Today's MOZEN: Integrity Is Never Out of Style

As a longtime journalist, but not a Constitutional scholar, I would like to share with you my working interpretation of the 1st Amendment, a.k.a. The Right to Free Speech, particularly as it relates to the current Spotify imbroglio involving Joe Rogan, Neil Young, and now Joni Mitchell.

As you may know, Neil Young, a legendary performer who's prime was in the 1970's, challenged the music streaming source Spotify to either remove his music catalogue or Joe Rogan's program, Spotify's #1 internationally rated show with millions of listeners.

It seems that Mr. Young took exception to Mr. Rogan's continued anti-vax, anti-science rhetoric that forms the foundation for his program, especially lately.

Spotify agreed to Young's request and removed his music instead of Rogan's program, again citing their so-called protection of the 1st Amendment. (I'm sure that it had nothing to due with the multi-million $ contract Rogan recently signed with them). Joni Mitchell, recently honored by the Kennedy Center for her music soon followed Young in support and had her music removed as well.

First, and foremost, I am a HUGE supporter of the 1st Amendment. I have been personally attacked for my use of it. But I will not back down.

However, even with that said, there ARE LIMITS to it!

You cannot make public statements that are knowingly, willfully false that may cause harm to others. IN OTHER WORDS, you can't yell FIRE in a crowded theater, causing a stampede, when you KNOW there is no fire!

Now, as this relates to Rogan, Young, Spotify, et al: Rogan may be able to defend himself by saying he believes in that anti-vax/anti-science nonsense. However, Spotify CANNOT! They have an editorial board that is responsible for weeding out those who claim fire when there is none. And, this, obviously is just such a case.

So, no, they cannot claim Freedom of Speech!

But, then again, this seems to be a trend - a dearth of ethics, morals, and scruples through virtually every aspect of our society. There are those who totally miss the point by mocking what they see as a lack of relevance to Mr. Young and Ms. Mitchell - like that should make a difference.

Well, shame on those who do - because INTEGRITY never goes out of style. 

Today's MOZEN: Caring

 

Words and photo by F LoBuono

Today's MOZEN: OXYMORON - The Oath Keepers

OXYMORON

Most of you are familiar with the term. Simply defined it is the combination of two very dissimilar words that come together to create a single, new meaning, usually suggesting a particular irony. Popular examples might include: Little Giant, Small Crowd, Deafening Silence, Pretty Ugly, and, if I may, Compassionate Republican.

Now, in light of recent developments, I would like to add another to my list: Oath Keepers.

This is a group of mostly former military personnel who, simply put, are dedicated to overthrowing the current, DULY ELECTED GOVERNMENT in favor of returning one Donald J. Trump to power.

As the January 6 Congressional Commission precedes with it's solemn duty to discover EXACTLY what happened on that despicable day, they are discovering just how deeply involved these charlatans were in attempting (and failing) to overthrow the CONSTITUTION THEY TOOK AN OATH TO DEFEND.

THAT, my friends, is an OXYMORON.

Well, we know what happens to all tyrants and traitors.

Figuratively speaking, of course. 

F LoBuono

Today's MOZEN: PUT UP OR SHUT UP.

On this date, January 12, 1969, the New York Jets, led by their victory-predicting, white shoe-wearing, brash, trash talking, long-ball throwing, bad-kneed, Alabama Crimson Tide transplant via small town Pennsylvania, quarterback shocked the sports world by leading his team to a convincing defeat of the heavily favored Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III.

This was in the era of not only a divided Nation with 2 distinct sides squaring off over divisive issues like the Vietnam War and so-called Traditional Values versus the Damned Dirty Hippies, but even within culturally iconic institutions like the NFL.

People may have forgotten, but there were 2 major football leagues; the NFL and the recently formed AFL. The NFL, with teams in NY, Chicago, LA, and other major American city represented the Old Guard, the Traditional. The AFL, on the other hand, represented the New Order - bold, aggressive, and braggadocios. These teams included the Oakland Raiders, the Denver Broncos, the Kansas City Chiefs, the Miami Dolphins, and, yes, the New York Jets.

The Colts were rock solid. The had an efficient, if not spectacular, offense, led by the crew-cut Earl Morrall, backed-up the legendary Hall of Famer, Johnny Unitas, a solid running game, and a dominating defense featuring the fearsome Defensive End, Bubba Smith and ferocious Middle Linebacker Mike Curtis.

Still, the Jets had some good players like Winston Hill, Jerry Philbin, Johnny Sample, Matt Snell, George Sauer, Don Maynard, and of course, quarterback, Joe Namath.

Many of these so-called upstarts are now enshrined in the NFL Hall of Fame.

But, on this day, there were supposed to so much grist for the grinding mill that was the Baltimore Colts.

Oddsmakers established the Colts as prohibitive favorites and most of the world agreed - including me; the Colts were just too much for these charlatans!

Furthermore, I must admit that I hated Joe Namath at the time. He was flashy with, IMHO, an arrogant attitude that flew in the face of tradition. And, he wore those ridiculous white cleats! In complete contrast, the legendary Johnny U wore laced up, VERY conservative fully laced, high-top ones. It was totally symbolic!

Then, in a press conference just before the game, Namath GUARANTEED a win.

I was appalled. I mean, where was his sense of modesty?

I wanted the Colts to crush them.

Then they actually played the game.

And, you know what? The Jets did EXACTLY what Namath said they would do - convincingly! They had won their ONE and ONLY Super Bowl. There defense stymied the Colts for the entire game and fullback Matt Snell's bruising runs sealed their fate.

Perhaps, the image that sticks in my mind the most is of #12 surrounded by teammates and an ecstatic crowd, waving a single, defiant finger, #1, in the air as he heads triumphantly to the locker room.

After my initial shock and disappointed with the outcome, the magnitude of what the Jets had accomplished started to take its effect.

And, man, did my attitude change.

My admiration for not the only the Jets, but for Namath himself only increased once I saw the ENTIRE quote from him, not the edited clip aired by ALL major networks - I predict WE will win. I guarantee it. What he actually said was (paraphrased): if my team plays the way it is capable of, we will win this game. I guarantee it.

This is the ultimate TEAM player, really.

And, he was right.

PUT UP OR SHUT UP.

 That was 52 years ago. On that day he became for me, the one and only Broadway Joe. I have not forgotten. 

PS: From that day forward, I  wore white cleats for the rest of my ball playing days.

Today's MOZEN: The Constitution Made Simple - The 1st Amendment

Words and photo by F LoBuono

The 1st AMENDMENT MADE SIMPLE:

PEOPLE ARE FREE TO BE ASSHOLES.

We don't have to like it but there it is . . . 

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT: Easy Living

It may be an understatement to say that we live in challenging times. The COVID virus is reeking havoc in so many ways and the current political climate hasn't been this polarized since the Civil War!

Yet, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, we also live in wonderous times too - and in ways that have become so ordinary that we hardly take the time to notice.

I just experienced one such event - 

On a brutally cold January evening I went into my bathroom to take a shower. As I entered, I turned on the lights with the flick of a switch. I activated my small heater to make the room nice and cozy. Then, with virtually no effort, I opened the valves and clean, clear, HOT water flowed freely.

At that moment, it occurred to me how much in our lives we take for granted. I tried to imagine what a Herculean effort it might have taken to do the same thing just a few generations ago - fetching the water to fill a tub - cutting the wood to create a fire to heat the water - providing light and warmth to the room, etc., etc.

And, this is just one example of so many ways technology has improved our everyday lives. Again, think about it: phones, cars, planes, trains, food shopping, TV, the Internet, garbage disposal and so on are all available to us with virtually NO effort.

Amazing.

So, take a moment to realize that life consists of two sides of the same coin - we experience new challenges that are unique to our time while at the same time we are equally privileged to enjoy the luxuries that these life and times have to offer.

Today's MOZEN: An Infamous Date

Words and photos by F LoBuono

January 6, 2021, a date which will live . . . oh, wait, that's already been used.

But, you get my point.

That day must, and WILL BE condemned in the strongest terms possible. The ATTACK on the U.S. Capitol was not just an assault on a building, it was a defilement like this Country has never seen before. 

Some will argue that the Capitol was actually attacked once before, during the War of 1812. And, that is true. However, there is an important distinction: that atrocity was committed during an invasion by a foreign enemy, i.e. the British. The Insurrection (a more proper term) of 1/6 was committed by our fellow Americans.

Yes, sadly, we are all Americans.

However, as Ulysses S. Grant once famously said: 

Whatever may have been my political opinions before, I have but one sentiment now. That is, we have a Government, and laws and a flag, and they must all be sustained. There are but two parties now, traitors and patriots and I want hereafter to be ranked with the latter, and I trust, the stronger party.

I couldn't agree more.

There are those of us (thankfully still a majority) who do not wave huge banners in a gross attempt at blatant, false patriotism but live quietly within the laws of the Country and do the things necessary to maintain the peace among ALL Americans.

It's called RESPECT -

And, respect doesn't mean blindly following everything that our Government sells us. I am a child of the Vietnam War era and, so, have a healthy skepticism when it comes to politics and politicians. However, I also believe in the ideals of this Country which include a process for addressing our grievances.

One of those methods is called The Vote. And, in November of the previous year, THE PEOPLE of this Country used their SACRED RITE to express their will and totally, completely, and emphatically REJECTED, the previous administration of one Donald J. Trump.

However, true to form, Mr. Trump concocted some bullshit story of a Stolen Election. Despite absolutely NO CREDITABLE EVIDENCE, he continued his drumbeat of FALSE information to the point of encouraging his minions to take what became their despicable actions.

In a way, I never expected more from Mr. Trump. He always was a grifter and he always will be. What still surprises me is how many Americans are still so gullible (or worse) as to not only believe him, but possible even die for him. Him? Really?

I'm sure this appeal will fall on deaf ears. Trying to argue logic and reason with someone who is not willing to listen is like trying to administer medicine to the dead. But we can never stop trying to do the right thing. 

Join the realm of the righteous - condemn that heinous attack, bring those responsible (ALL those responsible) to justice and join your fellow Americans back on the path of real liberty.

Today's MOZEN: The Bucket List - NYE in Times Square

All words and photos by F LoBuono

During my long career as a photojournalist for CBS News in New York, I had the opportunity to not only experience the events many would include on their so-called Bucket Lists, but to be well-paid for it to boot (an important distinction - more later).

These lists often include events that may present challenges with participating in but appear to be worth the experience - well, at least once anyway.

2 of these are Mardi Gras in New Orleans and New Years Eve in Times Square. 

We'll save Mardi Gras for Lent.

I covered New Years Eve from Times Square about a half dozen times for CBS (about 5X's too many). And, I have to say that it is everything that a Bucket-List event should be - because it IS an enormous challenge to accomplish for a very rewarding experience, even if the culmination lasts but a few, shinning moments.

As a photographer, my day started early and ended the same way - early the NEXT day. We would take a taxi from the CBS Broadcast Center on W57th St. with our gear as far as we could go and fight the already assembling crowds to get to our position at the main stage in the heart of Times Square. One year, the crowd was thick that a couple of burly NYPD officers literally passed me, my partner - and our gear - over the crowd to get in place!

The Main Stage, Times Square

By the time we finally got in with our stuff it must have been around noon. We would be on the multi-level platform facing the Main Performance Stage just below the legendary Ball Drop.

You certainly couldn't get a better seat in the house. We were usually situated in the position just below CNN. I remember how they started with Kathy Griffin and Anderson Cooper - before she committed professional suicide and was replaced by Andy Cohen.

Traditionally, next to us was one of the Spanish stations which always managed to rock the platform with too many people having way too good a time!

And, I remember the weather.

Some years we got lucky and the temperatures hovered at freezing or just above. But, I recall that most years we battled the brutal cold for hours at end. At least I could move around the platform a bit, mingle with the crown for interviews, and even use a bathroom in a nearby hotel that was reserved for the press. The civilians waiting in the cattle pens lining Times Square would have no such luxury.

Still, it was enormously challenging. I can still feel the near frostbite in my fingers and toes! I can only imagine how those poor bastards penned up with no chance for leaving until released managed. It must have been very high on their lists for them to go through this.

As the day, evening, and night wore on, the excitement continued to build and it was palpable. The performers were deliberately chosen for their pulsating stage presence - and they never disappointed, whipping the crowd into a frenzy.

Despite the cold and what must have been bursting bladders (NO bathroom trips allowed), the crowd was simply euphoric. They were penned in like cattle, shoulder to shoulder, from every corner of the Country and Globe - for hours. Yet, there was NO violence. NO anger. NO Trouble - Only singing, comradery, and LOVE.

Millions of them!

Then, the Countdown beings:

TEN, NINE, EIGHT . . . 

The excitement builds to a fever pitch . . . 

THREE, TWO, ONE . . .

Then EUPHORIA .

HAPPY YEAR!!

We an explosion of fireworks and the dropping of a magnificent crystal ball, the enormous crowd erupts as one - singing, crying, and hugging.

I've never experienced a single, collective moment of good will like it. Even if for a brief moment, the WORLD IS AS ONE.

And, that my friends, is why it's worth it -

. . . and, I got paid a lot.

HAPPY NEW YEAR - EVERYONE!!

Epilogue: The NYPD and the Department of Sanitation are among the best in the world. Millions of people have assembled, virtually without incident - and, the detritus from it is cleaned up with an hour. 

The Clean up

Today's MOZEN: Moving On

The world keeps turning - sometimes in odd and ironic ways - but turn it does.

I was a recent recipient of just such an ironic twist.

21 years ago, at the age of 45, I decided to marry for the first time. Not only did I marry, but I decided that after all those years of childless bachelorhood, I choose a woman with three, healthy, wild boys aged 12-16.

I like challenges.

My friends thought that I was crazy.

They were probably right.

But, despite her three children, Catherine (who very appropriately asked to be called Cat, never Cathy) was wonderfully wild and fiercely independent. Like the proverbial moth to flame, I couldn't resist.

We burned brightly - for a while. When we were right, we could light up a room with our energy.

And, we traveled the world.

But, then, things changed and we drifted. We no longer had that creative energy that drove our wagon. We started to go our separate ways more and more until, one day, Cat simply went away - entirely.

After 12 years of marriage she decided that she needed to find another way to happiness and just split. She took a 10 week temporary lease on an apartment in the City, something she had always dreamed of doing. The boys (now men) and I were left to fend for ourselves - and we did - as best we could - until it all fell apart. it wasn't as if we were destitute but our center was gone.

I thought there was gas left in that car. I mean, who junks a car simply because it needs to be refueled or tuned-up?

But, that was just me.

Literally.

It was over.

Still, I dallied for a full ten years. 10 years!

Perhaps, in the back of my head, I always believed that somehow we would be able to come together to recapture that old magic we once had. And, I made half-hearted attempts at reconciliation - all to no avail. But, it was also simple laziness. After all, it was just over and no peace of paper was going to change that. That's between two people. So, why bother?

It takes two to tango and I found myself dancing in the dark - alone.

She was no longer interested - and never would be again.

It was time to take action. There were legal implications. Who would inherit my vast fortune, etc.? LOL

After a grueling, brutal process that was MUCH more difficult than it should have been (a post for another day), We finally completed and filed the paperwork with the Rockland County Court to begin our final chapter - divorce.

This happened on Christmas Eve, 21 years to the day to the day I first proposed - and, she said, yes.

On the drive home, in a further twist of fate, Anne Lennox' version of The Clash's, Train In Vain, played on the radio.

The irony was not lost - on me, at least.

Almost a Shakespearean Tragedy, don't you think?

Or, perhaps, a comedy instead.

There was noting to contest anyway. We have no children together. The grand house we owned is long ago sold and the bounty divided. I have no claim on any of her property and she none on mine. And, I want nothing. Nothing. I don't even have a wedding photo.

It was what it was, when it was . . . 

Indeed my friends, World Keeps Turning.

 

Today's MOSTLY TRUE SHORT STORY: Christmas - Then and Now

With Stella

When I was a kid, Christmas was always a modest affair at the LoBuono's - well, with the exception of the incredible food we had on both the Eve and Day.

The Eve in particular, with the legendary, traditional Sicilian Feast of the Seven Fishes, prepared by hand over the course of several days by my mother, Stella, our house was the envy of many of my non-participating friends. To get an invite to the feast was a much- coveted ticket! Shrimp, in various forms, calamari - both fried and sautéed, fillet of sole, and, of course, my mother's favorite, Baccala, or salted cod, that she had soaked in water for days and prepared in a potato soup, was served with sturdy red wine (and club soda, of course).

Yes. Those were the days. Stella is nearly 98 and no longer capable of making that kind of effort. My sister is simply too busy. And, I'm a good cook - just not that good! But, all is not lost - we have it catered now - maybe not the same but who cares? The food is always excellent and we eat TOGETHER.

Back to the past -

We did our best to decorate our house with strings of lights. I always wanted to do more but Stella would have none of it - understatement was more her thing. And, she may have been right. Her favorite thing was a few strings of simple, white lights strung over the lilac tree in the center of our yard. It was beautiful. Stella also didn't like pine needles all over the living room so we always had a nice, white (or silver) tree - never real - I always missed that wonderful fresh, earthy smell. But, I must say that both my mother AND father did have beautiful, traditional ornaments, many of them family heirlooms, to decorate the tree with, making it beautiful still.

Of course, there were presents under that tree - but, not many. We received one gift from our parents, one from each our grandmothers, and one from my mother's sister (my aunt, Anna Maria). My brother and sister contributed when they could (not that often, LOL). Our parents were not of great means but always did their best to get us that one gift that we wanted so very much. I was always thrilled to receive just about anything. A new baseball mitt might have sent me off squealing with glee. My sister was not so easy to please and couldn't help hiding her disappointment if she didn't get the exact gift she had asked for.

The rest of our bounty usually provided the other ancillary stuff that we didn't necessarily want but sure needed! With the possible exception of a nice sweater or shirt, that usually meant things like underwear and socks. We always feigned great pleasure at having received them.

We opened most of them on Christmas Eve. We simply couldn't wait for the morning! We may have left one or two (or our parents hid them) to have one more dose of excitement for the morning but the majority were eagerly exchanged on the Eve.

Well, 50+ years later and some things have changed and some haven't. We're so much smaller as a family that our wonderful meals have not been eliminated but greatly reduced. None of us had children so, sadly, many of the traditions just faded away. Those BIG Christmas Day meals at my grandmother's in Brooklyn with all of my aunts, uncles, and cousins are gone forever. And, we are still very modest with our giving (and receiving). It was just never THAT important and still isn't. What IS crucial is that those of us who have survived are TOGETHER  and will celebrate that very fact.

And, one more thing - as for the underwear and socks? I've aged to the point where I actually asked for them - and, slippers too!

MERRY CHRISTMAS - PEACE ON EARTH - GOODWILL TO ALL