I woke up Sunday morning to learn that the American soccer team had been ousted by Sweden from the World Cup by an inch.
A saved penalty kick cruelly fell to the ground an inch inside the goal marker.
That final inch sent the Americans down to their worst World Cup performance in the history of the tournament.
I could only bring myself to watch the penalty kick shootout hours after the Americans had long left the pitch in Australia.
Penalty kick shoot out – August 6, 2023 sending Americans home by an inch
Excerpted from The Local – Stockholm Sweden 8.6.2023
Sweden stunned the United States 5-4 in a sudden-death penalty shootout on Sunday to surge into a Women’s World Cup quarter-final against Japan and consign the defending champions to their earliest-ever exit.
The title-holders dominated the opening 90 minutes but a breakthrough proved elusive with Swedish goalkeeper Zecira Musovic making some startling saves to keep her side alive.
With the deadlock remaining after extra-time it went to penalties in Melbourne — and the tension went up another notch.
Sweden’s Nathalie Bjorn was the first to miss, skying high, only for Megan Rapinoe to do the same.
Rebecka Blomqvist’s effort was saved, again putting the USA in the driving seat, only for Sophia Smith to blast wide.
Sweden’s Lina Hurtig and teammates celebrate their win during the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women’s World Cup round of 16 football match between Sweden and USA at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in Melbourne on August 6, 2023. Photo by WILLIAM WEST / AFP
When Kelley O’Hara hit the post, it was all down to Sweden’s Lina Hurtig, who made sure — but only after VAR ruled her kick had crossed the line.
The dramatic conclusion leaves the tournament without the two top-ranked sides after Germany’s group-stage departure, with the Swedes now considered among the chief frontrunners as the world number three.
A disconsolate American women’s team looks on in shocked disbelief in Melbourne, Australia as their hopes for a third straight World Cup vanish by an inch
The whiny crybaby Trump knows his days as a free man will soon be over.
Rather than stand up and take it like a Man ….. which this insurrectionist tin pot wannabe fascist dictator is not …. Trump will trot out every lame for sure to be rejected argumentas he tries to stave off the ultimate Perp Walk.
To a prison cell.
Donald Trump didn’t like being referred to as “Mr.” during his arraignment in DC Federal Court – August 3, 2023
Excerpted from Politico 8.6.2023
Donald Trump will ask for the federal judge overseeing the case involving his attempt to subvert the 2020 presidential election to recuse herself and will seek a venue change, he wrote in a post on social media Sunday.
“There is no way I can get a fair trial with the judge ‘assigned’ to the ridiculous freedom of speech/fair elections case. Everybody knows this, and so does she!,” Trump wrote in all caps on Truth Social. “We will be immediately asking for recusal of this judge on very powerful grounds, and likewise for venue change, out [of] D.C.”
Mr. Donald Trump’s future business suit – Prison orange
D.C. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama and confirmed by the Senate on 95-0 vote, has delivered some of the harshest sentences to Jan. 6 defendants to date. However, she has also avoided some of the most pointed criticisms of Trump that some of her colleagues on the federal bench in D.C. have delivered in sentencing defendants involved in attack on the Capitol. Chutkan was selected at random to preside over the case.
Trump previously wrote on Truth Social that a fair trial would be “impossible” in D.C., suggesting the proceedings should instead take place in “the politically unbiased nearby State of West Virginia!” In the post, he described D.C. as “over 95% anti-Trump,” seemingly alluding to the 2020 election results in D.C., which voted 92% to 4% for Biden over Trump.
But Trump’s argument has been repeatedly rejected by federal judges in D.C. who have handled other politically sensitive cases stemming from the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.
Jack Smith – Special Counsel and International Criminal Court prosecutor has Mr. Trump in his sights
It’s clear the Defendant Donald Trump has no intention of complying with the law.
Special Counsel Jack Smith is well versed in dealing with defendants like Trump. Prosecuting war criminals at the International Criminal Court in the Hague.
September 11 will be 50 years since the American encouraged Coup d’etat deposed Salvador Allende Gossens, the democratically elected socialist president of Chile and ushered in the fascist 17 year reign of terror led by Augusto Pinochet.
I just viewed the film ‘Chile ’76’ which vividly shows the fear and paranoia which gripped Chile during those years. The film is quiet, subtle and devastating as seen through the eyes of Carmen, a wealthy woman drawn inexorably into the terror of a fascist regime.
Opening scene of Chile ’76
Excerpted from The Nation 8.1.2023
Like so many paranoid thrillers from the decade in which the movie is set, Chile ’76 denies its audience any measure of comfort or relief.
When Carmen (Aline Kuppenheim) orders medical supplies from a hotel pay phone, we’re never sure if the crackle on the line is Pinochet’s secret police or if there’s simply a bad connection. In another chilling scene, Carmen returns home to find her maid sleeping against the counter in the kitchen at an awkward angle. For several moments, the viewer is left to wonder whether she’s been strangled, possibly as a message to Carmen and her family. But then she rouses and the tension dissipates—if only until her employer’s next clandestine outing.
Part of what makes Chile ’76 so effective is that the violence it depicts always seems to happen just offscreen.
Chile ’76 Trailer
Carmen is writing down a list of groceries when we overhear one of the painters tell his coworker, “An army patrol picked them up, and no one’s seen them since.”
Later she has a rendezvous with Pinochet foe Elias’s comrade Silvia (Yasna Ríos), who convinces her that they’re being followed. It’s yet another false alarm, but Carmen subsequently spots the police covering a body on the beach near her home. A newspaper headline blares the murder of a beautiful young woman. Is it Silvia? Was she discovered? Director Manuela Martelli won’t tell.
Indeed, we only learn of Elias’s capture when Carmen tries to bring him a new pair of boots and discovers that his room adjacent to Father Sanchez’s church has been ransacked. A stricken servant informs her that he’s been abducted. “This is horrifying” are the only words that she can muster.
Carmen returns home with a cake for her granddaughter, and the movie ends with one of the bleaker renditions of “Happy Birthday” ever committed to film.
I would like to take a line from the 1994 Bjork song in her first album. Aptly named “Debut”
“There’s more to life than this..”Appropriately Recorded Live at “The Milk Bar Toilets.”
Being a political afficionado I feel compelled to join the scrum.
Regrettably Trump is happily sucking up all the air in America. I am thinking back to the 2019 book “Audience of One – Donald Trump, Television, and the Fracturing of America” by James Poniewozik. A must read.
Here we are on August 2, 2023 and Trump will be indicted tomorrow. So, after taking a deep dive into the media, Mainstream and otherwise, the quote from long timescribe Walter Shapiro in The New Republic says it all.
Excerpted from The New Republic 8.2.2023
Trump, if nominated, may spend more time in 2024 sitting mute in courtrooms than he will orating to fanatical true believers in basketball arenas about “witch hunts” and stolen elections. Despite ridiculously premature polling showing the 2024 race neck and neck, it seems like a weird political strategy for the Republicans to rally around a thrice-indicted proven loser. The problem, of course, is that Republicans are still in the grips of a collective delusion that Trump is the legitimate president. A late June Monmouth University Poll found that 68 percent of Republicans believe—despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary—that Biden only won in 2020 because of vote fraud.
The federal judge in Washington, D.C. assigned to preside over the prosecution of former President Donald Trump for charges related to the Capitol riot is notorious for issuing tougher sentences to other Jan. 6 defendants than what the Justice Department requested, and put every one of them behind bars.
U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan was assigned to oversee the case involving Trump, who on Tuesday was indicted on four federal charges, including conspiracy to defraud the United States; conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding; obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding; and conspiracy against rights.
Chutkan, a former assistant public defender before her appointment by President Barack Obama, has handled several cases involving individuals who entered the Capitol on January 6.
There are 2 parts to the three hour opus by Christopher Nolan.
‘Fission’ – Oppenheimer, Father of A-Bomb.
‘Fusion’ – FBI’s witch-hunt of philosophically leftist Oppenheimer.
The Wall Street Journal MUST undergo paradigm shift & FIX its 100 year biastowards Leftists and Progressives.
I am not holding my breath.
EMPHASIZE that a wealthy connected Republican Lewis Strauss, holding an old grudge, got the American Government to revoke Oppenheimer’s security clearance.
End his career.
WSJ review downgrades ‘Fusion’ piece of “Oppenheimer” film as less compelling: “like grains of sand compared to a mountain” than ‘Fission’. Why? Because ‘Fusion’ is about the FBI’s witch-hunt and persecution of left-leaning Oppenheimer during America’s bizarre obsession with Communism. And WSJ writes fantasies about Red Scares to this day!Oppenheimer beams before feet-stamping, applauding audience after Trinity test – A-Bomb exploding w/o ending world – is successfulScientists and their families at Los Alamos A-Bomb laboratory applaud and wave American flags for Oppenheimer after A-Bomb explosion successfulEinstein said about Oppenheimer: “The trouble with Oppenheimer is that he loves a woman who doesn’t love him – the US Government” – after Oppenheimer was stripped of his security clearance & his career ended
I was in Trader Joe’s on Masconic Avenue in San Francisco the other day looking for my favorite Almond Windmill Cookies.
Seeing none I approached three TJ’s clerks huddled near the cookie section. All of whom were built like they enjoy frequent visits to the cookie shelf.
I asked, “Where are the Almond cookies?” In unison they replied, “Quality issues” without elaboration.
When will my favorite cookie return to the store I inquired.
Hopefully in the not too distant future they replied.
I feel like a disappointed Cookie Monster.
Then I learned more by reading The San Francisco Chronicle which must have reporters whoenjoy cookies, too.
San Francisco Chronicle article – Trader Joe’s recalls almond cookie varieties that could contain rocks
San Francisco Chronicle 7.25.2023
Trader Joe’s recalled two almond cookie varieties because they may contain rocks and urged customers to not eat them, the retailer said.
The company announced that it removed and destroyed “all potentially affected” Almond Windmill Cookies and Dark Chocolate Chunk and Almond Cookies from its shelves.
The products that may contain rocks include specific “sell by” dates, the company said: Oct. 19 through Oct. 21 for the Almond Windmill Cookies and Oct. 17 through Oct. 21 for the Dark Chocolate Chunk and Almond Cookies.
A rocky deal – Trader Joe’s Almond Windmill Cookies
“If you purchased or received any donations of Almond Windmill Cookies and/or Dark Chocolate Chunk and Almond Cookies, please do not eat them,” the company wrote in an announcement on its website.
“We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience,” the grocer wrote.
Customers can return the cookies at any Trader Joe’s location for a refund. Those with questions can contact the company’s customer relations department at 626-599-3817 between 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. PST on weekdays or via email
Tuesday evening I spent nearly five hours at San Francisco City Hall waiting to make my presentation to the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force.
Shortly after 10pm I was able to address members of the Task Force to grant my Appeal seeking documentation regarding the Fine Arts Museums refusal to provide documentation regarding its political and legal fight to destroy JFK Promenade in Golden Gate Park.
I prevailed unanimously. The SOTF voted unanimously and ordered the FAMSF to make public its communications on this political brawlwhich riveted The City.
Following is my presentation.
Beautiful glass paneling on the 4th floor of San Francisco City Hall
Sunshine Ordinance Task Force – File 22052
Lee Heidhues-Complainant
Public Records Request with Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
July 25, 2023
JFK Promenade is now a reality. It emerged victorious with the Board of Supervisors. SFMTA. The Recreation and Park Commission. The voters by an overwhelming 63 percent margin last November. And, finally, the lawsuit filed by the FAMSF ‘Open The Great Highway Alliance’ was tossed by the California Court of Appeals earlier this year.
You may ask, “Why are you here today? You won. It is over.”
There is a simple reason. Transparency and Accountability.
I asked for everything and received nothing.
It is difficult to prove a Negative. In this instance the FAMSF is maintaining it has no responsive documents nor a responsibility to provide them.
People forget the political dynamics three years ago when The Mayor decreed JFK Drive car free as an emergency declaration on April 28, 2020. A declaration which was immensely popular with those enjoying the car free oasis in Golden Gate Park.
Liz Heidhues, a San Francisco native, celebrates Prop J victory which will keep JFK Promenade open to pedestrians and closed to cars, in Golden Gate Park. San Francisco Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022. | Camille Cohen/The Standard
There was also institutional opposition. Opposition with deep connections at City Hall and deep pockets financially. The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco was in the forefront. In 2021 there were events on JFK Promenade beginning in March and concluding with a holiday celebration in December. I was at all of them. It was common knowledge that the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco was working hard behind the scenes to end JFK Promenade.
In early 2022 there was a party on JFK Promenade during Lunar New Year in support of this car free sanctuary.
In 2022, with the Mayor’s emergency declaration about to expire, various City Boards got into the action. The FAMSF Board. SFMTA. The Recreation and Park Commission. And, finally, on April 26, 2022, when the Board of Supervisors passed an Ordinance, supported by The Mayor, which designated JFK Promenade permanently car free. On May 7, 2022, The Mayor signed the Ordinance into law before a joyous throng on JFK Promenade. I was there.
The view from the fourth floor of San Francisco City Hall
At this time, I became aware of the FAMSF deep seeded opposition to JFK Promenade. I learned that District 1 Supervisor Connie Chan, whose opposition to JFK Promenade was well known, had met with Platinum Advisors – the lobbyist for FAMSF – 14 times. Documentation I found by researching the Ethics Commission website.
I filed several Public Records Requests with both Supervisor Chan and the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. Because only the FAMSF is on the Agenda I will provide the dates of these transactions.
April 8, 2022 – Immediate Disclosure Request to FAMSF.
April 11, 2022 – Follow up with FAMSF. Response not yet received.
April 18, 2022 – Response from FAMSF.
April 19, 2022 – Amended Immediate Disclosure Request to FAMSF
April 21, 2022 – Response from FAMSF.
June 26, 2022 – Immediate Disclosure Request to FAMSF.
July 12, 2022 – Response from FAMSF.
The responses on April 18, April 21, and July 12, 2022, provided nothing of substance to my requests for documentation about the political battle waged by FAMSF to destroy JFK Promenade.
Megan Bourne is Chief of Staff of the FAMSF. On April 21, 2022, she wrote me that the Ethics Commission “is responsible for maintaining all records under the City’s lobbying ordinance.” It is reasonable to expect the FAMSF would have copies of these same records. My Records Requests did not limit themselves to just formal “lobbying.”
The hallways of San Francisco City Hall
Parfa Dea, Senior Government Affairs Manager of the FAMSF, wrote to me on July 7, 2022. She needed more time “to search for, collect and appropriately examine a voluminous amount separate and distinct records.” Five days later Parfa Dea wrote and told me FAMSF “is not involved with the ‘Access for All’ initiative. It has no responsive documents to your request.”
This assertion was made despite the fact that the FPPC Form 460 submitted to The Ethics Commission for July 2022 lists “Access for All, Sponsored By Corporation of the Fine Arts Museums and Open The Great Highway Alliance.”
The political fight waged by FAMSF against JFK Promenade should have provided a trove of documents. They need to be provided.
Attachments:
FAMSF response to Immediate Disclosure Request – 4.21.2022
P Dea email to Lee Heidhues – 7.7.2022
FAMSF response to Immediate Disclosure Request – 7.12.2022
FPPC Form 460 ‘Access for All…’ – 7-16 through 7.31.2022
Platinum Advisors Ryan Blake phone message – 4.5.2022
Platinum Advisors Ryan Blake phone message – 6.27.2022
The Standard ‘War for JFK Drive’ – 4.8.2022
48 Hills ‘The Move to Reopen JFK Drive – 8.8.2022.
Lee's Perspective 