There are things equally as important as Trump, Israel, the Middle East, etc. Perhaps even more important. Like a baby hippopotamus born December 9 at the Metro Richmond Zoo.

The birth a big deal. Rare in captivity.

The Zoo ran a naming contest. More than 160,000 voted. From 165 countries. Baby hippo’s name: Poppy! Would you believe 52.8 percent voted for “Princess Poppy.” Proves people value some things equal to or more than politics.

A picture of Poppy is on the internet. She is relatively small and beautiful! Great eyes! A video of Poppy is also available. It shows Poppy in the water for the first time with her mother. Both splashing around. Poppy’s size smaller than her Mom’s head.

Pope Francis is no fool. He knows an enemy when he sees one. He is aware from Trump’s first term that Donald is no friend of his.

The Vatican has named Cardinal Robert McElroy, a liberal and Trump critic, to lead the D.C. Archdiocese.

Let’s place everything in perspective.

As the U.S. is divided, the Catholic Church hierarchy is. The U.S. Congress of Bishops was won over years ago by the Republican far right. It basically opposes Pope Francis. Newt Gingrich may be described as a member of the Republican far right. Trump in 2017 appointed Gingrich’s wife, his third one for that matter, as Ambassador to the Vatican. That gave Newt a front row seat in Rome.

During Callista Louise Gingrich’s four year term as Vatican Ambassador, Newt had the run of the Vatican. He joined with Steve Bannon to undermine the Vatican. Birds of a feather. Recall Gingrich had undermined the House of Representatives to make it a Republican stronghold. Now the two together worked to undermine the Vatican and join it with the thinking of the U.S. Congress of Bishops. The far right Republicans wanted the U.S. Catholic voting block to be theirs.

A new term for Trump ahead. Where do Callista and Newt stand in the picture? Callista was named by Trump on 12/22/24 as the presumptive nominee to be U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Newt back in the ball game.

Obvious why Francis has to protect himself and the Vatican.

Trump yesterday filed a 17 page motion to delay his criminal sentencing scheduled for friday. Trump claims a “stay” of sentencing based on “immunity.”

He is not entitled to the relief sought. He embarrasses himself and the judicial system.

The relief sought is without basis in law.

Judge Merchan responded to the 17 page request promptly. The Judge wrote in effect that Trump’s arguments re Presidential immunity were “recycled” from previous failed attempts and legally improper.. He further stated sentencing remained scheduled for friday.

It has been announced that Donald Trump Jr. is going to Greenland.

House Republicans continually make mistakes. Of any and all nature. Frequently so.

Speaker Johnson purports to be a religious man. I do not dispute such. However, he does not always know what he is talking about religious or otherwise.

In his Speaker’s acceptance speech, he shared a prayer he claimed Thomas Jefferson had said. There is no proof Jefferson ever said it.

Yesterday was January 6. An old adage that seems to be true: History repeats itself. Not necessarily a January 6 again, but similar activity could occur another day.

Thank you, Andy.

Displaced persons in Gaza living in the cold. Babies are dying. Sheet tents are not enough protection against adverse weather.

Neurophysiotherapy yesterday. Brutal, but good. Still sore this morning, however. Will remain sore all day. My recent fall involved. Which means I will not make the Syracuse/Georgia Tech game tonight at 7. Hoped to watch it at Brady’s with Dan Reardon. No way. Hopefully, I will be in better shape for saturday’s game against Boston College.

I close with the weather. Oh, how cold it is going to be over the next 3 days.

Presently 67 at 8 am. High today 68. By this evening, it will be in the mid to low 60’s. Will continue so. Thursday projected to be a high of 64 with a low of 61.

Enjoy your day!

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