The World Champion Houston Astros are in a free fall. That’s all I have to say about their fifth loss in a row and second consecutive terrible outing by Justin Verlander.  Their lead is down to one game after the loss to the Rockies.  Crap. Elsewhere, the Brewers blanked the Cubs, the Orioles beat the Mets, the Yanks beat the Rays, the Red Sox topped the Phillies, hey look the White Sox beat the Tigers(!), The Indians massacred the Reds, the Braves beat the Marlins, the D-backs topped the Rangers, the MINNESOOOOOODA TWIIIIIINS topped the Pirates, the Blue Jays beat Kansas City, the Cards beat the Pats, the As topped theMariners, the Giants beat the Dodgers again and the Angels took out the Padres.

In addition to our very own robc, today’s birthday boys and girls (and whatever else people call ximselvez) include such luminaries as: French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, chef extraordinaire Julia Child, Canadian jazzman Oscar Peterson, Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, bassist Bill Pinkney, drummer Peter York, musician Tom Johnston, NFLPA hack Gene Upshaw, writer Stieg Larsson, wife Linda Gates, “actor” and filmmaker Ben Affleck, and selfie-taker Jennifer Lawrence.

One can only imagine the smell at that event.

Its also the day Ignatius Loyola formed the Jesuits, the Mayflower set said, New Zealand’s All-Blacks played their first international rugby match and defeated Australia 22-3 (1903), the Panama Canal opened (under budget!), “The Wizard Of OZ” premiered, India gained her Independence, the Beatles played Shea Stadium, the Woodstock festival opened, Nixon froze prices and wages, “Apocalypse Now” opened, and Nolan Ryan earned his 324th and final MLB victory.

Now on to…the links!

Its a shitty job, but someone has to do it. This is what its come to in the once-fine city.

What Facebook thinks of free speech

Facebook gets honest about their feelings on the media. What I don’t get is this: who the hell gets their news from Facebook?  Are there really people who do that? Seriously?

If you’re gonna commit disability fraud, you might want to keep a lower profiled  than this. My guess is that she’ll get a couple years of probation and have to pay restitution (which she won’t pay).  But damn, talk about hubris.

So, a child’s dead body, plenty of evidence that they’re training terrorists, a definite flight risk unless under constant surveillance, and you still grant them bail?  For context, Paul Manafort is on 24-hour isolation as his tax evasion trial continues.

A much better idea than their shitty French fries

I’ll just post this without comment so Swissy can narrow his gaze. The rest of you enjoy as well.

Laquan McDonald’s mother ordered to testify or be banned from courtroom during trial for the man who killed her son. I don’t understand why the dumbass serving the subpoena can’t just find an easier way to get it to her. I also wonder if they’ll allow 100 Chicago cops in uniform to pack the courtroom and stare at the jury throughout the trial.

I’m shocked! Shocked to find funny business going on on Tinder. Seriously, “She’s Crafty” should be heeded by both men and women n these trying times.

The defense rested yesterday without calling a single witness, so now the Paul Manafort trial will move to closing arguments today. I’m curious to find out what other exotic clothing and accessories he owns when the prosecution further lays out their politically-motivated case.

Here you go, friends.

Now go out there and make the most of today!