An Unstructured Blog that Goes Nowhere

This article was originally published in The John Marshall Law School's "In The Loop". The article has been edited in part for consistency.   When students leave The John Marshall Law School, they remember a favorite professor, a heart-stopping exam, good times with their study group, teammates in a competition. And, the indelible mark of love is given to students by Miss Marilyn J. Criss. They carry her endearment with them for years. She is a special person who brings a kind spirit to the law school through her warmth, compassion and genuine love for all associated with the law school. What goes on in the classroom is important, but just as important is for students to know they have someone to turn to when they have a problem. Miss Criss, the administrative assistant in Student Affairs, is their shoulder to cry on, the knowledgeable mother who can give advice, and the great confidant. She doesn’t judge. In her eyes, everyone is equal and all deserve respect. “It behoov...

Went to what could have been an AARP event but it was actually Morrissey’s final date on his 2024 US tour.  Great mix of music spanning his 40 plus year career.  Played two of my top three favorite Moz songs - Jack the Ripper and Speedway. Southpaw doesn’t work well for a concert at ten minutes plus   The rendition of how soon is now was exceptional. I remember the song being part of the set in 1986 but the 2024 version seemed more impressive (no offense Johnny). The acoustics at the Genesee might be better than the Aragon. The final song Speedway is great - in my own strange way, I’ve always been true to you. In my own sick way, I’ll always be true to you.

 After more than half a century of unwavering loyalty to the White Sox, during which I have experienced fleeting highs of victories and all too many lows of defeats, I find myself at the end of a very bad journey. The time has come for me to end my relationship with a franchise that has been a significant part of my life and with the sport of baseball itself. This decision has not been made lightly but results from years of observation, reflection, and complete disillusionment with how the franchise and the sport have evolved. The White Sox, a team I have supported through thick and thin since childhood, has, in recent years, been emblematic of broader trends within baseball that are increasingly difficult to support. Once seen as custodians of a storied legacy, the ownership now appears to operate with a mindset that prioritizes financial gain over the love of the game and the fans' loyalty. This self-interested approach has not only affected the team's ethos but has also had ...

 During the Chicago White Sox's harrowing streak of 21 consecutive losses, echoing through the empty aisles of baseball history, one can't help but recall the spirit of Bill Veeck—a man whose legacy with Chicago baseball, both the White Sox and, incidentally, the Cubs, becomes ever relevant in such trying times for the team. Veeck, once the colorful owner of the White Sox, found himself in the front row of Wrigley Field's center-field bleachers back in 1983, not out of allegiance to the Cubs but rather in protest against the new direction of the Sox under Eddie Einhorn and Jerry Reinsdorf, who sought to transform the club into a "high-class operation." Veeck's presence at Wrigley symbolized baseball's enduring appeal to the common man—a stark contrast to the White Sox's current, grim march into the record books. This tale of Veeck's self-imposed exile from Comiskey Park to the bleachers of Wrigley, where he regaled fellow fans with stories, ser...

In light of his recent antics in front of an audience of Black journalists centering on Donald Trump's behavior and his approach to empathy, rationality, and respect for diversity, a provocative question arises: If Donald Trump seemingly deviates from behaviors traditionally ascribed to humanity, what species might he more closely align with, theoretically speaking? First, it's essential to recognize that human beings are characterized by a complex set of traits, including empathy, logical reasoning, and respect for diversity. These are traits that have evolved over millennia, fostering social cohesion and collective progress. When individuals significantly lack these characteristics, it begs an analysis that might offer a new perspective on their actions and motivations. It's been observed that empathy, a fundamental human trait, enables individuals to understand and share the feelings of others. This emotional intelligence forms the basis of moral and ethical behavior...

 In an incident that could only be described as a masterclass in irony, the self-styled illustrious former President Donald Trump (after all, there’s never been anyone like him) graced the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) convention in Chicago with his presence, in a performance so charged with self-congratulation that it nearly broke the sarcasm meter. During this unforgettable engagement, Trump delivered the punchline of the century, proclaiming himself "the best president for the Black population since Abraham Lincoln." The crowd must have been stifling laughs, as Trump, with his well-documented and nuanced understanding of racial dynamics, bestowed upon them this nugget of historical revisionism. The show didn't stop there. Trump ventured into the realms of identity politics, offering his take on Vice President Kamala Harris's racial identity with the expertise of someone who has clearly spent years studying the complex tapestry of race in Americ...

 Jerry Reinsdorf and his team never stop giving, because what we all really love is watching the Chicago White Sox redefine failure in such innovative ways, I'm practically giddy. Established in 1901, this team has been breaking hearts and dreams for over a century, but this year? Pure, unadulterated disaster artistry. All those years of my childhood, zealously soaking up White Sox history, now seem like a masterclass in masochistic nostalgia. And just when you thought the Black Sox scandal was the franchise’s rock bottom, surprise! They’ve managed to dig a whole new sub-basement of disgrace. Last night’s game against the Kansas City Royals was a particular treat. For seven blissful innings, they dangled the sweet, naïve hope of victory in front of us, only to yank it away in the eighth with the finesse of a professional dream crusher. Ah, John Brebbia, a so-called reliever, giving anything but relief after serving up a grand slam to Bobby Witt Jr. Watching our three-run lead eva...