BREAK IT DOWN!

Americans are known for many things. One of the issues front and center at this moment in time is, being led by a President who derives his power and popularity from the populist, so-called MAGA Movement and from the religious fervor and loyalty of evangelicals. The two groups, while not aligned on every issue tend to have one thing about which they are virtually always joined at the hip: their support of Trump.

Republicans in general, and evangelicals in particular revel in the assertion of their right to be heard, as Christians, and to have free and unfettered expression and practice of their religion. They are passionate, fervent, and relentless in demanding the right to have everyone respect their religious views.

This past Sunday was Easter, widely acknowledged as one of, if not the holiest of days in all of Christianity. In America, and across the world, wherever Christians abide, believers, parishioners, and worshippers gather on Easter Sunday to commemorate the Crucifixion and three days later, the Resurrection of the Savior. 

It is in that light that we reflect upon the irony of what could loosely be called the President’s Easter Messge.

On Easter Sunday morning, someone who shall not be named posted the following message on the President’s social media account, Truth Social, signed, or signed off on by the President: 

“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the Fuckin’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell – JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah.”

Put aside the president’s uninhibited, if not unhinged, rhetorical flourishes; the very idea of attacking civilian infrastructure such as power plants and bridges is generally considered under the rubric of war crimes by international law experts.

But wait, it’s Easter. How could Christians, particularly otherwise enthusiastically pious evangelicals, overlook the crass nature of the vulgar, profanity-laced language of Trump’s message? 

Oddly, two well-known (not to mention millions of no so well known) evangelicals did just that. Franklin Graham, son of Billy, and Robert Jeffress, not only refused to denounce Trump, they actually praised him. Graham actually compared Trump to Esther in the Bible, sent to save the Jews, as he simultaneously cast the entire Iranian government as Islamic lunatics.

I’m not at all certain the government in Iran is comprised of lunatics. Trump himself has claimed he killed all the lunatics. He said Monday that there has been regime change in Iran, and that the current government functionaries are smarter, sharper, and far less radical. Which is it, Franklin? Whom Should I believe; you or Trump? “Redefining the Easter Message in the Trump Era!”

I’m done; holla back!

Read my blog anytime by clicking the link: http://thesphinxofcharlotte.com. Find a new post each Wednesday.

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Break It Down!:

If you like college basketball, Men’s and/or Women’s, it’s Hype Week. The festivities kick off Friday night with the ladies in Phoenix, where the University of South Carolina Lady Gamecocks will tip off in the opener against the UConn Lady Huskies. The Winner will play for the Title against winner of the nightcap between the University of Texas Lady Longhorns and the UCLA Lady Bruins. These same four teams made last year’s Final Four, and this year, represent an all-chalk matchup, as all four Number 1 Seeds reached the Final Four.

The first game arguably features the two titan programs of today’s game. The coaches, Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma, and the programs, South Carolina and Connecticut, respectively are the standard for the contemporary game. The Lady Huskies bested the Lady Gamecocks in last year’s Title Game. This may be like having dessert before the entrée. But the second game is nothing to sneeze at. Texas and UCLA are powers in their own right. Don’t sleep on this matchup. As noted, both were in last year’s Final Four. Moreover, UCLA’s only loss this year was courtesy of Texas. Fortuitously for fans, perhaps, because they are playing in the Semis, one of them is guaranteed a ticket to the Championship Game. We just have to wait to see which team will emerge victorious in Friday night’s game.

Over on the Men’s side, a little less chalk. Only half of the Number 1 Seeds advanced, and somewhat like on the Women’s side, the best teams on paper meet in the Semi-Finals, as Michigan Wolverines and Arizona Wildcats clash in the late game. But don’t get it twisted, the early game features the Number 3 Seed Illini against the Number 2 Seed Connecticut Huskies. Illinois stormed through the competition to reach Indy, winning all four games by double digits. And lest I remind you, Number 2 Seed Connecticut defeated Duke, the overall Tournament Number 1 Seed to reach the Final Four.

The Women’s Title Game will unfold Sunday, followed by the Men’s Championship Monday Night. This is not a gambling sight, so I’m making no prediction on winners or point spreads. I will say the odds are 100% that the weekend will offer a panoply of great basketball. By all means, if you are a fan of the Men’s Game, the Woman’s Game, or both, tune in. “The Final Fours Are Here: Are You Ready?”

I’m done; holla back!

Read my blog anytime by clicking the link: http://thesphinxofcharlotte.com. Find a new post each Wednesday.

To subscribe, click on Follow in the bottom right-hand corner of my Home Page at http://thesphinxofcharlotte.com; enter your e-mail address in the designated space, and click on “Sign me up.”

Subsequent editions of “Break It Down” will be mailed to your in-box. For more detailed information on a variety of aspects related to this post, consult search engines for more information on the subject.