THIS
From John Ondrasik, aka Five for Fighting. A man of principle, a supporter of Israel, someone this nation could use more of, especially in California.
Avs make it to Western Conference Final
The Minnesota Wild scored the first 3 goals of the game. The Colorado Avalanche scored the next 4, with the game winner in overtime. Nathan MacKinnon's game-tying goal with less than 90 seconds left in the third period was one of the greatest shots I've seen in a long time. If the Avs win the Stanley Cup, remember this shot:
Trump in China: You know what Xi cares about
As I mentioned on yesterday's show, Xi Jinping wants to conquer Taiwan. There may be a little bit of economic incentive there but mostly it's about Xi's view of history and his legacy, much the same as how Vladimir Putin views conquering Ukraine. The Chinese are not being subtle about it:
One thing that scares me a bit about Trump's approach, although it's critically important with Trump to pay attention to what he does rather than what he says, is his persistent flattery of Xi, including saying earlier today, "It's an honor to be your friend." Whenever he's asked about China, Trump talks about having a good relationship with Xi. In general, Trump behaves with world leaders as if they all have his narcissistic need to be effusively praised and publicly admired. I think it shows weakness. But again, there can be a big gap between Trump's words and his deeds. He's clearly willing to do things Xi doesn't like. Let's hope he doesn't give an inch on Taiwan. There are a LOT of other very important issues to work on between the world's two largest economies and most powerful militaries.
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Just One Thing: Leeches
I'm quite proud of today's blog note picture as a metaphor for how Democrats view your income. Don't ever forget it.
The latest example of how Dems look at your wallet the way a leech looks at the vein on your ankle: Colorado lawmakers eye 5% 'fee' on online gaming 'skins,' other game features - Colorado Politics
And don't forget the mendacious SB26-135 that's likely to end up as a ballot measure this November which is a massive tax increase (through theft of TABOR refunds) being marketed as money for education (even though school enrollment is dropping) but which will likely have something between 50% and 75% of the money going straight into the state's General Fund for Dems to spend on whatever they feel like wasting money on to buy votes.
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CO Governor's race stuff
There sure does seem to be a lot of shenanigans and scheming going on in the weird world of the Colorado Republican Party right now. It's very difficult to tell what parts of Victor Marx's stories are true and the more I hear of him in his own voice from days past the more unsuitable a candidate for governor he seems. Scott Bottoms is also unacceptable. And regardless of what I think, the thought of nominating a wildly religious "pastor" (it's not clear that Marx really is one in any official way), and not just a religious person but one who frequently talks about "demons" (whether inside of people like the Exorcist or in the form of Democrats), is suicide for what little remains of Republican hopes in this state.
The one sane and competent candidate, Barb Kirkmeyer, is not as inspiring as I'd like a candidate in this situation (i.e. against a charismatic albeit unsuitable opponent) as I'd like her to be, but she truly is the ONLY Republican in the race who anyone should vote for.
No Republican is going to be our next governor. I really think the odds of it being a Dem exceed 95%. BUT if Republicans have a sane person at the top of the ticket, they might win a swing legislative seat or county or municipal office that they'd lose with a lunatic or charlatan at the top of the ticket.
I also highly recommend you to some of the recent conversations that my (KHOW) colleague Ryan Schulling has had with Cori and others about Marx. Let's just say that Ryan believes that Victor Marx is a charlatan, and that's putting it politely. You can look through Ryan's podcast feed here: Show Up and Shut Up: What Victor Marx could learn from Greg Lopez, Trisha Calvarese • Ryan Schuiling Live
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Other Stuff
It's shameful that every Democrat but one voted against Kevin Warsh. Warsh is highly qualified and, among the folks whom Trump might have nominated, the most likely to be impervious to political influence and maintain Fed independence on monetary policy.
Kevin Warsh wins Senate confirmation as the next Federal Reserve chair
Who is incoming Fed chair Kevin Warsh? | AP News
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One piece of good news for Second Amendment supporters and rational people generally: Bill on firearm barrel sales withdrawn after veto threat from Colorado governor's office - Colorado Politics
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The liberal opposite to Louisiana (as far as abortion policy; it's basically banned in Louisiana and they're trying to ban the mailing of abortifacient medications into the state): HB26-1335 Abortion Medication Access on College Campuses | Colorado General Assembly
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I talked yesterday about the rise of antisemitism in America. And how there’s this…
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I did mention this yesterday in passing but want to spend more time on it:
Semafor: Inflation surpasses wage gains
Axios: Iran war energy shock squeezes U.S. paychecks
Wall Street Is Getting More Anxious About Long-Term Inflation - WSJ
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Government incompetence or corruption or both or neither?
This is quite a story if it's true: The ICE Surveillance Firm With Missing Executives And Phantom Clients
And: DHS Inspector General Probes Kristi Noem’s Warehouse Purchases for ICE Detention Centers - WSJ
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I don't like either one of them but this is a classy move by Kimmel: For Stephen Colbert Final Show May 21 Jimmy Kimmel Will Air a Rerun
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This isn't your father's EEOC. Seriously, look at some of these actions. The second one is about the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office! The last one is rather incredible but the EEOC hasn't posted the press release on their website yet.
American Worker Hassled For Speaking English, EEOC Says - Law360 Employment Authority
Here's some of the emailed announcement about the last link above:
According to the EEOC’s lawsuit, around June 2023, at least two ATG employees were subjected to anti-American slurs by their Mexican coworkers. They also took one of the American employee’s tools without his permission, thereby impeding his ability to work, and ignored his directives and derided him because he could not speak Spanish fluently.
The employee complained immediately about the harassment to his direct supervisor, who did nothing to address the harassment, leading to more harassment and more complaints. After his direct supervisor continued to do nothing about the harassment, he complained to a different supervisor on July 17, 2023. The next day, his direct supervisor fired him in retaliation for complaining “above [the direct supervisor’s] head,” the EEOC said.
“Discrimination against American workers is unconscionable,” said EEOC Chair Andrea R. Lucas. “The EEOC is here to protect all workers from anti-American bias. Nothing justifies illegal national origin discrimination, and we will vigorously enforce federal laws to restore dignity to the American worker.”
I don't have a way to judge whether these cases are wildly overaggressive but I do appreciate their making the point that racist behavior does not only and always mean behavior by whites against non-whites, or by Americans against immigrants, or by English speakers against non-English speakers.
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The LA mayor's race has turned interesting. The Case for Spencer Pratt
Two ads in the race for mayor of Los Angeles that are worth watching.
First is an AI-generated ad casting outsider Spencer Pratt, who seems to have some momentum against the horrendous Karen Bass, as Batman versus her Joker. Gavin Newsom makes an unflattering appearance, as does Kamala Harris and a few other prominent Dems:
Second, I simply don’t believe this is actually an anti-Pratt ad despite everyone at Fox News apparently believing it is. I don't think anybody, even in California would think this ad would do anything but help Pratt. We've seen a few similar fake attack ads designed to help the person who is theoretically being "attacked" with things that any normal person would praise him/her for. If this is really supposed to be an attack ad against Pratt, the consultant who made it should be fired and never work in politics again.
And then there's this: Spencer Pratt Staying at Bel Air Hotel, Not Airstream Trailer
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Two Nike stories, the first of which is also a China story
Very interesting business story and an example of why Trump specifically and the US generally has less leverage over China than we used to: China’s ‘Two Billion Feet’ Are Suddenly Running From Nike - WSJ
EXEC: Nike Sued by Customers Seeking Refunds of Tariff Costs | SGB Media Online
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Weird politics in Nebraska: Nebraska Dem who will drop out and support Dan Osborn wins Senate primary - Live Updates - POLITICO
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Colorado isn't nearly as appealing for businesses as it used to be:
Colorado Lost Workplaces at a High Rate in 2024
See the end of this for similar info: Fate of new AI regulation bill in Colorado is now in the hands of Gov. Jared Polis - Colorado Politics
Speaking of AI, AI soon to be building itself: Behind the Curtain: Intelligence explosion
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This story seems like it's straight out of a made-for-TV miniseries: Utah grief author convicted in husband’s poisoning death to be sentenced
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Good for them: South Carolina Republicans block plan to eliminate James Clyburn’s House seat - The Washington Post
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I owe you this from yesterday too: Texas AG Ken Paxton sues Netflix over alleged user data sales
Paxton press release: Attorney General Ken Paxton Sues Netflix for Spying on Texas Kids and Consumers by Illegally Collecting Users’ Data Without Their Knowledge or Consent | Office of the Attorney General
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Interesting legal question: Catholic Diocese Fights US Effort to Seize Land for Border Wall - Bloomberg
Trump officials sue Catholic diocese in bid to seize land for border wall
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Today's Videos
The training results speak for themselves...that's a very well-behaved demon Yorkie!