Stake Out

When in Manhattan, Donald Trump often frequents 21 Club where the burgers go for $36. But last year the Dems had a fund raiser in toney Rittenhouse Square where the famed Philly cheese steak goes for $120. (Includes rib eye, foie gras, truffled cheese whiz and 1/2 bottle champagne.) I feel sure the Original Pat in South Philly would be shocked, shocked at such prices while his ala carte menu prices at $14. - but sorry no bubbly. Anyway, the Dems should be well fed and well heeled for the battles ahead.
tjs

Cock a doodle

Someone once told me that a rooster crows because he thinks he caused the dawn. Now in rural France a rooster named Maurice was sued by a couple on vacation because he was causing too much noise. But the judge ruled that the rooster had a right to crow in his rural habitat. The court awarded Maurice 1000 euros in damages - more than enough for a luxury redo of his simple green chicken coop. And so "fowl" play was avoided.
Let the cock crow!
tjs

Animal House

The NYTimes writes about the following:
- In Kazakhstan they are cross breeding two hump camels with one hump dromedaries to produce a stronger pack animal and still retain the milking capability.
- In Iraq ISIS harnessed two cows with explosive vests to roam thru the village with vests to be detonated remotely. They have been called "Bovine suicide bombers." It seems they are running out of human volunteers. Cows are worth $1200 each over there.
-And in China, a young man had his dead cat exhumed and cloned and he is happy again.
-Boy, I hope nobody messes with the current Bull market that's keeping my IRA afloat.
tjs

Mea Culpa II

While we were absorbing news of DORIAN'S "GRAY" outlook, the following came in datelined Rome, Italy: The Pope was stuck in an elevator for thirty minutes which made him late for his Angelus audience. Apparently Ex Cathedra covers chairs and thrones but not mechanical contraptions. The Vatican mechanics were perplexed as the lift performed well on Ascension Thursday. Well, Your Holiness, we all have our ups and downs.
tjs

Speech patterns

                                                                                                

Why do I keep hearing the preamble phrase "At the end of the day" comma......the end of the day should bring a sunset. Why do some people begin an answer with "So,"...So what? My parish priest giving a sermon would unfailingly inject the phrase "And as a consequence therefore....." My Latin teacher would always end the lesson with "And thereby hangs a tale...(sic)" Years ago, seeking brevity, Western Union offered a set rate for ten words or less. Many folks then either walked to work or took the trolley car. But after a heavy snow storm not many made muster except a fellow seeking approval from his manager. He then sent the following wire via Western Union "In though sick, few others here"...can't get much briefer than that.
tjs

Quotes of the Day

-"The truth is, the president is the secular pope - and he needs to be a moral leader..." - Frank Keating, former Governor of Oklahoma.

The late Cliff Branch of the Oakland Raiders "was so skinny, his back pockets would fight when he walked"..so said John Madden, his head coach.
tjs (NYT  8/6/19)

Holy Toledo

Our Commander in Chief seems to confuse Dayton, Ohio with Toledo - a port city on Lake Erie and 150 miles to the north. This is sloppy speech writing and our leader didn't even realize it. Send him an Atlas! Every third grader knows that Dayton was the home of the Wright Brothers. This is not a political comment - just a critique of the "talent" surrounding him  - there is no one to speak truth to power and that's a shame!
tjs