Let's Withhold Complaints for Real Issues

Come on, enough is enough! Recently, the upcoming Motion pictures Oscars nominations were announced and there was an absence of "black' actors on the list of nominees. Well, you guessed; many folks are making a big stink over the lack of diversity. This kinda poppycock is absolute bullshit.
The National Basketball Association is comprised of 80% 'Black' players; the National Football League is comprised of 70% 'Black' players, certainly a lack of diversity. Of course the argument for the disproportionate number of 'black' athletes over 'white' players in the two professional sports will be explained as  'a simple matter of skill / ability.' Perhaps just perhaps, this particular year, that accounts for the lack of diversity in the motion picture Oscar nominees!!
I line up with minority causes at the drop of the hat, however this type of bitching disgusts me. Sidney Poitier needed no quota crap.

A Sad Truth

Growing up and playing my youth sports in the 1940's & 1950's, I was plug into the prevailing wisdom and philosophy, which preached sportsmanship and the idea that sport participation 'builds character.'
I do not deny the possibility that sport participation can 'build' character, however in this 21st century America, I truly believe that sport participation more often 'REVEALS' participant and spectator character !!
Please consider:
(1) Texas cheerleader mom plans murder of daughter's rival's mother.
(2). Pro boxer bites off part of opponent's ear.
(3)  Pro NFL coach offers injury bounty to his players who send opponents to sidelines injured
(4). NFL coach video spies on opponent
(5). NFL team deflates football under the leagues standards.
(6). Numerous MLB players guilty of performance enhancing drug use
(7). Endless academic and cheating scandals dot the history of college athletic programs
(8). Little League parents frequently engage in fist fights @ sport contests

It is often purported that sport is a microcosm of society...I agree...many aspects of youth sports, college sports and pro sports prepare us to embrace society's greed and cheating.
Let's be honest and not speak with a forked-tongue!

Personal acknowledgement: Those of us who grew up in the '40's & '50's are not very sophisticated; we ate meals together as a family and watched television programs like Father Knows Best and American Bandstand...We truly did think Dad knew best...and American Bandstand female performers did not display 'skin' and the male singers did not grab their penis and testicles while singing. We were somewhat of a boring generation

I Don't Understand

In 1919, the U S Supreme Court ruled: 'Speech that represents clear and present danger is not protected by the First Amendment.' In 1942, the U S Supreme Court ruled: 'Forms of expression that inflict injury or tend to incite immediate breach of peace is not protected by the First Amendment.'

There are 19 Bible verses that speak to and encourage 'acts of kindness.' In Luke 6-27, Jesus tells us to 'love thy enemy.'  Why then is it okay for Christians to say ugly / hateful things about other people, their origin or religious beliefs and then pompously invoke the First Amendment rights? Toss the garbage, we are either practicing Christians or we ARE NOT!

P.S. A few days ago, I sought prayers from you readers in behalf of my brother, Tom. Yesterday, Tom survived a seven hour open heart LVAD surgery. A heart pump was inserted in his lower heart lobe and is attached to an 'fanny-pack battery.' The next seven days of recovery are most critical...thanks for your continued prayer petitions...I believe in those prayer power.

Say Goodnight Gracie

Yesterday returning from a beautiful beach sunset, my wife and I stopped to admire a seaside condo near construction completion. The medium tall building was slightly elevated on decorative pillars. The underneath area had every thing from a patio-theme Tiki Bar to a swimming pool.
My wife pointed out another feature saying, "Wow, that's the largest 'zucchini' I have ever seen."
I believe she was referring to the Jacuzzi; she often has one of those "Gracie" moments. Once while vacationing in the Missouri Ozarks, she noted: "In The Ozarks it 'really' gets dark at night."

A Salute To Mr. Cub / Mr Baseball

Ernie banks, 'Mr. Cub,' has died. His 19-year Hall-of-Fame career with the Chicago Cubs is documented with incredible statistical numbers. He was a two time MVP and hit over 500 home runs. Perhaps his greatest gift to the game of baseball and fans everywhere was his effervescent enthusiasm and up-beat personality. There was no greater ambassador for Major League Baseball.

Certainly without knowing, Ernie Banks summed up the problem and ugly underbelly of professional sports today when he said, (after hitting his 500th home run), "The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money."

Ernie, maybe in heaven they will 'play two.' Down here on planet earth, the players are too soft and owners too greedy to give baseball fans two-for-one!

Great Balls Deflated !

Okay, can we agree that New England Patriots Coach Bill Belichick is a solid football coach and a cheater? The latest 'cheat' effort is the deflating of footballs, which follows the cheating by video taping opponents' sideline signals. In America we have rules for cheaters. At my Alma mater, Illinois State University, when students are 'caught' (cheating) sharing homework the student is punished unless the student is an athlete; then he is 'warned.'
In big time college sports and certainly pro sports, money talks and integrity walks. Now this Patriots deflated ball issue falls in the lap of NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell. Anyone care to guess the size of his balls?

Bogus Bull-Crap for the Day

Most folks have an opinion regarding what's wrong with our nation's economy and in particular our healthcare system. As Ray Charles sings in the song 'My World,' "Everybodys' got their own opinion and you know, I sure got mine."
Point: A knee replacement in America can cost anywhere from $11,000.00 to $70,000.00. Score one for unregulated free market capitalism. Personally, I think the middle class blue collar guys called, 'plumbers' should 'control' the cost of toilet-installation. A standard-commode installation would range from $1,100.00 to $7,000.00. (Everybody needs a toilet whereas few need a knee replacement.) The plumber guy could then afford to purchase a house next to the doctor guy in the gated-community and send his kids to private schools. This would be classic 'free market' capitalism.
Plumbers should unite; they could truly cause a 'stink.'

Somebody Oughta Write a Book About It

I understand Mike Huckabee recently wrote a book entitled, 'God, Guns, Grits and Gravy.' Interesting to note that most politicians running for office these days write books.

Sixteenth President, Abraham Lincoln never wrote a book yet he has had more books written about him except for Jesus of Nazareth. Perhaps Lincoln was either too lazy or too busy to write a book or maybe publishers felt his writing style and phraseology were ineffective.
Many politicians and other nut bags writing books seem to, sooner or later, state or infer 'what' Jesus thinks on an issue; they are kinda like Jesus' ghost writers. I thoroughly appreciate it when people assist me with my personal relationship with Christ...don't you?

Anyway, I plan to purchase Huckabee's book, 'God, Guns, Grits and Gravy.' I will buy the book, not because I could learn one thing about Jesus from the Huckabee nor am I interested in what he has to say about guns, however I could pick up a recipe or two. My Mammy Bennett made great grits and my mother, Lou rocked the world with her gravy. I never knew their recipes; perhaps Huckabee has some good grits & gravy recipes.

Please, If You Will

My brother, four and one-half years my junior sits in Barnes Jewish Hospital awaiting heart surgery. Twenty- some years ago, he had a heart attack, which required open-heart by-pass surgery. Through the years he has had numerous heart events and attacks requiring the placement of eleven stents.
His heart no longer has the pump-power to sustain his body. A few days ago, his liver and kidneys began to fail. At this moment, he is attached to an external heart pump. The proposed surgery is the insertion of a 'left ventricular assisting device'. This would require opening the chest and placing a 'pump' at the lower heart lobe. A 'feed' wire would come from the device out from the abdomen and attach to a battery-pack wore externally. Yes, it is the surgery performed on former vice-president, Dick Chaney.
I need not suggest the risky nature of this surgery. What I need is to ask each of you to lift my brother's name (Tom) in prayer. I wish for his comfort and distance from obvious anxiety. Sure, I want another day and another moment at a Cardinals baseball game with him. I do understand that before he was a brother, husband, father of three, grandfather of eleven and a great-grandfather, he WAS and remains a child of God.

Rescue Me !

Yesterday morning while walking my Toy Poodle, James Wilkerson 'Yodie' Yoder, I reflected on our relationship. Yodie is a seven pound rescue dog. Not a rescue dog in the conventional sense. Understand, I did not rescue Yodie, not the case; Yodie rescued me.
Let me explain. Every morning, I sit with a cup of coffee listening to television news as I read the newspaper. Between the two news sources, I suspect I digest two or three dozen disturbing stories. Terrorist stories abound, conflict news from Israel, Syria, Yemen and high alert terrorist warnings issued in the United States. The USA continues to be divided with the on-going racial demonstrations as police must look over their shoulders for the next ambush. Our government leaders refuse to make decisions with the common good in mind; instead our elected leaders 'position' for the next election cycle.
I remove myself from the ugly 'news-of-the-day;' knowing it will be there it will be there tomorrow...the sad depressing news of this 21st century.
My reason and purpose to get-out-the house? YODIE, the rescue dog; we are off for our walk. During a 15 minute stroll Yodie may stop 8-9 times to pee and pause once to crap. When I stoop to 'bag' his poop, I wonder who is responsible to bag the endless piles of shit left all over the world by humans?

Confucius Say "Clean Closet"

Most folks, I am told, have difficulty 'throwing' things away, which they no longer use. My wife and I are no different. A recent television documentary gave specific tips on how to attack this 'hoarding' problem.
It seems if you are wishing to clean out your closet, you should approach with the idea that 70 percent of the items should likely GO.
The experts suggest that you must take each item in hand and ask these three questions: (1) When did I last wear this item? (2) Does it fit? (3) Do I love it? If you have not worn it in the past three-years> toss it! If it does not fit> toss it. If you Do Not love it> toss it.
I did a mental 'walk- thru' with my stuff and I know that I could clear- out the nearly 70 percent. I did not bother to rent my mind to my wife's clothing stuff and let me explain 'why.'  My wife brought home a Panda Express fortune cookie from a luncheon approximately four-months ago, it is still in the wrapper on top the bread box. This proves two things: (1) She is susceptible to attachments to inanimate objects and (2) She obviously could give-a-crap what Confucius say.

A "GOOD'' Thought

Those coaching years, I preached to athletes, 'Be focused and don't let your highs or lows affect your preparation; you will have good days and bad days but never let outsiders know what you are feeling.' I know, I know, it is a strong sermon and most often difficult for athletes to accomplish.
As a grandfather of athletes, I ask endless questions about their approach, preparation, thought process, etc. I would be considered one of those distracting outside elements. I guess it is a DNA thing.
One performing grandkid is so 'focused' and together in handling 'ups & downs' that he can absolutely blow my mind. Here is examples of our conversational exchange:  (his answers appear in parentheses): How are you seeing the ball coming out of the pitcher's hand? (Good). Are you keeping your weight back and trusting your hands? ((Yep). How are you doing finishing your swing? (Good).

After a three game weekend baseball series, I'll be damned if one could tell, with body language / conversation, if the lefty-speedster went 9-for-16 or 3-for-16.
The past three Eastern Illinois baseball seasons, he has batting averages of: .316; .362; and .420, which ranked 3rd, (nationally) among NCAA Division I hitters in 2014.
I am going to try not to ask questions of the boy and stay out of his head allowing him to continue practicing that whiich I preach. I will pray he stays healthy in 2015...this approach,  FOR ME, will be real 'GOOD.'

All Things Cannot Be For Mine

I have a 5th grade granddaughter, who is playing with an elementary basketball team. My daughter telephoned yesterday to share details of their first game. Please understand that 'no child is left behind,' means no kid is denied participation and every kid has an unalienable right to get playing time.
Well how about this...it appears my granddaughter tied some all-time school record in her very first contest; during her 'must-play' time of eight minutes, she DID NOT touch the ball once! I may re-think her nickname and start calling her 'Duck,' as in decoy. My granddaughter likely has those skills to move and fake thus allowing the 'long-range bombers' to shoot.
My wife is angry about the granddaughter's first basketball experience; I just stopped laughing aloud three hours ago. I tried to explain to my wife, a foolish habit of mine, that IF ALL fifth grade girls became star basketball players the NCAA schools would not have any cute, back-flipping gymnastic cheerleaders smiling for cameras promoting college football season ticket sales.

Does She or Does She Not?

Our 24-year old granddaughter is in her third year teaching fourth grade. Her experience to date has been a mixed bag. Before I continue, I do acknowledge the possibility of a bias; although I stand on my perceptions.
The granddaughter's teaching evaluations each year are considered top of the scale. She, however appears to be in a philosophical standoff with her principal regarding  disciplinary measures. The granddaughter apparently sends students to the office if they are unresponsive to repeated directives. The principal, agitated with this method, suggests the granddaughter could use 'other' measures to resolve the classroom disruption; the granddaughter feels too much class time used addressing misbehaving students will rob good students of learning. (You readers HAVE noticed parents stopped sending well-behaved, respectful and disciplined kids to school several years ago.)
Several weeks ago, the principal suggested that perhaps the young teacher needed a more 'caring' attitude; she should explore ways to make those problem students 'like' her. I find it so interesting how society wishes for teachers and police to do their respective jobs but don't bruise any feelings or hurt anyone in the charge.
Our granddaughter took her therapy dog to the local hospital two days ago, as she often does. By chance happening, one of the forty patients she and her dog visited was the grandmother of one of her       behavior problem students. The teacher and pup spent time with the student and siblings while family visited the gravely-ill grandmother. The grandmother passed the next day.
Count the number of 24- year old single girls whom you know that spent money and time to train and certify a therapy dog and then give up Sunday nights visiting nursing homes and hospitals. How many of them would you judge 'caring?' How's that; you don't know any?

God Speaks

I told you a week ago that the 13-year Collinsville boy who drowned along with his grandfather while fishing had a long-time connection with the Roustio family. Last Tuesday, Granite City's boys basketball team was slated to play at Collinsville. My son, Steve who coaches the Granite City team, telephoned the Collinsville coach requesting that both teams dismiss the teams' starting-lineup introductions and instead read a condolence-support statement for the boy's family, some of whom would be in game-attendance. That family has strong ties to Collinsville high school. The plan seemed agreeable.
 Granite City took the court game-night to warm up wearing t-shirts with the 13-year old boy's name printed on the back of the shirt with his favorite scripture: Philippians 4-13: "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."
The game announcer balked at the proposed plan to dismiss team introductions and read the sympathy statement. The Granite City coach made no fuss over the host school's change of heart.
As the public announcer took the microphone in hand to introduce the teams, there was no sound; no speaker power. A second microphone was summoned and would you believe, again no function, no volume.
Chalk one up for Divine intervention while chalking up a 'fumble' (missed opportunity) for Collinsville high school to look GOOD. Some folks just don't get it.

Life According to Me !

I read where a federal judge recently struck down Florida's ban on 'gay marriages.' Immediately, some of the State's county clerks issued statements indicating that they would cease to perform 'courthouse weddings' because some of their staff members may have personal religious beliefs against 'gay marriage.'
I'll be damned, I did not know that religious beliefs trump American LAWS. This shit reminds me of the medical physician, several years ago, who refused to treat a sick person because the patient had tattoos and body piercings. The "holier-than-thou" judging doctor cited Biblical scripture for his grounds while ignoring any service oaths not to mention dismissing the teachings of Jesus Christ.

If you 'sign-on' to do a job, take an oath and/or represent something larger than YOU...then your personal beliefs don't factor; don't matter. If those beliefs or more important than a pay check then resign the position. It is no different than those four St Louis Rams football players who raised hands taking the personal stand in the Ferguson, Missouri case. When wearing the Rams uniform those players relinquish personal rights on game day!

Save Freedom & Truth

I find it interesting that 'Hollywood' can be so vocally grandiose on the one hand and shamefully silent on the other hand regarding two recent movie productions: 'The Interview' and 'Selma.'
The Hollywood crowd and many other Americans got all pissy-faced about Sony not releasing the movie 'The Interview' because of North Korea's bullying posture about a comedic movie with an assassination  theme of North Korea's dictator. There was all kinds of pontificating about America's freedom of speech and yielding to another country's threats. Finally, Sony released the movie in a limited manner.
The movie 'Selma' centers on the time and storyline about Martin Luther King's efforts to gain civil rights equality. The problem with the movie is it is historically incorrect as it portrays then President Lyndon Johnson as a hurdle and adversary for MLK...flat-ass dead wrong history.
Considering the current racial divide in America and the fact that many young people dropout of high school, we must assume that most of those youngsters will grab 'history facts' from television and movies. Where is Hollywood's pompous arrogance for freedom and truth.
My apologies to the America Indians.
On a personal: My life has documented as a lifelong fight against prejudice, bigotry and racism. I am disappointed that so many noted 'Black' dignitaries and celebraties find it impossible to be fair-minded and thus condemn the inaccurate portrayal of President Johnson in the movie 'Selma.' This attitude of 'blind-ethnocentric behavior' is both sad and disgusting; it sure the hell makes my 'minority' support/ promotion efforts more difficult.

Dress For The Occasion

The last time I had a Doctor's appointment, my wife told me that I should wear better clothing. When I asked 'why?', she said, "We go to Doctors' offices more than anyplace else and we should start treating the event as a social outing and dress the part."
When talking with the Doctor, I inquired about trembling in my hands. He said, "That's a senile tremor." I did not bother with a follow-up question. I figure any malady having the word 'senile' in the description is NOT going to get better.
Before leaving the Doc's office, he did make me feel good with one comment; he said he liked the shirt I was wearing. I suppose my wife is right. I can't hardly wait for my upcoming podiatrist appointment. I'm going to wear a sweater that I got for Christmas and a new pair of slacks.

Time to Observe/ Time to Pray

I find my retirement years filled with many emotions and laced with more time in prayer.  Those employment years (past) found me in emotional bondage grasping the misguided belief of omnipotence.
These 'more-time-on-your-hands' retirement years permits me to observe, in longer details, the outside world events, which often times carries lingering thoughts and heartaches for others.
Three recent emotionally charged examples will occupy my thoughts for weeks and keep me in prayer: (1) Last week 17 children were among 160 lost their lives when their plane crashed into the sea. (2) Close family friends of ours in (Collinsville, Illinois) were rocked with pain. A grandfather took his 13 year old and 11 year old grandsons fishing. The 13 year old boy fell from the boat and the grandfather jumped into the cold lake water attempting to save the boy; both drowned. Both drowned in the sight of the 11 year brother. (3) A few days later, a little seven year old girl survived a plane crash and walked nearly a mile (barefooted) in wooded darkness to seek help. The help she needs as will the eleven year boy will be for a lifetime. These two children must bury love ones and then face a long journey alone. Loves ones motionless in a plane wreckage and the disappearance of grandpa and brother beneath cold waters are lifelong emotional scars.
I cannot tell you the number of prayers I have whispered for a little seven year old girl, an eleven year old boy and hundreds of love one waiting for family to arrive on that Asia Air flight. Won't you whisper yours?

A Sad Display of Unsportsmanship

The Florida State University football team obviously anticipated winning the national college championship for the second consecutive year but fell short when Oregon handed them a humiliating ass-kicking, 59-20. Many FSU players showed disrespect for their opponent when the players refused to shake hands with the winning 'Ducks.' It should be noted that FSU had no problem in the previous 29 games shaking hands with opponents whom they had just beaten.
One must understand that FSU is accustom to having things go their way. For example, when many other college teams cannot use Indian (mascot) names, FSU buys that right from the 'Seminoles'  tribe. FSU players are also accustom to walking away from academic'cheating' scandals, rape allegations and hit 'n run events.
Actually, I believe that coaches are beginning to 'coach' much as parents are 'parenting;' neither hold young people to higher standards of accountability. We all know that the spoiled brat is seldom a good sport.

Some Change Brings Old Reactions

I can imagine the raised eyebrows of mainstream society when the 'flappers of the 1920's' flaunted all that skin. I do remember some folks of my grandparents generation making negative comments about women wearing slacks, pedal-pushers and young girls in short shorts. Goodness, we all took notice of the mid-1960 mini-skirts.
As time marchers on, I notice more and more tawdry behavior by young people wearing little clothing as fellas grab their crotches and young ladies gyrate their butts to unintelligible lyrics blaring in the name of music. It was easy for me to turn off the New Year's Eve television programs at nine o'clock and go to bed.

With A Sincere Heart

To those who read this daily blog, I must tell you that I am humbled by your choice to do so.           Of course, I understand that some comments I make and positions I take can and do offend some readers. I would only extend an apology should any comment hurt one's feelings; I wish never to be guilty of any personal affront.
I sincerely wish for you and yours God's richest blessings of good health, safety and joyous sharing with love ones as your journey continues this New Year.