News, Entertainment, Enlightenment
Paul Gauguin Panama Canal — The painter Paul Gauguin was a laborer on the Panama Canal — the unsuccessful French one.
He was arrested for urinating in public in Panama City and marched at gunpoint to the courthouse where he was made to pay a one piastre or about 80 cents.
He left soon after.
Matt Damon School Choice Film Screening Nov. 2 — A film concerning school choice will be aired, 7 p.m., Nov. 2 at the Bryn Mawr Church of the Redeemer, 230 Pennswood Road, Bryn Mawr, Pa. 19010. It’s called Backpack Full of Cash and will be narrated by noted Hollywood star, Harvey-Weinstein enabler and Howard Zinn fan Matt Damon.
The tagline is “Why are vouchers and school choice killers of local public schools?”
Attend if you can. As Joanne Yurchak wisely notes conversation is good.
The event is free and sponsored by Parents Across America — Suburban Philadelphia, and the Moms’ Group of Bryn Mawr Church of the Redeemer.
California has the most trailer parks. But weep not Robert James, Florida is second.
Protests Bringing NFL To Its Knees
To kneel, or not to kneel. That is the question.
It’s an issue that has become the biggest political football in NFL history, with implications so far-reaching that the league could find itself sacked for a huge loss if it doesn’t call the right play.
Kneeling during the national anthem, originally an act to protest alleged racism within the ranks of America’s police, has been met with counter-protests, from Vice President Mike Pence walking out when players knelt, to fan boycotts of games, merchandise and league sponsors.
That’s a lot of protests protesting other protests.
With both sides digging in deeper, and President Trump showing no signs of backing down from his position that protesting players should be suspended or fired, this issue will be in prime time for quite a while.
Here are some aspects being drowned out by the white noise:
1. Leave it to the Trump Administration to fumble a winning issue when it should have scored easily. Virtually every poll, official and anecdotal alike, shows a majority of Americans disapprove of NFL players kneeling during, or not appearing for, the national anthem. So what did the White House do to capitalize on that sentiment? It had the Veep very publicly storm out of a game when players took a knee. Had Mr. Pence’s action been impromptu, it would have generated significant support. But because he told the press that he would return to his motorcade shortly after entering the game – thereby demonstrating that his plan was nothing more than a calculated gimmick – his decision was roundly ridiculed. It was par for the course for an administration that can’t get out of its own way, even on issues supported by most Americans.
Political stunts don’t win hearts and minds. Genuine leadership does – a winning formula for which the White House still needs significantly better coaching.
2. Despite addressing the First Amendment/anthem issue several weeks ago, some readers continue to misinterpret a key point about freedom of expression. So to reiterate: Unequivocally, NFL players operating during work hours do not have a “right” to protest, regardless of how important they believe an issue to be. People must understand that a player’s fame and very public platform, while powerful, does not put him above the law. In other words, he must follow workplace rules in exactly the same way that employees in every other profession do. Those who disagree simply do not understand employment law.
From uniform regulations to punctuality to conduct, teams set rules. Fail to comply, and there are consequences.
Bottom line: if the NFL or individual teams allow players to protest the anthem, so be it. That is their decision, and they, as private entities, and only they, have the right to make that call. Likewise, if they choose to mandate participation, the players would have a contractual obligation to comply. Therefore, protesting the anthem (or the protest du jour) is a workplace privilege afforded to players by the team owner. But it is not a “right.”
The term “my right” has been bandied around so often – most of the time incorrectly – that it has served only to embolden an already-entitled generation to think they can do and say whatever they please while “on the clock,” with no repercussions. They can’t.
3. Former San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who initiated the anthem protest last year, filed a grievance against the NFL, alleging that owners are colluding to keep him unemployed. It is a case Kaepernick has virtually no chance of winning, because he doesn’t understand that the NFL cares about only two things: winning games and making money. Sure, Commissioner Roger Goodell likes to dabble in politically correct, social engineering issues (such as transgender bathrooms), but his primary focus is making the league and its owners as much money as possible.
Translation: Owners don’t want to pay millions to a political crusader like Kaepernick, not just because his cause is extremely divisive to fans and spills into the locker room, but more important, it doesn’t win football games. That doesn’t mean Kaepernick won’t be signed (though let’s not forget that it was he who walked away from his contract). If he is, it’ll be because a team thinks it needs his abilities, diminished as they are. But Kaepernick’s banishment to the sidelines isn’t collusion. It’s common sense by owners, and a situation entirely of his own making.
4. It’s not without irony that the Confederate flag, which has been under withering attack lately, was defeated by forces representing the Stars and Stripes. Yet now, players whose freedom and wealth directly result from Old Glory, see fit to turn their backs on it. Protesting racism in all its forms is laudable, but they are picking the worst way to do so.
5. Commissioner Goodell and some owners, just weeks after basking in attention when so many teams took a knee, have abruptly reversed course. Now, they are contemplating a rule mandating anthem participation. If they follow through, it will be the right thing for the wrong reason, since their motivation is primarily about the almighty dollar. And for good reason: ratings and attendance have been plummeting, even before the anthem controversy.
Why? Mostly because the NFL has become an inferior product. Fans are sick of “all-about-me” players dueling to perform the most insulting antic after a touchdown (such as pretending to urinate on a fire hydrant), despite their team being down by 30. Add in steroid use, drug arrests, DUIs, assaults, domestic violence, and even murders, combined with fewer children playing, and you have the recipe for a dying game.
The league has done some incredibly stupid things, but the commissioner and owners are smart enough to know that, if they don’t handle the anthem issue correctly, it could become the sack from which they can’t recover.
6. Many protesters have been using the rallying cry: “If you’re not protesting, you’re not paying attention.”
Fair enough.
So let’s talk about realities. Is there racism within some police forces? Absolutely. Is it endemic? Absolutely not, and nowhere near the levels of decades ago. But we must be honest that racism comes in all colors: white cops not liking blacks, black cops resenting whites, Hispanic cops not approving of some other ethnicities, etc. All racism should be purged, but it is critical to remember that the percentage of police officers falling into that category is extremely small, probably lower than in most other jobs.
Many protesters fail to see that their lack of credibility is tied to a narrative that changes oh-so-conveniently. If a white cop shoots a black man, he’s labeled “racist.” But if a black officer shoots a black man, he’s either a “sellout to his people” or, by default, the entire force is racist. Sorry, you can’t have it both ways.
When protests erupt after a shooting, two things are almost always true: A) the shooting was justified (and, as in Ferguson, had nothing to do with race), or B) it was questionable but legal, the result of an officer’s less-than-ideal judgment in a difficult situation. On the rare occasions when it is a bad shoot, officers rightfully face the full weight of the law.
Truth is, racism is almost never a factor in shootings because it makes no sense. Who goes on patrol with the intent to target black people, rough them up, and, when they move, blast away? No one. And that’s not just because it’s wrong, but because the price is too high: job loss; unemployability; prison time; wrecked families; and death threats. Again, that doesn’t mean the bad apples shouldn’t be removed. But focusing so much energy on “racist police” is largely a waste, as it deflects attention from more relevant issues.
Pushing for better training and procedures is one thing. But to broadly label as “racist” America’s men and women in blue, and the prosecutors who exonerate them after justified shootings, is inexcusable.
If NFL players took a knee to honor those who catch bullets instead of passes, and tackle criminals instead of millionaire players, it would be the best play call they’d ever make.
The French still use the Maginot Line, at least part of it. Ouvrage Hochwald is a hardened command center for Drachebronn Air Base.
The French actually re-manned the line after World War II — an event in which it infamously failed — and used it as originally intended until the 1960s when they developed an independent nuclear deterrent.
One of the forts was used as the set for SPECTRE headquarters in the James Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention Proposed
By Leo Knepper
On Oct. 17, Senator John Eichelberger and Representative Stephen Bloom introduced legislation to enable a limited state constitutional convention. We are proud to count Sen. Eichelberger and Rep. Bloom as CAP members. The legislation that they’ve crafted will go a long way to reforming the dysfunctional government saddling the taxpayers of the Commonwealth. Their press statement on the legislation makes an effective case for its rational and lays out the basics of how a convention would operate:
“Pennsylvanians deserve better,” said Senator Eichelberger. “They’re fed up with the inability of the General Assembly, on the whole, to address significant deficiencies in several key areas of the state government. A limited constitutional convention could lead to significant reform and go a long way in restoring the public’s faith in a system that has been failing them.”
“Senate Bill 867, sponsored by Senator Eichelberger, and House Bill 1967, sponsored by Representative Bloom, will allow the public to vote in an upcoming election on whether or not there should be a constitutional convention limited to very specific topics. Those topics include proposed changes to the terms and size of the General Assembly; spending without an enacted budget; the office of the Lieutenant Governor; and the judiciary.
“A constitutional convention would be an opportunity for citizens who are frustrated with our broken state government to take a very direct role in historic government change,” said Representative Bloom.
If the majority of voters approve, a preparatory committee would immediately make logistical arrangements for holding the convention. The convention would consist of 163 members – three delegates elected from each of the senatorial districts and 13 other members who would consist of members of the General Assembly and be ex-officio members. Convention delegates would vote on recommended changes to the state constitution. All recommendations would require a majority vote of the 163 delegates. Proposed changes in the form of ballot questions would be placed on the ballot for final approval or rejection by the voters.
The text of the Senate bill can be found here. As Sen. Eichelberger and Rep. Bloom noted at their press conference, the scope of the convention will be limited to the Articles affecting the legislature, legislation, the executive, and judicial branch. None of the sections on basic rights of citizens (i.e. firearms) would be open for discussion. We will keep you posted about this important legislation as it progresses.
Mr. Knepper is executive director of Citizens Alliance of Pennsylvania.
Studenina Palinko Style, A Legendary Recipe — Timmy Palinko was known all over the Pocono Mountains for his magnificent homemade whiskey. Timmy operated a butcher shop in Freeland, and while his meat was the finest quality, it was the top-of-the-line whiskey he manufactured that made him a rich man.
He had runners in every coal patch in Luzerne County. Of course federal agents were always after them. One day in Freeland, a well-dressed agent approached Baron Lutz, one of Timmy’s runners.
The dapper detective told Baron he would give him $10 for a quart of good whiskey.
“Can’t do it for $10,” said Baron. “It will cost you $40.
The agent agreed, and handed over the $40.
“Hold this shoebox,” Baron said. “I’ll be back.”
After a while, the agent began to get suspicious. He opened the shoebox and found a quart of Timmy’s best whiskey, so he got what he paid for. It was hard for the feds to put one over on the natives.Timmy’s liquor still was hidden in the desolate strippings behind Eckley, and there was no agent alive who was ever going to find it.
Timmy, during certain holidays, would give out a bonus pint of his finest cornbrew to the best customers at the butcher shop.
One Easter there was an unbelievable run on the pork sausage.Timmy was making it as fast as he could and just barely keeping up with the demand. He finally ran out of pork.
“Keep everything under control,” he told an assistant. “I’ll be right back.”
He hopped into his pickup truck and took a ride into the countryside where he knew there were always pigs along the road. He spotted one, and simply ran over it. He tossed it into the front seat where it would not be seen, and headed back home.
He was in such a hurry, he ran a stoplight, and was pulled over by a state policeman new to the area.
“I’m sorry officer, I’m in a big hurry,” Timmy said, pointing to the pig. “That’s my sick brother, and I’m rushing him to the doctor.”
The cop took one look and waved Timmy on.
“I’ve seen a lot of ugly people in my time, but your brother has got to be the ugliest in the entire world,” the cop said.
Timmy smiled. “I’ll tell him what you said. He’ll be might proud,” Timmy said. A few minutes later he was back in his shop butchering the hog. The bulk of which was used in the making of his sausage.
But the feet were set aside to use in making studenina, a Slovak delicacy of which one never tires once one gets the courage to try.
Timmy enjoyed his whiskey, studennia and sausage.
After Prohibition, Timmy went into the legitimate whiskey making business, and until he died on April 27, 1947 put out what might have been be the best sipping whiskey in the world. His studennia weren’t bad either.
Timmy Palinko’s studennia recipe follows:
4 trotters (pig’s feet either split or not)
2 garlic cloves or 1 Tbl of garlic powder
6 peppercorns
3 Tbl black pepper
3 bay leaves
1 Tbl salt
1 Tbl paprika
Place the trotters in a large pot and add just enough water to cover them. Bring to a boil, skimming if necessary, for a half-hour. Remove them and discard the water. Rinse them and the pot. Place the trotters along with the rest of the ingredients back in the pot. Cover again with water and bring to a boil. Simmer for about three or four hours until meat is falling off the bone. Place the trotters in large bowls—Corningware works great. Pour the liquid over the trotters and let stand overnight in a cold place.
Yes, there is a Saint Lucifer. Well, maybe. The status is debated. Lucifer was the name of the bishop of Cagliari from 353 -370 and the Sardinians venerate him as a saint. Some, however, argue his holy deeds were done by another Lucifer who was martyred by the Vandals.
Lucifer appears to have been a fairly common name among courageous Christians of the late Roman Empire. The first bishop of Siena (306) was also named Lucifer.
And Lucifer never was the name for the Devil. It started as the name for the planet Venus and is used to denote the state from which Satan has fallen.
Chester Amazon Would Make A Good Match — Chester, which not-so-long-ago was listed as one of the 10 places in America to avoid, is among the sites being pushed for Amazon’s second HQ.
And a pretty good case can be made for it.
It has under-used, under-taxed land along what could be a lovely waterfront, and easy access to I-95, the Philadelphia International Airport and numerous institutions of higher learning.
Go for it Chester and good luck.
Nancy Brout, who will present “Losing Your Job & Finding Yourself” 7-8:30 p.m., Nov. 7 at Media Presbyterian Church’s Hassler Chapel, 30 E. Baltimore Ave., Media, PA 19063.
All are welcome.
Whether losing your job by layoff or by choice, Nancy Brout’s story and job search guidance offer solace, insights, and actions to navigate a transition that can be traumatic, turbulent, and triumphant. Discover how to use online job boards, social media, and company career sites to generate interviews and offers or reinvent your career. Considering herself a Hard-to-Define Professional, hear how Nancy changed careers three times, and landed more than six advertised jobs.
Job seekers get results with her divergent Sweet Spot Job Search Method and tips on 25 Activities that are more and less effective for self-discovery, job hunting, networking, and finding work you love.
Ms. Brout has a masters of science degree in education is the author of Losing Your Job & Finding Yourself: Memoir, Myths, and Methods for Inventive Career.
The event is sponsored by Joseph’s People Central Delco (JPCD) a joint program of Media Presbyterian Church and St. Laurence Church in Upper Darby. The group has an active, free forum on LinkedIn, named “Joseph’s People of Central Delaware County-Free Job Search Group” in the LinkedIn directory. To join, send a request and an email will be generated confirming membership.
JPCD is affiliated with Joseph’s People, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping unemployed and underemployed workers. For more information, send a message through the LinkedIn group listed above, visit www.josephspeople.org or email contactus@josephspeople.org.
