We can all be John Bassett

Some four decades ago, when his colleagues cowered before Donald Trump, one man saw through the bluster. Let's follow his example.

John Bassett: Unafraid.

This is going to be a quick Saturday post, and what I want to say is—Fight!

And what I want to say is, Fucking fight!

I know it’s hard. I know it’s scary. I know the Democratic Party has let us down. I know mainstream media has let us down. I know several universities have let us down. I know a bunch of weak-ass law firms have let us down. I know it’s all consuming and feels suffocating and, at times, lost.

But that doesn’t mean we stop throwing punches.

That doesn’t mean hope is dead.

Listen, seven years back I wrote a book titled, “Football for a Buck.” It’s about the USFL, an old football league from the early 1980s that tried rivaling the NFL. One of the team owners was a young businessman named Donald J. Trump, who possessed the New Jersey Generals. And even all those decades ago, as a dude in his 30s, Trump was able to bully and berate; degrade and dog. His peers were largely older, wiser and more successful businessmen—but Trump refused to shut up. He barked and bragged nonstop; promised “the best” this and “the most amazing” that. Yap, yap, yap, yap. Even as his guarantees fell flat (the big TV deal never materialized; the planned move from spring to fall was a disaster; suing the NFL proved a guaranteed failure), most of the other owners allowed him to take control of league operations. Why? Because—as is the case now with so many folks—they were cowards. They feared retribution. They steered clear of the bully.

There was, however, one man with the courage to battle back. His name was John Bassett, owner of the Tampa Bay Bandits and a notably steadfast dude. And after too much Trump, Bassett fired off this letter …

It is, for my money, the greatest Trump-related note to ever exist. But it’s also a reminder that Trump is, truly, a loser. He talks a good game, makes 800 promises per minute, peddles nonstop slop—but has no core values or character. For example, can you imagine Donald Trump affectionately petting a dog? Enjoying an ice cream cone? Picking someone up at the airport and embracing them in a big hug? No. He’s a shell of a non-human. A true piece of decaying shit.

Also, not for nothing, he always fails. Not sometimes. Always. His businesses tank. His plans collapse. His dreams wither. Every. Single. Thing. Donald. Trump. Touches. Ultimately. Dies. He’s neither smart not keen. He’s a bullshitter who—Poof!— transformed Rudy Giuliani from America’s Mayor to a dude peddling HAPPY BIRTHDAY videos on Cameo.

And when the USFL collapsed because the other owners followed Donald Trump off a cliff, only one man could stand tall and look at himself in the mirror.

John Bassett, sadly, passed of brain cancer in 1986.

He is remembered, however, for refusing to cower in the face of a bully.

For sticking out his chin.

For believing in righteousness.

For fighting back.

So, dear readers, let’s do as John Bassett did.

Let’s fight back.