The game: Raiders at Patriots
The beer: True North Black Is Beautiful Imperial Stout
The result: Win, 36–20
The knockout: Colts win, 36–7
The commentary: “It is Nixon himself who represents that dark, venal and incurably violent side of the American character almost every other country in the world has learned to fear and despise.”

“‘If Nixon wins again, we’re in real trouble. That’s the real issue this time. Beating Nixon. It’s hard to even guess how much damage those bastards will do if they get in for another four years.’”

So… how’s your country? Mine is kind of fucked. We—well, not we, but they—agreed to a four- to eight-year licensing term with President Id & His Regenerating Deplorables to run the show. It has not gone well, and since tax returns are in the news, we’re no longer able to deduct charitable donations and therefore not as quick—or as able to necessarily afford—to give as much as we’d like in an effort to make things a little better. Not that we (again, necessarily) would have itemized the “Black Is Beautiful” stouts A. and I enjoyed while G. attended a “socially distant” outdoor birthday party over the weekend: “Brewed as part of the worldwide initiative sponsored by Weathered Souls Brewing of San Antonio, TX to support justice and equality for people of color.” You’re goddamn right. And then, days later…

“Stand back and stand by.”

Redactions are for suckers—those first two quotes are from Hunter Thompson’s Fear and Loathing: On the Campaign Trail ’72, a reread so appropriate for our times that I can’t even stand myself. (Expect more relatable insight from the man through early November and not much beyond, god willing.) Nixon Trump is all in with Tuesday night’s dog whistle bullhorn in a desperately transparent effort to rile up Whitey to do his dirty work. Elsewhere, maybe, but we in Massachusetts are privileged to enjoy a rich, blue hue on projected and actual electoral maps, despite that Reagan misfire, flirtation with a twenty-first-century Republican senator—“take that, fuzz!”—and a consistent record of electing and re-electing Republican governors. Erm…

What the fuck, everyone? Are you saying the guy a few blocks away with a TRUMP-emblazoned American flag—somehow less disrespectful than peaceful, contemplative protest—is not as distinct a minority as I would like? Nor the guy even closer with the DON’T TREAD ON ME flag? We almost bought that house! And the VETERAN FOR TRUMP near Trader Joe’s in Peabody? And the shithead machinist on Route 1 who flies badly designed custom signs proclaiming, I don’t know, THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING? I plan to proudly vote in person next month and some of these assholes will be in the vicinity, no doubt, but they won’t be as emboldened as elsewhere because, despite everything, there’s no payoff in Massachusetts. Biden will win the state commonwealth easily to the point that I’m not sure he’s even visited in years. But what about the Carolinas, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Georgia, Arizona? How safe does a Black or Brown American feel there on a regular Tuesday afternoon, never mind the most uptight day and night of an already uptight year?

The debate accomplished little—maybe Biden gained a few votes but all Trump did was firm up a base more reliable than his wavering shades of pink and orange. I wondered if he might drop dead just for the ratings. Would that be good or bad? Harris should eat Pence’s lunch next week, especially if Pence for some reason refers to late-evening meals as “lunch,” but all his elevation to the head of the ticket would do is give conservatives a real Republican to vote for, one without the “immoral” baggage of multiple divorces, bankruptcies, stripper payoffs and “Grab ’em by the pussy” hot mics. Trump–Biden II and III will do nothing for undecided voters who can go ahead and eat shit for their cowardice. Pence–Biden, though? Shudder. Anyway, I thought Hillary would win in a landslide four years ago, so fuck me too.

Oh hey, the Pats got by the Raiders with what might be the signature win of the year: sloppy, boring and opaque. Just what is this team in a post-Brady 2020 (“2020/2021”)? Best player: Cam Newton. Second best: Julian Edelman. Third best: Stephon Gilmore (who should be the best, and was until the season started—red alert). Fourth best:

I said, fourth best:

Fourth:

…

Right. I await further “moral victory” talk Monday morning. (Notwithstanding an upset, of course. In Bill we trust!)

Up next: Kansas City’s gotta be the next COVID hotspot, right? Thanks, Trump . Cheers!