Soon American President, Donald Trump will name his fourth National Security Advisor in less than three years. One of the previous three had to resign because he is a criminal, another quit because he could not function in Trump's administration and the third NSA left having either been fired or quitting. Currently that fella (John Bolton) and Trump are engaging in a peeing contest regarding the truth.
Just recently, at a 'Chopper--Side Chat' Trump said there was 15-people who wanted the NSA job because "It's enjoyable working with Donald Trump because the job is easy since I (Trump) make all the decisions." Americans should not casually dismiss that latter comment. "I make all the decisions."
From my world history studies, I recall other leaders who 'made all their country's decisions:'
Adolf Hitler (Germany), Benito Mussolini (Italy), Fidel Castro (Cuba), Saddam Hussein (Iraq), Joseph Stalin (Russia) and Kim Jong Un ( North Korea).
Say nothing, do nothing and your children and grandchildren will not have YOUR choice of apathy.
(Touch)
Sooner or Later
Saturday, September 14, 2019
Doing It The Right Way
My youngest daughter, mother of two adult children telephoned last evening and cut immediately to the chase with a question she posed seeking an urgent answer. My interest quickly peaked due to the tone of her voice...I listened carefully as the inquiry resonated, "Dad, she started, when you blow your nose do you blow one nostril side and then the other or do you blow with both nostril sides open?"
Immediately, all kinds of thoughts began running through my mind. My goodness, this daughter is 51-years old and somewhere in her early training I missed a parenting teaching responsibility. How did this happen? I began going through a mental check list>I remember impressing upon her to look both ways crossing streets, explaining proper table manners, how to budget study time and to respect reasoning behind teenage curfews. Oh, for sure I gave that 'Birds & Bees' lesson. But how did I overlook the nose-blowing lesson?! I set my shame aside and answered her question: "You should blow one nostril-side and then the other nostril-side." My daughter laughed with delight as she yelled at her husband standing nearby listening on the speaker-phone, "See, I told you that you were blowing your nose wrong," she told him. I breathed a sigh of relief knowing my son in-law's parents screwed up...not me. But then perhaps I am guilty of not thoroughly vetting my son in-law when he was dating my daughter.
Soon, I'm going to muster the nerve to ask my daughter another critical question: "Does your toilet-paper come off the roll the proper way, which is over-the-top?" Meanwhile, I need to make a list of things' to share with the grandkids. Oh my, when does this parenting guilt end?
Immediately, all kinds of thoughts began running through my mind. My goodness, this daughter is 51-years old and somewhere in her early training I missed a parenting teaching responsibility. How did this happen? I began going through a mental check list>I remember impressing upon her to look both ways crossing streets, explaining proper table manners, how to budget study time and to respect reasoning behind teenage curfews. Oh, for sure I gave that 'Birds & Bees' lesson. But how did I overlook the nose-blowing lesson?! I set my shame aside and answered her question: "You should blow one nostril-side and then the other nostril-side." My daughter laughed with delight as she yelled at her husband standing nearby listening on the speaker-phone, "See, I told you that you were blowing your nose wrong," she told him. I breathed a sigh of relief knowing my son in-law's parents screwed up...not me. But then perhaps I am guilty of not thoroughly vetting my son in-law when he was dating my daughter.
Soon, I'm going to muster the nerve to ask my daughter another critical question: "Does your toilet-paper come off the roll the proper way, which is over-the-top?" Meanwhile, I need to make a list of things' to share with the grandkids. Oh my, when does this parenting guilt end?
Friday, September 13, 2019
Parents Going It Alone
The 1959 Illinois State University sociology professor was quoting a 'Family Relationship' research study when he said, "It's likely healthier for a married couple to visit their respective parents no more than twice a year." His comment seemed to fly in the face of the long-standing African proverb, "It takes a village to raise a child." And if you please, how about Biblical scripture, which suggests the same in Ecclesiastes 4:9, "Two are better than one....if either of them falls down one can help the other up."
On a personal note, I am without question a product from 'a village.' That said, through the years increased family mobility became a game changer along with the more permissive parenting attitude perpetuated by Dr. Spock. I grew up wanting to please my parents; not sure the youngsters today embrace that mission. In fact, I sense the pleasing-thing has flipped; parents bust their butts trying to make things smooth, easy and enjoyable for their children.
Parents and preachers of my youth spoke of ' Hell-to-Pay' consequences. Youth today are less concerned about a result or effect from their actions or behavior. And nobody goes to a church to hear a pastor preach hell-fire-and-damnation when you can stay home, kick back in your easy chair and listen to 'feel good' fella, Joel Olsteen.
Ah, I'll stop there, I'm beginning to sound like a grumpy old eighty year old fart. I am glad I see my kids more than twice a year!
On a personal note, I am without question a product from 'a village.' That said, through the years increased family mobility became a game changer along with the more permissive parenting attitude perpetuated by Dr. Spock. I grew up wanting to please my parents; not sure the youngsters today embrace that mission. In fact, I sense the pleasing-thing has flipped; parents bust their butts trying to make things smooth, easy and enjoyable for their children.
Parents and preachers of my youth spoke of ' Hell-to-Pay' consequences. Youth today are less concerned about a result or effect from their actions or behavior. And nobody goes to a church to hear a pastor preach hell-fire-and-damnation when you can stay home, kick back in your easy chair and listen to 'feel good' fella, Joel Olsteen.
Ah, I'll stop there, I'm beginning to sound like a grumpy old eighty year old fart. I am glad I see my kids more than twice a year!
Tuesday, September 10, 2019
Separation of Church and State
"Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..." So reads the actual words of the First Amendment of the Constitution.
I personally confess Jesus Christ as my Lord and savior. As coach, I said a basketball pre-game prayer before every game. I could have been called on the carpet for that activity but I never was.
I understand that organized prayer moments in our public schools presents monumental issues. Whose prayer book shall be embraced, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, etc. Each of the aforementioned religious groups are likely made up of tax paying citizens supporting the public schools, therefore why not 'their' prayer?
I am always amused by nincompoops who make such shortsighted proclamations, i.e., "We need to bring back prayer in our schools." First, I find it rather lame to expect our public 'schools' to do so many parenting responsibilities and secondly, I'd wish somebody would explain to me why only 14-to-18 percent of professed American Christians attend church on a weekly basis and it's these folks wanting prayer in schools.
As for prayer in public schools. Let's do it. Let's aside15-minutes daily for student prayer sessions. We just need to establish many room locations offering prayer from every organized American religion plus a room for non-believers to stare out the windows.
I personally confess Jesus Christ as my Lord and savior. As coach, I said a basketball pre-game prayer before every game. I could have been called on the carpet for that activity but I never was.
I understand that organized prayer moments in our public schools presents monumental issues. Whose prayer book shall be embraced, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, etc. Each of the aforementioned religious groups are likely made up of tax paying citizens supporting the public schools, therefore why not 'their' prayer?
I am always amused by nincompoops who make such shortsighted proclamations, i.e., "We need to bring back prayer in our schools." First, I find it rather lame to expect our public 'schools' to do so many parenting responsibilities and secondly, I'd wish somebody would explain to me why only 14-to-18 percent of professed American Christians attend church on a weekly basis and it's these folks wanting prayer in schools.
As for prayer in public schools. Let's do it. Let's aside15-minutes daily for student prayer sessions. We just need to establish many room locations offering prayer from every organized American religion plus a room for non-believers to stare out the windows.
Monday, September 9, 2019
Let Freedom Ring?
America, the land of freedom...hardly! Now that two Republicans have announced candidacy for the Republican Party's 2020 presidential primaries, we note several states make declarations suggesting their state WILL NOT conduct primaries in the obvious effort to protect President Trump's nomination.
These munipulations coupled with 'Moscow' Mitch McConnell's refusal to protect the integrity of the 2020 Presidential election underscores a reality that American democracy is a myth...a fairy tale!
These munipulations coupled with 'Moscow' Mitch McConnell's refusal to protect the integrity of the 2020 Presidential election underscores a reality that American democracy is a myth...a fairy tale!
Sunday, September 8, 2019
America's Declining Dignity
Swearing has always been part of the American folkways. Even our politicians of yesterday did their fair amount of 'cursing' or as we said in my neighborhood, 'cussing.' We must make the point, however that most politicians in days gone by did their cussing in private moments not before a campaign crowd. Well, that behavior appears in jeopardy for this 2020 presidential campaign trail.
President Trump's public potty-mouth is well documented and for the sake of decency, I shall not list all of Donald's vulgar mouthing moments. I also will point to Joe Biden who thought he was off-microphone when he made his infamous 'f'..ing' remark to Obama regarding the passing of the Affordable Care Act. With the aforementioned underscored, please note that dropping the 'f-bomb' and other nasty language is becoming more the norm on this 2020 presidential run. Now, some who dislike Trump will lay the blame at his feet but I think that's far too easy and untrue. I think the reason we hear this vulgarity slipping into the political arena is simply because it's become common place in the general public. That's right. And it's likely to get worse because as a society we no longer hold folks accountable and if we should the person we chastised for foul language is likely 'carrying.'
The thought occurs to me that if we begin giving a potty-mouth pass to our elected officials why not teachers, television commentators and celebrities? I know how high school kids spew vulgarities so let the teachers' rip on the student, eh? Boy, can you imagine how some on-the-scene reporters could give 'colorful' wording to fires, tornadoes and hurricanes. And just think how wonderfully descriptive our sports' heroes could explain a spectacular play.
Call me a fool (and some do), I still call out young or old who bark out a vulgarity in my presence especially if my wife or other women are nearby.
(Touch)
My World
President Trump's public potty-mouth is well documented and for the sake of decency, I shall not list all of Donald's vulgar mouthing moments. I also will point to Joe Biden who thought he was off-microphone when he made his infamous 'f'..ing' remark to Obama regarding the passing of the Affordable Care Act. With the aforementioned underscored, please note that dropping the 'f-bomb' and other nasty language is becoming more the norm on this 2020 presidential run. Now, some who dislike Trump will lay the blame at his feet but I think that's far too easy and untrue. I think the reason we hear this vulgarity slipping into the political arena is simply because it's become common place in the general public. That's right. And it's likely to get worse because as a society we no longer hold folks accountable and if we should the person we chastised for foul language is likely 'carrying.'
The thought occurs to me that if we begin giving a potty-mouth pass to our elected officials why not teachers, television commentators and celebrities? I know how high school kids spew vulgarities so let the teachers' rip on the student, eh? Boy, can you imagine how some on-the-scene reporters could give 'colorful' wording to fires, tornadoes and hurricanes. And just think how wonderfully descriptive our sports' heroes could explain a spectacular play.
Call me a fool (and some do), I still call out young or old who bark out a vulgarity in my presence especially if my wife or other women are nearby.
(Touch)
My World
Saturday, September 7, 2019
A Smart Coach Won't Ignore
The thirty-seven years coaching high school basketball, I embraced two major objectives, which if successfully addressed rendered the main outcome goal. First, I wanted to develop a year-to-year all-level program focus protecting its integrity and secondly, develop and sustain a basketball family atmosphere. If I could accomplish those two objectives then the day I would leave that coaching position, I would leave a basketball program in better shape than I inherited.
In today's blog, I wish to address one growing factor regarding the second objective; developing and sustaining a basketball family. We must acknowledge that the relationship dynamics in high school sports can be most difficult to harness and move in a positive direction. That relationship between player-parents-coach. That said, it is paramount that parents and players have a constructive format, which they agree to follow when concerned about their child's participation in basketball. Our programs developed and insisted on following a specific communication process.
In recent times, I note the potential for program destruction coming via the Facebook-Internet interaction. As a coach, I could not control what those outside our program said or did. As the coach, I was totally responsible for protecting the program and I did. Regarding the Facebook-Internet factor, a smart coach would have parents and players sign a pledge, i.e. Athletic code-pledge that they would NOT engage in those Facebook Internet exchanges while participating in the basketball program. This would be an acknowledgment that 'the program's' integrity is our central obligation.
This agreement is not some sort of an indictment of free speech. It is an agreement that as a committed member of a group with a mission, we must 'circle the wagons' and protect 'The Family.'
In today's blog, I wish to address one growing factor regarding the second objective; developing and sustaining a basketball family. We must acknowledge that the relationship dynamics in high school sports can be most difficult to harness and move in a positive direction. That relationship between player-parents-coach. That said, it is paramount that parents and players have a constructive format, which they agree to follow when concerned about their child's participation in basketball. Our programs developed and insisted on following a specific communication process.
In recent times, I note the potential for program destruction coming via the Facebook-Internet interaction. As a coach, I could not control what those outside our program said or did. As the coach, I was totally responsible for protecting the program and I did. Regarding the Facebook-Internet factor, a smart coach would have parents and players sign a pledge, i.e. Athletic code-pledge that they would NOT engage in those Facebook Internet exchanges while participating in the basketball program. This would be an acknowledgment that 'the program's' integrity is our central obligation.
This agreement is not some sort of an indictment of free speech. It is an agreement that as a committed member of a group with a mission, we must 'circle the wagons' and protect 'The Family.'
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