..........of Ipods and urinals.

I admit, that's a pretty strange title for a post. I heard someone say once that, "When you get to the point that you're fussing about the youth of America and how they have lost respect for all things good; you're getting old." Well, I guess I'm old. I went into one of the restrooms at school this morning to see a urinal laying on the floor (it looked just like the one pictured here). I asked the maintenance guy what was wrong. He said someone had kicked the thing so hard that it broke and they had to replace it. Was this an accident? What a stupid question! He also told me that another one on the second floor had the same damage and they would have to replace it too. I have had two students complain to me that their Ipods were stolen this week (one was my daughter). I addressed that situation by telling my daughter that she can't expect to leave it laying around and not expect it to be stolen. I left school yesterday with a kid in a Toyota truck about six inches from my bumper. I put on my brakes to let him know he was too close. I immediately got "the bird" - several times from this kid. He passed me later (in a four lane situation); gave me another bird and told me what an asshole I was. I didn't respond. You see, I never have bought that crap about "nobody is better than the other guy". I am better than this kid. He has no standards and probably would kick a urinal and steal an Ipod without thinking twice. Now, I'm not going to talk about all the "good kids" we have at our school. They are obviously part of the problem too; because, they allow these things to happen without coming forward to right the wrong. That is almost as bad, if not worse, than doing the damage and being the thief. One of our assistant principals told me that his brick home was sprayed with paintball gun fire the other night while he was at church! Brick acts like a sponge. He will either have to paint all his brick or endure stains for the life of the home. Our problems in America go far beyond that of Islamic terrorists. A culture that accepts vandalism, disrespect, and theft is not the America I want for myself and my family. Yes, I am getting old.

..........Friday Funnies - the "Bring It On" addition.

"Four years ago this week, President Bush gave his Iraq victory speech in front of the 'Mission Accomplished' banner. Well, I'm glad that's all behind us." --David Letterman

"Politicians having sex with prostitutes? What's the matter? All of a sudden, congressional pages aren't good enough anymore?" --David Letterman

"Tobias was the guy who bush put in charge of promoting abstinence....and chastity in places like the Mideast. He is was also the CEO of the company that makes Cialis. So, it sounds like he was caught between Iraq and a hard place." --Jay Leno

"That's what makes this country great. The fact that thousands of Mexican people march in a state with an Austrian governor waving American flags made in China." --Jay Leno

"In an effort to help the environment, Sheryl Crow has proposed using only one square of toilet paper when going to the bathroom. In a related story, don't ever shake hands with Sheryl Crow. --Conan O'Brien

"John Edwards apologized for his $400 haircut. He said it was a mistake...especially in the back, where they didn't feather enough." --Jay Leno

"How about that Rosie O'Donnell thing? She left 'The View' and is rumored to be hiding in the mountainous region of Afghanistan." --David Letterman

"Former New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey's ex-wife says that up until he announced he was gay, they had 'normal' sex. Apparently, Mrs. McGreevey defines 'normal' sex as sex where she has to wear a Justin Timberlake mask." --Conan O'Brien

Have a great weekend!!!

..........check this out!

The following article is from a 2001 San Francisco Chronicle story:

The White House, already criticized for its connections to Big Oil, now is facing renewed questions over Chevron's decision to name an oil tanker for national security adviser Condoleezza Rice.
The double-hulled giant, Condoleezza Rice, is part of the international tanker fleet of the San Francisco-based multinational oil firm, named several years ago in honor of Rice when she was a Chevron board member and stockholder.
Rice, the former Stanford University provost, served on Chevron's board from 1991 until Jan. 15, when she resigned after President Bush named her to the national security post.
But with California's energy crisis intensifying and human rights groups spotlighting abuses in countries where Chevron does business, critics say the tanker now poses serious diplomatic and ethical issues for Rice and the administration.
Even more sensitive, they say, is the appearance of a far too cozy relationship among multinational energy giants, Bush and his key advisers -- including Vice President Dick Cheney and Rice.
"It does underscore that there's never been an administration in power in this country that has been so close to a single industry -- in this instance, the oil-and-gas industry," said Chuck Lewis, who heads the Washington-based Center for Public Integrity, which first raised the issue of the tanker's moniker last month. "Look at the president and his background, the vice president (who is a former executive at Halliburton), (Commerce Secretary) Don Evans and his oil interests . . . and now this."
Rice is a respected diplomat, but "I don't think anyone recognized the extent of her closeness to a major oil company," Lewis said. "It's not every day that someone has an oil tanker named after her."

The tanker was quitely renamed the Altair Voyager (named after a star) just before Secretary Rice was appointed to her post. Why the rename? What has she got to be ashamed of? Why should her name on a Chevron oil tanker mean nothing more than recognition for a "job well done" on the board of directors? Oh, I remember, the liberal media would get her! Listen, the liberal media or not, these guys are untouchables. There's more Teflon in D.C. now than ever before. Nothing will stick to these guys, no matter how hot the fire gets.

..........has anyone seen this person???

It's Spring in the High Country of North Carolina. That would usually bring to mind clear, clean air with a hint of the fragrance of flowers. No, it means the smell of air filled with smoke from idiots who are burning brush, etc. Not a day has gone by for the past two weeks when the smoke hasn't choked me in the afternoon. Now, why the picture? The sound of fire whistles split the serenity of mountain life yesterday afternoon and I thought, "I bet Matt is all over this." Matt is active in the volunteer fire dept and would always tell Josh and me about all the calls to the fire dept. At any rate, I haven't seen this guy in months! What gives? For years I couldn't turn around without him being there. Josh and I never ate lunch alone. It was as if we had our own valet. I really think he got to the point where he could sense what we needed done before we actually gave the instructions (you know, like Radar on M.A.S.H.) Since his graduation, I have even become accustomed to going to the refridgerator for myself. Wow, the good 'ole days - a hand delivered Blue Bunny yogurt and a Diet SunDrop to wash it down. One thing cannont be replaced - the clean, unobstructed sound of a good cowbell beat!!! (picture is courtsey of Josh Photography)

..........did anyone see the show on PBS last night?

I have several very dear friends who are active members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Last night, PBS aired the beginning of a series entitled, The Mormons, headlined under their series, The American Experience. Since I have developed friendships with members of the LDS church, I have done some research on my own into the faith and am interested to learn more. Before seeing the show last night, I wondered if it would be slanted in any fashion. I was disappointed to see the amount of time spent on plural marriage and the Mountain Meadows incident. I am more interested in the theology aspect of the LDS faith, and the organization of the leadership within the church. There were several people interviewed throughout the program which included President Gordon Hinckley (I hope I spelled his name correctly), and other theologians/teachers from the LDS church; as well as, other Christian denominations. I, personally, was not satisfied with the details PBS gave into the life of Joseph Smith. Here again, I felt there was a slant put onto the story of his life to depict him as craving power, etc. One Presbyterian theologian said he did not believe fully in the things that Joseph Smith claimed; but, also admitted that he could not, in good consience, fully dismiss the claims. I did learn more about the persecution of the LDS members and the exodus to the Salt Lake basin. Before the program, I had no knowledge of what transpired in Nauvoo; and that this is where Joseph Smith was killed. I hope I get this next fact correct - the Governor of Missouri actually issued an "extermination" order to be carried out aganist the LDS church members. This, clearly, was supported by President Buchannon (forgive the spelling again). We don't like to think of that kind of religious persecution actually going on within the borders of America; but it happened, and many lost their lives. The LDS church members, under the leadership of Brigham Young, fought back and defended themselves. The exodus to the Great Salt Lake region was beyond human challenge. According to the program, one of the objectives was to get outside of the US borders. Oddly enough, this happened in or around 1847. At the end of the Mexican War, the US acquired the region of Utah which was before held by Mexico. That was about it for the program last night. I'm hoping to catch the second part of the series next week. If you did not see the program last night, I'm sure there will be reruns on PBS through the weekend. I encourage you to watch and learn more about a faith that was born in America. I am a devout United Methodist, and I don't have any plans to change my faith; but, I am always eager to learn more about the faith of others. There are common threads in all the Christian faiths that bind us together.