Football!

In recent years I've paid more attention to football, the world game, than to football, the American game.  My lack of interest followed the 49ers move to Santa Clara and the team going into the toilet as a winning franchise.  So my attention was more in the direction of the English Premier League, not the NFL.

My disinterest began to turn around when the 49ers went to the Super Bowl a couple of years ago.  But it was only a few weeks ago that I began to pay close attention and watch some games again.  Given what happened this past weekend my timing turned out to be pretty good.

Four games, each exciting in its own way, each decided by the last play of the game, and the 49ers over achieving to move ahead toward the championship.  Only one bummer: the overtime rules that had Buffalo lose to Kansas City without even having a chance to play in the overtime period.  A coin flip gave the Chiefs that ball first, giving them the chance to score a touchdown and end the game, which they did.

Condolences to my brother Steve, who lives in Buffalo, and his family.  I know this result leaves them distraught and pissed, and rightly so.

So for now, Go Niners!

 

Piling On!

If you pay attention to the 'expert' opinion about this last week, you would have no doubt that Joe Biden's presidency was dead in the water and he might as well retreat to a nursing home somewhere.

For sure, the news wasn't good:  Inflation at a 40 year high.  Build Back Better - dead.  Voting rights legislation - dead.  Omicron - out of control.  Russia - ready to invade Ukraine.  Democracy is on the ropes.  And if you listen to Peggy Noonan, Biden's speech in Georgia on Tuesday marked a low point in the history of presidential speeches.

What we have is a virulent herd mentality all singing a chorus of 'the sky is falling.'  Given my current state of mind - pessimistic or cynical, depending on the issue under discussion - I can see how easy it would be to join the crowd and contribute to the piling on.

If I thought it would do any good I'd go down this path.  But for now I'll resist the temptation and instead be silent.  No guarantees for how long, so like I say, for now!  

Fire From Biden!

I was glad to see that in his Jan. 6 talk Biden answered my call for a more spirited defense of democracy.

Rather than a low key diplomatic approach he called out Trump directly for stoking a rebellion, lying and putting self interest before the country's interest.

We need more of this.  The fascists will not hold back.  Neither should the rest of us.

Democracy at Risk!

Tomorrow is January 6.  So it is not surprising that the commentators and pundits are focused on remembering the violence of that day a year ago and opining about the impact it has had on our national psyche.

Nor is it surprising that many, myself included, are wondering whether this country can survive for long as a democracy.  I have written that our democratic institutions are under attack and seem vulnerable.  And I have written that the next civil war is not in the future but is underway now.

What is missing for me is a potent counterattack by those who see the threat and worry that America as we have known it may not survive.  It is like they are using rational arguments and invoking peaceful and constitutional actions to counter a group of armed thugs who brook no dissent and are committed to destroying the structure.

So am I arguing for a violent response to the threat?  If it comes to that and it is the last resort, maybe I am.  I'd rather see those of us who treasure liberty and democracy go down fighting than go down with a whimper.  But before it comes to that I want to see a more passionate response from the good guys.

Until recently I had an assumption that the American ideal was secure.  That our democracy was safe.  I no longer assume this.  Action is called for - now!