The Second Season Starts Tomorrow

As promised, I said I would give you an update today in my commentary One Week To the Playoffs. While it hasn’t been an ideal week, and technically there is still one more game to be played, by hook and by crook, the Mets are going to the playoffs.

 

We don’t know where yet, of course, because the Mets will have to win game 2 of the Hurricane Helene-caused doubleheader to get a better seeding. If they lose game 2, they play as sixth seed.

It was a wild game, much like the Yankee-Red Sox game of October 2, 1978, the game known as The Bucky Dent Game for his improbable home run that won that game. Hereafter, this will be known as the Francisco Lindor Game for his hitting the game-winner today 

The point is, the Mets have been playing playoff baseball since the All Star break. So playing at a high level has been their habit. In fact, they have the best record in baseball since Memorial Day.

So buckle up, Friends. The Second Season starts tomorrow. And to think they weren’t expected ti be here just two months ago.

Lets Go Mets!!

U P D A T E!!!

METS WIN FIRST GAME. 8 TO 7

LOSE SECOND GAME.     3 TO 0

END UP AS 6TH SEED - GOING TO MILWAUKEE 

, 

The Nightmare of New York City Continues

Oh, there is trouble brewing in Disaster City, otherwise known as the Greatest City In the World. Why? Well, its Mayor will be arrested and arraigned today on five federal charges against him, including bribery.

 

This has prompted his defense team to file a motion to dismiss that charge, claiming he had no power as a candidate to exert pressure on the FDNY overlook flaws in the construction of the Turkish consulate tower as a quid pro quo for accepting “gratuities” from Turkish officials.

“Despite the fact that the indictment reproduces quotes from messages, emails, and conversations for numerous other points, it does not allege any specific exchanges or conversations in which Adams and the Turkish official entered into this purported quid pro quo agreement,” his legal team wrote, while pointing to a recent US Supreme Court decision that has weakened anti-corruption laws.

That is the argument the Mayor wants to make? It is splitting some really murky definitions of what may or may not be considered when one is “on the take”, don’t you think?

Compounding all of this is State and City law that gives the Governor the authority to remove the Mayor if his remaining in office is a detriment to the City and its operations. And if he is removed, then the “Acting” Mayor has three days to call for a Special Election complete Adams’ term.

Guess who wants in if that happens? Former Governor Andrew Cuomo is telling city power-brokers he will run for mayor of New York City should Mayor Adams be forced from office.

And then, there is that little, pesky annoyance call the migrant problem. It isn’t going to be eliminated, no matter what happens. There is no genie to go “poof” to make it go away. Not now. And not in the forseeable future.

So get your popcorn as we witness either a great comeback from political purgatory or the final nail in the coffin as this once-proud City is buried by the folly created by this impending disaster.

Then, henceforth, Disaster City will be its name.

The Bully Is a Coward

You know a bully is really nothing more than a coward who acts tough until he is confronted by someone who is willing to stand up to him.

 

Remember Butch and Spike from the Little Rascals? They were merely cowards who slinked away when Darla and Spanky stood up to them when they would bully Alfalfa.

Hitler was a bully who hid in the basement of the Reichstag when the allies got closer. And of course, Saddam Hussein was found in a spider hole.

Now, it was reported this afternoon by Fox News, that the Ayatollah is in hiding from any Israeli retribution for the ongoing attacks by Iran and its clients made by those entities, following the weekend response against Hezbollah on Lebanon. The bully, once again, is proving to be a huge coward.

In a statement Saturday, Khamenei said, "The fate of this region will be determined by the forces of resistance, with Hezbollah at the forefront."

Big talk from a man afraid to show his face. Perhaps, finally, he realizes that Bibi means business with his warning he made on Friday. He backed up his words with action.

And certainly, the whole world is watching.

Praying For Peace In Israel

To paraphrase a memorable line from a classic movie, “we're mad as hell and we aren’t going to take it anymore.” So said Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, Friday at the United Nations.

 

And between Friday and today, he proved he is a man of his word.

It was reported by the world media that Hezbollah on Saturday confirmed the death of its leader Hassan Nasrallah, after Israel said he was killed in an airstrike in a Beirut suburb. The IDF said it also neutralized Muhammad Ali Ismail, the commander of Hezbollah’s missile unit in southern Lebanon, as well as his deputy, Hussein Ahmad Ismail, and other “commanders and operatives” who attended the meeting.

After a while, even a docile creature will attack in self-defense. Eventually, the taunted will strike back.

The Ayatollah, no matter who he is, is the Chief Cleric of the Shi’ite Muslims and supposed to be a Man of God. But instead, that person, whomever he has been, has shown himself to be the Champion of the Evil One, whether he is called Satan, Lucifer, Devil or any other godless name.

He has taken a religion based on Peace and Love and has made the world see it as the Religion of Hate for those who do not practice it.

I know many Muslims who are offended and ashamed of what has become of their faith. It has been corrupted and stolen by a vile, evil minority who are anti-Semitic, anti-Christian, anti-Social, anti-Sunni Muslim psychopaths and who claim the rest of the world are Infidels.

But they persist to fight Israelis and Jews for a swathe of land at 290 miles long and 85 miles wide, smaller than the size of New Jersey. And blame it on God.

Bibi is right to finally punch the bully in his nose. He warned them all, Iran and its puppets, that they had better stop. They kept at it, thinking the world was on their side. But now, he will not allow it to continue.

As for the anti-Semites of this country, the blood of innocent Palestinians and Lebanese is on YOUR hands, too, along with Iran and its terrorist clients. NOT the Israelis.

Your continued support of this war against Israel by surreptitious thieves of a peaceful religion, makes you terrorists and hatemongers, as well.

The Evident Lack of Character

Sometimes, people cannot get out of their own way. When they have already caused themselves harm, it seems it becomes irreparable.

 

David Banks, soon-to-be former NYC Schools Chancellor, has been cited with twenty seven moving violations, including eighteen speeding tickets in school zones around the City. In his city-owned SUV.

The New York Post is reporting that in some cases, these were camera violations. No matter. He is responsible for the vehicle.

You would think that he would try to remain below the radar, so to speak, because he is not only a high profile individual, but already under investigation.

His home he shares with City First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright was raided by Federal agents where electronic devices and equipment were seized. And so, this embarrassment only adds to his already tarnished reputation.

All this additional adversity only highlights the lack of judgement on the part of Mayor Adams, deserved or not. It isn’t good optics.

Perhaps, Chancellor Banks should get out of Dodge now, before he ends up being accused of something so bad, he ends up losing his pension. That would be hus best course of action.

Apparently, this only reflects the hubris too many current City officials seem to have. They all appear to be above the law.

Their motto? The rules are made for thee but not for me. It shows true lack of character.

This is quite evident to everyone.

It Is Time To Say Goodbye, Mayor

This will be very short. It may behoove New York City Mayor Adams to resign his office.

It was revealed in the late edition of today’s online New York Post that Federal authorities stopped chief adviser Ingrid Lewis-Martin Friday and had her phone seized as she arrived home from vacation in Japan.

Any political novice can see this will continue as long as he remains in office. The government will continue to pursue its present course as long as he stays.

Governor Hochul has the authority under the New York State Constitution to remove him for malfeasance. Technically, his indictment qualifies. And for as long as any trial takes, that distraction will disrupt any effective governance of the City.

She has given him some time to think about his options. But she is not long on patience until she pulls the trigger.

It would be better optics for him to give his voluntary resignation with a reasonable end date, rather than being escorted out and shown the street.

The clock is ticking.

The World Is Called Out For Its Hate

Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the UN this morning, explaining to the delegates in attendance that every country has the right to defend itself from aggression from any other country. Including Iran, which was conspicuously absent.

 

According to the New York Post, he was extremely critical of those countries, including the United States, for its tepid support to Israel's right to exist.

Iran has, through its surrogates, for years, attacked Israel without provocation. Iran, and its clients, believe that Israel does not have the right to exist.

Israel, on the other hand, has for years offered a “two-state” solution. Its adversaries have rejected that compromise outright, without any negotiation.

Israel was created by the UN after World War II from a portion of the British mandate Transjordan. The land was the ancient homeland of the Jewish people.

Prime Minister Netanyahu is rightly outraged at both the United Narions and the United States for slinking away from responsibility to honor its promise to protect and support israel’s right to exist. He is not disavowing the “two-state” solution.

Instead, he is warning the delegates that Israel WILL defend itself against any aggressor who continues to attack.

Iran needs to take heed for this warning. It will have itself to blame for any retribution the Sword of Damocles might impact.

And the anti-Semites in this country need to sit down, shut up and beg God to forgive them for hating Israel, and Jews, for no reason.

No Real Press Conference Yet

It is September 27 and it is now less than forty days until Election Day. Donald Trump has done sixty press conferences since July. Kacklin’ Kammy has done ZERO. Sitting down for a one on one with Dana Bash and Oprah don’t count.

 

They aren’t going to be asking her hard questions. Softballs? Yes. Hardball? Not a chance.

Do we REALLY know where she stands on the Economy? Saying she is going to establish Economic Opportunities in a campaign speech or advertisement does not count unless you realize they are Communist code words for “labor camps”.

This morning, Fox News and others are reporting it has been sixty-eight days since she was put into position after Biden stepped out of the race. More like PUSHED OUT. But then, you can’t argue semantics with a left-wing toadie.

In the latest event (what was that?) she had with Oprah, even SHE was exasperated and had to tell Kammy girl to answer the question after she rambled on about nonsense and did her trademark cackle. Oprah almost looked angry and sternly admonished her.

Can you imagine four more years of that? She is so dumb she has no idea what she is talking about when she is forced off script.

And her debate performance was as “good” as it was because the ABC Lackies did not fact-check any of her lies. As required, by Kammy’s close friend, ABC News chief, Dana Walden.

So unless you can tell me what real policies or successes the Kamster has that makes her qualified to be President, other than bring a woman of color, then your explanation is as good as picking the winning horse at Belmont because its jockey wears a bright outfit.

And if you vote for her, you will be voting for the end of our Constitutional Republic and voting for us to mirror Venezuela. The Harris-Biden regime has brought us to the brink.

It will not take much to push us over the cliff because you don’t like mean tweets.

The Reality of Perception and Deception

Some people have a special knack to know when it seems to be the right time to make a stock trade. And some people have a connection that today is the day to make that trade before something negative is going to happen.

Apparently, Paul Pelosi is such a person. But which is he? The prognosticator who has a gift to sense that a stock is going to go up or down? Or, someone who has very inside information that the government will be acting soon against a stock or industry, so now is the time to get out.

I bet on the latter, based on the reports in Fox Business and elsewhere.

Since 2007, when Nancy Pelosi first became Speaker, and the third most powerful person in the government, Paul Pelosi made over $30MM buying and selling stock at suspiciously at the right time. In fact, just two months ago, he DUMPED $500K worth of Visa. On Tuesday, the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Visa, alleging that the company maintained an illegal monopoly over the U.S. debit card market.

No one is that omniscient. And this is not a coincidence. He eerily has sold stock just before government action in the past, too.

When Nancy Pelosi’s office has been contacted about her husband’s knack to “know when to hold ‘em and know when to fold ‘em”, the “stock” statement is “Speaker Pelosi does not own any stocks, and she has no prior knowledge or subsequent involvement in any transactions."

Nancy Pelosi is not the only government person who appears to be manipulating the market to her personal advantage, despite her claims not to personally own stock, but she IS the most prominent. She needs to come clean and PROVE she IS clean.

Bishop George Berkley is credited with the phrase from Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge, which is “esse est percipi,” or “To be is to be perceived.”

But, in the 1980s, political strategist Lee Atwater dumbed it down to its very basic and understandable reverse comment that “perception IS reality”.

And right now, the perception is that the Pelosis have been gaming the system and getting rich for almost eighteen years. If you think she made her millions on a $200K salary, you are a fool.

And we have all been deceived.

Mayor Adams Is Biting the Dust

It finally happened! After months of “will they” or “won’t they”, the Federal government indicted New York City Mayor Eric Adams of corruption charges. It had been speculated for months this would happen.

 

I wrote about the investigations the Feds had mounted against him and his aides several times since July. Most recently, this week I published The City That Never Sleeps, Can't and Another of the Mayor's Trees Falls, which discussed the latest, to that point, activity swirling around him.

It was reported by the New York Post and many other outlets that nearly a dozen suited-up federal agents arrived at Eric Adams’ mayoral home, Gracie Mansion, first thing Thursday to search his official residence, just hours after Adams became the first Big Apple Mayor to be indicted in a federal probe. The indictment states that he allegedly took $10 million in illegal campaign contributions and bribes, including free flights and other ritzy perks, from foreign nationals in exchange for favors. He has not yet been arrested.

It is believed by many that this is all a “revenge play” by the Harris-Biden regime due to his vocal opposition for its dumping of illegal aliens into the City without compensating it for the numerous expenses incurred that housing, feeding and medically treating them costs the City's limited budget.

Basically, the regime has sent a BIG “F” YOU through its surrogates like AOC and other Socialist sycophants in its cadre of acolytes and employees.

It started by investigating his mayoral election campaign contributions and it only snowballed from that point. Until the events which happened today.

And now, Socialist Public Advocate Jumaane Williams is calling for Adams to step aside. He is first in the line of succession AND he is an announced candidate to challenge Adams in next year’s primary. Being the incumbent would bolster his chances for election.

No matter what happens next, we can be assured Mayor Adams WILL NOT BE mayor on January 1, 2026.

The Mets Have Company

On Wednesday night, as the Mets are on the cusp of making it to the playoffs, something avoidable occurred before the game: the Wednesday and Thursday games were postponed against the Braves, due to the outer bands of Hurricane Helene reaching all the way to Atlanta. They will be made up on Monday as a doubleheader.

But why was it avoidable? It seems that both teams were off this past Monday, and at least one game could have been played that day. And the other two games could have been played on Tuesday as a doubleheader.

But the Braves would not budge when MLB asked them to. Everyone knew a major storm was coming as early as last Friday. Now, no one gets a day off on Monday. And the Wild Card Series, carved in stone, starts Tuesday.

But that isn’t the only news involving the Mets. Prior to Wednesday’s games, I looked at the standings around baseball. It appears that the record the Mets have held since the 1962 season is about to be broken.

That record is an ignominious one, to be sure. In the Mets’ first season, that team set the all-time record for losses at 120. On Tuesday, the Chicago White Sox tied it. 

Several teams came close but it wasn’t until this week, that any team tied it before now. The White Sox still have five games to go before they break this sixty-two year-old Mark of indistinction.

Several old-time Mets had mixed feelings earlier this month when asked about it. Some were hopeful it would be broken.  Others were sad to finally lose their place in baseball history.

As a fan, I am glad to see it go. After all, as the expression goes, records are made to be broken. And this one has stood long enough.

Update: the White Sox WON Wednesday night, so with four games to go, they remain tied with the 1962 Mets with 120.

Once Again, the Government Challenges Religous Freedom

The Supreme Court ruled in Dobbs v. Jackson that the Constitution does not confer a right to abortion; and, the authority to regulate abortion is “returned to the people and their elected representatives.”

 

Hence, in many states, there are proposals up for consideration BY THE PEOPLE to vote on during this election cycle. Here in Florida, should the PEOPLE approve the Amendment to the State Constitution, changes permitting abortions up to six weeks presently, will move to four months.

Now, the Harris-Biden EEOC has had its rule requiring employers provide a benefit to abortions subject to a nationwide injuction. The judge ruled the EEOC was forcing Catholic employers to violate their Right to Religious Freedom.

According to the Associated Press, Judge Daniel Traynor, of Bismarck, North Dakota, granted a preliminary injunction Monday, ruling that the Catholic Benefits Association and the Diocese of Bismarck were likely to succeed in proving that a final rule adopted by the Equal Employment Opportuniy Commission violated their freedom of religion. The regulations are meant to enforce the federal Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.

The judge also barred the EEOC from forcing the diocese and association to comply with harassment regulations meant to safeguard workers, writing “in a manner that would require them to speak or communicate in favor of abortion, fertility treatments, or gender transition when such is contrary to the Catholic faith.”

You would think Biden would have remembered that from the Sisters of Charity case,  which claimed that Obamacare forcing the hospitals run by the religious order to provide birth control was in violation of the nuns’ religious freedom, would have been “lesson learned”. But, the Harris-Biden regime is just arrogant. Or stupid.

One more point I would like to make. If employees of the 8,000  hospitals and other medical facilities owned by the Catholic Church disagree with the Church’s position on abortion, well, they are free to find employment elsewhere.

And the government DOES NOT have the right to make anyone violate their Freedom of Religion.

Another of the Mayor's Trees Falls

Another key person in New York City Mayor Eric Adams' tainted administration is calling it quits. School Chancellor David Banks has decided by the end of the year.

He is just the latest in a host of Adams aides who realizes that the time to get out is NOW. Via retirement, rather than termination. 

“I have decided to retire effective December 31, 2024, after dedicating nearly 40 years of service to New York City’s public schools.” He met with the Mayor at Gracie Mansion to let him know personally, yesterday.

 As reported in the New York Post, one of Banks’ deputies, Melissa Aviles-Ramos, is expected to be appointed as the next schools chancellor. An announcement is expected today or certainly by the end of the week.

Good move, Chancellor. The way things are fleshing out, you, at least, are trying to protect your pension and benefits. Maybe you should accelerate that date once your successor is confirmed.

City Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan said Monday he was leaving at the end of the year. In addition, City Hall saw the high-profile resignations of Chief Counsel Lisa Zornberg and former NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban.

Banks was implicated by the stunning round of raids September 4 earlier this month that saw federal agents seize the devices of several top city officials, including Caban. His brothers, Terrence and Philip Banks are also presently under investigation.

Will Mayor Adams be able to limp to the end of his term? Time will tell.

The Legacy of a Failed and Digraced President

Yesterday, Joe Biden had the chutzpah to say in his final address to the UN that he “thinks” about the thirteen service people who were killed that fateful August day in 2021. Too bad he didn’t think about them as they were trying to leave Afghanistan.

 

His remorse is self-serving: he wants everyone, at least the other globalists sitting in that auditorium, to join in his pity party. He is a pitiful excuse for an American President. WAH! WAH!

He is thinking only of his legacy, which for many reasons is in shambles. He has no one to blame but himself. Yes, Joe. YOU did this.

He received lukewarm applause at the end because he decided to claim it was time to pass the “torch to a new generation of Americans”. He unabashedly plagiarized the line from JFK’s Inaugural Address.

He did not dare mention he was forced out by members of his own party.

And Gold Star families were having none of it. He was criticized roundly by every one of them for his hubris to lie and make it about him.

So, good riddance, Joe. We hope never to see the likes of you again. You lie like a rug, you pitiful fool.

We will be better off without you. Here is to your legacy.

BLEEEAAH!

Like Father, Like Son - Sick Bastards Both

It is now being reported by many sources that the son of suspected foiled Trump assassin, Ryan Routh, isn’t the only deranged person in his family. His son, Oran Routh, 35, was arrested and is accused in a North Carolina federal court of receiving and possessing child porn.

 

This is the same son who insisted two weeks ago, after his father was arrested and charged with allegedly conspiring to assassinate Donald Trump, how “saintly” and good his father is. What a good law-abiding, sick and depraved family we have here.

The Feds discovered a trove of porn on Sept. 21 when they were searching his Greensboro home in connection to a separate investigation, according to a criminal complaint.

During the search of his apartment, they found electronic devices including a Samsung Galaxy Note 9 found in a laptop bag that contained “hundreds of child pornography files,” the court papers claim. In addition, during his arrest, they confiscated a Galaxy 9 phone he was carrying, with videos and pictures of children being abused.

Such upstanding and righteous people! And the son was whining how his father was unjustly pursued and captured by the Secret Service and County law enforcement in West Palm Beach.

Since both the father and the son were arrested on Federal felony charges, maybe the government can get a two-fer and put them both into a maximum security prison together. That way, it will be a savings for the taxpayers.

And they can spend the next thirty years or so, reminiscing how the Feds were out to get them.

Treachery at the Highest Levels

For what purpose would the Department of Justice release the letter they confiscated written by Ryan Routh several months ago, apologizing for not assassinating Donald Trump? Was it to possibly entice someone else to accomplish that dastardly deed?

 

At a minimum, Merrick Garland needs to be hauled in front of Congress to be held accountable for this absolutely stupid and treasonous act. Then he and his entire leadership team needs to be FIRED, without recourse, and lose pensions AND benefits.

This was the height of the proof that the HARRIS-BIDEN regime will go to any length to eliminate Trump. They are so fearful of losing to him, nothing is off the table.

The New York Post and other outlets have published the letter and the many opinions by several former Attorneys General criticizing the outrageous actions by the leadership of the current DOJ.

Ultimately, Merrick Garland will try to stonewall any investigation because he is a tool of the DEEP STATE. And he probably has been bought off.

And if you can’t see it, then the blinders are wrapped around your head so tight, your brain is locked.

One Week to the Playoffs

Yes Friends. I wear my heart on my sleeve when it comes to my Orange and Blue Mets. I have written about them several times this year, most recently on September 2, when I wrote The Mets Need to Step It Up.

 

Presently, as we head to the last six regular season games, their record is 87 and 69, in the second seed of the Wild Card rankings. Not bad for a team marked for dead on Memorial Day.

Since then, their record is 63 and 38, the best in baseball over that time. And had their fortunes been 19 and 9, rather than 9 and 19 in May, they would be approaching 1986 season numbers. Big word “if”.

Nevertheless, these last six games are crucial. They play a three-game series against their nemesis, the Atlanta Braves, in Atlanta. They lead them by two games, so taking two of three games would practically guarantee a seat in the post-season.

Then, they go to Milwaukee to finish the season against the Brewers, the same team they started it way back in March. They lost those games in New York, so taking the series would be sweet revenge. And it is very cold this time of year in Wisconsin.

Unless the San Diego Padres collapse these next six games, the Mets don’t play at Citifield again unless they end up as first seed. So the chance of that happening is not even in the cards. (Or if they win the first round).

And, if they get past the first round, you can be sure the joint will be rocking. But first things first. Time to get the game face on and knock the socks off the Braves and the Brewers.

It WILL BE a nerve-wracking next six days. But then, the Mets have been playing playoff-style baseball all month. They just need to keep that pedal to the metal and get to September 30 when the dust settles.

Then, the REAL playoffs will begin. LETS GO METS!!

A Celebrity Keeps His Opinions to Himself

Many years ago, Laura Ingraham wrote a book called Shut Up and Sing - How Elites from Hollywood, Politics, and the UN Are Subverting America.

It was a tome to the many celebrities who love to rant about what they believe and for whom they would be voting in the 2004 election. Twenty years ago and apparently, based on their conduct, most celebrities still haven’t read the book.

Can’t say whether or not Pharrell Williams did or didn’t read the  book, either. But USA Today reported on September 18 that he told told The Hollywood Reporter in an interview published last week that he doesn't "really do politics" and gets "annoyed sometimes" when celebrities tell people who to vote for.

“There are celebrities that I respect that have an opinion, but not all of them," he said. "I'm one of them people (who says), 'What the heck? Shut up. Nobody asked you.'"

In the past, Mr Williams admits he has supported people in the past but also says it was a personal choice for him only. I can respect that.

Everyone supports his or her favorite candidate. I know I do. And Mr Williams is entitled to support his.

But, at least, he doesn’t get on a soapbox or hold a press conference, using his celebrity, to make the world see his point of view, like so many of his colleagues.

Say Good-Bye to Yesterday - Again

 

Here is another sign of the times we live in. K-Mart, once one of America's leading discount retailers, is closing its last full-size store in the mainland United States.

 According to ABC12 and CNN, the store, in Bridgehampton, New York, on Long Island, is due to close October 20,  said an employee who answered the phone at the store Monday morning  but who did not want to give her name. Once this store closes, only the small store in Miami will be left on the mainland of the United States.

 The remaining stores outside the mainland will be located in the US Virgin Islands and Guam. They face no big-box competition. This latest closing is just the latest chapter of the disastrous 2005 merger of K-Mart and Sears.

 But this closure is also affected by the wild successes enjoyed by Walmart and Target over the same period. Both these big-box stores sell groceries and household items, as well as tools and clothing, both of which were staples in Sears and K-Mart’s existence. And of course, online shopping did not help K-Mart or Sears’ fortunes.

 Eddie Lambert, the CEO of the merged company, filed for bankruptcy protection in 2018  because he was more interested in divesting his real estate holdings than to promote the goods and services sold in the merged company. Due to his mismanagement of the bankruptcy, he was forced to sell off key assets, including the respected and iconic Craftsman brand of tools to satisfy debt.

 When it recovered from bankruptcy, there were only 231 Sears stores and 191 K-Mart stores out of the 2,500 stores in existence in 2005. And as of October 20, there will be only the Miami store left which is the size of a CVS, along with eleven smaller Sears locations.

 Sad to see it go. Another piece of American enterprise is gone forever.

The Snake Tells Another Lie

Once again, in an effort to play political “my Dad is stronger than your Dad”, both parties played political “chicken” and by the look and sound of it, old Chuckit Schumer thinks he, and the Democrat Party, is the big winner.

 

In a way, he is right. In every game where a winner is declared, there is a big loser. And this time, Schmuckie, it isn’t the Republicans. No, they were the runner-ups.

Instead, the big loser is the American people.

Fox News and others are reporting that a “bipartisan agreement” was reached on Sunday, funding the government until December 20, beyond the upcoming election. The only additional funds added was $231MM for the U.S. Secret Service with conditions that the agency cooperates with congressional investigations.

What a joke!

And so President Trump may not have to worry about another attempt on his life? But I digress.

Now, the Huckster can pound his chest and go home to campaign for other Democrat candidates, claiming what a wonderful job he and the Democrats did by sticking it to the big bad Republicans. I am sure he won’t mention the huge mess he is kicking down the road until Christmas, when we all have to wonder what will happen to us then.

Still trying to make himself into St Chuck, he said, “While I am pleased bipartisan negotiations quickly led to a government funding agreement free of cuts and poison pills, this same agreement could have been done two weeks ago.”

Right, Chuck. You were the Golden Boy, the White Knight, fighting for truth, justice and the American people. No, you dumb bobblehead doll. You were fighting for YOU only, the public be damned.

Sit down, you fraud, STFU and hopefully, on November 6, the people will have voted enough Republicans in, so you lose your slim majority, and then in your embarrassment, you will just slink away.

Like the slimy snake you really are.

The Continuing Failures of Boeing

It took at least three months of embarrassing front page news and $1.6B in cost overruns but finally, Boeing is beginning to lop off at least one head.

 

It was announced on Friday in the New York Post that new Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg in his first significant move since taking over in August, said Ted Colbert would be leaving and Steve Parker, the unit’s chief operating officer, would assume Colbert’s responsibilities until a replacement is named at a later date.

Colbert was responsible for all things Starliner which, to date, has been a colossal failure, adding to other missteps by the giant airline and aerospace manufacturer.

Colbert’s departure comes at a time when Boeing has been trying to save cash by announcing furloughs amid a strike by more than 32,000 of its workers.

But this would not be the end of it. One person is not responsible for such an obvious failure to the defense contractor. He is only the most visible.

Keep in mind thar the former head of the 737 was dismissed last year  due to the public relations nightmare the crashing of those planes around the world caused the company.

I am sure Boeing's Board is keeping its grip tightly on Ortberg’s leash. Continued failures and overruns will result in his demise.

And patience has worn thin and has frayed by the rank and file, as well.

The City That Never Sleeps, Can't

This latest episode, reported by the New York Post, in New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ tenure is proving that he has no concept how to vet potential appointees to key posts to govern the City. And he is planning to run for re-election?

 

He recently lost his Police Commissioner, Edward Caban, on Sept. 12 after Caban, an NYPD vet of thirty years, abruptly resigned amid a federal investigation.

 Electronic devices were seized by federal agents at Caban’s and other city officials’ homes as part of what sources described as a sweeping corruption probe involving potential influence peddling.

Now, this latest nightmare for Mayor Adams occurred late Friday when NYPD Interim Commissioner Thomas Donlon’s home was raided by Federal authorities. Donlon said, authorities “took materials that came into my possession 20 years ago and are unrelated to my work with the New York City Police Department.”

Apparently, Donlon was already being investigated by the Feds when Adams tapped him to succeed Caban. And no one knew this BEFORE he was appointed?

And other officials in his administration are being investigated for their potential “indiscretions” prior to, and since, their appointments in key City positions.

He is finished, for sure. There is no way the Mayor can survive this latest exposure to his poor judgement of character. The sharks smell blood and are circling City Hall.

But these are small fry, loons actually, who think they can do better. But they are all stupid. So, most intelligent people will stay clear of these nightmares.

But the big fish, the Shark looming off in the distance, smells his opportunity to make what some would say his triumphant political comeback. And like in Jaws, he lurks waiting for his time to strike.

Everyone knows, like the Amity Harbor Mayor and the Police Chief did, that he is out there. But like that great white, former Governor Andrew Cuomo is patient and shrewd. He is biding his time for the harbor to clear.

The next Mayoral election cycle will begin on November 6, the day after the Presidential election. And by Thanksgiving, the path will be clear.

And on January 1, 2026, we just might be watching the former governor be sworn in as the next Mayor of New York.

Why Trump Should Continue to Refuse Debating the Kackler

It was reported by Fox News, the New York Post and CNN that Kamala Harris has accepted an invitation to debate Donald Trump on October 23 .

 

But until and unless Kacklin' Kammy is willing to appear on Fox News or NEWSMAX, and accept those invitations, Donald Trump MUST CONTINUE to refuse any additional invitations by ANY “liberal” (Socialist) network.

Apparently, the Kamster will ONLY appear on networks she deems moderators will be favorable to her positions. As ABC News proved at the most recent debate, the LAME Stream BIASED Media favors Democrat candidates and will CHALLENGE Republicans.

Prior to 2008, most networks, while leaning Democrat, still maintained some sense of fair-play and impartiality when hosting debates or interviewing most guests. But since Obama, the impression is now an actual hostility to Republicans.

Only Fox News still maintains a sense of impartiality. At one point, their tagline was “Fair and Balanced”. And in most cases, at least during the day, it still is.

So, to sum up: no Republican, or ANY candidate, should appear for a debate or subject themselves to interviews on ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN or any of their affiliates or company-owned stations unless Democrats will be willing to appear on Fox or NEWSMAX.

It is the Democrats who have shown the polarization and favoritism of the political divide, not the Republicans. To paraphrase the Washington Post tagline, “Democracy Died With Democrats”.

And, by the way, any fair-minded executive of these companies who understands the basic precepts of Journalism would agree.

The Importance of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has been considered a Swing State since George Bush 41 won the state in 1988, until Donald Trump recaptured it in 2016 by less than one percent of the vote. Then, Joe Biden won it back in 2020 with 1.1% in his favor.

 

Once again, with its nineteen electoral votes up for grabs, the Keystone State will be a deciding factor on the 2024 election in fifty-six days. Both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris have made several visits to this important electorate.

As you know, as he was doing another rally in Butler, there was an attempted assassination made against him. He was grazed, but then, stood up defiantly, raised his fist and yelled “Fight! Fight! Fight!” to the cheering and relieved crowd.

At that point, . Since then, he has been back several times to even larger crowds.

Several politicians and pundits, including Democrat Senator John Fetterman, believe President Trump has an excellent chance to win the State’s popular and electoral votes, which will, in turn, create an excellent opportunity to handily win the election.

“Trump has created a special kind of hold within the coronet he’s remade, the party, and he has a special kind of place in Pennsylvania, and I think that only deepened after the first assassination attempt," Fetterman said to Fox News and the Atlantic Festival. 

As Election Day draws closer, it will become more apparent if the “Experts” and “Professionals” are right.

'Tis the Season...

Today is September 21, the last full weekend of Summer. Autumn starts on Monday and in the northern climes, trees are beginning to show their brilliant colors.

 

QVC and HSN have already begun selling Christmas and Hannukkah products to buy, like trees, wreaths, new-style lights and delicious, savory food treats. Some are available now and some will be placed on a “layaway” schedule to be delivered in November and December.

Home Depot, Lowes and Spirit Halloween have their seasonal decorations selling now, with displays of cool animatronics to entertain you and “scare” you as you walk inside. With some, the prices certainly will. Lololol! And by mid-October, Christmas decorations will be on full display.

And Christmas, if you can believe it, will be coming again. Walmart and Costco have begun displaying some Christmas trinkets right next to the Halloween and Thanksgiving items. Since Labor Day!

Hallmark stores have been selling ornaments since July. And some are already sold out.

And speaking of Hallmark, Hallmark Channel is celebrating 15 years of “Countdown to Christmas” with 31 new movies, while Hallmark Mystery will air nine new movies as part of “Miracles of Christmas.” The annual event kicks off on Oct. 18.

SiriusXM has begun to offer “deals” to sign up “FREE” for the first three months, which will expire during the height of the full-blown Christmas season. It will be offering at least five channels of Christmas/Holiday music, which starts around November 1. At the same time, your local FM radio station will be adding Holiday music to their playlists.

I wrote earlier this month that Publix Super Markets is offering eight holiday-based ice cream flavors for your seasonal delights. Dunkin’, Starbucks and others are in full swing with Pumpkin Spice coffee and holiday-decorated treats.

Soon enough, we will be saturated with all the Major Sports being played at the same time. If you are a sports junkie, you will be able to watch the World Series, College Football and the NFL, your favorite NBA and NHL games to fill your nights and weekend viewing pleasure. And choose your fantasy teams to bet on.

Yes, friends, it is that psychotic season again where everything is jumbled together, forcing you to take in ALL that this season has to offer. And then in a flash (or in three months or January 2), it will all be over.

Let me be the first to wish you all a HAPPY HALLOWTHANKSMAS, Everyone!

The Price For Justice Denied Is Finally Paid

Here is something the Left can get its panties in a wad again. It was reported today in the New York Post and elsewhere that America’s ally Israel, through its IDF military arm, took out Hezzbollah leader, Ibrahim Aqil.

 

Why does this matter? Well, in 1983 he was one of the masterminds who killed 241 Marines in Beirut.

Aqil, most recently a member of Hezbollah’s highest military body, the Jihad Council, “was eliminated in a targeted intelligence-based strike in Beirut,” the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement.

At the time of Aqil’s death, the IDF said, he and other terror commanders were planning a fresh incursion into Israel to “kidnap and murder innocent civilians in a similar manner to the October 7 Massacre.”

But I am sure the anti-Semites will lament his death and castigate Israel. Of course they will. That is what they do best.

And, finally, the families of the Marines and the embassy staff, and others who died because this man practiced hate, will get the justice which was long denied to them. And I share in their relief.

Thank You and God Bless the IDF for doing the work which should have been done forty years ago.

The Disastrous Biden Legacy

What will be the Biden Legacy for his Presidency? High inflation? Failure of Foreign Policy? The rise of Anti-Semitism worse than in the 1930s?

 

How about the Weaponization of the entire Executive Branch?

Any one of these would be an unmitigated disaster to his legacy just by itself. But together, they reveal incompetence, stupidity and criminal behavior against the American people, generally, and persecution of opponents specifically.

Especially the Weaponization of the Executive Branch.

We all can agree that the DOJ is out to get Donald Trump; whether you like him or not, if you are a fair-minded person, you must admit that some of those charges would never be raised against a Democrat. And you know, many are not as pure as the driven snow.

And fortunately, the courts still hold some sway to make certain Constitutional Law, as written, prevails.

The latest weaponization has occurred with the FAA saying SpaceX violated launch requirements during two missions: In July 2023, during SpaceX’s EchoStar XXIV/Jupiter mission, the company used an unapproved propellant farm as a fuel supplier. In May 2023, it failed to conduct a pre-launch poll and used an unapproved launch control room.

But, as reported in the Washington Times today, Elon Musk said in his counter-suit, NO PUNISHMENT was assessed to Boeing for its failure in the Starliner Fiasco despite almost killing two astronauts AND the potential of blowing up the Space Station.

He will sue the Federal Aviation Administration for “regulatory overreach” after the agency fined the company $630,000 for violating launch regulations.

Good. The “Lawfare” Biden has overseen must be stopped and when the bureaucrats running the show get fired for causing financial harm to the United States, then perhaps, it will finally stop.

Meanwhile, this is Biden’s Legacy. GOOD JOB, Joey. You made your family proud.

And in fifty years you will be remembered as the Most Incompetent and Corrupt President we ever had. Teapot Dome will be a blip compared to what you were.

All Rebuke the Biden Legacy!

When You Are a Democrat, Just Lie and Expect to Get Away With It

President Biden claimed yesterday that he NEVER spoke to Jerome Powell ONCE during his four years as President. He emphatically made this statement during a speech to to the Economic Club of Washington, saying, "Unlike my predecessor, I respect the Federal Reserve's independence as they pursued a mandate to bring inflation down."

 

He is right. NOT ONCE did he speak to Chairman Powell of the FRB. Instead, he spoke to Chairman Powell THREE TIMES.

According to reports in Fox News Digital and other sources, he spoke to the Chairman in May, 2022 in his third in-person interview since becoming President in January, 2021. This was reported separately by Bloomberg and Reuters. And found on You Tube.

So, I wonder what he wanted to talk to the Chairman about. The Stanley Cup Playoffs? The names being rolled out for the upcoming Hurricane Season? The name he gave to his new dog?

Of course, being the honest and highly respectful person Biden is to “respect the Fed’s independence, which I have done and will continue to do,” surely he NEVER spoke about raising interest rates or increasing the monetary supply or utilizing other tools at the Fed’s disposal to combat the raging inflation at that time. Right? RIGHT?

Of course not. Biden ALWAYS maintains integrity above reproach, mindful that he is only the President and not supposed to interfere in another person’s responsibilities.

And where were all the independent fact-checkers yesterday when he said this? At a convention? Looking at everything Donald Trump said? Head in the sand?

And how many other times did Biden talk to Powell that we have not yet discovered?

I am sure David Muir and Lindsey Davis were doing something very important. Like lunch. Or looking for pick-up sticks. Because no mention was made of Biden’s falsehood and lie on ABC News.

Because he is a Democrat and the LAME Stream INCOMPETENT Media NEVER fact-checks DEMOCRATS.

Especially when they blatantly lie.

Sit Down, Shut Up and Burn in Hell

This will be short. I am tired of Americans sitting in the halls of the Congress, both in the House and in the Senate, lecturing on us on morality, when they are blatant anti-Semites. Like Schumer and Sanders and Warren. Like Pelosi and Wasserman-Schultz and Frost.

Like AOC and her anti-Jewish squad.

I agree with Senator Jodi Ernst as was reported in NEWSMAX. These people, led by Ocasio-Cortez, hate Israel and Jews so much, they are blinded by their hatred and their outrage.

Where were these bigots last October 7, when Hamas took innocent victims, men, women children and babies, tortured them, raped them and killed them? You bigots said NOTHING at the time. In fact, you all promoted Pro-Hamas fever in this country.

NOW, Israel has decided to retaliate against these terrorists and you cry for the TERRORISTS? Because these cowards hide beneath hospitals and civilian neighborhoods?

You sicken me with your hypocrisy. You are evil. You belong in Hell.

Do us all a favor, sit the feck down and shut the feck up.

The Church's Continuing Denial

In June, 1981, six children witnessed what they called the appearance of the “Gospa” or Lady in what is now Bosnia, a region in the former Yugoslavia. The children, Ivan Dragičević, Ivanka Ivanković, Jakov Čolo, Marija Pavlović, Mirjana Dragičević and Vicka Ivanković, ranged in age from twelve to sixteen at the time.

 

The site is in Medjugorje and had become a shrine of devotion to millions of Christians and others, much like Lourdes, Fatima or Guadaloupe, to pray to Mary, the Blessed Mother of Jesus Christ, to intercede on the behalf of the devotees.

As you may know, she is revered by those who practice the Abrahamic religions. She is known as Maryam, Miriam and Maria, among the Muslim Jewish and Christian faiths.

For years, the Catholic Church has reserved its acceptance of this “miracle ”, but it was reported today in Reuters and elsewhere, via various Vatican sources, that finally, the Vatican’s doctrine office offered a cautiously positive (and mixed) assessment Thursday of alleged Marian messages emanating from Medjugorje, authorizing the local bishop to issue a declaration of “nihil obstat” (“nothing stands in the way”).

It took forty-three years for the Church to recognize what so many others held in their faith without question. The Church in its usual double-speak both honors and still questions the devotion worshippers still hold.

According to the DDF’s note, “the nihil obstat indicates that the faithful can receive a positive encouragement for their Christian life through this spiritual proposal, and it authorizes public acts of devotion.”

But it continues, “the positive assessment that most of the messages of Medjugorje are edifying does not imply a declaration that they have a direct supernatural origin. Consequently, when referring to ‘messages’ from Our Lady, one should always bear in mind that they are ‘alleged messages.’”

Apparently, the Church continues to play both sides against the middle, trying to instill doubt in those who truly believe and accept the appearance of fhe “Queen of Peace”.

You would think the Church would be satisfied and delighted that people would find a pathway to a more religious experience. Instead, it continues to cast doubt masked with false hope on the faith of so many.

When will the Church realize it is people’s faith that matters, not the words of ecclesiastical beaucrats?

Voyager or V-ger - Is It Art or Life?

Do you know where you were on September 5, 1977? It was Labor Day, and I was enjoying a day off from the Bank with a woman I had recently started dating, with her six year old daughter. We decided to go to Kissena Park, in Queens, near her home for a picnic. 

I took her and her daughter to the playground to spend time just before summer vacation ended.

 

That same day, another event took place that, at the time, we took for granted as just another space launch. It was Voyager 1 which was designated to eventually go to Jupiter. A few days later, Voyager 2 would be launched for redundancy’s sake.

In 1979, Star Trek – The Motion Picture made reference to it, as “V-ger” was returning to Earth to find its “Creator” in the 23rd Century. Fiction, yes?

Not so fast.

No one thought at that time EITHER Voyager would still be around, communicating with its “Creator” forty-sevn years after they were launched, never mind three hundred years later.

CNN Science reported that while both Voyagers left the heliosphere years ago, NASA was recently able to make a course correction to Voyager 1. The heliosphere is the boundary where the effects of the sun, like its light and gravity, ceased to make a difference or have an impact.

They are both now traveling through interstellar space more than fifteen billion miles away. 

Star Trek territory. 

As luck would have it, radio communication is still possible. And as long as communications continue to exist, NASA engineers can send corrections to the spacecrafts. It may, however, take more than forty-eight hours to send and receive the correction signals and ackowledgements. 

But it is all good.

Our lives as we lived them almost a half century ago are so different now. We have and use tools we only saw on Star Trek and Star Wars. They, and we have moved from fiction to reality.

So, is life imitating art, or did art convert to life?

When Online Destroyed Plastic

It has been circulating for months and today it finally happened. Iconic Tupperware Brands, which was founded by Earl Tupper in 1946, declared bankruptcy today in Federal bankruptcy court due to its $811MM crushing debt.

 

It was reported by the Associated Press that Orlando, Florida-based Tupperware plans to continue operating during the bankruptcy proceedings and will seek court approval for a sale.

It is obvious that the fall of the company is due in part to online companies’ ability to provide similar products manufactured overseas. In addition, companies like Glad and Hefty provide like products in supermarkets and discount stores, and as impulse buys more cheaply than this American-developed company.

In a bit of nostalgia, people, generally women, would host “Tupperware Parties” and sell them through and to their friends. Coffee and cake would be served and the host would generally get a gift from the distributor-salesperson.

This became the model for other products to follow like Avon Makeup, Sarah Coventry Jewelry, Mary Kay Products and Christmas Around the World. These were the first “side hustles” to make our “mad money”.

Hopefully, Tupperware be proven durable and will make a comeback.

On Betraying an Ally

Even if I were told a secret by a friend I would NEVER betray the trust. Nor, if I SUSPECTED my friend may have done something I thought he MIGHT have done, it would not be up to me to reveal it. That is HIS responsibility.

That is called the Seal of Confession. But the "Devout" Catholic President conveniently forgets that.

 

However, once again, the Harris-Biden Administration has decided to betray Israel on national TV. It was reported by Brett Baier of Fox News that a senior administration official told him specifically that it was Israel who created the pager explosion yesterday in Lebanon.

Sell out America’s ally in the Middle East, you anti-Semitic bastard.

Israel said nothing. It was not up to our government to say anything, even if they only suspected it. And certainly not to betray a confidence.

But the anti-Semites which permeate the Harris-Biden regime could not contain their glee to sell out Israel. That is how much hate they hold for Israel. It is obvious to even the most casual observer.

When Donald Trump becomes President again, the world will once again see what an ally really is. Until then, no one can trust our government.

November 5 can’t come fast enough.