Probably Guaranteed to Make Folks Angry - On Both Sides

Fifteen mass shootings in the last four years.  The number of lives lost and altered forever is unmeasurable.  Before I start this, let me provide you some background on me about the subject at hand.  I am not a gun owner, but have owned a gun in the past.  I am not anti-gun, nor am I pro-gun.  I have many friends that have guns, and hunt and shoot regularly.  I also have many friends who are not gun owners.  In my life, the gun issue is not important.  Nor am I convinced that guns are the only problem here.

I have no concern about folks owning and using guns.  Most do so with specific purposes.  Primarily, they are hunters; but many are also target shooters.  They take firearms seriously and treat them with the respect they merit.  Some even own them with the primary purpose of defending themselves and their property.

Where I get concerned is those firearms that were primarily created for use in military situations being available to the general public.  It may just be me, but I see no purpose in someone owning a Bushmaster .223 with a 30 round clip.  Unless you are hunting charging packs of wild dogs, I don't see the sport benefit of that kind of firepower.

Do I believe that we can legislate the problem away by banning such weapons?  No.  Should such weapons be available as easily as they are? Yes.  Then again, I am curious as to what purpose in a civilized society there is in having ballistic armor so easily available too.

Ours is a culture that is increasingly desensitized to the whole idea of violence.  Yeah, I include myself. Our favorite sport is an unapologetically violent game played by helmet clad warriors.  We have dramas on TV that deal in multiple murders and other acts of violence per episode.  The top box office movies are often violent affairs.  The top ranked video games are all violent and martial in nature.  Does this play a factor in these mass shootings, I do not know.  I leave that to psychologists and other researchers to determine.  (Sadly, the ones who could provide insight kill themselves more often than not.)

Does mental illness play a factor in these kind of events.  Again I don't know for certain.  It sure does seem that the media defaults to this explanation.  I do know that our courts have consistently held that you can not force the mentally ill to stay on medication.  We also have made a societal decision that treatment should be on an outpatient basis.  Could this be a factor as well?  Again, I do not have an answer.

Sadly, in surfing the net, reading Twitter and Facebook feeds it is clear to me that folks on the political extremes are already in their default positions.  Ban all guns vs. the 2nd Amendment.  This rigidity will not solve anything.  To me the common sense approach is for us to look at all these shootings in an analytical way and determine what factors we can address and fix them.

Games Without Frontiers

Faith endures even when the world is on fire.  Those words seem to hold true in light of the idiocy going on in the name of religion in the Arab world.  And America, the symbol, not the nation or its people is being assaulted.

Here is what I find fascinating about the whole deal about the anti-Islamic movie.  It was created with the specific intent of stirring up Muslims and getting the reaction that they wanted.  It is sort of like the bully who chooses to intentionally provoke the kid with the bad temper to watch him go off. 

Predictably, those who have an anti-American intent in the Arab world have seized upon the film to orchestrate coordinated attacks on American symbols in their own countries.  The symbols they choose are the embassies and consulates.  This move comes straight from the playbook first created by the Iranian extremists in the 1970s.  It is guaranteed to get strong media play throughout the world.

What happened in Libya, has all of the trademarks of a terrorist attack masked as a protest.  To me the intent of this attack was clearly to kill an Ambassador and create as much distrust of the new Libyan government as possible.   I am sure there was also a desire to stir up increased anti-Arab rhetoric in America as well, knowing that when this happens it makes the Islamist argument of America as the great Satan easier to sell.

To my way of thinking, the best course for America, the country, is to identify the source of the attack and use our capacities to eliminate the source.  At the same time, there needs to be an effort made to get the crackpots who foment this hatred against a faith they know little about to stop.

I know that the last part will never happen, since extremist of all faiths see theirs as the one true faith and all others are infidels.  This takes me back to my argument that “true believers” are the source of many of the world’s problems.  For “true believers” lack the ability or willingness to consider opinions or beliefs other than their own as having validity.  This makes it oh so easy to demonize those that don’t believe as they do.

Guns and Violins oops Violence

Ours is a strange culture.  We see ourselves as peaceful country, yet have a fascination with the violent.  We are not among the world leaders in homicides, yet we have a segment of the population that lives with the belief that they must have a gun to protect themselves and their property.  I always find it so interesting that in the vast majority of cases, homicide is a crime of passion and that most victims know their killer well.  I do not presume to tell anyone whether or not they should own a guns for their own protection, for that is up to them.  My purpose here is not to go on a rant about recent events and the need for gun control, nor is it to take the contrary view.  Rather it is just an effort to put order to my various thoughts on the subject of violence, guns and America.

Like many others, I watched the coverage of the events in Aurora CO with a perverse fascination.  It was like what happens when we come upon a wreck on the highway, we know we shouldn't gawk but we just can't seem to help ourselves.  We feel shock and grief for the victims, but also are drawn to the story of the killer.  We want to know all the gory details.  Our media and everyone else want to speculate as to the what, the why and the wherefore that leads up to such a horrific act.

Our captivation with violence and crime is seen in the fact that our highest rated dramas on TV are all dealing with murders, and unspeakable acts of violence.  Our cable channels and networks run almost non-stop programming about true crimes.  I find it incredible that we really can't seem to get enough of such programs.

Please notice that through out this I have used the pronoun we.  I do so because I am just as guilty as anyone else.  I enjoy watching these as much as the next.  I know for myself, it stems from that curiosity as to what motivates such acts and of the evil that is in the world.

Guns are a part of American culture, especially in rural areas.  Shooting and hunting are regular pastimes.  I see nothing wrong with own guns and using them for sporting activities.  I do know that many keep guns for their protection.  If they do so, I do hope that they have gone to the trouble of getting trained in their use and practice.  If they do not, problems will arise.  From my personal experience, I have yet to come across a situation where the introduction of a gun improved matters.

I know that we will not solve our duality when it comes to guns and violence in our culture.  We will always be a culture where guns are valued and violence is everywhere.  I choose not to dwell on the subject but realize that I am no better when it comes to this attraction to the dark side of society, I am also not immune.

Ramble On: Ch Ch Changes

Ramble On: Ch Ch Changes: This time of the year, you see lots changes and transitions in peoples lives.  Graduations, and weddings are common occurrences in June.  At...

Ch Ch Changes

This time of the year, you see lots changes and transitions in peoples lives.  Graduations, and weddings are common occurrences in June.  At my age, I don't have to attend many weddings.  Graduations on the other hand are regular events.  Part of the reason for that is that as a teacher, it is part of the natural evolution of a school year and a process of that spans 13 years in which you play a role.  That is not the reason I chose to write about graduations.  I have two nephews who graduated from high school this year, and oddly enough, turned 18 within a week of their graduations.  Since I have not had a chance to talk to them about the next steps in their lives I am using this to accomplish that purpose.

Guys, sorry that distance and work kept us from being at your graduations.  Don't ever let the fact that we aren't at these important events to mean that we aren't interested in you and what you are doing.  In years to come you will find that there will be things that are important to you and due to things you can't control you won't be able to do them.  That is part of life.  It does not make them less important.

They also call Graduations ceremonies Commencements.  You both know that to commence something is to start.  So leaving high school is not about ending, it is really the first step in the next phase of live.  You will be starting college in August and will be faced with new experiences and challenges that will continue to shape the adults you are becoming.  You both have clear interests and passions that you want to pursue, and that is fantastic.  Pursue them, but don't overlook things that might broaden your view on yourself and the world.

Do not become sheep.  The crowd is not always right.  Don't follow along just to get along.  Make good decisions about the freedoms and temptations you are going to be presented with.  There are some dangerous traps and pitfalls on the road ahead.  Beware.  A strong moral compass will help you find your way.

Embrace the college experience.  There are so many opportunities on campus to broaden your view of the world that it is a shame to not take advantage of some of them.  It will be a chance to learn something about different people and cultures.  You may not like everything you experience, but it is a lot like trying different foods, you won't know what is out there unless you try a taste.

Expect there to be twists and turns on the road.  It is a rare thing to follow a straight path to your dreams.

Talk to your parents.  They are good sources of wisdom, and can help you chart your course.  On the other hand, don't let them dominate you decision making.  It is a tough balancing act, and you will have to figure this part out on your own.

Check in on your grandparents from time to time.  They want to know what is going on with you, and they won't always be around.  So drop in on them from time to time.  You will be blessed, and so will they.

From here on out, change is going to be your constant companion.  Embrace it, go with it and make the best of it.  

There are going to be times when live is going to kick you down in the dirt and stomp you.  Get up, dust you butt off and get back after it.  Dirty secret revealed - Life is a tough contact sport and you won't always win.  Take the experience of failure and use it to your advantage to learn something to keep you moving forward.  Success is getting up one more time than you get knocked down.

While you may not see me on a daily basis, remember that I am here for you and will help you in any way that I can.  Move forward with the confidence of youth, and make the most of the opportunities that live will offer you.

Things I Think I Know

From time to time I like to clear my head of some random thoughts and ideas.  Today is one of those days.

• Is it just me, or is there something seriously flawed about the "Snow White and the Huntsman" premise.  In whose universe is Kristen Stewart more beautiful than Charlize Theron.
• Money has always equated to power.  In the recent recall election in Wisconsin, 60 million dollars were spent to sway 2 million votes.  That equates to $30 per vote cast.
• It seems to me that the only two groups that are benefiting from the politically partisan world we live in and the spend as much as you want campaign rules.  That would be the political consultants, and the media outlets that benefit from the campaign advertising. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/05/political-consultants-2012-campaign-big-money_n_1570157.html
• That the NBA Playoffs run far too long.  It is possible that they will be over by the 4th of July.
• Change is a good thing, and with the coming school year, many of us will be coping with and adapting to new situations.  Tight economic times have led to changes in our schools, and administrative changes will make things interesting for me and my colleagues.
• The political unwillingness to tackle difficult issues is leading to an ongoing and increasing decay in our infrastructure.  It will be interesting to see if and when this situation will begin to change.
• I wonder if kids today will look back on some of the entertainment we view today the same way we do the programs of the 1960s and 70s.  This comes from coming across a Batman episode the other night.  I will say Eartha Kitt looked marvelous.
• The benefit of age is that we learn to control our urge to say what comes to mind.  Spending my days in the world of 6th graders shows me how valuable that is.
• American media is too obsessed with politics.  They spend too much time on elections, personalities and divisions and not enough time one the impact of all of this on the citizens and the country as a whole.  They fail to recognize the tremendous trickle down impact of our inability to govern is having on the people and the nation.
• The Electoral College system  makes it possible for entire states to be ignored in Presidential Elections.  If your state is not viewed as in play, no one pays any attention to you.

I Got the Music In Me

Since the 6th grade that I can remember, I have always been a listener of music.  Why that time is so clear to me is that after lunch our teacher let us bring 45s, (yeah, I am old.) and play them on the record player.  Mostly what we heard were pop radio hits like "Dizzy" by Tommy Roe, "Crimson and Clover" by Tommy James and the Shondells and "Na, Na, Hey,  Hey, Hey Goodbye" by Steam.  Saturdays meant Bandstand with Dick Clark.

The constant was the radio.  My hometown had a few really good DJs Drake Hall, David Hall and some kid named Sajak, so local radio was always interesting.  You could hear rock, pop and soul.  As I got older we saw the rise of FM radio which was free from the Top 40 rules.  Music just kept getting more diverse for my earholes.

I was also being influenced by the music that was around the house.  My parents were not big music fans, but there were some boogie woogie records and some Johnny Cash.  My dad did influence me by what he sent home from Vietnam.  He sent Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison, "Are You Experienced" by Hendrix along with some Montovani.  The Mantovani didn't take.  Every 10-11 year old needs a little Hendrix in their lives. As I got older my cousin Ron introduced me to the Ventures, and Yes. 

My wife says that I like "funky" music.  My students ask me what I listen to and I have a hard time getting them to understand that I listen to a broad range of stuff.  My iPod has music that covers generations.  Duke Ellington from the 1930s and 40s.  The incomparable Miss Peggy Lee has a place, as do Cash, and Springsteen, and others too numerous to mention.  You will also find classic southern rock, singer songwriters, rap, soul, blues, bluegrass, just to name a few.  I am always looking for something else.

I can't place a specific reason on why I like what I listen to, but one consistent factor is strong lyrics.  Since I am also a reader, this does not surprise me.  Words have power and in many cases, songs are the only way that people are able to express themselves.  I find it difficult to explain exactly all of the ways that music is important to my life.  Suffice it to say that it is something I choose not to live without.

I have to admit that I love the variety of music I can find on Satellite Radio (Yeah Steve Earle.)  ITunes gives me access to a great variety of stuff to put on my iPod.  Pandora, Soundcloud and a ton of other online sources also can feed my music needs.

Teachers Who Made a Difference

It was never part of the master plan to become a teacher.  In high school the goal was to become a lawyer until I learned that it isn't like TV.  After that the goal was to work in some capacity to make the world a better place.  In graduate school the focus became to work in local government and hopefully to become a City Manager.  I worked in local government for two decades and spent the majority of that in management, and reached my goal.  When I left my last management job, the plan was to seek another opportunity someplace other than the Field of Blue, but everywhere I interviewed did not compare to where we were.  So we decided that we would stay put and I would pursue something else.  Since I had been keep body and soul together as a substitute teacher, and found that I liked it and had some skills that I would pursue a career change.  So I come to teaching through a non-traditional route.  I am completing my sixth year teaching and I love it.  I get fired up trying new ways of getting my students to understand and embrace new ideas.

If I was teaching journalism, I would have to downgrade myself for burying the lead, since this is not about me.  I just felt that a bit of background was in order.  Growing up, I was always too smart for my own good.  Couple that with someone who is easily distracted and would look for ways to entertain myself when class got dull, and you have the formula for the not so model student.  Looking back, I know what a pain I truly was.  Ironically, I have now taught one just like me and seen flashes of me in quite a few students; but that is a story for another day.  As the not so model student, I had my share of run-ins with teachers.  Laying those teachers aside, there have been several who inspired me to use my ability and encouraged my creativity.  So on teacher appreciation day, I want to publicly thank them.

Stan Key - Stan didn't teach very long, but he made a big impact on me.  First it is not every UK basketball fan who gets to have one of Adolph Rupp's last players as a teacher.  That is not why he makes my list.  Stan saw things in me that my classmates and I didn't know was there.  Oh, we knew I was smart, but more of a smart ass with no direction.  Stan let me know that I had the ability to do anything in life I wanted to, so long as I put in the effort.  For someone who could coast and get by that was powerful stuff.  What he taught me in Marketing I have used my entire life.  More importantly, he taught me that what  was inside me waiting to be unleashed could take me anywhere I wanted to go.  As a junior in high school that was what I needed to hear.

John Hina - Papa John or Coach was my 7th grade health teacher, 9th grade history teacher, Assistant Principal, and mentor.  It was not always a peaceful road with the two of us.  In 7th grade he made an impact on me by picking me up by the hair and getting on me for eating sunflower seeds in class.  When I had him for history he laid me out one day for criticizing the head football coach.

Coach Hina also nurtured the nonathletic sports nut by having me be part of a crew that kept statistics for the football team.  He teamed me up with two of the smartest guys in school for this job and made sure we made it to every game.  It was a great experience for me, and allowed me to see every game of a State Championship season.

As a teacher, he placed me in a group with a junior basketball star and a senior football star for a class project.  I know now that his reason for doing this was to make sure both guys got a good enough grade to be eligible.  He got what he wanted, but I got more in return.  I suddenly had two older guys who I had gotten to know and had come to like me for me.

My last two year's of High School, Coach Hina was the Assistant Principal.  In that capacity, he ran interference for me and smoothed the ruffled feathers of a few teachers and the Principal when I screwed up.  I always knew he would hear my side of the story and treat me fairly.

Mrs Robertson & Mrs. Darnell -  These were my first and second grade teacher.  They were of a generation of teachers that we will never see the likes of again.  Both were near the end of their careers when I had them.  Mrs. Robertson had been my mother's first grade teacher as well.  She loved me no matter how goofy a little guy I was.  She always encouraged me to read and would let me tell about it.  Mrs. Darnell, was wise enough to know that as a six year old second grader I did not have the dexterity yet to tackle cursive and did not force it on me.  Both of these ladies were king and gentle and tough as nails.  I am better because these masters of their craft laid the foundation for my education.

Ruth Pasco - Mrs. Pasco was our elementary librarian.  She was always so sweet and kind and fed my love for books.  She would always allow me to check out what I wanted and encouraged me to read, even high school level stuff.  The library at Robertson always felt like home because of her.

Mrs. Russell - I am and have always been a book geek and Mrs. Russell was the book geeks best friend in high school.   My junior and senior years in high school we had something called Phased Elective English.  What that meant was every nine weeks you took a mini course in English.  They offered a broad range of classes and I took Mrs. Russell for Nobel Prize Novels, English Novels and Biblical Literature.  She introduced me to a world of literature that I had not exposed myself to yet and she helped me develop the tools to understand great works of literature.  If nothing else, she just nurtured another book geek.

Dr. Winfield Rose -  I met Dr. Rose when I came back to Murray for graduate school.  I ended up having him for three classes.  Why Dr. Rose makes the list is quite simple, he is the one who finally got me to put it all together.  For years, I had always been able to get by in classes that interested me on sheer horse power.  I was good enough to get a B or a C without having to make much effort.

Just enough to get by didn't work with Win Rose.  He called me out on a paper he wrote and made it clear that it was not good enough to meet his standards and therefore he was not going to let me just slide by with it.  If I was going to get through a graduate program in which he taught I would have to prove that I would do it the right way.  He gave me an incomplete, and made me completely rewrite the paper to the proper standards.

I did as he asked, and got a B.  The next classes I took from him I never wavered from what he expected, and was rewarded with the thing I needed most from him, his respect.  The ironic thing is that Dr. Rose grew up in Southwest Virginia and ended up teaching in Western Kentucky.  I on the other hand grew up in Western Kentucky and have ended up teaching in Southwest Virginia.

Years ago, my brother and I had a long conversation about schooling and education.  The upshot of his thinking was that I should feel anger toward the school system where we grew up because they didn't know how to deal with me and my abilities.  I told him that the ultimate responsibility for my education fell to me.  The opportunities were there, I just did not use them to my full advantage.  I created the persona that made many teachers only want me to behave and get out of their class.  Even so, there were teachers that made a difference.  I will refrain from writing about those other teachers.

Dreary Saturdays

Yesterday was a grey one here in the Field of Blue.  As such, I engaged in one of my favorite pastimes, listening to music.  On a normal Saturday that involves my headphones and the about 4,500 songs on my iPod.  This time, I took advantage of the NPR Music App and listened to various programs.  Some were from artists that I am familiar with and others of whom I had little or no knowledge.

Here is a taste of what I listened to and some comments:

• Tribute to Levon Helm on World Cafe - With the passing of such an influential artist, the retrospective of Helm's work both with The Band was a great reminder of how much of what I enjoy comes from my early exposure to him and The Band.
• Rufus Wainwright - I am the first to admit that I have been a fan of Wainwright's father for forty years; yeah all the way back to "Dead Skunk."  Until yesterday, I had not listened to any of the younger Wainwrights music.  Maybe it was the critical raves, maybe it was the fact that his musical style is not something I listen to much.  So I went in to hearing his first album blind.  I came away taken by the charm of his voice, both the singing and message.  It was a glorious 45 minutes in another place.
• Uncle Tupelo/Son Volt/Wilco Retrospective from World Cafe - Uncle Tupelo was a watershed band for me in the late '80s.  I was tired of what passed as popular music and was looking for artists that came from a traditional place with instrumentation and took it into new directions, and that was what Uncle Tupelo did.  The split in the group that led to Jeff Tweedy and Jay Farrar forming Wilco and Son Volt led to both exploring different tangents, but the music was always interesting.  So to hear an hour of all three groups was wonderful.
• Fitz and the Tantrums - I will be honest, I wanted to check this group out just because the name was so inventive.  So what did I find from their performance on Mountain Stage?  I found a group that was using a classic organ sound to explore and expand on pop and soul.  The beat was infectious, and I found myself interested in checking them out some more.

I find it strange that over all the years I have been putting my thoughts down, I have rarely written about two thing that I spend a great deal of time enjoying - words and music.  So don't be surprised if from time to time you come around and find me talking about what may be filling my ears now.  Let me warn you, that my taste in music is not static.  I am not some "old" guy who is stuck just listening to the music he grew up with.  I am always on the look out for something new and interesting.  So if you know of something, add a comment.

Ramble On: Man is Our Government Screwed

Ramble On: Man is Our Government Screwed: What a week of insanity.  We have the agency that is charged with operating and maintaining the property of our country has run amok.  Actin...

Man is Our Government Screwed

What a week of insanity.  We have the agency that is charged with operating and maintaining the property of our country has run amok.  Acting like they are omnipotent and self celebratory in a time of anti-government retrenchment.  Next we have the Secret Service, an agency that has a long history of heroic service to our country seems to have members who are more intent on servicing themselves in Columbia.  And today I read that the FBI and the Justice Department conducted a 9 1/2 year investigation that points to abuses in the FBI Forensics labs.

It just keeps looking more and more like our government and economy have reached such a size and a level of arrogance that we the people are just a nuisance.  So what is being done to bring things under some semblance of control?  Well lets see, we are focused on the start of the NFL season, focused on what faux celebrities and pundits are doing and saying.  We are focused on the shooting of 17 year old and the right to "stand your ground" when threatened.

As a country we have been directed toward things to distract us and we need to work as a country to find our way again.

Five Years Ago

There is an irony to the calendar this year.  Monday is the five year anniversary of the Tech massacre, an event that has left an indelible print on my life and that of the area where I live.  I know people who had family and friends on campus and the impact is felt to this day.  On Wednesday, of the same year, my nephew was involved in a auto accident that took him from us at 17.  So this week I am playing out the memories of both of these tragedies on the same days of the week they happened.

The loss of Jesse has had a profound impact on my entire family.  Few conversations go very long before his name comes up.  Even gone five years, he is a prominent personality in my family.

I wrote this four years ago, and still feel it is appropriate today:

The rest of this week is going to be tough. Today marks the one year anniversary of the Virginia Tech tragedy, and Saturday marks one year since my nephew Jesse died. Much has changed and much seems to be a raw sore.

I have intentionally avoided the media on the Tech stuff, other than to note that the State of VA has settled with many of the families of the victims. As if money will help salve the loss of a child or near relative.

I have deep compassion for the families of those who died and for those who were wounded in such a senseless act. Was I not in the middle of a family tragedy, I doubt I could have comprehended the pain. All I can say is that nothing in my life has prepared me for this. Not having a deadbeat dad, losing my grandfather to suicide at 12, or my best friend's death at 18. My life is changed, as are the rest of my family. We can never be what we were.

I never know what will be the next thing to trigger a meltdown. Today, it was hearing the Dishwalla song "Counting Blue Cars." If you have never heard it, the song is the story of a many walking with a young child who asks many questions, some of which just leave you with your jaw on the ground. The song uses, "tell me all your thoughts on God," as an example. Jesse was doing that to all of use from age 3 on. As I have said before, his intellect left me in the dust years ago.

But I will soldier on, as I have been brought up to do. I will struggle each week with some new surprise, and life, such as it is will move forward. For in the end, what other choice is there but to keep going and doing what we can to make this a better world.

I wrote this two years ago:

 I'll be honest, I don't have a clue as to the direction this one will take. I'm sitting in my den, it is the third anniversary of the saddest day in my family's history. I know that time is supposed to heal all wound, or wound all heals, but this one just is not the kind to go away. So the past few weeks I have focused outward in an attempt to find some solace.

Solace is a great word. It means comfort or consolation for sorrow. It doesn't mean the wound is healed, just that the pain has been taken away for a while. Think of solace as aloe for your soul.

I have found solace in looking at the amount of love and devotion still being shown toward Jesse by his friends. I find solace in working with that kid who is so bright that it makes me laugh with joy. I find solace in the selfless acts of others when they speak out for another. I found solace in knowing that the spark of what was good and true in Jesse lives on in others, even those who never knew him.

So as the book says; "hope comes in the morning;" so too does my solace. For those who carry the banner to make the world a better place, please keep doing it. In so doing, the world does improve. So keep working and find your solace.

 There are other tragedies that have spiraled out from Jesse's death that I will not expound on here.  They are personal and private and only close family and friends are privy to them.  Suffice it to say that death and grieve are dealt with in different way by different folks.

What I will close with is this.  The families of the Tech tragedy have found many ways of dealing with the loss.  Some have been positive and productive, and some not so much.  Many of the things that have happened in the aftermath of Jesse's death have been fantastic and speak well for his spirit.  Those are the things I choose to focus upon those things and the things I do in his memory and leave all of the other stuff behind.

What Is On My Mind

I quiet Saturday is a perfect time to just jot down a few things that are on my mind.  No particular order or significance to this stuff.  These are just some things brewing that I want to note.  I may come back and amplify them at a later time.

• I am a middle aged white guy, and as such I really have little frame of reference to what it is like to be a young black in America.
• Hoodies do not cause social unrest and crime, sorry Geraldo.  If they do, I teach 60+ 11-12 felons since they all wear hoodies.  So do their parents and some of their grandparents.  I happen to own at least three, one of which was purchased by my employer as a Christmas gift for the staff.  So I guess 45 teachers are thugs and felons as well.
• I will voice no opinion on what happened to Trayvon Martin.  I am troubled by the media investigation of the tragedy.  The fact is that a young man is dead, and the police should be conducting a careful and thorough investigation.
• I find it hilarious as a Virginia taxpayer and a vested stakeholder, that the General Assembly's solution for their own continual underfunding of their share of the Virginia Retirement System, along with borrowing from the fund to balance the budget, is to mandate that employees pay more into the fund.  It is also ironic that the no tax increase majority party is mandating that local employers give a raise to offset the increased employee burden, thus setting up a scenario where local governments across the Commonwealth may have to raise local taxes to solve the dilemma.
• Folks who have never lived in the Commonwealth of Kentucky can not imagine the kind of hoopla and hysteria there has been around the UL - UK Final Four match up.  In a basketball crazy state, a game of this magnitude, with a week's worth of build up sets the stage for some serious excitement.  I just hope the game matches the fan's emotions.
• There are times in life that we are required to do things that we have qualms about.  Yet do them we must. (In my case to not would lead to contempt of court and job issues.)  In these instances, we do what we have to knowing full well that life is filled with these kind of things.
• Churches and the day to day operations there of are not for the squeamish and weak.  Last week we learned that or minister of 9 months is being moved in June, in part due to complaints from members of the congregation to the District Superintendent.  The decision to move him is coming from the Bishop and is leading to divisions in the congregation.
• Several years ago, I withdrew from any position of leadership in the church.  My reasons were that I was uncomfortable with the previous minister and the way he operated.  At the time I withdrew, I told the minister that these positions were putting me in situations that were affecting my worship and that my faith needed to come first.  The time may be at hand where my talents at uniting a divided congregation may be needed again.  I am now going to sit patiently and wait for the Lord's direction.

Stuff Running Through My Head

• That Nikki Minaj's performance on last night's Grammy's was wrong on so many levels.  Madonna had done the Catholic outrage thing 20 years ago.  The Exorcist hasn't been significant since 1974.  The song was bad, the inclusion of a Christmas carol was surreal.  It was a muddled mess.
• Juxtapose that against Adele's polished relaxed performance where artist and song are the focus.  Give me a true talent over the dog and pony show of some others.
• Whitney Houston is dead.  She hasn't been relevant since the 1990s, yet from the media ghouls circling you would think it was a great national loss.  For years I have said that she is another of those folks with huge potential who lost the gift to her demons.  It is a cautionary tale. (BTW - Her mother Cissy has a better voice IMO.)
• The Republican primary season needs to keep going.  It continues to provide better comedy than the network sitcoms.
• Rick Pitino is doing a great Col. Sanders imitation on the sidelines of the UL/Syracuse game.
• I am still wondering where winter may be hiding.
• I had been joking about the new WVU/Texas Tech Rivalry, but that has been topped by the rivalry in the merged Conference USA/Mountain West - East Carolina and Hawaii.
• Would someone please enlighten me on the appeal of the Westminster Dog Show?  I just don't get it.  (Yeah, I am a cat person, but I wouldn't watch a cat show either.)