Colorado and Dems vs Dems. The birthright issue goes political now. Gone with the wind 1936.
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Yesterday’s purges, today’s primaries
Yesterday’s purges, today’s primaries:
Night of the Long Knives, redux.
Click to read:
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/06/yesterday-s-purges-today-s-primaries/
Happy # 82 to Ron Swoboda
Ron Swoboda was born in Baltimore on this day in 1944. He broke in with the Mets in 1965 and hit 18 HR as a rookie. 
Unfortunately for Mets' fans, Swoboda never really developed into a consistent power hitter: .242 batting average, 73 HR & 344 RBI over 8 years.
Nevertheless, he will live in the hearts of Mets fans for one catch in the 1969 World Series. It killed an Oriole rally and lives as one of the greatest catches in baseball history.
P.S. You can listen to my show. If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.
Happy # 63 “Blame it on the bossa nova"
Another one of those "time flies" posts: Let's remember "Blame it on the bossa nova" by Eydie Gorme.
Frankly, I don't remember this song but it was an entertaining and still gets a lot of airplay many years later. It is a great dancing song! I would file this one under "novelty pop songs"!
Eydie Gorme enjoyed a great career. She recorded many songs with her husband Steve Lawrence.
Frankly, I don't remember this song but it was an entertaining and still gets a lot of airplay many years later. It is a great dancing song! I would file this one under "novelty pop songs"!
Eydie Gorme enjoyed a great career. She recorded many songs with her husband Steve Lawrence.
Click here for the song.
"I was at a dance When he caught my eye
Standing all alone Lookin' sad and shy
We began to dance Swaying to and fro
And soon I knew I'd never let him go
Blame it on the bossa nova With it's magic spell
Blame it on the bossa nova That he did so well
Oh it all began with just one little dance
But soon it ended up a big romance
Blame it on the bossa nova The dance of love
Now was it the moon No no the bossa nova
Or the stars above No no the bossa nova
Now was it the tune Yea yea the bossa nova
The dance of love
Now I'm glad to say I'm his bride to be
And we're gonna raise a family
And when our kids ask How it came about
I gonna say to them with out a doubt....
Standing all alone Lookin' sad and shy
We began to dance Swaying to and fro
And soon I knew I'd never let him go
Blame it on the bossa nova With it's magic spell
Blame it on the bossa nova That he did so well
Oh it all began with just one little dance
But soon it ended up a big romance
Blame it on the bossa nova The dance of love
Now was it the moon No no the bossa nova
Or the stars above No no the bossa nova
Now was it the tune Yea yea the bossa nova
The dance of love
Now I'm glad to say I'm his bride to be
And we're gonna raise a family
And when our kids ask How it came about
I gonna say to them with out a doubt....
P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts, and videos.
June 30, 1936: "Gone with the wind" was published
Most of us have seen the movie but how many have read the book?
"Gone with the wind" by Margaret Mitchell was published on this day in 1936.
The book told the story of a woman caught up in the Civil War. It was based on the tales and stories that she heard from her grandparents and other relatives, as well as from Confederate war veterans.
Was the movie better than the book? In this case, the answer is yes but read the book anyway. It will teach you a lot about life in the old South.
Mitchell died in 1949.
P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts, and videos.
Monday, June 29, 2026
The week in review with Bill Katz, the editor of Urgent Agenda
Guest: Bill Katz, the editor of Urgent Agenda. NY City earthquake and national socialism. Impact on other primaries. Iran and the price of oil keeps dropping. Obama Care and no social security numbers............
The Obamacare numbers don’t add up...again
The Obamacare numbers don’t add up...again:
It turns out that the program sold as an efficient way to get healthcare to Americans is a cesspool of Social Security fraud.
Click to read:
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/06/the-obamacare-numbers-don-t-add-up-again/
We remember Harmon Killebrew (1936-2011)
The great Harmon Killebrew, one of great baseball sluggers of our youth, was born on this day in 1936. He passed away in 2011 of cancer. He was 74.
Killebrew started with the original Washington Senators who became the Minnesota Twins in 1961. He won the AL MVP in 1969, played in the 1965 World Series plus the ALCS in 1969 & 70.
From 1964 to 1971, Killebrew and Tony Oliva, who usually batted in front of Harmon, were one of the best hitting combinations ever. Tony won 3 batting titles and Harmon just hit a ton of home runs.
We remember those "titanic home runs" that got lost in the clouds all over baseball parks. Killebrew was indeed one of my all time favorite players.
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 other Perón woman that history forgot
We all know the story of Eva (Evita) Perón, perhaps the most influential woman in modern Argentina. They made a Broadway play and movie about her! By the way, the movie did not misrepresent her beauty and class. She made a point to be super elegant because Evita knew that Latin women like their First Ladies to look that way. Sexist? No at all. I know my culture.
A few years ago, President Trump visited Argentina and then President Mauricio Macri. The Argentina media went crazy with Melania's look. In the end, Melania Trump and the other First Lady, Juliana Macri, stole the show with their fashions. It was a duel of First Ladies that Latin women could not get enough of!
We remember Isabel Perón, who became president of Argentina in June 1974 and overthrown in March 1976.
The common denominator with the women was Juan Perón, husband and president. Isabel Perón was VP and assumed the presidency when President Perón died. Isabel was 36 years younger than Juan Perón. There was also a big age difference between Evita and Juan Perón.
Mrs. Perón's presidency was very difficult. She was not able to form coalitions and the country's economy went from bad to worse. Frankly, I am not sure that any other person could have done any better. Argentina's economic problems came home to roost in the mid-1970s and threw the country into years of turmoil. Her husband left her a mess and she had no chance to survive it.
Perón was overthrown in March 1976 and eventually moved to Madrid. She turned 92 a few months ago and has stayed out of public view. I can't remember the last time that Isabel was in the news.
Who was the first female president of Argentina? The answer is Isabel, not Eva, Perón. Of course, no one made a play about Isabel and that may explain that history has largely forgotten her.
P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts, and videos.
June 29, 1941: DiMaggio reached # 42
On this day in 1941, the amazing Joe DiMaggio singled in the sixth inning in the first game of a doubleheader to tie George Sisler’s A.L. consecutive-game hit record of 41 games.
In the second game, he set the record at 42 games with a single in the seventh inning.
What makes DiMaggio so great is that he’d play doubleheaders. My guess is that the manager offered to give him a game off but he went out and played.
After getting # 42, his next goal was the N.L. record of 44. As you probably know, he got to 44, 45 and finished at 56.
P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts, and videos.
1966: "Paperback writer" by The Beatles was # 1 this week
"Paperback writer" was one of the group's finest 45's. The B-side of "Rain" was a sign of things to come.
The single were introduced on The Ed Sullivan Show in 2 fantastic promo films. They were available on YouTube but no more.
The Beatles released 3 US LPs between Christmas 1965 and the summer of 1966. However, "Paperback writer", or the B-side of "Rain", were not included in the US versions of "Rubber Soul", "Yesterday and today" or "Revolver".
Why wasn't this 45 included in the "Revolver" LP? Good question because it fits that LP beautifully.
By the way, the book below has "a song by song" story of every one recorded and released by the group. It is a wonderful resource to remember all of those tunes that we listened to on vinyl many years ago.
P.S. You can listen to my show. If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog
June 29, 1990: Dave Stewart and Fernando Valenzuela pitched no hitters
It was an ESPN Friday night doubleheader: The A's in Toronto and the Cardinals in LA.
By the end of the baseball night, history was made when Dave Stewart and Fernando Valenzuela pitched no-hitters.
According to news reports, Valenzuela learned of Stewart's no hitter minutes before taking the mound. Tommy Lasorda, the LA manager, joked with Valenzuela about pitching another no hitter that night.
To be honest, I saw Dave Stewart's last 4 innings but did not make it to watch the West Coast game.
A great night for two of the best pitchers of 1990.
Valenzuela won 173 games, primarily with LA. He could have won 200 games but injuries caught up with him. We remember him for a tremendous rookie season in 1981 and that complete game in game 3 of the World Series that year. He was a workhorse and pitched 117 complete games.
Stewart won 168 games and enjoyed great success with the A's. He won 119 games over a 7 year period with the A's, including 4 consecutive 20-win seasons. He was also a workhorse with lots of high innings totals.
By the end of the baseball night, history was made when Dave Stewart and Fernando Valenzuela pitched no-hitters.
According to news reports, Valenzuela learned of Stewart's no hitter minutes before taking the mound. Tommy Lasorda, the LA manager, joked with Valenzuela about pitching another no hitter that night.
To be honest, I saw Dave Stewart's last 4 innings but did not make it to watch the West Coast game.
A great night for two of the best pitchers of 1990.
Valenzuela won 173 games, primarily with LA. He could have won 200 games but injuries caught up with him. We remember him for a tremendous rookie season in 1981 and that complete game in game 3 of the World Series that year. He was a workhorse and pitched 117 complete games.
Stewart won 168 games and enjoyed great success with the A's. He won 119 games over a 7 year period with the A's, including 4 consecutive 20-win seasons. He was also a workhorse with lots of high innings totals.
P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts, and videos.
Sunday, June 28, 2026
A look at Texas politics with George Rodriguez from South Texas
Guest : George Rodriguez from South Texas. We will look at the latest in the Paxton vs Talarico race. The Democrats' convention of 2026. The Bible and the kids' curriculum. TPS ruling by Supreme Court. And more.....
What’s going on in blue Maryland?
What’s going on in blue Maryland?:
Sheriffs in Maryland are making electoral progress on an explicitly pro-ICE stance.
Click to read:
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/06/what-s-going-on-in-blue-maryland/
June 28, 1941: Joe DiMaggio reached # 40 on the way to 56
We remember one of sports' most amazing accomplishments, i.e. the 56-game hitting streak that kept the entire nation checking the daily sports pages for updates.
Joe DiMaggio entered historic territory on this day in 1941 when he went 2-for-5 and cracked the "40 circle".
He became the 5th major leaguer to do so:
Willie Keeler 45 1896-1897Bill Dahlen 42 1894George Sisler 41 1922Ty Cobb 40 1911
We should add that Pete Rose got to 44 in 1978.
Happy # 85 to Al Downing (the man who gave up Aaron's # 715)
We remember Al Downing today. He was born in New Jersey on this day in 1941.
Downing was a pretty good lefty who broke with the Yankees in 1961 at age 20. He joined the starting rotation in 1963 and won 26 games in his first two seasons. Downing pitched in the 1963 and 1964 World Series but did not win a game.
In the late 1960s, Downing pitched for New York, Oakland and Milwaukee. He was 2-10 with the 1970 Brewers despite a decent 3.34 ERA.
In 1971, Downing was traded to LA and won 20 games. He pitched in the 1974 World Series with the Dodgers. Overall, he won 123 games with a 3.22 ERA.
We remember Downing for one pitch or home run: Aaron's # 715 on April 8, 1974.
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 Don Baylor (1948-2017)
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Don was drafted by the Orioles in 1967 and moved quickly through their farm system. I recall reading about Don Baylor & Bobby Grich in the O's farm system. They came up together and spent years with Baltimore and later with the Angels.
Don finally joined the O's in 1972 and became the starting left fielder.
Days before the start of the 1976 season, Baylor was traded to the A's in the blockbuster Reggie Jackson trade. (Don Baylor & Mike Torres for Reggie Jackson & Ken Holtzman)
Baylor's best days were with the Angels: MVP in '79 and 141 HR over 6 seasons.
He retired with 338 HR & 1,276 RBI in 2,292 games. In 1989, Don reflected on his career in an autobiography.
After that, he managed the Rockies and Cubs.
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.
Saturday, June 27, 2026
Usha Vance’s baby, World Cup and visitors to the US plus WNBA madness.
Usha Vance’s baby, World Cup and visitors to the US plus WNBA madness.
They don’t like pregnancy?
They don’t like pregnancy?:
Conservatives having children is apparently a political conspiracy, at least according to The New York Times.
Click to read:
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/06/they-don-t-like-pregnancy/
1973: David Clyde made his pitching debut
On this day in 1973, the Rangers were desperately trying to sell seats.
They were coming off a 54-100 record in 1972. Their best player in the opening season in Texas was an aging Frank Howard. The roster included young guys like future AL MVP Jeff Burroughs and All Star Toby Harrah but they were not exciting anybody in North Texas yet.
In other words, the '73 Rangers needed a shot in the arm. Enter David Clyde, a young man from Houston.
The good news is that David Clyde was a great high school baseball prospect. The bad news is that he was rushed to the majors years ago. The Rangers sold many tickets for his debut but not much happened after that!
Clyde never developed into the major league pitcher that everyone predicted. At the same time, he should have spent a couple of years in the minors before pitching in the majors. He wasn’t ready and it probably hurt his career.
He won 7 over a 2-year period. Clyde was eventually traded to Cleveland. By the way, I saw him pitch with Cleveland against Baltimore before he retired.
Overall, a sad story.
P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts, and videos.
Happy # 83 Rico Petrocelli
Happy birthday greetings to Rico Petrocelli, one of the most popular players to wear the Red Sox uniform.
Americo Peter Petrocelli was born in Brooklyn on this day in 1943. He broke with Boston in 1963, became a regular and played in the 1967 & 1975 World Series.
He split his career between shortstop (774 games) and third base (727 games). Rico moved to third when Luis Aparicio joined Boston in 1970.
Petrocelli was a big bat in the Boston lineup: 210 HR & 773 RBI over 13 years.
He hit 40 HR in 1969 and 97 HR over a 3 year span, 1969-71.
Enjoy your day Rico!
"World War Two, the War that Made Our World"...with Barry Jacobsen
"World War Two, the War that Made Our World"...with Barry Jacobsen.......
Friday, June 26, 2026
Bad day for activist judges, Midterm update, Pregnancy at The White House, Bertlin Airlift 1948 and Happy # 52 Derek Jeter.
Bad day for activist judges, Midterm update, Pregnancy at The White House, Bertlin Airlift 1948 and Happy # 52 Derek Jeter......
A bad morning for activist judges
A bad morning for activist judges:
The Supreme Court straightens out immigration law.
Click to read:
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/06/a-bad-morning-for-activist-judges/
Happy # 52 Derek Jeter
We say happy birthday to Derek Jeter who was born on this day in 1974.
In 1996, Derek Jeter broke in with the Yankees and the rest is history. Jeter retired with 3,465 hits, a .311 lifetime average and .321 in 38 World Series games.
In 1996, Derek Jeter broke in with the Yankees and the rest is history. Jeter retired with 3,465 hits, a .311 lifetime average and .321 in 38 World Series games.
In 2014, the baseball world said goodbye to Jeter at The All Star Game in Minneapolis. He got everything that he deserved. I was applauding him too because the world could use more men like Jeter.
The Yankees came to Texas later that summer in August and huge crowds were there to show their respect for Jeter again.
He was really something special, the kind of professional athlete who comes around once in a generation.
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.
June 26, 1948: The Berlin Airlift starts
Years ago, Pres Truman started the Berlin Airlift of 1948:
"On June 24, 1948, the Soviet Union blocked all road and rail travel to and from West Berlin, which was located within the Soviet zone of occupation in Germany. The Soviet action was in response to the refusal of American and British officials to allow Russia more say in the economic future of Germany. The U.S. government was shocked by the provocative Soviet move, and some in President Harry S. Truman's administration called for a direct military response. Truman, however, did not want to cause World War III. Instead, he ordered a massive airlift of supplies into West Berlin. On June 26, 1948, the first planes took off from bases in England and western Germany and landed in West Berlin. It was a daunting logistical task to provide food, clothing, water, medicine, and other necessities of life for the over 2 million fearful citizens of the city. For nearly a year, American planes landed around the clock. Over 200,000 planes carried in more than one-and-a-half million tons of supplies.
The Soviets persisted with the blockade until May 1949. By then, however, it was apparent to everyone concerned that the blockade had been a diplomatic fiasco for the Russians. Around the world, the Soviets were portrayed as international bullies, holding men, women, and children hostage in West Berlin and threatening them with starvation. The unbelievably successful American airlift also backfired against the Russians by highlighting the technological superiority of the United States. By the time the Soviets ended the blockade, West Germany had become a separate and independent nation and the Russian failure was complete."
It was a victory for the West. It showed that we had a president who was willing to stand up to the Soviets. In other words, we had a leader rather than "a panderer" for votes.
I should add that Pres Truman made this decision in an election year. He could have played it safe and avoid the issue. Thankfully, Pres Truman put the US, and the West, over his own reelection and demonstrated leadership.
The Berlin Airlift was also the story of the "candy drops" for children. It showed the valor and heart of the pilots who flew these dangerous missions:
"In the beginning of the candy drops, Halverson used his own weekly candy ration. Soon the other pilots and support staff started giving their candy and gum and their handkerchiefs. The project grew so big that his old army base also began to contribute candy and handkerchiefs. The city of Mobile, Alabama, formed a drive to request help. Soon, candy and handkerchiefs from around the country began arriving for the pilots to drop. One week, Lieutenant Halverson flew 368 pounds of candy and fifty pounds of handkerchiefs from America back with him in his C-54 airplane that he had brought to the states for maintenance work."
Overall, a great day to recall presidential leadership and to remember the men who carried out these missions.
P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts, and videos.
P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts, and videos.
Thursday, June 25, 2026
NY City goes left. Supreme Court and Trump. Eisenhower 1942.
NY City goes left. Supreme Court and Trump. Eisenhower 1942.....
‘By Zohran, he’s got it!’
‘By Zohran, he’s got it!’:
Establishment Democrats are being hunted down by the monsters they created.
Click to read:
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/06/by-zohran-he-s-got-it/
Happy # 81 Carly Simon
Let's add Carly Simon to the growing list of pop singers who are over 70. Carly was born in New York on this day in 1945.
My first memory of Carly Simon was her 1971 hit "That's the way I've heard it should be", a very 1970's song. It was also a great arrangement and her vocals were beautiful.
After that, Carly had other hits, such as "You're so vain", and married James Taylor.
We wish Carly a happy birthday. She was one of a group of great female song writers/performers who released music in the early 1970's. It was great music.
My first memory of Carly Simon was her 1971 hit "That's the way I've heard it should be", a very 1970's song. It was also a great arrangement and her vocals were beautiful.
After that, Carly had other hits, such as "You're so vain", and married James Taylor.
We wish Carly a happy birthday. She was one of a group of great female song writers/performers who released music in the early 1970's. It was great music.
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.
1967: The Beatles and “All you need is love” go on global TV
(My new American Thinker post)The Beatles have been in the news this year.
First, we got to see the four working on material for an album. It was the closest to being in the studio with the band. It was incredible to see an album being recorded from square one or sort of the musical equivalent of like watching sausage getting made. Some of these songs were released as singles, like "Get Back" and many ended up on the Let it Be album. Honestly, I did not think that these were great songs but they are part of the band's history.
Second, Paul McCartney turned 80 last week and Ringo Starr will turn 82 in July.
Two weeks after Sgt. Pepper’s was released on June 1, 1967, The Beatles went global and presented “All You Need is Love” to the world. They performed the new song in an international telecast seen by millions, as we see here:
The satellite link-up was devised by the BBC, which took the idea to the European Broadcasting Union in 1966.
The project editor was BBC executive Aubrey Singer. Personalities, including Maria Callas and Pablo Picasso, from 19 nations performed in separate items from their respective countries.
The event, which lasted two-and-a-half hours, had the largest television audience to date.
No politicians or heads of state were allowed to take part in the broadcast, and no pre-recorded videotape or film was allowed. Around 10,000 technicians, producers and translators helped make the event happen; each country had its own announcers, with translators narrating where necessary.
National broadcasting companies from 14 countries provided material for the 125-minute programme, which was shown in black-and-white. The organizations involved were: Australia (ABC), Austria (ORF), Canada (CBC), Denmark (DZR), France (ORTF), Italy (RAI), Japan (NHK), Mexico (TS Mexicana), Spain (TVE), Sweden (SRT), Tunisia (RTT), United Kingdom (BBC), USA (NET) and West Germany (ARD), and the programme was also shown – without contributing their own content – in Belgium, Bulgaria, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and Switzerland.
In the week before broadcast, seven Eastern bloc countries -- led by the Soviet Union -- pulled out, apparently in protest to the Western nations’ response to the Six Day War.
The Beatles’ day began at 2pm with a camera rehearsal in EMI’s Studio One. An outside broadcast van was situated in the studio car park, which relayed the signal around the world via the Intelsat I (Early Bird), Intelsat II (Lana Bird) and ATS-1 satellites.
Wonder if Maria Callas and the Beatles were ever on the same program before? I don't think so.
“All You Need is Love” became a # 1 song in July and was included in the Magical Mystery Tour album released later for Christmas.
P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts, and videos.
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