Good Team Dysphoria - The Root of Baker Hatred
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- Created: Sunday, 24 April 2022 19:44
- Written by Ax D. WhiteMan
Been a long time since the last post. Taking a break from the normal political rant and delving into my old hometown football team, the Cleveland Browns...
Since about mid-season 2021, I've percieved a growing sentiment of negativity towards Baker Mayfield. Not all, but for many Browns fans, the simmering negativity has grown into rolling boil of raging hatred
I grew up in Cleveland. Have vivid memories of the outstanding Browns teams that battled in the NFL title game in 1968 and 1969; the heartbreaking playoff loss to the Raiders in 1980, and of course the 3 AFC Championship games in 4 years against the Broncos. I was at the Stadium to witness the crushing loss of "The Drive." I was also furious that the "Browns" packed up and moved to Baltimore, and at the time, glad that Cleveland managed to keep the "Browns" name and records. Now I'm not so sure.
I moved to Austin in 1983, but have remained a Browns fan. Living in Austin also gave me the opportunity to become familiar with a talented local area quarterback named Baker Mayfield. I didn't follow Mayfield closely while he was in High School, but certainly took note of his college career as he bounced from Tech to land in OU. I recall watching the Oklahoma / Ohio State game when Mayfield famously planted the OU flag in Buckeye Stadium. I remember thinking, "That's the kid from Travis !".
When Baker was drafted number 1 overall by the "New Browns," in 2018; I was thrilled that the "kid from Travis" would be playing for the Browns and maybe he could help restore some of the old glory of the once mighty Cleveland Browns. When Baker Mayfield took his first snap as a Cleveland Brown, the Browns had won 2 of their last 47 games and were trailing by 2 touchdowns. Baker lead the Browns to a comeback victory that night, the first win in about a season and a half; and since that game the Browns have been a relevant playoff contender every week right up until the last week of last season. Yet, though Baker was disappointing last year while playing through several injuries, the Browns "sold the farm" to get Deshaun Watson to replace him. Still, the Baker hatred rages on, seeming to grow more intense every day. For some time I found this puzzling. But I believe I've figured it out.
Browns Baker Haters have "Good Team Dysphoria"
See, the original "Cleveland Browns"; the team founded by Mickey McBride, that eventually was sold to Art Modell; were a fantastic franchise. In fact, that franchise is the winningest franchise in the history of the NFL. But that team moved to Baltimore, and is now called "The Ravens." The Expansion Browns, who began in 1999, are actually the losingest franchise in NFL history - and it's not even close. During the time that Baker Mayfield was quarterbacking the Expansion Browns, they were a dead even .500 team; that had some fantastic games, and some frustrating, disappointing games. But - even that whiff of competitive play was enough to evoke the memories of the "Original Browns" in the minds of Browns Baker Haters; creating a mental illness akin to Gender Dysphoria - I'll call it "Good Team Dysphoria."
See, the Expansion Browns are not a good team. In reality, they are the most dismal, hapless, excuse for a football team that has ever existed in NFL History. The ownership, front office, and team management could be used to define the term "shit show." But, the flirtation with success that the Expansion Browns experienced in the past 4 years caused the Baker Haters, to believe they were watching the organization of sustained success that moved to Baltimore, and believe the only thing keeping them from achieving Super Bowl domination was BAKER MAYFIELD. Graphically, it looks something like this:
Hence, much like those who suffer from Gender Dyphoria, the Baker Haters, suffering from Good Team Dysphoria; have come to believe that if only they could rid themselves of one particular aspect of their being - all would be well. But, the reality, for the vast majority, is somthing quite different.
To put it bluntly, even if you think Baker Mayfield is a dick, you're unlikely to turn into a princess just because you managed to get rid of him...
Add a commentReally?
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- Created: Wednesday, 12 January 2022 15:16
- Written by Ax D. WhiteMan
There's been a post circulating on the internet from someone named Veronika McKee that describes the "upside" of the insane response that many governments and organizations have had to the Covid-19 Pandemic. It's an upbeat and hopeful post, but I have to say that it doesn't look like an objective take on reality to me. In fact, my observations are almost opposite. I've taken the liberty of writing a "counter point." I'll post the original after mine, and everyone can decide which is closer to reality.
They couldn’t go to the pool, so they stayed home and drank beer or soda to cool off
They couldn’t go to restaurants so they ordered Grubb Hub and watched Netflix
They couldn’t go to clubs so they got hooked on internet porn and masturbation
They couldn’t go to the gym so they bought a home fitness device and used it to dry clothes while getting fat
They couldn’t go to grocery stores so they bought chips at 7-11
They couldn’t go to sports events so they subscribed to NFL ticket and NBA League Pass
They were told they couldn’t travel but decided not to travel because they didn’t know how they’d be treated when they got there anyway
They lost their jobs so they took whatever handouts were available, then turned to crime or homelessness in their despair
They lost friends and family and wondered if they ever really had any to begin with
Everything that’s happening is totally insane, and inhumane
They often wondered how they could be criminalized for being healthy
In fact, wondered if freedom was always an illusion that could be revoked at any time
What we build now is the future
I wouldn’t mistake this era for anything but the culmination of a creeping tyranny that has metastasized over the past 50 years
It’s past time for the Sovereign to awaken
It's time for this to end
And now the original - you decide...
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Is the Catholic Church having a Crisis of Faith?
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- Created: Sunday, 28 March 2021 16:47
- Written by Ax D. WhiteMan
Since the start of the "Pandemic" the Catholic Church has sent a fairly clear message. That message is, we don't have a great deal of faith in our Religion or Sacrements, nor do we have a great deal of faith in Eternal Life and the Salvation said to be found in Jesus Christ.
OK, before you consider this to be a hysterical rant, allow a presentation of evidence...
Last year as Easter approached, it seemed that we might be turning the corner on the "Pandemic." (yes, that's hard to believe now, but way back then some of us thought that after about 2 months of "15 days to slow the spread" we might get back to normal.) My city, Austin Texas, took the opposite aqpproach an mandated all public parks closed on Easter weekend fearing that the traditional religious holiday might attract crowds to the parks - which of course would kill everyone. Given the local lock down situation, I began to scan for localities that didn't impose lockdowns, and thought about travelilng to a Catholic Church in such an area where I could attend Easter Mass.
I discovered that both Oklahoma and Arkansas were in much lesser states of "lock down" and that South Dakota had no "lock down" at all. While that seems a bit extreme, I thought it might be a nice change of pace to take a 4 hour drive to Oklahoma or Arkansas on Saturday night and attend a real Easter Mass on Sunday morning. While South Dakota was quite a bit farther away, my brother lives in SD, and it wouldn't be too hard to make an excuse to fly out and make a quick Easter visit. But that turned out to be impossible, because a quick web seqarch revealed in each of these instances, every Catholic Diocese in each of these States refused to hold Mass in public, and opted for "virtual Mass" only.
I had been somewhat disappointed that the Catholic Church chose to not resist local authorities mandates to cease Mass service, but I was willing to concede that maybe it wasn't worth the fight if the negative publicity drove people away from the Church. But it struck me as particularly odd that the Catholic Church would universally choose to be closed, even when there was no conflict with local authorities. Then I thought back to the weeks precedeing the closing of Sunday Mass. The Holy Water basins had been emptied and taped over. The fear being that having common contact with the Holy Water could spread Covid-19 and that Holy Water was a needless risk. Even then I joked, "Gee not much faith in that Holy Water - I doubt the Vampires even fear it now." Of course I thought I was only joking - but as time passed; it seems it was more truth than jest.
Mass remained closed for months. And when public services resumed it was only under very strict rules. One had to arrive 20 minutes early, be scanned for termperature, wear a mask, and be seated by an usher in a pew that was not masked off to maintain a 6' distance at all times from our deadly parishoners. Of course no one could shake hands or even put money in a passed collection basket - all far too risky. Then came February 3rd and the "Feast of Saint Blaise". This is a rather cool Catholic Feast Day. The Feast of Saint Blaise is accompanied by the "Blessing of the Throat," a Catholic ritual that has been performed for centuries that is to protect those that receive the blessing from illnesses of the the throat. As a Catholic school student, I was taught it would prevent cold and flu which was why it was celebrated on February 3rd. But, in every Catholic church I could find, the blessing of the throat ritual was cancelled this year - because it could spread Covid. (Starting to get my point?)
I think last week was when it all crystallized though. I was attending a class session for God Parents and Sponsers for a Baptism/First Communion/Confirmation where I'm going to be a God Parent / Sponser. We were ushered into a room where we were spaced six feet apart and told we had to keep our masks on at all times. Then the leader began to lecture on the day's reading abuot Lazurus. She reminded us that Jesus was present in the room and that he had power over life and death and that the was the lesson of the weeks Scripture.
That's when it really hit me. No, you don't really believe that. You don't have faith in the presence or the power of Jesus Christ. You believe in masks. You believe that a mask and social distance will protect you from illness. You really believe that all that Holy Water, Blessing of Throats, and Eucharist, are all just "symbolism" but REAL power and protection is in MASK WEARING.
This is kind of what pushed me from being somewhat irked and amused to being somewhat pissed off. See, I actually believe exactly the opposite is true. I believe that the Eucharist IS the Body of Christ, (not just a symbol) that Holy Water DOES Sanctify and repel evil, (not just a symbol) and the Blessing of the Throat did offer protection from illness, (not just a symbol). Simultaneously, it seems obvious that a mask doesn almost nothing to protect anyone from illness. Just looking around anyone can see that 90% of air that's inhaled and exhaled goes AROUND not THROUGH the mask, and almost every mask made says that it won't protect from viral protection - so it is the MASK that is JUST A SYMBOL. Yet, everything indicates it's the MASK in which the Church has Faith, and it's own Sacrements and Rituals are just so much bullshit.
Sorry, but it seems that the lines from the Creed recited at every Mass need to be changed from:
I believe in ... the profession of faith, the forgiveness of sin, and resurrection of life after death
To... I believe in wearing a mask, staying 6 feet apart, and life on earth is all we have.
Add a commentFarewell Rush Limbaugh
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- Created: Wednesday, 17 February 2021 22:10
- Written by Ax D. WhiteMan
Early this afternoon (about 12:50 CST) I walked toward my truck and glanced at my watch wondering if it were time to download the first hour of Rush's podcast. Suddenly a chilling thought crossed my mind. Rush hasn't been on in over a week, I wonder if he's died. When the 1:00 pm news came on, the lead story was the death of the greatest media commentator of all time. It seems the morthage on his talent had come due, and the note was called. (If you're a Rush fan you'll get it, if not - it doesn't really matter.)
My thoughts drifted to the first time I heard of "Rush Limbaugh."
No, it wasn't on radio, or TV - it was on the phone. Yes, on the phone....
I was around 1989 in Austin TX, and talking to a client in Dallas. Our discussion veered toward some cultural / political topic and even then I was never at a loss for stromg opinions, so I went on a mild tirade to which my client interjected something that sounded like "ashlimba would be proud;" - I went on talking over him not quite understanding his comment. When I finished my client added, "you sure do sound like Rush Limbaugh."
I stopped him and asked "Who's Rush Limbaugh?"
"Seriously - you don't know who I'm talking about?"
"No, this is the second time you've used that name and I've never heard it before."
"Well he does a talk show here in the afternoon, if you can you should listen - I think you'd really enjoy it."
Rush wasn't on the air in Austin yet and even though I had become something of a news talk junkie listening to KLBJ 590 am - I didn't give the conversation much thought, until...
One morning a few months later, I was shaving and the am clock radio was playing in the adjacent bedroom. Suddenly a clear confident voice emerged from the radio and his words forced me to walk into the bedroom and say out loud (to an empty room) "who the hell is this?" And then thought to myself, finally someone speaking clear and obvious truth! Then I heard, "That's the monrning update, listen at 11:00 for Rush Limbaugh" Again I said out loud, "Tha't's the guy - That's the guy Loyd was talking about - He's right - he does sound like me."
Over the next 30+ years, I rarely missed a show. Rush was one of the first "podcasters". His show was available in .mp3 download before the Ipod even existed. During many of those years I did a good deall of long distance driving. I've often said if it weren't for Rush Limbaugh mp3's and Art Bell, I'd probably have fallen asleep and died in a car wreck a long time ago. Rush also had a manner that was uplifting and inspiring. As a small business owner, there were 30 years of turmoil and many times it seemed that the only positive input I'd get in a day came from my am radio or podcast. It's hard to imagine what the past 30 years would've been like without hearing an upbeat positive message from Rush every day.
Rush had a great talent to be informative, provacative, and entertaining at the same time. Despite all of the hate spewed by the left, I can't recall any mean spirited comments made by Rush. Over the years I made several attempts to call in, never got through. Sent hundreds of emails. None were answered. Rush did read two of my emails on the air though. It's still an honor to think that he picked my emails out of 100 thousand daily emails - even though he never ansered one. It's a sobering thought, that I'll never get to meet or speak with Rush, or get through on his show.
In recent years, even before Rush announced his cancer diagnosis, I wondered, "who can take Limbaugh's place when he's gone?"
After a good deal of consideration, I think the answer is "No one." Rush was one of a kind, there will be no replacement - and in his absence we'll all have to be a little bit better to try to pick up the slack.
That's what Rush would want.
Farewell Doctor of Democracy, you were the with out a doubt the Greatest Of All Time.
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