NY City goes left. Supreme Court and Trump. Eisenhower 1942.....
Thursday, June 25, 2026
‘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.
1876: Battle of Little Bighorn
We remember the battle as General Custer’s "Last Stand" and the worst defeat for US Army forces in the long Plains Indian 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.
June 25, 1942: Eisenhower assumed command
Dwight Eisenhower was one of the giants of the 20th century.
On this day in 1942, General Dwight D. Eisenhower became commander of all U.S. troops in the European theater of World War II.
Ike, as he was called, was one of those men who comes along at the right time in a country’s history. His work as a military man was exceptional. His quiet and stable presidency was exactly what the nation needed after World War II and Korea.
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Colombia elections and USAID. NY City and the Dems go left.
Colombia elections and USAID. NY City and the Dems go left.
‘Small things sometimes tell large stories’
The leftists lose in Colombia, so President Gustavo Petro declares the results invalid, and blames Israel.
------------------------------
The wonderful Charlie Chan had an explanation for everything. One of my favorites is that “small things sometimes tell large stories.” Well, they do in Colombia.
Are you ready for this? Guess who stole the election in Colombia? Let’s hear from President Petro himself:
Colombian President Gustavo Petro declares the results of the ongoing Presidential Runoff Election to be invalid, following the loss of left-wing ruling party candidate Iván Cepeda and close win of Trump-backed far-right candidate Abelardo de la Espriella. Petro claims that polling data and software was ‘compromised’ by Israel, requesting an investigation into irregularities by the Rama Judicial.
There you have it. The Israelis, and their “secret police,” showed up in Colombia and screwed up all of those machines for the benefit of Trump’s guy, Abelardo. What else could it be? Too bad that Petro’s party cannot count votes for eternity like they do in California.
There are two reasons for Petro’s loss. The first one is results. Colombia’s voters are unhappy with a president with ties to the narcos, and all of the violence that comes with it. They want someone who is going to get tougher with criminals, or the people who terrorize those who don’t have bodyguards to protect them. They want something similar to what they see in El Salvador, where President Bukele has decided to lock up the gangs and make streets safe again.
The second reason is very interesting, and let me explain. We have seen a tsunami of center-right candidates winning elections since we decided to defund USAID. Makes you wonder what in the world USAID was doing? It can’t be a coincidence that we shut down money to USAID, and the right starts winning.
Or better, the candidates who want to fight narcos started winning when we stopped funding USAID. You say small things tell big stories? Yes they do.
P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts, and videos.
Click to read:
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/06/small-things-sometimes-tell-large-stories/
Summer songs: Junior Walker's "What does it take"!
I'm talking about Jr Walker's "What does it take", a tune from school days and from the golden era of AM Top 40 radio.
The Jr Walker sound was a: ".....tenor saxophone solos and raspy voice...."
He recorded other hits like "Shotgun", a great version of "These eyes" and some good albums. They sound better with age.
"What does it take" is still my favorite. I will add it to my I-Pod whenever I get one:
"What does it take (What does it take)To win your love for me? (To win your love for me)How can I make (How can I make)This dream come true for me? (Had a dream for you)Whoa, I just got to know (Have to know)
Ooo, baby 'cause I love you so'
Gonna blow for you'I tried, I tried, I tried, I tried In every way I could (Anyway I could)To make you see how much I love you (See how much I love you)Woo!I thought you understood (Thought you understood)So, you gotta make me see (Make me see)
What does it take To win your love for me?"
P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts, and videos.
We remember Don Mincher (1938-2012)
We remember Don Mincher, who was born on this day in 1938. He died in 2012.
Don had a good baseball career: .249 average, 200 HR & 646 RBI in 1,400 games with the old Senators who became the Twins in 1961, Angels, the Pilots who became the Brewers in 1970, the Senators who became the Rangers in 1972 and finally the A's.
In 1965, Don played first for the AL champ Twins and hit 23 HR with 65 RBI. He hit a HR off Don Drysdale & Sandy Koufax in the '65 Series.
He is also remembered for this:
On June 9, 1966, Mincher was part of baseball history again when he was one of five Twins who hit home runs in one inning, an American League record. The Kansas City Athletics were the victims; the others besides Mincher to go deep in the seventh inning that day were Rich Rollins, Tony Oliva, Zoilo Versalles, and Harmon Killebrew.
A few years ago, I reconnected with those '65 Twins by reading Jim Thielman's "Cool in the evening". He wrote the book in 2005 or the 40th anniversary of that wonderful team that lost to the LA Dodgers in 7 games.
P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts, and videos.
Happy # 79 Mick Fleetwood and great music
Happy birthday Mick Fleetwood who was born in London on this day in 1947. We remember Mick as the founder and drummer of Fleetwood Mac.
Back in the summer of 1982, or many years ago, we were in the early days of MTV and VH-1. We used to hear our songs on the radio, LP's, 45's and cassettes in a car player. We had no idea that DVDs would replace VHS videos or that CD's would do away with tape and vinyl.
Yes, the summer of 1982 seems like a long time ago. Nevertheless, the music was great, specially Fleetwood Mac and "Hold me".
P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts, and videos.
You gotta love the story of the candy bomber
The battle between communism and freedom has many chapters, from people jumping The Berlin Wall to Mariel, Cuba in 1980. I saw the ugly face of communism as a boy, when my father's cousin was thrown in jail for publicly denouncing Castro. He was arrested in 1961 and released in 1975. Never had a trial, and forget about anybody reading him his Miranda rights. They don't do that in communist countries.
We remember a great moment from the 20th century, or the day that U.S. and U.K. planes began dropping supplies to the people of West Berlin isolated by the USSR blockade. The Soviets were trying to break the back of the residents of West Berlin. Instead, they met a resolute President Truman, who would not allow the Soviets to get away with it.
Eventually, the planes started to drop more than food and heating oil. At some point, the pilots saw kids and returned with something for them. Those men came to be known as "the candy bombers." They dropped candy for the children in their supply bags
One of the pilots was Colonel Gail S. Halvorsen (1920–2021). This is his story:
After the United States entered World War II following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Halvorsen trained as a fighter pilot and served as a transport pilot in the south Atlantic during World War II before flying food and other supplies to West Berlin as part of the airlift. According to his account on the foundation's website, Halvorsen had mixed feelings about the mission to help the United States' former enemy after losing friends during the war. But his attitude changed, and his new mission was launched, after meeting a group of children behind a fence at Templehof airport.
He offered them the two pieces of gum that he had, broken in half, and was touched to see those who got the gum sharing pieces of the wrapper with the other children, who smelled the paper. He promised to drop enough for all of them the following day as he flew, wiggling the wings of his plane as he flew over the airport, Halvorsen recalled.
He started doing so regularly, using his own candy ration, with handkerchiefs as parachutes to carry them to the ground. Soon other pilots and crews joined in what would be dubbed "Operation Little Vittles." After an Associated Press story appeared under the headline "Lollipop Bomber Flies Over Berlin," a wave of candy and handkerchief donations, followed.
The airlift began on June 26, 1948, in an ambitious plan to feed and supply West Berlin after the Soviets — one of the four occupying powers of a divided Berlin after World War II — blockaded the city in an attempt to squeeze the U.S., Britain and France out of the enclave within Soviet-occupied eastern Germany.
Allied pilots flew 278,000 flights to Berlin, carrying about 2.3 million tons of food, coal, medicine and other supplies. Finally, on May 12, 1949, the Soviets realized the blockade was futile and lifted their barricades. The airlift continued for several more months, however, as a precaution in case the Soviets changed their minds.
The Berlin Airlift, and the work of the candy bombers, was a beautiful chapter of an otherwise ugly war that killed millions. It's a nice story to share with your kids about the character of the men who fought that war.
PS: Check out my blog for posts, podcasts, and videos. Back in 2009, we spoke with Susan Medler and Bill Katz. Susan is the Director of Communications at the Harry S. Truman Library Institute and Harry S. Truman Library and Museum. Bill is an author and blogger of Urgent AGenda, one of the most popular political blogs.
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Colombia elections. NY City primaries and future of Democrats. Iran update. Happy # 86 Justice Clarence Thomas.
Colombia elections. NY City primaries and future of Democrats. Iran update. Happy # 86 Justice Clarence Thomas.
Colombia to the right! NYC to the left?
Colombia to the right! NYC to the left?:
Good luck New Yorkers, but some of us have already seen this movie and the ending is not pretty.
Click to read:
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/06/colombia_to_the_right_nyc_to_the_left.html
Happy # 86 Justice Clarence Thomas
We say happy birthday to Clarence Thomas who was born on this day in Georgia in 1940.
Thomas was nominated by the first President Bush to replace the retiring Justice Marshall. I remember the news conference when President Bush introduced him to the nation. Thomas' story was wonderful and seemed like a great choice.
Eventually Clarence Thomas was confirmed in October 1991: 52-48. His nomination turned into a circus when Anita Hill accused him of sexual suggestions.
Over time, Thomas developed quite a reputation for conservative opinions. Great Justice!
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 Stuart Sutcliffe (1940-62)
Stuart Fergusson Victor Sutcliffe was born in Edinburgh, Scotland on this day in 1940. He died in 1962 when the group was in Germany.
We remember him as one of the early Beatles.
Stu, as he was known, was more of an artist than a musician. Nevertheless, he was a part of the band until his unfortunate death in 1962.
We believe that it was Stu, with a little help from John, who came up with the name “Beatles”, a reference to Buddy Holly & The Crickets. I’ve also heard that Stu’s death inspired “In my life”, one of the band’s greatest songs.
Stu’s girlfriend, Astrid Kirchherr who died in 2020, was a photographer and responsible for many of the group’s earliest photos, circa Germany 1961-62.
Stu’s girlfriend, Astrid Kirchherr who died in 2020, was a photographer and responsible for many of the group’s earliest photos, circa Germany 1961-62.
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 Rafael “Felo” Ramirez, 1923-2017
Felo brought his conversationalist style to calling a game that he loved as much as anyone.
My parents grew up listening to Felo and baseball games on the radio in Cuba.
I connected with Felo in the 1980’s during my time in Mexico City. Starting in April, and all the way to the World Series, there was Felo Ramirez on the radio broadcasting major league baseball games to Latin America.
Felo was behind the microphone for Don Larsen’s perfect game in 1956, Roberto Clemente’s 3,000th hit in 1972, and Hank Aaron’s 715th HR in 1974.
As my late father used to say, Felo and baseball on the radio were made for each other.
In recent years, Felo was the voice of The Miami Marlins.
P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos.
We remember June Carter Cash (1929-2003)
We remember June Carter Cash, who was born on this day in 1929. She died in 2003.
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, June 22, 2026
The week in review with Bill Katz, the editor of Urgent Agenda
Guest: Bill Katz, the editor of Urgent Agenda. Let's talk about the Iran situation and what happens next. Plus a look at the Democrat Socialists gaining in New York City primaries. The Obama Library open for business. New PM in the UK. And other stories.............click to watch:
Not standing by James
Jasmine Crockett may be the canary in the mine.
-----------------
Maybe Rep. Jasmine Crockett is setting the table for the next gig. She will be out of Congress in January, and her plans of being a U.S. senator were derailed by a guy named Talerico. I can't read her mind, but something is bothering Jasmine about James. Let's see what's going on, according to David Marcus:
There is a tradition in Texas of people named Crockett making famous last stands. For Davey Crockett, it was at the Alamo, but the hill that Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, seems inclined to die on is stopping James Talarico, who beat her in the primary, from winning his Senate race.
The famously sassy Crockett told The Dallas Morning News this week she has "no idea" when asked if she would support Talarico in November, saying she is focused on the down-ballot races.
Crockett also declined an invitation to speak on Talarico’s behalf at the upcoming Texas Democratic Party Convention. In fact, she is just skipping the whole thing.
She is skipping the whole thing? What's going on? Maybe some black Democrats feel that the party is talking too much about illegal immigrants and transgenders. Maybe the spokesmen for Democrats these days are young socialists who grew up in white suburbs and then got screwed up by college professors who taught them to hate the U.S. We don't hear these socialists blaming criminals terrorizing black communities. Instead, they defend criminals and protest in front of ICE detention centers. You don't hear any of these candidates considering the impact of flooding cities with illegal immigrants.
So Crockett may be the canary in the mine. She may be warning the Democrats that they are out of touch with real people, especially blacks in the inner city who are more interested in crime than socialism.
Last, but not least, maybe there is an opportunity here for the GOP to talk about the real issues that Talarico is avoiding.
P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos.
Click to read:
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/06/not_standing_by_james.html
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)