Steve Cotler Steve Cotler

Irrepressibly True Tales

One man's squint at the metaphorical signposts, songbirds, soapboxes, street musicians, and hot dog stands of life. Criticism, lyricism, polemics, performance, and making change…all with mustard.

Rule Book Racism: Can a Black Athlete Celebrate?

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In 1964, Cassius Clay, then only 22, brashly boasted that he would upset 7-1 favorite Sonny Liston for the world heavyweight championship. “I am the greatest!” he shouted. In retrospect, Clay clearly was the greatest. Why did his outbursts upset so many white sportscasters and fans?

In 2000, San Francisco 49er big personality and wide receiver Terrell Owens was hit with a one-week suspension and a $24,000 fine for twice placing the football on the opposing team’s mid-field logo after scoring a touchdown. The claim was that Owens incited the crowd and disrespected his opponent. Did he?

Many similar incidents later, in the Dallas Cowboys 2008 opening game, Owens was hit with a 15-yard penalty for dropping into a sprinter’s starting position and emulating Olympics gold medalist Usain Bolt after catching a second quarter touchdown pass. The NFL has a rule against excessive celebration. Why? Continue reading “Rule Book Racism: Can a Black Athlete Celebrate?” →

Women’s Rights–Nothing Since 1993?

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On November 15, America’s military gave a woman four stars for the first time. The Army promoted Lt. Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody, 55, to four-star rank. Breaking the brass ceiling, she will take over as commanding general, U.S. Army Materiel Command, Fort Belvoir, Va.

“I recognize that with this selection, some will view me as a trailblazer, but it’s important that we remember the generations of women, whose dedication, commitment and quality of service helped open the doors of opportunity for us today,” Dunwoody noted.

Yes, we should remember those women who opened the doors. Continue reading “Women’s Rights–Nothing Since 1993?” →

Canvassing in Colorado

— 2:20 pm · Comments Off on Canvassing in Colorado

For the last two days I’ve been knocking on doors. Once a Rocky Mountain red, Colorado’s purple, on the eve of election, has tinted blue.

In surprisingly warm November air, I walked Lakewood, a suburb city northwest of downtown Denver. My streets were sidewalkless and potholed, the mailboxes nameplated with Lopez, Guzman, Escalante.

“Who you with?” a beard dragging a cigarette challenged as he opened his car door.

“Obama Campaign…getting out the vote,” I replied.

“Yeah, I guessed. McCain…he don’t come here. Continue reading “Canvassing in Colorado” →

The “Parade” of Misrepresented Presidential Tax Proposals

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Parade Tax articleToday’s issue of Parade, the fish-wrap magazine included gratis in my and many Sunday newspapers, included an article entitled: How Much Would You Pay in Taxes?

It purports to be a non-partisan evaluation of how the two presidential candidates’ tax proposals would affect citizens of various income levels, but it is an example of either sloppy journalism or very clever misrepresentation.

Continue reading “The “Parade” of Misrepresented Presidential Tax Proposals” →

Arms and Armor at Cleveland Museum of Art

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Armored Knight on horsebackThe Cleveland Museum of Art is in the midst of a massive renovation, so only a fraction of the collection is currently on display.

But there is still much to see. The Arms and Armor Room is magnificent.  Its many artifacts illustrate the armorer’s craftsmanship, art, and weapons development, as well as the pomp and ego of those who wore and/or showed off the hundreds of pieces.

I spent more than an hour in this single room, marveling at how each advance in weapons technology led to a concomitant upgrade in armor (note how the knight and his horse are Pentagonalmost fully sheathed in metal) until the introduction of firearms canceled out the armored warrior’s advantage.

Our Pentagon is a direct descendant of this “march of progress.”

Steve with students at an author event

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