09/06/2015 archive

This is your morning Open Thread. Pour your favorite beverage and review the past and comment on the future.

September 6 is the 249th day of the year (250th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. There are 116 days remaining until the end of the year.

On this day in 1995, Cal Ripken Jr of the Baltimore Orioles plays in his 2,131st consecutive game, breaking a record that stood for 56 years.

Calvin Edwin “Cal” Ripken, Jr. (born August 24, 1960) is a former Major League Baseball shortstop and third baseman who played his entire career (1981-2001) for the Baltimore Orioles.

During his baseball career, he earned the nickname “Iron Man” for doggedly remaining in the lineup despite numerous minor injuries and for his reliability to “show up” to work every day. He is perhaps best known for breaking New York Yankees first baseman Lou Gehrig’s record for consecutive games played, a record many deemed unbreakable. Ripken surpassed the 56-year-old record when he played in his 2,131st consecutive game on September 6, 1995 between the Orioles and the California Angels in front of a sold-out crowd at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. To make the feat even more memorable, Ripken hit a home run in the previous night’s game that tied Gehrig’s record and another home run in his 2,131st game, which fans later voted as Major League Baseball’s “Most Memorable Moment” in MLB history. Ripken played in an additional 502 straight games over the next three years, and his streak ended at 2,632 games when he voluntarily removed his name from the lineup for the final Orioles home game of the 1998 season. His record 2,632 straight games spanned over seventeen seasons, from May 30, 1982 to September 20, 1998.

So it’s Italy and as close to Scuderia Marlboro as you get.  The speculation that Monza is done as a venue is a trifle premature as there is every indication that the local goverment is caving to Ecclstone’s every whim.

He’s muzzled the complaints about Pirelli who build the tires he wants anyway (ones that pop if you drive them too hard).  Mercedes is testing their 2016 engine with Hamilton on pole, Rosberg is 4th on the 2015 because his blew up.  The Scuderia is 2nd and 3rd to put the butts in the seats.

“Punting the Pundits” is an Open Thread. It is a selection of editorials and opinions from around the news medium and the internet blogs. The intent is to provide a forum for your reactions and opinions, not just to the opinions presented, but to what ever you find important.

Thanks to ek hornbeck, click on the link and you can access all the past “Punting the Pundits”.

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The Sunday Talking Heads:

This Week with George Stephanopolis: The guests on Sunday’s “This Week” are: Republican presidential candidates: former Gov. Mike Huckabee (R-AR) and Ohio Governor John Kasich (R-OH); David Miliband, President and CEO of the International Rescue Committee; and Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The roundtable guests are: ABC News analyst Matthew Dowd; Democratic strategist Donna Brazile; editor of the Weekly Standard Bill Kristol; and editor and publisher of The Nation Katrina vanden Heuvel.

Face the Nation with John Dickerson: Mr. Dickerson’s guests are: Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina; and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (R-GA).

Meet the Press with Chuck Todd: This Sunday’s “MTP” guests are: Former Secretary of State Colin Powell; and ALF-CIO President Richard Trumka.

State of the Union with Jake Tapper: Mr. Tapper’s guests are: Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), the chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC); and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R).

Migrant crisis: Austria and Germany await more arrivals

 



Austria and Germany are expecting thousands more migrants to arrive from Hungary after Budapest eased restrictions on their travel.

Throughout Saturday, by bus, train and on foot, people travelled to the Austrian border before moving on to Vienna and Munich.

Austrian officials are laying on more trains as needed.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is to hold talks with her coalition partners on a crisis that has divided the EU.

After days of confrontation and chaos, Hungary opened its borders with Austria and bussed thousands of migrants to the frontier.

Up to 10,000 arrived at the border, according to the Austrian authorities, who have said they do not plan to limit the numbers crossing into the country.

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Breakfast Tune: Fearless (Pink Floyd cover)

Today in History: September 6th

President William McKinley shot in Buffalo, N.Y.; Funeral held for Britain’s Princess Diana; Mother Teresa mourned in India; Movie director Akira Kurosawa dies; Roger Waters of Pink Floyd fame born. (Sept. 6)

Something to Think about, Breakfast News & Blogs Below

H/T Digby