OK, so I have been on a week to ten day fast from we101 and local blogging to get some other things done, but my brain has not been dormant. If I repeat what others have said , or said better, please forgive me.
I watched the Obama speech from Houston the evening of the Wisconsin primary. I will admit to having a goose bump or two, and then that awful sick feeling of "oh no, something is going to happen to him." Probably just paranoia, but then I read about the lax security. Was THAT an accident?
Obama definitely has the "it" factor.
As the speech wore on and on and became more and more self referential, I became bored. "Some people say about Obama..." Seems like he likes the sound of his own name too much.
I loved a lot of what I heard. It all sounded so wonderful, fabulous, beautiful, dreamy.....impossible.
As much as I don't like Hillary Clinton, and as much as I think her candidacy would be good for the Republicans, I think her basic point, as poorly as she is making it, is sound. Obama is in la la land. He can use all the wonderful rhetoric he wants, but will that cause all the warring parties in Washington to fall at his feet, cast down their crowns, and give up their principled, cherished, and/or well funded agendas? I don't think so.
David Brooks I think hit the nail on the head in this morning's News and Record editorial piece, which can also be found on the NY Times.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008
Summers Past - Down By the River
This was taken while on an "Across South Carolina" bike ride in May 1977. The four of us stopped at a bridge in lower state SC on the ride from Columbia to Charleston - on Highway 178 I think - to watch the locals at play. It wasn't long before we got in on the action ourselves!For more pictures of adventures past look here.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Charles Barkley Is Stupid (Can I Say That)
I am not one to lump together Christians and Republicans, or necessarily even Christians and conservatives, since "conservative" covers all kinds of views about all kinds of things...
Having, said that, what Charles Barkley said is just stupid.
Based on the fact that many conservatives, and many Christians, whom he simply lumps together, are opposed to abortion and gay marriage, he says that they are fake Christians, because, as we all know, Jesus says we aren't to judge. Barkley goes on to say that he is for abortion and for gay marriage.
Since he said that "we are not to judge," and also says he is for gay marriage, does he think that gay marriage is wrong, but it's not his place to judge it. I'm confused.
But to the the main point. In fact, Christians (or non Christians - there are many atheists who oppose abortion) don't oppose abortion because they are being judgmental in any negative sense. They oppose abortion because they believe that children in the womb are human beings and that it is not our place to kill them. Being pro-life is not a matter of being "judgmental" at all. Well, except that we judge the lives of the unborn to be precious and significant.
Christians (or non Christians) who oppose gay marriage aren't being judgmental either regarding the public policy matter of gay marriage. According to Barkley's logic I think it would be "judgmental," and therefore wrong, to oppose any sort of marriage arrangement between consenting adults. I wonder, are there any marital arrangements that he would, in judgment, oppose? I suspect that there are.
Again, the issue of marriage per se, legally, is something that comes under the jurisdiction of the civil authority. We're talking public policy here, not private attitudes towards our neighbors.
There is truth to the notion that Christians are not to judge those outside of the faith. The Apostle Paul makes this very clear in 1 Corinthians 5. Specifically he is talking about Christians who are "not associating" with people outside the faith who are "sexually immoral people...or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world." There are many Christians who really need to take those words to heart (I just made a judgment - oh my!).
There is an appropriate judgment that is to take place inside the faith. Paul made one about Christians failing to associate with non Christians for the reasons cited above.
Yes, we as Christians are all "in progress" but we're all in progress towards a serious goal of holiness and Christlikeness and honesty and purity and love and goodness. We are called over and over, not just to forgive, but to exhort, to encourage, to admonish if necessary, so that we won't be deceived and dragged down by the enemy of our souls, whom we believe to be real. We are to bear one another's burdens when we fall, and when we fail, and we are to be careful not to be haughty, and to realize that we are each and every one weak and prone to fall. . It's a serious business being a Christian, and no walk in the park.
But of course we together in community as Christians have to exercise judgments of all kinds. In fact, Barkley himself brings out one of the judgments we are to make. For example, I think we are to make a judgment as to whether people are being unduly judgmental. How can we call a person on being judgmental without making a judgment about his being judgmental? But mere "making judgments" is not the point of Jesus' words about judgment anyway. He makes clear what he means. He does not want us as Christians to be going around looking for the faults in others while not considering our own faults. We are to have a much greater concern about our own sin than the sin of others. We are not to be proud or holier-than-thou or look down upon others.
We cannot be asked to forgive if there is not something to forgive, if there is not an offense. But again, Jesus there is talking more about sins committed by one person against another. I think he said something about forgiving 7 times 7 times, or was it 70 times 7? I forget.
But none of this has anything to do with public policy. It IS the role of the civil authority to judge, to bring justice, to establish laws and to enforce them. In a representative democracy, we the people (for better or for worse) are part of that process of making laws and enforcing them. We vote. We speak freely. We even make judgments about public officials. Well, at least bloggers do that, and news people, and talk show hosts, and Hollywood personalities.
In effect, we as Christians wear two hats, the private Christian person hat, and the public policy participant hat. Sometimes the hats get confused. Barkley and others need to understand this. How we view the issue of abortion is not the same as how we think or feel or act personally toward those who are pregnant and in need. How we view the issue of gay marriage is not the same thing as how we treat, act toward, and deal with our gay neighbors.
I think Barkley was being terribly judgmental in what he said. I am SO deeply offended.
Maybe I shouldn't say "Charles Barkley is stupid." I'll try to remember to change that title sometime. Sounds kind of judgmental.
And may God help the good people of Alabama.
Having, said that, what Charles Barkley said is just stupid.
Based on the fact that many conservatives, and many Christians, whom he simply lumps together, are opposed to abortion and gay marriage, he says that they are fake Christians, because, as we all know, Jesus says we aren't to judge. Barkley goes on to say that he is for abortion and for gay marriage.
Since he said that "we are not to judge," and also says he is for gay marriage, does he think that gay marriage is wrong, but it's not his place to judge it. I'm confused.
But to the the main point. In fact, Christians (or non Christians - there are many atheists who oppose abortion) don't oppose abortion because they are being judgmental in any negative sense. They oppose abortion because they believe that children in the womb are human beings and that it is not our place to kill them. Being pro-life is not a matter of being "judgmental" at all. Well, except that we judge the lives of the unborn to be precious and significant.
Christians (or non Christians) who oppose gay marriage aren't being judgmental either regarding the public policy matter of gay marriage. According to Barkley's logic I think it would be "judgmental," and therefore wrong, to oppose any sort of marriage arrangement between consenting adults. I wonder, are there any marital arrangements that he would, in judgment, oppose? I suspect that there are.
Again, the issue of marriage per se, legally, is something that comes under the jurisdiction of the civil authority. We're talking public policy here, not private attitudes towards our neighbors.
There is truth to the notion that Christians are not to judge those outside of the faith. The Apostle Paul makes this very clear in 1 Corinthians 5. Specifically he is talking about Christians who are "not associating" with people outside the faith who are "sexually immoral people...or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world." There are many Christians who really need to take those words to heart (I just made a judgment - oh my!).
There is an appropriate judgment that is to take place inside the faith. Paul made one about Christians failing to associate with non Christians for the reasons cited above.
Yes, we as Christians are all "in progress" but we're all in progress towards a serious goal of holiness and Christlikeness and honesty and purity and love and goodness. We are called over and over, not just to forgive, but to exhort, to encourage, to admonish if necessary, so that we won't be deceived and dragged down by the enemy of our souls, whom we believe to be real. We are to bear one another's burdens when we fall, and when we fail, and we are to be careful not to be haughty, and to realize that we are each and every one weak and prone to fall. . It's a serious business being a Christian, and no walk in the park.
But of course we together in community as Christians have to exercise judgments of all kinds. In fact, Barkley himself brings out one of the judgments we are to make. For example, I think we are to make a judgment as to whether people are being unduly judgmental. How can we call a person on being judgmental without making a judgment about his being judgmental? But mere "making judgments" is not the point of Jesus' words about judgment anyway. He makes clear what he means. He does not want us as Christians to be going around looking for the faults in others while not considering our own faults. We are to have a much greater concern about our own sin than the sin of others. We are not to be proud or holier-than-thou or look down upon others.
We cannot be asked to forgive if there is not something to forgive, if there is not an offense. But again, Jesus there is talking more about sins committed by one person against another. I think he said something about forgiving 7 times 7 times, or was it 70 times 7? I forget.
But none of this has anything to do with public policy. It IS the role of the civil authority to judge, to bring justice, to establish laws and to enforce them. In a representative democracy, we the people (for better or for worse) are part of that process of making laws and enforcing them. We vote. We speak freely. We even make judgments about public officials. Well, at least bloggers do that, and news people, and talk show hosts, and Hollywood personalities.
In effect, we as Christians wear two hats, the private Christian person hat, and the public policy participant hat. Sometimes the hats get confused. Barkley and others need to understand this. How we view the issue of abortion is not the same as how we think or feel or act personally toward those who are pregnant and in need. How we view the issue of gay marriage is not the same thing as how we treat, act toward, and deal with our gay neighbors.
I think Barkley was being terribly judgmental in what he said. I am SO deeply offended.
Maybe I shouldn't say "Charles Barkley is stupid." I'll try to remember to change that title sometime. Sounds kind of judgmental.
And may God help the good people of Alabama.
Looks Like Flowers Not Snow
The wet sticky Valentine's Day snow makes this tree look like it is in bloom!Check out my Flickr photo stream, including lots of recent photos of downtown Greensboro, here.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Drea-ea-ea-ea-eam
I had a small growing migraine today and went home to take a little magic pill and try to sleep it off. It's a 1-2 hour process if I catch it in time. Otherwise it's an all day bear.
I went to sleep and had two dreams. First I dreamed of sitting in a sandbox with my older brother and his friends at our first house on Trenholm Road in Columbia. The event occured when I was two. In the dream I was lookign at the others, not myself, and my brother was 7ish.
Second I dreamed I was in my grandmother's house on Grande Avenue in Sherman, Texas, walking around, looking into the various rooms and closets. I could smell the unique smell of her house vividly in my dream. I haven't been in that house since I was maybe 14.
In the dream it was a younger me looking around her house. My parents and grandmother were alive. Yet, somehow inside the dream I reminded myself that I was really 50, and that they were gone. Inside the dream I started saying, "What happened to my life? Where did it go? What happened to my kid's childhood? What about all those things I haven't done? What good have I done in the world?"
I had this sense of terror run through my mind and heart while still in the dream, and I woke up really upset. I couldn't go back to sleep. Is this what midlife crisis feels like? Otherwise, when I'm not asleep, being 50 doesn't bother me a bit.
Oh, and the sandbox dream. That is legit memory. I have remembered that before, just not as vividly. Oh I know, it could all be a creation of a mind affected by some spice eaten at lunch, but when I awoke and thought about it it was like, "Yeah, that was real, I remember that" - kind of like being shown a photograph of yourself in some situation years before, something you haven't thought much about before, and you go, "Oh yeah, I remember that." Same deal.
Maybe a week or so after my mother died, (I was so distraught), I had the most amazing and incredible dream. In that dream my mother was right before me, just sitting there, being herself, kind of like a very realistic hologram maybe. And I was able to look closely at her from every angle and notice every little detail of her face, her hair, her jewelry, her clothes. The dream was in the most vivid bright Technicolor. It seemed to last a long time. I woke up utterly exhausted.
I think physiologically that that dream required of my brain an enormous amount of work, which is why I awoke so tired. But that dream was a gift from God, a real blessing. That image is fixed in my mind to this day.
Why am I writing all this on a blog?
I went to sleep and had two dreams. First I dreamed of sitting in a sandbox with my older brother and his friends at our first house on Trenholm Road in Columbia. The event occured when I was two. In the dream I was lookign at the others, not myself, and my brother was 7ish.
Second I dreamed I was in my grandmother's house on Grande Avenue in Sherman, Texas, walking around, looking into the various rooms and closets. I could smell the unique smell of her house vividly in my dream. I haven't been in that house since I was maybe 14.
In the dream it was a younger me looking around her house. My parents and grandmother were alive. Yet, somehow inside the dream I reminded myself that I was really 50, and that they were gone. Inside the dream I started saying, "What happened to my life? Where did it go? What happened to my kid's childhood? What about all those things I haven't done? What good have I done in the world?"
I had this sense of terror run through my mind and heart while still in the dream, and I woke up really upset. I couldn't go back to sleep. Is this what midlife crisis feels like? Otherwise, when I'm not asleep, being 50 doesn't bother me a bit.
Oh, and the sandbox dream. That is legit memory. I have remembered that before, just not as vividly. Oh I know, it could all be a creation of a mind affected by some spice eaten at lunch, but when I awoke and thought about it it was like, "Yeah, that was real, I remember that" - kind of like being shown a photograph of yourself in some situation years before, something you haven't thought much about before, and you go, "Oh yeah, I remember that." Same deal.
Maybe a week or so after my mother died, (I was so distraught), I had the most amazing and incredible dream. In that dream my mother was right before me, just sitting there, being herself, kind of like a very realistic hologram maybe. And I was able to look closely at her from every angle and notice every little detail of her face, her hair, her jewelry, her clothes. The dream was in the most vivid bright Technicolor. It seemed to last a long time. I woke up utterly exhausted.
I think physiologically that that dream required of my brain an enormous amount of work, which is why I awoke so tired. But that dream was a gift from God, a real blessing. That image is fixed in my mind to this day.
Why am I writing all this on a blog?
Derek and the Dominos - Layla
As I alluded in an earlier post, Thursday I went out for a walk after dark. For most of the walk I listened to my iPod. I was in a 70's frame of mind, so I clicked on ""Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs" by Derek and Dominos. OK, so I have been listening to this record since it was put into general release in the early 70's. For well over thirty years that record has been with me - through thick and thin.
I've always wanted to rank the songs, and hey, what is blogging for?
The story of Eric Clapton's passion for his good friend George Harrison's wife Patti Boyd is legendary, and provides much of the grist for the songs on Layla, "Layla" being Clapton's make-believe name for Patti Boyd.
From all I have read over the years Clapton was totally and completely swept up by his (then) unrequited love for Ms. Boyd, and was suffering deeply and greatly. He was a sick dog. But it made for some great songs.
"Layla" is not a polished album. It was recorded more or less live-in-studio, without a whole lot of rehearsal. Thankfully Clapton met and pulled in Duanne Allman before the recordings really got going. Their dual guitars on Layla is the stuff of legend.
Clapton has never been a really great singer, but on Layla his voice is filled with almost a desperate pathos. A few of his vocal duets with Bobby Whitlock are superb, especially on "It's Too Late" and "Little Wing." There's footage on You Tube from a pre-Duanne version of Derek and the Dominos who appeared on the Johnny Cash Show singing "It's Too Late."
This is manly music, but manly in a manner which reveals the deepest passions of the heart and soul. Despite its rugged nature, and the genre, I find it almost symphonic in places.
Hopefully I'll fully annotate this list at some point, but for now here are my favorite tracks, from favorite to least.
And just a few notes....There have been many great versions of Hendrix's "Little Wing." This is the most unique version of all I think. It is magisterial, symphonic, and exquisitely fragile and beautiful all at once. I have no idea how they squeezed all those possibilities into that one song. The guitar solo (or duet) is as good it gets. Speaking of great guitar duets, "Have You Ever Loved a Woman" contains what is for me the greatest electric guitar duet ever. I must have listened to it a thousand times, and it still thrills me....."Bell Bottom Blues," yet another song of unrequited love, was my favorite song on the record for years. It was recorded sans Allman. Clapton spills his guts out in this song... "Do you want to see me crawl across the floor to you?" Check out the lyrics here. They'll make a grown man cry.
I've been jammin' and playing air guitar to "Key to the Highway" since forever. It's one of my favorite car songs - a great song for a long night drive, just played over and over. And I love the way Clapton sings in a lower register the first line, especially the word "key" - "I got the keeeeeeee to the highway....." It's cool.
Finally, just a word about "Layla" itself. I'll admit to having tired of the song at one point, as I think many did, though I do think Clapton's unplugged version gave new life to it. But the original song found it's way back into my heart somewhere along the way. Some of my rockin' friends don't like the long ending. I think it's my favorite part. I love good piano in a rock song, and when I was younger I picked out most of Layla. I somehow never seem to want the song to end.
Well, all for now. Here is my list:
1. Little Wing
2. Have You Ever Loved a Woman
3. Bell Bottom Blues
4. Layla
5. Key to the Highway
6. It’s Too Late
7. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out
8. I Looked Away
9. Thorn Tree
10. Why Does Love Have to Be So Sad
11. I looked Away
12. Anyday
13. Keep on Growing
Walkin' Before Midnight
"I went out walking, before midnight, out in the moonlight just like I used to do"
That was last evening. There was a very bright half moon. Contrails, lit up by the moonlight, streaked from SW to NE. One of them went right through Orion's belt. Looked like a long sword. Very cool.
Late in the afternoon the day before, Wednesday, I went on a walk,ending right at dusk. I wrote about it that night, to post Thursday, but what I wrote didn't seem to fit with the snow!
More signs of season's change. The alder catkins were longer, and more of them were open, or blooming. I didn't have my camera with me, but if you want to see a picture look here. I saw several Silver Maples in bloom. I doubt the snow and cold killed those blooms but we'll see. Tree buds are swelling. Even the dogwood buds seem larger.
Tea Olives are in bloom. The aroma of Tea Olive is my favorite aroma in the world. I don;t know if it's the soil, the weather, or a different variety of tea olive, but the aroma does not quite seem as strong here as in Columbia, but get close enough and it's there. Ahhh.
A large honeysuckle bush was in full bloom and quite aromatic.
Birds were twittering all around in that way they twitter in the Spring when they are busy nest building and mating and such. It's a different twitter than in the summer or fall. Remember, this is an especially good time to feed the birds, since last year's natural supply of berries and seeds is diminishing, and the bugs and new seeds haven't really come out yet.
A huge flock of Robins covered a yard and trees at Regents Park and Beaconwood. Robins usually aren't as energetic as this crowd. These guys were down right rowdy. I made double sure they were Robins and not Thrushes. I have no idea whether they were coming or going, but it felt like a red breasted version of "The Birds" for a few minutes there.
I love the stand of pines as Bass Chapel crosses over lake Jeanette near the club. Most of them are Short Leaf, with a few Loblollies scattered here and there. Makes me feel like home.
More and more small flowers are blooming, especially on the south facing slopes. These small early spring wildflowers are my favorite.
All for now.
That was last evening. There was a very bright half moon. Contrails, lit up by the moonlight, streaked from SW to NE. One of them went right through Orion's belt. Looked like a long sword. Very cool.
Late in the afternoon the day before, Wednesday, I went on a walk,ending right at dusk. I wrote about it that night, to post Thursday, but what I wrote didn't seem to fit with the snow!
More signs of season's change. The alder catkins were longer, and more of them were open, or blooming. I didn't have my camera with me, but if you want to see a picture look here. I saw several Silver Maples in bloom. I doubt the snow and cold killed those blooms but we'll see. Tree buds are swelling. Even the dogwood buds seem larger.
Tea Olives are in bloom. The aroma of Tea Olive is my favorite aroma in the world. I don;t know if it's the soil, the weather, or a different variety of tea olive, but the aroma does not quite seem as strong here as in Columbia, but get close enough and it's there. Ahhh.
A large honeysuckle bush was in full bloom and quite aromatic.
Birds were twittering all around in that way they twitter in the Spring when they are busy nest building and mating and such. It's a different twitter than in the summer or fall. Remember, this is an especially good time to feed the birds, since last year's natural supply of berries and seeds is diminishing, and the bugs and new seeds haven't really come out yet.
A huge flock of Robins covered a yard and trees at Regents Park and Beaconwood. Robins usually aren't as energetic as this crowd. These guys were down right rowdy. I made double sure they were Robins and not Thrushes. I have no idea whether they were coming or going, but it felt like a red breasted version of "The Birds" for a few minutes there.
I love the stand of pines as Bass Chapel crosses over lake Jeanette near the club. Most of them are Short Leaf, with a few Loblollies scattered here and there. Makes me feel like home.
More and more small flowers are blooming, especially on the south facing slopes. These small early spring wildflowers are my favorite.
All for now.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Breaking Trust
Before the United States went into Iraq, a friend and I would often talk about the relative wisdom of what was looking more and more like an invasion. Almost everyone in the world believed that Saddam had WMD's. He had driven the inspectors to hyper frustration. Still, the cold hard data was not there as we considered going in. The decision was made on grounds that seemed somewhat flimsy. I kept saying to my friend, "Bush has to know something we don't. He would not just lead us into a war for no good reason." I don't think that Bush lied, as many do. But he was over eager to see limited data as conclusive, or, those other more nebulous "save the world from evil dictators" ideas ruled the day for him.
At any rate, we found no WMD's, and Bush lost public trust. His leadership has suffered greatly.
President Clinton was a bald faced liar. He lost public trust. His leadership suffered greatly.
Both men's ability to provide effective leadership on a host of issues was compromised.
Government (and government officials) cannot function well without trust. It is crucial. Even the appearance of dishonesty or corruption undermines the people's respect for their government, and the ability of that government to be effective.
But trust is not something you can just lay claim to. It is not automatic. We don't have an entitlement to the trust of others. Trust is one of those things in life that has to be earned. Once trust is betrayed it is extremely difficult to regain it. Ask any man who has said "I am sorry" after having had an affair.
In my view, and in the view of many, the Greensboro City Manger's Office has betrayed trust. It has shown disregard for truth. It has patronized us with his lame and contradictory explanations.It has created the appearance of corruption.
The deal that was apparently struck between the wings of the City Council, in light of the real reasons people are deservedly frustrated with the City manager's office, rings totally hollow to me. I suppose that neither Perkins nor Rakestraw had support for their respective motions, so Barber worked out a deal that the majority could live with. But "lame" as applied to what has been asked of the city manager does an injustice to that word "lame."
In failing to address the actual issues that have caused so much pain and disunity in our community, the City Council has exacerbated the trust issue. It's decision was arrogant in my view because it brushed aside the substantive issues and replaced them with meaningless directives for improvement. It was patronizing and condescending.
I'd like to be able to say, "Those folks spent hours together in a room; they're good people; we can trust them. They must know things we don't know. We have a duty to go along for the ride."
No, we don't. They have further damaged their credibility in a moment it most needed to be upheld.
As I said above trust has to be earned. But there is another aspect to trust. We as human beings are prone in our frailty to many sins. The more open and accountable our lives, the easier we make it for others to trust us. Trust is enhanced by a consistent record of openness, transparency, and acceptance of responsibility. Secrecy kills trust. Again, on this count, the City continues to have a chance to release documents; yet they only own up to even having the documents after somebody else releases them. I simply do not believe that all these documents are bound by some sort of legal mandate to be under wraps "due to an ongoing investigation."
There is no more important role the civil authority provides than protection of its citizens. But because our Police Department is still under the cloud of this scandal, it itself has a trust problem with the public. When we face such an upsurge in gang violence and so many other serious issues, we need a police department that is above reproach. We don't have one because their employers are not above reproach.. Nagging questions remain.
I don't care if the parties running the city or the GPB are Republicans, Democrats, liberals, conservatives, men, women, black, white, Asian, or Hispanic. I don't care at all. I am not prone to conspiracy theories. This has nothing to do with party politics or power politics. I personally have not the slightest thing personally against Mr. Johnson. I don't care what party he is or what his political leanings are. We're dealing here with fundamental issues of honesty, integrity, and honor.
Yes, Mr. Melvin, we do need to move on, but not by continuing to sweep these matters under the rug. I know you have done wonderful things for our city, but you just don't seem to understand that failing to address these trust issues undermines the very goals you have laid out.
I hope that the people who have allowed us to see so much of what has otherwise been denied us will continue to do so.
Since Mary Rakestraw's motion did not get to a vote, I consider it a card that can still be played, as of course is Mr. Perkins' opposing motion.
I have a funny feeling that Hammer and Holder have a stack of documents ready to be released in due time. I hope the City leaders will be forced into openness and candor, even if they cannot bring themselves to provide it.
At any rate, we found no WMD's, and Bush lost public trust. His leadership has suffered greatly.
President Clinton was a bald faced liar. He lost public trust. His leadership suffered greatly.
Both men's ability to provide effective leadership on a host of issues was compromised.
Government (and government officials) cannot function well without trust. It is crucial. Even the appearance of dishonesty or corruption undermines the people's respect for their government, and the ability of that government to be effective.
But trust is not something you can just lay claim to. It is not automatic. We don't have an entitlement to the trust of others. Trust is one of those things in life that has to be earned. Once trust is betrayed it is extremely difficult to regain it. Ask any man who has said "I am sorry" after having had an affair.
In my view, and in the view of many, the Greensboro City Manger's Office has betrayed trust. It has shown disregard for truth. It has patronized us with his lame and contradictory explanations.It has created the appearance of corruption.
The deal that was apparently struck between the wings of the City Council, in light of the real reasons people are deservedly frustrated with the City manager's office, rings totally hollow to me. I suppose that neither Perkins nor Rakestraw had support for their respective motions, so Barber worked out a deal that the majority could live with. But "lame" as applied to what has been asked of the city manager does an injustice to that word "lame."
In failing to address the actual issues that have caused so much pain and disunity in our community, the City Council has exacerbated the trust issue. It's decision was arrogant in my view because it brushed aside the substantive issues and replaced them with meaningless directives for improvement. It was patronizing and condescending.
I'd like to be able to say, "Those folks spent hours together in a room; they're good people; we can trust them. They must know things we don't know. We have a duty to go along for the ride."
No, we don't. They have further damaged their credibility in a moment it most needed to be upheld.
As I said above trust has to be earned. But there is another aspect to trust. We as human beings are prone in our frailty to many sins. The more open and accountable our lives, the easier we make it for others to trust us. Trust is enhanced by a consistent record of openness, transparency, and acceptance of responsibility. Secrecy kills trust. Again, on this count, the City continues to have a chance to release documents; yet they only own up to even having the documents after somebody else releases them. I simply do not believe that all these documents are bound by some sort of legal mandate to be under wraps "due to an ongoing investigation."
There is no more important role the civil authority provides than protection of its citizens. But because our Police Department is still under the cloud of this scandal, it itself has a trust problem with the public. When we face such an upsurge in gang violence and so many other serious issues, we need a police department that is above reproach. We don't have one because their employers are not above reproach.. Nagging questions remain.
I don't care if the parties running the city or the GPB are Republicans, Democrats, liberals, conservatives, men, women, black, white, Asian, or Hispanic. I don't care at all. I am not prone to conspiracy theories. This has nothing to do with party politics or power politics. I personally have not the slightest thing personally against Mr. Johnson. I don't care what party he is or what his political leanings are. We're dealing here with fundamental issues of honesty, integrity, and honor.
Yes, Mr. Melvin, we do need to move on, but not by continuing to sweep these matters under the rug. I know you have done wonderful things for our city, but you just don't seem to understand that failing to address these trust issues undermines the very goals you have laid out.
I hope that the people who have allowed us to see so much of what has otherwise been denied us will continue to do so.
Since Mary Rakestraw's motion did not get to a vote, I consider it a card that can still be played, as of course is Mr. Perkins' opposing motion.
I have a funny feeling that Hammer and Holder have a stack of documents ready to be released in due time. I hope the City leaders will be forced into openness and candor, even if they cannot bring themselves to provide it.
Hey, I Don't Feel Like Jumping Out the Window
I've been listening to Coldplay all day for some odd reason - seems to help me concentrate - and I don't feel a bit suicidal. I don't get it. They always had that effect before.
And would anonymous please quit ragging on Bob Dylan. Say another bad thing about him and I may show up at your doorstep singing Highway 61 Revisited over and over in my very worse Bob Dylan imitation voice. It will drive you crazy.
Oh God said to Abraham, "Kill me a son"
Abe says, "Man, you must be puttin' me on"
God say, "No." Abe say, "What?"
God say, "You can do what you want Abe, but
The next time you see me comin' you better run"
Well Abe says, "Where do you want this killin' done?"
God says, "Out on Highway 61."
Over and over and over and over and over and over....
I'll even bring that little "whooooeeeee" sounding thing. Hah!
And would anonymous please quit ragging on Bob Dylan. Say another bad thing about him and I may show up at your doorstep singing Highway 61 Revisited over and over in my very worse Bob Dylan imitation voice. It will drive you crazy.
Oh God said to Abraham, "Kill me a son"
Abe says, "Man, you must be puttin' me on"
God say, "No." Abe say, "What?"
God say, "You can do what you want Abe, but
The next time you see me comin' you better run"
Well Abe says, "Where do you want this killin' done?"
God says, "Out on Highway 61."
Over and over and over and over and over and over....
I'll even bring that little "whooooeeeee" sounding thing. Hah!
Dear Mary Rakestraw
Dear Mary,
I don't know you. We've never met. But I am glad you're on the City Council.
I have a request to make of you. Don't make that motion tonight that the city fire Mitch Johnson, well, unless you know for certain that you have the votes.
If you do, and if the motion fails to pass, it would be perceived by too many people as poor form to keep bringing that matter up. So just wait.
I don't think the other side has the votes for a motion in Johnson's support. Yes, in this case it is better to to let the issue fester a little while longer.
Reading the News and Record editorial this morning, it looks like the Old Greensboro crowd is pulling together against rabble rousing "outside forces" such as yourself. From reading that editorial it would seem that you and Trudy Wade are country bumpkins, not worthy of the dignified and serene City Council.
You see, before you and Trudy Wade were elected, the City Council operated with strict decorum and mutual respect. There was hardly ever any controversy. It was a love fest. We all remember that, don't we?
But now the floodgates have been opened and the hillbilly's from the county commissioners are flooding in.
Mary, I wish I knew what Margaret Banks thought about the editorial. Have they pulled the plug on her? Just seems strange to me.
Anyway, back to point, don't make the motion. If you do, and if it fails, then it will slow the momentum of those seeking openness and accountability, and will hand a victory to the Old Guard.
Let a few more things come out first.
Sincerely,
Joel
I don't know you. We've never met. But I am glad you're on the City Council.
I have a request to make of you. Don't make that motion tonight that the city fire Mitch Johnson, well, unless you know for certain that you have the votes.
If you do, and if the motion fails to pass, it would be perceived by too many people as poor form to keep bringing that matter up. So just wait.
I don't think the other side has the votes for a motion in Johnson's support. Yes, in this case it is better to to let the issue fester a little while longer.
Reading the News and Record editorial this morning, it looks like the Old Greensboro crowd is pulling together against rabble rousing "outside forces" such as yourself. From reading that editorial it would seem that you and Trudy Wade are country bumpkins, not worthy of the dignified and serene City Council.
You see, before you and Trudy Wade were elected, the City Council operated with strict decorum and mutual respect. There was hardly ever any controversy. It was a love fest. We all remember that, don't we?
But now the floodgates have been opened and the hillbilly's from the county commissioners are flooding in.
Mary, I wish I knew what Margaret Banks thought about the editorial. Have they pulled the plug on her? Just seems strange to me.
Anyway, back to point, don't make the motion. If you do, and if it fails, then it will slow the momentum of those seeking openness and accountability, and will hand a victory to the Old Guard.
Let a few more things come out first.
Sincerely,
Joel
Playing in the Snow
My daughter Heather took this over the holidays at Appalachian Ski Mountain near Boone. she and her friend Becca Angle were in the chair just behind the one pictured. She took this with her little Canon point and shoot. I think it's a super photo. And appropriate to the day today!
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Ten Favorite Albums of the Nineties
I was out walking Wednesday in a Cranberries kind of mood (I have a weakness for Irish Bands), which brought my mind a blog chain a few months back on favorite bands of the 90's, so I thought I would add my own list - looks like what one would expect from a fifty year old guy!
In no particular order...
U2 - Achtung Baby (1991)
Bob Dylan - Time Out of Mind (1997)
Counting Crows - Recovering the Satellites (1996)
Soundtrack City of Angels - (1998)
Tom Petty - Into the Great Wide Open (1991)
The Wallflowers - Bringing Down the House (1997)
Radiohead - OK Computer (1997)
Iris Dement - My Life (1994)
Gin Blossoms - New Miserable Experience (1992)
Sweet Old World - Lucinda Williams (1992)
In no particular order...
U2 - Achtung Baby (1991)
Bob Dylan - Time Out of Mind (1997)
Counting Crows - Recovering the Satellites (1996)
Soundtrack City of Angels - (1998)
Tom Petty - Into the Great Wide Open (1991)
The Wallflowers - Bringing Down the House (1997)
Radiohead - OK Computer (1997)
Iris Dement - My Life (1994)
Gin Blossoms - New Miserable Experience (1992)
Sweet Old World - Lucinda Williams (1992)
No Free Environmental Lunch
Bubba over at Noteworthy wrote yesterday about the recent studies, discussed in the Wall Street Journal, that are making it clear that from a greenhouse gases standpoint the switch to ethanol is not what is often hoped for claimed. The Wall Street Journal article is based on two recent studies released in Science Magazine. NPR, MSNBC, and Forecast Earth have all run with the story as well.
Unfortunately this "revelation" comes after Congress's most recent energy bill. The fact is, people have been talking about this for a long time. It's not rocket science conceptually, just hard to model mathematically.
The prophet Amos wrote: "Woe to you who desire the day of the Lord! Why would you have the day of the Lord? It is darkness, and not light, as if a man fled from a lion, and a bear met him,
or went into the house and leaned his hand against the wall, and a serpent bit him."
We think that we have finally fled Big Oil, only to Find Big Agriculture is there to get us, and just we escape him, we run into Big Environment. The more politicized these important issues are, and the more driven by the hype of climate change doom, the more impacted by moneyed interests, the more likely we are to go from one bad idea to another.
Greenhouse emissions aren't the only concern of course. We also have a national security interest to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Ethanol can help with the latter, a little, eventually.
But do we really want to say goodbye to millions of acres of forest land, with the biodiversity contained therein (as well as the effective carbon storage) and say hello to millions of acres of finely manicured heavily fertilized biological deserts of corn (or even switch cane) fields. I don't.
It is right to be thinking all along about emissions and pollutants on the one hand, and lowering our dependence on non domestic energy on the other. We need to find solutions that serve both ends.
Ethanol gives us a false security that as demand rises supply will rise with it. But perhaps it is better to start thinking about reducing demand through greater efficiency and through sustainable energy sources that don't increase greenhouse gases as much. We have barely begun to invest what we need to invest in solar, wind, geothermal, and tidal energies. We have hardly gotten off the starting gate with regard to approving higher mileage standards for cars and trucks (Oh, did I mention Big Detroit).
And, in my view, we have not gotten serious enough about new nuclear plants. Nuclear is a safer and better option environmentally. Just do a search on "new generation nuclear power" and you will see what I am talking about. Plants are not only much safer, they use different cooling systems, and require less land and water resources. No, we can't run our cars on nuclear energy, but we can replace much domestic oil and coal use by nuclear and thus free up more oil for automobiles and other industries where oil is a key energy source.
But even better still would be fund a vast research and development effort ti find clean sustainable energy sources - like a Marshall Plan for energy. We can do this! Ethanol is not the answer.
And we need to get serious about higher efficiencies for cars, houses, appliances and many other day to day things that need energy. It's hard to change habits. We need incentives to do so.
Joel
Unfortunately this "revelation" comes after Congress's most recent energy bill. The fact is, people have been talking about this for a long time. It's not rocket science conceptually, just hard to model mathematically.
The prophet Amos wrote: "Woe to you who desire the day of the Lord! Why would you have the day of the Lord? It is darkness, and not light, as if a man fled from a lion, and a bear met him,
or went into the house and leaned his hand against the wall, and a serpent bit him."
We think that we have finally fled Big Oil, only to Find Big Agriculture is there to get us, and just we escape him, we run into Big Environment. The more politicized these important issues are, and the more driven by the hype of climate change doom, the more impacted by moneyed interests, the more likely we are to go from one bad idea to another.
Greenhouse emissions aren't the only concern of course. We also have a national security interest to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Ethanol can help with the latter, a little, eventually.
But do we really want to say goodbye to millions of acres of forest land, with the biodiversity contained therein (as well as the effective carbon storage) and say hello to millions of acres of finely manicured heavily fertilized biological deserts of corn (or even switch cane) fields. I don't.
It is right to be thinking all along about emissions and pollutants on the one hand, and lowering our dependence on non domestic energy on the other. We need to find solutions that serve both ends.
Ethanol gives us a false security that as demand rises supply will rise with it. But perhaps it is better to start thinking about reducing demand through greater efficiency and through sustainable energy sources that don't increase greenhouse gases as much. We have barely begun to invest what we need to invest in solar, wind, geothermal, and tidal energies. We have hardly gotten off the starting gate with regard to approving higher mileage standards for cars and trucks (Oh, did I mention Big Detroit).
And, in my view, we have not gotten serious enough about new nuclear plants. Nuclear is a safer and better option environmentally. Just do a search on "new generation nuclear power" and you will see what I am talking about. Plants are not only much safer, they use different cooling systems, and require less land and water resources. No, we can't run our cars on nuclear energy, but we can replace much domestic oil and coal use by nuclear and thus free up more oil for automobiles and other industries where oil is a key energy source.
But even better still would be fund a vast research and development effort ti find clean sustainable energy sources - like a Marshall Plan for energy. We can do this! Ethanol is not the answer.
And we need to get serious about higher efficiencies for cars, houses, appliances and many other day to day things that need energy. It's hard to change habits. We need incentives to do so.
Joel
Can You Help Me Name Our Buildings?
I've taken a few pictures of downtown buildings over the last few months, and would like to name them accurately, but I don't know the names of many of them. Nor do I know much about architecture, so I can't really name the "type" (genre?) of building it is. I also don't know much about the history of when these buildings were built, which would be nice to add.
Really, anything you can think of would be great. Also, some of the buildings are reflected off others. There are a few "jumbled" reflections. If you can name those structures you get bonus points.
If any of you would like to help you can go right to my Flickr site and see that most of the recent pictures are of buildings north of Market. Scroll down a page or two ands there are many buildings south of Market. You can add comments right below each picture, or, you can add comments here on this page.
Go to the set Guilford County and all the building pictures I have so far are there.
I'd love the help as I try to present Greensboro and Guilford County to the world!
Joel
Really, anything you can think of would be great. Also, some of the buildings are reflected off others. There are a few "jumbled" reflections. If you can name those structures you get bonus points.
If any of you would like to help you can go right to my Flickr site and see that most of the recent pictures are of buildings north of Market. Scroll down a page or two ands there are many buildings south of Market. You can add comments right below each picture, or, you can add comments here on this page.
Go to the set Guilford County and all the building pictures I have so far are there.
I'd love the help as I try to present Greensboro and Guilford County to the world!
Joel
Jumbled Reflection Downtown Greensboro
Seems this picture serves as a metaphor for our city government at the moment!Can metaphors be visual? Not sure of the right word here. Art and English majors, help!
Monday, February 11, 2008
Unassisted Triple Play
Something in the paper this morning got me thinking about baseball. Then my daughter wrote to me about a poem she was writing in a poetry class at UNC. She was asking for ideas about a topic. It had to be about a special event. Baseball being on the mind, I reminded her of her unassisted triple play. We reminisced. I think she may write about that.
In all my years of playing, coaching, or watching baseball and softball I have had the privilege of seeing only two unassisted triple plays. Both of them were by my daughters, and if I may be so bold as to say, not by my daughters most gifted in the game.
The first happened with my third daughter Laurel on her 10 and under softball team. She played out of Summerfield, but the "league" was the "NW League" and included teams from Oak Ridge, Brown Summit, Huntsville, Bethany, Colfax, etc. It was mid June, and tournament time. Every year a double elimination tournament ended the season and decided the champion.
Laurel's team had had an OK season. Middle of the pack. Seems Merle Norman was their sponsor. They had lost their first tournament game and were thus playing in the loser's bracket. They were playing Brown Summit, a better team, with a coach pretty much nobody liked because he always argued calls and coddled his players. Laurel's team wasn't supposed to win the game against Brown Summit. My second daughter Heather also played on the team.
I was a merely a parent volunteer who often coached third base.
For some reason Laurel was playing shortstop. I think she mostly played catcher but not in that game. Maybe someone was hurt or on vacation. The game was in Brown Summit. It was a hot summer evening.
In the top of the first inning, BS loaded the bases with their first three batters. So, bases loaded and no outs.
Their clean-up batter hit a rope, a low liner right at Laurel at short. Laurel was playing in, pretty close to the base path.
Laurel had a good eye and good reflexes and caught the ball. Good thing. It would have killed her if she hadn't! One out. As so often happens, runners tend to take off on hard hit liners. That happens even in the big leagues. So the runner from second took off and more or less ran into Laurel just as Laurel caught the ball. Laurel tagged her more by reflex than anything. Two outs.
The runner from third had taken off for home. Before the play was over she would cross the plate, and then run almost all the way back to third.
I was in the stands. I immediately started screaming at the top of my lungs "tag third" "tag third." I'm still hoarse, ten years later!
The other coach saw what was going on and he started yelling for his runner to go back to third. There was a moment's confusion on their side because the girl didn't know she had to re-tag home on the way back. So, the runner is heading back to third. Everybody in the stands on both sides is screaming at this point. Laurel is confused. I don't think she really had a clue at first! But then it was like she awoke, and off to third base she went. The third basemen had no idea what was going on so Laurel had to tag the bag. Laurel got to the bag just before the runner did. She tagged it. Out three. Unassisted triple play. Amazing.
Her team went on to win the game due in no small part to that first inning and a later home run hit by my second daughter Heather. After that the team went on to win the loser's bracket and played for the championship. They lost but it was way way fun.
More briefly, the other unassisted triple play I ever saw "live" was by my second daughter Heather. She was at this time playing in an older age bracket in a game up at Bethany. Heather was also playing short. There was a runner on first and second. The batter hit the ball hard high into the air. At first it seemed to everyone, runner's included, that the ball was long gone. But it got hung up in the wind. Heather drifted over toward second base. She was standing on the bag when she caught the ball and the runner from first ran right into her. Three outs within maybe half a second.
Laurel had done a search for unassisted triple plays on Google. There is an interesting Wikipedia article about them. They are very very rare and usually result from good fortune than great skill. I've seen two, the two described above.
Amazing.
I love baseball (and softball)!
In all my years of playing, coaching, or watching baseball and softball I have had the privilege of seeing only two unassisted triple plays. Both of them were by my daughters, and if I may be so bold as to say, not by my daughters most gifted in the game.
The first happened with my third daughter Laurel on her 10 and under softball team. She played out of Summerfield, but the "league" was the "NW League" and included teams from Oak Ridge, Brown Summit, Huntsville, Bethany, Colfax, etc. It was mid June, and tournament time. Every year a double elimination tournament ended the season and decided the champion.
Laurel's team had had an OK season. Middle of the pack. Seems Merle Norman was their sponsor. They had lost their first tournament game and were thus playing in the loser's bracket. They were playing Brown Summit, a better team, with a coach pretty much nobody liked because he always argued calls and coddled his players. Laurel's team wasn't supposed to win the game against Brown Summit. My second daughter Heather also played on the team.
I was a merely a parent volunteer who often coached third base.
For some reason Laurel was playing shortstop. I think she mostly played catcher but not in that game. Maybe someone was hurt or on vacation. The game was in Brown Summit. It was a hot summer evening.
In the top of the first inning, BS loaded the bases with their first three batters. So, bases loaded and no outs.
Their clean-up batter hit a rope, a low liner right at Laurel at short. Laurel was playing in, pretty close to the base path.
Laurel had a good eye and good reflexes and caught the ball. Good thing. It would have killed her if she hadn't! One out. As so often happens, runners tend to take off on hard hit liners. That happens even in the big leagues. So the runner from second took off and more or less ran into Laurel just as Laurel caught the ball. Laurel tagged her more by reflex than anything. Two outs.
The runner from third had taken off for home. Before the play was over she would cross the plate, and then run almost all the way back to third.
I was in the stands. I immediately started screaming at the top of my lungs "tag third" "tag third." I'm still hoarse, ten years later!
The other coach saw what was going on and he started yelling for his runner to go back to third. There was a moment's confusion on their side because the girl didn't know she had to re-tag home on the way back. So, the runner is heading back to third. Everybody in the stands on both sides is screaming at this point. Laurel is confused. I don't think she really had a clue at first! But then it was like she awoke, and off to third base she went. The third basemen had no idea what was going on so Laurel had to tag the bag. Laurel got to the bag just before the runner did. She tagged it. Out three. Unassisted triple play. Amazing.
Her team went on to win the game due in no small part to that first inning and a later home run hit by my second daughter Heather. After that the team went on to win the loser's bracket and played for the championship. They lost but it was way way fun.
More briefly, the other unassisted triple play I ever saw "live" was by my second daughter Heather. She was at this time playing in an older age bracket in a game up at Bethany. Heather was also playing short. There was a runner on first and second. The batter hit the ball hard high into the air. At first it seemed to everyone, runner's included, that the ball was long gone. But it got hung up in the wind. Heather drifted over toward second base. She was standing on the bag when she caught the ball and the runner from first ran right into her. Three outs within maybe half a second.
Laurel had done a search for unassisted triple plays on Google. There is an interesting Wikipedia article about them. They are very very rare and usually result from good fortune than great skill. I've seen two, the two described above.
Amazing.
I love baseball (and softball)!
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Hovering Heron!
I have always believed that life's richest blessing come to us in unexpected moments. I had three of those moments Sunday. Here's one:
I went out for a walk. On pretty days I prefer to workout outside. Sometimes I run, sometimes I walk, other times I walk/run. I have a four mile route, a five, and a seven.
I took off at about 5;15 for the four mile walk up to the "circle" at Lake Jeanette and Elm Street Extension and back home.
Last evening it was very windy as you know - and a bit nippy. I was on the footbridge across Lake Jeanette, the one further out from town. Now, to set the stage I was walking a I suppose south southeast. The sun was setting south-of-west to my right. The wind was from my right as well, out of the west, or west southwest. I was about 2/3s across the bridge when a great blue heron crossed over the footbridge maybe 30 feet ahead or me and 20 feet high, flying roughly eastward with the wind at his back. I stopped to watch him. I was surprised as he made a long leisurely loop across the larger open water to my left. Gradually he completed his 180 degree turn until he was flying west, right toward me, toward the sun, and against the wind. When he got to where I was standing on the boardwalk, maybe 20 feet above me, his forward motion stopped. He was flapping his very big wings but only just enough to stay stationary relative to me. He just "hovered" there for about thirty seconds, or so it seemed. It was like I was watching "Bird in Flight" at an IMAX movie. His head turned slowly to the right and to the left scanning the water ahead. He completely ignored me. Then he stopped flapping, tucked his wings a little, and glided in a slow downward angle against the wind and off to my right, disappearing beyond the road bridge.
I am guessing that with the sun descending in the west that there was some way in which the light from the descending sun (which he was now facing) gave him an ability to see fish in the water without them seeing him, and he was hovering for that reason - to look for fish. He seemed pretty "purposeful," and I am thinking that this might be a familiar strategy - he gets a fish, he takes off, does another long loop, hovers, and gets another fish, etc. But I don't really know.
It was pure childlike happiness for me. It brought tears to my eyes. I consider it such a privilege whenever I get such a view of such a creature. This heron was beautiful. His legs seems perfectly relaxed. His wing span must have been four to four and a half feet.
Nothing in this world gives me more joy than such unpredicted sightings. I feel so at home outside. The trees, the clouds, the wind, the birds, the wildflowers, the spiders and bugs - these are my friends.
And the animal creatures - the animals are so "other" - there is such a profound mystery in their existence. Of course I believe that we were all made by the same creative mind.
Amidst such turmoil and ugliness of life, good and beauty shines forth still.
I went out for a walk. On pretty days I prefer to workout outside. Sometimes I run, sometimes I walk, other times I walk/run. I have a four mile route, a five, and a seven.
I took off at about 5;15 for the four mile walk up to the "circle" at Lake Jeanette and Elm Street Extension and back home.
Last evening it was very windy as you know - and a bit nippy. I was on the footbridge across Lake Jeanette, the one further out from town. Now, to set the stage I was walking a I suppose south southeast. The sun was setting south-of-west to my right. The wind was from my right as well, out of the west, or west southwest. I was about 2/3s across the bridge when a great blue heron crossed over the footbridge maybe 30 feet ahead or me and 20 feet high, flying roughly eastward with the wind at his back. I stopped to watch him. I was surprised as he made a long leisurely loop across the larger open water to my left. Gradually he completed his 180 degree turn until he was flying west, right toward me, toward the sun, and against the wind. When he got to where I was standing on the boardwalk, maybe 20 feet above me, his forward motion stopped. He was flapping his very big wings but only just enough to stay stationary relative to me. He just "hovered" there for about thirty seconds, or so it seemed. It was like I was watching "Bird in Flight" at an IMAX movie. His head turned slowly to the right and to the left scanning the water ahead. He completely ignored me. Then he stopped flapping, tucked his wings a little, and glided in a slow downward angle against the wind and off to my right, disappearing beyond the road bridge.
I am guessing that with the sun descending in the west that there was some way in which the light from the descending sun (which he was now facing) gave him an ability to see fish in the water without them seeing him, and he was hovering for that reason - to look for fish. He seemed pretty "purposeful," and I am thinking that this might be a familiar strategy - he gets a fish, he takes off, does another long loop, hovers, and gets another fish, etc. But I don't really know.
It was pure childlike happiness for me. It brought tears to my eyes. I consider it such a privilege whenever I get such a view of such a creature. This heron was beautiful. His legs seems perfectly relaxed. His wing span must have been four to four and a half feet.
Nothing in this world gives me more joy than such unpredicted sightings. I feel so at home outside. The trees, the clouds, the wind, the birds, the wildflowers, the spiders and bugs - these are my friends.
And the animal creatures - the animals are so "other" - there is such a profound mystery in their existence. Of course I believe that we were all made by the same creative mind.
Amidst such turmoil and ugliness of life, good and beauty shines forth still.
Saturday, February 09, 2008
N&R, David Wray, SE High
Well, after feeling dirty just getting involved with such a mess as the N&R handling of the SE High MRSA (non)affair, and feeling rather repentant for my denunciations, and even saying I was with the N&R on the "memo" issue, I have managed on a slow Saturday to read the Troublemaker's newest revelations on his site. WOW! You've got to read it if you haven't. What a week! I appreciate all those whose doggedness has helped bring so much important information to light this week. The secrecy is the most troubling, as Roch said somewhere. I hope an avalanche of information now starts to tumble into the public eye, and if people get buried, so be it. The pattern of jumping to conclusions and bringing dreadful harm to the reputation of decent people has to end. Someone has said that the reporting on the David Wary matter is better now. I am glad for that. But whether it is a HUGE issue such as the Homestead/PD/David Wray matter, or a small localized issue as with SE High, there also seem to be deep patterns. Yet still, on the Greensboro Police issue, in all the dark clouds I see a very bright silver lining here - a chance to get a pretty fresh start. Let justice roll down like waters...
And, as my personal poet laureate GM Hopkins has said, despite all the mess we make...
And for all this, nature is never spent;
There lives the dearest freshness deep down things;
And though the last lights off the black West went
Oh, morning, at the brown brink eastward springs--
Because the Holy Ghost over the bent
World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings.
And, as my personal poet laureate GM Hopkins has said, despite all the mess we make...
And for all this, nature is never spent;
There lives the dearest freshness deep down things;
And though the last lights off the black West went
Oh, morning, at the brown brink eastward springs--
Because the Holy Ghost over the bent
World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings.
Spring Is Coming!
Spring
Gerard Manley Hopkins
Nothing is so beautiful as Spring --
When weeds, in wheels, shoot long and lovely and lush
Thrush’s eggs look little low heavens, and thrush
Through the echoing timber does so rinse and wring
The ear, it strikes like lightnings to hear him sing;
The glassy pear tree leaves and blooms, they brush
The descending blue; that blue is all in a rush
With richness; the racing lambs have too far fair their fling.
What is all this juice and all this joy?
A strain of the earth’s sweet being in the beginning
In Eden garden – have, get, before it cloy,
Before it cloud, Christ, lord, and sour with sinning,
Innocent mind and Mayday in girl and boy,
Most, O maid’s child, thy choice and worthy the winning.
Gerard Manley Hopkins
Nothing is so beautiful as Spring --
When weeds, in wheels, shoot long and lovely and lush
Thrush’s eggs look little low heavens, and thrush
Through the echoing timber does so rinse and wring
The ear, it strikes like lightnings to hear him sing;
The glassy pear tree leaves and blooms, they brush
The descending blue; that blue is all in a rush
With richness; the racing lambs have too far fair their fling.
What is all this juice and all this joy?
A strain of the earth’s sweet being in the beginning
In Eden garden – have, get, before it cloy,
Before it cloud, Christ, lord, and sour with sinning,
Innocent mind and Mayday in girl and boy,
Most, O maid’s child, thy choice and worthy the winning.
Hopkins or Woodward - Reflection on a Week of Controversy
It's a beautiful day outside, and I can't wait to go out for a long walk and see what new signs of Spring have erupted all around me. I was very happy the other day to see catkins on the the alder bushes down by Lake Jeanette growing longer and opening up. And then I got to stop and watch two bluebirds working on a nest.
I confess I have an activist and fiery journalist lurking down inside me, but I am more Gerard Manley Hopkins than Bob Woodward. I think I would have been a good lawyer, but I decided when I was twenty that I did not want to spend my life arguing
Sometimes I get riled up, and the journalistic/activistic juices flow. I know when that happens that I am inclined toward hyperbole, and I may end up doing unto someone in the same way he or she has, in my view, unjustly done unto another. There are, to me, real justice issues at stake here, very small town/local as this matter may seem, and I wish to stand on the side of those whose character I believe has been unjustly besmirched. I just can't do my own besmirching in the process.
I have written much this week about the MRSA case at SE High School and how it was reported. When I originally e-mailed John Robinson at the News and Record, he had the reporter give me a call. That call really dismayed me. I believe that journalists need to set a higher bar of "due diligence" when people's good names and reputations are at stake. I feel very passionately about that, and I do strongly believe that in this case there was not proper care taken for the reputation and integrity of some very fine people. I also believe that there was a very very important back story that should have been investigated before claims of such terrible and woeful negligence were made. I know the folks at the N&R think that amounts to letting a story die. I think it just means slowing down the process until one is sure.
I really can't say any more on the subject, which kind of stinks, but in time, the full story will come out and will be available to everyone, and then they can make a judgment. I would ask those who read the N&R articles to withhold judgment until that happens, and it may take a while. Do not let these claims buried in your mind and memory cause you to distrust a highly respected school principal, a 35 year veteran of teaching and long standing coach held in high esteem. A man's reputation can be destroyed by reckless words and personal claims which cannot be refuted due to privacy issues.
As for myself, I want to go back to being GM Hopkins instead of Bob Woodward. That is where my heart lies.
Whereas I do believe that our paper erred, and erred in a way that put a cloud over the names of good and decent people, in my own passion to address the issue I spoke in the way that, well, I can speak when I am juiced up. As I said before, I think the Scriptures call me to guard and protect my neighbor's reputation. And that includes the reputation of John Robinson and Ryan Seals and the others who have worked on or commented on this story. I don't believe that this matter reflects their best work, but I can say that about every third or fourth sermon I deliver.
I am sorry for the hyperbolic language that I used for the reporter, the paper, and for Mr. Robinson. I don't know the reporter, and I don't really know Mr. Robinson, but in my interactions with him to date he has always acted with patience and kindness toward me. I don't like the firebrand version of me.
I really do believe that deeper reflection is needed in journalism as to how better to safeguard the reputation of our neighbors. This bothers me in politics, in radio talk show, on the nightly news - pretty much across the board.
Since I cannot go any further than I have gone anyway with this story due to privacy issues and legal counsel, I will let it rest for now. Residual comments I will deal with as seems best at the time.
I don't want the fact that I have little stomach for public controversy to keep me from writing, so I hope to go back to trying to build up rather than tear down. Well, except I will continue to defend historic orthodox Christianity from ignorant accusations and misinformation, just to keep the playing field level, so to speak.
I say that, and then the memo comes into my mind, and I get fired up again....No, others can handle that matter better than I can, and in that mater I stand with the News and Record over against the city.
In fact, this is where hard driving journalism has its most significant role, in keeping the government honest, or trying to anyway.
All for now.
I confess I have an activist and fiery journalist lurking down inside me, but I am more Gerard Manley Hopkins than Bob Woodward. I think I would have been a good lawyer, but I decided when I was twenty that I did not want to spend my life arguing
Sometimes I get riled up, and the journalistic/activistic juices flow. I know when that happens that I am inclined toward hyperbole, and I may end up doing unto someone in the same way he or she has, in my view, unjustly done unto another. There are, to me, real justice issues at stake here, very small town/local as this matter may seem, and I wish to stand on the side of those whose character I believe has been unjustly besmirched. I just can't do my own besmirching in the process.
I have written much this week about the MRSA case at SE High School and how it was reported. When I originally e-mailed John Robinson at the News and Record, he had the reporter give me a call. That call really dismayed me. I believe that journalists need to set a higher bar of "due diligence" when people's good names and reputations are at stake. I feel very passionately about that, and I do strongly believe that in this case there was not proper care taken for the reputation and integrity of some very fine people. I also believe that there was a very very important back story that should have been investigated before claims of such terrible and woeful negligence were made. I know the folks at the N&R think that amounts to letting a story die. I think it just means slowing down the process until one is sure.
I really can't say any more on the subject, which kind of stinks, but in time, the full story will come out and will be available to everyone, and then they can make a judgment. I would ask those who read the N&R articles to withhold judgment until that happens, and it may take a while. Do not let these claims buried in your mind and memory cause you to distrust a highly respected school principal, a 35 year veteran of teaching and long standing coach held in high esteem. A man's reputation can be destroyed by reckless words and personal claims which cannot be refuted due to privacy issues.
As for myself, I want to go back to being GM Hopkins instead of Bob Woodward. That is where my heart lies.
Whereas I do believe that our paper erred, and erred in a way that put a cloud over the names of good and decent people, in my own passion to address the issue I spoke in the way that, well, I can speak when I am juiced up. As I said before, I think the Scriptures call me to guard and protect my neighbor's reputation. And that includes the reputation of John Robinson and Ryan Seals and the others who have worked on or commented on this story. I don't believe that this matter reflects their best work, but I can say that about every third or fourth sermon I deliver.
I am sorry for the hyperbolic language that I used for the reporter, the paper, and for Mr. Robinson. I don't know the reporter, and I don't really know Mr. Robinson, but in my interactions with him to date he has always acted with patience and kindness toward me. I don't like the firebrand version of me.
I really do believe that deeper reflection is needed in journalism as to how better to safeguard the reputation of our neighbors. This bothers me in politics, in radio talk show, on the nightly news - pretty much across the board.
Since I cannot go any further than I have gone anyway with this story due to privacy issues and legal counsel, I will let it rest for now. Residual comments I will deal with as seems best at the time.
I don't want the fact that I have little stomach for public controversy to keep me from writing, so I hope to go back to trying to build up rather than tear down. Well, except I will continue to defend historic orthodox Christianity from ignorant accusations and misinformation, just to keep the playing field level, so to speak.
I say that, and then the memo comes into my mind, and I get fired up again....No, others can handle that matter better than I can, and in that mater I stand with the News and Record over against the city.
In fact, this is where hard driving journalism has its most significant role, in keeping the government honest, or trying to anyway.
All for now.
Friday, February 08, 2008
Joel Gillespie for President - Presenting My Cabinet
Along with many others I have come to the basic conclusion that the skills needed to win the presidency are very different than those needed to be the president. I wish we had better way of doing this whole election thing.
OK, another thing I believe. I believe that of the people I know, I could spend a few minutes and easily pick five or ten people who would make perfectly good presidents, people who have common sense, wisdom, an ability to work with others, integrity, humility, and a good solid work ethic.
Oops, I may have just ruled myself out. But I'd still like to be President anyway. Well, really, I'd like to organize a nationwide "nobody" vote campaign. Now that would get the politicians attention if nobody voted!
But somebody's got to do it, and I think I would like being President. Having a chief of staff who can just tell me everyday what I need to do, and who would also watch my back, and wake me up for key appointments - that would be way cool. Having people to write speeches would be the bomb. I'm tired of writing speeches (there is an elderly man in our congregation who likes to tell me after a sermon, "good speech!" And getting to meet all those officials from other countries, well, I think I'd be good at that. But I don't have a ranch to take them to, or an island. Hmm. I'd need to figure that out. It would be super to have a cabinet, all these smart people around me to help me figure out what to do. I'd like that.
OK, starting with Chief of Staff, that would have to be my good friend Forrest Tilley. He is well organized, protective, able to manage lots of difficult people, and would keep the office tidy. He is the man.
For the EPA I think I'd go with Jeffrey Sykes - a good writer, passionate environmentalist, and nice guy.
For HHS, or whatever they call it now, Cara Michele maybe. But she might not like all the office work.
For Surgeon General I'd go with Joe Guarino. Actually Joe would be a much better President than me. I could ask him to be the VP in title, and I could just say first day, here Joe, you have the reins, wake me up when you need me. So, if Joe is VP, Maybe Hogg for surgeon general; he has passion about health care issues and understands what it is like for ordinary folks (not that he is merely ordinary) to get health care. He would kick some butt.
For National Security Adviser I'd go with my good friend Sam Gaines. He knows everything about everything. Really, he does. He's amazing.
For Defense Secretary, hmm, maybe Fec Stench. But then, I was thinking it would really spice things up to have a curmudgeon for a Press Secretary. I mean, if I really wanted someone who could talk for half an hour and say nothing I'd just choose myself. Instead, I'm thinking Fec Stench. But he would also be a good Secretary of Defense.
if Fec were Secretary of Defense I think I'd go with Sarah Beth Jones as Press Secretary. She's funny and smart. I would like to hide in the audience in disguise and ask her questions. But if she didn't want that job she could be Secretary of Education.
For CIA director I think I'd go with the Troublemaker. Give that guy the tools down at the CIA building and the sky is the limit as to what he could find out about our enemies, oops, and maybe me....
For FBI Director I am thinking maybe Ed Cone. It's hard to figure out just where to put Ed. But I'd like a guy in a briefing who can just say something like "John Jones has a great take on illegal weapons here." I mean, short, sweet, and to the point. I don't like long meetings.
Poet Laureate? Well, that would have to be Billy Jones for sure.
Secretary of State? I'm thinking my friend Kyle Suggs. He gets along with everybody. Or if he didn't want to do it maybe I could go with Steadman Harrison. He has been almost everywhere in the world already.
Attorney General. Hmmm. I don't know that many lawyers. I need help on that one.
Department of Homeland Security? I'm thinking Mary Rakestraw for some reason.
I think Dr. Johnetta Cole would also be a good Secretary of State or Education Secretary , so maybe I need to go back and start over.
Or not. Being President is hard. I'm tired. Time for a nap.
Joel
OK, another thing I believe. I believe that of the people I know, I could spend a few minutes and easily pick five or ten people who would make perfectly good presidents, people who have common sense, wisdom, an ability to work with others, integrity, humility, and a good solid work ethic.
Oops, I may have just ruled myself out. But I'd still like to be President anyway. Well, really, I'd like to organize a nationwide "nobody" vote campaign. Now that would get the politicians attention if nobody voted!
But somebody's got to do it, and I think I would like being President. Having a chief of staff who can just tell me everyday what I need to do, and who would also watch my back, and wake me up for key appointments - that would be way cool. Having people to write speeches would be the bomb. I'm tired of writing speeches (there is an elderly man in our congregation who likes to tell me after a sermon, "good speech!" And getting to meet all those officials from other countries, well, I think I'd be good at that. But I don't have a ranch to take them to, or an island. Hmm. I'd need to figure that out. It would be super to have a cabinet, all these smart people around me to help me figure out what to do. I'd like that.
OK, starting with Chief of Staff, that would have to be my good friend Forrest Tilley. He is well organized, protective, able to manage lots of difficult people, and would keep the office tidy. He is the man.
For the EPA I think I'd go with Jeffrey Sykes - a good writer, passionate environmentalist, and nice guy.
For HHS, or whatever they call it now, Cara Michele maybe. But she might not like all the office work.
For Surgeon General I'd go with Joe Guarino. Actually Joe would be a much better President than me. I could ask him to be the VP in title, and I could just say first day, here Joe, you have the reins, wake me up when you need me. So, if Joe is VP, Maybe Hogg for surgeon general; he has passion about health care issues and understands what it is like for ordinary folks (not that he is merely ordinary) to get health care. He would kick some butt.
For National Security Adviser I'd go with my good friend Sam Gaines. He knows everything about everything. Really, he does. He's amazing.
For Defense Secretary, hmm, maybe Fec Stench. But then, I was thinking it would really spice things up to have a curmudgeon for a Press Secretary. I mean, if I really wanted someone who could talk for half an hour and say nothing I'd just choose myself. Instead, I'm thinking Fec Stench. But he would also be a good Secretary of Defense.
if Fec were Secretary of Defense I think I'd go with Sarah Beth Jones as Press Secretary. She's funny and smart. I would like to hide in the audience in disguise and ask her questions. But if she didn't want that job she could be Secretary of Education.
For CIA director I think I'd go with the Troublemaker. Give that guy the tools down at the CIA building and the sky is the limit as to what he could find out about our enemies, oops, and maybe me....
For FBI Director I am thinking maybe Ed Cone. It's hard to figure out just where to put Ed. But I'd like a guy in a briefing who can just say something like "John Jones has a great take on illegal weapons here." I mean, short, sweet, and to the point. I don't like long meetings.
Poet Laureate? Well, that would have to be Billy Jones for sure.
Secretary of State? I'm thinking my friend Kyle Suggs. He gets along with everybody. Or if he didn't want to do it maybe I could go with Steadman Harrison. He has been almost everywhere in the world already.
Attorney General. Hmmm. I don't know that many lawyers. I need help on that one.
Department of Homeland Security? I'm thinking Mary Rakestraw for some reason.
I think Dr. Johnetta Cole would also be a good Secretary of State or Education Secretary , so maybe I need to go back and start over.
Or not. Being President is hard. I'm tired. Time for a nap.
Joel
A Question for Greensboro Bloggers
OK, I admit it, I have been pretty much lost as to the David Wray/Black Book issue since it began. I'd like to read A good "David Wray for Dummies" book. I can just see the bright yellow cover.
I have a question for bloggers who have written on this subject before. If you had known about the just released memo two years ago how do you think that would have impacted your take on the whole subject? Maybe your answers would help me understand the whole issue better.
I have a question for bloggers who have written on this subject before. If you had known about the just released memo two years ago how do you think that would have impacted your take on the whole subject? Maybe your answers would help me understand the whole issue better.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Sometimes I Just Expect Better
Over at E. C. Huey for Guilford School Board there is an interesting piece about MRSA-gate, and by that I mean the N&R's cover up of their own pathetic reporting practices. Well, that is not Huey's angle, that's mine. You should read Huey's story, which includes John Robinson's story.
In his piece Huey references and quotes John Robinson, whose own piece is really full of bologna. Robinson says one thing that sends chills down my spine, "I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again. When a reporter calls with questions, tell what you know even if you don’t want to. If you stonewall, you put yourself at the mercy of those who WILL talk to the reporter."
Wow, such power. They must really get off on that. Hey, it may be true. That may be how this world works, but I'm thinking, did I just get transported to China or Iran? Weird.
Contrary to what is claimed by Mr. Robinson, and further commented upon over at Huey's, the school administration does in fact know the appropriate steps to be taken, and they were taken. As to Robinson’s take on the urgency of the story, well, there were two stories, one which should have been released immediately, one which should not have been. That a student at a school has MRSA is a matter of public health and people need to know that. But the question as to whether people at the school had been encouraging the student to wrestle anyway knowing he has a staph infection is a whole different matter. That really needs to be checked out. The original reporter told me that leaving messages late on a Friday amounted to doing “everything” to fact check his story. So, he e-mails or leaves a voice mail late on a Friday and does not hear back by the deadline, and he considers that doing everything? All that needed to be said was that a case of MRSA had been reported. The rest could have waited. The reporter also said to me that he was under pressure to print the story. That interests me.
The wrestler in question wrestles not only at SE but also in a wrestling club in Jamestown. Has anyone looked into that? The same wrestler had been diagnosed with staph a month before and had not been wrestling with SE since then. Had he been wrestling at the other place? I wonder? But anyway, what was the big public health issue on Friday?
Robinson’s comments that doing a better job getting the story amounts to killing the story is ridiculous. You’re talking about ruining a man’s reputation. Give me a break.
And, by the way, the Cox’s have no record of having been contacted by the reporter. Maybe he called them, maybe he didn’t. What number did he call - the school number? Was Coach Cox around? A cell number? A home number? Did he leave a voice mail?
How many voice mails do you get which you do not access or even know about for an hour or two. I get a lot. The Cox’s know of no call. They are truthful people.
By the time Tuesday came around, after the original story, particularly given what had been released Saturday, you bet that folks aren’t going to talk to the reporter. I wouldn't. Besides, the information that school officials potentially have which would vindicate them they can’t release. It’s not only HIPAA laws it’s valid local GCS regulations about releasing information about students. But by Tuesday it was too late for that.
This story on Saturday had nothing whatsoever - not even the slightest little thing - to do with keeping this from turning into some nightmare. The kid hadn’t wrestled for the school for a month. What nightmare was avoided? The school would not let a kid who had not wrestled for a month wrestle? So, where is the big news in that?
Is anybody other than me curious that the same kid was back in school Tuesday? It’s a sidebar, but I am curious.
In other words, there was nothing happening or going to happen that was kept from happening by the Saturday story. A boy who was not wrestling anyway continued not to be able to wrestle. Wow. That’s big news.
The public has a right to know the real story, and that is the motive behind the parent’s anger at the coaches. This story is the same old story - a parent mad at a coach because his little boy isn’t playing enough or whatever. Been there. Done that. It will all come out, in time.
In his piece Huey references and quotes John Robinson, whose own piece is really full of bologna. Robinson says one thing that sends chills down my spine, "I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again. When a reporter calls with questions, tell what you know even if you don’t want to. If you stonewall, you put yourself at the mercy of those who WILL talk to the reporter."
Wow, such power. They must really get off on that. Hey, it may be true. That may be how this world works, but I'm thinking, did I just get transported to China or Iran? Weird.
Contrary to what is claimed by Mr. Robinson, and further commented upon over at Huey's, the school administration does in fact know the appropriate steps to be taken, and they were taken. As to Robinson’s take on the urgency of the story, well, there were two stories, one which should have been released immediately, one which should not have been. That a student at a school has MRSA is a matter of public health and people need to know that. But the question as to whether people at the school had been encouraging the student to wrestle anyway knowing he has a staph infection is a whole different matter. That really needs to be checked out. The original reporter told me that leaving messages late on a Friday amounted to doing “everything” to fact check his story. So, he e-mails or leaves a voice mail late on a Friday and does not hear back by the deadline, and he considers that doing everything? All that needed to be said was that a case of MRSA had been reported. The rest could have waited. The reporter also said to me that he was under pressure to print the story. That interests me.
The wrestler in question wrestles not only at SE but also in a wrestling club in Jamestown. Has anyone looked into that? The same wrestler had been diagnosed with staph a month before and had not been wrestling with SE since then. Had he been wrestling at the other place? I wonder? But anyway, what was the big public health issue on Friday?
Robinson’s comments that doing a better job getting the story amounts to killing the story is ridiculous. You’re talking about ruining a man’s reputation. Give me a break.
And, by the way, the Cox’s have no record of having been contacted by the reporter. Maybe he called them, maybe he didn’t. What number did he call - the school number? Was Coach Cox around? A cell number? A home number? Did he leave a voice mail?
How many voice mails do you get which you do not access or even know about for an hour or two. I get a lot. The Cox’s know of no call. They are truthful people.
By the time Tuesday came around, after the original story, particularly given what had been released Saturday, you bet that folks aren’t going to talk to the reporter. I wouldn't. Besides, the information that school officials potentially have which would vindicate them they can’t release. It’s not only HIPAA laws it’s valid local GCS regulations about releasing information about students. But by Tuesday it was too late for that.
This story on Saturday had nothing whatsoever - not even the slightest little thing - to do with keeping this from turning into some nightmare. The kid hadn’t wrestled for the school for a month. What nightmare was avoided? The school would not let a kid who had not wrestled for a month wrestle? So, where is the big news in that?
Is anybody other than me curious that the same kid was back in school Tuesday? It’s a sidebar, but I am curious.
In other words, there was nothing happening or going to happen that was kept from happening by the Saturday story. A boy who was not wrestling anyway continued not to be able to wrestle. Wow. That’s big news.
The public has a right to know the real story, and that is the motive behind the parent’s anger at the coaches. This story is the same old story - a parent mad at a coach because his little boy isn’t playing enough or whatever. Been there. Done that. It will all come out, in time.
News and Record Blows It Again - Again
After an initial pathetic excuse for journalism in last Saturday's paper regarding SE High School's wrestling program and MRSA, followed by an even more provocative piece by a second reporter Tuesday, which just added to the appearance of a vast cover up, the News and Record followed with a more positive article Wednesday where pieces of a statement made by the principle were referenced, along with other positive comments regarding the coaches and the wrestling program. So, things were going in the right direction. Then the two families that started the whole mess went to News 2, who ran two stories on the same issue also without doing any better a job of due diligence. Oddly, their online piece was pulled mid morning Wednesday. I wonder why?
I understand that News 2 ran a more balanced piece today. Someone told me that. I missed it.
Then today the News and Record ran a kind of philosophical editorial about how MRSA laws and practices are just so terribly confusing. They should have run an editorial about how their reporter had been so irresponsible. They didn't. Shame on you N&R. You blew it. You messed up. I think you know it. Just say so.
Actually the regulations about MRSA are spelled out on the GCS web site and they really aren't very confusing. The N&R seems confused about different rules regarding school attendance as compared to athletic participation. Duh. Is this hard to understand? Maybe it has something to do with the fact the wrestlers are engaged in serious bodily contact while wrestling, and that bandages can come off the sweaty body of a wrestler during a match.
This isn't rocket science.
And for those who want "the facts," well, the school district cannot release the facts regarding student medical issues. They can't tell you if a student has or doesn't have some disease. Neither can the principal or the coach. There are federal laws and local regulations that are designed to protect the privacy of students. I'm glad those laws are there.
Now, if I were a journalist there are a few questions I would like answered. Why did the N&R reporter tell me on the phone that he had been under pressure to release the story for the Saturday morning paper, even though he had not yet talked to key people involved? Pressure from whom? Why?
Is it true as has been asserted (but not reported) that one of the students involved said several days before the article was released that an article was going to be released? If that is true then it makes it look like the N&R had much of the week to do their due diligence and did not. It may not be true. I'd like to know. Wouldn't you? What did the N&R know, and when did they they know it? (or think they knew it!)
Is it true that the student who was diagnosed with MRSA Thursday was back in school Tuesday? I understand that that is true. So, does he have MRSA? Does he not? I'd like to know. Was he cured? Was there a false positive Thursday? Has he been cleared to wrestle as well as to attend school? There is no way to find out, at least for me. Normally I would say this is nobody's business, except that the News and Record article has defamed the integrity of a coach and a school as regards this student. So, one is curious. I am.
Another question I have is this. In the first article about this matter on Saturday Feb 2, it says: "Doctors diagnosed the MRSA infection Thursday night in Tyler Rush, a 16-year-old sophomore on the Southeast wrestling team, his mother, Sheila Rush, said Friday." But MRSA takes 48 hours to culture. Did the family get a culture back on Thursday from an earlier doctor visit? You cannot diagnose MRSA on the spot. The time line is confusing to me. It makes me wonder.
While I am at it. MRSA is not Ebola. Is not TB. It is serious and can be fatal if untreated like many other bacterial infections such as Haemophilus or Strep B. But MRSA is not considered a communicable disease per se. It cannot be spread in the air. It can't be spread at a water fountain. It can be spread only by skin to skin contact. As far as regular life goes, a good bandage is sufficient. The school's regulations make perfect sense.
It's time for the News and Record to issue a public apology to the principal and coaches at SE High, instead of some philosophical refection about how confusing this all is. That sounds like an excuse or rationalization for poor journalism to me.
As a Christian I believe that in the end my reputation is in God's hands. I cannot control what others say about me no matter how ridiculous. So there is a limit as to how passionately I should care about my own reputation. But I am called to care a lot - a whole lot - about my neighbor's reputation.
The ninth commandment says that we are not to bear false witness against our neighbor. The flip side of this is that we are to work to uphold the integrity of our neighbor's reputation. It takes a lifetime to build a good name. It can be taken away in a moment. This is serious business.
Journalists need to consider this more before they besmurch the good name and reputation of a committed local teacher, coach, athletic director, and principal, and start printing unfounded allegations brought by a third party.
I am waiting for that apology.
I understand that News 2 ran a more balanced piece today. Someone told me that. I missed it.
Then today the News and Record ran a kind of philosophical editorial about how MRSA laws and practices are just so terribly confusing. They should have run an editorial about how their reporter had been so irresponsible. They didn't. Shame on you N&R. You blew it. You messed up. I think you know it. Just say so.
Actually the regulations about MRSA are spelled out on the GCS web site and they really aren't very confusing. The N&R seems confused about different rules regarding school attendance as compared to athletic participation. Duh. Is this hard to understand? Maybe it has something to do with the fact the wrestlers are engaged in serious bodily contact while wrestling, and that bandages can come off the sweaty body of a wrestler during a match.
This isn't rocket science.
And for those who want "the facts," well, the school district cannot release the facts regarding student medical issues. They can't tell you if a student has or doesn't have some disease. Neither can the principal or the coach. There are federal laws and local regulations that are designed to protect the privacy of students. I'm glad those laws are there.
Now, if I were a journalist there are a few questions I would like answered. Why did the N&R reporter tell me on the phone that he had been under pressure to release the story for the Saturday morning paper, even though he had not yet talked to key people involved? Pressure from whom? Why?
Is it true as has been asserted (but not reported) that one of the students involved said several days before the article was released that an article was going to be released? If that is true then it makes it look like the N&R had much of the week to do their due diligence and did not. It may not be true. I'd like to know. Wouldn't you? What did the N&R know, and when did they they know it? (or think they knew it!)
Is it true that the student who was diagnosed with MRSA Thursday was back in school Tuesday? I understand that that is true. So, does he have MRSA? Does he not? I'd like to know. Was he cured? Was there a false positive Thursday? Has he been cleared to wrestle as well as to attend school? There is no way to find out, at least for me. Normally I would say this is nobody's business, except that the News and Record article has defamed the integrity of a coach and a school as regards this student. So, one is curious. I am.
Another question I have is this. In the first article about this matter on Saturday Feb 2, it says: "Doctors diagnosed the MRSA infection Thursday night in Tyler Rush, a 16-year-old sophomore on the Southeast wrestling team, his mother, Sheila Rush, said Friday." But MRSA takes 48 hours to culture. Did the family get a culture back on Thursday from an earlier doctor visit? You cannot diagnose MRSA on the spot. The time line is confusing to me. It makes me wonder.
While I am at it. MRSA is not Ebola. Is not TB. It is serious and can be fatal if untreated like many other bacterial infections such as Haemophilus or Strep B. But MRSA is not considered a communicable disease per se. It cannot be spread in the air. It can't be spread at a water fountain. It can be spread only by skin to skin contact. As far as regular life goes, a good bandage is sufficient. The school's regulations make perfect sense.
It's time for the News and Record to issue a public apology to the principal and coaches at SE High, instead of some philosophical refection about how confusing this all is. That sounds like an excuse or rationalization for poor journalism to me.
As a Christian I believe that in the end my reputation is in God's hands. I cannot control what others say about me no matter how ridiculous. So there is a limit as to how passionately I should care about my own reputation. But I am called to care a lot - a whole lot - about my neighbor's reputation.
The ninth commandment says that we are not to bear false witness against our neighbor. The flip side of this is that we are to work to uphold the integrity of our neighbor's reputation. It takes a lifetime to build a good name. It can be taken away in a moment. This is serious business.
Journalists need to consider this more before they besmurch the good name and reputation of a committed local teacher, coach, athletic director, and principal, and start printing unfounded allegations brought by a third party.
I am waiting for that apology.
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
The News and Record Blows It - Again
After printing a defamatory article regarding a local coach and local high school on Saturday morning without having done due diligence in checking the facts first, the News and Record had an opportunity to make things right. But they didn't. They made things worse still.
The headline today (in the online version of the article anyway) reads: "Coach declines to respond to charge he ignored staph."
The staff writer, Robert Bell, chose to sensationalize the matter even more by framing a headline, and a story, around the appearance of stonewalling and further cover up. In other words, the follow up creates the appearance that the parties that should have been thoroughly interviewed in the first place are now stone walling the media, hiding behind their lawyers, or whatever.
The back story remains unreported. The back story in this case is absolutely key. I think that it is the common experience of most people involved in sports that there is always drama on the fringes. One parent has it out for a coach for whatever reason, talks to other people who are unhappy for whatever reason, and soon enough gossip is flying around like nobody’s business. This is true in recreation league sports. It is true in school sports. There is always some kind of drama and some kind of backbiting behind the scenes. It’s amazing anyone agrees to coach anything.
A cautious and thorough investigation would have revealed all this, but it is too late now.There are two problems that make getting to the truth at this point very difficult.
First, now that the original story has been printed, and accusations have been made, the issue potentially has become a legal one. If what was printed Saturday were true, the coaches and principals could be victims of lawsuits, civil or criminal, or, they could be forced into a position to file lawsuits.
Second and trickier still, the only way to refute the charges in an unambiguous manner is to present detailed medical information regarding the various students. But that would be a direct violation of federal HIPAA laws.
Let’s imagine that a women suffering from paranoid schizophrenia with delusional issues calls the paper and says that on Thursday at 2:00pm I sexually assaulted her in my office. Let’s say that on Thursday at 2:00pm there was no one in my office but me. Let’s say that the paper calls me and leaves me a voice mail, and I don’t return the call before print deadline. So they run an article about how a local woman claims to have been sexually assaulted by a pastor in his office. Even if I had gotten the voice mail and returned the call I would not be able to talk about the person’s medical history. I could only say it didn’t happen. I could not verify that it didn’t happen because we don’t have cameras up in our office (maybe we should). My reputation would be in the toilet. People are ready to believe almost any kind of sordid news story. Once the story was out I would be in touch with a lawyer and I would not be saying anything else. I have no idea what would happen to me.
The News and Record has let itself get caught up in a personal vendetta. I am not meaning to imply that the parties are mentally ill. I simply needed to illustrate how something like this could play out in my situation. The comparison has to do with personal medical information and it is handled. Whatever medical diagnoses these students had, and when they had them, well, the coaches cannot tell that to the paper. It is against the law.
By letting itself get caught up in a personal grudge the News and Record has soiled the reputation of a good man and good coach, and called into question the commitment of a school and school system to student and public health. It all seems more fitting for the National Inquirer than our local paper.
The school principle (who is also an extremely good man with the highest personal integrity) and the wrestling coach of SE High have submitted a joint statement to the media relations folks at Guilford County Schools. As far as I understand things, that will have to do for now.
It remains the case that there is no basis for any of the claims that have been made.
An overwhelming percentage of parents and students who are involved in the program at SE High and who are more than aware of the standard practices to protect student and public safety, and who know the character of the coaches and principal at SE High, will have a chance to speak their mind. But as a media issue, because the News and Record jumped the gun, the detailed facts of the case will not be able to be brought to the public eye.
I am extremely disappointed in the quality of reporting of our local paper as revealed by this whole business. It seems that truth is quite secondary to sensationalism. That disturbs me. I am not going to cancel my subscription because I like the Sudoku puzzles too much, but I will take a more cynical posture toward anything I read henceforth. You should too.
The headline today (in the online version of the article anyway) reads: "Coach declines to respond to charge he ignored staph."
The staff writer, Robert Bell, chose to sensationalize the matter even more by framing a headline, and a story, around the appearance of stonewalling and further cover up. In other words, the follow up creates the appearance that the parties that should have been thoroughly interviewed in the first place are now stone walling the media, hiding behind their lawyers, or whatever.
The back story remains unreported. The back story in this case is absolutely key. I think that it is the common experience of most people involved in sports that there is always drama on the fringes. One parent has it out for a coach for whatever reason, talks to other people who are unhappy for whatever reason, and soon enough gossip is flying around like nobody’s business. This is true in recreation league sports. It is true in school sports. There is always some kind of drama and some kind of backbiting behind the scenes. It’s amazing anyone agrees to coach anything.
A cautious and thorough investigation would have revealed all this, but it is too late now.There are two problems that make getting to the truth at this point very difficult.
First, now that the original story has been printed, and accusations have been made, the issue potentially has become a legal one. If what was printed Saturday were true, the coaches and principals could be victims of lawsuits, civil or criminal, or, they could be forced into a position to file lawsuits.
Second and trickier still, the only way to refute the charges in an unambiguous manner is to present detailed medical information regarding the various students. But that would be a direct violation of federal HIPAA laws.
Let’s imagine that a women suffering from paranoid schizophrenia with delusional issues calls the paper and says that on Thursday at 2:00pm I sexually assaulted her in my office. Let’s say that on Thursday at 2:00pm there was no one in my office but me. Let’s say that the paper calls me and leaves me a voice mail, and I don’t return the call before print deadline. So they run an article about how a local woman claims to have been sexually assaulted by a pastor in his office. Even if I had gotten the voice mail and returned the call I would not be able to talk about the person’s medical history. I could only say it didn’t happen. I could not verify that it didn’t happen because we don’t have cameras up in our office (maybe we should). My reputation would be in the toilet. People are ready to believe almost any kind of sordid news story. Once the story was out I would be in touch with a lawyer and I would not be saying anything else. I have no idea what would happen to me.
The News and Record has let itself get caught up in a personal vendetta. I am not meaning to imply that the parties are mentally ill. I simply needed to illustrate how something like this could play out in my situation. The comparison has to do with personal medical information and it is handled. Whatever medical diagnoses these students had, and when they had them, well, the coaches cannot tell that to the paper. It is against the law.
By letting itself get caught up in a personal grudge the News and Record has soiled the reputation of a good man and good coach, and called into question the commitment of a school and school system to student and public health. It all seems more fitting for the National Inquirer than our local paper.
The school principle (who is also an extremely good man with the highest personal integrity) and the wrestling coach of SE High have submitted a joint statement to the media relations folks at Guilford County Schools. As far as I understand things, that will have to do for now.
It remains the case that there is no basis for any of the claims that have been made.
An overwhelming percentage of parents and students who are involved in the program at SE High and who are more than aware of the standard practices to protect student and public safety, and who know the character of the coaches and principal at SE High, will have a chance to speak their mind. But as a media issue, because the News and Record jumped the gun, the detailed facts of the case will not be able to be brought to the public eye.
I am extremely disappointed in the quality of reporting of our local paper as revealed by this whole business. It seems that truth is quite secondary to sensationalism. That disturbs me. I am not going to cancel my subscription because I like the Sudoku puzzles too much, but I will take a more cynical posture toward anything I read henceforth. You should too.
Monday, February 04, 2008
I Love February and March
I went on a long walk today. I love this time of year, so pregnant with possibility. It's a busy time outside. Despite the cold of January past, as days continue to lengthen, and as temperatures become a little more mild, life seems to start to break out all over. Have you noticed the tufts of wild onions are popping up in people's lawns. I saw a few dandelions in bloom today, as well as favorite common Spring wildflower Lamium, that purple flower that shoots up with a tuft of beautiful blue/purple flowers in a whorl around the stem.
I saw a blue bird pair building a nest while on my walk, and a bunch of crows squawking and chasing a hawk. Tree buds seem slightly swollen. Buds are fascinating.
This can be a hard time for birds that gather seed and berries, as well as those who feed on insects. Food sources are in short supply. It's a good time to "feed the birds, tuppence a bag."
Take a walk, take a break, and open you eyes and ears to all that is around you.
I saw a blue bird pair building a nest while on my walk, and a bunch of crows squawking and chasing a hawk. Tree buds seem slightly swollen. Buds are fascinating.
This can be a hard time for birds that gather seed and berries, as well as those who feed on insects. Food sources are in short supply. It's a good time to "feed the birds, tuppence a bag."
Take a walk, take a break, and open you eyes and ears to all that is around you.
The News and Record Blows It
You know, you wish and hope, do you not, that when you open up your paper on a Saturday morning (or any other morning) that what is reported by a local reporter has some connection to the truth. But after this weekend, and a phone conversation I just had with a reporter, I no longer can believe that that is the case.
I just got off the phone with a reporter from the News and Record named Ryan Seals who authored an article printed Saturday morning about a "cover up" of MRSA (that nasty staph infection going around) by the wrestling coaches at SE High school. Yes, it is true, one of the students on the wrestling team had been diagnosed with MRSA. The public needs to know that. But the rest of the story, the whole "cover up" theme, was not time sensitive and needed to be checked out first - and I mean really checked out. I tried to to make a point with Mr. Seals that he had not done due diligence in corroborating his story, especially when the integrity of multiple people was at stake, and especially still when dealing with a public health matter as serious as MRSA. He kept insisting that he had done everything he could reasonably do to fact-check for his article. He believes he did. But he didn't come close. And that is scary to me.
I am sitting here astounded, flabbergasted, flummoxed, by the sheer immaturity and naivite of this young reporter. He alluded to pressure on him to get the story out. Hmmm. I'd like to know more about that.
So, the gist is that a complaint has been made by a couple of sets of parents regarding the coaches at SE High School. There is a significant and ongoing back-story about these families and their relationship to the coaching staff at SE High which bears directly upon the charges being made.
So, highly inflammatory charges are made by a person calling the paper regarding another person and the reporter believes that calling a few people late on a Friday afternoon and leaving messages which are not returned before the deadline amounts to doing "everything that could be done" to verify the story.
Does he have any concept of the work cycle of teachers and school employees? Does he have any concept of real life? How many people to whom you send an e-mail or leave a voice mail call you back immediately? So Mr. Seals calls and leaves messages (of which some of the parties have no record) and he believes he has done due diligence? Is this the journalistic standard of the News and Record? Or do they enjoy ruining people's lives as a hobby?
The basic charge in the article is that the coaches at SE were telling students with MRSA to cover up their sores and to wrestle anyway. But this does not make any sense. Students cannot wrestle with bandages without the referee checking what's under the bandage. There is no evidence whatsoever that the coach said any such thing. It makes no sense for him to say such a thing. To do so would not only be a breach of every kind of ethics, but criminal negligence, or worse. But again, wrestling matches do not work in such a way that that is how a sore would be covered up anyway. It is totally ridiculous. If a coach wanted to fool a referee he would have his wrestler take off bandages and hope the referee did not see any blemishes.
The coach, Mr. Jim Cox, is a long standing public servant who has taught for over thirty years, and coached wrestling for the better part of his career. His son works with him at the school as well. They follow a strict guideline - if anyone has a blemish, as much as a zit - they are given a form and cannot wrestle until a doctor has seen the blemish. This is standard procedure and has been followed faithfully at SE and probably every other school in the county. There is no evidence that such procedures were set aside.
What really gets my goat is the flimsy and cavalier attitude regarding the facts in a story that could ruin a reputation and a career as well as cause widespread lack of confidence in our school system, all because of a personal grudge carried by a member of the community against another. The paper ought to have the ability to know the context of such charges before running with them.
I am further bothered because I have known and been associated one way or another with many different coaches in different sports over the course of the last several years as my daughters have been actively involved in sports at NW High School. The folks that coach sports work long hours for very little extra pay, if any, and deserve the benefit of the doubt, which means a real attempt to check facts, and not a witch hunt like this.
I know this goes out late on a Monday. In my case I have actually talked on the phone to the primary subject of this blog piece. I wouldn't think of writing a story about him without so doing - no matter what pressure I was getting.
I will write more tomorrow, after the News and Record's follow up story. I hope this won't be a N&R cover up of a bad story. Be ready reporters. I am going to be all over you on this.
Oh, and I have a new lead. I am told that students spoke as far back as last Tuesday about an article to come out in the paper. I really hope that is not true. Don't you Mr. Seals?
I just got off the phone with a reporter from the News and Record named Ryan Seals who authored an article printed Saturday morning about a "cover up" of MRSA (that nasty staph infection going around) by the wrestling coaches at SE High school. Yes, it is true, one of the students on the wrestling team had been diagnosed with MRSA. The public needs to know that. But the rest of the story, the whole "cover up" theme, was not time sensitive and needed to be checked out first - and I mean really checked out. I tried to to make a point with Mr. Seals that he had not done due diligence in corroborating his story, especially when the integrity of multiple people was at stake, and especially still when dealing with a public health matter as serious as MRSA. He kept insisting that he had done everything he could reasonably do to fact-check for his article. He believes he did. But he didn't come close. And that is scary to me.
I am sitting here astounded, flabbergasted, flummoxed, by the sheer immaturity and naivite of this young reporter. He alluded to pressure on him to get the story out. Hmmm. I'd like to know more about that.
So, the gist is that a complaint has been made by a couple of sets of parents regarding the coaches at SE High School. There is a significant and ongoing back-story about these families and their relationship to the coaching staff at SE High which bears directly upon the charges being made.
So, highly inflammatory charges are made by a person calling the paper regarding another person and the reporter believes that calling a few people late on a Friday afternoon and leaving messages which are not returned before the deadline amounts to doing "everything that could be done" to verify the story.
Does he have any concept of the work cycle of teachers and school employees? Does he have any concept of real life? How many people to whom you send an e-mail or leave a voice mail call you back immediately? So Mr. Seals calls and leaves messages (of which some of the parties have no record) and he believes he has done due diligence? Is this the journalistic standard of the News and Record? Or do they enjoy ruining people's lives as a hobby?
The basic charge in the article is that the coaches at SE were telling students with MRSA to cover up their sores and to wrestle anyway. But this does not make any sense. Students cannot wrestle with bandages without the referee checking what's under the bandage. There is no evidence whatsoever that the coach said any such thing. It makes no sense for him to say such a thing. To do so would not only be a breach of every kind of ethics, but criminal negligence, or worse. But again, wrestling matches do not work in such a way that that is how a sore would be covered up anyway. It is totally ridiculous. If a coach wanted to fool a referee he would have his wrestler take off bandages and hope the referee did not see any blemishes.
The coach, Mr. Jim Cox, is a long standing public servant who has taught for over thirty years, and coached wrestling for the better part of his career. His son works with him at the school as well. They follow a strict guideline - if anyone has a blemish, as much as a zit - they are given a form and cannot wrestle until a doctor has seen the blemish. This is standard procedure and has been followed faithfully at SE and probably every other school in the county. There is no evidence that such procedures were set aside.
What really gets my goat is the flimsy and cavalier attitude regarding the facts in a story that could ruin a reputation and a career as well as cause widespread lack of confidence in our school system, all because of a personal grudge carried by a member of the community against another. The paper ought to have the ability to know the context of such charges before running with them.
I am further bothered because I have known and been associated one way or another with many different coaches in different sports over the course of the last several years as my daughters have been actively involved in sports at NW High School. The folks that coach sports work long hours for very little extra pay, if any, and deserve the benefit of the doubt, which means a real attempt to check facts, and not a witch hunt like this.
I know this goes out late on a Monday. In my case I have actually talked on the phone to the primary subject of this blog piece. I wouldn't think of writing a story about him without so doing - no matter what pressure I was getting.
I will write more tomorrow, after the News and Record's follow up story. I hope this won't be a N&R cover up of a bad story. Be ready reporters. I am going to be all over you on this.
Oh, and I have a new lead. I am told that students spoke as far back as last Tuesday about an article to come out in the paper. I really hope that is not true. Don't you Mr. Seals?
Best Play Ever
Forget "The Catch." Forget "The Immaculate Reception." Last night's fourth quarter pass and catch between Eli Manning and David Tyree ranks as the single most amazing, game-changing, unlikely, and fantastic play I have witnessed in 40 years of watching professional football. I mean, Manning should have gone down. It should have been a sack. But he pulled away from grasping and tugging arms, swung out of the pocket to throw an off balance 30 yard pass to David Tyree, who at full extension and with a Patriot defender all over him, caught the ball with the tips of his fingers, trapped it against his helmet, and then pulled it into his arms as he fell backwards, his body bent back over the defender underneath him. It was simply amazing, the stuff of which football legends are made. I suppose we will get to enjoy it in "best of" football stories for the rest of my life. I feel for New England, the perfect season thing gone, but I was a rootin' for the Giants and Eli. What a game!
Thursday, January 31, 2008
For Real, Is John McCain Eligible?
I know others have written about this, but...
Article II, Section I, Clause 5 of the Constitution does state: “No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the same time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.”
John McCain was born in 1936 to American parents stationed at the Coco Solo air Base, an American base in the Panama Canal Zone. Wikipedia calls it an "air" base in one place and a "submarine" base in another place. Was it a navy air base? At any rate, the base was inside of the Panama Canal Zone. As best as I can understand the Panama Canal Zone was never considered to be American soil, and was always a kind of rented property in the nation of Panama itself run by the Panama Canal Company.
So, McCain was born on an American military base in the Panama Canal Zone. Has there ever been a court decision or legislative act that says directly that American military bases are American soil as pertains to matters or citizenship? Yes, children born to American parents on a US military base are citizens, but that is only one part of the total picture. Are children of non citizens born on military bases considered citizens? If a pregnant person who is a citizen of another country were to be visiting a friend on an American military base, and if she were to go into emergency labor, and have a child on the base, would that child be an American citizen? If not then American bases are not the same as American soil as pertains to citizenship.
But citizenship per se is not the question here.
The Naturalization Act of 1790 addresses the question of who exactly is a citizen. Unfortunately the act rules includes racial restrictions, restrictions which have finally been eliminated over time. But the part of that act germane to the question of John McCain is the part that involves citizenship for Americans born "abroad." As the Act states, "the children of citizens of the United States that may be born beyond Sea, or out of the limits of the United States, shall be considered as natural born Citizens." This Act was replaced by The Naturalization Act of 1795, but the provision quoted above was not changed, including the phrase "natural born citizen." The Act determined that children of Americans born abroad were Americans, but this not necessarily make them eligible to be president.
The Fourteenth Amendment also has language regarding citizenship, but does not speak directly to John McCain's situation. It says, "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside."
There have been a couple of court cases which touch on the issue tangentially, but never one which has addressed the matter directly. It seems that according to the wording of the Article II, Section I, Clause 5 of the Constitution that John McCain may not be eligible. An "Act" such as the Naturalization Act of 1790 does not carry the authority of a constitutional amendment, does it? I am not a lawyer obviously.
Mitt Romney's father George Romney, who ran for the Republican nomination for President in 1968 (losing to Richard Nixon) was born in Mexico. I am not aware of his eligibility having been challenged.
So, it seems to me that John McCain's status is questionable. I don't think it should be, but I think that it is. I wonder if anyone has a plan to go to court over his eligibility if he wins the nomination? It would be scummy thing to do but who knows?
This interests and concerns me because I was highly involved in the candidacy of Charles "Pug" Ravenel for Governor of SC in 1974. He won the Democratic nomination only to be ruled ineligible later by the state supreme court by virtue of not meeting a residency requirement. Though he had lived out of state he had kept property in SC and considered it his home state. It was his Democratic opponents that did him in. The Democratic Party did not recover and the Republican candidate won the nomination.
Despite the wording of the Naturalization Act of 1790, it seems to me that the non amended wording of the Constitution itself could be a problem for McCain. Is someone out there just waiting to pull this card, either before or after the nomination?
I would like to see us amend this part of our constitution, maybe as suggested by Orin Hatch in 2003:
SECTION 1. A person who is a citizen of the United States, who has been for 20 years a citizen of the United States, and who is otherwise eligible to the Office of President, is not ineligible to that Office by reason of not being a native born citizen of the United States.
SECTION 2. This article shall not take effect unless it has been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States not later than 7 years from the date of its submission to the States by the Congress (CITE).
For the record, though I am not a big John McCain fan, I think that if he isn't eligible to be president no one should be. But there is that pesky constitution...
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
South Elm on a January Afternoon
Looking north from outside The Guilford Building, 301 S Elm, Greensboro, NC. For more photos of Greensboro and Guilford County look here.
200 Years and Climbing
I saw a billboard on the way to the office today that said something about the 200 year anniversary coming up. It inspired several reflections.
1. The decision even to have a Greensboro was one born out of significant political upheaval on the county level. Whenever we think things today are just not as civil as they used to be, well, we need to read our history. I think the opposite is true.
2. Being downtown I would say that I have more of a heart for this city than I have had in my 18 years here. But I find this to be a bit of a puzzling town in many ways.
a. I think that for a county seat and a "planned" city especially, the manner in which Greensboro was originally laid out was really poor from a practical and aesthetic standpoint. I think this is because so few people were really invested in the new city. It was brought into being simply and purely to have a central location for a courthouse. Most of the people lived in other communities. So what did they care.
b. I've driven quite a lot the last two years through small southern towns that are county seats, and there is definitely a common pattern of a square containing the courthouse with streets on all sides providing for the possibility for shops and businesses and the like. Many of these old squares are making a revival. They are often quite beautiful. Our forbears put our courthouse in the middle of an intersection.
c. In addition, there was little to no provision for wide streets, open spaces, churches, or cemeteries, those things which tend to make many downtowns more pleasant. It is hard for me not to think of my home city and how wonderfully well laid out it was and is - but it was a state capital. Oh Columbia.
3. If it had not been for John Morehead's political acumen in getting the railroad to travel through Greensboro, I think Greensboro would to this day be little more than a Wentworth, and Guilford County more like Rockingham or Caswell County economically. Because of the railroad, Greensboro came to prosper, and yet that prosperity was built, as it were, on top of a city not well planned for prosperity and growth.
4. Which brings me to the present. This city has paid the price for a lack of planning, but does it need to continue in its old patterns. Given its rather extreme sprawl and chaotic exurban growth, it seems that planning is more important than ever. Is it too late? I don't think so. But if we're going to "plan" can we not stick to our plans?
5. Given everything working against downtown prospering, it is especially pleasing to me to be down here and watch the renewal take place, a little here, a little there, every day. I may not be a native son, but I'm pulling for you Greensboro.
1. The decision even to have a Greensboro was one born out of significant political upheaval on the county level. Whenever we think things today are just not as civil as they used to be, well, we need to read our history. I think the opposite is true.
2. Being downtown I would say that I have more of a heart for this city than I have had in my 18 years here. But I find this to be a bit of a puzzling town in many ways.
a. I think that for a county seat and a "planned" city especially, the manner in which Greensboro was originally laid out was really poor from a practical and aesthetic standpoint. I think this is because so few people were really invested in the new city. It was brought into being simply and purely to have a central location for a courthouse. Most of the people lived in other communities. So what did they care.
b. I've driven quite a lot the last two years through small southern towns that are county seats, and there is definitely a common pattern of a square containing the courthouse with streets on all sides providing for the possibility for shops and businesses and the like. Many of these old squares are making a revival. They are often quite beautiful. Our forbears put our courthouse in the middle of an intersection.
c. In addition, there was little to no provision for wide streets, open spaces, churches, or cemeteries, those things which tend to make many downtowns more pleasant. It is hard for me not to think of my home city and how wonderfully well laid out it was and is - but it was a state capital. Oh Columbia.
3. If it had not been for John Morehead's political acumen in getting the railroad to travel through Greensboro, I think Greensboro would to this day be little more than a Wentworth, and Guilford County more like Rockingham or Caswell County economically. Because of the railroad, Greensboro came to prosper, and yet that prosperity was built, as it were, on top of a city not well planned for prosperity and growth.
4. Which brings me to the present. This city has paid the price for a lack of planning, but does it need to continue in its old patterns. Given its rather extreme sprawl and chaotic exurban growth, it seems that planning is more important than ever. Is it too late? I don't think so. But if we're going to "plan" can we not stick to our plans?
5. Given everything working against downtown prospering, it is especially pleasing to me to be down here and watch the renewal take place, a little here, a little there, every day. I may not be a native son, but I'm pulling for you Greensboro.
Friday, January 25, 2008
It's Been a While
Wow, I can't believe it. I am actually typing in a Blogger text editor! It's been a while.
I write from my new perch on the fifth floor of the Guilford Building, looking north out of my window at the brightly sunlit JP and Wachovia buildings a few blocks north, listening to Jackson Browne's "These Days" and typing on my new Dell "Vostro" laptop. It's not too bad a gig that I have really.
Any other bloggers down this way? Maybe we could have coffee or play pool over at The Green Bean.
Comments machine gun style here - probably just repeating comments of others.
Thank you Joe Guarino for your excellent article on abortion in the News and Record. I think you were 100% on target. I appreciate the kind and respectful way you have of addressing a very hard and divisive issue. And thank you to the News and Record for printing a piece which I suspect the editorial staff would not agree with.
Wow, huge thanks to David Craft and all the others who helped raise public interest in the Haw River State Park project. I am grateful to all the parties who worked out the deal, but don't think any of it would have happened without all the signs and all the letters and e-mails. The people still have power. Go people!
I'm trying to feel sad about Terry Grier leaving, but I'm not. I don't know him. It's not personal. I'm glad the "drama" is ending. Now why is it that we continued to employ a person we knew was looking for a bigger/better job? I am hoping the School Board can take back the reins. I wish we could put an end to EOG focused teaching.
And I wish the federal government would get out of the education business. I think education is one of the few issues where everything works better the more local the decision making is. I wish we could redivide our huge county wide district into smaller and more local districts, along different lines than before the merger maybe. We could divide the tax revenues evenly but have smaller districts for decision making. I wish. A pipe dream.
I've been amused by all the hoopla surrounding John Edwards' comments about the homeless veterans, and Bill O'Reilly's replies. My personal experiences from working with homeless people in another place and time, talking to people who work with the homeless now, and reading about the issue, have all led me to believe that the vast majority of homeless people do in fact suffer from mental illness or substance abuse. I hate to see these neighbors "used" by any politician or journalist. I also don't think it is any more tragic for a veteran to be homeless than anybody else. The bottom line is that these people are human beings, they are our neighbors, and most of them are not going to get better. Good economy, bad economy, they, the homeless, these dear people, will always be with us. And regardless of mental illness or alcohol or drug abuse or both, these neighbors need friendship, need to know someone who cares about them and that someone cares about them, need to know someone who will miss them if they die, need someone who will help them find a warm dry place to sleep and a hot meal to eat. And that "someone" is you, and me - all of us really. I wish we could come together and support a few more people full time to care for and advocate for the homeless, not to absolve the rest of us, but to help us.
I am so tired of Bill Clinton. I wish he and Hillary would just go away. He, they, are demeaning not just the office, but even the process of obtaining the office. It's embarrassing.
Because of the abortion issue I don't know if I could ever vote for Obama, but I like him very much, and respect his candidacy. He is inspiring to me. The speech after the Iowa win - wow! We need an inspiring president. It would also be nice to have a president who can speak a complete sentence. It's hard to get excited about any of the Republicans right now.
I saw several movies over the holidays that I liked a lot. We rented a movie called "Once." If you like music, you just might like a movie about how music happens. This is a cool movie. You'll end up buying the soundtrack, so keep that in mind. There is a fair bit of Irish street language, but that is what it is. We also rented and really very much liked "Reign Over Me." I am a huge Don Cheadle fan, and this movie was interesting and engaging at many levels. When the similarly entitled song played at the end I almost wept, because it is one of my favorite songs of all time, and was such a perfect ending for the movie. The title explains the movie pretty much. I like Adam Sandler more and more. We rented "The Kingdom." I had seen it already but liked it even more the second time. Despite the bad aim of the Islamic radical dudes, I think the movie is deeply thought provoking and moving. I saw "Dan in Real Life." Great flick. Very intriguing love story, and family story. Steve Carrell was perfect. I went to see "No Country for Old Men" with my brother and a few of the older kids over Thanksgiving. It's dark, violent, funny in places, creepy, and generally not a real inspiration. Thus I liked it. The bad guy is seriously bad. Tommy Lee Jones is his usual excellent self. Finally, we rented and saw "Bridge to Terabithia." Wow. Great flick. Just keep tissues handy!
Go Ringo.
Well, better get back to work.
Joel
I write from my new perch on the fifth floor of the Guilford Building, looking north out of my window at the brightly sunlit JP and Wachovia buildings a few blocks north, listening to Jackson Browne's "These Days" and typing on my new Dell "Vostro" laptop. It's not too bad a gig that I have really.
Any other bloggers down this way? Maybe we could have coffee or play pool over at The Green Bean.
Comments machine gun style here - probably just repeating comments of others.
Thank you Joe Guarino for your excellent article on abortion in the News and Record. I think you were 100% on target. I appreciate the kind and respectful way you have of addressing a very hard and divisive issue. And thank you to the News and Record for printing a piece which I suspect the editorial staff would not agree with.
Wow, huge thanks to David Craft and all the others who helped raise public interest in the Haw River State Park project. I am grateful to all the parties who worked out the deal, but don't think any of it would have happened without all the signs and all the letters and e-mails. The people still have power. Go people!
I'm trying to feel sad about Terry Grier leaving, but I'm not. I don't know him. It's not personal. I'm glad the "drama" is ending. Now why is it that we continued to employ a person we knew was looking for a bigger/better job? I am hoping the School Board can take back the reins. I wish we could put an end to EOG focused teaching.
And I wish the federal government would get out of the education business. I think education is one of the few issues where everything works better the more local the decision making is. I wish we could redivide our huge county wide district into smaller and more local districts, along different lines than before the merger maybe. We could divide the tax revenues evenly but have smaller districts for decision making. I wish. A pipe dream.
I've been amused by all the hoopla surrounding John Edwards' comments about the homeless veterans, and Bill O'Reilly's replies. My personal experiences from working with homeless people in another place and time, talking to people who work with the homeless now, and reading about the issue, have all led me to believe that the vast majority of homeless people do in fact suffer from mental illness or substance abuse. I hate to see these neighbors "used" by any politician or journalist. I also don't think it is any more tragic for a veteran to be homeless than anybody else. The bottom line is that these people are human beings, they are our neighbors, and most of them are not going to get better. Good economy, bad economy, they, the homeless, these dear people, will always be with us. And regardless of mental illness or alcohol or drug abuse or both, these neighbors need friendship, need to know someone who cares about them and that someone cares about them, need to know someone who will miss them if they die, need someone who will help them find a warm dry place to sleep and a hot meal to eat. And that "someone" is you, and me - all of us really. I wish we could come together and support a few more people full time to care for and advocate for the homeless, not to absolve the rest of us, but to help us.
I am so tired of Bill Clinton. I wish he and Hillary would just go away. He, they, are demeaning not just the office, but even the process of obtaining the office. It's embarrassing.
Because of the abortion issue I don't know if I could ever vote for Obama, but I like him very much, and respect his candidacy. He is inspiring to me. The speech after the Iowa win - wow! We need an inspiring president. It would also be nice to have a president who can speak a complete sentence. It's hard to get excited about any of the Republicans right now.
I saw several movies over the holidays that I liked a lot. We rented a movie called "Once." If you like music, you just might like a movie about how music happens. This is a cool movie. You'll end up buying the soundtrack, so keep that in mind. There is a fair bit of Irish street language, but that is what it is. We also rented and really very much liked "Reign Over Me." I am a huge Don Cheadle fan, and this movie was interesting and engaging at many levels. When the similarly entitled song played at the end I almost wept, because it is one of my favorite songs of all time, and was such a perfect ending for the movie. The title explains the movie pretty much. I like Adam Sandler more and more. We rented "The Kingdom." I had seen it already but liked it even more the second time. Despite the bad aim of the Islamic radical dudes, I think the movie is deeply thought provoking and moving. I saw "Dan in Real Life." Great flick. Very intriguing love story, and family story. Steve Carrell was perfect. I went to see "No Country for Old Men" with my brother and a few of the older kids over Thanksgiving. It's dark, violent, funny in places, creepy, and generally not a real inspiration. Thus I liked it. The bad guy is seriously bad. Tommy Lee Jones is his usual excellent self. Finally, we rented and saw "Bridge to Terabithia." Wow. Great flick. Just keep tissues handy!
Go Ringo.
Well, better get back to work.
Joel
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