Long Rivalry Ends In A Draw

It has been said that the Dallas Cowboys were "America's Team". As memory serves, this term was coined about the time they had several players who were on work release from jail because of drug crimes. I understand that we are a drug culture with a football problem, but the fallacy of the name just sticks in some people's craw. I have traveled to over half of the states in the U.S. and have only seen a few Cowboys bars, where the entire decor is devoted to this so-called America's Team. On the other hand, virtually every state that I have been to has a Packer's bar. Something about being a little fish in a big pond has a certain attraction. With just over 100,000 people in our town, it feels especially sweet to take big city teams to the woodshed for a good thrashing. Oddly enough, if you look at the history of these teams meeting at Lambeau field, they are locked in a dead heat for wins. With a dozen wins each, it seems that there is no clear winner, but for those who have the luxury of living here in Green Bay, fresh off the win, there is no question about which team is better.
Oddly enough, there is a sense of pride in being locked in this eternal struggle. Hit for hit, pass for pass, down for down, we have matched wits, strength and strategy to a draw. Like a game going into overtime, it's clean slate between us here on the hallowed grounds of 1265 Lombardi. America's team or not, we're on an even footing with them and that in and of itself has great rewards. The sweetest victory comes when you get down to cases. The relationships that we develop between and among fans. I can't tell you about Texas, but fans here apologized in advance for the thrashing we were about to dole out. We honor and respect the fans that came to see the contest and we opened our shrine and accepted the misguided fans from "down there". Unlike some who take the game too seriously, we had compassion for our adversary. When the game became a blow out, we didn't strangle the life out of them, we held back and kept the score down. It was actually sad to see grown men at a loss for what to do in the face of our defense. Even harder, was to see the number of times that the way the cookie crumbled was so one sided.
Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, but for today we can feel pretty good about the most recent win, we just won't talk about the fact that in Lambeau at least, we are in a dead heat with twelve wins each. Thanks for the contest, the excuse to party and the chance to cream "America's Team".

When I first began The Otherfish Wrap

Back in the day, we had two competing newspapers in my town. One was large, and exquisitely conservative. The other was overwhelmed by their own "underdogism". My own belief is that there is nothing inherently good about being an underdog, but neither is there anything patently evil about being the biggest fish in a small pond. In a youthful reaction to these two opposing forces, The Otherfish Wrap was founded. At the time, I worked in a print shop, and fanzines were the rage amongst my cohort of punks, tree huggers, and freaks. Looking around for a forum for intelligent discussion of topical issues, finding none, I took it upon myself to start a vehicle for thoughtful outsiders to share perspectives and converse about issues that are important to all of us as well as our neighbors. Rather than crying wolf, as our smaller newspaper nearly always did, or telling people not to worry (about critical issues), or to worry (about false threats) as the Gannett-owned paper did, The Otherfish Wrap took a hard look at decisions that have lasting impacts on the environment, human health, education, welfare and security.

Many of my friends, acquaintances and even some strangers have encouraged me to develop a cable access program that features meaningful conversation about these important points. In time it may come to that, but for now, this is my forum. cheaper than printing and distribution of my "paper", and far more accessible, The Otherfish Wrap exists here for your enjoyment. Rather than constantly seeking diametrically oppositional belief systems, my goal is to find points that all people can agree on and try to educate everyone about ways to tailor their own lives to reflect deeper truths that have direct effect on our quality of life. I shy away from those who demonize and dehumanize their opposition, so I try not to be one of "those guys", however, when you have egg on your face, I will point it out to you. Like a good friend, I'm not going to let things go, just 'cause they make you uncomfortable. Holding one's feet to the fire is considered torture, ask any witch, but when the fire is of your own making, don't expect me to let you walk away from it either!
Living, as I do, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, I have always been a bit of an outsider. First and foremost, I'm not a big football fanatic. I do love great defense, because I was around for the "Glory Days" of the Green and Gold, but I also realize that the Greeks invented sport to keep the public distracted from politics. The technique still works today (as do glib, self-righteous and close-minded talking heads) and I believe that this alienation of people from the decision making process. This in turn directly affects us, and in my opinion this is pathological in a society such as ours that has little respect for the birthright of individuals to clean air, unadulterated water, healthy food and a living wage. Sports rarely have real world value, and the amount of attention we pay to these things waste time that could be spent solving problems. We must also ask ourselves, why we waste so much time on issues that are reportedly "unsolvable" by pundits. The erosion of human rights and Liberty have not been justified by any threats, real or imagined. The Otherfish Wrap is my own personal attempt to question the logic behind the fear tactics that are being perpetrated on the people of the world for the profit of a few and at the expense of us all.
I may not fit in because of several other things that are unique to my experience, but these cannot be covered in a short post here. Suffice it to say, my own experience has led me to revel in study, unlike many folks I have known, I thrive on learning. Those who are like me know that this is both blessing and curse. Going with the flow is out of line for those who see the pressing need for change. I'm suspicious of the "experts" that they find for every "crisis" that "arises". Recognizing that opinions are like a**holes, can we not see the fallacy in recognizing every delusional, opinionated "expert" that is paraded out for the cameras in today's media? Needless to say, if you are a Fox News Junkie, you won't like what I'm doing here. I would encourage you to open your eyes, and mind, to the truth that I'm seeking. You may be surprised at what you will learn.
My children have asked, "Why does news have to be bad?" I'm here to prove that it doesn't have to be. In my seeking for answers, I am given courage to continue my quest for solutions that honor life, honor individuals, and respect both the dreams and aspirations of those who are willing to feel, learn and grow in the direction of the highest good for all people and the planet that we must all share. I invite you to take a ride with me on the way back to Eden. Truth needs no support to stand. Lies need to be constantly shored up and buttressed to survive. I will have none of that. Speaking truth to power has created most of our martyrs. I don't expect that to stop, but in the end, we have two choices. To put our heads in the sand, or to bravely stand shoulder to shoulder against repression.
Each day, it helps to ask, Whom do I serve?
Blessed Be, and may your answer become, the next seven generations! Namaste' T. C. Saladino