I love this man, he and I think alike!!
Tech-No!
By Arnold Ahlert
Last weekend a friend from out of town came to visit. I have known him for a few years, but our relationship had never gotten to the point where I had ever seen his family or been to his house. Now I am quite familiar with both, courtesy of his I-Phone. And while most people carry around pictures of one's family, his house was another story: in order to show it to me, he logged on to Google Earth and, in combination with the zoom capabilities of his phone, I was able to get a good picture of where he lived. He was thrilled to show it to me. I was decidedly less thrilled that he could.
Last August, it was reported that the town of Riverhead, NY was using Google Earth to locate backyard swimming pools which they cross-checked with permit applications to see if those pools had been built legally. They discovered 250 illegal pools and collected nearly $75,000 in fines. When I read that story I wondered how many people thinking they were sunbathing in private (perhaps nude) had no idea they were being spied upon by their local government. I wonder how many Americans don't realize that such images, once captured, could then be downloaded to the internet--for international consumption.
Far-fetched? The Wikileaks document dump is many things, but first and foremost it is an exposure of information that the purveyors of that information thought was private--exactly what the residents of Riverhead could have reasonably assumed about their own back yards. In both cases such assumptions were completely erroneous.
At airports, Americans' expectations of privacy are now officially irrelevant. One has a choice of a completely revealing body scan, or the groping of one's body by a TSA agent, as a condition for flying. Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) has announced he is putting together a new bill that would include up to a year in prison and fines of up to $100,000 for anyone caught reproducing the body scan images, which like images obtained from Google Earth, could easily be downloaded onto the web for public consumption. No doubt the irony that Mr. Schumer is attempting to criminalize an aspect of a problem created by government itself is lost on the Senator.
As for the scans themselves, al Qaeda is hard at work attempting to make them functionally obsolete. A jihadist online forum translated by experts at the SITE Intelligence Group reveals that terrorist bomb-makers and doctors are combining their talents with the hope of producing a surgically implanted--and completely undetectable--type of bomb composed of liquid explosives stitched into the abdominal cavity. TSA head John Pistole assured the public that TSA agents would not be doing body cavity searches because "you have to have some external device to cause that initiation," he said. "That's what the advanced imaging technology machine will pick up: any anomaly outside of the body" (italics mine.) Perhaps Mr. Pistole can't imagine a fuse being tucked into a certain body cavity or a fuseless device being detonated by a radio signal. One suspects al Qaeda operatives are far less myopic.
The common thread here is that privacy is becoming obsolete, and its demise can be directly traced to the advance of technology. Yet if it were simply the advance of technology and the public's acquiescence to it that were the problems, one might be less concerned where all of this is going.
Unfortunately, a substantial portion of the public is not merely acquiescent. There has been a generational transformation in the public's understanding of privacy. In short, older Americans value privacy. Younger Americans prefer exhibitionism.
That is a paradigm shift in our culture.
Perhaps such a shift was an accident waiting to happen. Yet the idea that millions of Americans spend inordinate amounts of time twittering, posting on Facebook and YouTube and other sites dedicated to Andy Warhol's idea that everyone wants their "15 minutes of fame" is evolving into far more than just a yearning to be noticed. A generation of younger Americans is getting quite comfortable with the idea that privacy has very little, if any, value. It is getting comfortable with the idea that there is virtually nowhere in the public arena where one can have any reasonable expectation that they are free from scrutiny.
And if the town of Riverhead, NY is indicative, the "public arena" now includes the outside of one's private property as well.
There is also something else I've noticed, though I'd be the first to admit such observation is strictly anecdotal. The ability to communicate without talking, or engaging in face-to-face interaction seems to be creating a generation of what might be charitably called socially dysfunctional individuals. That is an observation the friend mentioned above reinforced when he showed his I-phone to my wife and said, "my whole life is contained in that thing." No doubt he was exaggerating, yet that is the sense I also got at a recent dinner party I attended, where the entire conversation revolved around which of the latest phones had the best features.
Pardon me if I could care less.
Is there a line in the sand? If so, it might be temporary. The last generation of Americans who remember what it was like prior to the ubiquity of technological advances is heading toward their golden years. Those behind them will never know a world where the urgency of "being in touch" was superseded by the urge for "a little peace and quiet" at the end of a long hard day.
On the other hand, never underestimate the power of teenage rebellion. Perhaps some day in the not-too-distant future, when mom, dad, grandma and grandpa, are busy tweeting and texting away, the kids may decide the "new frontier" is a world away from the ubiquitous technology that fascinates their elders. And just to tweak the old folks, they might do something "radical" like running around outside--without bringing along their GPS tracking devices so their parents can't instantly locate them.
Am I a Luddite? This column was typed on a computer and emailed to my editor. But if you think you can reach me on my cell phone 24/7, think again. That little annoyance stays off unless I'm expecting someone to reach me, or I want to make an outgoing call. I have this quaint idea that my time is my own, and that includes getting away from technology as much as practically possible. That makes me a man woefully behind the times--or one on the cutting edge of a rebellion.
Here's hoping it's the latter.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Keeper... Thanks Doug Brooke!
Doug brooke is a good friend and a sales engineer for Abex Denison. I worked for the company for nearly 12 years- 1967-1968. Denison brought me to Columbus from Jeanie's and my home in Portsmouth OH.
Keeper
***************
I grew up with practical parents. A mother, God love her, who washed aluminum foil after she cooked in it, then reused it. She was the original recycle queen, before they had a name for it... A father who was happier getting old shoes fixed than buying new ones.
Their marriage was good, their dreams focused. Their best friends lived barely a wave away..
I can see them now, Dad in trousers, tee shirt and a hat and Mom in a house dress, lawn mower in one hand, and dish-towel in the other. It was the time for fixing things.. A curtain rod, the kitchen radio, screen door, the oven door, the hem in a dress. Things we keep.
It was a way of life, and sometimes it made me crazy.. All that re-fixing, eating, renewing, I wanted just once to be wasteful. Waste meant affluence. Throwing things away meant you knew there'd always be more.
But then my father died, and on that clear winter's night, in the warmth of the hospital room, I was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't any more.
Sometimes, what we care about most gets all used up and goes away...never to return.. So... while we have it..... it's best we love it.... and care for it... and fix it when it's broken......... and heal it when it's sick.
This is true. for marriage....... and old cars..... and children with bad report cards..... and dogs with bad hips.... and aging parents..... and grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it.
Some things we keep. Like a best friend that moved away or a classmate we grew up with.
There are just some things that make life important, like people we know who are special........ and so, we keep them close!
I received this from someone who thinks I am a 'keeper', so I've sent it to the people I think of in the same way... Now it's your turn to send this to those people that are "keepers" in your life. Good friends are like stars.... You don't always see them, but you know they are always there. Keep them close!
TEN THINGS GOD WON 'T ASK ON THAT DAY.
1.... God won't ask what kind of car you drove. He'll ask how many people you drove who didn't have transportation..
2... God won't ask the square footage of your house, He'll ask how many people you welcomed into your home.
3.... God won't ask about the clothes you had in your closet, He'll ask how many you helped to clothe.
4... God won't ask what your highest salary was. He'll ask if you compromised your character to obtain it.
5.... God won't ask what your job title was. He'll ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability.
6... God won't ask how many friends you had. He'll ask how many people to whom you were a friend.
7.... God won't ask in what neighborhood you lived, He'll ask how you treated your neighbors.
8... God won't ask about the color of your skin, He'll ask about the content of your character.
9.... God won't ask why it took you so long to seek Salvation. He'll lovingly take you to your mansion in heaven, and not to the gates of Hell.
10... God won't have to ask how many people you forwarded this to, He already knows your decision
Keeper
***************
I grew up with practical parents. A mother, God love her, who washed aluminum foil after she cooked in it, then reused it. She was the original recycle queen, before they had a name for it... A father who was happier getting old shoes fixed than buying new ones.
Their marriage was good, their dreams focused. Their best friends lived barely a wave away..
I can see them now, Dad in trousers, tee shirt and a hat and Mom in a house dress, lawn mower in one hand, and dish-towel in the other. It was the time for fixing things.. A curtain rod, the kitchen radio, screen door, the oven door, the hem in a dress. Things we keep.
It was a way of life, and sometimes it made me crazy.. All that re-fixing, eating, renewing, I wanted just once to be wasteful. Waste meant affluence. Throwing things away meant you knew there'd always be more.
But then my father died, and on that clear winter's night, in the warmth of the hospital room, I was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't any more.
Sometimes, what we care about most gets all used up and goes away...never to return.. So... while we have it..... it's best we love it.... and care for it... and fix it when it's broken......... and heal it when it's sick.
This is true. for marriage....... and old cars..... and children with bad report cards..... and dogs with bad hips.... and aging parents..... and grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it.
Some things we keep. Like a best friend that moved away or a classmate we grew up with.
There are just some things that make life important, like people we know who are special........ and so, we keep them close!
I received this from someone who thinks I am a 'keeper', so I've sent it to the people I think of in the same way... Now it's your turn to send this to those people that are "keepers" in your life. Good friends are like stars.... You don't always see them, but you know they are always there. Keep them close!
TEN THINGS GOD WON 'T ASK ON THAT DAY.
1.... God won't ask what kind of car you drove. He'll ask how many people you drove who didn't have transportation..
2... God won't ask the square footage of your house, He'll ask how many people you welcomed into your home.
3.... God won't ask about the clothes you had in your closet, He'll ask how many you helped to clothe.
4... God won't ask what your highest salary was. He'll ask if you compromised your character to obtain it.
5.... God won't ask what your job title was. He'll ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability.
6... God won't ask how many friends you had. He'll ask how many people to whom you were a friend.
7.... God won't ask in what neighborhood you lived, He'll ask how you treated your neighbors.
8... God won't ask about the color of your skin, He'll ask about the content of your character.
9.... God won't ask why it took you so long to seek Salvation. He'll lovingly take you to your mansion in heaven, and not to the gates of Hell.
10... God won't have to ask how many people you forwarded this to, He already knows your decision
CA High School Principle lays it down...
Correction from my friend Ramey Sonny Hoskins:
Dennis Prager may have written this but he is not a high school principal. He is a conservative talk show host.
CALIFORNIA PRINCIPAL'S OPENING MESSAGE TO STUDENTS
Dennis Prager, a principal at a high school in Redding, California, on the
first day of classes in 2010:
To the students and faculty of our high school:
I am your new principal, and honored to be so. There is no greater calling
than to teach young people.
I would like to apprise you of some important changes coming to our
school. I am making these changes because I am convinced that most of the
ideas
that have dominated public education in America have worked against you,
against your teachers, and against our country.
First, this school will no longer honor race or ethnicity. I could not
care less if your racial makeup is black, brown, red, yellow, or white. I
could not care less if your origins are African, Latin American, Asian, or
European, or if your ancestors arrived here on the Mayflower or on slave
ships.
The only identity I care about, the only one this school will recognize,
is your individual identity -- your character, your scholarship, your
humanity. And the only national identity this school will care about is
American. This
is an American public school, and American public schools were created to
make better Americans.
If you wish to affirm an ethnic, racial, or religious identity through
school, you will have to go elsewhere. We will end all ethnicity-, race- and
non-American-nationality-based celebrations. They undermine the motto of
America , one of its three central values -- E Pluribus Unum -- "from
many, one." And this school will be guided byAmerica 's values.
That includes all after-school clubs. I will not authorize clubs that
divide students based on any identities. This includes race, language,
religion, sexual orientation, or whatever else may become in vogue in a
society
divided by political correctness.
Your clubs will be based on interests and passions -- not blood, ethnic,
racial or other physically defined ties. Those clubs just cultivate
narcissism -- an unhealthy preoccupation with the self -- while the
purpose of
education is to get you to think beyond yourself. So we will have clubs
that transport you to the wonders and glories of art, music, astronomy,
languages you do not already speak, carpentry, and more. If the only
extracurricular activities you can imagine being interested in are those
based on
ethnic or racial or sexual identity, that means that little outside of
yourself really interests you.
Second, I am not interested in whether English is your native language.
My only interest in terms of language is that you leave this school speaking
and writing English as fluently as possible. The English language has
united
America 's citizens for more than 200 years, and it will unite us at this
school. It is one of the indispensable reasons this country of immigrants
has always come to be one country. And if you leave this school without
excellent English-language skills, I will have been remiss in my duty to
ensure that you are prepared to compete successfully in the American job
market. We will learn other languages here -- it is deplorable that most
Americans only speak English. But if you want classes taught in your native
language rather than in English, this is not your school.
Third, because I regard learning as a sacred endeavor, everything in this
school will reflect learning's elevated status. This means, among other
things, that you and your teachers will dress accordingly. Many people in
our society dress more formally for a meal at a nice restaurant than they
do for church or school. These people have their priorities backwards.
Therefore, there will be a formal dress code at this school.
Fourth, no obscene language will be tolerated anywhere on this school's
property -- whether in class, in the hallways or at athletic events. If you
can't speak without using the "F-word," you can't speak. By obscene language
I mean the words banned by the Federal Communications Commission plus
epithets such as the "N-word," even when used by one black student to
address
another, or "bitch," even when addressed by a girl to a girlfriend. It is
my intent that by the time you leave this school, you will be among the few
of your age to distinguish instinctively between the elevated and the
degraded, the holy and the obscene.
Fifth, we will end all self-esteem programs. In this school self-esteem
will be attained in only one way -- the way people attained it until the
state of California decided otherwise a generation ago -- by earning it.
One
immediate consequence is that there will be one valedictorian, not eight.
Sixth, and last, I am reorienting the school toward academics and away
from politics and propaganda. No more time will be devoted to scaring you
about smoking and caffeine, or terrifying you about sexual harassment or
global warming. No more semesters will be devoted to condom-wearing and
teaching you
to regard sexual relations as only or primarily a health issue. There will
be no more attempts to convince you that you are a victim because you are
not white, or not male, or not heterosexual, or not Christian. We will
have failed if any one of you graduates from this school and does not
consider him or herself inordinately lucky -- to be alive and to be an
American.
Now, please stand and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of
our country. As many of you do not know the words, your teachers will hand
them out to you.
CALIFORNIA PRINCIPAL'S OPENING MESSAGE TO STUDENTS
Dennis Prager, a principal at a high school in Redding, California, on the
first day of classes in 2010:
To the students and faculty of our high school:
I am your new principal, and honored to be so. There is no greater calling
than to teach young people.
I would like to apprise you of some important changes coming to our
school. I am making these changes because I am convinced that most of the
ideas
that have dominated public education in America have worked against you,
against your teachers, and against our country.
First, this school will no longer honor race or ethnicity. I could not
care less if your racial makeup is black, brown, red, yellow, or white. I
could not care less if your origins are African, Latin American, Asian, or
European, or if your ancestors arrived here on the Mayflower or on slave
ships.
The only identity I care about, the only one this school will recognize,
is your individual identity -- your character, your scholarship, your
humanity. And the only national identity this school will care about is
American. This
is an American public school, and American public schools were created to
make better Americans.
If you wish to affirm an ethnic, racial, or religious identity through
school, you will have to go elsewhere. We will end all ethnicity-, race- and
non-American-nationality-based celebrations. They undermine the motto of
America , one of its three central values -- E Pluribus Unum -- "from
many, one." And this school will be guided byAmerica 's values.
That includes all after-school clubs. I will not authorize clubs that
divide students based on any identities. This includes race, language,
religion, sexual orientation, or whatever else may become in vogue in a
society
divided by political correctness.
Your clubs will be based on interests and passions -- not blood, ethnic,
racial or other physically defined ties. Those clubs just cultivate
narcissism -- an unhealthy preoccupation with the self -- while the
purpose of
education is to get you to think beyond yourself. So we will have clubs
that transport you to the wonders and glories of art, music, astronomy,
languages you do not already speak, carpentry, and more. If the only
extracurricular activities you can imagine being interested in are those
based on
ethnic or racial or sexual identity, that means that little outside of
yourself really interests you.
Second, I am not interested in whether English is your native language.
My only interest in terms of language is that you leave this school speaking
and writing English as fluently as possible. The English language has
united
America 's citizens for more than 200 years, and it will unite us at this
school. It is one of the indispensable reasons this country of immigrants
has always come to be one country. And if you leave this school without
excellent English-language skills, I will have been remiss in my duty to
ensure that you are prepared to compete successfully in the American job
market. We will learn other languages here -- it is deplorable that most
Americans only speak English. But if you want classes taught in your native
language rather than in English, this is not your school.
Third, because I regard learning as a sacred endeavor, everything in this
school will reflect learning's elevated status. This means, among other
things, that you and your teachers will dress accordingly. Many people in
our society dress more formally for a meal at a nice restaurant than they
do for church or school. These people have their priorities backwards.
Therefore, there will be a formal dress code at this school.
Fourth, no obscene language will be tolerated anywhere on this school's
property -- whether in class, in the hallways or at athletic events. If you
can't speak without using the "F-word," you can't speak. By obscene language
I mean the words banned by the Federal Communications Commission plus
epithets such as the "N-word," even when used by one black student to
address
another, or "bitch," even when addressed by a girl to a girlfriend. It is
my intent that by the time you leave this school, you will be among the few
of your age to distinguish instinctively between the elevated and the
degraded, the holy and the obscene.
Fifth, we will end all self-esteem programs. In this school self-esteem
will be attained in only one way -- the way people attained it until the
state of California decided otherwise a generation ago -- by earning it.
One
immediate consequence is that there will be one valedictorian, not eight.
Sixth, and last, I am reorienting the school toward academics and away
from politics and propaganda. No more time will be devoted to scaring you
about smoking and caffeine, or terrifying you about sexual harassment or
global warming. No more semesters will be devoted to condom-wearing and
teaching you
to regard sexual relations as only or primarily a health issue. There will
be no more attempts to convince you that you are a victim because you are
not white, or not male, or not heterosexual, or not Christian. We will
have failed if any one of you graduates from this school and does not
consider him or herself inordinately lucky -- to be alive and to be an
American.
Now, please stand and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of
our country. As many of you do not know the words, your teachers will hand
them out to you.
Dennis Prager may have written this but he is not a high school principal. He is a conservative talk show host.
CALIFORNIA PRINCIPAL'S OPENING MESSAGE TO STUDENTS
Dennis Prager, a principal at a high school in Redding, California, on the
first day of classes in 2010:
To the students and faculty of our high school:
I am your new principal, and honored to be so. There is no greater calling
than to teach young people.
I would like to apprise you of some important changes coming to our
school. I am making these changes because I am convinced that most of the
ideas
that have dominated public education in America have worked against you,
against your teachers, and against our country.
First, this school will no longer honor race or ethnicity. I could not
care less if your racial makeup is black, brown, red, yellow, or white. I
could not care less if your origins are African, Latin American, Asian, or
European, or if your ancestors arrived here on the Mayflower or on slave
ships.
The only identity I care about, the only one this school will recognize,
is your individual identity -- your character, your scholarship, your
humanity. And the only national identity this school will care about is
American. This
is an American public school, and American public schools were created to
make better Americans.
If you wish to affirm an ethnic, racial, or religious identity through
school, you will have to go elsewhere. We will end all ethnicity-, race- and
non-American-nationality-based celebrations. They undermine the motto of
America , one of its three central values -- E Pluribus Unum -- "from
many, one." And this school will be guided byAmerica 's values.
That includes all after-school clubs. I will not authorize clubs that
divide students based on any identities. This includes race, language,
religion, sexual orientation, or whatever else may become in vogue in a
society
divided by political correctness.
Your clubs will be based on interests and passions -- not blood, ethnic,
racial or other physically defined ties. Those clubs just cultivate
narcissism -- an unhealthy preoccupation with the self -- while the
purpose of
education is to get you to think beyond yourself. So we will have clubs
that transport you to the wonders and glories of art, music, astronomy,
languages you do not already speak, carpentry, and more. If the only
extracurricular activities you can imagine being interested in are those
based on
ethnic or racial or sexual identity, that means that little outside of
yourself really interests you.
Second, I am not interested in whether English is your native language.
My only interest in terms of language is that you leave this school speaking
and writing English as fluently as possible. The English language has
united
America 's citizens for more than 200 years, and it will unite us at this
school. It is one of the indispensable reasons this country of immigrants
has always come to be one country. And if you leave this school without
excellent English-language skills, I will have been remiss in my duty to
ensure that you are prepared to compete successfully in the American job
market. We will learn other languages here -- it is deplorable that most
Americans only speak English. But if you want classes taught in your native
language rather than in English, this is not your school.
Third, because I regard learning as a sacred endeavor, everything in this
school will reflect learning's elevated status. This means, among other
things, that you and your teachers will dress accordingly. Many people in
our society dress more formally for a meal at a nice restaurant than they
do for church or school. These people have their priorities backwards.
Therefore, there will be a formal dress code at this school.
Fourth, no obscene language will be tolerated anywhere on this school's
property -- whether in class, in the hallways or at athletic events. If you
can't speak without using the "F-word," you can't speak. By obscene language
I mean the words banned by the Federal Communications Commission plus
epithets such as the "N-word," even when used by one black student to
address
another, or "bitch," even when addressed by a girl to a girlfriend. It is
my intent that by the time you leave this school, you will be among the few
of your age to distinguish instinctively between the elevated and the
degraded, the holy and the obscene.
Fifth, we will end all self-esteem programs. In this school self-esteem
will be attained in only one way -- the way people attained it until the
state of California decided otherwise a generation ago -- by earning it.
One
immediate consequence is that there will be one valedictorian, not eight.
Sixth, and last, I am reorienting the school toward academics and away
from politics and propaganda. No more time will be devoted to scaring you
about smoking and caffeine, or terrifying you about sexual harassment or
global warming. No more semesters will be devoted to condom-wearing and
teaching you
to regard sexual relations as only or primarily a health issue. There will
be no more attempts to convince you that you are a victim because you are
not white, or not male, or not heterosexual, or not Christian. We will
have failed if any one of you graduates from this school and does not
consider him or herself inordinately lucky -- to be alive and to be an
American.
Now, please stand and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of
our country. As many of you do not know the words, your teachers will hand
them out to you.
CALIFORNIA PRINCIPAL'S OPENING MESSAGE TO STUDENTS
Dennis Prager, a principal at a high school in Redding, California, on the
first day of classes in 2010:
To the students and faculty of our high school:
I am your new principal, and honored to be so. There is no greater calling
than to teach young people.
I would like to apprise you of some important changes coming to our
school. I am making these changes because I am convinced that most of the
ideas
that have dominated public education in America have worked against you,
against your teachers, and against our country.
First, this school will no longer honor race or ethnicity. I could not
care less if your racial makeup is black, brown, red, yellow, or white. I
could not care less if your origins are African, Latin American, Asian, or
European, or if your ancestors arrived here on the Mayflower or on slave
ships.
The only identity I care about, the only one this school will recognize,
is your individual identity -- your character, your scholarship, your
humanity. And the only national identity this school will care about is
American. This
is an American public school, and American public schools were created to
make better Americans.
If you wish to affirm an ethnic, racial, or religious identity through
school, you will have to go elsewhere. We will end all ethnicity-, race- and
non-American-nationality-based celebrations. They undermine the motto of
America , one of its three central values -- E Pluribus Unum -- "from
many, one." And this school will be guided byAmerica 's values.
That includes all after-school clubs. I will not authorize clubs that
divide students based on any identities. This includes race, language,
religion, sexual orientation, or whatever else may become in vogue in a
society
divided by political correctness.
Your clubs will be based on interests and passions -- not blood, ethnic,
racial or other physically defined ties. Those clubs just cultivate
narcissism -- an unhealthy preoccupation with the self -- while the
purpose of
education is to get you to think beyond yourself. So we will have clubs
that transport you to the wonders and glories of art, music, astronomy,
languages you do not already speak, carpentry, and more. If the only
extracurricular activities you can imagine being interested in are those
based on
ethnic or racial or sexual identity, that means that little outside of
yourself really interests you.
Second, I am not interested in whether English is your native language.
My only interest in terms of language is that you leave this school speaking
and writing English as fluently as possible. The English language has
united
America 's citizens for more than 200 years, and it will unite us at this
school. It is one of the indispensable reasons this country of immigrants
has always come to be one country. And if you leave this school without
excellent English-language skills, I will have been remiss in my duty to
ensure that you are prepared to compete successfully in the American job
market. We will learn other languages here -- it is deplorable that most
Americans only speak English. But if you want classes taught in your native
language rather than in English, this is not your school.
Third, because I regard learning as a sacred endeavor, everything in this
school will reflect learning's elevated status. This means, among other
things, that you and your teachers will dress accordingly. Many people in
our society dress more formally for a meal at a nice restaurant than they
do for church or school. These people have their priorities backwards.
Therefore, there will be a formal dress code at this school.
Fourth, no obscene language will be tolerated anywhere on this school's
property -- whether in class, in the hallways or at athletic events. If you
can't speak without using the "F-word," you can't speak. By obscene language
I mean the words banned by the Federal Communications Commission plus
epithets such as the "N-word," even when used by one black student to
address
another, or "bitch," even when addressed by a girl to a girlfriend. It is
my intent that by the time you leave this school, you will be among the few
of your age to distinguish instinctively between the elevated and the
degraded, the holy and the obscene.
Fifth, we will end all self-esteem programs. In this school self-esteem
will be attained in only one way -- the way people attained it until the
state of California decided otherwise a generation ago -- by earning it.
One
immediate consequence is that there will be one valedictorian, not eight.
Sixth, and last, I am reorienting the school toward academics and away
from politics and propaganda. No more time will be devoted to scaring you
about smoking and caffeine, or terrifying you about sexual harassment or
global warming. No more semesters will be devoted to condom-wearing and
teaching you
to regard sexual relations as only or primarily a health issue. There will
be no more attempts to convince you that you are a victim because you are
not white, or not male, or not heterosexual, or not Christian. We will
have failed if any one of you graduates from this school and does not
consider him or herself inordinately lucky -- to be alive and to be an
American.
Now, please stand and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of
our country. As many of you do not know the words, your teachers will hand
them out to you.
Taxes- Mitch Album
Mitch is one smart man who has a real heart and writes mostly human interest stories, not political commentary. I believe this comes from his genuine concern for the American people and our way of life.
Our Greedy Government
By Mitch Albom
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com | Given that man invented money, shouldn't he understand it better?
Instead, how money works remains the biggest mystery this side of cancer or "American Idol" voting. We can't even get a consensus on a stupidly simple question: Should we raise taxes?
The obvious answer should be no. Who wants to raise taxes? Instead, Congress is at an impasse. Everyone is screaming. Half the experts warn if we don't raise taxes, the country will collapse, and the other half warn if we do raise taxes, the country will collapse.
Sorry. But for something that has been going on since the Bible, Mesopotamia, the Roman Empire and the American Revolution, shouldn't we be able to say whether taxes help or hurt? How much more experience do we need?
Taxes stimulate jobs. Taxes kill jobs. Taxes help small business. Taxes ruin small business. Taxes make things fair for the poor. Taxes falsely sustain the poor. Taxes let government function. Taxes let government malfunction.
Heck. We don't even know what to call the suckers. Pundits refer to "the Bush tax cuts." But even Bush's rates are higher than taxes once were, so how could they be "cuts?" And since they have been the norm for at least seven years, why aren't they called the "status quo?"
MONEY JUST DOESN'T GO THAT FAR
Let's be honest. When it comes to taxes, everyone has a theory. So here's mine. If you take 25 percent of a person's worth, you've taken enough. Especially if you're the government. If you can't make things work with that, it's your fault, not the people's.
The current debate suggests a near-40 percent tax rate is fairer for the richest citizens -- and "richest" means households earning more than $250,000 a year. People pushing this argument make two assumptions: 1) that this rate is somehow deserved because it once existed; and 2) that $250,000 makes you Bill Gates.
"Why should we give breaks to Wall Street tycoons who caused this economic crisis in the first place?" you heard people scream last week.
Well, for one thing, paying 35 percent in federal taxes -- the current highest rate -- is not really "a break." And every household earning $250,000 did not rape, pillage and plunder the economy.
Households earning $250,000 easily could be a midlevel business executive, a college professor and some investments. Comfortable? Yes. Oprah? No.
Take such a married couple, both working, with four kids out in a nice suburb. Say two kids are in college. The parents make too much for scholarships, so that could be two times $50,000 right there, or $100,000 in school bills. Mortgage? Let's be conservative: $2,000 a month. Property taxes? Let's say $10,000. Throw in insurances, car payments, food, utilities, gas. You're easily at $150,000 in costs before anyone has bought a movie ticket, let alone a yacht.
Now. At a 40 percent federal tax and a 5 percent state tax, and a 1 percent city tax -- typical to many areas in this country -- you only get to keep 54 percent of all you earn, or in this $250,000 example, just $135,000. Which means this couple is already $15,000 in the red -- while people label them "ultra-rich."
Yes, this is oversimplified. Yes, there are deductions. And yes, you can argue that not everyone has to send their kids to a good college, not everyone needs two cars, not everyone has to have a nice house. But then, what's everyone working for? Isn't that what the American Dream was once about? Should we set the bar at the lowest aspiration? Should we tilt a system to unemployment and benefits payments?
You all have heard how a tiny fraction of Americans pay more than half of all taxes. And how a big chunk of Americans pay no taxes at all. The only thing you honestly can conclude is that the system is broken.
Well, raising taxes (and that's what it is; stop calling it "eliminating cuts") can't be the only solution to a broken system. The focus should be on whoever is breaking it. Here's a hint: It isn't the wage earner.
Let the economists wrangle over models and theories. The finger ultimately points to the party taking the money, not the one giving it, and that means the government. And if the history of taxation proves anything, it's that there comes a point where people say to that government, "You're taking enough." Here's my theory:
We're already there.
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free.
Our Greedy Government
By Mitch Albom
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com | Given that man invented money, shouldn't he understand it better?
Instead, how money works remains the biggest mystery this side of cancer or "American Idol" voting. We can't even get a consensus on a stupidly simple question: Should we raise taxes?
The obvious answer should be no. Who wants to raise taxes? Instead, Congress is at an impasse. Everyone is screaming. Half the experts warn if we don't raise taxes, the country will collapse, and the other half warn if we do raise taxes, the country will collapse.
Sorry. But for something that has been going on since the Bible, Mesopotamia, the Roman Empire and the American Revolution, shouldn't we be able to say whether taxes help or hurt? How much more experience do we need?
Taxes stimulate jobs. Taxes kill jobs. Taxes help small business. Taxes ruin small business. Taxes make things fair for the poor. Taxes falsely sustain the poor. Taxes let government function. Taxes let government malfunction.
Heck. We don't even know what to call the suckers. Pundits refer to "the Bush tax cuts." But even Bush's rates are higher than taxes once were, so how could they be "cuts?" And since they have been the norm for at least seven years, why aren't they called the "status quo?"
MONEY JUST DOESN'T GO THAT FAR
Let's be honest. When it comes to taxes, everyone has a theory. So here's mine. If you take 25 percent of a person's worth, you've taken enough. Especially if you're the government. If you can't make things work with that, it's your fault, not the people's.
The current debate suggests a near-40 percent tax rate is fairer for the richest citizens -- and "richest" means households earning more than $250,000 a year. People pushing this argument make two assumptions: 1) that this rate is somehow deserved because it once existed; and 2) that $250,000 makes you Bill Gates.
"Why should we give breaks to Wall Street tycoons who caused this economic crisis in the first place?" you heard people scream last week.
Well, for one thing, paying 35 percent in federal taxes -- the current highest rate -- is not really "a break." And every household earning $250,000 did not rape, pillage and plunder the economy.
Households earning $250,000 easily could be a midlevel business executive, a college professor and some investments. Comfortable? Yes. Oprah? No.
Take such a married couple, both working, with four kids out in a nice suburb. Say two kids are in college. The parents make too much for scholarships, so that could be two times $50,000 right there, or $100,000 in school bills. Mortgage? Let's be conservative: $2,000 a month. Property taxes? Let's say $10,000. Throw in insurances, car payments, food, utilities, gas. You're easily at $150,000 in costs before anyone has bought a movie ticket, let alone a yacht.
Now. At a 40 percent federal tax and a 5 percent state tax, and a 1 percent city tax -- typical to many areas in this country -- you only get to keep 54 percent of all you earn, or in this $250,000 example, just $135,000. Which means this couple is already $15,000 in the red -- while people label them "ultra-rich."
Yes, this is oversimplified. Yes, there are deductions. And yes, you can argue that not everyone has to send their kids to a good college, not everyone needs two cars, not everyone has to have a nice house. But then, what's everyone working for? Isn't that what the American Dream was once about? Should we set the bar at the lowest aspiration? Should we tilt a system to unemployment and benefits payments?
You all have heard how a tiny fraction of Americans pay more than half of all taxes. And how a big chunk of Americans pay no taxes at all. The only thing you honestly can conclude is that the system is broken.
Well, raising taxes (and that's what it is; stop calling it "eliminating cuts") can't be the only solution to a broken system. The focus should be on whoever is breaking it. Here's a hint: It isn't the wage earner.
Let the economists wrangle over models and theories. The finger ultimately points to the party taking the money, not the one giving it, and that means the government. And if the history of taxation proves anything, it's that there comes a point where people say to that government, "You're taking enough." Here's my theory:
We're already there.
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free.
Comments concerning Harrelson's improvements and Rob Lock
Wildcat Nation Forums - Kentucky Wildcat Discussion and News > UK Basketball > Kentucky Basketball
Question Who's this new Harrellson that showed up tonight?
Kentucky Basketball Celebrate the phenomenon that is Kentucky Wildcat Basketball.
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Page 2 of 2 < 1 2 View First Unread Thread Tools Search this Thread Rate Thread Display Modes #21 Yesterday, 01:22 PM boomdaddy Junior Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Paris. Ky, , Posts: 2,697 For the most part, he was catching the ball and holding on to it. I don't know why he has had so much trouble, given how large an object it is. If I was the strength coach, I would make him pass the medicine ball around every day for an hour, to strengthen his hands and wrists. boomdaddy View Public Profile Send a private message to boomdaddy Find all posts by boomdaddy Add boomdaddy to Your Contacts #22 Yesterday, 01:50 PM VirginiaBlue Blueblood Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Chesterfield, Virginia Posts: 1,424 Josh showed a quick release that I hadn't seen before. He was getting some great passes down low, and his catch-and-shoot was what got him some of his points. VirginiaBlue View Public Profile Send a private message to VirginiaBlue Send email to VirginiaBlue Find all posts by VirginiaBlue Add VirginiaBlue to Your Contacts #23 Yesterday, 02:18 PM lrsky Freshman Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 311 Sometimes... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ...I just cringe when I read really uninformed posts. The RLHS (Rob Lock Hands Syndrome) comment was about as boneheaded as we're likely to see here...so I suppose we need a RBPBA, category, which would of course stand for 'really boneheaded post by amateurs. Rob Lock was NOT a gifted athlete...he wasn't quick as is usually required of a Division 1 Athlete, as anyone who watched him play could attest to. What he WAS, was a guy who gave all he could, AND averaged fewer turnovers per game for his career than, Kenny 'Sky' Walker. Am I saying he was in the same universe? NO!...however, if we're going to crucify a guy who gave us four years of hard work, let's tell it like it is. He averaged 1.367 Turnovers per game, while Kenny, (I LOVE HIM) Walker averaged 1.386 TPG. Did he have the same attention? No, did he attempt the same level of play, NO...we all know this, so why 'kick the guy in the balls', so to speak? He ALSO, averaged hitting 53.8% of his field goals along the way and was on a team that went 32-4, giving us really solid post help. Rob epitomized a player who worked VERY hard yet didn't have natural gifts--however his numbers were not, as suggested, anything to earn him this kind of demeaning moniker. Hey, the 80/20 rule applies everywhere...the gifted make it happen, but couldn't, without the dedicated role players. To put this in context, Winston Bennett averaged, 1.79 TO's per game... Walter McCarty, 1.776 and recently, DeMarcus Cousins averaged > 2 per game.
So the next time one's tiny brains urges us to demean/ridicule a player who worked VERY hard, think first before posting.
"Here's to all the slower, shorter, less gifted among us who have labored long hours to contribute!"
Larry
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last edited by lrsky; Yesterday at 02:50 PM. Reason: Typo
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#24 Yesterday, 02:20 PM
cumberlandredskin
Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Sterling, Virginia, USA
Posts: 7,231
IMO, practicing against Kanter is paying off for him and Vargas. Both have improved. Harrelson more than Vargas. It would be nice if Kanter can continue to at least practice through the holidays since they won't be under the 20 hour rule during that time.
Harrelson will struggle against more athlectic inside players but against one's more his talent I think he will do quite well. Which is great for UK. Not many teams have the inside talent that UNC and few others do.
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#25 Yesterday, 03:38 PM
lribookend
Super Moderator Join Date: May 2005
Location: , ,
Posts: 1,952
Quote:
Originally Posted by lrsky
...I just cringe when I read really uninformed posts.
The RLHS (Rob Lock Hands Syndrome) comment was about as boneheaded as we're likely to see here...so I suppose we need a RBPBA, category, which would of course stand for 'really boneheaded post by amateurs.
Rob Lock was NOT a gifted athlete...he wasn't quick as is usually required of a Division 1 Athlete, as anyone who watched him play could attest to. What he WAS, was a guy who gave all he could, AND averaged fewer turnovers per game for his career than, Kenny 'Sky' Walker.
Am I saying he was in the same universe? NO!...however, if we're going to crucify a guy who gave us four years of hard work, let's tell it like it is.
He averaged 1.367 Turnovers per game, while Kenny, (I LOVE HIM) Walker averaged 1.386 TPG. Did he have the same attention? No, did he attempt the same level of play, NO...we all know this, so why 'kick the guy in the balls', so to speak?
He ALSO, averaged hitting 53.8% of his field goals along the way and was on a team that went 32-4, giving us really solid post help.
Rob epitomized a player who worked VERY hard yet didn't have natural gifts--however his numbers were not, as suggested, anything to earn him this kind of demeaning moniker.
Hey, the 80/20 rule applies everywhere...the gifted make it happen, but couldn't, without the dedicated role players.
To put this in context, Winston Bennett averaged, 1.79 TO's per game...
Walter McCarty, 1.776 and recently, DeMarcus Cousins averaged > 2 per game.
So the next time one's tiny brains urges us to demean/ridicule a player who worked VERY hard, think first before posting.
"Here's to all the slower, shorter, less gifted among us who have labored long hours to contribute!"
Larry
I agree with everything, not to mention that he improved his free throw percentage from about 60% to 80% in one year's time. I don't remember any other player showing that much improvement in one year.
Larry
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#26 Yesterday, 03:46 PM
UKSam
Blueblood Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Onton, KY to Evansville, Indiana, USA
Posts: 1,267
Quote:
Originally Posted by JWORLD
In my opinion, that's on Coach Cal. Cal should encourage him to take that shot if he's open in my opinion. Josh has proven that he can hit that shot when open. I watched Danny Ferry do it time and time again back in the day along with many others of Josh's stature.....
I did notice that during the Washington game Cal seemed to move Josh out. I assume that because of thier height he wanted to open the lane up.
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#27 Yesterday, 03:49 PM
TrueblueCATfan
Blueblood Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Louisville Kentucky USA
Posts: 28,283
I say Josh working with Kanter is the difference maker
whatever it is..keep it up Josh
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#28 Yesterday, 05:16 PM
JWORLD
Senior Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Shelbyville,Kentucky
Posts: 6,517
Quote:
Originally Posted by TrueblueCATfan
I say Josh working with Kanter is the difference maker
whatever it is..keep it up Josh
I agree but at the same time, Josh has worked with Cousins, Patterson, Pilgrim, Orton, and a few others that have turned out to be pretty good basketball players
More than anything, i am starting to get the sense that Josh now believes in himself instead of trying to fit in.
On another note, Miller to me looks as if the pressure of being the hometown favorite is taking it's toll. Perhaps the pressure is to much for Darius to relax and just play basketball. If he can ever get over that hump, Miller is going to be fine..........
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#29 Yesterday, 05:25 PM
Bluesong
Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Franklin, Kentucky, USA
Posts: 1,858
Quote:
Originally Posted by TrueblueCATfan
I say Josh working with Kanter is the difference maker
whatever it is..keep it up Josh
Exactly. Also working with Cousins and others. But I think the big difference maker is Josh has been around for awhile. He is a senior and has alot of experience now. With Kanter out, gave him some time to build his confidence and others confidence in him.
I hope he keeps it up. It's your time to shine, Josh!!
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#30 Yesterday, 06:30 PM
ukwebfan
Senior Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Dayton
Posts: 9,457
Quote:
Originally Posted by Watchtower
Good points. He didn't get himself in foul trouble. That's major and shows he's learning. I've been watching him closely the last three games and it is slow feet that's causing him difficulty. At first, I thought it was RLHS*.
*(Rob Locke Hands Syndrone).
But you have got to admit, Locke was very respectable his senior year. As was Roger Harden. They finally came around.
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#31 Yesterday, 11:02 PM
lribookend
Super Moderator Join Date: May 2005
Location: , ,
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ukwebfan
But you have got to admit, Locke was very respectable his senior year. As was Roger Harden. They finally came around.
Harden and Walker, what a duo. They would both run the floor, Harden would lay it up, and Walker would score. Took them to the Elite 8, IIRC.
Larry
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#32 Yesterday, 11:25 PM
Blue_N_White
Senior Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,108
Quote:
Originally Posted by lribookend
Harden and Walker, what a duo. They would both run the floor, Harden would lay it up, and Walker would score. Took them to the Elite 8, IIRC.
Larry
Yep, where they lost to LSU....a team they had already beaten THREE TIMES that year! That should have been another Final Four banner hanging from the rafters at Rupp....
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#33 Today, 02:46 AM
NC Cat
Blueblood Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Greenville, NC
Posts: 1,440
It was a good matchcup for Josh. He's struggled against long, quick bigs (see UNC) but against IU he was the quickest big on the floor. There aren't many dominant centers in college basketball, so Josh, as surprising as it may sound, is one of the best traditional post players in the game. Hope he keeps gaining confidence and growing his game. It's great to see him having success after persevering for so long.
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#34 Today, 03:16 AM
caliparifan
Freshman Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Posts: 145
Quote:
Originally Posted by boomdaddy
For the most part, he was catching the ball and holding on to it. I don't know why he has had so much trouble, given how large an object it is. If I was the strength coach, I would make him pass the medicine ball around every day for an hour, to strengthen his hands and wrists.
I agree, he held on to the ball tonight. He also dunked on a lob pass. I didn't know he could jump that high! I jumped out of my seat when he did that. Way to go Jorts!
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#35 Today, 04:09 AM
Watchtower
Blueblood Join Date: May 2009
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 2,406
Quote:
Originally Posted by lrsky
...I just cringe when I read really uninformed posts.
The RLHS (Rob Lock Hands Syndrome) comment was about as boneheaded as we're likely to see here...so I suppose we need a RBPBA, category, which would of course stand for 'really boneheaded post by amateurs.
Rob Lock was NOT a gifted athlete...he wasn't quick as is usually required of a Division 1 Athlete, as anyone who watched him play could attest to. What he WAS, was a guy who gave all he could, AND averaged fewer turnovers per game for his career than, Kenny 'Sky' Walker.
Am I saying he was in the same universe? NO!...however, if we're going to crucify a guy who gave us four years of hard work, let's tell it like it is.
He averaged 1.367 Turnovers per game, while Kenny, (I LOVE HIM) Walker averaged 1.386 TPG. Did he have the same attention? No, did he attempt the same level of play, NO...we all know this, so why 'kick the guy in the balls', so to speak?
He ALSO, averaged hitting 53.8% of his field goals along the way and was on a team that went 32-4, giving us really solid post help.
Rob epitomized a player who worked VERY hard yet didn't have natural gifts--however his numbers were not, as suggested, anything to earn him this kind of demeaning moniker.
Hey, the 80/20 rule applies everywhere...the gifted make it happen, but couldn't, without the dedicated role players.
To put this in context, Winston Bennett averaged, 1.79 TO's per game...
Walter McCarty, 1.776 and recently, DeMarcus Cousins averaged > 2 per game.
So the next time one's tiny brains urges us to demean/ridicule a player who worked VERY hard, think first before posting.
"Here's to all the slower, shorter, less gifted among us who have labored long hours to contribute!"
Larry
You have your opinion and I have mine. I wasn't belittling Rob Lock but was making a comment about his hands of stone.
Having been up close and watching Lock every game at Rupp and some away games for the time he played at UK, Lock was noted for having bad hands or hands of stone. It was discussed in the media as well. It turned out that
Lock admitted to being lazy while at UK (his words) and he really didn't get into the game until he went to Europe where he became a top notch player. He was far more gifted than you give him credit for.
And you're a professional? At what? Belittling other's posts?
Here's some stats on Rob Lock. You'll not that several guards had more career rebounds.
Lock’s Career Stats At UK
http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/Statistics/Players/Lock_Robert.html
Game by Game Stats while at UK
http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/Statistics/Players/Lock_Robertgbg.html
UK career leaders for Blocked Shots
http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/Statistics/careerblockedshots.html
Kentucky Career Leaders in Rebounds
http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/Statistics/careerrebounds.html
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Last edited by Watchtower; Today at 04:34 AM.
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#36 Today, 12:59 PM
Realist
Junior Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: , ,
Posts: 1,001
Watchtower's post got me to thinking about stats (one of my favorite things when it's cold and snowy outside....).
On a per minute basis when comparing Josh's production so far this year to Daniel Orton's last year Josh comes out ahead.
Orton: .25 rebounds per minute. .26 points per minute
Josh: .38 rebounds per minute. .23 points per minute
Not that it really means anything, I just thought it was interesting. Plus, it was something to do while drinking my coffee and steeling my nerves for getting out in this nasty weather.
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#37 Today, 01:39 PM
SamKat
Junior Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Westerville, Ohio, USA
Posts: 2,341
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I give Jorts and Coach Cal credit for Jorts' obvious improvement. The China trip also helped. Coach Cal can form winning teams as well as he recruits and that is why these great high school recruits want to play for him. I am glad that Jorts is now realizing his best coach.
I appreciate all good comments of Rob Lock. His ex, Valerie Still Lock, is living in the shadows of Kansas Universtiy with their wonderful son, Aaron. It is my fondest hope that Aaron continues to develop into basketball greatness. Aaron will be 15 soon and has great size already and is still growing. Remember Rob was nearly seven feet tall and Valerie, a three time All American for UK and still the highest all time scorer, is six foot two. I don't want to see him at KU but hope he can come to UK. Mainly so that Jeanie and I can see our beautiful friend, Valerie at the UK games.
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Page 2 of 2 < 1 2
Question Who's this new Harrellson that showed up tonight?
Kentucky Basketball Celebrate the phenomenon that is Kentucky Wildcat Basketball.
Go to Page...
Page 2 of 2 < 1 2 View First Unread Thread Tools Search this Thread Rate Thread Display Modes #21 Yesterday, 01:22 PM boomdaddy Junior Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Paris. Ky, , Posts: 2,697 For the most part, he was catching the ball and holding on to it. I don't know why he has had so much trouble, given how large an object it is. If I was the strength coach, I would make him pass the medicine ball around every day for an hour, to strengthen his hands and wrists. boomdaddy View Public Profile Send a private message to boomdaddy Find all posts by boomdaddy Add boomdaddy to Your Contacts #22 Yesterday, 01:50 PM VirginiaBlue Blueblood Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Chesterfield, Virginia Posts: 1,424 Josh showed a quick release that I hadn't seen before. He was getting some great passes down low, and his catch-and-shoot was what got him some of his points. VirginiaBlue View Public Profile Send a private message to VirginiaBlue Send email to VirginiaBlue Find all posts by VirginiaBlue Add VirginiaBlue to Your Contacts #23 Yesterday, 02:18 PM lrsky Freshman Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 311 Sometimes... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ...I just cringe when I read really uninformed posts. The RLHS (Rob Lock Hands Syndrome) comment was about as boneheaded as we're likely to see here...so I suppose we need a RBPBA, category, which would of course stand for 'really boneheaded post by amateurs. Rob Lock was NOT a gifted athlete...he wasn't quick as is usually required of a Division 1 Athlete, as anyone who watched him play could attest to. What he WAS, was a guy who gave all he could, AND averaged fewer turnovers per game for his career than, Kenny 'Sky' Walker. Am I saying he was in the same universe? NO!...however, if we're going to crucify a guy who gave us four years of hard work, let's tell it like it is. He averaged 1.367 Turnovers per game, while Kenny, (I LOVE HIM) Walker averaged 1.386 TPG. Did he have the same attention? No, did he attempt the same level of play, NO...we all know this, so why 'kick the guy in the balls', so to speak? He ALSO, averaged hitting 53.8% of his field goals along the way and was on a team that went 32-4, giving us really solid post help. Rob epitomized a player who worked VERY hard yet didn't have natural gifts--however his numbers were not, as suggested, anything to earn him this kind of demeaning moniker. Hey, the 80/20 rule applies everywhere...the gifted make it happen, but couldn't, without the dedicated role players. To put this in context, Winston Bennett averaged, 1.79 TO's per game... Walter McCarty, 1.776 and recently, DeMarcus Cousins averaged > 2 per game.
So the next time one's tiny brains urges us to demean/ridicule a player who worked VERY hard, think first before posting.
"Here's to all the slower, shorter, less gifted among us who have labored long hours to contribute!"
Larry
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last edited by lrsky; Yesterday at 02:50 PM. Reason: Typo
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#24 Yesterday, 02:20 PM
cumberlandredskin
Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Sterling, Virginia, USA
Posts: 7,231
IMO, practicing against Kanter is paying off for him and Vargas. Both have improved. Harrelson more than Vargas. It would be nice if Kanter can continue to at least practice through the holidays since they won't be under the 20 hour rule during that time.
Harrelson will struggle against more athlectic inside players but against one's more his talent I think he will do quite well. Which is great for UK. Not many teams have the inside talent that UNC and few others do.
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#25 Yesterday, 03:38 PM
lribookend
Super Moderator Join Date: May 2005
Location: , ,
Posts: 1,952
Quote:
Originally Posted by lrsky
...I just cringe when I read really uninformed posts.
The RLHS (Rob Lock Hands Syndrome) comment was about as boneheaded as we're likely to see here...so I suppose we need a RBPBA, category, which would of course stand for 'really boneheaded post by amateurs.
Rob Lock was NOT a gifted athlete...he wasn't quick as is usually required of a Division 1 Athlete, as anyone who watched him play could attest to. What he WAS, was a guy who gave all he could, AND averaged fewer turnovers per game for his career than, Kenny 'Sky' Walker.
Am I saying he was in the same universe? NO!...however, if we're going to crucify a guy who gave us four years of hard work, let's tell it like it is.
He averaged 1.367 Turnovers per game, while Kenny, (I LOVE HIM) Walker averaged 1.386 TPG. Did he have the same attention? No, did he attempt the same level of play, NO...we all know this, so why 'kick the guy in the balls', so to speak?
He ALSO, averaged hitting 53.8% of his field goals along the way and was on a team that went 32-4, giving us really solid post help.
Rob epitomized a player who worked VERY hard yet didn't have natural gifts--however his numbers were not, as suggested, anything to earn him this kind of demeaning moniker.
Hey, the 80/20 rule applies everywhere...the gifted make it happen, but couldn't, without the dedicated role players.
To put this in context, Winston Bennett averaged, 1.79 TO's per game...
Walter McCarty, 1.776 and recently, DeMarcus Cousins averaged > 2 per game.
So the next time one's tiny brains urges us to demean/ridicule a player who worked VERY hard, think first before posting.
"Here's to all the slower, shorter, less gifted among us who have labored long hours to contribute!"
Larry
I agree with everything, not to mention that he improved his free throw percentage from about 60% to 80% in one year's time. I don't remember any other player showing that much improvement in one year.
Larry
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#26 Yesterday, 03:46 PM
UKSam
Blueblood Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Onton, KY to Evansville, Indiana, USA
Posts: 1,267
Quote:
Originally Posted by JWORLD
In my opinion, that's on Coach Cal. Cal should encourage him to take that shot if he's open in my opinion. Josh has proven that he can hit that shot when open. I watched Danny Ferry do it time and time again back in the day along with many others of Josh's stature.....
I did notice that during the Washington game Cal seemed to move Josh out. I assume that because of thier height he wanted to open the lane up.
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#27 Yesterday, 03:49 PM
TrueblueCATfan
Blueblood Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Louisville Kentucky USA
Posts: 28,283
I say Josh working with Kanter is the difference maker
whatever it is..keep it up Josh
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#28 Yesterday, 05:16 PM
JWORLD
Senior Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Shelbyville,Kentucky
Posts: 6,517
Quote:
Originally Posted by TrueblueCATfan
I say Josh working with Kanter is the difference maker
whatever it is..keep it up Josh
I agree but at the same time, Josh has worked with Cousins, Patterson, Pilgrim, Orton, and a few others that have turned out to be pretty good basketball players
More than anything, i am starting to get the sense that Josh now believes in himself instead of trying to fit in.
On another note, Miller to me looks as if the pressure of being the hometown favorite is taking it's toll. Perhaps the pressure is to much for Darius to relax and just play basketball. If he can ever get over that hump, Miller is going to be fine..........
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#29 Yesterday, 05:25 PM
Bluesong
Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Franklin, Kentucky, USA
Posts: 1,858
Quote:
Originally Posted by TrueblueCATfan
I say Josh working with Kanter is the difference maker
whatever it is..keep it up Josh
Exactly. Also working with Cousins and others. But I think the big difference maker is Josh has been around for awhile. He is a senior and has alot of experience now. With Kanter out, gave him some time to build his confidence and others confidence in him.
I hope he keeps it up. It's your time to shine, Josh!!
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#30 Yesterday, 06:30 PM
ukwebfan
Senior Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Dayton
Posts: 9,457
Quote:
Originally Posted by Watchtower
Good points. He didn't get himself in foul trouble. That's major and shows he's learning. I've been watching him closely the last three games and it is slow feet that's causing him difficulty. At first, I thought it was RLHS*.
*(Rob Locke Hands Syndrone).
But you have got to admit, Locke was very respectable his senior year. As was Roger Harden. They finally came around.
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#31 Yesterday, 11:02 PM
lribookend
Super Moderator Join Date: May 2005
Location: , ,
Posts: 1,952
Quote:
Originally Posted by ukwebfan
But you have got to admit, Locke was very respectable his senior year. As was Roger Harden. They finally came around.
Harden and Walker, what a duo. They would both run the floor, Harden would lay it up, and Walker would score. Took them to the Elite 8, IIRC.
Larry
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#32 Yesterday, 11:25 PM
Blue_N_White
Senior Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,108
Quote:
Originally Posted by lribookend
Harden and Walker, what a duo. They would both run the floor, Harden would lay it up, and Walker would score. Took them to the Elite 8, IIRC.
Larry
Yep, where they lost to LSU....a team they had already beaten THREE TIMES that year! That should have been another Final Four banner hanging from the rafters at Rupp....
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#33 Today, 02:46 AM
NC Cat
Blueblood Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Greenville, NC
Posts: 1,440
It was a good matchcup for Josh. He's struggled against long, quick bigs (see UNC) but against IU he was the quickest big on the floor. There aren't many dominant centers in college basketball, so Josh, as surprising as it may sound, is one of the best traditional post players in the game. Hope he keeps gaining confidence and growing his game. It's great to see him having success after persevering for so long.
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#34 Today, 03:16 AM
caliparifan
Freshman Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Posts: 145
Quote:
Originally Posted by boomdaddy
For the most part, he was catching the ball and holding on to it. I don't know why he has had so much trouble, given how large an object it is. If I was the strength coach, I would make him pass the medicine ball around every day for an hour, to strengthen his hands and wrists.
I agree, he held on to the ball tonight. He also dunked on a lob pass. I didn't know he could jump that high! I jumped out of my seat when he did that. Way to go Jorts!
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#35 Today, 04:09 AM
Watchtower
Blueblood Join Date: May 2009
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 2,406
Quote:
Originally Posted by lrsky
...I just cringe when I read really uninformed posts.
The RLHS (Rob Lock Hands Syndrome) comment was about as boneheaded as we're likely to see here...so I suppose we need a RBPBA, category, which would of course stand for 'really boneheaded post by amateurs.
Rob Lock was NOT a gifted athlete...he wasn't quick as is usually required of a Division 1 Athlete, as anyone who watched him play could attest to. What he WAS, was a guy who gave all he could, AND averaged fewer turnovers per game for his career than, Kenny 'Sky' Walker.
Am I saying he was in the same universe? NO!...however, if we're going to crucify a guy who gave us four years of hard work, let's tell it like it is.
He averaged 1.367 Turnovers per game, while Kenny, (I LOVE HIM) Walker averaged 1.386 TPG. Did he have the same attention? No, did he attempt the same level of play, NO...we all know this, so why 'kick the guy in the balls', so to speak?
He ALSO, averaged hitting 53.8% of his field goals along the way and was on a team that went 32-4, giving us really solid post help.
Rob epitomized a player who worked VERY hard yet didn't have natural gifts--however his numbers were not, as suggested, anything to earn him this kind of demeaning moniker.
Hey, the 80/20 rule applies everywhere...the gifted make it happen, but couldn't, without the dedicated role players.
To put this in context, Winston Bennett averaged, 1.79 TO's per game...
Walter McCarty, 1.776 and recently, DeMarcus Cousins averaged > 2 per game.
So the next time one's tiny brains urges us to demean/ridicule a player who worked VERY hard, think first before posting.
"Here's to all the slower, shorter, less gifted among us who have labored long hours to contribute!"
Larry
You have your opinion and I have mine. I wasn't belittling Rob Lock but was making a comment about his hands of stone.
Having been up close and watching Lock every game at Rupp and some away games for the time he played at UK, Lock was noted for having bad hands or hands of stone. It was discussed in the media as well. It turned out that
Lock admitted to being lazy while at UK (his words) and he really didn't get into the game until he went to Europe where he became a top notch player. He was far more gifted than you give him credit for.
And you're a professional? At what? Belittling other's posts?
Here's some stats on Rob Lock. You'll not that several guards had more career rebounds.
Lock’s Career Stats At UK
http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/Statistics/Players/Lock_Robert.html
Game by Game Stats while at UK
http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/Statistics/Players/Lock_Robertgbg.html
UK career leaders for Blocked Shots
http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/Statistics/careerblockedshots.html
Kentucky Career Leaders in Rebounds
http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/Statistics/careerrebounds.html
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Last edited by Watchtower; Today at 04:34 AM.
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#36 Today, 12:59 PM
Realist
Junior Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: , ,
Posts: 1,001
Watchtower's post got me to thinking about stats (one of my favorite things when it's cold and snowy outside....).
On a per minute basis when comparing Josh's production so far this year to Daniel Orton's last year Josh comes out ahead.
Orton: .25 rebounds per minute. .26 points per minute
Josh: .38 rebounds per minute. .23 points per minute
Not that it really means anything, I just thought it was interesting. Plus, it was something to do while drinking my coffee and steeling my nerves for getting out in this nasty weather.
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#37 Today, 01:39 PM
SamKat
Junior Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Westerville, Ohio, USA
Posts: 2,341
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I give Jorts and Coach Cal credit for Jorts' obvious improvement. The China trip also helped. Coach Cal can form winning teams as well as he recruits and that is why these great high school recruits want to play for him. I am glad that Jorts is now realizing his best coach.
I appreciate all good comments of Rob Lock. His ex, Valerie Still Lock, is living in the shadows of Kansas Universtiy with their wonderful son, Aaron. It is my fondest hope that Aaron continues to develop into basketball greatness. Aaron will be 15 soon and has great size already and is still growing. Remember Rob was nearly seven feet tall and Valerie, a three time All American for UK and still the highest all time scorer, is six foot two. I don't want to see him at KU but hope he can come to UK. Mainly so that Jeanie and I can see our beautiful friend, Valerie at the UK games.
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Page 2 of 2 < 1 2
Glad you're back home, Jack!- Jack H Plymale
Glad you're back home, Jack! Those are sad Christmas memories.
Sam
Sam by Gods grace, I always have a Merry Christmas. No matter how dire or unfavorable the circumstances; he always finds a way to fill my heart on his Sons birthday. Jack P.
On Sun, Dec 12, 2010 at 2:44 AM, Sam Kegley wrote:
I have to agree, Jack. conference games are more competitive.
The BCS makes football scheduling worse. In basketball it is hopes for a good seed in the tournament.
Your just a realist, old Torjan warrior.
I hope you enjoy a Merry Christmas anyway. Remember that God didn't set these schedules.
Sam
----- Original Message -----
From: Jack Plymale
To: Sam Kegley
Sent: Saturday, December 11, 2010 14:16
Subject: Who?
Sam, where in the world are Dillard,Winthrop and Copin. UK's basketball schedule looks like the Buckeye's football schedule. I left out Mississippi Valley state, because I thought it might be in the Mississippi river valley. Even, possibly, in the state of Mississippi. "The Little Sisters of the Poor must have had their schedule full when the athletic director found out about them. I just hate to see the kids at those little schools subjected to the kind of embarrassment they are certain to experience at the hands of "The Cats" because it,undoubtedly pays well... There are no more "Waterloo Wonders." The main complaint I have with Tress is That he will have two or three weak sisters who don't have the , proverbial, snowballs chance when they come into Buckeye stadium on those early saturdays..IPardon me, Sam, if I'm too offensive with my stupid idiosyncracies.Jack P
.
--
Jack P.
__________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 5695 (20101211) __________
The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.
http://www.eset.com
--
Jack P.
Sam
Sam by Gods grace, I always have a Merry Christmas. No matter how dire or unfavorable the circumstances; he always finds a way to fill my heart on his Sons birthday. Jack P.
On Sun, Dec 12, 2010 at 2:44 AM, Sam Kegley
I have to agree, Jack. conference games are more competitive.
The BCS makes football scheduling worse. In basketball it is hopes for a good seed in the tournament.
Your just a realist, old Torjan warrior.
I hope you enjoy a Merry Christmas anyway. Remember that God didn't set these schedules.
Sam
----- Original Message -----
From: Jack Plymale
To: Sam Kegley
Sent: Saturday, December 11, 2010 14:16
Subject: Who?
Sam, where in the world are Dillard,Winthrop and Copin. UK's basketball schedule looks like the Buckeye's football schedule. I left out Mississippi Valley state, because I thought it might be in the Mississippi river valley. Even, possibly, in the state of Mississippi. "The Little Sisters of the Poor must have had their schedule full when the athletic director found out about them. I just hate to see the kids at those little schools subjected to the kind of embarrassment they are certain to experience at the hands of "The Cats" because it,undoubtedly pays well... There are no more "Waterloo Wonders." The main complaint I have with Tress is That he will have two or three weak sisters who don't have the , proverbial, snowballs chance when they come into Buckeye stadium on those early saturdays..IPardon me, Sam, if I'm too offensive with my stupid idiosyncracies.Jack P
.
--
Jack P.
__________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 5695 (20101211) __________
The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.
http://www.eset.com
--
Jack P.
Dear Abby- Thanks Dr. Hovermale!
Dear Abby,
My husband has a long record of money problems. He runs up huge credit-card bills and
at the end of the month, if I try to pay them off, he shouts at me, saying I am stealing
his money.
He says pay the minimum and let our kids worry about the rest, but already we can
hardly keep up with the interest.
Also he has been so arrogant and abusive toward our neighbors that most of them
no longer speak to us. The few that do are an odd bunch, to whom he has been
giving a lot of expensive gifts, running up our bills even more.
Also, he has gotten religious. One week he hangs out with Catholics and the next with people who say the Pope is the Anti-Christ, and the next he's with Muslums.
Finally, the last straw. He's demanding that before anyone can be in the same room with him,
they must sign a loyalty oath. It's just so horribly creepy!
Can you help?
Signed, Lost in DC
Dear Lost:
Stop whining, Michelle.
You can divorce the asshole anytime you want.
The rest of us are stuck with him for two more years!
My husband has a long record of money problems. He runs up huge credit-card bills and
at the end of the month, if I try to pay them off, he shouts at me, saying I am stealing
his money.
He says pay the minimum and let our kids worry about the rest, but already we can
hardly keep up with the interest.
Also he has been so arrogant and abusive toward our neighbors that most of them
no longer speak to us. The few that do are an odd bunch, to whom he has been
giving a lot of expensive gifts, running up our bills even more.
Also, he has gotten religious. One week he hangs out with Catholics and the next with people who say the Pope is the Anti-Christ, and the next he's with Muslums.
Finally, the last straw. He's demanding that before anyone can be in the same room with him,
they must sign a loyalty oath. It's just so horribly creepy!
Can you help?
Signed, Lost in DC
Dear Lost:
Stop whining, Michelle.
You can divorce the asshole anytime you want.
The rest of us are stuck with him for two more years!
View Mobile Version of this site
Meet LimingtonLight Rain
High: 49°
Low: 31°
51°Maine news, sports, weather from Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, Portland, MaineMonday, December 13, 2010
Wreaths once again bound for Arlington
ANN S
— By . KIM
Staff Writer
Tractor-trailers loaded up with 16,000 wreaths began their journey to Arlington National Cemetery on snowy roads in Washington County on Sunday.
Law enforcement, the Patriot Guard Riders motorcycle group and others were accompanying the 16 tractor-trailers as they made their way south.
Between 8,000 and 10,000 volunteers are expected to place the wreaths on grave sites at Arlington on Saturday. Remembrance ceremonies will be held in conjunction at several hundred veterans cemeteries and memorials around the nation and overseas.
The effort is now organized by the nonprofit Wreaths Across America, established as a vehicle for the growing number of people who wanted to get involved, said Tobin Slaven, a part-time spokesman for the organization. But its roots are in a gesture made by Morrill Worcester, whose childhood trip to the cemetery made an impression that lasted through the decades.
Faced with overstock in December 1992, Worcester, president of the Worcester Wreath Co. in Harrington, sought and received permission to place 5,000 wreaths at graves in Arlington. It became an annual tradition that expanded to other locations after 2005, when a photograph of wreaths at snowy graves was widely disseminated through e-mail.
This year, there are 402 locations besides Arlington National Cemetery participating in the project. In all, 151,000 wreaths are being distributed.
The wreath company remains the largest donor of wreaths but the sponsors also include the United Service Organizations, Walmart, other corporate sponsors and individuals.
Worcester used to make the trip to Virginia with a handful of people, driving 14 hours to the outskirts of Washington, D.C., where they would stay overnight. The next morning, they would place the wreaths, have lunch and begin the drive back to Maine.
Now, the round trip takes a week and the convoy can include as many as hundreds of vehicles at times. Each day includes several stops for ceremonies as well as a number of emotional moments.
After leaving the wreath factory in Harrington, the convoy stopped on Route 1A for a brief ceremony at a military memorial in Holden. At a Bangor ceremony, an elderly veteran pressed a small cross with a prayer into the hand of Karen Worcester, who is married to Morrill and runs Wreaths Across America. An 83-year-old friend of his makes the crosses for military personnel being sent overseas, but the veteran wanted Worcester to have it, even though neither she nor her husband have served, she said.
''It's so humbling to have someone give you something like that,'' she said as the convoy drove through central Maine. ''Over and over again, they let us know what this means to them.''
Sunday's schedule also included stops in Hermon and Portland. Today the convoy is scheduled to stop in Wells and Kittery heading into Massachusetts.
The trip always comes at a busy time for the wreath company, but Morrill Worcester checks in four or five times a day and has faith in his sons and factory managers. On this, his 18th consecutive trip, he still looks forward to the journey.
He marvels at all the people who show their support, from the Civil Air Patrol's fundraising squadrons and other volunteers to the individuals who greet the convoy with flags as it passes through their communities.
''I'm very proud of it. It's come a long way,'' he said of the project. ''It never would do what it does if there weren't an awful lot of people who feel the way I do.''
Staff Writer Ann S. Kim can be contacted at 791-6383 or at:
akimWreaths once again bound for Arlington
Meet LimingtonLight Rain
High: 49°
Low: 31°
51°Maine news, sports, weather from Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, Portland, MaineMonday, December 13, 2010
Wreaths once again bound for Arlington
ANN S
— By . KIM
Staff Writer
Tractor-trailers loaded up with 16,000 wreaths began their journey to Arlington National Cemetery on snowy roads in Washington County on Sunday.
Law enforcement, the Patriot Guard Riders motorcycle group and others were accompanying the 16 tractor-trailers as they made their way south.
Between 8,000 and 10,000 volunteers are expected to place the wreaths on grave sites at Arlington on Saturday. Remembrance ceremonies will be held in conjunction at several hundred veterans cemeteries and memorials around the nation and overseas.
The effort is now organized by the nonprofit Wreaths Across America, established as a vehicle for the growing number of people who wanted to get involved, said Tobin Slaven, a part-time spokesman for the organization. But its roots are in a gesture made by Morrill Worcester, whose childhood trip to the cemetery made an impression that lasted through the decades.
Faced with overstock in December 1992, Worcester, president of the Worcester Wreath Co. in Harrington, sought and received permission to place 5,000 wreaths at graves in Arlington. It became an annual tradition that expanded to other locations after 2005, when a photograph of wreaths at snowy graves was widely disseminated through e-mail.
This year, there are 402 locations besides Arlington National Cemetery participating in the project. In all, 151,000 wreaths are being distributed.
The wreath company remains the largest donor of wreaths but the sponsors also include the United Service Organizations, Walmart, other corporate sponsors and individuals.
Worcester used to make the trip to Virginia with a handful of people, driving 14 hours to the outskirts of Washington, D.C., where they would stay overnight. The next morning, they would place the wreaths, have lunch and begin the drive back to Maine.
Now, the round trip takes a week and the convoy can include as many as hundreds of vehicles at times. Each day includes several stops for ceremonies as well as a number of emotional moments.
After leaving the wreath factory in Harrington, the convoy stopped on Route 1A for a brief ceremony at a military memorial in Holden. At a Bangor ceremony, an elderly veteran pressed a small cross with a prayer into the hand of Karen Worcester, who is married to Morrill and runs Wreaths Across America. An 83-year-old friend of his makes the crosses for military personnel being sent overseas, but the veteran wanted Worcester to have it, even though neither she nor her husband have served, she said.
''It's so humbling to have someone give you something like that,'' she said as the convoy drove through central Maine. ''Over and over again, they let us know what this means to them.''
Sunday's schedule also included stops in Hermon and Portland. Today the convoy is scheduled to stop in Wells and Kittery heading into Massachusetts.
The trip always comes at a busy time for the wreath company, but Morrill Worcester checks in four or five times a day and has faith in his sons and factory managers. On this, his 18th consecutive trip, he still looks forward to the journey.
He marvels at all the people who show their support, from the Civil Air Patrol's fundraising squadrons and other volunteers to the individuals who greet the convoy with flags as it passes through their communities.
''I'm very proud of it. It's come a long way,'' he said of the project. ''It never would do what it does if there weren't an awful lot of people who feel the way I do.''
Staff Writer Ann S. Kim can be contacted at 791-6383 or at:
akimWreaths once again bound for Arlington
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