Sounding Off, Again

As if it weren't enough that we are fighting an unwinnable war in Afghanistan, now we are virtually declaring war on Muslims in this country.  All they are trying to do is to build a mosque in NYC.  It is not on ground zero, as claimed, but on the spot once occupied by a Burlington Factory coat store.  And it is not even a mosque, but a cultural center.  And why is there no indignation that Muslims are praying at the Pentagon, which was also attacked on 9/11?

There should never have been such a discussion as this.  Some kind of memorial to the many world citizens who lost their lives in the World Trade Center attack should have been dedicated years ago.  It is shame on someone that this has not happened.  This is what the outcry should be about.

My church, in the little town where I grew up, has a cultural center.  It is called Luther Center.  No one, as far as I know, even blinked an eye when it was built as a gathering place and education center for the Lutherans.  Probably everyone in the town, and then some, has been inside that cultural center -- to play basketball, shop at a holiday bazaar or bake sale, or any number of other events that take place there.  I bring this up to remind us that cultural centers are not places of evil.

Frank Rich, an Op-Ed columnist for the New York Times, makes a case that the virulent opposition to a mosque on this site in NYC will only hurt our chances of getting the citizens of Afghanistan to see that we are right in our fight against terrorism in their country.  Of course, he's right.

And what about this thing called the United States Constitution?  Doesn't the First Amendment guarantee something called freedom of religion?

Marcia Ball at the Beachland

If you ever get a chance to see Marcia Ball live in concert, go.  She plays the piano with such fun and authority, all while bouncing her knee, singing, and working her back up players.  We were lucky enough to see Ms. Ball and her band at the Beachland Ballroom in the Collinwood area of Cleveland on Thursday, and it was wonderful.  I don't think she stopped playing for longer than 30 seconds, and she performed for two hours.  The musicians behind her are excellent, proving that to be the best you have to surround yourself with the best.  All four members of her group seemed to be having a great time, as did Marcia herself.

This was the second time in as many years that we were in attendance ("attendance" is definitely the right word) to see her perform.  Her music is a blend of blues, rock, and cajon, as near as I can tell.  Listening to her latest album, "Peace. Love and BBQ," it is easy to see why she has been nominated four times for an Emmy, but hard to understand shy she hasn't won.

As you can see, I am putting a link on this site to Marcia Ball's blog, Ball Bearings.  I hope you check it out.

Book of conversations between Andrew Young and his godson

I have just finished reading the book Walk in my Shoes: Conversations Between a Civil Right Legend and His Godson on the Journey Ahead by Andrew Young and Kabir Sehgal.  It was very easy to read, but deceptively hard to understand.  One piece of advice that Mr. Young repeatedly gives to his godson is to be a contrarian.  Also, that you can always learn something from anyone, even if you disagree with him.  I am going to try to keep these two thoughts in mind.

Facebook

To all my Facebook friends, I apologize.  It is absolutely necessary that I close my Facebook account.  You see, I spend too much time just reading all the posts everyone puts up; even spending time only once a week, it takes at least two or three hours to catch up with everyone.  This is time that I have decided could be better spent elsewhere.

This is in no way a criticism of those who use and love Facebook.  It is simply a comment, and a sad one at that, on my inability to stay focused on one task -- my writing.  When I sit at the computer, I find myself doing everything else except what I should be doing.  I surf, I email, I look at my Facebook page, and I shop.  But I need to write, so I am trying to cut out these other distractions.  Believe me, it is a hard thing to do.

I don't want to lose touch with everyone, or anyone, again; but I think you all have my email address, or can get it or my phone number easily.  Please stay in touch.

Cleveland Sports Fan

It is difficult to be a sports fan in Cleveland.  If you want the home team to win, you will be disappointed more often than not.  If you like the Yankees or the Steelers or another out of town team, you will be harassed by everyone you know, and then some.

First, a word about the Cavaliers and LeBron James:  I hated to see LeBron leave Cleveland, and I think he did it in a repugnant and presumptuous way.  But I cannot blame him entirely.  If the Cavs owners and coaches, who had the luxury of having arguably the best player in basketball today on their team, could not put together a championship team, then shame on them.  That is not LeBron's fault.  And I for one cannot blame him for wanting to go where he has a chance of winning it all.

The Browns:  I will reserve any comment I have on them until the season gets underway.  Right now I am in the optimistic mood that usually precedes a losing season; but I can always hope.

Again this year, the Indians have broken my heart.  I have been an Indians fan as long as I can remember, even getting straight As in grade school so I could win tickets to games.  When the Indians were still playing at Municipal Stadium and were not very good, Den  and I would frequently decide at the last minute to go to a game.  Once we got to the stadium, we had adequate parking and our choice of almost any seat in the place.  We knew they probably were going to lose, but what the heck.  They were our Indians.

Now, it seems to me, the head honchos of the Indians have made a conscious decision to dismantle the team, put them in last place in their division (and maybe in all of baseball), and see what happens.  Is this a real life "Major League"?  Little by little, they have traded away the best pitchers in baseball -- two Cy Young Award winners in two years -- Sabathia and Lee -- and now Jake Westbrook.  When I heard about this last trade, my heart sank and I didn't think I wanted to listen to or see an Indians game ever again.  Not that Westbrook was going to win the Cy Young this year, but he was a good pitcher, the best on the team this year, unless you count Mitch Talbot.  And he was a team leader.  I have come to believe my reaction was to the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back, me being the camel.

 For two days, I couldn't listen the the games, and I didn't care much who won.  But in the end, I am an Indians fan and always will be.  I know I will listen to the game tonight, and root for my team.  And even if they lose, there's always next year.