MORE IDOL THOUGHTS

We mentioned Monday that Bella was the smallest Steeler fan down here. at 2.4 pounds. Yesterday we spent about an hour or so at the local vet, Doc. Gartenberg for shots and a routine exam. Bella weighed in at a whopping 3.1 lbs..

We spoke to her about it later and she admitted, "With Ben out I decided to "bulk up" and help the offensive line."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Do you remember the old grade school joke where one student asks the other, "When you got to the bathroom and wipe your butt which hand do you use?" The second student answers, "My right - which hand do you use."

The first questioner answers, "I don't use either. I prefer toilet paper."

Apparently the second guy has never used the toilet paper (whoops - toilet tissue) in public bathrooms. Long considered a goal of effective cost saving, the thickness of the sheets are almost non-existant.

In addition the wait for the paper is interminable as you first try to decide which roll under the Darth Vader cover is the active one. Then you must attempt to figure out how to make the appropriate roll - "unroll."

I once entered the mens room of a local restaurant and missed the last three innings of a Rays/Yankee game.

I don't mess around anymore and have gone back to using corn husks carefully hidden away in my 24 pocket Cargo shorts. Nobody is ever going to know which hand this old guy uses.
--------------------------------------------------------------------

GETTING OLD - OR JUST CAUTIOUS?

Your blogger is a huge Steelers fan. He and his wife Phyllis proudly wear their many Steeler shirts. Our golf cart license plate announces to one and all down here that they are in "Steeler Country."

Just about each Steeler game finds us abandoning our "reckless abandon" purchase - a 52 inch Sony TV - just so we can root for the Steelers somewhere in the presence of other fans.

We prefer Firkins & Fox on Manatee Ave because they allow us to bring along the worlds smallest Steeler fan, Bella, the 2.4 oz Chihuahua. and sit on their outdoor deck.

Yesterday, the game was blacked out, the second such experience for Buccaneer fans so far this year. While we heard rumors of a bar or two possibly willing to defy the NFL's blackout ban, we chose to stay home.

Phyl was working back in her office trying to "takedown" an extremely challenging and lengthy medical report she was writing after reviewing thousands of medical documents that had been Fed-Exed to her several weeks ago.

My job was more difficult, of course. I was "forced" to sit in the living room recliner with "Da Punk" in my lap and shout the changing score results of the Steeler/Buc's game. They were posted periodically in the upper right hand corner of the screen, as I watched Atlanta, a previous Steelers victim, surprise the reigning NFL champion Saints.

Rooting for the Steelers was a relative new experience for Phyl when we started exchanging likes and dislikes about 10 years ago. She is now into it "full boat", but remains baffled as to how I can allegedly enjoy a football team so much and yet constantly spend time screaming at the screen when something doesn't go my way.

The answer is that I'm old - but "cautious". Let me explain.

I am in love with Charlie Batch. Before my "leventy seventh" retirement back in 2004 a co-worker in Harrisburg picked on me constantly because Pittsburgh had decided to acquire Charlie Batch - whose final grades from Detroit included a lot of incompletes.

Charlie was never intended to be Pittsburgh's starting quarterback. He was a Pittsburgh guy from the Munhall/Homestead section and a great athlete in addition to beng heavily involved in several Pittsburgh activities and charities. The guy looks good and speaks well.

With Ben deciding to re-explore "the child within" this past offseason -resulting in him being banished for a minimum of 4 games, - I was perplexed. Despite this, I was silently rooting for the Steelers to give Charlie his chance over a former NFL starting quarterback who seldom unpacked his bags and a young guy who just "didn't seem to get it."

The Steelers brass thought otherwise and went with the latter two over Charlie, who apparently concluded he was retained only due to giving the appearance of being enamored of sweating in the summer sun at Latrobe each year.

That not unreasonable impression by Charlie lasted through camp, almost all of the pre-season and most of the first two regular season games . Injuries and indecision forced the Steelers to look his way finally - a puzzle to Charlie as he had seldom let them down in the past when asked to jump into the fray.

One caveat here. Despite rooting for Charlie I have never and will never see him as the "Savior of the Steelers." I love the guy, but probably won't invite him down for Christmas dinner - no matter how hot it might get.

OK, here comes the cautious part: Charlie started and finished yesterday's game. He threw 3 touchdowns for a team that had failed to score one offensive touchdown in 2010 regulation play. Now he is being heralded by both the media and the fans as "the second coming."

That is so Pittsburgh. Look up "underdog" in the dictionary and you'll be staring at a picture of the Golden Triangle and the confluence of three rivers.

Three of Charlies touchdown passes were apparently accompanied by "Charlie's Angels."

The first pass, a 46 yarder was caught by Mike Wallace when Grimm, the safety failed to look for the ball. Apparently the safety still has Pittsburgh ties as the son of Russ Grimm , a former Steeler coach and a Pitt standout

The second, a 21 yarder to Wallace, (quote) "clanked" off the hands of cornerback Agib Talib's hands and into those of Wallace. Now, please keep in mind Talib was the unintended recipient of the very first toss by Charlie yesterday. He is a very talented defensive back. He apparently was playing "tit for tat." Those Pittsburgh Pirates fans in attendance at Tampa cheered wildly - due no doubt to their respect for anything resembling a .500 performance.

The third throw was a 9 yard toss to Hines Ward who admits - "nobody guarded me." Now, this is a guy who has achieved all kinds of Steeler receiving records and whose bust will no doubt end up in Canton, Ohio some day.

Thank you "Angels"!

Pittsburgh has not received that sort of celestial charity since actor Paul Douglas, aka Aloysius X "Guffy" McGovern, was managing The Pirates in the movie "Angels in the Outfield", filmed in Pittsburgh. It was 1951, and Janet Leigh was the only "outstanding" player to appear for us at Forbes Field that year.

Now, does all of this mean I won't be rooting for Charlie in Game 4.

Sure I will - but, it will be"cautious" enthusiasm.

I mean, Angels can't be everywhere - or can they?

A LITTLE LIGHTER

"SOMETHING FISHY":

We often frequent a Sarasota restaurant called "The Lucky Pelican". It has a reputation for great fish specialities. Every time you eat there you earn points. Each week the Pelican advises you via e-mail how many you have accumulated and the number you lack for your next reward.

We're up to "goldfish status".

Along with the point notification and info regarding future events to be held there, the Pelican furnishes it's readers with a weekly household tip. Some are fascinating. Others like, "101 ways to cook rhubarb" - are less so.

Last weeks advice was: "If you have stubborn grease stains on your work clothes: add a bottle of coke with detergent. It will help loosen the grease."

Wife Phyl and I have gone nuts in our attempts to locate that particular Coke brand. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTABLE'S QUOTES:

Some quotes from my favorite philosopher, Alfred E. Neuman:

"If opera is entertainment, then falling off a roof is transportation."

"Getting old is when a narrow waist and a broad mind switch places."

"How come we choose from just two people for President, and fifty for Miss America?"

"Nowadays, a balanced diet is when every McNugget weighs the same."

"In retrospect it becomes clear that hindsight is definitely overrated."

And my favorite, "Blood may be thicker than water - but it makes lousy lemonade!"
---------------------------------------------------------------
STRANGE FACTS ABOUT SEX:

"A pig's orgasm lasts 30 minutes."

"Humans and dolphins are the only species that have sex for pleasure."

"The male praying mantis cannot copulate while it's head is attached to it's body. The female initiates sex by ripping the male's head off." ("Lucy, I'm home. What the ...")

"Some lions mate over 50 times in one day" (Best to cancel any Safari plans for that day)

Many women opt for quality over quantity and, after reading the above, state: "Love that pig!"

It's a pity that Edgar Kasey, an advocate of reincaration, didn't support transmigration. (coming back as animals) There would be one heck of a lot of happy Arkansas Razorback fans out there.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHELF HELP:

Finally, I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman, "Where's the self-help section?" She said, "If I told you, - it would defeat the purpose."

Enjoy. It ain't all heavy.

THE ONE CONSTANT

It is easy to become wrapped up in all the bad news the media wants to be sure we listen to or read. Most of us recognize that their purpose with all the competetion is aimed more at achieving their survival than our own. We are being pummeled with bad news from every source and about almost every topic.

To this old guy, sometimes it is overwhelming. But, as always, something good happens to bring about that homeostasis - the balance - we need to survive and grow.

Early this week my wife Phyl and I were listening to Tim, a proud father of two children - a boy and girl now 13 and 14. He was telling us that he will be 50 next year and had a delayed start in family planning.

Our friend spoke in great length about that feeling a father gets when presented with the opportunity to hold his first daughter or son. "It is incredible," he said. We nodded in agreement.

He noted that, maybe becoming a parent in his mid-thirties made him more aware of the huge responsibility that came with those tiny gifts.

"My first reaction, " - he continued -"was how fragile was this child I now held."

His statement reminded both of us of those tiny babies who had placed their faith in us. We have also seen this repeated in the care and devotion of the parents of our respective grandkids.

We were reminded of one of the primary premises of the book, "Embraced By The Light", which Phyl had insisted I read during those early days of pre-partner discovery and discussion.

In this unspoken moment we nodded again and looked at each other knowing the thoughts of our partner. We recalled, and later discussed, the philosophy of life expressed by the author Betty J. Eadie. Her conviction following two"after death" experiences was that pre-born children chose their parents.

Tim spoke of how gratified he and his wife were to have two teen age children: "they are different - in a good way - than many of their peers." And then he said something that struck both Phyl and myself instantly: "We respect our kids!"

He probably would have elaborated on the statement had we not interrupted him to applaud what he said and, to add our "two cents worth" of course.

We recognized immediately there was a cause and effect between the two statements Tim made about their kids..

Then, the other evening we were priviledged to meet "Wesley" a brand new baby girl and the newest member of the Butler family. Ron & Kim Butler are friends of ours who often invite us over to join them for holiday meals as part of their extended family. Their own kids are Andy, Adam, Arika, and Drew. This little baby was created courtesy of Stacie, their daughter-in-law and son Adam.

We all agree, Wesley is angelic and a great addition to her older brother Cody.

I was happy for no longer did I have to give a bifocal squint at the cameraphone pictures of her when she entered the world. There she was, right in front of us, framed in the massive hand of her father Adam.

This was Adam's first child and he just keeps looking - and looking - and looking at her.

Phyl went over to the table and chatted with them for a good while. I returned to the baseball game at the bar while admittedly thinking more about the baby than the outcome of the game.

This little gal has her life in front of her. She also has many relatives to help her on her journey. Both sets of grandparents are in awe of their first grandaughter. Her many relatives adore her; which is one heckuva good start in life.

Amongst all of this joy we swear we heard some faint mumblings from Uncle Andy and Aunt Arika about their desire to follow suit - maybe sooner than first planned. Perhaps, they realized how much the sight of this little delight could clear away the clouds and cobwebs of life.

One of Eadie's quotes in "Embraced By The Life", a book about dying and returning, is this:

"We are sent here to live life fully, to live it abundantly, to find joy in our own creations - - - to use our free will to expand and magnify our lives."

Those creations include babies -the true miracle in and of life -and the one constant.

THE BELLY AND THE MEMBERS

"One fine day it occurred to the Members of the Body that they were doing all the work and the Belly was having all the food.

So, they held a meeting, and after a long discussion, decided to strike work till the Belly consented to take it's proper share of the work. So, for a day or two, the Hands refused to take the food, the Mouth refused to receive it, and the Teeth had no work to do.

But after a day or two the Members began to find that they themselves were not in a very active condition: the Hands could hardly move, and the Mouth was all parched and dry, while the Legs were unable to support the rest.

So thus they found that even the Belly in it's dull quiet way was doing necessary work for the body, and that all must work together or the Body will go to pieces."

(Aesop - Jacobs' translation - 1894)

Upon the election of Barack Obama , the Republican Party - the party of "just say no!" - decided to field one of the most united partisan teams on the planet. Their goal was to stymie any legislation that was proposed by the opposition. Their logic was: "when the ship goes down we don't want to be on it." They may not be granted their wish and perhaps should have checked the ships manifest for tea.

Various newspapers are writing about the Tea Party's victories in the primaries over those candidates endorsed by the Republican soothsayers. One such source states these victories mirror what they call "anti-establishment energy in America".

However, there appears to be a hitch. That doesn't mean the voters like Republicans any more than some of Martha Stewart's recipes. The both require a lot of patience, effort, and the ability to overcome frustration.

The Republican isolationist strategy noted above appears to be losing ground. The tidal wave of support they expected to allow them to take control of both chambers of Congress seems to have hit the ship before they had a chance to disembark.

Many see this strategy as one that, instead, provoked a groundswell of anger and the formation of the Tea Party. In other words, it wasn't just the Democrats "Wimpy" strategy that has this country in an uproar. The Republicans decision to place themself in legislative timeout apparently has angered their party faithful as well as the unfaithful.

It never occurred to them that the people back home who voted for them actually expected they would put aside their petty needs for the benefit of the constituents. In addition, many feel the party has begun to emulate that antiquated Lionel train engine that fell off my "homemade platform" too many times.

The GOP are seen by many as the Grand "OLD" party. It also appears Newt's revisionist biographical efforts are not going to be enough to allow them to successfully regroup by 2012.

Esquire Magazine may just be the beginning of the end for the "Gray Fox" and his "graying party." Worse yet, Bob Dole may not agree to run again.

The novitiate Tea Party strategists may lack the organizational skills or financial support of the Democrats they will face in November - but, so far, you have to admire their on base percentage in Triple A ball.

Today I read," Senator Robert Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat in charge of his party's effort to hold it's senate majority, said chances have improved because Republicans have run extremists instead of mainstream candidates."

That may be just more inane partisan B.S. . But , a few extremists fighting for the good of all mankind may not necessarily be bad.

If Menedez's prediction turns out to be correct and the Democrats do not lose in the sufficient number the Republicans envisioned and need in November, "the Body will {continue to} go to pieces".

And, "No, Martha. That's NOT a good thing!"

WELCOME TO THE PARTY

The NFL regular season officially opened last night. The Vikings discovered that it wasn't just Bret Favre who was playing catchup.

There can be little doubt that the whole "will he or won't he" routine in Minnesota left the team with more rust than the patio furniture you forgot to bring in last September.

The Minneapolis coach stated he was caught off guard by the Saints defensive game plan. While we admire Coach Childress's honesty - we gotta wonder why. There's a rumor that he coached against that same team in the Super Bowl and saw just about everything.

Well, not to "take the bloom off the onion" - and while agreeing this is just one of 16 scheduled games for the Vikings - you got to wonder how many there will be in the 2011 season. And, we're not talking about the commish's desire to go from 16 regular season games to 18.

I can see you now as you wave your hands in panic and scream "Hold on! I've got way too many things on my plate already. I'm still trying to figure out my fantasy picks (presumably for the "remedial" Fantasy League) and I'm also attempting to negotiate an agreement with my wife over the purchase of a Dish to get the NFL package."

Welcome to the party! That would be in addition to the "financial collaps" party - which you weren't ready for either.

Yep, this is yet another party for which you're unprepared. No problem. Let me get you a beer and please sit anywhere you want - at least until March -when the CBA (collective bargaining agreement) between the NFL players and the owners runs out. It should be interesting.

The owners say a revenue sharing program that enables the players to get about 60% of
the gross is "way out of line".Hey, can't disagree. But, don't particulary like their entreaty of a decrease to 41% either. So, why not get this whole mess over with and agree on 50% now?

Doubt it will happen. Nothing like a good millionaire/billionaire fight to stir the juices.

I try to look on the bright side though and can't wait to see Jerry Jones try to squeeze into that Arkansas Razorback uniform from his college days as he suits up with the scabs.

The construction cost for his new football stadium was $1.3 billion. Is Jones really one of the guys who is insisting the owners are losing money? Hell, if J. Beresford Tipton sent Michael Anthony over to Jones' house once a month with a cashiers check - do you have any idea how many trips he'd have to make to pay off that sucker?

Even taking public transportation wouldn't enable a guy like Jones to come up with that kind of financing. So, where did it come from?

A recent report reveals the league receives a 1 billion dollar credit that isn't included in the pie that is split with the players. The league is now requesting another 1 billion to help "grow the game." You know, pay operating costs plus money to help finance new stadiums.

I guess, you never know how much studio backdrop sets can cost on the NFL Network Channel. That's the one not included in the income scraped off from the sports channels, the networks and their affiliates.

One cost cutting suggestion is to include synchronized rowing in training camps. Why fly over to London for those pre-season exhibition games?

Switching sports - but, still on the subject of team owners . The divorce proceedings between Dodger team owner(s?) Frank & Jamie McCourt include the problem of the eventual disposition of "over a half dozen" luxury homes. (what, nobody knows the exact number?) Just figuring out which month to spend in each home must have taken a terrible toll on their vacation planner software.

Did we miss something? Perhaps these properties are income producing rentals for a owner that kept increasing the teams revenue but remained passive on increasing salaries or retaining expensive players?

The compaints of team owners everywhere on the subject of profits are leaving arched eyebrows so high on our foreheads that plastic surgeons future financial security will never be in doubt. But, you know the old saw, "If you don't ask - you don't get."

Once again we repeat the question we put to Wall Street executives in previous blogs, "How much is enough?"

So, get ready to watch the scrubs on that 52 inch Sony job for which you're still making interest payments only on your over extended credit card - and again - "WELCOME TO THE PARTY."

"Oh, you want another beer? Sorry pal, this ones gonna cost you!"

IS AMERICA GOING SOFT?

The root of the question is a view expressed by many who are angry at just about everything.

They contantly attempt to remind us about the many threats we are facing from the actions of Muslims, Hispanics, Big Government, and Jenny Craig .

They argue there are too many of us who don't really care what happens to our country and they manage to do this without wearing tie-dyed clothing. Mom would be happy to hear again that "we're going to hell in a hand basket."

These critics often describe senior's action plans as: "Just don't disturb our status quo. - we've fought all the good battles - we're now officially pacifists." ( If true, one assumes they surveyed the ones who pulled their money out way before the most recent market collapse and they definitely don't read my blogs.)

This blogger disagrees with their conclusion for a bunch of reasons.

One is that I am a strong believer in the "plateau" theory addressed in a previous blog. This is the argument that one never "plateaus": we either move forward or backward - up or down..

Thus, we conclude seniors aren't "plateauing". All of us have an opinion we are willing to share with any homeless person we might happen to trip over, as well as the anonymous plane passenger, seated beside us to whom we reveal what weird Uncle Ernie really did on the farm.

It reminds one of the Fred Neil/Nilsson song, "Everybody's Talking." The irony has not escaped me that the theme of the song was the speakers desire to retreat from other people to the ocean."(What, the Gulf isn't as good?)

I also disagree becaused of moving fulltime to Florida. Here I engage in "wheel to wheel" combat every day in our little corner of the world and will willingly move off the road - even park on the grass - upon observing a senior driving a red painted vehicle anywhere within a 1/2 mile radius.

Folks, neither pacifity nor acceptance are likely words to be associated with these folks.

It's actually more like all those seniors who adopted that whole delayed gratification thing when younger are now upset and more than willing to fight back - even if they may not always recall the source of their displeasure.

There may be a reasonable explanation why a Preacher in Gainesville, "Florida," with a congregation of at best 40 to 50 people, is causing such a rumpus worldwide.

In Pittsburgh 40 to 50 was the size of the annual clean-up crew at the church. Another saving grace is that we were content to merely mispell the Quran - rather than attempting to commit fratricide.

Yep, "passive-acceptive" is not what I'd use to describe America's seniors as well as most of it's inhabitants. I recently read a few "letters to the editor" that support my conclusion. (Darn Harry, you're right again.)

One writer - a flight attendant - was defending the members of her trade. She used as examples: parents allowing their kids to ring call buttons to place orders for fast food and men who demand food be served to them while the attendants are preparing for landing.

My favorite example was the one about women complaining they can't sit by the window because they just had their hair done. (please, no more misogynist letters.)

Another non-pacifist - a restaurant owner many times over - complained that the plight of the economy as seen by the restauranteers is the result of last year's raise of the minimum wage to
the astronomical sum of $7.25 per hour. One assumes the other stuff such as smaller portions, higher prices, rude help, failing to negotiate well with Sysco, and the general shape of the economy had no impact.

The third writer is decrying the possibility that all of us attempting to purchase new vehicles in the future will be forced to put out extra for a "cost additive auto warning device" because a few folks seem to overlook the presence of their children in the car when they depart the car to do whatever.

This guy I like. It's obvious his parents spent considerable time teaching him the merits of "delayed gratification." I'll wager he never married.

Finally, one "wannabe" blogger was upset over the lack of responsibile spending in government. His cure was: "the only way to stop runaway spending is for American voters to put into office people who will attack - out-of-control spending today, not tomorrow."

Oh darn, there goes the high speed train from Tampa to Miami.

But, as my good friend Alfred E. Neumann once told me, "What, me worry?"

Luke 12: 22-34

Good Old Rip!

Ever wonder after reading something outrageous in the news or watching someone's outlandish opinion on TV or reading a truly unsophisticated blog - not unlike this one -that you are Rip Van Winkle?

Today I read an E-mail from a relative asking if I would respond to a Fox News poll regarding the subject of banning the American flag in schools - some organization - SEIU is apparently twittering this is the politically correct thing to do. As a result 22% or about 600,000 of those voting decided that banning the flag was the right thing to do.

Sounds a little like stuffing the ballot box for the All Star game with the names of one or more of your home team favorites.

I admit that there may be something wrong with my sleeping habits. I awoke one time to find out "The Supreme's" had voted to okay the burning of our flag.

The most recent time something like this occurred - was some months ago when nine "learned" judges in an incredible 5 to 4 decision decided tht corporations were no longer just a legal entity but a person - with a person's individual rights prescribed to them.

But, Today I found out via my E-mail that my narcolepsy has reached a new peak.

Let's start off with an attempt to clarify my thinking as well as to make a confession.

I often think I'd trade all my courses and classwork knowledge for a clear definition of what "Freedom of Speech" really does mean . I admit I'm totally confused based upon the "progressive" and irrational actions of a "few" that arouse so much bile in the "many".

My love for this country is definitely in the top 10% level of patriots in this land. I also recognize my jingoist belief is not shared by everyone - and that is as it should be. My understanding of the compromise reached by our founding fathers - (some say foundling) was to see that all citizens have that right. - in addition to several others.

Some folks today are vehement in their attempts to undermine those rights. What the hell is the S.E.I.U. anyway? I'm told that in addition to twittering it's followers to vote yes on banning the display of flags in public schools it, once again, has something to do with the rights of hispanic students . I also that I'm still not quite awake yet.

How about a poll to determine who we hate most - Hispanics or Muslims.

This old goat has been around for a while. I visited a relative as a child who was" not quite right" after being the victim of mustard gas in WW-I , I also traipsed around town on both V-E and V-J Day to celebrate those victories.

Finally, I recently determined I must learn to accept that our only hope for another war victory would be if we decide to attack Grand Fenwick. So, I guess I really do qualify as a patriot.

Now, this is despite the cautionary article I read that was written written by a Christian writer who advised us against celebrating too hardy this past 4th of July. He saw this reaction as idolatrous patriotism and contravening the Bible's teachings in John 18:36 where we are instructed to pledge our sole allegiance to God.

While I can see his point I just never thought that being a patriot meant I had to give up the blessing of unconditional love. I suspect that the writer and I just got our wires crossed.

Turning the other cheek is not some strange anomaly in my eyes but, at what point do we simply say - loud and clear - "Enough is Enough!" . Not just to silly causes but to the absolutely inane things we receive on our computer. Sending them on only gives them versimilitude (look it up- I did.)


This Fox News poll prompted apparently by the SEIU rantings may be no more bothersome in the long run than the folks out there writing the vile things they espouse about our President.

Most of it is more pitiful than pitiable. The rantings are not dissimilar to the many E-mails stating this or that and for which I must go to my friend Harry Pierson for clarification, as Harry does not suffer fools willingly.

The confession part I mentioned a few paragraphs ago is to confirm yours truly as a charter member of those insensitive louts seeking humor who have occasionally made inflammatory remarks simply to get a reaction from someone. But, I don't send E-mails or write blogs for that same purpose It's just that every once in a while during my spoken verbiage I get a flare-up of "The Irish".

That's not my purpose here. I am simply trying to find a homeostasis that will allow me to read some of these oddball things in the news and not go off half-cocked.

I'm tired now and think I require a nap.

Your prayers would be appreciated.

THREE LITTLE WORDS

Actually, that may be a misnomer to call them three "little" words. They're not really that little to a whole lot of folks.

The three words referenced here are "I was wrong!" - something you don't hear very often. You can't help but wonder why that is.

What is it of value that you lose when you utter those words? Pride? Status? Freedom from Humiliation? The fear of losing your credibility for all time - of never being believed again?

That's a tough one to answer. Some people, like Special Agent Jethro Gibbs of NCIS, (one of our favorites) states to his folks, "You never apologize- it's a sign of weakness."

One disclaimer here. Given what I am going to attempt to explain - to paraphrase the legal ads down here -I want to make it clear, "I ain't no lawyer"" Let's go on with what I believe to be correct. I may be wrong.

By changing the pronoun from "I" to "We" in those "three little words", it appears we may be getting a glimpse of what seems to be taking place in our legal society.

Despite being frustrated by reading "so-and so" corporation paid a fine of two million dollars but did not admit any responsibility or fault", there may be extenuating factors.

Too often, a criminal matter may be settled and a civil action will follow. Think O.J. Simpson here. He was acquitted of the criminal action but found guilty in the civil matter. This is not double jeopardy. It's just two different legal actions. The problem with the second is that it does not require the same level of proof as the first.

In criminal cases - a more serious matter - the prosecution must prove that there can be no reasonable doubt that someone other than the accused has committed the crime. A civil matter is decided by the preponderance of the evidence as a legal burden of proof.

In civil matters there is a pre-trial "discovery" process wherein , via depositions - interviews - investigation, etc., one may gather evidence to hopefully establish that their legal position in a civil matter will prevail.

One such example "might" (emphasized) be the admission of guilt by a corporation in a criminal matter should they have previously uttered the statement,"We were wrong."

But, how does this relate to an individuals reluctance or downright stupidity in not admitting they were wrong in a non legal scenario?

OP-Ed writer David Brooks wrote an interesting piece for The New York Times entitled "Case of Mental Courage." He states: "In this atmosphere - - - we're all less conscious of our severe mental shortcomings and less inclined to be skeptical of our own opinions."

Brooks spoke of "confirmation bias" wherein we pick-out only evidence that supports our views.

My studies of logical inference suggests this is a better example of "inductive" rather than "deductive" reasoning. The latter is what we're taught in school - particularly in most mathematical classes. It's a building process.

Inductive reasoning goes from the specific to the general - the opposite of deductive reasoning. An example was "the person looks uncomfortable - therefore, the person is uncomfortable."

I always thought of inductive as making a statement- often illogical - and then searching for examples to support that statement or argument - no matter how unreasonable. I found the "inductive" guy is not usually one who is going to admit to :"illogical fallacy."

We have recently begun the process of removing 100,000 troops in Iraq - while being extremely careful not to irrationally suggest a victory march is impending. Almost all current data suggests this decision is a direct result of Bush's "surge" decision, some time ago.

Have you heard any of his earlier surge critics now giving him credit? No, and we doubt you will.

Should they be confronted with this criticism they most likely will take the often used tact of simply changing the subject. I recently watched two leading Republican politicians, Boehner and McConnell, on Meet The Press and they "still" haven't answered David Gregory's questions.

Democrats don't get off the hook either. Apparently House Speaker Pelosi was thinking of a much smaller "swamp" than the rest of us - when she started her "draining process".

Brooks winds up his op-ed piece with:"Very few in public life habitually step back and think about the weakness in their own thinking and what they should do to compensate." ( So, is that the answer to our question? We're merely mimicing politicians?)

He then concludes with this statement, "Of all the problems that afflict this country, this is the underlying one." (Whew!)

Try using those three little words, but be prepared. In my house the response usually is , "Wait a minute. Did I really hear you say that?"

Idol Thoughts

Yeah, of course I meant "Idol." (in my own mind, of course)

{However, I will admit it was good for the ego to see a real writer Ed Bouchette with Post-Gazette.com write a similar piece about QB Charlie Batch in Thursday mornings sports section. Again, his was professionally done.} Here's my read on the situation:

Hey, was watching the Steeler game last week and was puzzled - along with one heckuva lot of other folks. QB Leftwich gets in behind a sieve line after QB Dixon, who suddenly thinks, "maybe I am as good as those folks who think I - not Bryan - should be the backup quarterback'. He then throws 2 interceptions - one of them in the end zone the other for a monstrous return.

13 year veteran QB Charlie Batch comes in after Leftwich - and apparently not needing a line in front of him - solid or liquid - scores a touchdown and throws another great pass which is intercepted because a rookie receiver - in a new position - is running the wrong route.

Leftwich apparently is going to start the season - that would be after the last pre-season game tomorrow - with few actual game snaps in the all important 3rd pre-season game - with the regular season around the corner - and Big Ben saying about # 4 "You know, it would be nice for me to practice some silent counts"? {It now appears Ben will start per Bouchette.}

And then, when the Pittsburgh writers finally do get around to wanting to interview Charlie, he has to make it clear he has no desire to talk about the other quarterbacks - and - one assumes- how bad they looked. A class act - as always. I'm still looking for that first interview.

Is Charlie on the "cut line" because of prior seasons injuries and the team not wanting to eat whatever they are paying him? - or, is it just because he's old? The poor guy seems to have the handicap of setting up quickly and throwing the ball where he wants it to go.

Not recommending him as starting quarterback, but hope he's not going to be led out to pasture.

And despite all of that, Pete King of SI predicts the Steelers to win the Super Bowl?

Wasn't it bad enough just having to wade through another season of The Pirates Travesty without now having to endure a "quarterback controversy"?

Obviously, I have to start drinking a better brand of wine.

Time to move on. Therefore, I am hereby announcing my support for J. Wellington Wimpy in the 2012 Presidential election. This is a big move for yours truly - a registered Republican for over 50 years. To come out for a Democrat is highly outrageous.

My candidate - is better known as 'Wimp" - THE WORLDS # 1 hamburger devotee - as well as a friend of Popeye and Olive Oyl .

In true Pat Paulson tradition, he has already announced his platform: " I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today." {Looks like it could be a smooth transition from current White House philosophy - should he win.}

Wimpy's personality has been described thusly in a variety of appraisals thru the years: "selfish, cowardly, lazy, intellectual well educated, parsimonious, gluttonous, a scam artist, notoriously underhanded, cheap, a smooth fasttalker, elegant speaker, lacking in pride, not above begging, wheedling, and whining." (Yeah, that's my Wimp.}

Sure, you're saying to yourself, "Oh no! Another cartoon character running for President?"Hold on here. I'm speaking of a politician of substance. Here's one description from Kings Feature - the syndicate for Popeye- who list these statistics for Wimpy.

Weight: 300 hamburgers
Height: 26 hamburgers
Hat size: jumbo hamburger
Waist: 18 hamburgers
IQ - 326
Hamburger capacity - unlimited

And we're not suggesting those measly quarter 4 ounce jobs - we're talking "POUNDERS", baby.

Hey, we elected Taft, didn't we?

Can any reasonably bright person not see this man as the next logical leader of our country - given the above statistical information?

Well, in the unlikely event some of you are still not convinced I throw in this:

One of Wimpy's strongest assets was his ability to deflect an enemy's wrath: "One such example was when challenged to a fight and needing to respond , he would indicate a third party and say, 'Let's you and him fight' - starting a brawl from which he quickly withdrew" ( A Robert C. Harvey quote)

What a novel idea - letting someone else fight the battles .

This is clearly the guy who has a plan to get us out of Afghanistan!

Yep, Wimpy's my "real" Idol!