Well said, Bob

Just being honest, I've never really understood the Bob Dylan love-fest.

I must admit, I haven't taken a hard plunge into his music or lyrics. Even though the little bit that I have waded in has left me with a feeling of ... 'eh'...

Some people that I love and respect very much really are infatuated with him and what he represents, so I casually pay attention when his name is mentioned.

Recently, there was an article written about him and his place in this world.

I read this quote from him and my respect for him as a man instantly grew. He was offered the softball question about George W. Bush and he handled it beautifully. Most "celebrities" take pinata-like swipes at the former president. Here's what Dylan said:

“I read history books just like you do. None of those guys are immune to the laws of history. They’re going to go up or down, and they’re going to take their people with them. None of us really knew what was happening in the economy. It changed so quickly into a true nightmare of horror. In another day and age, heads would roll. That’s what would happen. The rot would be cut out. As far as blaming everything on the last president, think of it this way: The same folks who had held him in such high regard came to despise him. Isn’t it funny that they’re the very same people who once loved him? People are fickle. Their loyalty can turn at the drop of a hat.”

Shut up, Jeanine Garofalo!

By Taft Ayers

"This is about hating a black man in the White House. This is racism straight up. That is nothing but a bunch of tea-bagging rednecks."- Jeanine Garofalo

You have probably heard the context of her comments on a broader level. Absurd.

For the record, I didn't attend a tea party, but I surely am not about to bash those who did.

Here's a response:

I have never really cared for this woman, but after hearing what she said about Tea Party protesters, I understand her acting isn't the only thing that makes me sick.

Jeanine, I live in Tennessee. Despite what you've already assumed, I'm not a racist or a redneck; I own shoes, enjoy air conditioning and indoor plumbing, have all my teeth, hold a college degree, and do not attend Klan meetings. I'm an American with "conservative" beliefs. Why must I be demonized?

I'm allegedly a "conservative" because I firmly oppose abortion. I also believe that we should have stronger border control. The fact that you consider anyone with opposing views to be "racist rednecks" who have neurological problems is proof that you don't have a leg to stand on in this argument. Therefore, you resort to name calling.

You are like a child on a playground who is mad because everyone doesn't want to join her make-believe fantasy trip to fairy land, so you start the name-calling and ridiculing.

My conservative views come from my religious beliefs. The very idea of you insulting people for their religious beliefs is a disgrace to the freedoms cherished by this country. You are Obama's S.S. (like Hitler's Schutzstaffel). If you knew any better, you would be ashamed of yourself.

The problem with you and your ilk is that you profess yourselves to be hate and prejudice free. "Tolerance and liberty for all!" But you seek to control the views of others - change everyone to be like Jeanine. You claim we must embrace and accept people for their differences. I suppose that's true, unless those difference are ones you don't happen to like.

We understand our role in this society: To abide by the law, love everyone, and pay our taxes. We are to do so silently and without any fuss. Because Hispanic youths marching out of schools in Southern California carrying Mexican flags while torching American flags and garbage cans is just "symbolic and peaceful speech". But millions of ethnically diverse men and women assembling without violence to voice opposition to high taxes.....that's just domestic terrorism.

I asked...

It has been said that Christian people don't utilize the power of prayer enough.

Others have said that we are praying enough, we are just not praying as we should. Perhaps that is correct and if it is, the following illustrates just how God answers prayer.

God hears us, and God answers us according to His will. That does not necessarily mean that God will answer us the way we desire.

God knows what is best for us, and He will make provisions through His providence to help us mature in faith and accomplish tasks that He set before us.

I asked God to take away my habit.
God said, "No. It is not for me to take away, but for you to give up."

I asked God to make the handicapped people of the world whole.
God said, "No. Their spirit is whole, their body is only temporary."

I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, "No. Patience is a byproduct of tribulations. It isn't granted; it is learned."

I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, "No. Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to Me."

I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, "No. You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful."

I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, "No. I will give you life so that you might enjoy all things."

I asked God to help me love others as much as He loves me.
God said, "Ah, finally you have the idea."

I think it is time for me to adjust my prayer life accordingly. You?

Keys to Even More Ridiculous Success: The NFL

Soccer (Futbol) is the obsession in 194 of the Earth's 195 countries. In the United States we have a totally different way of savoring our sports which has led to the popularity of situation-based games.

Baseball dominates our history books as "America's Favorite Past Time." However, in the last fifteen to twenty years we've experienced a paradigm shift in our favorite professional sport from baseball to football. The reasons why this shift occured are very easy to list, but not in the least bit interesting. Instead, finding ways to bring about perfection in our nation's most popular sport are a better use or our time.

What we'll do this morning is identify the faux problems to ignore and the few real problems the National Football League has and give pragmatic examples of how to fix them. First, to the favorite topic of major sports media outlets...

FAUX PROBLEMS

1. Uninteresting Pre-Season- Many, many fans and sportscasters believe the 4 exhibition games are such a monstrous waste of time that there is an out-cry to limit the pre-season action to only two games and expand the regular season from 16 to 18 games.

There are 3 reasons this won't happen. First, coaches need that time to evaluate their team and best trim the roster from 85 to 55 players at the end of training camp. Solidifying real talent and depth for the grueling 17 week regular season schedule is absolutely necessary for a team's survival in the NFL.

Second, as mentioned, the NFL regular season becomes a war of attrition by week 12 or 13. Adding another two weeks to the schedule will inflate rosters, salaries, and injuries. None of which are good for teams, good for players' health, or good for the quality of post-season action fans want in January.

Third, because of those two reasons it matters not what the fans and media clamor for when the NFL Players' Union is against it. This idea is D.O.A. and, in reality, not something fans truly want if the ramifications of the action were easier to see.

2. No NFL in L.A.:This is only an issue in Los Angeles and the NFL Headquarters in New York. It's true, missing the nation's #2 media market is a painful financial blow to the league, but it could be easily fixed if Los Angeles would get serious about its football and one of the small market dumpster-fire organizations (Lions, Jaguars, Browns, Rams) want to sell.

Nation-wide, the fan population of football is still the largest, the most rabid, and it's still growing. L.A. or not, the NFL is popular. It's not like basketball, which takes a huge hit when the Lakers or Celtics aren't in the championship mix.

REAL PROBLEMS

Addressing the list of problems below will result in even greater fan interest and even greater revenue streams because of the better finished product the NFL will have.

1. Rookie Salaries: The Oakland Raiders paying JaMarcus Russell $35 million in guaranteed money is an embarrassment to the league, and is just one of dozens and dozens of examples of seemingly small details that have a much larger impact on the game than intended.

Inflated rookie salaries for teams with high draft picks (meaning very bad teams at the very top of the draft board) kills their ability to compete because the financial anchor of a top draft pick limits a team's ability to work other deals in free-agency and other potential draft picks. When the top pick becomes an NFL Bust, it sets the franchise back 3 or 4 years when dealing with the financial and personel ramifications.

Solution: A set rookie salary based on the player's field position and draft position. The NBA has something like this already in place, and is one of the only things the professional basketball league has done right.

This system would still pay rookies well, but would eliminate hold outs and make top draft spots coveted positions again instead of tremendous financial gambles/weights on bad teams.

2. Pensions for Former Players: Before 1985 the "player salary" to "league income" ratio was ridiculous. It gave rise to the only NFL player's strike and the modern era of salaries in football. The men who built the game (1945-1984) didn't receive much compensation at all ($25,000 tops), worked other jobs in the off-season, and didn't have the top-flight medical care for the injuries which has resulted in very decrepit old men. The game owes these men, who built the league, this base level of care and honor.

Solution: The NFL is a $120 billion business, it can reasonably afford to pay out medical care and pensions to its former greats for the next 25-30 years. After that, the program can be removed altogether. It is simply the right thing to do and can be easily paid for by taking small percentage of current players' salary to cover the $20 million a year these pensions would cost.

3. Full Time Refs: The NFL does a fantastic job of policing its officiating. However, it is a job coveted only by those who can afford it. An NFL ref receives $36,000 in salary and are listed as "part time employees" of the NFL. Allowing refs to work on their trade full-time would lead to better game officiating and an overall better product for the fans and players.

Solution: Dole out $130,000 a year in salary and benefits for refs to train year-round. The cost increase is once again nominal and could come out of general league funds.

4. Permanent Collective-Bargaining Agreement: The salary cap has created a lot of parody in the NFL and has made the NFL off-season much, much more interesting (and revenue enhancing) than its professional rivals in baseball and basketball.

Pitching salary caps to fans and team owners are not the problem. The NFL players' union is the real challenge. The last CBA was strong-armed into place by the owners last time by threatening a lock-out.

One of the worst things that could happen to the NFL is an un-capped system that further stratifies player salaries and makes the 32-team league into a four team show like baseball with the Yankees, Red Sox, Angeles, and Cubs. In football this would look like the Cowboys, Redskins, Raiders, and Giants being the only fan-bases being played to in the national media.

Solution: Get another CBA done any way possible.
-------------------------

After going over the list, the problems are relatively easy to fix for the best professional league in the world. I don't know if they will ever be addressed the way I suggested, but to see a league so near the cusp of perfect homeostasis keeps my attention focused on the intrigue of the NFL.

Enjoy the draft weekend!

New Traditions

I'm the kind of guy who digs traditions. Whether that be turkey on Thanksgiving Day or fireworks on the fourth of July, these are traditions I can really get behind and enjoy. However, traditions enjoyed by the masses tend to become impersonal and over-commercialized....so nothing quite tops coming up with your own tradition.

Usually family traditions or personal traditions are born out of sheer happenstance, while others are behaviors that occur so often they simply warrant the label of "tradition." Here are a few of my own traditions that have begun in the last year or I have the full intention of starting within the next few months.

1. Ainsley Daddy Day- When Ainsley turns 3 next month, we're going to Cracker Barrel every Wednesday morning. It'll be a good time with just the two of us.

Once Abby gets old enough, I'll have a whole other morning shaped around taking her to breakfast at another restaurant.

2. Super Thursdays with JB- As Jared B. Gable is about to move to Little Rock within the week, this little tradition will sadly come to an abrupt end with the season finale of 30 Rock.

Typically we have long conversations before and after the show is over, but this has grown more rare recently because of Jared's approaching departure.

My youngest daughter's former middle namesake is after JB (Bentley), so the tradition does have a lasting effect.

3. Residency Sucks Day- This one has hatched out of unfortunate necessity, as Liz has been on-call almost every birthday and major holiday since beginning her residency three years ago. On Residency Sucks Day, we celebrate the event on the day before or day after the event is actually scheduled to take place.

It's the worst tradition we have and I look forward to the day we get rid of this one entirely.

4. Topless Saturdays- This is not at all what it sounds like.

This a tradition that started two Saturdays ago when Nathan McIntyre and I went driving around in the new Mustang Convertible for three hours.

Cigars, coffee, music, and a convertible make for amazing conversation. Liz and I rode around last Saturday; and I have every intention of being out and about every clear Saturday April 1-Oct 1 every year that I'm on this earth....it's going to be epic!

5. Tent Tuesdays- This is by far one of my favorite traditions, but it only happens during the football season.

Tuesdays are game days for our middle school team. So, it's a day where the girls go to "mother's (father's) day out" at church and I sit under the tent on the back porch game-planning all day.

More than just game-planning and football...I get SOOOOOO much done on those days. I'm looking forward to those starting back up again soon!

Here's hoping your traditions are family-strengthening and life-enhancing.

Have a great Wednesday!