So typically in our interactions with harried cashiers, and customer service personnel from faceless institutions, we experience encounters with people that are at best ho-hum; at worst, rude or lacking humanity in some way.
I can see this dilemma from both sides, being a consumer, as we all are, but at the same time having worked now as a cashier at the Plaza for 22+ years. It is hard after awhile to give that human touch customers have a right to expect when after many years you have seen and heard it all. It is hard to turn your humanity off and on. On one hand, a cashier should be friendly and welcoming, and at least mildly enthusiastic about the product one sells, while at the same time having a tough hide concerning the various forms of indignities some customers may want to subject one to. This is the struggle of customer service, to find that balance.
Yesterday, I was required to telephone one of those state agencies we all dread talking to, replete with the requisite lengthy wait, being reassured approximately every 30 seconds that someone would be with me shortly, when my rather low expectations of the call were shattered by a perky young lady named Jen.
Jen talked to me like she was really happy to hear from me, not like she was bored silly like every other time I have spoken to this agency, made a couple very innocent jokes, gave me the information I sought in a very efficient manner, reassured me very effectively on a couple points of concern, and helped me create an account so that I can interact with this agency online from now on. Because let's face it, what is the likelihood of running into someone the likes of Jen when I call there, which is why so many of us seek out impersonal ways to interact with these kind of entities in our lives?! She also gave me a phone number to call in case I need to talk to a real human being (or some facsimile) and want a more streamlined experience. I actually enjoyed the call, a small triumph for a chore I usually dread. Jen probably won't remember me today, but I will remember her for a long time.
Jen, when I grow up, I want to be just like you! Thanks, and kudos!
Tuesday, December 3, 2019
Sunday, December 1, 2019
Pittsburgh Finished It!
The above picture was of Cleveland Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens out at the movie "A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood" yesterday.
Today wasn't a very good day in Kitchens' neighborhood, though.
The score of the rematch between the Browns and Dem Stillers: Steelers 20, Browns 13.
The Football gods don't like ugly. Or childish.
'Nuff said.
Quack quack quack quack!
Devlin "Duck" Hodges
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
Like It's 1917
Ladies and Gentlemen, today, although he doesn't know it, we have a guest contributor. Robert Redford posited in an op-ed published just an hour ago on NBC's THINK platform, and we here at Call-Outs And Shout-Outs feel that his op-ed so mirrors our thoughts and feelings on the matter, we are sharing it with you.
***
"We’re up against a crisis I never thought I’d see in my lifetime: a dictator-like attack by President Donald Trump on everything this country stands for. As last week’s impeachment hearings made clear, our shared tolerance and respect for the truth, our sacred rule of law, our essential freedom of the press and our precious freedoms of speech — all have been threatened by a single man.
It’s time for Trump to go — along with those in Congress who have chosen party loyalty over their oath to “solemnly affirm” their support for the Constitution of the United States. And it’s up to us to make that happen, through the power of our votes.
When Trump was elected, though he was not my choice, I honestly thought it only fair to give the guy a chance. And like many others, I did. But almost instantly he began to disappoint and then alarm me. I don’t think I’m alone.
Tonight it pains me to watch what is happening to our country. Growing up as a child during World War II, I watched a united America defend itself against the threat of fascism. I watched this again, during the Watergate crisis, when our democracy was threatened. And again, when terrorists turned our world upside down.
During those times of crises, Congress came together, and our leaders came together. Politicians from both sides rose to defend our founding principles and the values that make us a global leader and a philosophical beacon of hope for all those seeking their own freedoms.
What is happening, right now, is so deeply disturbing that instead of the United States of America, we are now defined as the Divided States of America. Leaders on both sides lack the fundamental courage to cross political aisles on behalf of what is good for the American people.
We’re at a point in time where I reluctantly believe that we have much to lose — it is a critical and unforgiving moment. This monarchy in disguise has been so exhausting and chaotic, it’s not in the least bit surprising so many citizens are disillusioned.
The vast majority of Americans are busy with real life; trying to make ends meet and deeply frustrated by how hard Washington makes it to do just that.
But this is it. There are only 11 months left before the presidential election; 11 months before we get our one real chance to right this ship and change the course of disaster that lies before us.
Let’s rededicate ourselves to voting for truth, character and integrity in our representatives (no matter which side we’re on). Let’s go back to being the leader the world so desperately needs. Let’s return, quickly, to being simply ... Americans."
***
It was brought up in this piece that I read just how similar of a leader Trump is to Germany's Kaiser Wilhelm II. It is hoped that some who are on the fence about our current administration may read that and also this and do some real soul-searching about America's future and our place in it. Otherwise many of us fear history is already repeating itself.
https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/president-trump-s-dictator-administration-attacking-values-america-holds-dear-ncna1091156?cid=eml_nbn_20191126
***
"We’re up against a crisis I never thought I’d see in my lifetime: a dictator-like attack by President Donald Trump on everything this country stands for. As last week’s impeachment hearings made clear, our shared tolerance and respect for the truth, our sacred rule of law, our essential freedom of the press and our precious freedoms of speech — all have been threatened by a single man.
It’s time for Trump to go — along with those in Congress who have chosen party loyalty over their oath to “solemnly affirm” their support for the Constitution of the United States. And it’s up to us to make that happen, through the power of our votes.
When Trump was elected, though he was not my choice, I honestly thought it only fair to give the guy a chance. And like many others, I did. But almost instantly he began to disappoint and then alarm me. I don’t think I’m alone.
Tonight it pains me to watch what is happening to our country. Growing up as a child during World War II, I watched a united America defend itself against the threat of fascism. I watched this again, during the Watergate crisis, when our democracy was threatened. And again, when terrorists turned our world upside down.
During those times of crises, Congress came together, and our leaders came together. Politicians from both sides rose to defend our founding principles and the values that make us a global leader and a philosophical beacon of hope for all those seeking their own freedoms.
What is happening, right now, is so deeply disturbing that instead of the United States of America, we are now defined as the Divided States of America. Leaders on both sides lack the fundamental courage to cross political aisles on behalf of what is good for the American people.
We’re at a point in time where I reluctantly believe that we have much to lose — it is a critical and unforgiving moment. This monarchy in disguise has been so exhausting and chaotic, it’s not in the least bit surprising so many citizens are disillusioned.
The vast majority of Americans are busy with real life; trying to make ends meet and deeply frustrated by how hard Washington makes it to do just that.
But this is it. There are only 11 months left before the presidential election; 11 months before we get our one real chance to right this ship and change the course of disaster that lies before us.
Let’s rededicate ourselves to voting for truth, character and integrity in our representatives (no matter which side we’re on). Let’s go back to being the leader the world so desperately needs. Let’s return, quickly, to being simply ... Americans."
***
It was brought up in this piece that I read just how similar of a leader Trump is to Germany's Kaiser Wilhelm II. It is hoped that some who are on the fence about our current administration may read that and also this and do some real soul-searching about America's future and our place in it. Otherwise many of us fear history is already repeating itself.
https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/president-trump-s-dictator-administration-attacking-values-america-holds-dear-ncna1091156?cid=eml_nbn_20191126
Monday, November 18, 2019
RIP, Vera Clemente
Saturday a lady was reunited with her soulmate in heaven. The rest of us are mourning the loss of Vera Clemente, 78, widow of Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Roberto Clemente. Clemente died in a plane crash 1 mile off the coast of San Juan, Puerto Rico on December 31, 1972, while delivering relief supplies to victims of an earthquake in Managua, Nicaragua.
Because he was concerned about poor children and negative influences there, Clemente had a dream he intended to pursue upon his retirement from baseball; he wanted to build a Ciudad Deportiva, (Sports City) in his native Puerto Rico. After Clemente's death, it was Vera who worked tirelessly with the government of Puerto Rico and Major League Baseball and many other entities to make that dream a reality. She was an earth angel, and will be greatly missed by many in Puerto Rico, Pittsburgh and everywhere.
Vera Clemente is survived by the three sons she had with Roberto: Roberto, Jr., Luis, and Enrique. She never remarried.
Yet Another Shot Heard 'Round The World
Up until early this season, I had not really watched the Steelers since an infamous incident in Milledgeville, GA. But with the injury early this season of a certain Quarterback With Questionable Judgement and Morals, I began watching again, rooting on the Steelers a bit, and trying to divine the future by watching their heir apparent, one Mason Rudolph, as I mentioned in a previous post.
Thurday, the Steelers played (who else!) Cleveland. And since it was around full moon, and strange things were happening anyway, the Browns were giving Dem Stillers a righteous whuppin'. Tempers were running high, as they often do in the presence of heated rivalries (and that close to full moon). The game was, mercifully, almost over, when all of a sudden...
Thurday, the Steelers played (who else!) Cleveland. And since it was around full moon, and strange things were happening anyway, the Browns were giving Dem Stillers a righteous whuppin'. Tempers were running high, as they often do in the presence of heated rivalries (and that close to full moon). The game was, mercifully, almost over, when all of a sudden...
Number 1 Ugly: Mason Rudolph has just gotten rid of the ball, a short dump pass. Myles Garrett sacks him. Does he know Rudolph got rid of the ball? Ah, these things happen so fast, don't they? But he does know that he is swarming all over Rudolph, he knows he is holding him down, not letting up, rubbing Rudolph's, and the Steelers' noses in it, doesn't he?
Number 2 Ugly: Rudolph, frustrated by his poor performance, several sacks, and losing to a team the Steelers perpetually treat like smoothie ingredients, (not to mention trying to get Garrett off of him), explodes, grabbing the sides of Garrett's helmet, shouting at him, and either shaking him by the head, or trying to rip his helmet off, depending upon your interpretation, as well as perhaps kicking him in, (or trying to push him off and hitting) the family jewels.
Number 3 Ugly: Garrett pulls Rudolph around by the facemask for a little while, before finally succeeding in ripping the helmet off, and swinging it around. At this point, Rudolph takes exception, and gives chase. Garrett continues swinging till he whacks Rudolph on the head with the helmet. As the Steelers rush to Rudolph's defense, so many atrocities are committed, it is hard to enumerate them all. Most notably Larry Okunjogi charging in on Rudolph after he received the helmet-whack, and giving him another shove in the back and knocking him down, just for the hell of it, I guess. And let us not forget Maurkice Pouncey's/David DeCastro's rain of blows and kicks, fastest flurry this side of a chop-socky flick. A nauseating spectacle of thuggery I have not seen the likes of in 47 years of watching football, 43 years of watching hockey, or even 25 years of watching rugby.
Like many of you, I have several questions. What was Steelers coach Mike Tomlin thinking? Can I be honest here? This young quarterback has yet to prove he can consistently move the football and score points. He constantly overthrows receivers. As I mentioned in that earlier post, I am more impressed by Devlin Hodges. I believe that, unlike Mason Rudolph, he is seasoned enough to keep his head, leave the pocket and make good decisions. And he has already proven he can run the offense and win games. But if you value your young quarterback so much, why do you have him in a game, with less than 30 seconds to go, down two scores?
What were the officials thinking? Why was the late hit on Rudolph not penalized? Why did they sit on their thumbs as the bedlam was unleashed on the field?
I admire that the Steelers players stuck up for their young quarterback (even Pouncey, up until he started using his feet. That was over the top, in my book). But wouldn't it have been a good idea to do what you see done any other time players are fighting? Separate them! Why wasn't somebody in charge of escorting Rudolph away from the melee? Before his helmet was swung at him, he chased Garrett a fair distance; somebody should have grabbed him, pushed him to safety, and effectively sat on him.
And a word to Mr. Rudolph: I get it that you had a bad game. You had every right to be frustrated. You were hurried, harried, sacked every time you turned around. Your passes were not completed at times. Sometimes that was on you, sometimes your receivers dropped passes they should've caught. It's a shame. But you know what? It happens. You will have bad days. But your attitude should be: never let 'em see you sweat. Because guess what? Now every opponent knows how to get under your skin, and get you off your game. And your team has so many injuries, you have no margin for error. Don't give your opponents the slightest edge. And your offensive line should pay the fine that the NFL will be assessing on you, because they failed you. All game long, and many times this year. But, please, young man, do us a favor: stop chasing people!
The NFL failed all of us who watched that game. But at least so far, I approve of the punishments handed down (Garrett, suspended indefinitely without pay; Pouncey, suspended 3 games without pay; Okunjobi, suspended 1 game without pay; each team fined $250,000, with more individual fines to come). I am hoping they make Mr. Garrett's even longer-term. Maybe by then, I will have lost the bad taste I have in my mouth from what I saw on Thursday. And maybe I wasn't missing anything, not watching the Steelers since 2010.
Endnote to the Cleveland Browns: You know, at the beginning of this year, and really for many years, I was rooting for you. You have had a lot of bad luck, some mismanagement, and picks that just didn't pan out for you. With your acquisition of Baker Mayfield, it looked like things were turning around for you. And I was happy for you, because, also being a Pittsburgh Pirates fan, they of the multitude of losing seasons the last 25 years, I could feel your pain. And it's been plain since early in the season this would be an off year for the Steelers. You were coasting to a deserved win Thursday. And you were, by far, the better team on the field. Up until the events of the last handful of seconds of the game, I was even prepared to view the excessive hit on Diontae Johnson that sent him to concussion protocol as an anomaly. But now, gentlemen, I ask you, are you happy with how this game turned out? What karma did you attract here? Would it have been better to have a loss without all the bad vibes attached, or will you roll with anything as long as you win? Examine yourselves, gentlemen, your outcome follows the identity you choose.
But I still say Cleveland rocks!
What were the officials thinking? Why was the late hit on Rudolph not penalized? Why did they sit on their thumbs as the bedlam was unleashed on the field?
I admire that the Steelers players stuck up for their young quarterback (even Pouncey, up until he started using his feet. That was over the top, in my book). But wouldn't it have been a good idea to do what you see done any other time players are fighting? Separate them! Why wasn't somebody in charge of escorting Rudolph away from the melee? Before his helmet was swung at him, he chased Garrett a fair distance; somebody should have grabbed him, pushed him to safety, and effectively sat on him.
And a word to Mr. Rudolph: I get it that you had a bad game. You had every right to be frustrated. You were hurried, harried, sacked every time you turned around. Your passes were not completed at times. Sometimes that was on you, sometimes your receivers dropped passes they should've caught. It's a shame. But you know what? It happens. You will have bad days. But your attitude should be: never let 'em see you sweat. Because guess what? Now every opponent knows how to get under your skin, and get you off your game. And your team has so many injuries, you have no margin for error. Don't give your opponents the slightest edge. And your offensive line should pay the fine that the NFL will be assessing on you, because they failed you. All game long, and many times this year. But, please, young man, do us a favor: stop chasing people!
The NFL failed all of us who watched that game. But at least so far, I approve of the punishments handed down (Garrett, suspended indefinitely without pay; Pouncey, suspended 3 games without pay; Okunjobi, suspended 1 game without pay; each team fined $250,000, with more individual fines to come). I am hoping they make Mr. Garrett's even longer-term. Maybe by then, I will have lost the bad taste I have in my mouth from what I saw on Thursday. And maybe I wasn't missing anything, not watching the Steelers since 2010.
Endnote to the Cleveland Browns: You know, at the beginning of this year, and really for many years, I was rooting for you. You have had a lot of bad luck, some mismanagement, and picks that just didn't pan out for you. With your acquisition of Baker Mayfield, it looked like things were turning around for you. And I was happy for you, because, also being a Pittsburgh Pirates fan, they of the multitude of losing seasons the last 25 years, I could feel your pain. And it's been plain since early in the season this would be an off year for the Steelers. You were coasting to a deserved win Thursday. And you were, by far, the better team on the field. Up until the events of the last handful of seconds of the game, I was even prepared to view the excessive hit on Diontae Johnson that sent him to concussion protocol as an anomaly. But now, gentlemen, I ask you, are you happy with how this game turned out? What karma did you attract here? Would it have been better to have a loss without all the bad vibes attached, or will you roll with anything as long as you win? Examine yourselves, gentlemen, your outcome follows the identity you choose.
But I still say Cleveland rocks!
Sunday, November 17, 2019
Uhura And Us
So, in my out-and-abouts on Friday, I saw a wondrous sight at my local Giant Eagle supermarket. This magazine cover, a special edition of Time:
Laying aside the whys and the wherefores of this particular not-so-timely edition (pun intended) being on my local shelves again, I ask you, what do you notice first, gazing upon this cover? (Other than: Where is Scotty?)
I'll tell you what I saw. (Most of) the major officers of a cult-popular classic TV show, one that has sparked a movie franchise as well as several series sequels, standing together, looking grave and purposeful. Off to the far left, the only major female cast member, a woman of color, and apparently not even enough left in the budget to cover her body!
"Ah, but Claudia, short skirts were the fashion then!" Yes. Yes, they were. And so was objectifying women, especially women of minority status.
A whole generation of women, especially young women of color, grew up with Lt. Nyota Uhura, fictional character though she was, as a role model. Something I was ignorant of until I began watching All Rise (Mondays, 9 PM ET on CBS, streaming on CBS All Access), whose lead character, Judge Lola Carmichael, held Uhura up as one of her heroes. Finally taking my head out of my butt, I found an article that taught me about Uhura's, and Nichelle Nichols' contributions to STEM, and another one, more philosophical in tone, pointing toward a brighter future, for the Uhuras among us, and all women.
Then I read a story like this and realize I'm not so optimistic:
Monday, October 7, 2019
I Dare You!
So, in the past month the Pittsburgh Steelers have lost future Hall Of Fame quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and back-up Mason Rudolph to injuries. Especially sad -- and scary -- to see Rudolph knocked out yesterday by a double-whammy hit to his head -- the helmet-to-jaw hit delivered by Baltimore Ravens safety Earl Thomas, and then the back of his head as Rudolph hit the ground, already out cold. Third-stringer Devlin Hodges came in and acquitted himself well, going 7 of 9 for 68 yards and a touchdown, plus an impressive 21 yard run in a quarter and a half of work. This blogger was quite taken with Hodges and the Steelers play around him in a tough 26-23 overtime loss to the Ravens. Call-Outs And Shout-Outs wishes a speedy recovery to Rudolph, and we send our vote of confidence to Hodges, who surely has a challenging road ahead of him.
That being said...
Dare Ya!
That being said...
Dare Ya!
Sunday, July 7, 2019
Dump Starbucks?
Anytime a story with the word Starbucks in it breaks, it usually makes the big-time.
And this one is no exception.
On the 4th of July in Tempe, AZ, six officers were drinking coffee at a local Starbucks, when a barista asked them to leave because "a customer did not feel safe" with their presence in the store. The barista asked them to "move out of the customer's line of sight or to leave."
Subsequently, the Tempe Officers Association took to Twitter. Here you can see that communication. Please scroll past it to see my comments.
Of course, the Twitterverse got into it, full-tilt boogie; soon #DumpStarbucks was trending. So, working for The Plaza in Coffee Paradise myself, you knew Your Crusading Blogger had to weigh in.
I'm not sure why the customer felt uncomfortable, although I may hazard a guess. I have no idea why the barista didn't let his/her manager handle the matter. It puts me in mind of a time two acquaintances and I were having dinner at a local Eat N Park restaurant, when some bikers came in, and my acquaintances became rather uncomfortable. I told them to cool it, that they were being silly. (OK, Your Crusading Blogger was 23, and not known for her tact. Come to think of it, I'm still not.) Soon, sensing the tension, one of the bikers came over, sat down and asked if we were alright, because the two other gals seemed uncomfortable. I began talking to the biker, and he asked me why I wasn't afraid, and I told him about the father of a friend of mine who was a biker. We talked awhile, and my cohorts began to relax, and we ate uneventfully. I'm not saying it was incumbent upon the police to defuse the situation, but surely someone should've been able to?
What I need to say to all of you is this, though: the police understand that this was a situation between six officers and one barista, also that that barista doesn't represent all of Starbucks. And though normally I don't seek to mention this because I don't like a big deal to be made out of it, I want to tell you all one thing: no police officer has paid for a drink in Coffee Paradise for years when I've been on duty. Nor any member of the U.S. Armed Forces, nor any clergy member, nor any nuns. I doubt that I am the only one. So I dare y'all to #LoveStarbucks! Let's not throw the baby out with the bath water, OK?
And this one is no exception.
On the 4th of July in Tempe, AZ, six officers were drinking coffee at a local Starbucks, when a barista asked them to leave because "a customer did not feel safe" with their presence in the store. The barista asked them to "move out of the customer's line of sight or to leave."
Subsequently, the Tempe Officers Association took to Twitter. Here you can see that communication. Please scroll past it to see my comments.
Of course, the Twitterverse got into it, full-tilt boogie; soon #DumpStarbucks was trending. So, working for The Plaza in Coffee Paradise myself, you knew Your Crusading Blogger had to weigh in.
I'm not sure why the customer felt uncomfortable, although I may hazard a guess. I have no idea why the barista didn't let his/her manager handle the matter. It puts me in mind of a time two acquaintances and I were having dinner at a local Eat N Park restaurant, when some bikers came in, and my acquaintances became rather uncomfortable. I told them to cool it, that they were being silly. (OK, Your Crusading Blogger was 23, and not known for her tact. Come to think of it, I'm still not.) Soon, sensing the tension, one of the bikers came over, sat down and asked if we were alright, because the two other gals seemed uncomfortable. I began talking to the biker, and he asked me why I wasn't afraid, and I told him about the father of a friend of mine who was a biker. We talked awhile, and my cohorts began to relax, and we ate uneventfully. I'm not saying it was incumbent upon the police to defuse the situation, but surely someone should've been able to?
What I need to say to all of you is this, though: the police understand that this was a situation between six officers and one barista, also that that barista doesn't represent all of Starbucks. And though normally I don't seek to mention this because I don't like a big deal to be made out of it, I want to tell you all one thing: no police officer has paid for a drink in Coffee Paradise for years when I've been on duty. Nor any member of the U.S. Armed Forces, nor any clergy member, nor any nuns. I doubt that I am the only one. So I dare y'all to #LoveStarbucks! Let's not throw the baby out with the bath water, OK?
Monday, June 10, 2019
Cleveland Rocks?!
Well, how does a Pittsburgher respond to the news that the city of Cleveland experienced a magnitude 4.2 earthquake this morning?
Repent, repent, ye citizens of the 216! It is not too late to change your evil ways, and pledge your fidelity to Da Burgh N 'at! Forget Baker Mayfield -- Mayfield, Shmayfield! -- Da Burgh, Dem Stillers and Da Buccos, that's where it's at. Join us in our noble history! And, we have a pro hockey team! The sports gods have spoken! You have been judged and found guilty! This small earthquake is just the beginning of your awakening!
Cleveland and Da Burgh have a mostly amicable and amiable sibling rivalry type of relationship, so I hope it was obvious the above paragraph was meant to be humorous. Call-Outs And Shout-Outs is glad to hear there were no reports of injuries in the quake. We want every Browns fan fit and feisty for football season! It's not the same kicking the opponent's butt if the opponent's fans aren't there to watch! (The same could be said for baseball interleague play, when the Indians kick the Pirate's butts. Could be said, but I ain't sayin' it).
Ya gotta love Cleveland's spunk and sense of humor. (You gotta, I don't gotta).
Working at The Plaza, I meet a lot of folks from Cleveland, and they are good folks with great senses of humor. (Hey, ya gotta have to live in Cleveland!). But seriously folks, this song says it all!
Repent, repent, ye citizens of the 216! It is not too late to change your evil ways, and pledge your fidelity to Da Burgh N 'at! Forget Baker Mayfield -- Mayfield, Shmayfield! -- Da Burgh, Dem Stillers and Da Buccos, that's where it's at. Join us in our noble history! And, we have a pro hockey team! The sports gods have spoken! You have been judged and found guilty! This small earthquake is just the beginning of your awakening!
Cleveland and Da Burgh have a mostly amicable and amiable sibling rivalry type of relationship, so I hope it was obvious the above paragraph was meant to be humorous. Call-Outs And Shout-Outs is glad to hear there were no reports of injuries in the quake. We want every Browns fan fit and feisty for football season! It's not the same kicking the opponent's butt if the opponent's fans aren't there to watch! (The same could be said for baseball interleague play, when the Indians kick the Pirate's butts. Could be said, but I ain't sayin' it).
Ya gotta love Cleveland's spunk and sense of humor. (You gotta, I don't gotta).
Working at The Plaza, I meet a lot of folks from Cleveland, and they are good folks with great senses of humor. (Hey, ya gotta have to live in Cleveland!). But seriously folks, this song says it all!
Sunday, June 2, 2019
Walkin' On My Fightin' Side
I just had to read the news. Just hours after my last post, and my umpteenth vow not to let a ninny turn on my Type A. And then I read the damned news and saw this:
Grrrrr.
As can be seen in this article, thousands of people stepped forward to call out the Bishop, who presides over the Providence, Rhode Island diocese, including actresses Mia Farrow and Patricia Arquette. And, as can be expected, so did Rhode Island Pride President Joe Lazzerini. Their comments, and many others can be read in the above article as well as this one. Now for my comments.
Bishop Tobin, let me ask you a few questions. How many gay Catholics do you think are in your diocese? How many of them contribute to your collection plate? Do you take the roll and run down a sexual orientation list before you accept their money? How is it that I saw no mention in your Twitter feed condemning places and occasions for true, harmful sins, like local bars, whose Happy Hours are notorious for extramarital hookups and other sexual misadventures?
Or the Catholic Church? A grand jury said last year that the Catholic Church in Pennsylvania covered up approximately 1,000 cases of sexual abuse by more than 300 priests. You were Auxiliary Bishop of Pittsburgh 1992-96. So, you were aware of incidents of sexual abuse in the Pittsburgh Diocese, but didn't think it was your job to report them? Whose job was it? We are all mandatory reporters of child abuse! What was God's answer when Cain asked if Cain was his brother Abel's keeper? (Genesis 4:10). For even if the blood of sexually abused children has not cried out to God, surely their hearts have, and I have no doubt He hears and answers them.
"If anyone causes any of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, better a large millstone be hung around his neck, and be drowned in the depths of the sea."
-- Matthew 18:6
And for you, Bishop, and your ilk who believe being gay is a sin? Well, I KNOW doing nothing while children are abused around you is a sin!
"You hypocrite! First take the beam out of your own eye, and then you can see to take the speck out of your brother's eye." -- Matthew 7:5
I wrote about my history with sexual abuse here, here, and here. It is not a short, or a pretty story. But, Bishop, I know whereof I speak. I request that you close your mouth, and open your ears, that your heart might be enlarged. Because I see no evidence that you respect gay people, as you say you do, nor do I see any evidence that you comprehend even a fraction of the enormity of damage done by your church, and yourself as an eye-shuttered enabler. And Bishop, last year, you discontinued your Twitter feed because you found that Twitter was a major distraction, an obstacle to your spiritual life, and an "occasion of sin" for yourself and others. But you decided in January to begin tweeting again.
I would suggest you reconsider that decision. You were a little wiser last July.
Where Are You And I?
Are you all like me, growing ever more fed-up, irritable, world-weary, and anxious about the future?
One day a man said to God, “God, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like.”
God showed the man two doors. Inside the first one, in the middle of the room, was a large round table with a large pot of stew. It smelled delicious and made the man’s mouth water, but the people sitting around the table were thin and sickly. They appeared to be famished. They were holding spoons with very long handles and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful, but because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths.
The man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering. God said, “You have seen Hell.”
Behind the second door, the room appeared exactly the same. There was the large round table with the large pot of wonderful stew that made the man’s mouth water. The people had the same long-handled spoons, but they were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking.
The man said, “I don’t understand.”
God smiled. "It is simple," he said, "Love only requires one skill. These people learned early on to share and feed one another. While the greedy only think of themselves…"
-- The Parable Of The Long Spoons, attributed to Rabbi Haim of Romshishok,
Lithuania
Something I've been meditating on, as I see conditions in this country and the world growing ever more dire, and as I reflect on my last post, my heart attitudes, and my own conduct.
Wednesday, May 29, 2019
To A Tee
Well, I can't even believe I'm writing this Call-Out.
Did you ever see or hear something kind of silly, some tiny little off-the-wall thing that shouldn't bother you, that for some reason just drives you around the bend? Something that you can't let go? Well, folks, Your Crusading Blogger had just such an experience today. It is, perhaps, so silly, that I should probably be embarrassed to blog about it. And yet, here I go...
Today, a customer walked in to Coffee Paradise wearing a T-shirt that truly offended me. No explicit pictures or F-bombs, no sexism, violence or hate, but merely this saying:
"Maybe Love Should Be Optional."
It should be noted that Your Crusading Blogger is no stranger to snarky T-shirts, once upon a time wearing practically everywhere T-shirts that smirked, "So Many Ninnies, So Little Time", "Tact Is For People Who Aren't Witty Enough To Be Sarcastic", and similar messages. With the privilege of wearable art comes the responsibility of occasional defense, explanation, and/or deflection. I was mystified and very curious. Was this shirt making reference to a pop-culture phenomenon I was unaware of? So, not challengingly, but pleasantly, conversationally, I asked the customer, an attractive young woman, why love should be optional, and she answered,
*Mumble, stumble, stutter, stammer.*
People, I don't know about you, but I'm about up to here with The Prevaricating President and his rotating Band Of Enabling Justice-Obstructors. I'm fed up with the right wing and the left wing of the Eagle too busy pointing fingers at each other to fly. And people taking chances with their life and limb, (and mine), just to get one car length ahead on the road. People too busy talking on their new iPhones to talk to the person in front of them.
Seems to me we need more love, not less.
Seems to me we're going to hell in our present state. Which is what I told the young lady. I don't know if telling her that was a good idea.
But somebody's gotta stick up for love.
Did you ever see or hear something kind of silly, some tiny little off-the-wall thing that shouldn't bother you, that for some reason just drives you around the bend? Something that you can't let go? Well, folks, Your Crusading Blogger had just such an experience today. It is, perhaps, so silly, that I should probably be embarrassed to blog about it. And yet, here I go...
Today, a customer walked in to Coffee Paradise wearing a T-shirt that truly offended me. No explicit pictures or F-bombs, no sexism, violence or hate, but merely this saying:
"Maybe Love Should Be Optional."
It should be noted that Your Crusading Blogger is no stranger to snarky T-shirts, once upon a time wearing practically everywhere T-shirts that smirked, "So Many Ninnies, So Little Time", "Tact Is For People Who Aren't Witty Enough To Be Sarcastic", and similar messages. With the privilege of wearable art comes the responsibility of occasional defense, explanation, and/or deflection. I was mystified and very curious. Was this shirt making reference to a pop-culture phenomenon I was unaware of? So, not challengingly, but pleasantly, conversationally, I asked the customer, an attractive young woman, why love should be optional, and she answered,
*Mumble, stumble, stutter, stammer.*
People, I don't know about you, but I'm about up to here with The Prevaricating President and his rotating Band Of Enabling Justice-Obstructors. I'm fed up with the right wing and the left wing of the Eagle too busy pointing fingers at each other to fly. And people taking chances with their life and limb, (and mine), just to get one car length ahead on the road. People too busy talking on their new iPhones to talk to the person in front of them.
Seems to me we need more love, not less.
Seems to me we're going to hell in our present state. Which is what I told the young lady. I don't know if telling her that was a good idea.
But somebody's gotta stick up for love.
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
Something In The Water?
I am still trying to wrap my head around this. How did a kid not reciting The Pledge Of Allegiance wind up with him being arrested on misdemeanor charges? Thus begins our latest Call-Out.
An 11-year-old student from Lawton Chiles Middle Academy in Lakeland, FL, on February 4th refused to recite The Pledge, stating that the flag and the national anthem are racist. Substitute teacher Ana Alvarez, for whom discretion is clearly not the better form of valor, replied, "If living in the United States is so bad, why not go some place else to live?" When the boy replied that he was brought here (because, you see, Ms. Alvarez, children tend to go where their parents go), the good woman replied, "Well, you can always go back, because I came here from Cuba, and the day I feel I'm not welcome here anymore, I would find another place to live." (Ah, well-played, Ms. Alvarez, you would do SO well at my job. I can just imagine what your reaction would be the first time a customer didn't like your hand-crafted beverage!)
At this point, she decided she didn't want to deal with the student anymore and called the office. They couldn't seem to deal with the child either, and called Lakeland Police Department, who arrested the boy after he created disturbances and allegedly threatened the teacher. The police also indicated the student resisted arrest, though not violently.
How did so many trained (?) adults have so much trouble with an 11-year-old, who, though he reportedly mouthed off some threats, admittedly did no violence?
Why is it a "federal case" that an 11-year-old doesn't recite The Pledge? Many years ago, not long after the asteroid took out the dinosaurs, Your Crusading Blogger also went through a stage as a 16-17-year-old where I didn't stand or recite The Pledge. I thought it patently silly that a person should face a corner and pledge fidelity to a stick with a cloth stapled to it. Canada doesn't do it. Does any other country? No one said anything. I doubt anyone ever noticed.
Is this young fellow a budding social justice warrior? Or is he just doing what is currently hip, chic and trendy? Who knows? But what this blogger does know is that making a big deal out of something that an 11-year-old was (not) doing, that was hurting no one, was not too smart. It's hard to know who, of the sub, the school's dean, or the Lakeland PD's resource officer, has the greatest responsibility for building this mountain out of that molehill.
But one thing I know: In 1943, the Supreme Court said students do not have to recite The Pledge Of Allegiance. And that's good enough for me.
Said Justices Hugo Black and William O. Douglas:
"...Words uttered under coercion are proof of loyalty to nothing but self-interest. Love of country must spring from willing hearts and free minds, inspired by a fair administration of wise laws enacted by the people's elected representatives within the bounds of express constitutional prohibitions. These laws must, to be consistent with the First Amendment, permit the widest toleration of conflicting viewpoints consistent with a society of free men.
Neither our domestic tranquillity in peace nor our martial effort in war depend on compelling little children to participate in a ceremony which ends in nothing for them but a fear of spiritual condemnation. If, as we think, their fears are groundless, time and reason are the proper antidotes for their errors. The ceremonial, when enforced against conscientious objectors, more likely to defeat than to serve its high purpose, is a handy implement for disguised religious persecution. As such, it is inconsistent with our Constitution's plan and purpose."
And affirmed Justice Frank Murphy:
"I am unable to agree that the benefits that may accrue to society from the compulsory flag salute are sufficiently definite and tangible to justify the invasion of freedom and privacy that is entailed or to compensate for a restraint on the freedom of the individual to be vocal or silent according to his conscience or personal inclination. The trenchant words in the preamble to the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom remain unanswerable:
'. . . all attempts to influence [the mind] by temporal punishments, or burdens, or by civil incapacitations, tend only to beget habits of hypocrisy and meanness, . . .'
Any spark of love for country which may be generated in a child or his associates by forcing him to make what is to him an empty gesture and recite words wrung from him contrary to his religious beliefs is overshadowed by the desirability of preserving freedom of conscience to the full. It is in that freedom and the example of persuasion, not in force and compulsion, that the real unity of America lies."
https://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/319/624
And the young man may have a point about the Star-Spangled Banner:
"In November 2017, the California Chapter of the NAACP called on Congress to remove "The Star-Spangled Banner" as the national anthem. Alice Huffman, California NAACP president said: "it's racist; it doesn't represent our community, it's anti-black."[75] The third stanza of the anthem, which is rarely sung and few know, contains the words, "No refuge could save the hireling and slave, From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:", which some interpret as racist. The organization was still seeking a representative to sponsor the legislation in Congress at the time of their announcement."
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Star-Spangled_Banner
It is comforting to know that Ana Alvarez no longer works for the Lakeland School District.
Let's get it together, America.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2019/02/17/florida-sixth-grader-charged-with-misdemeanor-after-refusing-recite-pledge-allegiance/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.bd9302b4
An 11-year-old student from Lawton Chiles Middle Academy in Lakeland, FL, on February 4th refused to recite The Pledge, stating that the flag and the national anthem are racist. Substitute teacher Ana Alvarez, for whom discretion is clearly not the better form of valor, replied, "If living in the United States is so bad, why not go some place else to live?" When the boy replied that he was brought here (because, you see, Ms. Alvarez, children tend to go where their parents go), the good woman replied, "Well, you can always go back, because I came here from Cuba, and the day I feel I'm not welcome here anymore, I would find another place to live." (Ah, well-played, Ms. Alvarez, you would do SO well at my job. I can just imagine what your reaction would be the first time a customer didn't like your hand-crafted beverage!)
At this point, she decided she didn't want to deal with the student anymore and called the office. They couldn't seem to deal with the child either, and called Lakeland Police Department, who arrested the boy after he created disturbances and allegedly threatened the teacher. The police also indicated the student resisted arrest, though not violently.
How did so many trained (?) adults have so much trouble with an 11-year-old, who, though he reportedly mouthed off some threats, admittedly did no violence?
Why is it a "federal case" that an 11-year-old doesn't recite The Pledge? Many years ago, not long after the asteroid took out the dinosaurs, Your Crusading Blogger also went through a stage as a 16-17-year-old where I didn't stand or recite The Pledge. I thought it patently silly that a person should face a corner and pledge fidelity to a stick with a cloth stapled to it. Canada doesn't do it. Does any other country? No one said anything. I doubt anyone ever noticed.
Is this young fellow a budding social justice warrior? Or is he just doing what is currently hip, chic and trendy? Who knows? But what this blogger does know is that making a big deal out of something that an 11-year-old was (not) doing, that was hurting no one, was not too smart. It's hard to know who, of the sub, the school's dean, or the Lakeland PD's resource officer, has the greatest responsibility for building this mountain out of that molehill.
But one thing I know: In 1943, the Supreme Court said students do not have to recite The Pledge Of Allegiance. And that's good enough for me.
Said Justices Hugo Black and William O. Douglas:
"...Words uttered under coercion are proof of loyalty to nothing but self-interest. Love of country must spring from willing hearts and free minds, inspired by a fair administration of wise laws enacted by the people's elected representatives within the bounds of express constitutional prohibitions. These laws must, to be consistent with the First Amendment, permit the widest toleration of conflicting viewpoints consistent with a society of free men.
Neither our domestic tranquillity in peace nor our martial effort in war depend on compelling little children to participate in a ceremony which ends in nothing for them but a fear of spiritual condemnation. If, as we think, their fears are groundless, time and reason are the proper antidotes for their errors. The ceremonial, when enforced against conscientious objectors, more likely to defeat than to serve its high purpose, is a handy implement for disguised religious persecution. As such, it is inconsistent with our Constitution's plan and purpose."
And affirmed Justice Frank Murphy:
"I am unable to agree that the benefits that may accrue to society from the compulsory flag salute are sufficiently definite and tangible to justify the invasion of freedom and privacy that is entailed or to compensate for a restraint on the freedom of the individual to be vocal or silent according to his conscience or personal inclination. The trenchant words in the preamble to the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom remain unanswerable:
'. . . all attempts to influence [the mind] by temporal punishments, or burdens, or by civil incapacitations, tend only to beget habits of hypocrisy and meanness, . . .'
Any spark of love for country which may be generated in a child or his associates by forcing him to make what is to him an empty gesture and recite words wrung from him contrary to his religious beliefs is overshadowed by the desirability of preserving freedom of conscience to the full. It is in that freedom and the example of persuasion, not in force and compulsion, that the real unity of America lies."
https://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/319/624
And the young man may have a point about the Star-Spangled Banner:
"In November 2017, the California Chapter of the NAACP called on Congress to remove "The Star-Spangled Banner" as the national anthem. Alice Huffman, California NAACP president said: "it's racist; it doesn't represent our community, it's anti-black."[75] The third stanza of the anthem, which is rarely sung and few know, contains the words, "No refuge could save the hireling and slave, From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:", which some interpret as racist. The organization was still seeking a representative to sponsor the legislation in Congress at the time of their announcement."
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Star-Spangled_Banner
It is comforting to know that Ana Alvarez no longer works for the Lakeland School District.
Let's get it together, America.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2019/02/17/florida-sixth-grader-charged-with-misdemeanor-after-refusing-recite-pledge-allegiance/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.bd9302b4
Tuesday, January 15, 2019
Like It's 1984
Many, many moons ago, back when Your Crusading Blogger was but a young chick (!) we used to watch a TV show called ABC's Wide World Of Sports -- which allowed us to sample every week "the thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat". And every Saturday I was a captive audience.
One Saturday, I believe in January of 1984 (OMG, 35 years ago?! Gulp!), I was privileged to watch what was, for me, the breakout performance of Mary Lou Retton. Cute, athletic, poised and exuberant, she tore up the stage at the McDonald's 1984 American Cup of Gymnastics, dominating in a way I had never seen before. I described her triumphs that day to my mother, the real fan of gymnastics, who, alas, had missed the program because she had to work.
I was so impressed by Retton's talent and the mutual affection of her coach Bela Karolyi that I remember declaring to my mother as if it was the most sure certitude in the world, "That girl is gonna be a star."
And of course, my enthusiasm was justified a mere six months later at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Quite simply, Retton ruled. Even my mother was taken with Mary Lou, she who would soon adorn Wheaties boxes. I never thought I'd see another like her, not just in talent, but in spirit.
But I was wrong. Hey, it's happened once or twice ;-)
Enter Katelyn Ohashi and her viral video:
Wow. Just. Wow.
Katelyn! See you in Tokyo 2020, right?
More Katelyn.
One Saturday, I believe in January of 1984 (OMG, 35 years ago?! Gulp!), I was privileged to watch what was, for me, the breakout performance of Mary Lou Retton. Cute, athletic, poised and exuberant, she tore up the stage at the McDonald's 1984 American Cup of Gymnastics, dominating in a way I had never seen before. I described her triumphs that day to my mother, the real fan of gymnastics, who, alas, had missed the program because she had to work.
I was so impressed by Retton's talent and the mutual affection of her coach Bela Karolyi that I remember declaring to my mother as if it was the most sure certitude in the world, "That girl is gonna be a star."
And of course, my enthusiasm was justified a mere six months later at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Quite simply, Retton ruled. Even my mother was taken with Mary Lou, she who would soon adorn Wheaties boxes. I never thought I'd see another like her, not just in talent, but in spirit.
But I was wrong. Hey, it's happened once or twice ;-)
Enter Katelyn Ohashi and her viral video:
Wow. Just. Wow.
Katelyn! See you in Tokyo 2020, right?
More Katelyn.
Shout-Out To Some Good Samaritans
It seems like the leading story in everybody's mind right now is the partial Government Shutdown. What did Donald Trump say? What did Nancy Pelosi say? And Chuck Schumer? Every day, a new chapter. And as we are still stalemated, is there good news to report today? Maybe tomorrow?
Rest assured, readers, Your Crusading Blogger has no desire to participate in the nauseating in(s)anity. Instead, I have found some good news from the DMZ between the rock and the hard place.
New Jersey resident and Philadelphia corrections officer John Siciliano told CBS News last week he hasn't gotten a paycheck since December 29. "I'm going to work everyday, and I'm not getting paid...scared because we never miss any payments and I'm angry at the bank because there's just no give."
What a difference a day makes.
Since that report, it was announced that several thousands of dollars have been raised to help the Siciliano family. The same article lists some Oklahoma City residents, Coast Guard employees in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and government employees in Washington, DC, as beneficiaries of the kindness and generosity of fellow Americans.
The message this blogger is receiving, and wants to pass on here is this: it may seem like this whole country has gone crazy, but hey, folks, hey, world!
America is still America underneath!
And a big thank you to some Canadian air traffic controllers, who also got in on the act.
Now this blogger wonders, since the the GoFundMe for the "Trump Wall" is no more, perhaps we could find a way to similarly Crowd Fund more of our fellow citizens who are in the same boat as the Sicilianos? Just a thought...
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/government-shutdown-2018-philadelphia-federal-detention-center-employee-interview/
Rest assured, readers, Your Crusading Blogger has no desire to participate in the nauseating in(s)anity. Instead, I have found some good news from the DMZ between the rock and the hard place.
New Jersey resident and Philadelphia corrections officer John Siciliano told CBS News last week he hasn't gotten a paycheck since December 29. "I'm going to work everyday, and I'm not getting paid...scared because we never miss any payments and I'm angry at the bank because there's just no give."
What a difference a day makes.
Since that report, it was announced that several thousands of dollars have been raised to help the Siciliano family. The same article lists some Oklahoma City residents, Coast Guard employees in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and government employees in Washington, DC, as beneficiaries of the kindness and generosity of fellow Americans.
The message this blogger is receiving, and wants to pass on here is this: it may seem like this whole country has gone crazy, but hey, folks, hey, world!
America is still America underneath!
And a big thank you to some Canadian air traffic controllers, who also got in on the act.
Now this blogger wonders, since the the GoFundMe for the "Trump Wall" is no more, perhaps we could find a way to similarly Crowd Fund more of our fellow citizens who are in the same boat as the Sicilianos? Just a thought...
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/government-shutdown-2018-philadelphia-federal-detention-center-employee-interview/
Friday, January 11, 2019
Over-Egg The Pudding Much?
A Call-Out to those whom the shoe might fit.
Jeremy Kappell, meteorologist for WHEC-TV, Rochester, New York's NBC affiliate, was fired Sunday for inserting the word "coon" into the name Martin Luther King, Jr. while giving a weather report Friday.
Over the weekend, videos of Kappell's broadcast circulated on Facebook and YouTube, and WHEC conducted an "internal investigation and internal discussion" on Sunday, announced Kappell's firing Monday, earning along the way a lot of criticism for what many perceived as unnecessary delay doing so.
Folks, Your Crusading Blogger has no desire to make a big production here, so I will cut to the chase. Here is the video, you decide. Jeremy Kappell claims he jumbled his words. Do you believe him?
Here is what I believe. I believe we are in a season of profound and very quick societal change. Much of this change is necessary and a long time coming. The speed of this change is dizzying. One element pushing, cheering the change on, and a push-back from the "Old Guard". To many of us, even those who see the need for a lot of the changes, sometimes it feels like the whole world has gone crazy. It is going to take some time for our society to settle in to some sense of equilibrium again.
I believe, if we are to get to this place of balance as quickly and painlessly as possible, it is important that we do not see offense and offenders around every corner. "Over-egging the pudding" is a British term meaning to spoil something by trying too hard to improve it. (Never heard that term? Well, then maybe you'll understand Jeremy Kappell claiming he didn't know "coon" was used as a racial slur. Neither would I, had I not watched All In The Family as an adult and heard Archie Bunker use the term. All the racists I knew as a child had another epithet they used, and it began with the letter n). Whenever we are making societal changes, especially such swift and sweeping ones, shouldn't we remember that perfect is the enemy of good?
It seems to me we need, in these troubled times, to cut each other some slack. I believe we may all be collectively suffering from a little too much cortisol (stress hormone), making us a little edgy, and a little more likely to jump to conclusions and overreact.
I believe Jeremy when he says he jumbled some words. I have no doubt that if this man has ever had a racist word to say, the social media detectives among us will sniff it out, old acquaintances will come out of the woodwork to enlighten and condemn. I do not know this man; I do not know his heart. I do know a little about news broadcasts, and I seem to remember that each portion of each segment is under a time crunch. Meaning you only have x amount of time to deliver your portion, and you do not want to go over your allotted time. You are hurrying to spit out a lot of information in a short time; it is easy to get your tongue tangled.
Who out there has not been afflicted with tripped, transposed and conflated syntax? I remember at age 8, being outside playing, talking to my dog. My mother was less than ten feet away in the kitchen with one ear on my verbal meanderings, when I attempted to ask my dog, "Isn't it a shame?" or " Isn't it a pity?" Only it came out, "Isn't it a sh*tty?" If my mother was like some folks out there, I'd have been sent to bed without supper.
I pray Jeremy Kappell will find a new and better opportunity when the time is right.
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/01/rochester-weatherman-fired-mlk-
slur.html
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uC66TZxfSEw&feature=youtu.be#
Jeremy Kappell, meteorologist for WHEC-TV, Rochester, New York's NBC affiliate, was fired Sunday for inserting the word "coon" into the name Martin Luther King, Jr. while giving a weather report Friday.
Over the weekend, videos of Kappell's broadcast circulated on Facebook and YouTube, and WHEC conducted an "internal investigation and internal discussion" on Sunday, announced Kappell's firing Monday, earning along the way a lot of criticism for what many perceived as unnecessary delay doing so.
Folks, Your Crusading Blogger has no desire to make a big production here, so I will cut to the chase. Here is the video, you decide. Jeremy Kappell claims he jumbled his words. Do you believe him?
Here is what I believe. I believe we are in a season of profound and very quick societal change. Much of this change is necessary and a long time coming. The speed of this change is dizzying. One element pushing, cheering the change on, and a push-back from the "Old Guard". To many of us, even those who see the need for a lot of the changes, sometimes it feels like the whole world has gone crazy. It is going to take some time for our society to settle in to some sense of equilibrium again.
I believe, if we are to get to this place of balance as quickly and painlessly as possible, it is important that we do not see offense and offenders around every corner. "Over-egging the pudding" is a British term meaning to spoil something by trying too hard to improve it. (Never heard that term? Well, then maybe you'll understand Jeremy Kappell claiming he didn't know "coon" was used as a racial slur. Neither would I, had I not watched All In The Family as an adult and heard Archie Bunker use the term. All the racists I knew as a child had another epithet they used, and it began with the letter n). Whenever we are making societal changes, especially such swift and sweeping ones, shouldn't we remember that perfect is the enemy of good?
It seems to me we need, in these troubled times, to cut each other some slack. I believe we may all be collectively suffering from a little too much cortisol (stress hormone), making us a little edgy, and a little more likely to jump to conclusions and overreact.
I believe Jeremy when he says he jumbled some words. I have no doubt that if this man has ever had a racist word to say, the social media detectives among us will sniff it out, old acquaintances will come out of the woodwork to enlighten and condemn. I do not know this man; I do not know his heart. I do know a little about news broadcasts, and I seem to remember that each portion of each segment is under a time crunch. Meaning you only have x amount of time to deliver your portion, and you do not want to go over your allotted time. You are hurrying to spit out a lot of information in a short time; it is easy to get your tongue tangled.
Who out there has not been afflicted with tripped, transposed and conflated syntax? I remember at age 8, being outside playing, talking to my dog. My mother was less than ten feet away in the kitchen with one ear on my verbal meanderings, when I attempted to ask my dog, "Isn't it a shame?" or " Isn't it a pity?" Only it came out, "Isn't it a sh*tty?" If my mother was like some folks out there, I'd have been sent to bed without supper.
I pray Jeremy Kappell will find a new and better opportunity when the time is right.
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/01/rochester-weatherman-fired-mlk-
slur.html
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uC66TZxfSEw&feature=youtu.be#
Friday, January 4, 2019
Lady Byng Candidate?
It's hard being a superstar. It's hard being the captain of an NHL team. To be an elite player, and to continue playing at that level on the other side of 30, very difficult.
It's gotta be complicated to be Sidney Crosby.
And it sucks to be sent to the penalty box, especially when you're whupping up on the other team but good. And so then imagine, you're this superstar, sitting in the penalty box, waiting for your incarceration to be over so you can get back onto the ice and inflict more punishment on the other team, in this case the New York Rangers, when all of a sudden, you hear:
"Hey, Crosby, you were voted third toughest Canadian, behind Celine Dion, and a close second to Avril Lavigne!"
Speaking? Rangers fan Nick Lipeika, apparently a heckler of some note. He continued his witticisms for Crosby's entire detention, par for Lipeika's course.
Seriously, dude?
How does one respond, if one is Sidney Crosby?
"Man, I'd slash that dude if I was Sid," Your Crusading Blogger grumbled, only half in jest, to her sidekick, Christine.
"Bet he gives him an autographed stick," smirked Christine.
Can somebody tell me why she's always right?
So, every year, the Professional Hockey Writers Association chooses a candidate to receive its Lady Byng Trophy given to the hockey player who is "adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability."
Yes, I know the young Crosby had the reputation of a whiner and a diver. But he was team captain by his third year in the NHL, a nod from the Pittsburgh Penguins to Crosby's work ethic and good example, not to mention his amazing ability. This player does things on the ice nobody has ever done, the likes of which we will probably never see again. I don't know if his conduct with other players qualifies him for the Lady Byng Trophy.
But his reward to a "chirper" should.
https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2019/01/03/sidney-crosby-autographed-stick-rangers-fan-chirping/
It's gotta be complicated to be Sidney Crosby.
And it sucks to be sent to the penalty box, especially when you're whupping up on the other team but good. And so then imagine, you're this superstar, sitting in the penalty box, waiting for your incarceration to be over so you can get back onto the ice and inflict more punishment on the other team, in this case the New York Rangers, when all of a sudden, you hear:
"Hey, Crosby, you were voted third toughest Canadian, behind Celine Dion, and a close second to Avril Lavigne!"
Speaking? Rangers fan Nick Lipeika, apparently a heckler of some note. He continued his witticisms for Crosby's entire detention, par for Lipeika's course.
Seriously, dude?
How does one respond, if one is Sidney Crosby?
"Man, I'd slash that dude if I was Sid," Your Crusading Blogger grumbled, only half in jest, to her sidekick, Christine.
"Bet he gives him an autographed stick," smirked Christine.
Can somebody tell me why she's always right?
So, every year, the Professional Hockey Writers Association chooses a candidate to receive its Lady Byng Trophy given to the hockey player who is "adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability."
Yes, I know the young Crosby had the reputation of a whiner and a diver. But he was team captain by his third year in the NHL, a nod from the Pittsburgh Penguins to Crosby's work ethic and good example, not to mention his amazing ability. This player does things on the ice nobody has ever done, the likes of which we will probably never see again. I don't know if his conduct with other players qualifies him for the Lady Byng Trophy.
But his reward to a "chirper" should.
https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2019/01/03/sidney-crosby-autographed-stick-rangers-fan-chirping/
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