PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN (YouTube).

His decision to drop his re-election campaign was motivated by “saving democracy,” said President Joe Biden in a televised address to the nation on Wednesday.

“I revere this office,” he said. “But I love this country more.”

He continued with “It’s been the honor of my life to serve as your president. But in defense of democracy, which is at stake – and is more important than any title, I draw strength and I find joy in working for the American people.”

He went on to say  “I’ve decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation. It’s the best way to unite our nation.”

Since announcing his intention to drop out of the race for the presidency, he has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor.

Netanyahu speaks to Congress

In a sometimes angry speech, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed Congress on Wednesday and vowed that his nation would “fight until we achieve victory” against Hamas.

He spoke of the close relationship between Israel and the U.S. – sometimes its only defender in the United Nations and other world bodies – but criticized protesters who he said were “Iran’s useful idiots” by protesting his nation’s conduct of the war in which nearly 40,000 Palestinians have perished.

Angels sweep the Mariners

The Los Angeles Angels are rolling and the Seattle Mariners are tumbling after the Halos defeated the M’s 2-1 on Wednesday to complete a three-game sweep of the home team.

As a result, Seattle (53-51) fell into second place in the American League West race, a game behind the Houston Astros (53-49).

Starter Griffin Canning pitched well, working five innings and giving up just four hits and one run. He struck out six batters and walked three.

Trailing 1-0 through seven innings, the Angels rallied for two runs in the top of the eighth. Willie Calhoun and Brandon Drury drove in those runs with singles.

Riding a four-game winning streak, the Halos (45-57) will be back in Anaheim on Thursday to start a four-game series with the Oakland A’s (41-63).

Dodgers fall to the Giants

The Los Angeles Dodgers’ five-game winning streak came to an end with a five-run (8-3) loss to the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday at home. The series will continue on Thursday.

It was a close game until the visitors broke it it open in the eighth with a rally that started with Mike Yastrzemski’s RBI single.

The Dodgers’ offense was mostly quiet with solo runs in the first, eighth and nine innings, and finished with five hits. 

That loss was not the only bad news for the Blue Crew as Chris Taylor suffered a groin injury in the seventh inning and will likely miss some action. On the positive side, the Dodgers (61-42 and first in the National League West) expect Clayton Kershaw back on the mound to face the Giants on Thursday.

Weather: Thermometer to hit 90

The hottest day – so far – of summer 2024 in our West Orange County cities is expected on Thursday when the daytime high is 90, with an overnight low of 67. But things will cool rapidly on Friday down to 84 (65) followed by 81 (62) on Saturday and 80 (62) on Sunday, all under partly cloudy skies.