On my way home from the gym yesterday morning, the House of the Rising Sun by the Animals was playing on my Spotify playlist. I have hundreds of songs on my play list including many by the Animals. In listening to the song, I was reminded how much I have loved lead singer Eric Burdon’s voice. He is one of the best lead singers/front man in the history of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Upon arriving home, I asked “Alexa” to play songs by Eric Burdon and the Animals. For the next two hours while doing my “chores” I was treated to his wonderful voice doing the usual hits as well as some “cover” songs that he has done over the years. It was a great way to start the day.
Over the last few weeks, I have heard so much about the “budget reconciliation process” and how the senate Republicans want to force the Democrats to use the “budget reconciliation process” to raise the debt and pass the infrastructure bill as a way around the senate filibuster rules. Part of the strategy by the Republicans was to allow the bills to pass without any Republican support, so the Republicans can later use it against the Democrats in the 2022 elections. This part of the strategy I understand, but the important thing that I didn’t understand until today, was the “budget reconciliation” process is limited to how many times it can be used in any calendar year. It can only be used for revenue increases, expense increases, and debt ceiling increases and it can only be used for one time for each. Thus, if the Democrats use it for the infrastructure bill and the debt ceiling it cannot be used for the budget process, thus allowing the Republicans to have greater control over the budget process.
You cannot make up what has happened in Idaho while Governor Brad Little was out of town meeting with other governors in Texas. While the cat was a way the mouse was playing. Lieutenant Governor Janice McGeachin, immediately began issuing rightwing orders while she was temporarily holding executive power – including a ban on coronavirus vaccine mandates. That same afternoon, McGeachin issued an executive order – as acting governor – banning state officials from requiring what she called “Covid-19 vaccine passports” from employees. McGeachin, who is planning to run against Little in the next gubernatorial election, attempted to activate the Idaho national guard and send troops to the southern border in a highly unorthodox move to crack down on undocumented people attempting to cross into the US 2,000 miles away from her state. “As of Wednesday, my constitutional authority as governor affords me the power of activating the Idaho national guard,” McGeachin wrote to major general Michael Garshak in a letter. Garshak shot down McGeachin’s request. Governor Little promised to quickly reverse McGeachin’s order as soon as he returned to Idaho. I wish I could be there when Governor Little returns. And to think they are both from the same political party.
The Detroit News sports reporter Robin Buckson issued final grades on all of the Detroit Tigers today. Here is what he had to say about manager A.J. Hinch. “There is not enough space here to do justice to the impact he made in his first year. The 77 wins is only a small part of it. He and his staff created an environment of success on a team that had tasted very little of it in recent years. He raised performance standards. He instilled a higher level of expectation and preparedness. He established an aggressive, fearless style of play. His ability to blend data and analytics with his own eyes-and-gut analysis was textbook. It’s hard to imagine a manager having a more significant and positive impact in one season. Mid-term grade: A Second-half grade: A Final grade: A”
Speaking of A.J. Hinch, his influence on the Tiger’s organization is all over today’s announcement of the firing of Toledo Mud Hens manager Tom Prince (57), in spite of leading them to a first place finish and a 76-54 record. With the hiring of Ryan Garko(42) as the Director of Player and Coach Development, the Tigers under Hinch’s leadership are moving to a new brand of coaches who are knowledgeable in today’s analytics. Look for all of the Tiger minor league coaches to be replaced with younger coaches who have been schooled in analytics, like Hinch.
Stay safe. Wash your hands regularly. Schedule your vaccine and booster. Wear your mask. Social distance.
Orchid of the Day: Boston Red Sox for their 6-2 victory over their hated rival the Yankees in yesterday’s American League wild card game.
Onion of the Day: Idaho Lieutenant Governor Janice McGeachin-see above story.
Quote of the Day: “We just can’t wait to the last minute to resolve this. We are, simply put, playing with fire right now, and our country has suffered so greatly over the last few years. The human and the economic cost of the pandemic has been wrenching, and we don’t need a catastrophe of our own making.” Jane Fraser, CEO of Citi Bank on Congress’ inability to resolve the debt ceiling limit which is expected to be reached on October 18.