neoconservatives. But I did make a point of reading one of his last books Writing from Left to Right: My Journey from Liberal to Conservative. Novak was a man of The Left who saw them in action and recoiled in horror at their effect on academia, culture, turning a blind eye to Communism and ignoring the excesses of the welfare state and embraced conservatism despite remaining a lifelong Democrat.
Separation of church and state is important, but temporal economics and politics does require guidance from a higher authority from time to time. Perhaps more than any other writer over the past half century, Michael Novak made the case there was room for a spiritual dimension in both economics and politics. The question is who will be able to make that case in his permanent absence. R.I.P.
How Would Trump Have Treated Bob Michel?
In thinking about the passing of former House Minority Leader Bob Michel at the age of 93, I couldn't help but wonder how President Trump would have treated him if he were in Congress today.
I suppose if Michel had worked to implement Trump's agenda as he did with President Reagan then Trump would call the late Illinois Congressman terrific.
But if things went south, I suspect Trump would call him a loser as he spent his entire Congressional career in the minority (he retired before the 1994 mid-terms).
I'm sure that a WWII veteran like Michel would recoil in horror at Trump's rhetoric especially his assertion that "we have a lot of killers". In turn, I'm sure Trump would retort that he likes soldiers who didn't get wounded. Michel was wounded during D-Day.
While a case could be made the MSM are bestowing the sort of kindness towards Michel in death that he never received during the budget battles in the early Reagan years, the fact is that Michel knew how to make a deal and knew how to make it work. For all of his talk of great deals, President Trump hasn't made one. Robert Michel could have shown Trump a thing or two. R.I.P.
I suppose if Michel had worked to implement Trump's agenda as he did with President Reagan then Trump would call the late Illinois Congressman terrific.
But if things went south, I suspect Trump would call him a loser as he spent his entire Congressional career in the minority (he retired before the 1994 mid-terms).
I'm sure that a WWII veteran like Michel would recoil in horror at Trump's rhetoric especially his assertion that "we have a lot of killers". In turn, I'm sure Trump would retort that he likes soldiers who didn't get wounded. Michel was wounded during D-Day.
While a case could be made the MSM are bestowing the sort of kindness towards Michel in death that he never received during the budget battles in the early Reagan years, the fact is that Michel knew how to make a deal and knew how to make it work. For all of his talk of great deals, President Trump hasn't made one. Robert Michel could have shown Trump a thing or two. R.I.P.
George "The Animal" Steele, R.I.P.
The moment I saw The Animal trending on Twitter, I knew George "The Animal" Steele had died.
Indeed, Steele passed away yesterday of renal failure at the age of 79.
He wasn't the only wrestler nicknamed Animal (i.e. Dave Bautista & Road Warrior Animal), but Steel was The Animal. Bald head, hirsute body, green tongue & incomprehensible language (although not at first). No one else thought of turning turnbuckle stuffing into cuisine.
Born William Myers in Detroit, he took up pro wrestling in the late 1960's to supplement his teacher's salary. It wasn't long before Steele was one of the top villains in the WWE (then known as the WWWF) feuding with champions Bruno Sammartino and Bob Backlund throughout the 1970's and early 1980's.
But then something unexpected happened. Steele became a beloved fan favorite and a pop culture icon. During the Hulk Hogan era, Steele still had the bald head, green tongue, incomprehensible language and turnbuckle stuffing was still his favorite meal. But he had fallen in love with Miss Elizabeth. Today, it would have probably been presented as something sinister, but there was a genuine innocence and sweetness about his affection and it resonated with people and it led to a memorable feud with Randy "Macho Man" Savage. Steele invariably came out on the losing end, but he won the hearts of the fans. Eventually, Steele would play a crucial role in Savage's loss of the WWF Intercontinental Title to Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat at WrestleMania at the Silverdome in Steele's backyard. That was 30 years ago, but I remember it like it was 30 minutes ago. Now all three of them are gone and he outlived them both. R.I.P.
Indeed, Steele passed away yesterday of renal failure at the age of 79.
He wasn't the only wrestler nicknamed Animal (i.e. Dave Bautista & Road Warrior Animal), but Steel was The Animal. Bald head, hirsute body, green tongue & incomprehensible language (although not at first). No one else thought of turning turnbuckle stuffing into cuisine.
Born William Myers in Detroit, he took up pro wrestling in the late 1960's to supplement his teacher's salary. It wasn't long before Steele was one of the top villains in the WWE (then known as the WWWF) feuding with champions Bruno Sammartino and Bob Backlund throughout the 1970's and early 1980's.
But then something unexpected happened. Steele became a beloved fan favorite and a pop culture icon. During the Hulk Hogan era, Steele still had the bald head, green tongue, incomprehensible language and turnbuckle stuffing was still his favorite meal. But he had fallen in love with Miss Elizabeth. Today, it would have probably been presented as something sinister, but there was a genuine innocence and sweetness about his affection and it resonated with people and it led to a memorable feud with Randy "Macho Man" Savage. Steele invariably came out on the losing end, but he won the hearts of the fans. Eventually, Steele would play a crucial role in Savage's loss of the WWF Intercontinental Title to Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat at WrestleMania at the Silverdome in Steele's backyard. That was 30 years ago, but I remember it like it was 30 minutes ago. Now all three of them are gone and he outlived them both. R.I.P.
I Don't Blame Harward For Turning Down The NSA Job One Bit But We Are Poorer For It
I don't blame retired Admiral Robert Harward for declining President Trump's offer to be his new National Security Adviser one bit.
In declining the job, Harward stated, “It’s purely a personal issue. I’m in a unique position finally after being in the military for 40 years to enjoy some personal time.”
Here's a rough translation of that statement:
What? President Trump wants me to be his National Security Adviser? Is he out of his fucking mind? Why on earth would I want to work for a guy who says he knows more about ISIS than the Generals? I'd like to keep my sanity, thank you very much.
I have little doubt that this is how he really feels about the offer. According to Jake Tapper, Harward told friend that Trump's offer amounted to "a shit sandwich."
President Trump says he's all about hiring the best people. But if he isn't going to let James Mattis, John Kelly or Rex Tillerson in on his Muslim travel ban Executive Order what assurances does Harward have that Trump will take him in his confidence in the capacity of a non-Cabinet official?
I don't think this will be the last time someone turns down a job in the Trump Administration. If President Trump's behavior keeps the best people from wanting to work him then we will be stuck with the Michael Flynns of the world and the chaos that is sure to follow.
In declining the job, Harward stated, “It’s purely a personal issue. I’m in a unique position finally after being in the military for 40 years to enjoy some personal time.”
Here's a rough translation of that statement:
What? President Trump wants me to be his National Security Adviser? Is he out of his fucking mind? Why on earth would I want to work for a guy who says he knows more about ISIS than the Generals? I'd like to keep my sanity, thank you very much.
I have little doubt that this is how he really feels about the offer. According to Jake Tapper, Harward told friend that Trump's offer amounted to "a shit sandwich."
President Trump says he's all about hiring the best people. But if he isn't going to let James Mattis, John Kelly or Rex Tillerson in on his Muslim travel ban Executive Order what assurances does Harward have that Trump will take him in his confidence in the capacity of a non-Cabinet official?
I don't think this will be the last time someone turns down a job in the Trump Administration. If President Trump's behavior keeps the best people from wanting to work him then we will be stuck with the Michael Flynns of the world and the chaos that is sure to follow.
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
Trumps Tells Netanyahu To "Hold Off" On Settlements
What to make of President Trump's public admonition to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to "hold off on settlements a little bit" during their White House press conference?
One could argue that Trump is being considerably milder than his predecessor in his tone. Nevertheless, Obama also implored Netanyahu to freeze settlements in the early months of his presidency and things went downhill from there.
Will things do the same for Netanyahu and Trump?
If it does then one must ask when American Presidents will learn this has nothing to do with the settlements?
Did dismantling settlements in Gaza bring about peace? So why would it be any different in the West Bank or Jerusalem?
Plus ca change.
Trump Really Knows How To Pick The Best People (First Flynn Resigns Now Puzder Withdraws)
In less than 48 hours, we have seen the resignation of National Security Adviser Michael Flynn after only 24 days on the job and now the apparent withdrawal of Andrew Puzder as Secretary of Labor. Puzder has come under fire for his labor practices and his employment of an illegal immigrant domestic worker. But what imploded his candidacy was Oprah Winfrey supplying Senators a decades old tape of Puzder's ex-wife claiming domestic abuse. Although his ex-wife has recanted her allegations this is not unusual among battered spouses. Once the genie is out of the bottle it is nearly impossible to put it back inside.
So what was that about President Trump hiring all the best people?
Don't get me wrong. Elaine Chao will do fine at Transportation and John Kelly will be solid at Homeland Security (if Trump allows him to do his job).
But Trump's choices in these portfolios do not inspire confidence. One can only hope he will choose more wisely.
So what was that about President Trump hiring all the best people?
Don't get me wrong. Elaine Chao will do fine at Transportation and John Kelly will be solid at Homeland Security (if Trump allows him to do his job).
But Trump's choices in these portfolios do not inspire confidence. One can only hope he will choose more wisely.
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
Suddenly Trump Supporters Hate Leakers
It is utterly fascinating to see Trump supporters suddenly hate leakers. A few months ago, Trump supporters absolutely loved Wikileaks when they were dumping dirt on Hillary Clinton. But now that leakers have cost Michael Flynn his job as National Security Adviser now they must be prosecuted.
Look I could care less about Hillary Clinton (or for that matter Wikileaks). But let's be honest. Had Hillary Clinton been elected President and her NSA had acted as Flynn had, the Breitbart crowd would have gone ballistic.
Trump supporters are perfectly fine with leaking so long as the leaking isn't done against Trump. Don't forget before Julian Assange set his sites on Hillary Clinton, Trump thought he should be executed. Should Assange turn his fire on Trump there's no doubt the President and his supporters will once again declare Wikileaks be put out of business.
Look I could care less about Hillary Clinton (or for that matter Wikileaks). But let's be honest. Had Hillary Clinton been elected President and her NSA had acted as Flynn had, the Breitbart crowd would have gone ballistic.
Trump supporters are perfectly fine with leaking so long as the leaking isn't done against Trump. Don't forget before Julian Assange set his sites on Hillary Clinton, Trump thought he should be executed. Should Assange turn his fire on Trump there's no doubt the President and his supporters will once again declare Wikileaks be put out of business.
Monday, February 13, 2017
Michael Flynn We Hardly Knew Ye
The Trump Administration has its first casualty.
After only 25 days in office, Retired Lieutenant General Michael Flynn has resigned as National Security Adviser. Flynn had been under fire for conversations with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak before the Trump Administration was sworn into office about sanctions imposed by the Obama Administration and lying about the conversation to Vice-President Mike Pence and other White House officials. Lt. General Keith Kellogg has been named Interim National Security Adviser. There is discussion about bringing in General David Petraeus on a permanent basis. Michael Flynn we hardly knew ye.
The episode once again exemplifies the amateurish with which the Trump Administration has conducted itself with the disastrous Muslim travel ban roll out (which the 9th Circuit has put the kibosh on for now), Sean Spicer's soap opera like press conferences on top of Flynn's dishonesty and lack of discretion.
Can the Trump Administration get its act together? Or is this its stock and trade? President Trump sets the tone and his tone thus far has been one of recklessness and stupidity.
After only 25 days in office, Retired Lieutenant General Michael Flynn has resigned as National Security Adviser. Flynn had been under fire for conversations with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak before the Trump Administration was sworn into office about sanctions imposed by the Obama Administration and lying about the conversation to Vice-President Mike Pence and other White House officials. Lt. General Keith Kellogg has been named Interim National Security Adviser. There is discussion about bringing in General David Petraeus on a permanent basis. Michael Flynn we hardly knew ye.
The episode once again exemplifies the amateurish with which the Trump Administration has conducted itself with the disastrous Muslim travel ban roll out (which the 9th Circuit has put the kibosh on for now), Sean Spicer's soap opera like press conferences on top of Flynn's dishonesty and lack of discretion.
Can the Trump Administration get its act together? Or is this its stock and trade? President Trump sets the tone and his tone thus far has been one of recklessness and stupidity.
Trump & Trudeau Have More in Common Than You Might Think
Not surprisingly The Left is lauding Justin Trudeau (handshake and all) for his White House visit with President Trump on Twitter.
Many a tweeter has taken pains to contrast Trump and Trudeau. Meanwhile, Alyssa Milano all but declared her undying love for the Canadian Prime Minister.
But Trump and Trudeau have more in common than you might think.
Yes, Trump might be a Russophile, but Trudeau has praised China's "basic dictatorship."
Trump recently took heat for omitting Jews from his Holocaust Remembrance Day statement, but Trudeau did the same a year ago.
Trump is famous for saying he'd like to punch a protester in the face. But Trudeau actually manhandled a fellow Member of Parliament and elbowed a female MP in the stomach and was really mealy-mouthed about apologizing for his conduct.
Let's put it this way. If Trump laid his hands on a Congressman, especially a female Congressman we would never hear the end of it (and not without justification). Yet here we have Trudeau in physical contact with a female MP and Alyssa Milano is Gaga over him.
Trump and Trudeau are undoubtedly different covers, but their plot is strikingly similar. They both think the world of themselves.
Sunday, February 12, 2017
Al Jarreau, R.I.P.
With the Grammy Awards only hours away, seven time Grammy winner Al Jarreau has passed away after being hospitalized several days ago with what turned out to be pneumonia. He was 76.
You knew things were serious when following Jarreau's hospitalization it was announced that he would retire from touring. Jarreau had a previous bout with pneumonia in 2012 and also came close to death in 2010 due to heart and respiratory problems.
Jarreau's career spanned half a century with a catalog of more than 20 albums. His scat style of singing was reminiscent of Mel Torme. My favorite Jarreau tune was the "Theme from Moonlighting". R.I.P.
You knew things were serious when following Jarreau's hospitalization it was announced that he would retire from touring. Jarreau had a previous bout with pneumonia in 2012 and also came close to death in 2010 due to heart and respiratory problems.
Jarreau's career spanned half a century with a catalog of more than 20 albums. His scat style of singing was reminiscent of Mel Torme. My favorite Jarreau tune was the "Theme from Moonlighting". R.I.P.
Brandon Phillips Should Have a Career Resurgence in Atlanta
The Cincinnati Reds have traded second baseman Brandon Phillips to the Atlanta Braves for two minor league pitchers. The Reds have been trying to unload Phillips for some time now as they try to rebuild. In fact, the Reds tried to trade Phillips to the Braves as well as the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Washington Nationals last season, but Phillips vetoed all trades.
Phillips agreed to the trade this time around when the Braves indicated they would not trade him during the 2017 season after which he becomes a free agent.
This trade should prove to be a bonanza to the Atlanta native. Phillips, who has been with the Reds since 2006, needed a change of scenery. In 2013, Phillips drove in 100 plus runs for the only time in his career, earned his third NL All-Star selection and his fourth Gold Glove. But his productivity has declined over the past three seasons. Phillips, 35, hit .291 with 11 HR and 64 RBI in 141 games last season with the Reds. Decent numbers, but far from Phillips' best output.
The Braves could be a sleeper in 2017. Yes, they finished in last place in the NL East some 26.5 games back of the Nationals. But the Braves went 59-65 under Brian Snitker after getting off to a 9-28 start under Fredi Gonzalez. During the off-season, the Braves have added veteran pitching in the form of former Cy Young winners Bartolo Colon and R.A. Dickey as well as ex-Cardinal Jaime Garcia. Adding Phillips into the mix gives the Braves a proven offensive and defensive force and a clubhouse leader. If the Braves make the post-season in 2017, Brandon Phillips will be a huge reason for it.
Phillips agreed to the trade this time around when the Braves indicated they would not trade him during the 2017 season after which he becomes a free agent.
This trade should prove to be a bonanza to the Atlanta native. Phillips, who has been with the Reds since 2006, needed a change of scenery. In 2013, Phillips drove in 100 plus runs for the only time in his career, earned his third NL All-Star selection and his fourth Gold Glove. But his productivity has declined over the past three seasons. Phillips, 35, hit .291 with 11 HR and 64 RBI in 141 games last season with the Reds. Decent numbers, but far from Phillips' best output.
The Braves could be a sleeper in 2017. Yes, they finished in last place in the NL East some 26.5 games back of the Nationals. But the Braves went 59-65 under Brian Snitker after getting off to a 9-28 start under Fredi Gonzalez. During the off-season, the Braves have added veteran pitching in the form of former Cy Young winners Bartolo Colon and R.A. Dickey as well as ex-Cardinal Jaime Garcia. Adding Phillips into the mix gives the Braves a proven offensive and defensive force and a clubhouse leader. If the Braves make the post-season in 2017, Brandon Phillips will be a huge reason for it.
Saturday, February 11, 2017
Man Who Beheaded Passenger on Greyhound Bus in Canada Freed
As someone who frequently travels by bus, the 2008 beheading of Tim McLean on a bus travelling from Edmonton to Winnipeg has always stuck with me.
Today, Will Baker (formerly known as Vince Li) the man responsible for McLean's beheading is free:
I'm not unsympathetic to the plight of the mentally ill, but even if Baker isn't criminally responsible it doesn't change the fact he beheaded a man and cannibalized him. He represents a grave threat to the public. His act should preclude him from being reintegrated into society.
I, for one, won't be surprised if he kills again.
Today, Will Baker (formerly known as Vince Li) the man responsible for McLean's beheading is free:
Baker was found to have been suffering from untreated schizophrenia when he stabbed, beheaded and partially cannibalized McLean.
Baker was found not criminally responsible in 2009 and spent seven years in treatment at the Selkirk Mental Health Centre before being allowed to move to Winnipeg, where he was treated at Health Sciences Centre. In 2016, he moved into independent living, but he still had to abide by certain rules including taking medications and going to counselling.
The board's decision means he will no longer be subject to any conditions or monitoring to ensure he takes his medication.
What are the odds that Baker will continue to take his medication? What happens if he discontinues?I'm not unsympathetic to the plight of the mentally ill, but even if Baker isn't criminally responsible it doesn't change the fact he beheaded a man and cannibalized him. He represents a grave threat to the public. His act should preclude him from being reintegrated into society.
I, for one, won't be surprised if he kills again.
Wings of Columbo
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the release of Wim Wenders' romantic fantasy Wings of Desire. Today, I saw Wings of Desire for the very first time.
I've been meaning to see this film for years. After all, Wenders' Paris, Texas is one of my favorite movies of all time. I should have seen this film far sooner.
Stylistically, it alternates between black and white, German and English. Substantively, there is the story of an angel who wishes to be mortal so he can feel pleasure and pain, warmth and cold, bitterness and sweet and above all else love. It is easy to see why Bruno Ganz fell in love with the trapeze artist (played by Solveig Dommartin). Remarkably, Dommartin learned how to be a trapeze artist in a matter of weeks. She looked like she had been doing it her whole life. Sadly, Dommartin died in 2007 of a heart attack at the age of 45.
It was fascinating to see a film depicting Berlin before the fall of the Wall. There is now a whole generation of people who have not known life with the Berlin Wall. Wings of Desire is a reminder of how pervasive it was in the life of Berliners and how large it loomed in the Cold War.
I did not realize Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds were in Wings of Desire. They make the most of their presence.
But the main reason I went to see Wings of Desire was because Peter Falk was in it. Although credited as Der Filmstar he is playing himself. In several internal monologues, he refers to himself as Peter and he is called Peter by the crew of the Holocaust movie he is filming. Others in the film refer to Falk as Columbo. In reality, Falk was the conscience of the film. He too was an angel who preferred mortality and yet knew when he was the presence of other guardians.
After Falk's death in 2011, Wenders wrote a tribute to Falk and the effect he had on people during the shooting of Wings of Desire:
I've been meaning to see this film for years. After all, Wenders' Paris, Texas is one of my favorite movies of all time. I should have seen this film far sooner.
Stylistically, it alternates between black and white, German and English. Substantively, there is the story of an angel who wishes to be mortal so he can feel pleasure and pain, warmth and cold, bitterness and sweet and above all else love. It is easy to see why Bruno Ganz fell in love with the trapeze artist (played by Solveig Dommartin). Remarkably, Dommartin learned how to be a trapeze artist in a matter of weeks. She looked like she had been doing it her whole life. Sadly, Dommartin died in 2007 of a heart attack at the age of 45.
It was fascinating to see a film depicting Berlin before the fall of the Wall. There is now a whole generation of people who have not known life with the Berlin Wall. Wings of Desire is a reminder of how pervasive it was in the life of Berliners and how large it loomed in the Cold War.
I did not realize Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds were in Wings of Desire. They make the most of their presence.
But the main reason I went to see Wings of Desire was because Peter Falk was in it. Although credited as Der Filmstar he is playing himself. In several internal monologues, he refers to himself as Peter and he is called Peter by the crew of the Holocaust movie he is filming. Others in the film refer to Falk as Columbo. In reality, Falk was the conscience of the film. He too was an angel who preferred mortality and yet knew when he was the presence of other guardians.
After Falk's death in 2011, Wenders wrote a tribute to Falk and the effect he had on people during the shooting of Wings of Desire:
Rarely a shoot was so much fun as those days with Peter Falk. Everybody recognized him, of course. As soon as you stood in the street with him, people showed up from everywhere. Pizza bakers came running out of their pizzerias, their hands still full of flour! Buses stopped! Old ladies crossed red lights for the first time in their lives!
I never saw anybody deal with his fame so generously and kindly. Peter Falk shook everybody’s hands, smiled at everybody, gave everybody an autograph, had everybody spell their funny German names, had his picture taken with everybody! With no exception! And everybody walked away happily: “I met Columbo!”
There is little doubt that Falk's appearance in Wings of Desire led to the revival of the Columbo series on ABC in 1989. Although it had its moments, it did not live up the original series be it the acting, ambience and attention to detail. What could have been had Wenders directed a couple of episodes?
Obviously, we will never know the answer. But Peter Falk was an ornament who added another dimension to Wim Wenders' avant-garde European film.
Friday, February 10, 2017
Mike Ilitch, R.I.P.
Mike Ilitch, the founder of Little Caesar's Pizza who later became owner of both the Detroit Red Wings and the Detroit Tigers, has passed away at the age of 87.
Ilitch's business acumen made him a bonafide billionaire and enabled him to become a sports impresario. Under Ilitch's ownership of the Red Wings, Detroit became perennial playoff contenders with four Stanley Cup titles in his tenure. For this, Ilitch was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
A Detroit icon, Ilitch was also a notable philanthropist who utilized his wealth to aid veterans, children and those displaced by natural disasters.
But it's Ilitch's connection to baseball which I remember most. Did you know that before he went into the pizza business, Ilitch was a minor league shortstop in the Tigers, New York Yankees and Washington Senators' organizations from 1952-1955?
A quarter century ago, Ilitch returned to baseball when he bought the Tigers. One of his first acts was to bring back Ernie Harwell to the broadcast booth after he was unceremoniously dumped by previous management after the 1991 season. This was the mark of a mensch.
Ilitch's business acumen made him a bonafide billionaire and enabled him to become a sports impresario. Under Ilitch's ownership of the Red Wings, Detroit became perennial playoff contenders with four Stanley Cup titles in his tenure. For this, Ilitch was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
A Detroit icon, Ilitch was also a notable philanthropist who utilized his wealth to aid veterans, children and those displaced by natural disasters.
But it's Ilitch's connection to baseball which I remember most. Did you know that before he went into the pizza business, Ilitch was a minor league shortstop in the Tigers, New York Yankees and Washington Senators' organizations from 1952-1955?
A quarter century ago, Ilitch returned to baseball when he bought the Tigers. One of his first acts was to bring back Ernie Harwell to the broadcast booth after he was unceremoniously dumped by previous management after the 1991 season. This was the mark of a mensch.
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
If Elizabeth Warren Was Out of Order Regarding Jeff Sessions Then What About Cory Booker?
Let us say for argument's sake that Elizabeth Warren was out of order in reading Coretta Scott King's 1986 letter opposing Jeff Sessions for a judgeship on a federal district court during debate on his confirmation for Attorney General and that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's intervention was warranted.
If indeed Warren was in breach of Rule 19, Section 2 concerning Senate Debate (which reads, "No Senator in debate shall, directly or indirectly, by any form of words impute to another Senator or to other Senators any conduct or motive unworthy or unbecoming a Senator) then why on earth was New Jersey Senator Cory Booker permitted to testify against Sessions during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings? Here is a sample of Booker's testimony which occurred less than four weeks ago:
Surely Rule 19, Section 2 is applicable to Senate Committees as it is to the Senate as a whole. If this is the case then surely Booker certainly imputed conduct or motive unworthy and unbecoming a Senator when he said Sessions "demonstrated a hostility" towards the enforcement of civil rights law. Yet Booker's testimony is now a part of the public record. If Booker's testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee was acceptable then why isn't Warren's attempt to read a 30-year old letter from the widow of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Under these circumstances one must wonder what motivated McConnell in acting as he did. No doubt the words of Coretta Scott King carry a certain amount of moral authority and must be given serious consideration. What other reason would McConnell have to prevent Warren from reading Mrs. King's letter to the late Senator Edward Kennedy if he didn't think it would damage Sessions' chances of confirmation and cause his fellow Republican Senators to waver?
Whatever McConnell's reasons, his move is a political blunder. By preventing Warren from reading Mrs. King's letter he has drawn far more attention to it and to Sessions' conduct earlier in his career than if he had simply let Warren read the letter. Yes, it would have received public attention but McConnell's invocation of Rule 19, Section 2 has given this matter a life of its own. He may come to regret this course of action.
As a deliberative body, the Senate ought to consider the words of Mrs. King 30 years ago against Jeff Sessions just as it ought to consider the words of those who have praised Sessions in the 30 years since especially in the African-American community as both Warren and Booker have questioned his commitment to civil rights. How much weight Mrs. King's letter will have in determining Sessions' confirmation as Attorney General is a matter of debate. Even if he was procedurally correct, Mitch McConnell erred in silencing Elizabeth Warren on the floor of the Senate.
If indeed Warren was in breach of Rule 19, Section 2 concerning Senate Debate (which reads, "No Senator in debate shall, directly or indirectly, by any form of words impute to another Senator or to other Senators any conduct or motive unworthy or unbecoming a Senator) then why on earth was New Jersey Senator Cory Booker permitted to testify against Sessions during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings? Here is a sample of Booker's testimony which occurred less than four weeks ago:
One of the victories of the Modern Civil Rights movement was the 1957 Civil Rights Act, which in effect made the Attorney General not only the chief law enforcement officer of the United States, but also vested in the office the responsibility to pursue civil rights and equal protections for all in America.
Senator Sessions has not demonstrated a commitment to a central requirement of the job – to aggressively pursue the congressional mandate of civil rights, equal rights, and justice for all. In fact, at numerous times in his career, he has demonstrated a hostility toward these convictions, and has worked to frustrate attempts to advance these ideals.
Surely Rule 19, Section 2 is applicable to Senate Committees as it is to the Senate as a whole. If this is the case then surely Booker certainly imputed conduct or motive unworthy and unbecoming a Senator when he said Sessions "demonstrated a hostility" towards the enforcement of civil rights law. Yet Booker's testimony is now a part of the public record. If Booker's testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee was acceptable then why isn't Warren's attempt to read a 30-year old letter from the widow of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Under these circumstances one must wonder what motivated McConnell in acting as he did. No doubt the words of Coretta Scott King carry a certain amount of moral authority and must be given serious consideration. What other reason would McConnell have to prevent Warren from reading Mrs. King's letter to the late Senator Edward Kennedy if he didn't think it would damage Sessions' chances of confirmation and cause his fellow Republican Senators to waver?
Whatever McConnell's reasons, his move is a political blunder. By preventing Warren from reading Mrs. King's letter he has drawn far more attention to it and to Sessions' conduct earlier in his career than if he had simply let Warren read the letter. Yes, it would have received public attention but McConnell's invocation of Rule 19, Section 2 has given this matter a life of its own. He may come to regret this course of action.
As a deliberative body, the Senate ought to consider the words of Mrs. King 30 years ago against Jeff Sessions just as it ought to consider the words of those who have praised Sessions in the 30 years since especially in the African-American community as both Warren and Booker have questioned his commitment to civil rights. How much weight Mrs. King's letter will have in determining Sessions' confirmation as Attorney General is a matter of debate. Even if he was procedurally correct, Mitch McConnell erred in silencing Elizabeth Warren on the floor of the Senate.
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
Sonny Geraci, R.I.P.
Sonny Geraci, the lead vocalist for the 1960's garage rock band The Outsiders and the 1970's soft rock band Climax, passed away on February 5th at the age of 70. Geraci had been in declining health following a brain aneurysm in 2012.
In 1966, The Outsiders hit the charts with "Time Won't Let Me". Six years later, music lovers would be reacquainted with Geraci's voice as "Precious and Few" topped the charts for Climax. Geraci would never replicate that success and was away from the music business for decades until he hit the oldies circuit about a decade ago. These two songs, as different as they are, have stood the test of time in no small part due to Geraci's expressive vocals. R.I.P.
In 1966, The Outsiders hit the charts with "Time Won't Let Me". Six years later, music lovers would be reacquainted with Geraci's voice as "Precious and Few" topped the charts for Climax. Geraci would never replicate that success and was away from the music business for decades until he hit the oldies circuit about a decade ago. These two songs, as different as they are, have stood the test of time in no small part due to Geraci's expressive vocals. R.I.P.
Belated Thoughts on The Patriots Parade & Rally
Although the New England Patriots have won five Super Bowl titles over the past 15 years, today marked the first time I had attended one of their parades.
There was a very simple reason. The parade and rally concluded at Boston City Hall and my office is opposite it. So as you can see by the picture I quite literally had a bird's eye view of the proceedings.
It was quite a chaotic scene. Millions of people, many of them sloshed out of their skulls. Bad weather. But I have no doubt that fans from the 31 other NFL teams would gladly trade places with us none more so than Atlanta.
Honestly, it has been an embarrassment of riches over the past 15 years - five Super Bowl titles, three World Series championship, a NBA Final and a Stanley Cup. To paraphrase President Trump, "Boston has done so much winning it should be sick of it."
Of course the nature of Sunday's epic comeback renders such a sentiment impossible. Indeed, the crowd chanted, "We want six!!!" We want six!!!"
Once you start winning you don't want to stop and expectations don't get any higher than in Boston.
Still, it's important to enjoy the good old days.
Monday, February 6, 2017
Thoughts on The Trump Admin's List of 78 "Undereported" Islamic Terrorist Attacks
After President Trump took heat for claiming the media was intentionally under reporting Islamic terrorist attacks, the White House released a list of 78 attacks from September 2014 to July 2016 which they claim the media glossed over.
To be sure, there are some attacks that certainly warranted more attention than they received such as the attack at the bakery in Dhaka, Bangladesh last July which claimed 24 lives, mostly non-Muslim tourists from Italy and Japan although six Bangladeshi Muslims were also killed in the attack. Although an American was killed in the attack, our media generally doesn't devote the same space to terrorist attacks which occur in non-Western countries. There's a legitimate criticism to be made, but I don't think that's the criticism Trump is trying to make here.
After all, White House also included the attacks in San Bernardino and Orlando in the under reported category as well as the October 2014 Ottawa attack, the November 2015 Paris attacks and last year's attack in both Belgium and Nice, France on Bastille Day.
Given that the San Bernardino attack precipitated Trump's Muslim policy its inclusion just doesn't make sense. The same can be said for Orlando which he made a point of saying he was right about Muslim terrorism. Given that a majority of the victims were from the LGBT community, the suggestion the attack wasn't adequately covered is downright bizarre.
Curiously, Trump's list mentions neither the beheading attack at Vaughan Foods in Moore, Oklahoma in September 2014 nor the attack on two military installations in Chattanooga, Tennessee which claimed the lives of four Marines and a Navy sailor. Both of those attacks received far less coverage than either San Bernardino or Orlando.
The list, however, does mention the May 2015 attack at the Muhammad cartoon event in Garland, Texas. The attack occurred a month before Trump launched his presidential campaign. Its inclusion is curious given how Trump criticized conference organizer Pamela Geller for organizing the conference and "taunting people."
The long and the short of it is that Trump got called out for saying something stupid and the White House had to cobble together an impressive looking list. While there may be some kernel of truths in some of the Islamic terrorist attacks listed, the inclusion of San Bernardino and Orlando while excluding Vaughan Foods and Chattanooga completely undermines an already weak argument.
If President Trump truly wants to stop Islamic terrorism, he would be better served in coming up with a viable counter terrorism strategy rather than to impose arbitrary immigration and travel bans and making accusations against the media which he cannot back up.
To be sure, there are some attacks that certainly warranted more attention than they received such as the attack at the bakery in Dhaka, Bangladesh last July which claimed 24 lives, mostly non-Muslim tourists from Italy and Japan although six Bangladeshi Muslims were also killed in the attack. Although an American was killed in the attack, our media generally doesn't devote the same space to terrorist attacks which occur in non-Western countries. There's a legitimate criticism to be made, but I don't think that's the criticism Trump is trying to make here.
After all, White House also included the attacks in San Bernardino and Orlando in the under reported category as well as the October 2014 Ottawa attack, the November 2015 Paris attacks and last year's attack in both Belgium and Nice, France on Bastille Day.
Given that the San Bernardino attack precipitated Trump's Muslim policy its inclusion just doesn't make sense. The same can be said for Orlando which he made a point of saying he was right about Muslim terrorism. Given that a majority of the victims were from the LGBT community, the suggestion the attack wasn't adequately covered is downright bizarre.
Curiously, Trump's list mentions neither the beheading attack at Vaughan Foods in Moore, Oklahoma in September 2014 nor the attack on two military installations in Chattanooga, Tennessee which claimed the lives of four Marines and a Navy sailor. Both of those attacks received far less coverage than either San Bernardino or Orlando.
The list, however, does mention the May 2015 attack at the Muhammad cartoon event in Garland, Texas. The attack occurred a month before Trump launched his presidential campaign. Its inclusion is curious given how Trump criticized conference organizer Pamela Geller for organizing the conference and "taunting people."
The long and the short of it is that Trump got called out for saying something stupid and the White House had to cobble together an impressive looking list. While there may be some kernel of truths in some of the Islamic terrorist attacks listed, the inclusion of San Bernardino and Orlando while excluding Vaughan Foods and Chattanooga completely undermines an already weak argument.
If President Trump truly wants to stop Islamic terrorism, he would be better served in coming up with a viable counter terrorism strategy rather than to impose arbitrary immigration and travel bans and making accusations against the media which he cannot back up.
President Reagan Would Have Never Said, "We've Got a Lot of Killers."
Today marks the 106th anniversary of Ronald Reagan's birth. In thinking of our 40th President, I cannot help but contrast him with our 45th President.
Can anyone honestly imagine President Reagan defending human rights abuses by the Soviet Union?
Can anyone honestly imagine President Reagan defending Vladimir Putin?
Can anyone honestly being asked a question about human rights in the Soviet Union and telling an interviewer, "We've got a lot of killers. What, do you think our country is so innocent?"
The answer to all three questions is the same.
The fact that President Trump would answer all three questions differently tells us not only that the Republican Party has changed but that conservatism in the 21st Century no longer stands for American exceptionalism and liberty.
If Ronald Reagan were alive today I can't help but think that he might tell us, "I didn't move away from the Republican Party. The Republican Party moved away from me."
Can anyone honestly imagine President Reagan defending human rights abuses by the Soviet Union?
Can anyone honestly imagine President Reagan defending Vladimir Putin?
Can anyone honestly being asked a question about human rights in the Soviet Union and telling an interviewer, "We've got a lot of killers. What, do you think our country is so innocent?"
The answer to all three questions is the same.
The fact that President Trump would answer all three questions differently tells us not only that the Republican Party has changed but that conservatism in the 21st Century no longer stands for American exceptionalism and liberty.
If Ronald Reagan were alive today I can't help but think that he might tell us, "I didn't move away from the Republican Party. The Republican Party moved away from me."
Which Was The Greater Comeback? The 2004 Red Sox in ALCS or The 2016 Patriots in Super Bowl LI?
During Fox 25's post-Super Bowl coverage, they ran a poll asking viewers which comeback was greater - the Boston Red Sox coming back from a 0-3 deficit in the 2004 American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees or the New England Patriots coming back from a 25-point deficit to win their fifth Super Bowl title. A worthy question given they were such joyous occasions in Boston sports history and completely without precedent.
The poll was pretty even running 50-50. As I recall, the Pats had a 52%-48% edge at the conclusion.
I don't begrudge anyone who opted for the Pats comeback. After all, people were still absorbing the enormity of what happened. While the Red Sox comeback played itself out over four long days, the Patriots did their magic in the space of about 40 minutes.
I didn't vote in the poll, but if I had I would have to go with the Red Sox. The Patriots, after all, have four Super Bowl rings. But in 2004, the Red Sox were still seeking their first World Series title in 86 years. Although they still awaited the St. Louis Cardinals, the fact that they had beat the hated Yankees was bigger than winning the World Series itself. Last night's catharsis was last night. The Patriots and Falcons rivalry is in its infancy. Sure there was the delight in gaining a measure of vengeance over NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and put the air back into the balloon which had been deflated at the beginning of the season. But the catharsis in 2004 was a release of nearly a century of frustration and futility. The fact that poll was so close gives one an understanding of how important the 2004 Red Sox triumph is in New England more than a decade after the fact.
Nevertheless, I will gladly take last night's triumph. It might not be the greatest comeback in New England sports history, it is certainly the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history and, for that matter, NFL history. It is a triumph well worth savoring.
The poll was pretty even running 50-50. As I recall, the Pats had a 52%-48% edge at the conclusion.
I don't begrudge anyone who opted for the Pats comeback. After all, people were still absorbing the enormity of what happened. While the Red Sox comeback played itself out over four long days, the Patriots did their magic in the space of about 40 minutes.
I didn't vote in the poll, but if I had I would have to go with the Red Sox. The Patriots, after all, have four Super Bowl rings. But in 2004, the Red Sox were still seeking their first World Series title in 86 years. Although they still awaited the St. Louis Cardinals, the fact that they had beat the hated Yankees was bigger than winning the World Series itself. Last night's catharsis was last night. The Patriots and Falcons rivalry is in its infancy. Sure there was the delight in gaining a measure of vengeance over NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and put the air back into the balloon which had been deflated at the beginning of the season. But the catharsis in 2004 was a release of nearly a century of frustration and futility. The fact that poll was so close gives one an understanding of how important the 2004 Red Sox triumph is in New England more than a decade after the fact.
Nevertheless, I will gladly take last night's triumph. It might not be the greatest comeback in New England sports history, it is certainly the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history and, for that matter, NFL history. It is a triumph well worth savoring.
Sunday, February 5, 2017
Patriots Win Their Fifth Super Bowl Title With An Astonishing 31-Point Comeback
I have to be honest.
I came so close to turning away from Super Bowl LI to watch Columbo.
Folks in this area knew the Atlanta Falcons were going to be tough especially with NFL MVP Matt Ryan. The Falcons were up 21-3 at the half and up 28-3 late in the 3rd quarter. The Pats scored a touchdown late that quarter, but a Stephen Gostkowski missed a routine field goal by kicking one off the post.
The Pats began the fourth quarter down 28-9. Tom Brady had been sacked so many times he looked every bit his 39 years. But the Pats dug deep in the fourth quarter. After a Gostkowski field goal, Brady led two touchdown drives (with two point conversions) to tie the game and send it into overtime for the first time in Super Bowl history. The Pats had a lot of breaks go their way especially Julian Edelman's catch despite three Falcons on top of him on the ground.
The Pats won the coin toss and 75-yard drive was capped by a two yard rush by James White to give New England its fifth Super Bowl title in 15 years. The Pats came back from a 25 point deficit when no team ever had to overcome a gap of more than 10 points.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell must have been deflated when handing the Vince Lombardi Trophy to Patriots owner Bob Kraft. Tom Brady was named Super Bowl MVP for the fourth time in his illustrious career. Brady can call it a career right now. What else is there to prove? He can retire the greatest quarterback in NFL history.
Whatever Brady's future holds, there is a Super Bowl parade to be marched. I've never been to one. If it passes through Government Center that will change. To quote Carly Simon, "These are the good old days."
I came so close to turning away from Super Bowl LI to watch Columbo.
Folks in this area knew the Atlanta Falcons were going to be tough especially with NFL MVP Matt Ryan. The Falcons were up 21-3 at the half and up 28-3 late in the 3rd quarter. The Pats scored a touchdown late that quarter, but a Stephen Gostkowski missed a routine field goal by kicking one off the post.
The Pats began the fourth quarter down 28-9. Tom Brady had been sacked so many times he looked every bit his 39 years. But the Pats dug deep in the fourth quarter. After a Gostkowski field goal, Brady led two touchdown drives (with two point conversions) to tie the game and send it into overtime for the first time in Super Bowl history. The Pats had a lot of breaks go their way especially Julian Edelman's catch despite three Falcons on top of him on the ground.
The Pats won the coin toss and 75-yard drive was capped by a two yard rush by James White to give New England its fifth Super Bowl title in 15 years. The Pats came back from a 25 point deficit when no team ever had to overcome a gap of more than 10 points.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell must have been deflated when handing the Vince Lombardi Trophy to Patriots owner Bob Kraft. Tom Brady was named Super Bowl MVP for the fourth time in his illustrious career. Brady can call it a career right now. What else is there to prove? He can retire the greatest quarterback in NFL history.
Whatever Brady's future holds, there is a Super Bowl parade to be marched. I've never been to one. If it passes through Government Center that will change. To quote Carly Simon, "These are the good old days."
Who Are Our Killers President Trump?
One of the things which astonishes me about the conservative embrace of Donald Trump is that it has been done despite his virulent anti-Americanism?
When Bill O'Reilly declared Russian President Vladimir Putin to be a killer in his pre-Super Bowl interview with Trump, the President said, "There are a lot of killers. We have a lot of killers. Well, you think our country is so innocent."
It was reminiscent of when Trump was challenged by Joe Scarborough in 2015 about Putin's human rights record against journalists, the President said, "Well, I think that our country does plenty of killing, too, Joe."
So President Trump is now twice on record that he believes the United States does plenty of killing and that we have a lot of killers.
If President Trump says this a third time, someone must ask him three questions.
Who are our killers?
Who have they killed?
What are their names?
If President Trump is ever asked these questions and answers them I suspect he will be every bit as anti-American as the people at Berkeley who rioted against him the other night.
When Bill O'Reilly declared Russian President Vladimir Putin to be a killer in his pre-Super Bowl interview with Trump, the President said, "There are a lot of killers. We have a lot of killers. Well, you think our country is so innocent."
It was reminiscent of when Trump was challenged by Joe Scarborough in 2015 about Putin's human rights record against journalists, the President said, "Well, I think that our country does plenty of killing, too, Joe."
So President Trump is now twice on record that he believes the United States does plenty of killing and that we have a lot of killers.
If President Trump says this a third time, someone must ask him three questions.
Who are our killers?
Who have they killed?
What are their names?
If President Trump is ever asked these questions and answers them I suspect he will be every bit as anti-American as the people at Berkeley who rioted against him the other night.
A Political Baseball: My Reply to Nicholas Frankovich on Curt Schilling
You may recall that last month, I got my first article published at National Review Online last month arguing that Curt Schilling shouldn't be excluded from the Baseball Hall of Fame because of his support for President Trump and his conservative politics generally.
NRO editor Nicholas Frankovich has weighed in on The Corner and takes issue with my argument:
A few problems dog that theory. One is that Schilling did better in the 2017 voting than he’s done on average in his five years of eligibility. Remember, the procedure is that every baseball writer with a vote selects up to ten names from a list. Most writers select fewer than ten. In 2017, the percentage who included Schilling among their picks was lower than in 2016 but higher than in 2013, 2014, and 2015, his only other years on the ballot. (Frankovich produces a graph).
You could come up with a hundred theories for why the dips (2014, 2017) and the spike (2015–16) occurred when they did. Aaron correlates the second dip, but not the earlier dip or the spike, with Schilling’s political activism. I don’t see it.
Frankovich swings and misses. I devoted two paragraphs to correlating the first dip:
Yet when the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) unveiled the results of the 2017 Hall of Fame balloting on January 17, Schilling was selected on only 45 percent of the ballots. (Each voter may select a maximum of ten players.) That was well short of the 75 percent required for induction. What was eye-popping was that his share of the vote in 2016 was 52.3 percent. Of course, this isn’t the first time Schilling’s vote total has dropped. In 2014, his second year of eligibility, his vote declined from 38.8 to 29.2 percent. That was not attributable to politics. Rather, the juggernaut of Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and Frank Thomas, on the ballot for the first time, depressed the vote of other players. Jeff Bagwell and Tim Raines, who will be inducted in July, along with Ivan Rodriguez, saw their vote drop 5.3 and 6.1 percentage points, respectively. Four other players saw their vote drop off in double-digit percentage points (Lee Smith, 17.9 percent; Alan Trammell, 12.8 percent; Larry Walker, 11.4 percent; and Edgar Martinez, 10.7 percent). The same cannot be said for 2017. The only other player whose vote total declined this year was Billy Wagner, at a statistically insignificant 0.3 percentage points.
It is worth noting that while Schilling’s vote fell 7.3 percent this year, Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds, whose storied careers were tainted by legal problems that arose from alleged PED use, gained 8.9 percent and 9.5 percent and increased their totals to 54.1 percent and 53.8 percent, respectively. It is also worth noting that Schilling, Clemens, and Bonds have five years left on the Hall of Fame ballot. When they reached the ballot in 2013, who would have thought that Clemens and Bonds would have a greater chance of enshrinement than Schilling?
Aside from Bonds and Clemens, six other players had vote increases of 5% or more Three of those players (including 2017 Hall of Fame inductees Jeff Bagwell and Tim Raines) had double digit vote increases. If other players had experienced a significant drop on this year's ballot then Frankovich might have a valid point.
Frankovich also argues that Schilling is a borderline Hall of Famer. He is on firmer ground here. The problem is that several prominent baseball writers have publicly stated that Schilling's politics, not his accomplishments on the diamond is their reason for excluding him from Cooperstown such as Dan Shaughnessy and Jon Heyman with many others following their lead. With President Trump not likely going away anytime soon there is a good chance that politics will trump pitching where it concerns Schilling's Hall of Fame prospects. This would be most unfortunate.
NRO editor Nicholas Frankovich has weighed in on The Corner and takes issue with my argument:
A few problems dog that theory. One is that Schilling did better in the 2017 voting than he’s done on average in his five years of eligibility. Remember, the procedure is that every baseball writer with a vote selects up to ten names from a list. Most writers select fewer than ten. In 2017, the percentage who included Schilling among their picks was lower than in 2016 but higher than in 2013, 2014, and 2015, his only other years on the ballot. (Frankovich produces a graph).
You could come up with a hundred theories for why the dips (2014, 2017) and the spike (2015–16) occurred when they did. Aaron correlates the second dip, but not the earlier dip or the spike, with Schilling’s political activism. I don’t see it.
Frankovich swings and misses. I devoted two paragraphs to correlating the first dip:
Yet when the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) unveiled the results of the 2017 Hall of Fame balloting on January 17, Schilling was selected on only 45 percent of the ballots. (Each voter may select a maximum of ten players.) That was well short of the 75 percent required for induction. What was eye-popping was that his share of the vote in 2016 was 52.3 percent. Of course, this isn’t the first time Schilling’s vote total has dropped. In 2014, his second year of eligibility, his vote declined from 38.8 to 29.2 percent. That was not attributable to politics. Rather, the juggernaut of Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and Frank Thomas, on the ballot for the first time, depressed the vote of other players. Jeff Bagwell and Tim Raines, who will be inducted in July, along with Ivan Rodriguez, saw their vote drop 5.3 and 6.1 percentage points, respectively. Four other players saw their vote drop off in double-digit percentage points (Lee Smith, 17.9 percent; Alan Trammell, 12.8 percent; Larry Walker, 11.4 percent; and Edgar Martinez, 10.7 percent). The same cannot be said for 2017. The only other player whose vote total declined this year was Billy Wagner, at a statistically insignificant 0.3 percentage points.
It is worth noting that while Schilling’s vote fell 7.3 percent this year, Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds, whose storied careers were tainted by legal problems that arose from alleged PED use, gained 8.9 percent and 9.5 percent and increased their totals to 54.1 percent and 53.8 percent, respectively. It is also worth noting that Schilling, Clemens, and Bonds have five years left on the Hall of Fame ballot. When they reached the ballot in 2013, who would have thought that Clemens and Bonds would have a greater chance of enshrinement than Schilling?
Aside from Bonds and Clemens, six other players had vote increases of 5% or more Three of those players (including 2017 Hall of Fame inductees Jeff Bagwell and Tim Raines) had double digit vote increases. If other players had experienced a significant drop on this year's ballot then Frankovich might have a valid point.
Frankovich also argues that Schilling is a borderline Hall of Famer. He is on firmer ground here. The problem is that several prominent baseball writers have publicly stated that Schilling's politics, not his accomplishments on the diamond is their reason for excluding him from Cooperstown such as Dan Shaughnessy and Jon Heyman with many others following their lead. With President Trump not likely going away anytime soon there is a good chance that politics will trump pitching where it concerns Schilling's Hall of Fame prospects. This would be most unfortunate.
Friday, February 3, 2017
Why Is Trump Going After Israel on Settlements?
After wooing Israel, the Trump Administration has begun to turn the screws. The White House admonished Israel for its recent moves announcing the expansion of 5,500 settlements calling it "unilateral" and "undermining" peace efforts towards a two-state solution. One might have thought President Obama had never moved out of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
It seems that Trump, ever the deal maker, wants to make what he once called "the ultimate deal" and bring Israel and the Palestinians to the table. But Trump has fallen into the trap of making this about settlements. If I've said it once, I've said a thousand times. If the settlements ended tomorrow, the Palestinians would not be mollified. They think Israel is one big settlement.
If Trump does bring Israel and the Palestinians to the table it will be more of the same. Israel will be expected to makes concessions and more concessions. The Palestinians ignore the terms of the deal and the White House turns a blind eye to preserve the deal for the sake of preserving the deal and President Trump's legacy.
Honestly, I'm not surprised Trump has taken this turn. He has criticized Israel for not being willing to make peace despite making numerous offers and has also suggested the U.S. must be neutral where it concerns Israel and the Palestinians. So I've never taken his overtures to Israel seriously. Any President truly committed to the future of a Jewish state would not exclude Jews from a statement commemorating Holocaust Remembrance Day.
It seems that Trump, ever the deal maker, wants to make what he once called "the ultimate deal" and bring Israel and the Palestinians to the table. But Trump has fallen into the trap of making this about settlements. If I've said it once, I've said a thousand times. If the settlements ended tomorrow, the Palestinians would not be mollified. They think Israel is one big settlement.
If Trump does bring Israel and the Palestinians to the table it will be more of the same. Israel will be expected to makes concessions and more concessions. The Palestinians ignore the terms of the deal and the White House turns a blind eye to preserve the deal for the sake of preserving the deal and President Trump's legacy.
Honestly, I'm not surprised Trump has taken this turn. He has criticized Israel for not being willing to make peace despite making numerous offers and has also suggested the U.S. must be neutral where it concerns Israel and the Palestinians. So I've never taken his overtures to Israel seriously. Any President truly committed to the future of a Jewish state would not exclude Jews from a statement commemorating Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Thursday, February 2, 2017
Thoughts on Neil Gorsuch's High School Extracurricular Activities
As someone who had swastikas drawn on my locker and elsewhere while attending high school I might not be particularly amused by a classmate who starts a Fascism Forever Club.
With that said, there is no evidence to suggest that Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch did anything so malevolent. It is more likely the term fascist was deployed in a tongue and cheek manner.
The fact that attention is being paid to Gorsuch's activities three decades ago is an indication that there is nothing worthy of objection in his judicial career. Whatever juvenile inclinations Gorsuch may have had at Georgetown Prep did not remain with him into adulthood. The same, however, cannot be said of the man who appointed him to the Supreme Court.
With that said, there is no evidence to suggest that Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch did anything so malevolent. It is more likely the term fascist was deployed in a tongue and cheek manner.
The fact that attention is being paid to Gorsuch's activities three decades ago is an indication that there is nothing worthy of objection in his judicial career. Whatever juvenile inclinations Gorsuch may have had at Georgetown Prep did not remain with him into adulthood. The same, however, cannot be said of the man who appointed him to the Supreme Court.
Wednesday, February 1, 2017
John Wetton, R.I.P.
Singer-songwriter and bass player John Wetton passed away on January 31st of colon cancer. He was 67.
Wetton was a prog rock icon best known for his tenure with King Crimson in the 1970's and Asia in the early 1980's. He also had a brief tenure in Uriah Heep and was frequent collaborator of Bryan Ferry and Roxy Music as well as his former Asia bandmate Geoff Downes.
Asia consisted of Wetton, Downes and Steve Howe of Yes and Carl Palmer of Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Wetton and Downes would co-write their biggest hit "Heat of The Moment" (with Wetton on lead vocal) which was one of the most popular songs of 1982. R.I.P.
Wetton was a prog rock icon best known for his tenure with King Crimson in the 1970's and Asia in the early 1980's. He also had a brief tenure in Uriah Heep and was frequent collaborator of Bryan Ferry and Roxy Music as well as his former Asia bandmate Geoff Downes.
Asia consisted of Wetton, Downes and Steve Howe of Yes and Carl Palmer of Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Wetton and Downes would co-write their biggest hit "Heat of The Moment" (with Wetton on lead vocal) which was one of the most popular songs of 1982. R.I.P.
Feeling Down Under or With an Ally Like Trump Who Needs Enemies?
Does it surprise anyone that President Trump would berate and hang up on an ally like Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull?
Of course it doesn't.
It's not like Trump has an abundance of friends. You would think Trump would want to cultivate an Anglo ally as he has with British Prime Minister Theresa May. Like May, Turnbull is a conservative (unless Trump let the Liberal Party banner fool him).
Now I'm well aware what a prick President Obama was to Benjamin Netanyahu. But with an ally like Trump who needs enemies? His ego is so monumental that even the mildest of disagreements become international crises and to quote The Carpenters we've only just begun. If this is how things are not even two weeks in I shudder to imagine what things will be like in two months.
Of course it doesn't.
It's not like Trump has an abundance of friends. You would think Trump would want to cultivate an Anglo ally as he has with British Prime Minister Theresa May. Like May, Turnbull is a conservative (unless Trump let the Liberal Party banner fool him).
Now I'm well aware what a prick President Obama was to Benjamin Netanyahu. But with an ally like Trump who needs enemies? His ego is so monumental that even the mildest of disagreements become international crises and to quote The Carpenters we've only just begun. If this is how things are not even two weeks in I shudder to imagine what things will be like in two months.
Any Republican President Would Have Appointed Neil Gorsuch
I have no objections to President Trump's appointment of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court.
Conservatives who are heaping praise upon Trump for decision should ask themselves this question. Would any of the other 16 Republican presidential hopefuls have appointed Gorsuch or someone with equivalent credentials? And if conservatives are honest with themselves the answer would be a resounding yes. So I don't think what Trump did here was particularly exceptional.
Of course, we have no idea how Gorsuch will vote or rule. The other night I saw the The Dick Cavett Show. It was recorded in June 1969 and Cavett was interviewing James J. Kilpatrick. While Kilpatrick was "enraptured" with President Nixon's appointment of Warren Burger to the Court he did caution there was no guarantee how he would rule. No doubt Kilpatrick was disappointed with Burger when he voted with the majority on Roe v. Wade a mere 3½ years later. Kilpatrick further noted that he was disappointed with President Eisenhower's appointments of Earl Warren and William Brennan, Jr. Indeed, Kilpatrick lambasted Brennan for writing an article for Playboy Magazine. If Kilpatrick was offended with Brennan for writing for Playboy, I wonder how he would have felt about Trump for posing on the cover of Playboy. But I digress.
Sure conservatives like Gorsuch now. But who can say that Gorsuch won't uphold a controversial law signed into law by a Democratic President? Did anyone cast John Roberts in that role when President Bush appointed him to the Court in 2005? Hardly.
Simply put conservatives might celebrate Gorsuch. But one day they could damn him and, dare I say, damn Trump for appointing him.
Conservatives who are heaping praise upon Trump for decision should ask themselves this question. Would any of the other 16 Republican presidential hopefuls have appointed Gorsuch or someone with equivalent credentials? And if conservatives are honest with themselves the answer would be a resounding yes. So I don't think what Trump did here was particularly exceptional.
Of course, we have no idea how Gorsuch will vote or rule. The other night I saw the The Dick Cavett Show. It was recorded in June 1969 and Cavett was interviewing James J. Kilpatrick. While Kilpatrick was "enraptured" with President Nixon's appointment of Warren Burger to the Court he did caution there was no guarantee how he would rule. No doubt Kilpatrick was disappointed with Burger when he voted with the majority on Roe v. Wade a mere 3½ years later. Kilpatrick further noted that he was disappointed with President Eisenhower's appointments of Earl Warren and William Brennan, Jr. Indeed, Kilpatrick lambasted Brennan for writing an article for Playboy Magazine. If Kilpatrick was offended with Brennan for writing for Playboy, I wonder how he would have felt about Trump for posing on the cover of Playboy. But I digress.
Sure conservatives like Gorsuch now. But who can say that Gorsuch won't uphold a controversial law signed into law by a Democratic President? Did anyone cast John Roberts in that role when President Bush appointed him to the Court in 2005? Hardly.
Simply put conservatives might celebrate Gorsuch. But one day they could damn him and, dare I say, damn Trump for appointing him.