Good morning, everyone! It’s Friday—we made it through another week. As we wrap things up, there are a few topics I’d like to discuss. But first, let’s set the mood. DJ, hit play! Today feels like the perfect morning for some Rush and “Limelight.”
Jake Tapper and Biden
Jake Tapper, whom you might know as the CNN anchor, has a long-established writing career. Not just non-fiction but also some fiction in writing mysteries. That’s a discussion for another blog post. Jake and Alex Thompson wrote a book together where they interviewed some two hundred democratic staffers, and some startling but, albeit not completely surprising, revelations were made. The White House always had two staffers walk next to Joe Biden on his way to Marine One so that he wouldn’t potentially stumble or lose his track. Joe Biden met with George Clooney at a fundraiser, and staffers commented that the moment on stage, Joe had no idea who he was, despite being decently close friends. This later led to George Clooney writing an Op-Ed asking for him to step aside.
I find it interesting that the book isn’t even out and it’s already #1 on the Politics and Culture section of the bookstore.
Jake did have a good sit-down with George Clooney, who discussed his Broadway play, Goodnight and Goodluck, about Edward Murrow. It’s worth watching.
This is deeply troubling, and what’s even more concerning is that the White House handlers believed they could conceal the situation and maneuver him into securing a second term. What Joe Biden needed to do was have an honest conversation, acknowledging that he never intended to pursue a second term and that his role was meant to be transitional, as he indicated during his campaign. He could have addressed the increasing visibility of cognitive challenges that can arise with age and emphasized his reliance on trusted staffers and cabinet members to effectively govern. Then pass the baton on.
David Axelrod, senior CNN political commentator and former adviser to President Barack Obama, told NPR’s Michel Martin that the details in the excerpt were “somewhat stunning.” Axelrod added that what was described was indicative of a deeper issue within Biden’s inner circle, the Democratic Party and Biden’s family that, in Axelrod’s view, enabled it to happen.
“What struck me was that when you are president of the United States, fatigue and strain is your daily existence,” Axelrod said. “And this is why I said in 2022 that it was going to be hard to make the case that he should be president for four more years.”
Plain and simple, we need to reconsider the age and health criteria for presidential candidates. Leadership on the global stage demands vitality, sharpness, and the ability to handle the rigors of the office. While experience is invaluable, there comes a point when physical and cognitive limitations can overshadow it. Instead of pushing for extended terms or exceptions, perhaps it’s time to focus on fostering younger leaders who embody the energy and adaptability necessary to navigate the complexities of modern governance.
Sony New Headphones
Not many people know that I’m a huge audiophile. If you asked my wife how many headphones I own, she’d probably talk your ear off all day. One of my favorite pairs is the Sony XM100-M4s. However, the follow-up model, the M5s, had several design flaws. They weren’t foldable, the microphones didn’t perform as well, the noise-canceling struggled to eliminate white noise, and overall, they felt bulky for over-ear headphones.
Enter the new M6s. All of those issues have been resolved. The review below is probably the best I’ve seen.
PGA Championship Round 1
Jhonattan Vegas surged to the top of the leaderboard after the first round of the 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, carding a remarkable 7-under 64 with nine birdies, including a late stretch of five birdies in his final six holes. He leads by two strokes over Cam Davis and Ryan Gerard, the latter making waves in his first PGA Championship with a 5-under 66. The leaderboard is packed with surprises, as several lesser-known players outperformed the tournament favorites.
Big names struggled on Thursday. Rory McIlroy, fresh off his Masters victory, found only four fairways and finished with a disappointing 3-over 74. Defending champion Xander Schauffele shot a 1-over 72, while world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler managed a 2-under 69 after a strong finish but expressed frustration with course conditions, particularly the firm, fast greens and the decision not to allow preferred lies despite recent rain. Brooks Koepka and Phil Mickelson also faltered, shooting 75 and 79, respectively.
The Green Mile: A Brutal Finish
The closing stretch at Quail Hollow, known as the Green Mile (holes 16, 17, and 18), lived up to its fearsome reputation and significantly impacted the first round. The par-4 16th, described as “brutally long,” was the day’s toughest hole, playing to a field average of 4.41 strokes. The par-3 17th wasn’t much easier, averaging 3.37 strokes.
This stretch derailed even the world’s best: the marquee group of Scheffler, McIlroy, and Schauffele all made double bogeys at the 16th, a rare and costly collective stumble. The challenge of the Green Mile was a defining storyline, with many players seeing promising rounds unravel in the final holes. The closing three holes proved to be a killer and absolutely championship-worthy.
Summary Table: First Round Leaders and Notables
| Player | Score | Notable Round Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jhonattan Vegas | -7 (64) | Nine birdies, five in last six holes |
| Cam Davis | -5 (66) | Tied for second, strong late play |
| Ryan Gerard | -5 (66) | Impressive major debut, eagle at 15 |
| Scottie Scheffler | -2 (69) | Finished strong, frustrated with conditions |
| Rory McIlroy | +3 (74) | Struggled off the tee, double at 16 |
| Xander Schauffele | +1 (72) | Trouble on the Green Mile |
The Green Mile’s difficulty ensured that no lead was safe, and its impact will remain a key storyline as the championship unfolds.
Have an excellent Friday.