LBJ

Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ) became the 36th president of the United States on November 22, 1963 when then President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.  A former United States Senator from Texas, he was elected Vice President in November 1960.

Under LBJ's leadership, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 became the law of the land.  It outlaws discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin.  It prohibits unequal application of voter registration requirements, racial segregation in schools and public accommodations, and employment discrimination.

To me, the most important aspect of the Act relates to discrimination related to public accommodations.  Before the law, owners of businesses open to the public could legally not serve certain customers based upon their race, color, religion, sex, and national origin.  

I remember a scene from the film Gentlemen's Agreement (1947) in which a man claiming to be Jewish was denied access to a hotel and the film Giant (1956) in which a Mexican-American family was denied access to a restaurant.

Future governor of the State of Georgia, Lester Maddox, opened the Pickrick Restaurant in Atlanta in 1947.  It did not serve Black people.  After the Civil Rights Act of 1964 became law, Maddox closed his restaurant rather than serve them.  

US Senator Barry Goldwater (from Arizona) opposed the Civil Rights Act of 1964.  While stating that he personally would not discriminate against anyone based upon their race, color, religion, sex, and national origin, he believed a business owner should have the right to do so.  I was very disappointed in Goldwater, a man I supported in his run for president in 1964 against LBJ.

When LBJ became president, there were 16,000 US troops in South Vietnam assisting that country's government in their struggle against communist insurgents.  By the end of his presidency in 1969, that number had risen to half a million in an effort to defeat Vietnamese communists.  

LBJ's military advisors convinced him the war was winnable if he had enough troops on the ground.  As more and more Americans became war casualties, LBJ became more and more unpopular and his political capital waned.   

On March 31, 1968 (a Sunday), I was sitting in my car in Flushing, Queens, New York City listening to an address to the nation by LBJ.  I was shocked, as was the rest of the American people (including the media) when he said,  "I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your President."

On January 22, 1973 (50 years ago today), LBJ died of a heart attack at his ranch in Texas.  He was 64 years old.

The Cosmos

In the summer of 1966, I was home on vacation before my final year of college.  On July 30th, I was curious to watch on TV the final game of that year's World Cup broadcast live from London.  

It was my first experience with what we call soccer.  England won its first and only championship, defeating West Germany 4-2 in overtime.

I did not realize that Brazil, the team that had won the previous two World Cups (1958 and 1962), had been eliminated in the group stage by losing to both Hungary and Portugal.  However, it went on to win the World Cup again in 1970.  

Those Brazilian teams were led by Edson Arantes de Nascimento (known by the nickname Pelé), considered the greatest soccer player of all time.  After retiring from his Brazilian club team (Santos) in 1974, Pelé brought his soccer talent to the United States in 1975 by signing to play with the fledgling New York Cosmos.

On June 15, 1975, Pelé made his New York Cosmos debut in a Father’s Day friendly game against the Dallas Tornado (which ended in a 2-2 tie) played at Downing Stadium (built during the Depression as a WPA project) on Randalls Island located between Queens and Manhattan.  

21,278 lucky souls (including my ex-wife Bonita and me) can truly claim to have witnessed the match live, setting an attendance record that would be broken several times over the next three years for the Cosmos. 

Ten million viewers were watching on CBS, shattering the record for a United States audience for soccer on TV, plus countless other viewers in another twelve countries watching a live match played in the United States for the first time.

I remember two things about that game.  One was Pelé's bicycle kick and the other was the awful traffic jam we suffered while trying to exit the Downing Stadium parking lot.

When the New York Cosmos moved into the magnificent new Giants Stadium in New Jersey in 1977, it looked as though they, and soccer, had finally arrived in the USA. Before then the Cosmos rarely attracted crowds larger than 15,000.  In the 1977 season, they averaged more than twice that figure and three times surpassed 60,000.

The sudden change could be credited to one man: the incomparable Pelé, who had come out of retirement three years earlier, at age 34, to join the Cosmos and try to turbocharge soccer’s popularity in the United States. 

Pelé led the Cosmos to the 1977 Soccer Bowl, in his third and final season with the club.  Pelé finished his official playing career on the 28th of August 1977, by leading the New York Cosmos to their second Soccer Bowl title with a 2–1 win over the Seattle Sounders at the Civic Stadium in Portland, Oregon.

Pelé died in Sao Paulo, Brazil on the 29th of December 2022, at the age of 82, as a result of colon cancer.

Fourteen Points

In August 1914, what was known as the Great War (now World War I) began, mostly in Europe.  In April 1917, the United States, under President Woodrow Wilson, entered the Great War on the side of the French, British and Russians against Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy.   

On January 8, 1918 (105 years ago) Wilson made a speech (known as the Fourteen Points) outlining what he believed would be a strategy for ending the Great War and creating a lasting peace for the world.  He set out specific goals he wanted to achieve. 

If the United States soldiers were going to risk their lives, Wilson wanted to establish exactly what they were fighting for. Through this speech, he became the only leader of the countries fighting in the Great War to publicly outline his country's war goals.

Summary of the Fourteen Points:

1. No more secret agreements between countries. Diplomacy shall be open to the world.
2. International seas shall be free to navigate during peace and war.
3. There shall be free trade between the countries who accept the peace.
4. There shall be a worldwide reduction in weapons and armies by all countries.
5. Colonial claims over land and regions will be fair.
6. Russia will be allowed to determine its own form of government. All German troops will leave Russian soil.
7. German troops will evacuate Belgium and Belgium will be an independent country.
8. France will regain all territory including the disputed land of Alsace-Lorraine.
9. The borders of Italy will be established such that all Italians will be within the country of Italy.
10. Austria-Hungary will be allowed to continue to be an independent country.
11. The Central Powers will evacuate Serbia, Montenegro, and Romania leaving them as independent countries.
12. The Turkish people of the Ottoman Empire will have their own country. Other nationalities under the Ottoman rule will also have security.
13. Poland shall be an independent country.
14. A League of Nations will be formed that protects the independence of all countries no matter how big or small.

A League of Nations was formed but without the United States participation, which caused it to be weak.  The United States Senate blocked its participation by failing to ratify the treaty establishing the League.

The promise of the Fourteen Points helped to bring the Germans to peace talks at the end of the Great War in November 1918. However, the actual results of the Treaty of Versailles (ending the war) were much harsher against Germany than the Fourteen Points. 

The treaty included a "Guilt Clause" blaming Germany for the war as well as a huge reparation sum that Germany owed the Allies. These differences were insisted upon by the French because their economy was largely destroyed by the Germans during the war.

In my opinion, the Treaty of Versailles crippled Germany and led directly to the rise of the Third Reich and World War II.

In his speech, Wilson said regarding Germany, "We do not wish to injure her or to block in any way her legitimate influence or power."  He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1919 for his efforts to establish peace in Europe and the whole world.

The Professionals

 One weekend late in 1966, I visited my brother and sister-in-law, Joel and Judy, in Flushing, Queens.  I was fixed up on a blind date.  It was decided we would first go to the movies to see a new release, The Professionals which had an amazing cast:  Burt Lancaster, Lee Marvin, Robert Ryan, Woody Strode, Ralph Bellamy, Jack Palance and Claudia Cardinale.

After the movie, which I enjoyed very much, I asked my date if she knew a place where we could go and talk.  She took me to a bar with very loud music where we could talk only when the band was on a break.  Never saw her again.  

Regarding the film, in the early 20th Century, a wealthy American named Grant (Bellamy) hires a team of professionals: Fardan (Marvin), Dolworth (Lancaster), Ehrengard (Ryan) and Sharp (Strode).  Their job (for $10,000 each) is to travel into Mexico and rescue Grant's wife Maria (Cardinale) who has allegedly been kidnapped by a bandit named Raza (Palance).

After travelling to Raza's camp and sneaking into the bedroom where Maria is being kept(?), Fardan and Dolworth discover they'd "been had."  Maria wasn't kidnapped, but had escaped from an arranged marriage to return to her lover.  

But instead of abandoning their mission, Fardan wants to finish the job as promised.  The four professionals take Maria by force and attempt to deliver her back to her husband in America.  

Along the way the four have to defend themselves from Raza and his army of men and one woman.  In fierce fighting, Raza is wounded (but not abandoned) and all his followers are killed.

At the conclusion, the four professionals deliver Maria to Grant.  She however prefers the company of Raza.  Grant orders one of his men to kill a defenseless Raza.  Dolworth stops this.  Fardan then allows Maria to take Raza in a horse drawn wagon back into Mexico.  

Grant angrily turns to Fardan and says "You bastard!" to which he retorts: "Yes, sir, in my case an accident of birth. But you, sir, you are a self-made man." The professionals ride behind the fleeing wagon.

In essence, the Raza's army of supporters were killed for nothing.  They were trying to prevent the professionals from taking Maria back to Grant.  They failed.  But in the end, the professionals allowed Maria and Raza to escape Grant and return together to Mexico.  What a waste!

Abraham's Son, Chapter 12

INT. ABRAHAM'S BEDROOM - DAY 

On Friday morning ABRAHAM sits on his bed, in his pajamas, feet on floor. He is somber after catastrophe previous night when he confronted SARA with his request to have his baby. He should be on his way to work, but it's as if he's frozen. Finally, he places call to cellphone of his assistant, JANET. Her phone rings. She answers.

JANET (O.S.): Hello. 

ABRAHAM: Janet, it's ABRAHAM. How are you? 

JANET (O.S.): ABRAHAM, morning. This is a surprise. What's the matter? 

ABRAHAM: Nothing. Listen, I'm taking some vacation time, today and all next week. I'll be back in the office a week from this coming Monday. Please tell everybody. Okay? 

JANET (O.S.): Sure. But is everything really okay? This is quite unusual for you. I'm concerned. 

ABRAHAM: No reason to be. I'm perfectly okay. I appreciate your concern, but there's nothing wrong. I just need a break. I expect to travel some. I'll see everybody in ten days. Bye. 

JANET (O.S.): Bye, ABRAHAM. Have a good trip. 

ABRAHAM hangs up phone. After waiting some moments, he looks in his wallet and finds card his friend ROBERT gave him. He calls him on his cellphone. Phone rings. ROBERT answers. 

ROBERT (O.S.): Hello. 

ABRAHAM: Robert, it's ABRAHAM, your old friend from Queens. How are you? 

ROBERT (O.S.): ABRAHAM, it's great to hear from you again, especially so soon. What's going on? 

ABRAHAM: I decided to take you up on your offer to visit D.C. How about I come down on Amtrak tonight? We can have dinner. I can stay for a few days. What do you say? 

ROBERT (O.S.): Oh, wow! This is great news. Sure. Let me know when and I'll meet you at Union Station. I have a guest room you can use for as long as you want. 

ABRAHAM: Fine. I'll call you a little later with my arrival time. Bye-bye. 

ROBERT (O.S.): Bye, ABRAHAM. 

They both hang up their phones. ABRAHAM again waits some moments before making another call, this time to his cousin SYLVIA. Phone rings. SYLVIA answers her cellphone. 

SYLVIA (O.S.): Hello. 

ABRAHAM: Sylvia, it's ABRAHAM. How are you? 

SYLVIA (O.S.): ABRAHAM, I'm so glad to hear from you. I'm so happy about you and SANDY. She's the right woman for you.

ABRAHAM: Yes, SANDY's great, but right now I need to talk to you and you have to promise me you won't mention any of it to SANDY. Please, can you do that? 

SYLVIA (O.S.): What's going on? That's a strange request. 

ABRAHAM: Not strange. Necessary. I'm not ready to talk to SANDY about it, but I am with you. Promise? 

SYLVIA (O.S.): Okay. Promise. What? 

ABRAHAM:  I've been thinking a lot lately about having a child of my own. I feel it's something I need in my life, for many reasons. Obviously, there are obstacles. 

SYLVIA (O.S.) (incredulous): ABRAHAM, you're sixty years-old. Not thirty. I'm sorry your child didn't survive, but that time of your life is over. 

ABRAHAM Why? I read all the time about older men, men my age, having children. I'm up to it. 

SYLVIA (O.S.): Okay, you're up to it. How are you gonna get one. Marry a young woman? Adopt? Look for a surrogate mother? What?

ABRAHAM: That's still up in the air. 

SYLVIA (O.S.): You know, this is not gonna sit well with SANDY. She doesn't want you and a baby. This is not the lifestyle she's planning. 

ABRAHAM: I realize that. I'll have to take that risk. But, right now, my priority is a baby, not SANDY. 

SYLVIA (O.S.): Want to know what I think? 

ABRAHAM: That's why I called. 

SYLVIA (O.S.): I think you're crazy. It's foolish. You're mashugana. I can't think of any other way of putting it. Please reconsider, ABRAHAM. 

ABRAHAM: I'll take what you said under consideration. I appreciate your advice. But, again, not a word to SANDY. 

SYLVIA (O.S.): Believe me, she's the last person I would tell this to.

ABRAHAM: You must tell no one. 

SYLVIA (O.S.): Okay, okay. 

ABRAHAM: I'm going to Washington tonight to visit an old friend from high school. I'll be back in a few days. Bye and thanks.

SYLVIA (O.S.): Bye. 

__________

I will be on vacation next Sunday, Christmas Day.  Next post will be January 1, 2023

Jim Brown

 Jim Brown was born February 17, 1936 in St. Simons Island, GA.  At eight years of age, his family moved to Manhasset, NY where his mother worked as a domestic.

Jim Brown attended Manhasset High School where he excelled at football, lacrosse, baseball, basketball and track.  In 1953, he matriculated at Syracuse University, a mere 40 miles (65 KM) from my hometown, Oswego, NY.  As such Jim Brown and the Syracuse Orange became my favorite college football team.  I was able to listen to their games on the radio.

After his freshman year, Jim Brown became the star running back on the 1954, 1955 and 1956 Syracuse teams.  As a sophomore he was the second-leading rusher on the team. As a junior, Jim Brown rushed for 676 yards (5.2 per carry). In his senior year, he was a consensus first-team All-American. 

Jim Brown finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting and set school records for highest season rush average (6.2) and most rushing touchdowns in a single game (6). He ran for 986 yards, third-most in the country despite Syracuse playing only eight games and scored 14 touchdowns. 

Then on New Years Day in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Jim Brown rushed for 132 yards, scored three touchdowns, and kicked three extra points in a 28-27 loss to TCU.  He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame.

Perhaps most impressive was his success as a multisport athlete at Syracuse.   In addition to his football accomplishments, Jim Brown excelled in basketball, track, and especially lacrosse.  He is in the Lacrosse Hall of Fame.

In the NFL draft, Jim Brown was chosen by the Cleveland Browns (named for their coach Paul Brown).  In those years, Cleveland was the arch rival of my favorite team, the New York Football Giants.  Thus, he went from being on my favorite college team to being on my least favorite NFL team.

During his nine year NFL career (1957-1965), the Giants & Browns had many battles and Jim Brown broke my heart many times.  However, I can't deny his greatness.  I was happy for him when his Browns beat the Baltimore Colts in 1964 to become NFL champions.  

I was privileged to have seen Jim Brown in person three times:  against the Giants in Yankee Stadium in 1962 (Browns lost 17-13), the Philadelphia Eagles at Franklin Field in 1964 (Browns won 28-20) and again in 1965 (Browns won 35-17).  The night before the '64 game I saw him walking on the street in Center City Philadelphia while my brother Paul and I were on our way to a movie theater where some of his teammates sat in front of us.  

In 1966, Jim Brown was in the UK filming the movie The Dirty Dozen along with Lee Marvin, Charles Bronson, Ernest Borgnine, John Cassavetes, George Kennedy, Ralph Meeker, Robert Ryan, Telly Savales and Donald Sutherland.  As a result of some production delays, he was late in returning to the Browns for their pre-season practices.  In an attempt to force him to return ASAP, the team fined him for his lateness.  In response, Jim Brown retired from football.

His name appears many times in the NFL record book, despite only playing nine years at a time when the schedule was at the most 14 games per season (today 17).  Jim Brown is the only running back in NFL history to average over 100 yards per game for a career.  He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  I and many others consider Jim Brown the greatest running back of all time.    

Niagara

There are two cities with the same name, Niagara Falls, one in the State of New York and the other in the Province of Ontario.  Between them is the world famous Niagara Falls.

"Formed by the Niagara River, which drains Lake Erie into Lake Ontario, Niagara Falls has the highest flow rate of any waterfall in North America that has a vertical drop of more than 50 meters (160 feet). During peak daytime tourist hours, more than 168,000 cubic meters (5.9 million cubic feet) of water goes over the crest of the falls every minute.  Niagara Falls is famed for its beauty and is a valuable source of hydroelectric power."  It used to be considered an ideal location for a honeymoon. 

In 1929, after her graduation from college in Oswego, NY, my mother, the former Margaret Karch, took a job as a teacher in Niagara Falls, NY.  Early in 1930, she returned to Oswego and married my father, Harry Lasky.  My mother once confided in me that she had to borrow money from my father during her year in Niagara Falls.  During my youth, my family and I vacationed at least once at Niagara Falls, Ontario, a trip of 162 miles (260 km) from Oswego.

In 1953, Henry Hathaway directed the motion picture Niagara which starred Marilyn Monroe, Joseph Cotton and Jean Peters.  It was a thriller movie that was filmed on location in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

Ray and Polly Cutler (Peters) arrive at a hotel (Rainbow Cabins) in Niagara Falls, Ontario on their delayed honeymoon only to find their reserved cabin (with a beautiful view of the Falls) still occupied by George (Cotton) and Rose (Monroe) Loomis.

George, asleep, has "not quite been himself."  The Cutlers politely accept a less desirable cabin so as not to disturb George.

George and Rose have a very volatile marriage. She is young and very attractive. He is much older, jealous, depressed and irritable. 

While touring the Scenic Tunnels under the Falls, Polly sees Rose passionately kissing another man.

The next day, Rose lures George into following her to where her lover is waiting to kill him. To let Rose know that George is dead, her lover will request the Rainbow Tower Carillon play the song "Kiss". When she hears the tune being played on the carillon bells, Rose concludes George is dead.

In fact, it is George who has killed the other man, thrown his body into the Falls, and collected his shoes at the exit instead of his own. This leads the police to believe that George is the victim. 

When the body is retrieved, the police bring Rose to the morgue to identify George's body. When the cover is lifted from the face and she recognizes the dead man, Rose collapses before saying anything and is admitted to a hospital. 

George has the carillon play "Kiss" again to panic Rose, who flees the hospital, intending to cross the border back to New York State. Finding George waiting for her at the border, Rose tries to escape,  hiding in the carillon bell tower. George catches up to her and strangles her beneath the bells, which remain silent. 

This is not the end of the film, but it is for me.  Poor Rose, Poor Marilyn.