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Opinions in the Shorts: Vol. 388

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After a very busy week, my plan is to return to my normal posting and visiting routine. Thanks for your understanding.

It’s time for a new header – so I introduce a Hubble image of Herbig-Haro object (HH 24) capturing the birth of a new star. To see my collection of past headers, click the Past Headers tab above the image.

The next weekend concert features the Moody Blues. (Long-time readers aren’t surprised.) Concerts starts on Saturday at 1:00 AM (Eastern US).

Last week’s concert was unbelievably successful with 25+ songs and just-over 300 comments. The interaction between bloggers makes me smile. Thanks to all!!!

There is a rumor of the possibility of Pronouns 3: The Musical. One has to wonder if it will gain momentum and replace next schedule musical.

Not only was David Funk one of my early blogging buddies, he served as a mentor and role model as a host. Although he’s listed as one of my Pioneers in the sidebar, he finally made to WordPress. Now is the time for me to return him a favor by inviting others to visit (and possibly subscribe) to his new travel blog – One Funked Up World. If you visit and comment, tell him I sent you. Welcome, David!

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This picture reminds me of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY). His role in the government shutdown is pathetic. This recent opener from Late Show with Stephen Colbert made me laugh.

Regarding the current government shutdown: “Problems start from the top, and they have to get solved from the top, and the President’s the leader, and he’s got to get everybody in a room, and he’s got to lead. And he doesn’t do that, he doesn’t like doing that, that’s not his strength. And that’s why you have this horrible situation going on in Washington. It’s a very, very bad thing and it’s very embarrassing worldwide.” (Donald Trump, 20 September 2013)

For me, the best ending of the Trump saga would not be impeachment. Resigning wouldn’t qualify. Certainly I don’t wish death to the man. Nope, it isn’t even him losing his re-election bid. So what would be the perfect ending? It’s simple. Losing every state in November 2020 – therefore making 2020 the biggest margin of victory ever in the country’s history. That would be HUGE! Then again, that would be difficult to achieve in some states.

I appreciated this concluding statement from a recent article I read: “Because you’re not getting it right if you can’t admit when you’ve gotten it wrong. And you can’t boast of morality if you’ve no sense of shame.” (Matt Bai, journalist)

Democrats are starting to declaring their candidacy for the party’s 2020 nomination. While it’s going to be interesting, the early crop hasn’t caused me to blink – let alone get excited. However, I am confident the ticket will have at least one female.

Due to the government shutdown, my current projection for a Trump re-election drops to 55%

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Weekly Headlines from The Onion (combos welcome)

Biologist still no closer to discovering how birds have sex
Woman amazed she found perfect partner just when she was getting desperate enough to accept anything
Rival gang members come together to help build community playground to fight over
Kinky girlfriend wants to try sexual pleasure tonight
Manager of combination KFC/Taco Bell secretly considers it mostly a Taco Bell
DNA test confirms Subway chicken only 50% poultry

(My Combo: DNA tests confirm kinky woman found sexual pleasure discovering desperate Taco Bell manager as perfect sex partner at Subway)

Interesting Reads

Europe’s most competition country
Capsulating the Venezuelan crisis
10 iconic Italian foods by region
A read for hockey fans
Crazy Horse’s last battle
A view of art theft
(Graphic) Media-bias chart
(Photos) The bests deep-sea dives
(Video) Earth 101 in 3 minutes

To send you into the weekend, here’s a Herman’s Hermits three-peat – but actually as a doubleheader. Take your pic – but we want to know the one you chose.In the words of Garrison Keillor, Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.

51 thoughts on “Opinions in the Shorts: Vol. 388”

    • Patti,
      Glad you enjoy the header! As each day passes, I keep saying the same thing – President Trump is a pathetic person and an even worse leader who brings most of his problems on himself.

      Like

      Reply

  3. First off, thanks for the shoutout! I’m finally getting WP figured out on here. In particular, the Gravatar issue and like buttons. I like what it has to offer though. I’ll have to work on a logo/header soon. It’s hard to believe we’ve crossed paths(off and on at times, lol) for this long.

    Anyway, it is such an all-around mess with the government shutdown and Trump. I’m certainly no political fan, but no one can ignore what’s been happening. 2020 will be an ultra critical year for elections for sure though.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • David,
      Glad to give a plug. As I mentioned, I am very grateful for hope you accepted and helped me when I started. From this end, I can see the changes you made. For you, it’s just a matter of learning the platform.

      As for the shutdown, it’s a mess … and an unnecessary one at that.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      • Thanks. That’s what it’s supposed to be about. We all want to be read, and we both have helped each other out over the years with it. Plus, we both have always believed in commenting and replying with respect.

        I like WP a lot. Much easier to customize and get the site off the ground. So much more control over everything.

        Yeah, definitely agree about the shutdown being unnecessary. It’s hurt a lot of people, and I’m sure most of know someone that is struggling badly with it right now.

        Like

        Reply

  4. I took groceries and gift cards to my nephew and family this week. He works for NOAA and is part of the shutdown. He has a wife and two very little girls. I wouldn’t want to admit in this comment section how I refer to Mitch McConnell, so the snowman is good enough for now. LOL! Good reads this week, Frank. I’ll be interested in a few of them, certainly. Art Theft and The Venezuelan Crisis are particularly interesting to me. Your new banner is beautiful, too. I will be looking forward to your next musical offering. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  6. Hi Frank–busy week here, too. I’m getting worried that we can survive till 2020, and I really would like to see him in prison, though I’m certain that would never happen. No time to check out the links now, but I did hear the art theft story on the radio–perhaps it was the New Yorker Radio hour.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Merril,
      President Trump is has taken embarrassment to a new level – and to think his own party is scared of the media’s reaction if they went against him. This is absolutely insane. There is the possibility he could run himself out of office.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  7. I had to ‘visit’ your site, since I couldn’t see the header from reader. Nicely done Cincy!

    55 percent still seems depressingly high, all things considered. But it’s better than your previous projections, so Imma take it. For now. And yes to all states voting “Get Out”, as unlikely as it is.

    Go Herman’s Hermits! And Henry the 8th . .

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  8. Good opinions, Frank. The time spent thinking of election outcomes that would be pleasing implies that the election would change something. Fifty years of a Congress that is useless won’t be changed until there are term limits. These professional loafers and tonsorial technicians have no incentive to work on behalf of the citizen. Do I dislike Trump? Yes. Do I dislike Congress even more? You betcha.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • John,
      Congress is pathetic. Instead of working for the people, they primarily work for and answer to the party and the money behind them. Unfortunately, I don’t think term limits would change that … but I see you point. I’ve often thought about (but never penned) the 10 Things Congress Could Do To Regain Trust. On the other hand, we both know their inefficiency and partisan plays are Obama’s fault.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  9. For the first time, I went through the reader and I know what Marc means… that’s why I prefer to get emails letting me know what my favourite bloggers are saying. Nice header!

    What a turnout that last concert was! Holy macaroni! Successful ain’t a strong enough word…

    Your scenario would be the BOMB! But here we go dreaming in Technicolor again….

    I can’t help but think of “Ghost” when I hear “Henry VIII”! When Patrick Swayze sings it to Whoopi Goldberg until she caves… 😀

    Lookin’ forward to tonight, even though I am a Moody Blues ignorant…

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

  10. Wow, what a clean boy that Perter Noone was. (shudder)
    I don’t particularly like either song, but Enery the Eighth at least has a bit of Enerygy. 😀
    Looking forward to the concert! I’ve got 4 songs picked out, and not one is “Night In WhiteSatin”, which is my fave song by The Moody Blues. I figure by the time I get out of bed, it will be long taken!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Mouse,
      Cheers to the Moody Blues – but they are good on any day. 😉 Meanwhile, to celebrate the upcoming chill, chili is on our menu tomorrow! … and thanks for the moon reminder. Hope Galveston doesn’t get too much snow. 😉

      Like

      Reply

  14. Couldn’t agree more about McConnell and his refusal to allow a vote on the bipartisan bill to fund government. I blame him even more than Trump for the shutdown. If the bill landed on Trump’s desk, it would reveal to even the most biased voters whose fault this mess is.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  16. Not surprised that none of the proposed Democratic Party candidates have caught your fancy. Surprised however to see your Trump re-election meter dipping down to 55%! Liked your wish to see Trump lose every state in his 2020 re-election bid, but surprised that you would be satisfied if he received more than 1 vote (his own) nationwide.

    Also liked your new Herbig-Haro object (HH 24) header, the Getty Image giant snowman, the latest Media-bias chart, and “10 Ways to Build & Manage Flight Miles” from David Funk’s new travel blog – ‘One Funked Up World.’

    No splats.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • Tim,
      The loyal Trumpians are many in number who also think he is the greatest thing to come along with the invention of sliced bread. So they will vote for him no matter what.

      Although no splats, glad you enjoy many of the visuals. I happened to be looking at the media-bias chart again last night.

      Like

      Reply

  17. Hello There –
    Priorhouse here to check in amigo.
    The Onion likes were really funny and I liked your take of the meeting at the subway –
    My addition – “even tho the manager wanted to meet at Subway – the girlfriend insisted they sneak into the playground – where the birds sometimes go – and where the gangs members would fight in the distance” ha
    —
    Also enjoyed the “listen people” song – the dancers were funny how they “boogied down” and really seemed to be in acting mode. Reminded me that it sure was a big deal to be recorded back then.
    And from the links – I enjoyed the art burglary one – well only skimmed it so far (the audio is 45 minutes and lol forward to listening later)
    But how interesting: ”
    Tomic, known in the French press as Spider-Man, was driven partly by aesthetic desire. “Certain paintings can provoke me like an emotional shock,”

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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