NATO falling apart. Silly "no kings" march and getting confused with so many polls. Happy # 91 Shirley Jones.
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
When the ‘red flags’ show up
When the ‘red flags’ show up:
Don’t overstate the political strength of these marches; they do not represent the country, but they do make a lot of noise.
Click to read:
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/03/when_the_red_flags_show_up.html
Happy # 92 Shirley Jones
We say happy birthday to Shirley Jones who was born in Pennsylvania on this day in 1934.
She appeared in lots of films, from "Oklahoma" to "The music man". I guess that most of us remember her as the mom in "The Partridge Family".
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1889: The Eiffel Tower opened to the public
The legendary Eiffel Tower of Paris opened to the public on this day in 1889. It is one of the many landmarks of this great city.
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Happy # 91 Herb Alpert
We say happy birthday to Herb Alpert, who was born in Los Angeles on this day in 1935.
In the early 1960's, Herb Alpert hit the charts with The Tijuana Brass. His career included number one hits & many albums that charted on Billboard. They also won 8 Grammy's and sold 70 million albums around the world.
Alpert is also the only artist to hit # 1 with an instrumental "Rise" in 1979 and as a vocalist with “This guy's in love with you" in 1968.
Not bad for a guy whose first hit was "The lonely bull"!
In the early 1960's, Herb Alpert hit the charts with The Tijuana Brass. His career included number one hits & many albums that charted on Billboard. They also won 8 Grammy's and sold 70 million albums around the world.
Alpert is also the only artist to hit # 1 with an instrumental "Rise" in 1979 and as a vocalist with “This guy's in love with you" in 1968.
Not bad for a guy whose first hit was "The lonely bull"!
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.
1776: Abigail wrote a letter to John Adams
“I long to hear that you have declared an independency. And, by the way, in the new code of laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make, I desire you would remember the ladies and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the husbands. Remember, all men would be tyrants if they could. If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment a rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice or representation.”
It went down in history as the "remember the ladies" letter.
A few years ago, I saw a TV series called "The Adams Chronicles". It was the story of the Adams from Massachusetts. A bit later, I saw "The American Experience" or the wonderful story of John & Abigail Adams.
The two documentaries tell us about President and First Lady Abigail Adams, perhaps the greatest couple of the early days of the nation.
In 2007, the "John Adams" HBO series added more to the wonderful story of our second president and his First Lady.
The two documentaries tell us about President and First Lady Abigail Adams, perhaps the greatest couple of the early days of the nation.
In 2007, the "John Adams" HBO series added more to the wonderful story of our second president and his First Lady.
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 story of Desi Arnaz with Fernando Hernandez, author
Guest: Fernando Hernandez, author of "The Cubans", joins us for the story of Desi Arnaz, TV star and executive........
Click to listen......
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, March 30, 2026
The week in review with Bill Katz, the editor of Urgent Agenda
Guest: Bill Katz, the editor of Urgent Agenda
We will look at another week of the Iran conflict . Who is behind themarches and what do all of the flags mean? President Reagan shot 1981.
Canadian wokism is thriving
Canadian wokism is thriving:
What happened to religious freedom up north?
Click to read:
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/03/canadian_wokism_is_thriving.html
1867: Alaska and Seward’s Folly
We remember President Andrew Johnson because he succeeded President Lincoln and was impeached and not convicted in 1868.
Yet, he made a decision in 1867 that impacted the 20th century in ways that no one could have imagined. It may have been as consequential as The Louisiana Purchase of 1803 that doubled the size of the nation.
Back in March 1867, Secretary of State Seward signed a treaty with Russia and purchased Alaska for $7 million.
It was actually a huge bargain but that’s not what they thought back then.
So they called it “Seward’s Folly” or “Seward’s icebox”.
The critics were tough on President Andrew Johnson, too. They called it his “polar bear garden.”
Less than a 100 years later, or 1959, Alaska became a state and nobody is calling the purchase a folly anymore.
Can you imagine Soviet missiles pointing at the US from north in Alaska? Or more oil fields in the hands of Putin 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.
2013 podcast: ROMAN LEADERS OLD & NEW: Caesar & the new Pope
ROMAN LEADERS OLD & NEW: Caesar & the new Pope.......
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We remember those who served in Vietnam, 1961-73
It ended a war that began when President Kennedy sent some advisers, was later escalated under President Johnson to 500,000 troops and finally ended by President Nixon.
As you may know, the parties signed a cease fire in January 1973. It followed the "famous Christmas bombing" when President Nixon forced the communists to sign the agreement. We called it "Operation Linebacker" and it was effective. The bombing missions were so good that the communists were shortly begging for a paper to sign.
Twenty-seven months later, or May 1, 1975, the North walked into Saigon, and we’ve known it as Ho Chi Minh City ever since.
Did it have to turn out that way?
President Nixon did not think so. He wrote about it in No More Vietnams, a book that gets better with age. The point is that we choose to win wars or lose them, the latter of which we did in Vietnam. To win would not have required a single soldier – just a few B-52s to remind the North that we meant to enforce the ceasefire. We should remember that North Vietnam was devastated in 1973.
The tragedy of Vietnam is that the USSR could not believe that we let South Vietnam collapse in 1975, as Stephen J. Morris wrote on the 30th anniversary of the disintegration of Saigon:
If the United States had provided that level of support in 1975, when South Vietnam collapsed in the face of another North Vietnamese offensive, the outcome might have been at least the same as in 1972.
But intense lobbying of Congress by the antiwar movement, especially in the context of the Watergate scandal, helped to drive cutbacks of American aid in 1974.
Combined with the impact of the world oil crisis and inflation of 1973-74, the results were devastating for the south.
As the triumphant North Vietnamese commander, Gen. Van Tien Dung, wrote later, President Nguyen Van Thieu of South Vietnam was forced to fight “a poor man’s war.”
Even Hanoi’s main patron, the Soviet Union, was convinced that a North Vietnamese military victory was highly unlikely.No kidding that fear of the U.S. dissipated.
Evidence from Soviet Communist Party archives suggests that, until 1974, Soviet military intelligence analysts and diplomats never believed that the North Vietnamese would be victorious on the battlefield. Only political and diplomatic efforts could succeed.
Moscow thought that the South Vietnamese government was strong enough to defend itself with a continuation of American logistical support.
The former Soviet chargé d’affaires in Hanoi during the 1970’s told me in Moscow in late 1993 that if one looked at the balance of forces, one could not predict that the South would be defeated.
Until 1975, Moscow was not only impressed by American military power and political will, it also clearly had no desire to go to war with the United States over Vietnam.
But after 1975, Soviet fear of the United States dissipated.
The post-Vietnam years contributed to the perception that the U.S. was weak and unwilling to defend its interests. From Nicaragua to Iran to the Soviets in Afghanistan and Cuban troops in Africa, it was a time of U.S. weakness.
Thankfully, it ended with the Reagan presidency.
Yes, there were many mistakes in Vietnam, from using the Gulf of Tonkin resolution to send 500,000 soldiers to war to not fighting to win.
I believe that the biggest mistake was not preserving our gains, or a South Vietnam that would have looked a lot like South Korea today.
Again, it could have turned out very different, especially for the many who served in Vietnam. They won the battles, and the politicians lost the peace.
This is President Nixon's book and for some of the young people who don't remember.
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Happy # 81 Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton is one of the best "rock guitarists" ever! He was born on this day in 1945.
Clapton's career goes back to The Yardbirds, Cream, and his own solo work.
My favorite Clapton guitar performance is "White Room" recorded by Cream, i.e. Clapton, Ginger Baker & Jack Bruce. According to Songfacts, Eric Clapton used a Wah-Wah pedal on his guitar. It was great.
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.
March 30, 1981: President Reagan was shot!
On March 30 1981, I was having lunch in Mexico City with a British friend and the phone rang. It was my mother calling from Dallas saying that President Reagan had been shot.
Reagan nearly died. He was clearly affected by the shooting, physically and emotionally.
Looking back, we remember some great Reagan lines:
“Honey, I forgot to duck” (The President’s words to the First Lady)”Please tell me you’re Republicans.” (The President greets the surgeons)
Reagan survived and went on to have two very successful terms. Nevertheless, we remember that sick feeling hearing that the President had been shot in Washington DC.
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, March 29, 2026
A look at Texas politics with George Rodriguez from South Texas
A look at Texas politics with George Rodriguez from South Texas......We will look back "The No Kings March", Iran War and negative coverage & Texas politics.
CANTO TALK podcasts from last week
Check our podcasts from last week...
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.
King Trump tolerates another ‘no kings’ march
King Trump tolerates another ‘no kings’ march:
You’d think a king would work harder to oppress all these protesters!
On one channel, people are calling Trump a king and going home to watch themselves on TV tonight. Some of them will put their selfies on social media or their YouTube pages.
On the other channel, thousands were killed in Iran for opposing their regime.
Click to read: https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/03/king_trump_tolerates_another_no_kings_march.html
Happy # 82 Denny McLain
We remember Denny McLain who was born in Chicago on this day in 1944.
Denny broke with Detroit in 1963.
He became a regular in the starting rotation in 1965 and won 108 games over 5 years, including 31-6 in 1968 and 24-9 in 1969.
McLain won The Cy Young Award in 1968 and shared it with Mike Cuellar in 1969.
His career fell apart in 1970 after some gambling allegations and was out of baseball in 1972 at age 28.
Denny broke with Detroit in 1963.
He became a regular in the starting rotation in 1965 and won 108 games over 5 years, including 31-6 in 1968 and 24-9 in 1969.
McLain won The Cy Young Award in 1968 and shared it with Mike Cuellar in 1969.
His career fell apart in 1970 after some gambling allegations and was out of baseball in 1972 at age 28.
McClain won 131 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.
We remember Astrud Gilberto. (1940-2022)
Happy birthday Astrud Gilberto.....she was born in Salvador, Brazil. We remember her version of "The girl from Ipanema". She died in June 2023.
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 amazing Cy Young was born on this day in 1867
The amazing Cy Young was born on this day in 1867.
Young won 511 games, completed 749 with a 2.63 ERA.
One of his better seasons was 1892: 36-12 with a 1.93 ERA, 453 innings pitched and 48 complete games!
Of course, his name is now synonymous with great pitching. The Cy Young Award is given each year to the best pitcher in the AL and NL.
Young won 511 games, completed 749 with a 2.63 ERA.
One of his better seasons was 1892: 36-12 with a 1.93 ERA, 453 innings pitched and 48 complete games!
Of course, his name is now synonymous with great pitching. The Cy Young Award is given each year to the best pitcher in the AL and NL.
P.S. You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) .
"Behold a pale horse", a movie about Spain years after The Civil War
Has anyone seen "Behold a pale horse"? It is a 1964 movie about the Spanish Civil War?
The story is based on "Killing a mouse on Sunday" a book by Emeric Pressburger. I have not read the book but plan to check it out.
It is the story of Manuel Artiguez, a veteran of the Civil War, who returns from exile in France to see his ill mother. He is confronted by Sr. Vinolas, a police chief who sets a trap to arrest him.
The movie includes Gregory Peck as Artiguez, Anthony Quinn as Vinolas and Omar Sharif as the local priest.
It is a bit slow but very interesting. I love these black and white films because they used choreography in such a unique way. Also, the dialogue is very intense. Frankly, the story could be difficult for someone not familiar with the Spanish Civil War of the late 1930's.
The story is based on "Killing a mouse on Sunday" a book by Emeric Pressburger. I have not read the book but plan to check it out.
It is the story of Manuel Artiguez, a veteran of the Civil War, who returns from exile in France to see his ill mother. He is confronted by Sr. Vinolas, a police chief who sets a trap to arrest him.
The movie includes Gregory Peck as Artiguez, Anthony Quinn as Vinolas and Omar Sharif as the local priest.
It is a bit slow but very interesting. I love these black and white films because they used choreography in such a unique way. Also, the dialogue is very intense. Frankly, the story could be difficult for someone not familiar with the Spanish Civil War of the late 1930's.
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 story of the Spanish Civil War & World War II with Barry Jacobsen
Guest: Barry Jacobsen, military historian and blogger..........we will continue our series about World War II..............the outbreak of war after the invasion of Poland.........the German blitzkrieg warfare.........the use of weapons and tactics in The Spanish Civil War...........and more stories......
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.
Click to listen:
Listen to "The story of World War II with Barry Jacobsen, part 3" on Spreaker.
Saturday, March 28, 2026
Justice Thomas. Another "no kings" march. Iran War thoughts.
Justice Thomas. Another "no kings" march. Iran War thoughts
Justice Thomas, our legal Cal Ripken
Justice Thomas, our legal Cal Ripken:
The honorable Clarence Thomas has almost been the longest-serving member of the Court.
Click to read:
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/03/justice_thomas_our_legal_cal_ripken.html
So long, Baltimore Colts
Click to read:
So long, Baltimore Colts - American Thinker https://t.co/Pn18b0lsoP
— Silvio Canto. Jr. (@silvio_canto) March 27, 2024
Back in the late 1970s and early 1980s, I went to school and started my banking career in Baltimore. The crabs were great, and the city loved its sports teams. Good seafood, a passion for sports, and I was right at home. (As a side note, I do remember the Francis Scott Key Bridge, but not the train that President Biden was talking about.)
Today, the Baltimore Ravens are a successful franchise. They won two Super Bowl championships since the Cleveland Browns moved to Baltimore in 1996. In fact, no one younger than 40 remembers the team that used to play in the old Memorial Stadium on 33rd Street. I remember watching an old Johnny Unitas and then Bert Jones lead a team that won the AFC East three years in a row. Those Colts had the misfortune of losing to the Super Bowl champ, twice the Steelers and then the Raiders. Nevertheless, the Colts were fun to follow.
In the early 1980s, the Orioles were winning, and the Colts were not selling out on Sunday. All of a sudden, there was talk of the team moving, but nobody believed it. The Colts leave Baltimore? You kidding? We have an old-fashioned marching band and a fight song. “It happened in Brooklyn, but never here” was the attitude you heard over crab cakes.
Back in the last week of March 1984, the unthinkable happened, as Brooklyn Dodgers fans said when the team moved to Los Angeles. Jim Irsay, the owner who had bought the team in 1972, had the movers pack up the offices in the morning while the city slept. It was a bit sneaky, to say the least. The moving trucks showed up when the city slept, and the Colts were gone. Here is the story:
Rick Russell was having lunch at the Indianapolis Athletic Club on March 28, 1984, when a phone was brought to his table. It was Johnny B. Smith, Mayflower CEO and chairman. Russell, president of Mayflower’s moving operations, had to return to the office immediately.
The Colts were coming.
Fourteen tractor-trailer trucks were dispatched to the Baltimore Colts facility in Owings Mills, Md. Drivers weren’t told their destination until the next day: The soon-to-be-famous 600-mile trek to Indianapolis.
“It’s probably the most famous sporting move ever,” said Russell, 68 and retired in Longboat Key, Fla.
Back that day in 1984, I was working in Mexico City for a Maryland bank. The phone woke me up at 6 A.M., and I heard from a colleague from the bank. He said, “Did you hear?” I responded, half-asleep, wondering if Mexico had devalued the peso again. He said no, it’s worse than the peso — the Colts are gone.
There was little time for international finance that day. My telex machine was running all day, with colleagues sending me the latest reports. No internet or texts back then, but only expensive long-distance calls and a telex machine that we used to do business with.
Forty years ago today, the news was about the Colts leaving, and nothing else mattered much. The unthinkable happened! And best of all, the bank president did not fire us for running the expensive telex machine all day with Colts news.
PS: Check out my blog for posts, podcasts, and videos.
We remember Vic Raschi (1919-88)
We remember Victor John Angelo Raschi who was born in West Springfield, Massachusetts, on this day in 1919. He died in 1988.
Vic Raschi, as we remember him, broke with the Yankees in 1946 and joined the rotation in 1948: 19-8, a 3.87 ERA & 18 complete games.
Raschi won 63 over the next 3 seasons, 21 each year. He was part of a great pitching rotation along with Allie Reynolds and Eddie Lopat. He was super in 6 World Series: 5-3 and a 2.24 ERA.
In early 1954, Vic was traded to the Cardinals. On April 23, 1954 he gave up Hank Aaron’s first HR.
Raschi played on the great Yankees teams who won the World Series in 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952 & 1953.
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.
July 2013: A chat with Cástulo Gregorisch and the poetry of a Cuban immigrant
We spoke with Cástulo Gregorisch about his poetry. Castulo has written over 600 poems about Cuban his immigrant experience. They are beautiful and emotional.
Let me share "Aquella triste manana":
Listen to "The poetry of Cástulo Gregorich, Cuban exile" on Spreaker.
Let me share "Aquella triste manana":
Aquella triste mañana de Cuba me despedÃa,
Aquella triste mañana de su regazo partÃa.
Aquella triste mañana mi alma se deshacÃa,
Aquella triste mañana de carbón y de cenizas.
Aquella triste mañana de mi tierra yo me iba,
Aquella triste mañana sin saber si volverÃa.
Aquella triste mañana una muy triste en mi vida,
Aquella triste mañana la que nunca olvidarÃa.
Aquella triste mañana a tierra extraña me irÃa,
Aquella triste mañana huyendo de la injusticia.
Aquella triste mañana con mi esposa y con mi hija,
Aquella triste mañana nuestros padres no venÃan.
Aquella triste mañana dolorosa en demasÃa,
Aquella triste mañana no creo la merecÃa.
Aquella triste mañana marcada quedó en mi vida,
Aquella triste mañana clavada como una espina.
Friday, March 27, 2026
Chicago, you are the problem
Chicago, you are the problem:
On one side of town Democrats pick TV fights with President Trump; on the other side, Sheridan Gorman will be buried.
Click to read:
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/03/chicago_you_are_the_problem.html
We remember David Janssen (1931-80)
We remember David Janssen who was born in Nebraska on this day in 1931. He died in 1980.
Janssen played Dr. Richard Kimble on TV's "The fugitive". It was a series about a man on the run for a murder he didn't commit. It was a great TV 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.
Guantanamera” by The Sandpipers is all we had in Wisconsin
By the fall of 1966, we were starting year 3 of “el exilio” in a place called Wisconsin.
We were very grateful to this wonderful country for opening its arms and giving us a chance to be free. We were also looking for anything “Cuba” and then we heard something on the radio that reminded us of the island we left behind.
The Sandpipers released “Guantanamera“, an old Cuban melody mixed with Marti’s poetry.
The original melody has different lyrics. This one was beautifully arranged with Marti’s verses.
It was enough to turn my parents into a couple of Top 40 radio fans. All of a sudden listening to the Top 40 station in the car was acceptable.
P.S. You can listen to my show (Canto Talk). If you like our posts, click send, and drop a dime here.
Thursday, March 26, 2026
California governor's debate, Chicago and sanctuary city policies plus Opening Day
California governor's debate, Chicago and sanctuary city policies plus Opening Day
The obsessed with ‘skin color’ Democrats
The obsessed with ‘skin color’ Democrats:
Now they’re canceling debates because the candidates are white?
Click to read:
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/03/the_obsessed_with_skin_color_democrats.html
Happy # 82 Diana Ross
We remember Diana Ross who was born in Detroit on this day in 1944.
Question: Is that possible? I guess that time really does fly by!
We have followed Diana Ross from The Supremes to her solo career.
The Supremes had a bunch of # 1 singles. In the late 1960's, they were one of the most consistent hit makers along with The Beatles. In the 1970's, Diana went solo and the hits kept on coming.
She is a great performer and artist!
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.
2012 podcast: Let's talk a little tango with Leslie Eastman plus Georgina & Oscar from Argentina
Let's talk a little tango with Georgina & Oscar from Argentina.....click to listen............
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, March 25, 2026
The week in review with Bill Katz, the editor of Urgent Agenda
Guest: Bill Katz, the editor of Urgent Agenda
We will look at the Iran conflict week 4. ICE at the airports. California and the governor's debate.
The week in review with Bill Katz, the editor of Urgent Agenda
Guest: Bill Katz, the editor of Urgent Agenda
We will look at the Iran conflict week 4. ICE at the airports. California and the governor's debate.
Listen to "The week in review with Bill Katz, the editor of Urgent Agenda" on Spreaker.
ICE at the airport is a neat idea
ICE at the airport is a neat idea:
So, welcome ICE or anyone else who wants our airports to operate like airports again. Don't be surprised if ICE agents get the best reception that uniformed men got since the Allies liberated Paris.
Click to read:
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/03/ice_at_the_airport_is_a_neat_idea.html
We remember Aretha Franklin (1942-2018)
Aretha Louise Franklin was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on this day in 1942. She died in 2018.
Her father was Baptist preacher Reverend Clarence La Vaughan "C. L." Franklin.
Her mother was Barbara Siggers Franklin, a gospel singer.
In the spring of 1967, Aretha had her first # 1 with "Respect", an Otis Redding song. She had many more hits after that.
In 1987, Aretha became the first female artist to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Her father was Baptist preacher Reverend Clarence La Vaughan "C. L." Franklin.
Her mother was Barbara Siggers Franklin, a gospel singer.
In the spring of 1967, Aretha had her first # 1 with "Respect", an Otis Redding song. She had many more hits after that.
In 1987, Aretha became the first female artist to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
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.
1634: The settlement of Maryland
On this day in 1634, the first colonists arrived at St. Clement’s Island and found the settlement of St. Mary’s. The territory was named Maryland in honor of Henrietta Maria, the queen consort of Charles I.
Today, Maryland is known for its wonderful seafood, the city of Baltimore, Fort McHenry and popular sports teams.
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.
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