Trump Crimes, a Holocaust Test, and the Unexpected Death of a Friend

I was preparing to write an article this evening dealing Donald Trump’s continued criminal actions in attacking the rule of law and flagrantly ignoring court orders, most recently sending hundreds of Venezuelans to El Salvador. They are being imprisoned in some of the worst conditions in the Western Hemisphere at the invitation of El Salvador’s president. More on that another time.

I had just finished grading my students first test on the Holocaust, and decided to hold off grading their research papers until tomorrow. Most of them did really well on their tests, especially my international students. It was then when I was preparing myself to write our friend Charlene, who is a favorite bartender at the pub we frequent called me with horrible news about my friend Pete, who was Cliff to my Norm at the bar. If you don’t understand the reference see the classic comedy series Cheers.

Pete

Pete was the first friend I met after I retired from the Navy and after COVID. We are both devotees of European football. He was followed the English Premier League while I am a fan of all things of German Bundesliga. His team was Manchester United while as most people know, Bayern Munich is my team, we are both long time fans and know almost everything going on with our teams, leagues and European competitions. He was a frequent commentator on the Grumpy Pundits radio show on Sirius radio. We would hold bitch sessions when our teams lost, or rejoice when they won. This happened three to five times a week. Likewise, he was a diehard Buffalo Bills fan who I consoled again last season, he looked forward to the coming season.

Additionally, he was one of the people who held the same views of me in regard to Trump and his criminal cabal as I. We could share those thoughts openly.

Charlene, the bartender would always give us a hard time. She is like Carla on Cheers, feisty and funny. She has known Pete for very long 12 years and she said that I was the first friend she ever saw him make. While I have many people who I know, some very well, but very few become deep friends. My friend Billy is one of those. I have known him for about 15 years, and he would join us and became part of this new circle of friends.

Pete’s wife has had a number of health problems and he was always there for her. Then in February he was diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus and began chemotherapy about three weeks ago. We stayed in touch by texts or phone calls, but about a week and a half ago he stopped responding to messages and calls from Charlene and me. She found out that he probably died from pneumonia last Friday or Saturday and immediately called me. We are all stunned. I am in shock and trying to figure out how I am going to grieve and how to honor him as none of us knows his wife. I hope to contact her and that it goes well.

Peter’s ancestry was mostly Irish, and I am sure that we would have enjoyed St. Patrick’s Day together, but that’s not going to happen.

So until next time, watch your six and make sure to tell that the people that you know, that you love them. Pray for me a sinner.