Catching up...

Long week..and a longer one to come.  The weekend was odd; I had OC duty and I did a bunch of errands Friday, but the rest of the time, I just chilled and caught up on some projects.  Rah.

The Tribe has been impressive; I mean, for all I do not like about Francona, his teams do play well down the stretch.  The pitching has been outstanding, obviously...  I think this is what we expected; well, Clevinger has been a nice touch, honestly.  Tomlin will be back soon, and I wonder if there will be room for him.  Course, they added Breslow, of all people, so there is room on the roster.  I mean, I guess it would be nice to have a lefty so they don't run Olson into the ground, but...it is Tyler Olson, and I wonder if there isn't anyone else out there...

http://www.honestgraft.com/2017/08/success-has-eluded-trump-but-he-could.html

I wonder...like all Civil Wars, they are...destructive and costly.  On the other hand, Trump has attracted a certain type of voter who, well, never was into politics before, and we all know about the fervency of new converts.  Part of the problem is that much of the GOP is populated with Cassandra-types, and no one likes to hear bad news, true or not...

https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2017-08-28/why-people-still-support-trump

I think this is largely correct, and validates Bannon's view that if the Dems want to talk about racism/transgender/etc., he will let them...  and especially as our voters are concentrated in places where their votes matter...

Notes

Well, that was an exciting game yesterday; today, not so much.  I really think, in that situation -- bunt, slow runner to first, you get the out there, and with the emphasis on power arms in the bullpen, you have a better shot with the K.  In the meantime, another injury, this time to Kipnis...I was telling one of my coworkers that second basemen tend not to age well after 30, certainly not 31, and he is almost here...always felt that his bulking up a few years ago was a bad idea, as it cost him flexibility, given his frame...  still think I am right.

I have to admit, the speech last nite was...well, good, for Trump.  I think he is largely correct, and while I submit to the view that it is better that we stick around forever (if need be) to keep control...not everyone feels that way, obviously.  If the generals are getting their way -- and I think that most people think highly of them -- this might be a good thing for all involved.

https://www.vox.com/the-big-idea/2017/8/21/16176578/localism-sanctuary-cities-federalism-conservative-case

I think this is sort of true, but 1) No one really thinks liberals will states/localities opt out of any "advance" they've made without judicial war and 2) The other issue is that it's not fair for blue areas to hold the rest of us back, is it now?  Of course not.

https://www.vox.com/identities/2017/8/18/16145476/charlottesville-protest-white-supremacy

This, I think, is the reason why you should keep the statues up; at one point we (mainly Democrats, of course) thought this was a good idea; now, we do not, and we need to remember that.  I would think it would be a good thing to go and put up statues and monuments to the Union soldiers who died, the Southerners who joined the Union side, and of course, the black troops and slaves who suffered...and of course, these statues would be....larger.

Power

So, I can see why they added Jay Bruce. :)  More seriously, he has added a dimension to this offense, and I think it has affected everyone else.  Hell, even Zimmer is hitting again, though I think -- still -- that Naquin is the answer for now (the September callups are two weeks away).  The Kluber issue is worrisome, but with Miller back... well, they do have a lead, so Corey can miss a start if needed, I guess.

http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2017/08/nickelback_performs_for_thousa.html#incart_river_index

The tone of the article was impressive; I mean, I know it's Nickelback, but as I tell the coworkers, someone has to pay good money to see them if they keep touring, and it is not all Canadians crossing the border, so...  I myself do not think they are as annoying as any number of other bands...

https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2017-08-16/bring-back-make-work-programs

I think this could work, but...the CCC paid shit wages, if you recall, and mainly got young men out of the house.  Not sure, of course, that quite so many young men are out there who want to do that...of course, the unions would object, and nowadays the environmental regs...I mean, look at how long it took to put up the Hoover Dam, and check out projects today...

2/3 of the way through The Limousine Liberal... I like it, sort of, but the guys is really all over the place, and thus, something is lost along the way...

Soaring

Well, another long break...  the Tribe is playing well; to be sure, it is the starting pitching, but the offense has been scoring -- the HRs are nice, but they have also gotten some...well, medium innings?  This is a big stretch for them; if they can take 2 of 3 from the division rivals this week, they can add a little space... in the mean, Zimmer has been really sucking.  This could be me, but why not bench him?  I mean, you could call up Naquin, even if it meant only using seven relievers...  You could, especially with the starting doing so well... whatever has gotten into Salazar...wow.

https://www.vox.com/conversations/2017/7/21/15998246/alt-right-donald-trump-angela-nagle-kill-all-normies-interview
One thing that amused me about this article is that it pretty much says that the alt-right is appropriating the words and actions of the left...and they object to it.  Well, those smart enough to get it...

I woke up a full hour earlier than I expected to...to be sure, I went to bed early last nite -- Holy Day Mass today -- but it was still not quite the plan, and I could feel it.  Now, of course...I am tired but not enough to sleep.  Alas.  This has been a problem the last week... oi.

Ups and downs

This weekly blog posting will NOT continue...watching the Tribe, work has been busy; also been trying to watch ALL of the Inspector Morse episodes, which takes some time.  Also not much to say...  the rotation is doing better -- Trevor especially -- and now the relievers are struggling (Francona's faith in McAllister in high-leverage situations is amusing if not troubling).  The Bruce trade has not paid immediate dividends, but if we got him just for the salary...well, it is not a bad deal, and we getting him means someone else will not.  With Kip out again, we may get an infielder, too.  

Watched "Sherman's March" last nite, up to 575.  Long.  Not terribly interesting -- man goes South and looks for women.  Not sure what it is that put it on the list.  Alas.

My own suspicion is that Trump is blustering, as are the North Koreans, and that this will peter out..  the healthcare thing is more amusing, as some of this is Trump's fault, too...he could have pushed it harder, and, well, he could have said it could happen...well, eventually.  I suspect a good many GOPers will be primaried, and I for one could not be happier.

One thing of interest..raises and performance reviews happened.  That and the now-completed refi...well, I am not exactly flush with cash, but the position is a little better, and that is a good thing.

Back at it

Work has been its usual self, which is why I have not blogged; also PQ (second), general busy-ness, and poor sleep quality...so much so I was in bed by 10:30 last nite, and may do it again tonight, too... give the Tribe credit -- they have made plays and Bauer has pitched well.  I am not quite sure that the bullpen dread is warranted, but...some length from these guys would be nice.

I think the Smith deal was good but...they needed more.  All I can say; I know they suspect the arrival of Kipnis and Chisenhall will help, but...well, looking at the flurry of moves made by KC...hmmm

https://www.vox.com/mischiefs-of-faction/2017/8/1/16069872/repealing-17th-amendment-bad-idea

I think the point here -- missed by the author -- is that the Senate was supposed to represent the states/restrain the growth of the big federal government, and that if you couldn't handle that, you could be replaced in six years, to say nothing of boosting interest in state elections.  I have no problem with either of these goals, and I think a lot of GOPers don't, either...

https://www.vox.com/culture/2017/7/31/16068732/no-confederate-twitter-protest-hbo-game-of-thrones

This could be me, but if Underground Railroad could win a National Book Award for this scenario, I would like to think that we could at least stand to watch a couple of episodes.

Up to 574 on the film list -- watched "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" over the weekend.  1916 silent, very cool...they did sort of blend two of his novels together, but the camera work (with underwater scenes) was most impressive.