Welcome to The Breakfast Club! We’re a disorganized group of rebel lefties who hang out and chat if and when we’re not too hungoverwe’ve been bailed outwe’re not too exhausted from last night’s (CENSORED) the caffeine kicks in. Join us every weekday morning at 9am (ET) and weekend morning at 10:00am (ET) (or whenever we get around to it) to talk about current news and our boring lives and to make fun of LaEscapee! If we are ever running late, it’s PhilJD’s fault.
This Day in History
George Washington, America’s first president, is born; Iraqi insurgents destroy a Shiite shrine’s golden dome; the ‘Miracle on Ice’ during the 1980 Winter Olympics; Pop artist Andy Warhol dies.
Breakfast Tunes
Something to Think about over Coffee Prozac
All water has a perfect memory and is forever trying to get back to where it was.
In case you weren’t aware but yours truly is a person of the sea. I was raised on an island and cannot remember not knowing how to swim. Over the years, I also learned how to sail and have owned a sail boat. Needless to say I love watching the Summer Olympics boat races and every four years, the race for the America’s Cup which is the oldest international sporting trophy dating back to 1851.
The cup was originally awarded in 1851 by the Royal Yacht Squadron for a race around the Isle of Wight in the United Kingdom, which was won by the schooner America. Originally known as the ‘R.Y.S. £100 Cup’, the trophy was renamed the ‘America’s Cup’ after the yacht and was donated to the New York Yacht Club (NYYC) under the terms of the Deed of Gift, which made the cup available for perpetual international competition.
Any yacht club that meets the requirements specified in the deed of gift has the right to challenge the yacht club that holds the cup. If the challenging club wins the match, it gains stewardship of the cup.
The history and prestige associated with the America’s Cup attracts not only the world’s top sailors and yacht designers but also the involvement of wealthy entrepreneurs and sponsors. It is a test not only of sailing skill and boat and sail design, but also of fundraising and management skills. Competing for the cup is expensive, with modern teams spending more than $US100 million each; the 2013 winner was estimated to have spent $US300 million on the competition.
The trophy was held by the NYYC from 1857 (when the syndicate that won the cup donated the trophy to the club) until 1983. The NYYC successfully defended the trophy twenty-four times in a row before being defeated by the Royal Perth Yacht Club, represented by the yacht Australia II. The NYYC’s reign was the longest winning streak (in terms of date) in the history of all sports.
The New York Yacht Club had held the cup since winning it in 1851, ending it in 1983 to the Australian team, Australia II of the Royal Perth Yacht Club, in Newport, Rhode Island. Since then the cup has passed back and forth between the USA and New Zealand with a brief sojourn in land locked Switzerland. Needless to say, this is a billionaires’ competition.
The cup is currently housed in Auckland, New Zealand held by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron who won the cup in 2017 from Oracle Team USA, San Diego, California.
The type of boat used in the race has changed dramatically, as well.
Early matches for the cup were raced between yachts 65–90 ft (20–27 m) on the waterline owned by wealthy sportsmen. This culminated with the J-Class regattas of the 1930s. After World War II and almost twenty years without a challenge, the NYYC made changes to the deed of gift to allow smaller, less expensive 12-metre class yachts to compete; this class was used from 1958 until 1987. It was replaced in 1990 by the International America’s Cup Class which was used until 2007.
After a long legal battle, the 2010 America’s Cup was raced in 90 ft (27 m) waterline multihull yachts in a best of three “deed of gift” match in Valencia, Spain. The victorious Golden Gate Yacht Club then elected to race the 2013 America’s Cup in AC72 foiling, wing-sail catamarans. Golden Gate Yacht Club successfully defended the cup. The 35th America’s Cup match was announced to be sailed in 50 ft foiling catamarans.
The Prada Challenger Cup series, previously called the Louis Vuitton Cup, began with a series of round robins on January 15. The winners of those races started on February 13 conclude on February 22 in Auckland. The first team in the Final to win seven races earns entry to face the Defender, the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, in the America’s Cup Match beginning March 6. The American team, American Magic, was eliminated from the challenger finals without a win and a series of avoidable mishaps.They lost the semi-finals against the Italian Luna Rossa 0- 4. Luna Rossa would sail against the British team, Ineos Team UK, that had already qualified for the finals
The races were postponed February 16 due to pandemic locking down for three days in Auckland.
On February 14, after the conclusion of raceday 2 and with the score at 4-0 towards Italy, the New Zealand government announced that there would be in a “level 3” lockdown for at least 72 hours due to COVID-19 precautions across Auckland. This caused the postponement of raceday 3 (originally scheduled to be held on February 17) although teams were permitted to sail during the lockdown.
Following disagreements between the challenger of record (Luna Rossa) and the America’s Cup authorities about how and when to proceed,[23] racing was agreed to resume on February 20 with raceday 3, with some restrictions to accommodate COVID19 Alert Level 2, and subsequent racedays shifted along the calendar by consequence.
The challenger races were dominated by the Italian team. After winning seven wins in eight races of the 13 race series. Luna Rossa earned the right to race against the America’s Cup holder, the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, beginning on March 6.
Malcolm X assassinated; President Richard Nixon visits China; Televangelist Jimmy Swaggart makes a tearful confession; Steve Fossett is the first to fly across the Pacific Ocean in a balloon.
Pondering the Pundits: Sunday Preview Edition” 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.
On Sunday mornings we present a preview of the guests on the morning talk shows so you can choose which ones to watch or some do something more worth your time on a Sunday morning.
This Week with George Stephanopolis: The guests on Sunday’s “This Week” are: White house Pres Secretary Jen Psaki; and Rep. Steve Scalise (Q-LA).
The roundtable guests are: Former Gov. Chris Christie (R-NJ); former Mayor Rahm Emanuel (?-Chicago); Leah Wright Rigueur, Assistant Professor of Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government; and Margaret Hoover, conservative political commentator.
Face the Nation: Host Margaret Brennan’s guests are: National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan; former Deputy Security Advisor Matthew Potinger; Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner (D); and Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price (R); and former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb.
Meet the Press with Chuck Todd: The guests on this week’s “MTP” are: Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Disease; Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers; and former Rep. Will Hurd (R-TX).
The panel guests are: Cornell Belcher, political strategist; former Gov. Pat McCrory (R-NC); Susan Page, Washington Bureau Chief for USA Today; and Kristen Welker, NBC News co-chief White House correspondent.
State of the Union with Jake Tapper and Dana Bash: Mr. Tapper’s guests are: Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Disease; Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX); Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R-AR); and Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA).
Late Night Today is for our readers who can’t stay awake to watch the shows. Everyone deserves a good laugh.
Jimmy Kimmel Live
Donald Trump Jr Defends Ted Cruz Amid Vacation Fallout
The weekend is finally here, freezing temperatures are sweeping the USA, Ted Cruz is laying low amid the fallout from his Mexican vacation and Donald Trump Jr. came to his defense, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick might win the award for dumbest Texas politician after his comments about windmills and the Green New Deal, the USA has finally rejoined the Paris Climate Accord, scientists have successfully cloned a black footed ferret, two young women were busted for dressing up as old ladies to get the vaccine, a new line of Karen dolls, and much to Jimmy’s dismay – his wife Molly gives away his most cherished possessions in a new game called “Win Jimmy’s Crap!”
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah
What the Hell Happened This Week? – Week of 2/15/21
Mitch McConnell wants someone else to hold Trump accountable, the GOP blames AOC for Texas’s power crisis, and Ted Cruz abandons his constituents to go to Cancun. What the hell happened this week?
Health and Fitness News Welcome to the Stars Hollow Gazette‘s Health and Fitness News weekly diary. It will publish on Saturday afternoon and be open for discussion about health related issues including diet, exercise, health and health care issues, as well as, tips on what you can do when there is a medical emergency. Also an opportunity to share and exchange your favorite healthy recipes.
Questions are encouraged and I will answer to the best of my ability. If I can’t, I will try to steer you in the right direction. Naturally, I cannot give individual medical advice for personal health issues. I can give you information about medical conditions and the current treatments available.
You can now find past Health and Fitness News diaries here.
Health experts have said that data so far has shown that Covid-19 vaccines prevent symptoms of the virus — but a new study suggests that the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines may also prevent infections.
A team at the Mayo Clinic health system looked at more than 31,000 people across four states who had received at least one dose of either vaccine — and found their vaccines were upwards of 80% effective in preventing infection 36 days after the first dose.
Vaccine efficacy was 75% 15 days after the first dose, and appeared 89% effective from 36 days after the second dose, according to the research, which has not yet been peer-reviewed.
Despite a backlog in inoculations due to harsh winter weather that has gripped much of the US, officials have been pressing to vaccinate Americans before what appear to be more transmissible variants, which they fear could reverse the progress in terms of lowering cases and hospitalizations.
More than 59 million vaccine doses have so far been administered in the US, according to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
But Dr. Christopher Murray, director of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, said Friday that the US is unlikely to achieve herd immunity for the virus before the winter. [..]
Herd immunity doesn’t take effect until 80% or more of the population has immunity, either through infection or vaccination. And the new variants may complicate the picture, Murray said. If people can be reinfected with the new variants, the pandemic may take off again.
Though officials hope to have vaccines widely distributed by the end of the summer, President Biden said Friday that issues like weather, mutating strains and manufacturing delays make it hard to nail down a timeline.
We know the Earth rotates…but why can’t we feel it? On this StarTalk explainer, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice investigate centrifugal force and the Earth’s rotation.
What is centrifugal force? Well, if you’ve been on a carnival ride, you probably know. However, Neil tells us why there is really no such thing as centrifugal force. Find out why you weigh less when you’re closer to the equator.
You’ll learn what speed Earth has to be rotating so that the centrifugal force balances out the gravitational force causing you to hover just above the surface in what Chuck calls “super-low Earth orbit.”
Welcome to The Breakfast Club! We’re a disorganized group of rebel lefties who hang out and chat if and when we’re not too hungoverwe’ve been bailed outwe’re not too exhausted from last night’s (CENSORED) the caffeine kicks in. Join us every weekday morning at 9am (ET) and weekend morning at 10:00am (ET) (or whenever we get around to it) to talk about current news and our boring lives and to make fun of LaEscapee! If we are ever running late, it’s PhilJD’s fault.
This Day in History
Astronaut John Glenn becomes the first American in orbit; the Rhode Island nightclub fire; Actor Sydney Poitier born; Tara Lipinski becomes the youngest gold medalist in the Winter Olympics.
Breakfast Tunes
Something to Think about over Coffee Prozac
If you laugh with somebody, then you know you share something.
Late Night Today is for our readers who can’t stay awake to watch the shows. Everyone deserves a good laugh.
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Late Night with Seth Meyers, and The Late Late Show with James Corden are taking breaks this week.
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah
Who Is Tucker Carlson?
Who is Tucker Swanson McNear Carlson, and why doesn’t he have more than one facial expression? Here’s how Tucker Carlson went from entitled aristocrat to Fox News superhero.
How to Reopen Schools – Getting Back to Normal-ish
After nearly a year of remote learning, kids are itching to go back to school, teachers are fighting for vaccines like it’s the Hunger Games, and parents want to open schools no matter what
NASA’s Perseverance Rover Looks for Life on Mars
After traveling 300 million miles in seven months, NASA’s Perseverance Rover touches down on Mars to search for signs of life.
Ted Cruz Jets to Cancun While Texans Freeze
Texas Senator Ted Cruz jets to Cancun as storms and power outages ravage his state, then throws his daughters under the bus when he gets caught.
Jimmy Kimmel Live
Ted Cruz Heads to Sunny Cancun While Winter Storm Cripples Texas
Senator Ted Cruz decided to hop on a plane to Cancun with his family for a vacation while fellow Texans are freezing and without power, pictures of him at the airport went viral and backlash was so severe that he had no choice but to immediately book a flight home, United Airlines put out a new video in an attempt to distance themselves from the controversy, Ted released a statement claiming that he was just trying to be a good parent by taking his kids on vacation, the Mexican tourism industry is getting a big shot in the arm thanks to the news coverage, COVID scammers are running wild, Jimmy has a new idea for getting Americans to trust the vaccine, NASA’s Perseverance rover completed its journey to Mars, and an exclusive interview with Ted Cruz! If you want to pitch in and help those who need it right now in Texas, our local affiliate in Houston, ABC 13, has teamed up with the Houston Food Bank. Just text “ABC13” to 41444. For every $1 donated, 3 meals will be given to those who need them.
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