Here are this week's items: Europe's immigration crisis; moon walk; immigrants for Trump;
a personal remembrance of Cleveland; D.C. statehood; the VCR's passing; the back yard day lily; VP candidates; promises for Philadelphia; TX rising. 

George Soros on European immigration. George Soros writes "This is Europe's last chance...," about the unraveling of the European Union (EU). Brexit, he says, is but one indication of a continent-wide problem crying out for a solution that demands wisdom and money.
     [EU nations] pursue self-serving, discordant migration policies, often to the detriment of their neighbors. In these circumstances, a comprehensive and coherent European asylum policy is not possible in the short term, despite the efforts of the EU’s governing body, the European Commission. The trust needed for cooperation is lacking. It will have to be rebuilt through a long and laborious process.

The Moon Walk. On July 20, 1970, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to walk of the moon. This important event was also the first ever live broadcast by Armed Forces TV network. I watched from Cam Rahn Bay, [South] Vietnam.

Immigrants for Trump. Not every Latino dislikes candidate Trump. Washington Post columnist Catherine Rampell writes,  
     It’s not just native-born Americans expressing nativist sentiments these days. Somehow, it’s immigrants, too....Many are convinced that today’s newcomers are more dangerous to society than they themselves (and other immigrants in their cohort) ever were....[That in] a U.S. survey conducted this spring by Pew Research Center, half of all foreign-born whites said that the growing number of newcomers “threatens” traditional American customs and values, rather than “strengthens” them.

A personal, non-political Cleveland remembrance. My father loved horses and always seemed to know someone who would let him ride. As a youngster I remember that he rode Black Diamond, a huge black gelding that had been retired from Cleveland's mounted police unit. Diamond stood 18+ hands; hand = 4 inches. I could not help but notice that Cleveland's security presence for the GOP convention included their mounted police.
     I will have to see if Philadelphia also has mounted police. I remember a NY Times interview of one of the city's mounted policeman. He said the horses were excellent for crowd control and usually a "crowd pleaser" with both  kids and adults. No candy, thank you!

#51, Washington, D.C.? Does that move Puerto Rico to #52? It seems that every four years, residents of the nation's capital await word on what changes (if any) the Democrats and/or Republicans might  propose for their little piece of America (68.34 square miles). Statehood or no change?
     Republicans, 21016: no change, Continued plantation life for D.C. citizens, "The road to D.C. statehood doesn't run through Cleveland." From the Democrats, 2016: most probably more of the same-o-same-o. As always, the biggest impediment is that the US Congress remains unwilling to surrender control of its personal fiefdom to the vassals who actually live there. Nevertheless, hope springs eternal.

The VCR, finally dead? Funai Electronics announced that production of the ubiquitous VCR will cease at the end of July. For those who have to "own" something, I can see an immense market for transferring those old tapes to CDs. FYI: the VCR is actually 60 years old; designed for professional studios, the steadily improving and shrinking the tape machine first gained popularity with its use by hotel/motel chains. Then along came Blockbuster, et. al. At home, the VCR made "convenience viewing" possible, even if you could not figure out how the family cat managed to unspool 1000+ feet of tape or how you recorded over your daughter's wedding. Technology marches on. RIP, once-loved machine.

The "day" lily. The lone blooming day lily in the backyard continues its rebirth on schedule and is regularly visited by one/more of the yard's resident dragon flies who feed off whatever it is they find on the long stem. As I type this Saturday morning, two are feasting on the sunlit stalk.

Vice Presidents. I image that only at certain times are there many googles for "vice presidential rankings/ratings." Generally, once very four years or when the 22nd amendment is suddenly in play. That time has rolled around again and Governor Pence (R-IN) and Senator Kaine (D-IL) have been chosen by their respective presidential nominees to be their governing partners.
     Why Pence and Kaine? Between now and November 8th, there will be untold words written explaining/justifying these particular VP choices. This early Washington Post story about Senator Kaine is but one example. Right-leaning columnist George Will has weighed in (with more than a few statistics) on Trump's choice for Governor Pence. Britain's Economist notes that America has no sober prime minister to guide an overwrought president. Rather, a Trump VP would serve "at his majesty’s pleasure.
     Every presidential candidate will dutifully pay homage to "step into the presidency on a moment's notice." But........ When it's all said and done, my personal thoughts are that the candidate wants someone (1) who will help me win; (2) won't overshadow me; and (3) I can stand to be around for four years. Oh, yes, #4 (do what that they are told) and #5 (be unlikely to mess up) are always part of the equation.

On to Philadelphia. Let's see how close the Democratic show comes to these seven predictions:
(1) almost no party discord; (2) the party's biggest 'stars' on display; (3) a lot more diversity on the podium and in the audience; (4) relative shortage of screwups; (5) enough policy to bore you to tears; (6) an optimistic picture of the present and future; and (7) a lot more "We" and less "I."
     We'll see, as we recall Will Rogers's oft repeated comment: "I don't belong to any organized political party; I'm a Democrat."

TX and the GOP future. George Will notes that if current population and ethnic trends continue, TX (the nation's second-most-populous state) will assuredly turn "blue," no longer being the GOP's anchor (assured, winner) state. (Currently, CA and NY are the Democratic anchors.) Incidentally, contrary to popular conception, by percentage Asian Americans are TX's fastest growing minority. Latinos only add further to Republican worries.

Thank you for reading. Enjoy the City of Brotherly Love.