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Monday, September 25, 2017

The Writer's Life 9/25 - Topsy Turvy

It's a topsy-turvy world. Nothing illustrates it more than the history of Burma's leader Aung San Suu Kyi. In 1991 she was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace "for her non-violent struggle for democracy and human rights." As Michael Rubin points out in an op-ed piece in today's NY Post, she is now accused of providing cover for the ethnic cleansing of her country's Muslim population.

New Orleans' RB Adrian Peterson was the toast of the NFL until sidetracked by accusations of striking his son and injury. In three games this season, he has carried the ball only 23 times, about seven times per game. The Saints offense, understandably, revolves around future Hall of Fame QB Drew Brees. If the team does not plan to use Peterson more often, they should trade him - and the woeful Giants should be first with an offer... Kudos to the Jets' players for not submitting to the negativism surrounding the organization and going out and dominating the Dolphins yesterday... By the way, the minimum NFL salary in 2017 is $450,000, the average $1.9 million. I know, I know - that should have nothing to do with their right to protest, but it adds perspective to what I believe is the absurdity of it... This morning, talk radio host Mark Simone mentioned something I'm embarrassed I hadn't realized myself. Any employee of a private business who practices politics on company time is likely to be reprimanded, suspended without pay or even fired. The NFL is, of course, a private business. Imagine if a Wall Street honcho, or a bank teller, or a secretary, or a supermarket manager kneeled in his firm's workplace and espoused his/her views. What if someone on a government payroll - postal worker, teacher, police officer - announced his/her views at a post office, school or precinct house? Simone mentioned that a boycott of NFL games is in the works during the week when Veteran's Day falls. I wonder if President Trump is using a tactic he believes further isolates the far left and takes many Democrats with it. If true, that's damn crafty strategy.

In case you missed it, Pittsburgh Steeler OL Alejandro Villanueva, 29, a graduate of Army who served three tours of duty in Afghanistan, achieved the rank of Captain, and was awarded a Bronze Star for valor, stood alone on the field while his teammates stayed in the locker room during the playing of the national anthem:



Future NBA Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony came to the New York Knicks with great fanfare in 2010. Although he continued to light up the scoreboard, the team failed to make the playoffs the past four years. Fans began hoping he would be traded. Well, they got their wish. 'Melo went to Oklahoma City, which has an outside shot at a championship, and the Knicks received a decent Center in Enes Kanter, Forward Doug McDermott, a former player of the year in college who has been disappointing as a pro, and a 2018 second-round pick. Although it doesn't appear NY received equal value in return, I think it was the right move for all parties concerned.



My thanks to the kind folks who bought books today. The ratio was eight in Russian, two in English, those being thrillers by James Patterson and Sandra Brown.
Vic's Sixth novel: http://tinyurl.com/zpuhucj 
Vic's Short Works: http://tinyurl.com/jy55pzc
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