February 19, 2010 — First and foremost this is not about Tiger Woods (TW) the golfer. It is about TW the human being. It is absolutely laughable and appalling at the same time the way that the main stream media, TW's golf peers, and some of his so called friends have treated him since this scandal broke this past Thanksgiving. There has been much condemnation and shame cast his way from many parties. People have demanded that he should do this or that and in particular make a public apology. Well he did that today and look at what is happening.
When TW announced this week that he was going to make his public apology today at PGA Tour headquarters, the first thing his critics (news media and golf peers) accused him of was taking a slap at a former business sponsor Accenture for having dropped him as a spokesperson after his problem became public. How idiotic! Not only do these people think they can tell him what to do, but when to do it. Oh and the Golf Writer Association of America (GWAA) made a big point of the fact that they were boycotting the apology because they were not going to be allowed to interrogate TW with their probing questions. Gee, you won't play my rules TW so I am taking my golf ball and going home. I say...GO HOME and stay there! Immediately following his very public apology, the question has been raised by the critics as to whether or not TW is sincere in his apology. These people don't want an apology...they want TW on public display so they can kick him time and time again...so they can write their sensational articles full of pure BS. Oh I forget that they do have to make a living don't they regardless at whose expense.
Some of TW's golf peers have made very public statements about his problem. Golfers like Tom Watson, Jesper Parnavik, Ernie Els, Sergio Garcia, Johnny Miller, Frank Nabilo have made public statements condemning TW in many ways. Each of these men have lost a measure of my respect. They each should have taken a lesson from the great Jack Nicklaus and his statement early on that this was a family issue and one that should be handled as such. But no, they could not and will not do that because they see a chance to kick a man that has beat their brains out on the golf course.
To all of these "pundits" I would remind of a verse from the Holy bible..."Let He Who Is Without Sin Cast The First Stone" John 8:7. But know, they don't care about such things and only want to keep chucking those stones.
I am not a psychologist, but it appears that what TW has is an addiction much like an alcoholic. It is a very private matter of his and his family. What has gone on between TW and his wife Elin is exactly that...between himself and Elin and is no business of anybody else. And shame should be cast on those that pursue and stalk Elin and their children...all for sensationalism sake. How traumatic they (the media and "papapizza" boys) are making this for their children. It is disgraceful and scary. What TW did today is part of his therapy...it is part of the 12 Step Program in dealing with addiction. It is the right thing to do.
The Tiger Woods Foundation has helped and continues to help millions of kids. TW apologized to those involved in the foundation and clearly stated that this important work will go on. He clearly apologized to the parents and their children who have idolized him and that he would work hard to gain back their respect. Most importantly he clearly stated that the discussions going on between himself, Elin, and the rest of his family will remain private...and that is as it should be. So, all you critics need to learn something here...there is more to life than sensationalism, reality TV, American Idol, and all your other cravings to satisfy your own desires. Practice forgiveness if you will...practice tolerance if you will...practice love for a fellow human being. Just quit kicking TW...it's what really matters!
Friday, February 19, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
Potpourii
February 15, 2010 — Its been almost two weeks since I last blogged in this space. It hasn't been because I haven't wanted to write. Writing is good therapy I suppose. It affords the opportunity to coherently put one's thoughts down in a printed space...be that hard copy or online. It's also an opportunity to work on grammar and spelling skills, both of which I need much improvement on or so it seems.
So, what have I been doing with my time that has taken me away from Unc's What Really Matters? Here is the quick and well...dirty:
– I am working on a number of web sites. Two of these are live at http://www.vfwpost3377.org/ and http://www.texasvfw.org/. The other two are in the early design and setup stage. All of this is very time consuming. I really enjoy doing these web sites as sort of a hobby.
– Spending time with my family. I just can't get enough of this. Karen and I took care of two of our grandsons this past weekend. There ages being 2-mos and 4-yrs they are high maintenance, but great fun. Karen was in her element as Grammaw with the baby, but realized it was not as easy as it was with her own children. The 4-yr old was my charge and I set him up to play age appropriate games from nickjr.com on the computer. He had a great time. I am not a computer gamer, but I suppose this helps somewhat with eye-hand coordination and it does introduce him to the environment (have to be careful with that though).
– Spending time with MollyB our dog. Today is MollyB's birthday. What a joy she has been for Karen and I. She had been so sick just before we got her from the rescue group Gold Ribbon Rescue http://www.grr-tx.com/. These are fantastic people taking care of great dogs. She is full of life and loves people and other dogs. At her young age she still has much to learn about social behavior, but we work on that daily. MollyB is attentive and curious about her surroundings and a very intelligent dog. Playful and loving are two descriptors that best apply to her. We are so blessed to have her in our lives. If you have ever considered adopting a rescue dog, I strongly encourage you to follow through. It is a great experience!
– I am still trying to substitute teach a few times each week. It is getting harder to do though because of health issues. So far though it has been a very enlightening experience and one that I enjoy overall. These sub jobs do consume an entire day.
– Some things have changed health wise. I have more medical appts then I care to talk about and juggling those is a full time job sometimes. I am awaiting mods being done to a foot brace that the VA is providing me along with knee braces for each knee. Once I am wearing those, I expect I'll be "braced up" pretty well. I have a history of blood clots, so take the blood thinner Coumadin. In doing so my blood needs to be checked frequently for something called my International Normalized Ratio (INR)...a standard measurement for expressing blood clot times. Normal INR is between a value of 2-3. A high INR your blood is too thin and bleeding events can occur; a low INR your blood is too thick and clot events can occur; here is a good explanation http://www.clotcare.com/clotcare/ptinr.aspx.
I need to have my abdominal aortic aneurysm checked again via ultra-sound. Getting a timely appointment with my Vascular surgeon though is like trying to get in to see the Queen. I will be working in that issue this week.
Okay, that is the sick call report for this blog...GEESH!
In fact that's about it and as always... it's what really matters!
So, what have I been doing with my time that has taken me away from Unc's What Really Matters? Here is the quick and well...dirty:
– I am working on a number of web sites. Two of these are live at http://www.vfwpost3377.org/ and http://www.texasvfw.org/. The other two are in the early design and setup stage. All of this is very time consuming. I really enjoy doing these web sites as sort of a hobby.
– Spending time with my family. I just can't get enough of this. Karen and I took care of two of our grandsons this past weekend. There ages being 2-mos and 4-yrs they are high maintenance, but great fun. Karen was in her element as Grammaw with the baby, but realized it was not as easy as it was with her own children. The 4-yr old was my charge and I set him up to play age appropriate games from nickjr.com on the computer. He had a great time. I am not a computer gamer, but I suppose this helps somewhat with eye-hand coordination and it does introduce him to the environment (have to be careful with that though).
– Spending time with MollyB our dog. Today is MollyB's birthday. What a joy she has been for Karen and I. She had been so sick just before we got her from the rescue group Gold Ribbon Rescue http://www.grr-tx.com/. These are fantastic people taking care of great dogs. She is full of life and loves people and other dogs. At her young age she still has much to learn about social behavior, but we work on that daily. MollyB is attentive and curious about her surroundings and a very intelligent dog. Playful and loving are two descriptors that best apply to her. We are so blessed to have her in our lives. If you have ever considered adopting a rescue dog, I strongly encourage you to follow through. It is a great experience!
– I am still trying to substitute teach a few times each week. It is getting harder to do though because of health issues. So far though it has been a very enlightening experience and one that I enjoy overall. These sub jobs do consume an entire day.
– Some things have changed health wise. I have more medical appts then I care to talk about and juggling those is a full time job sometimes. I am awaiting mods being done to a foot brace that the VA is providing me along with knee braces for each knee. Once I am wearing those, I expect I'll be "braced up" pretty well. I have a history of blood clots, so take the blood thinner Coumadin. In doing so my blood needs to be checked frequently for something called my International Normalized Ratio (INR)...a standard measurement for expressing blood clot times. Normal INR is between a value of 2-3. A high INR your blood is too thin and bleeding events can occur; a low INR your blood is too thick and clot events can occur; here is a good explanation http://www.clotcare.com/clotcare/ptinr.aspx.
I need to have my abdominal aortic aneurysm checked again via ultra-sound. Getting a timely appointment with my Vascular surgeon though is like trying to get in to see the Queen. I will be working in that issue this week.
Okay, that is the sick call report for this blog...GEESH!
In fact that's about it and as always... it's what really matters!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
My Passion As A Veteran
February 4, 2010 — On a number of occasions I have blogged about veterans and veterans issues. Anyone that knows me will tell you that I am a passionate advocate for veterans. I will go anywhere and do anything for a veteran in need. I served my country in the U.S. Navy for 22+ years and retired in 1986. In 1993 I joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 3377 Manchaca, Texas as a Life Member and have been an active member since that time. I have served in many post positions and currently serve as the Post Webmaster at http://www.vfwpost3377.org/. I will soon become the manager/administrator for the VFW Department of Texas web site at http://www.texasvfw.org/.
This VFW year 2009-2010, I was nominated by VFW Department of Texas Jr. Vice Commander John Spahr for appointment as a VFW National Aide-de-Camp. Those nominated as Aide-de-Camp have demonstrated strong support of the goals of the VFW and it's motto of Honoring the Dead By Helping the Living. Each VFW state department is allocated so many Aide-de-Camps by VFW national headquarters and the top three officers in the state (Dept Cmdr, Sr. Vice Cmdr, Jr. Vice Cmdr) each make nominations and of course rank has it's privileges, so being nominated by the junior of the three officers my nomination did not survive. It was, however, an honor to have been nominated and I am very proud of that fact. Especially coming from a man who one day is predicted to be VFW National Commander-in-Chief.
Being a veterans advocate has many responsibilities. Our greatest responsibility and challenge is seeing that our government is held to the promises it has made to all veterans and active duty personnel on health care, housing, job training, and a multitude of other issues. It was not to long ago that the government did not own up to it's end of the bargain. In the last several years that has started to change thanks to the tens of thousands of veterans such as myself that have said...you will not turn your back on us. The Department of Veterans Administration (VA) is making great strides in meeting the needs of an ever growing veteran population. They still have a long way to go and are working very hard. The VA is now the only government department that by law must be fully funded come the start of the governments fiscal year on Oct 1st. The VA budget has been and continues to be increased each year. This must continue as the War on Terrorism extends longer than any of us care for and the thousands of military men and women and their families need the government's support through departments such as the VA once their service is complete. This is especially true for those wounded and maimed or mentally scarred because of their service. It is especially true for those families whose military member paid the supreme sacrifice and lost their life.
These are but a few of the reasons why I am passionate about being a veteran. As I said, I will go anywhere and do anything to help a fellow veteran and their family in need. I am also dedicated to ensuring that our government and my fellow citizens never forget the sacrifices made by veterans...it's what really matters!
This VFW year 2009-2010, I was nominated by VFW Department of Texas Jr. Vice Commander John Spahr for appointment as a VFW National Aide-de-Camp. Those nominated as Aide-de-Camp have demonstrated strong support of the goals of the VFW and it's motto of Honoring the Dead By Helping the Living. Each VFW state department is allocated so many Aide-de-Camps by VFW national headquarters and the top three officers in the state (Dept Cmdr, Sr. Vice Cmdr, Jr. Vice Cmdr) each make nominations and of course rank has it's privileges, so being nominated by the junior of the three officers my nomination did not survive. It was, however, an honor to have been nominated and I am very proud of that fact. Especially coming from a man who one day is predicted to be VFW National Commander-in-Chief.
Being a veterans advocate has many responsibilities. Our greatest responsibility and challenge is seeing that our government is held to the promises it has made to all veterans and active duty personnel on health care, housing, job training, and a multitude of other issues. It was not to long ago that the government did not own up to it's end of the bargain. In the last several years that has started to change thanks to the tens of thousands of veterans such as myself that have said...you will not turn your back on us. The Department of Veterans Administration (VA) is making great strides in meeting the needs of an ever growing veteran population. They still have a long way to go and are working very hard. The VA is now the only government department that by law must be fully funded come the start of the governments fiscal year on Oct 1st. The VA budget has been and continues to be increased each year. This must continue as the War on Terrorism extends longer than any of us care for and the thousands of military men and women and their families need the government's support through departments such as the VA once their service is complete. This is especially true for those wounded and maimed or mentally scarred because of their service. It is especially true for those families whose military member paid the supreme sacrifice and lost their life.
These are but a few of the reasons why I am passionate about being a veteran. As I said, I will go anywhere and do anything to help a fellow veteran and their family in need. I am also dedicated to ensuring that our government and my fellow citizens never forget the sacrifices made by veterans...it's what really matters!
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