I Read It In The Newspaper

Byron White was a Supreme Court Justice from 1962 until his retirement in 1993. He once said that he reads the sports' page of the newspaper first every morning to see what mans' successes were the past 24-hours then he turns to the front page to read of mans' failures. Perhaps that thought would be debated in 2017. In any event, Justice White was suggesting that items appearing in his morning newspaper gave him an insight into 'Life in this America.'

I read two newspapers everyday. If I would subscribe to the idea that those papers hold a clue to what's up in the good old U S of A, THEN based on the most often appearing articles of print...I'm going with the following: When American men reach age 50, they cannot hear and they are having problems getting an erection. Four days a-week my newspapers have a full page 'hearing aid' advertisement and every day there is a photo snap-shot of a couple in an intimate embrace with a caption asking "Are you ready when she's ready?"

That said, I would ask you to digest this footnote: Erectile dysfunction medication and subsequent treatment is insured by most insurance carriers whereas hearing aids and hearing loss treatment is mostly 'uninsured.' Lesson? Old men in America who make the insurance-rules are not interested in 'what she's saying.'

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Talk Too Much

Show Some Class

Unlike Former President Ronald Reagan's 'economic trickle-down' theory much of what happens at the professional sports' level 'does' find its way down to the amateur arena as acted-out in participant behavior. So much then for the National Football League 'relaxing' its celebration-rule. That's correct, the NFL's line is "We're bringing fun back to the game." If you believe that line of crap then you would believe that it's good for poor people when rich people get tax breaks.

A quick look at the resuscitation of the post-big-play celebration is simply an attempt placate the plethora of undisciplined players in the league, take the enforcement stress off game officials and sell tickets to people who have no clue regarding football intricacies but do understand and embrace obnoxious behavior especially after five beers.

The message we send to our youth today is most shameful. Apparently, success is not enough in and of itself, we must win AND humiliate others. Of course, the NFL stops short of the gladiators' fight in Roman times. Back then it was not enough to render the opponent defenseless and in a submissive prone position, the conquering gladiator looked to Caesar to see the 'thumbs up or thumbs-down' signal. Man, just imagine ticket sales if the NFL had that rule.

It's time for America to promote the 'celebration' of effort and dignity. That would be 'Class.'

Former great NFL running back Barry Sanders when asked why he didn't celebrate after scoring a touchdown said, "I want people to know I've been there before and plan to be there again."

    (Touch)Walk Like a Man

Dignity & Humility

Twenty-three years ago on May 26, 1994, a team of cardiologist at Barnes Jewish Hospital (St. Louis) explained to my father and his family that they had no more answers for his damaged heart, which they had successfully treated for 21-years. The heart's weakness was beyond modern medical magic. I will forever remember the moment my father was being guided on a hospital bed down the corridor of a cardiology unit. Several doctors and nurses who knew my father quite well over the years shook his hand or touched his shoulder as they said their goodbyes. My father would be taken to another floor where he would be made comfortable as he faced final hours of life. I recall one cardiologist saying to Dad, "Mr. Roustio, I'm so sorry we have no answer." My Dad with a smile on his face consoled the young doctor and thanked him for the care.

In the early morning hours of May 27, 1994, Dad left his earthly journey. As I sat with my wife on the edge of his bed while the nurse confirmed his passing, I looked upon a man who had been so much to so many. I looked at a man who loved life more than anyone I have ever known. I looked at a man who taught his three sons how to live and leave with dignity and humility.

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Precious Memories

The Way We Were

In a blog last week, I mentioned my up-coming 60th high school reunion. After reading, a  younger woman who obviously follows the blog commented that she did not share my enthusiasm for class reunions. I remember one of my daughters made a similar statement years ago about those High school Anniversary reunions.

Even though, my wife and have always embraced those reunion-gatherings, I can appreciate that younger folks are too busy for deep reflections as they 'feel' much time remaining on the train ride. At the other end of the tangent it becomes easier for older folks to sense the slowing of the train as it approaches the station. We see a different view out the window and consequently, we take leave 'thinking' about those years that shaped our lives and changed our world forever.

Fair to say, when we were young, we thought very little about becoming old but when we are old, it is so easy to recall 'When We Were Young!'

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If I Had My Way

Gotcha!

Ross and I were baseball teammates at Illinois State in the spring of 1958. I was a freshman pitcher  and Ross was a senior outfielder. That spring we both were in the same anatomy and kinesiology class held at McCormick Gym's first floor. Ross and his senior girlfriend Elaine were a very high profile couple on campus and widely known as great practical jokers with each other. Both were spirited out-going personalities and always attempted to pull off a practical joke on the other.

I recall one fall night when leaving Milner Library at closing time and as I stepped out of the main entrance into the night's air, I heard Ross' booming voice yell out to Elaine who was walking with other coeds, "Hey Elaine, I'll meet you at South Campus in 10-minutes and we'll make a baby!" Okay, you ask what's so unusual about that? Excuse me blog readers, the YEAR was 1958, when American society still embraced a degree of respectful social decorum.

Later that spring, I witnessed one of the best 'I gotcha moments' in my entire lifetime. It was finals week.  Howard 'Moose' Hancock, athletic director and anatomy instructor was monitoring our anatomy final exam. (Hancock? Yes, that would be the Hancock for whom the ISU Football stadium is named). Back to the gotcha moment. Ross was seated in the first floor room alongside open windows as was I. I heard a whisper from outside the window call out the name, "Ross." It was Ross' girlfriend, Elaine. Ross looked to the front of the room where Moose Hancock was at his desk reading. Ross quickly passed part of his exam papers out the window to Elaine and she disappeared. Put 2-and-2 together, you got it! Elaine was going to complete some of Ross' final exam test. WOW! How bold and risky, I thought.

The two hour test hit the half-way mark and I heard Elaine's voice once again coming from near a bush outside the classroom. She passed the papers through the window and Ross quickly snatched them from the ledge. Perhaps 10- seconds elapsed when Ross blurted out, "Ah, shit!" Naturally, some 18 students looked towards Ross as did Instructor Hancock. Moose, in his gruff voice said, "What's wrong , Ross?" Immediately, Ross said, I'm missing the second-half of my test manual." As Ross walked towards Moose to plead his need for the second part of the 'missing' final exam, I looked at the papers Elaine had given Ross...all the answers were no doubt correct, however ALL the answers were TYPED.  GOTCHA!

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Hit Me With Your Best Shot

You Never Know

If you have ever been in Destin, Florida, you have likely experienced the traffic mayhem on US Route 98, which runs East and West; it is brutal. Well, imagine that highway's travel condition when a suspicious looking box sits alone at an large intersection? Automobiles, trucks and service vehicles were at a standstill for better than three hours while the Panama City Bomb Squad drove 40 miles to to the site to determine if the threat was real or not. Thank goodness, I learned about the situation in the morning newspaper. The box  turned out to be innocent, perhaps a hoax.

We can all agree that Americans have become more and more Security conscience in recent years and certainly justifiable. Too bad these times has us 'looking' over our shoulder and stifling our natural curiosity.

Obviously, this new cautionary approach flies in the face of Americans' cowboy adventurous 'push-the-envelope' life style. We climb mountains sail the seas, bungee-jump from bridges with rubber bands tied around our ankles towards certain disaster spitting in the face death.

I guess the new motto in America is 'If the box ain't yours don't pick up the 'thing.'

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What is that?

Finding Love

When I was graduated from Illinois State University (1961), my degree certified me to coach and teach in the disciplines of health, physical education, World History, United States History and sociology. My greatest passion and preparation was anchored in coaching but a deep interest, which I continue to study is the field of sociology. I simply find the history and tendencies of man's cultural behavior steeped in folkways, mores and established norms fascinating and constantly under pressures to change. That which was a taboo yesterday can be totally acceptable behavior today.

Let's take for example one aspect of the human relationships in 'courtship.' Once upon a time a older person who married a much younger person was referenced as a cradle-robber. Today that older woman in a relationship with a much younger man is more acceptable with a shiny profile called 'Cougar.' The older man with the younger woman is no longer a ' hound dog' but simply seeking that 'trophy wife,' although that younger woman still may fight the label 'gold-digger.'

I recall the expectation of a young courtship requiring certain etiquette features. The boy went to the date's door and escorted her to,the auto where he opened her passenger door. In time a 'car honk' expedited the ritual. I also read of times when the young woman and young man had nearby chaperones for dating, although that was before my time. There is one aspect of courtship, which came after 'my time' and that would be couples 'living together' before they married, if they married.

The late celebrated anthropologist, Margaret Mead once suggested that America experienced its only  sexual revolution in the 1920's those 'Roaring Twenties.' Margaret Mead died in 1978. I wonder if Mead's attitude might change if alive today.

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You're The One