It's Official - Raiders Leaving Oakland

Golden State Warriors Home Stretch

Okay, I'm guilty this time of posting Warriors information from another site. Thanks KSRO for providing a Warriors game breakdown that coincides with my own analysis of what I saw tonight. Great win Warriors!

Warriors Drop Memphis in Playoff Style Game

By Cole Reece| March 26th

Tonight the Golden State Warriors began a stretch of 5 games in a row against playoff caliber teams. The Grizzlies had been a thorn in the side of the Dubs all season long. Memphis has played the Warriors tough and tonight’s contest was no different. In the 1st quarter, the Grizz slowed the game to a crawl and frustrated the Dubs. Andre Iguodala came off the bench and absolutely changed the complexion of the game. He added instant offense and brought energy and tempo back to the Warriors. It was a playoff-like atmosphere, and neither team could seize control. The Grizzlies relied heavily on points in the paint. They scored 30 first-half points inside the restricted area. In the 3rd quarter, Klay Thompson became the embodiment of “Splash”. Thompson scored the 1st 10 points for the Dubs. Matt Barnes joined the fun with 10 points as he looks even more valuable as Durant nears his return. Mike Conley would refuse to let the Grizzlies go quietly. Down (74-81) with under 1:30 left in the 3rd he helped tie the game up at 81. Golden State made their push towards victory in the final quarter. It started with defense where they held Memphis to just 13 points. Curry pushed the game out of reach with 8 points in the final frame. The Warriors wound up winning by the final score of 106-94. Klay Thompson was spectacular, and the Warriors drained 17 three-pointers on the night. The Quest for the number 1 seed got off to a great start for the Dubs. Up next Golden State continues their quest in Texas against the Rockets. Make sure to tune into KSRO for the next installment of Warrior’s basketball.

Stars of the Night: Thompson 31 points, 7 of 11 on three’s, 21 2nd half points. Iguodala 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. Curry 21 points, 5 three’s, and 11 assists. Mike Conley (Memphis) 29 points and 6 assists.

The Bigger Warriors Story of the Night: Steph Curry fan Isaiah Simpson

Black New Yorkers React To White Terrorist

Only in America! I have to believe that only in America can an individual commit a premeditated racist attack in hopes of spreading terror in white women and black men, and have it called anything but Terrorism.

Terror came to New York City this past week in the form of a white American racist bent on killing African-American men. James Harris Jackson of Maryland arrived in New York City and stalked potential African-American victims before unleashing his terror on 66 yr old Timothy Caughman. The terrorist weapon of choice was a 26 inch mini-sword that resembles a military bayonet.

What New Yorkers are finding disturbing, and well they should, is that the attack and attacker were quickly labeled white supremacist as opposed to terrorist.  They're wondering how a 2014 killer of two cops could be called a terrorist and James Harris Jackson not be labelled the same by the media. Could it be because cop killer Ismaaiy Brinsley was a black man from Brooklyn with Islamic faith leanings?

Attacker James Harris Jackson admitted afterward to police his plans and purpose for coming to New York City and killing a black man; to stop white women from entering into relationships with black men. He also said his attack on Caughman "was practice" for a larger attack against black men in Times Square.

This was not a "Dry Run," but a successful act of violence to create terror and fear in particular races of men and women. Jackson seems not to consider himself supreme over black men, but rather angry with white women for inter-relating with black men. The killing of black men appears to be just a means to an end for this attacker. Seems a bit twisted and complicated. I'm sure that in Jackson's diseased mind, it is.

We continue to see Americans commit crimes of terror and hatred here on American soil. Regardless of who it is and why they choose to terrorize and kill Americans, our media must be unbiased and consistent in their reportage of such incidents. If news media cannot do so, then they're as much a part of the Black Lives and Immigrants not mattering perception as any.

A Gift of Verse

For my Grandson on his 18th birthday. May you someday find comfort in reading these few lines with understanding, knowing the wise message of being one's own man to be so.


Character of a Happy Life
by Sir Henry Wotton

How happy is he born and taught
That serveth not another's will;
Whose armour is his honest thought,
And simple truth his utmost skill!

Whose passions not his masters are,
Whose soul is still prepared for death;
Untied unto the world by care
Of public fame, or private breath;

Who envies none that chance doth raise,
Nor vice; Who never understood
How deepest wounds are given by praise;
Nor rules of state, but rules of good;

Who hath his life from rumors freed,
Whose conscience is his strong retreat;
Whose state can neither flatterers feed,
Nor ruin make oppressors great;

Who God doth late and early pray
More of His grace than gifts to lend;
And entertains the harmless day
With a religious book or friend;

----This man is freed from servile bands
Of hope to rise, or fear to fall;
Lord of himself, though not of lands;
And having nothing, yet hath all.

Srisaket Sor Rungvisai --- Victorious --- Over Chocolatito

 BOXING

In his first loss ever, super flyweight titlist Roman "Chocolatito" Gonzalez was as courageous as ever. Against Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, a challenger from Muay Thai country (Thailand), a bruised and bloodied Chocolatito battled to what I personally thought was a draw if not a win.  Seemed Sor Rungvaisai was never really hurt by Chocolatito and fought a solid fight. The Thai boxer put Gonzalez down in the first round with a shot to the body. Chocolatito needed all his ring skills and toughness to stay in there with Rungvaisai, who seemed bigger and stronger.

The 12th round might go down as one of the best of this seasons' boxing rounds. The two tired fighters exchanged blows with wicked abandon, but neither could stun, stagger or knockdown the other. The fight had action all the way through. The blows weren't always noticeable, but the work these two fighters put into the fight was definitely championship caliber.

Congratulations to new Champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai for showing up and delivering a fierce Ong-Bak like challenge to one of the best fighters in boxing today. Thailand should be proud of their champion. I hope to see a rematch.


As for the main event: Gennady Golovkin vs Daniel Jacobs. Sorry Triple-G, but you did not win that fight.

Jacobs brought it to Golovkin all night and Triple-G didn't seem to have an answer for his power and speed.

But for the knockdown that I thought was more an off balance mow-down, the fight seemed even with no clear winner or loser. But judges do what they do after such battles and Triple-G retained his WBC welterweight belt. As Jacobs stated afterwards, Triple-G has the bigger name brand and I guess the buildup to Golovkin vs Canelo Alverez supersedes Daniel Jacobs; or something like that. Either way, Jacobs, who wasn't expected to go the distance, has solidified himself as a legitimate championship-caliber boxer and he just might've exposed to other challengers weaknesses we once thought unthinkable in Triple-G's style.

Beast Mode or AP

It's a dilemma I'll definitely take this time of year for the Raiders. If the rumors are true, we could see either Adrian Peterson or Marshawn Lynch suiting up in silver and black this upcoming NFL season. With RB Latavius Murray running off to Minnesota, we're in need of a big, bruising back to fill the void.  AP has been injury prone and turns 32 this month. Lynch will be 31 next month and hasn't played in one full season. The big difference here is injury vs retirement. Factor in the Oakland native kibbit and Lynch is your Raiders starting running back in 2017 hands down.

I've begged, pleaded and prayed on this blog in the past for game-change caliber players to come over to the NFL's dark side that is the Raiders organization. Maybe this time my plea will pay off. Never has there been such an explosive local football player available to join an already playoff caliber Raiders team. Other than maybe getting bay area native Tom Brady as a backup to Derek Carr, the Lynch signing would be a bay area bonanza.

So without further ado, BEAST MODE----------------this prayer and plea is for YOU!

Morning Marshawn, This Is God Calling!

You may not find this letter of spiritual advice immaculate, but if you have faith you’ll understand and receive the blessing.  It’s about more than just a football career; it’s about seeing the gifts of your life unfold in ways you never imagined.  I know, I’ve had my eye on you Marshawn.  You have so much to offer in so many ways, but like many, there’s been some doubt and many distractions along the way.   

The road of life I made crooked and challenging for reasons only I know.  What I’d like you to believe is that every bump, curve and detour placed along your path was put there for your best interest, just as the times your life seemed to be in cruise control, it was I removing some of those worries and burdens.  It’s been like that for you since April 22, 1986 and will continue through all your days.  For I am always with you.

As an adult I must remind you of the Free Will you’ve been blessed with, which allows you to choose what path to take and team to join.  Mind you, your choice will not change what I’ve willed for you, but it will determine the type of experiences you encounter traveling toward your destiny. Either way, by your will or mine, I will be right there with you as I’ve always been.  I write to you in this, your 31^st year of life, to give you this special birthday gift, though you might see it as more of a puzzle than a blessing. 

You are not who you think yourself to be. Know Thyself!

You, my faithful servant, at heart are a Raider.  Go West and discover those treasures awaiting you.  Pledge to choose a path based on your soulful needs over financial desires, trusting that I am always with you.  What might at first seem unwise and foolish to agents and those who’ve profited by blessed talents bestowed on you, will be revealed as the link to your fulfillment as a man in touch with his destiny.  The gleam of life, which you’ll surely discover in this new journey, will eventually become evident to those who might’ve doubted, including yourself. 

Again, be mindful and watchful of distracting forces.  This time, choose not only with the hungry head, but practice using the other decision-making instrument of which I’ve blessed you with; a humble heart. Do not be deceived, for a humble heart sees what a hungry head is sometimes too full to discern.

Oakland, California needs you my servant, as much as you need Oaktown.  Seek not what you’ve found in Seattle.  Go where you can feel my Pacific waters calming the summer air around you at night.  Go experience the California sunshine splashing down reminding you of my presence before, during and after the dark, threatening storm.  Awake to the winds of autumn blustering in from sea, greeting you to a new day in My blessed bay. A place where past transgressions are forgiven and no stone be cast should new ones arise.

"Keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened for you.” In giving of yourself you will surely receive tenfold.

For I promise this and more to all those of faith.  I Am always with you Marshawn.  And win, lose or tie, I Am a Raider!

silverblackministry

The Gift of Artist Julia Cairns

Elegance of the Horse

Artist/Illustrator Julia Cairns has an exceptional gift when it comes to reanimating images of life. This painting of a horse standing so elegantly in what looks to me like a mythical childhood garden, is alive with life vibrations. You have a blend of basic earthy colors with dashes and highlights of pastel blues, browns, yellows and reds. It sure makes for one elegant looking horse. 

Look at it long enough and you'll see the horse rock its head up and down with a snort while swatting its tail at some flyby insect. It's as if he/she is waiting for us to join in the picture and begin stroking its body with a brush. Wait a minute, I think it just called out my name!

The horse beckons us to return to our childhood imaginations if only for a moment, to see and feel the magic and wonder of life reflected in art through innocent eyes once again. What's the old biblical saying, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become as little children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven."

And the added beauty of seeing not a thread of horse tack (saddles, bridles, bits, halters, reins, harnesses, etc...) gives the animal a freedom in paradise charm that is heavenly.

I stumbled across the art of Julia Cairns many years ago and am proud to have one of her prints, "To The River," hanging in my home. You can read more about Ms. Cairns at her website:

http://juliacairns.fineartstudioonline.com/about

Harry Emerson Fosdick on Faith

"A book on faith has been for years my hope and intention. And now it comes to final form during the most terrific war men ever waged, when faith is sorely tried and deeply needed."
(The first lines in his preface to the book)


The Meaning of Faith
by Harry Emerson Fosdick
1917

When faith in God goes, man the mortal loses his only hope.

Man's nature, like a lighthouse, combines two elements. At the foundation of the beacon all is stone; as one lifts his eyes all is stone still; but at the top is something new and wonderful. It is the thing for which the rock was piled. Its laws are not the laws of stone nor are its ways the same. For while the stolid rock stands fast, this miracle of light with speed incredible hurls itself out across the sea. Two worlds are here, the one cold and stationary, the other full of the marvel and mystery of fire. So man has in him a miracle which he cannot explain; he "feels that he is greater than he knows"; and he never has been able to believe that the mystery of spirit was given him in vain, had no reality from which it came, and no future beyond death.

The finest thing ever said of Columbus is a remark of his own countryman, "The instinct of an unknown continent burned in him." That is the secret of Columbus' greatness. All the arguments by which he attempted to convince doubters were but afterthoughts of this; all the labors by which he endeavored to make good his hopes were but its consequence. And if we ask of man why so universally he has believed in life to come, the answer leaps not superficially from the mind, but out of the basic intuitions of man's life. We know that something is now ours which ought not to die; the instinct of an unknown continent burns in us. But all hopes, the motives, the horizons that immortality has given man must go, if faith in God departs. In a godless world man dies forever.

One, therefore, who is facing loss of faith may not regard it as a light affair. To be sure, some denials of religion, even a Christian must respect.

But some discard religion from their life's adventure with no such serious understanding of the import of their denial. They are pert disbelievers. They toss faith facilely aside in a light mood. Such frivolous sceptics indict their own intelligence. Whoever discards religious faith should appoint a day of mourning for his soul and put on a sackcloth and ashes. He must take from his life the greatest thought that man the thinker ever had, the finest faith that the sinner ever found, the strongest reliance that man the sufferer ever trusted in, the loftiest vision that man the lover ever saw, and the only hope that man the mortal ever had. So he must deny his faith in God. Before one thus leaves himself bereft of the faith that makes life's adventure most worth while he well may do what Carlyle, under the figure of Teufelsdrockh, says that he did in his time of doubt: "In the silent night-watches, still darker in his heart than over sky and earth, he has cast himself before the All-seeing, and with audible prayers cried vehemently for Light."

Pgs 21-22


In memoriam to his mother:
’Tis human fortune’s happiest height to be
A spirit melodious, lucid, poised, and whole;
Second in order of felicity
to have walk’d with such a soul.