The cooperation was good while it lasted. Per the NY Times Mitch McConnell has warned President Biden he won’t help the Democrats raise the debt ceiling next time. A day after agreeing to allow a short-term increase in the federal debt limit to move forward, the Republican leader said Democrats should not expect such cooperation in December. For the life of me I cannot understand why raising the debt ceiling is a political football. Since 1980 both parties have contributed significantly to the debt. When a Democratic president was in office the debt increased $10 trillion and when a Republican president was in office the debt increased $18 trillion.
In last night’s American League Division Series game between the Boston Redsox and the Tampa Bay Rays one of the most exciting plays in baseball occurred as Ray’s Randy Arozarena stole home on a straight steal. The situation was perfect. The Rays were leading 4-0. There was a left-handed pitcher with a left-handed batter at the plate. The Red Sox had three infielders shifted to the right field side of the infield and the third baseman was nearly at the shortstop position, which means Arozarena could lead off as far as the third baseman was away from third base. After 4 pitches in which Arozarena was sizing up the moves and timing of the pitcher, he took off and just beat the pitchers throw home. As a plate umpire this play can be a nightmare if there is a right-handed batter and it is an actual pitch. In this case, the left handed batter stepped out of the box and it was clearly a play at the plate and not a pitch. Here is a video showing the steal and the lead up to the steal.
By the way, did I mention that Arozarena hit a homerun earlier in the game.
You cannot make this up. While streaming the ALDS playoff game tonight on my computer a Spectrum commercial came on in which they are advertising that they have the best internet speed in the country. During the commercial my streaming started buffering. Did I mention that Spectrum is my provider here in Petoskey.
It is Friday night, Leah, Katy and our grandchildren arrived tonight for a long weekend. I am looking forward to a great weekend. Forecast has temperatures in the 70’s with chances of rain.
Stay safe. Wash your hands regularly. Schedule your vaccine and booster. Wear your mask. Social distance.
Orchid of the Day: Randy Arozarena-see above.
Onion of the Day: Spectrum/Charter-see above.Quote of the Day: “I will not be a party to any future effort to mitigate the consequences of Democratic mismanagement,” “Your lieutenants on Capitol Hill now have the time they claimed they lacked to address the debt ceiling.” Mr. McConnell wrote in a scathing letter that the aide said restated what he had told the president during the call.