A TOUGH CALL .

Do you remember the old joke about having  mixed emotions when you saw your mother-in-law going over a cliff  - while driving your brand new Red Mustang convertible?

Okay, that's kind of how I feel when it comes to this whole Donald Trump/Megyn Kelly fiasco -as well as the media driven arguments as to which candidate is a natural born citizen - at least, as per our Founders intentions.

Perhaps someone should ask Bernie Sanders if , when attending those caucus meetings in the 1700's, he recalls what their thinking was back then.

I have to  make this one biased comment about the first issue, "If I see one more picture or film clip of Megyn in the media - I'm going to assume she's been adopted by the Kardashians.

Anyway, in my desperate search for a metaphor via the convertible story, I'm not sure either Trump or Kelly would be an adequate replacement for the Mustang. 

Now, my ex-mother-in-law - that's a whole different ballgame.

Trump's pique with both Kelly and Fox  - and his threat to skip the next debate before the Iowa Caucus - will probably have many supporters.

That the other debate participants, presumably not so supportive of Trump's crusade, will  disagree with his decision - is a foregone conclusion. 

Early allegations from his opponents at the time of this writing - and who have yet to capture the fancy of the electorate- have already begun their  childish:" Na-Na-Na-Nuh Na- Na" chant in response to "Trumps Threat".

It's Junior High School all over again.

Let's take a look at their own tough political call: "Offend the guy who is beating my pants off in the polls (my apologies to Carla Fiorina) - or risk offending a network who can destroy my political career if they have a mind to?"

Yep, that's a tough one, alright.

My opinion - if anybody's interested- is that some of our media networks as well as other news sources -both printed and digital - should be required to include in their advertisements, postings and programming as to whether or not their political reporting is so-called "gluten free". (maybe even bloggers)

At the very least, the need for a printed warning like this one appears to be clearly indicated:

 "The words and stated opinions of  candidate so-and-so - do not necessarily reflect the political bias of either the network or the moderators assigned to this debate."

And yet, we're drawn to these "news?" programs as if they were revivals of "Pee Wee Herman's Playhouse! 

My opinion of these media related folks is probably not important but it's also not dissimilar to my concerns for some of the devoted folks who endorse anything "animal friendly" but who will defend to their death their right to be treat the "human race" as - well - the abused animals they're defending.

Whoops,  that one even surprised me.

My point is simply that the various columnists who are so perplexed about any criticism of news bias should  spend more time in doing some investigative reporting to determine if it's true.

Better yet, having done so perhaps they will also have the cajones to offer a strong  opinion on this subject based on their investigative conclusion - including whether or not their own publishing company or network is duplicitous in this trend.

I grant you , to do this would possibly indicate to the very public they are trying to reach that they (the reporters are endorsing a belief that good journalism is making a come back .

 It might also spark a realization by the responsible media that now more than ever - and long since the Hearst Newspaper chain ruled the print media in the 30's, 40's and 50's - that there is a need for "a more level playing field."

But, then again, do you as a reporter really want to risk losing out on all those free press lunches or, worse yet,; be forced to give up that beautiful cabin in the pristine woodsy setting that the family, relatives, and friends view as much of a privacy haven as you do?

Hey, another tough call?

Seriously, ever ask yourself where the responsible media ombudsman now resides? Is he out on a quest for the truth with that lantern carrying Greek cynic, Diogenes? 

Does the motto "Above all, do no harm" only apply to Physicians and Educators?

Maybe the answers are sequestered deep inside one of Hillary's private emails - a subject about which even Bernie may be rethinking his own protest.. 

Seriously, if this media travesty continues I may have to grab a chilled glass of Pinot Grigio and resume watching "Two Broke Girls" starring Kathy Lee and Hoda,  in order to address my need for a news junkie fix.

Finally, in an attempt to wrap this up - the  last we checked  Trump was going to blow off the debate and instead do something involving helping Veterans - presumably those not named John McCain.

Regardless of his motivation - it can't hurt, based on everything we're hearing about the VA.  Besides, and while stomping on even more sensitive toes, I don't recall the Roman Catholic Church ever turning down those large spontaneous donations from the Italian Mafia.

That's it. I think I've antagonized everybody by now.

So, I'm going to go back to re-reading the opinion column of writer Rick Hampson. I use the phrase re-read only because I now notice he mentioned in the first paragraph one of my favorite curmudgeons,  Garrison Keiller, agreed with the theme of this writing.

If you choose to research this I refer you page 2A of the USA Today 1/24/2016 News Section. You can't miss it because USA Today opted to include it in a full half-page section where the paper asked in bold type : "IS TRUMP A DEMAGOGUE"?

(Based on several other political opinion articles I've read in that publication the USA TODAY editors probably felt it safe to use the word "Demagogue" -concluding  none of Trump's rapid sycophantic followers would know what the word meant.)

Anyway, Rick plowed on and - in a true application of employing inductive versus deductive logic he searched for all the ways Trump compared favorably with disgraced Republican Senator Joe McCarthy - and his highly criticized and unorthodox "anti-communist" crusade in the early 1950's.

So, do we have a possible Edward R Murrow replacement in our media mix?

Nah   -  NOT so tough a call.

FORKED TONGUES AND SILVER BULLETS

Not sure where I initially heard the first part of the  expression in the title above which is defined as: "deliberately saying one thing and meaning another."

Some trace it  back to the 1690's when it was used to describe the tactics of the French in dealing with the Iroquois by inviting them to a Peace Conference and then either slaughtering or capturing them.

Therefore, I've chosen as my best guesstimate and personal first exposure to the term -that hero of my youth - the"faithful indian companion" Tonto. (NLN)

Perhaps it was uttered by him in one of those rare conversations held between Tonto and The Lone Ranger that didn't end in the word "ugh!".

Maybe it was first spoken by an already hesitant Tonto when he came back from his Lone Ranger assigned visit to town - and as a direct result of which Tonto was smote about the head and shoulders as well as more intimate body locations   by the various town leaders including  Town banker, Sheriff, and  the Pastor.

These folks pursued their attack simply because - as Tonto suspected - "they didn't like "injuns' coming around asking a lot of nosy questions" . This was a result that Tonto had not only feared but which definitely conflicted with the Ranger's initial parting and reassuring words:"C'mon Tonto, how bad can it be?"

The Lone Ranger - or "Lone'' - as he was known to his few close friends - apparently conveniently forgot that it was this same "Tonto" who miraculously brought him back to life. This was when Lone  - known instead as Ranger John Reid  -was the only Texas Ranger to survive the ambush of  the "Notorious Butch Cavendish" gang and that included the death of his brother.

From that day forward - as well as many others which Tonto may have experienced in several of his "Tonto Goes to Town" episodes - the so-called  "F.I.C" learned much about the "white man's ways" and his faithfulness was supposedly reduced.

That Tonto was able to revive and heal Lone, presumably despite the absence of any of today's anti-biotics or even OTC products like "Miracle Gro" in the many shelves and barrels contained in the town General Store, was considered by a few insiders to be a miracle of Lazarus proportions. 

One suspects Tonto may possibly have moonlighted as a medicine man back in the day and applied various available herbs and spices to accomplish his heartfelt mission. 

Due to Tonto's curative efforts ,  the Ranger - now fully revived and perhaps weary of further recognition leading to more ambushes - soon demonstrated a proclivity for wearing black masks - another valid reason it was tough for the Ranger to wander into town unnoticed - except perhaps on Halloween.

My research has suggested that other, perhaps less kind and more caustic  Lone Ranger historians, have theorized that Lone always wore his tested mask disguise not for self-preservation but instead due to severe and permanent  acne he had incurred around the top half of his face. They explain this away as an obviously unintended side effect of Tonto's medicinal remedies they also posit may have included "eye of Newt".  I leave it to the readers to decide. 

The mask disguise was pretty much part of Lone's "outfit du jour" unless, due to Tonto's reluctance and occasional sudden mysterious disappearance,  he was forced to go into town  posing as the bent over old prospector and sounding  a lot like George "Gabby" Hayes with half a load on. 

"Lone"  and Tonto - with whom he had a thriving and very long relationship cleaning up those towns - disposed of many "forked tongue" villains in the process.

 In addition and as further proof  of  their growing celebrity status (as well as their reputed largess) they also distributed an incredible amount of silver bullets to the populace, which f course, added even more to their burgeoning reputation.

(In all fairness, occasionally the radio show did  take note of the possibility that the Reid family may have had a hidden silver mine accessible only through a discretely located cave , but many scholars felt it was the bounty rewards that kept them sustained without signs of gainful employment.)

It's also been said that in  later years our two heros resorted to distributing Iron Pyrites as their lovely parting gift. This was the rumored result of a gambling habit Lone acquired during too many town visits posing as "the old prospector" in addition to a fondness for cheap gin. Curiously, this fall from grace did not include reports of him climbing the stairs with the local gin mill dance hall girls, which, unfortunately brings up another unconfirmed rumor.

Reluctantly, I feel it my duty to advise you blog devotees that some of the L.R. historians also have argued that the aforementioned "Butch and The Gang "may have inadvertently established the first official male dating cite - as a direct and specific result of the noted ambush foray on the group of Texas Rangers. 

It seems Tonto and Lone were inseparable and only occasionally - maybe once or twice allowed Lone's orphaned nephew Dan Reid and his faithful steed, Victor to join their tight inner circle. Even that one visit  was only confirmed by a highly questionable source at the Denver National Inquirer who claimed it was because Dan wanted his fiance's parents to meet the male couple, which they did and for which the results of that meeting were reputedly a disaster.

(I choose not to accept  that story as it sounds like the kind of stuff only movies or perhaps off- Broadway plays are based on.)

However, to be fair, it seems the folks reaching such a conclusion might persuasively advance their position by suggesting that these two men - now extremely "close" friends (except on those occasions when Lone insisted that Tonto go into town by himself) and subsequent to the ambush and their subsequent meeting spent an enormous amount of time alone in the woods as well as sleepovers in various undiscovered caves.

Unfortunately, there was no description furnished the listeners as to their possible life making it hard to know what to believe and what not.

 For example there is little known about their personal life including  the possibility of both suffering from lactose intolerance, having poor personal hygiene habits or even information as to whether or not either flossed before retiring. 

Nor did any of us young radio fans ever hear the recorded request, "Tonto, could you wash my back just below my left clavicle?"  - or  -"Lone, I"ll be right back . I desperately need to take a whiz in the woods" (preferable no doubt to that of adding to the dampness of the cave).

As a matter of fact,  and adding a more convincing postulate, it is said the duo were never observed (or heard) by either the towns folks - or the various victims they rescued - having expressed the smallest hint of any romantic interest for the various and presumably comely females they encountered while performing their good deeds for these same residents.

Please understand , there is definitely no attempt being made by this blogger to suggest that he is in agreement with such a ridiculous inference - despite, admittedly, a brief and thoughtful exploration of the possibilities on his part before finally realizing he was long overdue in addressing the original subject matter for this extremely long blog.  

And yet, I digress one more time; but for clarification reasons only.

Despite my reluctance to dally in such absurd accusations as those mentioned above, I readily admit I personally do not recall even one episode where either of our two heroes and best friend dudes appeared to be drawn to any of the infrequent female characters in the series, laid a sloppy wet kiss on them or perhaps even later on TV appeared to enjoy a much too lengthy but definitely enthusiastic hug on what was then known as the "weaker" sex.

Furthermore, it is my belief that the affection both men displayed on their horses Silver or Scout should has no relevance here.

Finally, and despite my incredibly favorable and devoted childhood memories -  I  do not ever recall - as part of the plot line - hearing either of our heroes exclaim to the other: "Would you take a look at those hooters?!!!! "

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Clearly, and as I often do - using age and a diminished attention span as my only excuse  - I again admit I have digressed from my intended target - yet one more time. 

I feel a need to emphasize that my original intended "forked tongue" target was not based on those lengthy childhood memories, but instead - once again- on the fumbling and often less than honest Republican political party of current vintage. 

MY conclusion here is based on the writing of Miami based correspondent Alan Gomez who, on January 15, revealed a clever approach taken by the GOP when rebutting the President's annual State of The Union Address.

According to Mr. Gomez -  it is for the third straight year - the rebuttals by the Republicans to the Presidents speech have differed in context on the sensitive topic of immigration. In fact, we just discovered these follow-up speeches - reflective of the flourishing  Hispanic population growth  -come in both English and Hispanic versions.

 In the English response the GOP takes a strong stance against illegal immigration as well as the need to increase the security of the southern border - but , oddly seldom makes any reference to our Canadian trade partners up north.

The English version perpetuates the old sop that argues for the protection of US citizens via enhanced protective measures and perhaps hints strongly of deportation as a possible panacea.

The Spanish version - not so much.

The message to this political group emphasizes a commitment by the GOP to our new neighbors from the south or any location deemed to be Hispanic. It states that "undocumented" immigrants living in the USA deserve a 'permanent and humane solution' so they no longer have to 'live in the shadows!

It has always escaped me as to how one determines whether an immigrant is "undocumented" or just plain " illegal" - and how a determination is made of how many of them may be floating around out there.

One assumes that the use of the word "undocumented" and coming up with a reliable number of these folks so categorized is similar to the difficulties our many Federal civil servants have incurred on other search and seizure missions out in in our Western states .

I mean these bean counters are Out there - perhaps in some of the same territories where Tonto was required to perform his research.

 These publicly employed folks are also reputed to be attempting to enforce Federal grazing land regulations based on their determined tried and true government approved method of counting the number of horses or cows grazing there "illegally" - or if you prefer  -"undocumented" and then taking legal action against their owners.  

Using the system of federal logic we've come to know and love through the years, it seems that the most favored Federal accounting approach is to stealthily and accurately visualize and count the number of bovine and/or equine legs these folks observe by various visual methods. The reputedly accomplish this task by staying close to the ground and then dividing that final sum by 4.

When attempting to determine the number of undocumented (or dare we say again  possibly illegal) residents of Spanish heritage are concerned and using the same prescribed method  as these government folks do with animals  -they choose a divisor of 2.

 What has impeded their progress is the fact  it has been particularly difficult to determine just how many immigrants are documented - how many are not -and if arriving at an odd number of legs as a detrminant just exactly how many were previously employed as bullfighters.

Folks, clearly this is the by product of  professional  politicians who are performing these many dastardly deeds , most- but not all , from Washington D.C. and just about all of them who clearly possess "forked tongues". This is particularly true  - when it pertains to undocumented human beings and the necessity of reaching a reliable number assessment.

Perhaps more reliable is the system now employed by the Governor of Maine.  It is one similar in nature that is based on his claims that the "undocumented" folks in his State are impregnating unsuspecting young white girls before leaving.

 It is now rumored and partially substantiated by folks who I dearly trust that his administration has determined the accurate mathematical divisor for arriving at the sum total  of "undocumented(s)" in his state should and has now been changed to the divisor  number of  "3".

Unfortunately, neither these Maine politicians nor the fleeing Hispanics are viewed as  heroes like our favorites -"Lone" and "Tonto". 

Additionally - and in the case of the latter ethnic male group specifically - has it ever been successfully argued - that at the conclusion of their  undeclared mission - even one individual took this opportunity to leave behind a substance even closely resembling the value of a single silver bullet.

But, I'm sure that many of the "unsuspecting " young white girls might disagree. 

 

TRANSPARENCY

TRANSPARENCY:  (2)( a) Free from pretense or deceit. Frank. (b)  Easily detected or seen through. (c): Readily understood. (Websters Collegiate -10th edition - 1994). 

It's a word or term we've been throwing around at least since 1897 with H.G. Wells sci-fi novella entitled "The Invisible Man" which - incidentally - is the same title as an excellent book from the 1950's by Ralph Ellison that plead the case for the average negro male. 

Transparency  - unlike the more recently popular and politically correct terms "undocumented" and "conscious uncoupling" that came around a little later - also apparently means many things to many different people and organizations.

The "T" word is perhaps the most overused and abused word used by the media as well as the three branches of our government. 

The last time I checked , the Supreme court still did not allow their hearings and decisions to be televised. 

 Our Congress does most of its business - not on the Congressional floor where it can be viewed from the gallery, but instead  in their designated offices or over on K-street - a favorite location for the lobbyists who actually make many of the decisions that reveal themselves in various laws that are passed - and even some that are not.

Finally, there is the Executive branch and our current "transparent" President who ran two successful Presidential campaigns based on a commitment to leading a battle for - of all things - "transparency"

Apparently, beauty is not the only thing that is in the eye of the beholder - or perhaps the vision from their eyes gets fuzzy with age and an increase in gray hair, as well.

The Republican party - and their two divisive branches - are seemingly more confused about most things than the beseeched and bemused movie characters "Lloyd Christmas" and "Harry Dunne"from the film classics: "Dumb and Dumber" and "Dumb and Dumber, Too."

But, on one philosophical front the GOP appears to be unanimous. This would be their recent agreement on a not so valiant crusade to insert in the infamous current spending bill one of those nasty riders we've all come to know and hate.

This latest example of non-transparency is also not meant to illuminate but to obfuscate - this time using more corporate chicanery as a sub-plot.

The irony however, is that it readily becomes "transparent" because once again the GOP  quest in a land not all that far, far away is to replace  transparency via sneakiness. 

The goal of the rider is to hide the identity of the corporate entities via blocking the Security and Exchange Commissions in their continuing efforts to make companies disclose political contributions.

The fact that most of these executives do so using their shareholders money and despite the shareholder  right to know what's being done with it has apparently escaped the oft sought after logical branch of the good old GOP.

Their tact this time in attempting to block anything not "Made in Republican" was to specifically "prohibit fiscal 2016 funding for the SEC to finalize or implement any rule to force political disclosure." (USA Today, P- 2B - Money - December 31, 2015) 

This new tactic by the Republicans - who also adore almost anything corporate that comes with "campaign contributions" - in a non-examined suitcase - seemed to offend the guys and gals on the other side of the aisle.

The Democrats - 94 strong  -sent a letter to the SEC accompanied by a legal opinion from a Harvard law professor that "The provision (see rider") does not bar the SEC from discussing, planning, investigating, or developing plans or proposals for a rule or regulation relating to disclosure of political contributions"

A  few of those Public interest groups I often refer to like the "The Corporate Reform Coalition",  "Center For Public Accountability" and "Public Citizen" (which is not to be confused with "Citizens United") didn't agree with the guys and gals who have the elephant mascot. and decided to go along with the donkeys.

The "C.U." above would be that of the "5 Supremes" whose politically driven 2010 decision  redefined corporations as your good neighbors who had the right to make unlimited donations to political parties or candidates.

Staying in the "Animal Farm" mode, the "watchdog" groups happened to side with the Democrats possibly because they seemed to believe that "shareholders have a right to know how company executives are spending the funds that rightfully belong to them."

You know, here we go again, that whole burdensome issue about fairness - raising it's ugly head once more. 

By the way, how are things working out with that 2010 court decision? 

Bottom line. We need to recognize and financially support these advocate groups because, like the airlines, we are not going to ever get Congress to govern themselves despite all the promises to the contrary. And yes, they are also there on our dime.

Worse yet, if we don't do something about the growing lack of transparency we're soon going to be surrounded with more and more people asking us:"What the Hell is an H.G. Wells?"

Let 's wrap this up with the above newspaper's closing summation on the subject:

 "In any case, a law passed under the cover of darkness designed to keep investors in   the dark about how executives spend company money has now been put under a      'spotlight.'"

"Spotlight": A burdensome and odd shaped electrical object of various sizes and wattage designed so as to be difficult for northern males to pack neatly in odd shaped boxes and destined to be squeezed on the coldest day of winter into either or both an attic or garage - often on homemade dusty wooden and concrete block shelves - in a forgotten but pre-determined location somewhere between the over sized beach umbrella, the Mad-Max industrial sized cooler with the extension handle and reinforced wheels , the 6 folding shore chairs, the two person beach tent in a box, the three wheel remodeled beach baby buggy carrier and stacks of those mismatched but oh- so- comfy "Chuck Taylor All Star" sneaks from their days of athletic prowess in another century - but still very adaptive  for beach walking - in the new one - of course.) (Sullivan - 2016)

Now, that's the kind of  a "transparency" definition I can live with.

IT JUST BLEW UP - THAT'S ALL!

It's almost impossible to skip over a headline on your computer that "pops up" unexpectedly and reads: "Man dies while trying to blow up condom machine, police say" - as I did this morning, (Monday) only to find out it took place in Germany where condoms are either in large demand - very expensive - or rather porous.

My first reaction was that the incident must have occurred in Baltimore - where everything else was blowing up for the Pittsburgh Steelers football team yesterday.

If you haven't been keeping track - once more (as they had done in the last three years ) the Steelers have allowed a badly mismatched opponent, in this case the Baltimore Ravens, with a 4 and 10 won/loss record to catch them either unaware or victims of completely unsuspected chicanery. 

 Baltimore posed a legitimate stumbling block that most fans were aware of based upon previous three point game outcomes - and their capability to interrupt a pretty good quest by this years Steeler team who were seeking legitimate playoff status.

Apparently Coach Tomlin did not as he opted to pass on the first three point field goal made available to him.

Unfortunately,  losing under these circumstances is not an infrequent occurrence for the Steelers, but attempting to determine it's causation is like trying to get someone to come forward and identify the kid with the illegal gun who murdered an innocent child in a gang related shooting.

 It's also apparently like a "hot potato" for the local Pittsburgh sports media) and seniors like me who are old enough to remember the old parlor game as a legitimate macho option for "spin the bottle" and "post-office."

It  -"Causation" -  begs for an in-depth journalistic investigation involving  interviews with past and present Steeler players - opposing coaches who may wish to remain anonymous (and deservedly so) - and actual feedback from the Steelers present GM, coaches, owners, as well as  people directly involved with the Steelers prior misfortunes. If that doesn't work let's hire a good sports psychologist.

If it needs to be "off the record" so be it. We definitely need to find an answer if we ever hope to gain the status that made the town so rightfully proud of it's football team and their ethics.

A failure to investigate causation  by the Pittsburgh sportswriters and editors may have finally caused the fans to ask the legitimate questions: "Has Mike Tomlin become another 'bank" that is too big to fail"? and:

"Do we have to wait for ESPN or Sports Illustrated to supply the answer?"

Listening to Steeler personnel who after yesterday's game were supposedly baffled by this continuing turn of events and gave us responses like: "We just didn't play our game." or the thoughts of a future prospective NFL HOF quarterback who was quoted as saying:"I  just couldn't find my rhythm" is equally troublesome.

While suggesting the possibility of a large family this last response simply doesn't make it in a world where "folks want to know" regardless of the importance of the subject matter.

Tomlin's record against good teams - those winning ten or more games - is truly impressive, but this same fact baffles even the most casual sports observer when comparing his success level there with his apparent inability to get his team up for games they should have won. It's scary.

Unfortunately, there appears to be sufficient representation by other professional sports teams in Pittsburgh who apparently believe that the sole goal for their organization is to get into the post season, also.

It would seem that the Pittsburgh fans definitely can't let one more local team not only continue to practice that philosophy, but who may - worse yet - adopt an attitude even more puzzling by failing to the extent that they may not even reach that post-season honor for three out of the past four years.

Failure is not the end of the earth - but failure with no apparent follow-up as to why you failed - as well as a lack of dedication to the gathering and sharing of information that may make it possible for a new game plan to be developed is usually the only "true failure."

With apologies to those involved: "A couple who is desperately trying to have a baby - and spend a considerable amount of time and money for in-vitro treatments or whatever else may be available to them, receive little solace in determining they  "almost  became pregnant".

 But, usually hope springs eternal, and rightfully so.

In most instances the medical experts can hopefully explain what went wrong, suggest other possible solutions  and the couple can continue to try with God's blessings.

The Steelers woes are definitely not in that life giving category and God may have quit Pittsburgh when he left his angels in Forbes Field's outfield back in the 50's.

The Steeler problems are not nearly as serious! It's about a game folks - not a living organism - and I've failed to figure out just what God's involvement might be in the game of football - if at all - despite all the chest crossing and fingers pointed toward the sky.

But despite that surprise revelation by me to the serious Steelers fanatics - where the Steelers ARE concerned in all of this is that it is becoming abundantly apparent that the bottom line is that "nobody in a position of responsibility - either team wise - or involved with the local media", really seems to care enough about this puzzling major sports wart to seek a valid explanation - let alone work on achieving future success in that regard. (OK, readers - catch your breath)

 Seriously, does it take well educated experienced football folks this long to come up with a logical conclusion? Poor planning? Poor coaching?

I know! I know! The fans are filling up the seats - the waiting lists increase in size - the seat license payments are up to date, this coach guy has an admirable winning record - and the guys sitting at the sports desks are not seriously concerned about being moved over to "obits."

Unfortunately,  it's the old Brooklyn Dodgers cry: "Wait till next year." which begs the question, "So, how did that all turn out for you?"

Okay, one more "I know".  I'm aware the new business philosophy is now "it's all about the money, dude", but I, perhaps foolishly, am stuck with believing in the oft repeated motto I learned years ago: "It's not the Steelers way".

In addition and adding to the puzzle is the fact that no sane individual could possibly understand the disconnect between winning the division, the conference, and the Super Bowl and accomplishing today's ever present God of "Making Money".

However, I guess there is one consolation.

That is, if you're a thin skinned professional football coach who may be without a team at the end of the year  - Pittsburgh is definitely the type of coach friendly environment where you may want to plant new roots should the present one vamoose.

Just saying, Chip & Lovie.

IT'S CHRISTMAS FOR SULLY

IT'S CHRISTMAS: Time to celebrate the day- and reflect on the Christmas's of old.

They start with my earliest memories as the oldest of three Sullivan boys residing at 120 Sumner Avenue in Forest Hills; a suburb east of Pittsburgh and which we called home. This was only after dipping our toes in the water at 119 Sumner and  23 Sumner - also rentals.

We Sullivan's were obviously Irish Nomad's - but apparently also extremely cautious due to our innate fear of  becoming  lost by straying too far away from the 87 Ardmore streetcar line that ran on Route 30 at the foot of Sumner. 

It was the 40's . My brother Jim was born when I was 4 and we lived at 23 Sumner . Tom, the youngest was born about 3 1/2 years later, following our pilgrimage all the way up to 120 Sumner from 23 - when I was about 5 or 6 years old.

Our home at 120 was the source of my first Christmas memories, me nestled  in an upstairs bedroom on Christmas Eve trying to fall asleep, but kept awake by muffled shouts below leading to my puzzlement as I attempted  to determine why Santa Claus was cussing.

Unfortunately, I was hampered in my research by my solemn promise to my mother not to leave my bed for any reason including the imagined sound of hoofbeats on our roof.

I soon learned as the years went by that the words I heard were not coming from Santa but another guy whose name started with an "S" - my dad  - affectionately referred to by friends, neighbors, and co-workers as "Sully."

"Sully", a very strong but compact Irishman, was not  blessed mechanically and attempting to keep an old 27 gauge Lionel - 5 car train on the track surrounding the Christmas tree - was a real challenge for him. "O" gauge would have definitely put him over the edge.

His lack of ardor for the task may have also been influenced by his "possible" intake of a few shots of "Three Feathers Rye" which he kept hidden in the high kitchen cupboards. The rye was normally private stock for his own fathers' occasional forays from the railroad style flats in uptown Wilmerding, Pa to graciously babysit his grandkids - when Marge (my mom) and Sully went out on the town.. 

As I became older and now in my late teens ,Mom had deemed me mature enough to accept the assigned but thankless task of assisting Sully, at our annual Pre-Christmas ceremony of "the holding the brads" for Sully. In brief, I had graduated to becoming "The Sorcerors Apprentice."

Each previous year Dad tried in vain  - by himself -  and despite  Marge's specific directions from the warmth of the living room ,  behind the safety of the rugged heavy glass storm door. to complete our outside Christmas decorations.

This had required my Dad  to convince  his unyielding stubby semi-frozen hands to hold the brads while he also "operated" the hammer.

His assigned task was to be completed  in order to accomplish Mom's annual goal of affixing the thick colored Christmas light cords into the weathered yellowish door frame in a symmetrical pattern - whose predestined shape was revealed and known only by her.

But, change was a coming.

Now, while Sully, under the tiny and bent overhead metal awning outside the doorway of our only owned Forest Hills home on Avenue F- was puffing on his ever present pipe - and still filled with greatly misguided determination - he yielded the ax (hammer) in the general direction of the brads, and I (with my eyes tightly closed) carefully placed one or two sacrificial fingers around the chosen brad.

I was able to do this by keeping my mind occupied - as I attempted to determine which I liked the best: becoming a new participant in our holiday lighting preparation or studying for my  final exams.

Needless to say, Sully  - a good man -would rather have outsourced both of the physical tasks involved in Mom's "annual decorating scheme."

Judging by his own continuing "annual non-Santa like" choice of words to describe his state of unhappiness to my Mom; it soon became obvious to one and all that Sully was not going to receive  the Christmas present he sought this Christmas either. 

As I got older, and had kids of my own - I became happy that Sully never had to deal with the challenge of inserting the razor sharp  tab "A" into slot "B" of my daughter Beth's metal stove, refrigerator, and whatever; particularly following her dad's "obligatory" celebratory Christmas Eve attendance a mile down the road at our popular neighborhood bar, MARTINI'S. 

One year, the Christmas Eve celebration there lasted so long that my best friend, another Irishman, John Tubbs and myself had to break away from our neighbors and friends - leaving both complimentary drinks and change on the bar - in a hasty but unsteady pursuit of a Christmas tree for yours truly - whose mission it was several hours before to accomplish this apparently daunting task all by my lonesome self.

John and I ended up "stealing" a tall but lop sided fir tree from a now empty and apparently closed Christmas Tree lot (only because the attendant had gone home and carelessly left no cash deposit box for latecomers.)

Actually, the tree looked not only straight - but perfectly proportioned at the time, as the two of us, reveling in our good fortune in finding one so close to home, were appropriately curious as to why it had been passed over.

Selecting it was only half of the battle. The real challenge was wrestling it on top of my company car as we both held it down on the roof by clinging to it's straggly branches through the open front door windows. 

Meantime,  I slowly headed home, despite the lack of traffic -carefully watching the road, but still working on my lengthy explanation for Beth's mother as to why it took so long for me and my pal to locate and select that "perfect tree." 

(I checked the following day, Christmas - on my way to our local "Stop-N-Go" convenience store - with a couple of  my kids along for protection - in order to make sure our new "perfect" tree had not previously been occupying a neighbor's front lawn. 

 But,  I soon realized neither John nor I  had taken along any sharp implements on our mission, and therefore I could drive back home and enjoy Christmas with a clear conscience.) 

My current Christmas Eve celebrating has been reduced to about a half- glass of Pinot Grigio - if that- and it no longer includes experimenting to determine that "just right"  combination of egg nog, rum and whipped cream, that I'm convinced I had perfected when I was much younger.

Time, age, and maturity tend to change a lot of old habits..

However, the spirit of Sully - lives on - as I still have scars on my fingers from those #$%^ metal tabs as well as "those hanging brads" - most of which are probably still stuck in the wooden door frame or red bricks surrounding that front door on Avenue F.

Merry Christmas.

A DIFFERENT APPROACH

Rather than concentrating our anger with repetitive frustration regarding Washington politics - let's say something positive (at least for a while):

This is the time of year when folks stop and demonstrate a recognition that what they see as their lot in life pales - when compared with other folks - some of whom they do not know and are hurt and suffering - and are definitely worse off than themselves.

When the "nutsos" in the world are busy scribbling graffitti on mosques as a demonstration of their misplaced ire with ISIS, ISIL  etc - there are others blessed with the ability to walk and chew gum simultaneously and who are actually able to see the whole picture.

Now, before I go any further I feel a need to share this political cartoon:

OFFICIAL REVISED OBAMA TERROR ALERT SYSTEM

Level 1 : Isis is the JAYVEE team.

Level 2 - ISIS is Contained

Level 3 - Isis is not an existential Threat

Level 4. OH , #@%^&

Thank you. Now I can continue.

I used to argue that if Muslims truly do not want be associated with whatever the term is that our President cannot bring himself to repeat - they need to publicly disassociate themselves from this horror that has been unleashed upon us and argue against it.

Then I realized, perhaps this also means that in rural America those who do not support beastiality have an obligation to make it clear they do not condone such behavior  and publically condemn what they know is happening on their neighbor's farm, as well.

Now, I will admit that excludes those folks who have first hand knowledge of  the accuracy of  the punchline in the once  popular joke that ends with one of the jurors whispering to another juror at a beastiality trial :"You know if you get a good one - they'll do that sometimes". 

I'm now living in the South and believe it or not  have made friends with folks who admit they once had neighbors or friends down here who were burning crosses on  lawns -typically located on Martin Luther King highways etc but they also did not feel compelled to identify them when the "Feddies" came around poking their nose into what obviously was none of their business.

My point is that even though you would not conduct yourself as your neighbors are willing to do - nor share their philosophy - this does not force you to defend your own beliefs even when they differ from those of the "nutsos"who claim they share your religion and are maiming and killing folks at random.

Now, if the "good guys" regardless of their personal philosophy see a couple of "nutsos" pulling up to their driveway in a half ton pickup with a truck load of materials suggesting they may be hoarding the raw material necessary to make a zillion pipe bombs  - that's a whole different matter  -and you might understandably change your approach.

After all, even those who are not among the sharpest knives in the drawer may recognize  there's a possibility that something may go wrong in their neighbor's basement  -and they could end up blowing up your house too.

What is it that causes good teachers to protect bad teachers, good attorney's who are unwilling to turn the bad ones into the bar associations - politicians or hedge fund managers who refuse to expose the bad apples in their associations or organizations - and doctors who are unwilling to report the "hackers" who take up the time of seniors serving as jurors at a malpractice trial? 

I suspect it's a case of "this really doesn't involve me - I'm the good guy and "I'm" certainly not doing that."

But, if so, then what the hell causes people to take days off from work to rebuild churches for which they are not members , take up collections to replace a whole truckload of presents for young  kids who are indigent and whose possibly "only" Christmas gift was carted away with the truck, those still fleet of foot who are still willing to chase down thieves who ripped off an elderly woman's purse and perhaps even the guys and gals who are willing  help the folks in the mosque scrub off the graffiti - despite the fact they do not agree with the religious tenets of  folks who may not see life the same way they do - even if they're not sure?

And let's not even get into those still sending a check to a Children's Hospital even when they misspell your name on those convenient return address stickers and tiny tablets. 

Even if you're the guy who folds up the $1 bill so as to cover the denomination before placing it in the Salvation Army kettle - - - and won't put that same amount in the tip jar of the restaurant until they bring you the $75 takeout food order and can then provide first hand witness to your generosity: 

" I still view this as a 'Different Approach' regardless of what the rest of the world is doing" - and maybe - just maybe - something that we need more of as we're trying to make sense of the less important  mundane topics like politics.

Have a Merry Christmas.

PUZZLES AND MIRACLE WORKERS

I find it hard to understand how  political decisions are made by either of our two political parties.

It seems to me to be rather apparent that barring some unforseen development Hillary will be moving back in to the White House, Donald will have had his fun and ego stroked , Ben will have discovered it's easier to work on brains than appeal to them, and little will have changed within the Republican Party or the way our Congressional politicians do business other than some Republican geezers  in Congress will be pretty PO'd by the fact that Cruz was willing to sell out attack them out of his desperation to get nominated.

There is a reason that only 58% of eligible voters made it to the polls in November 2012 and it had nothing to do with an early Christmas sales conflict. They see nothing positive happening in our electoral , legislative,  judicial, or executive system and I'm slowly starting to join their ranks because I'm concluding.

-- the tax code will not be revised.

- the pharmaceutical companies will still be jabbing us by selling drugs whose    patents have expired to other drug companies who will raise the price of these same drugs by 400% or more.

-Some  politician from Michigan who heads up the Congressional safety committee by dint of his being around for a while - and obeying without questioning the dictates of the more influential members of his party - will continue to hold automotive safety hearings - but do nothing to force the American auto manufacturers to make their vehicles more safe - apparently and simply because he does not want to take the risk of not being re-elected to office - by voters whose incomes are dependent on their automotive employers.

- those Trump supporting voters who feel they have been  bruised and abused by former GOP policies and candidates will some day return to their recliners and try to sell the merits of watching Fox New for 6 or more hours a day to their neighbors and family.

- the NCAA and NFL will continue to be trampling the civil liberties of their employees while being dictated or influenced in their decision making by anything that resembles paper currency and is accepted by large financial institutions - most of whom who - like them - have been deemed "to big to fail"

- we will continue to pay our federal prosecutors a miniscule compensation to battle corporate defense attorneys who are making almost as much as the size of the golden parachutes their lying, thieving clients are receiving in exchange for making unethical business decisions without the impediment of having to fear they will ever serve any time in the pokey or offend anyone on their corporate boards. 

Look, I understand the need for someone to shake us out of this lemming like conspiracy called "political correctness" - and that someone may have to be an individual like Trump who has established a large enough financial security grubstake that he need not follow the dictates of the special interest groups. 

These would be the same interested parties who have determined by simply blackmailing our elected officials by a refusal to support their re-election aspirations regarding their lobbying causes that make no sense to anyone who has ever read a book about anyone besides Harry Potter, these special interest guys and gals can achieve financial gains of 4000% more than their lobbying costs to achieve those gains. 

"Until" we see some signs of a defined effort to make some positive changes in the way we do business - conduct our banking decisions - price our drugs - approach and make sensible decisions with immigration challenges - or demonstrate an awareness and willingness by our politicians to recall that the goal of those 42 percenters  willing to go to the polls was that their only intentions in doing so were to elect folks who might finally demonstrate a willingness and plan to put the interests of their voters above their own  - I can assure those who are spiritually motivated that we could elect one of the 12 apostles and see little change.

(Hey, religious people with beards are not "necessarily" bad; but not all of them are necessarily miracle workers either.)

 I'd settle for some incremental but consistent progress in bringing us back to the days of morally and financially responsible business and political leaders. and a measurable action plan with specific timelines we could all monitor.  

How about you?