To Roger Staubach, still Captain America

This editorial appeared in the Dallas Morning News SportsDay Forum on Sunday, May 30, 2010
The online version of this article (linked to above) was shortened so much as to loose it's effect. The article, in it's entirety, as it appeared in the paper appears below:

I've always admired Roger, but as a military (Navy) veteran himself, I am not at all surprised to read of his respect to other heroes.

Staubach's kindness benefits soldiers:

The week before last, my brother was sitting in first class on a flight from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport to Colorado Springs when a couple sat in front of him. He immediately recognized the man as Roger Staubach and said he looked great, very fit. They exchanged greetings, and Staubach said he was headed to Colorado Springs for the inaugural Wounded Warrior games, a competition for injured members of the military.

After 60 or 70 percent of the plane was boarded, a female Army soldier who had lost her leg boarded. Staubach insisted she sit in his seat; she said "no thanks," but he insisted. He took her place in the middle seat way in the back. After a few minutes, the young girl got tears in her eyes and said she wanted to go to her seat and have Staubach return to his.

The flight attendant overheard, and as the female soldier headed to retrieve Staubach, the attendant said she had a no-show and both could sit in first class.

The flight attendant returned with the female soldier, but Staubach sent a double amputee Army soldier to sit in his seat. Staubach remained in coach the entire flight and disembarked last. My brother asked for an autograph for my birthday; Staubauch said certainly. It's a great gift, but the greater gift is knowing Roger Staubach is still Captain America.

— Drew Werner, Addison, TX

Son, Come Have A Seat...

It happened this afternoon. Captain Tony Tarracino (92) passed away.

For those of you who have somehow missed coming to know this cultural icon, I would bet that if you have ever been to Key West, Florida you may have downed a drink in the legendary bar, Capt'n Tony's Saloon, (which he owned from 1958-1989)...or maybe even passed him on the street. He enjoyed telling stories to patrons (especially women) until his health failed him during the past year.

Although hospitalized, it seems fitting that the last week of his life was spent celebrating the publication of his book with Brad Manard, "Life Lessons of a Legend" during the annual Meeting of the Minds celebration in Key West. I would encourage you to put this book on your "wish" list...seriously. His story has been recounted in a film titled "The Cuba Crossing," starring Stewart Whitman as Tarracino. Longtime friend, Jimmy Buffett, sang about Tarracino's exploits in the song "Last Mango in Paris," from the 1985 album of the same name.

After running from the Mob in New Jersey this real life buccaneer, and gunrunner during the Cuban revolution, turned Mayor of Key West always felt that there was "still so much to be done".

There is no way I can do justice in this post to the most colorful and interesting life of Capt'n Tony; but what I can say is that in his passing the world has lost one of the last true Pirates in this era of "partisanism", it is unlikely we will see his kind pass this way again.

Sail on Captain Tony, may you have fair skies and following seas on your eternal journey, but as for me...your legend will never die.

From the song "Last Mango in Paris"

I went down to Captain Tony's to get out of the heat
When I heard a voice call out to me, "Son, come have a seat"
I had to search my memory as I looked into those eyes
Our lives change like the weather but a legend never dies

He said, "I ate the last mango in Paris
Took the last plane out of Saigon
Took the first fast boat to China
And "Jimmy, there's still so much to be done."

A Permanent Reminder of a Temporary Feeling?

UPDATE to There Is No Dumbass Vaccine:

In a press conference today, Josh Howard finally spoke up about comments he made over the summer disrespecting the US National Anthem.

To wit: "I'd like to say that I'm truly and really am sorry for everything that's happened in the last five months. This is not the way I carry myself, not how I want to be portrayed. I'm sorry to everybody I've offended. I'm upset with myself and the way I've acted. It was me joking around," he said.

"Guys were out there making fun and I decided to get along in it. I wasn't using my head. I guess the valuable lesson I did learn is that words really do hurt. You're held accountable for what you say."

"That's not me. ... I went to military school. I have friends that served in the military. I know how it is to wake up and salute the flag. The national anthem every game, I have my hand over my heart."

While it'd be nice to believe Mr. Howard, I'm skeptical. Saying "this is not the way I carry myself" seems a tad disingenuous to me given his history, but time will tell. He had to say something eventually; we know that Mark Cuban defended him after his remarks were made public, and Maverick's Coach, Rick Carlisle, flew all the way to Howard's home in North Carolina to have a "come to Jesus" chat with him, so apparently that was enough of a shot in the, er...well, you know...to motivate him to have his agent write up an apology for him. :P

For the most part, Mr. Howard's statements sound remarkably similar to apology lines I've heard trotted out by other celebrities for various infractions over the years. Seems people get real sorry when they're caught.

And while it doesn't affect my personal life what Mr. Howard believes, his thoughtless comments were hurtful, inflamatory and representative of a damaging mind set in this country. Now that he has made a public show of contrition, I can only hope that he walks the talk....that would be a "valuable lesson" indeed.

I know I'm not the only one that will be watching, a lot of impressionable young minds will be, too.

There Is No Dumbass Vaccine

Color me stupid, but since when does being Black mean you shouldn’t respect the National Anthem?

I, for one, am tired of the arrogance of some individuals in this great nation that throw their race around as an excuse; seemingly wallowing in a victim mentality in perpetuity. Josh Howard exemplified this mentality (in spite of the fame & fortune he has achieved) in comments he proudly announced into a camera during Allen Iverson’s charity flag football game last July. Specifically, " 'The Star-Spangled Banner' is going on. I don't celebrate this sh*t. I'm black. G*d damn Obama and all that sh*t.”

In the words of Don Henley & Glen Frey:
You drag it around like a ball and chain
You wallow in the guilt; you wallow in the pain
You wave it like a flag, you wear it like a crown
Got your mind in the gutter, bringin' everybody down
Complain about the present and blame it on the past
I'd like to find your inner child and kick its little ass
All this bitchin' and moanin' and pitchin' a fit
It's gotta stop sometime, so why don't you quit
Get over it.

Mark Cuban says that "Josh really is a good guy with a great heart. He just doesn't do a good job of showing that side of himself publicly. We will work on that."

Ohhh, I see. It’s not WHAT he said, it’s HOW he said it? Riiight.

I don’t want this to be about why Mark Cuban feels the need to make comments on Josh Howard’s behalf, but if it’s a communication problem rather than a character problem, I’d like to hear Josh’s explanation…no excuses.

Mr. Howard, I will be pleased to make my judgement on [sic] the content of your character, and not the color of your skin.

UPDATE 9/29/08, Josh Howard speaks.

See: A Permanent Reminder to a Temporary Situation?

John Mayer - Lost in the Music

Saw John Mayer Friday night...

Great show, even the Dallas Morning News agrees (which is unusual)




Do yourself a favor.

Rosie – Bait & Switch

Come on Rosie…are you really that dense?

The question is not whether you called US Troops terrorists.

It never was.

Once again, you have twisted words and intent to suit your personal agenda. I've listened to you do it time and time again. You're a master at it.

It really doesn't matter what position one holds on the matter, it's the tactics that you use on a social interaction level that cause me to lose respect for you. You're abusive and manipulative.

I watch The View almost every morning and while I'm not OCD enough to acquire transcripts, I listened to Elisabeth ask you to define a terrorist, which you have repeatedly failed to answer. In fact, it is not uncommon for you to answer a question with, not only a question, but an attack. Sometimes in the form of statistics, other times in the form of "how could you continue to…" Other times you and Joy combine to "gang up" on her. It's amazing to watch the smiles of satisfaction on your face as you interrupt and refuse to allow Elisabeth to answer your questions, and then ask why she doesn't answer.

I found it incredibly entertaining that you apparently encouraged Elisabeth to respond emotionally rather than with information, while you and Joy bring lists and numbers to the Panel.

It's really sad to see you repeatedly go for the sympathy vote by diversionary tactics. If you weren't so hostile, you'd make an excellent politician.

In this case your hatred for the President and his policies have blinded you (IMHO) to a very serious global threat to you, my and our children's safety and future. Unfortunately, and sadly, as you correctly point out, many people have been killed and injured in the current attempts to cope with the threat of global terrorism which is highly focused on killing you, regardless of your persistent efforts to defend their rights, simply because they are not centralized in some organized form of Government.

While most of us would prefer to end the conflict without lives being lost (sans the "terrorists"), you and I both know that is an unrealistic proposition.

That being so, I suggest you answer the original question…proposed before political analysts chimed in, who are the terrorists?

And I'll, go further, how do you suggest the non-radical peoples (i.e., Infidels) of the world who are being targeted by these folks respond to the terrorist's attacks and stated goals?

Now, now…don't skirt the questions with statistics, political rhetoric, numbers of innocents dead in the current campaign or other diversionary tactics. I'm looking for a solution. (Maybe you should respond emotionally LOL) We both know that the religious/political extremists who are engaging in these tactics intend to exterminate anyone who holds beliefs that are different than theirs and could care less about the loss of innocents. Sadly, war is cruel, and the instigators have no intention of backing down. But, hey, if you can propose viable solutions rather than grandstanding then perhaps something productive can come out of all this after all.

The Real Pirate

This answers sooo many questions.

Earlier this week, Rolling Stones guitarist, Keith Richards, (who normally appears dead himself), said he snorted his father’s cremains…mixed with cocaine.

“He was cremated, and I couldn’t resist grinding him up with a little bit of blow. My dad wouldn’t have cared,” he said, adding that
“it went down pretty well, and I’m still alive.”

Hmmmm…let’s pause for a moment to reflect.
Keef has dropped off of the “who’s most likely to die” list, which he admits “has really disappointed him”. So, he pulls out 'ol Bert’s ashes and commiserates his mortality by becoming one with the old man. (I keep wondering how much was pure un-cut Dad?)

Maybe he did bong hits with dear old Mum, just to take the edge off, before ripping into the Urn?

Parting advice to the kiddo’s…don’t do any liquid Grandma…it only leads to the hard stuff.

*On Wednesday, Richards stated his recent comments were made in "jest", and can't believe people took him seriously. He published a comment on the Rolling Stones website stating that: "The complete story is lost in the usual slanting! The truth of the matter is that I planted a sturdy English Oak . I took the lid off the box of ashes and he is now growing oak trees and would love me for it!!! I was trying to say how tight Bert and I were. That tight!!! I wouldn't take cocaine at this point in my life unless I wished to commit suicide."

WTF? Personally, I find this retraction amusing. I think that his Manager probably got a call from Disney because the Pirate's of the Caribbean movie is coming out soon and, they didn't want 'negative' publicity.

Note to Disney...Historically, Pirates have been (arguably) defined as a rebellious, clever lot who operated outside the bureaucracy of modern life. i.e., outlaws, that miiight receive 'negative' attention from mainstream society. This is not necessarily a BAD thing for your movie. The younger folks probably aren't paying attention and the older one's that might not have come to the show otherwise, might decide to check it out seeing that the 'ol boy isn't just playing a "rum-soaked wobbly legged pirate" on the silver screen.

Keith has lived the life of a Pirate, which is the reason that Johnny Depp fashioned his characterization of Jack Sparrow after him…this latest walk off the edge of the map just reinforces that he’s the real deal.
Aaargh!

Who's Your Daddy?

How hard can it be to get a blood test?

In the continuing saga of Dannielynn Smith (the 5 month old daughter of Anna Nichole Smith for those of you who have been living under a rock), the various "interested" parties are flying from one port of call to another without anyone going to a medical clinic except for Anna Nichole who is, from my accounts laying in a Morgue in Florida 18 days after her death.

This child was born September 7 and almost immediately one of the people claiming to be the child's father requested paternity testing; but Anna Nichole and her Attorney/Companion/Common-Law Husband (?) skirted the issue, by placing his name on the birth certificate and started the P/R ball rolling to make this child's paternity a nasty public issue when it is, in fact a medical certainty.

The sad thing is that this woman chose to air a private conflict in a public forum.
Was she unaware that she had been used by others for their own personal gain for many years? Her self-image was so damaged that she escaped facing reality by sleeping around (e.g., being a "free spirit"), having multiple plastic surgeries and the consumption of untold amounts prescription medications. The woman was on a downward spiral that, through neglect and lack of self-awareness (IMHO) resulted in both her and her son's death. A sad state of affairs indeed.

Now the "Adults" left behind are continuing the public battle of a matter that should have been quickly and simply resolved shortly after Dannielynn's birth.

This child deserves a better life and I hope that the Judge and Guardian Ad-litum in the custody case have the courage to ensure that custody and visitation are arranged in HER best interests and she is able to grow up out of the spotlight and finds a way to cope with the spite and whirlwind that surrounded her Mother's short sad life.

Somebody order the DamB blood test and let this child get to the business of growing up.