Category: REMEMBERED HISTORY/NOT 100% FACTUAL/IN THE REALM OF FACTUAL/HONESTLY REPORTED FROM PAPA’S MEMORIES (Page 3 of 7)

In my last post I suggested that despite the clarity of good versus evil in the Hamas massacre there will be folks who see gray. It is difficult to understand. Propaganda is already countering the horrific butchery by claiming Palestine as victim and Isreal as aggressor facade. After 75 years most of the once intransigent Arab nations have given up on the elimination of Isreal. However, the old river to the sea slogan is still being stoked to keep the people of Palestine down while blaming Isreal. 300 miles of tunnels to protect the Mucky-Mucks? No above ground bunkers for the women, children and elderly who will die during a counter-offensive to a Hamas attack. Of course, hospitals, food and water would be better than bunkers or tunnels; especially if bunkers were not needed unless you attack and provoke a response. Use your noggins boys. Read history. Get in a position to form your own view of current events such as the October 7th attack.

Maybe start in the late 19th century. Papa skips over 1000s of years after many Jews dispersed from Cannan/Judea. In the 1800’s things were getting bad for Jews in Europe. Perhaps read about the persecution illustrated by the “Dreyfus Affair” in France. When things were going bad for the Jews around that time an idea sprang up that a homeland back in old Palestine might be just what the doctor ordered. Often seen as the start of Zionism. Like all ideas it started to perk along.

Palestine/Gaza/West Bank etc had been under Ottoman rule for about 400 years by then. No need for this posting to go back to all the other empires/Poo-Bahs who ruled the area for 1000s of years. Just know that there wasn’t a defined area known as a nation of Palistine. Jews AND Arabs both lived in that area. Usually under the foot of some boss. Along came World War One. Turkey was on the losing side. What to do with its domains? There had been talk within Allied circles of a Jewish homeland. The British were to over see Palastine. (Mandate) Its foreign secretary wrote a letter in support of a Jewish homeland. 1917 Balfour Declaration. That text made it into League Of Nations codification in 1923. Great Britain was to be responsible for establishing terms/conditions/timing of such a homeland. Things not only moved slow but the League itself was less than efficient.

Of course, its greatest failure was in not meeting its founding purpose; to stop another world war. I trust you know what World War Two meant for all Jews in Europe. Hitler and the Holocaust. In history the idea of Zionism, the Balfour Declaration and WWII resulted in many Jews going to Palestine where in 1948 Isreal was created as an independent nation by action of the United Nations. So too was there to be a nation for the Arabs of Palastine. Thus, the word partition. The US immediately recognized the new country. Arab nations immediately waged war. None wanted any part of the two state partition. Only Isreal accepted the concept. There were additional major wars in 1967 and 1973. There often were skirmishes near the borders over the years. Isreal has at times taken additional land/buffer for protection. One such area was taken from Eygypt after a war. That was Gaza. Most of the Gaza population are called Palestinians. Isreal has moved in and out of various territories after fighting off attacks. In addition to tamping down sources of future attacks they have to administer the territory. Headaches plus the crazies lob rockets into Isreal every so often. What a way to live. Isreal left Gaza most recently around 2005. The Palestinians elected Hamas to lead. Hamas has led them to poverty and they are used as fodder against Isreal. When propaganda tries to convince you that Hamas represents freedom fighters against occupiers; read history. (No additional election since 2006. No need; lots of opposing politicians just thrown off roof tops etc.)

The overall issues are said to be complicated. Seventy-five years have passed since Isreal was created. One side is still in a 1948 mindset. It’s clear they are unhappy with decisions made 75 years ago. Perhaps it is time to get over it. How long can you pick at a scab? It seems logical that if you start a war your people will get hurt by your actions. Claiming life is complicated does not justify murder/rape/pillage. Gearing up a propaganda machine doesn’t wash away blood. Nor does it change what is simple. Live with the decisions that the civilized world made under the UN banner. Make the best of Palistine not the worst. And, if given a second chance perhaps choose a goverment of non-butchers to represent you. (The West Bank is represented by a Palistian Authority that is itself going on about twenty years after its election to a four year term.)

More history: After WWII Japan and Germany were “occupied” for about seven years so that the damage done by their murderous leaders could be reversed. Decent countries today. It is estimated that Palistinians still would vote for Hamas if elections are held soon. It might be a good idea for the passage of time to cool down 75 years of indoctrinated hate towards Isreal/Jews. BTW: Papa often cites movies as another basis of memory. Look for films “I Accuse” and “Exodus.” The first has backgound of Dreyfus and the second 1948’s establishment of a Jewish state.

Papa has not been sleeping during my long hiatus from posting content. As usual there has been a lot of thinking going on. Sight Point is an atmosphere conducive to contemplation. My return to posting after months is not attributable to releasing pent up wisdom. Rather, there is an internal need to pay homage to a bear. It is a good way to come out of my personal hibernation.

Do not be shocked that Papa is going to say something positive about a Chicago Bear. It is good to have a tiny bit of tolerance. I post today because of a vivid memory from 1963. A football fan’s spirit can rise or fall or soar or be crushed a zillion times. All the good times or bitter losses soon fade. However, I have a few football moments that are seared into my memory. When the man who cemented one such memory recently died I wanted to pay tribute to him by telling you of a chilly day at Camp Randall. One particular play impressed me so much that I am reminded that there are many great players but only a few are super great.

I assume Papa was hoping for a comeback win when I saw a Wisconsin back scoot around end with what appeared to be a path towards the end zone. Maybe I was in section S or T because the angle of my vision showed only a few Illinois players with slim hopes of stopping the Badger runner. The rise and fall of hope. From the corner of my eye I saw a blur going from left to right across the field. To this day I believe he came fom the other hash mark. Any dream of a win was obliterated by a crushing tackle at the sideline. He came like an arrow across the field and hit his target dead center. I recall thinking that was one hell of a football player. I had to look at the program to match his number with a name. That man was Dick Butkus.

In 1962 my brother and I joined three friends from college and drove to the Seattle World’s Fair. It was a memorable trip. I relived an aspect of that trip this week while I make the cross country trek to Sight Point. I was just as impressed by the beauty of an area near Coeur d Alene, Idaho as I was 61 years ago. Its scenic landscape extends for miles into Montana. The mountain lake surrounded by beautiful pine/fir is spectacular. One’s spirit rises throughout the journey. What a great memory to celebrate.

Another fond memory fom that excursion was a visit to San Francisco. Yes, after driving from Madison to Seattle on the compressed time table of a spring break, why would’t young men full of themselves believe that there was plenty of time to swing down to California before returning to school. That city was full of life. It had an exciting vibe to it. Landmarks were eveywhere. From Fisherman’s Wharf to the Embarcadero to Nob Hill to the Top of the Mark and out to Tanforan Raceway we didn’t miss a beat. Surely not the music and entertainment beat on Braodway at the Hungry Eye, Big Al’s and the Condor Club. Carol Doda’s place. Throw in the Golden Gate and we were happy travelers as we raced back home. That memory I do not wish to ruin by re-visiting that once majastic city. Even when I visted your parents in the area in the 1990’s it had lost much of its luster. Kind of seedy and shabby in a worn out way. Today’s reported conditions would make me cry if I saw it in person. Too many “activists” city fathers have lost sight of primary responsibilities. They fail to follow what was once known as “Sewer Socialists” in Milwaukee.

Yet, America’s beauty persists. One can only hope that man’s do-gooders keep their eager hands off nature. My initial drive west through the Columbia Gorge was stunning. God sort of took a creative break from The Dalles to Spokane. Thereafter, on route I-90 the countryside is more than par right to the Illinois border. Once that semi-circle of haze was completed pleasant scenery resumed right to Papa’s objective. 4000 miles! (More or less)

When I was young I thought political office might be in my future. I still love all things historical/political. From afar nowadays. However, in the 1960’s I wanted to be involved. I’ve mentioned in this blog that when I was growing up (I know; not there yet.) it was difficult to distinguish left from right in the news media and even between political parties. So, I asked your great-grandfather who was political on a local level. He advised attending the local democrat/republican party meetings. Sort it out was his advice. I did.

I made inquiries. With invitations in hand I attended a few meetings of each local party. They were nice but I walked away with my socks intact. I had hopes that they’d be engaging on issues and policies. It seemed more like “the other guys are bad guys and we are the good guys.” The objectives discussed were not about making the country/state/county better or simply providing good government. Win. Beat the other guy. That was the formula to make eveything better. To me it seemed like a flip the coin situation. I had been enthused by JFK but at the time I could lean either way depending on the issue or the candidate.

That continued to be my mindset during the historic Watergate era. I could see merit on both sides and good in various candidates in those days. The national parties were of course rivals but not so much in the good guys/bad guys mode I had witnessed locally. For example, for the Civil Rights Act of 1964, senators and representatives from both parties fought side by side. I felt that was good government as envisioned when learning civics. For nearly three months democrats filibustered against the law. In the end it was a bi-partisan victory.

Likewise, when impeachment loomed for Presidnt Nixon, there was bi-partisanship throughout the various investigations. My memory of Howard Baker is just as vivid as is that of Sam Ervin. I remember that Nixon resigned the day after republicans paid him a visit and told him he was toast. Barry Goldwater leading that delegation sticks in my mind. My mind may play games with my memory but I believe efforts to “pile on” charges against Nixon lost Rather, tight professional charges were focused on in the impeachment.

Which brings me to Frank Church, the democrat senator from Idaho at the time. Abuses dating back for decades by the CIA/FBI were exposed during Watergtate. Our supposed protectors were lawlessly out of control. Years of shame. A stain on our founding principles. Senator Church chaired an investigative committee that found even more outrageous conduct by the unelected heads of these and other agencies. Again, there was a fairly bi-patisan effort. I don’t recall a minority report. The committee put sunshine on the abuses and made recommendations to guard against future misconduct.

All of which is part of Papa’s past of voting for candidates of both parties depending on how I viewed their ability to govern and represent my principles. I might lean one way or another at times depending on issues. Except when there was only one or two candidates on the ballot I did not vote straight tickets. I didn’t see either party as good enough I’d go 100% goo-goo voting blind tickets. It amazes me people do.

However, current circumstances have changed me. I am on my way to Sight Point where I left my copy of the Mueller Report. I remember reading that document that came to a no wrongdoing conclusion and thought so many words that said nothing but appeared to say soemthing dire had been amiss. To this average legal mind I saw fluff. I recently read the Durham Report and that was a professional product. It showed by clear and convincing evidence that the FBI/CIA/IRS and others were involved in abuses that make a mockery of the concerns raised by the Church Committee. That committee’s corrective actions either never took or that slow moving giant iceberg of the administrative state still needs a major overhaul. At a personal level I am shocked at the lack of bi-partisan outrage at what is worse that what we learned from the Church Committee. I will hereafter look for any member of the democrat party who is as outraged as were both parties in the 1970’s. It’s impossible to read the Durham Report and not be concerned. From my perspective nearly all democrats have shrugged off the obvious.

It may be that the ends justify the means to them. But, there is a much bigger principle at stake now. I believe that the hurch Committee memebers would see the clear and present dangers.

BTW, I rote some of this when passing through Senator Church’s state of Idaho on Papa’s recent folly. More on that as I drive if reliable internet is found.

When President Richard Nixon signed Title IX into law in 1972 a dramatic change in female participation in organized sports ensued. That law actually did not mention sports as it had a more encompassing purpose in education. However, it soon led to an explosive expansion of womens’ sports. For younger generations it is perhaps difficult to grasp how profound the change was for girls and womens’ sports. Throwing out national statistics about the difference in the number of men and women participating in organzed sports before and after Title IX may not be sufficient to fully understand that change. Which is why Papa’s 1959 high school yearbook has been consulted.

Nine sports for boys were offered at my high school. Counting “B” teams in football, basketball and cross country there were twelve teams. A lot of opportunity for boys to play a sport. It seemed natural to me. Boys were used to playing sports long before high school. I played in grade school and in junior high. In the 1959 yearbook many boys were pictured as participants. Tennis had ten team members while football had sixty-one.

However, there were no teams for the girls. None. Zero. The closest sport at school for females was co-ed intramural bowling. The world of sports after Title IX changed very quickly. Not just in high school and college but also on local recreation fields. In the grade schools and junior highs. Your mothers and peers were eager to sign up for localy offered sports. It was like a dam burst. Ball fields and indoor areans expanded. After enduring coaching boys soccer, Papa spent 7 or 8 years coaching girls soccer. (What a change! Asked to gather around me to hear my wonderous insight, the boys scattered like marbles in all directions. When I first made that request to girls, they hustled into perfectly formed rows.) My memory is that there was plenty of opportunity in sports for young girls after the 1970’s. Now, there are pros, college scholarships, and other school teams in addition to thousands of girls playing all manner of sports on a recreational basis. Current news reports discuss conflicting definitions of equality in womens’ sports. Be aware that such hot topic discussions were not on the mind of many folks in 1959. I have proof from a yearbook. It’s a good marker of the enourmous advancement that Title IX brought to females in sports. A change worth celebrating.

In the 1950’s the top selling beer in America was Schlitz, “The Beer That Made Milwaukee Famous”. Papa remembers that Schlitz was the sponsor of a decent movie featured weekly on Saturday Night Theater on WTMJ. By decent I mean of recent vintage. I recall mostly watching silent films and cowboy movies on television. Viewing options were quite sparse. That is what made the Saturday night movie special. I think there were only two commercials during the braodcast. That was nice also. The show’s host, Jack Brand, sat in an easy chair alongside an end table with a bottle of Schlitz and a tall pilsner glass. After introducing the movie, he’d pour a near perfect head of beer. (Papa was always disappointed because my inner self wanted him to over pour and make a mess.) But, he’d simply drink some beer from his masterpiece and it was off to the movie.

As a youngster I assumed that the #1 selling beer in the country would always survive. Schlitz didn’t. It’s decline as a major beer producer was both fast and surprising. It was my first introduction to the concept of change in the business world. They claim change is good. Such champions of regression are insensitive to the pain of a man wandering grocery aisles searching for a box of Wheaties. I have also witnessed the fall of another #1 product of 1950. As a boy on South 75th Street I lived a mere five blocks from Allis-Chalmers. It was the leader in tractor production. It also made turbines, generators, transformers and electric motors. It was a slower fade away but today at the corner of 70th and Greenfield only a plaque commemorating its role in the Manhattan Project remains of a once giant industrial complex.

Now, as to beer ads it is imprtant that you know it is widely believed that Schlitz started its decline by a decision to speed up the brewing process. Better beer by chemistry? At any rate, the taste of the beer changed. For the worse. (Proving again that not all change is good.) My memory is that an ad was devised that would halt the decline of Schlitz sales. A blind taste contest. On national television. What better venue than during a Super Bowl? With a retired NFL referee. I think the entire concept ended as vague and/or inconclusive. Schlitz sales never recovered.

Recently, the current number one beer producer of beer has ventured into promotion of an activist/political point of view in its own ad campaign. A certain amount of controversy has been stirred up. It seems reasonable to ask why do it. The intense reactions to the beer company’s adoption of a rather unorthodox approach to beer drinkers prompted my memory of that Super Bowl beer ad. That was a promotion intended to save a brand. It will be interesting to see if this 2023 beer sales promotion fosters or kills sales. One never knows what change may be happening right in front of our eyes. Is it a losing gamble to change horses (Clydesdales) in the midst of competition? Cheers.

Year ten of Papa’s life stands out with vivid memories. Television was in its infancy and much of the news came from radio. However, what I most remember are from News Reels. These were often played at movie houses as well as at school assemblies. The events described might be from a week or more prior to showing but the narrator’s voice coupled with film of far away places captured my imagination.

The armistice ending the Korean War was of most significance in 1953. Communist China and North Korea’s invasion had at least been halted. Jubilant crowds in London for Queen Elizabeth’s coronation seemed quaintly out of date to my eyes. Except that it will be in color, I suspect the next coronation won’t be much different for me seventy years later. Conquering Mount Everest was feted as another unattainable goal finally reached. It was a human achievement to celebrate. There was still a fascination with “firsts”. Not that many years later I was just as inspired when JFK said we’d put a man on the moon in the 60’s. And, this country did.

Yet, so much of 1953 was also impacted by the fear generated by Socialist Totalitarians represented by the Soviet Communists. After stealing secrets to build the A-Bomb in the 1940’s, the USSR exploded a hydrogen bomb for effect in 1953. That year the Rosenbergs were executed for their roles as Soviet spies. The murderous monster Stalin also left planet earth that year. For a nine/ten year old kid I knew the significance of these events. I remember knowing the name of the other Soviet monster that died that year. Secret Police Chief Beria. It was as clear as a bell that one did not want to live under a government run by the main communist thugs; Stalin and Beria. We felt sorrow for and prayed for the plight of children behind the Iron Curtain.

Beria is a name you will hear following today’s indictment of a leading Presidential candidate/former President. The Soviet Secret Police Chief bragged ” show me the man and I will show you the crime.” An Attorney General/Supreme Court Justice appointed by FDR warned of the dangers represented by Beria’s disdain for fairness. Robert Jackson said prosecutors should not be out to get the person but rather chose prosecutions that are needed. Beware of reacting to public clammer/hysteria for scalps of opponents. Trump’s indictment is a “first” that does not inspire. A prosecutorial dam has been broken. It better turn out to be a near perfect case. If not, and it becomes seen as for political gain, who can doubt a precedent of fair game crimes might be used against future enemies.

You will hear much debate and perhaps see more turmoil about this pending criminal case as well others being teed up before the 2024 election. I am not holding my breath for calm discussions. I do hope that you become engaged and have the opportunity to think long and hard about legal issues. I remember reading many opinions from Justice Jackson in my casebooks. I have a great respect for the legal pillars of our constitutional republic. Never voluntarily give up the right to due process. Even a supposed political champion did not get it right by implying the defendant gets a chance to prove innocence in our system. That is wrong. America’s system is based on the presumption of innocence, Defendants do not have to prove it. Beware of sliipery talk on the basics. That is where informed voting by you comes in. I believe I gave each of you a pamphlet that contained the founding documents. Now, is a good time to read it/reread?

Today marks the founding of the Republican Party. (March 20, 1854) Is it the party’s foundational principle of anti-slavery that prompts Papa’s memory today? Of course, BUT. The organizing meeting credited as the party’s start happened in the Badger State. In Ripon to be precise. I am always eager to make a connection. The Republican Party, as it still does today, irritated democrats. So much so that those in the South seceded from the nation by 1860. The horrors of the Civil War followed. A conflict of differing principles. Afterwards, the mostly Republican sponsored 13th, 14th and 15th amendments to the US Constitution were adopted.

However, before Papa was aware of history the quiet city of Ripon warmed my heart with a different anticipation. Rippin Good cookies were produced in Ripon. Much is faint to me but a windmill shaped cookie from the company sticks in my mind. It seems the cookie company has ceased production. I checked my other favorite (Johnston) and they also no longer make cookies. But, I do recall my dad driving to West Milwaukee and buying five pound bags of “broken cookies” for $1.00 at the company’s back door.

Papa spent a week in Ripon during 1960. I was selected as a delegate to Badger Boys State which was held at Ripon College. A very good time. Dormitory life. Met new friends. Talks and practical exercises in government. At age 16 it was a first taste of independence from home. Not as significant as men who gathered in Ripon for the purpose of ending slavery.. But, the impact of being near the site of the GOP’s historic founding was stirring for a young man.

With what seems to be mostly depicted as a messy world in the news, it is hard to get to the core of my original intent for this blog. That intent was HOPE. It was not a matter of hope for you but because of you. I do have faith in you and your generation once much of the media/internet quiets or becomes too transparent to stomach. Papa senses that the crazies are getting past their expiration dates and that common sense is set to seep back into our culture. One reason might be viewing a supposedly “educated” leader on television demonstrating on an issue. She was so over the top that it is easy to feel more damage than good was done for whatever cause she espoused. Yikes.

However, television has also presented a few opportunities to see fresh, younger politicians who also foster hope for the future. With U Tube, news outlets and C-SPAN video archives you can watch two men who give hope for their generation when ready to take the reins of leadership. If you get a chance look up Ro Khanna of California and Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin. They are members of the US House of Representatives and each appears familiar with common sense. (Papa’s political hope.) It appears that they are two guys who could get together and hammer out solutions to problems. That may sound like a pipe dream because our political parties each have some crazies in tow but mostly due to their “never give an inch” mentality that serves re-elections well. It may be slow in coming and I may not be alive to see the day but I can see each/both of them in higher office. Keep an eye on them.

February 22nd marks a memorable moment in U S history that you can view. On February 22nd, 1980 the USA hockey team defeated the Soviet Union team in the Winter Olympics. The US team was mostly made up of amateurs; young college players ( two Badgers) and a few players who had low minor league experience. The Soviets were professional, full time players who I think had won 4 of the last 5 Olympics. They dominated the sport and were predicted to be easy winners again by all accounts. The US team was a huge underdog.

However, the US beat/upset the Soviets in Lake Placid NY. The match was televised. Of course a Badger* scored two of the US goals. With ten minutes left in the last period the young USA team led 4-3. Papa watched that game and I can attest that those were ten of the longest minutes ever, which is what the team and all fans said. The big bad Russians/Soviets were all in during those final ten minutes. It was furious. At the finish the game was described as a miracle by the announcer. (Do you believe in miracles?) Inspirational doesn’t fully justify the emotions of that day. Besides the thrill of victory in sport, remember we were still locked in a cold war with the Soviets. For me it was another nail in the coffin of Sputnik. (Sadly, what goes around comes around with today’s new Russian wanna be Poo Bah.) That game was well documented and had a TV movie made. In 2004 the movie “Miracle” was released. Watch it. It’s good and you will get a sense of the drama of that match.

Before the US existed another event happened on a historic February 22nd. George Washington, our first President, was born. More consequential of course but you can actually watch the hockey match/documentary/movies. Papa loves sports but that Olympic win was a WOW moment.

(* Later to coach Badger Women’s team to six National Championships. And, counting.)