Klay Thompson Shelved by Injury

Just as he's readying to return for another Warriors basketball season, Klay Thompson suffers an achilles injury that will keep him off the court for another season. In the 2019 NBA Finals, he tore a ligament in his left knee that shelved him for a full season. This latest injury means he will miss back-to-back seasons due to injury.

It's a blow to us Golden State Warriors fans, but I'm sure a bigger disappointment to Klay as a basketball player. I can't imagine the relentless, physical rehabilitation work he has put in to get himself primed and ready for this season, only to see it neutralized by another injury.  Only professional athletes know the deep regret and depression that comes with an injury that forces you out of the game you've played and loved since childhood.

Keep your head up Klay. You've got family, fans and Rocco all rooting for your recovery. Don't Give Up The Ship Klay! We still appreciate your services here in the Bay.

Raiders Week 10

 

Final Score

Broncos 12

Raiders 37

Raiders Defense stepped up to rule the day with four interceptions, two quarterback sacks and two forced fumbles (1 recovered). The offense continues to successfully pound the ball and control time of possession. Although the Raiders were only leading 10-6 at halftime, they made the necessary adjustments to come out and put up 27 points while giving up only 6 points to the Denver Broncos.

The Raiders need to clean up the mistakes and miscues that kept the game close early; dropped passes, untimely penalties, 3rd down inefficiency. Against a better team they cannot play like they did in this game and come out with a dominating win. 

The 8-1 defending champion Kansas City Chiefs are coming to town next, and I'm sure they would like nothing better than to avenge their only season loss, courtesy of the Raiders in week 5. Bring'em On!

Raider Nation Bay Area

Mourns loss of Ricky Ricardo.  

Ricky of Ricky's Sports Bar and Grill. Always Welcoming, Always Inviting, Always Raiders.....

Lucille Bridges - We Salute You

Today, After reading an Associated Press article of the passing of Lucille Bridges, I only felt it fitting to post my thoughts on it. 

Lucille Bridges was a mother who allowed her six year old daughter Ruby to be one of the first black children to integrate William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, Louisiana. To be chosen as one of only a few black children to participate in early desegregated schooling required a bright and fearless child. But imagine the courage it took a mother and father to expose their little girl to the ugliness and potential violence of Louisiana white racism in 1960.

Lucille Bridges was that mother. Driven by a vision of equal opportunity for her daughter, a vision backed by the 1954, U.S. Supreme Court ruling on separate but equal schooling as unconstitutional.

Lucille Bridges, a mother who after proudly walking with her daughter on that first day (Nov. 14, 1960) would leave her in the hands of U.S. Marshals for protection while walking to school.

U.S. Marshals escorted Ruby Bridges to and from school.

Lucille Bridges, who must've seen on television the ugly, intimidating faces of white citizens screaming and spitting racists epithets at her baby as she innocently entered what looked like a white fortress of enemy troops reluctant to surrender to the new law of the land.

After all, this wasn't the liberal northeast but the deep confederate south where blacks should know their place in a white supremacist society. Where everywhere a black citizen went publicly were reminders of the unequal terms they were expected to abide by at the risk of punishment and/or death. Water Fountains, Bathrooms, Restaurants, Stores, Theatres, Ballparks, and of course Buses.

Lucille Bridges knew the anger and ugliness her daughter would face desegregating an elementary school, and yet she convinced her reluctant husband to agree with such a dangerous undertaking for Ruby. 

Without knowing Lucille, I am willing to wager the house that she was a strong woman of faith. Who else but an almighty God would a parent trust to guide and protect their child on such a perilous journey; alone. 

A father and son might experience this same situation as just a right of passage on the journey from boyhood to manhood, but a little girl and her mother? Pigtails and baby doll shoes? Innocence? 

Here's how Ruby remembered her mother Lucille in the article:

“Today our country lost a hero. Brave, progressive, a champion for change. She helped alter the course of so many lives by setting me out on my path as a six year old little girl. Our nation lost a Mother of the Civil Rights Movement today. And I lost my mom. I love you and am grateful for you. May you Rest In Peace.”

As I've stated earlier, I didn't know Lucille Bridges. I didn't grow up in the deep south nor experience early school desegregation. But I know the gut punches a parent takes every time their child has to face the cold realities of ugliness in this world. I know the pain of having no answer for a child's questions about racial discrimination. And fortunately for me, I know what its like to have a parent stand up and demand equality for their child.

Lucille Bridges is a symbol for the many, many black mothers who stood up for their children and took the gut punches so that one day a little black girl, like her Ruby, could walk proudly into the White House of the United States of America as Vice President, escorted by secret service agents. Without the courage, vision and persistence found in the likes of a Lucille Bridges, there could not be a Vice President-elect like Kamala Harris.

 

Mrs. Lucille Bridges, we the black , brown and white citizens of the United States of America Salute and Honor Your Service!

Raiders Week 9

 

Final Score

Raiders 31

Chargers 26

The game came down to TWO defensive plays in the final SIX seconds with the Chargers at the Raiders FOUR yard line. TWO fade passes thrown toward the corner of the endzone against Raiders second year defensive back Isaiah Johnson in man coverage. 

Using all his skill, technique, athleticism and sheer "will to win" nerves of steel, Isaiah outmanned both Chargers receivers launched to sink the Raiders. It was Isaiah Johnson who saved the Raiders flagship from destruction on the battlefield Sunday afternoon, and by God we the Raider Nation are proud to stand and salute his heroic contributions. 

"The fire that burns brightest in the Raider organization is the Will to Win"

Isaiah Johnson secures victory days after loss of friend

End of an Error - A Nation Giddy With Relief

When the Wicked Witch of the East suffered her tragic ending, the cowered citizens of the land came out from their hiding places in disbelief. Once convinced the reign of tyranny had come to an end, the citizens were overcome with giddy celebration of song and dance.

Today's Election Results finally brought the house down on Donald Trump and his wicked administration, setting off dancing and celebrations in cities across the nation. An era of tyrannical leadership over the land of the free and home of the brave will come to an end on January 20, 2021 (Inauguration Day). 

Celebrations recognizing the end of this incurable era and the beginning of truth & hope were a beauty to behold today. Citizens of the United States gathered in the streets, in parks, in civic centers, waving and dancing as if a long fought war had ended; V-J Day 1945 revisited. 

On Inauguration Day, President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris will take over the highest offices in the land and begin implementing America's long road to recovery. And if any stragglers from the dead era of Trump try resurrecting divisive and ugly attacks so common in his day, I quote Belinda the Good Witch's warning:  

"Begone, Before Somebody Drops a House on You!"

Ding, Dong the .........is dead, 

Our Tireless Elections Guide

He's being compared to the Energizer Bunny. You know, the drum-beating rabbit that just "keeps going and going and going." What sets him apart from all comparisons is his passion and persistence in providing viewers with much anticipated updates to the 2020 Presidential Election. His name is Steve Kornacki, and he's admirably manning the volatile Presidential election board on msnbc.  

Steve is proving to be a master navigator of mathematics, U.S. political geography, state and federal elections laws and projections based on real voting ballot numbers. While others mostly discuss and speculate swing state numbers, Steve keeps us engaged visually, pointing out and comparing current counts with past numbers and calculating gains and losses as reflected on his digital battleground map. 

During this tense and challenging election his reporting talents are being recognized by both colleagues and viewers alike.  As he fields electoral questions from some of the best msnbc news personalities, nothing is left in the shadows. He reports very clear and enlightening answers on the Presidential race.

Somehow, this momentous occasion has targeted Steve with his impeccable presentation talents. It has placed him at the center of this elections storm with nothing more than a big, touchscreen elections map to navigate the ebb and flow of electoral waves. He resembles a weatherman at his command center post tracking a Category 5 Hurricane while updating, alerting and highlighting affected areas viewable on his map. Thanks to Steve's intellect and insight he excels as a national guide through this whirlwind of a Presidential Election. 

He steers our ship with a joy and seriousness that must make other countries envy American liberty as well as freedom of the press.  A nod to his cameraman, who is adding Hitchcock-like drama with camera angles and zoom-in/out artistry.

With all the crazy political and legal actions our President is saying and doing to thwart the election, our man Steve has kept even keel in his reportage of votes and electoral points. He just "keeps on going and going and going." 

Though from outside looking in he may appear overwhelmed trying to maintain order on the ship, Steve just might be our only American newsman so focused on the task at hand that the tossing and turbulent accusations being made by a disgruntled incumbent President has no sway over him. Our loyal and trustworthy elections navigator has only one concern and goal; getting us safely through the fog of information and docked soundly at home port. 

Meanwhile, we voters must hold on and weather the dizzying seasickness that comes from riding the waves of a hellacious race to the Presidency.

Steve Kornacki, We Salute Your Service!

- Captain James Lawrence, (U.S. Navy), 1781-1813 

Election Day - Civic Responsibility

    

Eric Liu, former White House Speech Writer, talks about how America can overcome divisive ideologies for the greater good of the United States of America. In this short interview with NPR's David Green he highlights where we are at this moment as a nation, then he shines a positive light on the unique opportunity for change lying at our doorstep. 

Eric's book, "You're More Powerful than You Think," is a citizen's guide to making change happen in America. And it appears change does not involve armed revolution, anarchy or walling ourselves off from one another. Actually, positive change in America will require majority citizen participation in seeking common sense solutions to problems our society is facing. "I Claim America"

Book Overview

Is this the America you want? If not, here's how to claim the power to change your country. We are in an age of epic political turbulence in America. Old hierarchies and institutions are collapsing. From the election of Donald Trump to the upending of the major political parties to the spread of grassroots movements like Black Lives Matter and $15 Now, people across the country and across the political spectrum are reclaiming power. Are you ready for this age of bottom-up citizen power? Do you understand what power truly is, how it flows, who has it, and how you can claim and exercise it? Eric Liu, who has spent a career practicing and teaching civic power, lays out the answers in this incisive, inspiring, and provocative book. Using examples from the left and the right, past and present, he reveals the core laws of power. He shows that all of us can generate power-and then, step by step, he shows us how. The strategies of reform and revolution he lays out will help every reader make sense of our world today. If you want to be more than a spectator in this new era, you need to read this book.

Citizenship is An Art With Creativity - NPR.org 

Raiders Week 8

 Lest we Forget Nov. 08, 2016

Final Score

Raiders 16

Browns 6

2nd Year Receiver From Clemson

 

Former Clemson wide receiver Hunter Renfrow, known as "3rd & Renfrow" during his college days, scored on 3rd and Goal in the Raiders win over the Cleveland Browns today. It was the only touchdown in a game that saw blustering autumn winds along with sleet and snow affect passes, catches and kicks. And the temperature at kickoff was 35 degrees.

It was a close battle, but the Raiders revitalized running game with Josh Jacobs (137 yards), Devontae Booker and a dominating patched up offensive line took over. The Browns had no answer for the visiting Raiders running game down the stretch. However, they did produce a goal line stand, forcing the Raiders to kick a late field goal when a touchdown would of iced the game. But the day belonged to that Raiders O-Line leading them in doing what they do best, control the line of scrimmage and time of possession. Its a winning formula.

As for the 3rd down specialist from Clemson, the more I see him make plays, the more I'm convinced the Raiders have a playmaker ready and waiting to bust out.  You simply don't get the football nickname "3rd & Renfrow" without consistently converting crucial 3rd down plays. Clemson knew what they had in Renfrow. He'd become a sort of college cult legend. Now Raiders fans are chomping at the bit wanting to see more of what made Clemson fans so fanatical watching the 5'10, 185lb receiver play football.

Into only his second NFL season he has teased us with flashes of his great route running, catching and overall athletic ability. Actually, he had a few 100-yard reception games in 2019 and was third in team receiving yards and touchdowns for the season. He missed three games last season due to injury. So far this season he's second in receptions and third in receiving yards on the team. For this young Raiders team so full of promise, "3rd & Renfrow" is destined to be a big part of its future success. Thanks Clemson!

College career[edit]

Despite receiving scholarship offers to play football and baseball at schools in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), Renfrow enrolled at Clemson University, and walked on to the Clemson Tigers football team. He was 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m) and weighed only 155 pounds (70 kg). He took a redshirt in 2014. By 2015, when he had increased to 176 pounds (80 kg), he received a scholarship.^[1] Renfrow played in all 13 games as a redshirt freshman in 2015, making ten starts, and recording 492 yards and five touchdowns. He caught two touchdown passes in the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship.^[4] In 2016, Renfrow played in just nine games as a sophomore due to injury. He recorded 353 yards and caught four touchdown passes.^[5] In the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship against the Alabama Crimson Tide, he caught the game-winning touchdown from quarterback Deshaun Watson with one second remaining in the game.^[6]

In 2018, Renfrow won the Burlsworth Trophy, given to the best college player who began his career as a walk-on.^[7] In his final collegiate season in 2018, he recorded 49 receptions for 544 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.^[8]