Character Revealed

I'm back from a brief sabbatical in Tahoe for the wedding of the most lovely Becky Webster and Aaron Dolberg and return bearing the fantastic news- from my completely biased, nepotistic perspective - of my grandfather's induction into an Ohio sports Hall of Fame. Yours truly was tapped to write the induction text, which I have enclosed here for your eyes only ....

Basketball’s most successful coach, the great John Wooden, professed that “Sports do not build character … they reveal it.” Similarly, football’s most revered leader, the legendary Vince Lombardi, once remarked that his game “is like life, it requires perseverance, self-denial, hard work and sacrifice.”

It is fitting then, that Percy Squire’s accomplishments on the athletic fields of the Mahoning Valley are reflective of the same great character he has demonstrated both as an exemplary family man and as a pillar of the Youngstown community for more than 80 years. Perseverance, hard work, denial and sacrifice … these are the critical, if unglamorous and often undervalued traits required to excel on the hardwood, on the gridiron and on the baseball diamond.

More importantly, these are the same attributes required of a man whose childhood was set against the backdrop of the Great Depression and an era of institutionalized discrimination. These are the same values required of a man who labored inside the hot, fiery belly of a blast furnace for more than 40 years. Most of all, these are the qualities that have defined the life of Percy Montgomery Squire – both inside and outside the lines.

This extraordinary life, remarkable not for its exotic or unusual nature, but for its honest persistent, upright dignity, began on the First of November, 1921 in the tiny hamlet of Garysburg, North Carolina. Two years after the birth of their second child, however, the Squire family departed this Appalachian village for opportunity; opportunity that went by the name of Youngstown, Ohio, the booming steel town Percy would call home for the rest of his life.

The early years of that life were spent on the family’s west side homestead, where Percy was reared under the watchful eye of his mother, Florence, and his father John, and where he played with his older brother John P. and his sister Ethel McMullen, née Squire. Time would soon carry young Percy onto Stambaugh Elementary school, and later to Chayney High, where he lettered in football and basketball, starring at right halfback on the gridiron and at guard on the hardwood.

Immediately after receiving his diploma from Cheney, Percy underwent a rite of passage common to men of the Mahoning Valley at that time – he exchanged his graduation cap for a hardhat at the Carnegie-Illinois plant that would later become known by a more familiar moniker – US Steel. Percy gave 40 years of blood, sweat, tears and toil to the company, turning in his hat only when the company pulled stakes from Youngstown in 1981, while offering him a new job at its Cleveland facility. A Mahoning Valley man to the last, Percy refused the offer, opting instead to spend more time with his family, which by this time included his wife Ruth, whom he married in 1943; two daughters, Florence and Cheryl; one son, Percy; and a quartet of grandchildren: Joy, Troy, Reva and Deidre.

In the years between his first Carnegie-Illinois paycheck and his final blast furnace shift, Percy gave of himself ceaselessly, both to his family and to the community. His was a regular face at Price Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church; he was a stalwart member of McGuffey Center; a volunteer with Hospice; saxophonist with the VFW Marching Band, a member of Youngstown’s Northeast Homeowners’ Association and the East High Boosters’ Association; and a beloved leader and Institutional Representative for the Boy Scouts, Troop 18.

Those civic accomplishments indicate a love of life and an appreciation for the ethos of sacrifice and teamwork that carried over to the Youngstown playing fields where Percy distinguished himself as a stellar performer on numerous softball and baseball teams. Whether he was starring in the Cisco Playground or Double-A softball leagues, claiming the championship of the West Federal Street YMCA Industrial League, taking the field for The Whale Inn, or representing Local 1330 in the Tri-State Softball League, Percy’s feel for the game, fast bat, quicksilver speed and silky fielding allowed him to ably man that most demanding of all positions, shortstop. His skills were so undeniable that even legendary professional franchises came calling on his services.

In 1943, the Birmingham Black Barons, former employer of the incomparable Satchel Paige and future employer of the man often cited as the greatest player in the history of baseball – “Say Hey” Willie Mays - invited Percy to tryout for their team. This was no mediocre squad, as evidenced by the fact that, later that very same year, the Black Barons advanced to the Negro World Series, where they faced the mighty Homestead Grays. Yet, even an illustrious outfit such as this one, stocked with future Hall of Famers, thought it could benefit from the addition of one more special talent.

In characteristic fashion – we are reminded once more of those core values – self-denial, hard work and sacrifice – Percy declined the invitation in order to further his career at the mill and devote himself to his new wife, Ruth Squire, formerly Ruth Gatewood. So, it is entirely appropriate that, on this day, Percy receives his long overdue reward and joins the likes of Mays and Paige by earning entry into the Hall of Fame - not the one in Cooperstown, but the one in Youngstown - the city that shaped the timeless, priceless values that define the man and his legacy.

Bushwacked!

So, I’m attending a wedding in Tahoe this weekend and making my final preparations for the big event, which include a visit to the barbershop for a quick trim. The trip was the source of some anxiety, because after rocking the bald dome for the past seven years, I recently decided to embark on the quixotic mission for the perfect ‘fro, no matter how long it takes.

This decision has sent me on a thankless quest for a “good, reliable” barber. Since I’m growing my hair out, it shouldn’t be too difficult to find an acceptable choice, seeing as all I require is that he clean up the hairline every few weeks – none off the top, mind you. Alas, victory is elusive.

With that in mind, I ventured over to The Fillmore to check out a new place and get cleaned up for the nuptials. After a half-an-hour wait (not bad for a Thursday evening), I was called on by one of the twentysomething barbers and happily settled into the chair. He said he would just be a minute and disappeared into the back room where he remained for about 15. Upon his reemergence, he yapped on his cell phone for another ten minutes or so, periodically telling me he’d be “just one more second”.

He then went outside to engage in a pathetically obvious drug buy. Very sloppy. I’m not objecting, but at least keep it clean, boys. A little discretion is warranted here. So, my man gets the goods, tells me to “hold on for one more minute” and heads into the back room to blaze. He returns in a cloud and finally gets down to business after another (blissfully) brief phone call.

At this point, I’ve been in the chair around 40 minutes and the shop is about ready to close. Still, I’m cautiously optimistic. I figure the kid just got his puff on, he’s in the zone and he’ll take his time to do it up lovely. So, I tell him, “I just want you to line it up. I’m growing my hair out, so don’t take anything off the top, just edge it up and make it clean.” Pretty straightforward.

So, after just a few minutes I feel him going up in the hair line and when I ask what he’s doing, he tells me he wants to taper it just a bit to make it look better, adding “Don’t worry, I know it feels like I’m taking a lot off, but I’m not.” Deprived of my glasses and reduced to blind-as-a-bat vision, I can’t verify this without causing a major production, so I give myself over to the Lord.

Who abandons me.

When the bushwhacking is finished and I’m presented with the mirror, its apparent the kind bud did not help his creative juices. My budding ’fro is gone – butchered beyond repair. I look like the off-brand version of Ron DeVoe, circa 1987.

This, just a day before I’m reunited with friends I haven’t seen in years. The hack job is so bad, I can’t even play it off like I’m going for the retro look. It’s criminal and I feel like I should be able to file some sort of professional malpractice suit.

Would anyone object to the creation of a governing board for hair stylists - sort of a Supreme Court, Star Chamber-type committee that could banish the worst offenders to the nether regions of the universe? These are the type of improvements in our everyday lives that politicians should be working toward to keep the public some recourse when they’ve been wronged. Instead, it’s off to find a hat store. Anyone know of one on the road up to Tahoe?

SnooperBowl

Man, to be young again. I know if was playing youth football and Snoop tapped me for his squad, I'd be down with the clown.

Money quote: “The rapper and sometime actor also made personal phone calls to draw in top talent, and last year his Rowland Raiders went undefeated en route to a league championship.”

Can you imagine picking up the phone and getting a personal pitch from the D-O-Double-G asking you to join his team? Oh, and did I forget to mention custom-made Tiffany trophies? For shizzle, my nizzle.

I'll Be Home By 9:00 - I Promise!

This is why you ask Mom to borrow the getaway car before you break-and-enter:

So, This Is What The Gold Rush Is Reduced To?

I’m sure there are more nuanced economic readings of this story, but when 11, 000 people apply for 400 jobs at Wal-Mart, it’s probably not a great sign for the economy.

Relevant quote: "It's not about Wal-Mart -- it's about the rest of the labor market," Levy said. "If the rest of the labor market was strong, you wouldn't have 11, 000 people applying for 400 jobs."

Wal-Mart is the outfit that, perhaps more than any other American corporation at the moment, is condemned for providing low wages and meager benefits. Yet, people are beating down the doors like they’re giving away free Cabbage Patch Kids.

To be fair, a $10.82 average wage – “average” not always being the best measure in these kind of studies - is not too shabby for retail. That works out to $1,731.2 a month which should, you know, allow you to rent an apartment, pay a car note and maybe keep the light on in Alameda County. What you were hoping for more?

“Woooooo Pig! Sooey!

For all those who like to gnash their teeth, pull their hair and lament over America’s cultural inferiority, we humbly recommend this item.

I suggest we get a team of rabid Razorback fans together and fly them over to southern France for a pig-calling clash of the titans. It’ll be like Rocky V. Drago - except with pork rinds served ringside. Ok, that’s wishful thinking. Maybe a nice Bordeaux – and pork rinds.

A Small Price to Pay for History

… but then again, $182,000 buys a LOT of Jameson’s

Don't Fear the Reaper

Uninspired by the presumed candidates for president in 2008? “More Cowbell” may provide just the inspiration a beleaguered nation needs to emerge from the doldrums.

An elaborate hoax, naturally, but it begs the question. Is Walken more “presidential” then John Cusack? WhiskeyRebllion says yes! (He just has more gravitas.)

Jimmy Conway woulda wacked somebody for this ...

All right, so this is exactly what you DON'T do after you successfully pull off one of the biggest bank heists in history. Sheeesh, didn't these guys ever watch Goodfellas?

Spread the Love

The aftermath of this fiasco must have made the triple bypass seem like a day at the beach. One bypass for each wife - coincidence? On the bright side, the fine was only the equivalent of $126. I paid $115 for a jaywalking ticket once, so I think he got off pretty cheap there.

In fairness, though, there were probably late fees added on to the fine because the check was late. I thought I could get away without paying being that I don’t have a car and it wasn’t really a moving violation, well, I was moving, but you know what I mean – not in a vehicle. The court was not persuaded evidently, because they threatened to suspend my license. I still remember that when the officer wrote the ticket, on the line where you indicate the speed the offender was traveling, he put 4 MPH. And people say cops don't care about their jobs.

Honey, I'm Sooooo Sorrry

And if you can't hack the marriage until you're 104, there's always this option:

Shut up, Harold! There's Nothing Good About Getting Old!

I like how the husband in this story spouts the typical platitudes about love, hope commitment and devotion that one expects from an old – extremely old – couple when explaining how they have survived for so long.

Then his wife chips in with the “Life is Hell” sentiment. Way to tell it like it is, grandma. That reminds me of how, when we were twenty or so, my good friend Christian (C.D. Manders) used to comment on how we couldn’t wait until he aged so he could say whatever he wanted and wear loud-ass plaid pants and no one could do anything about it because he was so old. There’s not much to embrace about aging, but being resolved of the obligation to match and make sense when you talk is some consolation.

Hey, Will You Let Go of the Controller Already?

OK, so this qualifies as an ignoble death. But the question is, did he make it to Level 35 and unlock the code of invincibility?

Barbara at the Bat

Not that making fun of old ladies is cool or anything, but Whiskey Rebellion will entertain a chivalry break in order to bring you our Photo-of-the-Day (scroll down to the main pic) Note: this is what happens when you bean the opposing batter. And he’s big. And he voted for Kerry. Or his brother was Willie Horton.

Tired of all that Inspirational Crap?

Did you feel like the movie Office Space was written for you, specifically? Are you tired of the trite, motivational posters adorning conference room walls? Does the rah-rah speech and slap on the back from your boss feel like an ice pick through your shoulder blades? Well, then, we have just the site for you.

The above link comes courtesy of the one-and-only Mr. C.D. Manders. Say hello if you’re ever in the ’Burgh.

"So, Who Are You Voting For?"

The other night at Kate O’Brien’s, a brief argument - inspired by political fervor, sociological inquiry, copious amounts of Jameson’s and the odd mind eraser - broke out over black Republicans: who are they, how many are there, what is the nature of their motivations, etc.

Predictably, the discussion degenerated into a shouting match, a series of off-color jokes and another round of shots, but as I stared up at the ceiling the next morning, replaying the previous night’s events and bemoaning my throbbing head, I gave the subject some more reflection. In the process I recalled that while growing up I only knew two non-born again black Republicans - although that's not something people admit to readily, so who knows what goes on after they enter the voting booth.

An amusing story from my long-lost youth in Pittsburgh illustrates that point. When I was maybe 13 or so, I attended a national high school all-star basketball game at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena (check out Neil Diamond on August 26^th) with my Aunt and Uncle and their son, who was probably about 9 years old. These weren't blood relatives, but close family friends who had earned the honor of the title.

So, we get to the game and settle into our seats which happen to be in front of two men who are what we know in Pittsburgh as "yinzers". They are wasted, but friendly, and my cousin, being young and not yet fully invested with the reflexive fear/distrust of poor white people makes fast friends with them. The good ole boys are yukkin’ it up, having a grand old time with the Cosby kid.

Then, at one point they ask my cousin "who are you voting for?" - a Pittsburgh way of saying "who are you rooting for?" Cous, not being fully versed in the local dialect, misinterprets the question and proudly and immediately responds "Bush! Go Bush! Bush, Bush, Bush!" I cast a sideways glance and see my Aunt and Uncle's faces absolutely stricken with terror as they realize it's now obvious to me they have been indoctrinating their son with traitorous, house nigger Republican doctrine - a development that could, conceivably, make itself known to the entire black community of Pittsburgh.

I, of course, saw only humor in the situation – particularly the look of abject horror on my relative’s faces over a child’s innocent remark – about a basic right – the right to cast your vote for whomever you see fit. But I’ll always remember how they reacted as if a family scandal had been let loose into the open; the incident really underscored the stigma attached to voting Republican. Sometimes, no matter how much you strive for objective analysis, the most evocative moments remain the anecdotal ones.

No Free Trade for You

When CNOOC, the Chinese oil giant - under heavy pressure from the US Government - recently withdrew its takeover bid for the American oil firm Unocal, it was simply the latest in a series of events inspired by hysteria over the rising yellow menace. While the Bush administration can, in most cases, be counted upon to reliably bang the drum of free trade, the threat of a largely state-owned corporation – fueled by the Chinese economic juggernaut – derailed its stated commitment to a relatively unrestrained global economy. And this, in the same week where the US House of Representatives approved the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) despite the strenuous objections of many Americans, labor unions and protectionist politicians of all stripes.

Of course, those who opposed CNOOC’s takeover bid would argue that Guatemalan banana farmers offer little threat to America’s national security, something that cannot be said of the Chinese government, which owns 70 percent of CNOOC. This reasoning conveniently ignores the fact that China’s rise as an economic power and a more prosperous society is based largely on the increased export of goods to the West – especially to the United States - and the resulting increase in purchasing power that this has created for the Chinese, or at least for those Chinese living in the country’s major, thriving economic centers. For better or worse, the two economies are too intertwined to ever seriously broach the thought of war, no matter how much diplomatic posturing and chest-thumping they may undertake. Even if I hate my next-door neighbor’s guts, I’m not going to firebomb his house, if only out of concern for my own.

Nevertheless, a lot of otherwise reasonable people are trying to cast China as the new USSR. Yet, what the rhetoric on both sides – American and Chinese – disguises is the fact that the US and China are bound in a way that the US and the Soviet Union never were – or could have been - under their respective economic systems. So, to suggest that the Sino-American relationship will follow a similarly Manichean path is misguided and ignores the realities of the global economy.

It’s often said, erroneously, that no two democracies have ever gone to war. In fact, numerous democracies, unless you take an extremely narrow and until fairly recently – unrealized - view of the term have gone to war. This is true because the relationship that precludes warfare between two countries is not the nature of their political structures, but the relationship of their economic interests.

I am reminded here of the McDonald’s Peace Formula, which holds that no two countries with a McDonalds have ever gone to war. Perhaps that’s because they’re too bloated to get up off the couch and pick up a machine gun, but I tend to think it’s because wealthy nations don’t like to threaten their prosperity by lobbing grenades at countries that buy their products and line their pockets. Military conflict between the US and China is most certainly not in anyone’s economic interests. Well, maybe the EU’s, but that’s a topic for another day.

Moreover, with particular respect to the CNOOC’s proposed $18.5 billion acquisition, even the economic implications were relatively insignificant. Oil is a valuable resource, to be sure, but Unocal accounts for less than 1 percent of global oil production, well below the typical threshold the government uses for anti-competition review. Condemnation of the CNOOC takeover bid is at best myopic and at worst hypocritical. In any case, it is not the type of incident that builds credibility when the US preaches the gospel of free trade around the globe. It does, however, suggest a new mantra: “Free Trade – but Only for the Free”. That has a nice, Rovian ring to it.

Is That Drakkar Noir?

The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) ran a piece today on security in American shopping malls, which government experts view as plum targets for future terrorist attacks. The upshot of the story is that while the department has issued a slew of stringent security recommendations, mall security firms seem to be opting for easier-to-implement and more subjective enforcement techniques.

As the article notes, the government advised mall security agents to pay special attention to their olfactory sense as would-be bombers often "anoint themselves with perfume, fragrant soap or rosewater in preparation for what they believe will be their martyrdom."

So do a lot of 16-year old boys trying to get a date for the prom. Still, just to be on the safe-side, I’d post a guard and bomb-sniffing dog outside of Perfumania.