Author: Eric

INTJ personality. Jack of many trades, master of some. Former banker, consultant, technical writer, marketing manager, infopreneur and communications manager, now retired. Eclectic and sometimes eccentric. Cynical and often critical.

Pigskin Punditry

From my couch seat, I must admit that I find college football to be more entertaining and interesting than watching professional football.

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I read and enjoyed Why We Love Football: A History in 100 Moments by Joe Posnanski. Here is my quick review of the book:

Brief capsules (1-4 pages) of 100 pro, college and high school football moments that makes the sport special. Five of the 100 moments were about the Philadelphia Eagles: 1. Chuck Bednarik’s hit on NY Giants Frank Gifford; 2. Fans throwing snowballs at Santa; 3. Miracle at the Meadowlands (Herman Edwards returning late game fumble vs Giants); 4. DeSean Jackson returning late game punt vs. Giants; and 5. Philly Special from the Super Bowl game vs. the Patriots.

There are a lot of great stories, some deserving of additional length and elaboration. For this football fan of many decades, it was a quick nostalgic trip through my memories of memorable football experiences.

I would be interested in reading his similar themed book on baseball based on how I enjoyed this work.

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If Deshaun Watson of the Cleveland Browns tried out as QB for the University of Texas, he might make fourth string.
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Cleveland could be a three point underdog if they played Texas.

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Nick Sirianni has not made many friends among the local and national media or the football fans of the Philadelphia Eagles. There are calls to fire Sirianni now and not let him finish the season. But who would replace him? Is there a “coach in waiting” on the Eagles staff? Some experts are touting Bill Bellichek but I think he is an awful fit for the football culture in Philadelphia. I expect with the talent and relatively easy schedule the Eagles have, they should make the playoffs. If they don’t, then let’s revisit Siranni’s tenure in Philly.

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I read an article by a Temple alumnus who feels that the university should terminate its college football program because of the very poor on-field results and the lack of support and attendance from students, alumni and football fans. I concur. I also think that Rutgers University football should take a step or two back. I am not at the point where they should stop playing football, but they should consider competing at a lower level. I am not sure what football conference is appropriate for the school, but the Big 10 was and still remains a gigantic leap of faith. Possibly the greatest challenge for Rutgers football is finding a quarterback that you can build an offense around. In the 30–40 years that I have been watching Rutgers football, I can only recall maybe two, maybe three quarterbacks, who were good. The rest have been largely mediocre or awful. I recall many years ago being at a high school football game where a Rutgers coach was scouting for a quarterback. I did not think that any of the quarterbacks playing on the two teams were good enough to be recruited for a major college football program and expressed that to him. I made a suggestion to the coach about another local player who did wind up playing at a Division I school at quarterback. I hope that the Rutgers scouting program has improved greatly since that time.

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The Trump Tornado: Racing Toward the Political Maelstrom

I’m constantly amused when the media throws around the term “blockbuster” to describe some new crime, malfeasance, idiotic comment, lie, or scandal swirling around Donald Trump. At this point, can there really be anything more shocking or revolting that we haven’t already seen from him? It feels like we’ve hit the limit of outrage, and most people seem to be numb to it.

For the anti-Trump crowd, it’s clear: Trump has glided through scandal after scandal, barely touched by accountability. Nothing he does seems to stick, so what’s left to be shocked by? On the flip side, if you’re a Trump supporter, none of it matters anyway. You’ve long dismissed the onslaught of reports, evidence, and documentation. His personal behavior, crimes, and failures? They mean nothing. Trump has become untouchable in his own bubble of denial and deflection.

There’s a pervasive worry among many that if Trump returns to power, it will spell the end of democracy as we know it. But here’s the real gut-punch: if someone as blatantly unqualified as Trump can win a national election, what does that say about the judgment of the American people? And if you can’t trust the people’s judgment, how can you trust democracy itself? It’s like we’re testing the very system we claim to cherish, racing toward disaster without a second thought.

I recently came across a term that fits this moment perfectly: sanewashing. It’s the attempt to normalize abhorrent or vile behavior, especially when it’s done by politicians or the media covering for them. We’ve seen it play out endlessly, particularly with one candidate in mind. But the sad truth is, no matter how bizarre or outrageous the behavior, it often doesn’t register anymore. Why? Because we’ve allowed ourselves to grow numb to it.

It’s like those storm-chaser videos where you see a tornado bearing down, and yet there’s always some car trying to outrun it. That reckless dash parallels our current political landscape, where half the electorate seems willing to gamble on disaster. Will we outrun the storm, or will we be swallowed by it? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: we’re speeding straight into the whirlwind, and it’s anyone’s guess how this ride ends.

Boom!!

One piece of offered advice in today’s heated political environment is to separate an individual’s politics from the person. You should respect them regardless of how their politics may offend or upset you. Easier said than done. If someone pulls out a match in a building with a gas leak, should I not be upset? Their reckless act endangers everyone, including me. That’s how I feel about voters choosing irresponsible candidates whose reckless behavior and proposed actions pose risks to us all.

Asheville NC

Quiet, scenic, green, serene, an oasis of rustic culture, good food, crafts, antiques and a subdued lifestyle. One day, paradise; next day, hell. Roads flooded. Homes and businesses destroyed by wind, floodwaters and mud. And within this maelstrom, eerily silence. No contact with the outside world. No help to rescue trapped, injured and dying citizens. No way to escape. It felt like the end of the world…

Asheville Trip May 2016 Eric Burleigh

Nature’s fury cannot be controlled, and one cannot reason with it. It is indiscriminate in its horror and its victims. Nature’s fury does not respect age, whether a person has led a good and moral life and what its affected targets are. Nature’s fury does not respect beauty and tranquility. It rampages blindly, horrifically and without pity.

I hope that the residents of Asheville NC and the surrounding communities are able to recover from this devastation as soon as possible. However I’m sure the scars and memories of Helene will last a long time. It’s a lesson for all of us, one day, blue skies; the next day, death and destruction.

Mr. McMahon Netflix Documentary (Review)

Disclosure: Not something that I readily admit to, but I have been a follower of professional wrestling for over 60 years. I grew up watching Bruno Sammartino, Bobo Brazil, The Kangaroos, Buddy Rogers, and many other wrestlers. Even at an early age, I never fell into the trap that what I was watching was totally real. I admired the athleticism and strength of the wrestlers, but I knew that the results were predetermined. I was always interested in how matches and wrestlers were booked. I had a sense of what the business was all about.

I don’t think there is anyone who has had a bigger influence on the pro wrestling entertainment business than Vince McMahon. He certainly is a very controversial figure. So I was very curious to view the documentary about him, especially given the recent allegations of sexual abuse and deviant behavior against him.

Here are my observations and quick review about the documentary…

  • There were no major blockbusters or surprises for this viewer. Bill Simmons, who produced the documentary, acknowledged that for the regular wrestling fan, that they may not find anything new in terms of information or disclosure. I was a little surprised at how the decision to have the Undertaker beaten by Brock Lesnar at Wrestlemania was basically communicated at the last moment.
  • I would not have wanted to be Shane or Stephanie McMahon. I certainly was not impressed to hear things about Vince as a father. The recent allegations against Vince may or may not be charges that are a surprise to them. I found it very creepy that Vince proposed an angle where Stephanie was pregnant and he was the one responsible.
  • I’m not sure why Linda McMahon is still married to him. My guess is that she knew the type of man he was and realized that he was not going to change. Vince has alluded that he has a huge sexual appetite and this has lead to speculation and rumors of his infidelity.
  • Vince was obviously an excellent businessman and a ruthless one at that. He was able to take a wrestling organization that was based in the northeast U.S. and make it a global organization. He was largely able to accomplish this by being a bully. He bullied his wrestlers, other wrestling promoters, the press and his employees.
  • Donald Trump and Vince McMahon share many traits. Both are thin skinned to criticism, unabashed skirt chasers and know how to appeal and motivate the baser instincts and prejudices of their audience and followers. It certainly understandable why Trump and McMahon were natural business partners in various wrestling promotions.
  • What one learns and watching the documentary is how McMahon manipulates his wrestlers and employees. Even those who he has treated very poorly have often commented on how they have a grudging respect for him. McMahon was always about “doing what was right for business” and if people were uncomfortable in doing what he demanded, he got rid of them. Wendy Richter and Bret Hart’s stories are instructive of this attitude.
  • The non-wrestling fan may enjoy this documentary. McMahon is a fascinating character both on the mat and off it. He is a very successful entrepreneur. As a human being, he has his flaws and this documentary details many of them.
  • The documentary did not go into any significant detail into the allegations against McMahon by a former female employee, who felt that she was his slave and asked to perform various deviant sexual act with McMahon and others. Maybe that will be examined in a part two of the McMahon documentary.

Clearing my Mental Cache

The New York Times published a list of their Reader’s picks for the best 100 books of the 21st-century. Here are the only three books I have read that were on this list: A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles, Trust by Hernan Diaz; and When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi. I was very moved by the Kalanithi book which I read in one sitting. I did not like Trust at all. I don’t remember anything about the Towles book other than I read or skimmed it.

I don’t understand the need for a second debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Who thinks that Trump will be better prepared? I have absolutely no sympathy or understanding for any “undecided voter” that may still exist. It’s pretty obvious which candidate people should vote for…

The three best college fight songs are from these schools: 1. Michigan; 2. Notre Dame and 3. USC.

At my stage in life, I think it better to appear certain, confidant but possibly wrong on one’s opinions, philosophy and views than still struggling to find the right answers.

Worthy of an SNL skit

In my 70 plus years of living and watching political debates this may have been the strangest claim by a candidate,” They’re (Haitian refugees) eating the dogs, the people that came in, they’re eating the cats. They’re eating the pets of the people that live there, and this is what’s happening in our country, and it’s a shame.”

Artwork by AI; humor by MAGA

This is no longer a referendum on Donald Trump. It’s a referendum on the judgment and intelligence of the American voter.

Debate Debacle: Harris trumps Donald

Was anyone really surprised by the results of yesterday’s Presidential debate?

I did not watch the debate live. Why did anyone, particularly journalists and the press, expect anything different? There are outcries by many Republicans today that Trump was unprepared and did not have good debate management. Are you kidding?? Review any book written by a Trump administration insider and you will find that Trump does not read or prepare for anything. He “wings” it.

A word of caution to the Democrats. Hillary cleaned Trump’s clock in the 2016 debates and still lost. The MAGA mind is probably blaming ABC for their hero’s atrocious performance. It’s still not over…