A Head Scratcher

For the life of me, I cannot process the reasoning behind these decisions to withhold expected 'service' predicated on personal beliefs. Word trickles down from Seattle that a city police officer, who was assigned the lead-protection motorcycle role in a Gay Rights Parade, refused the assignment based on religious anti-gay beliefs.

Recently a Michigan doctor withheld medical care from a child because the parents are gay. Another West Coast doctor refused to treat a child because the parent had tattoos and the doctor said the Bible speaks to the fact that piercings and body-markings are taboos.

Based on this logic, I would thus assume that a Christian teacher could request earring-wearing students be removed from class and could refuse teaching the atheist child. A fireman can refuse to rescue the lesbian couple's baby from the burning apartment. I will anticipate a Walmart cashier refusing to checkout a customer wearing 'makeup' because it offends her Pentecostal beliefs.

I am appalled at any notion that people employed to serve the general public think they have some right to pick and choose whom they serve based on personal beliefs and convictions. People just need to do the job they signed on to do and 'get-over-themselves!'

Let Me Tell You a Story

Much has been made recently about Brian Williams and Bill O'Reilly embellishing their personal 'nearness' to war zone activities during their respective news reporting...and more recently, Ronald McDonald (VA Secretary) was caught exaggerating his military role? Let's accept a male gender fact, we fellas tell tall tales. We shave golf strokes while adding inches to the size of fish caught. We are also known to exaggerate inches elsewhere!!

We lie about how much money we make, how much power we have in the workplace and how good a high school athlete we were. It has been said that, 'College is a place young men gather to lie and exaggerate about high school experiences.'

These recent disclosures about Williams, O'Reilly and McDonald's embellishments motivates me to communicate to my fifteen grandkids that it was James Naismith and not their 'Boompa' who invented the game of basketball.
Perhaps one day that fella who said, 'Mission Accomplished' will acknowledge his embellishment; that was truly some whopper!

Perfect Performer with Flawed Reasoning

John Legend is an accomplished musician, song-writer and singer; he has an engaging smile and pleasant personality. Legend and rapper, Common, (Lonnie Rashid Lynn, Jr.) won an Oscar for the song 'Glory' from the movie "Selma." During Legend's acceptance comments, he suggested that the civil rights fight is incomplete because, "More 'Blacks' are under correctional control today than those who were under slavery in 1850."


I will not argue the math with Mr. Legend however, I will challenge his comparison of incarceration to slavery with his subliminal suggestion that the same circumstances create both situations and that those circumstance rest in the lap of 'White' America.


Slavery was an evil economic institution embraced by 'Whites.' There...plain enough? Today's incarceration of 'Blacks' is a more complex issue that is shared by Blacks, Whites and a Nation. Criminal behavior-choices made by Black people is the greatest cause for large numbers of incarcerated Blacks. The financial inability of many Blacks to secure quality defense attorneys adds to those numbers. Finally, the continued "White-flight' from inner cities leaving deplorable economic, social and educational conditions pile on the incarceration numbers.

Like The Slide a Rule; Irrelevant

I discovered early my strengths and weaknesses. During my high school coaching career, I understood that my teams (collectively) had strengths and weaknesses and we were more likely to win games if we accentuated our strengths and negated our weaknesses.

A quick examination of my children and grandchildren renders the obvious, they also possess strengths (abilities) and weaknesses. I am a Christian, a Methodist, a liberal-Democrat; I note strengths and weaknesses in all the aforementioned groups. I am also a patriotic American who holds the inalienable right to praise and criticize my government and Country. Here, let me state it another way...no one person or institution is beyond flaws and exonerated from criticism; even the good old US of A ! To criticize does not suggest the absence of love.

My above declarations, in the eyes of former mayor, Rudy Giuliani would make me a person who does not love himself, his children and grandchildren; his faith, his political beliefs and his Nation.

Giuliani, You have become a pitiful person. Your proclamation that President Obama 'does not love America' is a mean-spirited commentary from a man who senses losing his relevancy. You are sad.
Interestingly, you, Donald Trump and Sarah Palin have made 180 degree turns in the Republican Party life line:  Once a blood source to the GOP and today embarrassing 'blood-suckers!'

Canine Capers

Random Dog Bits & Poodle Parts---

My wife of nearly 55 years is either the biggest 'control freak' on the face of the earth or this world's greatest optimist. Last week following a breakfast, she took a few bits of scrambled eggs to the dog's bowl. As she leaned forward to place the left over goodies in front of the pup, she harshly admonished the Toy Poodle, "Now, you eat this...SLOWLY !"

Dog Philosophy-
Daily walks with Toy Poodle 'Yodie' finds the pup stopping frequently to lift his leg and 'mark' his territory. At some point, he usually pauses for a body-contorted relief. He immediately demonstrates his personal life's philosophy; 'when shit happens, cover it and move on!'

Jesus DID NOT Tell You To Do That!

The late comedian Flip Wilson's character, 'Geraldine' would often say, "The Devil made me do it!" There is a Michigan doctor who says, "God made me do it!" Hold those thoughts.

Matthew 7:1 'Judge not that ye not be judged.' Most Americans wave our Nation's flag and proclaim Jesus Christ's teachings; Suffice, we Americans are patriotic Christians.

A Christian might seek Divine direction through prayer as did the Michigan pediatric physician who recently decided after prayer that she COULD NOT and WOULD NOT treat the infant-child of a lesbian couple...the good doctor's religious condemnation of same sex unions apparently was the 'deal breaker.'
I was not aware that, as a former high school basketball coach, I could withhold professional services and unbiased considerations from student-athletes predicated on being a practicing Methodist and a person of liberal political persuasion not to forget favoring those of my 'race.' Therefore, those  'white' Methodist and Democrat parents who aligned with my 'thinking/beliefs' could expect their sons to be on my team and play basketball while the Catholic and Baptist parents could watch their sons serve as towel boys and statisticians.

Folks, if you believe for a second that Jesus answered that Pediatrician's prayer telling her NOT to treat an innocent child of God due to adult beliefs, then you worship a different Jesus than do I.

My dear Michigan Doctor: Jesus said, "Let the children come to Me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the Kingdom of God."...Matthew 19:14

Capisce ? / Capiech ? / Capeesh ?

There is a discussion taking place amongst the professional baseball hierarchy regarding the time length of an average nine inning Major League Baseball game. Baseball executives are 'looking' for ways to speed up the game. This is a disingenuous conversation because currently we have television commercials in all of sport for the purpose of money-revenue sharing. Additionally, sports franchises want games to last long so they might sell more concession products.

Two suggestions on the 'speed-up-the-game' table are:  (1) Time clock on the pitcher to deliver the pitch and (2) Shrink the strike zone.  Let's examine each suggestion. First, if the rules makers implemented a rule requiring the batter to stay in the box and the pitcher not allowed to step off the rubber, we will have a faster game. Secondly, instead of shrinking the strike zone, enforce the current 'rule book' strike zone and watch the game truly speed up. Shrinking the zone will increase base-on-balls, which in turns makes games drag on and on and on !

Face it folks. Movie goers want raw sex, speeding cars and explosions while baseball attendees (not fans) want home runs and 10-to-8 final scores...Capisce?

Facts of Life

Towards the end of most journeys comes a decision to be made by or in behalf of the elderly...what shall old folks do... when age compromises doing-it-for-yourself abilities.
I turn seventy-six, today and during my life's journey, I observed this 'twilight' decision play out many different ways within my own family. Obviously, the greatest determining factor impacting 'what shall we do with the old folks' is finances.
The plethora of independent/assisted living facilities offers Cadillac care at a Cadillac price; some oldsters can afford and others must figure out what personal finances can supplement Medicare at the nearby nursing home. And so it goes, most people live out their final days in the affordable surroundings they were accustom to throughout life.

Setting finances aside, ultimately this decision comes down to the very raw emotional aspects of determining if it's time for mom or dad to go into the 'home.' God bless my departed parents. Both my father and mother made sensible decisions concerning the matter. The incredible balance in their thinking and planning took the decision-making pressure and associated guilt feelings away from their children. My parents made significant living-arrangement changes on their own embracing personal ownership and responsibility. You guessed it, they even took care of the pre-arranged funeral and burial matters.

My parents' offered a blueprint for the journey showing us the turns and stops. I took the necessary notes.

As Time Goes Bye

Iconic, hero or ordinary folks need to leave the dance before they show their ass with moves of yesterday.

I recall attending one of those 'old-timers' baseball games in the late 1960's early 1970's. It was good seeing the heroes of my youth introduced but sad watching them attempt to recapture skills of days gone by.

A few nights ago, I watched that Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Show. It was enjoyable seeing classic re-runs and a few current skits. It was not fun watching and listening to Beatles Icon, Paul McCartney sing; his vocal range and tone betrays him as does his close friends.

Let's face Father Time's thieving ways. Things change. If a high school student takes a slide-rule to calculus class he will likely finish behind the student with a calculator or smart phone.

Positive Acts Begets Positive Attitudes

Upon the heels of Jon Stewart's retirement announcement from Comedy Central's, 'The Daily Show,' a few folks are taking shots at Stewart's cynical and liberal-news-slant-reporting.
Some Stewart critics claim his negative comedic nightly rants, which often went viral poisoned the positive attitudes of young Americans and diminished their faith in our American government and values. Those voices bullshit us with such poppycock!!!
There are endless scandals on the political, professional sport and private sector stages...a few come to mind...
(1) A President lies about sexual activities with an intern, (2) A President lies about weapons of mass destruction threats and then invades a country eventually causing the death of 4,000 Americans, (3) Numerous corporate and political scandals, (4) endless sexual atrocities committed by religious clergy that is covered up, (5) professional athletes using performance enhancing drugs (6) the IRS targeting a political party...please; does one honestly believe that Jon Stewart 'causes' negative feelings through The Daily Show antics and satire? Actually, if it was not for the derision and wit of Stewart's 'Daily Show' and 'Saturday Night Live,' we would be truly depressed with our American realities and human foolishness.

Thank You

A few weeks ago, I requested readers to be in a prayerful attitude for my brother, Tom who was undergoing LVAD surgery. This is the procedure that implants a heart pump at the lower lobe, which is wired to an external batter pack that stimulates the necessary 'pumping-action.'

The surgery was performed at St. Louis Barnes Jewish Hospital.  The surgery was successful and my brother was discharged earlier this week. He has a second chance. Perhaps, in his case, this is actually about the fourth chance. His love ones and family are most thankful to all who lifted his name in prayer and meditation.

Style and Stooges

Sometime ago, I missed the obituary; the day modesty and humility among athletes died. Two weeks ago marked the ' letter-of-intent' college signing period. These signing dates have become high profile media events especially within the football world and closely followed by basketball signings. The event offers an opportunity for seventeen year old kids to tease the various colleges who have recruited them the past three years with cute switcheroos of university caps as the smile with a message indicating an overinflated ego.

Many of these athletes will leave the college of choice before graduation for the lucrative professional ranks. They will hone their skills, attend few academic classes and show obnoxious behavior with celebratory dances and taunting screams as they demonstrate a skill worthy of a free college education and millions of pro dollars. These self-ordained jock-strap gods please today's fans who embrace 'aninimal house' behavior.
I am reminded of the great-humble NFL running back, Barry Sanders who commented when asked why he did not celebrate his touchdowns. Sanders said, "I want people to know that I have been in the end zone before and expect to be there again."

He Fails American History

Jim Gilmore is the former Republican Governor of Virginia, who is considering a 2016 presidential run. That said, we can expect him to take every 'pot-shot' possible at current President Obama. Recently, at a National Prayer Breakfast, Obama said that throughout time religion has been high jacked by people to justify doing bad things. The President was comparing radical Islamic believers (who high jacked the legitimate Islamic followers beliefs for their terrorist activities) with 'other' religions throughout history who have done the same, Gilmore said, "Obama has offended every believing Christian in the United States."
Hey, Gilmore...the KKK was founded in Christian principles and its members swore allegiance to those beliefs. Talk about a terrorist group !!!

Prone & Porn

Last week my wife and I saw a television promotional for the movie, ' Fifty Shades of Grey.' My wife said she spoke to some women who have read the book and related that the story is laced with all kinds of sex themes. The television promotional of the movie alluded to the fact that there is indeed a lot of rather raw sexual scenes in the film.

I said to my wife after the promo that I think we should see the movie. She was rather adamant with her response, "I am not about to pay good money to watch a movie with nothing but prone." She maybe correct. That seems to be the 'position' of the main characters throughout the flick...PRONE.

Pop Quiz

Alright readers, here is today's 'pop quiz:' (multiple choice)

Which words and / or phrases best describe Kanye West:
(A). Obnoxious
(B). Starved for attention
(C). Rude
(D). Sad
(E). Can strut while sitting
(F). Is a legend in his own mind
(G). All of the above

"Stupid is what stupid does," Forrest Gump

In many school districts across the nation, your kid could not bring a peanut-butter & jelly lunch-sandwich to school because the kid sitting next to him in the cafeteria may be allergic to peanuts. Of course, that school district may permit a large percent of its students, who are NOT vaccinated,  to sit next to YOUR kid thus putting your child at disease risk....makes absolutely no sense.

These shameful politicians straddle the line with disingenuous poppycock and wishy-washy comments as they pander to social misinformation seeking voters.

Two questions: (1) Do parents have the right to make irresponsible decisions concerning their children's' health? (2) Do some parents have the right to make irresponsible decisions that ultimately endanger your children's' health?
For all those folks who are constantly bitching about too much government; here is a situation where government needs to step in and issue edicts because ignorant and uninformed people left to their own choices will jeopardize the masses.
  

A Fools Explanation

I watched an interview conducted by NBC Today host, Matt Lauer with Seattle 'Seahawk's coach, Pete Carroll. Of course, Lauer asked 'THE' question, "Why did you pass on the second down with perhaps a yard to go for your second Super Bowl championship?" Carroll said, "The call would have been a great call if we catch it."  Right Coach and peanut butter would taste like garlic if it wasn't peanut butter.

I was in old Sportsman Park May 2, 1954, the day Stan Musial hit five (5) home runs in a double header against the New York Giants. In Musial's final at bat, he lead off the ninth inning and hit a very high pop fly to the first baseman. Coach Carroll had Musial struck the ball an eighth of an inch lower on the bat, he would have hit six home runs that day.

Hey Pete, here's a couple of more coulda-woulda-shoulda. Molly Ringwald turned down the movie role in 'Pretty Woman.' And how about John Travolta passing on 'Forrest Gump?'
I prefer people to be honest with explanations...like saying, I would do the exact thing over again or I wish I could do it over, I'd try some thing else.

Say What a You a Mean & Mean a What You Say

President FDR was quick to speak to the American people shortly after the sneak bombing attack on Pear Harbor. That's what American presidents do in the midst of national crisis, threats or uncertainties; they play the role of the reassuring parent telling the children to be not afraid, we are going to be okay. President Lincoln picked moments to calm the civil war storms with words of promise and hope.
New Jersey Governor Chris Christy even got into hot water with his Republican counterparts when he gave kudos to President Obama for his responsiveness to the New Jersey needs during the aftermath destruction caused by hurricane Sandy. And how could we forget the reassurance offered by President George W. when he visited the New Orleans devastation caused by hurricane Katrina..."Brownie, you're  doin' a heckava job."

In two years, our nation will elect a new President. The potential candidates are lining up. Now hear me out. The following scares the crap out of me. We have a threat of a measles outbreak in American. The cause of this once arrested disease resurfacing is due to many parents refusing to vaccinate their children because they latched onto erroneous reports that vaccinations can cause autism. Of course, these American debates boil down to 'rights' as perceived by folks.

The 2016 presidential hopefuls are politicians that, for the past several years have laid in the bushes and bushwhacked the current President at every opportunity. These wannabe Presidents must weigh-in on such topics and appear to be reassuring leaders.
 As I listen to the candidates' attempt to sound presidential, I wonder when the stand at a urinal and whizz if the back of their trousers get wet.

Rome Re-visited ?

Americans worry considerably about the 'loss of freedoms' and often times we target and identify external factors as the threatening forces. The list of evil forces seem endless. The 'evil-of-the-day' often changes with the current political winds. Russia, China, Iran, ISIS, Al Qaeda, North Korea, etc. lead a parade of people we must fear as threats to our beloved freedoms. I do not doubt the  seriousness the aforementioned pose. I think however, there is a much better possibility that America will destroy itself from within before any evil 'outside' force defeats us.
We Americans are consumed by materialistic greed, corporate and political corruption, governing impotence (driven by political divisiveness), Internet consumption, which erodes both physical health and workplace efficiency. Our people's social skills are being compromised through our fascination with electronic gadgets. We are a people fascinated by explicate sexual presentations and explotations. We are a Nation that embraces the concepts of 'I am entitled' and 'more is better.'

From within, Rome fell because of greed and selfishness. Can we as a (American) people stem the tide?

Some Rewards Better a Than Others

I appreciated the times an organization acknowledged my efforts with some recognition and/or extrinsic award. Many of those awards found a mantle or wall space; I suppose many of the things which adorn our walls speak volumes about our past. Those times that I was held up for such accolades, I no doubt delighted in the moment.
Today, I glance at those 'prizes' and recall relationships that were part of the history. I do understand that one day my children will face a perplexing moment when they ask the question of one another, 'Does anyone want this?'
The truly great feel good moments have nothing to do with tangible awards, I.e., trophies, plaques and medals. Just the other day, my wife and I stopped at a interstate gas station. As we pulled into the parking area, we noticed a young man standing by an auto which had nosedived into a ditch. The lad was waiting for a tow truck. My wife discovered that the young driver had just purchased the auto two-hours earlier. When my wife walked back to the young driver and handed him a twenty-dollar bill, I cannot capture with words my heart-felt joy as I watched the young lad hug my wife. I wish I could 'hang' that moment on my wall.

Ah, for Intellectual Honesty

The movie, 'American Sniper' has stirred up old controversies. The pro and anti war folks enjoy lining up and tossing their own ammunition at one another. Personally, I am one individual who is most appreciative of our military who sacrifice to protect our country and its people. I suppose my biggest bitch about our military is the fact that the 'poor' are the ones who essentially fight our wars. I say bring back the military draft and watch a 'new' attitude emerge regarding 'quick-to-the-draw.'

Back to the movie, American Sniper. One position advanced by pro war folks is the notion that any measures necessary (snipers / water boarding etc.) must be taken to protect American lives. I agree in principle minus the torture shit.

Movie director, Clint Eastwood was intellectually negligent presenting the American Sniper storyline. (You all remember Clint; he was the fella who talked to an empty chair pretending President Obama was sitting in the chair). Clint, my good man, in the American Sniper movie, you left out a major Iraq War fact. Since the 'Mission Accomplished' sign was hoisted, 4347 Americans died as the result of that unwarranted, illegal and immoral war. That should have been included in your movie, Mr. Eastwood! The next time you do the cute empty chair shtick use two chairs; the second chair would be occupied by an invisible George W. You could ask him some very poignant questions about 'protecting' American lives, which seemed to be your American Sniper movie theme.