From the Side Forrest Johnson

Liar’s alert of highest order issued – again

Author’s note: I have updated a previous column. That’s all I can do at this point about this guy.

The National Union of Friendly Americans (NUFA) has issued a FROM THE “Liar’s Alert of the HighSIDE est Degree” for any statement offered FORREST by our president Payosa JOHNSON Loco, the Crazy Clown.

NUFA’s crack Truth or Consequences Squad has never recorded such a high level of lying, falsifying, prevaricating, deceiving, misinforming, exaggerating, distorting, concocting, misrepresenting, dissembling or deluding.

The debate has raged at NUFA bars and lounges nationwide between the various psychological and philosophical agencies that determine who’s friendly and who’s just plain not friendly and, thus, not deserving of the personal bartender guaranteed for all members in good standing.

Some in the organization believe Payosa Loco is more than “not friendly,” believing him to be mentally unstable.

In a letter signed by at least 35 NUFA psychiatrists, psychologists and poets, the case was laid out carefully. Thank you to Lance Dodes and

Joseph Schachter of our Beverly Hills, California chapter for deliberating.

“Mr. Trump’s speech and actions demonstrate an inability to tolerate views different from his own, leading to rage reactions. His words and behavior suggest a profound inability to empathize. Individuals with these traits distort reality to suit their psychological state, attacking facts and those who convey them.

“In a powerful leader, these attacks are likely to increase, as his personal myth of greatness appears to be confirmed. We believe that the grave emotional instability indicated by Mr. Trump’s speech and actions makes him incapable of serving safely as president.”

On the other hand is a differing opinion by our foremost authority, the Exalted Shack Master. When he’s not marching around the shack, carrying on with his silly Napoleonic demands he’s not such a bad fellow.

Remember, no one can sneak across NUFA’s very open and welcoming borders without being friendly.

Thank you to Allen Frances of our Coronado, California chapter for interpreting the words of our beloved and irascible Exalted Shack Master.

“He may be a world class narcissist, but this doesn’t make him mentally ill, because he does not suffer from the distress and impairment required to diagnose mental disorder. Mr. Trump causes severe distress rather than experiencing it and has been richly rewarded, rather than punished, for his grandiosity, self-absorption and lack of empathy. It is a stigmatizing insult to the mentally ill (who are mostly well behaved and well meaning) to be lumped with Mr. Trump (who is neither).

“Psychiatric name-calling is a misguided way of countering Mr. Trump’s attack on democracy. He can, and should, be appropriately denounced for his ignorance, incompetence, impulsivity and pursuit of dictatorial powers. His psychological motivations are too obvious to be interesting, and analyzing them will not halt his headlong power grab. The antidote to a dystopic Trumpean dark age is political, not psychological.”

Those two viewpoints certainly hit the nail on the head, even in their differences over what might be termed as mentally ill and what is termed a looney human being acting as our president.

We at NUFA weren’t quite sure what to call his last Thursday rumble with reporters at the New York Times. Was it a press conference or a psychiatric exam? What we certainly know is that whatever it was it wasn’t friendly.

At NUFA, it’s all about being friendly, kindly, amiable, neighborly, sociable, civil, attentive, agreeable, accommodating, pleasant, cordial and congenial.

The man frightens small children and dogs. Forget that he has frightened over 62 percent of the population at this point in his presidency. The man scares small children and dogs. He is not friendly.

Is he nuts or a narcissist to the degree we haven’t encountered before in recent human history?

It doesn’t matter. He scares small children and dogs. He is not friendly. He is a liar, a prevaricator, deceiver, perjurer, falsifier and a fibber. Supporters clinging to the hope that he’ll mend his ways and actually think about one single person, let alone the rest of the country, without it having to massage his fragile ego, will be sorely disappointed.

It won’t be long now.

The man is just not friendly.

The National Union of Friendly Americans (NUFA) “Liar’s Alert of the Highest Order” takes effect immediately. NUFA will see to it that Payosa Loco can’t sidestep deception much longer. As noted in an earlier column, his personal bartender and NUFA privileges for members in good standing have been revoked. His sorry appeal was denied. And if history is any judge, when that happens, it’s never long before narcissists and nincompoops are back at the door, begging to be let back in.

Twin Ports virtual coastal clean-up on Sept. 26

Two Awesome Cities, One Great Grab a five-gallon bucket or old neighborhood cleanups have been Brewery Lake! Mayor Larson, Duluth, and Maygrocery bag to reuse (or another bag postponed until it is safe for groups to • 2 - $20 gift cards | Anchor Bar in or Paine, Superior, invite everyone, as available to you). work again. But this hasn’t dampened Superior you are safely able to do so, to spend Put on your gloves or grab your litter our volunteer spirit and desire to help • 1 - $25 gift card | Thirsty Pagan some time on Saturday, Sept. 26, cleangrabber. others and the environment. • 24-inch Tessellate Planter and Pitch ing your neighborhood or favorite Pick up whatever litter you see for at The 2020 Virtual Twin Ports Coastal Birdhouse | Loll Designs waterway (but at a safe social distance). least 30 minutes. Cleanup is part of a global project • Free ice cream cone | Dairy Queen

Imagine if everyone stepped outside Get picky! Look for little pieces of called The International Coastal In addition to wearing gloves and on the same day, with a shared goal plastic and cigarette butts. Cleanup. practicing social distancing, all particito take care of our shared waterways. Wave to your neighbors! Since the Cleanup began in 1986, pants are asked to follow these safety We can already see it. A community of Take pictures of your amazing work. nearly 12 million people – all volunguidelines during their clean-up efforts: people, with shopping bags or buckets Dispose of the collected waste in teers – from more than 90 countries • Be extremely mindful of water conand gloves, ready to keep Lake Superior your personal trash containers. and 55 U.S. states and territories have ditions. Follow all safety alerts related free from litter! Wash your hands! taken hands-on action to clean shores to conditions along Lake Superior.

When: Saturday, Sept. 26 Share your impact by tagging @ around the planet. • Avoid movements that will distract

Where: Near your favorite waterway, TwinPortsCoastalCleanup + # TwinThe Cleanup’s effectiveness continpassing drivers or other volunteers. be it Lake Superior or a neighborhood PortsCoastalCleanup online. ues long after the last bag of trash is • Do not wear headsets which could creek OR around your neighborhood Be entered to win great prizes by subhauled away and the tired volunteers prevent you from hearing others or and nearby storm drain (the Twin Ports mitting your clean-up results through go home. Many cleanups plant the distracting you from other hazards. is really just a giant watershed with the Twin Ports Coastal Clean-Up Litter seeds for local recycling campaigns, • Do not attempt to retrieve items everything leading to the lake)! Report. public education programs, adopt-athat may risk injury.

How to participate: It feels good to do good, to take care beach programs, and even stormwater • Don’t over exert yourself. • Duluth residents: duluthmn.gov/ of each other and our community – system overhaul and legislative reform. • Do not empty liquid out of bottles. kdc/sign-up especially during times of widespread Prizes Throw away bottles with liquid. • Superior residents: ci.superior. uncertainty. The coronavirus pandemic • 5 - $100 gift cards | Whole Foods Post pictures online and tag @ wi.us/970/2020-Twin-Ports-Virtualhas restricted many of our usual volunCo-Op TwinPortsCoastalCleanup + # TwinCoastal-Cleanup teer opportunities – many of our usual • 5 - $20 gift cards | Canal Park PortsCoastalCleanup.

Floyd Francis Murphy 9/6/1936 – 8/28/2020

Floyd F. Murphy, 83, of Duluth, died at Essentia Health St. Mary’s Medical Center. He was born in Duluth to John J. and Katherine A. (Mc Clellan) Murphy. Floyd married Estelene S. Buchta on Sept. 10, 1960, in Duluth. Floyd was a baker for many years, managing National T and Highland Super Valu bakeries. He went on to retire from Cub Foods bakery. Floyd enjoyed his fishing trips to Canada, and following his retirement, he and Estie enjoyed the casino and pull tabs. Their farm known as “Murphy’s Funny Farm” was the site of many educational trips in the spring for local students to learn a little about farm life and farm animals. During COVID Floyd and Estie enjoyed their deck watching the hummingbirds and wildlife. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Pat. Floyd is survived by his wife of 60 years, Estie; his three daughters: Lisa McClelland, and her children Zach and Derek, Janet Murphy, and her daughter Jackie Eld, and Debbie (Tim Brandon) Miller, all of Duluth; his sister Agnes Miller of Phillips, Wis; former son-in-law Joe Miller, Duluth; his sidekick Murphy; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends. Family Services are private. Burial is at Calvary Cemetery. A Celebration of Floyd’s life will be held at the “farm” on Saturday, Sept. 12th, starting at 11 am.

Antony Simrak 10/15/1990 – 8/4/2020

Antony David Frank Simrak, 29, of Greenwood, IN, formerly of Vernon Hills, Ill., and Duluth, died after an unexpected cardiac arrest. Antony grew up on ice hockey, summer fishing trips to Mesaba Park, and MidSummerfest Camping trips before moving to Illinois in his late teens. After spending most of his adult life in the building trades as a roofer, Tony planned to start his own construction company with his best friend Chaz. Ever ready when those important to him needed a hand, he was a good, solid man. In finding a deep sense of pride in a hard days work, done well, and dedicating every breath to providing for his family, Tony inspired the pride of his loved ones every day. His children were the center of his universe – nothing made him happier than being a dad. Antony leaves behind his grieving fiance, Lauren Fishero, his beloved children Kennadi, Kyle, Tanner and a stepdaughter, Monroe. Mourning his loss are his mother Eden Lake (Gary), grandmother Deb Simrak, uncle Mik, great grandmother Josephine, his big floofy dog Odysseus Brutus, many aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and fish (he leaves behind many relieved fish in Northstar lake, at least until his kids start fishing there). Surely Tony’s crossing was soothed by the warm and waiting love of his great grandparents Frank & Viola Simrak and Ike Hawley, grandfathers Dana Hawley and Richard Gose as well as his father Robert D’aigle, all of whom preceeded him in death. Due to covid, gravesite services will be private for immediate family only. Outdoor memorial picnics were held in Duluth on September 5 and in the Greenwood area at a later date. For memorial time & location details please see blog post at edenlake.me. In lieu of flowers, the family has set up a fund to provide for his children’s future stability. Donations are appreciated gf.me/u/ypcggn.

Carol Jean Baumgartner 5/24/1936 – 8/31/2020

Carol Jean Baumgartner, 84, of Duluth, died at Essentia Health St. Mary’s Medical Center from the relentless COVID-19 virus. She was born in Duluth to Andrew and Elsie (Johnson) Muccilli. Carol was a member of First Lutheran Church. She worked for more than 30 years at Duluth’s ISD 709 in accounts payable. She was the most loving, caring, thoughtful woman and mother that anyone could have asked for. Visitation is Friday, Sept. 11, at 11 am until the noon service at Dougherty Funeral Home, Duluth, Facial masks are required. Burial will follow at Park Hill Cemetery with refreshments following at Rice Lake City Park.

Sister Sarah O’Malley 11/10/1932 – 8/11/2020

Sister Sarah O’Malley, OSB, 87, died in her 67th year of consecrated life. She was born to Michael and Ida Mary (Roberts) O’Malley in Rhinelander, Wis., the youngest of seven children, and given the name Nancy Elizabeth. Her parents and Franciscan teachers encouraged her to enter religious life, and after following two older sisters to The College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, she entered the Community in her sophomore year. She made her first monastic profession in 1953 and her perpetual profession in 1956. Sister Sarah majored in elementary education and taught in Cincinnati, Brainerd and Cloquet for 23 years, also serving as a principal in Cloquet. From 1973 to 1984, she was the pastoral minister for West End Catholic Parish in Duluth. Out of these rich experiences came a series of contemplative books and articles. on spirituality. She collaborated with Reverend Robert Eimer, OMI in a dozen books. In Journey of Decision: A Way of the Cross (published in 1991 and illustrated by Sister Mary Charles McGough), the people who encountered Jesus in his trial and execution tell their stories. The book is used by parishes and retreat centers to bring the salvation story alive during Lent. Services were held Sept. 2. Dougherty Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Patricia J. Murphy 2/3/1923 – 9/3/2020

Patricia J. Murphy, 97, of Superior, died at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth. Patricia was born in Superior, the daughter of Elsie (Young) and Conrad Melberg. She was a member of the Duluth Women’s Club, Superior Garden Club, and the Northland Country Club. A private family graveside will be held at Greenwood Cemetery with Rev. Fr. Andrew Ricci officiating. Donations may be made in Patricia’s name to the Solid Rock Mission, 1004 N 6 th St., Superior, or to a local food shelf of donor’s choice.

Margaret S. Davis 1923 – 9/2/2020

Margaret S. Davis, 97, died residing at Diamond Willow in Proctor. She was the wife of the late Charles E. Davis, and is survived by her son Charles K. Davis, daughterin-law Beth Foudriat, and grandchildren Amy Davis and Ryan Davis. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents Marvin and Blanche Shakespeare and her sisters Mary Taylor, Jean Woods, and Amy Shakespeare. Interment will be private at Red Clay Creek Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, Delaware.

Joann C. Jacobson 8/19/1935 – 8/29/2020

Joann C. Jacobson, 85, of Duluth, died at Heritage Haven from Alzheimer’s. She was born to Stanley and Agnes Tendrup at home in Milltown, Wis. She attended a one-room schoolhouse until the age of nine, when she moved in with her aunt and uncle, Pat and Johnny in Luck, Wis. She graduated Milltown High School in 1953 as Salutatorian. Joann married Wayne Jacobson on her birthday in 1956 and raised three daughters. She was a CNA at the Frederic,WI Hospital and worked as a cook for ISD 709. In retirement, she returned to the farm in Luck to help Wayne grow numerous vegetables. Arrangements by Williams Lobermeier Boettcher Funeral Home.

Lydia F. Skoglund 3/9/1933 – 8/28/2020

Lydia F. Skoglund, 87, of Duluth died peacefully with family by her side, due to heart failure. She was born in Poland and raised in Germany. She came to Duluth in 1951 with her parents and siblings. Lydia married Calvin on Sept. 18, 1954 and they had a wonderful life together. They raised their three children in the Denfeld neighborhood. She enjoyed playing bingo at Keystone Bluffs, where she and Calvin lived since May of 2018. Services were held Sept. 3 at Williams Lobermeier Boettcher Funeral Home. Rev. Fr. John Petrich officiating. Burial in Oneota Cemetery.