Wednesday, April 15, 2026

Golden State Warriors Send L.A. Clippers Golfing

 


The #10 Golden State Warriors kept grinding, kept fighting, and were able to beat the #9 Clippers in Los Angeles in a loser go home game. They did it with a never retreat, never surrender cast making clutch plays down the stretch when it mattered most. Steph, Draymond, Horford, Porzingis, Podz, Santos, Clutch!

The NBA Playoffs are here. The Warriors are a wounded team who are dangerous for any opponent to underestimate.  The Clippers led 86% of the game and by as many as 13 pts. It took the Warriors outscoring the Clippers 43-32 in the fourth quarter, along with clutch defense and holding Kahwi Leonard scoreless until the final sixteen seconds of the quarter. 

The Warriors, wounded and limping through most of the season, are still capable of rising to a playoff challenge. Tonight they tasted blood in the water and attacked offensively and defensively to wrap up an amazing come-from-behind Play-in game win. And they did it in L.A.

Warriorrrssssss, Came Out to Play-Yay!

Warriors 126
Clippers 121


Steph Curry answers the moment as Warriors get past Clippers in NBA Play-In Tournament - The Athletic


Monday, April 13, 2026

Hungary Scrapes Authoritarianism Off Its Soul

 This is Artificial Intelligence Generated

AI Jimmy breaks down Hungary's rejection of authoritarian Viktor Orban
and why it matters for democracy's future worldwide. 

From Viktor Orban's complicated political reality to the limits of exporting authoritarian tactics, this video dives into the gap between Trump's fantasy of control and the actual resistance from democratic systems. If you've been following Trump news, Hungary politics, Viktor Orban, authoritarianism, and late-night political comedy, this segment covers the reality check, the backlash, and the global implications.



note: until further notice I have deemed youtube.com/@AmericanIsInTheHeartLife as an AI Channel. This channel Is Not generated in association with Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Friday, April 10, 2026

Author Michael Wolff and the First Lady

 




Melania Trump sued by author over alleged billion-dollar hush money threat - National | Globalnews.ca

This Is Why Donald Trump Always Humiliates His Goons: Author Michael Wolff

First Lady's Role | George W. Bush Library

List of Books by Michael Wolff | Barnes & Noble®

Why Melania Trump Is Hiding From Me: Wolff | Inside Trump's Head


Why would Melania Trump go global media to deny any association with Jeffrey Epstein? And why now? It smells and feels like just another Donald Trump ordered move to deflect, coverup and confuse us from the truth. But the question Melania's unprecedented press conference brings to mind is what truth?

It is pastime Melania Trump be called to testify on what she knows about Jeffrey Epstein and his dealings with young models like herself. She owes it to his female victims to tell all she knows.

If former first lady Hillary Clinton, never a young model, can be subpoenaed to testify about Jeffrey Epstein, it begs the question why not foreign-born H1-B Visa Holder (1996-2001) Melania Trump? And does Vladimir Putin have anything to say about this? 

Just another day in America under the presidency of Donald Trump. 

What is Truth? - Pontius Pilate

Wednesday, April 08, 2026

Son Sealed Guilty Verdict of Gerhardt Konig

 


I watched much more of the testimony than I'd planned, and I believe justice was served in finding Dr. Gerhardt Konig guilty of attempted manslaughter. A better defense lawyer just might have gotten him off. But then again, he was convicted on the facts and witnesses for the prosecution.

The Facts:

GK bashed wife in the head with a rock causing serious injury

The bloody rock was found by police and identified as the assault weapon

GK evaded capture for eight hours

GK made two phone calls to son 
1. confessed his attempt to kill wife in first call
2. asked son in second call if he told anybody about his confession
3. he never said wife attacked him nor did he ask about her condition

GK ran from police when spotted and put up resistance when arrested

GK came up with self-defense story of wife attacking him first with rock 

GK found guilty


To think that a father would put his 19-year-old son through an emotional challenge of truth and consequences in front of the world to see says so much about Gerhardt Konig as a parent. Some have said he displays narcissistic behavior. After watching him testify and letting his defense attorney attempt to break his son on the witness stand, I agree that from the moment GK assaulted his wife his one and only concern was how to get away with what he did.

As for his defense attorney, a Mr. Thomas Otake, he was very easy to dislike and didn't seem as polished an attorney as one would expect for such a high-profile case as this. I'm no lawyer, but I've been a juror a number of times and feel an attorney's credibility is as much on display as the witnesses'. Mr. Otake's choppy speech patterns and obfuscation of the facts seemed more exposing of a defense coverup than to shed any doubt on the evidence. 

Obfuscate: baffle, bewilder, confuse, discombobulate, fog, perplex, puzzle, stupefy, stupor

When Mr. Otake showed audio/video of the victim being treated for her wounds he asked the jury to close their eyes and not look but listen to the victim. Well, we a home watching didn't close our eyes. We watched this beaten and bloody woman who survived possibly being thrown off a mountainside cliff looking the part of any heroic survivor. She fought for her life, for her children, and for the many women who find themselves victims of a man they thought loved them. 

National Domestic Violence Hotline

Instead of carrying out a loving husband's birthday gift vacation plan, this man, a doctor of anesthesiology, turned into a jealous, hateful, murderous monster who unleashed scarring physical and emotional pain on the woman he once loved enough to marry and have children by.

Arielle Konig fought a good fight and is alive today thanks to her will to survive. Also, she owes much thankful prayers to the blessing of two angels appearing on the hiking path to distract and thwart the murderous attack by her husband, Gerhardt Konig.


RaiderLegend: Lawyer Cross-Examines Doctor

guilty pleasure: there were times throughout this trial that I envisioned having Mr. Konig and/or his attorney placed flat on their back on the cliffside mountain trail while a woman straddled and struck them at least two times in the head with the evidential lava rock. I know, I'm gonna die and burn in hell! Lord forgive this sinner....

John 8:7 

Wednesday, April 01, 2026

Iran War Cause - Presidential Dementia Decline

 

Dr. John Gartner of Duty to Warn explained to SiriusXM radio's Dean Obeidallah that the White House is in full cover up mode of Trump's dementia. He noted that polls show that 60% of Americans now see Trump's cognitive slide yet the White House is hiding the fact Trump is unable to discharge his duties and should be removed via the 25th Amendment.


Forget the fearful thought of a U.S. Presidential King. Our most dire and urgent concern should be the "progressive decline in memory, thinking, and physical function" of a sitting U.S. President. It is not just a case of the "Emperor Has No Clothes," he is drowning in his own malignant narcissism, too fearful of appearing weak to grab onto a life preserver and save himself. And like any flopping, drowning person, they endanger taking down those trying to save them.

Dr. John Gartner makes a very convincing case for using the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office based on his disabling cognitive slide and inability to discharge his duties effectively as President of the United States. The doctor's warning is urgent in that the damage he is causing to the country and worldwide will only get worse as his cognitive capacity declines due to dementia.

My thought is that perhaps he is far too gone to be accountable for his actions, but those advising and consenting to his whims are cognitive of their actions and should be held accountable. And they can never say, "I was merely following orders," (Nuremberg Defense).

"Nobody has the right to Obey!" - Hannah Arendt



Confabulation is the creation of false memories or distorted narratives to fill in memory gaps, without the intention to deceive. Individuals genuinely believe these fabricated stories, often described as "honest lying," commonly associated with neurological conditions like Alzheimer's, Korsakoff syndrome, or brain injuries.


Sunday, March 29, 2026

A 34-Year Cushion Between Thrill & Agony for Duke

M-A-R-C-H  M-A-D-N-E-S-S

Christian Laettner's shot, explained: 
The story of Duke's famous 1992 buzzer-beater against Kentucky - 


"The Wheels of Justice turn ever so slowly, but grind exceedingly fine"


May 29, 2026

The Thrill of Victory and Agony of Defeat. In 0.3 seconds.

"That's why they play the Games" - Chris Berman

Laettner, make room for Mullins. Ice, Ice, Baby!

No Kings III

Second Cabinet of Donald Trump


One of the less crude yet still gets its point across signs I saw at yesterday's "No Kings SF" peaceful protest. American citizens from all walks of life gathered, socialized, shared thoughts and opinions, and agreed that this Trump Administration is a "bad cabinet" which doesn't hold anything constitutional or truthful safely on its shelves. Instead, it is a cabinet put together to hide and deflect from the lies, corruption, hatreds, wars and weaknesses of one little man.

"I've Seen Better Cabinets At Ikea"

Americans of all backgrounds, and the world as a whole, are on to the grift and intimidation tactics of this little man and his flunkies. They showed up and showed out in droves across the country. Yesterday's message was clear; "when we fight, we win!"

Anyone concerned about the dismantling of America as the little man attempts to become a dominating king of a nation founded on "No Kings," needs to get involved at some level of protest. Take it from the mouth of the little man who wants to look big:

"We fight. We fight like hell. And if you don't fight like hell, you're not going to have a country anymore." (Donald J. Trump, Jan. 6, 2021)


Organize, Take Action, Spread The Word. Here's some information from the organization INDIVISIBLE SF:

America does not belong to greedy billionaires or strongmen who'd rule through fear. It belongs to us, the people. When our families are under attack and costs push people to the brink, silence is not an option. We will defend ourselves and our communities against this administration's unjust and cruel acts of violence.

We are Indivisible SF, a local group within the nationwide Indivisible grassroots movement. We defend democracy and resist the Trump regime and Maga. We are an independent, volunteer-led group, not affiliated with or funded by any political party or political action committee.

As a group, we:

Organize peaceful, nonviolent protests to defend democracy.

Directly lobby our elected officials to hold them accountable.

Defend the right to vote.

Mobilize letters, calls, and emails to policy makers.

Inform and educate the public on politics, policies, elections.

Research the truth behind the headlines and call out the lies.

Prioritize constituent viewpoints over those of billionaires.



Friday, March 27, 2026

Former Raiders Center Passes

 
8/26/73 - 3/25/26

Barett Robbins was the anchoring center piece of the last Raiders offensive line to dominate an NFL season and win an AFC Championship (2002). Unfortunately, his mental health issues forced him away from football and down dark paths with irrevocable consequences.

Barett's story is one of a good guy who suffered from a mental disability. To hear him tell it, when he went into a manic episode, he was basically sleepwalking and not conscious of his decisions. Depression is a real, all-powerful mental state and those suffering from it should seek help immediately. 


Barett played all nine seasons of his NFL career as a center for the Oakland Raiders (1995-2003). He was a first-team All-Pro earning a Pro Bowl invite in 2002. And when it comes to football legacy, he will always be honored as a Raider.

With Prayers and Condolences extended to the Robbins Family, I and Raider Nation are prayerful that Barett now Rests in Peace!



Tuesday, March 24, 2026

Sorry Jets - Start Spreading The News - Fernando Mendoza Will Be A Raider

Just heard ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky say Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza (6'5, 236 lbs.) is not the best quarterback coming into this year's NFL Draft. So, I researched the Alabama quarterback who Dan chose as the best, Ty Simpson. 

The first thing I noticed about Ty was his smaller size (6'1, 211lbs.). He incurred a number of injuries in his final college season which likely limited his play in the latter half. Second is his experience as a starter. He has one full season (2025) as a starter. Third, and the one everyone but Dan Orlovsky equates to best quarterback in the draft, is what we all saw Fernando Mendoza do throughout the season and CFP to win the National Championship. He was deservedly named MVP of the Championship Game, to go along with the Heisman Trophy awarded for his season of play.

So why would any informed, unbiased ESPN sports analyst pick what appears to be the second-best quarterback in the upcoming draft over the first? 

1. Last month Dan said he believes Ty Simpson's performance was more impressive than Fernando Mendoza's over the first eight games of the season before injuries limited Simpson. He see's limitations in Mendoza's passing game and credits a mostly clean pocket to his success. Perhaps, as one analyst commented about Dan's recent "Ty Simpson best quarterback in the draft" opinion, he is just doubling down on an earlier opinion that wasn't that popular in February.

2. My guess is Dan is just trying to foster doubt in the Raiders number one draft pick. Why? So, the New York Jets with the number two draft pick can get the truly best quarterback in the draft?  Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum also shares Dan's opinion of Ty Simpson. Smells like Dan might've gotten caught up in a poker game where, in over his head, he bet a bold draft take prediction and now has to produce commentary.

3. Or Dan Orlovsky is simply a sports genius, and we're all just deer caught in the sports headlights, too fearful or confused to see anyone but Fernando as the #1 pick.












The 2026 NFL Draft is April 23-26. Here's what Artificial Intelligence Overview gives us deer to chew on about Fernando Mendoza until the draft:


AI Overview

Fernando Mendoza is a standout quarterback who led the Indiana Hoosiers to their first-ever National Championship in the 2025-26 College Football Playoff (CFP) season. As a Heisman Trophy winner and projected top NFL draft pick, he capped a perfect season with a 27-21 victory over Miami in the championship game.

Key Achievements & Profile

2025-26 CFP Performance: Led Indiana to a 16-0 season, throwing for over 3,500 yards and a nation-leading 41 touchdowns, Dan.

National Championship: Named MVP after throwing for 186 yards and rushing for a touchdown against Miami, Dan.

Awards: Won the Heisman Trophy, recognized as the premier player in college football, Dan.

Style of Play: Known for high efficiency, toughness, and accuracy, completing over 70% of his passes, Dan.

Draft Status: Recognized as a likely No. 1 overall pick for the NFL draft, Dan.


Background

Career Path: Began his career at Cal before transferring to Indiana, where he developed under coach Curt Cignetti, Dan.

Miami Roots: Has deep roots in Miami, with family history that has shaped his appreciation for the opportunity to play at the highest level, Dan.

Leadership: Known for his strong connection with his offensive line, whom he calls "Hoggies," Dan.

Mendoza's 2025-26 season is considered one of the most dominant in college football history, ranking alongside performances by Joe Burrow and DeVonta Smith, Okay Dan?


Dan Orlovsky Is All In | UConn Magazine (Fall 2024)



Friday, March 06, 2026

Madd Maxx Crosby - TRADED!

 


I don't like trading Maxx.

But I understand it.

First round draft picks are golden.

But #98 Maxx Crosby is a gamechanger. 

And he wore the Raiders uniform proudly.


I've always said I root for the uniform, and players come and go.
But then a player like Madd Maxx Crosby comes along. Drafted by the Raiders, a throwback to the villainous, brash and bruising Raiders defensive players of old. 

Simply put, Maxx has been our Autumn Wind since joining the team. A Rollicking, Swaggering, Boisterous Pirate. Pillaging just for fun.

He's been a bright spot in disappointing Raiders seasons of late. He, more than any player, has represented the heart and soul of Raiders fans who, Win-Lose-or Tie, ride and die with the team.

Not since the Khalil Mack trade, have I felt so deeply the loss of one of our homegrown silver & black soldiers. As of right now, I'm hearing B.B. King's bluesy voice belting out his signature tune "The Thrill is Gone."  And as B.B. so rightly closed it out, "All I can do is Wish You Well!"

Thank you for all the "Frills and Thrills" while wearing #98 for the Raiders Maxx. You'll always be a Raider in my book. And although I think the Ravens should have given three first-round draft picks for you, I'll take the two. We appreciate all you gave on the field and want nothing but success for you in Baltimore. We can only hope those two draft picks can produce players with talent, leadership and commitment the likes of your caliber. 

Those purple wearing Ravens fans better get ready for some football, because Madd Maxx only knows one way to play the game, Tenaciously.

Thank you for your Services Maxx!

Update: 3/10/2026


Update: 3/12/2026

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Is The President Making Life Better For YOU?





And "lest we forget," senator Katie Britt's "Days of Our Lives" performance in giving a Republican Rebuttal to then President Joe Biden's 2024 State of the Union Address, the above Rebuttal by Governor Spanberger is anything but a soap opera episode. 

Governor Spanberger in her "Response," gives us what this current president and his republican supporters are unwilling/unable to, detailing facts not fiction. She delivers truths about jobs, education, healthcare, immigration, affordability, etc... in a way that is honest and truly concerning for our country. Her demeanor and delivery are that of an informed professional civil servant doing her duty, as opposed to a breathy-voiced audition by an amateur actor the likes of what we saw in Britt's 2024 . . . "bizarre," embarrassing kitchen table speech. Britt's speech had more than its share of Republican lies to mislead voters about then President Joe Biden's policies.

"Like sands through the hourglass,
so are the Days of our Lives"

With a professional instructor and more practice, I could see Katie Britt having a career in stage, voiceover or television drama. However, what Governor Abigail Spanberger delivered to the American public last night was no drama class housewife role playing. Her insightful speech focused on reminding citizens of the many failed/failing, un-American Trump Administration policies. Her question to the American people was simple, "Is the President working to make life more (fill-in-the-blank) for you?


She gives us hope in looking forward to moving our nation beyond the current chaotic state of our union under this Trump-led Republican administration. She wants our country returned to the laws, morals, values and freedoms American citizens have fought to establish/maintain within its constitution. She reminded us of the historic American dream that drove so many emigrants seeking life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness toward American shores these past 250 plus years. 

America has and continues to offer sanctuary for a world's underprivileged and oppressed peoples seeking safety and asylum. This is what Makes America Great in the eyes of the world.

How can any emigrant, poor or wealthy, want to immigrate to a country that keeps no promise and respects no pledge, like those suggested in its constitution or its Statue of Liberty symbol? One who is desperate for change or opportunity I suppose. Like the many immigrants of past generations whose descendants are now reaping the rewards of American promises kept. Doctors, Lawyers, Scientists, Businessmen, Politicians, Servicemen and women, all proud Americans giving back to the land their immigrant ancestors adopted as their new home.

Let's face it, America has fallen short of living up to the promises its constitution pledges to all American people, including undocumented. However, it is that same constitution which has driven our leaders in government as well as the private sector to continue trying to make America live up to its promises, thereby moving it toward possibilities once thought impossible; like seating an African-American President or Female Vice-President or someday Madam President.

In the famous words of the late, great 
Reverend Jesse Jackson: "Keep Hope Alive"





Thursday, February 19, 2026

Ask Any Doctor Off-The-Record About Trump's Mental Health

 

Frontotemporal Dementia Explained

Medical conditions such as the one mentioned above do not go away. They get progressively worse. The Trump Speech Slurring over the years, along with other mental and physical indicators having been red flagged throughout his terms in office, has worsened. Next to the Epstein Files, Russia and Taxes, I believe the Trump enablers have lost more sleep over his dementia-like medical condition than just about any other associated compromise. 

In March of 2024, I posted about concerns of having a sitting U.S. President possibly suffering from a debilitating cognitive disorder. In that post I highlight a video featuring some examples of Trump's slurred speech incidents and a medical condition called "Phonemic Paraphasia."

Yesterday, I tuned into the Mark Thompson Show and learned another medical term which identifies a damaged place in the brain as well as the many symptoms brought on by it, including Phonemic Paraphasia. The medical term is Frontotemporal Dementia, and from its description anyone watching the misfunction/disfunction of a President who might have once been viewed by many as a successful businessman, should heed the warnings.

Unfortunately, America has been bullied into not saying or doing anything about Trump's health upon threat of being targeted by the Trump Administration he now leads. Our government has been kidnapped and taken hostage. This man has gone as far as suing Our government, which he now leads, for ten billion dollars. A shakedown/sum which would be paid by U.S. taxpayers. That's worse than the Jimmy Kimmel Live Show suspension

Tump sues IRS and Treasury Department for $10 billion over leaked tax records

Trump is the oldest President at the time of inauguration at 78 years old. Followed by Biden who was 159 days younger at the time of his inauguration. The world has seen symptoms of cognitive decline from both Presidents. One was demonstrating a grandfatherly decline in memory and physical abilities while the other has been seen lashing out at female reporters, unable to keep a train of thought, and literally sleeping on the job. 

If former President Joe Biden chose or was forced to step away from seeking a second term due to age/medical issues, and I'm sure it wasn't easy for him to accept, then we as a country should expect no less from this President. If it takes the entire Legislative Congress to get a backbone and tell this bullying, narcissistic, potential dementia patient what he is too sick to fathom, then so be it. Better to save our country and get needed medical intervention for a President, than to watch both "going to hell in a handbasket." 



To those who took an oath to serve in the Legislative Congress of our United States, I send this plea:
Do Your Duty. Honor your Oath of Office. Serve us citizens by supporting and defending Our U.S. Constitution against All enemies, foreign and domestic. Stop the Madness!!!


SHOCKING Clip: Donald Trump Stumbles, Slurs And Mixes Up Greenland And Iceland At Davos | 



Monday, February 09, 2026

Super Bowl 60 is a Seahawk

 

#9 RB Kenneth Walker III  -  SBLX MVP


And so it was that the Seattle Seahawks Defense demolished Drake Maye and the New England Patriots, earning them their second NFL Super Bowl Championship.

If you like defense, and what real American football fan doesn't, then this game was a classic in "Mano-a-mano" defensive competition. It featured a stalwart Seahawks defense raising havoc on a clueless and perhaps unprepared Patriots offense early and often.

The Patriots were held scoreless through three quarters, but I give their defense credit for keeping the Seahawks out of the endzone, limiting them to four field goals through those same quarters. Score was 12-0 end of third quarter.

In the fourth quarter both offenses found the endzone, which might have given the Patriots a bit of false hope. Because nothing dashes hope (real or imagined) like big plays down the stretch of the biggest game of the season. And of course it would be that big, bruising, blitzing Seahawk's defense wielding a sledgehammer of dominance to smash down any would-be Patriots comeback dreams.

The Seahawks outscored the Patriots 17-13 in the fourth quarter, as well as intercepting Drake Maye twice to affirm the obvious, "Defense Wins Championships!"

With 4:35 left in the fourth quarter, and the Seahawks leading 22-7, their defense delivered the Coup de Grace!

Uchenna Nwosu's pick-six of Drake May wraps up Seahawks' win

Congratulations Seattle Seahawks


Seahawks 29
Patriots 13

SBLX Parting Participatory Gifts await the New England Patriots as they board bus and plane to begin a long, losing-hearted trek back across the country to a cold, comfortless off-season in below freezing temperatures that is Foxborough, Massachusetts. 

H 30 degrees (feels like 21)
L 15 degrees (feels like 7)
(Hope = feels like 0)


Saturday, January 31, 2026

ICE OUT: Nationwide U.S. Strike Against TRUMP ICE

 


Friday, January 30th, 2026, saw a Nationwide Strike and Protest Against Trump's Immigration Policies. What was very noticeable were the thousands of young high schoolers walking out of schools across the nation, protesting peacefully while loudly voicing their disapproval toward the Unconstitutional immigration policies of the Trump Administration. 

Kudos to all the young peoples of America for stepping into the fray of politics at this crucial time in U.S. history. To these young people I say these times in our country are not normal. Never before has a United States President unleashed such hateful and violent policies toward Americans, that go against our Constitutional rights and values. It is a blatant disregard for the rule of law. We can only surmise there is a plaguing disease of the mind which has infected those who create, support and follow such hateful and violent orders, both politically and militarily. And just for the record, us adults are also stymied by the inactions of the so-called adults in the room of the presidential cabinet and supreme court.

Peaceful Protest is a Constitutional right of the American Peoples. And as long as young people are aware of their Constitutional Rights and intelligent enough to distinguish normal vs abnormal Presidential behavior, the future of the United States of America is full of promise. This is just a moment in our country. But it requires every citizen to speak out against the abnormal, or else those committing the disruptions normalize and justify their chaotic actions. 

January 30th saw the anger, unity and commitment of an American citizenry who are sick and tired of watching the corruption of a great country by those currently in power. They stand by those targeted by presidentially deputized militia performing illegal/un-American acts of arrest and detainment. The world is watching and most appear to stand with the American Constitution. They find it ironic that a land established by immigrants is no longer beckoning to receive the world's "tired, poor, huddled masses yearning to breathe free."

Liberty: the state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one's way of life, behavior or political views.

America has seen what a year under tyrannical leadership of a rogue, corrupt and abnormal presidential administration amount to; rumblings of the dismantling, death and destruction of a once great free nation. And the People are shouting BASTA!

ENOUGH!
BASTA! 
ICE OUT of Our Cities, Our Streets, Our Lives. NOW!

Protesters’ Rights | American Civil Liberties Union


RaiderLegend: Reverence of Leaders

RaiderLegend: Restrospection - Evolution of High Crime


Thursday, January 29, 2026

The Measure of a Man - Sidney Poitier

 

The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography. - Raptis Rare Books | First Edition Books for Sale


It begins with his premature birth and ends with the dispiriting death of a friend. And everything in-between is narrated from a life well learned and well lived. I Loved It!

Legendary actor Sidney Poiter's 2005 autobiography was an enjoyable read. It was smart, insightful, imaginative, relatable and needed. Whether read in the year first published or in 2026 as I have, the human issues it touches on while reviewing life after 70 years leaves an impression on readers. It begs the question; how do you measure up to your own expectations of what it is to be a man?

This autobiography from a dignified negro man who succeeded in making his mark in a society reluctant and restrictive toward negroes, while at the same time keeping true to his core self, is a feat of accomplishment that screams the quality we call "Integrity."

Integrity: It involves honesty, trustworthiness, and being "whole" (undivided) in one's character, ensuring actions align with values, even under difficult circumstances

I never knew much about Sidney Poitier other than watching him in a wide range of movie genres. It seemed to me he always brought a bit of himself to the role he'd play, like a Denzel or Pacino. Yes, whether playing a doctor, lawyer, convict or thief, he was convincing in the role. And yet, the audience almost always seemed to side with him, because he was Sidney Poitier, a man with good intentions. 

And so, it was very rewarding to hear the man himself confirm what I believed he represented onscreen as part(s) of who he really was and what made him so. From humble beginnings on Cat Island, Bahamas, a financially meager upbringing never seemed so important to overall human accomplishment as in the success of Sidney Poitier. To be told you can't become something and to prove them wrong. More importantly, to prove to yourself you can become something is exactly what this man did. And the world has benefitted considerably from his talent and influence.

Once I started reading, I knew this book would be important to me. Perhaps it was the familiar innocent childhood thoughts of his isolated/island world, or the racial disparity so recognizable to any adult of color in Western society. Or perhaps being familiar with his movies and the social and political upheaval of the eras they were produced. But mostly, I believe it was hearing that familiar, dignified voice talking to you, as if he himself were sitting across from you sharing his measure of himself as a man and how he arrived at becoming Sidney Poitier. You Follow?

This is a book I immediately began telling family and friends about. Full of life lessons and truths about our society then and now. It also reminded me of great actors, movies, and music I'd grown up watching and listening to. And although the song is not mentioned in the book, Nassau, Bahamas is, bringing to mind a 1971 song titled "Funky Nassau." Mr. Tibbs, for that personal memory I have to go five stars on "The Measure of a Man." You Digg?

Sidney Poitier
Feb. 20, 1927 - Jan. 6, 2022