MrWonderful

My 15th hit from my Top 50.

Just a stunning loss. He did look very gaunt recently, but I was hoping it was just for a movie role or something. Obviously, that was not the case. He was genuinely a major talent, and I wouldn't be shocked if he wins a posthumous Oscar for his work in Da 5 Bloods. He brought such a great presence as T'Challa in Black Panther, and he captured the gravitas of important historical figures like Jackie Robinson in 42, James Brown in Get On Up, and Thurgood Marshall in Marshall. Gone way too soon. Damn, this sucks. RIP.

The Ugandan Giant!

Glad my theory was wrong. I think Harris is the safest pick, all things considered. Bass isn't well-known enough and had some favorable comments about Fidel Castro that would've been problematic (basically would've guaranteed losing Florida), plus a bit of an association with Scientology that voters may have been turned off by. Rice had the Benghazi baggage and has never held public office. And yes, in this racially-charged climate in the U.S. right now, a black woman was probably the right way to go, as black women are the lynchpin of the Democratic voting base. Harris is not perfect, don't get me wrong, but she checks the most boxes.

Biden is expected to announce his VP selection as soon as later today, but no later than on Wednesday, per this NY Times article. I was thinking for the longest time that it was going to be Kamala Harris, and it still may be, but circumstances have now led me to believe that he is going to select Susan Rice, which I believe would be a mistake. A couple of weeks ago, it was thought that Biden was going to make the announcement during the first week of August. Then that Politico article hit, where Chris Dodd (a former senator and the leader of his VP search committee) made some disparaging remarks about Harris. There was blowback because of that, and Harris-backers actually had a call with the Biden camp later that week. Then an announcement was made that the decision was going to be delayed until the week of August 10. Unless he legitimately could not make up his mind until he got right down to the wire--and that stuff rarely happens--my theory is that if the pick was Harris, they wouldn't have delayed it. If the pick was Harris, you'd want to get out in front of that blowback immediately. But if the pick is not her, delaying it so that some of the blowback dies down would make sense. So that's why I think it's not Harris. We'll find out soon enough.

Jonathan Pryce and Antonio Banderas announced as having it/had it on the same day? The Evita daily double!

I'd take strong looks at Rush Limbaugh, James Caan, Sean Connery, and Julian Assange.

Holy shit, I got scared for a second when I saw activity on a Shirley Bassey thread. Had no idea who she was until I watched the 2013 Oscars. At first I was like, wow, this lady has amazing presence and a great voice, especially for someone older. Then I saw exactly how old she was at the time, and to still be able to sing like that? Mariah Carey's voice basically left her at 35, and this woman is still belting it out in her 70's? I was blown away. Since then I've certainly familiarized myself with who she is. What a legendary performer. Don't you fucking dare fuck with Shirley Bassey, 2020!

I agree with you. If they hypocritically try to replace RBG like that after what they did to Merrick Garland, a Democratically-controlled Senate would have no choice but to pack the Court, and McConnell knows it. He's ruthless but he's not stupid. They are better off just keeping their current majority and letting the Democrats replace RBG with another liberal justice.

Damn, I have to agree. It's going to suck when it's his time. One of my absolute favorite actors.

I think it's worth pointing out that Presidents Clinton, Bush, and Obama will be in attendance at John Lewis' funeral later today in Atlanta, with Obama giving the eulogy. You know who won't be there? President Carter, who only lives about 2 and a half hours away from Atlanta. Not a good sign, if you ask me.

Fiction can be fun.

RIP.