2010: A Year in Perspective

Well, it's that time of year again; a time where many of us reflect on the last, oh 360 plus days. A time when we look back on family, friends, faith, job, overall feeling in the country, and of course ourselves. This is my "pondero vicis" or time of reflection. I know Latin is a dead language but damn it sounds good doesn't it?

Family: For many a year's worth of time can result in a loss of family members, or a gain in family via marriage, kids, etc, but one thing is certain, there is nothing that can replace the importance of what family means or is. The family is one of the greatest blessings we have. We need to make the most of them. I hope you take the opportunity to reflect on what your family means to you and how you can better the relationships within that network.

Friends: Outside of family our surrogate support system is friends; reliable, dedicated, honest, sympathetic, loving, that and many more attributes defines friendship. Reflect on your circle of friends and consider how fortunate we are to have a support system like that.

Faith: For many of us, where would we be without our faith? This is a timeless subject and discussion, but I often wonder how people without faith in God can live? Where do they find their spiritual support system when the mortal systems cannot be relied on or consulted? I speak from the heart when I say, that in God and my savior Jesus Christ I have everything, and for those who do not believe or are confused, I pray for you. It has been a good year to reinforce faith, for many are not doing so well, and isn't it ironic that when things go south people look to the heavens a little more. I am not here to preach, but only to pronounce where I derive my internal support over all things, and it has led me to be strong, optimistic about myself, disciplined, responsible, loving, sympathetic, giving, etc.

Job: For those of us who have jobs we are thankful for sure because the alternative is unfortunate and basically unnecessary. I cannot speak to those who are not employed. I will offer up that I am glad that I am employed, providing an income for my family, and continuing the push for a better society through my teaching approach. Is it working? I don't know, but I am no worse for the wear when it comes to trying. Since many in society have negated their responsibility as parents and look to the schools for that void then let me do what I think I need to do. As a teacher, I not only look to literature, writing, and critical thinking skills as my avenue of education, but I also carry the torch of responsibility, accountability, organization, and discipline. Without those elements we have a society run amuck, and I feel it is my duty to maintain those values whether they want it or not. Remember, it all goes back to broccoli, mom said eat your broccoli it's good for you. No matter how much we hated it, we needed it. No matter how much they hate me, they need me, and I stand ready to deliver what is necessary. It's not always about methods, it's about results. I would speak more to education, but that is for another day, besides, big brother or sister (for that matter) is watching.

Society: This year has been an interesting one, as most are, but particularly this year because we are in the midst of a real crossroads. We have all but effectively lost thousands of manufacturing jobs to overseas, technology, etc. We do not have any immediate answers for what ails us. Where do we go from here? What are the jobs of the future? If I could figure that out maybe I could finally afford that villa in Florence, or condo on Kauai, but I am not that wise, so I leave it up to the so called experts. It is my hope that those in Washington get this thing figured out. Do I have faith in them? No, because both parties are corrupt and broken, besides politics is like money, once it enters the arena all bets are off. Logic and reason are lost when those two come to play ball. No, my hope lies in the individual man and woman, the small businessman, and the reasoned members of society who have a grip on reality. I know this is going to sound contradictory, but amidst the throws of Revolution we had an ideal as a country. We had common goals, common understanding of what was at stake, but today's idealism has become something all together different. The idealism of yesterday was about community and country; whereas today it seems to be more about equality and the individual. Now, I do not downplay the importance of equality, so don't assume I am being racist, prejudice, or a bigot. Those with reason understand my point about equality, and in your heart you know too. When Thomas Paine wrote "The Rights of Man" in 1791/92, he talked about society as a whole. Understandably, Paine's universe at that time was about living under the rule of tyranny. We do not live in those circumstances, but there is validity to what he says, and I quote in the present because his words live on. One famous quote is, "Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one". My belief is that we are in the latter state of affairs these days. I am working on an essay that goes to the heart of this, and should be done forthwith (that means soon). One of my major points here is that all too often we get caught up in idealism, when we should be more grounded in realism. It is a vexing and complex dynamic, idealism versus realism, or idealism integrated with realism, but this is what I mean. We want things to be ideal in theory, but in reality it is all too often the opposite. In general, Man is corruptible, Man is dangerous, Man is unreasonable, hence the idealism of what should be cannot be. We can aspire to that end, but we've had several thousands of years of experience and have not been able to master that what should be. But it's okay to keep looking at what should be, and hope that we can be. Shakespeare gave this considerable thought over 400 years ago. "To Be or Not To Be?" He was talking about man, not just Hamlet's dilemma. Sorry for the rambling digression.

And finally, ourselves: This is pretty simple for me. Am I a better person this year than I was last year? Have I done my responsibility, my duty to society/family/friends/occupation? Is my faith stronger than it was a year ago? Each year we have the ability to build on the previous year, and one way to do that is to not wait until December whatever to figure that out. It should happen monthly, weekly, or even daily. A lot of times my reflecting comes weekly via church. I find great peace and comfort when I am in that pew and I am (gratefully) on my knees. I know, this has got to be tearing up atheists and agnostics alike, but that's okay, we know and have something they don't. Anyhow, I pray to my Lord above to help me be a better man, father, husband, friend, son, brother, employee, servant to Him. It doesn't always work because of my failings, but the next week you can bet I am in that pew once again asking for His mercy and forgiveness, and praying for His help.

In closing, my message to society is this. What can we do better? What can we ask of ourselves that will advance the human possibility of "Being"? And thus I leave you with perhaps one of the greatest songs in contemporary pop that made it through the filter of political correctness. Neil Diamond's "Be"

Lost
On a painted sky
Where the clouds are hung
For the poet's eye
You may find Him
If you may find Him

There
On a distant shore
By the wings of dreams
Through an open door
You may know Him
If you may know Him

Be
As a page that aches for words
Which speaks on a theme that's timeless
While the sun God will make for your day
Sing
As a song in search of a voice that is silent
And the one God will make for your way

And we dance
To a whispered voice
Overheard by the soul
Undertook by the heart
And you may know it
If you may know it

While the sand
Would become the stone
Which begat the spark
Turned to living bone
Holy, holy
Sanctus, sanctus

God bless everybody, may you all have a healthy, happy, and prosperous New Year.

Hey, hey, hey, it's Fat Albert: You Been Dumped Dog

The title was an intentional dig at Albert Haynesworth, now former defensive linemen for the Washington Redskins.

Well, it appears the Redskins could take no more of the antics of the $100 million dollar man. Obviously, there are two sides to a story, so whichever side ultimately prevails with the media wins the argument—especially in this case.

On one side, you have ardent supporters of the big man in the middle; on the other, you have those who side with management. It’s the ultimate battle in which the little man feels he must defend a compatriot such as Haynesworth against the evil corporate management just trying to keep the man down, disavowing his right to say and do his thing. Then there are those involved with management who will say the Redskins did the right thing.

I see it this way:

Albert Haynesworth was and continues to be paid a handsome amount from the Washington Redskins. His $100 million plus contract was the largest ever for a defensive lineman. Daniel Snyder examined the man’s career and remunerated a figure he felt was appropriate. But remember, for a hefty price tag like he was expected to deliver the goods.

2010:

The New Year means there's a new coach, with the Redskins bringing in a guy who had already won two Super Bowls. The team decides to employ a new defensive scheme that apparently upsets the $100 million dollar child. Apparently, Haynesworth was not as influential as he thought he ought to be. Both sides decided to dig in their heels, and it appeared that a compact was made. They each figured it was better to co-exist than to create a rift in the locker room.

There’s no need for revisionist history, most are aware of the weekly headlines that seemed to focus more on the problem between two men rather than focusing on the Redskins yo-yo year.

Here is the bottom line:

Haynesworth is a big (literally and figuratively) spoiled, selfish, entitlement oriented, 21st century egotistical athlete.

He was “upset” that the Redskins didn’t reach out to him and accommodate his desire to not play in a 3-4 defense. Well, I hate to drop the big Captain Obvious mantra on Fat Albert, but one man does not make a defense, even though Haynesworth continued to believe that he was a one man wrecking crew. That was his first mistake.

As a writer, I emphasize more than I would like that “Pride goeth before a fall”, which is exactly what happened to Albert. He allowed his pride to get in the way of team.

For $100 million, Albert should have been willing to carry the Gatorade if that is what management wanted. These players tend to think of themselves as warriors, and as such they should be willing to listen to their leadership chain. Albert offended Shanahan and management when he displayed a sense of mistrust that they didn’t have him in the best place to be the player they bought. In any relationship, trust is the one main factor that is attributable to the relationship's success, and Albert used it poorly.

Albert thought that he could buck the system and that people would sympathize with the idea of "Little Man v.s. Management", but he wound up digging his own grave. Appropriately so, as he was more than handsomely compensated.

He should have been willing to do whatever it took to be a team player, but that would have required him to swallow his pride. But for someone of the 21st century mindset, he just couldn’t do it.

A fellow blogger and contributor from the Bleacher Report Brian Corroccio wrote a great article on Big Baby Haynesworth. Go to:

Also, if you would like to check out some of the articles I have written on Bleacher Report go to:
http://bleacherreport.com/users/81989-scott-reighard.