Message from The Guardian on Importance of Freedom of the Press

If you are deeply concerned about the Mental Health Crisis in our current  Executive Branch of Government, you are one of many. Today the chief executive, whether jokingly or seriously can be debated, gave a country he is at war with the go ahead to take out Los Angeles and San Diego. His invitation of terrorism and war targeting American soil would be a crime punishable by some of the strictest laws on the books if anyone besides  a deranged, demented U.S. President had uttered it. 

What would any U.S. citizen call a President who encourages a foreign attack on American cities? He left out the “fight like hell or else” part this time, but precedence should have us all at least a bit worried and on alert. Is this as desperate a call to violence as January 6th?

This is abnormal behavior that crosses the line for any jokester or clown act to engage in. Thanks to the still standing First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, our news organizations who have not cowered or become complicit in destroying our free press, as well as many from around the world are calling this latest abnormality to account.

The Guardian is a news organization that still reports independently of political influence and pressure. Following is the link to their reporting of this latest “deranged and dangerous” talk from a U.S. President. 

Also. below is a message from The Guardian with a plea for your support in keeping the press free and independent of political influence. These are the dangerous times the forefathers of these United States of America foresaw and forewarned. It drove them to act by amending the constitution in ways to protect the country from enemies and fools from within in positions of power. 

Nobody is above the laws of this great nation. These laws protect us from would be “kings & pawns, emperors & fools.“  - quote from The Count of Monte Cristo, 2002 film

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/oct/06/trump-suggests-let-iran-take-out-los-angeles-san-diego

In 27 days, our democracy faces a critical test…

With the midterm elections approaching, voters need fact-based reporting to decide the future of our country. Facing declining popularity, Donald Trump is accelerating his attacks on journalists’ First Amendment rights. Before you close this tab, can we ask you to support the Guardian at this critical time for journalism in the US?

The assault on the free press makes it more difficult to report on top election issues like the war in Iran, immigration enforcement, and AI’s potentially existential threat to humanity.

Most recently, Trump banned CNN, MS Now and Politico from the White House, in retaliation for “negative” coverage. While a federal judge has restored White House access for now, saying the ban is likely unconstitutional, Trump is still blocking CNN from Air Force One.

At the same time, Trump is using the FCC – which is supposed to be an independent regulator in the public interest – to settle political scores: The FCC targeted ABC after Jimmy Kimmel made a joke about the First Lady, and Trump suggested that the agency should punish the host of Meet the Press for making a  factual statement the president disliked.

The Pentagon, meanwhile, fired the editor of Stars and Stripes newspaper for “insubordination” shortly after they reported on a suicide attempt aboard the USS Lincoln, the Navy aircraft carrier reported to be in dire straits after 10 months at sea.

Making matters worse, many of the US’s largest news organizations are now owned by billionaires whose personal and business interests may imperil the outlets’ editorial independence. Media critics have observed how CBS News, now owned by a Trump ally, has softened its coverage; CNN could be taken over by the same billionaire; and Jeff Bezos has imposed extreme staff cuts and editorial interventions at the Washington Post.

When freedom is under attack, it falls to a determined few news organizations to ensure the full truth still reaches the public. The Guardian is owned neither by a billionaire nor a corporation and remains dedicated to keeping trustworthy journalism paywall-free for the world.

Despite the risks of maintaining our fierce independence, what sustains us – and fills us with deep gratitude – is the unwavering support we’ve seen from readers. A majority of our funding comes directly from readers. Your support not only powers our work, but more importantly, it safeguards the financial independence that underpins our editorial freedom and courage.

We know our requests for support are not as welcome as our journalism, but without them our journalism wouldn’t exist. Of course, we understand that some readers are not in a position to support us, and if that is you, we value your readership no less.

If you can, please support us today. We’re especially grateful for anyone able to set up a monthly contribution: reliable funding is vital for sustaining us throughout this dangerous period. It takes just 37 seconds to give. Thank you for protecting the free press.

ESPN's Kyle Brandt Hyping Raiders Football

ESPN host hilariously sounds off on network’s disrespect toward Raiders - Yahoo Sports

I saw it and I'm still pinching myself to see if it was all "Just A Dream." Nope, it was no dream. An ESPN 'Big Day' show host blasted football networks and other sports analysts for Not Talking About the 3-0 Raiders. 

The man who spoke truth to power like a republican senator calling out Trumpism is Kyle "Frickin'" Brandt. This guy is a Chicago Bears fan but more importantly a football fan. He came out on the set sporting a Raiders decaled jacket while accusing his colleagues of short-changing the Raiders early winning success. I immediately turned up the tv volume while yelling, Yes, Yes, Yes, go get'em.! 

Kyle is saying the things about the Raider Haters' (league/referees/networks) which Raider Nation and the organization have known for decades; the cards are always stacked against the Raiders in any game, period. Former owner, the late Al Davis is partly responsible, but that's another story.

I do hope Kyle can retain his job while reppin' Da' Raiders on national television. He does it so damn well. But, if they can cancel Jimmy Kimmel on late night tv for comments, imagine the blowback against a sports analyst defending Da' Raiders while wearing a "slick" silver and black jacket. 

But a word to the wise Kyle. Not only do the league and networks have a way of disappointing Raiders fans, but the team can break your heart with some of the most head-scratching ways imaginable. Both on the field and off, the Raiders can be their own worst enemy. 

Us fans who have stuck with them through it all (team relocations, player convictions, coach firings, tuck rule results) know what it means when people say, "it is better to have loved and lost, than to have never loved at all."  We have lost games, players and coaches in the most diabolical of ways, and yet we continue to march on to an Autumn Wind beat.

We Raiders fans love our football team passionately, win, lose or tie. We are loyal to God, Family and Raiders Football. And on gameday that order can get reshuffled. I personally would rather be a loyal, longtime fan of a team everyone loves to hate on and mock, than a fair-weather-fan of a media darling team loved by many for their current success. Screw the damn media. I'm a Raider!!!

You can't appreciate the highs of winning unless you have suffered through the lows of losing. Or as one of the greatest of all time once said:

As much as we appreciate Chicago Kyle for giving us our flowers on ESPN, we know his heart is with another team. We know this is only a highlight moment in Kyle's broadcasting career, after which there will be no lasting agony should the Raiders bubble burst this season. 

But for us die-hard Raiders fans riding this 3-0 winning season start, about to face the Kansas City Chiefs this Sunday with first place in the division on the line, it is much more than just a moment in sports or a division defining game. It is a season to show why we gray-haired, long in the tooth, gridiron ghosts still haunt the NFL with our loyalty to a team that hasn't won a Lombardi since 1983, hasn't seen a Superbowl since 2002, and nobody wants to give any kind of credit to for winning. 

Friends ask why I continue to root for the Raiders and wear Silver and Black?

That is like asking me why I love God, family and football.

Big Day on X: "“I’m hot on the BLEEPIN’ Raiders.” @KyleBrandt with another passionate locker room speech, this time for the Las Vegas Raiders 👀" / X

The Silver & Black Show - Week 4 vs. Chiefs - Hezekiah Masses, Kyle Brandt and Rich Gannon

In Honor and Support of our Brave Soldiers Now Serving

Yesterday I saw an unfamiliar flag fluttering on its pole attached to a third-floor apartment building windowsill. It being a beautiful, sunny day in the San Francisco Bay, with clear blue skies and a light afternoon breeze giving the flittering flag a majestic look against a classic 1907 yellow brick facade (The Saratoga).

What I discovered upon searching online is this is the Service Flag, also known as the Blue Star Flag. It is displayed in or outside windows of families who have members serving in the United States Armed Forces for the duration of any conflict the U.S. is involved in. 

Although nobody should like war, {with the exception of leaderships with narcissistic, corrupt, dictatorial agendas} citizens should be thankful for those service members willing to put their lives on the line protecting their country, so that they and their families can live free and in peace.

We citizens of this great nation salute those service members and their families for their sacrifices.

Read more at about this honorable flag and other family flags at the Nat'l WWI Museum and Memorial.

Service Flag | National WWI Museum and Memorial

Raiders (3-0) Feeling Like Vince Frickin' McMahon

 

Just Win Baby!

I really wanted to wait to begin hyping the Raiders early regular season football success. But after their third straight win, a fourth quarter come from behind road battle against the New Orleans Saints, I couldn't resist posting something, anything.

With today's 35-27 victory, Da' Raiderssss have uninvitedly strutted into the ring of competitive teams' whose opponents must bring their A-game to play against. The silver and black are showing NFL teams, analysts and fans they are a far cry from the (3-14) team of 2025. Improved coaching, players, playcalling and defense has them currently as one of five teams sporting a 3-0 undefeated win/loss record. Every Raiders win has been hard-fought and deservedly earned. 

Next week's opponent is the Kansas City Chiefs, enough said. Who better to use as a measuring stick of improvement than our AFC West rival who've been on a decade long division and league dominance up until last year. Our much-improved defense will get a good test going up against Mahomes and Kelce, with Mrs. T. Swift-Kelce in an Allegiant Stadium luxury box wearing chief's gear.

"Can't Wait!"

As of now, I'm gonna enjoy wearing this comeback Raiders win through the week leading up to the Chiefs Sunday showdown. Just look for the guy in your town dressed in Raider's gear Power Walking like an undefeated champion's ring walk to take on his next opponent. 

"I Pity the Fool" who steps into the ring to take on the newly improved Raiders.

RAAAAAIIIIIIIIDDDDDEEERRRRRSSSSS!!!!!!

Final Score

Raiders 35

Saints 27

NFL Football Week 1

The Trades, The Draft, The Pre-Season, The Cuts..... Done!

NFL Pro Football Season 2026 is here. 

Week 1 began Wednesday Night with a Patriots/Seahawks Superbowl repeat right down to another New England loss. But it was close. Thursday Night Football saw a division rivals 49ers/Rams game with the favored home team of Los Angeles taking a surprise beatdown.

And Today, my fanatical football cohorts, the waiting is over for all of us. My team and most of yours will take the field for the first time in a meaningful game this season. Our hopes are soaring high, our predictions seem right-as-rain, and our teams all have a puncher's chance at making it to the Big Shew!

So, it is time to stop talking Lebron James, screw the Yankees and Dodgers, and get down and dirty with the game that truly separates boys from men. It is time to grab refreshments, enter our caves and begin acting like real men:

ARE U READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?

WELL, ARE U PUNK!

Boxing Saturday Night: Garcia Closes The Door On Benn

My Only Professional Boxing Event - Sweet

 

Manny Pacquiao vs Agapito Sanchez (2001)

• Date: 2001-11-10 • Location: Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, USA • Referee: Marty Denkin • Judge: Ric Bays 54-58 • Judge: Marshall Walker 56-56 • Judge: Raul Caiz Sr 57-55 • International Boxing Federation Super Bantamweight Title (1st. defending of Pacquiao) • World Boxing Organization Super Bantamweight Title (1st. defending of Sanchez) • Time: 1:12 • Weights: 120.5 lbs (each)

The Main Attraction on the HBO Event taking place in San Francisco, Ca. was Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (26-0) vs Jesus Chavez (35-1). So here I was, seated approximately ten floor-rows back (row KK) due to a convenient ticket printing mix-up, able to see the sweat from George Foreman's ringside bald head as well as from the fighters, watching my first and only professional boxing event featuring two would-be hall of fame boxers early in their careers.

There were plenty of preliminary fights that were so, so. However, to be up close to any boxing ring during a fight is undisputedly one of the best experiences in sports. The anticipation leading up to the main event was edge of your seat can't wait. By the time the two main fighters entered the ring and introductions were made, the arena's atmosphere was simply off the charts. Definitely worth the price of admission.

It was the only time Pacquiao (33-2) and Mayweather would be on the same boxing card until they finally faced off against each other fourteen years later in 2015. That fight was also anti-climactic, with Mayweather displaying his defensive skills while applying what seemed like an avoid direct confrontation style. It was like watching the fox chase the hare and the hare's quickness was too much for the fox. Mayweather fans saw him as demonstrating the sweet science of boxing while Pacquiao fans labeled Mayweather a cowardly running chicken. It was not a good fight.

Now with both pretty much retired, they were scheduled to meet in 2026. However, the HBO event was postponed indefinitely due to legal disputes and financial gridlock surrounding Mayweather's camp. But that's okay, boxing fans aren't trying to see an old fox chase an older hare around the boxing ring, even in an exhibition match.

If you've never been to a Professional Boxing event and have the opportunity to do so,

"Just Do It!"

Lindsay Clancy Trial Thoughts

After watching various shows about the Lindsay Clancy case, I determined there was no motive for why a mother of three children would murder her kids. I believe the defense and/or prosecution also voiced no motive was found. This doesn't mean there was no motive but that no evidence could be presented as a motive. A prosecution without a motive usually favors the defense, except in this case both sides agree the mother murdered her kids. It is the mental state of the accused mother that is on trial.

After taking it all in and hearing additional evidence I hadn't heard earlier, I do believe at the time of the murders Lindsay Clancy knew what she was doing. I feel she struggled with coming to the conclusion of having to take the lives of her three little ones but somehow was able to justify it in order to successfully follow through with at least part of the plan (murder-suicide).

It is the "somehow" which I feel gives us a peek into the motive for why she did what she did to her children. 

I believe if a mother has determined to commit suicide her biggest roadblock/burden is having to leave her children behind. Not knowing what will happen to her children after she is dead, and having no say whatsoever in the fate of their lives afterward would weigh heavily on any mother abandoning her young children due to any circumstances. 

And if mental illness, depression or a fatal illness has befallen a mother, what more concern would she have than the care for her young children (5yrs, 3yrs, 8mos) after she is gone. A mentally stable mother might look to female family or close friends to ensure the safety and upbringing of her children. A loving father, who did exist in this case, might lack in nurturing and loving.

In the case of Mrs. Lindsay Clancy, we know she was being treated for mental illness and depression. What was never given as evidence was her motive for wanting to kill herself, if there is such a thing for suicidal thoughts. Perhaps it was mentioned in the trial, but I don't remember hearing it. It seems clear that for whatever reason(s) she came to the conclusion to end her own life, the lives of her children weighed heavily on her decision. 

In coming to that conclusion, she was faced with the dilemma of leaving her children behind to face a life without a mother's nurturing love. I do believe she loved her children as much as any mother could, and in her depressed mental state she chose the only place she thought they'd be safe and possibly with her to watch over them was in death. 

It seems the prosecution and defense were more focused on accusing and defending the medical professions and pharmaceutical prescriptions used to treat her condition, than determining what led Lindsay to want to commit suicide. I believe once Lindsay decided to kill herself, as a mother she calculated it was best for her children to die along with her. 

In other words, Lindsay chose first to kill herself, and the killing of her children was an afterthought that took planning.

I believe the Lindsay Clancy Case was a botched murder-suicide. A case where a loving mother chose what she felt best for her children once she decided to end her own life. And in some mentally/emotionally challenged way of thinking, it would take the love of a mother to understand the fear and hurt of leaving her children behind forever. Perhaps, so much fear and hurt that she may not have been able to go through with her own suicide while her little ones were still alive. 

A painful tragedy to envision. And I'd assume painful for a mother who lived through it all and a father who couldn't protect his children. But my heart truly goes out to those who were innocent victims in this case: young Cora, Dawson, and Callan Clancy. No verdict in any courtroom will give back what was forcefully taken from them. Life!

Prayers go out to the Clancy Family

Tears in Heaven Await us All!

Eric Clapton: The Unthinkable Tragedy That Inspired "Tears in Heaven"

Psychologist testifies Lindsay Clancy was not criminally responsible in killing of her 3 children | PBS News

Lindsay Clancy didn't have acute psychosis when she killed her 3 children, psychologist says | Courthouse News Service

Did Lindsay Clancy Benefit From the O.J. Simpson Effect? | Mistrial Analysis - YouTube

Update:

BREAKING: The Lone Clancy Holdout Was The ONLY Black Juror! - YouTube