Trump's Optics Better Than Biden's Substance

27/06/24 22:42

June 27, 2024 (Vol. 18 No. 28) - America should not rest easy tonight. Donald Trump has come out the clear winner of his CNN-sponsored debate with Joe Biden. It's not that Trump won the day on his debating points. Practically everything the man said this evening was pure, unadulterated bullshit. But that's what we've grown to expect from Donald Trump. What America was really interested in learning tonight was whether Biden could reassure us that he isn't too old for the job. He didn't. The first 15 minutes of the debate were disastrous, with Biden's voice crackling and weak and some of his answers almost incoherent. It wasn't until Trump suggested that it was he who had been far more supported of the military than Biden - something the record clearly shows is patently false - did Joe get his Irish up and start effectively counterpunching. In fact, if this was your high school debate club, Biden won the night hands down. His answers were more specific to the questions being asked and more grounded in the truth than the babble Trump spewed forth. However, this isn't high school. It's the major leagues. While many of Trump's answers were scattershot and devoid of reality, his optics were much stronger than Biden's. Trump came across as more vibrant than his opponent, much like a snarling wolverine does when pouncing upon its prey. I can't help but remember the reality of the first-ever televised presidential debate back in 1960. It was a tan and rested Jack Kennedy squaring off against a pale, just-out-of-the-hospital Richard Nixon. Those who heard the debate on radio thought that Nixon won. But the millions more who saw it on television thought Kennedy had won. Biden's people still have some things working in their favor. Despite what happened tonight, I doubt that many minds were changed. Biden's supporters are going to overlook his weak debate performance, just as Trump's supporters will overlook his immoral and criminal conduct. Then there's the fact that Trump will be sentenced on July 11 for his conviction on 34 counts of fraud and could wind up in prison. Tonight's debate also could be quickly overshadowed within a few hours by a Supreme Court decision that is likely to rule that Trump has no claim for presidential immunity - especially for acts committed after leaving the presidency. And it is a long way until November and Trump continues to be his own worst enemy. But much of that may be wishful thinking. The fact remains that tonight - one hour after the conclusion of the debate - Donald Trump's supporters are happier than Joe Biden's. That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.

A Fool's Game

19/06/24 06:52

June 19, 2024 (Vol. 18 No. 27) - It's big news in the sports world. The state of Kansas has put in its bid to lure the Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas City Royals across the state line. The state legislature yesterday approved a measure that would divert millions of dollars in sales tax revenues for the construction of new stadiums for the NFL and MLB teams. This brazen move to steal the teams from Missouri comes after Kansas City, Missouri, voters rejected a move to extend an existing sales tax that would have funded stadium construction/renovations for the teams. Now, Missouri officials are scrambling. They are also whining about the start of a new border war with Kansas. And the clock is ticking: The Royals say they want to be out of Kauffman Stadium by 2031. The teams have great emotional and political leverage in their brazen attempt to extort millions of public dollars to support their private businesses. In fairness to the teams, both Kauffman and Arrowhead stadiums are more than 50 years old. And while they may look fine on the exterior, there is no saying how solid their internal infrastructures are. And just as Kansas City upgraded its airport to meet the needs of 21st century travelers, we need to recognize the business model of sports franchises have changed in the years since the stadiums were built. While folks in Kansas and Missouri dream of economic development dollars flowing from the construction of new stadiums, the fact remains that most people who have studied this question say that, in the long run, there is no public benefit from subsidizing sports stadiums. And since when do the Hunt family and John Sherman's ownership group qualify for welfare? I am not opposed to building new stadiums. I am not even opposed to some public investment in them. But we should not give away the farm because the teams are holding a gun to our heads. Here's what I see as an ideal solution. Allow to the Royals to build a downtown stadium in either KCMO or KCK. Raze Kauffman stadium and in its place build a domed facility that could attract events currently out of KC's reach, such as the Final Four and the Super Bowl. Add to that a light rail line that runs from downtown to the stadiums so the fans will not be gouged by ridiculous parking prices. Finally, whatever these teams do, they should do it transparently. Their failure to come clean with their plans is the major reason the sales tax vote failed so miserably. Neither Kansas nor Missouri should be forced to play this fool's game. They need to be partners, not patsies. That's it for now. Fear the Turtle. Photo by David Guth

Give the Gift of Life

13/06/24 10:16

June 12, 2024 (Vol. 18 No. 26) - The lifeblood of America is, literally, dependent upon the kindness of strangers. Most of the blood used in hospitals and clinics for emergency and elective procedures is donated by folks like you and me. We are talking about accident and burn victims, heart surgery and transplant patients and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease. While there are a number of worthy community-based blood donation services across the nation, the organization for which I have volunteered over the years, the American Red Cross, collects, processes and distributes about 40 percent of the nation's blood supply. As a communications volunteer, I have engaged in publicity efforts to encourage people to give what the Red Cross calls "the gift of life." According to the organization, it needs to collect about 13,000 blood donation each and every day to meet America's blood needs. And because of the perishable nature of blood, the need for donations is constant. I know all the facts. I used to donate my own blood until medical restrictions changed my eligibility. However, to be honest, this was all an intellectual exercise for me - a sort of "out-of-sight, out-of-mind" issue. At least it was until last week when what appeared to be a simple nosebleed turning into a two-day hospitalization. It turned out that I have developed a non-cancerous condition that dramatically diminishes my supply of blood platelets. (I'm not a doctor, but I can tell you that's not a good thing.) Once the doctors diagnosed my problem, I got a quick transfusion of platelets. I'm better now. It will be some time before I know whether this is a short-term or long-term issue for me. But it has not escaped me that I am alive today because of generous gift of a total stranger. And that's how the system works: You pass it on to someone else never knowing whether that "favor" may be returned. In essence, that's the very definition of living in a community. I am grateful for the unknown hero who came to my aid last week. That's why I am encouraging you to consider giving the gift of life yourself - whether through the American Red Cross or some other worthy blood donation organization. If you are interested in learning more about how you can help the American Red Cross meet the nation's ever-present need for blood donations, go to https://www.redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-Red-Cross. Whether you donate through to the Red Cross or some other agency, please give blood. You never know when you might need it. That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.