Another dreadful Jets loss last night. Lucky for me, I fell asleep at halftime and didn’t get to see it unfold. Back when my friend Lance was alive, I would get to my office every Monday during the season and find a phone message from him mournfully intoning Yiskadal v’yiskadash, the Jewish prayer for the dead.

One play I saw last night had poor, hapless Zach Wilson, the most maligned quarterback in Jets history (which is saying something, believe me), break out of the pocket, elude a tackler, and race down the sideline for a touchdown! Hurrah! However, the replay showed he just stepped out of bounds by about an inch back at the three yard line, so they placed the ball back there and it was first and goal from the three. Then the Jets ran a nice running play to score the touchdown again. Hurrah! But this time they were flagged for a holding penalty (a sh*t call, IMO) and the ball was brought back to the thirteen. That was the last hurrah — they couldn’t score from there and had to settle for a field goal — three points instead of seven. They wound up losing the game by that four point difference, 16 to 12. It’s a good thing I’m not the type of fan who gets bitter (much).

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Is it starting to get cold where you are? Vermont Lizzie — you up to your pupik in snow yet? Today’s poem from The Writer’s Almanac addresses that. It’s called “Opposing Forces,” and is by Eamon Grennan.

Even in this sharp weather there are lovers everywhere
holding onto each other, hands in one another’s pockets
for warmth, for the sense of I’m yours, the tender claim
it keeps making—one couple stopping in the chill
to stand there, faces pressed together, arms around
jacketed shoulders so I can see bare hands grapple
with padding, see the rosy redness of cold fingers
as they shift a little, trying to register through fold
after fold, This is my flesh feeling you you’re feeling.

It must be some contrary instinct in the blood
that sets itself against the weather like this, brings
lovers out like early buds, like the silver-grey catkins
I saw this morning polished to brightness
by ice overnight. Geese, too: more and more couples
voyaging north, great high-spirited congregations
taking the freezing air in and letting it out
as song, as if this frigid enterprise were all joy,
nothing to be afraid of.

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58A yesterday was “Where to see heads of gladiators, informally.” I couldn’t make any sense out of the answer, even when I got it via the crosses: AMEX CARDS. It finally hit me, there is a gladiator logo sort of thing on AMEX credit cards.

But one Rexite argued that it was a Roman soldier — not a gladiator. To which Kitshef replied: From the US Patent and Trademark Office’s official website:
American Express Marketing & Development Corp
Application #90862191
Trademark application details
“The mark consists of a Roman Gladiator Head enclosed in an oval shape design.”

You’d think that would end it — it’s the goddamn U.S. patent office.

But “Fox” posted: Um.. the guy on the AMEXCARD is a Roman Centurion, nearly the antithesis of a gladiator. I mean, they both fight but under very different circumstances. [A centurion is a soldier who fights in battle. A gladiator fights in competitions. Sort of the difference between a Marine and a pro wrestler or boxer.]

Then “Beezer” chimed in with:

Apparently the “is it a GLADIATOR or a centurion” debate “is a thing” and is mentioned in Wikipedia. After looking at various Roman gladiator AND centurion helmet images, my conclusion is the “real” helmet images for both provide much more protection than the AMEX helmet image, but the Amex image allows you to see the handsome Roman profile. I think the “safety/security” thing associated with the centurions is probably right when paired with a credit card.

Want more?

Sailor cited a website devoted to company logos which said:

“The man dressed in ancient armor is referred to as a gladiator in both the original trademark and also in the current American Express trademarks. The initial trademark of 1958 described the gladiator in the American Express logo as a gladiator on a shield whereas the current American Express website lists the logo character as a Gladiator Head Design. The lawsuit of 1989 between the Vibra Approved Laboratories and the American Express also simply termed this character within the logo as a gladiator head design. However, there are many who believe that the gladiator is a centurion who in the roman century was a commanding officer and a part of the general Roman legion.”

We sent Phil over to Rome to see if he could resolve this vital issue. He spent all of his time there drinking, and came back with this shot. She’s a gladiatrix. Good work, buddy!

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Life and death in the USA.

By all accounts, Fred “Bubba” Copeland, was a decent guy, and very well-liked, beloved even. He was the mayor of Smiths Station, Alabama, population 5,384. He was also a pastor at the First Baptist Church of Phenix City, AL. His wife Angela was a teacher and cheer coach at Smiths Station Junior High. He had two stepchildren and one biological child from his first marriage.

On November 1, 2023, journalist Craig Monger of conservative news website 1819 News reported on social media posts by Copeland in which he wore women’s clothing (see above) and described himself as a “transgender curvy girl.” The contents of Copeland’s posts allegedly included explicit photos of himself, and transgender pornography.

Before the report was released, Copeland spoke with the website, claiming that his behavior was a “hobby” for “getting rid of stress.” He also said “I’m not medically transitioning. It’s just a bit of a character I’m playing.” Copeland requested that the article not be published, citing his family and his position as a pastor.

Waste of breath, right? His request was ignored.

Speaking at the First Baptist Church, Copeland said “Yes, I have taken pictures with my wife in the privacy of our home in an attempt at humor because I know I’m not a handsome man nor a beautiful woman, either.” He added, “I’ve been an object of an internet attack. The article is not who or what I am. … I apologize for any embarrassment caused by my private and personal life that has become public. This will not cause my life to change. This will not waver my devotion to my family, serving my city, serving my church. I’m thankful for the grace of God and the willingness to forgive. I have nothing to be ashamed of. A lot of things that were said were taken out of context. In conclusion, I love my family. They’re number one. And, again, I’m sorry for what my actions have caused.”

Leaders in state Baptist associations stated that they had “serious concern” about Copeland’s “alleged unbiblical behavior.” Hmmmm. Yes, this is very serious indeed.

Copeland noted to a friend that he was having “dark days” and was being attacked viciously online. Two days after speaking in church, Copeland killed himself with a handgun. Former U.S. Senator from Alabama, Doug Jones called the attacks on Copeland and the circumstances of his death sad and disgusting. Ya think?

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Peter LORRE popped by the puzzle today: “Actor Peter of ‘M’ and ‘The Man Who Knew Too Much.’” He was Jewish, born in 1904, and fled Nazi Germany after Hitler came to power. His name at birth was Laszlo Lowenstein.

Here’s some interesting stuff about his family, particularly his only child, Catherine. Lorre was divorced twice before marrying Anne Marie Brenning in 1953 who bore Catherine that year. Lorre died in 1964 and Anne Marie in 1971. Catherine later made headlines after serial killer Kenneth Bianchi confessed to police that he and his cousin and fellow “Hillside Strangler” Angelo Buono, posing as undercover police officers, had stopped her in 1977 with the intent of abduction and murder, but let her go upon learning that she was Peter Lorre’s daughter. Only after Bianchi was arrested did Catharine realize whom she had met. Catharine died of complications from diabetes, in1985, when she was only 32.

Life can be stressful, and Lorre sometimes lost his head. On this occasion, his buddy Vincent Price found it and returned it to him. He’s looking a little suspiciously at Phil, though. Phil!! Run!!

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Maybe we should all run, now that I think about it. See you tomorrow.