Once again, St. Louis Cardinals' baseball ownership shows its ass and colors...their Ass is greedy and their color is 'green,' i.e., money.
St. Louis MLB ownership passed on any attempt to improve their National League Central Division first place team doing NOTHING before the trade deadline. Baseball Heaven ownership speaks loudly: 1) We intend not to award our team members efforts and 2) We shall snicker at Cardinal's Nation and extrodinary fan loyalty.
Meanwhile, DeWitt, Jr. may need a city tax break soon to build an annex onto Ball Park Village and it would be nice for the city to wave an ordinance allowing pipelines to deliver InBev brew products to the the Ball Park complex without truck deliveries.
Oh for those good old days of Auggie, Jr.
Wednesday, July 31, 2019
Talks Too Much
Recently, we have heard suggestions that the city of Baltimore, Maryland is one of the most corrupt cities in America. Hearing this claim, I did my best to research and verify. I found listings from 5-to 15 corrupt cities in America. Baltimore appears on many lists but not all lists.
Here is a composite listing of America's most corrupt cities: Las Vegas, Wichita, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Detroit, Newark, Los Angeles, Richmond, Miami, Houston, Cleveland, Baltimore and (believe it or not) Washington D.C. (Note: Washington D. C appears number one on some lists).
Now, when you examine the most 'dangerous' American cities, you'll notice that Detroit, Cleveland and (you guessed), Baltimore again made the list. That complete 'dangerous-city' list comes close to home: St. Louis, MO., Rockford, IL., Kansas City, Mo., Springfield, Mo. and Milwaukee, WI.
Add these: Albuquerque, Indianapolis, Stockton and Oakland.
If you add the population figures of these corrupt and most dangerous cities you will tally approximately 29-million people. America's total population is approximately 330-million. Since some elected leaders enjoy throwing negative terms about when defining people and places, it's natural for many to wonder what is the total combined figure of corrupt and dangerous cities added together? Finally, what total number meets the threshold qualifying America as a 'shit hole' country? And if somebody points that out will they have to leave the country?
(Touch)
Talk Too Much
Here is a composite listing of America's most corrupt cities: Las Vegas, Wichita, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Detroit, Newark, Los Angeles, Richmond, Miami, Houston, Cleveland, Baltimore and (believe it or not) Washington D.C. (Note: Washington D. C appears number one on some lists).
Now, when you examine the most 'dangerous' American cities, you'll notice that Detroit, Cleveland and (you guessed), Baltimore again made the list. That complete 'dangerous-city' list comes close to home: St. Louis, MO., Rockford, IL., Kansas City, Mo., Springfield, Mo. and Milwaukee, WI.
Add these: Albuquerque, Indianapolis, Stockton and Oakland.
If you add the population figures of these corrupt and most dangerous cities you will tally approximately 29-million people. America's total population is approximately 330-million. Since some elected leaders enjoy throwing negative terms about when defining people and places, it's natural for many to wonder what is the total combined figure of corrupt and dangerous cities added together? Finally, what total number meets the threshold qualifying America as a 'shit hole' country? And if somebody points that out will they have to leave the country?
(Touch)
Talk Too Much
Monday, July 29, 2019
Sorry For The Mess, Kids
I remember many men of my father's generation who would espouse the belief simply stated, 'I want my children to have a better life than did I.' When I heard my dad speak those words and this day consider those words, I cannot 'see' that I had such a bad life growing up in the 1940's and 1950's, in fact I had a wonderful youth.
As I now look at the kind of 'life' I shall be leaving to my children, especially 15-grandchildren and three great grandchildren ( to date), I and others of my generation dropped the ball. We failed the two if not all three generations following and I'm sorry and saddened.
My grandkids cannot safely ride their bikes across town in their respective communities. They are required to practice 'active-shooter-drills' in our once safe school classrooms. Holiday shopping at local malls is problematic as is eating out, attending concerts, attending a house of worship or the County Fair and Food Festivals.
Those who follow must hope they can find survival solutions for my generation's indifferent attitude towards our national debt, global warming, gun violence and racial divisiveness.
Instead of making a 'better life' for my grandchildren's' generation, I was part of effort to make 'life easier.' I helped create the now well entrenched attitude that there is instant gratification and solutions. Just push a button, grab a remote or take a pill and all your problems go away. We sold out on our youth in many ways. Childhood obesity is at an all time high and all the Heath problems which follow will cause my grandkids and great-grandkids to be more a more concerned about pharmaceutical costs and health insurance co-payments.
I apologize kids. I truly do.
Ps. I'm also sorry my generation didn't do a better job calling out bad public behavior and manners; especially amongst our clergy and elected leaders.
As I now look at the kind of 'life' I shall be leaving to my children, especially 15-grandchildren and three great grandchildren ( to date), I and others of my generation dropped the ball. We failed the two if not all three generations following and I'm sorry and saddened.
My grandkids cannot safely ride their bikes across town in their respective communities. They are required to practice 'active-shooter-drills' in our once safe school classrooms. Holiday shopping at local malls is problematic as is eating out, attending concerts, attending a house of worship or the County Fair and Food Festivals.
Those who follow must hope they can find survival solutions for my generation's indifferent attitude towards our national debt, global warming, gun violence and racial divisiveness.
Instead of making a 'better life' for my grandchildren's' generation, I was part of effort to make 'life easier.' I helped create the now well entrenched attitude that there is instant gratification and solutions. Just push a button, grab a remote or take a pill and all your problems go away. We sold out on our youth in many ways. Childhood obesity is at an all time high and all the Heath problems which follow will cause my grandkids and great-grandkids to be more a more concerned about pharmaceutical costs and health insurance co-payments.
I apologize kids. I truly do.
Ps. I'm also sorry my generation didn't do a better job calling out bad public behavior and manners; especially amongst our clergy and elected leaders.
Tuesday, July 23, 2019
Easy Come Easily Dismissed
Thirty-to-forty percent of the food produced in America is wasted; not consumed. This suggests that mothers no longer tell their children to, "Clean your plate, there's kids starving in China." Then again the answer to America's propensity to not eat all their food at meal time was expressed by my father some seventy years ago. My mother had prepared a dish of liver &'onions for our family supper. My dad seemed to enjoy each bite while I struggled even with the smell much less the taste. Finally, in frustration and curiosity I said to my father, "Do you like that stuff?" Dad looked at me puzzled and spoke, "Boy, you've never been hungry." He was correct. I had never stood in a soup line nor opened a tin of Tuna in a World War II fox hole.
I grew up more often with a belly full of foods of choice and with the options of refusal with substitutions nearby. That said, more so is the case with my children and grandchildren. Actually, the biggest change is we no longer leave foods mother prepared on our plates but walk away from restaurant tables unconcerned about our next meal...and the next...and the next.
Today's America 'land of plenty' is observed in many areas. I am amused and yet still shocked seeing the blase' attitude regarding a 'baseball.' I played that game competitively from age 10-to-22.
The years spanned 1950-to-1962. Those baseball years could be characterized as "3-ball-games." The home team provided two brand new baseballs to the starting pitchers for warm up purpose and gave the umpire one additional baseball. Those '3' baseballs were the only baseballs to be used during a high school seven inning game. Near game's end those 3-baseballs were dirty and scuffed to the hurlers' delight who could make a scuffed baseball do more. The moral to the story? Baseball's didn't grown on trees. Today, I notice baseball's tossed from major league games if the pitcher throws a ball that touches the ground. Some research suggests that approximately 100 baseballs are used in an average MLB 9-inning games. Thirty major league teams each play 162-games; you do the math. WOW! I remember those years playing sandlot baseball with my 12-year old buddies when we often times finished games with a broken bat held together with a screw and tape and a baseball with the cover stitches coming apart.
One thing for sure...there is no beer left in bottles at MLB games nor do you see uneaten hot dogs.
At Wrigley Field's 'friendly confines' a Cubbies' fan will spend a total of $16.00 for a beer and hot dog. Why, even a North Side yuppie knows there's a kid in Japan hungry for a $7.00 hot dog.
I grew up more often with a belly full of foods of choice and with the options of refusal with substitutions nearby. That said, more so is the case with my children and grandchildren. Actually, the biggest change is we no longer leave foods mother prepared on our plates but walk away from restaurant tables unconcerned about our next meal...and the next...and the next.
Today's America 'land of plenty' is observed in many areas. I am amused and yet still shocked seeing the blase' attitude regarding a 'baseball.' I played that game competitively from age 10-to-22.
The years spanned 1950-to-1962. Those baseball years could be characterized as "3-ball-games." The home team provided two brand new baseballs to the starting pitchers for warm up purpose and gave the umpire one additional baseball. Those '3' baseballs were the only baseballs to be used during a high school seven inning game. Near game's end those 3-baseballs were dirty and scuffed to the hurlers' delight who could make a scuffed baseball do more. The moral to the story? Baseball's didn't grown on trees. Today, I notice baseball's tossed from major league games if the pitcher throws a ball that touches the ground. Some research suggests that approximately 100 baseballs are used in an average MLB 9-inning games. Thirty major league teams each play 162-games; you do the math. WOW! I remember those years playing sandlot baseball with my 12-year old buddies when we often times finished games with a broken bat held together with a screw and tape and a baseball with the cover stitches coming apart.
One thing for sure...there is no beer left in bottles at MLB games nor do you see uneaten hot dogs.
At Wrigley Field's 'friendly confines' a Cubbies' fan will spend a total of $16.00 for a beer and hot dog. Why, even a North Side yuppie knows there's a kid in Japan hungry for a $7.00 hot dog.
Sunday, July 21, 2019
Oldsters Staying In-Touch
I had not talked to him for sometime so I telephoned. Now 'him' is my former roommate/teammate at Illinois State University in the late 1950's and before that my Southwestern Conference high school basketball adversary, Kenneth 'Buzz' Shaw. Buzz and I first met as high school competitors. I played basketball for the East St. Louis 'Flyers' while Buzz played for the Edwardsville 'Tigers.' The Year was 1955-56, our junior seasons. That year Edwardsville lost the IHSA Basketball State Title game to Rockford West. Two of Shaw's Edwardsville teammates would later be the first African-Americans to start for the University of Illinois. I refer to Governor Vaughn and Mannie Jackson, who later owned the Harlem Globetrotters. Actually, U. Of I. Coach Harry Combes had a deep connection in the 1950's with East St. Louis and Edwardsville. In the early '50's sharpshooter, Billy Altenberger (East St. Louis) wore the Illini colors and towards the end of the decade, the U. Of I. public announcer would call out three Orange & Blue starters who hailed from Edwardsville, Don Ohl, Gov Vaughn and Mannie Jackson. Billy Altenberger was later an attorney and judge living in Peoria, Illinois whose son played high school basketball at Richwoods. Yes, Doug Altenberger followed his dad's pathway to the Fighting Illini round ball program.
Shaw and I were recruited by ISU coaches Jim Collie ( Basketball) and I was also tabbed by baseball coach Harold Frey. Shaw made his mark on the hardwoods while my greater successes came on the diamond. We roomed together two years and later I was Best Man in Buzz and Mary Ann's wedding. Buzz taught and coached lower-level high school basketball for a few years but was destined for higher education administration. He would later serve SIUC/SIUE as President/Chancellor, Wisconsin University as Chancellor and conclude with a 17-year stint as Chancellor of Syracuse University. My wife, Gerry and Buzz and Mary Ann have stayed 'in-touch through the years and now find more visiting time to visit in these 'glide'myears. Okay, back to the telephone call.
When Shaw picked up his telephone that afternoon, I immediately realized that I had inadvertently 'face-timed' my friend. I say inadvertently because those who know me know well that if anything has more moving parts than a watermelon, I'm screwed. The one person I know who is less manually capable than I is the guy whose face is now staring at mine.
The conversation...
Buzz: "Who is that I'm seeing in my phone?"
Mel: "It's me, Roustio."
Buzz: "How'd that happen?"
Mel: "I have no idea."
Buzz: "Damn, you look old."
Mel: "I know, it's scary at this end, too."
We continued for the better part of an hour discussing things that people who look as old as us discuss. Aches & pains, kids & grandkids, politics and the state of education, which certainly connects to today's politics more than at any other time in our nation's history.
Having solved at least a third of the nation's issues,we agreed on two things: 1) We would both attempt to research the logic behind our government leaders telling people who disagree with government policy to "leave the country" while telling people at our southern border seeking asylum "not to leave their countries." 2) We would not face-time in the future.
Shaw and I were recruited by ISU coaches Jim Collie ( Basketball) and I was also tabbed by baseball coach Harold Frey. Shaw made his mark on the hardwoods while my greater successes came on the diamond. We roomed together two years and later I was Best Man in Buzz and Mary Ann's wedding. Buzz taught and coached lower-level high school basketball for a few years but was destined for higher education administration. He would later serve SIUC/SIUE as President/Chancellor, Wisconsin University as Chancellor and conclude with a 17-year stint as Chancellor of Syracuse University. My wife, Gerry and Buzz and Mary Ann have stayed 'in-touch through the years and now find more visiting time to visit in these 'glide'myears. Okay, back to the telephone call.
When Shaw picked up his telephone that afternoon, I immediately realized that I had inadvertently 'face-timed' my friend. I say inadvertently because those who know me know well that if anything has more moving parts than a watermelon, I'm screwed. The one person I know who is less manually capable than I is the guy whose face is now staring at mine.
The conversation...
Buzz: "Who is that I'm seeing in my phone?"
Mel: "It's me, Roustio."
Buzz: "How'd that happen?"
Mel: "I have no idea."
Buzz: "Damn, you look old."
Mel: "I know, it's scary at this end, too."
We continued for the better part of an hour discussing things that people who look as old as us discuss. Aches & pains, kids & grandkids, politics and the state of education, which certainly connects to today's politics more than at any other time in our nation's history.
Having solved at least a third of the nation's issues,we agreed on two things: 1) We would both attempt to research the logic behind our government leaders telling people who disagree with government policy to "leave the country" while telling people at our southern border seeking asylum "not to leave their countries." 2) We would not face-time in the future.
Saturday, July 20, 2019
Calling Out Hate
I hear-tell and I recollect...
I've read in books and heard stories that black folks from Africa were once slaves in my country. I've also read reports in history books that blacks were once considered 3/4 human. Later in our nation's history those black people were freed from indentured servitude and permitted rights equal to all countrymen.
However, growing up in my America's Mid-West, I observed and witnessed how those black folks from Africa and other folks of color were treated and viewed by my white brothers and sisters. And it wasn't just folks of color who were looked upon with a wary-eye but those who spoke a different language other than English were also viewed with suspicion.
Know that those white people were good people. Hard working people. Patriotic people. And some seeking a walk with a Savior called Christ. In spite of these aforementioned noble qualities, many of those people embraced attitudes of prejudice towards folks of color, folks with a different language and culture. Ignorance and fear heightened their prejudices. Make no mistake these fears and attitudes of suspicion cuts both ways. (Today, many African-Americans hold those hateful prejudice feelings towards whites, which makes them equally ignorant). That said, white people in the 1940-'50's, ' and even today held/hold the upper hand of civic power.
Today, our President has told people of color to "Go Back Home." He has suggested folks of color are from "shit-hole Countries." This rhetoric resonates with the fearful ignorant. Why? Because many of these people grew up in environments similar to mine. Black women could come into our white neighborhoods to do domestic work but must leave before sundown. Colored folks must ride in the back of the bus. The black men must stay away from white neighborhoods. The band of Gypsies will steal from you. The Jews will cheat you. The Irish are dirty people. Oh, my Lord do I dare go down the road of religious prejudices stoked by ignorant myths? I heard those slang words for Blacks, Italians, Irish, Polish and Puerto Rican's.
As a young boy of 16-17, I never could understand how on the one hand so many talked Jesus but ignored His message. Is it personal with me? Damn right it's personal. I coached high school basketball for 37-years in five very passionate basketball communities. Three of those communities saw many Blacks playing significant roles in our program efforts. Understand that yours truly never hid from anything or anybody. My telephone number was always publicly printed. Call me if you wish to talk. There was a number of times I received late night calls and voice would say, "Roustio, you're a nig^#r lover!" I remember once when a school administrator warned me that I should think twice about hosting players in my home when my wife prepared pre-game meals..."Those people might steal stuff," I was told. Really? Are you kidding me?! "Those people" were my players. Black/White, they were my guys; they were like sons to my wife and I. How dare you slander them and insult me.
As long as this President spews his bigoted hatred, I will speak out. And I will never understand those who believe in the fundamental principles of our democracy and/or those who proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord can remain silent.
The worst thing that can be said to an American of color other than being called a name is to be told, "Go back where you came from," when in fact they are American. Shameful!
I've read in books and heard stories that black folks from Africa were once slaves in my country. I've also read reports in history books that blacks were once considered 3/4 human. Later in our nation's history those black people were freed from indentured servitude and permitted rights equal to all countrymen.
However, growing up in my America's Mid-West, I observed and witnessed how those black folks from Africa and other folks of color were treated and viewed by my white brothers and sisters. And it wasn't just folks of color who were looked upon with a wary-eye but those who spoke a different language other than English were also viewed with suspicion.
Know that those white people were good people. Hard working people. Patriotic people. And some seeking a walk with a Savior called Christ. In spite of these aforementioned noble qualities, many of those people embraced attitudes of prejudice towards folks of color, folks with a different language and culture. Ignorance and fear heightened their prejudices. Make no mistake these fears and attitudes of suspicion cuts both ways. (Today, many African-Americans hold those hateful prejudice feelings towards whites, which makes them equally ignorant). That said, white people in the 1940-'50's, ' and even today held/hold the upper hand of civic power.
Today, our President has told people of color to "Go Back Home." He has suggested folks of color are from "shit-hole Countries." This rhetoric resonates with the fearful ignorant. Why? Because many of these people grew up in environments similar to mine. Black women could come into our white neighborhoods to do domestic work but must leave before sundown. Colored folks must ride in the back of the bus. The black men must stay away from white neighborhoods. The band of Gypsies will steal from you. The Jews will cheat you. The Irish are dirty people. Oh, my Lord do I dare go down the road of religious prejudices stoked by ignorant myths? I heard those slang words for Blacks, Italians, Irish, Polish and Puerto Rican's.
As a young boy of 16-17, I never could understand how on the one hand so many talked Jesus but ignored His message. Is it personal with me? Damn right it's personal. I coached high school basketball for 37-years in five very passionate basketball communities. Three of those communities saw many Blacks playing significant roles in our program efforts. Understand that yours truly never hid from anything or anybody. My telephone number was always publicly printed. Call me if you wish to talk. There was a number of times I received late night calls and voice would say, "Roustio, you're a nig^#r lover!" I remember once when a school administrator warned me that I should think twice about hosting players in my home when my wife prepared pre-game meals..."Those people might steal stuff," I was told. Really? Are you kidding me?! "Those people" were my players. Black/White, they were my guys; they were like sons to my wife and I. How dare you slander them and insult me.
As long as this President spews his bigoted hatred, I will speak out. And I will never understand those who believe in the fundamental principles of our democracy and/or those who proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord can remain silent.
The worst thing that can be said to an American of color other than being called a name is to be told, "Go back where you came from," when in fact they are American. Shameful!
Friday, July 19, 2019
Their Silence is Deafening
The President of the United States gets a pass for telling dark-skinned female congress-people to go back to countries of their origin because they criticized American policy or this President. Not only does Republican Congress-people ignore these racist comments, which is a kin to calling nations of color "shit hole Countries," but we hear people of Trump's base applaude his rhetoric and chat his slogan.
I can guarantee you that should any of those people in Trump's audience have a police officer tell one of their family members of a certain ethic origin to 'go back to their original country' that person would demand the officer's badge. If a public school teacher told a student of color to 'go back home' that teacher would be fired. Starbucks told a couple of black gentlemen waiting in their restaraunt for a friend to 'leave' and the crap hit the fan. Seems there's two standards of ethics today in our beloved country...one standard for all citizens and another for a sick mad man in the White House.
The President of our Christian nation gets a pass even from the Evangelicals...those people proclaiming the teachings of Jesus Christ...that fella who told us to "Love one another as I have loved you."
S'up, Franklin?
I can guarantee you that should any of those people in Trump's audience have a police officer tell one of their family members of a certain ethic origin to 'go back to their original country' that person would demand the officer's badge. If a public school teacher told a student of color to 'go back home' that teacher would be fired. Starbucks told a couple of black gentlemen waiting in their restaraunt for a friend to 'leave' and the crap hit the fan. Seems there's two standards of ethics today in our beloved country...one standard for all citizens and another for a sick mad man in the White House.
The President of our Christian nation gets a pass even from the Evangelicals...those people proclaiming the teachings of Jesus Christ...that fella who told us to "Love one another as I have loved you."
S'up, Franklin?
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