Now I know how the Iranians felt yesterday. I do have to say it was a very entertaining football match. Was hoping for a win and got the draw; cosmic karma at work in my mind. U.S. and Iran on the same side -- again?
Anyhow, continuing with results from the earlier matches:
On Ukraine, Putin calling for both sides to compromise
And yet it was the Belgians that won the match. Can't play for a draw, Vlad. 'course, he would being a chess guy.
Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, spoke publicly following ceremonies commemorating the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941.
Putin discussed the cease-fire on Sunday with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande, Merkel’s office and the Kremlin said.
In Kiev, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko also addressed his nation on the day on which Ukrainians and Russians mourn the millions who died during World War II.
One would think something like that would pull them back from the brink; the problem is the people behind Poroshenko.
More musings about that time and ours.
Related:
"Analysts believe Russia wants sufficient sway in southeastern Ukraine to destabilize Kiev or to make sure that the central government there does not get too close to the European Union or contemplate joining NATO."
Now flip that over and replace Russia with the United States and EU with some other organizations.
NEXT DAY UPDATE: Pro-Russia militants vow to observe cease-fire
You know, receiving some distorted, upside-down, inside-out, pos propaganda as news is making me as sour as a soccer fan with umpires or whatever you call 'em. I guess I'm no longer into the mocking cheers, sorry.
I also see it was not a good day for the South Koreans (why are they trying to tie that to the North?). I guess Algeria must have made some sacrifices, and I shudder to think what forces may be behind such things. The one-day wonders and lack of coverage in general point to something evil and nefarious.
NEXT DAY UPDATES:
"South Koreans have worried about public safety in the wake of an April ferry disaster that left more than 300 people dead or missing, and some in Seoul have questioned the discipline and readiness of South Korea’s military in the face of near-constant threats from North Korea, which has recently staged missile and artillery drills, traded fire with South Korean forces at sea, and threatened South Korea’s leader."
The ferry has pretty much been forgotten (as have the U.S. war games), and my propaganda pre$$ is still trying to gin up a war.
Sudan frees woman on death row for apostasy
I can't remember the last I saw of Sudan, readers. Sorry.
Ebola cases rise in Africa as doctors sound alarm
More evil and nefarious forces at work below the surface, no doubt.
Looking forward to today, I am going to predict an Australian victory over Spain in keeping with the unpredictability of this tournament. The defending champion losing all three games and getting zero points will be a top story. The Australians have also been playing good football, and were it not for a few bounces of the ball....
NEXT DAY UPDATE: Spain beat Australia, 3-0
At the same time I see the Netherlands and Chile playing to a draw as both have already advanced, while in the late matches Brazil defeats Cameroon to push through.
NEXT DAY UPDATE: Brazil routs Cameroon to win Group A
The Netherlands beat Chile, 2-0
The most intriguing match of the day is Mexico-Croatia and whether Mexico has enough firepower to score goals. Barring another unbelievable performance from the Mexican goalkeeper, I think Croatia may slip through with a win.
NEXT DAY UPDATE: Mexico rides three-goal burst into second round
One for four is not that good. I guess I don't know soccer so maybe I'll sub out for a while.
Also see: Tech workers find their sport in World Cup soccer
One explanation is the high number of foreign-born workers in high-tech industries.
Yeah, let's not kid ourselves anymore about what is really going on, 'kay?
There you go, readers. You are free to lap up the spillover I suppose.
As for getting back to this blog, the metaphor also applies. I'm falling further and further behind and am unsure what to do or where to go. Going to have to clean up in any case.
"Incoming House majority leader would end export bank" New York Times June 23, 2014
WASHINGTON — Representative Kevin McCarthy, Republican of California and the incoming House majority leader, said on Sunday he would allow the authorization for the Export-Import Bank of the United States to expire when it comes up for reauthorization in the fall.
In his first national television interview since being elected on Thursday to be the number two Republican in the House, McCarthy said Congress had decided in a previous vote that the bank, responsible for supporting US exports, should be phased out.
“One of the biggest problems of government is they go and take hard-earned money so others do things that the private sector can do,” he said on “Fox News Sunday.” “That’s what the Ex-Im Bank does.”
McCarthy is a member of the House Committee on Financial Services, which is scheduled to hold a hearing on the bank on Wednesday.
The House overwhelmingly supported extending the bank’s charter in 2012 despite pressure from conservative groups, including the Club for Growth and Heritage Action for America, which argued that the bank’s support for major businesses such as Boeing amounted to corporate welfare and could put taxpayers on the hook for billions of dollars.
We can all $ee to whom they are li$tening.
But business groups including the US Chamber of Commerce rallied lawmakers behind the bank, arguing that exports and, by extension, the economy would suffer without it to level the playing field the way other countries support their own exporters.
Hey, when someone is passing out free cash courtesy of the American taxpayer....
McCarthy voted to reauthorize the bank at the time.
The more things change....
--more--"
Related:
"New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, who once managed a Rangel campaign, has stayed out of making any endorsements in the race and chided Rangel for referencing Espaillat’s ethnic background and saying he was running because the district had become increasingly Hispanic."
Also see: Will Rangel Do the Right Thing?
Nope. Said some really odd things, too.
UPDATE: The ISIS Crisis: “another 9/11″, ISIS, Flight 370, Sarin, Britain and … the World Cup?
NEXT DAY UPDATE: Malaysia court upholds ‘Allah’ ban for non-Muslims
All part of the narrative, right?
