Primary Questions

Last month, the official results from the Bridgeport Mayoral Primary showed incumbent Democrat Joe Ganim defeating fellow Democrat John Gomes, albeit (see definitions) by a very small margin (1).     

Now, based on allegations of ballot stuffing and other fraud, Gomes is contesting that result in state Superior Court. He asks that the Court either declare himself to be the victor, or order that a new vote be held (2).  

For the purposes of fostering understanding of both sides of a debate, as well as intelligent conversation, let me attempt to break down the arguments of the defense (town clerk Charles Clemons, et al).  

As in other legal analyses, I preface this by saying that I'm not a lawyer, nor do I have any sort of a degree in law.  This interpretation is simply my personal opinion on the matter.

The first argument put forward by defense lawyers is that the plaintiff has not stated "a claim upon which relief may be granted". In layman's terms, they are saying that even if everything claimed by the plaintiff is true, the Court would not be justified to grant the relief sought (3, 4). 

To this, I suspect that the reasoning given will be something having to do with the "will of the voters". For example; "the people have spoken, and the Court cannot overrule them"

The Clemons-Ganim team is partially correct; the voters have indeed had their say. Nevertheless, the issue now turns on what exactly the people said.  If it is proven that they decided contrary to what the administration says they did, the Court should affirm this; it is their duty and responsibility to do so.

A second contention offered has to do with the doctrine of "unclean hands". To summarize, this argument states that because a plaintiff has acted unethically, that plaintiff is not entitled to the remedy that they seek (5). 

In making this claim, the defense cites video footage that apparently shows Gomes supporters casting votes (by dropbox) for persons other than themselves. 

To be clear, the claim of fraud rests on evidence of the Ganim team doing the same, only in much greater numbers. In either case, these are illegal actions, and according to the defense, demonstrative that the Gomes campaign has acted unethically. 

In response, lawyers for Mr. Gomes seem to be questioning the significancy of that argument. The relevant matter, they say, is not whether supporters strictly adhered (see definitions) to all laws, but if the result of the primary "is seriously in doubt" (6).

On this, Gomes' representation makes a good point; the ethics or claimed lack thereof of his supporters is not the main issue of the day. However, this remains as a secondary issue. There is a "pot calling the kettle black" argument to be made here, one that could be decided in favor of the defense.  

Having taken a look at the legal arguments being discussed, allow me to provide a brief update on proceedings. As of 5:34 PM on October 19, the Connecticut Mirror reports that the defense has rested its case, doing so without calling additional witnesses (7). 

The case now moves to consideration of the Honorable William Clark, who is expected to issue a ruling within the next two to three weeks. His decision, whatever it may be, will likely have far-reaching consequences on the future of elections in the State of Connecticut.  

We will see on which side the Court will stand.  

What Was That Again?

In the history of presidential elections, multiple candidates have had "oops" moments. 2004 saw the "scream of the century" (audio link) doom Howard Dean's campaign; Hillary Clinton's 2016 "basket of deplorables" comment didn't work out much better (1, 2). 

Now, enter stage right Florida governor Ron DeSantis, who recently had this to say about supporters of Donald Trump:

"If all we are is listless vessels (that are) just supposed to follow whatever happens to come down the pike on Truth Social every morning, that's not going to be a durable movement" (3).  

I find this to be an ill-advised remark, and one that I must respond to (4).

According to Merriam-Webster, "listless" means someone or something that is "characterized by lack of interest, energy, or spirit". Thus, Mr. Governor, you imply that Trump backers have no heart. 

As far as this comment applies to me personally, you couldn't be more wrong.  

You see, unlike some others, I have the nerve to stand up for my rights, and what I believe to be right. I've never had any problem telling those in charge what I think (as evidenced by this article). 

And when it comes to political issues, I prefer principles over party positions. 

On another note, I think it should be mentioned that I have worked very hard for Republican candidates in my home state of Connecticut. 

Whether it has been phone banks, writing letters to newspaper editors, or simply the general discussion of state-wide politics, I have "been there and done that" (see note). And even through a long string of losses, I have kept the faith, in what is now a deep blue state.  

Mr. Governor, I'm someone who doesn't back down or easily give up, even when the odds are against him.  I guess you could say I have a "fighting spirit" of sorts, which flies in the face of your derogatory (see definition) comments. No, I'm not a "listless vessel"; far from it. 

Now, I can't claim to be an expert on campaign strategy. Yet in closing this article, and with all due respect, I offer you a tip.

The next time you go out on the trail, perhaps it would be wise to give a bit more thought to what you're saying. This way, you'll be less likely to have "Howard Dean moments".

And we all know how that worked out (5).

Clapping Back (Or, "A Word or Two About Howard Stern")

It looks like Mr. "King of All Media" himself, that paragon (see definitions) of paragons known as Howard Stern, is running his mouth again. 

This past Monday, the broadcasting personality bragged about being "woke", saying, 

"I am woke, motherf-----, and I love it. I want to be awake. I’m not for stupidity, you know. I went over (to CVS Pharmacy) at nine AM and got myself that new vaccine for Covid. Fu----- science. This fu---- country is so great" (1).   

I find this to be an interesting comment, seeing as it's coming from a man who's been pushing filth toward the "lowest common denominator" for years. Let's take a brief look at his life and career. 

Howard Stern was born to a family of Jewish immigrants on January 12, 1954. Becoming interested in radio and radio shows from a very young age, he developed his own entertainment at the age of nine, using marionettes to perform "explicit" shows for friends (2). 

After high school, Stern enrolled at Boston University.  While there, he hosted comedy shows on the college's radio station, one of which was suspended for a time due to the airing of a racially-charged skit. 

Upon graduation from BU in 1976, Stern promptly hit the professional media market, landing a job at Hartford's WCCC. About a year later, he left for "greener" pastures, quitting the station after being denied a raise. 

Stern's next stops were in Detroit and Washington, after which he would land on New York's WNBC-AM working afternoons. Within a month of starting in "the Big Apple", Stern would again find himself suspended, this time for airing an off-color skit about the Virgin Mary.

In September of 1985, station management decided they had heard enough, and fired Stern for what they called "conceptual differences" regarding the content of his show (3).

Stern would not be unemployed for long, as in October of that same year, then-rival New York station WXRK picked him up for mornings. 

As at WNBC, his show was filled with indecent material, including the promotion of pornography and prostitution. The broadcast ended in 2005, as Stern moved the show to satellite radio.  

Here are a few choice quotes from "the man who would be king":

(sound effects of gunfire) 

"This music does absolutely nothing for me. Spanish people have the worst taste in music. They have no depth"  - April 3, 1995; three days after the shooting death of Hispanic musician Selena

"Did (the shooters) try to have sex with any of the good looking girls?" - April 20, 1999; a day after the Columbine High School Massacre (4)

"When are we going to stop putting up with the idiots in this country and just say it’s mandatory to get vaccinated? F— them. F— their freedom" - September 6, 2021 (5)

Add to this incidents such as what occurred in October of 2001, when Stern showed up at the 9/11 memorial "The Concert For New York City" dressed in a...shall we say, quite exposing...hazmat outfit. 

Very funny, Howard.  You're a regular riot; "eat any good books lately" ? (6) 

Anywho, on a personal note to Mr. Stern, I say this. 

I've never liked you, except for the brief time when you actually tried to be a decent person (9/11). In that case, perhaps I'm a bit biased. Nevertheless, I find you to be a purveyor (see definitions) of obscenity, profanity, and overall smut that frankly has no place on the airwaves. 

You can go ahead and celebrate "wokeness" all you want; I don't have too much of a problem with that. 

Just keep in mind that your crowd consists mostly of assholes.  Apparently, that includes you. 

High School Survival Guide

"And now for something completely different"; namely, a post from Yours Truly that doesn't have to do with politics or wrestling! (1) 

Cue Joey Styles (2):

With the end of summer comes the renewal of a time-honored tradition; the resumption of classes at Fairfield Warde High School.  

The Warde campus can be a confusing place for newcomers. I know this first-hand, as I was a student there from 1997 to 2000 (at the time, the building was called Fairfield High School).  

As such, and for the benefit of the latest herd of Mustangs, I'd like to share a few tips from my experiences at the school. If you will, you may call this a "survival guide" of sorts.  

First, know the lay of the land, and where things are in the building.  

Trust me when I tell you that nobody likes it when someone shows up late for class, students included. You can avoid this "pain in the neck" scenario by knowing where key classrooms are, as well as the library and lecture hall.  

Also, seeing that the campus is quite large, allow yourself time to get from one side of it to the other.

Second, know what is and is not considered acceptable, clothing-wise. 

For example, wearing a shirt that depicts the usage of drugs or alcohol will meet with a stern reprimand (and likely, an order to "turn it inside out"). This also goes for product endorsements of the like, such as apparel which features the Budweiser logo.  

Third, be on time for class. 

As I previously mentioned, teachers hate it when you show up after the bell rings. If there was ever a good way to earn a trip to the house office and/or detention, this is it!

Next, don't wander around in the halls, even if you don't have a class at the present time. When I was a student, juniors and seniors could leave campus after their last class. I am uncertain whether this privilege is still granted. 

In any case, during the school day, you need to be somewhere and doing something at all times. Not doing so will get you asked "where are you supposed to be?", along with a decent tongue-lashing.

Fourth, know about the "five-minute rule". 

 

This is an unwritten rule that stipulates the following; in the event that a teacher is at least five minutes late for class, and there is no substitute teacher available, students in such class may take the period off.

 

Note that again, I refer to my own high school experience; this guideline may no longer apply.  

Now, some advice for incoming freshmen; watch your back, especially on Fridays!

Often, you'll run into people who do things like intentionally cause you to drop your books, or try to bully you in various ways. That's not to say that all students are like this; some of them can be very kind and helpful. 

Nevertheless, until you get your footing, you'll find that somebody always wants to start something. The trick is to stand up for yourself; that way, you'll find it less likely that others will mess with you.

As for Fridays, "if you know, you know"!  

Finally, enjoy this time to the fullest. 

They say that time waits for no one; indeed, all good things must someday come to an end. So it is with youth; before you know it, you'll be forty-something, and wondering where all that time went.  

Accordingly, take in the entire experience; the football games, the pep rallies, the homecoming dances, everything. Soon enough, it will be nothing but a memory.

And in a closing note, remember these words:

"And this above all, to thine own self be true" (3).

A Familiar Pattern (Or, "Method To The Madness")

For those that haven't kept up with recent sports events, allow me to explain the latest news out of Major League Baseball. 

On June 21, the Oakland Athletics officially announced their intent to move to Las Vegas, and begin play at a new stadium no sooner than 2025. If the club's application for relocation is approved, this will end a rich history of baseball in Oakland, one that dates back to at least 1968 (1).

Frankly speaking, this franchise relocation game has been played before. We saw it happen in 2004, as the Montreal Expos became the Washington Nationals. The original Cleveland Browns of the NFL high-tailed it to Baltimore in 1996. And in the NHL, the Hartford Whalers moved to North Carolina just a year after Art Modell left Cleveland without a pro football team (2, 3, 4). 

That being said, there seems to be somewhat of a method to the madness, so to speak. What we're seeing with the A's follows the same pattern as the other three cited cases. 

First, the franchise is totally gutted of star players and assets. The Expos, for example, traded players such as John Wetteland and Marquis Grissom for practically nothing in return. In Oakland's case, key talents like Starling Marte and Mike Fiers have been allowed to depart via free agency or trades. 

Second, the owner of the team talks negatively about the club, saying that it cannot operate under present circumstances. The narrative usually goes something like this: "a new stadium is necessary for us to be able to compete on a championship level". For the A's, the line delivered by owner John Fisher has been "future success...depends on a new ballpark" (5).   

The third step in the process is to reject all reasonable offers for a new stadium in the current market, and subsequently announce that negotiations have failed. 

In the case of the Whalers, owner Peter Karmanos was offered a brand new arena (to the tune of one hundred forty-seven point five million dollars) by the State of Connecticut. This proposal was turned down, with Karmanos demanding an additional forty-five million dollars "to cover losses". We have seen the same thing happen in Oakland; multiple different stadium options have been offered to the A's, ownership rejecting each one. 

Step four involves the formal announcement of the team's departure. The front office will profess to have done everything possible to remain in the current market; in reality, nothing is further from the truth. 

For Cleveland, this took the form of Art Modell ruling out any reconsideration of a move. Modell publicly stated that there was no way to keep the Browns from relocating;

"The bridge is down, burned, disappeared; there's not even a canoe there". 

Fifth, parties not involved in direct ownership of the franchise look for relief. They ask the sports league in question to block relocation efforts, but their pleas fall on deaf ears, as they did with the Expos. 

In the A's case, fans have been chanting "sell the team" for months on end. This chorus has moved beyond Oakland, and is now beginning to surface in other MLB cities. Yet to this point, the Fisher-Dave Kaval partnership that runs the team has maintained radio silence in response. 

Now we arrive at the endgame; the ninth inning; the final step in the relocation saga. All efforts to save the franchise having failed, the team opens its new (and frequently taxpayer funded) stadium to much fanfare and hoopla. 

The Nationals win the World Series; the Carolina Hurricanes win the Stanley Cup, and the Baltimore Ravens win the Super Bowl. Yet in the wake of success, communities are abandoned, dreams destroyed, and legacies made to be nothing but memories. This is the road that the Athletics are traveling. 

There are those that say the A's move to Vegas is inevitable, and simply should be accepted by Oakland's fans. These critics likely have never had to experience actually losing a major professional team. I have first-hand knowledge of the feelings involved; the end of the Whalers saddened me, as Peter Karmanos broke my heart. Try as I might, I can never forgive him for that.

And now, talk of relocation is spreading, as the Milwaukee Brewers are rumored to be exploring options for a move. There should be no doubt; if this can happen in Oakland and Milwaukee, it can happen in any other MLB market as well. 

Your team may be next; that's as good of a reason as any to say...

...SELL THE TEAM!!!

Travelogue: Lake George, Part 3

Waking up this morning in Lake George was a bit of an adventure.  Apparently, I had a nightmare during my sleep.  That'll teach me not to eat pizza as a midnight snack before bed!

After freshening up a bit, my brother and I headed down Canada Street to find some breakfast.  We pulled into an interesting looking place called "Biscotti Brothers"; a coffeehouse that also served traditional morning fare.  I couldn't get enough of their blueberry pancakes, which I washed down with two glasses of orange juice.  For his part, my brother quickly disassembled a cheese omelet.  

The weather in the area this week has been rather warm, but perfect for a dip into Lake George proper.  So of course, myself and my brother had to hit the beach.  It wasn't long before both of us were in the water.  

Speaking of the waters of Lake George, they are the cleanest, purest, and most crystal clear waters that I have ever been in.  I found myself saying a silent prayer of thanksgiving; "may these waters be clean and pure for generations to come".  

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end.  So too must this vacation; tonight is my final night in Lake George.  The trip did not disappoint in any way; I must say that I have thoroughly enjoyed myself.  

They are wondrous and beautiful things to behold, these shores.  As expected, the Adirondacks have been a little bit of heaven on earth.  The mountain air and the cool temperature of the lake refreshed not only my body, but my mind and spirit.  

And that's really what making this trip was all about. 

Travelogue: Lake George, Part 2

A little before three this afternoon, my brother and I pulled up to a small motel called "The Heritage".  It is here that we will be staying for the next two days.  The establishment is right on the main strip, a long road named Canada Street.  

As we got situated and settled, I promptly tried out the bed in my section of our cabin.  I found it to be comfortable; not too soft, but not too firm either.  A bed such as this is more than suitable for reading, listening to music, or simply "crashing".  

It's been a hot day in Lake George; a quick glance at area weather shows that the temperature reached upwards of ninety degrees Fahrenheit (nearby Canada uses the Celsius scale and metric system; we don't).  

Nevertheless, the street outside of the motel beckoned me.  I had to go see what it could offer.  

For the hungry adventurer, there are many places on Canada Street where they may satisfy their appetite.  One of these happens to be a restaurant called "Giuseppe's".  Knowing from past experiences that it is a go-to spot for Italian cuisine, my brother and myself decided to have an early dinner there.  

The indoor patio of Giuseppe's proved a welcome respite from the summer heat.  Years ago, the restaurant had a second deck upstairs, overlooking the lake.  Apparently, this is no longer the case, likely due in part to the presence of a large hotel that had been built next door. 

As for the food, it was delicious; just as I had remembered it.  My brother dined on a Southwestern Burger, along with - broccoli?! - on the side.  I chose to order - well, what else? - a Sicilian pizza, which I happily munched on forthwith.  

After paying the tab at Giuseppe's, we walked a short distance to another of my favorite attractions; Playland Arcade. The place is packed with fun and games, including a photo booth, various ticket-based machines, and a shooting gallery (you heard that right; actual guns, or at least reasonable imitations).  

I must've been doing something right, because I managed to win over seven hundred tickets through numerous games.  Even so, that wasn't quite enough to land me one of the big prizes exhibited behind the redemption counter.  I'll save my tickets, and head back to the arcade tomorrow.  

Exiting the arcade, my brother and I chose to make our last stop at a place aptly named "Scoop's Ice Cream Parlor".  

(I say "aptly named" because my brother frequently answers to the nickname of "Scoop") 

The eatery has a long history in Lake George.  It began as a soda fountain in the early 1970s, under a different name (at the moment, I cannot recall what that name was).  The last time that I was in the area, the shop featured its own candy for sale, which you could watch being made by hand before your eyes.  It no longer appears that this part of the parlor exists, but you can still sit at the counter, and enjoy an ice cream or refreshing milkshake.  

So far, my brother and I have enjoyed this welcome trip.  Our first day in Lake George featured great food, fun games, and even a short jaunt to a most memorable ice cream parlor.  Not too bad for the first time in twenty years, I'd say.  

Tomorrow, we will venture off to the lake proper, as well as get in a game or two of mini-golf.  

But first, sleep.