I want to start out this column by making an apology. That is rare in the newspaper world, as usually it is called a correction or a clarification of some kind. But the way I was brought up and the way I believe, when an apology is due, be man enough to own up to it and do it.

 

Last week we ran a photo of the Owsley County team members who were named to the Red River Classic All-Tournament Team. I thought it would be a nice gesture for a district team that gets very little press coverage. I did not look close enough at the picture and ran it. It was after a friend called joking about the picture and a few others who called were not so amused, that I realized the problem. One of the players was flying the bird, so to speak as he held his trophy.

Needless to say, I was shocked and upset. Not at the player, kids are kids and some do not use good judgment. But I was upset with me; I failed to notice the problem. So I am man enough to admit my fault, and apologize to my readers, the owner of the paper, the staff and anyone who may have been offended.

Asking for forgiveness is not easy for anyone. No one wants to admit they were wrong. Just look at Mark McGwire, the former Oakland A’s and St. Louis Cardinals star, who just admitted he took steroids. It came as no shock to anyone who watched him play, but he feels he needs to come clean. Maybe it is because he is tired of being passed over for the Hall of Fame or maybe he truly is sorry. Either way, it was not easy for him.

We all need to remember that we have all done or said something that probably offended someone. I know in my job it is an occupational hazard. But I try to tell the truth and if that offends people I cannot help that. But if I intentionally try to hurt someone or lie then I am in the wrong. An apology is due.

The hardest part of forgiveness is that we all need it, we all need to give it and then we have to try to forget. That is very hard. But it is a necessity if for no other reason than to be able to move on with our lives.

I also look at it from a Biblical point of view. In Matthew 18: 21-22 Peter asked Jesus how often he should forgive someone who has wronged him. Peter seemed to think seven times was enough, but if you look at Peter’s past, his temper probably would not have allowed it to go on too long. Jesus answered and told him that it should be seventy times seven. Does that mean 490 times? And do we actually keep count?

I don’t think so. I believe He meant that we have to forgive and go on. Just look at the Lord’s Prayer, “forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” I believe he meant it had to be never ending and that is hard to do.

People are the only species on earth that intentionally looks to harm others. But in most cases, it can be a gesture misunderstood or a slip of the tongue in anger that brings about a situation where forgiveness is needed.

But don’t think we can apologize then continue to do the same thing. Then the apology is meaningless as the heart is not in it. If your heart is not in it, then who wants it? More importantly if you truly believe that hurting someone is OK so you can make money or make a name for yourself, or you have convinced yourself that you are doing the right thing, make sure you’re right. I would hate to miss out on what lies ahead for me because I was too stubborn or too headstrong, two traits I have been accused of having, to say three simple words – “I am sorry.”

So what do I do now? First I have made amends to anyone who was offended by that picture. Now I must make sure I look closer next time. I guess the old eyes are fading. And yes, Richard Fain and a lot of baseball coaches have been saying I was blind for years during my umpiring days. Maybe they had a point, then again at the time so did I. But we all knew it was fun and we even owned up to few miscues from time to time. I would not have had it any other way.

We as adults, community leaders, professional people, everyday workers and parents are teachers and influences for the younger generation. They see how we act and if we are not willing to do what is right, what do they learn?

I’m just saying . . .

By Representative Richard H. Henderson

One of the toughest issues facing the General Assembly this year concerns the Kentucky teacher pensions.  Officials from the Kentucky Teachers’ Retirement System are working with legislators to draft legislation that would stop borrowing from the system’s pension fund to pay for insurance for retired teachers.  

The state has borrowed more than $562 million in recent years from the Kentucky Teachers’ Retirement System’s pension fund to pay for health insurance for retired teachers. 

If the state keeps borrowing from the pension fund to pay for health insurance, it could mean financial ruin for the system that covers 115,000 retired teachers by 2029.  However, stopping the borrowing could mean cutbacks in benefits.

Current teachers pay about 10 percent of their salaries into the retirement fund, but less than 1 percent of that contribution goes into the health fund. Those hired after 2008 pay 1.75 percent of their contribution into the health fund. 

The state also pays for a portion of the health fund, but those contributions have not kept up with rising insurance costs.

I strongly support the KTRS views that the system should remain as a defined benefit retirement plan.  Under this type of plan, a retiree cannot outlive their benefits and benefits are based on a formula using salary history, length of employment, etc. rather than investment returns.  Retired teachers should also continue to receive cost of living adjustments at least equal to that of other state employees.   

I will adamantly oppose any measure to borrow anymore against the teachers’ retirement fund.  This includes any degree of reducing or withholding contributions.  These funds should be used for the purpose they are intended for and nothing else!

Some possible solutions include requiring everyone to pay more or cutting benefits.  I do not personally like either of these two options, but is has been made clear that we can borrow no more. 

The retirees have given a portion of their salaries toward their retirement and health care benefits for years and years. They have gone into their classrooms every day for little pay expecting the guarantee of future benefits that will insure them a safe and secure retirement. We owe it to them to keep our side of the deal, to provide them with the secure retirement they deserve.  I for one will do my part to make sure we don’t let this noble profession down!

Feel free to contact me or my Frankfort office for this or any other issue.  You can reach me in Frankfort at (502) 564-8100 Ext. 642 or at home at (859)585-0886. You can also e-mail me at: Richard.Henderson@lrc.ky.gov  .

 

With the New Year finally here, many people will be making resolutions. They will resolve to lose weight, eat right, work out more, quit smoking, or even try to get better organized. With the exception of smoking, which I do not do anyway, I have made these same resolutions year after year.

 

It is not a bad idea, you know, setting goals – but too many times we set ourselves up for failure. I mean, I try to eat right, until the BCS Championship Game comes around. Then its pizza, chips and dip, too many sweets and lots of caffeine as my friends and I watch the mythical national champion be crowned. (Before the sports fans start on me, just remember, Division I NCAA football is the only division in all the major sports that does not use a playoff system to crown a champ. Enough said for now, we’ll discuss this subject later.)

Of course, much to the chagrin of my former physician and I’m sure to whichever doctor gets the task of trying to keep me in line next, chocolate is my major weakness. I truly believe it should be a major food group and a healthy food as it is made from natural ingredients. But the scales and the medical professionals and the glucometer do not agree with me.

As for working out, have you ever seen me run? That urge and ability left me a long time ago, plus it is not pleasant to watch. Sure I could do other things, but like a lot of people I seem to find an excuse. 

So like many of my readers, I am human and I make resolutions I do not keep. No one really expects us to do they?

But there are some resolutions that we could make and we could keep. Many can become a way of life for us, but like the basic ones we have to work at them to make them work for us.

I mean we can work harder to be a good example or become a better influence on our community. Maybe we could work to make sure we treat everyone with love, respect and equality because deep down aren’t we all basically the same – God’s children that is.

I know I can work harder at my job to make sure that it is done with integrity, honesty and fairly. I know that I can work harder to be a worker for my community, as there are too many who try to divide it for whatever reason. Most of those types are only looking out for themselves, but I believe we, like a chain, are only as strong as our weakest link. If we work for the betterment of even our poorest members, then we all win.

I know I can be a better worker for my church and my God. I can do more to help as He would want or do the things He wants, than to worry too much about what I want.

And no matter what may come against me or this community, I and all of us can work to make sure that it cannot destroy our will, our faith, our desire to do that which is right and to move forward. We only lose if we give up or allow ourselves to be defeated.

So I want to make my resolutions count for something this year. So here they are.

I resolve to smile more and worry less. Jesus told his disciples that if the birds did not worry about how they were to eat or that the flowers of the fields were more radiant than Solomon in all his glory, what do we have to worry about (Matthew 6).

I resolve to continue to take this job serious. It is an honor that you, the reader, allow me and this paper to bring you the news. I take it as an honor that you trust me enough to bring you the truth, the facts and present them in a fair manner. Like in I Peter 1:7, I believe your faith, our faith and our work has been proven by the fire. Thank you.

I resolve to try to spend more time with my family, because God has given them to me. I should not ignore that gift.

I resolve to spend more time doing what God has given me the talent to do and to use that for His work. Without him I doubt I could do anything and I know I would not be here today.

I resolve to have more fun, help more people and strive to make sure that I am neither above nor below anyone, but that we are all treated the same as we are equal in God’s eyes.

More importantly, I resolve to be more humble and be a servant to my fellow man and my Lord.

Sure resolutions are made knowing that many will be broken. But I am truly going to try to keep mine this year. They are more personal, more from the heart and they have more  urgency to me than I have felt in the past.

So may you all be able to keep your resolutions. I’m pulling for you. Hopefully chocolate becomes a necessary food group, at least I can hope. Maybe I will lose some weight this year and maybe I will become more active and better organized, but I hope to keep my resolutions and be true to my beliefs, my morals, my ethics and my integrity. Because without that core, what do I really have? What do any of us really have?

I’m just saying . . .

 

By James Cook, Times Editor

 

As the year comes to a close, I wondered what I would write about in my final column of 2009. Would it be a funny, sweet column; or a tear jerker; maybe one to point out the past and prepare for the future? Then something else came along.

This past Sunday I got to hear a good sermon about making a difference. The preacher used the story of blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10: 46-52) sitting on the roadside. When he heard that Jesus was coming by, he yelled out to him. Despite people telling him to be quiet, he continued to call out. The result was that Jesus called to him and gave him what he wanted – to be healed.

The preacher’s sermon was simple. That day Jesus made a difference in Bartimaeus’ life, and Bartimaeus made a difference by not being timid or shy, but calling out despite the odds. It is a lesson we all can use, not only in our spiritual life, but in our lives in general.

You see, every day we can make a difference in someone’s life. Each and every one of us can do it. Kindness, compassion, honesty, respect, integrity and so many other traits we can pass along to help one another. In the past year, and in years gone by, it seems that people are not trying to make a difference in any life but their own. You cannot blame people for that totally. But we need to try to make a difference around us in a positive way.

There is an old African proverb that says it takes a village to raise a child. That means the entire village tries to make a difference in each child’s life to help enrich the village’s chances of survival as well as the child’s. It is kind of like an old American saying, leave the world a better place than you found it. We can all do that.

In this business, the newspaper business, we can do it too. We can choose to make a difference by reporting honestly, let the facts speak for themselves and at the same time show a little compassion by not intentionally gouging people just to sell a few papers. The real news is frightening enough, with crime, drugs and a poor economy staring us all right in the eye. I know people may think we enjoy airing dirty laundry, but we only report the news. I have tried to use common sense and bring only stories that the reader wants to know about. Last week I was fortunate enough to have a week where no “bad” news covered the front page. That is very rare, but we continue to seek out good stories to counteract the evil that permeates around us every day. I hope the community will let us know more about the good things, the bad stuff comes out anyway.

I know the way this position is used can and will affect people every day. I want to make a difference in a positive way, while still letting you, the reader, know the things you deserve to know about. That is why they call it the news. The balance is delicate and for a Christian it can put one in a tough spot. But we have to make a difference, be it reporting on a drug bust, how our government spends our money, or even how someone else has made a difference in other’s lives; it is what we are here to do.

It is not a whim, a thing to do because I am bored or because I want to see my name in print and awards on the wall. That may be nice, but it is not for me. I instead do this as my job and as a way to make a difference and try to help my community by using the God-given talent he has bestowed upon me. I want to use that not just to feed my family or pay my bills, which it does, but to give back to a community that has been good to me. You see, when I needed it, this community made a difference in my life and now I am trying to return the favor.

The preacher I spoke of earlier used a story to illustrate his point. He told the story of a man who lived in a beach house and could hear a storm pounding the shoreline all night long. By morning the storm had subsided and he took a walk on the beach. He could see hundreds of starfish that had been washed or blown upon the beach. They would die once the sun rose and dried them out. 

In the distance he could see a little boy picking something up and throwing back into the ocean. As he got closer he realized the boy was throwing starfish back in. He told the boy that he was basically wasting his time, he could not make a difference, he could not save all the starfish. The boy picked up a starfish, tossed it in and told the man “I made a difference for that one.”

We all need to make a difference. This newspaper, our staff and this writer plans on continuing to try to make a difference. We will report the news, stand up for what is right, call out that which is not and try to help our community as best we can. That is what making a difference for our community is all about. I do not take it lightly, nor do I think I can do it alone. So as a community I ask that you join us to make a difference here, and make our hometown a place we can be proud of and a place we want to call home for a long, long time.

I’m just saying . . .

 

Have a 

Happy New Year!!!

The year of 2009 is coming to an end and like most of the country Powell County has not been spared from the economic crisis that has a stranglehold on our way of life. Sure things have been a lot worse in decades gone by, but the issues at hand are placing people’s jobs, homes and sense of security at risk. Unemployment rose steadily in our county until at the end of November it stood at 16.6 percent.

Locally, the years of trying to keep costs down by not raising rates have caught up to us. Water and sewer rates are on the rise, the electric co-op has decided to raise rates as well and local officials have had to try to balance their budgets by increasing their revenues through some taxes. It is not pretty and we do not like having to pay higher rates any more than anyone else does. But as the saying goes, you have to pay the fiddler once the dance is over.

Infrastructure that has needed repairs and has been patched up over the years now demands attention. The higher rates may help with many of those problems and should since rates have not been raised on some of these items for over a decade. That alone it not a reason to raise them, but to bring us up to speed and hopefully bring jobs to the area is a good enough reason.

Services like police protection and ambulance/medical attention also costs us dearly. But is a necessary service and one we hope we never have to use, but if we do we want to make sure it can meet the challenge and the needs of the community. All of this costs money and that is one luxury we do not have a lot of now days.

For our community to thrive, some tough decisions have to be made now that should have been made in the past. But we cannot control the past or cry over the proverbial spilled milk. We can try to get by and hope things change. Or we can bite the bullet, take the hit, use whatever metaphor you choose, but for a while it may get a little tougher. But if our leaders do it right and we work hard as a community, then as we catch up with new and improved water lines, faster emergency services and the regional sewer plant going online; as we see jobs hopefully come back to the county, then we will know that we are doing the right things.

A community effort is needed as is strong leadership. Let us all make the hard choices today and make the effort to improve our county. Regardless of what we believe or who we vote for or even what church we choose to attend or not attend, as long as we live in Powell County it will take a concerted effort. This community has survived numerous disasters and bad economies, let us show that pride and spirit again. 

The girls high school softball team used a slogan in 2009 they had placed on their practice shirts. It read, “One team. One goal.” That is what we as a community need to be as well and if the past is any indication we will be.

Thanks to Dr. Noss

To the Editor:

First of all I’d like to say our county has had a disastrous year for our doctors.  In approximately September we lost Dr. David Gagnon in Clay City, Kentucky due to his illness.  He is very much missed and we hope him the very best with his health.

Second of all, we lost a long time well devoted, hard working Dr. Sam Cecil.  He went to his new home to be with Jesus where he won’t be ill anymore.  He sure was devoted to his patients and was a family man whom I know his family along with us miss him very much.

Now let’s talk about a doctor whom we all love dearly and at some point and time I would say he has treated most all of us in his approximately forty seven years of practice in Powell County, Dr. Charles Noss.  We are fortunate to still have Dr. Noss with us and hope he is around many more years.  Dr. Noss is a family devoted man and loves his family dearly.  He also loves his patients dearly.  I started going to him approximately forty five years ago.  He cared for my only son, Enoch Thomas, and is now caring for my only grandson, Chandler Thomas.  I can never speak enough for myself how much I have appreciated him all of these years.  I could have an emergency and call him at home and he would say which drug store.  He was always nice and would try to accommodate me.

Dr. Charles Noss has an extra love for little children and older people.  He has devoted his life to Powell County.  For this I thank him and say God bless him for his extra mile.

Approximately two years ago Dr. Noss sold his practice to a fine doctor.  Dr. Ertel and we say thank you to Dr. Ertel also.  Dr. Noss now works two days per week.  I can go see him and say Dr. Noss you’re not gonna completely retire are you?  He will just look and grin and say “My heart is here for my patients.  I really enjoy my patients.”  It takes a fine doctor to love his patients and Dr. Noss really does.

Dr. Noss also served our county on the school board, he is a very active church man, and he served on the City Council and has done so much for our county.

So as the year of 2009 is about to end from my family and me I would like to say a special “Thank You” Dr. Noss while you’re still living.  You have meant so much to us.  I hope 2010 holds good health, happiness, and love for you and your family.  God bless you, you are an angel.

Carolyn Thomas Robinson and Family

Stanton

 

 

 

Slight correction please

To the editor:

I would like to thank Don White for the nice story he wrote about Ed and I.  There are a few things I need to correct.  I have a son and a daughter not two daughters.  Ed didn’t take the lights down by himself he always rolled up the cords all by himself because he didn’t like the way anyone else did it.  We had help getting the lights down.  My step-father Christy Gilbert is still living.  Even with the mistakes it was a very nice story and I thank you for putting it in the paper.

Maryann Nelson

Clay City

 

As is customary this time of year, letters are sent as people ask for things they want for Christmas. We may grow up physically and hopefully mentally, but that does not mean we cannot write a letter. So I thought I would share mine with you this year. So here it is:

 

“It is the Christmas season again and once again I wanted to let you know that I do believe and I do love you. That has never changed, though sometimes I may face a difficult time hanging on, I always do. So I hope you still believe in me.

I have been good this year, not perfect and not necessarily angelic. But I have tried to be honest with people as integrity and loyalty mean a lot to me personally. That may be one of my big faults, you know honesty and standing by my word, but if that is the worst fault I have (and I know I have so many others) then I believe I’m doing OK. But I hope you understand I try doing my job with professionalism, honesty and fairness. Some may not agree, but I know you know the truth – you know everything.

I guess now I should tell you what I want, but please understand as with a lot of things in my life, it is not all going to be about me. Please bring my family the good times they deserve, the love they need and the gifts they have asked for.  My daughter tries to be good, but with my genes, she will need some help. My wife deserves something special; after all she has to put up with me. Please make sure you take care of my Dad, my step mom, my sisters, my step-brother, nieces and nephew. A little something special for my great nieces and nephew. Something really special for Jacob.

I hope you can bring protection, help and appreciation to all the emergency workers, fire personnel, police officers, the sheriff and his staff/deputies. They work hard and get little appreciation. Also the city and county workers, who are only mentioned when someone wants to look for a way to make cuts. They work hard and I hope you will take care of them too.

I ask that you bring the coaches more wins and some regional titles. Coach Jones and Coach Hall have been pretty good and they, along with their players, work hard. Don’t forget the other sports and coaches. The baseball, softball, football, track, cross country, volleyball and golf teams and coaches deserve the same. I hope I didn’t forget anybody, if I did forgive me and help them too!

On a more serious note, I ask that you bring the elected leaders of our county and cities some peace and love this time of year. For the upcoming year, bring the county judge, the mayors, the fiscal court, the city councils, the water commissioners and even the new wastewater commissioners the patience, knowledge, wisdom and endurance to make the decisions we need to make our hometown the place we want it to be. They get a lot of flack and I’ve been known to question myself, but I trust you can help them as they have a tough job to do.

Now I want to concentrate on my friends. Please bring nice gifts and good times to Sarah and her family, she deserves it; Gwen and her family, they deserve it too; my Irvine buddies who help me a lot; Teresa, who has to wonder sometimes about hiring this old man, and help her husband Roger too. Let me not forget my former colleagues and their families: Angela, Mary, Dave and Kendra. Also my former co-workers at the Fayette County Detention Center, my friend Larry, buddy Brad and all corrections officers in general. 

A big shout out to my buds, who are like family, Deb, the ‘Godfather’ and Ray.  Plus my friends Belle, Tonya, Poodle, Arthur, Danny, Sherry, Joyce, Jackie, Mary and Phillip. Also my softball buds along with my special friends Leandre, Amanda, Jeff, Shawna, Lisa, Coach Dave and Kaylee, Ericka, Miranda, Krista, Julie and Dana. In fact everyone I know in the sports world – they all deserve a good Christmas. 

I know this is a long letter, but I’m almost done. Please take care of and bring special gifts to the children and the need y people of my hometown, as well as around the world. There are so many and I know if we all worked together we could help so many. But sometimes, we need help too. I hate to think of anyone, especially a child doing without. Not just gifts, but the basics too. On that note, give a special gift to those who help like some of our churches, the Rose family and even those who do things that nobody knows about.

I also want to ask that you visit those who may not have the best interests of other in mind. I believe we are told in the Bible to ask for blessings for those who may not like us or are against us, so I ask that you give them some compassion, love and joy too. I believe we all need that in our lives no matter what, even if some may not want that for me or others. The love has to start somewhere.

I’ll close with this. Please keep the spirit of the season alive too. Special gifts are nice and I really do not need too much when it comes to material things or praise. I hope you will give me a gift that will help me be true to my job and my beliefs and to continue doing my job in the right way.  I hope you will keep the idea of goodness and Santa Claus around too. It seems to make things easier this time of year. But I want to thank you for all the gifts you have given me in the past, many I did not deserve.

So I’ll go now. I hope all is well with you and I promise to keep you and your ideas alive. Because Jesus, you are the reason for the season and why we celebrate giving gifts – because you are the greatest gift mankind ever received. And though I believe in the idea and spirit that Santa portrays, I believe in you much more. Thanks for reading this and Happy Birthday! 

Love, Cook”

From me and my family to each and every one of you – MERRY CHRISTMAS and in the words of Tiny Tim God Bless us everyone!  (If I missed anyone, sorry and I hope you are blessed too!)

I’m just saying . . .

By James Cook, Times Editor

 

 

I struggled this week to decide what to write. So much emotion at this time of year, add in a little chaos and few distortions, a dash of hypocrisy and things can get really hectic if we let it. But I have tried to stay above the fray as I know God has the final say and as long as I do what is right, all will be OK.

With that said I decided to touch on three subjects. One deals with realizing what you have, one deals with trying to avoid becoming Scrooge-like and the third deals with the season at hand.

A few days ago I watched one of my favorite holiday classics, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” I love the movie as it shows us all that we need to appreciate what we have, while we have it. 

Sure we would all like to have an easier life, maybe more money, nicer homes or more prestige. But when you realize that life is too short for regrets and we need to seize the day, then we can understand how we affect those around us. We are all connected; we all play a role in each other’s lives.

We can choose to be a negative influence, always griping, always thinking about ourselves or never really seeing what we do affects others. That may lead us one day to wish things were different. Or we can choose to live life, never worry about what we don’t have or what we deserve to have. Instead we can care more about those around us and realize that we are better off than so many others who do without the basic every day. Then maybe we can work to help others and not so much to pad our wallets or boost our egos.  We do in fact have a wonderful life, so maybe we should share that with others.

My second point deals with another classic I enjoy, the musical version of Charles Dickens famous holiday piece. Albert Finney stars in “Scrooge” and it shows a miser, one who thinks only of himself and his money. Christmas ghosts visit him and help him see the error of his ways. You all know the story, he does not celebrate Christmas, and he is miserable, wants only to be known for his wealth and name.

Sorry to say, there are a lot of Scrooge-like figures in real life. Not all of them look the part, but their heart gives them away in time. Unfortunately, there are no Christmas ghosts to show them the right path. So they continue to try to make life harder for those under them or those they perceive to be under them.  All to make their lives better, they believe.

The Bible tells us “what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul.” Money and the love of it can lead one down that path. But loving one another, sharing and caring can help us to see exactly why we celebrate this season anyway. God could have been egotistical and uncaring. He could have kept His son with Him. But instead he sent His son as a babe in a manger to express the greatest gift of all – His love.

It was not deserved by us; it was not a bonus for us. No it was a gift, given to us by one who cared and I’m sure there are those who believe we deserved more. But a gift is a gift and God’s gift should have given us the ability to show love.  I only wish we could do it more often, like every day of the year.

My third point is that Christmas is a season of joy. We celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ; his name appears in the holiday set aside for this time of year. However, people want to take his name away. They want to rename holiday items or not allow displays because we do not want to offend anyone.

Let me make this as clear as I can. A decorated evergreen tree, real or artificial, this time of year is a Christmas tree. Not a holiday tree. The closest thing I have seen to a holiday tree is the one on display in the Powell Circuit Clerk’s Office. It stays up all year long and they decorate it for all the holidays, Flag Day, July 4, Easter and of course Christmas. And they wish people a Merry Christmas! Not Happy Holidays, not Season’s Greetings but Merry Christmas! God Bless them.

If we are too ashamed to recognize Jesus, remember what he said in Luke 9:26.

If you want a Kwanza display, to celebrate the Festival of Lights or display a menorah, by all means celebrate the way you want to. But do not tell me I cannot display a nativity or have a Christmas tree in a school. I will not take part in a Holiday Party or Winter Wonderland Party in December. It is a Christmas party and this is the Christmas season.

So let me finish this column like this. If you are a Scrooge, realize a change has to be made; we can and do have a Wonderful Life if we choose to look at the right things and concentrate less on the “me-me-it’s-all-about-me” mentality. Plus let me set this straight, I believe in Joshua 24:15, look it up. With that said, I hope everyone has a MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I’m just saying . . .

 

It seems that the old saying that the bigger they are the harder they fall is true. In recent days we have been reminded of that. Of course I am writing about Tiger Woods.

 

Here is a man that seems to have it all. We have given him fame, fortune, the adoration of so many fans around the world and prestige. He has nice homes and cars, plus endorsements beyond compare.

He married a model, a beautiful woman, who gave him two seemingly great kids. His life appeared to be the things that dreams are made of. But then he allegedly has created his own nightmare.

At first, there was the report of a minor accident at an hour when most people should be in bed. The wreck occurred just a few yards from his posh Florida home. His courageous wife used a golf club to break a window and got him out after he hit a fire hydrant and a tree. An ambulance was called and he was taken to the hospital for minor injuries.

But why was he out so late? Was alcohol involved? No, he was not drinking, but a bigger problem was looming. 

A tabloid had reported that he was having an extramarital affair. Usually the Tiger public relations team would silence this quickly. But the story continued to grow, with Tiger and his wife refusing to answer questions, even from the police.

Finally, as we have all seen, a total of six women have claimed they have had affairs with the man many believed to be perfect. Some had text messages saved to provide proof. Another had those plus audio messages, the last one the night of his accident.

What was the deal? How could this happen?

First let me say I hope the best for Tiger and his family, but it should come as no surprise to anyone that this happened. He is after all just human and humans make mistakes, we all do. I have made a lot in my life, but who hasn’t?

I am not a psychologist nor am I an expert of human behavior, but I can look at the situation and spot the obvious. Like many others before him, once the greatness has reached a peak, and then what can they do to keep the edge.

It starts with a prodigy or a person who is one of the best at what they do. Add in constant praise, constant stroking of the ego and viola the ingredients for a moral or career disaster is in place. It has happened to so many. Just look at how quickly stars like Roger Clemons, Sammy Sosa and Barry Bonds have faded away thanks to their problems with suspected steroid use. Mark McGwire has paid a price for his “not telling” about the use he knew about as he was suspected himself. Or look at Pete Rose who broke a cardinal sin of baseball, would not come clean for nearly 15 years or more, then when he tried still did not sound remorseful. Most of these thought they were bigger than the game, bigger than life and had the “to the victor go the spoils” attitude. Where are they now?

Others like Alex Rodriguez and Andy Pettit have owned up to the problem, faced it and moved on. They still have a career and people tend to forgive those who come clean. Tiger will keep his career, but his knight in shining armor persona has lost a little of the luster.

Athletes are not the only ones to fall hard. Politicians like governors, Congressmen and Senators have all succumbed to the power rush. Many have lost their careers and the public’s confidence, more importantly they have lost their families.

Religious leaders are no different. In recent years we have heard of or read about big name pastors who tried to hide their wrong doings, while preaching about others’ sins. I believe the good book says something about let he who hath no sin cast the first stone (John 8:7). I’m not passing judgment, just stating the facts as we have all heard about them before.

In fact I and many others like me are part of the problem. We tend to put athletes, leaders or religious figures on pedestals. We look up to them, shower them with praises and then wonder why they fall when the pressure gets to be too much. We do exactly what the Bible tells us not to do in placing our faith in men instead of God.

Sure we can be fans and supporters of them, but we need to realize they are human. The biggest thing about humans is that we are flawed and that makes us not perfect. Realizing that, we should be able to understand that even though we may like the way they play a sport or speak eloquently to inspire a crowd, they are human. They need prayers and forgiveness just like everyone else.

In turn, they need to understand that it is the fan or the voter or the follower that has helped them to reach the pinnacle of their careers. They should never forget that, as well as never forget that they have a talent given to them from one that is perfect. Being humble enough to realize that may keep many of them from letting that power demon take them further than they can handle.

So we should not judge them, nor should we worship them. We should remember that at this time of year when we celebrate the birth of a King who was not considered that on this earth. He was born in a manger, lived a simple life and died a criminal’s death. But He overcame all of that and rose again. He knew who He was and what He was, but He knew that being humble and forgiving was the only way to go. 

We all, Tiger included, need a little humility in our lives to keep us where we need to be, doing the right things.  The higher the pedestal the farther the fall, but with that pillow of humbleness we will survive. 

I’m just saying . . .

 

It never ceases to amaze me. I mean just when you think you have seen it all, you haven’t.

 

In the past few weeks we have seen things that make you wonder just exactly what people were thinking. Let me give you some examples.

• In Maumee, Ohio a man walked up to a Salvation Army bell ringer, told her he hated her bell and Christmas. Then he pushed her down and took off with the red kettle that the Salvation Army uses to accept donations. Police do not know how much money was in the kettle, but they did find the empty kettle the next day. The felonious Grinch has not been found.

• In Sin Francisco, I mean San Francisco, two nuns in full religious dress, were robbed in the parking lot of a grocery store. According to police, Sister Mary DeLeon and another nun were putting groceries in the trunk of their car when they were approached by a man. That man asked where he could find help for his sister’s children and the nuns told him about a church nearby. He then grabbed Sister DeLeon’s purse and jumped into a waiting van, taking off with her money and ID’s. Police are looking for two Latino males with tattoos and who apparently think they are 10 foot tall and God-proof.

How can you rob anyone, but a nun?

• Take a look here in Kentucky. A former Bourbon County teacher admitted to having child porn on his computer. The teacher was busted in May after it was discovered that he had a 17 year old male student send him nude photos of himself to get a better math grade. To beat it all, the student did it and his girlfriend found out, that is when police got involved.

Ain’t no grade worth that and that teacher is a disgrace to his profession.

• On the other hand, a Kenton County teacher was arrested last year and she was charged with having sex with a 16 year old student. The case went to trial with the only evidence being the student’s testimony. The student could not describe the teacher’s apartment, where they apparently had partied and he could not describe a prominent tattoo that he would have had to see if the allegations were true. She was found not guilty. (Shock, shock) Now she is suing the prosecutors, who are saying that they were only doing their job.

Doing your job means making sure you have enough evidence before you decide to destroy a young teacher’s career. Sounds like a prosecutor needs to be removed, either by the state or by the voters.

• Let us not forget Congress, who wants to reform health care for us all at any cost. That cost may be more than we are willing to pay and I know something needs to be done. I lean toward making it more competitive among the insurance companies. I mean if I can go across state lines and find a cheaper rate, then maybe the other companies will have to bring prices down. 

Regardless, Congress wants to push the new plans; some include public options that have not worked in England or Canada, at least not the way Americans are used to. But ask one of them if they are willing to give up their health care plan that we the taxpayers pay for, a plan that is far better than any insurance company can provide, and see what they say. I guarantee if they had to accept the same as they are pushing on us, or their retirement depended on Social Security, you would see them work a lot harder to get things done right.

• This past weekend Stanton Police arrested an alleged shoplifter at a local store. He had allegedly tried to take an item that cost less than five dollars. He told police he opened the box to make sure the batteries that were included worked. Of course, the best way to figure it out was to remove the item from the box and allegedly slip it up his sleeve.

If you’re going to go through that much trouble to “allegedly” take something then work on a better story as well, don’t you think?

One more thing. 

• The Kentucky Supreme Court has once again sided with death row inmates. Now I’m not pushing for mass executions, but if the law is followed, rights are upheld and they don’t even deny their guilt, then why hold a public hearing to discuss the method of lethal injection to be used? 

Before 1998 they did not have a choice, maybe we should go back to that. The four justices who voted for this should remember two things: those waiting for their sentences to be carried out did not give any public hearing or discussion for their innocent victims, and election days can sometimes clean up situations like this.

I’m just saying . . .