Woman Dies of Injuries Sustained in Anti-Semitic Terror Attack in Boulder

The anti-Semitic terror attack which took place in Boulder, Colorado on June 1st has resulted in a fatality.

Karen Diamond, 82, succumbed on June 25th due to burn injuries she sustained as a result of being hit by Molotov cocktails. The assailant shouted, "End Zionists" and "Free Palestine" as he hurled at weaponry at Diamond and about 30 other people who were at a vigil for the hostages who remain held in captivity by Hamas. He has now been charged with two counts of first-degree murder.

This is what globalizing the intifada looks like. 

R.I.P.

So Much for Elbows Up!!! Carney Caves to Trump & Scraps DST

Just over 48 hours after President Trump put a halt to trade talks between Canada and the United States over the implementation of the Digital Services Tax (DST), the Liberal government of Prime Minister Mark Carney dropped the tax.

Well, so much for elbows up.

Trump basically told Carney to jump, and Carney asked him, "How high?"

I mean Carney did not even put up a fight. One would think they might have dropped the tax's retroactivity. But no. Trump got what he wanted and because of it Trump smells blood in the water and will ask for more. A lot more up to and including the abolition of Canada's supply management system for dairy, egg and poultry farmers. At the very minimum, Canada now needs to ask Trump's permission when it comes to fiscal and taxation policy. 

Prime Minister Carney has shown himself to be a paper tiger. Now that the election is over, Carney has shown that he was all talk and no action.

Glastonbury Crowd Waves Palestinian Flags & Chants "Death to the IDF"

The Glastonbury Festival, one of the world's foremost annual gatherings for live music, was marred yesterday by anti-Semitic hate. 

Amid a sea of Palestinian flags, the audience chanted "Death to the IDF" at the urging of Bobby Vylan who later added, “From the river to the sea, Palestine must be, will be free” while uttering the phrase "fucking Zionists." When he said Zionists, he meant Jews. And when he said Palestine must be free, he meant Jews must be killed. The anti-Semitism continued with the Irish group Kneecap who have in the past praised both Hamas and Hezbollah during their concerts.

Let's think about this for a moment. On October 7, 2023, Hamas began its attack by killing 378 concertgoers at the Nova Music Festival while taking 44 people hostage - a majority of whom were subsequently killed.

But instead of expressing sorrow for their fellow music lovers, Bob Vylan, Kneecap and the Glastonbury audience which chanted "Death to the IDF" are rooting for Hamas. 

To them, Jews are a subhuman people who deserve death. Of course, the Nazis thought this of Jews as well. There's really no difference between "Free Palestine" and "Sieg Heil".

The Bombardment of The Blue Man Group Bids Boston Farewell

 

Earlier this month, the Charles Playhouse announced the Blue Man Group would be ending its 30-year run at the venue on July 6th. 

I remember seeing the Blue Man Group perform on The Tonight Show shortly after Jay Leno replaced Johnny Carson in 1992 but never felt compelled to see a live performance during the 20 plus years I've lived in Boston. 

However, given their impending departure, I decided it was worth experiencing it for myself and took in a performance last night.

Now having experienced the Blue Man Group, I hope to never experience them again for as long as I live.

I write this knowing I am in a very distinct minority. Most of the audience, young and old, enjoyed the Blue Man Group's antics which have not changed much since their original iteration more than three decades ago. 

But for me it's one thing to see them on TV and quite another to see them in person. To be fair, the theatre did say it would be loud and there would be a lot of strobe lights. That doesn't bother some people. However, for me its bombardment and it's just too much.

Don't get me wrong. It takes enormous skill to catch gumballs and a barrage of marshmallows in one's mouth. With three shows a day, it also takes enormous dedication and time. But it just wasn't for me.

The Blue Man Group bills itself as an interactive show. For me, it was intrusive. A cameraman accompanying the Blue Men shot a view down a man's throat. I didn't want to see his insides and I doubt he did either. I also didn't care for them making a point of shaming people who entered the theatre late. 

I'm grateful that I sat in the balcony seats and did not have to cover myself in plastic in case they decided to spray the audience with liquid or step on their shoulders when in the audience. The only time the people in the balcony had any attention drawn to us was when we were told to get up and dance. I had no desire to do either. Nor did I have any desire to scream at the top of my lungs.

Do I regret having gone? No. I freely chose to experience the Blue Man Group in person and concluded that I didn't enjoy the experience. The show is mostly a tourist trap and the tourists are more than happy to have reams of toilet paper fall on them. It isn't to say the Blue Man Group is without merit. But for me, they are best appreciated from a safe distance. For that, I am grateful they are bidding Boston farewell.

Dave Parker Passes Away Less Than a Month He Was to Be Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame

 

Dave Parker, arguably the greatest player to wear a MLB uniform during the late 1970s, passed away today at the age of 74 of complications of Parkinson's Disease. 

Parker's passing comes less than a month before he was due to be formally inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. I feared this might come to pass when the Classic Baseball Committee elected Parker along with the late Dick Allen last December:

Although Parker is still with us at age 73, he has been battling Parkinson's Disease for about a dozen years and is now wheelchair bound. For someone with a terminal disease, seven months is a long time. I truly hope Parker will be able to enjoy what will be his last moment in the sun. 

Sadly, that moment will not come to pass for Parker even if he does get a long overdue plaque. 

The Cobra's career is one that deserves a celebration. Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 14th round of the 1970 MLB Draft, Parker would make his MLB debut with the Bucs in 1973. He would become an everyday player in 1975 when he finished third in NL MVP as led the league in slugging percentage (.541) along with a .308 batting average, 25 HR and 101 RBI. Two years later, Parker would win the NL batting title hitting .338 while also leading the Senior Circuit in hits (215) and doubles (44). Parker would also win the first of his three career Gold Gloves for his sterling defense in right field. He would earn the first of his seven career All-Star Team selections (six in the NL). 

In 1978, Parker would reach the pinnacle of his career when he won the NL MVP with his second consecutive NL batting title (.334) and leading the NL in SLG (.585) and OPS (.979) and total bases (340). 

Prior to the 1979 season, Parker signed a 5-year, $5 million contract making him the first player in MLB history to earn $1 million a season. However, it was at this point that Bucs fans began to sour on him despite his contributions to the "We Are Famalee" team which won the 1979 World Series as well as a MVP performance in that year's All-Star Game in Seattle when he gunned down Brian Downing at home plate with some help from future Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter of the Montreal Expos. However, Parker declined to attend the team's World Series victory parade.

Parker's play would diminish during the early 1980s in part due to use of cocaine. He was among several players within the Pirates organization who was called to testify during the Pittsburgh drug trials of 1985. This very likely cost him a second NL MVP that season amid a career resurgence with his hometown Cincinnati Reds. Parker led the NL in RBI (125) and doubles (42) while hitting .312 with a career high 34 HR. However, Parker would finish runner up in NL MVP balloting to St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Willie McGee. 

After four productive seasons in Cincinnati, the Reds sent Parker to the Oakland A's where he would play in two more World Series in 1988 and 1989 earning his second World Series ring in the latter year. Parker would spend one season with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1990 earning his final All-Star Team selection before finishing his MLB career in 1991 which he split with the California Angels and the Toronto Blue Jays. 

In 19 MLB seasons, Parker collected 2712 hits in 2466 games for a lifetime batting average of .290 with 339 HR and 1493 RBI along with his 7 All-Star appearances, 3 Gold Gloves, 2 NL batting titles, 2 World Series rings, one All-Star Game MVP and one NL MVP. That is a Hall of Fame career and it is a damn shame that Dave Parker won't be able to enjoy it. R.I.P.

Trump Renews Attacks on Canada by Ending Trade Talks

President Trump has renewed his attacks on Canada by announcing he was abruptly ending trade talks.

The announcement comes less than two months after the relatively cordial Oval Office meeting between Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. 

I wonder if the rapprochement lulled Carney into a false sense of security because a few days ago he claimed that Trump no longer coveted Canada as the 51st state.

How long will it be before Trump starts calling Carney "Governor of Canada" as he did with his predecessor, Justin Trudeau?

As a result of Trump's announcement, Canada increased levies on U.S. steel imports.

Trump made his abrupt decision claiming that Canada "has just announced that they are putting a Digital Services Tax on our American Technology Companies, which is a direct and blatant attack on our Country."

As usual, Trump is full of shit. Canada did not just announce the DST. It was passed a year ago under the Trudeau government. However, it is due to take effect on Monday. The DST is a 3% levy on digital companies which earn more than $20 million in revenue from Canadian sources and would apply to tech giants like Apple, Amazon, AirBnB, Google, Meta and Uber. The tax is also retroactive to 2022.

It is possible Trump didn't learn of the DST until now given his propensity to stick his head up his ass. The Biden Administration was surely aware as it opposed the legislation but sought to utilize dispute settlement mechanisms which presently exist under the Canada U.S. Mexico Free Trade Agreement (CUSMA).

I can see Canada waiving part or all of the retroactivity of the DST while keeping the tax in place. Trump might demand that Canada scrap the tax, but a similar tax exists in various parts of the EU. Canada cannot scrap the tax as it would basically cede taxation policy to the White House. In which case, perhaps Canada might offer further assistance in immigration enforcement or defense spending in an effort to mollify Trump and allow bilateral trade talks to resume.

But rest assured, so long as he is in the White House, Trump is going keep pulling stunts like this against Canada every couple of months.

Bill Moyers Contributed to American Public Life For Both Good & Ill

Yesterday came the news of Bill Moyers' passing at the age of 91. My first memories of Moyers were as a journalist and commentator first on CBS and later on PBS. Even as a child, I remember that Moyers had a gentle yet authoritative resonance even if I didn't always understand the substance of what he said.

Of course, Moyers came to prominence with association with President Lyndon Johnson including a stint as White House Press Secretary. Through his association with LBJ, Moyers played a critical role in the establishment of the Peace Corps, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the launch of several Great Society programs. 

Yet, at the same time, Moyers was responsible for giving birth to negative political advertising with the "Daisy" ad during the 1964 presidential election campaign which stated in no uncertain terms that Republican Barry Goldwater would blow up the world although he was never mentioned by name. Nevertheless, Goldwater never forgave Moyers for his role in the ad for as long as he lived. While Moyers wrote fondly of Martin Luther King, Jr., he gave FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover the go-ahead to try to discredit King at the behest of LBJ.

Naturally, there is both good and bad in nearly all of us. From where I sit, the good outweighed the bad. Yet in remembering Bill Moyers, it is important to acknowledge the contributions he made to American public life for both good and ill. R.I.P.

A Thought for Ron Washington

The Los Angeles Angels announced today that manager Ron Washington has been placed on medical leave for the remainder of the 2025 season.

Washington has been absent from the Angels dugout for a week after experiencing fatigue and shortness of breath during a road trip against the New York Yankees. At 73, Washington is the oldest manager in MLB. He previously managed the Texas Rangers from 2007 to 2014 leading the team to back-to-back AL championships in 2010 and 2011. 

Washington would spend 8 seasons as the third base coach for the Atlanta Braves earning a World Series ring in 2021. In 2024, Washington was named the Angels' new skipper. Unfortunately, the team lost a franchise record 99 games last season.

The Angels enter tonight with a 40-40 record having not had a winning season since 2015 and no post-season appearances since 2014. Bench coach Ray Montgomery has been named the team's interim manager for the remainder of the season. Montgomery, who played parts of three seasons with the Houston Astros in the late 1990s, served as the scouting director for both the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Milwaukee Brewers. He joined the Angels in 2020 as their director of player personnel before becoming part of the coaching staff in 2021. Under the circumstances, I hope Montgomery can help the Angels rally around Washington and a make a long overdue return to post-season baseball.

The nature of Washington's illness has not been disclosed and, of course, he is within his right to keep that information to himself and his family. Still, given the circumstances, one cannot help but think his condition is quite serious. 

Current Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona, during his tenure with the Cleveland Indians/Guardians went on medical leave on several occasions before stepping down from the position after the 2023 season due to ongoing health issues. In 2015, then Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell missed a portion of the season after being diagnosed with lymphoma with future Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo stepping into the breach. In the case of Francona and Farrell, both managers chose to make their condition public.

Whatever illness Ron Washington is dealing with, I hope he is healthy enough to the Angels dugout next year or at the very least can resume some activity where it concerns baseball. Washington's energy and passion is infectious and has made him one of MLB's most beloved figures. 

Get well soon, Wash.

Diego Segui Spent 25 Years Pitching Everywhere

 

Former MLB pitcher Diego Segui passed away yesterday at the age of 87.

The Cuban born hurler spent 25 years in professional baseball beginning in 1958 when he was signed by the Cincinnati Redlegs.

He would not stay with the Redlegs long as he soon sold to the Kansas City A's organization. It would be the first of three stints with the A's organization in both K.C. and Oakland.

Segui made his MLB debut with the A's in 1962. By 1964, Segui would lead the AL in losses with 17. The A's were not a good club during their tenure in Kansas City but Segui was a durable pitcher who could work both as a starter and a reliever and eat innings.

Prior to the 1966 season, the A's sold Segui to the Washington Senators. But after one season in D.C., he was sent back to the A's where he would pitch two seasons - one with K.C. and the team's inaugural season in Oakland in 1968.

Following that season, Segui was selected in the expansion draft by the Seattle Pilots. Segui was a bright spot on a dismal team best known for being the subject of Jim Bouton's Ball Four. He would win a career high 12 games, earn 12 saves and post a respectable 3.35 ERA.

Before the Pilots departed Seattle to become the Milwaukee Brewers, Segui would be traded back to the A's for a third time. In 1970, Segui posted an ERA of 2.56 which was good enough to lead the league despite pitching primarily out of the bullpen.

For all of his time with the A's, Segui would not be a part of the A's dynasty which won three consecutive World Series between 1972 to 1974. During the 1972 season, Segui was sent packing to the St. Louis Cardinals where he worked exclusively out of the bullpen. In 1973, Segui posted a career high 17 saves for the Redbirds which was good enough for 7th in the NL.

The Cardinals rewarded Segui's efforts by trading him to the Boston Red Sox prior to the 1974 season in a six-player deal which saw starting pitchers John Curtis and Lynn McGlothen go to St. Louis. Again, Segui pitched almost exclusively out of the bullpen in Boston. Segui was part of the 1975 AL championship Red Sox team and would pitch an inning of relief Game 5 of the World Series.

Prior to the start of the 1976 season, the Red Sox would release Segui. He would quickly sign a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres and spent the year pitching with the Triple AAA Hawaii Islanders in the Pacific Coast League under future Toronto Blue Jays manager Roy Hartsfield.

In 1977, Segui would return to Seattle as he was selected by the Mariners in the expansion draft. In fact, Segui was handed the ball in the very first game in Seattle Mariners history. Unfortunately, Segui only lasted 3.2 innings giving up 6 runs (4 of them earned) in a 7-0 loss against the California Angels as Frank Tanana threw a complete game 9-hit shutout. 

Despite being affectionately nicknamed The Ancient Mariner, the 39-year-old Segui struggled. In 40 appearances (7 of them starts), Segui went 0-7 with a 5.69 ERA. It would prove to be his final MLB season. In 639 appearances (including 171 starts) spanning 15 seasons, Segui had a career record of 92-111 with a decent 3.81 ERA striking out 1298 batters in 1807.2 innings pitched against 765 walks. He also recorded 71 career saves. Despite finishing his career with a losing record, Segui proved a durable pitcher with an effective forkball. 

Although his MLB career was over, Segui would continue to play professional baseball in the Mexican League through 1984 when he finally retired at the age of 46. 

Segui's baseball legacy would continue with his son David who had a successful 15-year MLB career as a first baseman primarily with the Baltimore Orioles and stints with the New York Mets, Montreal Expos, Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays, Texas Rangers and Cleveland Indians. 

The well-traveled Segui was puzzled as to why he couldn't stick with one club. In an interview with Boston sportswriter Cliff Keane prior to the 1974 season, Segui said:

I sit and wonder each time that I have been traded, have I done something wrong? Did I not get along with the people? Why don’t they like me, so that I have to go from one team to another so much? If you are confused about it, “he said, “you can say that I am more confused than anyone else.

It is one way to look at it. But another way to look at it is that everyone wanted Diego Segui to pitch for them. R.I.P. 

Marjorie Taylor Greene Blames Israel for JFK's Assassination

Georgia Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has been in a war of words with conservative pundit Mark Levin over President Trump's decision to militarily intervene in Iran. 

Under normal circumstances, I would not care about internecine squabbles. However, MTG dove headfirst into anti-Semitic conspiracy land in her latest response to Levin. The Congresswoman wrote in part:

There was once a great President that the American people loved. He opposed Israel’s nuclear program. And then he was assassinated.

Where does one begin?

Well, I suppose one can begin with levity and ask if MTG thinks Ted Cruz's father was involved. 

But with the increasing social acceptability of anti-Semitism, I suppose it was only a matter of time before someone would blame the Jews and/or the State of Israel for JFK's assassination. I'm surprised it has taken this long. It would be funny if it wasn't so serious.

In the case of MTG, conspiracy theories are her lifeblood with her dalliances with QAnon. One who thrives on conspiracy theories is bound to embrace anti-Semitism, the world's oldest conspiracy theory.

The problem, of course, is that MTG is a member of Congress and among the most influential Republicans on Capitol Hill and someone who has President Trump's ear even if they are odds over military action in Iran. 

Someone like MTG could make anti-Semitism and acceptance of its premises a mainstream position among conservatives and Republicans. 

Marjorie Taylor Greene is a nut, but there are a lot of nuts out there and they vote. 

Could New York Elect an Anti-Semitic Mayor?

 

As of this writing, New York State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani is leading former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in New York City Mayoral Democratic Primary.

With 86% of the vote tallied, Mamdani leads Cuomo by 7.5%. 

Of course, this is ranked choice balloting so official results will be known by next week. However, given that Mamdani and third-place candidate Brad Lander (NYC's current Comptroller) cross-endorsed each other earlier this month, I'm not sure how Cuomo can overcome this alliance.

In which case, it would appear that Zohran Mamdani will be the Democratic Party nominee for Mayor in New York City.

This means there is a chance New York, the capital of American Jewry, could elect an anti-Semitic Mayor. 

I shudder at the thought. If Jews aren't safe in New York, then Jews aren't safe anywhere.

In which case, it would be Eric Adams vs. Zohran Mamdani. Voting for the crook has never been so important since Edwin Edwards defeated David Duke in the Louisiana gubernatorial race in 1991. 

Yes, I know Mayor Adams didn't have his day in Court. President Trump saw to it and now Adams is beholden to him. 

But a re-elected Adams is infinitely preferable to a Mamdani who wishes to "globalize the intifada."

This means Mamdani wants dead Jews whether be they in Beersheba or in Brooklyn. If you don't believe me then you can ask the parents of slain hostages Omer Neutra and Hersh Goldberg-Polin what "globalize the intifada" means. 

I am also appalled that mainstream outlets such as The Bulwark and Stephen Colbert see fit to give anti-Semites like Mamdani a platform. If Mamdani is elected and Jews are murdered, then they have blood on their hands.

I can only hope there are enough decent New Yorkers who will be sufficiently appalled by Mamdani's hatred of Jews to provide Adams with a second term in office.

Did Trump Even Bother to Tell Israel & Iran There Was a Ceasefire Before Announcing One?

 

Only hours after announcing a ceasefire between Israel and Iran on Truth Social which he vowed would last forever, President Trump blasted both countries claiming "they don't know what the fuck they are doing" after Iran launched another attack with Israel threatening to retaliate. Trump told Israel, "Don't Drop Bombs!!!"

Frankly, I doubt Israel and Iran agreed to a ceasefire much less knew that one existed until Trump typed it into his phone. Who knows? Maybe Trump was on the toilet when he declared the ceasefire.

Wherever Trump was situated, this is a foolish and stupid way to conduct foreign policy.

Given Trump's propensity for lying, one cannot discount the possibility that he just decided to claim Israel and Iran agreed to a ceasefire without letting them in on it. After all, after Trump ordered the U.S. military to attack nuclear installations in Iran on Saturday, he claimed the Islamic Republic's nuclear program had been "obliterated". However, it would appear that Iran's nuclear program has only been set back a few months. In which case, Israel will face the same choice by the end of the year as it faced earlier this month.

In which case, I think Trump's priority will be to negotiate a nuclear deal with Iran which bears his name and, along with it, a Nobel Peace Prize. Should he achieve the former then he will demand the latter. Even if turns out that Iran has a nuclear weapon and uses it against Israel, or possibly, against American interests.

A Brief Thought for a Couple of Oklahoma City Thunder Fans Dad & I Met in NYC

The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 of the NBA Final 103-91 to win their first NBA Title since 1979 when they were known as the Seattle Super Sonics. 

On Friday afternoon while Dad and I were on NYC's High Line we ended up sitting down a bench overlooking the corner of 10th Avenue and West 28th Street. Dad began speaking to a brother and sister visiting the city who soon informed us they were from Oklahoma City. I asked them if they were looking forward to Game 7. The brother said he had wished they had won Game 6 but were confident of the Thunder's chances in Game 7. I wished their team luck and hope their city would enjoy a championship parade.

Now had we run into a brother and sister from Indianapolis, I would have wished them the same luck. But as it happened, we crossed paths with folks from Oklahoma. I hope they get back in time to partake in the parade. From this day forward, when I think of the Oklahoma City Thunder's NBA Title, I shall always think of this brother and sister.

The Wonders of Wheeling, West Virginia (With a Couple of Stops in Ohio & Pennsylvania)

 

(Wheeling, West Virginia overlooking the Ohio River)

Following my first official business trip to New York last April, I mentioned that I would be traveling to Wheeling, West Virginia for my first ever business conference.

This morning, I came back from that conference. My stay in Boston will be brief as I will head down to NYC tomorrow morning for the Juneteenth weekend.

I would be remiss if I didn't share a few words about my experiences. Not about the conference, mind you. What happened there could have taken place in any city.

Rather I just wish to give you my general impressions of the area.

To get to Wheeling by air, one must fly to Pittsburgh. From Pittsburgh, it is about a 75-to-90-minute drive to Wheeling. Before arriving in Wheeling, our group stopped for lunch at a Dairy Queen in Washington, Pennsylvania. Although technically part of the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area, it could be easily mistaken for the rural South for all of the Christian religious symbols visible to the naked eye. Yet amid the religious symbols, there was a vape shop directly across the street from the Dairy Queen. 

Not long after we would cross into West Virginia. Our arrival in Wheeling came less than 48 hours after flash flooding killed 8 people after 5 inches of rain fell in the space of 30 minutes. There was a great deal of mud on the roads and sidewalks. Here is an image from Fox Weather of the flooding on Saturday night on National Road. Below it is an image of the sidewalk I attempted to navigate only to get a great deal of mud on my shoes.

In the back of the Fox Weather picture, you can see a sign which reads TJ Sports Garden Restaurant. I stayed across the street from that establishment at the Hampton Inn. TJ Sports Garden Restaurant is very distinctive because of its mural of athletes who either are from West Virginia or went to school there. With regard to baseball, the mural included 19th Century legend Jesse Burkett, 1960 World Series hero Bill Mazeroski and the Niekro brothers.

All things considered, I am grateful we didn't arrive sooner. I am also grateful that we left today as more rain is expected to come and with more rain comes more flooding. But people are quietly carrying on going about their business with some raising money for those who lost loved ones or sustained property damage. 

Amid the sudden loss of life and residue of destruction, there were some wonders to behold. On Monday night, a group of us had dinner at the Alpha Tavern. Off in the distance, someone noticed a deer grazing in the grass on a residential street.

As one might imagine, the pace of life in Wheeling is much slower than in Boston or New York. When we checked in for the conference yesterday morning, the security guard took 20 minutes to check us all in and repeatedly asked us to say and spell our names. Let's just say that process could not happen in Boston or New York without a lot of commotion. 

Downtown Wheeling has a great deal of charm. Our company's HQ is located directly across the street from the Capitol Theatre. Many of the buildings are well preserved nestled in the heart of Appalachia. One can look across the street and see Ohio. 

This morning, we actually passed through Ohio on our way back to Pittsburgh International Airport although not by design. As a result of a couple of missed turns, we ended up in Steubenville, Ohio which was the birthplace of Dean Martin (and just completed celebrating the Dean Martin Festival), Rollie Fingers and the 1970's band Wild Cherry. I would have enjoyed it more had we not all had a plane to catch back to our respective homes. Nevertheless, it was my first time back in Ohio since August 1999 when I attended ballgames in both Cleveland and Cincinnati while passing through Toledo and Columbus. 

As with most of these trips there were some annoyances and inconveniences. After landing in Pittsburgh, my luggage arrived late and damaged with a broken handle. Fortunately, a JetBlue representative was kind enough to give me a $35 discount for my next trip. When that will come to pass is anyone's guess.

Despite our detour into Ohio, we made it to Pittsburgh International in a reasonable amount of time. What was unreasonable was the TSA shooing us from the check-in gate which was intended for first-class passengers only. We had to go across the street to "Alternate Check In". It isn't clear that "Alternate Check In" is intended for everyone except for first-class passengers. 

 

But these annoyances and inconveniences, like most annoyances and inconveniences were temporary. The same cannot be said for those in West Virginia who not only have to deal with the aftermath of last Saturday's flood but might have to deal with far more carnage to come. 

I do hope I will get a chance to go back to West Virginia. I can see why John Denver described West Virginia as "almost heaven" in "Take Me Home, Country Roads." At this point, I am not certain such an opportunity will come to pass. If it doesn't come to pass, then I am glad I had the opportunity to see a different part of America and take in as much of it as I could. But I am also glad to be back home in Massachusetts.

Canada Must Wait Another Year as Oilers Lose Back-to-Back Stanley Cups to Panthers

 

(Nathan Denette/Canadian Press)

Canada must wait yet another year for the Stanley Cup as the Edmonton Oilers fell 5-1 to the Florida Panthers in Game 6 making the Panthers back-to-back champions. The Panthers also prevailed against the Oilers a year ago.

The last time a Canadian team won the Stanley Cup was in 1993 when the Montreal Canadiens bested the Los Angeles Kings. The fact that the Panthers largest national contingent is Canadian does little to soften the blow.

Sure, Miami has its share of hockey fans. But hockey means more than life in Canada. In a year in which Canada's sovereignty is threatened, it would have been a boost to bring the Cup back home.

In which case, there is no guarantee there will be a next year for Canada.

Red Sox Abruptly Trade Devers to the Giants

After sweeping the New York Yankees to get back over .500 and into the AL Wild Card hunt, the Boston Red Sox abruptly traded Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants for pitcher Jordan Hicks and Kyle Harrison along with minor league pitcher Jose Bello and outfielder/first base prospect Jason Tibbs. 

During the off-season, controversy ensued when the Red Sox signed Alex Bregman with the club forcing Devers into the DH role. The club then subsequently asked Devers to first base when Tristan Casas went down with a season ending knee injury which Devers declined.

Despite the controversy, Devers was having an outstanding season hitting .272 with 15 HR and 58 RBI. Devers homered during today's sweep of the Yankees. That HR was his 500th career extra base hit with the Red Sox and, as it turned out, his last.

His 58 RBI are 2nd in the AL - only two behind likely AL MVP Aaron Judge. Devers was leading the AL in walks with 56 at the time of the trade. 

Devers had been a member of the Red Sox since he was signed as an amateur free agent in 2013. He made his MLB debut with the Sox in 2017 and has been a mainstay since earning a World Series ring in 2018 and a contract extension worth more than $300 million prior to last season that was supposed to keep him in Boston through 2033. He finishes his Red Sox career with a lifetime batting average of .279 with 215 HR and 696 RBI. Those 215 HR were good enough for 10th on the Red Sox all-time list.

Perhaps Devers and the Red Sox had a short shelf life, but trading Devers makes it seem like Craig Breslow was acting for personal reasons rather than on stats or the interest of the team in 2025. After the way the Red Sox treated Devers, I doubt any Dominican free agents are going to want to go anywhere near Boston. 

Frankly, I don't think the Red Sox got much for Devers. I mean Hicks was a top prospect with the Cardinals a few years back but hasn't lived up to his potential in St. Louis, Toronto or in San Francisco where he was converted into a starter. It will be interesting to see if Hicks remains a starting pitcher or is placed back into the bullpen.

Meanwhile, the Giants who are only a game back of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West just got a lot better and could very well overtake the Dodgers with Devers' presence alone. For their part, the Giants have also agreed to cover the cost of Devers' remaining contract. At 28, Devers is entering the prime of his career. On the other hand, will that contract feel heavier by 2030? But at least in the short term, the Giants have grown leaps and bounds. Meanwhile, the Red Sox appear to have taken two steps back after taking one step forward back into contention.

Suspect in Assassination of Former Minnesota House Speaker & Wounding of State Senator is Still at Large

This morning came news that former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, and her husband had been assassinated at their home while Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and his wife had been shot and wounded.

All were shot by a man evidently impersonating a police officer who has been identified as Vance Boelter. As of this writing, Boelter remains at large. Boelter was evidently anti-abortion and had a list of pro-choice targets mainly officials affiliated with the Minnesota's Democratic Farmer Labor (DFL) Party including Hortman and Hoffman as well as Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minnesota Democratic Senator Tina Smith. 

However, this didn't prevent MAGA from trying tie the shooter to Democrats as was the case with Laura Loomer due to the fact that Boelter was reappointed by Walz to the Governor's Workforce Development Board in 2019 while others noted that Boelter had "No Kings" flyers in his car. 

Perhaps Boelter wished to do harm to other Democrats who might have present at the "No Kings" rally. Somehow, in MAGA's twisted logic, Governor Walz is somehow responsible for unleashing an anti-abortion activist upon fellow Democrats. 

If you dislike an elected official, write a letter to the editor, attend a protest and/or vote them out of office. 

One cannot claim to be pro-life and then take upon oneself to extinguish it.

R.I.P.

As Much as I Loathe Trump, I Cannot Be Part of the 50501 Movement as Long as it Tolerates Anti-Semitism

 

In Boston, there were two 50501 No King events today.

The reason for this was because was Boston's annual Pride parade was scheduled for today and 50501 was incorporated into it. There was also a smaller 50501 gathering in Brookline at Coolidge Corner (pictured above).

I made a point of attending both events beginning with the gathering at Brookline. It was a low-key affair with protesters on all four corners carrying signs. I did not have a sign and felt a bit out of place. However, whatever discomfort I felt in Brookline paled in comparison to what I saw and heard when I made my way to Boston Common.

I wasn't there more than 5 minutes when I heard a young man shout at the top of his lungs:

FUCK ISRAEL!!! I HATE JEWS!!! FREE PALESTINE!!!

The young man's declaration was met with approval.

I got the hell out of there, but not before I saw several Palestinian flags.

I oppose President Trump's policies, his embrace of authoritarianism and his cult of personality megalomania now culminating in a military parade in his honor. 

But I cannot be part of a movement which tolerates anti-Semitism. 

I cannot be part of a movement who wishes grievous harm to me and the Jewish community.

I cannot be part of a movement which condones the events of October 7th.

Nor I can be a part of a movement which seeks the annihilation of Israel and the Jewish people. 

I understand that not everyone who supports 50501 supports the views of this unhinged young man.

But a critical mass within the movement certainly does.

Complicating this dynamic is the Pride parade. A year ago, I saw an anti-Semitic sign at the parade which read, "No Cops and Zionists at Pride". 

Now it has become worse, and I suspect it will continue to get far worse.

How is it that a significant portion of the LGBTQ community openly embrace the Palestinians when Hamas torture and kills LGBTQ people?

Well, hate is irrational. And that unhinged young man used the word "hate" without hesitation.

Dare I say, he used that word with pride.

For a LGBTQ movement which preaches tolerance, it is astonishing that some within that movement are every bit as capable of expressing hate as those who hate them.

At the very minimum, Jews are being told that we are not welcome. Mind you, this doesn't deter me from continuing to oppose Trump. But it does deter me from getting too close to others who oppose him. 

As such, it is best that I express my personal opposition to Trump in my own way and from a distance.

What Will Happen Between Israel & Iran?

After years of putting up with Iran's nuclear buildup, its intransigence with the international community and its repeated threats to annihilate the Jewish state, Israel decided enough was enough and this morning began taking out the Islamic Republic's nuclear program as well as its key political, military and scientific leaders

The question, of course, is what will come of it.

The best-case scenario is Israel render Iran's nuclear program obsolete, and the Iranians overthrow the mullahs in favor of democratic governance and the two countries become allies.

Naturally, this outcome is far from guaranteed. 

There is President Trump's mercurial disposition. The Iranian regime may signal to Trump that it is ready to accept any deal his administration offers. Such a scenario would be too much for Trump to refuse. It would mean Trump would put the kibosh on Israel's military campaign, the Iranian regime would remain in place, and he would take credit for the deal. Indeed, Trump is offering Iran "a second chance" and I think there's a very good chance this comes to pass. 

Mind you, this would merely invite Iran to start its nuclear program anew but Trump nor his newfound friends within the Obama Administration wouldn't care. That would be someone else's problem. But it would remain Israel's problem. 

Let us also consider the possibility that Iran sheds its Islamic regime of more than 45 years. But instead of being replaced by democracy, it is replaced by, yet another strain of Islamic fundamentalism be it Shiite or Sunni in origin which is even more determined to wipe out Israel. Or at the very least one could certainly see the sort of years long insurgency which came to pass after U.S. and coalition forces disposed of Saddam Hussein in Iraq in 2003. 

Under the circumstances, it is a risk Israel has to be prepared to take. The status quo is simply unsustainable. Aside from Iran's nuclear ambitions, there is its sponsorship of terrorism through both Hamas and Hezbollah and against Jewish institutions outside of the Middle East such as the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, Argentina which claimed the lives of 85 people. 

In taking this risk, Israel knew it would face retaliation as has occurred with missile strikes in Tel Aviv although no fatalities have been reported as of this writing. Chances are this will change. 

In which case, it is a cost Israel must bear. Then again this is far from the first time Israel and the Jewish people have borne the cost and it will be far from the last. One can only hope the outcome is worth the price.

What Happened to Senator Padilla is a Microcosm of Trump Admin's Heavy Handedness in L.A.

I saw the video of California Senator Alex Padilla being forcibly removed from a briefing held by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem after he attempted to ask her a question.

From where I sit, the video is a microcosm of how the Trump Administration has been handling the situation in Los Angeles. 

Yes, there has been some violence in reaction to ICE detaining migrants working at retail outlets throughout the city. But the notion what is happening in L.A. is tantamount to an insurrection warranting intervention by the National Guard and the U.S. Marines is sheer rubbish. This is a crisis created almost entirely by the Trump Administration.

The same holds true for Padilla's treatment today. One can reasonably argue that Padilla could have used other tactics. But the notion that Padilla's intervention warranted him being thrown to the ground and placed into handcuffs by FBI and Secret Service agents made them look like goons and hooligans. 

With that said, just before Padilla interrupted the proceedings, Noem was talking batshit crazy:

We are not going away. We are here to liberate this city from the socialist and the burdensome leadership that this Governor and this Mayor have placed on this country and what they have tried to insert into this city.

Liberate this city from the socialist and the burdensome leadership?

Does this liberation consist of arbitrarily jailing Governor Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass and installing a puppet regime? And what exactly have they inserted into Los Angeles? Most of the people ICE is detaining have lived and worked in L.A. for decades.

In view of Noem's remarks, one could argue the old adage, "Never interrupt your enemy when they are making a mistake."

Then again, methinks tackling and handcuffing a United States Senator trying to ask a question is a pretty big mistake. After all, Padilla was neither arrested nor charged which indicates the FBI and Secret Service know they fucked up. 

On the other hand, there is significant portion of this country which delighted in seeing Padilla physically manhandled and wish worse was done to him. 

While perhaps Padilla's position as a Senator spared him from worse treatment, the rest of us who see fit to disagree with the Trump Administration or dare to ask questions might not be so lucky.

Musk is Nothing More Than Trump's Man Servant

(Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images)

I did not buy into the notion that President Trump and Elon Musk were feuding. And even if they were, I predicted the "feud" would be short-lived:

Trump and Musk can disavow each other all they want. They worked together to harm this country.

And they could always work together again.

Before Musk left the White House, let's remember that Trump declared "he's not really leaving" and that he will be "back and forth" to the Oval Office.

I believe Trump and Musk will kiss and make up. Perhaps even by next week.

Should this come to pass, it will be yet another blip in the second Trump presidency. 

Before you know it, there will be a third Trump presidency, Constitution or no Constitution.

Well, less than a week later, Trump and Musk didn't exactly kiss and make up. Rather, Musk waved the white flag: 

I regret some of my posts about President @realDonaldTrump last week. They went too far.

Presumably this would include the posts about Trump being in the Epstein files and subsequently calling for his impeachment. 

Musk has tried getting back into Trump's good graces by backing his denunciation of California Governor Gavin Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass amid the demonstrations against ICE. 

Trump is open to a rapprochement with Musk, but I think Musk will have to do more groveling.  

In order to be Trump's favor, Musk will need to accept that he is Trump's man servant available at his beck and call. A billionaire man servant perhaps. But a man servant just the same.

This is a consequence of aligning oneself with Trump. It doesn't matter how much money you have. If you lose your dignity, no amount of money can buy it back. 

Greta Thunberg Refuses to Watch Footage of Hamas Killing Jews on October 7th

Over the past 20 months, Greta Thunberg has transitioned from an environmental activist to an apologist for Hamas. 

Thunberg led a flotilla with the intention of delivering aid to Gaza which would have invariably ended up in the hands of Hamas. The IDF instead intercepted the flotilla prompting hysterical, nonsensical claims by Thunberg she had been "kidnapped" Funny, while Hamas starves its captives, the IDF offered Thunberg a chicken sandwich which she appeared all too willing to eat. 

If Thunberg wants to hear from people who have actually been kidnapped, she should speak with surviving hostages and their families and the families of hostages still in captivity, many of whom are dead.

But Thunberg isn't interested in speaking with surviving Israeli hostages nor the families of those hostages still being held by Hamas. After Thunberg and her group were intercepted, they were shown a film taken on October 7th which documented Hamas' acts of murder and mayhem. Or at least the Israelis tried. Thunberg had no interest in watching the film. As Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated:

Greta and her flotilla companions were taken into a room upon their arrival for a screening of the horror film of the October 7 massacre, and when they saw what it was about, they refused to continue watching.

The antisemitic flotilla members are turning a blind eye to the truth and have proven once again that they prefer the murderers to the murdered and continue to ignore the atrocities committed by Hamas against Jewish and Israeli women, adults, and children.

That Thunberg would claim to having been kidnapped while refusing to acknowledge Hamas actions is a slap in the face to every hostage, living and dead, and their families. 

It's probably just as well. Her hatred of Jews is so deeply entrenched that an effort to show her the truth of the evil Hamas committed on October 7th is wasted on her and her not-so-merry band of anti-Semitic apologists.

Some Thoughts on the Run for Their Lives Vigil in Newton, MA

 

In response to the terrorist attack one week ago today in Boulder, Colorado against the group Run for Their Lives which injured a dozen people, I attended a Run for Their Lives vigil in Newton, Massachusetts this morning which was attended by about 100 people.

The vigil included remarks by Democratic Congressman Jake Auchincloss, Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller and special guest Yonatan Reguer, an Israeli journalist and TV host. 

Auchincloss' remarks were well received as he pointedly condemned both sides of the political spectrum for tolerating anti-Semitism. He also made a point of saying that it is easy for him to condemn Trump and his allies' anti-Semitic misdeeds, but that he was equally obliged to condemn the anti-Semitism of groups aligned with the Democratic Party such as the Democratic Socialists of America whose various factions have condoned Hamas' attack on Israel as well as last month's shooting at the Capital Jewish Museum which killed two Israeli Embassy staffers. Auchincloss further noted that we all know full well that those who claim to be anti-Zionist are also anti-Semitic.

However, Fuller drew the ire of many in the crowd when she stated that anti-Semitism shouldn't be weaponized to target institutions of higher learning. The crowd shouted her down yelling, "No politics" and "Bring Them Home!!!" I share some of Fuller's sentiments as Trump's measures against Harvard University as they have little to do with combating anti-Semitism. 

However, this weekly event is a vigil to keep the public aware of the 55 hostages, living and dead, still held by Hamas as well as to express solidarity and sorrow for what happened a week ago in Boulder. The merits of Trump's policies against Harvard and other institutions of higher learning are a different conversation for a different day.

Reguer spoke of the families of the hostages he has interviewed and showed some excerpts from his documentaries of the families he has interviewed. He recounted the story of how the mother of former hostage Omer Shem Tov kept his bedroom untouched including leaving the light on until he returned home as a way of keeping him alive. Last month, Tov threw out the first pitch at Fenway Park during Jewish Heritage Night.

The proceedings concluded with a reading of the hostages who are still believed to be alive along with the singing of "Aleinu". "Hatikvah" (the Israeli national anthem) and the "Star Spangled Banner". As was pointed, the pro-Intifada gatherings on campuses and elsewhere hate America as much as they hate Israel and that one will never see an American flag at their gatherings. 

On a personal note, I have to admit I didn't use my best judgment. I did not eat prior to leaving the apartment but brought along some lox for the train ride to Newton. I also carried a pair of scissors to open the package. 

Alas, the security personnel were not amused with the fact that I was carrying scissors. When I was asked why I had brought along the scissors, I produced the empty package of lox. I'm lucky I didn't throw it out because I could have possibly got into a lot of trouble. Nevertheless, my scissors were confiscated, and I had to buy a new pair when after leaving the event. 

Given what happened in Boulder, I understand that every precaution must be taken. But in so doing, I didn't exactly feel very welcome there. Between that and the heckling directed Mayor Fuller, the atmosphere at this gathering was quite tense. 

Frankly, I don't think I will be back. It doesn't mean I don't want the hostages to be freed. What it does mean is that I am better suited to make those thoughts known by other means such as this post. 

Joan Osborne Has a Doctorate in Dylanology

(From left to right: Cindy Cashdollar, Will Bryant, Joan Osborne, Lee Falco & Gail Ann Dorsey)

When I spoke to Joan Osborne in March 2024 following her performance at City Winery in Boston, I told her it was the first time I had seen and heard her in concert since September 2000. 

To which she replied, "Well, don't make it another 24 years before you see me in concert."

Well, this time around it was only 15 months between concerts. On Saturday night, my friend Don Hammontree and I attended a concert at the Cabot Theatre in Beverly, Massachusetts featuring Joan Osborne covering a selection of Bob Dylan songs billed under the theme of Dylanology. 

I dare say that Osborne can be said to have a doctorate in Dylanology. Osborne covered Dylan's "The Man in the Long Black Coat" from his 1989 album Oh Mercy on her 1995 breakout album Relish. In 2017, Osborne recorded an album of Dylan covers called Songs of Bob Dylan and has now returned to Dylan with the release of her new live album Dylanology Live which was originally recorded in 2018.

Accompanying Osborne this evening was pedal steel guitarist Cindy Cashdollar, Will Bryant on keyboards, Anders Osborne on lead guitar (no relation - at least one they are aware of), Lee Falco on drums and Gail Ann Dorsey on bass. This, of course, is the same Gail Ann Dorsey who spent many years touring with David Bowie and is a longtime friend of Fanny. 

What was most remarkable about the proceedings was how much Osborne gave the spotlight to her bandmates. Dorsey and Bryant did a duet of "Shelter from the Storm" from Blood on the Tracks while later in the evening Dorsey covered "Lay Lady Lay" from the Nashville Skyline album. Falco sang lead vocal on "When I Paint My Masterpiece" from Greatest Hits, Volume II and then later in the evening took the stage alone to sing "Song for Woody" from Dylan's 1962 eponymous debut album.

For his part, Anders Osborne sang lead on four songs - "Man in Me", "Maggie's Farm", "Mozambique" and "Isis". The first song is from Dylan's 1970 album New Morning and would later be featured in the Coen Brothers film The Big Lebowski. "Maggie's Farm" appeared on Dylan's 1965 album Bringing It All Back Home while "Mozambique" and "Isis" both appeared on Dylan's 1976 album Desire. I remember Desire being regularly played in my early childhood along Blood on the Tracks and Nashville Skyline. Hearing "Mozambique" and "Isis" simultaneously took me back in time while hearing something altogether new.

Although Cindy Cashdollar did not sing, she sure made her pedal steel guitar, slide guitar and dobro sing. She would be most prominent on "Tryin' to Get to Heaven" from Dylan's 1997 Grammy winning album Time Out of Mind which was also produced by Daniel Lanois. Indeed, Cashdollar played slide guitar on the original recording of "Tryin' to Get to Heaven".

But make no mistake. This collaboration was Joan Osborne's creation. For her, it was the Daniel Lanois produced Oh Mercy which connected her to Dylan through her covers of both "Man in The Long Black Coat" and "Shooting Star" resulting in her most impassioned performances of the evening. Her voice imbues the spirit of Dylan's words and phrasing. She is not merely covering the tune, but she is taking up residence in his words. 

Osborne also made it clear that this evening was not about her. Prior to the encore, a number of fans were clamoring for her to play "St. Theresa" from Relish. Although appreciative of the request, Osborne made it clear that tonight was about Bob Dylan.

However, Osborne noted that with this year being the 30th anniversary of Relish that she planned to be up in this area later this year for another show devoted to commemorating that album. In which case, it might be only a matter of months before I see and hear Joan Osborne again.

Boulder Fails to Rally Around Their Jewish Community

(Trevor Hughes/USA Today)

It would seem the anti-Semitic, terrorist attack against Jews wanting Hamas to release the hostages has failed to rally Boulder, Colorado around the Jewish community as per Trevor Hughes of USA Today:

The small group of "Run for their Lives" marchers in this college town were sharing their message on June 1 − 603 days since Hamas snatched concertgoers and ordinary people from southern Israel and vanished them into Gaza's tunnels.

But halfway through the Sunday afternoon march, a suicidal Muslim immigrant attacked them with a flamethrower and Molotov cocktails, injuring 12, including an elderly Holocaust survivor.

Many regular marchers of the group are Jewish. Six of the injured in what federal officials have described as a terror attack were from the same synagogue, Bonai Shalom.

But instead of bringing the community together, the attack appears to have further exacerbated existing fault lines across this wealthy, liberal city where pro-Palestinian protests verging on outright antisemitism have become a way of life for elected leaders and college students.

After the attack, someone posted "Wanted" signs on the Pearl Street Mall just steps from the scene, naming the majority of city council members as guilty of "complicity in genocide" for refusing to pass a ceasefire resolution and not divesting from businesses that are helping Israel wage its war against Hamas.

In other words, the events of last Sunday were just another Sunday. Leading up to last Sunday, those involved with Run for their Lives hadn't exactly been welcomed with open arms:

On June 1, as she had dozens of times in the past, Turnquist was pushing her Australian shepherd Jake in a stroller as the group made its way past the historic Boulder County Courthouse on Pearl Street pedestrian mall. She saw a man dressed like a landscaper ‒ odd, she thought, since it was a Sunday ‒ and thought it would be best to just keep walking, as she had done so many times before when counter-protesters screamed and yelled.

There had never been physical violence against the group, but there were insults, jeers, accusations that the marchers themselves support genocide. Turnquist and others who have marched said they often felt unsafe. 

In other words, the seeds of violence had been planted, fertilized and now grown into a nightmarish bloom.

Yet we must ask questions of those who see fit to yell at those who only seek to see the release of the hostages. 

If someone feels the need to yell at someone who wants to see the release of the hostages, then one must reasonably conclude that those people not only support Hamas taking people into captivity but would delight if Hamas were to kill them because they are Jews. 

Such attitudes say more about them than they do about the people who wish the hostages to be freed. 

One can only hope the community of Boulder will turn out in large numbers tomorrow. But even if it does, the tolerance for anti-Semitism will remain and likely fester. 

Then again if the community of Boulder doesn't turn for Run for their Lives and their Jewish community, then it will mean Jews in Boulder are on their own. And perhaps all of America.

Perhaps The Charges Against Kilmar Abrego Garcia are "Trumped" Up

(Reuters)

After insisting he had no authority to send Kilmar Abrego Garcia back to the United States, El Salvadoran President Nayid Bukele did exactly that at the behest of Attorney General Pam Bondi.

Abrego Garcia suddenly stands accused of smuggling thousands of migrants into the United States over a period of nearly a decade. 

Funny, if Abrego Garcia had actually done such a thing that he would have been charged with such offenses instead of being deported. 

The charges appear to be, for lack of a better term, "Trumped" up.

Well, at least Kilmar Abrego Garcia is getting his day in court. 

The onus is on the government to prove their charges.

However, it would seem White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt hasn't quite got a handle on the concept of being presumed innocent until proven guilty:

The Justice Department's Grand Jury Indictment against Abrego Garcia proves the unhinged Democrat Party was wrong, and their stenographers in the Fake News Media were once again played like fools.

Leavitt then demanded that Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen and anyone who defended Abrego Garcia apologize to his victims. 

Again, none of this has been substantiated in a court of law. No apology is necessary at this time.

Indeed, I suspect if Abrego Garcia is acquitted, I cannot imagine Leavitt nor anyone else in the Trump Administration apologizing to Garcia for a) wrongly deporting him and b) wrongly accusing him of a crime he did not commit. 

In which case, as I have argued previously, Abrego Garcia should sue the Trump Administration into oblivion.

Of course, in an effort to thwart such an action, the Trump Administration could deport Abrego Garcia all over again.