One of Supremes Retires

     In a move suspected if not anticipated, Justice Kennedy of the US Supreme Court, announced his retirement this week.  The Liberal wind just picked up strength to gale force.  After weeks of sharp discord and criticism over immigration, the Court announced a decision that upheld the Chhief Executive's right to limit immigration from selected foreign countries.  This gave POTUS a 1 in the win column.  As legal beagles swallowed this decision, the Justice made his announcement.  Results: apoplexy on and of the left.   The hand wringing has begun as the names and faces of nominees appear in all the dailies and on all the usual web sites.   Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell announced that the nominee, any nominee, would be approved long before the midterm elections this coming November.   The Dems are found to be scurrying about, looking for shelter, hoping for a saving position as they suspect that the Supreme Court will take a definitive and lasting turn to the right/conservative position.  Some of Mr. Trump's possible selections will no doubt cause indigestion among the libs.  Thank you, Harry Reid, former Senate majority leader who engineered the rules change that allowed a simple majority vote to confirm an appointment to the Court.  The little brain-addled former pugilist is probably ducking for cover in some hovel in the Nevada desert as he seeks a rat hole to hide from the justifiable anger from former colleagues and voters alike.
     The Dems were warned that it would come back to haunt them, and it has proven true, sooner that  they thought.

World CUP: France V. Argentina

     So, the knockout Round.  The opener:  France scores first goal on a PK in the 13th minute.  In a take down inside the box, the arbitro signaled to the spot.  It was converted into a 1-0 lead by the Bleus.
   Argentina now has to dig itself out of the hole.  They were able to avert an additional foal when another takedown was positioned outside the box, on the edge.  It was not converted.  Still 1-0.
Keep watching

World Cup: Update

   So long Germany.  It looks like there's not much Angela Merkel can do to salvage the reputation of the German national futbol team.  They have been knocked out by, of all teams, South Korea.  Hmmm.  Might be time for a coaching change, at minimum.
    Other surprises
    Argentina survives, just barely.  The team advanced to the Round of 16 or the Knockout Round when a loss sends the team home.  
     The Round of 16 Lineup
Group A
Uruguay
Russya
Group B
Spain
Portugal
Group C
France
Denmark
Group D
Craotia
Argentina
Group E
Brazil
Switzerland
Group F
Mexico
Sweden
Group G
Belgium
England
Group H
TBD, depending on today's final group games
Senegal v. Colombia, Poland v. Japan

In the Good Old Summertime

      The solstice has come and gone: Summer has officially arrived(in the northern hemisphere).   Break out the BBQ, put on the sandals, kick back and relax.  It's time.   After roaming the Continent for several weeks, the Mayor is glad to be back in Tahoma.  Lots to post about the EU and all that's going on over there post-Trump tariffs, etc.   Our Minister of Latin American Affairs has also been busy as he prepares to assume the mantle of Minister of East Asian Affairs.  This has become a very important position for the Man From Tahoma.  He'll be doing double duty in China while keeping his finger on the pulse of Latin America.   It's a big job these days and citizens of Tahoma need up to date information, especially when it comes to trade/tourism- a keystone of the local economy.
More later-including pictures.

Triple Crown Winner

      Well, it's been done: a Triple Crown has been accomplished by a well-trained nag named Justify.  This horse will be enshrined along with those other greats who have had the same success at the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness, and the Belmont Stakes.   The Belmont usually trips up contenders because it is the longest of the 3 tracks.  While some horses challenge, few make the grade.  But Justify seemed to have the tickets.  He has the right team in his corner(stall).
      The trainer of the winner, Bob Baffert, trained another triple crown winner, American Pharoah, who won in 2015.  The jockey, was another great: Mike Smith, aka "Big Money Mike", who had won just about everything but a triple crown.  Now he can claim that as the crown jewel of his career.  Justify completed the run of one and a half miles in 2 minutes 28.18 seconds.   The race was the 150th running of the Belmont, and paid $3.60 on a $2 bet.  @nd Place winner was Gronkowski who came from way behind to take the 'place' position.  He paid $13.80 to place.

Warriors V. Cavs: Game 3 Wrap

      Poor Steph Curry:  could hardly make a basket.  But, alas, his teammate Kevin "KD" Durant was on fire.  He lit up the entire court, shaking the fans to their bones in Cleveland.  He had 43 points on the night, his highest in post season play.  LeBron and company had a lead but couldn't hold on to it.  Time and again the lead shifted as each team clawed its way in front.
     But, for the Cavs, another defeat at the hands of Golden State.  It must get depressing, just getting on the court with Draymond Green, Andre Igoudala, KD, Curry, and the rest.   One never knows where the power will emerge against you.
    The Warriors could finish them off tomorrow night, or 4 straight.  Watch it.

LeBron V. Curry: Game 3 Tonight

      Well, now:  Warriors 2- Cavaliers 0.   The overtime win in the first game is telling:  give the Warriors an opening and you will regret same.  Game 2 definitely exposed the Cavs as a 1 trick pony, operating on the strong back of 1 man: LeBron James. 
    Now we are going to see a contest on the Cleveland home court.  Will the results differ in anyway?  I doubt it.  Despite some bench success with the Cavs, the Warriors are still too deep all around.   The games are especially entertaining for Golden State fans who thrive on watching Curry & Co. work their magic.   Game 3 will not disappoint.
Watch it.

Spain Has a New Leader

Adios, Mr. Rajoy.   Well, he did his best, but in these times, that could be insufficient to survive a no confidence vote.