You Can Call Him Al

On this Al Franken podcast, his guest is Franklin Foer of The Atlantic. As the show writes, "We're joined by our longtime friend, Franklin Foer. We have a deal in Iran or at least an agreement to have an agreement. Even some Republicans are calling this an unconditional surrender. Al and Frank break down the massive concessions, which include a staggering $300 billion to reconstruct Iran, lifted blockades, and Iranian tolls in the Strait of Hormuz. And what does all of this mean for Trump and Netanyahu's plummeting relationship ahead of the Israeli elections this fall?

"Frank also breaks down the war in Ukraine, the situation in Venezuela, and ongoing tensions with Cuba.

"Plus, we discuss Frank's bestselling book, 'How Soccer Explains the World: An Unlikely Theory of Globalization.' It was recently reissued to coincide with the U.S. hosting the World Cup. Frank explains how his views of world soccer have changed since the original publishing and why globalization never brought us the 'kumbaya political liberalism' we were promised."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKcUPjhHU0k

Having a Voice

We’ll take another slight detour here.  It’s not from an international version of The Voice, but I came across it during one of those searches, and it popped up.  It’s from America’s Got Talent, and is when a young woman with a bad stutter very slowly comes onstage.  What leaps out – and is clear that it leaps out to not just the judges but the auditorium – that it’s not only her singing that stands out, but her musicianship, songwriting and who she is.  Watch, too, the judges’ reactions as she sings, starting with the always-skeptical Simon Cowell who (just before she begins) whispers almost imperceptibly, “I hope she’s good,” and then after only the first line of the performance, as he watches intently, his eyes noticeably widen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9TgB3KIQPM

The Dodgers

In most ways, this is minor and egregiously common, but it's too "perfect" to let slide through the cracks.  So, bear with me.  

Yesterday, the Los Angeles Dodgers had a ceremony at the White House with Trump, honoring their winning the World Series last year.  Team owner Mark Walters presented Trump with gifts, which is traditional.  He also gave Trump a World Series ring -- which is not.

My immediate thought, as Trump marveled at his shiny toy as if he was now a big boy and was a world champeen, was that the blatant cravenness by corporate billionaires towards the infantile, needy Trump is sickening and pathetic, but so common that it would almost be shocking if one didn't suck up to him.

I mean, for god's sake, it's the Dodgers.  They're not going anywhere.  What on earth would the team want from Trump?  Federal Trade Commission approval to move back to Brooklyn?

But that was only my immediate thought.  Because then another thought kicked in, and I checked it out.  And...of course, yes.  Of course.

From USA Today:

"U.S. prosecutors in Manhattan are investigating potential financial improprieties at two insurance companies controlled by Mark Walter and at Guggenheim Partners, where he is chief executive officer, Bloomberg reported Monday afternoon, citing people with knowledge of the matter and regulatory filings. The Securities and Exchange Commission is running a parallel investigation."

Of course!!

A nice, shiny juju.  That should do the trick with Trump.  It does with with everyone else.

And in the bright open air for everyone to see the grift. All that was missing was Trump saying he would have been the greatest baseball player ever, except that he unfortunately had bone spurs that was so bad it kept him out of the draft.

Though not unexpected, it was none the less too perfect. Trying to get out of a criminal indictment.  From from one dodger to another.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcrGttMK1bY