By Steve Murch
I’ve officially crossed over to the side of humanity that complains about winter. I’m so over it, I can’t form a thought longer than three sentences. And so …
- When I was heading into the 7th grade my family moved from the Thumb area of Michigan north to the Snow Belt. After the move north I embraced all things winter. I learned to ski, we had a huge sledding hill nearby, and my friends and I played hockey and winter football. Today, my outside activity is limited to
shoveling and going from building to vehicle and back again. I have become, in short, a winter wimp. - Thankfully, the best phrase every winter just happened: Pitchers and catchers have reported to spring training.
- So, we all know the president loves to exaggerate when it comes to numbers. And when they’re proven wrong, why do so many people use the excuse “So and so does it, too.” Folks, two wrongs don’t make a right no matter how hard you try. And a 6,500 capacity arena is nowhere near 35,000.
- Did you see the story about the New Jersey man and his daughter who saved people from a burning building this week? Whenever I see a story like that I wonder if I would have the ability to do that, jump to action and be selfless enough to risk my life to help others. I would like to believe I would, but I really don’t want to have to find out. Could you do it?
- I’m always amazed at how many “celebrities” I’ve never heard of. These are the “stars” of reality TV shows you hear of mostly when news is reported about such and such star getting into some altercation or trouble with the law. You know, he/she starred in “The Real Housewives Big Brother World Survivor on the Jersey Shore, Boston Season.” Either this is their attempt to grab another 15 minutes of fame and they got caught, or they were destined for a life of crime but celebrity got there first.
- How many of you remember the 1970 song “In the Summertime” by Mungo Jerry? Funny side note: None of the band members past or present was named Jerry. Anyway, the song is really catchy and can become a real earworm and can drive you crazy. Every time I hear it, I have to chuckle at the first couple of lines from the second verse: “If her daddy’s rich, take her out for a meal. If her daddy’s poor, just do what you feel.” How well do you think a line like that would go over in today’s PC world?
- I find it funny that Donald Trump Jr. is referred to as DJTJ. It kinda rolls off the tongue, doesn’t it?
- Did you see the photo of the Baton Rouge policeman who used blackface to go undercover in the early 1990s? While blackface is offensive, I was left with questions. Did someone really think it would work, and if it worked how? Those guys could get mistaken as African-American as easily as I could get mistaken for George Clooney.
- It’s time for me to watch some highlights of people playing catch in Florida and feel the coming warmth, even if it’s months away. After two hours of shoveling I need it.
Steve Murch is a former managing editor and award-winning columnist for The Alpena News. He’s a lifelong Michigan resident, a broken and defeated fan of the Detroit Lions and a forever optimistic fan of the Detroit Tigers. His column will appear most Thursdays.
“And a 6,500 capacity arena is nowhere near 35,000.”
You are not paying attention. There were city blocks worth of supporters outside, that could not get inside due to the full arena. They stayed for the full speech watching on large screens and on their phones. No matter how much liberals try to poo poo President Trump’s support, we are out there in vast numbers. Typically Democrats can’t draw flies.
#buildthewall
Yup and he had more people at his inauguration than any other president in history. Millions upon millions.
Considering your tagline Steve, I want to give you something good to feel about being a Detroit Lions fan. In the history of the NFL there is one franchise where a former player went on to be an astronaut and actually get launched into space.
The Detroit Lions
Leland Melvin became an astronaut after his football career and served on two shuttle missions.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leland_D._Melvin
These numbers don’t lie.
According to the Treasury department, the total public debt crossed the $22 trillion mark on Monday, with some $30 billion in debt added this month alone. When President Donald Trump took office, debt stood just over $19.9 trillion. Suppose we take that additional $2.1 trillion in $1 bills and lay it out end to end along the U.S. – Mexico border layer by layer. Guess what folks. We now have his big, bad, beautiful wall, and it is a breathtaking 37.3 feet high!
♫♫♫
Don can’t explain his lyin’ eyes,
And his delusions are a thin disguise,
We thought by now you’d realize,
There ain’t no way he can hide his lyin’ eyes.
♫♫♫
Nice column Steve!
I don’t think I could save people from a burning building, especially now in my late 60’s; although I have heard of people who seem to get super-strength at a time like that, even lifting cars if that’s the case.
I have always loved living in Michigan with it’s 4 beautiful seasons. It’s just smart to be prepared for the extreme temperatures.
And finally, I hate reality shows more than anything. They are ridiculous and disgraceful! And yes, that’s how I really feel.