First, in the name of full disclosure, I am a Blazer fan.
Unless you are living in a cave (of which there are plenty here in the PNW) the sports headlines are dripping with the proverbial ink over the "outburst", or that is the spitting out of a mouth guard, at the Blazer bench in last nights game against the Sacto Kings. The perp is DeMarcus Cousins. DeMarcus is a very talented and productive NBA player and has not single handedly been able to show the Kings the winning path in the Western Conference. Last night is steeped in controversy DeMarcus vs the Blazers the story will speak for itself.
The point I want to make is a familiar one yet often ignored. Success does not equate to effective leadership and the community should never presume that just because someone is successful at what they do makes them a good leader. Those willing to consider individual success should look with a jaundiced eye toward elevating such an individual to be a leader. I have seen this both professionally, with promotions of individuals to a place they fail miserably, and to the public view like we saw last night. Sports, the NBA in particular, (the NFL a close second) seems to be a petri dish for creation of figures we would like to see as better than they are in life.
Although I may be attacking sports figures unfairly, the political arena will be a chronic pest in news consumption for the next four years, and there will be plenty of targets to criticize. I promise more on that later.
Wednesday, December 21, 2016
Saturday, November 12, 2016
Veteran's Day 2016
It is good to see news stories about how Americans are celebrating Veteran's Day, particularly after such a contentious Presidential election, stating their support for Veteran's and making meaningful contributions of time and money. Such behavior has not always been the norm.
Many members of my family have served, US Navy, Army Air Corp/ Air Force, Marines, and even a former brother-in-law was a recipient of the CMH (another who survived Bataan.*) I didn't and often wonder. . ., but friends who spent those 12 to 13 months in the jungles of South East Asia said I did not miss a damn thing. I'll take their word for it. All came home on both feet and physically in one piece. Other issues plague(d) a few.
But this is really about my Dad. He lied about his age to enter the US Navy in WWI. He became a gunners mate on what was then classified as an armored cruiser, the USS West Virginia (ACR-5). That name was eventually assigned to BB-48 and the battleship USS West Virginia; despite becoming heavily damaged at Pearl Harbor, BB-48 went onto a distinguished career in the Pacific. ACR-5 was renamed the USS Huntington and served as convoy escort through WWI.
By us navy - www.navsource.org/archives
Dad talked some about his experience and often commented on the catapult, a failed experiment, for launching airplanes presumably to hunt U-boats. Balloons were also launched with unlucky results. One story went something like this; retrieving a balloon in a gale the basket, carrying the observer, and the rig collapsed into the Atlantic. A crewman went over the side to rescue the observer and the crewman was later awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Also fabric and wood bi-planes just could not take the stress the steam catapult created. Dad liked to say the US Navy did have aircraft carriers before the USS Langley!
After the war Dad came home and married my mother. Together they raised my elder brother and sister and built roads with his brother-in-law in Eastern Oregon. I remember him complaining November 11th should remain as Armistice Day, apparently disagreeing with President Eisenhower decreeing the name change to Veteran's Day. Of course all his fellow veteran's are gone now and perhaps there were some who might agree with him. We often change things as time goes by. Memorial Day used to be Decoration Day, when the end of the Civil War was recognized and those who gave the "last full measure of devotion (to the Union)" were honored. We find it more convenient now to celebrate "President's Day" rather than the individual birthdays of Washington and Lincoln. In the future people may not even know the beginning and end, or the why, of American's shed blood at home or on foreign fields, and that will be unfortunate. Not to perpetuate the animosity or hostility to old foes, but to recognize the courage it takes to make a stand.
Lest we forget.
*For a good read about the team's sent to rescue survivors read Ghost Soldiers by Hampton Sides. That brother-in-law's name is listed in the role of survivors.
Many members of my family have served, US Navy, Army Air Corp/ Air Force, Marines, and even a former brother-in-law was a recipient of the CMH (another who survived Bataan.*) I didn't and often wonder. . ., but friends who spent those 12 to 13 months in the jungles of South East Asia said I did not miss a damn thing. I'll take their word for it. All came home on both feet and physically in one piece. Other issues plague(d) a few.
But this is really about my Dad. He lied about his age to enter the US Navy in WWI. He became a gunners mate on what was then classified as an armored cruiser, the USS West Virginia (ACR-5). That name was eventually assigned to BB-48 and the battleship USS West Virginia; despite becoming heavily damaged at Pearl Harbor, BB-48 went onto a distinguished career in the Pacific. ACR-5 was renamed the USS Huntington and served as convoy escort through WWI.
By us navy - www.navsource.org/archives
Dad talked some about his experience and often commented on the catapult, a failed experiment, for launching airplanes presumably to hunt U-boats. Balloons were also launched with unlucky results. One story went something like this; retrieving a balloon in a gale the basket, carrying the observer, and the rig collapsed into the Atlantic. A crewman went over the side to rescue the observer and the crewman was later awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Also fabric and wood bi-planes just could not take the stress the steam catapult created. Dad liked to say the US Navy did have aircraft carriers before the USS Langley!
After the war Dad came home and married my mother. Together they raised my elder brother and sister and built roads with his brother-in-law in Eastern Oregon. I remember him complaining November 11th should remain as Armistice Day, apparently disagreeing with President Eisenhower decreeing the name change to Veteran's Day. Of course all his fellow veteran's are gone now and perhaps there were some who might agree with him. We often change things as time goes by. Memorial Day used to be Decoration Day, when the end of the Civil War was recognized and those who gave the "last full measure of devotion (to the Union)" were honored. We find it more convenient now to celebrate "President's Day" rather than the individual birthdays of Washington and Lincoln. In the future people may not even know the beginning and end, or the why, of American's shed blood at home or on foreign fields, and that will be unfortunate. Not to perpetuate the animosity or hostility to old foes, but to recognize the courage it takes to make a stand.
Lest we forget.
*For a good read about the team's sent to rescue survivors read Ghost Soldiers by Hampton Sides. That brother-in-law's name is listed in the role of survivors.
Monday, July 25, 2016
Oh my stars!
Recently I saw an article about how many of us cannot see the Milky Way due to light pollution. It was astonishing, something like eighty percent of us cannot see the broad band of white and blue light spreading across the night sky. A somewhat smaller percentage, particularly those living in larger urban areas, cannot see any stars on a clear night. So I went looking for an "app" to compensate for what cannot be seen from where I live. It has not always been difficult to see the stars or even the Milky Way, sometimes I cannot even see the Moon, walls block my view from a yard that once provided sight of a broad arc of the Southern Sky. So I found an "app," but before this continues you should know two things; this is no lament for what is lost, and when I was young many hours were spent behind the house with an inexpensive reflecting telescope, but my math was not good enough to become an astronomer. So of course I have certain, ahh, prejudices.
Reflecting on the need to "look up" may have inspired the desire to learn to sail. Even thought most of my sailing is spent on the River during the day, there is nothing like an offshore passage at night. It can be thrilling and terrifying. But I do look up.
To compensate for the suburban night sky I found an "app" called Sky Guide. Since I am not a reviewer by trade or training, suffice to say it is the best of several I have tried. The built in compass allows the user to orient the view, even providing a view below the horizon, to any point. Different settings includes choices on how much information is displayed.
Ok enough of that.
The point is look around, up, down, to your side. Not just in one direction. You might be surprised what you see. It is bound to be something amazing!
Reflecting on the need to "look up" may have inspired the desire to learn to sail. Even thought most of my sailing is spent on the River during the day, there is nothing like an offshore passage at night. It can be thrilling and terrifying. But I do look up.
To compensate for the suburban night sky I found an "app" called Sky Guide. Since I am not a reviewer by trade or training, suffice to say it is the best of several I have tried. The built in compass allows the user to orient the view, even providing a view below the horizon, to any point. Different settings includes choices on how much information is displayed.
Ok enough of that.
The point is look around, up, down, to your side. Not just in one direction. You might be surprised what you see. It is bound to be something amazing!
Wednesday, July 20, 2016
Action or Fear
It has been a long time.
Since "retirement", and that is not an accurate word, it seems there is more to write about but less enthusiasm to do so. My problem.
The reality for me is the relevance of thought in today's world of twenty four hour news and the fleeting of the story. The only events in our world that has any stick it seems is the violence we have seen on the streets. Whose lives matter? Are you thinking about what goes on around you? Does it motivate you to action or cement your feet in fear?
This last week our household was the victim of a crime. It was my own damn fault as the garage door was left open overnight. Some items were stolen, it makes me feel sick. The expensive bike is the only thing gone as the thief eventually dumped the other items; I assume because they were to heavy and awkward to carry. In an effort to make myself feel better about stupidity I think the theft could have occurred anytime after 3:00pm. Now I will open the door, remove the lawn mower, close the door and do my work, open the door, put the mower away, get the edger, close the door, etc. Maybe a check off list before going to bed, some motion sensor lights too, or one of those surveillance systems you can get at Costco. Like a terrorist the thief is making me change the way I live. There will be more changes.
Why do the changes have to occur? Why do we not like change? In many respects we crave change; we want to see our communities grow (ok just the Chamber of Commerce), we like to see our assets (homes in particular) increase in value (mostly because it is the most valuable asset we have), and it is a natural state of life. We get older, our children grow up, we remodel the kitchen. We don't like change as it can be disruptive, negative (particularly if it results in job loss or move), and it upsets our routine. We are after all creatures of habit.
So in some respects the theft has cemented me in fear, but it is also motivating me to action. It should have not taken an event to hit me personally to change my behavior. Neighbors are impacted too and they are not just across the street; they also live in Baton Rouge, Dallas, and France.
Since "retirement", and that is not an accurate word, it seems there is more to write about but less enthusiasm to do so. My problem.
The reality for me is the relevance of thought in today's world of twenty four hour news and the fleeting of the story. The only events in our world that has any stick it seems is the violence we have seen on the streets. Whose lives matter? Are you thinking about what goes on around you? Does it motivate you to action or cement your feet in fear?
This last week our household was the victim of a crime. It was my own damn fault as the garage door was left open overnight. Some items were stolen, it makes me feel sick. The expensive bike is the only thing gone as the thief eventually dumped the other items; I assume because they were to heavy and awkward to carry. In an effort to make myself feel better about stupidity I think the theft could have occurred anytime after 3:00pm. Now I will open the door, remove the lawn mower, close the door and do my work, open the door, put the mower away, get the edger, close the door, etc. Maybe a check off list before going to bed, some motion sensor lights too, or one of those surveillance systems you can get at Costco. Like a terrorist the thief is making me change the way I live. There will be more changes.
Why do the changes have to occur? Why do we not like change? In many respects we crave change; we want to see our communities grow (ok just the Chamber of Commerce), we like to see our assets (homes in particular) increase in value (mostly because it is the most valuable asset we have), and it is a natural state of life. We get older, our children grow up, we remodel the kitchen. We don't like change as it can be disruptive, negative (particularly if it results in job loss or move), and it upsets our routine. We are after all creatures of habit.
So in some respects the theft has cemented me in fear, but it is also motivating me to action. It should have not taken an event to hit me personally to change my behavior. Neighbors are impacted too and they are not just across the street; they also live in Baton Rouge, Dallas, and France.
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