UMRBlog

A NON-DOOMSDAY EXPLANATION: 2012

2009-11-16T01:55:00.000-08:00

The Mayan calendar runs out in 2012. Some folks interpret that to mean the world will end.

The most coherent explanation I have read is that the Mayan civilization collapsed under the weight of comprehensive cocaine addiction.

So we can choose to believe that a bunch of cokeheads are prescient about our future. Another option is to believe they were a bunch of cokeheads and started scoring and stopped calendaring. Until one of the Mayan Hierogliphs translates to "Sarah Palin," I'll take door number two.

CAN ONE BEHAVE HEROICALLY WITHOUT BEING A HERO?

2009-11-15T14:57:00.000-08:00

Even for "F&B" Fox News this was too hot. I'm pretty sure it was Linda used-to-work-for-NBC-used-to-have-cancer was on and declaring the female civilian police officer at Ft. Hood was not a hero because it appears her shots did not bring psych-psycho down. Even Fox had to flash a label Editorial Opinion.

The requirements for first-officer-on-the-scene in an active shooter scenario are a definition of heroic and this officer appears to have carried them out to as conceived. So she acted heroically.

If her shots were not center mass hits, is she not a heroine nonetheless? How many people did he not shoot because he turned around to engage her?

In this commentator's mind, this is all the Army's giant plot to show how qualified women are for combat and the officer was just doing her job, therefore no hero.

The firefighters who went up the stairs in the WTC did not carry anybody out. In fact the firefighters themselves died. No "direct hits." They are not heroes? Or maybe the Ft. Hood officer was not a heroine because she didn't die. Her bad. I guess she didn't get the "hero punchlist" memo.

VIETNAM, OVERLEARNING AND TRITENESS

2009-11-14T14:35:00.000-08:00

For years we had to listen to, "If man can go to the moon, then we can.......[fill in the blank]." It became one of the truly NoDoz requiring predicates in American Speech.

But fear not! That little beauty has now been replaced by "As we learned in Vietnam.....[fill in the blank]"

First, a lot of people didn't learn anything from Vietnam. Second, what the speaker is saying is really "What I'm about to say is my opinion, but I want to make it sound historic and scientific."

Military historians and guerilla activists already knew everything that could have been learned in Vietnam. Everybody learned a little something different from it, as is always the case of human experience.

Here are mine for a "war of choice". They don't have any predicate and they are based on a bit of experience and a good deal of study. No claim is made to any scientific or historic basis for them:

Define your objective clearly (What will victory look like?)

Make sure your assets are sufficient and reasonably assured of continuing.

Know what "normal" will look like after you achieve your objective.

Have a clear picture of how you transition from seeking the objective to maintaining "normal" (sometimes simplistically dubbed an "exit strategy").

Share the above four prongs with an expert who is likely to disagree with you and see if your vision holds up under encouraged criticism. (important footnote "expert" does not necessarily imply rank--some of the best intelligence wienies and tactical thinkers over time have been draftees.)

ACTIVE SHOOTER PROTOCOLS: A FANCY TERM FOR "YOUR TURN TO FACE DEATH"

2009-11-11T11:40:00.000-08:00

To most folks a police call is a police call. An armed person in a public place is a real bad police call. Not so long ago, we handled all of these as "barricade/hostage" or "man with a gun" situations. They are not.

Since the Chechnian rebels in the Russian School, a couple of Postals and the odd McDonald's massacre, police protocols have changed. We no have a tactical category for this called "Active Shooter." (sounds so clinical) There is no time to wait for the ERT when the offender's only goal is administering death to randomly selected attendees at a gathering place. The first officers on the scenemust be their own ERT. There is little talking, no command post, not much technology and lots of jeopardy. The task is to stop the shooter (who is often more than willing to commit "suicide by cop") but the first officer on the scene is usually also a high value target for the recalcritant active shooter. A modern police officer knows that every day he or she serves, is a day they might be the first-on-scene at an active shooter incident. There is an implicit promise in every roll call, every turn of the key of that squad car when going on shift: "If I'm it, I'll perform."

Now the good news is that we create protocols for it. We practice it. We talk about it. We're not vaguely responding to "Man with a gun" calls. Most of the time, the officer will know a bit ahead of show time that it's an active shooter. Training can kick in and lives can be saved.

This is what happened at Ft. Hood. The two first-on-scenes were obviously well trained. The senior officer stayed back and on a different line and the young woman took the point. It would have been better if she had some cover, but there was none. She knew exactly what her duty was. She didn't have to be dispatched. She did not need a "fire" order from an on-scene commander. Thankfully, it wasn't her day to die. But maybe it wasn't her day to die because her department had practiced and made policy against the possibility of an active shooter, someday, somewhere on the base, somehow.

I just love good police work set up by good police leadership.

RANDOM MUSINGS

2009-11-08T10:00:00.000-08:00

I will forever love the University of Iowa and I'm sorry they lost yesterday but, that was not a "trap" game. NU is a talented, aggressive, smart and well coached football team who out-physicalled the Hawks. NU also exposed the one real weakness the Hawks had at the Backfield positions, they'd run out of depth. To call this a "trap" game is to minimize the effort of a mighty fine NU team.

Got mention from Stevie Dirt today. Thank you, I think. BTW, I'm actually in a Fantasy Sports 12 Step Program.

Yesterday, my broken foot and I spent the morning honoring my brother veterans in the parade and accepting the thanks of parade-goers for my own service. Last Night, I attended a fund-raiser for the Islamic Worship Center (If Gonzo were still AG, this would probably make me an "Enemy Combatant") here in Quincy. There is nothing inconsistent about these two activities. Two days after Ft. Hood, a large room full of Christians, Jews and Muslims shared a wonderful evening of food and fellowship. I was especially proud to be an American yesterday.

When Brown County H.S. gets over the pain of their elimination from their State Football Tourney run, I hope they can savor and enjoy their outstanding performance this season. They put their school on the map. One got the sense watching them that this was more than a talented bunch of kids. Somebody had put together a football-specific off season training plan and these kids had carried it out. They showed up ready to play ball from minute one. A credit to coaching and to the determination of the kids.

VETERAN'S DAY MUSINGS FROM A NOT QUITE CIVIL WAR VET

2009-11-07T17:59:00.000-08:00

First, Could we as a region and a community find some really meaningful way to honor the two guys who brought this thing back to our community after it was deader than Poor Frozen Teddy Ballgame for 35 years? Not just the brothers and sisters in arms, but our whole tri-state area owes these men an irredeemable debt of gratitute.

Second, hold the pissy letters about what band was there and what band couldn't be there and what it means and whose principal is more patriotic. It was a great day with terrific music. The short form is the participants and onlookers who wanted to be there, were there. That's pretty good. This train has left the station. In future years, more institutions will hop on board.

Third, hold the even more urinary griping about politicians and political action orgs being there. Folks, if you want to be an element of a parade honoring my service, Y'all come. I appreciate it. (Besides, I had some interesting chat with the Tea Party Ladies. I appreciate their patriotism and just hope it's possible to be patriotic without agreeing with all of their doctrine.) Candidates, TP'ers, Officeholders, Fuller Brush Men, Minstrels, Faith Healers. Get in line. As far as this vet is concerned, you're welcome.

Fourth, for those of you who called my name and said "Thank You" or those of you who just pointed at me and said "Thank You," it mattered. I got out when we were spat upon in airports. There weren't a lotta "Thank You's" then. Decades later Those "Thank You(s)" feel pretty good. If you brought your child or grandchild with you to show them it was proper to thank a vet for his/her service, double God Bless you. You're the gift that keeps on giving.

NEW DISCOVERIES IN THE WORLD OF GOLF

2009-11-06T07:33:00.000-08:00

Eldrick Woods is probably the fifth greatest player in the history of golf and the second or third greatest American player. He's clearly the best player of his era. Because of that, a certain magazine pays him a large pile of currency to be a "playing editor".

I think "playing editor" means some guy ghost-writes a bunch of stuff for you, you allow your name to be placed on it and a direct deposit occurs.

In any event, a funny by-product of that has developed. A little more often than once a year Eldrick "discovers" a new way to hit a low, safe, accurate tee shot. The discoveries are always revolutionary and Eldrick's Ghost writer takes great care to say something like "This is way different from the last secret method I taught you back in (fill in the year)." Funny but to me they all have this in common: 1. Be the most talented player in the world; and 2. Hit it low and into the fairway.

Sure, Eldrick, I'll get right on that.

A QUIZ

2009-11-05T06:50:00.000-08:00

Why would any Illinois employer, not required to do so by law, offer a separating employee a Severance Package/Severance Agreement?

I see from some other Web traffic that there are a number of experts on severance agreements out there, so this one should be easy.

I'll be back later today with the answer.

HINT: you won't find any clues in recent local news coverage.

NFL RED ZONE IS FOR.....

2009-11-01T15:40:00.000-08:00

....folks who dislike real football but like touchdowns and short field goal attempts or people with Adult ADHD.

Geez, either watch football or don't!

STUDENT MISCREANTS: A POSITIVE DIRECTION

2009-10-31T14:32:00.000-07:00

Big news about a QU basketball transfer being arrested and accused of a felony. Valid reason for the interest, the editorial comment (DOB wrote a fine piece) and the reporting.

But folks, compare things now with how they used to be. When Pat Atwell became athletic director, the change was almost immediate. We stopped seeing QU athletes as regulars at the courthouse and police station. Basketball players became involved in the community (Men and Women, I might add) Football players took time with kids and pretty much stopped getting arrested for battery and disorderly conduct. The baseball team took part in Quanada's "100 men against domestic violence."

QU athletics, thanks largely to Director Atwell, Coach Terlisner and Coach Bell, have improved vastly in citizenship. Director Bell wants to be careful to preserve that hard-won integrity and he might want to be a little careful about persons coming to their third school in three years. Nonetheless, it can be said that QU athletics works in harmony with the overall community and that is a credit to the entire athletic staff.

Let's not lose sight of that.

THIS JUST IN......

2009-10-25T16:42:00.000-07:00

....Mark McGwire will become the Cardinals batting coach next year.

In a related story, the Cardinals have taken down their "Help Wanted" ad for a "Holistic Pharmacist and Herbalist".

WHEN MOCKERY IS GOOD

2009-10-24T16:49:00.000-07:00

This is verbatim from a few years ago. This Mock Trial Competition is some great stuff. I wish the tourism folks would measure it's economic impact and those of us who support it to any degree could promote spectators a bit more. It's a seriously interesting spectator sport.

.......We were overrun by bright, hard-working, earnest and very prepared young people representing numerous colleges and universities throughout the Midwest in Mock Trial Competition. I don't know what the economic impact was on the community but I can tell you it made for great spectator sport and really restored one's faith in the youth of America. These kids, whether they choose to be trial lawyers or use the advocacy experience for something else, are going places!

My only quibble is that there should be more General Public publicity for this event because I think some area citizens would really enjoy watching at least part of it.

BTW, it is a team sport, which makes it even more cool. I even saw one team break a huddle like we used to do in football.

A shout-out from the Basin to AMTA and the local committee who put this puppy together. It was something!

FURTHER PROOF THE SUN DOESN'T SHINE ON THE SAME DOG'S TAIL EVERY DAY

2009-10-21T07:30:00.000-07:00

Once one of the most powerful men in Illinois, even before he knew "Cairo" from "Carmi" or could pull Mattoon off of a pin map. Now this

REPORTER PRIVILEGE, ACADEMIC PRIVILEGE OR NO PRIVILEGE

2009-10-20T18:00:00.000-07:00

This

is interesting.

Who's right? Does it matter what the S/A's motive is?

RACHEL, JAMIE, STEPHANIE PART TWO

2009-10-18T15:57:00.000-07:00

Rachel started out day two five shots behind. She chased down an excellent player on a course familiar to that player. In the wind and on shiny greens, a short scoring putt eluded her. There is no player alive who has not had that happen, especially in the wind and on shiny Autumn greens.

Players play. For 36 maddening holes, Rachel was a player. If she lipped out the same putt on 4 or 11 it doesn't even make the paper. The story is her valiant charge falls one short. Maybe she wasn't the Champion but she was certainly a winner, in every sense of the word. (In contrast, the first round leader, Freshman from Somonauk, is cruising coming into the dreaded 15th and tosses up a snowman, still has a lead and doubles the 18th. That's a heartbreak. The good news is she's a freshman. I'm guessing we'll be hearing more from her, as well.)

Jamie shot lower on day two than day one. That is always a good recipe. She's a freshman whose parents are both good players. Look for good things there. I'm already worried about the cumulative effect of her playing in three more state tournaments upon her father's nervous system.

Stephanie must be one tough cookie. She had a train wreck on one hole on day one. She rallied back and represented her school very well. If you stick a double bogey in where her train wreck occurred, she passes about ten more people. Some days you get the bear and some days he gets you. She's a credit to her school and her coach, who I understand also happens to be her father. They should both be Panther proud.

AMERICANS I'D LIKE TO MEET

2009-10-17T01:06:00.000-07:00

Emma Talley's parents.

They raised a daughter who not only has character but demonstrated why competitive golf is so different from other sports.

Kid's a credit to her school, her sport, her state and the people who raised her.

RACHEL, JAMIE AND STEPHANIE AND THE GOLF CONDITIONS FROM HELL

2009-10-16T16:39:00.000-07:00

IHSA tourney being played in Carterville (deep south). The golf course, on a nice day in June, is not difficult. Some these girls could go around there in the 60's. The conditions must be horrible (which is usually the case in the fall season--Golf was formerly a Spring Sport in Illinois). One contestant in the 70's. Countless people put up 10's on the 15 hole (no doubt they couldn't feel their fingers by then.)

Stephanie Gauldin, Rachel Powers and Jamie Ehrhardt gave good accounts of themselves. Especially encouraging were Rachel's numbers on the closing holes, even par. Stephanie had one big number and was pretty steady otherwise. Jamie, a freshman, held it together even after two "others" popped up on her card back to back.

Tournament golf doesn't build character. It reveals it. These area girls are showing plenty of it in miserable conditions.

[Bloghost comment: They now play the sectionals the day after the Columbus day holiday. I've never understood why they couldn't play the Sectionals the Thursday before Columbus day, then play the state tourney Columbus Day and the Tuesday after it. Usually that would buy you some sunshine. This year, admittedly, that day would have been miserable as well.}

RANDOM THOUGHTS ABOUT UNITY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL NEWS

2009-10-16T01:44:00.000-07:00

(There is irony and unfortunate decision making that cries out for comment. That should not eclipse your humble bloghost's admiration for the administration of the Unity System, particularly their estimable Superintendent. Comments below, notwithstanding, the citizens of North Adams County are well represented on their board and in their Superintendent's Office.)

DCFS investigations are confidential as far as DCFS is concerned. That means the only way this is out in public is because the complaining Daddy went to the press--earning himself the Cheeseball of the Week award.

Perhaps the won-loss record of The Mustangs is not improving but it seems an upgrade that the new coach is being investigated for taking his own shirt off and not removing pants from a female student.

Maybe this coach's problem is timing. Save the "run-through-a-wall" speech for a six to nothing half time game with East Cupcake instead of an already fifty-zip beatdown from CSE. Guess it kinda worked, though. Unity "held" CSE to only 27 points in the second half.

The folks at Unity are in touch with the kids. If there is a coach who is shark-jumping, the parents and the board will take care of it due course. If the complainant's a disgruntled sports parent, they'll know that, too. I guess you either believe in community schools or you don't.

HEALTH CARE INFO BLITZ

2009-10-15T08:55:00.000-07:00

What if we had a discussion about Health Insurance that just had two topics: What does it cover; and What are the premiums (no matter who is paying them)?

That would be kind of a good place to start.

I mean, the conversation would still end up "That's Socialism!" and "You're a heard-hearted baby-killing, family bankrupting smugball!" But at least we could start with a business model.

Just sayin....

YARDS RUSHING--SHUT UP, AL SHARPTON

2009-10-13T09:27:00.000-07:00

So Rush Limbaugh wants to be a limited partner in an ownership group for the Rams.

What's the problem with that? Would we prefer to have St. Louis become only the second city in History to have lost TWO NFL teams to relocation?

FOR THOSE OF YOU SCORING AT HOME...

2009-10-12T12:23:00.000-07:00

Person Details--Look at how steady these splits are! A Boston Qualifier. Not bad for a renegade English teacher.

Person
Name	Palmer, Christopher (USA)
BIB	7636
Div	30-34

Split	Time
START TIME	07:31:23
05K	00:22:10
10K	00:43:56
15K	01:06:10
20K	01:28:41
HALF	01:33:35
25K	01:51:04
30K	02:13:29
35K	02:36:03
40K	02:59:13

Total
Place (total)	1422
Place (Gender)	1279
Place (Div)	246
Total (Net)	03:09:24
Total (Gun)	03:10:53

OK TO WINTERIZE THE CHARLES RIVER BOATS NOW

2009-10-11T16:57:00.000-07:00

Memo to Terry Francona: Don't intentionally walk a good player to get to a Hall of Famer.

Memo to Jim Hendry: Why sign Bobby Abreu for about four million for one year when you have a shot at Milton Bradley for three interminable years for the GDP of Paraguay?

HAVING A GUN, JUST IN "CASE"

2009-10-09T15:30:00.000-07:00

I guess the next "case" will have to decide whether this is retroactive in nature. This is a big deal.

news article

Link to decision

ILLINOIS ACTUALLY DOES SOMETHING RIGHT!

2009-10-08T05:25:00.000-07:00

Lots of gov'ts say they fight gender bias in employee compensation. Illinois actually does. Click where indicated and you'll find one thing Blago actually did as promised and the Reviewing Courts have upheld.

Way to go, Boys and Girls!

IT'S NOT CYANIDE IN THE TYLENOL, BUT IT'S A START

2009-10-07T18:40:00.000-07:00

Click here for Microsoft's version