Heaven on Earth

Well, as I write, it all seems surreal, all too bittersweet. I never thought I could fall head over heels in love with a town, and I did. I love Auburn- the school, the community, the people. It's hard to imagine that I moved here on my eighteenth birthday, almost four years ago. And today, I will say goodbye to the town that stole my heart and forever changed my life. I honestly believed I could make it through my final days in Auburn without crying or getting too emotional. As I drove down College Street last night, I saw campus- the Auburn University sign and the lights shining on Samford Hall. At that point, it hit me. It was my last night in Auburn. Sure, I can visit anytime and ride around the place I called home for four years; however, it will never be the same again.

I decided that on my last night, I would ride around campus one more time. I reminisced about some of my most memorable Auburn moments as I drove down College, Samford, Donahue, and Magnolia. As I drove by the President's mansion, I recalled Bid Day 2006. On that lawn, I nervously waited with my Pi Chi group as we watched our bids arrive. One by one, we opened our bids and our destiny for the next four years was laid out in front of us. I clearly remembering running to Boyd Hall to be greeted by the massive amounts of red and green that would become a dominant part of my life. The Hill dorms further reminded me of Rush and my first three years in Alpha Chi. I made friends that will last a lifetime in the Epsilon Zeta chapter of Alpha Chi Omega.

I turned onto Donahue and saw the Athletic Department. I slaved long hours in that building making my best attempt at educating some of Auburn's finest athletes. It was not until my time in the Athletic Department that I realized how much behind the scenes work goes into running a competitive, college level athletic program. I developed close bonds with some of Auburn's future standout players. As I watch Auburn football this year, I will proudly cheer for my team, my friends.

Next, I saw the Coliseum and could only think of the Auburn vs. Tennessee women's game last season. I have never seen the Coliseum so packed. The best part, of course, was Auburn beating Pat Summitt's Lady Vols. Directly across from the Coliseum sits the new Auburn Arena. Wow, is all I can say about it. I had the privilege of touring the Arena on A-Day in April, and I can not wait for basketball season to begin. As Auburn tries to revamp its basketball program, a new coach and the Auburn Arena should definitely help the effort. Any high school recruit will stand in awe at the sight of the magnificent facility.

I believe the most tears flowed as I passed Jordan-Hare Stadium. I have attended Auburn football games since I was two years old, and I always dreamed of the day I would attend Auburn. Now, that dream has come and gone- I have the beautifully framed diploma to prove it! Some of my most meaningful Auburn memories took place in the stadium. During my tenure at Auburn, I saw the ultimate downfall of one head coach and the questionable arrival of his successor. Let me highlight a portion of that last word- success. Auburn fans across the country were puzzled and confused as the hiring of Gene Chizik was announced. I honestly thought Auburn had lost its mind. Boy, could I have not been more wrong. Coach Chizik brought a new outlook to Auburn football and managed to have an 8-5 season. All of the players have faith in their coaches and trust their decisions, they are truly a family.

The greatest testament to the idea of the Auburn family was seen during the 2009 Iron Bowl. Our Tigers fought a long, hard battle against the #2 ranked Crimson Tide, and we ultimately lost 26-21. Of course, the Alabama fans celebrated in usual fashion; after all, they completed an undefeated regular season, a huge feat in the Southeastern Conference. But, on that day, something unexpected happened. Just as the Alabama fans stayed in their seats at the end of the game to celebrate, so did the Auburn fans. As our boys walked off the field, it was to the sounds of "I'm Proud to be an Auburn Tiger" screamed by 80,000 ecstatic fans. Auburn's victory may have only been a moral victory, but it left Alabama fans and sports announcers in shock. It provided a glimpse into what the future holds- a new era of Auburn football. Most importantly, it allowed the entire nation to see what being a member of the Auburn family truly means.

As I finished my tour around campus, I thought of my times in Glom Office. Without a doubt, this was my safe haven on campus. My Auburn experience would not have been complete without my memories in this office with Lisa, Ben, Chad, Taylor, and so many more. Two other opportunities allowed me to give back to Auburn, a school and town that gave me so much. Serving as the director of the 2009 Miss Auburn University Pageant and working for two years as a SOS orientation leader. Both of these programs gave me greater insight into Auburn and allowed me to create bonds that I will cherish forever.

As I hit I-85 South tonight, I will leave part of my heart on the Plains. Auburn served as a safe place for me to return to after one of the worst experiences of my life. Auburn gave me the opportunity to meet fabulous people, people that will be my best friends for years to come. Auburn not only provided me with an education but with ample life-changing and growing experiences. As I survive my first year of law school, I will frequently revert back to the good times I had in Auburn- whether it was singing the Alma Mater at the top of my lungs with Heather in Apartment 213 or standing in the pouring rain to watch Auburn defeat West Virginia. No matter where life takes me or what God has in planned for my future, I will always be most proud to tell people that I am not just an Auburn graduate but a member of the Auburn family.

All in a Day's News- July 28th Edition

It has been entirely too long since I wrote a blog, especially a news blog. I got swamped with packing and moving (pictures to come). There is too much going on in the world, but as usual, I will discuss some of the hottest topics in the headlines.

BP Oil Spill
Let's see- Tony Hayward is no longer CEO of the company. I am so glad he got his life back, really I am. I also pray that we never have to see or hear him open his mouth again on national television, and insert both of his feet, as is a favorite hobby of his. The clean-up appears to be making progress. I do have one question though. There is not a lot of visible oil on the surface- where is it? Are there huge oil clouds under the surface, sucking the life out of all the ocean life? Also, how hard is it to clean up the ocean and manage to nevigate around the other oil wells? Apparently, pretty difficult. BP just can't manage to make one step forward without taking two steps backward. I do appreciate the jobs they are attempting to provide for those who have lost their way of life and the money they are funneling into places such as Gulf Shores. Overall, it's Day 100- still no permanent solution.

Leaked War Information
Should there even be a question concerning whether this is OK or not? ABSOLUTELY NOT. Under no circumstances do I find it acceptable to leak information that could potentially harm our soldiers and allies. Julian Assange, the founder of Wikileaks, does not live in the United States. It is not his neighbor, brother, sister, son, daughter, or best friend whose life is being put in danger. Can the United States of America, the most powerful nation in the free world, not do something about this situation? I suppose some type of injunction in the matter would directly violate one of the main freedoms guaranteed to all people in our Constitution. The founding fathers should have created a clause that exempts stupid people from being protected by this "Constitutional right." This story infuriates me. Our government needs to maintain better control of its documents, and people should probably think twice about the possible ramifications of their actions.

The NCAA's Power Trip
What can I say? The National College Athletic Association is on a mission. Operation Clean Up College Football. Following the end of the USC investigation, they have not slowed down. Most of their recent activity focuses on the southeastern portion of the United States, imagine that. Cheating and dishonesty in southern football? Never. Honestly, NCAA investigations and questionable incidents and circumstances are as common in southern football as championships and NFL prospects. Nick Saban highlighted the recent NCAA probes surrounding players dealings with agents. He got fire, hot, and angry discussing the topic at SEC Media Days last week. He went as far as to compare agents to pimps. Really, Nick, while that maybe true, the players should take some responsibility on the matter as well. The agents play downright dirty games; however, the players ultimately determine their own destiny- do they join the agents or do they take the higher road. In light of the recent NCAA investigations, I pray all of the players on my favorite teams take the higher road. Is it really worth risking everything for a few hundred dollars or a weekend of partying in South Beach? Not at all.

I could go on and on about the happenings in the world. But, I will stick to these three main topics. I hope everyone has had a great Wednesday. We are half way through the week!

Your Status...REALLY?!?

This blog is by special request- thanks Amelia! I have to agree, it is definitely needed. I have outlined general guidelines that I believe should be followed when using Facebook. Today's blog focuses on the simple do's and do not's of Facebook statuses. Once again, please feel free to provide input... I know I will miss some pretty disturbing ones.

Drum Roll Please

In no random order... things that should not appear on your Facebook status:

1. No one cares about anything that has to do with your bodily functions. Really, that is just nasty. If you have to pass gas or do the #2... your Facebook family can live without knowing about it.

2. Along those same lines, no one needs to know about the enormous gash in your leg that is ozzing green liquid and smells bad. That is beyond nasty, it's disgusting.

3. It is awesome that you want to use your status to promote safe sex; however, you should probably carefully word the status. Anything that discusses your trip to the health department because you heard rumors about yourself, rumors indicating you have an STI, probably is not Facebook appropriate. I do, however, commend the attempt at a public service status.

4. While we are talking about sex (yes, you can blush now), no one needs to know about your sex life. We do not need to know that there is a "fire in your bedroom that needs putting out." We do not need to know that you don't care if it "burns when you pee," because you are in love with a stripper. Keep your sex life at your house, preferably off your computer.

5. You should definitely not use your status to personally attack your lover, especially if that person is, in reality, dating or married to someone else. It makes all parties appear rather ridiculous.

6. In fact, you should not use your status to personally attack anyone. You should avoid direct arguments via Facebook statuses at all times. It provides entertainment for others, but they are actually laughing at your lack of maturity.

7. I do not know how many times that same sentiment needs to be reiterated- please do no make every status about your boyfriend, baby daddy, or crush. Your relationship is not between you and your significant other when you make every moment public knowledge. Also, do not lie about spending time or participating in activities... that's creepy.

8. Do not detail every single activity of your day. If you had a stalker, they would be able to charge you with enabling their activity- anyone could locate you at any point in any day. Maintain some type of privacy and discretion.

9. Do not put ludicrous or offensive lyrics or quotes on your status. You probably have an adult friend or a younger child friend. Try to refrain from dropping the "f bomb" and what not on your status.

10. Think. If everyone thought while using Facebook, it would make it a more drama-free (yes, slightly less entertaining) place.

I know not everyone adheres to these rules; although, in my book, they should. I have several Marines as friends, and I could write an entire blog referencing their statuses alone. Next time you decide to share your thoughts or actions with your Facebook family, please consider... is it really appropriate? Have a great weekend!

The Bad Boys of... College Football?!?

In English Comp 2, I wrote a research paper entitled "The Bad Boys of the NFL." Never ever did I think I would be writing a blog with a very similar title, the only difference- my focus this time is on college football, not the pros. I am a die hard football fan. I live for college football Saturdays and professional football Sundays. I avidly cheer for my alma mater- the Auburn Tigers and my best friend's team- the Troy Trojans, and I am a proud member of "Who Dat" nation. Media outlets have long discussed the negative image that is often portrayed of professional athletes; after all, many of them make headlines for their unbecoming and illegal activities. Sadly, as of lately, this outbreak of bad behavior has become increasingly prominent among college athletes- I guess they just want to get an early start.

Seriously, you can not turn on the television or read ESPN.com without hearing about a college athlete (or administrator) that has had a run in with the law. College athletes are not only causing chaos because of arrest but also for their dealings with agents and breaking of NCAA regulations. My questions is- how hard is it to go to school (that is being paid for by someone else), play football, and keep your nose clean for four years? Apparently, almost impossible in this day and age.

We live in a society that glorifies athletes on all levels, especially in the South. Over the weekend, eleven Notre Dame athletes were arrested for underage drinking. UNDERAGE DRINKING?!? Yes, it is a crime; however, obviously the culture in South Bend, Indiana, differs greatly from the culture in Auburn, Tuscaloosa, Gainseville, Athens, Knoxville, or pretty much any southern college football town. I can not imagine the police in a SEC town taking a player to jail for underage drinking at a party; they might take them to their coach, which would result in huge punishment as well. Drunk driving, disorderly conduct, sexual harassment, assault, and drug related charges do land you in the big house.

Even with the more lax attitude that exists around the Southeast, the SEC continues to lead the pack as far as bad behavior is concerned. Georgia has had seven players arrested this year. More importantly, Georgia's athletic director Damon Evans was arrested for drinking and driving in Atlanta. So, all in all, Georgia has lost their AD and four football players since the beginning of spring practice. Arkansas has had a player arrested. Tennessee, well, what can be said about the Volunteers. Google "college football players arrested" and over half the images you find feature the Tennessee Volunteers. I am glad their dominant color is orange. It goes well with the ongoing theme of their program- jailbirds.

As I previously noted, the SEC is not the only conference or set of teams that has had its share of legal trouble. Of course, Notre Dame had its share of problems this past weekend. Three Southern Miss players were arrested a week and a half ago for disorderly conduct. Among these arrests was star wide receiver DeAndre Brown, one of the top ranked receivers in the country. Every week, it's a new name, a new charge, and a similar headline.

I could not write a blog about the legal problems plaguing college athletes without mentioning Troy University. I own more cardinal and black shirts than I do orange and blue ones, and a Troy "T" sticker is on my back window; yet, if you commit any crime short of murder, you can play football at Troy University. It has become a running joke among my family and friends- anytime we see an athlete that has been dismissed from another program, we wonder how long it will be before Coach Blakeney has them touring Troy. Without a doubt, their most infamous player to date is former Oklahoma wide receiver Josh Jarboe. Jarboe proves anyone is welcome at Troy, no criminal background check needed.

Florida has a former player under investigation by the NCAA- Maurkice Pouncey is a NFL player now, so what does he really care? His actions could cost Florida their Sugar Bowl victory, but oh well... he got his money and his professional career. North Carolina and South Carolina both have players being investigated for improper contact with an agent. All of this follows the thorough investigation of USC and Reggie Bush. Sometimes all the glory goes too their heads and they look to far into the future- they only see dollar signs, not what matters at the moment.

The point of this blog is to make a statement. College athletes basically need full-time babysitters, stringent curfews, and should be required to live in closely guarded on-campus dorms. Even if colleges and coaches began to enforce these requirements, some athlete somewhere would still find a way to get himself in trouble. I guess I will never understand the mentality of a male college athlete. However, I do know that it is time for all of them to grow up, become role models for younger boys, and stay out of trouble. If college football players focused on studying and playing the game as much as they focus on girls and partying, every school in this country would be a powerhouse with which to be reckoned.

That's Just Not OK!

A couple of months ago, I wrote an entire blog that provided information about ME! Today, I want to share something different. In life, there are just some things that I do not appreciate or condone. I am quite sure that these little pet peeves bother people other than me. So, the following is a list of "no no's" in my book.

1. Smoking. This is undoubtedly, without argument number one. I despise the smell. In fact, I can't be around the smell without getting a migraine. It causes cancer, destroys all parts of your body, and smells horrible, why do it?

2. Being racist. It is the 21st century, I think we should have probably moved past judging people based on the color of their skin. Sadly, some people have not.

3. Being unpatriotic. Our soldiers fight so that our country can remain the greatest, free nation in the world. Don't hate.

4. Bad grammar. I know not everyone had the privilege of being educated by Kay Whaley, but that does not mean you are exempt from using correct grammar on a daily basis. Using proper grammar allows one to sound educated, using improper grammar forces one to appear as though they just exited the nearest trailer park.

5. Greasy hair. It is not hard to wash your hair, it only takes a few minutes. Shampoo is cheap, you can buy it at my favorite store- Dollar Tree! Just get up a few minutes early everyday and wash your hair. Greasy hair=DISGUSTING!

6. Bad hair. People that bleach and highlight their hair too much develop "bad hair" in my book. It begins to look frizzy and dried out. I like a more natural look- yes, my hair is its natural color.

7. Chipped fingernail polish. For some reason, I have always thought this screamed unkempt- it most likely has something to do with the fact that my Mom would never let my fingernail polish get chipped when I was a child.

8. Mismatched fingernail polish. Red fingernail polish and blue toenail polish might be patriotic, but in my book, it's not ok. I like to keep the my colors matching, it looks more classy.

9. Eyebrows that need plucking. Ok, I am guilty of that right now, but I am fixing it this afternoon. Well-maintained eyebrows is a sign that you care about your outer appearance.

10. Little girls that do not wear bloomers. As a young girl, my Mama always made me wear bloomers under my dress- this prevented me from flashing my panties. It disturbs me when little girls run around and pull their dresses over their heads and you see their diaper or panties.

11. Extreme body piercings- eyebrow, tongue, etc. Well, it screams skanky.

12. Boys that wear short shorts. My friend Chalker and I use to joke that some of the boys on campus looked as though they were wearing their little sister's shorts. Not cool.

13. Cracking of joints. The noise freaks me out. Bottomline.

14. Too tight clothing. If a size zero girl wears an extremely tight outfit, it causes her to look larger. Even worse, when a very large person wears too tight clothing- truly unfortunate.

15. Older people that try to dress young. OK, I do not mean truly old people- I am referring to Mom's. It is awesome when a mom and daughter can share clothes; however, you have to draw the line somewhere. Some outfits just are not appropriate for Mom.

Now you know a few of my pet peeves. I hope you have had a great week thus far, it's almost over!

Color Should Not Matter

Today, in the state of Alabama, it's election day. The race for the republican governor nomination dominates headlines; however, it is not the only race on today's ballot. Local elections, both with in the various counties and for state representatives, are also taking place today. In fact, since I am a card carrying member of the Democratic party, my primary focus has not centered on the governor's race. I voted absentee last week since I am "out of the area on election day."

An election that is making headlines across my district, and the state due to recent events, is the run-off for Senator for District 28. This run-off election is between Johnny Ford, mayor of Tuskegee, and Billy Beasley, current State Representative. In the initial election, Beasley received 49% of the vote, and Ford received 28% of the vote. Since neither candidate secured over 50% of the vote, the run-off election has ensued. I assure you, no one could have guessed the turn this election would take. In my opinion, the overall "theme" of this race was proven yesterday, with the arrival of Reverend Al Sharpton.

As the least racist person you can meet, I can write this blog without reservation. I do not agree with the message preached by Rev. Sharpton on his world-wind trip to Barbour and Bullock counties. He believes that Johnny Ford should be elected to the position because District 28 is a "majority-minority" area. We live in a society that consciously teaches our children that "all people are created equal" and "everyone should be treated the same." Is it politically or morally correct to advocate one candidate over another because of race? In my opinion, absolutely not.

We should elect our government leaders and representatives based on their ability to accurately represent their constituency. In no way, form, or fashion does the color of their skin impact their leadership skills, or at least it should not. As an avid voter, I connect the arrow next to candidate's name that most closely identifies with my values, regardless of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic background. Our forefathers secured our right to vote, and our soldiers fight to maintain that privilege.

People probably went out to the polls today and voted for Mr. Ford simply based on the fact that he is African American. Sadly, other people probably went out to the polls and voted for Mr. Beasley simply because he is Caucasian. In this debate over race, I do not only find one party at fault. I believe voting for someone because of their race or voting against them does not do justice to our country's government.

Almost two years ago, we elected a (half) African American president. Critics spoke out following Obama's election, saying that he only won because of the color of his skin. These critics conveniently discounted another voter demographic- those people that normally would not have cast their ballot, but voted for McCain because they were opposed to a black man holding the highest position of power in our country. I do not agree with either side.

A person should carefully research the beliefs held by the candidates and use this to determine their overall opinion. It is fantastic that our country elected its first minority president; however, in a society where color did not matter, he would be just another president whose name is added to a long list of men, all of a different race, that came before him. I would like to think that we live in a color-blind world, but I know I am wrong. I live my life not judging people based on the color of their skin, but by their character instead. I wish people, of all races and ages, would adopt that outlook of the world- in interacting with people on a daily basis and in choosing what candidate to support in a political race.

Oh Lebron

Ok, because Lebron James has not been given enough attention in the past couple of weeks, I want to dedicate this entire blog to the "King." Using my legal mind, I have examined this situation from numerous angles, basically attempting to make sense of the mess it has become. Our country is fighting a war where we are losing soldiers everyday and one of our nation's greatest ecosystems is being destroyed; yet, all eyes have been on the National Basketball Association and its MVP.

To say that last night's unprecedented spectacle left a bitter taste in the mouths of some Cleveland (and Chicago, New York, and basically half of the NBA) fans would be an understatement. Never have I ever seen images comparable to the ones that surfaced in the aftermath of the star's decision last night- except maybe in Knoxville the night Lane Kiffin made his infamous announcement. Fans across Cleveland burned their jerseys, had emotional fits, and came extremely close started all out riots. This reaction came as no surprise to Cleveland officials- they had their police force fully prepared to handle potential riots and chaos.

Did Lebron make the right decision? Does his decision merit the extensive news coverage it has received? Really, is it that serious? The American public proved the importance of professional athletics, and athletics in general, in the wake of the Lebron James Free Agency ordeal. Never has a national television network postponed prime time in order to feature one athlete making one decision. Thank goodness, one positive thing came out of this one-hour show- all of the money made through advertisements is being donated to the Boys and Girls Club.

If you ask Dan Gilbert if James made the right decision, there is no telling what kind of answer you will receive. Gilbert, the majority owner of the Cavaliers organization, voiced his opinion through a letter that is posted on the team's website. Quite frankly, Gilbert's letter bares strange parallels to a nasty break-up letter- plenty of name calling, finger pointing, and overall pouting. Honestly Mr. Gilbert, your maturity concerning the situation should help to reassure James that he made the right decision. You own one of the most highly respected organizations in the NBA- the integrity of the team should not be shot to hades because of the loss of one player. Gilbert makes it appear as though Lebron James has turned his back on his hometown and his home state. Just because he was born and raised in Ohio does not mean he should be required to pledge his undying allegiance to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Obviously, he realized his chances of winning a championship were greater in South Beach. With this decision, he broke the hearts of the Cleveland faithful. Don't worry Cavalier nation- Gilbert has assured everyone that the Cavs will bring home a championship before Lebron does. Yeah, right! If you can not win with the King, you sure won't be winning without him!

Lebron made the right decision in my opinion. He chose to take a chance- join a team with his friends, a team that has the potential to win a NBA Championship. He played in Cleveland for seven years. In those seven years, he gave the organization a recognizable face- the face of a hometown hero. He lifted the morale of the Cleveland family; yet, he never brought home the big prize. He may not make as much money in Miami. He may not call of all the shots in Miami. He will, however, be sharing the court with other "big names," increasing their likelihood of winning the NBA Championship. I would love to see the Heat become one of the most competitive teams in National Basketball, and I would love to see the "King" bring home a ring before Cleveland ever catches a glimpse of one.

America, the "King" has spoken. The decision is a done deal. Cleveland should probably focus their attention on how to rebuild their organization. Every news outlet in the Ohio area and basically across the country has turned all of their attention to Lebron James. We should probably go back to focusing on more important issues now, such as national security, the economy, and the looming environmental disaster. Thank you for providing a distraction, but it's now time for our country to return its focus to real issues, problems that matter.

Cleaning Facebook House

Today, I decided to turn over a new leaf. Quite frankly, I am tired of all the drama that occurs on Facebook. Briefly (very, very briefly), I considered deleted Facebook. What good would that do me or anyone else? So, I developed another alternative. I went through and "cleaned house." This simply means I deleted a whole lot of people off of my friends list. I am going to share some of the rules that I chose to abide by when making the call on whether to keep some as a friend or let the "facebook friendship" go!

1. If I would not say "hello" to you if I passed you walking down the street, then you have to go!

2. If your status frequently talks about people causing drama, when in fact you usually cause the problem, then you have to go.

3. If you intentionally cause problems for my friends, then you have to go.

4. If I have trouble reading your status because it is written in ebonics, you only get to stay if I really am interested in your profile or am actually good friends with you. (However, you do get hidden from my newsfeed!)

5. If I read your name and thought- WHO THE HECK ARE YOU- you definitely got deleted.

6. If your profile picture was strange or I did not recognize you, you got the "X."

7. If I know that you are nosy and creep my page, you have probably previously been deleted.

8. If you are just creepy in general, I hope I did not add you to begin with. In case I had a lapse of judgment and did add you, I assure you- we are no longer friends.

9. If my stalkeristic friends added you on my profile, you probably got deleted. If I do not know you and are not interested in your profile, I do not want you to be my friend!

10. If you are my boyfriend's ex (with whom I am not actually friends), I deleted you.

11. If I have known you all my life and we went to school together, I kept you as my friend.

12. If you are a member of my Alpha Chi pledge class or a participant in the 2009 Miss Auburn University Pageant, I kept you as my friend.

13. If you have a cute baby, I kept you as my friend.

14. If you post interesting statuses or pictures, I kept you as my friend.

15. If we are actually friends, we are still Facebook friends.

Anyone who is reading this blog, you are probably still Facebook friends with me, if not... refer to the above list, and you will be able to figure out why you got the "X."

4th of July

Inspite of all the confusion in our country today,

I'm proud to be an American; I'd have it no other way.

Our country was founded and has been sustained by many

Unknown heroes who lived, cried, bleed, and died, so that

Freedom future generations would know.

Today as I say the pledge and place my hand upon my heart,

I think of the future and ask you, Lord, how do I do my part?

Do I write letters to Washington to let them know I take a stand?

Or do I serve my community by lending a helping hand?

Do I teach others about your loving care?

Do I do enough, Lord, when I teach a child to read or share?

I thank you for this nation, Lord. Its bounty is unmeasured.

We educate our children, they are our greatest treasures.

With National Parks and Conservations your majestic

Creations are acknowledged without reservation.

I thank you for this nation, Lord,

That offers programs for the sick and needy

And for the judicial process, though it's not always speedy.

I'm thankful I can reassure hopeful children when they say,

We want to be teachers, artists, or preachers,

Do you think there is a way?

But, I'm proudest of the fact that on this and every day,

My two daughters can worship you, God, in their own special way.

They can sing in a country church or pray in a great cathedral.

Yes, God, you have blessed America from sea to shining sea!

Let us strive to be the Christian Nation, Lord,

That you would have us be!

- Sheila Colombo

(My mom wrote this for our Independence Day Service at church about ten years ago!)

All in a Day's News- July 2nd Edition

So, I have not blogged recently about the news. There is a lot going on, so here it goes:

The Fourth of July Weekend is upon us. Enjoy the weekend and be careful as you travel. As we enjoy our time off work, let us not forget the men and women that have made the ultimate sacrifice and continue to fight for our freedom. We are the land of the free because of the brave. God bless our troops, and God bless America.

Most specifically, thank you and God bless two of my favorite men in uniform:
Jamie Orr, United State Marine Corps
(Jamie is home for the weekend! He is stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and will be deploying in September.)
Chris Friedrich, United States Navy
(Chris recently returned from the Middle East!)

BP Oil Spill
Earlier in the week, I wrote a heartfelt letter on here to BP. That pretty much explains my exact feelings concerning this issue. I could not write a news blog without mentioning this environmental disaster; after all, it is dominating headlines everywhere. The officials overseeing the Deepwater Horizon oil spill have epically failed, that may be an understatement. I understand that BP employees are diligently working to get the oil off the beach, but by then, it is too late- the damage has already been done. This holiday weekend, it is especially hard to stomach what the future may hold. Families and individuals that have made their living based on Gulf Coast tourism may never have a thriving customer base again.

Electronic Bingo in Alabama
Honestly, I could write a book on the issue of electronic bingo in the state of Alabama. Bob Riley's term as governor brought new industry and economic growth to our state; however, his administration has now become a mockery, and he will forever be remembered as "Bingo Bob." This rampage to stop "illegal gaming" in our state began several months ago, and it is not over yet. Apparently, it is illegal to play electronic bingo in Alabama. This law seems a little ridiculous considering we are bordered by states where gambling is legal. Our citizens frequently cross the state line and purchase lottery tickets and travel to casinos in Mississippi, Florida, and Georgia. While our state struggles to find money to pay our teachers and pave our roads, our citizens are helping to provide education funding for three other states.
Wouldn't it make sense to make electronic bingo legal in Alabama and start taxing it? Yes, it would make sense, but why would we do something like that here in Alabama. This is the Bible Belt, it would not be very Christian-like to make gambling legal. I guess it's Christian-like to deprive entire counties of their livelihood in this tyrant to end electronic bingo. As a voting, concerned citizen of this state, I believe it would be more resourceful to allocate our state's financial resources and personnel somewhere other than a gaming center you are trying to close. Hundreds of teachers could have been paid with the money Gov. Riley and his goons, John Tyson and the anti-gambling task force, have spent on law enforcement, moving vans, and advertisements.
Some people on this campus are actually advocating the need to end electronic bingo in Alabama. Did they attend public school in Alabama? If the answer is no, they should have no say so in this matter. Until you have seen the need firsthand, you do not understand the immense importance of the money places such as Victoryland generate. Victoryland, owned by Milton McGregor, accounts for nearly half of the employment in Macon County- one of the poorest counties in this state and in the country. Right now, all of the controversy surrounds Greenetrack casino. Local government officials in Greene county have been fighting in court with John Tyson and the anti-gambling task force. The Supreme Court intervened and allowed Tyson to continue his campaign and remove all of the electronic bingo machines from the facility. Do law enforcement and judicial officials in Alabama not have more important issues they should be concerned about? I guess John Tyson and Bob Riley found quicker success in Greene County than Macon County. If only Gov. Riley had been nearly as concerned about paying our teachers and helping to further higher education as he has been about fighting electronic bingo, then our state would be in much better shape right now.

Drug War and Immigration
I am still not nearly knowledgeable enough about the immigration fight going in America; however, I am quite aware that there is a nasty drug war going on in Mexico. All I have to say about that, I think I will be staying north of the border for a long while. They should post signs as you cross the border that read "Enter At Your Own Risk."

Tiger Woods' Divorce
I would love to be Eilen Nordegren's divorce attorney right now. Rumors have circulated that she will receive anywhere from $100-$750 million dollars in the divorce settlement, not including child support. Her divorce settlement also includes a clause stating that Tiger may not bring girlfriends or unwed female friend around the children... considering some of his "mistresses" that is probably a fantastic idea. Tiger may wow on the golf course, but I can not say the same for morals (or lack there of).

Michael Vick
Does it surprise anyone that Michael Vick is now the center of more legal trouble? Vick celebrated his birthday at a restaurant in Virgina Beach. That same night, a man was shot. According to the Vick camp, this was long after Vick left the establishment; yet, after viewing the surveillance footage, police stated that Vick left three minutes prior to the shooting. Quanis Phillips, the man shot, was a high school teammate of Vick's and a co-defendant in the dog fighting case. Although Michael Vick may not have been involved with this incident, this only serves to further one of my beliefs. Pick your friends very, very carefully. Vick was extremely successful, obviously running with this old friends has caused more than a little bit of trouble for him. It is sad to say, but I think that when a young man leaves his neighborhood and hometown to make something of himself in the athletic arena, it is sometimes best for him to leave behind old friends and stay away as much as possible. The best will always have haters and people looking to bring them down.

The World Cup
I am pretty sure it is still going on. But, since the USA lost, I have not heard nearly as much about it. How unfortunate, NOT!

Oh yes, and on a great sports note, COLLEGE FOOTBALL BEGINS IN SIXTY FOUR DAYS!

Have a great weekend!