By the time one arrives at his seventh decade, one might tend to subscribe to some theory of completion or 'encountering-end;' an attitude of 'what's left.' I suspect many folks my age close their minds to the possibility of new experiences, different events and new friends.
Several years ago, I re-connected with an old acquaintance, Tom McGraw, a former sports teammate of mine back in the 1950's, East St. Louis High School. Back then we were not 'friends' but best described as teammate-acquaintances. Today, my wife, Gerry and I would count Tom and Ann McGraw as two of our dearest friends. Both couples telephone the other frequently and are often making plans to hook up in the near-future. I see our relationship as a blessing and owe a thank you to my Jacksonville basketball fans who are relatives of the McGraws, Larry and Charlotte Ludwig. I credit them for 'pushing' the reconnect button for two old East Side High 'grounded' 'Flyers.'
During a couple of our visits to the Springfield, (Missouri) McGraws, Tom shared some interesting World War II stories about his older brother, Ray, Jr. who served with honor. As I deciphered the stories told, I developed a growing interest in this man, this war vet. I finally requested of Tom that he make arrangements for Gerry and I to meet his 86+ year-old brother. Tom and Ann did make that happen and Gerry and I spent a wonderful afternoon at Ray and his wife, Mary Ann's Belleville, Illinois home. Ray and I continued to telephone one another thereafter as we swapped stories of sport and East St. Louis.
A year or so after that meeting, Ray was hospitalized with a stubborn illness and Gerry and I visited him. Ray was discharged from the hospital and perhaps a year later, Mary Ann hosted a 90th birthday party for Ray at their home and invited Gerry and I. A large gathering assembled to celebrate Ray's special day. It was neat to watch this warm and gentle man beam with joy over the loving attention, which flowed freely in his direction.
Gerry and I will travel today to Belleville and embrace Mary Ann and her family and join them in a respectful/loving farewell to Ray McGraw, Jr. who died earlier this week. I met Ray, Jr. when I was perhaps 70 or 71 and new him for a it over three years but I am blessed for the friendship experience and at 74, I am a richer man for his kind sharing.
The late television personality, Art Linkletter once said, "Kid's say the Darndest Things." I would certainly agree with that perception but quickly add, the "Older folks Relate the most Profound Experiences;" take time to listen and pay it forward and you also will find the riches.
Friday, March 8, 2013
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Coffee; with Cream, Please
The recent hot-topic discussion regarding immigration reform has politicians doing more fancy footwork-dancing than Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers; holy crap, now that is invoking two names which, will date me as an 'old-fart.' Anyhow, the immigration topic resurrection causes me to recall a survey conducted a few years ago, when some two thousand legal immigrants to the USA from different parts of the world were questioned. Hold on to your socks, cousin as I share these findings. Those immigrants with the lightest skin color earned fifteen percent more money in America than those with darker skin color. Surprise, Surprise!!
This survey wasted a lot of good money; all one needs is a good background in American History studies and they know this fact. White people for centuries demonstrate less than a compassionate embrace for people of darker skin color. I guess it began in this land when the Pilgrims spotted that first Native American and labeled him, 'Redskin.' White folks have always used a 'shade barometer.' It computes thus, the darker the skin the less worthy the person; except when some noted surgeon from India is performing life-saving surgery or we are sitting in the second pew of Sunday morning worship service singing, "They Will Know We are Christians by Our Love.'
Slavery was an important cog in our American economy before and after the emancipation proclamation. No matter that President Lincoln signed the proclamation, which freed 'Blacks' from bondage; the country has depended upon immigrants (legal or illegal) to do those less desirable jobs for lesser pay. Only an idiot or one in denial would not agree that illegal immigrants have been profitable resources for businesses and corporations.
Perhaps of all the studies and literature that I have read throughout my lifetime, I suppose the most disturbing survey was one I first read in the 1960's. That particular survey discovered that the people having no religious affiliation show on the average, less prejudice than do 'church members.' (Gordon W. Allport / 'The Nature of Prejudice). That bit of news must sadden our Savior.
I am often amused when Americans get all up in arms when our patriotism is challenged; patriotism begins with the treatment of our fellow patriots regardless of skin color shade, ethnic background or how they choose to worship.
If it eases the pain of darker people, I once read that taller people have greater employment advantage over shorter people, of course if you a short-Black guy you are truly SOL!
This survey wasted a lot of good money; all one needs is a good background in American History studies and they know this fact. White people for centuries demonstrate less than a compassionate embrace for people of darker skin color. I guess it began in this land when the Pilgrims spotted that first Native American and labeled him, 'Redskin.' White folks have always used a 'shade barometer.' It computes thus, the darker the skin the less worthy the person; except when some noted surgeon from India is performing life-saving surgery or we are sitting in the second pew of Sunday morning worship service singing, "They Will Know We are Christians by Our Love.'
Slavery was an important cog in our American economy before and after the emancipation proclamation. No matter that President Lincoln signed the proclamation, which freed 'Blacks' from bondage; the country has depended upon immigrants (legal or illegal) to do those less desirable jobs for lesser pay. Only an idiot or one in denial would not agree that illegal immigrants have been profitable resources for businesses and corporations.
Perhaps of all the studies and literature that I have read throughout my lifetime, I suppose the most disturbing survey was one I first read in the 1960's. That particular survey discovered that the people having no religious affiliation show on the average, less prejudice than do 'church members.' (Gordon W. Allport / 'The Nature of Prejudice). That bit of news must sadden our Savior.
I am often amused when Americans get all up in arms when our patriotism is challenged; patriotism begins with the treatment of our fellow patriots regardless of skin color shade, ethnic background or how they choose to worship.
If it eases the pain of darker people, I once read that taller people have greater employment advantage over shorter people, of course if you a short-Black guy you are truly SOL!
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Some Talk Too Much; Others Not Enough
When Dennis Rodman played NBA basketball his 'value' was his entertaining bizarre behavior, which appealed to fans and pissed-off opponents; actual statistical basketball-worth was noted in 'gabage-points' and rebounds. It's been some time since Rodman has made a play on the basketball court but he still holds entertainment (dollar) value as a repeated guest on the television show, 'Apprentice' and other venues where a grown man sporting a body riddled with piercings and tattoos can draw an audience and sell tickets. Personally, I never took Rodman seriously and cannot understand why others do.
Rodman now finds himself in the national and international spotlights on the heels of his visit with North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un, a self-proclaimed basketball fanatic. Rodman attended a Harlem Globetrotters exhibition game in North Korea as Kim Jong Un's guests. Afterwards, Rodman tells the news media that Kim is his friend and has asked Dennis to tell Obama to telephone Kim. As we Americans come to expect, the media and pundits are in a frenzy as they clamour with opinions about the craziness of two goof-balls talking 'relationship policy' between America and North Korea while giggling at the Globetrotters going through basketball-comedic routines.
Okay, I get it! Kim is an oppressive dictator ignoring human suffering and threatening to create world havoc with a 'bomb.' I also understand that our leaders cannot listen to a retired NBA player who once had orange hair and wore a wedding dress. Nevertheless, I wish to put the thing into a different perspective; had the 2008, Presidential election turned out differently, we Americans would have a Vice President who had no clue on how it came to pass that there is a North and South Korea!! Simply crazy times in which we live!
The understanding I have about our democracy is that we Americans can visit whomever we wish, talk with whomever we choose and voice an opinion thereafter. So what's the big deal? Instead of our media, political pundits and politicians getting in a dither over Rodman and Kim talking , they should be in a livid-lather over the fact that our elected government leaders within our own country choose not to talk with one another. After all, we elected a President and Congress persons to visit with each other, compromise on issues and 'Get-'R Done!'
Obviously, President Obama should not and will not 'call' Kim but he sure the hell ought to telephone Boehner and Boehner should ignore caller I.D. and answer the call. Perhaps, the media sweats over wrong-minded stuff.
Rodman now finds himself in the national and international spotlights on the heels of his visit with North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un, a self-proclaimed basketball fanatic. Rodman attended a Harlem Globetrotters exhibition game in North Korea as Kim Jong Un's guests. Afterwards, Rodman tells the news media that Kim is his friend and has asked Dennis to tell Obama to telephone Kim. As we Americans come to expect, the media and pundits are in a frenzy as they clamour with opinions about the craziness of two goof-balls talking 'relationship policy' between America and North Korea while giggling at the Globetrotters going through basketball-comedic routines.
Okay, I get it! Kim is an oppressive dictator ignoring human suffering and threatening to create world havoc with a 'bomb.' I also understand that our leaders cannot listen to a retired NBA player who once had orange hair and wore a wedding dress. Nevertheless, I wish to put the thing into a different perspective; had the 2008, Presidential election turned out differently, we Americans would have a Vice President who had no clue on how it came to pass that there is a North and South Korea!! Simply crazy times in which we live!
The understanding I have about our democracy is that we Americans can visit whomever we wish, talk with whomever we choose and voice an opinion thereafter. So what's the big deal? Instead of our media, political pundits and politicians getting in a dither over Rodman and Kim talking , they should be in a livid-lather over the fact that our elected government leaders within our own country choose not to talk with one another. After all, we elected a President and Congress persons to visit with each other, compromise on issues and 'Get-'R Done!'
Obviously, President Obama should not and will not 'call' Kim but he sure the hell ought to telephone Boehner and Boehner should ignore caller I.D. and answer the call. Perhaps, the media sweats over wrong-minded stuff.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
...and Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder
Time flies, as 'they' say; I do believe, however that it was about six years ago when I read of a Catholic high school that was implementing a sensitive training program for students after a basketball contest played against a Jewish high school found some of the Catholic students pointing fingers at the Jews and chanting, "We love Jesus!" The word "fan" derives from the word "fanatic," which means one who supports with unreasonable enthusiasm. Sometimes our unreasonable enthusiasm is sparked by our ethnocentric feelings; 'mine is the best.'
Don't jump to a conclusion that I am picking on Catholics; I am not! A society with its many subcultural elements cannot survive without a degree of ingrained propaganda belief of the folks comprising that society. Why else do we chant USA!, USA!? Across this great Nation, we note many ethnic groups celebrating their heritage and good for each of them!
It is important that sound leadership steps in and assists young people to focus on sensitivity issues and create tolerance awareness. God only knows once the kid leaves high school no longer will any one be able to get a wayward attitude back on a civil track. It's good for individuals to be proud of their ethnic heritage, religion and other beliefs, we just need to recognize it would be morally wrong for hearing students to chant, "We can hear!", when playing a basketball game against a deaf school; don't you think???
However, I contend, with all due respect to our schools, that conducting sensitivity training sessions for children on this matter of religious and racial tolerance is perhaps targeting the wrong group?
Here we go, once again, the schools are asked to clean-up the crap learned at the family supper table.
I noticed all my life that is was the weak-minded and insecure who needed to condemn others to elevate self.
Now, if you truly want to 'hear' the best singing of religious hymns, come to "MY" Methodist Church; did I say best singing; I meant the loudest singing!
Don't jump to a conclusion that I am picking on Catholics; I am not! A society with its many subcultural elements cannot survive without a degree of ingrained propaganda belief of the folks comprising that society. Why else do we chant USA!, USA!? Across this great Nation, we note many ethnic groups celebrating their heritage and good for each of them!
It is important that sound leadership steps in and assists young people to focus on sensitivity issues and create tolerance awareness. God only knows once the kid leaves high school no longer will any one be able to get a wayward attitude back on a civil track. It's good for individuals to be proud of their ethnic heritage, religion and other beliefs, we just need to recognize it would be morally wrong for hearing students to chant, "We can hear!", when playing a basketball game against a deaf school; don't you think???
However, I contend, with all due respect to our schools, that conducting sensitivity training sessions for children on this matter of religious and racial tolerance is perhaps targeting the wrong group?
Here we go, once again, the schools are asked to clean-up the crap learned at the family supper table.
I noticed all my life that is was the weak-minded and insecure who needed to condemn others to elevate self.
Now, if you truly want to 'hear' the best singing of religious hymns, come to "MY" Methodist Church; did I say best singing; I meant the loudest singing!
Monday, March 4, 2013
Really Going There?
I am certain that you have heard the expressions; "more is not better" and "more can be less." Often as is the case, we sometimes accept such a premise without truly having substantive verification; may I offer such supportive confirmation of the thesis, which suggests moderation is perhaps best. Cable news television programming and talk- call-in radio has become a twenty-four hour seven days-a-week informational dispersing phenomenon.
Since there is such a great amount of air time to be 'filled' and not enough interesting or worthy news, soon we beg the question to make up some news or debate the news, which requires 'choosing' sides. Eventually, our civil discourse becomes nasty as each side attempts to justify and promote. I suppose this circumstance is what leads the conversation to 'knit-picking' on First Lady, Michelle Obama. Let me explain. The First Lady appeared on Jimmy Fallon's Late Night Show and did a 'mom dance.' How shameful many claimed!! Then Mrs. Obama appeared on the Academy Awards to announce the 'Best Movie' winner...another horrible and un-first lady like was the activity according to some 'news' reporting folks!
Before the cable-news and radio-gobbledygook pundits start ripping on our First Lady, please consider what slipped by the general public with little notice in the past illustrious history of American news reporting when there was NO 24-7 news:
1) President Andrew Jackson married Rachel Donelson while she was still married to her first husband. Would that be bigamy or adultery?
2) President Ulysses S. Grant dodged around several scandals; one found him involved in 'covering up' for his personal secretary who was pocketing whiskey tax monies and another involved 'gold-value' price fixing. Are those felonies or misdemeanors?
3) President Grover Cleveland had an affair with Maria Halpin who gave birth to Cleveland's son. Now, that's a big, Whoa, Nellie!
4) It was widely rumored that President Buchannan had a male-lover and President Woodrow Wilson had a dolly on the side. I wonder if Congress had an impeachment hearing or trial for these 'cats?'
Don't you just know the cable news pundits would 'freak-out' and the radio telephone call-in lines would explode if President Thomas Jefferson was in the White House today and still making babies with his Black slave, Sally Hemings! You all do remember Jefferson, our third President...if not, his likeness is carved in a damn mountain side. He is one of those 'prescious founding-fathers' to whom Sean Hannity compares President Obama!
Michelle Obama should not 'dance' on a late night show or appear in an 'awards presentaion' program? Really?
MORE NEWS REPORTING IS BETTER? Excuse me while I go puke!
Since there is such a great amount of air time to be 'filled' and not enough interesting or worthy news, soon we beg the question to make up some news or debate the news, which requires 'choosing' sides. Eventually, our civil discourse becomes nasty as each side attempts to justify and promote. I suppose this circumstance is what leads the conversation to 'knit-picking' on First Lady, Michelle Obama. Let me explain. The First Lady appeared on Jimmy Fallon's Late Night Show and did a 'mom dance.' How shameful many claimed!! Then Mrs. Obama appeared on the Academy Awards to announce the 'Best Movie' winner...another horrible and un-first lady like was the activity according to some 'news' reporting folks!
Before the cable-news and radio-gobbledygook pundits start ripping on our First Lady, please consider what slipped by the general public with little notice in the past illustrious history of American news reporting when there was NO 24-7 news:
1) President Andrew Jackson married Rachel Donelson while she was still married to her first husband. Would that be bigamy or adultery?
2) President Ulysses S. Grant dodged around several scandals; one found him involved in 'covering up' for his personal secretary who was pocketing whiskey tax monies and another involved 'gold-value' price fixing. Are those felonies or misdemeanors?
3) President Grover Cleveland had an affair with Maria Halpin who gave birth to Cleveland's son. Now, that's a big, Whoa, Nellie!
4) It was widely rumored that President Buchannan had a male-lover and President Woodrow Wilson had a dolly on the side. I wonder if Congress had an impeachment hearing or trial for these 'cats?'
Don't you just know the cable news pundits would 'freak-out' and the radio telephone call-in lines would explode if President Thomas Jefferson was in the White House today and still making babies with his Black slave, Sally Hemings! You all do remember Jefferson, our third President...if not, his likeness is carved in a damn mountain side. He is one of those 'prescious founding-fathers' to whom Sean Hannity compares President Obama!
Michelle Obama should not 'dance' on a late night show or appear in an 'awards presentaion' program? Really?
MORE NEWS REPORTING IS BETTER? Excuse me while I go puke!
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Make Your List; Make Your Calls...NOW
One day last week, I was doing my 30-minute treadmill-walk while watching a television game show. Of any television programming to watch during something as mundane as treadmill walking it IS a game show; seems to break the routine into segments and makes the time go quickly.
The show was 'Family Feud.' This is where two families of five contestants each try to guess the most frequently given answer to questions from a poll of 100 people. One question and the subsequent answers struck me as most interesting. The question: "What five people's contributions have most changed the way we live?" While I am walking and trying to ignore my arthritic hip pain, my mind is churning faster the my feet are moving. (Note: Once upon a time my feet were a helluva lot faster than my mind).
Let me see, I thought about my list: how about, Jesus Christ, Edison, the Wright brothers or perhaps Lincoln, Ben Franklin or Jerry Springer? Well, before I could decide on my five they announced the list of five folks the survey rendered as most changing our lives: (1) Martin Luther King (2) Oprah (3) Bill Clinton (4) Ben Franklin and (5) Jesus. Immediately, I was convinced that this bogus poll survey was done at a Democratic Party Convention or fundraiser. Check it out, you will note that all the people are liberals; well, I'm not sure about Franklin.
The question started me thinking about people whom have most influenced or changed the direction of my life and perhaps. When I finished my walk, I jotted down two lists of five people impacting my life the most. The first list comprised 'family' members and the second list 'non-family folks.' Within two days, I contacted a few of those people and 'thanked them.' Unfortunately, I discovered that too many of the people 'touching' my life are no longer living; I missed the moment to express my gratitude.
Why don't you make your list (s) this weekend and consider the telephones call soon. A warm feeling awaits you!
The show was 'Family Feud.' This is where two families of five contestants each try to guess the most frequently given answer to questions from a poll of 100 people. One question and the subsequent answers struck me as most interesting. The question: "What five people's contributions have most changed the way we live?" While I am walking and trying to ignore my arthritic hip pain, my mind is churning faster the my feet are moving. (Note: Once upon a time my feet were a helluva lot faster than my mind).
Let me see, I thought about my list: how about, Jesus Christ, Edison, the Wright brothers or perhaps Lincoln, Ben Franklin or Jerry Springer? Well, before I could decide on my five they announced the list of five folks the survey rendered as most changing our lives: (1) Martin Luther King (2) Oprah (3) Bill Clinton (4) Ben Franklin and (5) Jesus. Immediately, I was convinced that this bogus poll survey was done at a Democratic Party Convention or fundraiser. Check it out, you will note that all the people are liberals; well, I'm not sure about Franklin.
The question started me thinking about people whom have most influenced or changed the direction of my life and perhaps. When I finished my walk, I jotted down two lists of five people impacting my life the most. The first list comprised 'family' members and the second list 'non-family folks.' Within two days, I contacted a few of those people and 'thanked them.' Unfortunately, I discovered that too many of the people 'touching' my life are no longer living; I missed the moment to express my gratitude.
Why don't you make your list (s) this weekend and consider the telephones call soon. A warm feeling awaits you!
Friday, March 1, 2013
Perhaps I am Still Dreaming
This ongoing public debate and quarreling over gun rights and gun control is causing me hair loss and beginning to affect my sleep; let me explain: My wife keeps telling me to stop rubbing my head because my hair appears to be thinning. Unfortunately, I cannot stop scratching my head due to the bizarre logic advanced by some folks suggesting that 'more guns' will reduce violence. The sleep deprivation is even a more problematic fall-out (pun intended) than the hair particles!
Okay, I wish to preface this disturbing dream before I give details. (I taught and coached in public high schools for 39-years. Late in my career, I was known to stay out of the teachers' lounge where I found too many educators complaining about kids and I would also often skip those long-winded boring teachers' meetings where administrators explained some new innovation, which meant we would all be spending more time shuffling papers back and forth and less time doing instructional things for students).
Okay, now my dream...
The dream begins as I hear the school's intercom click-on and a P. A. voice begins to explain how students are reminded to 'lock their guns in P. E. lockers before going to the gym for class.' (Holy crap, I did not attend that teachers' meeting notifying us that kids now have guns at school). Later, my dream unfolds in a hallway of the school where Billy is talking to his girlfriend Mary. Bob comes up to the couple and pushes Billy. Billy quickly reaches into his back pack and Bob pulls out his gun and shoots Billy. As Billy falls to the floor he is holding his cell phone, which he retrieved from the back pack not a gun, which Bob thought he had.
Billy dies in that North hallway. I use my Walkie-Talkie to contact the main office to inform them of the incident. I assured them that the custodians were prompt removing the body and cleaning up before the passing bell rang because I just new that would be a concern of School Board members who just approved money for purchasing new carpeting. I then posed my question for the administration, "Am I responsible for notifying the authorities and Billy's parents or is that an administrative duty?"
I awakened from this nightmare and after fighting to return to sleep, I got out of bed and watched a previously recorded Sean Hannity Fox News program. Hannity was interviewing Senator Lindsey Graham who was explaining how teachers and theater ushers armed with guns could have returned the gun-fire and subsequently reduced the total numbers killed by madmen. Really? This is our 2013, solution to a problem we once 'solved' settling the Western frontier nearly 200 years ago???
Okay, I wish to preface this disturbing dream before I give details. (I taught and coached in public high schools for 39-years. Late in my career, I was known to stay out of the teachers' lounge where I found too many educators complaining about kids and I would also often skip those long-winded boring teachers' meetings where administrators explained some new innovation, which meant we would all be spending more time shuffling papers back and forth and less time doing instructional things for students).
Okay, now my dream...
The dream begins as I hear the school's intercom click-on and a P. A. voice begins to explain how students are reminded to 'lock their guns in P. E. lockers before going to the gym for class.' (Holy crap, I did not attend that teachers' meeting notifying us that kids now have guns at school). Later, my dream unfolds in a hallway of the school where Billy is talking to his girlfriend Mary. Bob comes up to the couple and pushes Billy. Billy quickly reaches into his back pack and Bob pulls out his gun and shoots Billy. As Billy falls to the floor he is holding his cell phone, which he retrieved from the back pack not a gun, which Bob thought he had.
Billy dies in that North hallway. I use my Walkie-Talkie to contact the main office to inform them of the incident. I assured them that the custodians were prompt removing the body and cleaning up before the passing bell rang because I just new that would be a concern of School Board members who just approved money for purchasing new carpeting. I then posed my question for the administration, "Am I responsible for notifying the authorities and Billy's parents or is that an administrative duty?"
I awakened from this nightmare and after fighting to return to sleep, I got out of bed and watched a previously recorded Sean Hannity Fox News program. Hannity was interviewing Senator Lindsey Graham who was explaining how teachers and theater ushers armed with guns could have returned the gun-fire and subsequently reduced the total numbers killed by madmen. Really? This is our 2013, solution to a problem we once 'solved' settling the Western frontier nearly 200 years ago???
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)