Fauci Takes the Fifth 111 Times

The below meme says it better than most commentary. A guy offers basic health advice and gets told he’s not a doctor. Then comes the punchline: “Your doctor invoked the 5th 111 times.” 

Chris Cavallini IG

Yesterday’s Senate Homeland Security hearing with Dr. Anthony Fauci was less a fact-finding session and more performance art. Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment over and over—refusing to answer even basic questions. At one point Rand Paul asked what day of the week it was. Fauci still took the Fifth.

Fourth of July - Independence Day Happy 250

 Today is the day America's 250th birthday. The day that our founding fathers drafted, published and signed the Declaration of Independence. I'm glad that we're celebrating this milestone properly this year.

Credit: The White House fb

I just barely missed the Bicentennial (200th Birthday of America), but I'm glad to be here for the Semiquincentennial the (250th Birthday of America).

Morehouse Pride: Stronger Together or Mission Diluted?

Since we’re nearing the end of Pride Month, I wanted to share this IG post from my alma mater, Morehouse College. It triggered a reaction that reminds me we’re not entirely out of the woods when it comes to “woke” or DEI influences in academia.

Via Morehouse IG

Here’s the caption that accompanied the post:

The House is Stronger Together.

This Pride Month, Morehouse College celebrates the diversity of experiences, perspectives, and identities that enrich our community and strengthen our collective pursuit of excellence.

As an institution grounded in the values of dignity, respect, belonging, and leadership, we recognize the contributions of LGBTQIA+ students, alumni, faculty, staff, and supporters whose lives and work help shape The House. We affirm the importance of creating a community where every individual is valued, every voice is heard, and every person has the opportunity to thrive.

Happy #Pride2026.

Why do Democrats seem to loathe America?

 In Illinois, the political dynamics seem flipped from the national narrative. Republicans are often accused of “loathing” the state, but what they’re really saying is that Illinois is off track and desperately needs fixing. Democrats, meanwhile, appear largely comfortable with the status quo. Under one-party rule, critics argue they’re not reversing the state’s decline—they’re simply managing it.

A recent CNN segment shared by Tom Elliott on X/Twitter (h/t Newsalert) highlighted a striking example of this disconnect:

CNN: "Just 27 percent of Democrats say they'll display the flag on July 4th ... just 29 percent of Democrats say they’re extremely, or very proud, to be an American." pic.twitter.com/EITuYqNRiU

— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) June 17, 2026

This comes at a time when many Americans are preparing to celebrate Independence Day. The low numbers raise a troubling question: What’s behind the reluctance to fly the Stars and Stripes?

Spencer Pratt vs. LA Reality

Spencer Pratt held second place behind incumbent Mayor Karen Bass for most of the week after the June 2 primary. He lost that lead on Monday as more ballots were counted, with far-left City Council-member Nithya Raman surging ahead to claim the runoff spot.

(I like Council-member over the rather clunky Alderperson we sometimes hear in Chicago — yuck!)

Let’s be clear: Raman isn’t just a Democrat. She’s a Democratic Socialist. While I believe today’s Democratic Party have lost their minds, there’s an important distinction here. We’re not talking about your average, everyday Democrat.

From what I’ve seen, Pratt ran on straightforward common sense and actually fixing LA’s problems. I only started following this race closely in the last month — right in the weeks leading up to Tuesday’s primary. Realistically, was he going to win the mayor’s office? No. But his performance sent a clear message.

In 2022, Los Angeles voters chose incumbent Mayor Karen Bass over billionaire real estate developer Rick Caruso. Caruso didn’t run again this cycle, which opened the door for Pratt. The Jersey Shore reality TV star may be best known for his bold persona, but his campaign reflected real anger over the city’s leadership — especially after the devastating wildfires, when Mayor Bass was overseas in Africa.

I have to share this raw IG video from Doug Ellin, the creator and producer of the HBO series Entourage. He posted it just a week before the election. Ellin is clearly fed up and tired of being gaslit by local media. He openly laments how LA voters chose Bass over Caruso four years ago.

Hulkamania, forever

@WWE IG

 This news actually broke yesterday and it was shocking. And in his case it warrants this blog post here otherwise it would go on the "Beta".

I wrote a tweet that read something like this

There are a lot of people who take issue with some of Hogan's tall tales or even his alleged racism, I still respect him as a wrestling legend. He was one of the first wrestling champions I cheered. He's not a perfect man, no one is.

A lot of people are saying that Hogan - aka as Terry Gene Bollea - was a racist p.o.s. and the recording that came out within the last decade led to his temporary separation from WWE (the organization formerly known as the World Wrestling Federation or WWF) in about 2015-16. Of course he came back long enough to be booed by the wrestling fans in attendance for Monday Nite Raw's debut on Netflick as he attempted to put over Real American Beer - has latest business venture.

That proved to be his last appearance in front of the WWE Universe.

I used the nice term tall tales, but some people do think of him as a liar. Perhaps telling tall tales of how he put others over and also reports of him trying to protect his top position at the expense of others.

I don't think much of his usage of the N-word or even his attempts to sort of explain himself. Perhaps it's more the stories of how he protected his position in the business when he was still an active wrestler. I may take more issue with that than anything else.

No denying, however, that he is the most recognized wrestler ever. Perhaps there would be now WWE without him the 1980s. He belongs on the Mount Rushmore of pro wrestling although we can debate the other four performers.

As I stated he was the first wrestling champion I ever cheered, and then when he turned heel in WCW and joined the nWo I booed him. I still did when he came back to the organization then known as the WWF. While I might have not let go of his heel persona, I was glad to see the nostalgia and he was cheered by the crowds again in one of his last runs in the now WWE. He sort of adjusted very well to the "Ruthless Aggression" era.

And now he leaves us with memories. He had been in declining health in recent months. Hadn't made many public appearances, even was rarely posting on social media - it was even reported any pics of him were older pics. There were reports that he had been in the hospital for a bit and the last report a day before his demise was he had a damaged trachea.

And then he leaves us to have his last match with the Macho Man Randy Savage who died over a decade ago.

R.I.P. Hulk Hogan

Could we get $5K checks from Federal Gov't thanks to D.O.G.E.?

 When I saw this post from IG, I was all for it.

Gov. DeSantis is running for POTUS

 I consider myself a fan of how he's governed the great state of Florida. I'd say he's been very solid on the cultural war issues which includes the unjustifiable gender transition of minors. One thing people seem to ding him on is his conflict with Disney, some may say he's scored no victories with that. However, I don't know enough about that to really say.

On Wednesday on a Twitter space, he announced for President in 2024. To which, good on him if he waited another four years people might forget all about him. He's term limited in Florida so it's not like he could pull an Andrew Cuomo who was in his third term when he resigned as Governor of New York. Just like Obama he just decided to go for it.

However, in 2024 he's running against another Florida resident who helped him win the Florida Governor race in 2018. His name is former President Donald Trump and well Trump is going to take out anyone who stands in his way of regaining the Presidency that he believed he was screwed out of in 2020.

I suppose that's the real danger, just check out this video posted to Trumps' IG page. I'm sorry but it's just too funny.

Two pieces of news from the world of big tech

 Let me start off with this.

Meta plans to introduce paid verification subscription service

If you remember last year Elon Musk bought twitter and then allowed subscribers to Twitter Blue to become verified. Of course it lead to somewhat interesting consequences.

Regardless I feel as if to pay to be verified isn't too unreasonable although on Twitter there are some legacy verified accounts under different criteria. I'm sure those consequences that I alluded to led to some better criteria specifically for those accounts masquerading as real people or real entities.

So I do hope that Meta rolls this out soon for users of FB and IG and I already have an idea for that. Perhaps Meta can avoid the bellyaching at Twitter.

YouTube CEO steps down.

YouTube has a CEO? Susan Wojcicki has lead the company for about nine years and is stepping down. As you know YouTube is part of Alphabet which owns Google.

One of my current goals is to get that silver play button, since my own YouTube channel now has over 100 subscribers finally. If I ever did get that play button there would be a letter attached to it and Wojcicki's signature would be on it. Looks like now her successor Neal Mohan will be doing those honors.

With that said YouTube is among those sites (which also includes IG, FB, and Twitter) that in the last few years have been hit with charges of censorship. Especially with regards to politics or even information with regards to the pandemic. I can't entirely blame Wojcicki because I have no real idea if she was spearheading these efforts she was still an important person at YouTube. It happened on her watch.

Of course being part of a Big Tech corporation that's probably not something she can be in full control of anyway. Of course Mark Zuckerberg controls Meta and thus FB and IG and now Musk owns Twitter. Different story there although under the ownership of Musk Twitter has set a new course as far as freedom of speech on the platform.

So what will Mohan bring to the table as the CEO of YouTube?

Here's hoping peace reigns in Memphis

 

[VIDEO] I'm learning more and more about the death of Tyre Nichols in Memphis, Tennessee. Nichols who is said to be originally from Sacramento, California was badly beaten by five Memphis Police Officers who have since been fired from their positions and charged with murder.

Nichols was the type who paid no attention to stereotypes of Black males. He left behind a son :(. He liked to skateboard and was a landscape photographer. And I also learned he had Crohn's disease a very tall guy who was underweight sadly if he was badly beaten by these officers and he wasn't in robust health this probably would've been very bad for him. He died three days after this incident.

I found this ig post from Viola Davis which are a few snapshots regarding Mr. Nichols and includes the meme "Black men deserve to grow old"

Stephanie McMahon takes over WWE on interim basis

 Just yesterday it was in the news that Vince McMahon the chairman and CEO of WWE was being investigated by his own company for a cash payout to a former employee whom he was having an affair. Recently his daughter and WWE COO - well it was announced fairly recently that she was taking a Leave of Absence from WWE - has assumed the position of chair & CEO until the conclusion of the investigation.

Tomorrow is the recall in California

 Here's a cartoon that I just find horrible. It makes reference to an incident where an unhinged person wearing a gorilla mask attempted to throw an egg at Larry Elder. BTW, that person missed their target.

Rush Limbaugh R.I.P.

 I'm sorry to say I have strayed away from his radio program over the years. There was a time I used to peruse his website almost everyday even was a 24/7 member on occasion when I could afford it. At one point in time he was one of those sources who I found credible and trusted.

The last time I heard his voice on the radio his voice was different. It wasn't that strong radio voice I had gotten used to perhaps it was because he was almost 70 years old - the age at which he had passed into the great beyond. Perhaps it was because of the illness that ultimately claimed his life - lung cancer. What I can say was that his voice in my opinion sounded different.

I was a listener when he announced that he was going into rehab for his oxycontin addiction. I vaguely remember when he was briefly employed on an ESPN NFL panel. I remember his impersonation of President Bill Clinton I think those individuals had quite a rivalry well more so Limbaugh than Clinton...

Either way I'm sorry that I hadn't listen to him more. It would've been entertaining to have heard him talk about the Obama years. And he'd have pulled his audience together during what looks to be the difficult Biden years.

Now it'll be up to other conservative voices. And now we don't just have AM talk radio for which he has a strong legacy. He have other mediums especially the internet with social media - even upstart social media like Parler which is back online now or Gab. Conservatives voices are out there and there may never be another Rush Limbaugh, however, the voices are out there and someone can fill the void that sadly he left behind with his passing.

After I found out about his demise on instagram primarily I was driving home when I heard the outpouring of love from his listeners on his longtime Chicago home WLS 890 AM. A few callers were just about in tears so his demise has affected a number of people. And I hate to report there was one troll who referred to Limbaugh as a racist and a bigot.

One commentary from me is that I really hate that those terms are really used as an attack more than it is a realistic aspect of one's personality.

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A post shared by Fox News (@foxnews)

Chadwick Boseman R.I.P.

Change of pace time, however, it's a sad change of pace. I can't believe that Chadwick Boseman has passed away.

I found out about it through ig and it shocked the hell out of me. Boseman who is well known for playing the Marvel Comics superhero Black Panther was still a very young man having passed away from colon cancer. I want to say I had no idea he was ill, but then that's his business and for those that he cares about.

This really bums me out terribly.

View this post on Instagram

It is with immeasurable grief that we confirm the passing of Chadwick Boseman.⁣ ⁣ Chadwick was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016, and battled with it these last 4 years as it progressed to stage IV. ⁣ ⁣ A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much. From Marshall to Da 5 Bloods, August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and several more, all were filmed during and between countless surgeries and chemotherapy. ⁣ ⁣ It was the honor of his career to bring King T’Challa to life in Black Panther. ⁣ ⁣ He died in his home, with his wife and family by his side. ⁣ ⁣ The family thanks you for your love and prayers, and asks that you continue to respect their privacy during this difficult time. ⁣ ⁣ Photo Credit: @samjonespictures

A post shared by Chadwick Boseman (@chadwickboseman) on Aug 28, 2020 at 7:11pm PDT

It's been quite a while since I've covered anything going on in Hollywood since I am a film buff. I miss watching a flick and am glad some movie theaters in the city has reopened.

I wanted to opine on what's been going on in sports for a while, and the news surrounding the activism of today's athletes. For me going to the movies are an escape, and for many so is following what's going on in the sports world.

It was great to see a short list of some of Boseman''s films. Unfortunately I never actually seen 42  about MLB hall of famer Jackie Robinson or Get On Up about legendary musician James Brown - the King of Soul. However I have seen Black Panther, he was also in Draft Day, and I wrote about seeing him in Marshall on this blog about Thurgood Marshall a supreme court justice.

BTW, got to note the Howard University connection. One of Boseman's last tweets were to note Howard Alum U.S. Senator Kamala Harris of California who is the Democrat nominee for Vice President. Boseman himself graduated from Howard and another Howard connection is Thurgood Marshall who attended the law school there. Yep Howard University has a supreme court justice in their hall of alumni.

YES @KamalaHarris! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾#WhenWeAllVote #Vote2020 pic.twitter.com/iOU3duBAcA

— Chadwick Boseman (@chadwickboseman) August 11, 2020

Anyway back to movies. The last movie featuring him that I saw last year was 21 Bridges a very interesting crime thriller where he plays an NYPD detective and one who I'd want on my case. And I didnt get to see him in the latest Spike Lee Joint  Da 5 Bloods.

However, one movie that did make him famous was Black Panther and while they may have to recast the role if there are future films in development. However his sudden demise bums me out and I really believed him as the King of Wakanda. RIP Mr. Boseman.

DC's 'Defund the Police' mural destroyed

[VIDEO] Washington, DC had calmed down over the course of the past month with the initial unrest back at the end of May. It seems that Mayor Muriel Bowser was all in on Black Lives Matter enough to not only allow a mural painted on that street, but to change the name of that street formerly 16th Street to Black Lives Matter Plaza.

I saw live video from DC during the month of June from Breitbart where it was shown on Facebook. And I believe it was at the height of protests over statues and monuments around the country - this isn't about any past wrongs I think it's about "erasing history". Those who want to tear down our statues wants to rewrite the story of America in their own twisted image.

Either way this live feed showed how out of control the anti-police people really are. I don't think they care about justice for a segment of the population. I think many of those individuals who were walking up to police to antagonize verbally and occasionally physically have some severe mentald issues. It takes something to think its OK to abuse people, especially police officers and I have to laude those officers ability to take the punishment without reacting. I also recognize that police in many cities around the country have been effectively restrained by their Democrat run city gov'ts.

Either way Tim Pool talks about what's going on in DC. I didn't know that in addition to painting Black Lives Matter in 16th Street which is not far from the White House there was a message of Defund the Police on 16th Street also. Well recently Mayor Bowser has paved over the Defund the Police portion of that mural. Pool connects this to former VP Joe Biden's pick of Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate. They probably are starting to figure out how this defund the police message just isn't playing well at all.

Mayor Bowser seems to get it, but it doesn't look like Seattle has yet.

I wanted to show you this video from the Daily Caller they showed this part of 16th Street being paved over. When I first saw it, I made the connection that the Defund Police portion was no longer visible as they showed how it looked when it was first presented and then afterwards. [VIDEO]

Today is the day #Classof2019

I can't believe it's been 10 years for me already. It was a bit of a good stretch of road to get my own Morehouse degree, but happened. Still can't believe it.

Meanwhile today, under what appears to be clear skies - and I wasn't so lucky 10 years ago - the Morehouse College class of 2019 are having their commencement.

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#Repost @vhaftel ・・・ Morehouse commencement 2019

A post shared by Everybody's Somebody (@auccam) on May 19, 2019 at 6:38am PDT

Morehouse College to consider transgender men

The transgender issue has finally reached the halls of Morehouse College. For those of you who don't know I graduated from Morehouse in 2009 with a BA in pol. sci. and it's the only liberal arts college for Black men.

I also want to note what a difference a decade makes as before graduating it was being debated in my religion class with Dr. Aaron Parker any issues with gay students or cross-dressing students. I wrote about it on this blog at that time and while I never offered my thoughts in class I offered my thoughts. It just shows how my views on that issue from that time had evolved. The thoughts in that earlier post doesn't reflect what I think about homosexuality today.

With this said, it seemed that back then the burning social debate a decade ago was whether or not gay couples should be married. Then a few years after graduating we've resolved this issue, and now the burning social issues of our time is transgender rights. Morehouse is attempting to address this with their new admissions policy as you will see below from The Maroon Tiger.

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A post shared by The Maroon Tiger (@themaroontiger) on Apr 13, 2019 at 4:26pm PDT

There's probably a nuance here I don't understand, however, it appears nothing has really changed. If you're a woman transitioning to becoming a man you won't be admitted and if you're a man who decides during his enrollment that he wants to transition to becoming a woman then he won't automatically be eligible for a degree.

It seems as far as whether or not a young man wants to transition into living as a member of the opposite gender a lot of counseling will have to be involved. This I actually agree with one should be able to talk with someone about something I consider an extreme step. I suppose the question to be asked for someone who wants to significantly alter their identity in this way is whether or not they need to stay at a school that wants to retain their masculine identity.

CNBC: This map shows how much money a single person needs to earn to get by in every US state

Been a while since I've posted some real news and not wrestling on this blog so here's something I found on ig recently about how much money one would have to make in income to break even in any state from CNBC. Illinois for example

Illinois

• Total required income before taxes: $26,566
• Estimated housing costs: $9,151
• Estimated food costs: $3,058

 I wonder if this figure includes Chicago. What would be the income required before taxes to live in Chicago? I'll bet this would be a much higher number and perhaps equivalent to the income required to break even in California or New York which means you have to make at least $30K/year.

Just for the hell of it, what's the figure for Georgia

Georgia

• Total required income before taxes: $25,921
• Estimated housing costs: $8,937
• Estimated food costs: $2,994

And does this figure include Atlanta? I'll be ATL compared to the rest of the state has a slightly higher income to break even.

How do they arrive at these conclusions for all 50 states!

That's according to updated data from MIT's living wage calculator, which determines the minimum amount necessary to meet basic needs without dipping into poverty or relying on outside help. The model takes into account factors such as food, housing and health insurance, in addition to other regular costs, and don't include conveniences or luxuries such as restaurant meals, vacations or money left over for investments.

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A post shared by CNBC (@cnbc) on Apr 6, 2019 at 11:15am PDT

San Juan Capistrano webcam on Virtual Railfan has a sponsor....

[VIDEO] I've posted this live feed from Virtual Railfan over the past year on this blog, and this time it will be something of a permanent presence. The live video camera in San Juan Capistrano, California is being sponsored to remain on YouTube until April 1, 2020. I first saw a IG post announcing this however below I will post a tweet to this effect.

Because of the generosity of a cam fan, San Juan Capistrano, California, will remain on YouTube until April 1, 2020! We can’t thank you enough, Anonymous Sponsor. Check out the cam on YouTube here: https://t.co/zIqkSBmodc pic.twitter.com/nCqqoeDE2w

— Virtual Railfan (@virtual_railfan) March 19, 2019

How I could term this? Well for those of us who may not be so ready to go to California like right this minute and check out the scenes from this Golden State train station without having to go there. I know there's a railcam page here, however, this has always been my favorite live feed. You get to see both the local commuter and Amtrak trains pass by.

King Kong Bundy R.I.P.

I try not to do too many wrestling posts on this blog although I've failed to truly cover a variety of subjects here including pro-wrestling. Today the world learned that former wrestling star King Kong Bundy passed away. I might vaguely remember him during his second run in the mid 1990s with the World Wrestling Federation. Without a doubt he was a menacing big man who feuded with the Undertaker and Hulk Hogan during this two stints with the WWF.

Now to switch gears over the years, this blog was consider part of "Blogginois" unfortunately the community that has existed in the mid-2000s have somewhat followed by the wayside however I found an Illinois connection to Bundy real name Christopher Alan Pallies. It's courtesy of Mancow's ig page.

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A post shared by mancowmuller (@mancowmuller) on Mar 5, 2019 at 5:59pm PST

So King Kong Bundy has been featured at Illinois' state fair. Pretty cool!

I've always wanted to go to the Illinois state fair, however, it would be more likely to happen if I knew there were some wrestling events there. It doesn't matter much to me if those events included performers from an indy promotion.

Windy City Wrestling is that connected to the former Windy City Pro Wrestling that folded earlier in this century?

With this said, I had been thinking about doing research on any Chicago territory promotions. I've heard of names such as Bob Luce out there with regards to Chicago wrestling. Regardless aside from knowing matches took place at the old Internat'l Amphitheater in the Chicago Stockyards just off Halsted street, there's very little about local wrestling history that I'm sure of.

I don't know if Rich Miller is a pro-wrestling fan, however, I do wonder if he'd get a kick out of this cover from a past state fair.