The Houston Astros have added a fourth starter with the signing of Wade Miley to a one year, $4.5 million contract. Incentives could bump that figure up to $5 million.
The 32-year old southpaw spent 2018 with the Milwaukee Brewers joining the organization on a minor league contract. After battling injuries early in the season, Miley did some of his finest pitching since his rookie season in 2012 with the Arizona Diamondbacks when he was runner up in NL Rookie of the Year balloting behind Bryce Harper. In 16 starts, Miley went 5-2 with a 2.57 ERA playing a crucial role in the Brewers' first NL Central title since 2011. Miley also pitched effectively in the post-season giving up only 2 runs in 14 2/3 innings pitched. This was quite an improvement over 2017 when he led the AL in walks while with the Baltimore Orioles.
But surprisingly the Brewers weren't interested in keeping Miley. In joining the Astros rotation, Miley can continue his career resurgence in the shadow of Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole and could very well be the team's new version of Charlie Morton. Now with the Tampa Bay Rays, Morton turned his career around in Houston over the past two seasons. I have a feeling that by the end of this year, the Brewers will wonder why they didn't keep Miley.
Thursday, January 31, 2019
Jackie Robinson Lived 100 Years In The Space of 50
Today marks what would have been Jackie Robinson's 100th birthday.
Robinson famously broke MLB's color barrier when he took the field for the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947. In a 10-year big league career, Robinson won the inaugural NL Rookie of the Year, was named NL MVP in 1949 when he won his lone NL batting title, was named to six NL All-Star teams and played in six World Series including Brooklyn's lone World Series title in 1955. Robinson's skin was black but he bled Dodger blue. When he was traded to the New York Giants at the end of the 1956 season, Robinson chose retirement rather than exchange uniforms. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 1962.
Of course, Robinson had to endure hatred of the worst kind before he played his first game including a petition from his own teammates to have him removed from the team. Fortunately, Branch Rickey and Leo Durocher put a stop to that. But Rickey and Durocher couldn't be everywhere and Robinson had to suffer many of the indignities committed against him in silence. Despite his success in baseball and in business, Robinson would age rapidly with the onset of diabetes. A heart attack would claim his life on October 24, 1972 only 9 days after throwing out the first pitch for Game 2 of the 1972 World Series between the Oakland A's and Cincinnati Reds at Riverfront Stadium. Robinson was only 53, but he had lived a full century. Progress would be made in Robinson's lifetime, but at considerable pain and sacrifice.
I have written about Robinson previously. Here is what I wrote in April 2013 about Robinson's starring role in the 1950 biopic The Jackie Robinson Story. This article coincided with the release of 42 which starred a pre-Black Panther Chadwick Boseman. I also recorded my observations about Ken Burns' two part PBS film on Robinson in April 2016.
Robinson famously broke MLB's color barrier when he took the field for the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947. In a 10-year big league career, Robinson won the inaugural NL Rookie of the Year, was named NL MVP in 1949 when he won his lone NL batting title, was named to six NL All-Star teams and played in six World Series including Brooklyn's lone World Series title in 1955. Robinson's skin was black but he bled Dodger blue. When he was traded to the New York Giants at the end of the 1956 season, Robinson chose retirement rather than exchange uniforms. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 1962.
Of course, Robinson had to endure hatred of the worst kind before he played his first game including a petition from his own teammates to have him removed from the team. Fortunately, Branch Rickey and Leo Durocher put a stop to that. But Rickey and Durocher couldn't be everywhere and Robinson had to suffer many of the indignities committed against him in silence. Despite his success in baseball and in business, Robinson would age rapidly with the onset of diabetes. A heart attack would claim his life on October 24, 1972 only 9 days after throwing out the first pitch for Game 2 of the 1972 World Series between the Oakland A's and Cincinnati Reds at Riverfront Stadium. Robinson was only 53, but he had lived a full century. Progress would be made in Robinson's lifetime, but at considerable pain and sacrifice.
I have written about Robinson previously. Here is what I wrote in April 2013 about Robinson's starring role in the 1950 biopic The Jackie Robinson Story. This article coincided with the release of 42 which starred a pre-Black Panther Chadwick Boseman. I also recorded my observations about Ken Burns' two part PBS film on Robinson in April 2016.
Wednesday, January 30, 2019
Could Holland Become The 1st MLB Player To Win Comeback Player of the Year Twice?
Free agent reliever Greg Holland has signed a one year deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks for $3.5 million. Incentives could double the deal to $7 million.
This is considerably less than the $14 million he received from the St. Louis Cardinals last season. Holland commanded that money after leading the NL in saves in 2017 with 41 while earning NL Comeback Player of the Year as a crucial piece in the Colorado Rockies' first post-season appearance since 2009. However, Holland's tenure with the Cardinals was an utter disaster. In 32 appearances, Holland saved only three games as he walked 22 batters in 25 innings pitched while posting an ugly ERA of 7.92. The Cardinals released Holland in August and he was promptly picked up by the Washington Nationals. Holland regained his footing in D.C. with a 0.84 ERA in 24 appearances and cut down on his walks.
The 33-year old right-hander will most likely be used as a set up man for Archie Bradley. Having jettisoned Paul Goldschmidt, A.J. Pollock and Patrick Corbin, the D'Backs are not expected to contend in 2019. Should Holland be effective, he could be moved during the trade deadline or they could alternately trade Bradley thus giving Holland another chance to close.
Holland enters the 2019 season with 189 career saves. Of those 189 saves, Holland earned 145 of them with the Kansas City Royals where he pitched from 2010 to 2015 and was the closer on back to back AL pennant winners in 2014 and 2015 earning a World Series ring in 2015 though late that season he would require Tommy John surgery. After missing the 2016 season, Holland made his comeback in Colorado before last year's setback in St. Louis. Could Holland win NL Comeback Player of the Year again in 2019? If he does, he would be the first player in MLB history to win the award twice.
This is considerably less than the $14 million he received from the St. Louis Cardinals last season. Holland commanded that money after leading the NL in saves in 2017 with 41 while earning NL Comeback Player of the Year as a crucial piece in the Colorado Rockies' first post-season appearance since 2009. However, Holland's tenure with the Cardinals was an utter disaster. In 32 appearances, Holland saved only three games as he walked 22 batters in 25 innings pitched while posting an ugly ERA of 7.92. The Cardinals released Holland in August and he was promptly picked up by the Washington Nationals. Holland regained his footing in D.C. with a 0.84 ERA in 24 appearances and cut down on his walks.
The 33-year old right-hander will most likely be used as a set up man for Archie Bradley. Having jettisoned Paul Goldschmidt, A.J. Pollock and Patrick Corbin, the D'Backs are not expected to contend in 2019. Should Holland be effective, he could be moved during the trade deadline or they could alternately trade Bradley thus giving Holland another chance to close.
Holland enters the 2019 season with 189 career saves. Of those 189 saves, Holland earned 145 of them with the Kansas City Royals where he pitched from 2010 to 2015 and was the closer on back to back AL pennant winners in 2014 and 2015 earning a World Series ring in 2015 though late that season he would require Tommy John surgery. After missing the 2016 season, Holland made his comeback in Colorado before last year's setback in St. Louis. Could Holland win NL Comeback Player of the Year again in 2019? If he does, he would be the first player in MLB history to win the award twice.
Red Sox Raise Eyebrows By Signing Banned Ex-Mets Pitcher Mejia To Minor League Contract
Former New York Mets relief pitcher Jenrry Mejia, once given a "lifetime ban" after thrice violating MLB's PED rules in 2016, signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox yesterday and it has raised eyebrows.
Although Mejia was given a lifetime ban the Joint Drug Program administered by MLB and the MLB Players' Association allowed him to appeal the ban and MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred reinstated Mejia last July. Despite the ban, Mejia was still under contract to the Mets who released him last November.
Several players expressed dismay at the Red Sox decision to sign Mejia. Free agent reliever Peter Moylan tweeted, "Hows my offseason going? This guy had a lifetime ban and still signed before me!!!" Both Justin Verlander and Josh Reddick of the Houston Astros also conveyed their disapproval on Twitter. (Of course, the Astros acquired reliever Roberto Osuna from the Toronto Blue Jays while he was under suspension for domestic assault). Despite these interventions I wonder if there will be any appetite within the MLBPA to amend the Joint Drug Program.
It's debatable whether PEDs actually enhance a player's performance or give a competitive advantage. Nevertheless, MLB and the MLBPA have agreed to a disciplinary regime which purportedly included a lifetime ban after three strikes. But Mejia's reinstatement and signing tells the public that the term "lifetime ban" has no meaning and that there are truly no consequences for being caught for PED use.
I'm sure Red Sox fans aren't enthusiastic about Mejia's signing and would just as soon forget him should he be cut during spring training. But one is only as good as one's ERA. If the Red Sox don't sign Craig Kimbrel and Mejia makes the squad and somehow returns to his 2014 form when he saved 28 games for the Mets then Red Sox fans will "forgive" him his trespasses.
It's hard not to be cynical all the way around.
Although Mejia was given a lifetime ban the Joint Drug Program administered by MLB and the MLB Players' Association allowed him to appeal the ban and MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred reinstated Mejia last July. Despite the ban, Mejia was still under contract to the Mets who released him last November.
Several players expressed dismay at the Red Sox decision to sign Mejia. Free agent reliever Peter Moylan tweeted, "Hows my offseason going? This guy had a lifetime ban and still signed before me!!!" Both Justin Verlander and Josh Reddick of the Houston Astros also conveyed their disapproval on Twitter. (Of course, the Astros acquired reliever Roberto Osuna from the Toronto Blue Jays while he was under suspension for domestic assault). Despite these interventions I wonder if there will be any appetite within the MLBPA to amend the Joint Drug Program.
It's debatable whether PEDs actually enhance a player's performance or give a competitive advantage. Nevertheless, MLB and the MLBPA have agreed to a disciplinary regime which purportedly included a lifetime ban after three strikes. But Mejia's reinstatement and signing tells the public that the term "lifetime ban" has no meaning and that there are truly no consequences for being caught for PED use.
I'm sure Red Sox fans aren't enthusiastic about Mejia's signing and would just as soon forget him should he be cut during spring training. But one is only as good as one's ERA. If the Red Sox don't sign Craig Kimbrel and Mejia makes the squad and somehow returns to his 2014 form when he saved 28 games for the Mets then Red Sox fans will "forgive" him his trespasses.
It's hard not to be cynical all the way around.
Tuesday, January 29, 2019
Will Justin Wilson, Shawn Kelley & Todd Walker Be With Their New Clubs in July?
A few interesting free agent signings worth noting over the past week.
Late last week, veteran lefty reliever Justin Wilson signed a 2-year, $10 million deal with the New York Mets. Over the weekend, veteran righty reliever Shawn Kelley signed a one year, $2.75 million deal with the Texas Rangers with an option for 2020. And earlier today, infielder Neil Walker signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the Miami Marlins.
I think all three of these signings are good. But I wonder if any of them will be with the new their clubs by the end of July. All three players were in the post-season in 2018 with Wilson in a Cubs uniform, Kelley in the A's kelly green after beginning the year in D.C. and Walker in Yankee pinstripes. But Walker and Kelley join teams that finished in last place while Wilson joins a team that was one of MLB's biggest disappointments in 2017. If the Mets, Marlins and Rangers aren't in contention by the trade deadline, I believe all three players will be wearing different uniforms at the end of 2019. Call it my first prediction of the season.
Late last week, veteran lefty reliever Justin Wilson signed a 2-year, $10 million deal with the New York Mets. Over the weekend, veteran righty reliever Shawn Kelley signed a one year, $2.75 million deal with the Texas Rangers with an option for 2020. And earlier today, infielder Neil Walker signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the Miami Marlins.
I think all three of these signings are good. But I wonder if any of them will be with the new their clubs by the end of July. All three players were in the post-season in 2018 with Wilson in a Cubs uniform, Kelley in the A's kelly green after beginning the year in D.C. and Walker in Yankee pinstripes. But Walker and Kelley join teams that finished in last place while Wilson joins a team that was one of MLB's biggest disappointments in 2017. If the Mets, Marlins and Rangers aren't in contention by the trade deadline, I believe all three players will be wearing different uniforms at the end of 2019. Call it my first prediction of the season.
Harris' Demand That Congress Look at Sandy Hook Autopsy Photos Won't Help
During a CNN town hall meeting on Monday night, Democratic presidential hopeful Kamala Harris took this position on gun control:
This is going to sound very harsh. I think somebody should have required all those members of Congress to go in a room, in a locked room with no press and nobody else, and look at the autopsy photographs of those babies.
And then you vote your conscience. This has become a political issue.
This is going to sound very harsh. I think somebody should have required all those members of Congress to go in a room, in a locked room with no press and nobody else, and look at the autopsy photographs of those babies.
And then you vote your conscience. This has become a political issue.
No doubt looking at autopsy pictures of dead children would be a shock to the system. Few among us wouldn't be sickened by the spectacle.
But if Harris can recommend this course of action then what is to prevent President Trump from suggesting that Congress be locked in a room to look at autopsy photos of people killed by illegal immigrants?
Then there are also the facts of the case. The guns used to kill the children at Sandy Hook Elementary belonged to the killer's mother (who would end up being his first victim). There is no way she would have failed any kind of background check. Prior to his heinous act, the killer had no previous involvement with law enforcement. While Sandy Hook was heart wrenching, most gun fatalities in this country are as a result of suicides, not homicides. There can be no meaningful gun control in the United States without addressing gun suicides. Alas, Harris' suggestion is little more than a parlor trick and a search for easy answers where none are to be found.
With that said, I would still consider voting for Harris if she is the nominee. I realize that anyone running for President is going to make sensationalistic, unsubstantiated and outright false statements to mobilize their base. It comes with the territory. But when it comes to sensationalistic, unsubstantiated and outright false statements no one holds a candle to President Trump. Nevertheless, in the course of her pursuit of the White House, it would be easy for Harris to lower herself to Trump's standards. If Harris were to make a habit of making sensationalistic, unsubstantiated and outright false statements then I will look upon her unfavorably. Harris has two more strikes.
Sunday, January 27, 2019
Why Are Democrats So Afraid of Howard Schultz?
I did not see the 60 Minutes interview of former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, but it does strike me how he has managed to spook Democrats with the possibility he might make an independent bid for the White House:
Sarah Kendzior: "No one wants you. The only thing you will unite this country in is a mass boycott of Starbucks."
Congressman Ted Lieu: "A rich businessman with no government experience has wrecked America as @POTUS the past 2 years. Howard Schultz thinks the solution is another rich businessman with no government experience."
Charles Johnson: "Don't."
Kevin M. Kruse: "I’m an American political historian and I can assure you that the only thing you’ll accomplish by running for president as a centrist independent is helping re-elect Donald Trump."
There's seem to be a contradiction here. On one hand, the presence of Schultz on the ballot guarantees Trump's re-election. On the other hand, nobody wants Schultz. Well, both statements cannot be true. If Schultz has no constituency of speak of then he will be but a footnote in the 2020 race regardless of his resources.
I believe Congressman Lieu's statement is quite unfair. Are all rich businessmen with no government experience the same? While Trump grew up wealthy, Schultz is a self-made man. Nor does Schultz possess any of Trump's appeals to racism.
It seems to me Democrats believe they are entitled to the White House. No one is.
I don't know if Howard Schultz is the best person to succeed Donald Trump in the White House. There is a good chance he might be entirely ill suited to the position. But before arriving at any such conclusion I intend to give him a fair hearing just as I intend to give Kamala Harris, Julian Castro and most other Democrats bidding for the White House.
Sarah Kendzior: "No one wants you. The only thing you will unite this country in is a mass boycott of Starbucks."
Congressman Ted Lieu: "A rich businessman with no government experience has wrecked America as @POTUS the past 2 years. Howard Schultz thinks the solution is another rich businessman with no government experience."
Charles Johnson: "Don't."
Kevin M. Kruse: "I’m an American political historian and I can assure you that the only thing you’ll accomplish by running for president as a centrist independent is helping re-elect Donald Trump."
There's seem to be a contradiction here. On one hand, the presence of Schultz on the ballot guarantees Trump's re-election. On the other hand, nobody wants Schultz. Well, both statements cannot be true. If Schultz has no constituency of speak of then he will be but a footnote in the 2020 race regardless of his resources.
I believe Congressman Lieu's statement is quite unfair. Are all rich businessmen with no government experience the same? While Trump grew up wealthy, Schultz is a self-made man. Nor does Schultz possess any of Trump's appeals to racism.
It seems to me Democrats believe they are entitled to the White House. No one is.
I don't know if Howard Schultz is the best person to succeed Donald Trump in the White House. There is a good chance he might be entirely ill suited to the position. But before arriving at any such conclusion I intend to give him a fair hearing just as I intend to give Kamala Harris, Julian Castro and most other Democrats bidding for the White House.
Friday, January 25, 2019
The #TrumpShutdown Ends -- For Now
After five weeks, President Trump reluctantly agreed to reopen the federal government without any funding for the wall during a speech in the Rose Garden this afternoon. A short term deal funds the federal government through February 15th, but Trump is reserving the right to shutdown the government again or invoke emergency powers if Congress cannot agree to fund the wall.
The last thing Trump should want is to shutdown the government. Indeed, no member of Congress or future President should ever utter the words "government shutdown" ever again. All it accomplished was having 800,000 federal workers and 1.2 million contractors not being compensated creating economic anxiety and general instability while making Trump look foolish in the presence of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at every turn. Under the circumstances, assuming no funding for the wall is forthcoming, Trump will probably invoke emergency powers which would result in a court challenge that he might very well lose.
So why did Trump end the shutdown today?
His announcement came only hours after the FBI arrested his longtime confidante Roger Stone in the Mueller probe on charges ranging from false statements, witness tampering and obstruction of justice. Ending the shutdown certainly diverts attention away from the Stone indictment. That is at least until Mueller has another shoe to drop. Or should I say stone to turn?
But there's also the State of the Union address to consider. The thought of Pelosi depriving him of a nationwide forum to display his love for his own voice might have been too much to bear. Of course, Trump had planned to come to Capitol Hill on January 29th - shutdown or no shutdown - until Pelosi put the kibosh on it. Re-opening the government allows for the possibility of Trump to give his speech after all although Pelosi might make him sweat it out especially if he is planning to shutdown the government yet again in three weeks.
Although why he would want to shutdown the government again I cannot imagine unless Trump is really this stupid. The past 35 days have been the worse of his presidency. Trump's arrogance and incompetence were on full display for all to see. His actions did all harm and no good. There is no upside for him (or anyone else) to shutdown the federal government again.
The last thing Trump should want is to shutdown the government. Indeed, no member of Congress or future President should ever utter the words "government shutdown" ever again. All it accomplished was having 800,000 federal workers and 1.2 million contractors not being compensated creating economic anxiety and general instability while making Trump look foolish in the presence of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at every turn. Under the circumstances, assuming no funding for the wall is forthcoming, Trump will probably invoke emergency powers which would result in a court challenge that he might very well lose.
So why did Trump end the shutdown today?
His announcement came only hours after the FBI arrested his longtime confidante Roger Stone in the Mueller probe on charges ranging from false statements, witness tampering and obstruction of justice. Ending the shutdown certainly diverts attention away from the Stone indictment. That is at least until Mueller has another shoe to drop. Or should I say stone to turn?
But there's also the State of the Union address to consider. The thought of Pelosi depriving him of a nationwide forum to display his love for his own voice might have been too much to bear. Of course, Trump had planned to come to Capitol Hill on January 29th - shutdown or no shutdown - until Pelosi put the kibosh on it. Re-opening the government allows for the possibility of Trump to give his speech after all although Pelosi might make him sweat it out especially if he is planning to shutdown the government yet again in three weeks.
Although why he would want to shutdown the government again I cannot imagine unless Trump is really this stupid. The past 35 days have been the worse of his presidency. Trump's arrogance and incompetence were on full display for all to see. His actions did all harm and no good. There is no upside for him (or anyone else) to shutdown the federal government again.
Thursday, January 24, 2019
Trump's Next Overseas Trip Should Be To a Grocery Store
In defending Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross' befuddlement as to why furloughed federal workers would need to go to food banks, President Trump acknowledged that Ross "could have said it differently" only to once again demonstrate his tenuous grasp with reality by suggesting federal workers can get free groceries from their local Piggly Wiggly. Trump told reporters:
Local people know who they are. Where they go for groceries and everything else. They know the people. They’ve been dealing with them for years, and they work along. The grocery store...I think that’s probably what Wilbur Ross meant.
Local people know who they are. Where they go for groceries and everything else. They know the people. They’ve been dealing with them for years, and they work along. The grocery store...I think that’s probably what Wilbur Ross meant.
Given that the President has previously stated that photo IDs are necessary to buy food, I would like to suggest that Trump's next overseas trip should be to a grocery store.
Will A.J. Pollock Stay Healthy in a Dodgers Uniform?
After spending seven seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks, A.J. Pollock has signed a 4-year, $55 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers and is due to become their everyday centerfielder.
I worry about this deal because I wonder if Pollock can stay healthy. He has had stints on the DL over the last three seasons and four of the last five seasons including missing nearly the entire 2016 season due to a broken right elbow. Pollock's best season came in 2015 when he hit .315 with 20 HR and 76 RBI along with a Gold Glove and a NL All-Star Team selection. He did hit a career high 21 HR in 2018 despite missing nearly 50 games with a broken thumb.
Unless the Dodgers plan to sign Bryce Harper or significantly strengthen their pitching by acquiring Corey Kluber and Trevor Bauer, I don't think the addition of the 31-year old Pollock makes up for the loss of Yasiel Puig and Matt Kemp. Pollock enters the 2019 season with a .281 lifetime batting average with 74 HR and 264 RBI.
Whatever Pollock's chances in LA and the chances of the Dodgers capturing a seventh straight NL West title and a third consecutive NL pennant, the D'Backs enter 2019 a significantly diminished team with the departures of Pollock along with Paul Goldschmidt and top starter Patrick Corbin. D'Backs manager Torey Lovullo will have his work cut out for him in the NL West.
I worry about this deal because I wonder if Pollock can stay healthy. He has had stints on the DL over the last three seasons and four of the last five seasons including missing nearly the entire 2016 season due to a broken right elbow. Pollock's best season came in 2015 when he hit .315 with 20 HR and 76 RBI along with a Gold Glove and a NL All-Star Team selection. He did hit a career high 21 HR in 2018 despite missing nearly 50 games with a broken thumb.
Unless the Dodgers plan to sign Bryce Harper or significantly strengthen their pitching by acquiring Corey Kluber and Trevor Bauer, I don't think the addition of the 31-year old Pollock makes up for the loss of Yasiel Puig and Matt Kemp. Pollock enters the 2019 season with a .281 lifetime batting average with 74 HR and 264 RBI.
Whatever Pollock's chances in LA and the chances of the Dodgers capturing a seventh straight NL West title and a third consecutive NL pennant, the D'Backs enter 2019 a significantly diminished team with the departures of Pollock along with Paul Goldschmidt and top starter Patrick Corbin. D'Backs manager Torey Lovullo will have his work cut out for him in the NL West.
Wilbur Ross Has Never Had To Worry About Finding His Next Meal
Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross outdid Lara Trump this morning when during an interview on CNBC said he couldn't fathom why furloughed federal workers would need to use food banks.
“I know they are, and I don’t really quite understand why,” said Ross, “Because, as I mentioned before, the obligations that they would undertake, say borrowing from a bank or a credit union, are in effect federally guaranteed.” Ross went on to state:
Put it in perspective, you’re talking about 800,000 workers, and while I feel sorry for the individuals that have hardship cases, 800,000 workers if they never got their pay, which is not the case — they will eventually get it — but if they never got it, you’re talking about a third of a percent on our GDP. So, it’s not like it’s a gigantic number overall.
This could only be said by someone who has never had to worry about finding his next meal or missing a rent or mortgage payment. If the #TrumpShutdown goes on much longer then a lot of those 800,000 workers (not to mention more than a million federal contractors) are going to be filing for bankruptcy. A recession would be sure to follow.
It is statements from billionaires like Ross which draw people to the likes of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez who declared on MLK, Jr. Day that "a system which allows billionaires to exist" is "immoral."
Of course, this statement is every bit as foolish as that of Ross or Lara Trump before him. But when a growing segment of the American middle class doesn't know when their next paychecks are coming because of President Trump's arrogance, cruelty and sneering (along with those like Ross and Lara Trump who reinforce his behavior) then more and more people are going to be receptive to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's socialism with a smiling face.
“I know they are, and I don’t really quite understand why,” said Ross, “Because, as I mentioned before, the obligations that they would undertake, say borrowing from a bank or a credit union, are in effect federally guaranteed.” Ross went on to state:
Put it in perspective, you’re talking about 800,000 workers, and while I feel sorry for the individuals that have hardship cases, 800,000 workers if they never got their pay, which is not the case — they will eventually get it — but if they never got it, you’re talking about a third of a percent on our GDP. So, it’s not like it’s a gigantic number overall.
This could only be said by someone who has never had to worry about finding his next meal or missing a rent or mortgage payment. If the #TrumpShutdown goes on much longer then a lot of those 800,000 workers (not to mention more than a million federal contractors) are going to be filing for bankruptcy. A recession would be sure to follow.
It is statements from billionaires like Ross which draw people to the likes of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez who declared on MLK, Jr. Day that "a system which allows billionaires to exist" is "immoral."
Of course, this statement is every bit as foolish as that of Ross or Lara Trump before him. But when a growing segment of the American middle class doesn't know when their next paychecks are coming because of President Trump's arrogance, cruelty and sneering (along with those like Ross and Lara Trump who reinforce his behavior) then more and more people are going to be receptive to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's socialism with a smiling face.
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Pomeranz Returns to West Coast By Signing With The Giants
Drew Pomeranz has signed a one year, $1.5 million deal with the San Francisco Giants. Incentives could put that figure as high as $5 million.
Pomeranz spent the past two and a half seasons with the Boston Red Sox and earned a World Series ring in 2018. However, last season was not a happy time for Pomeranz. After winning a career high 17 games in 2017, Pomeranz struggled going 2-6 with a 6.08 ERA in 26 appearances. Pomeranz was removed from the starting rotation in early August and did not pitch in the post-season.
The 30-year old southpaw has a chance to revive his career with a return to the West Coast. Prior to joining the Red Sox, Pomeranz pitched with the Colorado Rockies, Oakland A's and San Diego Padres. Pomeranz was selected to the NL All Star Team in 2016 shortly before being dealt to Boston. Getting as far away from Boston as possible and back in the NL West might be the best opportunity for Pomeranz to revive his career.
Pomeranz spent the past two and a half seasons with the Boston Red Sox and earned a World Series ring in 2018. However, last season was not a happy time for Pomeranz. After winning a career high 17 games in 2017, Pomeranz struggled going 2-6 with a 6.08 ERA in 26 appearances. Pomeranz was removed from the starting rotation in early August and did not pitch in the post-season.
The 30-year old southpaw has a chance to revive his career with a return to the West Coast. Prior to joining the Red Sox, Pomeranz pitched with the Colorado Rockies, Oakland A's and San Diego Padres. Pomeranz was selected to the NL All Star Team in 2016 shortly before being dealt to Boston. Getting as far away from Boston as possible and back in the NL West might be the best opportunity for Pomeranz to revive his career.
Pelosi Counterpunches Trump on SOTU Address
President Trump prides himself on being a counterpuncher.
But as it turns out House Speaker Nancy Pelosi packs quite the counterpunch herself.
Earlier this month, Pelosi informed President Trump the State of the Union address scheduled for January 29th would be delayed until the federal government re-opened. She also gave him the option of submitting it to Congress in writing. Twenty four hours later, Trump cancelled her "excursion" Brussels, Egypt and Afghanistan - the latter of which would have seen her meet our troops.
Fast forward to this morning when Trump informed Pelosi that he would be delivering the SOTU address as previously scheduled. "I look forward to seeing you on the evening on January 29th in the Chamber of the House of Representatives," Trump wrote,"It would be so very sad for our Country if the State of the Union were not delivered on time. on schedule, and very importantly, on location!"
Pelosi replied this afternoon with a letter of her own. "I am writing to inform you that the House of Representatives will not consider a concurrent resolution authorizing the President’s State of the Union address in the House Chamber until government has opened."
Of course, Trump will not stay silent on the subject long. He will most likely organize a rally of some kind on the Capitol and call it the People's State of the Union.
Whatever his response, Pelosi will be ready for him.
Trump can hit, but Pelosi hits harder and her punches land.
But as it turns out House Speaker Nancy Pelosi packs quite the counterpunch herself.
Earlier this month, Pelosi informed President Trump the State of the Union address scheduled for January 29th would be delayed until the federal government re-opened. She also gave him the option of submitting it to Congress in writing. Twenty four hours later, Trump cancelled her "excursion" Brussels, Egypt and Afghanistan - the latter of which would have seen her meet our troops.
Fast forward to this morning when Trump informed Pelosi that he would be delivering the SOTU address as previously scheduled. "I look forward to seeing you on the evening on January 29th in the Chamber of the House of Representatives," Trump wrote,"It would be so very sad for our Country if the State of the Union were not delivered on time. on schedule, and very importantly, on location!"
Pelosi replied this afternoon with a letter of her own. "I am writing to inform you that the House of Representatives will not consider a concurrent resolution authorizing the President’s State of the Union address in the House Chamber until government has opened."
Of course, Trump will not stay silent on the subject long. He will most likely organize a rally of some kind on the Capitol and call it the People's State of the Union.
Whatever his response, Pelosi will be ready for him.
Trump can hit, but Pelosi hits harder and her punches land.
Lara Trump to Furloughed Federal Workers: Let Them Eat Hamberder
In an interview with the online conservative TV show Bold TV, Lara Trump, the daughter-in-law to President Trump did her best Marie Antoinette impersonation where it concerned federal workers affected by the #TrumpShutdown:
We get that this is unfair to you, but this is so much bigger than any one person. It is a little bit of pain, but it’s going to be for the future of our country and their children and their grandchildren and generations after that will thank them for their sacrifice right now.
I know it’s hard, I know they have bills to pay, they have mortgages, they have rents that are due, but the president is trying every single day to come up with a good solution here and the reality is it’s been something that has gone on for too long and gone unaddressed. I would just tell them, please stay strong, we appreciate everything that you’re sacrificing, we’re behind you and we are going to do everything that we can, I know the president is doing everything he can to resolve this quickly.
This is exactly about one person - President Trump. It was he who inflicted all of this and boasted he would be proud to shut down the government and to do so for months, if not years. Trump has no intention of resolving this quickly.
Of course, Lara Trump is feeling no pain whatsoever. She never need worry about coming up with the money necessary to pay bills, mortgages or rent. I very much doubt the children and grandchildren of furloughed federal workers are going to thank them for losing their home so the President can erect a wall. Her words are of no consequence and are most unwelcome. She might as well have said, "Let them eat hamberder."
We get that this is unfair to you, but this is so much bigger than any one person. It is a little bit of pain, but it’s going to be for the future of our country and their children and their grandchildren and generations after that will thank them for their sacrifice right now.
I know it’s hard, I know they have bills to pay, they have mortgages, they have rents that are due, but the president is trying every single day to come up with a good solution here and the reality is it’s been something that has gone on for too long and gone unaddressed. I would just tell them, please stay strong, we appreciate everything that you’re sacrificing, we’re behind you and we are going to do everything that we can, I know the president is doing everything he can to resolve this quickly.
This is exactly about one person - President Trump. It was he who inflicted all of this and boasted he would be proud to shut down the government and to do so for months, if not years. Trump has no intention of resolving this quickly.
Of course, Lara Trump is feeling no pain whatsoever. She never need worry about coming up with the money necessary to pay bills, mortgages or rent. I very much doubt the children and grandchildren of furloughed federal workers are going to thank them for losing their home so the President can erect a wall. Her words are of no consequence and are most unwelcome. She might as well have said, "Let them eat hamberder."
Tuesday, January 22, 2019
Thoughts on Mo Rivera, Halladay, Edgar & Mussina Reaching Cooperstown
The National Baseball Hall of Fame's membership grew by four players today when it was announced that Mariano Rivera, the late Roy Halladay, Edgar Martinez and Mike Mussina were all elected by the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA).
The Panamanian born Rivera spent his entire 19-year MLB career with the New York Yankees. He saved a MLB record 652 games, earned five World Series rings and made 13 AL All-Star Teams. Rivera was and remains one of the most revered professional athletes ever. It's not every Yankee who gets a standing ovation at Fenway Park. Rivera becomes the first Hall of Famer to receive 100% of the vote.
It was a bittersweet day for the family of Roy Halladay. Although inducted in his first year of eligibility, he will only be in Cooperstown in spirit. Halladay perished in a plane crash in November 2017 at the age of 40. A first round draft pick of the Toronto Blue Jays in 1995, Halladay showed early promise by nearly throwing a no-hitter in his second big league appearance in 1998. By 2000, Halladay had fallen apart on the mound and was demoted all the way to Single-A ball in Dunedin, Florida. With the help of pitching coach Mel Queen plus learning how to throw the cut fastball from none other than Mariano Rivera, Halladay changed his delivery and returned to the Jays one of the most dominant pitchers in the American League before joining the Philadelphia Phillies in 2010. He earned two Cy Young Awards (one in the AL in 2003, one in the NL in 2010), led the league in complete games seven times and led the league in innings pitched four times, was named to eight All-Star teams, threw a perfect game and became the first pitcher since Don Larsen to throw a no-hitter in the post-season. Halladay reaches Cooperstown with 85.4%.
Edgar Martinez also received 85.4% of the vote from the BBWAA. Unlike Rivera and Halladay, Martinez reaches Cooperstown on his 10th and final year on the the BBWAA ballot. Martinez spent his entire 18-year MLB career with the Seattle Mariners primarily as a DH. Martinez earned two AL batting titles, led the AL in OBP thrice, drove in 100 or more runs six times (including a league leading 145 in 2000), was named to seven AL All-Star teams and bestowed with five Silver Sluggers finishing his career with a lifetime .312 batting average. Martinez is also arguably the greatest player to ever put on a Mariners' uniform and is the team's all-time leader in games played, OBP, runs scored, total bases, doubles and walks.
In his sixth year on the ballot, Mike Mussina got over the finish line with 76.7% of the vote (the threshold is 75%). Although Mussina never won a AL Cy Young, he had six top five finishes winning in double digits in 17 consecutive seasons finally winning 20 in his final big league season in 2008. Equally successful during his decade long tenure with the Baltimore Orioles and in eight seasons with the Yankees, Mussina finished his career with 270 wins and 2813 strikeouts along with seven AL Gold Gloves and five AL All-Star appearances. He probably would have been inducted sooner had he attained 300 wins or 3000 strikeouts. But no matter. He's there now.
The quartet will be enshrined in Cooperstown on July 21st along with Today's Game selections Lee Smith and Harold Baines, J.G. Taylor Spink Award winner Jayson Stark and the late Al Helfer who will be bestowed with the Ford C. Frick Award. That will be some weekend in upstate New York.
It was a bittersweet day for the family of Roy Halladay. Although inducted in his first year of eligibility, he will only be in Cooperstown in spirit. Halladay perished in a plane crash in November 2017 at the age of 40. A first round draft pick of the Toronto Blue Jays in 1995, Halladay showed early promise by nearly throwing a no-hitter in his second big league appearance in 1998. By 2000, Halladay had fallen apart on the mound and was demoted all the way to Single-A ball in Dunedin, Florida. With the help of pitching coach Mel Queen plus learning how to throw the cut fastball from none other than Mariano Rivera, Halladay changed his delivery and returned to the Jays one of the most dominant pitchers in the American League before joining the Philadelphia Phillies in 2010. He earned two Cy Young Awards (one in the AL in 2003, one in the NL in 2010), led the league in complete games seven times and led the league in innings pitched four times, was named to eight All-Star teams, threw a perfect game and became the first pitcher since Don Larsen to throw a no-hitter in the post-season. Halladay reaches Cooperstown with 85.4%.
Edgar Martinez also received 85.4% of the vote from the BBWAA. Unlike Rivera and Halladay, Martinez reaches Cooperstown on his 10th and final year on the the BBWAA ballot. Martinez spent his entire 18-year MLB career with the Seattle Mariners primarily as a DH. Martinez earned two AL batting titles, led the AL in OBP thrice, drove in 100 or more runs six times (including a league leading 145 in 2000), was named to seven AL All-Star teams and bestowed with five Silver Sluggers finishing his career with a lifetime .312 batting average. Martinez is also arguably the greatest player to ever put on a Mariners' uniform and is the team's all-time leader in games played, OBP, runs scored, total bases, doubles and walks.
In his sixth year on the ballot, Mike Mussina got over the finish line with 76.7% of the vote (the threshold is 75%). Although Mussina never won a AL Cy Young, he had six top five finishes winning in double digits in 17 consecutive seasons finally winning 20 in his final big league season in 2008. Equally successful during his decade long tenure with the Baltimore Orioles and in eight seasons with the Yankees, Mussina finished his career with 270 wins and 2813 strikeouts along with seven AL Gold Gloves and five AL All-Star appearances. He probably would have been inducted sooner had he attained 300 wins or 3000 strikeouts. But no matter. He's there now.
The quartet will be enshrined in Cooperstown on July 21st along with Today's Game selections Lee Smith and Harold Baines, J.G. Taylor Spink Award winner Jayson Stark and the late Al Helfer who will be bestowed with the Ford C. Frick Award. That will be some weekend in upstate New York.
I Hope John Delaney Doesn't Become The Jim Gilmore of The 2020 Democratic Presidential Field
As of this writing there are five Democrats who have officially launched bids for the White House in 2020. Four of them have officially announced this month - Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, former HUD Secretary Julian Castro, New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and California Senator Kamala Harris.
The fifth candidate has been in the race for considerably longer and is yet the least well known. John Delaney, a former three term Congressman from Maryland, announced his candidacy for President in July 2017 when he wrote an op-ed in The Washington Post.
There's nothing in his op-ed which stands out in particular apart from his emphasis on "excessive partisanship". In an age of excessive partisanship, I don't think he'll get very far. The fact that he is a white, middle-aged male won't help him either. There's a very good chance he could be to the 2020 Democratic field what former Virginia Governor Jim Gilmore was to the Republican field in 2016 and find himself excluded from a majority of the debates.
This would be a shame. Delaney has every much right to be considered by Democratic voters as Harris, Gillibrand, Castro, Gabbard or any other Democrat who wishes to enter the race.
The fifth candidate has been in the race for considerably longer and is yet the least well known. John Delaney, a former three term Congressman from Maryland, announced his candidacy for President in July 2017 when he wrote an op-ed in The Washington Post.
There's nothing in his op-ed which stands out in particular apart from his emphasis on "excessive partisanship". In an age of excessive partisanship, I don't think he'll get very far. The fact that he is a white, middle-aged male won't help him either. There's a very good chance he could be to the 2020 Democratic field what former Virginia Governor Jim Gilmore was to the Republican field in 2016 and find himself excluded from a majority of the debates.
This would be a shame. Delaney has every much right to be considered by Democratic voters as Harris, Gillibrand, Castro, Gabbard or any other Democrat who wishes to enter the race.
Monday, January 21, 2019
My 2019 Baseball Hall of Fame Ballot (If The BBWAA Gave Me a Vote)
Tomorrow the BBWAA will unveil the Class of 2019 who will be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame this July in Cooperstown, New York. If I were a member of the BBWAA, here are the 10 candidates for whom I would cast ballots.
1. Mariano Rivera
2. Roy Halladay
3. Curt Schilling
4. Omar Vizquel
5. Larry Walker
6. Fred McGriff
7. Jeff Kent
8. Scott Rolen
9. Andruw Jones
10. Edgar Martinez
It is Rivera's first year of eligibility on the ballot and he if doesn't get 100% of the vote, he'll get very, very close.
It is also Halladay's first year of eligibility. Sadly, his induction will be a posthumous one. At the time of his death, I argued the BBWAA should have waived its rules for his early induction. He might not get in on his first try, but if he doesn't he'll be close.
I don't think the same will be said for Curt Schilling. Not as long as he supports Trump though I wish this wouldn't be held against him.
I don't know if Vizquel will get in this year, but he will get in eventually. I view Vizquel as the Luis Aparicio of his generation and it took him six tries before he got the call. Vizquel is in his third year of eligibility.
Nevertheless, the Hall of Fame rarely values defensive work. But I do. It is why I voted for Vizquel along with Rolen, Walker and Jones (who I very reluctantly left off my list last year). However, aside from Vizquel, they will be lucky to be on the third of the ballots.
It is McGriff's last year of eligibility and I would hate to think that being 7 HR shy of 500 is all that is keeping him out of Cooperstown. Perhaps the Today's Game Committee will assist McGriff in the same way they have assisted Jack Morris, Alan Trammell, Lee Smith and Harold Baines into Cooperstown.
It is also Martinez's final year on the ballot, but he will very likely get in. I reluctantly made him my 10th pick over Mike Mussina. Don't get me wrong. Martinez is very good, but he's no David Ortiz.
I've always had a soft spot for Jeff Kent, but few others have.
Once again, I left off both Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens. I will probably put them on in their final year of eligibility. In the meantime, I shall continue to give priority to other players.
1. Mariano Rivera
2. Roy Halladay
3. Curt Schilling
4. Omar Vizquel
5. Larry Walker
6. Fred McGriff
7. Jeff Kent
8. Scott Rolen
9. Andruw Jones
10. Edgar Martinez
It is Rivera's first year of eligibility on the ballot and he if doesn't get 100% of the vote, he'll get very, very close.
It is also Halladay's first year of eligibility. Sadly, his induction will be a posthumous one. At the time of his death, I argued the BBWAA should have waived its rules for his early induction. He might not get in on his first try, but if he doesn't he'll be close.
I don't think the same will be said for Curt Schilling. Not as long as he supports Trump though I wish this wouldn't be held against him.
I don't know if Vizquel will get in this year, but he will get in eventually. I view Vizquel as the Luis Aparicio of his generation and it took him six tries before he got the call. Vizquel is in his third year of eligibility.
Nevertheless, the Hall of Fame rarely values defensive work. But I do. It is why I voted for Vizquel along with Rolen, Walker and Jones (who I very reluctantly left off my list last year). However, aside from Vizquel, they will be lucky to be on the third of the ballots.
It is McGriff's last year of eligibility and I would hate to think that being 7 HR shy of 500 is all that is keeping him out of Cooperstown. Perhaps the Today's Game Committee will assist McGriff in the same way they have assisted Jack Morris, Alan Trammell, Lee Smith and Harold Baines into Cooperstown.
It is also Martinez's final year on the ballot, but he will very likely get in. I reluctantly made him my 10th pick over Mike Mussina. Don't get me wrong. Martinez is very good, but he's no David Ortiz.
I've always had a soft spot for Jeff Kent, but few others have.
Once again, I left off both Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens. I will probably put them on in their final year of eligibility. In the meantime, I shall continue to give priority to other players.
Thoughts on Sonny Gray, Cody Allen & Wilmer Flores New Addresses
Following a difficult tenure in the Bronx, the New York Yankees traded pitcher Sonny Gray to the Cincinnati Reds in a three team deal with the Seattle Mariners. Gray also signed a three year contract extension with the Reds with a team option for 2023.
After spending the first four and a half seasons of his MLB career with the Oakland A's which included a third place finish in AL Cy Young voting in 2015, Gray was dealt to the Yankees during the trade deadline in 2017. In 41 appearances (including 34 starts) went 15-16 with a 4.51 ERA, more than a run higher during his tenure in Oakland. While other pitchers have done worse, the Yankee fan base delighted in tormenting Gray. It was best for Gray to go elsewhere.
It might very well be that Cincinnati could be the perfect landing spot. Reds fans have much to look forward with the offseason acquisitions of ex-Dodgers Yasiel Puig and Matt Kemp. Gray, 29, also joins a rotation that now includes ex-Dodgers pitcher Alex Wood and former Nats starter Tanner Roark. Gray will not have the pressure of being looked upon as the staff ace, but rather as part of a triumvirate of quality starting pitchers. The fact that the Reds have signed Gray to a contract extension is a vote of confidence that he will be in their future plans for several years to come.
The Los Angeles Angels have a new closer in Cody Allen who signed a one year, $8.5 million deal. The 30-year old right-hander had spent his entire professional career in the Cleveland Indians' organization where he was the club's all-time saves leader with 149. However, Allen had a career worst 4.70 ERA in 2018 and would lose his job to Brad Hand shortly after his arrival from the San Diego Padres. The Angels have been very busy improving their pitching having added the likes of Matt Harvey and Trevor Cahill to their starting rotation. Adding Allen as their closer could put the Angels back in the mix in the AL West.
The Arizona Diamondbacks have infield versatility with the addition of former New York Met Wilmer Flores. The 27-year old native of Venezuela signed a one year deal with the D'Backs worth $4.25 million with a club option for 2020. Flores became a fan favorite at Citi Field after wiping tears away upon learning he had been traded to the Milwaukee Brewers for Carlos Gomez at the trade deadline in July 2015. Only the trade didn't happen and Flores ended up being an integral part of the Mets first NL championship in 15 years. Flores originally signed with the Mets as a teenager in 2007 and made the big league roster in 2013. In six seasons with the Mets, Flores has hit. 262 with 68 HR and 253 RBI.
While I think Flores will fit in nicely with Torey Lovullo's squad in Phoenix, I have a feeling he will be back in a Mets uniform before he calls it a career.
After spending the first four and a half seasons of his MLB career with the Oakland A's which included a third place finish in AL Cy Young voting in 2015, Gray was dealt to the Yankees during the trade deadline in 2017. In 41 appearances (including 34 starts) went 15-16 with a 4.51 ERA, more than a run higher during his tenure in Oakland. While other pitchers have done worse, the Yankee fan base delighted in tormenting Gray. It was best for Gray to go elsewhere.
It might very well be that Cincinnati could be the perfect landing spot. Reds fans have much to look forward with the offseason acquisitions of ex-Dodgers Yasiel Puig and Matt Kemp. Gray, 29, also joins a rotation that now includes ex-Dodgers pitcher Alex Wood and former Nats starter Tanner Roark. Gray will not have the pressure of being looked upon as the staff ace, but rather as part of a triumvirate of quality starting pitchers. The fact that the Reds have signed Gray to a contract extension is a vote of confidence that he will be in their future plans for several years to come.
The Los Angeles Angels have a new closer in Cody Allen who signed a one year, $8.5 million deal. The 30-year old right-hander had spent his entire professional career in the Cleveland Indians' organization where he was the club's all-time saves leader with 149. However, Allen had a career worst 4.70 ERA in 2018 and would lose his job to Brad Hand shortly after his arrival from the San Diego Padres. The Angels have been very busy improving their pitching having added the likes of Matt Harvey and Trevor Cahill to their starting rotation. Adding Allen as their closer could put the Angels back in the mix in the AL West.
The Arizona Diamondbacks have infield versatility with the addition of former New York Met Wilmer Flores. The 27-year old native of Venezuela signed a one year deal with the D'Backs worth $4.25 million with a club option for 2020. Flores became a fan favorite at Citi Field after wiping tears away upon learning he had been traded to the Milwaukee Brewers for Carlos Gomez at the trade deadline in July 2015. Only the trade didn't happen and Flores ended up being an integral part of the Mets first NL championship in 15 years. Flores originally signed with the Mets as a teenager in 2007 and made the big league roster in 2013. In six seasons with the Mets, Flores has hit. 262 with 68 HR and 253 RBI.
While I think Flores will fit in nicely with Torey Lovullo's squad in Phoenix, I have a feeling he will be back in a Mets uniform before he calls it a career.
Pence Absurdly Compares Trump to MLK, Jr.
There is only one reason Donald Trump picked Mike Pence as his Vice-President. Trump picked Pence because of his capacity for sucking up to Trump and heaping praise upon him.
But Pence took this effusiveness to new heights (or more accurately new depths) yesterday when during an appearance on CBS' Face the Nation he actually compared Trump to Martin Luther King, Jr.:
One of my favorite quotes from Dr. King was, ‘Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy.’ You think of how he changed America. He inspired us to change through the legislative process to become a more perfect union. That’s exactly what President Trump is calling on the Congress to do.
Come to the table in a spirit of good faith. We’ll secure our border, we’ll reopen the government and we’ll move our nation forward as the president said yesterday to an even broader discussion about immigration reform in the months ahead.
But Pence took this effusiveness to new heights (or more accurately new depths) yesterday when during an appearance on CBS' Face the Nation he actually compared Trump to Martin Luther King, Jr.:
One of my favorite quotes from Dr. King was, ‘Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy.’ You think of how he changed America. He inspired us to change through the legislative process to become a more perfect union. That’s exactly what President Trump is calling on the Congress to do.
Come to the table in a spirit of good faith. We’ll secure our border, we’ll reopen the government and we’ll move our nation forward as the president said yesterday to an even broader discussion about immigration reform in the months ahead.
Martin Luther King III, the eldest son of the slain civil rights leader, rebuked Pence characterizing his father as "a bridge builder, not a wall builder."
Let's put it another way. MLK, Jr. wanted an America that judged people by the content of their character, not the color of their skin. Let us just say that the content of President Trump's character is sorely lacking. As for Pence, he is surely not a good judge of character.
Let's put it another way. MLK, Jr. wanted an America that judged people by the content of their character, not the color of their skin. Let us just say that the content of President Trump's character is sorely lacking. As for Pence, he is surely not a good judge of character.
As of Now Kamala Harris Is Trump's Biggest Challenger in 2020
During an interview on Good Morning America, California Senator Kamala Harris formally entered the 2020 presidential race and will seek the Democratic Party's nomination for the White House. Her announcement coincided with Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Prior to her election to the Senate in 2016, Harris had been twice elected as California's Attorney General and had previously been the DA in San Francisco.
In a Democratic Party which has sharply veered to the left, Harris stands out as something of a centrist particularly where it concerns Israel. Unlike other Democrats, Harris has not been critical of Israel and made a point of meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in November 2017. As such I am open to supporting her in her bid for her party's nomination and in supporting her in November 2020 should she be nominated.
Among the current field of declared Democrats, I think Harris would prove to be the toughest challenge for President Trump. Like it or not, we are in an era of identity politics. If Alabama's Doug Jones could mobilize a record number of African-American female voters against Roy Moore in the Alabama special Senate election in December 2017 just imagine the impact of Harris' biracial identity and gender could have with the same bloc of voters nationwide. Given Trump's propensity for racially charged comments it is not difficult to see a scenario in which he uses racist language against Harris and thereby helps her cause. Trump might be wise to tread lightly around her.
Harris' entry into the race puts the current Democratic field at five. Other Democratic presidential hopefuls include Hawaiian Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, former HUD Secretary Julian Castro, New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and former Maryland Congressman John Delaney. Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren has an exploratory committee, but has not formally made a decision about running. The same cannot be said for Kamala Harris.
Prior to her election to the Senate in 2016, Harris had been twice elected as California's Attorney General and had previously been the DA in San Francisco.
In a Democratic Party which has sharply veered to the left, Harris stands out as something of a centrist particularly where it concerns Israel. Unlike other Democrats, Harris has not been critical of Israel and made a point of meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in November 2017. As such I am open to supporting her in her bid for her party's nomination and in supporting her in November 2020 should she be nominated.
Among the current field of declared Democrats, I think Harris would prove to be the toughest challenge for President Trump. Like it or not, we are in an era of identity politics. If Alabama's Doug Jones could mobilize a record number of African-American female voters against Roy Moore in the Alabama special Senate election in December 2017 just imagine the impact of Harris' biracial identity and gender could have with the same bloc of voters nationwide. Given Trump's propensity for racially charged comments it is not difficult to see a scenario in which he uses racist language against Harris and thereby helps her cause. Trump might be wise to tread lightly around her.
Harris' entry into the race puts the current Democratic field at five. Other Democratic presidential hopefuls include Hawaiian Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, former HUD Secretary Julian Castro, New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and former Maryland Congressman John Delaney. Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren has an exploratory committee, but has not formally made a decision about running. The same cannot be said for Kamala Harris.
Friday, January 18, 2019
Even if The BuzzFeed Story About Trump is True Don't Expect a Resignation or Impeachment
Last night, BuzzFeed reporters Jason Leopold and Anthony Cormier broke a story which stated that President Trump directed his former attorney Michael Cohen to lie to Congress about the Trump Tower project in Moscow. The two sources are anonymous federal law enforcement officials:
Now the two sources have told BuzzFeed News that Cohen also told the special counsel that after the election, the president personally instructed him to lie — by claiming that negotiations ended months earlier than they actually did — in order to obscure Trump’s involvement.
The special counsel’s office learned about Trump’s directive for Cohen to lie to Congress through interviews with multiple witnesses from the Trump Organization and internal company emails, text messages, and a cache of other documents. Cohen then acknowledged those instructions during his interviews with that office.
This revelation is not the first evidence to suggest the president may have attempted to obstruct the FBI and special counsel investigations into Russia’s interference in the 2016 election.
But Cohen's testimony marks a significant new frontier: It is the first known example of Trump explicitly telling a subordinate to lie directly about his own dealings with Russia.
On the campaign trail, Trump vehemently denied having any business interests in Russia. But behind the scenes, he was pushing the Moscow project, which he hoped could bring his company profits in excess of $300 million. The two law enforcement sources said he had at least 10 face-to-face meetings with Cohen about the deal during the campaign.
Although White House spokesman Hogan Gidley attacked Cohen's credibility in an interview with Fox News this morning, Gidley did not deny the allegation set out in the BuzzFeed story. Nor was a denial forthcoming from Kellyanne Conway who lamented the sources were law enforcement officials.
Trump's attorney Rudy Giuliani finally denied the allegation. But it was only a couple of days ago that Giuliani told CNN's Chris Cuomo that he didn't deny the Trump campaign colluded with Russia while claiming Trump himself had no such involvement. I have a feeling Giuliani's story could soon change.
Naturally, there is scrutiny about the reporters themselves, particularly Leopold who reported in 2006 that Karl Rove and other senior Bush Administration officials were going to face indictment in the Valerie Plame affair, but this did not come to pass.
But let us assume that Leopold and Cormier got it right. It doesn't mean they'll become the next Woodward and Bernstein. I agree with NRO's Rich Lowry that Trump won't resign nor will be impeached:
Why would Trump ever quit? This is a man who has fought and clawed for every ounce of public attention -- good or bad -- he can get throughout his adult life, and now, occupying the biggest bully pit on the planet, he's just going to walk away?
Lowry goes on to state, "He's the least likely president to get worn down by an impeachment fight. What would discourage or deflate the normal human energizes him." Besides, no Republican controlled Senate would ever remove him from office. Lowry concludes that Trump critics would be "better directed towards the less spectacular, yet difficult enough task of beating him in 2020."
And that probably won't be enough. It is quite possible that it can proven beyond any reasonable doubt that Trump committed federal crimes and the people won't see fit to remove him from office. In which case, Trump might be tempted to take a gun with him back to Fifth Avenue and fire it with impunity.
Now the two sources have told BuzzFeed News that Cohen also told the special counsel that after the election, the president personally instructed him to lie — by claiming that negotiations ended months earlier than they actually did — in order to obscure Trump’s involvement.
The special counsel’s office learned about Trump’s directive for Cohen to lie to Congress through interviews with multiple witnesses from the Trump Organization and internal company emails, text messages, and a cache of other documents. Cohen then acknowledged those instructions during his interviews with that office.
This revelation is not the first evidence to suggest the president may have attempted to obstruct the FBI and special counsel investigations into Russia’s interference in the 2016 election.
But Cohen's testimony marks a significant new frontier: It is the first known example of Trump explicitly telling a subordinate to lie directly about his own dealings with Russia.
On the campaign trail, Trump vehemently denied having any business interests in Russia. But behind the scenes, he was pushing the Moscow project, which he hoped could bring his company profits in excess of $300 million. The two law enforcement sources said he had at least 10 face-to-face meetings with Cohen about the deal during the campaign.
Although White House spokesman Hogan Gidley attacked Cohen's credibility in an interview with Fox News this morning, Gidley did not deny the allegation set out in the BuzzFeed story. Nor was a denial forthcoming from Kellyanne Conway who lamented the sources were law enforcement officials.
Trump's attorney Rudy Giuliani finally denied the allegation. But it was only a couple of days ago that Giuliani told CNN's Chris Cuomo that he didn't deny the Trump campaign colluded with Russia while claiming Trump himself had no such involvement. I have a feeling Giuliani's story could soon change.
Naturally, there is scrutiny about the reporters themselves, particularly Leopold who reported in 2006 that Karl Rove and other senior Bush Administration officials were going to face indictment in the Valerie Plame affair, but this did not come to pass.
But let us assume that Leopold and Cormier got it right. It doesn't mean they'll become the next Woodward and Bernstein. I agree with NRO's Rich Lowry that Trump won't resign nor will be impeached:
Why would Trump ever quit? This is a man who has fought and clawed for every ounce of public attention -- good or bad -- he can get throughout his adult life, and now, occupying the biggest bully pit on the planet, he's just going to walk away?
Lowry goes on to state, "He's the least likely president to get worn down by an impeachment fight. What would discourage or deflate the normal human energizes him." Besides, no Republican controlled Senate would ever remove him from office. Lowry concludes that Trump critics would be "better directed towards the less spectacular, yet difficult enough task of beating him in 2020."
And that probably won't be enough. It is quite possible that it can proven beyond any reasonable doubt that Trump committed federal crimes and the people won't see fit to remove him from office. In which case, Trump might be tempted to take a gun with him back to Fifth Avenue and fire it with impunity.
Thursday, January 17, 2019
Trump Might Wish Pelosi Was Out of The Country After All
I wondered how President Trump would respond to Nancy Pelosi's letter asking him to delay giving the SOTU address until the government re-opened or to submit it in writing.
This afternoon Trump replied with a letter of his own informing Pelosi that her "seven day excursion" to Belgium, Egypt and Afghanistan (where she would visit our troops) was being "postponed." Trump further characterized Pelosi's visit as a "public relations event" adding she could travel "by flying commercial" if she wished. Last I checked, commercial airliners don't travel into war zones.
There will be no such impediments for Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and his delegation travelling to Switzerland representing the Trump Administration at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Meanwhile, 800,000 government employees continue to go without pay as the Trump shutdown has nearly reached four weeks.
Somehow I have a feeling that in the next few days Trump will wish Pelosi was out of the country after all.
This afternoon Trump replied with a letter of his own informing Pelosi that her "seven day excursion" to Belgium, Egypt and Afghanistan (where she would visit our troops) was being "postponed." Trump further characterized Pelosi's visit as a "public relations event" adding she could travel "by flying commercial" if she wished. Last I checked, commercial airliners don't travel into war zones.
There will be no such impediments for Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and his delegation travelling to Switzerland representing the Trump Administration at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Meanwhile, 800,000 government employees continue to go without pay as the Trump shutdown has nearly reached four weeks.
Somehow I have a feeling that in the next few days Trump will wish Pelosi was out of the country after all.
Will Ottavino Replicate His 2018 Success With The Yankees?
Adam Ottavino, who has spent nearly his entire MLB career in the Colorado Rockies' bullpen, has reportedly signed a 3-year, $27 million contract with the New York Yankees.
Ottavino, 33, is coming off the best season of his career. In 2018, Ottavino fanned 112 batters in only 77.2 innings pitched and cut his ERA by more than half (5.06 to 2.43) for the NL Wild Card champions. His Rockies' teammate D.J. LeMahieu signed with the Yankees last week.
Ottavino is expected to take on the role filled by David Robertson who has flown south to the Phillies. I don't think Ottavino will have a problem dealing with the extra scrutiny as he was born and raised in Brooklyn. Ottavino has no shortage of confidence as demonstrated last month when he claimed he would strike out Babe Ruth every time. But it is a lot to expect Ottavino to maintain last year's pace of 13 strikeout per 9 innings. If he falls short, Yankees fans could turn on him in an instant including his own family.
Then again, even if Ottavino falters someone like Chad Green could fill that role to accompany the triumvirate of Aroldis Chapman, Zach Britton and Dellin Bettances. The Yankees bullpen is pretty deep, Ottavino or no Ottavino.
Ottavino, 33, is coming off the best season of his career. In 2018, Ottavino fanned 112 batters in only 77.2 innings pitched and cut his ERA by more than half (5.06 to 2.43) for the NL Wild Card champions. His Rockies' teammate D.J. LeMahieu signed with the Yankees last week.
Ottavino is expected to take on the role filled by David Robertson who has flown south to the Phillies. I don't think Ottavino will have a problem dealing with the extra scrutiny as he was born and raised in Brooklyn. Ottavino has no shortage of confidence as demonstrated last month when he claimed he would strike out Babe Ruth every time. But it is a lot to expect Ottavino to maintain last year's pace of 13 strikeout per 9 innings. If he falls short, Yankees fans could turn on him in an instant including his own family.
Then again, even if Ottavino falters someone like Chad Green could fill that role to accompany the triumvirate of Aroldis Chapman, Zach Britton and Dellin Bettances. The Yankees bullpen is pretty deep, Ottavino or no Ottavino.
Four Reasons Why Gillibrand's White House Bid Will Never Get Off The Ground
Less than a day after launching a presidential exploratory committee, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand told Stephen Colbert she will be running for President in 2020.
I'm just not seeing it. I can think of at least four reasons Gillibrand won't earn the Democratic Party's nomination.
1. She's a Typical Politician
When Gillibrand was in the House of Representatives, she took a hardline against gun control and illegal immigration. Now not so much. Today, Gillibrand is now alright with issuing drivers' licenses to illegal immigrants. Her Democratic opponents will have a field day on these issues.
Gillibrand is a typical politician running against an atypical President. She cannot play Trump's game and if she tries she will crushed into obscurity.
2. She Will Have Trouble Stopping The Media From Paying Attention to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez...Never Mind Kamala Harris or Elizabeth Warren
It would be one thing if Gillibrand was the most popular politician in New York state. But her presidential announcement on Colbert was quickly overshadowed by AOC's search for Mitch McConnell. If Gillibrand struggles to grab attention away from a rookie Congresswoman then it is difficult to see a viable presidential campaign. I haven't even mentioned her Senate colleagues Kamala Harris or Elizabeth Warren.
3. Her Treatment of Al Franken
Even in the era of #MeToo, Democratic Party donors have never forgiven Gillibrand for her role in orchestrating Al Franken's resignation from the Senate in 2017 amid sexual misconduct allegations. This would likely have been the case even if the allegations had been substantiated. But Gillibrand saw to it that Franken never got a hearing from his Senate colleagues (something her Republican colleagues were only too happy to go along with and let her to their dirty work).
4. Stating Bill Clinton Should Have Resigned During The Lewinsky Scandal
An argument could be made that Democrats have looked the other way with Bill Clinton when going after Donald Trump's tawdry behavior. Gillibrand could have been viewed as a profile in courage. But given how she benefitted from the Clinton political machine this was viewed as opportunism. It must also be remembered that many Democrats believe that Hillary Clinton was robbed of the presidency. Criticizing the former President (and by extension criticizing Herself) won't take Gillibrand very far at all.
President Trump has very little to worry about where it concerns Kirsten Gillibrand.
I'm just not seeing it. I can think of at least four reasons Gillibrand won't earn the Democratic Party's nomination.
1. She's a Typical Politician
When Gillibrand was in the House of Representatives, she took a hardline against gun control and illegal immigration. Now not so much. Today, Gillibrand is now alright with issuing drivers' licenses to illegal immigrants. Her Democratic opponents will have a field day on these issues.
Gillibrand is a typical politician running against an atypical President. She cannot play Trump's game and if she tries she will crushed into obscurity.
2. She Will Have Trouble Stopping The Media From Paying Attention to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez...Never Mind Kamala Harris or Elizabeth Warren
It would be one thing if Gillibrand was the most popular politician in New York state. But her presidential announcement on Colbert was quickly overshadowed by AOC's search for Mitch McConnell. If Gillibrand struggles to grab attention away from a rookie Congresswoman then it is difficult to see a viable presidential campaign. I haven't even mentioned her Senate colleagues Kamala Harris or Elizabeth Warren.
3. Her Treatment of Al Franken
Even in the era of #MeToo, Democratic Party donors have never forgiven Gillibrand for her role in orchestrating Al Franken's resignation from the Senate in 2017 amid sexual misconduct allegations. This would likely have been the case even if the allegations had been substantiated. But Gillibrand saw to it that Franken never got a hearing from his Senate colleagues (something her Republican colleagues were only too happy to go along with and let her to their dirty work).
4. Stating Bill Clinton Should Have Resigned During The Lewinsky Scandal
An argument could be made that Democrats have looked the other way with Bill Clinton when going after Donald Trump's tawdry behavior. Gillibrand could have been viewed as a profile in courage. But given how she benefitted from the Clinton political machine this was viewed as opportunism. It must also be remembered that many Democrats believe that Hillary Clinton was robbed of the presidency. Criticizing the former President (and by extension criticizing Herself) won't take Gillibrand very far at all.
President Trump has very little to worry about where it concerns Kirsten Gillibrand.
Wednesday, January 16, 2019
May Gets Reprieve But Must Have Plan B For Brexit In Five Days; Is Plan B a Second Referendum?
British Prime Minister Theresa May got a reprieve by surviving a vote of confidence in the House of Commons only 24 hours after MPs rejected her Brexit deal by more than 200 votes.
But May has only until next Monday (January 21st) to present the House with a Plan B for a Brexit deal. Given the EU has said the terms of Brexit cannot be renegotiated, it is hard to see what May can possibly come up with in the next five days which she hasn't been able to come up with for past 2½ years. That is unless it involves calling a second referendum, something she has opposed up until now.
But a referendum might be the only card she can play at this point. With no viable Plan B and a pledge not to run in the next general election she and the Tories would have surely lost and the prospect of Britain leaving the EU on March 29th without any deal, May may now welcome a second referendum and so might the opposition including the Labour Party who has no better idea how to deal with this mess than May does.
Should there be a second referendum, Parliament must approve the question. What will the question be? Could it be multiple choice? There's a good chance things the future of Britain in the EU will get even murkier than it already is. But if it's a choice between murky and Corbyn, there are many who will be delighted with murky.
But May has only until next Monday (January 21st) to present the House with a Plan B for a Brexit deal. Given the EU has said the terms of Brexit cannot be renegotiated, it is hard to see what May can possibly come up with in the next five days which she hasn't been able to come up with for past 2½ years. That is unless it involves calling a second referendum, something she has opposed up until now.
But a referendum might be the only card she can play at this point. With no viable Plan B and a pledge not to run in the next general election she and the Tories would have surely lost and the prospect of Britain leaving the EU on March 29th without any deal, May may now welcome a second referendum and so might the opposition including the Labour Party who has no better idea how to deal with this mess than May does.
Should there be a second referendum, Parliament must approve the question. What will the question be? Could it be multiple choice? There's a good chance things the future of Britain in the EU will get even murkier than it already is. But if it's a choice between murky and Corbyn, there are many who will be delighted with murky.
How Will Trump Respond to Pelosi's Request to Delay The SOTU or Send It In Writing?
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has written a letter to President Trump requesting he delay delivering the State of the Union address which was scheduled to occur on January 29th "until after the government re-opens" or to submit it to Congress in writing as per its original form.
Pelosi has put Trump in an interesting spot.
Is Trump so in love with the sound of his own voice that he would agree to re-open the government just to hear it?
It could be the case that Trump has so much vanity that he will tell Pelosi that he is coming to Congress on January 29th and that any member of Congress who wishes to attend can do so. That would put the ball back in Pelosi's court. In which case, Pelosi could give the appearance of relenting only to lead to walkout during Trump's speech. This would make for some dramatic television. I'm sure Trump would reply, "Good. Leave. I'll handle this without you."
Of course, Trump could submit the speech in writing. But if he did then he would probably do it on Twitter. All of which would make the night of January 29th that much longer.
Pelosi has put Trump in an interesting spot.
Is Trump so in love with the sound of his own voice that he would agree to re-open the government just to hear it?
It could be the case that Trump has so much vanity that he will tell Pelosi that he is coming to Congress on January 29th and that any member of Congress who wishes to attend can do so. That would put the ball back in Pelosi's court. In which case, Pelosi could give the appearance of relenting only to lead to walkout during Trump's speech. This would make for some dramatic television. I'm sure Trump would reply, "Good. Leave. I'll handle this without you."
Of course, Trump could submit the speech in writing. But if he did then he would probably do it on Twitter. All of which would make the night of January 29th that much longer.
Tuesday, January 15, 2019
The DNC Dissociates Itself From Women's March For Ties to Farrakhan; So What About Obama?
I'm glad to hear the DNC saw fit to dissociate itself from the Women's March after its leadership repeatedly praised Louis Farrakhan while refusing to condemn his anti-Semitism as demonstrated by Tamika Mallory's disgraceful performance on The View on Monday. Kudos to Meghan McCain for delivering the knockout punch just over two months after actress Alyssa Milano stated in an interview with Advocate that she could not continue her support for the Women's March because of their anti-Semitism.
I share Milano's dismay. After all, I attended the Women's March in Boston the day after President Trump's inauguration to convey my displeasure with his election and for the things he said during the election campaign. Trump has done nothing to make me regret my decision to march that day. While I knew I didn't agree with everything the Women's March stood for I was nevertheless dismayed by their leadership's anti-Semitism and admiration for anti-Semitic figures like Farrakhan. Had I known at this on January 21, 2017 then I would have expressed my displeasure with Trump in another manner.
With that said, when I praised Milano's statement I pondered about what she thought of then Senator Barack Obama's 2005 meeting and photograph with Farrakhan:
Good for her. I wish more Democrats and so called progressives would speak out against Farrakhan.
Yet this leaves me with a question. What does she think of President Obama for meeting Farrakhan in 2005 shortly after his election to the Senate and having his picture taken with him? After all, Milano has long been a supporter of Obama and praised him and Michelle Obama for their service shortly before he left office in January 2017.
Would she distance herself from Obama as she has from the leadership of the Women's March?
Would she distance herself from Obama for his failure to not only to denounce Farrakhan and his anti-Semitism, but to give him legitimacy?
Or would she stop short for fear running afoul her left-wing allies?
Either way I would like to know.
I share Milano's dismay. After all, I attended the Women's March in Boston the day after President Trump's inauguration to convey my displeasure with his election and for the things he said during the election campaign. Trump has done nothing to make me regret my decision to march that day. While I knew I didn't agree with everything the Women's March stood for I was nevertheless dismayed by their leadership's anti-Semitism and admiration for anti-Semitic figures like Farrakhan. Had I known at this on January 21, 2017 then I would have expressed my displeasure with Trump in another manner.
With that said, when I praised Milano's statement I pondered about what she thought of then Senator Barack Obama's 2005 meeting and photograph with Farrakhan:
Good for her. I wish more Democrats and so called progressives would speak out against Farrakhan.
Yet this leaves me with a question. What does she think of President Obama for meeting Farrakhan in 2005 shortly after his election to the Senate and having his picture taken with him? After all, Milano has long been a supporter of Obama and praised him and Michelle Obama for their service shortly before he left office in January 2017.
Would she distance herself from Obama as she has from the leadership of the Women's March?
Would she distance herself from Obama for his failure to not only to denounce Farrakhan and his anti-Semitism, but to give him legitimacy?
Or would she stop short for fear running afoul her left-wing allies?
Either way I would like to know.
In light of today's development, I would like to pose the same questions to the DNC as well as add more question.
How is Barack Obama posing for a photograph with Louis Farrakhan any different than if Donald Trump had posed for a picture with David Duke?
It Won't Be Long Before Corbyn Moves Into Number 10 Downing Street & I Shudder At The Thought
The Trump presidency has wrought chaos in this country, but there is plenty of chaos across the Atlantic. To the surprise of no one, the British House of Commons overwhelmingly rejected the Brexit deal submitted by Prime Minister Theresa May by a vote of 432-202. While I am surprised that she has managed to stay on this long, her time remaining at Number 10 Downing Street may very well be measured in hours. Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn has tabled a vote of no confidence which could very well bring down May's Tory government by this time tomorrow.
Should this happen, there could be a general election or Corbyn could be asked to cobble together a government? Either way it spells disaster for the Tories. After surviving a leadership review only a month ago, May pledged not to run in the next election. If an election is called tomorrow who leads the Tories? Whether it's a matter of days or weeks, it appears Jeremy Corbyn will soon call 10 Downing home and I absolutely shudder at the thought.
Of course, May has been utterly incompetent and the Tories have now held power since May 2010. Labour was due to regain power regardless of who was at its helm. But Jeremy Corbyn is every bit the bigot and demagogue that Donald Trump is. The legacy of his leadership is to allow an environment where anti-Semitism has flourished in his party to the point where one of his own Jewish MPs no longer believes she is welcome in the party after he claimed Zionists weren't versed in British history and didn't understand British irony.
When Corbyn becomes Prime Minister this flourishing of hatred will expand well beyond the scope of the Labour Party and put the very existence of British Jewry in peril. As Britain's former Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks put it in an interview with The New Statesman last summer:
We can only judge Jeremy Corbyn by his words and his actions. He has given support to racists, terrorists and dealers of hate who want to kill Jews and remove from Israel from the map. When he implies that, however long they have lived here, Jews are not fully British, he is using the language of classic pre-war European anti-Semitism. When challenged with such facts, the evidence for which is before our eyes, first he denies, then he equivocates, then he obfuscates. This is low, dishonest and dangerous. He has legitimised the public expression of hate, and where he leads, others will follow.
Should this happen, there could be a general election or Corbyn could be asked to cobble together a government? Either way it spells disaster for the Tories. After surviving a leadership review only a month ago, May pledged not to run in the next election. If an election is called tomorrow who leads the Tories? Whether it's a matter of days or weeks, it appears Jeremy Corbyn will soon call 10 Downing home and I absolutely shudder at the thought.
Of course, May has been utterly incompetent and the Tories have now held power since May 2010. Labour was due to regain power regardless of who was at its helm. But Jeremy Corbyn is every bit the bigot and demagogue that Donald Trump is. The legacy of his leadership is to allow an environment where anti-Semitism has flourished in his party to the point where one of his own Jewish MPs no longer believes she is welcome in the party after he claimed Zionists weren't versed in British history and didn't understand British irony.
When Corbyn becomes Prime Minister this flourishing of hatred will expand well beyond the scope of the Labour Party and put the very existence of British Jewry in peril. As Britain's former Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks put it in an interview with The New Statesman last summer:
We can only judge Jeremy Corbyn by his words and his actions. He has given support to racists, terrorists and dealers of hate who want to kill Jews and remove from Israel from the map. When he implies that, however long they have lived here, Jews are not fully British, he is using the language of classic pre-war European anti-Semitism. When challenged with such facts, the evidence for which is before our eyes, first he denies, then he equivocates, then he obfuscates. This is low, dishonest and dangerous. He has legitimised the public expression of hate, and where he leads, others will follow.
Now, within living memory of the Holocaust, and while Jews are being murdered elsewhere in Europe for being Jews, we have an anti-Semite as the leader of the Labour Party and her majesty’s opposition. That is why Jews feel so threatened by Mr. Corbyn and those who support him.
The only silver lining in Corbyn becoming Prime Minister is that he will now have to deal with Brexit and there's a very good chance he will handle it every bit as incompetently as May did. The danger here of course is that Corbyn will somehow find a way to blame the Jews (and by extension Israel) for his troubles as Trump has done with Mexicans and Muslims. The greater danger is that a critical mass of the British public will take him at his word.
The Flight 1549 Election (Or Why Democrats Should Draft Sully For 2020)
It was 10 years ago today, January 15, 2009, that America and the whole world rejoiced over The Miracle on the Hudson. Upon discovering total engine failure shortly after taking off from LaGuardia Airport aboard US Airways Flight 1549, Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger made a daring crash landing on the Hudson River without losing a single passenger or crew member - 155 people in all. Sully became a symbol of bravery, calmness, duty and modesty endearing himself to a large cross section of Americans and remains a universally beloved figure.
Apart from an attempt by Republicans to get him to run for Congress in the 2010 mid-term elections, Sullenberger eschewed politics until last fall when he felt compelled to write an op-ed for The Washington Post to comment upon our sorry state of affairs leading up to the 2018 mid-term elections. Sully did not mention President Trump by name, but it was clear he was contrasting himself with the current resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue:
I am often told how calm I sounded speaking to passengers, crew and air traffic control during the emergency. In every situation, but especially challenging ones, a leader sets the tone and must create an environment in which all can do their best. You get what you project. Whether it is calm and confidence — or fear, anger and hatred — people will respond in kind. Courage can be contagious.
2016 is the Flight 93 election: charge the cockpit or you die. You may die anyway. You—or the leader of your party—may make it into the cockpit and not know how to fly or land the plane. There are no guarantees.
Except one: if you don’t try, death is certain. To compound the metaphor: a Hillary Clinton presidency is Russian Roulette with a semi-auto. With Trump, at least you can spin the cylinder and take your chances.
Well, the American electorate spun the cylinder, took it chances and we know now that Trump not only cannot fly the plane, but isn't willing to learn how. Anyone who might have helped him to navigate the plane (i.e. James Mattis, John Kelly and H.R. McMaster) have been unceremoniously ejected from the cockpit. We are headed for a crash landing and the results won't be good for the country or the rest of the world and impact will be felt well into the 21st Century.
Democrats may prefer to nominate Joe Biden, Beto O'Rourke, Kamala Harris, Bernie Sanders or even Julian Castro. But Sully's appeal to the public transcends politics. While Sully has no experience as an elected official he has proven he can handle a crisis and, boy, are we in a crisis now. His character is unimpeachable. The same cannot be said for President Trump. It also cannot be said of numerous elected officials on both sides of the aisle.
We know that Sully will remain steady in matters of life and death. It is also reasonable to say that Sully would not take to Twitter to praise our enemies while trashing our allies and our institutions or do anything to denigrate (or should I say sully) the office of President of the United States. A Sullenberger presidency would restore dignity to the White House and to the country and be a sign of reassurance all over the world. President Sully might very well be downright boring, but right now boring is just what we need.
If Republicans viewed the 2016 election as the Flight 93 Election then Democrats could turn the 2020 election into the Flight 1549 Election. This is provided that Democrats are willing to take a leap of faith in order for the country to make a safe landing.
Apart from an attempt by Republicans to get him to run for Congress in the 2010 mid-term elections, Sullenberger eschewed politics until last fall when he felt compelled to write an op-ed for The Washington Post to comment upon our sorry state of affairs leading up to the 2018 mid-term elections. Sully did not mention President Trump by name, but it was clear he was contrasting himself with the current resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue:
I am often told how calm I sounded speaking to passengers, crew and air traffic control during the emergency. In every situation, but especially challenging ones, a leader sets the tone and must create an environment in which all can do their best. You get what you project. Whether it is calm and confidence — or fear, anger and hatred — people will respond in kind. Courage can be contagious.
Today, tragically, too many people in power are projecting the worst. Many are cowardly, complicit enablers, acting against the interests of the United States, our allies and democracy; encouraging extremists at home and emboldening our adversaries abroad; and threatening the livability of our planet. Many do not respect the offices they hold; they lack — or disregard — a basic knowledge of history, science and leadership; and they act impulsively, worsening a toxic political environment.
Sully further added:
After Flight 1549, I realized that because of the sudden worldwide fame, I had been given a greater voice. I knew I could not walk away but had an obligation to use this bully pulpit for good and as an advocate for the safety of the traveling public. I feel that I now have yet another mission, as a defender of our democracy.
We cannot wait for someone to save us. We must do it ourselves.
In a subsequent interview with Lawrence O'Donnell on MSNBC, Sully was explicitly critical of Trump. "I don't think he's either capable or willing to change," Sully told O'Donnell, "I think he is remarkably incurious and doesn't value learning." Sully also defined what it means to be a leader:
"I learned that a leader leads from the front," said Sullenberger, "A leader should be the first to face the threat and the last to safety, not the reverse."
Simply put, Sully is everything President Trump isn't. As such, I think the Democratic Party would be wise to nominate Sully to take on Trump in 2020.
In his infamous essay "The Flight 93 Election" which appeared in The Claremont Review of Books, Michael Anton (a.k.a. Publius Decius Mus) asserted:
Except one: if you don’t try, death is certain. To compound the metaphor: a Hillary Clinton presidency is Russian Roulette with a semi-auto. With Trump, at least you can spin the cylinder and take your chances.
Well, the American electorate spun the cylinder, took it chances and we know now that Trump not only cannot fly the plane, but isn't willing to learn how. Anyone who might have helped him to navigate the plane (i.e. James Mattis, John Kelly and H.R. McMaster) have been unceremoniously ejected from the cockpit. We are headed for a crash landing and the results won't be good for the country or the rest of the world and impact will be felt well into the 21st Century.
Democrats may prefer to nominate Joe Biden, Beto O'Rourke, Kamala Harris, Bernie Sanders or even Julian Castro. But Sully's appeal to the public transcends politics. While Sully has no experience as an elected official he has proven he can handle a crisis and, boy, are we in a crisis now. His character is unimpeachable. The same cannot be said for President Trump. It also cannot be said of numerous elected officials on both sides of the aisle.
We know that Sully will remain steady in matters of life and death. It is also reasonable to say that Sully would not take to Twitter to praise our enemies while trashing our allies and our institutions or do anything to denigrate (or should I say sully) the office of President of the United States. A Sullenberger presidency would restore dignity to the White House and to the country and be a sign of reassurance all over the world. President Sully might very well be downright boring, but right now boring is just what we need.
If Republicans viewed the 2016 election as the Flight 93 Election then Democrats could turn the 2020 election into the Flight 1549 Election. This is provided that Democrats are willing to take a leap of faith in order for the country to make a safe landing.
Monday, January 14, 2019
Mel Stottlemyre, R.I.P.
Former MLB pitcher and pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre passed away yesterday following a near two decade battle with cancer. He was 77.
More contemporary fans will remember Stottlemyre as a pitching coach who earned five World Series - four with the New York Yankees and one with the New York Mets. Stottlemyre also served in this capacity with the Houston Astros and Seattle Mariners.
But Stottlemyre was arguably the most underrated starting pitcher in the American League during the 1960's spending his entire MLB playing career with the Yankees. He was called up late in the 1964 season and went 9-3 with a 2.06 ERA in a dozen starts. At only 22, Stottlemyre started three games in that year's World Series against St. Louis Cardinals and was matched against Bob Gibson all three times. Stottlemyre would prevail over Gibson in Game 2, but fell short in the deciding Game 7.
For the remaining decade of his career, the Yankees were a shell of their former selves. But Stottlemyre would win 20 or more games thrice, led the AL in complete games twice and would be selected to five AL All-Star teams. When he finished his big league career in 1974, Stottlemyre went 164-139 with a 2.97 ERA in 360 big league games.
Two of his sons, Mel, Jr. and Todd also pitched in the majors while his third son Jason died of childhood leukemia.
On Old Timers' Day in 2015, the Yankees would bestow Stottlemyre with a plaque in Monument Park, an honor which came as a complete surprise as one can see below. R.I.P.
More contemporary fans will remember Stottlemyre as a pitching coach who earned five World Series - four with the New York Yankees and one with the New York Mets. Stottlemyre also served in this capacity with the Houston Astros and Seattle Mariners.
But Stottlemyre was arguably the most underrated starting pitcher in the American League during the 1960's spending his entire MLB playing career with the Yankees. He was called up late in the 1964 season and went 9-3 with a 2.06 ERA in a dozen starts. At only 22, Stottlemyre started three games in that year's World Series against St. Louis Cardinals and was matched against Bob Gibson all three times. Stottlemyre would prevail over Gibson in Game 2, but fell short in the deciding Game 7.
For the remaining decade of his career, the Yankees were a shell of their former selves. But Stottlemyre would win 20 or more games thrice, led the AL in complete games twice and would be selected to five AL All-Star teams. When he finished his big league career in 1974, Stottlemyre went 164-139 with a 2.97 ERA in 360 big league games.
Two of his sons, Mel, Jr. and Todd also pitched in the majors while his third son Jason died of childhood leukemia.
On Old Timers' Day in 2015, the Yankees would bestow Stottlemyre with a plaque in Monument Park, an honor which came as a complete surprise as one can see below. R.I.P.
Saturday, January 12, 2019
Julian Castro Could Be 2020's Democratic Dark Horse
At this hour, former San Antonio Mayor and HUD Secretary Julian Castro is announcing his intention to seek the Democratic Party's nomination for President in 2020.
Castro formed an exploratory committee last month and was on the VP shortlist for Hillary Clinton in 2016. However, supporters of Bernie Sanders might have kept him out of the running. Castro describes himself as "a centrist" and that is dirty word for many progressives.
Under the circumstances, I see Castro as the dark horse in this race. Given his Latin American heritage he could oppose President Trump's immigration policies in a way no one else can and perhaps steal some thunder from fellow Texan Beto O'Rourke.
As for foreign policy, Castro is pretty much an open palate. He did defend President Obama's approach to Israel in a 2013 interview with Hadassah Magazine, but he was part of Obama's cabinet at the time and his answers were fairly boilerplate. It will be interesting to see what position he takes on BDS, if any at all.
While the odds are against him at the moment, I am open to hearing more from him. If nothing else, he doesn't seem to be a crackpot like Tulsi Gabbard.
Assuming Castro doesn't beat the odds, he will likely be on the Democrats' VP shortlist yet again.
On a personal note, Castro and I share the same birthday. Hopefully this isn't all we have in common.
Castro formed an exploratory committee last month and was on the VP shortlist for Hillary Clinton in 2016. However, supporters of Bernie Sanders might have kept him out of the running. Castro describes himself as "a centrist" and that is dirty word for many progressives.
Under the circumstances, I see Castro as the dark horse in this race. Given his Latin American heritage he could oppose President Trump's immigration policies in a way no one else can and perhaps steal some thunder from fellow Texan Beto O'Rourke.
As for foreign policy, Castro is pretty much an open palate. He did defend President Obama's approach to Israel in a 2013 interview with Hadassah Magazine, but he was part of Obama's cabinet at the time and his answers were fairly boilerplate. It will be interesting to see what position he takes on BDS, if any at all.
While the odds are against him at the moment, I am open to hearing more from him. If nothing else, he doesn't seem to be a crackpot like Tulsi Gabbard.
Assuming Castro doesn't beat the odds, he will likely be on the Democrats' VP shortlist yet again.
On a personal note, Castro and I share the same birthday. Hopefully this isn't all we have in common.
Friday, January 11, 2019
A 2020 Matchup Between Trump vs. Gabbard Would Be a Kremlin Wet Dream
This evening Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard became the first person to formally declare her intention to seek the Democratic Party's nomination for the White House in 2020.
One of the few Democratic elected officials who supported Bernie Sanders in 2016, it makes me wonder if Sanders will bow out this time around. Either way, I don't see he 37-year old four term Congresswoman from Hawaii's 2nd District getting very far in this race.
Her friendliness with Steve Bannon earned her a meeting with then President-elect Trump and there was talk that Trump was considering appointing her as Secretary of State or Secretary of Defense. This alone should give Democrats pause.
Gabbard, an Iraq war veteran, subsequently met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and vigorously opposes any measure to remove him from power. When Gabbard announced she was running, The Daily Beast referred to her as "Bashar Assad's Favorite Democrat". Indeed, she does not believe Assad gassed his own people. But she has no trouble accusing Israel of "using live ammunition in its response to unarmed protesters in Gaza."
When someone supports Assad as strongly as Gabbard does support for Russia is sure to follow as evidenced by her excusing Russian military excesses in Syria against civilians and opposition groups and her reluctance to support the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
The only constituency I can see support Gabbard's bid is the Kremlin. Given revelations that the FBI opened an investigation into Trump to see if he was a Russian agent following his firing of James Comey, the FBI might very well have similar concerns about Gabbard. Vladimir Putin would love a Trump vs. Gabbard matchup. Regardless of who wins that race, Russia has a puppet in the White House.
One of the few Democratic elected officials who supported Bernie Sanders in 2016, it makes me wonder if Sanders will bow out this time around. Either way, I don't see he 37-year old four term Congresswoman from Hawaii's 2nd District getting very far in this race.
Her friendliness with Steve Bannon earned her a meeting with then President-elect Trump and there was talk that Trump was considering appointing her as Secretary of State or Secretary of Defense. This alone should give Democrats pause.
Gabbard, an Iraq war veteran, subsequently met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and vigorously opposes any measure to remove him from power. When Gabbard announced she was running, The Daily Beast referred to her as "Bashar Assad's Favorite Democrat". Indeed, she does not believe Assad gassed his own people. But she has no trouble accusing Israel of "using live ammunition in its response to unarmed protesters in Gaza."
When someone supports Assad as strongly as Gabbard does support for Russia is sure to follow as evidenced by her excusing Russian military excesses in Syria against civilians and opposition groups and her reluctance to support the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
The only constituency I can see support Gabbard's bid is the Kremlin. Given revelations that the FBI opened an investigation into Trump to see if he was a Russian agent following his firing of James Comey, the FBI might very well have similar concerns about Gabbard. Vladimir Putin would love a Trump vs. Gabbard matchup. Regardless of who wins that race, Russia has a puppet in the White House.
Russell Martin Returns to The Dodgers
Veteran catcher Russell Martin will be returning to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The defending NL champions acquired Martin from the Toronto Blue Jays where he spent the past four seasons for two minor leaguers. Martin, who turns 36 next month, becomes a free agent after the 2019 season. Injuries limited Martin to 90 games in which he batted .194 with 10 HR and 25 RBI. Martin's reunion with the Dodgers comes only 48 hours after Yasmani Grandal signed a free agent contract with the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Canadian born Martin began his professional career with the Dodgers who drafted him in the 17th round back in 2002 and would make his big league debut in 2006. Over five seasons, Martin was named to two NL All-Star Teams and won a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Award in 2007.
He joined the New York Yankees as a free agent in 2011 earning an AL All Star Team selection that year. After two seasons in the Bronx, Martin returned to the NL and caught with the Pittsburgh Pirates before opting to play in his home and native land in 2015 where he would he another AL All-Star Team selection. Martin enters the 2019 season with 1370 hits for a .249 lifetime batting average, 185 HR, 751 RBI and, surprisingly, 100 stolen bases. In recent years, Martin has shown his versatility playing the outfield, third base, second base and even played three games at shortstop for the Jays in 2018 as well as managed the team in their final regular season game.
Perhaps Martin is auditioning for Dave Roberts' job.
The Canadian born Martin began his professional career with the Dodgers who drafted him in the 17th round back in 2002 and would make his big league debut in 2006. Over five seasons, Martin was named to two NL All-Star Teams and won a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Award in 2007.
He joined the New York Yankees as a free agent in 2011 earning an AL All Star Team selection that year. After two seasons in the Bronx, Martin returned to the NL and caught with the Pittsburgh Pirates before opting to play in his home and native land in 2015 where he would he another AL All-Star Team selection. Martin enters the 2019 season with 1370 hits for a .249 lifetime batting average, 185 HR, 751 RBI and, surprisingly, 100 stolen bases. In recent years, Martin has shown his versatility playing the outfield, third base, second base and even played three games at shortstop for the Jays in 2018 as well as managed the team in their final regular season game.
Perhaps Martin is auditioning for Dave Roberts' job.
DJ LeMahieu Signs 2-Year, $24 Million Deal With Yankees
Longtime Colorado Rockies second baseman DJ LeMahieu has signed a two year, $24 million contract with the New York Yankees.
Originally a member of the Chicago Cubs, LeMahieu had been with the Rockies since 2012 where he earned three Gold Gloves, two NL All-Star Team selections and won the 2016 NL batting title with a .348 average. Although he hit a career high 15 HR in 2018, his average fell to .276. LeMahieu, 30, also had stints on the DL for a right hamstring strain, a left thumb strain and an oblique injury which caused him to miss more than 30 games last season. Can LeMahieu stay healthy in the hot New York spotlight?
With the signing of LeMahieu and acquisition of his former Rockies teammate Troy Tulowitzki from the Blue Jays, some believe the team is no longer pursuing Manny Machado. On the other hand, LeMahieu can play all four infield positions. The Yankees could trade Miguel Andujar, freeing up third base for LeMahieu and sign Machado to play at short and render the injury prone Tulowitzki a bench player.
Overall, I think acquiring LeMahieu is a plus. Even if he never approaches .350, he can still provide Gold Glove caliber defense at any infield position. Depending on what happens with Andujar, LeMahieu may loom large in their plans at third base in 2019.
Originally a member of the Chicago Cubs, LeMahieu had been with the Rockies since 2012 where he earned three Gold Gloves, two NL All-Star Team selections and won the 2016 NL batting title with a .348 average. Although he hit a career high 15 HR in 2018, his average fell to .276. LeMahieu, 30, also had stints on the DL for a right hamstring strain, a left thumb strain and an oblique injury which caused him to miss more than 30 games last season. Can LeMahieu stay healthy in the hot New York spotlight?
With the signing of LeMahieu and acquisition of his former Rockies teammate Troy Tulowitzki from the Blue Jays, some believe the team is no longer pursuing Manny Machado. On the other hand, LeMahieu can play all four infield positions. The Yankees could trade Miguel Andujar, freeing up third base for LeMahieu and sign Machado to play at short and render the injury prone Tulowitzki a bench player.
Overall, I think acquiring LeMahieu is a plus. Even if he never approaches .350, he can still provide Gold Glove caliber defense at any infield position. Depending on what happens with Andujar, LeMahieu may loom large in their plans at third base in 2019.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Could Be The New Ted Cruz
Supporters of newly minted Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are furious with an article in Politico which highlights how her fellow House Democrats aren't reacting to her favorably.
Amy Siskind: Oh look, here’s Politico writing another hit piece on a woman in politics. That hasn’t happened since...Warren announced. Keep going@AOC and freshman class women. Thank you for fighting for us - we got your back!
It should be the noted the co-authors of the article are women. But why let facts get in the way of an argument? Let's play the sexism card.
Lily Herman: Big thanks to Politico for publishing a story that inadvertently showcases why Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and more women like her are needed. Best of luck to all the Dems who went on the record with their condescending remarks in this piece.
Michael Whitney: Very helpful for Politico to get a primary shortlist going for us These comments are astounding. The country is collapsing and the world is on fire and Democratic members say on the record that@AOC "doesn’t understand how the place works yet.”
It seems to me that Siskind, Herman and Whitney are shooting the messenger. Some of her Democratic colleagues are trying to work with her:
So far, most of them have kept their criticism of Ocasio-Cortez private, fearful she’ll sic her massive following on them by firing off a tweet. But a few are engaging with her in the hopes she’ll opt for a different M.O., especially when it comes to trying to take out Democrats in primaries.
Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.) is playing a key role. Like Ocasio-Cortez, Velázquez knocked off a longtime Democratic incumbent to win her seat, and they share Puerto Rican roots.
In private conversations with Ocasio-Cortez over the past few months, Velázquez counseled Ocasio-Cortez against targeting her Democratic colleagues in future elections. The two had a “long, long conversation” about the dynamics of Congress and Washington, and how there shouldn’t be a “litmus test” for every district, Velázquez said in a recent interview.
After she defeated Democratic incumbent Joe Crowley in shocking fashion last year, Ocasio-Cortez supported primary challengers to Democratic Reps. Stephanie Murphy of Florida, William Lacy Clay of Missouri and Mike Capuano of Massachusetts.
Only Capuano lost. But Velázquez told Ocasio-Cortez she should think twice in the future before backing primaries against her colleagues. Murphy, the first Vietnamese woman elected to Congress, represents a swing district and could lose her seat if she’s forced to move left in a primary, Velázquez said during the talk.
“Washington is a political animal where a lot of the work that you want to accomplish depends on relationships within the Democratic Caucus,” said Velázquez, who described herself as a “bridge” between Ocasio-Cortez and the caucus. “The honeymoon between the voters that you represent and yourself could be a short one. People want to see results.”
From where I sit, it seems like Velázquez is trying to prevent Ocasio-Cortez from turning into another Ted Cruz. The man who repeatedly referred to Senate colleagues in his own party as part of the "Washington cartel" and engineered a fruitless government shutdown over Obamacare which only served his presidential ambitions. Lindsey Graham infamously joked, "If you killed Ted Cruz on the floor of the Senate, and the trial was in the Senate, nobody would convict you." Consider this passage from a February 2014 Christian Science Monitor article on Cruz after the shutdown failed:
Cruz's Senate future may be uncomfortable. That said, Cruz is still going to be a backbencher in a caucus whose leaders may feel he has attacked them personally. That could mean few favors, chilly meetings, and less desirable committee assignments, among other things.
Of course Cruz didn't care about those things. From the same article:
Cruz will be more popular than ever on the right. If Cruz wants to run for president as leader of the tea party right, he’s done a good job solidifying his credentials.
All was going to according to plan.....and then along came Donald Trump.
It seems to me that Ocasio-Cortez is more concerned with endearing herself to the Women's March crowd than she is to her fellow House Democrats in the same way Cruz endeared himself Tea Party rather than to his fellow Senate Republicans. Assuming she wants to become President, this might be the right way for her to go. In which case, all she has to fear is a left-wing version of Donald Trump who is even more Twitter savvy than she is.
With that said, if Ocasio-Cortez makes enemies in Congress then her supporters can expect the media to report it just like they did when Cruz made enemies in the Senate.
Amy Siskind: Oh look, here’s Politico writing another hit piece on a woman in politics. That hasn’t happened since...Warren announced. Keep going
It should be the noted the co-authors of the article are women. But why let facts get in the way of an argument? Let's play the sexism card.
Lily Herman: Big thanks to Politico for publishing a story that inadvertently showcases why Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and more women like her are needed. Best of luck to all the Dems who went on the record with their condescending remarks in this piece.
Michael Whitney: Very helpful for Politico to get a primary shortlist going for us These comments are astounding. The country is collapsing and the world is on fire and Democratic members say on the record that
It seems to me that Siskind, Herman and Whitney are shooting the messenger. Some of her Democratic colleagues are trying to work with her:
So far, most of them have kept their criticism of Ocasio-Cortez private, fearful she’ll sic her massive following on them by firing off a tweet. But a few are engaging with her in the hopes she’ll opt for a different M.O., especially when it comes to trying to take out Democrats in primaries.
Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.) is playing a key role. Like Ocasio-Cortez, Velázquez knocked off a longtime Democratic incumbent to win her seat, and they share Puerto Rican roots.
In private conversations with Ocasio-Cortez over the past few months, Velázquez counseled Ocasio-Cortez against targeting her Democratic colleagues in future elections. The two had a “long, long conversation” about the dynamics of Congress and Washington, and how there shouldn’t be a “litmus test” for every district, Velázquez said in a recent interview.
After she defeated Democratic incumbent Joe Crowley in shocking fashion last year, Ocasio-Cortez supported primary challengers to Democratic Reps. Stephanie Murphy of Florida, William Lacy Clay of Missouri and Mike Capuano of Massachusetts.
Only Capuano lost. But Velázquez told Ocasio-Cortez she should think twice in the future before backing primaries against her colleagues. Murphy, the first Vietnamese woman elected to Congress, represents a swing district and could lose her seat if she’s forced to move left in a primary, Velázquez said during the talk.
“Washington is a political animal where a lot of the work that you want to accomplish depends on relationships within the Democratic Caucus,” said Velázquez, who described herself as a “bridge” between Ocasio-Cortez and the caucus. “The honeymoon between the voters that you represent and yourself could be a short one. People want to see results.”
From where I sit, it seems like Velázquez is trying to prevent Ocasio-Cortez from turning into another Ted Cruz. The man who repeatedly referred to Senate colleagues in his own party as part of the "Washington cartel" and engineered a fruitless government shutdown over Obamacare which only served his presidential ambitions. Lindsey Graham infamously joked, "If you killed Ted Cruz on the floor of the Senate, and the trial was in the Senate, nobody would convict you." Consider this passage from a February 2014 Christian Science Monitor article on Cruz after the shutdown failed:
Cruz's Senate future may be uncomfortable. That said, Cruz is still going to be a backbencher in a caucus whose leaders may feel he has attacked them personally. That could mean few favors, chilly meetings, and less desirable committee assignments, among other things.
Of course Cruz didn't care about those things. From the same article:
Cruz will be more popular than ever on the right. If Cruz wants to run for president as leader of the tea party right, he’s done a good job solidifying his credentials.
All was going to according to plan.....and then along came Donald Trump.
It seems to me that Ocasio-Cortez is more concerned with endearing herself to the Women's March crowd than she is to her fellow House Democrats in the same way Cruz endeared himself Tea Party rather than to his fellow Senate Republicans. Assuming she wants to become President, this might be the right way for her to go. In which case, all she has to fear is a left-wing version of Donald Trump who is even more Twitter savvy than she is.
With that said, if Ocasio-Cortez makes enemies in Congress then her supporters can expect the media to report it just like they did when Cruz made enemies in the Senate.
Thursday, January 10, 2019
Jed Lowrie Joins The Mets
Jed Lowrie, coming off the best season of his 11-year big league career, has signed a 2-year, $20 million deal with the New York Mets pending a physical.
In 2018, Lowrie hit a career high 23 HR and 99 RBI in 157 games with the Oakland A's while earning his first AL All-Star Team selection. While Lowrie played at second base with the A's with the presence of Robinson Cano, Lowrie will most likely split time at third base, first base and even a little bit of shortstop. Lowrie, who turns 35 in April, was formerly represented by new Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen and both men are Stanford alumni.
It would be a lot to expect Lowrie to replicate those numbers at Citi Field in 2019 and will have to adjust to NL pitching, but he is a versatile veteran with a clubhouse presence who began his MLB career in 2008 with the Boston Red Sox and has had two stops apiece with the Houston Astros and the Oakland A's.
On a personal note, having a former Red Sox player like Lowrie on the roster will make it easier for me to root for the Mets this season.
In 2018, Lowrie hit a career high 23 HR and 99 RBI in 157 games with the Oakland A's while earning his first AL All-Star Team selection. While Lowrie played at second base with the A's with the presence of Robinson Cano, Lowrie will most likely split time at third base, first base and even a little bit of shortstop. Lowrie, who turns 35 in April, was formerly represented by new Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen and both men are Stanford alumni.
It would be a lot to expect Lowrie to replicate those numbers at Citi Field in 2019 and will have to adjust to NL pitching, but he is a versatile veteran with a clubhouse presence who began his MLB career in 2008 with the Boston Red Sox and has had two stops apiece with the Houston Astros and the Oakland A's.
On a personal note, having a former Red Sox player like Lowrie on the roster will make it easier for me to root for the Mets this season.
Will Brian Dozier Rebound in Washington? That Could Depend on Bryce Harper
The Washington Nationals have signed free agent second baseman Brian Dozier to a one year contract worth $9 million.
Dozier struggled in 2018 which he began with the Minnesota Twins before being traded on July 31st to the Los Angeles Dodgers. While Dozier got to play in his very first World Series, his post-season numbers were inconsequential going 2 for 16 with 2 RBIs. In a combined 151 regular season games, Dozier hit a career low .215 with his batting average falling 56 points from 2017. Dozier's power numbers were decent (21 HR, 72 RBI), but a far cry from his 42 HR and 99 RBI in 2016 or even his 34 HR and 93 RBI in 2017. Does Dozier simply need to make adjustments? Or is Dozier, who turns 32 in May, now past his prime?
A lot of it depends on whether the Nats can re-sign Bryce Harper. If Dozier hits behind Harper he is going to see a lot of good pitches. There is a belief that Harper will remain in D.C despite turning down $300 million back in November. But let us assume Harper goes elsewhere. Will Dozier see pitches if he bats behind Juan Soto or Anthony Rendon?
Then again, with Dozier's contract being for one season and for deferred money, this signing isn't taking a big risk. If Dozier doesn't rebound in 2019 it won't be the end of world for the Washington Nationals amidst all the chaos in Washington, D.C.
Dozier struggled in 2018 which he began with the Minnesota Twins before being traded on July 31st to the Los Angeles Dodgers. While Dozier got to play in his very first World Series, his post-season numbers were inconsequential going 2 for 16 with 2 RBIs. In a combined 151 regular season games, Dozier hit a career low .215 with his batting average falling 56 points from 2017. Dozier's power numbers were decent (21 HR, 72 RBI), but a far cry from his 42 HR and 99 RBI in 2016 or even his 34 HR and 93 RBI in 2017. Does Dozier simply need to make adjustments? Or is Dozier, who turns 32 in May, now past his prime?
A lot of it depends on whether the Nats can re-sign Bryce Harper. If Dozier hits behind Harper he is going to see a lot of good pitches. There is a belief that Harper will remain in D.C despite turning down $300 million back in November. But let us assume Harper goes elsewhere. Will Dozier see pitches if he bats behind Juan Soto or Anthony Rendon?
Then again, with Dozier's contract being for one season and for deferred money, this signing isn't taking a big risk. If Dozier doesn't rebound in 2019 it won't be the end of world for the Washington Nationals amidst all the chaos in Washington, D.C.
Trump Now Claims He Never Said Mexico Would Pay For The Wall
President Trump has spent the past 3½ years claiming that Mexico will pay for The Wall.
Today, he told reporters something different. From Business Insider:
During a question and answer session with reporters before heading to McAllen, Texas, on Thursday, Trump claimed he never meant Mexico would pay for the wall directly.
"When during the campaign, I would say Mexico is going to pay for it, obviously I never said this and I never meant they're going to write out a check," Trump said. "I said they were going to pay for it, they are, they're paying for it with the incredible deal we made called the United States-Mexico-Canada, USMCA deal."
But as far back as Trump's presidential announcement, the president made it clear that Mexico would be funding the wall.
"I will build a great, great wall on our southern border and I'll have Mexico pay for that wall," Trump said in June 2015.
Additionally, the Trump campaign released a plan designed to coerce Mexico to make a direct $5 billion to $10 billion payment that would go toward the wall.
"It's an easy decision for Mexico: make a one-time payment of $5- 10 billion to ensure that $24 billion continues to flow into their country year after year," a plan from the campaign reads.
Later, Trump began to say that Congress would appropriate funds for the wall and then Mexico would pay that money back at a later date.
"The dishonest media does not report that any money spent on building the Great Wall (for sake of speed), will be paid back by Mexico later!" Trump tweeted in January 2017.
All of this reminds me of when former President Obama claimed in November 2013 that he never said, 'If you like your health care plan, you can keep your health care plan,' despite saying so nearly 30 times.
It's true that President Trump lies with greater frequency than his predecessor. But Obama repeated the same lie over and over again.
Of course, Obama faced no consequence for his lies and it remains to be seen if Trump will either. The general public expects politicians to lie and seldom have the wherewithal to discourage politicians from engaging in such behavior. So the politicians keep lying.
A lot of it comes from their own supporters. Most Obama supporters didn't care if Obama lied about keeping their health care plans or doctors as long as he implemented some form of Obamacare. Chances are Trump's supporters don't care if Mexico doesn't pay for the wall as long as The Wall gets under construction. So yes the politicians keep lying because their supporters don't care.
It's enough to drive an honest person up the Wall.
Today, he told reporters something different. From Business Insider:
During a question and answer session with reporters before heading to McAllen, Texas, on Thursday, Trump claimed he never meant Mexico would pay for the wall directly.
"When during the campaign, I would say Mexico is going to pay for it, obviously I never said this and I never meant they're going to write out a check," Trump said. "I said they were going to pay for it, they are, they're paying for it with the incredible deal we made called the United States-Mexico-Canada, USMCA deal."
But as far back as Trump's presidential announcement, the president made it clear that Mexico would be funding the wall.
"I will build a great, great wall on our southern border and I'll have Mexico pay for that wall," Trump said in June 2015.
Additionally, the Trump campaign released a plan designed to coerce Mexico to make a direct $5 billion to $10 billion payment that would go toward the wall.
"It's an easy decision for Mexico: make a one-time payment of $5- 10 billion to ensure that $24 billion continues to flow into their country year after year," a plan from the campaign reads.
Later, Trump began to say that Congress would appropriate funds for the wall and then Mexico would pay that money back at a later date.
"The dishonest media does not report that any money spent on building the Great Wall (for sake of speed), will be paid back by Mexico later!" Trump tweeted in January 2017.
All of this reminds me of when former President Obama claimed in November 2013 that he never said, 'If you like your health care plan, you can keep your health care plan,' despite saying so nearly 30 times.
It's true that President Trump lies with greater frequency than his predecessor. But Obama repeated the same lie over and over again.
Of course, Obama faced no consequence for his lies and it remains to be seen if Trump will either. The general public expects politicians to lie and seldom have the wherewithal to discourage politicians from engaging in such behavior. So the politicians keep lying.
A lot of it comes from their own supporters. Most Obama supporters didn't care if Obama lied about keeping their health care plans or doctors as long as he implemented some form of Obamacare. Chances are Trump's supporters don't care if Mexico doesn't pay for the wall as long as The Wall gets under construction. So yes the politicians keep lying because their supporters don't care.
It's enough to drive an honest person up the Wall.
Wednesday, January 9, 2019
Brewers Add Ex-Dodgers Catcher Yasmani Grandal
After spending the past four seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, free agent catcher Yasmani Grandal has signed a one year deal with the Milwaukee Brewers for $18.25 million.
The Cuban born Grandal, who turned 30 last November, hit .241 with 24 HR and 68 RBI in 140 games with the Dodgers in 2018. Grandal has spent seven seasons in the bigs beginning his MLB career with the San Diego Padres after originally being drafted by the Cincinnati Reds. Although Grandal has never hit above .250, he is a power threat having hit 20 or more home runs the past three seasons and will be an offensive upgrade over Manny Pina and journeyman Erik Kratz (notwithstanding his post-season heroics). Rumors are also abounding about the Brewers acquiring Madison Bumgarner from the Giants. In which case, the NL Central will be the talk of MLB in 2019.
So where does this leave the Dodgers? Does Austin Barnes become the Dodgers' number one catcher? Yes, the Dodgers have Corey Seager, Cody Bellinger Chris Taylor, but they did give away Matt Kemp, Yasiel Puig and Alex Wood and did not re-sign Grandal and are unlikely to re-sign Manny Machado. One must wonder if the Dodgers are saving their money for Bryce Harper or perhaps the combo of Corey Kluber and Trevor Bauer? If the Dodgers don't make either of those moves one must wonder if the back to back NL champions are blowing up the team. In which case, it could mark the first time since 2012 a team other than the Dodgers win the NL West.
The Cuban born Grandal, who turned 30 last November, hit .241 with 24 HR and 68 RBI in 140 games with the Dodgers in 2018. Grandal has spent seven seasons in the bigs beginning his MLB career with the San Diego Padres after originally being drafted by the Cincinnati Reds. Although Grandal has never hit above .250, he is a power threat having hit 20 or more home runs the past three seasons and will be an offensive upgrade over Manny Pina and journeyman Erik Kratz (notwithstanding his post-season heroics). Rumors are also abounding about the Brewers acquiring Madison Bumgarner from the Giants. In which case, the NL Central will be the talk of MLB in 2019.
So where does this leave the Dodgers? Does Austin Barnes become the Dodgers' number one catcher? Yes, the Dodgers have Corey Seager, Cody Bellinger Chris Taylor, but they did give away Matt Kemp, Yasiel Puig and Alex Wood and did not re-sign Grandal and are unlikely to re-sign Manny Machado. One must wonder if the Dodgers are saving their money for Bryce Harper or perhaps the combo of Corey Kluber and Trevor Bauer? If the Dodgers don't make either of those moves one must wonder if the back to back NL champions are blowing up the team. In which case, it could mark the first time since 2012 a team other than the Dodgers win the NL West.
Gee, I Wonder Who Taught Donald Trump, Jr. How To Be a Racist
Donald Trump, Jr., the eldest child of President Trump, proved the apple doesn't fall from the tree.
Following his father's Oval Office address in support of The Wall, the younger Trump took to Instagram and remarked:
You know why you can enjoy a day at the zoo? Because walls work.
Following his father's Oval Office address in support of The Wall, the younger Trump took to Instagram and remarked:
You know why you can enjoy a day at the zoo? Because walls work.
Yes, Donald Trump, Jr. compared Mexicans to zoo animals.
Gee, I wonder who taught him how to be a racist.
Well, when the President of the United States has spent the past three and a half years dehumanizing Mexicans can we really be surprised if his son sees fit to compare them to animals?
I shudder to think what Donald Trump, Jr. is teaching his five children.
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