Illegal border crossings are down

This fact contradicts Republican hysteria on border crossings.

Illegal border crossings fell 40% from end of 2023 vs start of 2024.
Takeaways:
1) border crisis talking points are woefully out of date
2) if you care about border security, support a presidential candidate with (ahem) good relationships w allieshttps://t.co/2pnzXLGQNp
— Catherine Rampell (@crampell) May 8, 2024

First on @CBSNews: Illegal crossings along the U.S.-Mexico border dropped for a second straight month in April to 129,000 – a pattern that defies historical trends.@Camiloreports latest: https://t.co/ufvDFou5a8
— CBS News PR (@CBSNewsPress) May 8, 2024

The Ravens have the second-toughest schedule in 2024

It;’s going to be a challenge to get to 13-4 again.

Ravens to face league-high 10 2023 playoff teams, second-toughest strength of schedule in 2024, per @NFLResearch https://t.co/kwm4eAC1Zc pic.twitter.com/sE9QyO8wlw
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) May 7, 2024

YouTube video of Lamar Jackson highlights

I’m a Ravens fan and watch virtually every Ravens game. Lamar Jackson is always worth watching. Every game, he will make at least one remarkable play.

The NFL posted ***59 MINUTES*** of Lamar Jackson highlights on their YouTube page.

1 of 1.

You’re welcome.https://t.co/OgCXM5B6TX
— Spencer Schultz (@ravens4dummies) May 8, 2024

Tweets on the Flint Water Crisis

https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2025/07/01/flint-lead-pipes-replacement/

Flint was founded on a riverbank, and water powered its rise. But these days, the betrayal of trust by the very institutions meant to protect residents has made some extra cautious as they look to keep themselves and their community safe. https://t.co/Sd8Fnt3tny
— ProPublica (@propublica) May 7, 2024

The Flint water crisis is not over, ten years later

My family has lived in this city for generations. We still don’t have the power to shape our future.https://t.co/j5pJr82tPm
— Global Black Studies at Duke (@DukeAAAS) May 6, 2024

The Orioles should promote Coby Mayo to the majors now

I know there isn’t much room for him but he’s ready. I sure hope they don’t trade him. He could DH and play some first and third. He’s only 22 and going to be a great hitter.

Orioles minor league report: Coby Mayo putting up eye-popping numbers in Triple-A https://t.co/Jc51nlkBkJ
— The Baltimore Sun (@baltimoresun) May 7, 2024

Coby Mayo, new International League home run leader 🏆

The third-ranked @Orioles prospect rockets a tater in his 4th straight game for the slugging @NorfolkTides: pic.twitter.com/WgCFpt8Wj0
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) May 2, 2024

Coby Mayo now has a HR in four straight games.

Season: 141 PA, .333/.397/.683, 7 2B, 11 HR, 3 SB, 8.5% BB, 27.7% K

22% K over his last 18 G after 35.6% in first 12 G.#BirdLand pic.twitter.com/k2IN7KIZAI
— Eric Cross (@EricCross04) May 3, 2024

Coby Mayo has homered 9 times this season. He hits baseballs hard.

108.7 mph
414 feet pic.twitter.com/QoYYmR31jB
— The Verge- An Orioles MiLB Podcast (@TheVergePod) May 1, 2024

Washington Post article on Social Security

Overall, a good article but it should have the clarification noted in my comment below. The Social Security Administration administers SSI but the payments come from general funds.

Your article should note that Supplemental Security Income is funded from U. S. Treasury general funds, not the trust funds used for Social Security and Medicare.
— Harris Levy (@HarrisL585) May 6, 2024

The New York Times Book Review’s Best Books since 2000

I have been reading the New York Times Book Review since I was young and still subscribe to a paper copy. It’s been a great source of ideas on what to read.

Covers: The Sound of Silence

This is an amazing story. Simon and Garfunkel recorded “The Sound of Silence” in an acoustic version in 1964. Their album was not successful and they went their separate ways. In 1965, without them knowing it, their producer Tom Wilson added overdubs of electric instruments. That version became a big hit.

The decline in walking to work

I walked to work for 35 years. I knew I would always get some exercise every day I went to work. There was a downside of living close to work. When it snowed, I couldn’t say I can’t shovel out my shoes. I also couldn’t say my shoes wouldn’t start.

In 1960, one in ten Americans walked to work.

Today, less than one-in-forty do.

cc: @opinion pic.twitter.com/JhKKOaavHm
— Steven Rattner (@SteveRattner) May 6, 2024

The Orioles are beating teams with winning records

Do the #Orioles have #MLB best record via weak schedule?

Opponents so far:

.523 overall win %

.547 win % in games not vs the Orioles

.324 win % vs the Orioles

Their next 9 series opps, Was, Ari, Tor (x2), Sea, StL, ChW, Bos, TB have a combined win % of .457.#OriolesMagic pic.twitter.com/L1WusBYxGR
— Ken McKusick (@FilmstudyRavens) May 6, 2024

Teams that have a record over .500 vs teams that are over .500

New York Yankees 8-5
Cleveland Gurdians 11-7
Chicago Cubs 8-7
Los Angeles Dodgers 10-5
Texas Rangers 11-8

BALTIMORE ORIOLES 14-5
— Zackattack8211 (@Zackattack8211) May 6, 2024

Simple Rating System – @baseball_ref
(run diff and schedule strength):

2 BAL
1.6 LAD
1.5 CLE BOS
1.1 NYY KC
1 ATL
0.8 MIL TEX
0.6 MIN SEA
0.5 PHI CHC
0.3 CIN
0.2 NYM
0.1 DET
0 SD
-0.2 OAK ARI HOU
-0.4 WSH
-0.6 PIT
-0.8 LAA
-0.9 TOR
-1.1 STL SF
-1.6 TB
-2 CWS
-2.2 MIA
-2.6 COL
— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) May 6, 2024