A Different Direction

On July 15, 1979, Jimmy Carter gave a speech that most say was the most important speech of his presidency. In the midst of the Iranian Revolution, Carter delivered a speech of frankness from ideas he received from the American people. Holding a meeting at Camp David, he met a group filled with doctors, lawyers, ministers, and regular laborers to get the opinions from people in high positions to the average working person. Although we are not in an energy crisis, in my opinion many of the words spoken by Carter from the information he gathered can help us as people.

Carter has received mixed reviews during his tenure as president. I myelf am a Teddy Roosevelt man, though some of the issues Carter addressed are similar to Roosevelts. Our country has changed during my short time on this Earth, the economy has been up and down, we have new technologies, exposed to new and different cultures, and become a more efficient people. On the other hand we have been mistreated by our own government, financial instituitions, and each other. Many of these events, like the mortgage crisis and the Madoff's of the world have helped put this country in debt and in a very unfavorable position. One particular statement by Carter was, "Our people are losing that faith, not only in government itself but in the ability as citizens to serve as the ultimate rulers and shapers of our democracy." Everyday I hear the people complain about the state of our country. I hear people not being able to do simple things, like eat, have health care, and more. The people running our country and our institutions are getting rich at the people's expense. They have lied to the people, used schemes that seem beneficial but are not in the long run. A woman from the group said, "The big shots are not the only ones who are important. Remember, you can't sell anything on Wall Street unless someone digs it up somewhere else first." Everyday something related to these issues arises, the more that comes out, the less faith the people have.

"In a nation that was proud of hard work, strong families, close-knit communities, and our faith in God, too many of us now tend to worship self-indulgence and consumption." Look around us, someone always has a get rich quick scheme, unemployment is high because people have been laid off but I also think it's because many don't want to work and collect welfare or think they are owed something. It also seems that people are so busy doing them that the family atmoshere has changed. What happened to having dinner at the table with no tv, having neighbors over. It happens in some households, but not as frequent as it used to be. Even with our kids, more time is spent inside in front of the xbox or computer than actual outside time. I remember growing up never wanting to be inside, even when I had an Atari, or Sega, it just wasn't happening. The images that are potrayed in magazines and television are not reality. Everyone is not rich, or flys on private planes, drive Ferrrari's, or makes it rain every night. People place more value on material things or there job than they do themselves or another human being. Clearly the definition of idolatry. I'm no different, there was a time I did that myself until I realized that is not what defines me or makes me happy as a human being. If a person works hard and is able to afford luxury things then so be it, but without over consuming and waste. If anyting pay it forward to someone that actually needs it. In some instances less is more.

To conclude, Carter stated, "We've always believed in something called progress. We've always had a faith that the days of our children would be better than our own." Americans have always strived to progress in different areas of life, whether it be for themselves, their families, or their race. This country, as great as it may be, is still not progressing in some areas. The only way that changes is if the people change it. Instead of being stuck in our ways,we need to think out of the box, modernize the way businesses are run, and diversify with people that don't fit the standard mold. Basic principles apply to everything in life, however using alternative means and incorporating them into the basics is how new ideas are formed. The only way progress happens is through adaptation and experimentation. Staying the course is good, but staying the course without an open mind, minimizes that chance of change.

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The Honor Code Or Speaking In Code

Brandon Davies, the sophomore forward on BYU's basketball team was dismissed after admitting he had "sexual relations" with his girlfriend. According to BYU's Honor code, students are not allowed to have premarital sex. I do not question the honor code set forth by the university, I more so question the manner in which it was handled. An article written in DeadSpin by an anonymous journalist, list actions and events that are clearly against the Honor Code. According to this individual, the Honor Code almost seems like a myth, or something put in place as a requirement than an actual law to live by.

The first statement of the Honor Code is "We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men. . . . If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things." I think this is a powerful statement, and I think it is symbolic of God, or whatever God people choose to live by. However, were these behaviors used when Davies admitted his acts and was dismissed shortly after ? If you go on BYU's web site under the "Our Values" section, it explains how God gave us our agency and will always respect our freedom to make choices. It does also note's that we are accountable for those choices both good and bad, that God never approves of us using force, and in fact fosters the spirit of freedom to effectively serve and believe in him. It also states that everyone has the right to their own opinion and beliefs.

Fosters the spirit of freedom to effectively serve and believe in him is an interesting statement to me. From what I understand and believe, is that because God gave us free will, he understands we as humans will make mistakes. I also agree there are consequences, but he does forgive us and helps us learn from the mistakes. But why does what Davies did warrant a dismissal for the remainder of the year ? Why was this made a public spectacle ? A review is under way to determine if he will be allowed to remain in school and on the basketball team next year. So let me get this straight, the board is actually contemplating not letting this kid back in school because he had sex. There was no harm done to either party and it was consensual. Another part to the story is who was the rat in all this. Where were they being honest and of good report ? It sounds more like they are good at reporting someone else's business. My rule on that is when someone else gossips or tells your business, they themselves are hiding their skeletons or faults. Take that as you wish. Also, what is to really be determined in this review ? What about, in doing good to all men? I understand the rule is in place and he is to learn a lesson for breaking the code, but being dismissed for the length of time left is a bit much and the decision in my opinion was made to quickly. Furthermore, in other articles I've read, other students have come out and disclosed most of them have sex on campus anyway,which openly questions the validity of the code.

I am not preacher, far from a saint, and damn sure not perfect. It is not my place to judge, and what someone else does, especially when it does not directly involve me is none of my business. The conspiracy theorist in me questions the suspension, the motive behind it, and the person or persons who relayed the information. That's my opinion, however from the information I've gathered, students have come out and acknowledged that sex is a regular act on campus, fact. That's makes me question the code, and the people monitoring it. As I stated earlier, it is not my place to judge, it's their school, their rules, and their system, but mentioned in the "Our Value"section of the schools web site, I have a right to my own opinion and belief. I believe there is much more to this story than we are lead to believe, unfortunately we will never find out what the truth really is.

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The Combine , Real Or No Real Meaning

Today marks the day when 300 or so football players from across the nation gather in little Indianapolis for the NFL Combine. The combine gives NFL organizations a chance to evaluate players at every angle. I participated in the combine coming out of college, and I have to say it is a very grueling process. However, is the combine as valid as people make it out to be ? I am 50-50 on the answer to that question considering the history given.

The combine has changed over the years in order to help teams evaluate players more efficiently. My experience of the combine was much shorter and much more intense.  We only had a couple of days to fly in, workout, and meet with teams.  I vividly remember being yanked on by doctors, taking  EKG's, having blood drawn, and more. I even had to take a cardiac stress test ! During my examination the doctors said I had a small block in one of my ventricles. Let's just say they were way off on that one. The heart is a muscle, and all muscles, even the heart, grow to some extent.  As in most athletes  involved in endurance related sports, the ventricle walls can actually grow depending on how conditioned the athlete is. Mine is .005 centimeters thicker than normal. So Lance Armstrong  is lucky not too many brothers like to ride bikes up and down hills across the world for fun. I might give him a run for his money.

There are pros to the combine. Since scouts usually go to the larger schools, it does give players like Cecil Shorts WR (Mount Union) and  Julius Thomas TE (Portland State) an opportunity to be seen up close and personal. Teams can talk face to face, see body structure, and look at how they react to the environment of the NFL. A player can improve his draft status significantly with great workouts and numbers. Players can also show improvements of flaws listed by NFL teams, like weight, foot work, arm strength, and character. The are many opportunities  in these few days to have coaches and GM's leave with a positive outlook on a player.

As good as that may sound, there are cons to the combine as well. In my opinion some organizations put too much stock in numbers. Because a guy runs a 4.2 40 yard dash, it doesn't make him a football player. If a player does 40 reps during the bench press test, it doesn't mean he's a football player. I place many great combine workouts under the Immaculate Mamula Theory.  Mike Mamula's story is known, great workout, scored like 48-49 out of 50 on the wonderlic test, everything needed to be done to raise his stock, he did it. FAIL ! On the other hand, Zach Thomas, a friend and former teammate of mine is 5'10 at best, very good athlete, not physically put together like some may be, or as fast ,and had an average combine workout. Taken in the fifth round of the 1996 draft by the Miami Dolphins, fourteen years and eight pro bowls later, he is an example of how combine numbers don't matter. Let me explain the Immaculate Mamula Theory. We as humans are able to train our minds and bodies to adapt and improve in certain areas with practice and repetition over a period of time. If a person knows exactly what to train for, has a proper plan and practices it, then of course the results are going to be significant. Anyone can train for anything. Football is a game of speed, reaction, and improvisation, which is why some players do not produce on the field. Learning game plans, and schemes do play a significant part, however, adapting does as well. Many things happen during the course of a play, and although it may be drawn up a certain way on the board, the majority of the time is does not work out that way. Innovation with calculation is key in this case.

The combine has turned into a money grabbing, over hyped, meat market. Hall of Fame selector and editorial consultant for FOX NFL Sunday, John Czarnecki, says," there was a time when less than five reporters, not 750, showed up for the Combine, and security wasn’t really necessary." Those numbers show how much the NFL has hyped up this event for ratings, which essentially makes them more money. I have always been a firm believer that, a football player is a football player. Athleticism is needed, especially at the skilled positions, but an unusual amount is not required. I think more like 1560 The Game's talk show host John Harris, " why don't you go and put the film on bro! " I am more interested in how a player performs during the game, what adjustments are made, and how good is his technique. If I desire to see  running and jumping,  I'm sure there's a local high school track meet going on around here somewhere, and I at least get to spill cheese and jalapeno juice on my shirt from the nachos I devour.