Blue and White and Purple and Big Blue

Our left heel is bothering us...Motherf!@#@$!.

The heat is finally breaking here in New Jersey with temps expected to start in the 60s and top out in the high 70s. Careful though. Summer may not be quite done, and a scorcher in early September is certainly possible. 

Mediators have delivered a new ceasefire proposal to Hamas. Netanyahu says he will only accept a deal that releases all the hostages and ends the war. Or not. The IDF has finalized plans to attack Gaza City. In other words, Netanyahu is doing a lot of contradictory things. Bibi muddles along and looks directionless, and he attacks Iran. Watch out.

A quick glance at Israeli poll data reveals no real changes. Likud wins the most seats, but the Opposition Bloc led by Naftali Bennett wins more seats than the Coalition (about half the time). The other half of the time the Opposition Bloc falls short of the 60 seats needed to form a government. 

There is also a new Reservist's Party, gaining about 5 seats. This is an important and interesting development. Israel has never waged a long war like this. Israeli reservists bear the brunt of the fighting. If politically and socially organized, Israeli reservists will be a political force for decades, like the Grand Army of the Republic. 

Jersey Beat: so our last day at the beach we saw airplanes flying anti-Mikie Sherrill banners: 'Mikie = Murphy' said one, highlighting Sherrill's greatest weakness, Dem incumbency. So far Sherrill is running soft focus biography adds. Sherrill is a congresswoman and former navy chopper pilot. This is her greatest strength. 

Sports Wrap: by now reader(s) have seen the male Viking cheerleaders swishing and sashaying their way across the field. Heh, the Vikings are gay. Win a tough playoff game for once, guys. Anyway, one of the (few) blessings of being a Giants fan [you rooted for the Eagles during the Super Bowl-Ed], shut up, Ed. What does a Liverpudlian like you know about football? Anyway, one of the blessings of being a Giants fan is late owner Wellington Mara's ban on Cheerleaders [now who's gay?-Ed]. Son John has maintained the ban these 20 years since Mr. Mara's passing. God bless Mr. Mara, who once sent us a thank you reply for the fan-letter we wrote him. 

DOGE report: Yesterday we read through the Battle of Ardee scenes. We'll get that battle finished this week no matter what [Yeah, sure-Ed]