December 18, 2012

1. I was very pleased by the beginning of President Obama’s speech on Sunday to the people of Newtown, Conn. In the face of that horrific tragedy, the president referred to and quoted from Scripture extensively. In a time of unspeakable tragedy, it was significant that our president took us to our greatest potential source of comfort. One YouTube post cut that part out—a sure sign that the Judeo-Christian worldview came through.

2. Saturday night, Judy and I took in the Robert E. Lee production of the musical WHITE CHRISTMAS. As a chaser, we watched the Bing Crosby/Danny Kay movie last night. I was surprised that the stage version is so different than the movie version. For example, in the movie, General Waverly leaves the WWII European front because he is being demoted. In the stage version, he has to return to the states to receive an operation on his wounded leg. I liked both, but the movie version lasts only two hours, compared to the stage version’s duration of three hours. If I must vote, therefore, I vote for the stage version.

3. I think the Texas Rangers did the right thing in letting Josh Hamilton go. There is no way the team’s income can support signing him to a contract like the Angels. Having said that, I fear that we will look back on Hamilton’s time with the team as the golden years. I wish they would have won at least one World Series during that time—the window of opportunity has closed.

4. If you want to read a book to help you emotionally understand that beautiful actresses do not have it made, read Portia De Rossi’s book Unbearable Lightness. Tormented by her homosexual feelings and her physical self-loathing, she does a tremendously effective job of communicating her insecurity and fear. Those twin evils fueled her eating disorders and self-destruction. At one point, her weight dropped below 90lbs. (Photos from that time in her life break your heart.) I bet most females in the country reading the book think to themselves, “I’m glad I’m not her.” Remarkable.

5. I know I wrote on this yesterday (http://markedgeremarks.blogspot.com/), but the more I think about Lev. 25 and Deut. 15, the more I am challenged by those two passages.

*Thanks to Peter King for the inspiration for this blog's title.

December 11, 2012

1. I think LeBron James is a lot better guy than I had previously thought. Sports Illustrated

has a terrific article on him in this week’s issue where he is named SPORTSMAN THE YEAR.

 Not only has he financially helped a lot of people, he has given them the gift of his time.

 In addition, he is an extremely intelligent ballplayer; some of his coaches all him a genius.

 Here is a link to the article: http://www.sportsillustratedeverywhere.com/issues/protected/com.timeinc.si.web.inapp.12102012/index.html

2. I avoided reading His Excellency George Washington for several years. Recently, I made the decision to give it a shot, and was thoroughly impressed. The historian, Joseph Ellis, author of the Pulitzer prize-winning book Founding Brothers, also wrote this biography. It is short, it holds your attention, and it gives you an effective global view of Washington's life and career. Ellis produces the most balanced view of Washington. He shows him to be a great man, but a man who has weaknesses like all others.

            I have read other books on Washington, including James Thomas Flexner's four-volume biography. However, this work by Ellis is definitely the most enjoyable. If you can only read one book on George Washington, read this one.           

3. I have no desire to see the new movie musical Les Miserables, but I hear the singing is very good. Also, I read that is an unusual film in that the singing was recorded on-location rather than in the studio. I do respect that.

4. I was disappointed in the documentary on former Defense Secretary Robert McNamara. It was called The Fog Of War. I had heard about it for several years. In the film, McNamara recounted some of the reasons why he made the decisions that he made in the Vietnam War. The movie does not offer much new information.

5. That was a gutty win Sunday, Cowboys.

*Thanks to Peter King for the inspiration for this title.

December 4, 2012

1. I think I want to see the Steven Jobs biopic when it arrives at theaters. Here is a link to the photo released by the studio of Ashton Kutcher as Jobs:

http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2012/12/04/photo-ashton-kutcher-as-steve-jobs-in-jobs/?hpt=hp_bn9

2. I think if you have a high tolerance for secular culture, the movie BLUE LIKE JAZZ gives an accurate portrayal of what you can expect to see in our nation’s future.

3. I am sad to see that Frankie Muniz, the actor who played Malcom in “Malcom in the Middle” suffered a mini-stroke last week. He is only 26.

4.  A couple of weeks ago, I finished Evan Thomas' new book Ike’s Bluff President Eisenhower's Secret Battle to Save the World. Thomas wrote this for popular consumption, and he succeeded in producing a work that the public will like.            

            Thomas’ premise is that President Eisenhower drew from his poker playing skill to bluff China and the Soviet Union into restraining themselves from engaging in nuclear war. Thomas, from the beginning, makes a strong case for his central point; however, I found the last half of the book repetitive. It was as if he had to stretch his material in order to write a full book. Do not let that discourage you though; it is still a very good read.

            Through the years, I've been blessed with the opportunity to read a number of books about Dwight Eisenhower, and Thomas has some information, due to recently declassified documents, that is fresh and new. Moreover, access to the diary of Eisenhower’s personal physician offers dramatic insight to the delicate balance the president had to maintain between stress and health. Thomas’ narration shows a close correlation between the stress of the presidency and Eisenhower's various health problems. These included a heart attack, various stomach ailments, and a stroke. Eisenhower's physician recorded his need to give Eisenhower a sleeping pill during the middle of the night to help him go back to sleep.

            All of this makes sense. Eisenhower is the first human being in history who has to cultivate a strategy for the hydrogen bomb. Nothing in history compared to this exercise. Furthermore, Eisenhower potentially faced unspeakable consequences. He had to manage thermonuclear bombs, address the reality that other nations on the planet had atomic weapons that could destroy his country, all the while knowing that any combination of moves could conceivably destroy life on this planet. I think I would have health issues as well were I to make these decisions.

            The book's best quote was this, “Lincoln went to war to save the Union. Eisenhower avoided war to save the world.” That one line describes the burden and the glory of Eisenhower presidency.

            The 20th century birthed a man who organized the greatest military invasion in human history. It also birthed a man who had to address the possibility that hostile nations could have literally wiped his nation from the planet. It just so happened that both men resided in the body of Dwight Eisenhower.

            Who knows? Maybe he should be designated the man of the century.

5. When you say a prayer tonight, pray for one of our elders, David Smith. He is fighting for his life.

*Thanks to Peter King for the inspiration for this title.

November 27, 2012

1. I think you don't build sons simply in the house; rather, you build sons hunting on the creek, working in the yard, or playing on the football field. Likewise, you don't build disciples simply in the "House of God." No, you build disciples hunting on the Creek, at the work place, playing on the football field, or in YOUR house.

2. Sorry to see last week that we lost actor Larry Hagman; I guess this was no shock considering he cheated death a couple of times before. While acutely aware of the DALLAS spectacle, I must admit I have never seen an episode in my life.

3. While I’m no fan of Notre Dame, I’ve got to salute the Fighting Irish on their season—really remarkable. I think they have a chance to defeat either Alabama or Georgia in the BCS title game.

4. My daughter, Haleigh, and I saw the movie LINCOLN last week. We both enjoyed it very much.

         I found it different from what I expected it to be. Steven Spielberg so often directs movies that generate a lot of emotion: think E.T., or SAVING PRIVATE RYAN. Emotion was what I was expecting with LINCOLN. Instead, it was a much more analytical movie. The plot focused on Lincoln’s intense effort to get the 13th amendment passed by Congress. That was thought provoking, but not very emotional. Nevertheless, there were some very poignant moments.

         For example, scenes of Lincoln walking around the White House during the middle of the night… pondering his next move in a chess match in which he appears to be beaten.

         Also, I found the portrayal of the intense personal atmosphere of the White House of the 1860s to be touching. People flocked in constantly. There were very few places the First Family could go for respite. You have the sense that the whole world was closing in on the Lincolns. (I’m sure that was a big reason Lincoln would often retreat to the Soldiers Home—outside Washington—during the summer.)

         Daniel Day Lewis does an incredible job as Abraham Lincoln. I would not be surprised to see him garner his third best actor Oscar. Furthermore, Spielberg would be no surprise as best director and LINCOLN would be no surprise to win best picture.

         I think you should go see the movie.

5. I think that if you like popular music, the song “Little Talk”, by the Icelandic band, OF MONSTERS AND MEN is a whole lot of fun.

*Thanks to Peter King for the inspiration for this title.

November 20, 2012

1. I am shocked to see that the U.S. will in a year or two become the world’s largest exporter of oil.

2. Good for you West Feliciana (LA) High School. You selected Mary Margaret Burns as your homecoming queen—and it was no prank. (Incidentally, in case you have not heard, Mary Margaret has Down’s syndrome.)

3. Told my daughter, Haleigh, the other day that Frida Lyngstad, the brunette female singer of ABBA fame, turned 67. Haleigh could not believe it. It’s even harder for me to believe.

4. I think I feel bad for the Psychic Friends Network. I read in a magazine (WORLD) that the company filed papers with the Securities and Exchange Commission expressing the hope they earn $64 million in 2015.

            Beware! They also stated, “Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because PFN (Psychic Friends Network) can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct.” Well if the psychics can’t see into our economic future, who can?!

5. I have not had the chance to comment on the death of former UT football coach, Darrell Royal. When I was a boy, I was electrified by the greatest and most courageous coaching call in football history.

            Texas was playing the University of Arkansas, in Fayetteville. The game had been moved to December. Texas was number 1 and Arkansas was number 2.

            Behind virtually the entire game, Royal chose to go for it on fourth down and three with just a few minutes left. Texas was a running team. Royal typically disdained the pass, having once said, “Three things can happen when you pass… and two of them are bad.”

            Well, Royal called a long pass… and it helped the Longhorns defeat the Razorbacks and gave Texas its second national championship of the 60s. Rest in peace, Darrell Royal.

*Thanks to Peter King for the inspiration for this title.

November 6, 2012

1. I pray for the folks on the east coast. “Sandy” killed people and caused billions in property damage. Yet, I think I am grateful to live in the day and age we do--when people can receive plenty of warning. Thousands of lives would have been spared in New York in 1938 and in Galveston in 1900 (to name two major storms) had there been more advance warning.

2. Today is Election Day. I think the posts I have seen advocating turning this day into a national holiday have it right. Surely that would encourage more turnout, jog our memories as to how blessed we are, and remind us that “[W]e the people” are responsible for our own government. This last point is so important. Ultimately, in terms of making a difference, it’s not the politicians; it’s the people. Politicians always listen to their bosses—otherwise known as their constituents.

3. We are halfway through the NFL season and I am sticking with my preseason Super Bowl picks-- San Francisco and Houston.

4. I know everybody has jumped on Dallas’ case lately, including myself; however, last Sunday night, they showed me something in their loss to Atlanta. They played very well in the harshest of environments against the team with the best record in football. Dallas is facing adversity at just the right time—now. Four of the last five Super Bowl champions had similar records this time of the season. They all peaked at the end. Mark my words: barring injury, Dallas will make the playoffs this year and play very well. If they peak and catch some breaks—they will make it to the Super Bowl. You heard it here first.

5. Did you see the TIME cover story on Spielberg’s new movie LINCOLN? The movie opens this weekend. I think this is a must-see movie.

*Thanks to Peter King for the inspiration for this title.

October 30, 2012

1. I think changing the value of the dollar is immoral. It is stealing. As our national debt grows, the value of the dollar will inevitably be reduced. It is time we as citizens hold all politicians accountable for spending policies that violate one of the 10 Commandments.

2. I’m praying for the east coast. “Sandy” appears to be a terrible and disruptive storm.

3. I think the San Francisco Giants franchise is the most impressive one I have seen so far this decade in sports. To win with the adversity they have faced, and to have the “common men” outhit the opponents’ superstars is staggering. They are the true definition of "team."

4. I think college education is changing at light speed.

            TIME recently had a good article about this subject. One anecdote concerned an 11-year-old Pakistani girl who was taking a final exam of an online college physics course (yes, physics!)

            The course was offered by a Stanford professor through a private consortium. For this reason, people all over the world had been enrolled in it. During the exam, the Pakistani government closed down all national access to YouTube, which was broadcasting the course.

            Devastated, the girl wrote on her class’s discussion board, “I am very angry, but I will not quit.” Students from all over the world pitched in to help. Ultimately, other students found a way to bypass the government censors and the girl passed her final.

            I found this story insightful, inspirational, and indicational (I made that word up so I could have another one that began with the letter “i”) of the future of education.

5. I don’t like the movie MY FAIR LADY. Through the years, my girls have periodically watched it. Overhearing the musical (I slept through it the first time I tried to watch it) yet again last night, I never cease tiring of it.

*Thanks to Peter King for the inspiration for this title.

October 23, 2012

1. At the beginning of the baseball season, I picked the Tigers and Giants to play in the World Series. NOT!

            Even though I did not pick them, I am still unsurprised. Both teams have good pitching and hitting.

            I refuse to pick a winner in this series. Every team I selected in the post season has lost. Boy am I confused.

2. “Oh what a tangled [social] web weave”-or words to that effect-can be used to apply to Facebook and Twitter these days. I read in TIME where Americans are engaging in a massive “de-friending” movement. It seems that people are getting so upset at what their social network friends are saying/liking/tweeting concerning the election, they are cutting off the social friendships. I think I now know where to take the next conversation I have with a telemarketer.

3. I think perhaps the most interesting thing said about last night's debate was uttered by George Will. As a follow up, Will wrote in his syndicated column, “The death of George McGovern on the eve of the presidential candidates' foreign policy debate underscored a momentous political reversal spanning four decades.

            “McGovern's nomination for president in 1972, a consequence of the Democratic Party's recoil against the Vietnam War and the riotous convention four years earlier, made the country uneasy about his party regarding national security. Four decades later, however, voters may be more ambivalent about America's world role than at any time since the 1930s.”

            I was too young to vote in 1972, but I definitely did not want George McGovern to win. I was not alone. Practically the entire United States wanted Nixon to defeat McGovern. Yet, in light of Korea, Vietnam, the Middle East, and now, Iraq and Afghanistan, Americans are tired of sending her boys overseas. And that is what both candidates are campaigning on.

4. Should I admit to having seen ABC’s drama (soap opera!) NASHVILLE?

5. Our public library just came out with a copy of the hot (for Dallas Cowboys fans) new book THE DALLAS COWBOYS: THE OUTRAGEOUS HISTORY OF THE BIGGEST, LOUDEST, MOST HATED, BEST LOVED FOOTBALL TEAM IN AMERICA. It is written by national freelance writer, Joe Nick Patoski, who lives in the Texas Hill Country.

            The book breaks little new ground in the area of football. In fact, I was surprised by the relatively low amount of interviews Patoski did. Some books of this genre will draw from interviews with over a hundred people.

            Where OUTRAGEOUS adds to the category of Cowboy literature is in the social and cultural field, especially when it comes to the city of Dallas. I have read a lot of books on the Cowboys since childhood, and Patoski offers some context that I have not seen anywhere. This material makes for a good read.

            On the other hand, regarding the football team itself, Patoski makes so many factual errors that it borders on the egregious. In one brief section, I began recording some of the mistakes:

• ·      The week of the 1968 regular season matchup between the Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys, Don Meredith was hospitalized with pneumonia—the consequence of broken ribs. Nevertheless, Meredith led the Cowboys to victory: 28-7. (Wrong: Meredith was hospitalized during the 1967 season.)
• ·      Frank Ryan led the Cleveland Browns to an upset playoff victory over the Dallas Cowboys in 1968 (it was Bill Nelson.)
• ·      After the 1968, the Cowboys received tight end Mike Ditka from the Pittsburgh Steelers in a trade. (It was the Philadelphia Eagles.)
• ·      Dallas won Super Bowl VI 23-3. (It was 24-3.)
• ·      On New Years Day, 1972, the University of Texas clobbered Penn State in the Cotton Bowl. (Penn State defeated Texas 30-6.)

            These are just a few of the mistakes I found. Now, for me, this amount would represent an average day. But you would think a major publishing company like LITTLE BROWN could hire a fact checker who could eliminate these errors.

            Enough with the negative, though—check the book out. It’s a fun read.

*Thanks to Peter King for the inspiration for this title.

October 16, 2012

1. I think public schools should not force students, who refuse to learn, to stay in the classroom. It is disruptive for the students who desire to learn, impairs the teacher's ability to educate, and ultimately destroys the future of the rebellious student.

            The only hope of impacting the student’s attitude is consequences. Consequences can be very good for the student, and for society.

            Here are some consequences that I propose for students who insist upon disrupting the classroom. Under supervision:

            1) they could engage in community service such as beautification works for the community

            2) they could perform the labor tasks that typical workers do not want to act upon. (One of the reasons we have so many undocumented workers in the United States is because they are doing jobs that people who are American citizens do not want to do.)

            3) place them resurrected vocational programs (Not every child is cut out for college, and many of our trades—such as welding—are in crisis because few people are qualified to work in these fields)

            I propose that students always be given the chance to reenter the classroom. Sometimes the greatest motivation for study is the discovery that one does not want to spend the rest of his life digging ditches.

            Others find motivation in seeking redemption in the classroom. I would not have my doctorate today were it not for the fact that I was seeking redemption in the classroom. I lamented my earlier wasted opportunities.

            This is a more realistic approach when it comes to human nature. Unlike the materialistic philosophy of the federal government's Department of Education, this approach recognizes the spiritual component of training people to be good citizens. It is a win-win: the students become more responsible and we will ultimately produce more students who score higher in the classroom.

2. I think the Dallas Cowboys lack the physical talent and intelligence to be a good football team. When you have an enormous amount of physical talent, you can overcome the stupid mistakes. When you have intelligent football players, you can overcome the lack of physical talent. But when you have a shortage of both, you find yourself 2-3 on the season. These are the realities that Jerry and Jason must address.

3. I think BATMAN BEGINS is one of the best movies of all time. My daughter, Abby, recently gave it to me for my birthday; I watched it again for the umpteenth time. A classic.

4.I just completed the book THE SNOWBALL: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life by Alice Schroeder. Is a good-sized book–over 800 pages–but it reads very well. She offers a fascinating and detailed account of Warren Buffett’s path to riches, within the context his times, life and relationships. Schroeder perhaps offer the best conclusion I have ever read. She is a master at summarizing the events of a person's life and placing them in perspective. I definitely give this biography a thumbs up.

5. Both of the teams I picked to make to the World Series lost last week in the first full round of the baseball playoffs. After seeing the Cardinals against the Nationals, I feel a lot better about the pain I experienced last year watching the Texas Rangers lose the World Series. I don't know who to pick now to win the series, but I'm hoping Detroit does. I like Jim Leyland and I respect Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera.

*Thanks to Peter King for the inspiration for this blog's title.

October 9, 2012

1. I think that our United States federal education system is materialistic. Some of you maybe thinking, "Well, duh! It's about time you catch on." I was slow because before, whenever I thought of materialism, I thought of buying and accumulating a lot of things or a lot of money.

            However, a teacher at John Tyler High School said something to me a few weeks ago that made it all click. Federal mandates emphasize the material. For example, consider the federal government’s influence concerning testing.

            The emphasis no longer is on gathering knowledge in order to become a good citizen in a democratic society. Now it is on receiving high numbers (grades) as noted on ink and paper, or through pixels.

            Education from the federal government does not care about producing good citizens; it cares about producing good testers. That means schools often deliver neither.

            A major factor preventing students today from excelling in education is the complete elimination of the spiritual from the public schools. When I use the word “spiritual” in this context, I am using it in the broad sense, in full compliance with Supreme Court decisions of Church and State.

         Without the spiritual, you lose good education and good citizens.

2. I think Texas Ranger fans are going to rue the day that Josh Hamilton signed with another team. I fear these past few years will be known as the golden years of the Texas Rangers and that the Rangers will not win a World Series for many years to come. They will be competitive, but the window of opportunity has closed.

3. I am picking Baltimore and Washington to play in the World Series. I had picked the Giants, but they are now behind Cincy 2-0. Obviously, I made a mistake. Matt Cain looked awful Game 1.

4. I saw HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA last week. It was the first 3D movie that I have seen with the new technology (that was cool!) The movie started slow for a cartoon, but it picked up about ten to fifteen minutes in. Lots of laughs.

5. I finished the book THE LAST HEADBANGERS by sportswriter Kevin Cook last week. It is a celebration of the seventies in the NFL, before major rule changes in defensive football occurred, delivering the high scorer football we still witness today.

            It is not a heavily researched book along the lines of Michael MacCambridge’s AMERICA’S GAME, but the author did conduct a few interviews, which brought some originality to the table. (My favorite interview was Roger Staubach.)

            Two interesting facts that appeared at the end of the book:

             1) How popular is the NFL? According to the THE LAST HEADBANGERS, ESPN's coverage of the annual scouting combine in Indianapolis draws more viewers than the Masters or the Indy 500. In the year 2010, the top 19 rated programs in all of television were broadcasts of NFL games (likewise were 28 of the top 30 broadcasts.) During the NFL regular season, an NFL game was the number one show on television each week. In February 2010, Super Bowl XLIV became the highest rated television program of all time. The next year, Super Bowl XLV became number one. This year, 2012, Super Bowl XLVI became the most viewed TV program of all time.

            2) I knew Johnny Unitas paid a high price for his NFL career, but I did not realize that in the last few years of his life, he had to resort to this when he played golf: using the fingers of his left hand, he would plac the deadened fingers of his right hand around the grip of a golf club to then strap into place those deadened fingers with Velcro. This was because his right arm had been damaged so much during his career, he had no feeling in his hand and fingers.