Prisoners Of Prejudices

We are all prisoners of our prejudices.

To ignore them is to signal a death knell. 

Tribalism, political parties, almost all religions and ideologies require the adoption of some form of prejudice.  They therefore promote a basic mistrust in our fellow man.  Some of their doctrines may have legitimacy yet, in reality, most of their beliefs are riddled with irrationalism. The problem is that they are mechanisms used to support what their members want to believe.  They are not truth seekers. 

Everyone knows this to be true of every organization they are NOT affiliated with.  No one beliefs this could possibly be true of the organizations they are affiliated with.  Hence the problem. 

Each and everyone of these prejudices are carried into the polls on election day. Racists vote.  Bigots vote.  Feminists vote.  Business owners vote.  Employees vote.  The rich vote.  The poor vote… and on and on.  The challenge isn’t that these biases exist.  That is human nature.  The real challenge is in our unwillingness to recognize them in ourselves.  Are we willing to set them aside for the betterment of our nation, society and mankind as a whole?  

As we all know, the issues are NOT typically paramount in the minds of the American voter.  Their selection of a president is primarily based upon Anger, fear, hatreds, preconceived notions (bigotry, discrimination, political party, tribalism and etc.), which can, and usually do, eclipse the issues.

We have reached a point in America where it is essential we recognize this failing and begin disciplining ourselves to focus on issues - what is bigger than just ourselves and our narrow desires. 

We should all seethe when we read things like; “If the ticket has a woman, a person of color or a Latino, or a female who is also a person of color, Democratic Party turnout will surge more in really important places…"  This form of bigotry and discrimination has become acceptable.  Yet this should annoy us every bit as much as blatant racism.  It is critical that Americans come to grips with the fact that this overt ugliness is every bit as bigoted as the Ku Klux Klan. 

Our support, or the withholding of that support, NEEDS to based on issues and issues only:

·        End 18 years of war

·        End callousness toward the deaths of countless young black males

·        Hold the president accountable for corruption

·        End the corruption within our political system

·        End the cold indifference that defines our health care system

·        Alleviate homelessness and feed our hungry children

·        End spree shootings and mass killings

·        Tackle global warming and clean up the air 

Unfortunately, we are living in an America where voters place less and less emphasis on issues.  Gun owners only care about their guns.  The rich only care about the size of their yacht.  Feminists only care about electing women. 

The independent voter is what has saved America from political ruin.  They still know the difference between right and wrong and are, for the most part, willing to vote it.  Unfortunately, their number is dwindling when we desperately need that number to be increasing.  

If the issues and proper focus on an agenda is ignored in favor of a woman of color or any other inconsequential requirement, then little hope will remain for the America we once were and are capable of being again. 

Intellectually and emotionally, we need to embrace the maturity and wisdom of Heidi Heitkamp and Claire McCaskill: “We want someone of very high character…Someone who is competent, strong and authentic and we don’t care if they are a woman.” 

Only then can we move forward once again in America.

Marilyn and That “Bullitt” Mustang

McQueen visits with San Francisco kids in 1968 while filming “BULLITT”

"Bullitt" has once again hit my radar. It comes in the form of that special lady in my life alerting me to the television series “Blue Bloods” and a resulting conversation of the season 6, episode 7 installment that aired on November 06, 2015 entitled “The Bullitt Mustang.”  

 

It gave pause that Steve McQueen was only nominated once for an academy award.  It was in 1967 for his portrayal of Jake Holman in the 1966 movie “The Sand Pebbles.”  It was, for many of us, McQueen’s finest work.  But it wasn't to be, as Paul Scofield won the award for his exceptional performance in “A Man for All Seasons.”

 

McQueen didn’t grouse or pout in the press, like many before him. Instead he immediately went to work on filming "Bullitt" in 1968.

 

When that “Blue Bloods" episode was aired, it had been 47 years since “Bullitt” first hit the big screen.  Apparently the magic of this film had not diminished.  As Susan Encinas wrote in Muscle Car Review, in March, 1987; “No one has duplicated the electricity or the savage ferocity that manifested itself in BULLITT chase scenes, and it’s doubtful any one ever will.”  The eleven-minute car chase that took three weeks to film will, in all probably, never be forgotten.  Whenever the movie is referred to today the descriptive “Classic Film” always accompanies its title.

 

This really validates Steve McQueen’s contention that because movies are a visual medium, the majority of the entertainment and story should be contained in the those visual elements – NOT IN THE DIALOG. Those car chase scenes, along with the grocery store scene as well as the scenes at the very end of the “Classic” movie, solidly validates and enforces McQueen's belief.    

 

The very last scene in the 2015 “Blue Bloods" episode has all the permanent male cast members admiring one of the greatest machines ever built. Yet further validation that that car may never be forgotten. 

 

One can’t help but wonder if The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences got it right in 1967.  But then, that will always be the problem with any attempt to turn art into competition.  It may have some strong financial remunerations but, other than that, it’s just plain ludicrous.  The beauty of any art form is always and only in the eye of the beholder.  Only the beauty of Marilyn and apparently that 1968 Mustang, remain indisputable.

Marilyn Monroe – Circa 1957 –1968 “Bullitt” Mustang Valued At $4 Million

Excerpts From Blue Bloods:

“This is the Mona Lisa of cars.”

“A Car that was in the greatest car chase ever filmed

with the coolest movie star ever.”

“It's Dorothy's ruby red slippers.

It's Neil Armstrong's space suit. 

 It's Bruce Springsteen's Fender Esquire on the cover of Born to Run.  

It's a thing that you could touch that stands for a whole feeling

that you had about things, what was cool and inspired you.”

“To millions of men the stuff that dreams are made of.”



Religious Right Aiding White Supremacy

As our nation continues its swirl around the porcelain receptacle, we must demand accountability where none is even considered, if we are to avoid the sewer.

Congressman Steven King has long been a decadent thorn is the side of Iowa.  He has now become an irrefutable and severe embarrassment.  "White nationalist, white supremacist,… — how did that language become offensive?" Yet his most disgusting proclamation has strong roots and ties to the oval office.

 Since 2015, President Trump has refused to denounce white supremacy whenever he has had the opportunity to do so.  His responses have always been open-ended and best characterized, as non-denial-denials, which he later denied denying by claiming ignorance to white supremacy.

Example: Bloomberg Television anchor John Heilemann asked if Trump would repudiate David Duke’s endorsement.  Trump’s response; “…if that would make you feel better, I would certainly repudiate.”  Not because white supremacy is evil or because Trump distains it, but only to silence the questioner on the topic.  Non-denial-denial.

Months later Duke offered his strongest support for Trump telling radio listeners that a vote for one of Trump's rivals would be "treason to your heritage.”  When asked again if Trump was comfortable with this endorsement Trump proclaimed; "David Duke endorsed me? O.K., alright, I disavow. O.K.?"  The tone and expression clearly indicated, beyond his choice of words, that he was just placating the interviewer.  Again, he refused to disavow or express disgust over the racist mental illness.  Another non-denial-denial.

Many months later on February 28, 2016 Jake Tapper pressed Trump on David Duke and the support he was receiving from white supremacists. Tapper tried three times to get a rebuke of the depravity and each time Trump declined.  "So, I don't know. I don't know—did he endorse me, or what's going on? Because I know nothing about David Duke; I know nothing about white supremacists."  

Months later, after Trump was badgered on multiple occasions over support from white supremacists, he still hadn’t educated himself on white supremacy???  All he could offer was a response in the fine time-honored tradition of Sargent Schultz from  “Hogan’s Heroes”; “I Know NOTHING.” When President Trump was asked to address Steven Kings racism his response was typical and predictable.  Answer – You guessed it – I know nothing – NOTHHHHHHING.

Mitch McConnell and other Republicans condemned Steven King’s racist remarks.  Yet they refuse to condemn President Trumps racist posture. No Republican outrage has been expressed over yet another inane Trump response or his refusal to denounce racism.

Republican politicians are not the only voice that is silent regarding President Trump’s many non-denial-denials of racism.  One of the parties most vocal demographics and ardent supporters, the religious right,  has also had nothing to say on the subject.   

The closest to any religious utterances on the subject come from Trump’s press secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders.  She is the daughter of Mike Huckabee, a southern Baptist minister and a Republican politician.   He has won elective offices, by primarily campaigning as a zealous religious right advocate.  It’s not known if his daughter has adopted and claims adherence to her fathers’ religious persuasion.  What is know is that she was obviously raised to embrace such beliefs.  By her continued silence and refusal to denounce the racism that swirls around her boss, she too, is lending support to it.  Silence is consent.

These events are NOT just alarming but extremely dangerous. If we are on the road to once again embracing white supremacy then we, as a people, are on our merry way to losing our very souls.

Deja vu and The “Forever War Crowd”

The lies and deceit used for the continuation of the Vietnam war in 1968 failed. Fifty years later those very same distortions are supported. 

Why?  What’s the difference?

In 1968 we were told that our exit from Vietnam would surely spell Armageddon.  Vietnam would be the first domino to fall resulting in a Communist takeover of all of Southeast Asia and from there the rest of the world.  It didn’t happen.  Surprise – Surprise. 

Yet all the 24/7 cable news outlets are dragging out every retired American general on the face of the earth and every politician who owes their allegiance to the billions of dollars made through our war machine.  Their old, tired, deceitful Vietnam Arguments are as erroneous today as they were in 1968. 

This Is What "Minimal Casualties" Look Like

Today we are told our military exit from the Middle East will be – you guessed it – Armageddon, i.e. if we exit the Middle East Isis and al-Qaida will remerge as powerful forces.  Hence the argument for us to never cease fire - for us to fight those wars forever.  Retired General Ramsey Clark recently stated; “We are taking minimal casualties.” These are the same generals and the same politicians who demanded President Kennedy attack – bomb – Cuba as a solution to the 1962 missile crisis.         

Here is what the “Forever War” crowd wants us to ignore: 

·      Most recent pew poll – 69% of Americans want us out of the Middle East.

·      We spend $50 Billion a year in Afghanistan ALONE.

·      In both Syria and Afghanistan delusions, i.e., “democracy building” keeping our shores safe (911 was planned in Hamburg, Germany) fuel continued fighting.

·      Afghanistan resolution – Seek out those responsible for 9-11 attacks.

·      Osama Bin Laden is dead - al-Qaida has lost its Impact

·      Resolution said nothing of “associated Force(s)”, War in Syria, Yemen or Mali

·      Pakistan aids enemy in Afghanistan – Do we declare war against Pakistan?

·      Stated objective - Drive Isis out of Syria.  Isis has lost 99% of its territory.

 Finally, with our exit from our current war theaters we do NOT lose our capability to respond militarily to a legitimate threat.   We have submarines patrolling every body of water on earth.  We have military bases, aircraft carriers and other surface capabilities worldwide.  We could launch an attack anywhere in the world on a moment’s notice. 

 The “Forever War” crowd does NOT want peace.  They pursue their wanton destruction because it benefits them financially.  It also acts as an arrogant source of pride.  It affords them the opportunity to demonstrate to the entire world that they are the most effective at killing people and breaking things.  

 War in American has become no different than our tax policies.  Once a tax is enacted, rest assured, it’s never going away.  Today, once we militarily enter a country, the mindset in government is exactly the same.  We are never going away.  We are not only fighting an 18-year war in Afghanistan, but also fighting in seven different war theaters around the world. 

 This is the end result of American silence over our wars.  The reason this didn’t happen in 1968 is because we had a forced conscription – a draft.  As a result, most American families were invested in the Vietnam war.  We had a news media that reported on our wars which they seldom, if ever, do today.  We also had strong voices in Robert Kennedy, Eugene McCarthy and Martin Luther King Jr. to lead us away from the dark demise.   We have no such voices of influence today. 

White Males Easy Prey For Female Bullies

Recently watched the movie “Crash.”  To be certain it is one of Hollywood’s finer moments of which they have very few these days.  The movie dovetailed with the interview below and created a needed realization. 

In an interview with Jon Stewart when he was hosting The Daily Show, Nancy Pelosi was asked what her number ONE objective was as Speaker of the House.  She replied by saying that she wanted to get more women elected to congress.  Not campaign finance reform, not ending homelessness or poverty, not single payer universal health care, not ending our never-ending wars, not gun control, not a greater minimum wage.  The results of this year’s mid-term elections have placed more women in congressional seats than ever before, while the afore mentioned has grown to plague us like never before. 

In a recent interview on PBS News Hour, Judy woodruff spoke with departing senators Claire McCaskill and Heidi Heitkamp.  It is a marvelous exchange that contains key wisdom and proper perspective for today’s political climate.   

Heidi Heitkamp; “Whoever gets nominated (Democratic Nominee) should have three characteristics. They should have character. They should have charisma. And they should have competence.” 

Claire McCaskill; “..one of the mistakes we make as a party is spending too much time talking about a gender thing.  You know, we are a party of all kinds of people… white men, white working-class men have traditionally been a huge part of our party.  We have lost a lot of them.  And one of those reasons is, we have had a tendency to talk too much about gender.” 

“I want someone who is…inspirational, charismatic…. who is competent and strong and authentic, and I don’t care if they are a man or a woman.” 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5befXLNJkg 

We are bigoted nation because we promote and accept many forms of bigotry.  If someone espoused the point of view that the only way things are going to get better is if we elect more white males to congress, that person, that statement, would be attacked as being bigoted and discriminatory, which, to be certain, it is.  

Yet, if that same someone says the only way things are going to get better is if we elect more blacks, Latinos, Hmongs, or women to congress, we applaud the thinking and statement even though there is no evidence or validation for the contention and even though it is as bigoted and discriminatory as the white man statement.  We are clearly our own worst enemy. 

As McCaskill astutely insinuates; there is no law, mandate or even a perceived suggestion that we are best served by men or women.  To hold that one frame of mind is discriminatory and bigoted, while accepting the other, is an oxymoron.  And yes - lets be frank about it.  It’s just plain stupid.  But then stupidity is the cornerstone for the definition of bigotry. 

Wittingly or unwittingly, the Democratic Party has created a safe haven for female bullies.  For Dems to achieve the level of influence they desire in the political area, they will have to embrace the wisdom of McCaskill and Heitkamp and abandon as their primary focus “Baby It’s Cold Outside” and promoting the electing of ONLY women.

Nationalism Isn’t Patriotism

French President Emmanuel Macron’s warning for an awakening is crucial for world peace and stability.

English Oxford Dictionary:

Patriotism is defined as “devotion to and vigorous support for one’s country.” 

Nationalism is the “identification with one’s own nation and support for its interests, especially to the exclusion or detriment of the interests of other nations.” 

A patriot takes pride in his/her country in providing support to other nations and individuals. 

A Nationalist only takes pride in what his/her country does for themselves with NO regard for the betterment of mankind worldwide.   

President Trump has declared himself to be a Nationalist.  On October 22 in Houston, Texas he stated; “You know what I am? I’m a nationalist, OK? I’m a nationalist. Nationalist! Use that word. Use that word…”    

President Trump has established the principles of nationalism as his political platform.  It is clearly his goal to create an unqualified acceptance and belief in that doctrine.  He is working to implement, solidify and ingrain those ideals into the American fabric as the primary, if not sole, basis for future thought and behavior.  

 France’s President Emmanuel Macron recognizes this as moral decay within a nation and therefore one of greatest threats posed to America and the world at large.  

Excerpt Macron’s Armistice Day Speech – Paris France – November 11, 2018 

 “Patriotism is the exact opposite of nationalism. Nationalism is a betrayal of patriotism. By saying our interests first… we erase what a nation holds dearest, what gives it life, what gives it grace, and what is essential: its moral values.” 

“Nationalism is a betrayal of patriotism by saying, ‘our interest first, who cares about the others?" 

Macron’s comments where not just directed at President Trump and the spread of nationalism worldwide.  He demonstrated the historic reality that nationalism was directly responsible for both world wars, especially world war I i.e. "Guns Of August"...Barbra Tuchman. 

This is a debate that is not ensuing in America and is crucial to prevent the further spread and acceptance of such a callous self-serving philosophy.

Glorifying Mediocrity

Our cultural decline in America can be attributed to whole host of ailments, not the least of which, is the mindset that currently permeates our athletic endeavors.  

A great many Americans have lost interest in professional athletics because of the exorbitant money paid to our athletes.  This annoyance should not blind us to the even greater threat emerging within athletic endeavors today.  It is our willingness to ignore the importance of character and a toughness toward a commitment to “gutting-it-out.”  For it is this aspect that makes athletic enterprises most worthwhile and where the real level of respect and admiration needs to be focused and expressed.  It is the same toughness that most of us must exhibit in raising our children – especially a difficult child – reaching our maximum potential within our chosen careers, developing a lasting marriage or any other worthwhile activity we pursue in life.  It would be dangerous and self-destructive for us to allow such an athletic blindness to perpetuate itself.  

Setting a standard of excellence that demands we strive for levels of success that challenge our human capabilities creates a mindset and a desire to exceed our perceived limitations - we think in terms of succeeding despite the obstacles or challenges.  Diminishing requirements for excellence has the completely opposite effect which we are witnessing in our national pastime. 

For many years’ baseball has curtailed the demands placed on its pitchers.  We have moved from an era where a starting pitcher had a mindset of finishing any game he started.  Today, six innings pitched is touted as a “quality start” or maximum effort and achievement.  Relief pitchers are seldom required to pitch more than two innings.  Using relief pitchers two or three days in a row is seen as exhausting them.  It is universal wisdom that they need time off – they need their rest - after this minimum effort has been exerted.  We have seen the creation of “set-up” pitchers (eighth inning specialists) and of course “the closer” who is required to get just three outs in the ninth inning – And managers must be careful not to overexert these lads by asking them to pitch too many days in a row. 

Character and “gutting-it-out” is still occasionally displayed in baseball, though not very often.  In 2014, after only two days’ rest, Madison Bumgarner preserve a World Series win by throwing five scoreless innings in relief to protect a one run Giants lead.  In the 2018 World Series, Red Sox pitcher Nathan Eovaldi throw 97 pitches in just short of 7 innings of relief.  He took the loss.  If ever a loser earned a trophy it’s Eovaldi. 

Now we come to hockey where character and “gutting-it-out” is a requirement.  As highlighted in the “Docu-movie,” “Miracle On Ice,” there is no room in hockey for an athlete who would take pride in giving up 3 or 4 runs after pitching just six innings – no room for “set-up” or “closing” pitchers. 

While hockey players are arguably the most talented athletes in the world, it is the character demanded by the game that makes them the most exceptional among us.  It was that character that provided us with the most stirring athletic event in history – the Gold Medal win by the USA Olympic Hockey Team in 1980.  It is that character, irrespective of financial gains, that demands our respect and admiration. 

As baseball continues its march in defining mediocrity as excellence, let us pray that the same superlatives and mighty accolades bestowed upon the games predecessors will be absent in describing today’s exploits.  We also, more importantly, need to pray that we, as a people, shall always and forever refuse to embrace these diminished returns on character, effort and excellence. 

Character demonstrated In Toughness and “Gutting-It-Out”  
Where true greatest is exhibited in athletics