Just One Thing: A strong speech by Bibi
I very much appreciated the remarks given by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to a joint session of Congress yesterday. There were plenty of interesting points including the savagery of the Hamas barbarians, the idiocy and historical illiteracy of most pro-Palestinian protesters, gratitude to the US for ongoing military aid, a request for that to continue apace, and a vision of a “demilitarized and deradicalized Gaza”. Bibi introduced several Israeli soldiers, most of whom are continuing on active duty even after losing limbs. One that really got my attention: the introduction of an Israeli Muslim soldier who helped kill Hamas terrorists. Israel is the only free and tolerant democracy in the Middle East. I hope Americans continue to support them.
If you missed it, it's worth watching in full. Bibi has made a lot of mistakes, the biggest of which was being in charge when the October 7th massacre happened. Perhaps not far behind was the incredible political turmoil he caused by pushing too far with judicial reform...even though judicial reform is a good idea in Israel. But he's still a true badass, war hero, patriotic leader, and a man who, unlike Biden and Kamala, always know right from wrong.
And a weak speech by Biden
Joe Biden addressed the nation in a boring predictable speech that could have been given on the campaign trail or at the DNC except for brief mention of his not running again. There is very little memorable here. He seemed old, full of himself, full of boring predictable platitudes. I bet we'll hardly ever see him again during his presidency.
The only interesting part of the story was his family being near him, tearfully, in the room while he gave his remarks: Biden's family cries and his staff weep as he insists he deserves a second term and commiserates with White House aides with ice cream | Daily Mail Online
Today's Guests
Dr. Anthony Vaccaro is a Postdoctoral Associate at the University of Southern California. He studies neuroscience, complex emotions, and major life transitions. We'll discuss some interesting research suggesting that what we think of as "mixed feelings" are really a different kind of feeling, not a mix of positive and negative.
Ed Prather is a real estate agent (and morning show partner and a friend of mine). We'll discuss the Denver metro real estate market which has changed massively just in the last few months. Peak home selling season ends early in metro Denver (denverpost.com)
U.S. Home Prices Hit Record in June for Second Consecutive Month - WSJ
Send your opinion: NO RATE HIKE FOR XCEL!
I'm so utterly sick and tired of Xcel asking for and getting massive rate hikes when the price of natural gas is near all-time lows. We MUST stop them.
Xcel Energy seeks rate increase to cover natural gas costs | Colorado News | denvergazette.com
From the article, how to let the know your objections (assuming you have objections):
Individuals can also submit written or verbal public comments. Public comments should reference Proceeding Number 24AL-0049G and can be provided by:
• Submitting written comments through the Commission’s Electronic Filing System (E-Filings)
• Submitting written comments using the Commission’s online form.
• Submitting through email at dora_puc_website@state.co.us.
• Mailing comments to the Commission’s offices at: Colorado Public Utilities Commission, 1560 Broadway, Suite 250, Denver, CO 80202.
• Calling (303) 869-3490 to leave oral comments (English and Spanish options).
A brave and important note by my friend Jon Caldara
Normally, I'd have the author of something important and interesting on the show to tell the story but I think it would be unfair to Jon to put him in a position to talk about this "live on the air". I don't know if I could keep it together if it were my story...it was brave enough just to write it:
Suicidal thoughts? Men won’t admit to it, but should | Jon Caldara | Columns | denvergazette.com
Other Stuff
Could even the Denver City Council be getting cold feet about higher taxes? Denver affordable housing sales tax vote delayed till August | News | denvergazette.com
These are some BIG numbers: NBA Rejects Warner Bros. Discovery Offer, Signs $77 Billion Deal With NBC, ESPN and Amazon - WSJ
Now that everybody is saying "we dodged the recession", I (who have been wrong in predicting a recession in the prior 2 years) think we'll have a recession within a year. That said, if you look at consumer spending around the Denver Metro area, it's still on fire. I went to a few car dealerships last weekend with one of my kids to check some particular used cars, and they were all full of people. When I made a comment about it, at two of the places the receptionist said "oh, you should have seen how busy we were this morning." Still, it's clear that we're cooling off...the question is how much?
The Hottest Job Market in a Generation Is Over - WSJ
I don't know of this place but I'd like to go have a meal there just to support them: Columbine Steak House and Lounge closes temporarily after 3rd burglary (denverpost.com)
The fact that Trump picked Vance makes Harris's pick slightly more important. Experts I've been reading note that typically if a VP choice impacts an election it's by being a negative. They tend not to have positive impact, not because they can't be good but because if they are good, the race is entirely about the presidential candidate.
This is kinda interesting: Since 1960 there's only been one election where the winning presidential candidate didn't win the VP's state...but that doesn't mean the VP caused the win: Vance or Harris: Does a VP pick help win the US election? | US Election 2024 News | Al Jazeera
And if you look at all presidential tickets from 1980, whether they won or lost the election, five out of 22 tickets lost the VP's state: History of VP picks: Do they tend to win their home states in presidential elections (wral.com)
JD Vance's "childless cat ladies" comment, in more context and detail: Here’s what JD Vance told me about his ‘childless cat ladies’ attack on Democrats | Semafor
This is clearly an anti-Vance perspective but that doesn't mean the basic point, i.e. that Vance is a liability, is wrong: With Biden out, Vance may be the wrong pick for Trump – POLITICO
OK, based on the headline I thought it would be worth more but it's still really cool: Antiques Roadshow guest requests 'bodyguard' after silver box's value unveiled | TV & Radio | Showbiz & TV | Express.co.uk
I hope she gets a fair trial and then a pleasant jail cell: US Supreme Court denies Tina Peters' motion to block trial (kdvr.com)
Today's Video
Have you heard of Skibidi Toilet?
Apparently it's the biggest sensation on YouTube, maybe the biggest ever, appealing primarily to kids. It's insane. And I'd never heard of it until yesterday.
From the Washington Post: How Skibidi Toilet became one of the most valuable franchises in Hollywood - The Washington Post
“Skibidi Toilet” is the first narrative series to be told entirely through short-form video and has already amassed over 65 billion views on YouTube last year alone, becoming among the most viewed content on the platform. It tells the story of toilets with human heads engaged in a war with people who have CCTV cameras, speakers and televisions for heads amid a dark and dystopian landscape. They battle each other across an expanding industrial world, with Skibidi Toilets acting on behest of their leader, G-Man, to destroy humanity and transform more people into Skibidi Toilets.