Larry King here, filling in for Mark, who is taking a much deserved day off in Boca.
I’m honored to be driving the Wide World of News jalopy for one edition.
Who knows? Maybe I can make a career of this column thingy.
What a crazy yarn this David Ortiz thing is!....That Zelensky is as tough as the kids who roamed the Brooklyn streets when I was growing up. He addresses the Knesset (now THAT is the world’s most deliberative body) at 6pm today Israel time, which is also known as 9am at Nate'n Al's, which is where you can find me then….A little birdie tells me that if Joe Biden makes a “surprise” trip to Kyiv when he’s in Europe this week, he should order the chicken (and the borscht)….Putin, he don’t look good to me. And the Washington Post says he remains bogged down:
The next two weeks could be critical in determining the outcome of the entire war, they say. Unless Russia can swiftly improve its supply lines, bring reinforcements and bolster the flagging morale of the troops now on the ground, its goals may become impossible to achieve…
An assessment on Saturday by the Institute for the Study of War went further. “Ukrainian forces have defeated the initial campaign of this war,” it said. The conflict, it said, has now reached “a stalemate.”
….Look up “classy” in the dictionary, and you will see a picture of the one and only Joey Heatherton…..I don’t know much about whatever “cyber” is, but this nugget from an essential reading New York Times story on the U.S. role in the war seems interesting:
Until the invasion began, United States Cyber Command had a unit based in Kyiv that was helping the government fend off attacks. It is now operating from a nearby NATO country. There is fragmentary evidence that the United States and its allies worked to counter some of the attacks and to prevent others from being launched. But action seems to have been limited.
Inside the Biden administration, there is a view that Mr. Putin could be choosing his moment to launch a cyberattack against the American financial system in retaliation for the devastating financial sanctions imposed on his country by the United States and its allies. Unless and until that happens, the administration appears resolved not to launch a significant first strike and invite retaliation — especially given the risks to the U.S. economy and financial system if Russia were to target them.
….Congratulations to Dean Smith and the boys for a big win over #1 Baylor….Look up “courage” in the dictionary and you will see a picture of Zachary Burgart, an American Marine whose account of voluntarily going to Ukraine to train the people there to fight Russia is not something you will want to miss….I still get a thrill from a Charleston Chew…. I don’t know what a “Fix” is, but I do know that the late David Broder is up in heaven reading Dan Balz’s “Take” on how the war could impact politics – and he’s smiling at the prose:
The president has gotten no noticeable bump in his approval ratings. That could change, of course. At best, his approval ratings have ticked up a point or two, but some strategists say the reason is that he has brought back to his side some Democrats who were unhappy with him because of what didn’t happen with his domestic agenda last year. He is solidifying his base but apparently not yet moving others.
….My grandson reliably informs me that this newfangled TikTok is not a small tasty mint in a plastic container. All I know is this New York Times story on how politicians are using the thing is a good read….“This is a gathering of 100 titanic egos sitting in a little boat, and there’s hardly room for us. The person who you’re pushing overboard today may be the person who’s going to save your life tomorrow. So you quickly have to adjust your relationships.” So sayeth the great Dick Durbin about the Senate on the eve of his gaveling in confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, who seems like a lovely person and what a story!....Oy, Pete Davidson….It’s been a pleasure being with you….If Mark’s connecting flight through Charlotte isn’t delayed, he should be right back here tomorrow…..Please consider surprising Mark upon his return with a voluntary paid subscription to this newsletter:
You can also leave a tip in the amount of your choice for Mark via:
• PayPal. markhalperinnyc@gmail.com
• Venmo. Mark-Halperin-4 (telephone number ends in x3226)
• Zelle. markhalperinnyc@gmail.com
* Buying Mark a cocktail (at Gotham City prices….), tax and server tip included, by clicking here.
* Buying him a cup of coffee (or a week’s worth) by clicking here.
If, like me, you only know how to pay by check, send a simple email to markhalperintalk@gmail.com and ask Mark how you can do that.
Peace out….
