And then there's baseball's Japanese superstar pitcher/DH, Shohei Ohtani, to whom the LA Dodgers gave a 10 year $700 million contract (most of it deferred) this past offseason. Quite unfortunately the superstar is currently embroiled in a sports gambling (illegal in CA) scandal in which his longtime best friend and interpreter allegedly stole $4.5 million from Ohtani's bank account and spent gambling on sports other than baseball. Supposedly Ohtani himself knew nothing of what was going on, or at least that is what the Dodgers and the sports media are desperately trying to convey. With $700 million on the table, plus a shot at the World Series, I'm not anticipating that Mr. Ohtani's hands will be found to be in the least bit dirty. Certainly he won't be Pete Rosed.
Only NFL contracts aren't fully guaranteed, but after decades of being the only sane pro sports owners when it comes to contracts, teams have begun routinely throwing ridiculous sums of guaranteed money at mediocre players. Thanks.
I would hope that God would grant me the wish that if any of these low-life thugs removed me from this Earth that I would be allowed to come back and haunt them and their likes, driving them to Hell forever. Hope many people read this great article and pass it on. I did not find one word of Untruth. Its not my opinion, but these are all pretty hard core facts which you have presented. One would have to be totally ignorant to call you a Liar. Prayers and Blessings to you, Don! Thanks for having the Backbone to say what needs to be said, and addressed!
Back in the 90s, as a burgeoning capitalist/ libertarian, I used to think that a big business was just a very successful formerly small business, like mine (I’m a mostly unsuccessful drywall contractor).
But every contact I have with corporate America has left the impression of an unthinking, pointless machine with a striking resemblance to government.
Seems to me the government first set out to act like a business. Democracy/ voting is the most blatant attempt by government to pretend to be a kind of free market.
But now, business emulates government instead of the opposite.
My point being, corporations come with their own elites who are equally above corporate rules, as those you mentioned, in broader society who are above the law.
"Authority figures, and indeed the public at large, in all actuality favor the bullies over the bullied." Ah, yes. I think our current state of despair and corruption is because WE THE PEOPLE bow to the bullies. When I was 9 years old, my Grandmother remarried. This Stepfather sexually molested me or tried to, every time we visited. Which was often. He banged on bathroom doors, jangled the locks, said he'd wash my back in the shower, try to break into the outdoor shower. It was relentless. His behavior did not go unnoticed - when he drilled a hold in the garage so he could look into the outdoor shower, my uncle nailed a mirror over it. I told my parents, my grandparents, my aunts and uncles, what was happening. I did not tell my Grandmother because I was told, "He makes Grandma happy. She was so sad for so long. Just stay away from him." That and Grandma had a beach house with that outdoor shower that everyone wanted to stay in for free. So as I grew older, I learned ways to stay clear of him, but never felt safe.
Finally, one night when I was 14, I awoke to him over the bed trying to get in. I fought him, saying I was going to yell for Grandma, as he said, he "only wanted a kiss." I think I finally kicked him in the groin which made him retreat. After he left, I put a chair in front of the bedroom door, jamming underneath the doorknob with a large box fan. I watched the doorknob jerk back and forth over the fan, as I finally fell back asleep. The next morning I went into the kitchen for something, and my Grandma sat quietly next to him at the table. "That fan is keeping me up at night! No more of it!" he yelled. That was the last time I visited my grandmother, who I loved, and who died a few years later.
After that, I became the whistleblower, the troublemaker in the family. I was a liar, exaggerating, desirous of attention. Even by the uncle who hung the mirror. I couldn't be invited, I couldn't be AROUND, because I might just spill the beans on the people who sold their little girl for a beach house. It's always money and power isn't it? And they shared THE HORROR of this wanton child with friends and other relatives, who when I would first meet would say things like, "It is such a pleasure to meet you! You are totally different that I expected." Hmmm.
So how can we expect any different from our "systems?" Our "government?" If anyone reads the Boston Globe's expose on the Catholic Church, they can no longer pretend that evil is contained or rare, but endemic to all of our "systems." Your examples are excellent, Donald, because it proves that this environment we find ourselves in, has been around a long, long time. Those who point out the rotting wound on the flesh of America are the bad guys, the troublemakers, the whistleblowers. The level of condemnation and violence against the truthtellers seems to depend on how wealthy and powerful the guilty are.
Luckily my family was only middle class powerless. Otherwise I might have been found in the woods along the C&O Canal, a tragic suicide with a gunshot wound to the back of my head. Oh my, we loved her so. Now where are the beach towels?
Cindy, I am always moved by what you write, but I'm so sorry you had to endure such a situation as a young girl. I guess the fact that no adult cared is maybe worse than anything. You have led quite a life. Maybe I should have you on my podcast, if you're interested. Again, thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Donald. I would be honored to be on your podcast, but on camera (or even in person) I start stuttering and become a mess. Delayed PTSD they call it.
If I can just put a picture of myself up and my voice only I could do it, but I don't know if that works for you. Either way, thank you for your support and kindness. Happy Easter.
Now that NFL have admitted they are "entertainment" like WWF, perhaps the Supreme Court franchise can come clean. Where can I get my Judge Roberts Action Figure? Already got The Rock and John Cena
And then there's baseball's Japanese superstar pitcher/DH, Shohei Ohtani, to whom the LA Dodgers gave a 10 year $700 million contract (most of it deferred) this past offseason. Quite unfortunately the superstar is currently embroiled in a sports gambling (illegal in CA) scandal in which his longtime best friend and interpreter allegedly stole $4.5 million from Ohtani's bank account and spent gambling on sports other than baseball. Supposedly Ohtani himself knew nothing of what was going on, or at least that is what the Dodgers and the sports media are desperately trying to convey. With $700 million on the table, plus a shot at the World Series, I'm not anticipating that Mr. Ohtani's hands will be found to be in the least bit dirty. Certainly he won't be Pete Rosed.
And like the NBA, every penny of these ridiculous baseball contracts is fully guaranteed, Jim. Thanks!
I wasn't certain of that wrinkle. That settles it then.
Only NFL contracts aren't fully guaranteed, but after decades of being the only sane pro sports owners when it comes to contracts, teams have begun routinely throwing ridiculous sums of guaranteed money at mediocre players. Thanks.
I would hope that God would grant me the wish that if any of these low-life thugs removed me from this Earth that I would be allowed to come back and haunt them and their likes, driving them to Hell forever. Hope many people read this great article and pass it on. I did not find one word of Untruth. Its not my opinion, but these are all pretty hard core facts which you have presented. One would have to be totally ignorant to call you a Liar. Prayers and Blessings to you, Don! Thanks for having the Backbone to say what needs to be said, and addressed!
I very much appreciate the kind words, Fran. Thanks!
Back in the 90s, as a burgeoning capitalist/ libertarian, I used to think that a big business was just a very successful formerly small business, like mine (I’m a mostly unsuccessful drywall contractor).
But every contact I have with corporate America has left the impression of an unthinking, pointless machine with a striking resemblance to government.
Seems to me the government first set out to act like a business. Democracy/ voting is the most blatant attempt by government to pretend to be a kind of free market.
But now, business emulates government instead of the opposite.
My point being, corporations come with their own elites who are equally above corporate rules, as those you mentioned, in broader society who are above the law.
"Authority figures, and indeed the public at large, in all actuality favor the bullies over the bullied." Ah, yes. I think our current state of despair and corruption is because WE THE PEOPLE bow to the bullies. When I was 9 years old, my Grandmother remarried. This Stepfather sexually molested me or tried to, every time we visited. Which was often. He banged on bathroom doors, jangled the locks, said he'd wash my back in the shower, try to break into the outdoor shower. It was relentless. His behavior did not go unnoticed - when he drilled a hold in the garage so he could look into the outdoor shower, my uncle nailed a mirror over it. I told my parents, my grandparents, my aunts and uncles, what was happening. I did not tell my Grandmother because I was told, "He makes Grandma happy. She was so sad for so long. Just stay away from him." That and Grandma had a beach house with that outdoor shower that everyone wanted to stay in for free. So as I grew older, I learned ways to stay clear of him, but never felt safe.
Finally, one night when I was 14, I awoke to him over the bed trying to get in. I fought him, saying I was going to yell for Grandma, as he said, he "only wanted a kiss." I think I finally kicked him in the groin which made him retreat. After he left, I put a chair in front of the bedroom door, jamming underneath the doorknob with a large box fan. I watched the doorknob jerk back and forth over the fan, as I finally fell back asleep. The next morning I went into the kitchen for something, and my Grandma sat quietly next to him at the table. "That fan is keeping me up at night! No more of it!" he yelled. That was the last time I visited my grandmother, who I loved, and who died a few years later.
After that, I became the whistleblower, the troublemaker in the family. I was a liar, exaggerating, desirous of attention. Even by the uncle who hung the mirror. I couldn't be invited, I couldn't be AROUND, because I might just spill the beans on the people who sold their little girl for a beach house. It's always money and power isn't it? And they shared THE HORROR of this wanton child with friends and other relatives, who when I would first meet would say things like, "It is such a pleasure to meet you! You are totally different that I expected." Hmmm.
So how can we expect any different from our "systems?" Our "government?" If anyone reads the Boston Globe's expose on the Catholic Church, they can no longer pretend that evil is contained or rare, but endemic to all of our "systems." Your examples are excellent, Donald, because it proves that this environment we find ourselves in, has been around a long, long time. Those who point out the rotting wound on the flesh of America are the bad guys, the troublemakers, the whistleblowers. The level of condemnation and violence against the truthtellers seems to depend on how wealthy and powerful the guilty are.
Luckily my family was only middle class powerless. Otherwise I might have been found in the woods along the C&O Canal, a tragic suicide with a gunshot wound to the back of my head. Oh my, we loved her so. Now where are the beach towels?
Cindy, I am always moved by what you write, but I'm so sorry you had to endure such a situation as a young girl. I guess the fact that no adult cared is maybe worse than anything. You have led quite a life. Maybe I should have you on my podcast, if you're interested. Again, thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Donald. I would be honored to be on your podcast, but on camera (or even in person) I start stuttering and become a mess. Delayed PTSD they call it.
If I can just put a picture of myself up and my voice only I could do it, but I don't know if that works for you. Either way, thank you for your support and kindness. Happy Easter.
Now that NFL have admitted they are "entertainment" like WWF, perhaps the Supreme Court franchise can come clean. Where can I get my Judge Roberts Action Figure? Already got The Rock and John Cena
When I grew up on the streets of Queens, NY we had our own way to deal with bullies and they never fucked with us again.