January 9, 2025

Who is Mike Knuble, Alex

This man is the only petson to play on an NHL team with both Wayne Gretzky and Alexi Ovechkin.
sources: espn and wabc6

November 23, 2024

King. Queen. Jack..?

https://nowiknow.com/kings-and-queens-are-royals-but-whats-a-jack/#google_vignette

snip

To start, original decks were even less egalitarian than today’s. As seen below (via here), all three face cards depicted men (and, as an aside, there was no separate Ten card). In English, those three ranks were referred to as the King, Knight (on horseback), and Knave (sword, tights, and funny hat). The King was royalty, but the others were support — men in service of the king.

When playing cards spread to France, the French swapped the Knight out for the Queens we have today, for reasons unknown, and the Queen became the preferred representation of the penultimate rank throughout the world shortly thereafter. The Knave, however, remained the same, ranking just below the Knight-turned-Queen.

“Knave” remained the name of choice for about two centuries — at least if you were an upper-crust type. In the English language generally, as Etymology Online notes, “Jack became a generic name applied familiarly or contemptuously to anybody (especially a young man of the lower classes) from late 14th century.” As a knave is “a tricky deceitful fellow” per Merriam-Webster, the two are somewhat interchangeable. It wasn’t the type of language proper peopled used, though, and the card-playing elite were typically proper people. So while some commoners and laborers used the term “Jack” instead of “Knave” while playing cards, it was rare otherwise — and often seen as uncultured if not uncouth. For example, in the 1861 Charles Dickens novel “Great Expectations,” the narrator-protagonist, Pip, is playing cards with his love interest, Estelle. When Pip uses the term “Jack” instead of “Knave,” Estelle uses it as a basis to judge Pip’s worth:

snip

But around the time Great Expectations coincidentally came out, card designs shifted. In order to allow players to fan out their cards, as seen in the image at the top (and you can make the fan much tighter), card makers began printing the cards’ ranks in the corners. The Knave was labeled “Kn,” with the “n” added to distinguish it from “K”-labeled Kings. Card manufacturers looked for a solution, and Jack — despite the low-class connotation it came with — won out. Being proper, it seems, was less important than having an unmistakable “J” in the corner of one’s cards.

November 14, 2024

After this election, my suggestion for change

Any Democratic state with an independent commission that draws house districts hold a proposition to change the law, so that, like with the 50% vote winner in presidential elections, that states like California will use independent commissions only when (insert number/percentage) of states have also done so.
Texas, Ohio, North Carolina, Florida, among other larger Republican led states don't do independent commissions.
Why should California, Colorado, or New York have constraints on their ability to do the same?

November 6, 2024

In the future when someone comes up to you and complains about the direction of the US

Ask them who they voted for

If they say Trump, refuse to say (because we all know what their answer would be). or say the didn't vote...
Walk away.
Tell them they're the problem and that it's their fault

Give them not a second more of your time

November 5, 2024

My 5 Unsung (or mostly unsung) Heroes of the 2024 Election, some of Tip O' Hats

This is my list of five people who have largely (I think) fallen under the radar, but have done much to assist in this election

1. Cenk Uygur of the Young Turks. Yes, there is a lot to dislike about him. But, there's a lot to dislike about Marc Cuban too.
Cenk will debate/argue with anyone: co-hosts, relatives, other youtubers, podcasters, etc.
He has gone on several right leaning/rightwing shows and blasted Trump. He has shown amazing discipline, sticking to the message that "Trump is a Fascist". When challenged, he brings up a litany of examples of Trump being the fascist.
He destroyed that asshat Pierce Morgan, and some of the GB crowd, as well as rightwing content creators on their shows (see Tim Pool). He has shown impressive discipline on these shows, by not allowing whataboutism to derail his point, "Trump is a Fascist."

Tip O' Hat to Hasan Abi who when Ana Kasparian quipped in defense of Trump not being a fascist, "Did he succeed?"
Abi: Uh, yeah officer. I know I came into the bank, pulled out a gun and told the teller to put the money in the bag. But on my way out I slipped and fell. I dropped the money and ran out without it. So it's not bank robbery because I didn't succeed

2. Arthur Blank, Owner Atlanta Falcons.
According to the Palm Beach Post, Arthur Blank has given 3 million+ dollars, and all to Democrats. He is an all-in supporter of Kamala Harris, and the Democrats running for various office's. He is the largest donor among NFL donors to Democrats.
Blank has not only given money, but at business groups, and round tables he attends, he talks up V.P. Harris. He has even made a video to show at various business functions in support of Harris.

Tip O' Hat: Carrie Walton Penner, Denver Broncos. The daughter of odious Rob Walton has given over 1 million dollars to Democrats. Other Dem donors among NFL Owners include Arthur J Rooney III (Steelers), Zygi Wilf (Vikings), Shield Ford Hamp (Lions), and the owners of the Forty Niners have given in differing amounts

3. Mean Joe Greene and Jerome Bettis.
Former Steelers greats have been vocal supporters of Harris. They are part of the Athletes for Harris. And, they have been active in encouraging Black men to vote Harris. They also made a video for her birthday.
It certainly can't hurt having two Steelers greats in support, while two former Steelers who went out in embarrassing fashion supporting Trump

4. Laura Ricketts, part owner Chicago Cubs.
Like Carrie Walton Penner, she comes from an odious family -- the Ricketts. Her brother is a U.S. Senator from Nebraska. Her father started Ameritrade.
Over the past decade-and-a-half she has donated to various Democratic campaigns, mostly in the Great Lakes regions. She has given to Obama, Clinton, Biden, and Harris. She has given to Duckworth's campaigns, Tammy Baldwin, Tony Evers, and Jan Schakowski, as well as Maggie Hassan in NH.
Her activities are well-known among the politically active in Illinois. But, a surprising few know of how much she does for Democrats, even those living in Illinois.

5. Roland Martin
(This was tough, because there were a few I could think of for the final spot)
The Roland Martin Unfiltered Show has 1.2 million subscribers on youtube. The show covers a wide variety of topics from the perspective of the African-American Community. He has a variety of guests on his show -- including Black Conservatives. There is often vibrant political debate.
Martin suffers fools not at all, getting quite animated when talking with, or about, people who say insufferable things. At one time, a fairly close friend of Dr Cornell West, I'm not sure they're that close now, as Martin is a critic of West
He was a member of the unofficial 'Ridin' With Biden' crowd. When people started talking about replacing Biden last spring, he was a vocal opponent of replacing the President. Even after the debate he was both an opponent, but also a supporter of Harris if the event occurred.
A critic of Bill Maher's support for some kind of mini-convention, and Maher's dismissal of Harris. He reminded everyone who viewed his show that Harris is "A smart, successful, talented Black Woman." and "She's the Vice President. She should be in every conversation."
After Maher accused Gov Newsom of avoiding his show because of the tough questions Maher claimed Newsom was not willing to be asked, Martin offered to come on Maher's show to see who would ask the tougher questions. He has yet to be invited. I think it's because Maher knows Martin would be very aggressive, and Bill just isn't as smart, or clever as he pretends to be.

Tip Of The Hat:
Karen Hunter, the Karen Hunter Show. I watch her stuff on youtube. She has 203, 000+ subscribers, and she's an active poster. Like Roland Martin, her show is done from the perspective of the African-American Community. She is more low key in demeanor. She is a huge supporter of Harris.
Her targets of criticism are Jill Stein, Candace Owens, and Van Jones. She also criticized Stephen A Smith when Smith criticized Obama's comments about Black men not supporting Black Women. Smith contends that Black Men have been the most vigorous supporters of Black Women. Hunter's response was, "Did he (Smith) ask Black Women before he said that?"
Karen Hunter has had some interesting conversations. As I said, she is much more low-key. She interviewed a caller, a young man who had voted for Trump". She wanted to know why he (a young Black man) would vote for Trump. The man basically said it was because, Trump is a man there was less chance of a war.
She did a good job of not telling him "You're a fool!" (which Martin would have done) She patiently tried talking with this guy, but it was obvious... he's an idiot. I feel badly for his Harris-Voting Mother.
She is good at framing topics, and combines a good pairing of facts and emotion to her conversations.
She talks a lot about the positives of Harris, which is nice. It isn't another, "Trump sucks! Vote Harris!" She has a lot of "Harris believes this," and "Harris says that" to give people reasons to vote FOR Harris, rather than against Trump.
She made a really good observation, "Have you noticed that when men talk with Harris, they walk away supporters of her?"

Second Tip of the Hat
Kyle Kulinski. Secular Talk.
Kulinski is the from the reality based wing of the left that is critical of Democrats. He's not a huge supporter of Harris, but he offers no quarter to her critics who say they may sit the election out, or vote third party. He makes it very clear the winner will be either Harris or Trump. There is no third option.
His targets for criticism are Jill Stein and the Green Party, "They do nothing until presidential election and then run someone. They aren't interested in building anything." The anti-Hillary crowd that claim to be leftists "Wanna criticize Harris fine. But why aren't you criticizing Trump?" Jimmy Dore, Dave Rubin, and the rest of the "I left the left" crowd. Tulsi Gabbard. And most recently, Joe Rogan.
He has 1.36 million subscribers, and get 5-6 figure views. His viewers tend to lean, left-to-very left, and tend to be policy driven. They also lean towards distrusting politicians.
He has been highly critical of Trump. He keeps most of his critiques about Trump because that's what will appeal to his audience. Talking up a politician doesn't have the effect, that just slaying Trump does. Though he has been quite supportive of Harris' economic policies. And he is a Walz supporter

A Few FU's (These are for those less well-known ass circus')

The Krafts (Patriots), and the worst owner in the NFL Tepper (Carolina), have given exclusively to Republikkans. (I would have included the Ravens Bischotti. But he's only donated 5k, and I think it's probably to Hogan's senate run)

Antonio Brown and LeVeon Bell. At the end of your careers you sucked, and you still suck.

Ana Kasparian and her 'I Left the Left', 'Donald Trump isn't a fascist', 'I don't think he wants to be a dictator', and 'I think Matt Walsh is a good person'

Cornell West for his insistence that poll workers in PA should be required to tell voters they can write in his name

Angela Price. Wife of Canadiens goaltender Carey Price. I included her because:
1. She was a huge supporter of Kennedy Jr; 2. She's an anti-vaxxer; 3. She voted for Trump; 4. She says V.P. Harris is not an intelligent person. (Her quote "I envision our first female president as a powerful, intelligent, and capable individual who will make a lasting impact. Unfortunately, I do not believe that Kamala embodies these qualities."
As others have said to her, "Go to Hell!"

October 31, 2024

Good Analysis on Harris Not Doing an Interview with Rogan (IMO)

I was watching Secular Talk and Kyle Kulinski was going over the article in Mediaite on why talks between VP Harris and Joe Rogan broke down

According to Rogan, she wanted him to come to her and VP Harris would do an hour discussion. Rogan insisted on it being in his studio, in Austin, and it being 3-hours.
Still possibility, but unlikely.

Kulinski knows Rogan pretty well, and until recently, had been an apologist at times for Rogan.
His take is, the interview is a bad idea

1. Rogan's audience for the most part, either do not vote, or are Trump supporters. He said he saw an article where the number is +37 for Trump among his audience. His audience really is ungettable.
2. Rogan doesn't really like Harris
3. Rogan's interview with Trump was (in Kulinski's words) a "Patty-cake Softball Interview". So, Rogan would have to do the same with Harris; which means we'd learn really nothing of substance from two people who want to be the leader of the most powerful country on the planet. -- So it's a waste of her time.
4. If he does decide to look tough, then he looks like a shill -- which he tries to avoid. (IMO Rogan is bad at it). And, also IMO, she'd likely call him out on it.
5. Corporate-Independent Media (Kulinski's term for podcast's like Rogan) are not a place she will find new voters. He feels her interview with Fox and such is a better use of time, since she looked really good in her interview with Baier, and a higher chance of getting undecideds.
6. This close to the election doesn't make sense

So, there really is no reason for her to appear on his show. Trump's interview didn't move the needle because it's mostly hardcore Trump Republicans, and/or people who don't vote.
I would also add she is better off doing what she has been doing: the Breakfast Club, Club Shay Shay, and Unlocking Us, where there are people who are undecided between voting for her or not voting (or voting 3rd party) -- places where she definitely has the chance to pick up those skeptical voters.

If you wish to watch the video, I have provided a link.

October 13, 2024

JAILED for Walking While Black JUDGE dismisses case!

Say what you want about his fashion, in this instance he's a really good judge
Need more like him

September 13, 2024

Election Trivia to Think About

Today marks the first day that we are further from Biden dropping out (54 days) than election day (53 days).
You thought July and August went fast...

September 11, 2024

Mike Beauvais wins the Twitter

https://x.com/MikeBeauvais/status/1833688287124550132/photo/1

September 11, 2024

Someone here in Japan asked me if I was going to watch the debate

Work in Japan and someone asked me if I was going to watch the 'debate'
I said, No."
He asked if I already decided who I was going to vote for
I said "Harris"
He asked if I would ever consider voting for Trump
I said, "I wouldn't vote for that @*!%$ if he said he was going to give me 25 mil for doing so."
He said, "Really?"
I said yes because, "First, I know he'd be lying because that's all he does. I'm not going to spend two hours of my life listening to him lie. I can watch better liars. And, he's just useless as a human being. I hope after he loses in November that he suffers an aneurysm and then dies."