AZ Tidbits

• Arizona court rules that marijuana odor is not probable cause.
• Former Diamondback Randy Johnson inducted in the Hall of Fame. 
• Why are we wasting tax dollars drug testing welfare recipients? 
• Arizona Coyotes & City of Glendale come to 2 year lease agreement. 
• Mike Bercovici's girlfriend has got some nice hands. 
• The Arizona Cardinals break the gender barrier.  
• About that Doug Ducey plan to pay the state education?  Its's a gimmick. 
• Lawsuit to challenge Arizona law that allows police to seize property. 
• Apaches take Arizona copper mine protest to Washington.  
• Ferguson hires Glendale police commander as new police chief.  
• Arizona State football team unveils their new Adidas uniforms. 
• Here's a nice look at the Arizona Coyotes Top 10 Prospects. 
• Arizona ranked as best place for gun owners.  Is that a good thing? 
• Tucson is one of the most sexually diseased cities in Arizona. 
• Drought stricken Arizona needs more rain harvesting.   
• There are lots of problematic bridges in Arizona. 
• Arizona Cardinals sign free agent TE Jermaine Gresham. 
• Why is Doug Ducey now banning things that are already illegal.  
• Marvin Bagley III is getting rave reviews for his summer play.  
• Arizona ranks 46th in child well being rankings. 
• Mercury's Griner, Dupree & Bonner selected for WNBA All Star Game.
• Forbes ranks Mesa, Arizona as Most Conservative City in America.

Pope Francis

"The exploitation of the planet has already exceeded acceptable limits and we still have not solved the problem of poverty."

"We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world, and that being good and decent are worth it."

VS Pink Wear Everywhere Bra!

Thank God for Victoria's Secret!

Elizabeth Warren

"There is nobody in this country that got rich on their own. Nobody. You build a factory out there-good for you.  But I want to be clear. You moved your goods to market on roads the rest of us paid for. You hired workers the rest of use paid to educate.  You were safe in your factory because of police forces and fire forces that the rest of us paid for. You didn't have to worry that marauding bands would come and seize everything at your factory-and hire someone to protect against this-because of the work the rest of us did.  Now look. You build a factory and it turned into something terrific or a great idea-God Bless!  Keep a hunk of it.  But part of the underlying social contract is that you take a hunk of that and pay it forward for the next kid who comes along."  

Jon Stewart on Iran Deal

What exactly is that so-called better deal?  What's wrong with diplomacy?

The Daily Show

Vikings Open Camp!

You can smell the football in the air!!!  NFL training camps have opened!!!  At least for the Vikings and Steelers, the rest of the NFL will open next week.  I couldn't be happier, the NFL is my favorite sport by far.  I'm optimistic about the Vikings chances too, they improved by 2 wins last year and I fully expect they can improve by at least 2 wins this year too.  If they can do that, that would be a 9-7 record and playoff contention.  The big key for the Vikings will be the continued development of Teddy Bridgewater.  He struggled a bit early last season when force into the starters role but his improvement as the season progressed was really encouraging.  There's really no reason to believe that he will regress this season, he's more familiar with the offense, he's more familiar with the speed of the game, he's got a new weapon in Mike Wallace and he's got Adrian Peterson coming back to open up the running game.  Defensively, the Vikings improved immensely under Mike Zimmer and with all the good young defenders that Rick Speilman has acquired over the past few seasons, I fully expect them to continue to improve.  I'm looking for big things this season, I really believe that the Vikings can be that sleeper team that jumps up every year and surprises people!

POTpourri

• Republicans are softening their stance on marijuana.  
• Jeb Bush is not fighting for the average American. 
• 2015 Emmy nominations announced.  
• Oligarchy is now upon us.  Thanks Koch Brothers. 
• How much damage will Donald Trump do to the GOP brand? 
• We are still paying for that Bush v. Gore decision.  
• The 2015 final table is set at the World Series of Poker. 
• RIP Bill Arnsparger & Alex Rocco. 
• I don't understand the opposition to the Iran Nuclear deal. 
• There is a simple way to end gerrymandering.  
• You can thank the wingnuts for Donald Trump. 
• IMO, the death of Sandra Bland is very suspicious.  
• Still think the confederate flag doesn't represent racism? 
• That shark attack at the surfing competition is crazy! 
• We are still on track for the hottest year in recorded history!
• Zach Johnson wins the 2015 British Open. 
• Trickle down economics isn't working anywhere.  
• Doutzen Kroes is holding up well!  
• Don't believe the Republicans, Dobb-Frank is working just fine. 
• Bernie Sanders message is resonating in red states.  
• I think that there's room for another executive order by the President. 
• Have you read the annual State of the Climate report?  

2016 Presidential Field Update

John Kasich is in as he has finally officially declared for the 2016 Presidential race.  That increases the Republican field to 16, with the Democratic field remaining at 5.  There are still a couple more stragglers who are deciding, but for the most part the field appears to be set.

Here's how they rank in my opinion (as far as their chances):

Democrats:

1. Hillary Clinton
2. Bernie Sanders
3. Martin O'Malley
4. Jim Webb
5. Lincoln Chafee

Republicans

1. Jeb Bush
2. Scott Walker 
3. Marco Rubio 
4. Rand Paul
5. John Kasich
6. Ben Carson
7. Mike Huckabee
8. Rick Perry
9. Chris Christie
10. Lindsey Graham
11. Donald Trump
12. Rick Santorum
13. Carly Fiorina
14. Ted Cruz
15. Bobby Jindal
16. George Pataki

Kasich is trying to sell himself as a centrist with a strong track record in an important swing state.  That may appeal to some, not to those on the far right or on the left though.  The far right wants someone who is more ideologically pure, and the left see his record as being far from center of the aisle.  He's way down in the polls, he's got his work cut out for him.

Sasha Markina

Welcome to the smoke show!

AZ Tidbits

• Are you familiar with the Bob Stump email controversy? 
• The turnout for Bernie Sanders shows there's hope for Arizona. 
• Kelli Ward announces run from right for John McCain's Senate seat. 
• Arizona's own Julie Johnston & Sydney Leroux make SI cover. 
• Did John Oliver miss the point of the Coytoes/Glendale controversy? 
• Why do those with health insurance want to take it away from those who don't?   
• The Arizona Diamondback farm system is fairing quite well this season. 
• Apparently, nobody wants to work in the Arizona education system. 
• SRP breaks ground on $80 million solar facility in Florence. 
• Is Arizona miscounting it's water supply?  
• Fact Checking former Arizona Governor on immigration.  
• Arizona State football team & Davon Durant part ways. 
• It was great having Netroots Nation in Phoenix for their annual convention. 
• Take a cab Donovan McNabb!  Or perhaps try Uber?  
• The GOP is becoming very costly to the taxpayers of Arizona. 
• Is a new arena headed to downtown Phoenix?  
• Phoenix exotic dancers file lawsuit over labor practices.  
• No, we don't need any infrastructure funding in Arizona do we Republicans. 
• Arizona ranks fourth in police violence deaths. 
• Bridge collapse could result in higher gas prices for Arizona. 

Cool Pics!

Bernie Sanders on the Issues

I don't care what side of the aisle that you're on, if what he says is not resonating with you, you may need to do some introspection.  

Income Inequality: 
"There is far too little discussion in Washington about the collapse of the middle class , almost no discussion at all about the incredible income inequality and wealth inequality in this country, and the fact that we're moving toward an oligarch form of society."
"A nation will not survive morally or economically when so few have so much and so many have so little."

Climate Change: 
"The United States must lead the world in tackling climate change to make certain that this planet is habitable for our children and grandchildren. We must transform our energy system away from polluting fossil fuels and towards energy efficiency and sustainability. Millions of homes and buildings need to be weatherized and we need to greatly accelerate technological progress in wind and solar power generation.

Unless we take bold action to address climate change, our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are going to look back on this period in history and ask a very simple question: Where were they? Why didn’t the United States of America, the most powerful nation on earth, lead the international community in cutting greenhouse gas emissions and preventing the devastating damage that the scientific community was sure would come?"

Education: 
"Education should be a right, not a privilege. We need a revolution in the way that the United States funds higher education."
“We must fundamentally restructure our student loan program. It makes no sense that students and their parents are forced to pay interest rates for higher education loans that are much higher than they pay for car loans or housing mortgages.”

Minimum Wage: 
“What America is supposed to be about is if you work 40 hours a week, you earn enough money to take care of your kids and your family,” he said. “You can’t do that on seven-and-a-quarter-an-hour and you can’t do it on nine bucks-an-hour,  you can’t do it on $10 an hour.”

Campaign Finance: 
“You’re looking at a nation with a grotesquely unequal distribution of wealth and income, tremendous economic power on Wall Street and now added to all of that is big money interests — the billionaires and corporations now buying elections, I fear very much that if we don’t turn this around, we’re heading toward an oligarchic form of society.” 
Unless the campaign financing system is reformed, the U.S. Congress will become paid employees of the people who pay for their campaigns -- the billionaire class.

Lindsey Graham on Late Night

He talks some sense, on a few topics anyways.  Too bad he's a warmonger.

TPSG 100 Most Influential People

It's time to update my Most Influential People list, it's still a bit Arizona/Minnesota/Sports-centric, but I'm going to post anyways.  

TPSG Top 100 Most Admired People:

1. Pope Francis - only the best Pope ever!  
2. Barack Obama - historians will look upon him very kindly. 
3. Elon Musk - the most innovative mind out there. 
4. Dan Price - I wish he was my boss. 
5. Bernie Sanders - in an ideal world, he's the next POTUS. 
6. Elizabeth Warren - the progressives strongest voice.  
7. Jon Stewart - I can't wait to see what his next move is. 
8. Hillary Clinton - odds on favorite to be the next POTUS. 
9. Thomas Piketty - his book is a blue print for a new economy. 
10. Mark Dayton - in my mind, the best Governor in the U.S. 
11. Robert Reich - we need him back at the Department of Labor. 
12. Amy Van Dyken-Rouen - her spirit in the face of adversity amazes me.
13. Nick Hanauer - a rare billionaire willing to speak out against the system.
14. Bill Gates - he and his foundation are doing lots of good works!
15. Warren Buffett - it's time to implement the Buffett Rule.  
16. Aung San Suu Kyi - a true force for change in the Asia Pacific rim.
17. Malala Yousafzai - a true inspiration and role model for all women. 
18. Paul Goldschmidt - he's not called America's first baseman for nothing.
19. Al Franken - he has turned into an excellent U.S. Senator. 
20. Chris Matthews - the best host on MSNBC.  
21. Larry Fitzgerald - future Hall of Famer and a legend in Arizona. 
22. Derrick Hall - a true leader and all around good guy.   
23. Bill Maher - his show is one of the best things about HBO. 
24. Mike Trout - the best baseball player in the game. 
25. Bruce Arians - he has worked wonders with the Arizona Cardinals. 
26. Rachel Maddow - a much needed liberal voice on the MSM. 
27. Mike Zimmer - I've been extremely impressed so far. 
28. Michelle Obama - she's been a tremendous first lady. 
29. Bill Clinton - the Clinton Global Initiative does a ton of good work. 
30. Bill de Blasio - one of the rising stars of the populist movement. 
31. King Abdullah II - he should be the model for all Arab leaders. 
32. Ryan Carson - I like the way this guy thinks. 
33. Charles Barkley - the best sports broadcaster in the business.  
34. J.J. Watt - in my opinion, he's the best football player in the NFL. 
35. Andrew Wiggins - my hopes for the Timberwolves future rests with him. 
36. LeBron James - still the best player in the NBA. 
37. John Oliver - "Last Week Tonight" gives a fresh look at the news. 
38. Jerry Kill - he's a great coach who is also hard to root against.  
39. Jimmy Kimmel - forget Fallon, it's about Kimmel! 
40. Paul Krugman - a much needed voice for liberal economics.   
41. Amy Klobuchar - a rising star of the Democratic party. 
42. Joe Biden - a strong liberal voice and a great Vice President. 
43. Lionel Messi - perhaps the greatest soccer player ever.
44. Miguel Sano - Sano & Buxton are the future of the Twins, if not all of MLB.  
45. Gabrielle Giffords - she keeps fighting and pushing on.   
46. Steve Keim - perhaps the best sports executive in professional football.  
47. Carli Lloyd - the best women's soccer player on the best women's soccer team.  
48. Dali Lama - a true warrior for peace, human rights & freedom. 
49. Cristiano Ronaldo - 1B to Messi's 1A as best soccer player in the world. 
50. Tim Cook - outspoken and charitable, we need more like him.
51. Will Ferrrell - he never fails to make me laugh. 
52. Jerry Brown - he pulled California back from the brink. 
53. Julian Castro - a strong Hispanic voice, and future VP? 
54. Howard Stern - there's a reason he's called the King of All Media. 
55. Dave Grohl - one of my all time favorite musicians.  
56. George Clooney - great actor with a social conscience. 
57. Oprah Winfrey - a true humanitarian. 
58. Angelina Jolie - beautiful inside and out.  
59. Neil deGrasse Tyson - a much needed and respected voice for science.
60. Glenn Perkins - the Twins best player once again. 
61. Jordan Spieth - the new Tiger Woods?  Perhaps!
62. Kendall Jenner - she has really blossomed into quite the stunner. 
63. Rhonda Rousey - the most dominant MMA fighter in the world.
64. Clint Dempsey - the best American soccer player alive.  
65. Paul Molitor - he's been a breath of fresh air to Twins fans. 
66. James Harden - the Beard has done Arizona State proud. 
67. Svetlana Bilyalova - perhaps the hottest woman on the planet. 
68. Jerry Colangelo - the Suns haven't been the same since he left. 
69. Teddy Bridgewater - only the key to the Minnesota Vikings future.
70. Byron Buxton - Buxton & Sano are the future of the Twins, if not all of MLB.
71. Angela Merkel - the most powerful person in Europe. 
72. Chris Hayes - he's making wonkishness cool.
73. Bill Nye - a strong voice on the dangers of climate change. 
74. John Kerry - we'd be in a much better place had he won the 2004 election. 
75. Stephen Colbert - I'm eagerly anticipating his new show. 
76. Serena Williams - she just keeps getting better with age. 
77. Shane Doan - easily my favorite Arizona Coyote player.  
78. Daniel Hudson - it's amazing the amount of adversity he has overcome.  
79. Karl-Anthony Towns - I can't wait to see him team with Andrew Wiggins. 
80. Richard Engel - this guy must has to have balls of steel. 
81. Katharine Hayhoe - she's doing her part to educate on climate change. 
82. Matt Damon - another great actor with a social conscience. 
83. Lawrence O'Donnell - another strong progressive voice on MSNBC. 
84. Rick Speilman - he's building a nice looking Vikings team. 
85. David Corn - one of the best journalists in the business. 
86. Thom Hartmann - a much needed progressive voice on the radio airwaves.
87. Tony LaRussa - I have full faith that he will right the Diamondbacks ship.
88. Ray Anderson - I like what I've seen from the ASU Athletic Director. 
89. Russell Brand - he will not pull any punches.  
90. Eddie Vedder - one of the great lead singers of all time. 
91. Trevor Noah - I have high hopes he can continue "The Daily Show" success.
92. Al Gore - the world would be a different place had he won the 2000 Presidential election.
93. Ed Begley Jr - he talks the talk, and walks the walk. 
94. Nancy Pelosi - she's been a great champion of the liberal agenda.
95. Bassem Youssef - the John Stewart of the Arab world. 
96. Al McCoy - I love listening to him call Phoenix Suns games. 
97. Keith Olbermann - it's time he return to MSNBC! 
98. Neil Allen - he has done wonders with the Twins pitching staff. 
99. Nate Silver - he has mainstreamed statistical analysis. 
100. Mat Fraser - perhaps the fittest man alive.  

Previous List:  2013

Summer Vibes with TeenyB's

You've got to love a girl who looks good in a TeenyB.

POTpourri

• Yet another reason to support medicinal marijuana? 
• Are you familiar with the relationship between state taxes & inequality? 
• Does Marco Rubio's jobs plan sound familiar?  
• Why isn't solar available for the poor?  They need it most. 
• It doesn't get much better than Svetlana Bilyalova. 
• Austerity has failed everywhere it's been tried. 
• Baseball America has revised it's Top 50 Prospects list. 
• Something seems amiss with Chris Christie's first Presidential ad. 
• If you can't beat them, rig the courts.  
• Serena Williams & Novak Djokovic win 2015 Wimbledon Championships. 
• RIP Ken Stabler, Omar Sharif, Amanda Peterson & Jerry Weintraub. 
• How much do you really know about Jeb Bush? 
• Is there a hotter female athlete out there than Paige Spiranac? 
• If for-profit colleges are the way of the future, we are in deep trouble. 
• The U.S. could learn a thing or two from the Cuban pharmaceutical industry. 
• Bloom County is back!!!  My favorite comic strip ever! 
• Ariana Grande may be a hottie but what a diva. 
• Millionaire Jeb Bush wants people to work longer hours. 
• Are you familiar with Scott Walkers race to the bottom? 
• There's a reason I've never been a fan of fireworks. 
• Kendall Jenner looks good in her Calvin Kleins. 
• The new Powerball odds could lead to some crazy jackpots.  
• Dandelion tea sounds promising in the fight against cancer.
• The uninsured rate continues to fall.  Thanks Obama!

Bernie Sanders on Face the Nation

He sounds mainstream to me.

2016 Presidential Field Update

Scott Walker is the latest to officially declare for the 2016 Presidential race.  That increases the Republican field to 15, with the Democratic field remaining at 5.  There could still be two or three more to enter the race before all is said and done too.

Here's how they rank in my opinion (as far as their chances):

Democrats:

1. Hillary Clinton
2. Bernie Sanders
3. Martin O'Malley
4. Jim Webb
5. Lincoln Chafee

Republicans

1. Jeb Bush
2. Scott Walker 
3. Marco Rubio 
4. Rand Paul
5. Ben Carson
6. Mike Huckabee
7. Rick Perry
8. Chris Christie
9. Lindsey Graham
10. Donald Trump
11. Rick Santorum
12. Carly Fiorina
13. Ted Cruz
14. Bobby Jindal
15. George Pataki

The Koch Brothers and the far right wing love Scott Walker, he has been successful in pushing a lot of right wing ideas into law in the state of Wisconsin.  Dig deep though and you'll see a struggling state that hasn't benefited much from his leadership.  We can do better!  

Calvin Klein Underwear 2015

Not bad Joan Smalls, Kendall Jenner, Isabeli Fontana & Edita Vilkeviciute.

AZ Tidbits

• Paul Goldschmidt named NL All Star Game starter. 
• Does Arizona really need confederate monuments?  
• How's that For-Profit Prison system working for you Arizona? 
• A.J. Pollock selected for his first MLB All Star game.  
• Donald Trump is dividing the Arizona GOP. 
• Arizona law that banned ethnic studies appears to be discriminatory. 
• Can Arizona deport this guy?  Please!!!
• Apparently Tempe is a good place to be a foodie. 
• Robbie Ray has been a pleasant surprise for the Diamondbacks.  
• Arizona ranks high on the 'economically distressed' list. 
• Phoenix Suns sign Mirza Teletovic, Sonny Weems & Ronnie Price. 
• There's really no need to go hiking in the Phoenix area in July.  
• Arizona ranked fourth in mortgage fraud. 
• Do you know the 10 largest cities in Arizona? 
• Arizona Senator Jeff Flake is no fan of Donald Trump. 
• Federal judge blocks Arizona's Revenge Porn law. 
• Arizona leads the nation in wire taping authorizations. 
• Bernie Sanders is headed to Arizona!  
• Forbes finds that women workers do not do well in Arizona. 
• Arizona company unveils 3-D printed road ready car.