Let Him Play

Reggie McNeal is at it again...

http://www.wcpo.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=333af96c-8c24-4d44-9ed4-0c676af92d8d

After being arrested in Houston for accosting a police officer in street clothes outside The Red Door, Reggie is still associating with the classiest individuals of the NFL including Chris Henry, the poster child for poor pro-athlete behavior.

As an Aggie I can only hang my head in dissapointment after 80,000 strong chanted "Let Him Play" over and over during his freshman year at Kyle Field. Many thought he would become a great NFL passer and Vince Young would become a wayward receiver convert, but as it turns out, character does count for something. The squeaky clean Vince, who continually has developed as an athlete and a leader, left Reggie in the dust between his sophomore and junior year at Texas and has since risen to post Rookie of the Year honors last year in the NFL. Meanwhile, the only thing Reggie has posted since joining the NFL is bond.

It's sad to see someone with so much talent and promise make so many bad choices because of false pride.

Reggie, I hope you take this as a lesson, but let's face it, there's a better chance Dustin Long gets named starting center for the Charlotte Bobcats.

The Fight for Santa Claus(e) - [the "e" is optional, like in shop"pe"

In the Battle of Good vs. Evil, we as good people of the human race are often drawn to choose, in the case that we were thrust into service, which of the many Super Heroes we would be, and are compelled to explain how their powers truly benefit the world.

Well I'm putting it out there, and my vote is in for the big man in the red suit. I'm talking about Santa Clause people.


While in the midst of a discussion on this topic, I ran into several naysayers; non-believers even, which has led me to say that he who does not believe that Santa is a Super Hero mustn't believe in Santa at all, and therefore is heartless and cold.

So explain to me how Santa is a Super Hero you say; but I must say look no further than your typical hero powers and you will find he encapsulates everything that the ideal of a Super Hero is about.

Santa is a good-hearted being with the best interests of all of humanity in mind. He is wise, kind, and most importantly has a band of loyal supporters (elves). He also has adversaries (grinches) and he must overcome them by demoralizing their spirit (coal in the stocking). He also has special powers, as he knows what every person in the world wants for Christmas (telekinesis) and he can flawlessly deliver everything he promises (super-virtue) all within the span of one short night (super-speed). He can also make his Reindeer fly (that's levitation, homes) and fit his fat-ass down everyone's chimney (morphing ability). But most importantly, once he has done his work, the world is a happier, more joy-filled, all around better place.

Anti-Kringlites worldwide may have a problem with my concept of Super Santa, but I shall not waiver from this position. Anyone who could bring me a regular Nintendo 3 years after its release will always be considered a Super Hero in my book. Luckily my book is not very long and is filled with illustrations.

Adjust Your Perspective - Volume 1

Adjust your Perspective is a venture I will be undertaking which will cover not only different or uncommon outlooks on ideas, but will delve into the idea of adjusting your perspective itself.

I have thought a lot about this statement; thought about all the situations in which it is so appropriate.

Consider a teenager, maybe a young athlete or an artist. Kids like this assume they know a lot of things, whether it be about school, drugs, politics, or health. They likely take most of their opinions directly from their parents' mouth, or maybe from an influential friend at school. Regardless of where it comes from, impressionable youths are primed for regurgitation of facts and opinions they have no basis of knowledge for. Honestly, a lot of people my age and even adults posture on hearsay or incomplete facts. In fact, all people do it, and they do it all the time.

Why do we do this? Does it make us feel more knowledgeable or more important by saying, "Well I heard somewhere..." or "I read in an article..."

I'm always reminded of an episode of Family Guy where Peter acts like he is a miracle healer and townspeople start to worship him. When his wife Lois shows concern that people will be expecting him to heal them, Peter says, "Wait a second Lois, I think I read a book about this," to which Brian the Dog replies, "You sure that was a book Peter, you sure that wasn't NOTHING?"

How often are we caught in this situation, or do we catch others? Why do we do it? Normally it's to promote our personal belief system, or our agenda, whatever you want to call it. We want others to think just like we do, and we will use practically any means necessary to make them see it our way. Teens are so succeptible to this because they are prime targets for wanting to be accepted. If they can make it look like they know or heard something cool, maybe others will respect them.

What if we didn't do this? I for one am guilty, but I can't imagine most people aren't.

So maybe next time you're having a discussion or a debate with someone, and it pops into your head to use some obscure fact that if asked a follow up question on you would probably crumble like 5 year old play-dough with no lid, resist the temptation.

Side note:
I also propose we make it a personal policy to call people out, so that when they begin to spew forth liquid hot magmetic bulls*#t, maybe the next time they'll think twice before throwing Joe into the volcano.