I Love This Show As A Kid

I heard this on a local radio station using the song a promo. It brought back some good memories. Enjoy.

And the Oscar goes to...

WHO CARES!

Oscar season irritates me to no end. One thing I cannot stand is these talking heads on TV blabbing on about who is the favorite or the least favorite. It is as if they believe this garbage matters.

It is sickening to see these Hollywood types patting each other on the back for making sums of money that make pro athletes seem like paupers.

One thing I will not be doing on Sunday is watching the Oscars.

Bud Selig has Shamed the Game

*


Bud Selig, yesterday, said, "What Alex did was wrong and he will have to live with the damage he has done to his name and reputation." This from an AP article.

If you have not heard, A-Rod confessed to using "performance drugs" while he was a member of the Texas Rangers. (The Democrats will probably try to blame this on George W. Bush since he once owned the Rangers, although that was before A-Rod's stint in Texas.)

The real shame on the great game of baseball is Selig. Let's review his tenure, now almost 15 years in the making:

• His reinstatement of George Steinbrenner in 1993;
  
• Canceled World Series in 1994 (Probably the Montreal Expos only shot to win one);
• Marge Schott and her racist rhetoric followed by a ban then reinstatement;
• The tie-game at the 2002 All-Star game;
• To solve the tie-game problem, now the All-Star game "means something";
• The wild card (ugh! a wild card belongs in a poker game or the NFL);
• Major games (All-Star game and World Series) that start way too late on the east coast;
• Moving most of the playoffs to cable television;
• The NFL racing past the MLB as America's pasttime;
  
• and the biggest mess of the Selig tenure: STEROIDS!

Ol' Bud covered his eyes and plugged his ears as players (A-Rod was far from the only one) who juiced up. Home runs went up, along with attendance and revenue. Bud has been asleep at the wheel for a decade and a half now.

It's time, Bud. Get out. Just leave! Bud Selig's tenure as commissioner should have a giant asterisk (*) next to it. If A-Rod is suspended, so should everyone else. Selig should be suspended for dereliction of duty and ruining the grand game of baseball.

I Admire a Pot Smoker

Do not get me wrong. I think smoking marijuana is an awful thing to do. It messes up the brain. Michael Phelps exhibited horrible judgment when he decided to light up.

I admire him because he came out and admitted that what he did was wrong. He did not equivocate ala President Clinton: "I didn't inhale."

Phelps said of his ban:

"It's not my decision. It's theirs," Phelps said of USA Swimming's decision. "I have nothing to say, but if that's they want to do, that's their choice. It's something that USA Swimming came up with. It's fair. Obviously, for a mistake you should get punished."

He later said:

"It was bad and stupid judgment, and something I'll always live with," Phelps said.

(These quotes are from an ESPN article.)

Thank you, Michael Phelps for manning up and taking responsibility for what you did. You made a bad decision, but you did not blame someone else or deny the charges. We all mess up, and the best thing we can do is stand up and take responsibility for them.

Gingrich v. Lauer

Newt Gingrich absolutely cleaned Matt Lauer's clock on the Today Show today. I love: Obama in danger of becoming Jimmy Carter rather than Ronald Reagan. Also note that Gingrich states that the recession of the late 1970s and early 1980s was worse than what is going on now.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

One More Thing to Worry About

Are you tying your shoes properly?

Techno Stuff I Don't Have

I am not technologically savvy. I am still trying to figure out how blog on my Smith Corona typewriter.

It amazes me all the techno stuff that is out there, and I have very little. Following is a list of the techno stuff (at least the stuff that I am aware of) that I don't have:

• I-Pod (or any such MP3 player); I do have a cassette tape walkman with an AM/FM radio.
• GPS device; I use the old fashion GPS device--it's called a Rand McNally Atlas.
• Digital TV; I do have two converter boxes so I can continue to melt my brain after the big digital conversion.
• PDA (or Palm Pilot); I have never been very good with paper organizers, so why bother?
• Bluetooth; it sounds painful, I prefer white teeth. Seriously though, I do know what bluetooth is. I have an "ear-bud" for my cell phone, but it doesn't fit my ear.
• Cell phone add-ons; I don't text message (I fail to see how this is more efficient than actually talking). I don't have Internet access or e-mail on my phone.
• Cable/satellite TV; see above.
• Digital camcorder; the tape one broke. My digital camera does have a video feature.
• Facebook/MySpace; several people have requested that I join, but I don't see the point. I have never been very social, but cyber-socialization seems impersonal. (I do have this blog, which about 1-2 people read.)
  

Maybe I am stuck in the late 1990s (is Clinton still president?), or maybe I am getting old.

Snow Day

One of the best things about having kids is that you can play in the snow as an adult and not look like a goofball. Here are some things from our recent snow days, which has not happened in almost five years.

What's Wrong With the One We Already Have?

President-elect Obama said we need a "new Declaration of Independence." Here is the quote from MSNBC: "He promised to bring the country 'a new Declaration of Independence.'" (Link to the story.)

What's wrong, I ask, with the Declaration of Independence that we already have?

Looking at 2012

As the fumes of the 2008 presidential election fade, political junkies are sizing up the potential field for 2012. Barring some major event, Barack Obama will be the Democratic nominee. What about the Republicans?

Let's look back before we look forward. Who wins presidential elections for Republicans? Who loses? Since the end of World War II, every senator that the Republicans have nominated have lost: Barry Goldwater (1964), Bob Dole (1996), and John McCain (2008). In fact senators do not do very well in general. Only two senators have been elected since WWII: John F. Kennedy and Obama. I suggest that the Republicans not go down that road, again.

Who wins? Since WWII, Republicans have elected a war hero general (Dwight Eisenhower), two former Vice-Presidents (Richard Nixon and George H. W. Bush), and two governors (Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush). The only Republican governor to lose was Thomas Dewey to Harry Truman in 1948.

Look at the success of Republicans, what can we expect in 2012? War heroes? Unfortunately, there are none the caliber of Eisenhower. Colin Powell (a nominal Republican, at best) lost all credibility with the party when he endorsed Obama. There are simply no other high profile generals out there (sorry, Stormin' Norman Schwarzkopf).

What about former Vice-Presidents? By 2012, the living VPs will include George H. W. Bush, Dan Quayle, and Dick Cheney. Bush has already been President. Dick Cheney has stated he will not run, and with his heart condition probably should not. Quayle has never recovered from his seemingly boyishness in the job of VP. (I would vote for him.) The whole "potatoe" thing has dogged him, despite the fact that Obama had no clue about how states were in the United States. VPs are a no go.

That leaves us with governors. One needs name recoginition. Here are few:

Sarah Palin: She is great, but I think she will suffer the same fate as Dan Quayle. No matter what, she will always be considered a lightweight. This is unfair, as is the case with Quayle, but that is life.

Jeb Bush: I think he would be a stellar candidate and an excellent President, but I think we have Bush-fatigue. I am also not convinced that he is conservative.

Tim Pawlenty (Minnesota): He just seems like a slick used car salesman.

Bobby Jindal (Louisiana): A little young (will be 41 in 2012). A great VP choice, though.

Mit Romney: Where does he stand on the issues today? He is to wishy-washy.

Here is my early pick: Haley Barbour, governor of Mississippi. He has national experience as leader of the Republican Party (like the elder Bush). He handled the Mississippi side of Hurricane Katrina expertly. The only thing against him is his age (he will be 65 in 2012). It may resemble the youthful Clinton versus the aging Dole in 1996. If he were to pick Jindal as VP, that would offset the age difference.

Here is my early pick for 2012: Haley Barbour - Bobby Jindal.

A Few More Things That I Have Done

In addition to the previous post below, there are a few other things "that I have done."

1. Visited the World Trade Center Site - a moving experience.
   
2. Been to the top of the Washington Monument - what a view.
   
3. Been to Mount Rushmore - Several times, including the spectacular lighting ceremony.
4. Done mission work in a foreign land - Haiti 2002.
5. Stood in the Mississippi River - At Lake Itasca State Park in Minnesota. It is not recommended to stand in the Mississippi River anywhere else.
6. Been in a hurricane
7. Been in an earthquake
8. Been to the top of Pike's Peak

Some things I would like to do that were not on the previous list:

1. Visit Alaska - preferably in the summer.
2. See the Golden Gate Bridge
3. Spend one to two months on the mission field with my family

Things That I Have Done

I saw this list over at Hardly the Last Word. Items in bold are things that I have done. There are some intermittent comments as well.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity - This is one that I really wish I could bold, but I am a bit greedy, like most Americans. As Americans, we really don't know what charity is because we have so much. We also don't know (thankfully?) what poverty is.
7. Been to Disneyland - Does Disney World count?
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo - I used to sing with my mom in church, and there were parts of the song that I had to sing myself. I hated singing.
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch - When I was doing the website as a pastor, I learned some html.
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty - When I was there (2006) it was closed. I would have if I could have.
18. Grown your own vegetables - My wife and I attempted to grow some tomatoes and peppers in big pots on our porch a few years ago. Now that my mom lives next door, she has a vegetable garden that we help maintain and enjoy the the produce.
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight - One of the many joys of parenting.
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort - Growing up in the great state of South Dakota, this was required.
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon - I once ran 13 miles with a friend.
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run - Tee ball was so very long ago. I must have been 8 the last time I hit an official home run. I was never a power hitter.
32. Been on a cruise - Thanks to my in-laws.
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language - I tried to learn some New Testament Greek with the aid of a book.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied - I am satisfied. God provides my needs, even if I don't get all I want. Again, Americans don't understand the value of money.
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing - As a teenager, our youth group went to Colorado, and I did a little there.
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen - Everyone who calls themselves a Christian should do this.
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma - But just for the free Coke and cookies.
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial - Awe-inspiring.
71. Eaten caviar - Not a fan of it.
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square - I've been close.
74. Toured the Everglades - On an air boat.
75. Been fired from a job - Thankfully, no. As a pastor, I sensed some (many?!) in the congregation thought I should be fired.
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone - I intend to keep it a "no."
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper - Playing junior high sports in a small town is the best way to get one's picture in the paper.
85. Read the entire Bible - It took a while, but I have done it.
86. Visited the White House - I've been to the visitor's center, but I assume that doesn't count.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating - I have seen my mom do this with chickens. It kind of put me off to doing it.
88. Had chickenpox - Fourth grade, but not too seriously.
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury - Twice, once as an alternate.
91. Met someone famous - Does the local weatherman count?
92. Joined a book club - The History Book Club (thrice), the Conservative Book Club, and the IVP Book Club.
93. Lost a loved one - Both grandma's.
94. Had a baby - My wife has. They are mine.
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a mobile phone - Who hasn't in this day and age.
99. Been stung by a bee - Yellow jackets, yes. Bees, no.
100. Read an entire book in one day - Graduate school will almost require this.

What about you?

Happy New Year

Happy new year. As usual, I am not making any resolutions (or revolutions, as my son calls them).