Keith Burgess-Jackson, J.D., Ph.D.

Here are highlights from Stage 13 of the Giro d'Italia.

Yesterday evening, Katherine and I watched Alien: Covenant (2017) in an IMAX theater in Arlington, Texas. We've seen all six of the Alien movies, including the prequel Prometheus (2012). The best of the six, by far, remains Aliens (1986), which is the only one directed by James Cameron. Although I'm not a fan of science fiction or horror, I like this series. The violence doesn't bother me because it's so obviously artificial. (The scenes in which the aliens are killed don't bother me at all.) The movie, which was filmed in New Zealand, was beautiful. The sound effects were incredible. Our seats shook from time to time. Katherine found the movie too loud, but it was fine with me. The plot was interesting, the characters adequately developed, and the dialogue engaging. It's clear that additional movies are envisaged. Indeed, the ending is such that at least one additional movie is required. By the way, there were two or three allusions to Alien (1979), which was also directed by Ridley Scott.

Here is the trailer.

Genesis (1983).

Here.

Here.

Here is Kurt Schlichter's latest column.

To the editor:

After days of head-exploding rotten news from the White House, finally there’s a glimmer of hope. (“Special counsel is named to take over investigation of Russia and Trump associates,” May 17)

Robert Mueller, the former FBI director who was named special counsel by the Justice Department on Wednesday, was the U.S. attorney in San Francisco when I was the Anti-Defamation League’s regional director there. At that time, our concerns centered on white nationalist hate groups.

Mueller joined me and two of my staff for an informal lunch in a cafe where we discussed some of these issues. I remember that Mueller ordered a salad for his lunch. When the check came, he refused to allow me to pay for his very inexpensive meal. It didn’t matter to him whether it was an cheap salad or a Michelin gourmet dinner; he was behaving as his principles demanded.

Now that Mueller has been appointed special counsel, I know that I will accept whatever he concludes on the President Trump-Russia matter. He is a man of honor who will continue to be what he has always been—intelligent, mature and irrefutably honest.

Barbara H. Bergen, Los Angeles

Note from KBJ: The news from the White House is excellent, Barbara. Are you watching CNN again? CNN is the Clinton News Network. Its aim is to run President Trump down so that he cannot be an effective president. Perhaps you should expand your horizons. Have you considered watching Fox News for a fair and balanced presentation? By the way, I'm glad to hear that you will accept "whatever [Robert Mueller] concludes on the President Trump-Russia matter." There is no evidence of any impropriety. There is nothing but rumor, innuendo, and, frankly, lying. I'm going to hold you to your pledge.

Getting ready for my big foreign trip. Will be strongly protecting American interests – that's what I like to do!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 19, 2017

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Here are highlights from Stage 12 of the Giro d'Italia.

Oops! Wrong Planet (1977). Forty years gone.