Media Integrity

Last night, I saw something on the news that perfectly embodies the reason we, as citizens have little trust for the media.
Apparently in a press conference yesterday (or a few days ago), President Bush asked the assembled members of the media to turn of their cameras so that he could speak frankly with them. It appears as though one smarty pants decided to not do so and then proceeded to publish the video on You Tube.
Now the media is all over the President, wondering why he wanted the cameras off and what he was trying to hide. I even saw one media report trying to analyze practially every sentence to figure out what exactly he didn't want America to hear (though most media agencies are focusing on the "Wall Street was drunk" comment).
My question is: Why is no one questioning the integrity of the slimeball who abused the trust placed in him by the Commander-In-Chief? Here was a simple request from the most powerful person in the country and some loser had to go and defy him. Yet no one is exposing this person... I know that if one of my subordinates showed that much lack of integrity toward another person, I'd be figuring it was a matter of time before they did it to me... I'd be watching very closely to see what lapses in integrity he had toward me and my company... Once a rat... you get the idea.

Captain Chaos Gets the Girl, but at what cost?

I was embarrassed and ashamed to see the sports headline in today's Standard-Examiner, "Redskin's 'Captain Chaos' Gets the Girl" (I'd link to it, but I don't currently have a Standard-Examiner Digital account... and readers who don't have that account would be unable to get it either... Just wait a few days and you can read the whole article.) The article was about the upcoming nuptials of former Utah State TE, Chris Cooley. It romanticized the affair Cooley had with a former Redskins cheerleader, to whom he is currently engaged. The article fails to point out a glaring truth- Cooley was MARRIED when he started fooling around (though some may wish to split hairs over whether or not he was separated from his wife when he began this specific "relationship" with Christy Ogilvie, his fiancee). Cooley now has the "bad boy" reputation throughout Redskin country and, much like Rosanne and other infamous Utahns, seems to delight in thumbing his nose at "traditional family values" (or at least trying extra hard to separate himself from those values).
Don't get me wrong, I wish Cooley the best. He is the only current NFL player I have met personally. I follow his career with mixed feelings. I was, at one time, distantly related to him through marriage. The point I am making with this is that the fairytale, "All-American love story" (his father's words) is not as pure and innocent as the article makes it sound. I wish the "happy couple" success in their marriage and in life. I just wish that Captain Chaos, the man who is a Superhero on the field, had a more human qualities that were worthy of admiration.

Ogden Optimist is Back Online

I am hoping that the last haitus from this blog is the last one that is this long. Blogger has recently changed its format and asked blog moderators to change as well. In my attempt to do so, I accidentally entered the wrong email address. I have since spent the past 6 months attempting to acquire that email account. As you can see, I have been successful at this, so perhaps my bogging can continue anew.

The Christmas Star Team

Thirteen years ago, my friends and I decided to something extraordinary for Christmas. I had just graduated from high school (which now reveals my age... 31 for those who are math illiterate) and wanted to take part in the giving of the season tha tI had been so used to in high school. See, when I was in high school, I felt like my Christmas season was all about giving-- the show choir I was in performed over thirty times in half as many days (many performances to elementary children whose faces were aglow with the excitement of the season), there were annual school fundraisers and canned food drives, and I was continually helping with church youth service projects.
So... one week before Christmas in 1993, I found myself hanging out with my friends. Some of those friends had graduated with me and were feeling much of the same let down I was feeling from not being so active that year in giving. As we pondered what could be done to rekindle the glow of Christmas cheer, I thought about a co-worker of mine. This man (I'll call him "Tom") had just told me that very day that he would be glad when Christmas was over. In my naivete, I was incredulous that someone would actually be so "Scrooge-like" about the holiday and asked him why he felt that way. He responded that Christmas, in his opinion, was just a chance for kids to beg for things they didn't need and that he would just go broke getting his son what he'd wanted. I was also privy to the fact that "Tom" was a self-proclaimed atheist. To him there was no spiritual side to the holiday.
I told my friends about Tom and suggested that we take the time to bring Christmas cheer to him and his family. Our first task was to take some oranges, homemade chocolates, and candy canes to his front porch, ring the doorbell, and run. As we drove to his home, we discussed what to put on the note that we would include with the plate of goodies. We came up with some little saying, but were stuck with how to sign it. I had an affinity toward a local Christmas song that had debuted just a year or two previous. It spoke of the Wisemen following the Star of Bethlehem to find the Newborn King. One verse says "We're not alone, we have a star that shines today. The love that He gave teaches how and shows the way. The light is clear to see if we have faith and believe. Three kings found the Lord, and so can we." I thought this very fitting considering Tom seemed to be looking for something to brighten his holiday. That, and my fascination with the 1988 TV series "Mission:Impossible" lent itself to the birth of "The Christmas Star Team".
Each day of that week, we would peruse a local store looking for holiday decor and things to generally make the holiday brighter. My younger siblings even joined in the effort. Tom asked me about it one day. I'm not a very good fibber. I did my best to try hiding my knowledge of the "mission". He didn't pursue the matter, so I think I may have pulled it off.
I may never know the impact that the Christmas Star Team had on Tom and his family, but I'll never forget the impact it made on me. That was a year that I truly knew the joy from celebrating Christmas to its fullest. It is a year I have thought about often in the twelve Christmas seasons since.
I enlisted help for the CST only one time since. It was two years later when I was a missionary. My companion and I decided to do it for a family whom we had been teaching. Needless to say, it was obvious to them who was "secretly" bringing their surprises.
Each year, I commit to resurrecting the Christmas Star Team, and each year, I fail to do so. That's why I have decided to blog this. Not many have known of the Christmas Star Team-- it's been "our" little secret. So, with the relative anonymity of the "blogosphere", I'll send out the challenge- wherever you are, become a member of the Christmas Star Team. It doesn't take much... find a person or family who could use a bit more of the holiday spark and randomly do things for them this holiday. You don't always have to put something on their porch, but that might be a way to go. What ever you do, feel free to share your experiences with the two people who read this blog (who knows, you might just inspire someone else). And go ahead... leave a calling card-- From: The Christmas Star Team

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

About a year ago, I wrote an essay about the four letter word- HATE. Since then, I have given some thought to a virtue that, in many aspects, is the antithesis of hate- RESPECT. My career path has me working frequently with youth, particularly teenagers and I have noticed how many teenagers are more and more lacking in this vital of virtues. As I have gone into area schools, and attitude prevails which warps general respect for another into fear. Many teens don't feel "respected" unless someone fears them or permits them to do whatever they please. Of course, they haven't learned this trait by themselves. We adults are the perfect role models for lack of genuine respect. Think about it. How many of us criticize another's driving while our children take careful note of the action? Or how often do we get impatient or upset over matters that are in actuality trivial inconvienences?
One general show of disrespect that I have noticed recently is the removal of titles from people who deserve it. I frequently hear those who dislike the actions of our nation's president, our state's governor, or our city's mayor refer to these men as "Bush", "Huntsman", or "Godfrey". What I find more detestable than the disdain in their voices is the way that earned titles of respect have been summarily dismissed. I know that on a national level, many may argue that "Bush stole the election(s) and therefore doesn't deserve the title." On a local level some may say, "Godfrey is a (fill in the blank) and therefore doesn't deserve respect." But why should it end there? Our children have seen it. Many no longer call their teachers with the proper Miss, Mrs. or Mr. title, rather just their last name.
This led me to the question. Isn't that the behavior of a drill seargent or sports coach who addresses subordinates by last name only? Not that I am not proud of my last name, but I have earned my titles (few they may be) and it is a way to show that I am respected when people call me Mister or Sir. Heck, I'll even throw in the title of "Brother" used at church. It is not difficult to start small and begin anew to refer to people by their titles, even if it is nothing more than a simple Miss or Mister. Perhaps a return to these displays of respect will not only set an example of general respect to the next generation, but will show them that even in the heated battles of policies and politics, chivalry is not only alive, but the candor of true character.

Busy Weekend for Ogden

I hope you have had a chance to truly experience Ogden recently. This weekend was a perfect opportunity to do so.
Friday was Your Community Connection's 15th Annual "Real Men Can Cook" at Union Station. Area vendors and chefs produced samples of exquisite foods. (Personal favorites included New Orleans Style Lasagna and Southwestern Egg Rolls). All proceeds went to YCC- Ogden's domestic violence shelter.
Saturday presented itself with a variety of activities. In the morning, Ogden Area Youth Alliance in connection with our local "r.a.m.p." funds, provided "A Day For Kids"- an opportunity to showcase what is available for kids in the area. Venues such as Treehouse Museum, Union Station, Nature Center, Ogden Eccles Dinosaur Park, Ogden Ice Sheet, and PapaGeorge Dairy provided free admission to kids. The cold weather proved a bit of a damper on some of the outdoor locations, but from reports, the Treehouse was packed.
The afternoon provided a chance to enjoy a "south of the border" atmosphere at the Amphitheater. This celebration (and not Cinco de Mayo as many believe) is a celebration of Mexico's independence. Again, cold weather played a bit of a factor to keeping some away, but not all.
Saturday evening provided a chance to take in a football game at Weber State University as the Wildcats took on in-state "two-A" rival, Southern Utah University. The colder than normal temperatures kept the crowd to below 7,000 (uh.. does anyone remember a packed Stewart Stadium a year ago to welcome "Mac" to Weber?-- I guess the honeymoon's over.) The 'Cats picked up their first win of the season (handing SUU their first loss) 24-13.
I'm certain that there were other opportunities to experience the city. If you missed out last weekend, don't despair- this Saturday is the Harvest Moon Festival on 25th Street. This is truly a festival not to be missed.

Never Forget

Last year, I posted about my memories of September 11, 2001. As I have again reflected on my memories of that event this year, I feel it important to again keep my promise to never forget. I post last year's post again here- Just Keeping A Promise.

Just Keeping A Promise
A little more than two million minutes. That's how much time has passed since that fateful day. The day when innocence was lost to our country- forever. Though over two million minutes have passed since then, the thousand or so minutes of that day will remain etched in my mind for all time. I was headed to teach school in Layton. En route, I needed to stop by Wal-Mart to take my wife's birthday present out of layaway (her birthday is later in September, but I was about due for the allotted time for layaway). I had been listening to a local talk radio show, and just before I parked the car, I heard mention of a plane having struck the World Trade Center. As I listened further, the size of the plane varied from a small passenger plane to a large DC-10, depending on the varying accounts of witnesses.I was intrigued, but focused on the task at hand- getting my wife's dress. At the layaway counter, I waited for what seemed like hours. Finally, the cashier was ready to help me. As I finished the transaction, I asked her if she had heard about a plane hitting the World Trade Center. She said she hadn't, but as with my initial reaction, wasn't overly concerned by it.When I returned to my car, the realities of the horrors of the day were just beginning- the second plane had struck the second tower. The United States was under attack!I hurried to my school not daring to believe what my ears were hearing... Total recall.. North Tower... Planes... Smoke... Terrorist.As I exited the freeway, the news worsened. Washington, D.C. had also come under attack with news of the Pentagon in flames as well. I cursed out loud and tried to make it to my school as fast as I could. After parking the car, I ran into the main office and shouted, "The Pentagon's been hit!" The faces of my coworkers said it all. We were devastated. And what's more, we had to still teach students- or at the very least, keep them calm.Before heading to my classroom, I went to the media center. It was there that I first witnessed the destruction. Ironically, my first thought was that it didn't look "that bad", and I honestly felt that the towers would remain standing.I tore myself away from the television and went to my classroom. Facing those middle-school aged students was a very difficult task. They showered me with question all day- "Are we at war? Will we be safe here? What about my parents? Are family members in the military going to have to go somewhere?" I fielded the questions as best I could. I hooked up my classroom television to my computer and allowed them to watch the best we could on MSNBC. When I arrived home at the end of the day, I remember envying my three year old daughter who had no clue as to the terror around her. I also felt sorry that she would never truly know a "pre-9/11" world. I also remember the calming words sung by "our" own Mormon Tabernacle Choir that evening. "...Thine alabaster cities gleam, undimmed by human tears!"All of us will vividly remember the events of that day. Since then, we have erected countless memorials to remind us, (including one at my current place of employment) many inscribed with the promise- "We will never forget".That's why I share my own account, as "simplistic" as it may sound.I'm keeping a promise.