Police Under Fire

You can't turn on the news or pick up a paper without seeing another incident of so-called police misconduct or police brutality.

I will concede that there are probably law enforcement personnel who may cross the line.  However, with that said, I do NOT believe that is the case every time a suspect gets injured or killed.  All we hear in the news stories and newspaper articles is how the suspect was somehow mistreated and suffered injury.  Do we ever hear why the police were pursuing or arresting the suspect in the first place?  NO  

Now, don't get me wrong, I do feel for the families of those injured or killed in these situations.  But let's face it - if they weren't doing something they should not have been doing, they would not have been involved with the police in the first place.  Just this morning, there was  man shot in the hip while simply walking down the street in Birmingham.  Now, what if the person who shot him had been apprehended and was injured or killed in the process.  Who do we feel sorry for?  Both - of course.  But, which one would we have riots over - the injured shooter.  Which one would all the news stories be about?  The shooter.

Again, I have all the empathy in the world for the families of those who are injured or killed while being apprehended by the police.  But, seriously, if you don't want your child to end up in this position - take time to teach them right from wrong and teach them to have respect for the law and other human beings.  I can guarantee that this will never happen to them if they never give cause to be involved with the police in the first place.

So - all those who want to riot and kill - exactly what do you want?  Do you want a society without law enforcement?  Have you really thought of the consequences of that?  What if someone breaks into your home and threatens you with a gun - or worse yet kills your spouse?  What do you want to happen then?  What if there are no police to do anything about it?

Police serve with minimal pay for the job they perform.  When "you" are the victim of a crime where do you expect help from?  The police of course.  So, before you jump on the anti-law enforcement bandwagon and want to rush out and join in the riots maybe you should take a minute to think about those questions I asked above.

UPS - or Grinch That Stole Christmas??

Well, looks like something of a replay from last year.  I had three different items scheduled for delivery this past Friday - and - you guessed it - none of them were delivered.  Of course, they are going to "investigate" - but that does not get the kids' presents here for Christmas.  I also had one scheduled for delivery today - and now tracking says that package was "held" at the facility in California and delivery will be delayed with no further information available.  I hate it for the retailers, but in the future, if they can't offer me shipping alternatives to UPS I will not do business with them.

Anyone else having problems with UPS shipping this year?

Youth League Sports - What it is all about

          I know that many parents have children who are participating in Youth League sports.  I am very disappointed in Youth League Sports programs and for good reason.

         

          I have a grandson playing Youth League Football.  Let me re-phrase that – I have a grandson who goes to practice on a Youth League Football team.  I had a son who also was a part of a Youth League Football team years ago and am disappointed to see that it has not changed. 

            We were all happy that he wanted to play football on the Youth League, thinking this would be very good for a child with some issues and a very low self-esteem.  We mistakenly thought that this would help his self-confidence and self-esteem issues.  Isn’t this what Youth League Sports is all about?  Helping children?  Teaching them discipline and team work?  If this is your impression of Youth League Sports, let me tell you now – YOU ARE DEAD WRONG.

            How many of you were under the impression that Youth League Sports was all about the children involved?  I am betting that a high number of you thought that.  Well, again, YOU ARE DEAD WRONG. 

            Now, I will give you this much – Youth League Sports SHOULD be about the children – teaching them teamwork, self discipline, self confidence and self esteem.  This is why Youth League Sports was formed.  Children need activities that teach these things and they need them early in life.  It would be great if these activities, while teaching these things, could also be fun.  If Youth League Sports were properly managed, they could accomplish this.

            Now, I realize that not every child is athletically gifted – some are just downright not very good at sports.  And, that is okay.  Some are gifted and are very good at the sport in which they are involved and that is great.  However, during practice they are all on the fields working.  Good or bad.  However, come game day, only the “good” ones get to actually play in the game.  I have witnessed this first hand.  I witnessed it years ago and am witnessing it now.  On the particular Youth League Football team that I am following, there are a handful – maybe 6 or 7 boys – who simply are not great athletes.  But they show up at practice every afternoon and then stand on the sideline every game.  There are games when they never step foot on the field. 

            Each Saturday that these young men stand on the sideline and do not get to participate, they leave the ballgame with a little less self confidence and a little less self esteem than they had when they got there.  Their having to stand on the sideline says one thing to them … “You are not good enough.”

            Now, I don’t know about you, but in my opinion, this is something that should never happen to any child.  No child should have to walk off the field and say to his family that is waiting, “I didn’t get to play.” 

            Why is this happening?  One simple reason – WINNING.  The Youth League Sports programs are not about the kids – they are not about helping kids – they are all about winning.  The children on the team are not what are important – it is the scoreboard.  So, the self confidence and self esteem of our children are being sacrificed for the sake of WINNING.  It is great for a team to win a game, but not at this expense.  Those players who are not great could be rotated in and out of the game one at a time.  I would never propose putting them all in at one time.  But, they should be given a chance!  Who knows – with a little “game practice”, an infusion of self confidence and self esteem – they might actually get better.  But whether they do or not is not the issue.

            This, my friends, should NEVER happen.  Have any of you witnessed similar experiences?  I would love to hear from you.  Something needs to happen to change this.  Children growing up in this day and age need good values and good values begin with feeling good about yourself.

            Does anyone agree?  Let me hear from you.