My friend Joel Stein likely expected to get some attention over his article that appeared in the LA Times this week. It looks like he has plenty. I guess my question is how to respond to such a guy. Beat him up and he becomes a martyr for the pacifists. Ignoring him can potentially add fuel to the insurgency against our troops.
What do we do?
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Where I'm From, Those Are Fightin' Words...But These Types Aren't Worth It
One of the things I love most about East Texas is the fact it's a salt-of-the-earth, grassroots kind of place. It's where one can find some of the most patriotic citizens in this great country of ours.
A long way from East Texas is Los Angeles, California, which we all know as a much different place, with very different values and concerns. Those conflicted ideas and perspectives might explain the viewpoint of this article. It seems the columnist Joel Stein is a self-described pacifist and has gone where spineless Washington democrats and other goof-ball wackos fear to tread: criticizing the military.
I'm not concerned about how people see our war in Iraq anymore. I don't care so much about the war on terrorism, either. I think discovering the truth about where we stand in this conflict is next to impossible. It depends on who might be telling the story. It's messed up, but we're there and that's the way it is. We can't forget about the hundreds and thousands of men and women who are on the battlefield right now. They may not want to be there. Then again they may. While we're busy bickering about the right or wrongness of this conflict, they're in it and pay the price daily.
I think the worst thing about this entire conflict is the fact that we have the resources to complete the job. But rather than use them, our politicians listen too much to guys like Joel Stein and are too concerned about what they might write about them.
What do you say to someone like Joel Stein? He admits he's well-to-do. He's never served in the military and probably doesn't know many who ever did. He's like so many in our country that haven't connected the sacrifices of our forefathers to the liberty and prosperity that is enjoyed today. He might just be a little too smart for his own good, too. In East Texan vernacular, he's a smart-aleck. He meant to say those things likely to get people who sympathize with him to rally around the cause. That's fine, too. He's got the right to say them.
As for how East Texans, and other salt-of-the-earth Americans, might see Joel Stein, they'd just as soon rip him apart, limb-by-limb as look at him. Then again, he's just not worth it.
I wonder who he's going to call the next time LA goes up in flames? It just might be one of those troops he doesn't support.
A long way from East Texas is Los Angeles, California, which we all know as a much different place, with very different values and concerns. Those conflicted ideas and perspectives might explain the viewpoint of this article. It seems the columnist Joel Stein is a self-described pacifist and has gone where spineless Washington democrats and other goof-ball wackos fear to tread: criticizing the military.
I'm not concerned about how people see our war in Iraq anymore. I don't care so much about the war on terrorism, either. I think discovering the truth about where we stand in this conflict is next to impossible. It depends on who might be telling the story. It's messed up, but we're there and that's the way it is. We can't forget about the hundreds and thousands of men and women who are on the battlefield right now. They may not want to be there. Then again they may. While we're busy bickering about the right or wrongness of this conflict, they're in it and pay the price daily.
I think the worst thing about this entire conflict is the fact that we have the resources to complete the job. But rather than use them, our politicians listen too much to guys like Joel Stein and are too concerned about what they might write about them.
What do you say to someone like Joel Stein? He admits he's well-to-do. He's never served in the military and probably doesn't know many who ever did. He's like so many in our country that haven't connected the sacrifices of our forefathers to the liberty and prosperity that is enjoyed today. He might just be a little too smart for his own good, too. In East Texan vernacular, he's a smart-aleck. He meant to say those things likely to get people who sympathize with him to rally around the cause. That's fine, too. He's got the right to say them.
As for how East Texans, and other salt-of-the-earth Americans, might see Joel Stein, they'd just as soon rip him apart, limb-by-limb as look at him. Then again, he's just not worth it.
I wonder who he's going to call the next time LA goes up in flames? It just might be one of those troops he doesn't support.
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Sometimes Life Is Ugly
In this blog I've alluded a few times to the fact that I enjoy being a parent. I always wanted to be one. But, there's one aspect to parenting that I never really anticipated: dealing with death, in general. It's not a pleasant subject and I don't particularly like to talk about it in the first place. In this instance I'm not necessarily talking about the death of family or friends but an animal or a pet, which can be worse than the former - in some ways - for children.
As a kid, I experienced the death of pets quite often, now that I think about it and it was traumatic. I had a dog for a good part of my childhood to die from being runover by a car. I still feel sad about that. Another time, a couple of kittens decided to crawl into the engine compartment of one of our cars. I'm still squeamish about what happened then. Probably the worst was when our horse, Penny, was found dead. It's a little easier to arrange to bury a cat or a dog.
Throughout all of that, my parents were always so supportive. I never thought - before I had children - that I would have to deal with the death of a pet with MY kids - like my parents did with me. Well, I did this past weekend and it had quite an affect on me.
My youngest daughter decided she wanted to spend some of her change to get some gum. It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon, so we all decided to walk with her to the local convenience store a few blocks away. Our route was along a busy street into our neighborhood, but we didn't really think about it. Along the way, a chocolate lab pup we'll call "Brownie" comes out of nowhere and proceeds to follow us. We noticed she had a collar and tried to find where she lived. After an unsuccessful attempt at one place and not seeing anyone at another, we decided to continue the walk and allow her to tag along. We tried to coax her to walk in the grass as opposed to the street to avoid the passing cars. When we got to the store, the pup went right in with us. The store manager didn't seem to mind, but we decided to turn her out just in case she might decide to relieve herself or tear something up. We let her out and she waited at the door for just a second and then left.
After what was just a few minutes in the store, we started back home. I whistled for the dog, expecting her to pop out of the bushes or come from behind the store. We figured she may have taken up with someone else or just gone back home, so we started walking back, too.
In a matter of moments, after we hadn't seen her, I noticed something on the horizon that absolutely horrified me. I couldn't make it out, but it appeared to be a brown shape of some kind. I didn't say anything at first, but thought out loud "Oh God!" Of course the response from the girls was "Oh God, what?!" I said "there's something in the road." The girls looked and ran ahead. The next few minutes literally ripped my guts out. It was Brownie.
It was the most awful thing I'd ever seen (thank God she wasn't mangled). Only moments before Brownie was playing with us. We stood there on the edge of the street just looking at her. The girls cried for quite a while. Their mom and I were pretty choked up, too. Since Brownie wasn't our dog, we couldn't take responsibility for her disposal. We left her where we found her so that her rightful owners could find her. It was bad enough that she had followed us and gotten killed.
We walked home, arm in arm, consoling the girls. We spoke of how nice it would be to be able to turn back time. It would have really been nice if we could have right then. Eventually everyone calmed down. The owners apparently found their puppy and took her elsewhere.
That night before I went to sleep I was reminded of the fact despite the beauty we have in our world, there's also plenty of ugly to go around. It serves as a reminder that this world isn't all there is. There's another world where everything is beautiful - with no ugly. Until we get there, we'll likely see a lot more beautiful and some ugly, too. It kinda makes me wish and hope for that new world a little more. In due time, I'm sure I'll get there.
In the mean time, I look around at our pets and I think about our family members. I'm reminded in the short life of that puppy, Brownie, that life is precious. I need to enjoy them all while they're here.
As a kid, I experienced the death of pets quite often, now that I think about it and it was traumatic. I had a dog for a good part of my childhood to die from being runover by a car. I still feel sad about that. Another time, a couple of kittens decided to crawl into the engine compartment of one of our cars. I'm still squeamish about what happened then. Probably the worst was when our horse, Penny, was found dead. It's a little easier to arrange to bury a cat or a dog.
Throughout all of that, my parents were always so supportive. I never thought - before I had children - that I would have to deal with the death of a pet with MY kids - like my parents did with me. Well, I did this past weekend and it had quite an affect on me.
My youngest daughter decided she wanted to spend some of her change to get some gum. It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon, so we all decided to walk with her to the local convenience store a few blocks away. Our route was along a busy street into our neighborhood, but we didn't really think about it. Along the way, a chocolate lab pup we'll call "Brownie" comes out of nowhere and proceeds to follow us. We noticed she had a collar and tried to find where she lived. After an unsuccessful attempt at one place and not seeing anyone at another, we decided to continue the walk and allow her to tag along. We tried to coax her to walk in the grass as opposed to the street to avoid the passing cars. When we got to the store, the pup went right in with us. The store manager didn't seem to mind, but we decided to turn her out just in case she might decide to relieve herself or tear something up. We let her out and she waited at the door for just a second and then left.
After what was just a few minutes in the store, we started back home. I whistled for the dog, expecting her to pop out of the bushes or come from behind the store. We figured she may have taken up with someone else or just gone back home, so we started walking back, too.
In a matter of moments, after we hadn't seen her, I noticed something on the horizon that absolutely horrified me. I couldn't make it out, but it appeared to be a brown shape of some kind. I didn't say anything at first, but thought out loud "Oh God!" Of course the response from the girls was "Oh God, what?!" I said "there's something in the road." The girls looked and ran ahead. The next few minutes literally ripped my guts out. It was Brownie.
It was the most awful thing I'd ever seen (thank God she wasn't mangled). Only moments before Brownie was playing with us. We stood there on the edge of the street just looking at her. The girls cried for quite a while. Their mom and I were pretty choked up, too. Since Brownie wasn't our dog, we couldn't take responsibility for her disposal. We left her where we found her so that her rightful owners could find her. It was bad enough that she had followed us and gotten killed.
We walked home, arm in arm, consoling the girls. We spoke of how nice it would be to be able to turn back time. It would have really been nice if we could have right then. Eventually everyone calmed down. The owners apparently found their puppy and took her elsewhere.
That night before I went to sleep I was reminded of the fact despite the beauty we have in our world, there's also plenty of ugly to go around. It serves as a reminder that this world isn't all there is. There's another world where everything is beautiful - with no ugly. Until we get there, we'll likely see a lot more beautiful and some ugly, too. It kinda makes me wish and hope for that new world a little more. In due time, I'm sure I'll get there.
In the mean time, I look around at our pets and I think about our family members. I'm reminded in the short life of that puppy, Brownie, that life is precious. I need to enjoy them all while they're here.
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Pat Robertson - Others Speak Out
It looks like Pat Robertson won't be winning any popularity contests any time soon.
After making those now infamous insensitive remarks about Ariel Sharon's physical condition, it seems that many of his peers in broadcasting have heard enough. The White House was quick to condemn his statement as were others. He has since apologized for the statement. Thanks, Pat. Please forgive us if we aren't quite ready to forgive you.
How can someone say something so careless on live TV in the first place? I would think that an experienced TV mogul, like Robertson, would weigh what he says and use discretion. Afterall, the 700 Club is seen in millions of homes throughout the US and the world. He's been in the business for over 30 years. He ran for president and started a government watchdog program, the Christian Coalition. But, it seems that Pat Robertson and the Christian Coalition - once forces to be reckoned with - are suffering withdrawal symptoms that anyone who falls out of public popularity experience. Apparently it's worse for those who consider themselves powerful. Power corrupts. Just say something outrageous or ridiculous and get in the news. I guess it's beginning to make sense.
Now for a bit bit of irony...
Every year, Pat Robertson takes a trip to the Holy Land with 700 Club members and his supporters who would like to see the relics and holy places first hand. He has taken several such trips over the years. He may not be welcome this year and it serves him right. Everyone has an opinion. We've all heard what opinions are like. Frankly, just because someone owns a broadcasting company, it doesn't give them the right to say whatever pops into their mind.
It would good time for Mr. Robertson to just shut up. The problem is he won't. He can't. 3 cheers for free speech!
After making those now infamous insensitive remarks about Ariel Sharon's physical condition, it seems that many of his peers in broadcasting have heard enough. The White House was quick to condemn his statement as were others. He has since apologized for the statement. Thanks, Pat. Please forgive us if we aren't quite ready to forgive you.
How can someone say something so careless on live TV in the first place? I would think that an experienced TV mogul, like Robertson, would weigh what he says and use discretion. Afterall, the 700 Club is seen in millions of homes throughout the US and the world. He's been in the business for over 30 years. He ran for president and started a government watchdog program, the Christian Coalition. But, it seems that Pat Robertson and the Christian Coalition - once forces to be reckoned with - are suffering withdrawal symptoms that anyone who falls out of public popularity experience. Apparently it's worse for those who consider themselves powerful. Power corrupts. Just say something outrageous or ridiculous and get in the news. I guess it's beginning to make sense.
Now for a bit bit of irony...
Every year, Pat Robertson takes a trip to the Holy Land with 700 Club members and his supporters who would like to see the relics and holy places first hand. He has taken several such trips over the years. He may not be welcome this year and it serves him right. Everyone has an opinion. We've all heard what opinions are like. Frankly, just because someone owns a broadcasting company, it doesn't give them the right to say whatever pops into their mind.
It would good time for Mr. Robertson to just shut up. The problem is he won't. He can't. 3 cheers for free speech!
Friday, January 13, 2006
Nice Development in the Home Country
When I first started this blog, I wanted to bring to light some of the uniqueness of what I call home, which is East Texas. Over the past year I observed one of the most remarkable true-life stories I've ever known.
You might remember hearing last year about the coach who was shot by the disgruntled parent of one of his players. The coach was Canton head football coach Gary Joe Kinne, Jr. At the time of the incident, it was feared that the coach might die from internal bleeding or eventually due to damage to his vital organs.
To the amazement to thoses in Van Zandt County and most of the country, the coach made a remarkable recovery, returning to the Canton Eagle's first football practice of the 2005 season. But the story didn't end there. Coach Kinne's Eagles, led by his son, Gary Joe III, dedicated the new season to their head coach and went on to become the most successful football team in Canton high school history. They lost in the state quarterfinal round to the eventual state champ, Tatum.
But that's still not the end of the story. His son was named the player of the year in the state 3A division and as a high school junior, promises to be one of the state's most prized college recruits in 2007. Coach Kinne received national coach of the year honors by Adams USA after the end of the 2005 football season. And finally, on a more bitter-sweet note, Coach Kinne was offered a job with his alma mater, Baylor University, this week. Baylor is said to be one of the universities already in contact with the younger Kinne. Disney couldn't have written a better script - except that the Eagles were able to win the state championship.
Though I don't know the coach, I'm very happy for him and East Texas. He, his family and the Canton community are all a great example of turning the worst of circumstances into the greatest of opportunities.
You might remember hearing last year about the coach who was shot by the disgruntled parent of one of his players. The coach was Canton head football coach Gary Joe Kinne, Jr. At the time of the incident, it was feared that the coach might die from internal bleeding or eventually due to damage to his vital organs.
To the amazement to thoses in Van Zandt County and most of the country, the coach made a remarkable recovery, returning to the Canton Eagle's first football practice of the 2005 season. But the story didn't end there. Coach Kinne's Eagles, led by his son, Gary Joe III, dedicated the new season to their head coach and went on to become the most successful football team in Canton high school history. They lost in the state quarterfinal round to the eventual state champ, Tatum.
But that's still not the end of the story. His son was named the player of the year in the state 3A division and as a high school junior, promises to be one of the state's most prized college recruits in 2007. Coach Kinne received national coach of the year honors by Adams USA after the end of the 2005 football season. And finally, on a more bitter-sweet note, Coach Kinne was offered a job with his alma mater, Baylor University, this week. Baylor is said to be one of the universities already in contact with the younger Kinne. Disney couldn't have written a better script - except that the Eagles were able to win the state championship.
Though I don't know the coach, I'm very happy for him and East Texas. He, his family and the Canton community are all a great example of turning the worst of circumstances into the greatest of opportunities.
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Can We Come Up With Another Name for Christian?
I've been a Christian for the majority of my life. I was born a little over 37 years ago on a Monday. That following Sunday, I joined my parents in church (like I had any choice). Actually, my dad was the Sunday School Superintendent and my mother was the piano player. The musician Brian Duncan has a song in the early 90's that mirrored the story of my life - Mr. Bailey's Daughter. I went on to attend Bible college and was a licensed minister for several years. Church and church life is something I'm very familiar with.
I wrote in my blog some time back about the fuss raised by Christians about what was happenening with the Christmas Holiday this year. Now, there's another bru-ha-ha stirring in regard to the up-and-coming TV series The Book of Daniel. Undoubtedly this will be Hollywood doing what it does when it comes to religion and I don't mean painting a good picture. However, when I read the story line for the pilot, I couldn't help but see the majority of "Christian" households being described there. Parent's struggling with an issue in their life while their children are struggling with others. Unfortunately, ministers aren't exempt from the pains and misfortunes of life. What is it about the Christian crowd that makes them freak out when a little bit of reality raises its head? Is this a case of the dog barking because it just got hit by a thrown rock? I just have to laugh.
But, I'm not writing about the Book of Daniel. Instead, I'm writing is in response to one of the most dispicable statements think I've ever seen in print in my lifetime. Pat Robertson, in response to the news that Ariel Sharon was stricken with what will likely be a mortal stroke, said this could be an "act of God" against the man for handing the Gaza Strip over to the Palestinians a few months ago. He also attributes to the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin as also being possibly at the hand of God later in the same article. Of course this isn't the first time. Not long ago, Mr. Robertson hinted on the air that the president of Venezuela should be assassinated and suggested that Pennsylvania voters should not expect the help of God in a natural disaster because they were "voting Him out of their schools." Is the judgment of God something to be celebrated?
I've got nothing against Pat Robertson. I grew up watching him with my parents (one TV in the house. Mom and Dad watched what THEY wanted to). But, it seems like that every time he's in the news it's because he has insinuated or said something that is a huge stretch for Biblical Christianity and has to answer for it. Strangely enough, worldly people know what the Gospel is supposed to sound like and are quick to cry foul when Christians step out of line - and they should.
Of course he's not the only offender. Jerry Fallwell blamed the terrorist attacks of 9/11 on the abortion industry and any and everyone who had sex outside of marriage. I remember thinking "if that was the case, why weren't there more planes? They could have set the entire country on fire to kill everyone who was 'in sin'." Any number of TV evangelists create another set of problems for any of us who try to live out our faith everyday.
I don't claim to have all the answers or to have the perfect theology or philosophy for this life. I'm just trying to make my way like anyone else. But, if these guys can't keep their feet out of their mouths, the rest of us will need to come up with something else to call ourselves - because Christian has already been taken - for the worst.
I wrote in my blog some time back about the fuss raised by Christians about what was happenening with the Christmas Holiday this year. Now, there's another bru-ha-ha stirring in regard to the up-and-coming TV series The Book of Daniel. Undoubtedly this will be Hollywood doing what it does when it comes to religion and I don't mean painting a good picture. However, when I read the story line for the pilot, I couldn't help but see the majority of "Christian" households being described there. Parent's struggling with an issue in their life while their children are struggling with others. Unfortunately, ministers aren't exempt from the pains and misfortunes of life. What is it about the Christian crowd that makes them freak out when a little bit of reality raises its head? Is this a case of the dog barking because it just got hit by a thrown rock? I just have to laugh.
But, I'm not writing about the Book of Daniel. Instead, I'm writing is in response to one of the most dispicable statements think I've ever seen in print in my lifetime. Pat Robertson, in response to the news that Ariel Sharon was stricken with what will likely be a mortal stroke, said this could be an "act of God" against the man for handing the Gaza Strip over to the Palestinians a few months ago. He also attributes to the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin as also being possibly at the hand of God later in the same article. Of course this isn't the first time. Not long ago, Mr. Robertson hinted on the air that the president of Venezuela should be assassinated and suggested that Pennsylvania voters should not expect the help of God in a natural disaster because they were "voting Him out of their schools." Is the judgment of God something to be celebrated?
I've got nothing against Pat Robertson. I grew up watching him with my parents (one TV in the house. Mom and Dad watched what THEY wanted to). But, it seems like that every time he's in the news it's because he has insinuated or said something that is a huge stretch for Biblical Christianity and has to answer for it. Strangely enough, worldly people know what the Gospel is supposed to sound like and are quick to cry foul when Christians step out of line - and they should.
Of course he's not the only offender. Jerry Fallwell blamed the terrorist attacks of 9/11 on the abortion industry and any and everyone who had sex outside of marriage. I remember thinking "if that was the case, why weren't there more planes? They could have set the entire country on fire to kill everyone who was 'in sin'." Any number of TV evangelists create another set of problems for any of us who try to live out our faith everyday.
I don't claim to have all the answers or to have the perfect theology or philosophy for this life. I'm just trying to make my way like anyone else. But, if these guys can't keep their feet out of their mouths, the rest of us will need to come up with something else to call ourselves - because Christian has already been taken - for the worst.
The Eyes of Texas - and the World - Are Upon You...
Unless you live under a rock or don't give a rip, the Texas Longhorns football team shocked the college football establishment last night with an incredible, nearly unbelievable 41-38 win over the USC Trojans in the Rosebowl at the NCAA national championship.
After an entire month of speculation, the two teams finally faced off in one of the most anticipated football games ever - whether amateur or professional. USC was seeking a 35th victory in a row and an unprecedented 3rd national championship. The team boasted two Heisman Trophy winners in the same offensive backfield (Matt Leinert - 2004, Reggie Bush - 2005). The game was truly one for the ages. There were 6 lead changes and a combined 1130 yards of offense between the two teams. The true difference maker in the game was clearly Vince Young who compiled 467 yards of total offense himself, clearly out-shining both Leinert and Bush on the national stage and overshadowing the perennial football powerhouse in their own back yard.
If you were one of those folks who didn't care to stay up late and see the finish first hand, you may have missed the most poignant moment of the night, and it didn't happen within regulation. In the ABC post-game interview with Leinert, the USC star was asked how he felt about his team's performance. He replied "I think we're still the better team. We just didn't execute when we had to." Oh really!? If they were the better team, why didn't they win? There was speculation today that that comment could cost Leinert around NFL Draft time.
A sports analyst said later that Leinert went to the Texas locker room after the game to congratulate the team. Someone else said that he happened to bump into some Texas players outside of the locker room and was invited in. Whatever the case, the phenom came across like the kid who wanted to take his ball and go home when the chips were down. It's hard to run away with the ball when it is taken away in the first place.
Actually, throughout the game, the Trojans acted like a team that believed all the media hype about them. All the while, the Longhorns seemed to keep their nose to the grindstone and plugged away. Sure the defense gave up a lot of ground. But, when it came down to the soon to be infamous 4th and 2 from the Texas 45, the Trojans ran a play that had been successful for the entire night - 27 Power. Len Dale White had been killing them all night with it. But, this time, when it counted most, the Texas defense didn't budge. 10 fateful plays later, Vince Young marched his team to an upset of magnanimous proportions.
On a night when everyone was watching, the stars came out. Some shined more brightly than others. One outshined them all.
After an entire month of speculation, the two teams finally faced off in one of the most anticipated football games ever - whether amateur or professional. USC was seeking a 35th victory in a row and an unprecedented 3rd national championship. The team boasted two Heisman Trophy winners in the same offensive backfield (Matt Leinert - 2004, Reggie Bush - 2005). The game was truly one for the ages. There were 6 lead changes and a combined 1130 yards of offense between the two teams. The true difference maker in the game was clearly Vince Young who compiled 467 yards of total offense himself, clearly out-shining both Leinert and Bush on the national stage and overshadowing the perennial football powerhouse in their own back yard.
If you were one of those folks who didn't care to stay up late and see the finish first hand, you may have missed the most poignant moment of the night, and it didn't happen within regulation. In the ABC post-game interview with Leinert, the USC star was asked how he felt about his team's performance. He replied "I think we're still the better team. We just didn't execute when we had to." Oh really!? If they were the better team, why didn't they win? There was speculation today that that comment could cost Leinert around NFL Draft time.
A sports analyst said later that Leinert went to the Texas locker room after the game to congratulate the team. Someone else said that he happened to bump into some Texas players outside of the locker room and was invited in. Whatever the case, the phenom came across like the kid who wanted to take his ball and go home when the chips were down. It's hard to run away with the ball when it is taken away in the first place.
Actually, throughout the game, the Trojans acted like a team that believed all the media hype about them. All the while, the Longhorns seemed to keep their nose to the grindstone and plugged away. Sure the defense gave up a lot of ground. But, when it came down to the soon to be infamous 4th and 2 from the Texas 45, the Trojans ran a play that had been successful for the entire night - 27 Power. Len Dale White had been killing them all night with it. But, this time, when it counted most, the Texas defense didn't budge. 10 fateful plays later, Vince Young marched his team to an upset of magnanimous proportions.
On a night when everyone was watching, the stars came out. Some shined more brightly than others. One outshined them all.
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