Back from a week of hard and stressful corporate meetings, hence the lack of posts. The only bright spot of it all was meeting my sister-in-law Tam’s son for dinner and drinks – the last time we saw each other was 25 years ago, so that was great. It is truly amazing how time has flown. Being in meetings and all the necessary follow-ups and e-mail chasing, I haven’t really had much of a chance to follow any news but there is still time for a few items worth mentioning.

Given that Bob Newhart was always one of my favorite comics, it was great to read this review of a recent performance he did in Minneapolis. Hard to believe he’s still going strong at 89. If you haven’t watched his classic “Stop It!” routine, it’s embedded in Scott Johnson’s post and is a must-watch if you want to see a master of comedy and timing at work.

Another of my favorites is Richard Dreyfuss. The guy never gives a bad performance, and in interviews he has always come off as both thoughtful and sincere.

…which reminds me it’s almost July and Goodboys Invitational season, a time when I always watch the special feature “The Making of Jaws” from the 30th anniversary special release. If you love “Jaws” and love to hear a good story told, it’s a must-watch. It’s pretty damned funny, not to mention a truly amazing thing that the movie ever got made.

Both Newhart and Dreyfuss are a dying breed – entertainers who not just entertain, but are not vulgar and have a deep respect for a country that has allowed them to be as successful as they are. I never get the hatred so many Hollywood celebrities express towards this country and folks who happen to disagree with their political views. For one thing, why would you want to alienate half your audience? You watch Hollywood these days and all you see are political activists disguised as entertainers who really don’t entertain much.

I didn’t watch either of the Democratic debates, wouldn’t anyways because I knew exactly what they would be spewing over the two nights. But the fact that there is no candidate – not one, not even Slow Joe Biden – who wouldn’t extend free health care to illegal aliens tells me all I need to know. There is not a Democratic candidate in the world who will get elected in 2020 pushing a platform that only attract more illegals to migrate here.

…which is, of course, exactly what the Democrats want. they are out of their friggin’ minds.

Speaking of “Slow Joe” Biden, I, too, like Cory Booker (who, BTW, is as much of a fraud as Kamala Harris), was astonished at Biden’s latest comments yesterday while attempting to defend himself against Harris’s accusations of supporting policies in the past that were racist in nature. Here’s what Biden said:

“We’ve got to recognize that kid wearing a hoodie may very well be the next poet laureate and not a gangbanger.”

Can you imagine the outcry had Donald Trump said such a thing? Talk about your stereotypical views of the African-American community! I’m guessing Biden’s comment is going to get a lot more play in the coming days. The guy is a walking, talking joke – ignorant and stupid on his feet – and he’s doing the slow Jeb Bush dance into political death.

It’s time for the Red Sox to start playing up to their capabilities. OK, I get the World Series hangover, but there’s something wrong with this team. For one thing, it’s become fairly clear that, as erratic as Craig Kimbrel could be last year, he at least was a bona fide closer and had his role. The Sox need a closer badly, and now they’re probably going to have to pay big $s – either at the trading deadline or during the off-season – in order to get one.

Have a great weekend, everyone!