My Inner Author

As I sit here pondering last night’s stunning results, we have elected someone whom I truly have no respect for as a human being to the highest office in the land.   (I actually planned to open with that sentence regardless of who won.) I have seen so much panic, fear and abject anger about the results last night.   I understand.   I am surprised, embarrassed, resolute and wondering what the future holds.  First, before I even try to explain what I think happened, let me again try to reassure any overly concerned FB friends out there, this is not the end of the world.   Your family still loves you.   I can tell you FB friends, I still love you.   There is no way the people I am good friends with are going to allow illegal and unconstitutional proclamations and executive orders to just happen overnight.   I believe, completely and unequivocally in the American system of government.   The same way I have written letters and called my senators and congressmen vehemently argui

Every pre-season magazine, website and sports show tries to predict the results of the upcoming season, so why not have a fan try it. I don’t quite have the volume of data they do, but I can recall what I saw last year, read what changes have been brought to the table and try to Magic 8-Ball the end results.   So, here are my pretty much certain to be wrong predictions for the 2016 season, NCAA and NFL. Why not post your guesses in the comments or on your own page?    NCAA   Top 4 to make the college football playoff: Alabama, Ohio State, Oklahoma, and Clemson. Hard to predict any of them failing. All but Bama return their QBs, many key players and have a reasonable schedule path to the playoff. Of course, if any of the QBs is hurt, or a key player or two goes down, all bets are off.    Rest of Top 10 in no particular order (again pending no major injuries): FSU, LSU, Michigan, Iowa and Notre Dame.    The rest of the Top 25? How about Houston, Stanf

Today, I feel compelled to share words which come from deep in my soul: we must bridge the gap of our differences if we are to stop the violence which is growing in our nation. At the risk of upsetting the apple cart, maybe a few friends, I am going to try and say what I feel I must in order to try and help keep the very important conversation/debate/discussion about race and justice in our nation alive and moving forward. We all have the same goals: peace on the streets, safety for our families and ourselves and a desire for less violence and anger in our lives.   We have had so much tragic news about black men being shot to death by the police, and the police being shot to death by some angry black men. Honest to God, it is starting to sound like a war is brewing and it will be devastating to the fabric of our nation and of our communities if this doesn’t stop very soon.    First, the whole BlackLivesMatter, BlueLivesMatter and AllLivesMatter thing; hashtags simply

I wrote an entire blog tonight on all the recent events and the social and 'real' media tidal wave of divisive commentary.  But when I read it all, I realized, it was simply too long.  The ideals I hold most dear, at least in respect to recent events are much simpler to document and espouse.  No American should ever have to fear each day they walk out their front door that it may well be their last, simply because they look a certain way, dress a certain way, or wear a certain uniform. This isn't some third world country in the Middle East ruled by mobs or warlords we live in, this is the United States of America.  Only, we aren't very united right now.  We have real issues which need to be addressed with respect to race, with respect to law enforcement, with respect for life, with respect for letting people live their own lives free of oppression.  We also have real problems with how and where we choose to inform and educate ourselves about events and issues. We have s

I have held off for so long on posting too much political discussion because taken as a whole on social media, it tends to breed strife, discontent, disillusionment with our friends, and generally frustrate many without changing anything (except a few opinions of others).   However, I have also seen some very worthy debates and discussions arise from such posts when civilized discourse is used and so I am going to attempt that kind of post.   I have no idea if I will succeed or fail miserably, but I will at least be able to say I tried. These words and thoughts are just mine, I can’t pass blame for them onto anyone else.   You can disagree, feel free.   I have tons of friends who do not share my view of religion, some who are in fact atheists.   I have friends who embrace nearly every political opposite of things I believe to the core of my being.   They, nonetheless remain friends.   Good debates on issues SHOULD help shape our minds and thoughts in a meaningful way.   Odds a