THE GREAT ONE

On September 30, 1972
 Roberto Clemente became

the 11th man to hit 3,000

in the MLB.

 

 This is his story.

21

FREE BIRD?

Flag by Wilfred Santiago

 

• Lynyrd Skynyrd got some slack from fans, ready with pitchforks, about retiring the confederate flag that has always adorned their stage during concerts.  For some reason, some people find the Dixie flag offensive.

Later on their Facebook page, the band assured fans that they would continue to display the flag at  their concerts after all.

In a statement signed by guitarist Gary Rossington, he asserts among other things:

"Myself, the past and present members (that are from the South), are all extremely proud of our heritage and being from the South. We know what the Dixie flag represents and its heritage; the Civil War was fought over States rights."

Yes, the rights of the States to own slaves, among others. Very capable people have explained the causes for some States seceding from the Union in the 1800's.

Who doesn't like Free Bird?

For a decade or so, certain groups have, to some degree, successfully muddied the waters regarding the reasons for the Civil War, citing all types of angles and explanations for a pretty fucked up idea-- the ownership of another human, reducing her or him to worse than cattle since cattle don't fight much.  You need a stronger hand to keep a man in check.

Currently, some people's main concern is to not to be labeled a racist at all costs, understandably since other than child molester, no label is more feared.

"The Confederate flag means something more to us, Heritage not Hate…"

It's possible back in the 19th century you could love to own slaves.  That mean less work, right? What's to hate?  The South is in America, and nothing says American "heritage" like slavery.

The fact is everyone is the daughter or son of someone.

Southerners must recognize the fact that as humans, some had faults and either did or supported terrible things, consciously or not.  Or simply remained silent.

What happened to all that money made from slavery?  And the properties of those slave owners?  Who inherited all that?  What about the people who fought or voted for the ideas pushed by 19th century politicians and  masters of the universe?  Who are their children and grandchildren? It's not like slave owners left the country after the emancipation. 

Image from Thunderbolt: An American Tale

Southern blacks have the same heritage as Southern whites; they just might see it differently.  And the difference is in the history of African American ancestry.

Packed in ships to the Americas to be used as slaves for centuries, to later on, have the boot of segregation permanently on their throats. Only in the 1950's could the beginning of the end be seen.  That was not a long time ago.  Generations of Blacks in America have spent more time enslaved than free.  Think about that.

African Americans didn't do it alone; many Jewish people and white Americans took part in the Civil Rights movement, putting their heads on the line to end the era of such injustice.

So it was the same in the 19th Century where some saw slavery as objectionable and against all odds, with personal safety at risk, fought tooth and nail to obliterate it. 

These stories should be told over and over again, in all kinds of mediums and styles, at all stages of life and not be left to the mercy of groups with agendas, ignorant people, and deniers.

The 1800's were raw.  Thunderbolt: An American Tale, a preamble to the U.S. Civil war, is the story of one such odd man in a mission from God and who possessed no tolerance when it came to the bondage of humans.  Whatever the cost, it had to be stopped immediately, and he acted accordingly.  

His name was Captain John Brown.

¤

FALL'S HERE

"CHAMBER OF CHILLI"  

(RECIPE)

 Ingredients:

Lamb 1/2 lb (ground)

Turkey 1/2 lb (ground)

Bacon Fat ( 1 Tbsp)

Flour (2 Tbsp)

Samuel Adams Octoberfest (Two 12 oz bottles)

Garlic (2 Cloves chopped)

Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce (1 can 7 oz chopped)

Frontera Tomatillo Salsa (16 oz Jar)

Fire Roasted Crushed Tomatoes (1 can 15 oz)

Pink Beans (Two 15.5 oz cans) 

Mexican or Dark Semi-Sweet Chocolate (6 Squares)

Sugar (1/4 Cup)

Corn ( 1 can 15.5 oz Drained)

Peanut Oil (1/4 Cup)

Chili Powder (1 Tbsp)

Old Bay Seasoning (1 Tbsp )

Oregano (1 Tsp)

Salt

Pepper

Two Cinnamon Sticks

Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese

Instructions:

Season meats with Old Bay Seasoning.  Chop and cook bacon fat on high heat in a stock pot until crispy.  Add flour, lamb and turkey and break apart while stirring until meats begin to brown.  Add garlic and chipotle peppers.  Stir and put on lid for 2 minutes, pour Octoberfest, scraping bottom of pot if necessary while stirring.  Add Frontera salsa, crushed tomatoes, chili powder.  Mix well and turn to medium low heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Finally, add beans, sugar, oregano, chocolate, corn and cinnamon sticks.  Press contents of the pot a little bit with spoon so it thickens while mixing.  Cover with lid and simmer for an hour or two in low heat.  Stir regularly. 

As any witch can tell you, it's all in the stirring, my friends.

Add salt and pepper to taste.  Add flour to thicken if necessary or add water to dilute until desired consistency.

Once you are happy Halloweeny with the flavor, serve in a bowl and sprinkle shredded sharp cheddar cheese. 
About 6 Servings. 

Enjoy.

PIC-A-TWEET of the month (August)

FRESHLY BAKED

Michael Jordan: B.O.P.  Page 32 progression.

Scanned  Final Art

 

Visit The Official Site

T.T.K.E.

Image by Wilfred Santiago

METHOD AND MEANS FOR CREATING ILLUSIONS

   Anyone familiar with Michael Jackson back in the late 1980's remembers the pivotal anti-gravity lean scene in "Smooth Criminal", possible thanks to a special heel designed and patented:

 "A system for allowing a shoe wearer to lean forwardly beyond his center of gravity by virtue of wearing a specially designed pair of shoes which will engage with a hitch member movably projectable through a stage surface.  The shoes have a specially designed heel slot which can be detachably engaged with the hitch member by sliding the shoe wearer's foot forward, thereby engaging with the hitch member."

This move worked. MJ was a dancer incorporating an illusion...  

…Not an illusionist with a dance routine.

Illustration by Al Hirschfeld

Another MJ, basketball star Michael Jordan, also designed his own shoes early on in his career to his specifications to give him an edge on the court.  His gravity defying acts earned him the moniker "Air", illusion through physics.  Both MJs' overwhelming training regiments, their drive for superiority, are all well-documented.  It's no coincidence both dominated their respective lines of business. Michael Jackson was the Jordan of Pop; Jordan was the Michael Jackson of basketball.  They both ruled the cultural background of the 90's to earth shaking impact.

But you can't train smarts.  They thought outside the box, aware there was always room for growth and improvement in their pursuit of excellence.  Certainly an interesting concept to explore in a graphic novel in a time where excellence is perceived as overrated.

Michael Jordan: Bull On Parade is an attempt to capture that "holy crap!" factor, the excitement, and influence of a once in a century character doing what he does best.

Comic artists are in the illusion business.  For those interested in how the sausage is made or in seeing previews of this upcoming biography by Wilfred Santiago, come back often.  

 

2013 from Fantagraphics Books. 

VOTE NOVEMBER 6

Image by Wilfred Santiago