China Syndrome: Protesters and police in Hong Kong traded bricks and bottles for teargas and rubber bullets in a riot over a proposed bill that would allow people charged with crimes in Hong Kong to be extradited to the mainland for trial. Hong Kong has a certain amount of independence from the mainland government and its residents don’t believe in the fairness of the mainland judicial system.

  Thousands and thousands of people clogged the streets. The protesters succeeded in getting the legislative council from meeting on the bill, but it is likely to pass eventually. The majority of the council is pro-Beijing.

The Daily Show: Comedian John Stewart made an impassioned plea before Congress yesterday for passage of funding for  the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund.

  Stewart blasted representatives. “As I sit here today, I can’t help but think what an incredible metaphor this room is for the entire process that getting health care and benefits for 9/11 first responders has come to,” Stewart said, becoming emotional at times. “Behind me, a filled room of 9/11 first responders; and in front of me, a nearly empty Congress.”

  In fairness, the full eight-member House Judiciary subcommittee was present, but there were a lot of empty seats.

  Nonetheless, Stewart stuck it to them. “They did their jobs with courage, grace, tenacity, humility. Eighteen years later, do yours.”

Mudfight:In a preview of what next year is going to sound like, President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden traded barbs and insults as the 2020 presidential campaign heats up.

  Speaking in Iowa, Biden called Trump “an existential threat” to the country and its standing in the world. He said Trump’s words and actions are “antithetical to the nation’s “core values — what we stand for, who we are, what we believe in.”

  Trump called Biden “a loser,” “a sleepy guy” and “the weakest mentally.”  

   Biden, who leads in the Democratic polls, is largely ignoring opponents within his own party and going directly after Trump. But Trump owns the insult game.

He said, “I’d rather run against I think Biden than anybody. I think he’s the weakest mentally. And  I like running against people that are weak mentally.”  

The News Roundup:California Gov. Gavin Newsom has called for a halt to racing at the famous Santa Anita track, citing the deaths of 29 horses so far this year. — Investigators say the pilot of a helicopter that crashed into a New York high rise was lost in fog before he hit the building. — Sara Netanyahu, the wife of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, pleaded guilty to misusing about $100,000 in public money while managing the couple’s official residence. Investigators are also after the prime minister but haven’t tagged him yet.

From the Pitch: The US women’s soccer team opened its bid for another World Cup championship trouncing Thailand 13-0. It was the biggest blowout in the history of the event, with Alex Morgan scoring five times.

  The Americans came under criticism for over-celebrating their goals and for not pulling back after the outcome was certain. Coach Jill Ellis told The Wall Street Journal  that“A lot of this is about building momentum and so as a coach I don’t find it my job to rein my players in. This is what they’ve dreamt about.” 

-30-