Coco December 2012-March 10, 2026

Always in our hearts

 

City of man stuff, and our Senate is ?

 

First it is sad how weak is our Senate. The are like abused wives, afraid to speak up because they don’t want to be hit again. When in reality they are grown adults with very definite responsibilities. Why are they so afraid to do their job? Sure the Iranian regime are monsters to their own people and a danger to the world, but how are we better if our own government cannot do their job. There are three branches of government and each has to follow the law to make sure our government works. When certain members are so scared of their shadow they cannot even require some basic information from one branch, why are they in office?

Yes we can cheer the demise of an autocratic government or cheer regime change if it happens, but this should not come at the cost of who we are as a people and for our government.

I don’t want to talk about Mike Johnson in the House, because he is every bit the abused wife going along to get along. Does he not hear himself?

Real adults can upset the apple cart when needed and Trump’s applecart needs some upsetting or how are we to tell other countries that we support their efforts to do what is right. When our soldiers are put in harm’s way, it should not be done on a whim or at the behest of another government. The President should and must come to the people and let us know what is going on, so the Senate has every right and responsibility to put a hold or limit what is done until the people have the full and CORRECT story. I am tired of the lies and sycophants. Wake up America or is it we just cannot afford coffee anymore?

 

Okay some of you may have paid attention to know I started a very specific second blog where I only update to a second Substack blog. Well I ran into a roadblock today, not a large one and definitely can crawl over it, but it was frustrating.

I had a hunch the Dallas Public Library is not Catholic friendly and it was somewhat reinforced today. There are suggested readings in the front of the copy of City of God I am reading and I went to check some of those books out. I searched for 4 based on titles etc. The library had none of them, not in any branch. The wonderful guy at the counter offered to try an inter library transfer from Dallas Theological Seminar. They only had one ebook. When he first said Dallas Theological Seminar I was impressed since they are more an evangelical institution, yet no real luck there either.

Maybe I should go enroll in a class at University of Dallas just to use their library for this journey. Yet I do not think I want to go that crazy. This is supposed to be a relaxed journey where I hopefully walk through the City of God learning as I go. I do not think I am ready to create new discoveries in the City of God.

There are hundreds of thousands of Catholics in Dallas proper, yet the library doesn’t seem to think we are that important. If they want to call me out, they can reach out.

I am tired of people saying they believe in God when the whole world relishes what the evil one wants from us more than what God is wanting to give us. Anyway I will continue my journey on that blog and if you read this on the other platforms come on over and check it out. I am in way over my head, lol.

Time to solve the biggest controversary in America right now…..NBA tanking

 

Mr. Adam Silver is making every effort before the end of humanity and the rise of AI taking over to give us humans some type of value for our sports dollars by trying to figure out how to make the long NBA season competitive for everyone’s enjoyment. Unfortunately the reality is some teams each year will not be good and getting the first round pick is the goal.

And I apologize if someone else has thought of this idea. I do not read too much NBA press or even Mark Cuban’s madness and I am a Mavericks fan. The reason I bring up Mr. Cuban is because to me this sounds like something he would cook up. Anyway if this in some shape form or fashion has been proffered before, then take this as I second that motion.

First step is the season will need to be shortened to 76 or 78 games.

Second step is the teams with the two worst records, go into a drawing or coin flip for the first spot in the draft. The team that loses gets the sixth spot. Teams 3-10 are now playing a tournament for spots 2-5.

Third step is there is a quarterfinal tournament for the last 8 teams. The winner gets the second spot, the team that loses the third. The two teams that lost the semi final type games go into a drawing for picks 3 and 4. The teams that lose the original quarterfinal type games are in a drawing for spots 7-10.

And these tournament games are not played on a neutral court. The teams with the best records get home court advantage and the highest ranking team or the ten spot gets to play the team with the third worst record ie 10 versus 3 9 versus 4 and so on to begin. This means it would be hove a team close to the play in tournament or playoffs depending if the play in tournament is kept to try and win some games at the end to give themselves home court advantage throughout the tournament. This may take some scheduling work since arenas are usually scheduled for quite some time in advance, yet arenas make do with teams making the playoffs so I think this can be done.

10 v 3                                                                                                                                                                                                        

            winner

7 v 6

                                    Winner = second spot in draft

9v4

              winner

8 v 5

And this is just a proposal so any adjustments are open to discussion.

Why not? First by shortening the season a few games it allows for this tournament to take place over about five days where the current season would end. Playoff teams get a week of rest to heal and prepare. It doesn’t add more games to the regular season and this draft pick tournament that players are not already use to playing.

Now TV revenue probably won’t be high because fans won’t be too excited about these games since they are closer to a novelty than the playoffs. What it gives us is the players having a stake in the future of the team. It might mean some coaches won’t play players going into free agency too much unless they felt like they were going to resign them. All this creates some competitiveness for the last few games of the season as teams should play for better positioning in this secondary tournament.  The last two teams have an interesting conundrum since they are in a drawing for 1^st and 6^th. Do they play for the 50/50 chance of first? Or do they think they can do better in a tournament to get 2^nd through 5^th?

Again we need viable entertainment these last few years before the rise of AI.

 

Cheers

Three mini posts for the price of one, partisanship, mental illness and driving

 

First I want to make a side note. I do not plan to make this a subtitle to this blog, yet you may read me reference this blog is a city of man blog. I hope this is the only time I intentionally reference this phrase. I am doing something else and it is attached to this blog, but only on Substack. I will be posting my normal madness on all the platforms I use, but my secondary project is only on Substack. If I mention city of man it is an unintentional comment probably based on I have finally gone shoulder deep on my other project and it just slips out here.

I am on a new kick about partisanship. I post quite a bit about it on the social media notes etc about it. I really want people to pay more attention to what is going on. I mentioned before the book “Hate, Inc.” and it is written much better than anything I can do so as always I suggest reading it. The book dives deeper into the media aspect of partisanship. I want to rant and rave about the failed political aspect of it.  For today though, I ask you, why do we, as a society, fall into this trap. Our political world has fallen into our side must win so horrendously that both sides are failing us. I know I say this often, yet how do I break through this locked in mindset destroying out country. NO side is supposed to win. Both sides should be more focused on doing better. And by doing better, they win. And this is not just any election, but win for our country. Until we break this dead end cycle of pointing fingers, my side or the highway mentality our country will continue to deteriorate. I wish I could find the right words to break through this duopoly’s hold on our country. So for now stop and think, what are the two parties really doing and if your first answer is trying to keep the other side from winning because they are the bad guys or something similar. You need to get out of your echo chamber and do one of two things; reread history and what made us great even with the flaws or get completely away from the world for quite awhile and just think about what is it we truly need.

And on that note, time for the second mini post. This is not going to be a lecture about the needs for better mental healthcare in America. We desperately need it and not anything to do with the political monsters going on right now. This is about true better care for people with mental health issues. We need to do more. For now thought this post is for you. Too many people still cannot break out of their routine, their rut, social media, electronics, working too much or whatever to give your brain a rest. A pure unadulterated rest is needed for you right now. Don’t believe me, I don’t care, just do it. Go somewhere away from your life and sit down and stare at landscape. Do something with no noise, no background distractions, no partying, no anything, just go for a walk. Find a hiking trail even if right around the block. Get on it, walk and then turn into the woods and then just stand. Wait for a few moments. Your body and brain are going to go stir crazy instantly. It will take strong will power to stay. And stay you must. If you plan just a little bit, your work will be fine, your family will be fine, your pocketbook will be fine, your life will be fine. Let your brain rest. Listen to the sounds, smell what is around, see what is there in front of you. Do not think, just relax and the harder it is to do that means you need it more. Bring a timer, set it for a half hour and do nothing. And your brain will fight you. Your worries will come flying at you. Ignore them. Just breathe. And the harder you work at your job, the more you do for others, the running around you do because no one else is going to do it means you are struggling to come to grips with yourself. Do this to get comfortable in your own shoes again. Think about who you are as a person. And don’t just do it once. Ironically this will take actual effort for it to help you. You need it more than you realize. Billionaire or working class, all need to rest your brain.

 

And finally this is about driving. Yes people cannot drive. I don’t care what you say about not being in a wreck you still cannot drive. And mainly because people are so stressed they are not paying attention. Personal example, my daughter needed to go somewhere, but I needed to drive her. I worry what would have happened, because she was only navigating and we still almost missed our exit and then took a turn too soon. If she was relying on looking at her phone for directions while driving who knows what would have happened. Second at stoplight the light turns green and nowadays you know you have to wait two or three seconds because people are running the red light and sometimes it gets really bad. So at the stop light, the light turns green and as always three to four cars pass in front of us after it turns green for us. Then everyone goes, and after people have not just entered the intersection some have already gone through it when another car for whatever reason comes speeding into the intersection I guess trying to beat the red light that had been red for easily ten seconds now. By the grace of God there was no accident, yet that car had to merge into moving traffic to get through the intersection. It was quite scary to watch. This happens way too often.  Driving a car is a responsibility and a privilege, it should not be taken for granted. Yes I am old so it sounds like I am lecturing. No this is a flat out scream at you to pay attention.

 

Cheers

Capping off Valentine’s weekend with a movie and some other thoughts

 

So just saw Solo Mio and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was simple, beautiful, predictable, and definitely worth seeing. Sure part of the beauty was because it had the Rome sightseeing moments, the countryside of Tuscany, and also beautiful because it wasn’t pretentious or tried to force something on you. It flowed comfortably. You can relax and just watch it.

Nowadays something joyful with love seems so rare. Or maybe it is me that I am caught up in all the drama of our political world. No one enjoys life, food, wine, good company well actually the better half and I do have these moments, but as soon as you pick up your phone and look at it, the monsters of insanity permeate your brain. So an hour and a half of simple pleasure in a movie for something different is more than refreshing.

And having Andrea Bocelli make an appearance and sing a couple of songs just adds to the beauty of the movie. I won’t spoil one of the songs.

I have more madness I want to add to this blog and make all my opinions about everything, yet for the moment I just want to offer the opinion that for a little love and joy go see the movie. It will not blow you away. There is no pyrotechnics, no action scenes filmed a 100mph, just a simple story with simple plot and a simple ending. Yet for escapism from the harshness of planet Earth right now, it is worth the time.

 

Cheers

 

And on a side note, after watching the movie I could sure go for some more Italian wine and a long tour of Tuscany.

 

Double cheers

Bondi vs. Noem vs. Vance

 

Who needs to go first?  This is just a fun quick quiz question for your Valentine’s dinner debate.  Why not?

There are other people who need to go in the Trump Administration, yet the three listed at the top are the three who most tried to ride Trump’s coattails for their own ambitions. Or maybe they are the most pathetic of the coattail riders. I think there are even some in the MAGA universe who are possibly debating this question.

Yes, Patel, Miller, Blanche and more all need to go. Yet, who can question how blatantly pathetic these three people are in this Administration. Sure Vance may be trying to lay low, or is getting away with laying low for the moment, yet he is just as bad as Bondi and Noem.

It is hilarious to watch three human beings create the most cringe worthy political lives to further their careers, yet with every step it is apparent this is going to be their last hurrah. I will nominate Mike Johnson as the less than honorable nominee for fourth.

So let’s do the country a favor and pick one to go first so we can get back to enjoying a nice dinner with the person we love. Feel free to leave your choice in the comments and if so inclined with your rationale.

 

Happy Valentine’s Day

 

And oh yeah, Happy President’s Day, a day that should be honored more, yet right now, maybe not.

A continuation of the sad part about MAGA, partisanship, clueless elitists, what next and adding a touch on the voting of the lesser of two evils

 

I usually am a spit shit talk trash kind of opinion writer. I like spewing my thoughts and letting the reader determine if they care.

Then earlier this morning I tweeted or “Xed” a post about the lesser of two evils. Since it was “X” there is limited space I use. I do not feel the need to give any of my money to Musk. He doesn’t need it.

And then I got to thinking. I already knew there is substantial literature about voting the lesser of two evils. So I researched it a small amount this morning and it goes back further than I realized. To spare you a dissertation I will ask that you do some research on your own.

I do want to mention though I will pitch my tent on the side that you should still vote principles, not succumb to I don’t feel anything will get done if I don’t fight what I can by compromising my principles to vote for the lesser of two evils. In the long run, we don’t get better until we don’t give up our principles.

One argument from some of what I read this morning is an article from the publication Pysche by Robert Simpson an associate professor written about the 2020 election. And his points are specific to that election, yet you can apply them broadly or over all elections. He also references a philosopher Bernard Williams. Honestly I didn’t go back and read all of Mr. Williams’s books this morning so I may be going down a rabbit hole I don’t want to. Yet, 

Professor Simpson’s comments struck a chord with me. Here is a paragraph that outlines the dilemma a bit:

“A more familiar context in which this problem presents itself is at the ballot box. Suppose you believe the state should look after the wellbeing of the poor and combat the structural forces that enrich the wealthy. Suppose you’re in a two-party electoral system, and that the party notionally aligned with your ideals made a Faustian pact with business elites to shore up the policies that perpetuate poverty – low minimum wages, tax incentives for rent-seekers, privatisation of public services, etc. What kind of ballot should you cast? You can’t vote for the party pushing things further to the Right. And if you don’t vote, or you vote for someone who’s almost certain not to win, you’re helping that same regressive party get elected. Yet lending your support to the ‘lesser of two evils’ candidate, whose platform you don’t really support, feels like an unacceptable compromise to your ideals.”

Here is some of the set up of the point I ask you to consider. These are sections of early paragraphs in the argument:

“Bernard Williams argued that you should care about maintaining integrity in your personal ideals – not necessarily at all costs, but at least a bit. That’s because you have a special proprietary responsibility for acts you perform. Those choices and acts are, in some special sense, yours, distinct from outcomes that result from combining your choices and acts with everyone else’s.”

“Don’t vote for the front runner. You are responsible for the acts you do, not for everything that they lead to. If you quit and those animals suffer more, you aren’t responsible for this; your boss is. If a demagogic president remains in power, that’s not your fault.”

“But perhaps you find this way of thinking a bit spineless, or even a bit lawyerly. ‘The outcome wasn’t fundamentally my fault’ seems like a feeble excuse for something you could have helped to prevent, if you had just suspended your scruples for a moment. It sounds like the special pleading of a moral narcissist – someone who cares more about preserving an unblemished moral record than about making the world a better place.”

“Williams acknowledges this concern, and he agrees that integrity matters little when you’re just trying to maintain the warm, fuzzy feeling of being a flawless do-gooder.”

Now I am going to brag a bit, Yes I know as a Christian we are to remain humble, but I am still closer to the sinner side of the saint to sinner sliding scale anyway so here goes. Or at least I live out this idea of being more than writing or maintaining a fuzzy feeling of being a flawless do-gooder. I honestly feel not just in in mad ravings on this blog, but overall I try to not compromise and do things just to make me feel better. I have stated repeatedly I don’t vote for the duopoly. I don’t. Yet it did take years to find a party that truly came close to my values. Luckily I found them and vote for them wherever they are on a ballot. They are a small party so it is not often, but I do. It is a small act, yet to me it is the my part in fighting the good fight.

And here is the paragraph I want you to think about:

            “Williams’s ideas about integrity suggest that someone who’s reluctant to follow a lesser-of-two-evils strategy needs to at least interrogate that instinct. If you’re genuinely trying make the world a better place, Williams says, it isn’t enough to simply promote the good within the limited range of choices you’re being offered. You need to try to become someone who actively builds those choices, shaping which outcomes result from which actions. And that means taking on projects and principles that you mean to live by – even if this might produce undesirable outcomes in the short term.”

Yes I know I cherry picked a couple of sentences from the article to have you circle back to the above paragraph so go read the whole article. There are more indepth examples of what leads to the points.

And again any simple search on the internet for the phrase voting for the lesser of two evils is going to give you that inordinate amount of literature to read. I quickly read through a few, hence how I learned this argument goes back to the 16^th century. Also there are interesting takes on what Pope Francis meant when he said we should vote for the lesser of two evils. One touches on the literal aspect of the verbiage and another touches on you have to listen to his explanation that it is not the lesser of two evils, but that finding the good is the lesser of two evils. Knowing a bit of Pope Francis’s work I feel the latter better represents what he says.

And using one article to make a point is  never enough, yet I hope you at least do some self contemplate on on the sentence:

“Williams’s ideas about integrity suggest that someone who’s reluctant to follow a lesser-of-two-evils strategy needs to at least interrogate that instinct.”

What does that mean for you and how can you apply what I ask you to do is give up on the duopoly and help us find more common pragmatic solutions to the issues facing our country?

Cheers