Tea for two in '72

Tea for two in '72 : It was 53 years ago that President Nixon had tea with Mao. As I recall, Air Force One, the 707 version, landed in China and I watched it while eating breakfast with my parents on TV. It was shocking, and happening in an election year with most of ...

Click to read:

It was 53 years ago that President Nixon had tea with Mao. As I recall, Air Force One, the 707 version, landed in China and I watched it while eating breakfast with my parents on TV.

It was shocking, and happening in an election year with most of the troops out of Vietnam. Does…

— Silvio Canto. Jr. (@silvio_canto) February 21, 2025

 

It was 53 years ago that President Nixon had tea with Mao. As I recall, Air Force One, the 707 version, landed in China and I watched it while eating breakfast with my parents on TV.

It was shocking, and happening in an election year with most of the troops out of Vietnam. Does it get any better than that? After all, who would have believed that the anti-communist Nixon would shake hands with Mao? But he did and we saw images of the President and First Lady walking around China. Again, who saw that coming?

President Nixon paved the way for the China of today. In other words, cars instead of bicycles and skyscrapers instead of simple buildings. It also contributed to the outsourcing of thousands of manufacturing jobs, i.e. “Made in China” is everywhere! And most damaging of all, China is now a full adversary on the economic front and all those aircraft carriers that they are putting out to sea.

Nixon and Mao are now gone. Nixon in 1994 and Mao a few years after this visit. So what was the impact of that visit? I always enjoy reading articles about how the visit happened in the first place. This is from the Nixon Foundation:

On July 15, 1971, President Nixon — broadcasting live from studios in Los Angeles — sent a tremor through the Cold War world, announcing that he’d be visiting the People’s Republic of China early the following year.

The move proved to be a geopolitical game changer.

When President Nixon took the oath-of-office in January 1969, the Vietnam War was raging. He wanted to bring the nation beyond the decade long morass that was draining political capital and resources abroad, and intensifying social strife at home.

For the 37th president, rapprochement with China would help the United States end the war through diplomacy with a more powerful Communist country in Southeast Asia. It would also put pressure on the Soviet Union, whose relations were frayed with the PRC following clashes on its eastern border, make progress on the limitations of nuclear arms, and peace in parts of the world where it continued to be engaged.

After a series of carefully calibrated moves through PRC allies Romania and Pakistan, President Nixon landed in Peking in February 1972. He stepped off Air Force One, extended his hand to Premier Chou en-Lai, and ended nearly a quarter-century of non-communication.

Memorialized by the president as The Week that Changed the World, the trip culminated in the announcement of the joint US-China Communiqué in Shanghai.

Both sides agreed to articulate their substantial differences, make progress towards normalized relations, and refrain from seeking hegemony in the Asia Pacific region.

The most significant development came from the United States on the issue of its democratic ally Taiwan, affirming that “there is but one China and Taiwan is part of China,” and that a peace be settled by Chinese on either side of the Taiwan Strait.

In August 1974, when President Nixon resigned, his successor President Gerald Ford sent a personal letter to Chairman Mao Ze Dong pledging to continue on the path to stronger relations with the PRC, a policy still maintained by the White House today.

So the question remains. What did we get out of this visit? It’s a close call and will continue to be as China expands and builds all that infrastructure in Latin America. On the other hand, maybe China would have grown anyway without the visit. We will never know, but it was a consequential trip and one that will consume analysts for years.

Last, but not least, the phrase “Nixon to China” is now part of our political lexicon. You hear it every time that a politician goes against his base.

P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos.

We remember Tommy Henrich (1913-2009)

We remember Tommy Henrich, who was born in Ohio this week in 1913 and died in 2009.  Heinrich played on some of the greatest Yankees teams of the 20th century.  His teammates were Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Joe Gordon, Bill Dickey, Phil Rizzuto, and Yogi Berra.  He wore #7 for a while but never played with Mickey Mantle, who broke in the lineup in 1951, after Henrich was gone.

Like so many other very good Yankees, Henrich was always in the background of the aforementioned superstars.  Nevertheless, he had a great career.  It was cut short by three seasons of military service, 1942–45.  Henrich retired with a .282 average, 183 HR and 795 RBI in 1,284 games.  Losing three years to World War II probably cost him joining the “250 HR & 1,000 RBI” club.

Tommy was in the middle of one of the greatest sports accomplishments of the 20th century.  He was a key player in Joe DiMaggio’s 56-hitting streak, as Rob Edelman wrote: 

In 1941 Henrich played a significant role in keeping alive Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting streak. On June 26, the 38th game of the streak, the Yankee Clipper was still hitless as the team came to bat in the last of the eighth inning holding the lead against the St. Louis Browns. 

DiMaggio was due up fourth in the inning, with Henrich scheduled right before him. With one out and Red Rolfe on first, McCarthy ordered Henrich to bunt to avoid a possible ground-ball double play — and not allowing his teammate a final at-bat. Henrich was thrown out, but Rolfe took second. 

DiMaggio slammed Elden Auker’s first pitch for a double, and the streak remained intact.

Yankees broadcaster Mel Allen began calling Henrich “Old Reliable” — the name of a train that ran from Ohio to Alabama and was celebrated for always being on time — because of his propensity for hitting in the clutch.

In other words, the streak could have ended at #38, and we would not be talking about it.  DiMaggio would have never reached #41 or #44, the two records ahead of him.

Back in 1941, it was his legs that kept the inning going.  DiMaggio then hit a double and the streak kept going.

After baseball, Tommy owned some beer distributorships and coached a bit.  He was active in The Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing.

I wonder if DiMaggio took him out to dinner after that game.

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.

1972: Nixon to China

Who remembers Air Force One landing in China this week in 1972?   It was quite a TV image for those who remember that day.

We celebrate another anniversary of President Nixon’s trip to China.  

It is still one of the most incredible presidential trips in US history.  Can you think of another one more unexpected or revolutionary?

President Nixon built his career as an anti-communist in the days of The Cold War.  He was the last person in the world that anyone would have expected to go to China and shake Mao’s hand.

His visit also created the phrase “Nixon to China” moment.  It became a popular slogan to describe a presidential move that goes against conventional wisdom.

President Nixon’s motives were to improve relations with China and divide the two communist superpowers.  He also understood the potential of China, diplomatically and economically.   

Today, China is an emerging superpower with a billion people and lots of challenges.  Time will tell whether China will continue to grow or blow up from within.  

Today, the US-China relationship is more complex than ever,  from a trade deficit to a cocky Chinese Navy in the Pacific.  

Nevertheless, it was an amazing moment this week in 1972.

By the way, President Nixon wrote a lot about the trip to China in his wonderful memoirs published in 1978.

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.

---

1972: President Nixon and the China moment

Who remembers Air Force One landing in China this week in 1972?  What a photo.  What a TV image for those who remember that day.

We celebrate another anniversary of President Nixon's trip to China. 

It is still one of the most incredible presidential trips in US history.  Can you think of another one more unexpected or revolutionary?

President Nixon built his career as an anti-communist and strong supporter of the US military superiority.  He was the last person in the world that any would have expected to go to China and shake Mao's hand.

Well, he did and changed international relations.  

His visit to China also created the political phrase or the "Nixon to China" moment.  It became a phrase to describe a presidential move that went against conventional wisdom.

Pres. Nixon's motives were to improve relations with China and divide the two communist superpowers.  He also understood the potential of China, diplomatically and economically.   Eventually, we developed our relationship with China but kept strong ties with Taiwan with care and diplomacy.

Today, China is an emerging superpower with a billion people and lots of challenges.  Time will tell whether China will continue to grow or blow up from within.  Again, time will tell.

Nevertheless, it was an amazing moment this week in 1972.

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.

1972: President Nixon in China

One of the benefits of old age is that you remember President Nixon's trip to China in 1972.  

It caught everyone by surprise.  It must be one of the best kept secrets in modern history.

Nobody expected such a move from President Nixon, the anti-communist.  At the same time, it was proof of President Nixon's brilliance and his ability to look forward and promote US interests.

Again, I'm old enough to remember watching the scenes on the evening news.  It's amazing how China has changed, from all of those people in bicycles to huge cities polluted by industries and cars.   

Was it the right thing to do?    We are still debating that today.   

We remember Henry Kissinger, who became Secretary of State a year later in 1973.  Also, President Nixon discussed the trip in his memoirs.

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.

---

Nixon to China and many balloons later

On this day in 1972, President Richard M. Nixon made history, and showed some political flexibility, by landing Air Force One in China. It was the story of the year and one of the most interesting foreign policy decisions of the postwar period, especially because of Nixon’s political past.

By any account, Nixon seemed an unlikely candidate to improve relations with Red China, as it was known back then. We remember that during the 1940s and 1950s, Mr. Nixon was a vocal cold war warrior and had condemned the Truman administration for “losing” China to the communists in 1949. And we remember his comments in 1959 when VP Nixon expressed doubts about Fidel Castro.

President Nixon’s move paved the way for the China of today – in other words, cars instead of bicycles. Skyscrapers instead of simple buildings. It also contributed to the outsourcing of thousands of manufacturing jobs – i.e., “Made in China” is everywhere!

The jury is still out on just how much the U.S. got out of this arrangement. At the same, most Americans are not old enough to remember Mao or the China that some of us remember as kids. Back then, it seemed that all Chinese men and women wore the same outfits. Today, they are as fashionable as anyone in the West.

Was it the right thing to do? We are still debating that today. In retrospect, the trip to China was also about dividing the USSR from Red China. I just don’t remember anyone back then saying opening up China would turn it into a manufacturing powerhouse with a huge, and expanding, navy.

The debate will continue and Chinese ships will keep visiting places all over.

P.S.   Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos

1972: The 'Nixon to China' moment

On this day in 1972, President Richard M. Nixon made history by landing in China. 

It was the story of the year and one of the most interesting foreign-policy decisions of the post-war period.  After all, who would have believed that anti-communist Nixon would shake hands with Mao?

President Nixon's move paved the way for the China of today. In other words, cars instead of bicycles and skyscrapers instead of simple buildings. It also contributed to the outsourcing of thousands of manufacturing jobs, i.e. "Made in China" is everywhere!  

The jury is still out on just how much the U.S. got out of this arrangement.   Nevertheless, as Seth Mandel wrote a couple of years ago, President Nixon left us with a great expression, or  ".....any major politician’s rebuke to his ideological compatriots, no matter how superficial, is a “Nixon-to-China moment.”"

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.

The Pope and immigration plus other current events

The Pope and immigration plus other current events

Guest: Frank Burke, businessman and author.....The Pope and immigration plus other current events……Click to listen:

Don't touch my favorite program

Don't touch my favorite program: Over the last few weeks, we've learned that the federal bureaucracy is out of control or doing crazy things such as sending Social Security checks to dead people or financing trans operas in faraway places. We don't know if it's….

Click to read:

We hear a lot about the Democrats lost in the wilderness. Well, it's easy to stay lost when you defend expenditures like these. Where is the Democrat who will challenge the public-sector unions and say that this is crazy? Where is that Democrat? He or she could become a relevant…

— Silvio Canto. Jr. (@silvio_canto) February 20, 2025

 

Over the last few weeks, we’ve learned that the federal bureaucracy is out of control or doing crazy things such as sending Social Security checks to dead people or financing trans operas in faraway places. We don’t know if it’s corruption or incompetence. My guess is that it’s a bit of both, but the jury is still out on the final verdict.

So what are the Democrats doing or reacting to this? Well, so far, the Democrats have decided to lie with the bureaucrats.

How is this playing outside of Washington D.C.? Not well according to Ruy Texeira:

Over time, Democrats have been hemorrhaging working-class voters, including and especially in the last election. A resolute, unconditional defense of government bureaucracies does not appear to be a promising route to getting them back in our current populist era.

But oddly, Democrats seem to have decided that hitching their wagon to government bureaucracies is just the ticket they need to storm back against Trump and GOP. Nothing illustrates this better than how they’ve mounted the barricades to defend USAID and each and every dollar it spends.

By the way, Mr. Texiera has been warning Democrats for years. He once predicted that Hispanics would create a Democrat majority, but now he is warning them that they are creating a permanent minority. I guess that open borders, on demand abortion, and having men steal young women’s trophies will do that to you.

Texeira is correct. Watch the Democrats defend USAID without stepping out of the box and seeing all the crazy stuff that taxpayers are paying for. Wonder how many taxpayers are doing their taxes today and watching Elon Musk reveal how we are spending money? As David Alxerod said: “[How did] the party of working people become a party of elite institutions?“

We hear a lot about the Democrats lost in the wilderness. Well, it’s easy to stay lost when you defend expenditures like these. Where is the Democrat who will challenge the public-sector unions and say that this is crazy? Where is that Democrat? He or she could become a relevant national figure in the age of Trump.

P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos.

Happy # 77 Jennifer O'Neill

We say happy birthday to Jennifer O'Neill who was born in Rio de Janeiro on this day in 1948.   

We remember her face all over US TV commercials and in the movie "Summer of 42".

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 Sidney Poitier (1927-2022)

We say happy birthday to Sidney Poitier, a great actor of the 20th century.   He was born in Miami on this day in 1927 and died the first week of 2022 at age 94.

Portier was in some of the greatest movies of the last 50 years, as we see in this biography:   

By the end of 1949, he was having to choose between leading roles on stage and an offer to work for Darryl F. Zanuck in the film No Way Out (1950). 
Poitier's performance as a doctor treating a white bigot got him plenty of notice and led to more roles, each considerably more interesting and prominent than most African American actors of the time were getting. 
Nevertheless, the roles were still less interesting and prominent than those white actors routinely obtained. 
But seven years later, after turning down several projects he considered demeaning, Poitier got a number of roles that catapulted him into a category rarely if ever achieved by an African American man of that time, that of starring leading man. 
One of the films, The Defiant Ones (1958), gave Poitier his first Academy Award nomination as Best Actor. Five years later, he won the Oscar for Lilies of the Field (1963), the first African American to win for a leading role. Poitier maintained activity on stage, on screen, and in the burgeoning Civil Rights movement. 
His roles in Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967) and To Sir, with Love (1967) were for their time landmarks in the breaking down of social barriers between African Americans and whites, and Poitier's talent, conscience, integrity, and inherent likability placed him on equal footing with the white stars of the day. 
He took on directing and producing chores in the Seventies, achieving success in both arenas. Although he has reduced the frequency of his roles in recent years, he remains one of the most respected and beloved figures in American cinema of the twentieth century.

He was a great actor.

P.S.  You can listen to my show (Canto Talk).  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column.

 

World War II: The Battle of Britain 1940 with Barry Jacobsen

World War II: The Battle of Britain 1940 with Barry Jacobsen...

 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.

Listen to "World War II: The Battle of Britain 1940 with Barry Jacobsen" on Spreaker.

Drama in New York, VP Vance in Europe and more

The Trump-Musk experience & Drama in New York with Bill Katz, the editor...

The week in review with Bill Katz, editor of Urgent Agenda

 

Guest: Bill Katz the editor of Urgent Agenda...Trump & Musk...Drama in New York: The Governor vs the Mayor plus talk of Cuomo, VP Vance talks to Europe, the future of the Democrats and other stories....

Trump has a point about the 14th

Trump has a point about the 14th : As an immigrant, discussions about immigration are always personal.  I came here with my parents and remember the orderly process that brought us here.  My parents and I never had a discussion about “birthright citizenship” but ...

Click to read:

So here comes President Trump putting the issue on the front pages with an executive order, and potentially heading to the Supreme Court. I want to hear what the court has to say about this. My guess is that the Court will agree with President Trump.

Trump has a point about…

— Silvio Canto. Jr. (@silvio_canto) February 19, 2025

 

As an immigrant, discussions about immigration are always personal.  I came here with my parents and remember the orderly process that brought us here.  My parents and I never had a discussion about “birthright citizenship” but I can assure the reader that they would not support the idea that a baby born here from illegal immigrants is automatically a citizen.  They would have said “no way.”

So here comes President Trump putting the issue on the front pages with an executive order, and potentially heading to the Supreme Court.  I want to hear what the court has to say about this.  My guess is that the Court will agree with President Trump.

This is from Ken Klukowski:

Democrats and their allies wasted no time filing at least ten federal lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of that EO. One challenge was brought by eighteen Democrat state attorneys general in Massachusetts. Another four states filed in the state of Washington.

These leftists claim that everyone born in the United States is automatically a U.S. citizen. But that is not the law, and it has never been the law.

All of these lawsuits assert the language of the Citizenship Clause of Section 1 of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which provides, ‘All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.’

“Subject to the jurisdiction thereof” is the key line here.

The purpose of the 14th was to recognize blacks born in U.S. territory who had no legal status.  These people were no longer slaves (the 13th) and now had to be incorporated into the U.S., and that’s what the 14th is about.  It had nothing to do with people who came here not subject to the jurisdiction thereof and had a baby.

So be careful Democrats.  Be careful what you wish for.  I am confident that this Court will say that the 14th is not relevant and call on Congress to deal with it.

When will this happen?  I don’t know but it should be soon so that we can put an end to this travesty of automatic citizenship.  There is a way to obtain citizenship and that’s how I did it along with my parents and siblings.  I guess we did it the old fashioned way but it is the correct way.

P.S.  Check out my blog for posts, podcasts, and videos.

Share this:

Happy # 85 Smokey Robinson

Happy birthday to the great Smokey Robinson who was born in Detroit on this day in 1940.

We remember his song "My girl", one of the greatest pop songs ever recorded.

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.

1945: Marines invaded Iwo Jima

On this day in 1945, the US Marines landed at Iwo Jima.   The island was eventually turned into an airfield and played a huge factor in the bombing raids against Japan, only 660 miles away.

A few years ago, I watched: Flag of our Fathers.   It is a good movie and it shows the cruelty of war as well as the bond among soldiers.

You can get the book that inspired the movie.

 

P.S.  Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos.

1941: Germany launches the invasion of USSR....with Barry Jacobsen

World War II: Germany invades the USSR....with Barry Jacobsen....

 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.

Listen to "World War II: Hitler's Germany invaded Stalin's USSR" on Spreaker.

Tuesday's video: Saturday Night Live @ 50, The 14th Amendment and more

Birthright and the 14th Amendment headed to Supreme Court, President's Day, SNL celebrates # 50 (1975) and more stories..

Another case of demand for racism exceeding supply

Another case of demand for racism exceeding supply: It turned out that I missed the 50th anniversary of….

Click to read:

Well, Trump Derangement Syndrome got Tom Hanks and the writers.

Another case of demand for racism exceeding supply - American Thinker https://t.co/dEXh4FPmh4

— Silvio Canto. Jr. (@silvio_canto) February 18, 2025

 

It turned out that I missed the 50th anniversary of “Saturday Night Live.” I’m old enough to remember when the show was funny because the comedy writers understood the country that were broadcasting to.

Well, Trump Derangement Syndrome got Tom Hanks and the writers. They could have just shown us replays of the Czechoslovakian brothers, or Belushi saying “cheeseburger,” or Jane Curtin reading the news.

Not this bunch. They have to remind us once more that they think that Trump voters are racist or just live and die on MSNBC.

Here is the story:

“America’s sweetheart Tom Hanks was crucified by conservatives over his “disgusting” portrayal of a simple, Trump-supporting racist on the “Saturday Night Live” 50th anniversary special.

The two-time Academy Award winner returned to the stage Sunday night as “Doug” — a dumb, MAGA hat-wearing contestant on the recurring bit “Black Jeopardy,” where the butt of the joke is Hanks’ character and the black contestants discovering their similarities.

During the sketch, Doug, who first appeared on the comedy show in 2016, refuses to shake hands with the game show host, Darnell Hayes, played by “SNL” longtimer Kenan Thompson.“

Okay, so that’s how they want to celebrate 50 big ones? It’s more like reminding everyone that SNL just ain’t funny anymore.

My late father once said that good political comedy requires a bit of truth. You laugh because you recognize the truth and humor drives home the point. In this case, nothing was funny unless you think that all those black men who flipped to Trump are just stupid and ungrateful for walking away.

Maybe Hanks should make another movie about surviving in an island with a soccer ball. He is better suited for that role.

PS: Check out my blog for posts, podcasts, and videos.

Happy # 76 John Mayberry

We say happy birthday to John Mayberry who was born in Detroit on this day in 1949.

Mayberry broke with the Astros in 1968 but did not get to play every day until he became Kansas City's first baseman in 1972.     

After that, John was one of the top power hitters in the AL with KC and Toronto:   .261 average, .360 on base pct, 255 HR and 881 RBI in 1,670 games.

Mayberry's best season was 1975:   .291, 36 HR, 106 RBI and second in the AL MVP to Fred Lynn.

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 Luis Arroyo (1927-2016)

We remember Luis Arroyo who was born in Puerto Rico on this day in 1927.  He died in 2016 at age 88.   

Luis was a very effective major league pitcher from Puerto Rico.

In 1961, Arroyo pitched for the NY Yankees:  15-9, 2.19 ERA and 29 saves.   He also pitched in 2 World Series (1960 & 1961) and 8 seasons overall.

After baseball, Arroyo managed in Puerto Rico.

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.

"'World War II: the War that Made Our World" with Barry Jacobsen

CLICK TO LISTEN:

'World War Two, the War that Made Our World' Episode One 05/20 by Silvio Canto Jr | Politics Podcasts:

Guest: Barry Jacobsen, military historian and blogger......this is our World War II series...........'World War Two, the War that Made Our World Episode One: 'From Out of the Ashes, The Rise of Communism and Fascism'................the end of World War I left many unsettled issues in Europe.......also, the German economy collapsed and that opened the door for Hitler........the collapse of the Czars in Russia created the communist state or the USSR............ and other stories of the week.... .

P.S.  You can listen to my show (Canto Talk).  If you like our posts, click send, and drop a dime here.

Listen to ""World War Two, the War that Made Our World" Episode One" on Spreaker.

President’s Day and America’s 5 best presidents

President’s Day and America’s 5 best presidents: One of the benefits of growing up in an immigrant family is that you get to compare U.S. history with that of where you came from — Cuba, in my case.  In other words, the U.S. looks pretty good when you compare it to your own history....

Click to read:

It’s difficult to pick a favorite president because we tend to focus on the ones we remember. In our case, it’s the Cold War or recent presidencies.

President’s Day and America’s 5 best presidents - American Thinker https://t.co/8PdPpwKN9v

— Silvio Canto. Jr. (@silvio_canto) February 17, 2025

 

One of the benefits of growing up in an immigrant family is that you get to compare U.S. history with that of where you came from — Cuba, in my case.  In other words, the U.S. looks pretty good when you compare it to your own history.  This is why I’ve always felt that the U.S. was blessed with the integrity of the men who served as president.  I’m not saying they were perfect, but they are better than most of the others in other countries.

It’s difficult to pick a favorite president because we tend to focus on the ones we remember.  In our case, it’s the Cold War or recent presidencies.  Nevertheless, I will try to look at past and recent history.  My five picks for best presidents:

1. George Washington: the U.S. was lucky to have this man at the foundation of the republic.  Most new countries go wrong from the beginning.  On the other hand, the U.S. had the proper man at the right moment.  It’s criminal that some schools teach only that he was a slaveowner.
2. Abraham Lincoln: who else?  He kept this nation together.  It’s sad because no one appreciated him during his presidency.
3. Franklin D. Roosevelt: great leader.  He made people feel better during the Great Depression, which saw huge levels of unemployment.  Also, FDR saw evil in Europe and confronted it.
4. Dwight Eisenhower: as they say, he gets better with age.  His steady leadership was exactly what the country needed after Korea and World War II.
5. Ronald Reagan: the Great Communicator, and the one who inspired so many to become conservatives.

Honorable mention to George W. Bush, who was brilliant after 9-11, Gerald Ford for taking over after the Nixon resignation, Harry Truman for enacting the policy of containing communism, and Donald Trump for being realistic about the threat of an unaccountable bureaucracy.

Overall, the U.S. has been very lucky with the integrity of its presidents.

PS: Check out my blog for posts, podcasts, and videos.

Happy # 62 Michael Jordan

We say happy birthday to Michael Jordan, the greatest NBA player of our generation.   He led the Chicago Bulls to 6 NBA titles and was MVP 5 times.

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 Roger Craig. (1930-2023)

We remember Roger Craig.     He was born on this day in 1930 and died June 2023.

We remember him as a young pitcher with the Brooklyn Dodgers, a starter with the awful 1962-63 New York Mets and then the manager who led the San Francisco Giants to the NL West title 1987 and the NL pennant in 1989.

As a pitcher, he was 74-98 with a 3.83 ERA.    Again, those 98 losses must be put into context:  he was 15-46 with the last place Mets, arguably the worst expansion team in MLB history.     His 49-38 record with the Dodgers is probably a better measurement of his talent as a pitcher.

As a manager, he was 738-737 with 2 pennants.     He was also the pitching coach for the 1984 Detroit Tigers who won the World Series.

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.