If All Your Friends Jumped Off A Cliff, Would You Jump Too?

My mother used to throw that line at me when I protested that “all the kids” were doing whatever it was she disapproved of.  Despite promising myself that I would treat my children differently–I used that same line with mine. It made a point.

Let’s face it–we all know that just because your co-worker is stealing from the till doesn’t give you a pass to do likewise.

That homely truth applies even more urgently to our political system. One of the reasons so many of us are so concerned (okay, frantic) about the current willingness of the GOP to ignore time-honored norms–to “play dirty”– is that damaging behaviors by one party are too often seen by the other party as permission to act just as badly.

As I have repeatedly maintained, the nation needs two responsible, ethical, adult political parties. When one party is off the rails, it’s harder for the other party to maintain discipline and enforce ethical and responsible behavior.

Time Magazine recently made that point. 

The article pointed to incidents in which Senate Democrats ignored longstanding norms during the recent Kavanaugh hearings. I will admit that I cheered many of those norm-breaking efforts; after all, we stand to lose a half-century of settled jurisprudence that has expanded and confirmed individual rights if this partisan warrior is confirmed, but it’s hard to argue with Time’s observation that the behaviors of Senators Harris, Booker and Warren, among others, was inconsistent with the decorum and comity we expect in such hearings.

The article wasn’t a hatchet job on the Democrats; far from it. It conceded that the relatively minor deviations of the Democrats during the hearings paled in comparison to the daily offenses perpetrated by the occupant of the Oval Office:

After all, this is a president who argued a judge couldn’t be fair because of his Mexican ancestry, criticized a Gold Star family, called for violence against protesters, threatened to jail his opponent, declined to release his tax returns,hired his daughter and son-in-law to work in the White House, declined to disentangle himself from a D.C. hotel and other businesses,conducted official business from his private golf club, chastised his own attorney general for allowing investigations into himand two Republican lawmakers, repeatedly called reporters “the enemy of the people”and regularly attacked the FBI and the judiciary.

The point of the article was not to castigate the Democrats’ newly aggressive behavior; the point was to identify an undeniable problem: once partisans start down this path, with each side justifying inappropriate behavior by the equivalent of “well, he started it!” we are in danger of losing critically important, if unwritten, rules that safeguard reasoned democratic deliberation and make government accountable.

In his speech on September 7th, former President Barack Obama called on Democrats to show up at the polls in November and restore “honesty and decency and lawfulness” to government– to take the high road back to power. Obama is urging Democrats to play fair despite the fact that neither the President nor his GOP has shown any interest in playing by the rules.

During the Obama Administration, a Republican in the House shouted that the president was a liar during a State of the Union while the grassroots — including then private citizen Trump — spread conspiracy theories about his birth certificate. Republicans in the Senate blocked his judicial nominees at a higher rate, leading then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to change the Senate rules to end the filibuster on most nominees. Republicans then refused to vote on Obama’s nomination of Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court, then ended the filibuster on Supreme Court nominees to allow Trump to appoint Neil Gorsuch.

The real test will come when Democrats return to power (hopefully after the upcoming midterm elections). If they decide to exact revenge by acting as dishonorably as the GOP has acted, we may well see an ugly race to the bottom and a further erosion of civility and  willingness to work together to get the people’s business done. As the Times article concluded:

One day, Trump will no longer be in office, but by then it may be that breaking norms is the new normal.

If the Democrats jump off that cliff just because the Republicans jumped before them, we will all be the real losers.

56 Comments

  1. You can attempt to provide an example of decency to those who possess none, but you will do so in vain. The very nature of what they believe, which comes from the very nature of who and what they are, precludes honest, honorable dealings. The Democrats, if they be fortunate enough to assume power, should do everything possible to dishonor, disable, and disenfranchise Republicans. There can be no peace with those who seek to destroy democracy.

  2. Sheila,

    “If the Democrats jump off that cliff just because the Republicans jumped before them, we will all be the real losers.”

    That’s exactly what will happen, unless and until the Democratic Party leadership develops the necessary level of CIVIC COURAGE, which, at the moment, appears to be close to an IMPOSSIBILITY.

  3. Sheila writes, “Obama is urging Democrats to play fair despite the fact that neither the President nor his GOP has shown any interest in playing by the rules.”

    Don’t forget, this “progressive” made loads of promises and failed in nearly all of them. He touched on class warfare, but when his back was up against the wall, he honored the financial establishment over working stiffs.

    Who cares if our oppressors are decent or grotesque?

    They still oppress.

    “Washing one’s hands of the conflict between the powerful and the powerless means to side with the powerful, not to be neutral. ” ~ Paulo Freire

    The Democratic Party has made a living off identity politics the last 30 years. It’s a ruse.

    People of color have been hurt the most during DNC’s rule which is why so many voters disappeared in 2016. In fact, many did shift to the strategy, “Let Trump blow it up!”.

    It’s truly not worth saving.

    Unless all Democratic officials jump on a platform that actually helps the 80%, then why waste your time? What’s the point?

    Saving face?

    If it’s a fraud, it’s a fraud. No matter how you dress it up…

  4. “The article pointed to incidents in which Senate Democrats ignored longstanding norms during the recent Kavanaugh hearings.”

    “The point of the article was not to castigate the Democrats’ newly aggressive behavior; the point was to identify an undeniable problem: once partisans start down this path, with each side justifying inappropriate behavior by the equivalent of “well, he started it!” we are in danger of losing critically important, if unwritten, rules that safeguard reasoned democratic deliberation and make government accountable.”

    When those “ignored long standing norms” and attempting “to identify an undeniable problem” with the SCOTUS appointment hearings uncovers questionable and at times illegal activities and decisions made by the sitting nominee; to me that is evidence the problem lies with those “long standing norms” and the party ignoring “undeniable problems”. with procedures We watched for months as the Senate, led by Mitch McConnell as he IGNORED HIS CONSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY by refusing to schedule the REQUIRED HEARING for President Obama’s candidate due to his Hispanic heritage. Watching Kavanaugh squirm and avoid direct responses and truthful answers to some Democratic Senator’s questions brought back memories of Senator Al Franken’s questioning of Sessions who couldn’t even speak rationally when confronted directly with his past. Yet; there sits Sessions in the Attorney General’s Office and we are simply waiting for McConnell and Grassley to push through the irresponsible and ill-fated Kavanaugh appointment, destroying any semblance of justice in the highest court in this nation. He joins the Catholic faction and the always questionable seating of Clarence Thomas…or “Uncle Thomas” as Earl Kennedy posted on this blog.

    The few Republican Senators (outgoing or in danger of losing their seat) who have spoken out against the current administration on any issue, are simply posting op-ed comments on photo-ops but will as in the past vote “Aye” when the vote is taken. They will jump off that cliff with their fellow Republicans and will return to home states to enjoy the payoffs received during their tenure and their life-long retirement benefits provided by the American working class.

    VOTE BLUE!

  5. To this old woman, taking the high road loses its importance when it comes to a political fight for the rights of one half of the population. As is so often quoted on this blog, “You don’t take a knife to a gun battle.” I would add that when the opposition is waging the fight from the gutter, you need to pull on the hip boots and wade on in, or as my father use to teach his six children, if we can’t take the heat we needed to get out of the kitchen.

  6. Todd,

    “Washing one’s hands of the conflict between the powerful and the powerless means to side with the powerful, not to be neutral. ” ~ Paulo Freire

    You stated the problem at its deepest level. My old, political friend, Professor Henry Giroux, tried to deal with it and was forced to leave Penn State University and move to Canada.

    From “Against the New Authoritarianism” by Henry Giroux (Arbeiter Ring Publishing, Winnipeg, Manitoba, 2005) p. ix:

    “This book is part of a dialogue I have been having for some time about the growing authoritarianism emerging in the United States under the administration of George Bush. While I have always been very cautious about using the word authoritarianism, I believe the conditions of oppression that are occurring both domestically and abroad because of the United States demand more than a vocabulary of a somewhat disturbed and unsettled liberalism. Those of us fighting for global democracy need a new language, sense of rage, and passion to endure, resist, and organize against the dreadful machinery of death, exploitation, fundamentalism, and moral indifference that now drives American politics.”

  7. With regard to Senators Harris, Booker and Warren, “To be silent is to be complicit.”

  8. “we are in danger of losing critically important, if unwritten, rules that safeguard reasoned democratic deliberation and make government accountable”

    That ship has already sailed.

  9. Nevertheless, JoAnn, there are hundreds, probably thousands of women and men who are just as qualified, even more so, than Kavanaugh and less controversial. So, Judge Kavanaugh, pull out of the running and save us all a lot of strife and aggravation. You are supported by a grossly unpopular tribal President. WHAT’S THE RUSH?
    Back out, Judge, at least until after the mid-terms. Meanwhile, to the rest of us: VOTE BLUE. SAVE OUR SHIP OF STATE.

  10. “The article pointed to incidents in which Senate Democrats ignored longstanding norms during the recent Kavanaugh hearings.” Does this refer to the release of the so-called “Committee Confidential” materials? If that is the case, should we first examine what purpose was served by making any documents that proved Kavanaugh was a liar inaccessible to the public? I saw nothing in the documents that were released that would, under any legitimate review, be considered confidential. “Longstanding norms” would have required their release by the Committee Chair, together with the 100,000 pages that were not provided at all.

    The release of those documents caused no harm to the Republic, but they may have harmed Republicans, by showing just how duplicitous they can be.

    VOTE BLUE!

  11. Todd,

    Paul Freire was Henry Giroux’s friend and mentor for over twenty years. Great discussions about that relationship and the dangers of Trump, Pence, and Bannon on YouTube. No one has more understanding of the threat to American democracy than Giroux.

  12. Sure, Pascal, the entire Republican contingent in the Congress has been and still is COMPLICIT. VOTE “NO” TO ALL GOPs, support the BLUE WAVE.
    We have a chance to unseat the TRUMP GOP Congress on November 6th. Join the BLUE WAVE; drain the GOP swamp. November 6th is the day of return to sanity.

  13. We need to find a way to heed Sheila’s sage advice on today’s blog:

    “If the Democrats jump off that cliff just because the Republicans jumped before them, we will all be the real losers.”

    If we don’t, we will still be faced with FUTURCIDE, even if the Democrats should regain control of Congress.

  14. we all,have our duties, sometimes its beyong the call. though i respect the congress,at least the left side of the aisle, ( well more than the right side) ive watched the former congresses,get along, i remember ted kennedy, he was reminiscing about a night after work , whereas, left and right joined at a local pub,and still discussed not cussed,upcoming work, some of the right wanted a vote for, whatever, kennedy needed to forward a bill, and now had more support. (imagine that) over a few drinks,they all went home,and did thier job..todays outspoken self, maybe more mired due,the lack of social intercourse,or, social intervention.. too many places to hide behind,and social media has blurted reality everywhere,,they shriek something,and garner attention,and unneeded b.s.,confusion in what they really said,and we get no answers,only flaxk, like trumps ongoing lies.. whereas, i see professional people,(so called in my book) that cant even go beyond what their job is,because it will cost them… ive had many a job,where i had to do someone elses job,at the same time,no problem, the job got done,and everyone didnt have a fit..if they have a so called professional job, we may have been dupped into lies,and fabrication,from the said party.. maybe some public shamming ,and a longer line at job service,is seriously needed. we seriously have to rewrite the rules on this type of job. congress obvioulsly has ignored the rules,rule of law,decorum,and using a key to the restroom,where they should be at the trough,with the common folk.McCain may have been the last of such a party,and he will be missed. if the new congress is going to be for the people,then remember who voted for them,and for what agenda. demos need to get off the regulate everything,against everyone. come to the working persons table,and ask,and may a majority rule again. Democracy, its not a corprate game,like trump and his buddies expected it to be.. im waiting for Mueller,but that will be January at the soonest, when trump walks,i hope many republicans will also,walk,with him…to jail…

  15. I’m not sure I agree with the Times’ article. I mean, I do agree that people shouldn’t treat the Trumpian philosophy of “whatever I can get away with” as the new standard, but I’m not sure what else the Democrats in this case were supposed to do. Yes, they violated decorum by releasing some things, but the alternative of shrugging your shoulders and letting people lie easily doesn’t seem like a reasonable thing to do either.

    What else are you supposed to do when faced with people who simply lie about everything and control all the strings of power? Violating decorum to increase transparency doesn’t seem like sin to me.

  16. There is old song from my Baby Boomer Days – Smiling Faces by the Undisputed Truth. Selected Lyrics are instructive.

    Smiling faces sometimes
    Pretend to be your friend
    Smiling faces show no traces
    Of the evil that lurks within (can you dig it?)
    Smiling faces, smiling faces, sometimes
    They don’t tell the truth
    Smiling faces, smiling faces tell lies and I got proof

    Smiling faces, smiling faces tell lies and I got proof
    (Beware) beware of the handshake
    That hides the snake (can you dig it, can you dig it?)
    I’m a-tellin’ you beware of the pat on the back
    It just might hold you back
    Jealousy, (jealousy) misery (misery) envy (envy)
    I tell you you can’t see behind
    Smiling faces, smiling faces, sometimes
    Hey, they don’t tell the truth
    *******************************

    From the Second Coming by Yeats:
    Turning and turning in the widening gyre
    The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
    Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;

    Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
    The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
    The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
    The best lack all conviction, while the worst
    Are full of passionate intensity.
    ***************************************************
    The Democratic Party since the Clinton Regime turned to Wall Street and abandoned Unions and Working Class (Proles). The Corporate Democratic Party lost their fire, all the struggles and values the working class fought for, was sacrificed for Wall Street.

    The leadership of Pelosi, Reid and now Schumer, lack conviction, the Progressive Ideals of the working class were dumped. This leadership engaged in triangulation and tossing out crumbs, the result has been the Corporate Democratic Party has been routed since 1992 all over the country.

    The Corporate Democratic Party has been subjected to a “Blitzkrieg” by the Right Wing Reactionary, Theocratic Republican Party. The Republicans understand the street fight, brass knuckles, knives and firearms, while the Corporate Democratic Party stands like a pansy, or curled up in the fetal position.

    This is a fight, and you either lead, or get out of the way.

  17. Since both of us are attorneys, this is what I believe Sheila is worried about:

    From Wikipedia:

    “CLEAN HANDS, sometimes called the clean hands doctrine or the DIRTY HANDS doctrine, is an equitable defense in which the defendant argues that the plaintiff is not entitled to obtain an equitable remedy because the plaintiff is acting unethically or has acted in bad faith with respect to the subject of the complaint—that is, with “unclean hands”. The defendant has the burden of proof to show the plaintiff is not acting in good faith. The doctrine is often stated as “those seeking equity must do equity” or “equity must come with clean hands”. This is a matter of protocol, characterised by A. P. Herbert in Uncommon Law by his fictional Judge Mildew saying (as Herbert says, “less elegantly”), “A dirty dog will not have justice by the court”

    The clean hands doctrine is used in U.S. patent law to deny equitable or legal relief to a patentee that has engaged in improper conduct, such as using the patent to extend monopoly power beyond the claims of the patent.

    A defendant’s unclean hands can also be claimed and proven by the plaintiff to claim other equitable remedies and to prevent that defendant from asserting equitable affirmative defenses. In other words, ‘unclean hands’ can be used offensively by the plaintiff as well as defensively by the defendant. Historically, the doctrine of unclean hands can be traced as far back as the Fourth Lateran Council.”

    Dirty hands will, eventually, catch-up with you, no matter the legitimacy of your argument. At this moment, there’s no better case, on this point, than what the State of Israel is now facing.

    Let’s don’t make the same mistake. They probably didn’t have any other choice; But, we do have one.

  18. Dirk Gently touches on a critical point, and I reveal a contrarian position here. While it is no doubt true that a “whatever I can get away with” approach should be a non-starter. a vigorous, even violent, assault on the Repiglican past eight years–the six they obstructed while Obama was president and these past two of unabashed attacks on the poor, those “others” who have different color skin and working men and women–is necessary, proper, and called for.

    It is a waste of time to treat Repiglicans civily or fairly. The won’t respond in kind. In fact, they’ll laugh at Democrat’s foolishness.

    If the Dems gain control of congress and “play nice,” then they should be thrown out on their collective ass, too. We’d be better off starting from scratch than returning to the appeasement of a Repiglican party that laughs in our face.

  19. Norms? There are no f***ing norms anymore. Decorum? The only rules are those that allow somebody to win. The relative silence of the Democrats, while the Republicans re-write the rule book every day, IS complicity. Today’s reality in politics clearly shows that there are no norms and no decorum.

    Democrats have been too nice for too long in this bar fight known as democracy. The Republicans, like their oligarch sponsors, do whatever it takes to increase profits and win elections. They are proven to stretch and break any law, norm or process in order to win elections. Voter suppression is (perhaps) the most egregious misbehavior of Republicans because it denies citizens the right to vote, our most basic tenet of democracy.

    How DARE they?! How DARE the Democrats allow them to do that?! Why aren’t people demonstrating against that traitorous strategy? Oh. Wait. Only half the people vote. The rest don’t seem to care.

    Never mind.

  20. How could we bring about peace with the Repiglicans? Here is a partial list:

    1. We could leave all the voter suppression actions in place. Too many old people and people of color are voting as it is.

    2. We could leave the rape of the public school system in place–after all we wouldn’t want the corporations NOT to profit would we?

    3. We could leave the rape of the environmental laws in place. Who the hell wants to protect public lands from desecration. That is namby-pamby nonsense anyway.

    4. We could keep the destruction of the ACA (Obamacare) on a path to oblivion. Health care for all is over rated and nothing but socialist nonsense to begin with.

    5. The dismantling of of the social safety net is no big deal and it would bother the Repiglicans to try and restore it. Why make them angry? What we need is peace.

    6. Why go out and prevent Trump, et. al. from packing the Supreme Court and Federal courts with right wing goons when we have let so many in already. (For the uninformed, 85 or Trump’s 87 nominees to federal courts are white men, with one Hispanic and one black thrown in) That is very kind of them, isn’t it?

    7. Why repeal tax breaks for the rich and corporations? After all, corporations are people, too, and the rich, why they are the god-like job creators.

    I could list more examples, but my carpal tunnel is acting up.

    Peace? Peace? It isn’t peace, it’s SURRENDER!

  21. Wray,

    “a vigorous, even VIOLENT, assault on the Repiglican past eight years–the six they obstructed while Obama was president and these past two of unabashed attacks on the poor, those “others” who have different color skin and working men and women–is necessary, proper, and called for.”

    With that attitude, DOMESTIC WARFARE will be inevitable. It will have nothing to do with DEMOCRACY.

    You’re strong, why don’t you try CIVIC COURAGE and speak-out publicly like Sheila? Sheila is being heard world-wide. If there were more people like Sheila, we wouldn’t be in this FUCKING MESS.

  22. Monotonous; thank you for the reminder Yeats’ “Second Coming” brings with it. Written at the end of WWI it reminded us of what we had already lost and somehow gives us warning of the daily increasing possibility of WWIII in our near future. Two World Wars weren’t enough to learn from but a Third will erase all that came before it and leave little to salvage…if anything.

    VOTE BLUE!

  23. Marv,

    I never stop speaking out. Never have and never will. That is why I was a union rep. That is why I ran for the statehouse in 2010. That is why I co-founded a free health clinic for folks without insurance in 2007. That is why I war with evangelicals–previously from the pulpit and now through social media. That is why I’m founding a blog to deal with labor issues and weakened unions that begins next Wednesday. That is why I am trying to get the dead-assed Florida Democratic Party to start a county organization where I live so we can get the vote out. Every one represents a battle–and if all I wanted was peace none of it would happen.

    What the Repiglicans have been doing IS domestic warfare. Arm yourself.

  24. Vern,

    “How DARE they?! How DARE the Democrats allow them to do that?! Why aren’t people demonstrating against that traitorous strategy.”

    They aren’t demonstrating because they don’t have enough vital information [intelligence]. Would you expect them to have an operation on their heart valve without an MRI?

    Very few human beings are experienced enough to act PREEMPTIVELY. They will only act with REAL-TIME PROOF.

    Prove to them that they will have no future , if they don’t act. And they will act. Nothing less will do it. Your book is a terrific starter, but it’s not enough proof.

  25. “What the Repiglicans have been doing IS domestic warfare.” If not, what do you call taking 12,000 children from their families, locking them up all over the country in kiddy concentration camps, all because their skin was brown and their parents had the nerve to seek a better life for them?

  26. Wray McCalester, please post your blog address when it is available. I would like to access it. Thank you

  27. Thank you Maywin! I certainly will. Its primary focus is on the UAW but the content will apply to all unions. When it activates on the 26th I’ll post a link. Once it is up submitting your email address will make future posts available. It will also have a comment/question section. I have two others, and possibly a third who will be writing posts. I appreciate your interest.

  28. Wray,

    “What the Repiglicans have been doing IS domestic warfare. Arm yourself.”

    It is domestic warfare. I personally warned the President of the American Bar Association and the Head Attorney for the N.A.A.C.P in the fall of 1999, one day after George Bush was elected President, that he would move us toward Fascism. I’m not doubting your courage, but I doubt that you have all the information that is available.

    You don’t have a case, short of making war and armed conflict. As you said, “I needed to knock Marv off his HIGH HORSE.”

    What I think you meant is that he [Marv] doesn’t know what he’s talking about and I do. Sorry, I’m not the one who is arrogant in this situation; Take a good look in the mirror.

    I’ve been exposed to the highest levels [inner circle] of the racist oligarchy. I can READ THEIR MINDS; And you can’t. That the difference between us. And it’s a big one.

  29. Marv,

    What ever you are drinking, stop. I have NEVER, repeat, NEVER, said or written the quote you ascribe to me, “I needed to knock Marv off his HIGH HORSE.” That is an absolute fabrication! Shame on you.

    I am humbled by your mind reading ability. I cannot read minds, but I use the one I have.

    You list mind reading as “the difference between us.” There is another. I don’t make shit up.

  30. Marv,

    What I am saying is exactly what is in the my previous post. Search all you like, but even if you find something you can build into a semblance of it, it will not apply to today’s discussion. But if it will make you feel better, here is one you may use:

    You can be an insufferable ass and your implied superiority is laughable.

    Feel better?

  31. Anybody else see the irony of today’s topic being civility and two of the regulars getting sent to their rooms without dinner for being rude?

  32. There is of course a way to preserve civility and at the same time push forward – Civil Disobedience or loud demonstrations in the streets.

    I never was or never will be a fan of the Clinton’s, sadly we seem to end up with binary choices here in the USA.

    I remember thinking – Why are the Republicans going after Bill Clinton with such a vengeance during White Water?? Hell, Bill Clinton gave the Conservative Corporate Republicans nearly everything they wanted: he trashed Glass-Steagall, NAFTA, Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China, the Telecommunications Act (which allowed unprecedented Media Conglomeration), Welfare Reform, turned his back on the Unions, etc.

    Yet, all this was not enough – the rabid reactionary Republicans some how went from investigating White Water to Monica’s dress.

    Why on earth Obama ever thought the Republicans would play fair, is beyond me. Obama should have learned quickly with the Birther movement and the attacks on Bill Clinton the Rabid Reactionary Republicans go for the juggler.

    It is like a referee says to boxers before the fight starts – Defend your self at All times.

  33. To me it’s a matter of context and situation. Some norms and procedures are out moded and no longer appropriate, and should be eliminated and violated if the issue( a new Supreme Court Justice)is important enough.Just as the fire fighters out West use fire to fight fire that tactic is necessary in politics if the result affects the lives of millions. Turning the other cheek is not always the best response.

  34. Jerry,

    I’m all for hardball with the Republicans. However, the problem with hardball is: if you don’t know what you’re doing, it will easily turn into violence. That was MLK’s greatest fear. And, eventually, he couldn’t control his movement and it turned into violence.

  35. Marv,

    Point well received, however I’m not sure violence can be avoided playing hardball, hopefully it can but I’m not taking any bets.

  36. Jerry, Marv, Wray, et. al.,

    Playing hardball is healthy. Keep in mind that pitching inside is strategic and not illegal. Plunking the batter IS penalized by giving the batter a free base. That is known as wasting an out.

    Try this: After throwing your best brush-back pitch, go low and outside with a slider. It keeps the hitter off balance.

  37. Vernon,

    “Try this: After throwing your best brush-back pitch, go low and outside with a slider. It keeps the hitter off balance.”

    Right on target. During the summer of m sophomore in high school. I was one of two pitchers who combined for a no-hitter during the Annual All-star Game in Jacksonville, for the summer leagues. This end of summer game, usually drew around 5,000 to the minor league ballpark.

    The integration of minor league baseball, in the Deep South, occurred in Jacksonville. The baseball great, Hank Aaron, arrived the next year. I had a natural slider to my fastball. Everyone expected a curve ball. My slider was a case of NATURAL DECEPTION. It was very difficult to hit. My best friend went all the way up to play for a AAA team and Spring training for a major league team.

    Keeping the opposition off balance, has always been my forte. Handling pressure has never been a problem. I entered the All-Star game with a no hitter on the line. I then proceeded to complete the no-hitter in relief.

  38. Sorry, “m sophomore” should read: my sophomore year. My eyes are still dilated from a trip to my eye doctor where I’m participating in a 14 day drug trial.

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