People are riding bikes in the Alps today. And there was a crash, but everybody looks ok and the others got a nice respite before the first climb.  That’s the kind of up-to-the-minute breaking news you can expect at places.  Actually, it just popped up in the first story in my search. So don’t expect it here, really. And those of you that weren’t expecting it and are pissed about the spoiler: sorry about that. Elsewhere, The Open is less than a day away, thank God. I’m gonna go out on a limb here and say the winner will be a first-time major winner again in an incredible finish that people will be talking about for quite some time (except UCS, who will not talk about it at all). And don’t forget that the USA takes on El Salvador tonight in soccer’s CONCACAF Gold Cup knockout rounds. Let’s hope they don’t play like they have so far.

In the baseball world, the Yankees and White Sox made a trade: Yankees got the better of it. The D-backs made a trade and look to be pushing for a playoff spot. The aforementioned pinstripes beat the Twins (sorry, Minnesodan contingent) and the Astros took out Monday night’s loss on the Mariners with style.  Rubber match tonight.

Well there’s a lot going on elsewhere, so lets unpack it in…the links!

I’m gonna explain with this first link why the American public doesn’t trust or respect the media. Here is the lede from the NYT: Trump and Putin Held a Second, Undisclosed, Private Conversation.  That’s their words, verbatim.  Now the first paragraph:

WASHINGTON — Hours into a dinner with world leaders who had gathered for the Group of 20 summit meeting, President Trump left his chair at the sprawling banquet table and headed to where President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia was seated.

Now, by “undisclosed” and “private”, they mean at a massive table with probably a hundred people around, many with cameras. And by “undisclosed”, they mean in public and announced as a formal dinner with other heads of state.  And furthermore, by “left his chair…headed to Putin”, they mean he swapped seats with his wife.

Why the hell would I trust the gray lady after this completely disingenuous headline and intro to a story? Why would I trust the parrots at CNN or MSNBC or NPR or everywhere else that breathlessly reported a very public and informal conversation as something nefarious?  I ask you, what credibility do these people have left?

Suck it, peons!

::catches breath::

How do you get booed worse than the Mets? Catch a foul ball, apparently. Well, catch a foul ball while being a horribly unpopular asshole.

Whatever a “Reddit AMA” is, Chris Cillizza has one. And people are airing their grievances. And its not even Festivus yet. But he’s apparently a good sport. (TW: Slate, although they don’t go full retard here. Instead, they gloss over the real criticism he’s getting hammered with by people showing his lack of integrity and objectiveness over and over and over and over and over again)

Looks like there was another person at the Trump Jr meeting. This one linked to “money laundering” according to reports. That link is an interview he gave in 2000 about how shell companies are used to open businesses in Delaware.  You know, just like a shitload of companies do every year.

Court dates are not optional. And don’t punch horses!

A city council acts responsible with taxpayer money. Chamber of Commerce is outraged.

One of San Francisco’s newest residents.

San Francisco has gone to the (wild) dogs. You know, without their retarded gun control laws this wouldn’t have happened.

And lastly, Welcome to Italy! Italians hardest hit.

A pretty good three man band.

That’s all for me, friends. Have a great day!