Random Thoughts This Week
(1) SPAZZED-OUT JUDGE: I watched parts of the Rittenhouse trial. Obviously, this is a very polarizing subject. What shouldn’t be in question, however, is the despicable behavior of an out-of-control clown-judge (Shroeder) who turned this trial into a mockery with his numerous emotional outbursts. It’s unfathomable that this judge sits on a bench ANYWHERE and holds ANY position of authority inside a courtroom. He’s been a complete embarrassment.
(2) ROTTENHOUSE: Getting 12 jurors to agree on a verdict in the Rittenhouse trial will prove difficult, if not impossible. Accordingly, I’d be satisfied with Rittenhouse getting away with two murders and one attempted murder and rather being convicted of a lesser charge. Mark my words: If that twerp gets off and walks, he’s going to become the poster boy at MAGA rallies and gun nut events. This will empower more of the same. Those fake tears he shed on the stand last week (a laughable farce–give the man an Oscar) will miraculously transform into fiery maniacal fury all across the country, stirring the pot and revving up the far-Right base. He’ll become the hottest guest on TV and the most effective hate-rally speaker since Trump himself. THIS IS WHY I’d like to see him convicted and put away, perhaps not for life, but at least long enough to be forgotten. Rottenhouse doesn’t deserve celebrity status. A violent vigilante directly responsible for two deaths shouldn’t be allowed to make history, but rather should be a historical footnote.
(3) BANNON: Steve Bannon is barking “they’re messing with the wrong guy” and “bring it on” in the investigation of his own diabolical role in the attempted overthrow of the U.S. Government on 1/6/21. Bannon, who certainly would have been convicted of FRAUD as part of the “Build the Wall” farce had he not been pardoned by Trump, will bask in the notoriety of conflict. He gets his jollies from all this, which is kinda’ sad since a conflict with federal authorities plays into his desperate need to remain relevant. Like Roger Stone, Alex Jones, and so many other bile-blabbers, Bannon is an attention-seeking whore who only cares about his own celebrity and will do ANYTHING to advance it. Bannon is right about one thing — his provocative pronouncements pre-1/6/21 will make for an interesting “freedom of speech” debate. What isn’t in question is Bannon’s guilt in defying a subpoena. This cannot stand. He should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law and should be forced to testify, or take the Fifth Amendment in front of the entire country, the way Mafia bosses used to hide for cover under the law.
(4) INFRASTRUCTURE: The Infrastructure Bill signed into law yesterday by President Biden is a huge deal and deserves far more applause. This nation’s deteriorating roads and bridges and other infrastructure have been badly neglected for decades (while we blew $2 trillion on pointless unwinnable wars in the Middle East). It’s about fucking time. Credit Biden and Democrats (and a few decent Republicans) for doing the right thing for America. This is one of those things that you won’t see immediately, but EVERY American will benefit from, in time — whether it’s passing through a tunnel someplace, or clearing customs at an airport inside a new terminal, or driving on a federal highway. Unfortunately, by the time we reap the many benefits, Biden will be out of office, and long gone. This reminds me of the old adage–a statesman thinks to the next generation, a politician thinks to the next election.
(5) CHINA: I keep hearing China is “an adversary.” Why? Even the media plays into this incendiary narrative. Woah, wait just a second. Hmm, isn’t most of the shit we buy — from smartphones to power tools to dental floss to just about everything in your house made of plastic — all manufactured in China and we willingly gobble it up like wild jackels on a lamb farm? What’s with this “adversary” tag? Hint: You can’t call someone an adversary and keep on sucking on the tap. So long as American consumers are ADDICTED to cheaper-made Chinese goods and stoke our shelves with all their shit, please quit with the hypocrisy. Yeah, I get that China’s system of government is problematic and has major issues on human rights (and then there’s Taiwan), but the double standards (China = enemy, Saudi Arabia = ally) gets old. Some of us are done believing old narratives.
(6) STING: I can’t wait to see Sting, who is the latest performer to establish a Las Vegas residency, at Caesars. I just thought I’d toss this on.
(7) PORTS: The interruption in the supply chain of some goods, and delays at major ports trigger lots of finger-pointing. Clearly, there’s lots of blame to go around. But this was ENTIRELY foreseeable, even predicted, as the US and other markets ramp up after COVID (hopefully behind us, but who knows?) and global markets scatter to make up for lost time and profits. Speaking of profits, shipping companies made RECORD PROFITS this year (hmm, interesting they complain about the limited access to ports), and it’s only November! One major problem that nobody is talking about: All ports in the US are owned and managed by LOCAL authorities. Each port has its own rules and guidelines. So, let’s dismiss the ignorant motion the feds (or Biden Admin.) has anything to do with ports–because they don’t. Blame the Port Authority of Los Angeles, or whoever at the local level. Accordingly, it’s time to engage in a serious debate about bringing ALL ports under federal, universal authority. We don’t let airports manage themselves and it would be chaotic if the air traffic control system was managed by local authorities. That’s why we have the FAA. It may be time to create an FAA for the nation’s ports since the federal government has no jurisdiction over the ports other than Coast Guard and US Customs.
(8) PI: The NFL’s pass Interference rules are making some games unwatchable. Something must be done about obnoxious pass interference rules. Watching an NFL game is torture given the wildly haphazard enforcement. Winners and losers are being determined by subjective judgments made by the crews in stripes in critical situations. For instance, the New Orleans-Tennessee game on Sunday was an abomination. Every week, we see at least a few games that could have gone the other way were it not for a 50-50 judgment call. Also, giving offenses 30 and 40 yards, or a first down on the 1-yard line is a grotesque overreaction for times where there are actual penalties. SOMETHING must be done about this. Most fans want fewer PI calls, which have become a joke. Here’s an idea: Let defensive backs do whatever they want to the receivers. And let receivers push off and do whatever they need to get open. Short of holding or facemask penalties, which are already in the rules, let the players tuggle for position on the ball and leave the yellow flags in the pockets.
(9) HUGGABLE HIGGINS: How can you not fall absolutely in love the Irish President — Micahel D. Higgins? He turned 80 earlier this year and to celebrate the grand occasion he even did a live verse on a Van Morrison song. I mean, check out the photo of him speaking with one of his dogs by his side. Look at the three-piece suit and the shoes, looking like some fictional character invented by William Butler Yeats. I wish it was possible in this country to have REAL politicians like Higgins — a fun-loving but wonderfully-gifted, decent, honest man as a leader. Higgins would be laughed at if he ran for office here, but in other places where cynicism isn’t the rule, he’s a national treasure. (Credit Blair Rodman for posting the photo earlier today, which I saw and copied).
(10) FOUNTINBLEAU: News in Las Vegas this week is the much-maligned Fountainbleu (the unfinished giant blue elephant polluting the skyline for 13 years) will finally be completed and be open by 2023. Next, pigs will fly. Yeah, I’ll believe it when I see it. It won’t happen but the City of Las Vegas should impose a strict deadline on the owners of this giant eyesore and FINE the company daily for every day after a deadline that it’s not open. Either finish the fucking job or demolish the building and move on. Sell the scrap metal and auction off the property in forced government foreclosure. It’s sickening that Wall Street slugs like Carl Ichan made hundreds of millions in profits holding this metal and glass junk heap, while everyone else in the neighborhood on the North end of the strip (including many small businesses) has to live with the stank of a rusted out heap right next door, thus destroying the ambiance of several city blocks. Letting developers and investment hustlers reap millions in profits while a shit pile gathers rust isn’t civic leadership. It’s grotesque neglect. Make a deadline, stick to it, and start laying down the hammer — or call in the wrecking ball.
(11–BONUS): ZZZZZZZ: Looks like the WSOP Main Event final table will be yet another boring-ass, nerdy sausage fest.
….’til next week, I’m out.
