Changes Afoot

 Polling the Divide: Republicans, Democrats, and the Future of Democracy | The City Club of Cleveland | June 16, 2026
This was quite interesting.  For one, the City Club having two conservatives in a year?  I hardly think that they are turning over a new leaf, but... still.  Actually, it was sort of engrossing, and I do think he made some points.  Going at it with the guests was entertaining.  Some of these people are... well, I am not surprised they hang out there.

QB Brendan Sorsby will be draft eligible, does he fit with Browns? – Terry Pluto - cleveland.com
This could be me, but the last thing the Browns need is a quarterback with...off-the-field issues.  I guess it is an improvement that the team is saying "thanx but no thanx," though I can only imagine the drama this caused the front office to decide on this one.

Is it me, or do I feel that the peace plan with Iran is simply that to end the shooting (mostly) and get gas prices down (hopefully) before the election?  Mind you, that is a fine a goal as any, but... I do not think we will have achieved much, especially if (as I suspect) the Iranians will re-start their nuclear program as soon as they can.  To be sure, if gas prices come down and the pace of inflation slows, and if the peace lasts... well, it would be a foreign policy triumph of sorts, even if it was one of his creation.  Not that the Iranians did not need a thrashing, but if it is not complete and total...

Kicking It Around

I couldn't help but notice that there were four World Cup games today...and four ties.  With the exception of the goals scored...well, soccer heaven, I am sure.  In the meantime, at the College World Series... Troy -- the only non-power conference team -- is still in, beating Ole Miss.  I am sure some other SEC school will win in the end, but...for now, this is cool.  And, they do things like win and score runs.   

Republicans Say Voter ID Debate Is Done: What's Next?
This could be me, but if 80% of Americans want this -- and certainly 80% of Republicans want this -- and we can't get this done... we have major problems.  They talk about a blue wave (I certainly do) but how can you get people excited if you have all of the pieces in place and nothing can happen?  Good Lord, you should get your ass kicked if you can't get the basics done.

I have to admit, I am still getting a kick out of all those videos showing visitors to the US being wowed by the country -- the food, the sights, etc.  It is pretty cool, and there are some things we do well, at least.

Brendan Sorsby, Texas Tech mutually part ways after gambling scandal, legal fallout
This is interesting.  Not exactly surprised, but I have to ask.. what was the point of all of this?  I mean, if he wanted a bigger pile of money... he got it.  Not sure what TTU thought they were going to get; I think I would have liked to have seen this thing play out, with them playing four MAC schools or something, but I suspect we saw what would have happened, and this just pre-empted the inevitable.  Though, as I so often say, we all love a train wreck...

Picnic Time

Good but busy day today.  Parish picnic, and I was helping out with the grill, setup, and cleanup.  There were not a lot of Polish parishioners who showed up, but there were quite a few more from the English-speaking community, so it worked out well in the end.  I think I was a bit more tired than I thought, between the running around, the heat from the grill, etc... I have a smidge of leftovers that will be lunch tomorrow, and all were pleased by the turnout.  Phew.

I took some leftovers to the Absolute House and then it was off to the OC for a bit -- I was asked at 7:15PM last night to take some canned goods to someone who called the help hotline for SVDP.  I didn't know what to do at first, but I realized I could take the client from the OC (accounting for it as a one-time only delivery) and that would help, to say nothing of reminding everyone that senior leadership is not just ordering people around.  We have some Peeps floating around the OC, so I took several for the kids.  I have to admit, the client was just meh about the delivery, but her kids -- the look on their faces when they saw the Peeps even softened my hard heart slightly.  Then it was off to the gym and then home to catch up on a bunch of things.

I also had to give the second homily yesterday and today -- we are doing a canned goods drive and I was asked to explain it and maybe drum up some business.  It was funny; I made a joke about how rapidly I speak, several people agreed with me, but Fr. Steve told me to slow down.... anyways, it went well enough (I hope), and we will see what comes in going forward...

Mattie Travels

Last night I had dinner with my college friend Kim and her daughter...quite fun.  We met at Kitchen Social in Pinecrest, which was packed -- I mean, it was a nice night out, the weather was perfect, who wouldn't want to go out and enjoy the mall?  Parking at the next county is fine, as I need the exercise.  Anyways, it was quite nice -- grub was good, we went down memory lane, and her daughters were amused/fascinated/appalled by our tales of yore.  I walked around a bit there... nice to get steps in, but I couldn't help but notice a slightly elevated police presence.  It is the East Side, but St. Anthony in Parma is having their festival this weekend and it is largely closed to the public.  Sigh.

Yesterday I also had an eye doctor.  It was fine -- some age/diabetes stuff that I need to monitor, but one thing was that they offered this "Dilation Reversal," where for $20 you can get drops to largely restore your vision after they dilate the pupils.  I was like, yes, $20 is a price for convenience, and it worked!  I mean, for an hour it was a bit off, but then it just cleared and vision was normal again.

I also watched the World Cup game between Team USA and Paraguay.  As I told several people, we cannot not watch Team USA, but... man, that game was incredibly boring.  I fell asleep near the end, and when I woke up (on the living room floor) it was past 3AM.  I slept through my first alarm (woke up for the second) but did have a minor kink in my neck.  My gym double may have helped, maybe not... ok, I feel fine now, but the legs are a bit sore.

Today was also a busy day -- errands, gym, some work, a grad party, the second homily at church to discuss our new canned food drive, and here we are now...read some emails, handled some stuff, the usual.  Rah!  My blood sugar was a little low at night so I used a bday gift card and hit DQ for a blizzard.  Quite good, even if I do not think I will have many more, with the whole diabetes and all...

Social Security Is in Worse Shape Than Previously Projected: Report - NOTUS — News of the United States
What will actually happen?  Nothing, of course!

Catching Up

Man, it was hot today, and yesterday, and the day before.  I fear the electric bill -- and summer has not yet really sprung upon us.  Sigh.  Anyways, today was a day of spending money; both personal and OC.  Utility bills, reimbursements for hot meals, roof repair... I mean, I hate the spending in general, both for me and for others, but... alas.  I did amuse myself and the contractor by going over some of the details over the materials and the install process, and my report did assuage some of the more reluctant types on the Board.  I hope.

I have a busy weekend planned, one way or another, but I need to keep cleaning my house (I seem to accumulate dust) and go through the paper pile on the kitchen table.  Some of it is food pantry stuff, some of it is SVDP stuff, and some are none of the above, but... well, they all need to go.  It would look neater, and in some cases, I have procrastinated enough.

The Law of Averages - by Umit Dhuga, PhD
Interesting!  Ok, maybe not; the ancients were not idiots, they certainly knew trade and finance, and someone put it all together...

This Is Why America Can’t Have Robots And Other Nice Things
I suspect the people who say we cannot manufacture things here are correct, but I cannot help but think the attempt to make more things in the US must be tried -- not only for reasons of national security, but also because we need a strong manufacturing base.  I think the economy works best when we do many things, and making the highly technical components of thing certainly counts.  Now, it would have been better not to have surrendered this in the first place, but...

Linx

Pulitzer Prize-winning historian hit and killed in store parking lot
Sad!  I have a few of his books here, and I rather enjoyed them.  I think the approach that he is a radical centrist is 100%, and I think we need more and not less of that in history.  I certainly didn't know he was 92!  I have been listening to some of his addresses on YouTube, and I should probably make an attempt to read more of his books, even though the reading list is full as it is.  Alas!

An interview with historian Gordon Wood on the New York Times’ 1619 Project - World Socialist Web Site
I forgot about this... I am not surprised the series was not debunked or taken less seriously, but... it should have been.  Most actual historians crapped on this hard, for a bunch of reasons, but still... it is hard to be a public intellectual when the press does not encourage this sort of thing.

The Fading Fun of Trump 2.0 - WSJ
I have mentioned this several times, and I think it is 110% correct.  All of these things -- war, inflation, the narrow majority -- weigh on the man.  That said, he needs to not do those things that cause this.  Also, I have to admit, the man feeds off a foil and controversy to really thrive.  So far, the Dems are keeping their powder dry, which I can see him objecting to, one way or the other.  Of course, this is for now.

Welcome to 48

So, I am 48, and it doesn't seem that much different than 47.  Indeed, I nodded off during Dr. Pimple Popper and now cannot fall asleep.  Sigh.  I had wanted to get some emails out, and I guess they will have to wait until tomorrow.  It was quite warm -- the AC was on a bit -- but there was a sense of... foreboding?  I mean, it was darker out with the clouds, and while we didn't have rain today, it felt like we were.  Odd.  I know we expect rain and storms later this week...it is summer, I guess.

Coaches, ADs 'disgusted,' 'stunned' with Brendan Sorsby ruling
Um, yes.  I need not remind you all that I called this, but... how the hell do you actually expect anyone to take this seriously if you let a guy who bet on his own team play?  I do not think this will last on appeal, but until it does (and it was a homer judge)...well, the NCAA (like every other league) got itself into this mess, so...

Anyways, Sunday was Corpus Christi, and as always, it was beautiful.  The altars were wonderful, the service was fine (attendance was a little sparse), the homilies nice, and I did NOT have to carry the blessed speaker, so I really got to enjoy the event.  We walk less now -- around the parish campus, mainly -- and there has been an effort to cut the time, I think, but I don't think it detracts from the experience.  I was joking that we are four months away from the Festival, but soon enough I will not be joking.  

I had breakfast before at Harvard Inn -- since the Red Chimney fire we need a new place.  It was... ok?  Not as good as the Chimney?  I mean, it was fine -- a bit too buttery -- but just different.  It was economical, and I should probably have the lunch menu as well, to judge it more fully.  After my Dominican feast...