MIGHT OF RIGHT

GINGRICH FOR PRESIDENT?

2012-01-28T08:54:00.003-06:00

South Carolina may not be a beacon for the national electorate, but in impressive fashion SC Republicans (mostly) turned away Romney and embraced Gingrich by a sizable margin in the 2012 SC Republican Presidential Primary. Mind you, this is a state with a substantial evangelical Christian population and that’s who came out and voted. Ironically and for this writer, strangely, seems the ladies mostly favored Newt despite his less than blissful domestic track record. I found that surprising and the epitome of double standard. And then you have all this malarkey about an obviously hypocritical Newt (now Mr. Morality) confessing his sins and asking for forgiveness… again doubletalk and political speak - spin, spin, spin. Gingrich’s victory, then, was not surprising and certainly a far cry from the Newt Gingrich campaign of June 2011 when his staff resigned en masse. If the Republicans have forgotten Newt’s earlier and continuing gaffes, the Democrats certainly will not…

Some Friends have also suggested that some SC Democrats came out to vote for Newt, preferring him over Romney as an opponent in the fall. You see, no party affiliation is required on the South Carolina voter rolls so virtually anything goes. Anyone can vote in the primaries and that apparently included some Democrats. Did they burst any balloons and make a difference in the outcome? We don’t think so, but it points to a flaw in the system. Having said that, in the United States anybody has the right to change their mind – and they apparently do frequently, witness the debacle called the 2012 Republican Presidential primaries.

That crossover practice is condemned by both the Republican and the Democrat hierarchies who want the ability to choose their nominee unencumbered. It does show that despite any sense of fairness and honesty that there are some desperate folks out there. We read one blog where one SC Democrat punched his card for Gingrich with the comment, “Hell has officially frozen over.” Yes, it has…

While the Republicans feel the effect of Democrats voting in the Republican SC primary was negligible, it should be noted that they acknowledged a pending South Carolina court case that would prohibit crossover voting in any primary. With a wink and a nod that may backfire in the future as the disaffected from one party then could not vote for their nominee. This may just be the cost of doing business and enhance our already burdensome bureaucracy.

What do we think about Newt? Well, contrary to what some folks think, he may be the smartest and most intelligent man in politics today though that doesn’t mean he’s the best candidate for any party. Newt’s mercurial demeanor reflects that he is seemingly motivated by a cacophony of ideas and concepts with sometimes little grasp on the nuances and subtleties that permeate national and international politics. Newt is mostly confrontational (building more walls than bridges) of any candidate, procrastinates on the truth (see Politifact) and if elected would mean more (lots more) of the same visceral rhetoric we now see on Capitol Hill.

Newt should be declared a bi-partisan national treasure and then bundled off to his own spacious think tank where in mostly intellectual discord he can lob thought grenades or other materials against the walls. We anticipate that ninety-nine plus percent won’t stick but his whole existence (and maybe ours) may rely on that one pearl that will hold firmly and make a difference…

It’s Saturday. Think I’ll go shopping at Tiffany’s. Just love those little blue boxes…

Aye,

Ned Buxton

DAVID SEABURY BUXTON

2012-01-16T09:25:00.016-06:00

Note that this is the chronology of the events from Saturday January 14, 2012 to present relating to the heart attack and other health issues experienced by David Seabury Buxton, younger Brother to this writer. The post reads from that last Saturday to the present day so scroll down near the end for the current entries. This story is not yet complete though we remain optimistic that we will have a happy ending. We start…

As I write the first installment of this post little brother David Seabury lies in the Cardiopulmonary Intensive Care Unit (CPICU) at Parkland Hospital. David suffered what we thought were at least three heart attacks - one self-diagnosed and withheld from Family for several days, one alleged heart attack that turned out to be a severe seizure when David greeted the EMTs even as he opened his door this past Saturday and another while in transit to the hospital. David is in critical though stable condition at Parkland Hospital, the much admired (though sometimes maligned) public county hospital here in Dallas, Texas. Please note that the care David has received has been nothing short of extraordinary with the medical staff at UT Southwestern among the best in the world. We could have done no better. God Bless Mary and Scott and the rest of the staff at Parkland’s CPICU.

When David arrived at Parkland his situation was grave. He was immediately sent on for further diagnostics and action to Parkland’s Cardiac Cath Lab where as one of their staffers later admitted, “We did things to your brother than we have never done to anyone else"…alluding to the fact that they went through eight balloons in order to place four stents in David’s right coronary artery.

David is on a ventilator and has enough cables and tubes going in, around and out – wherever – that he looks more like the old 1970’s main frame at Equifax. He is also receiving an agent that sedates him and keeps him in coma, another which paralyzes him, a blood thinner and another medicine that restricts the arteries and increases his blood pressure. They have also cooled David down to 32° Centigrade (Celsius) which is the equivalent of 89.6° Fahrenheit so as to lower the risk of death and reduce damage to both the brain and heart. They have started to back off the ventilator, slowly wean David from some of his heart meds and as of last night start to warm him back up. So far, so good – if we consider Critical but Stable a step in the right direction and it is. The very capable doctors and staff are optimistic that David is moving in the right direction. Saturday and Sunday saw the almost routine heroics of an extraordinary medical staff preserving a life almost taken and making possible the fullest recovery…

Monday Morning - 1/16/2012 - Parkland Hospital CPICU

We met with the doctors again this morning at Parkland for a neurological assessment to determine the effects of the heart attacks and David’s prognosis. David had a pretty good night as they started to warm him up and continue to cut down on the meds. This morning, however, he took a slight turn for the worse and again required support to maintain his blood pressure and oxygen levels. They again stabilized David and he is now resting comfortably.

The Doctors provided worst case scenarios including that David could have another heart attack which could be fatal. David could also not have the strength to breathe on his own and not be able to maintain a healthy BP without support. Finally at this point since he is still unconscious we do not know if any brain function has been compromised.

Monday Evening - 1/16/2012

A new team of doctors came on tonight and reviewed his chart with fresh eyes and the events of this afternoon. Apparently, David had what could be considered a very mild seizure which consisted of movement in the feet and arms. It may be nothing but they have decided to do an EEG tonight or tomorrow morning. Staff expressed concerns that David was not waking up as quickly as they hoped – an indication of potential brain damage. The attending physician also has concerns that David is requiring as much support to maintain his BP and oxygen levels. They expect him to begin waking up tomorrow when they will be able to better evaluate David’s ability to maintain his BP and oxygen levels as well as any potential brain damage.

The best case scenario is that David will continue to regain strength, the breathing tube will be removed and the doctors will begin a regimen of drugs that will allow his heart to “remodel” (doctor word) itself. Apparently in some cases drug treatment can improve heart function. Reality is that damage to the right side of the heart is much more problematic with the physicians skeptical that David will be able to overcome all the damage that has been done.

This evening they also transfused David with another whole unit of blood and continue to evaluate his situation. David’s status is “guarded” and he remains in a coma. Our next briefing with the doctors will be tomorrow morning. We will continue to update this post as warranted.

Tuesday Morning – 1/17/12

This morning David’s Medical Team was optimistic given some positive changes that took place during the overnight and morning hours. David now has his eyes open and was sporadically following simple commands. David appeared to recognize Brothers Ned and John as well as his Social Worker/Confidante/”Grandmother” Celeste. The sedation and morphine is now minimal although clearly the doctors want to keep him quiet with all the monitoring systems and drug delivery systems still attached.

The doctors are somewhat concerned that David was presenting symptoms of incipient stages of pneumonia which could have resulted as a consequence of a very difficult intubation. David is now on various medications including two high octane antibiotics to deal with this problem. At the moment he is supporting his BP without medication - a major positive development.

We noted that David’s nurses and doctors (yes, the female ones) are very attractive which appears to be contributing to a greater awareness of his immediate environment. His latest EEG was negative for any seizure activity though in order to facilitate the exam his nurses adjusted his coiffure by bunching together several areas of hair together with rubber bands. It is a unique look that David might not appreciate in better times. But, we’re not about appearance, just getting better. Guarded but optimistic is the word of the day.

Tuesday Evening – 1/17/12

At this point if David is sustaining his blood pressure without medication, why do we still need the intubation and oxygen? The doctors relate that David has edema (swelling) in his lungs caused by the pneumonia which is interfering with the transfer of oxygen across his lung tissue. As of tonight the oxygen being provided was around 50%, down from 70% which is good news. David’s kidneys are working hard and efficiently processing the copious fluids needed to support his blood pressure. His skin color especially in his extremities is improving suggesting that without the constricting consequence of the blood pressure medicine he is getting better circulation to these areas. This too is expected to improve. Tonight we have been looking for increased awareness in David and the ability to consistently respond to commands. Today he has been squeezing hands and blinking but not to the degree that it can be viewed as communication. David certainly continues to be aware of specific people. All things considered this has been a good day with movement in a positive rather than negative direction. We need not get too giddy with this success as David is still critical and certainly will be in ICU for at least another several days perhaps more…

Wednesday Morning – 1/18/2012

Another good night with David holding his own with good blood pressure and oxygen levels. Nurses report that he is more alert and continues to respond to those around him. They are still keeping him somewhat sedated just to take the edge off. David has gotten agitated a couple of times justifying the sedation and restraints.

David had his eyes open and was responding to commands. Both the nurses and Grandmother Celeste were communicating with David who was responding by squeezing hands or blinking his eyes. He grabbed Brother John’s hand but just held on and did not attempt to communicate. He did try to laugh on several occasions one of which was a question from John asking if he knew where his wallet was. Maybe under the circumstances that was pretty irrelevant and funny.

The doctor said that the affected area of his right artery had a measured flow of one with three being the most desirable. The doctors are closely monitoring that area just in case it tries to re-clot. The doctors are now intermittently permitting him to breathe on his own, so for the first time David supported himself without oxygen and BP drugs. David is still presenting some blood from his lungs which the doctors attribute to a rough intubation and the blood thinners. The next plateau will be tomorrow when they, hopefully, pull his breathing tube out.

So, another exciting morning with mostly good news. We remain optimistic but ever aware of the fragility of the situation.

Brother John discovered an interesting twist in this whole story when he went to the Dallas County Fire Department to pick up the EMT’s report from Saturday. Surprisingly, the report didn’t completely jive with what Parkland’s PCICU had been told by Parkland Emergency who admitted David.

David did, indeed, meet the EMTs at the door of his condo and was getting his gear together when he had a seizure, not a heart attack. The EMTs got him on a gurney and after they got him in the ambulance found him unresponsive – no heartbeat and not breathing. They administered the paddles twice… first at 200 joules and then again at 300 joules. David’s heart restarted and he began breathing again on his own. At that point they transported David to Parkland Hospital’s ER where he was ultimately transferred to their CPICU. Brother John vividly remembered the Neurologists asking him several times when David had his last seizure. John, of course, related an incident 20 years previous as his seizures had been controlled by medication. The reality is that his last seizure was less than 24 hours ago. At this point we wonder the significance of that piece of erroneous data as it relates to David‘s current treatment regimen.

Wednesday Evening – 1/18/12

David now breathing on his own was visited by Brother Ned and Mary this evening. We found David awake, responsive and certainly aware of his surroundings in stark contrast to the previous several days and even this morning. We initially set up protocols for a responsive conversation that included one blink for yes - two blinks for no to coincide with the applicable hand squeezes if he so desired. We played that game for a while but it soon became clear that wasn’t necessary as we soon found David blinking and squeezing along with pronounced nodding for yes and shaking his head for no. We paused and he again started to laugh amused at our elementary attempt at communication. It appeared that we had been played - big time… He laughed long and hard.

David responded to discussions about the weather, his Parkland surroundings, the attractive nurses, the welcome news that we were going to break him out of there as soon as he gets well and then the discovery of his identity as Dr. Bruce Banner by the nurses who have now sworn oaths of fealty and loyalty to Dr. Banner in all his manifestations. David continued to laugh as he did many times during our visit. He hasn’t lost his sense of humor though one would question his taste laughing at this writer’s jokes – but that would apply to just about anybody. It was good to see him on his way back.

The laughing shook loose some of the mucous and blood that continues from his lungs though Medical Staff reflect no alarm offering that David is better than earlier in the day. David manifested some grit when the nurses tried to suction the fluids out of his breathing tubes. While he cooperated the first time he was suctioned, the second time was a closed door. David clenched his teeth and refused despite some righteous and downright tantalizing coaxing, to allow them access. The Head Nurse assured us they will ultimately have their way and exited the room seemingly only waiting for our retreat back to far north Dallas before they renewed their efforts.

David’s extremities are swollen and while not hurting, overall - he looks very uncomfortable. Brother John brought to mind an extraordinary observation. As we reflected earlier, David is certainly aware of his surroundings, the fact that he still has a tube down his throat, all sorts of wires and tubes hanging off him and he remains restrained unable to move his arms and upper torso. David no longer requires any sedation and we think only minimal levels of morphine. We are constantly amazed at David’s ability to endure extreme hardship and then bounce back. Undoubtedly another person not surprised with these heroics is Lieutenant Commander Kip Fischer, David’s swim buddy on the US Navy’s Alpha 1 Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team. If you know anything about the US Navy’s top bomb squad you will understand that David is one tough character having survived and endured many hardships to date.

Thursday Morning – January 19, 2012

Nurses reported this morning that David had a good night and continues to progress. Brother John arrived at the hospital this morning shortly after they removed David’s breathing tube and replaced it with a CPAP mask and system that continues to dispense oxygen. David was talking and told John he was hungry. David also offered a big “Howdy” to all the Friends and Family that John identified as following his progress and offering prayers in his behalf. David is able to speak, though in a hushed tone, through his mask. He appeared to articulate and choose his words well.

The Doctors reported that David still has pneumonia and the blood he is coughing up is a result of the anticoagulants in his lungs, hence the mask and steady diet of O2. The doctors warned John that we will need another few days of continued progress before David can be moved out of ICU. The Medical Team remains concerned about the stents and the extent of damage to the heart - damage that has yet to be determined. It appears now that David did not suffer any brain damage, though the professionals need to make that call.

John will be back later this afternoon and evening – along with Ned – with both hoping to find a much improved David.

Thursday Evening – January 19, 2012

John arrived and was later joined by wife Barbara and this writer. John had telephoned Ned as he was leaving his home for the hospital with the startling observation that David did not appear to know who John was. Later when John, Barbara and Ned stood by David’s bedside and unlike our exchange yesterday, we made no assumptions and looked for David to volunteer and initiate conversation. In fact, he did not start any dialogue though was responsive to our questions. When we were silent, he just stared at us. It was a consensus that David didn’t recognize any of us.

David thought John was his doctor asking him questions about how long he had been at the hospital (he thought he was in Presbyterian) and how much John knew about his medical history. David entertained himself by trying to scratch spots off John’s arm and jacket. Ned and Barbara introduced themselves with Ned after the revelation he was his oldest brother and leaning in to understand David’s response, who while pointing to John responded, “Well, that’s what that man says and if he says so, then you must be.”

The nurse felt that David’s behavior was not unexpected and volunteered that the neurologists were aware that David was experiencing some confusion. Neither of us could detect any concern on David’s part that he was reacting inappropriately. The nurse termed this as a possible case of ICU psychosis brought about by the recovery period in an environment where the patients could not get extensive restful sleep. Obviously the doctors are concerned but it is still too early to make a prognosis about potential brain damage.

While David remains on the CPAP mask the doctors expect him to be weaned off this by late tomorrow. The rest of his numbers are holding. He is still coughing up some blood from his lungs and his breathing remains shallow and somewhat rapid. Again, these conditions are symptomatic of the pneumonia and the fluids in the lungs.

Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day because it is obvious that we have lost ground tonight. At this point we don’t know how much as it is too early to come to any conclusions. Having said that, we all agree that this turn does freak you out a bit. John was going to suggest to David that he was lucky he wasn’t his doctor… but, an inner voice told him to reconsider that urge. We hope that tomorrow will bring better news and a return of our little brother.

I drove back home and while consuming a couple of glasses of wine pondered if this recovery was just an illusion – another cruel joke. Celeste will be in tomorrow, understands our new parameters and will be able to assess the situation.

Friday Morning – 1/20/12

David has apparently and fleetingly re-joined the human race and now recognizes Family and Friends. His mask is gone and his BP and Oxygen levels are holding strong. David spent some real quality time with social worker/“Grandmother” Celeste who will, undoubtedly, (and is already) playing a major role in David’s ultimate recovery. David still does not remember anything from the time just before the seizure-heart attack to the present. We count that as a plus and Godsend. The doctors believe that David will continue to have periods of confusion but believe that will correct itself with time. David might be able to leave the ICU on Sunday – transferred to a regular floor at Parkland. The doctors are trying to be ultra-cautious with David’s treatment and prognosis since patients can often relapse during this transitional period. We have our fingers crossed.

This afternoon John met with a social worker in order to identify a rehabilitation facility and plan David’s rehab after he gets discharged from Parkland. David – through John - felt that individual messages to you all would be somewhat redundant (hence this post and John’s e-mails) and appreciates all your positive vibrations and prayers. David would welcome any email messages which John and Ned will pass on.

Friday Evening – 1/20/12

David dined on carrots, shredded beef, rice, chocolate pudding and milk this evening though he could only partially recall these culinary delights by the time Ned and Mary arrived. David continues to recognize everybody but is uncertain where he is and why he can’t just get up and leave/check out. We assured him that permissions had not yet been given and this was not the time to, “break out.” If he is aware of the severity of his situation he did not let on though we have been assured that the doctors and nurses have communicated this to him at great length.

David’s deer in the headlights, blank stares from the previous evening have been replaced with dynamic, deliberate examinations following you all around his room. He is mostly aware of his surroundings though seemingly confused by what he thought was a door, rather than wall-mounted computer docking station and desk.

His long term memory appears rock solid though he tends to repeat himself short term – forgetting that he just shared a kernel of wisdom with you just a few minutes earlier. He thought Ned “old” and inquired about my almost white mustache insinuating that he remembered me from earlier days – which may be the case. He did refer to me as King Edward - my well-earned, not so humble title bestowed on my person by David many years ago. He acknowledged and talked at great length with “Queen” Mary, commenting on her usual stunning good looks and how could she be the age she professes? David asked how old he was and seemed to take that (new?) information in stride. He shook and held Ned’s hand and would only let it go when Ned and Mary left for the evening. I turned around and he was following us step by step and we left the ICU. He didn’t want us to leave and I felt bad…

His current repetitive pattern might well have been coming on for some time now, witness Mary’s observation of recent previous behaviors. David also was hiccupping (the result of some good laughs) while Mary and Ned visited prompting the nurses and doctors to order up some medication. We didn’t see any blood when David coughed as a result of laughing so his pneumonia appears much better.

David’s periodic bouts of confusion and repetition continue though are substantially less severe and appear to diminish with each passing day. He is generally pretty much with it witness one enlightening burst where he commented on his previous Bowser St. apartment, built by Trammell Crow for wife Margaret? However, he repeated the story within ten minutes embellishing it somewhat commenting on how well it was built (best apartment he ever had). He talked about Hawaii and was very specific telling us about some of his previous haunts while in the Navy.

David may be out of the ICU by Sunday. He is in very good spirits, no oxygen mask and minimum support lines. His arms are not restrained but his legs are as he has tried to get out of bed several times. It is hard to believe that just six days ago he almost flat lined.

We thank especially those folks at Crossmark in Plano, Texas including Deb, Sammye, Clay, Aimee, Konika, Rosie, Sam, Carla, Julie, Pam, Debbie, Jennifer, Sandi, Aya, Corbin and others who have expressed concern for David. They are part of a great support system that also includes the Dean, Clergy and Parishioners at the Cathedral of St. Matthew in Dallas. Aye, there are many more across the country that we will acknowledge. More later…

Saturday – 1/21/12

On Saturday morning we heard on TV that Dallas Police (DPD) had arrested several men driving a SUV full of stolen items from cars and trucks parked in the Parkland Hospital ER parking deck on Thursday night. Ned had noticed a man half stumbling around the parking deck early Thursday evening looking into cars and reported that activity to Dallas Police. We apparently helped bring some justice to Parkland… This is a tough neck of the woods and DPD has a major presence around Parkland including mostly very, very big and seemingly competent police officers. They earn their pay the hard way. We thank them for their public service…

David remains alert and has a very good appetite. The food does look pretty good. Unfortunately, David is sometimes still confused including the exact year, how old he is, where he is and where he lives etc. Having said that, he offered the exact year for Mary and Ned with his only real faux pas being that he couldn’t pronounce President Barack Obama’s name correctly. He knows everybody, jokes around and seems to be in good spirits. All are delighted that he apparently isn’t worried about anything and taking his situation in stride.

Brother John has assured all that he can probably do all the metaphorical heavy lifting for David and cites his now legendary, irreverent, incredibly politically incorrect sense of humor as proof of that. John bought some People magazines for David who is reading them catching up on all the nonsense in our society – nothing more important than Keeping up with the Kardashians…

Brother Coby had a good visit with David today. David commented that Coby had gotten older and, “a little bigger” begging the question not whether David remembers us but in what era? No doubt he is much more lucid and less confused.

As we mentioned David does have a sense of humor and does laugh a lot. That has prompted bouts of hard coughing that continues to present some mostly older blood from the lungs and frustratingly spells of hiccups. We are now trying to maintain some middle ground and not get him too excited though Ned presented David with a photo of Hulk2 whereupon he laughed and started to hiccup again.

So, let’s not try to make this recovery too easy. Today we had a new twist - or slip as the case may be. Some of you who have seen David’s hospital photos may have been wondering about the indentation on David’s top right forehead. That’s the area where David had an oval metal plate (approx. 3” by 4”) inserted several years after his accident in 1977. A year or so ago David bumped his head and bent one of the semi-circular shaped flanges/feet on the edge plate. He required surgery to fix that situation – we thought successfully so. Apparently the plate is on the move because when David coughs the indentation moves and pulsates suggesting that it might be in direct contact with the sinus cavity. That can potentially cause all kinds of problems with infections. An update is forthcoming from the neurologist on Monday. The doctors are hinting that they may move David directly from ICU to a rehab facility bypassing the regular hospital room. Keep the faith. More later.

Sunday – January 22, 2012

Mary and Ned and John visit and find David in great spirits. He continues to cough and now appears to have more than just transitory hiccups. The doctors are working to stop them with additional meds. This morning David ate well and is now mostly thinking clearly. He is now out of his pigtails though a near future visit to a stylist would seem appropriate.

David was presented with a great lunch though declared that he was just not hungry and didn’t care for anything. Mary immediately took up the challenge and spoon-fed David who, in a fit of intelligence and common sense, cooperated. He did not eat his cherry Jell-O (my favorite) though may have forged an enduring bond with pears. We appear to be breaking new culinary ground here. He ravenously drank iced tea which he has rarely consumed and never asked about ice cream. We think it prudent to take advantage of this lapse and not bring it up.

When asked about whether he would like a visitation from one of the clergy at St. Matthew’s David didn’t refuse but said it would be nice if someone from St. Martins on Orchard Avenue in Providence, Rhode Island could visit him. Methinks he was showing off. That led to a discussion of his choirboy status at St. Martin’s while attending St. Dunstan’s.

Late afternoon we were informed that they are moving David from ICU into Parkland Hospital proper. We will be scrambling tomorrow to get him into a rehab facility where he will stay for about three weeks. We do not expect him to be in Parkland longer than Wednesday afternoon. Updates from this point will be offered as David’s situation progresses.

Monday January 23, 2012

Well, when things start moving, they gain an inertia and momentum that can’t be stopped. David spent less than a day in Parkland Hospital before he was accepted as a patient at the nearby (literally next door) Zale Lipshy University Hospital, one of the five medical units that comprise the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (UT Southwestern). Other entities include UT Southwestern Medical School, UT Southwestern Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, UT Southwestern School of Health Professions, and other affiliated hospitals including Parkland Memorial Hospital, St. Paul's, Children's Medical Center (my favorite charity) and the University Medical Centre Brackenridge. Zale Lipshy is one of the jewels in the UT Southwestern crown - home to one of the world's premier neurological diagnostic treatment centers and a rehabilitation unit that includes an interdisciplinary approach to rehabilitation that includes Family. Parkland is right next door though all the other facilities are but a short walk. We hope that you are impressed and confident now since David is at home and in good hands.

Brother John should reap all the kudos for getting David into one of the top facilities in the country and right here in Dallas! John knocked himself out today and was at the hospital all day managing David’s transfer from Parkland to Zale Lipshy. John left when Ned arrived and watched David wolf down some tilapia, mashed potatoes and kernel corn. By the way, try and eat kernel corn with the hiccups - should be part of one of those survival reality shows. I don’t know how David accomplished the task, but his empty plate was proof of his now fully restored appetite. He would not let me help him though I did carve up the fish a bit… While Ned found some runaway kernels of corn about the room, David deserves an A+ for effort and efficiency.

We took care of some of the remaining paperwork after David visited the loo. His sense of modesty and privacy has strongly returned though he won’t be alone for any reason until his strength returns and he can literally stand on his own. He will require a prop for some time.

We of the Buxton ilk have always appreciated that David is a wanderer and as Ned was warning the Zale Lipshy staff that David should not be trusted by himself as he will try and get out of bed – shouldn’t you be using some restraints or medication? – the emergency alarm went off in David’s room. We rushed in to find him hanging half in and half over the high railings on the side of his bed. I had the TV on The Simpsons and while that may have driven him to the precipice, it fully validated my concern and cautions to their medical staff. They immediately arranged for some sleepy-time medicine….

David is now mostly but not completely lucid and vestiges of his ordeal including the cough, hiccups and incredible, continuing discomfort remain. We suspect that they will start his rehab immediately – that’s what they do and David will be profoundly challenged in the near and foreseeable future. That’s where Family and Friends come to bear.

We left David as he was eyeing and we think contemplating what effort it would take to once again scale the sides of his bed. I wouldn’t put it past him and advised they implement their evening plan – and soon. More later.

Tuesday – January 24, 2012

Time for rehab and entry back to the real world via Zale Lipshy Hospital. David was visited by Celeste and Brothers Coby and John with Ned smartly demurring because of some severe thunderstorms that popped up during his intended visiting hours. Today David is wearing street clothes and is sitting in his chair no doubt now contemplating the future. In a fit of major defiance he tried to go to the loo by himself thereby incurring Celeste’s wrath and intervention forcing David’s reluctant, frustrated compliance. They entered together and came out no less for the experience.

David’s rehab was attended by Coby who reported stair climbing, respiratory therapy and an interesting find the traffic cone exercise that seemed as much mechanical and perceptive as spatial. David found the final cone which Coby admitted later that he had not seen. Hmmm…
As David was walking out of the rehab area he spied a patient resting on a cot and pointedly asked the nurses who the dead body was?

David continues to eat hearty and still no mention of ice cream. We are blessed. David is constantly being evaluated with each word, gesture and movement, or lack thereof. He appears to be regaining strength and soon we expect a prescription for his rehab that will include the aforementioned exercises and much, much more.

We and others have tried to telephone David in his hospital room and the phone mostly just rings and rings with no answer. It appears that even at the crack of dawn David though he remains shaky and somewhat fragile (and with no tubes and wires), he is up to his meandering ways and likes to sit out in the lobby which must present some challenges to staff. Bright side: They can keep an eye on him and not worry about his climbing antics. My concern now is with his recovered mobility and freedom might prompt a break for the door and escape though they will ultimately find him either at the Cheesecake Factory at Northlake or feeding the ducks at Turtle Creek. Pondering this new development I was reminded of my favorite song, I Was Born Under A Wandering Star, sung so beautifully by the late Lee Marvin in Paint Your Wagon… That’s David...

It is now even more apparent as Brother John stated some days ago – that David now has a real chance to return to his and our world as he knows it – and we are all ready for the journey. John meets with the doctors Thursday for a total assessment and prognosis. Should be an interesting meeting… Sincere and profuse thanks for your support and prayers.

Wednesday – January 25, 2012

Another interesting day where David performed more rehab and engaged some more diagnostics. We had a major revelation when in Speech Pathology one of their astute staff became suspicious and ordered up a barium swallow and x-rays for David. They revealed that David had – for some time – been experiencing pulmonary aspiration where liquids including some foods, drink or even stomach contents have been entering David’s lungs (aka going down the wrong pipe). Why? They don’t know yet but this sure explains his constant coughing and a recent bout of pneumonia not related to his current situation.

David is now kept more vertical and can no long drink water or other like-foods or liquids that include Jell-O, coffee, iced tea and, yes, ice cream. The use of straws is also banned. All liquids consumed by David have to be thick as nectar or honey with juices like V8 OK because of their viscosity. There are products available for just that purpose. I had no idea… except from a culinary perspective a working knowledge of the use of corn starch, arrowroot or tapioca when thickening sauces. So now we are addressing this new/old problem and following a revised dietary regimen. In doing so we now have to watch closely for dehydration – and so the beat goes on…

David continues to cough up some old blood though not nearly so often. The hiccups remain and while David is now joking about them, it’s sometimes tough to watch. We know that he is going to be relieved and very thankful when he gets rid of them. At least some of his meds appear to be now administered by IV so he sports a couple of new rigs on his right arm.

David was very fatigued this evening and while he may have been feigning memory deficit indicated that he could not remember if he ate though he was a little hungry. An inspection of his plate reflected that he did eat and like yesterday and the day before, cleaned his plate. While David is definitely stronger, they are working him hard just before the point of fatigue and that’s what we want.

David talked of escape with Mary and Ned with David revealing his escape route just up the street to the Kroger and on to his digs. Of course, he thought that Harry Hines was Cedar Springs and we assured him he was many miles off. He is rethinking his escape strategy.

That escape from bondage probably won’t happen because David is on what they call 1:1 supervision. If he is out of anybody’s sight he is restrained. When David is not in therapy or rehab he is strapped into a chair (with an alarm on it) in front of his nurses’ station where he can contemplate his navel and little else. I know that he is bored but reality is he won’t even entertain himself by watching TV in his room. He just sits there and ponders – and maybe even schemes. The reason he hasn’t been answering his phone is that he hasn’t been wandering about the floor, rather is in friendly captivity. He’s not going anywhere.

When David went to bed this evening he had to put on a special vest with belts in the back and long straps on each side that attach to the undercarriage of his bed. Reminded me of One flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest – sort of. The ducks at Turtle Creek will have to wait a while longer.

Tomorrow is a big day given our meeting with the doctors and discussion of David’s treatment schedule and his ultimate prognosis – the rubber hits the road. Pray, Aye…

Thursday – January 26, 2012

The day turned out to be anticlimactic with the information from the doctors mostly positive but from our perspective lacking direction and rationale. Though David is definitely making progress and no doubt will require further rehab and attention from medical professionals, it would appear they feel that David is now exceeding the limits of what they characterize as “acute rehab”. So, this remains a substantial work in progress with Brother John the ultimate facilitator and it would almost appear – negotiator – with the doctors at Zale Lipshy Hospital. Best/Worst case scenario is that David could be discharged from the hospital as early as Monday though later in the week most probable. With that prospect we are scrambling around identifying facilities that would be able to continue David’s recovery and ultimate return to as “normal” a lifestyle as possible. The insurance will appear to hold and a major relief with so many other issues to address.

Now to David – He was certainly alert today and endured a full regimen of therapy that found him mostly up and about the eighth floor at Zale Lipshy. He is using a walker which would appear a big assist as he recovers his strength. John saw him in the morning and midday though but for a short interval while Coby came in the afternoon and Ned in the evening.

When Ned arrived David had already eaten again and as is his habit of late, totally cleaned his plates. Not bad for someone who lived off meals from the Cheesecake Factory, Lean Cuisines and, of course, ice cream. Emeril Lagasse, Bobby Flay, Jacques Pepin and Mario Batali sleep soundly with no fear of competition from David though John and Ned might legitimately warrant a Flay Throwdown. It’s good to see David’s appetite back as it is a key component of his ultimate recovery though now closely monitored because of his aspiration problem.

One of the potential bright spots (there are few) is that some of David’s old, unhealthy habits may be going away and not just because his (and our) priorities have shifted but because he is being reeducated. We will reinforce those good practices and try to be good examples.

When Ned arrived David was in the middle of his respiratory therapy and was mostly right on until one short stretch where Ned thought he was going to nod off – again, David was beat.

We talked for a while with David relating a new pastime that hints to therapy and entertainment all rolled into one – checkers. David apparently took on all challengers and never plucked the golden bough of victory - not even one time. Heck, I would have let him win at least several games though some of the staff and fellow patients were content to mercilessly hang him out to dry. David tried to initially convince Ned that he had been playing chess though after being queried about which opening gambit he employed (King’s, Queen’s, etc.) David later confided that he played checkers. David then offered that he thought at least one staffer – one of his physical therapists – had cheated. Gads! He enjoyed himself immensely… This is a game we shall soon re-embrace and dedicate to good though departed Friend from Atlanta, John O. Reid, The Checkers King.

No hiccups! I noticed it right away though did not say anything to David for fear that it might trigger them again. Neither John, Coby or any of the staffers realized that we have at least for a short interval battled back the hiccup monster that’s tormented David since Parkland. We hope and pray that this will allow David the sleep that has mostly eluded him for a week or more. He was nodding off even as Ned left with staffers promising to make sure that David gets the rest he needs.

A good day, aye, with the prospects of continued progress…

Friday – January 27, 2012

More of the same with David in rehab, restrained in his bed or planted in a chair at the nurse’s station so they can supervise his every move. He has been mostly out and about as Ned telephoned several times and never connected with him. David reports no more checkers today though we do anticipate a resurgence of that noble game in Buxton Dallas domains.

Those dreadful hiccups are back along with that deep cough. David commented that he is so looking forward to getting rid of them. Respiratory therapy will undoubtedly help but we look to be a long way from the end. John reports some memory lapses today though not as serious as even several days ago. His appetite remains strong.

We will be spending part of the weekend tracing John’s steps to the four recommended rehab centers. One would be close to Parkland so may have the nod at present. A personal visit coupled with some investigation will tell the tale.

Aye, the journey continues…

If you are wondering about The Hulk above, an explanation will be forthcoming though some of the body of this post reveals David’s alter ego. Family and close Friends will know the inspiration and meaning. Your thoughts and prayers are earnestly solicited and sincerely appreciated.

Thanks, Aye,

Ned Buxton

GABBY

2012-01-14T07:09:00.002-06:00

It’s been a little over one year since U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was shot while hosting a community outreach program called “Congress on Your Corner” in Tucson, Arizona. The deranged “suspect” one Jared Lee Loughner in an apparent premeditated assassination attempt on Giffords, killed six and wounded 13 other people including Giffords. The dead included John Roll, Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court of Arizona and 9-year-old clear-eyed and optimistic Christina Taylor Green, who was ironically born on Sept. 11, 2001. You may remember Christina as featured in Christine Naman’s Faces of Hope that chronicled one baby from each US state (Christina represented Pennsylvania) born on the day terrorists killed nearly 3,000 people at the World Trade Center in New York.

This story continues to evolve and is far from over. We have honored those whose lives Loughner took so blindly in his bloody rampage. But we do have survivors including Giffords who continue to inspire us daily. That Giffords survived this attack is testament to blind luck, Gabby’s courage and tenacity and incredible support from her Family, Friends, Colleagues and the medical community.

When we look back at this event in another year or even a decade we hope to find a restored Gabby Giffords living her dream to the fullest extent possible. Well done, Gabby. We will agree that one of the biggest losses of this unthinkable tragedy was the murder of nine year old Christina Green who appeared to have unlimited potential. She was described as a passionate “take charge kind of girl” who appeared on a fast track and the epitome of all that is good in our society. Would that we could conjure a future with her though one without her will be all too easy to assess. In a magnanimous gesture Christine’s parents donated her corneas which saved the sight of two other children. An inspirational President Obama was superb in the memorial held for the victims of this senseless violence charging us all to, “Live up to her (Christina’s) expectations. I want our democracy to be as good as she imagined it.”

Christina’s Mother and many others feel that the now all too common rancorous and divisive political dialogue contributed in part to this tragedy. God only knows what was and remains in Loughner’s head – he surely doesn’t. Loughner is now forcibly and highly medicated and while once violent and confrontational; his most recent public appearances have found him placid, non- communicative and mostly expressionless. His now infamous mug shot smirk is gone. Doctors tell us he is remorseful about those he killed while others opine that he just feels cheated and despondent he wasn’t successful in his assassination attempt.

There is no doubt that the disturbed soul we know as Jared Lee Loughner without any hesitation pulled the trigger on the gun that killed and wounded so many that January day in 2011. He has been charged and indicted for murder though currently held mentally incompetent to stand trial. Jurisprudence aside, it’s a cruel hoax that we still have to call Loughner a suspect or alleged killer though a testament to the integrity and fairness of our justice system. Whether he can be rehabilitated and ultimately held accountable for his actions is unlikely. Loughner will surely be confined for the rest of his life. Your tax dollars at work…

Even at that no one individual or group of folks can mete out what will be considered by all as appropriate justice. I would be pleased to once again believe in that place some call Hell and then put Loughner in there for eternity and a day and slip the devil a tip or two for an additional, unexpected prod every now and then.

I know that I am not in a good place regarding Loughner and frankly surprised that my reaction has been so visceral. I am not satisfied, however, with the explanation that Loughner was/is insane. The deliberate, well planned nature of Loughner’s very specific and then random nonsensical attacks characterized by many as “political insurgency” turn me away from any compassion and has prompted a strong and alarming personal introspection. My apologies, ladies and gentlemen, as there will be no mercy from this writer who thinks that death for Loughner, however ill, would be way too easy. And, as his attorneys have demanded, please take Loughner off all his meds so his pain and anguish will be felt at the highest, most excruciating level.

From what I have read and seen it would appear that much of the anger and rage currently vented on society was fomented because of the prevailing insufferable divisive behaviors and practices that separate rather than join and appeal to the ill and desperate who cannot resist the temptation to act on their paranoid delusions. Loughner is at least partially the surrogate for a much larger culpable body…

So, now to the high road, the silver lining and the positive lessons we can take from this tragedy. That would be the recognition of lives well lived, examples of commendable service to the Community and Nation, a continuing tenacious, remarkable and inspiring recovery by Gabby, the heroics of those who saved the lives of so many and the continuing inspiration of a young girl who has already had such a positive impact on our lives.

Aye,

Ned Buxton

CHRISTMAS AND HOLIDAY LIGHTS 2011-12

2012-01-07T16:36:00.001-06:00

I stepped outside the other night to walk our Cairn Terrier and noticed that all the neighbors, seemingly in unison, had turned off the Christmas lights still on their houses and lawns. In an apparent conspiracy folks that had their lights turned on, literally from dusk to dawn, shut them down entirely that second day of January.

Outside of that intrigue our lights continued to blaze from dusk to around midnight and thanks to a timer, it wasn’t a manual chore. Only Rudolf with his nose so bright required some manual dexterity and an extra red bulb from time to time. Our lights, out of schedule and manpower demands, came down on January 5, one day short of Epiphany, the day that many folks dismantle their Christmas decorations. Ironically Epiphany is known in ancient history as the Day of the Lights, so maybe, just maybe, we’re jumping the gun?

While pondering the why and wherefores of that shut down my memory kicked in with visions of McAdenville, North Carolina which for 56 consecutive years has bedecked and lit up their mill town justifying their well-earned, Charles Kuralt-anointed title - Christmas Town USA. Located just off I-85 fifteen miles west of Charlotte in Gaston County, McAdenville caught the Christmas bug and has been attracting visitors from all over the world to their elaborate and brilliantly lit village. It’s worth the trip around Christmastime though be prepared for long lines of cars travelling verrrrrry slowwwwwwly… As you might imagine some travelers don’t appreciate the annual 300K+ cars that survey McAdenville’s Christmas offerings. Though once you have done the tour, then forget and get stuck in traffic on I85 adjacent to McAdenville during their festival, say two years later, you can only smile and conjure a been there, done that thought remembering how special that experience was. Mind you, this is no pyrotechnic or electronic extravaganza, just the true Spirit of Christmas, lots of imagination and good fun.

There are other towns across the country that along with commercial ventures, botanic gardens and landmarks have lit up their homes and businesses, witness Austin’s Trail of Lights, Leavenworth, Washington, Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania, Callaway Gardens in Georgia and many, many more. For fear of divine reprisal we also need mention the long famous Holiday Trail of Lights, which encompasses many north Louisiana and east Texas towns with Natchitoches, Louisiana marking its 85th year of lighting up. If you’re not satisfied yet, google Holiday Trail of Lights to see the extent of the lighting festivals and celebrations across the country.

So why the tradition? Why light at all?

Seems that the modern tradition started with the invention of the light bulb which rapidly spread throughout the world after someone figured out how to string those lights together. Before electricity they were using lit candles on trees with predictable results. Well before then, though, it was the custom in most societies from Africa and Asia to Europe to bring light into the darkest part of the year any way they could. The Ancients did that by bonfires and Yule logs which when lit symbolized light and life-giving properties of the returning sun – all in the bleak midwinter.

Seems we are all still playing copy-cat to the Pagans of ancient times and, for me, that’s just fine. The anthropologist in me says that it’s good to perpetuate these traditions borne out of belief in a higher power(s) and pure unadulterated superstition that these lights will coax the sun and warm weather to return. Factored in is our aesthetics and sense of creativity – a real amusement and basic fascination with light in all its myriad forms that turns the dreary and dark winter to light and hope.

Our modern motivations seem to stem from all the above though we suspect that most of us (especially here in Texas) have great confidence that the sun will return, if not with a vengeance, no matter what we do – Neo-Wiccans, Druids, Aztecs and Maya please take note. We have to mention the age old and fierce competitions - Keeping Up With The Jones (KUWJ) and the Mine Is Bigger Than Yours (MIBTY) syndromes that seem to affect so many in our culture. We have seen displays that surely would blind even Rudolf and were it not for solar power these light displays would probably cause more rolling blackouts here in Texas. Some over-the-top light displays are even mobile and synched to music prompting us to wonder what the future bodes.

The question still begs – when to put the lights up and take them down?

For most of us the Christmas season begins with Advent on the fourth Sunday before Christmas. Most commercial ventures out of necessity jump the gun and put up their decorations and lights the start of November. We note that Walt Disney World officially kicked off the Christmas holiday season last year on November 4th with most other businesses following suit. With some exceptions most will light their homes up around Thanksgiving. Since the lights are also intended to be like The Star (or comet or planets in synch), a harbinger of The Great Birth, that works for us.

Let it be said that I have never deferred to Rome on any issue though noted that the soon to be sainted Pope John Paul II left his Christmas decorations (and the Vatican’s) up until February 2, the occasion of Candlemas which commemorates the purification of Mary after giving birth and the presentation of Jesus in The Temple. Candlemas has traditionally marked the conclusion of the liturgical Christmas season, even for us Episcopalians. Yes, I was raised in and remain – High Church.

Pope Benedict XVI, however, in the predictable practice of The Catholic Church (sarcastic snarl) has seen fit to change and reinterpret that tradition (another reform?) and now takes down the Vatican lights on January 11 to wit, “that the Baptism of the Lord, now marks the end of the Christmas period for the Vatican.” All this while admitting that Candlemas liturgically, “remains a part of the Church’s observance.” Not everybody is happy about this and many devout Catholics, despite the Pope’s apparent contraryism, continue the tradition of celebrating Christmas for the full 40 days between Christmas and The Presentation - whatever. Bottom line – many leave their lights and Christmas trees up until February 2nd. Admittedly, many more will take them down around January 6th – Epiphany.

I think most people aren’t following any liturgy or schedule and frankly do what’s expedient and comfortable for them or what is demanded by some asinine homeowner’s association covenants (“remove 30 days of the event”). A Friend who lives nearby recently confided that the Christmas light shutdown in our neighborhood was probably more motivated by trash pickup day than anything else though the pick-up didn’t happen until the 6th – Hmmm…

I was reminded that the great light take down in our northern climes including northern neighbor Canada are really dependent on the weather. Many lights get frozen onto the houses and gutters and all one can do is wait till spring - practicality rules. For those of us in sunnier and warmer climes we recommend that you do it when motivated and on a warm day. We unlike one, “prince of darkness” do not abide the application of a “trash” mentality or social inferiority label if you choose to keep your lights on to February 2nd. In fact, we applaud your decision and encourage its practice.

Indeed, we invoke the memory and practices of one Betty Buxton who for many years left her extraordinary Christmas tree and decorations up till July 1st and the occasion of her now legendary Christmas in July parties when the tree was finally put to rest for six months. Mother loved the Christmas season and for her it never ended with each day a celebration of Life, Family, Friends and an understanding of the real meaning of the holiday. We should all remember like Mother to Keep Christmas with us throughout the entire year, lights or not.

Aye,

Ned Buxton

2012 NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION

2012-01-02T19:25:00.004-06:00

We recently opined about the positive influence of Christmas which was most evident in our home on Christmas Eve and Day when Family and Friends dropped by to celebrate the gift of life and each other’s company. Would that we could do this each and every day?

Come to think of it, we do this mostly every day though maybe not with the same pomp and circumstance. The celebration of life transcends the sometimes routine aspects of our existence and always remains special and an integral part of this household. This Family includes passionate and intelligent individuals (Doers) where there isn’t a boring moment with the environment often dynamic and energized. That said, some including this writer, will seek occasional refuge in the mundane and ordinary which of late has been the Dallas Cowboys and the Republican Party – well you get the idea.

Others find no comfort, rather depression in any holiday that finds them alone or “somewhere else.” We recommend finding those people in your lives and make a special effort to let them know that you are thinking of them and value their Friendship.

We saw a recent segment on NBC’s Today Show that pounded home the message that even a one sentence note can effectively acknowledge and demonstrate appreciation for Friendships. In this age of instant messaging and e-mails we have lost sight of that personal touch in our lives. My Brother John learned that lesson early on (better than me and others in the Buxton Family) and has always acknowledged special moments with a personal handwritten card. So, that's the motivation for my 2012 New Year's resolution - to be a better communicator.

Bottom Line: If we continue to depend on and devolve into electronic messaging at the expense of a personal note or visit then we will surely lose the ability to develop and engage meaningful communication and social skills and, ultimately, meaningful relationships. Behavioral psychologists tell us we are mostly already there in our younger generations which continue to fail every social interaction litmus test. No doubt these modern communication platforms have their place but not at the elimination of much more effective traditional communication options.

Many companies have found that no matter how evolved they are – whatever the preponderance of ones and zeroes in their environment – they need to constantly strive to hone their communication and people skills. Successful personal and business relationships still depend on two people looking each other squarely in the eye and coming to an agreement. While it may seem trite to say - the ability to foster and maintain positive relationships requires mutual respect and a collaborative spirit based on integrity and trust. That’s certainly earned and while IM is a good start, it’s just a beginning.

One highly respected Texas company strives to – REACH* out to Family, Friends and Associates and touch them with personal notes which document and provide very public recognition for special achievement. They call it Service Excellence. We could all use that in our personal lives… So, if you can’t physically write a note or call, use any medium at your disposal – just do it!

As The Donalds and a good Friend are want to say, Tha beatha math (ha bey-ha ma) Life is Good.

Gotta go and check my Facebook messages…

Happy Hogmanay, Aye,

Ned Buxton

*REACH = Respect, Excellence, Appreciation, Collaboration and Honor - all essential elements of the mission statement of Crossmark, Inc.

THE POTENTIAL INFLUENCE OF CHRISTMAS

2011-12-24T07:25:00.003-06:00

The potential positive and peaceful influence of Christmas was always apparent to me even when I was a wee, optimistic and naïve lad. Even now in my optimistic and naïve maturity that potential is more obvious. Potential by its very definition is always there though now seems to be ever fleeting in a world engrossed with selfish, disposable, obstructionist even suicidal agenda (my way or the highway). The great irony is that the Middle East - fountainhead of that peace is now more than ever the venue for those who would perpetrate violence against the world to include even their own people.

That potential peace does not now appear to extend to Washington, DC either where civility and common sense have all gone up in smoke. We may not be setting IEDs or literally blowing each other up, though some folks claim that’s already happening metaphorically. Surely, our critics here and abroad are correct in their assertions that we have seen better days and are starting a steep decline to mediocrity and ultimate obscurity.

Not even the prospects of Christmas could initially convince House Republicans to timely cooperate with their compromising Senate like signs. Only when the realization that their latest obstructionist strategy would result in game-ending political disaster did House Republicans capitulate by passing a last-minute tax cut extension for an estimated 160 million American workers along with further unemployment benefits for millions more laid off workers. The Republican epiphany was prompted by their constituents, The Press, The White House and their own party. Methinks that we are finally seeing what Speaker Boehner and his fellow House Republicans are all about. We need remember this submission was their white flag – a surrender - and not of their own doing. It was a deliberate strategy backfired. Bottom line: there has been no peace (or progress) on Capitol Hill this year. The prospects for 2012 look even bleaker. No doubt the Republicans will try and spin this one – big time. So much for peace and goodwill towards Men…

Back in the Middle East we usually by this time of the year see declarations of cease-fire – a brief truce - in war torn areas, a respite from hostilities and optimistically a platform by which a long lasting peace can be negotiated. It’s happened before, but we haven’t seen that this year… Everybody’s hunkered down in their corners looking for weaknesses in their adversaries to exploit.

We understand that since, “the world will never move to the rhythm of a choir singing Silent Night”, we will need another miracle to match that singular one over 2000 years ago. Christmas – the winter solstice – should be a time of reflection, contemplation and understanding just as it was for the ancient Celts and most everyone else thousands of years ago. The miracle we need is absolutely huge - one where everyone will see the potential good in collaboration - a mutual respect and trust where we can all start working together for the common good.

If not, that miracle might be the “modest proposal” offered by a frustrated, confounded and always objective Bob Schieffer, native Texan and CBS’s Chief Washington Correspondent who while also serving as anchor and moderator of Face The Nation has witnessed first-hand the ongoing Capitol Hill Drivel. Schieffer recommends (with tongue firmly in cheek) that a separate though empowered Congress whose members will only serve for one year before returning home (our original concept), come up with the solutions to our current policy deadlock. The existing Congress will be allowed to continue to assemble and deliberate any issue they so desire, without pay or the ability to create any legislation. Toothless, then as now, we can see that their only value (then as now) would be entertainment. The Greeks called it tragedy…

Merry Christmas and a Happy Hogmanay! Please pray and work for the Communion of Man and remember that Christmas is 365 days a year. Your donation to your local food bank and the Children’s Miracle Network will allow you a very earthly state of grace and help a lot of folks.

Aye,

Ned Buxton

DARYL PEDIFORD – MUSIC BOX BLUES

2011-12-17T06:17:00.003-06:00

I just watched PBS station KERA-TV in Dallas, Texas offer up their annual Trans Siberian Orchestra (TSO) Christmas special. Smart as always KERA was using this special as part of their annual fund raising effort. I saw this program several years ago and remembered it well - TSO’s 1999 The Ghosts of Christmas Eve. You see, I remember because it featured then lead vocalist Daryl Pediford singing his incomparable and seemingly personal Music Box Blues. If you haven’t seen the extraordinary TSO before, this is a must - especially if you like Mannheim Steamroller.

Though Daryl Pediford died tragically and all too young in 2004 he made this Christmas 2011 season special for me just by his presence on the television. His singing was a generous gift to all that saw and heard him. He delivered his songs with such emotion and passion you lived and understood every word and nuance, let alone his superb vocals.

TSO guitarist Chris Caffery eulogized Pediford as, “a rock and roll Bing Crosby” and that fits OK for me though perhaps more rhythm and blues... If more folks had the opportunity to hear and appreciate Daryl’s Music Box Blues that song would soon achieve Christmas Hall of Fame status. It’s already that for me and at least one record company includes it in their album of the top 100 Christmas Songs of all time.

Mind you, this is not your traditional “European style” Christmas song – after all it’s the blues. The song can probably be sung and appreciated any day of the year. While it sadly reflects a modern loss of relationship, it talks of the constancy of love and hope all wound up in that music box gifted on a Christmas past.

So, Diamond Daryl, thanks from all of us for bringing and sharing your gift and spirit. We offer a link to Vimeo’s offering of Daryl’s Music Box Blues. This is dedicated to musicologist Austin and his passion and love of Jazz and the Blues. Enjoy...

Happy Holidays, Aye

Ned Buxton

BIG COLLEGE FOOTBALL TRADITION IS GOING AWAY

2011-12-10T10:41:00.004-06:00

The Big East Conference just announced to the whole world that SMU, Houston, San Diego State, Central Florida and Boise State have now joined a league formerly mostly comprised of schools in the northeastern United States, well OK East. Navy, and two schools yet to be determined (Air Force declined) are expected to follow shortly for football only. God only knows what’s going to happen to the basketball program – the main motivator for the formation of the Big East which is now in survival mode.

Ladies and Gentlemen, this is just the tip of the iceberg and no one is pretending anymore – it’s all about money, that big elusive automatic qualifying BCS ticket and national exposure with athletics seemingly driving academics. Now as for that automatic qualifier (AQ) for the BCS? Well, that’s not even guaranteed as the landscape of college football will surely change as contracts lapse, new ones are negotiated and the whole BCS system comes under even greater scrutiny. Having said that, the Big East does not appear to have strengthened their hand in football and unless there are some dramatic changes in fortune, this is a last gasp exercise in futility.

The good ole boy network is alive and well and the Deans, Chancellors and Presidents of our great Universities like SMU’s Gerald Turner (one of our bright spots) are scrambling to pay the bills and increase their exposure. Turner commented on SMU’s move to the Big East, “Coupled with our steady rise academically and athletically, we are in a good position to continue our rise among national universities.” Does Gerald mean that the ultimate success of SMU depends on what athletic conference they belong? No, Toto we aren’t in Kansas anymore.

That certainly appears to be the lay of the land for our major universities who feel this move is critical to their survival. Exactly what do San Diego State (SDSU) and Rutgers have in common? Well, absolutely nothing - up to now. SDSU was only invited to placate Boise State who wanted to link with another western school. And why does Boise State want in the Big East? The only reason is to secure a berth in the BCS, period. And what if that goes away?

However naïve, I have always believed that rivalries among those institutions that compete in the same geography and based on academics and that indispensable sense of Alma Mater (ie the 12th Man) are the necessary ingredients of great colleges and universities and a quality post-secondary experience. That those universities have successful athletic programs are the gravy on the biscuit. If you saw the 112th meeting of US Military Academy (Army) and the Naval Academy (Navy) today on the gridiron then you understand.

Many schools are now more of a means to an end for and unto themselves and there is no visceral sense of loyalty, fraternity - being part of a special Family. My anthropology genes are kicking in as I even evoke kinship as a major part of that paradigm. When we talk about our schools conversations seem to be limited to athletics not that Ole Miss was able to attract Dr. Daniel DiBardino who joined the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s congenital heart surgery team, moving here from the University of Michigan Medical School. Then there’s Dr. Jorge Salazar… but you get the idea. There is life after football.

For those colleges and universities thrust onto the national landscape and prompted to engage this conference merry go round, the challenge is now even greater to focus on academics. The great irony in a goes around-comes around world is that those small schools that comprise the Ivy League, New England Small College Athletic Conference and other like organizations may be the last bastion of a superior quality higher education. They may have always been as they are now - merely the best and not so ironically, where the game of American football started. Then, as now, they had the whole school environment and experience placed in a proper perspective.

To this day the Ivy League and schools like Amherst and Williams prohibit athletic scholarships. Their concession is that athletes will be admitted as students and, “awarded financial aid only on the basis of the same academic standards and economic need as are applied to all other students.” This would seem to guarantee that students will go to these schools for an education and not as a stepping stone to the NFL.

The point here is that the game started conspicuously as the opportunity for recreation and to solidify rivalries and relationships with other universities – all without the benefit of scholarship on that field of honor. It was the love of sport and, yes, Alma Mater.

Say goodbye to those “backyard brawls” and the traditional football rivalries that have made the game of college football special. College athletes in the Big East will now be required to travel thousands of miles to compete against conference schools. Fact: the University of Connecticut is 2,600.27 miles from Boise State University. Yikes! Potential dollars or not, as a parent I would certainly balk at those prospects. The academic life for the student athlete can’t help but be substantially compromised –and surely not enhanced.

Prepare yourself for more changes and know that in this circus atmosphere - the sky is falling. Think I’ll stick with the SEC who mostly seems to have their act together. Of course, I also have my personal favorites - Brown University or Williams and Amherst Colleges until they bolt – Nah…

So what is the Big East going to call itself now? One person suggested the National Football League but was reminded it was already taken.

Aye,

Ned Buxton

THE OCCUPY MOVEMENT – YOUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK

2011-12-04T08:23:00.005-06:00

Our first reaction when we heard about the so-called “Occupy Movement” was here’s more senseless, disjointed and irrational gyrations from wide-eyed liberals out to save the world – more of that, here we go again anarchistic crap. It has turned out to be all that and more because of its lack of focus, direction and some violence and vandalism. But there is, however small, an undercurrent of foreboding - the old “have vs. have not” paradigm that harkens us back to not so kinder and gentler times that seem to be upon us once again – if they ever left. So, this is not a new issue, rather a continuation of one that democratic societies have had to deal with since their inception.

To many, the Occupy Movement is a modern Woodstock and party with a sinister beat. Their mission and goals have been poorly articulated with most coverage revolving around Occupy’s right to camp out here or there on public property and to disrupt business activity – ultimately both losing propositions. This writer had to delve deeply to ferret out their goals and suspect that most other folks won’t expend that kind of effort. FYI – Wikipedia does a good job.

It has been almost comical to hear proponents of the movement waxing eloquent about the seismic effect these protests have had on our society? Don’t know what planet these folks are on but the effect has hardly been negligible. They have mostly mobilized law enforcement and city sanitation crews that have had to monitor, eventually arrest law breaking protesters and then the indignity of all indignities - clean up after them, all at taxpayer expense. That effort hasn’t been easy considering the group’s poor behaviors with protesters using public parks and sitting areas as latrines. Yes, lots of doggie bags were used in the clean-up and come spring we’ll find out just how much grass they killed.

Lots of folks converged on these occupy sites including the homeless and party goers looking for food, sex, drugs and a good time. It would appear that in some venues and to the chagrin of Occupy security, the “fornicators and poopers” have hijacked the movement. The Dallas Occupy’s pro bono and frustrated attorney, Jonathan Winocour is quoted as scolding the group – directing them to, “Stop partying and start protesting. The opportunity is yours to waste.” Good though unheeded advice. Eat drink and be merry is alive and well in Occupy.

As for effect on the public - pollsters report that around half of all Americans say they have heard of the Occupy Movement, though most of the public don't have an opinion about the movement, positive or otherwise. It’s been a very benign experience evoking mostly apathy among the populous. The Occupy protests are part of a larger network of demonstrations throughout the world where the "we are the 99%" protest the rising costs of health care, the mortgage crisis, the exponentially increasing national debt and the burdensome influence that large corporations have on our country and planet, among others. Credible issues all, but their answer is to block the flow of capital and stop commerce? Nuts…

I remember well the Civil Rights Movement and even the Vietnam War protests of the 1960s which were successful (1968 notwithstanding) because of better organization, a coordinated articulation of goals and a cause embraced by the many. Two of these three don’t exist here. Agree or not, you understood their objectives.

We will agree that the Occupy Movement has created the opportunity for a continuing dialogue on the issues but there is no new consensus or headlong rush to right the wrongs created by the irresponsible behaviors of the few. We put a huge band aid on the problem in 2008 and 2009 that allowed our survival but now appears exacerbated by the current political gridlock which has paralyzed our government. Protest that…

Recent surveys reflect that the gap between the have and have nots (the disparity of wealth between the top 1% and the rest of us) is growing to absurd proportions. It certainly appears that some who occupy the domains we call Wall Street and the boardrooms of the world’s largest corporations continue to earn irrational wages and dividends by manipulating an already volatile stock market or exploiting the planet’s natural resources to our collective detriment. Having said that, many more (the great majority) earn their huge salaries and dividends honestly. The big Occupy issues we surmise are that international/transnational corporations are pulling all the strings now with profit at any expense their business model and the ever evolving First Amendment debate.

The Vancouver-based, not-for-profit Canadian anti-consumer agency Adbusters Media Foundation seems to be, sorta, providing the inspiration for the Occupy demonstrations around the world. While local protests clamor for their five minutes of fame, the media doesn’t appear to be buying into it more than just the day’s news as they too perceive Occupy as an event that’s attracted the vagrant, homeless, party animals and space cadets in our society along with a few very righteously motivated and indignant whose overall numbers might be approaching a very vocal 1% - nowhere near their 99% claim. That’s sad because while some of their issues are credible, few seem motivated to join the cause. They might as well be protesting sun spots. Ghastly things those sunspots…

Free Speech and Right of Assembly aside, Occupy pushes the boundaries of common sense and constitutional law. No one will dispute the right of this or any group to demonstrate and express their views. Hunkering down, however, with the avowed intent to “stop the flow of capital in the United States” and disrupting businesses while still expecting accommodations by the tax paying public is a huge stretch. That Occupy was being allowed to camp out for even one night in public areas without the benefit of utilities and sanitation is a huge leap and deserves our extra scrutiny. Indeed, many cities continue to bend over backwards to accommodate the Occupy protesters though we feel concerns over public safety and security will eventually trump these nocturnal protests.

Some advice to serious Occupy activists – if you haven’t already lost confidence in the system - get engaged in the process, educate yourself on relevant issues, boycott (don’t disrupt) companies you feel violate good business ethics and planetary imperatives, contact your representatives and lodge complaints and effect changes from within. If you don’t like your representatives’ performance – vote them out. Learn the real difference between rights and entitlements and don’t deny me my rights while declaring yours. Limit your protests to daytime/light hours and address “private functions” at other appropriate venues. Other than that with your very bad start you will always be on the outside looking in.

Happy Holidays.

Aye,

Ned Buxton

HOUSTON IS A HAVEN - A TURKEY DAY RAMBLE

2011-11-27T21:23:00.004-06:00

Joined Friends and Family in Houston, Texas for the 2011 Thanksgiving Holidays and enjoyed myself immensely. Great company and celebration of life was the obvious highlight with nine week old Charlie the focus of the entire trip. This is a special young man with a bright future. His support mechanism starts with parents without equal and a grandmother who is always there with just the right touch and perfectly timed insight. What a joy to observe…

University of Houston mavens Dr. Linda and Dr. Don had already chosen our Thanksgiving Day venue – appropriately the certifiably green Haven Restaurant opened in December 2009 by Executive Chef Randy Evans, late the exec at Brennan’s in Houston. The highly regarded Texas Monthly magazine touts the Texas born and raised Evans as The Chef of The Future though our party would righteously argue that he is already there. In 2010 Esquire magazine acknowledged Chef Evans’ culinary skills by naming the chic, farm-to-table Haven one of the top 20 new restaurants in the U.S.

We didn’t order off the menu, rather opted for their Thanksgiving presentation which included all the traditional offerings mostly locally grown and supported by Evans’ restaurant garden that confirms his pastoral roots and commitment to fresh. Only one of our party chose the free range turkey while others opted for the Gulf flounder, shrimp/crab or even the vegan dish. Me? The Akaushi steak of Kobe fame, red skin mash potatoes all slathered with a red wine jus with mushrooms, country ham and green onions was my choice though I did look longingly at the quail with an enticing jalapeño sausage dressing and green tomato golden raisin chutney. I ultimately made the right choice that day and though only a snapshot of Haven’s potential, enjoyed what may have surprisingly been one of my top five dining-out experiences.

Dr. Linda made two outstanding wine selections that pleased everybody’s palate. Following the meal Chef Evans made our dining experience even more memorable by taking his bows and accepting the accolades of our very pleased party. Well done Chef Evans… Server Brad was equally competent.

Now, this post was never intended to be a review of Haven, but this restaurant will please all, even the most discriminating gastronome. Haven won’t hit a home run every time nor will they please everybody all the time, but in my estimation they do have the potential to please most of the people the great majority of the time. There are agenda driven whiners everywhere that seem to grasp even potential negatives and spin that top incessantly. Several reviews pounded Haven for their valet service and their open kitchen environment – ridiculous. Would that we were so lucky to have Haven in Dallas…

So how do you top Haven? Take a daytrip to the absolutely awesome world class Museum of Fine Arts Houston (MFAH) punctuated by the ultimate realization that we in Dallas will always be looking up at MFAH. The King Tut exhibition was ongoing with equal attention being paid to the current spectacular presentation of Dutch and Flemish Masterworks from the Rose-Marie and Eijk van Otterloo Collection that includes masterworks by Rembrandt, Gerrit Dou, Frans Hals, Willem Claeszoon Heda, Jacob van Ruisdael and Jan Steen. This national tour sponsored in part by the Peabody Essex Museum of Salem, MA concludes with the current exhibition at MFAH which runs through February 12, 2012 so make your plans to visit Houston, soon. Thank you Peabody Essex Museum who from August 29, 2010 to January 2, 2011 also brought to the Kimball Art Museum in Fort Worth the very important, “Fiery Pool: The Maya and the Mythic Sea.” We need to pay attention to those folks in Massachusetts who are friendly to our environs.

Having sung some of these well-deserved praises just note that Houston’s roads suck big time and instead of getting better seem to lower the bar each visit. One source described Houston’s roads as “tattered, cracked, patched and pocked washboard.” We think that source didn’t go far enough. No amount of compliments can mask the fact that this city’s transportation infrastructure seems compromised and with no checkbook to fix their city roads most of the money seems tied up in Interstate widening that is off and sometimes on and seems to go on forever resulting in frustrating, dangerous and hours long delays that will cramp the style of even the most patient and ardent.

That said, we will go back and enjoy the nectar of one of the world’s great cities and the great company we keep. It’s worth the hassles and frustrations, especially to lovingly, exuberantly and proudly celebrate the continuing saga of Charlie.

Hope you had a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday.

Aye,

GrandNed Buxton

FIT TO BE TIED - LA CRAVAT

2011-11-21T05:59:00.004-06:00

I went through my clothes closet the other morning intent on purging outdated loose or tight fitting clothing that just didn’t make sense anymore (purpose or fashion) and once again was confronted by my neckties. I have three tie hangers that keep my neckties flat, accessible and always at the ready to appropriately adorn my person for any occasion. Even after a Goodwill run some five years ago, I still have one hundred and fourteen (114) neckties including one ascot, three formal bowties dedicated to specific cummerbunds and one bolo tie. Whilst assessing my collection I realized I still had a few favorites from my college years and several screamers from the sixties and seventies and might still be good for a nostalgic event. Yes, I have several Christmas, one St. Valentine’s Day necktie and, vexingly, no Halloween ties.

I started to wax nostalgic about the ties including a few that once belonged to iconic good Friend and Mentor though now departed Bob Swanson, three 78th Fraser Highlander regimental ties and several that hail the cardinal red (Harvard) and navy blue (Yale) of Ole Miss. Most of those ties have great meaning to me and so I will stand pat, at least for a few more years.

While assessing my collection of neckwear I contemplated the state of the noble cravat and wonder how much longer this tradition can hold out. With assurances from and the urging of notable haberdashers Jos.A Bank, Brooks Brothers and others of that ilk, the tie and traditional clothing will seemingly prevail. Howard Duvall, rest in peace…

Some versions of neckwear seem to have been around even since ancient Egyptian, Chinese and Roman times and we all remember from our history books paintings of Gentle Men and Gentle Ladies in big ruffled collars (the Elizabethan Ruff) of the mid 1500's to 1600's. Seems that so many aspects of our lives start modestly and then grow to exaggerated (Aye, foolish) caricature status. The Ruffs appeared to be poor bibs, had to be grossly uncomfortable and were a pain to maintain. Among others, we can thank England and Ireland’s King James I, a Scot, who opted for a more extravagant life style in England (“the Land of Promise”) for getting rid of this monstrosity. Perhaps it was James’ promise to parliament to curb some of his more excessive spending habits or maybe Elizabeth’s passing was enough. At any rate it was the end of an era.

Fast forward to the 1630s, where “unusual and picturesque” scarves worn by thousands of Croatian soldiers and knights, mercenaries to Louis XIII in the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648) became the new fashion in France. Seems that the girlfriends or wives (maybe both) of Croat soldiers would give their beloveds a narrow scarf to wear around their necks to remind them of their love. This romantic tradition was noted by none other than French king Louis XIII who caught sight of these dashing neckerchiefs, started wearing one himself and eventually adopted them into acceptable, even preferable, French formal attire. Voila, a new fashion accessory was born. This, the cravat, ladies and gentlemen was the direct ancestor of the modern necktie and far more comfortable that the huge white starched collars and large silk maroon bowties we wore as choristers at St. Dunstan’s in Providence, RI.

Charles II brought this new neck fashion with him when he returned from exile in France to England in May of 1660. Over the next ten years, the use of the cravat spread across Europe and eventually across the pond to the American colonies. The cravat soon proved itself to be an essential part of a gentleman’s wardrobe and even to some historians, “a symbol of loyalty” to the restored English monarchy. Aye, the necktie not just as fashion but as a political statement… This neck adornment with high collars and bows like the ruff before it became more and more elaborate and impractical as members of the English court tried to outdo each other and reflect their status and wealth. These cravats soon joined the ruff on the junk heap of fashion history.

By the early 1800's, the cravat became known as a "tie" and then evolved to pretty much what we know today and was/is tied in a number of different ways/styles, according to the preference, formality and upbringing of the wearer. Options include the four-in-hand knot, the half-Windsor knot, the Windsor knot and the “reversed” Pratt knot, among others. No, we are not going to talk about colors or patterns though you may want to research the very interesting origins of regimental and club ties.

Then, of course, we have that odd though convenient bolo or bola tie that has now become the official neckwear of Arizona, New Mexico and Texas and appears to be fast coming the new/old symbol of the American West. We suspect that like former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson before him we will see Texas Governor Rick Perry wearing some in his cross country Presidential-seeking sorties.

Bolo aside, some folks (especially my Mother) insist that there is a proper and not so proper way to tie a necktie. While Mother wouldn’t not let the three Buxton Boys (Ned, John and Seabury) venture forth to church, school or any other formal function without the proper full Windsor knot, we are not so inflexible here. If you have to wear a tie, do what you like and feels good though understand that (however preposterous it sounds) in some circles someone may be watching. The point is you/we always have the opportunity to impress – or not.

In a world dominated by “Business Casual” most of the younger generation don’t know how to tie a necktie and probably don’t care. For those folks that have no aspirations beyond digging ditches, cutting grass or plowing snow, then this advice probably won’t benefit them though they wouldn’t be reading this post anyway. Just note that we still have business, social and religious events where the wearing of a tie may be appropriate and even required.

In times where jobs are scarce (especially for recent college graduates) the job interview is the one opportunity to create that positive first impression with the interviewer who may make the final hiring decision. If you dress inappropriately, say casually for a sales job or a position with a bank or law firm, the interviewer may think that you aren’t taking the interview process seriously, aren’t motivated to pursue that position or worse yet, you don’t have the social, communication, consensus building or collaborative skills necessary to be productive in today’s workplace. The way you dress reflects who you are and can positively influence those gauging your abilities. Many times the centerpiece of correct dress is the necktie.

And that’s the conundrum we face – it’s all about perception and aside from fashion or keeping our shirt clean or wiping your nose – the tie has no real purpose, save adornment. It is a “convention in search of a reason.” At least with the bolo tie you can tie something up if need be like the now mostly ceremonial French-inspired aiguillette.

In my lifetime neckties have become shorter then longer, wider then narrower, colors and patterns bolder and then more subtle and then back again (save your old ties). Neckwear has passed through the full range of fashion, manipulated to the varigies of that industry and pursuit of the diminishing though still almighty dollar and what is in and what is not. For all that I frankly (my dear) don’t give a damn. I’ll wear what I like and what seemingly goes with what I’m wearing – or not. My advice to those otherwise mired in dismal lives - wear a tie with color and style and see what happens…

Aye,

Ned Buxton

ANDY ROONEY AND THE LAST WORD

2011-11-12T14:55:00.005-06:00

Every Sunday for the last umpteen years I’ve always gotten up early to watch my favorite TV show CBS’s Sunday Morning. With a cup of coffee and scone I could enjoy an hour and a half of interesting and well-presented stories. Some of my mega heroes including the current host Charles Osgood along with storied traveler Charles Kuralt and occasionally my ultimate champion and king of opinion and curmudgeon, Andy Rooney, would appear. That said, Andy was mostly the indispensable fixture and last word on television's favorite newsmagazine, CBS’s 60 Minutes where he regularly ran sweep for 33 years. No football game or other event (including sleeping) could keep me away from either show when Rooney was on.

Aside from speaking for me most of the time and being the voice of and for millions of Americans, Andy, first and foremost, was a great writer. In style and technique he was everything I want to be, and more. Where I am verbose and tend to wander, Andy was always concise; making his point with brief and succinct verbiage packaged in that always believable, unpretentious natural delivery from his always cluttered office. Andy was pre-tech armed with wry opinion, the keenest wit and his manual Underwood typewriter. Though he would prefer that image, he grudgingly used a computer sometimes pointing out its foibles and faults all the while admitting to its efficiency.

Andy wasn’t afraid of anybody or anything, disdained celebrity, coveted his private life and refused to give autographs. To the end he always wondered, “What kind of an idiot wants my name on a piece of paper” and held those that did in contempt. A good Friend who met him several years ago and later was commenting on the short stature of a nearby Rooney, “He’s so little.” The mostly charming though always cantankerous Rooney acknowledged the remark, “I heard that.” Then even with apologies and assurances of no ill intent the predictable response, “Yes, you did mean it…” with Andy probably relishing that moment.

Andy Rooney was a regular guy many times with tongue in cheek questioning from the trenches everything in our lives from the trivial and mundane to the most significant. He was always entertaining and like one Friend opined while paraphrasing the late Caskie Stinnett, “Andy could tell you to go to hell and you’d look forward to the trip.”

While Rooney mostly made sense to this writer he lobbed an occasional out of synch and inappropriate hand grenade that spoke to his humanity and made him even more endearing. In our sanitized politically correct world he saw his truth and to the delight of millions, offered coherent rationale for his perspectives which included a, “delicious hatred for prejudice and hypocrisy.”

Rick Cohen of the The Nonprofit Quarterly commented the other day, “Andy Rooney was idiosyncratic, argumentative, and sometimes ornery, but his grouchy commentaries were worth listening to. That we will never hear another from Rooney reminds us of the dwindling quality of public discourse in American journalism.” Would that Congress had an Andy Rooney…

Scott Pelley, CBS Evening News anchor and correspondent for 60 Minutes remarked on Andy’s passing, “The Romans had Cicero. The English had Dickens. America had Andy. He hid a philosopher’s genius behind the honest prose of Everyman. Apparently, God needed a writer.”

In his final appearance on 60 Minutes a couple of weeks ago Andy Rooney commented that he'd lived a life luckier than most and wished he "could do this forever." We do too Andy…..

Job well done.

Aye,

Ned Buxton

TEXAS RANGERS INCREDIBLE YEAR

2011-10-29T14:40:00.007-05:00

As we used to say as kids, “close but no cigar”. That old carnival idiom seems so appropriate with the cigar being the World Series Championship. I’m a Texas Rangers Fan and however that plays with your perspectives and logic, also a Boston Red Sox and Atlanta Braves Fan. Mostly I’m an absolute fan of the underdog, the one who perseveres despite adversity until the victory is won. This is how legends are made and punctuates / demonstrates how teamwork is the essential ingredient of success.

The Rangers seemed to have all that going for them fighting through a tough season though ascendant at the end. The St. Louis Cardinals, however, trumped them in spades coming from a wild card position to win the ultimate pot of gold. They overcame tremendous hardship and while a few of their players stood out, a different player seemed to literally step up to the plate and deliver at the last critical nanosecond. They include Missouri local* boy and hitting phenom David Freese who hit for a .348 average (8-for-23) with one home run and seven RBIs against Texas setting the major league record for most RBIs in a single postseason (21) and pitcher Chris Carpenter who threw strikes when he had to in direct contrast to Ranger pitching.

In that thrilling though heartbreaking game six 10-9 loss to the Cardinals the Rangers on two occasions were within one strike of the World Series Championship, but they couldn’t close the door and deliver. As Ranger Manager and all around good guy Ron Washington reminded us, baseball is nine innings while football, hockey and lacrosse are a sixty minute competition – not one inning, out or minute less.

There will be no celebratory champagne (or ginger ale) and no trip to Disney World for the Rangers this year but, hopefully, accolades for a great 2011 season and with most of the Rangers returning - high expectations for next year. We won’t be meeting the Cardinals in 2012 regular season interleague play but perhaps another World Series meeting?

And for all you folks who think that, “What happened was supposed to happen”, think again. No disrespect, but that’s a cop out. We try to the best of our ability and resources and if we leave everything on the field and still lose – then the unalterable fact is the best team won. To think otherwise is to cheapen the St. Louis victory and diminish the Rangers’ incredible effort. No hocus pocus or divine providence here. God does not care who wins the World Series.

Thank You Rangers - Congratulations Cardinals.

Aye,

Ned Buxton

*David Freese was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, Aye.

RICK PERRY: DEER IN THE HEADLIGHTS

2011-10-21T18:32:00.003-05:00

The Sands Convention Center at the Venetian in Las Vegas hosted a Republican presidential primary debate on October 18, 2011. This turned out to be perhaps the last gasp for Texas Governor and presidential hopeful Rick Perry. It was billed by many as his, “moment of truth” where Perry would either, “do or die.” It turned out to be his swan song and his poll numbers continue to fall following the debate. This writer had previously opined that he had done so poorly in the last two debates that by the law of averages he couldn’t help but do better this time around. Well, he didn’t and all the king’s men and all the king’s horses won’t be able to put Rick Perry back together again.

Instead of engaging in substantive policy debate Perry decided to go into attack mode and in a personal harangue assailed fellow Republican Mitt Romney on the issue that he had previously knowingly hired illegal aliens to work on his lawn. Perry kept interrupting a responsive and frustrated Romney who though coming out the better couldn’t look very presidential in that environment. Perry looked terrible with the camera catching him staring opaquely at Romney hence our “deer in the headlights” title. We note that this issue was first reported by the Boston Globe in 2006 and, needless to say, has been hashed and rehashed for almost five years. The facts are well known and it’s an old story.

So, did Romney retain the services of a landscaping company knowing that they hired illegal immigrants? I don’t know but as an old Human Resources guy I think it's the responsibility of contractors whether a lawn company, pest control, pool service or another business to comply with current immigration law. To insinuate that the customer (in this case the homeowner) should check the credentials of every person hired to work on their property is ludicrous. It appears to be nothing more than a smear job and old, regurgitated news - at best.

We wonder if Rick Perry has speculated if any illegal and/or undocumented aliens helped process the piece of chicken or vegetables he consumes or helped manufacture the carpets that cover the floors of his house. We think he never gave that a thought though those industries have been habitually guilty of hiring undocumented workers. It’s the same song though different verse.

It appeared that Perry (described as feisty by some supporters) was viscerally combative and confrontational. Because of Perry we won’t remember the positives of that debate rather just the highlights of his harangue and failure to let Romney respond to his allegations. And to what end? Perry’s strategy to counter his ever falling polling numbers was to get indignant and righteous like an angry Moses at Mount Sinai. No, there is no “burning bush” here.

Many see Rick Perry now hand in hand with Michele Bachmann striding towards the sunset… One by one they fade away in almost comical though pathetic political musical chairs to the last person standing or sitting. And then it all starts over.

Aye,

Ned Buxton

PS: Today is October 21, 2011 and the focus of Harold Camping’s latest doomsday prediction. I guess that we have until 11:59:59 PM Central Time here in Dallas, Texas, USA when the rapture (lower case) occurs but then we have that old time zone thing so actually the date has already passed in the Pacific in such locales as Guam where it is a peaceful Saturday morning, October 22, 2011. Confusingly, Catholics around the world are celebrating and memorializing Pope John Paul's 1978 inauguration as Pope on this October 22. They must be unbelievers, “out of the mainstream” but probably not… I overheard one person opining today, “It is a rapture of morons.” Gees, I meant to ask Rick how he stands on the rapture…
N

THANKS TO PETER GENT

2011-10-15T12:21:00.003-05:00

When SMU All American and NFL/Dallas Cowboy legend Dandy Don Meredith died last December I felt a great sense of loss - a major part of my generation and all that I embraced had died with him. I hoped against hope wondering if the Millennium and Boomlet generations will bother to remember Meredith and those of his ilk. Meredith who was renowned for his easy going center-stage sense of humor and naturally entertaining behaviors in his early career sought anonymity in retirement. Even with that Dandy Don opined, "I don't know how badly I'd feel if I wasn't remembered at all." That will, hopefully, never happen so long as we appreciate his inspiring All-American story.

Don Meredith was the real reason why the Cowboys were America’s Team though many fans never really understood his relationship with a mostly aloof Coach Tom Landry who more often than not threw Meredith under the bus in defeat. But, that’s another story...

Many of the War Baby and Boomer football icons are getting old and now meeting their maker with alarming frequency as calculated by this 68 year old writer. One by one they process towards those pearly gates. Some might argue that they are already occupying the other domain, but rest assured, most were good men worthy of the ultimate reward for a life well lived. If telling the truth, playing for no other reason than the love of the game, having a good time and being a good person condemns one to the everlasting fire, then I need to get my clothes fireproofed. Now I didn’t live those lives on the edge and never did drugs but like many I pondered and sometimes coveted the free-wheeling, outrageous and absolutely absurd lifestyles they embraced.

On September 30, 2011 another Dallas Cowboy bit the dust, Peter Gent of Bangor, Michigan who at 69 passed to greater glory. Gent was joined at the hip with Meredith, Buddy Dial, Dan Reeves and other Dallas Cowboy icons in a different time and place. While he enjoyed that wide open throttle with his cronies, he had a serious side which just might be his greatest legacy.

Gent may not have made the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor but he could be a footnote on either Meredith’s or Mel Renfro’s plaque. We all want to make a difference while we are on this mortal plane and Pete did it big time. Gent wrote the sorta autobiographical North Dallas Forty (ND40), along with several other significant books that exposed professional football’s unsavory side. ND40 became a dark social commentary of Texas and The South in the 1960’s where players were exploited and as commodities were property to be used and discarded and to be a minority meant you couldn’t live near the practice field in North Dallas. Yes, that’s where the name of Gent’s book came from. That offended the egalitarian and socially conscious Gent who always asked WHY and cooked his story from 1964 to the ultimate publication of ND40 in 1973 and the movie of the same name six years later.

As Gent noted later, “I kept asking why the white players put up with their Black teammates being forced to live in segregated south Dallas, a long drive to the practice field. The situation was not changed until Mel Renfro filed a fair housing suit in 1969." The antiauthoritarian Gent may have been the social conscience of the Dallas Cowboys because nobody else bothered to raise the alarm and call people out on their behaviors. Embarrassingly, no owner, player or even legendary coach Tom Landry with all their celebrity chose to address this and other discrimination issues (shame on them). Offering an insight to his writing in 2003 Pete Gent offered that, “Pro football shows you where your culture is coming apart.” Indeed it was then and is now a reflection of our society, culture and our value system. As we have pointed out in previous posts that includes not just the owners and players but the fans as well.

Gent was certainly a unique individual even to his athleticism. After an exceptional basketball career with the Bangor, Michigan Vikings and the Michigan State Spartans he was drafted by the Baltimore Bullets of the NBA. He tried out for the Dallas Cowboys in 1964 after he learned they would pay $500.00 to training camp attendees. That was a helluva lot of money in those days. And then, surprise, surprise – Gent made the team and basketball went by the wayside.

Gent was as tough as they come and the ND40 character of receiver Phil Elliott mirrored the abuse and subsequent daily pain that Gent and many other NFL players endured then and for the rest of their lives. ND40 along with other exposés like Dave Meggyesy’s 1970 Out of Their League and Jim Bouton's 1970 Ball Four helped shape current policy on injuries and treatment of athletes both at the college and professional sports levels. No, I don’t include Dan Jenkins' "semi-honest and half-funny" 1972 novel Semi-Tough in that same genre… We also need pay attention to great writers like sports columnist Bob Kravitz who likewise chronicled those darker days.

So we thank Peter for his life to include his contributions to society, for being a pretty good Father and for five passable years as a receiver with the Dallas Cowboys. We suspect and hope that Pete and Dandy Don are together again smoking cheroots, drinking Royal Crown Mists and listening to a little Willie Nelson.

Aye,

Ned Buxton

NFL INJURY FAKING CONTROVERSY

2011-10-08T19:53:00.005-05:00

Like life, the injury faking controversy has seemingly taken on an energy and persona all its own. Our reaction to the issue is the real story. The continuing empty denials by the participants and their willingness to patently lie coupled with their teammate’s willingness to back them up despite the evidence goes well beyond having someone’s back. It is simply an issue of honesty and integrity.

The bottom line is that it’s cheating and at the very least not in the spirit of the game. Seems that many players and some fans think that anything goes, hook or by crook, to gain a victory. I’m still old enough to remember when honor and a high level code of ethics was the inspiration for life whatever the venue or activity. In an earlier post we reminded readers of that Williams College receiver who credited with a pass reception versus Amherst notified the referee that he had not caught the ball.

Ultimately for most of us who participated in organized team athletics whether it’s football, baseball, hockey, lacrosse, et al the game is surely about recreation/exercise but with an ultimate much higher purpose. Sports in all its myriad forms was for us the great metaphor for Life. The greater lesson is learning to function cooperatively as a team and within the rules of the game to honestly gain the ultimate prize – Victory. We were taught that in defeat that prize can also be ours. The Greeks gave us that lesson which has been forwarded via the modern Olympic movement.

One blogger who echoes the sentiments of this writer recently stated, “I truly believe that the sport actually DESERVES to be played competitively by men with integrity.” Then you see and hear football fans who seemingly don't mind if members of their own team cheat successfully, only objecting when their opponent cheats. That hypocrisy stinks with many of the opinion that this “victory at any cost” mantra could ultimately ruin the game.

Now having said all this we certainly understand tactical fouling when one player deliberately breaks a rule for an advantage. That would include, among many other examples, a defensive safety obviously beaten, interfering with an offensive receiver so as to prevent a touchdown. That’s part of the game where that player trades a penalty for the surety of six points. That’s part of the reward-penalty aspect of the game where the rules anticipate and account those infractions. We doubt that the blue collar workers or the Ivy League blue bloods who played the early version of the game would have feigned injury for an advantage.

Legendary football coach Vince Lombardi (photo above) did say, “Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.” but he was parroting (knowingly or not) another football coach, Red Sanders of Vanderbilt and UCLA fame. For those revisionists this writer heard him say it and there is archival video as proof positive. We guess that his intent at using this was to basically motivate and inspire his players in the heat of the moment and to set the stage for his heavy handed, disciplinarian coaching style – all in a different time and place in history. Lombardi in the latter stages of his life, understanding the detrimental effect of that admonition on younger athletes bemoaned, “I sure as hell didn’t mean for people to crush human values and morality”. Lombardi died regretting that he ever said it with Friends, sportscasters and even historians trying unsuccessfully to disassociate him from that phrase.

For many that now famous quote highlights what is wrong with competitive sports in America. As Steve Overman of Jackson State University so keenly observed, sports have become our, “cultural currency.” Randy Roberts and James Olson, in Winning is the Only Thing: Sports in America Since 1945 remind us that, “Football became a lens through which Americans interpreted their country, their communities and themselves.” And that’s both the good and bad of it.

Within the context of this issue I was reminded most recently by a European footballer about the Italian coined term, furbizia, which is literally translated as the art of guile. With much of the rest of the world embracing a fair play approach to the game, they perceive Italian footballers as cheaters and the, “dirtiest footballers on the planet.” The Italians, however, see themselves as doing nothing more than tactically exploiting the soft underbelly of their opponents – winning by hook or by crook. And, yes, those strategies include “diving” and no doubt where some of our NFL players took their inspiration.

Diving is considered “classic furbizia” and according to one blogger is yet another manifestation of the, “use of guile and gamesmanship of the Italians with the referee serving as the object of total distrust and disrespect.” So for the Italians it would appear that this win at all cost attitude has trumped any sense of fair play and ethical values and therein lies the lesson for us. It would appear that we are certainly trying to catch up with the Italians.

A recent blogger challenged us all by asking, how should we participate in competitive sports and then offered we should look to, “Our higher sense of self.” Indeed, we create our own destinies and depending on our choices take either the high or low road. Those choices are: 1) Embrace those high level tenets of sportsmanship and ethics or 2) succumb to victory at any cost – even to cheating and the extent of changing the nature of the game. Copping to the lesser option then cheapens victory and those who gained it.

A great football coach summed the issue up for all of us, “Success without honor is an unseasoned dish; it will satisfy your hunger, but it won't taste good.” The Italians notwithstanding, apparently a lot of players in the NFL have lost their sense of taste…

Aye,

Ned Buxton

KIRKING O’ THE TARTANS

2011-10-02T15:52:00.005-05:00

The Very Reverend Kevin Martin, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St. Matthew's in Dallas (Episcopal) being aware of my passion for all things Scottish asked me last Sunday about any “Celtic” service that might be appropriate for The Cathedral. That inquiry prompted this post.

Those that know me understand my enthusiasm for and involvement in the American Scottish Community for many years. Thanks and all credit go to an attentive Mother who always reminded Ned, John and Seabury of our Buxton/ Littlefield/ Seabury/ Gorham/ Armstrong/ Shreve ancestors and our revered Keith Scottish lineage. If anything, it has kept me occupied for lo those many years and was a good segue for my honestly earned anthropology degree. Scottish Highland athletics was a major focus for over thirty years thanks to the mentoring of Ross Morrison, Guy Soule and the Friendship of many more in that select community. I thank all of them for their contributions allowing my life to have meaning beyond my threshold.

My activity in and commitment to the re-raised 78th Fraser’s Highlanders, 2nd Battalion of Foot, America have allowed me to live and interpret history for all those so interested. Great thanks to Colonel Ross Oborne, Colonel J. Ralph Harper, Tex Dallas and my many other Canadian compatriots. God speed, Ross.

There is one other “Scottish” activity that captured my interest and commitment. Aside from the myriad Scottish Festivals and Highland Games held annually in the United States and Canada (even to Australia and New Zealand) there is another significant event that literally captures the spirit and essence of all that is Scottish, “Here and away from Home”. That, Ladies and Gentlemen, is the The Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans and while the ceremony didn’t originate in Scotland – the motivation and spirit surely emanated from the auld sod. I helped coordinate myriad Kirking services in many denominations across the country with the level of enthusiasm in each church equal to the level of influence of their Scottish members. They are legion…

I’ve seen some explanations (some absolutely absurd) that romanticize the so called history of this ceremony. I saw some recently that proclaimed the Kirking as, “commemorating the persecution of Scottish Protestant Christians”, “the remembrance, how the Christian faith was passed on to us through our Scottish ancestors” and “recognizing the authority of God as sovereign over the affairs of Scottish clans.” While some pious Scots and others may want to embrace those statements, they are not accurate.

One of the most embraced and widely accepted legends follows on the 1746 defeat of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Scots at Culloden (Drummossie Moor) by the English and a lot of other not so enamored Scots. This was the last pitched battle fought on British soil and occurred near Inverness in the Scottish Highlands. Following that defeat and the flight of Charlie across the sea to France the Hanoverian English fully intended to weaken, indeed eliminate, the Gaelic culture, disembowel the Scottish clan system and remove once and for all this thorn in their side. What better way to accomplish that task by banning the iconic trappings of that culture. The English proscribed (banned) the wearing of the tartan (“Scottish war dress”) and the playing of the pipes (“instruments of war”) and the bearing of arms among other liberties. It has been related that Scots anxious to embrace and hold sacred their sense of intimate kinship with their homeland would secret small swatches of their tartans into church (kirk) services to be blessed and re-consecrated in anticipation of their ultimate release from bondage.

Whether the Kirking of the Tartans ceremony really ever took place/originated in Scotland remains hotly debated even among history and church scholars. There is some evidence that while it could have happened, there was absolutely no formal protocol, ceremony nor a specific Sunday or day (including St. Andrews, etc.) in the year when this occurred. Rather, this could have been a spontaneous expression of the Scots allegiance to Family, Clan and Country.

Somewhere between a, “silly bit o' Brigadoonery” and this speculation lies the truth. Had I been alive then and identified myself and my Clan/Family with a specific tartan, then I would have probably done it just out of spite and plain defiance. I know many native, highly educated Scots including a baker’s dozen of Scottish Chiefs who never heard of the ceremony until they came across the pond to the US or Canada. Could it have happened and then been lost in the mists of time? Perhaps, but in a culture that prides itself on such rich pomp and ceremony – I doubt it. In fact, we think it absolute poppycock. The irony is that much of the widely ballyhooed mythos that has enveloped the rite continues to drive and energize its acceptance and continued celebration. We’ll take it…

Now this post isn’t about the history of Tartan, save its integral role in the contemporary Kirking Ceremony. We will relate to that work in progress in a later post. In the meantime we’ll just make a few points about Tartan and move on.

Tartan in Scotland originally was a woolen material woven in a distinctive, specific sett/pattern (warp & weft) that among other entities now has significance to and recognition by specific Families or Clans. The Scots took full advantage of the flora in their geographic areas and soon different patterns and colors innocently presented themselves. So, many tartans were created and evolved simply because each area liked to weave a certain design using local herb or plant dyes. That naïve though utilitarian approach was soon embraced by Clan and Family leaders who ultimately saw it as another way to establish their separate identities. If one knew what plants and flowers grew in a particular region (generally their badges) then you could probably surmise where someone came from by those colors.

The Wikipedia site does a pretty good job of calculating the history and origins of tartan. What we will say now is that some Scottish Family or Clan tartans are probably much older than speculated or validated by history. No doubt the widespread association with a specific Family or Clan is modern though would appear to have history in Scotland dating back as early as the 12th or 13th century CE. We have noted the recent evidence that the use of tartans or tartan like material was used in other parts of the world seemingly by the Celts.

Whatever the intrigue and impetus of the recognition and growth of Scottish tartans, they have become synonymous with Scotland and her Families and Clans.

Now comes along the Reverend Peter Marshall (A Man Called Peter), originally from Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, Scotland. Marshall was called to the ministry, immigrated to the United States, where he studied and eventually settled in as pastor of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C. in 1937. Marshall built an incredible influence and was twice appointed U.S. Senate Chaplain, serving from January 4, 1947 until his sudden death just over two years later at 46 years of age.

Marshall was a member of St. Andrews Society of Washington, D.C. and was primarily responsible for starting the Kirkin’ ceremony. During the early years of WWII the very eloquent and always inspired Dr. Marshall preached many sermons on behalf of British War Relief and the Scottish Clans Evacuation Plan. Marshall’s sermon delivered on Sunday, April 27, 1941 is generally credited as the first "Kirking" service though it was not yet called that at the time – more later. Need we say that Peter Marshall became one of America's greatest preachers. His messages still resonate with those of good faith, or not.

Marshall spoke about the oppression of the Scots during the days of the Act of Proscription drawing his congregation’s attention to the global threat of cultural annihilation and genocide posed by the Nazi dictatorship. All funds raised from the service went directly to a mobile kitchen in Scotland.

We need note now that Marshall was no doubt familiar with the term Kirking which had been used for several hundred years (still is) to describe annual church services aka the Kirking of the Council where councilors, officials of a town council along with other dignitaries with great pomp and circumstance are reminded of their responsibilities to the community. The Church blesses these public servants while noting their affirmation to faithfully serve God and their fellow citizens. Some of these services date back to the 1600’s, well after the Reformation reached Scotland. We have also seen Kirking of the Court ceremonies in Edinburgh. Marshall knew these Kirking ceremonies were historic and meaningful events witness the Kirking of the Scottish Parliament which has been held since its rebirth in 1999.

Dr. Marshall's sermons were so popular that requests were made for their publication with the proceeds designated for British War Relief. The term Kirkin’ o’ The Tartans was coined by Dr. Marshall after the fact when asked what to name his sermon of May 2, 1943. This was the sermon that recalled the years after 1746 and the defeat of the Scots at Culloden when the bagpipes and tartan were outlawed by the English who were literally trying to emasculate the Scots by depriving them of their heritage. We believe it was Dr. Marshall, who recounted in that sermon how the Scots would at their worship services, touch tartan swatches secretly at the signal of their pastor thus starting the controversy that continues to this day. Where he got that inspiration, nobody knows, though it certainly served its purpose.

Side Bar: Mary Wood, Peter Marshall's Secretary for many years recounted how Peter Marshall prepared his sermons. Seems his office was on the top floor of a two story annex adjoining the church proper. There was a spiral staircase that led down from his office to Mary's office below. Consistent with the day and time Marshall would draft his sermons by hand, page by page. When Marshall completed a page, he would drop it down the staircase. Mary would retrieve each sheet and type into a finished product. What Peter Marshall could have done with a computer…

The St. Andrew’s Society of Washington D.C. formally participated in these services of unified prayer for the many subjects of the British Isles with special emphasis given to the Citizenry of Scotland. This developed into an annual event at the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C formally sponsored by the St. Andrew’s Society. it drew the attention of many including the, then, Bishop of Washington, D.C., The Rt. Rev. Angus Dun, D.D. who after becoming a member of The Society invited them to celebrate the annual ""Kirking" in the Cathedral Church of St. Peter and St. Paul on Mount St. Alban (Yes, The National Cathedral).

Dr. Marshall died in 1949 and though no Kirking was held that year, it was resurrected in 1950 and has been held ever since.

The St. Andrew's Society of Washington, DC has formally sponsored the Service annually in The National Cathedral since 1954. Good Friend David McKenzie of the St. Andrew’s Society of Washington, D.C. has coordinated that event for many years. I take this opportunity to again thank David for his watchful eye while son Geb attended American University.

The worship service has a traditional content, using much of the Church of Scotland form. Central to its theme is the presentation of various tartans-through flags and the wearing of tartans-for a blessing (Kirkin’). Great Highland bagpipes, Scottish hymns galore and prayers and words that lift the human spirit abound. The Kirkin' is intended to encourage all participants to reflect with thanksgiving on their own Family and cultural heritage, and “to celebrate God's grace poured out for all generations.”

So, yes, the true Kirking ceremony while springing from the soul of a Scot is a uniquely American affectation and has only been held off Scottish soil as it has always been, “A celebration of Scots, away from home." It has been observed by many denominations especially including the Presbyterians along with the Methodists, Catholics and others.

Many Episcopalian and Anglican parishes celebrate the kirkin’ by offering their churches as a home for the service in grateful tribute to the Scottish Episcopalian bishops (Right Rev. Robert Kilgour, Bishop of Aberdeen, and Primus of Scotland; the Right Rev. Arthur Petrie, Bishop of Ross and Moray and the Right Rev. John Skinner, Rector of the Cathedral Church of St. Andrew and Coadjutor Bishop of Aberdeen) who on November 14, 1784 consecrated Samuel Seabury as the first American Episcopalian bishop following London’s refusal to do so. The consecration took place in Bishop Skinner's private chapel in Long Acre, in the city of Aberdeen, Scotland. The bad blood fomented by the successful American Revolution even to the See of Canterbury eventually cooled though the Episcopal Church in the United States essentially evolved independent of the Church of England.

In 1884 the Rev. William Tatlock, D.D., Rector of St. John's Church, Stamford, observing the Centenary of Bishop Seabury’s consecration appropriately validated the reverence held for the Scottish Church, "Wherever the American Episcopal Church shall be mentioned in the world, may this good deed, which the Scottish Church has done for us, be spoken of for a memorial of her!" That great bond of affection and mutual respect exists to this day.

The Kirkin’ service like so many other aspects of our society has evolved from the singular purpose of British War Relief (they don’t need it anymore) to a contemporary extension/continuation of ''The Scottish Experience'' to the extent that those of us with Scottish roots continue to push the envelope and influence of the Scottish Diaspora with the Kirkin’ tradition.

The Rev. Dr. John Mckay, head of the Princeton Theological Seminary, a native Scot and guest at the Kirkin’ at The National Cathedral in 1951, was heard to comment that he would like to export the ''Kirking'' tradition to Scotland because it would renew some lost pride and traditions and with the inclusion of the pipes in the service, ''...might draw people back into the churches where the sermons might not!''

The Right Hon. Sir James Ian Keith, the 12th Earl of Kintore, 2nd Viscount Stonehaven, Chief of the Name of Keith (25 July 1908 – 1 October 1989) and Friend to this writer commenting on the American Highland Games and Kirking experience told me at the 10th annual Stone Mountain Highland Games in 1979, ''You know, you Americans do this so much better than we do or ever did.''

To all our Scottish Ancestors: We remember that we are your children and you and those of your Ilk paved the way and provided the inspiration. We will say your names and invoke your memory until the end of time.

And to answer Dean Kevin’s query… the Scots and Irish community in north Texas would be very pleased and honored to celebrate our common heritage within the hallowed walls of St. Matthews Cathedral.

Aye,

Ned Buxton, FSA Scot

FOOTBALL IS SOMETIMES MAKE BELIEVE

2011-09-23T18:05:00.005-05:00

What a great (NOT) revelation happened this last Monday night during the St. Louis Rams - New York Giants National Football League (NFL) game. All of a sudden the NFL which has known about the rampant faking of injuries during games for a long time has now decided to enforce penalties up to and including fines, suspensions and loss of draft choices (ouch!). Why now? Well, because the faking of injuries has become so increasingly blatant that it is to the obvious detriment of the game. They have no choice.

The proverbial cat was finally out of the bag after two New York Giants players, Deon Grant and Jacquian Williams simultaneously and inexplicably hit the deck as the Rams came to the line in their no-huddle, hurry-up offense that had the Giants back on their heels. A rabid NY Giants fan since 1953, I watched the video over and over looking for an excuse to believe them. The charade, however, was so obvious that even the usually stoic and impartial ESPN announcing team called Grant and Williams out for their illegal ploy to slow down the Rams offense and probably save a timeout. It looked rehearsed, practiced…and poorly executed.

To make matters worse, when Williams saw that Grant was down he realized the fait accompli, stood up and walked away as if nothing had happened. Despite whatever assertions of injury or protestations by Grant or any other player past, present or future - he and others of his ilk have absolutely no credibility from that point.

Some folks counter, “So what?” alleging that the NFL has no rule specifically against faking an injury. While that may be true there is one rule in the books which (given what appears to be a broad interpretation by an official) specifies that behaviors intended to stop the clock or deliberately slow the game are met with (Ta-Da) a delay of game penalty. Having said that, much of the injury faking is no longer even discreet or a hand well-played. These flops are so badly performed that there is little doubt as to their purpose and that’s what tipped the NFL to action. These poor actors may even ultimately fail to effectively promote a legitimate injury or health-related issue that should result in a time out. When player safety has to be the top priority, Chicken Little is close at hand.

Present NFL players including Reggie Bush, Scott Fujita, Ed Reed, Frank Gore and Bryan Kehl among others have publicly admitted and verified to the whole world that faking injuries in order to slow down an opponent and give your team a break has been an accepted tactical part of the game for quite a while. Several NFL coaches when asked about the practice gave winks and nods while admitting nothing. Tony Dungy, the highly respected former player with the Steelers and Forty-Niners and successful Colts & Buccaneers head coach and now color analyst with NBC Sport’s Football Night in America commented that it was, “…part of what's happening now in the NFL.”

So, faking injuries isn't a new thing with players who even talk about being taught to flop and even individuals being designated for that duty. We’ve seen it mostly in soccer and, of course, in wrestling where dedicated combatants even use blood packets/capsules or in their manic enthusiasm cut themselves with hidden razors. But now these “embarrassing flop jobs” could cost the NFL valuable credibility it cannot afford to lose after the most recent extended labor dispute.

No doubt the NFL realizes that if they don’t crack down on this corruption of the game, the disease will spread to the rest of the sport. A wink and nod today becomes blatant disregard tomorrow. We already know The Game is mostly about money with some fans now pondering whether it’s nothing more than bad theater.

Aye,

Ned Buxton

DALLAS HITS THE HEAT JACKPOT

2011-09-14T07:29:00.006-05:00

Our high temperature of 107° yesterday marked the 70th day this summer that the temperature has attained triple digit marks. The old record of 69 days was set back in that horrendous summer of 1980, but we were better or worse, like the heat or not. Putting this all in perspective – our average number of summer days at 100° or above is eighteen (18) so we are literally in a rarified atmosphere all thanks to La Nina and a dome of high pressure that just won’t move. Despite some thundershowers to our northwest this morning we will probably hit 100° again today further solidifying our hold on the record.

We are not alone with cities and regions all across the southwest setting equally impressive marks. Even in the deep Piney Woods of east Texas my old haunt of Lufkin set a new record this year. Horror of horrors with their recently extended burn ban, no barbecuing is even allowed…

Long after this record fails to impress and is lost in weather history, the effects of this heat wave will be felt. As we have reported in earlier posts, already compromised building foundations, streets and other utilities are continuing to deteriorate. The Texas power grid has been pushed into the red zone and beyond. Texas agriculture and ranching have been substantially compromised and probably changed forever. The long term effects of the drought will soon be seen in the trees and landscapes of our area. Already over three and one half million acres have burned in Texas including numerous new fires and the horrendous Bastrop fire near Austin which after two weeks and the heroics of firefighters is still only 60% contained. The area has been described alternately as a war zone and “volcanic” by state officials.

No sense of pride here, just survival. Questions heard on the street include, “Where’s a hurricane when you need one?” and “Can a tee shirt be far behind?”

Aye,

Ned Buxton

PS. That morning rain never arrived save a few scattered drops that just seemed meant to tantalize. The Bastrop fire is now 75% contained though has now attained status as the worst fire in Texas history. Last night the recovery process was in full swing as the Bastrop Bears defeated San Marcos Rattlers, 48-23 in football. During the halftime ceremonies the community honored and thanked all the first responders and firefighters who continue to work on their behalf.

Aye,

Ned

THE REAL DEFINITION OF THEORY – RICK PERRY TAKE NOTE

2011-09-10T09:16:00.003-05:00

As we have seen recently many politicians, especially those on the far fundamentalist right are inclined to interpret all they see within their domain in Biblical terms. That especially includes evolution which is consistent with their mostly literal interpretation of the Bible and Genesis. Like GOP presidential candidate, Governor Rick Perry of Texas recently opined to a youngster in Manchester, NH, "I know your mom is asking about evolution. It's a theory that's out there and it's got some gaps in it.”

So Perry is either incredibly naïve about science and the differences between scientific laws, hypotheses and theories or he’ll just say anything for votes. Either option is a sad indictment and certainly not qualities we want to see in a world leader in the 21st century. It would appear that Perry will continue to blur the lines of distinction between Science and Religion as, "a firm believer in intelligent design (creationism) as a matter of faith and intellect."

We understand the “faith” part of his statement, but the “intellect” component scares us. Everybody has a right to embrace their own belief systems but when they try and shove it down our throats under the guise of credible, mandatory education (even public policy), we have a problem. Perry and the Republicans have been trying to do that in Texas, witness the scary logic and machinations of former chairman of the Texas State Board of Education, Don McLeroy, a Perry appointee.

But let’s get back to basics and put this issue in perspective by acknowledging that it is to the obvious advantage of those with a literalist, far right agenda to discredit science and evolution. In order to justify their thoughts, words and deeds they borrow credible and seemingly scientific terms like “intelligent”, “design”, “creation” and even “scientific” to denote a belief system that incorporates none of these aspects.

So, we need to define what the scientific method is and the not so subtle differences in scientific Laws, hypotheses and theories. During our research we came across several great articles/posts but none were as clear and understandable as Wilstar.com and their post Scientific Laws, Hypotheses, and Theories. We can do no better and heartily recommend.

Confusing this whole issue are individuals who don’t understand or won’t credit the concepts, protocols, disciplines and the attendant vocabulary and terms scientists use. That includes use of the term theory which conveniently for some can also mean that based on limited knowledge, a conjecture or assumption - a mere guess or something that hasn’t yet been proved. Again, it has a whole different meaning in science and that’s the Perry Blur.

Theories including the Theory of Evolution are based on the application of the scientific method where scientists propose one or more hypotheses or explanations for the process and then test them for accuracy and correctness. Evolution has passed thousands of such tests and is accepted to be true by the scientific community and most of the rest of the world, including this writer.

Here’s the kicker and perhaps why we retain the term theory. Scientists will always assume that there may be an opportunity to refine, fine tune and perfect all theories as new evidence is discovered. Simply put, they can build on an existing and proven truth. Scientists are always willing to alter any theory when and if new evidence is discovered, presented, tested and found to be valid. This scientific method allows any theory to ultimately become more and more accurate as research progresses. Ultimately, there is no agenda, no right or wrong in science – rather just what the record reflects.

A great example would be the discovery and analysis of DNA evidence that from the mainstream perspective squarely puts the origins of modern man in that part of the world we now call Africa. We know that to be true because of the distribution of archaic DNA material in Homo sapiens sapiens around the world today.

Will that theory be tweaked? Absolutely! As new evidence is discovered we will add to our already credible body of knowledge. That same tested, tried and proven “Out of Africa” theory is also irrefutable evidence for evolution. The question now remains, rather, the extent of regional interbreeding and exchange between modern humans and archaic forms in Africa, not whether evolution is a viable theory. That debate has been over for some time.

So, when you see the word theory used to describe a scientific conclusion that may include Relativity, Plate Tectonics, Quantum Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Evolution, etc. think in terms of science and find comfort that these theories have passed incredible scrutiny.

So, don’t sell yourself short by believing the nonsense and irresponsible statements you hear from politicians like Perry and Bachmann. The next time Perry tries to lump science and, frankly, all that doesn’t fit into his very, very small universe as nothing more than conjecture, call him on it and judge him accordingly. Questions? Refer to the non-partisan factcheck.org or snopes.com to see where the truth lies.

Sometimes being a “straight talker” isn’t enough especially if that talk is all palaver. If enough of us don’t hold radicalized public officials like Perry and Bachmann accountable for their outrageous perspectives and judge them honestly on their beliefs and attitudes then go and pick out your club for evolution or not we are all going back to the Stone Age. But, irony of ironies, Perry doesn’t believe the earth is older than 6,000 years old…

Aye,

Ned Buxton

JERRY LEWIS AND THE MDA

2011-09-05T12:49:00.006-05:00

Since I was a kid in the 1950’s I remember Jerry Lewis as a comedian who was mostly paired up with Dean Martin (Martin & Lewis) and also as the actor comedian who hosted fund raising events for sick kids. We didn’t exactly know what muscular dystrophy was back then but we had seen lots of kids come out of the 40’s and 50’s with the dreaded polio virus and neuromuscular diseases like Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS).

Lewis at the behest of a staff member began hosting local telethons to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Associations of America (MDA) in 1952. These benefits were held in New York and some were reported on Providence, RI TV (seen by this writer) and received widespread attention. MDA approached Jerry about hosting a national telethon and thus was born the annual Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, since renamed the MDA Labor Day Telethon. Lewis hosted that show from 1966 to 2010 and according to MDA raised over $2.6 billion (US). Equally important, Lewis with his celebrity raised awareness about muscular disease throughout the international community.

From 1966 to last year – no matter where I was – I watched at least a snippet of that Labor Day ritual. Sometimes I even tried to emulate Jerry and pull an all-nighter but I was never as strong as Jerry and his incredible crew. I didn’t watch this year – not one second – though I will write a check.

That show with its attendant emotion and sometimes not so predictable success was the heartbeat of America over that Labor Day weekend. The world watched in that grueling, knee buckling and exhausting LIVE marathon as Jerry poured his heart out (OK, punctuated with some good acting) wondering in cliff-hanger, soap opera fashion whether he would make the goal. Jerry always got the job done.

That telethon was never boring and given the spontaneous nature of the event you never knew what Jerry was going to say or do next (“unpredictable, in a good way”). That show will now seemingly morph into a bland, shop-worn showcase for corporate America and groups of responsible citizens from firefighters to cheerleaders to walk on camera, present a check and take their bows. While these groups deserve the accolade it will be mostly staged from this point on. That’s predictable given the year round macro management now required to put on such a huge event. On the local level the true spirit of the telethon is still epitomized by kids motivated to run neighborhood lemonade stands to raise money for, “Jerry’s Kids.” We saw one flourishing the other day in Dallas.

On May 16 Lewis announced his retirement as telethon host though would remain on as MDA National Chairman and at least do a walk-on in 2011. On August 3, 2011 MDA tersely and unceremoniously announced that the now 85 year old Jerry Lewis had been removed as MDA National Chairman and would not participate in the telethon. An incredulous public including this writer gasped. The reaction was universal and for me was epitomized by David Letterman’s very talented bandleader (actor, author, comedian and composer) Paul Shaffer who opined that Lewis’ absence seemed hard to believe. Shaffer often praised for his own charity work (Epilepsy Canada) and with his own star on Canada's Walk of Fame commented further, “I think it’s insane.” And it is…

The Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon to the current MDA hierarchy had become an albatross - another time capsule not unlike the one recently discovered in a wall of the old Hall Elementary School building in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Jerry Lewis Telethon had become a vestige of the past and the way we used to do things. The world has changed and however unceremonious and distasteful, MDA felt it was time to move on.

Seemingly because of all the outrage surrounding Lewis’ ouster, the beginning of the MDA Telethon included Jerry Lewis tributes delivered by the show’s new hosts though MDA and Lewis would not comment or elaborate on the remarks.

From this point on there is nothing but speculation abounding about what really happened between Jerry’s announcement on May 16 and MDA’s lynching on August 3rd. Something happened, words spoken but nobody’s talking now. If you go on the MDA site some of the pages that relate to Jerry are now inaccessible. The MDA site disrespectfully has no mention of Jerry Lewis under “Telethon History.” That by itself makes MDA look very bad. We all needed a better outcome.

So, whether it was the disability activists who thought Jerry was throwing an annual pity party; Jerry’s very personal identification with the cause; Lewis’ recent dissing of the new telethon co-hosts; shrinking revenues and TV markets/coverages; corporate big wigs who couldn’t appreciate Lewis’ slapstick, sometimes irreverent and inappropriate shoot from the hip actions and comments; Jerry’s own failing health or something we haven’t even fathomed – it doesn’t really matter. Any further speculation about the reasons still won’t bring Lewis back. It seems more prudent to look forward but still somehow find a way to show our appreciation and gratitude for the absolutely heroic life’s work that Jerry Lewis has performed. That, of course, is continuing our support for MDA and encouraging a reconciliation.

Whatever the reason, Jerry’s gone for now and MDA did OK this year. No doubt this whole issue was handled very badly, much to the discredit of MDA, even if they turn out to be good guys.

As Jerry would still dutifully say, nothing else matters, it’s all about the kids…and the adults. Thank you Jerry.

Aye,

Ned Buxton

DALLAS AND NORTH TEXAS – DRY AND BRITTLE

2011-09-03T05:31:00.006-05:00

Our October 2007 Water, Water Not In Atlanta post outlined some of the misery when Atlanta and north Georgia was in a severe drought crisis, seemingly the worst in the history of that region. We commiserated with our north Georgia cousins invoking our own similar experience just two years earlier and assured them the rain would return. It did, though that Georgia drought exacerbated the ill feelings and further compromised the already precarious environmental relationship Georgia has with the states of Alabama and Florida who also depend on the waters of the Chattahoochee River to supply water to residents and irrigate crops. That controversy continues and we wonder if it will ever be amicably (or reasonably) resolved. It’s a modern war over water now a scarce commodity here in Texas.

You’d be right if you assumed that many of us here in Texas have a great appreciation for our water resources. Well educated Texans know that there are no natural lakes in our area save Lake Caddo which is well east over on the Louisiana-Texas border. Even then Caddo was the result of water backed up by a 100-mile log jam on the Red River in Louisiana. The removal of the jam was accomplished by Buxton ancestor, steamboat builder and river captain Henry Miller Shreve (1785–1851) who opened the Mississippi, Ohio and Red rivers to steamboat navigation and was memorialized forever and a day with the naming of Shreveport, Louisiana.

Given the scarcity of this natural resource and spurned on by the record drought of the 1950s Texas built dozens of reservoirs (now almost 200) designed to maintain an adequate water supply in the event of another inevitable severe drought. We wonder, however, if regional planners have accurately conjured the meteoric growth of our state and the ultimate demands still to be placed on our still limited water resources. We have seen low population projections that in the opinion of the water folks will see the state of Texas unable to supply water to the great majority of its residents by 2060 in the event of severe drought. More pragmatic folks say that figure is closer to 2025.

This year (the hottest and driest on record in Texas) thanks to La Nina we have been faced with a true test of our plan and the jury’s still out whether we passed or failed. If the citizenry of our state doesn’t wake up and listen to those that monitor those precious water resources, then many feel that we will have an ultimate failing grade. Simply translated: if we don’t change some attitudes and conservation practices then someday we won’t have enough water for everybody.

The north Texas DFW region has a humid subtropical climate, though situated so that we also experience the heat and drought typical of the semi-arid region to our immediate west. This is all capped off by spring cool fronts that move south out of the high plains and Midwest only to collide with the warm, humid air streaming north from the Gulf of Mexico. That spawns severe thunderstorms, many with hail and tornadoes prompting our inclusion in the southern aspect of Tornado Alley. In short, we get a wide variety of weather that can include cold bitter wind chills from storms that sweep down from Canada in the winter, witness the 2011 Super Bowl fiasco at Cowboy Stadium.

So our precipitation in Texas has always been boom or bust, either too much or too little as the folks in Vermont can now attest. We aren’t getting enough rain at present and area lakes are being quickly depleted. North Texas area lakes have more water than other regions of the state and, thankfully, as of this writing it looks like the excessive 100°+ degree weather may be on the wane starting next week. Huzzah!

Even with our good fortune most of north Texas and for that matter most of the state is now rationing water. The DFW metro cities of Richardson, Plano, Frisco, Allen, Forney, Wylie, Rockwall, Garland and many others get their water from the North Texas Municipal Water District and are now in stage 2 mandatory restrictions. Many other cities are in voluntary water restrictions limiting any watering from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. That would include Dallas and Fort Worth who appear close to implementing mandatory restrictions. The fact that nearly 500 water systems throughout Texas are now under mandatory restrictions is unprecedented.

It’s easy to identify folks who are abiding by the water restrictions. A quick drive thru of any DFW neighborhood will feature dead and dying brown or yellowing lawns - proof positive that those homeowners are serious about conserving water. Lush, green lawns that are obviously being watered every day are the scarlet letter for those who care only for themselves and not for the good of the many. Even in the best of times we know that despite all our proactive conservation efforts roughly 50% of all the water consumed ends up on our lawns. The conclusion is obvious – we all have to change how we, first of all, perceive, then use and preserve this resource.

I drove through our neighborhood the other day and saw sprinklers on during the middle of the day, one guy washing a car in his driveway and another hosing off the gutters in the street in front of his home. A drive down some of the business and apartment thoroughfares will find sprinklers going strong during the day with all its attendant runoff. These incredibly stupid and callous acts are those that will tip us to an increased water rationing and the potential that some folks might not be able to get a drink of water. Ultimately that kind of irresponsibility will put us out of business.

Our infrastructure is already taking an incredible beating with almost daily water main breaks where the earth has moved mains and water supply lines where they didn’t want to go. Many roads have buckled and heaved and even if passable, drivers need to use special caution when traversing these areas. Railroad tracks have warped (so-called sun kinks) prompting a super heightened maintenance vigilance and much slower train runs. Rolling power outages have started to hit major population areas as record demands are placed on energy sources. The reduction and outright loss of trees and other vegetation is exacerbating the superheating effect that our cities (already heat islands) have on their surrounding environments.

As a youngster and even young adult I would never have dreamed that we would actually pay for water in a bottle. There was a lot of controversy when it was first introduced though now with its mostly guaranteed quality, portability and availability, it’s a major industry and a seeming harbinger of water in the future a la macro blue gold futurist T. Boone Pickens.

This week amid all this heat and drought I saw hope and promise in a mass planting of Texas Sage profuse with extraordinary amethyst blooms on silver leaves along the George H. W. Bush Tollway north of Dallas. They were magnificent and perhaps along with the succulent Red Yucca and other plants more suitable for our summer heat, a harbinger of what more of us should and will be planting around our homes in the near future.

And speaking about responsible plantings of native trees and plants, who were the yahoos (municipal arborists?) who brought in the Bald Cypress to the very alkaline and dry soils of north Texas? I was dumbfounded when I came back to north Texas and saw these trees which require acid soil and very wet feet. Tree of the Year or not, while they have survived and even flourished in good times with reliable irrigation, in this unprecedented severe drought and heat they are not just dropping their leaves, rather dying all over the metro area. They may be our canary in the coal mine – a foreign species of life brought into a hostile environment and now succumbing to Mother Nature.

Our reality is much crueler than a misplaced species of tree, however. Because of the drought and heat many Texas ranchers and farmers have quit or retired never to return again. So - no cattle, no auctions, no transportation and a whole industry – in a state where cattle far outnumbered people – now gutted. No plants, no insects, no pollination, no birds or other animal life and no agriculture as we have known it. The cycle of life and the food chain, all linked together has been compromised. And what about our continuing record-breaking wildfire season?

What about the effects of the heat and drought on John and Jane Doe? At work folks have commented about the changes they see in the overall demeanor and heightened stress levels of individuals including drivers who appear less cautious and respectful. Many are on edge what with the recession, increased cost of food, power, water, gas – the list goes on. The heat and drought have put a fork in it. One gentleman recently observed, “Everybody’s not in quite as good a mood as they could be. It just kinda beats you down.”

We wonder about Texas Governor Rick Perry’s blustery posturing against the Federal government and President Obama despite their substantial and apparent uncredited support fighting the wildfires and all the while hypocritically cutting the budget of the Texas Forest Service, the very agency charged with fighting those fires. Now how about Perry’s very public strategy to deal with the drought and heat – prayers. Perry is as we say in Texas, “A hat with no cattle.”

This chapter in Texas history is a reminder that we are only temporary occupants in a self-correcting system where we are the ones who have to make concessions to our environment. Our Native American Brothers and Sisters had it right all along: the Earth will sustain Homo sapiens and all other life on the planet to the degree that we choose to be good stewards of its controllable resources. Failing that we will go the way of the dinosaurs. Just ask the folks left in Happy, Texas. The state of Texas, Ladies and Gentlemen, has been changed forever.

Aye,

Ned Buxton

GOVERNOR RICK PERRY – ANOTHER WARNING

2011-08-28T08:13:00.005-05:00

Let me be very clear that I have voted for Rick Perry for Governor of the State of Texas. Let me also be very clear that even as a Moderate Conservative whose granddaddy served on the Republican National Committee, this writer will ponder righteously before voting for him again for any other public office – however modest or important – especially including President.

Without any consideration for political substance I always liked the “Rick Persona”. Rick is Ray and Amelia’s boy from Paint Creek and I liked his unassuming, deferential pastoralism. His home-grown rural, working class style, tone and rhetoric seemed to fit us as he concentrated on creating a positive environment for business and related to critical fundamental issues like immigration that reflect our border status. The ill-conceived and now cancelled Trans-Texas Corridor and Cameron Todd Willingham aside, I guess that I naively never knew nor cared about how he felt about any other topics and for that, shame on me. It would appear that Perry has reinvented himself as the new poster child for the religious right in order to advance his political agenda and perhaps even consolidate and energize its base. That’s what got my earnest attention.

My Perry devolution actually started in 2009 when obviously shooting from the hip he stated outright to a bunch of Tea Party folks, “When we came into the union in 1845, one of the issues was that we would be able to leave if we decided to do that...” Perry then insinuated that secession from the United States continues as an option for Texas? The Texas State Archives and Library address that issue as follows, “In fact, Texas received no special terms in its admission to the Union. Once Texas had agreed to join the Union, she never had the legal option of leaving, either before or after the Civil War.” Perry’s PR folks continue to spin that one yet it’s obvious to this writer that Perry doesn’t have a clue about American or Texas history and is willing to say and do anything to appeal to the visceral and confrontational emotions of the extreme right wing of the Republican Party.

Yet, for all this Perry is now collaborating within the system to gain the presidency of the United States of America. I guess some might say that’s another take on the if you can’t beat them, join them mantra. It would appear to this writer, however, that despite his loathing of the federal government this is an attempt to change our government into something Perry feels more acceptable – and frankly from a process perspective, that’s not all bad. That’s the way our system works. Glad he appreciates that opportunity though if he is going to be perceived as a serious candidate he needs to be more in tune with historical fact and the reality of the Texas institutions over which he has purview. Perry surely has no clue about scientific method and the differences between scientific laws, hypotheses, and theories.

Whatever his motivation he has now joined Michele Bachmann in the Foot in Mouth Club (FIMC) given his propensity to utter absolutely absurd crap. Ladies and gentlemen, this is a warning… How did I miss this before? Word on the street is his managers and speech makers have been trying to rein him in since he declared for the Republican Presidential Nomination and have directed him to carefully read comments that have been scripted for him. That stratagem hasn’t worked and probably won’t fly especially with Perry’s freewheeling style, glad-handing and the spontaneous nature of rallies, neighborhood and town hall meetings that now characterize political campaigns.

Perry was recently bushwhacked at a Portsmouth, NH rally where an obviously concerned Mother through her young son damaged Perry’s not so quietly eroding credibility. The sad and slimy reality was that the Mother used her minor child to get at Perry knowing how politicians like to kiss babies and pander to children.

That child obviously goaded on by his mother asked Perry how old he thought the Earth was. Perry said he didn't know, but that he expects it’s "pretty old." At this point the Mother can then be heard in the background, “Ask him about evolution."

Perry responded, "I know your mom is asking about evolution. It's a theory that's out there and it's got some gaps in it. In Texas, we teach creationism and evolution because I feel you're smart enough to figure out which one is right."

So Perry declared to the whole world that Texas public schools teach creationism alongside evolution — a statement that is patently false and contradicts the 1987 United States Supreme Court ruling (Edwards v. Aguillard) that teaching creationism in public schools was unconstitutional because it advanced religious beliefs. Now if that raises the hackles of some fundamentalist folks let them be reminded despite what you have been fed, 72 Nobel prize-winning scientists, 17 state academies of science and 7 other scientific organizations filed amicus curiae (Friend of the Court) briefs in support of Aguillard describing creation “science” as part and parcel of religious tenets. And, no, that there is nothing scientific or intelligent about Creationism and, yes, Perry will continue to blur the lines of distinction between Science and Religion as, "a firm believer in intelligent design (creationism) as a matter of faith and intellect" and seemingly because it’s good theater that plays to his base.

Debbie Ratcliffe spokesperson for the Texas Education Agency issued the following statement to Talking Points Memo (TPM) in response to Perry’s comments, "Our science standards require students to analyze, evaluate, and critique scientific explanations, so it is likely that other theories, such as creationism, would be discussed in class," she said. "Our schools can also offer an elective course on Biblical history and it is likely that creationism is discussed as part of that class too." So, the State of Texas offers elective Religion and Biblical history courses but all under the label of Religion and not disguised as “Science”.

TPM followed up with Ross Ann Hill, president of the Science Teachers Association of Texas (STAT) who pointed out that, “Evolution is part of the curriculum and creationism is not. Students are expected to know that "Evolutionary theory is a scientific explanation for the unity and diversity of life."

TPM contacted Kevin Fisher, a former STAT president and current president of the Texas Science Education Leadership Association who stated that the controversy could leave students unprepared for the Texas State assessment test and, ultimately, college biology courses. Fisher also offered that, "Usually if creationism is brought up, teachers would discuss the nature of what is science and not science...and help the students understand the difference between science and religion. What Perry said is not an accurate statement about what occurs in Texas science classrooms."

I got a kick out of former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, another contender for the GOP presidential nomination, who took Perry’s most recent creationism comments to heart Twittering, “To be clear. I believe in evolution and trust scientists on global warming. Call me crazy." Though Huntsman isn’t going to win the Republican nomination, he earned some major points with Independents.

On global warming – We at Might of Right think that the earth is going through some changes – some natural and some manipulated or at least exacerbated by Man. That sentiment is pretty much echoed by Mitt Romney and I suspect most Americans. While we certainly don’t believe in the scare tactics offered by a beaming Al Gore (I told you so), the reality is that a change is taking place. Perry’s response: the scientists have cooked the books and manipulated the data so they can continue their research of the phenomenon. From Perry’s bully pulpit the scientific community around the world created and is perpetuating an economic opportunity for themselves. The ostrich has his head deep in the sand while we desperately need someone responsible and educated to facilitate/devise a strategy to address this alarming trend.

While campaigning in Iowa last week Rick Perry further validated his FIMC pedigree demonstrating his ignorance of economics and worse yet crossing the line of civility with his extremist rhetoric that it would be "almost treasonous" for Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank, Ben Bernanke, to print more money between now and the 2012 election. "I don't know what y'all would do to him in Iowa, but we would treat him pretty ugly down in Texas," Perry said. While Bernanke may be imperfect (like the rest of us), he appears to be doing everything he can within reason to stimulate the economy. Perry’s remarks were perceived by many as a threat, including the White House. Now, just how ugly would it get, Rick? Mr. Benanke, on behalf of all Texans, thank you for your service to our country. Come on down to Texas and we’ll honor you with a BBQ with all the fixins, give you a plaque and some gewgaws to take home with you.

Indeed, Perry has been chastised by many Republicans for his inappropriate remarks and even called, “an idiot” by Bruce Bartlett, a Treasury official under George H.W. Bush and domestic policy adviser to former President and Republican icon Ronald Reagan. It appears that the only folks willing to defend Perry are the commentators at FOX who portrayed Perry as “passionate” about the issue characterizing his approach and demeanor as a, “Texas Swagger.” Lemmings all…

With the latest outbreak of verbal excreta by Perry, Karl Rove and other Republicans offered that Perry’s comments weren’t, “Presidential.” Rove then expressed concerns about all the GOP presidential hopefuls, stating that they needed to think more about their ultimate electability rather than moving further to the right. It sure is right crowded there….

Some including Dr. Mark Chaves, professor of sociology and religion at Duke University insinuate whether that end of the political spectrum anchored by Perry and Bachman is even a wise political stratagem. Chaves notes in his new book, American Religion: Contemporary Trends, “that the Michele Bachmanns and Rick Perrys of the world are playing to a base that's much smaller than it was in the 1970s and 1980s."

The recent very dramatic polarization of religion with politics and the ascension of the Religious Right (Bachmann and Perry) has not been without consequence with some of that seemingly well-choreographed. The disaffection of many young moderates and progressives of the Gen Y /Millennial Generation (spiritual though progressive on most social issues) from religion may well find the politics of the conservative right equally unacceptable.

Co-authors of American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us, Harvard professor Robert D. Putnam and Notre Dame professor David E. Campbell, opined in an October, 2010 article in the LA Times, “Walking Away From Church,” “Increasingly, young people saw religion as intolerant, hypocritical, judgmental and homophobic. If being religious entailed political conservatism, they concluded, religion was not for them.” Putnam and Campbell continued, “The Tea Party's sinking approval rating -- currently at 20 percent, below Republicans, Democrats, atheists and Muslims -- signals a growing discomfort with mingling faith and politics, including the kind of "overt religious language and imagery" recently used by Bachmann and Perry on the campaign trail.”

Some speculate that for some of those Republicans on the far, far right this is a deliberate stratagem to gain control of the political and cultural institutions of our country – what some now refer to as dominionism. While no one knows where Perry stands on this issue, there are those in that camp “firmly rooted in biblical principles” who believe that, “the Bible offers explicit guidance on public policy” and that Christians and only Christians should have purview of them - all in advance of the tribulation and “end of days”. Putnam and Campbell offer that the Tea Party is much more religious than originally thought that, “The Tea Party's generals may say their overriding concern is a smaller government, but not their rank and file, who are more concerned about putting God in government.”

We wonder about these issues more than ever when you have yahoos like the Reverend Pat Robertson (a charter member of FIMC) who have historically merged religion and politics. Robertson continues his hysteria by now declaring that the recent earthquake in the eastern United States is certainly a harbinger of the second coming of Christ (old song, new verse). Of course, we all remember his infamous “pact with the devil” explanation for the earthquake that rocked Haiti and killed 200,000+ people in 2010 and suggesting in 2005 that Hurricane Katrina was fomented by legal abortion. Robertson has suggested that 911 and the Katrina disaster in New Orleans, "could... be connected in some way.” Robertson’s explanation for any natural disaster of magnitude, terrorism and even our recession is the manifestation of God’s displeasure with something we are or are not doing. Wonder what he will say about Hurricane Irene? Remember, this guy wanted to be president and in 1987 won the Republican Ames Straw Poll and ran well in the Iowa Caucus – just like Michele Bachmann who has now slipped in the polls.

We ask how can folks of that ilk be counted on to make sane and rational decisions in times of national emergency, let alone run the day to day operations of the country?

Bill Keller, Executive Editor of The New York Times said it all when he addressed a rigid religious doctrinal approach by any political candidate, “And I care a lot if a candidate is going to be a Trojan horse for a sect that believes it has divine/Biblical instructions on how we should be governed.” “… I do want to know if a candidate places fealty to the Bible, the Book of Mormon (the text, not the Broadway musical) or some other authority higher than the Constitution and laws of this country. It matters to me whether a president respects serious science and verifiable history — in short, belongs to what an official in a previous administration once scornfully described as “the reality-based community.” I do care if religious doctrine becomes an excuse to exclude my fellow citizens from the rights and protections our country promises.”

We don’t know at this time if Perry is just along for the ride, an opportunist pragmatically courting those far right votes. However, while he is riding a wave of popularity now, in this interim he could be destroying any credibility he may have had with the great majority of voters.

Michael Keegan observed in the Huffington Post that Perry is in the process of uniting the really far right and the really, really far right and “If Rick Perry does become the Republican ‘unity candidate,’ that will be further evidence that the GOP has abandoned any credible claim to representing the economic interests or constitutional values embraced by most Americans.” We agree. A Perry nomination would give a legitimate voice to every extremist wacko on the far, far right. Some folks have been overheard speculating that a Perry/Bachmann ticket would finally, for the Republicans become for them a self-fulfilling prophecy – the end of their times.

And Pulitzer Prize winning Opinion Writer Kathleen Parker of the Washington Post with her usual keen insight has absolutely nailed the issue for me with her post just a few minutes ago observing that we seem to be sliding towards a debate that has little to do with a candidate’s policies, rather, “everything to do with whether he or she believes in God” and “signal that we are slip-sliding toward governance by emotion rather than reason.”

Parker continued, “Perry knows he has to make clear that God is his wingman. And this conviction seems not only to be sincere, but also to be relatively noncontroversial in the GOP’s church — and perhaps beyond. He understands that his base cares more that the president is clear on his ranking in the planetary order than whether he can schmooze with European leaders or, heaven forbid, the media. And this is why Perry could easily steal the nomination from Romney.

And also why he probably can’t win a national election, in which large swaths of the electorate would prefer that their president keep his religion close and be respectful of knowledge that has evolved from thousands of years of human struggle against superstition and the kind of literal-mindedness that leads straight to the dark ages.”

And finally, if you believe Rick Perry’s assurances that the State of Texas has the best record in just about everything in our country (health care, education, jobs, etc.), despite the recession, I have some swamp land to sell you. While Texas is certainly business friendly and has created jobs, please look up our overall record, delve deeply and come to your own conclusions.

Me? I’m going to pray on it… and find comfort that despite Perry’s naïve good ole boy approach he probably knows where Martha’s Vineyard is.

Aye,

Ned Buxton

IDENTITY AND MOTHER NATURE

2011-08-20T08:51:00.003-05:00

I recently spent another wonderful summer week in Red Lodge, Montana in the shadow of nearby Grizzly Peak all framed by those magnificent, snow covered Beartooth Mountains. It all went by too fast – so much to see and do, so little time...

Fittingly, a whole Different Kind of Animal - Frontier Airlines - was our means of transport to Montana and then back to Dallas from Billings via Denver. They did their usual superb job.

While we were waiting to board our flight home I couldn’t help but notice all the tourists regaled in every kind of T-Shirt or ball cap that declared their affiliations or their most recent encounters with the geography, flora, fauna or activity of the area. Like the diversity of the wildlife in Yellowstone, the huge number and types of T-Shirts was absolutely amazing. We all want to belong to a special group and likewise hold up and declare to the whole world what we think is important, what we have done and T-Shirts accomplish that goal.

Understanding that this is just an early August weekend snapshot, most of the shirts that numbered in the hundreds showcased Yellowstone National Park and many of its features including Old Faithful, Yellowstone Lake and Falls, or some of its more prodigious animal life including Moose, Elk, Grizzly, Black Bear, Red Fox, Gray Wolf, Bison, Pronghorn Antelope, Deer, Cutthroat Trout and even the threatened Lynx, among others. Even the several states that incorporate Yellowstone National Park including Wyoming, Montana and Idaho were featured in some of the shirts. Shirts heralded various activities within The Park including tent camping (not this kid!), climbing rafting, paddling (canoeing and kayaking), among others.

I even noted one shirt that just said YELLOWSTONE in large faded capital letters with YNP and 1872 (the date Yellowstone was founded) in extra wide bold letters. With that shirt we have ascended to the upper stratosphere of privilege, subtlety and perhaps even snobbery. Over 900,000 people visited Yellowstone this July (third year in a row) probably attributable to our staycation rationale. Good or bad, no doubt in future years Yellowstone will surely surpass 4 million annual visitors, many of whom will buy at least one T-Shirt. I frankly don’t know if Yellowstone can accommodate more visitors without permanently damaging their ecosystem or further habituating their wildlife to humans.

So, the medium of T-Shirts we use to pass on a message or to identify ourselves as part of a special class is here to stay along with other clothing and paraphernalia. Along those lines I couldn’t help noticing the hundreds even thousands of welcome bikers in Red Lodge many with the obligatory and very functional leather jackets, T-Shirts, kerchiefs and do rags with most declaring allegiance to Harley Davidson, pilgrimage to Sturgis or another like message. Not surprisingly members of the American Motorcyclist Association have again voted the Beartooth Highway as their favorite stretch of road in the United States. Their numbers grow and I share that sentiment for that daring and scenic stretch of mountain highway known for its steep switchbacks (fall down, fall off) that ascend up to Beartooth Pass at 10,947 feet. As a side bar the only other road that comes close is Trail Ridge Road in Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP). While known for its spectacular views and higher elevation (climbing to 12,183 feet), it is much tamer.

While these bikers come from myriad communities across North America and no doubt are individualists in their own environments, this year many more looked cloned. They were different but all the same. Also, there seemed to be more screaming eagles and skull jackets and fewer sport bikers. I know this is stereotypical but I saw more angry, rough looking men with long hair (or none at all), beards, mustaches, some piercings and lots of tattoos.

Having said that I suspect there were lots of accountants, lawyers and bankers, etc. in that lot. Many professional folks like to jump out of their seemingly mundane lives and adopt a mean, tough persona that includes a Fu Manchu, goatee, shaved head, scowl and with an old timey Nashville Country look that belies their more genteel nature. I guess we on the Highland Games and Scottish Festival fields all decked out in our kilts and country dress are no different though we are celebrating our Scottish origins and culture – all part of that one day longer declaration. Again, whether its leathers on the Beartooth or the Keith & Austin Kilt at Grandfather Mountain, it’s all part of being part of something bigger than we are by ourselves – and that gives us and our ain folk credibility and integrity.

Now back at home in a scorching, drought stricken Dallas, Texas I continue to ponder these cultural paradigms, of course, while wearing my new 2011 Red Lodge T-Shirt wondering how I would look in a Fu Manchu and a tattoo – a thistle, of course…

Aye,

Ned Buxton

END OF THE LEASH IN THE RAIN

2011-08-13T08:26:00.006-05:00

This morning Saturday, August 13, 2011 at 5:49am I was on the so-called smart end of the leash, standing in the pouring rain with all the accompanying very impressive thunder and lightning whilst a brindle cairn terrier did her business on the front lawn. Now, she didn’t just go into posture - she had to circle around and wander about for what seemed an eternity while she and the smart end of the leash soaked up and reveled in a rain that she and I hadn’t seen in what seemed forever and a day. We returned to the house literally soaked to the bone. We didn’t melt or suffer any untoward malady. We were just shower dripping wet and that was OK. We found joy in those moments and I swear she was smiling…

You see, north Texas hadn’t seen rain in over two months and we are in the middle of a severe, extended drought. We just ended a forty day stretch of 100+ degree days, so far the second hottest summer since they started keeping records. Most nights the temperature here hasn’t dipped below 85 degrees making for a sticky uncomfortable environment and tons of business for the air conditioning companies. The temperature now at 6:15 am is 75° (and falling) - the first time the temperature has dipped below 80° in that same interval.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) via its National Climatic Data Center reports that July 2011 was the hottest July in Texas since the Lone Star State started keeping records back in 1895. The National Weather Service declared that Texas is in its driest ten-month period ever on record with this summer officially usurping 1918 as the second worst drought in Texas history. And if this makes sense, the Texas state climatologist declared this the most severe one-year drought on record in Texas. Only the now infamous drought of 1950-1957 remains the most severe. No wonder Mother moved us all to Rhode Island…

This drought and high temperatures are the primary cause for the massive wildfires that have ravaged much of west and north Texas (over three million acres to date). Texas A&M has conservatively estimated the damage to Texas crops at five billion dollars (US). Our frustration with the weather was seemingly punctuated by tropical storm (TS) Don which gave hope of a National Weather Service forecasted three-plus inches of rain to a parched southeast Texas on July 30. TS Don with its resplendent reds, oranges, yellow on Doppler radar aimed for Corpus Christi on the Texas Gulf coast. Texans rejoiced with hurricane parties in sincere appreciation of Mother Nature’s bounteous offerings.

Now you had to see this to believe it, but when TS Don hit the coast and the entrenched dome of high pressure over Texas, those resplendent Doppler effects within a two and one-half hour period literally fizzled to light greens to – nothing. Texans anticipating a respite from the state's historic drought, while disappointed, could only conjure memories of a good party.

So, the storms that rolled out of Oklahoma during these early morning hours are a Godsend to the drought withered Lone Star State though will only be around for a few more hours before we go back to a regimen of dry 100°+ heat and no rain. But, love it or hate it - that’s Texas…

We wondered why other folks in the neighborhood weren’t dancing in the streets? The current temperature at West Yellowstone is 28° and it’s been snowing at the top of the Beartooths…

Aye,

Ned Buxton

MICHELLE BACHMANN – NOT A JOKE AND PROBABLY DANGEROUS

2011-07-24T08:02:00.009-05:00

As the son of parents who were instrumental in organizing the modern Republican Party (not to be confused with the present version) in Dallas and north Texas, I was raised in a straight party line GOP home and at nine years of age passed out I Like Ike buttons in 1952. I am the proud grandson of a respected, long standing member of the Republican National Committee from Rhode Island and was a card carrying Republican for most of my adult life. My Mother was a dedicated Precinct Chairperson in Dallas, Texas and Providence, Rhode Island and private appointment secretary to two Rhode Island Republican Governors (Chris Del Sesto and John Chaffee). Just to be fair, my great grandfather Nathan Whitman Littlefield (D) was a member of the Rhode Island Senate from the city of Pawtucket (1894-98), a progressive Democratic candidate for Governor of Rhode Island in 1900 and a heavyweight with the Anti-Saloon League (ASL). He was a great writer and despite his ASL activity one of my continuing inspirations.

Much to the chagrin of some Family members, I am truly dismayed with the path the GOP has recently taken - methinks to the far dark side. That feeling has been shared by many former Republicans (we are legion) who now embrace an Independent posture looking for the best candidate wherever they are, regardless of party, sex, color, religion or any other protected status. Come out, come out – wherever you are. I am not now, nor have I ever been a Democrat. I embrace liberal/progressive, moderate and conservative positions, judging issues on their own individual merits. I have voted for Democrats, Independents and Republicans though never for a Libertarian. For what it’s worth, I am considered by most folks as, “moderate.”

We at Might of Right have really tried hard not to further comment on dumber than dumb iconic hockey mom Sarah Palin (Paul Revere warned the British?) and others of her ilk though we did break down and post on The Donald after his continuing and nauseating antics and gaffs regarding President Obama. He predictably slipped and slid away to his real estate and TV Kingdom and hopefully out of politics. We have tried to shine the light of day on other political luminaries including President Obama, Joe Biden, Al Gore, Anthony Weiner and others whatever their party affiliation, gender, persuasion, etc. So much material to work with, so little time – for any journalist they are the gift that keeps on giving…

Then along comes Teabagger and the always camera-ready Michelle Bachmann, who represents Minnesota's 6th congressional district and is a candidate for the Republican nomination in the 2012 U.S. presidential election. Now we don’t care about Bachmann’s gender, political party, religion or sexual persuasion, but she is so far out in left (OK right) field on so many substantive issues and with her rise in popularity (?), she can’t be ignored. No, I don’t think her migraines are an issue… Some of her antics have been so absurd, however, I had to recheck the TV info just to make sure I hadn’t accidentally tuned into a Saturday Night Live (SNL) Tina Fey inspired skit.

When I first started this post I intended to tie together, list and elaborate in nauseating detail on her numerous significant and disturbing miscues, gaffes, skewed (many times wrong) knowledge of history, lies and beliefs. But that’s mostly old news that’s been addressed and continues to be reported to this very hour by respected journalists around the world. What is unnerving is that Bachmann’s aberrant behaviors continue to this very day reflecting that she is not learning and surely hasn’t surrounded herself with capable and qualified staff and mentors who have at least a grasp on reality and history.

We understand why many respect her staunch conservative viewpoints and that this post will surely not dissuade the many Bachmann supporters who share her revisionist, fundamentalist Christian philosophies. What we do hope is that this will cast yet one more beam of the critical light of day on Bachmann and motivate folks sitting on the fence to delve more deeply into her qualifications, or lack thereof. Here are some snippets and bullet points from the aforementioned nauseating details we feel call the question her ability to hold any responsible political office.

 Michelle Bachmann is lock step with the pathetic, delusional though apparently sincere Harold Camping and his several failed end of the world predictions. Likewise, Bachman predicted the imminent end of the world in October, 2006, “the day is at hand”. We wonder like J. Clifford Cook, Senior Writer for the liberal Irregular Times whether Bachmann has the, “… mental capacity to understand the metaphorical structure of her own religion sufficiently to avoid coming to the conclusion that the Earth is about the be destroyed” or sincere in her beliefs wonder why she is running for President in 2012 if she believes that the world is about to end? For many this this appears to be, “…an issue of psychological stability.” Some ponder whether she would be more prone to engage nuclear conflict becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy. We also note that there is a vacancy on the board of the Flat Earth Society.

 Bachmann’s stand on Gay Rights and her satanistic perspectives on homosexuality, throwing her sister and Family under the bus and then her faux pas use of Katy Perry’s pro-gay hit song, “Firework,” as her intro into an ultra-right wing conservative conference demonstrate for many that she has, “a profound misunderstanding of popular culture.” Maybe Perry can pen a new theme song for Bachmann – something like, “From the Bushes.”

We also wonder about the grandstanding Bachmann who introduced redundant, unnecessary legislation into the Minnesota Senate in 2003 by proposing an amendment to Minnesota’s constitution banning gay marriage. OK, but the Minnesota state legislature had already passed a law making same-sex unions illegal. Most politicians (for and against) were non-plussed and were, “floored by the brazen pointlessness of Bachmann's bill.” It didn’t pass.

 Bachmann's revisionist version of her family history Minnesota v. Iowa and her origins (how many generations? – Norway to Wisconsin and Dakota Territory, etc.) is nothing more than political pulp, living for the moment and ingratiating and reinventing herself for her audience.

 We certainly understand and respect differing religious perspectives including those who would interpret the Bible literally. That is their right though when this religious minority tries to discredit science and foist their beliefs upon the rest of civilization, I take offense. For example, Bachmann believes the age of the earth to be around 5,000 years. Never mind the consensus in the scientific community that the earth is around 4.54 billion years old.

Despite what some may say, there is no controversy, no reasonable doubt - the evidence is overwhelming. By the way, I saw an interesting TV documentary the other day featuring the Paleo-Indian civilization of the Pecos River Valley which dates back 12,000 years. I also have a wonderful rendering of the upper Paleolithic cave paintings in the Cave of Chauvet-Pont-d'Arc in the Ardeche region in France which dates from 30,000 to 33,000 years ago. I can go back as far as you want. Hmmm…

 Bachman would have us dumb down our educational system with nonsense and poppycock like Creationism and its carefully crafted anti-intellectual offshoot, Intelligent Design offered under the banner and guise of critical thinking. Think all you want - There is nothing intelligent about it and using words like critical, think or intelligent doesn’t make it any more credible or palatable. I’m on the side of Zack Kopplin, the young man from Baton Rouge, Louisiana who is rallying the cause against ignorance in education. Well done, Zack.

 Bachmann claims to be divinely inspired, that she speaks with God who has directed all aspects of her life. She states that she had no desire to enter politics, “…till God told her to.” So, if Bachmann is hearing only the Christian God, does that mean she won’t hear the opinions and relate to the needs of all our culturally diverse and multi faith population? Bachmann who feels she and those of her ilk have exclusive access to Heaven is clearly trying to impose her Christian viewpoints on everybody else and that alone makes her unfit for office. As a practicing Christian I do wonder what ever happened to the separation of Church and State?

 There was an old woman who lived in a shoe, she had so many children she didn't know what to do…. Now, we know that wasn’t Michelle Bachmann though she often claims that she “raised 23 foster children.” The Minnesota Department of Human Services records reflect that Bachmann was licensed and paid to care for up to three children at a time for a 7 1/2 year period. Kris Harvieux, a former senior social worker in the foster care system in Bachmann’s county reflects that some placements were almost certainly short term and that Bachmann, “…makes it sound like she got them at birth and raised them to adulthood, but that’s not true.

Issue: We also wonder why a bragging and chest-thumping Bachmann is want to treat her generosity and charity as a red badge of courage. We hope that most foster parents take in children because they want to make a difference in that child’s life and not as capital to fuel their political ambitions. Exploitation? One blogger recently noted that, “Being paid to take in a child for a short term, DOES NOT constitute raising them.” For whatever her foster care service was and for whatever duration and assuming Bachmann was sincerely motivated – Our Thanks. But, the self-serving characterization of her foster care activity leads to distortion and yet one more reason to question her motivation and character… Most folks I know that volunteer for worthwhile charitable causes like the American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, among many others, don’t talk about it as they aren’t seeking accolades or compliments. They just do it as part of their service to humanity…

 While claiming to take us back to our roots and the spirits of our forefathers, Bachman has demonstrated a woeful and skewed (many times wrong) knowledge of history. Methinks that any new naturalized citizen of the United States may know more about United States history than Bachmann. Some say these are not legitimate concerns but, we beg to differ. The President of the United States has to be able to put into context – especially from historical perspectives – all the information available in order to made critical, strategic decisions on domestic and international policy.

For example, while stumping in New Hampshire last March Bachmann twice claimed New Hampshire was the birthplace of the American Revolution and, "the state where the shot was heard around the world in Lexington and Concord." Well, WE all know that state/commonwealth is really Massachusetts, not New Hampshire. New Hampshire voters appear to be predictably turning their backs on Bachman.

 Michele Bachmann's gaffe about how the Founding Fathers (in which she included an eight-year-old John Quincy Adams), "worked tirelessly" to end slavery, despite the fact that many were slave owners and wrote the perpetuation of the slave trade into the US Constitution has been revealed to most on our planet. Having said that, some of the Founding Fathers including Jefferson and Washington freed (or tried to) their slaves upon their passing. John Quincy Adams admirably fought the institution of slavery his whole life (Amistad) while Father and second President John Adams it was mostly an issue of compromise. John Adams was opposed to slavery and did not own slaves but he never worked, “tirelessly” for its abolition. Most of the Founding Fathers were more concerned with establishing a union with all the Colonies (including the South) and keeping peace by being mostly mum on the subject. While Bachman’s statement isn’t factual this may be the closest she comes to the elusive light of truth on this subject.

 Then there was Bathroom Gate where Minnesota State Senator Bachmann in 2005 demonstrated an extraordinary lack of control, freaked out and completely lost her cool. Seems that she was participating in a constituent forum in New Scandia Township, MN when during the question and answer session, the subject of gay rights came up. Apparently an uncomfortable Bachmann cut the session short and sought refuge in the Ladies Room. She walked into the rest room with ex-nun Nancy Cosgriff who was asking Bachmann (according to the police report) a question relating to the, “moral issues of same sex marriage.” Bachmann and Cosgriff were joined by Pamela Arnold, another constituent who wanted to politely continue the conversation.

After an interval estimated to be some 20 to 30 seconds Bachmann suddenly started screaming, "Help, "Help! I'm being held against my will!" and ran out of the bathroom. She was followed by the two stunned constituents (they held the door open) who only wanted to talk with Bachmann. Bachmann contacted the local constabulary and accused Cosgriff and Arnold of kidnapping. According to the police report, Bachmann said that she was, "Absolutely terrified and has never been that terrorized before as she had no idea what those two women were going to do to her."

The Washington County, Minnesota attorney after a thorough investigation, however, declined to press charges reflecting that "It seems clear from the statements given by both women that they simply wanted to discuss certain issues further with Ms. Bachmann." If you want to see the police report it can be accessed on the Net. Remember, Ladies and Gentleman, this is a candidate for President who, above all, has to be able to maintain her composure and sometimes operate in the most trying circumstances. Yes, we believe Michelle was sincerely scared – and that’s the rub…

 When Bachmann announced her candidacy she made that now famous faux pas about which John Wayne was from her hometown (no need to comment here).

 Then Representative Bachmann recently signed a “Marriage Vow” offered by The Family Leader a homophobic, conservative right wing group based out of Iowa. Bachmann pledged to defend marriage from homosexuals and at the same time condemn abortion, infidelity and pornography. OK, but confusingly to this writer, the pledge also contained the following opening statement, "Slavery had a disastrous impact on African-American families, yet sadly a child born into slavery in 1860 was more likely to be raised by his mother and father in a two-parent household than was an African-American baby born after the election of the USA's first African-American President." The insinuation is that African-American children are far worse off now under the Obama Presidency than during slavery? What a crock…

The nonsensical association of slavery in 1860 and Black Family values in the 21st century with pledges directed against gay marriage, pornography, abortion and infidelity (notwithstanding the absurd link to Obama) make this whole exercise ludicrous. Bachmann signed though later stated that she did not know or see any of the references to slavery which have since been removed by The Family Value which (sort of) apologized citing that the slavery reference had been misconstrued.

 Further, Bachmann has linked swine flu to Democrats, dismissed and characterized the Pigford decision as fraud and waste of government money, assured us that carbon dioxide is not a harmful gas, that elimination of the minimum wage would eliminate unemployment so employers could offer jobs at, “whatever level” and that a bill to raise the minimum wage would actually lower wages, her either for or against America perspectives on Congress smacks of McCarthyism, Bachmann a pro-lifer used the same slogan as the pro-choice movement in arguing against health care reform, assured the American public that "There are hundreds and hundreds of scientists, many of them holding Nobel Prizes, who believe in intelligent design." and many, many more.

While Bachmann has put together an impressive resume that includes stints in Congress and the Minnesota House, she does not appear to have the character, demeanor, critical reasoning, emotional control, collaborative perspectives, world view, tolerance, etc. required for the most important job in the World today. She is confrontational, obsessive, divisive and tends to bend and procrastinate on and embellish the truth and at an alarming rate that will surely keep the highly regarded and objective PolitiFact.com busy for some time. She scares me…

Republican and former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson says it all for me with his comments on Bachmann’s commitment to The Family Leader Pledge. Johnson decried the pledge and concluded that, "The Republican Party cannot afford to have a Presidential candidate who condones intolerance, bigotry and the denial of liberty to the citizens of this country." Well done, Governor Johnson.

I attended a Fourth of July Concert with several Friends in the Dallas area which featured the Plano Symphony and a couple of choral groups and representatives of all branches of the US Military. They gave out small American flags which we all proudly and patriotically waved as we entered the auditorium. As we were taking our seats a man (no gentleman he) loudly and stridently commented to his sidekick that there surely were no Democrats in this crowd and if they were they would be waving their hammer and sickle flags! He then went on to invoke the spirits of Michelle Bachmann and Rick Perry as saviors of our Country.

Well, I guess the Republicans are reaping what they sowed. It now appears to some that Bachmann may be the most UnChristian among us.

Aye,

Ned Buxton

WEIGHING IN ON OBESE AIRLINE PASSENGERS

2011-07-16T14:53:00.004-05:00

I recently flew on US Air and on one of their outstanding, very reliable though aging 737 400 aircraft that looked to date from Piedmont Airlines days. They accommodate up to 144 passengers and one has to assume passengers of average height and weight. This flight seemed to have more obese passengers than usual (what’s that?) and I saw seat belt extenders handed out like party favors to overweight passengers that were at least severely obese. One obese traveler “sitting” in an aisle seat spilled out onto the aisle way requiring a careful negotiation by other passengers and most certainly by the flight attendants and their drink cart. I was seated immediately behind him and noted that the seat literally expanded outward an inch or two as he squeezed his frame in.

Now I know that those two CFM56 turbofan engines (part of GE’s stable) are capable of handling a substantially greater load (especially as presented by the great abundance and challenge of obese passengers) understanding that safety, comfort, fuel efficiency and other critical factors are closely managed by the airlines. However, there were so many fat folks on this plane (OK, OK I’m moderately overweight too) it seemed to be a tipping point for me wondering what accommodations and safety precautions are made by the airlines for these obese folks.

A Friend who worked for two major airlines (Braniff and Delta) answered this question by indicating that there is a weights and measures person with the airline who with the flight crew monitors the safety factors attributed to weight of the aircraft – literally for every flight. The underlying considerations include the maximum payload and the center of gravity (C.G.) of the aircraft which, as fuel is expended, shifts fore and aft, side to side. Their goal is to distribute passengers, cargo and baggage so that the aircraft doesn’t get tail or nose heavy so as to maintain the stability and maneuverability of the airplane. Bottom Line: You can’t sit all the obese folks in the back or front or either side of the aircraft…

Pursuant to my concerns, average weights for passengers (which increase every year in the US) are used though the weights can be corrected by weighing a selected sample of actual, loaded aircraft. The weight of the aircraft is known with baggage and cargo weighed separately. With weight of the fuel added in and then additional parameters such as takeoff power, rotation speed, best climb speed, needed takeoff distance, safe landing weight, fuel consumption, etc. factored in including the environment the plane will encounter (heat, cold, weather, etc.).

Simple? Not really… and this is our segue to the matter of obesity. By extension this discussion leads us to other significant issues that wash all over me as of this writing to include what is fair and what is not. When we first decided to address this issue, we fully intended to support the airlines right to charge an additional fee for obese people (and for all intents and purposes, still do). It certainly seemed a simple and straightforward issue. Now I know that this issue is far bigger than this post and will be difficult to fairly resolve.

The Association for Airline Passenger Rights (AAPR - not to be confused with the AARP) and other organizations like the Council on Size & Weight Discrimination (“working to end discrimination against people who are heavier than average”) claim that charging extra-large passengers (self-inflicted or not) higher rates or requiring them to purchase another seat is discrimination and just another way for the airline to make even more money. The AAPR has capriciously demanded that the airlines change/enlarge their seats across the board.

We don’t agree with this blanket demand and wonder if any thought was given to safety and the basic rights of other passengers, let alone the health and well-being of the airlines. We think if that request is accommodated it would give new meaning to the term, wide body. While some maintain that airline seats in coach are too small and need to be made larger, methinks that just adds fuel to the fire of the rising rate of obesity in our country. There would be few incentives to curb or even slow down our expanding waistlines and that’s the direction we need to be headed. Instead we would literally have to redesign all commercial aircraft and install larger, more powerful engines. Ahhh, fuel economy where art thou?

Let’s put this issue in perspective. Obesity in the United States is literally now at epidemic proportions and we appear to be getting worse, not better. Forbes.com cites a 2011 World Health Organization (WHO) report that identifies the world’s fattest nations that has the United States weighing in at No. 9, with 74.1% of those over 15 years old considered overweight. However, since most of Oceania which includes the very, very small south Pacific Island nations of Nauru, Micronesia, Tonga, American Samoa, Niue and Palau which constitute the top six – our ranking becomes more impressive. In many South Pacific nations being overweight has been a cultural paradigm where being fat was a sign of wealth, power and beauty. Forbes, however, aptly points out that obesity in these cultures now is, “not about being rich and well fed. Obesity is most often related to poverty, low economic status and exclusion from the health system.” Most of us in America don’t have the same excuse and year after year we remain ranked at or near the top of obese nations.

We at Might of Right are totally supportive of passenger rights to include correction of some of the recent abuses including keeping passengers in plane on the tarmac for hours and hours in stifling and uncomfortable environments. Complaints about no food on flights (their right?) or that the airlines should accommodate obese folks above and beyond the reality of safety may now be nothing more than flights of fancy where eager, agenda driven opportunists would have the tail wag the dog. Again, the issue seemed that straightforward…

All this may change in the courts as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as administered by the US Department of Justice and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) appear ultimately predisposed to label and legally classify obesity (whatever the cause) as a disability, opening Pandora’s Box forever and a day. Note that our northern neighbor Canada already considers being morbidly obese a disability entitling large passengers to an additional seat at no extra charge.

This issue may be ultimately determined via the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) which Congress passed in 1986. The statute prohibits discrimination in airline service on the basis of disability. Obesity advocates have maintained that Very Fat Folks are disabled (whatever the cause) and therefore entitled to the protections and accommodations defined by the ACAA. Of course, without a disability rating this dog won’t hunt. These obesity advocates appear to many as more concerned with the private right of Very Fat Folks to sue for monetary damages for alleged acts of discrimination (Ca-Ching!). I have even seen one fat advocacy thread where Very Fat Folks are advised to ask for an aisle seat and request that the adjacent seat be kept empty and if not accommodated communicate that they are not happy and surely any adjacent passenger is not going to be comfortable. Bottom Line: If Obesity is ultimately legally determined to be a disability, then all the rules may change.

All that may be to no avail as the airlines are responsible for the SAFETY of all flights and that includes passengers, flight crew, cargo and equipment. In the interests of safety airlines can currently exclude any passenger or cargo that compromises safety, period. The ADA and the ACAA are all fine and good, but they don’t trump the duty, responsibility and right of the airline to provide a safe flight. As witnessed in Canada, a court of law might someday mandate accommodations for obese passengers but in the near future the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) isn't going to tell an airline to do something they think compromises safety. Balancing an aircraft or limiting or delaying egress from an aircraft are two pretty big safety issues.

What complicates and continues to fuel this issue is that obesity is not a disease by itself, rather a symptom of an underlying condition that could be a legitimate medical / psychological disorder that predisposes some to even morbid obesity. However, not every obese person necessarily has an underlying disease and while most in the medical community concur, that’s the conundrum. I have great sympathy for and support those with a medically induced obesity.

Many believe and statistics appear to bear out that the great majority of fat folks engage what has been termed, “willful misconduct” eating more calories than they burn with the conclusion this is a voluntary condition, blaming it on weak character, poor lifestyle choices, gluttony and even sin (yikes!). Bottom Line: Most obesity is the result of voluntary free will, not a medical illness.

Most physicians including the American Medical Association (AMA) do not consider obesity a disability and are, “committed to obesity prevention through promoting healthier lifestyles.” While part of their motivation may be political/legal spin to limit potential legal liability, this stand resonates throughout much of the medical and business community.

We need to be compassionate and sensitive for those with legitimate medical / psychological disorders that prompt obesity. We don’t know anybody that really wants to be obese in a society that seemingly rewards skinny and that wondrous and elusive six pack. We know that obese folks (whatever the cause of their condition) have a diminished capacity and don’t live as long being subject to the likelihood of fat-related diseases including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, apnea and certain types of cancer and osteoarthritis, among others. They generally have limited mobility and cannot perform tasks that require a full range of motion. So, how do we accommodate these folks above and beyond extra seating and continue to maintain the safety and stability of the aircraft?

Our current recession has reinforced the realization that it always has and will come down to dollars and cents. Most of the airlines continue to lose money even with their attempts to generate further revenues by charging for luggage, snacks, meals and many of their other add-on fees that used to be incorporated into a basic ticket price. Accommodating obese passengers even at the current level has already cost the airlines hundreds of millions of dollars annually. The airlines are now literally in survival mode.

All airlines promise to properly accommodate disabled and special needs passengers under the ACAA and it would appear in the case of the severely obese, that’s by providing the opportunity to purchase seating that will accommodate their wide girths and then allowing them to board the aircraft. The bottom line (uh, huh) is if an airline passenger can’t fit into their seat [armrest(s) down], significantly encroaches on adjacent seat space or needs more than one seatbelt extender that’s a hint that the passenger will require more than one seat and, if no other space is available, needs to pay for it. If extra seats are available we don’t know of any airline that wouldn’t try and accommodate a severely obese passenger. However, if that obese passenger is a potential threat to the safety, health and well-being of any other passenger, they should not be allowed to board the aircraft.

What gets my goat is our politically correct world where the demands for “individual rights”, however nonsensical, are at the forefront. Many of this genre seem especially empowered demanding their rights here and there - many times at the expense of our neighbors and the good of the many. When possible, we need to belly up and accept the responsibilities for our behaviors and use this issue as yet another warning that we are nearing or at the outer limits of our capacity to accommodate this issue. In this case we can’t continue to upsize seats, construct larger aircraft, bigger autos, wider highways, mandate bigger houses – well, you get the idea.

What we might be able to do is determine the average number of obese passengers who travel via the airlines and dedicate several larger seats throughout Coach/Economy class for the severely/morbidly obese and others with special needs. If no obese passengers purchase these seats they can be sold to other passengers, even for a premium like first or business class. This would be like having so many accessible parking spaces at retail or business venues consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

I can confess that I had to sit next to an extremely obese fellow years ago and his fat spilled into my seating area and literally on me. I was uncomfortable the entire flight. He didn’t care and never said a word.

As a consumer I have choices too and faced with side by side sitting options that may include a severely obese traveler, an over-ripe, aromatic fellow passenger or even an incessantly crying baby with a full diaper I would as one seasoned air traveler and blogger recently opined, “Take the sweet-smelling “passenger of size” – and hopefully for both of us, it won’t be a long flight.”

If you care about this issue, please communicate with your Congressman/woman though this will all be ultimately decided by lawyers and judges. Maybe some benevolent entrepreneur will start an airline just for fat folks…. And those passengers in the airplane at the start of this post – they’re smiling and happy because – well, you know why…

Aye,

Ned Buxton

INSECT BITE AND INFECTION – PART DEUX

2011-07-02T12:24:00.002-05:00

Never have much liked crawly things like bugs and frankly, all insects, perhaps with the exception of the docile, beneficial and colorful lady bug (excuse me – ladybirds) which is actually a beetle. Folks who have had fall infestations of lady bugs in or on their homes (literally by the thousands) probably don’t share my admiration. Having said that I do understand the natural order of things and that without insects and other like critters we (Homo sapiens) probably wouldn’t be here…

Then there are spiders that are not insects, rather members of the class Arachnida. I have a personal and up close relationship with these critters. Last year (2010) my Montana spider bite and subsequent staph infection required almost three months of treatment and as my Mother would have surely and rightfully observed, was a “ghastly” experience. It was far from my mind this new year though a continuing, healthy reminder that none of us are immune from the slings and arrows of Mother Nature. One of my brothers was bitten by a Brown Recluse spider while attending Baylor University many years ago. That bite became staph infected and even with aggressive, state of the art treatment he now sports a deep scar that reminds me of the Grand Canyon… Like some now fulfilled rite of passage I thought my 2010 experience was behind me. I was wrong…

Now this isn’t going to be a whiney pity-party post, rather an alert for all you folks who think this can’t happen to you. Please take heed and use my experiences for your benefit. I am in good health and have no underlying health issues so no compromised immune system. Like the doctors have said, just pure bad luck and being at the wrong place at the wrong time? Yes, they really said that…

Three weeks ago I had been working in the yard, strained my lower back and went to my doctor for a quick consult. While I was there I had him look at an insect bite I had received the evening before on my right knee. He verified that it was, indeed, an insect bite, advised me to keep it clean (I had) and let him know my status the next day. Mind you, I was leaving for a wedding in Colorado Springs in a week and didn’t want a repeat of my 2010 spider bite episode. I was cautiously optimistic since after the wedding we were headed on to Montana for a relaxing week in the Beartooths.

By the next day (Saturday) my knee was raging and the doctor prescribed a multi-purpose antibiotic which I started that weekend though by Monday my right knee was even worse. I saw my dermatologist on Tuesday who confirmed that the wound had become infected, verified that it was that run of the mill staph [Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus)] and went to work with his trusty scalpel. That was fun, not… Mind you, there was concern that the infection might spread to the knee joint so the doctor prescribed a much more powerful antibiotic and anti-inflammatory that I continue to take as of this posting.

By Thursday (we were leaving the next day) I thought it wise for the doctor to see my knee once again as it appeared to be worsening. I was unable to make an appointment though he prescribed yet another antibiotic and on Friday we started for Colorado Springs.

I won’t go into much detail but the knee closely resembled the Pacific Ring of Fire (Popocatépetl), an apt metaphor appreciated by one MD, PhD. It wasn’t pretty though the pain was tolerable. I was hopeful that when the antibiotics finally kicked in the mend would start. After all, this was probably just a mosquito bite and did not manifest the ever expanding necrotic tissue of my spider bite. Everything was going to be OK….

By Saturday there was no improvement though an alarming indication presented that the infection may now be spreading up the leg (not venous). We went to the wedding where two young people were beautifully married and became as one. The Father of the Bride along with another wedding guest are eminent physicians though they certainly had other personal Family business on their minds. I wasn’t going to belabor them with my problems.

The wedding reception was held at The Broadmoor, the five star/five diamond, iconic and constantly updated resort hotel property that may be the epitome of the greatest hotel and hospitality available in our country today. The Broadmoor resort was formerly the site of the Broadmoor World Arena, a historic ice arena where many of our figure skating Olympians (and hopefuls) trained. I vividly remember as a young man watching on TV the World Figure Skating Championships held five times between 1957 and 1975 at The Broadmoor. So, this place has special meaning for me on both the sporting and hospitality levels. Little did I know that I would be attributing yet another significant experience to The Broadmoor.

I parked the car, hobbled into The Broadmoor and while seeking out my understanding and sympathetic Partner spied our hosts in the person of the Father of The Bride and his distinguished medical associate. The good doctor greeted me then immediately looked in the direction of my right knee. Someone had been talking.

He immediately posted hotel staff to secure the entrance to the men’s room where he and the other good doctor waited until the bathroom emptied (there was a long waiting line) and then thoroughly examined my knee with what seemed great consternation. He notified me that I would not be going to Montana, rather heading back to Dallas. He recommended that I see a top notch infectious disease (ID) doctor preferably at UT Southwestern.

With the very able and critical assistance and direction of another outstanding MD now at UT Southwestern I was able to see a specialist who confirmed the observations and diagnosis of the Colorado Docs, stating that he would have hospitalized me had he seen me then. My very supportive and empathetic partner verified that the Colorado Docs were also going to admit me in the Penrose St. Francis Hospital in Colorado Springs though the assurance of my hasty retreat back to Dallas cooled their ardor. All sorts of activity was going on around me and I didn’t have a clue. Some things don’t change…

The doctor at UT Southwestern’s Aston Clinic upped my medication and kept the regimen of my dermatologist in place. He forbade me to return to work so I lost a whole week of vacation time which we have, thankfully been able to reschedule for the first week in August. I was home-bound and with my leg elevated, slept much of that time. Were it not for the sympathetic ministrations of one Cairn terrier named Willa (she was constantly at my side), I would have surely reached the utmost depths of boredom.

I earnestly thank all of the doctors for their great service including the Father of The Bride in Colorado Springs and especially my partner who always seems to know best. She is very wise….
The raging wound is subsiding though it would appear that this battle will continue for another couple of months. My message is clear for all you folks that think you are above the same experience. Well, we all know that Ned is getting long in the tooth and probably starting that long slide to senility. While that may be true, staph is everywhere, literally on your skin and by extension throughout your home and business place. With the evolution of the more resistant forms of staph (MRSA), frankly, we can’t use enough caution. Just ask any hospital where there has been an alarming uptick in the incidence of staph. This bacterium is incredibly opportunistic and that small, innocuous insect bite or seemingly minor scrape or cut can be a wide boulevard beckoning staph to come, pay a visit and stay a while.

Always pay special attention to objects and areas that are handled or frequented often to include doorknobs, light switches, tables, chairs, desk surfaces, counters, banisters, railings, etc. Pay special attention to shopping carts in grocery stores and exercise equipment in health clubs. Most retail outlets and clubs/spas (and even churches) now offer sanitary, anti-bacterial wipes. Use them often. When you go into a public bathroom and are required to sit on the toilet, always use sanitary covers if provided.

Wash your hands often and vigorously especially after touching your mouth and nose. Pretend you are a doctor preparing for surgery every time you wash with soap and water just to make sure you’ve really cleaned them. Use hand sanitizers when soap and water aren't available.

Don't share towels and washcloths with other folks. Wash your clothing and towels in hot water and bleach. We went to Costco and bought a pack of white hotel towels and washcloths which are for my exclusive use.

If you are member of a Christian Church and denomination that celebrates the Eucharist/Holy Communion, beware of the communion chalice which could contain more than wine or grape juice. Experts tell us that while there is no real evidence that drinking from a communal cup will prompt additional exposure to disease, they admit to the potential. We have all seen folks with a cold or flu taking communion. We have not drunk from the communion cup for years and practice intincture where the bread or host is dipped into the chalice and then consumed. In the Episcopal Church the priest dips the bread in the wine and places it on the tongue of the communicant. Likewise, after we “pass the peace” we wash our hands as soon as reasonably possible.

Again, we can’t be careful enough. Trousers and long sleeved shirts and a ready supply of duct tape will help… Be clean, stay well and live long.

Aye,

Ned Buxton

2011 HAIL IN NORTH TEXAS

2011-06-26T07:02:00.005-05:00

In April and May of 2011 severe thunderstorms including several as late as May 24th and 25th, raked across north Texas – some producing hail the size of baseballs. Yikes!

These missiles went through car windows and store facades/windows with ease and severely damaged many homes. Many residents only became aware of the damage to roofs of their homes in and around Fort Worth to far north Dallas until they started to discover pieces of shingles in their gardens, substantial amounts of shingle granules in their gutters or subsequent storms that revealed now leaky and compromised roofs. We had large hail at our home and, yes, we found pieces of shingles in the garden…

Fifty American Airlines (AA) aircraft at Dallas-Fort Worth airport (DFW) — nearly one of every 12 airplanes in their fleet — were out of service for several days after the May 25th storm while repairs were made to those aircraft. Overall (though preliminary) damage estimates are in the 200-300 million dollar (US) range though that number still increases every day. The loss in revenues at AA includes the cancellation of over 700 outbound and inbound DFW flights. There was more damage at Love Field in Dallas, home to Southwest Airlines who reported eight hail damaged planes and scores of cancelled outbound and inbound flights.

Airline passengers at DFW and Love Field were hastily evacuated from their aircraft and provided shelter in the terminals. That reminded me of an incident several years ago when a tornado came over the house and I found myself in an interior hallway with two mattresses over me holding Ms. Sophie Baggins (female Maine Coon Cat) who seemed OK, even placid, despite the screaming sirens and the roar of the nearby twister which luckily never touched down.

The storm that hit DFW and Love Field ravaged our neighborhood with the sound and fury of winds to 70 mph, nearby tornadoes, hail up to half dollar size and the constant thundering symphony of the hail especially as it hit the west facing roof surfaces and wooden fencing. The next morning revealed fencing that had heretofore weathered to a nice gray patina now pockmarked with thousands of dents to a white color that made the fence seem nature’s tribute to eccentric abstract painter Jackson Pollock. I kinda like it…

The hail damage to automobiles (see photo above?) even to those still on north Texas car lots was substantial and even now one can take advantage of now famous, “Hail Sales” though the old adage, Buyer Beware seems ever more applicable. Nobody wonders around here why so many dealers keep their inventory under cover.

We here in Texas have been in a moderate to exceptional drought this year and though we have seen some rain of late, it comes heavy and hard. So we go from drought and terrible wildfires (3 million+ acres to date) to excessively wet to this hail and discover once again that our hardy band of Texas Farmers continue to show great character under duress. Appears to be part of their DNA. Texas A&M reports that while the wind and hail did damage to Texas wheat and oat crops, thankfully, it was not significant.

Some residents had recently criticized the north Texas weather warning system for engaging the sirens for hail as well as our primary weather threat - tornadoes. This latest series of storms with their deadly potential has for the time being silenced their protestations. I, for one, want to be warned so that I can find cover and protection for my partner, Family, Friends, our possessions and, yes, me… Imagine what I might look like after being pummeled by baseball sized hail raining down at 100+ mph? Not pretty… but some would say an improvement…

Our northern neighbors in all of the Great Plains including Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa and the Dakotas also know and understand well the phenomenon of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes and their dangers all too well.

For What It’s Worth: For my Friends and Family in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, yes, your twisters are a rare occurrence but not unheard of. The Commonwealth reminds us of the irony that until the recent devastating tornado in Joplin, Missouri, the nation's deadliest single tornado was the Worcester Tornado which swept through Central Massachusetts on June 9, 1953. The Worcester Tornado was on the ground for 1 hour and 24 minutes, traversing 46 miles and at its most powerful measured a mile wide at its base, a classic F4 event on the old Fujita scale though some still maintain it would be rated an F5 under the Enhanced Fujita Damage Classification Scale given its 260+ estimated mph winds. A great deal of debate in meteorological circles still exists about the rating of this storm with many rating it an F4-F5. Indeed, its power and volume appears to have fluctuated between these ranges. Ninety-four people were killed and over 1,200 were seriously injured with 640 homes destroyed and another 3,700 severely damaged. Bottom line: None of us in the US are immune.

Back to Texas… So, while this weather report and post may seem to be old news, its consequences are now being realized. Now comes the out of region roofing contractors, some just cruising through the state, aye, fly-by-night roofing companies papering neighborhoods with pamphlets, flyers and business cards hopefully destined for the trash can. That plague of locusts probably hasn’t been as bad this year given the horrendous damage and loss of life in Joplin, Missouri and Tuscaloosa, Alabama that sucked most of the out-of-towners to more profitable venues. For those hard-hit communities it’s going to take a decade or more to repair and heal. They need Friends and advocates, not profit mongers. Thank God for the American Red Cross…

The Insurance Council of Texas estimated that this latest hail storm affected 350,000+ homes in North Texas, mostly smashing shingles and stripping them of granules — damage that can't be detected from the ground.

Our street and really the entire neighborhood in the last several weeks sprouted innumerable yard signs heralding and advertising the repair or replacement work of myriad roofing companies – a phenomenon that according to experts will last at least another two years - just from that one late May storm. A once quiet neighborhood is now characterized by the cacophonous pounding of hammers. When I was with ELK I noted estimates that some 60% of their overall business was replacement/repair as opposed to new home starts. With that latter figure now way down there is no doubt that the replacement percentage is much higher.

Given our dynamic, historical and most recent experiences we offer several recommendations if you have experienced roof damage. First, don’t do business with an out of town firm – use local companies – there are a lot of great ones here in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is a great place to consult if you are looking for a starting point.

Secondly, consider using one of a variety of contractors/consultants to evaluate the condition of your roof – one that doesn’t have a vested interested in selling you a roof. Like a buyer appraising a product they may want to buy – you stand the potential of not getting a fair price or in this case, an accurate evaluation of your roof’s condition. A neighbor confided in me that one company told him that his whole roof needed to be replaced when, in fact, it only required the replacement of a few shingles. Another nearby house had a brand new roof installed. Their “old” roof was maybe five years old and in good condition. Our damage was $600+ to mostly repair shingles on the westward facing ridge lines.

Third, don’t use a company that is going to sub out their work. You are paying for the expertise of that firm, not just folks with a pick-up truck and a willingness to brave 140+ degree roof temps. Putting on a roof is an engineering art, not a menial chore. I was talking with a crew member installing a new roof in the neighborhood and he didn’t know the name of the roofing manufacturer or the difference between a three-tab or architectural shingle. Yikes!

If you determine that roof replacement is your only reasonable, legitimate option, consider purchasing wind and impact resistant shingles (Class 4) that also have a fungus/mildew/algae resistance capability such as those manufactured by GAF-ELK. The high profile, laminated fiberglass ELK “architectural” products are especially hardy though note there never really is any total guarantee against weather related damage. Mother Nature can be ferocious… You may pay from 10% to 50% more for these high performing shingles but the long term investment in these products is well worth it. We have an ELK roof.

Lastly, impressed or not with your first roofing contractor, always get three estimates and at all times in writing, signed and specifying what they will perform and the guarantee/warranty on their work. We note that you may not always choose the lowest bid, rather the one bid and contractor for which you have the greatest confidence.

So now as over thirteen major wildfires burn throughout the state of Texas, the prospects of thunderstorms, rain, tornadoes and that pesky hail now appear remote. With the influence of a “Little Girl” aka the “La Nina” phenomenon of warmer than usual Pacific Ocean temperatures which redirects the jet stream causing severe drought in Texas, some almost wish for the return to our violent weather – but, then again, maybe not.

Aye,

Ned Buxton

MAVERICKS ARE THE PEOPLE’S CHAMPION

2011-06-14T18:34:00.005-05:00

While the Dallas Cowboys, Stars and Texas Rangers have dropped the ball (or puck) lately, the Dallas Mavericks have earned our total respect by giving Dallas and north Texas (and the State of Ohio) another reason to be proud – yet one more championship. The way that they did it, however, was the real story. If you saw all the championship series games then you understand once and forever the value of sportsmanship and TEAM vs. the arrogance and loneliness of “I” – Miami Heat style. Congratulations and well done to all the globally-inspired Dallas Mavericks, 2010-11 NBA Champions who despite all odds proved once again that good guys can win.

The only way the Mavs could beat the Heat was with an old fashioned, team approach to the game. With grit, character, dignity and a selfless loyalty to each other they always seemed to be able to rise above the level of play of their opponents sometimes to the consternation of their fans. The Mavericks give, “You Gotta Believe” a whole new meaning. You always knew that they would bounce back – and they did witness overcoming a fifteen point deficit to win game two against The Heat.

The Mavericks were able to defuse the potential of Miami’s Big Three (LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh) and proved once again that talk is cheap especially when arrogance and immaturity seem to be a big part of their game. No doubt they are incredible athletes, perhaps the best individual players in the game, but their lack of humility and humanity gives away their absence of character.

For example, there was their premature, infamous celebration when in game two and that fifteen point lead, James and Wade danced and cavorted (Wade made the shape of a V with his arms) all in front of the Dallas bench. Dallas righteously motivated stormed back with a 22-5 run and won the game, 95–93. Pathetically, right before Game five of the NBA Finals cameras caught James and Wade making fun of Dirk Nowitzki’s illness during Game four. Dirk had played brilliantly while battling a sinus infection that caused a soaring 102-degree fever during Dallas' Game four win. James and Wade spun the incident like it was all deliberate, just a jab at the press who they knew would, “blow it up.” Right… If you believe that I have some swamp land for sale…

The Mavericks played with that fire in the belly and the Heat despite all their press looked fatigued and lackluster – almost passive. They had no explanation except to finally concede that the Mavericks were a better team with an underrated defense. Wade in an unusual fit of maturity commented, "It's like a puzzle and their pieces came together a little bit better than ours." Heat coach Erik Spoelstra commented, "Maybe it's as simple as it being a rite of passage before we have to move on and take the next step." That may be so, but it sure appears all up in the air for The Heat whether they will be able to jell into a mature Team with all the hype of, “The Big Three” who apparently believe all their press clippings. The Miami Heat anthem embarrassingly proclaims, "We Already Won" though they know now - paraphrasing the old Merrill Lynch slogan: "You win games the old-fashioned way. You earn them."

King LeBron James still avoiding a mature, productive contemplation of his lackluster performance and the Heat’s loss has now invoked the Lord Almighty in a tweet following their game six loss, “The Greater Man upstairs know when it’s my time. Right now isn’t the time.” As if God cares who wins the NBA Championship… Yes, it’s deflection of the first order… Go look in the mirror… Having said that - if The Heat ever do jell as a Team, only God can help the rest of the NBA… It’s all up to General Manager Pat Riley to make that happen.

In stark contrast to previous Heat histrionics television cameras followed Dirk Nowitzki who seemingly overwhelmed pulled his jersey over his face and ran off the court following the Mavs victory. No “Vs”, dances or mock punches for Dirk, just the sudden realization and emotion of that final victory and the accomplishment of his goal. This man is a true role model.

Mavericks’ owner Mark Cuban in a show of True Blue Grit and class asked an aging Don Carter - the man responsible for bringing the NBA franchise to Dallas in 1980 - to accept the Larry O'Brien NBA Championship Trophy. Carter still in his trademark cowboy hat later commented, “It is truthfully a championship for all the people who have ever cared about basketball…” Well done, Sir…

While the Miami Heat ponder what to do with their huge “oops” inventory of t-shirts and hats proclaiming their 2010-11 NBA championship all we need do is invoke a line from their anthem, “No need to play no more games.” As Jacquielynn Floyd of the Dallas Morning News wrote today, “Time for the parade.”

Aye,

Ned Buxton

ANTHONY WEINER AND WEINERGATE

2011-06-12T09:29:00.006-05:00

We’ve been following the transgressions, then the lying and ultimate sometimes emotional confession of New York Representative Anthony Weiner (D) who now occupies that not so lofty plateau that puts him at the height of arrogance and stupidity all at the same time. What in God’s name was he thinking? I’ve followed a lot of Weiner Threads to include some of the most recent constituent popularity polls and the question posed to New York Voters – Should Weiner resign? More later…

I wondered how Weiner Friend and political satirist extraordinaire Jon Stewart, host of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart on Comedy Central would handle this. Well, Jon dug in, addressed the issue at the expense of his Friendship, entertaining us all in the process. Jon Stewart’s coverage of “Wangover” was creative by being excruciatingly honest with one especially poignant moment being the revelation that Weiner had apologized to Bill Clinton for his actions? Apologies for what - with Stewart offering that it had to be for, “copyright infringement.” Already a big fan, I now have an increased respect for Stewart…

Last Friday I ran across Jacquielynn Floyd’s column in the Dallas Morning News and was gobsmacked by her continuing extraordinary ability to reduce any issue to its basic components and then cut to the chase. Her most recent comments on Weiner say it all for me. If you aren’t from around here and don’t get the Dallas Morning News you can do no better than follow her columns at http://www.dallasnews.com/news/columnists/jacquielynn-floyd. Floyd comes by her award winning reputation honestly having managed an obit desk and, of course, her work with the now defunct but oft remembered Dallas Times Herald – my Father’s employer for thirty years. Her post Sexting won’t make you sexy – or even hip follows.

“Goggle-eyed as we are over the titillating indiscretions committed by New York Rep. Anthony Weiner, I’m not sure we’re asking the right question.

The talks and the blogs and even we in the stuffy old mainstream media are frantic with speculation: Should he resign? Did he tweet from the office? Will the wife dump him?

They’re missing the larger point, which is: What compels a grown-up, mentally competent man to behave like he’s living in a Porky’s movie? Why does an adult person of power and influence not only commit tasteless misdeeds, but commit them in a manner so palpably, humiliatingly juvenile?

Here’s some important breaking news: Grainy photographs of your own crotch, in its gray-washed underpants, with homey photos of the wife and the pets visible in the background are not sexy.

They do not make women — not twenty-something college students a generation younger than you, not battle worn blackjack dealers who have heard every pickup line in the galaxy, not lonesome hard-luck gals stuck in some distant Texas scrub town — swoon and pant breathlessly that they need to loosen their bodices.

Crude propositions from Internet strangers do not represent the apex of their romantic aspirations. That’s one reason they’ll betray your ostensibly private communications for a paycheck or a few minutes on TV.

Here’s another valuable tip: Despite our bulletproof faith that Internet-based social media are hard-currency proof of edgy hipness and cultural sophistication, Twitter and Facebook are not inherently cooler than nickel postcards and rotary phones. When you reduce the most complex of human ideas and emotions to the guttural text argot of “U R hot,” you sound like an imbecile, regardless of the medium. LOL, fool.

From a purely technical standpoint, it’s a by-the-book sexual-infidelity-by-a-politician scandal. There’s the Lie and Bluster phase, the haughty effort to Rise Above It, the Tearful Public Apology, the angry debate over whether They’re Piling On Because He’s A Republican/Democrat, the Lucrative Rehabilitation as a Cable News Commentator. Later, when the story finally starts to lose its legs, we’ll all draft another round of windy rhetorical think pieces about Powerful People Who Risk It All.

Rep. Weiner’s surname adds effortless fuel to the fire, even for those stodgy outlets that don’t purposely take cheap shots (from the CBS News website: “Video: Weiner probed by House members”).

But what really sets this guy apart from the routine sex-scandal pack is the creepy childishness of it all. The Twitterfied effort to sound racy and flirtatious — the clinical discussion of specific sex acts, the narcissistic fascination with his own man tool — comes across as repulsive and kind of sad in a person of his age and prominence. For all their salacious interest and inexhaustible Weiner puns, the New York and Washington-centric media types fueling this barn fire keep treating him like he’s still a youthful, Clinton-era wunderkind, instead of a seven-term congressman in his middle 40s.

I don’t care whether the guy resigns or not. That’s up to his constituents, or perhaps his conspicuously unsupportive colleagues in the House.

But here’s a final scrap of unsolicited advice: “Sexting” is for dimwitted, attention-starved teenagers. Grow up.”

Well done, Jacquielynn Floyd.

So, what’s the fallout and what kind of support is Weiner getting from his constituents in the 9th Congressional district? On June 9, the very credible NY1 (Time Warner Cable's 24-hour news channel in New York City) and The Marist Institute for Public Opinion (MIPO) reflected that 56% of registered voters in Weiner's Congressional District wanted him to stay in Congress while 33% thought he should resign. While this is a slim margin, major races have been won with lesser majorities. Weiner may be safe for now, but at what cost? He is now apparently on a voluntary leave of absence and has been removed from all House Committees. Up to this point he has been a very vocal critic of the Republican Party and their agenda. So, now, how can anybody take him seriously as a respected voice for the loyal opposition?

It would appear that the folks in the 9th Congressional District are getting exactly what they are paying for. Comments of supportive constituents like, “As long as he is doing his job” indicate to us that respect, honesty and integrity apparently are not part of that job description in the 9th Congressional district. Whether Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Green or any other party – these behaviors should not be tolerated. Should a House Ethics Committee inquiry be far behind?

More fallout: CBS News has reported a 30% drop in Tweets from Congressional Democrats (18% from Republicans) immediately following the Weiner debacle. Best we just keep some thoughts and questions to ourselves and think twice before we hit that send button.

Aye,

Ned Buxton

PS: The great wiener cartoon in this post was used with permission of Jerry Fuchs of Fooksie.com. Jerry is a very talented Georgia-based artist who creates cartoons, illustrations, and animations for local, national, and international clients. He would also appear to have a great sense of humor…. We encourage your collaboration with Jerry. Aye, NB

MAY 24TH – ONE DAY MORE – NEW STYLE

2011-06-06T06:05:00.003-05:00

May 24th has again come and passed and I once again celebrated my natal day or the anniversary of the day of my birth. Many of my non-Canadian Friends and acquaintances have heard me use the term natal day and they, perplexed, warrant an explanation which presents once again the opportunity for good conversation. In a world that seems hell bent on rushing to abbreviate and synopsize our language sometimes to its detriment a la our social networking abbreviations and acronyms (LOL, AFAIK, FWIW, IMHO, OMG, TMI, et al) maybe we can look back and resurrect some oldies that still relate to our world. I’ve felt for a long time that natal day should be one of those terms revived for no other reason than its different and rarely used. In a previous post on May 29, 2009 NATAL DAY - WE ALL HAVE ONE we discussed its significance so no need to dwell on that here.

So what do these yearly anniversaries have to do with us now, especially as we traverse our sixties and beyond? Well, waking up each morning (not being “defunct”), motivated by the dog or not, is a cause for celebration. As Les Mis so proudly celebrates – One day more. Harold Camping could probably spin his numerology voodoo and come up with something he feels important but, probably not to the rest of us.

These cumulative rites of passages from infancy to our ultimate passing allow us to mark and express our appreciation (giving back) for successfully making that journey or at least surviving it… In this day and age that is, indeed, a great accomplishment. This is an annual milestone and opportunity to contemplate the past noting that we have paid our dues for yet another year, gauge our status and rededicate ourselves to the attainment of our near and long term goals. The passage of decades (30, 40, 50, etc.) and certain of our natal days carry special cultural and legal significance, witness the 16th and that magical 21st birthday when you become independent and “official”.

And those celebrations certainly stimulate the economy witness the greeting card industry alone that counts gross sales in excess of 7.5 Billion (US). So, we are doing our patriotic duty and continuing to stimulate our economy to an ultimate recovery by celebrating (or acknowledging in some fashion) our natal days.

But, what about our calendar and the significance of that date and how it was calibrated? Everything is relative and based on where we are in time and assuming a start date. We can thank Roman Emperor Julius Caesar who had the right idea and in 45 BCE ordered the reformation of the existing Roman calendar year to one (the Julian calendar) that consisted of twelve months based on a solar year moving the beginning from March 1 to January 1. The Julian calendar survived for over a fifteen hundred years (formally until February 24, 1582) but for a variety of reasons (mostly Christians trying to get Easter to remain constant with the Spring Equinox) was ultimately superseded by the Gregorian Calendar that solved that conundrum but took most of the kicking and screaming new world nations three centuries or more to implement (that Protestant v. Catholic thang). Some extraordinary laggards included Russia which had to wait for its revolution to embrace the Gregorian in 1918 while the last European country to adopt the Gregorian calendar was Greece in 1923.

The basis of that calendar is retained today and we still see evidence of the old Roman calendar in the names of her months though they represent the old system. In Latin September means seventh month, October means eighth month, November means ninth month, and December means tenth month. Yes, two months off….

When England - now out of step with most of the rest of the “civilized” world - finally capitulated and adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1752, it applied to all of her colonies as well. That also meant that some folks born under the Julian calendar [now known as the Old Style (OS)] changed their natal day to coincide the new Gregorian calendar aka the New Style (NS). Well, this has really screwed up those motivated and sincere contemporary genealogists among us (mostly Brits and North Americans) who couldn’t reconcile the eleven day (11) difference between the two calendars. We know better now…

One such example is fellow Gemini - King George III of England (see 1760 coronation portrait above) of porphyria and dementia fame who was born on May 24, 1738 well before the 1752 adoption of the Gregorian calendar. Yet, many if not most historical sources including our good Friends at Wikipedia reflect his official date of birth as June 4, 1738 (NS) though they concede his real date of birth in a footnote. To do so is technically wrong as George III was born on that 24th day in May, 1738 (OS) forever and a day - eleven days prior to that June date – whatever calendrical system you use. Well, we can only imagine this monarch’s relief when he realized that he would remain a Gemini whether OS or NS. Born in the old and died in the new…

George III had a tumultuous reign and though beloved by most of his subjects for his piety and faithfulness, was hated in the American Colonies for his heavy handed policies and ultimately his stubborn pursuit of victory wanting to "keep the rebels harassed, anxious, and poor, until the day when, by a natural and inevitable process, discontent and disappointment were converted into penitence and remorse". That, of course, never happened and despite one later disagreement that resulted in the war of 1812, we remain comfortably close Friends with our British allies. Given the celebration of our continued alliance, we think it appropriate to record and clarify for all posterity the correct date of birth for King George III.

George III was crowned king in 1760 some eight years after the English adopted the Gregorian calendar. We have seen that as Monarch George III and his scriveners and historians rightfully assumed the position and took one for his people. If England were to righteously enter the 18th century in her leadership role then the Monarch’s specifics should reflect the new system. Given that his loyal subjects were wont to formally celebrate his birthday (some still do), adoption of the NS would have been imperative. Unfortunately due to dementia in his later life, George probably didn’t know or care what day that was… By the way, if you haven’t already seen the 1994 film, The Madness of King George, do so. It is an accurate and engaging glimpse into the personality of George III and the woeful, though evolving, state of 18th century medicine.

So we remember natal days today and note that while I have little in common with George III (OS), Queen Victoria (NS), Julius Caesar Germanicus (OS), Bob Zimmerman (NS) and several other May 24th babies they continue to inspire me in my life’s journey.

As I rush towards threescore and ten years young I remember the poignant words of Samuel Clemens/Mark Twain on his 70th natal day that say it all for me, "The seventieth birthday. It is the time of life when you arrive at a new and awful dignity; when you may throw aside the decent reserves which have oppressed you for a generation and stand unafraid and unabashed upon your seven-terraced summit (Bolivia’s Akapana Pyramid?) and look down and teach--unrebuked." I am almost there…my senile rapture… as I lay my course, “…toward the sinking sun with a contented heart.”

Aye,

Ned Buxton

END OF THE WORLD DIDN’T HAPPEN - AGAIN

2011-05-28T08:07:00.005-05:00

When I first heard that The Rapture and the start of the end of the earth was going to happen on May 21, 2011 I chastised myself for making that last mortgage payment to Wells Fargo. I almost immediately recanted, proud that the historical record would validate my honesty despite knowing my end was near. Well, OK, I didn’t take seriously (nor did I monitor) what is yet another prediction of The Rapture and the end of the earth seemingly intended to scare the crap out of most gullible folks though placate many who sit on the right fringe of the Christian fundamentalist / evangelical movement who eagerly anticipated their ultimate deliverance – to the exception of all others. Imagine their disappointment…

The most recent (and repeat) prognosticator was one Harold Camping a preacher from Oakland, California who is also the founder, owner and operator of the Family Radio Network which caters to that Christian Fundamentalist Right. Camping now solidly occupies an ignoble spot in that pantheon of failed Doomsday prophets including Saint Clement, Saint Martin of Tours, Sextus Julius Africanus, Otto III, John of Toledo, Pope Innocent III, Melchior Hoffman, Benjamin Keach, Charles Wesley, Margaret McDonald, Joseph Smith, William Miller, Ellen White, Mother Shipton, Watchtower Society, The Jehovah Witnesses, Herbert W. Armstrong, Albert Porta, Hal Lindsey and, yes, Pat Robertson among others. This end of the world stuff is tricky business…

Camping like his doomsday predecessors believed, predicted and guaranteed (“without any shadow of a doubt”) with complete assurance and certainty (all based on numerology) that the end of the world was nigh (May 21, 2011 at 6:00 pm local time anywhere) and that a large, rolling earthquake will commence (wherever you are) and that all those saved Christians (2% of the world’s population - estimated at some 220 million souls) would forever leave terra firma, ascending presumably Logan’s Run style into the sky (aka the Firmament/Heaven) where they will meet Jesus and share an eternity of “Rapture.” The rest of us poor unsaved slobs (despite my baptism and confirmation) will endure and suffer through fire and brimstone on earth until October 21, when God pulls the plug on the planet once and for all and we descend permanently into the fiery abyss of Hell. Finis… I guess that means I will not be attending Homecoming at Ole Miss vs. Louisiana Tech on November 12?

Camping gathered Family and Friends on May 21st and conducted a prayer vigil where he was monitoring CNN coverage of the Rapture as it would presumably (and conveniently) sweep through all the earth’s time zones. Of course, we do wonder how Camping, ostensibly anticipating being whisked away in the rapture, could monitor that on an earthly plane? Inquiring minds want to know.

Imagine his disappointment when reports from Christmas Island, Tonga then New Zealand and all around the world revealed no earthquakes of consequence or rapture - anywhere. Well, there were some earthquakes including one in New Zealand and a minor quake that rolled across the San Francisco Bay Area with some folks lamenting that the epicenter wasn’t closer to the headquarters of the Family Radio Network in Oakland. The quakes were inconsequential and not unexpected in these very active zones. Grimsvotn, Iceland’s most active volcano for many years began an eruption that had been predicted for some time with the only complication being ash that could again disrupt airline traffic. Elsewhere around the world there was little or no seismic activity.

We’ve been chomping at the bit, anxious to release this post but have been waiting for Camping’s response which will apparently continue for some time as he and his Family Radio Network continue to spin their failed prophesy. There are reports that the Family Radio Network continued the salaries of all their staff (why?) though did not generate any new business activities around “Rapture Time.” We note reports that many of the Family Radio Network staff, “don’t believe.” Camping’s first public reaction was predictable, that he was, “totally bewildered” and for him it had been, "a really tough weekend." Really… Then he put his spin by backpedaling on his failed prediction by merely extending the date (more later).

Harold Camping had previously erroneously predicted that the Tribulation, Rapture and End of World would occur on May 21, 1988 (beginning of the Tribulation) and on September 7, 1994 (end of the world). In 1994 hundreds of his followers gathered at an Alameda, California auditorium looking forward to Christ's return and their own ascendency. Sore necks and a greater appreciation for the ceiling of the auditorium were their only rewards. Camping later recanted explaining that he had miscalculated the date offering that, "At that time there was a lot of the Bible I had not really researched very carefully. But now, we've had the chance to do just an enormous amount of additional study and God has given us outstanding proofs that it really is going to happen." Ah scholarship, ah academia…drum roll and then came his 2011 prediction.

After his 1994 fiasco Camping’s prophecies were met with derision and even allegations of “false prophet.” Threads on the Internet have highlighted individuals who in 1994 and again in 2011 believed Camping and his Family Radio Network prophecies and gave them all their money or spent monies for Camping anticipating the end of days. Despite calls that Camping return these monies to his ever more-needy, some destitute and still deluded followers, we have seen no evidence of that. In fact, we have seen just the opposite.

Camping instead responded that he and Family Radio would never tell anyone what they should do with their belongings, that “…those who had fewer would cope.” and “We're not in the business of financial advice." Camping stated outright to Oakland, CA photographer Brandon Tauszik who then shared the remarks with National Public Radio (NPR) that he will not return the money that believers gave to the cause, noting, "We're not at the end. Why would we return it?"

We think it interesting that Camping wouldn’t part with any of his possessions and that, "I still have to live in a house, I still have to drive a car," he said. "What would be the value of that? If it is Judgment Day why would I give it away?" He does make a point though he doesn’t seem sensitive to any of the pain and suffering he has caused among his obedient, very pliant followers who gave up everything.

We now hear credible reports of a suicide and attempted murder and suicide surely committed by seemingly impressionable and unstable individuals, though the tipping points have been attributed to Camping’s irresponsible words.

Then we have some of Camping’s misled faithful who actually euthanized their pets so they wouldn’t be, “left behind and suffer.” Luckily for the cockatiel, parrot and cat belonging to Camping follower Bill Tinker of Boyes Hot Springs, California, Sonoma County Animal Care and Control seized the animals before Tinker could carry out his announced plan to put down his pets.

So, Camping’s pathetic spin on his failed and “guaranteed” end of world prophecy was not to wholly admit he was wrong and try and make amends with his followers. Rather, he now ignores “the rapture” and is sticking to his guns that the end of the world will, indeed, take place on October 21, 2011. Camping has now come to “the realization” that his judgment day on May 21 was actually “spiritual, rather than physical.” Camping offered, “The fact is, when we look at it spiritually, we find that he did come.” Of course, the rest of us on this planet wonder where that rationalization came from save the continuing realization that Camping is delusional and living on another not so divine plane called senility.

In July 2003 Katy St. Clair of the East Bay Express interviewed former, long-time Camping confidante and colleague, Pastor Jesse Gistand of Grace Bible Church in San Leandro, CA who now goes so far as to call his old colleague a cult leader. "I hesitated to call him one all the way up to the point that he started preaching the Dead Church Doctrine," he says, "because at that point he had entered another stage of the typical heretical prophecies that take place under eschatology. You set your date; your date doesn't come; you reinterpret what has happened -- spiritualize it, mythologize it -- and then finally just condemn everyone else as being lost."

If we are to believe the unordained Camping, "The church age has come to an end." Camping believes that The Church has renounced its mission and has been taken over by Satan. And, according to Camping - God loosed Satan upon us? Camping continues, “Churches are irrelevant and that instead of using Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist and other "corporate" denominations to evangelize the world, God has turned instead to... radio.” Yikes, I would have thought that an omnipotent deity would probably turn to the Internet and social networking or to a yet to be invented super-efficient technology to spread his word in the new millennium - but radio? We correctly surmise the self-serving Camping is referring to his Family Radio Network radio stations.

I was recently reminded of an adage which appears in the Book of Proverbs in the King James Bible - Proverbs 26:11. “As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.” Camping is now insisting that he's not going to discuss judgment day anymore. We, however, don’t feel that he will be able to keep peace with his failed predictions which will plague him or at least dance in his mind until the end of his tormented days. Folks that know Camping reflect they think him sincere ("He's sincere," concurs the Rev. Dean Harner. "Sincerely wrong, but sincere").

Perhaps Camping is doing us all a favor by keeping in one place those followers who are out spouting his gibberish and, “depriving villages of their nonsense.” Camping follower Adam Larsen from Kansas has admitted that since he has been spreading the word of the apocalypse he hasn’t been able to pursue his favorite pastime – raccoon hunting. Notch one up for the raccoons.

We salute New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (Jewish and, if we believe Camping will not be part of his rapture) who immediately prior to the predicted start of the end of days assured New Yorkers with tongue firmly in cheek that in the event of an Apocalyptic scenario, New York’s alternate side of the street parking rules will be suspended and gave permissions to keep any library books or rip up any parking tickets they might have. Bravo!

When I first became aware of Harold Camping and his end of the world campaign – more nonsense from a long line of failed doomsday prophets - I was amused. No longer. Upon reviewing our remarks on Camping we wonder if we are being too sarcastic, perhaps even un-Christian – but then again, maybe not. Our goal is to further expose an egocentric, self-absorbed, obsessed individual, however sincere, blinded by his eccentric end-times theology. On the other hand we want to show compassion, charity and mercy to someone who is obviously deluded and according to some, possibly ill.

I have prayed for Camping and his followers acknowledging that their skewed perceptions have prompted the rest of us to contemplate what is right in our world. Camping has drawn a contrast - a line in the sand. We are on one side and he on the other.

Having said that I certainly appreciate the sentiment expressed by a Lakota Sioux Friend who noting Camping’s latest prediction commented that they were finally going to get their land back….

Aye,

Ned Buxton

LES MISERABLES – BRING HIM HOME

2011-05-21T08:43:00.003-05:00

I just watched north Texas’ public TV station KERA (50 years young) air yet one more time the 25th Anniversary performance and celebration of Les Misérables. To say that I am passionate about and seduced by Les Misérables is a gross understatement of the first order. I consider it the best music and lyrics ever put to paper (Aye, the best musical) and then interpreted by a myriad of talented artists around the world thanks to the genius of Cameron Mackintosh. While I’m not qualified to comment on those Les Mis performers interpreting in other than English, they all sound great and appear to be enthusiastic and dedicated. Les Mis attracts performers of the uncommon variety. We can thank the producer and directors for their wise choices…

We of the Les Mis ilk (We many, we band of Brothers and Sisters…) have our favorite artists and perhaps especially with the central character of Les Misérables, Jean Valjean. All the dedicated performers who play this character bring a unique dimension with their singular interpretation and the passion of their performances - the differentiating element. The point? Among these great performers there is no bad, just different – and all impressive. I am amazed at the countless threads I see on the Internet many arguing that, “My Valjean is better than your Valjean” and diminishing the performances of all save their favorite with some punctuating their obsessive rants with sordid vulgarities. Ladies and Gentlemen, we are all on the same side…

So, with all these great voices - and many being equal - it’s all about interpretation and performance/acting – dedication to the character. The standard by which all those Jean Valjeans will be judged will be in his anguished prayerful plea, Bring Him Home (BHH). To execute that role and that song, performance after performance, all to the intent and expectation of the ever present authors, producer, directors and every knowledgeable audience (55+ million to date and growing) is the most challenging element of the character.

So, how do we compare anybody to Colm Wilkinson and his Jean Valjean? As the original Jean Valjean the role was his to invent and interpret. Wilkinson became a student of Victor Hugo and understands Hugo’s work and intent. Wilkinson’s trademark will always be his total immersion into the character of Jean Valjean and his now iconic Bring Him Home written specifically for him by composer Claude-Michel Schonberg (music) with English lyrics written by the often overlooked Herbert Kretzmer who captured, created and or reinterpreted much of the soul of Les Mis. Kretzmer as co-writer is more than, “an equal among equals” and deserves far more recognition than the Tony and Grammy awards he has garnered. Kretzmer’s contributions allow us to grasp and begin to comprehend and reflect on our own humanity and we feel are largely responsible for the popularity of Les Mis. We salute Mackintosh for his brilliant decision to bring Kretzmer on board.

Schonberg relates that one month before Les Mis started in London in 1985, Director Trevor Nunn offered that they needed a song for the barricades – with director John Caird later remarking that the Jean Valjean character should sing a prayer? Given the genius and tenor of Colm Wilkinson's voice (the role of Jean Valjean was initially written for a baritone) Schoenberg continued, "If I write for Colm, I should write something very high." Schonberg wrote the BHH musical score during a week-end. The following Monday morning, Schonberg brought the song to Herbert Kretzmer who put his now famous words to BHH literally overnight. Schoenberg, Boublil and Kretzmer brought BHH to a rehearsal where Schonberg revealed the song, their intent and taught Colm the song. After tutelage of some fifteen minutes Colm sang the song in such an inspirational manner it prompted one cast member to state, "We have been told that this show was dealing with God but we've never been told that God would get to sing in the show." From that point there was Colm Wilkinson and everybody else… Co-Les Mis conspirator and lyricist Alain Boublil later translated BHH into French for the second Paris production at the Mogador Theatre in 1991.

Like the carefully crafted Les Misérables itself, though, the world and technology continues to evolve witness the slimmed down but technologically enhanced 25th anniversary show at the O₂ in London which uses expansive projections of Victor Hugo’s paintings. It is the work of a younger generation and while the message is the same (and intact with most of the incredible contributions of the previous collaborators – Trevor Nunn, John Caird, John Napier, et al) change always seems to involve conflict and Cameron Mitchell and Trevor Nunn are now apparently in different corners. Too bad…

The conflict also continues with who was and is the best Jean Valjean. As I reflected before, that role belongs to Colm Wilkinson though there are many great performances to appreciate. I have some favorites and they include Jeff Leyton (aka James Urquhart) the Scot from Edinburgh who was given credit in the 10th Anniversary show of Les Mis for representing Ireland? True, he did perform in Ireland, but… Jeff’s performances as Jean Valjean were extraordinary and we need to recognize and preserve them. Many feel that despite Wilkinson’s hold on the role, Leyton may be the best Jean Valjean, ever.

I also recognize what is undoubtedly one of the great Les Mis stories in the person of Native Texan Gary Morris who is just as comfortable singing Puccini's La Boheme as he is on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry. Many feel that Morris’ Bring Him Home sets the standard for this challenging song and, indeed, the role of Jean Valjean. We would like to know more how Gary came to be chosen for Les Mis.

If you have not heard/seen Robert Marien sing his English/French – French/English Bring Him Home then your life is incomplete. And, no, Robert Marien is not French. He is Québécois and a proud Canadian who has performed in Les Mis around the world including Montreal, Paris, New York and London.

Other great Jean Valjeans include Randal Keith, Craig Schulman, John Owen-Jones, Anthony Warlow, Simon Bowman, Drew Sarich, Michael Maguire, Michael Burgess, Rob Guest, Phil Cavill, J. Mark McVey, Peter Karrie, Ivan Rutherford, Robert Evan, Fred Inkley, the extraordinary Alfie Boe (who will only get better with age) among many others.

So, we are motivated and inspired by the music, the words, the passion, aye, even the idea of Les Mis. It should speak to all of us from start to finish as Hugo offers, “… the advance from evil to good, from injustice to justice, from falsity to truth, from darkness to daylight, from blind appetite to conscience, from decay to life, from bestiality to duty, from Heaven to Hell, from Limbo to God. Matter itself is the starting point, and the point of arrival is the soul.” The musical is the continuation of Hugo’s work of life and as Scot Stuart Fernie states, “the perfect union of material and medium” which inspires, “people to think on their own lives.”

Ah, the soul - and especially that of the English-born New Zealander Robert John (Rob) Guest who passed to his great reward in 2008. Rob was known as the "Australian Jean Valjean" though he performed in New Zealand as well. It is to Rob we dedicate this post with our earnest appreciation and thanks for his contributions to our lives. You live…

Aye,

Ned Buxton

THE DONALD’S ANTICS

2011-05-13T17:27:00.008-05:00

My Best Friend proclaims eureka moments with an enthusiastic, “Well, there you have it!” One of those moments for me was Tavis Smiley’s recent assessment of Donald Trump. While I take exception with just about everything that Smiley’s says (I defend his right to express his opinions), I do agree that we allowed a “publicity-starved reality TV purveyor to lead us down this slippery slope” and that Trump’s allegations that Obama was not born in the US were motivated by nothing more than, “political gain, ignorance, or something more sinister…” I do wonder about Smiley’s “or something more sinister” remark, which validates that Smiley’s intent and my acceptance of his remarks are on two different planes and we would probably agree that Hitler wasn’t a nice person either - another eureka moment.

What his statements did accomplish was to bring us together (ingloriously) on one issue though Smiley sees the world only and deliberately through the filter of the Black Perspective many times to the exclusion of the bigger picture. His Achilles heel is that he honestly doesn’t understand the view from 40,000 feet and that will keep him always looking up. Smiley seemingly wants Obama to be the unilateral Black President and is discomforted when he addresses issues for the good of the many. Smiley is in the estimation of many one of the more divisive elements in our country today – espousing racist attitudes and perspectives from the far left rather than collaborating and building consensus. I could go on about Smiley (and will in another post) though this offering was originally intended to be all about Donald Trump.

Trump’s a smart guy who likes the camera, knows how to stir the pot, push buttons though one who has earned and, conversely, lost a hell of a lot of money. Trump filed corporate bankruptcies in 1991, 1992, 2004 and 2009. While Trump seemingly lives on the edge of corporate financial disaster and though he has had to relinquish some controls here and there - he has, admittedly, mostly come out smelling like a rose. By his own admission, he knows how to work the system.

The Donald is an ego maniac who has the potential to turn our whole political landscape into soap opera and theatre. For example, his recent estimation of GOP rival Mitt Romney was not to comment on his political perspectives save that he didn’t know him though he (Trump) was much wealthier than Romney therefore a better businessman? For Trump it all seems to come down to money and the ratings. Indeed, many believe that Trump’s ultimate goal is to build his celebrity and the ratings for his TV show.

Though many have applauded Trump’s resurrection of the so-called Obama birthing controversy, we feel that it will have the ultimate effect of revealing him as a threat to the legitimate political process in our country (Sarah Palin, enter right). For many of us that “birthing” issue was dead years ago, but for Trump it was the chance to stir the pot again and a vehicle to open yet another door, perhaps a run for the GOP 2012 nomination for President. Those who respond positively to his drivel and foolishness deserve him…

The whole issue is suspect at best and idiocy at its height. Obama as a former US Senator let alone presidential candidate was vetted by his own party, his opponents and we assume various agencies of the US Government. GOP candidate Mike Huckabee and Newt Gingrich (who pathetically cites Obama’s “Kenyan, anti-colonial” behavior) have seemingly also succumbed to the “birthers.”

Embarrassingly, while Trump and others were playing their “birther” cards Obama was busy with the work of the Country including the planning of the operation that brought down arch villain Osama bin Laden. Ooops! Coincidentally, we note that the Donald has been pretty quiet for the last week. One Friend opined that, “It’s difficult to talk with your foot in your mouth.”

In retrospect the timing of Trump’s reality show approach to politics should be fodder for a Saturday Night Live, but then again Trump gives us so much to work with… Maybe he’s the lead man for the Republican circus headed to town. What was surprising to me was how long it took for many Republicans to attack Trump for what he is though most appeared more concerned that the news media's fascination with Trump was distracting and diverting attention from them. That will soon change as Trump starts attacking the other Republican candidates.

Conservative newspaper columnist George Will of the Washington Post told ABC News' "This Week" in their online "Green Room" segment that Trump is a "blatherskite." Will then proudly clarified, “That is a word my grandmother was fond of as someone who blathers promiscuously." We looked it up and to our great pleasure found it to be of Scots origin dating from around CE 1650. It refers to a person who talks foolishly and at great length without making much sense. We agree.

George Will says it all for me, “So the Republican winnowing process is far advanced. But the nominee may emerge much diminished by involvement in a process cluttered with careless, delusional, egomaniacal, spotlight-chasing candidates to whom the sensible American majority would never entrust a lemonade stand, much less nuclear weapons.”

How can we trust any candidate who deliberately and with forethought chooses to address divisive, trifling matters – straying so far off course from the substantive issues of the day? The Donald has the means and the influence to accomplish so much good in his own domain yet he chooses to be a comic book character. What a waste… As Chris Matthews has suggested, The Donald has given new hope to conspiracists, everywhere. Reality where art thou?

Aye,

Ned Buxton

PS – On May 15, 2011 NBC announced that it would be renewing The Celebrity Apprentice for 2012 with or without Donald Trump. On May 16, 2011 Donald Trump after flying like an eagle or perhaps more like Icarus given his falling poll numbers fell to earth as an announced non-candidate. The Donald in an eloquent and well stated press release expressed his regrets declaring that, “…business is my greatest passion and I am not ready to leave the private sector.” We have not seen the last of The Donald. NB

RASHARD JAMAL MENDENHALL – SOME OBSERVATIONS

2011-05-07T09:25:00.007-05:00

Once again the controversial reaction of a public figure has generated almost as much attention as the original, much larger story. This one has a lot of legs that will keep running for some time perhaps unlike this great running back.

Pittsburgh Steeler running back Rashard Mendenhall's contentious remarks on Twitter regarding the death of Osama bin-Laden and 9/11 points out again that idiots can also offer their opinions on the Internet and especially so in our new, rarified, dynamic, aye, spontaneous social media. Many reasonably expect that our celebrities have the responsibility, aye, obligation to be positive role models, especially for the younger generation. That said, celebrities have most recently offered renewed proof that they are not only fallible but can lead the charge to absurdity (Vick, Lohan, Sheen, et al). We can now add Mendenhall to that list. While Mendenhall has a right to express his opinions – he has proved that he doesn’t deserve our respect. His remarks included this tidbit:

"What kind of person celebrates death? It's amazing how people can HATE a man they have never even heard speak. We've only heard one side."

As for those largely spontaneous celebrations - they appeared to be celebrations of victory and were understandable and in line with the death of one who has caused so much pain and upset throughout the world. Yea, we finally got him. Didn’t you just love the spontaneous celebration at the Phillies and Mets baseball game in Philadelphia when the news hit the cell phones of those in attendance. Even though no formal announcement was ever made, chants of "USA" started around the top of the ninth inning and continued throughout the remainder of the game. Mendenhall is going to be a big hit in Philly if and when the Steelers and Eagles ever play another game…and if Mendenhall is still a Steeler. Didn’t you just love Michael Vick’s take on bin Laden’s passing?

Around the country thousands of our citizenry gathered in public places to cheer and celebrate the news. They were celebrations of the victory of good over evil… Mendenhall just didn’t get that.

Mendenhall’s, “We've only heard one side” remark and conjecture whether the World Trade Center towers were only brought down on 9/11 by crashing two hijacked airliners into the buildings cast great doubt on which planet he resides (proud Illini take note). Bin Laden on many occasions gleefully admitted his actions and accepted full responsibility for the 9/11 and other terrorist attacks. His many videotaped harangues, threats and general orders are well documented and were broadcast around the world. Bin Laden, the self-styled leader of terrorism in the world (he was no scholar) issued three very public fatwahs calling upon Muslims to take up arms against the United States. When terrorists joined al Qaeda they pledged a personal oath of allegiance to bin Laden. I could go on but what’s the point.

Mendenhall is now starting to pay for his unfathomable, irresponsible comments. As one blogger of note put it, Mendenhall’s remarks represent a, “fatal rectal/cranial inversion.” We agree and note that the Champion Company (owned by Sara Lee who also owns Hanes, Playtex, Bali, L’eggs, etc) abruptly ended its endorsement deal with Mendenhall over his Twitter remarks. Mendenhall’s boss, Steeler Owner Art Rooney II (Rooney has close ties with President Obama) has addressed his remarks and distanced the Steelers from Mendenhall, “… it is hard to explain or even comprehend what he meant with his recent Twitter comments.” Aside from embarrassing the Steelers, worst of all, Mendenhall has earned the enmity of most of our citizenry. That would appear to be the worst of it all though if I was one of his offensive lineman, I sure wouldn’t block for him…

Mendenhall has tried to “clarify his remarks” and really didn’t offer an apology. His recent statement follows.

“First, I want people to understand that I am not in support of Bin Laden, or against the USA. I understand how devastating 9/11 was to this country and to the people whose families were affected. Not just in the US, but families all over the world who had relatives in the World Trade Centers. My heart goes out to the troops who fight for our freedoms everyday.

This controversial statement was something I said in response to the amount of joy I saw in the event of a murder. I don’t believe that this is an issue of politics or American pride; but one of religion, morality, and human ethics.”

Later in his statement he offered. “I apologize for the timing as such a sensitive matter, but it was not meant to do harm," Mendenhall continued. "I apologize to anyone I unintentionally harmed with anything that I said, or any hurtful interpretation that was made and put in my name. It was only meant to encourage anyone reading it to think."

Well, Rashard, you sure made me think, especially about your original Tweet and now your characterization of bin Laden’s richly deserved, abrupt departure from this earthly plane as “murder” rather than ultimate justice. Rashard, your backhanded apology was meant more to salvage what little positive reputation you have left. You should have known the effect your words would have had - especially on the 9/11 Victim’s Families and Friends.

I have always encouraged a productive debate of all issues but you are coming from Pluto and beyond and demonstrate an incredible ignorance of basic facts. You come across as yet another uneducated conspiracy theorist with little or no grasp on reality. You should have realized that as a successful professional athlete (you say slave?) your preposterous words would receive an increased scrutiny.

I tried to be fair and read your Tweets noting that at least one of your more controversial statements has been deleted. I read your “Clarification” and found it to be self-serving pulp. It was poorly crafted and no doubt written by you. Recommend that you get a good PR firm or let your agent work through this one.

I did like your retweet invoking or at least insinuating some ancient Islamic wisdom, “It is impossible to defeat an ignorant man in argument.” You then added, “Solution, DON'T ARGUE. #islam #wisdom #think.” That statement is especially poignant for this post.

But, I recognized its origins - far from some Muslim sage. Rather, that phrase was first uttered by William Gibbs McAdoo (1863-1941), American politician, Georgian by birth who attended the University of Tennessee who studied and practiced law and was later vice chairman of the Democratic National Committee in 1912; Secretary of the Treasury in the Cabinet of President Woodrow Wilson (1913-1918); Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board, the Federal Farm Loan Board, and the War Finance Corporation; practiced law in New York City in 1919 and Los Angeles, California in 1922 where he later distinguished himself as a Senator from California (D) and later an unsuccessful candidate for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States in 1920 and 1924. McAdoo is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Whoops! Perhaps from this point on you should think before you Tweet or make any statement about anything though folks are going to remember this one for a long time. Heck, it’s already in your Internet profile. Thankfully, though, you ultimately won’t even be a footnote in history. Heck, you weren’t even mentioned in today’s Sports section of the Dallas Morning News.

Have you heard the talk on the Internet about your impending free agency? Some folks have you in Canada already though one Canadian already told me they don’t want you. Maybe you can sing backup for the Dixie Chicks? In the meantime some folks have offered that your “re-education” might be a good start on the path to recovery though duct taping your thumbs to your fingers and distancing yourself from folks who think your remarks are right on would also be in order.

But, who gives a damn what you think, anyway?

Aye,

Ned Buxton

PAWTUCKET

2011-05-01T07:15:00.005-05:00

I was watching my favorite program Sunday Morning this last Easter Sunday – getting caught up on the world and readying myself for services at St. Matthew’s. Sunday Morning did their usual jamming job including a story on the longest professional baseball game ever played – 33 innings between the Pawtucket Red Sox and the Rochester Red Wings, two teams from the Triple-A International League. The game lasted eight hours and 25 minutes with those 33 innings played on both April 18 and 19, 1981 at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Fittingly, the Red Sox won.

Two future Hall of Famers played in this barn burner including Cal Ripken, Jr. playing third base for Rochester and Wade Boggs who played third base for Pawtucket. While the game was worthy of this mention, the story featured yet again another so called professional reporter/broadcaster this time in the person of CBS Correspondent Steve Hartman who didn’t know how to pronounce, “PAWTUCKET.” After years of enduring the slings and arrows of this verbal ignorance/harassment this for me was the last straw and fodder for yet another ranting post. Gees people, can’t you get the name straight?

I lived in Pawtucket, RI for several years off and on with my Mom’s parents during my early years and then when Mom decided to split with Dad, lived there with my two Brothers from 1953 until 1962 when I went off to university. I had been away at school for those last four years and while the 1958 to 1961 Lenox School yearbooks gave a Dallas, Texas address, Pawtucket was still home.

When I went to school at Moses Brown and then on to St. Dunstan’s in nearby Providence never did I hear anyone - Family member, fellow student, faculty or any Rhode Islander mispronounce (OK, let’s be objective now) – pronounce the name of this august little town – ancient fishing grounds and the birthplace of the industrial revolution in the United States of America via the Old Slater Mill – any other way than the correct way.

Seems that Steve Hartman and admittedly many other broadcasters, sportscasters, commentators want to accentuate the "Paw" in Pawtucket so it comes out like, "PAAAAW-tucket" when the name is correctly pronounced Puh-TUCK-et as in "Bucket" with a soft “P” and the stress on "tucket". Maybe it’s their way of amusing themselves and having fun like a carnival barker accentuating what they think is an affectation of the name. No more, you masses of ignorant jesters… it’s time to fess up and get it right.

So what is the origin of the name, Pawtucket?

As is the case all across North America folks were already here when the Europeans came and decided to “civilize” this land that included present day southern Massachusetts and all of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. Those First Nations included the Nanhigganeuck - Nanhiggonsicks aka the Narragansett, the Pokanoket – Poncakanet aka Wamponaog and the Niantic though there was great influence from many other local and remote native cultures. The English, French and the Spanish managed to upset the applecart, but that’s another story.

At the height of their influence the Wampanoag controlled all the country extending east from Narragansett Bay (including Rhode Island aka Aquidneck Island) and Pawtucket River to the Atlantic, including the islands of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard. They were surrounded by both friendly though many aggressive groups who coveted their land. The Blackstone River long served as the boundary between the Wampanoag and Narragansett.

The Blackstone River [originally known as the Kittacuck (the great tidal river)] runs from Worcester, Massachusetts through Pawtucket where it is known locally as the Pawtucket River to The Pawtucket Falls under what is now the Main Street Bridge. Below The Falls it becomes the Seekonk River and is influenced by the ever present salt water tides from Narragansett Bay. The Seekonk meets the Providence River in Providence and then onto Narragansett Bay and the Atlantic. These were all important rivers in ancient and colonial times. The Dutch called the Providence River the Nassau River significant as the northeastern boundary between the Dutch colony of New Netherlands and the English New England.

Pawtucket and specifically the locale of The Falls meant “Great Falls” in Algonquin, literally the place of a larger waterfall. This area was the confluence of several major overland trails and already important as the natural, convenient and shallow crossing point above The Falls. We also need note that the Wampanoag gathered to fish for salmon, alewives (herring) and shad which abundantly proliferated well into the 19th century. Not so in what is now a much improved though still polluted river where it is no longer safe to swim or fish. Yes, the Native Americans were right… So the name came from The Falls and the area which was later known as the Pawtucket Fields.

So, how to pronounce Pawtucket? It is highly unlikely that we will ever be able to pronounce native names like Pawtucket as the original speakers did. On that supposition all historians and linguists agree. When the New England colonists arrived they pronounced the names as they heard them, through the filter of Old English. When they heard the Algonquin and all its dialects they really couldn’t tell where one word ended and another began. Nor could they tell what sounds were being spoken. As esteemed linguist Dr. Elaine Chaika of Providence College states, “If foreign speakers make a sound you don't have in your language, your ear automatically converts it to the nearest sound you do have. That's why people have foreign accents.”

We are also importantly dealing with concepts where a foreigner might attribute a meaning consistent with their culture and not remotely close to the intention of the speaker. Yes, Roger Williams’, A Key Into the Language of America in 1643 provided great insight into the Narragansett and other nearby Algonquin cultures, but was just a start.

What we do know is that no contemporary residents with a serious eye on culture and the English language (with or without a sense of humor) do not pronounce Pawtucket as Steve Hartman did in his Sunday Morning piece.

So, please, Mr. Hartman and you other guilty parties, we implore you to get it right. Though we know that you’re not from around here - as a professional you should know how to pronounce the principal name of your story line. Maybe if you ever get “Pawtucket” mastered you can try your luck with other Rhode Island place names including Scituate, Misquamicut, Pascoag, Quonochontaug, Cowesett and Usquepaugh - for a start. Where’s Pawtucket Native David Hartman when you need him?

Aye,

Ned Buxton

THE WAR FOR TEXAS – SOME TALKNG POINTS

2011-04-23T08:25:00.005-05:00

As a Native Texan I write this post from my mind and not my heart, letting the historical record guide my words. On the occasion of this great state’s 175th anniversary, let’s pursue the truth with an even greater vengeance.

The conflict we know as the Texas Revolution certainly appears to have been inevitable. You had the need of a new country (Mexico) to attract settlers to its poorest and one of its sparsest populated states (Coahuila y Tejas) which can only be characterized as undeveloped wilderness. Residents of the nearby United States were attracted by the promise of inexpensive land and economic opportunity. Illegal immigration from the east into Texas was not uncommon and in 1825 the government of Mexico and the state of Coahuila y Tejas adopted what was known as the Empresario System in order to colonize and develop Coahuila y Tejas by a strategy of selective immigration and assimilation. While this was a laudable strategy, the Mexican government and the Empresarios eventually proved they were incapable of enforcing its stipulations.

The Empresario System allowed immigration agents such as Stephen F. Austin to bring in families and provided land incentives for their success. They came in droves all too willing to carve out opportunities for themselves though some were motivated by the initial stages of what would become known as Manifest Destiny. Though no premeditated conspiracy has ever been proved, it would be hard to think that the US government was not aware of the ultimate consequences of that immigration.

Many Texians were only paying lip service, if that, to their contract with the Mexican Government which included their conversion to Catholicism, learning Spanish and not embracing the institution of slavery, forbidden by the Mexican government. The greater majority of Protestant Texians did not convert to Catholicism and many supported the institution of slavery. Indeed, when Texas was ultimately admitted to the United States in 1845, it came in as a slave state.

Then, when the Mexican government clumsily though legitimately expressed concerns that their invited, mostly Anglo guests in Texas were not abiding by their emigration agreement, those Texians (independent by necessity) pushed back becoming ever more bold and defiant (Fredonia – Spark of the Revolution?). In the midst of all this the Mexican government itself was deeply troubled politically, in constant turmoil, sending conflicting messages to the Texians and their own citizenry.

The bubble of civility burst in 1835 when the charismatic though arrogant, corrupt and even delusional President of Mexico Antonio de Padua María Severino López de Santa Anna y Pérez de Lebrón (aka Santa Anna) who styled himself "The Savior of the Motherland" and "The Napoleon of the West" abolished the Republic and the 1824 Constitution he helped create and declared himself Dictator. Santa Anna installed a centralized dictatorship backed by the military openly declaring that, “Despotism is the proper government for them.” However you perceive Santa Anna, he influenced Spanish and Mexican politics and government, for forever and a day.

Santa Anna’s dismemberment of the Mexican Republic was not received well by the Texians who were used to an independent, representative Jacksonian Federalist model and the promises of a more benevolent, decentralized government. They resisted and were met with a determined Santa Anna who pledged to use force to, “reduce the malcontents to obedience.” For Santa Anna it was the beginning of the end (in fact, several beginnings and endings) that at one point in 1869 saw him selling chiclet to a businessman in New York City in order to fund yet another revolution. This man was hero and villain throughout his life especially to his fellow countryman who saw him as President of Mexico on eleven non-consecutive occasions over a period of 22 years though then periodically exiled him for 20 of his 82 years – the ultimate love-hate relationship.

The Battle of Gonzales when coupled with the earlier Anahuac and Velasco Disturbances, Santa Anna’s brutal and horrific handling of the Zacatecas Revolt, the call to disarm militias, the order to expel all illegal immigrants, unwarranted and illegal imprisonment of a then loyal Stephen F. Austin, the denial of state’s rights with the dissolution of the Constitution of 1824 turned out to be the “Lexington of Texas” and the first formal military engagement of the Texas Revolution. The attack on Texian Jesse McCoy by a Mexican soldier in the Dewitt Colony was perceived by many as unwarranted military brutality and appears to have dramatically altered the sentiments of the loyal DeWitt colonists. For many it was the straw that broke the camels’ back. We note that an ever motivated Jesse was one of the 32 Gonzales Rangers killed at The Alamo.

The Battle of Gonzales was “fought” between rebellious Texian settlers and a detachment of Mexican army troops in Ezekial Williams’ corn and watermelon fields not so ironically near Gonzales, Texas, on October 2, 1835. While Mexican authorities had given the settlers of Gonzales a mostly useless spiked bronze six-pounder cannon in 1831 to help protect them from frequent Comanche raids, they feared the Texians would turn the weapon against them and requested its return. Their request was dismissed and after what was a short fire fight between a reinforced and determined citizenry in Gonzalez, the Mexican military withdrew. The Gonzales cannon, by the way, was restored for this battle and fired at least one harmless but significant round validating the concerns of the Mexican military.

While some may think this much ado about nothing, it was an ultimate breach of confidence and the already strained relationship between the Mexican Government and the belligerent Colonists. It was the start of the Texas Revolution with the First Army of Texas Volunteers immediately raised after the Battle of Gonzales with Stephen F. Austin in command.

So, where is the Gonzales Cannon now? No one really knows though the historical record reflects that it was not abandoned assuring us that that a smaller, mostly iron cannon found in 1936 near Gonzales (another Texas Tall Tale) is certainly not the cannon (Thomas Ricks Lindley). Most historians believe that the Gonzales Cannon did make its way to Bexar and The Alamo where a victorious Santa Anna probably melted it down with other Texian ordnance. There appears to have been more than one cannon which has prompted this great controversy. While the cannon now on display at the Gonzalez Memorial Museum is not that gun (despite their claims), it does symbolize the defiant and courageous act that sparked the Texas Revolution.

Let’s never forget that this initial conflict was from the Texian perspective mostly about insuring Texas’ rights under the 1824 Mexican constitution and becoming a separate state in Mexico. That petition soon dissolved into outright revolution and not unlike other Mexican states, a drive towards total independence. The “Battle” of Gonzalez (flag above) was followed closely by the Siege of Béxar when rebel Texians under the command of Stephen F. Austin and Edward Burleson defeated Mexican forces under the command of Santa Anna’s brother in law, General Martin Perfecto de Cos at San Antonio de Béxar in the Mexican province of Coahuila y Tejas.

Cos who had initially intended to humiliate and arrest critics of Santa Anna surrendered in December 1835. Not unlike the Battle of Kings’ Mountain in the War of American Independence most of the combatants returned home confident that many others were wading into their fight for freedom. After Gonzalez and Béxar the die was cast.

An infuriated and embarrassed Santa Anna took matters into his own hands and decided on a no holds barred, no quarters given strategy that today would be perceived as ethnic cleansing and probably prompt a United Nations/NATO response today. Santa Anna’s tactics saw his victory at The Alamo, San Patricio, Agua Dulce and Refugio cheapened and dishonored. History now treats the massacres at the Alamo and Goliad as ultimate baggage and Pyrrhic victories that cost Santa Anna the confidence of many of his officers, prompted outrage and resentment and even increased fervor amongst those in the new Republic of Texas and any hope of legitimacy and recognition abroad. However the Mexican history books write this story, Santa Anna gave the Texians (and a supportive United States) all the ammunition they needed.

Given that he lived by the sword it is surprising, no amazing, that Santa Ana wasn’t assassinated by one or more of his political foes or that he was not executed at San Jacinto. His life sustained, a capitulated Santa Ana would countermand and render impotent the other approaching contingent of the Mexican army and sign the Treaties of Velasco, in which he agreed to withdraw his troops from Texas soil and, in exchange for safe conduct back to Mexico, lobby there for recognition of the new republic. That safe passage took a long detour (six months) and by that time a disgraced though we suspect a delighted Santa Anna found the Mexican government refusing to recognize the treaties thus setting up the Mexican-American War,

One eyewitness account of Santa Anna’s humanitarian disposition following San Jacinto makes sense to me (and I paraphrase) that given the tyranny he has pressed on his country let him be returned to Mexico and that, “in a few years Mexico will be too feeble to give us any trouble.” That, of course turned out to be an accurate and prophetic assessment and recommendation with Santa Anna becoming an enthusiastic and unwitting mole for all his adversaries (within and without). Though an admitted oversimplification there is no doubt that mostly because of his policies Texas ultimately broke free and became an independent state.

We also need to remember that Manifest Destiny or not, most of the Texians were invited guests, many of whom who outlived their welcome proving once again, however noble, valiant, courageous and legitimate the cause, there are always two or more sides to every story.

Aye,

Ned Buxton

MASTER OF THE HOUSE

2011-04-09T07:47:00.003-05:00

This handsome lad (even with heavy makeup and bad teeth) is probably known and recognized by many PBS regulars as the eccentric, socially inept though brilliant (sometimes in his cups) ex-detective Brian Lane of the eminently successful BBC production of New Tricks which just ended its seventh season. He is all that and much, much more. He is the talented Alun Armstrong whose body of work appears to include something for everybody from Dickens and Shakespeare to modern theater and TV. He spent nine years with the Royal Shakespeare Company from 1979 to 1988.

Armstrong (Aye, his Father was Scottish) overcame many obstacles as a child and was motivated even as early as grammar school to seek a career in theater. He pursued his dream through some bumps and grinds that included a stint as a gravedigger and ultimately earned his position as one of the elite entertainers on our planet.

In his maturity he shows the march of time though that only enhances his character and perhaps the range of roles he can play. This man from coal mining stock has never forgotten his roots which inspire him to this day. His very credible theater, television and film credits are far too numerous to mention here except to comment that he raises the bar whenever he sets foot on stage.

We note Armstrong has never tried to reinvent himself or be somebody else. He is comfortable in his own skin and origins. We suspect he is right at home in a local pub with his fellow AFC Wimbledon fanatics. To his extraordinary credit he has always opted for extremely challenging roles including the treacherous Mornay in Braveheart (vengefully killed by Wallace) who as a sidebar never existed in reality.

In 1985 Armstrong joined the original London production of Cameron Mackintosh’s musical Les Misérables playing the part of gleefully visceral villain and disreputable innkeeper Thénardier (photo above). Armstrong originated and literally created his "gruesome and comic character" and was successful as the epitome of both evil and the only comic relief in Les Mis. Those that have followed in the role to include the late Leo Burmester of Broadway fame and the recent efforts of the multi-talented Matt Lucas are but shadowy imitations of Armstrong’s interpretation. In short, Armstrong owns the character.

Armstrong reprised the role in Les Misérables - The Dream Cast in Concert at their tenth anniversary at the Royal Albert Hall in October 1995 which was filmed and released on DVD. One Les Mis reviewer commenting on his performance offered, “… the absolute delight of Alun Armstrong as Thénardier - his rendition of "Master of the House" in the 10th Anniversary concert is a truly joyful experience that should not be missed by anyone who is a true fan of the musical - the entire stage of actors who are behind Alun as he sings that song are visibly delighted and enjoying his rendition of that song as much as the audience.” Absolument…

We cannot fathom anyone ever matching that performance much like Colm Wilkinson’s Jean ValJean though Alfie Boe may be the one to push Wilkinson witness his standing ovation during the 25th Anniversary show following his Bring Him Home. It was a first for Les Miserables though we need note this was celebration.

In more of a fit of humility than failure in judgment, Armstrong was surprised by the success of Les Misérables and stated, "I didn't think it would be very popular.” He underestimated the universal and powerful theme of Les Mis and the incredible performances (especially his own) that have made it the world’s most popular musical. Armstrong left Les Mis after a year wanting to work on other projects and, I suspect, fearing that he may trapped in that character.

When we saw Armstrong come on stage for the memorable encore finale of the 25th Anniversary performance of Les Miserable in London, we noted that same youthful exuberance and playful gleam in his eye that takes him to other places and dimensions we of the mortal plane can only imagine.

Aye,

Ned Buxton

TEXAS HISTORY: ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE

2011-04-03T08:14:00.010-05:00

Whether you’re Texas born and bred (like this writer) or one of those interlopers who came as quickly as you could and stayed (we love you), most folks (Native or not) have a feel for the history of one of the four states in the United States that was once its own country (a Republic from 1836 until 1845). Sidebar: The other states include Vermont, California (sort of) and Hawaii. No, we don’t include the Independent State of Franklin as they technically remained a part of North Carolina. The history of the State of Texas is unique and conjures up passion in her residents who savor their special place in history. Even as just one page in our evolving national manuscript, Texas deserves our close attention as she surges into the 21st century.

For me tradition and history are as important as where we are going. Our past and future are as one in the big scheme. That’s why it pains me when I see some folks especially in the Dallas area paying lip service to our traditions, some bent on reinventing history or just flat out ignoring or glossing over the past of our city and this great state. Many would replace what they believe to be outmoded and useless buildings with more concrete, metal and glass typical of our now iconic skyline.

Despite all that Dallas remains a beacon of history even as the site of the great Texas State Fair (since 1886) with grounds and buildings dedicated to the preservation of the history of Texas. Dallasites by their most recent words and actions have indicated that they are joining the Citizenry of Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin and many other cities who are enthusiastically dedicated to preserving Texas history. Thank God for the exemplary efforts of the Dallas Museum of Art and her Staff & Docents, Dallas Historical Society, Dallas Heritage Village, Preservation Dallas and the Dallas Bar Association via their Belo Mansion, among others who have literally raised the bar for us.

One Texan that walks the walk for many of us is twice former Texas Governor Bill Clements. He is the example we follow given his noble and enthusiastic preservation of history in his native Dallas and even throughout Texas. I applaud his leadership and vision as Governor especially as it related to education and working closely with our Mexican neighbors on critical immigration issues. Clements has been exemplary in his service to “The Republic.”

We note the continued existence of the Cumberland Hill School building at 1901 N. Akard St. in downtown Dallas as a testament to his sense of history. Built in 1889 on the site of a pre-Civil War school organized by the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Dallas, the building was the city's second public school building and now the oldest standing public school building in Dallas. The building was a school complex off and on until 1969. Just when its future seemed doomed Cumberland was purchased and restored by Clements in 1971 as headquarters for his Sedco Company. I have attended meetings of the Society of the Cincinnati’s Lone Star Association hosted by Clements at Cumberland and certainly also appreciated his willingness to literally share his love of Dickey’s Bar-B-Que (since 1941). With Bill Clements history begets history. Too bad we don’t have more Bill Clements to help us restore more of our few remaining historic properties. Thanks, Bill.

We could also follow the example of another native Texan who was dedicated to the preservation of Texas and Southwest history: esteemed historian Walter Prescott Webb (1888-1963) who was born in the deep piney woods of East Texas near Carthage and went on to The University of Texas History Department. As President of the Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) Webb established what evolved into The Handbook of Texas, a comprehensive encyclopedia of Texas geography, history, and individuals who contributed mightily to our great state. The Handbook of Texas was ultimately published by the TSHA and is now available on line. It is an incredible work in progress without peer.

Texas is now celebrating the 175th anniversary of the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence (3/2/2011) and the Battle of the Alamo (3/6/2011), both pivotal events in what culminated in annexation by and statehood in the United States of America in 1845. That ultimately precipitated the certain pivotal conflict/debacle known in the United States as the Mexican-American War (1846 to 1848) and was a precursor to the American Civil War (“Mexico will poison us.” RWE). Despite the persistence and bravery of a much weaker and disorganized Mexico, the outcome was assured even before the first military engagement.

Given the many aspects of this great state and this important Quartoseptcentennial/ dodransbicentennial (choose one) celebration, Might of Right will endeavor to cover some of these topics and in the process enlighten, educate and even dispel some old myths (the first being that Texas was the only independent country to become a US State).

The other myth I regularly hear when some Redneck Texans are wont to thump their chests is that Texas has the right to secede and/or split itself into from three to five separate United States. The latter is mostly a curiosity and while the right was granted (four additional), it was a ploy by the representatives of the then US slave states to counter the numbers and influence of the “Free” states. It is doubtful that could occur today or tomorrow as per the US Constitution any realignment requires Congressional approval. So, that’s not going to happen and, no doubt, a majority of Texans wouldn’t ratify that option anyway. Secession? Well, no such provision was in the annexation agreement, period. It is a fantasy and hoax… Governor Perry is a very smart man who despite his very strident rhetoric in 2009 knows his history and how to blow a lot of political smoke at times.

So much for the credibility of some of our Citizen Historians including some politicians who seem to be more gullible, ignorant or blatantly arrogant than I or maybe they’re just testing us? I guess the point here is that we have a great story to tell and there is no need to embellish and pervert our history and traditions. Texas Monthly take note and please don’t use Terquasquicentennial anymore. It means 375 years.

So, what’s happening with this great 175th anniversary celebration? I’ve only heard a few sound bites from several TV stations and an article in the Dallas Morning News. Texas Monthly touted The Great Terquasquicentennial Road Trip (oops!) and ended up mildly embarrassed though their hearts and that effort were in the right place. Texas Lt. Governor Dewhurst read a statement in the Texas Legislature on March 2 (good). Many Texas State Parks, museums and libraries are reinventing themselves as living history centers including re-enactments of the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence and much more as credibly transpired at the Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site in February. We have also seen local festivals like the 2011 Texas Independence Day Music Fest & Chili Cook Off in Conroe – their fourth annual – that proves once again that music, chili, history and politics are all inextricably intertwined in this great state (entertain and educate).

What I had been looking for and really haven’t seen was any loud, sustained fanfare or substantive statewide celebrations. Now maybe we’re just waiting for our 200th anniversary (Bicentennial - Texas Monthly take note) or the very presence of a burgeoning contemporary Hispanic/Latino population and recognition that the openly transparent objective of the Mexican-American War and the fledging United States in a fit of Manifest Destiny was to ultimately grab Texas and what is now New Mexico, California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah and parts of Colorado is an impediment. Please note if we hadn’t done so Great Britain would have surely taken California and more aggressively defended and probably not ceded the Columbia District to the US via the Oregon Treaty in 1846. Significant? Columbia now constitutes the US states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho and parts of Montana and Wyoming.

Now relative to Texas if there are any politically correct (PC) considerations here we need to remind ourselves that without popular support from the existing Tejano populations, the revolution probably wouldn’t have been successful. We wonder what would have happened if the Mexican Constitution of 1824 had been restored or for that matter, never rescinded…

The great conundrum here is however gray many of the issues that eventually involved the United States, it will always appear to many that we abandoned many of the lofty principles that prompted our founding and as one historian offered, “A retreat from the idealism of the 18th century.” That is the great paradox though we pretty much treated our First Nations the same way (same song, different Jacksonian verse).

Texas and her drive towards independence is like a great onion with layer after layer that needs to be peeled back to better understand the motivation of the players and the overall time line. Texas was built on the backs of the personalities of a handful of individuals most of whom never had the initial intent to form an independent Texas though that eventually turned into a deliberate, righteous cause. It is our intent to reflect our reality and not raise our august founders above their accomplishments or denigrate them. Both good and bad brought us here today and we shall endeavor mightily to honestly explore our history.

Happy Terquasquicentennial - less two hundred years.

Aye,

Ned Buxton

SUPER MOON & SPRING

2011-03-25T21:37:00.005-05:00

No, I’m not talking about some tasteless adolescent bum shot and prank, rather a once in just about every eighteen year event when the earth’s only natural satellite is closest to our planet. Last Saturday night our moon was also in full phase and was bigger and brighter than usual, in fact, absolutely brilliant. This was the moon in Super Perigee and given its significant almost two decade interval good Friends John and Susan thought this yet another legitimate excuse to meet and party. Indeed, we did. After a great shared meal we gathered at their abode and set up our lawn chairs in their front yard at the end of an east facing cul-de-sac in far north Dallas.

At around 8:15 PM CT a large yellow to orange ball framed by two winter oaks dominated the horizon and looked more like some surreal scene from an earlier Star Trek. This was all real, however, and made even more enjoyable with the consumption of a 2009 Bogle Sauvignon Blanc in tribute to Patty Bogle with a 2007 Smoking Loon Syrah waiting in the wings – just in case. We recommend this as the accompaniment to any lunar event especially in the southwest – seems to fit.

All this was the precursor to the Vernal/Spring Equinox that fell on the next day. We hip hopped into Spring noting the learned observations of our ancestors including the Mayans and, of course, those persistent Druids and Celtic Peoples who were once again busy celebrating at Stonehenge and many other stone circles in Europe. As most educated folks know by now many pre-Christian cultures placed great significance on the equinox and celebrated with a wide variety of rituals some of which were carried over in the modern Christian Church. They must have gone nuts when their full moons were also in perigee…

No we aren’t going to entertain a cavalcade of cultural paradigms validating that fact but we will let you ponder the capital letter, “E”. Hint: The ancient Saxons in Northern Europe worshiped the Goddess Oestre at the time of the Spring Equinox. The Celts and others in the northern hemisphere celebrated Ostara, the coming of the light out of darkness (winter), fertility and the renewal of life (of bunnies and eggs).

Those who know me also note my celebration of the Maya Culture and they put yet another spin on the vernal equinox. Even the most radicalized evangelical will concede the great astronomical knowledge of the Maya even to the manipulation of the rays of the sun and moon – just like the ancient Druids. The Mayan city state of Chichén Itzá is home to the Pyramid of Kukulcán where every March 21 the rays of the setting sun shine across the stepped northwestern corner of the pyramid ultimately casting a zigzag shadow much like a diamondback rattlesnake in profile, connecting with the carved stone snake's head at the foot of the balustrade. The feathered serpent lives again.

Like the ancients before us, we celebrated the beauty of Mother Nature and the wonders of our universe while some idiots in Y2K mode huddled in their caves, fearful that the earthquakes, floods (tsunamis) and storms striking the planet Earth were “caused by the super moon”. Well, we welcomed Spring and the only thing we dread is the inevitable 110+ temperatures that Summer will bring to Texas. Tell that to Michiganders who are enduring yet another heavy ice and snow storm as of this writing.

Celebrating the beginning of Spring and the rebirth of life appears to be among the oldest holidays in human culture. Seems that things haven’t changed all that much, maybe somewhat though with the addition of a good California Sauvignon Blanc…

Aye,

Ned Buxton

BEE (Best Enchiladas Ever) – EXACTLY

2011-03-20T14:20:00.004-05:00

Yesterday Mary had enchiladas for lunch at BEE (a not so humble acronym that stands for Best Enchiladas Ever) with one of her work buds. This new “fast-casual” place is conveniently located near her gallery district work home, south of the Trinity River in historic Oak Cliff. She came home with glowing reports of quality and flavorful enchilada offerings and entreaties that she/we go back soon – for more. This “enchiladeria” is located at 202 West Davis a stone’s throw south of the Cuellar Family’s highly regarded Tejano restaurant so I wondered who could be so bold (perhaps impertinent) as to set up shop next to a Mexican food icon.

Mary is always to be trusted and like restaurant critic extraordinaire and sometimes potty mouth Alice “Fat Bastard” Laussade of the Dallas Observer, exhorted that BEE, “Lives up to its name.” and “They were the best. Enchiladas. Ever.” Laussade cops an attitude (that serves her well) and she usually hits home runs. I trust her judgment. I trust Mary’s more. If truth be told, the next day wasn’t too soon for us to re/visit BEE. Indeed, (sanity check) why didn’t we go down there that same evening?

The Oak Cliff neighborhood is in recovery mode and given its historic and strategic importance to Dallas along with a dedicated local leadership and committed citizenry, is fast regaining respectability and livability. No security issues here though we did note that across the street is a now boarded up apartment building made somewhat more picturesque given a huge wisteria vine marking the spot where the infamous Lee Harvey Oswald once resided.

BEE’s physical location used to house The Quinn Bar & Grill and Long John Silver’s (LJS) and while I don’t want to shoot arrows at my Celtic cousins or LJS, BEE given the efforts of Best Restauranteur (D Magazine) Monica Greene of Aca y Alla and Cayuse fame (long inspirational story) and Beekeeper K. Steven Roberts has substantially upgraded that locale in both stature and creative, meaningful cuisine. It brings Oak Cliff yet one step closer to prosperity as businesses including merchants and restauranteurs with unique, marketable products move into the area. Not unlike Atlanta’s Grant Park and Virginia Highlands neighborhoods, this is a success story in the making.

Another Dallas Observer contributor Andrea Grimes, an award-winning freelance journalist and columnist for the Observer also reviewed BEE. She hit the mark with her review and since I couldn’t do better, part it follows.

“Go straight for the Chipotle Crema Sauce.

Actually, first go left, when you walk in the door and fill out the little order card, then give that to the cashier, then tell Monica -- or whoever is behind the counter -- all of the many and various extras you want on your personalized enchilada. Just make sure there's chipotle crema in there somewhere. You can have the thick, spicy sauce on a corn, wheat or flour tortilla filled with all manner of peppery meats or cheeses. You can have it with rice. You can have it with beans. But you'll want it as a smoky complement to any of Monica's many ingredients.

Between the epic crema and the near-infinite seeming personalization choices, BEE might really have some of the best enchiladas ever. It's not just that the food is great -- it's that you can build your best enchilada. And that'll be the title of my first self-help book.”

A Google search will reveal even more reviews and even a nod from the apparently not so distant New York Times who tapped BEE as a must stop for visiting 2011 Super Bowl revelers. Good news travels fast as they have only been open for about two months.

The BEE with its check list menu/order card and counter-service enchiladeria reminded me of a cross between Chipotle, Freebird’s and Which Witch. New customers don’t take long to figure out the system and then get down to the most pleasant part of this experience – eating your enchiladas. Your toughest decision might ultimately be how many to order.

BEE always makes their enchiladas with fresh, natural, and organic products. BEE’s staff appears dedicated to help you build the perfect enchilada, your way with extensive choices of fillings, tortillas, cheeses and sauces. Some of the meat fillings include carnitas, beef brisket, chicken tinga, beef picadillo, shrimp Diablo, tilapia, cheese or even vegetarian/vegan alternatives (“venchiladas”) including the Sweet Amarillo a mashed sweet potato enchilada with roasted Amarillo (roasted yellow bell pepper) sauce. It appears to this uninitiated writer that there are strong hints of an Aca Y Alla influence. The more the better…

Now if you want to pursue more food options at BEE, yes, you can order tacos, burritos, salads and a variety of what they call “beesides.”

BEE is an idea born out of 30 plus years of experience in the restaurant business in Dallas. This appears to be a carefully crafted concept (with some precedence) where the owners appear to be willing to go the distance. This concept looks to be easily replicated and with their lighter and healthier fare their success looks to be a given. I do wonder about their margins – such high quality for a low cost. Yes, they have to make money on what looks to be slim margins. We do earnestly hope that they will be able to sell in sufficient volume to justify the concept and, hopefully, other locations when they have their formula polished.

Eating is once again a celebration at BEE and I give the food an A+++++ (the Best) though the dining area could use more tweaking. Having said that, I didn’t go to BEE for the Mexican tile and the exposed wood beams. I went there for the food (that’s the point) and was not disappointed. Welcome back, Monica. We hope you have the same positive influence on Oak Cliff you’ve had on Deep Ellum. We thank Beekeeper K. Steven Roberts for his hospitality and vision.

So, get out there and support this eatery and spread the word about the genius of their offerings. Be selfish. You’ll be doing yourself a huge favor.

Aye,

Ned Buxton

NFL AND NFLPA – IT’S ALL ABOUT MONEY

2011-03-12T14:35:00.006-06:00

A lot of folks appear happy that the charade and posturing is finally over and the NFL owners have finally locked out the players. That both parties appeared entrenched, immovable and intent on pursuing what could be a long legal battle is an understatement. Actually it was DeMaurice Smith, the Executive Director of the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) who walked out of the negotiations though failure appeared inevitable, even desired. That said, it was money that moved them apart and it will be money that will get them back together.

Now I am all for good preparation but before the sitz mark on the good NFLPA Executive Director’s chair had melted ten players including Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Drew Brees filed an antitrust lawsuit against the NFL. Their lawyers also announced that they also filed a request for an injunction that would lift the lockout. This suit and the language therein certainly reflects weeks and probably months (years?) of hard work and preparation negatively reflecting on the sincerity and at least the negative expectations of those players and the NFLPA. There was a lot of hostility reflected there and will surely result in more enmity between the two sides.

My visceral reaction is that the NFL owners as the parties who put up the bucks and funded this whole concept have certain inalienable rights and should be able to pay within fair and reasonable bounds what they figure is equitable compensation to anyone in their organizations. However that’s all balanced by fair wage and anti-discrimination laws, something called the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 and the precedence of all the previous agreements where the NFL owners have literally given away the farm to the NFLPA (hoisted by their own petard).

In May 2008 the NFL owners fully engaged their conundrum and option by voting to opt out of the collective bargaining agreement signed in 2006 where an estimated 60 percent or more of league revenues are going to player compensation. I can’t put this in a business perspective as this metric appears to be all across the board by company and industry. Bottom line is that the owners feel that with the increased cost of doing business, the more they can reserve for their profits, the better. Understandably, the owners appear dedicated to increasing a few more percentage points in their favor. Understandably, the NFLPA appears intent on negotiating a bigger piece of the pie at the owner’s expense. Both sides give lip service to The Fans, but its really all about the bottom line.

So, it would seem that while the owners are not trying to undo all that they have done, they would like to restart the clock a bit or only concede a little. While it certainly appears, and especially so in these unsettling financial times, that these agreements and the huge dollars are not sustainable (like the rest of our spending), the prospects of regressing aren’t likely. The old rule of thumb in HR is that you can’t take back what you have already given though the airlines seem to have been successful in breaking that rule. Then, however, it was concede or lose your jobs. That will not likely happen here though a one year hiatus might be healthy and just what the doctor ordered.

The NFL owners refuse to open their books and I certainly understand their hesitation to capitulate to what are essentially employees. While the players may think so, this really is not a partnership. The average life span of an NFL player is around four years and most are looking for a payoff that will sustain them for the rest of their lives. What they should have been doing was pursuing their education and marketable skills that will allow them to earn a fair wage like the rest of us. I know a college player who was drafted in the NFL/AFL, played running back for the Rams for a couple of years and has been practicing dentistry ever since. He sets a great example.

To the average Joe on the street the “Millionaires v Billionaires” battle is a ludicrous scenario except when it comes to their team, their blue and silver, black and gold, red and navy, etc. Most cannot see beyond their stadiums and the glory that their teams can reap and their declared association with them. Everybody wants to belong and be part of something bigger than they are. To fantasize, raise a glass high and even be silly for a few hours a week is healthy and even provides a sense of purpose and relief in our consummately challenging world.

Despite those alliances and relief from the mundane, for most of us struggling to put food on the table and roof over our heads, this fight for over billions of dollars in revenues over a game, however popular, in these trying times, appears to be on another planet, even universe. Yes, we can be motivated and inspired by our favorite teams and no doubt the negative effect on the financials of those that depend on the game including vendors of all shapes and sizes - will be huge. Mercy, what will the gamblers and pizza delivery folks do?

But, this debate is so far away from the Ultimate Fan that it defies explanation and like the NFL strike of 1987 will surely damage the game and take it yet another step backward. The REAL FAN will become ancillary to the overall scheme of things where the rich and famous and corporations will be the primary subscribers while those aforementioned real fans will watch on pay TV. I know a former NFL season ticket holder of 30 years priced out of his seat though he may occasionally do a standing room only (SRO) deal, if he can afford it. I will not be a SRO or pay to watch any game on TV including the Super Bowl, even if the Dallas Cowboys or New York Giants are playing.

The silver lining in all this is that we may just have to resort to more college football and spending more time with Family and Friends. Wonder if the divorce or even birth rates will spike during this period…

That said, when the two sides finally do come to an agreement all will probably be forgiven and back on track with everybody smiling to the bank. The NFL and the NFLPA are counting on that… Count me out.

Aye,

Ned Buxton

SOMBRERO & KILT - HAGGIS TACOS, AYE!

2011-03-09T06:17:00.003-06:00

All the recent hullabaloo surrounding the class action suit filed by an Alabama law firm on behalf of a California woman alleging that the percentage of beef contained in Taco Bell’s beef tacos is, “less than 35%” appears frivolous and a tempest in a teapot - at best. I ask what was the catalyst and eureka moment for filing this suit, (I was eating my taco and noticed that it only contained 35% beef.)? Many people are buying into these allegations while others speculate that this appears on the surface a contrivance and/or premeditated attempt to smear the reputation of Taco Bell. We will see…

Taco Bell is preparing to vigorously defend its reputation. While this plaintiff may suffer the slings and arrows of public indignation after all is said and done, in our PC world the spin will be, I was doing it for the public good. Well, please don’t include me…

I believe that while Taco Bell may have at one time cooked their beef from scratch on site and added their secret ingredients as necessary, they like many other restaurant chains have refined the cooking process so it is more of a heating and assembly activity that can be engaged even by Neanderthals (like me) and great way to maintain the continuity, uniformity and quality of their products. In their quest for providing healthy, quality products a responsible Taco Bell switched to zero trans-fat frying oil in all of its US single-branded locations in 2007 (sister KFC did the same). Doesn’t sound like a company that would compromise their singular branded product by adding excessive and unnecessary fillers. You just don’t screw with success.

The folks that filed this suit have already demonstrated incredible ignorance as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines do not apply to restaurants. The USDA's rules do apply to meat processors - the companies Taco Bell buys its meat from – in this case, Tyson Foods Inc., Taco Bell’s largest meat supplier, who mixes and cooks the meat at three USDA-inspected plants. Tyson Foods in a recent press release vigorously upheld client Taco Bell’s strict production guidelines. As for “scientific testing” how much of a sampling do you need to fairly determine what percent is actually beef? So many questions… If Tyson prepares Taco Bell’s taco beef mix in 100 gallon vats, do you test in that same measure?

Taco Bell has responded that their beef tacos indeed, contain 88% beef with other ingredients including oats. Yes, oats! I was immediately reminded of the magnificent national Scottish dish Haggis that contains a majority percentage (88%+) of lamb and sometimes beef (or other critters and their pieces parts) and oats.

Before we begin yet another grand revelation let me first state that I happen to like Taco Bell’s tacos and most everything else they offer and fully intend to continue my patronage. Great company, good people and great products. Yum, Yum… It appears that while many are already prejudging and deep sixing Taco Bell, we think that these allegations don’t amount to a “hill of refried beans.” and may be the tip of another as yet discernible agenda. We surely hope not though why file a class action and fail to understand basic USDA regulations?

Now, these allegations are specific to Taco Bell and I certainly counsel those interested to keep an open mind and wait for the final verdict. In the interim and in the interests of gastronomic adventure and just another opportunity to have some fun, I do wonder what our other taco filling options might be – aside from continuing to buy what is certainly a quality product from a great company.

My personal favorite is fish tacos (tacos de pescado) from two Dallas restaurants - Rockfish and/or Flying Fish - that do Baja righteously proud. But, we are in the quest for landed mammalian taco filling options. I have noted that our Brothers and Sisters south of the Texas border prepare a wide variety of fillings for their taco shells (corn and flour tortillas - hard and soft) including many fillings that haven’t made it to other parts of the civilized world. I suspect that most have not heard of tacos de cabeza (head) that could include such luscious fillings as brains (sesos), tongue (lengua), cheeks (cachet), lips (trompa) and for you brave of heart and soul - eyes (ojos). Or how about some tripita (tripe/stomach) tacos? All these tacos are typically served steamed and also generally include pico de gallo, onion, cilantro and guacamole. Well, these are not options for this kid.

I look nostalgically homeward to Scotland and to the aforementioned Haggis and think, why not? Haggis in a Shell has a nice ring to it and would be a great way to eat this signature dish. Haggis is one of those dishes in its purest traditional Scottish form that uses offal/pluck (sheep's heart, liver and lungs - all minced), with suet, onions, oatmeal and spices, all boiled in the animal's stomach/paunch (which is not eaten). The recipe can vary, (no, it does not include the oink/bleat/moo as well) and there's even meatless Haggis — which may seem even stranger but if you’ve eaten a vegetarian burrito, then you’ve been there.

In the states we cannot by law properly or accurately replicate real Haggis. In our domain Haggis comes out more like a coarse liver pate that can be made with lamb or beef though still boiled in a stomach or alternative synthetic pouch. Of all the US versions I have tasted the best was from the kitchen of the late Laura “Haggis Queen” Kilpatrick. Her Haggii (look it up) were superb and earned her many kudos including her royal title. With Laura having relinquished her kitchen and now resting comfortably and ruling with a firm hand in Valhalla, we do have earthly options via the very capable and talented Scotophile Jim Walters ('Laird O' tha Haggis', Friend and fellow Templar) and his extraordinary Caledonian Kitchen canned Haggis. He has a full range of Scottish products and we assure you that this Haggis is exceptional and perhaps perfect for filling a taco shell…

Haggis is technically a sausage with generally well over 88% meat and offal though despite some repugnance (born of ignorance) with some of the original ingredients, it is delicious. I’ve tasted the real thing and like it as well or better than our North American version. So why not serve it in a taco shell? No reason at all.

Perhaps I can offer a sometimes perhaps even seasonal revision (Spring?) to Robert Burns’ Ode To A Haggis changing the last line to:

Gie her a Haggis Taco!

And if Taco Bell decides to market this delicacy let’s make sure that with the pico de gallo they offer some neeps and tatties garnished with cilantro, of course.

Aye,

Ned Buxton

THE KING’S SPEECH: YET ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE

2011-03-04T06:17:00.003-06:00

One of the many positive and more obvious elements of The King’s Speech is the attention it has drawn to the always frustrating and sometimes debilitating speech disorder we know as stuttering or stammering. The movie obviously meant a great deal to a lot of people as it garnered twelve Oscar nominations from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), including Best Picture, Director, Original Screenplay, Supporting Actor Geoffrey Rush (astounding as Lionel Logue) and Actor for Colin Firth's amazing performance as King George VI who mostly managed his stammering (never was cured) to the degree that he was able to successfully lead his country through its greatest crisis. The King’s Speech ultimately won four Oscars for Best Original Screenplay, Direction, Best Actor and, yes, Picture of the Year, outstanding recognition especially considering their competition.

As I indicated in an earlier post, I was deeply moved by this movie and upon reflection realized that it contained elements present in my own life – some frivolous, some serious. They follow and probably offer nothing more than an insight to my psyche and early education and experiences though they certainly represent elements of our history.

When I was growing up the stammering Porky Pig ("Th-Th-Th-Th-Th-...That's all, folks”) was the first of many popular (my favorite) cartoon characters including Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd (another stutterer), Sylvester the Cat, Tweety Bird, Wile E. Coyote, Road Runner, Foghorn Leghorn, Yosemite Sam, Pepé Le Pew, Gossamer and many others from Warner Bros. and their very popular and successful Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoon series.

Not so ironically Porky shared his stutter with Joe Dougherty the voice actor who originally played him. Dougherty, however, could not control his stuttering (in or out of the studio and with or without his mike) resulting in longer recording sessions and higher production costs prompting his inevitable replacement by the versatile and now iconic Mel Blanc in 1937. The unintended stutter had by then, however, become the trademark trait of the character and Warner Bros. and Blanc continued the stutter, but controlled it and “harnessed (it) for a more precise comedic effect.” Porky surely was a comedic figure who elicited laughs though at the expense of those so afflicted. With Dougherty it was a real and daily challenge. With Blanc it was a contrivance… As a young boy I demonstrated some talent at drawing and cartooning and always seemed to be drawing Porky Pig and Elmer Fudd (Hmmmmm).

Another famous stutterer for we bairns growing up in the 1940’s and 50’s was the timid and seemingly always nervous, soft-spoken baby pig named Piglet who also happened to be best Friends with A. A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh (I was a Peter Rabbit and Winnie the Pooh kind of kid). Though Piglet didn’t get his voice until Disney’s Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day (1968), he was always presented in text with a squeaky stutter. Piglet’s occasional stammering ("Oh d-d-d-dear"), conveyed his nervousness and fear of the unknown and his occasional dive into Kanga’s pouch. Piglet’s generous, kind-hearted and humble demeanor always ultimately made up for his skittishness, worrying nature (always anxiously wringing his hands/hooves?) and his meager size. So, despite his shortcomings and stutter he always prevailed. Another important lesson learned…

I am also reminded of my Lenox School reading of Herman Melville’s great unfinished and resurrected novella, Billy Budd, the allegorical story of a sailor of the same name who is the personification and embodiment of all that is innocent and good. Budd is falsely accused of a crime he did not commit. Because of his stuttering in moments of distress he is unable to defend himself and blindly strikes out accidentally killing his accuser, the evil master-at-arms, Claggart who himself should have been hung from the yardarm. Instead, however innocent in this tale of Good vs. Evil - Truth vs. Justice, Billy willingly forfeits his life for the good of the many. "Struck dead by the angel of God!" exclaims (Captain) Vere (Truth or Pontius Pilate?). "Yet the angel must hang!" Melville’s heroic character dies because of his one tragic flaw - he stuttered. That morality play and iconic tragedy has literally stayed with me all my life. More lessons…

Then there was the infamous and indefensible stuttering Reverend Dr. Cotton Mather (1663–1728) son of the Reverend Dr. Increase Mather, the most prominent puritan clergyman in New England - Pastor of Boston's original North Church, president of Harvard College and New England's ambassador to the King of England. Cotton was the assistant Pastor at Boston's original North Church under his father and later Pastor when called upon (the 2nd time) by his congregation. As a kid growing up in New England and with a seemingly endless array of Puritan ancestors, well, I was initiated to history in part via the Mathers.

Cotton Mather was a leader of the Puritans and author who wrote hundreds of books and pamphlets including the first book on stuttering in America. Mr. Mather tried many methods to treat his stuttering - some successful including speaking in a drawling or sing-sing fashion and some unsuccessful - such as fasting and prayers. Apparently he did not shout the vulgarities that seemingly worked for George VI.

While a mostly fanatical though sometimes cautious supporter and advisor of the hysterical fiasco known as the Salem Witch Trials (really about money and land) he was later publicly unrepentant despite heavy criticism. He justifiably suffered mightily the slings and arrows of contemporary scorn for his involvement in the trials. That continues and I have Friends from Massachusetts who still today rightly curse his name despite all the good he did. Mather seemed to take the opportunity to rededicate himself after the trials and despite overwhelming positives, his mostly negative place in history persists (see Three Sovereigns for Sarah). Father Increase Mather did not support the Salem Witch Trials.

Both Increase and Cotton were good Friends with one of my august ancestors, the Rev. James Keith of Bridgewater, Massachusetts. Cotton Mather delivered the sermon and eulogy at Keith’s funeral in July 1719. Despite his stuttering Cotton was known for his fire and brimstone sermons. Ironically, on his fifty-sixth birthday, Cotton preached on Ecclesiastes 9:10a, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might”, the motto of the Buxton Family. Needless to say we Buxtons have nothing more in common with Cotton than that sermon and his friendship with Keith which we hope in retrospect was more a matter of liturgical convenience. Cotton’s stuttering no doubt increased (no pun) his fervor for writing in such abundance .

There are many well-known and successful celebrities and other folks of some notoriety – from all walks of life - who have stuttered and been very successful. Caution: I do cringe (and I certainly mean no disrespect) when I see myriad “Lists of Famous Stutterers” and I am NOT going to include one here.

While I don’t want to remove even the remotest inspiration for those with a speech impediment, I see celebrities and figures in world history (most deceased) alleged to have stuttered with absolutely no documentation of the disorder. These highly suspect lists seems to grow daily and are then in non-scholarly fashion embraced and perpetuated on the Internet compounding the issue. In our celebrity-driven, instant gratification culture the presence of these pin up boys/girls appears to be there mostly for therapeutic or marketing value in order to raise money for research and public relations. Next I fully expect to see multiple choice PR material that matches celebrities with their disorders. Having said that, those truly afflicted and willing to lend their support to these causes are to be commended.

While I am not trying to underplay the seriousness of this disorder, those so afflicted shouldn’t use it as a crutch, an excuse for failure, letting it rule their lives. George VI sure didn’t and pushed towards the light. George’s civilian partner, Winston Churchill (he had a lisp), addressed his issue and is considered by many as one of the greatest orators of all time. Some state that Churchill even had a stammer though there is great disagreement on this issue (I am lock step with the Churchill Centre & Museum in London). That he did have a speech defect is well documented. Churchill turned that lisp and “word groping” into his famous and dramatic “loaded pause” and with his defiant, jowly, baritone delivery gave even greater credence and power to his words. He was and remains (with or without a list/stammer) one of my heroes with his life an example and tribute to courage and perseverance. Same song, different verse…

Would that those with this speech disorder could turn it off as easily as Mel Blanc did. I have one close Family member who has suffered from this ailment for most of his life enduring a wide variety of treatments. He has learned to cope and is doing well, but sometimes regresses when in distress. We in the Family have learned to be more empathetic, patient and understanding. He has walked the walk, proved his worth, paid the proverbial piper and earned a special place on this planet. He has made us better.

So, this speech disorder hits close to home for me and other Family members hence part of my fascination with the movie. Statistics from I don’t know where estimate that one percent of the world’s population stammers or stutters. When part of that one percent is the King of England in wartime, then you have a great tale though the real story (probably far more complicated than this simplistic tale) wasn’t told until 70+ years later per the request of the Queen Mum.

The humanity of that episode in history and this triumph over adversity is the point, among others, of the movie and the essence of this post. Please be patient, encouraging and relaxed when you relate to individuals so challenged. They are us and we them, part of that by the grace of God thing. Yes, they/we have a voice… And, maybe you didn’t know that David Seidler who wrote The Kings’s Speech screenplay and won the Oscar has been part of that voice. You see, Seidler stuttered badly until he conquered his own speech disorder nearly 60 years ago giving George VI and his valiant example the credit. Seidler became a writer hoping to one day chronicle the King’s tale and we say, well done.

Renowned movie critic Leonard Maltin opines for me, “There are times when I look around me and get the feeling that civilization, as I know it, is coming to an end. Then a film like this arrives on the scene and restores my faith, not only in movies but in humankind itself.”

Aye,

Ned Buxton

OPINION OF THE SON OF A DOG BREEDER

2011-02-26T12:01:00.010-06:00

I have watched the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show ever since it was first televised in 1948. The 2011 version (their 135th) allowed me to continue my appreciation of the American Kennel Club (AKC) while taking me back to my early youth and the Texas Kennel Club (AKC) Championships then held at the Texas State Fair in Dallas. I am the eldest son of Coburn Allen Buxton and Elisabeth Alden Littlefield Buxton who ran Brunonia Kennels in Dallas. Mom and Dad raised championship German Shepherd Dogs (GSD) with Brunonia famous for their dedication to the Flowdale line. Dad was one of the founders and first President of the German Shepherd Dog Club of Dallas. Since we spent so much time with the dogs Brother John and I used to be known in some circles as Romulus and Remus. Champion Susan of Flowdale saved my life at least once so this piece is dedicated to her.

Yes, I am the son of dog breeders, a play on a line I heard used at Westminster this year to describe the, daughter of dog breeders, Angela Lloyd, the very competent and successful handler to the Westminster 2011 Best in Show – 85 pound, five year old, female Scottish Deerhound GCH Foxcliffe Hickory Wind ("GCH" stands for Grand Champion).

This year’s Westminster Show was a big hit and not just because of the superb participants [2500 entries featuring all 179 breeds and varieties recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC)] but also because of superior management and the return (Thank Goodness and Hurrah!) of multitalented announcer Michael J. Lafave with his distinctive, smooth as silk deep voice which is one of the exclamation marks of this show. Would that we could bottle Lafave’s persona and voice and keep him around forever. By the way Lafave is a Human Resources (HR) guy no doubt explaining his erudite and professional demeanor, no doubt…

The Westminster show this year coincided with the rebroadcast on America’s Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) of the 2008 BBC investigative and very disturbing documentary, Pedigree Dogs Exposed, which scrutinized many of the health and welfare issues facing pedigree dogs in the United Kingdom. It was a bomb of cataclysmic proportions dropped onto The Kennel Club and resulted in many of their perennial sponsors withdrawing support to the organization. Those withdrawing their support included the BBC, Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), Pedigree and others. The Kennel Club’s initial reaction was belligerent and defensive - not very diplomatic or productive though they now appear to be trying to right themselves. Failing that, they would have been forever tainted and lose whatever credibility they ever had. Bottom line: We need them though they need to be more responsible and not allow the tail to wag the dog – so to speak.

The tail in this case are some breeders (and we suspect very few) who have capriciously and arbitrarily changed the standards of their breed(s) to satisfy their own personal whims and standards to the detriment of the health of many pedigree dogs - and all for a ribbon. The documentary reflects that while the breed standards are set by The Kennel Club, they have been open to interpretation and so as the fashion of the day has changed, so have the dogs.

Proof? Well, I’m not a geneticist or Veterinarian and have absolutely no professional credentials. I was, however, raised in a working kennel and can comment on what a German Shepherd Dog was then and is now. They are not the same. Now that may please some current breeders who are fixated on their own subjective aesthetics, but it hasn’t been good for the breed. It has, indeed, been injurious and German Shepherd Dogs have suffered ever more mightily from Hip Dysplasia, a degenerative hip disorder that is now a common problem with show dogs of the breed. Just look at the roached backs of show GSDs and the straight backs of their working counterparts and there’s your proof. The GSD was bred as a working sheep dog, not a show dog and for some idiot to say that the working dog is “incorrect” is asinine. I guess that if I lived and hobnobbed in the court of Louis XIV and didn’t wear heavy white pancake makeup consisting of lead, mercury and vinegar then I would be, “incorrect” as well. Again, it’s all about fashion.

Our proof is as simple as photos that featured Kennel Club breed champions from 50, 80 and even 100 years ago. Compared with the current standard it becomes painfully clear that the breeds have been genetically manipulated to please the whimsy of a few.

Closer to home, I compared a 1953 photo of Brunonia’s Texas and AKC Champion Ch Susan of Flowdale (1946/47 - five Best of Breeds handled by Peter Patterson, Ch. Judge Anton Korbel) with some of the Best in Breed from recent years and the difference is startling and even appalling. Current “correct” show GSDs have that aforementioned bowed (roached) and dramatically sloping back while Ch. Susan of Flowdale had an almost straight back. Bottom line: The contemporary show GSD is different from the standard of the breed even fifty years ago. To their great credit The Kennel Club is now retraining their judges to penalize GSDs who manifest this deformity.

In their Pedigree Dogs Exposed the BBC compared old photographs of GSDs and other breeds including the Dachshund, Basset Hound, Bull Terrier, Bulldog and Pug. The differences in the photos were startling and validated (as with Ch. Susan of Flowdale) that the standards of many breeds have changed substantially over the past century. Some blinded and incredibly, blissfully arrogant breeders still continue to try and “educate” us Neanderthals and even criticize the AKC breed standard because it does not completely conform with their personal interpretations.

My take on all this is that the farther that we get from the “working” or original standard of the dog, a greater disservice we do the breed and ourselves. I believe that there can be moral and ethical issues with regard to genetic manipulation of canines just as there are with humans. Those who would genetically manipulate the conformation of an animal, essentially breeding for a deformity (an exaggerated or spectacular “aesthetic” feature), will continue to suffer the slings and arrows of public indignation. We also need to get over the hysteria (both sides) that is gripping much of the canine world because of the revelations made in Pedigree Dogs Exposed. Only a relatively few breeds were featured and within them perhaps only a few irresponsible breeders. Let’s put everything in perspective and like The Kennel Club put sanctions in place that will discourage and stop irresponsible breeding practices.

We took great interest in (and strength from) the comments of respected Judge Paolo Dondina of Monterchi, Italy after he presented Hickory with her Best in Show ribbon, “This animal is like in the heavens. It’s not of this world.” Dondina then commented further that the breed was very old and had changed little over the years. This was a significant public statement as Paolo will be judging Best in Show at The Kennel Club’s Crufts Dog Show in 2011. This could be interesting…

When we made our comparisons of the Scottish Deerhound, then and now, we noted a photo from 1910 demonstrating little, if any, changes. Many historians note that this is an ancient breed that has existed before recorded history, indeed, with the archeological evidence supporting that its ancestors were kept by the Scots and Picts.

The Scottish Deerhound is known as the Royal Dog of Scotland and was romanticized by Sir Walter Scott who as a lifelong owner (Maida) and breeder of these dogs called them “the most beautiful creatures of heaven.” Until the 1800s, no one ranking below an Earl was even allowed to own the breed in Scotland.

The photograph in this post is dated 1890 and is one proudly posing Scot, Ronald MacColl, Deerstalker, from Black Mount, Rannoch Moor, Argyll, Scotland with his Scottish Deerhound companion and insinuated work mate. We knew you would want to know.

So, we have history on our side and, no, we don’t paint all breeders with the same brush. We well congratulate and applaud those overwhelming numbers of reputable breeders who support the humane treatment of all animals with an eye on conservation and perpetuation of all breeds, research and treatments for canine health issues and not engaging irresponsible genetic manipulation. Those that do otherwise are encouraged to join the Flat Earth Society if indeed they don’t already belong…

So, now that’s two in a row for the Scots who won the 2010 Westminster Show via Ch. Roundtown Mercedes of Maryscot aka Sadie, a black Scottish Terrier. Perhaps a Cairn, Westie or even a Border Collie can pull off the hat trick in 2012?

Well done AKC.

Aye,

Ned Buxton