Listen to Their Stories...

I just returned from a pretty inspiring church service and I want to share a little with you. Presbyterian churches as well as many other churches throughout the country have targeted the re-construction of the Gulf Coast hit by Katrina as one of their foremost missions.

Today, we heard stories from a few of our members who went to Gulfport, MS about four weeks ago to see how they could help. Each member was significantly touched not by just the devastation, but the spirit of the victims who have suffered.

One story concerned "Mrs. Rosa" who was a 75 year old widow lady who's home had been gutted. She related to a couple of the members of the group that she lived on social security and a pension of her husband who was a well-decorated veteran of World War II. She had no money to buy the necessary material to facilitate recovery of her home. They found "Mrs. Rosa" sitting on the driveway of the house just waiting to see if someone would come. She had been living for four months in a tent in front of the house and, just recently, FEMA had provided a small trailer. Can you even imagine your Mom, Dad, Grandparent's or even you camped out with just a tent in the midst of this devastation without any idea when or if you were going to get some help? Stay one day in the summer in Gulfport, MS and you'll be running and begging for air-conditioning.

Fortunately, some anonymous funds came through and the members began restoring the wallboard, roofing, etc., so she could see some progress. She was so elated for what they had begun to accomplish that when they left (and the work was not finished) she called them her "angels" and that when she looked into their face, she saw the face of Jesus. She asked for nothing more, she had the faith that others would come to finish the job even though she had been promised several times before that someone would come and they hadn't. Needless to say, the guys that participated in this reconstruction came back to Hendersonville and immediately made plans to return within the next few weeks so they could finish the job which they did much to "Mrs. Rosa's" joy.

Another person from the group related an experience where a group had been given a house number of a home designated by Presbyterian Disaster Assistance to be repaired. Please remember that street signs, house numbers, etc., were mostly destroyed and it was very difficult to find individual homes. In any event, the group arrived at the house and there were two people, the couple who owned the house, camped out similar to "Mrs. Rosa." The group began making repairs and the couple worked along side of them. The couple didn't ask questions or even talk that much with the group, but at lunch time, the couple asked, "Who are you people?"

It was explained to them that they were part of the PDA and they were assigned to help them with the restoration. The group leader then asked them their name which was NOT the name of the Owners they were supposed to help nor was it the correct house number. But, since the group had already begun this task, they agreed to stay and finish it.

At the end of the day, the husband told the group members that he and his wife were overwhelmed by their assistance. Then he told them that he and his wife had decided that very morning that if they did not see any relief from their personal disaster, they were going to commit suicide that night. By the group showing up and immediately begin working to restore their home without any question, it gave them the restoration of their faith as well.

Some may say that this couple need not have made such a dramatic decision, but I ask you is it any different than the people on the top floors of the World Trade Center to jump? When everything looks hopeless and there's no where to turn, sometimes suicide could seem the only answer. However, the good news is in this case, that the circumstance of an incorrect house number saved the life of this couple. Who was guiding that "mistake?" If you believe as I do and accept that there are no "accidents" in this world, you know who.

More help is needed in the Gulf coast. New Orleans has been getting the press because none of us want that valuable and mysterious city destroyed, but please be aware of the need for help in Gulfport, Biloxi, Bay St Louis, Long Beach, Waveland and other small towns in the area. At the rate this reconstruction is going, it's going to take four or five years more! Right now, this work is mainly being done effectively and efficiently by church/temple groups, but there aren't enough of them. If you need some inspiration to make a commitment to help these people, re-read Philippians 2: 1-4.

Might make a difference to you to make a difference for someone else!

Meandering Thoughts - What Else?

WOW! Today's a beautiful day in the neighborhood! I think I may just wander out and begin clearing some of the dead wood that's been gathering over the winter. Although I realize we will have a few more frosty days, you can almost smell Spring around the corner. The willow tree has a hint of green so it won't be too much longer.

I feel great, I just don't want to talk in depth about politics today, it would just bring me down. I will say this, however, one of the most interesting things about liberals is that they have the freedom to say anything they want, true or not, yet they feel compelled to dump on me any derogatory name or garbage they can think of with impunity. It really makes them feel good. Go Figure!

The "NFL Combine" in Indy seems to be more exciting than the Olympics. As you know, the players take a Wunderlich test so prospective teams can gauge whether or not they'll run the right way. The Titans seem to have a proclivity to sign players with less than an acceptable score because they may have physical attributes which the Titans think will compensate for the low scores. Let's review Pacman Jones one more time! Maybe Floyd should go more for free agency since there will be a record established on free agent's proven knowledge and leadership qualities.

We can only hope for Matt Leinart or Jay Cutler with our #3 draft pick. Vince Young, too, may be a strong candidate; I just don't know much about him other than his splendid showing at the Rose Bowl this year and that was impressive.

Too bad about Sasha Cohen not getting the Gold; she was astonishing in her short program. Fortunately because of our Connection Group meeting on Thursday evenings, I didn't have to go through the angst. I also didn't get to see Jerry Rice, who amazingly is still in competition, do his final dance in "Dancing With the Stars!" I don't care that he's not as good as the other two couples...he tries so hard with the same professionalism he always gave to his football games.

Dance, Jerry, Dance!

SO...WHATS NEW

Let me tell you, it’s hard to know “what’s new” because, more and more, I am listening to Sports radio! Not that they have anything great to contribute, but they are “reporting,” not “creating” their stories. There certainly isn’t anything wrong with round table discussions about politics or sports, but when a reporter begins making himself the story, that leaves me cold.

Case in point, David Gregory’s proprietary dialog of spin on the recent Cheney accident. David was incensed on “Meet the Press” last Sunday because there was a time lag in the reporting of the incident from the Vice-President’s office to White House reporters. Mary Maitlen carefully laid out the time line of what happened, when it happened and what the parties were doing. Not good enough for Mr. Gregory, he persists in believing that somehow there is some kind of insidious plan by this administration to obfuscate and control release of the news. Well, hello, wouldn’t that be a prudent strategy considering the carnivorous and insatiable need for these reporters to find a “gotcha” incident?

The funny thing about this is that Mr. Gregory is an insightful reporter and has a healthy sense of humor (Imus A.M. show.) But, lately it’s as though Mr. Gregory is positioning himself to become the next national news anchor so he’s making “his bones” by viciously denigrating the administration. Did you notice in the congressional report on mis-handling of Katrina that the first villain reported by the news (media and written) was, of course, George Bush? Yet, if one actually reads the final report, there was a preponderance of evidence finger pointing at local and state governments screw-ups. If you think about, doesn’t that make more sense? As Tip O’Neil used to say “All Politics are Local!”

The biggest problem today is related to what shocked liberals when Kerry lost in 2004. That problem is the media has become so isolated within the Beltway, the Streisand companions or the City by the Bay that they don’t really “hear” what’s going on and instead rely on their personal prejudices to spin the news. Hey, I’m not naïve, I know the White House is and has been capable of stonewalling the facts and that is NOT condoned. However, Journalism #101 teaches reporters to get off their butts and find out “what,” “where,” “when” and “how” when they source or investigate a story. What we are getting now is what the reporter “THINKS!” Not good.

Thanks for letting me vent. Gotta go now and find out if there’s another teaser on the sports show about McNair signing. By the way, I did read that the Jets have a DE they would be interested in trading…(oh yeah)…well, they need Billy Volek and he deserves to be a starting quarterback and we could use a veteran DE. Come on, Floyd, life can be a simple equation! You've got to BELIEVE!

A Little This, a Little That

Is everyone as bored with the Olympics as I am? There have been very few moments this time around that have offered the "thrill of victory" or the grittiness of real competition. Maybe it's just an off year or maybe it's because we are getting tape delay feed. I just hope it doesn't become as stifling as the NBA. Is anyone enjoying it as much since Jordan left the court? The bling-bling and occasional outrageous antics have sure turned me off. I don't care if they revive the NBA any more than NASCAR (heresy, I know to some), but it will be very sad if the Olympics falls by the wayside.

Well, the Titans haven't locked up McNair yet and the prognosticators indicate that may not be done until March or April, if at all. The good news (and we try to salvage some from the Titans) is that they did sign Vanden Bosch to a new four year contract. They really couldn't afford to lose that guy...what talent! Glad he didn't wait to test the water with free agency in March. Sure would be helpful to the Titans if they can now find some good offensive linemen available in the free agency.

It seems every Spring, I do get hopeful about the next season of Titan football. Maybe I'm noticing it more since we have had two losing years and I realize that we have to get the right free agents and make the best choices in the upcoming Draft. I hate to say this, but it really makes me anxious. If only Floyd and Jeff would bring me a winning season, heck, 8-8 would look good right now, maybe I would relax a bit while the world is in hibernation. Having said this, I don't know if I'm just a fanatic or simply nuerotic.

Please don't vote!

(Thank goodness Spring training begins this week and next. Please let Ozzie be magical again this year!)

LULU BELLE - She's a "southern" lady!

I haven't shared Lulu's story with you. I found her on the internet as a "rescued" pup. It seems some elderly lady, living in a trailer, down in Maury County was found to have some 30 cocker spaniels with her. They removed the dogs, treated the ones who were ill and then put them up for adoption. Evidently, Lulu didn't have much luck with that development because a son of the adopting family severely abused her.

I think this adopted family turned her over to the Southeast Cocker Spaniel rescue and they healed her back to health and placed her with a foster family. Fortunately, I happened to be searching the rescue sites and saw her. I had never had a black/white cocker so I thought this might be an interesting companion for Jack and the "Queen" Josephine. I called, found out a little about Lulu's story and in a few days drove down to Maury County to just "visit" with the dog. Well, just a visit wasn't in Lulu's plan so she planted herself right next to me and wherever I walked, Lulu came. She made the trek back to Hendersonville that day.

I wish I could say that all was harmonious with the transition of this new dog, but it was challenging. Josephine had long reigned as the top dog and Lulu didn't know she wasn't the top dog. Unfortunately, for Josephine, Lulu was younger and much quicker so Josie suffered some consequences in challenging her. However, within the next few months, everyone pretty much sorted out their place in the family and they seem to have bonded well.

I never had a dog before that had been abused so special care and time was necessary to bring her around. It's been well worth it as she has become a good family member which is the goal we should have for any pet brought into the family. I think sometimes we forget that an animal just doesn't automatically know how to integrate into the family routine so it's up to the family to establish the pet's parameters. I always encourage people who are bringing a pet into the home to at least read a book on dog training or go to a local dog obedience school. The time spent will reap dividends in the rewarding relationship you can have with your pet.

In closing, you will never find a better dog than one you rescue. Believe me, they know it! If you're set on having one breed of dog as I do (cocker spaniels)you will be surprised to find many, many pedigreed dogs in rescue situations. Try www.petfinders.com as a start or visit your local shelter.



 

A Little Politics, Olympics and a Little Football

One of my high school classmates sent me this quote of the day:

"I'd still rather hunt with Cheney than ride with Kennedy."

Something to think about. I guess the press is going to push Cheney into a public response and maybe that's appropriate, if it will finally put the story to rest. But you and I know it won't.

I've enjoyed some of the Olympic contests that I've seen, but there's this small gnawing in my stomach that it seems all too grand, too much glitter and maybe not enough gritty competition. The only exception to this was the Chinese figure skaters where the female busted her knee falling from her partner's lift and continued on to win the Silver. Outstanding Olympic excellence!

What a dork this Bode Miller is. He apparently has superior talent and should have been in line for a medal, but his arrogant choice to go bar-hopping the night before and then to skip meetings the next day did not "bode" well for Mr. Miller. It always amazes me how some people capriciously toss away their extraordinary talent without a blink of the eye. Kind of reminds me of some gifted students who don't complete their assignments, miss their tests, etc. You have to wonder how long the universe will suffer their misguided choices; I suppose long enough until the penalties will finally help them "get it!" We can only hope.

Back here in Tennessee, the fans who follow the Titans are getting a little anxious about whether or not they will re-sign Steve McNair. Personally, I hate to see Steve not make the right choice in compromising the salary offer because with the development of new wide receivers, he may have more opportunities than he had last year to get the ball down field. Of course, that has to be backed up with recruiting some "fat" boys for the line so he can have protection. I sure would hate to think the last outing Steve made wearing the Titan jersey was at the Pro Bowl. Very ugly!

If You Say It Often Enough, It Has To Be True!

Has anyone noticed how many times a story is repeated either on TV , newspaper or the Net? For example, my cover page is MSNBC and under the listing of new stories, Cheney's accidental shooting of his friend is listed 4 times! Kwan leaving the Olympics is listed 5 times! By clicking on to these subtitles you can read more detail, but you won't get more information that would substantiate the repetition.

It's hoped more people are aware that just because the headlines scream something controversial, it doesn't mean they are FACT! If you but look at your local paper, the title of a newspaper column will state something much more intriguing than the rest of the story. Many times, the rest of the story will contradict the headline. I suppose this is all a result of wanting to sell more papers so that ad space will become more profitable to the newspaper, TV station, etc. However, it occurred to me that the "Big Lie" was practiced by Hitler to encourage the German people to support them so let's not forget to question news stories and press conferences. Who's trying to persuade you to do what and for what reason?

Whether it's the media, your Mayor's office or the White House, get the details and if something seems askew to you, then research it. Most of us just don't have the time to question everything, but every once in awhile, try digging for the facts (and that doesn't mean go to the moveon.org website.)

JUST A LITTLE MORE FOOTBALL

I understand that since the Texans have renewed David Carr's (Fresno State) contract for three years, it doesn't appear they will be signing Vince Young (Texas.) One of my friends suggested that doesn't mean they won't trade Carr and still take Young, but that probably isn't the plan. They will sign Reggie Bush and that's that!

So, it looks like the Saints and Titans will have the opportunity to sign Young or Lienart (USC.) Most people in Tennessee think they'll go for Young, if he's still available, mainly because Steve McNair has taken him under wing and will be there to help mature him. Maybe. I still rather like the connection between Norm Chow and Lienart, but bottom line, if the Titans don't get an offensive line to protect either of them, it's not going to matter who the quarterback is or will be. A quiet suggestion to my "cousin" Floyd Reece is to draft A. J. Hawk with his #3 choice and pick up Cutler as soon as possible. Don't think Cutler will make it to the 2nd round so that may not be a good strategy.

It's going to be interesting to see where T. O. ends up and if his history (histrionics) continue to follow him. Too bad, he can make a difference for a team. And it's way too bad that agent Drew Rosenhaus is the sorry egomaniac that he is because there's no way he's going to counsel T. O. to take a step up in his maturity.

Lastly, I've never been "hooked" on these reality shows (Survivor, etc.) or the competition shows (American Idol, etc.,) but I have to tell you that I love "Dancing with the Stars!" One of the gentlemen of pro football, Jerry Rice, is a contestant and he's doing well. You might want to take a look at it, it's fun and you can call (800)868-3409 to vote for Jerry right after it airs on Thursday night. I think his football fan base is what's keeping him in the show, but he's a neat guy and he has vastly improved over the first show. Dance, Jerry, Dance!

JACK CELEBRATING HIS 11TH BIRTHDAY!

Guess I should have said the title of this blog is Pandas, Politics, Pooches and Pro Football. This is a more recent picture of Jack - unlike his "published" pic.
He is a great dog! 

SUPER BOWL

So, the Steelers won the Super Bowl! Good for them! They deserved it after winning all the Play Off games away from home. I heard a newscaster offer that perhaps all the Play Off games should be at a neutral site. However, Detroit was a "neutral" site except that it was overwhelmed with Steeler fans. Those fans must really accumulate "frequent flier" miles....they go anywhere!

I wonder how they do in Oakland? There's always a bunch of them when they play the Titans and they can become obnoxious. Fortunately, Titan security is such that they don't last too long if they disturb other fans.

Although I kind of rooted for the Seahawks, I'm a little tired of hearing the whining from Seahawk fans that the officiating wasn't good. No matter whatever bad call there may have been, the Steelers won by their play and not an edge on penalty calls.

As they say in the Big Leagues...wait til next year!

(Yes, I'm aware it's going to take more than a year for the TITANS to take another run.)

Observations (continued)

(Sorry for the break - read next Blog first for continuity)

his father's help to dispose of the body. Arthur came to Nashville and they drove to Bowling Green, KY where they rented a room in a small motel. Arthur took the body to some farm land nearby and placed her body at the bottom of a pile of brush that appeared to be ready for burning. One interesting fact is that Arthur says that he only became involved 4 or 5 weeks after the actual murder. We don't know yet where Janet's body was being held until that time.

Hopefully there is enough evidence and with the testimony of his father, Perry can be successfully prosecuted. The speculation is that he will be better off if he, also, takes a plea. I doubt if there are many Tennesseans that could completely suspend their prejudice as jurors and if this case goes to trial, he will be flirting with the death penalty.

The only observation to made is that justice for Janet is finally being served as well as acknowledgement for the tenacity and perserverance of the police to solve this case.

Observations

The sad, sorry story of Janet March's disappearance 10 years ago is now being concluded in Federal Court. Janet was by all accounts, a loving mother, wife and an accomplished artist. She was married to Perry March, a local attorney who worked in Janet's parents law office. When Janet disappeared, Perry was the main suspect. He fled with their two children to Chicago and then to Mexico where his father also lived. In the interim of these 10 years, Perry married a local woman there and now has one or two children with her. Although he pleaded no knowledge of Janet's disappearance and said she had just left, he was eventually indicted for murder late in 2004 and extradited back to Nashville in 2005.

Well, Perry became fixated on punishing Janet's parents while in jail. He made contact with another inmate and offered him money to kill the parents when the inmate was released from jail. The inmate told the jailers about the murder for hire contract where upon they wired him and had him tape a conversation with Perry outlining the murder. One of the promises Perry made to him is that Perry's father, in Mexico, would pay the hired killer transportation out of Nashville and give him a sizable cash settlement on his arrival in Mexico. The anointed "killer" also spoke to the father, Arthur March, via a recorded telephone call in Mexico who confirmed the arrangement.

Because this new "crime" crossed state lines, the local D.A. turned it over to the Feds. They quickly moved to extradite Arthur from Mexico for prosecution and he arrived here, in very poor health, a week or so ago. The U.S. Attorney offered Arthur a plea agreement where he would disclose his involvement and testify against his son in the murder in exchange for 18 months in a hospital prison and whatever remaining years he had, on some kind of restricted freedom. Well, old Arthur gave up his son and told the rest of the story. He said Perry had killed Janet with a wrench while they were arguing. Perry solicited his father's help

GAME ON!

How can we possibly ignore football today? Most of you know how I love the game, but this game doesn't hold much interest to me. I suppose I'll root for the Seahawks even though I'm an AFC fan, but only because they're the underdogs and they're from the west coast.

I guess this lack of interest probably goes back to the disappointment last year and this year with the Titans. Last year there was a reason: 12 of their starters were injured for most of the year. This year, it was the character of the team, too many ego's and lack of discipline. They had talent, but there wasn't unity.

A sports writer for the local paper submitted an interesting article yesterday. He compared two backs one to one. The first was Eddie George who two years ago was offered by the Titans less money and less starting time; he chose not to "compromise" himself, went to Dallas for the same money the Titans offered him and was cut at the end of the season. The other back was Jerome Bettis, who as we know now, stayed with his team for a lot less money and no guaranty of playing time. Think Eddie isn't second-guessing himself today?

To me, if there's a moral to this story, it's realizing where you fit in life's drama. If the curtain is closer to going down than going up, then why not utilize whatever your best talents are to stay in the play and be part of the team. You can't always have the lead role, but you can make a significant contribution that allows you to have a final curtain with grace and honor. I think about this a lot since I retired and I'm finding out there are still opportunities that are not only satisfying to me, but also allow me to help others in ways I never thought possible when I had a regular job. The key is being aware of alternatives and be willing to take a chance.

Anyway, hope your team wins today and that, most of all, you enjoy it whatever the outcome!

Tennessee Legislature (?)

Those of you who are not from the Nashville area have probably not been subjected to the recent scandal dubbed "The Tennessee Waltz." It seems some FBI guys disguised as "lobbyists" have been paying off (surprise, surprise) some of our legislature buddies in a major sting operation. Four Democrats and one GOP have been indicted.

Well, this has caused a great deal of huffing and puffing around here and Governor Bredesen has required those esteemed political servants of the people to hold a special meeting and come up with an "Ethics" bill. They've been working on this bill for 3-1/2 weeks and this morning's paper advises they may make the decision to throw what they have put together out the window. It seems the House and Senate can't agree (another surprise, huh?)

The kicker on all this is that both houses called in LOBBYISTS to assist in writing the damn bill! How difficult would it be for these duly elected officials to determine right from wrong? Truth is simple. Lying is complex.

Come on you guys, get it right and get it done! This is absolutely embarrassing and insulting to the people of Tennessee. We deserve better and, hopefully, the people will remember this fiasco at election time.

Next week we'll talk about the corruption within the Tennessee State Troopers.

Lighten Up!

Hey, enough about politics; let THEM get it done. This is a picture of one of my favorites. Hopefully, this isn't pornographic, just some sweet cuddling.