Between the Temples Gave Me a Headache

Last night, I went to the Kendall Square Cinema to see Between the Temples starring Jason Schwartzman and Carol Kane. 

Aside from not wanting to spend a Saturday night at home, I was primarily curious about the movie because it is rare to see Kane in a lead role. Then again it is rare to see any woman over the age of 70 in a lead role in a film. 

For has her part, Kane has kept plenty busy over the past two decades in supporting roles such as Madame Morrible in the Broadway production of Wicked, as well as roles on The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and now in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. It has been nearly 50 years since Kane received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in Hester Street. But I will always remember her best from her time on Taxi playing Simcha Gravas opposite the late Andy Kaufman's Latka Gravas. 

I was also curious about the plot which revolved around a retired music teacher played by Kane being taught bat mitzvah lessons by a cantor played by Schwartzman who was one of her former students. Unfortunately, in this case my curiosity got the better of me.

Between the Temples gave me a headache and I felt like tearing out my eyeballs. I came this close to walking out of a movie theatre for the first time in my life. Between the Temples is best described as a cross between A Woman Under the Influence (which I saw this past May), The Graduate and Harold and Maude only without any of the charm. The only saving grace was that the film was under two hours and ended mercifully. 

I can understand Benjamin Braddock being seduced by Mrs. Robinson and can understand Harold Chasen falling in love with Maude Chardin. However, I do not get Schwartzman's Ben Gottlieb falling for Kane's Carla O'Connor. She is as abrasive to him as everyone else in his life. Throw in director Nathan Silver's futile impression of John Cassavetes' directorial style and you've got one mess of a movie. I wish I had stayed home.

Chisox Lose 100th Game; Ahead of Pace to Eclipse 1962 New York Mets As Worst Team in Modern MLB History

The Chicago White Sox lost their 100th game of the 2024 MLB season falling 9-4 to the Detroit Tigers this afternoon.

The Chisox now stand at 31-100 this season. Not only are they 44 games back of the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Central, but they are also 34 ½ games back of the fourth place Tigers.

And there's more. The White Sox recorded their 100th loss today (August 25th). That's four days ahead of when the New York Mets lost their 100th game in their inaugural season in 1962. On August 29, 1962, the Mets lost their 100th game in a 3-2 extra inning defeat against the Philadelphia Phillies. The Mets were 34-100 and would go 6-20 the rest of the way to finish 40-120. Mets manager Casey Stengel, who once guided the New York Yankees to five consecutive World Series titles, said his team "showed me ways to lose I never knew existed."

The South Siders have 31 games remaining on their schedule in 2024. Their winning percentage is .237 (just ahead of the 1916 Philadelphia Athletics which had a winning percentage of .235). Based on their winning percentage, Chicago would go 7-24 the rest of the way and finish with a 38-124 record. 

Then again, that might be an optimistic projection. Since the All-Star Break, the Chisox are sporting a record of 4-29. That's a winning percentage of .122. However, since Grady Sizemore took over the club, they are 3-11. Whatever the case, it seems more likely than not that the 2024 Chicago White Sox will eclipse the 1962 New York Mets as the worst team in modern MLB history. 

Prior to MLB's modern era which began in 1901, there are the 1899 Cleveland Spiders who had a won loss record of 20-134 finishing 84 games back of the Brooklyn Superbas. To add insult to injury, the Spiders only played 42 games in front of their home fans as the visiting teams didn't want dignify Cleveland with their presence. Even the White Sox haven't suffered that indignity. But that is very small consolation. Then again, the Spiders didn't lose their 100th game until August 31st. 

The South Siders have one more game against the Tigers at home tomorrow before they host a three-game series against the defending World Series champion Texas Rangers and a three game interleague series against the New York Mets. Somewhere the ghost of Casey Stengel is laughing. Somewhere in the White Sox clubhouse, a pin has dropped.

I Feel Better About The Democratic Party Regarding Israel - For Now

Prior to the DNC, I wondered if the gathering of pro-Hamas supporters would halt the momentum of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz:

Will the momentum halt at the DNC slated to begin tomorrow in Chicago?

I'm not talking so much about the protests outside of the convention hall although they could loom large. Rather my concern is the small contingent of "uncommitted" (read: pro-Hamas) delegates on the convention floor who believe the Biden-Harris Administration has been too pro-Israel. Calling themselves "Delegates Against Genocide", they intend to exercise their "freedom of speech" during the course of the convention.

How is it going to look if these delegates see fit to heckle former Presidents Clinton and Obama, former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, President Biden, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, VP running mate Walz and Harris during their speeches? And what of Harris' husband, Doug Emhoff who is Jewish?

Fortunately, this did not come to pass. 

There were three key events during the DNC which have given me some reassurance about the Democratic Party where it concerns Israel - for now.

First, there was the rapturous reception delegates gave to Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg, the parents of 23-year-old Hersh Goldberg-Polin, one of 8 American hostages (and 109 hostages overall) being held in captivity by Hamas. The delegates chanted in unison, "Bring them home!!!" moving Goldberg to tears. 

Prior to that there had been little mention of the hostages and there was nothing indicating the DNC would be giving a speaking slot to a hostage family as the RNC did last month with Ronen and Oma Neutra, the parents of Omer Neutra. The Neutras were well received by Republican delegates who chanted, "Bring the home!!!" It was good to see the Democrats do the same. 

Second, the DNC wisely denied giving a Palestinian a speaking slot. There had been an effort by uncommitted delegates to persuade the DNC to give a speaking slot to Ruwa Romman, a Palestinian American who sits in the Georgia legislature. However, Romman's prepared remarks falsely accused Israel of committing massacres and holding Palestinians hostages and made no condemnation of Hamas. Had Romman delivered those remarks, it would have entirely undermined the efforts of the DNC to recognize the pain of American families whose loved ones are being held in captivity by Hamas. 

Third, then there was Kamala Harris' unambiguous remarks in defense of Israel:

Let me be clear: I will always stand up for Israel’s right to defend itself and I will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself. Because the people of Israel must never again face the horror that the terrorist organization Hamas caused on October 7th. Including unspeakable sexual violence and the massacre of young people at a music festival. 

Of course, this has not gone down well with the uncommitted movement which staged a sit-in at the United Center after the DNC refused to give a slot to Romman while the group Muslim Women for Harris-Walz has disbanded. Uncommitted co-founder Layla Elabed (the sister of anti-Semitic Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib) claims Harris' position is alienating the majority of Democrats.  

Given the enthusiasm of Democrats for the Harris-Walz ticket, I think Elabed's claims are nonsense. However, the anger of Uncommitted is real and could have consequences especially in a swing state like Michigan. If Democrats get polling which indicate that they could lose Michigan (or any other swing state) because of Harris' pro-Israel stance then I would not be surprised if Harris could equivocate.

It would be a mistake for Harris to equivocate because short of accusing Israel of genocide there is nothing Harris could say which would the Uncommitted Movement to support her. Democrats would be wise to cut their losses with uncommitted Democrats who have greater affection for Hamas than Harris.

RFK, Jr.'s Endorsement of Trump is Weird

(Associated Press)

My take on Robert F. Kennedy, Jr's decision to suspend his independent presidential bid and support Donald Trump is that it is weird. 

But I wouldn't expect anything less of someone who dumped a dead bear in Central Park and made it look like a bike accident. RFK, Jr. has as much of a propensity towards conspiracy theories as Trump. They are birds of a feather and it's hard to imagine his endorsement will do anything other than make MAGA even more cultish than it already is. 

Perhaps we should not be so surprised. After all, it was RFK, Jr. who claimed that President Biden was a greater threat to the American democracy than Trump. Some April Fool's joke.

Beyond the weirdness, there is the grift. RFK, Jr. wants to become HHS Secretary or be appointed to some cabinet post. Given Trump's lack of fidelity to the truth, I would not be inclined to trust Trump if I were in RFK, Jr's shoes. 

It is worth noting RFK, Jr. wanted the same from Kamala Harris who wasn't interested, and I cannot say I blame her. Why would she appoint an anti-vaxxer as HHS Secretary? It just would have been weird and Kamala Harris and Tim Walz don't do weird when it comes to the governance of this country.

Kamala Harris is Ready to Be President (Are We Ready for Her?)

 

After watching Kamala Harris' nomination acceptance speech at the DNC this evening, I have arrived at the conclusion she is ready to be President of the United States.

Only one question remains. Are we ready for her?

For some people, the answer might come in less than three weeks from now when she is scheduled to debate Donald Trump one on one. Hopefully Harris will allay any concerns those voters might have.

But based on the Harris I saw tonight; I would say yes, she is ready to be President, and I am ready for her to be President. Harris spoke firmly and forcefully not only about how untenable a second Trump presidency would be, but how best to move forward. She asked the right questions particularly when she asked of Republicans on reproductive freedom, "Why don't they trust women?"

I was heartened when Harris affirmed both Israel's right and ability to defend itself while denouncing Hamas as a terrorist organization. In particular, she condemned Hamas for its use of sexual violence and massacring young people at the Nova Music Festival on October 7th. While Harris lamented the loss of innocent lives in Gaza, she did not lay blame on Israel. 

She went on to express support for the right of Palestinians to self-determination. How exactly that would look without Hamas (or for that matter the Palestinian Authority) of course remains unclear. But on balance, Harris said what was right. I can only hope she has come to the realization the uncommitted delegates will remain uncommitted and unreasonable. Harris' tough talk regarding Iran will not endear herself to them either. So be it. Harris must be committed to America and her allies. 

I grant you that Harris, like many politicians, spoke in generalities such as when she promised an "opportunity economy." The devil, of course, is in the details. Nevertheless, the "opportunity economy" proposal is one that is optimistic and forward looking. Trump isn't capable of projecting any optimism let alone a glimmer of hope. He is always about grievances which are forever unresolved and are to be used as fuel which ignites the anger of his supporters. But that fuel is, for lack of a better term, simply unsustainable. 

Simply put, nothing good can come of a second Trump presidency. It would slam the door on democracy and lock it up forever. A Kamala Harris presidency at least opens the door to the possibility of a better America. 

Mariners Take Scott Servais Out of Service; Hire Dan Wilson as New Skipper

Had you told Seattle Mariners fans on June 18th that manager Scott Servais would be fired in a little over two months, they would have scoffed.

At the time the Mariners enjoyed a 10-game lead in the AL West over the Houston Astros.

But since June 18th, the Mariners have gone 20-33 and are now 5 games back of the Astros. Over the same period, the Astros have gone 35-18. 

So today, the Mariners fired manager Servais and replaced him with former Mariners catcher Dan Wilson. It is worth noting that Wilson has never coached or managed at any level but has been part of the Mariners front office since 2013. To make matters worse, Servais found out about his termination on X, not in person.

Servais had been the Mariners manager since 2016. In 2022, Servais guided the Mariners to their first post-season appearance since 2001. However, they would be swept in the ALDS by their bete noire the Astros who went on to win the World Series. The Mariners would miss the post-season by a single game last year. 

While perhaps a change in the guard was in order, doing it at this point in the season seems like a risky proposition (let alone hiring Wilson) which could have the effect of demoralizing the team as the Astros ascend. But who knows what goes on in the mind of Mariners' President Jerry DiPoto?

It is worth remembering the Astros had a very poor start. But I knew it wouldn't last and it didn't. What I didn't see coming as the Mariners taking this kind of drastic action. And maybe Servais didn't see it either.

On the other hand, Mariners' Hall of Famer Edgar Martinez is reportedly set to rejoin the coaching staff. So that might soften the blow of Servais's sudden termination. But Martinez isn't in the manager's chair.

Well, we shall see how the Mariners respond to the change of the guard over the final 34 games of the regular season.

Will Joey Votto Become the Third Canadian in The Baseball Hall of Fame?

 

Yesterday, Joey Votto, who played his entire 17-year MLB career with the Cincinnati Reds, announced his retirement. 

Votto, 40, had signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays back in March and had been playing their Triple-AAA affiliate in Buffalo at the time of his announcement. The slugging first baseman was born and raised in Toronto. 

There are only two Canadian MLB players in Cooperstown - pitcher Ferguson Jenkins and outfielder Larry Walker who were inducted in 1991 and 2020, respectively. Will Votto join Jenkins and Walker become Canada's third baseball Hall of Famer?

Well, let's look at the numbers. Over 17 seasons, Votto played in 2,056 games collecting 2,135 hits for a lifetime batting average of .294 with 356 HR and 1144 RBIs. He was a 6-time NL All-Star who won the NL MVP in 2010 and came very close to doing so again in 2017. While Votto has good numbers and has earned some plaudits, he isn't in the same as league as fellow first baseman Albert Pujols.

However, there are a couple of things working in Votto's favor. For starters, he played his entire career in Cincinnati and is among the greatest to ever wear that uniform. The Reds do have a first baseman in Cooperstown - Tony Perez. Votto isn't the run producer that Perez was in his heyday with the Big Red Machine. Perez drove in 100 or more runs 7 times while Votto did it thrice. However, Votto excelled in other areas. 

Which brings me to my second point. Votto's greatest strength was getting on base leading the NL in walks five times and led the NL in OBP seven times. He also led the NL in slugging percentage once and in OPS twice (once during his MVP season in 2010 and when he finished runner up to then Miami Marlin Giancarlo Stanton). Votto had an OBP of .400 or greater in nine seasons finishing with a career OBP of .409. Given how much sabermetricians love walks and OBP, Votto has a plausible chance of getting into Cooperstown. 

I'm not sure if Votto would get in his first year of eligibility in 2029. But depending on the competition he might get to give a Hall of Fame speech in a decade from now. Hall of Fame or no Hall of Fame, Joey Votto has made both Canada and Cincinnati proud.

There's Nothing Phony About Tim Walz

 

After watching Tim Walz's VP nominee acceptance speech at the DNC this evening, it is very clear why he made such an impression on Kamala Harris.

Walz kept things short and sweet. His speech was an economical 15 minutes in length. This is a man used to giving both lessons and pep talks and by the end of his remarks, I wanted to run through a wall for Walz. 

When J.D. Vance made his VP nominee acceptance speech at the RNC last month, he came across as a phony. In the weeks which have followed, Vance has also come across as a jerk. 

By contrast, there is nothing phony about Tim Walz. Unlike Vance, Walz has taken a page from Dale Carnegie's book and knows how to win friends and influence people. Despite his background as a venture capitalist, Vance is not rich when it comes to appealing to people and bringing our their best.

I have a funny feeling that Walz is going to help a lot of Republicans and Republican leaning voters feel a lot more comfortable about casting a ballot for Kamala Harris.

A couple of weeks ago, I thought Harris would have been better off with Josh Shapiro instead of Tim Walz. While Shapiro brings a lot to the table, I don't hold that opinion now. Not after tonight.

I Wish Democrats Had Given President Biden This Kind of Love Sooner

 

President Biden came out on stage on Night #1 of the Democratic National Convention to Jackie Wilson's "Higher and Higher". 

It is a buoyant song with an underlying tinge of sadness. 

I felt this sadness as delegates chanted "Thank you Joe!!!" and "We Love You Joe!!!"

If only these delegates had expressed this love a few short weeks ago or any time since January 20, 2021.

Perhaps then Biden would still be running for re-election.

The cold fact is that nearly two-thirds of Democrats wanted Biden to go away despite low unemployment, infrastructure spending, lower drug prices for seniors, student loan relief for younger people and a lower crime rate along with bipartisan gun safety legislation.

This should have got Biden a second term. Instead, he got a one-way ticket to Palookaville. 

That's a lot of weight to carry and I don't blame him for being upset. 

It might be a classic case of we don't know what we've got until its gone.

Meanwhile, Republicans are more than happy to have a convicted criminal as their standard bearer. 

Don't get me wrong. Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are resonating with people and America may see fit to choose them.

Well, maybe. A lot can happen in 78 days for better or for worse.

Joe Biden has five months left on the job and still has much work to do including freeing hostages held in captivity by Hamas. Although I could have done without him pandering to the pro-Hamas protesters outside the convention. 

But I can also do without a second Trump presidency. Hopefully Biden's work in the next 11 weeks will help prevent that from happening.

President Biden has a legacy of which he can be proud. Perhaps one day most Americans will come around to that view.

Will Pro-Hamas Protests at DNC Halt Harris-Walz Momentum?

Over the past four weeks, Democrats have had the wind at their back since President Biden announced he would not be seeking re-election and endorsed Vice-President Kamala Harris to take his place. Harris' selection of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate has kept the momentum going as has been reflected in recent polls.

Will the momentum halt at the DNC slated to begin tomorrow in Chicago?

I'm not talking so much about the protests outside of the convention hall although they could loom large. Rather my concern is the small contingent of "uncommitted" (read: pro-Hamas) delegates on the convention floor who believe the Biden-Harris Administration has been too pro-Israel. Calling themselves "Delegates Against Genocide", they intend to exercise their "freedom of speech" during the course of the convention.

How is it going to look if these delegates see fit to heckle former Presidents Clinton and Obama, former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, President Biden, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, VP running mate Walz and Harris during their speeches? And what of Harris' husband, Doug Emhoff who is Jewish?

Not very good unless they sternly rebuke them along with the majority of the delegates does the same along the lines of what Harris did earlier this month in Detroit.

However, what I fear is that Democrats will mollycoddle these so-called "Delegates Against Genocide" (who support the genocidal Hamas) as Harris did in Arizona following the Detroit confrontation. 

Given that these delegates have deemed Harris as "Killer Kamala" she and the Democratic Party should stand firm against those segments of the party who are not amenable to compromise or reason much less co-existence with the Jews. 

Unfortunately, what I would like to see come to pass should such a confrontation occur on the floor of the DNC is likely to be different than what ugly reality is likely to emerge. That ugly reality could give Donald Trump new life.

Daily Beast Reporter Claims Josh Shapiro Has "Allegiance" to Israel

Last week, after Kamala Harris chose Tim Walz over Josh Shapiro for her VP pick, Mini Racker wrote a piece for The Daily Beast detailing the reasons for her selection. 

There was one word which caught my attention - allegiance. Here is the context:

Besides his not-so-secretive ambitions to become president, Shapiro, 51, had other fatal flaws as Harris and her team vetted the finalists: his involvement in a taxpayer-funded payoff to settle a sexual harassment claim against a top aide and his allegiance to Israel (italics mine), which pro-Palestinian groups used to attack him.

The word allegiance, in part, means loyalty. In other words, Racker is stating that Shapiro is loyal to Israel. 

Needless to say, it feeds into the notion that Jews have dual loyalty and are thus not truly American. 

What Racker ought to have written regarding Shapiro was "his support of Israel." This certainly would have been more accurate and less inflammatory. Governor Shapiro supports Israel just as Vice President Harris and Governor Walz do. There must remain a suspicion, however, that the phrase "allegiance to Israel" would not have been utilized if it was describing a non-Jewish politician. 

For my part, I intended to write about this several days ago. However, I reached out to Racker via email and brought my concerns to her attention. Alas, I have received no response from Racker. As such, I think sufficient time has elapsed that it is now appropriate to draw attention to her writing. 

I harbor no illusions that any of this will be addressed. Unfortunately, unless this is somehow addressed, I suspect that more journalists will see fit to claim Jewish politicians have an "allegiance" to Israel and in so doing make anti-Semitism more casual and thus more acceptable. 

Saturday Night at the Movies with Alfred Hitchcock: North by Northwest & Vertigo

 

Last night, I took in a double feature of Alfred Hitchcock films at the Brattle Theatre - North by Northwest starring Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, James Mason and Martin Landau and Vertigo starring Jimmy Stewart, Kim Novak and Barbara Bel Geddes. 

While I have seen Cary Grant being chased down and shot at by a dust cropper and Jimmy Stewart dangling on the awning of a building, I had never viewed these movies in their entirety. Given their legacy, these are movies best viewed on a big screen with an audience. With that said, I suspect that these movies might very well have been a double feature on TVOntario's Saturday Night at the Movies with Elwy Yost sometime between the 1970s and 1990s with Yost introducing them in his inimitable enthusiasm. 

Released one year apart in the late 1950's, there are some significant differences between the two films. In North by Northwest, we are taken from New York to Mount Rushmore while Vertigo stays in and around the San Francisco Bay. North by Northwest is very fast paced while Vertigo is very deliberate with Novak not even uttering a word until halfway through the film. Both movies had their share of laughter although the laughter in Vertigo was far more uncomfortable. Both movies do end with literal cliff hangers with one ending happily and the other ending with abrupt awfulness. I'll leave it to you to guess which film had which ending. 

I will tell you that Jimmy Stewart went to some very dark places in Vertigo. He certainly had flashes of that darkness in It's a Wonderful Life. Undoubtedly, Hitchcock saw those dark features and made them a more central feature of Stewart's acting. 

North by Northwest featured some familiar character actors. Edward Platt briefly appeared as Grant's attorney who would gain later fame as the Chief on the 1960's TV series Get Smart starring Don Adams and Barbara Feldon. Leo G. Carroll plays a CIA official who would take on a similar role in The Man from U.N.C.L.E. starring Robert Vaughn and David McCallum. Meanwhile, Jesse Royce Landis portrays Grant's mother and would play a similar role in the 1971 Columbo episode "Lady in Waiting" featuring Susan Clark as the killer. It would turn out to be her last onscreen credit as she passed away early the following year.

Remarkably, the leading ladies from both films are still us. Kim Novak is 91 while Eva Marie Saint celebrated her 100th birthday last month. 

Perhaps I am getting more impatient in my middle age, but I felt there were times when both films dragged on particularly Vertigo. Fortunately, this did not render me dizzy. Mind you, I was at the Brattle for more than five hours. Then again, I don't have this feeling when I'm at the Brattle for 7 to 8 hours on New Year's Day for the Marx Brothers Movie Marathon. 

But on balance I liked both films and so did the near capacity audiences. Sometimes there's nothing better than a Saturday night at the movies.

Harris Tries to Mollify Pro-Hamas Protesters in Arizona

Earlier this week, Kamala Harris lost patience with pro-Hamas protesters who disrupted her rally in Detroit. Harris told them, "You know what? If you want Donald Trump to win, then say that. Otherwise, I'm speaking."

Here is part of my reaction to Harris' rebuke of pro-Hamas protesters:

Despite her statements in support of the Palestinians, Harris cannot be pleased with their attempts to drown out her speech and then misrepresent her point of view. Methinks Palestinian protesters are beginning to piss off Kamala Harris and if this escalates during the DNC later this month, they will irrevocably alienate not the Vice-President but large swathes of Democratic Party activists who want to hear Harris speak rather hear her be accused of genocide. 

I may have spoken too soon.

When speaking at a rally in Glendale, Arizona yesterday, Harris tried to mollify pro-Hamas protesters: 

I have been clear: now is the time to get a ceasefire deal and get the hostage deal done. Now is the time. And the president and I are working around the clock every day to get that ceasefire deal done and bring the hostages home. So, I respect your voices, but we are here to now talk about this race in 2024.

I doubt this will quell the behavior of pro-Hamas supporters. Indeed, I think she is reinforcing that behavior by telling them she respects their voices. I'm afraid this is but a prelude of what is to come at the DNC later this month. If pro-Hamas supporters manage to chant, "Free, free Palestine!!!" or "Kamala, Kamala!!! You can't hide!!! We won't vote for genocide!!!" during her nomination speech, it is going to give Trump an opening with Jewish voters. 

I am also curious if the DNC is going acknowledge the hostages and campus anti-Semitism as was done at the RNC last month or if they will cast Israel as global enemy number one. While I hope they do the former, I am DNC organizers don't want to incur the wrath of the pro-Hamas wing of their party and will likely choose the latter course. All of which will give Republicans an opportunity to court Jewish voters. The problem there is that Trump will invariably claim that Jews who vote Democrat hate both Israel and their religion as he has done in the past.

While most Jews will vote Democrat, if a significant sliver of Jewish voters in Detroit, Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Atlanta and in and around Phoenix choose Trump or even stay home, Harris could pay dearly for trying to mollify a pro-Hamas crowd which is not amenable to reason.

Rashida Tlaib Willfully Promotes Hatred Against Jews By Spreading Falsehoods

Rashida Tlaib is at it again. The Michigan Democratic Congresswoman shared a doctored post which claimed that a poll showed most Israelis supported the rape of Palestinians. 

Spreading misinformation accomplishes two things. 

First, Tlaib is willfully promoting hatred against Jews and doesn't give a damn about who get hurts.

Second, Tlaib is deflecting from Hamas modus operandi of utilizing rape and sexual abuse against hostages. 

This is hardly the first time Tlaib has deployed this tactic. She falsely accused Israel of bombing a hospital in Gaza last October and refused to acknowledge her falsehood much less apologize it despite the overwhelming evidence. 

Tlaib is every bit the demagogue Trump is. She is a compulsive liar who says what she says because she knows she can fool some of the people all of the time. 

Like Trump, Rashida Tlaib is a public disgrace who ought not hold public office. 

Chisox Part Ways With Pedro Grifol, Name Grady Sizemore Interim Manager

On Thursday, the day after the Chicago White Sox snapped an AL tying 21-game losing streak, the team parted ways with manager Pedro Grifol. Only on the job less than seasons, the South Siders were 89-190.

The team named Grady Sizemore its interim manager. However, the Chisox have indicated they are planning to go outside the organization to hire a new manager for the 2025 season. More on Sizemore in a second.

It is interesting that the Chisox fired Grifol when other managers such as Brandon Hyde of the Baltimore Orioles and Torey Lovullo of the Arizona Diamondbacks have endured 100 plus loss seasons and remained with their clubs which became contenders in short order. With that said, I doubt either Hyde or Lovullo told their clubs they'd be remembered as the worst club in baseball history as Grifol did. 

Like many contemporary baseball fans, I remember Sizemore from his days with the Cleveland Indians where he was selected to three AL All-Star Teams and won two Gold Gloves in the outfield before injuries stilted his stardom. After missing two full seasons due to injury, Sizemore bounced around with the Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies and Tampa Bay Rays. 

Last year, Sizemore accepted a $15 dollar an hour internship with the D'Backs. Now he is a big-league manager, if only temporarily. Yet I wonder what would happen if the Chisox were to go 30-15 under him? Would Chris Getz reconsider his decision to go outside the organization?

Alas, Sizemore's managerial debut saw the Chisox lose to their crosstown rivals the Cubs by a score of 7-6. The loss put the White Sox's record at 28-90. The Chisox's long season continues - unfortunately.

Methinks Palestinian Protesters Are Beginning to Piss Off Kamala Harris

I have been critical of Vice-President Harris when she has been confronted by protesters who accuse Israel of genocide.

Last night, Harris was confronted yet again by pro-Hamas supporters during a rally in Detroit - the same city where she was heckled two months ago. They chanted, "Kamala, Kamala, you can’t hide! We won’t vote for genocide.”

At first, Harris was cordial as she has been in the past telling the hecklers, “I’m here because I believe in democracy. I believe everyone’s voice matters. But I’m speaking now. I am speaking now."

However, this did not dissuade them. At which point, Harris took off the gloves. "You know what? If you want Donald Trump to win, then say that. Otherwise, I'm speaking."

Following the rally, the pro-Hamas Uncommitted National Movement claimed that Harris had agreed to meet with them and was open to imposing an arms embargo upon Israel. However, Harris' national security adviser Phil Gordon emphatically stated that the Vice-President opposes any arms embargo against Israel. 

Despite her statements in support of the Palestinians, Harris cannot be pleased with their attempts to drown out her speech and then misrepresent her point of view. Methinks Palestinian protesters are beginning to piss off Kamala Harris and if this escalates during the DNC later this month, they will irrevocably alienate not the Vice-President but large swathes of Democratic Party activists who want to hear Harris speak rather hear her be accused of genocide. 

Republicans Are in No Position to Criticize Walz's Military Service

The attacks on Democratic VP hopeful Tim Walz's military service by his Republican VP counterpart J.D. Vance and other Republicans is a bunch of steaming garbage. 

Republicans led by Vance are claiming Walz engaged in "stolen valor" because he retired from the military before his unit was to deploy in Iraq and misleading people about his rank. Former GOP Congressman and Lt. Colonel in the Air National Guard Adam Kinzinger rebukes their claims on both counts. 

Walz did not abandon his unit by retiring and the military could have denied his retirement via a stop loss order. Additionally, Walz was indeed a Command Sergeant Major. But because he held the rank for less than three years, he reverted back to Master Sergeant upon his retirement.

Not that Republicans care about the facts, mind you.

Which is fine because so long as Vance and other Republicans pay fealty to a man who denigrated John McCain's war service and called soldiers killed in the line duty "loser and suckers" are no position to criticize Governor Walz for his military service. 

I can only hope that most Americans will see this attack on Walz's military record exactly for what it is.

Cori Bush Claims She Has Been Radicalized & Vows to Tear Down AIPAC

 

Soon to be former Congresswoman Cori Bush did not take losing last night's Democratic primary to Wesley Bell in Missouri's 1st Congressional District with quiet grace and dignity:

Because now, there are some strings that I have attached. And as much as I love my job, all they did was radicalize me, and now they should be afraid.

They’re about to see this other Cori, this other side. There is nothing that happens in my life that happens in vain. So, this happened because it was meant to happen. And let me say, it’s because of the work that I need to do. 

And let me say this: AIPAC, I’m coming to tear your kingdom down!

With that, Cori Bush reminded St. Louis area Democrats why they voted her out. She's intemperate lunatic who is claiming to be radicalized, telling people they need to be afraid and that she is out to destroy AIPAC. Would anyone be shocked if Bush saw fit to engage in violence against Jews?  

Bush's squad ally AOC chimed in, "I think we need to have a real conversation about the AIPAC."

No, we need to have a real conversation about why a significant segment of the Democratic Party hates Jews, seeks the destruction of Israel and will not call Hamas a terrorist organization.

Stop The Presses!!! The Chisox Snap Their AL Tying 21-Game Losing Streak

Stop the presses!!!

The Chicago White Sox won a game.

The South Siders snapped an AL tying 21-game losing streak with a 5-1 victory over the Oakland A's. Andrew Benintendi and Zack Gelof homered for the Chisox while starting pitcher Jonathan Cannon gave up only one run over six innings pitched. 

The win prevented the White Sox from surpassing the 1988 Baltimore Orioles for the worst losing streak in AL history. It was the team's first win in nearly a month last prevailing on July 10th in the first game of a doubleheader against the Minnesota Twins. 

Since the Chisox last won a game there has been an attempted assassination of a former U.S. President while the sitting U.S. President opted not to seek re-election.

Tonight's victory "improves" the team's record to 28-88. 

Things can't get much worse for the Chisox. Or can they?

If a lot can happen in 21 games, then just imagine what could happen with 46 games left.

Democrats in St. Louis Oust Anti-Semitic Congresswoman Cori Bush

Democrats in Missouri's 1st Congressional District and they have ousted two term Congresswoman Cori Bush in favor of St. Louis County prosecutor Wesley Bell. With 96.7% of ballots cast, Bell has won 51.2% of the vote while Bush garnered 45.6% of ballots cast in the congressional district which covers all of St. Louis.

Aligned with The Squad, Bush was vociferously anti-Semitic. Aside from supporting BDS, she refused to meet Jewish leaders in her district and recently could not bring herself to declare Hamas a terrorist organization. Bush's defeat comes only a few weeks after fellow Squad member Jamaal Bowman lost his New York congressional seat in the Democratic primary to George Latimer. 

Bush and Bowman will soon be gone from Congress, but Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley and AOC carry on their brand of anti-Semitism. 

One can only hope Bell will better represent his constituents than Bush and do without the hate which consumed Bush's heart. 

What is Billy Bean's LGBTQ Legacy in MLB?

Former MLB player Billy Bean, who had served as MLB's Ambassador of Inclusion since 2014, passed away today of leukemia at the age of 60. 

Bean is, of course, not to be confused with Billy Beane, senior advisor with the Oakland A's. However, Bean and Beane were briefly teammates with the Detroit Tigers in 1988. 

Bean spent parts of six seasons with the Tigers, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres and also played a stint in Japan with the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes.

However, Bean is best known as only the second MLB player to come out as LGBTQ albeit after his playing career ended. (Former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Glenn Burke was the first). 

Bean spent years as a LGBTQ advocate before MLB hired him a decade ago. It is difficult to say what Bean's legacy in baseball is. While there are some in MLB who are supportive of the LGBTQ community others are decidedly hostile. 

Needless to say, there is much work to be done when it comes to the attitudes of MLB personnel to the LGBTQ. With the passing of Billy Bean, who will step up and fill this void? R.I.P.

Where Does Josh Shapiro Go From Here?

Last night, I pondered Kamala Harris choosing Tim Walz over Josh Shapiro and now this has come to pass.

Although I would have preferred Shapiro, I have no objection to Walz. It appears Democrats are enthusiastic about Walz as they are about Harris. As such, I don't discount them as a team.

Nevertheless, there is no question that resistance within the Democratic Party towards Shapiro's Judaism and his support of Israel played a role in him not being selected as Harris' running mate. If there is that much resistance to Shapiro being a vice-presidential running mate, then I can scarcely begin to imagine the level of resistance should he launch a White House bid in 2028, 2032 or ever. 

Yes, I am aware that J.D. Vance and Matt Brooks of the Republican Jewish Coalition are making much the same argument. But they are utterly disingenuous. Had Harris picked Shapiro, they would be calling him a left-wing radical just as they are now doing with Walz. Besides Vance and the RJC have utterly no trouble supporting Trump who broke bread with a neo-Nazi. 

As for Shapiro, he has a bright future ahead of him and much to contribute to our public discourse even if he never becomes President or is nominated as a presidential candidate. He will surely seek a second term as Governor of Pennsylvania in 2026. I could also see him serving as Attorney General in a future Democratic administration be it Harris or someone else. For the moment, aside from carrying out his duties as Governor, he will be a strong supporter of the Harris-Walz ticket as he did today in Philadelphia.

Let's Suppose Harris Chooses Walz Over Shapiro

(via Philadelphia Inquirer)

Word has it that Kamala Harris is now down to two choices for her VP running mate - Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro or Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. 

Arizona Senator Mark Kelly had been in the running but last night he issued a statement on X (which he subsequently deleted) indicating his mission was now serving Arizonans. 

While Shapiro has been bandied about as a potential running mate (and a potential presidential candidate), Walz emerged from relative obscurity when he began calling Republicans "weird".

Now let's suppose that Harris opts for Walz. A few things.

As has been noted, Harris will formally introduce her running mate in Philadelphia tomorrow. Given it is Shapiro's home turf it would be a letdown for the crowd if it was anyone other than Shapiro. It would be bad optics. In a word, it would be weird. 

In picking Walz, Harris would also send the signal that she can be pushed around by the Far Left which has been singling out Shapiro for his pro-Israel stances. Except that his other VP rivals are similarly pro-Israel. What sets Shapiro is that he is Jewish and an observant one at that. Perhaps Harris is afraid some Democratic delegates will chant, "Genocide Josh!!!" Of course, she could pick Walz and those same delegates could chant, "Free, Free Palestine!!!" Much of the criticism against Shapiro is motivated by anti-Semitism and Harris would be foolish to lend legitimacy to this kind of hatred.

With that said, it should be noted that no Democrat is more pro-Israel these days than Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman. Yet Fetterman has no love lost for his fellow Pennsylvania Democrat and has reportedly tried to put the kibosh on his ascension. This I find disappointing.

If Harris picks Walz, it would also be a signal to big labor. UAW President Shawn Fain has been critical of Shapiro for his support of school vouchers and has openly called upon Harris to pick Walz or Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear to be her running mate. With Beshear out of the picture, Walz would be their man. Let us also consider that Teamsters President Sean O'Brien spoke at the Republican National Convention last month and the unions are worried their rank and file might see fit to support Trump. Bernie Sanders is also urging Harris to tab Walz. 

None of this is a knock against Walz. After all, he is a successful two-term governor who has captured the imagination of the Democratic Party with one weird trick. Unlike Trump, Walz can be considered an authentic populist who actually cares about people's well-being. 

While I have no specific objections to Walz as an individual, I think Harris would be better off in the long run if she chose Shapiro.

Perspectives on Providence

 

Yesterday, I spent the afternoon and evening in Providence, Rhode Island with my friend and former roommate Christopher Kain. 

One can take the MBTA Commuter Rail train from Boston to Providence and the trip lasts 1 hour and 15 minutes. At least when it's working. More on this later.

When I lived in Ottawa in the early to mid-1990s, I once remember having a peculiar dream which ended with me receiving a telephone call. I remember the area code was 401 which covers all of Rhode Island. So, I've long had a sense that Rhode Island would play a significant part in my life. The fact that I have spent more than decades in and around Boston has not dissuaded me from this sense. 

I have been to Providence and other parts of Rhode Island on a number of occasions since 2001. When the Boston Red Sox had their Triple AAA affiliate in Pawtucket, I took in several games including one with Christopher. Before he moved to Providence, Christopher and I went to Lincoln, Rhode Island - once to see Don Rickles in concert shortly before his death and once to swim at Lincoln Woods. I even had a job interview in Providence in 2017 during one of my periods of unemployment. The last time I was in Rhode Island prior to yesterday, Christopher and I went to a roadside tavern to see and hear our mutual friend Don Hammontree perform in October 2022. 

When things went south in Atlanta in May 2021, Providence was one of four cities I targeted by virtue of Christopher's presence. Indeed, I did an interview with a law firm in Providence for a records job. Of course, that would not come to pass, and I would return to the Boston area instead which I what I truly wanted in the first place.

Christopher has now lived in Providence for nearly six years, and he showed me around to his favorite haunts - the RISD (Rhode Island School of Design) Museum and the Providence Athenaeum. We passed through the campus of Brown University before making the trek to No Udder where I enjoyed some vegan soft serve ice cream. There are parts of Providence which remind me a great deal of both Boston and Cambridge although I gather one would get this sense in many places throughout New England. 

The temperature started out at 90 degrees which made for a long walk, but several thunderstorms would cool down the temperature considerably on our way back downtown. We may have been the only two people in Providence carrying umbrellas. Read into that what you will.

One question. Is it a state law that every store in Rhode Island must have a Del's Lemonade sign?

We got out of the rain to have dinner at the Malted Barley which specializes in pretzel sandwiches. From there, we made our way to the Providence River to attend WaterFire, a series of bonfires lit along the river. Not only was the spectacle impressive, so were the sounds. I was struck by the introspective and reflective music played to accompany the bonfire and was pleasantly surprised to hear Nick Drake's "Know" and "Houston in Two Seconds" by Ry Cooder from the soundtrack of Paris, Texas among the selections. As it happens, Paris, Texas is among my favorite movies. 

Of course, all good things must come to an end. My initial plan was to catch the 11:25 p.m. commuter rail train back to Boston. However, when I contacted the MBTA on Friday, I was notified there was a good chance the last Red Line train would have departed by the time I arrived at South Station at 12:40 a.m. So, I adjusted my plan to take the 9:25 p.m. train back to Boston.

This is when calamity ensued.

Christopher led me back to the Providence train station. Despite the bonfires on the rivers, it was still quite dark, and I ended up tripping on a step. If I hadn't blocked the fall with my hands, I would have surely knocked out some teeth and perhaps broken my nose. As it turned out, I bloodied my right knee and tore my pants. But this would be the least of my problems. 

As we were about to enter the station, Christopher observed how busy it was inside. We soon found out why. There were a series of train cancellations. I looked online and discovered that a tree had fallen on the tracks at Canton Junction. Christopher then remarked that with all of our technology one damn tree could throw everything into chaos.

With the commuter rail out of commission for the foreseeable future, this left us with two options. Either I could remain overnight in Providence with Christopher, or he could drive me back into Massachusetts and drop off me at the beginning of the MBTA Red Line at Braintree. We chose the latter course of action.

This meant that we would have to walk about 20 minutes to fetch Christopher's car and then drive on into the night, a very dark night with precious little lighting. Christopher asked me to navigate our way from I-95 North to Braintree station via I-93 North. Thank goodness for Google. Despite the challenges, we arrived at Braintree station safely and I got on the Red Line and arrived at my door just past midnight. 

More than 30 years after that dream, I still don't know what role Rhode Island (and perhaps Providence in particular) will have in my life. But I do know that I will have other chances to find out in future visits with Christopher. 

Chisox Extend Losing Streak to 20 Games

The Chicago White Sox lost this afternoon to the Minnesota Twins 13-7 extending their losing streak to 20 games. 

The loss worsens the Chisox's already abysmal record to 27-87 and are now 41 1/2 games back of the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Central. The fourth place Detroit Tigers are 26 1/2 games ahead of the Chisox. Their .237 winning percentage is just 2 points ahead of the 1916 Philadelphia A's who finished with a .235 winning percentage with Connie Mack's team going 36-117. 

The White Sox last won a game on July 10th during the first game of a doubleheader against these same Twins. The team travels to Oakland to play a three-game series against the A's. The A's have certainly seen better days as they are in last place in the AL West, but the Chisox make Oakland look like the 1927 New York Yankees.

Should the White Sox lose against the A's, they will tie the 1988 Baltimore Orioles who began the season with a 21-game losing streak. Should they lose two in a row to Oakland then they will set a new AL record. Should the Chisox be swept by Oakland then they will have tied the 1961 Philadelphia Phillies who set a MLB record for 23 consecutive losses. Should this come to pass, the Chisox would return home on Friday night to face their crosstown rivals the Chicago Cubs to potentially set a new modern MLB record for consecutive losses in a single season. Prior to 1900, the 1889 Louisville Colonels lost 26 games in a row. 

Of course, the White Sox would just as soon not set these records. But even if they don't, they will finish the 2024 MLB season as one of the worst, if not the worst team in MLB history.

All's Well That Ends Snell with No-Hitter & 1st MLB Complete Game

Although Blake Snell has won two Cy Young Awards (once in the AL with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2018 and once in the NL with the San Diego Padres last year) he had never tossed a complete game. Hell, he had never pitched 8 full innings in a big-league game.

That would end in decisive fashion last night as Snell threw a no-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds last night at the Great American Ballpark in his 202nd career big-league start. It was also his first win in a San Francisco Giants uniform. Snell, 31, signed a two-year, $62 million contract with the Giants back in March, but has been plagued with injuries this season with two stints on the IL. 

Snell's no-hitter is the third in MLB in 2024. Ronel Blanco of the Houston Astros tossed one against the Toronto Blue Jays on April 1st while San Diego Padres hurler Dylan Cease no-hit the Washington Nationals last week. 

There is Nothing Moderate About Haniyeh Nor Hamas

 

(via Reuters)

With Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh no longer walking the face of the Earth (courtesy of Israel in all likelihood), there are some who see fit to eulogize him as a moderate such as the Associated Press, BBC, Reuters and Sky News. Whereas The Guardian settled for describing Haniyeh as "pragmatic."

In so doing, these media outlets rendered the term moderate meaningless. One can describe Arizona Senator and possible VP choice Mark Kelly as a moderate. The man who oversaw the murder of 1,200 civilians and took 240 hostages cannot and should never be described as a moderate. The same can be said of Hamas whose raison d'etre is to vanquish Jews. 

In a way, it is fitting that Haniyeh met his fate in Tehran. Haniyeh had met with and attended the inauguration of Iran's new President Masoud Pezeshkian who has also been bestowed with the moderate label by Reuters, The Guardian, and CBS News among others. Pezeshkian, striking a moderate tone, described Haniyeh's killing as "a treacherous Zionist raid." On the day of his "election", Pezeshkian vowed, "God willing, we will try to have friendly relations with all countries except Israel."

Let us also remember that Iran is Hamas' principal sponsor. So long as Iran seeks Israel's destruction, Hamas will be in lockstep. 

The objectives of Iran and Hamas can be described in many ways. Moderate is not among them.