Thursday, July 31, 2025

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


Guest:   Bill Katz the editor of Urgent Agenda.   The election in New York City specially after the killing of a police officer and 4 more people.  President Trump trade dea;s.  Is there a rift between US and Israel over Gaza?  The Russia hoax gets more interesting plus more stories.

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

 


Guest:   Bill Katz the editor of Urgent Agenda.   The election in New York City specially after the killing of a police officer and 4 more people.  President Trump trade dea;s.  Is there a rift between US and Israel over Gaza?  The Russia hoax gets more interesting plus more stories.

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Listen to "The week in review with Bill Katz the editor of Urgent Agenda" on Spreaker.

Keep Jasmine around

Keep Jasmine around: As you know, Texas is doing some gerrymandering these days. Yes, our GOP state legislature has decided to follow the Democrats' example in Illinois and Maryland and draw a different map. Well done, Texas. As the first draft of the map….
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Happy # 80 Gary Lewis

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We say happy birthday to Gary Lewis who was born in New Jersey on this day in 1945.

His father was Jerry Lewis, one of the superstars of movies and comedy.   


In 1965, Gary formed a band and enjoyed several hits, such as "This diamond ring" a # 1 song.   All together, Gary Lewis and the Playboys had 7 Top 10 hits.

  
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.




Read a book by Milton Friedman (1912-2006) this summer



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We would always recommend a Friedman book for summer reading.   So check out his page and look at getting one for the summer.       Here is a good one to start with:





We remember Milton Friedman (1912-2006)



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My guess is that most of you read "Free to choose" or watched the TV series.  Or, maybe you are familiar with Dr Friedman's work in Chile, the story of "The Chicago Boys" who turned that South American country into one of the best economies in the world.
 
Milton Friedman was born in 1912 and died in 2006.  Rose, his devoted wife, research partner and companion of many years, died in 2009.  They were always together and that was great too.
 
"I remember asking Milton, a year or so before his death, during one of our semiannual dinners in downtown San Francisco: What can we do to make America more prosperous? "Three things," he replied instantly. "Promote free trade, school choice for all children, and cut government spending."How much should we cut? "As much as possible.""
Thank you Mr. Friedman!  
 
 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 incredible life of Milton Friedman (1912-2006)

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Who are the most consequential men of the last 50 years?  Let me suggest President ReaganPope John Paul II and Dwight Eisenhower, the World War II general and then the consequential 34th President.

How about Milton Friedman, the greatest economist of our generation?

Friedman died in 2006.   He was born on this day in 1912.    We still miss him.

My Milton Friedman memories go back to college and the 1980 Reagan campaign.

First, he wrote that great book "Free to choose".   It became a TV series and many of us learned a lot by watching it.

Second, he was the leader of the "Chicago Boys" who fixed Chile after Pinochet overthrew Allende.

Friedman was a consequential man.  He left us a lot of books, essays. documentaries and a wonderful foundation for future generations!

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.






Words of wisdom from Milton Friedman (1912-2006)


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Let's remember Milton Friedman: "Friedman's Sampler" is a summary of Milton Friedman quotes over the years. They are priceless and relevant today.

On taxes:
"To summarize, deficits are bad--but not because they necessarily raise interest rates. They are bad because they encourage political irresponsibility. They enable our representatives in Washington to buy votes at our expense without having to vote explicitly for taxes to finance the largesse. The result is a bigger government and a poorer nation. That is why I favor a constitutional amendment requiring Congress to balance the budget and limit taxation." (from "The Taxes Called Deficits," April 24, 1984)
On freedom:
"It is important to emphasize that economic arrangements play a dual role in the promotion of a free society. On the one hand, "freedom" in economic arrangements itself a component of freedom broadly understood, so "economic freedom" is an end in itself to a believer in freedom. In the second place, economic freedom is also an indispensable means toward the achievement of political freedom. . . . " (from "Capitalism and Freedom: Why and How the Two Ideas Are Mutually Dependent," May 17, 1961)
The flat tax:
"The only way we are ever likely to get it is if there is a drive for a constitutional convention to repeal the 16th Amendment (which gives Congress the power to tax income) and replace it with one mandating a flat-rate tax. However, I regret that that is not an immediate prospect." (from "Why a Flat Tax Is Not Politically Feasible," March 30, 1995)
Let me say it again. Milton Friedman was a consequential voice in promoting freedom and free markets. 

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 # 71 Ellis Valentine


Ellis Valentine was born in Arkansas on this day in 1954.   He was drafted by Montreal and broke with them in 1975.    By 1976, he was the every day right fielder.

In the late 1970's, the Montreal Expos had one of the best outfields in modern baseball history.   In fact, you could argue that it was the best in quite some time:   Ellis Valentinefuture Hall of Famer Andre Dawson & Warren Cromartie.

Valentine and teammate Cromartie had 24 assists in 1977.    You simply could not take an extra base on that Expos' outfield!

Valentine survived injuries and retired with a .278 batting average and .288 in 7 seasons in Montreal.

Valentine was part of the Expos who came in second in 1978, 1979 & 1980.  They lost the NLCS to the LA Dodgers in 1981.    In today's game, Montreal would have clinched a wild card spot everyone of those years that they came in second in the NL East.   Who knows what would have happened to that "wild card team" in the NL post season?  

 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 Curt Gowdy (1919-2006)

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We remember Curt Gowdy who was born in Wyoming on this day in 1919.

A few days ago, I caught an audio clip of Curt Gowdy doing a World Series game many years ago.    What a treat to hear that voice again!

Most of us grew up watching the NBC Saturday afternoon baseball game of the week and listening to Gowdy's voice.   I recall many World Series games, too.  He was also the voice of the Super Bowl and the famous Heidi game, when NBC cut off the Jets-Raiders game to broadcast the Disney movie.

In '84, Gowdy was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984.    Curt Gowdy died in 2006.   He was a gem calling baseball and football.

 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.






1978: Pete Rose reached # 44





Pete Rose got to # 44, or the second longest streak since Joe DiMaggio got to 56 in 1941.   He singled off of Phil Niekro.  


Willie Keeler had 44 in 1897-98 but foul balls didn't count as strikes.

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.



Tags: Pete Rose reaches # 44  To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the My View by Silvio Canto, Jr. Thanks!

Wednesday, July 30, 2025

No Kamala in '26 plus no change in rates and Texas maps


Former VP Harris not running for governor of California.  No cut in interest rates.  Texas new map for midterms.  Obama and the Russia hoax  "In God we trust" 1956 President Eisenhower.


Did Trump's victory hurt Obama's feelings?

Did Trump's victory hurt Obama's feelings?: Back in 2016, I remember reading an analysis that President Obama's two terms had left the Democrats in bad shape. In other words, he started in 2009 with huge majorities and left town with the GOP in charge of the U.S. Senate and House. It was…
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Happy # 84 Paul Anka, great vocalist and songwriter!


Wonder how many people know that Paul Anka was born in Canada?   He was born on this day in 1941.  Paul is from Ottawa and enjoyed big hits by the time that he was a teenager. 

Anka is one of the few pop artists who had Top 10 songs in the 1950s, 1960's & 1970's!  Who else but Elvis can say that? 

Anka's formula?  Romantic and catchy songs that filled Top 40 play lists in the era of AM radio stations.  I'm sure that lots of our parents have Anka 45's among their belongings and souvenirs.

I learned in the 1970's that Paul Anka composed "My Way" and several TV songs, such as The Tonight Song theme song!  How would you like to collect those royalties?

A few years ago, Paul wrote an autobiography.    He also left us an amazing collection of hit songs, available now on digital.

 
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, July 29, 2025

Trump making deals and Democrats lost plus other stories


Shooting in NYC, Trade deals with Japan & EU, Trump nominees, Redistricting in Texas, Obama and the Russia hoax plus we remember Ryan Sandberg.


Senator Cornyn wants a special counsel

Senator Cornyn wants a special counsel: Senator Cornyn is facing a major primary challenge next March.  His opponent, the current A.G., Ken Paxton, keeps calling the senator a RINO and hoping to ride President Trump’s popularity in Texas all the way to the U.S. Senate. ...
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1958: "La violetera" with Sara Montiel




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In previous posts, I've written of my love for Spanish songs and traditions.

To be honest, I didn't like this movie the first time around.  Years later, I saw it again and appreciated Sara Montiel's voice and acting skills.

"La Violetera" was released in 1958.   

Sara died in 2013 and left behind quite a legacy of movies and recording, including "Vera Cruz" (1955) with Gary Cooper and Burt Lancaster and "Run of the Arrow" (1957) with Rod Steiger.


It's a nice movie.

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








Monday, July 28, 2025

Trump and the EU trade deal plus more

Dems: How low can you go?

Dems: How low can you go?: Chubby Checker wasn’t thinking about the Democrats when he sang “how low can you go,” but it sure fits the state of the party today. The party has no ideas or leaders. It reminds me of a time when I was watching a baseball game…
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We need something like Animal House in 2023

 


(My new American Thinker post)

As we struggle with a Barbie movie that does not remind me of the dolls that my sister collected, a U.S. women soccer team that can't smile, or even a new version of Snow White that claims she won't be saved by a prince's kiss this time around, it is difficult to find a good movie to see.

Please forgive us if we get nostalgic or remember some of the flicks that made us laugh, cry or just plain entertained us.

Entertain us?  Do they even know that in Hollywood anymore?

Just heard that Animal House was released 45 years ago.  Back then, the movie made a lot of us laugh.  Honestly, I still laugh every time it comes on TV.  No virtual signaling.  No political message, just a bunch of college kids being stupid.  Give me more movies like that.

Roger Ebert, the movie critic and the guy who used have that show on PBS along with Gene Siskel, reviewed the movie like this:      

The movie is vulgar, raunchy, ribald, and occasionally scatological. It is also the funniest comedy since Mel Brooks made "The Producers" (1968). "Animal House" is funny for some of the same reasons the National Lampoon is funny (and Second City and "Saturday Night Live" are funny): Because it finds some kind of precarious balance between insanity and accuracy, between cheerfully wretched excess and an ability to reproduce the most revealing nuances of human behavior. 

The star of the movie is a fellow named Bluto played by the late John Belushi.  I remember one time explaining to a friend that Bluto reminded me of a combination of the cocky Chico Marx and the silent Harpo Marx.  No matter what, I found this movie a charm because it made me laugh.

It is true that this is a story about rebellious kids challenging authority.  At least you didn't have college professors teaching kids to hate their country or deny conservatives an opportunity to speak.  

Keep your modern Barbie or Snow White and her inclusive dwarfs. I'd rather entertain myself with a crazy comedy like Animal House.  What could possibly be wrong with a bunch of guys who love beer, "Shout," "Louie, Louie," motorcycles, and Playboy centerfolds?

Let me celebrate 45 years of Animal House by watching old movies and being entertained again.

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


We remember Jackie Kennedy (1929-1994)

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Jacqueline Bouvier was born in New York on this day in 1929.  

We remember her as the very elegant First Lady Jackie Kennedy.  

She died in 1994.

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, July 27, 2025

Trade deals and more

 

The US finalized trade deals with Japan and the European Union. The Democrats are angry with the GOP gerrymandering red states or doing the same thing they’ve done in blue states. The latest WSJ poll tells us that voters trust the GOP more on issues.

We learned gerrymandering from Democrats

We learned gerrymandering from Democrats: As you may have heard, the Texas legislature is looking at redistricting. The Dems are not happy and will likely refer to Governor Abbott as a dictator. I’m sure that they will bring up that Hitler “gerrymandered” Germany.
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Happy # 83 Bobbie Gentry

 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 # 76 Maureen McGovern

(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 say happy birthday to Maureen McGovern who was born in Youngstown, Ohio, on this day in 1949.

We remember Maureen for "Morning after" or the theme song of the movie "The Poseidon Adventure".  Remember the one about the cruise ship that flipped  over in the middle of the ocean?

Scary movie and a nice pop song by Maureen McGovern.  

It was the a big hit in the summer of 1973!  She did not have another Top 20 until "Different worlds" in 1979, a song that reminds me of "The love boat" theme song.

Click here for "Morning After":




"There's got to be a morning after
If we can hold on through the night
We have a chance to find the sunshine
Let's keep on lookin' for the light

Oh, can't you see the morning after
It's waiting right outside the storm
Why don't we cross the bridge together
And find a place that's safe and warm

It's not too late, we should be giving
Only with love can we climb
It's not too late, not while we're living
Let's put our hands out in time

There's got to be a morning after
We're moving closer to the shore
I know we'll be there by tomorrow
And we'll escape the darkness
We won't be searchin' any more

There's got to be a morning after
(There's got to be a morning after)
There's got to be a morning after..."

Saturday, July 26, 2025

Apollo 11 with Frank Burke, businessman and author.

It was horrible for the country

It was horrible for the country: Back in 2017–18, it was “Russia, Russia, Russia.”  Today, it’s “hoax, hoax, hoax.”  For me, the worst part of the story is that it hurt the country incredibly.  It poisoned the well and we are still ...
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My chat about Moncada 1953 with Jorge Ponce

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A few years ago, we discussed Moncada 1953 with Jorge Ponce, Cuban American writer and contributor to Babalu Blog.  

Jorge and I came to the US in the 1960's with our parents.  

You can hear the show here.


Listen to ""El Moncada 1953" and a few other thoughts with Jorge Ponce" on Spreaker.

Happy # 82 Mick Jagger





We say happy to Mick Jagger, one of the greats of rock.    He was born on this day in 1943.

Mick, along with Keith Richards, turned The Rolling Stones into one of the greatest rock bands ever.

Rolling Stone magazine, no connection to the rock group, has Jagger at # 16 of the top vocalists ever.   

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.




Friday, July 25, 2025

A chat with George Rodriguez, South Texas conservative


Guest: George Rodriguez, South Texas conservative.       Will Beto O'Rourke run again?  Redistricting and the legislature....Plus other stories..

We gotta get out of this place

We gotta get out of this place: A few years ago, I visited New York and stayed at a hotel near the UN building. I said to myself one morning that the tall building would make a nice hotel by the river. My reason for feeling that way is that I’ve been skeptical of the UN for….
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1978: Rose reached # 38 on the way to 44!





Pete Rose’s streak made it 38 games on this day in 1978.    He got 3 hits off Craig Swan of the Mets.

The streak started on June 14 and turned into the second longest in major league history.    The streak was a huge national story with hundreds of reporters following Pete & the Reds from game to game.  

1978 also turned out to be his last year with the Reds:  .302 average, 198 hits and 51 doubles.   He signed a huge free agent contract with the Phillies and led them to a World Series victory in 1980.  He also won two titles with the Reds in 1975 & 1976.

Last, but not least, Pete got his 3000th hit that year, too.    The pitcher was Steve Rogers of the Expos.


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, July 24, 2025

Russia hoax hurt the country plus climate change justice


UN Climate Change and Court. Is Beto O'Rourke running again?  Russia Russia and a huge lie that posoned the country.  Kitchen cabinet 1959.

0 for 3 Beto up to bat again?

0 for 3 Beto up to bat again?: Former candidate for everything Beto O'Rourke may be running again. Well, this is not a surprise because he's never stopped running since losing to Governor Greg Abbott in 2022. We hear rumors Robert Francis may run again for the U.S. Senate ...
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We remember Willie Davis (1934-2020)





We remember Willie Davis who was born in Louisiana on this day in 1934.

As a teenager growing up in Wisconsin, I had to learn about pro football.  

We did not play it in Cuba.  Nevertheless, I fell in love with the Green Bay Packers, the dream team of the pre-Super Bowl days. 

Before the Steelers, 49ers and Patriots won Super Bowls, the Packers won a bunch of NFL titles.

They had a great coach in Vince Lombardi, a great QB in Bart Starr and a great running back in Jim Taylor. The Pack even had great rookies, like Donny Anderson and Jim Grabowski. I remember Leroy Williams, who used to run back kickoffs. He ran one back for almost 100 yards against the Rams!

What a great team. It was easy to fall in love with a team like the Packers.

Willie Davis was also on those teams and a great fan favorite.    After football, Davis became a successful businessman, author and speaker.

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, July 23, 2025

More Russia, Beto Texas and more


The Hunter Biden interview was a disaster.  Is Beto O'Rourke planning another run in Texas?  And more Russia-Obama news.......

That’s what you get when you invite Hunter Biden

That’s what you get when you invite Hunter Biden: What was Andrew Gallagher of Channel 5 thinking when he invited Hunter Biden to his program? Maybe he thought that the most worthless man in the U.S. would have something worthwhile to say. Or maybe he thought that he’d break a new story….
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We remember Pee Wee Reese (1918-1999)


Harold Henry Reese was born in Kentucky on this day in 1918.   We know him as Pee Wee Reese, the great shortstop of the Brooklyn Dodgers who won 7 NL pennants.   

Pee Wee Reese hit .269 with 2,170 career hits & 1,338 runs scored.   He missed 3 full seasons to military service.

Reese's greatest contribution was his leadership in bringing Jackie Robinson along as the first black player in major league baseball.    In 1947, Pee Wee embraced Jackie in front of Cincinnati fans who were yelling obscenities at him.    It showed everyone that Pee Wee was a great player and a man of character.

Reese was inducted to The Hall of Fame in 1984 and died in 1999.

By the way, one of the greatest books about those legendary Brooklyn Dodgers is "Wait till next year" by Doris Kearns Goodwin.

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, July 22, 2025

Russia Russia, NPR & Hunter Biden

 

No listen, no money

No listen, no money: In the real world, you don’t pay for what you don’t watch or listen to.  For example, I don’t pay for a magazine subscription I don’t want to read.  They used to call that the free market, or simple economics.  
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Monday, July 21, 2025

NPR, Hunter Biden talks & more


NPR doesn’t understand why they lost half of the country, Hunter Biden goes public and no one knows why, more sanctuary cities problems and Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961)


English, por favor

English, por favor: The fun part of sharing these posts with our AT readers is that you learn something new every day. Check this out: Mexican truck drivers in the border city of Ciudad Juarez have begun studying English in efforts to comply with an..
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Happy # 77 Cat Stevens

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We remember Cat Stevens who was born in London on this day in 1948.

I lost track of his career in the 1980's but do recall some of his 1970's hits:  "Morning Has Broken", "Peace Train" and "Moonshadow".

 
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 Mike Hegan (1942-2013)

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James Michael Hegan was born in Cleveland on this day in 1942.   His father, Jim Hegan, was an All Star major league catcher with the Indians.    
Jim was a high school baseball star at St. Ignatius and accepted a baseball scholarship to play at Worcester.    In 1961, he was offered contracts by 15 teams and signed with the New York Yankees.    (I should add that this is before the draft or the rules in place today.)
Mike broke with the Yankees in September 1964 and was added to the World Series roster.      Mike is the only player to score a post-season run before getting his major league hit.    
Hegan spent the new few seasons between the majors and the minors.   In 1968, Jim was added to the Seattle Pilots expansion roster.
He blasted the Pilots’ first HR in game one of the 1969 season, hit .292 and was elected to the AL All Star team.    
In 1970, the Pilots became the Milwaukee Brewers and Jim became the regular first baseman.   He was a very popular player but was traded to the A’s in 1971 and played in the post season again.    
After baseball,  Jim moved into the TV booth and worked for Milwaukee and later Cleveland.      My guess is that most fans in those cities remember Jim the broadcaster more than the player.
Hegan died in 2013. 

 
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, July 20, 2025

When everybody was going to the moon

When everybody was going to the moon: Back in 2009, the late Charles Krauthammer wrote something wonderful about the moon landing.  Here it goes: For the first time in history, the moon is not just a mystery and a muse, but a nightly rebuke. A vigorous young president...
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Happy # 87 Tony Oliva



We say happy birthday to Hall of Famer Tony Oliva who was born in Pinar del Rio on this day in 1938.


Tony was quite a player:

a) He won 3 American League batting titles and led the American League in hits five times and in doubles four times;

b) He earned one Gold Glove, in 1966, and was named The Sporting News AL Player of the year twice (1965, '71); and,

c) Oliva hit over .300 six times in over 11 full seasons and .285 or better 10 times, never finishing below .270.

Unfortunately, injuries cut short his career in the 1970's.

Nevertheless, Oliva finished with a .304 average, 1917 hits, 220 Hrs & 947 RBI.

What if he had played 2,500 games rather than 1,676?   The answer is 3,000 hits and probably one or two more batting titles.

One of the greatest Cuban players in major league 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.