NHL Conference Finals: The Dawn is Upon Us

It's Mayhem! It's Madness! It's the NHL.

As we last visited my NHL Playoff predictions, Edmonton vs Anaheim and Washington vs The Penguins were each down to their final Game 7 of the series.

My predictions were:

The Ducks winning with 5, the Oilers 3.

The Penguins winning 4 - 3 in one OT with The Capitals.

The actual results of Game 7:

Ducks 2, Edmonton 1.

The Penguins 2, The Capitals 0.

At least I correctly picked the teams, not the scores or the one OT I thought would be a distinct possibility between the Pengs and Caps considering the scores of games 1-6 which ran the gamut from 6-4, 4-2, 4-3...those kind of numbers. One with an overtime, I forget which.

Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury was unstoppable. He deflected each and every shot on goal from Washington. The Caps had a great run. At the beginning of the season, I would not have predicted they'd make the playoffs.

Regarding The Ducks and The Oilers; Wednesday's victory for the Ducks ended their long streak of losing on home ice. Finally!

And we are down to the Conference Finals, the winners of which will play for the Stanley Cup.

Nashville is making its first appearance in franchise history in the Western Conference Finals. Yeah, I know Nashville is nowhere near the West, so how do they end up in the Western Conference? Call NHL Commish Gary Bettman to answer that one.

Nashville plays the Ducks in Anaheim tonight for Game 1 in their series.

I don't have any horse in this game, or any other - just a  matter of which team(s) I'd like to see win and my own fantasy NHL playoff picks.

I think Nashville is unbeatable this year, except if they end up playing The Penguins.

For tonight's game, I'm going to say that The Ducks are going to carryover that "home ice" win against Edmonton in Game 7 and win tonight.

Final Score Game 1 Western Conf:

Ducks 5, Nashville 4

Saturday, May 13, is Game 1 between The Penguins and The Ottawa Senators.

At the beginning of the playoffs, Ottawa beat Boston in their series by 4 - 2.

Ottawa went on to beat the NY Rangers in their series also by 4 - 2. And, coincidentally, The Rangers closed down their series also with a 4 - 2 win against the Chicago Blackhawks.

And in Round 1, in the Eastern Conference Washington wrapped up their initial match-up against Toronto with a series win also 4 - 2.

So I think all some of these odd, numerical similarities make for interesting number crunching.

For Total games and best win record, Nashville takes the cake.

From First Round to these Conference games:

Nashville played a total of 12,  EDIT:  15  games, only 2,  EDIT:  3 losses.

Ottawa played a total of 16 games with 4 losses.

Anaheim played 11 total games with 3 losses.

Pittsburgh played 12 total games with 4 losses.

On the Eastern Side of the country, I also have no horses or Penguins or Senators in the race. I do like the Penguins and I'd like to see them win this year, which would make them the first team to win two consecutive Cups since the Detroit Red Wings won back to back in 1997 and 1998.

I think the Penguins have an uphill battle. Winnable, but uphill.

Final Score Game 1 Eastern Conf; (May 13) - Ottawa playing on Pittsburgh ice:

Ottawa 2, Penguins 1.

Corrections made 5/13/2017

Comey, Trump, Russia - International Incident!

Are you sick of it yet:

Comey! Fired by Trump!

Russia!

Comey!

Russia!

Trump!

Election hacked!

Dems demand investigation!

Whinestein "incredulous!"

CA Senator Diane Whinestein - Lib

She's "incredulous." She turns 84 in June. I don't think she knows ass from tea-kettle, no matter what her age.

Cluck Schumer, with his eyeglass planted firmly at the end of his beak, is waving his arms and calling for this investigation and that investigation.

See - this what Dems do. They never let go of anything. I'm sure by now some Dem has uttered, "Nixon - Watergate!"

The Libs will still be talking about Comey come the 2020 election.

Add RINO McCain in the mix: McCain's Senate site:

"I have long called for a special congressional committee to investigate Russia's interference in the 2016 election. The president's decision to remove the FBI Director only confirms the need and the urgency of such a committee."

Has Lindsey Graham called for Trump's resignation yet?

If you ever wondered why I enjoy, by far, writing about the NHL instead of politics, now you know.

Via: spreadshirt.co.uk

NHL Rocky Hockey

Two Game 7's play tonight. The Penguins play Washington in Washington and the Edmonton Oilers play the Anaheim Ducks in Duckland.

The Nashville Predators await the winner of Game 7 between Edmonton and Anaheim.

Glancing over my prior NHL posts, I didn't see where I made picks for Game 7, as I thought the Penguins and the Ducks would win in their Game 6's.

Just checking the Standings I noticed something odd. The Ducks and the Pens have lost each game on home ice. Odd, very odd.

With Game 7 being in Anaheim, I pick Anaheim beating Edmonton 5 - 3.

Ottawa ended their series with the NY Rangers with a 4 - 2 win last night in NY.

Ottawa will play the winner of tonight's Penguins - Capitals Game # 7. My game 6 prediction of Pens 4 - Caps 3 in one OT was way off.

The Penguins, again who've not won on home ice against the Capitals, play in Washington.

The Pens have beaten the Caps at home:

Game 1: 3-2;  Game 2:  6-2;  Game 4:  3-2.

Since the Pens have the winning streak on Cap ice, and maintain their winning on the road,  I have to pick the Penguins over The Capitals  4-3 in one OT.

All games from this point on are a sure bet to have the players on all teams get much more aggressive, physical and confrontational. And this is why the NHL is so great - unlike any other sport - except boxing but that's only one-on-one. It's going to get very, very contentious.

Disclaimer: These NHL predictions are not any way intended, or to be taken, as advice on sports betting or engaging in gambling or wagering; legal, illegal or other.

Edit: grammar corrections 5/12/2017

Trump Fires Comey

President Donald Trump has fired F.B.I Director James Comey:

Excerpt from the President's letter from the link:

I have received the attached letters from the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General of the United States recommending your dismissal as the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. I have accepted their recommendation and you are hereby terminated and removed from office, effective immediately.

Former FBI Director James Comey

 







Yeeaaaaaaahhhhhhh - Comey was in a rather tough spot. But...but...I can't help but think somehow, even though it was President Trump who fired Comey, that in their usual nefarious way, his firing is a Nidus emanating directly back to Bill and Hillary. Because of Comey's statements a week or so before the election, that Shrew somehow orchestrated Comey's firing. They "had to take him down."

Satan personified, Hillary and Bill Clinton

The Clinton Crime family, in some way, always "takes down" someone who dissed them. Often, they end up suspiciously dead, like Vince Foster.

But other times, they simply get the person they feel dissed them removed from their job.

Comey did the right thing. Democrats would have set a new decibel level in shrillness if the reverse happened to one of their opponents and the F.B.I Director withheld that information.

Comey's firing is simply politics. The Guardian explains what led to Comey's downfall. 

Also from The Guardian :

[.] months later, Trump heralded Comey as a hero in what proved to be a decisive moment in the presidential contest.

On 28 October, with only 11 days remaining until the election, Comey sent a terse and vague letter to members of Congress that new emails had been discovered related to the previously closed Clinton investigation.

A media frenzy ensued, as did false reports that an indictment was forthcoming. A visibly frustrated Clinton addressed the cameras that same evening, demanding that Comey provide more details so as to lift the cloud of suspicion he had once more cast upon her candidacy.

Days later, Comey cleared Clinton’s name once more. The emails, it turned out, were mostly personal or duplicates of what the FBI had previously examined.

James Comey defends Clinton email decision but warns of threat from Russia

But the damage had been done, according to several polls that marked a dramatic shift among undecided voters who swung toward Trump.

Clinton and her team, to this day, have acknowledged that several factors contributed to her loss. But they have pointedly addressed their anger at Comey, questioning in particular why he chose not to disclose that the federal government was simultaneously investigating potential ties between Trump’s campaign and Russia.

Ya know what...fcuk both Bill and Hillary Clinton. She Lost. Period.

Hacking or not, we know for a fact that in pre-election polls people held a very low opinion of Hillary Clinton. We didn't need Russia or Comey or anything else defining who she is.

She performed poorly in the debates, did not bother to campaign and appear in states that she took for granted would vote for her (Wisconsin for one example), and she had this visible attitude of entitlement to simply move into the White House before the election.

Well, she lost. And she has no one to blame but herself.

Her defense that she "did not have any intention " when it came to the main server in her basement is garbage. She should be behind bars. Prison, not night clubs.

Since when did "not having the intention" be an excuse for exemption from prosecution?

The "intent" to drive under the influence is a crime...there is "intent".

The "intent" to rob a bank if I have detailed plans and am sitting outside the bank with a gun and a mask.

Comey is a decent person. I believe what he did was in keeping with what would fall under the duties of the Director of the F.B.I.

But somehow, the Clintons always seem to stick a fork in someone who they perceive did them harm.

NHL Speechless

Washington beat Pittsburgh 5 - 2 last night , in Pittsburgh...they were on home ice. NHL.com:

The best-of-7 series is tied 3-3 with Game 7 at Washington on Wednesday. The Capitals would like to repeat their performance from Monday, when they outshot the Penguins 26-18 and 16-9 through the first two periods [Ouch!].

The Capitals have won the past two games after falling behind 3-1 in the series.
[.]
The Capitals outshot the Penguins 11-3 in the first.
[.]
The Capitals have outshot the Penguins 200-133 this series. … The Penguins are 5-0 all-time in Game 7 on the road.

Okay, the saving grace here is the Pens being 5-0 in all-time game 7's on the road. The other side of the coin is the Senators prolific number of shots they're getting that the Pens are not.

Game 7 is Wednesday, May 10, in Washington. And as I noted yesterday, the Caps fans and the noise volume is going to be brutal - and, like I said yesterday, I meant brutal in an NHL way - that NHL fans are deeply loyal to their teams and support their teams - I think - in a steadfastly devoted manner.

My pick is the Pens beat the Caps in game 7; final score: 4 - 2. I'm putting a lot of faith in their 5-0 road record.

Ottawa plays in NY tonight, Game 6 with the Senators leading the series 3 - 2.

In this series, the Rangers have lost every game on home ice, which is...really kind of odd. On home ice...you're at home; you should be in the "zone." But to keep this series going, the Rangers know they have to win tonight. Game 7 would be in Ottawa, where the Rangers won their two games.

Tonight, I'm picking the Rangers over The Sens, 3 - 1.

 


If you're a hardcore or casual fan of hockey, leave a comment. Who are your picks and what final score would you select?

Disclaimer: These NHL predictions are not any way intended, or to be taken, as advice on sports betting or engaging in gambling or wagering; legal, illegal or other. 

Macron is a Rothschild Globalist Puppet

Puppet Macron

Emmanuel Macron is a Rothschild Puppet. From Liberty Blitzkrieg:

I came to this conclusion based on an extremely enlightening article published in the FT titled, Emmanuel Macron’s Rothschild Years Make Him an Easy Election Target. Based on the title, you’d think that the man merely had a normal, brief stint at the bank, but you’d be wrong. As you read, it becomes clear that he was groomed from day one by a Rothschild partner and ended up on a fast track like I’ve never seen before.

And Macron apparently is the glue that will hold the EU together. Yeah...after the Brexit. The Independent:

It is the UK which would be the country immediately affected by Mr Macron’s stance on the European Union, and his associates and advisors [sic] lost no time in describing, publicly and privately, the tough line he wanted to be taken with Theresa May in the coming Brexit talks.

The message imparted was that Mr Macron will broadly stick to the spirit of what he had already stated about the negotiations - and it is not a line which will be a comfortable one for the British government, with his description of the referendum result as a “crime” for which Britain should face “total exit”.

The Independent article is a must read.

None of this is surprising about Macron.

There's a reason why Hollande didn't seek another term.

[Hollande] has become the first sitting president in modern French history not to seek re-election.

The person to watch, though, is François Hollande, Macron's predecessor. Where is "Frankie" Hollande going? What is he going to do? What is his next gig? Keep your eyes on Hollande.

France Elects Emmanuel Macron

Emmanuel Macron will be the next president of France. IBD:

Macron won by 65.5% to 34.5% according to projected results.
Macron has told his supporters he wanted to "calm people's fears, restore France's confidence, and gather all its people together to face the immense challenges that face us in the future".

Emmanuel Macron

Macron, in his celebratory speech thanking his supporters, said, " I will see to it that once again, the great country of France is steered deeply, irrevocably, into a boiling cauldron of Socialism, the likes of which the world has never seen."

Or something like that.

Oilers Beat Ducks, 7 to 1: Series Tied 3 Games Each

I didn't see last night's Game 6 of the Ducks vs Edmonton, but the Ducks were on their home ice in Anaheim and they went into game 6 leading the series 3 - 2.

All things would seem to be Ducky, yes?

Well, not really as the Oilers beat the Ducks, 7 to 1. Seven...to...one...that's 7 to 1. I don't know how this happens. It is the biggest score gap, thus far, in this year's playoff.

Game 7 is Wednesday night in...Anaheim. The city of Anaheim and Honda Center are going to be Rocking and setting new "highs" in Richter Scale numbers.

The Ducks' Kevin Bieksa and Ondrej Kase didn't get any ice time sitting out the game due to injuries, and the Oilers had Andrej Sekera and Oscar Klefbom not seeing ice due to injuries. But for the Ducks...having two injured doesn't really answer or rationalize being beaten 7 to 1.

Oiler goalie Cam Talbot had 34 saves for Edmonton. That pretty much says it all.

Cam Talbot

Six point differences in scores aren't the norm in hockey.

Washington plays in Pittsburgh tonight in game 6, the Penguins leading the series 3 - 2.

I'm not sure, but I'm inclined to believe that my playoff picks of the winning team and the score are trending with me being wrong more often than right. And this does not surprise me. At all.

The Penguins have to put it away at home tonight, otherwise they play on the Caps ice on Wednesday night. And Caps fans are going to be brutal - and I mean that in the best way; Caps fans and the volume inside Verizon Center will be deafening (lame-ass pun intended...).

Tonight's score: Pens 4 - Caps 3 in one OT.

Again, Disclaimer: These NHL predictions are not any way intended, or to be taken, as advice on sports betting or engaging in gambling or wagering; legal, illegal or other. You'd be far better off betting the exact opposite of what I think. Again, that is not intended to...[re-read Disclaimer].

V.E. Day

Today, Monday May 8 is VE Day.

May 8, 1945 marked the end of World War II in Europe.

Do they still teach this in history classes?

Learn more about it here.

And here.

And here.

NHL Sunday

Did anyone think Washington would beat Pittsburgh last night? I sure didn't. Midway through the second period the Penguins seemed tired...slow. And the Capitals dominated the third period while the Penguins seemed to just call it quits. The Pens still lead in the series 3-2 and game 6 is tomorrow in Pittsburgh and they'll close down the series with a win.

I searched, and didn't find (on NHL.com, ESPN.com and a local site) how many shots on goal the Penguins had in the third period but if it exceeded double digits I'd be shocked. The Caps fired 20 shots on goal in the third period, and when they - in the span of 27 seconds - scored two goals in a row, I believe that was the moment The Pens realized this was not going to be their win.

Washington found their gusto last night. They were faster and outplayed Pittsburgh, dominating the third period. The Caps played "okay" the first two periods and for a while it looked like the end result would be what I predicted yesterday, a Penguin win 3-2 in one OT. Yeah, take my predictions to the bank and you're sure to end up in the poorhouse.

As I write this, Nashville leads St. Louis 2 - 1 in the third period with less than six minutes remaining. And I won't be back online tonight to write anything about that game. (Aren't you glad :)?

Tonight's late game is Anaheim and Edmonton, the Ducks leading the series 3 - 2. I'd like to see the Ducks wrap it up tonight, but since they're playing in Edmonton, I'm inclined to say Edmonton will win.

However, I'll predict a Ducks win, 3-2.

And that is today's NHL post.

Disclaimer: These NHL predictions are not any way intended, or to be taken, as advice on sports betting or engaging in gambling or wagering; legal, illegal or other.

NHL Update

St. Louis, previously behind 1 - 3 in their game series, beat Nashville last night bringing the series 2 - 3. I really thought Nashville would sweep this. The next game almost certainly to be a Nashville win.

The Ducks beat the Oilers last night breaking a 2- 2 game series tie, now with the Ducks leading 3 - 2.

The Penguins will win tonight, beating the Caps 3 - 2 in one OT. At least that's what I wrote on May 4.

That's it!

Everyone have a great Saturday night.

Global Warming takes a Hiatus

So that's why the temperature has been so enjoyable lately. News is here that Global Warming is on Hiatus. Red Orbit:

While scientists are in near-universal agreement that climate change is a thing and that humans played a significant role in causing it to happen, there is one area that has caused some confusion and fueled climate skeptics – the so-called warming “hiatus” that lasted from 1998 to 2012.

Now, however, new research published online this week in the journal Nature has attempted to provide answers by explaining that part of the confusion stemmed from short-term changes, the amount of unaccounted for heat stored in oceans, and incomplete observational data.

It's not RedOrbit's error, they're just reporting the story. But the above-linked story offers numerous examples where research data was excluded, missing, not known, unavailable and overlooked.

However, while the above unknown quantities remain unknown...

...lead researcher Dr. Iselin Medhaug of the Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science at ETH Zurich and his colleagues explained [they will] they set out to reconcile those discrepancies.

While those "discrepancies" are being reconciled, the report remains adamant that humans are to blame:

...the authors wrote[...] “Combined with stronger recent warming trends in newer datasets, we are now more confident than ever that human influence is dominant in long-term warming.”

Did I miss the day that satire was introduced into science's academic curriculum?

"There's absolutely no doubt that humans contribute to global warming."

"Oops. We forgot to include a bunch of research."

"Well, we checked again and made sure we had all the data this time and we're certain human influence is contributing to long-term warming."

What is the definition of long-term warming? How can that possibly be predicted when no one can tell us what our local weather will be ten days out from today?

How does one even begin to calculate global warming being on hiatus? "Global warming on hiatus" has to be the most stupid, idiotic grouping of words I've ever read.

Does "Global Cooling" take hiatus also? Where does it go on vacation? Some place warm?

Were not the seacoast cities, by now, to have been wiped off the shoreline according to the Great Climatologist Albert Gore, Junior?

People once thought the earth was flat. Some still believe that.

NHL Picks Going Strong

The series between Ottawa and the Rangers is tied at 2 games each. I overlooked that they played last night. So I have to update my prediction of the outcome of this series.

I have no idea. Maybe this is the series that goes a full seven games. One of them has to, doesn't it? The Rangers, in seven games, game seven going one OT.

I'll stick by my previous picks on the other three series.

There. Briefest NHL post ever!

Disclaimer: These NHL predictions are not any way intended, or to be taken, as advice on sports betting or engaging in gambling or wagering; legal, illegal or other.

Hillary Clinton Crawls out of Primordial Oooze to Blame Others for her lost presidential bid

This is no surprise, is it?

CNN runs a story blubbering all over about how Hillary said she is, "a totally changed woman." What does that mean? A "totally changed woman." What is that? I don't think she means it in a Caitlyn Jenner sort of way, do ya think?

She even says, "my gosh [ I made mistakes ]." That just can't be right, it must be fake news. A Clinton? Making mistakes? Let alone admitting it? No...not in any inter-galactic parallel world or Bizzaro World.

But in a different story she says she directly ("directly", mind you), blames Vladimir Putin for her loss.

A story in The Guardian has her blaming misogyny for her loss. Is this the same kind of misogyny her husband Bill harbors? The kind of misogyny that a whole bunch of women came forward telling us how Bill mistreated them? Lest we not forget the accusation from Juanita Broadderick, that Bill Clinton did indeed rape her. For The Left, for decades, has told us even the allegation of rape should be taken most seriously.

Russian hackers and FBI Director James Comey also contributed to her loss, she says.

Here's the real genius of this. The Russian hackers gave Hillary the popular vote. Huh? Huh? Is that ingenious or what?

The Left spent several years fawning over Comey, who is, I believe, a man with integrity. But The Left is always the first to throw their own into the lion's den the nanosecond that person does or says something that strays from their strict doctrine of Das Kapital.

Now we know where she's been all this while we didn't see her. Compiling a list of names and entities of who to blame for her loss.

I would not put it past Hillary Clinton to run for the presidency in 2020, even though she will be 107 years old then. Maybe by that time some of her lost emails will turn up.

NHL Picks Continues

This post will publish on Thursday, May 4th, mid-afternoon so the current standings are accurate at the time of publishing.

Yeah, yeah...I know. "Oh, another long, boring NHL post," is what just crossed your mind. Well, cheer up, I'll be back to dissing Liberals quicker than you can say, "The Russians stole the Stanley Cup."

We have Nashville leading their series against St. Louis by 3 - 1.

The Edmonton Oilers vs the Anaheim Ducks series is tied at two games each.

Ottawa leads their series against the N.Y. Rangers 2 - 1.

The Penguins lead their series against the Washington Capitals 3 - 1.

I think it inevitable that the two teams vying for this years Stanley Cup will be the Nashville Predators vs the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Outcomes:

I think Nashville ends the series with a win in St. Louis tomorrow.

The Penguins end their series with a win in Washington on Saturday.

In the previous bracket, the Ducks beat Calgary in a 4 - 0 series sweep. Their battle against Edmonton is, obviously, more difficult for them and this could be a full seven game series.

Whether it's the Ducks or the Oilers who win their series, Nashville will beat either team (I'm convinced of it) and move on to face the Penguins.

Pittsburgh will beat whomever wins in the Rangers - Ottawa series.

A "Peeps" Zamboni. Awesome!

The However:

Nashville is on a roll and there seems to be no end in it stopping anytime soon.

Also, one cannot ever underestimate the Ducks. Or the Oilers. Or Ottawa. (Am I covering all my bases...just like a politician? :).

But I said Detroit cannot be underestimated at the beginning of this season and they tanked and stayed down the full season. Look for them to be on fire next season.

Scores:

Tomorrow:  Nashville 5 - St. Louis 4.
Saturday: The Penguins 3 - The Capitals 2 in one OT.

The Ducks vs the Oilers and Ottawa vs N.Y. I just don't know. Any one of them could hit a streak and upset every pick I make.

Injuries, who and how severe, is always the unknown factor.

Your thoughts?

Disclaimer: The above is purely guesswork on my part and is not in any way to be taken as advice on sports betting or engaging in gambling or wagering; legal, illegal or other.

Peeps Zamboni via: markets.financialcontent.com

Rich Old People Need To Die: Part One

Rich, old people need to die. Why? Because research indicates wealthy rich people live longer and suck up more of everything - from money to natural resources -  from the taxpayer. MSN.com:

The richest people in the U.S. aren’t just getting several years of extra life, they’re also reaping a financial reward for their longevity – courtesy of the U.S. taxpayer.

Is anyone really surprised that the wealthy use more natural resources and have access to the very best medical care, and they are living longer? It's time many wealthy and/or aging-wealthy folks set an example and cease living. It's for the Earth...Mother Earth! It's For the Children, Dear god, think of the Children.

These folks seem to have overstayed their welcome.

Michael Bloomberg  75 years old and $47.5 BILLION.

Robert Redford "only" $ 170 Million. But he's 80! And Rich!

Ted Turner, $2.2 Billion. 78 years old. Gotta go Ted. You said yourself in 2012 that world population must be reduced by 5 billion. Be a Leader, show us what it takes. Take a dose of your own medicine, Ted. Are there any high, dangerous bridges near where you live? Any nearby electrical power substations you could grab onto some high voltage coils? At age 78, I just want to be helpful to Ted.

Jeff Bezos.  $76 Billion. Makes Bloomberg look lower middle class, huh? Only 53 but in his case age nullified by extreme wealthiness. Jeff, time to go bye bye.

Warren Buffet, $ 75 Billion. AGE 86! Buffet has exhausted his "fair use" of oxygen and all other natural resources. And with $ 75 Billion?  Warren, seek the Exit Sign.

Another Warren...Beatty. $ 70 Million. And 80 years old.
Need I say more?

Huh, so far all of these are Liberals. Hmmmm.

To be Continued...

NHL Picks Continues

These posts, those on the NHL - solely for my purpose of record-keeping. I don't play fantasy football or speculate on any other sport or event other than the NHL. So it's fine if you don't read these posts. If you're a hockey fan, add a comment, what teams are your picks?

I've been Away From Keyboard, nothing major going on - just taking care of business before blogging.

I don't know where I stand on my picks as how many I've gotten right / wrong or final scores or how many games in a particular series. At this point it seems like an awful lot of math for me. And in case you don't know this: Nothing good can come from math. Nothing. (I may do a tally later.)

I did think the Sharks would win their series against Edmonton but they didn't.

I expected Pittsburgh beating Washington {EDIT: The Blue Jackets] and they did.

Washington beat Toronto. I had picked Boston as a Wild Card but they were eliminated by Ottawa.

My Western Conference "Wild" Card is St. Louis and they beat the MN Wild (damn them...), but they're playing Nashville who seem...unstoppable. Like a machine that grinds up everything in its path and just chucks it aside. More on them below.

The Ducks beat Calgary in a 4-0 series sweep

Nashville is the only other team, thus far, to have a 4-0 series sweep and that was against Chicago. Will the long rest Nashville had hurt their game? Not so far, as they lead their series against St. Louis 1-0.

Ottawa leads 1-0 against the N.Y. Rangers.

Pittsburgh 1-0 against the Washington Capitals.

Edmonton ahead of the Ducks, 1-0.

"And...we're off...":

I think Nashville will sweep St. Louis 4-0. They've been animals on the ice. Who can stop them from entering the next bracket ? The Ducks? Edmonton? Maybe Edmonton?

I don't see Washington beating the Penguins. This match-up will either play out to a seventh game or the Penguins will take it 4-0...maybe 4-1. The way the Caps have been playing, they're a team that manages to capitalize (no pun intended initially, but then...of course), on those key moments that make the difference between who continues in the playoffs and who doesn't.

The Ducks and the Oilers. The Ducks and the Oilers. The Ducks and the Oilers. The Ducks and the Oilers. The Ducks and the Oilers. The Ducks and the Oilers. The Ducks and the Oilers. The Ducks and the Oilers. The Ducks and the Oilers.
I honestly don't know.

Ottawa and N.Y ? Again - wow - like the Ducks and Oilers - I just don't know.

Jump To The Cup:

Well, who plays for the Cup absolves me of my inability to pick winners in the Ducks - Oilers and the Rangers - Ottawa games.

I'm getting ahead of myself but...barring any major player injury, the two teams I see destined playing for The Stanley Cup:  The Penguins vs Nashville.

There, apologies if you found this boring.

Again, you're a hockey fan or other, add a comment of what teams are your picks?

Disclaimer: The above is purely guesswork on my part and is not in any way to be taken as advice on sports betting or engaging in gambling or wagering; legal, illegal or other.

Publish time 2:22PM MST.
Item updated 5-3-2017

Emmanuel Macron vs Marine Le Pen For French Presidency

It's Marcon vs Le Pen for France's presidential election. From The Telegraph:

Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen will fight for the French presidency after the country's two main parties crashed out of the first round for the first time since the founding of the Fifth Republic in 1958.

In a seismic shift in French politics, estimations from partial results put Mr Macron, an independent centrist, top on 24 per cent, with Ms Le Pen, the far-Right Front National leader, just behind on just under 22 per cent.
[.]
The Socialist Party's official candidate Benoît Hamon came sixth with a paltry 6.2 per cent of the vote[.]

Ha! Hamon is France's version of Bernie Sanders!

"The French, they love me like they love Jerry Lewis - I tell ya!"

Globalization is over, is Le Pen's vision.  ABC News:

 "The French must take advantage of this historical opportunity offered to them, because what is at stake here is the wild type of globalization endangering our civilization."  

NHL Cup Playoff Picks Continues

NHL Playoffs Continue!

I have not made a "prediction" on the outcome of every game being played during the NHL Playoffs. This is due to life requiring me away from the keyboard.

Here's where I'm at with those I have picked and the actual results:

April 15:
Washington v Toronto -Pick:  Winner: Washington; Score 2-1  /  Result: Winner Toronto;  Score: 3 in 2OT

Chicago Blackhawks v Nashville Predators -Pick: Blackhawks 2 - 1  /  Result:  Winner:  Nashville,  Score 5-0.
Nashville won the next two games and won this match-up in 4 straight. I don't know what happened to Chicago in the playoffs, but they were brutalized by Nashville and I don't think anyone expected Nashville to take this series, let alone playing the high caliber game they've been playing. Could they steamroll the other teams they''ll play and bring The Cup to Nashville? You bet they could.

Calgary v Ducks - Pick:  Winner: Ducks;  Score 3- 2  /  Result:  Ducks 3; Calgary 2.  I nailed this one. This is the only one correct prediction I made for games on the 15th.

April 16:
NY Rangers v Montreal - Pick: Winner: Rangers; Score 3 - 1  /  Result: Montreal 3 - 1
Rangers took this series 4-2 by winning the next 3 games.

Penguins v Columbus - Pick: Winner: Penguins; Score 1 - 0  /  Result:  Pittsburgh 5 - 4 in OT
The Penguins beat the Blue Jackets 4 - 1  and win this series. The Penguins, like Nashville, may indeed be the team to take Stanley home and if so, it would be two Cups in a row for the Penguins. Penguins v Nashville could end up being the two teams competing for The Cup.

MN Wild v St. Louis Blues - Pick. Wild 3 - 1 /  Result:  St. Louis 3 -1
The Blues closed the series Saturday the 22nd with a 4-3 win in OT
My prognostication:  St. Louis is good, but not good enough to make to the finals.  Cross them off the list of competing for Stanley. Very sad for the Wild - they rebounded in playing, but it was too late.

Edmonton Oilers v San Jose Sharks - Pick: Sharks 2-1 in OT  /  Result: Oilers 1-0

Late game Saturday night between Oilers 3 and Sharks 1.

The Western Conference winners are: St. Louis, Nashville, Anaheim and OILERS OR SHARKS

The Eastern Conference winners are: N.Y. Rangers and the Penguins.

As of the publishing of this post, two series play today, Sunday the 23rd:  Ottawa is at Boston and Washington plays at Toronto.  Both Washington and Ottawa lead their series by 3-2.

 Sunday the 23rd Predictions:

Boston is on home ice.  They tie the series up 3-3 with a 4-3 win in one OT.

Maple Leafs are on home ice.  They also tie their series 3-3 with a  3-2 win in one OT.

Correct predictions:

For the Western Conference games, the only one I got right - and I nailed it exactly - was the 3-2 win by the Ducks over Calgary.

For the Eastern Conference: games, again, I picked only one game correctly, Pittsburgh beating the Columbus Blue Jackets. My predicted outcome of this game was the Penguins winning 1-0, however, the actual score was 5-.4.

Conference Playoff Picks:

Western Conference:  Nashville vs The Ducks.

WILD CARD:   St. Louis; they may have that unknown and undefinable "Cup Fever" that propels them against all opponents even though above I said to cross them off the list. That's why they're a Wild Card.

Eastern Conference:  The Penguins vs The Rangers.

WILD CARD:  Boston.  Why? I never underestimate the Bruins ability in turning into an unbeatable team when push comes to shove.

[EDIT]: as I publish this the Senators have 2, Boston 1 - with one minute remaining.]

I'll add up how well (or badly) I'm doing with my Pick offline and hopefully will publish an update on Monday.

[EDIT]: Ottawa won 2-1; Ottawa leads series 3-2.

Boston plays at Ottawa next on April 23.
Pick:  Ottawa;  Score 4-3 in OT

Washington plays in Toronto (I think) in a late game tonight.
Washington leads series 3-2.
Pick: Toronto (if they're on home ice);  Score: 4-3 in OT.

Punctuation fixed 5-3-2017

Patrick Kennedy In Desperate Attempt To Make His Life Relevent

Oh...this is Rich! This is so very, very rich. Creamy chocolate, nougat infused, caramel covered with both whipping and ice cream on top Rich! Cherry optional.

The title says it all.  Patrick Kennedy trying to make his life relevant by preaching an Anti-Marijuana agenda.

Talk. About. Hypocrisy. And Double Standards.

Patrick is the son of famous chauffeur, swimmer and Senator, the deceased Ted Kennedy, Democrat, U.S. Senator from Massachusetts.

Is there any drug that, during his life to date, Patrick Kennedy didn't drink, inhale, snort or other?

From USA MacPaper:

Patrick Kennedy is a former congressman and an honorary board member of Smart Approaches to Marijuana (Project SAM).

Oh..."SAM", you gotta love the acronym; those clever, anti-marijuanaists.

Of course, the SAM Agenda is, as Patrick Kennedy so dutifully writes, "FOR THE CHILDREN."

Written by Patrick Kennedy, and again, USA MacPaper:

"There has been a lot of talk about pot lately.
[.]
But one issue got completely lost: the developing brains of our children.

It's about time we start focusing on the rights of our kids, not pot smokers.
[.]

As states rush unwisely to legalize marijuana, will this [present] the commercialization of a new, legal drug that threatens healthy brain development and the mental health of our children.
[.]
Already, candies, cookies, and lollipops high in THC adorn legal marijuana stores in Colorado and Washington."

Ahh, THE CHILDREN...the last card - that of vestige - played by any Liberal.

First of all, it is not Patrick Kennedy's decision whether states "rush unwisely to legalize marijuana," - that is his subjective opinion. He may speak his opinion as any other private citizen but he has no legal authority to do anything about it. Beyond that, we've seen a degree of leniency from both the past Obama Admin and the current Trump Admin in having a hands-off approach with states that are doing their own thing with MJ, and, this is a good thing. This is a State issue and State issue only. As a country, we DO NOT need to make MJ into Roe vs Weed.

Second, it's LEGAL IN COLORADO AND WASHINGTON TO SELL MJ AS CANDY, COOKIES AND LOLLIPOPS.  Have you ever heard of States' Rights, Mister Kennedy, Mister former Congressman, Mister recovering (or otherwise) booze hound, pill popper and who knows what else Patrick Kennedy smoked, snorted or other.

Patrick, try to sell your anti-MJ Agenda to AIDS patients who use medicinal marijuana that will induce an appetite and, as in cancer patients, is found to keep nausea at bay. Sell your agenda to aging baby-boomers who light up every day and find MJ provides relief from physical  pain relief that we all feel as we get older, or who use it to medicate depression. Please update us on the prosperity in selling your agenda.

Patrick, would you prefer a 12 year old cancer patient puking their guts out from the chemo, or give them a medicinally approve lollipop that negates the puking and gives them an appetite?

Patrick Kennedy, Poster Boy for being Drug Free

It was 2006 when Patrick Kennedy crashed his car into a Capitol Hill barrier hopped up on Ambien . He tried to explain it that he thought he was needed to cast a vote in the House. At 2:45AM. Yeah...a vote.

Whether you partake in MJ or not, you'd have to be blind not to see the double standard, irony and absurdity of Patrick Kennedy involved with an anti-MJ agenda. Actually, Patrick Kennedy involved with any anti-drug organization is the pinnacle of comical hypocrisy and absurdity.  Kind of like if his boozer daddy Ted had made a public service announcement for Alcoholics Anonymous while he was alive.

In 2006, Patrick entered into one of many Rehabs.

Pew Research shows that  nearly three-quarters of Americans (73%) say they favor their state allowing the sale and use of marijuana for medical purposes if it is prescribed by a doctor, while 23% are opposed.

Here Patrick, read about how medicinal marijuana can save lives.

Numerous studies by legit colleges and institutions  show MJ as an alternative to addictive opioid pain relievers. (And EVERYONE is jumping on this falsely promoted idea that the U.S. has an "epidemic opioid problem." No - we don't. But that's another post).

Back to Patrick Kennedy, who apparently has a halo around his head now. He states in USA MacPaper:    "There is no reason to believe marijuana will pay for itself, either."

Typical Liberal Illogic, Patrick. Here, pick a story, any story:

One Year of Legal MJ generated $70 Million in Washington State.

From USA MacPaper:

If all 50 states legalized cannabis today, they’d be collectively raking in more than $3 billion a year in taxes.

I think the revenue would exceed $3 Billion a year.

This Study sees nationwide legalization of MJ bringing in $28 Billion annually.

CNBC: Legal pot sales in 2015 top $5.4 Billion:

"You won't find another industry growing at that kind of clip": ArcView Group CEO.

 Over 10,000 studies show benefits from cannabis: 

A comprehensive research review examining 10,000 studies has found conclusive evidence that cannabis and cannabinoids are beneficial for treating symptoms like chronic pain, nausea and vomiting, and spasticity.
[.]
The nonprofit National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) summarized the past 16 years of research on the efficacy of medical marijuana in its report, “The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids.”
[.]
The rigorous and weighty 395-page report is based on the findings of more than 10,700 studies published in peer-review journals since 1999.

Clearly, Patrick Kennedy, has not done his due diligence and knows nothing of which he speaks. You cannot even say that he's "misinformed."  He's so far off base what he writes is fictional.

And it speaks volumes that "Project SAM" has an agenda other than that of compassion and empathy for those who find medicinal and recreational use of MJ beneficial and pleasant.

Patrick Kennedy is desperately trying to make his life relevant. To whom, other than himself, I do not know.

Famous Drinker and sailing enthusiast Ted Kennedy.

4/23/2017, typos and grammar errors fixed to the best of my proofreading ability.

You Hope for Blah..but mostly it's Blah. And Blah, Blah, Blah.

I do not know You Tube member Browyn Smith, but I DO want to thank her for the below video clip. It is among those she has uploaded on her You Tube Channel.

Had I not found that she uploaded this clip, I would have had to excise this 48 second gem myself. I like it so much, it's written so well and delivered perfectly by actor Justin Kirk. 

From the wonderful series, "Weeds".

We're Never Going To Stop Hearing about Them

I saw a headline that they were on some super luxury yacht?  Who?  Them.  Yeah, that guy born in Kenya and his "wife" (The Beard ).

The famous couple who "looked out for societies most needy" vacation and cruise on a Super Yacht. Wow. Nice work, if you can get it.

No, I'm not going to mention their names or link to a story about them.  After eight-plus years of them and their Cultists, I've heard, read and seen all I want to hear, read or see of them.

Unfortunately, the Fakestream™ Media will never cease in their breathless coverage of them.

One Hit Tech News

The 4th Industrial Revolution will be robots clogging our streets. From Technocracy:

When there are hundreds of delivery robots competing for sidewalk space, they won’t be so ‘cute’ anymore.

- - -

Extreme Tech explains the Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB) bomb :

American forces dropped the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB) bomb on an ISIS cave complex...
[.]
The MOAB device bears a charge of 18,700 lbs (8500 kg), composed mostly of H6, which is itself made of RDX. H6 is a standard-issue plastic explosive used by the American military for general-purpose bombs.

- - -

North Korea may not yet be able to strike the U.S.  Wired:

One of the country’s biggest stumbling blocks has been securing enough fissile material to build bombs. Until recently, it found the stuff hard to come buy.[sic]

NHL Playoffs Continue

I love me my NHL. I'm writing this on April 15 with a publishing date of April 16.

As we left off last time...

... not that anyone cares but me, but for my own tracking sake, here's how I stand on my NHL Playoff picks to date. Note: So far, the only predictions (which I never make. I don't make predictions. Nor is this intended as any manner of gambling, betting or wagering advice, legal gambling or otherwise), I've made were for games played April 12.

Pick: NY Ranger vs Canadians:  NY Rangers win by 1.
RESULT: Rangers won 2. Montreal 0.
Winner right, score not.

Pick: Bruins vs Senators: A Boston win by 2.
RESULT: Boston 2; Senators 1.
Winner right; score not.

Pick: Columbus vs Pittsburgh: Penguins win by 2.
RESULT: Penguins 3; Blue Jackets 1.
Winner and Score point difference picked.

Pick: St.  Louis vs MN Wild:  Wild win by 1.
RESULTS:  Blues 2; Wild 1.  (A shame. Ditto game 2.)
Winner wrong; score wrong.

Pick: Sharks vs Oilers: Edmonton by 1.
RESULT: Sharks 3; Oilers 2
Winner wrong; score wrong.

Right winner picks: 3
Incorrect picks: 2

Score Right: 1
Score Wrong: 4
- - -

My Picks for April 15 and 16:

April 15:
Washington v Toronto - Capitals lead series 1-0
Winner: Washington; Score 2-1

Chicago Blackhawks v Nashville Predators - Predators lead 1-0
Winner: Blackhawks because it's the last of the first two games on home ice. Next two games are in Nashville, so Chicago will have to win tonight.
Score: 2 - 1

Calgary v Ducks - Ducks lead series 1- 0
Winner: Ducks (on home ice then move to Calgary for game 3).
Score: Both teams put up good defense in game 1. This is a tough call. I'll say a repeat score of game 1:  Ducks 3; Calgary 2

April 16:
NY Rangers v Montreal - series tied 1 - 1
Winner: Rangers (they're on home ice). Score: 3 - 1

Penguins v Columbus - Penguins lead series 2 - 0
Winner: Columbus; they're on home ice and will be fired up. Although, I honestly think the Pengs will sweep this series 4 - 0.
Score: 1- 0

MN Wild v St. Louis Blues - Blues lead series 2 - 0
Winner: Wild. They HAVE to win this third game which is St. Louis' first game of the series at home. So Blues fans and the stadium will be rocking - but, the Wild have to win this one and they will.
Score: 3 - 1

Edmonton Oilers v San Jose Sharks - series tied 1 - 1
Winner: Game 3 (and 4) both on home ice for the Sharks, and they will win.
Score: 2 - 1 in OT

Any NHL-"head" reading this, please leave comments on your predictions on the games.

Commercialized Christian Holidays

Is it just me, or are Christian holy days the only ones that are uber-commercialized?

You did catch the "Hop In For These Great Deals", right? "Hop In"? I bet they paid big money to an advertising agency for that gem.

I've never seen advertisements for "Super-Savings Big-Discount on all Pools and Spas" during Purim.

I don't see sales of "Buy One, Get One Free" commercializing Passover.

"Mattress Liquidation Sale During Ramadan."  I've never read that.

"Oy Vey! It's A Rosh Hashanah Blow Out Discount Weekend!  Everything Must Go!" Big discounts on yarmulkes and Tzitzits , maybe?  It's just a thought.

And why exclude Atheists? Add an Atheist holiday to the calendar.  "40% Off on Everything, Including Sale Items during Atheist Event Week!"

Why are there no Muhammad Peeps?

It seems a large part of a target market is being excluded. I wonder why?

Have a Blessed Easter.

Dr. David Dao Has Owies and an Attorney

Dr. David Dao, the screaming and tantrum throwing United Airlines passenger has some Owies that require plastic surgery. MSN.com:

Dao, [.] Wednesday and will need reconstructive surgery, [his attorney Thomas] Demetrio said.

And:

[Dao has become] a poster child for the mistreatment passengers suffer at the hands of the airline industry.

A "poster child for mistreatment..." yadda, yadda, blah.

Pu-lease. Dao would be injury free if he had simply walked off the plane, OR, had he acted like an adult, OR had he rationally attempted to explain he is a Doctor and has patients to see the next day. But no. He threw a childish temper tantrum.

Dao being dragged down the aisle.

Dao now has legal representation. Hey - who didn't see this coming.

Famous cartoon lawyer.

I think United Airlines Public Relations Department missed the boat here. UA should have stood their ground stating that they did adhere to airline guidelines for removing a difficult passenger.

I HATE being redundant, BUT...he easily could have:

A) explained he is a Dr. and has patients to see the next day,
B) discussed the issue in an adult manner, with a sincere disposition,
C) before leaving his seat, asking to speak to someone higher up in the chain of command,
D) where was the Pilot in all of this?
E) thrown a tantrum, acting like a spoiled child yelling, screaming and stomping his feet.

Dao, NOT and an un-educated man (the guy made through medical school), selected "E".  He has no one but himself to blame for his current situation.

---
Grammatical error fixed 4/15/2017

What if Assad Didn't Gas Anyone?

I'm rethinking the accusation that Bashar al-Assad gassed anyone last week.

I don't think this happened.

Is Syria another excuse for neocons like John McCain to beat the War Machine?

President Donald Trump can't possibly think that the U.S. can have any type of Military confrontations simultaneously with Syria, North Korea and all the other Mideast countries that are a mess due to Barack Obama's failed foreign policy.

I don't believe - at least I don't want to believe - that we are on the precipice of World War III.

Trump, who I supported, explicitly stated we have no business in Syria and then turned a 180 and ushered in U.S. involvement with Syria.

How will his supporters know, from this point on, whether to believe Trump or not?

Trump does not need to poke the bear of North Korea and bring them into play with what so far, looks like a very amateur performance of Trump Foreign Policy.

It is the Bill Clinton presidency that brought us to where we are with North Korea:

Under the final terms of the Agreed Framework approved in October 1994, Clinton agreed to provide the “Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea” (DPRK) with two light water nuclear reactors and a massive allotment of oil.  The U.S. agreed to ship 500,000 metric tons of oil annually in response to the North’s pretense that the energy-starved backwater had developed the nuclear facility to generate power.  These shipments have cost taxpayers more than $800 million to date — a bargain compared with the $6 billion spent on constructing the nuclear reactors, which now empower North Korea to produce 100 nuclear bombs each year.

All these measures failed to quell the North’s atom-lust.

Clinton gave in to every one of North Korea's demands.

I'll hold Trump's feet to the fire, and apply the same standards to him that I did with Obama, W. Bush and Bubba Clinton. I'm not cutting any slack for Trump just because he's not Hillary Clinton.

The U.S. needs to disengage from Syria and North Korea immediately.

Assad protected Christians in Syria, search and seek for yourselves:

This should not be - this is not - and I hope not -  a question of who is better for starting World War III; Trump or Clinton.

NHL Playoffs: The Puck Drops Tonight

The NHL Playoffs are here!

Tonight, among other games, the Minnesota Wild faces Columbus St. Louis in game one in beautiful downtown St. Paul.

The Wild have a fantastic season this year and if they keep playing as they have been - thorugout the playoffs - Minnesota could easily see The Stanley Cup as a new resident.

The playoff coverage is, obviously, found at NHL.com.

The Wild. Bring home The Cup! They have the momentum and this is THEIR YEAR!

The Playoff schedule is listed here.

Five games begin tonight! :

NY Ranger vs Canadians:  NY Rangers win by 1.

Bruins vs Senators: A Boston win by 2.

Columbus vs Pittsburgh: Penguins win by 2.

Blues vs MN Wild:  Wild win by 1.

Sharks vs Oilers: Edmonton by 1.

The above is not intended as any type of gambling or wagering advice. Simply my guess as who wins. I'll be keeping track of my accuracy.

Charlie Murphy, dead at 57 (And David Letterman's Mom passes away)

This is too much. "They" say death comes in "threes" and if that's true, well - it's accurate since Don Rickles died last Friday, J. Geils died and now word that Charlie Murphy has died. NY Daily News:

Charlie Murphy, the beloved comedian, writer and older brother of Eddie Murphy, has died after a battle with leukemia.

He was 57.

The funnyman passed away Wednesday morning at a New York City hospital, TMZ reported, citing his manager. He had been undergoing chemotherapy treatment.

His work on Dave Chappelle's Show was absolutely bone-crunchingly funny.

And...condolences to David Letterman on the passing of his mother.

Dorothy Mengering, David Letterman's mom and a correspondent on The Late Show With David Letterman, died at home in Indianapolis. She was 95.

Mengering rose to unexpected fame after she appeared on her son's late-night show during the Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway (1994), Nagano, Japan (1998) and Salt Lake City, Utah. Fans grew to love her sweet demeanor[.]

J. Geils, Dead at 71 (And belated Good bye to Don Rickles)

This is a shame.  Guitarist J. Geils of the eponymous "J. Geils Band" has died at the age of 71. CNN:

Police came to Geils' home for a well-being check, police Chief Donald Palma said. The 71-year-old was found unresponsive and was declared dead at the scene.

Police are investigating the death as a standard procedure. Foul play was not suspected and a preliminary investigation suggests Geils died of natural causes, Palma said.

I didn't make time to publish a post on the late, great Don Rickles who died last week. He was the Godfather of Insult Comedy. 

The J. Geils band was fantastic. Their ability to invent and reinvent themselves and continue being relevant to music over several decades is a testament to their talent and to their wide range of musical accomplishments and contributions.

Rest in peace  "J".  And Don. Thanks for the memories - they will live on.

"Freeze Frame":   Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe this is the ONLY music video with an appearance by Mister Potato Head as some sort of therapist or psychiatrist. And he writes the word "Memories" on a notepad.