After the second debate (part 2), these are my new ranking of the Democratic Candidates for president.
1. - Elizabeth Warren (Sen, Mass)
2. - Cory Booker (Sen, NJ) - He is a forceful advocate, but he called the Republicans and Trump "the enemy," which is rhetoric we need to move away from.
3. - Bernie Sanders (Sen, Vt)
4. - Pete Buttigieg (Mayor, Ind)
5. - Julian Castro (Sec, HUD) - He didn't get a lot of airtime, but his debate was solid.
6. ↑ Jay Inslee (Gov, Was) - He had a very strong debate. He clearly explained the progressive legislation he helped pass in Washington state and was a passionate advocate to fight against climate change.
7. ↑ Andrew Yang - He seemed to have the right messaging to beat Trump and knew what he was talking about.
8. ↓ Kamala Harris (Sen, Cal) - I'm for the Warren-Sanders health care plan, but I felt like she lost the debate with Bennet on health care. I even started questioning my beliefs on health care, that's how poorly she argued for the plan.
9. ↓ Kirsten Gillibrand (Sen, NY) - Twice she had a brain fart and had no idea what to say. She did well otherwise, but hard to get passed those lapses.
10. - Amy Klobuchar (Sen, Min)
11. ↑ Michael Bennet (Sen, Col) - His health care argument started to make sense. Either he, Ryuan, or Bullock should be the moderate in the race.
12. ↓ Tim Ryan (Rep, Ohio)
13. ↓ Bill De Blasio (Mayor, NY) - He's running from the left, but Warren, Sanders, Booker, and Harris have more cred.
14. ↓ Steve Bullock (Gov, Montana)
15. ↑ Beto O'Rourke (Fmr Rep, Tex)
16. ↓ Joe Biden (Fmr VP) - He trips over his thoughts and doesn't speak clearly. Booker swatted him down for invoking Obama when it was convenient and destroyed him on criminal justice. Hopefully, he won't be the front-runner for very long.
17. ↓ Tulsi Gabbard (Rep, Hi) - She seems to be running to be Biden's VP candidate based on the attack on Harris's record.
18. - Mike Gravel (Fmr Sen, Alaska)
19. - John Hickenlooper (Fmr Gov, Col)
20. - John Delaney (Fmr Rep, MD)
21. - Marianne Williamson
22. - Sestak, Moulton, Messam, Steyer
Wednesday, July 31, 2019
Tuesday, July 30, 2019
My Democrat Rankings after the 2nd Debate Part 1
After the second debate (part 1), these are my new ranking of the Democratic Candidates for president.
1. ↑ Elizabeth Warren (Sen, Mass) - Warren has a big progressive vision with which I mostly agree. She's edged ahead of Booker. I liked Booker because he was the candidate of unity, but he has been quite divisive in his Facebook posts recently.
2. ↓ Cory Booker (Sen, NJ)
3. - Bernie Sanders (Sen, Vt) - I like what he says. But I fear he and Warren will split the progressive vote and possibly cost each other the nomination.
4. ↑ Pete Buttigieg (Mayor, Ind) - He had a strong debate. He found a nice middle ground between Warren/Sanders and the moderates.
5. ↓ Julian Castro (Sec, HUD)
6. ↓ Kamala Harris (Sen, Cal)
7. - Kirsten Gillibrand (Sen, NY)
8. ↑ Andrew Yang
9. ↑ Bill De Blasio (Mayor, NY)
10. ↓ Amy Klobuchar (Sen, Min) - She's established herself as a moderate int his debate, which wasn't was I was hoping for from her.
11. ↑ Tim Ryan (Rep, Ohio) - I don't agree with his moderate stances, but he made a solid case for his policies.
12. ↑ Michael Bennet (Sen, Col)
13. ↑ Steve Bullock (Gov, Montana) - He gave a decent introduction and declared himself as a moderate. One moderate voice is enough, however.
14. - Jay Inslee (Gov, Was)
15. - Joe Biden (Fmr VP)
16. ↑ Tulsi Gabbard (Rep, Hi)
17. ↑ Beto O'Rourke (Fmr Rep, Tex) - He's over the top in his rhetoric.
18. ↑ Mike Gravel (Fmr Sen, Alaska)
19. ↓ John Hickenlooper (Fmr Gov, Col) - He tried to claim the mantle of pragmatist, but he seemed clueless and should drop out.
20. ↓ John Delaney (Fmr Rep, MD) - Sanders said he was "wrong" and Warren questioned why he was running for president. He shouldn't be anymore.
21. - Marianne Williamson - She had some valid critiques, but then jumped off the deep end. She shouldn't be running any more.
22. - Sestak, Moulton, Messam, Steyer
Out. - Eric Swalwell
1. ↑ Elizabeth Warren (Sen, Mass) - Warren has a big progressive vision with which I mostly agree. She's edged ahead of Booker. I liked Booker because he was the candidate of unity, but he has been quite divisive in his Facebook posts recently.
2. ↓ Cory Booker (Sen, NJ)
3. - Bernie Sanders (Sen, Vt) - I like what he says. But I fear he and Warren will split the progressive vote and possibly cost each other the nomination.
4. ↑ Pete Buttigieg (Mayor, Ind) - He had a strong debate. He found a nice middle ground between Warren/Sanders and the moderates.
5. ↓ Julian Castro (Sec, HUD)
6. ↓ Kamala Harris (Sen, Cal)
7. - Kirsten Gillibrand (Sen, NY)
8. ↑ Andrew Yang
9. ↑ Bill De Blasio (Mayor, NY)
10. ↓ Amy Klobuchar (Sen, Min) - She's established herself as a moderate int his debate, which wasn't was I was hoping for from her.
11. ↑ Tim Ryan (Rep, Ohio) - I don't agree with his moderate stances, but he made a solid case for his policies.
12. ↑ Michael Bennet (Sen, Col)
13. ↑ Steve Bullock (Gov, Montana) - He gave a decent introduction and declared himself as a moderate. One moderate voice is enough, however.
14. - Jay Inslee (Gov, Was)
15. - Joe Biden (Fmr VP)
16. ↑ Tulsi Gabbard (Rep, Hi)
17. ↑ Beto O'Rourke (Fmr Rep, Tex) - He's over the top in his rhetoric.
18. ↑ Mike Gravel (Fmr Sen, Alaska)
19. ↓ John Hickenlooper (Fmr Gov, Col) - He tried to claim the mantle of pragmatist, but he seemed clueless and should drop out.
20. ↓ John Delaney (Fmr Rep, MD) - Sanders said he was "wrong" and Warren questioned why he was running for president. He shouldn't be anymore.
21. - Marianne Williamson - She had some valid critiques, but then jumped off the deep end. She shouldn't be running any more.
22. - Sestak, Moulton, Messam, Steyer
Out. - Eric Swalwell
Monday, July 08, 2019
World Leader Power Rankings
Here's the new power rankings of world leaders. The last one was posted on May 29.
1. Despite the protests in Hong Kong, Xi is leading the race to 5G. He's also taking U.S. President Donald Trump behind the woodshed in the trade war.
2. Kim managed to dupe Trump into becoming the first U.S. president to step foot on North Korean soil and the maniacal dictator din't even have to give anything up. Instead, Trump has nothing but praise for Kim, even at the expense of a respected U.S. citizen Trump doesn't believe Kim has continued his nuclear ambitions even though his own intelligence community says otherwise.
3. Putin is such an autocrat that you're in trouble if you criticize him in a different country as a Georgian tv broadcaster recently found out. And yet, Trump has nothing but good things to say about his Russian overlord.
4. Khameni's power would be neutralized if only Trump could force Iran to sign an agreement limited their nuclear capabilities and opening up their program. It would mean more if they got the other major players around the world to join in for this "deal." Or Trump could talk a big game, but ultimately back down and leave Khamenei and his hardliners in a much better position than when Trump entered office. Trump opted for the latter.
5. New Zealand was determined to be the second most peaceful country in addition to one of the least corrupt. Arden was very effective in passing gun reform after the terrible massacre. And she got a very weird shout out at the Democratic debate in the U.S.
6. Ahmed has really put his life on the line to reform his country. His release of political prisoners nearly led to a coup last month, but that is the price of a better Ethiopia and Abiy is willing to pay it.
7. Zelensky wont he Ukrainian election even though his only political experience came on a television show in which he played a comedian that became president of Ukraine. Art imitated life. But Zelensky is tackling the big issues, starting with Russia's persistence presence in Eastern Ukraine.
8. AMLO went into negotiations with Trump about border security and beat him like a drum. AMLO gave up nothing and Trump tried to play it off as a victory even though he received nothing new.
9. Modi won reelection by a wider margin than he won his first election. He ran on a policy of Hindu nationalism and hope for economic prosperity, a promise he made the first time around.
10. Abe's trade deal with the EU shows that the rest of the world can marginalize the U.S. if Trump wants to reign in isolation.
| Rank | Leader | Country | Previous Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Xi Jiangping | China | 1 |
| 2 | Kim Jong-un | North Korea | 2 |
| 3 | Vladimir Putin | Russia | 3 |
| 4 | Ali Khamenei | Iran | 5 |
| 5 | Jacinda Ardern | New Zealand | 4 |
| 6 | Abiy Ahmed | Ethiopia | 8 |
| 7 | Volodymyr Zelensky | Ukraine | Not Ranked |
| 8 | Andrés Manuel López Obrador | Mexico | Not Ranked |
| 9 | Narendra Modi | India | 6 |
| 10 | Shinzo Abe | Japan | 9 |
1. Despite the protests in Hong Kong, Xi is leading the race to 5G. He's also taking U.S. President Donald Trump behind the woodshed in the trade war.
2. Kim managed to dupe Trump into becoming the first U.S. president to step foot on North Korean soil and the maniacal dictator din't even have to give anything up. Instead, Trump has nothing but praise for Kim, even at the expense of a respected U.S. citizen Trump doesn't believe Kim has continued his nuclear ambitions even though his own intelligence community says otherwise.
3. Putin is such an autocrat that you're in trouble if you criticize him in a different country as a Georgian tv broadcaster recently found out. And yet, Trump has nothing but good things to say about his Russian overlord.
4. Khameni's power would be neutralized if only Trump could force Iran to sign an agreement limited their nuclear capabilities and opening up their program. It would mean more if they got the other major players around the world to join in for this "deal." Or Trump could talk a big game, but ultimately back down and leave Khamenei and his hardliners in a much better position than when Trump entered office. Trump opted for the latter.
5. New Zealand was determined to be the second most peaceful country in addition to one of the least corrupt. Arden was very effective in passing gun reform after the terrible massacre. And she got a very weird shout out at the Democratic debate in the U.S.
6. Ahmed has really put his life on the line to reform his country. His release of political prisoners nearly led to a coup last month, but that is the price of a better Ethiopia and Abiy is willing to pay it.
7. Zelensky wont he Ukrainian election even though his only political experience came on a television show in which he played a comedian that became president of Ukraine. Art imitated life. But Zelensky is tackling the big issues, starting with Russia's persistence presence in Eastern Ukraine.
8. AMLO went into negotiations with Trump about border security and beat him like a drum. AMLO gave up nothing and Trump tried to play it off as a victory even though he received nothing new.
9. Modi won reelection by a wider margin than he won his first election. He ran on a policy of Hindu nationalism and hope for economic prosperity, a promise he made the first time around.
10. Abe's trade deal with the EU shows that the rest of the world can marginalize the U.S. if Trump wants to reign in isolation.
Wednesday, July 03, 2019
Top Ten Pound-For-Pound
Here's my pound-for-pound list. I take into account ability and accomplishment. The previous list was posted on April 2, 2019.
1. Saul Alvarez (52-1-2, 35 KOs) [2]
2. Naoya Inoue (18-0, 16 KOs) [6]
3. Vasiliy Lomachenko (13-1, 10 KOs) [1]
4. Terence Crawford (35-0, 26 KOs) [4]
5. Gennady Golovkin (39-1-1, 35 KOs) [3]
6. Leo Santa Cruz (36-1-1, 19 KOs) [7]
7. Olexandr Usyk (16-0, 12 KOs) [8]
8. Errol Spence (25-0, 21 KOs) [9]
9. Mikey Garcia (38-1, 30 KOs) [10]
10. Olexandr Gvozdyk (17-0, 14 KOs) [Not ranked]
Exiting the list: Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (47-5-1, 41 KOs) [5]
1. Canelo has taken on the top opponents in his and around his weight division. No other fighter has had as much experience and as much success against the best. Canelo's win over one of the 3 best middleweights boosts his case for the number 1 spot.
2. Inoue destroyed an undefeated opponent in his last fight in a a weigh class he's only fought in three times. No one is running through the high level competition like Inoue.
3. Lomachenko fought weaker competition last fight. He won impressively, but he hasn't been fighting guys as tough as Canelo has and hasn't been knocking them out like Inoue.
4. Crawford has extreme talent, but doesn't have the resume to match. He needs to start fighting the top of the welterweight division.
\
5. He beat an over-matched opponent easily in June, but Golovkin's skills may have eroded a bit.
6. Would love to see Santa Cruz fight Gary Russell or Josh Warrington.
7. Usyk is moving up to heavyweight, but suffered an injury and his last fight was canceled.
8. Spence has the same issue as Crawford. He has a ton of talent, but his best wins are against an undersized Mikey Garcia, a faded Lamont Peterson, and Kell Brook.
9. I'd like to see him face Lomachenko although Commey would be a good fight too.
10. Gvozdyk does have a bit of a thin resume, but he is the lineal champ. I'd like to see him against the elites at light heavyweight: Bivol, Beterbiev, Kovalev, Alvarez, and/or Ramirez. A fight agaisnt Callum Smith would be interesting too. Let's get these light heavyweights int he ring against each other!
The winner of Josh Taylor-Regis Prograis for the World Boxing Super Series championship will almost certainly vault the winner into the top ten. Danny Roman and Rey Vargas at 122 need a signature win to receive more consideration. Tyson Fury could enter the list on the strength of his boxing skills if he can beat Wilder, Ruiz, and/or Joshua.
1. Saul Alvarez (52-1-2, 35 KOs) [2]
2. Naoya Inoue (18-0, 16 KOs) [6]
3. Vasiliy Lomachenko (13-1, 10 KOs) [1]
4. Terence Crawford (35-0, 26 KOs) [4]
5. Gennady Golovkin (39-1-1, 35 KOs) [3]
6. Leo Santa Cruz (36-1-1, 19 KOs) [7]
7. Olexandr Usyk (16-0, 12 KOs) [8]
8. Errol Spence (25-0, 21 KOs) [9]
9. Mikey Garcia (38-1, 30 KOs) [10]
10. Olexandr Gvozdyk (17-0, 14 KOs) [Not ranked]
Exiting the list: Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (47-5-1, 41 KOs) [5]
1. Canelo has taken on the top opponents in his and around his weight division. No other fighter has had as much experience and as much success against the best. Canelo's win over one of the 3 best middleweights boosts his case for the number 1 spot.
2. Inoue destroyed an undefeated opponent in his last fight in a a weigh class he's only fought in three times. No one is running through the high level competition like Inoue.
3. Lomachenko fought weaker competition last fight. He won impressively, but he hasn't been fighting guys as tough as Canelo has and hasn't been knocking them out like Inoue.
4. Crawford has extreme talent, but doesn't have the resume to match. He needs to start fighting the top of the welterweight division.
\
5. He beat an over-matched opponent easily in June, but Golovkin's skills may have eroded a bit.
6. Would love to see Santa Cruz fight Gary Russell or Josh Warrington.
7. Usyk is moving up to heavyweight, but suffered an injury and his last fight was canceled.
8. Spence has the same issue as Crawford. He has a ton of talent, but his best wins are against an undersized Mikey Garcia, a faded Lamont Peterson, and Kell Brook.
9. I'd like to see him face Lomachenko although Commey would be a good fight too.
10. Gvozdyk does have a bit of a thin resume, but he is the lineal champ. I'd like to see him against the elites at light heavyweight: Bivol, Beterbiev, Kovalev, Alvarez, and/or Ramirez. A fight agaisnt Callum Smith would be interesting too. Let's get these light heavyweights int he ring against each other!
The winner of Josh Taylor-Regis Prograis for the World Boxing Super Series championship will almost certainly vault the winner into the top ten. Danny Roman and Rey Vargas at 122 need a signature win to receive more consideration. Tyson Fury could enter the list on the strength of his boxing skills if he can beat Wilder, Ruiz, and/or Joshua.
Monday, July 01, 2019
Dalai Lama's Successor
Hundreds of women line outside the Dalai Lama's complex in Dharmsala, India in hopes of succeeding the Buddhist holy man. These women dream of changing the world and bringing peace. They hope to inspire future generations of little girls for centuries to come. But it won't be easy. The 84 year old Tibetan leader recently declared, "If a female Dalai Lama comes, she should be more attractive."
The first woman enters. "Big, fat pig!" His Holiness bellows and shoos her away.
The next woman walks through the doors. "She's certainly not hot. Next!"
Another woman enters. "Horseface."
The Dalai Lama waves another woman forward. "Such a nasty woman," and gestures her away.
"Bimbo," is how the next woman is assessed.
The fourteenth incarnation of the Avalokiteśvara checks out another potential fifteenth incarnation and hollers, "Does she have a good body? No. Does she have a fat ass? Absolutely." He dismisses her and calls for the next woman. "We're all a little chubby but she's just worse than most of us," he says of her.
After another woman shuffles through the complex, the Dalai Lama turns to an aide and says, "You could see there was blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her wherever."
As he finishes his criticism, another woman walks in and is quickly kicked out. "She was bleeding badly from a face-lift," says the exiled freedom fighter to his aide.
The parade of women continues throughout the day, but all are rejected based on their physical appearance. A reporter walks in after the audition is complete and asks the method in which the Dalai Lama will select his replacement.
"Grab 'em by the pussy," he says, "then I move on her like a bitch."
The first woman enters. "Big, fat pig!" His Holiness bellows and shoos her away.
The next woman walks through the doors. "She's certainly not hot. Next!"
Another woman enters. "Horseface."
The Dalai Lama waves another woman forward. "Such a nasty woman," and gestures her away.
"Bimbo," is how the next woman is assessed.
The fourteenth incarnation of the Avalokiteśvara checks out another potential fifteenth incarnation and hollers, "Does she have a good body? No. Does she have a fat ass? Absolutely." He dismisses her and calls for the next woman. "We're all a little chubby but she's just worse than most of us," he says of her.
After another woman shuffles through the complex, the Dalai Lama turns to an aide and says, "You could see there was blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her wherever."
As he finishes his criticism, another woman walks in and is quickly kicked out. "She was bleeding badly from a face-lift," says the exiled freedom fighter to his aide.
The parade of women continues throughout the day, but all are rejected based on their physical appearance. A reporter walks in after the audition is complete and asks the method in which the Dalai Lama will select his replacement.
"Grab 'em by the pussy," he says, "then I move on her like a bitch."
Friday, June 28, 2019
My Democrat Rankings after the 1st Debate Part 2
After the first debate (part 2), these are my new ranking of the Democratic Candidates for president.
1. - Cory Booker (Sen, NJ)
2. - Elizabeth Warren (Sen, Mass)
3. - Bernie Sanders (Sen, Vt) - Sanders does hit the same note and is weak on foreign policy, but he makes a good case on health care.
4. - Julian Castro (Sec, HUD)
5. - Kamala Harris (Sen, Cal) - She had a strong debate and her passion came across. Her interaction with Biden was awkward. It hurt both of them.
6. ↑ Pete Buttigieg (Mayor, Ind) - His mea culpa seemed a little forced, but he has the life story. He would make a great governor of Indiana.
7. ↓ Kirsten Gillibrand (Sen, NY) - She interrupted a lot at first. She had a good answer about her priority, but she thought she had a better debate than she actually had.
8. - Amy Klobuchar (Sen, Min)
9. ↑ Andrew Yang - Made a good closing argument. He didn't get much time, but he showed he belonged.
10. ↓ John Delaney (Fmr Rep, MD)
11. ↓ Bill De Blasio (Mayor, NY)
12. ↓ Tim Ryan (Rep, Ohio)
13. ↑ Michael Bennet (Sen, Col) - He seemed unsure of himself and was inarticulate despite having a worthy life story.
14. ↓ Jay Inslee (Gov, Was)
15. ↓ Joe Biden (Fmr VP) - Biden was strong on education and health care early in the debate, but he stumbled down the stretch.
16. ↑ Eric Swalwell (Rep, Cal) - He didn't have any policies except "pass the torch." That line didn't go well for him.
17. ↓ Tulsi Gabbard (Rep, Hi)
18. ↑ John Hickenlooper (Fmr Gov, Col) - He ran as the anti-socialist. He might do well in a Republican primary.
19. ↓ Beto O'Rourke (Sen, Tex)
20. ↓ Mike Gravel (Fmr Sen, Alaska)
21. ↓ Marianne Williamson - She did not come across as a serious candidate for president.
22. ↓ Steve Bullock (Gov, Montana)
23. - Sestak, Moulton, Messam
1. - Cory Booker (Sen, NJ)
2. - Elizabeth Warren (Sen, Mass)
3. - Bernie Sanders (Sen, Vt) - Sanders does hit the same note and is weak on foreign policy, but he makes a good case on health care.
4. - Julian Castro (Sec, HUD)
5. - Kamala Harris (Sen, Cal) - She had a strong debate and her passion came across. Her interaction with Biden was awkward. It hurt both of them.
6. ↑ Pete Buttigieg (Mayor, Ind) - His mea culpa seemed a little forced, but he has the life story. He would make a great governor of Indiana.
7. ↓ Kirsten Gillibrand (Sen, NY) - She interrupted a lot at first. She had a good answer about her priority, but she thought she had a better debate than she actually had.
8. - Amy Klobuchar (Sen, Min)
9. ↑ Andrew Yang - Made a good closing argument. He didn't get much time, but he showed he belonged.
10. ↓ John Delaney (Fmr Rep, MD)
11. ↓ Bill De Blasio (Mayor, NY)
12. ↓ Tim Ryan (Rep, Ohio)
13. ↑ Michael Bennet (Sen, Col) - He seemed unsure of himself and was inarticulate despite having a worthy life story.
14. ↓ Jay Inslee (Gov, Was)
15. ↓ Joe Biden (Fmr VP) - Biden was strong on education and health care early in the debate, but he stumbled down the stretch.
16. ↑ Eric Swalwell (Rep, Cal) - He didn't have any policies except "pass the torch." That line didn't go well for him.
17. ↓ Tulsi Gabbard (Rep, Hi)
18. ↑ John Hickenlooper (Fmr Gov, Col) - He ran as the anti-socialist. He might do well in a Republican primary.
19. ↓ Beto O'Rourke (Sen, Tex)
20. ↓ Mike Gravel (Fmr Sen, Alaska)
21. ↓ Marianne Williamson - She did not come across as a serious candidate for president.
22. ↓ Steve Bullock (Gov, Montana)
23. - Sestak, Moulton, Messam
Thursday, June 27, 2019
My Democratic Rankings after the 1st Debate
After the first debate, these are my new ranking of the Democratic Candidates for president.
1. - Cory Booker (Sen, NJ) - He stood out for his commitment to gun safety, but by attacking the president, he wasn't the inspiring unifier I was hoping for.
2. - Elizabeth Warren (Sen, Mass) - She is clearly versed in policy and confident. She had a good showing int he first debate and is close to becoming the frontrunner for my vote.
3. - Bernie Sanders (Sen, Vt)
4. ↑ Julian Castro (Sec, HUD) - He had a good first debate. He was a strong voice in reforming the immigration system. He recognized that we owe something to the Central American countries from which the asylum seekers are coming.
5. - Kamala Harris (Sen, Cal)
6. ↑ Kirsten Gillibrand (Sen, NY)
7. ↑ Pete Buttigieg (Mayor, South Bend)
8. ↑ Amy Klobuchar (Sen, Min) - She didn't stand out in any way, but didn't hurt her chances. She came across as more moderate than the other candidates.
9. ↑ John Delaney (Fmr Rep, MD) - His economic plan seemed sensible.
10. ↑ Bill De Blasio (Mayor, NY) - He had a rough night often interrupting and sticking to his talking points that he will fight for working people. But he had an inspirational closing statement that focused on what he's accomplished in New York as mayor.
11. ↓ Tim Ryan (Rep, Ohio) - He had a good point about representing the forgotten people, but he was out of his element in foreign policy.
12.↓ Jay Inslee (Gov, Was) - He didn't have a good debate. His talking points were: I'm a governor! and I hate Donald Trump!
13. - Joe Biden (Fmr VP)
14. ↑ Tulsi Gabbard (Rep, Hi) - Her campaign is focused on foreign policy without much substance.
15. ↑ Andrew Yang
16. ↓ Beto O'Rourke (Fmr Rep, Tex) - His message was that our laws should support our values in an overly dramatic fashion that didn't provide any substance.
17. - Marianne Williamson
18. - Mike Gravel (Fmr Sen, Ak)
19. - Hickenlooper, Swalwell, Bullock, Bennet
23. - Sestak, Moulton, Messam
1. - Cory Booker (Sen, NJ) - He stood out for his commitment to gun safety, but by attacking the president, he wasn't the inspiring unifier I was hoping for.
2. - Elizabeth Warren (Sen, Mass) - She is clearly versed in policy and confident. She had a good showing int he first debate and is close to becoming the frontrunner for my vote.
3. - Bernie Sanders (Sen, Vt)
4. ↑ Julian Castro (Sec, HUD) - He had a good first debate. He was a strong voice in reforming the immigration system. He recognized that we owe something to the Central American countries from which the asylum seekers are coming.
5. - Kamala Harris (Sen, Cal)
6. ↑ Kirsten Gillibrand (Sen, NY)
7. ↑ Pete Buttigieg (Mayor, South Bend)
8. ↑ Amy Klobuchar (Sen, Min) - She didn't stand out in any way, but didn't hurt her chances. She came across as more moderate than the other candidates.
9. ↑ John Delaney (Fmr Rep, MD) - His economic plan seemed sensible.
10. ↑ Bill De Blasio (Mayor, NY) - He had a rough night often interrupting and sticking to his talking points that he will fight for working people. But he had an inspirational closing statement that focused on what he's accomplished in New York as mayor.
11. ↓ Tim Ryan (Rep, Ohio) - He had a good point about representing the forgotten people, but he was out of his element in foreign policy.
12.↓ Jay Inslee (Gov, Was) - He didn't have a good debate. His talking points were: I'm a governor! and I hate Donald Trump!
13. - Joe Biden (Fmr VP)
14. ↑ Tulsi Gabbard (Rep, Hi) - Her campaign is focused on foreign policy without much substance.
15. ↑ Andrew Yang
16. ↓ Beto O'Rourke (Fmr Rep, Tex) - His message was that our laws should support our values in an overly dramatic fashion that didn't provide any substance.
17. - Marianne Williamson
18. - Mike Gravel (Fmr Sen, Ak)
19. - Hickenlooper, Swalwell, Bullock, Bennet
23. - Sestak, Moulton, Messam
Wednesday, June 26, 2019
My Democratic Nomination Power Rankings
Dozens of Democratic presidential hopefuls have thrown their names into the fold in hopes of capturing my vote. Currently, I am taking a mild interest in the race with the first debate scheduled for tonight. Here is how I rank them pre-debate.
1. Cory Booker (Senator, NJ) - Booker has one of the most liberal voting records in the senate, which appeals to my political sensibilities.So far he's attempted to inspire the electorate rather than simply attack the President. I believe we need someone who can bring up together, and that's why Booker has my top slot.
2. Elizabeth Warren (Senator, Mass) - Warren and I also largely agree politically. She understands policy and has tremendous experience. She's a bit too divisive and her DNA stunt made me question her political instincts a bit.
3. Bernie Sanders (Senator, Vermont) - he did a great job in '16 bringing important issues into the mainstream. His campaign succeeded in changing the narrative. I feel this latest run is more of a vanity project.
4. Tim Ryan (Rep. Ohio) - Those more of a moderate, my mom has met and worked with Ryan before.
5. Kamala Harris (Senator, Cal) - I'm not sure her prosecutorial style is what we need in a president. She received much praise for her questions in recent high profile committee eharings, but I wasn't as impressed as other people.
6. Julian Castro (Former Sec. of HUD) - He has been bold in putting out some bold policy positions ahead of the field, but he doesn't have much electoral experience.
7. Kirsten Gillibrand (Senator, NY) - Though a strong supporter of sexual assault victims, Gillibrand became far more liberal when she ran for the senate, openly admitting that she made political calculations.
8. Pete Buttigieg (Mayor, South Bend) - He has an incredible life story. His two knocks fall under the same umbrella: He's four days younger than me and his top elected position was as the mayor of the fourth largest city in Indiana. Perhaps he should run for governor first.
9. Beto O'Rourke (Former Rep., Tx) - O'Rourke should probably be running for senate again. His speaking style seems self-aggrandizing and doesn't appeal to me. He is short on substance.
10. Amy Klobacher (Senator, Min) - Apparently, she's horrible to wrok for, but any hold-over White Staff would be used to it. At least she has experience and knowledge to do the job.
11. Jay Inslee (Gov, Wash) - He has focused on climate change, which is certainly an important issue. He also has executive experience.
12. Bill de Blasio (Mayor, NY) - A liberal guy who isn't loved in his own home city.
13. Joe Biden (Former VP) - I think Biden is a sub-par candidate as he's shown in previous presidential runs. He makes a lot of gaffes, has a questionable voting records, is creepy around young women and girls, and I don't like his fake tough guy act.
14. John Delaney (Former Rep., MD) - I had a chance to vote for him in 2012 and it was the first and only time I've ever voted for a Libertarian candidate. He's a millionaire who bought his way into Congress.
15. Tulsi Gabbard (Rep., Hi) - She was pleasant on Finding Your Roots, but that whole anti-gay scandal was a turnoff.
16. Andrew Yang - A guaranteed monthly income is a good idea, but he lacks experience.
17. Marianne Williamson - She's written some books and has been an activist. If that last couple of years has taught us anything it's that experience in government is an important quality in being president.
18. Mike Gravel (Former Sen., Alaska) - He ran an outsider in '08 and barely got any momentum. I don't see the point this time.
19. The rest - I've actually heard Hickenlooper, Swalwell, Bullock, and Bennet speak but couldn't tell you anything about them, which is a bad sign for their presidential hopes. Democrats need them in Congress more than running for president.
23. - The bottom - There are actually three additional candidates! Maybe they should do something else.
1. Cory Booker (Senator, NJ) - Booker has one of the most liberal voting records in the senate, which appeals to my political sensibilities.So far he's attempted to inspire the electorate rather than simply attack the President. I believe we need someone who can bring up together, and that's why Booker has my top slot.
2. Elizabeth Warren (Senator, Mass) - Warren and I also largely agree politically. She understands policy and has tremendous experience. She's a bit too divisive and her DNA stunt made me question her political instincts a bit.
3. Bernie Sanders (Senator, Vermont) - he did a great job in '16 bringing important issues into the mainstream. His campaign succeeded in changing the narrative. I feel this latest run is more of a vanity project.
4. Tim Ryan (Rep. Ohio) - Those more of a moderate, my mom has met and worked with Ryan before.
5. Kamala Harris (Senator, Cal) - I'm not sure her prosecutorial style is what we need in a president. She received much praise for her questions in recent high profile committee eharings, but I wasn't as impressed as other people.
6. Julian Castro (Former Sec. of HUD) - He has been bold in putting out some bold policy positions ahead of the field, but he doesn't have much electoral experience.
7. Kirsten Gillibrand (Senator, NY) - Though a strong supporter of sexual assault victims, Gillibrand became far more liberal when she ran for the senate, openly admitting that she made political calculations.
8. Pete Buttigieg (Mayor, South Bend) - He has an incredible life story. His two knocks fall under the same umbrella: He's four days younger than me and his top elected position was as the mayor of the fourth largest city in Indiana. Perhaps he should run for governor first.
9. Beto O'Rourke (Former Rep., Tx) - O'Rourke should probably be running for senate again. His speaking style seems self-aggrandizing and doesn't appeal to me. He is short on substance.
10. Amy Klobacher (Senator, Min) - Apparently, she's horrible to wrok for, but any hold-over White Staff would be used to it. At least she has experience and knowledge to do the job.
11. Jay Inslee (Gov, Wash) - He has focused on climate change, which is certainly an important issue. He also has executive experience.
12. Bill de Blasio (Mayor, NY) - A liberal guy who isn't loved in his own home city.
13. Joe Biden (Former VP) - I think Biden is a sub-par candidate as he's shown in previous presidential runs. He makes a lot of gaffes, has a questionable voting records, is creepy around young women and girls, and I don't like his fake tough guy act.
14. John Delaney (Former Rep., MD) - I had a chance to vote for him in 2012 and it was the first and only time I've ever voted for a Libertarian candidate. He's a millionaire who bought his way into Congress.
15. Tulsi Gabbard (Rep., Hi) - She was pleasant on Finding Your Roots, but that whole anti-gay scandal was a turnoff.
16. Andrew Yang - A guaranteed monthly income is a good idea, but he lacks experience.
17. Marianne Williamson - She's written some books and has been an activist. If that last couple of years has taught us anything it's that experience in government is an important quality in being president.
18. Mike Gravel (Former Sen., Alaska) - He ran an outsider in '08 and barely got any momentum. I don't see the point this time.
19. The rest - I've actually heard Hickenlooper, Swalwell, Bullock, and Bennet speak but couldn't tell you anything about them, which is a bad sign for their presidential hopes. Democrats need them in Congress more than running for president.
23. - The bottom - There are actually three additional candidates! Maybe they should do something else.
Monday, June 24, 2019
Top 10 NBA Players
Top 10 NBA Players Now
While this list consists of the top 10 players now, the past is taken to account, but it is not a list of the best players who happen to be active. Previous ranks posted on June 20, 2018.
Top 10 NBA Careers Among Active Players
You're making a list of the ten best players in NBA history, but there's one caveat; you can only include players who played during the 2017-18 season. These are our choices, taking the players' entire careers into account. Previous ranks posted on June 20, 2018.
Top 10 NBA Franchise Players
This list is about which players you would pick to start a franchise right now. They must have played in an NBA game. Previous ranks posted on June 20, 2018.
While this list consists of the top 10 players now, the past is taken to account, but it is not a list of the best players who happen to be active. Previous ranks posted on June 20, 2018.
| # | David (PR) | Mike (Previous Rank) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | LeBron (1) | Harden (2) |
| 2 | Harden (4) | Antetokounmpo (9) |
| 3 | Durant (2) | LeBron (1) |
| 4 | Westbrook (3) | Jokic (NR) |
| 5 | Curry (5) | Gobert (NR) |
| 6 | Kawhi (NR) | Towns (6) |
| 7 | Antetokounmpo (8) | Westbrook (4) |
| 8 | Jokic (NR) | Curry (3) |
| 9 | A. Davis (6) | Durant (5) |
| 10 | Lillard (10) | Kawhi (NR) |
Top 10 NBA Careers Among Active Players
You're making a list of the ten best players in NBA history, but there's one caveat; you can only include players who played during the 2017-18 season. These are our choices, taking the players' entire careers into account. Previous ranks posted on June 20, 2018.
| # | David (PR) | Mike (Previous Rank) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | LeBron (1) | LeBron (1) |
| 2 | Durant (2) | Wade (3) |
| 3 | Dirk (3) | Dirk (2) |
| 4 | Curry (4) | Durant (4) |
| 5 | Westbrook (5) | Paul (5) |
| 6 | Paul (6) | Curry (6) |
| 7 | Harden (10) | Westbrook (8) |
| 8 | Wade (7) | Harden (10) |
| 9 | Parker (8) | D. Howard (7) |
| 10 | D. Howard (9) | Carmelo (9) |
This list is about which players you would pick to start a franchise right now. They must have played in an NBA game. Previous ranks posted on June 20, 2018.
| # | David (PR) | Mike (Previous Rank) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Antetokounmpo (1) | Antetokounmpo (2) |
| 2 | Kawhi (NR) | Harden (3) |
| 3 | Simmons (2) | Jokic (7) |
| 4 | Towns (4) | LeBron (4) |
| 5 | Jokic (NR) | Towns (1) |
| 6 | A. Davis (3) | Gobert (NR) |
| 7 | Embiid (NR) | Kawhi (10) |
| 8 | Harden (NR) | A. Davis (8) |
| 9 | LeBron (6) | Simmons (NR) |
| 10 | Doncic (NR) | Doncic (NR) |
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
The Man to Save America Nae the World
Levita and John Edward together produced more than just great barbecue. Their youngest son is a famous chef. Their eldest son is the only human who can save our divided country and polarized world from imploding into extinction. Only one person can quell humanity's hostility and contentiousness.
John Junior assumed the nickname "Skip" when he was seven years old in honor of his preferred method of transportation to school. The precocious youngster valued education even more than one of his parents' pulled pork sandwiches. His formal learning instilled in the boy values of truth, of critical thinking, and of consideration before one speaks that have not particularly come to define his life and work.
Skip Bayless spent his high school years as the big man on Northwest Classen's campus in Oklahoma City. He was blessed with the good looks of a slightly withered Mel Torme and gifted with the charisma of a sweaty gym sock. Bayless dominated the basketball court averaging nearly 1.5 points per game on the junior varsity squad as a senior. That year, the not-valedictorian soon became enamored with the ancient fairy-tale Three Billy Goats Gruff. The fable inspired a lifelong love of trolls. He spent much of twelfth grade hiding under the Crosstown Bridge accosting passersby with riddles. Bayless was so popular as a teen. fellow classmate and country music star Vince Gill wrote songs about Skip, including 1995's Which Bridge to Cross (Which Bridge to Burn) and 2006's Building Bridges.
Bayless, who has an uncomfortably deep Christian faith, played tight end on the football team at Stanford despite going to Vanderbilt University. He was a Rhodes Scholar and studied at Oxford (Texas). With the Vietnam War raging, Watergate bubbling, and violence in the Middle East, Bayless decided to go into the far more important world of sports journalism, where he lived out his dream of becoming a troll.
The best sports journalist and personality to ever live, Bayless supported Troy Aikman when his head coach Barry Switzer outed the Dallas Cowboys quarterback in Skip's book. For the record there is no indication that Aikman is actually gay, but that's beside the point. This pillar of journalistic integrity courageously stood up to convention more than a decade later, the lone voice howling in the wind when he claimed LeBron James is not a good basketball player. When Bayless isn't challenging well established fact, he's hurling false accusations plucked from the toilet of Twitter at professional athletes, thereby distracting the public from their actual bad press.
Stirring the pot and challenging convention is exactly what we need now. We are angry. We are at each other's throats. Only one man can save us. Every moment of Skip's life has been geared towards this one purpose. We need to stop the hatred towards one another and redirect it towards something- or someone- else. We need to focus all of our animosity towards one man, our savior, the conceited king of contrived controversy.
John Junior assumed the nickname "Skip" when he was seven years old in honor of his preferred method of transportation to school. The precocious youngster valued education even more than one of his parents' pulled pork sandwiches. His formal learning instilled in the boy values of truth, of critical thinking, and of consideration before one speaks that have not particularly come to define his life and work.
Skip Bayless spent his high school years as the big man on Northwest Classen's campus in Oklahoma City. He was blessed with the good looks of a slightly withered Mel Torme and gifted with the charisma of a sweaty gym sock. Bayless dominated the basketball court averaging nearly 1.5 points per game on the junior varsity squad as a senior. That year, the not-valedictorian soon became enamored with the ancient fairy-tale Three Billy Goats Gruff. The fable inspired a lifelong love of trolls. He spent much of twelfth grade hiding under the Crosstown Bridge accosting passersby with riddles. Bayless was so popular as a teen. fellow classmate and country music star Vince Gill wrote songs about Skip, including 1995's Which Bridge to Cross (Which Bridge to Burn) and 2006's Building Bridges.
Bayless, who has an uncomfortably deep Christian faith, played tight end on the football team at Stanford despite going to Vanderbilt University. He was a Rhodes Scholar and studied at Oxford (Texas). With the Vietnam War raging, Watergate bubbling, and violence in the Middle East, Bayless decided to go into the far more important world of sports journalism, where he lived out his dream of becoming a troll.
The best sports journalist and personality to ever live, Bayless supported Troy Aikman when his head coach Barry Switzer outed the Dallas Cowboys quarterback in Skip's book. For the record there is no indication that Aikman is actually gay, but that's beside the point. This pillar of journalistic integrity courageously stood up to convention more than a decade later, the lone voice howling in the wind when he claimed LeBron James is not a good basketball player. When Bayless isn't challenging well established fact, he's hurling false accusations plucked from the toilet of Twitter at professional athletes, thereby distracting the public from their actual bad press.
Stirring the pot and challenging convention is exactly what we need now. We are angry. We are at each other's throats. Only one man can save us. Every moment of Skip's life has been geared towards this one purpose. We need to stop the hatred towards one another and redirect it towards something- or someone- else. We need to focus all of our animosity towards one man, our savior, the conceited king of contrived controversy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)