I’ve tried to stick with more positive thoughts, especially after World Cup was so successful, everyone so kind in describing their visit here (and I’m enjoying vacation). We can’t ignore that November 5 is closer daily though, our country is seriously divided on many fronts, and ‘leadership’ from D.C. is tuned into trump’s frequency for international political suicide in Year 250.

You know this, right GOP?

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/aug/30/canada-trump-lake-ontario-name

Honestly, this isn’t going to be a rant about a crazy old SOB continuing a Mideast (forever?) war with Iran, telling people (multiple times) the Strait of Hormuz is open, which, as many know, is where about 25% of the world’s oil passes through daily, and also isn’t true. The sailors jumping off an aircraft carrierbecause they’ve been at sea for some eight months, and are eating CRAP because no tender ships can enter ports nearby to load supplies. Many countries have forbidden US aircraft to fly over them in order to resupply these ships, which is less a national shame than an indictment of Hegseth-trump, who together don’t have the mental firepower of, well, it ain’t easy to find an analogy.

I’m watching the final season of The Last Ship (from 2018), THOSE guys knew the mission HAD to succeed- it doesn’t appear the GOP has any sense of urgency about the US-world order at this point.

Can we say ‘thankfully’ that while House passed SAVE Act, the Senate hasn’t ratified it yet. Knowing Speaker Johnson has the barest possible majority- and McConnell being declared *something* would cut it to almost 0- shows how desperate the situation is for them to stop as many voters as possible. IMHO, alllll of them go down then and are OUT in January because America isn’t fooled by unreal volume of political ads $200M buys. Another factor though- doesn’t trump et al know We the People *tune out* excessive advertising like that early, and KNOWING its coming, we’ll find something *somewhere* that minimizes exposure to BS.

Maybe I’ll skip TV except football games, just do bathroom and snack breaks instead, but one thing I won’t do is buy a book ANY of them ever tries to peddle. Does trump make it to the end of term? Wouldn’t bet on it.

NFL, Panthers roster cut down to 53, two weeks to opener vs. Bears

Its going to be a different kind of season for the Carolina Panthers, because expectations always come with more success, and while ‘only’ 8-9 with a NFC South divisional title, they will now be playing a first place schedule vs. trying to get healthy on (previous) fellow bottom feeders.

There probably won’t be many surprises regarding top half of the keepers, even if new nose tackle Lee Hunter (Texas Tech) hasn’t set anything afire, but inside LB Trevin Wallace was waived after losing out to Claudin Cherelus and the addition of Bobby Okereke, and long time Canales favorite WR David Moore was taken out by John Metchie III, a teammate of Bryce Young’s at ‘Bama. YES! Jonathan Brooks will be active, and Jimmy Horn, Jr. makes for a full complement of receivers.

Offensive Coordinator Brad Idzik will NOW have the opportunity to show how much more can be possible with Panthers offense when they can go downfield more frequently without 100% clock control during 13 play drives, and AJ Dillon made the most of this preseason, as did LB Jason Kuwatch (Miami of Ohio). The secondary is as set as can be imagined, Will Lee III and Ransom Lathan are young hitters to go with Tre’von Moehrig, Mark Jackson, JC Horn, and Chau Smith-Wade is a pro in his 3rd year now. Free agent LBs Devin Lloyd and Jaelan Phillips have showed well throughout preseason they are righteous if expensive additions.

Vacay is half over, I’m okay with that

I’ll hit the casino in Schenectady tomorrow, hopefully get in nine holes, although rain predicted and I need to buy new golf shoes. Drive up was smooth, 800 miles in 14 hrs., and I got off the highway after the Cooperstown (Hall of Fame) exit when it rained insanely hard- no sense getting clobbered by someone who cant see or stay on the road. With brother Dave’s house being 800′ off the road, I haven’t been waking up before 7:00 because of traffic outside my window on Sharon Rd. Just sayin’, physically/mentally refreshed.

Oh, and while I looked GOOD while at the track, I’ll be duded up for casino action. Everyone likes the fedora.