We Americans do a lot of gobbledygook talking! A recent study concludes that 'overweight' issues found in early elementary children is a strong indicator of life-long obesity. How about that sports fans?? Therefore, parents are wanting 'schools' to address the problem with 'exercise-fitness' programs. Personally, my take...That's what parents tell officials but don't 'bank' on the request sincerity.
The following opinion, which I am about to state is based upon 'frontline' trench knowledge resulting in my 25-years experience as a public high school physical education instructor from 1962-1987. I recall in the mid-1960's when our physical education classes were held daily. The routine back then was always vigorous calisthenics, running, physical testing and competitive games. Every student dressed for physical education classes in approved uniforms and every student took a shower after class...no exceptions. This policy was supported by school policy makers and the administration. The landscape slowly but surely eroded over the years and by the 1980's all kinds of excuses were advanced to avoid physical (activities) education, which might cause kids to sweat. The deterioration and dismantling of physical education classes as a viable attempt to help promote a child's physical health can be traced to four factors: (1) Mothers who sent endless, "Please excuse...notes, (2) School administrators who became weak-kneed in support of the physical education program. (3) School districts began identifying physical education classes as non-essential when financial cut backs were made and (4) The athlete's began getting waivers from physical education participation; then every other extra-curricular activity organization made its demands to be given equal treatment, i.e., the athletes. Soon the physical education class was reduced to the borderline highly probable drop-out student with whom teachers would argue daily about doing anything. The popular daily 'fuss' between instructor and students was wearing the proper uniform and taking a post-class shower. At every turn the parents stood by their kids and fought the system.
And NOW, I am to believe that the little turd-blossoms of 1980's who used all those bogus 'please excuse me from P.E. notes' wish for the gym-teachers to 'crack-that-whip' on THEIR kids...PLEASE, don't crap me! You parents will fold like a cheap accordion when Missy and Junior play the pity-card!!
Many Mommies and Daddies want to make their kids happy...even at the risk of creating little happy-fat-asses.
Friday, January 31, 2014
Thursday, January 30, 2014
The Few, The Proud & The Bully
Michael Grimm, New York, Republican congressman has apologized for threatening a cable news reporter Tuesday night. The former Marine was asked by the young reporter to comment on a recent alleged scandal possibly involving the politician. Grimm told the news reporter that he did not want to talk about the scandal and suggested that if the microphone carrying fella ever approached him again with the question, "I will break you into like a little boy and throw you off this balcony!"
I believe it is understood by the masses that when one chooses to run for public office, one will be scrutinized and elected officials are certainly fair game. This Michael Grimm may be many things; some good and some bad however, make no mistake, he IS a blustering person who is oppressive to others weaker than himself...that makes this ex-Marine and current congressman a BULLY.
In 2010, Marine Commandant, General James F. Amos made the following proclamation: "A Marine is a Marine. I set that policy two weeks ago - there is no such thing as a former Marine. You're a Marine, just in a different uniform and you're in a different phase of your life. But you'll always be a Marine because you went to Parris Island, San Diego or the hills of Quantico. There is no such thing as a former Marine." It appears official: 'Once a Marine; Always a Marine.' Therefore, Congressman, Michael Grimm needs to apologize to the United States Marines.
I believe it is understood by the masses that when one chooses to run for public office, one will be scrutinized and elected officials are certainly fair game. This Michael Grimm may be many things; some good and some bad however, make no mistake, he IS a blustering person who is oppressive to others weaker than himself...that makes this ex-Marine and current congressman a BULLY.
In 2010, Marine Commandant, General James F. Amos made the following proclamation: "A Marine is a Marine. I set that policy two weeks ago - there is no such thing as a former Marine. You're a Marine, just in a different uniform and you're in a different phase of your life. But you'll always be a Marine because you went to Parris Island, San Diego or the hills of Quantico. There is no such thing as a former Marine." It appears official: 'Once a Marine; Always a Marine.' Therefore, Congressman, Michael Grimm needs to apologize to the United States Marines.
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
I Should Let It Go
I recall as a junior high/high school student, I prayed the teacher would not 'call-on-me' for answers. Today at seventy-five, I now have all the answers and nobody ever ask me the questions. Just last week some politically conservative chap was on television explaining the Republican philosophy of 'individualism' as it pertains to the acquisition or loss of wealth based on the individuals abilities and work ethics. There I sat on the edge of my easy chair, yelling at the lecturer and shouting questions; I looked like the poster person for institutional living. This fella continued the often pontificated American myth of individualism fulfillment and there was nobody able to challenge one damn thing he said except me and I did not have a microphone. Note: I later discovered it was a Fox News presentation, dah!
Here are a few questions I wanted to pose: Why does the government bail out corporations but we think the regular guy who gets hammered in foreclosure was a fella who simply made bad choices; did NOT the corporate folks make Bad choices? Why does the government give big tax breaks to oil companies (18 billion dollars) and those companies made 120 billion dollars while our gas pump prices soar? Many conservative politicians wish for private school vouchers while cutting public school spending. The conservative entrenched followers believe it is okay to outsource jobs from America for cheaper production costs then reduce welfare assistance while sending relief to foreign countries; this logic gives me a migraine headache.
As Brother Ray Charles sings, ..."them that gots is them that gets and some ain't got nothin' yet."
Here are a few questions I wanted to pose: Why does the government bail out corporations but we think the regular guy who gets hammered in foreclosure was a fella who simply made bad choices; did NOT the corporate folks make Bad choices? Why does the government give big tax breaks to oil companies (18 billion dollars) and those companies made 120 billion dollars while our gas pump prices soar? Many conservative politicians wish for private school vouchers while cutting public school spending. The conservative entrenched followers believe it is okay to outsource jobs from America for cheaper production costs then reduce welfare assistance while sending relief to foreign countries; this logic gives me a migraine headache.
As Brother Ray Charles sings, ..."them that gots is them that gets and some ain't got nothin' yet."
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Hope is Empty Without Leadership Passion
Yesterday, a Colorado high school boy set himself afire in the school's cafeteria; 80% of his body is burned. Two days earlier, a nineteen year male randomly shot and killed two Maryland Mall employees before taking his own life. A retired Florida police officer recently shot and killed a movie-goer over 'texting.' A week ago, an acquaintance of mine received a telephone call telling him that his 31 year old son had committed suicide. This past weekend two Illinois State University students died tragically. The male student, attending a fraternity function passed out outside in sub-freezing temperatures and froze to death. Across town, the same night, a female coed died; alcohol poisoning is suspected. Also, within the past ten days, a Purdue University (graduate teaching-assistant) engineering student shot and killed another engineering student.
I know of no one who can advance any logical reasons for the destructive behavior that appears rampant in our society. I can offer nothing to explain this escalating madness. I believe we can agree that the one common denominator amongst all these events appears to be 'hopelessness' acted upon.
Perhaps, many prevailing psychological issues go ignored or undiagnosed. Maybe the continued economic woes of our nation have contributed to profound despair, which plays out in vicious acts. Oh, I am sure that some would trace some cause-effect to the failures of the American educational system while many more point the accusing finger at poor parenting skills.
When it comes to gun-violence, we are all cognizant of the negative polarizing factions that become engulfed in heated debates over our nation's gun laws. I would think that it is time for multiple agencies/organizations to 'come-together' forging a positive polarization, which can agree on a mission to pool resources and formulate a short-term / long-term 'fix-it' approach. Personally, I have little faith in government agencies thus I shall dismiss them as part of the solution.
Historically, the three institutions that have been the anchors of America's fabric is Family, Church and education. The effectiveness of these three institutions have eroded. The Family institutional strength waned due to (1) Dr. Spock, (2) single parenting and (3) an economy requiring young mothers to expect the educational institution to raise their kids; 'womb-to-room.' Once the family eroded the kids were not found IN Church thus there became fewer opportunities for The Church to impact the moral fabric of the child. Consequently, we have asked the last standing institution (education) to assume all three jobs.
If this 'fix-it' is going to happen there must be an awakening, rebirth or revival of all THREE institutions. This begs for and requires passionate leadership with equally passionate followers. Jesus Christ with but 12-followers began one of the greatest movements known to mankind. The passions found around issues of gun rights and abortion need to be emulated in the need for the institutional renaissance.
Then again, jus maybe our best Hope is the return of The Christ!
I know of no one who can advance any logical reasons for the destructive behavior that appears rampant in our society. I can offer nothing to explain this escalating madness. I believe we can agree that the one common denominator amongst all these events appears to be 'hopelessness' acted upon.
Perhaps, many prevailing psychological issues go ignored or undiagnosed. Maybe the continued economic woes of our nation have contributed to profound despair, which plays out in vicious acts. Oh, I am sure that some would trace some cause-effect to the failures of the American educational system while many more point the accusing finger at poor parenting skills.
When it comes to gun-violence, we are all cognizant of the negative polarizing factions that become engulfed in heated debates over our nation's gun laws. I would think that it is time for multiple agencies/organizations to 'come-together' forging a positive polarization, which can agree on a mission to pool resources and formulate a short-term / long-term 'fix-it' approach. Personally, I have little faith in government agencies thus I shall dismiss them as part of the solution.
Historically, the three institutions that have been the anchors of America's fabric is Family, Church and education. The effectiveness of these three institutions have eroded. The Family institutional strength waned due to (1) Dr. Spock, (2) single parenting and (3) an economy requiring young mothers to expect the educational institution to raise their kids; 'womb-to-room.' Once the family eroded the kids were not found IN Church thus there became fewer opportunities for The Church to impact the moral fabric of the child. Consequently, we have asked the last standing institution (education) to assume all three jobs.
If this 'fix-it' is going to happen there must be an awakening, rebirth or revival of all THREE institutions. This begs for and requires passionate leadership with equally passionate followers. Jesus Christ with but 12-followers began one of the greatest movements known to mankind. The passions found around issues of gun rights and abortion need to be emulated in the need for the institutional renaissance.
Then again, jus maybe our best Hope is the return of The Christ!
Monday, January 27, 2014
God IS Good !
My wife and I experienced a fully packed and most enjoyable weekend past. Let me give you the Cliffs Notes and perhaps the emotional whys and how come!!
Let's begin here: My wife, Gerry is one of six children in her immediate family. Two older brothers died six months apart approximately 45 years ago. (Both were in their early forties; one left six children the other left five). Her two older sisters, Jean and Lois have also died. Lois passed six years ago and Jean a little over a year . The only siblings remaining are Gerry and younger brother, Glenn. Gerry was particularly close to her sisters and she misses them terribly. Her introduction to 'sudden' loss began early in her life when at 19 years old, she lost her father who was only 54. Gerry had to by-pass dreams of nursing school; she had to go to work to financially assist her mother.
Therefore, one can understand her anticipated excitement when Lois' two daughters, Kathy and Missy joined two of Jean's daughters, P.J. and Patti for a road journey this past Saturday from the Metro-East area to Decatur. During the six hour visit, Gerry and her four nieces beamed with smiles and laughter as they reminisced about days gone by. Of course, there were many moments which found 'Aunt' Gerry filling in the family history blanks. I confess that I also wiggled my way into the group for about an hour...they were having too much fun.
The girls drove off and were hardly out of sight when Gerry turned to me and said with a tearful smile, "My sisters would be so proud of their girls for making the effort to be with me and show me such love."
The next day was another family gathering and celebration of a different type. Our youngest daughter, Pam, son in-law, Tim and their children Caleb(21) and Erica (19) gathered around a dinner table with cousin (and ISU sorority sister) Loren and Caleb's girlfriend, Morgan. The celebration centered on four birthdays. Pam's birth date is January 22 and Caleb's was January 26. Erica and Boompa's birthdays are February 17 and 18, respectively.
Last night, I fell asleep counting blessings wondering 'why' God has been so good to me.
Let's begin here: My wife, Gerry is one of six children in her immediate family. Two older brothers died six months apart approximately 45 years ago. (Both were in their early forties; one left six children the other left five). Her two older sisters, Jean and Lois have also died. Lois passed six years ago and Jean a little over a year . The only siblings remaining are Gerry and younger brother, Glenn. Gerry was particularly close to her sisters and she misses them terribly. Her introduction to 'sudden' loss began early in her life when at 19 years old, she lost her father who was only 54. Gerry had to by-pass dreams of nursing school; she had to go to work to financially assist her mother.
Therefore, one can understand her anticipated excitement when Lois' two daughters, Kathy and Missy joined two of Jean's daughters, P.J. and Patti for a road journey this past Saturday from the Metro-East area to Decatur. During the six hour visit, Gerry and her four nieces beamed with smiles and laughter as they reminisced about days gone by. Of course, there were many moments which found 'Aunt' Gerry filling in the family history blanks. I confess that I also wiggled my way into the group for about an hour...they were having too much fun.
The girls drove off and were hardly out of sight when Gerry turned to me and said with a tearful smile, "My sisters would be so proud of their girls for making the effort to be with me and show me such love."
The next day was another family gathering and celebration of a different type. Our youngest daughter, Pam, son in-law, Tim and their children Caleb(21) and Erica (19) gathered around a dinner table with cousin (and ISU sorority sister) Loren and Caleb's girlfriend, Morgan. The celebration centered on four birthdays. Pam's birth date is January 22 and Caleb's was January 26. Erica and Boompa's birthdays are February 17 and 18, respectively.
Last night, I fell asleep counting blessings wondering 'why' God has been so good to me.
Friday, January 24, 2014
Many are Looking Out for Me!
President Nixon's 'war on drugs' began forty years ago, although the United States started drug prohibition policies in 1914. This year is the 50th anniversary of President Lyndon Johnson's 'war on poverty.' We don't fight those wars too hard any longer. Many Americans, today, are consumed fighting for the right to conceal and carry a gun while other folks spend a lot of time and energy fighting to keep homosexuals from marrying.
In my lifetime, I have witnessed cigarette commercials removed from radio and television ads and replaced by 'ambulance-chasing-lawyers' ads urging 'sue-the-bastards;' I agree that secondhand smoke is bad for our health; I also think the law-suit-greed mentality is bad for our Nation's moral compass!! Today, I am protected in most states from smokers in the public places. Currently, I understand that there is a legislative proposal to ban smoking in autos where children are present; I suspect soon all American homes will have cameras installed to monitor this one.
I recently had a medical doctor tell me that 30% of the prescriptions he writes is motivated by patient request, which is driven by television ads. This will put more drugs in medicine cabinets for teens to seize and fabricate 'mid-buzzing cocktails.' How stupid can we become as a nation?
Some gentleman in Texas is fighting hospital authorities to disconnect the ventilator on his pregnant but brain-dead wife. Test completed on the fetus confirm the forming child has significant brain trauma and deformed lower extremities. Do you think there just might be a connection of this tragic circumstance to the fact that a fetus is trying to form in a dead body?? Of course it has nothing to do with those anti-abortion nut-jobs.
Each trip I take to Wal Mart seems to reveal one major underlying corporate mission...that company will not rest until its customers search the aisles for goods, SELF-CHECK OUT and bag; sound familiar? It should. The big oil companies trained us well at the convenient store pumps! Of course, there is a plethora of 'conservative' pundits who will bitch about link-cards, school lunch programs, food stamps, etc. and pontificate that 'those' people on those government programs need to get off their ass and get a job. I ask REALLY? How about our government doing away with one of the biggest socialists programs in America...Farm Subsidies???!!!
Spare me the poppycock crap!
In my lifetime, I have witnessed cigarette commercials removed from radio and television ads and replaced by 'ambulance-chasing-lawyers' ads urging 'sue-the-bastards;' I agree that secondhand smoke is bad for our health; I also think the law-suit-greed mentality is bad for our Nation's moral compass!! Today, I am protected in most states from smokers in the public places. Currently, I understand that there is a legislative proposal to ban smoking in autos where children are present; I suspect soon all American homes will have cameras installed to monitor this one.
I recently had a medical doctor tell me that 30% of the prescriptions he writes is motivated by patient request, which is driven by television ads. This will put more drugs in medicine cabinets for teens to seize and fabricate 'mid-buzzing cocktails.' How stupid can we become as a nation?
Some gentleman in Texas is fighting hospital authorities to disconnect the ventilator on his pregnant but brain-dead wife. Test completed on the fetus confirm the forming child has significant brain trauma and deformed lower extremities. Do you think there just might be a connection of this tragic circumstance to the fact that a fetus is trying to form in a dead body?? Of course it has nothing to do with those anti-abortion nut-jobs.
Each trip I take to Wal Mart seems to reveal one major underlying corporate mission...that company will not rest until its customers search the aisles for goods, SELF-CHECK OUT and bag; sound familiar? It should. The big oil companies trained us well at the convenient store pumps! Of course, there is a plethora of 'conservative' pundits who will bitch about link-cards, school lunch programs, food stamps, etc. and pontificate that 'those' people on those government programs need to get off their ass and get a job. I ask REALLY? How about our government doing away with one of the biggest socialists programs in America...Farm Subsidies???!!!
Spare me the poppycock crap!
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Here Ad, There Ad; Everywhere an Ad
Unsolicited advertisements have become my number one pet peeve replacing the weatherpersons who repeats six or seven times in a 4-minute television spot that it may rain tomorrow. I often telephone one of the local movie theaters to get start times. They will go through all the scheduled flicks and times each begin. I guarantee that by the time all the previews play and the advertisements run, the featured movie will start 15 to 18 minutes after the stated start time.
When watching a thirty-minute television program, we have all become accustom to 12 minutes of commercial advertisements and 18-minutes of actual programming. The much anticipated Super Bowl will be played on February 2 and the television commercials will be much discussed after the event. Some of those commercials will be entertaining and some boring. All commercial spots will cost big bucks and you can bet there will be ads at every time out, all injury delays and scheduled program spots.
When requesting any thing on the Internet, we now must listen to or negotiate around a 30-second ad before extracting our information. Just two days ago, I had one of those 'pop-up' ads for a 'Magic Wand.' I let it play and damned if it wasn't a pill for male enhancement. The reference to 'magic wand' was reference to the male organ. I am not a prude. I have heard the penis called many things...'Mr. Winky,' 'Big Boy,' and 'Sir Charles' along with many names less designed for mixed crowds. I have seen some of these male enhancement product ads before and always wondered if there was a chance that the pill might act on another part of the anatomy and the 'dude' ends up with real large ears or a big nose/
I am baffled by man's misconception that 'bigger is better.' I remember when I was about fifteen years old and working alongside my grandfather. I was helping him with a home carpentry project. We were both driving nails. Our hammers were equal in size. Grandpa E.V. drove half again more nails than me and bent fewer.
The pop-up Internet ad did give me an idea; next time a auto driver cuts me off, I am going to call him a 'wand-head!'
When watching a thirty-minute television program, we have all become accustom to 12 minutes of commercial advertisements and 18-minutes of actual programming. The much anticipated Super Bowl will be played on February 2 and the television commercials will be much discussed after the event. Some of those commercials will be entertaining and some boring. All commercial spots will cost big bucks and you can bet there will be ads at every time out, all injury delays and scheduled program spots.
When requesting any thing on the Internet, we now must listen to or negotiate around a 30-second ad before extracting our information. Just two days ago, I had one of those 'pop-up' ads for a 'Magic Wand.' I let it play and damned if it wasn't a pill for male enhancement. The reference to 'magic wand' was reference to the male organ. I am not a prude. I have heard the penis called many things...'Mr. Winky,' 'Big Boy,' and 'Sir Charles' along with many names less designed for mixed crowds. I have seen some of these male enhancement product ads before and always wondered if there was a chance that the pill might act on another part of the anatomy and the 'dude' ends up with real large ears or a big nose/
I am baffled by man's misconception that 'bigger is better.' I remember when I was about fifteen years old and working alongside my grandfather. I was helping him with a home carpentry project. We were both driving nails. Our hammers were equal in size. Grandpa E.V. drove half again more nails than me and bent fewer.
The pop-up Internet ad did give me an idea; next time a auto driver cuts me off, I am going to call him a 'wand-head!'
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