Is This Why We Elect Senators?

I just read an article written by The Associated Press and posted on FoxSports.com that made my blood boil. The article is titled, "Senators urge MLB to Ban Tobacco" dated October 18, 2011. Apparently the People of the United States of America voted in members of the Senate so they could eliminate the use of "smokeless tobacco" products from Major League Baseball. Shockingly, millions of children are going to take up the habit by watching the World Series and it is the job of our public servants to prevent that from happening. Two separate letters were written and sent to the head of the MLB Players Union, Michael Weiner (not another Weiner) stating, "''When players use smokeless tobacco, they endanger not only their own health, but also the health of millions of children who follow their example.'' These letters were signed by Senators Dick Durbin of Illinois, Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Senate health comity chairman Tom Harkin of Iowa. This coupled with the relentless inquisitions about the use of performance enhancing drugs in Baseball should have the economic problems in this country cleaned up by the year 2215. What the heck are these people thinking? I am not sure, but I have never seen on any ballet a mandate from the people to have our elected officials clean up baseball. I'm not even sure the American people think baseball is dirty. As a matter of fact, everyone I have ever talked to about this subject agree if the players, or anyone else for that matter, want to destroy their own body that is their right to do so. I am not condoning the habit mind you. I personally think it is disgusting and could never see myself doing it. I do, however; have friends who dip and chew and I have yet to turn them in to the authorities. This nonsense that the children watching are going to pick up the habit is ludicrous. If we use the Senators logic, does that mean if children were to watch C-Span they would become lying, cheating, over paid adulterers? Maybe we should have an inquisition of the Senators and clean up Washington...oh, that's right, we do have that. It's called election day and it is things like this that drive me to encourage everyone to get out and vote these guys out of office. We need men and women in office that understand the abbreviation for United States in US and that is who they work for.
If I recall the Declaration of Independence starts out, "We the people..," not, “We the elected officials,” so let's stop being sheep herded where ever they see fit and become involved in our most sacred right as a free nation and get out and vote. All I ask is educate yourself of the issues and where each candidate stands before you vote. Let’s get the RIGHT people representing US and our interests before there is no US left.

A Dark Day for Sports

For those of you that don't know, yesterday Indy car driver Dan Wheldon was killed after sustaining insurmountable wounds from a horrific crash that included some 15 cars. If you didn't see it live or on the news, it was the worst crash at a car race I have ever seen. I understand that is not saying much coming from a guy that isn't a real staunch race fan, but I have seen a few and that was bad. At least 4 of the cars were on fire and 2 cars, including Wheldon's, were actually airborne. Following the accident, Wheldon was airlifted to a local hospital where he was met by his wife, two young children, and his brothers. Not long after arriving, Dan succumbed to his wounds. Dan was only 33 years old and was one of the premiere drivers in Indy. He was a two time champion of the Indy 500 including the victory in that race this year. As I said before, I am not a huge race fan, however; a wife and children lost their husband and father yesterday and for that my heart truly goes out to them. I know how it feels to lose your father. I miss mine every day and wish he were here to give me the guidance only a father can provide. I pray that the family rallies around those two young children and provides the support necessary until, maybe one day, another man comes into the family. Even if you are not a fan of racing, I hope you will take a moment and ask God to have a strong presence in the Wheldon families life right now. Ask that he put a hand of comfort over them as they recover from this sudden loss of their loved one and make his presence known during their sorrow. Also ask that He provide wisdom to the Indy Car Officials as they sort through this catastrophe that they may make the proper decisions for further safety measures to protect future drivers from suffering the same fate.

I Dropped the Ball!

Have you ever known something special was coming for a long time and when the time finally arrived, you realized that you failed to plan for it? Well I have and did. As many of you know, my 25th wedding anniversary is on November 22 and I have not planned any thing special for my wife. I know, I know. I SUCK, right? As if not planning anything wasn't bad enough, my wife has been basically telling me how this anniversary was going to go down for years. We were to have a vow renewal ceremony, she was going to get a HUGE wedding ring (because the one she got when we first got married was pitiful), and we were going to be surrounded by our friends and family. So how could I screw that up so terribly? I DON'T KNOW!!! I have no excuse. Sure I can say that we have been slammed this year with the new house and my new position at work, but why did I wait until this year? Sure I can say that we didn't have the money, but that wouldn't be exactly true. We have been blessed since arriving in Denver and the truth is what she wanted (other than the ring) wasn't all that expensive. I do have to rescue myself just a bit here though. I did get her a new ring last Christmas and it is a beautiful ring, however; I do know it wasn't really the ring she was looking for. I could use any of those as an excuse, but they would be just that, an excuse.
I now blog in front of God and everybody that I feel sick about this. The biggest problem is that I have felt sick about this for a long time now. You would think that would have motivated me to do something about it, but it didn't. Maybe it is true what they say about men. We are the biggest procrastinators and even physical sickness will not motivate us to do what we need to do. I have begged my wife's forgiveness for this over and over the past few months, and you know what? She tells me that she is not upset about it. YA, RIGHT! Guys, what does it mean when your wife tells you she is not upset about something you should have done? What does it mean when your wife tells you you don't have to get her something for Valentines Day, Her Birthday, Christmas, or her Anniversary? It means you are royally screwed! So readers, after it has taken me so long to finally get this blog started, it may be my last entry. I am sure some time, some where, she is going to kill me. I have take to sleeping with one eye open lately. I am sure that is why I never feel like I have gotten any sleep. Every time she rolls over or moves an arm or leg, I am wide awake wondering if it is finally judgement day. I am a wreck!
Wait a minute! I  may have just saved myself. I realize remembering the actual day is important, and I do remember it every year. But the celebration is truly a whole year thing right? Will I be vindicated if I make some sort of plan any where between November 22, 2011 and November 22, 2012?! That has got to be the answer. I am not quite sure what it will be, but it is all I have to go on. Ladies, if you are reading this blog, let me know if this will get me out of the doghouse. Even a few suggestions would be welcome. There has got to be some things I havent thought of because, as you know, I am a man and we just don't think like that.
My wife will be reading this entry so I need to say one thing directly to her. Baby, I am so sorry I dropped the ball. I hope you will forgive me. This does not mean I don't love you or I don't take our marriage seriously. I simply means I am a man. I will do better in the future to make you feel special. You are my one and only and I will love you until the end of time.

Welcome to my thoughts

Hello readers and welcome to my thoughts. I have been wanting to do this for quite some time now but never seem to find the time to get started, so today I decided was the day to start. I am a 46 year old red blooded American male who has been married to the most remarkable woman in the world for 25 wonderful years. I say that not because she is going to read this, but because I actually mean it. It boggles my mind that people find out how long I have been married and look at me like I am some kind of freak. I have been married this long because this wasn't something to try and I didn't go into it with false expectations. Until Death Do Us Part was the real deal for us and no matter what happens we will grow old together and die together. My wife is the Recreations Director for a Nursing Home in Denver and is one of the most caring and loving people I know. She sincerely cares about the quality of life the residents in her facility have and goes over and above to prove that each and every day. I am not sure I have every met a person with a bigger heart than my wife and I hope that if I ever have to be in a nursing home I have a care taker such as her. I don't think the company she works for realizes just how lucky they are to have her. I am the proud father of two strapping young men 23 & 21. They have been the light of my life. It does, however; baffle me that two people can come from the same parents, live in the same home, and become such different personalities. My oldest has recently received his Associates Degree in Fire science and is now continuing his education dreaming of on day becoming a Firefighter. My youngest is an Artist. I say that like it is just some thing but it isn't. He is an amazing artist and I know one day he will be a huge success in his chosen field. He is attending Metro State College and will soon graduate with a degree in art. I am more proud of them both than I could ever write on a piece of paper. Both of them will make wonderful husbands and fathers one day, but I am in no hurry for them to make that move. I want them both to take as long as they need to find the right person to make their life partner.
Now that all of that is over and you know me a little bit better, I am going to let you know about my goals for this blog. I did some research of blogs that are written by men and it seemed they all had some things in common that I will be avoiding in my blog. First, I don't feel that it is necessary to have pictures of scantily clad women on every page in order to keep a man's attention. I know it is hard to believe, but not all men see every woman as a sex object. Second, there will be no vulgar language in my blogs. I am finishing my education as we speak and I believe I am intelligent enough to get my point across with out the use of profanity. Third, even though I enjoy an occasional beer or two, this will not be the topic of any of my blogs. I do not feel I require alcohol to make me interesting or to find a way to deal with my issues. Again, I am sure I can find a way to solve problems and find friends without it. Fourth, I am a born again believer in Jesus Christ, however; I will not be thumping you with the bible in this blog. I will state my beliefs occasionally and I believe as a believer I should, but if I read my scripture well enough, Jesus said come to me and left it up to the FREE WILL of the person to decide. I pray for all of you and hope one day you will have a relationship with Christ, but that is your call not mine. Lastly, I at one time considered myself a Republican. That was before all of the parties decided to do what was best for them and totally forget about those of us who voted them in. I now lean on my own conservative views and vote for the person I feel is best for the job. I did not vote for President Obama but since he is the President I consider him my President. It is now up to me and people like me to make sure we have someone else in that office the next go round.
This has been a small look into who I am and over time I am sure you will get to see a little deeper inside. I will do my level best to not show my bad side (we all have a bad side) and make my entries as interesting and enjoyable. Thank you for clicking in and reading. Please check back often for new topics that I hope you will enjoy and interact with. I am really looking forward to getting to know all of you over the years.