Saturday, November 12, 2016

Goodbye for now, and Thanks

I'm the husband of a woman of color, from a family of immigrants. I'm the father of three great kids, obviously of mixed race. One, my incredible daughter, is gay. She works in Chicago as a social worker and tireless advocate for the elderly. She does great things every day and she's my hero. Right now I'm worried about what their future holds.

As for myself... I've spent most of my adult life teaching and coaching young people at economically disadvantaged schools and trying to be a positive influence on them. I think I've succeeded for the most part. I am worried about these kids, too.

On Tuesday we as a country, a country I love deeply, elected a man without character or compassion, as our next president. It's been difficult for me, over the last few days, to sit here and try to write about sports cards when the only thing I really have on my mind is the kind of country we've become. How the hell did we get to the point where this contemptuous "man" is about to represent us on the world stage? To paraphrase John Oliver...look up, waaay up...see that spot waaaaay up there? That used to be rock bottom.

I swore I'd never write anything political here in what I've always hoped would be a fun diversion for me and maybe a reader or two. Right now I'm struggling to even type this. I certainly can't put effort into a card post. I don't see that changing for awhile.

I've 'met' really good folks and made some friends through this blog and for that I've very very grateful. I may try to update my 1958 and 1960 blogs as time goes by. I may even come back here and kick-start things if I get the urge.

I'll end with this video of the late Leonard Cohen's incredible Hallelujah by the equally incredible kd lang. There are some amazing renditions of this song out on the web. Maybe the most compelling is by Alexandra Burke but kd's means the most to me. Please give it a listen. And thanks so very much for reading.

-Bob




12 comments:

  1. IT is truly a sad time and period your country is about to go through. Stay positive, and turn your attentions to your wonderful family and make the lives of those around you better the best way you can. Thank you for all the kind posts you have put on my blog over the years and I do hope you get the urge to come back and post again.

    2016 has truly been a tragic year in many respects and I can only hope the next year will offer us something better. Take care Bob!

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    1. Thanks, Dave. I'll still collect stuff and I'll read some blogs. So I'll see you around. Happy Hockey!

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  2. Sad post. Hoping things don't get too bad, and to see you back and posting again soon.

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  3. I hope to see you around. I enjoy reading your blog and your comments around the blogosphere. I hope that the people of America can work together to show love and respect to each other. I still believe that the majority of Americans are good people, and I hope that the voice of the people and the checks and balances in our system will work to keep the new President from causing harm. I have family of various races and a brother who is gay, and I don't want them to come to be hurt at the hands of the government that I work for.

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  4. I agree with the others. Sad indeed...

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  5. I'm trying my best to stay positive about this whole election... but reading posts like this and having students (60 to 75% first or second generation immigrants) worried and scared about their future makes it really difficult. In terms of equality and civil rights, I can't help but feel that we took a few steps back and it's very disheartening. However... I'm trying my best to give our next President the benefit of the doubt and hope he remembers that America is the Land of Opportunity.

    P.S. Wow... KD did an amazing job on that song. Thank you for sharing and I hope things work out positively for you, your family, me, my students, all of our friends, and every American out there.

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  6. Hope to see you back Bob. I wholeheartedly agree with Raz. Most Americans are good people. This country is very resilient.. I will be in touch. I have a couple of pieces set aside for you.

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  7. Come on, man. Toughen up. We've made it through 44 presidents. We'll make it through 45. Don't stop doing what you enjoy doing. Keep writing and posting.

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  8. I hear you. It is entirely possible that this reason is as much a reason for my collecting malaise as anything Topps has done. In Trump, I see an authoritarian waiting to take control of everything and play "turn back the clock" on civil liberties for all Americans. It scares me to death.

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    1. This election was never really about Trump. Oh, he had a certain percentage of people who bought into his 'Make America White again' foolishness but this was simply an Anti-Clinton vote. People who otherwise walk around making rational decisions voted for a guy who mocked a handicapped reporter, called an American hero a 'loser', has had a long history of criminal business practices, disparaging women and whose primary campaign theme was putting his opponent in jail. Not one Trump supporter I know (and I know plenty) can justify It's shameful and not what this country means to me.

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  9. I am like-minded with you on the political matter. Very disappointed in my fellow Americans that voted against a fine candidate. Thankfully, the time that has passed since the election has helped me heal a little bit, and I hope it has/will with you too. Ultimately, I am an optimist and will continue to try to move my world forward. Meanwhile, card collecting et al is a good diversion.

    Reds Fan Bill

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