Josh Hamilton Shouldn't Have to Apologize to Anyone!

   Yesterday, Texas Rangers outfielder, Josh Hamilton addressed the media about his recent struggle with alcohol. I don't know why Josh has to apologize to anyone. He admits he has a problem and this is just part of dealing with it. Many other athletes have done the same thing or far worse and never answer to anyone. The only reason Josh feels he needs to apologize is that he is at least trying to put forth a good image towards others and honor his God in doing so. He is just being honest about his struggles. I admire that, but why do others make such a big deal about it. He has never admitted to being perfect. 


To find out more about Josh's story, go to iamsecond to listen. 

Day 11 -- Opinion about Baseball Hall of Fame and Steroid Users

With the results of the most recent voting on the baseball Hall of Fame, there has been a lot of discussion about what to do with next year's ballot. What do you do with suspected steroid users? Here is a short opinion on what I would do, IF I could vote for the players on the 2013 ballot.

If we voted on Hall of Fame players based on character alone, then Ty Cobb and many others would have never been elected to the Hall of Fame. Cobb, among others, was a racist and a bigot. Other current members of the Hall of Fame also have other "off field issues" that would make conservative Christians blush; yet, they are in the Hall of Fame. So election to the Hall of Fame should not be based on character or integrity alone. Besides, Cobb has already been excluded from playing on the Field of Dreams because, "Ty Cobb wanted to play, but none of us could stand the son-of-a-bitch when we were alive, so we told him to stick it!" At least according to "Shoeless" Joe Jackson.

If allowed to vote for 10 players next year...here is who I would vote for: Jack Morris, Tim Raines, Jeff Bagwell, Alan Trammell, Dale Murphy, Lee Smith and Fred McGriff would get my votes for those held over from the 2012 ballot. That leaves 3 votes left for the newcomers on the 2013 ballot. These votes would go to Craig Biggio, Mike Piazza and possibly Curt Shilling. Bagwell, Biggio and Piazza have never tested positive or have admitted to using steroids. They have outstanding credibility from former teammates and other players who will testify that these players never used steroids; at least according to their knowledge of these players.

As for Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGuire, Roger Clemens and Rafael Palmeiro; they have all tested positive for, admitted to, or appeared on either the BALCO list of those who purchased steroids or the Mitchell Report from Congress that, list players who have used steroids. In my opinion, if you used steroids to enhance your performance then you cheated; and if you cheated, then you will fail to get my vote as a Hall of Fame player. Plain and Simple!


 I realize that Bonds and Clemens had Hall of Fame numbers before they started using steroids; however that argument doesn't hold water for me. "Shoeless" Joe Jackson had Hall of Fame numbers, before he and seven other teammates of his accepted money to throw the World Series. It didn't matter that Pete Rose had Hall of Fame numbers before he started betting on baseball. Both Jackson and Rose are banned from election to the Hall of Fame. They broke the rules and they are out.

Do the writers who vote for Hall of Famers have the right to pass judgment on players? Yes they do! It may not always be a fair judgment; however, it is within their rights to do so. In my opinion, if the writers fail to elect steroid users to the Hall of Fame, then, let the Hall of Fame’s, Expansion Era Committee decided their fate. This committee is made up of veteran players who are already members of the Hall of Fame, baseball executives and selected veteran media members. It is there job to decide if players (managers, umpires and executives), who played from 1973 to the present, who are no longer eligible to be on the BBWAA ballot, deserve enshrinement into the Hall. If the writers refuse to elect players who used steroids into the Hall of Fame then, let those who are already in the Hall of Fame decide if they want to share membership in the Hall of Fame with steroid users. It's only fair.

The Reason For the Season

A phrase I am growing to dislike more and more is the phrase, "Jesus is the reason for the Season." Now, I realize that if it wasn't for the birth of my LORD and Saviour, Jesus, that we would not have this wonderful holiday called Christmas; however, isn't Jesus the reason for ALL Seasons? Did he not create the universe and all that is in it? What about Easter? Isn't he the reason for that season as well?

I know good minded Christian folk are just trying to remind people to remember the origins of Christmas and how it was created to focus the world's attention on Jesus and his teachings, instead of the greed promoted by retailers around the world; yet I can't help but think that if Christians really wanted to remind people about the love of Jesus we wouldn't be putting trash bags full of wrapping paper and empty boxes from all our new "luxuries" out by the curb the day after Christmas. Instead shouldn't we be give up giving gifts to each other and giving to those who are really in need. After all isn't Christmas the season of giving, not getting? Since Jesus is the reason for ALL seasons, shouldn't we be giving to those in need throughout the year, not just for Christmas?

So as we put out our trash the day after Christmas, remember that Jesus really is THE reason for this season and remember those who have would be grateful to have what we just replaced with more stuff we probably really didn't need in the first place.

Reply to Comments Made About My Recent Wal-Mart Blog

So what you guys are saying is that we just accept rude and unacceptable service just because they are helping our economy, or that poor service is everywhere?

I was taught by the majority of my former managers to be courteous to the customer, to know where to find products in the store (didn't matter if it was my department or not), how to count change back to the customer (not just quote the register or receipt), and the managers are directly responsible for the behavior of their employees.

None of this is happening at Wal-Mart. If an eating establishment gave you bad service you would not wish to go back, because there are plenty of other eating places out there; however, with Wal-Mart quickly becoming a monopoly, there are few other places to go to for your general merchandise.

Big business will never learn, if the consumers do not stand up for themselves. Just like the government will slowly take away our rights if we keep allowing them to do so. We have to start standing up for what is right somewhere, and I am starting Wal-Mart.

I Am Not Setting Foot in Wal-Mart Again!

I have finally been pushed over the edge. I am boycotting Wal-Mart, even if it cost me more to buy my products elsewhere!

Wal-Mart has been known in recent years for not only offering products and good prices but also for their lack of customer services. It is this lack of customer service that is causing me to shop elsewhere. 

This morning, before church, I went grocery shopping. At least 5 times I walked down aisles with employees working and I was never acknowledged. Three times I had trouble finding specific products and when I finally found someone who recognized I was there and asking them a question, they just looked at me and said, "I don't know." and went right back to work. One nice lady did finally help me, but I cannot give her any credit, because she was not wearing a name tag. When I finally reached the check out lanes, I started to walk up to an open register. The employee was starting to walk off and when she saw me coming, she let out a big sigh and said, "Crap, my relief shift should have been here by now, and I need to go." She reluctantly started to ring up purchases, the whole time letting out signs and complaining that she, "really needed to go." (Go where? to the bathroom, home, on break?) When I paid for my purchases, she just slapped the change back into my hand, after looking on the receipt to make sure she had the correct amount, and said in a frustrated tone, "Come back." 

No! I will not go back! I am tired of being treated like an "Untouchable" to be looked down on. I am tired of waiting almost an hour, at times, to check out, when there are lanes that could be opened. I am tired of being ignored by employees, that is if I can find one to even help me when I need help. I am tired of managers making excuses about why, "they have a hard time finding good employees." I am tired of Wal-Mart and their crappy attitude. 

I am taking my business elsewhere. I don't care if it cost me more money, I will not step foot in another Wal-Mart until I hear a public announcement that Wal-Mart, Inc., is making steps to improve customer service nation wide. 

Join me in my boycott! Wal-Mart will never improve unless we take a chunk out of their profits. 

Nick at Night

Matthew Chapter 3 tells of a influential member of the Jewish ruling council, Nicodemus, who came to Jesus at night (Nick at Night, get it!) to ask Jesus questions regarding the radical teachings Jesus had been teaching.

Why did Nicodemus come to Jesus at night...well, it could have been it was a time when not as many disciples of Jesus were around. It could could have been it was the only time he had available to speak to Jesus one-on-one; but probably it was because he did not want to be seen by the other religious leaders of the day, because of the persecution he might receive.

How many of us go to Jesus in secret to address Him with our questions, share with Him our concerns or just to worship Him. We won't pray with others while eating at a local restaurant because we are afraid of the stares we might get. We won't speak to God at work because we will be laughed at or scorned. We won't be Jesus followers at school because we will loose friends or social status. Teachers, scientist, politicians and other professionals are afraid to speak to Jesus during the light of day, because they might loose their jobs; much like Nicodemus probably would have if he had been caught speaking to Jesus in front of his peers.

Instead we come to Jesus at night or in private. How sad we are, when we do that. Are we that ashamed to be Christians? I am guilty of being "Nick at Night" on occasion, and I am embarrassed when I catch myself doing it.

One cool thing about Nicodemus's visit with Jesus that night; It was at that time that Jesus told him, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, so that whoever believes in Him shall have eternal life." God loves us no matter when we come to him, day or night; I just think He shakes His head for us, when we are to embarrassed to share Him with others.

They Can't be Serious?

A recent article on CNN claims that GM and Chrysler are asking the government for an additional 26.1 Billion dollars to help bail out their companies. "Why would they do that?", you might ask. According to GM and Chrysler, there is a "worsening demand for their cars and trucks." So we are going to help rescue a company who makes a product that no one wants to buy anymore. How stupid is that? Why don't we give money to companies where people want to buy their products.

Additionally both these companies want "to cut 50,000 jobs worldwide by the end of the year. GM said it plans to close five more plants in the next few years." I thought we were giving these companies more money to save jobs not lay people off. What a bunch of greedy, greedy people and what a stupid, stupid government would give that kind of management more money.

Ohhhh, I am so mad.

What Major League Baseball Should Do With Admitted Steroid Users

Should we erase all of their achievements or should we keep them? Should we ban them from the Hall of Fame or should we let them in? Should they be suspended or let them play?

These questions plague those who are so very disappointed in our "heroes" who have "cheated" to play the sport of baseball.

Here is my solution! First of all stick to the agreements that have already been established by the Baseball Players Union and Major League Baseball. The only exception I would make is for those who have just recently admitted to or been proven (in court) to have used illegal performance enhancing substances. If a player has recently admitted or been proven to have used illegal drugs or substances (such as Alex Rodriguez and ? Miguel Tejada), they should skip the first step/phase of punishment and move straight to the second phase. They should skip the first phase because they lied and got caught. They should at least move to the second phase, which I think involves some kind of suspension from playing the game. That way the players who were punished already don't feel like these players get to skip the punishment phase just because they came clean on their own.

As far as their records or accomplishments are concerned; It's hard to decide what to do here. They were competing against other players who were also cheating, but they still cheated themselves. You can't go back and alter the final results of the games they played in...so I think we should leave the records as they stand. You can put an * or two by their names if it makes you feel better, but what else can you do? Mickey Mantle played drunk, Doc Ellis pitched a No-Hitter while using cocaine, and Gaylord Perry cheated big time with his spitballs and no one is taking their performance numbers away from them. Mantle and Perry are in the Hall of Fame for crying out loud.

Should they be banned from the Hall of Fame? I think they should! Baseball banned "Shoeless" Joe Jackson from the Hall of Fame after he took a bribe to loose the World Series. Baseball banned Pete Rose and he didn't cheat by betting on baseball until after he was a player. These players knowingly broke the rules of the game and tainted the sport. I don't' care how good they are, they should be banned for life. Go back and take Gaylord Perry out if you wish to take out all cheaters. Just think though, the all-time hits leader (Rose), one of the all time strikeout leaders (Roger Clemens) and the Home Run leader (Barry Bonds) and possible future Home Run Leader (Alex Rodriguez) all banned for cheating the game. Wow!

At least the sports writers are punishing the steroid users with their votes on admission to the Hall of Fame. It looks like Mark McGuire will never make it. (Although I think you could make an argument that his playing career does not compare to the best.) It's a sad day in sports when one of the top 10 all-time strike out leaders, who didn't cheat, (Bert Blyleven) hasn't been elected to the Hall of Fame, but Roger Clemens, who did, probably will.

I am just sad that players have to feel they must cheat to win. I just hope they are happy knowing their names will go down forever as shamed players; at least in my book.

Is Congress and the President Doing What is Best for the County?

Congressional and Presidential support to limit severance pay of the executives of the failed financial institutions is growing despite the fact that the FBI is investigating these companies for possible mortgage fraud. What gets me is why the executive of these companies are getting any kind of severance package at all? When I left my job in Gilmer, after teaching 9 years and over 1,000 children, all I got was a coffee mug and a pat on the back. Actually, I didn't even get the pat on the back. These executives are going to get Millions of dollars for doing a lousy job of investing our money and possibly committing mortgage fraud or other crimes. Why?

At least some people are getting past the panic mode; Conservative members of Congress are asking the rest of the Congress to 'Take a Breather' before passing anything irrational. At least the Democrats want to limit or cut the severance pay before attempting to "bail out" these companies.

Despite the fact that over 85% of all Americans polled, in several polls, are against the "buy out" of these companies. Congress is pushing ahead with the plan to "rescue" these failed institutions. Are they really doing what is best for our nation or are they doing what is in their own best interest?

John McCain laid out his 5 Five Fixes in his recovery plan yesterday. Barack Obama is saying that "Middle Class tax-cuts are absolutely necessary and the taxpayers of our country must be protected."

Is there a legal way I can refuse to pay my taxes to a government who has lost its mind?

Huge Mistake! Big, Big Mistake! Shame on our Government!

The Government of the United States of America today is making one of the biggest mistakes in our short history! The Government is effectively taking over the banking industry of the United States. An Article in Time Magazine speaks volumes to their opinion about what is going on; they are calling us "The United States of France". News agencies are recording into history our stupid behaviors; CNN is calling it "The End of an Era", Fox News is even reporting the "Democratic Leaders of Congress are at odds over how to proceed."

In the most simple layman terms I can use, "This is an example of the Dumber leading the Dumb." How can the "People" of the United States believe that this plan to "bail out" or "rescue" our failing banking and savings institutions will work. The Government of the United States refuses to follow a budget, it prints money at will, and has misused our tax dollars to the tune of Trillions of dollars of National Debt. It has also allowed the Social Security System of the U.S. to go virtually bankrupt; and now WE THE PEOPLE are going to sit here and allow our government to take control of our largest banking and savings institutions. How stupid can our government be? I think people who cannot balance their own budget should not be telling people who cannot balance their own budgets how to balance their budgets!

According to The U.S. National Debt Clock the outstanding Public Debt as of 22 Sep 2008 at 01:49:43 PM GMT is: $9,671,385,256,340.11!
The estimated population of the United States is 304,774,222so each citizen's share of this debt is $31,732.95.
The National Debt has continued to increase an average of$1.84 billion per day since September 28, 2007!

How can our government afford to "rescue" these failing institutions when they can't even "rescue" themselves? President Bush and the Congress are planning on spending 700 Billion dollars to bail our these companies. This is absurd. Where is this money coming from? I'll tell you where, my tax dollars. Why should my tax dollars be spent to prevent the wealthy from becoming like me?

Another big question I have is, "How rich do you have to be, in order for the government to save you from going out of business?" If a smaller bank or business had this much mismanagement and started to fail, the government would let them, claiming fair competition under our free enterprise system of economics; but if you were already making, and apparently losing, billions of dollars then the government will "rescue" you! Talk about the rich taking care of the rich!

I encourage all of you to contact you U.S. Senators or Representatives and let them know what you think of their "rescue" efforts!