After the events of January 6, 2021, in Washington, D.C., it may be necessary to reconsider , perhaps required, to reconsider the term “burning the flag.”

Among the most vivid events of the day was the parade of flags in the attack on the U.S. Capitol. There was the American flag, there were other flags, there was the Confederate flag. Since the same group of people carried both the American and Confederate flags in the attack – would a reasonable person conclude that in the minds of the attackers, the two flags had equal value? Would a person with no knowledge of American history reach the same conclusion?

The obvious question: did the 8,000 people who attacked the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, “burn the American flag?” – by their conduct [an insurrection], by having both the American flag and the Confederate flag with them?

Then, this question: did the rioter who beat a policeman with the American flag disgrace the flag? If the answer is “yes, he did,” is this, in effect, like “burning the flag?” If the answer is “no, he didn’t,” then what exactly does one have to do to disgrace, i.e., “burn the flag?”

While you are pondering that, consider this story. On December 19, 1967, there was a hockey game played at the “Metropolitan Sports Center,” in Bloomington, Minnesota. The opponents were the American National team and the Russian National team. The score is immaterial, for it is what happened BEFORE the game that is noteworthy.

Before the game, the national anthems were played. I can assure you nothing was said in that audience, not a word between spectators about the “Star Spangled Banner.” Not one word. Nothing.
What then proceeded to occur is the most fervent, loudest, singing of the American national anthem that anyone in the crowd has heard, or will EVER hear. We didn’t really sing it, we SHOUTED IT, we SCREAMED IT, we YELLED IT. – at the Russian players.
As one looked around during the anthem, there was no mistaking what was happened. The looks on people’s faces – the absolute, often scary intensity. We weren’t just doing this at them, we were intent on SINGING – SCREAMING – SHOUTING – YELLING the “Star Spangled Banner” THROUGH them.
We intended to intimidate them with that song. We intended to send a message. Every American in that crowd had reached the same point, by themselves.
Most reasonable people would likely include this was “patriotism.”

Now – back to the events of January 6, 2021. And “burning the flag.” And “patriotism.”
What should a reasonable person conclude?

The following is “The Editor’s Letter” from “The Week” Magazine, January 22, 2021, by Theunis Bates, Managing Editor. Please reflect on his thoughts – who are we?

“This is not who we are.” That was the cry that went out from politicians of all stripes after last week’s deadly pro-Trump insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. The behavior of the 8,000-strong mob was “entirely un-American,” read a statement from a bipartisan group of lawmakers including Sens. Mitt Romney [R-Utah] and mark Warner [D-Va.], while House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy [R-Calif.] deemed the violence the antithesis of “the American way.” President-elect Joe Biden said the scenes said the scenes of the chaos in Washington “do not reflect the true America.”
“Yet the people who stormed Congress weren’t some alien other, but everyday Americans who – fed a diet of conspiracy theories – believed they were doing a patriotic thing. They included the CEO of a data analytics firm from suburban Chicago, a Florida firefighter, the son of a New York Supreme Court judge, two Virginia police officers, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, and an Olympic gold-winning swimmer who wore his Team USA jacket to the riot.”
“Far from being un-American, such explosions of brutality and tribal violence have long been a part of this nation’s story. Up to 750,000 died during the fratricidal Civil War, and nearly 4,000 African-Americans were lynched by white mobs in the Jim Crow South from 1877 to 1950.”
“Today, violence remains a fact of American life. The U.S. has the highest rate of mass shootings in the Western world and a gun homicide rate 25 times higher than those of similarly developed countries. During the Capitol siege, young staffers for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi took cover in a conference room, barricaded the door, turned off the lights, and hid under a table in silence – survival tactics they had learned growing up with active-shooter drills in schools.”
“We will never be able to treat the sickness that led to last week’s insurrection unless we recognize this is part of who we are. It might be America at its ugliest, but it is America.”


SO – Who are we? Why are the things said above true? What has happened in America that has made all of this possible? Certainly HATE. Quite obviously, “MISINFORMATION,” LIES, RUMORS. Apparently, for some SUSPICION. Much social science evidence tells us: FEAR. Apparently, for some, PARANOIA.
There’s also something else. 8,000 angry people, mostly men, mostly white, did not gather in Washington on January 6, 2021 by “accident.”
There was definite, very deliberate planning by some. There, over months has been very deliberate, definite “encouragement” of these unhappy people. They were told that something “wrong” had been done, and it was their “job” as “patriots” to right that wrong – over months, over many channels.

BUT – why would these 8,000 unhappy people listen to those messages? WHY would they listen?

WHO are “we?” WHY would some of “US” think they had a “right” to “solve” a problem of this nature by attacking the U.S. Capitol? WHY would some be looking to hurt, kill some members of the U.S. government – including the Vice President and the House Speaker? What was the message of the noose hanging in front of the Capitol?

Historian William W. Freehling, in his “The Road to Disunion,”on pages 103-104, states:”Some 300 lynchings of whites transpired between 1830 and 1860…Lynchings abounded only in moments of hysteria, either during insurrection or secession scares…Victims were almost Northerners or newcomers or other outsiders.”
Freehling mentions something else – “the shudder.” One had to be careful not to say the “wrong thing” about slavery in the South.

Saying the “wrong thing?” Apparently, some members of the U.S. government were heard to say “the wrong thing” about the 2020 election. These villains persisted in believing “the wrong candidate” had won the 2020 election. Not only that, they insisted on going through the last stages of this “fraudulent” election – certifying the “wrong” result. The 8,000 angry “patriots” were told this “fraud” should not be allowed to happen – it must be stopped, at any cost – or they’d “lose THEIR country.” So they acted.

There have been disputed elections before. But, in 231 years, nobody stormed the Capitol, intent on capturing, hurting, killing government officials. WHY now? WHAT has happened?

WHO are “we?”

As of 12 Noon, February, 2021, this is the casualty list of police personnel from the attack on the U.S. Capitol Complex by supporters of “law and order” and other bumper sticker slogans from the 2016-2021 era:

1 policeman murdered;
2 law enforcement people have committed suicide;
140 law enforcement personnel injured:
l law enforcement person with brain trauma:
1 law enforcement person with crushed cervical disc;
1 law enforcement person lost 3 fingers;
1 law enforcement person lost an eye;
1 law enforcement stabbed with a metal stake;
police personnel beaten by rioters using American flags.

It’s a good thing the perps who did this were “patriots,” or it might have been worse.

What would an informed, reasonable person say to that question? On what basis would that person say Trump should be impeached? Is prosecuting him, now that he’s out of office “revenge” or “unconstitutional?” Or – is it holding him accountable for conduct while in office?

A dictionary definition of sedition: “incitement of public disorder or rebellion against a government; any action, especially in speech or writing promoting such disorder or rebellion.”

The Pentagon called the events of January 6, 2021, in Washington, D.C. an “insurrection.”

A dictionary definition of insurrection: “the act or an instance of rising in open rebellion against an established government or authority.

The U.S. Code, Title 18, Chapter 115 defines sedition in part as an attempt by two or more persons to: “prevent, hinder, or delay the execution of any law of the United States.”

The U.S. Constitution, Amendment XIV, Section 3: “No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice President or hold any office, civil or military under the United States, or under any State, who having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.”

Wyoming Republican U.S. Representative Liz Cheney: “There never has been a greater betrayal by a President of the United States of his office and his oath to the Constitution.”

U.S. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell directly blamed Mr. Trump for the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot, saying: “The mob was fed lies. They were provoked by the president and other powerful people, and they tried to use fear and violence to stop a specific proceeding of the first branch of the federal government which they did not like.”

A January l8, 2021 Associated Press article [Lardner & Smith] states: “members of President Trump’s failed presidential campaign played key roles in orchestrating the Washington rally that spawned a deadly assault on the U. s. Capitol.
“A pro-Trump nonprofit group called Women For America First hosted the “Save America Rally” on Jan. 6 at the Ellipse….more than half a dozen people in staff positions for the event who just weeks earlier had been paid thousands of dollars by Trump’s 2020 reelection campaign. Other staff scheduled to be “on site” during the demonstration have close ties to the White House.
Since the siege, several of them have scrambled to distance themselves from the rally.”

A January 23, 2021 Bloomberg News article [Allison] states: “Former President Donald Trump’s campaign paid more than $2.7 million to individuals and firms that organized the January 6 rally that led to violent rioters storming the U.S. Capitol…..
“The payments, which span Trump’s reelection campaign, show an ongoing financial relationship between the rally’s organizers and Trump’s political organization. They were all made through Nov. 23…..
“Eight paid Trump campaign officials were named on the permit issued….”

So – a reasonable person might fairly conclude that much legal and other data exists to conclude that the ex-president, and people around him, have provided for the case against themselves by their own actions.

Also of interest, Trump actions reported by the New York Times, January 23, 2021, in an article [Benner]: “Trump Plotted to Oust Acting AG to Throw Election.” It stated: “The Justice Department’s top leaders listened in stunned silence this month: One of their peers, they were told, had devised a plan with President Donald Trump to oust Jeffrey Rosen..and wield the department’s power to force Georgia state lawmakers to overturn its presidential election results.”

All of this – and we haven’t yet discussed Trump’s inciting words of January 6, 2021 to his crowd: “..take back our country. So let’s walk down Pennsylvania Avenue.”
Before the president’s words, Trump family members had spoken, son Eric: “..show some fight…..march on the Capitol today.” Donald Trump, Jr.: all “red-blooded, patriotic Americans..fight for Trump.”

We also know, from reports of people close to the president, or actually in the White House, Trump watched the rioting unfold on TV – and did nothing. A Washington Post article of January l3, 2021 “Trump Slow to Act as Riot Raged [Parker-Dawsey-Rucker] states” “The president himself was busy enjoying the spectacle. Trump watched with interest, buoyed to see his supporters fighting so hard on his behalf, one close advisor said.” The article states: “Several Republican members of Congress also called White House aides, begging them to get Trump’s attention and have him call for the violence to end…were now scared for their lives…”

The question has been frequently asked – if all this direct Trump action concerning the events isn’t an impeachable offense, then what is?

In a February 5, 2021 letter, 144 “leading First Amendment lawyers and constitutional scholars from across the political spectrum” declared the proposed Trump defense of exercising “free speech” was “legally frivolous.”
A subsequent New York Times article [Fandos-Schmidt-Haberman] reported the experts laid out three counterarguments to a “First Amendment” defense. The 144 experts said also “even if the First Amendment did apply to an impeachment trial, it would do nothing to bar conviction, which has to do with whether Trump violated his oath,” not his words.
The 144 experts stated: “No reasonable scholar or jurist could conclude that President Trump had a First Amendment right to incite a violent attack on the seat of the legislative branch, or then sit back and watch on television as Congress was terrorized and the Capitol sacked.”

In these misinformed, polarized times, we all have opinions – but we can’t all have our own facts. Fortunately, much of this was recorded, live, on numerous TV stations. What happened January 6, 2021 is clear, and beyond efforts to “reframe” or provide ‘alternative facts.” Can’t be done.

One big question: do we have a democratic republic or not? Do we honor the “rule of law” or not? Are people accountable for their actions or not? Does a defeated U.S. president have a “free pass” to do whatever he wants between election day and January 20th?

Donald Trump has broken many norms and rules, many expectations about how an American president should act. His actions HAVE given “aid and comfort” to our enemies, none more than January 6, 2021. Our enemies have used January 6, 2021 to savage America’s international reputation. We will have a difficult time trying to convince other nations and peoples that we are the best example of democracy.

Whether his devout, often misinformed, followers want to accept it or not – Donald Trump has left America a weaker nation, in many ways.

During the Founding period, Benjamin Franklin, commenting on impeachment, said it was either that or assassination. Donald Trump IS THE president the Founders feared. They knew all future presidents wouldn’t be George Washington, but they hoped it was possible.

Political reality may deny a conviction, but there is hope for a “censure” which could make another Trump presidency impossible. Both outcomes would contribute to that end result. The events of January 6, 2021 can NEVER be taken away. We are stuck with them. The very least we should do is make sure the #1 perpetrator can’t harm America again.

Gather around my children, two American visions to hear,
after such details, much clarity will appear!

The first vision of love, hope, charity believed “all men are created equal;”
but greed, hatred, austerity, bigotry, zealotry marred the sequel.

The first vision said “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself,”
the second built on encouraging fear, saying above all take care of yourself.

The first vision led to a generation of unprecedented prosperity and income equality,
the greedy, corrupt second created increasing great economic inequality.

The first vision believed government could solve the problem,
the second revolved around the false theory government was the problem.

The first vision used law as a genuine liberty enhancing tool,
the second abused law, and history, as if liberty to fool.

The first vision was built around taking care of the “Forgotten Man,”
the second built around favoring the richest man.

The first vision passed the “Wagner Act” guaranteeing labor union rights’
the second featured the “Janus” decision to weaken labor union rights.

The first vision enabled the “Greatest Generation,”
the second created the “debt generation.”

The first era featured DiMaggio, Williams, Robinson, Mantle, Mays, Aaron,
the second featured steroid cheaters and a false home run baron.

The first vision featured Glass-Steagall to restrain corruption and efforts to end the Great Depression;
the second featured “greed is good,” S & L bailouts, Wall Street bailouts and the Great Recession.

The first era had World War II and Nazi war crimes, America emerging as world hero;
the second the immoral Iraq War and American war crimes, America as world non-hero.

The first vision featured “Brown” and Civil Rights Acts correcting racism,
the second featured “Shelby County” and voter suppression to extend racism.

The first vision believed in science, environmental protection, a landing on the moon;
the second denied science and vaccine values, said global warming action too soon.

The first vision created an Education Department to extend and improve education,
the second featured efforts to subvert and weaken public education.

The first vision featured laws to prevent electoral corruption by the rich,
the second featured “Citizens United” throwing such precautions in the ditch.

The first vision featured a peaceful 1963 March on Washington and an IMMORTAL speech,
the second featured a violent 2021 insurrection and an impeachable screech.

The first vision featured religion as a private affair, efforts to better America;
the second saw zealots politicize religion, attempt to create theocratic America.

The first era saw three of America’s best presidents at its beginning;
the second saw three of the worst mired in multiple scandals, fears of fascism beginning.

The first era saw America’s national debt under $1 trillion for all its history,
the second saw national debt blown up by reverse Robin Hood tax cut mystery.

The first era saw a cruel, misguided anti-communist scare, zealots looking everywhere for red;
the second saw cruel, internet-enabled domestic terrorism looking for immigrants under every bed.

The first era saw a “Day of Infamy” that united America,
the second saw a “Day of Infamy” that further divided America.

The first vision saw TRUTH valued and speaking with tact,
the second saw speaking with insults and “alternative fact.”

The first vision saw America at its peak, greatly admired;
the second saw America sabotaged, liared, former respect retired.

The first vision built on the Founders’ revolutionary hopes and dreams,
the second on reactionary, destructive, anti-democratic moonbeams.

The great tragedy, Shakespeareian in scope, saddest to see;
a great many refuse to see, the second “vision” has changed America from “we” to “me.”

The mind wanders a little on a very cold winter day, adding more misery to the already COVID-19 stressed. Are these the best of days – worst of days? The old, retired fisherman remembers some more pleasant events witnessed.

It was the annual Big Ten rivalry game at the season’s close. A group of friends were sitting in their seats, the stands filled with snow. People were bundled up in parkas, big boots, big gloves, stocking caps, some no doubt in sleeping bags. COLD!!!
The score and details of the game are long since past, because the most memorable memory isn’t what happened on the field in the old stadium. The twice-replaced hallowed old stadium had been built shortly after World War I. We sat on long wooden planks. Like most stadiums in America, before the corporations paid hard-pressed towns and schools much-needed funding – it was called “Memorial” – in memory of soldiers who’d given their last for their country.
The memorable event was an incredible on-going performance by one man. He was seated below us a few rows, and to our left. He was a dedicated smoker. At first we didn’t notice him, then sat in wonder and watched him. In this frigid scene, among the shivering multitudes, every 10 minutes or so, it happened. Off would come the gloves, out would come the lighter and current cigarette. With freezing glove-less hands, the tobacco tube would be lit. After the requisite puffs, back would go the gloves. And so it went for the entire game.

There was a fellow, a 2nd-3rd line “hockey player” on a mediocre D-III team. He had one talent. He could shoot the puck, quite hard, where he wanted it to go. This mediocre team had a very good goalie. He had to be. At least one season the goalie was “All-Conference. He obviously kept this mediocre team in a lot of games.
There was one thing that bugged this star goalie no end. It seems the 2nd-3rd string “hockey player” could score on him at will. This went on for some time. The “player” didn’t think about it. He just did it, at virtually every practice.
Finally, the star goalie requested the “player” to help him exorcise the demon bedeviling him. The star goalie ‘requested” the “player’ attend a private practice – of two.
So, on another cold winter day, outside [who had indoor rinks?]. The two of them worked out. The “player” would make repeated rushes at the goalie and shoot the puck. They started slow, with the normal easy shots, working their way up to real attempts by the “player” to beat the goalie. Some of his confidence restored, the goalie eventually said it was time to quit.
So, they resumed their roles. The star goalie played regularly, starting every game. The “player” enjoyed fleeting moments when he played.

Two 30-ish devout baseball fans had been given free tickets by a very fine friend who worked for the home team. For this game, their tickets were behind home plate, just behind the pipes that outlined the high price tickets, at this time probably about $3.50.
The now twice-replaced stadium was a typical l950’s creation. All outdoors. No expensive boxes for the top 1%. Seating in the outfield bleachers was long wooden planks. On a nice summer day, the place of dreams. On a cold late season day during football season, one endured – hoping a neighbor didn’t need to visit the little boy’s room. Then, a row of grumbling fans would have to stand in their sleeping bags – and do it over again when the villain returned.
On this fine summer day, a high foul ball arched over the tall screen behind home plate. A major league ball!!! A giant scrum of nearly two dozen ball hawks franticly sought the prize missile. The two 30-ish devout fans sat, unmoving in their seats, watching events unfold, totally without any desire to become involved in the writhing pile of humanity.
Slowly, with some difficulty, because of numbers of of semi-sober people, because of the pipes outlining the box seats – the giant piggy pile began to unwind. People got up, without the ball. More people, mostly men, got up. Getting down close to concrete!!!
There was one last humanoid laying on the concrete, stretched over two levels of concrete amid the pipes above. It was a woman, laying face up, not moving much. It was quite apparent, that although not injured, she was not in the best shape to lift herself off the concrete. It was also quite apparent, she had most likely previously consumed some of the local breweries’ finest beverages.
The two 30-ish, non ball-hawking observers also noticed one other thing.
She didn’t have the ball.

The mediocre, 2nd-3rd string D-III “hockey player” had one moment of glory. it symbolized his “career.” It was the only goal he scored.
It seemed the coach was a friend of the coach of this school’s biggest rival. So they often scrimmaged. On this occasion it was inside a recently opened indoor hockey rink, which over time witnessed some very memorable contests. Not included in that list of memorable contest was this scrimmage.
The rival school usually won the official league games. But, the mediocre team often won the meaningless scrimmages.
In this scrimmage, the mediocre “player” was playing defense. The puck was passed to him at his offensive zone blue line. He fired a laser beam, wrist shot, into the lower right hand corner. GOAL!!!
After that, he turned around a set up for the face-off. No high-fives. Only lost, precious ice time while players reassembled. This ‘goal” would never be ‘official.”
After that, the puck was frequently passed to him for more shots. He never scored again. Thus, like his “career,” the ‘goal” didn’t count.

There was this baseball youth coach. He had a good team. They went to play an away game. When the team arrived, the players started yelling about the right field fence. It was close. VERY close. TOO close.
The coach gathered his players. Fearing the players would all try to hit home runs over this fence, a warning was issued. “Anybody that hits a ball over that fence is out of the game,” was the ultimatum. The coach was reassured. None of his players would screw up their swings trying for a cheap home run.
It was a well-intentioned plan, but unnecessary. His pitcher threw a no-hitter. The game was never close. Then came the unintended event.
The coach had forgotten that one of his outfielders was a natural left-handed batter. This young man had a very nice, fluid, sweet natural left-handed batting stroke,\.
Several innings into this one-sided game, the lefty came to bat. there were runners on base. The pitch came. So did that sweet swing. CRACK!!!!! A high-arching, long fly ball sailed far over that obscene fence – a no-doubter.
The runners came around. Then the ‘hero.” Tears were coming down his face. He looked at the coach, and said: “Am I out of the game?”
The coach, caught on his own petard, was forced to say “Yes.”

There was this decent fast pitch softball player who could run. He knew the game, didn’t make mistakes. Not a great hitter, but he could bunt. In this game, he’d worked his way around to 3rd base. Less than two outs.
He noticed the pitcher and catcher were not paying any attention to him. The catcher was throwing “rainbows” back to the pitcher after every pitch. He decided to try a delayed steal of home.
After the next pitch, the “rainbow” throw, he was off. He had it beat, but slid instead of running through. The large catcher blocked the plate “out.”
Soon after, this same player is on 3rd base again. This time the pitcher and catcher know he’s there! Rockets back to the pitcher. The pitcher is looking at him at every pitch. In fact, as the pitcher winds up, he’s still looking toward the runner on 3rd base.
After a few pitches, the distracted pitcher throws a wild pitch on the ground through the catcher. The runner races home with a free run.

The moment of ‘glory” that wasn’t. The mediocre 2nd-3rd string “hockey player” was on the ice killing a penalty. Surprising in itself.
In his defensive zone, at the blue line, he intercepted an errant pass. Putting the best move on the opponent of his ‘career,’ the opponent’s jock strap was left hanging from the rafters of the indoor rink.
“Breakaway!!!” A “hockey player’s” dream. Off to the left is his penalty-killing teammate, slightly ahead. He has a big smile on his face. They’re off on the rush.
Memories fade, but at most there can be only one opponent between them and the opponents goal, and one of the true possible turning points in any hockey game – a short-handed goal. It was not to be.
Our “hockey player’ and his senior mate are skating, ever briefly alone up ice.
Then – the period ending horn. Out of playing time. There’d be no glory.
All the more frustrating, the game went into overtime. It ended tied.

Some memories, and events are much more meaningful then the actual event itself. This memory is one of those.
Our “decent’ softball player is on 3rd base. Less than two outs. A sharp ground ball is hit into the SS-3rd base “hole.” The shortstop ranged over, makes the good backhand stop. He straightens to fire the ball to first base, and does so.
Our “player” watches, as soon as the shortstop throws to 1st base – he’s off for home. He scores in a slide. All runs in fast pitch softball are big.
This one is special. As the ‘player” runs to the team sitting place on the grass, he noticed a special observer – his father.
The father had been a great college baseball player, and also the “player’s” first baseball coach.
The memory was special to the “player’ because, in front of his father, he’d played the game like it was meant to be played. Nothing else counted.

There was this mediocre golfer. His game deteriorated as he got closer to the hole. His best “talent” was driving off the tee.
On this particular occasion, he and 3 of his friends were playing on a private course, courtesy of one of them.
It was the mediocre golfer’s turn to drive. He took out a brand new ball, placed it on a tee. Got prepared to hit.
On this tee, there was a large oak tree off to the side. Our mediocre golfer wound up a swung, hit a mammoth shot off legendary, epic proportions.
This “moon shot” flew directly into one of the limbs of the great, at that point, unmarked, oak tree. In a millisecond, it flew directly into the pond opposite.
The resulting moments had 3 of the mediocre golfer’s friends laying on the tee, besides themselves in laughter. The fog of memory doesn’t record whether our mediocre golfer broke 100 on the round. But, his friends didn’t care.

NO steroid users should EVER be allowed into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

WHY? There is No good reason they should be admitted.

The Baseball Hall of Fame yearbook, under “Rules for Election by Members of the Baseball Writers Association, states:
“Candidates shall be chosen on the basis of playing ability
integrity, sportsmanship, character, their contributions to
the team or teams on which they played and to baseball
in general.”

Five criteria – ONE on playing ability, ALL others on “integrity, sportsmanship, character.. contributions to baseball in general.”
So – tell me, just how does cheating by using steroids pass the tests of “integrity, sportsmanship, character?” In what realm of “ethics” is this even remotely possible? What dictionary definitions would allow cheating un ‘integrity, sportsmanship?”
Steroid use “contributed” to baseball by nearly ruining it.

The use of steroids without a real doctor’s prescription was illegal under American law. At least one baseball Commissioner explicitly ruled against their use. Are baseball players “above the law?”

The premise of any athletic contest is a player, using his God-given metal and physical abilities, can defeat his opponents because of those natural talents. If he cheats with steroids, he is violating the basic tenet of sports.
Fans in the stands AREN’T on the field because they aren’t physically and mentally equipped to compete [without cheating].

To my knowledge, no Hall of Fame member has EVER accepted steroids use. Some of said, publicly, adamantly, they oppose admitting such players. Some said if it was done, they were through with the Hall.
Many former players have also spoken against it. Some saying the steroid user’ performance, often at advanced ages, were not credibly possible without cheating>

The Olympics take away medals. The NCAA voids seasonal records.

The all-time major league hits record holder is banned for breaking the gambling rule. One of the greatest all time hitters is banned for his KNOWLEDGE of the 1919 Black Sox plot to throw the World Series. [7-8 games, not an entire career]

Teammates of steroids users noticed physical differences in a prominent abusers’ body from fall to spring. His hat size also went up. A comparison of player photos and physical data from “rookie” season to end of career reveal some remarkable differences.

Then – there’s the issue of fairness. Many honest players complained that not using steroids caused them a disadvantage. There are numerous minor league players recorded saying they faced a choice – to use or not. If they didn’t, maybe they don’t get to the major leagues, and the big money. WHY should they face this choice?

In baseball culture and history, the essence of the game itself is in the statistics – who is “the best?” Who has “the numbers?” A steroids user violates the “INTEGRITY” of this. “His” numbers aren’t his, not honestly.
Babe Ruth is ” the Babe” because of what he did, especially compared to his fellow players – many of whom, decades later were still incredulous at what they’d seen him PERSONALLY do. The Babe trained on hot dogs and beer. Ted Williams, .482, is still the greatest offensive force. Bill James’ statistical comparisons show Walter Johnson still the greatest pitcher. Rickey Henderson shattered stolen base records.

To my knowledge, NO player was ever falsely accused by the “Mitchell Report” of illegal substance abuse [Canseco has a chapter on it]. They’ve disputed it, but has any steroids user been falsely accused by documentation?

Books written by Howard Bryant [“Juicing the Game”], Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams [“Game of the Shadows”], Jeff Pearlman {“The Rocket That Fell to Earth”], Kirk Radomski [“Bases Loaded”], and Jose Canseco [“Juiced,” “Vindicated”] name names, provide data. Have any of them been sued for slander or mistruth? GUILTY!!!!!!!!

There are NO “good,” plausible, reasons for steroid users to be rewarded for their actions. In criminal law, a person cannot benefit from breaking the law.

We are in such disarray and disrepair,
the Sane people they do despair.

There are crazies in the streets with guns, big guns,
the government, they hope runs.

The spewers of hatred, making millions as media maven,
obscure and overcome the ministrations of Mercy for those needing haven.

There are religious zealots hating gays and abortions,
such fundamentalist Intellectual Contortions.

There are internet innocents believing in conspiracies,
convinced they’re hearing Einstein’s theories.

We’re electing lying, raving, sweet-talking demagogues,
Saviors they’re not; instead corrupting, thieving rogues.

The Supreme Court’s obscenely twisting “free speech,”
the Founders’ obvious, recorded logic, is out of reach.

The casino money changers of Wall Street,
destroy Dreams and Prosperity of Main Street.

Misinformed mobs storming the Capitol, claiming ‘patriots’ to be,
listened to The Cult Leader’s siren song, the TRUTH they cannot see.

The self-righteous have “religious liberty” for them in their sights’
a mockery they do make of others True Constitutional rights.

The top 1%, wallowing in their never-ending greed,
blinded by dollars, they care not for the People’s need.

There are politicians claiming they’re “conservative,”
when reactionary Despotism the results of their initiatives.

Fifty years and many Tears ago, the great wealth of America we ALL did share,
since, the captains of capital and industry exclaimed, “this we cannot spare.”

Tricksters cut rich people’s taxes, saying green will “trickle down on all,”
proved yet another great LIE, it is yellow that falls on tall and small.

It was once said, America’s “the home of the brave,”
we’re no match for Courageous Russians, the wrath of Putin they do brave.

The loud voices of the “right” claim “we have the solutions,”
but “their” ideas come from campaign contributions.

In the harbor, the great statue for liberty does stand,
the many innocents, their minds closed by Fear, “tear it down,” they demand.

The rich and powerful, connected and greedy, do claim “the government’s your enemy,”
the once prosperous middle class, inundated with theses Lies, cannot see the Real enemy.

More and more, the loonies, the crazies, the nihilists, into one Party they do gather,
the Golden Rule, the Constitution, decency-honor-respect, to them don’t matter.

America, once the shining city on the hill, to all a great beacon of Hope,
now disgraced by those, in the front of the Capitol, did leave a rope.

The greatest Sin of all, the factual TRUTH we all once did see,
has been Murdered in the “echo chamber” of political expediency.

We are in such disarray and disrepair,
the Sane people, they do despair.

Are you a patriotic American? Do you love this country? Do you believe in the Founding Ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution? Do you believe American has been, is, should be, “a beacon of hope” for the world? Do you believe “moral principles” should always guide what America does?

Quoted below are words from Rebecca Gordon’s “American Nuremberg” [2016] from pages 9l-92. Please read these words. Then reflect on what Ms Gordon says. Then read them again. Then talk with friends, family, colleagues, neighbors – SERIOUSLY.

Rebecca Gordon is asking, pleading, with America to reflect, very seriously, on WHO WE ARE – as judged by our recent actions:

“I think that the war on terror has eroded in the people of this country the quality that is sometimes called practical wisdom. Practical wisdom is an intellectual habit we develop over time, one that allows a person to examine a situation and understand its moral contours. It is a habit of thought that helps us understand in a given situation what are the right things to do and the right ways to do them. Practical wisdom requires another habit – courage – if we are to look squarely at the world. We need to not only sift through the media babble that constantly assaults and misleads us as we seek the truth, but also to question our own emotions and biases that inevitably arise in times of national crisis.”

“I believe that after a decade and a half of constant “terror manipulation” – relentless messaging about the dangers that lurk all around us, particularly those involving Muslims and brown-skinned people – we have been damaged morally. In the name of security, we have been been terrorized by our own government – and by the news and entertainment corporations that feed on exploiting such fear – into giving up not only our own freedoms but our fundamental sense of human empathy. While racist contempt for “foreigners” has long been a feature of the American people, years of terror propaganda and “security theater” have created something qualitatively different. Entire swaths of the world’s population are now regarded as enemies by many American people, seen as vicious, less-than-human creatures who are undeserving of basic decency, let alone the protection of international law.”

“As a nation, we need to reclaim these qualities of wisdom and courage. Facing the terrible crimes that have been committed in our names and bringing the criminals to justice would be a good beginning. It would help restore not only the rule of international law, but our own humanity.”

Eroded practical wisdom….moral contours…..the right things to do and the right ways to do them…….courage……media babble……our own emotions and biases…….terror manipulation…….brown-skinned people……WE HAVE BEEN DAMAGED MORALLY……..exploiting fear……giving up our own freedoms…….human empathy……racist contempt……propaganda……”security theater”……..’LESS-THAN-HUMAN’……….terrible crimes committed in our names……..justice….OUR OWN HUMANITY.

These words were said in 2016. No thinking, caring American can remotely think “we” have improved since then. Numerous international polls place America below Putin – now under siege by his own, VERY COURAGEOUS PEOPLE, for things mentioned above, and much more.

Please consider the following, from Theodore Roosevelt’s Mount Rushmore plaque:
“We, here in America, hold in our hands the hope of the world, the fate of the coming years; and shame and disgrace will be ours if in our eyes the light of high resolve is dimmed, if we trail in the dust the golden hopes of men.”

The hope of the world…..shame and disgrace will be ours…..the light of high resolve…..TRAIL IN THE DUST THE GOLDEN HOPES OF MEN.

“WE” are guilty as charged. What are “WE” going to do about it? Do “WE” have the MORAL COURAGE to save OUR OWN HUMANITY?

The issues are plain. The choices are plain. Are “we all in this together” – or not?
What will “WE” tell our children and grandchildren? WHY did “WE” support these policies, and many more destructive ones? Why did “WE” listen to destructive media?WHY did “WE” participate in destructive media? WHY did “WE” choose to believe OBVIOUS falsehoods, rumors, lies? WHY did “WE” vote for destructive politicians?

“WE” will succeed – or fail – to save America, only IF we first save our own humanity.

When I first began hearing the term “COVID fatigue,” I thought perhaps it was a joke – an attempt at “black humor.”

So – who was saying this? Was it medical personnel, caring for the pandemic’s victims? Was it first responders, often transporting victims to hospitals and dealing with death?

No – from photos and descriptions – it almost always was people who appeared to be well dressed and well fed, and not on their way to a hospital. Interviews and questions provided some answers: they were “tired of the plague.” They wanted to go back to “normal.” They resented being told by medical professionals and scientists what to do.” “Dictatorial” government was taking away their “rights.”
All this, and more – after a few months. They were being asked to sacrifice “too much.” After a few months.

Then I thought about the people who were NOT in these stories, protesting about the “unreasonable” requests put on them. There didn’t seem to be too many of the homeless, or the hungry, or the unemployed.
The only complaints from doctors and nurses, and from first responders, was for lack of public support. When pushed, they’d talk about being burned out, and being mentally and physically exhausted. Some had already committed suicide.

And then, I thought of others through history – who might have deserved to complain of some “fatigue,” and moan about not being able to be “normal.”

– There were the Russian civilians during the 900 day Nazi siege {1941-44] who endured attack and starvation. Some 1 million of them died- usually starved to death. Do you suppose THEY might have had a “Nazi fatigue?”

– Then there were the Americans and Filipinos on the forced Death March after being forced to surrender from Corregidor and Bataan. Do you suppose some of them had a “Japanese fatigue?”

– Then there were all the sufferers of the Great Depression, 1930-1941. People suffered in virtually every way possible, including starvation, homeless, unemployed. Do you suppose the people in the “soup lines” had thoughts of “depression fatigue?”

“..there is a still higher type of courage – the courage to brave pain, to live with it, to never let others know it and still find joy in life..” Howard Cosell [1974]

– then there were the British people, 1940-1941, who alone held out against the Nazis. Who braved the German “blitz” of bombing their cities. Do you suppose they might have had a “bomb fatigue?” It helped they had Winston Churchill, and not ……

_ then there were the soldiers at Shiloh, at the “bloody pond,” where the wounded and dying crawled to get water. So many the water turned red, blood red. Do you suppose they might have been thinking about “war fatigue?”

-“Decency – generosity – cooperation – assistance in trouble – devotion to duty; these are the things that are of greater value than surface appearances and customs.” Dwight D. Eisenhower. 6/11/1943 letter

– then there were those who suffered through the Valley Forge winter, most likely saving the American Revolution. Do you suppose they might have had “winter fatigue?”

-then there was Nathan Hale, captured by the British and about to be hung, said: “I regret I have only one life to give…” Do you suppose he might have been experiencing “capture fatigue?”

– “This will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.” Elmer Davis [1954]

– then there were the Americans who fought in, and survived, the jungles of Guadalcanal and Vietnam. Do you suppose they might have been guilty of “jungle fatigue?”

– then there were the people who survived Auschwitz and other infamous concentration camps. Do you suppose they might have had “cruelty fatigue,’ or perhaps “atrocity fatigue?”

-“Great men, great nations, have not been boasters and buffoons, but perceivers of the terror of life, and have manned themselves to face it.” Ralph W. Emerson [1860]

– then there were the survivors of various prisoner of war camps. Do you suppose they might have had “prisoner fatigue?” You can hear their stories at the Andersonville, Georgia memorial.

– then there were the soldiers who stormed the beaches at Normandy and Iwo Jima. Do you suppose they might have had “being killed fatigue?” You can contemplate this at the Normandy Memorial, or at Pearl Harbor, or at Gettysburg,

-“I would define true courage to be a perfect sensibility of the measure of danger, and a mental willingness to endure it.” William T. Sherman [1875]

Suppose William Shakespeare were alive today. What do you think he might create to reflect the lack of character by a noisy few Americans? Perhaps a play with the title of “The Stupid and the Selfish?” Or, if Mark Twain were alive. Can you imagine a book about some of our gutless and pandering politicians, with the title of “Huckleberry Hypocrite?” Or, if Nathaniel Hawthorne lived, perhaps his latest book would be titled “The New Scarlet Letter?” That new “letter” would be the “S.” As in saboteur, stupid, or selfish?

Just a few thoughts and questions. Wondering what people who REALLY endured something deadly – like bullets or starvation – might say about the current generation of “adults” reacting in childlike fashion over the “penalty” of not being able to go out for a beer? Do you suppose the men at Valley Forge, Gettysburg, Shiloh, Belleau Wood. the Battle of the Bulge. the march from Frozen Chosin, Ia Drang, multiple Iraq-Afghanistan tours – just might have wanted a beer?

Are we still “the home of the brave” or the home of the whiners?


[note – quotes from The Harper Book of American Quotations]