Cultural Commens, Musings & Observations

Frightening: Last weekend’s gas line explosion in northern California and the revelation that it could happen again due to aging, vulnerable pipes across the country.

Draining: The continual parade of investigations and scandals in collegiate sports by the NCAA. There has been an sizeable shift from the NCAA helping athletes, schools and coaches to a vigilante mentality over a free lunch, or flight home for the funeral of a loved one. Yes, there are some bad eggs out there playing, prowling the sidelines with headsets and rogue boosters, but compliance with the ever changing and often extreme rules has gotten ridiculous.

Annoying: When a student, or woman young enough to be your daughter is taking your order or the cashier checking you out refers to you as: honey, babe, sweetheart, baby, precious or sug. I’m sure they don’t even realize they are saying it but it’s not flattering. Yuck!

Refreshing: The admission by Tennessee head basketball coach, Bruce Pearl that he lied and tried to cover up the truth to NCAA investigators and accepting $1.5 million dollars in fines by UT athletic officials. Finally, a coach is accountable before riding a parachute to the next school or the NBA. Kudos to Coach Pearl for his painful, public admission. Oily coaches should take note. Tennessee has set a precedent for schools in the future!

Enough: The ad nauseam and endless run of BP “back-slapping” television commercials reminding us what good corporate citizens they are and that they are still on the job in the Gulf.

Enough Already: The increasing wave of cheesy and staged SC gubernatorial television commercials. How about some creativity? Is it November 3rd yet?

Headache: The recent decision by the Philadelphia Eagles to put two players with concussions back on the field. And both failed to pass tests to clear them three days after the game in question! You haven’t heard the last of this one. Before we’re done there will be a Congressional hearing on head injuries in the NFL and college football. Minimally the NFL players union is going to have something to say about it.

Fascinating: “Sports Science” FSN's Emmy award-winning tv series hosted by John Brenkus that examines the physics, biology, and physiology behind sports. You Tube the title for a sneak peek.

Depressing: Foreclosures and unemployment rates jumped higher in the latest release of numbers.

Hopeful: Come quickly, Lord Jesus!