If you've seen the video on the news if Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill being pulled over by the police, chances are you saw an edited video. When you have an opportunity, search for and watch the full, unedited video. From the moment Hill was pulled over, he copped a bad attitude and disobeyed police orders.

When you are stopped by police, roll your window all the way down, turn off the radio, turn on your interior light if it's nighttime, and put both of your hands on the steering wheel where the officer can see them as he approaches. This shows respect for the officer's safety. Then follow that up with actually being respectful toward the officer by responding to his inquiries. The encounter will go as smoothly and unventfully as possible. It's not rocket science.

Tyreek Hill broke every rule of common sense. Instead of greeting the officer with respect and being prepared to accept accountability for his actions, he acted like an entitled toddler. His above-the-law attitude led to obstructing the officer's official business. When people do that, it escalates the encounter. The next time Hill is stopped by the police, hopefully his memory of the taste of pavement will remind him he's not above the law.

If you get stopped by the police and become angry and defensive because you feel like you're being personally violated, there's something wrong with your self-esteem. The police are not your enemy. It's simply their job to enforce the law. If they cite you for a traffic violation and you get angry with them instead of yourself, the police are still not your enemy — your enemy is your own ego.

The Snickers Brusky Memorial Fundraiser was a success in 2022 having raised $1,676 for a local cat rescue. I wasn't able to run a full fundraiser in 2023 due to other obligations, but this year I'm bringing back both the fundraiser and the fundraiser dance! The beneficiary of this year's fundraiser will be Touched By a Paw, a faith-based, volunteer-run, no-kill cat rescue in downtown Whitewater, WI.

I stopped by Touched By a Paw earlier today and was thoroughly impressed by the operation. The level of care they provide for all their cats simply blew me away. They don't just make sure their cats' needs are met, but they make sure all their special needs are met to meticulous standards. (In the half-hour I was there, I learned more about treating diabetic cats than in the last three years managing Arthur's diabetes, thanks to one of their resident volunteers who speaks with the expertise of a scientist... because she is one!) This shelter is truly worthy of your donations.

Here are the details of the fundraiser:

Snickers Brusky Memorial Fundraiser
September 1 – October 4, 2024

During this period I will be soliciting donations for the shelter in person and online. I'll have a web page created just for the fundraiser. I'll list all the different ways you'll be able to donate. You'll also be able to track the progress of the fundraiser. Donations will also come from my online store. The fundraiser's main event will be a polka-variety dance:

CATOBERFEST! - Snickers Brusky Memorial Fundraiser Dance
When: Tuesday, October 1, 2024
Where: Pat's Oak Manor, 1804 15th Avenue, South Milwaukee, WI
Time: 6:30pm – 9:00pm
Featuring: Tom Brusky Band (polka-variety)
Cost: Free (a donation to the shelter will be appreciated)

Everyone who donates $15 or more will receive a CD copy of my latest album, "Escape to Polka Paradise". The first fifteen people who donate $30 or more will also receive a hardcover copy of the book, "Polka Heartland: Why the Midwest Loves to Polka" (compliments of Richard March and Dick Blau who supplied me with the books in 2020.)

There will be complimentary pizza available (the thin crust pizza at Pat's is outstanding!)

Hopefully a rep from the shelter will be able to make the trip into town to meet and greet donors. If not, I'll have brochures on hand to distribute.

In the next couple of months I may come up with additional perks for the dance, but this is all I have for now. Mark the date on your calendar. I'll be creating and posting flyers in the days ahead.

UPDATE August 24:

The webpage for the fundraiser is now up and running: https://www.tombrusky.com/snickers/