Karmic justice: Belgium eliminates the USMNT in the World Cup

 In the end, to borrow from Shakespeare, it was much ado about nothing.

The Belgian Red Devils were angry, hungry, and motivated to beat the US men's national soccer team in the World Cup, and did so in a 4-1 victory Monday that was as much a statement as it was about proving a point.

The Belgians had appealed the decision to reinstate US striker Folarin Balogun the day before, but the appeal was denied. In hindsight, the admission by president Trump that he prevailed upon FIFA president Gianni Infantino to rescind Balogun's suspension gave the Belgians all the motivation they really needed, and gave the US the dreaded kiss of death.

The above photo comes from X, and had been captioned, "Overturn this", after Belgium advanced to Friday's quarterfinal match vs. Spain. With all the controversy and attendant attention on them, the USMNT didn't play their best game, and the Belgians shut them out in the 2nd half.

If only Trump had kept his mouth shut on this matter........!

When Icons Meet: Look who shows up on The Man From UNCLE (1964)

 From season 1 of The Man From UNCLE:

Two years before Star Trek, Leonard Nimoy & William Shatner are among the guest stars. You'll also see Werner Klemperer, a year before Hogan's Heroes. Missing from this scene? Sheila MacRae, who'd soon, if not by then, join The Jackie Gleason Show.

Some folks on YouTube thought Shatner's character was drunk. Can't say for sure. Full episodes are not available.

Is FIFA trying to rig the World Cup for the US?

 On Wednesday, US striker Folarin Balogun was given a red card during a win over Bosnia, meaning he would not play tonight vs. Belgium.

However, FIFA reversed field four days later, and suspended the red card for a year for Balogun, clearing him to play tonight (8 pm, Fox). Immediately, the suspicions were raised, especially after it'd gotten out that the White House, or, more specifically, president Donald Trump, contacted FIFA honcho Gianni Infantino or one of his aides, asking for Balogun's reinstatement.

Photo courtesy Reuters/MSN.com.

Fans outside the US now don't want the US to host another World Cup, feeling as though Infantino is again currying favor with Trump, in turn making the country as a whole look bad, as if Trump doesn't do that himself on a daily basis.

Even though Trump, as a representing statesman, will present the championship trophy following the finals on July 19, he'd be better off sending VP JD Vance or Secretary of State Marco Rubio in his place, for obvious reasons. He's already stained this year's tournament enough.

As for the question of the tournament being rigged, the answer is no, as of right now. No one expects the US to reach the finals, but one major obstacle was removed Sunday night when Brazil was eliminated by Norway at Met Life Stadium, 2-1. Given that the Belgians are upset over Infantino's latest ruling, there's every reason to believe the US won't move to the quarterfinals.

And, in all fairness, maybe it's better that way.

2026 All-Star rosters revealed

 When fans vote for the annual All-Star Game, this year's edition taking place July 14 in Philadelphia, they ignore current events like idiots. When I've cast a ballot over the years, I've taken injuries into account. The majority of people voting don't because they have a singular purpose.

Blind loyalty also means blind stupidity in some cases.

Let's take a look at the starters voted by Idiots Anonymous.

American League:

Catcher-Shea Langeliers, Sacramento.

First base: Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., Toronto, who may have set the record for fastest opt-out in All Star history, as he dropped out within an hour of the rosters being announced on Fox, due to a back issue.

Second base: Ernie Clement, Toronto.

Third base: Junior Caminero, Tampa Bay.

Shortstop: Bobby Witt, Jr., Kansas City.

Outfield: Byron Buxton, Minnesota; Mike Trout, Los Angeles; Aaron Judge, Yankees. Of these, Judge may not make it due to injury.

Designated Hitter: Yordan Alvarez, Houston.

National League:

Catcher: Drake Baldwin, Atlanta. Baldwin's been struggling since coming off the IL, and had the night off last night vs. the Mets.

First base: Freddie Freeman, Los Angeles.

Second base: Ozzie Albies, Atlanta.

Third base: Max Muncy, Los Angeles.

Shortstop: CJ Abrams, Washington.

Outfield: Juan Soto, Mets; Brandon Marsh, Philadelphia; Andy Pages, Los Angeles.

Designated Hitter: Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles (who else?).

It's already been reported that Sacramento's 2nd year star, Nick Kurtz, will replace Guerrero. Judge likely will be replaced as well unless he returns this week. The Mets' lousy season is punctuated with Soto being the only one on the roster at this point, though if any pitchers opt out, relievers Luke Weaver and/or Devin Williams may be added.

Philadelphia's Bryce Harper was designated as a "legend pick" by Commissioner Rob Manfred. Legend? Harper? It is to laugh. Scott Boras Badenov must've slipped a few extra bucks Manfred's way to get that "honor".

Just pray the world's oldest wet blanket doesn't show up in Philadelphia. If you don't know who I mean, you haven't been paying attention.

Musical Interlude: This Land is Your Land (2009)

 Ahead of President Obama's inauguration in 2009, a concert took place in Washington. From that event, Bruce Springsteen & Pete Seeger cover Woody Guthrie's immortal folk classic, "This Land is Your Land".

Happy Birthday, America!

John Oliver, soap star? (2026)

 John Oliver used his anchor's position on Last Week Tonight to make a public plea for an appearance on a daytime soap.

ABC & Peacock answered. CBS? Who knows?

Oliver made his soap debut Thursday on General Hospital, and will finish there on Monday. Next month, he moves over to Days of Our Lives for three episodes. E! has the scoop.

The self-deprecating humor aside, Oliver, even if it's a small sample, is a natural. I love the fact he's playing a secret agent on General Hospital. The spy game is still a thing there, 45 years later.

Bravo.

Weasel of The Week: Jeannine Pirro

 Jeannine Pirro, former Fox No News whiner, former TV judge, currently the US Attorney for the District of Columbia, can't win a conviction if her life depended on it, and that's not about to change anytime soon.

Photo courtesy MSN.com.

You see, Ms. Pirro has charged former Olympic canoeist David Hearn with felony vandalism just for touching a loose piece of lining at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Initially, Hearn was charged with a misdemeanor, but Ms. Pirro, on orders from President Pampers, and despite a glaring lack of evidence, as per usual, upgraded the charge to a felony.

That this is even happening is another distraction from the myriad of issues facing the White House, including poor attendance at the Great American State Fair at the National Mall. Seems most folks are more interested in watching the World Cup on the big screen, and ignoring everything else. Welp, if the organizers didn't insist on most of the artists having peaked in the 80's or 90's, they wouldn't have that problem, either.

Back to the topic at hand. Hearn will be cleared, Jeannine Pirro, this week's Weasel, will be disgraced yet again, and President Pampers will have egg on his face. Again.