Latest news with #Lilliputians
Boston Globe
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
No longer world's ‘policeman,' US must coexist with China, Russia
China understands that if Russia is ever conquered by the West, it will be next, and thus these two nations have been brought ever closer to one another as allies fighting their common enemy: the United States. Like Gulliver and the Lilliputians, America cannot control the entire world. Since 1999, the world has been in an imbalance as the United States has sought to assert its hegemony in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia, and elsewhere, to great consternation of the local affected peoples. America has grown much poorer in the process, with costly warmongering abroad at a time when domestic problems and division have dramatically grown. America should not fight the emergence of Russia and China. Instead of squandering much blood and treasure in preventing this, the United States should reset relations with these emerging superpowers and create a model of shared governance and coexistence that will spare humanity from World War III. Advertisement Michael Pravica Henderson, Nev.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Who won the first NYC Democratic mayoral primary debate?
Ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo won Wednesday night's Democratic mayoral primary debate — because his opponents' relentless attacks did more to elevate him than drag him down, a Post panel of veteran campaign strategists said. The thrice-elected Democrat took some gut punches, but there was no knockout blow or major blunder on his part, the political analysts on both sides of the aisle said. 'I tuned in to see a mayoral debate, not a debate about Andrew Cuomo,' quipped campaign strategist Ken Frydman of the nine-person debate moderated by NBC 4 NY and Politico. 'By making Andrew the debate, they elevated him,' said Frydman. Because Cuomo was constantly under fire, he got more airtime to respond to each jab and by default dominated the more than two-hour debate, the political experts said. 'Everyone tried to land a punch on Andrew Cuomo, but failed,' said campaign strategist O' Brien 'OB' Murray. 'The first 20 minutes gave Cuomo the center stage, literally and figuratively,' he said, referring to the ex-gov's position in the middle of the group of candidates standing on the dais at 30 Rockefeller Center. 'He handled the attacks and was able to deflect. They actually gave him more airtime than they should have,' Murray said. Republican campaign strategist Bill O'Reilly said the verbal pummeling Cuomo received from most of his eight primary rivals does not alter his status as the front-runner for the Democratic nomination. 'It was Andrew Cuomo vs. the Lilliputians, and the Lilliputians fell short. That's the bottom line,' O'Reilly said. 'Someone needed to trip up the former governor to slow his momentum, but it was clear from the jump that wouldn't happen. Cuomo hasn't lost a step since leaving Albany, and the field lacked the skill to crack him.' Cuomo also counter-attacked, taking shots at his biggest threats in the polls — 33-year-old Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani, a state Assembly member from Queens, and City Comptroller Brad Lander. The former governor delivered the best line when he said, '[President] Trump would go through Mamdani like a hot knife through butter,' O'Reilly noted. Frydman said the candidates and moderators did force Cuomo to squirm to defend his record as governor, including his controversial nursing home policy during the COVID-19 pandemic and his approval of the unpopular 2019 bail reforms. They also tried to make him answer for the spate of sexual misconduct accusations leveled against him — which he denied, but which forced his resignation in 2021. Some of the other candidates had 'breakout moments' — including former Bronx Assemblyman Michael Blake, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and Mamdani, said political adviser Yvette Buckner. 'That will have voters wanting to learn more about them, their policies and their candidacy,' she said. Frydman too said Adams' performance 'moved the needle' for her campaign, which has been slow to gain momentum despite support from state Attorney General Letitia James. 'She introduced herself to Democratic voters well enough on substance to move up in ranked-choice voting,' he said. But Cuomo's comfortable lead over second-place Mamdani in recent polls should hold, Frydman said. O'Reilly agreed, but said Mamdani remains Cuomo's 'greatest threat' for the nomination in the June 24 primary. Two of the panelists agreed that Lander is competent, but his persona didn't translate on TV. 'He oozes insincerity in a car-salesman-type way,' O'Reilly said. But he said Brooklyn state Sen. Zellnor Myrie's sincerity came across 'easily,' calling him a rising star in the Democratic Party. Murray concurred, saying Lander has a 'stage presence for radio and a delivery for print. He confirmed why he has his wife and daughter on videos, instead of himself.' Another candidate, former city Comptroller Scott Stringer, who previously ran for mayor in 2021, didn't break through, the panelists said. 'Stringer was Stringer — flat, and after a second run for mayor, still didn't connect to voters,' Murray said. All but two of the Democratic contenders will debate again on June 12, save for Blake and state Sen. Jessica Ramos, who failed to meet the campaign funding threshold. Nine days of early voting will precede the primary, beginning on June 14.
New York Post
05-06-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Who won the first NYC Democratic mayoral primary debate?
Ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo won Wednesday night's Democratic mayoral primary debate — because his opponents' relentless attacks did more to elevate him than drag him down, a Post panel of veteran campaign strategists said. The thrice-elected Democrat took some gut punches, but there was no knockout blow or major blunder on his part, the political analysts on both sides of the aisle said. 'I tuned in to see a mayoral debate, not a debate about Andrew Cuomo,' quipped campaign strategist Ken Frydman of the nine-person debate moderated by NBC 4 NY and Politico. Advertisement 8 Democratic mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo shakes hands with fellow candidate Zohran Mamdani behind Whitney Tilson at the beginning of the NYC Democratic mayoral primary debate on June 4, 2025. via REUTERS 'By making Andrew the debate, they elevated him,' said Frydman. Because Cuomo was constantly under fire, he got more air time to respond to each jab and by default dominated the more than two hour debate, the political experts said. Advertisement 'Everyone tried to land a punch on Andrew Cuomo, but failed,' said campaign strategist O' Brien 'OB' Murray. 'The first 20 minutes gave Cuomo the center stage, literally and figuratively,' he said, referring to the ex-gov's position in the middle of the group of candidates standing on the dais at 30 Rockefeller Center. 'He handled the attacks and was able to deflect. They actually gave him more airtime than they should have,' Murray said. 8 Former NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks during his spot at the democratic debate. via REUTERS Advertisement Republican campaign strategist Bill O'Reilly said the verbal pummeling Cuomo received from most of his eight primary rivals does not alter his status as the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination. 'It was Andrew Cuomo vs. the Lilliputians, and the Lilliputians fell short. That's the bottom line,' O'Reilly said. 'Someone needed to trip up the former governor to slow his momentum, but it was clear from the jump that wouldn't happen. Cuomo hasn't lost a step since leaving Albany, and the field lacked the skill to crack him.' Cuomo also counter-attacked, taking shots at his biggest threats in the polls — 33-year-old Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani, a state Assembly member from Queens, and City Comptroller Brad Lander. Advertisement 8 Andrew Cuomo and Adrienne Adams hug onstage after the debate. via REUTERS 8 The nine NYC Democratic mayoral candidates Adrienne Adams, Brad Lander, Jessica Ramos, Zellnor Myrie, Andrew Cuomo, Whitney Tilson, Zohran Mamdani, Michael Blake and Scott Stringer. POOL/AFP via Getty Images The former governor delivered the best line when he said' '[President] Trump would go through Mamdani like a knife through butter,' O'Reilly noted. Frydman said the candidates and moderators did force Cuomo to squirm to defend his record as governor, including his controversial nursing home policy during the COVID-19 pandemic and his approval of the unpopular 2019 bail reforms. They also tried to make him answer for the spate of sexual misconduct accusations leveled against him — that he denied, but that forced his resignation in 2021. Some of the other candidates had 'break out moments' — including former Bronx Assemblyman Michael Blake, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and Mamdani, said political advisor Yvette Buckner. 'That will have voters wanting to learn more about them, their policies and their candidacy,' she said. Advertisement Frydman, too, said Adams' performance 'moved the needle' for her campaign, which has been slow to gain momentum despite support from state Attorney General Letitia James. 'She introduced herself to Democratic voters well enough on substance to move up in ranked-choice voting,' he said. But Cuomo's comfortable lead over second place Mamdani in recent polls should hold, Frydman said. O'Reilly agreed, but said Mamdani remains Cuomo's 'greatest threat' for the nomination in the June 24 primary. Advertisement 8 Brad Lander and Michael Blake shake hands after participating in the debate. via REUTERS 8 Jessica Ramos is spotted leaving the NYC Democratic Mayoral Debate at NBC Studios at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in NY on June 4, 2025. Christopher Sadowski Two of the panelists agreed that Lander is competent, but his persona didn't translate on TV. 'He oozes insincerity in a car-salesman-type way,' O'Reilly said. Advertisement But he said Brooklyn state Sen. Zellnor Myrie's sincerity came across 'easily,' calling him a rising star in the Democratic Party. 8 NY Gov. Kathy Hochul leaves NBC Studios after the debate. Christopher Sadowski 8 Zellnor Myrie talks to reporters after leaving the debate stage. Christopher Sadowski Murray concurred, saying Lander has a 'stage presence for radio and a delivery for print. He confirmed why he has his wife and daughter on videos, instead of himself.' Advertisement Another candidate, former City Comptroller Scott Stringer who previously ran for mayor in 2021, didn't break through, the panelists said. 'Stringer was Stringer — flat and after a second run for mayor still didn't connect to voters,' Murray said. All but two of the Democratic contenders will debate again on June 12, save for Blake and state Sen. Jessica Ramos, who failed to meet the campaign funding threshold. Nine days of early voting will precede the primary, beginning on June 14.
Chicago Tribune
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Column: Debate rages over names of Illinois school teams
Highland Park High School dropped the adjective 'little' from its Giants sports teams decades ago. Which is fortunate, for the school could have found itself outside the law under a bill snaking its way through the state legislature. The long-winded Prohibition of Discriminatory Disability Mascots Act passed the Illinois House of Representatives earlier this month and moves on to the state Senate, where it undoubtedly will be adopted and await Gov. J.B. Pritzker's signature. Sponsored by state Rep. Maurice West, D-Rockford, it targets far Downstate Freeburg Community High School, in the Metro-East region by St. Louis, and its team name, The Midgets. According to Jeremy Gorner's front-page story of April 14 in The News-Sun, the bill defines a 'discriminatory disability mascot' as, 'any name, logo, or mascot that is derogatory or representative of an individual or group based on disability, as defined by the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.' It would apply to K-12 schools, public universities and community colleges in Illinois. Opponents of the measure maintain it is another woke encroachment by state lawmakers. Supporters, including state Rep. Laura Faver Dias, D-Grayslake, say the Midgets name is 'divisive and harmful.' Unsure where Bantams or Lilliputians might fit in. Illinois disability advocates have complained about the Midgets name for at least a decade. 'The purpose of a mascot is to bring camaraderie, to create goodwill, to create spirit,' Democrat Dias said. 'I have a child with a disability. If my child's school used his disability as a mascot? I don't even know.' Legend has it that Highland Park dropped the 'Little Giants' monicker in 1971 after a football coach decided he didn't want the team to be considered 'little.' That's similar to early Waukeganites deciding they didn't want to be Little Fort, turning to the name of Waukegan, yet opting out of being a boastful Big Fort. How Highland Park became the Little Giants began in 1940 when the school's principal chose the name because of his alma mater, the Wabash College Little Giants. The North Shore school's yearbook was even named 'The Little Giant.' There is another Little Giants high school team in Fremont, Ohio, which claims to be the nation's sauerkraut capital. At liberal arts Wabash College, a Division III all-male school (one of three remaining in the U.S.), nestled near the banks of Sugar Creek, a southern tributary of the Wabash River, the teams remain the Little Giants. The school is in Crawfordsville, Indiana, in east-central Indiana, about 50 miles west of Indianapolis and about the same distance from the Illinois state line. The college team, whose mascot is Wally Wabash, got the nickname 'Little Giants' in 1904 from an Indianapolis sportswriter, according to the college, because the teams nearly always were up against much bigger schools with much heftier players. Freeburg High supporters argue the same. They say the Midgets label has been around since the 1934-35 basketball season. A local sportswriter — they are troublemakers, aren't they? — apparently was looking for a colorful name for his copy to tout the basketball team's small lineup, whose tallest player then was 5-foot-10. The sportswriter opted for 'midgets,' which supporters say is an 'affectionate' nickname. If he picked 'Elves' or 'Munchkins' it is doubtful Illinois lawmakers would be spending time on the mascot bill while the legislative clock ticks toward a May 31 adjournment. If eventually signed into law, it will force Freeburg to find another team name by Sept. 1, 2028. That legislation isn't the only mascot bill adopted by the House this month. Democrat West is also the chief sponsor of a bill that would ban state schools from using Native American names, logos or mascots. However, under the legislation, schools could use a team name of a 'federally recognized tribe or historical Native American person' if they get written permission from representatives of the tribe. Deerfield High School, next to its fellow District 113 neighbor Highland Park, teams are the Warriors, but your friendly Hellenistic types, complete with a Greek helmet logo. No Lake County high schools have Native American names, although we have Corsairs, Blue Devils, Patriots and various animal mascots, like the Mundelein Mustangs, Libertyville Wildcats and the Zion-Benton Zee-Bees, one of the best team names in the state. If the tribal mascot bill were to become law, it would take effect in 2030. As of 2021, there were about 50 high schools in Illinois with Native American names or imagery for their teams or mascots, according to Illinois Public Media. Opponents of the bill say it would be costly for schools to rebrand their team names, change uniforms and, in some cases, erase mascot images from football stadiums and gymnasiums. They also assert that it also wipes out decades of school and community spirit. Sort of what European settlers did to Native Americans.
Fox News
05-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
'Jeopardy!' contestants slammed for 'Wizard of Oz' triple stumper
"Jeopardy!" fans expressed their disbelief after all three contestants were left stumped by a final question about a character in a beloved piece of pop culture. On Thursday's episode of the long-running game show, contestants Mary Walheim, Alfred Wallace and three-day defending champion Bryce Wargin came up short when presented with a clue in the "Fictional Characters" category. The prompt read: "Boq is one of these fictional people, 'Not as big as the grown folk… but neither were they very small.'" Walheim was left with a dollar in total winnings after betting $5,999 of her total $6,000 haul when she incorrectly guessed "What is a Lilliputian?" "I'm afraid it's not the Lilliputians from 'Gulliver's Travels,'" "Jeopardy!" host Ken Jennings told her. Walheim's competitors, Wallace and Wargin, also appeared to believe that the clue referred to the 6-inch-tall men living on the island of Lilliput in Jonathan Swift's classic 1726 novel. Wallace's answer was revealed to be "What are lili?" The contestant, who wagered $10,000 of his $10,600 in winnings, noted that his response was "almost Lilluputian." Jennings agreed, adding that Wallace had likely run out of time to write the characters' full name. Wargin's first guess was "What are Lilliputians?" before he crossed the answer out and wrote, "dwarves." Jennings then informed the contestants that "What is a Munchkin?" was the correct answer. "In the 1939 movie of 'The Wizard of Oz,' the Munchkins are very small, but in the book, the Munchkins are said to be about Dorothy's height," Jennings told them. Wargin, who was in the lead heading into the final round with $16,000, had bet $5,201, which dropped him down to $10,799. However, as a four-day "Jeopardy!" champion, Wargin's total winnings were $70,199. Many fans watching at home had easily guessed the right answer as the character of Boq played a prominent role in the 2024 mega-hit movie musical "Wicked," which was an adaptation of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical of the same name. Boq was portrayed by Ethan Slater in "Wicked," which starred Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. After the episode ended, fans flocked to social media to share their dumbfounded reactions. "Read the word "Boq" and SCREAMED "MUNCHKIN!!!!!!!!" How did NO ONE GET THIS??? wrote one social media user on X. "How did no one get that BOQ answer on jeopardy right," another X user added. "Everyone who watched Jeopardy and recently watched Wicked was screaming at their TV tonight…," one viewer chimed in. "No one knew boq is a munchkin on final jeopardy, " a "Jeopardy" fan posted on X, adding crying emojis. "My entire household was shouting MUNCHKIN!!! Apparently not one of the 3 saw 'Wicked,'" another fan wrote on X. "Final was so easy. How did they all miss it," a viewer wondered in the show's Reddit discussion thread. Both the movie and the play "Wicked" were based on Gregory Maguire's 1995 book "The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West." Maguire's novel is centered on the imagined backstory of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West and presents an alternate version of events that took place before L. Frank Baum's 1900 children's novel "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." Boq is featured in both books, but he was not included in the classic 1939 movie "The Wizard of Oz," which starred Judy Garland. After "Wicked" was released last November, the film became a major blockbuster, raking in $747.2 million worldwide against a $150 million budget. The movie is now the highest-grossing musical film adaptation of all time. "Wicked" also received 10 nominations at the 2025 Academy Awards, including nods for Erivo as best actress and Grande as best supporting actress. The movie took home Oscars for best costume design and best production design. Slater is set to return as Boq, along with Erivo as Elphaba and Grande as Galinda, in part two of "Wicked," titled "Wicked: For Good." It is due out this fall.
