CATCHIN' UP

A lot of little things have been happening that have given me pause, but not much to write about in depth. So...here's my take on a few things.

DEATH PENALTY

Tennessee executed a man today who had been found guilty of brutally raping and murdering a young woman who was serving our country as a Marine. I don't have a problem in execution of those convicted of heinous crimes, particularly those involving children, BUT there were many defense motions made to allow DNA from the crime scene nearly 20 years ago to be tested with newer techniques. No judge would stay the execution for this procedure to be done. I think that is an error. What would it hurt to explore any possibility that the man wasn't guilty? I'm thinking this guy was guilty and it's just possible the DNA had degraded and they might not be able to determine whether or not it was his. In that event, all the other evidence presented in the trial should take precedence and verdict should stand.

Tennessee was also supposed to execute another man today, but at the last minute, he was granted a stay because an appeals judge wanted to review the man's mental competency. The man had accepted the verdict and no longer wanted any appeals, but his sister intervened and said he shouldn't be executed because he was mentally ill.

This guy really terrified us in Nashville while he was on his serial killing spree of murdering young people who worked in three different fast food stores. There was no doubt that he was guilty and was about to kill another person when he was arrested. I would imagine that anyone who was a serial killer would be found mentally ill and why would you stay the execution if the criminal has accepted the verdict?

Again, I'm not a rubber stamp supporter of the death penalty; there are some valid reasons for it, but I think we must explore any opportunity to prove the innocence of a person and, secondly, when all research has been completed and there is no vindication, then stop the appeals. As long as our culture sanctifies the death penalty, then that's it. We just must be sure!

HAROLD FORD, JR.

Although Imus has become the butt boy for our young Congressman from Memphis who has put his hat in the ring to take Senator Frist's seat, I surely hope the people of Tennessee will take a close look at the rhetoric he's spewing.

First, he attempts to portray himself as a conservative in step with President Bush's vision. (I guess that's why he was the Chairman of Kerry for President two years ago!) In a TV ad, he is at a gas pump talking about how high gas prices are hurting us and the policies in the Senate are the reason. The caveat here is that he pumping gas into a SUV! He has now resorted to calling the three GOP candidates for the Senate, the "Three Stooges." Excuse me?

Lastly, although no one can help the family they were born in, take a hard look at Junior's background: His uncle, who served several years in the Tennessee Senate, is currently under indictment for bribery and also was convicted of shooting his pistol at a truck while travelling between Nashville and Memphis on I-40. His Aunt Ophelia, who was trying to get the Senate seat vacated by her brother because of the indictment of bribery, supposedly won the seat, but on review it was found dead people voted and other illegal votes were counted. She has been thrown out, but she'll probably be back this fall. I don't think there's any way to insult or embarrass the Ford's, they just keep coming back!

STEVE MCNAIR

At long last, the quarterback has packed his bags and now wears the Raven's purple. I'm sorry the drama was played out as it was because Steve deserved a better final act with the Titans. However, that probably could have happened if Steve had taken a hard look at his waning capabilities the past two seasons and had retired as a Titan. I think most of us hoped for that scenario so he could have gone out with dignity equal to his past contributions to the Titans. Steve laid it on the line for them when he was healthy and was good enough to be the co-MVP in 2004.

Although I'm no NFL expert, just a fan, I cringe about what may happen to him playing for the Ravens. It won't be pretty and he will probably suffer the embarassment and depression that Eddie George experienced by going to the Cowboys in his last season. But, whatever it is that motivates great athletes, money or pride, they've made their choice. God speed!

Funerals and Etcetera...

I confess! I've been undisciplined, just didn't have much to say or, more probably, couldn't organize my thoughts. I'm still at an impasse because yesterday, a former colleague and I drove north to eastern Kentucky to attend our former boss's mother's funeral. More than eight (8) hours up and back and I'm kind of "zonked" today. However, you may find our experience interesting, if not somewhat morbidly entertaining.

I had never been to eastern Kentucky, and the town of Barbourville located near Hazard, KY. It was a beautiful trip through the lazy Appalachian foothills and their heavy summer foliage. The roads were all good and the weather was perfect with little humidity. We went to the small funeral home and were greeted by our boss's gracious family. "Granny" would have celebrated her 99th birthday in September and the family shared with us much of her influence over this large congregation of family. She was "one of a kind!" Apparently, "Granny" liked to be in control of most everything and often made a dramatic statement to ensure her opinion was implemented.

The funeral began as scheduled and the people who spoke were all members of the family since several were ministers. However, we think "Granny" was getting bored with too much ceremony so she must have felt angelically charged to speed up the group "love" because her son-in-law who had just given a fitting tribute at the beginning of the service, suddenly fell forward, clutching his chest. When that happened, his wife began to scream and also fell forward. Well, from that moment on, it looked to us in the rear of the room that the whole family began to domino into cries and confusion. The friend I was with, grabbed her cell phone and dialed 911. There was no answer, but in a few moments she received a call back and for some unfathomable reason, shouted to the caller that they better get an ambulance here NOW and that there had been TWO heart attacks! She related later that she thought it would make more impact.

The ambulance arrived and the EMS professionally assessed the scene. The good news was that the wife was ok, but, unfortunately, her husband did suffer a stroke and was later transferred by his nephew who was also a minister late that afternoon to Cincinnati by a hearse borrowed from the funeral home (I understand he had an interest in that as well.) Confusing, yes, but those of us who have a rural background relate to the many occupations practiced by one person.

In any event, the funeral service was brought to a close and we were all relieved there had not been further damage to family members. Once you go through something like this, particularly as an outsider, you don't know exactly how to act. When there is a sudden and shocking scene, you hold your breath until you can sort it all out and the chaos recedes. Fortunately this family has a great sense a humor, one probably inherited and embellished by "Granny!" My boss offered that the whole scene was probably orchestrated by "Granny" and that she couldn't have been happier that she was still in control! All in all, it was a very interesting experience. Maybe now, I'm only missing an Irish "wake" to complete my funeral repertoire. We Scot's are soooooo boring!

That's about all on my mind today, except my puzzlement over what's happened to my White Sox! We don't get enough news here in Tennessee so I'm real curious about what Ozzie has on his mind. Do the Tiger's have enough to go the season and my favorite NL team, the Red's, are they going to turn the corner? No change in the McNair situation except the Titans are now requesting McNair to have a physical before he enters the training camp. They contend that he failed his physical at the end of last year so he must have one now to see if he's up to par. I think it would be fair to call the whole situation "As The World Turns!" I sure wish either the Lions or Raiders would come calling for McNair because I hate like hell for him to go to the Ravens without at least some compensation to the Titans. Oh, well...