Black Sistory Month

 

Soldiers of Color

    West Point 2019 Cadets

Cadets At Ease 

May 2019 - record number (34) black female cadets set to graduate from West Point

1851 Speech "Ain't I a Woman?" by Sojourner Truth

Hey Mike Pence, If You Could Have Overturned Presidential Election, Would You Have?

Former vice-president Mike Pence made headlines recently when he came out publicly and said, "President Donald Trump is wrong," that he, Mike Pence, could not overturn the election. Many are applauding Pence's strong rebuke of the Jan 6th insurrection, along with his willingness to call Trump wrong about anything. 

But those of us who, for four frustrating years, watched as Pence and so many republicans went against their sworn pledge to support and defend the United States, choosing instead to support and defend an autocratic President, are not buying Pence's political push.

What makes a politician finally come out to publicly tell the truth about an incident, after deflecting from that truth and keeping silent about false claims against it? Is it his God-fearing religious beliefs that make it sinful to tell a lie? Is he preparing to finally tell the truth to the Jan 6th insurrection investigating committee about what he knew and when he knew it? Is he trying to confess away his political sins in order to gain support for a clean-slated presidential run in 2024? 

And what makes a man who has been silently complicit in crimes, choose to come forward or continue to hide behind his silence? Answer: bravery or cowardice. Mind you, Pence is not changing his political position, nor is he stepping away from supporting trump and the stolen election lie. He's just stating his constitutional rights as vice-president. 

But in the world of trump, it's a big thing when any member goes rogue with truth-telling, thereby revealing trump wrongs. And although Pence appears to be saving his own skin from possible charges stemming from the Jan. 6th investigation, he now has a chance to make amends for becoming unpatriotic to his country; he can return to honoring his constitutional pledge and help righting the wrongs that led our country to the brink of dictatorship.

As this blog title states, I want to hear Mike Pence answer the question that his rebuke of trump raises; would Mike Pence have overturned the presidential election if he, as vice-president, had the right under the constitution to do so? And if so, why?

It's a question that any and every American citizen, regardless of political party affiliation, should want to hear him answer. I'm sure the trump supporters who stormed the capitol and setup gallows to hang Mike Pence and other politicians would like to know. And I'm sure those future voters looking for some sort of allegiance to democracy in their politicians, need to hear as assurance their votes count. 

It's a question which makes one better understand exactly why the founding fathers of these United States of America did not outright give vice-presidents power to overturn Electoral Counts; insurrection can ensue just at the mere thought.

The Electoral Count Act of 1887 (ECA) (Pub.L. 49–90, 24 Stat. 373,^[1] later codified at Title 3, Chapter 1^[2]) is a United States federal law adding to procedures set out in the Constitution of the United States for the counting of electoral votes following a presidential election. The Act was enacted by Congress in 1887, ten years after the disputed 1876 presidential election, in which several states submitted competing slates of electors and a divided Congress was unable to resolve the deadlock for weeks.^[3] Close elections in 1880 and 1884 followed, and again raised the possibility that with no formally established counting procedure in place partisans in Congress might use the counting process to force a desired result.^[4]

The Act aims to minimize congressional involvement in election disputes, instead placing the primary responsibility to resolve disputes upon the states.^[4][5] The Act sets out procedures and deadlines for the states to follow in resolving disputes, certifying results, and sending the results to Congress. If a state follows these "safe harbor" standards and the state's governor properly submits one set of electoral votes, the Act states that that "final" determination "shall govern."^[6][7] However, making or use of "any false writing or document" in the implementation of this procedure is a felony punishable by 5 years imprisonment by 18 U.S. Code 1001 under Chapter 47 Fraud and False Statements.

I once had a family member "rescued" from a cult. Our family had to implement a deprogramming system in order to help the individual "reunite" with themself and thereby their family. It took time and plenty of faith healing before the individual was no longer at risk to return to the cult. Then one day it was as if they decided to walk through the loving family doorway the cult had somehow hidden fog-like from their mental view. The doorway had always been there, it was just the individual's inner sight and love for family had been glazed over and misplaced.

Reminds me of the song Amazing Grace; "I once was lost but now I'm found, was blind but now I see."

So, come'on Iron Mike. You opened the door to truth and put one foot across the threshold, why not step all the way through and "be the change you would like to see in the world." You should know from bible study, "there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open." Luke 8:17

Confess and ease your pain. Confess and ease your suffering. It's Amazing! If you must do penance for any wrongdoing, say three hail marys, then "go out and sin no more." Christian voters are a forgiving lot. The truth seems to set everybody free, while falsehoods keep everyone bound up, condemned to punishments as deadly as a pandemic.  

Yes, Mike Pence, You!

America Wants You to be Truthful and Better

"Who Dey"

The Cincinnati Bengals are going to Super Bowl LVI. They got there by going through the defending champions in Kansas City. Yes, football fans, the Bengals, led by second year quarterback Joe Burrow (2019 NCAA Heisman Trophy winner and National Championship MVP) went into Arrowhead Stadium and pulled off the upset of the playoffs by beating the KC Chiefs. QB Patrick Mahomes will not be participating in a third straight Super Bowl game.

Who Dey? Well, the Bengals are a team who believed all season they could compete with the best. And after this weekend's 27-24 overtime victory over the highly favored Chefs, the rest of the football world have become believers. 

"Who Dey?" "Dey Who" say dey' gone beat dem' Chiefs.

Meanwhile, the San Francisco 49ers blew a 17-7 lead and the game against the Los Angeles Rams. Today's niners blame talk fell into two camps; those fans who felt the dropped interception by safety Jaquiski Tarrt in the 4th quarter could have assured them a victory, and those who thought the all-too-familiar faults of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo were yet again too self-inflicting to overcome. 

Not sure if it was the 49ers faulty offense or Rams dominating defense causing the Niners to go cold in the 4th quarter, but cold they went, along with their chances of securing a Super Bowl berth.

I agree with one radio host I heard today say the 49ers inability to run the ball effectively against a resurgent Rams defensive line meant Jimmy had to beat them with his arm. Sporting a 10-point lead heading into the 4th quarter, Jimmy simply couldn't stop being Jimmy, and the rams were given a chance to be the Rams.

Final Score

49ers 17

Rams 20

Warriors Win on my visit to Chase Center

Just wanna jot down some notes after my first Warriors game at Chase Center. 

I suppose Chase Arena is nice, with all the amenities and sights a fan with excess dollars would enjoy. Unfortunately, I’m not all that impressed with sports venues and game entertainment, especially the loud, timeout/halftime entertainment that mostly seems over the top. 

No, it's the game and/or fan reaction to plays that hypes me up or chaps my hyde. That being said, Warriors fans last night seemed average for Warriors fans. On television it appears the arena is buzzing nonstop with yelling and cheering fans, then the team usually responds. Not so much so on this Thursday night against the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves. There were moments of uproar accompanying Warriors runs, but nothing like what I expected.

As a Raiders fan who had season tickets for a number of years at Oakland Coliseum, maybe it isn’t fair to criticize fans for their lack of passion and enthusiam. After all, when you go to a Raiders game, the experience can be life changing, spiritually, socially and many other ways. But I digress. Chase Center felt like a nice, clean family outing with the wife and kids leading the way. It was . . . . nice.

As for the game, the Timberwolves, who beat the Warriors once this season, were competitive and put up a good fight. They led at halftime 61-57. Then came the second half, third quarter, where the Warriors came out and went on a 16-4 run. The Wolves, especially Karl Anthony Towns, wouldn’t lay down, but in the end succumbed to the many weapons in the Warriors arsenal, minus Draymond.

One highlight of the night was getting to the floor postgame to watch the shoot around. Got to see Andrew Wiggins, Nemanja Bjelica and Steph Curry each warm-up individually. Steph’s warmup routine is so loose and flexible, yet accurate and consistent. Wiggins and Bjelica were knocking down long range shots like it was nothing, nothing but net. 

Then across the court strolls a brotha in an expensive suit heading for a courtside seat near the scorer’s table, where a TNT camera will broadcast his postgame comments.  Its hall of famer Reggie Miller, not twenty paces away from where I am sitting. Reggie, straight faced and all business, takes his seat facing us fans, puts on a headset, checks a digital device and straightens up his attire, all without raising an eye to us fans watching his pregame, sportcaster’s ritual. I almost wanted to heckle Reggie just to get a response out of him, but I’m no Spike Lee and the environment was family friendly, so I took a few pics and kept my Raiders Trap shut. Did I mention I wore my Raiders cap to the game? 

Final Score

Timberwolves 115

Warriors 124

Can NFL Conference Champ. Games Top Divisional Round Classics? I Think Not!

 

It's Tuesday and I'm finally catching my breath from watching what is being considered the best weekend of NFL Playoff games ever broadcast. 

I mean, come'on man, how do you follow-up a playoff weekend where: 

1) both conference #1 seeds were eliminated at home after a bye wk

2) a Tom Brady led, defending SB team, comeback fell short at home

3) a classic offensive game thriller you have to see to believe

4) three games decided with under a minute left, other in overtime

5) a collage of enough memorable moments to make a feature length football movie 

The weekend that was the 2021-22 NFL Divisional Playoff round was simply phenomenal. And "I pity the fool" who chose not to tune in for all four games.

This coming weekend features four teams playing in two Conference Championship games. I expect a bit of a letdown after such a high football climax this past weekend. The 49ers and Rams should be interesting. This NFC championship game is like "civil war," between California's North and South, San Francisco vs Los Angelews. Two division rival teams battling to represent California in the Big Show! 

On paper, the Rams should mop up the floor with their northern cousin 49ers. However, the Niners have had their southern cousin Rams number in the last six meetings between the two. Mind you, none of those previous meetings were in the Playoffs.  

Just a reminder, the Dodgers took the MLB NL divisional round series 3-2 over the Giants in a baseball thriller.

As for the AFC matchup between the Bengals and Chiefs, let's just say one is just happy as pie to be there, God bless their Ohio hearts, while the other has been on a mission to return to their third consecutive Super Bowl, to make up for the one they lost last season. Can Cincy pull off a miracle on the road at Arrowhead Stadium? Judging by this past weekend's unbelievable games, I'd say it's the Kansas City Chiefs who need to be concerned.

As Chris Berman of ESPN always says, "And that's why they play the games."

Raiders season Ends!

But at least it didn't end like the Cowboys season. With fourteen seconds left and zero time outs, the Dallas Cowboys ran a quarterback draw up the middle. The game clock expired before they could get off another play, and today the entire sports world is targeting the team's ineptitude, looking for a scapegoat to pin the loss on. In Dallas today, its the umpire/referees leading the pack for blame so far.

Wildcard Weekend was unkind to the Raiders as well. In their loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, an unintentional official's whistle on a play resulting in a Bengals touchdown was allowed to stand. By NFL rules the touchdown should have been wiped out and the down replayed. 

As Raiders fans, we expect these unfair slights from NFL officials and league front office decision makers. Bottom line, the Raiders didn't do enough to flat out win the game. But the Dallas Cowboys, so-called America's Team, favored and at home, will continue to look for any and every excuse on why they didn't win. And that's why, win, lose or tie, I'm a Raiders fan til I die!

Game Day

 

2022 NFL Playoff Bracket

 

Klay Returns, Ja Morant Jaw-Drops, Raiders Playoff Bound

On a night the Raiders clinched an NFL playoff birth, Golden State Warriors all-star Klay Thompson returned after a two year NBA absence due to injuries. 

Game night at Chase Center was dubbed “Klay Area,” a nod to San Franciso Bay Area’s love and respect for Klay. Number 11 came out and played better than most expected, putting up 17pts. with a nasty slam dunk to show the NBA there’s no rust in his game. Welcome Back Klay!

Meanwhile, captain of the sky last night was Memphis Grizzlies Ja Morant, who captured the imaginations of cape-wearing kids worldwide with his amazing, high-flying block of a Lakers lay-up attempt. 

It was like no other block I’ve ever seen, in NBA or elsewhere. It seemed as if his intention all along wasn’t to swat the shot away, but to snag it out of the atmosphere, come down in possession and control of ball and push it back down the court toward his basket. For the most part, his mission was accomplished.

The coordination, athleticism and and grace of Morant’s actions, not to mention the height of his gravity-defying feat, resembled a circus act practiced and performed hundreds of times. Descriptions of the block just don’t do it justice, so here you have it. “Superfly”

Ja Morant Goes Airborne

Raiders Answer The Bell

 

Its Not, Just Tie Baby!

Raiders top Chargers and punch their ticket to the Postseason

The Longest Yard

 

Finally, after a week full of NFL Playoff picture picks and possibilities, football Sunday has arrived. The final week of the season is upon us, and the Raiders are in the playoff conversation. In a game rescheduled (flexed) to Sunday Night national broadcasting, the Raiders will host the Chargers to likely determine which team will grab the final AFC wildcard seed (7th). 

In week 4 the Chargers won 28-14 in Los Angeles. If ever there was a revenge game the Raiders looked forward to, this game is it. With a trip to the playoffs on the line, this AFC West division rival matchup becomes more than just another game and much more than a payback game. It is Thee game to watch this Sunday and Thee game for the Raiders to win. 

The wait is over, the bets and predictions are in. Football Sunday is upon us. Let the game begin!

BREAKING NEWS:

Unbelievable game......Kicker Daniel Carlson does it again, kicking Raiders into an overtime win and the PLAYOFFS! 

Final Score

Chargers 32

Raiders 35

Raiders Stayin' Alive for Playoffs

 

Just One More Baby, and We're In!

Amanda Gorman Gift

Today’s gift to America is another lyrical beacon of hope from the young lady who helped our nation heal following an unprecedented attack on our capitol by a Trump-supporters led mob, attempting to thwart the presidential transfer of power. 

Amanda Gorman, poet laureate, has penned yet another amazing poem for our nation to ponder and put into action come this new year. I know, not every american citizen feels the purpose and promise in her prose, but for those with an ear for positive change, let freedom ring in 2022!

‘New Day's Lyric’ by Amanda Gorman

May this be the day

We come together.

Mourning, we come to mend, 

Withered, we come to weather,

Torn, we come to tend,

Battered, we come to better. 

Tethered by this year of yearning,

We are learning

That though we weren't ready for this, 

We have been readied by it.

Steadily we vow that no matter

How we are weighed down,

We must always pave a way forward.

This hope is our door, our portal.

Even if we never get back to normal, 

Someday we can venture beyond it,

To leave the known and take the first steps. 

So let us not return to what was normal, 

But reach toward what is next.

What was cursed, we will cure.

What was plagued, we will prove pure.

Where we tend to argue, we will try to agree,

Those fortunes we forswore, now the future we foresee, 

Where we weren't aware, we're now awake;

Those moments we missed

Are now these moments we make,

The moments we meet,

And our hearts, once all together beaten,

Now all together beat.

Come, look up with kindness yet,

For even solace can be sourced from sorrow. 

We remember, not just for the sake of yesterday, 

But to take on tomorrow.

We heed this old spirit,

In a new day's lyric,

In our hearts, we hear it:

For auld lang syne, my dear, 

For auld lang syne.

Be bold, sang Time this year, 

Be bold, sang Time,

For when you honor yesterday, 

Tomorrow ye will find.

Know what we've fought

Need not be forgot nor for none.

It defines us, binds us as one, 

Come over, join this day just begun. 

For wherever we come together, 

We will forever overcome.

Madden Gone - A Nation Mourns

 John Madden Audio Tribute @benztownradio

It's just so hard getting through this NFL season as a Raiders fan. With a coach resigning under scandalous accusations, a top player let go after involvement in a fatal automobile accident, and a pandemic still causing havoc on the game and players, you'd think it can't get any worse.

Then comes the unexpected loss of one of our great Hall of Fame inductees, a man whose name is synonymous with Raiders Football. On seeing the breaking news caption of John Madden's death crawl across the bottom of the tv screen, I could only give a hurt yell before deeply inhaling, then exhaling in grief. Our former head coach, and ambassador of NFL football was no longer with us.

You could probably say it was John Madden who put Raiders Football on the sports map. Sure, there was the vibrant owner, the renegade players and the intimidating uniforms, but it took a charismatic coach like Madden to corral it all into a championship team. You might say that his successor, Tom Flores, winner of two championships, was better at coaching by the numbers. But you can't name another coach who showed as much fight for his players, love for the game and will to win. Players trusted Madden, and he trusted them to "play like hell" come game day. He was a teacher of the game; for players and fans.

Madden's passion for football literally jumped off the screen, making viewers instant fans. He was the John Candy of football coaches; big, loud and unconcerned with sideline attire. You could easily picture him as captain of your Friday night bowling league team, passionately encouraging teammates to play through adversity. Then settling down to a pitcher of cold beer and fries while relaying a big fish story. Madden was an exceptionally gifted storyteller.

Today is a day of mourning for Raider Nation and the SF Bay Area. We mourn his loss, but at the same time honor the man and his accomplishments. On media throughout the bay are discussions about what John Madden meant to folks. It's odd that you don't hear people talking about his winning coaching record so much as just the type of man he was and his passion for football. We liked Madden because he was just Madden; no self-aggrandizing, no flash, no filler, just a big guy who loved football and marched to his own drum.

Younger generations are reflecting on the Madden video game and how it was a force in their young lives. It seems everybody has a Madden story to tell, and all will miss him.

Here is a link to a blogpost I wrote when John Madden was enshrined into the NFL Hall of Fame. 

Finally, Coach John Madden is Officially a Hall of Famer

Thanks for the memorable, memories Coach.

Raiders Playoff Scenario

After another ugly win, the Raiders now find themselves not exactly in the drivers seat, but maybe riding shotgun toward an AFC playoff slot. They took care of business today, with much of the credit going to the Raiders defense. 

The silver and black defensive unit pinned down the Broncos offense throughout much of today's game, limiting them to one converted third down and 18 total yards rushing.....Yes, that's right, 18 frickin' yards. If not for Raiders turnovers and miscues this game could've been a silver and black blowout.

As for that AFC playoff picture, it's tricky. At least three teams the Raiders needed to lose today, lost (Ravens, Steelers, Chargers). With two games left in the regular season, what we know for sure is the Raiders have a shot at making the postseason. 

There's this New York Times interactive simulator, which gives all kind of "what if" NFL playoff scenarios. But I'm sticking with our tried-and-true Raiders motto to get us to the promised land; "J-u-s-t  W-i-n  B-a-b-y!"

#13 Hunter Renfrow - Touchdown Raiders!

Final Score

Broncos 13

Raiders 17

Warriors Grinch Suns on Xmas

Yes! Yes! Yes!  The Golden State Warriors went into Phoenix and "Stole Christmas" from the Suns. It was a back-and-forth game throughout, with Steph Curry putting up a hard-earned 33pts. It took a "Strength-In-Numbers" production by the entire Warriors squad, with Otto Porter getting Klay-Thompson-like hot to seal the deal down the stretch. At one point we saw Porter Grinch-Grinning over at the Suns bench after sinking a basket in front of them. 

You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch!

Golden State takes sole possession of first place with a half-game lead over the Suns in the NBA Western Conference. The Suns, conference champions of last season, are a very good basketball team, destined to meet the Warriors come playoff time. Can't wait!

Final Score

Warriors 116

Suns 107

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Goodnight!

Tweet

Marcus Thompson

@ThompsonScribe

In a game that would be decided by who could score while the Suns sold out against Curry, the Warriors got: 

19 from Otto Porter 

14 from Gary Payton II 

12 from Jonathan Kuminga

4:34 PM · Dec 25, 2021

Rabindranath Tagore - Enlightenment

 

As I first read this fearless poem by Rabindranath Tagore, I was under the impression it applied to an individual soul. After contemplating the last line, "let my country awake," I realized it was a plea for a nation, Tagore's nation. It was during the third reading that I saw the genius and truth in its message:

conquer his/her fears, 

hold her/his head high, 

share knowledge freely,

not break into fragmented, isolated opinions,

let the deepest truth guide his/her words,

continue tirelessly to strive towards perfection,

keep a clear, reasonable head and not get lost in dry, dead habit,

allow his/her God to lead him/her forward into broader thought and action,

into this Heaven of freedom,

My God,

let me awake.

As I see it, a nation is only as strong, healthy and fearless as the individual(s) who make it a nation. Therefore, let a nation's individuals, by God's Grace, become mentally fearless and let their thoughts and actions be truthfully led by higher principles of self. 

For a nation full of strong, healthy and mentally fearless individuals will not bow down to deranged and cowardly thoughts and actions. It holds its head high and tirelessly stretches its arms toward perfection, knowing the depth of its truths and freedoms come from a higher power.

Into this "Heaven of freedom," I pray to God, "let my country awaken."

Better Call Saul Raider Nation

So, how's Raider Nation feeling about that ugly Raiders win over the Browns last night? Yeah, I feel you. I too wanted to see them blowout the covid protocol Browns. I actually expected the Raiders to show up and take advantage of the Browns depleted roster situation. But these are not our "5-2 out-the-gate" Raiders we're talking about. These are our 1-5 Raiders, who have shown very little fight of late and on the verge of early elimination from playoff contention once again.

Last night's Raiders win felt like watching a loss. The Raiders did everything they could to blow the game, while the Browns seemed to have just enough fight in them to claw their way back from a 10-0 halftime deficit, taking a 14-13 lead late in the fourth quarter. We Raiders fans saw all the bad on display that we've endured these past torturous weeks; dropped passes, QB fumble, missed open receiver, questionable play calling, poor offensive and defensive red zone execution, crucial interception. Surprisingly, we also saw last night what seemed to be missing these past losing weeks, an awakened fight in the team. 

After an ill-advised Derek Carr deep pass was picked off with 2:59 left in the game, the Raiders defense continued their grit and guts night by limiting Browns running back, Nick Chubb, to seven yards on three downs to force a punt. 

The Raiders had the Browns just where they wanted them. With 1:50 left in the game and no timeouts left, Derek Carr and company drove the ball down the field. And despite a gut-wrenching holding call, the Raiders offense displayed surprising resilience in getting the ball to the Browns 30-yard line for kicker Daniel Carlson. Carlson, calm, cool and collected, booted not one, but thanks to a "freezing-the-kicker" timeout by the Browns, two 48-yard field goals as the game clock expired. 

Final Score

Raiders 16

Browns 14

As a Raiders fan I was excited and exhausted at the end of the game. I celebrated the win as with any win, but something kept gnawing at my gut, seeking to spoil my celebratory victory. The discomfort lasted well into the night. 

I awoke to radio sports talk hosts, and many of their callers, still throwing shade on the Raiders win. Listening to all the criticisms, the gnawing in my gut started up again. Should the Raiders have blown out the Browns? Is the Raiders struggle to beat a depleted team proof of their weakness?  Am I kidding myself to think the Raiders even have a shot at making the playoffs? Can the Raiders beat any of their final three opponents (Broncos, Colts, Chargers)? 

These questions and more were being thrown around on various morning sports talk shows. It felt as if everyone was damning the Raiders for winning a game that many, myself included, felt they should've won bigger and easier.  But then, while tuned into Raider Nation Radio (RNR 920AM), a caller by the name of Saul talked me and other nauseous Raiders fan listeners off the ledge. 

Saul basically reminded Raider Nation of just who we are; a fanbase whose teams' former owner, Al Davis, termed the motto "Just Win Baby." Saul effectively stated exactly what "Just Win Baby" means and doesn't mean. He said it doesn't mean Just win by 10, 20 or 30 points; it doesn't mean just win when an opponent is depleted or loaded with their starting players; it doesn't mean just win when our team has all its starting players or season beginning head coach or speedy second year receiver. No!

"Just Win Baby" means you go out and win a game By Any Means Necessary, regardless of circumstances, regardless of the where, when or how. It means You Win on a 2-pt. safety. You Win on a forced fumble for a touchdown. You Win on a field goal or blocked field goal. You Win on a goal-line stand. You Win in rain, sleet or snow, morning, noon or night. In the infamous words of coach Herm Edwards, "You Play To Win The Game," period!

So what if the NFL changed the date and time of the game just as the Raiders were boarding the bus to catch their flight to Cleveland. So what if the NFL game changes seemed to favor the Browns team. "Just Win Baby" concerns itself with one thing and one thing only; Just Win The Freakin' Game!

After hearing Saul breakdown how fortunate and blessed we are to be fans of a team who goes out onto a football field with one goal in mind, that goal being "Just Win Baby," the gnawing in my gut subsided and I was immediately rejuvenated with the sound of "The Autumn Wind" being broadcast in the background. 

Raider Nation, we need to stop all our b!@tching and moaning about what's wrong with our team, and the unfortunate and unfair circumstances they tend to face year in and year out. Nobody's forcing us to be Raiders fans; we signed up because either we have that devil-may-care attitude in us and wanted it in our football team, or nobody else would have us. Either way, we are Raider Nation, Win, Lose or Tie. And we dress in Black!

So, if you're feeling down or stepping toward the ledge of doubt because of all the opposition the Raiders are prone to facing: 

- bad breaks, untimely scandals, players behaving badly, ugly wins 

Better Call Saul for a reminder of just what being a Raiders fan means and how you're expected to soldier onward while wearing silver and black.  JUST WIN BABY!!!

And as Saul suggested: enjoy this win, enjoy Christmas, and enjoy knowing that the Raiders playoff hopes are still alive the day after Christmas. 

Merry Christmas to Saul, And to Saul a Good Night!

The Hunt - TZ

A favorite Twilight Zone episode of mine is “The Hunt” (S3E19). Its a wonderful story about a simple old man and his hunting dog RIP. His love for and loyalty toward his dog is evident as he first stands up for Rip’s right to enter their country cabin home, over objections from his wife of 50 plus year, then argues again for Rip’s right to enter through what he mistakenly thought were the pearly gates of Heaven. In both instances there is someone preventing their entrance due to Rip, and both times the old man proudly points out, “there ain’t no fleas on that dog.” 

Ya see, Rip saved the old man’s life once, and for that heroic feat the old man is forever indebted to the dog. In the old man’s eyes, Rip is as clean, brave and true as ever there was a living soul, dog or man. And given the chance, he would do anything for Rip, including the ultimate sacrifice.

Yes, a simple story featuring a dog as “man’s best friend” theme. It sets viewers up for an afterlife walk-thru in a way that only a Twilight Zone episode can. When you add in the theme music, a lazy harmonica/acoustic guitar melancholy that pulls at viewers heartstrings, the episode becomes golden. 

Best to watch this episode when tired and/or lazy yourself. For it is in those quiet, dreamlike and restful moments that the episode seems to work its country magic on undistracted, captured audiences; with the flealess family dog asleep at your feet.

Cesaria Evora - (1941-2011)

"May God always keep us this way in peace, love and affection"

                                                                                        Cesaria Evora

The Cape Verdean "Barefoot Diva" honoured internationally for her music

                                                                          Entertainment July 02, 2018

I post this incredible, Grammy-Award winning woman's songs as a tribute to her music and home of Cape Verde, an Island off the coast of West Africa. I also want never to forget there are gifted artists from small, foreign countries whom I've yet to discover.  

She sang in Kriolu, which draws from west African dialects and Portuguese, the language of Cape Verde's former colonizer.

                                    NPR Music Reviews