2015 was historic for Wal-Mart - not in the best way.
For the first time ever – or at least since the company went public some 45 years ago – Walmart's revenues shrank from the year before, according to its annual financial filing released Wednesday.
Walmart is clearly having trouble adapting its gigantic stores to the Internet age. To be sure, it is a retail juggernaut that brings in half a trillion dollars (that’s right, trillion) in sales every year. And with more than 11,500 stores in 28 countries,there’s no way it will disappear anytime soon.We'll see how Wal-Mart handles 2016.
Thursday, March 31, 2016
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
The great bathroom war
So the world hates North Carolina for saying - boy is boy and girl is girl.
Bathrooms based on plumbing - what a concept.
Good to see the North Carolina governor fight back against New York.
"Syracuse is playing in the Final Four in Houston where voters overwhelmingly rejected a nearly identical bathroom ordinance that was also rejected by the state of North Carolina,” said Governor McCrory Communications Director Josh Ellis. “Is Governor Cuomo going to ask the Syracuse team to boycott the game in Houston? It’s total hypocrisy and demagoguery if the governor does not, considering he also visited Cuba, a communist country with a deplorable record of human rights violations.”
Bathrooms based on plumbing - what a concept.
Good to see the North Carolina governor fight back against New York.
"Syracuse is playing in the Final Four in Houston where voters overwhelmingly rejected a nearly identical bathroom ordinance that was also rejected by the state of North Carolina,” said Governor McCrory Communications Director Josh Ellis. “Is Governor Cuomo going to ask the Syracuse team to boycott the game in Houston? It’s total hypocrisy and demagoguery if the governor does not, considering he also visited Cuba, a communist country with a deplorable record of human rights violations.”
Not his fault
Via Instapundit, the latest list of excuses for the lagging economy under Obama.
The real reason?
Show me the debt.
The stimulus was also used as a means of permanently ramping up government spending to unsustainable yet still, with divided government, untouchable levels. The national debt has grown from $10.6 trillion to $19.2 trillion in just seven years. The federal government, incurred $5 trillion in budget deficits during Obama's first term. The business press acts as if we're supposed to be relieved that those deficits have "only" totaled $900 billion during the past two fiscal years. They're heading back up. How can an economy not be negatively impacted by such profligacy?
The real reason?
Show me the debt.
The stimulus was also used as a means of permanently ramping up government spending to unsustainable yet still, with divided government, untouchable levels. The national debt has grown from $10.6 trillion to $19.2 trillion in just seven years. The federal government, incurred $5 trillion in budget deficits during Obama's first term. The business press acts as if we're supposed to be relieved that those deficits have "only" totaled $900 billion during the past two fiscal years. They're heading back up. How can an economy not be negatively impacted by such profligacy?
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
Money for nothing
Megan McArdle notes the problem with the government providing guaranteed income for people - people don't do well.
I’ve sat on a lot of panels on this topic, and inevitably someone waxes lyrical about the creative possibilities that will be unleashed by a universal basic income, the opportunities for art, community service, political activism, cultivation of family and friends. This is, needless to say, completely divorced from the actual experience of communities with high rates of long-term dependence, whether they are American communities where Social Security disability has become a substitute for long-gone industrial work, or European countries with a long-term dole.
Being out of work makes people unhappy and depressed, even when they have an income stream to take care of their basic needs. What those unhappy depressed people mostly increase when they are out of work is their sleeping and television-watching; during the great recession, volunteering, education and exercise basically didn’t budge.
I’ve sat on a lot of panels on this topic, and inevitably someone waxes lyrical about the creative possibilities that will be unleashed by a universal basic income, the opportunities for art, community service, political activism, cultivation of family and friends. This is, needless to say, completely divorced from the actual experience of communities with high rates of long-term dependence, whether they are American communities where Social Security disability has become a substitute for long-gone industrial work, or European countries with a long-term dole.
Being out of work makes people unhappy and depressed, even when they have an income stream to take care of their basic needs. What those unhappy depressed people mostly increase when they are out of work is their sleeping and television-watching; during the great recession, volunteering, education and exercise basically didn’t budge.
Connecting the dots
Michael Barone looks at the primary election results so far in search of a common thread for Trump victories - and defeats.
Putnam reports that social connectedness is highest in states with large Scandinavian- and German-American populations and in Utah. It's lowest in -- no surprise -- Nevada, one of Trump's best states.
In the 13 states highest in social connectedness, Trump has gotten just 21 to 35 percent in primaries and caucuses. In the 11 states lowest in social connectedness (except for Cruz's Texas), his percentages ranged from 33 to 47 percent.
A few more months of connecting the dots to get a Republican nominee.
Putnam reports that social connectedness is highest in states with large Scandinavian- and German-American populations and in Utah. It's lowest in -- no surprise -- Nevada, one of Trump's best states.
In the 13 states highest in social connectedness, Trump has gotten just 21 to 35 percent in primaries and caucuses. In the 11 states lowest in social connectedness (except for Cruz's Texas), his percentages ranged from 33 to 47 percent.
A few more months of connecting the dots to get a Republican nominee.
Monday, March 28, 2016
How are you handling the loss?
Virginia basketball suffered a stunning loss Sunday, ending a long-hoped run for the Final Four.
A place where Virginia hasn't been since 1984.
When I was still in college.
It was tough to watch the final minutes.
So much hope dashed.
The confidence of the early double-digit lead crumbled.
I didn't go to the chatboards of a website to vent my frustration.
But I woke up twice in the night - thinking I was back in the newspaper world and had to put together the sports section about the loss.
In just a few hours.
And my last year in full-time in the newspaper business was 1995 - the last time Virginia reached the Elite Eight.
Maybe sometime soon, Virginia may make the Final Four.
Maybe I need to take some college courses again to help out.
A place where Virginia hasn't been since 1984.
When I was still in college.
It was tough to watch the final minutes.
So much hope dashed.
The confidence of the early double-digit lead crumbled.
I didn't go to the chatboards of a website to vent my frustration.
But I woke up twice in the night - thinking I was back in the newspaper world and had to put together the sports section about the loss.
In just a few hours.
And my last year in full-time in the newspaper business was 1995 - the last time Virginia reached the Elite Eight.
Maybe sometime soon, Virginia may make the Final Four.
Maybe I need to take some college courses again to help out.
Sunday, March 27, 2016
Love Bernie, settle for Hillary
Bernie Sanders rolled in three caucus states Saturday.
But Democrats think these voters will be happy to vote for Hillary in November.
They just don't like her enough now.
Guess the Democratic establishment thinks Sanders' voters will be settlers - settling for Hillary.
But Democrats think these voters will be happy to vote for Hillary in November.
They just don't like her enough now.
Guess the Democratic establishment thinks Sanders' voters will be settlers - settling for Hillary.
Saturday, March 26, 2016
Obama goes down
For the seventh straight year, President Obama's pick to win the NCAA men's basketball tournament won't.
Guess he shouldn't have asked the Castro brothers their opinions on the field.
Guess he shouldn't have asked the Castro brothers their opinions on the field.
Trump blessed by great enemies
Amazing what a little chalk at Emory University can do.
How offended were the students about "Trump 2016?"
Offended enough.
For starters, leftist activists are far more likely than anyone else to use sidewalk chalk and should be pushing to dispense with existing, rarely enforced campus regulations. The medium is unusually suited to the powerless, too: It is cheap, easy to use, and very hard to suppress. Yet they’re signing on to surveillance and punishment for chalk-wielding activism, as if it hasn’t even occurred to them that their allies stand to lose the most from future crackdowns, whereas Donald Trump 2016 could foreswear sidewalk chalk forever without suffering from it at all.
How offended were the students about "Trump 2016?"
Offended enough.
For starters, leftist activists are far more likely than anyone else to use sidewalk chalk and should be pushing to dispense with existing, rarely enforced campus regulations. The medium is unusually suited to the powerless, too: It is cheap, easy to use, and very hard to suppress. Yet they’re signing on to surveillance and punishment for chalk-wielding activism, as if it hasn’t even occurred to them that their allies stand to lose the most from future crackdowns, whereas Donald Trump 2016 could foreswear sidewalk chalk forever without suffering from it at all.
Facebook quote of the week
Thank you everyone for all the kind birthday wishes!!!
Either too many to thank individually....or I really don't want to sit my frozen mudslide down so I can type with two hands....you decide...
Either too many to thank individually....or I really don't want to sit my frozen mudslide down so I can type with two hands....you decide...
Friday, March 25, 2016
Weekend watchdog
It was an upsetting first round.
So two double-digit seeds advanced to the Sweet 16, and one is assured of making the Elite Eight this weekend.
Syracuse and Gonzaga used the upset route to advance, and meet Friday at 9:40 p.m. on CBS. The winner gets either Virginia or Iowa State, who battle at 7:10 p.m.
The East Region goes on TBS Friday, with Notre Dame playing Wisconsin at 7:27 p.m. and North Carolina and Indiana at 9:57 p.m.
CBS brings the West regional final between Oregon and Oklahoma at 6 p.m., and overall top seed Kansas goes against Villanova in the South regional finals at 8:30 p.m.
TBS has the East and Midwest games Sunday at 6 and 8:30 p.m.
The NCAA Division II championship game will be on CBS Saturday at 3 p.m.
The women's tournament enters its Sweet Sixteen Friday. ESPN has South Carolina against Syracuse at 7 p.m. followed by Notre Dame-Stanford. ESPN2 has a pair of matchups between third and seven seeds, with Kentucky facing Washington at 7 p.m. and Tennessee taking on Ohio State at 9:30 p.m.
ESPN has four regional semifinals Saturday, starting with Connecticut clashing with Mississippi State at 11 a.m. It's Texas-UCLA in the other part of that bracket, then Baylor battles Florida State at 4 p.m. followed by DePaul against Oregon State.
There are regional finals Sunday at 1 and 3:30 p.m. on ESPN.
Comcast has the Wizards' contest with the Lakers Sunday at 9:30 p.m.
As Spring Training winds down, MASN shows the Orioles against the Yankees Friday at 1 p.m. and the Nationals' contest with the Braves Sunday at 1 p.m.
ESPN offers the Cardinals taking on the Mets Friday at 1 p.m.
On the college diamond, it's TCU taking on Texas Saturday at 3:30 p.m. on FoxSports1.
Baylor battles Texas in college softball Friday at 7:30 p.m. on MASN2. ESPN2 has a pair of contests Saturday, as LSU faces Florida at noon and it's Texas-Baylor at 9 p.m.
The PGA tour has Match Play championship from Texas this weekend, with coverage on NBC Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m.
ESPN brings the NCAA ice hockey championship Saturday at 6 p.m.
The Capitals face the Devils on Comcast Friday at 7 p.m. and host the Blues Saturday at 8 p.m.
The Penguins take on the Rangers Sunday at 7:30 p.m. on NBC Sports network.
Army clashes with Colgate in men's lacrosse on Comcast Saturday at 1 p.m. while Georgetown meets Marquette on FoxSports1 Saturday at 1 p.m.
ESPN2 has an international friendly between Germany and England Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 24, 2016
View from your office
Dilbert's Scott Adams gives you something scary to think about with national security.
As far as I can tell, homeland security seems effective under President Obama, at least in terms of preventing Belgium-sized attacks. But we have a growing risk from terrorists disguised as immigrants from the middle east. There’s no way to assess that risk because we don’t know how well the vetting process in this country works. But if we assume the people doing the vetting are no more competent than your coworkers, reach your own conclusions about that risk.
We're doomed.
As far as I can tell, homeland security seems effective under President Obama, at least in terms of preventing Belgium-sized attacks. But we have a growing risk from terrorists disguised as immigrants from the middle east. There’s no way to assess that risk because we don’t know how well the vetting process in this country works. But if we assume the people doing the vetting are no more competent than your coworkers, reach your own conclusions about that risk.
We're doomed.
They've got the whole world in their hands
Roger L. Simon wonders what will happen if Hillary is elected - with the top secret emails on her server hanging over her head.
Imagine it's January 2017 and Hillary Clinton is being inaugurated as president with something close to half the public believing she should have been indicted. Imagine her first year in the White House with evidence of her culpability dribbling out from FBI agents and others. Some even start to go public with solid evidence. A bill of impeachment could come as early as the first one hundred days. Nothing like that has ever happened in the history of our nation. Short of nuclear war, it would be preoccupying our media every night. What would be the result? Wide-scale civil disobedience? A taxpayer rebellion? Worse?
The FBI director and Attorney General have the future in their hands.
Imagine it's January 2017 and Hillary Clinton is being inaugurated as president with something close to half the public believing she should have been indicted. Imagine her first year in the White House with evidence of her culpability dribbling out from FBI agents and others. Some even start to go public with solid evidence. A bill of impeachment could come as early as the first one hundred days. Nothing like that has ever happened in the history of our nation. Short of nuclear war, it would be preoccupying our media every night. What would be the result? Wide-scale civil disobedience? A taxpayer rebellion? Worse?
The FBI director and Attorney General have the future in their hands.
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
There's a stranger in my house
The attacks in Belgium brings into focus the problem - Muslims living in their own areas of European countries when the host country's laws rarely apply.
More than 20 years ago, Count Alexandre de Marenches, longtime head ofFrench intelligence , told me that the greatest threat to his nation’s security was “an entire nation living within our country whose language we do not speak, whose customs and religion, whose hopes and fears we do not understand.” He was referring, even then, to the Islamic communities that have only multiplied in recent years and promise to multiply even further with the arrival of thousands of new refugees from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Time to pay attention to this development.
More than 20 years ago, Count Alexandre de Marenches, longtime head of
Time to pay attention to this development.
Another World War hits Belgium
If you remember your history, Belgium suffered in both World War I and II by being neighbors to France and Germany.
Another World War hit Belgian territory on Tuesday - and it didn't involve crossing borders.
Another World War hit Belgian territory on Tuesday - and it didn't involve crossing borders.
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
His family is not impressed
ESPN's Dan Le Batard expresses vividly the pain of his family members - Cuban exiles who escaped the early Castro regime - dealing with President Obama's publicity trip to the island.
I'm not too emotional, but I cry just about every time I write about Cuba. My pain is very much borrowed. My grandparents and parents endured it so that my brother and I never would. It stings just the same. The fear and desperation of my grandparents combine with the suffering and sacrifices of my parents to produce an odd combination of sorrow and guilt and gratitude that won't stay down.
His mother's life as a teenager tells the chilling tale.
She had her phones tapped back home. She endured neighborhood spies coming into her home whenever they pleased. She attended services for students and intellectuals killed for fighting for elections and a constitution. For attending those services, she was chased through the streets by police dragging chains. Her brother was a political prisoner. Whenever she visited him, she wondered if the fresh blood on the firing-squad walls might be his. He spent almost 10 years in that prison for his politics. Why the hell would she trust any of that today?.
I'm not too emotional, but I cry just about every time I write about Cuba. My pain is very much borrowed. My grandparents and parents endured it so that my brother and I never would. It stings just the same. The fear and desperation of my grandparents combine with the suffering and sacrifices of my parents to produce an odd combination of sorrow and guilt and gratitude that won't stay down.
His mother's life as a teenager tells the chilling tale.
She had her phones tapped back home. She endured neighborhood spies coming into her home whenever they pleased. She attended services for students and intellectuals killed for fighting for elections and a constitution. For attending those services, she was chased through the streets by police dragging chains. Her brother was a political prisoner. Whenever she visited him, she wondered if the fresh blood on the firing-squad walls might be his. He spent almost 10 years in that prison for his politics. Why the hell would she trust any of that today?.
Reality has fallen
Early in March, London has Fallen hit the theaters.
A Secret Service agent saves the president while terrorists attack London.
Critics hated it.
Guess some documentaries are too realistic for them.
A Secret Service agent saves the president while terrorists attack London.
Critics hated it.
Guess some documentaries are too realistic for them.
Obama's chaos
We wake up tonight with news of explosions in Belgium.
Instapundit reminds us of the chaos left behind by President Obama's foreign policy team.
Yes, I keep repeating this stuff. Because it bears repeating. In Iraq, Obama took a war that we had won at a considerable expense in lives and treasure, and threw it away for the callowest of political reasons. In Syria and Libya, he involved us in wars of choice without Congressional authorization, and proceeded to hand victories to the Islamists. Obama’s policy here has been a debacle of the first order, and the press wants to talk about Bush as a way of protecting him. Whenever you see anyone in the media bringing up 2003, you will know that they are serving as palace guard, not as press.
Instapundit reminds us of the chaos left behind by President Obama's foreign policy team.
Yes, I keep repeating this stuff. Because it bears repeating. In Iraq, Obama took a war that we had won at a considerable expense in lives and treasure, and threw it away for the callowest of political reasons. In Syria and Libya, he involved us in wars of choice without Congressional authorization, and proceeded to hand victories to the Islamists. Obama’s policy here has been a debacle of the first order, and the press wants to talk about Bush as a way of protecting him. Whenever you see anyone in the media bringing up 2003, you will know that they are serving as palace guard, not as press.
Monday, March 21, 2016
Grocery games
It's nice being in Fishersville.
Wal-Mart is five miles to the east and five miles to the west.
Martins is five miles to the east and five miles to the west.
For now, at least.
Martins and Food Lion will soon be part of the same grocery family.
The Staunton Martins may not stay in the family.
Who will take the nice space just off the interstate, and near lots of other stores?
Wal-Mart is five miles to the east and five miles to the west.
Martins is five miles to the east and five miles to the west.
For now, at least.
Martins and Food Lion will soon be part of the same grocery family.
The Staunton Martins may not stay in the family.
Who will take the nice space just off the interstate, and near lots of other stores?
Not if an indictment, but when
Powerline looks at the FBI's investigation of Hillary Clinton's emails - can anything be done before Election Day?
Items 1 and 2 militate strongly in favor of a quick resolution of the question whether Clinton violated the Espionage Act. Items 3-5 suggest that a quick resolution is possible. But Item 6 indicates that a complete investigation of the kind the FBI is trained to conduct may be impossible to complete prior to Clinton’s nomination and possibly even before her election (assuming she wins).
The potential problem exists even in the absence of bad faith or foot dragging by bureaucrats eager to help Clinton run out the clock. The FBI prides itself in conducting thorough investigations. It doesn’t want to be less than exhaustive when conducting a high profile investigation of a presidential contender. Thus, it naturally will be disinclined to rush. Its inclination will be to conduct a gold-plated investigation — to dot every “i” and cross every “t.”
Items 1 and 2 militate strongly in favor of a quick resolution of the question whether Clinton violated the Espionage Act. Items 3-5 suggest that a quick resolution is possible. But Item 6 indicates that a complete investigation of the kind the FBI is trained to conduct may be impossible to complete prior to Clinton’s nomination and possibly even before her election (assuming she wins).
The potential problem exists even in the absence of bad faith or foot dragging by bureaucrats eager to help Clinton run out the clock. The FBI prides itself in conducting thorough investigations. It doesn’t want to be less than exhaustive when conducting a high profile investigation of a presidential contender. Thus, it naturally will be disinclined to rush. Its inclination will be to conduct a gold-plated investigation — to dot every “i” and cross every “t.”
Time for peace talks
Can Donald Trump and establishment Republicans get along?
Will their mutual goal of beating Hillary Clinton bring them together?
Time to find out.
#NeverTrump is never going to work.
Will their mutual goal of beating Hillary Clinton bring them together?
Time to find out.
#NeverTrump is never going to work.
Sunday, March 20, 2016
Yesterdayland
The New York Times unveils the theme park President Obama is visiting - Cuba and its cars from the 50s still ruling the roads.
Tourism is inescapable in today’s Cuba. Selfies on the Malecon. Shots of classic cars. Che T-shirts. For Cubans, this is for now the highest rung in the emerging economic order, one of the few ways to break free of monthly salaries that could scarcely pay for an hour of parking in Miami. Cubans scrape together what they can to offer services outside their areas of specialization. Here, doctors drive cabs, engineers hawk tamales and working farmers hustle to sell a horse ride to travelers.
Tourism is inescapable in today’s Cuba. Selfies on the Malecon. Shots of classic cars. Che T-shirts. For Cubans, this is for now the highest rung in the emerging economic order, one of the few ways to break free of monthly salaries that could scarcely pay for an hour of parking in Miami. Cubans scrape together what they can to offer services outside their areas of specialization. Here, doctors drive cabs, engineers hawk tamales and working farmers hustle to sell a horse ride to travelers.
Viva Trump's revolution
A Trump doubter turned supporter gives his reasons.
I grew up in central Pennsylvania, surrounded by the kind of people supporting Trump, and I sympathize with their worsening plight.
For generations, they went all in for the American dream. Their families fought the wars, worked in the factories, taught school, coached Little League and built a middle-class culture. Now they are abandoned and know it.
Nobody speaks for them. The left speaks for the unions, the poor and the nonwhite, even shedding tears for illegal immigrants and rioters and looters. The GOP speaks for the Chamber of Commerce, big business and Wall Street.
I grew up in central Pennsylvania, surrounded by the kind of people supporting Trump, and I sympathize with their worsening plight.
For generations, they went all in for the American dream. Their families fought the wars, worked in the factories, taught school, coached Little League and built a middle-class culture. Now they are abandoned and know it.
Nobody speaks for them. The left speaks for the unions, the poor and the nonwhite, even shedding tears for illegal immigrants and rioters and looters. The GOP speaks for the Chamber of Commerce, big business and Wall Street.
Saturday, March 19, 2016
Making Trump look good
Vile comments outside the venue Friday in Utah.
Blocking the road to a rally in Arizona Saturday.
Protest at Trump Tower in New York.
The Trump haters let their hate fly at will.
While calling Trump a hater.
We know you don't like Trump.
But you're not changing minds.
You're probably making Trump voters more sure of their decision.
Do you have the stamina to keep protesting until November?
and beyond?
Blocking the road to a rally in Arizona Saturday.
Protest at Trump Tower in New York.
The Trump haters let their hate fly at will.
While calling Trump a hater.
We know you don't like Trump.
But you're not changing minds.
You're probably making Trump voters more sure of their decision.
Do you have the stamina to keep protesting until November?
and beyond?
Time for a do-over
Are you glad to see the first round of the NCAA tournament done?
Lower seeds won 13 of the 32 contests.
This weekend, there's only four games matching first-round favorites.
At Bearing Drift, I'm tied for 49th out of 61 brackets.
But I picked Kansas, and the current leader picked Michigan State to win it all.
By picking higher seeds, I still have a chance to move up.
Lower seeds won 13 of the 32 contests.
This weekend, there's only four games matching first-round favorites.
At Bearing Drift, I'm tied for 49th out of 61 brackets.
But I picked Kansas, and the current leader picked Michigan State to win it all.
By picking higher seeds, I still have a chance to move up.
Facebook quote of the week
Dear Hillary,
You noted last night in your speech how "Our Country" needs a President that will protect our country, not embarrass it.
You idiot, have you looked in the mirror? Practice what you preach and stop posturing acting holier then thou. You belong in prison, not on the stage spreading your filth and flapping those jowls of yours!
...
You noted last night in your speech how "Our Country" needs a President that will protect our country, not embarrass it.
You idiot, have you looked in the mirror? Practice what you preach and stop posturing acting holier then thou. You belong in prison, not on the stage spreading your filth and flapping those jowls of yours!
...
Rant off!
Saturday song
Hamilton Joe Frank and Reynolds have a song for this phase of the primary season - Winners and Losers.
Friday, March 18, 2016
Working for the job
Donald Trump's appeal to blue collar voters gives Democrats concern - unless they believe the conventional wisdom.
How does the conventional wisdom work with an unconventional candidate?
But not everyone shared Rendell’s optimism. Jim Kessler, senior vice president for policy at the centrist Democratic think tank Third Way, argued that Trump was an asymmetrical challenge for the party.
“He’s unlike a candidate like [Sen. Ted] Cruz, in which you can predict with assuredness where he will play or fall flat. Trump is a variable who has exceeded expectations,” Kessler said. “Until he stops exceeding expectations, I will worry.”
How does the conventional wisdom work with an unconventional candidate?
But not everyone shared Rendell’s optimism. Jim Kessler, senior vice president for policy at the centrist Democratic think tank Third Way, argued that Trump was an asymmetrical challenge for the party.
“He’s unlike a candidate like [Sen. Ted] Cruz, in which you can predict with assuredness where he will play or fall flat. Trump is a variable who has exceeded expectations,” Kessler said. “Until he stops exceeding expectations, I will worry.”
Surviving the upsets
Ever wonder how people have perfect brackets in the first round of the NCAA tournament?
You have to take crazy chances.
And do lots of brackets, I assume.
Through 23 games, two people have perfect brackets on ESPN's challenge.
Yes, they picked Middle Tennessee, Hawaii and Yale.
And all the nines over eights that have happened.
What kind of person picks that kind of first round.
One of the two has ninth-seed Cincinnati winning the championship.
The other has a regional final between Arkansas-Little Rock and Syracuse. Not likely to have a 10 and 12 both go that far.
But their wisdom just ended.
Both had South Dakota State beating Maryland.
You have to take crazy chances.
And do lots of brackets, I assume.
Through 23 games, two people have perfect brackets on ESPN's challenge.
Yes, they picked Middle Tennessee, Hawaii and Yale.
And all the nines over eights that have happened.
What kind of person picks that kind of first round.
One of the two has ninth-seed Cincinnati winning the championship.
The other has a regional final between Arkansas-Little Rock and Syracuse. Not likely to have a 10 and 12 both go that far.
But their wisdom just ended.
Both had South Dakota State beating Maryland.
Weekend watchdog
The first favorites have been send home.
What's next for the NCAA tournament?
Friday's play starts on CBS at noon as Syracuse faces Dayton. Villanova meets UNC-Asheville on TruTV at 12:30 p.m.
VCU goes against Oregon State at 1:30 p.m. on TNT and TBS gets its day going with California-Hawaii at 2 p.m.
CBS has four contests on Saturday starting at noon with Wichita State-Miami and Duke against Yale. It's Kentucky facing Indiana at 5:15 p.m. and top-seed Kansas meeting Connecticut.
Virginia plays Butler on TBS Saturday at 7:15 p.m., with North Carolina-Providence in the nightcap. TNT offers Arkansas-Little Rock's battle with Iowa State at 6:10 p.m. before showing Gonzaga-Utah.
Sunday there's three more games on CBS, with doubleheaders on TBS and TNT and TruTV carrying a contest Sunday at 7:30 p.m.
Then we're down to the Sweet 16.
The women's tournament gets going Friday at noon on ESPN2. Connecticut tips off Saturday's action against Robert Morris at 11 a.m., then the rest of the field completes its first round.
The second round gets underway on ESPN2 Sunday at noon with four time slots for games, and ESPN has games Sunday at 7 and 9 p.m.
ESPN has NIT second round play between Wagner and Creighton Saturday at noon and Sunday at noon as Florida faces Ohio State.
ABC brings the big battle between the Warriors and Spurs Saturday at 8:30 p.m.
The Wizards face the Knicks Saturday at 7 p.m. on Comcast.
NASCAR visits Fontana this weekend, with the Sprint Cup series going Sunday at 3:30 p.m. on Fox.
FoxSports1 has the Xfinity race Saturday at 4 p.m. Down under, it's the Australian Open on NBC Sports network Sunday at 12:30 a.m. There's qualifying Saturday at 2 a.m.
Comcast offers the Capitals against the Predators Friday at 7 p.m. The Capitals visit Pittsburgh Sunday at 6 p.m. on NBC Sports network before the Wild meet the Blackhawks at 8:30 p.m.
NBC Sports network has the semifinals of Hockey East Friday, with UMass-Lowell against Providence at 5 p.m. followed by Northeastern-Boston College. The final is Saturday at 8 p.m.
The Nationals meet the Mets in spring training action Saturday at 1 p.m. on MASN and the Orioles take on the Rays Sunday at 1 p.m.
On the college diamond, Florida Atlantic faces Middle Tennessee on MASN2 Saturday at noon.
ESPN has Mat Madness - the Division I wrestling championships - with semifinals Friday at 8 p.m. and the championship Saturday at 8 p.m.
It's time for the Arnold Palmer Invitational, with coverage on NBC Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m.
D.C. United takes on Colorado on ESPN2 Sunday at 5 p.m. and FoxSports1 has Toronto meeting Kansas City at 7 p.m.
Everton battles Arsenal Saturday at 8:40 a.m. on NBC Sports network, followed by Chelsea-West Ham United and Swansea City meeting Aston Villa at 1:30 p.m.
Navy meets Loyola in college lacrosse Saturday at 1 p.m. on Comcast.
Comcast offers women's lacrosse between Loyola and Navy Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
ESPN2 has the Paribas Open through the weekend, with men's action Friday at 3 p.m. on ESPN with women's semifinals on ESPN2 at 10 p.m. There's men's semifinals Saturday at 2 p.m and the men's and women's finals will be on ESPN Sunday at 2 p.m.
There's Alpine skiing on NBC Sports network Friday at 7 a.m., Saturday at 7 a.m. and Sunday at 6 a.m.
NBC Sports network has action from the indoor track and field championship Saturday at 9:30 p.m. and Sunday at 4 p.m.
Thursday, March 17, 2016
Hating the bracket; loving the tourney
I only entered one NCAA tournament bracket this year, at Bearing Drift.
I let it auto pick, so I have Kansas over North Carolina in the final.
I plan on just enjoying the tournament.
If Purdue loses, I enjoy the game instead of feeling bad that my choice to pull a second-round upset is already gone.
All weekend long, as everybody's bracket gets busted.
I let it auto pick, so I have Kansas over North Carolina in the final.
I plan on just enjoying the tournament.
If Purdue loses, I enjoy the game instead of feeling bad that my choice to pull a second-round upset is already gone.
All weekend long, as everybody's bracket gets busted.
Trump can attack Hillary all night
Don Surber likes the new Trump shot at Hillary - 15 seconds of barking excitement.
Now that the nominations are in the bag, Trump let the dogs out with an ad showing Hillary barking and Putin laughing at her.Trump has the stamina to attack from now until November.
Now that the nominations are in the bag, Trump let the dogs out with an ad showing Hillary barking and Putin laughing at her.Trump has the stamina to attack from now until November.
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
Dangers of Iran
At Legal Insurrection, Fuzzy Slippers follows Ralph Peters' warning of trouble ahead in the Middle East thanks to President Obama.
Whatever Putin’s motivation for leaving Syria (if he does), one thing is clear: Iran is poised to be, may already be, the primary power in the Middle East. This is not good for Israel, and it is not good for the United States.
Whatever Putin’s motivation for leaving Syria (if he does), one thing is clear: Iran is poised to be, may already be, the primary power in the Middle East. This is not good for Israel, and it is not good for the United States.
Behind Marco's flop
It looks like this article was written a while ago, just waiting for Marco Rubio to end his campaign.
Looks like he didn't work hard enough to get beyond his personal story.
Rubio’s intense focus on biography, however, posed problems for the campaign. He had a beefy policy platform and evident knowledge of current events. Yet his speeches and debate appearances almost always began and ended with an ode to his humble beginnings, something even his admirers worried was precluding a more tangible pitch that told voters what his presidency would offer. “Rubio’s a bio candidate. He is the message. And I think being a bio candidate, if you’re a good one, is golden. It’s the one thing you can’t buy in politics,” Stevens says. “But voters need a value-quotient on how a candidate is going to improve their lives.”
Looks like he didn't work hard enough to get beyond his personal story.
Rubio’s intense focus on biography, however, posed problems for the campaign. He had a beefy policy platform and evident knowledge of current events. Yet his speeches and debate appearances almost always began and ended with an ode to his humble beginnings, something even his admirers worried was precluding a more tangible pitch that told voters what his presidency would offer. “Rubio’s a bio candidate. He is the message. And I think being a bio candidate, if you’re a good one, is golden. It’s the one thing you can’t buy in politics,” Stevens says. “But voters need a value-quotient on how a candidate is going to improve their lives.”
#NeverHillary
I'm not part of #NeverTrump.
I can see him as president.
I'm part of #NeverHillary.
The goal of November is to keep her out of office.
The main goal - over saving Washington jobs for politicians.
I can see him as president.
I'm part of #NeverHillary.
The goal of November is to keep her out of office.
The main goal - over saving Washington jobs for politicians.
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Time for Jeb and Marco to hang out
Marco Rubio has left the race after failing to win Florida.
He did last longer than Jeb Bush.
Maybe the two of them can get together and discuss their experiences.
It would be interesting.
Maybe they could do a pay-per-view event, and pay off their campaign debt.
He did last longer than Jeb Bush.
Maybe the two of them can get together and discuss their experiences.
It would be interesting.
Maybe they could do a pay-per-view event, and pay off their campaign debt.
Uber opportunity
D.C. will be shutting down its Metro subway system Wednesday for inspections and repairs.
Uber is ready.
If you work in Washington and have a chance to telework, this is your reminder why.
Uber is ready.
If you work in Washington and have a chance to telework, this is your reminder why.
Why we love Daylight Savings Time
The first Monday of Daylight Saving Time is hard - it's hard when you try to go to work.
But the payoff is this afternoon.
But the payoff is this afternoon.
- Warmer temperatures.
- Blue sky with scattered clouds.
- And two more hours of sunlight after work is done.
Monday, March 14, 2016
Rest in peace, Trump supporter
A man who dislikes Trump tells about preparing for his father's funeral - and dealing with his father's support of Trump.
But I can’t dismiss Trump as easily as before. I have to keep a more open mind—if not about his qualities than perhaps about the need for Trump despite some of those qualities. I have to do this not out of filial piety but because for 50 years I’ve found that when I disagreed with my dad I usually turned out to be wrong. I’m not going to ignore my last chance to realize my old man was right.
But I can’t dismiss Trump as easily as before. I have to keep a more open mind—if not about his qualities than perhaps about the need for Trump despite some of those qualities. I have to do this not out of filial piety but because for 50 years I’ve found that when I disagreed with my dad I usually turned out to be wrong. I’m not going to ignore my last chance to realize my old man was right.
Heart as black as coal
Hillary sure knows how to lose votes - especially in West Virginia.
First it was Barack Obama who said his regulations on coal companies would make electricity rates "necessarily skyrocket."
Now Hillary Clinton is doing him one better. She's promising to put every coal company out of business and every coal miner out of a job.
"Vote for me, you'll be unemployed!" doesn't exactly seem like a winning strategy, but hey, what do I know?
First it was Barack Obama who said his regulations on coal companies would make electricity rates "necessarily skyrocket."
Now Hillary Clinton is doing him one better. She's promising to put every coal company out of business and every coal miner out of a job.
"Vote for me, you'll be unemployed!" doesn't exactly seem like a winning strategy, but hey, what do I know?
Hillary's baggage
Jeff Greenfield looks at the multiple woes facing Hillary Clinton going forward.
Lots of years in Washington means lots of shifting positions.
But when you look at the positions she has taken on some of the most significant public policy questions of her time, you cannot escape noticing one key pattern: She has always embraced the politically popular stand—indeed, she has gone out of her way to reinforce that stand—and she has shifted her ground in a way that perfectly correlates with the shifts in public opinion.
While she's shifted, her Washington life makes for a big target.
But … if the discontent with the economy persists in the fall, or even deepens should the woes of China and Europe reach our shores, there is no Democrat more in the cross-hairs of an angry electorate than Clinton. Everything from her Wall Street financial links to her work as secretary of state become targets of opportunity. Those targets, further, are independent of the more obvious vulnerabilities: the possibility (remote as of now) of an FBI criminal referral; the eagerness of Trump to rebut any charge of misogyny by revisiting the most serious charges of “predator” (Bill) and “enabler” (Hillary) that put some of Bill’s past behavior outside the boundaries of “private” matters.
Lots of years in Washington means lots of shifting positions.
But when you look at the positions she has taken on some of the most significant public policy questions of her time, you cannot escape noticing one key pattern: She has always embraced the politically popular stand—indeed, she has gone out of her way to reinforce that stand—and she has shifted her ground in a way that perfectly correlates with the shifts in public opinion.
While she's shifted, her Washington life makes for a big target.
But … if the discontent with the economy persists in the fall, or even deepens should the woes of China and Europe reach our shores, there is no Democrat more in the cross-hairs of an angry electorate than Clinton. Everything from her Wall Street financial links to her work as secretary of state become targets of opportunity. Those targets, further, are independent of the more obvious vulnerabilities: the possibility (remote as of now) of an FBI criminal referral; the eagerness of Trump to rebut any charge of misogyny by revisiting the most serious charges of “predator” (Bill) and “enabler” (Hillary) that put some of Bill’s past behavior outside the boundaries of “private” matters.
Still better than Hillary
If you're a Republican who doesn't like Trump, what are your options?
You can support someone else, but if Trump earns enough delegates, will you vote for him?
Democrats want you to say you won't.
The simple answer is you can consider Trump to be a terrible choice, but he's still better than Hillary Clinton.
That's all he needs to show in the fall.
You can support someone else, but if Trump earns enough delegates, will you vote for him?
Democrats want you to say you won't.
The simple answer is you can consider Trump to be a terrible choice, but he's still better than Hillary Clinton.
That's all he needs to show in the fall.
Sunday, March 13, 2016
Can't take my eyes off of you
Blue Virginia is quite Trump obsessed this weekend.
Their home page has room to highlight five posts, and all five feature Trump.
Andy Schmookler gets into the bind.
(Trump succeeds in putting us who are appalled by him, who regard him as dangerous, in a bind. We feel obliged to talk about the threat that he poses. But in so doing, we also play into his hands.)
If only the liberals could calmly watch Trump.
It might slow Trump.
But liberals talk and Trump's support stays strong.
Their home page has room to highlight five posts, and all five feature Trump.
Andy Schmookler gets into the bind.
(Trump succeeds in putting us who are appalled by him, who regard him as dangerous, in a bind. We feel obliged to talk about the threat that he poses. But in so doing, we also play into his hands.)
If only the liberals could calmly watch Trump.
It might slow Trump.
But liberals talk and Trump's support stays strong.
Making life toxic
Roger L. Simon knows who has our political climate as toxic in 2016.
Kasich says Trump has created a toxic environment. I disagree. Trump has revealed one that sooner or later, probably sooner, would have been made manifest anyway. The huge divide in America had to be exposed in order ever to heal.
The causes of this divide are many, but the grand instigator, dwarfing Trump, is Barack Obama. The bright shining lie of our time was when Obama told us at that now long ago Democratic Convention that America was not red and blue states but the United States of America. Was that ever a bait-and-switch?! From the moment he was inaugurated, Obama has acted in word and deed to divide us. Trump follows Obama as the night the day.
Kasich says Trump has created a toxic environment. I disagree. Trump has revealed one that sooner or later, probably sooner, would have been made manifest anyway. The huge divide in America had to be exposed in order ever to heal.
The causes of this divide are many, but the grand instigator, dwarfing Trump, is Barack Obama. The bright shining lie of our time was when Obama told us at that now long ago Democratic Convention that America was not red and blue states but the United States of America. Was that ever a bait-and-switch?! From the moment he was inaugurated, Obama has acted in word and deed to divide us. Trump follows Obama as the night the day.
Blaming Bernie's buddies
Who gets the blame for shutting down Donald Trump's Chicago rally Friday?
Look who's taking credit.
Protesters interrupt virtually every Trump speech. But what made Chicago different were its scale and the organization behind the effort. Hundreds of young, largely black and brown people poured in from across the city, taking over whole sections of the arena and bracing for trouble.
And as the repeated chants of “Ber-nie” demonstrated, it was largely organized by supporters of Bernie Sanders, the Democratic presidential candidate who has struggled to win over black voters, but whose revolutionary streak has excited radicals of all colors.
Can't blame Trump's talk for the actions of those who don't want to hear him.
Look who's taking credit.
Protesters interrupt virtually every Trump speech. But what made Chicago different were its scale and the organization behind the effort. Hundreds of young, largely black and brown people poured in from across the city, taking over whole sections of the arena and bracing for trouble.
And as the repeated chants of “Ber-nie” demonstrated, it was largely organized by supporters of Bernie Sanders, the Democratic presidential candidate who has struggled to win over black voters, but whose revolutionary streak has excited radicals of all colors.
Can't blame Trump's talk for the actions of those who don't want to hear him.
Update your stupid devices
The start of Daylight Saving Time has become more of a challenge with technology.
Sure, you have smart devices that automatically change.
But are all your devices smart?
You still have old things you have to update manually.
And some devices are half-bright - designed before the change of DST dates, they will spring ahead three months late.
You remember which device is which when you wake up Sunday.
Hopefully the sunshine after work will be worth it.
Sure, you have smart devices that automatically change.
But are all your devices smart?
You still have old things you have to update manually.
And some devices are half-bright - designed before the change of DST dates, they will spring ahead three months late.
You remember which device is which when you wake up Sunday.
Hopefully the sunshine after work will be worth it.
Saturday, March 12, 2016
Saturday song
Another week, and another death among musicians from the 1970s.
Emerson, Lake and Palmer is the group losing a member this week.
Emerson, Lake and Palmer is the group losing a member this week.
Friday, March 11, 2016
Hurray for Trump's Hollywood friends
Via Drudge Report, an update on those in Hollywood who offer their support to Donald Trump.
Trump began wooing Hollywood early on, speaking to Friends of Abe (FOA) in July at the lavish Luxe Sunset Blvd. Hotel in Brentwood. At that event, he told THR that his support among celebrities and entertainment workers was stronger than outsiders realize. "I think the liberals in Hollywood support me behind my back," he quipped.
Trump began wooing Hollywood early on, speaking to Friends of Abe (FOA) in July at the lavish Luxe Sunset Blvd. Hotel in Brentwood. At that event, he told THR that his support among celebrities and entertainment workers was stronger than outsiders realize. "I think the liberals in Hollywood support me behind my back," he quipped.
Underoos
My son showed me the new Captain America the other day.
But I didn't notice how Iron Man calls Spiderman into action.
But I didn't notice how Iron Man calls Spiderman into action.
Weekend watchdog
Who nabbed the top seeds?
Who's going to Dayton for the first four?
Which region will Dickie V be raving about Sunday night?
The answers come Sunday on CBS, starting at 5:30 p.m. Before the big reveal, CBS has the Atlantic 10 championship game at 12:30 p.m. and Big Ten at 3 p.m.
Saturday's action on CBS includes the Big Ten semifinals at 1 and 3:30 p.m., followed by the Mountain West title game at 6 p.m.
In the ACC tournament, top-seeded North Carolina takes on Notre Dame at 7 p.m. followed by Virginia-Miami on ESPN and the ACC network. The championship is Saturday at 9 p.m.
Friday brings two quarterfinals from the Big Ten on ESPN at noon and 2:30 p.m. while ESPN2 has two contests from the American tournament at noon and 2:30 p.m. before the Big 12 semifinals at 7 and 9:30 p.m.
FoxSports1 has the semifinals of the Big East tournament Friday at 6:30 and 9 p.m. and final moves to Fox Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
There's a PAC-12 semifinal Friday at 11:30 p.m. The final will be Saturday at 10 p.m. on FoxSports1.
Conference USA has its final on FoxSports1 at 2:30 p.m.
The quarterfinals of the Atlantic 10 tournament will be on NBC Sports network Friday at noon, 2:30 p.m., 6:30 and 9 p.m.
The SEC semifinals will be on ESPN Saturday at 1 and 3:30 p.m., followed by the Big 12 title game at 6 p.m.
Five tournament berths are on the line on ESPN2 Saturday. Vermont takes on Stony Brook for the America East crown at 11 a.m., then it's the MEAC at 1 p.m. and MAC at 7:30 p.m. The Southland tournament tips at 9:30 p.m. before the Big West at 11:30 p.m.
The American tournament has its semifinals Saturday at 3 and 5:30 p.m. with its final Sunday on ESPN at 3:15 p.m.
ESPN has the SEC tournament final Sunday at 1 p.m., and the Sun Belt tournament has its final Sunday at 1 p.m. on ESPN2
The CAA women's tournament semifinals tip on Comcast Friday at 1:30 and 4 p.m. The final is Saturday at 4 p.m.
The Thunder face the Spurs on ABC Saturday at 8:30 p.m. and the Cavaliers clash with the Clippers Sunday at 3:30 p.m.
The Wizards visit the Jazz Friday at 9 p.m. on Comcast and take on the Nuggets Saturday at 9:30 p.m.
The Penguins meet the Rangers Sunday at 12:30 p.m. on NBC. NBC Sports network offers Maple Leafs against Rangers Sunday at 7:30 p.m.
Fox has NASCAR Sprint Cup action Sunday at 3 p.m., while the Xfinity Series goes Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
The PGA tour visits the Tampa area, with coverage on NBC Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m.
MASN brings spring training action from Florida Sunday, as the Nationals battle the Cardinals at 1 p.m.
Norwich City meets Manchester City Saturday at 7:40 a.m. on NBC Sports network, followed by Stoke City-Southampton. Crystal Place clashes with Liverpool Sunday at 11:55 a.m.
New York City faces Toronto Sunday at 5 p.m. on ESPN2, and Portland plays San Jose at 7 p.m. on FoxSports1.
Who's going to Dayton for the first four?
Which region will Dickie V be raving about Sunday night?
The answers come Sunday on CBS, starting at 5:30 p.m. Before the big reveal, CBS has the Atlantic 10 championship game at 12:30 p.m. and Big Ten at 3 p.m.
Saturday's action on CBS includes the Big Ten semifinals at 1 and 3:30 p.m., followed by the Mountain West title game at 6 p.m.
In the ACC tournament, top-seeded North Carolina takes on Notre Dame at 7 p.m. followed by Virginia-Miami on ESPN and the ACC network. The championship is Saturday at 9 p.m.
Friday brings two quarterfinals from the Big Ten on ESPN at noon and 2:30 p.m. while ESPN2 has two contests from the American tournament at noon and 2:30 p.m. before the Big 12 semifinals at 7 and 9:30 p.m.
FoxSports1 has the semifinals of the Big East tournament Friday at 6:30 and 9 p.m. and final moves to Fox Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
There's a PAC-12 semifinal Friday at 11:30 p.m. The final will be Saturday at 10 p.m. on FoxSports1.
Conference USA has its final on FoxSports1 at 2:30 p.m.
The quarterfinals of the Atlantic 10 tournament will be on NBC Sports network Friday at noon, 2:30 p.m., 6:30 and 9 p.m.
The SEC semifinals will be on ESPN Saturday at 1 and 3:30 p.m., followed by the Big 12 title game at 6 p.m.
Five tournament berths are on the line on ESPN2 Saturday. Vermont takes on Stony Brook for the America East crown at 11 a.m., then it's the MEAC at 1 p.m. and MAC at 7:30 p.m. The Southland tournament tips at 9:30 p.m. before the Big West at 11:30 p.m.
The American tournament has its semifinals Saturday at 3 and 5:30 p.m. with its final Sunday on ESPN at 3:15 p.m.
ESPN has the SEC tournament final Sunday at 1 p.m., and the Sun Belt tournament has its final Sunday at 1 p.m. on ESPN2
The CAA women's tournament semifinals tip on Comcast Friday at 1:30 and 4 p.m. The final is Saturday at 4 p.m.
The Thunder face the Spurs on ABC Saturday at 8:30 p.m. and the Cavaliers clash with the Clippers Sunday at 3:30 p.m.
The Wizards visit the Jazz Friday at 9 p.m. on Comcast and take on the Nuggets Saturday at 9:30 p.m.
The Penguins meet the Rangers Sunday at 12:30 p.m. on NBC. NBC Sports network offers Maple Leafs against Rangers Sunday at 7:30 p.m.
Fox has NASCAR Sprint Cup action Sunday at 3 p.m., while the Xfinity Series goes Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
The PGA tour visits the Tampa area, with coverage on NBC Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m.
MASN brings spring training action from Florida Sunday, as the Nationals battle the Cardinals at 1 p.m.
Norwich City meets Manchester City Saturday at 7:40 a.m. on NBC Sports network, followed by Stoke City-Southampton. Crystal Place clashes with Liverpool Sunday at 11:55 a.m.
New York City faces Toronto Sunday at 5 p.m. on ESPN2, and Portland plays San Jose at 7 p.m. on FoxSports1.
Thursday, March 10, 2016
Multi-media
It's a big day in the world of basketball.
There's plenty of college basketball on TV, like the ACC tournament featuring Virginia.
But there's also high school basketball going on.
In the old days, you'd have to wait for the late TV news to get your scores.
Or friends and family to update you from far away.
Now, we've got Facebook and twitter.
I was able to follow my son's high school team in the Virginia girls basketball tournament and play in the West Virginia boys tournament where I used to play.
A neighbor's daughter is on the Fishersville team playing in Richmond. I got to tell him his high school beat his wife's high school in West Virginia while he was updating us on Facebook.
Unfortunately, our team lost tonight.
They won't be part of the championship game broadcast another friend will be doing.
There's plenty of college basketball on TV, like the ACC tournament featuring Virginia.
But there's also high school basketball going on.
In the old days, you'd have to wait for the late TV news to get your scores.
Or friends and family to update you from far away.
Now, we've got Facebook and twitter.
I was able to follow my son's high school team in the Virginia girls basketball tournament and play in the West Virginia boys tournament where I used to play.
A neighbor's daughter is on the Fishersville team playing in Richmond. I got to tell him his high school beat his wife's high school in West Virginia while he was updating us on Facebook.
Unfortunately, our team lost tonight.
They won't be part of the championship game broadcast another friend will be doing.
You gotta know when to fold 'em
Is it time for Marco Rubio to throw in the towel?
Especially when it looks like Donald Trump will win Florida on Tuesday.
What will Marco do with his time?
Meet with Jeb and complain how they both ruined the other's chances this year?
Especially when it looks like Donald Trump will win Florida on Tuesday.
What will Marco do with his time?
Meet with Jeb and complain how they both ruined the other's chances this year?
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
What's up, Chuck?
Paco adds to the endorsement scoreboard - Chuck Norris joining the Ted Cruz team.
A better endorsement than any Senator or member of the House.
A better endorsement than any Senator or member of the House.
Ready for Justice Cuccinelli
Good to see Democrats so upset that Republican have floated naming Ken Cuccinelli to the Virginia Supreme Court.
Who thought of naming Cuccinelli?
Brilliant.
Who thought of naming Cuccinelli?
Brilliant.
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
Bracket bluster
A few more days and people will be thinking about their NCAA tournament brackets.
Hopefully, it will be the last time anybody pays attention to President Obama's bracket.
Unless he calls ESPN next March after he leaves office.
Can you imagine any of the other candidates doing a bracket for ESPN in March 2017?
Hopefully, it will be the last time anybody pays attention to President Obama's bracket.
Unless he calls ESPN next March after he leaves office.
Can you imagine any of the other candidates doing a bracket for ESPN in March 2017?
Looking for a fighter
Via American Power, a main reason for Trump's support - thinking he'll take on the Democrats with their tactics.
Fourth, I really do not care that Donald Trump is vulgar, combative, and uncivil and I would encourage you not to care as well. I would love to have our political discourse be what it was even thirty years ago and something better than what it is today. But the fact is the Democratic Party is never going to return to that and there isn’t anything anyone can do about it.
Fourth, I really do not care that Donald Trump is vulgar, combative, and uncivil and I would encourage you not to care as well. I would love to have our political discourse be what it was even thirty years ago and something better than what it is today. But the fact is the Democratic Party is never going to return to that and there isn’t anything anyone can do about it.
Monday, March 7, 2016
Blaming the building inspector
I tried to limit my exposure to Monday's town hall with Democratic candidates on Fox.
But Hillary's line on Detroit got through.
She said it's terrible that children in Detroit go to classrooms that are filled with mold.
And that it's the Republican governor's fault.
How again?
Democrats ruled the city and state for years.
But elect a Republican and they get the blame.
It's like blaming the building inspector for telling you the house is not habitable.
It took years of poor decisions to destroy Detroit's schools and Flint's financial situation.
The Republican governor has only bad choices in how to fix the problems.
Money that should have solved the problems years ago went to other vote-buying schemes.
Not classrooms and water pipes.
And instead of looking at their mistakes through the years, Democrats want to blame the Republican governor.
Because they trashed the place and left it unlivable.
But Hillary's line on Detroit got through.
She said it's terrible that children in Detroit go to classrooms that are filled with mold.
And that it's the Republican governor's fault.
How again?
Democrats ruled the city and state for years.
But elect a Republican and they get the blame.
It's like blaming the building inspector for telling you the house is not habitable.
It took years of poor decisions to destroy Detroit's schools and Flint's financial situation.
The Republican governor has only bad choices in how to fix the problems.
Money that should have solved the problems years ago went to other vote-buying schemes.
Not classrooms and water pipes.
And instead of looking at their mistakes through the years, Democrats want to blame the Republican governor.
Because they trashed the place and left it unlivable.
Call before you dig
Phone service in Charlottesville took a hit Monday - thanks to the Rio Road/Rt. 29 project.
Instead of building a western bypass, Charlottesville wanted a grade-separated interchange.
Which means digging up the current road.
And accidently tearing up wire that were buried under the road to keep them safe.
Except for early Monday morning.
Instead of building a western bypass, Charlottesville wanted a grade-separated interchange.
Which means digging up the current road.
And accidently tearing up wire that were buried under the road to keep them safe.
Except for early Monday morning.
Different exits
Five years ago, who would you think would win more NFL games from 2012-2015.
RGIII, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner?
Or Peyton Manning, coming off injury.
Today, they are both on the stage. Peyton retiring and RGIII released.
At least Peyton has a big press conference, instead of a press release.
RGIII, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner?
Or Peyton Manning, coming off injury.
Today, they are both on the stage. Peyton retiring and RGIII released.
At least Peyton has a big press conference, instead of a press release.
Any new Trump questions
The people who don't like Donald Trump have made their case.
But the voters have continued to give Trump the delegates he needs for the nomination.
Is there anything out there to convince Trump voters to change their minds?
Or change minds in the eight months before Election Day?
After all the Trump attacks of recent weeks, you wonder if Democrats will have anything left to scare people with?
But the voters have continued to give Trump the delegates he needs for the nomination.
Is there anything out there to convince Trump voters to change their minds?
Or change minds in the eight months before Election Day?
After all the Trump attacks of recent weeks, you wonder if Democrats will have anything left to scare people with?
Sunday, March 6, 2016
What he saw at CPAC
Ace gives space for Dave from Towson to tell his tale of a day at CPAC.
He got to meet some interesting people.
As I was picking up my coat from the coat check, they guy next to me was checking his, and I overheard him asking jokingly if there was a discount for former candidates, which is how I met Jim Gilmore. Nice guy, good sense of humor, we laughed about the “Gilmentum” hash never quite taking off on Twitter.
He got to meet some interesting people.
As I was picking up my coat from the coat check, they guy next to me was checking his, and I overheard him asking jokingly if there was a discount for former candidates, which is how I met Jim Gilmore. Nice guy, good sense of humor, we laughed about the “Gilmentum” hash never quite taking off on Twitter.
Yes, he can win
Does Donald Trump still have positive momentum?
Can he hold off his opponents in the coming winner-take-all primaries along with the upset establishment who set the rules?
Eight years ago, it was time to break the colour barrier at the White House. Now it is time to clean the Augean Stable. Donald Trump has his infelicities, though not those that malicious opponents or people like John Robson, who simply haven’t thought it through, allege. But he seems to have become the man whom the great office of president of the United States now seeks. He is far from a Lincolnian figure, but after his astonishing rise it would be a mistake to underestimate him.
I'll take that as a yes.
Can he hold off his opponents in the coming winner-take-all primaries along with the upset establishment who set the rules?
Eight years ago, it was time to break the colour barrier at the White House. Now it is time to clean the Augean Stable. Donald Trump has his infelicities, though not those that malicious opponents or people like John Robson, who simply haven’t thought it through, allege. But he seems to have become the man whom the great office of president of the United States now seeks. He is far from a Lincolnian figure, but after his astonishing rise it would be a mistake to underestimate him.
I'll take that as a yes.
Will there be a Papa John's deal?
Looks like Peyton Manning will be announcing his retirement Monday.
Can I expect an email from Papa John's, with a special offer tied to the event?
They are the official pizza of Peyton.
Can I expect an email from Papa John's, with a special offer tied to the event?
They are the official pizza of Peyton.
You're going to miss us when we're gone
Via Instapundit, a piece on the demise of journalism careers.
When they began working in the 1980s, the newspaper was the only game in town.
For most of the past century, journalists could rely on career stability. Newspapers were an intermediary between advertisers and the public; it was as if their presses printed money. The benefit of this near-monopoly was that newsrooms were heavily stocked with reporters and editors, most of them passionate about creating journalism that made a difference in their communities. It often meant union protection, lifetime employment and pensions. Papers like the Sacramento Bee bragged to new hires in the 1980s that even during the Great Depression, the paper had never laid off journalists.
Sorry, but the country doesn't need that intermediary anymore.
You enjoy what you did with that freedom.
But the advertising guys also claimed they ruled the roost, and they were right.
Even when they don't bring in the money anymore.
When they began working in the 1980s, the newspaper was the only game in town.
For most of the past century, journalists could rely on career stability. Newspapers were an intermediary between advertisers and the public; it was as if their presses printed money. The benefit of this near-monopoly was that newsrooms were heavily stocked with reporters and editors, most of them passionate about creating journalism that made a difference in their communities. It often meant union protection, lifetime employment and pensions. Papers like the Sacramento Bee bragged to new hires in the 1980s that even during the Great Depression, the paper had never laid off journalists.
Sorry, but the country doesn't need that intermediary anymore.
You enjoy what you did with that freedom.
But the advertising guys also claimed they ruled the roost, and they were right.
Even when they don't bring in the money anymore.
Saturday, March 5, 2016
Swear for him, not at him
Donald Trump asked an Orlando audience to raise their hands and swear to vote for him.
Beats having people swear at him.
Beats having people swear at him.
Political circle of life
Trump battles Hillary.
Hillary battles Republicans.
Republicans battle Hillary.
Hillary battles Republicans.
Republicans battle Hillary.
Facebook quote of the week
....just doesn't understand why smacking the stupid out of some people is so frowned upon.
Friday, March 4, 2016
Weekend watchdog
The road to Houston starts this weekend.
CBS has six games covering six different conferences as the first bids go out for the 68-team NCAA tournament field.
- Saturday starts with North Carolina State against Notre Dame at noon, followed by LSU-Kentucky and Stanford visiting Arizona at 4 p.m.
The Ohio Valley Conference has its championship game Saturday at 6 p.m. on ESPN2. Sunday, it's the turn for the Big South at 2:30 p.m. and the Atlantic Sun at 7 p.m.
The other automatic berths will be claimed throughout the week.
Friday's play on ESPN starts in the MAC with Kent State facing Akron at 7 p.m. before Texas battles Oklahoma State.
ESPN starts Saturday at noon with Ohio State-Michigan State. West Virginia takes on Baylor at 2 p.m. and top-ranked Kansas closes out the Big 12 regular season against Iowa State. Primetime belongs to the ACC, with Duke meeting North Carolina at 6:30 p.m. and Virginia hosting Louisville at 8:30 p.m.
Virginia Tech takes on Miami on ACC network Saturday at 6 p.m., and there's Georgia Tech against Pittsburgh at 2 p.m.
Villanova meets Georgetown on Fox Saturday at noon, followed by Creighton-Xavier.
On ESPN2, Vanderbilt takes on Texas A&M Saturday at noon. It's Syracuse-Florida State at 2 p.m. and Alabama against Georgia at 4 p.m. In primetime, Arizona State hosts California before a pair of quarterfinals in the West Coast Conference tournament at 10 p.m. and midnight.
Providence plays St. John's on FoxSports1 Saturday at 12:30 p.m.
Comcast has quarterfinals from the CAA tournament Saturday, with Hofstra playing a Friday winner at noon and James Madison meeting William & Mary at 2:30 p.m. The semifinals are on NBC Sports network Sunday at 1 and 3:30 p.m.
George Washington faces Davidson on NBC Sports network Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
Florida Atlantic faces Alabama-Birmingham Saturday at noon on MASN, then Old Dominion takes on Rice. Grand Canyon plays Utah Valley at 4 p.m. and it's off to the A-10 for Richmond against Dayton at 6 p.m.
MASN2 has a pair of games from Big East Saturday, with Seton Hall facing DePaul at noon followed by Marquette-Butler at 2:30 p.m.
The Wizards visit the Cavaliers Friday at 8 p.m. on Comcast and ESPN. ESPN has the Hawks against Lakers in the nightcap.
The Bulls face the Rockets on ABC Saturday at 8:30 p.m. and the Warriors take on the Lakers Sunday at 3:30 p.m.
Comcast has quarterfinal action from the ACC women's tournament Friday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
ESPN has four women's tournament champion games Sunday, starting with the ACC at 12:30 p.m. The SEC crowns its champion at 2:30 p.m., then it's the Big Ten title tilt at 7 p.m. and PAC-12 at 9 p.m.
There's a quarterfinal game from the Atlantic 10 Friday at 4:30 p.m. on Comcast.
MASN2 has a pair of quarterfinal games from the Big 12 on Saturday at 7 and 9:30 p.m. and FoxSports1 has the semifinals Sunday at 2:30 and 5 p.m.
The Capitals visit Boston Saturday at 7 p.m. on Comcast.
NBC Sports network has the Blues against the Wild Sunday at 8 p.m.
On the college ice, Penn State faces Wisconsin Friday at 8 p.m. on MASN.
The MLS starts its season this weekend, with Portland clashing with Columbus at 4:30 p.m. on ESPN and Kansas City against Seattle on FoxSports1 at 7 p.m.
Tottenham Hotspur takes on Arsenal Saturday at 7:40 a.m. on NBC Sports network, followed by Manchester City-Aston Villa and Watford against Leicester City at 12:25 p.m. Crystal Palace clashes with Liverpool at 8:25 a.m. Sunday before West Bromwich Albion faces Manchester United.
The PGA tour visits Miami for the Cadillac Championships Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m. on NBC.
NASCAR starts its west coast swing this weekend in Las Vegas, with the Sprint Cup race Sunday at 3:30 p.m. on Fox. The Xfinity Series race will be on FoxSports1 Saturday at 4 p.m.
NBC Sports network has the World Rugby Sevens Series Friday at 9 p.m. and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The USA Sevens are Sunday at 6 p.m.
Thursday, March 3, 2016
Art of the deal
So the idea is keep Donald Trump short of having enough delegates to win on the first ballot.
Because Trump has no idea how to make deals to get what he wants.
Because Trump has no idea how to make deals to get what he wants.
If you like Trump
Scott Adams highlights a letter from a Trump supporter.
I appreciate what you’ve done for me personally, and what you’re doing for our country. I know I’m not the only man who admires you, and can’t wait for you to become the father, and leader, of our country. It’s been a long, cold winter for men in America the last 8 years, and I believe that your election will dramatically improve the level of respect, admiration, and love people will show for strong men and Fathers, and will create a new generation of leaders from impressionable young boys.
That, more than anything, will Make America Great Again.
I appreciate what you’ve done for me personally, and what you’re doing for our country. I know I’m not the only man who admires you, and can’t wait for you to become the father, and leader, of our country. It’s been a long, cold winter for men in America the last 8 years, and I believe that your election will dramatically improve the level of respect, admiration, and love people will show for strong men and Fathers, and will create a new generation of leaders from impressionable young boys.
That, more than anything, will Make America Great Again.
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Time to waste more money
Another group of Republicans want to spend more money trying to stop Donald Trump.
Jeb Bush's former communications director, Tim Miller, announced Tuesday that he would be joining the Our Principles PAC, an anti-Trump effort.
Didn't Jeb and his Super PAC waste enough money already?
Jeb Bush's former communications director, Tim Miller, announced Tuesday that he would be joining the Our Principles PAC, an anti-Trump effort.
Didn't Jeb and his Super PAC waste enough money already?
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
It's my party and I'll cry if I want to
Megan McArdle spent the weekend compiling responses from Republicans who can't stand the thought of Donald Trump as the nominee.
What surprised me? First, the sheer number of people who sat down and composed lengthy e-mails on a weekend.
Second, the passion they showed. These people are not quietly concerned about Trump. They are appalled, repulsed, afraid and dismayed that their party could have let this happen. They wrote in the strongest possible language, and many were adamant that they would not stay home on Election Day, but in fact would vote for Hillary Clinton in the general and perhaps leave the Republican Party for good.
And then there's the fear factor.
The main arguments were his authoritarianism, his lack of any principle besides the further aggrandizement of one Donald J. Trump, his racism and misogyny, and his erratic behavior, which led a whole lot of people to write that they were afraid to have him anywhere within a thousand miles of the nuclear launch codes.
Now Trump knows what he needs to work on between now and the convention.
What surprised me? First, the sheer number of people who sat down and composed lengthy e-mails on a weekend.
Second, the passion they showed. These people are not quietly concerned about Trump. They are appalled, repulsed, afraid and dismayed that their party could have let this happen. They wrote in the strongest possible language, and many were adamant that they would not stay home on Election Day, but in fact would vote for Hillary Clinton in the general and perhaps leave the Republican Party for good.
And then there's the fear factor.
The main arguments were his authoritarianism, his lack of any principle besides the further aggrandizement of one Donald J. Trump, his racism and misogyny, and his erratic behavior, which led a whole lot of people to write that they were afraid to have him anywhere within a thousand miles of the nuclear launch codes.
Now Trump knows what he needs to work on between now and the convention.
Story from Valdosta
When Donald Trump spoke in Valdosta, Georgia Monday, a big story came out - 30 students accusing the Trump team of bias in ejecting them from the venue.
When ejected, they first went to the media.
The Valdosta police chief talked to the media in the morning.
What was his viewpoint?
Childress said about 30 people were removed from the P.E. complex where Trump was scheduled to speak, prior to the candidate's arrival.
He explained that Trump's security detail escorted the group out because they were causing a disturbance.
"They were not removed because of signs, because of their belief, or because of race. They were removed because they were loud and disruptive and dropping the F bomb," Childress said.
Sorry, but the liberal narrative fails in reality.
When ejected, they first went to the media.
The Valdosta police chief talked to the media in the morning.
What was his viewpoint?
Childress said about 30 people were removed from the P.E. complex where Trump was scheduled to speak, prior to the candidate's arrival.
He explained that Trump's security detail escorted the group out because they were causing a disturbance.
"They were not removed because of signs, because of their belief, or because of race. They were removed because they were loud and disruptive and dropping the F bomb," Childress said.
Sorry, but the liberal narrative fails in reality.
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