TWO FOR TWO

We have had two very notable trials going on here over the last few months.  The federal trial of Tsarnaev was almost a non trial--his lawyers admitted he was one of the Marathon bombers.  The only issue was whether or not he could avoid the death penalty which the feds still use.  Hernandez was tried in state court and, as those jury deliberations progressed, I got more and more nervous they would acquit.  Because we all KNOW he did it and we KNOW he committed the other two murders whose trial will be coming up.  But he too was convicted and faces life without parole.  So, we the citizens of Massachusetts, went two for two. It remains "easier" for me even now to wrap my head around what Hernandez did and almost get it--the actions of a gangster and his crew.  I will never be able to "get it" with respect to 3 innocent people who died and over 250 who were injured by the bombs.  It won't compute.

Benny and Johnny (he who has a perpetual tan) sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g.  Remember that foolish little jingle from childhood?  Well Boehner and some of his crew went over and made aliyah in Israel welcomed with open arms by Netanyahu.  This after Netanyahu's speech to Congress which, along with his racist campaign, helped him get re-elected.  I bet they are buds now.  Then Benny decided that any deal with the Iranians would open the door to another Holocaust.  He plays that card as often as he can to scare the bejeezus out of us.  All of Europe (as well as the USA) is not only in support of a nuclear deal with Iran, the Euros are even likely to recognize the Palestinian statehood.  Yet Benny goes on and on and on--just like the energizer rabbit.  Kerry has done a masterful job and it is a deal worth making especially if it can forestall Israel bombing the shit out of Iran.  Which Benny is quite capable of approving.

Ends and Odds:
--The shooting in North Charleston was dealt with quickly which means someone learned something from Ferguson.  But, in the end, they are still killing African American men.
--Danny Shecter, the news dissector, passed away.  In the good old 60's , he was on WBCN in Boston along with a bunch of truly great and very progressive DJ's led by Charles Laquidara.  WBCN is gone and now their cultural critic is also.  RIP.
--The Governors of Arkansas and Indiana got scared shit less by major corporations threatening to pull businesses and conferences out of their state over legislation allowing businesses to refuse to serve certain customers if those customers----who the fuck knows.  I only know these Governors are both idiots. and deserve to be kicked to the curb.
--Obama is opening up about all these Republican candidates who are taking shots at him.  I hope he spends the next 18 months being totally unshy about these personal vendettas which have lasted now nearly 7 years.
--The Supremes will soon be hearing cases involving gay marriage and the Affordable Care Act.  I read a great piece in the Times pointing out the the biggest, most conservative, law firms in America are staying way away from the gay marriage case.  Not because they support gay marriage but, yikes, some of their best lawyers and/or clients might be gay and they think it is a loser of a case.
--Terrific interview of Edward Snowden by John Oliver.  And his former boss, Jon Stewart, did an incredible wild piece on the battle between religious holidays--as in Christmas versus Hanukkah.
--Hilary is running and this will get ugly believe me.
--Obama is lifting sanctions against Cuba.  Cannot wait for Cruz and Rubio to deal with that.


SPORTS TALK
As I watched part of the Master's , I thought:  Where do all these white people with baseball hats come from?  Is it a convention?  I thought they would be singing "way down South in the land of cotton" any second.  Another great day in America was the day Kentucky and Calipari lost.  Seven members of that team immediately declared for the NBA draft.  Bet that they took some tough courses down there in Blue Grass country.  Chiarelli is gone--deservedly so.  He butchered the salary cap and allowed oldsters to block the advance of youngsters.  As opposed to Danny Ainge whose oldest player and the only one on the team with a family is 29.  They are about to exit on stage left when they face the Cavs.

Sayonara