Bad News!

Where's the silver lining?

The Israelis seem determined to continue down the path to an anti-democratic future.

The Ukrainians seem to be stalled on the battlefield.

Food is in short supply for the millions who need it most.

Brutally hot weather is the new normal on every continent.

In America, there is no end in sight as more and more people lose faith in the institutions that have served us (mostly) well for nearly 250 years.

Striking actors and writers and the other side of the picket line aren't even talking with each other, let alone trying to figure out how to resolve their differences.

And is UPS next?

I'm looking at sports for some relief:

Just finished a great Tour de France.

The Women's World Cup is off to a good start.

The Premier League is back in three weeks.

Thumb In The Eye!

The Chinese have a cute sense of humor.  On the one hand they keep the U.S. Secretary of State waiting in the wings, won't return phone calls from the U.S. Secretary of Defense, and are diplomatically civil but not particularly forthcoming in visits from the U.S. Treasury Secretary and U.S. climate boss and at the same time roll out the red carpet for "Old Friend" Henry Kissinger, "Old Friend" Bill Gates and "Old Friend" Elon Musk.

In other words, it's a not so subtle thumb in the eye for the current American administration and a warm welcome from Supreme Leader Xi himself for a few Old Friends.

Like I say, "Cute."