The Name Game

I believe I've mentioned in previous blogs that I am fond of 'nicknames.' Growing up in 1940's 1950's East St. Louis most everybody had a nickname-handle. There was Lumpy, Poochie, Pud, Stump,
Ping-Pong, Frog, Shimmy, Welder-Brain and yours truly, Moe. I have 15-grandchildren and I've given each a nickname. Some like their nickname and some don't.

Many of our sports' notables have had nicknames: There was 'The Babe,' The Splendid Splinter, The Man, Broadway Joe, Ducky, PeeWee, Scooter and The Big 'O.'

Throughout America's history many of our Presidents were given nicknames: Thomas 'Monticello Sage' Jefferson, Andrew 'Jackass' Jackson, (which became the Democrat Party's symbol), 'Honest' Abe Lincoln, 'Tricky Dick' Nixon and 'Slick Willie' Clinton.

It's time to settle on a nickname for the current White House occupant, Donald J. Trump. Here are just a few to consider:
Cheeto Chief, The Mad Creamsicle, Captain Choas, Cadet Bone Spurs, Orange Julius, Carrot Demon,  Creep Throat, Dishonest Don and my favorite, Trumplethinskin.

Perhaps you have another favorite. And remember, we already have a Russian reference:
                                                         'Moscow Mitch.'
(Touch)
Give That Man a Name!

And This Is America?

When I was a public school age kid, I remember the students practicing fire drills. In the last fifty years there has been zero school deaths from fires. In 1949, we began practicing 'Duck & Cover Drills' as we welcomed in the nuclear bomb era. Zero American kids have been killed by an atomic bomb dropped near their school.

Since the turn of the 21st century (2000), 292 school children have been killed at school and 439 kids have suffered gun shot wounds by home grown mass murdering terrorists and most of those killers were white guys. I suppose this is why the little elementary girl going to her new school was crying uncontrollably saying, "But Mommy, I don't know where I'm suppose to hide from the shooting guy!"

Our babies must practice "active shooter" drills in the land of the free and home of the brave while our US Senators pretend to be Patriots and our President wants to spend billions of dollars on a wall to keep brown skin people out of our country. American parents are fools to allow this to be their child's normalcy!

In his first inaugural address, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, sensing the public's uncertainty and panic over the Great Depression told the country, "The only thing to fear is fear itself." In our 21st century America, I say "The only thing to fear is one another everywhere we go."

Que Paso, Kiddos

I believe it was about nine to ten years ago, America's school districts began having the debate about removing those sugar-laced vending machines from schools hoping to increase the likelihood of students opting for a cafeteria lunch of fish-sticks and tater-tots over a Snickers and Pepsi. Many school districts made the move and gave up financial kickbacks from soft drink/candy companies as they hauled away those evil sugar-high machines.

Today there is a new debate smoldering in Illinois as the citizenry prepares to embrace the legalization of recreational marijuana. That's right, some city council meetings are noticing sides chosen over the question regarding placing pot vending machines in the public square and once in the public square how far behind is the school pot machine in the All-purpose room?

I believe there is reason to be optimistic folks. Stop and consider: marijuana contains the ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol, which causes the 'high' when used and also stimulates the appetite. Yep, first comes the buzz and then comes the munchies. And not any foods will suffice. The palate desires sugar and carbohydrates. Once those pot vending machines are in the high school the return of those candy/pop vending offerings must follow.

The good news from all this will be the school's  'financial-windfall.' No longer will the junior class need to have sock hops and those lame money-making events, i.e. car washes to raise money to send the class ahead of them on a Senior Trip to Washington D.C.  No sir! The Senior Class can head to Aruba for some real fun!

Apples & Oranges

It would seem that every time there is a mass home-grown terrorist shooting resulting in multiple fatalities some gun-lovin' right-winger attempts to rationalize the horrendous event by offering the lame comparison of the plethora of inner-city murders in Chicago. The notion that the two gun events are similar is ludicrous.

Most inner-city gun shootings resulting in murder is Black-on-Black killings either motivated by gangs settling scores or drug-money issues. It would appear that inner city young Blacks kill for foolish pride or money while the large number of White guys shooting people of color, different faiths or ideologies has become a contagious sick copycat sport shared by angry bigots.

The other lame rationale regarding mass shootings is found with laying blame at the feet of 'mental illness.' Since it is well-documented that 22%-to-25% of mass shootings in America is traced to mental illness then let's be passionate about re-building State Mental Hospitals, which were closed by that great communicator, Ronnie Reagan. Then we can continue to fight the made-in-hell partnership of the GOP and NRA on gun control issues.

Labor Day Jeopardy Question

JEOPARDY QUESTION: This individual would like the United States to purchase Greenland, never heard of a category '5' hurricane and believes Alabama is an Atlantic coastal State.

WHO IS-__________________________________________________

More Ain't Better, Bubba

I am not wise enough to offer a solution to the escalating gun violence and mass killings in America. I am however smart enough to expose the falseness and hollowness behind the myth that 'more' guns in the hands of Americans somehow makes our society safer. That's simply incorrect and in fact, stupid logic. More is NOT better. More speed (55-to-70 mph) might get you to your destination faster but there is an 8% increased chance of you having an accident and should you have an accident there is a 24% greater likelihood that the accident will produce a fatality.

If more weapons make a society safer then what's the big deal concerning Iran and North Korea developing a nuclear weapon...would that not make our world safer. The more the better!

Of course on a personal note, the only time I've ever noticed 'more' being better was my baseball team was scoring more runs when I was pitching and after the game there was 'more' Tapioca pudding at the Sinorak Smorgasboard in Bloomington, Illinois.

Stranger in this Land

Change happens; some for the benefit and good of mankind while some to the detriment of a society. In my lifetime, I've noticed some terrific developments, inventions and progress, which has positively impacted generations before and after my crowd. There have been numerous medical advancements that improve and extend life. Scientific technology continues to result in the positive domino effect.

On a personal note, I no longer need to stop four or five times to ask directions when traveling across country. Nope, I simply type an address into my auto's navigation system and some female voice guides this direction-challenged individual through a maze of highways to the doorstep of my destination. Oh, and I don't need to roll-down my auto window to give arm-signals indicating which way I'm turning...'How 'bout that vacation fans?!'

With all the good changes occurring during my journey, I must pause and consider a downside in America's 21st Century culture. Whereas technology seemingly has given us great advantages, we seem hell-bent to continue a downward spiral of social mores leading to destructive behavior. 

My grandkids can't ride a bike across town for fear of abduction. Adults in positions of leadership and moral authority, i.e., teachers and clergy are no longer viewed as certain safe havens but perhaps something to the contrary. 

  

Here's a few other noted changes:    

 1. I notice folks dress down these days more than dressing 'up.' 

 2. Vulgar expressions and cursing is common in the public square.

 3. Over-indulgence is the rule with both food and alcohol. Moderation is blasé' 

 4. Many Americans claim a religious faith while fewer attend a worship place.

 5. More and more youngsters are crippled by over-protective parents living vicariously through their 

     children. Not only do parents want the teacher or coach to be fired if their child is not highlighted

     but they will buy alcohol for underage children for the Homecoming Party and cheat to get them 

     into prestigious universities. ( I've documented both).

 6. The open expressions of hateful bigotry is now in the light of day. 

 7. Due to the thirst for money and power, our nation is incapable of addressing the escalating gun 

     violence resulting in a society that lives in fear, suspicion and distrustfulness.
 8. Our neighbors no longer read, research or investigate in order to understand or conclude, but
     gather information from comments posted on questionable Internet sites just as long as the
     information 'fits' a predetermined attitude embraced by a closed mind.
 9. Today, our countrymen debate 'truth;' wrap your mind around that thought!
10 Never did I think that in America the day would come when mud-slides, wildfires, global
     warming, foreign terror-attack, tornadoes, hurricanes and earthquakes would be ALMOST as
     frightening as a domestic mass shooter showing up at my grandchild's school picnic.

I suspect others from my generation may feel as I do; 'A stranger in paradise.