Friday, May 31, 2024
Election Sunday in Mexico, and another candidate gets shot
Election Sunday in Mexico, and another candidate gets shot: As you may know, Mexico will have an election on Sunday and Dr. Claudia Sheimbaum is projected to become the nation's first woman and Jewish president. She'll replace President Lopez-Obrador and let's see what happens next…
Click to read:
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Election Sunday in Mexico, and another candidate gets shot - American Thinker https://t.co/YzmNIzhSj6
— Silvio Canto. Jr. (@silvio_canto) May 31, 2024
Happy # 81Joe Namath
If you grew up watching those AFL games on NBC, then you probably remember Joe Namath, who was born in Beaver Falls, PA, on this day in 1943. What I recall is that all the girls in high school suddenly spoke about touchdown passes and the guys were jealous that Joe had girls chasing him.
Namath came out of Alabama and was signed by the new AFL. The league needed big college players to compete with the mature NFL. They also made Joe the face of the league and appealed to younger fans, especially women watching on television.
Joe did not disappoint the AFL. In fact, he won Super Bowl III, the game that gave the AFL instant credibility. The best part is that he walked the talk when he predicted a Jets victory. I saw that game with my brother and father. My sister did not watch, but she always said that Joe was cute. What girl did not think that? Maybe the Baltimore girls who found Joe a bit too much off a big mouth.
The game, not called Super Bowl until later, was the perfect stage for Namath. He was a genius that day, as they wrote back in 1969:
Almost no one thought the New York Jets could penetrate the fine Baltimore defense, but Namath was sure of it and said so. "We're a better team than Baltimore," he said before the game. He was lying by the pool at the Gait Ocean Mile Hotel, where the Jets stayed, tanned and oiled against the sun. Namath reminds you a bit of Dean Martin in his relaxed confidence and in the droop of his heavy-lidded eyes. He is a man of immense self-assurance and, as he showed early in the week, a man of startling honesty.
To be honest, I loved Joe but did not think that he'd beat the mighty Colts. The funny part is that everyone in school was talking about the game the next day. And everyone said with a straight face that they knew the Jets would win. Too bad we didn't have iPhones back then to show them all their videos or texts picking the Colts.
Beyond that game and all the TV commercials, Joe was also a very good quarterback: 173 TDs and over 27,000 yards passed. We remind you that most of the numbers came in his first five seasons. He was hurt a lot after winning that Super Bowl in 1969. Joe was more than numbers. He made the AFL and was responsible for the merger in 1970.
Namath is one of my all-time favorite sports personalities! The Jets knew something when they gave him all that money to play with them.
Time flies and Namath is 80.
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Happy # 86 to Peter Yarrow (of Peter Paul & Mary)
We grew up listening to their songs, from "Puff the magic dragon" to "I dig rockn' roll music". They were great and their vocal arrangements second to none.
Mary died in 2009 and I have not kept up with Peter and Paul. Nevertheless, every once in a while one of their songs comes on the radio and brings back lots of good memories.
"Puff the magic dragon" is one with Peter on lead vocals.
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Happy # 74 to Tippy Martinez
Tippy came up with the Yankees and was traded to Baltimore in 1976 along with Scott McGregor and Rick Dempsey. The Yankees were headed to the World Series in 1976 and the Orioles were rebuilding. They made the classic veterans for young guys trade and it worked great for Baltimore. The Orioles picked up a starter, a great reliever and wonderful catcher out of that deal.
Tippy had some great seasons out of the bullpen for the Orioles. He was one of the best lefties in the game. Along the way, he saved 115 games with a 3.45 ERA. He was the 8th inning set up man for some of that time so the "saves" don't tell the whole story. Often, Weaver would bring him to pitch to a tough lefty.
My favorite memory was Tippy Martinez on the mound when the Orioles beat the White Sox to clinch the AL pennant in 1983.
Tippy is the answer to a great trivia question. Who picked three Toronto Blue Jays (Barry Bonnell, Dave Collins and Willie Upshaw) at first base in one inning during an August 24, 1983 game at Baltimore's Memorial Stadium? The answer is Tippy Martinez.
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Happy # 94 to Clint Eastwood
We remember Clint Eastwood, who was born in San Francisco on this day in 1930.
Eastwood made his TV debut with "Rawhide" in 1955. It was a great Western about cattlemen who drove their herds across the Great Plains.
After that, he had a huge career in the movies. Check out this western collection!
You can get the whole "Rawhide" series HERE.
You can hear the classic theme song HERE by Frankie Laine. It is one of the most popular TV themes ever.
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Thursday, May 30, 2024
Good day for vouchers
Good day for vouchers: On one hand, a lot of Republicans lost. On the other hand, they were replaced in the runoffs by other Republicans supporting vouchers. The net result is that the next state House will be more supportive of vouchers, a huge victory for….
Good day for vouchers - American Thinker https://t.co/osF6mG2cCz
— Silvio Canto. Jr. (@silvio_canto) May 30, 2024
May 30, 1956: What a shot by Mantle!
On this day in 1956, Mickey Mantle hit one of the most memorable home runs in his career. It happened on the second game of a doubleheader with the Washington Senators.
He hit a pitch from Pedro Ramos that came within 18 inches of leaving Yankee Stadium. The experts were dumbfounded and could only speculate. It was Mantle’s 20th home run of the season. He won the Triple Crown that year: .353 BA, 53 HR & 130 RBI.
As for Pedro Ramos, he was 21 and would go on to win 12 games and pitch 152 innings that season. Ramos was an “innings eater” and also gave up 316 HR in his long career. My guess is that he still remembers this one.
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.
Thursday's podcast: A chat with George Rodriguez about Runoffs and vouchers
Thursday's podcast:
A chat with George Rodriguez about Runoffs and vouchers....
1922: The Lincoln Memorial
On May 30, 1922, The Lincoln Memorial was dedicated. It was 57 years after Lincoln died.
According to news reports, about 50,000 people attended the ceremonies, including Civil War veterans and Robert Todd Lincoln, the president's only surviving son. Robert was their oldest child (1843) and the only one to live to adulthood.
President Warren Harding, former President William Howard Taft, and Dr. Robert Moton, principal of the Tuskegee Institute, delivered the keynote address.
The Memorial is one of the top historical landmarks of Washington, DC.
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Wednesday, May 29, 2024
Wednesday's podcast: The week in review with Bill Katz the editor of Urgent Agenda
Wednesday's podcast:
The week in review with Bill Katz the editor of Urgent Agenda
No robots, please
No robots, please: Like any baseball fan, I've had my share of bad calls over the years. The current replay system is working well confirming or reversing a bad call. The next step is to use robots to call balls and strikes. Count me out on that. I want that man..
Click to read:
No robots, please - American Thinker https://t.co/F9F2WxwFM0
— Silvio Canto. Jr. (@silvio_canto) May 29, 2024
1848: Wisconsin joined the Union
Wisconsin joined the Union on this day in 1848. It was state # 30 on the way to 50!
Our family lived in Wisconsin when we came to the US. It was a wonderful place and I still have great memories of friends and places in Wisconsin.
In fact, I wrote a book about it.
In fact, I wrote a book about it.
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1989: Mike Schmidt retired
(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.)
Mike Schmidt closed the books on a great career with the Phillies on this day in 1989. He was one of the very best third basemen in baseball history.
His numbers were awesome: 548 HR & 1, 595 RBI. Schmidt was the last guy in the world that you wanted to face with the game on the line!
His numbers were awesome: 548 HR & 1, 595 RBI. Schmidt was the last guy in the world that you wanted to face with the game on the line!
He played for several Phillies championship teams, including the 1980 World Series champs and the 1983 NL champs.
Along the way, he hit four home runs in one game on April 17, 1976, won six Silver Slugger Awards, including five consecutive (1980 through 1984, then one more in 1986) & won ten Gold Glove Awards.
Last, but not least, he ranked 28th by The Sporting News when they released their 100 Greatest Baseball Players in the history of baseball:
We remember Gary Brooker (1945-2022)
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Back in 1967, the band scored a worldwide hit: "A whiter shade of pale".
It is still one of the most popular songs on oldies radio.
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May 1813: Jefferson and Adams started their historic correspondence
Who were these two men? John Adams (the second president) and Thomas Jefferson (the third president). They were partners in The Declaration of Independence and the formation of the new nation.
Adams was the first VP serving two terms under President Washington. He was elected to his own term after Washington retired to Mt. Vernon. On the other hand, Jefferson served in President Washington's first Cabinet and VP under President Adams.
In 1800, Jefferson defeated the incumbent Adams in a very bitter presidential election. As a result, the two men did not speak to each other again. As I understand it, outgoing President Adams left town and did not go to his successor's inauguration.
President Jefferson served two terms and retired to Monticello in 1809.
Jefferson broke the ice and wrote to his old colleague. Over the next 10 years, the two men wrote each other many letters and restored their friendship. The letters were great insight into their lives and the new republic.
Incredibly, the two men died on July 4, 1826 or the 50th anniversary of The Declaration of Independence.
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We remember Bob Hope (1903-2003)
Did you know that Bob Hope was born Leslie Townes Hope in England? I didn’t until researching this post.
He was born on this day in 1903 and lived 100 years plus 2 months!
Hope’s family moved to the US when he was 4 and grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. The Hopes passed through Ellis Island in 1908.
Hope started on the radio in the 1920's and gradually made it to movies. Later in life, he’d visit US troops every year at Christmas.
Very funny guy.
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A word about Beverly Eckert (1951-2009)
On 9-11, Beverly Eckert was one of the many ladies at home talking to their husbands at the collapsing World Trade Center or aboard one of those jets.
We came to love Beverly Eckert and all of the other 9-11 widows. They became part of our family!
We loved their courage and commitment to their heroic husbands.
We loved their grace and how they handled the terrible tragedy of 9-11.
Beverly Eckert was born on this day in 1951.
She was killed in a Buffalo plane crash in 2009. Beverly was on her way to Buffalo to attend a ceremony related to her husband at Canisius High School, a Jesuit school.
What an amazing and sad story.
She was killed in a Buffalo plane crash in 2009. Beverly was on her way to Buffalo to attend a ceremony related to her husband at Canisius High School, a Jesuit school.
What an amazing and sad story.
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.
We remember President John F. Kennedy (1917-63)
He won the 1960 election but was assassinated in Dallas in 1963.
JFK's 34-month presidency saw the crisis in Cuba, the early days of Southeast Asia and the commitment to put a man in the moon by the end of decade.
The Kennedy presidency continues to be very popular as Professor Sabato wrote recently.
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Tuesday, May 28, 2024
Tuesday's podcast: Water issues in Mexico City, Trump trial, Dems panic and more stories
Tuesday's podcast:
Water issues in Mexico City, Trump trial, Dems panic and more stories....
I wish it would rain
I wish it would rain: My wife was on the phone with her sister in Mexico City and the conversation turned to water, yes….
Click on the phone:
I wish it would rain - American Thinker https://t.co/9IHoYsubRl
— Silvio Canto. Jr. (@silvio_canto) May 28, 2024
Happy # 80 Gladys Knight
We remember Gladys Knight who was born in Atlanta, GA, on this day in 1944.
In the 1970's, Gladys Knight & The Pips recorded gold singles like “Neither One of Us (Wants to be the First to Say Goodbye),” “I’ve Got to Use My Imagination,” “Best Thing to Ever Happen to Me” and the #1 smash “Midnight Train to Georgia”.
All together, she recorded over 30 LP's and worked with other artists, like Stevie Wonder.
A super artist and vocalist.
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Happy # 79 John Fogerty
We salute John Fogerty born on this day in 1945......lead vocalist and guitarist of CCR, one of the biggest bands in the history of rock........their songs are heard everyday on radio stations all over the world...
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.We remember Ian Fleming 1910-1964
the man who created James Bond 007......
great writer.......
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.
Monday, May 27, 2024
Monday's podcast: A chat with Frank Burke, businessman and author about Memorial Day
Monday's podcast:
A chat with Frank Burke, businessman and author about Memorial Day.....
Nathan Aguirre is what this day is all about
Nathan Aguirre is what this day is all about: What exactly is Memorial Day all about? It's about remembering the fallen or the ones who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
We remember Nathan Aguirre, the young man from our church killed in Iraq.
Click to read:
Nathan Aguirre is what this day is all about - American Thinker https://t.co/qBt6Zk1JtG
— Silvio Canto. Jr. (@silvio_canto) May 27, 2024
A thought about Memorial Day
We take a minute from political opinions to remember all of the heroes on Memorial Day.
In my case, I will remember a young man named Nathan Aguirre who died in Iraq in 2006.
I know Nathan’s parents. His dad and I are church ushers. His mom is a beautiful person who is now working with other families who lost sons in Iraq.
Nathan Aguirre is a real hero. Remember him and his parents today!
Over the years, we’ve heard many messages on Memorial Day. I like this one from President Bush in 2003:
“On Memorial Day, Americans place flags on military graves, walk past a wall of black granite in Washington, D.C., and many families think of a face and voice they miss so much.Today, we honor the men and women who have worn the nation’s uniform and were last seen on duty.From the battles of Iraq and Afghanistan, to the conflicts in Korea and Vietnam, to the trials of World War, to the struggles that made us a nation, today we recall that liberty is always the achievement of courage.”
Happy Memorial Day and remember the real meaning of this “day off” from work!
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It's important to remember why we have a day off
(My new American Thinker post)
Like most of you, I will enjoy a "family day" and eat too much.
We have three grandchildren now so we need more food these days.
On this Memorial Day holiday, the U.S. could use a lesson from our ancestors because there are too many people around who want us to forget our history or devalue its importance. Sadly, they want us to hate the country rather than love its unique history.
So let's remember why we take a day off today.
My guess is that all countries have one day to remember those who have paid the ultimate price, as President Lincoln said. In the U.S., we call it Memorial Day and it has a long history.
On May 5, 1868, General John A. Logan, leader of an organization for Northern Civil War veterans, called for a nationwide day of remembrance later that month. “The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land,” he proclaimed.
The date of Decoration Day, as he called it, was chosen because it wasn’t the anniversary of any particular battle.
On the first Decoration Day, General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, and 5,000 participants decorated the graves of the 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried there.
For decades, Memorial Day continued to be observed on May 30, the date Logan had selected for the first Decoration Day. But in 1968 Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May in order to create a three-day weekend for federal employees; the change went into effect in 1971. The same law also declared Memorial Day a federal holiday.
Looking back today and reading about Decoration Day, I am amazed how our ancestors were willing to decorate the graves of northern and southern soldiers. It’s a good lesson for those who want to remove Confederate statues. Sometimes the best way to heal is to honor the dead rather than selectively remove them from history.
Remember what Memorial Day is about. It's the best way to honor their sacrifice.
P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos.
We remember Don Williams (1939-2017)
Don started with The Pozo-Seco Singers along with Lofton Kline plus Susan Taylor. I understand that they had a connection to Corpus Christi, TX.
We know that Don Williams went on to have a country music career. However, I don't know about the other two.
The trio recorded some very nice songs.
I love "Time", now available in a digital format:
We know that Don Williams went on to have a country music career. However, I don't know about the other two.
The trio recorded some very nice songs.
I love "Time", now available in a digital format:
"Some people run, some people crawl,
Some people don't even move at all
Some roads lead forward some roads lead back
Some roads are bathed in light, some wrapped in fearful black
Time oh time where did you go
Time oh good, good time where did you go
Some people never get, some never give
Some people never die and some never live
Some folks treat me mean, some treat me kind
Most folks just go their way, don't pay me any mind
Time oh time where did you go
Time oh good, good time where did you go
Sometimes I'm satisfied, sometimes I'm not
Sometimes my face is cold, sometimes it's hot
Sunset I laugh, sunrise I cry
At midnight I'm in between and wondering why
Time oh time where did you go
Time oh good good time where did you go
Time oh time where did you go
Time oh good good time where did you go....."
Happy Memorial Day!
Take a minute and attend a parade or just remember the meaning of this day.
We are very happy to see this: 74% Have Favorable Opinion of U.S. Military
The US military is a wonderful institution, from defending our freedoms to developing young men.
On Memorial Day, we remember the soldier who gave his life.
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.
Memorial Day thoughts
Memorial Day is a special American holiday. My guess is that all countries have one day to remember those who have paid the ultimate price, as President Lincoln said. In the US, we call it Memorial Day and it has a long history.
Let’s start with the war between the states or The Civil War (1861-65) and “Decoration Day“:
On May 5, 1868, General John A. Logan, leader of an organization for Northern Civil War veterans, called for a nationwide day of remembrance later that month. “The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land,” he proclaimed.The date of Decoration Day, as he called it, was chosen because it wasn’t the anniversary of any particular battle.On the first Decoration Day, General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, and 5,000 participants decorated the graves of the 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried there.
Later, it became Memorial Day after World War I and World War II:
For decades, Memorial Day continued to be observed on May 30, the date Logan had selected for the first Decoration Day. But in 1968 Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May in order to create a three-day weekend for federal employees; the change went into effect in 1971. The same law also declared Memorial Day a federal holiday.
Looking back today and reading about Decoration Day, I am amazed how our ancestors were willing to decorate the graves of northern and southern soldiers. It’s a good lesson for those who want to remove statues. Sometimes the best way to heal is to honor the dead rather than selectively remove them from history.
Remember their sacrifice on Memorial Day.
P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos. If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.