At Last!

For a long time I've suggested that politicians be charged and tried for fraud.  They lie and lie and lie, promising this and promising that, with no intentions of doing what they promise.  They take donations and isn't this "fraud?"  What is "fraud" other than taking something/money under false pretenses?  Isn't that what many politicians do?

So, some donor to the Republican Party in Virginia is suing, under RICO laws, the GOP.  He is upset that the Republicans failed to do what they promised, what they promised for seven years--to repeal Obamacare.  "Give us Congress, the House and the Senate, and we'll repeal Obamacare."  "Give us the Presidency and we'll repeal Obamacare."  Well, they were given everything they asked and, after some equally fraudulent votes to repeal it knowing Obama was ready with a veto, didn't deliver on their promises.

I don't know how much money the guy donated, but I hope his suit isn't dismissed and makes it to trial.  Of course, the Republican spokesmen pooh-poohed the suit as "frivolous" and "a nuisance suit."  What else were they supposed to say?  "Yeah, we deliberately lied in attempts to get money."

Maybe it's time to start treating politicians, at least many of them, like everyone else.  If businessmen/women can be sued for fraudulent actions, politicians should be fair game, too.  They have been able to get away with their dishonesty for far too long.  It would be good to see other donors, upset at the dishonesty of the Republicans, also file lawsuits.  (I don't think the Democrats should worry.  They come right out and tell us they plan to steal our money for their agendas.  They aren't at all dishonest about that.)

Repeal Obamacare?  How many millions of dollars did that promise raise?  How about other "promises," such as de-funding Planned Parenthood for its role in abortions?  Oh, there are lots of examples.  Maybe we can get those running for office to be honest with voters.  No, I'm not holding my breath.

As I've noted many times, baseball is a funny game.  Here's another instance.  Miguel Cabrera is hitting the lowest he has in his career.  Yet......  As of this week, his "line-drive rate" is second in the Majors, while his "hard-hit rate" is fourth.  Yes, he's striking out more than usual, swinging at bad pitches, etc.  But as an article this AM pointed out, Miggy hits a lot of line drives that are caught, obviously.  If 15 of them, fewer/less than one more a week, fell in for hits, he'd be hitting over .300.  The next time someone asserts with unfounded authority, "What's wrong with Miggy?," think about this.

BTW, I don't watch much of the Tigers and not any of other teams.  But from what little I've seen, if Jose Iglesias doesn't win a Gold Glove, I'd really like to see who does.  The kid is a magician in the field!  His feet and, esp, hands are so quick!  I noted in the newspaper this AM that he's hitting over .260.  With his glove, whatever the Tigers are paying him isn't nearly enough, compared to what others get.

One of my high school players went on to play college ball and then pitch for a while in the Majors with the Brewers.  When in college, the coaches there tried to change his form, notably the way he short-armed the ball.  I don't know enough to make changes like that.  But I do know he did well in high school and had no arm problems.  In college, he was beset with arm troubles.  When he was drafted and signed, he was allowed to go back to his old (natural?) delivery.  And he had success, as I said, playing for a while in the Majors.  It reminds me of running.  Almost always, a runner's gait should be left alone.  He/She is likely running with his/her natural stride, the one that is best for his/her body.  Attempts to mess with it might well lead to injuries.  As George Sheehan once wrote, "Every person is an experiment of one."

Is this true?  It read like a headline from one of the tabloids.  No, the Detroit News reported than half of the candidates running for office in Detroit (mayor?) are convicted felons.  Is that so?  Well, perhaps taking a look at the litany of recent past crooks holding public office in the city encouraged the felons.  I guess I believe in second chances, but this is still disturbing.

I wonder what caused Senators Stabenow and Peters to finally issue their "blue slip" which will allow the nomination of Joan Larson to the US Court of Appeals to proceed in the confirmation process.  I'd like to think the criticism directed their way, for being more concerned with Democrat Party wishes than the wishes and interests of their Michigan constituents, had some effect.  But I'm not sure about that.  Isn't it funny--and not ha-ha funny--that both (Peters then in the House) voted for Obamacare without any of the "due diligence" or "scrutiny" (their words) they've given a highly qualified (from both liberals and conservatives in the state), popular candidate (She received 59% of the popular vote in a three-way election for the state supreme court last November.).

Thursday was my Mom's birthday.  She would have been 88 years old.  It's hard to believe she died 24 years ago; that's a long time.  I was telling someone the other day that, when I had some down times in college, 700 miles away, she was the one I'd call.  And the afternoon long-distance calls ("Long Distance?"  What's that?) were not cheap.  She even ironed my baseball uniforms after washing and before games.  I miss her a lot, even after 24 years.