I HATE "HATE CRIME" LEGISLATION!

In my career as a police officer stretching over 30 years, I encountered my share of evil people. I sincerely believe there are evil people in the world who don't deserve to live. I will discount my military experience because I'm not sure what's evil in a war. I've contemplated that and I can't put my finger on a complete definition. I'm sure there are those who get it, but I'm not one. Obviously, the Nazis leap to mind, but that's a given. When should soldiers kill?

I bring all this up to make a point. "Hate Crime" legislation is a feel good criminalization of thought and speech. I say this because those who harm people in a criminal manner should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The reason should not matter. If someone kills or injures another person, the reason doesn't matter unless it's self defense. The human in me has encountered several situations in which I felt empathy for the suspect, but the law is the law.

The person who is assaulted, for whatever reason, does not experience less injury because the suspect was just mad at the victim about a debt or some other disagreement. The person who is killed because of a domestic problem is still dead. The circumstances of murder are secondary to the act itself. I investigated many homicides in my career and dead is dead. If a murderer kills someone because of a prejudice of some sort is irrelevant. The murderer should be prosecuted to fullest extent of the law. Murder is murder. Does the reason really matter if it's done criminally?

This is another manifestation of the victimology of America today. Somehow what was in the mind of the murderer is more relevant if the victim was of a certain class. The criminalization of thought and speech is very troubling. Why? Well, who is going to decide what speech and thought is criminal and which is not? Think about it.

A word about the chicken crap move of attaching the "hate crime" legislation to a military appropriation bill. The Senate leadership who hatched this scheme are a gutless bunch of sissies who did this in the hopes that the president will veto it so they can go to their leftie constituents and say "I tried." I don't have a problem with cutting funds for the F-22, although it is an incredible aircraft. There are other planes out there and Americans can build almost anything. I find the Senate "leadership" guilty of gutless politics in the recent tradition of the last few congresses who have distinguished themselves with ineptness on a monumental scale. Shameful.

ELTON JOHN, BILLY JOEL, AND SOCCER

Its been awhile since my last post and I apologize. I plead that I am really busy with my high school girls team. We played in a tournament this weekend and did pretty well. We are young and I was impressed with how well we progressed as we played more. We have the potential to be pretty good and I'm excited about the season.

Our team conducted a camp this week for kids which was well attended. The twist is that our players worked with players from a neighboring high school, that happens to be our archrival. The players enjoyed the experience of working together to coach kids in soccer. The coach and I are long time friends and we thought it would be cool to do this. I glad we did.

Our conditioning session tomorrow will culminate in some team bonding with breakfast at a local restaurant. The girls invited me to go with them and flattered, I will go with them. I make them run like crazy, because we are short on numbers and they need to play most of the game. But they understand. I run with them and that probably mitigates the pain for them. Just like school, I feel students will respond to your call that they work hard, if they feel they are learning. They respond the same way in sports. Of this I am convinced.



My family and I went to a concert last night that was simply stupendous. We saw Elton John and Billy Joel in Columbus. Let me describe this concert. First, they sang together for an extended period. Then Elton John put on a full concert. Billy Joel followed with one of his own. The concert ended with them singing several of each others hits together, culminating in a duet of "Piano Man." It was electric and touching all at the same time.

Make no mistake about my love of Elton John's and Billy Joel's music. My daughter and I are especially bonded together in our love of Elton John's songs. I spent a great evening with my wife enjoying the music of our teenage years. I was absolutely in heaven at this show.

It was a little pricey, but what the hell, it was a great show. It lasted about 3 1/2 hours and we never left our seat, although my wife was squashed by an extremely fat guy next to her. She had to move closer to me. Not a bad thing. The music was obviously a trip down memory lane for us. I can't imagine a better evening. If the show comes near you, and you love their music, see it. You will enjoy. You can click on the picture to enlarge, although my camera wasn't the best. You'll get the point. Awesome concert!!

Thanks for the visit.

56TH

Today is my 56th birthday. I don't even know how old that is. I feel a lot younger. I went for a run after having a morning practice with my soccer team. I have trouble wrapping my mind around the fact that I'm that old.

The worst part is that my dad always called me and wished me a happy birthday. That didn't happen today. I was sleeping this morning and suddenly it felt like someone touched me on the shoulder and I woke up. No one was in the house but me and the cats.

I think my dad told me happy birthday. I've always believed in angels after a major injury while I was a police officer that nearly claimed my life. I remember my dad had a hard time getting over that. Almost as hard as me goining to Vietnam. Now I know my dad is an angel and that's cool. You may think I'm nuts, but that's what I believe.

I called my mom and we cried about the fact that dad visited me. We are both convinced that the way he worried about his kids, especially me, he is still definitely looking out for me and his famiy. Through Vietnam and the police he never stopped worrying. When I retired he took a deep breath. When he touched me today, I took a deep breath. My mom his happy he is still in her life. Me too.

I'm listening to a new Van Morrison album, "Still on Top" and enjoying myself. I also got the movie Gran Torino with Clint Eastwood. My dad loved him. That was an awesome movie. I also got books. I'll write separately about one of them later.

I think I'm still on top.

WHY DID THEY COME III

I play this part of the movie "Gods and Generals" to depict to the students the horror of the Civil War. Brothers fought brothers and new Americans were forced to fight their countrymen. What a horrible dilemmma.

I find it intensely interesting, as a history guy, that it seems the old hatreds of Europe merely transplanted themselves to America. The Irish still hold Cromwell in contempt for his treatment of them once he took power after the English Civil War in 1649. Two hundred plus years later that played out on a battlefield in the New World.

WHY DID THEY COME TO AMERICA? II

On this 4th of July weekend, I present more of our immigrant heritage. Imagine if you will, leaving your home country for a foreign country of which you know little more than it is a land of freedom. Or so you've heard from others. When you arrive you are trying to assimilate as best you can. The language is different and you need to learn English as best you can to succeed. Why did you leave your native country? Freedom? Religious Freedom? Economic Freedom? Freedom from oppression of the landed gentry, the aristocracy? To escape the constant warfare of Europe?

When you arrive you are an outsider who doesn't speak the language and despite the fact you may be very educated, you are considered illiterate because you don't speak English. You desperately want to fit in, but it is difficult. You may have left because of war, or because your father or brothers fought in the European wars.

To your horror the United States breaks apart and is consumed by war. You as a new American must make a choice. Fight for America, your new country or remain forever an outcast. You decide to fight for your country, but which side? Some fought for the blue, some for the gray. Whatever side you fight on, it is eerily familiar to the old country. War seems to follow you. But fight you must.

I have ancestors who fought in the Ohio 9th German, Die Neuner, out of Cincinnati. They fought proudly and bravely. There is a reason they are mentioned first on this video. I am proud of my ancestors who fought for their adopted country. Many ethnicities did the same and died for their adopted country.

THEIR FACES TOWARDS HEAVEN THEIR FEET TO THE FOE

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What does it mean to be an American?

PEOPLE WHO YEARNED TO BE FREE. WHY WE'RE HERE!

I absolutely love this video. The pictures and fortitude of the immigrants who had the bravery to cross caused me to tear up. I remember my grandparents and great grandparents and thank them for the sacrifices they made to make me an American. I can only imagine their fear, their courage, and the spirit that drove them to take this chance. I wish I could match their bravery.

My grandfather took it seriously and fought in WWI, my uncle took it seriously and fought in WWII. My father took it seriously and fought in the Korea. I took it seriously and did my part.

I am humbled by the courage of my ancestors as they sailed across the sea because they wanted to be free. These people were strong and we owe them everything. We are Americans because they were courageous enough to hop on that ship and sail to freedom. I would hope I had that kind of courage.

God bless America.

CERRICKFERGUS

This is for my friend Mustang. Cerrickfergus by Van Morrison. What a great rendition.