If It's Ours Then Own It

We all recall when Obama was elected President how Republican minority leader, Mitch McConnell openly stated that his party would do everything possible to make sure Obama was a one term President. Personally, I believe the Republicans did all they could possibly do to reach that objective.

Aside from voting against Obama at very turn, their Fox News pundits were relentless nitpicking on matters of birth place, Muslim ties, Christian beliefs and Obama's perceived attitude of apologizing for America. There is no one who presents himself with a more arrogant, pseudo patriotic posturing than Sean Hannity. He would make a mountain out of the molehill to suggest Obama is weak in this area of protecting America. Of course, the Republican Party leaders appear to be indifferent to others' pain and suffering as evident in the statements from GOP Presidential candidates, Trump and Bush who dismissed the recent Oregon massacre as 'stuff happens.'

Well boys, America owes many American families and Iraq families an apology. And while we are apologizing to those folks for causing so many deaths over 'nothing' we need to apologize to the Afghan families whose love ones we killed by a mistaken bombing this week when a hospital was destroyed by United States Air Force. Stuff, indeed, may happen, however when it's bad stuff caused by a mistake in judgment, we owe the victims an apology.

Apology is not a sign of weakness...it is a sign of compassion and Christian love as taught by Jesus...but that's another thing Fox and Friends toss about with phony bogus rhetoric.

Two Clubs Playing the Best Ball

Okay, I have been a St. Louis Cardinals' die hard fan since I can recall and that means since 1946, when St. Louis defeated the Boston Red Sox for the World Series Crown. That was the series when Cardinals' Outfielder Enos Slaughter made his run-scoring mad dash from first base on a left field single by Harry Walker in the eighth inning of game number seven.

 I was in old sportsman Park in 1954 when Stan Musial hit Five home runs against the New York Giants. I was in that same park (1963) when Musial played his last game and got two hits off 'Reds' pitcher Jim Maloney. I was in attendance one year later when Bob Gibson won World Series game number seven against The Yankees.

I don't claim that St. Louis has the best baseball fans in the major leagues but they rank near the top as knowledgeable and appreciative baseball people. This year, I admire what the Cardinals team has accomplished against incredible injury circumstances. That said...I would like to predict the Kansas City Royals versus the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2015 World Series with the 'Birds' winning...but my better judgment urges me to state this: I pick the Toronto Bluejays versus the Chicago Cubs and the Jays taking home the trophy.

Step out there and make your call...

Kid Needs Street Smarts

The twenty-eight houses on our street perhaps yields only seven or eight children under the age of twelve. One particular lad, Charlie is approximately eight years old. He is the spitting image of the television character, Dennis 'The Menace.' He behaves like Dennis. Example: One day this summer,  I was cutting the front lawn. Charlie came running towards me frantically waving his hands. Naturally, I turned off the power-mower to listen to his comments. He smile and spoke, "What are you doing Mr. Roustio?" I said, "Charlie, you should not do that; run at someone waving your hands. I thought something bad happened at your house. You can see what I'm doing, I'm cutting the grass."

Actually, Charlie will ask the question, 'What are you doing no matter how obvious your activity. One day, I was preparing to spray for insects around the outside of the foundation. After I explained to Charlie the 'what & why,' I saw two caterpillars on the ground and picked them up placing them in a small coffee can. When Charlie asked what I was going to do with the caterpillars, I don't know what motivated my explanation but it just came out. I said, "Charlie, I eat caterpillars at night and the next morning I fart a butterfly." Complete silence. You guessed it, his mother was upset with me...seems Charlie ate about four or five fuzzy-crawlers and 'messed' his pajamas trying to let a fart.

The boy is 'home-schooled.' If he attended Decatur Public Schools, Charlie would quickly develop some street smarts. Any fourth grade city school kid knows that you capture caterpillars during recess and put them down the blouse of the girl sitting in front you you.

I Like Boathouse Weddings

Boathouse weddings are 'cool.' The first boathouse wedding I ever attended was my own. It was held at Grand Marais State Park (now called Frank Holten Park) in East St. Louis. Yep, June 11, 1960 was our special day some fifty-five years ago.

We chose to get married at the Grand Marais Boathouse for religious reasons. Okay, let me break this down in simple language. My wife and I were raised in different religious faiths...one Roman Catholic and one Methodist. I'm not going to explain, in detail, what kinda 'stuff' hits the fan and the drama-hysteria that occurred back-in-the-day when a Catholic and a Protestant married. Suffice to say, many folks acted extremely un-Christian...much like today...that part remains the same.

My wife and I began our boy-girl relationship we she was 13 and I but 14. We dated seven years. Do you think possibly the two of us just may have discussed religion at some point? Did not make any difference to some folks because their tolerant-needle was locked in ONE position...'self-important!' Therefore to appease those religious zealots, we elected a 'neural court' for our ceremony; The Boathouse. Most of our families and friends celebrated with us... a few boycotted.

This past Saturday, my wife and I attended our second Boathouse Wedding at a lovely South St. Louis park. The outdoor ceremonial-staging was terrific. A most beautiful setting. My wife and I were delighted to be in supportive-attendance.  I hope the newly weds enjoy the many years we have enjoyed. There was a large crowd; I hope no one boycotted the ceremony due to the fact the couple are both females.
When it comes to true love and tolerance: "C'est la vie Say The Old Folks, You surely never can tell."

Dumb & Dumber

GOP Presidential Candidate, Jeb Bush dismissed the call for greater gun controls on the heels of the Oregon community college killings by simply saying, "Stuff happens." OMG! Nine people who enrolled in higher education programs attempting to better their position in pursuit of dreams are senselessly murdered. Someone's husband, son, daughter, sister, brother father or mother will not embrace love ones this Holiday Season...the heartache is incomprehensible! And yet, an individual wishing to be our next President reduces the drastic impact of this tragedy by categorizing it as "Stuff" happening.

As the television went to a commercial, my wife entered the family room and I profiled what I had just heard; our conversation went like this:

Mel: Jeb Bush just said the killing massacre at that Oregon community college does not merit greater gun control because 'stuff' happens.

Gerry: You know, I have heard several statements from Jeb Bush causing me to believe that he's not too bright.

Mel:  I thought his brother George was pretty dumb but I think Jeb may be dumber.

Gerry:  Okay now, Let's not go THAT far!

Fundamentalism Scares Me

A few weeks ago, I saw a television debate between religious folks who said they were fundamentalists. What I can determine, religious fundamentalists embrace a literal interpretation of their respective 'holy book' scriptures. The debate was between a Jew, Christian, Muslim and Atheist. Although the Atheist did not claim fundamentalist status, it's reasonable to place him in that camp.

After listening to an hour of the poppycock jibber-jabber, I concluded one thing; none of them were very good listeners and each  appeared short on tolerance. I believe they 'hear' only their own words. Therein lies a worldwide problem. My neighbor recently told me that he has read extensively about the Muslim faith and said, "Those people believe some crazy-ass stuff." I don't know anything about the Muslim Qur'an. I personally consider myself a born-again Christian who follows the Methodist doctrine, however I am not a Methodist/Christian fundamentalist! Deuteronomy 22: 23-24, scares the crap out of me.

Actually, when it comes to religious beliefs, I really don't care what others believe or what day of the week they attend worship service. All religious sects should agree to keep our religious opinions to ourselves unless someone is so impressed with our loving kindness they ask, "Where do you go to church because I'd like to 'get some of THAT?'

You're welcome to visit here in Decatur. We'll sit a spell on the backyard swing while the weather is still good. Just stay off the front yard grass, okay?

'No-Fault' Mentality

Interview question: What's the best side of sport and what's the worst?

Answer:  I believe the purest form of sport is found in childrens' play when no adults are nearby. The ugly side of sports occurs when fans and parents identify with a team.

I recall several years ago, I was attending a granddaughter's high school Cheerleading State Finals. Considering the competition began with nearly eight hundred teams, I would believe the remaining twenty-five finalists were happy to reach that plateau. Of course, my novice eyes thought my granddaughter's team completed a flawless routine. The scoring of cheer competition is subjective much like gymnastics, dance and ice skating. Well, word circulated that 'our team' did not make it to the trophy round due to a 'head-dip' by one of three girls involved in basket catches from mounts. Too bad but hey, as the say, 's*#t happens.' I've seen fumbles on the one-yard line, missed free throws and bases loaded strike outs.

But HOLD THE PHONE ! A group of parents were gathering in the galleria with cell phone videos of the routine performance. These parents were determined to identify the squad member who was at fault...they must know which youngster cost the squad advancement to the final trophy round. It appeared these parents needed to exonerate their kid for the the purpose of affixing blame.

As I walked from the event venue, I thought maybe school districts should consider accommodating needs of the sports' fans. Perhaps after activities, we could have all players and coaches return to the center of the arena for post-game public humiliation. Fans could scream admonishments at various participants therefore getting full measure for their $4.00 admission fee.
History books remind us that Rome did something similar and folks really got into it.