Saturday, July 18, 2026

THOUGHTS About The News.

Previously posted on my Facebook Page.

Associated Press: “U.S. and Iran blow past red lines as Strait of Hormuz tensions spiral.” This is the war that is either “hard to believe” or simply invites an arched eyebrow or rolling eyeballs. Absurd. Surreal. Not that I don’t believe that craziness is still happening at The Strait. I suspect that those who amass revenue from this drama are only taking advantage, until Iran finally accepts the deal.



      Meanwhile, from Associated Press: “8 killed as Ukrainian drone attack hits logistics hubs deep inside Russia.” Whether it is the Middle East “crisis” or Ukraine/Eastern Europe, this gargantuan wastage of taxpayer money is more a battle of geopolitical narcissism (and hand on the profit jar) than whatever stuff and things that they are quarreling about. ☮️☮️☮️


The Telegraph: “Zelensky ousts popular defense chief as protesters take to the streets.” Volodymyr doesn’t need to fire his military officers, that’s a lame PR. What he should have done was to at least try not to be a continuing puppet of the European Union and NATO (sans the U.S.) The Ukrainian people are (apparently) enraged, distressed, and have been suffering since 2022 (or since the Donbas conflict in 2014).

      Russia has, time and again, sent fillers to end the crisis, and Mr Trump has been pushing for peace as well. But Europe isn’t backing out from supporting this lost war. And Z keeps embracing (military) aid. The people know the lowdown in their government’s institutionalized corruption (per foreign aid). ☮️☮️☮️


California Post: “Snakebite victim got 54 vials of antivenom and a $1.3 million hospital bill.” Not really surprising, isn’t it? Especially for the 27 million Americans who don’t have health insurance. One night in a U.S. hospital (without insurance) costs an average of $3,000 to $3,132 for the base room and board alone. However, when you factor in tests, medications, doctor consultations, and initial emergency room fees, the final out-of-pocket bill for a single overnight stay typically climbs to between $9,300 and $11,700. Okay? 

       Also: The average cost of a ground ambulance ride typically ranges between $500 and $2,500+ without insurance, with a national average of roughly $1,000 to $1,300 per trip! So for the meantime, don't get bitten by a snake! ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ˜ต๐Ÿ


Yahoo Sports: “Caitlin Clark's 45-point, 10-assist game wasn't just a career peak — it was a WNBA 1st.” Okay, finally, the WNBA news that I have been waiting for. Not particularly about Ms Clark’s record night (I know she’ll regain her magic touch anytime) but I am relieved that league news finally focuses on playtime, not drama time! 

       I mean, do people even know that a month or so ago, Toronto Tempo’s Marina Mabrey tied the all-time single-game scoring record (53 points) and most three-pointers in a single game with nine? Examples of what we mostly read these days are this: When Marina was hit by a flying shoe thrown by an irate Betnijah Laney-Hamilton of the NY Liberty. Or the never-ending Alyssa Thomas/Caitlin Clark thingy. ๐Ÿ€⛹️‍♀️๐Ÿ€


NY Post: “MLB fans criticize Patti LaBelle's national anthem rendition.” The legendary 82-year old R&B singer faced backlash from some MLB fans for her rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" to kick off the 2026 MLB All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Says her critics: She took too many artistic liberties, adding jazzy runs, and putting her own personal spin on the traditional melody. “Disrespectful" and "horrible." 

       As for me, maybe I am a traditionalist, because I don’t concur with improvisational renditions of national anthems. I prefer the way it was composed/written. Years ago, the Philippines’ national anthem was also “covered” a-la the popular “We Are the World.” Oh well. Meanwhile, this related news, Yahoo: “The World Cup final halftime show headliners could break soccer's rules.” Well, indeed! Since all the brouhaha about the Super Bowl halftime “politics,” sports intermissions have been this frivolously bombastic. WTH?!? This is NOT a concert! ๐Ÿคจ๐Ÿ˜ž๐Ÿคจ


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