Archive for July, 2011

I’d like to be called a ’smokin hot wife’

Wednesday, July 27th, 2011

I believe God has a sense of humor.

There are little coincidences and ironic situations in life that pretty much prove my theory right.

I also believe some people take themselves way too seriously.

During a recent race at Nashville the Rev. Joe Nelms delivered a memorable pre-race invocation. He started by thanking the Lord for “all our blessings.”

Then he started thanking the Lord for “these mighty machines,” and starting naming car manufactures, and other contributors to the sport. Unusual but in line with motorsports.

Then, borrowing a line from Ricky Bobby, he said “Lord I want to thank you for my smoking hot wife.”

He also mentioned his kids just as Ricky Bobby did at the dinner table in the movie “Talladega  Nights.”

Drivers and crews were cheering as he ended the prayer with “boogity, boogity, boogity, Amen.” Announcer and former driver Darrell Waltrip starts every race with “boogity, boogity, boogity, let’s go racing boys.”

In life I believe you need a sense of humor. Most people thought that the prayer was funny, but some are criticizing the pastor for his interesting take on prayer.

Different religions have different views on what defines a religious service. Some people play music and speak in tongues while others have more outlined, routine services.

The underlying issue is larger than a few laughs during a prayer. When people criticizing the way a person worships God it crosses a line. People should be allowed to worship and pray according to their beliefs.

People who attend church or belong to a certain religion sometimes believe that they are an expert on how all people should worship and pray.

With so many different religions the idea of a uniformed worship is out of the question. As long as people are not breaking the law they should be free to worship as they please, whether it is through song, dance or a prayer that draws a few laughs.

It is my understanding that the only one with the right to judge is God.

Well, almost … Nelms has the right to decide if his wife is ‚Äúsmokin hot.‚Äù

Click here to watch the prayer for yourself

Is something amiss in baseball?

Thursday, July 21st, 2011

There have been some strange happenings in the world of baseball and no I am not talking about the Pirates being in first place.

In general baseball fans may be losing it.

At a recent San Francisco Giants baseball game a cameraman zoomed in on a pouting kid with his arms crossed. A foul ball was hit to his section and a woman in front of him caught the ball. The announcers kept going back to the kid who’s sour face never relaxed. At one point the adult with the child takes a call on his cell phone and one can only assume it is someone letting him know that his spoiled kid’s antics have been the centerpiece of the game.

But alas the kid is rewarded as the team brought him his very own ball that he didn’t have to catch.

Lesson 1: Keep pouting because it will be rewarded.

Kansas City Royal Jeff Francoeur’s bat went flying into the stands and an excited woman caught the bat. But her enjoyment did not last long as another woman ripped it from her hands and walked away. The woman sat there is a confused expression. I will be honest, at a recent Pirates game I considered ripping a shirt from the hands of a guy seated behind me. But then I remembered – I am an adult.

Lesson 2: If pouting doesn’t work just rip the item from the person’s hand.

Days after a Texas Rangers fan died trying to catch a foul ball for his son a fan at the home-run derby thought it would be a good idea to stand on a table to try to catch home run balls. He had already caught several. When he reached for the ball he went over the railing and his friends quickly caught him.

Lesson 3: Putting your life on the line is acceptable if you are being greedy and trying to catch a third home run ball.

Luckily the true lessons in baseball are still good. Look at the Pirates. For years they have been the butt of jokes, the team that tarnishes the champion mentality of Pittsburgh. But this year they thankfully are not listening to the hype. By listening to Clint Hurdle’s one game at a time slogan they are in first place and sent three to the All-star game.

Instead of pouting about missed balls, nearly fighting for a bat and putting my life on the line I think I will stick with raising the jolly roger.

Tasteless profits

Wednesday, July 6th, 2011

I am not going to voice my opinion on the Casey Anthony verdict. At the end of the day our justice system is designed that a jury of our peers has the final say – whether we agree or not.

What is upsetting to me is the more than 200 items listed on eBay by people trying to profit from the case.

From bumper stickers to newspaper copies to T-shirts and magazines many people are trying to make a buck of the sad case of a 3-year-old girl who left this world too soon.

For instance a classmate of Anthonys is selling three yearbooks when she was in fifth, 11th and 12 grades. So far one bidder has placed a $450 bid on the set.

If $450 is too steep you can always get a “got kids” car decal featuring a silhouette of Anthony for $.99.

Orlando newspapers are listed at a buy it now price of $35 and some people have placed $50 bids on court house documents.

A five-pack of “Which one had the dumbest jury?” bumper stickers that features Anthony’s and O.J. Simpson’s headshots is listed for $12.50.

Other people have listed artwork, T-shirts and other publications for sale. Her defense attorney, Jose Baez even has a cameo in the listings with a vote for Jose poster for $7.88.

As someone who followed the trial pretty closely I understand the fascination with the case. But I cannot approve of people trying to profit from such a tragedy. Whether she is truly innocent or guilty at the end of the day there is still a precious child who has died.

Go ahead read articles, follow news coverage listen to talking heads, but please do not commercialize on this case. It is a slap in the face to the memory of a tiny 3-year-old girl to try and profit from her untimely death.