Whoa

Looks as though the Trump obsession with anything :Obama” has struck again, this time he’s calling on the Supreme Court to invalidate the Obama Affordable Care Act which provides millions of Americans with health coverage. An appalled Speaker Nancy Pelosi said “there is no legal justification and no moral excuse for the Trump administration’s disastrous efforts to take away American’s health care”.

The weather bureau has issued “heat Index” numbers for some time. Now it seems “sweat index” has been added. So, how ‘bout “goose pimple”, “ski slope” and “flying hair piece”.  Let’s not forget the politicos with such as ”hot air, “fabrication”, “gloating” and “Irrelevant”.

Just caught up with Clint Eastwood’s ‘Richard Jewell’...outstanding.  Clint has had roles in some 67 films, directed and produced a total of 34. .amazing.

The semi awaited status report from the Veep last week was just another escape from reality. He opined “All 50 states and territories across this country are opening up safely and responsibly as we flattened the curve”, further insisting that “it’s almost inarguable that more testing is generating more cases”.  More re-election tripe, more inaccuracies, more untruths.

Sadly the voice of Minnie Mouse for 35 years, Russi Taylor, left us recently. Bob Iger, Disney Charman and CEO, was quoted as saying “Minnie Mouse lost her voice with Russi’s passing”..Bev and I had the great pleasure to meet Russi at Disneyworld some years ago along with her husband of 29 years Wayne Allwine who was the voice of Mickey Mouse for some 32 years. Both truly wonderful people.

Also noting the passing of Linda Cristal at 89. You may recall she played Victoria Cannon, on NBC’s popular 1967-71 Western “The High Chaparral”.She appeared in a variety of network TV roles over the years. I remember her for co-hosting one of our WJAR-TV Cerebral Palsy Telethons.

Can It Be

Seems our search for truth should often not be found at the White House these days. This week the chief exec claimed “the coronavirus will go away without a vaccine” and “scientists have come up with the AIDS vaccine”.  Currently there is no proof that the coronavirus will just disappear and that there is no existence of an AIDS vaccine. Where does he get this stuff? He must think that his MAGA hat wearers buy whatever he says.  The rest of us don’t.

Meantime an anti-Trump GOP group, The Lincoln Project, claims the Oval Office occupant is “shaky, weak, has trouble speaking and points out he appeared to struggle when lifting a glass of water during a West Point speech. Then as the event concluded he took a long time walking down a ramp.

Thanks to my long-time friend Tom, we experienced a wonderful documentary this week on the great Nat “King” Cole. As I have mentioned previously, he was at the top of the favorite celebs I was fortunate to meet during my broadcasting years. A consummate jazz pianist......His vocals forever remain superb. He was one of a kind. It was a genuine tragedy that he was taken from us by cancer in his middle forties. A great artist, a wonderful person for whom the word “class” was invented.

Dame Vera Lynn has left us at 103. The British singer, songwriter and actress gained her popularity during WW2 and was known as “the Forces’ Sweetheart”, entertaining troops all over the world.. Best known for singing “We’ll Meet Again”, my friend and excellent long time broadcaster Sherm Strickhouser used that song as his theme each day. “We’ll meet again, don’t know where don’t know when, but I know we’ll meet again some sunny day, keep smiling through just like you always do, ‘til the blue skies drive the dark clouds far away”.

The ill- conceived Trump rally being held in Tulsa this week is crowding 19,000 people into an enclosed space and is total madness. Requiring those attending to sign releases that exempts the chief exec and his people from any culpability regarding contracting the caronavirus is not only thoughtless but no surprise.

The CNN coverage of the early arrival people at the Tulsa rally was lowlighted by one clown remaining in back of the reporter so the world could take in in his “fake news” sign. The taunts of others were heard throughout the coverage. What we could expect....no sense, no class.

The chances of seeing any shred of a Major League Baseball season this year grows slimmer with each passing day. Ah, yes, greed is a wonderful thing. 

Really?

Unanimous calls of “wrong” should be heard after word has it that fired Minneapolis cop Derek Chauvin could receive more than $1.5 million in pension benefits— even if he is convicted in the murder of George Floyd. CNN reports that Chauvin, axed from the force and charged with second-degree murder, could still cash in as Minnesota doesn’t allow for the forfeiture of pensions regarding employees convicted of felony crimes related to their work. Chauvin is 44 and under the present legislation would be eligible for that monetary landfall when he’s 50. Talk about a miscarriage of justice.

Former national security adviser John Bolton claims in his forthcoming book that every decision President Donald Trump has made in office has been “driven by reelection calculations.” and Bolton’s publisher, Simon & Schuster, shared the remarks in a news release promoting the book, which details Bolton’s year and a half working for Trump who fired Bolton in September. The former advisor writes, He was often “astonished” by Trump’s singular motivation.

Barbara Fedida is an ABC exec in charge of talent who is not about to claim the title of “Miz Sensitive”. During recent contract renewal talks during which “Good Morning America” host Robin Roberts sought more money Fedida expressed her feeling that Roberts “had enough” and said it wasn’t as though the network was asking Roberts “to pick cotton”. Other such insensitive remarks have poured from the Fedida mouth without reprisal from ABC. Even if she’s finally canned, she’ll doubtless take a huge package of goodbye bucks with her.

Everyone noticed an awkward Trump walk after addressing West Point graduates. Maybe it was those legendary “bone spurs” which kept him from military service. He claimed to be careful not to take a fall down a ramp that he said “fake news would have fun with” The Oval Officer said the ramp was “long, steep and very slippery” and claimed he “ran to level ground the last ten feet”. Anyone seeing the video knows that wasn’t the case. Why he continues to speak exaggerations and lies when millions can witness the truth is amazing.

Good grief, yet more Trump news: Another family member, niece Mary, will be making her presence felt shortly with her book ,”Too Much And Never Enough”...Quite a supposed impact it could make regarding her dear old Uncle.Seems it includes info how Trump was a part of financial schemes in the ‘90’s that help his family dodge tax millions. Soon perhaps we’ll see Trump Revelations sections in libraries and book stores.

Laura Ingraham as a child must have done all kinds of curious things to attract attention. As host of “The Ingraham Angle” she continues to practice the preposterous. This week she dismissed Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert as “the medical deep state”, whatever the hell that means. She also encouraged the Trump campaign to dismiss “the alarmist drivel” concerning his forthcoming indoor Tulsa rally despite many public health officials warning the rally could prove “catastrophic in spreading the virus among the 19,000 capacity”.

And So It Goes (Apologies To Linda Ellerbee)

Calls are being heard for the resignation of Colorado State Senator Bob Woodward after he used the phrases “step on the neck” and “colored people” while discussing a wage garnishments bill. He later said “I’m sorry. Those phrases were uttered in ignorance, not out of hate or spite”. Doubtless his tepid explanation was issued in the hopes of saving his job. All of the focus and reaction to the George Floyd tragedy over the past few weeks should have kept this nimrod light years away from using those totally offensive terms. He should go. Whattya’ bet he doesn’t.

It’s forever been “The Big Apple”. Change may be coming as it seems the number of public rest rooms have greatly diminished due to the commercial closings of the past months. Substituting parts of the city’s real estate as their own toilet by many that fabled moniker may now have to be changed to The Big Can, The Big Loo, The Big W. C., The Big John, The Big Latrine or The Big Privy. 

In the running for “stupid quote of the week” is this one from perennial winner Fox’s Sean Hannity who claims Donald Trump was a victim of crooked cops. ”it’s not the same thing as what happened to George Floyd ― but it’s horrific,” he said, “He was a victim of crooked cops”. Ho hum, rail on, Hannity. Hey, he’s gotta’ keep trying to get those Arbitron numbers up.

Seems the Trump reelection campaign is miffed at CNN for a poll that demonstrates a 14 point lead by Joe Biden over the red tied one. They label the poll biased while it actually shows the challenges The Duke of Derision will face seeking a second term. CNN’s reaction, “We stand by our poll”.

By the way, I’m a fan of CNN’s Anderson Cooper, Chris Cuomo and Don Lemon.  They’re logical, accurate, informative and entertaining.

Should Donald Trump fail to be reelected he can still retain another title. By his defense of the Confederacy and promising to continue honoring its generals and leaders he would keep his title as history’s second president of the Confederacy.

Following a golfing weekend this week the White House resident heads for a rally in Tulsa on June 19^th, one in which attendees will be asked to sign agreements not to sue if they contract the corona virus. Doubtless he’ll repeat his claim that he’s “done more for the Black community than any president since Abraham Lincoln”.  How many total lies does that now make since he took office? 

 Having been asked from time to time about the favorite celebs I met and interviewed during my fifty broadcasting years and resultant total avoidance of any “real job", I would have to list my top three as: Perry Como, Nat “King” Cole and Ted Williams.

Do Tell

This week’s quote:  Barack Obama urging Americans “to work together to create a ‘new normal’ in which the legacy of bigotry and unequal treatment no longer infects our institutions or our hearts’.

Didja’ see where Dr. Anthony Fauci, the number one infectious disease expert on the White House coronavirus task force has said that his meetings with Donald Trump have “dramatically decreased”. Hey, gotta make lots of time for those “reelection strategy’ plans.

Seems the Trump-ster was rushed into a White House bunker during the Washington protests and riots. He was accompanied by his wife, son, secret service members, hair stylist, sunlamp and a mountain of cheeseburgers.

Protest is a right. Destruction and looting are contemptable.

Guess what team All Star Tori Hunter never wanted to play for, turns out it was the Red Sox.  He said he had to put up with countless racial fan abuse when he was a visiting player. He maintained a contract clause that stipulated that he could not be traded to Boston. “I’ve been called the n-word in Boston more than 100 times. From little kids and grownups sitting right next to them who didn’t say anything.” Hunter retired in 2015.

The Chief of Cheap Shots rolls on, this time describing the pushing of a 75 year old peaceful protestor to the ground during a Buffalo demonstration as “a set up”. The man suffered resultant bleeding from an ear and head injury, was hospitalized and reported in “serious but stable condition”. Two cops were suspended for their action. What’s with this Knight of Negativity who continues lacking the positive leadership the office demands?

Stand by for another White House lie as The Oval Officer described his trip to a protective White House bunker as a “brief inspection”. Not so, says AG William Barr who stated Trump was there because of protection from demonstrators. .“Things were so bad that the Secret Service recommended the president go down to the bunker,” Barr told Fox  News.

 Oh by the way, more from the nation’s so called “first family”: Don Jr’s hunting trip to Mongolia last summer cost us taxpayers some $77,000 for Secret Service expenses. Sonny must have further deemed it a successful trip as he managed to kill an endangered sheep.