Ron Artest enjoys his first NBA Championship as the Lakers finally beat the Celtics in a Game 7.

Wolfrum’s Word

History and polls tell us that the Republicans will pick up seats in both the House and Congress in the November elections – and they will. But with each day, the GOP falls deeper into Obama Derangement Syndrome. With Republicans like Joe Barton and Michelle Bachmann defending British Petroleum just to go against President Obama, the GOP has now entered the point where they are cutting off their head to spite their neck. And registered voters and the “small people” will remember that come November. See the rest of my thoughts on this in my latest post at Alan Colmes’ Liberaland.

News

Ethnic Cleansing in Kyrgyzstan: 400,000 people have been displaced by ethnic violence in southern Kyrgyzstan, the United Nations announced.

British Petroleum Speaks: As BP CEO Tony Hayward was barraged by Congress, we learned two things – Joe Barton feels BP’s pain and BP didn’t follow safety regulations because they weren’t forced to follow them.

Energy Evils: Right now, the energy bill is languishing in Congress, as political courage is nowhere to be found in an election season. After the election? Maybe then we’ll see a push to get it through.

Gaza Blockade: Israel says they’ll ease the blockade of Gaza. The Arabic media isn’t falling for it.

More: Supreme Court again sides against privacy, the Times Square car bomb suspect gets indicted.

Wolfrum’s Word II

Never have so many sacrificed so much and worked so diligently to make Joran van der Sloot a national story we should care about.

Sports

Lakers Are NBA Champions: For years, Kobe Bryant had a penchant for distrusting his teammates. But in Game 7 of the NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics, it was Pau Gasol, Ron Artest, Lamar Odom and gang that lifted a poor-shooting Bryant, and the Lakers to an NBA championship. Title No. 16 came with an incredibly hard-fought, exciting 83-79 victory. It’s Kobe’s fifth title, and coach Phil Jackson’s record 11th.

Viva La France: If there’s one thing the French hate more than American, it’s their national soccer team. In an incredibly poor performance, France lost 2-0 to Mexico, leaving the Blues with a tough road to advance in the World Cup.

U.S. On The Line: A victory over Slovenia should give the U.S. a spot in the next round. But beware the Green Dragons.

More: Argentina torches South Korea, Pebble Beach frustrating for Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson in the U.S. Open.

Blogs

Roubini: How to avoid a double-dip recession (Free to subscribe).

Democratic Underground: Dick Armey has spoken - it’s time for “Tea Party” members to become “Republicans” again.

The Brad Blog: It’s official – Alvin Greene and electronic voting machines are both winners in South Carolina.

Tweet of the Day

“Tea Party members have been pretty quiet about the #oilspill because they’re convinced it started in Kenya.”

–WKW

Crossposted at William K. Wolfrum Chronicles