"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free." - President Ronald Reagan
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Wednesday's podcast: Joe Namath is 80.....Woke companies....Jane Fonda & more
Wednesdays video: Joe Namath is 80.....Woke companies....Jane Fonda & more
Joe Namath is 80.....Woke companies....VP Pence and Governor Christie......Jane Fonda white men......Lula & Maduro.......and other stories....
Tuesday, May 30, 2023
Tuesday's video: Spain elections. AG Paxton in Texas, Woke vs customers & Lincoln Memorial 1922
Good day for 'la derecha' in Spain
(My new American Thinker post)
Like many Cubans of my generation, we were born in the island, grew up in the US. .and had Spanish grandparents or great grandparents. This is because Cuba was a Spanish colony until 1898 (Spanish -merican War) and the new country was flooded with Iberian immigrants in the first half of the 20th century. In other words, I grew up with Spanish traditions and have always been interested in what happens in Spain.
Over the weekend, the voters in Spain said "no" to the socialists. It was a loud rejection as we see in this report from Reuters:
Spain's ruling Socialists suffered heavy losses to opposition conservatives in Sunday's local election, with around 95% of the votes counted, showing their electoral vulnerability ahead of an end-of-year general election.
Only three of the 12 regions holding elections will retain Socialist dominance by very narrow margins, with the rest likely go to the conservative People's Party, albeit with coalitions or informal support agreements with the far-right Vox party.
"The map changes completely and is a boost for Alberto Nuñez Feijoo -- the new leader of the PP -- ahead of the elections at the end of the year," said Ignacio Jurado, professor of political science at the Carlos III University.
The gains for the People's Party (PP) indicate the conservatives could unseat the current left-wing coalition led by the Partido Socialista Obrero Español (PSOE) if they replicate the performance in national elections by December.
Let me remind you that they have a parliamentary system, so coalitions will determine the final results. Nevertheless, it was a bad weekend for the Left.
So what happened? My friend in Madrid told me a couple of things over the phone:
First, it's the economy "estupido." It matters in Spain too;
Second, we saw a little nationalism blossoming. Many feel that the euro has tied up Spanish exports and tourism. In other words, Spanish goods consumed here or tourists spots would be a lot cheaper with their old "peseta" than the euro. I'm not saying that this is the Spanish version of Brexit but it sounds a bit like it; and,
Third, the Left is obsessed with gender and issues that don't matter to people struggling with their family budgets.
To be fair, this is my friend's opinion and he voted for the Right. However, he is a serious man and his analysis is probably right.
What's next? PM Pedro Sánchez of the Left is calling for general elections.
P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos.
2015 podcast: Political humor with Antonio F Branco & Leslie Eastman
2015: Political humor with Antonio F Branco & Leslie Eastman......... https://t.co/audrQD48oD— Silvio Canto, Jr.
Saturday, May 27, 2023
Maybe we should do the 'persona non grata' thing with AMLO
(My new American Thinker post)
To paraphrase that famous line from Anne Richards about then VP George H.W. Bush: "Poor Andres, he can't help it. He was born with a leftist foot in his mouth.” As you may remember, VP Bush went on to win big in 1988.
My guess is that Hispanics are not going to vote based on what they hear from AMLO.
The man who always wants a headline, President Andres Lopez Obrador of Mexico, decided to go cute on us. Let's hear about it:
Lopez Obrador accused DeSantis of pushing "anti-immigrant" policies and urged Hispanics not to vote for him.
"I hope the Hispanics of Florida wake up and don't give him any votes, that they don't vote for those who persecute migrants, those who don't respect migrants," he said, according to The Guardian.
The remarks are the latest instance of meddling in U.S. elections by the unpredictable Mexican premier, who has fumed at Republican criticism of his handling of immigration and the flow of fentanyl into the U.S.
In March, he threatened to launch an "information campaign" against Republicans, telling Hispanics not to vote for them, after lawmakers suggested potential military action to take out the drug cartels pumping out fentanyl and sending it to the U.S.
So much for all those lectures about not intervening in other country's elections.
My guess is that AMLO is talking to Hispanics who are U.S. citizens and can vote in our elections. The problem for AMLO is that Hispanics have soured on President Biden. It's funny how paying more for gasoline and tortillas will change your political alliances. The second mistake is that AMLO thinks that Hispanics spend all their time talking about immigration. Most don't, but they do care about border control.
So maybe Governor DeSantis should say that we should declare the big mouth a "persona non grata" like they did in Peru.
Go out and eat some ceviche this weekend and say thanks to Peru.
P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos.
Friday, May 26, 2023
Friday's podcast: Memorial Day 2023, Mayor of New York City and migrants, President of Mexico
Memorial Day 2023, Mayor of New York City and migrants, President of Mexico......
click to listen:
Friday's video: Memorial Day 2023...Mayor of NYC and migrants, Mexico and US elections and other stories
Eric get angry, Eric get mad
(My new American Thinker post)
Mayor Eric Adams of New York City is very unhappy these days. He can't win on the migrant crisis because no city can handle a daily flow of people like this. The word from the Big Apple is that Mayor Adams is angry. This is from Michael Goodwin:
Watching Mayor Adams get attacked by The New York Times and other left-wing Democrats after he criticized President Biden’s handling of the migrant mess, I was tempted to praise the mayor for courageous straight talk.
But the moment passed because Adams soon took a different tack, creating confusion about what he believes and where he stands.
Nearly a year after the mayor first announced that 2,800 uninvited newcomers were crowded into city shelters, his policy for dealing with the expanding crisis is almost as messy as the problem itself.
He zigs, he zags, he flip-flops and undercuts today what he said with conviction and certainty yesterday.
Pick a side, mayor, and stick to it!
More and more, New Yorkers want the mayor to get angry and to stand up for them. Yes, New Yorkers want their mayor to remember that song "Johnny get angry". It's about a girl who wants her Johnny to get angry and show that he really cares. So New Yorkers should stand in front of the mayor's office and sing something like this:
Eric get angry, Eric get mad
Give Biden the biggest lecture he's ever had
I want a brave man, I want a cave man
Mayor, show me that you care, really care for me
Well, it worked for the girl in the pop song. It's time for Mayor Adams to go to the source and call out the Biden border policy. Calling for immigration reform is cute but won't fix this. Calling on Congress to "do their job" is way too late. It's time for Mayor Adams to get angry. Call out the Biden policy because the problem started at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos.
The poetry of Cástulo Gregorisch PLUS Fernando Hernandez
The poetry of Cástulo Gregorisch PLUS Fernando Hernandez 07/26 by Silvio Canto Jr | Politics Podcasts:
Thursday, May 25, 2023
Thursday's podcast: DeSantis in but what’s next?…..Supreme Court and EPA, Star Wars 1977 and more
Thursday's podcast:
DeSantis in but what’s next?…..Supreme Court and EPA, Star Wars 1977 and more..........click to listen:
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Wednesday's podcast: Cruz 2024....The Texas legislature counts down with George Rodriguez
Wednesday's podcast:
Cruz 2024....The Texas legislature counts down with George Rodriguez....click to listen:
Wednesday's video: Cruz 2024....The Texas legislature counts down with George Rodriguez
Hit the road, AMLO, and don't you come back no more
(My new American Thinker post)
President Andres Lopez-Obrador of Mexico has finally met someone that he can't fool anymore. For the last years, the man nicknamed AMLO has pretended to be the leader of the Third World, the representative of everyone with a grievance, and the one who makes things happen. (A lot of Mexicans would say that he is making things a lot worse, but that's for another post.)
A few months ago, President Lopez-Obrador stepped on it big time. He got involved in Peru's politics, a sin by Mexican standards. After all, hasn't Mexico always preached the idea that your business is your business? Non-intervention has been the "mantra" of Mexican presidents until "El Presidente del mundo" decided that he couldn't resist sticking in his nose.
So Peru has had it with Sr. AMLO. This is the story:
The Foreign Relations Commission of the Peruvian Congress approved on Monday the motion declaring Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador 'persona non grata.'
"With 11 votes in favor, the Foreign Relations Commission approved the motion that rejects the statements of the president of Mexico, Andres López Obrador, and declares him persona non grata," the Congress said via Twitter.
It added that the motion will now be passed to the Plenary of the Congress for a decision on the matter, in accordance with Article 68 of the Congress' Rules of Procedure.
The decision is due to AMLO's criticism of Dina Boluarte's government, the imprisonment of Pedro Castillo, as well as the recent authorization for the US Department of Defense military to enter the country.
Non-grata is sort of like "hit the road, Jack" with Peruvian sauce.
Add to this that Mr. AMLO won't give up the honorary presidency of the Pacific Club and pass it to Peru. It's an honorary post rotated among the members but don't tell that to AMLO. In other words, El Presidente is angry with the events in Peru, a democracy, but embraces the dictator of Cuba for all the good things happening in that island.
Cheers to Peru. Maybe Peru can place a call to our president and show him how to deal with this first-class demagogue south of the border.
P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos.
Tuesday, May 23, 2023
Tuesday's podcast: Debt limit talks, NAACP vs Florida and other stories
Tuesday's video: Debt limit talks, NAACP vs Florida and other stories
Debt limit discussions.....NAACP vs Florida....California and reparations.....Biden son and Iraq....Hillary Clinton and Biden's age.....Cruz 2024.......and other stories....
Before they get to Cruz
(My new American Thinker post)
We are already talking 2024 around here, the U.S. Senate race, that is. Yes, Senator Ted Cruz is up for reelection and Democrats are getting ready. It looks like State Senator Roland Gutierrez will go against U.S. congressman Colin Allred. Gutierrez was very vocal after the Uvalde school shooting because it happened in his Senate district. Alred, on the other hand, has been a quiet congressman who represents a very blue district.
What will happen when they try to take the other one out? This is from Gromer Jeffers Jr. who covers state politics for the Dallas Morning News:
As Allred, a former Tennessee Titans linebacker, launched his Senate campaign earlier this month, he told The Dallas Morning News that he understood he may have to fight for his party’s nomination.
“My focus is running a campaign to beat Ted Cruz and to get the people of Texas the kind of honest and pragmatic leadership they deserve,” he said. “Other candidates are welcome to get in the race, but we’re going to run hard and we’re going to run to beat Ted Cruz.”
Gutierrez did not comment on his political future.
But Colin Strother, a consultant for Gutierrez, said Allred does not have the right message. His comments are an early peek at how Gutierrez could try to contrast himself with Allred.
“Based on everything that [Allred has] said and tweeted, and posted thus far, he’s trying to appeal to Republicans, and he’s citing his work across the aisle and his support from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce,” Strother said. “The Chamber of Commerce has enough members in the Senate, and I just don’t see base Democrats getting excited to vote for Republican-light.”
Well, both have two problems.
First, they are not really moderates. As I'm sure Senator Cruz will point out in his TV ads, you will have to look for a long time to find one time that Rep. Alred broke with his party in Washington. Yes, Representative Alred hangs around with the Chamber of Commerce when he comes home but it's his hanging around with Speaker Pelosi that counts. Senator Gutierrez is an automatic Democrat vote in Austin.
So can they compete in the 254 counties that make up Texas? Ask Beto O'Rourke.
Second, are national Democrats going to fall for another blue fantasy? The Democrats will have to defend West Virginia, Montana, and Ohio to begin with. They will have to spend money to defend Nevada, Arizona, Wisconsin, etc. Are they going to dump a lot of money in Texas? I say no.
P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos.
We remember May 23
We remember May 23:
Crime files: Bonnie & Clyde were killed on this day in 1934. It happened in Sailes, LA. They were ambushed by a police force and killed instantly.
Music files: We remember Rosemary Clooney who was born in Maysville, Kentucky, on this day in 1928. She died in 2002.
Music files: We remember Helen O'Connell who was born in Lima, Ohio, on this day in 1920. She died in 1993.
Monday, May 22, 2023
Monday's video: Senator Cruz reelection....Senator Scott 2024....Mexico and fentanyl.......
When those Mexico City volcanoes sound off
(My new American Thinker post)
It's a treat to go to Mexico City and see the volcanoes. The locals don't pay much attention to them because they don't impact their lives. I guess we call them quiet volcanoes or something like that. Nevertheless, they are majestic, especially on a clear day during the rainy season.
I guess that the volcanoes reminded everyone that they are there and ready to shut down airports.
Read more:
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2023/05/when_those_mexico_city_volcanoes_sound_off.html
We remember May 22
We remember May 22:
"Holmes magic": We remember that Mr Doyle was born on this day in 1859. Elementary Dr Watson!
Beatles # 1 hits: “Ticket to ride” hit # 1 this week in the US, the UK and lots of other countries. It was a great vocal performance by John & Paul. George played a super guitar. Ringo was unique with his drums.
Podcast archives: Juanjo Casal, musician and leader of Los Casals, a pop music band from Uruguay..........................click to listen!
P.S. You can listen to my show. If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.
2016 podcast: Love & romance along the ancient Nile

Love & romance along the Nile…..click to listen:
P.S. You can listen to my show. If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.
Sunday, May 21, 2023
Sunday's video: A chat about Mexico with by Kelin Dillon, Pulse News Mexico
Oh, please don't stay by me, Dianne
(My new American Thinker post)
The Democrats have a Senator Feinstein problem. To say the least, it's quite different from the one that inspired a young Paul Anka to write a song that went like this: "Oh, please stay by me, Diana." The Democrats are singing a different song because their "I'm so young and you're so old" love makes their 51-49 majority a bit lame.
How do you tell a loyal and elected Democrat to quit and go home so the party can move on? It's a problem, to say the least. This is a good point by Li Zhou:
Were Feinstein to resign voluntarily, California Gov. Gavin Newsom would appoint a new person to serve out her term until 2025. Newsom has already pledged to nominate a Black woman for the Senate, and many have speculated that it could be Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), who has already declared her candidacy for the role.
Manley notes that as Senate leader, Schumer may be one of the few people who could use his sway to speak with Feinstein. As the New York Times reported, however, Feinstein appeared determined to return to the Senate in recent calls the majority leader had with her while she was recovering from shingles. A Schumer spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding potential next steps from Democrats.
Beyond a voluntary resignation, the Senate also has the ability to expel members, though that's an exceedingly rare maneuver that hasn't been used since the Civil War. In the past, the Senate has only ever expelled 15 members, 14 of which were related to their decision to join the Confederacy.
A supermajority of senators would also have to vote to take this route, something that's not likely to happen given the support and deference that many Democrats continue to have for Feinstein, and the unprecedented nature of such an effort.
"She's got an enormous well of support in the caucus," says Manley. "Anyone who's paying attention sees that any attempt to shove her aside is doomed to failure."
Feinstein is known for being a groundbreaking lawmaker, and was first elected in the 1990s. She's been a champion for legislation like the Violence Against Women Act, a key voice for gun control, and a longtime defender of abortion rights. Given this history, some lawmakers might be reluctant to push her out. Although multiple lawmakers including Khanna and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) have urged her resignation, other Democrats have been more circumspect in their comments.
What a mess. Do you agree? I saw Senator Lindsey Graham on TV and he avoided this like the plague. It's obvious that he respects the California senator and does not want to mess with Senate traditions.
Of course, the other problem is the senator from Pennsylvania, who keeps embarrassing himself every time he reads a statement. Add to this angry Senator Manchin and Senator Tester, who remembers every six years that he represents Montana, not San Francisco, and the majority may be a bit complicated.
PS: Check out my blog for posts, podcasts, and videos.