Sunday, August 31, 2025

A chat with George Rodriguez, South Texas conservative


Guest: George Rodriguez, South Texas conservative...Governor Abbott signed the new maps so what happens next..Secretary Rubio to Mexico...Katrina 20 years later.....Plus other stories.....

Talking red diaper babies again

Talking red diaper babies again: Back in 2004. David Brooks wrote about all of those babies that Republican women were having and Democrat women were not, i.e., “natalism,” as he called it. Brooks was explaining the Bush re-election victory and his success with married….
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We remember Frank Robinson (1935-2019)


We remember Frank Robinson who was born on this day in 1935. He died in 2019 at age 83. 

Frank was the MVP in both leagues: 1961 with the NL champs Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore 1966.    As an Oriole, he led the O's to 4 AL pennants and the World Series in 1966 & 1970.

Frank's career was more than numbers.  He was the team leader and a credit to the game of baseball.   In 1982, Frank was selected to The Hall of Fame.






We remember Peggy Lipton (1946-2019)


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We remember Peggy Lipton who was born in New York City on this day in 1946.   Peggy died in 2019.

She played "Julie" in "The Mod Squad" on TV.   I did not know that Peggy was married to Quincy Jones, 1974-90.
 

1959: Koufax and 18 strikeouts!

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On August 31, 1959, a young Sandy Koufax struck out 18 Giants.    It set a new National League record for most strikeouts in a single game. 

By the way, Jane Leavy's book about Koufax is one of the best baseballs I've ever read/





The Panel - Abbott signs bill amending Texas electoral maps

The Panel - Marco Rubio visits the headquarters of the Southern Command

1970: “Close to you" was # 1 this week


The Carpenters - (They Long to Be) Close To You sheet music for ...
Richard Carpenter was 24, and younger sister Karen was only 20, when they recorded "Close to you" many summers ago.   It was another great song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, who also wrote songs for Dionne Warwick!

"Close to you" was their first # 1 song and became one of the biggest hits of the 1970's.  

Have you listened to the radio lately? It is still one of the most requested pop songs on the radio.

According to songfacts, "Close to you" was recorded by a couple of artists before The Carpenters.   It became a hit when the song met Karen's beautiful voice and Richard's awesome arrangement!

'Close to you"  turned out to be one of the most popular songs of 1970 and the entire decade.   It's still a popular selection in various radio formats, from oldies to Top 40 to soft-rock.  
This is one of those pop songs that you need to download!

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.



1970: Blues Image's "Ride Captain Ride" was a big hit in the radio


In the summer of 1970, we were listening to the last 45 by The Beatles ("The long and winding road") and introduced to "Close to you" by The Carpenters & "Make it with you" by Bread.    

We were also introduced to Blues Image their big hit: "Ride captain ride".

P.S.  You can listen to my show (Canto Talk).  
 




Saturday, August 30, 2025

Katrina 2005 and more maps coming



Katrina 20 years later.  Minnesota shooting and why didn;t the legislature provide security for private schools?  Texas maps and more maps coming.  Ted Williams )1918-2002)

Katrina is 20

Katrina is 20: Twenty years ago, we drove our first son to Texas A&M to start his college career. We also had Katrina news on the radio all the way back home. At one point, I remember President Bush warning residents to obey their local officials. Well, many….
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August 30, 1965: The day that Casey Stengel retired



  

Let’s remember Casey Stengelwho retired on this day in 1965.

Along the way, he managed the Brooklyn Dodgers (1934-1936), Boston Braves (1938-1943) and took over the New York Yankees in 1949 when he replaced the retiring Joe McCarthy.

It was his time with the Yankees that reminds me of my late father and his generation sitting around watching the TV or catching the sports pages about those great teams of the 1950’s. Casey won 1, 149 games (696 losses) over 12 seasons with the Yankees, including 10 AL pennants and seven World Series rings. Back then, my father would tell me that you were either a Yankee fan or cheer for whoever they were playing in “La Serie”.

He was quite a character as well as an amazing manager. Stengel’s critics say that he was a “button pusher” because of great teams. In fact, he was the first manager to use the platoon system (lefty batter vs right handed pitcher) and was a great judge of talent.

As my father said, Casey managed great teams but he was also a great manager. He was also the author of a lot of wonderful lines that transcend baseball such as this: “There comes a time in every man’s life, and I’ve had plenty of them.”.

So we remember Casey today and baseball conversations that I had with my late father over the years.

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 Ted Williams (1918-2002)




The great Ted Williams was born on this day in San Diego in 1918.   

He was probably the greatest hitter ever, although his numbers were impacted by  military service in World War II and Korea:  .344 career batting average, a .482 On Base Average, 2,654 hits, 2,021 walks, 521 HR and 1,839 RBI.   

He hit .406 in 1941, the last hitter to do so, and flirted again in 1957 with .388!

Williams was a bit temperamental with fans and the media.   However, there was not a better hitter once the game started.

Friday, August 29, 2025

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


Guest:  Bill Katz the editor of Urgent Agenda...The Minneapolis shooting and protecting schools.  NY City election and can anyone stop the Democrat socialist...........plus other stories..


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

 



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

Dear Dems: Nobody longs to be close to you

Dear Dems: Nobody longs to be close to you: Are the Democrats fading away? To paraphrase the Carpenters (Nobody longs to be) Close to you. They have….
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We remember John McCain (1936-2018)


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(This is a post written after Senator McCain's death)
We remember that Senator McCain was born on this day in 1936 and died in 2018.
Some called the late Senator McCain a RINO or that was wrong on this and that.
I say that he was a war hero, a good man and I was proud to vote for him in 2008.  Yes, he drove me crazy with that late night vote against repealing Obamacare.
Nevertheless, I’d rather remember him as a man who was right on national security at a time when it was politically convenient to be wrong.
Back in 2007, it was Senator McCain who fought back efforts to “cut and run” in Iraq.  He never played “polls” with Iraq like Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, John Edwards and more.
My guess is that a few things would have been very different if Senator McCain had won in 2008:
1) He would kept a military presence in Iraq and stop ISIS from running all over the region and driving refugees to Europe;
2) We wouldn’t have Obamacare. President McCain would have fought for “tax credits” to purchase health insurance, such as $5,000 for a family and $2,500 for an individual. It would have been a better option than this mess we have now:
3) We would not have Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan. Just think about that and the “same sex marriage” decision taken away from states and voters;
4) No Iran nuclear deal or Paris climate change accords. President McCain would have told Iran and others that the deals would not get pass U.S. Senate ratification;
5) No confusion over our support of Israel;
6) No one would have dared cross a red line, as happened in Syria under President Obama;
7) No one-way deal with Cuba; and
8) President McCain would have never created DACA by executive decree. He would have probably call on Congress for some immigration reform but always after making the border safe. He said often during the campaign that he learned that lesson after the failed McCain-Kennedy effort of 2006.
McCain would have been a strong president with an understanding of national security.
Would he have made every conservative happy? Probably not. But I live in the real world. McCain would have left this country in far better shape than Obama.
Rest in Peace Senator McCain and thank you for that courage in Vietnam.

We remember Ingrid Bergman (1915-1982)


The beautiful and talented Ingrid Bergman was born on August 29, 1915 and died on the same day in 1982.   

Her film debut was David O. Selznick’s Intermezzo: A Love Story (1939).  In 1942, she made "Casablanca" with Humphrey Bogart.   Then came "For Whom the Bell Tolls" in 1943 and few others.  


Her movies were great!   Watch one today.

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, August 28, 2025

Cracker cracked, the Minneapolis shooting and other stories


Cracker cracked, the Minneapolis shooting and other stories


Cracker Barrel cracking would have pleased my late father

Cracker Barrel cracking would have pleased my late father: Beware of going woke because it may break you. It didn't take long for the marketing geniuses at Cracker Barrel to reverse their decision and bring back the logo. I feel sorry for the poor telephone operator who had to take all those protest….
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Happy # 75 Ron Guidry


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Happy # 82 to the great Lou Piniella




We remember Lou Piniella who was born in Tampa on this day in 1943.

Lou was the kind of guy that you wanted on your side and specially at the plate when the tying or winning run was at second base.   Piniella broke with Baltimore in 1964, traded to Cleveland in 1966 and was Rookie of the Year with the 1969 expansion Kansas City Royals:  .282, 11 HR & 68 RBI.

In 1974, Lou became a Yankee and was an integral part of those winning teams:  .295 over a 11 years and one of the toughest outs in the AL.

After playing, he managed Cincinnati to the 1990 World Series and took Seattle to the ALCS twice.

Frankly, I always cheered for whatever team he was playing for or managing.

1774: We remember St. Elizabeth born in New York City

We remember Tony Gonzalez (1936-2021)

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Wednesday, August 27, 2025

A chat about Venezuela, Bolivia and the elections in NY City with Mailyn...


Guest:   Mailyn Salabarria, Public Speaker.  We will discuss the ongoing situation in Venezuela, the elections in Bolivia and the Mandami candidacy in New York City     and other stories..

Why didn't the trucking company hire an English teacher?

Why didn't the trucking company hire an English teacher?: Over the last few years, some companies in the North Texas area have hired English teachers for their employees. They usually hold the class during lunch time or early in the morning, depending on shifts. Why? The response is sensible. We need them…
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Happy # 74 Buddy Bell




We say happy birthday to Buddy Bell, one of our favorite Texas Rangers, who was born on this day in 1951.

Bell broke with the Indians in 1972 and traded to the Rangers after the 1978 season.    He enjoyed some great seasons in Texas, 1979-85:  .293 batting average.   In 1989, He came back to Texas and retired here.   I recall watching him on opening day that season.  

Overall, Buddy Bell hit .279 with 2,514 hits in 2,405 games.   He also won 6 Gold Gloves during his time in Texas.    

1967: Brian Epstein was found dead

How Brian Epstein discovered the Beatles - CBS News
We remember Brian Epstein who died on this day in 1967.    

Brian signed The Beatles to a management contract on January 24, 1962.  He cleaned up their image and eventually got them a recording contract with Parlophone Records.   Later in October, the band issued their first 45 "Love me do", a top 20 hit in the UK. 

In 1963, the band hit # 1 with "Please please me" and "She loves you". Along with producer George Martin, Brian Epstein was a key player in the development of The Beatles.

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 Lyndon B. Johnson (1908-73)


We remember Lyndon B. Johnson who was born in Texas on this day in 1908.    He became president on the day that President Kennedy was assassinated, and then went on to win one of the biggest landslides ever in 1964.   By 1968, LBJ declined to run again because of the difficulties with the Vietnam War.

Before 1960, Johnson was a very powerful US Senator and Majority Leader.   

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, August 26, 2025

The Democrats and big city problems, Illegals driving commercial trucks,...


The Democrats and big city problems, Illegals driving commercial trucks, and Chicago 1968.

The Democrats should work with Trump in Chicago

The Democrats should work with Trump in Chicago: The Democrats have a couple of choices these days. They can be anti-Trump 24-7 and reject everything he does. Or they can look for opportunities to work together, a win-win situation. Enter Chicago and the opportunity to clean up the crime in that…
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Monday, August 25, 2025

Mexican Senator vs President of Mexico. Chicago and crime. Kilmar Obre...


Mexican Senator vs President of Mexico.  Chicago and crime in big cities.  Kilmar Obrego Garcia back to ICE.   The Beatles 1968.

Is Claudia Sheinbaum a narco?

Is Claudia Sheinbaum a narco?: Down in Mexico, one lady is calling out another lady over narco participation in the Mexican government. I am talking about Senator Lilly Tellez calling out President Claudia Sheinbaum. Here is the story from my friend Allan Wall: 
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Sunday, August 24, 2025

We will review the Crackel Barrell logo story with Frank Burke, businessman


Guest: Frank Burke, author & businessman. We will review the Crackel Barrell logo story.


NFL cheerleaders, and now Cracker Barrel?

NFL cheerleaders, and now Cracker Barrel?: What did my late Cuban parents do after my father retired?  Well, they traveled to see their kids and grandkids.  I guess that’s pretty normal.  They also had breakfast on the road at “Cracker,” ...
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Saturday, August 23, 2025

Judge in New York, Bolton Day 2, The Crackel Barrell logo and Pete Rose 1989


Judge in New York, Bolton Day 2, The Crackel Barrell logo and Pete Rose 1989


The judge has a little explaining to do

The judge has a little explaining to do: It finally happened.  Sensible New Yorkers have come to terms with the damage that “getting Trump” has done to their image as a place to invest money.  After all, why would any investor or business owner want to operate in a…
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1989: Rose out of baseball


Image result for pete rose out of baseball newspaper images
On this day in 1989, we got the news that Pete Rose had been kicked out of baseball.     It was not a shock but still hit many of us between the eyes.  After all, we grew up watching Pete dive into third base.   No matter what, it was a horrible ending to a great baseball career.
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.

Friday, August 22, 2025

Trump and New York case, Ukraine vs Russia, Nolan Ryan # 5,000 and more ...


Trump and New York case, Ukraine vs Russia, Nolan Ryan # 5,000 and more stories

To deploy or not to deploy

To deploy or not to deploy: President Trump is correct. No U.S. troops on the ground but we will provide logistics and aerial support. It's up to the Europeans to put up the troops to protect Ukraine, a country in their neighborhood. This is not an isolationist position but...
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Happy # 86 Carl Yastrzemski


Carl Yastrzemski Baseball Career Highlights & Early Life | Hall of ...
We remember Carl Yastrzemski who was born in New York on this day in 1939.  He broke with Boston in 1961 and won batting titles in 1963, 1967 & 1968.

Yaz, as he was known, retired after the 1983 season and went into The Hall of Fame in 1989.

He wore # 8, played a great left field and later first base for 20 seasons.

Yaz won the Triple Crown in 1967 and led Boston to the World Series that year.  The Red Sox lost to Bob Gibson and the Cardinals in game 7.  He returned in 1975 and played a huge role in that one too.

Great player all around: 3419 hits! 452 hrs! 1845 RBIs.
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, August 21, 2025

The new Texas maps with George Rodriguez, South Texas conservative


Guest: George Rodriguez, South Texas conservative...Texas approves new congressional maps....Plus other stories....


Bullets in Sinaloa

Bullets in Sinaloa: Sinaloa is a Mexican state in northwest Mexico. To the west, it's the Pacific Ocean and to the east a couple of other states. The largest city is Culiacan, a city of about a million people and a place that most of us didn't hear much..
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2013 post: A word about Eydie Gorme







Let's take a break from politics today and remember Eydie Gorme, who passed away at 84
"Ms. Gorme, who was born in New York City to Sephardic Jewish parents, grew up speaking English and Spanish. When she and her husband were at the height of their career as a team in 1964, the president of Columbia Records, Goddard Lieberson, suggested she put that Spanish to use in the recording studio.
The result was "Amor," recorded with the Mexican combo Trio Los Panchos."
And this is where my parents and thousands of other Cuban parents came in!   She recorded music that was heard from here to Argentina.

In those early days in the US, my parents found tropical relief in cold Wisconsin winters by listening to all of those Spanish ballads that Eydie Gorme recorded. 

I can remember listening to her LP (that's what we had before CD or MP3 files) over and over again. My mom really loved them.  It was the romantic music that she and my dad dance to in a little town in central Cuba.

Frankly, I learned to love it too, especially as I got a little older and could not find anything exciting in pop music. I found myself doing what a lot of friends did; I got the CD version of the old LPs that we used to listen to. One of those CDs was Eydie Gorme singing in Spanish.

My friend Bill Katz  (of Urgent Agenda) discussed her career and musical elegance:
"Eydie Gorme's career reminds us that we once had truly great popular music in America, sung by singers who actually could sing, and who could engage the audience.  We had real composers and lyricists.  Our music entertained, but didn't degrade.  I have to believe there's still an audience for that music.  And I know there are young people who still love it.  I've met them."
RIP to Eydie Gorme.  I hope that the young people check out some of her Spanish songs.  They will love them as much as I do. The words are romantic, the arrangements are great and you won't cover your kids' ears when her songs come on the radio.
 
P.S.  You can listen to my show (Canto Talk).  If you like our posts, click send, and drop a dime here.



Wednesday, August 20, 2025

Texas and the maps, Bolivia's future, Trump administration & Venezuela, ...


Texas and the maps, Bolivia and the future, Trump administration & Venezuela, DC crime and more stories



D.C. criminals fought the law and the law won

D.C. criminals fought the law and the law won: Something funny is happening in the District of Columbia and I don't mean that the Nationals will make a last-minute run for the National League wild card. It's not the Redskins playing in the NFL again either, although we are cheering for…
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Tuesday, August 19, 2025

The media and the Putin-Trujmp meeting. DC and criminals. Happy # 90 Bobby Richardson



The media and the Putin-Trujmp meeting.  DC and criminals. Happy # 90 Bobby Richardson.


The week in review wtih Guest: Bill Katz the editor of Urgent Agenda


Guest:  Bill Katz the editor of Urgent Agenda....Ukraine and diplomacy....The media and coverage of Trump-Putin.....DC and crime.......plus other stories......

The week in review wtih Guest: Bill Katz the editor of Urgent Agenda

 


Guest:  Bill Katz the editor of Urgent Agenda....Ukraine and diplomacy....The media and coverage of Trump-Putin.....DC and crime.......plus other stories......click to listen:


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

The obtuse Democrats

The obtuse Democrats: As we watch all those foreign leaders arrive at the White House, we realized that something else is going on in the District of Columbia. Not far from the scene, President Trump is winning another battle with the Democrats. Trump is talking about…
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Monday, August 18, 2025

Trump and Ukraine today, Democrats and DC crime, and more stories


Trump and Ukraine today, Democrats and DC crime, and more stories

Desperately seeking macho

Desperately seeking macho: As you may know…
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Sunday, August 17, 2025

The latest from Texas with George Rodriguez, South Texas conservative


Guest: George Rodriguez, South Texas conservative...The Governor calls a new session...Elvis Presley 1977..Plus other stories.....

We can’t help falling in love with Elvis

We can’t help falling in love with Elvis: Some of us are old enough to remember hearing that Elvis Presley died this week in 1977.  In my case, I was driving home from a night class and listening to Bill O’Donnel and Chuck Thompson call an Orioles’ game on the radio…
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1962: Remembering the first casualty of the Berlin……




The Berlin Wall is something I grew up talking about.  
The construction of the Berlin Wall started on this day 1961 and the first casualty came in August 1962.    It happened when two young men tried to escape.  One young man made it to the other side.  Unfortunately, the other was shot in the back and bled to death.
From 1961 to 1989, the Wall was an international symbol of freedom.  You had free people on the Western side and a repressive state on the East.   It was clear to most of us that this wall meant something.   We can not forget those who were killed crossing this wall because they wanted to be free.  They were some of the many victims of communism in the last 100 years.
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.


Saturday, August 16, 2025

Trump and Putin the day after, Texas Democrats and the new legislative session, Mexican criminal organizations plus we remember Elvis 1977.



Trump and Putin the day after, Texas Democrats and the new legislative session, Mexican criminal organizations plus we remember Elvis 1977.

Cartels into timeshares?

Cartels into timeshares?: As someone said, nothing surprises me anymore. So here it goes: The cartels are into timeshares. Here is the story: The U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions Wednesday on more than a dozen Mexican companies and four people it says work...
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Friday, August 15, 2025

Putin and Trump in Alaska. Democrats and crime. Texas and a new sessio...


Putin and Trump in Alaska.  Democrats and crime.  Texas and a new session.  LIFE magazine 1945.

Democrats fail on crime -- again

Democrats fail on crime -- again: As expected, the Democrats criticized President Trump's decision to put the National Guard on the streets of Washington D.C. It's the kind of automatic response that we've grown to expect: Trump said yes, they say no. However, is it ...
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Thursday, August 14, 2025

Trump winning on DC crime issue plus more


Trump winning the "DC crime" issue.  Beto O'Rourke and the Democrats in Texas.  California and gerrymandering districts......Happy # 80 Steve Martin

Beto is a four-letter word

Beto is a four-letter word: There you go again, to remember one of President Reagan's greatest lines. The Democrats have chosen a new way to win public opinion in Texas. It goes something like this: We scream…
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Wednesday, August 13, 2025

Trump and Putin, the feds in DC & Mickey Mantle 1995


Trump and Putin, the feds in DC & Mickey Mantle 1995


Trump breaks Democrats again on crime

Trump breaks Democrats again on crime: Last week, my friend came back from his business trip to Washington D.C. As usual, he commented on how unsafe the place is. It wasn't that way ten or fifteen years ago. I have not been to D.C. in a few years but I hear a lot of concern from ...
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