The Topic Cafe

11/09/2025

Lately, my social media feeds have been flooded with something truly striking: videos of people openly crying, expressing deep regret, and apologizing for their past political choices. Specifically, many are remorseful about voting for [He Who Shall Not Be Named] after once being incredibly vocal and even venomous towards anyone who disagreed.
I remember those days clearly. I was called every name in the book – "too liberal," "a [Politician's Name] hater," you name it – simply for voicing concerns or pointing out inconsistencies. It felt like I was the only one seeing the emperor had no clothes, while everyone else was so hell-bent on "owning the liberals" that they were willing to cut off their own nose to spite their face.
The irony is profound. These were people who seemed to deny everything they heard and saw with their own eyes and ears, even when the politician himself seemed to be telling them exactly what he was going to do. The goal for many seemed to be purely about tribal victory, not about sound policy or genuine leadership.
And now? The very same individuals are suffering the consequences, and while I wouldn't wish hardship on anyone, I can't help but feel a profound sense of disbelief and a touch of the "Jack Nicholson in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" vibe. It's a complex mix of feelings – no pleasure in their pain, but an undeniable acknowledgement of the frustrating path that led us all here.
Let's talk examples:
• Economic Impact: Many who voted on promises of booming prosperity found themselves facing inflation, job insecurity, or unfulfilled economic pledges. For instance, promises to revitalise certain industries didn't always materialize as expected, or trade policies led to unforeseen costs for consumers and businesses.
• Healthcare Reversals: Voters hoping for improved or more affordable healthcare often saw attempts to dismantle existing systems without clear, viable replacements, leading to anxiety about losing coverage or facing higher costs.
• Promises vs. Reality: Remember the endless list of specific promises – building walls, eliminating debt, making everything "great again"? The reality for many has been a stark contrast to the rhetoric, leading to disillusionment when their personal circumstances didn't improve as advertised.
This isn't about gloating. It's about observing a powerful, sometimes painful, lesson in how political identity, misinformation, and the desire to "win" can sometimes blind people to their own self-interest and the broader consequences for society.
What are your thoughts? Have you seen similar patterns?

11/01/2025

Everyone sit back and remember the last words of Ozzy Osbourne. You read his words in print and remember in his voice the soul of the man who just wanted to be loved by people.

“Times have changed, and times are strange- here I come, but I ain’t the same. Mama, I’m coming home.”

Now hear the words of Alice Cooper.

“The only real person you need to know is you.”

Do you hear his voice? Did that resonate? You will remember.

Now think of one real thing that Piers Morgan has said in that droning, smug voice of his. His ego-charged arguments. Think of one thing that has made your life better having heard him.

Did you just read that in Alice Cooper’s voice? Then you understand the assignment.

10/29/2025

They attempted to categorize us by crayon colors, but we were never intended to be confined to separate boxes.

My mother wasn’t defined by 'Indian Red.' My wife wasn’t characterized by 'Burnt Umber.' I am not limited to 'Pale Face' or 'Redneck.' We are multifaceted individuals, comprising children, survivors, parents, allies, and advocates for truth and belonging.

If you wish to honor our shared humanity, refrain from categorizing people into boxes. Instead, celebrate the children, stories, and hands that hold each crayon. Wear your red, white, and blue as a symbol of solidarity for everyone who has been impacted by history.

10/28/2025

People are ready to milk cats, and the President of the United States of America is cutting SNAP Benefits while building a Ballroom at the White House BIGGER than the White House. It's almost like Marie Antoinette Trump is saying "Let them eat rats."

09/10/2025

Another school shooting. Four students dead. One of them just had his death confirmed.

I’ve never aligned with Charlie Kirk’s politics or rhetoric—but violence isn’t the answer. This tragedy isn’t about ideology. It’s about lives cut short, families shattered, and a system that keeps failing to protect our kids.

We need accountability. We need change. My heart is with the families tonight.

09/09/2025

“Just One Damned Super Bowl”
A Spoken Word Sermon for the Faithful of the 716

When people ask me,
“Why do you take Buffalo Bills football so seriously?”
I don’t answer.
I testify.

Because this isn’t just a game.
It’s a generational ritual.
It’s trauma therapy with wings and Labatt.
It’s Sunday night football scripted into our lives
like an episode of Roseanne—
only colder, louder, and with more broken remotes.

We were raised on heartbreak.
The Music City Miracle wasn’t just a bad beat—
it was a cosmic betrayal.
January 8, 2000:
We took the lead,
and fate took the ball.
A lateral that still feels illegal,
a return that rewrote our DNA.
That play didn’t just end a game—
it ended trust.

And still, we showed up.
Because we’re Buffalo.
We shovel out our driveways in blizzards
to tailgate in parking lots that smell like diesel and devotion.
We baptize our children in blue cheese and hot sauce.
We believe in miracles—
because we have to.

We watched Buffalo '66
and saw ourselves in every frame.
Vincent Gallo didn’t make a movie—
he made a mirror.
The bowling alleys, the diners,
the aching need to be seen and forgiven.
It hit harder than Trainspotting
because it wasn’t just cinema—
it was home.

And those Sundays?
They weren’t just about football.
They were about faith.
In the same breath we prayed for our brothers and sisters overseas,
we prayed for the safety on the roster.
In the name of the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Spirit of the 12th Man,
Rich Stadium became a 60,000-person Baptist Revival.
We didn’t just cheer—
we believed.

“Just one damned Super Bowl before I die.”
It’s not hyperbole.
It’s a mantra.
A blessing to some,
a curse to others.
It’s the whispered wish of every fan
who’s buried heartbreak beneath layers of Zubaz and hope.
It’s the rallying cry of a city
that’s been counted out
and keeps showing up.
Resurrected every spring
for training camp.

So when someone asks,
“Why do you take Bills football so seriously?”
I say:

It’s memory.
It’s identity.
It’s old-time religious faith
in miracles and the impossible.
It’s wings and Labatt,
snow and sacrifice,
love and dysfunction.

It’s a Buffalo thing.
You wouldn’t understand.

09/02/2025

09/02/2025

⚠️ Workplace PSA: Beware the Cult of Chaos ⚠️
“We don’t train—we test loyalty through confusion.”

In today’s thrilling episode of How Not to Run a Business, we spotlight a growing trend among certain employers: the art of hiring with enthusiasm, onboarding with silence, and firing with indignation.

These organizations pride themselves on “fast-paced environments,” which is code for “no structure, no support, and no idea what they’re doing.” New hires are expected to perform flawlessly with minimal training, zero supervision, and a daily dose of passive-aggressive micromanagement. If you ask questions, you’re labeled “not a good fit.” If you succeed despite the chaos, you’re resented for making others look bad.

And just when you think it’s over, management might call you at home to ask if you accidentally stole something—because nothing says “professionalism” like post-termination paranoia.

Red Flags to Watch For:

• Vague job descriptions that promise “growth” but deliver burnout
• Managers who disappear during onboarding but reappear for blame
• A culture that confuses confusion with character-building
• Exit interviews that sound like therapy sessions

If you’re job hunting, remember: a paycheck isn’t worth your peace. Seek out workplaces that value clarity, mentorship, and mutual respect—not ones that treat employees like disposable test subjects in their latest experiment in dysfunction.

07/14/2025

What we’ve got here isn’t just a generational gripe—it’s Lex Luthor-level misdirection. Group-blaming over shared fears is how division gets sown. The truth? Every generation passes down agency, wisdom, and community. That’s not weakness—it’s survival.

Superman isn’t just a cape and curl—he’s the idea of rising above, of protecting those who can’t. Even Guy Gardner, loudmouth extraordinaire, gets it. Redemption doesn’t come by tearing others down—it comes when ego meets empathy and chooses humanity.

And yes, spoiler alert: Supergirl’s older but emotionally out of sync. Her arc’s a reminder that growth isn’t just age—it’s experience.

Mr. Terrific gets the MVP.

And ElfQuest’s Wendy Pini’s storytelling proves the power of passing knowledge forward.

Books are meant to be read, movies are meant to be reinvented. Don’t burn what doesn’t speak to you.

02/03/2025

Happy St Brigid’s Day.. the beginning of spring!

02/01/2025

Happy Black History Month! This is a time to celebrate the rich and diverse history of the Black community, including the incredible contributions of Black men and women to music, ingenuity, and public service. From the soulful melodies of gospel to the energetic beats of hip-hop, Black musicians have shaped the soundtrack of our nation and the world. Black inventors and innovators have pushed the boundaries of technology and science, leaving their mark on fields like medicine, engineering, and mathematics. And Black leaders and activists have fought tirelessly for justice and equality, inspiring generations to come. Let us honor the past, celebrate the present, and look forward to a future where the contributions of the Black community are fully recognized and appreciated.

Here are some specific examples of Black contributions to music, ingenuity, and public service:

Music:

Gospel: Mahalia Jackson, Thomas Dorsey, and the Clark Sisters
Jazz: Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and Miles Davis
Blues: Bessie Smith, B.B. King, and Muddy Waters
Soul: Aretha Franklin, James Brown, and Stevie Wonder
Hip-hop: Public Enemy, Tupac Shakur, and Beyoncé
Ingenuity:

Invention: Garrett Morgan (traffic light), Madam C.J. Walker (hair care products), and George Washington Carver (agricultural products)
Science: Katherine Johnson (NASA mathematician), Neil deGrasse Tyson (astrophysicist), and Kizzmekia Corbett (vaccine researcher)
Technology: Mark Dean (co-inventor of the first 1-gigahertz computer chip), Otis Boykin (inventor of electronic resistors), and Lonnie Johnson (inventor of the Super Soaker water gun)
Public service:

Civil rights: Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Malcolm X
Politics: Shirley Chisholm (first Black woman elected to Congress), Barack Obama (first Black president of the United States), and Kamala Harris (first Black and South Asian vice president of the United States)
Military: Colin Powell (first Black Secretary of State), Charles Young (first Black national park superintendent), and Hazel Johnson-Brown (first Black four-star admiral)