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Steely Dan Johnson: I won’t quit – Metro Council: Yes you will

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Dan Johnson in the WHAS Radio studio, July 12, 2017

Beleaguered Louisville Metro Councilman Dan Johnson (D-21) has been asked to resign by his Democrat colleagues. He has until August 1st to resign or they say they will procedurally eject him from office.

Johnson was on my WHAS radio show yesterday where he maintained his innocence in multiple sexual harassment allegations made by female government workers. Johnson said that he doesn’t understand why this story is still reverberating one month after a councilwoman lodged a complaint against him.

When I asked Johnson if he will resign his office, he replied “No…I was elected by the 21st district to serve them for four years and I will do that until my time is up.”

AUDIO:

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Courier-Journal: Top 5 Quotes from the Dan Johnson radio interview

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It was a grueling but candid interview. Johnson put no restrictions on any areas of questioning. He talked about each allegation in detail and summarily deflected each one. He claimed that touching Councilwoman Jessica Green’s buttocks was an accident, and that allegations of inappropriate behavior with a legislative aide and a woman on a chamber of commerce trip are incorrect.

When asked about his tendency to cite memory loss, Johnson claimed that he did not abuse alcohol and that he is not on medications or street drugs. As for concussions during his lifetime, Johnson gave a hazy reply indicating that there may be more information forthcoming. He did not elaborate further.

Terry Meiners (in red) and Louisville Metro Council member Dan Johnson during a commercial break in a grueling interview on sexual harassment allegations. July 12, 2017

Now that the Metro Council Democrats have demanded his resignation, Johnson has agreed to return to my radio show on Monday, July 17 at 5 P.M.

stream it at whas.com

After the July 12th interview, Metro Councilwoman Jessica Green texted me that she thought it was a fair interview, adding “I’m praying for him. He needs prayer and professional help.”

The Pols Are Open

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Greg Fischer, John Yarmuth, and Matt Bevin were on my radio show back-to-back-to-back today. The mayor and congressmen, both Democrats, discussed a variety of issues. The Republican governor had a significantly different strategy to solve societal problems.

Indiana Governor Mike Pence, Kentucky Governors Steve Besmear and Matt Bevin, Rep. John Yarmuth, and Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer at the dedication of the Lincoln Bridge dedication, December 2015

AUDIO: Governor Matt Bevin on attacking the pension shortfall, bourbon tariffs, the Mike Pence visit, universal health care, handling haters on Twitter, and imitating Rambo at the Kentucky Speedway.

Now here is Rep. John Yarmuth on the Donald Trump Jr email chain with a Russian lawyer, Obamacare, media pursuit of Russia election interference, and renewed Democrat interest in universal health care.

Finally, here’s Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer on his six point plan to reduce violence.

Terry Paparazzi

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photo: Scott Utterback, The Courier-Journal

The Courier-Journal photographer Scott Utterback, a legendary lensman, caught me grabbing boxing photos ringside at Freedom Hall on June 24, 2017 during The Real Deal event.

So far, the National Enquirer has not offered to pay for any of my out-of-focus iPhone 4 discolored photos of unknown boxers. But it’s a start.

My job offers great opportunities outside of radio and TV studios. In May, Katie George from WDRB joined me at the Galt House to interview ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit. It was a benefit for The Parklands.

Terry Meiners, Katie George, and Kirk Herbstreit at the Galt House, May 2017 — photo: John Nation

I’ve hosted the event for several years and suggested adding Katie to give it new life and a younger demo. She did an outstanding job.

Here’s the latest magazine feature on Louisville’s most recognized new media talent.

AUDIO: Rick Pitino on his new team, emotional reaction to NCAA sanctions, Andre McGee, more

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On my WHAS Radio show, University of Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino talked about his talent for the upcoming basketball season. He also updates his emotional state after the NCAA sanctions were announced, the appeal strategy, Andre McGee’s poor decision making, and Pitino’s view of what’s ahead.

CLASSIC 2009 VIDEO

Happy 241st birthday, America – unshackle your attitude

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a path at Barren River Lake state park in Kentucky

The United States of America is the most benevolent, compassionate, visionary, fearless republic in the history of human civilization. We are free. Don’t believe in the “woe-is-me” crutch. A fantastic life is available in America to those who are willing to work, sacrifice, and not quit over setbacks. Push harder. Get more education. Make wise life decisions about money, drugs, personal disfigurement, relationships, and do the soul-searching necessary to be self-reliant.

Our 340+ million inhabitants of the USA can protest the agendas of its leaders, worship freely, stand proudly agnostic, disagree with neighbors, isolate from communities altogether, accept welfare from others, help pay for community features they don’t necessarily use, keep and bear arms, vote for their like-minded candidates, and wake up in a land that offers them unlimited potential.

Some of our people think America is a cruel, heartless, imperialistic terrorist to the rest of the world. They’re often vulgar, finger-wagging, sanctimonious, judgmental know-it-alls constantly bellowing about some singular issue that MUST become everyone’s priority.

Yeah, take a seat, Joan of Bark. You’re like that lazy ass, jobless cousin who stays rent free in my home yet complains about my free food and the noise I make while leaving for my job. You’re living in Heaven but can’t stop bitching about the harp music. Recognize the gift of opportunity the USA provides.

America has its problems but is the envy of the world, a canvas where the driven can create their better tomorrow through trial and error. Whining never solves a problem. Fortitude does.

Of course, we have a certain number of people who cannot fend for themselves because of mental and/or physical challenges. It is incumbent upon us to be of service to feed, nurse, assist, and protect them from common obstacles they cannot overcome alone.

Pleasure Ridge Park fire department volunteer families at the WHAS Crusade for Children, June 4, 2017

Thank God for these angels among us who make us become better people.

For the vast majority of us, healthy and happy existence is granted by the grace of God (or your view of a higher power). To those whose minds are open to the potential of life itself, the gates are wide open.

A man at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting told the crowd, “I keep a sign on my mirror that I see the first thing every morning. It reads – YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE BIGGEST OBSTACLE YOU WILL FACE ALL DAY.”

Don’t embrace perceived limitations. They are crutches for those who need excuses to explain their self-loathing. Rise up. Work for your joyous dreams. America offers it all to those who find the strength to get up when knocked down by real or imagined barriers.

There are desperate alleys filled with people born with white privilege, wealth privilege, intelligence privilege, athletic privilege, and any number of other perceived privileges. In many of these cases, underutilized potential set these people on paths to darkness. Their minds are imprisoned with self-imposed limiters.

Not everyone is wired for college, or the arts, or entrepreneurship, or management. I’m 6’2″ and bald so my dreams of being a Kentucky Derby jockey or a dashing runway model are not realistic.

Common sense is an important component in finding your happy place in this world.

I’ve had jobs delivering papers, pulling weeds, cutting lumber, scrubbing pots & pans, and clerking at a convenience store. As I worked at those jobs, I knew in my heart I wanted to be a broadcaster. I had to do extra work, volunteer my time, shut up to listen & learn, and be patient to make my dream come true. All the while I never doubted my potential.

snowflakes

When some people undervalue a person, we often go to the default label “snowflake.” Take it as a compliment. Each of us is indeed a unique creation, open to higher levels of development once we open ourselves to positivity.

No one person can fully understand the challenges facing any other person without sharing their brain and emotional infrastructure. We are all individuals with unopened gifts of potential.

Before you say to yourself, “Yes but I can’t do such-and-such because _______ .” You haven’t done enough research. Someone with that perceived obstacle has already leapt past it because their mind was properly adjusted.

Every human can control only one thing in this life: his or her attitude. When you awaken, switch your attitude to YES I CAN. Ignore the negativity. When someone says you can’t, push harder until that dream crusher is proven wrong.

The joy is in the journey. Believe in you. Work harder than you did yesterday. Savor the joy of each day.

And never stop thanking the people who provided us this freedom to grasp at our own vision of nirvana.

Zachary Taylor National Cemetery, July 3, 2017

Lastly, enjoy this video of our national symbol, the imperial eagle, descend from the world’s tallest building in Dubai right down onto the arm of his trainer. (and read the comments thread…negative people can find darkness in the beauty of an eagle’s flight).

In foreign lands, on domestic soil, in our own backyards, America leads with courage, drive, intellect, and persistence to raise the overall standards for the human race. To honor your very life is to honor the people who provided your freedom.

Memorial stone for seven U.S. Army brothers who died together in WWII, buried at Zachary Taylor National Cemetery in Louisville

That’s how these patriots used their privilege…in furtherance of your right to mob up in hashtags, troll, bully, or shame others who might have different ideas than yours. If you’re so tolerant then learn how to tolerate differing opinions. Life is not a Star Trek episode where we all wear the same clothes.

Use your life energy honoring the sacrifices of generations that toiled before you. Less whining, more shining.

God Bless America. God Bless you and your potential. Unshackle yourself. Set your mind to the best version of you. The rest will follow.

POST NO BILLS: Gov. Matt Bevin vs. The Media

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Can we begin by reminding everyone that “the media” is a vast universe of unconnected voices who report, commentate, and disseminate news items? It’s true that major media pretends to deliver impartial, objective news but whenever humans are involved, so are their personal views. There is clearly some sort of slant with all human communication.

That’s why it’s so easy to find a comfortable housecoat of your views reflected back onto you from any one of a zillion media outlets.

A recent Courier-Journal search of voter registration records for various local luminaries included my information:

CJ writer Andy Wolfson notes that “social scientists say (party registration) is a lens that affects how a person perceives the world.” In my case, it is because that’s how my parents were registered and I followed suit. Nonetheless, I am the only person who knows how I vote.

“The Media” is not one voice. I’ve been a media member for 40 years and have worked with extreme personalities on both sides but I’m 100% certain of a liberal media majority. And that certainty grew from my 4 decades of media work in predominately conservative Kentucky.

“The Media” is a horn of plenty but a cacophony of twisted partisanship and idealism. Picture “The Media” as Pamplona’s running bulls with mobile devices. Either get on board or get out of the way. Each media product plays to its own echo chamber.

President Donald J Trump opining on “The Media.” And yes, that first comment from his longtime nemesis Rosie O’Donnell.

Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin, a regular guest on my radio show until recently, is using the Donald Trump plan of demonizing “the media” for stories that he feels are at odds with his vision. He is now calling WDRB President and GM Bill Lamb a liar. Ouch.

Governor Bevin recently singled out Lamb and WHAS-11 news anchor Doug Proffitt for their “lies” in editorial responses to the governor’s suggested prayer patrols to help reduce gun violence.

A few hours after the governor’s original video was released, I invited Lamb to respond on my WHAS Radio show. We spoke via telephone and then Lamb came to the studio the next day to continue the rebuttal.

Governor Bevin was not pleased with Lamb’s assertion that he is a “coward” for sidestepping traditional media for direct social media contact with the public.

Ky Governor Matt Bevin with me in the WHAS Radio studio, August 17, 2016

GOVERNOR REPLIES VIA TEXT

48 hours later, Gov. Bevin texted me and took issue with several points in the Lamb interviews. I cannot share private texts but will give the gist of the governor’s message with limited quotations:

Governor Bevin texted that I should have corrected Lamb’s inaccurate claim that he “wanders in (the radio station) and pontificates on any topic that pleases him.”

The governor continued: “In all the years you have known me and the many many times I have been on your show, have I ever once asked to you (sic) to discuss a certain topic or said that I didn’t want to discuss a certain topic? Ever?” Bevin also noted that I picked “the topics of conversation 100% of the time.”

The governor took offense at my characterization of him opting for social media platforms like Facebook Live and YouTube videos as “speak(ing) from the balcony like a dictator.”

Governor Matt Bevin addresses fewer than 250 Facebook Live viewers, June 2017

In my text reply to Governor Bevin, I affirmed his point that he never tried to steer the questioning in our radio interviews but that calling editorialists “liars” and projecting eternal damnation for preachers who offer differing opinions on the value of prayer patrols led to my “shouting from the balcony” reference.

Citing God’s creation of a diverse Kentucky population, I projected that God directs all humans to “teach, love, understand, and listen to each other.”

I suggested to the governor that he continue a “furiously curious exchange of ideas between the power structure and the trained, experienced, secular press (not Facebook Live fanboy comment bubbles)…good counterpoints for your frame of reference.”

RADIO SCHEDULE

The next scheduled radio interview for Governor Bevin and me is Tuesday, July 11 at 5:35 on 840WHAS. Stream it at whas.com

His last appearance on my show was May 3rd where we talked about Louisville’s murder rate and the governor’s controversial home purchase, something Gov. Bevin noted in his texts.

“You and I have spoken about my home multiple times…I believe each of the last three times…see how ‘skittish’ (your exact word) about that topic or any topic I have ever been with you.”

The governor and I have indeed discussed his home on the previous two interviews, although the Lexington Herald-Leader denounced it as a “softball session.” Jelly much, Herald?

My chats with guests are not intended to be combative. They are to extract information and let the listener react according to their own biases. That’s the beauty of long form radio content. It offers unedited insight into the minds of the guests and the host.

“The Media” is not, as Trump said, “the enemy of the American people.” We, the media, offer a universe of content to fit into a very localized mind. The listener/viewer/reader then processes that content to affirm, enlighten, or change their preconceived views.

It’s all good. Mind expansion is life’s greatest gift.

SHOW OR NO SHOW?

Scheduled WHAS Radio interviews with Governor Bevin in mid-May and mid-June, both prior to my interviews with Bill Lamb, were suddenly cancelled because of unforeseen “scheduling” issues even though the governor appeared on other radio shows earlier on those same days.

I look forward to July 11th to see if Governor Bevin and I can move past playground talk of lying liars and their lying lies and get back to talking about Kentucky’s executive and legislative agendas to improve the commonwealth.

When asked for comment on Matt Bevin’s latest YouTube video smackdown labeling Lamb a liar, WDRB’s leader replied: “Your tax dollars at work.” 🙂

There are lots of great things happening in Kentucky. Let’s laugh at silly sideshows but remain focused on much work ahead to move Kentucky forward, and whether Matt Bevin’s media wrangling is really a warmup for an even bigger job.

UPDATE ON JULY 11, 2017

Governor Matt Bevin did indeed show up on my radio show. In fact, he called at 5:05 and I told him that John Yarmuth was actually scheduled at that time so he could check back in 30 minutes later. He happily agreed and called back at the appointed time.

We did not discuss the dustup over media coverage in our private off-the-air exchanges or during the interview. Here is the complete radio audio.

Rick Pitino on the surprise addition of Brian Bowen, new team chemistry, and NBA Finals

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5-star forward Brian Bowen commits to UofL basketball, June 2017

5-star forward Brian Bowen commits to UofL basketball, June 2017

University of Louisville basketball got a magnificent upgrade with a surprise commitment from 5-star forward Brian Bowen. Coach Rick Pitino admitted it was a great stroke of luck and upgrades his newly enforced team as “possibly a 10,” making a lofty reference to his 1996 Kentucky Wildcats talent pool.

Here’s our radio chat on Bowen’s talent, Pitino’s projection on the next UofL team’s upgraded chemistry, the Pitino geezer basketball team for next year, whether LeBron is overmatched in the NBA Finals, and more.

on the set of Great Day Live at WHAS-11 (2013)

on the set of Great Day Live at WHAS-11 (2013)

Governor Bevin vs. watchdogs, attack dogs, lap dogs, and gullible sheep

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SURVEY: AMERICANS DON’T TRUST MEDIA BUT FEEL BETTER ABOUT FAVORITES

The chasm widened between media and those in power + their supporters.

Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin responded to derision from certain media outlets that are routinely ignored by the executive branch. Louisville’s Courier-Journal and Lexington’s Herald Leader are both named in Bevin’s new Facebook video (below).

Bevin says “a handful” of (what he considers) negative media people “are like cicadas…not serious journalists.” He claims their out-of-state owners engage in tabloid journalism so he wants to communicate directly with constituents via social media, radio shows, and smaller newspapers.

Bevin expects newspapers to tout “extraordinary business developments…but you wouldn’t know it” by reading their news stories.

The Herald Leader slammed my interview work in a recent editorial. Individual media people who consider themselves impartial watchdogs, although their social media pages illustrate their fierce loyalty to liberal politics, have referenced me as a lap dog for conducting civil conversation interviews.

Screen Shot 2017-05-24 at 12.52.38 PM

It’s what I’ve always done with Democrats, Republicans, and the apolitical. We just talk. That’s what a talk show host does best, gets out of the way and lets the subject tell her/his story unedited and without grandstanding spin by the presenter.

A talk show host is not running a congressional investigation or debate. The talk show host presents a showcase for both sides of an issue with ongoing dialogue. Not one of the traditional “journalists” who scoff at my interviews with Matt Bevin have raised a complaint about my regular interviews with Democrats John Yarmuth, Andy Beshear, or former Governor Steve Beshear (who is on tomorrow’s show).CNN facebook censoring conservatives

Media teams are made up of individuals with personal biases. Publications, web news sites, broadcast news departments and even Facebook take on a centralized personality built on history, management, and the most dominant voices on the team.

Most American media teams have a decidedly liberal slant. Consumers feel the temperature of media product almost instantly, and titles matter. Note how many self-described “objective” news organizations quickly label a news subject as “conservative” but rarely refer to a person as liberal. They’re just regular people.

When a politician is in trouble, note the placement of their party affiliation in a story. If it’s a Democrat, it won’t happen before the 10th paragraph. If it’s a Republican, that’s the first word of the story.

Message!

terry liberal prick

People think they know my politics. Some reading this blog post are CONVINCED that I am a conservative. Others hear my radio show and come to the exact opposite conclusion.

The truth is that I am a media fan. Politics bore me. I want our media business to thrive and not become a cheer squad for the Democrat party. All ideas matter. Diversity of thought bears a healthier republic.

Here is my most recent chat with Republican Gov. Bevin on Louisville’s outrageous murder rate, and multiple questions about his controversial home purchase.

Here is my most recent chat with Democrat Attorney General Andy Beshear on Bevin’s claims of corruption by the earlier Beshear administration and on the controversial Bevin home purchase.

After the death of Fox News founder Roger Ailes, a writer from Rolling Stone (a bastion of credibility) wrote the most scathing obituary ever penned. Of course, it’s rooted in hatred of conservatives by a liberal writer.

This is indicative of the attack dog nature of today’s political discourse. If a show host or writer refuses to snarl and denigrate an interview subject, then attack dog people demean the questioner as a lap dog.

Bevin is correct about the failing business model of traditional media. As the Herald Leader points out, a politician’s video with, say, 25,000 views is scant reach for a statewide population of 4 million. However, newspaper and traditional TV/radio use is still in steep decline as much of its customer base dies. Social media is the primary information stream of millennials and generations to follow. Bevin’s move matches reality.

Newspapers and most TV networks do not hide their political persuasion any longer. Here’s the way The Courier-Journal was delivered on Election Day 2014. The CJ’s management had no problem selling the front page wraparound ad to the candidate they had endorsed to defeat longtime incumbent Senator Mitch McConnell.

On election day 2014, the Courier Journal sold the cover wraparound ad to Democrat Alison Grimes.

On election day 2014, the Courier Journal sold the cover wrap-around ad to Democrat Alison Grimes.

Objective watchdogs? Yeah, sure. If a Democrat is running, it’s prominently placed above-the-fold.

The Courier Journal continually endorsed Democrat Jack Conway through multiple campaigns, including his 2015 loss to Matt Bevin

The Courier Journal continually endorsed Democrat Jack Conway through multiple campaigns, including his 2015 loss to Matt Bevin

Universally loathed Republican David Williams gambles on his own dime during private time? Front page, baby!

herald leader david williams gambling losses

Former Courier-Journal political reporter turned columnist Joe Gerth can now use his opinion in public. Gerth fired back at Bevin’s beatdown of the CJ, noting that Bevin is a transplant and Louisville’s largest employers are not locally owned. Gerth’s response fails to mention the Courier’s rapidly dwindling employee count, and its management’s tendency to give paltry or zero pay to contributing freelance writers.

Are the Courier Journal and Lexington Herald Leader biased in favor of Democrats and liberals on an ongoing basis? Of course they are.

Research it for yourself. Call up the front pages from the first 100 days of the Trump presidency. What is the general nature of each story? Does the headline match the tenor of the story or is it tabloid overstatement? Is the story negative or positive?

You already know the results.

Now do the same 100 day search from 2009 during the first few months of the presidency of Barack Obama. See any difference?

People will shout “But Trump’s crazy actions brought all of this on his administration!”

So then go back and review the front pages of the first 100 days of George W. Bush’s first term in 2001 and see if it more closely matches the flavor of the Obama stories or today’s Trump stories.

There’s your answer.

To fully verify the pattern, scan Bill Clinton’s first one hundred days coverage from 1993. Amazing how that works!

An obviously biased traditional media, overwhelmingly favorable to liberal causes, must FIRST work at not losing even more credibility by being hoaxed. It is the gullible sheep that is first in line for slaughter.

terry has four jobs 400

Bill Stokes, my brother from another mother

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William Albert “Bill” Stokes died last week. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.

Seven years ago, he taught me one of the most enlightening, compassionate lessons of my life at a moment when I was way out of my comfort zone.

Bill Stokes and Terry Meiners, January 2011

Bill Stokes and Terry Meiners, January 2011

The day after he and I co-hosted a mostly improvisational show in front of an African American audience, I wrote this blog post. It was truly one of the greatest experiences of my life.

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BACK IN BLACK

I have always had an affinity for African American people. Their music always moved me more than the bland songs sung by white performers. Their distinctly different clothing choices made me want to be colorful like them instead of rigid and uniform like all of the white kids.

In high school in the 70s I had a crush on Clemmie, a pretty black girl who never gave me the time of day. After school, I worked in the kitchen at the old Baptist Hospital and was treated like a brother by the mostly black staff.

Even as a young kid, I envied African Americans for their spiritual freedom. I felt like people of color seemed to have more animated, joyous reactions to things that, given the same material, would elicit barely more than a whimper out of the white folks.

We were stuffy. They were cool.

It wasn’t until January 17, 2011 that I really felt totally accepted by the African American community.

Months earlier I was asked to co-host the Dr Martin Luther King celebration at St. Stephen Baptist Church, Louisville’s largest African American congregation. My co-host was church associate Bill Stokes, a gadfly with a deep voice and mischief in his happy smile. He told me that our job was to crack a few jokes while introducing choral groups and various luminaries who would speak about Dr. Martin Luther King’s mission of peace and progress for African Americans.

When he invited me, I informed St. Stephen pastor Dr. Kevin Cosby that I would be a bit late since his program began at 7 just as my radio show ended. He said that was fine because Mr. Stokes would just get the program going and I could join him whenever I arrived.

Somehow I had it in my mind that Mr. Stokes and I would at least spend a few minutes backstage during a musical segment where we could decide what we’d do on stage.

I arrived at 7:16 where an idling police cruiser saved a parking space just for me. The policeman directed me to a different back door than I was originally told to enter. Jogging through the rain, I rapped on the door and a member of the governor’s security detail opened it and said, “They’re waiting for you.” He directed me down a hallway and through a door past other security agents.

When I opened the door, I saw that I was actually on the side of the stage. A church sound man handed me a microphone and said, “You’re on.”

Well now. That’s a hot cup of coffee in the lap. I walked in out of the rain and into the bright lights with no clue what was going on.

The crowd of over one thousand people was 99% African American and they began to laugh as I walked across the stage toward Mr. Stokes, who had apparently just finished playing a funny song on the piano.

With only a scant few white faces in the large crowd, Stokes introduced me: “Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to the funniest negro in Louisville, Terry Meiners.” The crowd laughed and cheered.

Jumping into the tenor of the moment, I replied, “Yes I am the funniest negro in Louisville, and it’s quite an honor.” The crowd laughed as I went on: “Is this the part where we sing Ebony and Ivory? I’ll be Stevie Wonder.”

My brain was churning at a thousand miles an hour to try and figure out where we were going next without being disrespectful to the celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy. I was clearly in someone else’s comfort zone.

Mr. Stokes and I both had the stage instincts to do the next best thing, crack jokes about the prominent men in attendance. Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear was right up front and is a good sport about hearing his southern accent mimicked. New Louisville mayor Greg Fischer (“Just like Oprah, he could reward everyone in the audience… ‘You get an ice machine! You get an ice machine!, But unlike Oprah, ‘You pay the taxes.’ You pay the taxes.'”), former mayor Jerry Abramson (“He asked Madeline…’What are these?’… ‘They’re keys, honey. You have to start driving yourself everywhere now.'”) each got a little love.

Sen. Rand Paul sat quietly over to the side, but his vision of austerity did not escape the monologue. I promised that someone in the crowd would win a pay-your-own-way to Washington vacation where “you get to stay in that tiny apartment with Rand Paul and his daddy,” whose television is turned up to nursing home levels.

Despite the riveting moments of the evening where the Pastor Cosby or U of L president James Ramsey spoke about inequality and suffering in the beleaguered black community, or overhead screens showed images of black men hanged from trees in the 1930s, Stokes knew how to bring his audience back to humor. And he included me in the mirth just to make it appear that we had rehearsed our jokes.

We faked arguing about who got to speak next. We declared that we were brothers from different mothers, separated only by the pitches of our voices or the nine extra hairs still clinging to Stokes’ head. We were just making it up as we went along.

And Stokes was able to make jokes that only a man of color would dare to try in such a setting. He demanded of the white University of Louisville president to answer why the only black singer in the Cardinals chorus “also got to play the piano.”

Stokes noted that all the tickets for the evening had been distributed, but the reason there were some empty seats on the second level is because at yesterday’s church service at St Stephen, he told the assemblage that “the police was gonna be here.”

The crowd roared.

Had I told a joke like that, I’d have been run out of town, and rightfully so. A white person’s frame of reference on the black experience is devoid of the emotional infrastructure necessary to see the entire picture. And vice versa.

But Stokes was masterful in pulling me into the black family at St. Stephen and making me feel like a brother from another mother. Dr. Cosby invited me to return as co-host next year, although I was more of a sidekick for Stokes’ comedic leadership.

The entire evening was billed “Education is King,” meaning that Martin Luther King would’ve continued to stress that education is the only way out of poverty. All-black Simmons College formed a partnership with U of L to solidify its position in the community and that was the major theme of the evening.

Dr. Cosby said that Sen. Paul “came to meet with me” and that they’d found common ground in helping each other understand the needs for carefully screened government education grants tailored for African Americans.

After the event, I had a brief conversation with the freshman senator Rand Paul, a lightning rod who represents the Tea Party conservatives who’d recently made big strides in elections. Sen. Paul had cancelled multiple telephone interviews on my radio show, causing me to taunt him on the air with claims that he was “a-scared of me.”

After we exchanged pleasantries at St. Stephen, our first face-to-face meeting, Sen. Paul exclaimed, “You’re not as intimidating in person as you are on the air.”

Let me assure you, senator, you don’t know intimidation until you walk in out of the rain and onto a stage at a racially energized memorial where you’re the outcast and a gentle old soul helps you hide the fact that you are literally wet behind the ears.

Now that’s intimidating.

Posted 19th January 2011 by Terry Meiners

Rick Pitino on geezer ball, derision from his players, next year’s Cards, Derby winnings, and sleeping in church

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Rick Pitino played in his 55+ basketball league and lived to talk about it…live from a hot tub where he was nursing his wounds. (full transcript at bottom of page)

After reflecting on his tournament play, Pitino talked about his next UofL team, his kids grabbing all of his Derby winnings, and why he was sleeping (or deeply praying) at Mass. (audio above)

Rick Pitino in Miami's Masters Association Basketball Tournament, May 9, 2017 (photo: Chris Fischer, NBC6)

Rick Pitino in Miami’s Masters Association Basketball Tournament, May 9, 2017 (photo: Chris Fischer, NBC6)

Pitino’s former players were having a ball tweeting praise and jokes about the coach’s skills.

Coach P made some news with his projections for replacing NBA-hopeful Donovan Mitchell.

Some UK fans were reading a bit too much into Coach Pitino’s comments on my radio show.

transcript via WDRB News:

Q: Coach Pitino, are you alive?

Pitino: I am. Reggie Theus and I both have pulled groins, but we’re alive. He pulled himself out of the game and left me in the game.

Q: We heard you were down 15 in the last couple of minutes and reports are that you dove on the floor for a loose ball. Which is, some of your former players said, at least he did that for us.

Piitino: You know, I was surprised. I played the last two weeks. I haven’t played organized in 25 years. The way this all started was the superintended of our golf club comes up to me and says, ‘Would you like to play in the Masters League?’ I said well, when is it? He said it’s in May. I said yeah, May’s a good time. But I said, I’m a 13 handicap, so I’m probably not good enough to play in the Masters League. And he said, “No, basketball.” He says to me, ‘Obviously you play all the time, being a coach.’ So i was too embarrassed to say, no, not at all, I haven’t played in 25 years. So the good thing is, I played decent, and I’m playing down. In other words, it’s every five years. I should be from 65 to 70, and it goes all the way from 75 to 80. And I’m playing down 10 years. So I’m pleased with that. Now, we got beat. And tomorrow we’re going to play an Indiana team and we’re going to get killed, because I watched them a little bit.

Q: Are you icing? You’re going to feel pretty ragged tomorrow morning, aren’t you?

Pitino: Yeah. You’ve got to ice some areas that we shouldn’t talk about on the air.

Q: Are you in an ice bath right now?

Pitino, laughing: I am. I’m in a hot tub right now.

Q: Now you had three three-pointers in the game, but let me read some of the Tweets from your former players. Peyton Siva: ‘Where’s Ray at? That man looks tired out there! We don’t get tired.’ He’s talking about Ray Ganong (strength and conditioning coach).

Pitino: You know, I mean it’s crazy. I’ve watched guys playing the court afterward, 80 or more playing basketball. And the team we’re playing tomorrow, Jim Sweeney played at Boston College, and three guys who played in college, they’re going to Montecatina, Italy, to play in a tournament with over 300 teams. So these teams will practice. We didn’t have a practice at all. But we survived; we got out of it. Nobody really — besides Reggie and me — nobody got really hurt.

Q: Anybody else we know on your team?

Pitino: Rick Avare from Lexington. And Reggie. I said, ‘Reg, I need you to play man. Our team is really weak. I need you to come.’ He said, ‘Coach I haven’t touched a basketball. I’ve got bone on bone in my right knee.’ I said, ‘Reg I’ve got bone on bone and I’m playing down ten years Reg. He said, ‘Do you really want me to play in this?’ And I said I do, so he flew in to play and it was fun.”

Q: Now we saw some video and there was a guy from NBC 6 taking some video and posting it on Twitter and we were all Retweeting it. One of them showed you taking a three that did not go in, and Russ Smith Tweeted in: “I’m a sub his ass out he take a contested shot like that.”

Pitino: Well you tell Russ, two plays later, of course, you know it’s a Kentucky fan that took it, two plays later, it was nothing but net.

Q: You made two threes in a row, right?

Pitino: Two threes in a row, nothing but net. We had a blast, though. The guys from Toronto were really great guys and we had a really good time.

Q: This is fun. Now how many potential games do you have this week if you win?

Pitino: We’re going to go 0-4, I can tell you that much. And the great thing about that is we don’t have the playoff and we can play golf on Friday instead of playing basketball. That’s the nice thing. Even if we’re close, I’m telling everybody to miss their shots so we can play golf.

Q: Now what are the odds that a piece of one of these threes that you made being used in in the hype intro video for games this fall?

Pitino: I think my passing was much better than the hype of my shot. You know, Terry, we’ve got a team coming back of really good athletes that really have to learn how to play, and this will probably be the first year since I’ve been at Louisville where freshmen are going to have to have a major impact for us to be successful. So I’m really looking forward to getting them in this summer. We’re going to practice, probably, in two weeks. Actually we’ll practice in less than that. And I’m excited to see the freshmen play.

Q: We’ll ask you, then, Donovan Mitchell obviously rolling out. What do you expect in his place?

Pitino: We’ll probably move Deng into the two-guard spot and V.J. into the three, and let Darius and Q battle it out at the one. Ray Spalding at the four will battle it out with Malik then will battle it out with Anus. Jordan Nwora there and then certainly then Lance is another freshman who will battle it out at a few positions, he’ll probably need some strength training, but we’ve got a really nice team coming back. I’m surprised Donovan left, but I’m not concerned about it. I would be really concerned if our frontcourt was weak. But we’ll be a Top 20 team again, and I think because of the schedule we played last year, having the top schedule in the nation, I think competitively we’ll be ready. We’ll play, obviously, Indiana at home, Kentucky away, we’ll play Seton Hall at home. We’ll play in the Big Ten challenge on the road, probably, I would guess with Donovan leaving, we won’t be 1-2, we’d probably play Minnesota on the road, because they have a home game.

Q: You do have one scholarship left. Do you plan on using it?

Pitino: Once I’m sure that Deng is coming back — if Deng didn’t come back, I probably would use it. If Deng comes back, which I’m 99 percent sure he is, I probably won’t use it. We’ve got enough. We’ve got two really good walk-ons coming in that can help us in practice, and we have a young man from Manual, Dwayne Sutton, that can help us. So we’ve got enough players to compete. I’m very bullish on the basketball team, because we’re very, very athletic.

Q: I have to ask you, one other thing you were bullish on last week was Always Dreaming. How exciting was that for you on Saturday to see your really good friend in the Winner’s Circle of the Kentucky Derby.

Pitino: My friend went through some really tough times. And all winter was trying to keep him up, calling and texting. I’d say listen man, I’ve been through a lot in my life, it all changes. Don’t get down. You’re younger than me and haven’t been through half of what I’ve been through in my life. From 9/11 to early on, there’s a lot of things in my life that are much more important than business failings or something going wrong. Good things will happen for you because you’re such a great person. And when he told me he had a horse in the Florida Derby and it won, and I watched him race, I was just so, you could give me five Kentucky Derby winners and I’d much rather see him win one than myself five. So I was so pumped up for him, because he needed that. Vinny Viola, his partner, who owns the Florida Panthers, is a great guy as well. He didn’t need it because he was a successful businessman, but for Anthony and his family, it was a much-needed boost, with nothing better than sharing in the Kentucky Derby spotlight for him.

Q: That was a terrific show all the way through. And I know you did well in that race. I saw Jacqueline in the winner’s circle.

Pitino: I made a significant amount of money, relatively speaking. But when I left the track, I had very little money, because all my children just took every penny.

Q: That’s what your wife told me. She was like every kid was just grabbing hundreds.

Pitino: Not only that, but my wife was grabbing the most. I won a nice bet. I never bet win, by the way, I always bet win/place. I never bet just to win. But I was superstitious, I just bet everything to win. And when I walked out of the place, I had to pay off the suite and pay the bills, so I broke even on the Kentucky Derby but my family made a fortune.

Q: Last thing here, your wife told me yesterday, we were out walking our dogs, she said you flew down because you had to be at your granddaughter’s first communion. She said you fell asleep in mass and another of your granddaughters said, “Pawpaw’s asleep.” She said, “No, he’s praying.”

Pitino: I was not sleeping, I was praying. I was praying that we go undefeated next year. And I got a message back from God, saying, ‘Be real. Pray for something that can happen.”