"IF YOU ELECT A CLOWN, EXPECT A CIRCUS"

The quote in the title was seen by JF, my Chief Midwestern correspondent, who saw it on a bumper sticker. Perfect.  Oh, and by the way, I have correspondents all over the world in case you are wondering.

Mostly ends and odds in this here edition:

--I was raised in Miami and at some point somewhere around 1950, the roof of our apartment building blew off in a hurricane.  We somehow (I have no clue how) ended up spending the night in the neighborhood bar. I will never forget that the name of the bar was the Knotty Pine.  I am sure my mother was forced to go there--not sure about my father.  Obviously, this comes to mind as I watch the devastation in Florida and throughout the Caribbean.  The islands in the Caribbean (including Cuba) are in some ways in worse shape since they have minimal infrastructure and, even in the best of times, almost everything was imported--like water.  The one thing to add is that the folks on the weather channel were positively jumping out of their chairs as the storm approached almost as if they were getting their jollies off at the spectacle.
--I have no clue what to do about North Korea though having this particular person in the White House (he who does have an impulse problem) makes me very nervous.  I would, however, like the barbers in North Korea to be immediately arrested so we do not have to see those haircuts the men have.  EEK.
--The committee appointed by POTUS and, led by that right wing freak from Kansas, was in NH this week holding "hearings" about the fake news of voter fraud.  Committee is composed of 12 white men.  Just sayin.
--As usual, when I was at trader Joe's, I was clearly the oldest person in the store and, also as usual, I got rammed from behind by another tottering elder.  This time, I uttered no curses so as not to embarrass my partner.
--Why did I never listen to Leonard Cohen?  Just dumb of me, I guess.  But I do listen now and love him.  Got zilch for Bruce on Broadway and really do not want to look on eBay to see disgusting prices for tickets.
--TV recommendations:  Broad City and Better Things.
--Cannot say enough negative things about Sarah Huckabee except to say she needs to get rid of those fucking pearls and I almost wish for Sean to return since we at least could tell he was lying.
--Sara also asked ESPN to fire Jamele Hill for her tweets.  I am wondering if POTUS can be fired for his. Charles Pierce, the former Boston Globe, reporter (now doing freelance) really tore Sara and the White House apart for going after Jamele.  Don't White House staff and POTUS have better things to do than go after individuals especially sports reporters.
--He got rid of DACA and those boys in Louisiana felt much safer whilst drinking their bourbon.  Then he changed his mind after meeting with Charley and Nancy and the boys are now scared again but still drinking.  He is nothing if not changeable.
--Ken Burns is chasing Hilary to see who can be interviewed the most in one week.  The big difference for me is that I can watch the Vietnam doc and not be reminded about POTUS.  You know, the guy whose first pardon was for Sheriff Joe.  Joe, who was convicted of a federal crime--that Joe is now free as a bird.
--Great John Oliver segment in which he spent five minutes discussing WNEP in Scranton and its model train background set.  Hysterical.
--Happy Rosh Hashanah to those of you who celebrate.  Have a healthy and peaceful year.

SPORTS TALK
--Pats sucked last week and I admit to a kernel of worry.  Still feel the jury is out on Aaron Judge in terms of his hitting and yes I do know he hit 2 more yesterday.  Very glad the Bruins ended up paying the big bucks for Pasternak.

Shalom

FARSHTUNKEN UND FARSCHIMMELT

For all you non Yiddish speakers out there, the title roughly translates to:  it smells bad and is rotten.  I no longer have enough English words in my vocabulary to describe the mess in this country being created by POTUS.  He is venomous and hateful.  He cannot even reach out to the victims of Harvey without boasting of himself and the great job he and his team are doing.  He does not have an empathetic bone in his body. And Melania with the spike heels like she is going to a big party!  No words--seriously.  Unless you want to discuss Madam Press Conference herself--that would be Sarah Huckabee Saunders.  Has she yet gotten back to anyone whose questions she does not answer?

Then there is this.  We have to rely on the Generals to tone down his attacks on LGBT folks in the military. We have to depend on another General (Kelly) to keep the crazies under control in the White House.  We have to depend on a former POW (that would be Senator McCain) to confront him about his misunderstanding that Congress does not work for him but for us.

Jewish men and women trapped in their synagogue while the Nazis and white supremacists marched outside. Unsafe to the point that they leave by a rear exit with their Torah.  And then we have to hear a so called balanced message from him about people on "both sides".  There is only one side and someone on that side was murdered.

In the aftermath of Charlottesville, his trade councils imploded with the first gutsiest resignation coming from the Merck CEO.  Then the Arts group blew up in his face and he decided not to attend the Kennedy Center celebration--such a bully who of course cannot take it when folks push him into a corner. A so called feminist daughter who supports the defunding of studies related to pay equity.  She is no friend of women. Anything connected to Obama must go and we must listen to Huckabee tell us Obamacare is failing when that is an outright lie.

Finally, on a brighter note, the Berkshires were wonderful.  I feel very comforted and secure when all my family is literally in one place even if it is for a much too brief period of time.

SPORTS TALK
I like the Kyrie trade despite loving Isaiah.  The loss of Edelman is huge.  The Yanks are in danger of missing out on the wild card as "The Judge" struggles mightily.

Shalom