Author: Don T

2024 Copa América: Uruguay, presented by Marcelo Bielsa

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Before elaborating on Uruguay, let me address The Thing for single-issue Uruguay observers: Luis Suárez, 37, is in the squad. Uruguay won the first three recognized world championships of fútbol early last century, and later the 1950 Mundial in Brazil. Those championships represent the four stars atop Uruguay’s crest: The wheat, of

2024 Copa América: Journey to the Extreme (Argentina Preview)

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Argentina has Lionel Messi, the world’s most famous player. “Again!”, point out pointedly some folks my age or older who saw Diego Armando “D10s” Maradona play (197X - 1990). Sure, there are some folks who call Him the most INfamous futbolista, to which I retort: Pft [averts gaze, mutters] this guy... Haters

Subsequent GTD Reflections (Non-Union, Boricua Edition)

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Hola fellow DFO'er.  Hope you're well today. And thanks for coming back even though GTD is off on vacation abroad with Mrs. Decision—Happy Anniversary Woooo! I trust they’re having a great time and enjoying a prime marriage event: being in international waters with no brood in sight. Slammin’. On the local

A Quick One for New Years’

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The 2024 National Football Lee League Year starts today at 3:00 PM Central, at which time the Ravens will formally sign Derrick Henry. Baltimore does have a Titan Turncoat bent, having signed Eddie George and Steve McNair way back then. I did celebrate, a lot, when George and McNair did not

Wednesday Motivational – Owning Deception

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People are self-interested and never perfect: that’s as ironclad as human rules get. But I, a corny Old, also believe that sincere intentions are the best lubricant for human interactions, that understanding and generosity are high virtues, and that truth exists—“Truth” being something definite, beyond subjectivity and interpretation (like NFL

Wednesday Motivational: Listening

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I hate macho crap. The aggro, the bluster, the catcalls, the “words are for PUSSAYS” of it all. It’s a gushing blast of testosterone and a complete waste of brain. In a word, blech. Here’s one thing nobody will ever say about macho types: he was a good listener. Listening requires

Wednesday Motivational: Apologies

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When I’m at peak misanthropy, I wonder about all the importance given to apologies. Nobody’s perfect, everyone says. It’s an accepted truth, such as “people make mistakes”, “shit happens”, “I’m a Gemini”, and other gems of exculpation. And sure, admitting being wrong is a big ask: Who the hell wants to

Wednesday Motivational: Try Again

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The Arizona Cardinals were one thing I liked about the 2023 season. They started the legend of Black Powder (nickname of the season), three of their four wins were against playoff teams (DAL, PIT & PHI), and got Kyler Murray back. Murray looks fine to either start or trade. Arizona

Wednesday Motivational: Perspective

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This is the last week of the 2023 season for NFL fans, the biggest fans of convoluted calendars since the Aztecs. Ask anyone about the 2015 playoffs and what NFL fans mean is: the games played between January 9 and Owl L, 2016. If even identifying a precise calendar year

Wednesday Motivational: Xmas Music Special

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Hello hello. Happy Holidays, which I wish earnestly. Not everybody celebrates Christmas, but nobody is clear from its tornado of consumerism and reliculous traditions. Stores get crowded, traffic gets worse and everywhere you go, there it is, again: Xmas music, melodious browbeating of JESUS, BUY, CHRIST, PAY, LORD and so