We did it (and it was as bad as I thought it would be)
Well, we took one for the team. Dragon and I went to see Neil Young in concert last night. The opening band was beyond weird. Something like 8 old hippies singing an odd twist on gospel music. Not much more to say there. Oh, at least they started 45 minutes late. Ugh.
Then Neil Young came on. To get a sense of it, you can watch the video toward the end of this blog note of one of his concerts from just a week ago. Dragon and I stayed for 6 painful songs, two of which we knew (Southern Man and Ohio). One thought that came to mind was, "I'm a terrible singer but better than this guy." Actually I'm SUCH a bad singer that I might not be better than Neil Young, but I also wouldn't spend money to see someone as bad as I am. He is a much better guitar player than I am, if I'm fishing to give him a compliment.
Clearly, Neil Young is an unreconstructed leftist. That's not a criticism; just an observation. Although for me it doesn't make me want to see him more.
I learned that for many years now, he's banned the sale of soda or beer made by large corporations from being sold at his concerts, so no Coke or Pepsi, no Coors beer, etc. Not a big surprise given this song (banned from MTV): On This Day in 1988, MTV Refused To Play Neil Young’s “This Note’s for You” for a Pretty Silly Reason - American Songwriter
There was a nice moment about 3 songs into the concert where Neil Young left the stage for some reason unbeknownst to the audience. After twiddling there thumbs for some reason, one of the band members told a pointless story about another band member having gotten hurt, and then after 2-3 minutes of respite from the torture of our eardrums, Neil Young returned.
Of the half-dozen songs we were subjected to, one was something about saving Planet Earth. It included not just "singing" but then something like "talking", kinda like Neil Young scolding the audience to save the planet, including "from big oil", lest we all suffer and perish. Ugh. And then, two songs later (I think), he sang something about "Big crime at the White House in DC" which included the word "fascist" at least a dozen times. Also some mention of "millionaires" who apparently are bad people even though I trust that Mr Young has been one for a long time. For me, that song kinda crossed a line (albeit a not very important line) from the musical version of political activism to a level of TDS that is, frankly, boring.
Dragon and I left probably 1/3 of the way through the set, partly because Dragon wakes up very early (and I wake up kinda early) and partly because we'd suffered enough. As we were walking back to my car (because we drove to the concert together), we passed a couple leaving early and the guy said something about how annoyed he was and I asked, "by the political stuff?" to which he nodded. And then we caught up with a guy and his wife who were, while walking, chatting with a police officer who was seated nearby. The officer asked why they left early and the guy said, "Too much political s**t."
I understand their frustration but I'm not sure what they expected from a musician who has been very political and on the anti-establishment left for decades.
Seriously, if you get the chance to see Neil Young in concert, don't.
See two pics below...the best part of the evening was dragon's t-shirt.
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Thomas Sowell's Wisdom
Thanks for the awesome Don Boudreaux for sharing this brilliance by Thomas Sowell:
Freedom is not simply the right of intellectuals to circulate their merchandise. It is, above all, the right of ordinary people to find elbow room for themselves and a refuge from the rampaging presumptions of their “betters.”
Democrats and "progressives" have never understood this. Unfortunately, our current president doesn't either.
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Just One Thing: The real tariff test
Please read and subscribe to my Substack (it's free!) Today's note: The real tariff test - by Ross Kaminsky - The Ross Report
I’ve thought it obvious since the beginning of Trump’s furious assault on free trade that most of his tariffs — namely the “reciprocal tariffs” ordered under the claimed authority of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) — are illegal.
First, there is no credible emergency and second, and more importantly, the law does not permit the imposition of tariffs even if there were an emergency.
On Friday, a divided (7-4) Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled the way I would have: A federal appeals court ruled against Trump's tariffs. Here's what could happen next. - CBS News
The opinion itself is HERE.
Unless specifically delegated to the president by an act of Congress — and there are a couple of such delegations and Trump is using them for other tariffs — Congress, not the president, retains the power to impose tariffs.
The Supreme Court is likely (though not certain) to take the case. They’ll certainly receive the request for cert from the Trump administration this week if they haven’t already.
So let’s say the court process, whether SCOTUS takes it or not, ends with these tariffs being ruled illegal. It’s important to remember that illegal is not (always) the same as unconstitutional and the tariffs could be made legal if Congress votes to enact the tariffs or votes to give the president the power to enact them.
Please read the rest of my article at: The real tariff test - by Ross Kaminsky - The Ross Report
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One More Thing: No tax on WHAT tips?
If you have a job in which you earn tips and have been wondering if the new "no tax on tips" provision enacted in the Big Beautiful Bill would apply to you, Axios got the list:
"No tax on tips" jobs: See what qualifies under Trump's "big, beautiful bill"
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Trump wants to see COVID vaccine data
This is very interesting and I support it. In a way, it's a massive gauntlet being thrown down in front of RFK Jr who has spent years (pre-COVID and post-COVID) bashing effective vaccines.
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Today's Guest
Avi Abelow is the proprietor and host of the Pulse of Israel podcast. He's a fearless voice for Israel and will be speaking at an event in Denver this evening. If you want more information about the event, it's here: From Missiles to Miracles - Israel Today and The Roadmap for Dealing with Growing Antisemitism - Event - BMH-BJ Congregation
If you would like to attend, please call (303) 388-4203 and you can RSVP. The cost to attend is $10.
Home - On The Frontlines With Avi Abelow - Pulse of Israel
An example of Avi's no-holds-barred recognition of right and wrong (though I will suggest that at some point practical realities may have a way of intruding on how to deal with some problems...even if it appears to "reward" people who should be ignored or even punished. And I will probably ask him about that.)
By the way, how about the evil not just of this lecturer but of the students cheering for his support of terrorism (even though he doesn't word it that way.)
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Other Stuff
Looking at today's blogcast I can see I have WAY too many topics so I'm sure we'll be revisiting much of this in coming days...that's often how it is on the first day of the radio week (usually a Monday, but Tuesday this week!)
I do feel sympathy for the individuals who lose their jobs but this is what happens when a city (or state) spends too much on too many things. Indeed, both the city and the state are spending too much money on illegal aliens and thus attracting more of them to Colorado. Same with the homeless. We should be MUCH less welcoming. Anyway, these are slightly interesting stories, especially the one about the guy who says his department has been in chaos since Johnston was elected and who does seem to blame city spending on illegals.
Laid-off Denver employees speak about personal impacts of budget cuts
VERY much a double-edged sword: Federal data reveals 1.2 million drop in immigrant workers under Trump - CBS News
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The Department of War? Trump to make announcement about Department of Defense
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They don't even try to hide it anymore: Advocacy Programs, Hire Crowds and Manage Events with Crowds on Demand
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This will come up in the conversation with Avi. Conceptually, I love the idea of getting the "Palestinians" out of Gaza. They're like a cancer sitting there between Israel and Egypt. Sorry, not sorry. But I think the odds of that are approximately 0%. Also, even if this plan were conceptually feasible, who will pay for it? The chance of the American taxpayer funding any of it is 0%. Gaza postwar plan envisions ‘voluntary’ relocation of entire population - The Washington Post
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In case you're looking for him out on the field: CB Jahdae Barron changes jersey number ahead of 2025 season
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An example of why we should all be very careful about speculating in these (terrible) situations: Rosie O'Donnell apologizes for calling trans Minneapolis Catholic school shooter a MAGA supporter: 'I messed up'
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Speaking of fat people: Sorry, but I think really fat people (whose bodies push over the armrest into the space of the seats next to them should indeed have to buy a second seat (unless seated in a place where the only person sitting next to them is a travel companion who’s OK with it.): Southwest Airlines ripped over controversial new plus-size passenger policy: 'Worse for everybody'
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For female fishermen (or fisherwomen?): Denver's best fly fishing shop sells women's gear, too
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There's a lot in here, but I'd like to focus on the very end, where an attorney challenging President Trump's possibly illegal plan to simply refuse to spend money (for foreign aid) that was appropriated by Congress said this: "The administration’s affronts to the rule of law are staggering — and all to withhold aid from the most vulnerable people in the world." It might well be true that Trump's efforts to accumulate power are "staggering" but then arguing that the move is particularly bad because the money won't go to foreigners (who happen to be "vulnerable") is playing right into Trump's hands. Do you think Trump supporters or even most Americans right now support sending money to non-Americans even if they're "vulnerable"? And I ask that as someone who has a favorable disposition to some foreign aid.
The Supreme Court has expanded Trump’s power. Now, he is seeking more. - The Washington Post
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Dude, seriously, get a divorce: Asking Eric: Wife won’t apologize for abusive behavior
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Even worse than the headline...because the kid was running away, not at the door. This is simply murder: Boy, 11, shot dead after playing doorbell-ringing prank in Houston, police say | Houston | The Guardian
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Keep it country: Cracker Barrel co-founder, 93, blasts $7M/year CEO’s ‘pitiful’ rebrand fail, work with Taco Bell. Is that unfair?
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So long Ralphie! (Who is a female and always has been): University of Colorado's Ralphie VI to retire ahead of season opener - Axios Boulder
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This sure does look spectacular...for which you'll probably end up paying $10,000 a month in property tax: $16.6M stone mansion in Cherry Hills listed for sale
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I'm not very up-to-speed on the politics around this but it's interesting to see Michael Bennet jump in: Recall election nears amid opposition to Buc-ee’s in Palmer Lake
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I still think it's gonna be Bennet: Colorado’s crowded gubernatorial primary fields take shape as race looms for open seat | TRAIL MIX - Colorado Politics
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Not just no, but hell no: Xcel says it will take $22 billion to keep up with data center demand in Colorado
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I like Tom but in recent years he's only endorsed radical far-right losers, and now he's doing it again: Tancredo endorses Jeff Hurd challenger Hope Scheppelman in Colorado's CD3 GOP primary - Colorado Politics
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Gosh, I love the "spirit medium" part of this story: Madagascar's King Toera: France returns skull of monarch killed during colonial era
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Go break a record! Guinness World Records marks 70th year with unclaimed titles challenge - UPI.com
And here’s Guinness’ quiz to guide you toward certain records to try to break: What style of record breaker are you? | Guinness World Records
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If you're trying to "make America great again", causing India to improve its relationship with China and Russia sure doesn't seem very smart: Chinese, Russian, Indian Leaders Pledge Cooperation, in a Message to Trump
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Offered without comment: Kansas man convicted after kissing police officer during arrest | Trusted News Source for Wichita & Kansas | kake.com
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These are the kind of things that explains why Trump’s big push on crime reduction is mostly popular even if his threatened use of the National Guard would likely be illegal.
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Today's Videos
This is a Neil Young concert from about a week ago. This is what Dragon and I suffered through last night. I was so utterly unexcited, unenthusiastic, about going. I spent much of the day wishing I didn't have tickets. And boy was I right...
Music and mood...and chocolate: One song makes chocolate taste even sweeter
And here's the tune that they claim makes chocolate taste sweeter if listened to while eating the chocolate. I think I might have to try it several dozen times.
So many young men are heartbroken over Taylor Swift's engagement to Travis Kelce
Speaking of which...