...but you can't take East St. Louis out of the guy!

The current political atmosphere reassures me that several years ago, I made the correct decision NOT to run. Let me elaborate. It was the late 1970's when I gave a speech to the Collinsville Chamber of Commerce. (At the time, I was coaching Edwardsville high school but living in Collinsville). A few weeks later, a group of Collinsville business men invited me to breakfast and inquired about my interest to 'run' for a political office. They assured me that they could 'muster' the financial support necessary. I told them that I would give it serious thought; I did and I returned a telephone call to the lead Chamber officer and expressed regrets but explained, "I am not your guy."

Those gents were well dressed conservative Republicans and I knew once they came to know this blue-jean wearing liberal it would be the 'oil & water' story. Actually, I was wise never to seek any political office under any political-party's banner. Regardless of college degrees and religious backgrounds, I am a product of Washington Park (East St. Louis) and its unrefined streets. That said, I am certain should a political opponent state a falsehood about me, I would call him out as 'a lying son-of-bitch.' -That reaction usually loses the Christian vote.

There is hope in my truthful acknowledgment. I realize that I have never mastered the ability to pretend, take a punch and turn the other cheek. This is not good. I trust God is not finished with me and hopefully, I will turn out better in quick time!

My Wish For You

To all those reading this blog:

May all who gather at your Thanksgiving table feel the comfort and warmth of family love and be blessed by God's wondrous love.

I Am Forever Grateful

I have been asked many times, "What was the biggest break in your professional career?" The answer is two-part. I was completing my first year in teaching/coaching (spring 1963) at Assumption, Illinois. I was the head baseball coach and assisted in basketball and football. I wished for that head basketball job. The Illinois State University  placement listings indicated that such a job was 'open' in Mason City, Illinois. I applied for the Mason City position and after the interview, I was told by the superintendent that I was the Mason City school boards second choice; really? I guess second is good for something. One year later, I was surprised to 'see' the Mason City position of head basketball, baseball and athletic director was open again. I telephoned that same superintendent and he said, "Mel, tell me you still want the position and I will drive to your Assumption home with the contract. Superintendent, Ralph Helton did bring that contract to Assumption the next day and without question, the next three years did more for anchoring my coaching career than anything else.

I delighted in finding the Mason City athlete proud, dedicated, responsive and respectful. Those kids wanted to please parents, teachers and coaches. The success of my three Mason City basketball teams reinforced my belief that hard work, role acceptance and an intense preparation approach were keys to winning. Mason City players gave a young Mel Roustio the best coaching blueprint possible.

Part two of the answer to the 'biggest break' question would spotlight the Illinois High School Association. The IHSA offered numerous opportunities. I served the IHSA on the boys' basketball advisory board, the athletic directors' advisory board, the Legislative Commission and I was appointed as Illinois' National Liaison for the American Sport Education Program, a coaching certification process. The IHSA also allowed me to serve two years  as television analyst for the large schools' basketball State Finals. The result of my IHSA involvement led to a most lucrative nationwide speaking experience and prompted me to pen a couple of coaching education books.

It is fair to say, Mason City basketball / baseball players and the Illinois High School Associations' leaders prepared me to serve thousands of schools, athletes and parents. I am grateful and humbled in the blessing.

Will The Real Believers Step Forward

On a personal note, I would not suggest abortion to a family member; I believe it is wrong. On a United States Constitutional note, I believe women should have the right to choose.

On a personal note, I think baseball players who cheat using drugs should face a lifetime ban from the game, i.e., Pete Rose for betting on baseball games.  On a United States Constitutional note, I believe baseball club owners and MLB players' unions have the contractual agreement rights to impose incremental banishment of games for violators instead of lifetime bans..

What I have difficulty understanding is the pompous anti-abortion groups that are all for protecting the unborn (fetus) and then oppose food stamp programs, early childhood school programs, head start and free lunch programs. It appears these folks are Christ-like in fighting to protect the unborn life but have less Christ-like feelings for struggling lives.

The baseball players appear to suffer from a similar hypocrisy as the pro-lifers. Those players who get upset with performance enhancing drug users returning to the game will oppose a lifetime ban on those players and/or club owners' collusion not to 'sign' previous PED users.

These groups need to decide what they believe, how deeply they believe it and then get off the fence.

Excuse Me, I Define This Season

These past two months retail stores have been balancing shelf-space between Halloween costumes, Thanksgiving decorations and Christmas gift-ideas. I suspect the 'real' Christmas gift purchasing push begins 'Black Friday,' the day after we Americans overindulge in food and football. It's a good thing that we spend energies and money shopping because we would otherwise sit on our fat asses and count the days until the two really big American celebrations: News Year's Eve and the Super Bowl.

Actually, I refer to this time of year as 'The Season of The Boogieman.' This 'Boogieman' is the illusive, mythical and evil guy who wishes people 'Happy Holidays' instead of Merry Christmas because he is on a secular mission of 'taking' Christ out of Christmas. Some of the Boogeyman's family members spend their time fighting public nativity depictions while others protest against religious Carole's sung in public schools. It's a propaganda season...just watch Bill O'Rielly and Sean Hannity, two of our finest examples of tolerance and Christian teachings. These two fine men speak only the truth and will help all weak thinking folks to 'see the light.'

Sad Events and Fading Trust

I am sure that those of a certain age remember clearly where they where and what they were doing on this day fifty-years ago when the news of President John F. Kennedy's assassination entered their brain. I was a twenty-four year old teacher/coach in Assumption, Illinois. It was shortly after one o'clock when the distinct clicking noise of the school's intercom system came resonating through the gymnasium speakers. The voice of high school principal, R.E. Dagner simply and rather bluntly said, "President Kennedy has been shot.!" WOW! I remember the words too vividly.

Looking back on that horrible tragedy, I would point to 'it' as the beginning of my continuing growing distrust and loss of respect in my government. I will always believe that the 'whole truth and nothing but the truth' regarding JFK's killing was never forthcoming from our government officials. In the 1970's the daily television coverage of the Watergate Hearings was another monumental moment of elected officials misgivings adding to my lack of confidence in our elected government officials.  More recently, we count thousands of dead American soldiers and innocent Iraqi civilians because of government deceit.

President Clinton's infidelity was not the first by an American President, but his bold lying was troubling for a nation's people. Recently, an elected politician was arrested in a drug bust where he was caught by federal agents purchasing cocaine. That same elected official voted a few months back for food-stamp recipients to be 'drug-tested.' talk about hypocrisy; go figure...but first, on THIS day, remember a son, husband, father and President who was murdered on our American soil fifty-years ago.

I am NOT alone in this waning trust of government...yesterday, I went to the Post Office (Mound Road, Decatur) to mail my Teachers' Retirement Insurance coverage (new) election papers. These documents must be post-marked before December 13, 2013. The postal clerk asked, "I assume you wish to send this 'certified mail as hundreds of your fellow teachers are sending this document certified!" My reply, "Yes indeed; let's all cover our ass and protect ourselves from Big Brother!"

Thanks for Asking

Recently, one of the grandkids asked me, "If you could live your life over would you do anything differently?" My answer was, absolutely. However, you could count on one hand and not use all fingers those 'do different things.'

I was  both blessed and 'lucky.' I grew up in the incredible era of the '40's & '50's and I was raised by that infamous 'village' (of people); wonderful parents and a supportive extended family and neighbors. I played my sports with a degree of success, received a free college education playing sport and I pursued a lifelong coaching career. I married my high school sweetheart with whom I enjoy a terrific history, three grown children /spouses, fifteen grandchildren and one great-grandson. If that ain't blessed and lucky then, "grits ain't groceries, eggs ain't poultry and Mona Lisa was a man," said Little Milton.

Thousands of folks were interested enough in what I had to say and purchased my books; many invited me to speak at conventions and audiences across the nation. I had a blast serving the Illinois High School Association television network as an analyst and especially embraced twenty-one years behind the radio microphone.

I would only wish to 'do over' those times when I caused others hurt. I hope for their forgiveness. I do know that a Savior died for those misgivings. I have resolve and contentment knowing that I did answer my 'calling' to serve the least of HIS people.

If there is a 'do over' opportunity, I'm good to go...if no such plan...I am good to GO!

I wish you few 'woulda, shoulda , coulda moments.'