Still on the road (somewhere between Oklahoma City and Tulsa) but I wanted to get this up:
It’s the usual story: the money went to things like seeing da Bears, remodeling, and a 2015 Tahoe. The only thing that really distinguishes it for me is that the crooked Illinois politician (is that redundant?) is a Republican this time.
As much as I gripe about phone blogging, this is amazing technology. I’m currently riding right seat in an Audi somewhere outside of Hamilton, Texas, with Mike the Musicologist at the wheel. As I said previously, I expect to be busy over the next few days, but I wanted to note this story:
…
Hey, I don’t much like Chris Christie (and I think I’ve made that clear) but: “your city could be next”? If your city is half a billion dollars in debt and depending on a dying industry, maybe it should be next.
Look, I’m not the person you should be coming to for your day-after analysis. I’m not a political pundit: there are smarter, better people (many of whom don’t work for the mass media) who can give you a more serious take on all this.
I also haven’t had time to figure out what all this means for gun politics, and if it is a net win or loss for the 2nd Amendment. I did see that California’s ballot initiative passed, which didn’t surprise me, but I haven’t been able to find results for other states. I don’t think we’ll see an attempted assault weapons ban, or an attempt to end-run the PLCAA, and I do think we will get a friendly Supreme Court justice. But again, look to other people for their takes, because I haven’t thought this all the way through.
(Edited to add: Looks like background checks passed in Nevada, too.)
(Quick ETA2: According to Weer’d, Bloomberg’s background checks lost in Maine.)
(My big thought right now: “Hmmmm. I think I can wait until National Buy an AK Day to get that AK-47, instead of trying to pick one up this weekend.” This gives me some room to maybe, possibly, pick up something less serious and more fun.)
The first part of this week has been busy, and the remainder is going to be even more so. Posts will be as time and events permit. I notice Cleveland is playing on Thursday night this week, so I’ll try to have the loser update up sometime on Friday.
I’ve been somewhat negligent on TMQ Watch updates, but part of that has been hesitation to write about TMQ and Easterbrook. At this point, it appears Easterbrook has given up on TMQ for 2016, but is hoping to return in 2017, per his Twitter feed.
The reason I’ve been hesitant to write about this is that, also according to some things he’s said on Twitter, Easterbrook has been hospitalized for a while. While we tend to give TMQ a hard time about some things, Gregg Easterbrook is not on our short list of people we wish ill to: we send him our best wishes.
I will be updating the city council/county commissioners/state reps lists, but probably not until the new people take office and have contact information posted. i think it will be January before this happens.
For the historical record: Janet Reno.
NFL teams that still have a chance to go 0-16:
Cleveland
Maybe there’s something to be said for the theory that rising baseball fortunes are tied to falling football fortunes and vice versa.
Lawrence suggested that I also do an NBA loser update, now that the season has started. My response: “The season has started?”
Okay, okay. NBA teams that still have a chance to go 0-82:
Philadelphia
New Orleans
Also: all gambling debts have been paid, in front of witnesses. There’s even photo documentation, which may be posted later.
Edited to add: Photographic proof.
I might have to pick up a bottle of Millard Fillmore United States Brandy, if I find it in a local liquor store.
Granted, it isn’t quite “Look for the smiling face of Archduke Ferdinand on every bottle!”, but history has its own set of charms.
Also by way of the NYT:
The Seelbach is named after the Seelbach Hotel (today the Seelbach Hilton), a storied century-old lodging in downtown Louisville, Ky., that is mentioned briefly in “The Great Gatsby.” Shortly after being put in charge of the hotel’s bar and restaurant operations in 1995, Mr. Seger declared that he had discovered a recipe for a pre-Prohibition cocktail that was once the hotel’s signature drink. He tested it, liked it and put it on the menu.
The news media soon picked up on the tale, and within a few years, the Seelbach cocktail was regarded as a rescued classic. It’s a tantalizing back story, one that has charmed cocktail writers and aficionados for years, and there’s only one thing wrong with it: None of it is true.
Revelation 8, verses 1-5:
When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand. Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake.
You know, I kind of like Steve Goodman. I think we can do with one more musical interlude, before we retire this song for another 100 years.
And I hope he’s smiling somewhere in heaven.
Edited to add: Tam. Office seems kind of dusty this morning.
Edited to add 2: I had no idea Bob Newhart was on Twitter.
The fella at the next table was nice enough to help me hold the flag after the Cubs won!!! Go Cubs and fly the W!!#GoCubsGo #FlytheW #Game7 pic.twitter.com/QJVaPgOTDH
— Bob Newhart (@BobNewhart) November 2, 2016
The billy goat is dead!! As I've said, from the beginning, I'm getting too old for this! #GoCubsGo #FlytheW pic.twitter.com/iCOL6A3s1i
— Bob Newhart (@BobNewhart) November 3, 2016
(Hattip: Mike the Musicologist.)
Norv Turner out as offensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings.
This is being presented as a “resignation”, and it may very well be one. It just seems weird and noteworthy.