Broadsides by Sage
Photo Illustration By Victor Kerlow
Stay woke, your friend Sage.
Add Birding to a list of things you cannot do while black.
Photo Credit:
Cooper Vs. Cooper
Amy Cooper was walking her dog in Central Park’s Ramble area of New York, a little patch of semi-wilderness in an otherwise manicured park. She allowed her dog off the leash, which is against the rules.
The verbal dispute between Amy Cooper, a white woman, with an unleashed dog, and a black man Birding in Central Park would have gone unnoticed in a city preoccupied with the coronavirus pandemic.
That changed when bird-watcher Christian Cooper (no relation) pulled out his phone and captured Amy Cooper calling police to report she was being threatened by “an African American man.” The Widely Watched Video, posted on Facebook by Christian Cooper and Twitter by his sister, sparked accusations of racism and led to Amy Cooper getting fired.
It could have been a great inter-racial love-story for a Hollywood motion picture. The Hysterical Dog Owner Meets Stoic Bird-lover.
However, in light of the murder of George Floyd, there is no doubt Ms. Coopers’ antics could have ended tragically.
Fatal Distraction
Photo: Win McNamee/Getty
With the Coronavirus (COVID-19) infections and deaths skyrocketing, Trump has enough blame to assign to everyone else. The hit list is impressive. It includes China and the World Health Organization (WHO) to name, but a few.
The initial slow response, lack of testing, and the absence of a national plan have left us all shaking our heads.
Dr. Kill
I was always worried about trump bullying the medical and scientific community into submission, and it seems he has succeeded. The rush to reopen the country before getting the pandemic under control is scary. Lives will be lost, and essential workers are merely sacrificial pawns in a cynical bid to bolster his reelection.
The Coronavirus Taskforce is now invisible. Hmmm! Maybe I could take that Lysol enema.
Bronx Bomber
Andrew Cuomo; New York Governor
Honest, Intellectual, witty, and feisty. If Joe Biden contrives to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in November, my nominee for 2024 has got to be the ‘Bronx Bomber,’ Andrew Cuomo.
Dark prophet
Muhammad Ali is a sporting hero not solely to his athletic skills, but also, of his unwavering social activism. In the sixties, his opposition to the Vietnam war led him to be stripped of his title and exiled to sporting wilderness.
In the present day, Colin Kaepernick is the social prophet unappreciated in his era. The NFL quarterback (QB) blackballed for taking a ‘knee’ against racism and police brutality.
Colin, everyone is taking a knee now!
Newly Available 'Battlezone Domination' White House Edition War Games!
The perfect game for wannabe armchair general
Terrorize peaceful protesting civilians with your own highly trained goon-squad. Flashbang grenades, tear gas, and rubber bullets all at your disposal. Bible photo-op not included.
Photo: Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images
Broadsides by Sage
Photo Illustration By Victor Kerlow
Stay woke, your friend Sage.
Inside Baseball - The Cheaters
The adage goes 'Cheaters never win, and winners never cheat.' Doesn't seem to apply to Major League Baseball (MLB), and World Series champs, the Houston Astros. In the wake of the sign-stealing scandal, the Astros widely seen as champs with an asterisk. During preseason their players were subjected to abuse from fans and fellow professionals. The Astros slide into infamy only been halted by the delayed start to the season due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
A few officials lost jobs, and half-hearted apologies offered. The Astros did not forfeit their title, winning bonuses, and no substantial fines against the club. Indeed, perhaps, MLB needs to follow the example of the International Olympic Committee, which came down hard on Russian drug cheats. In the soccer world English giants, Manchester City banned from the Champions League after violating financial rules. Cheaters should never prosper, and only the fear of strict censure will root them out.
Russian Roulette
There are billionaires I love and respect not only for their business acumen but also because of their humanitarian efforts. For example, Bill Gates, through his foundation, has impacted lives globally. Especially in the realms of health and education. In contrast, Mark Zuckerberg is all about the money. Despite the 2016 debacle in which we were trolled by bad actors through social media, Zuckerberg seems willing to take cash from anyone without any moral qualms. What Price Democracy?
Wall Street Hustle
Shocking revelation, politicians look out for their own personal as well as political interests. Three senior senatorial figures so far have been named in a stock dumping after secret coronavirus briefing. All three sat on key committees that had inside knowledge of the looming crisis. Be ready for a few investigations.
Crimes And Punishment
No tears for Harvey Weinstein. It took years to bring this vicious predator justice. Hope he embraces "Rikers' style hospitality." Kudos and love to the brave women who put this monster down.
Much respect!
Broadsides by Sage
Photo Illustration By Victor Kerlow
Broadsides: Donkey Derby, Hero Takes a Fall, Gone Hollywood, and finally, Corona Madness. Stay woke, your friend Sage.
Donkey Derby
It has just begun, and yet I’m exhausted already! The Democratic primary is driving me nuts. Yang wants to give me cash, bickering Bernie, and slick Mayor Pete all add to the air of a reality TV show. Uncle Joe looks jaded and Elizabeth has a plan for everything. Pick someone already! I will vote for Daffy Duck if it looks like he could beat Trump.
Hero Takes a Fall
I was gutted by the untimely and tragic death of Kobe Bryant. There is no doubt in my mind he was the GOAT; however, his contributions were not just limited to basketball. Bryant’s charitable deeds often understated and were lauded as a loving family man. Unfortunately, no book about Kobe would be incomplete without a chapter on the alleged rape charges against him. That being said, with Kobe and other victims lying dead in still smoldering wreckage, I was stunned by reporters fixated on the allegations. There are a time and place for everything, please note Miss King. RIP Kobe.
Gone Hollywood
The Oscars thankfully drew the curtain on an overblown award season. I’m not sure what annoys me more, Hollywood’s lack of diversity or a stunning absence of originality. Thank god for Netflix, 'Parasite,' and Tarantino. I can count the number of times I went to the movies last year with fingers to spare. Two movie tickets, cokes, and popcorn are no longer a cheap date! Hollywood’s endless caravan of retreads, sequels, and over-hyped comic-book fantasies, kept me out of the theaters. In my opinion movie execs naked pursuit of megabucks has diminished ‘Tinsel town magic. Finally!
The Corona Madness
As the scary Corona Virus turns into a pandemic, the ugly face of racism and prejudice has come to the fore. Sino phobia is real. Asian stereotypes are back in vogue with an extra side dish of fear and suspicion thrown in for good measure.
In California, since the onset of the outbreak in China; anxiety, and misinformation related to the coronavirus have fuelled anti-Asian prejudice. Fake flyers telling diners to avoid Asian-American restaurants because of the coronavirus. People signed petitions urging school closures over the virus in some areas.
Many may be quick to assume just because someone is Asian or from China that somehow they are more likely to be carriers of the virus.
An empathy shortage here and amid this crisis let’s hope we do not lose our humanity.
Stay woke, your friend Sage.