Disappointment

Disappointment

Five decades ago, sets the stage for today. Back then, I became an assistant professor at the Orchard Ridge campus of Oakland Community College in the suburbs of Detroit. Also, Bump Elliott

was the head football coach for the University of Michigan Wolverines. He recruited some notables on his squad, with players like Tom Curtis [achieved two Super Bowl rings-main residence in Florida], Dan Dierdorf TV and radio analyst-main residence in  Missouri], and Jim Betts [president of the Michigan alumni football-lives near Ann Arbor].However, his 1968 recruits became the most outstanding class of players in the history of Michigan football. Some of those terrific notables included Frank Gusich [unfortunately passed away recently], Thom Darden [interception leader for the Cleveland Browns-resides in Cedar Rapids, Iowa], Jim Brandstatter [voice of the Detroit Lions and the Wolverines-lives near Ann Arbor], Mike Keller [involved in many professional football startups-resides near Grand Rapids.] and Reggie McKenzie [Reggie McKenzie foundation, Inc.-resides in the Detroit area}. Curtis holds the U of M record for interceptions; Dierdorf is in the NFL Hall of Fame; Darden and McKenzie number one draft choices in the NFL were inducted into the Browns, and Bills Hall of Fame. Further, Fritz Seyferth was a walk on and played an instrumental role in his fullback position. Today, Fritz is a consultant working with executives and lives in Ann Arbor.

I began thinking of obtaining a PhD in psychology; but unfortunately, for Bump, despite having an 8-2 won loss record in 1968, his Wolverines lost to Woody Hayes and his Buckeyes. Back then, there was not the excessive amount of football bowls at the end of the season. It was either the Rose Bowl for the Big Ten champion or nothing. Not only that, the Big Ten Champion would be a different team every year, according to the rules and not their won and loss record. In that November 1968 game, which was played in Columbus, the score was 14 to 14 at halftime. However, in the second half, Ohio State scored five more touchdowns. Woody, when asked why he went for two points on the last touchdown to make the score 50 to 14, he replied to the writers,” Because I couldn’t go for three.” That did it, Bump was terminated and in December of 1968, Bo Schembechler was hired, and he brought with him, Coach Gary Moeller.

To Be Continued

Neurotic Anxiety Part 3

Neurotic Anxiety   Part 3

Long time ago, in 1532, Machiavelli

understood and wrote about the ability to manipulate and rule the masses. He believed that the employment of fear was necessary, a powerful motivator and a means to an end.  That end was security for the one in power. He may have said “the ends justify the means;”  “violence may be necessary for the successful stabilization of power;” as well as “deceit including extermination” may also be necessary. Politicians, gun manufacturers have understood that the use of fear as a motivator works. When the media or social media spreads the rumor that guns are going to be confiscated, restricted, etc. what happens? There’s a run on buying ammunition and guns. When a politician says build the wall, stop the caravan, deny immigration from Muslim countries, immigrants are murderers, rapists, and etc. fear is produced. This message is music to the gun manufacturers. Incidentally, automatic weapons are for use in wartime, and not for hunting.

Recent statistic pointed out that only 3.1% of all gun related deaths were used for defensive purposes. My friend Paul, an honest to goodness hunter who served in the military, talked about the idea of using a gun for defensive purposes. He said that it takes time to secure a gun, load it, and shoot accurately with daylight and other environmental variables affecting one’s aim and vision. He adamantly said that it was very difficult and problematic to use a gun for protection.

A living Constitution would likely not use “we the people” unless it really meant men, women, children, gays, criminals, drug addicts, psychotic individuals, etc. it would likely not promote the use of automatic weapons as well. Hopefully, a Second Amendment would be rewritten to include the current madness in our culture. The framers were right on. Because of Man’s nature, including irrationality, it makes it dangerous to have the availability of assault weapons in our neurotic anxiety filled society.

Neurotic Anxiety Part 2

Neurotic Anxiety  Part 2

Ken, another friend wants to buy my firearm when he goes camping with his wife. Ken is about 60 years of age, good physical health, active, gun knowledgeable and an experienced camper. When asked about my gun, he says he wants it for protection. Protection from what or whom is not clear. Ken has neurotic anxiety in that he does not go to remote places to camp, nor has he ever been threatened by anyone. I am unable to convince him or argue about the gun; or safety; or the likely hood of him being attacked. How many camp killings have occurred in California? He is simply not receptive nor understanding about his anxiety.

Neurotic anxiety means that Ken has some underlying issue perhaps pertaining to a weakness, not in control or helplessness that results in the prompting, promoting or fueling his underlying insecurity. Ken was simply not able to identify the cause. He might not even be able to identify that he is anxious about his going camping. Having a gun is simply the belief that he can protect both him and his wife from some unknown danger. He does not address that having a gun, does not solve the underlying dynamic in his personality. Moreover, Ken told me that his wife calls him passive aggressive.

To Be Continued

Neurotic Anxiety

Neurotic Anxiety

This post addresses the Second Amendment, neurotic anxiety, fear, guns and political motives. Briefly, the Second Amendment, written a long time ago, had in mind militias made up of white men [we the people in the preamble refers only to white men] and their ability to arm themselves. The wise founders at that time realized that man was not perfect, but suspect. They believed that arms would protect them against the “ill will” of the Kings of England, France, Spain, and Indian savages in the 1700’s, not fellow Americans. Yes, we’re no longer bothered by Kings or Queens. Nor, are we bothered by Indian tribes as we decimated those Homo sapiens years ago. But killing each other is OK?

The neo-Freudian Karen Horney differentiated between fear and anxiety. According to her, briefly, fear was subjective, rational, realistic, and proportional and built into the mores of the culture. Trail running in Montana and being concerned about being chased by a grizzly is realistic. However, being attacked by a mountain lion,

during daytime, on the Western States trail is more about neurotic anxiety. There has not been a mountain lion attack during the day on the Western States trail in about 40 years.  Barbara was mauled at that time, and I pass her monument frequently. Now, would I run alone on the Western States trail after sundown? No, I would not. More than likely, I would be dinner time for the large cats. I am fearful.

Would I be afraid of being attacked by an immigrant from north or south of the border and carry a gun anytime during the day on the Western States trail? No, but Bill a former running and ride and tie friend [he can’t run anymore] carried a gun when on the trail. He said he was fearful of the big cats and even packed the gun while riding his horse. He carried the loaded revolver in his backpack.

To Be Continued

Family Reunion Part 2

Family Reunion Part 2

The Wolverines controlled the game, and dominated Penn State, winning 42 to 7. We stayed until the end and then headed down to Caldarazzo’s tail gate. Cal was an offensive guard during Michigan’s classic upset win over the Buckeyes in 1969. Cal lives in Illinois and has been coming to all home games, putting on his wonderful tailgate spread. Dan Dierdorf arrived after finishing the radio broadcast,  with Jim Brandstatter.  Dan commented on how well the team performed. Further, Dan gave Jim Betts the nickname of Rope during their playing days.  Soon after, the impressive marching band passed us again and then we left the stadium.

On Sunday, we attended a brunch hosted by Richard and Judy. Shelly, Steven, Barry, Margie, Hannah and other cousins Millie, Fred and Nancy joined us. That evening, Richard, Shelly, Linda and I had dinner at the Stage so I could get my Corn Beef sandwich fix. Monday, Bev,   Linda and I drove to the airport for our departures.

Linda and I stopped In Chicago for a few days so we could spend time with her sister Ann .I was able to get in my running time both in Detroit and Chicago .Linda and I left for Sacramento on Wednesday and were picked up by Tony at the airport. Another great family reunion.

PS

The Michigan win over Penn State placed them in the top four for the college football championship series. The championship game will be played in Santa Clara at the 49ers stadium on January 9, 2019. Go Blue!

Family Reunion

Family Reunion

Roughly 6 months ago, I talked with my sister, Beverly, about another family reunion since we did not have one last year. We also wanted to make sure that we would attend a University of Michigan football game as part of our weekend of family festivities. We consulted with Cousin Shelly and decided to attend the University of Michigan and Penn State game on November 3. Incidentally, two years ago, during our weekend reunion, we witnessed Michigan conquering  Penn State 49 to 13.

Reservations were made. Tony and Debbie took in our Border collie Sherry ,and we found a house sitter for Digger. Tony drove us to the Sacramento airport for our flight to Detroit’s Metropolitan Airport.

As part of our Detroit family tradition, Linda and I played pickle ball at the Salter Recreation Center in Royal Oak. After a few hours of pickle ball, Bev joined us at our hotel. She couldn’t play pickle ball with us, since she had undergone cataract surgery the preceding Monday. Later that Friday evening, we had dinner at a Middle Eastern restaurant joined by cousins Shelly, Richard, Judy, Steven, Roger, Margie, Barry and daughter Hannah.

On Saturday, Linda, Bev, Shelly and I drove to Ann Arbor to meet cousins, Rick and Barbara for brunch before the game. Then we all headed for the Big House. Linda, Bev and Shelly were picked up by Marty Betts and chauffeured to the game. I met them all at the M Fan tailgate and hooked up with Jim Betts, Pres. of the M Fan football alumni club. Jim procured game tickets, and we were delighted to be near the 35 yard line close to the field in Section 25, Row 67. Wolverines led 14 to 0 going into halftime. During halftime, the two university bands put on a wonderful display highlighting a dragon formation while playing and marching to the Game of Thrones music.

To Be Continued