“The Master”

 It was no picnic if you were a black pop singer and musical performer in the 1940’s or ‘50s.  There was the well documented legendary hatred exuded by the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) in their quest to promote the continuation of a lily white American society.  

In 1956 he was attacked on stage while performing in Birmingham, Alabama.  The musical performer survived the foiled kidnapping attempt.  And then there was also the hatred of blacks who viewed any black performer who played to and thus garnished support from basically “Jim Crow” white audiences, as a traitor to their race.   

He was one of the first black performers to host a nationally broadcast variety show in 1956.  Although the show was critically acclaimed, it never found a sponsor in lily white America.  NBC refused to give-up on the program and many of the biggest stars and most talented performers appeared on the show for industry scale or for no pay at all.   Finally, in 1957 he voluntarily ended the show to halt NBC’s financial bleeding.  

It was during this era that Nate King Cole became a musical American icon.  He sold 50 million records during a career that spanned four decades.  Cole recorded more than 150 singles for Capitol Records that charted on Billboard Pop, R&B, and Country music popularity pinnacles.   No other Capitol artist has yet to match that achievement. 

After musical tastes changed in the late 1950’s, Cole, like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Tony Bennett, found his records selling like used Edsels.  Yet Cole still managed a string of some nice hits during the 1960’s.   There was "Let There Be Love," "Ramblin’ Rose,” “Dear Lonely Hearts,” “That Sunday That Summer,” and "Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer."  This is when we baby boomers learned of his existence.  

Unfortunately, contemporary music audiences may have only a passing knowledge of this superlative artist through one of two - or possibly both - experiences.    "Unforgettable" showed up on Pop Charts in 1991, almost forty years after its original success.  Cole’s daughter, Natalie, sang it as a duet with her father through the magic of modern day technology.  The other is, of course, “The Christmas Song,” played during every Christmas season on radio stations throughout the country.  

Maria Hawkins Ellington (no relationship to Duke), Nat’s wife at the time of his death, said in an interview that in addition to his musical legacy, his class made him irresistible.  Billboard Magazine coined him “The Master.”  In January 1964, Cole made one of his final television appearances on The Jack Benny Program.  He was introduced as "the best friend a song ever had." 

Notable pallbearers at his funeral included Robert F. Kennedy, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, Danny Thomas and Steve Allen along with the governor of California, Pat Brown. 

In his eulogy to the “the Master” Jack Benny said; "Nat Cole was a man who gave so much and still had so much to give. He gave it in song, in friendship to his fellow man, devotion to his family. He was a star, a tremendous success as an entertainer, an institution. But he was an even greater success as a man, as a husband, as a father, as a friend.”   

The only thing more painful than losing a beloved performer of Nat King Cole's  stature is watching him fade into obscurity.  For his greatest gift and thus our greatest loss is not just the superb enjoyment he provided but rather his class and character that is so badly needed in serving as inspiration to all of us today. 

Russian Boogieman

Our elective process and thus our liberties are under attack from far more formidable opponents than just Putin’s Russia. 

Russia meddling scares us  
Media misinformation and manipulation not a concern 

Comedian Flip Wilson made a fortune by creating a character he called Geraldine.  She refused to take any responsibility for her bad behavior by simply saying; “The devil made me do it.”  We have now become content with the notion that the Russians – The EVIL Empire - made us do it when our election process is placed in jeopardy.  Are we sure about that? 

Tribalism and partisanship – closed minds that ignore the facts – is a far greater EVIL than Russian attempts to undermine our elections.  Millions of Americans are Only interested in news sources that support ONLY what they WANT to believe - sources that ONLY validate and support their anger and hatreds, greed or other personal passions, irrespective of any facts or basis in truth – irrespective of the common good or general welfare of the nation.  A 17-year war is okay as long as my son doesn’t have to fight it.  Fattening the wallets of the wealthy while stripping millions of their healthcare coverage and benefits is okay, if I can get a tax break. 

Next on the list of EVILS that far exceeds Russian meddling is money in politics.  Huge sums of money that feed political marketing and create image have been swaying our votes for decades.  

Long before Russian meddling, political commercials full of lies, deceit and manipulate spin influenced our thinking.   Millions of Americans voted based only upon what they saw in those commercials.  They never took the time or had any inclination or initiative to research the information.  They gravitated toward a candidate if he appeared to be sympathetic to their desires and based upon the pictures or music that had a strong emotional impact.  The difference between this and the Russians attempt to brainwash through social media and other public venues is analogous and negligible. 

That brings us to OUR CHOICES for news and information.  As we SHOULD all know by now, certain outlets for news are poisonous – TRUE EVIL.  They have agendas that have very, very, very little to do with informing and educating.  Millions form their opinions based upon what they hear and see from totally unreliable sources like Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Fox News, MSNBC, and a host of other agenda driven organizations on both sides of the political spectrum.  

While legitimate sources, such as National Public Radio (NPR), NPR Documentaries, PBS News Hour, 60 Minutes, and Global Public Square (GPS) still exist, far fewer Americans avail themselves of these precious resources.  We have rather chosen to be entertained by yellow journalism and sensationalism – titillation – instead of intellectual or educational pursuits.  And that is exactly the why and how these EVILS are able to reach us and become ingrained. 

In the final analysis the issue is due diligence.  A Russian boogieman is no more of a threat to American elections than the billionaires who buy those elections or the media which has lost sight of its major responsibility toward the common good of the nation.  They all have the same dangerous aspect in common; a lack of interest and effort by    “We The People” to ferret out the truth.  If we no longer wish to engage in that arduous task, we will be accomplishing the major objective of the Vladimir Putin’s who hate and fear America.  We will be voluntarily surrendering our precious liberties.  

Russian hacking to influence election outcomes MUST STOP
Billionaire influence is encouraged through “Citizens United”

Golden Boy Established Football Excellence

Anyone who ever watched the “Golden Boy" perform, knows EXACTLY what a football player looks like. “I’m not sure enough people recognize how talented this man was.”  ~ Bart Starr – Packers Quarterback (1956 – 1971)

His Name Is Paul Hornung. 

At Notre Dame he was a quarterback, fullback, halfback, place kicker (sometime punter), defensive back (safety), a pass receiver and could block as well as anyone on the team.  

The two touchdowns he scored on offense and his two interceptions on defense led the Irish to their victory over fourth ranked Navy.  He threw a touchdown pass and kicked a field goal to beat Iowa.  Hornung produced 354 total yards against Southern California.  A record setting performance in 1955.  His Heisman Trophy award remains the only time a player received that award while playing on a losing team.  In 1956 The Irish finished 2-8 that year. 

As a Green Bay Packer (1957 to 1966) he played halfback, was a pass receiver, passed the ball from the halfback option and was the teams place kicker (sometime punter).  Hornung led the NFL in scoring for three straight seasons.  He set an all-time scoring record of 176 points during a 12-game schedule in 1960.  He also passed for two additional touchdowns that are not reflected in this 1960 total.  This record held until 2006 when it was broken during a 14-game schedule. 

In October of 1961 Hornung’s 77 points set a record for the most points ever scored in a calendar month.  That record also stood until 2006.  Also in 1961, his 19 points scored in an NFL championship game stood for 56 years. 

On December 12, 1965, at the age of 29, Hornung set a packer team-record that still stands today.  He scored five touchdowns, three rushing and two by pass receptions. 

Hornung holds the record for most games with 30+ points (2), the most games with 25+ points (3), and the most games with 13 points in a season (8 games in 1960). 

Paul Hornung is the first pro football player to win the Heisman Trophy, to then be selected as the first overall draft selection in the NFL Draft; to then win the NFL most valuable player award, and to then be inducted into both the professional and college football halls of fame. 

What Paul Hornung demonstrated is that specializing in just one aspect of a profession is unacceptable if you have the ability to excel in other aspects.

“I’m not sure enough people recognize how talented this man was.  Not only was he a Heisman Trophy winner but he was an excellent runner.  He was an excellent blocker. He was a great pass receiver.  He threw our option pass very, very well.  He was a great kicker.  Everything we called on him to do he excelled at.”  ~ Bart Starr – Packer Quarterback – 1956 – 1971 

So you will have to pardon those of us who were honored to have seen him play as we smirk and shake our heads whenever ESPN tells us how dominate a current player is in the game of football today.

 SEEING IS BELIEVING.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tbh128TcHKk

Fostering Evil

Enron was founded in 1985.  By April 17, 2001 their fraud became public knowledge.  We have since become aware that dozens, if not hundreds, of Enron associates were aware of the company’s nefarious activities but remained silent.  Their intent was to squeeze every last penny they could out of that corrupt company for their own wealth, comfort and enjoyment.  

Deregulation began under the Carter administration.  It was vigorously continued under the Reagan, George Hubert Walker Bush and the Clinton administrations.  The removal of many of these restrictions and safeguards dealt with the banking industry.  This banking deregulation hit it’s crescendo in 1999 with the repeal of “Glass Stegall.”  

 “Glass Stegall,” was enacted in 1933, shortly after the “Great Depression” in 1929.  Its purpose was to restrict commercial banks from engaging in highly speculative investment practices.   When President Clinton stripped us of “Glass Stegall” and its  66-year protections, commercial banks could then speculate if far riskier investments for greater profits.  

These newly fashioned investment giants devised derivatives and created the housing bubble.  This resulted in the country’s worst economic downturn since that great depression in 1929.   The repeal of “Glass Stegall” proved to be the lynchpin for the financial crisis of 2007 - 2008.

 As in the case of Enron, we learned that hundreds of Wall Street wizards knew of these swindles and again remained silent.  Like Enron, none of those silently duplicitous were ever held accountable.  

In November 2011 we became aware of the Penn State sexual abuse practices.  We learned that the abuse had been ongoing for 15 years and involved some 52 students.  Once again, we come face-to-face with the same old disgusting reality.  Any activity this widespread had to be known by others who, once again, remained silent.

 Since September 2016 we have known about the sexual abuse that took place within the Olympics and at Michigan State University.  USA Gymnastics National Team Doctor and a Michigan State University osteopathic physician who treated female athletes from 1986 to 2016 has been accused of molesting 150 young women.  Currently the University faces lawsuits from 144 female athletes.  No criminal reprisals are currently expected for Michigan State or those who had to be aware of this debauchery.   

Once again, we have someone who was able to avoid detection; this time for 30 years. Now we are told, once again, that no one knew anything about it?   Yet, the most recent developments at Penn State tend to suggest otherwise.  

 Even in the face of limited undying alumni and board of trustees backing for Joe Paterno and the school, new information continues to strongly support that the school's administration had knowledge of the revolting campus conduct far in advance of 2011.  Meanwhile, the financial fallout for the school is now close to a quarter billion dollars.  Lawsuits run rampant, including Penn State suing their insurance company for not covering more of the school’s nefarious and cruel activities.  

 It was scoffed at years ago when the suggestion – NO; make that the demand – that Penn State university be shut down.  That same scribe is about to do it again in suggesting – NO; demanding - that Michigan State University be denied its accreditation and all of its public funding cut off.  Based upon what we are continuing to learn about Penn State, we would be wise to heed Michigan State trustee Joel Fergusons’ assessment; “There’s so many more things going on at the university (Michigan State) than just this Nassar thing.” 

 A teacher at a local college once suggested that administration changes in admission policy was not just unethical but boarding on immoral.  His colleagues became furious with him demanding he keep his mouth shut as the school’s profitability was their livelihood.  He didn’t and he was fired.  That school has since closed its doors. 

Then, OF COURSE, there’s the Catholic Church 

 A popular axiom is that “Evil flourishes where good men do nothing.”  Ample evidence suggests a flaw in that wisdom.  For evil flourishes where the knowledgeable (not the good) remain silent.  Enablers cause as much pain and suffering as the perpetrators.  It’s time to hold them accountable.

MLK Day

Today has been set aside to honor perhaps the greatest American to ever walk among us. 

What makes the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Junior so extraordinary beyond his success in the civil rights movement, is that he NEVER held an elective office or any political post.  He worked outside the system.  He created a movement that initially had no political support, no funding and faced violent opposition resulting in the deaths of many who supported humane treatment for our fellow citizens.    

 

That makes today one of the most significant days of the year.  Significant because most American today believe that simply showing up at the ballot box is where their responsibility in safeguarding our liberties begins and ends.  They refuse to become activists – to create citizen movements, to educate, agitate, strike, boycott, to break some windows - to threaten those in power with the disruption and stability they need to continue their terror of suppression.  We are fearful to take to the streets as Dr. King did, even in knowing that that is only way in which any meaningful change has ever been implemented in America – knowing that if we don’t, we are destine to lose our liberties and freedom. 

 

The fact that today is not a national holiday clearly indicates that Dr. King’s dream is far, far, far from fruition.
 
 “I've Been to the Mountaintop” Sermon

Delivered Mason Temple (Church Of God)-  Memphis, Tennessee
April 3, 1968 – The night before he was shot and killed

 Excerpts:

“Every now and then I guess we all think realistically about that day when we will be victimized with what is life's final common denominator—that something that we call death”….And I don't think of it in a morbid sense. " 

 

“If any of you are around when I have to meet my day,…I'd like somebody to mention that Martin Luther King, Jr., tried to give his life serving others….I tried to love somebody…that I did try to feed the hungry… that I did try in my life to clothe those who were naked…that I tried to love and serve humanity.

Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice.  Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter."                                                                      ~ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Mission accomplished – Well done sir.

For the millions of Americans who have no knowledge of this

- “NOW IS THE TIME”  TO CORRECT THAT DEFICIENCY.    

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARvrvJV4th4

 

Life and A College Education

The concept of forsaking college and a college degree due to extravagant costs only has value if there is a mass migration away from earning those degrees.  As long as employers require a degree to secure positions ranging from that of a rocket scientist to a receptionist, refusing to meet that employer demand could make finding employment very stressful.  In today’s environment, you MUST ask yourself if you are comfortable with the reality that you will not even be granted an interview without a college degree.  It’s not right - It’s not fair - and yet the only aspect more troubling than the requirement is the rationale behind the requirement.

 

Secondly, only in very select professions (Medicine, Law, Engineering and etc.) are college degrees designed for job training.  They are also designed to expand the mind in providing critical thinking that serve us throughout our entire lifetimes.  Even if you never use algebra or geometry, that education has expanded your mind to think in ways it wouldn’t have functioned.

 

History has value in determining the truth versus lies and deceit. This is crucial in making key decisions. It can be the barometer in determining what has worked and why; what is right and wrong and why; who to vote for and why – who to financially support and why. 

 

Finally, a degree has the value of creating lifelong pleasure and enjoyment in areas that would never have been introduced to us.  Literature, art, theater and etc. bring enormous pleasure to millions every day – millions who would have never known of these potential benefits without being introduced to them in college.

 

What you should do with your life is really quite simple.  First you must determine what you are most skilled at and what you love doing.  That is what you will do best and, being the best, will almost always ensure your greatest success along with the highest range of appreciation and thus the highest level of income.  If developing those talents and skills to the max requires a college degree than you must secure the degree.  If technical training and apprenticeship programs are required than the degree is not necessary.  

 

A final word on income.  The biggest challenge faced is not in determining what you will work at, but rather, disciplining yourself and learning how to live within your income level.

 

Most importantly, and in the final analysis, life only has meaning in our contributions to the common good and general warfare.   We can only derive true satisfaction from our professional accomplishments if they promote compassion and kindness, which clearly defines our purpose and thus the meaning of life.

 

The universe itself is a gift designed to provide for all our needs.  We have been given the world and everything in it.  Now we must choose.  Either we can hate and kill one another or we can love and nurture one another.  Your efforts and thinking in life – even the work you choose to do - will certainly favor one of those choices.  

Our professional life is NOT one tiny, teeny bit more complex than that.

Understanding The Elderly

Old people are the last bastions and examples of civilized behavior.  They are needed more today than ever before. 

Old people hold the door for the next person.  They trust strangers and are respectful to women.  If you bump into an old person on the sidewalk, they’ll be the ones who apologize.  

They are annoyed by disrespectful behavior and bad manners.  They are repulsed by all the numerous forms of verbal vulgarities and the public vulgarity routinely displayed on TV, in movies and on social media that are inexcusably disrespectful to our women and children. They are revolted by alarming levels of selfishness, deceit and lies that routinely go unchallenged. 

Old people are uncomfortable with disrespectable displays toward our flag and national anthem.  Yet they know this activism is protected and encouraged under our constitution.  They know it was this rebelliousness that led to the formation of our nation, propelled the labor movement, led to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, ended the Vietnam War, stripped away Watergate lies and gave us equal treatment and protection for gays.  They know that taking a knee during the anthem is our only hope for ending our sixteen-year wars in the Middle East, halting the spread of a rapidly advancing police state, achieving advances in health care and ending the callous indifference toward the middle class, the poor and underprivileged. 

Old people are outraged by the acceptance of the blatant national hypocrisy surrounding our young military men and women.  For all our lip service, no efforts demanding an end to our wars, demanding our troops be brought home, or demanding an end to our wasteful spending and loss of life is not being demanded.  

Old people remember World War II, Pearl Harbor, Guadalcanal, Normandy, and Hitler... They remember the Atomic Age, the Korean War, The Cold War, the Jet Age, the Berlin airlift, and the Marshall Plan, The Cuban Missile Crisis. 

Old people remember exactly where they were the day President Kennedy was assassinated and, on those days, when Martin Luther King Jr. and Bobby Kennedy where shot to death. 

They remember exactly where they were on “Nine- Eleven,” when the first American walked on the moon, when the US hockey team won the 1980 Olympic Gold Medal, when President Richard Nixon resigned from office, the day the Vietnam war ended and the day they discovered they would forever be in love.  

They more than likely will tell you that the very best days of their lives were the days their children and grandchildren were born. 

Their life is simple and their cares are few.  While their days may be short, they have never been more peaceful than now, knowing that they have achieved the joy and contentment of being loved by those they love most in life.