Hero Street

The logo for "Hero Street" in Silvis, IL.  Photo credit to Hero Street Home Page, Fair Use Claimed

Greetings All:

Today is "Cinco de Mayo."  It's the day the Mexican armed forces defeated the French on May 5, 1962.  Our friends at Wikipedia explain it this way:

"It originated with Mexican-American communities in the American West as a way to commemorate the cause of freedom and democracy during the first years of the American Civil War,^[8][9] and today the date is observed in the United States as a celebration of Thanks to Mexico in fending off the would be French invasion of the U.S..^[10] In the state of Puebla, the date is observed to commemorate the Mexican army's unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín.^[3][11] In the United States, Cinco de Mayo is generally mistaken to be Mexico's Independence Day—the most important national holiday in Mexico—which is celebrated on September 16."

Charge of the Mexican Cavalry at the Battle of Puebla, from Wikipedia, author, Mike Manning, Public Domain

Not unlike other cultural holidays in America, it's celebration has become theme-based and a chance for the hospitality industry to replace your Guinness from St. Patty's Day with a Corona for today.

This is not to say that for many proud, loyal Americans of Mexican and Hispanic heritage that today does not hold a special place in their heart.  They do not need to pop open a beer or down a shot of Jose Cuervo to enjoy the day.  If anything, they are repulsed with the excessive carousing that takes place.  I suppose it is no different from the Irish-Americans who shake their heads in dismay at those who drink too much on March 17th.

So on this Cinco de Mayo, I thought it would be appropriate to highlight a group of Mexican Americans from a small town close to me in Silvis, Illinois.  Here's a excerpt from a most special street in this town:

"It has been documented that as of the present day there have been over 100 young men and women from Second Street who have given service to the Untied States Military Forces. It had been researched and documented by The Department of Defense in Washington, D.C. that (there is no other street of comparable size) that has had as many men and women render service to the Armed Forces of the United States of America then the 11/2 block long street in Silvis, Illinois. Of these 100 or more Military men and women, six of them were killed in action during WWII and two during the Korean War."

http://www.herostreetusa.org/htm/abouthsm.htm

This street in Silvis has been appropriately named "Hero Street."  There is not a more fitting title for a place that sent its sons, Mexican by heritage and American by choice and service, to war.  It was to the war that some of these patriots did not return.

The display for "Hero Street" hero-street-park-plaque.jpg, fair use claimed

 So as Cinco de Mayo wraps up, (at least for this very tired and very middle-aged guy), I will send you off with these thoughts:

Once upon a time a group of people came to an ordinary town in the Midwest.  They took their circumstances not as a curse but a starting point.  From this group of eternal optimists sprung children who raised their hand to serve.  This group, this tight group, went to war for their country, our country.  It is good to honor them.  I am going to guess that May 5th was acknowledged by them as a day to remember, if not celebrate.  I also am convinced that a holiday just shy of two months later mattered more, much more.  That was a holiday they celebrated with passion and joy.  

I suppose there were those who doubted this new Americans commitment.  The same people who wondered if these new arrivals, with a different culture and skin color were worthy of being an American.    Those who hailed from that poor stretch of homes in Silvis proved and shamed these bigots wrong.  They proved it by their service and their sacrifice.  

And where they called home was, and forever more will be, Hero Street.  I cannot think of a better name, in English, or in Spanish.

Be well my friends, 
Jeno

Prom Night

Photo from sammydvintage.com, fair use claimed

Greetings All:

All across America, a ritual is being observed that is as common in the spring as unrelenting sneezing due to allergies, prom.  It's been a while since I went to prom.  However, I'm at an age when my friends' kids are heading off to prom.  In fact, as I write this, the kids of PVHS are rocking out and (I hope) having the time of their lives.

So just where did prom come from?  Let's check in with our good friend Wikipedia for a bit of intell:

"In the United States, and increasingly in the United Kingdom and Canada, prom (short for promenade)^[1] is a semi-formal (black tie) dance or gathering of high school students. This event is typically held near the end of the senior year (i.e., the last year of high school). Prom figures greatly in popular culture and is a major event among high school students. High school juniors attending the prom may call it "junior prom" while high-school seniors may call it "senior prom" or "senior ball". In practice, this event may be a combined junior/senior dance."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prom

There you go, that's prom.

Prom actually showed up a bit early this year, courtesy of the Super Bowl and Audi.  This commercial shows a kid without a date, and...well, you can watch for yourself (and as this is on YouTube and has, presumably been there for a bit, I claim fair use to post it):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuScbFkxd6Q  

So back to my comments on prom...

I went to prom twice and truth be told, it was uneventful.  Somewhere in a box is my prom picture.  It's been sent to that purgatory of items not thrown out yet never again to be displayed.  Such is life.

But at this time, there are photos being displayed of Prom 2014.  After a rather productive yet far from fun early evening of yardwork, I have profoundly enjoyed seeing the Facebook stream of prom photos.  These young people look so wonderful.  I cannot help but smile.  And as I look at the photos, my thoughts turn to the parents, grandparents, siblings and close friends who are thrilled just to witness the moment.  That's cool.

I hope the kids at PVHS and across are nation are having the time of their lives.  I hope they dance, laugh, sing, engage in that wonderful goofyness of youth.  I hope it is great.  They deserve it.

And I also hope, this comes to pass:

Somewhere, a love will be proclaimed... and it will be accepted.  I hope that two young people will take that leap of faith that they could go to a place where they commit to build a life together.  That the silent hopes of parents snapping photos on the lawn secretly hope the prom night of Saturday will morph into the rehearsal dinner of Friday night...after college of course.

I'm half-Irish so I'm an optimist.  And yet I'm a realist.  I know that prom night will ultimately lead to heartbreak.  As I type this, Adele is covering Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me."  My God, it is a most honest and haunting tune.  Somewhere, someone will learn that their date does not mirror their feelings.  It was too close to the event to back out so they went along, they smiled for the photos, but somewhere during the evening, the truth will come out.

And when it does, that truth will sting.  It will hurt.  A lot.  That's life.  However, better things await.  Trust me, it happened to me on July 5, 1995.

Somewhere else, some young lady did not go to prom.  Her date, the only date she would accept is otherwise detained.  He's in Afghanistan, likely returning from a mission.  First, he'll smoke a cigarette, then, he'll clean his weapon.  After these matters are attended to, then he will call or Skype or whatever they do now.  It's not that he doesn't want to call her first, OF COURSE he does!  But there is business to attend to.  They will talk, laugh, lock eyes and await for time when they can have their dance,...after vows are exchanged. 

So here's to prom.  I hope everyone had fun.  I especially hope everyone was safe and that the stains on the tux jackets wash out.  To the moms and dads who saw their kids off for prom tonight, I suspect through your smiles you swallowed hard watching your kid head off for the evening.  You may be saying, "Where did the time go?" 

If you find the answer, please let me know.  I'd really like to know too.

Be well my friends,
Jeno

Note on the photo above- if you're looking for vintage posters or other similar stuff, check out their site, thanks.

May Day

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:John_Collier_Queen_Guinevre%27s_Maying.jpg, public domain

Greetings All:

Today is May Day.  May Day has a bunch of meanings.  For some, it's a day to protest "The Man" and claim solidarity with all workers.  For others, it is Law Day. Law Day (as I understand it) was started as a protest in the United States to the Soviet observation of May Day.  In Moscow and other places, it was both the celebration of the worker and also a celebration of the "State." 

Years ago a group of fellow lawyers observed law with a...golf tournament.  Please, feel free to share your favorite lawyer joke in the comments below.  

Thurgood Marshall, full cite to the article below.  Fair use/public domain claimed

 
There is a more serious side to Law Day.  Unlike in the Soviet Union where "Beloved Comrade Stalin" watched the masses engage in a massive act of secular genuflection before the alter of the hammer and sickle, here in America, we have the right to protest and to disagree.  We also have the right to petition our government with our grievances.  (Do they always listen? Eh,...)  

The quote from the U.S. Courts website is a nice tie-in with what Law Day means in the abstract.  It also shows the value of the practical aspects of our system, such as the famous Brown v. The Board of Education case.  That case was successfully argued for the Plaintiffs by a young attorney named Thurgood Marshall.  He went on to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.


"Lively, civil discussion is the hallmark of Law Day, which is celebrated every year on May 1 and throughout the month.
The 2014 Law Day theme focuses on the 60th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education. This landmark case is an example of how the Fourteenth, Amendment, which promises “equal protection of the laws ” changed the course of public education" 

May Day actually has origins further back in history.  It has origins in ancient Ireland.  The Beltane celebration occurred around May 1st.  Other examples of pre-20th century celebrations include the image posted above of Queen Guinevre's Maying.  Tennyson offered these words to describe this image in his work, "Idylls of the King in 1859:

"For thus it chanced one morn when all the court, Green-suited, but with plumes that mocked the may, Had been, their wont, a-maying and returned, That Modred still in green, all ear and eye, Climbed to the high top of the garden-wall To spy some secret scandal if he might,"
 
One should be free to celebrate the day (and any day, for that matter) as one chooses.  If you're an admirer of Marx and Lenin, then by all means, have a "Workers of the World Unite," parade.  If you are an ardent anti-communist, then a Law Day/Loyalty Day observance would be your cup of tea (party).  

I would suggest this:  If you feel strongly about how to observe today, then take a moment to look at the other side's arguments.  I recall reading in college something about not truly understanding your own position until you knew your opponent's.  Then there is the Mark Twain quote:  "Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it's time to stop and reflect."

I hear old Vlad in Moscow is dusting off the banners from his days of KGB glory and staging his own parade.  I would not be surprised if the boy dictator in North Korea is doing the same.  While it's always a good idea to keep a close watch on these cats, there's also something to be said for not over-reacting.  Let them march, so long as they confine it to their own parade squares.

I don't know why I remember this, but I do.  When I was like five, we made paper "May Day" flowers.  I am certain mine was horrible.  Still, my Mom assured me it was wonderful and encouraged me to give it to the elderly neighbor who lived across the street.  I did.  I don't remember much else except it was a warm day and the sun was shining.  I hope the same is true today.  After the brutal winter we've had, nice weather is worth celebrating whatever your politics may be. 

The flowers (finally) blooming in my front yard.  Photo by Jeno Berta

Be well my friends,
Jeno

Sources:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/04/30/moscow-may-day/8526297/

http://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_education/initiatives_awards/law_day_2014.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:John_Collier_Queen_Guinevre%27s_Maying.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beltane

http://www.uscourts.gov/educational-resources/get-inspired/annual-observances/law-day.aspx

Pat's Run

Photo of the field at Sun Devil Stadium the finish line for Pat's Run, photo credit to The Pat Tillman Foundation, fair use/public domain claimed,  https://www.facebook.com/pattillmanfnd

Greetings All:

Yesterday was Pat's Run.  Pat's Run is a fund-raiser for The Pat Tillman Foundation.  The first run was in 2005 and it's going strong.  For those of you who are not familiar with Pat Tillman, he was a former standout college and pro football player.  He made headlines when he decided to walk away from football (and the accompanying fame and money) to enlist in the U.S. Army.  He was killed in Afghanistan in 2004.  

Pat Tillman with the Arizona Cardinals, public domain and/or fair use claimed.  Link to web below.

I remember watching his funeral in 2004 and immediately thought of the F. Scott Fitzgerald line, "Show me a hero and I'll write you a tragedy."  It was sad and tragic.  Here was this true "All-American" who had so selflessly elected to serve his nation, now amongst the fallen. 

Then the news broke about what really went down in Afghanistan on 22 April 2004. After a series of botched investigations, it was finally confirmed that Pat died from friendly, not enemy fire.   I cannot image the agony this news caused his family.  I do not want to dwell on this part of the story for this blog post.  Not that it is not important, it is.  It is why I have attached the link to the Department of Defense Inspector General's report in the source section.  I encourage everyone to read it.  

I do not want to dwell on it as that could easily take up a couple of blog posts (even by my self-indulgent word counts).  Instead, I want to focus on the reasons I love Pat's Run.

Pat's Run is held annually in Tempe, Arizona.  It raises money for the foundation and is also a flagship p.r. event.  The length is 4.2 miles as a nod to Pat's number at Arizona State University.  The race finished in Sun Devil Stadium on the 42 yard line.  I've had the good fortune to run it three times.  It is an amazing feeling to come charging (or in my case panting) onto the field celebrating the life of Pat Tillman.  It was an honor to be part of something, in the words of Arizona's senior U.S. Senator John McCain, "...bigger than myself."  Did I mention it's a ton of fun?  If I didn't, I should have.  It's a event where runners, walkers, families, students, alums, veterans, locals, visitors, Tillman admirers and the list goes and on of people who come out to honor the memory of someone taken way too soon.    

When you run the race, you'll see signs on the path with some of Pat's quotes.  One that I remember, "Don't tell me about the pain, show me the baby!"  From all I have read about Pat and from the first-hand accounts I have heard about him, he was all about action.  He wanted to make a difference and was without pretense.  

When he elected to join the Army, he did so quietly.  He told only those who needed to know (his agent, his coach, the Arizona Cardinals owners.) and that's it.  No press conferences, no exclusive interviews.  I was particularly impressed that although his college degree qualified him to seek a direct commission, he declined that route.  Instead of serving as an officer, he served as a Soldier.  He sought out the incredibly difficult assignment as an Army Ranger.  He was about service.

It was not until I listened to John K book, Where Men Win Glory:  The Odyssey of Pat Tillman, that I learned Pat Tillman could have pursued an "out" with his enlistment contract.  Unlike officers who must resign their commissions, enlistment contracts may be honorably terminated.  Pat had already served a combat tour in Iraq.  He could have asked to be released from military service.  Surely, he would have received an Honorable discharge.  He had been to combat, more than any other active professional athlete (I recall, if I'm wrong on this fact, call me on it, please!) at the time.  He could have returned to football and as a private citizen done a ton to raise awareness about those serving in harms' way. 

He demurred.  Well, I doubt he used that word.  He likely said, "No thanks."  He had made a deal with his country and his Army.  He would honor every day of it.  He could have gone back to the bright lights of football.  Instead, he went back to war.

Pat's Run celebrates many things.  It celebrates learning.  The Pat Tillman Foundation has a wonderful history of supporting our military through its military scholars' program.  Out of the 28,000 who run it each year, there are those running who have not done so in years.  There are people who learn that they can run 4.2 miles.  That is something that I think would cause Pat to smile.   

My Pat's Run T-shirt from 2010, photo (and shadow) credit, Jeno Berta

Pat's Run has spread across the country.  There are shadow runs across the country.  There is a link below to a story of how the legacy of Pat Tillman extends beyond the ASU campus.  It is a great way for for people to celebrate the day, the event, who cannot be in Tempe.

Speaking of those who wanted to be in Tempe, count me in that crowd.  I would have loved to be there.  However, there were other priorities that prevented this.  One year, I do want to go back and run it.  However, upon reflecting on yesterday, I was fortunate to experience the spirit of Pat's Run.

The day started with my youngest daughter and I attending the Lion's Club pancake breakfast.  It was a nice meal for a great cause.  The gentlemen below was kind enough to let me snap a photo of the back of his shirt.  It summed up the reason why organizations are so important to our communities.  

From this morning's Lion's Club pancake breakfast fund-raiser.  This says it all about the virtue of public service.  Image used with permission of the wearer, photo by Jeno Berta.

From there, we moved onto our community's March of Dimes Walk-A-Thon.  About a thousand people showed up at the Rock Island Arsenal to support a wonderful cause.  A good time was had by all.  I'd write more about it, but seeming how I'm w-a-y long on this post, I'll have to leave it there.  I will share a photo, though.

A couple of banners from our local March of Dimes Walk-A-Thon.  Photo by Jeno Berta

These are just a couple of examples of good deeds going on in my community.  I have no doubt there were a bunch I missed.  Multiple these events by those across our country and it's clear to see people are living the legacy of Pat Tillman, of service and leadership through action.  Even if people do not realize it.

I am so glad I had the chance to participate in Pat's Run and more than once.  Do I want to do it again?  You bet.  Even if I don't I've got some great memories and even a few shirts.  Here's the logo for this year's.  I may be buying a shirt and if you'd like to as well, the link is below.  

Here's the logo for this year's Pat's Run, courtesy of The Pat Tillman Foundation and their Facebook page, implied limited use and public domain claimed.  The link to the Facebook page is listed below.  

It's easy to look at someone like Pat Tillman and be in awe of his life, thinking there is no way you could "measure up" to him.  In a way, you'd be right.  You can't be Pat Tillman.  What you and I can be is ourselves.  We can (and should) take inspiration from Pat's life, his values, his accomplishments and his utter unapologetic zest for life.  

And then, go run our own races.

Be well my friends,

Jeno 
April 27, 2014

(Just a quick FYI that the comments expressed in this and every Cedo Pontis blog post are mine alone.  I am writing strictly in my personal capacity and do not reflect the position of any governmental or corporate agency.  Thanks.)

Sources:

http://www.defense.gov/home/pdf/tillman_redacted_web_0307.pdf 

http://msn.foxsports.com/arizona/story/reach-of-pat-s-run-greater-than-ever-10-years-in-042414 

http://pattillmanfoundation.org/ 

http://www.amazon.com/Where-Men-Win-Glory-Odyssey/dp/030738604X

Photo of Pat Tillman in Arizona Cardinals (National Football League) uniform, from this web source:  http://thebiglead.com/2011/04/22/friday-flashbacks-pat-tillman-american-hero-and-the-historic-tuesday-morning-1983-draft/  This image was available to "share" from the website, thus the claim of public domain/fair use.

https://www.facebook.com/pattillmanfnd?fref=photo

http://www.marchofdimes.com/

http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/index.php

For Buying a T-Shirt-

http://www.greenlightapparel.com/collections/pats-run

It's Strictly Business

Michael Corleone in "The Godfather" moments before he utters the words, "It's strictly business," photo credit Paramount Pictures/YouTube, fair use claimed/implied use authorized

Greetings All:

So I was all excited that I could embed a video directly into my blog from YouTube, I thought I had turned a technological corning in my blogging.  Well, for whatever reason, it's not working (sigh).  So friends, Ill need to invite you to check out the link below.  It's short and permission is implied via YouTube's site, so please enjoy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qvpcfYFHcw

I'm guessing most of you will recognize the movie as "The Godfather."  Before I get too far into this blog post, please take a moment to watch.  Go on, I'll wait...

“The Godfather," for those of you who might not know, is the story of a 1940s American organized crime family.  In the scene above, Michael Corleone, played by Al Pacino, has recently saved his father, Vito “Don” Corelone, (played by Marlin Brando) from a second attempt on his life from rival gangsters.  Until now, Michael had rejected the “family business.”  However, Michael crosses over from a "civilian" to a "soldier” and is going to war for the family.  In this scene, he signs his enlistment papers.  He decides to commit two murders, one of a rival mob boss and the other a corrupt police captain.

When the rest of the "family" laughs at him, mocking his proposal as "emotional," he fires back at him (bad pun, I know) with that famous line: 

"It's not personal, Sonny, it's strictly business."

I've seen this scene dozens of times.  It's great cinematography.  As the camera moves up on Michael, we’re able to watch him formulate the plan to commit a double murder.  From the gestures of the actors, the background, it is a terrific scene all the way around.

I also think that movies can provide opportunities to reflect on things that are going on in our world.  We can, if we chose, use movies, literature, even current events to evaluate what we believe, how we feel, even how we act.

Case in point- the iconic line, "It's strictly business."  In the above scene, is it?  I'd argue no.  

Oh sure, Micheal rationalized what he was doing.  "They tried to kill Pop.  I'll kill them to save Pop.  It's the only way I can be sure to save Pop.  Family is the most important thing, the ONLY thing.  I'll do whatever is necessary to protect him.  Protecting him is protecting the family, the family business..."   

This makes logical (albeit twisted, immoral) sense.  Still, the fact remains that he was, in his twisted logic, saving Pop, his father, Don Corelone, the Godfather.


I'd argue that Michael made the statement to assure his brothers, Sonny and Tom (the consigliere), and the rest of the inner circle that he had the proper distance and detachment to carry out this act. Just watch Michael's eyes as the scene ends.  It is an image of determination covering up boiling rage.  This is far from strictly business.

Recently, a story came up about a candidate for governor in Maryland who made a crack about his opponent that really set me off.  I even started doing a blog post on it. Yet I declined to publish it.  Here's why: 

When I re-read it the next morning, I concluded I was just venting.  At the time I was pounding out my, "scotch no ice," reply on the keyboard, I was certain my retort was adding something to the social discourse.  Upon reflection, I concluded...I wasn't.   I was just pissed off that some politician said something that I took umbrage with.   In other words, my reply was not "strictly business." It was personal.  

"The Godfather" is a great movie, no doubt.  Yet it is just that- a movie.  We can view it as entertainment, social commentary, a cautionary tale, or all of the above. 

I'd suggest the lesson offered from this movie is that almost everything we do is personal.  This can be good or bad.  It's up to us to figure that out as the camera of our conscious and moral compass zooms in on us. 

Be well my friends,


Jeno

The Untipped Chair

Photo credit to ISNA, AP Photo/ISNA, Arash Khamoushi, fair use claimed

Greetings All:

This is Easter weekend, meaning Friday was "Good Friday."  For Christians, particularly us Catholics, it is a somber day.  It is the observance of the passion and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.  

Pope Francis continued to preach to the faithful (even those cafeteria/drive thru Catholics like me) and reminded us that while he is beyond hip and as genuine as my oldest pair of Levis, he still is telling it straight.  His tweet:

"It is not easy to follow Jesus closely, because the path he chooses is the way of the Cross."

Whether you agree with him or not, he's telling it as he sees it.  

Moving along, at one point during the service, a 13th Century hymn was sung the recalled Mary, Jesus' mother, and her suffering at his execution by the Romans.  This is all part of the tradition of Good Friday.

The day before another tradition was taking place not too far away from Vatican City in Iran- a public execution.

Iran is not exactly a progressive place.  According to Amnesty International, Iran had hung 40 people in 2014.  Oh, and that's not by April, this was the count...in January.

This post is not a critique of the death penalty.  That subject warrants one (or a bunch) of posts on its own.  I simply offer this as background to the photo that opens up this blog post.  That being-  the photo of another condemned man in a county that is not shy of imposing the ultimate punishment.

And unlike Christ, who went to his death with stoic calmness, this guy was freaking out.  He was scared (and understandably so, death is something I'm not anxious for myself).  It was all but certain he would die.  The noose was around his neck.  All that was needed was for the chair his shaking body was on was to be tipped.  Once that happened, well then, presuming the gravity was on, he was dead.

That chair remained untipped.

As the link posted below shows, the mother of his victim demurred.  All she had to do was tip the chair.  Just tip the chair and your son's killer would die.  Justice, at least by Iranian standards, would be served.

Then an amazing thing happened.  Nothing.

Well, not exactly nothing.  The victim's mother slapped her son's killer, and hard, I might add.  But did she tip the chair.  Nope.

Here was her chance to avenge her son's death (and have the state pick up the tab).  She passed.  Now as the article states, there was the matter of "blood money," an amount of cash the family would be paid to spare the killer.  Fine, I'll grant that's a reason to pardon the killer.  However, I will argue any amount of money mattered none to the pardoning mother.  What's my proof?  Look into the mother's eyes.  It reveals what happens at the emotional impact of a crash at the intersection of rage and grief.  Just my observations of course, but this mother could care less about blood money or anything else except the loss of her son.  I suspect she made a decision that even if the chair was tipped, her grief would remain.  

So the killer was spared.  The link below tells the story and you can judge for yourself if my comments are worthy of validity.  I will say this:  The fact that this pardon not only happened but this story got out tells me it is no coincidence.

It also tells me that the act of mercy of the grieving mother was not easy.  It was a hard road for to walk.  It would have been so easy for her to tip that chair.  To tip that chair and both watch and hear the life run out of her son's killer.  She did not.  She took the hard path.

I can't prove this of course, but I like to think that someplace else far away (or maybe not) there were two other untipped chairs.  In one, sat Christ.  In the other, the grieving mother's son.  They sat and watched the act of profound benevolence, watching a grieving mother pardon a crime.  A mother not so unlike a mother who was the subject of that 13th century hymn.  Two mothers, separated by faith, yet joined in grief.  

 I'm struggling with a clever way to wrap up this blog post.  I'm out of Schlitz.  All I can can offer is this:

1.  I don't think it is a coincidence this story broke during Holy Week; and

2.  We all have chairs in our life we can tip over or remain standing.  The challenge is to figure out which ones to walk away from.  It might not be much of a clue, but perhaps a hint may be this:  The one you want to tip over the most is the one that should remain standing.

Happy Easter.

Be well my friends,
Jeno

Sources

http://www.aol.com/article/2014/04/17/iranian-killers-execution-stopped-by-victims-parents/20871294/?ncid=webmail3#!slide=2546679 

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2014/04/18/Pope-Francis-observes-Good-Friday/4451397845892/

https://www.amnesty.org/en/news/iran-hangs-40-people-two-weeks-amid-surge-executions-2014-01-16 

My Old School

The lockers at my high school, Davenport West High School, photo by me

 Greetings All:

"...And I'm never going back
To my old school..."

Steely Dan, My Old School

First off, happy Passover.  I've got some ideas for a post on that, but as I'm behind schedule on posts, I need to catch up on one that's been in the works for a couple of days.

Ah high school.  It's a topic that is cemented in popular culture.  From American Graffiti to American Pie, we as a culture have both mocked and cheered this time of life.  For those of us in middle age who have had (ahem) multiple class reunions, it is enough to stop keeping track.

On Saturday, I found myself back at my high school, Davenport West High, home of the Falcons.  My daughter and a bunch of her very talented friends were performing at a music competition there and the rest of the family came along to watch.

The West High Fight Song, photo by me

 I'd be less than candid to say there was not just a bit of nostalgia.   Of course there was.  This was a place that I spent a lot of time for three years and have a bunch of good memories.  

So what is nostalgia, anyways?  Well, thanks to our friends at Webster.com, please see below:

nos·tal·gia

noun \nä-ˈstal-jə, nə- also nȯ-, nō-; nə-ˈstäl-\

: pleasure and sadness that is caused by remembering something from the past and wishing that you could experience it again

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nostalgia

I suppose there is some truth to that.  I would not mind to go back and experience a few aspects of it.  I saw this sign and it caused me to laugh:

A sign at West High, photo by me

 I'd love to say I was a rebel in high school.  I wasn't.  But like any kid, I found any number of rules to be, what's the word I'm looking for...stupid.  One such stupid rule was having to stay on the school grounds.

Well one day Mr. Vern Murdoch busted me and sent me to the office.  He seemed to take particular pleasure in sending me there.  I tried to play it cool but I had a streak at state-  zero detentions.  This was now in jepardy.

Enter Don Gano, excuse me, Officer Don Gano.  I told him that "Mr. Murdoch sent me here."  I don't know if it was that Officer Don was in a benevolent mood but he simply told me, referencing Christ, more or less, "To go forth and sin no more."  

Thanks Don.

As much as I like telling this story, upon reflection here's the deal.  Murdoch was right.  I broke a rule and he called me on it.  I just got lucky that I caught the school officer on a good day.  Sometimes it is true, it's better to be lucky than good.

And when I look back at high school, I was lucky.  I had parents who supported me.  I had teachers, especially Coach K, my debate coach, who gave me knowledge and direction.  I was lucky to have a great group of friends, many of whom I stay in touch with, even if it's via Facebook.  

So viewing it in that light, yah, I'm a bit nostaglic.  I wouldn't mind to see Vern.  Although who I really would want to see is Coach K.  We lost him in February.  I would very much like to see him again.  I'd gladly serve some detentions to make that happen.

Be well my friends,
Jeno