The State of the Union

Perhaps it would have been more apropos to title this post "The State of the Country".  We still have a country after all.  It sure doesn't feel like much of a union though.

This country is going through some growing pains.  Perhaps it would have been more apropos to say that the country is going through hard-to-define-type-of-pains.  It sure doesn't feel like much growing is happening though.

Seems I'm going in circles, and getting exhausted in the process, and I haven't even gotten to the meat of the bone, yet.

So, to set the table:

> A Minneapolis police officer put his body weight on the neck of a handcuffed suspect with his knee, while 3 of his partners watched, resulting in the death of the suspect, George Floyd.

> The police officer is Caucasian.

> Mr. Floyd is African American.

> Mr. Floyd was suspected of using a counterfeit $20 bill.

> The police officer was arrested 4 days after the death of Mr. Floyd.

> Community frustration in Minneapolis and several other major cities in the nation have increased and escalated from simple protests to full-on rioting and violence.

> In several cities, (particularly Minneapolis, New York City, Chicago, Atlanta, and Los Angeles) countless fires have been destroyed buildings and vehicles (police and private), stores have been looted, and cities have become, in some ways, unrecognizable.

> Last night, the crowd at the White House was testing the patience of the Secret Service.  Tonight, the barriers are providing for more distance between the crowd and the White House.

> The 3 other police officers involved have not (yet) been arrested.

I am an American citizen, from birth to parents who are American citizens from birth.  This country belongs to me just as much as it does to other citizens.  I love the freedoms I am provided and respect the parameters that, as a citizen, within which I am to live.

The 1^st Amendment was included in the Bill of Rights to protect my rights and the rights of all citizens.  It states:

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

I *support* the right of citizens to assemble, speak freely, and protest.  The key phrase, at least considering recent events, is “…the right of the people to peaceably assemble…”.  Citizens have the right to speak their mind, meet with those who also speak their mind (or just listen, if they so choose), and to protest. 

I do *not* support assaulting others for any reason, including when they voice an opinion that differs from yours.  I do *not* support looting, rioting, or burning property that isn’t your own.  None of these actions are supported in the 1^st Amendment because they violate another’s rights.  I don’t have the right to assault you because you disagree with me.  And you don’t have the right to assault me when I disagree with you.  Committing crime when you are justified in anger and frustration doesn’t absolve you from the crime.  Wrong is wrong.  Are the actions helping your stated cause?  Sadly, the actions of many people are a distraction from conversation necessitated by the issues raised by the death of Mr. George Floyd.

The wheels of justice will move slow, likely too slow.  Sadly, that’s the nature of the justice system.  Nothing will bring Mr. Floyd back.  Even if there was no rioting or looting, Mr. Floyd’s live has ended.  Because of criminal actions, there are additional casualties, emotional wounds, and exorbitant monetary costs that will have to be dealt with.  Mr. Floyd’s death is a tragedy, certainly an unnecessary one.  The officers that are responsible for his death need to be held responsible criminally and civilly accountable.  Sadly, justice for the officers won’t bring Mr. Floyd back to life.  For his family, and many others, those wounds will never fully heal.

I don’t know what it will take for this country to heal.  So many problems to juggle, so much legitimate pain, so much regrettable history.  The problems are in multitude and the solutions don’t seem to come easily or quickly.  I think there are many reasons we are where we are today.  I think the big solution lies in God, in the peace only He can bring.  But so many people aren’t open to that notion.  One-by-one, we can choose to be kinder to each other, but that still involves an individual decision that many aren’t willing to make.  We can try to heal ourselves and help our families heal the wounds that have hampered them.  Some won’t take that step.  But I can.

I will.  And I will pray for God’s peace to guide me and my family.

Will you?

“Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.” 

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Sorry for the lack of updates...

Disney movie #3 (Lord have mercy) was Tarzan.  I enjoyed it.  Got too serious at the end, like Disney movies tend to do, but it was enjoyable nonetheless.  I admit that I am amazed at how the movies come to live.  The movies are well-conceived and enjoyable to watch.  Glad I'm doing this with my daughter (and family).

Movie #4 was The Hunchback of Notre Dame...  Quasimodo (or Hashimoto if you prefer) is a great character.  The 3 gargoyles are funny (even though my daughter hates them).  What's her face, the lead, is oddly colored, in my book at least.  In the end, a good movie worth a take.

Movie #5 was The Hunchback of Notre Dame II...  This was rough.  One expects to see a level of creation that is on par with the original.  The story was nothing to speak of, which is understandable when it's a sequel, but the visuals were atrocious.  What's her face, the lead, was such an odd dark color.  They don't even make a crayon that color.  Anyway, most forgettable.

Movie #6 was Zootopia.  This movie was pretty cool and not just because I've owned rabbits twice in my life.  A cute idea... the interplay between the fox and rabbit was cool.  The rabbit's mom and dad... the rest of the police animals... all cool.  Enjoyed greatly.

About to watch the original Beauty and the Beast.  My kids and wife are going to watch the live-action one that is about to come out so it seemed apropos.  Anyway, I just played video games for 4 hours, ate too much at Chili's (it was good, thanks), and I'm recovering from jerking my knee out of socket playing my first softball game in 21 years, so... hopefully, I can stay awake on this comfortable couch to finish it.  (Have I mentioned that I'm giving away a Yorkie?)

Disney Movie Trek Continues...

Ok, so Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was the second movie I picked,  Her singing was hurting my ears as it got into the higher registers.  I was impressed though with the complexity of the animation, particularly the movement.  Enjoyed the banter between the dwarfs during the songs... silly stuff but enjoyable anyway.

About to pick the third movie and will blog thereafter.

Disney Movie Watch Party - The Journey Begins

I picked The Lion King as my first movie of the complete Disney library to watch with my 15 year-old daughter (and the other two of my brood).  It was enjoyable.  I knew a few characters names but that was about it.  Not a bad story.  Obviously predictable.  My daughter asked me what I rated it.  I gave it a 6 out of 10 and she agreed, which surprised me, as we usually don't look at the same things.

One Disney movie down... about 483,017 more to go.  About to start movie #2.

Comprehensive Disney Movie Watch Project - Lord Have Mercy

My 15 year-old daughter is a Disney know-it-all.  Literally.  She can name the movies in chronological release order from beginning to end.  She blathers incessantly about the most obtuse details of each and every movie.  (Yes, I still love her.)  But her Disney thoughts are endless.

That I recall, I have only seen three Disney movies from beginning to end without falling asleep.  (I confess to being a Star Wars nut, but I won't count that here.)  I loved Aladdin... Robin Williams was magical, no pun intended, really.  In college, I was in a class where we studied movies and I was forced to watch The Jungle Book.  To my surprise, I enjoyed it.  Even though Who Framed Roger Rabbit? was released differently (separately from Disney), I've seen that too, and enjoyed it, not because of Jessica Rabbit.  I have seen several in theaters (Wreck it Ralph, Frozen, etc., but I missed half of these because of a comfortable seat cushion.), and I saw a few while my kids where immersed in a blu-ray at home, but I was distracted and couldn't tell you much about the stories or the characters.

I told my daughter two nights ago that I would watch all of the Disney movies if she were to be kind enough to list the ones she felt proper to include.  She is working on the list.  I get to pick from it.  I will chronicle this here, if only for my daughter's excitement.  She'll be happy to spend time with me on something she enjoys.  My other daughter and son will likely watch with us also.   Experts on Disney, they are not, relative to my 15 year-old, at least, but they enjoy Disney nonetheless.  Tonight, we will begin with movie #1.  I will pick in a few minutes and then blog again within a few days what my impressions.  Maybe I'll let my daughter add some quick thoughts.  And so the father - daughter Disney movie chronicle begins. 

How Do Ya Like Them Apples, C.J.?

Twenty games, give or take.  Less than a month into this baseball season.  Life in North Texas for baseball fans is great.

My Texas Rangers, the team I've given emotional support since July of 1977, is fresh off consecutive World Series appearances, but fell short both times. Amidst the hype over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (Los Angeles Anaheim, Angeles Angels... really?) over all the money they dumped into Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson this summer, I have been chomping at the bit for this season to begin.  I'm crazy enough to actually think the Rangers have the foundation (monetarily and mentally), the players, and the hunger to reach the World Series again.  Even worse, I believe they will return this year and I think they will bring to Texas the trophy that has as of yet eluded both teams from this sports-happy state.

So far, the numbers for my team are looking good:

after games played on 25 April 2012
	W	L	GB
Texas Rangers	15	4	-
Oakland Athletics	10	10	5.5
Seattle Mariners	9	10	6.0
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim*	6	12	8.5
*longest team name ever

To say that I'm happy that the Angels are struggling, is like saying I like free ballpark nachos.  Schadenfreude on A-Rod... I mean steroids.  Could there be a bigger understatement.  The Angels can't score.  Pujols is homerless.  C.J. went from penthouse to outhouse and is confused enough he probably likes it.

I quite like C.J. in an Angels uniform.  He's got good stuff, but isn't the most consistent pitcher.  The tweeting of Mike Napoli's phone number seems to reveal, to me, at least, that he doesn't give his (ex-)teammates proper respect.  That's below the belt.  Enough on C.J., as Yu Darvish seems a class act and has shown more inprovement in 4 starts than C.J. showed his entire career with Texas.  Pujols' signing seemed over-the-top from the start.  I don't wish injury on the guy, but I can't imagine he'll be producing at a worthwhile clip toward the end of his contract.  The pressure to produce for him must be dibilitating, or so it seems.  He evidently isn't adjusted to it yet.  I'm sure Angels manager Mike Scioscia is not so amused with the $240 million contract standing on first base.  Can't blame Scioscia for that.  By my bad math, that's $148,481.06 a game for a player who is batting .222 with zero homers and 4 runs batted in.  Ranger fans are salivating.  These numbers are especially Pavlovian when the Rangers have the best record in baseball at 15 - 4, with a winning percentage of .789.  I think my team is a good one.  Go figure.

Anyway, I don't expect the Angels to suck like this all year, but I think the Rangers have as good a chance as any team at holding on to first place.  Nolan Ryan's leadership has done wonders for this team.  The ptiching wisdom Mike Maddux and the new addition of Greg Maddux into the Rangers' fold can only be a good thing.  There is a belief in the Rangers' clubhouse that the team has what it takes to get the big trophy in October.  It looks to be a great ride.  I'm in for it.  I even like apples.

I do like ballpark nachos more though.

A quick thought on change...

     I have several lines of scripture and poetry in my office at work.  One of my all-time favorites comes from 1 Chronicles 4:10, which Bruce Wilkinson examined in The Prayer of Jabez:

Jabez cried out the the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory!  Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I would be free from pain."  And God granted his request.

I treasure this scripture in its simplicity and power.

     I also have something I wrote one day upon feeling lifted in an attempt to overday the difficulties of the day:

There is no arena where I exist in which I have achieved flawlessness; thus, in each of my endeavors, I will harvest the seed of improvement.

I love how, that specific day, whatever was bothering me paled in comparison to my undaunted spirit.  I am actually proud to have written it.

     Lastly, another day, I wrote a small poem, with the intention, I'm sure, to comfort my questioning self that the pains that come from life are for a greater purpose.  I recognized, thankfully, that I am a part of something that is bigger than I am, and found solace in my belief that my tomorrows will bring more peace than my yesterdays have:

Embrace the uncertainty of change,
The pain of progression,
And the discomfort of growth...

As they are the impetus for better things to come.

I love what this says.  It is so who I am at the core, although I admit that in my weaker moments I crave the stability of structure and familiarity.  Everything around me that I now care about is changing, and all for the better.  My wife Brenda and I are both focusing more on our spiritual relationships with God.  I am trying, almost as best as I know how, to be a better husband and father.  My relationships with family and friends alike are all testing my ability to stretch and become more than I already am.  I don't know how I'll manage the rest of the day, but I do have faith that I will find a strength in the metamorphosis of my life, even if it is in coming to the acceptance that it's not in my hands.  I'll find solace in holding on by letting go.  And when something uncomfortable comes along to test my mettle, at least I've got some good quotes to read in my office.  If they don't spur me into a positive mindset, I'll just come up with some more.