Second Servings

[H2O Man]

Last edited Mon Jan 9, 2023, 02:36 AM - Edit history (1)

My nephew contacted me to share a story he knew that I would enjoy. One of his daughters plays hockey on a "mixed" team, consisting of the best boys and girls in the region. They compete against other teams from around the northeast, that are mainly made up of boys. She is the Assistant Captain of her team.

A boy on the other team trie to pull her head down with his stick, which of course is a foul. But he wasn't being called on it. Finding herself on her knees, with his stick on her neck, she punched him -- hard -- in the balls. He did not foul her again. To say I am mighty proud would be an understatement. Indeed, I believe there is a lesson here for dealing with republicans.


I was able to spend the afternoon with my sons and grandson. My boys have been engaged in an on-going argument about economic theories that -- because it is way, way over my head -- I consider meaningless. Thus, my undivided attention was focused upon entertaining Cassius. At just over four months old, I am unable to translate his end of conversations, but we both get a good laugh from what each of us says.

After a few hours, the little guy fell asleep. The boys were still debating economics, so I spoke up, suggesting we discuss the Idaho murder case. Both of them suggested that there is something wrong with me, as I find "true crime, police interrogations, forensic psychology, and trials fascinating. In self-righteous indignation, I pointed out I have far more things wrong with me than that!

Trying to keep the conversation going, I pointed out that one forensic psychologist had stated that people needed to read "The Violence Project, " by Jillian Peterson and James Densley. This is the most recent book I've purchased, and it focuses on stopping mass shootings in schools. The psychologist noted that this was a variation of the same dynamics. But my sons began reciting Lennon's poem "Our Dad," and instead insisted we watch a comedian they thought I'd like.

I'n never heard of Shane Gillis before, but one thing in particular he spoke about was interesting. He noted that in the 2016 republican primaries, there were numerous experienced politicians that could speak about policies and theory. And there was Donald Trump, who at first had very little support. Instead of policy and theory, Trump relied upon the only thing he had -- fifth grade level insults. Soon, he became the republican nominee, then president.

Even though he lost the popular vote in both 2016 and 2020, he showed that the majority of republicans favot fifth grade insults to policy and theory -- something he never discussed in any of the debates he was in. Today, we see proof that this still defines the republican party. Thus, I advocate that we take a lesson from my great niece: sometimes you have to punch the opposition in the balls.


We are reaching the end of a warm period in the northeast. Last night, I took the dog out for a long walk around the lawn and field. Though she doesn't speak English, I told the dog how Chief Waterman used to call this "Caucasian Summer." Unlike my grandson, she didn't laugh, being a dog and all. As we walked, I thought about how much fun I have showing Cassius the numerous pictures of his ancestors that hang on the walls of my house. I tell him how Rubin used to remind me that every day of life on Earth is a living miracle, that we each get a turn on this living planet in the eternal Now.

And that as John sange, you've got to serve yourself. Ain't nobody gonna do it for you.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Good for your niece, my dear H20 Man!

We would do well to follow her pristine and smart move!

K&R

[H2O Man]

3. Thank you!

I got a kick out of it! My nephew was both surprised and proud. I shared a couple stories with him about when my daughters were young. They were ever the type to start stuff, or purposely foul the opposing players. But if someone was purposely fouling them, and the refs don't call them, it's time to take care of business.

[malthaussen]

27. My late brother-from-another-mother was a soccer goalie...

... and achieved the rare distinction (for a goalie) of getting a red card, for ripping a guy's legs up pretty good with his spikes. Of course, that guy had already fouled him several times in the match, and he got the coach's tacit approval to retaliate.

-- Mal

[malaise]

2. Enjoy the grandkids Waterman

This morning I spent sometime reading about two other young men who thought they pulled off the perfect murder- Leopold and Loeb. Intersting that both graduated from college in their teens and one read for a degree in Criminal Studies.
And just like the Idaho killer, they made stupid mistakes. Both thought they would never be caught because of wealth, privilege and above average intelligence. One was killed in the prison shower.

[H2O Man]

6. Thanks!

I even tried getting my younger son's attention by comparing the Idaho case to boxing. How no matter how well-trained an amateur fighter is, once they are in the ring for the first time, 99.999% will be exhausted within 40 seconds. And then they will start making mistakes. But it didn't work! He refused to talk about the case!

(I started trying to get into better shape, the day I learned I was to be a grandfather. Glad I did! I'm having the time of my life with Cassius!)

[malaise]

9. One of my sisters is expecting a granddaughter

any day now - they are excited on steroids

[H2O Man]

10. That's great!

Nothing better in this whole wide world!

[malaise]

26. Hope she grows up to be as tough as your grandie

[MLAA]

4. I'd pay per view if her standing up for herself against the jerk was caught on camera!

How wonderful you are sharing your wisdom and sense of humor with Cassius!

[H2O Man]

7. I'll ask my nephew!

We ended up talking for a couple of hours about the great example she set. If he has access to a copy of it, I'll post it as soon as possible!

Cassius is making this phase of my life so much fun. They live a short distance from me, so I get to hang out with him several times each week. The second he sees me, a huge smile lights up his face! Fun time!

[MLAA]

47. As a kid my best memories are with my grandparents. I suspect your face lights up when his does!

[Saoirse9]

5. We would all love to be your niece

And punch these GOP losers in the balls. So glad she stuck up for herself.

Now, will the Democrats stick up for us with the same ferocity? Remains to be seen.

Do you think the DOJ will prosecute members of congress? Jack Smith has hired a couple attorneys with experience in public corruption.

[link:https://www.rawstory.com/donald-trump-jack-smith-2659078983/|

^^Special counsel Jack Smith bolsters Trump investigation with two corruption experts as 'new phase' ramps up

We've gotten our hopes up before. I hope this time there is real accountability.

[H2O Man]

8. Thank you!

I think that a few republicans in the House are "at risk" of prosecution. But not enough to tip the scales in Congress. That's just my opinion, though obviously I do not have access to all of the documentation they have. Nothing will surprise me.


On edit: More importantly, what do you think?

[Saoirse9]

22. I think that for even supporting the insurrection

we should use article 14 against them but I guess we need 2/3 of each House to do that. Which we don't have.


[link:https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/amendment-14/section-3/#:~:text=No%20person%20shall%20be%20a,a%20member%20of%20any%20State|

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. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.

Failing that, I think the DOJ should prosecute what they can. I wish I knew the law well enough to say they have enough evidence to prosecute. I don't, alas.

[H2O Man]

30. If there was

any decency in Congress, they would not be allowed to take office. As you know, I have an interest in American political history. Nit the best educated, or the brightest, but I think it is a fascinating thing to study. And while there are examples of villians, corruption, and those intent upon denying other groups their constitutional and human rights, I don't think there has ever been a group this large or influential in their party, fully trying to overthrow the government. They are trying to destroy the House as an institution.

Thus, the question you asked is on target. Is there enough evidence to prosecute some of them? I do think that there is enough to convict at least three. But that's just my opinion.

[housecat]

11. Keep writing until it becomes a book-full of stories like these. Thanks

[Hekate]

14. I second that

[H2O Man]

32. Thanks!

I have notebooks full of them, some that I'm typing up now for my kids. I remind them that the best teacher I ever had told me that very few people would appreciate my writings until after I was dead!

[H2O Man]

31. Thank you!

My children have me writing my life history for them to read when I'm gone. It turns out to be kind of fun, most of the time! I was not, by any definition, a well-behaved teenager, though. But my kids are all adults now, old enough to hear those stories!

[housecat]

45. Would like to read about any years you choose to write about.

[H2O Man]

51. I'm getting to

the period where, as a young man, I was engaged in left-wing politics. I've been a registered Democrat since reaching the age to vote, but I've had some adventures in this curious life. That includes making friends with good people to the left of the Democratic Party. My kids think it's a giggle that a woodchuck like me, growing up on a poor family farm in the sticks, broke bread with people from the 1960s and early '70s. My oldest son sometimes says, "You used to be a radical, but you've grown soft." I tell him that I just prefer to get things done, and the Democratic Party provides the best avenue towards progress.

[Bev54]

12. I too have my granddaughter playing top tier hockey (tier 1) only girl on her

boys team. She has learned to be tougher and not let them push her around, she is also very fast and her male team mates are very protective of her especially if the opposition thinks she is an easy mark. There are more and more girls getting into mixed teams instead of the girls team (they play against the boys but usually lower tier).

She will fight back but she also knows her team has her back and that is what is needed.

[H2O Man]

33. That's great!

I had a lot of fun watching my sons and daughters compete in sports when they were in school. When I was on the school board, I learned that girls jv basketball had passed football for the most injuries per year. Watching my daughters compete at that level, I got see see both athletes and their parents behaving badly.

I do not know much about hockey, but am proud that my nephew has a son and daughter playing. I can count on them to teach me about how it is played. I've watched a few games over the years, but recognize there is a lot more to it than I'm aware of.

Good luck to your granddaughter!

[Me.]

13. GRandson Eh?

First...the murders...I have 2 current wonderings about that.

1. THe one most want to know which is why 8 hrs. before a call was made when an intruder had been spotted in the house by one of the survivors.

2. What and why was the arrangement that put the father in Utah to drive with his son back to Pa.?

As for the Cons, I am still able to be astonished by the humongous lies they continue to tell as currently as this morning. And, they just can't shake their Nancy Pelosi fetish. THis morning they were saying they finally fired her. What gives me hope regarding them, even though it is taking longer that anyone wished and though I understand that for the finality of them they had to fully reveal their mendaciousness, is...

the long arm of the universe...

what goes around comes around...

karma

we know what happened on J6 and just how terrible it was but last night CNN put on an hours long documentary of what happened that day and the true brutality of it all, practically minute by minute with interviews featuring a diversity of people and what they experienced. BY the end I kept wondering if the assault would never end and could just imagine what the defenders of the Capitol were going through in a more real way that just clips relate.

[3Hotdogs]

24. Re: question 1. It was a weekend. The house members had been out clubbing and got in around 3:00.

Ya don't knock on roommate's door if there are no classes or reason to get up for.

No speculation for # 2.

#3. Surviving housemate sees a masked man in the hall. Is scared enough to lock her door but doesn't call cops.

[Me.]

28. She Saw A Masked Stranger In The House

and didn't call. Though it's hard to know how people will react but it's because of that I question the 8 hours.

[H2O Man]

52. It is a valid question.

It is unfortunate that some people are assuming the very worst. And it's worse that the scum's defense -- if it goes to trial -- will attempt to beat her up while she's on the witness stand, to try to create doubt in the mind of at least one juror. For it is the only thing that they've got.

People had been saying that law enforcement wasn't doing a good job, too. Once the first document came out, that stopped, which was good. As more documents and information becomes known to the public, I am confident that people will understand why the young lady behaved in the manner of a college student her age.

What is far less likely to come out will be what factor or factors led to the scum murdering four human beings. I think it is a combination of factors. What an ugly case. (My brother's daughter went to that college.)

[H2O Man]

34. Yes.

Having a grandson allows me to say, "No!" when his father tells me he wants to box in one more tournament! But far more importantly, this little guy has added a new level of joy to our family.

I think the young lady didn't trust her instincts. She had a serious reaction when she saw him, after hearing sounds and opening her door for the third time. Rather than folow through on her gut feeling after locking her door, she attempted to put the events into rational context. And it was far more likely the guy had just visited one of her roommates than that he was a mass murderer. This is an example of how modern society has dulled our awareness of the significance of trusting our gut instincts. That poor young lady is among the living victims most injured by the murderer.

The father's trip is curious. I was talking to my brother about it. He said why not have the son fly back? He thinks it suggests the killer was thinking of leaving the car in PA, and replacing it with another. I said that anything is possible, but that I'll wait until the police or prosecutor address that. This annoyed my brother, because twelve hours before the recent document was unsealed, I had told him two of the things that would definitely be contained in it. He kept asking how I knew, but wasn't satisfied with my answer.

[Me.]

49. I Too Will Wait UNtil The Car Matter Is Addressed

[mercuryblues]

15. Good on your great niece.

One thing I noticed about trump during his 2016 campaign was he would toss out something one candidate said about the other, get them fighting back and forth. Trump would lean back, cross his arms and smile.

I pointed this out to my youngest son. A week later he came home from school and said that really works. He said during his US history class the teacher called on him and he didn't know the answer. Instead, he said something off the wall, pretty soon the whole class was choosing sides and arguing back and forth.

[H2O Man]

35. Right.

Trump had a grasp of the art of triangulation. That is associated with Cluster B personality features, and is definitely a tactic that our opposition has used for decades. It has been something that Democrats haven't used as effectively as they could, because it is a "dirty tactic" in politics. And one we need to keep in mind as we approach 2024, as we might find opportunities to use it to our advantage.

[demigoddess]

16. they can't stand Nancy Pelosi because of misogyny.

They think women should be seen as inferior.

[ShazzieB]

18. Exactly.

To them, a powerful woman is (or should be) an oxymoron.

[H2O Man]

38. Yes.

[H2O Man]

36. Right.

[housecat]

46. Because Nancy is so much better and smarter than they could ever be.

I believe that people that look down on woman have no self-esteem and think it will make them feel better to demean another.

[H2O Man]

60. Yes.

[SergeStorms]

17. Playing hockey without wearing a cup?

I glad your niece did what she did, but that jerk deserved to taste his own nuts for not wearing a cup. 🥴

Betcha' that's the last time he does either of those stupid things. 😉

[Beetwasher.]

21. Even with a cup

A direct hit in the nethers takes a toll. Speaking from experience here.

[H2O Man]

40. Interesting.

I could only answer about boxing foul cups. Even the very best offer limited protection, especially against an opponent looking to land a low blow. (I've been on both ends!)

[H2O Man]

39. I can only

speak of the foul cups used in boxing. Sometimes, a hard puncher can put dents in them. George Chuvalo bent Muhammad Ali's when he fought for the title in the 1960s. The referee was asked after the fight why he didn't warn George about his numerous fouls? He said that Chuvalo stood no chance unless he fought dirty.

When Roberto Duran won the lightweight title in the early 1970s, his last punch dented Ken Buchanan's cup in a manner that is a legend. The referee didn't see the punch.

In personal experience in the ring, and as a trainer, I can say that an uplifting punch will damage an opponent, no matter how good their cup. It's sad to say that there are dirty tactics used in boxing. Shocking that such a clean sport would have that side! (grin) I can say that I mastered the ability to commit every dirty tactic possible, but honestly say that I never intentionally fouled an opponent first.

I suspect that a hockey cup is much the same, though I never played the sport. It always struck me as a violent sport.

[Bev54]

43. They all wear cups and girls wear jills. It would still smart.

[tiredtoo]

19. H20 man, I like your style, thanks. EOM

[H2O Man]

41. Thank you!

Much appreciated!

[Beetwasher.]

20. Yup, GOP needs a good kick in the nuts, and then when they're bending over

A knee to the teeth. Leaving them impotent and toothless is the only way to go.

[H2O Man]

42. I know that

it is a tiny target, but worth kicking for!

[Beetwasher.]

48. LOL

[Martin Eden]

23. Regarding that KICK IN THE BALLS, Trump said one thing that rings true:

"If you don't fight like hell you're not going to have a country anymore."

But we should not follow his example of lies, incitement to violence, and 5th grade insults.

We have long had a very powerful weapon on our side, which we need to better weaponize: TRUTH.

Always be
Truthful
Relentless against lies
Unyielding to the enemies of democracy
Thankful to our allies
Honorable in all things

[H2O Man]

53. Absolutely!

I agree 100%. In fact, I was in the middle of responding, when the internet here went out, meaning I'd have to start all over again. Then the phone rang, and it was my daughter in Boston. She is getting ready to attend a rally nearby, to protest another fatal police shooting.

She had just finished reading Dr. King's "Why We Can't Wait," which her and I agree should be required reading. She said that she wished more people would listen to Rev. Barber. We discussed how the correct message is delivered through the years from people like Gandhi, Thoreau, and King. It must be updated to meet every generation's circumstances, and Rev. Barber is doing his best to deliver the word. But more importantly than one leader saying it, we are at a point where the masses of good people must embrace it.

I am opposed to aggressive, mindless violence. I'm not opposed to self-defense as a last resort. And I do see the benefit of a group accepting a violent attack in the manner that Gandhi and King led. Or willingly going to jail, as all three of them did.

Yet I note that King, while relaxing after one demonstration with his friends, joked that Eugene "Bull" Connor had been castrated by the movement, and reduced to a steer. Non-violence can be used to cut the opponent's balls off.

I think the J6 Committee -- the best congressional committee of my lifetime -- and the arrests and convictions of many of theviolent insurrectionists has been helpful in castrating Trump.

[malthaussen]

25. She wasn't called for her foul?

One of the things that usually happened to me when I retaliated to some asshole trying to bully me was having some authority punish me for the act, having not seen the provocation. I used to see this in football a lot, too, when I was watching football.

Mind you, a good shot in the balls is worth a penalty. I remember one time in 8th grade one of my many nemises (nemisi?) tried to knock my horn out of my hand (I was playing baritone horn that year), and I turned around and kicked him right inna fork. Of course a teacher saw it, but he was the football coach, and didn't punish me. His only comment was "If you're gonna kick a guy in the balls, make sure he doesn't get up for a week."

-- Mal

[H2O Man]

54. No.

I think my nephew would have mentioned it if she had been.

When my kids were in school, I taught them that if you react in kind to an opponent's foul, you will usually get called by the referee. Don't react. Respond when the time is right. I only had to respond to a relatively few opponents who purposely fouled me in the ring. I was never so much as warned by the referee. (A couple of times, a ref told me to stop talking to the opponent, though. I liked to tell some guys that they were tired and in big trouble.)

[malthaussen]

63. I never knew trash-talking was forbidden in the ring!

How could fellas like Mohammed Ali contain themselves?

Maybe that explains some of the quick knockouts: the fighters can't stand not being able to disrespect their opponents while they're fighting.

-- Mal

[H2O Man]

64. Right!

Some referees are more rigid than others. Ali used to be warned for it. In amateur boxing, you can lose a point if you continue to talk after getting a warning. I'd always wait until my opponent was tired, land a couple of body shots, and when they'd clinch, I'd tell them their future!

[Warpy]

29. I agree that most discussion between economists over theories is meaningless

I'm not an economist, but I've read many of the books. The fatal flaw of the dismal science is that it is generally taught from the point of view of the owners and rulers. Workers who create the products and services those groups are making their huge profit on are merely cogs in a machine, in there for the ride and so easily replaced as to be valueless. Even Marx dismissed many of them as "lumpenproletariat," people who would always be apathetic and disengaged from politics and seemingly content to live in rags and therefore stupid (they weren't). So I also tend to avoid such discussions and I always found my cats to be better conversational partners.

I couldn't take them for nice walks, cats are resistant to being leash trained and I had better things to do.

I don't know how to counter the fifth grade insults except to point out nasty words don't translate into anything good getting done, ever, and only serve to distract from the machinations of the richest to plunge us more into poverty so they can safely fight each other over owning it all. Or we can come up with sixth grade insults, we know more words than they do.

I'd like your great niece, I'll bet she punches HARD. I also bet that at some point she'll hear about it from that little shit's parents, how dare she? Good for her, she's learned a great lesson, if someone fights dirty against you, you get to fight dirtier right back so they won't do it again.

[H2O Man]

55. I was talking with

my daughter who lives in Boston today. She asked about her brothers. I told her that they had updated the same aruments that she heard over the holidays inNovember and December. Which was the same one we heard the year before. It might be genetic, I told her, since not only had I witnessed the same behaviors in my brothers, but also in my father and his brothers.

We know that, despite the foolishness we saw in picking McCarthy, that the republicans in the House are going to investigate various people, and most likely try to impeach the President. I know that our representatives can't literally punch or kick them in the balls. But we can coordinate a movement, from the grassroots up to DC, to do so in a positive way.

[Warpy]

56. What we need to do is tell the truth, all of it.

That can hit a lot harder than a punch in the nuts by a pissed off, athletic woman.

[H2O Man]

58. Exactly!

[panader0]

37. I had a chance to visit with my 2 year old granddaughter this week when my daughter and son in law

came to visit fron Virginia. What a handful. But when I picked a few tunes on my guitar she sat in awe,
not of my ability, but just that noise came out of that wooden box. It'll be at least another year before I
can see them all again. I love that little girl to pieces. And, of course, her parents.
Good on your nephews daughter. Quite an achievement to play hockey with the boys. When I try to
skate, I end up on my butt.

[H2O Man]

57. My older son

is gifted when it comes to music. He plays a variety of instruments, and sings songs from the Old Sod for Cassius. And when he is doing so, his nephew just stares at him with a big grin. I would try singing myself, but I'm certain it would make Cassius and everyone else cry!

I tried ice skating exactly one time as a youth. Definitely not my thing. My sisters were both better at it than my brothers. Same with roller skating. Of course, my brothers and I were focused on boxing. Hence, all of my siblings's children, and mine, learned self-defense as they grew up. It is important for both boys and girls have the self-confidence in knowing that they can defend themselves.

[Kid Berwyn]

44. "Grab em by the nose and kick em in the pants."

Is how Gen. George S. Patton put it in 1945.

We need unity and that comes through our common cause.

You’ve got a great family, H2O Man.

[H2O Man]

59. Thank you!

I like Patton's saying. My daughters and their teammates liked mine, which was," Tear their heads off, and shit down their throats!" The girls soccer coach said that if anyone but me had taught them that, she would have told them to stop, and the team that she didn't want to hear it. But since I was everyone's favorite parent, and had unique ways of scouting other teams in post-season play, she kind of liked it.

[Kid Berwyn]

62. You might want to try Coach Lasso.

I know you like the printed page over the idiot box, but bear with me, please. Coach Lasso is one show worth watching, just for the insights on the real game we all play — life.

As for the printed page, I recommend Porter B. Williamson and “Patton’s Principles.” There are several versions of the book, mostly out of print. Knowing something about your kids, they’ll find one for you.

Patton's principles of command and management:
Say what you mean and mean what you say.
Always be alert to the source of trouble.
Select leaders for accomplishment and not for affection.
Every leader must have the authority to match his responsibility.

Patton's principles for good health:
Brainpower comes from the lungs.
An active mind cannot exist in an inactive body.
There is no power in a bushel of blubber.
Make the mind command the body. Never let the body command the mind.
To gain strength, always go beyond exhaustion.

Patton's principles for making decisions:
In the long run, it is what we do not say that will destroy us.
Talk with the troops.
Know what you know and know what you do not know.
Never make a decision too early or too late.

Patton's principles for success:
Never fight a battle when nothing is gained by winning.
Success is how high you bounce from the bottom.
Always keep something in reserve.
Revenge belongs to God.

A corollary to “In the long run, it is what we do not say that will destroy us”:

“If everyone is thinking alike, nobody is doing any thinking.”

Gen. Patton may’ve been a Republican in his day, but he’d have immediately arrested every traitor from January 6.

[cilla4progress]

50. Deeply moving!

Thank you, H2O Man, whoever you are!!

[H2O Man]

61. Thank you!