My Love/Hate Relationship With BBC World Service

Via the miracle of Sirius Satellite Radio, I have been an on-again/off-again listener to the BBC World Service. I absolutely love a number of aspects about the BBC; the depth to which they cover stories, the focus on news from places we, U.S. Americans to quote a former Miss Teen S. Carolina, normally hear nothing of (such as Africa), the specialty football shows (soccer to you U.S. Americans), and the perspective of non-Americans on world issues.

I also like the perspective the Brits bring to social issues as it gives an insight into where the U.S. is headed unless we dramatically change our socialistic/liberal ways. Even though I like the perspective from a cultural study point of view, it still drives me crazy sometimes and I have to steer clear of the BBC for a few days. That's where the hate part of the relationship comes into play.

Allow me to give two recent examples to illustrate my point:

1) A few days ago one of the shows had a guest on who was a Brit vacationing in Mumbai a year ago when the coward terrorists attacked the hotel and killed a number of individuals. This guest survived the harrowing attack by escaping through a window via bed sheets tied together. Unfortunately, the sheets broke and the gentleman fell quite a ways onto pavement below where he broke a number of bones and is now paralyzed from the waist down. The guest was on the show because he is leading the cause (that is well supported by the Brit politicians) to have the government provide monetary compensation for his pain and suffering. Don't get me wrong, I feel for the gentleman and believe he deserves compensation, but the British government (more appropriately, taxpayer) owes the gentleman nothing. Rather, the terrorists and their supporters are the appropriate ones to pay (or, if the Brit or Indian government ceased terrorists assets and gave it to him that would be appropriate). But, this gentleman went on for ages to much sympathy from the host and callers describing why the Brit government owed him. News flash, the Brit government didn't MAKE you vacation there dude!

2) Today, the Chinese executed a Brit citizen that had been caught and convicted smuggling 9 lbs. of heroin into China and the Brits are up in arms about it for various reasons. My problem isn't that the Brits are up in arms about it, but rather the fact that I learned during the talk show that the Brits consider drug addicts as being "disabled" and compensate them as they do other, more legitimate in my opinion, physical and mental disabilities. I couldn't believe my ears. Paying for drug addicts who CHOSE to take that first hit/snort/etc. to live off of the taxpayers dime? Seriously? What incentive do they have to get off drugs?

Both of these situations, and socialism/liberalism in general, are disturbing to me on numerous fronts. The trend of society shirking the notion of personal responsibility in favor of reliance on government scares me to death. Few seem to understand that reliance on government means reliance on taxpayers. Worse yet, those that do realize it believe they are "owed" something by their fellow man and feel justified in taking their tax dollars. All of this is voluntary relinquishing freedom in favor of "stability" that really isn't stability at all but imprisonment and enslavement to those in power. Scary.

Oh, and to be fair, my comments on socialism/liberalism isn't meant solely at the Democrat party. Many Republicans are no better in that they too want us to voluntarily give up freedoms, just in a different way and at a slower pace.

The Beautiful Game

I grew up playing soccer in Casper, WY where it was a somewhat popular sport in the '80s. My first memory of fandom is the 1986 World Cup tournament when I spent the better part of three weeks camped out in front of ESPN watching the likes of Diego Maradona and Roberto Baggio ply their craft. With the move to Texas in 1988, my interest waned except for an occasional check-in on the US National team and the World Cup that rolled around every 4 years.

That passing interest was rekindled about two years ago when I was bored one day and found myself cruising through Youtube and somehow ended up on a highlight reel featuring Steven Gerrard, the brilliant Liverpool midfielder. I knew I was instantly hooked. In the last few years, I've become a close follower of the English Premier League, the Champions League, numerous national teams, and have a working knowledge of the Spanish Primera League and Serie A (the Italian League). I "get" why so many across the world (sans Americans) are infatuated with the "beautiful game." As a matter of fact, I join them in the infatuation.

I once heard someone, in describing the game, state that every trip down the pitch (field) is like a novela. While that might be hyperbole, there is an element of truth in it if you really pay attention to the game. It's a game of skill, imagination, strength, and incredible physical fitness. I'm not sure why Americans have not appreciated the game to any great degree, especially with so many kids growing up playing the game over the past two decades, but it probably has to do with the perceived lack of action brought about by the presence of few actual goals scored. I hope that changes over time.

So, how much of a soccer nerd am I? Well, I own a handful of jerseys that I've picked up off of eBay or while working in Ireland. I have a Fernando Torres jersey from the Spanish national team. I have Fernando Torres Liverpool jersey. I have a Peter Crouch Portsmouth jersey. And I have a long line of other jersey's I'm "watching" on eBay. While working in Ireland I seriously considered spending my free weekend riding the ferry across from Dublin to Liverpool in order to attend a match. I catch every match I can on espn360 and the ones I miss I catch the highlights on footytube.com after the fact. I'm on the soccer sites daily in the offseason to watch player movement amongst the teams (especially Liverpool as I have adopted them as "my team"). I'm a nerd. I admit it. But I have no plans of changing as I love the game.

For those that might have interest, google or Youtube any of the following to see the who's who of the soccer world:

- Fernando Torres (Liverpool striker and Spanish national)

- Steven Gerrard (Liverpool and English national)

- Carlos Tevez (Manchester City and Argentine national)

- Cristiano Ronaldo (boooo - Real Madrid and Portuguese national)

- Ronaldinho (flashy player that has seen better days, AC Milan and Brazilian national)

- Robinho (Manchester City and Brazilian national)

- Lionel Messi (Barcelona and Argentine national)

- Thierry Henry (Barcelona and French national)

- Kaka (Real Madrid and Brazilian national)

- Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Barcelona and Swedish national)

- Didier Drogba (Chelsea and Ivory Coast national)

- David Villa (Valencia and Spanish national)

- Wayne Rooney (Manchester United and English national)

If you want a few American names:

- Landon Donovan (plays for LA Galaxy, but will be playing in Europe next year no doubt)

- Oguchi Onyewu (plays for AC Milan in Italy)

- Michael Bradley (plays in Germany)

- Clint Dempsey (plays for Aston Villas in England)

- Jozy Altidore (plays for Hull City in England)

URGENT ACTION NEEDED!

Considering my political views, and specifically my voiced opposition to the Obamanation's health care to ruin America plan, I need all that read this post to report me to the White House. Read this link to find out why and how: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/08/05/pr-war-erupts-dems-gop-health-reform/

This is eerily reminiscent of the Hugo Chavez et. al. method of government in which you ask your supporters to report those in opposition in order to censor the opposition. Hugo shut down private media today. When do you suppose the Obamanation will do that? Perhaps the Obamanation read the book Chavez gave him a few months back at the U.N. meeting? Could they be sharing notes?

People, WAKE UP! The Obamanation is going to RUIN everything that is still right about this country! Voice your displeasure in spite of the possibility of being reported! If you don't, we're going to lose all freedom and you won't even have the ability to protest in a short while! Silence is assumed to be acceptance of his fascist ways!

Hosanna by the GREAT Andrew Peterson

I am tangled up in contradiction.

I am strangled by my own two hands.

I am hunted by the hounds of addiction.

Hosanna!

I have lied to everyone who trusts me.

I have tried to fall when I could stand.

I have only loved the ones who loves me.

Hosanna!

O Hosanna!

See the long awaited king come to set his people free.

We cry O Hosanna! Come and tear the temple down.

Raise it up on holy ground. Hosanna!

I have struggled to remove this raiment,

tried to hide every shimmering strand.

I contend with these ghosts and these hosts of bright angels.

Hosanna!

I have cursed the man that you have made me,

as I have nursed the beast that bays for my blood.

Oh, I have run from the one who would save me.

Save me, Hosanna!

O Hosanna!

See the long awaited king, come to set his people free.

We cry O Hosanna! Come and tear the temple down.

Raise it up on holy ground. Hosanna!

You have crushed beneath your heel the vile serpent.

You have carried to the grave the black stain.

You have torn apart the temple’s holy curtain.

You have beaten Death at Death’s own game.

Hosanna!

O Hosanna!

Hail the long awaited king, come to set his people free.

We cry O Hosanna! Won’t you tear this temple down,

raise it up on holy ground.

O Hosanna!

I will lift my voice and sing: you have come and washed me clean.

Hosanna.

Eva Kate Creel

Ms. Eva has arrived!

I was summonsed home from VBS on Thursday night as Rachael thought it might be time to head to the old horsepital. So, we finally meandered to L&D around 11PM. There was actually much doubt (after an hour of observation) whether we needed to stay or return home as the contractions were 5 minutes apart but not too intense (which, I know, is relative...especially for a man). About 1AM, the decision was made that we were to stay as they wanted to get Rachael started on an antibiotic IV as they thought the baby would probably be born sometime in the afternoon. So, for about a while Rachael and I wandered the halls but were told to be back in the room by 1:40AM for the next check up. By 1:30, the intensity of the contractions was much increased and Rachael told me she had the urge to push (something she didn't remember having with Nolan). So, I was told to go fetch the nurse around 2:15 and have her do the next exam. Needless to say, things had changed FAST and the preparations went into high gear and the good MD showed up in the room within minutes. So, we knew they meant business. Around 2:45 or so the dose of antibiotics had been delivered and the pushing began. At 2:53 Ms. Eva was born.

First, let me say that women that birth children are my heroes. I think I have a high pain tolerance, but I don't think for a minute I could give birth to a child. Rachael chose to give birth naturally and I have to say, she's an absolute trooper!

Second, there is absolutely nothing pretty about the birthing process. Nothing. Yeah, it's miraculous, and yes, it's a very cool experience, but it isn't pretty.

Third, we are in love with Eva! Even Nolan! :-)

Stats:

7 lbs. 14 ozs.

19.5" long