Marjorie Taylor Greene Compares Everyone to Nazis Except Actual Nazis

Congresswoman (and de facto Speaker of the House of Representatives) Marjorie Taylor Greene has long had a habit of comparing people and things she dislikes to Nazis.

On Thursday, Greene took to Twitter to claim Ukrainian President Zelensky has a "Nazi Army." Of course, it isn't the first time she has invoked the Nazis when it comes to Ukraine. In March 2022, she criticized U.S. military aid to Ukraine by asking, (I)s this money and is this United States military equipment falling into the hands of Nazis in Ukraine?”

In May 2021, Greene likened COVID mask mandates to the Holocaust. Although Greene would offer an apology the following month after a visit to the U.S. Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C., only weeks later characterized federal efforts at vaccinating Americans against COVID as "brownshirts". In October 2021, Greene used the term "vaccine Nazis" during an appearance with former Trump advisor Steve Bannon. 

The only people Greene doesn't call Nazis are, well, actual Nazis such as Nick Fuentes. In February 2022, Greene spoke at Fuentes' America First Political Action Conference (AFPAC). Greene claimed she knew nothing of Fuentes or the things for which he stands. I believe that about as much as I believed her "apology" at the U.S. Holocaust Museum. 

When Marjorie Taylor Greene calls someone or something a Nazi, she is merely projecting her own views. No doubt she will tell us exactly who she is again very soon.

Could The Supreme Court's Decision Ending Race Based Affirmative Action for College Admissions Help Republicans?

The U.S. Supreme Court today ruled that affirmative action policies by colleges and universities based on race are unconstitutional. 

This ruling comes just over a year after the Court overturned Roe v. Wade. 

While both decisions are historical and monumental that is where the similarity ends.

Overturning Roe was a deeply unpopular decision and helped Democrats retain the Senate and played a significant role in stopping the red wave in the House. One of the reasons for this was that it emboldened Republicans to enact or try to enact more restrictive abortion laws around the country galvanizing Democrats and independent voters. But even conservatively inclined voters in Kansas thought this was a bridge too far and they too chose to keep abortion legal last August.

While Democrats are every bit as outraged by this decision as they were by Dobbs last year as evidenced by President Biden's remarks, public opinion has a very different view of affirmative action in colleges and universities than they do abortion. At the time of the ruling, a Pew Research poll indicated 61% of Americans agreed abortion should be legal in most or all cases with 37% disagreeing. 

So, what does Pew have to say about affirmative action in colleges and universities? According to a Pew poll released earlier this month, 50% of Americans disapprove of race-based admissions policies while only 33% approve. Whites disapprove of race-based admissions policy by a near 2 to 1 margin (57% to 29%) with Asians disapproving 52% to 37%. Hispanics are evenly split on the subject at 39% apiece with only African Americans approving of race-based affirmative action policies (47% to 29%).

Of course, African Americans are a core, if not the very core of the Democratic Party's base and pressure will likely come to bear to do something regarding the Court's decision. But Democrats must be careful where it concerns affirmative action (be it at the collegiate level or in the job market) because this is a policy area which Republicans could exploit to their advantage. Republicans have spent most of their time deep in cult of personality and conspiracy theories and have been light on public policy. The GOP could be effective in peeling off Asian and Hispanic voters if they focus on an issue and do it in a way which resonates with those communities.

But focus isn't a Republican strong suit so long as they ask how high when defeated, former President Trump tells them to jump. There's a good chance that any opposition to race based affirmative action policies could be obscured by talk of critical race theory and white replacement theory not to mention whatever happens to be irritating Trump at the moment be it Jack Smith's family, Kevin McCarthy or washers and dryers. 

Notwithstanding the crazy, Democrats have to thread a very fine needle when it comes to affirmative action at colleges and universities. 

Thoughts on Domingo German's Perfect Game

I haven't had a great deal to say about the 2023 MLB season aside from the short-lived success of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Jacob deGrom's Tommy John surgery. 

However, a perfect game is always worthy of discussion. Last night, New York Yankees pitcher Domingo German retired all 27 Oakland A's batters he faced en route to an 11-0 victory by the Bronx Bombers. 

It was the 24th perfect game in MLB history and first since Felix Hernandez did so in August 2012 while with the Seattle Mariners. Interestingly, there were three perfect games that year with Philip Humber and Matt Cain also attaining perfection while on the mound with the Chicago White Sox and San Francisco Giants, respectively. 

As for Yankees lore, it is the fourth in franchise history. Don Larsen tossed his perfect game in the 1956 World Series while David Wells and David Cone attained baseball immortality during the Yankees' championship seasons in 1998 and 1999. Notably Larsen and Yogi Berra were present for Cone's perfect game. 

Prior to last night, the 30-year-old Dominican born hurler had been struggling on the mound for the most of this season. Last month, German received a 10-game suspension after being caught using a foreign substance while pitching against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. In his previous two starts against the Boston Red Sox and Seattle Mariners, German had surrendered 15 earned runs over 5.1 innings pitched. Needless to say, last night's performance was a complete reversal of fortune. Granted he was facing an A's team which could end up being even worse than the 1962 New York Mets. But even really bad teams can muster some hits and runs most days. So, German's achievement on the mound is no small feat.

Of course, German's achievement has some cloud cover. In 2019, German was having a breakthrough season winning 18 games. German had a chance at 20 wins but late that season but was placed on administrative leave in mid-September following a domestic violence incident with his girlfriend at a Yankees charity event which continued in their home. German's suspension would last through the COVID shortened 2020 season. Some media outlets aren't having any of German's triumph with others suggesting that German has turned the corner. 

On one hand, I can understand being leery towards German and wanting to shun him instead of showering praise. On the other hand, it is entirely possible that he is genuinely remorseful for what he did and will never behave in that way again and live an exemplary life. One can only hope but one never knows what goes on behind closed doors. Whether German is a good person or a bad person, he has made baseball history.

There Would Have Been No Attempted Coup in Russia Had Putin Stayed Out of Ukraine

Just a couple of thoughts on recent events in Russia. 

First and foremost, there would never have been coup attempt in Russia had Vladimir Putin stayed out of Ukraine. This might be stating the obvious but sometimes the obvious is well worth stating. After all, when Russia invaded Ukraine no one in Russia, least of all, Putin thought the war would last 16 months let alone 16 days. Putin thought Kyiv would fall in 48 hours. 

Second, the fact that the war is nearly halfway through its second year has made Putin vulnerable and Yegevny Prigozhin of the Wagner Group decided to test that vulnerability. Now I'm skeptical of Prigozhin's motives. On one hand, he claims Putin invaded Ukraine under false pretenses but was more than happy to be part of those pretenses and began doing Russia's dirty work in Ukraine nearly a decade ago. Prigozhin claimed his march on Moscow was a "master class" on how Russia should have conquered Kyiv. 

From where I sit, I think Prigozhin wants to be Russia's next Minister of Defense as much of his ire has been directed towards Sergei Shoigu, rather than towards Putin. While Putin would hate to appoint a man whose organization he described as "traitors" to the post making Prigozhin his Minister of Defense would be a classic case of keeping his friends close and his enemies closer.

At the moment Prigozhin is in Belarus following a deal brokered by Belarusian President Lukashenko. Some say Prigozhin is a "dead man walking." This is certainly possible, but I think killing Prigozhin would be a mistake as it would turn him into a martyr and incite Russians to take the streets thus further undermining the war effort in Ukraine. Frankly, I don't think Prigozhin is any better than Putin as the people of Mali will attest. However, unlike Putin, Prigozhin has improved his standing among Russians in recent days. 

Naturally, I don't underestimate Putin. Like all dictators, he plays for keeps. Putin will continue to prosecute the war in Ukraine come hell or high water. We can expect more missile attacks which kill Ukrainian teenagers enjoying a pizza. But Ukraine will continue to stand firm and hit back at Russia. So long as it does then Ukraine will be winning the war and Putin's vulnerability will soon be tested again be it by Prigozhin or some other forces.

Julian Sands, R.I.P.

Remains found near Mount Baldy in near Los Angeles were today identified as belonging to actor Julian Sands who disappeared while hiking in the area back in January. Sands was 65.

He was an experienced mountaineer. Sadly, experience isn't always enough to overcome nature's cruel winds.

The British born actor appeared in films such as The Killing Fields, A Room With a View, Warlock, Boxing Helena and Leaving Las Vegas and Ocean's Thirteen as well as TV series such as 24 and Smallville. I particularly remember Sands for his portrayal of photojournalist Jon Swain in The Killing Fields alongside Sam Waterston, Haing S. Ngor and John Malkovich. Sands was in his mid-20's at the time but exuded a gravity beyond his years.

For the sake of his family, I'm glad he was found. Not that I think it would bring them closure. I don't believe there is closure when it comes to the death of a father, husband, son or brother. However, knowing where he is and having a proper burial does bring a small measure of comfort. R.I.P.

Republicans Are Never Going To Let Go of Hunter Biden

Today, Hunter Biden plead guilty to two counts of tax evasion and one count of unlawful gun possession. All of these charges are misdemeanors and Biden will likely avoid jail time. 

In some ways this is worse than if President Biden's son stood trial and was acquitted. We are treated to cries of "two-tier justice" from the usual suspects. While it can be plausibly argued that Hunter Biden would have been treated in a less lenient fashion if he wasn't the son of the President of the United States, it is difficult to take this argument seriously from people who simultaneously hold the view defeated, former President Trump shouldn't be charged with any criminal offense and is being treated unfairly.

But Republicans are never going to let Hunter Biden go so long as they believe they can tie him to President Biden. Cue House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer and cries of the "Biden Crime Family."

Of course, none of this excuses Hunter Biden's behavior. But as I have long argued, give me Hunter Biden and I'll give you Don, Jr., Eric and Ivanka Trump. 

In the grand scheme of things, unless Comer and company can actually prove corruption, malfeasance and unlawful conduct on the part of President Biden, Hunter Biden will do his father no more damage in 2024 than he did during the 2020 election. So far, they have come up empty. Yet that won't stop them from their sound and fury. 

Former MLB Pitcher Curt Schilling: Enough Talk, Someone Has To "Pull The Trigger" To Stop Prosecution of Trump

During an interview on Friday night on FOX News with Jesse Watters, former MLB pitcher Curt Schilling said the time for talk is over and that someone needs to "pull the trigger" to put a stop the prosecution of defeated, former President Donald Trump:

I'm tired of listening to Jim Jordan and Matt Gaetz and Dan Crenshaw and these people talk. Talk. Talk — that's all they're doing. They're talking.

We're up against a side and a force that doesn't play by the rules, refuses to play by the rules, just look no further than the unconstitutional thing going with former President Trump and we're not doing anything about it. We're talking about it, and we get excited and we get emotional. That's it.

They break the law and they do the things they need to do to ensure their agenda is driven forward and we're watching them gut our nation from the inside out. And I don't know where the rubber is going to meet the road because it's a true sacrifice. I mean, you look at the guys, the young men that signed the Constitution and all the things that they sacrificed everything to come out from under a tyrannical government, and then eventually at some point, there was a man at Concord who decided he was going to pull the trigger. And I feel like we're getting back to a point where somebody is going to have to pull a trigger because everything we hold dear, everything this country was founded on is being just dragged through the mud and mocked and made fun of. This country was founded on Godly principles. No matter how offensive that is to the left, it's true.

Now what is unclear is against whom the trigger ought to be pulled. Is Schilling referring to Attorney General Merrick Garland? Special Prosecutor Jack Smith? Manhattan D.A. Alvin Bragg? Fulton County D.A. Fani Willis? President Biden? Whomever the target might be, Schilling wants bloodshed because the 2020 election didn't go the way he wanted. 

Schilling went on to say, "The problem is that the left's winning because they're relying — the left is relying on our morals and ethics. They know we'll play by the rules. They know we'll follow the laws. And they're not playing. It's like we're fighting our own war." 

Somehow, I don't think the U.S. Capitol Police would concur with that statement. Mind you, Schilling has praised the events of January 6, 2021. So, I'm not sure what laws and rules he and MAGA supporters are following. But whatever they are they sure aren't constitutional. 

As for Schilling, not only has he lost command of the strike zone, but he has also lost command of whatever's left of his mind.

Palestinian Leader Abbas Supports China's Genocide Against Uyghur Muslims

A friend of mine on Facebook drew my attention to this not so insignificant tidbit. Last week, Mahmoud Abbas, currently serving in his 18th year of his four-year term as Palestinian Authority President, made a state visit to China. 

At the conclusion of his visit, Abbas and Chinese dictator Xin Jinping issued a joint statement on the plight of Uyghur Muslims. They claimed that China's policies towards Uyghur Muslims has "nothing to do with human rights and are aimed at excising extremism and opposing terrorism and separatism." The joint statement added, "Palestine resolutely opposes using the Xinjiang problem as a way of interfering in China's internal affairs." 

Somehow, I don't think Abbas would be so eager to endorse such a policy if Jews were involved in implementing it. The next time someone claims Israel is persecuting Muslims in the Palestinian Authority I will tell them to spare me the lecture so long as China continues to hold over 1 million Uyghur Muslims in forced labor and reeducation camps. This is actual genocide. 

Putin Claims His "Jewish Friends" Tell Him Zelensky Isn't Jewish

A couple of days ago, during a speech in Saint Petersburg, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin claimed his "Jewish friends" tell him the Ukrainian President Voldymyr Zelensky "is not Jewish, that he is a disgrace to the Jewish people." Putin went on to claim "neo-Nazis, Hitler’s disciples, have been put on a pedestal as heroes of Ukraine.”

First of all, I don't believe Putin when he says he has friends, Jewish or otherwise. There are only people who are of use to him and those who are not. 

Second, I believe Putin is taking a page from defeated, former President Trump and making this up out of whole cloth. It is reminiscent of when Putin's foreign minister Sergey Lavrov claimed in May 2022 that Hitler had "Jewish blood". Putin's words are intended to inflame. Nothing more, nothing less.

Third, it is rich for Putin to slam Hitler, Nazis and neo-Nazis when he is himself guilty of whitewashing Nazi atrocities against Jews. While Putin will tell people the Nazis killed Russians, he doesn't say it because they were Jewish. This is a form of Holocaust denial. 

The only disgrace in this whole affair is Vladimir Putin and his invasion of Ukraine.

What Daniel Ellsberg and Donald Trump Have in Common

Daniel Ellsberg, the former U.S. defense analyst who leaked The Pentagon Papers in 1971 to the New York Times regarding the U.S. government's activities in Vietnam, passed away yesterday at the age of 92.

Ellsberg's passing comes only 72 hours after defeated former President Donald Trump was charged with 31 counts of violating the Espionage Act - the same statute under which Ellsberg was prosecuted. Of course, there are significant differences between these two breaches. Ellsberg leaked The Pentagon Papers to expose the deceit of the prosecution of the War in Vietnam and bring to an end. Trump is hoarding classified documents including nuclear information and battle plans for his own personal ends. Ellsberg was prepared to go to prison for the rest of his life. Trump isn't prepared to spend an hour in prison. 

Indeed, Trump denied taking the documents and then when this was discovered not to be true, he claimed the documents belonged to him. Ultimately, the charges against Ellsberg were dropped because of governmental misconduct in collecting evidence against him. Trump claims Special Prosecutor Jack Smith "planted" evidence but this has long been his modus operandi. 

Loathe as they would be to admit it, there are some areas where Daniel Ellsberg and Donald Trump share common ground - a distrust of the U.S. government and making excuses for Russia. Ellsberg believed everything the U.S. government said is a lie while Trump has long claimed the FBI and DOJ are corrupt. Ellsberg has supported so-called whistleblowers like Julian Assange, Edward Snowden and Chelsea Manning whose actions benefitted Russia and has claimed the U.S. and NATO provoked Vladimir Putin into invading Ukraine. Trump's admiration for Russia runs deep as does his contempt for NATO and its member allies and much of the Republican Party has followed suit. While their motivations for their behavior is different the end result is the same - giving aid and comfort to Putin.

My Memories of Glenda Jackson

I am deeply saddened at the passing of actress and politician Glenda Jackson at the age of 87. 

The British born Jackson was, of course, a two-time Academy Award winner earning Best Actress trophies for Women in Love and A Touch of Class in 1970 and 1973. She would also win two Emmy Awards for the BBC miniseries Elizabeth R in 1972. In 2018, a near quarter century absence from the stage, Jackson won a Tony Award for her performance in the revival of Edward Albee's Three Tall Women. 

However, it was on The Muppet Show where Jackson first grabbed my attention. In a 1980 appearance, she played a possessed pirate who took over the show and did very nasty things to poor Kermit. A dozen years later, Jackson was elected to the British House of Commons as a Labour MP. It was in this role that I would become personally acquainted with her. 

In 1995, I spent a semester in London working as a parliamentary intern. My first assignment was with Tessa Jowell who would later hold several ministerial portfolios in both the Blair and Brown Labour governments. Directly opposite Jowell's office was none other than Glenda Jackson. 

Naturally, I wanted to speak with her. However, parliamentary interns were (and probably still are) considered lower forms of life than amoebas. So I refrained from doing so. As it turned out, it was Glenda who broke the ice. One day she wandered over to Jowell's office and spoke with her assistant Andy Burnham (who also later became a Labour MP and cabinet minister and is now the Mayor of Greater Manchester). Glenda asked Andy, "Do we have a foreigner in our midst?" To which I chimed that I was a Canadian. "Ah, a colonial no less."

I had the opportunity to recount this anecdote in Glenda's presence in April 2019 when she appeared at the 92nd Street Y in New York City and did so to uproarious laughter. Alas she did not remember the incident in question. I could hardly blame her. Those events had occurred nearly a quarter century earlier. 

Glenda was in New York starring in the Broadway production of King Lear. I had bought tickets to see the show that June, but the show's run ended prematurely. Alas the opportunity to see Glenda on stage did not come to pass.

Yet I will always remember the lovely moments with Glenda in the Parliamentary Tea Room as well as in and around Derby Gate. I recall one day when Glenda was making photocopies and I showed her a personal ad from The Globe and Mail which read, "Glenda Jackson would love me!!!" This was a good for a laugh. 

As mentioned before, parliamentary interns were not looked upon nicely by MPs and Lords along with many of their staff. Glenda was an exception to that rule. Notwithstanding her standing as an actress and celebrity, she was among the kindest people I met during my short time across the pond and is a major reason why I look at my time there with such fondness. R.I.P.

The Stanley Cup Goes to Vegas

The Vegas Golden Knights, in only their sixth year of existence, won the Stanley Cup tonight by trouncing the Florida Panthers 9-3 taking the series in five games. 

It's been a rough 24 hours for the state of Florida and, in particular, the Miami area as the Panthers loss follows the elimination of the Miami Heat last night by the Denver Nuggets in the NBA Finals. 

While I am sure there are plenty of hockey fans in Las Vegas particularly among transplants from the Northeastern and Midwestern United States along with Canada, I don't think a Stanley Cup parade along the Vegas Strip would have the same meaning as it would down Yonge Street in Toronto or on any street in Ottawa, Montreal, Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver or Winnipeg. It has now been 30 years since Canada last saw a Stanley Cup parade and a celebration is well past due. Besides Stompin' Tom Connors and Caesars Palace just don't mix.

No doubt that Vegas has earned the Stanley Cup this year. I just hope it doesn't stay in Vegas. 

Recruiting CAIR to Counter Anti-Semitism Would Be Like Recruiting Marjorie Taylor-Greene to Counter Transphobia

Although I am glad the Biden Administration has deployed a national strategy to counter anti-Semitism, I have expressed some concerns with the details.

I now have further concerns in light of the fact the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has been recruited to help combat anti-Semitism. While Deborah Lipstadt, the White House's Envoy on Anti-Semitism, acknowledges CAIR's history of anti-Semitism she welcomes their involvement. It has scarcely been two years since Zahra Billoo, the Executive Director of CAIR's San Francisco affiliate, declared "Zionist organizations" as "enemies" of American Muslims. Billoo cited the Anti-Defamation League, Jewish Federations, Hillel and "Zionist synagogues" as "enemies."

In view of these facts, the Biden Administration involving CAIR in their strategy to counter anti-Semitism makes about as much sense as involving anti-LGBTQ organizations in a strategy to counter homophobia or, for that matter, involving Marjorie Taylor-Greene in an effort to counter transphobia. 

Engaging in such partnerships gives me pause as to how serious the Biden Administration really is about countering anti-Semitism. To be more precise, I question the Biden Administration's commitment to countering anti-Semitism from sources apart from white supremacists. 

While white supremacist anti-Semitism must be countered, so too must anti-Semitism from organizations like CAIR. Because whether practiced by white supremacists or by CAIR, anti-Semitism is the world's oldest conspiracy theory. And if the Biden Administration tolerates certain organizations spreading conspiracy theories then anti-Semitism will only fester and gain strength.

Ted Kaczynski Was a Sadistic Killer, Not a "Subversive Thinker"

Over the weekend, Ted Kacyznski (a.k.a. The Unabomber) committed suicide. 

Between 1979 and 1995, Kacyznski was responsible for the deaths of three people while maiming two dozen others after sending them bombs in the mail as well as an attempt to blow up a commercial airliner. After his capture in 1996, Kaczynski pled guilty to his crimes and was given eight life sentences.

Yet there are those who praise Kaczynski for his intellect. Last summer, Arizona GOP Senate candidate Blake Masters praised Kaczynski as a "subversive thinker."

Kaczynski was trained as a mathematician and briefly taught at UC Berkeley. Yet whatever his intellectual gifts, he used them for evil. One can lament our industrialized society and the loss of our natural surroundings without building an explosive device for some person working at a computer store to open and lose their life in an instant.

Blake Masters might have been impressed with the thoughts of the Unabomber. I, for one, do not seek out the thoughts of someone who kept company with Timothy McVeigh and Ramzi Yousef. To me, Ted Kaczynski was nothing but a cowardly killer. 

Denver Nuggets Win 1st Ever NBA Championship

In Game 5 of the NBA Final, the Denver Nuggets have defeated the Miami Heat 94-89 to win their first ever NBA Title. Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, a two-time NBA MVP, led the team with 28 points and is widely expected to be named NBA Finals MVP.

I'm really glad the Nuggets won especially after the Heat eliminated the Boston Celtics. Denver hasn't been a stranger to championships with the Avalanche winning the Stanley Cup only last year and the Broncos winning the Super Bowl as recently as 2016. Still, the Nuggets have been in existence since 1967 when they were part of the defunct ABA. This has been a long-time coming. A hearty congratulations are in order. 

Roger Waters' Anti-Semitic Greatest Hits

Roger Waters can claim he isn't anti-Semitic all he wants. Aside from his Nazi fetish, I am going to have a very hard time believing him when he insists those who criticize him have been, “making up stuff because you’ve been told to by your masters from the Foreign Office in Tel Aviv," as he claimed during a concert at London's O2 arena last week.

Over the years, Waters has assembled a greatest hits collection of anti-Semitic remarks. Among other things used imagery of the Star of David and dollar signs side by side in his concerts, claimed there is a "Jewish lobby" in the American music industry, and for good measure, likens Israel to the Nazis. 

I think some people are finally getting the message. Waters' former Pink Floyd bandmate David Gilmour and his wife Polly Sampson have condemned his bigotry against Jews. His anti-Semitism is also being called out in both the U.S. by the Biden Administration's special envoy on anti-Semitism Deborah Lipstadt and U.K. Labour Party leader Keir Starmer. However, when Waters' audiences sing, "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free," they share the former Pink Floyd frontman's desire to wipe the world's only Jewish homeland off the face of the Earth. The flow of Roger Waters' anti-Semitism must cease.

Treat Williams, R.I.P.

Actor Treat Williams was killed today when a car collided with his motorcycle near his home in Vermont. He was airlifted to a hospital in neighboring New York but he could not be saved. Williams was 71. 

Williams first gained national prominence in 1979 for his starring role as George Berger in the motion picture adaptation of Hair, for which he would receive a Golden Globe nomination. Another Golden Globe nomination would follow two years later for Prince of the City. However, his time as a leading actor on the big screen was relatively brief. Although he would appear in supporting roles in films like Sergio Leone's Once Upon a Time in America and Mulholland Falls, Williams appeared in a lot of direct to video movies including a trio of Substitute films. 

Most of Williams' work was on the small screen in TV movies such as Dempsey and an adaptation of A Streetcar Named Desire with Ann-Margret and Hair co-star Beverly D'Angelo earning him another Golden Globe nomination. Williams would earn his lone Emmy nomination for his portrayal of Michael Ovitz in the HBO film The Late Shift chronicling the late night feud between Jay Leno and David Letterman. In the early 2000's, Williams starred in Everwood earning him two Screen Actors Guild nominations. In recent years, Williams had recurring roles on TV shows like White Collar, Chicago Fire and Blue Bloods. 

However, I wish to remember Treat Williams when he had a head of hair, long beautiful hair. R.I.P.

The Iron Sheik's Heel Promos Were Villainous & Funny At The Same Time

It's been nearly a week since the passing of former Iranian born professional wrestler The Iron Sheik at the age of 81 and I would be remiss if I didn't say something.

The Iron Sheik is among a select group of wrestlers who were well known beyond the pro wrestling universe. To give one an idea of how well known The Iron Sheik was the world over, The Sheik who began wrestling a quarter century before The Iron Sheik had to rename himself The Original Sheik.

Although The Iron Sheik had the distinction of ending Bob Backlund's 5-year reign as WWF champion before dropping the belt a month later to Hulk Hogan, he is probably best remembered for his partnership with the late Nikolai Volkoff. When they entered the ring, Volkoff would sing the Russian National Anthem. To add fuel to the fire, The Iron Sheik would say, "Russia!!! Number One!!! Iran!!! Number One!!! U.S.A., Canada - ha patout, ha patout!!!"

While The Iron Sheik had heat with the wrestling audience scarcely a few years removed from the Iran hostage crisis, his promos had the effect of being both villainous and funny at the same time. The irony in all this is that earlier in his life The Iron Sheik had actually been a bodyguard for the Shah of Iran. 

In later years, he would be cheered by wrestling audiences mostly on account of his obscenity filled appearances with Howard Stern as well as on social media. But Gen-Xers remember him best from the Cold War days of the Reagan Administration. R.I.P.

An Evening with June Millington in Amherst, Massachusetts

Yesterday, I ventured to Amherst, Massachusetts to hear June Millington perform at The Drake. It was the first time I saw her since my 50th birthday last September. 

Although I have seen June perform twice solo in Boston and perform twice with fellow Fanny members Brie Howard-Darling and Patti Quatro in New York these performances have been an addendum to showings of the Bobbi Jo Hart documentary Fanny: The Right to Rock. For all intents and purposes, this was my first full-fledged June Millington concert. 

This concert was a benefit for her sister Jean Millington who requires ongoing therapy as a result of the stroke she sustained in 2018. Of course, it was only last month that Jean joined June, Brie and Patti along with Alice de Buhr for a Fanny reunion performing several shows in California in conjunction with Asian American Pacific Islander Month and the premiere of Fanny: The Right to Rock on PBS. 

As much as I would have liked to go to California and see as close as to what would be a full-fledged Fanny reunion, I was simply not in a position to do so. Indeed, June's longtime partner Ann Hackler told me she wished she had seen me out there especially the show at the Whisky-a-Go-Go which she described as an especially moving experience for her. After all, for a time, Fanny was practically the Whisky's house band both by virtue of their sheer talent as live performers and its proximity to Fanny Hill. It would have been a special experience and is there is little guarantee such an opportunity will come to pass again. Only time shall tell.

While I might not have made it to California, this concert did offer a taste of the recent Fanny reunion. June was joined by her nephew (and Jean's son) Lee John Madeloni on drums and Mia Huggs on bass both of whom shared the stage with Fanny. While I had met Mia during my birthday festivities it would be the first time seeing her perform in person. It would also give me the chance to meet Lee for the first time as well. In fact, it was Lee's recent Facebook friend invitation as much as anything else which sparked my decision to come out to Amherst.

This concert also gave me a chance to see more of Western Massachusetts. I had been to Amherst once before nearly 15 years ago when my former longtime roommate Christopher Kain took me for a drive to Amherst where he had attended UMass Amherst many moons ago. The drive between Northampton and Amherst in particular is quite scenic especially in the early days of summer.

In deciding to come out to Amherst this weekend there were certain logistical challenges the most significant of which was finding overnight lodging. I had initially considered staying at a hotel, but this would have cost me a ghastly $450 a night - and that is before taxes. 

This led me to book with AirBnB for the very first time. I ended up staying with a couple named Carolyn and Audley who had a room in their home which made for splendid accommodations for a fraction of the cost. Chances are this will not be the last time I use AirBnB. Although their home was a 45-minute walk from The Drake, I am not unaccustomed to walking that length and, if nothing else, it helped me get a little more familiar with Amherst and the quieter way of life in Western Massachusetts. 

The Drake is located in the heart of downtown Amherst. It is a dark yet intimate venue ideal for someone like June who has a free-flowing, stream of consciousness style. The spontaneity began with a solo version of "Long Road Home" from Fanny's 1973 album Mother's Pride. June describes "Long Road Home" as the song which literally saved her life. The only other song June played from the classic Fanny era was "Thinking of You" from their 1971 album Charity Ball. There were several songs from the 2018 Fanny Walked The Earth album - "Girls on The Road", "Storm-Crossed" and "One". The balance of the evening was a combination of solo material ("Your Own Way" and "Girls Don't Dream (The Big Lie)") and collaborations with Jean ("Play Like a Girl" and "Heaven Is in Your Mind").

In addition to Lee and Mia, June was also joined by a trio of backup vocalists from IMA's Rock 'n Roll summer camps - Kayone Firinne, Dana Warren, and Sofia Ayala. They really came into play when performing "Heaven Loves the Stranger" from June's 1981 debut solo album Heartsong. For lack of a better word their harmonies truly sounded heavenly. 

Having turned 75 in April, June is in a state of peace and contentment. It was in evidence when she played "Love Is Still Supreme" (a song dedicated to Ann with whom she has been partners for nearly 40 years). It was also in evidence when she had a brain freeze with the lyrics while singing "Girls on The Road" - a song she wrote. 

Look at this way. I once saw none other than Paul McCartney forgetting the words to a song he wrote at the Boston Gardens - "I Will" from The White Album. It happens to all of us no matter our station in life. June recounted a recent incident in San Francisco when her pants fell down. "I'm 75. What are going to do?" 

She also declared the stage "a mistake-free zone." This made me think of something I was told more than 25 years ago in London when I worked as a parliamentary intern for the late Labour MP Jimmy Wray. In his thick Scottish burr, Jimmy told me, "A man who never made a mistake is a man who never made anything." 

When listening to a record we only hear the finished product although in recent years there are many album reissues which include demos and outtakes including Fanny's box set First Time in a Long Time: The Reprise Recordings released in 2002. Music is a work in progress as was demonstrated when June taught Mia the bass line notes for the closing number "Tell Them" (also from Heartsong), on stage and in real time. It is something I have never seen before at a concert and will probably never see again. Then again, this won't be my last June Millington concert.

Thoughts On The Smoke In The U.S. From Canadian Wildfires

 

If you live in the Northeast, Midwest or even the parts of the South then chances are you have seen and breathed in the smoke from the Canadian wildfires concentrated mainly in Quebec and parts of Eastern Ontario and to a lesser extent in Nova Scotia. 

Of course, New York City bore the brunt of it as you can see in this video shot yesterday by my Dad in Central Park. Boston has been largely spared the worst of it but it has been worse in Western Massachusetts. I will be heading to Western Massachusetts on Saturday morning. Hopefully things will be alright, but I will be prepared. 

The question going forward is if this an aberration like a passing ill wind or is it something we can look forward to as a regular feature of our summers as the impact of climate change lingers as we move past the first quarter of the 21st century. 

Trump to Face Federal Charges For Mishandling Classified Documents Next Tuesday

It appears defeated, former President Donald Trump will be formally indicted in federal court in Miami next Tuesday on at least seven counts of mishandling classified documents. 

The charges arise from the raid on Mar-a-Lago last August were many highly classified documents were found and Special Counsel Jack Smith's subsequent investigation into those actions. Smith is also investigating Trump's role in the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6th.

We can expect nearly all of Trump's presidential rivals to follow Mike Pence's lead in arguing that Trump should not be charged with anything because it would be too divisive for the country and that it would get in the way of dealing with inflation. Since when has the DOJ used inflation as criteria for which to determine whether or not someone should be charged with a crime? They don't but Pence wants to remain in Trump's good graces - noose or no noose. 

Well, let them. It will merely demonstrate the Republican Party is nothing more than cult which worships at the altar of Trump and to hell with the Constitution and the rule of law. 

The forthcoming indictments will come scarcely 2 ½ months after the defeated, former President was brought up on criminal charges by New York D.A. Alvin Bragg concerning the falsification of business records including the $130,000 hush money payout to porn star Stormy Daniels. Trump might also face criminal charges by Fulton County D.A. Fani Willis for his role in trying to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia. 

The sad truth is no matter how many laws Trump has broken and no matter how many criminal indictments Trump faces and in how many jurisdictions, the Republican Party will nominate him as President and at least a third of the American electorate will support him. And it just might be enough to get him back into the White House.

Jacob deGrom's Season Ending Tommy John Surgery Won't Hurt The Rangers in The Short Term

As you may know, I have not been following MLB in 2023 a great deal. However, I do feel compelled to comment on Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob deGrom's season ending Tommy John surgery. 

I feel compelled to comment because I thought the Rangers were playing with fire in signing deGrom last December to the tune of $185 million over five seasons. When deGrom is healthy, he is one of the best in the game if not the very best. In six starts with Texas this season, deGrom went 2-0 with a 2.67 ERA striking out 45 while walking only four batters in 30.1 innings pitched.

However, deGrom last pitched on April 28th  and now weeks later he is finished for this season and probably most of the 2024 season. Later this month, deGrom turns 35. If he does come back, I've said it before and I'll say it again - his best use is probably as a closer. Of course, Will Smith might have something to say about that.

As for the Rangers though, deGrom's injury won't hurt them in the short-term. The Rangers entered today atop the AL West with a four-game lead over the defending World Series champion Houston Astros. Bruce Bochy has done wonders for the team from the dugout. It also doesn't hurt they have a veteran starting rotation consisting of Nate Eovaldi, Jon Gray and Martin Perez along with Andrew Heaney with Dane Dunning filling in admirably in the number five spot. 

Indeed, I think the Rangers will make the post-season this year largely without deGrom as the New York Mets did a year ago. However, given the Rangers' financial commitment to deGrom this could hurt them down the road. With the exception of Dunning, the Rangers' starting rotation is over 30 and having deGrom's salary on the books could limit their options come 2026 and 2027. But as long as the Rangers keep winning this year, deGrom's injury will be more of an inconvenience than insurmountable. 

Astrud Gilberto, R.I.P.

Singer Astrud Gilberto, best known for her English language rendition of "The Girl from Ipanema", passed away yesterday. No cause of death was given. She was 83. 

Gilberto's ascent to stardom six decades ago happened completely by accident. Her husband Joao Gilberto was recording an album with saxophonist Stan Getz and it was determined they needed one more song to finish the album and an English language version of "Garota de Ipanema" was settled upon. They just needed a singer. Joao's wife Astrud volunteered and the rest, as they say, is history. It was Astrud Gilberto's soft yet sultry voice which made bossa nova an international sensation. 

Although Gilberto would enjoy a musical career which lasted nearly 40 years before her retirement in 2002, she was never properly compensated for her work on her biggest hit, was undermined by the people closest to her and her success was never accepted in her native Brazil. This is quite a shame. One can only hope the joy Astrud Gilberto brought will outlast and trespasses committed against her. R.I.P.

Roger Craig, R.I.P.

Former MLB pitcher, pitching coach and manager Roger Craig passed away on Sunday following a brief illness. He was 93. 

Craig grew up in Durham, North Carolina the 8th child in a family of 10. He was a standout baseball and basketball player at both Durham High School and at North Carolina State University. In 1950, Craig began his professional career by signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Craig would make his MLB debut in 1955. It couldn't have come at a better time as he was part of a team that would win its first ever World Series title besting the New York Yankees in seven games. Craig would appear in the World Series again in 1956, but the Dodgers would revert to familiar form falling short against the Yankees. 

In 1958, Craig would follow the Dodgers from Brooklyn to Los Angeles though he would spend much of the season in the minor leagues. Craig would recover to have the best season of his career in 1959 when he went 11-5 with a 2.06 ERA while leading the NL in shutouts with four en route to earning his second World Series ring as the Dodgers would win the Fall Classic in seven games against the Chicago White Sox.

After two more seasons in Los Angeles, Craig would return to New York in 1962 as he was selected in the expansion draft by the New York Mets. Craig would lead the NL in losses in both 1962 and 1963 posting records of 10-24 and 5-22. Amazingly, Craig somehow completed 27 games despite the misery of pitching for the Mets. Nevertheless, Craig has the ignominious distinction of being the last MLB pitcher to post back-to-back seasons of 20 or more losses. 

But Craig would rebound in 1964 when he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals. Splitting his time between the starting rotation and the bullpen, Craig would help the Cardinals win the World Series for the first time since 1946. It was Craig's third World Series ring as a pitcher. 

After pitching for the Cincinnati Reds in 1965 and the Philadelphia Phillies in 1966, Craig's 12-year MLB career came to an end. In 368 appearances (including 186 starts), Craig went 74-98 with a 3.83 ERA striking out 803 batters while walking 522 in 1536.1 inning pitched. 

But Craig's life in baseball was far from over. He would return to the Dodgers' organization working as a scout in 1967 and a manager at their Double-AA affiliate in Alburquerque in 1968. Craig would return to the big leagues in 1969 as the pitching coach for the expansion San Diego Padres. His experience with the Mets would help the young Padres pitchers through their growing pains. Craig would serve in this role through the 1972 season until being replaced by one-time Dodgers teammate Johnny Podres. 

In 1973, Craig would return to the Dodgers as a minor league pitching instructor before returning to the big leagues in 1974 as the pitching coach for the Houston Astros. After serving two seasons in that role, Craig would return to the Padres as their pitching coach in 1976. Then during spring training in 1978, the Padres unexpectedly fired manager Alvin Dark and named Craig as their new manager. 

The Padres responded to Craig's jovial demeanor by enjoying their first winning season in franchise history going 84-78 in '78. However, the Padres would revert to old form in 1979 and Craig would be fired at season's end. But Craig quickly rebounded when Sparky Anderson, an old friend from his Dodgers days who also served on the Padres coaching staff in 1969 before moving on the Big Red Machine in Cincinnati, tapped him to be his pitching coach for the Detroit Tigers. 

While with the Tigers, Craig became a practitioner of the split-fingered fastball and taught the pitch to future Hall of Famer Jack Morris. Craig's tenure under Sparky in Detroit would culminate in a fourth World Series ring in 1984. However, when Craig wanted a raise, the Tigers declined. Craig opted to retire from baseball.

The retirement proved to be short-lived as San Francisco Giants owner Bob Lurie lured Craig into his second big league managerial gig towards the end of the 1985 season. In San Francisco, Craig taught his pitcher the split-fingered fastball and emphasized aggressive baserunning including frequent use of the safety squeeze. The Giants would win the NL West in 1987 and the NL pennant in 1989. Alas the Giants would be swept in four games by the Oakland A's and could not play a game in San Francisco due to the infamous earthquake which occurred moments before Game 3 was scheduled to start. 

Craig would spend three more seasons in the Giants dugout when he was dismissed after Bob Lurie sold the team to Peter Magowan prior to the 1993 season and would be succeeded by Dusty Baker. During his decade as a big-league manager, Craig had a record of 738-737. 

Craig stayed out of baseball following his dismissal by the Giants except for when he worked as an informal advisor to Arizona Diamondbacks manager Bob Brenly during the 2001 season. Brenly had caught for Craig in San Francisco. When the D'Backs won the World Series in 2001, Brenly bequeathed Craig with one more World Series ring. 

I leave you with a short interview Craig conducted while managing the Giants during spring training in 1988. R.I.P.

Cynthia Weil, R.I.P.

Songwriter Cynthia Weil, one half of the songwriting team Mann & Weil, passed away this morning. No cause of death has been released. She was 82. 

Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann were part of a triumvirate of husband-and-wife songwriting teams which came out of the Brill Building in New York City along with Carole King and Gerry Goffin as well as Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich. Unlike Goffin & King and Barry & Greenwich, Mann & Weill would remain married for over 60 years until death did them part today.

Their union also produced some of the most notable songs in the history of rock 'n roll with Weil supplying lyrics to songs like "You've Lost That Loving Feeling" (along with Phil Spector) and "(You're My) Soul and Inspiration" by The Righteous Brothers, "Kicks" and "Hungry" by Paul Revere and The Raiders, "On Broadway" by The Drifters, "Walking in The Rain" by The Ronettes (also with Phil Spector), the anti-war song "We Gotta Get Out of This Place" by The Animals and "Somewhere Out There" by Linda Ronstadt and James Ingram. 

Mann and Weil composed songs for everyone between Ray Charles and Hanson. Weil also collaborated with artists co-writing "Running with the Night" with Lionel Richie and the Peabo Bryson hit, "If Ever You're in My Arms Again" with Michael Masser and Tom Snow.

In 2010, the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame bestowed Weil with the Ahmet Etregun Award becoming the first woman to ever earn the honor. Cynthia Weil was truly a rock 'n roll pioneer. R.I.P. 

Both Christie & Pence Are Quislings Who Will Throw Their Weight Behind Trump

There isn't a great deal one can say amid the news yesterday that both former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and former Vice-President Mike Pence will both enter the 2024 GOP presidential race next week. We know Christie will make his announcement in New Hampshire on June 6th while Pence will make his announcement in Iowa the following day.

The only thing one can say about them, and their candidacies is that both men, despite their contrasting public personas, are both quislings who sold whatever dignity they had left to be a part of Trump's administration. Although Christie has said he won't support Trump if he is the nominee while Pence won't commit one way or the other, I do not believe either of them.

After all, they are about to run for President and must maintain the illusion they have a smidgen of a chance to win the nomination. But the moment Trump becomes the GOP nominee for the third time we can expect Christie and Pence to fall in line and kneel before Trump to get back in his favor. I believe they will all fall in line. Perhaps Asa Hutchinson won't but he is an afterthought, and I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if he followed suit. Either way, Christie and Pence will.