STRANGE DAYS

With all the craziness going on in the country and world these days, this seemed appropriate.

Strange days have found us
Strange days have tracked us down
They're going to destroy
Our casual joys
We shall go on playing
Or find a new town

Yeah!

Strange eyes fill strange rooms
Voices will signal their tired end
The hostess is grinning
Her guests sleep from sinning
Hear me talk of sin
And you know this is it

Yeah!

Strange days have found us
And through their strange hours
We linger alone
Bodies confused
Memories misused
As we run from the day
To a strange night of stone

MY CANDIDATE

 

MY CANDIDATE

Was not born into a family whose considerable wealth was obtained primarily by real estate profiteering

Was not sent by an excessively stern father to a military boarding school for children of the wealthy

Attended a highly selective university, and does not make the false claim of “graduating number one in my class” without ever being on any honor roll

Does not aggressively hide SAT scores and grades

Did not receive 4 draft deferments, and then after medical examination being declared fit for service, mysteriously develop bone spurs, receiving a 1-Y and then a 4-F total exemption from serving

Did not claim that his greatest contribution to the war effort in Vietnam was “not getting a sexually transmitted disease” for which he claimed to deserve the Congressional Medal of Honor

Did not get “a small loan of a million dollars” [actually $14 million] from his dad to get started in the real estate business

Never stated "I do play with the bankruptcy laws—they're very good for me” nor used bankruptcy court six times to avoid paying contractors, small businesses, bank creditors, and stock and bond holders

Did not have to pay a settlement of $25 million for making false claims and defrauding students

Did not violate state charitable fund-raising laws, resulting in a cease and desist order and distribution of remaining funds

Was not named in a lawsuit, along with Jeffrey Epstein, for repeatedly raping a 13 year old

Never bragged that one could “Grab ’em by the pussy. You can do anything.”

Has not been accused by at least 25 women of sexual misconduct

Has not paid porn stars and other prostitutes hundreds of thousands of dollars to keep quiet

Is not a serial adulterer who has been unfaithful to each of his three wives

Knows that there are approximately 60,000 Corinthians, and that there are two letters in the Bible dictated by Paul and written by amanuensis Sosthenes to the ancient Corinthians

Has asked God for forgiveness

Respects and supports our allies, and does not praise and support dictatorial adversaries

Has not had any close associates and advisors prosecuted and sent to prison

Does not demand fealty from everyone in his domain and expelling everyone considered disloyal

Does not promote conspiracy theories and false narratives

Does not refuse to release IRS tax forms

Does not mock disabled persons

Does not mock families whose sons have died in service to the USA

Does not mock and bully anyone who happens to have a different perspective or opinion

Does not display classic characteristics of severe narcissistic disorder

Does not live in an alternative reality that is unencumbered by facts and science

Does not listen to only sycophants, ass-kissers and power-hungry self-promoters

Does not claim that he is above the law

Does not claim credit for successes that are not his and blame others for his failures

Does not view the Presidency as a personal piggy bank for himself, family and associates

Does not put himself above the law and direct associates to do the same

Understands the importance of a vital and independent Fourth Estate

Understands why the flu vaccine does not protect a person from coronavirus COVID19

Understands that a President is working in the best interests of all in this country, unlike the current POTUS who considers the 53.9% of USAians who did not vote for him the enemy

Understands that bipartisanship, collaboration and compromise are required to address the nation’s pressing needs regarding health care, immigration, the environment, and other major issues

Understands that the Presidency is not a monarchy

Does not play golf

Actually reads

Tells the truth

KICKIN' IT WITH KIZ

Whenever I get an attitude about some stupidity in sports, I will shoot off an email to one of the Denver Post sports writers.  I have been pleasantly surprised that they actually read my rants and often reply.  One of my favorite writers is Mark Kiszla - Kiz is a favorite because he is funny and insightful, but more importantly I generally agree with him!  I've written to him a couple of times, with my latest affirming his rant that Michael Malone, the Denver Nuggets head coach, was wasting the opportunity to let a potential superstar, Michael Porter Jr, play rather than languish on the bench.   On February 29 Kiz wrote some blistering commentary regarding Malone's blindered approach to playing Porter - you can see it all here, but it may require a subscription to access, so I will clip some below:

There are too many apologists for the Nuggets. After the blowout loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, it’s time to get real. Stacked against the toughest competition, you’re left with little reason to believe Denver is a championship-winning team this year. They have the talent, no doubt, but haven’t found the right formula to this point.

G.C., keeping it real

Kiz: Could it be the Nuggets’ starting five needs an overhaul? Although there are matchup exceptions to every rule, this should be the lineup introduced before the game and on the floor at crunch time: Nikola Jokic at center; Jerami Grant at power forward; Michael Porter Jr. at small forward; Will Barton at shooting guard, and Jamal Murray at point guard.

It amazes me Porter can get pulled for making a mistake, but Harris is allowed to continue to shoot – er, throw – balls off the side of the backboard. If the Nuggets want defense, play Torrey Craig. Harris should be sitting on the pine, compass in hand, trying to locate the basket.

Dan, Sarasota, Fla.

Kiz: Harris is last week’s news. The Nuggets have a MPJ problem. If Malone leaves Porter to rot on the bench, maybe Denver can trade him away in 2022 for a future second-round draft choice.

The Nuggets have got a lot of problems, Kiz. Harris is one of them. Paul Millsap is another. But the biggest problem of all is your friend Malone and his loyalty to Harris, Millsap and Craig.

Steven, problem-solver

Kiz: What did Forrest Gump’s momma used to say? Stubborn is as stubborn does. Or something like that.
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So, after the above appeared in the Denver Post, I sent a short email to affirm Kiz' perspective on the MPJ - Malone 'situation.'  Well, the very next game, Malone sat MPJ the entire game!!  So, I sent another email to Kiz saying basically that apparently Malone reads Kiz' column!  Interestingly, Kiz used our brief exchange in his next column:


Looks like Nuggets coach Michael Malone reads your column, Kiz. And he decided to show that sports guy only the coach decides if Michael Porter Jr. gets off the Denver bench.

Douglas, the wily professor

Kiz: After Malone complained about his team’s poor defense, I guess we should’ve seen a DNP coming for Porter in the victory at Charlotte. But let me point out something I bet Porter also duly noted. He scored a team-high 19 points and added eight rebounds during a decisive home victory over the Hornets in January, then plays zero minutes as Denver squeaks by the same team in March? Hey, if Malone wants to make an example out of Porter, that’s his business. But it’s also how a coach can destroy trust with a young player.
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So, henceforth you all may refer to me as The Wily Professor!!