"Feeling Sad Tonight"

 Today I learned about the death of one of my former customers, Eli Chalet.  I don't mind using his name because it's in many news articles these past five years ANYway.  You see, Eli was a town councilman in Bloomfield, NJ where I used to live and had a carpet cleaning business for 35 years.  Eli was also a REALTOR, and often had us do work in his empty properties, between tenants.

Anyway, Eli was arrested for taking a 15k bribe five years ago. The bribe was to ensure that he'd use his clout on the Council to help someone complete a business deal.  They had Eli on tape, dead-bang, and he was sentenced to five years in prison in July 2018.  He was scheduled to be released EARLY, for good behavior THIS July, but I learned today that Eli died of COVID, in prison, in April. He was 58.

What Eli did was terrible, but I want to say that, personally I always found him TOTALLY above board with me in all of our MANY business transactions. Additionally, he was always cheerful, prompt in MEETING us at locations where we were to clean, as well as being prompt to PAY us. In short, he was a pleasure to work for. When he RAN for the Council I recommended him (even though he was a Democrat) and even after he was caught taking the payoff, I wrote a letter to one of the Bloomfield papers testifying of MY experiences with him, which were always good ones.

I'm feeling sad tonight and, in fact I've fought back tears thinking of Eli. I'm writing about him because writing HELPS me in these times.

And I hope that Eli is now with the Savior AND that thief Jesus saved right at the end of his life.

"Expect The Media to Declare Trump the Loser Tonight"

  Two major events are occurring in Cleveland tonight, "major" at least as far as *I* am concerned.  

1.) The first Presidential debate between Trump and Biden (9pm, EST) and 2.) Game One of the playoffs between my Yankees and the Cleveland Indians (7pm, EST...check local listings).  

In my mind, there is a lesson to be learned from this coincidence. 

The starting pitcher for my Yankees is #45, the great GERRIT COLE, and President Trump, who I support, happens to be our 45th President.  BOTH the Yankees and Trump have been wildly successful in the past and both are hated, but that's where the similarities end.  You see, Trump's DEBATE performance and Cole's PITCHING performance will be judged by two totally different standards when their nights are done.  In subsequent news stories, COLE will be judged by the objective standards of innings pitched, how many did he strike out and walk, how many earned runs did he allow, and so on.  As a team, the Yankees will either WIN or LOSE tonight according to the final, tangible score. 

On the other hand, PRESIDENT TRUMP's night will be described by the FEELINGS and BIASES of writers who cover the debate.  

And most of those writers, in the Liberal Mainstream Media at least, frankly HATE Donald Trump.

They won't look at his RECORD (promises kept, accomplishments while in office, etc.) like SPORTS writers look at COLE'S impressive record in PAST postseason play, or the YANKEES' team record of 27 World Championships. They'll look at who they WANTED to win the debate and make Biden the winner. No amount of hatred against the Yankees can change the result of the score if the Yanks tally more more runs than the Indians but the Mainstream Media no longer REPORTS political news....they try to MOLD it.

I hope both Trump AND Cole have great nights tonight, but watch the debate for yourself and make up your own mind!!

"2020 Yankees: So Far, a Bunch of Overwhelming Underachievers!!"

 Last night, after the "regular," COVID-shortened season officially ended I posted the following on my Facebook page....

Having slept on it, I wish to add GERRITT COLE (top photo) to the list of Yanks who distinguished themselves in the "regular" season, though he didn't LEAD THE MAJORS in any category like LeMahieu and Voit did.

What has NOT changed is my overall assessment of this team. Having slept on THAT, I have concluded they are a bunch of (as Yogi Berra might say) OVERWHELMING UNDERACHIEVERS so far.

They could have finished as SECOND seed, enabling them to play the first round of the playoffs AT HOME where their stats are SO much better.  Instead, after winning 10 in a row they SLUMPED in their last several games and finished as FIFTH seed.  Disgraceful.

Oh, yes...they could STILL get hot and win ELEVEN in a row in the postseason and become World Champs again...first time in 11 years...I know that.

But I'm sick of players who DON'T play hard, DON'T play hurt, DON'T come near their potential because players like that, simply stated, DON'T win Championships.

All of that said.....GO, YANKEES!!!!! Game One of the Wild Card series is tomorrow night, in Cleveland...

"MORE Memes From Me"

 The "best" of the week (actually, these are ALL of them, Lol!!)

"An Unusual Bridge"

 I have ALWAYS sought to build bridges with my twin sons (now 38), but yesterday a most UNUSUAL one was Providentially formed for me / one of them.  It has to do with a TV show neither of us has ever watched but CERTAINLY (living here in New Jersey) heard of...."The Sopranos."

Before I retired, I had a carpet cleaning business, and, towards the END of my 35 year career I had a REAL noteworthy assignment.  We had been cleaning carpets for "Holsten's Ice Cream Parlor" in Bloomfield for many years, and then they called us to clean the night before the final "Sopranos" episode was filmed there. (If you watch the last five minutes of that final episode, it all took place in Holsten's).

This was a pressure-packed assignment because Holsten's was a DIFFICULT carpet to clean...all restaurants ARE.  Our very FIRST job at Holsten's, in 1996, took place the night before American Express filmed a commercial there and THAT was pressure....but THIS was even MORE. Yet, we got the job done right THE FIRST TIME and it was clean and dry for the filming the next morning (early 2007).

Anyway, ONE of my twin sons still lives in Bloomfield and operates a business (NOT carpet cleaning, Lol....something more CEREBRAL) there. And just yesterday I learned they're filming scenes for a new "Sopranos" MOVIE within walking distance of his house!! It's the movie I mentioned in my Sept. 16th blog just last week, supposedly it's a PREQUEL to "The Sopranos" series.  I just feel pretty happy about this "bond" between us now. Of course, this son and I bond about "big" things (like our Christian faith, for example) but "little" things (which baseball team to root for, what kind of music we listen to, our POLITICS and so on) have always eluded us.  Now, in God's Providence, we BOTH have THIS "Unusual Bridge" of a CULTURAL nature to bind us even closer together.

By the way, the film crew was ALSO busy at HOLSTEN'S again yesterday and I don't know who did their carpet cleaning THIS time, but it wasn't me.  I am OUT of that mix now, but thankful for the good memories and this "Unusual Bridge," in particular!!

"Frankly, To Believe in Ginsburg's 'Dying Wish' Insults Her Memory"

 It's SAD to see the back-and-forth bickering about Ruth Bader Ginsburg's so-called "Dying Wish" (that in the event of her death, Trump would not be allowed to pick her successor to the Supreme Court).  It's SAD that she hasn't even been BURIED yet and someone started this divisive rumor. And frankly, to believe that such a "Dying Wish" was ever made in the first place insults the late judge's intelligence and memory.

Ginsburg was a JUDGE, and if she did, indeed make such a "Dying Wish," unless it was meant as a JOKE and someone is trying to make it serious, a "Dying Wish" like that shows TERRIBLE judgment.

1.)  Ginsburg had to be smart enough to realize that such a "Dying Wish" was ridiculous.  Trump has EVERY Constitutional right, in fact he has an OBLIGATION, to replace her in the event of her death AS LONG AS HE IS PRESIDENT.  She should have retired before the 2016 election if she didn't want to risk having him replace her....maybe at the beginning of OBAMA'S second term. 

2.) RBG had to be savvy enough to know that such a "Dying Wish," if made public, would be widely disbelieved. Why didn't she make a TAPE, or leave a written DOCUMENT, regarding her wishes?? She had to know, as a judge, that when someone says they HEARD her "Dying Wish" it's only HEARSAY in a Court of Law.  In the COURT OF PUBLIC OPINION, though, for MOST people, it's not EVEN up to the threshold of Hearsay, it's just a cheap attempt at emotional manipulation. I just refuse to believe that RBG was that dumb.

Yes, to believe that such a "Dying Wish" was ever made insults the late judge's intelligence and memory. And it ALSO insults the intelligence of those expected to swallow it, hook, line and sinker.  

Regarding those who DO believe it, well, in my opinion they have little intelligence to insult!!

LET'S GET ON WITH NAMING HER PROPOSED SUCCESSOR, AND VOTING ON HER NOW....

"Why I Support 'ACB' To Replace 'RBG'...."

 "Peter could not have been the first Pope, because in Acts 3:6, he said 'Silver and Gold have I none.' " Yes, I laughed when I heard that joke yesterday and yes, I wrote a book about the errors of Roman Catholicism this year. All of that said, I want it known that I WOULD ABSOLUTELY SUPPORT THE SUPREME COURT NOMINATION OF AMY CONEY BARRETT (WHO, BY ALL ACCOUNTS IS A VERY FERVENT CATHOLIC) IF TRUMP PUTS HER FORWARD TO FILL RBGs SEAT. ("RBG" is Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died Friday, in case you are unaware).

Why do I support Barrett?? Four reasons.

1.) By all accounts she WILL strictly interpret the Constitution and also she IS against Abortion, unlike Catholic politicians (think Pelosi and Cuomo) who disregard the pro-Life teachings of Catholicism. (And Yes, the Abortion issue IS important to me: if the "Pro-choice" group can be honest about THEIR concern, why can't a Pro-LIFER be upfront about HIS)??

So I've pre-emptively dealt with the issue of "Chet how can you support a Catholic though you are against Catholicism," now there's three OTHER issues I want to address honestly (but briefly).

2.) "Chet, how can you support a WOMAN for this position?" I'm not even going to dignify that with a lengthy response, other than to say THE SUPREME COURT ISN'T THE CHURCH, there is no Biblical prohibition against women having authority over men in COURT.

3.) "Chet does the fact that Amy is gorgeous have anything to do with your endorsement?" Take a look at photos of the other two still-living females on the Court before you read my response. Here it is: Amy's beauty has NOTHING to do with her qualifications but she WOULD add "Balance."

So, I started this blog with a joke and ENDED it with one!! Wait a second...I promised one MORE reason......

4.) I would wholeheartedly support "A.C.B." to replace "RBG" because Trump PROMISED she'd fill Ginsburg's seat one day, he should keep that commitment. ESPECIALLY so close to the election, he should keep that commitment

"MORE Memes of the Week"

 My seven new entries for the week just passed, in the order I posted them. STILL LEARNING!!

Click Memes to enlarge and they are NOT copyrighted.  You like one?? Use it!!

"Hendrix / Cat Stevens's 'New' Album Debuts Today"

 

Today is 50 years since JIMI HENDRIX died. In this pic, a young, beardless singer CAT STEVENS sits next to him as they toured together in the 60s, along with...are you ready?? ENGLEBERT HUMPERDINCK, of all people!!

Today is ALSO the day when Yusuf / Cat releases his "re-imagined" album "Tea for the Tillerman 2." This album is a new "re-recording" of his classic "Tea for the Tillerman" album which first came out in November, 1970....almost 50 years ago.  I pre-ordered MY copy months ago, and received word that it was sent out today.  (I was never into HENDRIX, you see, but CAT STEVENS was my favorite).

Here's a link for the new album....https://catstevens.com/new-release-tea-for-the-tillerman%c2%b2/

Now, part of me wonders if Cat didn't release the "new" album today because it IS the 50th anniversary of his friend Hendrix's passing??  After all, the ACTUAL 50th anniversary of "Tea for the Tillerman" isn't until NOVEMBER. I am fairly certain that he didn't put it out LAST Friday because it was the anniversary of 9-11, and as a peace-loving Muslim (they ARE rare, but he is ONE), he wouldn't want to insult the memory of those who died because of Islamic murderers.  But why release the album TODAY, when the actual 50th of "T.F.T.T." isn't for a few months yet??

I don't know if there's a connection, and Yusuf / Cat (as he's now known) hasn't said.  Either way, that link above has three GREAT videos from the new album....check it out!!

Below: The original, 1970 album...

And....the NEW one....

To see my ESSENTIAL blogs about Cat Stevens, though I mention him often here, check my blogs  for:   7/7/ 2019,  3/2/2020, 5/28/2020, and 8/15/2020.

"Newark Mayor Ras Baraka: An Example of Good Leadership"

I'm going to ruffle some feathers with this one...some feathers I maybe don't USUALLY ruffle!!  But, I call 'em as I see 'em and even though he's a stone-cold Democrat and I'm not...even though I disagree with key elements of his perspective on this, I have to give Newark, NJ Mayor RAS BARAKA his props. Democrat or not, the man is a GOOD LEADER, and let me explain why I say that. 

Just yesterday, I learned that Baraka had the Christopher Columbus statue in downtown Newark (my place of birth, by the way) REMOVED at the end of June. This was around the time when miscreants across the nation were going around TOPPLING and DEFACING statues and monuments they didn't like...a lawless practice that I've condemned again and again in this blog.  Now, if you're Italian, or even if you're NOT Italian, you may say "How does removing Columbus's statue show good leadership?" Fair question. And I answer it's HOW he did it. Please, bear with me as I explain.

Here are Baraka's own words, from the morning after the statue's removal, and then they'll be followed by my explanations, I promise.

“In keeping with the movement to remove symbols of oppression and white supremacy, we have decided to remove the statue of Christopher Columbus from Washington Park. We took it down with City work crews in a safe and orderly manner, to avoid the potential danger of people taking it upon themselves to topple it.

“The removal of this statue should not be perceived as an insult to the Italian-American community, It is a statement against the barbarism, enslavement, and oppression that this explorer represents.”

My comments: 

          1.) Do I agree with the Mayor's terribly harsh assessment of Christopher Columbus?? NO, I ABSOLUTELY DO NOT.

But I do agree with Mayor Baraka's realistic assessment of the fact that certain ones WOULD have taken it upon themselves to topple the statue if he didn't pre-emptively remove it.  And instead of doing nothing and LETTING them do it, Baraka acted decisively, being "the prudent man who forsees the evil and hides himself" as the book of Proverbs says.  (Only THIS time he was "hiding" COLUMBUS)!!  People have a right (like it or not) to think what they want about Columbus but they do NOT have the right to destroy public property.  And a Mayor should PREVENT destruction of public property, even though he (apparently) believes bad things about Columbus, himself.  Baraka put personal feelings ASIDE, unlike Democrat Mayors in other states.

Above: The statue before it was removed.

          2.) Press releases indicate that Baraka put the statue in storage at a safe location.  He PROTECTED it.  He didn't TOSS it.  He MOVED it, more than he REmoved the statue..  It "lives to see another day".....maybe he'll donate it to the Italian community in Newark, to display in the North Ward, where it's still predominantly Italian??  (I'd do it...on COLUMBUS Day, no less and I'd personally go to HELP dedicate it.  Newark STILL has a significant Italian population, a new movie, "The Many Saints of Newark," was based on Italians in Newark and was SUPPOSED to debut this week but has been moved back to February because of COVID). Anyway, THIS (taking action to move the statue) IS MUCH BETTER THAN DOING WHAT MANY OTHER DEM MAYORS ACROSS THE NATION DID: N  O  T  H  I  N  G.

Unlike other Mayors, who LET lawbreakers trash symbols that they (personally) objected to, Baraka put his own feelings aside and acted decisively to remove the statue for the good of his City.  Others didn't act even AFTER the carnage began, Baraka acted BEFORE it did and he derailed it. Which leads me to...

          3.) His reassurance to the "Italian-Americans" showed a terrific sensitivity and ability to understand how THEY might see his action.  Good leaders communicate to their people.....ALL of their people.  I understand that Baraka's great leadership / communication skills have helped keep COVID in check, in Newark ALSO in these past 6 months.

In closing, just about everyone in America knows how Newark, NJ had terrible RACE RIOTS in 1967.  I, personally lived through them. And there were TWO MEN who fueled them, one was Leroi Jones (later,  his name changed to Imamu Amiri Baraka, Mayor Baraka's dad) and one was ANTHONY IMPERIALE, an Italian leader who had a very public feud with Baraka.  BOTH were racists and BOTH assisted in division and destruction which was brought upon Newark.  On June 1st in this blog I praised RAS Baraka for the way he handled PEACEFUL George Floyd protests in Newark, I loved the way he apparently LEARNED from his dad's mistakes. And TODAY I praise him AGAIN for preventing more destruction. Good leaders learn from the mistakes of others!!

In that June 1st blog, I erred by spelling his name "Raz" but today I have spelled it correctly...."Ras."  I suspect that one day he may be known for having a MUCH higher office than Mayor of Newark and EVERYONE will know how to spell his name!! I'll say this, he's a much better Mayor than Cory Booker was, will make a MUCH better Senator and MUCH more viable candidate for President to run against Donald Trump Jr. and Kim Klacik, in 2024 should the Lord tarry!! RAS BARAKA IS AN EXAMPLE OF GOOD LEADERSHIP though I don't always agree with his perspectives.  

And as a former Newarker, I'll also say this...he makes me proud of Newark AND of New Jersey.

"Mays Getting Short-Changed...Again!!"

I sent this letter to the two major New York papers early this morning.  It explains ITSELF.

 

Editor,

Congrats to Albert Pujols for passing former New Yorker Willie Mays on baseball's all-time home run list. While I respect what Pujols has done, I am once again sad to see Mays slip down on that list because he very well could be in the top 3, or higher, instead of sliding down to number 6 now.  Many are unaware, but Willie lost almost 2 full years of his career, as he was reaching his prime, serving in our armed forces.  He could very well have been the first player to pass Babe Ruth's 714 instead of Hank Aaron. As it was, Willie finished with 660 round-trippers and not one of those ahead of him on the list can make that claim.

This is not to take anything away from Aaron, Ruth or Pujols but only to say I wish an asterisk could be put by Willie's 660, reading something like " * served his country for two years, missed over 230 games in his prime." Only to emphasize one more reason why Mays is The Greatest All-Around Player in Baseball History.

Chet Jelinski

"Marvel's 'Phase Four' Appears Headed For Disaster"

My wife and I have been big fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe for the first three "Phases." I’m somewhat skeptical that “Phase 4” will be as entertaining, however. Here’s why. 

COVID-19 has delayed the START of “Phase 4” movies, and it gave me time to take a breath and evaluate....

1.) Actor Robert Downey, Jr., the KEY to the first 3 "Phases" because of his "Iron Man" portrayal, is NOT coming back as Marvel enters "Phase 4."  This has to hurt. 

2.) The death of Stan Lee will hurt as he's not around to oversee the development of characters, most of which he co-created in the comics, as he was around to consult in Phases 1-3. (Also, no more great CAMEOS)!!

3.)  The shocking death of Chadwick Boseman, "The Black Panther," the MCU's most successful SOLO movie, will hurt very much as a sequel was planned for 2022.

"The Black WIDOW" movie kicks off "Phase 4" in November, a six month delay due to COVID.  

Now, THAT one may be view-worthy....but we've already decided we are NOT going to see the next-in-line "Eternals" (pictured above.) "Eternals" was DUE to debut in November but it's been moved back to 2/12/'21 (my birthday). It will be the first Marvel movie to feature an openly gay character, and, interestingly enough "The Eternals" will be fighting "The Deviants," as if Marvel is saying that Homosexuality is NOT "deviant" but the Bible teaches that it IS.  They were also pretty clever to make the openly gay character BLACK, as that will inhibit criticism from people afraid of being called Racist. 

If Stan Lee were alive, I know he wouldn't object to an openly gay character but I think he'd advise the movie people not to PUSH it like that.  It WILL backfire on Marvel, people aren't going to go see it.  And many who DO see it won't RECOMMEND it.  Just my opinion.

In short, it's not "D.C.," (Marvel's chief competition in the comics AND superhero movies) which will kill Marvel movies, it's "P.C.".........Political Correctness.....which will destroy them.  That, and the departure of ROBERT and the deaths of STAN and CHADWICK.  "Phase 3" of Marvel movies culminated with "Endgame" and maybe it was really just .........."End."

Because I love this pic of Stan and Chadwick together by my letter, I'm reposting it yet AGAIN.....

"Memes"

 This week I started making my own MEMES.  Here are the first five, they are like Mini Editorials, for the most part.........

"COVID-19 is Terrible, Yes, But Not Worse Than 9-11"

In this Presidential Election year, Democrats are using every possible angle at their disposal to try to discredit the incumbent Republican President, Donald Trump.  And as today is the 19th anniversary of 9-11, I would not be surprised if some try to compare THAT to the Covid-19 crisis which really began to affect the nation about 6 months ago, under TRUMP'S watch, as if HE is to blame for it. Of course, their comparison will say that COVID is WORSE because that (in their world) minimizes what the Islamic terrorists did on 9-11 and at the same time it maximizes the possibility that Trump will be punished for COVID when Americans vote, in two months or less.

Well, if and when they try it, I for one aim to head 'em off at the pass.

If the unscrupulous Dems try to say that COVID is worse than 9-11, I say NO WAY.  And I do that NOT to minimize the pain and suffering of lives lost, and people who've endured so much heartache, isolation, loss of freedom and income because of this pandemic.  What makes you think that I have been immune to all of it?? I haven't been. People, COVID has affected MY life, MY circle of friends and acquaintances like most others I know.  It has certainly inconvenienced ME.

But 9-11 was MUCH worse, because the world witnessed 3,000 people murdered on LIVE TV...and the hateful, bloodthirsty savages who DID it intended MORE to die. 

On 9-11, it was only AMERICANS who were targeted, whereas COVID is a worldwide catastrophe. So, as an American, I see 9-11 as being much worse than COVID, frankly.

And on 9-11, THOSE people who died had NO warning, NO chance to live, NO chance to prepare for eternity. Some even jumped out of windows rather than burn to death.  

And I also personally know those who lost loved ones in the Twin Towers, whose hearts will be ripped open again today as victims who perished will be publicly remembered in a televised ceremony.  I've seen their never-dying pain up close and personal.

So when the Liberals try to use today to minimize 9-11 (to get Islamic terrorists "off the hook") and maximize COVID (to try to sink Trump's re-election prospects), don't let 'em get away with it.

I sure won't.

Yes, COVID-19 is terrible, but not worse than 9-11 was.

It may be 19 years ago, but I remember....and so do MANY.

Nice try, Liberals!!

"Cicely Tyson Finally Coming Out With Her Biography"

  I happened to find out today that FINALLY, at age 88?? 96?? (WHATEVER age she is), Cicely Tyson is FINALLY coming out with her first-ever biography early next year!!  And I can't help wondering if  I INSPIRED that.  Yes, you heard me right!! I think I might have inspired that. You see, after almost ten years of personal interactions with her at her School here in Jersey, I wrote and self-published the book below (in 2012) and sent the intensely-private actress a copy which I can prove she received...

MY BOOK, "THE IRREPRESSIBLE CICELY TYSON" (above) WAS THE FIRST BOOK ABOUT HER LIFE AND CAREER EVER WRITTEN. Her response to it was somewhat cold (all of a sudden) and NEGATIVE, but I never found out why, as we moved 70 miles away from her School (as opposed to only FOUR miles away) and I haven't traveled back to her School SINCE then. However, out of respect for her, I stopped promoting the book, and it is presently O.O.P.

As of 2018, since finding out that Ms. Tyson lied about her age 7 times, in my presence, to students at her School, I've been GLAD I never went ahead with pushing the book. What I wrote concluded that she's a woman of sterling Christian character but repeated lying is NOT the mark of someone who is saved. Here's my blog from almost two years ago, read for yourself regarding why she fell out of favor with me....

http://chetitorial.blogspot.com/2018/11/thank-god-for-things-he-didnt-give-you.html

.....But maybe my purpose in God's Plan was just to motivate HER to finally write HER story??  After all, if you don't like the version others come up with, tell YOUR side of things, tell YOUR story. And I must admit, the title of her book, "Just As I Am," is the title of one of my VERY favorite hymns.  I'm hopeful that her Bio will be a truthful piece which brings glory to GOD, based on that title!!  My book ABOUT her concluded that she is, indeed, a Christian woman of eminent integrity. Yes, I will, indeed get a copy of the book when it debuts, and read it "greedily," and I hope she explains why she lied (if there IS an explanation, which I doubt.) I'm also interested to see if the Covid-19 Lockdown this Spring was what gave her time from her traveling and appearances to sit down and finally...finally WRITE the book. There are four other puzzling issues about her life and career  that I hope she finally addresses, but I won't list them here.

Tyson writing her own tome encourages me for ANOTHER reason.  My Deana Carter book (ANOTHER unauthorized Bio) is now on Amazon and once again, it's the FIRST book about the Country singer ever written by anyone.  (I like LEADING a crowd, not FOLLOWING....what can I say??)

I'll be sending DEANA a hard copy of it and maybe SHE won't like it, either...in which case, I will take THAT down (after asking her to at least autograph a copy for ME)  and hopefully she'll eventually write HER book (that's very likely, as Deana's not nearly as secretive as Tyson is.)

Can't figure out why the PAPERBACK version of the Tyson book costs more than the HARDCOVER, though.......!! Hmmmmmmmmmm, they still have over four months to change their minds about that.......

Anyway, as of next January, Lord Willing, there will be TWO Bios of Cicely Tyson and ONLY two. The one I wrote in 2012, and the one SHE is releasing, in January 2021. Hers is the only one for sale.

"Is The Yankee Manager's BLM Endorsement Behind the Team's Decline?"

  My team, the New York Yankees, are what Yogi Berra might call "Overwhelming Underachievers" right now.  As of last night, the astronomically-overpaid group which many picked to WIN IT ALL in 2020 sits at .500 and may not even make the playoffs now in this COVID-shortened season!!  So....what happened??

There are many theories which go BEYOND the obvious fact that the team isn't pitching, hitting or fielding well.  What seems to have.....DEMORALIZED them?? They are listless and NOT playing as a team.  Is it the many injuries to key players??  I don't think so, last year they had more players on the I.L. ("Injured List," formerly known as the "Disabled List") than any baseball team in history yet they STILL won 103 games!!  Is it health or scheduling problems caused by COVID?? I doubt it, because OTHER less talented teams have had more Covid-related problems than the Yanks, and are doing much BETTER than them.  Is it the fact that Covid keeps live fans out of the ballpark, and the Yanks, whose fans give the loudest CHEERS to ENCOURAGE you when you excel and the loudest BOOS to try to MOTIVATE you when you "stink," therefore LACK the energy that their fans stimulate?? That last one is a possibility, but an even GREATER possibility is the one no one wants to talk about. POLITICS may be dividing this team...POLITICS in the form of the manager openly taking a POLITICAL position here in the BITTEREST Presidential election year we've ever had.

Maybe HE doesn't know it, maybe YOU are unaware, but manager Aaron Boone wearing a "Black Lives Matter" shirt (see photo above) in the clubhouse and at Press Conferences, is a POLITICAL statement.  You see, as a SLOGAN "Black Lives Matter" is something everyone agrees with, but it's MORE than a slogan, it's the title of a cleverly concealed Marxist organization.  Don't believe me?? Go to their website, open their Mission Statement and read it all the way through to their SECOND page. (Or, you can refer to my blog from 3 months ago today, June 9th.  It's all there for you.)

And no previous Yankee manager TO MY KNOWLEDGE has ever openly taken a political stand in the presence of his team before, for obvious reasons: POLITICS DIVIDES, and it takes the focus off of WINNING GAMES.  I give Boone some slack here....he and his wife have adopted two black kids, maybe they practiced "Adoption, Not Abortion," maybe to THEM the slogan "Black Lives Matter" symbolizes their perspective in THAT context.  The guy is twice the age of Aaron JUDGE (the OTHER prominent Yankee "team leader" who wears a BLM shirt).  I believe that Judge DOES know what HE'S endorsing because he's "hipper" than Boone and so, pardon the pun, I don't "judge" Boone for wearing the shirt, I think he does it in ignorance. 

But the fact remains that he DOES it. And to those of us who know and care what the GROUP "Black Lives Matter" stands for, to ENDORSE that group is, in effect to declare yourself a Democrat who favors Marxism and will vote for Biden-Harris...and that's not going to sit well with all of the guys on your baseball team.  Oh, they can't TALK about it, for fear of being called "Racist," mind you...but it's VERY possible it will hurt MORALE and team UNITY, and it's very possible that the manager's actions will affect a team's PERFORMANCE.  Some of those who secretly abhor what BLM stands for no doubt have FAMILIES who are upset at Boone's actions, and it may cause frictions and factions in FAMILIES (which WILL affect a player's performance on the field). It certainly has the potential to divide a racially diverse team like these very Bronx Bombers!!

Disclaimer: we have no way of knowing FOR SURE if the Yankee team in "a house divided" this year, as reporters are not allowed in the clubhouse after games in 2020, due to COVID.  (And even if they were, would they have the guts to go against Political Correctness and report the DAMAGE that BLM is doing)??

But years from now, if the Lord tarries, MAYBE some of the players in the Yankee clubhouse will write a tell-all book and we'll know the truth about this....how the emergence of BLM in 2020 and their manager's endorsement of same helped sink the "Yankee Ship" (if, indeed it STAYS sunk).

Until then, I think it's totally fair and reasonable to at least ask the question "IS the Yankee manager's BLM endorsement behind the team's dramatic decline?"

"Labor Day Thoughts: Cal Ripken Jr."

Yesterday was the 25th anniversary of when Oriole Cal Ripken Jr. broke Yankee Lou Gehrig's consecutive games played streak.  I'm a Yankee fan but I do NOT mind that happening, in fact I admire Ripken because he PLAYED HURT....not like the seemingly fragile players of today!!

Last year the Yanks set a record for most players ever on the "I.L" (formerly the "D.L.") and they're not doing good in that crucial area THIS year, EITHER. It seems like it's getting to the point that a player can be "scratched" from the starting lineup BECAUSE of a scratch!! I'm sick of it.  (THIS year they'll use the Coronavirus / shortened Spring Training as an excuse but we didn't have those issues LAST year)!!

Today is LABOR Day and I think of the days when I owned and operated my carpet cleaning business for 35 years. Not to brag, but MANY times I showed up for work when I was slightly sick, or injured.  Up until Sept. 1995, GEHRIG was my inspiration...then CAL "took over" when he passed Lou on Sept. 6th. WHEN THERE'S A JOB TO DO YOU'VE GOT TO DO IT AS LONG AS YOU'RE REALISTICALLY CAPABLE.  PERIOD!!

Do I mind Ripken taking the record away from a Yankee?? Not any more than ORIOLE fans mind that Babe Ruth was born in Baltimore, but became a star in NEW YORK (Lol)!! But seriously, no, I DON'T mind because Ripken's streak SAVED BASEBALL after the 1994 baseball strike just like RUTH saved it after the "Black Sox Scandal."  People were really FED UP with baseball players STRIKING, of all things, but Cal emphasized a great work ethic and APPRECIATION for his job!! So, on this Labor Day 2020, I honor a guy who showed up for work EVERY SINGLE DAY there was a game, did his job and did it WELL. There will probably NEVER be anyone to surpass HIS streak. Thanks Cal, and I'm glad to hear that you beat the cancer, also!!

In other baseball news, CURT FLOOD passed away yesterday....the second Hall of Famer to die within a week!! See two blogs back for article about the other one, Tom Seaver.

"Fives"

  Happy Labor Day Weekend!! First, a portrait of my wife that I did this week (above). Took a PHOTO and added "paint" from my cell, but we like the results.  Anyway, here on the FIFTH, I want to write about "Fives"....

I now have FIVE self-published books on Amazon.  Here they are in chronological order, and, BTW, another one is on the way....

Also, I now have FIVE Tracts published by PrintMyTract, here THEY are in order of appearance...(and again, another of THOSE is in the works, due soon)....

And, my Public Servive Announcements in the PAPER have reached five....I'm working on next month's, but here's the five...

Wow, what an "OCD" post THIS is....but that's "Me," I guess!! Lol ENJOY THIS LABOR DAY WEEKEND!! I'll be re-reading the 375 page Proof copy of my new book, coming to Amazon SOON....