Alone or Not

The legal strategy now allowed in sexual predator cases that nailed Bill Cosby and maybe Harvey Weinstein is permitting the testimony of many women in order to establish a "pattern of conduct." Previously, each woman had to stand alone.

I wonder what will happen if these cases reach the Supreme Court.  Just this week, there was a 5 to 4 decision (hello, Neil Gorsuch) depriving employees of the right to band together to fight the bosses' companywide policies.  And, if I understand it right, each employee -- if they want to get hired --
could be forced to agree to arbitration thus blocking them from the courts and the jury system.

So, again if I understand it right, a woman has a better chance of fighting sexual harassment than a woman or a man standing up to employer harassment.

The guys keep their priorities intact, don't they?

All or Nothing

Sports fans like me are noticing a chorus of complaints from the talking heads.  In baseball, they are lamenting the dominance of either a home run or a strikeout.  "We are losing the great shortstop play, or the exciting throw from third or deep in center," goes the dirge.

In basketball, they point to the three-pointer.  "Not enough action under the basket.  Too many points piled up too fast."  Some have suggested widening the court to make those shots from the corner even more difficult.  Of course, they would have to move back some of the millionaire seats, so it probably will never pass the ownership test.

All this reminds me of what is happening in Washington.  Devil or savior.  Crook or white hat.  The games and the political game have this in common:  lack of contact...lack of engagement.  Too much air between home plate and the stands.  Too much air from mid-court into the basket. Too much hot air on cable.

And I haven't mentioned the arrival of legalized sports gambling.  Everyone is predicting a flood of cash.  Sounds like politics to me.

Why We Shake Hands

After the Sixers' playoff run came to an end when they lost to the Celtics, Joel Embiid walked off the court without shaking hands with the winning team.  Bad sport.  I immediately remembered when Isiah Thomas and the Pistons turned their backs. The Bulls had finally defeated them after so many tries.  He and his team were criticized for being such bad sports.  I never liked Isiah again.

So, I was disturbed when one of my favorite sportscasters, Jemille Hill, defended Imbiid and the ESPN colleagues she was discussing it with seemed to agree. "He was showing his passion for winning.  Showing that he was serious."

Yes, of course we root for our favorites.  But we understand that both sides are serious.  Both sides are passionate.  We shake hands to acknowledge the beauty of engagement.  The winning is sweet because this time it's your turn.  Next time maybe not.

Pointless Points

My bridge playing friends know what the expression "Points Schmoints" means:  there is more than one way to evaluate a hand.  I was thinking about this as my friend David lamented that a computer breakdown had prevented him from getting the "points" he needs for a free donut.

Then I went home, opened my email, and found out that because one vendor considers me a "VIP Customer",  I am entitled to "points(!)" which I can use at times and for purchases that are too complicated to describe.

Walgreens is a little more straightforward.  Seniors get 20% off on the first Tuesday of the month.  Of course, you have to remember the date. But, like bridge, they say memory games are good for your brain.

Target gives 5% discount on everything as long as you use their "Red Card."  I'm sure there is profit in there somewhere.

Facebook probably wishes they were giving "points" for your VIP identity.