Former Socialist, Former Republican, Former Contributor to The American Spectator, Former Resident of Canada, Back in Boston Area After Stints in New York City & Atlanta, Current Mustache Wearer & Aficionado of Baseball, Bowling in All Its Forms, Cats, Music & Healthy Living
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
How Long Will It Be Before the Trump Administration Says Nice Things About Iran?
Octavio Dotel, Who Pitched for 13 MLB Teams, Among 79 Dead Following Roof Collapse at Club in D.R.
Monday, April 7, 2025
What Pam Bondi Really Means When She Says She Wants DoJ Lawyers to Argue "Vigorously"
After D.C. District Court judge Paula Xinis ordered the U.S. government to have Kilmar Abrego Garcia returned to the United States from a Salvadoran prison, the DoJ instead responded by suspending attorney Erez Reuveni who had unsuccessfully argued the case the day before.
For her part, Attorney General Pam Bondi defended the decision to suspend Reuveni during an appearance on Fox News Sunday:
I firmly said on Day 1, I issued a memo that you are to vigorously advocate on behalf of the United States. Our client in this matter was Homeland Security — is Homeland Security. He did not argue. He shouldn’t have taken the case. He shouldn’t have argued it, if that’s what he was going to do. He’s on administrative leave now. You have to vigorously argue on behalf of your client.
When Bondi says that Reuveni didn't argue "vigorously" she means that she wanted him to lie and claim Abrego Garcia belonged to MS-13. But Bondi, unlike VP Vance, couldn't actually bring herself to claim Abrego Garcia was a member of MS-13 let alone state if he would face charges were he to return to this country.
So, what could Reuveni or any other DoJ have done? After all, the Trump Administration has openly admitted that Abrego Garcia was deported in error and cannot produce evidence that Abrego Garcia was a member of MS-13, let alone convicted of any crimes.
The only argument the Trump Administration can offer is the absurd argument that even though Abrego Garcia was wrongly deported, he cannot be brought back because he is in a sovereign country. As I argued last week:
ICE is essentially telling us that if they make a mistake, they are not responsible for their behavior nor are they subject to any consequences of their errors.
I would add that the Trump Administration doesn't believe it is under any obligation to remedy their errors.
How else does one explain Bondi demanding DoJ attorneys to lie to open court about Abrego Garcia?
How else does one explain Bondi demanding of DoJ attorneys what she won't demand of herself?
Sunday, April 6, 2025
Why I Have Mixed Feelings About Alex Ovechkin Surpassing Wayne Gretzky as NHL's All-Time Goal Scorer
Alex Ovechkin did the unthinkable this afternoon when he scored his 895th goal to surpass Wayne Gretzky as the NHL's all-time leading scorer in goals.
Although the Washington Capitals lost 4-1 to the New York Islanders, it is difficult to overlook Ovechkin's achievement. Ovechkin scored 895 goals in 1487 career games while Gretzky scored 894 goals in 1487 career games.
And Ovechkin isn't done. The Capitals, for whom Ovechkin has played his entire 20-year career, lead the Metropolitan Division and have the second-best overall record in the NHL trailing the Winnipeg Jets by a single point. Washington, which won its lone Stanley Cup championship in 2018, has a legitimate shot for another title.
Ovechkin has one more year left on his current contract with the Capitals. If he continues to play at the level at which he is playing I don't think 1,000 career goals is inconceivable. Whatever his career goal totals, an argument can made that Ovechkin has surpassed the Great One as the greatest to ever play in the NHL.
Yet I have mixed feelings about Ovechkin's achievement. Ovechkin is an apologist for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Just take a look at his Instagram profile or the website he launched in 2017 called Putin Team:
The website of the Putin Team movement is [now] open: www.putinteam.ru! Through the site, you can become a member of a huge team. Of Putin’s Team, which unites people who are proud of their country and want to make Russia stronger. In our leader, we value [his] trust in and respect for people, his fairness [and] righteousness, and the fact that he really cares.
Everyone who supports those values is a member of Putin Team. If you want to participate in events with us, join us! Sign up on the website and follow us [on social media], it will be interesting!
And, of course, share this with your friends! Welcome to Putin Team!
I suspect the people of Ukraine would take a much different view of Putin Team.
To paraphrase Ronnie Spector's description of her ex-husband Phil Spector, "Great hockey player, lousy person."
Of course, Gretzky has lost much of his luster in Canada by his support of President Trump in a stunning parallel of Ovechkin's support of Putin. Indeed, Trump went as far as to say that Gretzky should become the next Governor of Canada.
It is possible to admire what both Alex Ovechkin and Wayne Gretzky have done on the ice while feeling absolute dismay as to how they lead their lives off the ice.
Saturday, April 5, 2025
Three Reasons Why Trump Chose to Attend a Golf Dinner Over Honoring Four Fallen U.S. Soldiers
It comes as no surprise to me that President Trump would choose to attend a golf dinner instead of paying his respect to four fallen U.S. soldiers.
The soldiers were engaged in a training exercise in Lithuania when they and their vehicle disappeared. They were found submerged in a swamp. The four soldiers found dead were identified as Staff Sgt. Jose Duenez, Jr., Staff Sgt. Edvin F. Franco, Pfc. Dante D. Taitano and Staff Sgt. Troy S. Knutson-Collins. All four soldiers were part of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division based at Fort Stewart, Georgia.
Under the circumstances, I can see three reasons why Trump did not pay them his respects.
First and foremost, let us never forget Trump believes that fallen U.S. soldiers are "losers and suckers", a fact confirmed by former White House Chief of Staff John Kelly. While Trump has denied making the remarks, the notoriously litigious President has never seen fit to sue anyone regarding the incident. There would be depositions and nothing good would come of it for Trump.
Second, the incident took place in Lithuania, a former Soviet republic and now a NATO member. We all know what contempt Trump has for NATO and Vladimir Putin would very much like to have Lithuania and the Baltic states back under the Russian fold. Given what has happened in Ukraine, Lithuania is preparing for a Russian invasion. Had Trump saw fit to honor the fallen soldiers he would have validated both NATO and Lithuania's presence within which would not have pleased Russia. The fact that Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda and thousands of Lithuanians have expressed more sorrow at the deaths of American soldiers than our own government is quite telling.
Third, there is Trump's financial self-interest. The dinner he attended took place at his Dorval resort in Miami where a LIV sponsored golf tournament is taking place this weekend. Trump will be making money with this golf tournament. Honoring our fallen soldiers will not line his pockets. Of course, LIV is sponsored by Saudi Arabia where Trump will make his first foreign trip of his second term next month. Needless to say, the Trump family has profited handsomely from their ties with Saudi Arabia.
All things considered, perhaps it is best that Trump didn't honor these four fallen soldiers. Trump would have likely sullied such a ceremony and found a way to make it about himself as he invariably does.
Thursday, April 3, 2025
The Trump Administration's Defamation of Abrego Garcia Could Cost Him His Life & They Couldn't Care Less
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Trump Claims Global Free Trade "Looted, Pillaged, Raped" Our Country When Announcing Tariffs
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Let's Hope That Trump's Third Term Talk Ends Up an April Fool's Joke
Monday, March 31, 2025
Like Trump, Marine Le Pen Thinks She is Above The Law
Sunday, March 30, 2025
A Few Thoughts on the Anti-Hamas Protests in Gaza
After Carney Says Old Canada-U.S. Relationship is "Over", Trump Calls Him "Prime Minister"
The old relationship we had with the United States based on deepening integration of our economies and tight security and military cooperation is over.It’s clear the US is no longer a reliable partner. It is possible that with comprehensive negotiations, we could reestablish an element of confidence but there will be no going backwards.
Carney's statement got President Trump's attention because Trump requested a phone call with Carney which took place the following morning. Take a close look at Trump's comments concerning his conversation with Carney.
Trump refers to Carney by his proper title. At no point, does Trump attempt to call Carney "Governor" let alone refer to Canada as the 51st state.
Trump isn't dealing with Justin Trudeau anymore. Carney will shed no tears.
Now, I'm under no illusions that Canada-U.S. relations have been fixed in a single phone call. When Trump is due to implement a new set of tariffs on April 2nd, he might very well resume using the 51st state rhetoric or try to belittle Carney.
But I have no doubt Carney is well aware that Trump will likely be less respectful towards Canada in a few short days. The important thing is that Canada is not without options and tools at its disposal. It is up to Canadians to choose a leader who knows how to exercise those options and tools.
For the moment, Carney is setting the terms with Trump because he knows money works in a way even Trump doesn't and probably never will.
Saturday, March 29, 2025
Poor Nestor Cortes, Jr.
Last October, his tenure in a New York Yankees uniform came to an inglorious end when he surrendered a walk-off grand slam HR to Freddie Freeman in Game 1 of the 2024 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Yankees then traded Cortes to the Milwaukee Brewers for closer Devin Williams who has already made history with the Bronx Bombers due to the team changing its policy regarding beards last month.
This afternoon, Cortes made his return to Yankee Stadium in a Brewers uniform.
This also represented his debut with the Brewers.
His first three pitches to Paul Goldschmidt, Cody Bellinger and Aaron Judge all ended up in the seats.
Then again, the trio has won a combined four MVPs between them.
This was the first time in MLB history such a thing has ever happened.
It would get worse.
Later in the first inning, Cortes gave up yet another to Yankees catcher Austin Wells.
Things did not improve for Cortes in the second inning as he gave up a 3-run HR to Anthony Volpe.
After Cortes surrendered a RBI single to Bellinger in the 3rd, Brewers manager Pat Murphy gave him the hook.
In two innings plus, Cortes gave up 8 runs on 6 hits (including 5 HR) while issuing 5 walks against 2 strikeouts.
Mind you, the Brewers bullpen didn't do much better. Judge hit two more HRs including a grand slam. Jazz Chisholm, Jr. and Oswald Peraza also added dingers of their own. In all, the Yankees hit a game record 9 HR in a 20-9 shellacking of the Brew Crew.
Perhaps Cortes will fare better next week at Miller Park facing the Cincinnati Reds.
Or perhaps today was a preview of worse things to come for Cortes.
Why I'm Glad Trump Withdrew Stefanik's Nomination as UN Ambassador
Friday, March 28, 2025
My Thoughts on Rumeysa Ozturk Being Detained by ICE on the Streets of Somerville
I would be remiss if I didn't offer my thoughts on ICE's detention of Turkish born Tufts University student Rumeysa Ozturk on the streets of Somerville on Tuesday night, no more than a couple of miles away.
As with Mahmoud Khalil at Columbia University, I don't have much sympathy for Ozturk's views where it concerns Israel. I don't accept the claims Ozturk made in an editorial she co-wrote a year ago in the Tufts Daily accusing Israel of committing genocide. Ozturk is probably both pro-Hamas and anti-Semitic and someone whom I would stay as far away as possible.
However, like many people, I saw surveillance footage of her arrest and was utterly appalled. The ICE officers looked more like bank robbers than law enforcement. The first ICE officer physically assaults Ozturk.
I know the Trump Administration wants to make an example of foreign students who they believe support Hamas by revoking their student visas or their green cards. But in so doing they end up turning them into sympathetic figures.
It is also difficult to take the Trump Administration regarding this campaign when their envoys keep saying nice things about Hamas. They can't have it both ways though Secretary of State Marco Rubio is trying:
If you apply for a visa to enter the United States and be a student, and you tell us the reason you are coming to the United States is not just because you want to write op-eds, but because you want to participate in movements that are involved in doing things like vandalizing universities, harassing students, taking over buildings, creating a ruckus -- we're not going to give you a visa.
Yet, at this point, neither Rubio nor anyone else in the Trump DoJ has specifically accused her of committing vandalism, harassing Jewish students or being involved in taking over campus buildings much less having direct involvement with Hamas.
If they have evidence and facts that Ozturk has done these things or worse (i.e. provide financial support to Hamas) then I will reconsider my opinion. But if they had this information then they would have already charged her with these offenses.
As it stands, U.S. District CIourt Judge Denise Casper has ordered Ozturk's deportation halted pending a hearing which is what ought to have happened in the first place if there were legitimate concerns about her student visa. But the Trump Administration doesn't have legitimate concerns about anything other than their own glory.
Again, I do not share Rumeysa Ozturk's views on Israel. But those aren't grounds to deny her due process and her day in court. If the Trump Administration has more evidence regarding Ozturk's activities, then let's see it. If not, then they ought to leave her alone no matter how repugnant her views on Israel and Jews might be. I nor anyone else is obligated to associate oneself with her or her views.
Thursday, March 27, 2025
Lament of a Dual Canadian-U.S. Citizen After 25 Years in America
Today, I marked my 25th anniversary in the United States.
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Speaker Johnson Wants to Eliminate District Courts Which Rule Against Trump
It violates separation of powers when a judge thinks that they can enjoin something that a president is doing, that the American people voted for.
Well, I suspect a lot of American voters supported expanded overtime pay. But I didn't see Johnson complain when a Texas judge blocked former President Biden's plan to expand overtime pay for millions of American workers.
Johnson's position has nothing to do with what the American people voted for, but it has everything to do with paying fealty to President Trump.
The Speaker wants to keep his job and pledging to abolish courts whose judges have the temerity to rule against President Trump will keep Johnson on Trump's good side.
Although such a vote could pass in the House, it would likely die in the Senate. But this probably won't be the last time that Johnson makes such a call especially in light of the fact that Judge James Boasberg, who halted Trump's deportation flights, will preside over the Signal chat lawsuit against Trump officials for the destruction of federal records.
Speaker Johnson is a quisling. He has abdicated Congress' role of keeping checks on Executive power to Elon Musk while subordinating himself to the feet of President Trump. Mike Johnson is a man without self-dignity. And without self-dignity, how can a man without self-dignity serve the interests of the public?
I suppose we can still appeal to a higher court so long as Speaker Johnson hasn't yet abolished them.