Saturday, February 28, 2026

The Iran attack 2026. The Texas primary on March 3rd. Brian Jones (1942-69).

 The Iran attack 2026. The Texas primary on March 3rd. Brian Jones (1942-69).


Mirror, mirror on the wall who is the dumbest one of all?

 It’s over ten years since Trump came down the elevator and the Democrats have not figured him out. 

Click to read:

https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/02/mirror_mirror_on_the_wall_who_is_the_dumbest_one_of_all.html


We remember Mr. Ed, the talking horse (1948-79)


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The great talking horse Mr. Ed died in 1979 at age 31. We grew up watching Mr. Ed, although more have probably seen it on reruns.   It was a great show and the theme music was super:

“A horse is a horse, of course, of course, And no one can talk to a horse, of course That is, of course, unless the horse is the famous Mr. Ed Go right to the source and ask the horse, He’ll give you the answer that you’ll endorse He’s always on a steady course, talk to Mr. Ed. People yackety yak on the street and waste the time of day But Mr. Ed will never speak unless he has something to say. A horse is a horse, of course, of course, And no one can talk to a horse, of course That is of course unless the horse is the famous Mr. Ed.”

The shows bring back a ton of memories and watching my mother laugh at the idea of a talking horse. We expected a lot of surprises in the US but a talking horse was not one of them.



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.

1966: Remember when Koufax and Drysdale held out for spring training?



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Once upon a time or 1966, Don Drysdale and Sandy Koufax held out and refused to show up for spring training.   They were both looking for a better contract.

They held out for 32 days and signed eventually for $ 130,000 (Koufax) and $ 105,000 (Drysdale).

They Dodgers won 97 games and the NL pennant but lost to the Orioles in the World Series later that year.  

Koufax was great:  27-9 with a 1.73 ERA & 27 complete games.   On the other hand, Drysdale was a bit off form:  13-16 with a 3.42 ERA.   


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 Brian Jones (1942-69)


Brian Jones, one of the original members of The Rolling Stones, was born on this day in 1942.  He died July 3, 1969.

Jones was a very talented musician.  He played sitar in "Paint it black" and the dulcimer in "Lady Jane".  He also played the second guitar behind Keith Richards.

In June 1969, Brian Jones decided to quit the group.  It was explained as differences over the group's musical direction.  It may have been "differences" but Jones had terrible addiction problems.  He was missing studio sessions and was completely unreliable.

A month later, or July 3, 1969, Jones was found dead in his swimming pool.   His addictions apparently caught up with him.

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.





A wonderful book about Cuban-Americans

Image result for cuban american dancing on the hyphen images

We spoke a few years ago with Amarilys Gacio-Rassler, the author of "Cuban American Dancing on the hyphen".

 Amarilys was born in Cuba and came to the US under Operation Pedro Pan.  She was one the 14,000 unaccompanied children to the US in the early 1960s.


This is a great read, from humorous posts to wonderful memories of "Abuelo" and "Tio Manuel".

We would strongly recommend this one for your Cuban-American library.    Get your copy.

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 "A chat with Amarilys Gacio Rassler, Cuban American author" on Spreaker.

Friday, February 27, 2026

The Texas primary and runoffs are likely. Hockey Team 1960 and the 2026 team.

    



The hockey team that time forgot

What about the other team that time forgot? I'm talking about the 1960 team that won a gold medal.

Click to read:

https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/02/the_hockey_team_that_time_forgot.html



Martin Dihigo, Cuban American success story



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Guest: Fernando Hernandez, author of "The Cubans".  We discussed the life and times of Martin Dihigo, Cuban baseball player and member of the Baseball Hall of Fame..........

Click to listen.............

Listen to "Martin Dihigo, Cuban American success story" on Spreaker. Listen to "Martin Dihigo, Cuban American success story" on Spreaker.

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Trump's SOTU speech puts the GOP back in the game. Rep. Green puts on another silly show. Why did Cuba shoot at a US fishing boat? We remember Johnny Cash (1932-2003) and Fats Domino (1928-2017).

 Trump's SOTU speech puts the GOP back in the game.  Rep. Green puts on another silly show.  Why did Cuba shoot at a US fishing boat?  We remember Johnny Cash (1932-2003) and Fats Domino (1928-2017).


This Al Green ain't singing ‘Let's stay together’


That's Al for you. He always wants to get thrown out of the speech. I guess it must pay dividends in his district or something like that.

Click to read:

https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/02/this_al_green_ain_t_singing_let_s_stay_together.html



We remember Fats Domino (1928-2017)


We remember  Antoine Domino, the great Fats Domino who was born in New Orleans on this day in 1928.   He died in 2017 at age 89.   

He was one of the early rockers and best entertainers ever.   Some of his hits were:   "Blue Monday", “Blueberry Hill” , “Ain’t that a shame” and "Walking to New Orleans".     

You have to check out one of his many 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.



We remember Johnny Cash (1932-2003)

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Like many of you, I learned a lot about Johnny Cash from that film "I walk the line".    It probably introduced a lot of young people to his career and songbook.

Cash was born on this day in 1932 and died in 2003.   

Cash was was one of the great male vocalists of the 20th century.   His style and voice were very unique.  Furthermore, he hung around with Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis in the early days of Sun Records and rock and roll.

Check out a Johnny Cash today song today.   There are many to pick from.

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.


1993: The first World Trade Center attack


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On this day in 1993, a terrorist bomb exploded in a World Trade Center parking lot in New York City.   It left a crater 60 feet wide and caused the collapse of several steel-reinforced concrete floors in the vicinity of the blast.   Six people were killed and 1,000 injured. 

We remind you that this attack happened 10 years before the US invaded Iraq.


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 # 79 Terry Crowley




We remember Terry Crowley who was born in New York on this day in 1947.

He came up with the Orioles in September 1969.   Unfortunately, Terry had a hard time getting any at bats with Don Buford, Paul Blair and Frank Robinson in the outfield.   He could also play first but Boog Powell had that job.

Baltimore traded Crowley to Cincinnati after the 1973 season and then he went to Atlanta.   

He returned to Baltimore in 1976 and found his niche as a left handed pinch hitter.   
Crowley hit .317 from 1977-81 as Earl Weaver's favorite late inning bat.     Great guy!

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Wednesday, February 25, 2026

The day after the SOTU. Trump was right about Mexico. We remember George Harrison (1943-2001)

 The day after the SOTU.  Trump was right about Mexico.  We remember George Harrison (1943-2001)


Trump continues to live rent free in their heads

 During the speech, President Trump kept giving Democrats an opportunity to liberate themselves from their “problem.”  But they would not stand up and cheer for obvious things, such as applauding a victim’s mom.  Incredible but that’s what TDS will do to you.

Click to read:


https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/02/trump_continues_to_live_rent_free_in_their_heads.html


Trump was right about Mexico

 What Mexicans are now realizing, is that President Trump was right about their country.

Click to read:

https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/02/trump_was_right_about_mexico.html


Happy # 84 to Karen Grassle

We say happy birthday to Karen Grassle who was born in California on this day in 1942.

She played the role of Mrs. Caroline Ingalls and became one of our very favorite TV mothers.

"Little House" was based on a series of books written by Laura Ingalls-Wilder.  Laura was born in the late 1800's and published the books in the 1930's. 

It was her family's story.  The stories were about Pa, Ma, sister Mary and Almanzo, the young man she eventually married.

I have never read the books but the TV series was fabulous.  The shows were extremely well written, serious and touched on real family issues.

It was a great show.

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 Ron Santo (1940-2010)


We remember that Ron Santo was born on this day in 1940.   

He began his career with the Cubs in 1960 at age 20.   From that debut to his retirement in 1974, he put together some great numbers:   .277 career batting average, 342 HR, 2,254 hits & 1,331 RBI.

From 1963 to 1970, Santo averaged 29 HR and 106 RBI.   He also led the NL in walks 4 times and won 5 Gold Gloves for his defensive work at third base.

Sadly, he died in 2010 and did not live to see his induction into the Hall of Fame in 2012.


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 George Harrison (1943-2001)


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George Harrison was born in Liverpool on February 25, 1943 and died on November 29, 2001.   He had been battling cancer for a few years.

George was part of the group from the early days.  He added a few songs to the group's repertoire over the years but his biggest contribution was playing a great lead guitar and singing background vocals.

He did sing or write some tunes, such as "Something" and "Here comes the sun".

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.










1991: The First Gulf War


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On this day in 1991, the First Gulf War began.   

It all started when Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait in August 1990.    The US, and UN, demanded Iraq's withdrawal but it did not happen.   My guess is that Hussein did not expect that President Bush would send ground troops and kick him out.

In the end, it was a smashing victory and Kuwait was liberated.  Unfortunately, President Bush lost re-election in 1992 and President Clinton did not confront Iraq and their constant violations of UN resolutions.   

So we had to go back in March 2003.

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.

Tuesday, February 24, 2026

Mexico update, US Hockey team & State of the Union 2026

 Mexico update, US Hockey team & State of the Union 2026


What’s next for Mexico’s president?

 So where is Claudia?  Well, that’s what some are asking.  Was she aware of this operation, or did she get the memo that “El Mencho” was injured and died on the way to Mexico City?  No one knows, but her silence is creating a lot of confusion south of the border.

Click to read:

https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/02/what_s_next_for_mexico_s_president.html





Happy # 70 Eddie Murray




We say happy birthday to Eddie Murray, one of the Orioles' greats.      He was born in LA on this day in 1956.

Eddie broke in 1977 and turned into one of the most consistent hitters in major league history:  .287 career batting average, 504 HR, 3,255 hits and 1,917 RBI.

Murray was a key piece of the teams that played in the 1979 and 1983 World Series.   He hit 2 HR in game 5 of the 1983 World Series to clinch the title for Baltimore.

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.


Remembering Luis Aguile (1936-2009)


We remember that Luis Aguile was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on this day in 1936. He died in 2009. His full name was Luis Maria Aguilera Picca.

Back in the 1960s, our family spent many cold winter nights in Wisconsin listening to “Cuando sali de Cuba“. It always put a tear in my parents’ eyes. As my father told me, Aguile was a pop music star circa 1960 and had no connection to Cuba. What inspired him to write this song? I don’t know but it became a favorite in “el exilio”

Thanks to the late Luis Aguile for that wonderful song!

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.



 

1996: A deadly weekend for US citizens over international waters


In Miami, and other Cuban American communities across the U.S., we will remember this weekend the anniversary of the shooting of four Cuban-Americans over the Florida Straits. 

It happened in 1996:
Two small planes operated by a Cuban-American group were shot down by Cuban fighters over the waters north of Havana and the four people on board were missing, President Clinton and the U.S. Coast Guard said Saturday.Clinton said he had been briefed on “the shooting down Saturday in broad daylight of two American civilian airplanes by Cuban military aircraft.”“I condemn this action in the strongest possible terms,” Clinton told reporters in Seattle, Washington.The two planes with four people on board were twin-engine Cessna aircraft operated by the group “Brothers to the Rescue,” a Miami-based group of Cuban exiles funded by private donations. The group has flown hundreds of missions to spot Cuban rafters attempting to flee their island nations.Group founder Jose Basulto was on a third plane that escaped the gunfire and returned to Miami.Basulto said all three planes had radioed Cuban air traffic controllers to identify themselves and report their intentions to search international waters for Cuban refugees who may be on rafts.Basulto described seeing two Cuban MiG fighters approach them while they were at least 20 miles north of the Cuban coast, 8 miles into international waters. Shortly after that, he lost radio contact with the other two Cessnas.“I kept calling them both and heard no answer,” Basulto said. “At that time we decided to proceed north and go into the clouds for cover, because we feared that something dreadful had happened.”
In response, President Clinton:
…pledged Monday to work with Congress to pass the so-called Helms-Burton legislation which would tighten the existing U.S. embargo against Cuba.The president said he would ask Congress to permit him to use some of the approximately $100 million in frozen Cuban assets in the U.S. to compensate the families of the four missing Cuban-American pilots and crew members.Clinton also announced additional punitive measures, among them:tighter restrictions on the movement of Cuban officials in the United States; efforts to increase funding to help the U.S. government’s Radio Marti overcome Cuba’s jamming of its broadcasts; suspension of all commercial charter flights between the U.S. and Cuba.
This incident was a low point in U.S.-Cuba relations. The U.S.-registered aircraft were destroyed while looking for rafters in international waters. Cuba had no reason to shoot down planes on a humanitarian mission.   
Furthermore, Cuba has never taken responsibility for this lawless action.  
Nevertheless, a U.S. flag now flies in Cuba, not far from where dissidents continue to be arrested.    
And no one reminded President Obama that Cuba has never fulfilled the requirements that the U.S. Congress imposed after the shooting. Then again, did he ever care about the law?
What happens when a hostile country shoots U.S. citizens on a humanitarian mission? I guess that you reestablish relations and don’t demand accountability.


1868: President Andrew Johnson was impeached



On this day in 1868, President Andrew Johnson, the man who succeeded President Lincoln, was impeached.  The trial moved to the US Senate but it failed by one vote.

It all happened in the very difficult period following The Civil 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.



Monday, February 23, 2026

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

 President Trump State of the Union 2026.  Iran update.  Violence in Mexico.  NYCity Mayor Mamdani and the snow storm.  Team USA hockey wins gold medal.   Click to watch:


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


 

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

President Trump State of the Union 2026.  Iran update.  NYCity Mayor Mamdani and the snow storm.  Team USA hockey wins gold medal.    

Click to listen:

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

They should play more hockey on Washington's birthday

 


Here we go again. Another Team USA wins a big game on Washington's birthday. One small difference: The one back in 1980 against the USSR was to get into the gold medal game. The one this year is for the gold medal.
Click to read:

Happy # 85 Ron Hunt


We remember Ronald Kenneth Hunt who was born in St. Louis on this day in 1941.

Ron Hunt broke in with the Mets in 1963.  He hit .272 with 10 HR and was # 2 in the Rookie of the Year vote behind Pete Rose.  He also hit .303 in 1965 and .288 in 1966.  However, nobody remembers him for that or his .273 average or 1,479 hits over 12 seasons.  

We remember Ron Hunt because he got hit by a pitch 243 times.   in 1971, he got hit 50 times with Montreal.    The next two guys on that list are Don Baylor (35) and Craig Biggio (34).

As a consequence, Hunt retired with a .368 on-base-pct.   

How did he do it?   I don't know but he was very effective when you really needed a runner on base.

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: The Marines at Mt Suribachi

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Back in 1945 or many years ago, the battle of Iwo Jima was in full force.  

Taking the island of Iwo Jima was essential to the Pacific strategy.   

The island became an important post for future B-29 bombing missions against the Japanese mainland.
  
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 Joe Rosenthal (1911-2006)




Is there a better war photo than this?

Joe Rosenthal, who won a Pulitzer Prize for his immortal image of six World War II servicemen raising an American flag over battle-scarred Iwo Jima, died in 2006. He was 94.     

On February 23, 1945, Joe was 33 and took this famous photo of five battle-weary Marines and a Navy corpsman struggling to raise a flag atop Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima.

Iwo Jima was intense:  a 36-day battle that left 6,621 American dead and 19,217 wounded. 

Great photo!

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.

1861: President elect Lincoln arrived in Washington DC




The United States was an angry country when President-elect Lincoln took a train from Illinois to Washington DC to assume the presidency.   


There were threats of secession and war.   It was not a happy time.

On this day in 1861, President elect Lincoln arrived in Washington DC rather than Baltimore.    He was warned about an assassination attempt in Baltimore and reluctantly changed plans.

Two weeks later, he became the 16th president of the US.    

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, February 22, 2026

CANTO TALK podcasts from last week


Please check our shows from last week..........

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

Mexico violence and Bears really moving to Indiana

Team USA wins hockey gold in overtime.   Mexico vi olence and Bears really moving to Indiana.  President Washington (1732-1799).  Miracle on Ice 1980.


Bears leaving?

 Well, it’s not over yet, but don’t bet on the incompetent governor and mayor coming up with a better proposal than the one coming from more prosperous Indiana.  And don’t forget to ask the players about income taxes in both states.

Click to read:

https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/02/exodus_continues_chicago_losing_its_baseball_team.html



A word about Sparky Anderson (1934-2010)




The great Sparky Anderson died in 2010.   He was born on this day in 1934 and inducted to The Baseball Hall of Fame in 2000.


Sparky managed the Big Red Machine in the 1970's and then Detroit until the mid-90's.

Anderson led Cincinnati to 4 NL pennants and World Series victories in 1975 & 1976.   Later, he led the Tigers to a series win in 1984 & AL East title in 1987.  Overall, Anderson was one of the most successful managers ever: .545 winning pct!

After baseball, he became a wonderful baseball analyst in post season baseball working radio and TV.    I specifically remember his radio work in the 1983 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.

Remembering what my late great-uncle used to say about George Washington

(My new American Thinker post)

George Washington was born on February 22 in 1732.  

No one is indispensable but Washington came pretty close, as Scott Johnson reminds us very year.  With all due respect to Scott Johnson, a real favorite of mine, but that post reminds me of my late great uncle every time that I read it. I feel that he could have written it!

My late great-uncle, or Tio Joaquin as we called him, was one of those men who got to live a lot of the history that we've read.

He was born in the 1890s or when Cuban was still a Spanish colony. The US and Spain got into a war in 1898 and Cuba finally achieved its independence in 1902. Unlike most of Latin America that became independent in the first 30 years of the 19th century, Cuba remained the last Spanish outpost in the New World until the end of the century. 

He remembers the day that Cuba became an independent country.  He lived through the Great Depression or when the price of sugar collapsed in the 1930s.  He saw the Machado dictatorship that followed the economic turmoil, the Batista uprising, the establishment of a republic in 1940 and communist takeover of 1959.

He saw it all and died in Cuba in the 1980s.  He chose not to leave because he didn't want to be a burden to his nephews (my father and two uncles) starting a new life in the US.  He used to say that the communist were not going to convert old folks like him and Aunt Clara.

He was a huge fan of US history, specially Abraham Lincoln and George Washington.

He told me something that I will never forget. Let me paraphrase it for you:

"The US was very lucky to have a man of Washington's character at every turn of the young nation's history.  He earned the respect of the rebels with his integrity.  He was the man trusted by those colonists embarking on a constitutional experiment.    And he knew when to leave when his two terms were up.  Did you ever hear of a man walk away from a position of power?  He could have been president for life but he left."

It was a history lesson that I did not quite understand as a kid in Cuba.

I understand it today as we celebrate the man's life on his birthday. 


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.


Discover Politics Internet Radio with Silvio Canto Jr on BlogTalkRadio