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A Farruggio Original: Johnny and Me

A Farruggio Original: Johnny and Me

It was a hot, sunny Saturday afternoon in late May, 1970. I always went to the 5 PM Mass at  St Edmunds Catholic Church to avoid the regular crowds. Once there I stood in my usual place, which was back by the exit door. This day there was this other guy standing right...

KRISTI NO KNOW!

KRISTI NO KNOW!

  We have someone running what they call ' Homeland Security' ( or should we say ' Fatherland Security'?) who actually looks and acts like her counterparts from Germany circa 1940. This former Governor of South Dakota, with a population about the same as my...

To Be a (REAL) Jew

To Be a (REAL) Jew

In 1988 I was travelling from NYC to Arizona by plane one night. It was a long 5 hour flight, and we were on a jumbo jet. I was standing alongside this man, early 40s perhaps, who said he was an Israeli engineer. During our conversation, I asked about his feelings on...

I’ll Cry Instead

I’ll Cry Instead

I've got a chip on my shoulder that's bigger than my feet I can't talk to people that I meet If I could see you now I'd try to make you sad somehow But I can't, so I'll cry instead Kudos to the Beatles for this passage from their 1964 song I'll Cry Instead. Obviously...

A Farruggio Original: Mom Never Had a Chance

A Farruggio Original: Mom Never Had a Chance

She was the oldest of three girls born right before WW1. A very smart kid, she excelled in grade school right through high school. Great with numbers, she was a natural to become an accountant. No way. Her father needed her to get to work and earn money to help the...

Fascist Copycats!

Fascist Copycats!

Now, most students of the early years of Nazi run Germany can see the truth of it all. Meaning how the far right wing of American political life took ideas from that horrific playbook. Reagan and co. decided to use blacks and browns living in our ghettos as the...

When the War Came to Brooklyn

When the War Came to Brooklyn

Sometimes you can almost inhale memories of the past, regardless of how long ago they were. Imagine, 55 years has flown through the time tunnel of this baby boomer's incarnation and it feels like yesterday. May 4th, 1970 was a very traumatic day for us anti war...

When Evil Rules

When Evil Rules

A great definition of evil is "the condition of being immoral, cruel, or bad, or an act of this type" This writer and his wife volunteered some years ago to deliver lunch for Meals on Wheels in our town. Most of our elderly neighbors were somewhat homebound and looked...

“I Didn’t Do Anything Wrong”

“I Didn’t Do Anything Wrong”

This writer recalls after the 9/11 horror speaking to an old friend who lived in Queens, NYC. The news was coming out about how the government was detaining Muslims ( many of them American citizens). It was similar to what ICE is currently doing for the Trump...

It’s All Over Now… Red, White and Blue!!

It’s All Over Now… Red, White and Blue!!

With a play on words from the Dylan song, here we have it. My country, the one I have loved since my childhood, is fading fast. Now, with this MAGAWORLD phenomenon ( I say that sparingly) the greatness of America is not what it once was. Please don't criticize this...

The Shoes of the Fisherman

The Shoes of the Fisherman

Everyone this Easter and Passover season should watch Michael Anderson's 1968 film The Shoes of the Fisherman. Matter of fact just tune into the last 10 minutes. You will see the new Russian Pope, played by Anthony Quinn, telling his followers and the world how to...

The Toilet Paper Conundrum

The Toilet Paper Conundrum

Of all the things that every American must use is toilet paper. You can be a billionaire who can afford to hire someone to wipe you rear end, or a homeless unfortunate, we all need that paper. Imagine all the tons of it that has to be made, shipped and sold to the...

You There God?

You There God?

Lots of ironic and contradictory things to consider folks. First off, is it weird that since many believe there is but One Creator, why all the infighting? It seems that each of the leading religions of the world refer to God as Christ, Allah, Brahma, Shiva, Yahweh,...

A Democracy? Wanna Buy A Bridge In Brooklyn?

A Democracy? Wanna Buy A Bridge In Brooklyn?

I love it how just about everyone, from all points of the political spectrum, swears we are a 'Democracy'. Tell that to the school teacher, the small businessman, the truck driver who wishes to hold statewide or federal elected office. As my fellow Italian American...

Scrooged 2025

Scrooged 2025

In Charles Dicken's classic novel Scrooge, later made into the great film ' A Christmas Carol' , we see Ebenezer Scrooge being paid a visit at his office on Christmas Eve. The men visiting him are looking for donations to help the poor and destitute: “At this festive...

Amongst Foxes and Wolves

Amongst Foxes and Wolves

They claim that almost half of the eligible electorate do not vote. Why do you think that is? Others, like this writer, who are socialists, have ' Bit the tongue' and voted for the Foxes AKA Democrats, simply to keep the Wolves AKA Republicans at bay. This time...

The Money Government

The Money Government

Pink Floyd had it right on with their 1973 song Money: Money, get away Get a good job with more pay and you're okay Money, it's a gas Grab that cash with both hands and make a stash New car, caviar, four-star daydream Think I'll buy me a football team Money, get back...

You’re Next, MAGA Seniors!!

You’re Next, MAGA Seniors!!

Now that Trump has ‘ Muskrat’ using his chainsaw on this and then that within the federal government, beware MAGA seniors. This writer sat in a coffee shop right before the election, next to seven elderly MAGA men. How did I know? Easy, by the Trump 2024 baseball caps...

The Pragmatist Party

The Pragmatist Party

Before I begin on the Democrats, allow me to make this assertion: The Republican Party, for as long as this baby boomer can remember, are but a pack of wolves. They devour anything that is for working stiffs and the poor and indigent. Recently, the Republicans are...

Hey Landlord… Go to Hell!

Hey Landlord… Go to Hell!

I interviewed author Aaron Glantz two years ago about his 2020 bestseller Homewreckers for my internet radio show on our website Itstheempirestupid.com. Glantz put tons of research into his book, and it boggles the mind as to how far down the rabbit hole our nation...

When Daddy Became a Bookie

When Daddy Became a Bookie

My old man got screwed by his Used Car partner right before I was born. He wound up declaring personal bankruptcy after Amos forged his name on a bank loan. Thank goodness my grandfather, my Mom's dad, found him employment on the docks. Grandpa Phil had at one time...

When Daddy Drove a Limo

When Daddy Drove a Limo

The fall from grace can be so deep. Here he was, 36 and broke. Divorced, with two little angels that he saw at least twice a week, regardless of what his ex felt. He had definitely ' Made his own bed' when he blew the cash from the sale of his dying business two years...

Serfs Up!

Serfs Up!

No, this is not about the ocean or surfboards. It's about the current economic and cultural climate we are living in. While the Democratic Party turned a mostly deaf ear to the ills of our working stiffs... for decades, their adversaries, the Republican Wolves, have...

The War Pigs Never Go Away

The War Pigs Never Go Away

Amazing how truth can stand up to time, sometimes in such a sad way. Check out the 1970 Black Sabbath song ' War Pigs' and compare it to today's insanity: War Pigs A Song by Black Sabbath Generals gathered in their masses Just like witches at black masses Evil minds...