Click to watch;
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wVEzmk5wC2Q
The Big Bill, birthright c & moreti https://t.co/p9jfebAfjQ
— Silvio Canto. Jr. (@silvio_canto) June 30, 2025
Monday, June 30, 2025
The Big Bill, birthright & more
So Canada wants to pick a tax fight?
So Canada wants to pick a tax fight?: As a Canadian friend told me after the church on Sunday, his compatriots up north need to start thinking about their country and less about hating Trump. It seems that the Canadian version of Trump Derangement Syndrome is alive and well up there. T
he...
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So Canada wants to pick a tax fight? — Canadians decide they want to be more like Europe. https://t.co/QSSP3UvDcd
— American Thinker (@AmericanThinker) June 30, 2025
Happy # 81 to Ron Swoboda
Ron Swoboda was born in Baltimore on this day in 1944. He broke in with the Mets in 1965 and hit 18 HR as a rookie. 
Unfortunately for Mets' fans, Swoboda never really developed into a consistent power hitter: .242 batting average, 73 HR & 344 RBI over 8 years.
Nevertheless, he will live in the hearts of Mets fans for one catch in the 1969 World Series. It killed an Oriole rally and lives as one of the greatest catches in baseball history.
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.
Happy # 95 Thomas Sowell!
In 2007, Sewell published a masterpiece. See "Disparities" in Income & Wealth By Thomas Sowell:
"They are hot to redistribute the existing income and wealth but seem wholly unaware that how you do that today can affect how much income and wealth will be produced tomorrow. Any number of schemes for redistributing wealth have ended up redistributing poverty in a number of countries.That's right! Make reading Sowell one of your resolutions.
"Progressives" in the media and among academics and intellectuals claim to be interested in ending poverty but the production of more output is the only way to end poverty for millions of people."
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, June 29, 2025
Can the Dems make up their mind on war powers?
Can the Dems make up their mind on war powers?: A few days ago, the US Senate killed another effort to limit the war powers of a GOP president. This is the story:
The Senate voted Friday evening to kill a war powers resolution that would have forced President Trump to seek congressional approval….
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Can the Dems make up their mind on war powers? - American Thinker https://t.co/oZ9nZZPwvA
— Silvio Canto. Jr. (@silvio_canto) June 29, 2025
1966: "Paperback writer" by The Beatles was # 1 this week
"Paperback writer" was one of the group's finest 45's. The B-side of "Rain" was a sign of things to come.
The single were introduced on The Ed Sullivan Show in 2 fantastic promo films. They were available on YouTube but no more.
The Beatles released 3 US LPs between Christmas 1965 and the summer of 1966. However, "Paperback writer", or the B-side of "Rain", were not included in the US versions of "Rubber Soul", "Yesterday and today" or "Revolver".
Why wasn't this 45 included in the "Revolver" LP? Good question because it fits that LP beautifully.
By the way, the book below has "a song by song" story of every one recorded and released by the group. It is a wonderful resource to remember all of those tunes that we listened to on vinyl many years ago.
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 Harmon Killebrew (1936-2011)
The great Harmon Killebrew, one of great baseball sluggers of our youth, was born on this day in 1936. He passed away in 2011 of cancer. He was 74.
Killebrew started with the original Washington Senators who became the Minnesota Twins in 1961. He won the AL MVP in 1969, played in the 1965 World Series plus the ALCS in 1969 & 70.
From 1964 to 1971, Killebrew and Tony Oliva, who usually batted in front of Harmon, were one of the best hitting combinations ever. Tony won 3 batting titles and Harmon just hit a ton of home runs.
We remember those "titanic home runs" that got lost in the clouds all over baseball parks. Killebrew was indeed one of my all time favorite players.
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 great music of the summer of 1968!
My parents bought us a GE record player and we rushed to the store. We used to buy 45's back then, which sold for 69 cents! (Gas was 19 cents!)
1968 was a very crazy political year. It was reflected in the music. I don't remember any love songs that summer. The music was rough but it was also great rock.
Let's start with the greatest record of the summer of '68. Years later, this is still one of the best rock songs of the rock era. It was also one of the last songs that included Brian Jones, who died in '69 in an accident.
Let's start with Jumping Jack Flash by The Rolling Stones:
"I was born in a cross-fire hurricaneMy second selection is "White Room" by Cream. This was a group created by Eric Clapton, along with Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker. They didn't record a lot of LP's but this was their greatest single.
And I howled at my ma in the driving rain,But its all right now, in fact, its a gas!But its all right. Im jumpin jack flash, Its a gas! gas! gas!"
It was a summer for hard rock bands. However, The Bee Gees gave us wonderful harmonies in "I've gotta get a message to you". This is still one of my favorite songs from The Brothers Gibb.
The Beatles' "Hey Jude" was released later or at the end of summer. It actually charted in the fall. Nevertheless, it was the #1 song of the year!
It was a good summer to collect records!
The Beach Boys recorded a lot of interesting songs in 1967, such as "Good Vibrations" and "Darlin"! In 1968, they went back to their beach sound with "Do it again"!
The Seekers had a pop-folk flavor. They were probably too romantic for the crazy summer of '68. However, they recorded many songs and "I'll never find another you" was my favorite:
I guess that the events made in Prague made The Rascals' "People got to be free" a little more than just a song:
It was indeed a good summer to collect records!
I did not care that much for Sergio Mendes but the girls were very attractive. They took the Beatles' "Fool on the hill" and gave it a different sound:
Looking back, it was indeed a great summer for a couple of teens to collect records.
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.
Saturday, June 28, 2025
Quite a week for President Trump
The week started with the attack against the Iran facilities. The next big event were Supreme Court opinions, from Planned Parenthood, to a big win for parents and shooting down nationwide injunctions. The reconciliation bill is in the US Senate this weekend and the vote
No time for word salads?
No time for word salads?: Maybe you’ve heard that former VP Harris wants to run for governor of California. Maybe she wants to do a Nixon, or lose a governor’s race and then come back a few years later. I don’t know if that’s the plan, but ...
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No time for word salads? - American Thinker https://t.co/0FO0G1Jcbz
— Silvio Canto. Jr. (@silvio_canto) June 28, 2025
Happy # 65 to John Elway
Elway came out of Stanford and was drafted by the Colts but eventually signed with the Broncos.
Elway and the Broncos lost 3 Super Bowl in 1987, 1988 and 1990. He came back a few years later and defeated the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XXXII. They repeated by defeating the Atlanta Falcons 34–19 the next season.
His accomplishments put him in the NFL Hall of Fame:
148 games won as a starting quarterback – NFL Record47 game-winning or game-tying drives in the fourth quarter – NFL Record5-time Super Bowl starting quarterback – NFL Record50,000+ career passing yards and 3,000+ career rushing yards – NFL Record7 consecutive seasons with 3000+ passing yards and 200+ rushing yardsNFL Most Valuable Player – 1987Super Bowl Most Valuable Player – Super Bowl XXXIII9-time Pro Bowl selection3-time All Pro selection
Enjoy your day John! Great career!
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A word about June 28
On this day in 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife Sophie were shot to death by a Bosnian Serb nationalist during an official visit to the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo.
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.
Happy # 84 to Al Downing (the man who gave up Aaron's # 715)
We remember Al Downing today. He was born in New Jersey on this day in 1941.
Downing was a pretty good lefty who broke with the Yankees in 1961 at age 20. He joined the starting rotation in 1963 and won 26 games in his first two seasons. Downing pitched in the 1963 and 1964 World Series but did not win a game.
In the late 1960s, Downing pitched for New York, Oakland and Milwaukee. He was 2-10 with the 1970 Brewers despite a decent 3.34 ERA.
In 1971, Downing was traded to LA and won 20 games. He pitched in the 1974 World Series with the Dodgers. Overall, he won 123 games with a 3.22 ERA.
We remember Downing for one pitch or home run: Aaron's # 715 on April 8, 1974.
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 Don Baylor (1948-2017)
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Don was drafted by the Orioles in 1967 and moved quickly through their farm system. I recall reading about Don Baylor & Bobby Grich in the O's farm system. They came up together and spent years with Baltimore and later with the Angels.
Don finally joined the O's in 1972 and became the starting left fielder.
Days before the start of the 1976 season, Baylor was traded to the A's in the blockbuster Reggie Jackson trade. (Don Baylor & Mike Torres for Reggie Jackson & Ken Holtzman)
Baylor's best days were with the Angels: MVP in '79 and 141 HR over 6 seasons.
He retired with 338 HR & 1,276 RBI in 2,292 games. In 1989, Don reflected on his career in an autobiography.
After that, he managed the Rockies and Cubs.
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.
1914: Austria's Archduke Ferdinand assassinated
Back in 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife Sophie were shot to death by a Bosnian Serb nationalist during an official visit to the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo.
On August 1, 1914, World War I began to take shape:
".....four days after Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, two more great European powers—Russia and Germany—declare war on each other; the same day, France orders a general mobilization.We started this series with Barry Jacobsen in 2014, or the 100th anniversary of World War I.
The so-called “Great War” that ensued would be one of unprecedented destruction and loss of life, resulting in the deaths of some 20 million soldiers and civilians and the physical devastation of much of the European continent."
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 "The origins and causes of World War I with Barry Jacobsen" on Spreaker.
Friday, June 27, 2025
Supreme Court and big win for common sense plus more
Supreme Court and district judges. NY City and Jewish votes. Kamala Harris for Governor of CA 2026. Canada trade deal? Happy # 83 Rico Petrocelli.
Have Jewish Democrats finally gotten the memo?
Have Jewish Democrats finally gotten the memo?: There are many angles to what happened last Tuesday night in New York City. The biggest one may be that a city home to many Jews has nominated someone who believes that line…
Click to read:
Have Jewish Democrats finally gotten the memo? — There are many angles to what happened last Tuesday night in New York City. https://t.co/GS7VoglmfP
— American Thinker (@AmericanThinker) June 27, 2025
A word about June 27
We remember June 27
Happy # 78 to Rico Petrocelli, one of the most popular players to wear the Red Sox uniform. Americo Peter Petrocelli was born in Brooklyn on this day in 1943. He broke with Boston in 1963. He quickly became a regular and played in the 1967 & 1975 World Series. Petrocelli was a big bat in the Boston lineup: 210 HR & 773 RBI over 13 years.
1973: David Clyde made his pitching debut with the Texas Rangers. He was 18, two weeks out of high school and never materialized as a major league pitcher. He was probably rushed to the majors.
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.
Happy # 83 Rico Petrocelli
Happy birthday greetings to Rico Petrocelli, one of the most popular players to wear the Red Sox uniform.
Americo Peter Petrocelli was born in Brooklyn on this day in 1943. He broke with Boston in 1963, became a regular and played in the 1967 & 1975 World Series.
He split his career between shortstop (774 games) and third base (727 games). Rico moved to third when Luis Aparicio joined Boston in 1970.
Petrocelli was a big bat in the Boston lineup: 210 HR & 773 RBI over 13 years.
He hit 40 HR in 1969 and 97 HR over a 3 year span, 1969-71.
Enjoy your day 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.
1973: David Clyde made his pitching debut
On this day in 1973, the Rangers were desperately trying to sell seats.
They were coming off a 54-100 record in 1972. Their best player in the opening season in Texas was an aging Frank Howard. The roster included young guys like future AL MVP Jeff Burroughs and All Star Toby Harrah but they were not exciting anybody in North Texas yet.
In other words, the '73 Rangers needed a shot in the arm. Enter David Clyde, a young man from Houston.
The good news is that David Clyde was a great high school baseball prospect. The bad news is that he was rushed to the majors years ago. The Rangers sold many tickets for his debut but not much happened after that!
Clyde never developed into the major league pitcher that everyone predicted. At the same time, he should have spent a couple of years in the minors before pitching in the majors. He wasn’t ready and it probably hurt his career.
He won 7 over a 2-year period. Clyde was eventually traded to Cleveland. By the way, I saw him pitch with Cleveland against Baltimore before he retired.
Overall, a sad story.
Thursday, June 26, 2025
New York aftermath, Supreme Court opinions and more
New York election and the Jewish vote. Party reacts to NYC election. Iran intellegence. Supreme Court Planned parenthood. Happy # 51 Derek Jeter
I guess the commie must be in New York City
I guess the commie must be in New York City: Sorry, Harry Nilsson. Never thought that one of my old 45s would inspire me to write a political post in 2025.
As you probably know, New York City Democrat primary voters decided to nominate the lefty of lefties as their candidate for..
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I guess the commie must be in New York City — New York City Democrat primary voters decided to nominate the lefty of lefties as their candidate for mayor. https://t.co/KEJDC13dz3
— American Thinker (@AmericanThinker) June 26, 2025
A word about June 26
Happy # 48: Derek Jeter: He retired with 3,465 hits, a .311 lifetime average and .321 in 38 World Series games.
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.
Happy # 51 Derek Jeter
We say happy birthday to Derek Jeter who was born on this day in 1974.
In 1996, Derek Jeter broke in with the Yankees and the rest is history. Jeter retired with 3,465 hits, a .311 lifetime average and .321 in 38 World Series games.
In 1996, Derek Jeter broke in with the Yankees and the rest is history. Jeter retired with 3,465 hits, a .311 lifetime average and .321 in 38 World Series games.
In 2014, the baseball world said goodbye to Jeter at The All Star Game in Minneapolis. He got everything that he deserved. I was applauding him too because the world could use more men like Jeter.
The Yankees came to Texas later that summer in August and huge crowds were there to show their respect for Jeter again.
He was really something special, the kind of professional athlete who comes around once in a generation.
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.
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
New York elections, Trump at NATO plus more
New York elections. Iran attacks and damage assessment. Trump at NATO. France and street needles. Eisenhower 1942.
The crazy needles of France
The crazy needles of France: Back in my younger days, my parents loved a song by Les Baxter,
Click to read:
The crazy needles of France - American Thinker https://t.co/T06BDy3o57
— Silvio Canto. Jr. (@silvio_canto) June 25, 2025
A word about June 25
We remember June 25:
"Bad day for General Custer": On this day in 1876, a major battle took place near southern Montana’s Little Bighorn River. We remember the battle as General Custer’s "Last Stand".
"We love Ike": On this day in 1942, General Dwight D. Eisenhower became commander of all U.S. troops in the European theater of World War II.
"Beatles go global 1967": Two weeks after “Sergeant Pepper’s” release, The Beatles went global and presented “All you need is love” to 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.
Happy # 80 Carly Simon
Let's add Carly Simon to the growing list of pop singers who are over 70. Carly was born in New York on this day in 1945.
My first memory of Carly Simon was her 1971 hit "That's the way I've heard it should be", a very 1970's song. It was also a great arrangement and her vocals were beautiful.
After that, Carly had other hits, such as "You're so vain", and married James Taylor.
We wish Carly a happy birthday. She was one of a group of great female song writers/performers who released music in the early 1970's. It was great music.
My first memory of Carly Simon was her 1971 hit "That's the way I've heard it should be", a very 1970's song. It was also a great arrangement and her vocals were beautiful.
After that, Carly had other hits, such as "You're so vain", and married James Taylor.
We wish Carly a happy birthday. She was one of a group of great female song writers/performers who released music in the early 1970's. It was great music.
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.
1876: Battle of Little Bighorn
We remember the battle as General Custer’s "Last Stand" and the worst defeat for US Army forces in the long Plains Indian War.
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.
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Trump off to NATO, impeachment fails and more stories
Trump in NATO, a ceasefire working for now, military operations a success and impeachment goes down. Bobby Sherman RIP.
A bombing that would make Bob Gibson proud
A bombing that would make Bob Gibson proud: Have you played that trivia game that goes like this? It’s Game 7 of the World Series and who do you want on the mound for your team? My answer is always Bob Gibson, and that’s because I grew up watching him winning more big n...
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A bombing that would make Bob Gibson proud - American Thinker https://t.co/j9V7Vu5PFd
— Silvio Canto. Jr. (@silvio_canto) June 24, 2025
A word about June 24
We remember June 24:
"Presidential leadership": On this day in 1948, President Truman confronted a serious communist challenge in Berlin: The Berlin Blockade.
Happy birthday to Mick Fleetwood who was born in London on this day in 1947. We remember Mick as the founder and drummer of Fleetwood Mac.
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.
Summer songs: Junior Walker's "What does it take"!
I'm talking about Jr Walker's "What does it take", a tune from school days and from the golden era of AM Top 40 radio.
The Jr Walker sound was a: ".....tenor saxophone solos and raspy voice...."
He recorded other hits like "Shotgun", a great version of "These eyes" and some good albums. They sound better with age.
"What does it take" is still my favorite. I will add it to my I-Pod whenever I get one:
"What does it take (What does it take)To win your love for me? (To win your love for me)How can I make (How can I make)This dream come true for me? (Had a dream for you)Whoa, I just got to know (Have to know)
Ooo, baby 'cause I love you so'
Gonna blow for you'I tried, I tried, I tried, I tried In every way I could (Anyway I could)To make you see how much I love you (See how much I love you)Woo!I thought you understood (Thought you understood)So, you gotta make me see (Make me see)
What does it take To win your love for me?"
Happy # 78 Mick Fleetwood and great music
Happy birthday Mick Fleetwood who was born in London on this day in 1947. We remember Mick as the founder and drummer of Fleetwood Mac.
Back in the summer of 1982, or many years ago, we were in the early days of MTV and VH-1. We used to hear our songs on the radio, LP's, 45's and cassettes in a car player. We had no idea that DVDs would replace VHS videos or that CD's would do away with tape and vinyl.
Yes, the summer of 1982 seems like a long time ago. Nevertheless, the music was great, specially Fleetwood Mac and "Hold me".
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.
What President Obama should learn from President Truman
(My new American Thinker post)
On this day in 1948, President Truman was confronted with a serious challenge in Berlin:
First, the bad guys will push you around until you hit them back.
Second, we were "a war weary nation" back then too. After all, we had just concluded a brutal war and lost close to 500,000 men in the Pacific and Europe. I doubt that there was a lot of appetite for war in 1948, especially with a bad US economy.
Third, President Truman nevertheless met the challenge, flew the supplies in and stood up the USSR. It was a huge test and President Truman won.
In Iraq, President Obama does not have easy options but he cannot allow Iraq to collapse, especially the oil fields. We are a "Middle East weary" country and do not want to go back to Iraq. President Obama also has a party base that will fight military intervention all the way.
Like Pres. Truman, Pres. Obama has to see the big picture and stop ISIS from marching across the region. It may mean air strikes or some troops on the ground.
Iraq requires presidential leadership, or the kind that we saw in saving West Berlin 66 years ago this week.
P.S. You can listen to my show (Canto Talk).
On this day in 1948, President Truman was confronted with a serious challenge in Berlin:
"One of the most dramatic standoffs in the history of the Cold War begins as the Soviet Union blocks all road and rail traffic to and from West Berlin.It was a shining moment for President Truman, who met the challenge by flying supplies to the people of West Berlin:
The blockade turned out to be a terrible diplomatic move by the Soviets, while the United States emerged from the confrontation with renewed purpose and confidence."
"The United States response came just two days after the Soviets began their blockade. A massive airlift of supplies into West Berlin was undertaken in what was to become one of the greatest logistical efforts in history. For the Soviets, the escapade quickly became a diplomatic embarrassment. Russia looked like an international bully that was trying to starve men, women, and children into submission. And the successful American airlift merely served to accentuate the technological superiority of the United States over the Soviet Union.What can President Obama learn from this incident?
On May 12, 1949, the Soviets officially ended the blockade."
First, the bad guys will push you around until you hit them back.
Second, we were "a war weary nation" back then too. After all, we had just concluded a brutal war and lost close to 500,000 men in the Pacific and Europe. I doubt that there was a lot of appetite for war in 1948, especially with a bad US economy.
Third, President Truman nevertheless met the challenge, flew the supplies in and stood up the USSR. It was a huge test and President Truman won.
In Iraq, President Obama does not have easy options but he cannot allow Iraq to collapse, especially the oil fields. We are a "Middle East weary" country and do not want to go back to Iraq. President Obama also has a party base that will fight military intervention all the way.
Like Pres. Truman, Pres. Obama has to see the big picture and stop ISIS from marching across the region. It may mean air strikes or some troops on the ground.
Iraq requires presidential leadership, or the kind that we saw in saving West Berlin 66 years ago this week.
P.S. You can listen to my show (Canto Talk).
Berlin 1948: Another sad day in the brutal history of communism
We've reported on this blog about the violent and ugly story of communism, from the USSR to Cuba to North Korea to China. In a nutshell, it is an ugly story where the state dominated the individual.
On this day in 1948, President Truman confronted a serious communist challenge in Berlin: The Berlin Blockade.
He responded with The Berlin Airlift or one of President Truman’s finest moments! It was a wonderful demonstration of US presidential leadership.
It also gave us the story of “the candy bombers” or US pilots who dropped candy for the children of Berlin.
On May 12, 1949, the Soviets officially ended the blockade and the citizens of West Berlin were saved.
The good guys won in Berlin in 1948-49 and later when the wall came down in 1989.
On this day in 1948, President Truman confronted a serious communist challenge in Berlin: The Berlin Blockade.
He responded with The Berlin Airlift or one of President Truman’s finest moments! It was a wonderful demonstration of US presidential leadership.
It also gave us the story of “the candy bombers” or US pilots who dropped candy for the children of Berlin.
On May 12, 1949, the Soviets officially ended the blockade and the citizens of West Berlin were saved.
The good guys won in Berlin in 1948-49 and later when the wall came down in 1989.
P.S. You can listen to my show (Canto Talk).
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