The whole Roger Clemens incident and general topic of banned substances in baseball is getting pretty long in the tooth. So, let's talk about another substance that's now illegal in many settings, is grown right here in the states, and is still the rage of stage and screen.
Driving around Kentucky you see two different kinds of fences -- black and white. The white ones nearly always signal a nearby horse farm. The acreages are so large you may not actually see any horses, but you can rest assured they live there. Each one is dotted with an elaborate barn -- not a barn really, but a horse palace. Kentucky is, of course, home to the Kentucky Derby, and many of the horses that win someday compete for that horse racing crown.
Then there are the black fences, and black barns. They represent the other cash cow of Kentucky -- tobacco.
Tobacco is perfectly legal to grow, to buy, and to have possession of. But use it for its intended purpose, and you may find yourself in water. Lighting up is getting harder to do in government buildings, around hospitals, and even in your favorite restaurant.
In the Iowa state legislature, a bill has been introduced that effectively bans smoking everywhere but in your own home (unless your home doubles as an in-home daycare, then smoking is a no-no even there). Walk within a few feet of the doorway to the mall, and you better be putting your cigarette out! There are exceptions, of course. Your corner tavern is one. Casinos are another. If you're caught blowing chemical smoke in the general vicinity of another, you could pay a $500 fine.
What do we make of this? Tough call.
I have never smoked a cigarette, not one. I hate cigarette smoke. Put me in a room with a smoker and I'll limp out with a headache after a half hour. I am in favor of restaurant owners making their establishment smoke-free. I'm certainly in favor of other business owners deciding whether their own employees have the privilege of lighting up while on the clock. And I know that, as a taxpayer, I'm footing the bill for millions of tobacco users who may become cancer carriers someday. I certainly don't like that.
But, I'm not sure that this broad-based ban on smoking is a good thing. Smoking is legal. Tobacco is legal. Are we trampling on individual rights? Are we creating laws that are nearly impossible to enforce? Are we taking away the liberties of individual business owners and giving too much responsibility to big government?
Seems to me we've been down this road before. It was called prohibition. It lasted a few years, and ultimately was lifted. Changes in the way society morally views alcohol has made consumption more acceptable today. "Adult beverages" are big business. Whether that's good or bad is another topic altogether.
So, what do we do about smoking? Lift all bans, pass local and state laws limiting usage, or get rid of the "heart darts" at the federal level? What say you?
Showing posts with label society. Show all posts
Showing posts with label society. Show all posts
February 26, 2008
January 15, 2008
Broccoli, Celery, Got to Be ...
Y'all know the rest, don't you? Of course you do.
VeggieTales!!!
My children came along at just the right time to catch the peak popularity of Bob the tomato and Larry the cucumber. Up until we gave them away, we owned a dozen VHS tapes and more than a few plush toys. We were among those who went to the movie theatre on opening day to watch the first VeggieTales movie, Jonah. Alas, not many more followed.
VeggieTales was the brainchild of Phil Vischer, born here in Iowa, and was taken to the retail world in 1993. It was a unique creation -- talking vegetables that humorously told Bible stories to the under 10 crowd. Like any good youth-oriented product, it was written at a level that both kids and adults could enjoy -- kids for the sheer entertainment of it all, and adults for the cultural references only an adult would understand. VeggieTales become a Christian cultural phenomenon that would eventually become a mainstream phenom too, culminating with the Jonah movie in 2002.
About that time, VeggieTales became VeggieFails -- from a business perspective, anyway. As outlined in the humorous and captivating Vischer book Me, Myself, and Bob, Vischer's Big Idea Productions company had taken on too much debt and could not continue. The vegetables declared bankruptcy and embarrassment. They survive today as an entity of a huge conglomerate, with only moderate creative input from the original players.
This past week the veggies became stars in their second motion picture -- The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything. The picture will be panned by "critics" as being too nice, or too simple, or too archaic in its animation. Remaining fans of the series will hungrily lap it up as one of the very few movies they can take their small children to and not have to be even slightly concerned about obvious, or even subtle, innuendo. To be sure, the most onerous part of taking your kids to a Veggie Tales film is the previews for the other films you must sit through.
My 12 and 9 year-old kids no longer long for VeggieTales, though it wouldn't surprise me if we see this film sooner or later. I'm pretty sure the novelty of talking vegetables telling Bible stories is beyond its expiration date. Yet nothing has taken its place in the retail world.
As I've written before, creative types at Disney, Pixar and other media giants could make a financial killing if they could simply give Christian parents -- any parents -- and young children what they want: squeaky clean entertainment. No eight year-olds swearing, no bare bottoms, no innuendo sexual humor, no political statements. The task seems so easy, yet ... it must be harder than I think or someone would be doing it.
There has never, ever, ever, ever, ever been a show like VeggieTales. Perhaps there never will be again. So come on down to the local theatre -- its time for VeggieTales.
VeggieTales!!!
My children came along at just the right time to catch the peak popularity of Bob the tomato and Larry the cucumber. Up until we gave them away, we owned a dozen VHS tapes and more than a few plush toys. We were among those who went to the movie theatre on opening day to watch the first VeggieTales movie, Jonah. Alas, not many more followed.
VeggieTales was the brainchild of Phil Vischer, born here in Iowa, and was taken to the retail world in 1993. It was a unique creation -- talking vegetables that humorously told Bible stories to the under 10 crowd. Like any good youth-oriented product, it was written at a level that both kids and adults could enjoy -- kids for the sheer entertainment of it all, and adults for the cultural references only an adult would understand. VeggieTales become a Christian cultural phenomenon that would eventually become a mainstream phenom too, culminating with the Jonah movie in 2002.
About that time, VeggieTales became VeggieFails -- from a business perspective, anyway. As outlined in the humorous and captivating Vischer book Me, Myself, and Bob, Vischer's Big Idea Productions company had taken on too much debt and could not continue. The vegetables declared bankruptcy and embarrassment. They survive today as an entity of a huge conglomerate, with only moderate creative input from the original players.
This past week the veggies became stars in their second motion picture -- The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything. The picture will be panned by "critics" as being too nice, or too simple, or too archaic in its animation. Remaining fans of the series will hungrily lap it up as one of the very few movies they can take their small children to and not have to be even slightly concerned about obvious, or even subtle, innuendo. To be sure, the most onerous part of taking your kids to a Veggie Tales film is the previews for the other films you must sit through.
My 12 and 9 year-old kids no longer long for VeggieTales, though it wouldn't surprise me if we see this film sooner or later. I'm pretty sure the novelty of talking vegetables telling Bible stories is beyond its expiration date. Yet nothing has taken its place in the retail world.
As I've written before, creative types at Disney, Pixar and other media giants could make a financial killing if they could simply give Christian parents -- any parents -- and young children what they want: squeaky clean entertainment. No eight year-olds swearing, no bare bottoms, no innuendo sexual humor, no political statements. The task seems so easy, yet ... it must be harder than I think or someone would be doing it.
There has never, ever, ever, ever, ever been a show like VeggieTales. Perhaps there never will be again. So come on down to the local theatre -- its time for VeggieTales.
December 20, 2007
Generous Offers
Since this is the season for gift-giving and tremendous shopping offers, I scanned through my "spam" e-mail this morning to see what unbelievable deals might be available to me. I was astonished that I could take advantage of any of the following offers:
Well, if you're looking for just the right gift between now and the 25th, let me know and I'll set you up with any of these fine opportunities.
- 60 percent off vehicle warranties! (Never mind that both of my cars are more than 10 years old)
- Fast and easy term life with no medical exam! (I am an insurance agent and already well-insured)
- Make $1,000 in 48 hours with no product and no money! (What more can be said about that?)
- Law enforcement professionals are needed in my area and scholarships are waiting! (Ironic, since the Cedar Rapids police department recently went through a round of layoffs)
- Drop 20 pounds in two weeks! (Oh, if it were only so)
- Someone has sent me a Christmas gift card! (Wonder who the "someone" is?)
- Final attempt: confirm your e-mail address for K-Mart shipment! (I haven't shopped at K-Mart for years. Remember what Rainman said about K-Mart ...)
- Want the best free laptop in the world? (I'll bet that's a great machine)
- Wanna see my pics? (One of many offers to meet and/or see someone or something that I don't want to meet or see)
- Buy phentermine online without a prescription! (What is phentermine?)
- Blackjack tournament needs a high roller! (Uh, high roller has never been a phrase attached to me)
- Final attempt: confirm your e-mail address for K-Mart shipment! (I thought I had already received my final attempt???)
- Get $1,500 in your bank account in one hour! (Wonder how that happens?)
- Win Whoppers and free fries! (That would be a reason to respond to the "lose 20 pounds in two weeks" e-mail)
- Say no to drugs! (How refreshing, as 28 offers are asking me to say "yes" to drugs)
- Final attempt: confirm your e-mail address for K-Mart shipment! (Third time is a charm)
Well, if you're looking for just the right gift between now and the 25th, let me know and I'll set you up with any of these fine opportunities.
December 19, 2007
Steroids, HGH and Supplements, Oh My!
I have read the Mitchell report. Actually, it would be more accurate to say that I scanned the Mitchell report. It is, including appendices and such, more than 400 pages in length. There aren't many pictures. It is written in attorney speak. Who would want to read it word for word?
Those among us who follow baseball, and even sports in general, know a little something about the Mitchell report. It is authored by former US Senator George Mitchell, and is the conclusion of a 20-month investigation into the use of illegal and banned substances by professional baseball players.
Barry Bonds has been the steroid poster child for the last few years. Bonds, who broke into the majors as a skinny, fleet-footed Pittsburgh Pirate, is finishing his career as a large, slow power hitter with anyone still willing to pay his salary. The all-time home run king is hated for his alleged cheating and various public relations blunders.
In the court of public opinion, and I think in reality, he is guilty. The question is, beyond Barry Bonds, who else is guilty, and how widespread is the problem?
The conclusion of the report -- many are probably guilty, and the problem has been widespread. I was glad to see that my past and present favorite players were not named, guys like Ryne Sandberg, Derrick Lee, and Albert Pujols. But like many, I was surprised to see many current and former All-Stars, including Roger Clemens.
So much has been written about this topic. To me, it all boils down to this. Players take this stuff because they want to perform better, because better performance leads to more lucrative contracts. Guys like Bonds earn $15-20 million annually, payed for through TV deals, ticket prices, and jersey sales. Bonds earns that kind of money because fans support MLB with their wallets. If we didn't go to the games, buy the Cracker Jacks, turn on the TV, and slip on our favorite hat (AKA reduce the demand) things might be different.
But, who's kidding who? Things will not change. Some percentage of athletes will always look for ways to get ahead. This is not new -- it is the human condition. And, why not inject yourself with HGH for a couple years, avoid detection (MLB drug testing does not detect HGH), and sit on your pile of millions the rest of your life? Not an unattractive life, depending on your scruples.
Those among us who follow baseball, and even sports in general, know a little something about the Mitchell report. It is authored by former US Senator George Mitchell, and is the conclusion of a 20-month investigation into the use of illegal and banned substances by professional baseball players.
Barry Bonds has been the steroid poster child for the last few years. Bonds, who broke into the majors as a skinny, fleet-footed Pittsburgh Pirate, is finishing his career as a large, slow power hitter with anyone still willing to pay his salary. The all-time home run king is hated for his alleged cheating and various public relations blunders.
In the court of public opinion, and I think in reality, he is guilty. The question is, beyond Barry Bonds, who else is guilty, and how widespread is the problem?
The conclusion of the report -- many are probably guilty, and the problem has been widespread. I was glad to see that my past and present favorite players were not named, guys like Ryne Sandberg, Derrick Lee, and Albert Pujols. But like many, I was surprised to see many current and former All-Stars, including Roger Clemens.
So much has been written about this topic. To me, it all boils down to this. Players take this stuff because they want to perform better, because better performance leads to more lucrative contracts. Guys like Bonds earn $15-20 million annually, payed for through TV deals, ticket prices, and jersey sales. Bonds earns that kind of money because fans support MLB with their wallets. If we didn't go to the games, buy the Cracker Jacks, turn on the TV, and slip on our favorite hat (AKA reduce the demand) things might be different.
But, who's kidding who? Things will not change. Some percentage of athletes will always look for ways to get ahead. This is not new -- it is the human condition. And, why not inject yourself with HGH for a couple years, avoid detection (MLB drug testing does not detect HGH), and sit on your pile of millions the rest of your life? Not an unattractive life, depending on your scruples.
October 11, 2007
The Boring Rush Limbaugh
Yesterday afternoon I went home early to take some cold medicine, Advil, and a nap. It was about 1:45 p.m., 45 minutes into the three-hour Rush Limbaugh radio show.
I graduated from college in 1992, about the time the Limbaugh show was hitting the national airwaves. He was quite a phenom. His topical updates were hysterical, complete with themed music. He was creating an empire, one listener at a time, and entertaining them along the way. When Bill Clinton was elected, Rush (self-proclaimed conservative and truth-teller) really hit stride. During this period of time I was a frequent listener.
The last 10 years, my jobs and office environments have not been conducive to mid-afternoon radio listening. So, I've fallen out of touch with Rush, never catching more than a few minutes of his show at a time. Yesterday I listened for 135 minutes. What a bore.
Gone, apparently, are calls from listeners. Rush took about 3 an hour. Instead, he'd rather listen to himself speak. No homeless updates, no them music, no plugging of his necktie line (production ceased many years ago). He's still behind the "golden EIB microphone" and reading articles from his "formerly nicotine-stained hands" (never mind that Rush is a frequent cigar smoker, I guess that doesn't count as nicotine).
Rush has been through a lot the last 10 years. He has been divorced, he's had a failed television show, he lost 100 pounds, he was arrested for illegal prescription drug use, and he arguably helped elect a president.
Now, it seems he's just churning out a radio show that helps maintain his millionaire status. It was not entertaining, or amusing, or fun. It was boring. It left me with the feeling that if I go another 10 years before I tune in again, I won't miss much.
I graduated from college in 1992, about the time the Limbaugh show was hitting the national airwaves. He was quite a phenom. His topical updates were hysterical, complete with themed music. He was creating an empire, one listener at a time, and entertaining them along the way. When Bill Clinton was elected, Rush (self-proclaimed conservative and truth-teller) really hit stride. During this period of time I was a frequent listener.
The last 10 years, my jobs and office environments have not been conducive to mid-afternoon radio listening. So, I've fallen out of touch with Rush, never catching more than a few minutes of his show at a time. Yesterday I listened for 135 minutes. What a bore.
Gone, apparently, are calls from listeners. Rush took about 3 an hour. Instead, he'd rather listen to himself speak. No homeless updates, no them music, no plugging of his necktie line (production ceased many years ago). He's still behind the "golden EIB microphone" and reading articles from his "formerly nicotine-stained hands" (never mind that Rush is a frequent cigar smoker, I guess that doesn't count as nicotine).
Rush has been through a lot the last 10 years. He has been divorced, he's had a failed television show, he lost 100 pounds, he was arrested for illegal prescription drug use, and he arguably helped elect a president.
Now, it seems he's just churning out a radio show that helps maintain his millionaire status. It was not entertaining, or amusing, or fun. It was boring. It left me with the feeling that if I go another 10 years before I tune in again, I won't miss much.
September 26, 2007
Those Pesky Newspaper Reporters
This past week, sports columnist Jenni Carlson of the Daily Oklahoman apparently had some negative things to say about the Oklahoma State football team's quarterback. She questioned his toughness and posed this question: " ... Does he want to be coddled, babied, perhaps even fed chicken?"
None of this would have been all that newsworthy in far flung places like Iowa, except that on Monday the Oklahoma State coach went into a press conference tirade that is now being broadcast several thousand times an hour on You Tube. Coach Gundy "... blasted Carlson the entire time, calling her column 'fiction' and the newspaper 'garbage.'"
Sometimes the relationship between newspaper writer and subject matter can get a little hairy. Believe me, I know. On January 30, 1990, I wrote the following editorial column for the University of Northern Iowa's Northern Iowan:
None of this would have been all that newsworthy in far flung places like Iowa, except that on Monday the Oklahoma State coach went into a press conference tirade that is now being broadcast several thousand times an hour on You Tube. Coach Gundy "... blasted Carlson the entire time, calling her column 'fiction' and the newspaper 'garbage.'"
Sometimes the relationship between newspaper writer and subject matter can get a little hairy. Believe me, I know. On January 30, 1990, I wrote the following editorial column for the University of Northern Iowa's Northern Iowan:
"Rarely are events as memorable as the hype that proceeds them. This is especially true in athletics .... The UNI-Iowa [basketball game] was an exception. Perhaps in this case the game WAS the most exciting aspect of the evening.
"As a result of UNI's stunning victory, a new level of success has been reached in Panther athletics. Panther fans could carve a big notch in their bedposts and proudly chant, 'We're number one, we're number one.'"
"UNI 77-Iowa 74. I think its universally recognized that Iowa men's basketball is vulnerable this year. Many prognosticators pick Iowa to finish near the bottom of the Big Ten. The same crystal ball lists UNI as runaway AMCU champions. So, UNI wins at home, in the dome, for the first time in 75 years. Impressive, maybe so."
I went on to suggest that UNI fans should avoid getting too big for their britches, the league it played in was inferior, and that "we should realize we have a good team and be proud of what it does. But, don't dream of what it can't do. National championships are not around any corner on this campus."
"Don't let the thrill of a little success fool you. Enjoy Panther basketball for what it is -- in-state athletes using their talents for a few more years. Thank them for the entertainment they provide, support them with pride. Don't belittle their success with talk of greatness."
As football commentator Keith Jackson would say, "Whoa Nelly!" That column, written 17 years ago, got me in heaps of trouble. The basketball team captain called me up and volunteered to rearrange my face. Threats from large male students plugged up my dorm room voicemail. Letters to the editor piled up (a rare occurrence for the Northern Iowan). I even had a sit-down with then-head basketball coach Eldon Miller and head football coach Terry Allen.
Was what I said true? Some parts were. The University of Iowa Hawkeyes went on to have a dismal year, finishing low in the Big Ten. UNI went on to have the best season in its history (at that point), even winning an NCAA tournament game against Missouri. The Association of Mid-Continent Universities (AMCU) was kind of a rinky dink outfit. It has changed its name and team lineup many times since 1990, and UNI is no longer in it. In 1990, it was rare for UNI to beat Iowa or Iowa State University in any athletic competition, let alone men's basketball (the gap has narrowed in recent years). UNI has not won a national basketball championship (it has never gotten past the second round of the NCAA tourney).
But, was what I wrote inflammatory? Yep. Not intentionally, but obviously.
Was Ms. Carlson of Oklahoma trying to be inflammatory? I don't know. Here's my guess though -- she is paid by the newspaper to write about sports, in a way that both sells newspapers and accurately reflects the truth. Since the job of an opinion columnist is to express their opinion, you can imagine that others may disagree from time to time. Carlson suggested that the QB in question is "soft." Coach Gundy, at least in a public forum, has a different opinion.
I wonder who is receiving the brunt of criticism in Oklahoma this week -- the quarterback who lost his starting job, the reporter who tried to explain why, or the coach who lost his cool in front of the world.
And the beat goes on ...
September 24, 2007
Middle Aged
Are you middle aged?
I read in the newspaper yesterday that the median age (half the population is higher and half is lower) of all people in the world is 25. At 37, I'm 12 years beyond the average global population age. No wonder I'm getting fat and creaky!
If that median age surprises you, keep in mind that disease and war claim many lives prematurely in some African, Middle East, and Pacific Rim nations. If you take away some of these countries, the median age increases.
How about the United States? The same article said the median age in our nation is 37. So, as I already suspected, I am incredibly average.
I read in the newspaper yesterday that the median age (half the population is higher and half is lower) of all people in the world is 25. At 37, I'm 12 years beyond the average global population age. No wonder I'm getting fat and creaky!
If that median age surprises you, keep in mind that disease and war claim many lives prematurely in some African, Middle East, and Pacific Rim nations. If you take away some of these countries, the median age increases.
How about the United States? The same article said the median age in our nation is 37. So, as I already suspected, I am incredibly average.
August 27, 2007
Cable Television and College Dorm Rooms
I've chronicled in past articles my thorough dissatisfaction with the cable television industry, but let me list a few grievances again:
News from Iowa City this past week is that the dorms at the U of I will receive a cable feed for the Big Ten Network (BTN). The BTN is a new idea that I already dislike. The BTN and Mediacom have been unsuccessfully negotiating for months -- Iowa games airing on the BTN will not be seen in my neighborhood. If the two parties (BTN and Mediacom) do reach a deal, I'm sure it will result in another rate increase (and only available in a new package of networks). But I digress ...
The dorms are getting the BTN, and I'm not. Yet, my tax dollars are surely subsidizing the cost so that a college student can watch something that I can not.
The steep rise in higher education costs have been well-documented. I can understand why. As a student at the University of Northern Iowa, I lived in a small, warm room with a single phone jack and four television channels. Fifteen years later, dorm rooms are equipped with air conditioning, cable tv, and broadband access. I doubt those amenities are donated free of charge by the respective utility company.
So, what is the cost of us non-college students for watching Iowa football this fall? Games could be broadcast on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ABC, and the Big Ten Network.
- In my neighborhood, there is only one source for cable television. So, a monopoly exists.
- That company (Mediacom) has raised my cable rate almost 70 percent in the past year, without expanding my coverage.
- That company was in a heated dispute with a local network station for more than six months, and did not carry the channel for a portion of that time.
- Unrelated (and yet related), as the Iowa Hawkeye football season approaches, it seems unlikely that many of the games will be shown on channels that I currently receive in my home, or that are even available at any price from my cable provider.
News from Iowa City this past week is that the dorms at the U of I will receive a cable feed for the Big Ten Network (BTN). The BTN is a new idea that I already dislike. The BTN and Mediacom have been unsuccessfully negotiating for months -- Iowa games airing on the BTN will not be seen in my neighborhood. If the two parties (BTN and Mediacom) do reach a deal, I'm sure it will result in another rate increase (and only available in a new package of networks). But I digress ...
The dorms are getting the BTN, and I'm not. Yet, my tax dollars are surely subsidizing the cost so that a college student can watch something that I can not.
The steep rise in higher education costs have been well-documented. I can understand why. As a student at the University of Northern Iowa, I lived in a small, warm room with a single phone jack and four television channels. Fifteen years later, dorm rooms are equipped with air conditioning, cable tv, and broadband access. I doubt those amenities are donated free of charge by the respective utility company.
So, what is the cost of us non-college students for watching Iowa football this fall? Games could be broadcast on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ABC, and the Big Ten Network.
- Mediacom does not have, at any price, a package that includes all these channels.
- Dish TV also has yet to sign the BTN. It's package cost for everything but the BTN is $58. Fortunately, for my viewing pleasure, that includes access to a number of Spanish-speaking stations and the "Sirius Metropolitan Opera Channel."
- Want to go the Direct TV route? They've got everything I need (and a whole lotta don't needs) for $70, with a cost increase guaranteed after four months.
August 20, 2007
Finding a Needle in a Straw Poll
Iowa's Republican Party straw poll that took place nine days ago is already old news. Since then, every candidate for president from both parties has probably visited the Iowa State Fair and rubbed elbows with the populace that will decide his/her political fate in six months. Yesterday I watched a portion of a Democrat debate broadcast from Drake University in Des Moines.
Declared and not-yet declared candidates have been criss-crossing Iowa since a week after the 2004 presidential election. The activity picked up in July and will continue strong through the January caucus. Iowa, of course, is the first-in-the-nation caucus state. As such, whether rightly or wrongly, presidential candidates spend an enormous amount of time and money among our corn fields and small cities, hoping to claim the first victory toward party nomination.
I recently have had lunch with two good friends. One has likely voted Democrat for president for at least the last 20 years. The other, a staunch Republican voter. Both conversations were friendly and honest when it came to political pontification.
My Democrat friend surprisingly said that among the many candidates he has to choose from, none got him too excited. He made the point, and I agreed, that many of the Democrats have a leg up on any Republican because the current president is so unpopular. Americans voting for "change" may not care who they elect, as long as its not the current party in the White House. In the end, I think we concluded that Mrs. Clinton is the clear front-runner, but John Edwards is a "safe bet" because he is neither black nor a woman (both characteristics may prejudice certain voters). Yet, again, not one of the candidate truly stirred my friend's blood.
Lunch with my Republican friend turned to some of the usual questions among Republican voters. How do you feel about voting for a Mormon (Romney), and how "Mormon" is he? Is Giuliani conservative enough? Is McCain likable enough? Does anyone else in the field even have a chance? Our lunch was prior to the straw poll, and we both felt that if Huckabee or Brownback could make a move and place well, it might jump start his respective campaign. (As it turned out, Huckabee DID place a strong second and HAS seen a lift.) Yet the question remains, are any of these men both desirable and electable.
So, we're left trying to find a needle in the straw polls -- identifying a man or woman that seems honest, displays leadership characteristics, works well with other people, is a problem-solver, and who captures our attention to such a great height that we're willing to brave hot August gymnasiums to listen to stump speeches, and a cold January night to cast a vote.
As for me, I'm still searching.
Declared and not-yet declared candidates have been criss-crossing Iowa since a week after the 2004 presidential election. The activity picked up in July and will continue strong through the January caucus. Iowa, of course, is the first-in-the-nation caucus state. As such, whether rightly or wrongly, presidential candidates spend an enormous amount of time and money among our corn fields and small cities, hoping to claim the first victory toward party nomination.
I recently have had lunch with two good friends. One has likely voted Democrat for president for at least the last 20 years. The other, a staunch Republican voter. Both conversations were friendly and honest when it came to political pontification.
My Democrat friend surprisingly said that among the many candidates he has to choose from, none got him too excited. He made the point, and I agreed, that many of the Democrats have a leg up on any Republican because the current president is so unpopular. Americans voting for "change" may not care who they elect, as long as its not the current party in the White House. In the end, I think we concluded that Mrs. Clinton is the clear front-runner, but John Edwards is a "safe bet" because he is neither black nor a woman (both characteristics may prejudice certain voters). Yet, again, not one of the candidate truly stirred my friend's blood.
Lunch with my Republican friend turned to some of the usual questions among Republican voters. How do you feel about voting for a Mormon (Romney), and how "Mormon" is he? Is Giuliani conservative enough? Is McCain likable enough? Does anyone else in the field even have a chance? Our lunch was prior to the straw poll, and we both felt that if Huckabee or Brownback could make a move and place well, it might jump start his respective campaign. (As it turned out, Huckabee DID place a strong second and HAS seen a lift.) Yet the question remains, are any of these men both desirable and electable.
So, we're left trying to find a needle in the straw polls -- identifying a man or woman that seems honest, displays leadership characteristics, works well with other people, is a problem-solver, and who captures our attention to such a great height that we're willing to brave hot August gymnasiums to listen to stump speeches, and a cold January night to cast a vote.
As for me, I'm still searching.
August 15, 2007
Michael Vick
You've heard the headlines even if you don't follow professional sports -- NFL quarterback Michael Vick on trial for arranging dogfighting at his property in Virginia.
There are a lot of angles to this story:
Vick will win sympathy votes because, by all accounts, his upbringing was poor and very difficult. In fact, we should feel sympathy for any child in those circumstances. But Vick is no longer financially poor, just morally bankrupt. If we wish to feel anything for Vick, it should be hope that he will surrender his life to the highest moral authority -- Jesus -- and that future chapters of his story will reflect the miracle of God's grace.
That doesn't exclude the nature of his present predicament. The legal system should run its course. If appropriate, he should be found guilty and imprisoned (others that have been charged are essentially pleading guilty and plea bargaining lesser sentences). He should never play professional football again. He will serve as a reminder that no one is above the law.
There are a lot of angles to this story:
- Vick is not only the face of the Atlanta Falcons, he is a headliner for the NFL. When he came into the league, he was supposed to revolutionize how the game was played with a quarterback's legs (never mind that Fran Tarkenton did that 40 years ago).
- Though Vick is highly publicized, he has arguably never lived up to the hype. Atlanta has been a mostly-average team. Vick's personal statistics do not jump off the page. In fact, his completion percentage is in decline. He is an interesting, but average, QB.
- Vick is not yet being accused of betting on the dogfights, rather, just buying the dogs, arranging the fights, watching the dogs die, and burying the dogs. Betting on the fights is another crime alltogether, and apparently one with a stiffer sentence.
- If this was snake fighting, would anyone care? Dogfighting is illegal. Is this illegality based on immorality? I suppose you could say it is. If you own a dog, or like dogs, you are far more outraged by this story than those of us who don't count canines as our best friends.
- This isn't Vick's only brush with controversy and the law. Last year he was in trouble for making obscene gestures to fans. In January 2007 he was detained for allegedly transporting marijuana through Miami International airport (he was cleared of any wrongdoing). While these incidents do not speak of illegality, they may speak of his character.
- Anybody remember Marcus Vicks? That's Michael's younger brother. He too was a star QB at Virginia Tech. But the younger Vick was dismissed form the Hokies for a series of boo-boos. First, he was arrested and suspended in 2004. Then in '05, he roughed up an opposing player, intentionally stomping on the leg of a player who had tackled him. Then, another arrest, for driving with a suspended license. I wouldn't be surprised is his grades were less than stellar, too. Now, Michael is Michael, and Marcus is Marcus, but the behavior of each seems to reflect the values of the other.
Vick will win sympathy votes because, by all accounts, his upbringing was poor and very difficult. In fact, we should feel sympathy for any child in those circumstances. But Vick is no longer financially poor, just morally bankrupt. If we wish to feel anything for Vick, it should be hope that he will surrender his life to the highest moral authority -- Jesus -- and that future chapters of his story will reflect the miracle of God's grace.
That doesn't exclude the nature of his present predicament. The legal system should run its course. If appropriate, he should be found guilty and imprisoned (others that have been charged are essentially pleading guilty and plea bargaining lesser sentences). He should never play professional football again. He will serve as a reminder that no one is above the law.
May 7, 2007
Nice Gig if You can Get It
How would you like to make $5,714 for every second of real work that you do? That's about what Roger Clemens is going to make beginning June 1.
Clemens is a 45 year-old Major League pitcher with a Hall of Fame career in his rear view mirror. Two years ago he retired, only to be lured out of retirement by the Houston Astros when they promised to pay him an unbelievable amount of money and leave him alone on the days he didn't have to pitch (Clemens' home is in Houston and he didn't want to be bothered by traveling out of town with the team if he wasn't going to play).
That scenario, apparently, worked out well for both the 'Stros and Clemens. So well, that he's going to try it again this year. But the New York Yankees, a former team of Clemens, came in with such a doozy of an offer that ol' Roger is temporarily moving to the Big Apple.
Warning: unreliable math ahead
Clemens is going to be paid about $18 million over the course of the season between June and October. Let's break that number down using some performance assumptions:
Oh, and Clemens doesn't have to fly with the team on their private jet during those brutal road trips.
Fathers, have you played catch with your sons today? Might be a good time to see what kind of an arm junior has.
Clemens is a 45 year-old Major League pitcher with a Hall of Fame career in his rear view mirror. Two years ago he retired, only to be lured out of retirement by the Houston Astros when they promised to pay him an unbelievable amount of money and leave him alone on the days he didn't have to pitch (Clemens' home is in Houston and he didn't want to be bothered by traveling out of town with the team if he wasn't going to play).
That scenario, apparently, worked out well for both the 'Stros and Clemens. So well, that he's going to try it again this year. But the New York Yankees, a former team of Clemens, came in with such a doozy of an offer that ol' Roger is temporarily moving to the Big Apple.
Warning: unreliable math ahead
Clemens is going to be paid about $18 million over the course of the season between June and October. Let's break that number down using some performance assumptions:
- If Clemens makes 30 starts, he'll be paid $600,000 per start
- If he pitches an average of seven innings per start, he'll make $85,714 per inning
- If he makes 15 pitches per inning, that comes to $5,714 per pitch
- If his ratio of strikes to balls is 2/1, he'll make $571 per usable pitch
- If he wins 2/3 of his starts that's $900,000 per win
Oh, and Clemens doesn't have to fly with the team on their private jet during those brutal road trips.
Fathers, have you played catch with your sons today? Might be a good time to see what kind of an arm junior has.
May 2, 2007
The War Vote
Over the course of the last three days, the US House of Representatives voted to provide continued funding for the war in Iraq contigent upon a specific troop withdrawal date; the President vetoed the bill; and Congress sustained the veto.
Now that lines have been clearly drawn in the sand, the President is asking for, "goodwill on both sides that we can move beyond political statements and agree on a bill that gives our troops the funds and flexibility to do the job that we asked them to do." Well, that seems reasonable.
But, how do we arrive at "goodwill?" Democratic leaders fired back at the president by saying he has, "turned a tin ear to the wishes of the American people." (Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.) That sounds like goodwill to me, how about you?
This is just typical political-speak -- here's the part I really like. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (that's the head Democrat running the House of Representatives) said the Dems will have another war funding bill out soon. It will likely ask for $100 billion or more for troop funding, and some sort of gesture from the President that troops will be sent home in a reasonable time period. Oh, and Stoyer says the bill will also contain legislation for a minimum wage increase.
What??? A minimum wage increase?
Yep. That's pretty logical really ... anyone can see the correlation between funding for troops currently stationed in Baghdad and raising the federal minimum wage are issues, right?
This is how the game is played in our nation's capital -- if the President wants one thing, he has to ante up with something else. So, our troops get money if a high school dropout working at McDonalds gets another 50 cents an hour.
Strike you as ludicrous? And politicians wonder why the voting populace is a little skeptical?
-- Quotes taken from article by Charles Babington , Associated Press
Now that lines have been clearly drawn in the sand, the President is asking for, "goodwill on both sides that we can move beyond political statements and agree on a bill that gives our troops the funds and flexibility to do the job that we asked them to do." Well, that seems reasonable.
But, how do we arrive at "goodwill?" Democratic leaders fired back at the president by saying he has, "turned a tin ear to the wishes of the American people." (Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.) That sounds like goodwill to me, how about you?
This is just typical political-speak -- here's the part I really like. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (that's the head Democrat running the House of Representatives) said the Dems will have another war funding bill out soon. It will likely ask for $100 billion or more for troop funding, and some sort of gesture from the President that troops will be sent home in a reasonable time period. Oh, and Stoyer says the bill will also contain legislation for a minimum wage increase.
What??? A minimum wage increase?
Yep. That's pretty logical really ... anyone can see the correlation between funding for troops currently stationed in Baghdad and raising the federal minimum wage are issues, right?
This is how the game is played in our nation's capital -- if the President wants one thing, he has to ante up with something else. So, our troops get money if a high school dropout working at McDonalds gets another 50 cents an hour.
Strike you as ludicrous? And politicians wonder why the voting populace is a little skeptical?
-- Quotes taken from article by Charles Babington , Associated Press
April 19, 2007
Virginia Tech
Any social commentator alive is required to write about the happenings at Virginia Tech University -- it says so on the social commentator union card. Here's my two cents ...
First, its obvious that the real culprit here is the President of the United States. Preventing a 23-year old with a history of anger and psychosis from going mental clearly falls within the responsibility of George Bush. He has failed us again .... (Don't bet your lunch the Democrats won't find a way to take this approach.)
Now, in all seriousness, shouldn't we be surprised that this doesn't happen more often?
There are thousands of colleges and universities across the country playing host to millions of young men and women between 18-23 years-old. Some of those students fail a test now and again. More than one have a nasty breakup with a boyfriend/girlfriend. A few might not receive the scholarship they hoped for, or the student government seat, or the starting position on the sports team. There is disappointment in life, and it is a plausable theory that some young adults may not have the emotional maturity to handle such defeats.
This is compounded, of course, by the number of young adults who don't have much spiritual maturity, or a belief in absolute truth. Who is to say that murder is wrong? God? OK, but what if you don't believe in God, or any other spiritual value system? In the absence of such belief, doesn't a Lord of the Flies mentality reign -- every person for himself, and throw the consequences to the wind?
It is a tragedy, of course, for the victim's and their families. Those that have personal ties to Virginia Tech are certainly grieving, and soon will be looking for answers. Theories will abound concerning campus security, gun control laws, immigration and the like. For my money, I think its as simple as this:
Youthful immaturity
+ Disappointment with life
+ Lack of spiritual relationship with God
+ Society's growing acceptance of violence
--------------------------------------
Pending disasters
Again, my premise -- shouldn't we be surprised that this kind of thing doesn't happen more often?
First, its obvious that the real culprit here is the President of the United States. Preventing a 23-year old with a history of anger and psychosis from going mental clearly falls within the responsibility of George Bush. He has failed us again .... (Don't bet your lunch the Democrats won't find a way to take this approach.)
Now, in all seriousness, shouldn't we be surprised that this doesn't happen more often?
There are thousands of colleges and universities across the country playing host to millions of young men and women between 18-23 years-old. Some of those students fail a test now and again. More than one have a nasty breakup with a boyfriend/girlfriend. A few might not receive the scholarship they hoped for, or the student government seat, or the starting position on the sports team. There is disappointment in life, and it is a plausable theory that some young adults may not have the emotional maturity to handle such defeats.
This is compounded, of course, by the number of young adults who don't have much spiritual maturity, or a belief in absolute truth. Who is to say that murder is wrong? God? OK, but what if you don't believe in God, or any other spiritual value system? In the absence of such belief, doesn't a Lord of the Flies mentality reign -- every person for himself, and throw the consequences to the wind?
It is a tragedy, of course, for the victim's and their families. Those that have personal ties to Virginia Tech are certainly grieving, and soon will be looking for answers. Theories will abound concerning campus security, gun control laws, immigration and the like. For my money, I think its as simple as this:
Youthful immaturity
+ Disappointment with life
+ Lack of spiritual relationship with God
+ Society's growing acceptance of violence
--------------------------------------
Pending disasters
Again, my premise -- shouldn't we be surprised that this kind of thing doesn't happen more often?
April 10, 2007
Promises, Promises
You made me, Promises Promises,
You knew you'd never keep.
Promises Promises,
Why do I believe?
-- from the 1980's song by Naked Eyes
Since the week of the NCAA men's Final Four basketball tourney there have been an unending stream of coaches leaving one college and going to another. Right behind has been the stream of players that had signed scholarshi offers with school A, but changed their mind when the coach left, and now want to play for school B. Of course, some of this is going on in my own backyard at the University of Iowa. Steve Alford was under contract to coach the Hawkeyes for another 5 years. Several high school seniors signed up to play basketball for Iowa. Word today is that at least one player is asking to be released from his commitment, presumably because Alford is no longer the coach.
There are a lot of promises in college athletics that people know they are unlikely to keep. Will new Iowa coach Todd Likliter stay at Iowa for the full eight years of his contract? He will until he gets a better offer. How about the "lifetime" contract that is reportably being offered to USC football coach Pete Carroll? Will he really never coach anywhere else before he dies? Hmph. And what of these high school seniors who don the cap of their chosen college, only to leave when the coach does, or to bolt early because they've got a shot at professional athletics? Iowa probably spends $60,000 on a four-year athletic scholarship. Other schools, like USC or Notre Dame, are surely three times that amount. And for what? To be the temporary stepping stone for a kid in expensive sneakers?
Some would say that in "today's world," we can't expect these kinds of promises to be kept. "That's just absurd," said one radio sports analyst today.
I can see why he would say that -- the value of a promise certainly isn't what it used to be. Take marriage, for example. Till death do you part? Um hmm. I guess that sounds better than "Until you get fat," "Until you get old," "As long as you make good money," or "As long as I 'love' you." Half the people who say, "Till death do us part," break their promise. (Now, I'm not condemning those who divorce. I understand that things can happen. Though God clearly does not condone divorce except in certain circumstances, neither do I believe it is an unpardonable sin.)
What is the solution with these coaches and players? Well, I think accountability has to start with the coaches and the universities. If a coach signs a six-year contract for $1 million a year, he/she should stick to it. If the coach is fired after four years, the university owes him $2 million. If the coach leaves after four years on his own accord, he owes the university $2 million. How can we penalize the kids breaking scholarship promises, if the adults aren't setting a better standard?
The bottom line is this ... as naive as it surely is, we shouldn't be satisfied to live in a world where a promise is empty. How did we get to this place, and why did we allow our values of honesty and integrity to be chipped away over the decades? Shame on us for not keeping our end of the bargain.
April 9, 2007
Zach Johnson and the Masters
Its a stereotypical assumption that men across America sit around on Thanksgiving Day watching football after a big meal. The scene was similar yesterday -- men (and women) enjoying America's most endearing event in golf, the Masters, on Easter Sunday. For Cedar Rapidians, yesterday was especially captivating, as homeboy hero Zach Johnson held off the world's best to win his first major.
A couple of weeks ago I wrote about how we live vicariously through the accomplishments of others, and even take some sense of pride in their success. Surely everyone in this Iowa community of 125,000, even those of us who have never met Mr. Johnson, was bursting at the seams.
Johnson is the first Iowan to win the Masters, and the second Iowan to ever win one of golf's most prestigious tourneys. Most of the nation's elite linksters hail from southern states where the courses are open year-round. Iowa is good for just six months of golf -- mid-April through mid-October. Even then, you might get snowed on, or lose your ball in a pile of fallen maple leaves. Serious golfers don't come from our neck of the woods very often. If so, they have left Iowa years ago.
Johnson's story is a good one -- a relative unknown who wasn't good enough to earn a scholarship at his college of choice (the University of Iowa), who played in anonymity for several years trying to earn his way onto the PGA tour, who has just a single tour win to his credit. In interviews after the last putt he described himself as "just your average guy from Iowa." A local sports reporter added, "He's the kind of guy Iowan's would want to have representing them."
All this is great stuff. But what most resonated with me was Johnson's recognition that golf was the second most important event of the day. The first was the Easter celebration of Jesus the Messiah rising from a tomb in Jerusalem about 1,982 years ago. Johnson went the extra distance in the spiritual department on this Sunday. Not only did he mention that "Someone was watching over me," as so many people do in vague reference to God, " but Johnson added that his faith was in Jesus. In this "Christian nation," God is often called out. Jesus, however, is not.
Some might say that Zach Johnson is "this" or "that" when it comes to his faith. I don't know him personally, so I can't say anothing about that. But I do know that his testimony was a good one on Easter Sunday -- the underdog Iowan who proclaims Jesus as his Lord, conquers Augusta National.
A couple of weeks ago I wrote about how we live vicariously through the accomplishments of others, and even take some sense of pride in their success. Surely everyone in this Iowa community of 125,000, even those of us who have never met Mr. Johnson, was bursting at the seams.
Johnson is the first Iowan to win the Masters, and the second Iowan to ever win one of golf's most prestigious tourneys. Most of the nation's elite linksters hail from southern states where the courses are open year-round. Iowa is good for just six months of golf -- mid-April through mid-October. Even then, you might get snowed on, or lose your ball in a pile of fallen maple leaves. Serious golfers don't come from our neck of the woods very often. If so, they have left Iowa years ago.
Johnson's story is a good one -- a relative unknown who wasn't good enough to earn a scholarship at his college of choice (the University of Iowa), who played in anonymity for several years trying to earn his way onto the PGA tour, who has just a single tour win to his credit. In interviews after the last putt he described himself as "just your average guy from Iowa." A local sports reporter added, "He's the kind of guy Iowan's would want to have representing them."
All this is great stuff. But what most resonated with me was Johnson's recognition that golf was the second most important event of the day. The first was the Easter celebration of Jesus the Messiah rising from a tomb in Jerusalem about 1,982 years ago. Johnson went the extra distance in the spiritual department on this Sunday. Not only did he mention that "Someone was watching over me," as so many people do in vague reference to God, " but Johnson added that his faith was in Jesus. In this "Christian nation," God is often called out. Jesus, however, is not.
Some might say that Zach Johnson is "this" or "that" when it comes to his faith. I don't know him personally, so I can't say anothing about that. But I do know that his testimony was a good one on Easter Sunday -- the underdog Iowan who proclaims Jesus as his Lord, conquers Augusta National.
April 5, 2007
Laughing at the Television
The hosts of a radio call-in show this morning were discussing their favorite sitcom television shows of all-time. Such lists are, of course, subjective, and vary in large part because we all grow up in different eras with different shows. Someone out there might have McHale's Navy on their list ... I don't. But here are a few shows that have made me laugh.
The Honeymooners: Certainly not a show of my generation, but an early television gem that should appeal to any generation. If memory serves correct, there were only something like 40 original episodes of the Honeymooners created, and I don't know how many of those I've actually seen. But oh, are they funny. Jackie Gleason and Art Carney were the Odd Couple before the Odd Couple, the Jerry and Kramer before Jerry Seinfeld was even born. I was introduced to the Honeymooners because it would often be shown by WGN television in the 80's when the Chicago Cubs games were on rain delay.
M*A*S*H: I didn't see the movie version of MASH until I was in college. I was really disappointed. The television show was far more humorous, atleast in its early years. MASH has probably been on TV every day of my teenage and adult life, and I've seen every episode so many times that I can tell my wife the plot line just seconds into the show. Perhaps no comedy was as sucessful as MASH in replacing its departing cast. I laughed at Major Burns, but also Charles Emerson Winchester. But MASH was on a few years too long, and became less funny and more political as the years went on. Bummer.
All in the Family: I don't recall watching AITF growing up. The language of the show is course, and the subject matter pretty adult. But the verbal and facial expressions of Carol O'Connor as Archie Bunker are hysterical. It doesn't matter how many times you've heard it -- when Archie yells to Edith, "Stifle yourself!" the smile and belly laugh comes.
The Wonder Years: Ion Television (the former PAX) has recently begun showing reruns of this 80's sitcom, and I've been reminded how much I enjoyed it. Its run was limited because its child actors matriculated from junior high through high school, and the show was basically about growing up as a teen during the late 1960's. The humor most often resulted from the voiceovers -- the television audience was privy to the unspoken thoughts of Kevin Arnold, which were usually sarcastic remarks about his friends, his gym teacher, and his brother Wayne.
Seinfeld: For the sake of limiting this list to five shows, I've saved the best for last. Seinfeld is near the top of everyone's list for funny, unless you thoroughly hated the show. There is no in-between for Jerry, George, Kramer, and Elaine -- either you loved the show or never got into it at all. I was all in. Admittingly, their are certain shows with certain subject matter that are crass and make me uncomfortable. But on the balance, there is no show that makes me laugh as hard and as often as Seinfeld. As Michelle will attest, when Rusty the horse has a gastrointestinal reaction to Beeferino, I nearly have a bladder problem (even now that I've seen the show a dozen times or more).
Perhaps the Odd Couple, the Bob Newhart Show, Cheers, or Happy Days would make your list. How 'bout it?
The Honeymooners: Certainly not a show of my generation, but an early television gem that should appeal to any generation. If memory serves correct, there were only something like 40 original episodes of the Honeymooners created, and I don't know how many of those I've actually seen. But oh, are they funny. Jackie Gleason and Art Carney were the Odd Couple before the Odd Couple, the Jerry and Kramer before Jerry Seinfeld was even born. I was introduced to the Honeymooners because it would often be shown by WGN television in the 80's when the Chicago Cubs games were on rain delay.
M*A*S*H: I didn't see the movie version of MASH until I was in college. I was really disappointed. The television show was far more humorous, atleast in its early years. MASH has probably been on TV every day of my teenage and adult life, and I've seen every episode so many times that I can tell my wife the plot line just seconds into the show. Perhaps no comedy was as sucessful as MASH in replacing its departing cast. I laughed at Major Burns, but also Charles Emerson Winchester. But MASH was on a few years too long, and became less funny and more political as the years went on. Bummer.
All in the Family: I don't recall watching AITF growing up. The language of the show is course, and the subject matter pretty adult. But the verbal and facial expressions of Carol O'Connor as Archie Bunker are hysterical. It doesn't matter how many times you've heard it -- when Archie yells to Edith, "Stifle yourself!" the smile and belly laugh comes.
The Wonder Years: Ion Television (the former PAX) has recently begun showing reruns of this 80's sitcom, and I've been reminded how much I enjoyed it. Its run was limited because its child actors matriculated from junior high through high school, and the show was basically about growing up as a teen during the late 1960's. The humor most often resulted from the voiceovers -- the television audience was privy to the unspoken thoughts of Kevin Arnold, which were usually sarcastic remarks about his friends, his gym teacher, and his brother Wayne.
Seinfeld: For the sake of limiting this list to five shows, I've saved the best for last. Seinfeld is near the top of everyone's list for funny, unless you thoroughly hated the show. There is no in-between for Jerry, George, Kramer, and Elaine -- either you loved the show or never got into it at all. I was all in. Admittingly, their are certain shows with certain subject matter that are crass and make me uncomfortable. But on the balance, there is no show that makes me laugh as hard and as often as Seinfeld. As Michelle will attest, when Rusty the horse has a gastrointestinal reaction to Beeferino, I nearly have a bladder problem (even now that I've seen the show a dozen times or more).
Perhaps the Odd Couple, the Bob Newhart Show, Cheers, or Happy Days would make your list. How 'bout it?
March 13, 2007
Homosexuality. Immoral?
From today's headlines...
"Pace Won't Apologize for Gay Remark"
Senior aides to the chairman of the military Joint Chiefs of Staff said Tuesday that Marine Gen. Peter Pace won't apologize for calling homosexuality immoral — an opinion that gay advocacy groups deplored.
In a newspaper interview Monday, Pace had likened homosexual acts to adultery and said the military should not condone it by allowing gays to serve openly in the armed forces. "As an individual, I would not want (acceptance of gay behavior) to be our policy, just like I would not want it to be our policy that if we were to find out that so-and-so was sleeping with somebody else's wife, that we would just look the other way, which we do not. We prosecute that kind of immoral behavior," Pace said.
"General Pace's comments are outrageous, insensitive and disrespectful to the 65,000 lesbian and gay troops now serving in our armed forces," the advocacy group Servicemembers Legal Defense Network said in a statement on its Web site.
"General Pace's statements aren't in line with either the majority of the public or the military," said Massachusetts Democrat Rep. Martin Meehan. "He needs to recognize that support for overturning (the policy) is strong and growing" and that the military is "turning away good troops to enforce a costly policy of discrimination."
--------------------------------
Where do I begin? I'm not going to go to the Bible to prove the immorality of homosexuality. I could, but I won't. Its in there. Anyone who cares about the integrity of the Bible knows its in there. Anyone who doesn't care about the integrity of the Bible isn't going to be persuaded about anything if I quote chapter and verse.
Has the General been, "outrageous, insensitive and disrespectful" with his comments? Only if you are gay. And if you are, Pace will never appease you, because you and he don't see eye to eye on this question of morality.
The gay community wants to be able to live as they wish, marry as they wish, receive employment benefits as they wish, and serve in the military as they wish, and not have Pace express his opinion that he disagrees. They want total and complete freedom, but stand ready to silence Pace's opinion (or paint him publicly as a fool, a prude, a homophobe, or an unreasonable excuse for a human being).
How about the Democrat's assertion that, "General Pace's statements aren't in line with either the majority of the public or the military." I don't know if that's true or not. I hope not, but "the majority of the public" has fooled me before.
I applaud Pace for stating his principles clearly and with conviction, knowing that he is now in the targets of every liberal cause and advocacy group. Won't be long before his resignation is demanded (probably has already been reported somewhere).
"Pace Won't Apologize for Gay Remark"
Senior aides to the chairman of the military Joint Chiefs of Staff said Tuesday that Marine Gen. Peter Pace won't apologize for calling homosexuality immoral — an opinion that gay advocacy groups deplored.
In a newspaper interview Monday, Pace had likened homosexual acts to adultery and said the military should not condone it by allowing gays to serve openly in the armed forces. "As an individual, I would not want (acceptance of gay behavior) to be our policy, just like I would not want it to be our policy that if we were to find out that so-and-so was sleeping with somebody else's wife, that we would just look the other way, which we do not. We prosecute that kind of immoral behavior," Pace said.
"General Pace's comments are outrageous, insensitive and disrespectful to the 65,000 lesbian and gay troops now serving in our armed forces," the advocacy group Servicemembers Legal Defense Network said in a statement on its Web site.
"General Pace's statements aren't in line with either the majority of the public or the military," said Massachusetts Democrat Rep. Martin Meehan. "He needs to recognize that support for overturning (the policy) is strong and growing" and that the military is "turning away good troops to enforce a costly policy of discrimination."
--------------------------------
Where do I begin? I'm not going to go to the Bible to prove the immorality of homosexuality. I could, but I won't. Its in there. Anyone who cares about the integrity of the Bible knows its in there. Anyone who doesn't care about the integrity of the Bible isn't going to be persuaded about anything if I quote chapter and verse.
Has the General been, "outrageous, insensitive and disrespectful" with his comments? Only if you are gay. And if you are, Pace will never appease you, because you and he don't see eye to eye on this question of morality.
The gay community wants to be able to live as they wish, marry as they wish, receive employment benefits as they wish, and serve in the military as they wish, and not have Pace express his opinion that he disagrees. They want total and complete freedom, but stand ready to silence Pace's opinion (or paint him publicly as a fool, a prude, a homophobe, or an unreasonable excuse for a human being).
How about the Democrat's assertion that, "General Pace's statements aren't in line with either the majority of the public or the military." I don't know if that's true or not. I hope not, but "the majority of the public" has fooled me before.
I applaud Pace for stating his principles clearly and with conviction, knowing that he is now in the targets of every liberal cause and advocacy group. Won't be long before his resignation is demanded (probably has already been reported somewhere).
February 26, 2007
Ice and Snow
To my friends the Millers down in Texas -- you left just in time.
Eastern Iowa was hard to find on the national weather map Saturday -- there was too much weather on top of it. The state was a radar blob of white and pink (white for snow and pink for ice) for about 36 hours. Depending on where you live, the mix was more snow than ice, or more ice than snow. Here in Cedar Rapids, it was ice. About an inch of ice fell on power lines and trees, snapping both. Early Sunday morning an estimated 200,000 utility customers in Eastern Iowa (that's probably about 1/6 of all homes) were without power.
That included the Hagerman house. Our power went out just is dinner was coming out of the oven Saturday night, about 6 p.m. We ate a romantic candlelight dinner (well, it was candlelight anyway) and played a game of Sorry! at the table. Then, off to bed early. We hit the sack about 9 p.m. with little else to do. Sunday morning brought more of the same -- no juice. But also, no snow. The predicted 8-12 inches of white stuff that was supposed to follow the ice never came. Instead, warm rain was falling, melting away what little snow was on the ground, and some of the ice, too. The cold temps and snow went north. Our power was restored around noon on Sunday. By then we were thankful that we were not pioneers on the plains in 1840.
I feel bad for those still without power, an estimated 20,000 in Cedar Rapids and many thousands more in rural Iowa. But I don't mind the storm itself. In a powerful way, its a reminder that we simply trust God to provide in all circumstances -- ice and all. As we worshipped on Sunday morning with the 50 that were able to make the drive to the church building, I relished being able to sing words like "It is well with my soul" and "Great is Thy faithfulness." Come hell or high water (or high ice), God is in control, and I belong to Him.
Eastern Iowa was hard to find on the national weather map Saturday -- there was too much weather on top of it. The state was a radar blob of white and pink (white for snow and pink for ice) for about 36 hours. Depending on where you live, the mix was more snow than ice, or more ice than snow. Here in Cedar Rapids, it was ice. About an inch of ice fell on power lines and trees, snapping both. Early Sunday morning an estimated 200,000 utility customers in Eastern Iowa (that's probably about 1/6 of all homes) were without power.
That included the Hagerman house. Our power went out just is dinner was coming out of the oven Saturday night, about 6 p.m. We ate a romantic candlelight dinner (well, it was candlelight anyway) and played a game of Sorry! at the table. Then, off to bed early. We hit the sack about 9 p.m. with little else to do. Sunday morning brought more of the same -- no juice. But also, no snow. The predicted 8-12 inches of white stuff that was supposed to follow the ice never came. Instead, warm rain was falling, melting away what little snow was on the ground, and some of the ice, too. The cold temps and snow went north. Our power was restored around noon on Sunday. By then we were thankful that we were not pioneers on the plains in 1840.
I feel bad for those still without power, an estimated 20,000 in Cedar Rapids and many thousands more in rural Iowa. But I don't mind the storm itself. In a powerful way, its a reminder that we simply trust God to provide in all circumstances -- ice and all. As we worshipped on Sunday morning with the 50 that were able to make the drive to the church building, I relished being able to sing words like "It is well with my soul" and "Great is Thy faithfulness." Come hell or high water (or high ice), God is in control, and I belong to Him.
February 15, 2007
And the Next President Is...
My college roomies and I got together last weekend for games and conversation. The same day, I received a brochure from John Cox, a self-described "conservative Republican" from Illinois who is running for President. The fact that I live in the first-in-the-nation-caucus state of Iowa and have never heard of John Cox is probably a good barometer of his chances of winning.
But I digress. As we passed his brochure around, my friend Greg offered his view of the 2008 race -- McCain-Guiliani for the elephants and Clinton-Obama for the donkeys. I think that's a pretty safe guess.
Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney (R) has entered the race this past week. Ex-Iowa Gov Tom Vilsack (D) was one of the first to declare. Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D) is in, too. I'm sure there are others that are declared, and some that are "all but" officially in.
I've commented before that I used to enjoy politics, at least the political process. I'm not so much a fan anymore, but more of a skeptic. Dems and Pubs seem to treasure their posturing more than they do problem solving. Issues like Social Security and national security are huge, yet little joint work is seemingly being done to accomplish the needs of the People.
As for Greg's presidential prognostication ... not much to get excited about there. McCain has run and lost before. Probably not much different about him now than before. Tough on defense, weak on social issues (I'm not sure he even knows his own convictions). Guiliani is all about name recognition and Sept. 11 fame. Once Republicans start asking questions about his three marriages and voting records, he won't look so shiny. Then there's Clinton-Obama. The Clinton name has been restored to popularity, Obama is a media star with very little political experience. The chance of me voting for this pair is unmeasurable, because I don't agree with their politics. For some in this country, it might be a decision of how they feel about a woman president and a black, Muslim VP.
The Dems are the media darlings, the stars of the show. The two Republicans have their work cut out for them, and will receive no positive assistance from the current president. As for all the other names in the race (and not yet in the race) ... don't see much likelihood of gaining attention from the media and the populace. Unfortunately, people don't vote from their hearts anymore -- they vote by responding to the headlines.
But I digress. As we passed his brochure around, my friend Greg offered his view of the 2008 race -- McCain-Guiliani for the elephants and Clinton-Obama for the donkeys. I think that's a pretty safe guess.
Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney (R) has entered the race this past week. Ex-Iowa Gov Tom Vilsack (D) was one of the first to declare. Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D) is in, too. I'm sure there are others that are declared, and some that are "all but" officially in.
I've commented before that I used to enjoy politics, at least the political process. I'm not so much a fan anymore, but more of a skeptic. Dems and Pubs seem to treasure their posturing more than they do problem solving. Issues like Social Security and national security are huge, yet little joint work is seemingly being done to accomplish the needs of the People.
As for Greg's presidential prognostication ... not much to get excited about there. McCain has run and lost before. Probably not much different about him now than before. Tough on defense, weak on social issues (I'm not sure he even knows his own convictions). Guiliani is all about name recognition and Sept. 11 fame. Once Republicans start asking questions about his three marriages and voting records, he won't look so shiny. Then there's Clinton-Obama. The Clinton name has been restored to popularity, Obama is a media star with very little political experience. The chance of me voting for this pair is unmeasurable, because I don't agree with their politics. For some in this country, it might be a decision of how they feel about a woman president and a black, Muslim VP.
The Dems are the media darlings, the stars of the show. The two Republicans have their work cut out for them, and will receive no positive assistance from the current president. As for all the other names in the race (and not yet in the race) ... don't see much likelihood of gaining attention from the media and the populace. Unfortunately, people don't vote from their hearts anymore -- they vote by responding to the headlines.
February 12, 2007
Five Minutes at the Grammys
Last night the 49th annual Grammy awards were on television. I watched about 10 45-second snippets.
The majority of groups nominated for awards were people I've only heard of, and even then, just a slight majority. Only a handful were people whose music I might actually be able to pick out of a lineup, and most of those were old crooners (Stevie Wonder and Tony Bennett were among the winners last night).
I realize how far off the mainstream music path my tastes have fallen. Its probably true that most of us most closely identify with the music of 7-10th grades. That's when we went to the city pool, when we first became consumers, when we listened to music in our spare time. For me, that was about 1984. The big albums of that era: Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the USA," Michael Jackson's "Thriller," and Huey Lewis' "Sports." Other big names were Lionel Ritchie, Cyndi Lauper, Billy Joel, Sting, Phil Collins, and Prince. Ironically, Ritchie sang at the Oscars, Prince was the Super Bowl halftime act and Joel the pre-game anthem singer. Sting led off the Grammy's with his Police band, and Springsteen won a Grammy for folk music. Huey Lewis was on a different stage -- the Pebble Beach ProAm.
While I still listen to the music of my youth on occasion (which also includes the music of my parents' youth, as it was often on the stereo in our home), my tastes now run toward music I can use today, namely, Christian hymns and worship songs. Call me old-fashioned, or just plain old -- either one would be accurate. I'm not hip to the Grammy's, that's for sure.
-------------------------------
A quick note for C.G. -- the reference call came Sunday night.
The majority of groups nominated for awards were people I've only heard of, and even then, just a slight majority. Only a handful were people whose music I might actually be able to pick out of a lineup, and most of those were old crooners (Stevie Wonder and Tony Bennett were among the winners last night).
I realize how far off the mainstream music path my tastes have fallen. Its probably true that most of us most closely identify with the music of 7-10th grades. That's when we went to the city pool, when we first became consumers, when we listened to music in our spare time. For me, that was about 1984. The big albums of that era: Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the USA," Michael Jackson's "Thriller," and Huey Lewis' "Sports." Other big names were Lionel Ritchie, Cyndi Lauper, Billy Joel, Sting, Phil Collins, and Prince. Ironically, Ritchie sang at the Oscars, Prince was the Super Bowl halftime act and Joel the pre-game anthem singer. Sting led off the Grammy's with his Police band, and Springsteen won a Grammy for folk music. Huey Lewis was on a different stage -- the Pebble Beach ProAm.
While I still listen to the music of my youth on occasion (which also includes the music of my parents' youth, as it was often on the stereo in our home), my tastes now run toward music I can use today, namely, Christian hymns and worship songs. Call me old-fashioned, or just plain old -- either one would be accurate. I'm not hip to the Grammy's, that's for sure.
-------------------------------
A quick note for C.G. -- the reference call came Sunday night.
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