Open Mouth-Insert Foot

Republican pundit, Ann Coulter has a well-established track record making asinine statements; she has done it once again. Coulter's target this time is America's excitement and fan-growth over soccer. I must admit that I am not a big soccer fan and I too have a theory why the sport has grown rapidly on the American youth sport scene. Let me dispense with that 'slant' and move to the comments coming from Coulter.
My theory: the ability to 'track' an object does not develop until around the age of 8 or 9; this is why little league baseball programs have tee-ball at the younger age. It is easier to strike a ball 'sitting-stationary' than time the pitched ball coming towards you as the child deals with a fear-factor of being 'hit' by the baseball. Soccer requires the under 8 sport participant to simple run after a rolling ball and kick it when you are close enough. The advanced levels of soccer play require equally prolific skill as any other sport, certainly at the elite level such as the World Cup.
Coulter, never at lost to attempt tying liberalism conspiracies to anything, suggests soccer mom-mania is just another attempt to dumb-down, praise mediocrity and heap unwarranted praise on 'do-nothing' folks like all you Democrats ! Coulter misses the entire driving-impetus behind all American sports' fanatics...Americans are on a never-ending mission to find any reason to gather, overeat and consume excessive amounts of alcohol while wearing painted faces and obnoxious clothing and chanting USA, USA, USA. This  behavior is not unique to only America's sports. I offer the Mardi Gras Parade. This annual event is a New Orleans' tradition, however it has gotten traction throughout the United States. Many American cities conduct their OWN Mardi Gras Event, which provides folks the opportunity to overeat, get smashed, urinate in public and be accommodated by females when asked, "Show us your boobs !"

Making The 'Grade'

A new study reveals that kids believe that their parents value good grades more than kindness and the child being a 'good' person. (You may want to read that again to truly grasp the full impact).
I have pontificated to school district audiences' across the nation where parents attend beginning of the year sports orientation program nights. Parents 'want' four (4) things for their kids: (1) health, (2) love, (3) happiness and (4) success. The reality is these 'desires' are out of the control and beyond the reach of parents. Children will pick up on the subliminal messages sent by parents. It would appear that our nation, which beats the 'Christianity drums' talks out of both sides of its mouth while their 'actions' speak volumes to the young people.


Kids sense a celebratory attitude emitting from mom and dad when the child gets straight 'A's' or scores the winning goal or makes the varsity team. It seems less glorious and parents do not send the same praise message when the kid shows love and assistance for others. We Americans may like to believe that the Ten Commandments should be posted in the public square but in fact, those parents do not even preach the message and glorify loving actions in their own home; a sad fact according to the children.


In the 1950 movie, 'Harvey,' Jimmie Stewart plays the lead character, Elwood P. Dowd, an eccentric middle-aged gent whose best friend is an imaginary six foot three rabbit named, 'Harvey.' In the movie, Elwood shares a bit of his mother's philosophy: when she told Elwood the following: "In this world , Elwood, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant."  Elwood then adds, "Well, for years I was smart, I recommend pleasant. You can quote me."


If you are not a movie fan perhaps you like the things Jesus said, "That which you do for the least of my people, you do also for Me."
Matter-of-fact, there are 19 Bible verses addressing kindness; obviously not many American children are encouraged by parents to read and abide. Too bad because the happiest people in this world are those engaged in work they love and serve others during life's journey.

Helping Others Always Risky

I remember when back problems, gout, arthritis, cataracts and incontinence were things absolutely foreign to my thoughts. Today, I count back issues, hip pain, joint arthritis (knees, hands, lower back and cataract surgery of left eye); given time, I am sure I will 'run-the-table.'
My warning signal to the younger readers is not to dwell on that which lurks around the corner but elevate awareness of your opportunities to help others already under 'body-pain-siege. I jumped in to give aid to two people recently. I was at Walmart about four days ago and an elderly lady who was shopping from one of those motorized carts needed assistance to get three different food-items from top shelves; I obliged her request and even offered to go into other aisle if she need me.


Just yesterday, I was pumping gas at a nearby convenient store when a gentleman about my age pulled alongside. He motioned to me and explained that he recently had knee replacement and asked if I'd be good enough to pump $30.00 bucks of gasoline for him. I was delighted to assist the fella. Immediately after replacing his gas cap, I walked toward the driver to get his money and pay the inside attendant. The would be recovering knee-surgery gent 'put the peddle to the metal and sped off ! A voice bellowed from the outside speakers, "Drive off, Drive off and there may be an accomplice...holy crap, that would be ME!

Once Upon A Time Is Now

I am 'doing' a first posting this blog. I am suggesting that a specific age-group read today's blog. The age group that should read are those over 65-years old; folks under 65 may read but you will likely not 'GET-IT' and I just hate that !


Okay, you oldsters, here's the deal, as my son likes to say; There are specific awareness's, which build in our lives that cause us to become ready to board the 'out-bound-glory-train.' These occurrences, listed below, manifest and causes mental dizziness rendering us clueless. If you are like me, you begin talking to yourself saying things like: 'Did others notice THAT?' 'Holy crap, has everybody gone nuts?' 'What the hell are the parents doing?' 'What is anybody thinking?' 'Why have we allowed this to happen?'


Consider the following: Those sixty-five and older people grew up in the 1930's, '40's and '50's. Check it out...
                                                                        THEN & NOW
Then..  noticed an occasional tattoo on a male; Now.. both males & females have bodies that look like finger-painting
Then..  watched 'others' serve us; Now.. wait in lines to 'serve ourselves'
Then..  told the kids to pick up toys and take a bath; Now.. ask the kids 'if' they think it's time to pick up toys and bathe
Then..  wore "Sunday' clothes to interviews, (shirt-tie / skirts); Now;  wear shorts & jeans to interviews, which is 'Sunday" clothes
Then..  ate home cooked meals; Now.. checkout any restaurant parking lot any day of the week
Then..  did chores for allowance; Now..  parents get 'second' job so kids get a higher allowance                                                     
Then.. occasionally used family auto; Now.. checkout the high school student parking lot in your town
Then.. boys paid the 'way' for the girl on a date; Now girl calls boy & pays own way
Then.. a boy's expected a goodnight kiss on first date; Now.. both boy & girl anticipate sex first week of dating
Then.. widowed Grandma lived w/ children until she died; Now.. the 'Home' telephones children to tell them she died
Then.. preacher told us we had to repent (publicly) to be 'saved;' Now.. preacher hints all going to heaven & can take their smart phones
Then.. little leagues kept score / not everyone got in game; Now.. everyone plays and gets a trophy & we don't care who wins
Then.. family doctor came to your house; Now.. see a medicine advertised on T.V. & tell doctor to give us some
Then.. American workers bragged about how good they were at job; Now.. workers brag about how much they are paid for how little they do
Then.. discreet about out-of-wedlock pregnancy; Now.. appear on Maury's T.V. show to find out who is the daddy


                                                                                                  
Then.. singer, Marv Johnson wore a suit & tie as he sang, 'You Got What It Takes.' Now.. male singers wear baggy-pants, 'jerk on their Johnson' and chant bad rhymes demonstrating they DO NOT have what it takes


"ALL ABOARD !"

Takes Tough Guys to Win and Build

I mentioned my father in yesterday's blog; one more thing about the man and then I'll move away from the topic. My Dad was  one of 'those self-made' fellas that folks speak about when they advance that wonderful USA notion...'The American Dream.' Like many from his generation, my Dad quit school (formal education) at the ninth grade. He went to work and got married by age twenty.


My Dad was a 'blue-collar' guy until he was in his forties. He had years working as an operating engineer; mostly operating bulldozers and large cranes. Later he became a lead burner, which was a trade that was closely connected to corrosion protection. Many uses for lead was replaced to a great extent by the development of plastics.


My father was a very 'old' selective service draft in World War !!. he was 26, when he got that 'draft-letter;' I recall the day. The Father of two boys served this country for two years under General Patton.
In time, my Dad became a successful sales person in the corrosion-protection-plastics industry. He became President of companies in St. Louis and Dallas.  My brother relates a great story about our Father. It seems Dad's Dallas company had a multi-million dollar job with an Air Force Base. The head-dog at the Air Force facility was a retired USA military Captain. At a meeting regarding the specs and job plan, this bigger than life Captain, who had not lost his pompous posturing, was insistent that Dad's company's plan was flawed. As Dad attempted to justify his plan, the Captain told my Father that HE (Captain) had been IN on the planning of the Normandy Invasion and thus the Captain 'knew' his business. Dad looked the Captain in the eyes and said, "With due respect, I fought that Normandy Invasion and that plan was f*#^d-up!"


I always appreciated my Dad's ability to state much in a few words...I remember my East St. Louis teen years as I left the house of an evening. "Hey boy, be home before the shallow hours and while your out-in-the-streets, don't let your mouth overload your ass!"

A Dying Legacy

I've been thinking about my Dad a lot lately. I suppose the memories are prompted by the upcoming 65th Annual Roustio-Family Reunion. I recall vividly that first 'family-reunion' at Grand Marias State Park back in 1949, I was ten years old. I think on those days and remember what excitement filled the heart; we were going to spend the entire day with aunts, uncles and cousins. We'd eat some terrific food and spend about two hours playing the annual Dad's against kids softball game. There would be laughter, story-telling, bingo games and flowing soda and beer the day long. Frank Roustio (my grandfather) usually umpired the softball game and his beer consumption did little to aid his judgment. Most of the clan arrived at the Park early morning and stayed well after the evening supper hour. I would imagine in our reunion-attendance heyday, we averaged well over 150 people. It was customary that young dating teens brought their dates; never kept track of the number of potential spouses the clan ran-off.


Through the years, the reunion numbers have declined significantly. Perhaps our ever escalating mobility was a significant cause; after all back in the 1940's and '50's most of the Roustio clan lived on 56th street Washington Park, Illinois. Maybe with our mobility and sophisticated social networking along with so many entertainment opportunities has also contributed to the lack of family-reunion interest.


Many staples of my past have dissipated. I seldom notice neighbors visiting of a warm summer evening. Few folks engage in those family backyard games; hell, most of my grankids and their parents seldom sit down together for a meal even once a day...lot going on these days that separates and erodes the family unit.


I was responsible to contact family and encourage attendance for this 65th gathering. I have had great help from my son and daughter in-law and two cousins. I hope we can notice a bit of renewed interest.


All of my father's generation has passed and many from mine are no longer with us. I am the third oldest of the gang. Yep, I've been thinking about my Dad a lot lately...what a blessing he was and what a legacy he and his people left for which, I thank God daily.


The renowned journalist and retired television anchor man, Tom Brokaw wrote a book ( The Greatest Generation) about my parent's generation. Too bad we have allowed our young people to lose touch. Dadgumit, if my grandkids ever put their cell phones down, I'm gonna tell them a thing or two about our Roustio-family legacy.

Some Are Just Jerks !

When you elect to coach a sport team, you should understand 'all' the criticism and second-guessing that comes with the job. Always, hindsight is a perfect 20-20 and most certainly the easiest thing to 'do' is coach the 'other guy's' team. When one 'runs' for public office, one should likewise assume that the same criticisms and second-guessing is forthcoming...and as it was once stated, 'You're damned if you do and damned if you don't."


On a personal note, I took the blows and I stood by my decisions. President Obama is taking 'heat' over every thing imaginable: the economy issues (jobs), Syria, Ukraine (Russia), Iraq and a sundry of lesser problems. He campaigned for the job, he was elected by his countrymen and thus he is fair game.


Now, when it comes to second-guessing the coach, I ask but one consideration: those who think they could do a better job should get a coaching certification (easy to accomplish) and 'take-a-seat-at-the-helm.'


When it comes to second-guessing the President you can take similar steps: vote YOUR guy IN next time and or run for public office. However, if you are former vice-president, Dick Cheney, you have been in that Executive Branch position. Since you and your outfit 'started the Iraq War' predicated on falsehoods and lies about weapons of mass destruction, you are NOW and forever disqualified from offering any opinions about wars and foreign affairs; you are a known impotent screw-up! Take a seat in the back of the room facing the corner.