by John Walters
Starting Five
Vendela: Imagine what she could contribute to America
Viking Quest*
*The judges will also accept, “You Go Norway And I’ll Go Mine”
Today’s weird thought: A majority of the Minnesota Vikings’ roster, and I’m assuming here (I haven’t line-itemed this), is comprised of African-Americans who, by (Trump’s) definition, hail from “shithole” countries. And yet these players represent a team whose mascot is a historical figure, hailing from what is present-day Norway, whose main claim to fame is that of being foreign invaders and rapists.
Or, as the inimitable Josh Brown put it…
I don’t think Norway sent us their best people.
— Downtown Josh Brown (@ReformedBroker) January 16, 2018
Just your typical Norseman….
2. Many Happy Returns
All in one day, Clemson All-American defensive lineman Christian Wilkins, Stanford’s Heisman runner-up Bryce Love, and Notre Dame’s leading tackle Te’Von Coney, all announce that they will return for their senior seasons.
One more year
Wilkins has been to the college football playoff three times in three years and will be part of a Tiger D-line that returns three All-Americans. Coney did not start until Notre Dame’s sixth game but led all Irish tacklers by at least 24 tackles and was the leading tackler in bowl season, with 17 in the Citrus Bowl. Irish nose tackle Jerry Tillery will also return (as will Drue Tranquill).
The middle of the field is now Coney Island
As for Bryce Love, we’d NEVER presume to tell a college kid what he should do with the Stay in School or Go Pro choice, but we will offer up these notes: 1) no position takes more abuse than running back and 2) no Power 5 coach we know of seems more blithely unconcerned about keeping a hurt player out of a game than David Shaw. The good news is that Love could actually win the Heisman next season and proceed directly to medical school if he desires.
3. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Capitalism
As we look back on MLK Day (What did you shoot, Donald?…No, really?), you might want to remember that the Rev. Dr. King had some blunt thoughts not just about race but about capitalism. Two of our favorites:
“[Capitalism] started out with a noble and high motive… but like most human systems it fell victim to the very thing it was revolting against. So today capitalism has out-lived its usefulness.”
And…
“We must recognize that we can’t solve our problem now until there is a radical redistribution of economic and political power… this means a revolution of values and other things. We must see now that the evils of racism, economic exploitation and militarism are all tied together… you can’t really get rid of one without getting rid of the others… the whole structure of American life must be changed. America is a hypocritical nation and [we] must put [our] own house in order.”
For the record, I was an avowed capitalist until I saw what happened in 2008 and 2009. That’s when the nation’s staunchest capitalists, investment banks, suddenly became socialist when their own businesses failed (failures that they themselves incited). In a true capitalism system, those banks would have gone out of business and someone else would have come in to fill the vacuum. After all, capitalist theory espouses that where there is a market for a good, someone will come in to create that good.
So what we learned in 2008-2009 is not that America believes in capitalism, but that it believes in white power institutionalism. And you’re either in that small circle or you’re f****ed. American capitalism, the sub-prime mortgage crisis proved beyond a doubt, is a charade.
Trump golfed on MLK Day. His golf outings alone have cost American taxpayers $50 million this year and it still hasn’t been an entire year yet
And so Dr. King knew all of this. And militarism is just an excuse to keep the majority of the populace afraid and uneducated, because stupid Americans make fantastic patriots. Meanwhile, imagine if the military budget was reduced by just 1/10th (we’d still be by far the most militarized nation on earth) and that we created STARTING salaries for teachers at $100,000.
And some moron is going to say, “Well, they’re not worth that much,” but they sure would be soon, because as soon as that’s the starting salary for teachers, then you’re going to get a much, much, much more competitive job market. In fact, it’ll be like trying to get into law school or even medical school. And with that more competitive job market we’d get a higher overall class of teachers and in a decade or two a better-educated populace.
But if you’re already white and already economically in control, why the hell would you want that, right? Do I sound angry? I am.
Meanwhile, check out this site….
4. Locker Room Squawk
Apparently, the Rockets and Clippers got ensconced in some type of postgame locker room fiasco that was definitely not the most fitting tribute to the memory of Dr. King and nonviolent resistance. A friendly reminder that it is January in the NBA and the players are nearly as bored as you are (the Clippers won by 11 as Lou Williams put up 31 as the weirdest sports renaissance of the NBA season continues).
Meanwhile in Cleveland, the Warriors shut down the Fighting Sweet Peas, outscoring them by 17 in the second half to cruise home with a 10-point win. Golden State has won 7 of 8 from their three-time NBA Finals nemesis.
5. Doctor Evil
Nothing to add here, just watch…
Larry Nassar was employed by the Michigan State athletic department…
Music 101
Linger
That voice. That soft, haunting, sorrowful Irish voice. Dolores O’Riordan and the Cranberries crashed onto FM radio and the MTV in 1993 and there was no mistaking her gift. The song went to No. 8 in the U.S. and remained on the charts for 24 weeks, nearly six full months. In the last days when MTV truly mattered as a vehicle for music, the Cranberries were one of the channel’s bigger mainstays. O’Riordan died unexpectedly at the age of 46 in London yesterday.
Remote Patrol
Australian Open
9:30 p.m. ESPN
Winter’s great annual sports escape, live from Melbourne.
I hope to grow up in an America governed by individuals of all ethnicities, where white males are the minority. We’ve (I speak as a 23-year-old white male) screwed up. And the soulless, spine-less cowards that currently “run” this nation and its largest corporations can get the f*ck out of the way, as people with hearts and dignity step in and get the job done.
People of all ages, genders and ethnicities fight everyday to live in this world. And all we have to say is, “Well, sorry YOU got the short end of the stick. NEXT.” Per the website you shared, Trump has spent $50,000,000 of taxpayer money to play golf. To circle jerk with all of his old white pals. Is it really that hard to dig deep and find your heart?
I’ll hold it there. This is nonsensical. Be on the lookout for what the future has ahead for y’all.
I agree with some of what you say but, er, are you still a capitalist just not “avowed”? Does a socialist own stocks or believe in private ownership let alone the stock market? And how come you don’t think ‘Universal Healthcare’ is a good thing, comrade? 😉
And btw, a “radical redistribution of economic & political power” would take the 2nd American Revolution. And the asshat GOP-Nazis in Congress don’t seem to realize that EVERY thing they are doing (& NOT doing) is speeding that future reality along.
About the Nasser ABOMINATION – how is it that Mich State has not yet been INVESTIGATED by NCAA & the FBI let alone PUNISHED? And my god, this is FAR bigger than the Penn State case (far more victims over a longer period of time by an actual employee of a university) & yet except when a USA team gymnast declares their own abuse by him, we have barely heard a THING! EVERY single person of rank/power (coaches, AD, student advisors, Dean of students, President of university, the freakin board, etc) at Mich State who was informed about even a single accusation against that piece of shit & did NOTHING should not only be fired but GO TO PRISON themselves.
I’m not a socialist, Susie B. (in fact, I’m very anti-social), but shouldn’t there be a sprinkling of socialism in capitalism? At least in a nation where people technically all count the same in terms of votes?
I’ll be for universal health care as soon as the government starts offering tax breaks to those of us who haven’t cost any of you a dime in medical expenses for three-plus decades. Health care begins with a healthy lifestyle (now please don’t @ me because you think I don’t realize that there are also genetic diseases, etc.; I get it.).
This is the most stunning & sad to say, revolting thing you’ve ever written. For someone who ABHORS those born with a silverspoon/on 3rd base & how it GIVES them opportunities to excel or at least be ahead financially, to not recognize the GENETIC LUCK that one is born with good health & the GENETICS to continue it, just shocks me. You remind me of the spoiled/entitled offspring of million/billionaires who BLAME THE POOR FOR THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES BECAUSE OF LAZINESS!
However, I do agree that those who “live a healthy lifestyle” should get some kind of tax credit, once universal healthcare is in place. Never smoked? TAX CREDIT (me). Don’t drink alcohol? TAX CREDIT (me!, you? don’t think so). Never done “drugs”? TAX CREDIT. (me, um, you?). Don’t ride motorcycles on public roads – TAX CREDIT(me). Don’t participate in “at-risk” activities (skydiving, bungy jumping, swimming with sharks, horse jumping, skiing in backcountry (AKA avalanche land), any sport that shows up in X-Games, etc. TAX CREDITS! Of course, then you get into the mess of who would decide what constitutes “at-risk activities” & just thinking about the annual (daily) arguments & protests gives me a freakin migraine.
As I ALREADY wrote, Susie B., but somehow you decided to ignore, I understand genetics (got an “A” in the class in college). I specifically typed this e words to acknowledge that genetics plays a role in some of the illnesses that befall people. And yet it plays no or little role in many of the illnesses that also occur. And while I don’ have a percentage value available, the point of this argument (before I get 1,000 angry tweets as I got last spring) is that too many Americans behave as if they’ve got no defense against illness when all they have to do is exercise more, eat better, get a decent night’s sleep and do their best to minimize stress in their lives. That doesn’t mean they’ll never get sick, but it increases anyone’s chances. I’ll never understand why anyone finds this offensive, but I’m sure you’ll rattle off three or four paragraphs to explain why.
In the meantime, we’re all gonna die.
J.W.