Raiders Raise Eyebrows in Competitive Holiday Game

The (2-9) Raiders played a Friday Afternoon Thanksgiving Holiday Game in which nobody thought they could compete. Their opponent being the two-time champion (10-1) Kansas City Chiefs, everything was set for the hometown team to showcase all their dominance and glory against "the worst team in the league." As usual, Taylor Swift was there sporting blood red lipstick in support of Kansas City tight-end Travis Kelce.

It was a low scoring game which saw the Chiefs build a hard earned, yet convincing 16-3 lead by the bottom of the third quarter. The Raiders had given the home team a run for their money, but time, the competition, two missed field goals and penalties (9-101 yds.) seemed to sum up an overwhelmingly expected Chiefs victory.

But something happened along the way down KC's red-brick-road to 11-1. 

Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell, returning after six weeks with a broken thumb, was outplaying three-time super bowl MVP Patty Mahomes. With heavy defensive pressure on him all day, O'Connell found receivers for first downs and decent yardage. Two long touchdown passes put the Raiders ahead 17-16 by the start of the fourth quarter. O'Connell had clearly given Raiders coaches and fans something to finally feel good about since their abysmal seven game losing streak began. 

The Raiders running game looked fresh, creative and productive under new offensive coordinator Scott Turner, while the defense continued to bend and not break against Patty Mahomes and company. Max Crosby and the Silver and Black defense held the Chiefs to a field goal in the final quarter. They had a much needed four sack day. Meanwhile, another Daniel Carlson FG attempt (58 yds) came up short. He uncharacteristically went 1 for 4 on the day.

And so, it would be MVP of the day Aidan O'Connell, with just under two minutes left in the game, to lead the Raiders from their own 8-yard line to the KC 32-yard line to setup for a daunting Carlson game-winning field goal. 

Raiders fans.... I would like to say our team got to the KC 32-yard line, killed the clock with seconds remaining, kicked the field goal and celebrated another unforeseen holiday victory on Arrowhead turf. I would like to be able to claim in answer to the trivia question "who was the last team to date to have beaten the Kansas City Chiefs twice in a row on holidays at Arrowhead stadium?" it was the Raiders. 

What I would have liked and hoped for became a moot point once the Raiders hiked the ball on 3rd & 3 at the KC 32-yard line. 

But there is no joy in Mudville -

Mighty Casey has struck out

Chiefs 19-17 Raiders (Nov 29, 2024) Game Recap - ESPN

Aidan O'Connell shows in loss to Chiefs that he is the Raiders' QB for the rest of season

Chiefs streak. explained: Kansas City sets NFL record with yet another bizarre ending in tight win over Raiders | Sporting News

Wushu - Bi Ying Liang 2019

 What is Wushu?

Now You Know!

Advance Martial Arts

As a Tai Chi practitioner, I recognize numerous movements from my Yang Style Tai Chi form incorporated into this Wushu set.

• Wushu

  The origins of Wushu may date back to the Bronze Age (3000-1200 BC) or earlier. Wushu was developed in 1949 to standardize traditional Chinese martial arts. Wushu is a competitive martial art that incorporates forms and concepts from other Chinese martial arts, including tai chi. 
• Tai chi

  The earliest documented practice of tai chi was in Chen Village and Zhabao Village in Henan. The first written reference to tai chi was in The Book of Changes, which is over 3,000 years old. Tai chi is considered part of traditional Chinese Wushu and has evolved from the Chen, Yang, Wǔ, Wú, and Sun families.

A Favorite Poem: ** The Zig-Zag Path **

Unknown Author

I came across this poem many years ago as a young adult. It reminded me so much of myself as an adolescent coming home on my bike. Our house being on a corner lot provided me a choice of two streets (paths) to take on my way home. Call it the challenge of a "Joe conquering the mountain" moment, or just a kid pushing to see how far his body could go, but I seemed to always choose the uphill path.

At some point after conquering the hill non-stop, I began swerving back and forth uphill while practicing riding without my hands on the handlebars. Eventually, while doing this I discovered an ease, comfort, and rhythm which allowed me to remain seated and relaxed while going up the hill. No more heavy panting and sweating with my heart racing and lungs about to explode. I could sit using only my strong, young legs while zig-zagging home uphill. Of course, by then I had a bike with gears and could use the lower gears.

Sure, it took a bit more time, and traffic sometimes interrupted my flow. But on a good day, that final stretch riding home uphill gave me time to look back on a day spent adventurously riding around town on my bike. Also, while contemplating all I'd seen that day, I had time to look forward and appreciate the loving family home I was returning to. 

It was as if everything in the universe came together on the seat of that bike and felt right, blissful. This might have been my first experience, unknowingly, with meditation and eastern thought.

So, whenever I read this poem, I get to re-live a small piece of my wonderful childhood which will always be a part of me. I get to watch that 13-year-old kid who felt life was eternally wonderful as he took the uphill path home with an ease and grace it seemed only he knew about. And knowing upon arrival he was safe and loved.

I wish every kid could have that feeling every day of their young lives. And then as an adult have some song, picture, or poem to remind them of it. What else can you do with such blessed memories like these but share them.

Downfall - Final Rage & Tirade of a Dictator

 

Dictator Commits Suicide by Gunshot to Head - April 30, 1945

Unconditional Surrender of Third Reich - May 8, 1945 (V-E Day)

Unconditional Surrender of Japan - Aug. 15, 1945 (V-J Day)

Hitler in Colour (4K WW2 Documentary) - YouTube

WIKIPEDIA.ORG

History

[edit]

Crowds gathering in celebration at Piccadilly Circus, London during VE Day on 8 May 1945

Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel signing the final surrender terms on 8 May 1945 in Berlin

Final positions of the Allied armies, May 1945

United States military policemen reading about the German surrender in the newspaper Stars and Stripes

Adolf Hitler, the Nazi leader, had committed suicide on 30 April during the Battle of Berlin, and Germany's surrender was authorised by his successor, Reichspräsident Karl Dönitz. The administration headed by Dönitz was known as the Flensburg Government. The act of military surrender was first signed at 02:41 on 7 May in SHAEF HQ at Reims,^[2] and a slightly modified document, considered the definitive German Instrument of Surrender, was signed on 8 May 1945 in Karlshorst, Berlin at 22:43 local time.

The German High Command will at once issue orders to all German military, naval and air authorities and to all forces under German control to cease active operations at 23.01 hours Central European time on 8 May 1945...

— German Instrument of Surrender, Article 2, ^{[citation needed]}

Upon the defeat of Germany, celebrations erupted throughout the Western world, especially in the United Kingdom, in North America and in USSR. More than one million people celebrated in the streets throughout the UK to mark the end of the European part of the war. In London, crowds massed in Trafalgar Square and up the Mall to Buckingham Palace, where King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, accompanied by their daughters and Prime Minister Winston Churchill, appeared on the balcony of the palace before the cheering crowds. Churchill went from the palace to Whitehall, where he addressed another large crowd:^[3]

God bless you all. This is your victory. In our long history, we have never seen a greater day than this. Everyone, man or woman, has done their best.

Celebrations in London on 8 May 1945

Celebrations in Toronto on 8 May 1945

Churchill asked Ernest Bevin to come forward and share the applause. Bevin said, "No, Winston, this is your day", and proceeded to conduct the people in the singing of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow".^[3] Later, Princess Elizabeth (the future Queen Elizabeth II) and her sister Princess Margaret were allowed to wander incognito among the crowds and take part in the celebrations.^[4] The 2015 film A Royal Night Out was inspired by Elizabeth and Margaret mingling with the public that night.^{[citation needed]}

In the United States, the event coincided with President Harry S. Truman's 61st birthday.^[5] He dedicated the victory to the memory of his predecessor, Franklin D. Roosevelt, who had died of a cerebral hemorrhage less than a month earlier, on 12 April.^[6] Flags remained at half-staff for the remainder of the 30-day mourning period.^[7][8] Truman said of dedicating the victory to Roosevelt's memory and keeping the flags at half-staff that his only wish was "that Franklin D. Roosevelt had lived to witness this day".^[6] Later that day, Truman said that the victory made it his most enjoyable birthday.^[5] Great celebrations took place in many American cities, especially in New York's Times Square.^[9]

Tempering the jubilation somewhat, both Churchill and Truman pointed out that the war against Japan had not yet been won. In his radio broadcast at 15:00 on 8 May, Churchill told the British people, "We may allow ourselves a brief period of rejoicing (as Japan) remains unsubdued".^[10][11] In America, Truman broadcast at 09:00 and said it was "a victory only half won".^[12]

On the same day in 1945, Muslims in French Algeria celebrating the end of the war (of which some were also peacefully protesting for independence) became the targets of violence and massacres by colonial authorities and pied-noir settler militias, which would last until 26 June 1945.^[13][14][15] While details of the killings were largely overlooked in metropolitan France, the impact on the Algerian Muslim population was traumatic, especially on the large numbers of Muslim soldiers in the French Army who were then returning from the war in Europe.^[16] Nine years later, the Algerian War began, leading to independence from France in March 1962.^[17] In February 2005, Hubert Colin de Verdière, France's ambassador to Algeria, formally apologized for the massacre, calling it an "inexcusable tragedy".^[18][19]

What Happened After VE Day? | Imperial War Museums

Post-Election Woes!!!

courtesy of Mike McCabe

Unable to rap my head around Americans choosing a buffoon over a qualified candidate to run our country as President, I searched out explanations online. After reading some disheartening suggestions, I gave up looking. However, during my search I did find an article that pretty much summed up my thoughts, feelings, and some of my conclusions about why him and not her, and why now and not 2020.

San Francisco Gate columnist Drew Magary has written a Morning-After piece which I believe all Americans looking for answers to this Presidential election should read. It's titled "Democracy died in plain sight."

Instead of blaming any one thing, he highlights just about everything that sticks out about Americans "putting this deranged asshole in charge again." It is one hell of an indictment of Americans as a people who pride themselves on living in a democracy yet chose one of the most undemocratic of former presidents to lead the country again. 

Oh well, an American majority asked for it and I suppose it'll get what it voted for. "Thank you sir may I have another!"

Democracy died in plain sight

Donald Trump was elected president again last night. After being voted out of office in 2020. After trying to rig the vote and then to overthrow the government by force in the wake of that loss. After all but welcoming a pandemic that ended up killing more than a million of us. After ripping away abortion care rights from millions of American women. After being impeached, twice. After being convicted of multiple felonies. After dogging it on the campaign trail, playing to emptying halls while speaking in demented tongues unknown even to him. After all of that, and God knows what else, we have to do this s—t all over again.

Cont'd . . . .

 

Haile Selassie United Nations Speech - Oct. 4, 1963

 

On October 4, 1963, Haile Selassie, the Emperor of Ethiopia, delivered a speech to the United Nations General Assembly. In his speech, Selassie discussed a range of topics, including: 

• The United Nations

  Selassie praised the United Nations for its actions in places like Palestine, Korea, Suez, and the Congo, and noted that it had provided a basis for hope for the future. 
• Nuclear testing

  Selassie supported the atmospheric nuclear test ban treaty, but noted that nations could still develop weapons of mass destruction through underground testing. 
Racial discrimination
Selassie praised the Kennedy administration's efforts to eradicate racial discrimination in the United States. 
Africa
Selassie spoke about the importance of giving smaller nations a voice in world affairs, and of ensuring that Africa's struggle for equality was reflected in the United Nations. 
Peace
Selassie emphasized that peace required the united efforts of all, and that the rights of the least should be protected as much as those of the greatest. 
Equality of representation
Selassie argued that equality of representation was essential to the United Nations, and that the hungry, naked, and ignorant should be provided for. 

Selassie also presented an ivory replica of the obelisk at Axum, Ethiopia, to the United Nations Headquarters, and deposited the Charter of the Organization of African Unity with the Secretary-General. 

Some of Selassie's words were immortalized in Bob Marley's song "War".

Generative AI is experimental. 

Emperor of Ethiopia Haile Selassie, who once addressed and warned the League of Nations (precursor to UN) of Italy's (Mussolini) attack on his nation, "It is us today, it will be you tomorrow." Three years later, September 1, 1939, Germany under Adolph Hitler invaded Poland, sparking World War II. 

And so, the prophesy of a wise and dignified African nation leader, whose warning and pleas for assistance against fascist Mussolini went unheeded by European leaders, came to fruition. The resulting war cost an estimated 35-60 million lives lost worldwide, majority being civilians. 

The Italo-Abyssinian War (1889-1896) • (blackpast.org)

Battle of Dogali - Wikipedia

Monument to the Fallen of Dogali – Rome, Italy - Atlas Obscura

Dogali Victory: Symbol Of Supreme African Patriotism Or Servility?

RaiderLegend: The Ethiopian Mercury

Fox Movietone 1935 News Footage - Ethiopia Prays for Peace while Preparing for War

The Forge - Watch Faith & Fellowship Take Hold

Wow, what a movie "The Forge" is. Seeing how faith and fellowship can heal and reposition lives is always amazing. But this movie goes beyond preaching to the choir. Its focus is a young man who like many young men, want to be respected as a man without knowing what it really takes to be a man. What this young man had going for him is his willingness to finally listen. He listens to his momma's frustrations with him, and he listens to advice from a man who would later become his mentor. Then he makes a choice and begins to act on it.

We were all young once and couldn't wait to step out and make our mark in the world. Many of us stepped out with arrogance and false pride, thinking we had all the smarts and answers to conquer the world while avoiding its pitfalls. Then life happens, and hopefully it humbled us just enough to allow ourselves to be helped and guided by others. We learn through fellowship the blessings and miracles of prayer and love for others, as opposed to "just doing you." 

The characters in the film demonstrate the strength and beauty that comes with turning one's life over to God.  To bond with God and allow yourself to be forged into a strong vessel for God to reach others. 

forge¹

/fôrj/

verb

1. 1.

   make or shape (a metal object) by heating it in a fire or furnace and beating or hammering it.

   "he forged a great suit of black armor"

   Similar:

   hammer out

   beat into shape

   found

   cast

   mold

   model

   fashion

   form

   shape

   make

   manufacture

   produce

   turn out

   knock together

   knock up

   knock off
2. 2.

   create (a relationship or new conditions).

   "the two women forged a close bond"

   Similar:

   build

   build up

   construct

   form

   create

   establish

   set up

   put together

noun

What touched me in the movie as a parent is seeing a parent's love, patience, and prayers while waiting for their child to step toward God and receive blessings. Blessings not for the parent's sake, but for the child. I don't think there's any prouder moment for a parent than seeing their child embrace God. To know that your child has learned reverence for a supreme spiritual being, putting trust in God to guide and protect him/her as they walk the righteous path of faith is a parental blessing almost unequaled. Especially for parents who have gone through the fires and frustrations of teenage upbringing.

“The Forge,” is also very much about mentorship. It reminds us older men, Christian and all, of our duty to engage and help steer younger men toward becoming fully responsible and respectful men in our communities and the world. And with faith in God as a foundation for moral and spiritual growth. Because whether they know it or not, they are shaping the future of our world by the choices they make today. 

"With God, all things are possible" - Matt.19:26, Mark 10:27

“Many a Mickle can make a Muckle” Scottish proverb

(many little things added together can make a big thing)

With God All Things Are Possible | The Bible with Nicky and Pippa Gumbel

The Discipline of Discipleship - C.S. Lewis Institute