Zionist and Proud!

Before the modern State of Israel, there was no sanctuary for the Jewish People, only mass graves or ovens. There was no place to flee because so many countries turned Jews away. We know one thing now, that Israel will never exclude Jews but always accept and protect them. If Israel had existed ten years earlier, most of the six million would have had a place to go and would likely have been spared. There must always be a Jewish nation. 

A Legit Invite?

I read on X(Twitter) that Jimothy has been invited to visit the Trump White House. Given Seattle's Leftist leanings, I doubt he will accept, but you never know. Trump would not be the first Republican President to host a raccoon, as Silent Cal had a pet raccoon named "Rebecca", who was actually sent to the Coolidge family to be an entree at a holiday meal, but thankfully never was eaten. 

The Mighty Spaniards

Spain was the dominant side in the World Cup. Argentina is a good team in their own right but were completely flustered by Spain's relentless defense. The Spanish controlled the action from the start. The outcome was not as close as a one nil score might indicate. The quality Latin American squad could muster nothing, yet the Argentines are a highly skilled side. They just ran into a buzz saw in the Spanish who looked unbeatable in the final contest. Hats off- we witnessed greatness. 

The Sleep Walkers

The French side more or less decided to skip the first half in yesterday's contest. Though their bodies were on the pitch, they failed to deliver any spirit until after their coach (must have) demanded they demonstrate some pride in the second half, which they did. To go down four nil to a team you are faster and quicker than shows a pronounced lack of effort. I only wonder if their hearts were in it from the start, could France have actually won the game? 

Third Place Game

France and England despised each other. The gritty British staved off conquest by Napoleon. The French shuddered at the notion of ripping Europe apart through BREXIT. Whenever these once mighty nations had a chance to have a go at each other, they were all in, but with the World Cup today being a fight for third place, they seem not to care. It was a fairly close run thing for the English who stayed competitive with Argentina, and if this were the game for the gold, everyone would be excited, but for the bronze, the bloom is off the rose. 

Safe to Assume?

Republican states with nary a whiff of election scandal gladly cooperated in the Trump administration's probe of voting, and even in these apparently "clean" states, several hundred thousand foreigners and dead folks were found on voter rolls. It does not require widespread fraud to steal an election but only targeted vote rigging in areas where the vote might be close. There a few thousand corpses and aliens casting ballots might well determine the winner. If they had nothing to hide in the DemocRAT machine states, they too would have voluntarily participated in cleaning up voter rolls and helping Federal authorities make sure elections are fair. In the event, they are demonstrating they have plenty to hide by doing just the opposite. You know who does not want free and fair voting? Those stealing elected office by cheating, and it is not Republicans doing that. 

The England Collapse

Once again, when push came to shove, British footballers folded. They could have never quit as Argentina clearly kept fighting, but it was easier for the Three Lions to take a cat nap at the precise moment that they had to stand tall to prevail. The English are skilled no doubt, but at this World Cup, they decided to shrink when they needed to rise, just as they have in every World Cup except 1966. 

The Spanish Steamroller

I will concede that France is the more athletic side, They are faster than Spain, yet the Spanish have dominated them of late. The reason for this is simple. It is discipline. While the French with great elan are sometimes haphazard in their play, Spain rarely makes mistakes, not never, because the Spaniards are of course human, but when they do, Spain has the concerted effort team mindset to overcome whatever error an individual competitor has made. Does that mean Spain will trounce England or Argentina? Not necessarily because a different opponent offers unique challenges, but I would not bet against the Spanish side. 

Mullahs Missed Mark

All the theocratic tyrants that enslave Iran needed to do to survive was be patient and bide their time until Trump left office, and then they likely could have continued their project to make the rest of the globe submit to Shiite Islam, but they apparently can't wait to bring their Twelfth Imam from his hiding place in the well and must immediately foment the world chaos and violence to bring him forth now. They had to have realized that continuing attacks on shipping would place the bullseye on them, yet they are so fanatical that is exactly what they want. To them the seventy-two virgins are real and an incentive to have thousands (if not millions) killed, and Trump is reluctantly accommodating them after offering lifeline after lifeline to spare their lives and even let them keep their oppressive power, but these fanatics would not take "yes" for an answer. So I think Trump has little choice but to wipe them out. 

An Outstanding Actor

Long before the movie "Jurassic Park", I discovered Sam Neill in "Riley, Ace of Spies", then a television series being broadcast on our local PBS station. I though he was a fine actor and saw most of his performances after that. I read the sad story this morning. Of course with AI, we might see new work from Sam beyond the grave. 

A Tragic Passing

America lost a fine leader with the sudden passing of South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham. While we might not have agreed on everything, Senator Graham was always stalwart in supporting the Jewish State. He was as vocal in backing Israel as any American politician ever, and his advocacy for America's one true ally in the Middle East is irreplaceable and will be missed. G-d bless Senator Graham, who always blessed Israel. 

Gritty Little Belgium

You have to hand it to the Belgian side- they gave mighty Spain quite a tussle. If Belgium had been fully healthy with all players available, they would still have been an underdog to the formidable and deep Spanish, but they were far from one hundred percent yet gave a tournament favorite all they could handle. If the Spanish do bot smooth out the rough edges against the French, France will thrash them, which is my prediction- the French side will advance. 

Never Casualty Averse

Those supporting Ukraine frequently mention the large number of Russian deaths in the war against Kyiv. They have to know and remember that in the World Wars Moscow's soldiers fell by the millions, stacked like cordwood across the Motherland. In the First World War, the Czar did not seem to care how many conscripted serfs died, and Stalin never was particularly troubled by widespread carnage in World War II or any other time in his evil reign. So suddenly Putin is going to be dismayed that his troops are being sacrificed? No, while Russian soldiers as individuals do not want to die, just like any sane person would not, their leaders have never cared. 

Finish Iran's Tyrants

America does not need boots on the ground to take out the mad mullahs. It just needs to train and arm the freedom-seeking Iranian People. They are more than happy to do the hard part. 

Trump's Character Flaw

Our President is like the giddy schoolgirl who swoons the instant the football captain asks her to the prom. Qatar gives Trump a jet, so they must be a trusted ally. Erdogan describes his respect for and friendship with Trump, so Turkey must share the interests of the United States. Neither country has values in common with America; nor do our aims coincide. Flatter our current leader or give the US something really nice for his use like a 747, and Trump loses his caginess and New York street smarts. He has become a pussycat with these two Muslim countries who in no way, shape, or form wish to see an American victory over the theocratic fanatics that hold the Iranian People hostage. 

A Huge Disappointment

Americans want the United States to be a soccer power. At the moment, we are not among the world's best at this particular sport. When you are outclassed and over-matched by little Belgium, you have much work still to do. I think Spain with drub the Belgians after a solid performance beating Portugal, but as a patriot, I want to see those representing my nation prevail at everything. If someone is representing the Red, White, and Blue at tiddlywinks, I want that American to be the best on the globe. I want the USA to win at everything from Albania to Zanzibar. If the French hold an escargot eating contest with competitors representing different countries, I want my compatriot to devour more than any individual from any other place, just don't expect me to be the one guzzling the snails, as I could not do my nation proud on that one. 

No Soccer Hooligans

For too long, England was thought of less about excellence in sport and more about violent fans among that nation's supporters, especially when their side played abroad. I did not hear any mention of criminality among English fans as their stars vie for this World Cup. Good on you Three Lions on the pitch and off! 

Really Bush League

Paraguay played dirty against France. They could have injured a French player, maybe hurting one of the all-time greats Mbappe. The Latin Americans lost and were eliminated but should face some additional sanction from FIFA for the tactics they used which brought dishonor to the "beautiful game". 

Blood and Fire

A few tiny colonies decided to take on the greatest empire on earth. They no longer wished to bow to the diktats of a distant and uncaring King. They had no military to speak of and certainly no navy to face the mighty British fleet. Then seafarers from Marblehead and frontiersmen from Pennsylvania and the Carolinas came to the cause, along with patriots from every corner of British America. They could no longer abide taxation without representation and callous mandates from across the Atlantic in which they had no say. They died in Lexington and Concord, froze at Valley Forge, faced the wrath of the world's most powerful warships, but with courage and the help of the Lord, they forged an independent nation. Freedom is not free, but Providence has blessed America with souls willing to pay that heavy toll. Have a happy Fourth, but please remember it is not just a day off from work on your calendar, but our consecrated National Day. 

The Mighty Swiss

Switzerland pounded Algeria last night. They played with the efficiency of a fine timepiece. There heretofore is no great Swiss soccer tradition, but performing like that, there might soon be. One naturally asks though if Switzerland is that good or the Algerian side that dreadful? 

America Indeed Advances

Our boys did indeed defeat Bosnia, but the toughest test remains ahead, facing a tough Belgian side that throttled the American team the last time they met, and having to do so without our most dynamic and effective player in this tournament who was wrongly, in my opinion, sent off for a red card for a play that was in no way malicious. Belgium is a much deeper and more athletic side than the Bosnians were, but in any given game, anything might happen. 

Europe Storms Back

After the humiliation of the Netherlands and Germany, the European sides have asserted themselves and pummeled their opponents. This worries me somewhat as my country's team (the United States) faces a squad from the Continent, that being Bosnia-Herzegovina, a tough club, even if they represent a smaller nation. As many have pointed out, there is no pressure on Bosnia, but huge stress on the Americans, who are expected to defend home field and prevail. We will see if the US has the gallantry to stand tall under the bright lights and crushing force of fighting for us all on our two-hundred and fiftieth.