DramatistDreamer

I expect the next administration will provide a jarring contrast. Reminds me of something I read about Trump that was backed up by that PBS documentary. Apparently, Fred his father referred to successful people as "killers" and Fred Jr. who elected to become a pilot instead of the family business was seen as a failure by Fred Sr. who never ceased to tell him so until Fred Jr. drank himself to death. Years later, when asked about his brother, Donald Trump, eyes slightly downcast, was said to have uttered "Fred...he just wasn't a killer, I guess". What a family!

The AO website livestreamed the draw ceremony. I got to see some of it.

Hm, ten minutes, huh? U.S. ending Wet Foot, Dry Foot policy US ending 'wet foot, dry foot' policy for Cubans

Oooh, argh...Francoise Abanda vs. Taylor Townsend. I like them both! If it goes to a third set, I kind of give the edge to Frankie, although she had some 'yips' with her serve last season. ETA. Taylor just broke Frankie, so it looks as if Frankie's service is still a bit suspect (which is going to be a disadvantage with Taylor's good court positioning). It's to Taytay's advantage to consolidate the break and try to get this set in the bag quickly, if she can. I have a feeling with this Australian heat, it's better to win in straight sets.

Breaking News: FBI Chief James Comey is now facing investigation over his pre-election handling of Hillary Clinton's e-mails. Namely, that letter that was put out 2 weeks prior to the general election. Very late in coming.

Interesting narrative presented here. Juliet and Jackie Evancho, Bonding as Targets in a Trump Media Frenzy

For anyone who is curious or not fully informed about exactly what gerrymandering and redistricting is and why former Attorney General Eric H. Holder (who will soon be joined by President Obama) has started an organization dedicated to redrawing the district maps, this article presents a bit more information. Eric Holder to Lead Democrats’ Attack on Republican Gerrymandering

...So, it was a wealthy Republican donor who hired a research firm (made up of former journalists) to compile a dossier on Trump in the first place? Very interesting.

The downside is that someone had to win the match, I guess.

I'm sure you're right. There will always be a woman in need of a job and willing to put up with even the most horrendous work environment.

John looked pissed at that last point. That handshake was practically a handslap.

So many are leaving Fox News Channel these days that it's not inconceivable that maybe someone else would defect. Or is it only women? Will the network have any women left soon?

She finally won on her 7th MP! I think she was a college player.

Brady actually had 3 MPs to win in straight sets. No wonder she was smashing her racquet. Those must've been some serious nerves! I don't think Ana ever gave Djoker a second thought, they grew up together and when they played the Hopman Cup together years ago, he seemed enchanted in the doubles and she just looked like she was having fun with a buddy.

@Soapsuds I guess now that the USTA development program no longer cuts him a check, now Patrick is speaking freely. I thought the Novak cheating rumors were all just talk until I saw the photos. It was possible that he was just giving her a ride home but... Someone teased that Novak's head is the same width as his neck. Kind of mean but I caught myself really scrutinizing his features after that. In the back of my mind I had this crazy theory that he started to act out when he found out that Ana was getting married. I still think he carried a torch for her while she only saw him as a "brother". Ever heard of a player named Jennifer Brady? She was so close to closing out a match to some Russian and played two poor points to lose the 2nd set. She had quite the meltdown in response. I admit, I'm intrigued. What is it with American tennis players named Jennifer having meltdowns? I think you're probably right, John and Jack will probably play a long 2nd set, only to end up going to a 3rd. Now Johnson smashed his racquet.

@Soapsuds Some fans were even making jokes about how Novak would approve of Taylor getting married after the pregnancy? I guess that's what happend to him. I just recently saw those pictures last week of Nolé that caused all the cheating talk. I thought it was all speculation until I saw some British tabloid's old article and pictures of him and some middling Bollywood actress getting into the same car outside some club. I admit to Googling after seeing a joke about Djoker and Indian actresses on social media last week. Yeah, even Patrick McEnroe is being honest about how long it will be until an American man can realistically be seen as a contender for major titles. He seems to be looking past Isner and co and looking at the Generation Next guys. He was very iffy on Sock- mentioned his need to improve his backhand and his fitness. Speaking of fitness, I really hope that Taylor can improve her fitness because you're right, she has a fantastic game (great variety, reasonably aggressive and just fun to watch) and it would be a shame to waste it. I don't want to get ahead of myself but she does look fitter than when I last saw her (she looked very big then). I wonder if Steve Johnson can take this match in straight sets?

Tennis fans pay ultra-close attention, LOL. Someone calculated that the conception must've happened before the wedding date. Apparently the baby is due this month! Meanwhile, who is watching Australian Open Qualies? I see from the score that Taylor Townsend bageled her opponent in the first set. I guess Isner and Johnson are now facing off.

Is it true that Taylor Fritz and wife have a baby on the way? Considering that, what do you think his prospects are, going forward?

There were times that there were reporters that got pushy and wannabe-bombastic with Obama, he just handled it a whole lot better by taking quiet command without belittling or threatening anyone. In fact, I've never seen someone handle themselves as poorly as Trump handled this PC and that includes Donald Rumsfeld, who I thought was pretty contentious with the media. Just a poor representation by someone who will be in such a high position.

So there was a fire at the Watergate building today. Hm, feels as if cosmically, there's a message in that, somehow.

ITA. All that ultra-defensive, hitting too many shots from far behind the baseline drives me nuts and there are a lot of the young guys that do it now. I saw some of his qualifying match last night and it seemed like he made some improvements on his serve, there seemed to be a bit more sting on his serves, still I hope he continues to work on it to the point where it truly becomes a reliable weapon but at least it is no longer just a 'point-starter' like it used to be. He did a hell of a lot better than Elias Ymer who I can only say has regressed somewhat. It's not that he lost in the 1st round of Qualies but it's the way he lost. He also was playing very defensive tennis, but it almost seemed like he was playing clay court tennis and he seemed unsure of himself and it was clearly encouraging to his opponent, who I'd never heard of before. Hopefully that frustration that he exhibited will propel him to make the necessary improvements to get back to where he was before his injury layoff. To think, last year, he qualified for every major tournament on the ITF calendar! Genie Bouchard is playing decent tennis but doing so wearing Vika's castoffs. Those white shorts that look like diapers, I was hoping that since Vika's away on maternity leave, the only one who I'd be seeing with those diapershorts on would be baby Leo.

So more than one source, more than one tape. It's a wonder it was kept under wraps this long!

Probably why the Commander-In-Chief is supposed have a cool head. There are all different types in the intelligence community, as there are in the Military, the Police Department or any walk of life. Yes, there should be certain parameters but within any organization you have people of various temperaments. I went to the livestream to see local news and Trump is still talking and it is a chaotic rambling mess. So disheartening to see. I don't mean to be dramatic but I think this country is in trouble.

I'm pretty sure someone from the intelligence community probably "leaked" this as they probably feel pissed at Trump for diminishing them. I guess this is the stage where they plan to 'give as good as they get'. Sad but why would we expect any better than this seeing how racist and troll-ish the Trump campaign has acted all throughout? What can you say of a candidacy that relied on Wikileaks? This is what the U.S. democracy has descended into. Is anyone surprised? I cannot even feign shock at this moment.