Will the Paramount/CBS/Skydance Deal Survive Another Black Eye?

One would think that producers  of CBS News are aware that Shari Redstone is trying to sell her shares of Paramount, which owns CBS in its entirety, to Skydance for well over $6Bn USD. But maybe they did not get the memo to tread softly, considering that the deal is already under fire because of the 60 Minutes lawsuit involving Donald Trump.

 

So what did the producers of “CBS Sunday Morning” do? Why they only violated an agreement they made with Bill Belichick, which had been conveyed by Simon & Schuster, by asking him questions which did not involve his book, The Art of Winning – Lessons from My Life in Football.

Instead, the North Carolina head coach released a statement Wednesday bashing “CBS Sunday Morning” for “selective editing” from his controversial interview that featured Jordon Hudson interrupting the interview to say her 73-year-old boyfriend would not answer a question about the two met.

The CBS interview clearly touched on his relationship with Hudson, which had been deemed of limits.

“Unfortunately, the expectation was not honored during the interview,” Belichick said in the statement. “I was surprised when unrelated topics were introduced and I repeatedly expressed to the reporter, Tony Dokoupil, and the producers that I preferred to keep the conversation centered on the book.

“After this occurred several times, Jordon, with whom I share both a personal and professional relationship, stepped in to reiterate that point to help refocus the discussion. She was not deflecting any specific question or topic but simply doing her job to ensure the interview stayed on track. Some of the clips make it appear as though were were avoiding the question of how we met, but we have been open about the fact that Jordon and I met on a flight to Palm Beach in 2021.

“The final eight-minute segment does not reflect the productive 35-minute conversation we had, which covered a wide range of topics related to my career. Instead, it presents edited clips and stills from just a few minutes of the interview to suggest a false narrative, that Jordon was attempting to control the conversation,  which is simply not true.”

The arrogance of the producers and the interviewer to try and produce a “gotcha” interview to belittle their guest is actually beyond the pale. It would not be surprising if Coach Belichick and the executives at Simon & Schuster filed a “breach of contract” lawsuit, furthering to complicate the already difficult sale.

And if the FCC looks at this closely, then there may be additional delays or even a kabash on the whole deal.

Then, Shari Redstone will show her anger by decapitating the producers and the interviewer who thought they knew better. Like former EP Bill Owens who claimed he dd it, “for the good of the show”.

And once again, CBS is left with another black eye.

The Ultimate Embarrassment of an Incompetent and Failed "Journalist"

Where was Terry Moran for the the four years of the Biden disaster? According to his Wikipedia page, he has been ABC's Senior National Correspondent since 2018. But Terry (The Man) Moran (the headline to his Wiki bio) was certainly a non-factor, not the “hard-hitting” journalist he attempted to be while interviewing President Trump.

 

During the Biden Regime, his hardest question to the Sleeper-In-Chief was asking him if he liked nuts on his chocolate ice cream cone.

Now, suddenly, he tried to show he went to Journalism School by debating with the President about the MS-13 tattoos on the fingers of illegal immigrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia. He tried to claim they were photo-shopped, several times, as if he were an expert on photo-shopped tattoos.

Then, rather than moving on, he gave several shots at Trump, implying he was a liar.

The commander-in-chief put the "senior national correspondent" in his place during a tense exchange in which Moran challenged him.

“Hey, they’re giving you the big break of a lifetime, you know you’re doing the interview,” Trump said. “I picked you because frankly, I never heard of you.

“I picked you, but you’re not being very nice,” he responded.

The addressing by Moran of Trump was evident to anyone who saw the difference between a Biden interview and this one. He suddenly found his journalist’s chops after four years.

This continued on every topic, including the tariffs, the economy, Ukraine, China and the Middle East.

Finally, tensions heated up again when Moran pressed Trump on whether he trusted Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“I don’t trust you,” Trump said. “I don’t trust a lot of people.”

The ultimate put-down of an incompetent imposter of a “Cronkite wannabe”.

Expediting MAHA

As one who has been dealing with cancer treatment therapies since 2021, I can assure you that I welcome the announcement by Merck Pharmaceuticals that they will be expanding their American-produced cancer treatment facilities in the US. They are producers of both Keytruda and Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) treatments, both of which I have been treated to combat my current cancer.

This is especially important since in the beginning, in 2021, BCG products were delayed by supply-chain issues from Europe, in the early days of Covid. And this is still an ongoing issue.

Now BCG will be manufactured here in the US, as well as Keytruda.

In response to President Trump’s threats to tariff, several other pharmaceutical companies are also investing in or shifting production to the United States. Companies like AstraZeneca, Novartis, Eli Lilly, Roche, and Johnson & Johnson are either expanding existing US manufacturing facilities or building new ones. This move is driven by factors like mitigating potential tariff impacts, diversifying supply chains, and bolstering national security.

This month, President Donald Trump directed his health department to work with Congress on revamping a law that allows Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices, seeking to introduce a change the pharmaceutical industry has lobbied for.

Trump cannot implement the change through executive order because the negotiation process is outlined in legislation, but his order instructs Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to work with Congress on changing it. And expediting the timeliness, where possible.

Other proposed changes to the negotiation process would yield more savings than those achieved during the first round under the Biden administration, White House officials told reporters on a call before the signing without providing specifics.

And the FDA is moving to eliminate food dyes from foods on a faster pace than the current schedule calls for.

A White House official revealed the administration would resurrect a program from Trump's first term to give insulin to seniors and low-income individuals, including those without insurance. In some cases, the official said, patients would pay three cents a vial, plus a small administrative fee, for insulin; injectable epinephrine would cost $15 for auto-injector under the program, the official said.

"The president is leveraging current programs to deliver meaningful cost savings here," the official said.

And between the tariffs and the on-shore Pharmaceuticals and the FDA changes and all the rest, it all will Make America Healthy Again.

The Irrelevance of The Democrat Leadership

Aaahhh yes. Political relevance. We have seen the Democrat Party in search for a leader to give relevance to it again. Last week, we saw Sleepy Joe come out of hibernation to give a meandering address about Social Security and use a derogatory racial term about seeing certain children on a school bus back in the days prior to the Civil Rights era.

And just this past weekend, we saw the same Joe Biden clutching the arms of his haggard and tired caretaker wife and an elderly priest to help him walk down three stairs to prevent him from falling on his face in the Vatican. So, bzzz. He won’t be a relevant voice any more.

And earlier this month, we watched an old has-been and a younger never-was trying to gin up the base by going on a “Fight Oligarchy” tour, criticizing millionaires and billionaires for their success, while failing to mention they are oligarchs, too, by their own definition. After all, they are millionaires with homes and net worth in the millions. As they flew to these events on their private charter plane.

Oh yeah, and their donors fall into to the same Oligarchy class, too. So, these two fakers won’t be taking the leadership, either.

Now, another blast from the past is preparing to rear her head from political oblivion. Yes, Friends. Get ready to see The Kamster rise from her own ashes, as she is ready to charge a minimum $25 streaming fee for you to enjoy her serve up another bowl of word salad for your listening displeasure.

Kacklin’ Kammy was announced Monday as the keynote speaker for Emerge America’s 20th anniversary gala, which will take place Wednesday night in San Francisco, where she is expected to offer her views on President Trump’s first 100 days and her own political future. As she sees it.

Ticket packages for the Emerge America fundraiser, a group that trains Democratic women to run for office, range from $50,000 for top-level sponsorship to $250 for a general admission seat. As well as that “bargain” $25 streaming rip-off.

The former veep has reportedly told allies she will make a decision about what she wants to do by the end of this summer, but has insisted, as Politico quoted her saying last month, “I’m staying in this fight.”

Aaah, yes. The need for political relevance. Still a Democrat Party mystery.

And the search continues.

Tariffs, the Congress and the Markets

With about an hour to go on the trading day, as i begin to write this, the market has rebounded back to positive territory, after being down almost 200 points in the session. Equally, Nasdaq and the S&P are poised to enter positive levels.

 

The earlier drop was caused by speculation that Bitcoin would tumble. But that did not happen. 

And Treasury Secretary Scott Besset, in an interview, said President Trump will be "intimately involved" in the trade deals with each of 18 important trading partners excluding China, and it will be important to reach agreements in principle soon. Later, it was announced that a deal with India, the new provider of Apple iPhones, was “imminent”.

In addition, President Trump posted the following on Truth Social: “When Tariffs cut in, many people's Income Taxes will be substantially reduced, maybe even completely eliminated. Focus will be on people making less than $200,000 a year.”

 He continued, “Also, massive numbers of jobs are already being created, with new plants and factories currently being built or planned. It will be a BONANZA FOR AMERICA!!! THE EXTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE IS HAPPENING!!!"

In an interview with Time Magazine released Friday, Trump said he made "200 deals" on tariffs and that the arrangements will be "finished" in the next three to four weeks.

While Republican Senator Rand Paul and many Senate Democrats, led by Senator Ron Wyden, are considering the President’s ability to apply tariffs, he has shown tariffs are working to bring trade with other trading partners to a fairer and more level trading field.

And of course, the Libs in the Media, and Democrats in the House and Senate are cheering against the President with some in the Congress holding a sit-in on the steps of the Capital like they did during Trump's first term. Like infants who whine and pull tantrums because they don’t get their way.

At the closing bell, the Dow was up 114 to 40,227, the S&P was up almost 4 at 5,528 and the NASDAQ was down 17 at 17,366.

Making America Home - LEGALLY

This morning, the media is reporting that the White House grounds have been adorned with posters which reveal the pictures and arrest status of many illegal aliens who have been identified and lists of the despicable crimes some have committed. They cannot be missed, as they are all within camera shots where the media generally stands to shoot video.

 

The placards, emblazoned with “ARRESTED,” could be seen lined up along the White House driveway first thing Monday to showcase some of the worst offenders nabbed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in President Trump’s first 100 days, a White House official told the media present.

.

“White House lawn looks a little different this AM,” Trump administration spokesperson Kaelan Dorr said in an X post. “And they say yard signs don’t win elections…”

The signs, emblazoned with “ARRESTED,” feature photos of the migrants, as well as their apparent crimes, including “first-degree murder,” “sexual abuse of a child,” “kidnapping and rape,” “murder,” “rape of a child,” and “distribution of fentanyl.”

Some illegals have been deported, while others are being held in detention centers and jails, awaiting their fate.

In addition, both Chilean illegals, who absconded with DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s handbag on Easter Sunday as she was treating her grandchildren to Easter brunch have both been arrested. One perp is being held in a DC lockup while the other is now held in Miami. Both were caught and released in 2021 under the Biden-Harris-Mayorkas corruption regime.

My grandparents and great- grandparents came here legally, when conditions were equally harsh in their countries. My Irish great-grandparents were dealing with British rule over Ireland and a severe potato famine; my Sicilian grandparents were dealing with the abuses of the Mafia and the rise of Mussolini and fascism. When they came here, they were grateful and became assimIlated, law-abiding citizens.

Unlike those who who have come here illegally and commit heinous crimes.

So, knowing I have been criticized for my views, have been called a racist or worse, and have lost friends, I will continue to support the deportation of illegal criminal aliens from MY country. And I will support legal immigration from any country where those people wish to make America their home, too.

What is so hard for ANYONE to understand THAT concept?

A Lying Snake Gets Bit and Fired

Here is a bit of unexpected news which was buried with the news surrounding the death of the Pope, continued anti-Semitism on college campuses and tariff news. 

Susan Rice, former Obama National Security Advisor and spreader of a false narrative on five Sunday news shows after the Benghazi disaster in 2012, to cover the @$$÷$ of Obama and Hillary after their screw-up, was fired on Thursday from her cushy job at the DOD Advisory Board.

 

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fired Pentagon advisory committee members, including Rice, after another ousted top official accused them of being the source of a series of embarrassing leaks.

Defense Department spokesperson Sean Parnell announced the purge in a statement late Thursday.

He signaled the move had long been in the works as the group was dismissed Wednesday after a 45-day review which the Pentagon did across Defense Department advisory committees in early March.

“Secretary Hegseth appreciates the members’ efforts on behalf of the department and the United States of America, but changes are needed to support the new strategic direction and policy priorities of the department and to ensure departmental resources are used efficiently,” Parnell said in a statement. It is unclear if they retain their Security clearances.

However, their dismissal came after a top Pentagon official, who was fired as part of the investigation into the series of unflattering leaks, accused members of the Advisory Board of being behind the damaging information slowly coming out of the department.

Rice angrily responded that Hegseth as a “white male Christian cisgender macho MAGA man,” proves that it’s possible that someone “can be as dumb as a rock and be deemed qualified to serve as Secretary of Defense.”

Apparently, Susan Rice thinks she is entitled to that appointment and has decided to spew her venom at her former boss. Hopefully, others will see her true lack of character.

Glad she finally got her just reward.

The Intrigue of Vatican Politics is on Display

The funeral for Pope Francis, the first pontiff from the Americas, took place in Saint Peter’s Square in Rome’s Vatican City on Saturday morning. He arrived at Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome to be buried.

Many world leaders were in attendance, including President Trump, President Zelenskyy,  Prime Minister Meloni and Prince William.

In a statement, the Vatican said, “The [burial] rite took place according to the prescriptions of the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis, presided over by the Cardinal Camerlengo, in the presence of those indicated in the relevant Notification of the Office of Liturgical Celebrations and the relatives of the deceased Pope, and concluded at 1:30 p.m. (Rome time).”

Now, according to tradition, the Conclave of the Cardinals eligible to vote, those under 80, approximately 138, will assemble within the next fifteen days to consider who they will elect. Each day of the Conclave, there will be two votes in the morning and two votes in the afternoon,  until a Successor is chosen.

Speculation has already begun. It is the most diverse group ever assembled, with potential candidates from all across the globe.

While many believe that a candidate from the US is unlikely, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, currently the Camerlengo or Chamberlain, who served also as a Bishop from Dallas, came originally from Ireland. He could emerge as the “dark horse” or compromise choice.

The procedure for electing a new pontiff begins with “novemdiales,” nine days of mourning, which begins on the day of Francis’ funeral.

Then, Conclave commences 15 to 20 days after a pope dies or resigns.

The church enters a period known as “sede vacante”, a Latin phrase that translates to “vacant seat”, which lasts until “the moment the new guy says yes,”  Reverend Patrick Flanagan, chair of St. John’s University’s theology department explained.

During this time, the College of Cardinals will temporarily take over the Church, led by the Camerlengo, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who was chosen by Pope Francis in 2019.

Rumors will be on fire, but the Conclave is cloaked with secrecy. No outside contact, via cell phone, internet, TV, etc, will be permitted, as all members will swear an oath to that promise. The security is tighter than that of a sequestered jury.

It is considered a sacred ritual for those who participate.  Whoever emerges as Pope when it is done,  will have much to do.

And the Faithful are watching.

All Three Markets Begin to Climb Again

All three markets were up again today, with the Dow at 40,114, up 20.10 over yesterday's close. Last week, the Dow closed on Thursday for the Easter break, at 39,143, which showed up 971.00 for the week.

Since the tariff issue was started on April 2, after 3 ½ weeks the market is down only 2,111. Not bad for all the stomach-wrenching and hand-wringing we witnessed earlier this month.

As discussed on April 4th in Tariffs, Economics 101 and A Little Common Sense, I had said, “And perhaps, the markets may continue to lose, at least on Monday and Tuesday. But as with every other market upheaval, the markets will come back and will surge to new heights.

It happened in 1929, 1986, 2000, 2001, 2008 and 2020. And each time, the Chicken Littles who had wrung their hands, had to eat crow.

Now, while the “experts” are predicting gloom and doom that the world is in upheaval because of the tariffs and castigating President Trump, if you listen closely, there are about FIFTY countries who want to make some type of deal so that the President will roll back the tariffs.”

Certainly other than with China, the Trump Administration is well on the way to negotiate with many countries, with some ready to be finalized and announced. To ours and the specific country(ies) benefit. And wasn’t it China who began this years ago? By manipulating its currency and applying outrageous tariffs in the 90s?

Once those announcements happen, the market will be lit to soar quickly to 50,000. Then, what? Will the “Doubting Thomases” in the media and other critics finally give President Trump the props he deserves?

So let’s see how the last three trading days of April play out, shall we?

Disrespecting the Deceased

It has been widely reported that more than just a few mourners, as they passed the casket of Pope Francis, decided to take selfies of themselves, some smiling disrespectfully, and then, driven by their egos, posted the photos to Instagram and other sites. That is the height of some self-serving sick personality disorder.

 

Would these same sycophants want strangers to take selfies of themselves with their deceased loved one? I don’t think so.

They are in it for clicks and likes, even if there is a negative emoji applied to it. Recognition and fame is all that matters.

“There were also many people looking around and getting upset with those on the phones, with images showing others crowding around taking pics, despite being told not to,” said one mourner.

Some 50,000+ people have made their way to St Peter’s Basilica from across the globe to pay their final respects to the pope, who died of a stroke on Easter Monday.

Francis’ casket wasn’t put on an elevated bier, as was the case with past popes, per his request to simplify the rituals to reflect his belief that the pope’s role is that of simple pastor, not world leader.

This gave an opportunity to those who would actually disrespect the deceased Pope, for their own perverse need to find fame.

Fire Those Who Sabotage Responsibility for Political Notoriety

It seems that there is a quiet rebellion going on within the Trump Administration. The most recent evidence occurred this week, at the Department of Transportation and at the Department of Defense. 

Previously, we saw leaks occur at the Department of Homeland Security, involving raids, and complaints to media and Democrat sympathizers regarding the activities of DOGE.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth lost another member of his team Thursday as former chief of staff Joe Kasper is reportedly leaving the Pentagon amid a “turf war” that has resulted in several high-level departures and threats of subjecting staff to polygraph tests.

Pentagon senior adviser Dan Caldwell, former deputy chief of staff Darin Selnick and Colin Carroll, former chief of staff to the deputy secretary of defense, were each escorted out of the building in a series of firings last week in the aftermath of the leak probe.

Of course, the media and the Democrats are celebrating with glee as Secretary Hegseth continues to be held up to ridicule by the Department’s turmoil. To date, President Trump continues to stand by the Secretary.

And, in another “intentional mishap”, lawyers for the Department of Transportation “accidentally” uploaded an internal memo detailing the federal agency’s plan to kill congestion pricing in New York, and admitting that the legal strategy is “very unlikely” to succeed.

The 11-page filing, which was posted on a court docket and then quickly deleted late Wednesday, lists the holes in Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s legal arguments to stop the tolling program that hits drivers entering Manhattan below 60th Street with a $9 fee.

A DOT spokesperson confirmed Thursday that as a result of the gaffe, the attorneys from the Southern District of New York would be replaced by others in the Department of Justice’s Civil Division based in Washington DC.

In the early days of Trump’s Presidency, it was revealed that illegal aliens, who were going to be taken by DHS agents, were tipped off and were able to avoid capture.

Now, two individuals accused of leaking details about immigration raids have been identified and will be referred to the Justice Department for “felony prosecutions,” Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem revealed.

The resistance by career Federal employees is becoming an albatross for the Trump Administration to do the job the American people want done. But as with everything the President has shown, he will not be deterred, not will those who are charged with the responsibility.

This is why DOGE is going after the unelected bureaucracy so adamantly. To root out those who think THEY are the government, not the individuals elected by the the people.

It is beyond time for the bureaucrats to get the hell out if they continue to resist, as it will prove to be futile.

The Final Days of Hoping to End an Unnecessary War

The Preamble of the Constitution of the United States lays out pretty specific goals for which all Americans should aspire. If is not a Constitution for the world to follow, nor is it one we should foist upon the world at large.

 

But while we consider these goals to be uniquely American, they are also beneficial to the entire species of humanity.

These could be applied to everyone. They are: To Form a more Perfect Union, Establish Justice, Insure Domestic Tranquility, Provide for the Common Defence, Promote the General Welfare, and Secure the Blessings of Liberty to Ourselves and our Posterity.

Pretty basic and humanist goals.

But, no matter what some think, we are not the policeman, nor the moral guidepost for the world. Each nation has the right to follow its own moral instincts.

After all, we are created with the ability to have free will.

And while the United States and President Trump have offered to assist in ending the Russian-Ukraine War, it has become apparent that neither side is really willing to lay down its weapons. Each country claims to want a cease-fire, but neither has kept at it for very long.

At a given opportunity, one country will fire off a missile or a bomb at the other in order to gain an immediate and small advantage. And while it is exasperating to watch, no one wants to become involved to only watch it escalate.

Now, President Trump claimed Thursday that “I have my own deadline” for ending Russia’s war on Ukraine, expressing tepid hope for keeping his peace drive alive after the White House suggested earlier this week that it would wash its hands of the conflict.

“I think we’re gonna, I hope we’re gonna get there, for the sake of a lot of young people that are dying,” Trump told reporters ahead of a meeting with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre at the White House. “I have my own deadline. I have my own deadline, and we want it to be fast.”

Earlier Thursday, Trump fired off a frustrated Truth Social post telling Russian President Vladimir Putin to “STOP” firing missiles into Kyiv, after the largest missile and drone attack on the Ukrainian capital in nearly a year killed at least 12 people and injured at least 90 more. Despite the lack of progress in peace talks so far, the President said Thursday that “I do” believe Putin will listen to him.

“I am sure they both want to make peace, I do believe so,” Trump added, apparently referring to Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The President hasn’t given a specific date for when he would walk away from talks, but has expressed frustration with both sides, though Zelensky has taken the brunt of his criticism.

But patience is wearing thin and both combatants will be at fault if the peace process is not fulfilled. And what then? The deaths, the destruction, and whatever else awaits both nations. Will it be worth it? For a few hundred miles of LAND?

In the Gospel of Matthew,16:26, he says, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?”

Well, what will Putin and Zelensky sacrifice? Their nations? Their soldiers? More TREASURE?

Each leader should look to our Preamble to find the principles to help them achieve peace, understanding that these are HUMAN goals not just uniquely American. But they have to want it, because it is in their own interests, not President Trump’s.

Perhaps, finally, we can see this human tragedy finally come to an end.