The Olympiad

If we can turn away from the 2020 political fervor for a moment, let's remember 2020 is also an Olympic year - this time in Tokyo, Japan. I just read where they want to add break-dancing as a competitive sport. That one has my head spinning!
Last winter they gave us "curling" in prime time - a "sport" where opponents wield brooms. We were also asked to stay awake for the badminton matches, noted for their dexterity and wrist movement. Don't be surprised if someone lobbies for "darts" - that would clear out all the pubs. Somehow, I don't think this is what the Greeks had in mind.
tjs

Gone Tomorrow

Did you ever realize the extent TV networks have to go to "write out" a key member of the story line? When Roseanne Barr had to go, ABC arranged for her character to die from a opioid overdose. CBS had Charlie Sheen's character hit by a train. Ouch! And when Kevin Spacey had to leave House of Cards, his character was killed off by a medication overdose. The writers will consider "Anything from a tragic car accident to 'he took a walk in the woods and no one knows where he is'."
tjs
NYT 2/22/19

Iron Man

Don Newcombe, famous Dodger pitcher died this week at age 92. His career was shortened by Army service and alcoholism. But in Sept. 1950 the Dodgers arrived in Philadelphia for a daytime doubleheader. Newcombe won the first game 2-0 and went into the locker room, changed his sweatshirt and went out and started the second game shortly after. He went another seven innings - a feat that was never repeated in modern times. The Phillies "Whiz Kids" beat Brooklyn for the National League title in a playoff game, but the tired Phillies were no match for the NY Yankees in the World Series. I witnessed game 1 from the outfield seats right over Joe DiMaggio's shoulder.
tjs

The Sound of Silence

V.P. Mike Pence was in Munich last week addressing the European community - he was extolling the achievements of his boss and when he mentioned the name Donald J. Trump he paused  - to allow for applause but there was none.
The silence was deafening. Hoosier Mike, with not a hair out of place, slogged on. Not even Simon & Garfunkel could bail him out. And I recalled my reference to British currency "PENCE SHILLING for Trump's 243 POUNDS.
tjs

Beltway Banter

Sen. Mitch McConnell is not one of my favorites ever since he blocked Obama's Court nomination.
NYT describes him "sentimental as a scythe and not one for small talk."

Washington Post motto  "Democracy Dies in Darkness.!"

Executive Time in the White House will now include virtual golf in a new simulator just installed. Now he has no excuse to fly to Mar A Lago.

Green New Deal - reading the fine points one finds it deals with the issue of cow flatulence by reducing meat consumption.

Recent obit for Congressman Walter B. Jones, Jr. the following all in one line : Out of college, Mr. Jones joined the National Guard and became a wine salesman as well as a Catholic. Wow! And all the while chewing gum. R.I.P.
tjs
NYT 2/16/19

Tally Ho!

Wishing all my readers a Happy Valentine's Day!
Not to spoil all that lovin' but was just reminded that yesterday, February 13th was the thirteenth anniversary of Dick Cheney's fateful hunting trip. He was looking for quail but when he fired his shotgun he hit a hunting partner in several places.
His friend survived but amazingly the victim apologized to the Veep for causing him stress. Isn't that what friends are for? What's a little buckshot compared with WMD? I'm afraid the Cheney name will be with us for a while as his daughter is in Congress. Why oh, why oh, did he ever leave Wyoming.
tjs
NYT 2/13/19

Bearing Down

Dateline: Moscow - Receding Arctic ice is forcing Polar bears off their preferred terrain. As such, 52 bears invaded a little village above the Arctic Circle, scaring the people and daily routines are being disrupted. As they then encountered an "open dump" it appears they will be around for a while. "The bear is a curious animal, and it will smell the human food. This is an anthropogenic problem" so says a leading Russian expert on Polar bears.
tjs
NYT 2/12/19

Candidates

The Democratic roster of Presidential candidates currently numbers nine which may grow to sixteen. Donald Trump may strain his stigmatizing to find that many nicknames. Pocahontas married John Rolfe and changed her name to Rebecca - see what he can do with that one. In my day he could spread awe with "Ya mother wears Army boots.!"
He may need to run a contest or perhaps check with Julio down by the schoolyard.
tjs

God Save the Queen

As a closeted Anglophile I have been following the Brexit negotiations and whether the U.K. will have a soft or hard landing when they break away from the European Union. There have been fearful expectations ranging from product shortages to rioting in the streets. As such there are contingency plans to evacuate the Queen  and senior royals. A pundit remarked "but don't let Philip drive!" But I think we would all prefer to see Elizabeth II cruising on the royal yacht than suffering the fate of those sixteenth century antecedents. When I visited Manchester mid 1960s our agent took me to their Rotary luncheon where they all toasted the Queen before lighting up. Very touching to see how they feel about the Royal Family.
tjs

Looking Ahead

If we look past Groundhog Day, Candlemas Day and the Latin numbered Super Bowl, we find the Chinese New Year on February 5th - the year of the Pig. This animal was designated last in the Zodiac because he came late to the Emperor's party. But wait - he has to share that date with Donald Trump who is addressing the nation that evening. Come to think of it, they do "share" a resemblance.
tjs