Musing of the Moment: Midterm Hopes & Worries

These political cartoons are emblematic of my hopes and worries related to the midterms tomorrow. These are all from GoComics.com. 

I hope it's a tsunami although I'm sure President Adolf will say that the elections were "rigged." 

I worry about election interference from this administration. 

We can only hope that we can destroy Moscow Don's plans. 

Basically a neo-Nazi is funding Republican campaigns. 

The Citizens United decision is wrong. Money isn't free speech.  

Music Friday: "Windup"

I featured a tune from the Branford Marsalis Quartet back in early February. 

Today you're getting "Windup" from the album Belonging. 

Random Notes from a Crank

GoComics.com

Gary Markstein has it correct that Moscow Don wants to be just like Putin. He's obsessed with being Putin's pal. 

And craven Republicans are not speaking out against his dealings with Russia and our abandoning of Ukraine. 

I wonder if there's any conservative outrage over the Home Depot commercials that have been running during NFL games. The commercial features Latinos speaking in Spanish. 

I did a simple InterWebs search that only brought up some lady bitching about them on FB. 

I'm surprised FoxNews hasn't covered this issue thoroughly. 

I can't catch a break in fantasy football. 

My Schlitzophrenics are 2-5, but I've produced the fourth highest amount of points in my ten-team league. And now in Week 8, two of my best receivers, Nico Collins and Chris Olave, have bye weeks. 

Sunday Hangover: Texas A&M

After two consecutive losses, the Crimson Tide put together an excellent fourth quarter to defeat the Aggies of Texas A&M. 

A&M played like what people thought they would be like for the first three quarters. They played like the players they bought, three of which were on Alabama's roster last season. 

Of the three passing touchdowns, two went to tight ends. I see that happening as significant. 

But the guy who had a day was Rico Scott. He had six receptions for 156 yards. 

In the game, the Tide seemed to abandon the running game, which is troubling. Alabama needs to have a coherent running game to ensure success. 

Hopefully they work on that part of the game plan in the bye week. 

Music Friday: "Let Your Love Flow"

I was driving the other day and listening to the Life with John Mayer station on SiriusXM, and this song came on, one that I haven't heard in a great while. 

The song reminded me of when I would eat breakfast when I was a kid, and my Mom would have the radio on to a local AM station that played a mix of soft rock and soul music from the 70s. 

So "let your love flow." 

Sunday Hangover: Tennessee

I was so disappointed with the loss in Knoxville, that it took me this long to do my Sunday Hangover post. 

Russell didn't look like his normal calm self, and the defense didn't play well. 

I hate losing to Tennessee. 

But the team needs to move on and learn from the game. 

The Tide will welcome the Aggies of Texas A&M this coming Saturday. Line play must improve. 

Music Friday: "Thoughts and Prayers"

I got this book this week and started reading it. 

And then the shooting at Silver Rail Elementary in Bend, Oregon happened. 

Here's to second amendment fundamentalists' stupid fucking thoughts and prayers. 

Sunday Hangover: Georgia

If there ever was a game in which I thought the refs were paid off, it was last night's game. 

There was a clear facemask penalty not called. A possible interception was overturned. And the biggest one was a clear pass interference not called to help the Crimson Tide. 

Regardless, the Tide did not play well in the second half. The offense sputtered, and the defense gave up too much ground in rushing game. 

I sent an email question to TiderInsider TV, which airs on WVUA on Tuesday. Here is my question: "This has been a few games coming, but who will be replacing Dijon Lee Jr. as the starting cornerback?" 

What I thought was a clear strength of the defense, the secondary, seems to be one of the weaker aspects of the team. And teams are targeting Lee all the time. 

I hope the Crimson Tide takes out its frustration on Tennessee on Saturday. 

Music Friday: "3 Dimes Down"

I hadn't listened to a Drive-By Truckers album in a good while, so I listened to Brighter Than Creation's Dark this morning. 

Here's the Cooley-led second track on the album. 

Sunday Hangover: Mississippi State

Ayrton Breckenridge/Clarion-Ledger

I dislike 11am game times, and I hate cowbells. 

I got treated to both yesterday. 

But it was a solid win against a talented group of Bulldogs. 

The Alabama defense made "SuperKamario" not so super. They had 5 total sacks. The true freshman Xavier Griffen led the team with nine tackles followed by defensive play caller Luke Metz and then safety Bray Hubbard. 

Dijon Lee had a sweet pick six in the first quarter. See above. 

Alabama made Mississippi State one dimensional on offense by holding them to only 18 net rushing yards.

On the other side, Alabama was more balanced by rushing for 179 net rushing yards and passing for 304 yards. 

Brooks had some huge passes from Russell.  

A good sign from my perspective is that the tight ends caught some passes because the offense need to use them more often. 

However, Daniel Hill had two troubling fumbles, which is disturbing. 

Next up is a night game at home versus Georgia. 

Music Friday: Big Modern!

I finally got around to getting the new album by Goose. 

It's a good one. 

Here's the title track. The second video is of them playing at Red Rocks, which would be an awesome place to see a concert. 

Random Notes from a Crank

GoComics.com

Joe Heller's political cartoon reflects the reality of how farmers are getting screwed by the current administration that many of them probably voted for. 

FAFO. 

It's just another effect of MAME: Making America More Expensive. 

And as Nice Anderson relates with the cartoon below, our tax dollars are paying for President Adolf to run a campaign ad he used years ago. 

GoComics.com

The Daily Show covered this issue well. 

And the Daily Beast also covered The Daily Show covering it well: "Daily Show Find Huge Hole in Trump's Campaign Ad Defense." 

Random Notes from a Crank

This week's Existential Comic is a good one. This one addresses the glass half empty/glass half full conundrum via Schopenhauer and Nietzsche. 

You can hit the link above or read it below. The next to last panel got a good guffaw out of me. 

existentialcomics.com

I think most people would consider me a glass half empty kind of guy, but I think I tend to say glass half full. 

I am a skeptic though. 

In a deliciously bit of irony, there's an interesting article in the Daily Eastern News: "Students Petition Eastern to Address Concerns about AI-Generated Curriculum." 

I disagree with the Provost that using AI is an "academic freedom" issue. Professors using AI to comment on student's work is lazy, dumb, and deplorable. 

I'm definitely have a half empty perspective on this situation. 

I hate it when athletes are interviewed after a great performance, and all they do is blather on about Jesus, their "Lord," and other religious bullshit. Leave that crap for your church service. I don't need it mixed up with my football watching. 

An example of this nonsense was Case Keenum after the Bears win on Monday Night Football. 

Fumbling Toward Culinary Talent: French Onion Chicken Cutlets

Mrs. Nasty sent me a recipe video, but I modified it, and here's how I will make it in the future. 

Ingredients

2 chicken breasts, cut in half to make cutlets

2 cans of Campbell's French onion soup

1 cup of French onion dip

1 1/2 cups of seasoned croutons, broken into smaller pieces

3-6 slices of mozzarella or provolone cheese

1/2 to 1 cup of French fried onions

Dan-O's seasoning or Penzey's roasted garlic

Salt and pepper to taste

Process

Cut the breasts and pound them out, so they are uniform. Season with salt, pepper, and either of the garlic seasoning. 

In a baking dish, pour out the French onion soup and lay the breast on top of it. Slather the French onion dip, so it covers the cutlets. Spread the croutons on top of the whole dish and top with the cheese. Then put the French fired onions on top of the cheese. 

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and put into a 400 degree oven. After 35 minutes, take off the foil and bake for 10-15 minutes. 

Serve over rice and enjoy. I took the sauce of sorts at the bottom of the dish and put it over the chicken cutlet. 

Sunday Hangover: South Carolina

I was a bit anxious about this game because South Carolina has played Alabama tough in the last two meetings. 

They had their chances early but missed a field goal and then failed to convert on a fourth and two in Alabama territory. 

Then Alabama scored on a first and ten on a huge touchdown strike from Russell to Brooks. 

At the end of the day, Russell went 21 for 27 for 365 yards and also ran for a touchdown (see above). 

The offense only ran for a total for 124 yards, so there's still room to improve in the rushing game. However, the offensive line excelled in pass protection. 

I was worried when Hubbard went to the locker room, but he came back out and played in the second half. 

The offense did not do much in the third quarter but then finally got it going in the fourth. 

Next up is a very dangerous Mississippi State team in Starkville. 

I hate cowbells. 

Music Friday: "Domesticated Animals"

I'm aware that Queens of the Stone Age will put out a new album at the end of October. 

So today I'm currently listening to Villains. 

Here's a tune from that fine album from 2017. The live video provides insight about the lyrics. 

Random Notes from a Crank

The New York Times has an interesting article/quiz about nuts that's fun and informational: "What's the Healthiest Nut?"

I'm a big fan of almonds, pistachios, Brazil nuts, and walnuts. 

GoComics.com

Alcaraz has it about right with the above political cartoon. 

President Adolf can lie all he wants about how there's no affordability crisis, but people who actually pay for things know what's going on. 

GoComics.com

Markstein speaks the truth. 

I saw that Moscow Don's approval rating is in the high 20s. It's hard to understand how it's that high. 

Then again, MAGA is a cult. 

MAME: Making America More Expensive. 

In other news, there seems to be some positivity going in the other direction: "Hispanic Voters, Abandoning Trump, Are Transforming the Midterm Map." 

Let's hope there is good news with the midterms. 

Sunday Hangover: Florida State

Tide 100.9 FM

Going into this game I had confidence in Alabama's defense. 

My confidence has now been shaken. 

They gave up a lot of big plays. For a secondary that is probably one of the most talented in the nation, the number of long-yardage gains Florida State had is troubling. 

The real star of the game was Keelon Russell. 

With the running game not going well early on, Russell stepped up and threw the ball into tight windows and excelled. 

He had 23 completions for 30 attempts for 320 yards with three TD passes. 

And then there was the 57-yard run for a touchdown. 

The running game got going much better in the second half. Overall, the Tide ran for 247 net yards with both freshmen scoring touchdowns (photo of Brown above). 

The talented freshman Cederian Morgan caught his first college pass for a touchdown. 

Next up are the Gamecocks of South Carolina who have a very talented roster. 

Music Friday: "Haunted"

Another Music Friday another Phoebe Bridgers song. 

She's talented, people. 

Fumbling Toward Culinary Talent: Poor Man's Noodles with Modifications

Hey Recipe sent me this recipe that's really easy. It's a one-pot deal with humble ingredients. 

Ingredients

1 32 oz. carton of low-sodium chicken broth

1 chicken bouillon cube

1 package of egg noodles (12-16 oz.)

1 can of cream of chicken soup

1 stick of unsalted butter

Salt and pepper to taste

Healthy smidge of Penzey's Justice seasoning

Health smidge of Seasonello aromatic herb salt

1 large baked chicken breast, cut into small chunks

Process

Put the chicken broth and bouillon cub in a large pot. Bring to a boil. 

Add noodles, stir, and bring it to a boil. 

Add the cream of chicken, stir to combine, and bring it to a boil. Boil for approximately two minutes. 

Move the pot from the heat and add the stick of butter. Set the timer for 20 minutes. About halfway through that time stir to combine. 

Add in the cooked chicken breast and incorporate thoroughly. 

Add salt, pepper, Justice, and Seasonello to taste. I leaned heavily on freshly cracked black pepper. 

When I do this dish again, I will probably add in mushrooms and maybe peas. 

Random Notes from a Crank

Thank the Gods that the Supreme Court struck down President Adolf's scheme to disrupt mail-in voting during the midterms. Still though two of his lackeys were in dissent of the ruling. 

GoComics.com

Because of Moscow Don's stupid tariffs, Canada is looking for an economic partnership with the E.U.: "E.U. Offers to Make Canada 'Associate Member' as U.S. Ties Weaken for Both." 

If I were a Canadian leader, I'd do the same instead of trying to reason with fascist dumbass. 

GoComics.com

This strip from Rabbits Against Magic show the utter stupidity of trickle-down economics, also known as "voodoo economics." 

In other troubling matters, the I.R.S. under the is administration is even worse at collecting taxes and auditing the rich: "Billions in Taxes Go Unpaid. Under Trump, the I.R.S. Won't Say How Much." 

Sunday Hangover: Kentucky

I'm having to watch the games via phone during my son's baseball games this fall, so my Alabama football watching experience is a bit chaotic. 

I then watched the full game after we get back home. 

Russell looked like a young quarterback playing his first away game in the SEC. 

And then he didn't. 

A major part of the success of the offense in the second half was the Tide's commitment to the run game. 

Just run the damn ball. 

I'm still nervous about some of the operational aspects of the offense. There are way too many occasions when the play doesn't seem to get into the huddle quick enough. 

And Russell is staring down his primary receiver too often. 

On positive notes, Brook led the receiving corps with five catches for 54 yards. 

And Daniel Hill had 104 net rushing yards with a TD. 

The defense played well throughout most of the game and really came into their own in the fourth quarter. 

I know the secondary pretty well because most of those guys were playing last season, but the front seven is mostly new to Alabama fans. They seem to be rotating a lot of different guys. 

Music Friday: "Lost Weekend"

I realized recently that Phoebe Bridgers has a new album out. I've only given it one listen so far because I just got it this week. 

She's does fine work. 

Here's the title track of the album Lost Weekend. 

Random Notes from a Crank

GoComics.com

Where is the concerns from the GOP about the economic consequences of having so much debt? 

Thanks to Gary Markstein for the fine political cartoon above. 

President Adolf pledged to erase the national debt, and because of the tax cuts for the rich and companies/corporations not paying their fair share and this stupid war with Iran, it is only getting worse. 

The hypocrisy of Republicans is astounding. 

As I am sure the current dumbfuck administration in DC is reversing all kinds of steps to combat global warming, The New York Times reports that last month was the hottest month on record: "August Ties the Record for Earth's Hottest Month on the Books." 

We're all just sitting here living another day in Dumbfuckistan. 

If you are someone who actually thinks you'll get $5,000 dollars if the GOP wins the midterms, you're a fucking idiot. I bet you're still waiting for Mexico to pay for the border walls. 

I fear I'm stuck in another fantasy football situation in which the best running back doesn't get enough touches. Last year I had Kenneth Walker, who rarely got carries near the goal line. This season I drafted Jadarian Price in the sixth round, and I think the Seahawks will screw me throughout the season by not running Price in the red zone. 

Sunday Hangover: East Carolina

Butch Dill/Getty Images

There's always a bit of trepidation before the first game of the season. 

Last season was a stunning loss at Florida State in which the Crimson Tide looked like crap. 

Yesterday was a different story. 

The play of Keelon Russell is going to get most of the attention. However, what I was most happy with, besides the terrible busted play that led to an ECU touchdown, was the play of the defense. 

We'll see how they hold up against the Seminoles in Week 2, but the defensive front looked good. If the defensive front six or seven can play consistently like they did yesterday complemented by the defensive backfield, we may have a defense to create lots of problems for teams. 

On offense, we ran the ball well, and Russell had a good day. 

But he's taking too many hits. He needs to learn how to slide on scrambles. And he had to scramble too often because he held the ball too long at times. 

He's a heck of an athlete though. And he has a presence in the pocket that I hope develops throughout the season. 

I'd like to see more traditional running from Hill, Brown, Crowell, and Riley. 

Music Friday: "Welcome to Earth (Pollywog)"

I was listening to A Sailor's Guide to Earth this morning before my class. 

Here's the opening track of that fine album in two versions. 

Fumbling Toward Culinary Talent: Tomato Sauce

My son is at college and wanted my recipe for pasta sauce. So I texted it to him, and I realized I never did a post about the sauce I make all the time. 

It's a mainstay of my kitchen. If you wanted to make it just for one person, all the ingredients would be cut in half. 

Ingredients

2 cans of crushed tomatoes - I prefer the crushed toms (short for tomatoes) from Aldi

1 yellow onion, chopped finely 

3-8 cloves of garlic (depending on how much garlic you want to go with), chopped finely

Dried basil 

Dried oregano (I typically use these in a 2 to 1 ratio)

4-6 TB of butter (usually the Aldi Irish butter)

2-3 bay leaves

Smidge of red pepper flakes

Extra virgin olive oil

Kosher salt

Freshly cracked black pepper

Process

Cover the bottom of a large pot with olive oil and heat it to a little under medium-high heat. Add in the onion, bay leaves, salt, and pepper and cook for approximately 10 minutes until the onion is tender. Adjust the heat to just under medium. Add in the garlic and red pepper flakes and sauté for 1-2 minutes. 

Dump in the crushed toms, add the butter, add the basil and oregano, and kick the heat down to somewhere between medium-low and low. Add salt and pepper. 

Partially cover the pot with a lid, so there's just a crack on the side. I usually cook it down anywhere from 2-4 hours while checking on it from time to time and tasting, so it's just cooking gently. 

In some cases, instead of just using onion, I sometimes use a mirepoix by adding one stalk of celery and one carrot, both of which are chopped finely. 

Or I'll add in cooked Italian sausage or ground beef. 

Random Notes from a Crank

I got this image and quotation from some dude's Bluesky posting. It's true. 

Poltico has a good article about how gas prices are hopefully a major issue that voters take into account when they vote in the midterms: "A 'Sleeper Issue' in Red States This Fall: Diesel Prices." 

I've written about this important issue in a previous post: "Musing of the Moment: US Debt, Gas Prices, & Inflation." 

I agree with the professor quoted in the Politico article about how the Democrats are not seizing on this issue like they should. They need to talk less about "oligarchs and the billionaires" and more about pocketbook issues related to high gas prices, inflation, and food safety. 

Keep it simple stupid: Talk about affordability issues. 

MAME: Making America More Expensive

I'm in Week 2 of my basic writing class that I'm teaching, and based on the results of my second reading quiz, I can already tell who has a strong chance of passing the class and who is more likely not to pass. 

Reading what I assign, paying attention, and coming to class on time make a difference.

Random Notes from a Crank

The Other 98%

I got that image from one of my social media accounts. It is deadly accurate. 

In a not surprising outcome, Canadian universities are actively recruiting professors from American universities to go up North: "Canada Hires 48 Scholars Away from Top Universities." 

That article comes from The New York Times. 

A newspaper I used to have a subscription to, The Washington Post, is sending me a couple of emails a week to get me back. I cancelled my subscription after Bezos interfering with the editorial board backing Kamala Harris for the presidency. 

It's sad to see the decline of that once great newspaper. 

In what is a deliciously rich case of situational irony, a stupid right winger got his ass deported: "Milo Yiannopoulos, Right-Wing Agitator, Deported Home to U.K." 

One of my favorite writers, Wendell Berry, passed away: "Wendell Berry, Writer Who Extolled America's Agrarian Past, Dies at 92." 

I mainly read his non-fiction and some of his poetry. Later in his life, my Dad really enjoyed reading his fiction. 

Music Friday: "Information Overload"

This morning I was listening to the 1990 release Time's Up by Living Colour. 

Here's a gem from that album. What a great band. 

Random Notes from a Crank

President Adolf has restarted his trade war with Canada. Read all about it in "What Canadian Goods Will Take Trump's 50% Tariffs" in The New York Times. 

Having spent some time in Victoria, BC this month, I noticed that quite a few homes were flying the Canadian flag. I also saw some bumper stickers with the maple-leaf flag on it saying, "Not for Sale." 

A notoriously nice populace is motivated and mobilized. A common refrain I got from cashiers the short time I was there in Victoria was, "No worries." 

I'd also use that phrase if I had universal health care. 

And the one liquor store I visited near my eldest kid's apartment had very little bourbon. It looked like it only had what was left before the ban on U.S. liquor imports happened. 

Whether Canadians will go back to buying American beer, wine, and liquor remains to be seen: "'A Bad Taste in My Mouth': Will Canadians Buy U.S. Booze Again?"

With new tariffs being imposed by with this dumbass administration, I suspect the boycotts on American juice will remain. 

And as NPR reports, PM Carney isn't messing around: "As Canada Readies Retalitory Tariffs, Mark Carney Says His Nation Is 'At War' with U.S." 

The concerns are real about data centers. If a political candidate wants to go across party lines, oppose the building of data centers: "The Data Center Backlash Bursts into the Midterms." 

Music Friday: "Semi-Charmed Life"

It's a true sign that the marketers are going after your age group when a song you listened to and liked in your 20s is being used in a commercial. 

That's the case with Third Eye Blind's "Semi-Charmed Life." 

Musing of the Moment: U.S. Debt, Gas Prices, & Inflation

 

Here's one of the many gas pumps I visited as we drove back from Victoria, British Columbia after taking our oldest kid there for their start to graduate school. 

As The New York Times reports that the U.S. is in debt up to $40 trillion dollars, see "U.S. Debt Hits $40 Trillion as America's Borrowing Binge Continues," everyday Americans are getting screwed by sky-high gas prices and inflation. 

Moscow Don and MAGA are really MAME. 

Making America More Expensive

Americans are getting gouged at the pumps because of this stupid war the US has no business being in. And that price per gallon above isn't even close to the diesel price that are directly connected to all kinds of shipping costs.

As Americans suffer difficult economic consequences because of the Iran War, the feckless Republican cowards in the House and Senate do nothing to hold the current administration accountable.

Instead, the complicit cowards will kiss the ass and lick the Florsheims of a very dangerous, clownish, narcissistic, boorish, moronic mountebank.

I hope the mid-terms are a reckoning for good.

Music Friday: "doom"

I read an article about the musical artist Steve Lacy in The New Yorker and decided to check him out. 

He was described as someone who mixes hip hop, R&B, and alternative rock, and that mix sounded interesting. 

Here's "doom" from the his most recent release Oh yeah? 

Music Friday: "Won't You Come Out Tonight"

I listened to a lot of SiriusXM's Spectrum a lot over the past week because Mrs. Nasty and I drove out to Victoria, British Columbia to move our eldest daughter there for grad school. 

This song isn't my favorite on his new album, but it's concise, positive song. 

Music Friday: "Breathe"

For whatever reason, videos of this band playing this song have found their way into my TikTok feed. 

I remember hearing this song at parties in the 90s. It's hard not liking this song. 

Random Notes from a Crank

Here are some factoids from the past few Harper's Indexes:

• Estimated capital investment to create one permanent job in a U.S. data center: $52,000,000
• To create one permanent job in any other sector of the U.S. economy: $322,000
• Estimated number of public comments submitted to the Trump Administration on its White House ballroom proposal: 32,000
• Percentage of those comments that were positive: 1
• Percentage of non-probationary employees laid off since Trump took office who worked in scientific agencies: 35
• Percentage of Americans who view their fellow citizens morally good: 1/2
• Of Canadians who do: 9/10
• Estimated number of protests that took place  in the United States in the first year of Trump's first term: 10,873
• In the first year of his second term: 39,154
• Estimated percentage by which immigrants to the United States pay more in taxes, on average, than U.S.-born citizens: 17
• Portion of Italians who say that when asked what them proud of their country, mention art and culture: 2/5
• Of Americans who do: 1/50

America, you can do better. Create really good jobs, stop the stupid ballroom, respect and fund science, embrace immigrants, and do better with art and culture. 

Those stats show us not as the United States but rather as Dumbfuckistan. 

If you're interested in the data center boondoggles, Mother Jones has a great in-depth article about data centers and AI titled "Empire Builders" with the subtitle of "How the American Oligarchy Went Hyperscale," which is the title on the magazine's website. 

motherjones.com

In the July issue of Harper's, there's an article titled "Happy Fucking Birthday: An Exhausted America Turns Two Hundred and Fifty." 

That title sums up my attitude toward to the 250th anniversary of our nation's beginning. 

Music Friday: "Masks Off"

Jesse Welles came out with a new album recently. I've been enjoying it. 

Here's the album's title track.  

Musing of the Moment: World Cup Final from a Spurs Perspective

from The Athletic

Spain dominated the match and held Argentina to zero shots on goal. Heck, Argentina only mounted a mere three shots to Spain's twenty, eleven of which were on target. 

Spain had plenty of chances, and the Spaniards were the clearly superior squad. 

For how much footballing talent that country has, I'm surprised this win is only their second World Cup. 

From a Tottenham Hotspur supporter's perspective, I love that Pedro Porro made the cross that Williams headed to Ferran Torres for the winning goal. Porro made himself a mainstay of the team after not starting the first game (if I remember correctly). 

He sent some perfectly weighted passes Yamal's way on a number of occasions. He worked well with the right winger to pose a serious offensive threat. 

I was surprised that Romero got pulled out of the squad. I know he was on a yellow card, but he's probably one of the best center backs in world football. 

Sensei came in at the 101 minute. 

I love that President Adolf was booed by the crowd: "Trump Booed by World Cup Final Crowd, Takes Part in Trophy Presentation." 

Regardless, it appears Tottenham made a good decision on signing Porro to a long-term contract. 

COYS. 

Music Friday: "Wonderwall"

I'm posting in regret of England's terrible loss to Argentina in the World Cup. 

Random Notes from a Crank

In anticipation of the Argentina vs. England World Cup match, here's the Encyclopedia Brittanica entry on the Falklands War. 

For Father's Day I got this away England kit. Mrs. Nasty got it from OkayJersey, which has great prices. 

I'm thinking about getting the Tottenham away kit for this upcoming season, and I like last season's home kit for Roma. 

The BBC has a good article about the failure of self-checkout machines: "'It Hasn't Delivered': The Spectacular Failure of Self-Checkout Technology." 

I hate those things. 

I'd rather just interact with a human. Plus, there's a great deal of discussion about how businesses are losing all kinds of money because of theft, among other issues. 

However, will businesses persist with self-checkout lanes because of the sunk-cost fallacy? 

Music Friday: "Dollar General"

The new album by American Aquarium comes out swinging with its opening track "Dollar General." 

"Greatest trick ever played was taking our voice

and giving us two sides in the illusion of choice.

It ain't left versus right. It's bottom versus top. 

Until we figure it out, this ain't gonna stop." 

The album is titled New Ways to Lose. 

Random Notes from a Crank

This political cartoon by Jeff Stahler is a good summation of this presidential administration, especially with the answer of "disaster." 

 

GoComics.com

The only time I've listened to Olivia Rodrigo's music is when she was on Saturday Night Live, but I'm heartened by her all-women musical festival that will give all of its profits to Planned Parenthood: "Olivia Rodrigo Stands against Trump as She Raises Money for Planned Parenthood after Defunding." 

It'll be interesting to see who wins the Democratic nomination for running for the Senate seat for Maine: "Graham Platter Just Dropped Out. Here's Who Could Replace Him." 

I don't really care that much about who gets the nomination. I just want Susan Collins defeated. 

It's revealing how one party, the Democrats,  responds to rape allegations compared to the other party, the GOP. 

Speaking of rapists, President Adolf has to pay E. Jean Carroll: "Judge Order $5 Million Trump Judgment Be Released to E. Jean Carroll." 

Random Notes from a Crank

The USMNT got bounced from the World Cup. I listened to the first half on my phone as I was walking the dogs, but I watched the second half. 

The team looked good at the start of the second half, but then Belgium's third goal happened because of a diabolical mistake by the US goalkeeper. What a terrible way to end what has been a good World Cup. 

President Adolf's intervention to persuade FIFA to rescind Balogun's red card was ridiculous. Whatever that guys touches turns to shit. 

Moscow Don provides a reverse-Midas touch. 

Joe Heller depicts it well. 

GoComics.com

I don't know how well covered this topic has been, but the white supremacists marching in D.C. was disgusting. 

Sara Pequeno's opinion piece from USA Today is good read on it: "White Supremacists in DC? White House Claims That's Democracy." 

These are the same people who bitched about wearing masks during the pandemic. 

Now they wear masks like ICE agents to hide their identities. 

Music Friday: "This Land Is Your Land" & "This Land Is Our Land"

For whatever reason, after USMNT wins they play "Country Roads" by John Denver. 

If I had my way, they'd play either one of these songs instead. 

Random Notes from a Crank

from GoComics.com

Bill Bramhall is spot on with this political cartoon.

I"m glad President Adolf's stupid fair is a lowly attended event. 

The Democrats need to take over the House and flip the Senate. 

Never in my life did I expect someone like the current president being in office during the 250th anniversary of the United States.

I've been avidly watching the World Cup. I'm disappointed that the Netherlands got bounced out because I really like that squad. The same goes for Senegal. 

The USMNT will face a team against which the US might not be favored. Monday should be interesting, especially with Balogun unable to play because of wrong-headed red card. 

It should have been a yellow. 

If I'm a betting man, I might put money down on Mexico beating England at the Azteca. 

I'd like to see England win it all though.