Defiance In The Face Of Tyranny
Path forward for football in Illinois is clear; reject oppression and embrace enterprise
(Photo Credit: Southern Illinoian)
I’m finally getting around to watching a History Channel documentary on Ulysses S. Grant.
One episode spends quite a bit of time on the Siege of Vicksburg, a significant event in the Civil War from the spring of 1863.
Grant, then a Union General, had moved his troops below Vicksburg on the east side of the Mississippi River (the same side as Vicksburg). Conventional thinking was that Grant would then march straight into Vicksburg and try and overtake Confederate forces.
But Grant was anything but an ordinary leader.
Rather than storm Vicksburg from the South, into the waiting arms of an enemy expecting him to do just that, Grant took a different route. He marched northeast towards Jackson (Mississippi’s state capital), cut the Rebel force’s supply chain and set up the Union for an eventual victory (it took almost two months, but the Union eventually prevailed).
Grant decision to act in the Siege of Vicksburg was an example of his grasp on three essential truths for a commander.
Know thyself, know the environment and know the enemy.
In 2021, war is no longer with cannons, bayonets and Gatling guns.
Our battles in the 21st century are not over the same affairs as land and slavery.
But oppression and authoritarianism, centuries-old themes for war, still exist.
Friday, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker continued his starring role in the 2020-21 reality show “Absolute Rule.”
While giving a virtual press conference, appearing to be ensconced in his Florida mansion, he had this to say about the return of youth sports in Illinois, a state where he holds an elected office, seemingly to act in the best interests of its citizens:
The choices that we've had to make, that I've had to make have been between bad and worse...even through a young person may survive the pandemic much better than an older person, a young person can carry the disease to older people.
We want to be careful and avoid more community spread...its a good beginning. I'd like to see the numbers continue falling, regions meeting the metrics and more open play of sports...its up to everybody in the state to follow the mitigations.
Right now, vaccinations are not going to squash the challenge that we have with COVID-19...it will gradually overtake the numbers. But right now they are not.
I haven’t trusted Pritzker from the beginning. Not since July when in a power grab, he seized control of youth sports in this state.
But the above quote (spoken not on July 15, 2020, but January 15, 2021, when we are now so much farther along with data and the public’s understanding of how to mitigate spread), leads to one conclusion.
Pritzker is not listening to anyone. He is drunk on power and, I think it’s fair to assume, vindictiveness. He’s mad the state didn’t pass his tax amendment hike last November and more specific to youth sports, at the Illinois High School Association for defying a basketball lockdown last fall.
One subscriber emailed suggesting Pritzker has a God and martyr complex. Frightening to think both might be true.
(I’ve avoided making my arguments against Pritzker personal, meaning making jokes about his appearance. And I’m not going to go there. But I will say this…is it also fair to say that his obvious clinical obesity contributes to his ill-disposed behavior? Not to mention how hypocritical it is for someone who looks like him to be lecturing others on how they should live healthy lives?)
(Photo Credit: Daily Northwestern)
Rather than just unburden himself of authority (he says in every press conference how much work has to be done in the state…so why not take youth sports off your plate and let those who do it for a living go about their business?) Pritzker continues to leverage sports to further his Dark Lord of Lockdowns agenda.
The fact that Pritzker has this much sovereignty is the fault of many. When I get asked, ‘why is it like this in Illinois compared to other states’ well that’s both complicated and straightforward.
Illinois is a corrupt state, where those in power prioritize taking from the people rather than serving the people. How it is corrupt can be studied by watching “Game of Thrones” or “The Godfather” or “Ozark” or “Narcos” or “House of Cards” or any shows/movies about double-dealing and fraud.
Just apply those themes to the state of affairs in this state in 2021.
We’re established Pritzker’s behavior, since Covid became the story of our lives, is tyrannical. It’s not going to change.
But unlike previous centuries in our history, when not abiding by government rule was a mandate punishable by death, there are other options in current times.
There is an abundant and thriving private market.
Almost every sport has a club or travel system.
Tackle football does not. It is the sport with the most to lose in the current climate.
Football is facing extinction in the ‘20-’21 cycle, and possibly significant constraints in ‘21-’22. That’s the bad news. The good news is there are plenty of private market models to borrow and share from. It needs to adapt rapidly.
Non-school sponsored basketball, hockey, soccer, volleyball (again, pretty much every sport) are now playing in the state of Illinois and out of state. Teams co-op expenses (uniforms, equipment, insurance, field rentals), set their own schedules and rely heavily on parental support. Rather than be suppressed by Absolute Rule, the culture is self-directed—go as far as ingenuity and resourcefulness takes them.
Got players? A field? A football? Let’s go.
If there is to be football in 2021, a boot-strap, start up mentality must be adopted immediately. Schools could partner with local youth organizations to sponsor high school teams. Hold weekend/jamboree style tournaments. If tackle is not feasible due to public health restrictions or expense, reimagine the format. One community is already advertising a spring season of something called ‘Flex’ football. Why not check it out? A different form of football is likely the only opportunity for 2021 grads to come together for one last season as a group.
Pritzker and his public health servants can’t be trusted. School superintendents enable his reckless behavior with shameful silence. They abide by The Code above doing what’s right. Even if mitigations are achieved in the coming weeks/months, who’s to say Pritzker won’t move the goalposts again?
Don’t give The Night King of Illinois the opportunity to mess with people’s lives again. Enough is enough.
The challenges ahead in 2021 are not as serious as that of the Civil War. But they are still serious. How historical figures dealt with opposition is worth examining in times of crisis.
Ulysses S. Grant held a lot of titles in his life. The world view needed to be a general and eventual President did not include surrender. It is wise to acquire such ethics from Grant.
Know thyself, know the environment and know the enemy.
Then take action.