Earth & Earthlings
Here are pictures from the first 360-degree camera in space. Photos from The Sun/Google Images:
RIP Ron Hodges, 74, who played all twelve of his MLB seasons with the Mets as a backup catcher. Born in Virginia, he shunned three other teams before signing with the Amazin’s. He was called up in 1973 and appeared in the World Series, a loss to the mighty A’s. He walked in his only at-bat. Overall, he had a BA of .240 and 19 homers. He was a father of four sons who all played college baseball. How many men can say they played twelve years in the bigs? Well done, Sir. Photo from GI:
RIP Henry Kissinger, 100. His family fled Germany in 1938. He earned a Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD from Harvard. He served in the U.S. Army with distinction during WWII, receiving a bronze star. He was National Security Advisor and Secretary of State under President Nixon and continued as Secretary of State under President Ford. According to his Wiki profile, he was foremost in “pioneering the policy of détente with the Soviet Union, orchestrating an opening of relations with the People’s Republic of China, engaging in what became known as shuttle diplomacy in the Middle East to end the Yom Kippur War, and negotiating the Paris Peace Accords, which ended American involvement in the Vietnam War. After leaving government, he formed Kissinger Associates, an international geopolitical consulting firm.” He wrote more than a dozen books. His critics were fierce, so I never knew quite what to make of him, especially given his association with Tricky Dick and the rumors about secret actions in Indochina. Still, he served his adopted country in war and peace. He was a father of two. Photo from Amazon.com:
Despite his impressive track record as governor of Florida, I expect Ron DeSantis to be trounced in tonight’s debate vs. Gavin Newsom, a slick politician who talks a good game. DeSantis has been inept at arguing on his own behalf in his presidential run. I hope he proves me wrong.
Here’s a refreshing bit of candor from one of the beautiful people, from NYP: “Kim Kardashian says her family ‘scammed the system’ to reach stardom: ‘We aren’t supposed to be here’.” Damn, she’s gorgeous. Photo from GI:
From NYP: “‘Jeopardy!’ host Mayim Bialik asks where ‘progressive feminists’ are over silence on Hamas Oct. 7 rapes.” Selective outrage, especially the left’s, should surprise no one.
I’m not sure I should be surprised by this excerpt from an NYP editorial: “Homeschooling is up 50% nationally, but has more than doubled in New York, up 178% statewide and 324% in New York City.”
Headline from nypost.com: “College football star skipping senior season to begin Navy SEAL training.” In his NCAA career at Wyoming and Utah St., Levi Williams passed for 17 TDs, rushed for 16, and had a record of 7–6 in his starts, including wins in the Arizona Bowl and the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, earning game MVP honors in the latter. Although it is wrong to dub him a star or to suggest he is of NFL caliber, he has made an admirable decision. Kudos. Photo from GI:
Not much action at the floating book shop on this gorgeous day that did not require a retreat to the car for warmth. My thanks to those who donated and swapped, and to Jolene, who jumped on Dear Cary by Dyan Cannon. Although she is only about 50, she became a big fan of the Hollywood icon.
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