Train Wreck

Derailment

No, today's post title is not a reference to the new Amy Schumer movie that opens next week. I'm talking about a form of logical error known as the non sequitur. It is a common problem, especially in debates taking place in the public square, where there is often more heat than light being generated. Today, however, I'd like to draw your attention to a particularly stupid instance of it, made especially egregious by the sanctimonious attitude of the perpetrators.

We now have the answer to the question of why deranged racist Dylan Rooff committed an unspeakable atrocity at a church in Charleston, South Carolina. According to an article by Stacey Patton and Douglas Leonard in The Washington Post on Monday, it's all Amy Schumer's fault. Well, maybe not all her fault, but the article's authors do claim that her "racist" jokes help create a "climate" that "breeds fear" which in turn "inspires" nutjobs like Rooff to go off on killing sprees. And they're completely serious about this, you guys! It puts me in mind of the "logic" employed in those DirecTV commercials...

If you don't have time to click on the link and read the whole story, here's a visual depiction of the authors' thought process and conclusions:

Don't panic. Progressive "intellectuals" do this kind of shit every day...

Did I mention that both Patton and Leonard are college professors? Of course they are...

Shark Week: Confession Shark

[Note: The image macro meme this is spoofing can be viewed here.]

Things That Make Me Happy: Unlikely Heroes Edition

Monday night's rain postponement led to last night's day/night double-header at Kauffman Stadium against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Game 1 was a back-and-forth affair, but my beloved Kansas City Royals were clinging to a 5-4 lead going into the top of the 9th. We had closer Greg Holland on the mound, but the air went out of the balloon when Greg gave up a triple to the first batter he faced, then allowed the tying run to score by uncorking a wild pitch. Gloom set in as fans began thinking we might have let one slip away (and, don't forget, last year's division race was lost by only a single game)...

That all changed in the bottom of the 9th. With one out, Eric Hosmer and Alex Rios singled, then Omar Infante walked. That meant the bases were loaded for 29-year-old rookie Paulo Orlando, who was 1 for 4 in his first major league game since May 29. Paulo is known for his speed, but he didn't need to be fast after he blasted a pitch from Rays closer Brad Boxberger into the visitor's bullpen in left field. Grand slam home run, and the Royals had their third walk-off win in four games after not having a single such win all season before last Saturday. Nice one, rook...

"BOOM!"

Wild Kingdom Bed & Breakfast Update

It isn't easy getting the guests to sit still long enough for me to get good pictures, but sometimes they're so focused on eating that they don't notice me and my camera...

"The thistle seeds are excellent here!"

"Can you ask them to knock off the loud chirping? I have a headache."

I'll mention it to them, yes...

Things That Make Me Happy: Let's Play Two! Edition

It was only a sweep of the double-header, not the whole series, but still...

...it was nicely done. Game 2 of the doubleheader was very close, and well-pitched, until the bottom half of the 6th inning, when All-Star shortstop Alcides Escobar hit a bases-loaded double to drive in three huge runs. 

"POW!"

All-Star left fielder Alex Gordon followed with an RBI single to make it 5-1, and the bullpen was rock-solid. Gordon tied the franchise record for hits in a double-header (7) with a two-run double in the 8th inning to finish off the scoring...

Game 3 of the series tonight will feature Jeremy Guthrie matching up with Rays ace Chris Archer...

Until Next Time...

Today's send-off doesn't have anything in particular to do with today's post content. I just happened to be in a bit of a wistful mood today, and this song fits that perfectly. It is from Semisonic's last studio album, All About Chemistry. I enjoyed the album, but it wasn't commercially successful, causing the band to go on a "hiatus" that has lasted 14 years and counting. Enjoy...