The second decade of the 21st century is about to end without anyone giving an adequate name for it. Yet you could say it was really two halves of one decade split between President Barack Obama's administration and the election of Donald Trump. So many other things outside of politics have had just as much of a divide between then and now. This is what we're going to highlight in our end-of-the-decade review. Here goes.
Donald Trump
Before: "The Apprentice" TV host.
After: Impeached President of the United States
Barack Obama
Before: President of the United States.
After: Elder statesman enjoying retirement.
Michelle Obama
Before: First Lady
After: Best selling author and speaker.
Hillary Clinton
Before: Secretary of State under Obama.
After: Defeated 2016 presidential candidate with three million move votes than Trump.
The Economy
Before: Coming out of the Great Recession.
After: Doing better for everyone but the 99 percent.
War and Peace
Before: Troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
After: Troops pulled out of Syria, but still in Afghanistan.
Gun Violence
Before: Sandy Hook and Trayvon Martin
After: El Paso, Parkland, etc, and protests against violent cops.
Immigration
Before: Open borders
After: Border walls and children in cages.
Same Sex Marriage
Before: Outlawed.
After: Getting used to two husbands and two wives.
Climate Change
Before: Urgent but manageable.
After: All but inevitable after regulations weaken.
Politics
Before: Tea Party and Occupy Wall Street.
After: Trump's base and Never Trumpers.
Retailers
Before: Sears, JCPenney, Toys R Us, Target, Walmart
After: Amazon
Technology
Before: iPods and iPads, Bluetooth, drones
After: iPhone 11, driverless cars, streaming TV
Marijuana
Before: Outlawed
After: Some states allow it. Federal government still doesn't.
The Royal Family
Before Marriage: Kate Middleton was a clothing buyer for her family's business. Meghan Markle was a TV and movie actress.
After Marriage: They are now the Duchess of Cambridge and Duchess of Sussex, in that order.
TV
Before: "Mad Men", "The Big Bang Theory", "Breaking Bad", "American Idol"
After: "Game of Thrones", "Veep", "Stranger Things" "The Voice", "The Masked Singer".
Late Night Talk Show Hosts
Before: David Letterman, Jay Leno, Jimmy Kimmel and Jon Stewart.
After: Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, Kimmel and Trevor Noah.
Network Evening News Anchors
Before: Diane Sawyer, Katie Couric and Brian Williams.
After: David Muir, Norah O'Donnell and Lester Holt.
Movies
Before: "The Social Network", "Despicable Me", "The King's Speech", "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows".
After: "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker", "Avangers: Endgame", "Frozen 2", "Toy Story 4", "Joker", "Bombshell".
Pop Music
Before: Lady Gaga, Adele, Miley Cyrus, Beyonce, Kanye West, and "Call Me Maybe".
After: Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Post Malone, Lizzo, Drake and "Old Town Road".
Died in 2019
Danny Aiello, Marie Fredriksson, Paul Volcker, Rene Auberjonois, Juice WRLD, Ron Leibman, DC Fontana, William Ruckleshaus, Gahan Wilson, Michael J. Pollard, Rudy Boesch, Robert Evans, Bill Macy, Robert Forster, Marshall Efron. Rip Taylor, Ginger Baker, Dihann Carroll, Jessye Norman, Barron Hilton, Sander Vanocur, Cokie Roberts, Phyllis Newman, Ric Ocasek, Eddie Money, T. Boone Pickens, Carol Lynley, Valerie Harper, Peter Fonda, Toni Morrison, DA Pennebaker, Rutger Hauer, David Hedison, Paul Krassner, John Paul Stevens, Johnny Clegg, Rip Torn, Ross Perot, Arte Johnson, Lee Iacocca, Tyler Skaggs, Judith Krantz, Gloria Vanderbilt, Alan Brinkley, Franco Zefferelli, Dr. John, Don Fraser, Leon Redbone, Claus von Buehlow, Georgie Ann Geyer, Herman Wouk, IM Pei, Tim Conway, Doris Day, Peggy Lipton, Jim Fowler, John Singleton, Richard Lugar, Henry Bloch, Georgia Engel, Earl Thomas Conley, Charles Van Doren. Ernest Hollings, Dick Dale, WS Merwin, Hal Blaine, Jan-Michael Vincent, Luke Perry, Katherine Helmond, Andre Previn, Stanley Donen, Peter Tork, Karl Lagerfeld, Patrick Caddell, Lee Radziwill, Albert Finney, Rosamunde Pilcher, Michel Legrand, Russell Baker, Kaye Ballard, Carol Channing, Sylvia Chase, Christine McGuire, Daryl Dragon. Bob Einstien, Don Imus, Sue Lyon. Lee Mendelson, Bob Kingsley.
Thursday, December 26, 2019
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
Trump's Impeachment Trot
As the Thanksgiving weekend approaches and people are dreading the inevitable political conversations with long-lost relatives, President Donald Trump is celebrating the holiday by pardoning a turkey and signing a law that makes animal cruelty a federal crime.
That's interesting because (A) the Trumps haven't adopted a pet like most other Presidents, (B) it reminds us that in this country animals are treated much better than the migrants who are sitting in cages along the U.S.-Mexican border, because Trump considers them lowlifes first and people second, and (C) outside of the Republican Party and his beloved base, most of America thinks the President already is a turkey.
Trump needs these holiday distractions to steer folks away from the real story, which is his impending impeachment. The House Intelligence Committee, chaired by Democrat Adam Schiff of California, concluded its public hearings last week. It made for interesting television if you didn't already know which side you're on.
The former diplomats and military personnel who testified to the committee did a great job of throwing the President and White House counsel Rudy Giuliani under the bus, describing in great detail how they overheard a phone conversation between Trump and the president of Ukraine. It was allegedly about Trump asking a little favor in seeking a little intel on former Vice President Joe Biden and his son's business dealings in that country.
Dramatic, yes. Complete, no. Because of the President's refusal to allow any of the main players to testify. all we got was hearsay evidence from second-tier officials who were being pushed aside by the White House. Nor did we hear from The Whistleblower, whose anonymity was jeopardized when Trump started sniffing around that person's identity. Nevertheless, Schiff and the other Democrats seem to think they have enough evidence to warrant an impeachment.
As the torch passes to the House Judiciary Committee next week, there will probably be more revealing testimony about misdeeds in Ukraine. Maybe this time bigger names like John Bolton, Dan McGahn, or even Giuliani will put in appearances, should the courts decide that way. After that, we should have some kind of impeachment vote.
But back to the turkey Trump pardoned. If the President is willing to do that for a creature that might have ended up on somebody's dinner table--even if it's just for ceremonial purposes, then he can hope his successor can do the same thing for him should he ever get kicked out of the White House. By Congress or the voters.
That's interesting because (A) the Trumps haven't adopted a pet like most other Presidents, (B) it reminds us that in this country animals are treated much better than the migrants who are sitting in cages along the U.S.-Mexican border, because Trump considers them lowlifes first and people second, and (C) outside of the Republican Party and his beloved base, most of America thinks the President already is a turkey.
Trump needs these holiday distractions to steer folks away from the real story, which is his impending impeachment. The House Intelligence Committee, chaired by Democrat Adam Schiff of California, concluded its public hearings last week. It made for interesting television if you didn't already know which side you're on.
The former diplomats and military personnel who testified to the committee did a great job of throwing the President and White House counsel Rudy Giuliani under the bus, describing in great detail how they overheard a phone conversation between Trump and the president of Ukraine. It was allegedly about Trump asking a little favor in seeking a little intel on former Vice President Joe Biden and his son's business dealings in that country.
Dramatic, yes. Complete, no. Because of the President's refusal to allow any of the main players to testify. all we got was hearsay evidence from second-tier officials who were being pushed aside by the White House. Nor did we hear from The Whistleblower, whose anonymity was jeopardized when Trump started sniffing around that person's identity. Nevertheless, Schiff and the other Democrats seem to think they have enough evidence to warrant an impeachment.
As the torch passes to the House Judiciary Committee next week, there will probably be more revealing testimony about misdeeds in Ukraine. Maybe this time bigger names like John Bolton, Dan McGahn, or even Giuliani will put in appearances, should the courts decide that way. After that, we should have some kind of impeachment vote.
But back to the turkey Trump pardoned. If the President is willing to do that for a creature that might have ended up on somebody's dinner table--even if it's just for ceremonial purposes, then he can hope his successor can do the same thing for him should he ever get kicked out of the White House. By Congress or the voters.
Wednesday, November 6, 2019
In One Year
Twelve months from now, barring unforeseen circumstances, Americans will go to the polls to choose whether they want to keep the President they have or trade him in for a different one.
We are usually told that the next election will be the most important in the history of the United States of America. Due to the events of the past four years, that statement is more important than ever.
President Donald Trump, who will likely be the first impeached (and acquitted) leader ever to run for re-election, will depend on the goodwill of his loyal base and the fealty of the Republican party to help him win a second term. Not to mention the short memories of voters who ignored the Mueller report and don't know what in heck "quid pro quo" means, while changing the channel during the televised impeachment hearings with House Democrats questioning anyone they can convince to testify without incurring Trump's wrath. Other than that, Trump's in big trouble.
With a couple of months left before the primaries and caucuses begin, there are still at least ten Democrats who want to take on Trump. Of those, there are only four candidates who have enough staying power in the polls to be considered for nomination: Former Vice President Joe Biden, Senators Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Bernie Sanders of Vermont, and Pete Buttigieg, mayor of South Bend, Indiana. For what it's worth, all four of them would beat Trump if the election were held right now, not a year from now.
And because the election is a year from now, we can expect plenty of mudslinging from both sides on the campaign circuit, and through social media and TV. But there is an outside possibility that the GOP-dominated Senate might actually grow a spine and kick Trump out of the White House. Then the Democrats have a new problem--how to run against Mike Pence.
That's why the next twelve months are so important. Impeachment or no, it is still up to the voters to decide. Unless, of course, Russia decides to put its thumb on the scale again.
We are usually told that the next election will be the most important in the history of the United States of America. Due to the events of the past four years, that statement is more important than ever.
President Donald Trump, who will likely be the first impeached (and acquitted) leader ever to run for re-election, will depend on the goodwill of his loyal base and the fealty of the Republican party to help him win a second term. Not to mention the short memories of voters who ignored the Mueller report and don't know what in heck "quid pro quo" means, while changing the channel during the televised impeachment hearings with House Democrats questioning anyone they can convince to testify without incurring Trump's wrath. Other than that, Trump's in big trouble.
With a couple of months left before the primaries and caucuses begin, there are still at least ten Democrats who want to take on Trump. Of those, there are only four candidates who have enough staying power in the polls to be considered for nomination: Former Vice President Joe Biden, Senators Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Bernie Sanders of Vermont, and Pete Buttigieg, mayor of South Bend, Indiana. For what it's worth, all four of them would beat Trump if the election were held right now, not a year from now.
And because the election is a year from now, we can expect plenty of mudslinging from both sides on the campaign circuit, and through social media and TV. But there is an outside possibility that the GOP-dominated Senate might actually grow a spine and kick Trump out of the White House. Then the Democrats have a new problem--how to run against Mike Pence.
That's why the next twelve months are so important. Impeachment or no, it is still up to the voters to decide. Unless, of course, Russia decides to put its thumb on the scale again.
Friday, October 18, 2019
Trump: Rants and Broken Promises
With a simple phone call to one of his favorite dictators, President Donald Trump gets himself involved in another international incident that could be considered impeachable. It isn't enough that he called the leader of Ukraine to ask for some dirt on the son of his possible Democratic rival in 2020. He also took time out of his busy day to inform Recep Erdogan, the president of Turkey, that he's pulling American troops from northern Syria. This move would drive their former friends the Kurds into the arms of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, while all those prisoners from the Islamic State are now free to cause trouble wherever they want. Which makes it OK for Turkish troops to cross the border into Syria and (it is feared) slaughter Kurds, while Trump can sit back and say he brought home the troops. Only to send them to Saudi Arabia instead.
About the only thing Trump accomplished out of all this is that he's managed to make both parties--Democrats and Republicans (you know, the ones who would rather kiss up to the President than stand up to him)--agree to condemn the President's abandonment of the Kurds and selling out to Turkey (which at last report was still a member of NATO).
This isn't the only time Trump's broken promises have resulted in America abandoning the power and prestige they used to have around the world, and it's going to be quite difficult to get it back if he ever leaves. He's launched trade wars, canceled treaties concerning Iranian nuclear weapons and climate change. All so he could brag to those who jam his campaign-style rallies held in basketball arenas how much he's making America great again, while at the same time ranting and tweeting about how poorly he's treated by those who did not vote for him.
This is all a distraction, of course, from the ongoing House impeachment inquiry into Trump's alleged request to Ukraine to investigate former vice president Joe Biden's son Hunter's business connections. Thus far, the inquiry has been muted because (A) the White House won't let witnesses testify, (B) subpoenas have been ignored, and (C) the few who have been willing to talk have done so behind closed doors. Only Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House, seems to know when the time comes to get serious about impeachment hearings.
Trump's apparent strategy of neutralizing Biden and his son (who has since announced he won't be working for overseas companies for the time being) has had an effect on his presidential campaign. Biden's place as the front runner for the Democratic nomination--months before the primaries--has been taken by Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts in the opinion polls.
No matter how much Trump loses friends and alienates people around the globe, rants and raves before adoring audiences, and Fox News tries to keep him from hearing of poll numbers indicating a growing number of Americans are tired of him and want him out--even if he has to be thrown out of the White House, the election is almost a year away. Who knows what will happen by then?
About the only thing Trump accomplished out of all this is that he's managed to make both parties--Democrats and Republicans (you know, the ones who would rather kiss up to the President than stand up to him)--agree to condemn the President's abandonment of the Kurds and selling out to Turkey (which at last report was still a member of NATO).
This isn't the only time Trump's broken promises have resulted in America abandoning the power and prestige they used to have around the world, and it's going to be quite difficult to get it back if he ever leaves. He's launched trade wars, canceled treaties concerning Iranian nuclear weapons and climate change. All so he could brag to those who jam his campaign-style rallies held in basketball arenas how much he's making America great again, while at the same time ranting and tweeting about how poorly he's treated by those who did not vote for him.
This is all a distraction, of course, from the ongoing House impeachment inquiry into Trump's alleged request to Ukraine to investigate former vice president Joe Biden's son Hunter's business connections. Thus far, the inquiry has been muted because (A) the White House won't let witnesses testify, (B) subpoenas have been ignored, and (C) the few who have been willing to talk have done so behind closed doors. Only Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House, seems to know when the time comes to get serious about impeachment hearings.
Trump's apparent strategy of neutralizing Biden and his son (who has since announced he won't be working for overseas companies for the time being) has had an effect on his presidential campaign. Biden's place as the front runner for the Democratic nomination--months before the primaries--has been taken by Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts in the opinion polls.
No matter how much Trump loses friends and alienates people around the globe, rants and raves before adoring audiences, and Fox News tries to keep him from hearing of poll numbers indicating a growing number of Americans are tired of him and want him out--even if he has to be thrown out of the White House, the election is almost a year away. Who knows what will happen by then?
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
Trump's Impeachment: Truth or Dare?
It's been reported that President Donald Trump made a phone call during the summer to Volodymyr Zelensky, who is the president of Ukraine, asking him to provide whatever information he could about Hunter Biden, who used to work for a gas company there. He also happens to be the son of former vice president Joe Biden, currently the front runner for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020. Trump allegedly threatened to withhold American military aid unless the information was produced, which would be difficult for a country like Ukraine, whose neighbor Russia has made themselves at home in the Crimea.
When the story appeared in this country, Trump bragged about it to what he likes to call the "fake news" media, daring Congress to try and impeach him.
Congress took the bait. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, who had taken a "wait and see" approach to impeachment while scandals involving Russian election meddling and payoffs to porn stars fizzled while fellow Democrats watched in frustration, has decided she's seen enough. She's ordered an inquiry into impeachment proceedings The question is, did Pelosi wait too long?
Trump would be the third president to be impeached. Andrew Johnson, who had the misfortune of following Abraham Lincoln as president, came within one vote of being removed from office. Bill Clinton, for whom having "sexual relations with that woman" was considered an impeachable offense, barely survived a Senate vote to convict him.
(You'll notice we didn't include Richard Nixon, whose "high crimes and misdemeanors" during the Watergate era would have certainly qualified him for impeachment, if he hadn't resigned the Presidency first.)
It remains to be seen whether or not the Democratic-controlled House has enough evidence to send Trump to a trial in the Senate, whose Republican majority makes any attempt to remove the President nothing more than symbolic. It might just be that, with an election year coming up, the Democrats' big gamble results in another four years of Trump if he is cleared.
So what's it gonna be? No matter what happens, voters still have to do their jobs in November of 2020.
When the story appeared in this country, Trump bragged about it to what he likes to call the "fake news" media, daring Congress to try and impeach him.
Congress took the bait. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, who had taken a "wait and see" approach to impeachment while scandals involving Russian election meddling and payoffs to porn stars fizzled while fellow Democrats watched in frustration, has decided she's seen enough. She's ordered an inquiry into impeachment proceedings The question is, did Pelosi wait too long?
Trump would be the third president to be impeached. Andrew Johnson, who had the misfortune of following Abraham Lincoln as president, came within one vote of being removed from office. Bill Clinton, for whom having "sexual relations with that woman" was considered an impeachable offense, barely survived a Senate vote to convict him.
(You'll notice we didn't include Richard Nixon, whose "high crimes and misdemeanors" during the Watergate era would have certainly qualified him for impeachment, if he hadn't resigned the Presidency first.)
It remains to be seen whether or not the Democratic-controlled House has enough evidence to send Trump to a trial in the Senate, whose Republican majority makes any attempt to remove the President nothing more than symbolic. It might just be that, with an election year coming up, the Democrats' big gamble results in another four years of Trump if he is cleared.
So what's it gonna be? No matter what happens, voters still have to do their jobs in November of 2020.
Monday, September 23, 2019
The Emmys: "Game" Over
They tell us we're living in the era of Peak TV. A wonderful, magical world where--for just a few bucks a day--you can watch almost every TV show and movie your little heart desires, or what taste makers tell you is great, from the comfort of your living room. One of those taste makers is the Television Academy's Emmy Awards, whose 71st annual festivities were held Sunday in Los Angeles and shown on Fox.
The big winners, as it has been for the past few years, were shows from premium cable and streaming services: "Fleabag" and "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" are on Amazon Prime. "When They See Us", "Black Mirror"and "Ozark" are on Netfllix. HBO carries "Barry" "Chernobyl", "Veep", "Last Week Tonight" and "Game of Thrones". You've heard of these shows, haven't you? Have you ever watched them?
"Thrones", which in its final season has already won more Emmys than anyone else in its history, won another Best Drama nod (tying "LA Law", "Mad Men", "Hill Street Blues" and "The West Wing" for the most in this category) along with a Best Supporting Actor trophy for Peter Dinklage (his fourth). Because the series ended on an unsatisfying note for critics and fans, this was pretty much a Lifetime Achievement Emmy for GOT.
"Veep", the Julia Louis-Dreyfus comedy set in the White House, did not share the same love as GOT did during its final season. "Fleabag" did a near-sweep of the comedy category, with its star Phoebe Waller-Bridge taking home the Best Actress, Comedy Emmy instead of a seventh for Louis-Dreyfus (who remains in a tie with Cloris Leachman).
A few new faces won Emmys this year instead of the usual suspects. Besides Waller-Bridge, Jodie Comer won Best Actress, Drama for "Killing Eve" (over her co-star Sandra Oh, no less). Billy Porter won Best Actor, Drama for "Pose", the first African-American gay man to do so. Julia Garner earned a Best Supporting Actress, Drama nod for "Ozark". Jherelle Jerome got a trophy for Best Actor, Limited Series/Movie, for his role in "When They See Us".
The other awards went to the following:
Only the initial snarkiness of off-camera commentator Thomas Lennon, the dulcet tones of voiceover Ellen K. and all those plugs for "The Simpsons" (after three decades, Homer Simpson is still Fox's biggest star) and "The Masked Singer" reminded us that we're still watching an awards show.
Almost seven million of you watched the Emmys, the lowest turnout yet. It faced daunting competition from NBC's "Sunday Night Football" game, ABC's game shows and whatever CBS put on that night. Also, Ken Burns' video treatise on country music continued on PBS stations.
Or maybe you just spent the evening ignoring all those taste makers and binge-watched episodes of "Friends", "The Office" or "Seinfeld". Those, apparently, are what people actually watch instead of either "Mrs. Maisel" or "The Masked Singer". Maybe there's only so much Peak TV we can take.
The big winners, as it has been for the past few years, were shows from premium cable and streaming services: "Fleabag" and "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" are on Amazon Prime. "When They See Us", "Black Mirror"and "Ozark" are on Netfllix. HBO carries "Barry" "Chernobyl", "Veep", "Last Week Tonight" and "Game of Thrones". You've heard of these shows, haven't you? Have you ever watched them?
"Thrones", which in its final season has already won more Emmys than anyone else in its history, won another Best Drama nod (tying "LA Law", "Mad Men", "Hill Street Blues" and "The West Wing" for the most in this category) along with a Best Supporting Actor trophy for Peter Dinklage (his fourth). Because the series ended on an unsatisfying note for critics and fans, this was pretty much a Lifetime Achievement Emmy for GOT.
"Veep", the Julia Louis-Dreyfus comedy set in the White House, did not share the same love as GOT did during its final season. "Fleabag" did a near-sweep of the comedy category, with its star Phoebe Waller-Bridge taking home the Best Actress, Comedy Emmy instead of a seventh for Louis-Dreyfus (who remains in a tie with Cloris Leachman).
A few new faces won Emmys this year instead of the usual suspects. Besides Waller-Bridge, Jodie Comer won Best Actress, Drama for "Killing Eve" (over her co-star Sandra Oh, no less). Billy Porter won Best Actor, Drama for "Pose", the first African-American gay man to do so. Julia Garner earned a Best Supporting Actress, Drama nod for "Ozark". Jherelle Jerome got a trophy for Best Actor, Limited Series/Movie, for his role in "When They See Us".
The other awards went to the following:
- Supporting Actor, Comedy: Tony Shaloub, "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel".
- Supporting Actress, Comedy: Alex Borstien, "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel".
- Reality Competition: "RuPaul's Drag Race"
- Actor, Comedy: Bill Hader, "Barry".
- Supporting Actor, Limited Series/Movie: Ben Whishaw, "A Very British Scandal".
- Supporting Actress, Limited Series/Movie: Patricia Arquette, "The Act".
- Actress, Limited Series/Movie: Michelle Williams, "Fosse/Verdon".
- Movie: "Bandersnatch" (episode of "Black Mirror").
- Limited Series: "Chernobyl"
- Variety Show, Sketch: "Saturday Night Live"
- Variety Show, Talk: "Last Week Tonight".
Only the initial snarkiness of off-camera commentator Thomas Lennon, the dulcet tones of voiceover Ellen K. and all those plugs for "The Simpsons" (after three decades, Homer Simpson is still Fox's biggest star) and "The Masked Singer" reminded us that we're still watching an awards show.
Almost seven million of you watched the Emmys, the lowest turnout yet. It faced daunting competition from NBC's "Sunday Night Football" game, ABC's game shows and whatever CBS put on that night. Also, Ken Burns' video treatise on country music continued on PBS stations.
Or maybe you just spent the evening ignoring all those taste makers and binge-watched episodes of "Friends", "The Office" or "Seinfeld". Those, apparently, are what people actually watch instead of either "Mrs. Maisel" or "The Masked Singer". Maybe there's only so much Peak TV we can take.
Wednesday, September 11, 2019
9/11/01: Ancient History?
An entire generation of Americans has grown up since the events of September 11, 2001. No need to go into the details of what happened that day if you're over the age of 25. If you're not, then the words World Trade Center, Arab hijackers, Saddam Hussein, George W. Bush, Dick Cheney and Osama bin Laden doesn't mean much to you.
To today's students, all of what became known as 9/11 has been relegated to history books and You Tube. Just like the Civil War, World War II, the Kennedys, civil rights, the Vietnam War and other touchstones of American history. It shouldn't be. Whether they know it or not, the spectre of 9/11 has dominated their childhoods.
We see it in long lines of security everywhere you go. The war in Afghanistan is nearly two decades old, and the U.S. has yet to find a graceful way out. Immigration to this country has deteriorated to the point where people fleeing wars, oppression and natural disasters are turned away at the border, just because our current leader thinks "very bad people" might be in the mix.
Recent generations, when they're not busy with their smart phones, are more concerned about making it to adulthood alive. Not because of terrorist bombs, but because of lone gunmen with more firepower and nerve to take out every human within range. African-Americans and others take to the streets and highways to protest white police officers who target people of color just because. The biggest moment of their lives so far hasn't been planes taking down two skyscrapers. It was the election of Donald Trump as President, which creates its own set of challenges.
Having seen what violence, political corruption, racism and the effects of climate change have done to this country, the youth of America are not taking things lying down. They are holding rallies, facing down white supremacists, and electing more women to Congress than ever in recent history. Even Muslim men and women of color, which would have been considered impossible in 2001.
The emotions over what happened in the rubble of the Twin Towers and the wars of revenge that followed in the fall of '01 and the spring of '03 has faded with time, but they shouldn't be forgotten. It is up to everyone to make sure improving this country is the one thing that would honor the dead.
To today's students, all of what became known as 9/11 has been relegated to history books and You Tube. Just like the Civil War, World War II, the Kennedys, civil rights, the Vietnam War and other touchstones of American history. It shouldn't be. Whether they know it or not, the spectre of 9/11 has dominated their childhoods.
We see it in long lines of security everywhere you go. The war in Afghanistan is nearly two decades old, and the U.S. has yet to find a graceful way out. Immigration to this country has deteriorated to the point where people fleeing wars, oppression and natural disasters are turned away at the border, just because our current leader thinks "very bad people" might be in the mix.
Recent generations, when they're not busy with their smart phones, are more concerned about making it to adulthood alive. Not because of terrorist bombs, but because of lone gunmen with more firepower and nerve to take out every human within range. African-Americans and others take to the streets and highways to protest white police officers who target people of color just because. The biggest moment of their lives so far hasn't been planes taking down two skyscrapers. It was the election of Donald Trump as President, which creates its own set of challenges.
Having seen what violence, political corruption, racism and the effects of climate change have done to this country, the youth of America are not taking things lying down. They are holding rallies, facing down white supremacists, and electing more women to Congress than ever in recent history. Even Muslim men and women of color, which would have been considered impossible in 2001.
The emotions over what happened in the rubble of the Twin Towers and the wars of revenge that followed in the fall of '01 and the spring of '03 has faded with time, but they shouldn't be forgotten. It is up to everyone to make sure improving this country is the one thing that would honor the dead.
Wednesday, August 21, 2019
All This and Greenland,Too!
President Donald Trump, always looking for the next big real estate deal to flaunt his already massive ego, is interested in purchasing Greenland.
Greenland is a massive island that sits on the North Atlantic with Canada to its south, the Arctic to its north and Europe to the east. Its population is the size of a small American city. The polar ice sheet that envelops the island is apparently melting as we speak. But it's what's underneath that interests Trump. If he's successful in his purchase, we could soon be seeing military bases, oil refineries (in addition to the ones that are already there), coal mines and possibly branded golf resorts.
But Denmark owns Greenland, and runs it as a quasi-independent entity with its own self rule. They're not interested in selling, least of all to the United States. And because they're not interested in selling, Trump has canceled his planned visit to Denmark following the G7 summit in France. He even went so far as to call its prime minister Mette Frederiksen "nasty" for the way she reacted to the President's no-show. This is not the first time Trump has reacted badly to women who are in a position to stand up to him, especially since he does not do diplomacy well.
In fact, Trump does not do well when things come between him and others who don't appreciate the power and the glory that is Donald Trump.
Greenland is a massive island that sits on the North Atlantic with Canada to its south, the Arctic to its north and Europe to the east. Its population is the size of a small American city. The polar ice sheet that envelops the island is apparently melting as we speak. But it's what's underneath that interests Trump. If he's successful in his purchase, we could soon be seeing military bases, oil refineries (in addition to the ones that are already there), coal mines and possibly branded golf resorts.
But Denmark owns Greenland, and runs it as a quasi-independent entity with its own self rule. They're not interested in selling, least of all to the United States. And because they're not interested in selling, Trump has canceled his planned visit to Denmark following the G7 summit in France. He even went so far as to call its prime minister Mette Frederiksen "nasty" for the way she reacted to the President's no-show. This is not the first time Trump has reacted badly to women who are in a position to stand up to him, especially since he does not do diplomacy well.
In fact, Trump does not do well when things come between him and others who don't appreciate the power and the glory that is Donald Trump.
- He declares himself the "chosen one" in standing up to China on that ill-advised trade war of his, one that could cause a recession by 2021. But he's not worried over that one either.
- Gets his pal Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, to deny American congresswomen Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib permission to visit his country. Then he calls any Jewish person who votes Democratic to be disloyal to Israel.
- Migrant families who came here illegally will now be held in detention centers indefinitely while their cases are being processed
- Backs off on his support of background checks in the wake of the most recent gun massacres in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio, following a nice little chat with Wayne LaPierre of the National Rifle Association.
- The mystery of whether Trump had anything to do with billionaire and alleged pedophile Jeffrey Epstein got deeper after his apparent suicide in prison.
- A Fox News poll revealed that several Democratic candidates could beat Trump if the election were held today, not in November 2020. Which means the President is not happy with Fox News right now, usually his main source of information.
Wednesday, August 7, 2019
El Paso and Dayton: Presidential Word Crimes
As the Decade of the Gun continues, 31 people (as of 8/7/19) lost their lives in El Paso, TX and Dayton, Ohio within hours on Saturday. Lives lost because two young men with an agenda and a small arsenal took advantage of lax security to open fire on places where people would normally gather.
The aftermath has been almost as predictable. Calls for Congress to pass new laws on guns that won't be heeded. Finger-pointing from both parties blaming the other for "reasons" why shootings occur, including mental illness and video games. "Thoughts and prayers" are delivered as loved ones bury their dead. And life goes on.
Not every mass shooting is the same, of course. El Paso resonates because of its proximity to the U.S.-Mexican border, which has been the subject of President Donald Trump's ongoing campaign to keep bad hombres from crossing over, even if they happen to be families fleeing oppression and needing asylum. The suspect in the shooting allegedly targeted Hispanics, who he believed were part of an "invasion" of Texas.
The alleged shooter and possibly others in the white supremacist movement must have gotten their ideas from President Trump, who has been a thorn in the side of minorities for a long time. In recent weeks, he told four Congresswomen of color to go back to where they came from. He slandered the city of Baltimore as "rat-infested", and its African-American congressman for not taking care of his district. He has allowed the mistreatment of migrants who are currently being locked up in cages. He justifies it all by using language on his Twitter feed and at his rallies that entertain his base, but scares the hell out of normal people.
If Donald Trump were anywhere but the White House and continued to use rhetoric like that, he would lose his career and his fortune like that. But Trump is President of the United States. As we know from the Mueller Report, Trump can't be prosecuted while in office, and his term still has over a year to go. His Democratic opponents can say whatever they want about him, but he must be hoping public amnesia will lead to a second term.
And as long as Trump is President, we can expect more mass shootings--just like every President so far this century--and more excuses from politicians who know which side of bread theirs is buttered on. It's all coming to a neighborhood near you.
The aftermath has been almost as predictable. Calls for Congress to pass new laws on guns that won't be heeded. Finger-pointing from both parties blaming the other for "reasons" why shootings occur, including mental illness and video games. "Thoughts and prayers" are delivered as loved ones bury their dead. And life goes on.
Not every mass shooting is the same, of course. El Paso resonates because of its proximity to the U.S.-Mexican border, which has been the subject of President Donald Trump's ongoing campaign to keep bad hombres from crossing over, even if they happen to be families fleeing oppression and needing asylum. The suspect in the shooting allegedly targeted Hispanics, who he believed were part of an "invasion" of Texas.
The alleged shooter and possibly others in the white supremacist movement must have gotten their ideas from President Trump, who has been a thorn in the side of minorities for a long time. In recent weeks, he told four Congresswomen of color to go back to where they came from. He slandered the city of Baltimore as "rat-infested", and its African-American congressman for not taking care of his district. He has allowed the mistreatment of migrants who are currently being locked up in cages. He justifies it all by using language on his Twitter feed and at his rallies that entertain his base, but scares the hell out of normal people.
If Donald Trump were anywhere but the White House and continued to use rhetoric like that, he would lose his career and his fortune like that. But Trump is President of the United States. As we know from the Mueller Report, Trump can't be prosecuted while in office, and his term still has over a year to go. His Democratic opponents can say whatever they want about him, but he must be hoping public amnesia will lead to a second term.
And as long as Trump is President, we can expect more mass shootings--just like every President so far this century--and more excuses from politicians who know which side of bread theirs is buttered on. It's all coming to a neighborhood near you.
Wednesday, July 31, 2019
Of Rats and Tweets
As Democratic presidential candidates spin their wheels in Detroit, trying to convince the country (and maybe themselves) that they are the best alternative to the current occupant in the White House for 2020, President Donald Trump continues to find new ways to divide the country along racial lines while keeping his Republican Party in check.
Trump's latest target-by-tweet is the city of Baltimore, which he called a "very dangerous and filthy place", a "rat and rodent infested mess", and "no human would want to live there" in response to all the crime and violence that's been supposedly going on there. He's also referring to the district that's been served since 1996 by Congressman Elijah Cummings, a Maryland Democrat born the son of a sharecropper who's been taking shots at the President through his position as chairman of the House Oversight Committee when it comes to how the U.S.-Mexican border situation is being (mis)handled.
In the past few weeks, Trump has also used his Twitter account to demean other public figures of color besides Cummings: the Reverend Al Sharpton and the congressional "squad" that includes Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar. We have no way of knowing if the President has no "racist bone in his body", as he claims, or just says these things as a political tactic to throw off his opponents. But it does make the country wonder if they unwittingly sent a white supremacist to Washington.
Trump has bad-mouthed other cities in the past, most of which are run by Democratic governments, as places that are fit for neither man nor beast (as W.C. Fields might have put it). Any place that doesn't have a Trump-owned property, that is, which must be immaculate. But then we hear reports of rodents and insects in Baltimore apartments whose landlord just happens to be Jared Kushner, the President's son-in-law.
Meanwhile, back in the Motor City, the Democrats spent two nights and 20 candidates debating each other over how they would run the country after Trump is defeated. So far, the only ones assured of making it to the next round are Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris and Pete Buttigieg. Which isn't very inspiring when you think about it.
But as long as we have a President whose only motivation to stay in office is that he'd be going to prison if he weren't, no one is safe from his digital diatribes. Not ever race relations or world peace. The Big Rat needs his cheese.
Trump's latest target-by-tweet is the city of Baltimore, which he called a "very dangerous and filthy place", a "rat and rodent infested mess", and "no human would want to live there" in response to all the crime and violence that's been supposedly going on there. He's also referring to the district that's been served since 1996 by Congressman Elijah Cummings, a Maryland Democrat born the son of a sharecropper who's been taking shots at the President through his position as chairman of the House Oversight Committee when it comes to how the U.S.-Mexican border situation is being (mis)handled.
In the past few weeks, Trump has also used his Twitter account to demean other public figures of color besides Cummings: the Reverend Al Sharpton and the congressional "squad" that includes Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar. We have no way of knowing if the President has no "racist bone in his body", as he claims, or just says these things as a political tactic to throw off his opponents. But it does make the country wonder if they unwittingly sent a white supremacist to Washington.
Trump has bad-mouthed other cities in the past, most of which are run by Democratic governments, as places that are fit for neither man nor beast (as W.C. Fields might have put it). Any place that doesn't have a Trump-owned property, that is, which must be immaculate. But then we hear reports of rodents and insects in Baltimore apartments whose landlord just happens to be Jared Kushner, the President's son-in-law.
Meanwhile, back in the Motor City, the Democrats spent two nights and 20 candidates debating each other over how they would run the country after Trump is defeated. So far, the only ones assured of making it to the next round are Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris and Pete Buttigieg. Which isn't very inspiring when you think about it.
But as long as we have a President whose only motivation to stay in office is that he'd be going to prison if he weren't, no one is safe from his digital diatribes. Not ever race relations or world peace. The Big Rat needs his cheese.
Wednesday, July 24, 2019
The Mueller Report for Beginners
Months after the initial release of the report that was two years in the making and cost millions of dollars to investigate Russian influence in the 2016 presidential election, former special counsel Robert Mueller (who authored much of this) finally testified Wednesday to the House's Judicial and Intelligence committees.
This was "The Mueller Report for Beginners", whose intended audience was the millions (including some members of Congress and Yours Truly) who still haven't read the 400-page tome. For those people, watching Mueller testifying on TV must have been a revelation. For those who have read the report, the hearings turned out to be a dud, reiterating everything we've heard before. Mueller mostly stuck to the script as promised, either declining to answer some of the questions asked by committee members, or directing them to find his answer in the report that some of them haven't read.
So what did we get out of it?
Now that the former special counsel has had his moment in the spotlight, what happens next? Will Congress impeach Trump, knowing the consequences if they fail to convict him? How many more revelations do we need before even Trump's supporters turn on him? Can the Democrats really come up with a credible candidate who can beat Trump? Will it matter if the Russians tip the scale in favor of the President?
Coming soon: "Modern Politics for Beginners".
This was "The Mueller Report for Beginners", whose intended audience was the millions (including some members of Congress and Yours Truly) who still haven't read the 400-page tome. For those people, watching Mueller testifying on TV must have been a revelation. For those who have read the report, the hearings turned out to be a dud, reiterating everything we've heard before. Mueller mostly stuck to the script as promised, either declining to answer some of the questions asked by committee members, or directing them to find his answer in the report that some of them haven't read.
So what did we get out of it?
- Russia did interfere with the 2016 election, and could very well do so again in 2020.
- President Donald Trump could not be indicted until after he leaves office. But he wasn't exonerated, either.
- Mueller tried to interview Trump, but the President and his lawyers stalled things for so long that the idea was dropped.
- Trump doesn't seem to understand that, even though he keeps repeating "no obstruction, no collusion", he's not off the hook.
Now that the former special counsel has had his moment in the spotlight, what happens next? Will Congress impeach Trump, knowing the consequences if they fail to convict him? How many more revelations do we need before even Trump's supporters turn on him? Can the Democrats really come up with a credible candidate who can beat Trump? Will it matter if the Russians tip the scale in favor of the President?
Coming soon: "Modern Politics for Beginners".
Thursday, July 18, 2019
Trump: One Man Tweet Squad
It's no secret that President Donald Trump likes to control the news coverage by taking to Twitter and talk about anything that crosses his mind. It's his way of taking attention from Congressional investigations, low poll numbers, or decades-old videos of him palling around with a billionaire who is now accused of having sex with teenage girls.
The latest example? His Make America White and Male Again crusade against undocumented migrants coming across the U.S.-Mexico border who he thinks doesn't belong here was reaching critical mass, with reports of migrants young and old being held in filthy conditions at overcrowded facilities and ICE going into several cities making raids to deport violators. So Trump uses Twitter to invite four members of Congress to leave the country.
These four Congresswomen--Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan--are multicultural freshmen Democrats who have made names for themselves as progressives with their youth and outspokenness, sometimes to the dismay of their party. All were born and/or raised in the United States, with Omar having come from war-torn Somalia.
None of that matters to Trump. He wrote a tweet that wasn't intended for anybody in particular, but everyone could figure out who he meant. It reads, in part, that the women should "go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came". What people actually heard was "go back to where you came from".
This request has problems on several levels, such as : Go back to where? Their place of ethnicity? Their hometowns? Raise families? Stay in the kitchen? Get a real job? What?
The President has insisted that he doesn't have a racist bone in his body, and that there are lots of people who agree with him on this issue. He's called white supremacists "very fine people", his daughter Ivanka is married to a Jewish man, and his wife Melania is an immigrant. If there is a racist bone in his body, let us see the x-rays.
Outrage over the tweets has led the House of Representatives, on a mostly party line vote, to decide that the President must be censured. The Republican-controlled Senate probably won't go along.
The GOP is too afraid of Trump, and it's destroying their party. Many a Republican has seen their careers come crashing down if Trump considers them "weak" or "not loyal enough" for him if they dare cross the line.
Congresswomen Ocasio-Cortez, Omar, Pressly and Tlaib have been putting on a brave face after getting the Trump treatment, because it's possible their careers and lives may be in danger. Already, shouts of "Send Her Back!" have been aimed in Omar's direction at Trump rallies.
The Democrats have so far not come up with a convincing alternative to Trump in its multitude of presidential candidates for 2020. But Senators Elizabeth Warren (who was once dubbed "Pocahontas" by Trump), Kamala Harris (who is biracial and spent some time in Montreal) and other candidates of color should be watching their backs while trying to stay on message.
Who's next for President Trump to attack? LGTBQs? African-Americans? Women? Anyone except Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-Un? The more Americans of all shapes, colors and beliefs want to get rid of this President, the more incentive there is for him to put them in their place.
Because, like it or not, Donald Trump is still your President. At least until November, 2020.
The latest example? His Make America White and Male Again crusade against undocumented migrants coming across the U.S.-Mexico border who he thinks doesn't belong here was reaching critical mass, with reports of migrants young and old being held in filthy conditions at overcrowded facilities and ICE going into several cities making raids to deport violators. So Trump uses Twitter to invite four members of Congress to leave the country.
These four Congresswomen--Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan--are multicultural freshmen Democrats who have made names for themselves as progressives with their youth and outspokenness, sometimes to the dismay of their party. All were born and/or raised in the United States, with Omar having come from war-torn Somalia.
None of that matters to Trump. He wrote a tweet that wasn't intended for anybody in particular, but everyone could figure out who he meant. It reads, in part, that the women should "go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came". What people actually heard was "go back to where you came from".
This request has problems on several levels, such as : Go back to where? Their place of ethnicity? Their hometowns? Raise families? Stay in the kitchen? Get a real job? What?
The President has insisted that he doesn't have a racist bone in his body, and that there are lots of people who agree with him on this issue. He's called white supremacists "very fine people", his daughter Ivanka is married to a Jewish man, and his wife Melania is an immigrant. If there is a racist bone in his body, let us see the x-rays.
Outrage over the tweets has led the House of Representatives, on a mostly party line vote, to decide that the President must be censured. The Republican-controlled Senate probably won't go along.
The GOP is too afraid of Trump, and it's destroying their party. Many a Republican has seen their careers come crashing down if Trump considers them "weak" or "not loyal enough" for him if they dare cross the line.
Congresswomen Ocasio-Cortez, Omar, Pressly and Tlaib have been putting on a brave face after getting the Trump treatment, because it's possible their careers and lives may be in danger. Already, shouts of "Send Her Back!" have been aimed in Omar's direction at Trump rallies.
The Democrats have so far not come up with a convincing alternative to Trump in its multitude of presidential candidates for 2020. But Senators Elizabeth Warren (who was once dubbed "Pocahontas" by Trump), Kamala Harris (who is biracial and spent some time in Montreal) and other candidates of color should be watching their backs while trying to stay on message.
Who's next for President Trump to attack? LGTBQs? African-Americans? Women? Anyone except Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-Un? The more Americans of all shapes, colors and beliefs want to get rid of this President, the more incentive there is for him to put them in their place.
Because, like it or not, Donald Trump is still your President. At least until November, 2020.
Wednesday, July 3, 2019
America 2019, So Far
As tanks roll down the streets of Washington on the Fourth of July, we are reminded that we are no longer celebrating America's independence. Instead, we are celebrating a man whose ego knows no bounds, and whom everyone wishes would just go away.
Having said all that, it's time to take stock of America in the first half of 2019, and wonder where all that freedom and democracy went.
--An economy with low unemployment, so long as you can put up with stagnant wages while still paying for college.
--Trade wars with China and Mexico that end up making the American consumer collateral damage.
--A President who rules by tweet, pals with dictators, and can't be prosecuted as long as he's in the White House.
--Twenty Democrats trying to convince voters over two nights that they have what it takes to be the next Commander in Chief. The front runner is a former Vice President who's older than the Current Occupant by only a few years.
--In its zeal to keep dangerous criminals south of the Mexican border, the government is keeping men, women and children who aren't lowlifes in conditions that resemble a poorly-run animal shelter.
--The Supreme Court gives the OK to states who jury-rigged voting districts for the sake of keeping certain Congressional seats in the hands of certain people in perpetuity.
--A woman's right to determine what happens to her own body depends on where she lives.
--Women who claim the Current Occupant sexually assaulted them decades ago are now waved off as being not his type.
--Busing school children across city lines to achieve racial balance, which was a hot topic more than 40 years ago, has resurfaced with Senator (and Democratic presidential candidate) Kamala Harris saying she was affected by it.
--A new poll tells us that Americans' pride in their country has never been lower. Wonder why that is?
--Nike has pulled its line of shoes with the Betsy Ross flag design. It seems to remind African Americans of white supremacists rather than American independence. Wasn't slavery also prevalent then too?
--More people cared about how "Game of Thrones" ended, or that Netflix is losing reruns of "The Office" to NBC than bothered to watch the Democratic debates.
As John Mellencamp would say, "Ain't that America?" Land of the free. Home of the exploited and gullible. And the clueless. Happy 4th. everyone.
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
Trump: Whatever It Takes
President Donald Trump turned 73 recently. To celebrate, his staff rented an Orlando basketball arena to announce to some of his adoring fan base that he's running for re-election in 2020. Isn't that what he's been doing since taking office in 2017?
As is his wont, the President entertained his audience by slamming Democrats, the news media, Hillary Clinton (who's not running this time), and anyone else he could think of. Trump even promised cures for cancer and AIDS, as well as a manned landing on Mars--all in his second term. To this crowd, he could walk on water if he wanted to.
Miracles aside, Trump did some things in the name of America that caused Americans to wonder why they are still Americans.
1) The Mueller Report was supposed to be a call to arms to get Congress to get off their tails and start impeachment hearings. Robert Mueller, who spent years of his life interviewing and investigating whether or not Trump and/or the Russian government meddled in the 2016 presidential election, came to the conclusion that he could not indict the President even if he wanted to. Trump took this to mean he was exonerated, which he really wasn't. Mueller has said he wouldn't be much help to Congress beyond releasing the report, even if he were compelled to testify. All the evidence you'll ever need is in that report--if anyone bothers to read it.
If Trump had this kind of investigation outside the White House, chances are real good he wouldn't be President. He'd be in prison.
The Democrats are still in a dither over how to proceed with impeachment, given that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi would rather use the go-slow approach. But as the evidence against Trump mounts, the pressure is growing to hold hearings.
Congressional hearings are going on, but the White House is making things difficult for the committees doing the investigating. Apparently, their idea of blunting the effectiveness of the hearings include (A) refusing to let witnesses testify, (B) going behind closed doors if they do, and (C) declare even the most trivial evidence (such as Trump's tax returns) as executive privilege.
2) Patrick Shanahan, who was acting Secretary of Defense, declined a chance to take the job full time because he's under investigation for alleged domestic abuse. Which makes you wonder about other members of Trump's Cabinet, whose titles begin with the word "acting". Doesn't anyone want to work for this man? Besides Kellyanne Conway, that is?
3) Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the woman who did more to strain relations between the White House and the media while sucking up to the boss, is resigning effective at the end of the month. She will not be missed.
4) Being butt hurt about China allegedly ripping off the U.S. economy, Trump declared a trade war. He almost did the same with Mexico unless they improved their border security. Doesn't the President realize that the American economy would take the biggest hit, with higher prices and loss of jobs?
5) Meanwhile, a real war might be brewing with Iran. Reportedly, they are working on nuclear materials that were prohibited by a previous deal with the U.S. and other countries. The deal that Trump turned his back on.
6) The President, who when traveling abroad is supposed to represent the best and brightest of America. Not this President. During his recent trip to England and France, Trump took to Twitter and Fox News to talk about his dislike of John McCain (who's been dead for several months), the mayor of London, Democrats, Bette Midler and Meghen Markle (aka the Duchess of Sussex). There was a sigh of relief on both sides of the Atlantic when he returned home.
7) Some of Trump's own pollsters showed he was trailing former vice-president Joe Biden and other Democrats in the key states he won in 2016. So what did the President do? He fired the pollsters. No sense being the bearer of bad news.
8) In an ABC interview with George Stephenopolous, Trump said he wouldn't mind receiving political intelligence about his opponents from foreign governments. After what happened in 2016, Trump tried to backtrack that comment, but the damage is done. This President has shown that he'll do whatever it takes--even if it means breaking the law--to win another four years.
On July 4th, thousands of people usually crowd Washington to celebrate the country's birthday and to watch the fireworks. This year, President Trump plans to insert himself into the festivities by making a speech which might compel the networks to televise, whether they really want to or not. Some fear this could turn a feel-good event into a partisan political rally. Just like the one that happened in Orlando. Does the President care? Where have you been the last four years?
Whatever it takes, right?
As is his wont, the President entertained his audience by slamming Democrats, the news media, Hillary Clinton (who's not running this time), and anyone else he could think of. Trump even promised cures for cancer and AIDS, as well as a manned landing on Mars--all in his second term. To this crowd, he could walk on water if he wanted to.
Miracles aside, Trump did some things in the name of America that caused Americans to wonder why they are still Americans.
1) The Mueller Report was supposed to be a call to arms to get Congress to get off their tails and start impeachment hearings. Robert Mueller, who spent years of his life interviewing and investigating whether or not Trump and/or the Russian government meddled in the 2016 presidential election, came to the conclusion that he could not indict the President even if he wanted to. Trump took this to mean he was exonerated, which he really wasn't. Mueller has said he wouldn't be much help to Congress beyond releasing the report, even if he were compelled to testify. All the evidence you'll ever need is in that report--if anyone bothers to read it.
If Trump had this kind of investigation outside the White House, chances are real good he wouldn't be President. He'd be in prison.
The Democrats are still in a dither over how to proceed with impeachment, given that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi would rather use the go-slow approach. But as the evidence against Trump mounts, the pressure is growing to hold hearings.
Congressional hearings are going on, but the White House is making things difficult for the committees doing the investigating. Apparently, their idea of blunting the effectiveness of the hearings include (A) refusing to let witnesses testify, (B) going behind closed doors if they do, and (C) declare even the most trivial evidence (such as Trump's tax returns) as executive privilege.
2) Patrick Shanahan, who was acting Secretary of Defense, declined a chance to take the job full time because he's under investigation for alleged domestic abuse. Which makes you wonder about other members of Trump's Cabinet, whose titles begin with the word "acting". Doesn't anyone want to work for this man? Besides Kellyanne Conway, that is?
3) Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the woman who did more to strain relations between the White House and the media while sucking up to the boss, is resigning effective at the end of the month. She will not be missed.
4) Being butt hurt about China allegedly ripping off the U.S. economy, Trump declared a trade war. He almost did the same with Mexico unless they improved their border security. Doesn't the President realize that the American economy would take the biggest hit, with higher prices and loss of jobs?
5) Meanwhile, a real war might be brewing with Iran. Reportedly, they are working on nuclear materials that were prohibited by a previous deal with the U.S. and other countries. The deal that Trump turned his back on.
6) The President, who when traveling abroad is supposed to represent the best and brightest of America. Not this President. During his recent trip to England and France, Trump took to Twitter and Fox News to talk about his dislike of John McCain (who's been dead for several months), the mayor of London, Democrats, Bette Midler and Meghen Markle (aka the Duchess of Sussex). There was a sigh of relief on both sides of the Atlantic when he returned home.
7) Some of Trump's own pollsters showed he was trailing former vice-president Joe Biden and other Democrats in the key states he won in 2016. So what did the President do? He fired the pollsters. No sense being the bearer of bad news.
8) In an ABC interview with George Stephenopolous, Trump said he wouldn't mind receiving political intelligence about his opponents from foreign governments. After what happened in 2016, Trump tried to backtrack that comment, but the damage is done. This President has shown that he'll do whatever it takes--even if it means breaking the law--to win another four years.
On July 4th, thousands of people usually crowd Washington to celebrate the country's birthday and to watch the fireworks. This year, President Trump plans to insert himself into the festivities by making a speech which might compel the networks to televise, whether they really want to or not. Some fear this could turn a feel-good event into a partisan political rally. Just like the one that happened in Orlando. Does the President care? Where have you been the last four years?
Whatever it takes, right?
Monday, June 3, 2019
"Jeopardy!": The Reign of James Is Over
If you have been recently watching "Jeopardy!", the game show whose syndicated version with host Alex Trebek is now in its 35th season, it's likely for two reasons:
(1) James Holzhauer, a pro sports bettor from Las Vegas, became the second contestant ever to earn more than two million dollars on the show. His reign spanned 32 episodes between April and June (with a two-week break for a previously scheduled teachers tournament), ending his run with more than $2.4 million added to his bank account (before taxes, of course). Only Ken Jennings, with winnings of over $2.5 million in 75 appearances, has won more.
Holzhauer rewrote the "Jeopardy!" record book as often as Wayne Gretzky did during his hockey career, which included winning the most money on a single program 15 times, He usually started the round at the bottom of the board (where the high-value clues are), then bet big when the "Daily Double" appeared, usually leaving his opponents in the dust by the time the "Final Jeopardy" category appeared.
On the telecast of June 3, the person who finally beat Holzhauer at his own game was a librarian from Chicago named Emma Boettcher. But you'll still see James Holzhauer in special tournaments in the near future. He won't soon be forgotten.
(2) Holzhauer's success was a welcome distraction for the show and its fans, with the announcement a few weeks earlier that Trebek had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Trebek is 78, and has said he plans to keep working through the treatments. He's done more than 7000 episodes of "Jeopardy!", and is signed up through 2022.
In recent media interviews, Trebek has said his cancer is currently in remission. Though it wouldn't hurt for the show's producers to have a Plan B in case Trebek can no longer continue, longtime viewers are wondering if their favorite show really is in jeopardy.
(1) James Holzhauer, a pro sports bettor from Las Vegas, became the second contestant ever to earn more than two million dollars on the show. His reign spanned 32 episodes between April and June (with a two-week break for a previously scheduled teachers tournament), ending his run with more than $2.4 million added to his bank account (before taxes, of course). Only Ken Jennings, with winnings of over $2.5 million in 75 appearances, has won more.
Holzhauer rewrote the "Jeopardy!" record book as often as Wayne Gretzky did during his hockey career, which included winning the most money on a single program 15 times, He usually started the round at the bottom of the board (where the high-value clues are), then bet big when the "Daily Double" appeared, usually leaving his opponents in the dust by the time the "Final Jeopardy" category appeared.
On the telecast of June 3, the person who finally beat Holzhauer at his own game was a librarian from Chicago named Emma Boettcher. But you'll still see James Holzhauer in special tournaments in the near future. He won't soon be forgotten.
(2) Holzhauer's success was a welcome distraction for the show and its fans, with the announcement a few weeks earlier that Trebek had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Trebek is 78, and has said he plans to keep working through the treatments. He's done more than 7000 episodes of "Jeopardy!", and is signed up through 2022.
In recent media interviews, Trebek has said his cancer is currently in remission. Though it wouldn't hurt for the show's producers to have a Plan B in case Trebek can no longer continue, longtime viewers are wondering if their favorite show really is in jeopardy.
Tuesday, April 23, 2019
The Mueller Report: No Collusion, No Exoneration, Big Problem?
The big reveal of the long-awaited Mueller Report, after two years of investigations and painstaking work by special prosecutor Robert Mueller and his staff, turned out to be 400 pages of testimony and black boxes preceded by an unnecessary warmup act by Attorney General William Barr.
The result was much the same as when Barr made his controversial summary a few weeks ago: President Donald Trump did not collude with the Russian government, though there is evidence that they did hack their way into the 2016 presidential election, and no obstruction of justice either. But Mueller refused to exonerate the President, nor did he indict him. That, he said, is for Congress to decide. But first, they'll want Mueller and Barr to appear before them and help fill in the blanks.
Even in its redacted form, the report still packs a punch. In it, Trump avoided the obstruction of justice charge when White House staff were brave enough to persuade him not to fire Mueller or otherwise impair the investigation. But Mueller missed a golden opportunity when he decided against interviewing Trump, believing he and his attorneys would not want to do it. Mueller should have asked first. What's the worst thing he could say? No?
This was a hollow victory for the President. After initially celebrating the verdict prematurely, he took to Twitter and lashed out at the report in the same manner as he does with everything else he doesn't like.
Now it falls to Congress, particularly Democrats, who have to decide whether it is worth spending time and money to impeach a man who's up for re-election in 2020. There is also no consensus among the 20-odd candidates running for the Democratic presidential nomination, who would rather discuss bread-and-butter issues as a way of distinguishing themselves from Trump.
At this point, the Mueller Report won't have much impact among voters, because presumably they've already made up their minds about Trump. If this were the first time anyone's heard of the President's alleged high crimes and misdemeanors, this country would be in a coma of shock. Instead, thanks to leaks and reports in what Trump likes to call the "fake news" media, most of this should come as no big surprise.
What it comes down to is this: The report tells us of Trump's reaction to Mueller being selected to investigate his administration's alleged misdeeds. "This is the end of my presidency. I'm (bleeped)."
No, Mr. President. You're still here, aren't you? We're the ones who are (bleeped).
The result was much the same as when Barr made his controversial summary a few weeks ago: President Donald Trump did not collude with the Russian government, though there is evidence that they did hack their way into the 2016 presidential election, and no obstruction of justice either. But Mueller refused to exonerate the President, nor did he indict him. That, he said, is for Congress to decide. But first, they'll want Mueller and Barr to appear before them and help fill in the blanks.
Even in its redacted form, the report still packs a punch. In it, Trump avoided the obstruction of justice charge when White House staff were brave enough to persuade him not to fire Mueller or otherwise impair the investigation. But Mueller missed a golden opportunity when he decided against interviewing Trump, believing he and his attorneys would not want to do it. Mueller should have asked first. What's the worst thing he could say? No?
This was a hollow victory for the President. After initially celebrating the verdict prematurely, he took to Twitter and lashed out at the report in the same manner as he does with everything else he doesn't like.
Now it falls to Congress, particularly Democrats, who have to decide whether it is worth spending time and money to impeach a man who's up for re-election in 2020. There is also no consensus among the 20-odd candidates running for the Democratic presidential nomination, who would rather discuss bread-and-butter issues as a way of distinguishing themselves from Trump.
At this point, the Mueller Report won't have much impact among voters, because presumably they've already made up their minds about Trump. If this were the first time anyone's heard of the President's alleged high crimes and misdemeanors, this country would be in a coma of shock. Instead, thanks to leaks and reports in what Trump likes to call the "fake news" media, most of this should come as no big surprise.
What it comes down to is this: The report tells us of Trump's reaction to Mueller being selected to investigate his administration's alleged misdeeds. "This is the end of my presidency. I'm (bleeped)."
No, Mr. President. You're still here, aren't you? We're the ones who are (bleeped).
Monday, March 25, 2019
The Mueller Report: Is That All There Is?
After two years and millions of dollars in taxpayer money invested (some would say wasted), Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation of possible influence by the Russian government into the 2016 presidential election has apparently determined that (A) there was no collusion between President Donald Trump and the Russians, and (B) no conclusion was made on whether Trump obstructed justice or not.
We say "apparently" because that is the interpretation of Attorney General William Barr in his four-page memo. It is likely the best information we're going to get, unless Congress succeeds in getting Barr (Trump's hand-picked choice for the AG job after Jeff Sessions left) to release as much of Mueller's report as legally possible.
Because there's still too many questions about what's in the report and what isn't, this is not going to stop Democrats in the House of Representatives or the Southern District of New York from investigating alleged wrongdoing by Trump, his family and his cronies. Barr and Mueller are expected to testify under oath before Congress. But the report's apparent conclusions certainly takes the heart out of any momentum or significance it might have had, given that a sitting President can't be indicted, according to the Justice Department.
For the President, he can tweet and shout "NO COLLUSION" all he wants. But he won't be magnanimous in victory, attacking enemies like the Democrats and the media just like he did with John McCain and "Mr. Kellyanne Conway". (He did say nice things about Mueller, but only after the report was done.) Trump will still take advice from dictators than his own intelligence people, ramble on in front of adoring audiences, and play golf at his own resorts. The legal messages he still has to navigate might still bother him, but it won't be enough to affect his reelection plans. He now has a new incentive to stay in office for the next four years: Staying out of jail.
For the Democrats, they can investigate Trump all they want. But even House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has conceded it's not worth the trouble to impeach him. As long as Democrats have the House, they might as well get back to the issues that resonates with voters: climate change, improving health care, immigration, etc. It might even help them in the 2020 election by running on those issues, and not harping so much on Trump's record. But the crowded field of presidential candidates, which so far includes mostly has-beens and newcomers, does not inspire much confidence as real challengers to Trump.
For the Republicans, they need to grow a spine.
For the rest of us, after two years of intense scrutiny by Washington, the media, and Trump's constant heckling, we have to ask if the result was all worth it given the amount of material Mueller had to work with. We ended up expecting more and got less.
Pundits liberal and conservative have been telling us over the past few days that it is good for the country that Trump was not charged with collusion. It doesn't feel that way. Instead it was more like Trump has bamboozled the American people once again. And not for the last time, either.
We say "apparently" because that is the interpretation of Attorney General William Barr in his four-page memo. It is likely the best information we're going to get, unless Congress succeeds in getting Barr (Trump's hand-picked choice for the AG job after Jeff Sessions left) to release as much of Mueller's report as legally possible.
Because there's still too many questions about what's in the report and what isn't, this is not going to stop Democrats in the House of Representatives or the Southern District of New York from investigating alleged wrongdoing by Trump, his family and his cronies. Barr and Mueller are expected to testify under oath before Congress. But the report's apparent conclusions certainly takes the heart out of any momentum or significance it might have had, given that a sitting President can't be indicted, according to the Justice Department.
For the President, he can tweet and shout "NO COLLUSION" all he wants. But he won't be magnanimous in victory, attacking enemies like the Democrats and the media just like he did with John McCain and "Mr. Kellyanne Conway". (He did say nice things about Mueller, but only after the report was done.) Trump will still take advice from dictators than his own intelligence people, ramble on in front of adoring audiences, and play golf at his own resorts. The legal messages he still has to navigate might still bother him, but it won't be enough to affect his reelection plans. He now has a new incentive to stay in office for the next four years: Staying out of jail.
For the Democrats, they can investigate Trump all they want. But even House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has conceded it's not worth the trouble to impeach him. As long as Democrats have the House, they might as well get back to the issues that resonates with voters: climate change, improving health care, immigration, etc. It might even help them in the 2020 election by running on those issues, and not harping so much on Trump's record. But the crowded field of presidential candidates, which so far includes mostly has-beens and newcomers, does not inspire much confidence as real challengers to Trump.
For the Republicans, they need to grow a spine.
For the rest of us, after two years of intense scrutiny by Washington, the media, and Trump's constant heckling, we have to ask if the result was all worth it given the amount of material Mueller had to work with. We ended up expecting more and got less.
Pundits liberal and conservative have been telling us over the past few days that it is good for the country that Trump was not charged with collusion. It doesn't feel that way. Instead it was more like Trump has bamboozled the American people once again. And not for the last time, either.
Wednesday, March 20, 2019
Schools for Scandal
If you're making out your brackets for the upcoming men's college basketball tournament, you might want to take a second look at them. Some of those fine schools have been named in a scheme in which wealthy individuals--CEOs, attorneys, Hollywood actresses, etc.--allegedly had documents and test scores altered for thousands of dollars so their kids could get into the best institutions for learning money could buy.
This stuff has been going on for as long as anyone can remember. The only surprise is that now people are getting caught for it, but will likely not see much (if any) prison time. And the kids who might be just as guilty as their parents are the ones who had mediocre academic records, and who'd rather be social media stars than scholars anyhow.
This leaves all of those deserving students--the ones who don't have rich parents or connections--out in the cold as far as getting into prestigious colleges is concerned. Instead, they're forced to make do with State U and/or their local community college. Nothing wrong with them. It's just that they're not Duke, Stanford or Harvard.
Another big problem is the debt that comes with a college education, especially if you don't have much money to begin with. Unless you've saved up enough by working two or three jobs or applying frequently for every student loan available, the college of your choice is out of reach. And since you have a loan, you are expected to pay it back, right? Maybe for the rest of your life, until your grand children finally pay it off. Which is why people are having such a hard time finding a home, buying a car or starting a family. Rich kids don't have to worry about any of that, because their parents would take care of that for them.
Now that examples will presumably be made of all those affluent parents who only wanted what was best for their college-bound children, but ended up doing things the wrong way, it will be interesting to see if anything changes. Colleges and universities, at the government's request, will review and then update its admissions policies to ensure that they are done fair and square. They will also have to find a way to make school more affordable to those who do not otherwise have the means to do so.
But most of all, there's nothing wrong with being a graduate of Podunk U. instead of the University of Southern California or Yale. They might not have bracket-worthy athletic programs, but a degree is still a degree no matter how much it costs.
This stuff has been going on for as long as anyone can remember. The only surprise is that now people are getting caught for it, but will likely not see much (if any) prison time. And the kids who might be just as guilty as their parents are the ones who had mediocre academic records, and who'd rather be social media stars than scholars anyhow.
This leaves all of those deserving students--the ones who don't have rich parents or connections--out in the cold as far as getting into prestigious colleges is concerned. Instead, they're forced to make do with State U and/or their local community college. Nothing wrong with them. It's just that they're not Duke, Stanford or Harvard.
Another big problem is the debt that comes with a college education, especially if you don't have much money to begin with. Unless you've saved up enough by working two or three jobs or applying frequently for every student loan available, the college of your choice is out of reach. And since you have a loan, you are expected to pay it back, right? Maybe for the rest of your life, until your grand children finally pay it off. Which is why people are having such a hard time finding a home, buying a car or starting a family. Rich kids don't have to worry about any of that, because their parents would take care of that for them.
Now that examples will presumably be made of all those affluent parents who only wanted what was best for their college-bound children, but ended up doing things the wrong way, it will be interesting to see if anything changes. Colleges and universities, at the government's request, will review and then update its admissions policies to ensure that they are done fair and square. They will also have to find a way to make school more affordable to those who do not otherwise have the means to do so.
But most of all, there's nothing wrong with being a graduate of Podunk U. instead of the University of Southern California or Yale. They might not have bracket-worthy athletic programs, but a degree is still a degree no matter how much it costs.
Monday, March 4, 2019
Trump: In or Out Like a Lion?
As the calendar turned from February to March, President Donald Trump capped off his no good, horrible week by roaring like a lion at a conservative convention in Maryland. For two hours in front of a friendly audience, he ranted and raved against the media, the Robert Mueller investigation, Democrats and others he deemed worthy of his scorn. It's nothing you haven't heard before, but Trump did it in a manner that suggested that he needed to be removed under the 25th Amendment, except no one could agree on a tactful way to do it. Oh, and the fact-checkers went into overtime trying to keep up with his whoppers.
Here's some of what made the President go off the rails:
So what's it gonna be? Will President Trump go out like a lamb or a lion?
Here's some of what made the President go off the rails:
- His former attorney Michael Cohen spilled some of his guts to a House committee and a national TV audience, on his way to a prison sentence. The rest of Cohen's guts are all tied up in investigations and closed-door hearings, but what we did hear makes it sound like the Trump family isn't much different from the Corleones or the Sopranos.
- Mueller's investigation has yet to wrap up, despite indications that the report could be released "soon". There is concern that the report--what there is of it that's made public--might be less than the sum of its parts when it comes to Trump's alleged involvement in Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. That's why House Democrats are putting together a more extensive investigation.
- While this was going on, Trump failed to make a deal with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to shut down their nuclear weapons program, thereby closing their summit in Hanoi,Vietnam earlier than planned. The President blamed his failure on the Cohen hearings, but in truth he didn't do his homework. He continues to take the word of dictators like Kim and Vladimir Putin and his own gut instead of his diplomatic and intelligence corps.
- There are at least 14 people (and possibly more) announcing their intention to run for Trump's job as Democrats in 2020. There is also the realization among Democrats that 2019 is their last, best chance before the election of unseating Trump through indictment or impeachment. If that doesn't happen, then Trump wins re-election no matter who they put up as their candidate.
So what's it gonna be? Will President Trump go out like a lamb or a lion?
Tuesday, February 26, 2019
The Oscars: Diversity Rules, to a Point
The 91st Academy Awards had no host, ran over three hours, and had another controversial finish. But you can't say it was boring.
This was the year the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences went out of its way to honor contributions from persons of color (if there's a better term, we'd like to hear it), in stark contrast to the criticism they got a couple of years ago for the mostly white list of nominees. Among those who took home Oscars:
Spike Lee, who with three other guys won his first Oscar for Adaptive Screenplay with "BlacKKKlansman", was among those who weren't thrilled with "Green Book"'s win. Lee used his podium time earlier as a call to arms for the 2020 presidential election to reject hate. President Donald Trump, who's becoming pretty good at figuring out thinly veiled insults aimed at him indirectly, tweeted one of his own at Lee.
Another highlight of the evening was Lady Gaga's duet with Bradley Cooper on "Shallow", a song from the fourth version of "A Star Is Born". It was so intimate that you'd think there's something going on between them. Or was it just a convincing performance? Anyhoo, Gaga got her Oscar for Best Original Song, and would have added a Best Actress trophy if it hadn't been for Olivia Colman playing Queen Anne in "The Favourite".
The telecast ran for three hours and twenty minutes, which is the typical length of an NFL football game, and was shorter than either a New York Yankees-Boston Red Sox baseball game or some of the Best Picture winners over the last half century. In spite of the Academy's and ABC's best efforts to get folks to bed at a reasonable hour, there was no host (Kevin Hart quit after past homophobic posts on social media came back to bite him), no Most Popular Movie category, and every award was shown live instead of moving some of them to commercial breaks (behold the power of unions in Hollywood).
Whether it was the lack of a host or the possibility of the Oscars turning into a gawker slowdown, CNN reports that the ratings for the ABC telecast were up from last year by 12 percent. Maybe less is more after all.
This was the year the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences went out of its way to honor contributions from persons of color (if there's a better term, we'd like to hear it), in stark contrast to the criticism they got a couple of years ago for the mostly white list of nominees. Among those who took home Oscars:
- Alfonso Cuaron for directing "Roma", which also won for Foreign Language film.
- Rami Malek for his Best Actor performance, channeling Queen's lead singer Freddie Mercury in "Bohemian Rhapsody".
- Regina King for her Supporting Actress performance in "If Beale Street Could Talk".
- Mahershala Ali for his Supporting Actor performance in "Green Book".
Spike Lee, who with three other guys won his first Oscar for Adaptive Screenplay with "BlacKKKlansman", was among those who weren't thrilled with "Green Book"'s win. Lee used his podium time earlier as a call to arms for the 2020 presidential election to reject hate. President Donald Trump, who's becoming pretty good at figuring out thinly veiled insults aimed at him indirectly, tweeted one of his own at Lee.
Another highlight of the evening was Lady Gaga's duet with Bradley Cooper on "Shallow", a song from the fourth version of "A Star Is Born". It was so intimate that you'd think there's something going on between them. Or was it just a convincing performance? Anyhoo, Gaga got her Oscar for Best Original Song, and would have added a Best Actress trophy if it hadn't been for Olivia Colman playing Queen Anne in "The Favourite".
The telecast ran for three hours and twenty minutes, which is the typical length of an NFL football game, and was shorter than either a New York Yankees-Boston Red Sox baseball game or some of the Best Picture winners over the last half century. In spite of the Academy's and ABC's best efforts to get folks to bed at a reasonable hour, there was no host (Kevin Hart quit after past homophobic posts on social media came back to bite him), no Most Popular Movie category, and every award was shown live instead of moving some of them to commercial breaks (behold the power of unions in Hollywood).
Whether it was the lack of a host or the possibility of the Oscars turning into a gawker slowdown, CNN reports that the ratings for the ABC telecast were up from last year by 12 percent. Maybe less is more after all.
Monday, February 18, 2019
When There's a Wall, There's a Way
The National Emergencies Act (per Wikipedia) was first enacted by Congress in 1976, and signed by then-President Gerald Ford. It is intended for use in crises that require the President to use special powers, in cases such as trade sanctions and terrorist attacks. To date, there have been almost 60 national emergencies declared by every President since Ford, and some of them are still in effect.
President Donald Trump, having tried and failed to convince Congress to fund his pet project of a wall along the border of the United States and Mexico, became the first chief executive to use national emergency powers to commandeer billions from other programs to pay for that barrier. This bit of creative financing is robbing Uncle Sam to pay The Donald.
Trump admitted in a news conference to announce the declaration that he didn't think it was necessary. But he did do it believing that--evidence to the contrary--hordes of people and assorted riffraff were coming north from all over Latin America illegally, taking away jobs, selling drugs and even murdering American citizens. And a promise was a promise to the rabid base that got Trump elected in 2016, and are poised to do the same in 2020.
Having proved how irrelevant Congress really is when it comes to matters like this, the President is hoping the courts will see things his way in advance of all the inevitable lawsuits. He seems to be counting on the U.S. Supreme Court, which now has a conservative majority, to decide the matter once and for all in his favor sometime before the election.
Lost in all of this, of course, are the headlines involving topics that normal people would consider national emergencies:
President Donald Trump, having tried and failed to convince Congress to fund his pet project of a wall along the border of the United States and Mexico, became the first chief executive to use national emergency powers to commandeer billions from other programs to pay for that barrier. This bit of creative financing is robbing Uncle Sam to pay The Donald.
Trump admitted in a news conference to announce the declaration that he didn't think it was necessary. But he did do it believing that--evidence to the contrary--hordes of people and assorted riffraff were coming north from all over Latin America illegally, taking away jobs, selling drugs and even murdering American citizens. And a promise was a promise to the rabid base that got Trump elected in 2016, and are poised to do the same in 2020.
Having proved how irrelevant Congress really is when it comes to matters like this, the President is hoping the courts will see things his way in advance of all the inevitable lawsuits. He seems to be counting on the U.S. Supreme Court, which now has a conservative majority, to decide the matter once and for all in his favor sometime before the election.
Lost in all of this, of course, are the headlines involving topics that normal people would consider national emergencies:
- The government shutdown, which Trump originally used as a battle of wills with Congress over his wall, is officially over thanks to a new budget deal.
- This is the one-year anniversary of the massacre at a high school in Parkland, Florida, where 17 students and staff members were killed by a lone gunman.
- Hours after Trump's national emergency announcement, five people were murdered inside a warehouse in Aurora, Illinois by a man who was just fired from his job.
Monday, February 11, 2019
The Grammys: Step Ups, Tributes and No-Show-Ups
The 61st Grammy Awards in Los Angeles Sunday night, a nearly four hour telecast on CBS, was notable for who was and wasn't slighted by the Recording Academy, resulting in some of the biggest names in music taking a pass on the ceremonies.
Ariana Grande won a couple of Grammys, but didn't show because of a dispute with producers over what songs they wanted her to sing. Some hip hop stars also declined to appear because they thought the Academy wasn't giving the genre the respect they thought they deserved. Which led to awkward moments such as Drake's acceptance speech for his Grammy for "God's Plan" getting cut off, and for having to award Song and Record of the Year to Childish Gambino's "This Is America" in absentia.
In response to outgoing Academy president Neil Portnow's admonition to women artists to "step up" if they want to win more Grammys, that's exactly what they did this year. The show was hosted by Grammy darling Alicia Keys who, when she wasn't channeling her inner Oprah, did a great job of moving things along (outside of a glitch or two) and playing a dueling pianos routine that was the highlight. Lady Gaga, Janelle Monae, Brandi Carlile and Cardi B all made their star turns. Even former First Lady Michelle Obama showed up. Dua Lipa won for Best New Artist. And Kacey Musgraves, previously best known for quirky country songs like "Follow Your Arrow" and "Biscuits", surprisingly won Album of the Year for "Golden Hour".
Isn't this what hip hop artists have been complaining about? Grammy-nominated rap albums have been losing to the likes of Adele, Macklemore & Lewis, and now Musgraves. Seems the Academy is having the same problem with rap like they once did with rock and roll.
There was no shortage of boomer tributes at this year's Grammys: Dolly Parton (who won an industry award), Diana Ross (who turns 75 next month, as she likes to remind everyone, Aretha Franklin (who died last year) and Donny Hathaway (who's been dead since 1979). There was a salute to the 60th anniversary of Motown Records, but for some reason Jennifer Lopez got star billing. Nothing against J.Lo, but it was just bizarre to watch her here. Meanwhile, the telecast was promoting upcoming tribute shows for Parton, Franklin and Motown to be aired later on CBS, so presumably we should be getting better performances.
Whether the stars came out or not, four hours is a long time to sit through a mixed bag of performances with the major awards not being handed out until the final hour, outside of East Coast prime time You might as well skip the trophies and just put the winners on TV. Would it be too much to ask if the Recording Academy not just settle its differences, but also to streamline its telecast?
Ariana Grande won a couple of Grammys, but didn't show because of a dispute with producers over what songs they wanted her to sing. Some hip hop stars also declined to appear because they thought the Academy wasn't giving the genre the respect they thought they deserved. Which led to awkward moments such as Drake's acceptance speech for his Grammy for "God's Plan" getting cut off, and for having to award Song and Record of the Year to Childish Gambino's "This Is America" in absentia.
In response to outgoing Academy president Neil Portnow's admonition to women artists to "step up" if they want to win more Grammys, that's exactly what they did this year. The show was hosted by Grammy darling Alicia Keys who, when she wasn't channeling her inner Oprah, did a great job of moving things along (outside of a glitch or two) and playing a dueling pianos routine that was the highlight. Lady Gaga, Janelle Monae, Brandi Carlile and Cardi B all made their star turns. Even former First Lady Michelle Obama showed up. Dua Lipa won for Best New Artist. And Kacey Musgraves, previously best known for quirky country songs like "Follow Your Arrow" and "Biscuits", surprisingly won Album of the Year for "Golden Hour".
Isn't this what hip hop artists have been complaining about? Grammy-nominated rap albums have been losing to the likes of Adele, Macklemore & Lewis, and now Musgraves. Seems the Academy is having the same problem with rap like they once did with rock and roll.
There was no shortage of boomer tributes at this year's Grammys: Dolly Parton (who won an industry award), Diana Ross (who turns 75 next month, as she likes to remind everyone, Aretha Franklin (who died last year) and Donny Hathaway (who's been dead since 1979). There was a salute to the 60th anniversary of Motown Records, but for some reason Jennifer Lopez got star billing. Nothing against J.Lo, but it was just bizarre to watch her here. Meanwhile, the telecast was promoting upcoming tribute shows for Parton, Franklin and Motown to be aired later on CBS, so presumably we should be getting better performances.
Whether the stars came out or not, four hours is a long time to sit through a mixed bag of performances with the major awards not being handed out until the final hour, outside of East Coast prime time You might as well skip the trophies and just put the winners on TV. Would it be too much to ask if the Recording Academy not just settle its differences, but also to streamline its telecast?
Thursday, February 7, 2019
SOTU: The Divider-In-Chief Speaks
After a one-week delay, President Donald Trump took almost an hour and a half to deliver his State of the Union address before a decidedly different Congress Tuesday night. That left barely enough time before your late local news for the Democratic response.
Trump was at times conciliatory, condescending, threatening, pandering and full of himself during the speech. But that's the way he always is, so not much difference there. Fact checkers were at the ready to call BS every time he told a whopper. And anything he says will likely be refuted on Twitter.
The President initially called for compromise with the new Democratic majority in the House (and a few rogue Republicans) to get the country back on track, which is interesting coming from the Divider-In-Chief. But then he mentioned that the economy is booming, and that it would be too bad if anything were to happen to it if Congress insisted on investigating him and his cronies, so don't go there. Which brings up the question of what happened to the American economy when Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton were under scrutiny.
Trump did not announce plans to use a national emergency as an excuse to raid the piggy bank to pay for his border wall. But he did paint a bleak picture of what might be going on south of the U.S. border to make his case. Just a reminder that Congress has until February 15 to set a budget for border security before the government shuts down again.
Trump made news when he announced that the next summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has been scheduled for Vietnam at the end of this month. He then boasted that if it hadn't been for him, we'd be at war with Pyongyang by now. He also wants to make peace with the Taliban in Afghanistan, bringing American troops home after 17 years of war. Oh, ISIS has been defeated in Syria, so it's safe for the soldiers to come back now.
Unlike in previous years, Trump has a tougher crowd to impress. Instead of having Paul Ryan right behind him on the podium alongside Vice President Mike Pence, it's now Nancy Pelosi wielding the gavel as House Speaker next to Pence. Some of the women in the House chamber audience wore white to commemorate their getting the vote a century ago. So what does the President do? He claimed credit for getting more women elected to Congress than at any time in history. The newly-minted congresswomen (and their guests) gave themselves high fives and shouted "USA! USA!", because they knew that Trump's mis-leadership was the reason why they ran for office in the first place.
Then Trump seemed to take aim at the likes of Vermont Senator (and possible presidential candidate) Bernie Sanders and New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez when he said that America will never be a socialist country. He didn't say anything about America becoming an authoritarian and fascistic country. Or maybe he didn't have to.
With an election looming and Robert Mueller almost ready to wrap up his investigation into Russia's alleged influence on the 2016 presidential campaign, the day of reckoning is almost at hand for President Trump. Whether this is his last State of the Union address or not, he's painted himself into a corner and has to find a way to get out of it.
Trump was at times conciliatory, condescending, threatening, pandering and full of himself during the speech. But that's the way he always is, so not much difference there. Fact checkers were at the ready to call BS every time he told a whopper. And anything he says will likely be refuted on Twitter.
The President initially called for compromise with the new Democratic majority in the House (and a few rogue Republicans) to get the country back on track, which is interesting coming from the Divider-In-Chief. But then he mentioned that the economy is booming, and that it would be too bad if anything were to happen to it if Congress insisted on investigating him and his cronies, so don't go there. Which brings up the question of what happened to the American economy when Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton were under scrutiny.
Trump did not announce plans to use a national emergency as an excuse to raid the piggy bank to pay for his border wall. But he did paint a bleak picture of what might be going on south of the U.S. border to make his case. Just a reminder that Congress has until February 15 to set a budget for border security before the government shuts down again.
Trump made news when he announced that the next summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has been scheduled for Vietnam at the end of this month. He then boasted that if it hadn't been for him, we'd be at war with Pyongyang by now. He also wants to make peace with the Taliban in Afghanistan, bringing American troops home after 17 years of war. Oh, ISIS has been defeated in Syria, so it's safe for the soldiers to come back now.
Unlike in previous years, Trump has a tougher crowd to impress. Instead of having Paul Ryan right behind him on the podium alongside Vice President Mike Pence, it's now Nancy Pelosi wielding the gavel as House Speaker next to Pence. Some of the women in the House chamber audience wore white to commemorate their getting the vote a century ago. So what does the President do? He claimed credit for getting more women elected to Congress than at any time in history. The newly-minted congresswomen (and their guests) gave themselves high fives and shouted "USA! USA!", because they knew that Trump's mis-leadership was the reason why they ran for office in the first place.
Then Trump seemed to take aim at the likes of Vermont Senator (and possible presidential candidate) Bernie Sanders and New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez when he said that America will never be a socialist country. He didn't say anything about America becoming an authoritarian and fascistic country. Or maybe he didn't have to.
With an election looming and Robert Mueller almost ready to wrap up his investigation into Russia's alleged influence on the 2016 presidential campaign, the day of reckoning is almost at hand for President Trump. Whether this is his last State of the Union address or not, he's painted himself into a corner and has to find a way to get out of it.
Thursday, January 31, 2019
Trump's Shutdown Paused, Investigation Not
The government shutdown that lasted 35 days, victimized at least 800,000 federal workers and cost $11 billion (according to a supposedly non-partisan budgetary agency) with three billion of it never coming back, is currently on hold.
Thanks to the deal made between President Donald Trump and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the shutdown has been lifted for three weeks until February 15. Congress has until then to work out a new plan to fund security at the United States-Mexico border, with or without the wall Trump still covets.
No doubt the announcement was intended to deflect from news of the arrest on January 25 of former Trump political adviser Roger Stone, as part of the ongoing investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller into alleged Russian influence of the 2016 presidential election. Stone has pled not guilty on seven counts against him, ranging from witness tampering to obstruction of justice.
Meanwhile, Trump's prison-bound former attorney Michael Cohen is finally going to tell his side of the story to separate congressional intelligence committees about why he lied to them in testifying of his involvement in the Russian affair. It won't be as public as Cohen once wanted, having revealed that threats have been made against his family if he testified, and that certain questions relating to the Mueller investigation are off limits.
Most folks thought Trump caved in to Pelosi in agreeing to open the government without his wall. Not so fast. Congress has a knack for deciding not to decide, despite the Democrats' promises of a more activist government. So it seems likely that they'll try to drag things out before the deadline, if at all. Trump will likely get his wall no matter what, because he is going to declare a phony national emergency for the purpose of freeing up funds and ordering military personnel to build it.
Oh, and the State of the Union address has been rescheduled for February 5. Plan your schedule accordingly.
For those who had been affected by the government shutdown, they should be using this break in the action to pay their bills and reassess their future. Because now that your job has become subject to the political whims of the day, it might be a good time to update your resumes.
Thanks to the deal made between President Donald Trump and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the shutdown has been lifted for three weeks until February 15. Congress has until then to work out a new plan to fund security at the United States-Mexico border, with or without the wall Trump still covets.
No doubt the announcement was intended to deflect from news of the arrest on January 25 of former Trump political adviser Roger Stone, as part of the ongoing investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller into alleged Russian influence of the 2016 presidential election. Stone has pled not guilty on seven counts against him, ranging from witness tampering to obstruction of justice.
Meanwhile, Trump's prison-bound former attorney Michael Cohen is finally going to tell his side of the story to separate congressional intelligence committees about why he lied to them in testifying of his involvement in the Russian affair. It won't be as public as Cohen once wanted, having revealed that threats have been made against his family if he testified, and that certain questions relating to the Mueller investigation are off limits.
Most folks thought Trump caved in to Pelosi in agreeing to open the government without his wall. Not so fast. Congress has a knack for deciding not to decide, despite the Democrats' promises of a more activist government. So it seems likely that they'll try to drag things out before the deadline, if at all. Trump will likely get his wall no matter what, because he is going to declare a phony national emergency for the purpose of freeing up funds and ordering military personnel to build it.
Oh, and the State of the Union address has been rescheduled for February 5. Plan your schedule accordingly.
For those who had been affected by the government shutdown, they should be using this break in the action to pay their bills and reassess their future. Because now that your job has become subject to the political whims of the day, it might be a good time to update your resumes.
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
American Standoff
We are now more than one month into the "partial" shutdown of the United States government. It has affected around 800,000 employees, who once thought that being in civil service was the most stable form of employment you could get.
President Donald Trump and Democratic congressional leaders remain at a standstill over funding of a security wall on the U.S.-Mexico border, and are using the shutdown as leverage. Trump has campaigned for one since 2016 and still wants it, even if he has to sacrifice government services to do it. Democrats do not, and are so far sticking to their guns.
As the shutdown continues into its second month, those federal employees are going broke for lack of a paycheck and/or are forced to work for free, which doesn't do much for morale. Other unintended consequences of the shutdown include:
UPDATE (1/24/19): Trump has agreed to postpone the State of the Union address before Congress until after the shutdown ends. The Senate rejected both parties' proposals to fund border security, with or without a wall. The President is reconsidering his plan to declare a national emergency so he could get the money to build his wall. And the shutdown continues.
President Donald Trump and Democratic congressional leaders remain at a standstill over funding of a security wall on the U.S.-Mexico border, and are using the shutdown as leverage. Trump has campaigned for one since 2016 and still wants it, even if he has to sacrifice government services to do it. Democrats do not, and are so far sticking to their guns.
As the shutdown continues into its second month, those federal employees are going broke for lack of a paycheck and/or are forced to work for free, which doesn't do much for morale. Other unintended consequences of the shutdown include:
- The possibility that there will be no State of the Union address, at least not in Nancy Pelosi's House. The Speaker from California flexed her political muscle to disinvite the President from delivering his address in the House chamber, unless the shutdown gets settled. Trump has said he still plans to address Congress, but there is nothing in the Constitution that says he must do it at the U.S. Capitol. He can do this anywhere he wants, He can even use Twitter if he cares to. But it would be awkward if he did.
- The national college football champion Clemson Tigers, one of the few sports teams who chose to visit the White House since Trump became President, were honored with a buffet of Big Macs, Whoppers and pizza that the President said he paid for. Meanwhile, federal employees are having a hard time paying for gas to get to work, much less being able to afford a Happy Meal.
- The shutdown has created long security lines at the airport, criminal investigations curtailed, delayed tax refunds, attractions closed and so on. That's because the FBI, CIA, TSA, IRS and other agencies have employees who are not getting paid, and funding is being suspended. Thank goodness there has been no major catastrophe.
UPDATE (1/24/19): Trump has agreed to postpone the State of the Union address before Congress until after the shutdown ends. The Senate rejected both parties' proposals to fund border security, with or without a wall. The President is reconsidering his plan to declare a national emergency so he could get the money to build his wall. And the shutdown continues.
Wednesday, January 9, 2019
Up Against (Paying For) The Wall
After 19 days (as of 1/9/2019), the government of the United States is still in shutdown mode. Landmarks are closed and thousands of people are either working without pay, calling in sick or staying home because President Donald Trump and the new Democratic Congressional leadership can't (or won't) find a way to fund the government. Not without also paying for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, which no one else seems to want and Mexico refuses to pay for.
But the President doesn't seem to care what you, I or the Democrats (who now control the House of Representatives) want. He told his loyal base back in the 2016 campaign that he wants that wall built and, by God, he's going to get it. Even if it takes a national emergency to pay for it and let the military do the work.
In his oft-ridiculed Oval Office speech Tuesday night, Trump described what's happening these days at the border as a "humanitarian crisis", citing "caravans" of drug smugglers, violent gangs and terrorists coming from all over Central America to do us harm. He didn't mention the tear-gassing of civilians frantically trying to cross the border, nor did he mention all those reports of children locked in cages. If that's not a "humanitarian crisis", what is?
Only a big, huge wall can shield us from those thugs, Trump and other Republicans have been telling us. That sounds reassuring, until you think of the many ways walls can be circumvented. As the bad guys and other desperate people have already figured out, you can get around, fly over or crawl underneath walls. The Great Wall of China, the Maginot Line, the Berlin Wall and other structures designed to keep invaders out and their own citizens in all failed for that reason.
There are other benefits for the President to keep holding his breath until his face turns blue. It's to take media attention away from the incoming Democratic majority in the House, including the return of Nancy Pelosi of California as Speaker, and newcomers such as Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez of New York aka The Dancing Congresswoman. Also, there's Trump's ongoing legal troubles as more and more of his cronies are indicted for colluding with the Russians during the 2016 election. And the shutdown also mutes all talk of impeachment, at least for now.
Notice we haven't said a word since the first paragraph about all those federal employees who suddenly face an uncertain future with the shutdown. Neither did Trump in his speech, though he has said the dispute could be settled in one day or one year. On Wednesday, he stormed out of a meeting with Democrats Pelosi and Senator Chuck Schumer of New York with nothing being settled.
This whole mess can be resolved by agreeing to spend more money on better border security. If President Trump wants a wall so badly, he can go build one to guard Mar-a-Lago. Stop acting like a child and get those people back to work.
But the President doesn't seem to care what you, I or the Democrats (who now control the House of Representatives) want. He told his loyal base back in the 2016 campaign that he wants that wall built and, by God, he's going to get it. Even if it takes a national emergency to pay for it and let the military do the work.
In his oft-ridiculed Oval Office speech Tuesday night, Trump described what's happening these days at the border as a "humanitarian crisis", citing "caravans" of drug smugglers, violent gangs and terrorists coming from all over Central America to do us harm. He didn't mention the tear-gassing of civilians frantically trying to cross the border, nor did he mention all those reports of children locked in cages. If that's not a "humanitarian crisis", what is?
Only a big, huge wall can shield us from those thugs, Trump and other Republicans have been telling us. That sounds reassuring, until you think of the many ways walls can be circumvented. As the bad guys and other desperate people have already figured out, you can get around, fly over or crawl underneath walls. The Great Wall of China, the Maginot Line, the Berlin Wall and other structures designed to keep invaders out and their own citizens in all failed for that reason.
There are other benefits for the President to keep holding his breath until his face turns blue. It's to take media attention away from the incoming Democratic majority in the House, including the return of Nancy Pelosi of California as Speaker, and newcomers such as Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez of New York aka The Dancing Congresswoman. Also, there's Trump's ongoing legal troubles as more and more of his cronies are indicted for colluding with the Russians during the 2016 election. And the shutdown also mutes all talk of impeachment, at least for now.
Notice we haven't said a word since the first paragraph about all those federal employees who suddenly face an uncertain future with the shutdown. Neither did Trump in his speech, though he has said the dispute could be settled in one day or one year. On Wednesday, he stormed out of a meeting with Democrats Pelosi and Senator Chuck Schumer of New York with nothing being settled.
This whole mess can be resolved by agreeing to spend more money on better border security. If President Trump wants a wall so badly, he can go build one to guard Mar-a-Lago. Stop acting like a child and get those people back to work.
Thursday, January 3, 2019
Local Media 2018: Comings and Goings
Mark Rosen is calling it quits after spending nearly half a century in the sports department of WCCO-TV, CBS' Minneapolis-St. Paul station. He's covered nearly every major event that's come through the Twin Cities, interviewing the greats and putting his own spin on things. Rosen's wife's health problems forced him to leave sooner than planned, but he'll still talk sports on KFAN (100.3).
It has now become a trend for TV people like Rosen to find a second career on radio. Angela Davis, longtime weekend and substitute news anchor at KSTP-TV and WCCO, now hosts a daily morning program on Minnesota Public Radio's news network. KARE-TV reporter and anchor Cory Hepola will soon become a morning talk show host at WCCO-AM (830) radio, taking over for John Hines as he recently concluded his long broadcasting career. Hepola's wife Camille had left KARE earlier.
So who's replaced Patrick Reusse, Joe Soucheray and others on KSTP-AM (1500)? A couple of shows from ESPN Radio (Dan LeBatard and Stephen A. Smith), followed by local holdovers Mackey and Judd during afternoon drive. 1500ESPN needs all the help they can get, being a distant second to KFAN in sports talk. Something needs to change.
KQRS (92.5) recently celebrated its 50th year as a rock station. Currently best known as the home of Tom Barnard and a playlist that hasn't changed much since 1975, it might surprise you to learn that KQ had an awkward transition in the late 1960s from playing middle of the road music to progressive rock. If you want examples of this, please go to radiotapes.com or to recordings of DJ Don Duchene's 1960s-era airchecks on YouTube. (Duchene worked at KDWB, KSTP-AM and KQ during that decade)
KMNB (102.9), after much speculation that they would return to the soft adult contemporary sound they had for many years as WLTE, has decided to keep it country. They dropped Buzn @ 102.9, then renamed it 102.9 The Wolf with a broader playlist. Whether that will put a dent in country leader K102's (102.1) ratings any more than Buzn did remains to be seen.
Love 105 has returned after a few years as the new home for light rock, replacing classic hip hop as Vibe 105. The three small signals that make up this station (WGVX/105.1, WLUP/105.3 and WWWM/105.7) have had problems in the past with choosing a format and finding anyone to listen to it. Light rock (also known as soft adult contemporary) has been making a comeback nationwide, but it's hard to see doctors' offices and other waiting rooms giving up streaming services or satellite radio for this.
KLBB (1220) in Stillwater shut down at the end of March after broadcasting for well over 60 years. They filled a void for anybody who still wanted to hear vocalists like Frank Sinatra or Andy Williams, musicians like Henry Mancini or Percy Faith, and hits from The Four Preps and The Carpenters. The owner decided to sell the land where the station's AM towers were located, because it had become too valuable not to be turned into housing developments or condominiums--a situation facing too many radio stations these days. There is talk that KLBB might return as either a downsized radio station or an FM translator, but who really knows?
Gene Okerlund was a popular pro wrestling interviewer who went from "All Star Wrestling" in the Twin Cities to nationwide fame when he joined what is now World Wrestling Entertainment. Okerlund's interviews with the outrageous characters that made up pro wrestling were sometimes more entertaining than the matches themselves. And he seemed to be in on the joke, even if the viewers didn't always catch on. Okerlund died at 76 just as the new year began.
It has now become a trend for TV people like Rosen to find a second career on radio. Angela Davis, longtime weekend and substitute news anchor at KSTP-TV and WCCO, now hosts a daily morning program on Minnesota Public Radio's news network. KARE-TV reporter and anchor Cory Hepola will soon become a morning talk show host at WCCO-AM (830) radio, taking over for John Hines as he recently concluded his long broadcasting career. Hepola's wife Camille had left KARE earlier.
So who's replaced Patrick Reusse, Joe Soucheray and others on KSTP-AM (1500)? A couple of shows from ESPN Radio (Dan LeBatard and Stephen A. Smith), followed by local holdovers Mackey and Judd during afternoon drive. 1500ESPN needs all the help they can get, being a distant second to KFAN in sports talk. Something needs to change.
KQRS (92.5) recently celebrated its 50th year as a rock station. Currently best known as the home of Tom Barnard and a playlist that hasn't changed much since 1975, it might surprise you to learn that KQ had an awkward transition in the late 1960s from playing middle of the road music to progressive rock. If you want examples of this, please go to radiotapes.com or to recordings of DJ Don Duchene's 1960s-era airchecks on YouTube. (Duchene worked at KDWB, KSTP-AM and KQ during that decade)
KMNB (102.9), after much speculation that they would return to the soft adult contemporary sound they had for many years as WLTE, has decided to keep it country. They dropped Buzn @ 102.9, then renamed it 102.9 The Wolf with a broader playlist. Whether that will put a dent in country leader K102's (102.1) ratings any more than Buzn did remains to be seen.
Love 105 has returned after a few years as the new home for light rock, replacing classic hip hop as Vibe 105. The three small signals that make up this station (WGVX/105.1, WLUP/105.3 and WWWM/105.7) have had problems in the past with choosing a format and finding anyone to listen to it. Light rock (also known as soft adult contemporary) has been making a comeback nationwide, but it's hard to see doctors' offices and other waiting rooms giving up streaming services or satellite radio for this.
KLBB (1220) in Stillwater shut down at the end of March after broadcasting for well over 60 years. They filled a void for anybody who still wanted to hear vocalists like Frank Sinatra or Andy Williams, musicians like Henry Mancini or Percy Faith, and hits from The Four Preps and The Carpenters. The owner decided to sell the land where the station's AM towers were located, because it had become too valuable not to be turned into housing developments or condominiums--a situation facing too many radio stations these days. There is talk that KLBB might return as either a downsized radio station or an FM translator, but who really knows?
Gene Okerlund was a popular pro wrestling interviewer who went from "All Star Wrestling" in the Twin Cities to nationwide fame when he joined what is now World Wrestling Entertainment. Okerlund's interviews with the outrageous characters that made up pro wrestling were sometimes more entertaining than the matches themselves. And he seemed to be in on the joke, even if the viewers didn't always catch on. Okerlund died at 76 just as the new year began.
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