Tampa Bay Buccaneers Quiz: In honor of their playoff
appearance. 1) Who is the only Bucs player to have his uniform
retired? 2) Who has the most touchdowns in a Bucs uniform?
3) Who has the most receptions in a single season? Answers
below.
Attica…Attica
I saw a piece on Wednesday about the settlement that was
reached between inmates and the state of New York over the
1971 prison riot that was a symbol of the chaotic times we lived
in back then. The state agreed to pay some $8 million to the
1,280 inmates who claimed that they were tortured, beaten and
denied medical treatment in the aftermath of the revolt. Initially,
I was prepared to write a rather cynical blurb on this whole issue
but after doing a little research, I thought I”d just stick with the
facts. It was one of the more momentous events of that year.
Back in July of 1971, inmates at the New York state correctional
facility near Buffalo had petitioned state officials to ease
overcrowding and censorship rules and to improve conditions
that limited them to one shower a week and one roll of toilet
paper a month! [A commodity I have a ton of now, myself, after
going on Y2K watch.] By August, officials should have been on
alert because the inmates were getting restless. A fast was held
on August 22nd in memory of George Jackson, a prominent black
radical who had been killed by prison guards in California during
a prison breakout. The state continued to ignore their calls for a
little leniency.
On September 9th, as they made their way to breakfast a group of
inmates surged through a prison gallery. Capturing a center area
known as “Times Square,” they quickly gained access to all cell
blocks. In this initial rioting, some severely beat a guard,
William Quinn, who died 2 days later. Later that day, authorities
retook most of the prison but the inmates controlled an exercise
yard, Yard D, where 1,281 convicts assembled with 39 guards
and other prison employees as their hostages.
The negotiations that ensued were tense and bizarre. National
figures like civil rights lawyer William Kunstler and New York
Times columnist Tom Wicker were brought forward to aid in the
talks. But New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller refused to go
to the scene.
The prisoners demanded better medical care, better food, the
right to read materials published by the Black Panthers, and the
right to have a black Muslim minister. After several days,
however, the negotiations stalled and Rockefeller ordered the
retaking of Prison Yard D.
On September 13th, state police launched an all-out assault.
More than 2,000 rounds of ammunition were fired over six
minutes. When the firing stopped, 29 prisoners and 10 hostages
had been killed, making the final death toll from the uprising, 32
inmates dead and 11 correctional officers. Hundreds were
wounded. [3 inmates had been killed by fellow prisoners over
the 5 days along with the one guard at the start of the riot.]
In the hours that followed, prison guards and law enforcement
authorities committed brutal acts of reprisal, including having the
prisoners run through a gauntlet, naked.
The state tried to claim that the 10 guards who were killed during
the shooting were killed by prisoners, a fact later proved to be
false. Originally, a class-action suit was filed in 1974 which
sought $100 million. After 23 years, in 1997 a federal jury
awarded $4 million to Frank “Big Black” Smith ( a leader of the
revolt) who had been forced to lie on a table while officers beat
and burned him. But an appeals court reversed the decision.
Smith, who had been released in 1973, pursued the case until this
week”s final judgement. New York State admitted no
wrongdoing in the settlement. It also agreed to pay the inmates”
lawyers up to $4 million in legal fees and costs. Since 1971,
several hundred of the inmates have died.
It”s easy to say about this whole incident, so what? But a
rational view of the proceedings can only lead to the conclusion
that this was not one of America”s shining moments. As Tom
Wicker later wrote, “There”s always time to die. I don”t know
what the rush was.” [And, as Louisiana prison officials proved
before Christmas, patience normally wins out in these matters.]
Do You Remember? Basketball Trivia
January 25, 1972, Minnesota was leading Ohio State 50-44 with
36 seconds remaining when Buckeyes center Luke Witte was
fouled hard while driving for a layup. Gophers forward Corky
Taylor then punched Witte in the head. Apparently remorseful,
Taylor extended a hand to Witte and – when the dazed Witte
accepted it – used Witte”s arm as leverage to knee him the groin.
Minnesota reserve Ron Behagan then came off the bench to
stomp Witte on the neck and head. As Witte was wheeled off the
floor on a stretcher, the Gophers faithful booed him lustily.
[Source: Sports Illustrated]. * I apologize to my many readers in
the great state of Minnesota for bringing up this black mark on
your history. To the people of Ohio, I offer my condolences.
Now y”all shake hands.
The Jerusalem Syndrome
Even after New Year”s, doctors in this holy city remain
concerned that tourists, believing themselves to be biblical
figures such as Jesus, John the Baptist, or Moses, may commit
suicide or worse. The syndrome strikes with little warning.
After a few days in the city, seemingly normal pilgrims sing
psalms at the top of their lungs and preach to passersby. Others
dress up in hotel bedsheets. Doctors say that in many cases, the
patients have no recollection afterwards of their street corner
preaching, and are quite embarrassed by the attention they have
drawn. [I should hope so!]
The Jerusalem Syndrome may have first actually appeared about
a thousand years ago. In the year 1033, the 1000th anniversary of
the crucifixion, crowds of pilgrims visited Jerusalem to mark the
event and many refused to leave. Pope John Paul II is still
scheduled to visit Israel in March, raising fears that many
incidents are around the corner. [Personally, right about now I
feel “Samson” coming on.]
Top 3 songs for the week of 1/9/65: #1 “I Feel Fine” (The
Beatles) #2 “Come See About Me” (The Supremes)
#3 “Mr. Lonely” (Bobby Vinton…try “Matchmakers!”)
Attention fellow New York Mets fans, pitchers and catchers
report February 15th.
Quiz answers: 1) Lee Roy Selmon, #63 2) James Wilder, 46
3) Mark Carrier, 86.
Next Bar Chat, Monday.
