Just when you think the far Right can't get any more demented, they invite Orban to Texas as the special guest for the latest reiteration of CPAC...

I'm sure that this is basically returning the favor of the previous meeting in Budapest where Orban welcomed the American PACsters as heroes and celebrated their common dreams. So the invitation was likely issued months ago. And as the video points out, pro-Orban Hungarian groups likely put $$ in the pocket of Schlapp and other CPAC organizers to get Viktor on the bill...

But you'd think that in light of Orban's recent blatantly racist screed which even one of his own long time advisors resigned in protest over and characterized as "pure Nazi text worthy of Goebbels", Schlapp's bunch would have at least expressed some level of uncomfortableness. Instead, the crowd welcomed him with open arms and cheered enthusiastically culminating in a standing ovation... Interestingly, Orban met with his bosom buddy Trump at the Saudi Golf course Trump owns in NJ, a few days before moving on to Dallas...

This guy epitomizes the (white) Christian Nationalist movement, and basically occupies the role the US far Right assigned to Putin prior to Ukraine. I know why he's popular with some on this board, but I wonder what the appeal is to Republicans that say they are opposed to authoritarianism and value Democracy? He's been the dictator of Hungary for 12 yrs...

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The first eight games of the season do they need to win 6 before the bye week heading into November. Your thoughts on this yes or no. Keep in mind the Purdue game you never know.

I saw an article about HFG and the summer class signing. There was talk about Sydney Parish's tik tok and Insta numbers. I'm always trying to figure out the reasons behind things. I'm not a tik tok guy, but I can peruse instagram.

No wonder she's doing so well with followers. Go Hoosiers!

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Story here on Indiana’s mission to turn the tide on defense.

A busy month of July has come to a close and there is quite a bit of reaction to the important trio of visits that Indiana hosted for class of 2023 prospects last week.

We will start with 2023 wing Jamie Kaiser. Kaiser was the first of the three prospects to visit Indiana last week and it was a very good visit. So good, that it basically moved the decision to either Maryland or Indiana.

Kaiser took an unofficial visit on Thursday to Maryland and sources told TheHoosier.com that while no commitment was made official, it seems Kaiser to Maryland is the indication post visit. Sources said an announcement should come 'within the week' but could be sooner.

Heading into this week Kaiser was much more inclined to make a decision sooner rather than later. His dad was okay with waiting and preferred that. It appears that Kaiser Jr. will be the one who has the final say on when he will decide, however.

I don't expect this to be Indiana at this point and unless there is some shift and Indiana gets Kaiser to hold off and visit again in the fall, Maryland should be the answer.

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As for 2023 top-50 forward Arrinten Page from Wheeler (Ga.) -- Indiana continues to sit in a very good spot. Sources indicated this week that Indiana 'checked all of the boxes' it needed to on the visit.

TheHoosier spoke with Wheeler assistant coach Rich McCray who was on Page's official visit to Indiana.

McCray regarding the visit: "The visit was great. Staff is top notch. I felt I don’t think it could have been a better visit. He was able to see everything he needed to see while on IU’s campus. The style of play compliments Arrinten’s game."

McCray on key's to Page's recruitment: "In no particular order: Development, Style of play, and if he will come right in and play/start right away"

Page has taken visits to Cincinnati, Missouri, USC and has another one planned to Miami (Fla.) later this month.

One source told me they think Indiana sits at the top for Page.

More on Page's visit:


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The final visit was 2023 four-star guard DeShawn Harris-Smith. While initial talk was Indiana did a very good job on this visit and won over his mom -- which was key -- it seems Indiana may be still trailing the likes of Xavier, Villanova and Maryland to an extent.

Indiana offered DHS in the first live session of July and got him to visit two weeks later. That in itself shows you the connections and ability to relay a message to a recruit. Unfortunately, Indiana just wasn't on the radar at all before mid-June and the fact that DHS didn't really know much about Indiana coming into the visit, there was going to have to be a lot of ground to make up. I want to reiterate, there was ground that Indiana made up, just doesn't sound like enough.

Harris-Smith's mom told TheHoosier this week that they still feel very comfortable with the five schools he has taken visits to. There had been some talk about a potential decision that could come in early August, with his birthday being next week, but she said that would be a bit of a surprise at the moment If a decision was made by then.

I don't expect Indiana to be the school here, but if this continues to drag out, there could be more down the line for IU.

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With the 2024 class, top-30 wing Liam McNeeley confirmed with TheHoosier.com yesterday that he has his Indiana official visit locked in for Sept. 23-25.

Indiana had at least one member of its staff at every one of McNeeley's games during the final live period of July.

"Coach Walsh and coach Woodson are talking to me the most," McNeeley said. "Coach Woodson, he's been in the NBA longer than I've been alive. So he knows a lot about basketball and I'm trying to get to the NBA.

McNeeley has a strong impression of Indiana already and the history that comes with the basketball program.

“I mean Indiana is a great basketball state," McNeeley said. "There is a lot of basketball history in the state of Indiana so it’s just a great accomplishment and it means a lot.”

TheHoosier.com was able to see McNeeley multiple times this summer and at Peach Jam to end July. Here are our scouting notes from Peach Jam:

McNeeley is such a good offensive player with and without the ball and a lot of that comes from his high IQ. Whether he is scoring or making plays for his teammates, he does so with such ease and fluidness that is's so repeatable. His ability to get into the lane at will is so impressive and when he does, he is very difficult to stop because he always has two or three potential plays to make. Scoring wise, McNeeley is a tremendous shooter and does so off of the dribble or catch. He has good size and a release that makes it difficult for many defenders to disrupt his shot. When he's attacking the rim, his frame allows him to draw and take the contact and finish at ease inside the paint. While he is listed as a small forward, McNeeley is very much the focal point of the offense and plays very much on the ball.

Peach Jam game-by-game results:

Game one: 12 points (4-of-10 FG / 1-of-4 3pt / 3-of-4 FT), 10 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 turnover, 29 minutes

Game two: 14 points (4-of-16 FG / 1-of-4 3pt / 5-of-7 FT), 14 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 turnovers, 27 minutes

Game three: 28 points (10-of-15 FG / 3-of-5 3pt / 5-of-6 FT), 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 turnovers, 28 minutes

Game four: 14 points (5-of-12 FG / 1-of-3 3pt / 3-of-5 FT), 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 turnover, 27 minutes

Game five: 20 points (6-of-11 FG / 2-of-4 3pt / 6-of-6 FT), 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 turnovers, 28 mintues

Game six: 10 points (5-of-11 FG / 0-of-2 3pt / 0-of-0 FT), 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 turnovers, 27 minutes

Game seven: 20 points (8-of-14 FG / 2-of-5 3pt / 2-of-3 FT), 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 turnovers, 26 minutes

Game eight: 25 points (10-of-18 FG / 2-of-3 3pt / 3-of-5 FT), 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 turnovers, 28 mintues

More on McNeeley:


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Indiana hosted two class of 2025 visitors this week. Aug. 1 was the first day that rising sophomores could visit unofficially to schools. Indiana hosted 2025 Fishers (Ind.) guard Jalen Haralson on Aug. 1 and then 2025 Heritage Hills (Ind.) forward Trent Sisley on Aug. 2. Both prospects visited Purdue on the other day. Trent Sisley also visited Ohio State on Aug. 3.

Both players will have numerous offers by the time its ready to make a decision and with a decision a ways away, Indiana still has to do a lot. But, both visits went about as good as they could have gone if not better. It was a very strong start.

Indiana has prioritized both players. More than what other programs typically do for class of 2025 prospects at this stage. Indiana went 4-deep to multiple games of theirs at Peach Jam in July. That is sending a message.

More on Haralson's visit:


More on Sisley's visit:


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With summer workouts done, here is what I was able to gather about some standouts:

Forward Trayce Jackson-Davis
Forward Malik Reneau
Forward Kaleb Banks
Guard Tamar Bates
Guard CJ Gunn
Guard Jalen Hood-Schifino

That is just some. But guys like Gunn and Banks were two that stood out more than what was expected.

In his visit photo shoot ,he looks bored. Not a good sign.

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@outside shooter how scared should I be?

Hoosiers have made the final 5 for 4-star DeShawn Harris-Smith, a 6'5" G/W out of Paul VI in Northern Virginia, whose final 5 consists of: Penn State, Xavier, Maryland, Villanova, and Indiana. You can read up on Harris-Smith's game in this very thorough breakdown: Player Evaluation.

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This is embarrassing.

I expect IU‘s defense will play hard for him. Wilt’s former bosses expect him to be a HC. He’ll be calling plays soon enough.

https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/s...ve-coordinator-is-like-tom-allen/10039114002/

It seems Cam Jones has bought in … he expects IU’s defense to attack with swagger … and dictate to opposing offenses on 3rd down.

https://indiana.rivals.com/news/iu-...-with-edge-and-swagger-absent-from-a-year-ago

On Saturday, June 23, 2018, Maxine Waters was quoted as saying, seen on video saying, and admitted saying:

"If you see anybody from that [Trump] Cabinet in a restaurant, in a department store, at a gasoline station, you get out and you create a crowd and you push back on them, and you tell them they’re not welcome anymore, anywhere.”

Yeah, she "walked it back." Yeah, the left rationalized it. Yeah, the right touted it as a call to violence.

I view it as a vote whore polarizing everyone, probably by unthinking accident ("you tell them they’re not welcome anymore, anywhere") with no regard for or understanding of the consequences - at best.

A few days later, an article was published that I read and bookmarked for later consumption. Now is the time. (I have a friend who is now being threatened by righties about abortion.)

I won't name the publication - to deny the Coolerites the usual response of refusing to consider "the idea" by simply bashing the source. Those who want to can google and try and find it - to see if they can/should not oppose/support the ideas, while irony hovers everywhere.


The article asked how exactly did Waters think her comments would work out? (My answer - she didn't think at all.). Would righties follows suit and get aggressive in public toward lefties? Would security and/or law enforcement end up causing both sides unintended/unanticipated harms? Would use of aggressive public confrontations change minds or policies on either side?

I did an independent study in undergrad on "mob violence" - mostly because of Kent State. It was from a psychology perspective, but any study of mob violence necessarily confronts politics and social issues - its where "mobs" are born for most instances. It suffices to say that - for the most part - humans become the lowest common behavior denominator when a mob goes violent. They commit harms. - even to their own side - out of panic, out of rage, out of unintended consequences. ("We thought we might get a medal for picking up the garbage, or get yelled at. Instead we were arrested.")

The author discussed a LOT of then-recent individual events.
Protesters showing up at Trump campaign stops, and Trump saying "if they disrupt us, just beat the crap out them" (paraphrasing.)
Lefties getting hurt in a melee when righties were being protested.
The guy shooting up the GOP softball practice.
A black guy in a MAGA hat getting rousted in a restaurant.
Joe Wilson shouting "you lie" at Obama.
Airplane incidents.
Disrupted Broadway shows.

In general, the author opined that - for the most part -angry mobs and angry individuals are not really all that good historically at deterring a particular unwanted behavior. Instead, the purpose and/or effect is instilling fear and giving a lot of other people an excuse to act out = all of them all the time justifying their acts with claims that (paraphrasing) “I’m not harassing or assaulting another human being, I’m standing up for good causes! human rights! doing the "right" thing.”

Generally, the author stated that harassment of public figures on the right would only lead to harassment of public figures on the left. Biblically, "An eye for an eye = a blind world."

The question was posed whether we still settle our differences through debate/discourse/the ballot box/the courtroom — or by stirring up an angry crowd and implying (or maybe more than implying) a threat of physical violence against the political opposition.

As typical nowadays, the article linked another, which was discussing media and movies, and said:

"For all the problems I have with modern journalism, journalism itself is incredibly important. Or at least it should be. And you won’t find many people who love movies more than I do or are a bigger supporter of the pursuit of truth. That last part, the pursuit of truth, permeates everything else. Without it, nothing has meaning, nothing matters. If the truth is Play-Doh, it can be molded and bastardized to fit whatever the holder of it wants it to. . . .

The United States, or any other free people, needs access to accurate, truthful information. Without it we’re serfs making decisions based on lies told by those in power. When you make decisions based on lies, you are under the control of those feeding you the lies. . . .

The American people have never been more misinformed by the media, but they’ve also never had more access to more information. The house of cards that is the mainstream media will either fall or be forced to change completely. Until that happens, it’s up to you not only be informed but to inform others."

So non-violence and love-speech and truth ...

If you could go back and lovingly slap some sense into Maxine - would ya?
Should Trump have toned it down?
Should we?

Pondering in the heat ...

Interesting fact: One of the 5 players in state tournament history to be the "Final 4 Scoring Leader" 2 years in a row (and the only one of the 5 that DIDN'T win a state championship) played for this team.

So Larry Kudlow joining a couple of Fox anchors a couple of months ago to discuss inflation, primarily gas prices...Btw, check out Larry Kudlow (who worked in the Trump Admin) taking the Biden Admin to task because THEY never acknowledge blame for a problem? I mean Larry did you forget you worked for Donnie Trump? And you're trying to complain about anyone else refusing to accept responsibility for ANYTHING? And you're doing it with a straight face?

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Now compare what Larry said about what caused an increase in gas prices, with what Chevron CEO Mike Wirth said about a month later regarding his analysis of what caused rising oil prices. Doesn't sound like he's echoing many of Larry's claims...

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Now revisit the two Fox anchors featured in video 1, and here they are seemingly bemoaning that the lowering of gas prices threatens mom/pop gas stations. I mean it's literally the same two clowns who just 2 months ago were lamenting the cost of gas. Apologies for the fact that this isn't a direct Fox video production. But as you might expect they aren't particularly eager to put their hypocrisy on display...

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So if the rise in gas prices was Biden's fault ,and gas prices are now decreasing more quickly than they normally do when oil prices lower, what part of this whole gas price scenario does Biden deserve blame/praise for?

I know most, if not all, of you have expressed a desire and eagerness to adapt to a change in how we communicate, as well as how to update your email and Rivals signatures. This will help answer those questions of "Who and What am I?" and "Who and What are you?"

Anyway, here's a link to Pronouns.org. Namaste.

IUclover
he/him/his

2023 Rivals150 wing Jamie Kaiser breaks down his official visit to Indiana. What impressed him and his dad, Indiana's pitch, relationship with Mike Woodson and what's next in his recruitment.

Sorry had some personal stuff I had to do and there was then a lot to unpack from him and his dad.

Will have more notes and tidbits in this week's recruiting notebook as well. Indiana made a big impact here.

Bring back UK IU series. Home and Home. Bloomington and Lexington. No neutral sites. What say ye Hoosier fans?

It sure would be helpful to see an update on how he is doing this summer.

The Romeo Langford court dedication and ceremony at New Albany High School has been set for August 20.

It was announced in May that New Albany would be re-naming its basketball court in his honor.

More details:

South Bend area?