by John Walters
Starting Five
Thanks, Obama
Cool.
Intelligent.
Decent.
Funny.
Scrupulous.
Unwavering.
Transparent.
Parent.
No, that’s not his
Insightful.
‘baller.
Charming.
Ethical.
Wise.
“It’s twuuue! It’s twuuue!”
Barack Obama rode into town like Sheriff Bart (Cleavon Little) rode into Rock Ridge, set up to fail in front of a citizenry of white folk who couldn’t wait to see him fall on his face or be killed. Rock Ridge was in dire trouble: massive unemployment, a plummeting stock market, financial meltdown, and Slim Pickens was threatening to pull the Old No. 6. Instead of an apocalypse Obama, using charm, wit, intelligence and superior skills, saved the town. And now we’re all the Waco Kid, just wanting to say thank you.
There goes the best president of your life time. If you don’t already realize it, you will soon. Stephen Colbert had a few words to say about that.
2. Net Gain For New York City
On the day that Donald Trump flies out of New York City toward his new home (but not the “Winter White House”) of Washington, D.C.,, El Chapo flies in to face federal charges and is held in Lower Manhattan. So, yeah, occasionally Mexico is not sending us its best citizens. Someone in the Justice Department and Mexico has a sense of humor.
3. A Brief History of the American Worker
This is literally how slaves were transported, with often as little as 18 inches of vertical space between decks.
As we prepare to inaugurate this man president let’s remember that he declared his candidacy in June of 2015, making the first targets of his animus illegal aliens from Mexico:
When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re not sending you. They’re not sending you. They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.”
The first illegal aliens (at least from their perspective) arrived on the shores of what would become the United States in 1619. They were 20 slaves from Africa. By 1800, 10 to 15 million blacks had been transferred to the Americas. Unlike modern-day Mexicans, they did not come of their own accord. Much like modern-day Mexicans, their entrance into the work force helped make wealthy men wealthier. James Madison, a future president of the United States, told a visitor that for the $13 of upkeep he spent per Negro annually, he made $257. Meanwhile Donald Trump tells people that he’d like to employ full-time American workers at Mar-A-Lago, but they won’t take the jobs (left unsaid: at the salary and lack of benefits he is offering).
You don’t want them here, but you probably don’t want to pay three times as much for produce, either, do you?
Donald Trump was elected in part by telling white America that people with a brown complexion were coming to take their jobs (and rape their daughters or kill them), while ignoring the fact that this same country kidnapped people by the millions and transported them across the ocean to do jobs these Mexicans are now doing, and did so for centuries. I guess it’s all about your lowest-class workers having the same liberty as you do and whether or not you control their every move.
4. NBA All-Star Game
For those with extremely short memories, a reminder that Russ is also the two-time reigning All-Star Game MVP, besides being the NBA’s leading scorer
Yes, Russell Westbrook. the NBA’s leading scorer and No. 2 man in assists, was left off the starting five for the West. Yes, the West should start three guards (or bring Curry off the bench), especially considering that the game will be nothing but threes and dunks. Note: In the new system, the voting goes 50% for the fans, 25% for media, 25% for players. Russ was voted top guard by both media and players.
Actual Starters…
East: Kyrie Irving, Demar DeRozan, LeBron James, Jimmy Butler, Giannis Antetokounmpo.
West: Stephen Curry, James Harden, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Davis.
Medium Happy Starters….
Hassan has gone from head case to All-Star
East:
Kyrie Irving, Isaiah Thomas, LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Hassan Whiteside
Whiteside is the league’s leading rebounder and is tied for sixth in double doubles.
The league’s surliest player is also a legitimate star
West: Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, DeMarcus Cousins
Cousins is one of three players in the top ten in scoring and rebounding. The other two are Davis and Westbrook.
5. Tower Tumbles In Tehran
A 53 year-old, 17-story high-rise in Tehran catches fire, collapses, and kills nearly three dozen firefighters battling the blaze. There’s got to be a better way to fight high-rise infernos.
Music 101
Pride/City of Blinding Lights
From a time when we were concerned about concepts such as liberty, equality and decency as opposed to strength, wealth and greatness. Kinda needed this today.
The Rising
And this.
Remote Patrol
He’s not everyone’s cup of tee hee, but there’s some solid, no B.S. debate on issues here
Real Time with Bill Maher
HBO 10 p.m.
As Maher ruminates on his 61st birthday, the show premieres for its 15th season hours after the inauguration of Donald Trump as 45th president. Guests include Eric Holder, David Axelrod, Ana Marie Cox and John Legend.
I supported President Obama for 8 years. Best President of my lifetime? Maybe but his record is certainly flawed. In areas he was interested he led and did a great job.
He is a good Scout; trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind………….
However he took power having control over both the Senate and Congress. In his eight years majorities were lost, 900 Democratic seats in state houses were lost and the Party is in shambles. His legacy is yet to be determined but it is clear he did not like the messiness of governing. He is like a very talented power forward who won’t mix it up and doesn’t win the championship until he plays with an inside enforcer.
Yes, compared to Trump we will miss him, but then again Trump may make me miss W. He is decent and smart. Two things that will never be said about Trump. His intellectual approach was one I appreciated but the person in charge needs more than a powerful intellect. Politics is a full contact sport, dirty at times. Obama may have been good at governing but he certainly was not good at politics. The President must be both to truly be successful and great.
I agree with this. I like Obama, think he is a good man & was good for the country & compared to what’s coming, he’s like the reincarnation of Lincoln. And while he was busy leading the country, I still believe there was MORE he could have done to prevent this national catastrophe. That’s my biggest mark against him.
Of course, having my health insurance cost quadruple in the past 4 years hasn’t exactly brought me joy, but I consoled myself with the belief it helped MILLIONS of people, so sucked it up. To now watch it obliterated within months & NOT SEE MY COST DECREASE A FREAKIN PENNY (oh yeah, do you REALLY think the cost will decrease? HAH!) makes one feel a sucker squared. Obama’s legacy will have to include the re-taking of Congress by the Republicans & how it will obliterate his 8 YEARS of efforts. Do you understand – they will try to WIPE HIM OUT, as if he was never there! He must take at least partial responsibility for his own undoing.
I was 12 when the sub mortgage crisis started, and I don’t think I’ll fully realize the calamity of that event until I age more.
For the majority of Obama’s presidency, I was a mere spectator. Always impressed with his communication skills, but I never really dove deep into the policies. I’m sure, as with every president, there was the good and the bad.
President Barack Obama, however, seems like a guy I’d like to invite over for dinner. Perhaps not an enduring quality for some, but a very important one for me.
When it comes to the presidency, you are the leader for the people. I truly feel like Obama brought empathy to the office. In a world littered with pessimism and hate, it was nice to see someone in leadership stand for the right values.
I wish President Obama and his family the best post- White House.
JACK BAUER*, a nation turns its mournful, panic-stricken eyes to you!
* or his “surrogates”. 😉
I wasn’t going to watch but I did with the sound on. It wasn’t a unifying speech but it wasn’t meant to be. Within an hour the government website dropped clean energy and LGBT as issues being worked.
It will be interesting to see if our 3 branch Government works as designed. The executive branch can be held in check by the legislative. I hope the leaders in Congress have the courage to do what’s right. The good news with the court is the act of “putting on the robes” is usually sobering and causes many, save Clarence Thomas, to be unpredictable.
I think I was happier when I knew the starting lineup and backups of the Yankees and the NYFB Giants and only read the headlines regarding politics.
My daughter, who works for State, was annoyed he continued to get the name of the country wrong. She reminded me it is the United States of America. He only mentioned America which is ok if the country’s name is mentioned first. She said it was not unnoticed by those who work for the government. Again, 48% of the population doesn’t care and thinks that is part of the problem. 1461 days, but who’s counting.