Iran at the World Cup?

“Trump to POLITICO: ‘I Really Don’t Care’ if Iran Plays in World Cup”

Again, I wish FIFA would choose a host that did care.

Iran’s withdrawal is likely. Maybe we’ll know more after the U.S. completes the expected four-to-five weeks of bombardment. Because then the war’ll be done-and-dusted, won’t it? Because, as Trump himself professes, Iran already “is a very badly defeated country.”

If Iran does play in the World Cup, this eye-popping scenario will be possible:

Iran is currently scheduled to play New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, Belgium in Los Angeles on June 21 and Egypt in Seattle on June 26. If both the U.S. and Iran finish second in their respective groups, the two countries could face off in a July 3 elimination match in Dallas.

The two countries played what were, in effect, elimination matches (in the group stage) in 1998 and 2022. Iran won the first meeting; the U.S. won the second one.

No fighting, no biting!

Karin was to’ve had a small medical procedure this week, but it was postponed when her throat turned sticky. Then, today, Indiana’s governor announced stricter health measures. There’s nothing wrong with that, since Indiana has flared up, COVID-wise; but now it’s less likely that Karin will be treated before the end of the year, and if she isn’t treated then, she won’t receive certain insurance benefits.

On Monday, she was tested for COVID-19. We’ll be surprised if she has it. She only ever showed the one symptom, and it went away.

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Meanwhile, Jasper and Ziva have been fighting colossal battles, and little Samuel has found a new pleasure: snuggling with his parents and then biting them.

So, from time to time, I read to my children from No Fighting, No Biting!, by Else Holmelund Minarik and Maurice Sendak.

The story takes a rather dark turn in the chapters about the two juvenile alligators and their Stranger Danger.