Guest: George Rodriguez, South Texas. We will revew the Paxton vs Talarico race for the US Senate. Plus other results and trends from the election. ICE vs protests in New Jersey.
Sunday, May 31, 2026
CANTO TALK podcasts from last week
Our podcasts from last week.............
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James Talaricos' greatist hits
James Talaricos' greatist hits:
James Talarico is a strange dude.
Click to read:
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/05/james_talaricos_greatist_hits.html
Happy # 83 Joe Namath
If you grew up watching those AFL games on NBC, then you probably remember Joe Namath, who was born in Beaver Falls, PA, on this day in 1943. What I recall is that all the girls in high school suddenly spoke about touchdown passes and the guys were jealous that Joe had girls chasing him.
Namath came out of Alabama and was signed by the new AFL. The league needed big college players to compete with the mature NFL. They also made Joe the face of the league and appealed to younger fans, especially women watching on television.
Joe did not disappoint the AFL. In fact, he won Super Bowl III, the game that gave the AFL instant credibility. The best part is that he walked the talk when he predicted a Jets victory. I saw that game with my brother and father. My sister did not watch, but she always said that Joe was cute. What girl did not think that? Maybe the Baltimore girls who found Joe a bit too much off a big mouth.
The game, not called Super Bowl until later, was the perfect stage for Namath. He was a genius that day, as they wrote back in 1969:
Almost no one thought the New York Jets could penetrate the fine Baltimore defense, but Namath was sure of it and said so. "We're a better team than Baltimore," he said before the game. He was lying by the pool at the Gait Ocean Mile Hotel, where the Jets stayed, tanned and oiled against the sun. Namath reminds you a bit of Dean Martin in his relaxed confidence and in the droop of his heavy-lidded eyes. He is a man of immense self-assurance and, as he showed early in the week, a man of startling honesty.
To be honest, I loved Joe but did not think that he'd beat the mighty Colts. The funny part is that everyone in school was talking about the game the next day. And everyone said with a straight face that they knew the Jets would win. Too bad we didn't have iPhones back then to show them all their videos or texts picking the Colts.
Beyond that game and all the TV commercials, Joe was also a very good quarterback: 173 TDs and over 27,000 yards passed. We remind you that most of the numbers came in his first five seasons. He was hurt a lot after winning that Super Bowl in 1969. Joe was more than numbers. He made the AFL and was responsible for the merger in 1970.
Namath is one of my all-time favorite sports personalities! The Jets knew something when they gave him all that money to play with them.
Time flies and Namath is 80.
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We remember Peter Yarrow (of Peter Paul & Mary)
We grew up listening to their songs, from "Puff the magic dragon" to "I dig rockn' roll music". They were great and their vocal arrangements second to none.
Mary died in 2009 and I have not kept up with Peter and Paul. Nevertheless, every once in a while one of their songs comes on the radio and brings back lots of good memories.
"Puff the magic dragon" is one with Peter on lead vocals.
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Happy # 76 to Tippy Martinez
Tippy came up with the Yankees and was traded to Baltimore in 1976 along with Scott McGregor and Rick Dempsey. The Yankees were headed to the World Series in 1976 and the Orioles were rebuilding. They made the classic veterans for young guys trade and it worked great for Baltimore. The Orioles picked up a starter, a great reliever and wonderful catcher out of that deal.
Tippy had some great seasons out of the bullpen for the Orioles. He was one of the best lefties in the game. Along the way, he saved 115 games with a 3.45 ERA. He was the 8th inning set up man for some of that time so the "saves" don't tell the whole story. Often, Weaver would bring him to pitch to a tough lefty.
My favorite memory was Tippy Martinez on the mound when the Orioles beat the White Sox to clinch the AL pennant in 1983.
Tippy is the answer to a great trivia question. Who picked three Toronto Blue Jays (Barry Bonnell, Dave Collins and Willie Upshaw) at first base in one inning during an August 24, 1983 game at Baltimore's Memorial Stadium? The answer is Tippy Martinez.
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Happy # 96 to Clint Eastwood
We remember Clint Eastwood, who was born in San Francisco on this day in 1930.
Eastwood made his TV debut with "Rawhide" in 1955. It was a great Western about cattlemen who drove their herds across the Great Plains.
After that, he had a huge career in the movies. Check out this western collection!
You can get the whole "Rawhide" series HERE.
You can hear the classic theme song HERE by Frankie Laine. It is one of the most popular TV themes ever.
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Saturday, May 30, 2026
New Jersey madness, Dems and men plus Lincoln Memorial 1922
New Jersey madness, Dems and men plus Lincoln Memorial 1922.......
Governor Michelle talking about men
Governor Michelle talking about men:
Democrats do have a male problem. Again, another Democrat steps on it for some reason that I can't understand.
------------------------
Over in New Mexico, that very historic state west of El Paso, Texas, we have another example of the "weirdo" virus overwhelming the Democrats. The latest act of weirdness is from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. This is her statement:
“If women, Democratic women, just show up and vote, we’re good. We don’t need any of the men.”
Like James Talarico in Texas, my guess is that the governor will defend this by saying that she was being provocative and quoted out of context. Maybe she will say that it was a joke and we should all chill out. I like humor too, but what would the governor be saying if a GOP candidate had joked that we don't need women to win the election? I think that we know what her reaction would have been, i.e., Orange Man bad!
The problem is that Democrats do have a male problem, and comments like these will not help that. I have not done the math, but my guess is that the Democrats will need more than women to win a statewide election. After all, married and single women do vote differently.
Maybe the governor, who is not exactly leading the league in popularity according to what friends in New Mexico tell me, should follow up that statement by saying that men need not apply for police jobs, firefighters, National Guard, construction jobs, etc., From now on, all those jobs in New Mexico will be done by New Mexicans wearing skirts!
Speaking of that male problem, you can't say that you don't need men and then expect them to serve as your bodyguards, protect citizens from criminals, clean up fires, and serve in the armed forces.
Again, another Democrat steps on it for some reason that I can't understand. Like our Talarico of Texas, these Democrats of today like to make "provocative" statements and then advise you to take it with the Apostle Paul. What apostle do we take the governor's comments with? Any suggestions?
P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts, and videos.
Click to read:
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/05/michelle_talking_about_men.html
1922: The Lincoln Memorial
On May 30, 1922, The Lincoln Memorial was dedicated. It was 57 years after Lincoln died.
According to news reports, about 50,000 people attended the ceremonies, including Civil War veterans and Robert Todd Lincoln, the president's only surviving son. Robert was their oldest child (1843) and the only one to live to adulthood.
President Warren Harding, former President William Howard Taft, and Dr. Robert Moton, principal of the Tuskegee Institute, delivered the keynote address.
The Memorial is one of the top historical landmarks of Washington, DC.
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May 30, 1956: What a shot by Mantle!
On this day in 1956, Mickey Mantle hit one of the most memorable home runs in his career. It happened on the second game of a doubleheader with the Washington Senators.
He hit a pitch from Pedro Ramos that came within 18 inches of leaving Yankee Stadium. The experts were dumbfounded and could only speculate. It was Mantle’s 20th home run of the season. He won the Triple Crown that year: .353 BA, 53 HR & 130 RBI.
As for Pedro Ramos, he was 21 and would go on to win 12 games and pitch 152 innings that season. Ramos was an “innings eater” and also gave up 316 HR in his long career. My guess is that he still remembers this one.
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The first "Indy 500" was held in 1911
The Indianapolis 500 is always a real treat. It's like the Super Bowl in the sense that people get together and watch the race over food and drinks. It is the only race that I try to catch.
It all got started in 1911 when Ray Harround came in first. Good luck to the drivers and their teams.
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Friday, May 29, 2026
Chicago weekend. LA elections. Bob Hope (1903-2003).
Chicago weekend. LA elections. Bob Hope (1903-2003).
Having a wild weekend
Having a wild weekend:
“Teens” in Chicago whoop it up and cause mass destruction.
We’ve come a long way from teens rocking and reeling on weekends. Just take a look at how today’s teens decided to pass the time this past weekend in Chicago.
Click to read:
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/05/having_a_wild_weekend.html
1848: Wisconsin joined the Union
Wisconsin joined the Union on this day in 1848. It was state # 30 on the way to 50!
Our family lived in Wisconsin when we came to the US. It was a wonderful place and I still have great memories of friends and places in Wisconsin.
In fact, I wrote a book about it.
In fact, I wrote a book about it.
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We remember Gary Brooker (1945-2022)
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Back in 1967, the band scored a worldwide hit: "A whiter shade of pale".
It is still one of the most popular songs on oldies radio.
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May 1813: Jefferson and Adams started their historic correspondence
Who were these two men? John Adams (the second president) and Thomas Jefferson (the third president). They were partners in The Declaration of Independence and the formation of the new nation.
Adams was the first VP serving two terms under President Washington. He was elected to his own term after Washington retired to Mt. Vernon. On the other hand, Jefferson served in President Washington's first Cabinet and VP under President Adams.
In 1800, Jefferson defeated the incumbent Adams in a very bitter presidential election. As a result, the two men did not speak to each other again. As I understand it, outgoing President Adams left town and did not go to his successor's inauguration.
President Jefferson served two terms and retired to Monticello in 1809.
Jefferson broke the ice and wrote to his old colleague. Over the next 10 years, the two men wrote each other many letters and restored their friendship. The letters were great insight into their lives and the new republic.
Incredibly, the two men died on July 4, 1826 or the 50th anniversary of The Declaration of Independence.
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1989: Mike Schmidt retired
(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.)
Mike Schmidt closed the books on a great career with the Phillies on this day in 1989. He was one of the very best third basemen in baseball history.
His numbers were awesome: 548 HR & 1, 595 RBI. Schmidt was the last guy in the world that you wanted to face with the game on the line!
His numbers were awesome: 548 HR & 1, 595 RBI. Schmidt was the last guy in the world that you wanted to face with the game on the line!
He played for several Phillies championship teams, including the 1980 World Series champs and the 1983 NL champs.
Along the way, he hit four home runs in one game on April 17, 1976, won six Silver Slugger Awards, including five consecutive (1980 through 1984, then one more in 1986) & won ten Gold Glove Awards.
Last, but not least, he ranked 28th by The Sporting News when they released their 100 Greatest Baseball Players in the history of baseball:
A word about Beverly Eckert (1951-2009)
On 9-11, Beverly Eckert was one of the many ladies at home talking to their husbands at the collapsing World Trade Center or aboard one of those jets.
We came to love Beverly Eckert and all of the other 9-11 widows. They became part of our family!
We loved their courage and commitment to their heroic husbands.
We loved their grace and how they handled the terrible tragedy of 9-11.
Beverly Eckert was born on this day in 1951.
She was killed in a Buffalo plane crash in 2009. Beverly was on her way to Buffalo to attend a ceremony related to her husband at Canisius High School, a Jesuit school.
What an amazing and sad story.
She was killed in a Buffalo plane crash in 2009. Beverly was on her way to Buffalo to attend a ceremony related to her husband at Canisius High School, a Jesuit school.
What an amazing and sad story.
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We remember Bob Hope (1903-2003)
Did you know that Bob Hope was born Leslie Townes Hope in England? I didn’t until researching this post.
He was born on this day in 1903 and lived 100 years plus 2 months!
Hope’s family moved to the US when he was 4 and grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. The Hopes passed through Ellis Island in 1908.
Hope started on the radio in the 1920's and gradually made it to movies. Later in life, he’d visit US troops every year at Christmas.
Very funny guy.
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We remember President John F. Kennedy (1917-63)
He won the 1960 election but was assassinated in Dallas in 1963.
JFK's 34-month presidency saw the crisis in Cuba, the early days of Southeast Asia and the commitment to put a man in the moon by the end of decade.
The Kennedy presidency continues to be very popular as Professor Sabato wrote recently.
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Thursday, May 28, 2026
Down goes Al…and maybe Dan too?
Down goes Al…and maybe Dan too?:
Even Democrat voters have had enough of the “Get Trump” song and dance, instead opting for newcomers who might actually deliver results (as negative as they might be).
Click to read:
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/05/down_goes_al_and_maybe_dan_too.html
We remember Ian Fleming 1910-1964
the man who created James Bond 007......
great writer.......
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Happy # 81 John Fogerty
We salute John Fogerty born on this day in 1945......lead vocalist and guitarist of CCR, one of the biggest bands in the history of rock........their songs are heard everyday on radio stations all over the world...
P.S. You can listen to my show. If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.Wednesday, May 27, 2026
The week in review with Bill Katz, the editor of Urgent Agenda
Guest: Bill Katz, the editor of Urgent Agenda. GOP and Democrat party primaries. Iran war update......
Remember the Maine weirdo
Remember the Maine weirdo:
Graham Platner seems to be in a league of his own—and that’s saying something.
Somebody up there likes Trump, because he’s blessed with some crazy opponents on the other side. In fact, it’s like the Democrats have a “draft a crazy of the week” contest going on coast to coast. They don’t get crazier than the guy running in Maine.
Click to read: https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/05/remember_the_maine_weirdo.html
1993: Dale Murphy retired
Dale Murphy retired on this day in 1993.
Murphy broke with the Braves at the end of 1976. He won two NL MVP awards and was one of the best players in the game for a dozen seasons.
He stayed with the Braves until 1990. He finished in Philadelphia for a couple of seasons and the Colorado in 1993.
His career numbers were awesome: 398 HR & 1,266 RBI. He led the NL in HR in 1984 and 1985.
Murphy didn’t get to play with all of those great Braves’ teams of the 1990s. He was gone by the time that the Braves were winning all of the titles.
Great player.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.
Dale Murphy retired on this day in 1993.
Murphy broke with the Braves at the end of 1976. He won two NL MVP awards and was one of the best players in the game for a dozen seasons.
He stayed with the Braves until 1990. He finished in Philadelphia for a couple of seasons and the Colorado in 1993.
His career numbers were awesome: 398 HR & 1,266 RBI. He led the NL in HR in 1984 and 1985.
Murphy didn’t get to play with all of those great Braves’ teams of the 1990s. He was gone by the time that the Braves were winning all of the titles.
Great player.
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, May 26, 2026
Bye bye Bill
Bye bye Bill:
In a surprise to no one, Bill Kristol announces he’s not a Republican “anymore.”
Click to read: https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/05/bye_bye_bill.html
1959: Harvey Haddix perfect for 12 but lost in the 13th
This is the definition of a heartbreak or bad luck.
This is what happened on this day in 1959:
This is what happened on this day in 1959:
“Harvey Haddix of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches 12 perfect innings against the Milwaukee Braves, only to lose the game on a two-run double by Braves’ first baseman Joe Adcock in the 13th inning.It was the first time a pitcher threw more than nine perfect innings in major league history…Haddix took the mound in the 13th inning after retiring 36 Braves in a row, nine more than usually required for a perfect game.The fleet-footed second baseman Felix Mantillia came to bat first. He hit a grounder to Pirate third baseman Don Hoak, who threw the ball across the diamond and into the dirt near first baseman Rocky Nelson.Mantillia was safe, and the perfect game was over, though the no-hitter remained intact.The next batter, Hall of Famer Eddie Matthews, sacrificed Mantillia to second base.Then Hank Aaron, who was leading the National League in batting, came to the plate. Haddix intentionally walked the future career home run king on four pitches.Adcock was up next, and he hit a drive that just cleared the fence in right-center field.In their jubilation over the win, the Braves became muddled on the base paths, and Adcock passed Aaron between second and third base.The umpire Frank Dascoli called Adcock out, changing his three-run homer to a two-run double after several minutes of deliberation.”
It was the greatest pitching performance ever but he lost the game.
Harvey Haddix won 136 games with a 3.63 ERA. His best years were with the Cards and Pirates. On this day in 1959, he had everyone talking about what he did in Milwaukee.
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We remember John Wayne (1907-1979)
Wayne made dozens of westerns, from “The searchers” to “True grit”.
My favorite movie was “The shootist”. It was his last movie. Ironically, it was about an aging cowboy at the end of his life.
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.
Star Wars 1977 and a look at the front pages
Guest: Frank Burke, author, businessman and contributor to American Thinker.........We will look at the state of politics in Washington, from the trip to Europe, the Manchester terror act and Star Wars was released in 1977......plus other stories.....
Click to listen:
Monday, May 25, 2026
It was never about the climate
It was never about the climate:
The protesters used climate change as a hook, but their ultimate goal was always more nefarious.
Click to read:
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/05/it_was_never_about_the_climate.html
May 1787: The delegates started arriving in Philadelphia
It did not really start until May 25 when everybody was in town.
By September, the sessions produced the US Constitution that we know today. It was subsequently sent to the states for ratification. The Bill of Rights, or the first 10 Amendments, were added between 1789-1791.
It was a contentious summer. Let me recommend "Miracle in Philadelphia" to follow the day to day stories.
P.S. You can listen to my show (Canto Talk). This is another good book:
A chat with Frank Burke, businessman and author about Memorial Day
Monday's podcast:
A chat with Frank Burke, businessman and author about Memorial Day.....
Listen to "Memorial Day 2018 and other thoughts with Frank Burke, author" on Spreaker.