Hers/His Terical History

Prior to the rest of today's message---

I set up a, "Help Blow Out the Candle" fund for brother-in-law Dave, 

who celebrates his birthday today.  

The hope is to break his Guinness world record for well-wishes of 19.

I can't remember his email address but you can google it.  

After all, how many Daves can there BE?  C'MON, people!

History's cornucopia:  Cupid's origin is mythological.  

Not the 1st fake news, but long-lasting, nonetheless.  

Next up, there's the actual, "not fake news," being Saint Valentine's beheading...yikes!  

Later on, came Al Capone's competitors choosing this date for a shoot-em-up.  

However, as love wins out, Don Gibson crooned, "I Can't Stop Loving You" in1957. 

Shortly thereafter, 1959 brought the world together, 

when Connie Francis released her song, "Stupid Cupid."

More recently, amore lost a few steps when co-vid hit the streets.  

Face masks hid smiling faces, while handshakes and hugs were eliminated.  

Social contact became isolation.  

Worst of the worst was the denial of empathy by medical institutions, 

not allowing death-bed family contact.  Say what you want, my mind will not change!  

Lest we forget, there is absolutely nothing more comforting and warmer than a hug---

and all accomplished without a single word!  

This being the day wherein American Greetings makes a ton of $, I submit we say, 

"to hell with enforcement," and take time to hug SOMEone/ANYone!  

As for the perpetual maskers, lower it for a moment to show a full smile!

On to other Mischief in the Missive!  

Singularity of Pluralism:  Why izzit we have grooves, but no houses with rooves?  

Octopus = octopi; cactus = cacti; hippopotamus = hippopotami.  Why not Viri?    

(I'm sure you can come up with some of your own exampli.)

Have you ever noticed how the carpal tunnel pain increases 

when you try to remove the cap from the pill container?

Has anyone ever seen a copy of the invoice issued to Mexico for "The Wall That Didn't?"

I caught a few minutes of, "Special Forces: The Ultimate Test," the other evening, 

in between 94 stations carrying never-ending re-runs of, Forest Gump's Green Mile baptism at the church of Shawshank Redemption.  

The program is shot somewhere in the desert of Jordan.  

I guess the producers weren't aware of USA deserts.  Whatever.  

Nothing to be seen, save for a sleeping tent, mess hall, assemble area, 

gas chamber and small critique room.  

Those not measuring up are taken there with a hood over the head, 

then taken out in the same fashion.  Why the secrecy?  There's nothing there, so, 

what the hell?!?

That's it for now,  so, enjoy the day...OR...if you have a doobie, enjoy the daze!

Oh MY---How times have changed!

 The really tiny print in my local newspaper's sport section:

ON THIS DATE 

FEB. 6 1958 — Ted Williams signs a contract with the Boston Red Sox for $135,000, making him the highest paid player in major league history. On my calculator, Ted earned $1025 per game for a 154 game schedule.  

Today's $15 million contract for a 162 game schedule pays $61728 per game.  

$15 minimum wage grosses $31200 annually, meaning, it would take almost 2 years to pay for said player's 1 game.

And yet, at a "fan-o-rama," you'll have to wait in line to pay upwards of 20 bucks for an autograph!

As the song sings, "Nice work if you can get it"

Logic 101

 1. You're any color, sitting on a bridge rail or the roof a a multi-storied building, considering that "final step."  From nowhere appears at least one concerned person who tries to understand your frame of mind, thereby perhaps convincing you to reconsider.  Often, that person is a trained mediator, employed by the local municipality.  A soft, understanding conversation is used to instill a calm state of mind into you prior to that "final step."

2. You're any color, in a structure, holding 1 or more people hostage.  The local authorities have dispatched necessary personnel to the scene.  Included is an experienced negotiator as mentioned in the above situation.  Because a weapon is involved, step 1 is a concerted effort to calm the perpetrator via a loudspeaker from a safe distance.  All efforts are used to hopefully prevent harm.  If any hostage is released, that's a success, regardless of the final outcome.

3. You're a non-white, driving home from work, dinner or a date, when you see flashing lights in your rear view mirror.  A quick glance proves you're not speeding, you didn't disobey the most recent traffic light and you don't drink, smoke or do drugs.  As the flashing lights come closer, you hear an amplified voice ordering you to, "Pull over, shut the engine off and put your hands where I can see them!"  Confused, you do as ordered.  When the officer approaches, you ask if there's a problem.  His response is, "Shut up and get out of the vehicle!"  You are now officially confused and scared!  Still confused, you begin to ask the reason for the pullover, but the voice gets more demanding.  Dispatch was most likely notified because more police vehicles arrive and you're now surrounded.  What happens next can be anyone's guess.

1 & 2 above prove positive results of remaining calm.  

No.3 is not always possible because police departments can't afford a negotiator to be in every vehicle; officers can't always know what to expect in every encounter; officers are trained for possible circumstances based on history and new, impending probabilities.  Not an easy task when instant decisions might be required!

Sadly, video games promoting damage, mayhem and killing without remorse are available everywhere and are purchased by parents for gullible youngsters, with some of those parents seeking to disband those sworn to uphold the law.  Consider  school shootings brought on by video games.  Additionally sad are the TV programs, movie theaters and streamers showing the same mayhem, damage and killing.  The public is conditioned to enjoy/demand the thrills of it all.  More often, the authoritative side is depicted as violent.  A "go figure" moment indeed!

These days, the hurdles are "higher," as drugs erase common sense, thereby permitting explosive adrenaline to chart a damaging course the user cannot control or distinguish.  

Add to that the rising incidences of suicide bombers!  Although extremists purport a necessity, how can anyone justify bombing churches, temples, mosques, etc.?  Hardly any of these are predictable or preventable.  If you didn't already know, none of the organized religions condone the taking of another life.  Radicalism incites the insanity!

Considering all the above, I submit: If not already in place...For police academies and those already "on the job," training by negotiation veterans to address those alleged in a more calm/peaceful manner.  When you think about it, most of us have seen how a harsh moment or environment does nothing but produce high fences and nobody wins.