Mere minutes after the Knicks took the fifth game of the NBA championship and officially claimed the Larry O’Brien Trophy, Mayor Zohran Mamdani sent out two messages on X. The first read, “HISTORY.” a response to the New York basketball team’s winning of the first title since 1973. The second was “Parade. Thursday. Manhattan” - an announcement thousands of fans were waiting for. In New York, mayors alone have the ability to call a ticker-tape parade.

 

They've held these parades for everything from celebrating the arrival of the Statue of Liberty (granted the buildings weren't all that tall) to honoring the Apollo 11 Astronauts and one for Nelson Mandella  - when he got out of prison. We of course had one for the end of both world wars, but these days our sports stars loom larger than our historical greats and monumental events and victories. 

I find that kinda sad, but who am I to say anything? Juss' sayin'...

Wanna see real stars? Try this.

What the hell is in the drinking water in these big Cities?

Chalk it up to maybe bad parenting. Or bad schooling. Or maybe even flouride. Who the hell knows. It could be simply we've allowed an entitlement society to grow without knowing it. 

It's a subtle but profound shift. When the expectation of privileges, rewards, or government assistance gets woven into the cultural fabric, a society can shift from valuing hard work and reciprocity to an "entitlement mindset" - the basis of Socialistic politics.

The expansion of entitlements happens quietly, driven by several converging factors. Post-WWII advertising and the modern convenience economy have trained us to believe that speed, comfort, and immediate satisfaction are inherent rights rather than earned luxuries.

'Social safety nets' were designed to protect the vulnerable, but they have grown into massive mandatory programs that are difficult - if not impossible - to reform. This has fostered a debate about whether they support the vulnerable or foster generational dependency. Generational changes in parenting and education have sometimes overemphasized natural talent and "just showing up" over accountability and grit, instilling an expectation of constant praise and reward, without factoring in actual labor and effort. 

 

Understanding the root cause of this shift requires examining individual psychology, cultural consumerism, and modern economic policies, and it seems no one is interested in doing so in a dissolusion society.  No matter what, all of our society will suffer from this 'take from the workers to give to the unwilling and disinterested' mindset.

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Are you ready for July 4th? 

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There's some stand-up guys in the Minor Leagues in Pennsylvania...

Minor-league baseball team forfeits 'Pride Night' game 

after players refuse to wear themed jerseys...  

Pennsylvania's York Revolution said in a club statement Wednesday that 'this action by the players is completely inconsistent with our vision as the Most Welcoming Place in York'. That's not 'welcoming'. It's pandering at it's lowest possible level just by the mere fact that being gay has nothing to do with playing baseball - and playing baseball has nothing to do with gayness - or gayosity - or whatever the fuck that gay pride fuckin' nonsense stuff is supposed to be about. Maybe sooner rather than later these businesses will find out that pandering to these select minorities - gay people represent only 1.6% of the population - is a waste of their time and money, because those of us who are not gay think it's stupid.

Don't get me wrong. I have a number of gay friends - men and women - and I'm no kinda homophobe. They don't give a shit about this stuff either. They, as I, think it's a personal matter and there's no need to flaunt their individual choices. And it's certainly not something that should be capitalized on. Juss' sayin'...

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What do Star Wars and Pride Month have in common? Take a guess...

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Here  at The View From, we deal with important shit all the time, none moreso than this hot news item. According to our friends at Florida Hillbilly,  in a nod to America's 250th birthday, McDonald's is reintroducing its fried apple pies for the first time in more than 30 years, starting June 23 at most U.S. locations. This comeback coincides with other fast food chains launching celebratory treats, such as Burger King's Firecracker Cookie Pie and Sonic's red, white, and blue slush float. McDonald's fried apple pie, first introduced in 1968, was replaced with a baked version in 1992 due to health concerns over fat and cholesterol. The company serves approximately 170 million American-grown apples each year and is also installing a massive 35-foot fried apple pie along Route 66 in Joliet, Illinois, until July 4. Despite the switch to baked pies (which really suck), the fried version has persistent fan support, with a Facebook group advocating for its return boasting 130 members.

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CLICK ON THE BANNER FOR MORE INFORMATION.

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Long before there were any handheld electronics were available to us, 

we could still find a way to live out fantasies of our own, and we're most 

likely better off for having done it the way we did. Juss' sayin'...

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There - now that's a bit more appropriate...

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I may have mentioned this once or twice before, but it is this time of year that was my favorite when I lived back in NJ. Tree different tomatoes (24 or more plants), onions, garlic, spinach, celery, peppers, beans, zucchinis, eggplants and more. The fencing was to keep the deer out.

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The U.S. Postal Service has proposed a rule that would require states to submit voter-roll data and detailed ballot information before mail-in and absentee ballots are processed. That change that could result in ballots not being delivered if states do not comply.

 

Under the proposal, states would have to provide lists of voters eligible to receive mail ballots, along with identifying information and unique barcodes tied to ballot envelopes, to a new USPS system before ballots are mailed.

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Absolutely worth seeing again...

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"At this point, what difference does it make?"

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Handmade gifts are extra special when

they're for someone extra special.

Click on the picture for more information on this bracelet

 It's one-of-a-kind and comes with free shipping.

 https://www.etsy.com/shop/BjacksonJewelry

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Hawking Hawksnest...

Hawksnest Beach on the island of St. John (USVI) is sometimes the most exciting because it is one of the first beaches that you come to along the North Shore Road after leaving Cruz Bay.  Many visitors will arrive by ferry and head straight to Hawksnest Beach just to dip their toes in the pristine Caribbean sand and water.  It’s worth it!  

Ample Parking, but it fills up quick in the morning.  This Beach is adored by locals and visitors alike, and is part of the Native Plant Restoration Project as you will find areas roped off.  These trees were planted to protect our coastline from erosion.  Please help us by staying on the path and discouraging children from playing in this area.

Hawksnest Beach can see more frequent wave action than many of the other Saint John beaches.  Snorkeling is a must at Hawksnest and you will find a Coral Reef directly in the center of the Bay without having to go very far.  Plenty of beautiful fish and coral to keep you captivated for a while...

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Handmade gifts are extra special when

they're for someone extra special.

Click on the picture for more information on this bracelet

 It's one-of-a-kind and comes with free shipping.

 https://www.etsy.com/shop/BjacksonJewelry

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Is she ready for the 'shock treatment'...

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Which do you prefer - the original B&W, or when I fuck with 'em...

This is a classic example of what I'm talking about. The original black and white photo from the Saturday Evening Post evokes the time and sentiment of the era. Take your best shot on counting how many women are in the bar watching the game. Here's the colorized version I created:

I still enjoy doing it, and more often than not I don't even tell you I did it. Wuddya think? In this case specifically, I think it loses something in color, but I can't explain quite what it is...

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This is a perfect gift for a kid - or yourself..

Do you still believe in the American Dream? Most of us do, but not so much for the Dims...

More than three-quarters of Americans say they still believe the American Dream is worth striving for ahead of the 250th anniversary, but many Democrats are starting to give up, according to a new survey. In total, 78% of those surveyed believe it is important to strive for the American Dream - the same figure as in 2024, according to the Gallup American Dream Study, whose results were published Thursday.

More than two-thirds (69%) of those surveyed believe they will personally achieve the American Dream, a slight drop of 3 percentage points since 2024. However, the study found that less than half (46%) of respondents believe everyone has the opportunity to achieve the American Dream, down from 51% in 2024.

What is the American Dream, in reality? The "real" American Dream is not a single, fixed standard. At its core, it is the deeply personal ethos that anyone - regardless of background - has the freedom and opportunity to succeed, improve their circumstances, and build a meaningful life through hard work and determination.

 

While it means different things to different people, it typically encompasses a few fundamental pillars:

1. Upward Mobility - Often summarized as the promise that your children's lives will be better than your own. It represents the ability to rise above your station of birth.

2. Basic Security & Comfort - Achieving baseline economic stability - such as steady employment, owning a home, having access to medical care, and the ability to comfortably retire.

3. Liberty and Self-Determination - Rooted in the Declaration of Independence, it is the freedom to choose your own path, start a business, and pursue happiness on your own terms.

I'll stand and applaud that...

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Handmade gifts are extra special when

they're for someone extra special.

Click on the picture for more information on this bracelet

 It's one-of-a-kind and comes with free shipping.

 https://www.etsy.com/shop/BjacksonJewelry

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The usual suspects celebrate in the usual way. Let's shoot somebody!!!!

Gunfire erupted in the heart of Times Square as footage captured hundreds of people fleeing in panic. The shooting occurred at around 4pm on Thursday, hours after millions of diehard Knicks fans flocked to Lower Manhattan to celebrate the team’s championship victory.

The New York City Police Department confirmed that one suspect was taken into custody and a firearm was recovered at the scene. It’s unclear what sparked the shooting.

 

Don't think it was just the guys - the girls got in to the action with a nifty little cat-fight over viewing stations, with one of them going ass-bare in the fracas.

Times Square has been a hotspot for World Cup activity as hundreds of tourists are in the city for the global event. Soccer fans have packed the Big Red Steps area in recent days to cheer their nations before they take the playing field - what the Brits call 'the Pitch' -  at MetLife Stadium.

Hats of for this healthy HillBetty...

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 Birthday or Anniversary coming up?

Here's a great idea for a gift for her

Click on the picture for more information on this unique pairing.

It's simple yet elegant - and comes to you with free shipping!

 https://www.etsy.com/shop/BjacksonJewelry

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Bragging rights for Fat Freddie Scat...

 

These and other collections are available HERE.