America, this is your President.

Last night I saw this picture posted on Facebook,

My first thought was "Isn't being President 101 to know to put your hand over your heart for the national anthem?"

Unfortunately, I know that the pc/liberal crowd will make excuses for this lack of national respect.  But for me this if further proof that this President is a disgrace to this country.

But his lack of respect shouldn't surprise me.  After all, his agenda and actions show he wants to turn us into a European/liberal/pc/kumbya  nation.

As I have told my sister;  liberals hearts seem to be in the right place; but the lack of reality is a bit disturbing.

I can see that in a Utopian society that health care for everyone would work. In a Utopian society everybody being economically, socially, and morally the same might work.

But here in the real world trying to get to that place will destroy us.  See here in the real world there economics too think of.  Health care for everyone is just not feasible.  Here in the real world there will always be the haves and have nots; rich people and poor people.

Part of the greatness of this nation is that is allows opportunities for the have nots to become haves and for the haves to muck up their lives.

But those opportunities mainly come from the rich creating the jobs and opportunities for things to happen.

Taxing the heck out of the rich will not help economic growth and it will greatly hamper job growth.

Liberals/pcers  don't seem to want to understand that we all are different and that is OK.  They don't want anyone to offend anyone else.  They want everyone to like everyone else and if you don't like someone or a situation then you're in the wrong.

I don't think they understand that there will always people who are sexist, racist and religiously close minded. No amount of pc attempts to force people to change their thinking will stop that.

And all of that is what I believe the President aims to do,  And if we allow him four more years we will see America fall more than it already has.

And for the record I know that some of what I write will bother some people, I may even anger some. But what I write is my truth and what I believe, And if you don't like it that's OK because for now it's still a free country.

ESPN, media helped kill Joe Paterno

Now, to be totally clear, I am not going to claim that the media had anything to do with the cancer.

But when you're an older gentleman who has had physical problems the last few years; add in cancer and a seemingly overwhelming amount of negative press leads to a recipe for disaster.

And in my opinion, a lot of unnecessary negative press was aimed right at Joe Paterno.  It seemed to me that in the first few weeks after the Jerry Sandusky broke the media blamed Mr Paterno almost as much as Sandusky.

And I don't get the why?  Mr Paterno did tell his superiors what he was told. Should he have done more? Maybe. But I really believe Mr Paterno did what he thought was morally and ethically right.

So I believe that basically the media is bashing him and diminishing the good he did; not because he did the wrong thing but because he didn't do enough of the right thing. And that is wrong and I wish the media could be held accountable for those actions. But as far as I know there is no way to do that.

But now back to the real point.

In the first few weeks after the story broke is became increasing more difficult to watch the coverage as a person who was molested myself.  The media's insane "need to know" brought back old memories and I am positive I am not the only one.

Now, as a person who was born in Michigan and raised in Ohio, I had no particular liking of Mr Paterno. I never actively  disliked  but as the head coach of Penn State I didn't have a lot of warm and fuzzy feelings for him either.

But since I have been on the wrong end of being molested (come to think of it, there's no right end on that)  I can and do have sympathy for a man who I believe was essentially a good person dealing with a lot of negative thoughts and emotions for his role. And add on the other stress he was dealing with; I really feel bad for Mr Paterno.

I think that at the end of his life there was a perfect storm of bad things happening and his body and soul could take no more.

And it didn't have to be that way.

The media should have had (and continue to) have more respect for Sandusky's victims, for those who have been molested by other sick individual, the law and Mr Paterno.

In my opinion the court of law has the only real right for the need to know; not the media and not the court of public opinion.

  The media's insatiable "need to know" has become a national problem.

Don't Cover Casey Anthony.

I don't know how it is around the country but here in central Florida and probably more specifically the Orlando viewing area we are getting weekly Casey Anthony reports.

I really wish it would stop.  She has had her day in court; the justice system failed and now we should all move on. I don't see any positive reasoning for reporting that she may be staying in a church.

I don't know her and would go the other way if I ever saw her anywhere around me; but I get the feeling that she likes the attention.  Why else would Youtube video of hers be made public.

Besides being a baby killer and out of touch with reality; I believe she is a narcissist. And any media coverage at all just feeds her sickness. Covering her does nothing for society; in fact I would say it harms society because it reminds us that a little girl lost her life and nothing was done about it.

Personally, I am starting to watch less and less of the news because I believe it only adds to a National Enquirer mentality and I think we have way too much of that already.

Truth be told the only reason I turn on the news at all anymore is to get the weather forecast and to look at the gorgeous anchor Martha Sugalski.

The one news story I did see tonight makes me think that the world truly is getting sicker.

Apparently in Orlando today a man showed up at a family home today pretending to be a Department of Children official. Something must not have felt right to the family and they called 911. He fled the scene and police are looking for him.

The sickos must be getting desperate to pull something like that.

It's a sick world people.

People with children; please be as vigilant as you can about protecting the young ones.

Pacman Jones: game over

I have an understanding about addiction through life experience. I have oh to much understanding about messing up your life, I got that through life experience too.


Now I don't know for a fact that Adam Jones is an addict. No one can or should say that about anyone until the individual is ready to admit that for themselves.


Because of that I try not to judge guys like Adam "Pacman" Jones too harshly. There was a time I would have been very ticked off at how a guy with so much talent could just basically throw his career today.

I have read the response threads on internet sites that ran the story of how Mr Jones pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in a Cincinnati bar.  That incident happened last July when Mr Jones was still on probation for his 2007 "make it rain money" incident. And in between there was one other disorderly conduct in a bar incident that I know of.

I have read and seen several response to other players who have basically thrown there careers away over other incidents. Most of the responses seem to be, "How could a guy throw a career away playing sports away like that.

For a while I wondered the same thing. How could these guys with talent I would give anything to have do such stupid things and throw it all away.

For those who may not know it I am a sports nut. Sports, particularly baseball, is one of the few things I have ever been passionate about. Just about the hardest thing for me to do was watch my friends play little league baseball while all I could do is stand by and watch.

So yes, I would give anything to have the ability to do what these guys can do; if even I was given the ability on a small scale. So there was a time when I was truly appalled when athletes would do stupid things like Pacman has done.

But as I look back over my life I can see that I was given my own kind of chances to have a different life than what I have.  After  high school I was able to get into college. If I had done things differently I could have gotten a degree and probably a good career. But I chose to party and do bad things.

In the early 90's I was given an opportunity to turn things around. And for a few years I did, I got married and when back to school. But I wasn't really ready; I had wildness to get out of my system. And the things I did in the late 90"s were worse than what I experienced after high school.

But Adam Jones seems to only see nothing but himself and his enjoyment. I understand that because I have been there.

I understand  being young and thinking you're Superman. And believe me even when your disabled you can think that nothing is going to change you and that you can party and do what you want with no consequences.

And I think Mr Jones is about to find out about the other side of things. I had a friend whose favorite saying was, "If you play, you pay." and that's one of the truest sayings I have heard.

Good luck to you Pacman. Because I think the game is over for you and real life is about to take over.

Dwight Howard: the latest LIAR

Am I the only one who is tired of players who in the last year of their contract early on proclaim they want to stay with their current team; only to shortly after demand a trade?

Down here in Florida it kind of feels like 1996 all over again. The only differences are that I was married, in Tampa and never liked Dwight Howard as much as I like Shaq.

I tried to find the exact time line on how things went down with Shaq but was unable to. So I will do this the best I can from memory.  I believe it was sometime during the 1996 season Shaq was asked if he would like to stay in Orlando after he current contract was expired.  I seem to recall him saying that he, "wanted to stay in Orlando for the rest of his career.

At the end of that season speculation began that Shaq would sign with the Los Angeles Lakers for a lot more money than the Magic could offer. I seem to remember Shaq still insist that he wanted to stay in Orlando and that he wasn't about the money.

Of course, he signed with the Lakers and it was a harsh reminder that all professional athletes are about the money. ALWAYS.

Immediately on hearing that he signed with the Lakers I threw out my Shaq hat and would cuss at hearing his name for a few of the following seasons.  Now I'm back to loving the big guy; he is very entertaining.

Flash forward to last season. I remember hearing a few interviews with Dwight Howard where he also proclaimed that he wanted to play the rest of his career in Orlando.  Dwight went a little further by saying he planned on living in Orlando after his career is over.

I wanted to believe him, but after being burned once before (Penny Hardaway didn't count) I wanted to believe Mr Howard but I didn't.  But it bothers me that he has gone a little back and forth this season. He started out that he wanted to stay but has waffled back and forth a couple of times.

Maybe it's just me but I would admire these guys a little more if the would at least say, "if the money is right I'll stay but it looks doubtful.

I know saying that would hurt negotiations a little but does a few extra million less really hurt that much?

Thank you Tim Tebow

First of all Thank you for your time at UF. I enjoyed watching you there. I enjoyed how after losing a game in the 2009 (I think) season you gave your "I'll try my hardest" speech that helped the Gators to the national championship.

Thank you for overall being a positive story this season. I think you showed most people that despite having many numerous negative things said about you, you kept trying your hardest to improve.

I have been watching football since the early 70's and I can't ever remember a person who is so loved and so hated all at the same time.I believe that most of the people who really hate on you hate anything that is close to religion.

I have heard people say that Tim Tebow pushes his faith on others. I have never seen that. I have seen him acting in a faithful manner. Thanks to sideline camera's I have heard him say faithful things and sing faithful songs but I have never heard him say, "This is what I believe and you must believe what I believe." I seem to remember him saying at one point that he doesn't care what you believe, just that you believe.

Without Tim Tebow this season might have been one of the more boring seasons I can remember. We would have probably heard even more about Aaron Rodgers than we did; and that might have been a good thing.

Without Tim Tebow we might have seen more stories about why Terrell Owens couldn't get a job in the NFL this season. So I Thank him for that.

Without Tim Tebow we probably would have heard a lot more retirement speculation about Ray "The Criminal" Lewis and the wonders of him.  Thank you Tim Tebow for that.

Without Tim Tebow I would have had to pay more attention to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who haven't been this bad since they wore those awful orange sherbet jersey.

Without Tim Tebow I wouldn't have heard so much unnecessary speculation.

Without Tim Tebow I wouldn't have paid Stephen A Smith any attention to the stupid things he said about Tim Tebow.

Well, sorry, I can't thank you for everything Mr. Tebow but I can Thank you for a lot of things.

Let's do it again next season. Okay?

Makes me think

For a long time now I have believed that there are no such things as coincidences, Things happen for a reason. I'm not saying that every thing in every moment of the day happens for a reason. But the life lessons we need to learn happen for a reason.

I had another example of the fact that there are no coincidences a in the last week or so.

My sister and I have been communicating through emails lately; in one of her emails she talked about my relationship with my Mom. And basically she said that despite the differences between my Mom and I; my sister believes that we as a family picked each other before we were born.

Then two days ago, my best friend who I truly do think of as a sister, texted me that,"I believe we knew each other in the spiritual preexsistence. That is why we are so connected" and that she thinks we are "spiritual siblings".

On some level that I try not to contemplate too much I agree with what both my sister's said.  The odd thing is that one of them is into metaphyisical thinking the other of Mormon faith.  I would think they wouldn't see things similarly but apparently they do.

I do believe that there is a spiritual connection between myself and my family and those who have been my close friends over the years.

And I do believe that both theses messages come around at around the same time for a reason. The obvious reason is that I needed a reminder that I am not alone. This is my least favorite time of year, every winter I go through a depressive period and I am in that right now.  I feel more disconnected with people this time of year; I don't know why I am getting out pretty much as I do the rest of the year but I don't feel as though I'm with people.

So I needed the messages for that reason but I have a feeling there is more to learn from the messages I just have to open my eyes and mind to see it.

But the messages also made me wonder how really different are spiritual ways of thinking.  Do all religions and spiritual thought all come to the same answers, are the words and  thought processes the only real differences?

I don't have the answers. It just makes me think. And wonder.

Not so dumb now?

When I first turned my TV on today (ESPN of course) Mike &Mike in the Morning were discussing a four team NCAA playoffs using the BcS bowl games as part of that system.

I wrote two  blogs on that very subject twice in the last year. I wish I could say they got that idea from me but with, on average, 5 people who actually read what I write I highly doubt that.  But it helped to show me that every once in a while I actually have thoughts that people agree with.

But it also led to the thought that I wish I was a good enough writer to get a job.  Other than what I believe is a pretty good knowledge of sports the only "talent" I possess is the ability to write. But I don't think I'm that good.

It's definitely on of the reasons I wish I had taken high school a lot more seriously. I had opportunities to learn how to be a better writer and maybe I could have had a career.

But stuff and life happens.

Sorry for the bit of rambling but stuff needed to come out.

I originally wanted to write about the fact that most people seem to think last nights "championship game" was terrible is further proof that the BcS needs to be changed/scrapped.

I am very happy I didn't watch it.  21-0 with no touchdowns? That must have been horrible to watch.

Apparently after the game Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy talked about his team would have made the game must more entertaining.  For reasons I don't understand people are verbally beating him up for saying that.  What he said was probably true.

But apparently people don't want to hear truth anymore.

I just really hope that the TV rating were really bad. Maybe that will knock some common sense into the heads of the people who run the BcS.  But I doubt it.

Not a real national title game

In my opinion, the BcS has become more of a joke,  And the BcS has lost credibility with each passing season. And I don't know how much lower it can sink after.his year.

For the title game we get two teams who already played once this season. And it was the absolute most boring game I have seen in years.

In all honesty, I will give  credit to Louisiana State University; they deserve to be in this game. LSU did not lose a game this season, the only team to do that. LSU won their conference championship and have proven to be a national title contender.

Alabama does not deserve to be in this game; they lost to LSU once already. They did not win their conference.

There are two teams who should have had a chance to be in the National Championship game: Oregon and Oklahoma State.

Both Oregon and Oklahoma State won their conferences. I know Oregon can beat Alabama and I believe Oklahoma State can beat Alabama.

But because of a fraudulent BcS Oregon and Oklahoma State were not give the opportunity to play to be in the game.

In every other team sport that I know of there is a playoff at the end of the regular season to determine who is the best team for that season.  Every other sport INCLUDING division I and division II in college football.  The only decent argument I have heard of against a playoff is that it would interfere with the students class work which might be plausible except for the fact that division I and II football has playoffs.

So are division I and II students academics not as important as division I?  I think it could be argued that academics for the lower divisions are more important for those athletes because a lot fewer of them will go on to play professional sports.

If you are going to declare a national champion it is legitimized through a playoff system. The BcS has no playoff and in my view is not legitimate.  Therefore tonight's game is bogus and meaningless.

Until NCAA football has a playoff system in place I will not watch anymore of their BS bowl games.

Luckily for me it's almost nine and time for wrestling. At least they admit that their fake.

Why do people?

There are always going to be things that people do that I just don't get. I just think that's a fact of life. Most of the time things I don't get that people do don't stay in my mind too long. I just tend to move on through life.

But there are moments where I really don't get what people do. And one of those things happened yesterday.

The following was posted by a Facebook friend yesterdayPlease put this on your status if you know someone who is an oxygen thief, and an asshole. Or maybe a two-faced bastard, or someone who deserves a good hard punch in the face, or your hands around their throat, or a major selfish 'me me me' drama queen. Or even someone that will take advantage of your kindness and give you nothing back. These idiots affect the lives of many. There is still no known cure for these Dickheads, but we can raise awareness. Statistically 93% of people won't copy and paste this, so let's see who the 7% with balls are! :)

My very first thought upon reading this was that is way too negative, followed by what's the point to posting that. And finally, it bothers me a bit that people try to guilt tripping others into reposting. I have seen it before and I never get the point.

There was a time in my life where I was the kind of person that paragraph described.  But as I look at those moments now I realize I needed to be that person and go through was I went through to become what I hope is a really better person today.

I hope that through my experience I have learned not to be so judgmental about other people. Yes, I still have my moments but I actually feel guilty afterwards.

  Just a few months ago I met someone who stole from me.I haven't been angry at that person at all for two reasons.  I put myself into that situation which allowed that person to steal from me.  And I have stolen in my past  (in my 20's, I promise) so why should I be angry at someone who did the same thing?

The people who fit my Facebook friend's posting are going through life lessons of their own. Most are probably good people underneath the rough edges. Some might not be good people now but deserve chances to become better people.

I hope I have gotten to a place in my life where the only things I can't forgive are murder and child molestation. Everything else is just stuff in the overall scheme of things.

What does putting out all that negative thought from that posting accomplish. It just throws negative out into the world. And that does not help anyone.

And even though I know my FB friend may be reading this I got to say trying to guilt trip anyone for anythings is just childish, isn't it?

But maybe that's just me.

Ex Nittany Lion's shhhhhhhhhh

The current Penn State Administration had a difficult job to do.  Find a head football coach to lead the way through the aftermath of the mess the program created. The best thing, in my opinion, was to find a good coach who was never affiliated with Pennsylvania in any way.  They had to find a man who was a good leader with no blemishes in his past, And they had to do it before the recruiting season.

As far as I know they achieved all this by hiring the current New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien.  I don't know much about Mr O'Brien except this was his first year as the OC and that he was Tom Brady's Quarterback coach for a few seasons. And Mr Brady might just be the best QB in the NFL right now. So I hope that something good about Mr O'Brien.

But there are a number of Penn State graduates who disagree with the hiring. Before I start copying the quotes I apologize for the font size; it always messes up after I copy things.

Former Penn State Linebacker LaVar Arrington seems to be upset with PSU not allowing interim Coach to be the permanent hire, Wherever Tom Bradley goes, that’s the school I will start to put memorabilia up in my home. I’m done. I’m done with Penn State. If they’re done with us, I’m done with them. …
“By these people making the decisions the way that they are making them, basically coinciding with everything that’s being written about our university, if they get rid of Tom Bradley, that means they in essence have accepted the fact that we are all guilty. You might as well call it all the same thing.”" *quote fromNBCSPORTS.COM

To which I say to Mr Arrington, you were at Penn State while the alleged incidents were happening and in the public eye there is a taint of suspicion on all of you.  Penn State HAS to distance themselves from the former administration and coaching staff.  They have no other option.  There was no way in the world Tom Bradley was going to get the job.

And by the way I think Mr Bradley did a wonderful job this season and should get a head coaching job; anywhere other then Penn State.

And this from another Penn State player, Arrington wasn’t the only former Nittany Lion who feels the O’Brien hiring shafts the man who they feel truly deserves the job — Bradley.

“I don’t want to be affiliated with the university,” former All-American linebackerBrandon Short said, “if they don’t choose a Penn State guy because of our standards, our graduation, all the things that have been important… it’s no longer Penn State, so we might as well be in the SEC. They are intent on turning it into a booster culture. Ira Lubert went out and purchased a national title with wrestling and he’s under the illusion that he can do that in football. Well, ask (Redskins owner) Dan Snyder about that.”

“Penn State is a family and it is real and if they choose to get rid of Bradley and not hire a Penn State coach, then they’ve turned their backs on our entire family.* also fromNBCSPORTS.COM

The last quote from Mr Short makes me  wonder if there isn't a kind of disconnect from the former players.  The biggest problem was that Penn State was a family and chose to keep a very terrible and horrible secret in house.  I can't help but wonder if the players aren't more concerned about the secret being found out more than the sickness that was taking place at Penn State.

Shouldn't the alumni be more concerned with righting the wrongs and 'fixing" the culture more than just keeping things within the family?

Personally, I find the players reactions disturbing and can't help but wonder whether there are more secrets in the Penn State closet.

A response to a response

hmm. how about if we all agree to not allow disabled people to do some stuff? I'm all for equal rights and all, and I believe the disabled should be able to do whatever they want. but you know, there should be time when the able-bodied people can get away from the disabled and all that having to feel guilty stuff. and there's some stuff we should only let the able-bodied do.

seem ridiculous? mean-spirited? read your post again, dork.

and seriously, you think it's ok for college athletes to benefit financially? you perhaps are missing the point of COLLEGE athlete - since only a few of them get to go be pro players. my beloved Tressel disappointed me greatly and it was right to fire him. But that doesn't mean the silly boys who broke the rules shouldn't bear the consequences of breaking the rules.


I forgot how much fun it is to be your sister. :-)


Because of the holidays, or more honestly because of a lot of holiday football.  I really haven't thought of posting a blog in a while.  I wasn't sure what I was going to write but I want to get back into the habit so I logged in and did my usually futile check to see if any comments had been left. Well, lo and behold, a comment was left.


Until I read the last line I thought it was a serious response and was going to respond in kind. Now that I strongly suspect that it was my sister I suspect it's a tongue in cheek response. However, from what I know of my sister it's highly possible that she wrote the response after she was able to beathe again.


So I'm going to respond as I would have.


If a group of people want to not allow disabled people to do something that is their right. If a potential boss doesn't want to hire a disabled person to do a job they would be capable of doing that should be their right.  Unless, the laws have changed I believe a potential boss has to hire a disabled person over an abled bodied person if the disabled person can do the job. 


Sorry, but that is not right. I'm sure some people will be surprised I am saying that but I think people have forgotten we are supposed to be a free country and an employer should not have to hire anyone they don't want to. For whatever reason.


On a little bit of a side note NFL and MLB owners should NOT be forced to interview a person of a minority group before hiring a coach or manager.  Again, personal choices.


I seem to be a person people don't like to be around. I say that because a lot of people have left my life voluntarily. Yes, some had valid reasons but some just went poof.  A person should not hire me or be a part of my life just because I'm disabled. Again, it's supposed to be a country where we are allowed to make choices.


The truth is I have opportunities to join disabled support groups and I have chosen not to because I am (believe it or not) uncomfortable to be around disabled people. Should I be forced to join those groups if they might do me good? I don't think so.


Sorry, but I don't think   I should have to listen to a female broadcaster , deal with people I don't want to or (frankly) wear a seat belt if I don't want to. I like having personal choices and individual liberties.  It's supposed to be a free country but there are to many laws and regulation designed specifically limit choices and liberties.  


Can you guess what group of people I blame for that?


ps--I hope the next President and Congress kills Obamacare before it cost the country too much $$$.