DramatistDreamer

I have to agree with you there. Unless Murray is playing someone who brings a completely opposite style of play (which is in short supply these days, since 90% of the both Tours play a hopelessly defensive style of tennis), I find watching him to be somewhat dull and mostly exhausting. I didn't expect him to return but when I learned that he'd be returning, I had hoped he'd bring a different, more aggressive style of play. That's not happening. Now I feel like we're in a real-life version of "Groundhog Day" with the cycle repeating all over again. And no, the 'tennis gods' have not decided to make Murray's matches last over 2.5 hours...Murray decides to make these matches stretch into 2.5 hours! He's had some measure of control over all of his less experienced, less heralded opponents this week. He chooses to play extra-lengthy points where he could finish shots like, 7-10 strokes earlier!

I'll wait for the inevitable wedding pictures after they are put out by Hola or some such publication.

Murray's matches are too arduous for me to watch. It's so much grinding tennis! It makes me feels as though we're going to be forced to watch Andy grind his body down all over again.

Okay, this headline is kind of funny but the sentiment is apt. It's clear the E.U. got what they wanted on the Irish backstop, and is willing to allow Johnson to save face but they want to be done with the Brits.

A veteran filmed an Op-Ed video for NYT to talk about what he thinks of Trump's "strategy" (I used that term very loosely) to pull U.S. troops out of Syria. https://www.nytimes.com/video/opinion/100000006769520/trump-turkey-kurds-syria.html

Gabbard has a very large far-right following. Even those Hindu nationalists, they are far-right, not left. Someone made a list of her supporters for comparison. Gabbard might capture the 'Jill Stein voter', if there is such a thing.

So I'm guessing that those Hindu nationalists groups no longer want anything to do with her?

With all her ranting and raving about Hillary Clinton right now, it is clear that Tulsi Gabbard has officially decided to take a giant leap off the deep end. Speaking of deciding to make a poor decision.

Florida, why do you continually play such a big part in elections that produce such people?!

I don't want another CEO or businessman ever running for POTUS. Ever. Perhaps, it is alright to have a cabinet position but not POTUS. Ever. Anytime the U.S. has chosen a businessman for the position, it's been an unmitigated disaster. I think Yang has some points on automation and jobs but I still think his answer is too simplistic. I do think, Universal Basic Income could be a temporary solution to help people who inevitably fall through the cracks whenever the country transitions into another industrial shift but it most countries who try it, only have it temporarily. I'm not sure how it can be made sustainable on a permanent basis but as a temporary "patch" for people of working age, especially people who are chronically un and under-employed, I think it could actually be a viable idea. That would definitely need to be factored into any Universal Basic Income plan. Color, gender and age discrimination all work negatively against job applicants, it's not just about automation. I do agree that he tends to over-simplify aspects, he could benefit from talking to grassroots and community organizations who have studied these issues on a granular level to gain more nuance. I don't even pay attention to his following, really, although I've noticed a few that I've seen seem to have gone quiet lately. Maybe those are just a few of his POC women followers.

It's coming around again.

Seriously, I wasn't. I do think that some people hope that the Americans will view this as some type of 'new normal' (like the neverending quest to make Trump appear 'presidential'). Signs show that Trump has already changed the presidency, of course, in all the worst ways. Will his successor be able to change and redirect that? One never knows...

Well, I wouldn't call record-breaking turnover restoring normalcy and stability but I guess it's become "normal" for the Trump White House.

I guess I missed this one. Shrugs.

Wasn't the White House just touting their problem-solving "deal" earlier today? Trump administration stays losing on foreign policy and diplomacy. Especially since they have no clue about either.

Didn't it just come out? I haven't had a chance to read it at all. As an aside/heads-up, I'm starting to hear some rumors about Jeff Goldblum.

I agree with you Jane. Cummings' legacy is about so much more than this impeachment proceedings or what that cretin in the White House did or said. Let's give the man his proper due by recognizing his decades in public service and what he meant to his community and to this nation.

Ming-Na remembers the late great Raul Julia.

Last night there was a storm and once I got up in the middle of the night, I really couldn't get back to sleep. The rain lashed, the wind whipped the leaves (and anything not secured) around making various clacks and thud noises. Then this morning I wake up to the news of the unexpected passing of Rep. Elijah Cummings. Today seems as if it will be a challenging day. R.I.P. Mr. Cummings.

Between Trump's obvious meltdown and open deterioration in mental faculties and even Bernie's heart attack, I'm beginning to seriously wonder whether age is become more of a factor in the 2020 Presidential race. It just seems unavoidable at this point.

Yikes.

Trump is going to have no marbles left by Christmastime. Check the side glance he gets. I can't believe anybody voted for this buffoon.