Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Merry Christmas,Everybody!!!!
I will likely not post again before Christmas. I want to wish everybody a very Blessed and Merry Christmas. Enjoy your time with friends and family,but most of all,remember the greatest Gift of all,God's Only Son Jesus Christ. Jesus gives true happiness and eternal life to all who receive Him. God bless you.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Why NASCAR Does Not Wish You Merry Christmas
There are many reasons to boycott NASCAR. One of them is NASCAR's refusal to recognize Christmas in their advertising. NASCAR only says "holiday" in their promotions. According to the American Family Association (AFA),a Christian and pro-family organization,NASCAR is a "company against Christmas". I absolutely and completely agree. These hypocrites want to make money off Christmas but refuse to recognize its existence. NASCAR does not want to offend a small minority but they do not mind offending the overwhelming majority of NASCAR fans who celebrate Christmas. NASCAR has obviously been brainwashed by the cult of political correctness as sadly many areas of society have been in recent years.
Between the "Drive For Diversity" nonsense,and the adoption of Obamaesque "biofuels" by NASCAR,it is obvious that political correctness has overtaken NASCAR. This goes along with NASCAR's abandonment and betrayal of working class Southern fans who put NASCAR on the map. Now, NASCAR parrots race baiters and race hustlers who lie about the Confederate flag,culminating in idiotic statements by Brian France in a TV interview. NASCAR's refusal to recognize Christmas is yet another another clear sign of how political correctness has overrun NASCAR.
Boycott NASCAR! Hit 'em where it hurts. We will have no more of their garbage.
Between the "Drive For Diversity" nonsense,and the adoption of Obamaesque "biofuels" by NASCAR,it is obvious that political correctness has overtaken NASCAR. This goes along with NASCAR's abandonment and betrayal of working class Southern fans who put NASCAR on the map. Now, NASCAR parrots race baiters and race hustlers who lie about the Confederate flag,culminating in idiotic statements by Brian France in a TV interview. NASCAR's refusal to recognize Christmas is yet another another clear sign of how political correctness has overrun NASCAR.
Boycott NASCAR! Hit 'em where it hurts. We will have no more of their garbage.
Friday, December 3, 2010
The Real State Of NASCAR
In recent blog posts, I have been very outspoken in my criticism of NASCAR's practices of recent years and finally had my fill when NASCAR successfully engineered Jimmie Johnson's fifth consecutive championship.
In addition to NASCAR's blatant favoritism of driver Jimmie Johnson and his crew chief,Chad Knaus,there are other factors that I and many other fans are increasingly disgusted with. The Chase is another factor that has given us the train wreck that is NASCAR. NASCAR CEO Brian France wants to expand the Chase to 15 drivers with some sort of "eliminate as you go" scenario,sort of like the playoffs in stick and ball sports. This is the most absurd idea that Mr.France has come up with and that speaks volumes considering the lunacy of his other ideas,including the Chase itself. Mr.France is expected to unveil his folly next month. Apparently,he does not get the message that fans are fed up with the Chase and want it abolished. Either that or Mr.France is in denial. Under the old points system,the same driver would not have won the Cup championship the past five seasons. Eliminating the so called Car Of Tomorrow,or COT,would be another way of bringing back exciting and more competitive racing.
NASCAR claims to be a fan-driven sport and says they are fan-friendly but if they truly listened to the fans,the sport would not be in serious trouble as it is now with declining attendance at races and falling TV ratings. These factors came into play long before the economy tanked. If NASCAR was actually receptive to the fans,they would not show mockery of and contempt toward the fans and not force things on us that we do not want and are obviously not good for the sport. But NASCAR has been overcome by arrogance and condescension toward the fans,undoubtedly contributing to its eventual demise.
Other things that might win back lost fans include returning the Nationwide series to its original purpose,which is preparing up and coming talent for the Cup series. NASCAR should restrict participation by Cup drivers in the Nationwide series. NASCAR should restrict how many Cup drivers can race in a Nationwide race and how many Nationwide races per season a Cup driver can race in. Cup drivers should not be eligible for driver or championship points,only team owner points.
While women and minorities should obviously be allowed to race in NASCAR, affirmative action programs such as the Drive For Diversity are not the way of doing it. Just like their white male counterparts,female and minority drivers should have to earn their positions in races,not have it given to them. NASCAR is exercising the same sort of reverse discrimination that has discriminated against white males in society for many years. Like the Apostle Peter denying the Lord Jesus Christ, Brian France wants NASCAR denying its Southern roots and betraying the working class Southern fans who made the sport popular. Like Judas Iscariot,Brian France has shown himself as a sellout. Not allowing drivers to speak their minds,after drivers Ryan Newman and Denny Hamlin were essentially censored by NASCAR earlier this year after merely stating their opinions,has been to NASCAR's detriment. Drivers are no longer allowed to speak from their hearts by NASCAR. Gone are the fist fights of days gone by,such as the Allison brothers/Yarborough brawl at the 1979 Daytona 500. As is evidenced by the decline in race attendance and plummeting TV ratings,political correctness is killing NASCAR.
This brings us to the question,should fans boycott NASCAR? Well,I would say a boycott would send a message but at this point,NASCAR is destroying itself,as is evidenced by declining race attendance and falling TV ratings. A boycott would certainly add to NASCAR's woes. If millions of fans organized a boycott, NASCAR would probably cave,though not necessarily out of devotion to the fans,but as a means of saving themselves from bankruptcy and obliteration. I support whatever works to get NASCAR back to being the exciting,competitive,and all-American sport it originally was. There is still hope for NASCAR, but unfortunately time is running out.
In addition to NASCAR's blatant favoritism of driver Jimmie Johnson and his crew chief,Chad Knaus,there are other factors that I and many other fans are increasingly disgusted with. The Chase is another factor that has given us the train wreck that is NASCAR. NASCAR CEO Brian France wants to expand the Chase to 15 drivers with some sort of "eliminate as you go" scenario,sort of like the playoffs in stick and ball sports. This is the most absurd idea that Mr.France has come up with and that speaks volumes considering the lunacy of his other ideas,including the Chase itself. Mr.France is expected to unveil his folly next month. Apparently,he does not get the message that fans are fed up with the Chase and want it abolished. Either that or Mr.France is in denial. Under the old points system,the same driver would not have won the Cup championship the past five seasons. Eliminating the so called Car Of Tomorrow,or COT,would be another way of bringing back exciting and more competitive racing.
NASCAR claims to be a fan-driven sport and says they are fan-friendly but if they truly listened to the fans,the sport would not be in serious trouble as it is now with declining attendance at races and falling TV ratings. These factors came into play long before the economy tanked. If NASCAR was actually receptive to the fans,they would not show mockery of and contempt toward the fans and not force things on us that we do not want and are obviously not good for the sport. But NASCAR has been overcome by arrogance and condescension toward the fans,undoubtedly contributing to its eventual demise.
Other things that might win back lost fans include returning the Nationwide series to its original purpose,which is preparing up and coming talent for the Cup series. NASCAR should restrict participation by Cup drivers in the Nationwide series. NASCAR should restrict how many Cup drivers can race in a Nationwide race and how many Nationwide races per season a Cup driver can race in. Cup drivers should not be eligible for driver or championship points,only team owner points.
While women and minorities should obviously be allowed to race in NASCAR, affirmative action programs such as the Drive For Diversity are not the way of doing it. Just like their white male counterparts,female and minority drivers should have to earn their positions in races,not have it given to them. NASCAR is exercising the same sort of reverse discrimination that has discriminated against white males in society for many years. Like the Apostle Peter denying the Lord Jesus Christ, Brian France wants NASCAR denying its Southern roots and betraying the working class Southern fans who made the sport popular. Like Judas Iscariot,Brian France has shown himself as a sellout. Not allowing drivers to speak their minds,after drivers Ryan Newman and Denny Hamlin were essentially censored by NASCAR earlier this year after merely stating their opinions,has been to NASCAR's detriment. Drivers are no longer allowed to speak from their hearts by NASCAR. Gone are the fist fights of days gone by,such as the Allison brothers/Yarborough brawl at the 1979 Daytona 500. As is evidenced by the decline in race attendance and plummeting TV ratings,political correctness is killing NASCAR.
This brings us to the question,should fans boycott NASCAR? Well,I would say a boycott would send a message but at this point,NASCAR is destroying itself,as is evidenced by declining race attendance and falling TV ratings. A boycott would certainly add to NASCAR's woes. If millions of fans organized a boycott, NASCAR would probably cave,though not necessarily out of devotion to the fans,but as a means of saving themselves from bankruptcy and obliteration. I support whatever works to get NASCAR back to being the exciting,competitive,and all-American sport it originally was. There is still hope for NASCAR, but unfortunately time is running out.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Is NASCAR Betraying Mostly Conservative Fan Base?
I found an interesting article written about a month ago by JR Dieckmann. While I do not agree with everything Mr.Dieckmann writes in the article, he makes some excellent points.
NASCAR Turning Hard Left, And Not Just On The Track
By JR Dieckmann
First with Nascar’s "Drive for Diversity" program, created in 2004, and now with the introduction of EC-15 biofuel in Nascar racing, the organization seems to be moving toward the liberal agenda. I have been unable to find any evidence of the Soros-Obama administration putting pressure on Nascar but I am not convinced that it isn't happening. For one thing, government owned GM and Chrysler are major financial contributors to Nascar. In the Soros-Obama administration, the money comes with a price. Another thing that connects Nascar with Obama is a recent "anti-texting while driving campaign". Who could object to that?
If Nascar is not being threatened or pressured by the Soros-Obama administration, then the problem would seem to be with the current Nascar CEO, Brian France, son of Bill France Jr. and grandson of William France Sr., founder of Nascar in 1948. Brian France became Nascar CEO in 2003. Brian is a marketing genius who has taken the sport from the southeast to international status. But does he really understand the Nascar heritage and what Nascar fans want?
Apparently, Brian must be a liberal or a fool for green energy. He appears to have little or no understanding of the origins of Nascar and the founding principles of the racing organization. He appears to be trying to comply with the Obama agenda, which goes against everything Nascar has always stood for. On the other hand, maybe he’s just looking for a share of stimulus money, which is unlikely since he is worth billions between Nascar and his other business interests. France also owns Brandsense Partners, a Los Angeles based company whose clients include Halle Berry, Sheryl Crow, Jenny McCarthy, the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company.
The “Drive for Diversity” website states: “Drive for Diversity is the industry’s leading development program for minority and female drivers and crew members.” Why should minorities and women be given special opportunities in Nascar? Why is this competition not open to white men? If it was any other group being excluded, there would be all kinds of charges of discrimination. I can’t wait to see a woman tire changer or “jack-man” on someone’s crew. With all of the minority groups created by the left, the one minority group always ignored is the white male minority.
Stock car racing is a man's sport, not a fashion show. Women have no place on a Nascar track, yet today's Camping World Truck Series race has three women drivers, getting in the way of the male drivers. Danica Patrick has been a real failure in the Nascar Nationwide Series in spite of Nascar and the media making such a big deal about her attempt at stock car racing. In spite of all the hype, the fact is that when she gets out of the racecar without all the studio makeup, she really doesn't look so hot - more like a little girl.
Now we have the 29-year-old twin bleached blonde nieces of Derrike Cope making their debut in the truck series. I don't care if their last name is Cope; they belong on a fashion runway, not on the Nascar speedway. What are the chances that Mark Martin and Tony Stewart could be seen strutting down the fashion runway?
We remember when Cale Yarborough and Bobby Allison fought door to door on the track, and then got into a fistfight in the infield after they wrecked. It was one of the great moments in TV and racing. We remember when Nascar racers were real men, aggressively competing bumper to bumper for the win. There are places for women in this world but a Nascar track isn't one of them unless they are dressed like a cheerleader and carrying a trophy. Nascar is a man's sport, driven by men who can aggressively manhandle a car, or at least it was.
The earlier days of Nascar were the best after the sport grew out of hopped up Fords, Dodges, and Packards used for moonshine runs. Until the 1980s, most of the drivers owned and prepared their own cars for racing. The sport was dominated by middle age white men because they were the ones who wanted to race and had the money, experience, and ability to build their cars. Nascar had track rules and inspection requirements for safety, but that was about it. The starter would drop the green flag and let them have at it. The driver who could get to the finish line first won the purse.
Today, racecars are owned by corporations and driven by hired drivers. This has brought kids, some not even yet out of their teens, into Nascar racing, rather than seasoned drivers. Usually, they actually do quite well on the track but they just don't look like real Nascar drivers anymore.
Then one day, along came Jesse Jackson with his shakedown of Nascar, claiming the usual discrimination against blacks. After 3 years of donating to the Jackson racket, Nascar management showed him the door in 2003 and told him where he could stick his race-baiting tactics to find funding for his Rainbow Push organization. Nascar was one, if not the only organization to stand up to Jackson after demands by Nascar fans to stop giving into the race baiter.
Blacks have been involved in Nascar racing on the track and in the pits but they have never done well and don't last too long. In 1986, Jackson played a role in getting the Dr. Pepper team into Nascar with driver Willy T. Ribbs, but Ribbs only started in three races.
This is not basketball or track & field. If you don't put on a good show for the fans, you can't get sponsorship for your car. Without sponsorship, you can't afford to race unless you are independently very wealthy. This is a very expensive sport to participate in.
Starting with Juan Pablo Montoya of Colombia, Nascar recently began encouraging foreign drivers to join the organization. Now, in partnership with BET (Black Entertainment Television), they are actively searching for minority drivers in the "Drive for Diversity" program. Why? Wouldn't it be better to have drivers on the track who use their own initiative to gravitate toward stock car racing? Political correctness seems to have infiltrated the Nascar organization under the leadership of Brian France.
Nascar has now grown into a regulating bureaucracy that can be compared only to Obamacare. Nascar dictates every detail of how the cars are built which makes them all virtually the same. Team innovations to make their cars faster are not allowed. Every inch of the cars has to comply with the rulebook, and this includes even parts that have nothing to do with safety.
Excessive Nascar rules and regulations have stifled race team creativity, independence, and freedom. Nascar’s view is that it makes closer racing more fare and entertaining for the fans. What about the teams and the drivers?
The Nascar rules on the track became so overbearing - penalizing and fining drivers for being too aggressive; telling drivers when they can pass; when they can and cannot bump-draft; taking all driver decisions away from the drivers, etc. - that drivers revolted at Talladega a couple of years ago and didn't even attempt to pass for fear of violating some Nascar rule. Cars just circled the track in single file for nearly the entire race. It was the most boring race in history and everyone knew it. Where do drivers draw the line between being aggressive enough and being too aggressive?
After that demonstration, Nascar dropped the excessive track rules and told the drivers that they would no longer be responsible to Nascar for aggressive driving, but rather to their owners and sponsors from now on. The drivers got some of their freedom back and competition on the track resumed. Of course, track penalties were still in force for violations such as speeding on pit road and passing below the yellow line, but drivers would no longer be virtually arrested for aggressive driving unless they intentionally wrecked another car.
Since Obama took over the White House and with Brian France running Nascar, the organization has become more interested in liberal environmentalism, diversity, and political correctness. The latest unnecessary change to EC-15 biofuel appears to be nothing more than a politically correct acceptance of liberal environmentalism. The water in biofuel is going to cause problems for the teams’ engines and fuel handling equipment. Is Brian France a believer in global warming?
I have been a Nascar fan all of my life and find the direction in which Brian France is taking the sport very disturbing. As a marketing executive, Brian France is taking Nascar global, but is that really in the best interests of Nascar fans? I'm sure many other Nascar fans are bothered by this as well. We want Nascar drivers to look like Nascar drivers, not Formula 1 drivers.
Nascar has always been enjoyable for fans as a good-ole-southern-boy sport. That is the heritage of Nascar and I hope we don’t lose it in the same way we have been losing the heritage of America to radical left liberalism. Nascar is not Formula 1 and should never look like it. If France wants to lose the support of millions of fans, this is a sure way to do it. Nascar is an all-American sport and should remain that way or it may die a slow death just as all other liberal programs eventually do.
NASCAR Turning Hard Left, And Not Just On The Track
By JR Dieckmann
First with Nascar’s "Drive for Diversity" program, created in 2004, and now with the introduction of EC-15 biofuel in Nascar racing, the organization seems to be moving toward the liberal agenda. I have been unable to find any evidence of the Soros-Obama administration putting pressure on Nascar but I am not convinced that it isn't happening. For one thing, government owned GM and Chrysler are major financial contributors to Nascar. In the Soros-Obama administration, the money comes with a price. Another thing that connects Nascar with Obama is a recent "anti-texting while driving campaign". Who could object to that?
If Nascar is not being threatened or pressured by the Soros-Obama administration, then the problem would seem to be with the current Nascar CEO, Brian France, son of Bill France Jr. and grandson of William France Sr., founder of Nascar in 1948. Brian France became Nascar CEO in 2003. Brian is a marketing genius who has taken the sport from the southeast to international status. But does he really understand the Nascar heritage and what Nascar fans want?
Apparently, Brian must be a liberal or a fool for green energy. He appears to have little or no understanding of the origins of Nascar and the founding principles of the racing organization. He appears to be trying to comply with the Obama agenda, which goes against everything Nascar has always stood for. On the other hand, maybe he’s just looking for a share of stimulus money, which is unlikely since he is worth billions between Nascar and his other business interests. France also owns Brandsense Partners, a Los Angeles based company whose clients include Halle Berry, Sheryl Crow, Jenny McCarthy, the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company.
The “Drive for Diversity” website states: “Drive for Diversity is the industry’s leading development program for minority and female drivers and crew members.” Why should minorities and women be given special opportunities in Nascar? Why is this competition not open to white men? If it was any other group being excluded, there would be all kinds of charges of discrimination. I can’t wait to see a woman tire changer or “jack-man” on someone’s crew. With all of the minority groups created by the left, the one minority group always ignored is the white male minority.
Stock car racing is a man's sport, not a fashion show. Women have no place on a Nascar track, yet today's Camping World Truck Series race has three women drivers, getting in the way of the male drivers. Danica Patrick has been a real failure in the Nascar Nationwide Series in spite of Nascar and the media making such a big deal about her attempt at stock car racing. In spite of all the hype, the fact is that when she gets out of the racecar without all the studio makeup, she really doesn't look so hot - more like a little girl.
Now we have the 29-year-old twin bleached blonde nieces of Derrike Cope making their debut in the truck series. I don't care if their last name is Cope; they belong on a fashion runway, not on the Nascar speedway. What are the chances that Mark Martin and Tony Stewart could be seen strutting down the fashion runway?
We remember when Cale Yarborough and Bobby Allison fought door to door on the track, and then got into a fistfight in the infield after they wrecked. It was one of the great moments in TV and racing. We remember when Nascar racers were real men, aggressively competing bumper to bumper for the win. There are places for women in this world but a Nascar track isn't one of them unless they are dressed like a cheerleader and carrying a trophy. Nascar is a man's sport, driven by men who can aggressively manhandle a car, or at least it was.
The earlier days of Nascar were the best after the sport grew out of hopped up Fords, Dodges, and Packards used for moonshine runs. Until the 1980s, most of the drivers owned and prepared their own cars for racing. The sport was dominated by middle age white men because they were the ones who wanted to race and had the money, experience, and ability to build their cars. Nascar had track rules and inspection requirements for safety, but that was about it. The starter would drop the green flag and let them have at it. The driver who could get to the finish line first won the purse.
Today, racecars are owned by corporations and driven by hired drivers. This has brought kids, some not even yet out of their teens, into Nascar racing, rather than seasoned drivers. Usually, they actually do quite well on the track but they just don't look like real Nascar drivers anymore.
Then one day, along came Jesse Jackson with his shakedown of Nascar, claiming the usual discrimination against blacks. After 3 years of donating to the Jackson racket, Nascar management showed him the door in 2003 and told him where he could stick his race-baiting tactics to find funding for his Rainbow Push organization. Nascar was one, if not the only organization to stand up to Jackson after demands by Nascar fans to stop giving into the race baiter.
Blacks have been involved in Nascar racing on the track and in the pits but they have never done well and don't last too long. In 1986, Jackson played a role in getting the Dr. Pepper team into Nascar with driver Willy T. Ribbs, but Ribbs only started in three races.
This is not basketball or track & field. If you don't put on a good show for the fans, you can't get sponsorship for your car. Without sponsorship, you can't afford to race unless you are independently very wealthy. This is a very expensive sport to participate in.
Starting with Juan Pablo Montoya of Colombia, Nascar recently began encouraging foreign drivers to join the organization. Now, in partnership with BET (Black Entertainment Television), they are actively searching for minority drivers in the "Drive for Diversity" program. Why? Wouldn't it be better to have drivers on the track who use their own initiative to gravitate toward stock car racing? Political correctness seems to have infiltrated the Nascar organization under the leadership of Brian France.
Nascar has now grown into a regulating bureaucracy that can be compared only to Obamacare. Nascar dictates every detail of how the cars are built which makes them all virtually the same. Team innovations to make their cars faster are not allowed. Every inch of the cars has to comply with the rulebook, and this includes even parts that have nothing to do with safety.
Excessive Nascar rules and regulations have stifled race team creativity, independence, and freedom. Nascar’s view is that it makes closer racing more fare and entertaining for the fans. What about the teams and the drivers?
The Nascar rules on the track became so overbearing - penalizing and fining drivers for being too aggressive; telling drivers when they can pass; when they can and cannot bump-draft; taking all driver decisions away from the drivers, etc. - that drivers revolted at Talladega a couple of years ago and didn't even attempt to pass for fear of violating some Nascar rule. Cars just circled the track in single file for nearly the entire race. It was the most boring race in history and everyone knew it. Where do drivers draw the line between being aggressive enough and being too aggressive?
After that demonstration, Nascar dropped the excessive track rules and told the drivers that they would no longer be responsible to Nascar for aggressive driving, but rather to their owners and sponsors from now on. The drivers got some of their freedom back and competition on the track resumed. Of course, track penalties were still in force for violations such as speeding on pit road and passing below the yellow line, but drivers would no longer be virtually arrested for aggressive driving unless they intentionally wrecked another car.
Since Obama took over the White House and with Brian France running Nascar, the organization has become more interested in liberal environmentalism, diversity, and political correctness. The latest unnecessary change to EC-15 biofuel appears to be nothing more than a politically correct acceptance of liberal environmentalism. The water in biofuel is going to cause problems for the teams’ engines and fuel handling equipment. Is Brian France a believer in global warming?
I have been a Nascar fan all of my life and find the direction in which Brian France is taking the sport very disturbing. As a marketing executive, Brian France is taking Nascar global, but is that really in the best interests of Nascar fans? I'm sure many other Nascar fans are bothered by this as well. We want Nascar drivers to look like Nascar drivers, not Formula 1 drivers.
Nascar has always been enjoyable for fans as a good-ole-southern-boy sport. That is the heritage of Nascar and I hope we don’t lose it in the same way we have been losing the heritage of America to radical left liberalism. Nascar is not Formula 1 and should never look like it. If France wants to lose the support of millions of fans, this is a sure way to do it. Nascar is an all-American sport and should remain that way or it may die a slow death just as all other liberal programs eventually do.
An Open Letter To Brian France
Dear Mr.France,
I am disturbed and disheartened by the direction NASCAR has taken in recent years.
To begin with,I have never liked the Chase. I knew it was a stupid idea from the beginning. I am even more convinced of that now than I was in 2004 when you,Mr.France,introduced it. It is not a fair system. In fact,five of its first seven years,the Chase has been won by the same driver and team. The Car of Tomorrow has also reduced competition and fighting for wins in NASCAR races. The COT has taken the excitement out of NASCAR and reinforces the arguments of those who consider watching cars circle a track a waste of time. If the Chase is an attempt to get TV viewers away from the NFL,it has failed in a big way. The NFL maintains its viewership while NASCAR ratings have declined. The idea of a playoff system in racing is ridiculous. No amount of "tweaking" will convince anybody the Chase is a good thing. Neither will it win over NFL fans. The Chase should be scrapped completely.
Also,there are many suspicious "debris cautions" that seem to favor the number 48 team. The crew chief of the number 48 team has repeatedly gotten away with cheating,while teams that have committed lesser infractions have been harshly penalized. NASCAR preaches consistency yet does not really practice it. NASCAR's top priorities nowadays are pleasing sponsors and team owners but not necessarily the fans. This shows in declining race attendance and falling TV ratings that will only fall farther unless NASCAR does something to win back the fans they have lost.
NASCAR today lacks the excitement of days gone by,when drivers could really "have at it",including bare knuckle confrontations on Pit Road (the 1979 Daytona 500 and the Allison brothers/Yarborough fight for example). Drivers said and did things from their hearts. Today,it is mostly scripted,politically correct pretty boys not allowed to speak their minds. Like a dictatorship, NASCAR punishes those who speak out,especially earlier this year when drivers Ryan Newman and Denny Hamlin received monetary fines for merely stating their opinions.
Why is the Nationwide series championship repeatedly won by Cup drivers? The purpose of the Nationwide series is developing up and coming talent for the Cup series. While I am not against having some Cup drivers in Nationwide races,it is still not right that nearly half the field in most Nationwide races are Cup drivers. That makes it much more difficult on new talent finding its way into NASCAR. NASCAR should limit how often Cup drivers race in the Nationwide series and how many per Nationwide race. Also, Cup drivers in Nationwide should not receive driver points,only team owner points.
All these factors,Mr.France,have made me essentially give up on NASCAR. NASCAR might have "crossed the rubicon" now and might never again be the great sport it was,the sport your father and grandfather worked so hard building and you are destroying. I will still watch as an outsider looking in and be a more casual observer,much like I was before becoming a die hard fan in 2003. I did not leave NASCAR,it left me.
I hope I am wrong. I hope NASCAR will again be the no holds barred gutsy sport it once was but unfortunately, I am not holding my breath.
Sincerely,
A Disgusted NASCAR Fan
I am disturbed and disheartened by the direction NASCAR has taken in recent years.
To begin with,I have never liked the Chase. I knew it was a stupid idea from the beginning. I am even more convinced of that now than I was in 2004 when you,Mr.France,introduced it. It is not a fair system. In fact,five of its first seven years,the Chase has been won by the same driver and team. The Car of Tomorrow has also reduced competition and fighting for wins in NASCAR races. The COT has taken the excitement out of NASCAR and reinforces the arguments of those who consider watching cars circle a track a waste of time. If the Chase is an attempt to get TV viewers away from the NFL,it has failed in a big way. The NFL maintains its viewership while NASCAR ratings have declined. The idea of a playoff system in racing is ridiculous. No amount of "tweaking" will convince anybody the Chase is a good thing. Neither will it win over NFL fans. The Chase should be scrapped completely.
Also,there are many suspicious "debris cautions" that seem to favor the number 48 team. The crew chief of the number 48 team has repeatedly gotten away with cheating,while teams that have committed lesser infractions have been harshly penalized. NASCAR preaches consistency yet does not really practice it. NASCAR's top priorities nowadays are pleasing sponsors and team owners but not necessarily the fans. This shows in declining race attendance and falling TV ratings that will only fall farther unless NASCAR does something to win back the fans they have lost.
NASCAR today lacks the excitement of days gone by,when drivers could really "have at it",including bare knuckle confrontations on Pit Road (the 1979 Daytona 500 and the Allison brothers/Yarborough fight for example). Drivers said and did things from their hearts. Today,it is mostly scripted,politically correct pretty boys not allowed to speak their minds. Like a dictatorship, NASCAR punishes those who speak out,especially earlier this year when drivers Ryan Newman and Denny Hamlin received monetary fines for merely stating their opinions.
Why is the Nationwide series championship repeatedly won by Cup drivers? The purpose of the Nationwide series is developing up and coming talent for the Cup series. While I am not against having some Cup drivers in Nationwide races,it is still not right that nearly half the field in most Nationwide races are Cup drivers. That makes it much more difficult on new talent finding its way into NASCAR. NASCAR should limit how often Cup drivers race in the Nationwide series and how many per Nationwide race. Also, Cup drivers in Nationwide should not receive driver points,only team owner points.
All these factors,Mr.France,have made me essentially give up on NASCAR. NASCAR might have "crossed the rubicon" now and might never again be the great sport it was,the sport your father and grandfather worked so hard building and you are destroying. I will still watch as an outsider looking in and be a more casual observer,much like I was before becoming a die hard fan in 2003. I did not leave NASCAR,it left me.
I hope I am wrong. I hope NASCAR will again be the no holds barred gutsy sport it once was but unfortunately, I am not holding my breath.
Sincerely,
A Disgusted NASCAR Fan
Friday, October 15, 2010
More Reasons To Ditch NASCAR
I am amazed at how at how good NASCAR drivers are at pretending to be ignorant when it comes to NASCAR's declining race attendance and falling TV viewership, along with Jimmie Johnson living in denial as to why his predictable dominance is without a doubt a factor in declining TV ratings and falling race attendance.
NASCAR drivers know just like everybody else exactly why NASCAR's TV ratings have fallen and race attendance has declined. The races lack excitement anymore. The same driver wins the championship every year. NASCAR plays favorites with the #48 team by throwing alleged "debris" cautions and not penalizing crew chief Chad Knaus for his blatant cheating,as they did with driver Clint Bowyer and his Richard Childress Racing team. It should be noted that earlier this year,drivers Ryan Newman and Denny Hamlin were fined for just speaking their minds about NASCAR's questionable practices and blatant favoritism toward the #48 team so it could be the drivers are feigning ignorance to please Brian France,Mike Helton,Ramsey Poston,John Darby,and others. Since the Newman and Hamlin incidents, NASCAR has essentially placed a gag order on their drivers.
Jimmie Johnson's dominance of the NASCAR Cup series since 2006 is one reason,but not the only reason,why fans are losing interest in NASCAR and why TV ratings have fallen and race attendance has declined. Fans figure why bother spending their hard-earned money when they already know the outcome of the races and the championship? Few races NASCAR runs today even come close to the bumper-to-bumper,side-by-side,fight to the finish races of days gone by. Even tracks that traditionally have had exciting races,such as Bristol,are not as exciting now and do not sell out anymore. The Chase is a big turn-off and should be scrapped. The NFL will always dominate the ratings on Sunday afternoons in the fall and NASCAR cannot and will not change it. The fact that TV ratings have fallen and race attendance has declined since the inception of the Chase in 2004 should tell NASCAR something but like Jimmie Johnson,NASCAR refuses to look at the facts.
Another factor is NASCAR's refusal to listen the fans. They pretend to listen but they do not listen. If they did listen,the seats at race tracks would not be increasingly empty as they have been in recent years. The races would not be predictable and boring as most of them are now. TV ratings would not be declining every week. The problem is not with the fans. The problem is with NASCAR and those who run it. The excitement has also gone out of the Nationwide series,especially since its domination by Cup drivers.
Abandonment of heritage: It was hard working blue collar Southerners who put NASCAR on the map and spurred its phenomenal rise. Now NASCAR has abandoned and betrayed their Southern following and fans south of the Mason/Dixon line are letting their displeasure be known. The damage was only worsened with the dropping of a race at historic Atlanta Motor Speedway. When Brian France made disparaging remarks about the Confederate flag and started trying to lecture fans about diversity and multiculturalism,it sealed the sport's fate for the worse. Brian's Southern grandfather, William France Sr, was probably expressing outrage from beyond the grave at his grandson's treasonous statements.
In the old days,NASCAR races were often followed by knock down,drag out brawls in the pits. Nowadays,such activity would result in fines and suspensions but back in the day,it was the rule instead of the exception. Earlier this year,NASCAR decided to let drivers police themselves on the track and it has brought back some excitement to NASCAR races but not enough to reverse the decline of recent years.
Unless NASCAR,those who run it,and some of the drivers,get their heads out of the sand and put the emphasis on real racing again,NASCAR's future is no future at all.
NASCAR drivers know just like everybody else exactly why NASCAR's TV ratings have fallen and race attendance has declined. The races lack excitement anymore. The same driver wins the championship every year. NASCAR plays favorites with the #48 team by throwing alleged "debris" cautions and not penalizing crew chief Chad Knaus for his blatant cheating,as they did with driver Clint Bowyer and his Richard Childress Racing team. It should be noted that earlier this year,drivers Ryan Newman and Denny Hamlin were fined for just speaking their minds about NASCAR's questionable practices and blatant favoritism toward the #48 team so it could be the drivers are feigning ignorance to please Brian France,Mike Helton,Ramsey Poston,John Darby,and others. Since the Newman and Hamlin incidents, NASCAR has essentially placed a gag order on their drivers.
Jimmie Johnson's dominance of the NASCAR Cup series since 2006 is one reason,but not the only reason,why fans are losing interest in NASCAR and why TV ratings have fallen and race attendance has declined. Fans figure why bother spending their hard-earned money when they already know the outcome of the races and the championship? Few races NASCAR runs today even come close to the bumper-to-bumper,side-by-side,fight to the finish races of days gone by. Even tracks that traditionally have had exciting races,such as Bristol,are not as exciting now and do not sell out anymore. The Chase is a big turn-off and should be scrapped. The NFL will always dominate the ratings on Sunday afternoons in the fall and NASCAR cannot and will not change it. The fact that TV ratings have fallen and race attendance has declined since the inception of the Chase in 2004 should tell NASCAR something but like Jimmie Johnson,NASCAR refuses to look at the facts.
Another factor is NASCAR's refusal to listen the fans. They pretend to listen but they do not listen. If they did listen,the seats at race tracks would not be increasingly empty as they have been in recent years. The races would not be predictable and boring as most of them are now. TV ratings would not be declining every week. The problem is not with the fans. The problem is with NASCAR and those who run it. The excitement has also gone out of the Nationwide series,especially since its domination by Cup drivers.
Abandonment of heritage: It was hard working blue collar Southerners who put NASCAR on the map and spurred its phenomenal rise. Now NASCAR has abandoned and betrayed their Southern following and fans south of the Mason/Dixon line are letting their displeasure be known. The damage was only worsened with the dropping of a race at historic Atlanta Motor Speedway. When Brian France made disparaging remarks about the Confederate flag and started trying to lecture fans about diversity and multiculturalism,it sealed the sport's fate for the worse. Brian's Southern grandfather, William France Sr, was probably expressing outrage from beyond the grave at his grandson's treasonous statements.
In the old days,NASCAR races were often followed by knock down,drag out brawls in the pits. Nowadays,such activity would result in fines and suspensions but back in the day,it was the rule instead of the exception. Earlier this year,NASCAR decided to let drivers police themselves on the track and it has brought back some excitement to NASCAR races but not enough to reverse the decline of recent years.
Unless NASCAR,those who run it,and some of the drivers,get their heads out of the sand and put the emphasis on real racing again,NASCAR's future is no future at all.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Happy 50th Anniversary,Mayberry
On October 3, 1960, "The Andy Griffith Show" debuted on CBS,with Andy Griffith as widowed Sheriff Andy Taylor, Don Knotts as Deputy Barney Fife, Frances Bavier as Aunt Bea,and 6-year-old Ron Howard as Andy's son Opie. During the first season, Andy's love interest was Ellie Walker (played by "Father Knows Best" actress Elinor Donahue), who worked at the local drug store. Andy's Aunt Bea moved in with Andy and Opie after Andy's wife died to help keep house and help take care of Opie. "The Andy Griffith Show" spun off from another long-running sitcom, "Make Room For Daddy",starring Danny Thomas. In an episode of "Make Room For Daddy", Danny Williams (Danny Thomas) passes through Mayberry and clashes with Sheriff Andy Taylor,who jails Danny. This episode introduces some of the townspeople as well,including Aunt Bea.
The show revolves around happenings in the fictional town of Mayberry, North Carolina, and in the lives of its residents,mostly the Taylors and those close to them. The stories are tales of small-town and rural life. The show promotes spiritual and moral values such as church attendance and doing the right thing,along with human values such as neighbors helping neighbors and helping anybody in distress. As a native North Carolinian, I am proud that this show represents my home state well. These are values we Tar Heels share.
The show has its share of hilarious episodes, my favorite episodes include Aunt Bea's pickles that she wanted to enter in the county fair but Andy and Barney did not have the heart to tell Aunt Bea how badly her pickles tasted. Andy and Barney replaced Aunt Bea's pickles with store-bought pickles. It is hilarious when Barney tries smuggling Aunt Bea's pickles out of the house in a suitcase,only for the clinking sound of the jars inside that almost give away what Barney is doing. Another favorite is when Andy runs out of room at the jail,so town drunk Otis Campbell must stay overnight at Andy's house. Aunt Bea treats Otis' stay as a jail sentence and makes him work hard around the house and forces him to give up liquor. The show's Christmas episode is excellent when Mayberry's own version of Scrooge makes it clear that he wants no part of Andy's Christmas celebration but in reality, he is lonely and wants to take part in the festivities so he gets himself arrested and brings Christmas presents for everybody. The "fun girls" episodes are funny also,especially when Helen and Thelma Lou get the wrong idea when they see Andy and Barney with other women. The Darling family episodes are great also,especially Charlene and her crush on Andy. The Darling brothers were played by the Dillards, who in real life perform bluegrass music professionally.
Another hilarious episode is when Barney and Floyd the barber are held hostage by escaped women convicts. One of the escaped convicts dances with Barney right out the door to Andy,who immediately arrests her. I also like the episode when Andy and Helen are trapped in a cave after a rock slide but discover a way out,only to return and spare Barney embarrassment after he organizes a rescue party.
It makes me want to cry when I see Opie crying when he carries a mother bird he accidentally killed with his slingshot. That is some of the most powerful acting ever done on any show,comedy or drama. For punishment,Andy makes Opie listen to the baby birds crying out for their mother. Opie raises the baby birds until they are fully grown,when he releases them.
There are so many other priceless moments on this show. Howard Morris is hilarious as Ernest T. Bass.
As with most long-running series, "The Andy Griffith Show" endured its share of changes.
Ellie Walker was gone after the first season when Elinor Donahue left the series. Barney was romantically involved with Juanita (or "Nita" as he called her),who worked at the Mayberry Diner but was never seen. Barney later found romance with Thelma Lou though she eventually left town. Barney is crushed when he finds out Thelma Lou is married when she returns to Mayberry for a visit. After the fifth season, Don Knotts left the series, with Barney Fife having moved to Raleigh,where he became a police detective. Don Knotts returned for occasional guest appearances. Andy eventually finds romance with Opie's schoolteacher Helen Crump. On the first episode of Andy Griffith's successor, "Mayberry RFD", Andy and Helen marry and move away. Opie grows out of the little boy phase and starts taking an interest in girls in the show's later years. Howard McNear,who played Floyd the barber,suffered a stroke,resulting in a long absence from the series. He eventually returned to the show. Mr.McNear passed away in 1969. Early in 1968, even though his show was still number one in the ratings, Andy Griffith announced he was ending his show.
By the fall of 1968, "The Andy Griffith Show" was no more. In its place was "Mayberry RFD", starring Ken Berry as Sam Jones, a widower like Andy Taylor. Sam also had a son, Mike. CBS retained the original cast,sans Andy Griffith and Ron Howard. Frances Bavier left as Aunt Bea in 1970 after 10 years in that role and was replaced by Alice Ghostley (who at that time also played Esmeralda on "Bewitched") as Aunt Alice. "Mayberry RFD" was canceled by CBS in 1971 when the network purged their "rural-oriented" shows for supposedly more sophisticated,urban fare such as newcomer "All In The Family". "The Beverly Hillbillies", "Green Acres",and "Hee Haw" were also canceled by CBS for the same reason. The line went that CBS canceled any show "that had a tree in it".
By the fall of 1968, "The Andy Griffith Show" was no more. In its place was "Mayberry RFD", starring Ken Berry as Sam Jones, a widower like Andy Taylor. Sam also had a son, Mike. CBS retained the original cast,sans Andy Griffith and Ron Howard. Frances Bavier left as Aunt Bea in 1970 after 10 years in that role and was replaced by Alice Ghostley (who at that time also played Esmeralda on "Bewitched") as Aunt Alice. "Mayberry RFD" was canceled by CBS in 1971 when the network purged their "rural-oriented" shows for supposedly more sophisticated,urban fare such as newcomer "All In The Family". "The Beverly Hillbillies", "Green Acres",and "Hee Haw" were also canceled by CBS for the same reason. The line went that CBS canceled any show "that had a tree in it".
Notwithstanding, "The Andy Griffith Show" remains enormously popular and is shown on local stations and TV Land,with new generations of viewers enjoying the show. Mayberry is a fictional town but will always be real in the hearts of millions of fans. Andy Griffith's hometown of Mount Airy, North Carolina, hosts an annual event known as "Mayberry Days", when actors and actresses from the show and people who worked behind the scenes on the show visit with fans and sign autographs. There is a Barney Fife impersonator. There is a reproduction of Sheriff Taylor's car. Fans dine at a local eatery known as the Snappy Lunch,believed to be the real-life inspiration for the Mayberry Diner. Andy Griffith lives on Roanoke Island, North Carolina, where he began his acting career portraying Sir Walter Raleigh in "The Lost Colony". Frances Bavier passed away in 1989 after having moved to Siler City, North Carolina, many years before. Don Knotts starred as landlord Ralph Furley on "Three's Company" in the early 1980s and had a successful movie career, sometimes appearing with Tim Conway. Don Knotts passed away in 2006. Andy Griffith had another long-running TV series in the 1980s and 1990s, "Matlock",on which he played folksy Atlanta attorney Ben Matlock. Ron Howard starred as Richie Cunningham on the long-running sitcom "Happy Days" and later found success as a movie director.
"Gomer Pyle,USMC" was a successful spin off of "The Andy Griffith Show",with Jim Nabors in the role he began on 'The Andy Griffith Show" as filling station attendant and auto mechanic Gomer Pyle, who had joined the Marines. Gomer was replaced as a filling station attendant and auto mechanic by his cousin Goober Pyle, played by George Lindsey.
Most of the cast of "The Andy Griffith Show" reunited for the 1986 made for TV movie "Return To Mayberry". Andy and Helen return to Mayberry. Barney is now sheriff. Opie and his wife are expecting a baby. Andy helps deliver his grandchild after his daughter-in-law goes into labor. Barney and Thelma Lou get married. Most of the supporting characters return,though Aunt Bea was written out as having passed away,even though Frances Bavier was alive.
With so much junk on TV nowadays,it is comforting that a wholesome series with excellent writing,great comedy,and timeless values such as "The Andy Griffith Show" remains an American classic and will entertain future generations.
"Gomer Pyle,USMC" was a successful spin off of "The Andy Griffith Show",with Jim Nabors in the role he began on 'The Andy Griffith Show" as filling station attendant and auto mechanic Gomer Pyle, who had joined the Marines. Gomer was replaced as a filling station attendant and auto mechanic by his cousin Goober Pyle, played by George Lindsey.
Most of the cast of "The Andy Griffith Show" reunited for the 1986 made for TV movie "Return To Mayberry". Andy and Helen return to Mayberry. Barney is now sheriff. Opie and his wife are expecting a baby. Andy helps deliver his grandchild after his daughter-in-law goes into labor. Barney and Thelma Lou get married. Most of the supporting characters return,though Aunt Bea was written out as having passed away,even though Frances Bavier was alive.
With so much junk on TV nowadays,it is comforting that a wholesome series with excellent writing,great comedy,and timeless values such as "The Andy Griffith Show" remains an American classic and will entertain future generations.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Good Grief! Charlie Brown Turns 60
On October 2, 1950, cartoonist Charles Schulz introduced a cartoon character that would forever become part of American popular culture. It was on this date that Peanuts,featuring
Charlie Brown,Lucy,Linus,Sally,Peppermint Patty,Schroder,Snoopy,Woodstock,and the rest of the Peanuts gang debuted in newspapers across America.
In 1965, "A Charlie Brown Christmas" debuted as the first animated Peanuts TV special. This was followed by the debut of the Halloween special "It's The Great Pumpkin,Charlie Brown" in 1966 and "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" in 1973. Other holiday specials for Easter,New Year's,and Valentine's Day have followed. The Christmas special remains critically acclaimed and won the prestigious Peabody Award. One of the animated specials won an Emmy Award.
Charlie Brown and his Peanuts pals have always been a big part of my life and millions of lives around the world. Peanuts makes insightful observations about life from a child's point of view. No adults ever appeared in the comic strips. Only one animated special that I know about has adults shown at all. Most of the specials have adult voices muffled.
The success of "Peanuts" has led to full-length animated feature films and a Broadway musical, "You're A Good Man,Charlie Brown". The music from the cartoons, composed by Vince Guaraldi and performed by the Vince Guaraldi Trio, is enormously popular, especially from the Christmas special.
Charles Schulz died in 2000 after he specifically requested that "Peanuts" would no longer have first-run strips after his death. Yet, ten years after Mr.Schulz's death, his old Peanuts strips are rerun in newspapers every day and the animated specials are as popular as ever.
Happy 60th Anniversary,Charlie Brown. Thanks for being a part of my life and so many other lives.
Honorary mention goes to another favorite comic strip of mine, "Blondie",which turned 80 this year. Chic Young began drawing and syndicating "Blondie" in 1930. Chic Young died in 1973 and his son Dean took over as cartoonist. "Blondie" is as entertaining and popular as ever. Blondie has made its mark on American popular culture as well, popularizing a sandwich known as "The Dagwood", named after the huge,stacked sandwiches made by Dagwood in the Blondie comic strip. It is so refreshing that in a day and age of raw sex,gruesome violence,and hard profanity in movies,on TV,and elsewhere,that wholesome havens such as "Peanuts","Blondie",and "Snuffy Smith" remain intact.
Blondie was made into live action movies starring Penny Singleton as Blondie and Arthur Lake as Dagwood. It was also a TV sitcom in the 1950s and again in the 1960s,with an animated TV special in 1989,featuring the voice of Loni Anderson as Blondie. In 1991,after 61 years as a housewife, Blondie began her own catering business. Blondie and Dagwood have two children, son Alexander and daughter Cookie. Happy 80th Anniversary, Blondie,Dagwood,and the rest.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Happy 50th Anniversary,My Three Sons
September 29th is the 50th anniversary of the debut of one of the longest running and most beloved situation comedies in television history.
On September 29, 1960, "My Three Sons" debuted on ABC,starring Fred MacMurray as widower Steve Douglas,his three sons, Mike (Tim Considine),Robbie (Don Grady), and Chip (Stanley Livingston). Steve's father-in-law Michael Francis "Bub" O'Casey (played by William Frawley,who played Fred Mertz on "I Love Lucy") helped Steve take care of his sons and keep house.
"My Three Sons" was one of the first sitcoms showing a widowed or single parent. The Douglas household could be chaotic at times but Steve and Bub or Uncle Charley managed to keep the family intact, often with heartwarming episodes that attracted millions of TV watchers.
As with any long-running series, "My Three Sons" endured its share of changes through the years. In the fall of 1963, Barry Livingston (Stanley's brother) debuted as Chip's friend and neighbor Ernie Thompson. After Mike married his sweetheart Sally Ann Morrison (Meredith MacRae) and moved away in the fall of 1965 on the first CBS and color episode, Ernie's foster parents were transferred overseas but were not allowed to take Ernie with them,so Steve adopted the orphaned Ernie,keeping the "three sons" intact after Tim Considine left the series.
In 1964, William Frawley left the series because of declining health and Bub's brother Charley O'Casey,or Uncle Charley,played by veteran character actor William Demarest, took over in Bub's role. Uncle Charley was probably best described by Steve Douglas as a "crusty character with a heart of gold". Uncle Charley had a crusty disposition that hid a soft heart.
The Douglas family lived in a medium sized midwestern city during the show's first seven seasons. In the fall of 1967, Steve took a job in Los Angeles and moved his family there. The adjustment to life in California was not easy at first but the family soon took to their new home and the move was ultimately a good thing,with Robbie meeting and eventually marrying Katie Miller (Tina Cole),another student at the college he attended. In the fall of 1968, Katie found out she was pregnant and eventually gave birth to triplets,three sons of course. In the opening episodes of the 1969-70 season, Steve met one of Ernie's substitute teachers,Barbara Harper (Beverly Garland),and their relationship blossomed into marriage. Steve adopted Barbara's daughter,Dodie (Dawn Lyn). In the fall of 1970,Chip eloped with his college girlfriend Polly Williams (Ronne Troup). In the fall of 1971, Fred MacMurray appeared in a dual role,as Steve Douglas of course,and as a cousin and Scottish nobleman,Fergus MacBain Douglas. Fergus found love with waitress Terri Dowling (Anne Francis). The couple married and Fergus returned to Scotland with his bride.
By the final season, Don Grady had left the show on the premise of Robbie having accepted a job assignment in South America. Katie and the triplets moved back in with Steve and the rest of the family. Katie often wrote letters to Robbie detailing the most recent family happenings. In 1972, "My Three Sons" ended its network run but went into syndication,where the reruns became a huge hit. There have been DVD releases of the series but they only cover the first few seasons. We should lobby for the release of all 12 seasons on DVD and Blu-Ray.
The gentleness,warmth,and love of "My Three Sons" is needed now more than ever,with shows that have grown coarse and vulgar. "My Three Sons" reaffirms the spiritual, family,and human values that bring out the good side of humanity. Congratulations,My Three Sons,on your 50th anniversary. Long live this great and wonderful show.
On September 29, 1960, "My Three Sons" debuted on ABC,starring Fred MacMurray as widower Steve Douglas,his three sons, Mike (Tim Considine),Robbie (Don Grady), and Chip (Stanley Livingston). Steve's father-in-law Michael Francis "Bub" O'Casey (played by William Frawley,who played Fred Mertz on "I Love Lucy") helped Steve take care of his sons and keep house.
"My Three Sons" was one of the first sitcoms showing a widowed or single parent. The Douglas household could be chaotic at times but Steve and Bub or Uncle Charley managed to keep the family intact, often with heartwarming episodes that attracted millions of TV watchers.
As with any long-running series, "My Three Sons" endured its share of changes through the years. In the fall of 1963, Barry Livingston (Stanley's brother) debuted as Chip's friend and neighbor Ernie Thompson. After Mike married his sweetheart Sally Ann Morrison (Meredith MacRae) and moved away in the fall of 1965 on the first CBS and color episode, Ernie's foster parents were transferred overseas but were not allowed to take Ernie with them,so Steve adopted the orphaned Ernie,keeping the "three sons" intact after Tim Considine left the series.
In 1964, William Frawley left the series because of declining health and Bub's brother Charley O'Casey,or Uncle Charley,played by veteran character actor William Demarest, took over in Bub's role. Uncle Charley was probably best described by Steve Douglas as a "crusty character with a heart of gold". Uncle Charley had a crusty disposition that hid a soft heart.
The Douglas family lived in a medium sized midwestern city during the show's first seven seasons. In the fall of 1967, Steve took a job in Los Angeles and moved his family there. The adjustment to life in California was not easy at first but the family soon took to their new home and the move was ultimately a good thing,with Robbie meeting and eventually marrying Katie Miller (Tina Cole),another student at the college he attended. In the fall of 1968, Katie found out she was pregnant and eventually gave birth to triplets,three sons of course. In the opening episodes of the 1969-70 season, Steve met one of Ernie's substitute teachers,Barbara Harper (Beverly Garland),and their relationship blossomed into marriage. Steve adopted Barbara's daughter,Dodie (Dawn Lyn). In the fall of 1970,Chip eloped with his college girlfriend Polly Williams (Ronne Troup). In the fall of 1971, Fred MacMurray appeared in a dual role,as Steve Douglas of course,and as a cousin and Scottish nobleman,Fergus MacBain Douglas. Fergus found love with waitress Terri Dowling (Anne Francis). The couple married and Fergus returned to Scotland with his bride.
By the final season, Don Grady had left the show on the premise of Robbie having accepted a job assignment in South America. Katie and the triplets moved back in with Steve and the rest of the family. Katie often wrote letters to Robbie detailing the most recent family happenings. In 1972, "My Three Sons" ended its network run but went into syndication,where the reruns became a huge hit. There have been DVD releases of the series but they only cover the first few seasons. We should lobby for the release of all 12 seasons on DVD and Blu-Ray.
The gentleness,warmth,and love of "My Three Sons" is needed now more than ever,with shows that have grown coarse and vulgar. "My Three Sons" reaffirms the spiritual, family,and human values that bring out the good side of humanity. Congratulations,My Three Sons,on your 50th anniversary. Long live this great and wonderful show.
As a post script,I want to wish "The Flintstones" a happy 50th anniversary as well. Fred,Wilma,Barney,Betty,and the rest also made their debut on ABC on September 30, 1960. Happy 50th anniversary to everybody in Bedrock.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
NASCAR: Sealing Its Own Demise
The hypocrisy coming from NASCAR is obvious. It showed even more today with the race win at Dover International Speedway in Delaware by four-time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson. What makes it hypocritical is that the #48 Hendrick Motorsports team has been guilty of cheating to win races for years and has used some of the same practices and procedures for which Clint Bowyer and his #33 Richard Childress Racing team were recently penalized by NASCAR.
The #48 team has been penalized on rare occasions,but NASCAR has used kid gloves on the #48 team,compared with the harsh penalties they administered the #33 team. Many fans suspect that the #48 team still cheats but NASCAR lets them get away with it. Many fans and even some drivers believe that NASCAR throws phantom "debris cautions" for the #48 team's benefit if they have lost the race lead or are about to go or have gone a lap down. Denny Hamlin was penalized by NASCAR for merely speaking his mind about this. If what Hamlin said is false,why would NASCAR be so defensive and issue Hamlin a harsh fine? That makes most NASCAR fans justifiably even more suspicious.
If NASCAR is looking for answers as to why race attendance is down and TV ratings have declined,it should be obvious why. It is because of the blatant cheating by the #48 team,the equally blatant favoritism shown by NASCAR toward that team,along with the obvious hypocrisy of those who run NASCAR. Fans know something is wrong and are expressing their displeasure by cancelling their season tickets and tuning their TVs away from races that are increasingly predictable and boring.
NASCAR pretends to understand and says they are listening, but it is obvious they do not understand,or perhaps choose not to,and they are certainly not listening. NASCAR gives us more of the same boring rubbish every week. Most fans have had enough. Many fans are leaving NASCAR. NASCAR better be paying attention and act quickly to repair its reputation before it is too late. If Jimmie Johnson wins a fifth consecutive championship,there will be even more vacant seats at races,TV ratings will further decline,and NASCAR as we know it will come even closer to ceasing its existence.
Bring back real racing (the 1979 Daytona 500 comes to mind),drivers who can actually race for wins again,instead of playing follow the leader,which is what NASCAR racing has become in recent years,especially since the so-called Car Of Tomorrow (COT) was introduced. Let drivers have it out with bare knuckles and show emotion again instead of being corporate robots and politically correct pretty boys. Somebody wisely stated that NASCAR races are now nothing but corporate board meetings at 200 MPH every Sunday.
The sad part of all this is that NASCAR is so wrapped up in its own greed and political correctness that it will likely never have old school racing again. This is how NASCAR is sealing its own demise.
The #48 team has been penalized on rare occasions,but NASCAR has used kid gloves on the #48 team,compared with the harsh penalties they administered the #33 team. Many fans suspect that the #48 team still cheats but NASCAR lets them get away with it. Many fans and even some drivers believe that NASCAR throws phantom "debris cautions" for the #48 team's benefit if they have lost the race lead or are about to go or have gone a lap down. Denny Hamlin was penalized by NASCAR for merely speaking his mind about this. If what Hamlin said is false,why would NASCAR be so defensive and issue Hamlin a harsh fine? That makes most NASCAR fans justifiably even more suspicious.
If NASCAR is looking for answers as to why race attendance is down and TV ratings have declined,it should be obvious why. It is because of the blatant cheating by the #48 team,the equally blatant favoritism shown by NASCAR toward that team,along with the obvious hypocrisy of those who run NASCAR. Fans know something is wrong and are expressing their displeasure by cancelling their season tickets and tuning their TVs away from races that are increasingly predictable and boring.
NASCAR pretends to understand and says they are listening, but it is obvious they do not understand,or perhaps choose not to,and they are certainly not listening. NASCAR gives us more of the same boring rubbish every week. Most fans have had enough. Many fans are leaving NASCAR. NASCAR better be paying attention and act quickly to repair its reputation before it is too late. If Jimmie Johnson wins a fifth consecutive championship,there will be even more vacant seats at races,TV ratings will further decline,and NASCAR as we know it will come even closer to ceasing its existence.
Bring back real racing (the 1979 Daytona 500 comes to mind),drivers who can actually race for wins again,instead of playing follow the leader,which is what NASCAR racing has become in recent years,especially since the so-called Car Of Tomorrow (COT) was introduced. Let drivers have it out with bare knuckles and show emotion again instead of being corporate robots and politically correct pretty boys. Somebody wisely stated that NASCAR races are now nothing but corporate board meetings at 200 MPH every Sunday.
The sad part of all this is that NASCAR is so wrapped up in its own greed and political correctness that it will likely never have old school racing again. This is how NASCAR is sealing its own demise.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Rest In Peace,Beau
It is said that dogs are humanity's best friend. This was certainly true about my dog Beau. Beau passed away quietly at home today after having a tumor on his liver. Beau was our 11-year-old Welsh Corgi and Golden Retriever mix. He was the most loyal companion a person could have. He loved us with all his heart and we loved him just as much.
We adopted Beau in 2000 from our local animal shelter. He was lively and energetic and took to us immediately and the feeling was mutual. He was especially attached to my father and clung to him almost constantly. My Dad passed away in July of this year. Perhaps Beau could sense the loss and wanted to be with my Dad again. In late August, our vet diagnosed Beau with a tumor on his liver. Beau lost a great deal of weight and energy. It was heartbreaking watching that happen to him. Beau was a fighter and fought bravely to the end. Even today,he was still trying to muster enough strength to stand up. At least we can take comfort knowing that Beau's suffering is over and that he is reunited with my Dad in a much better place.
Thank you,Beau,for all the joy and companionship you gave us through the years. Enjoy your new Heavenly home. God bless you,my beloved friend.
We adopted Beau in 2000 from our local animal shelter. He was lively and energetic and took to us immediately and the feeling was mutual. He was especially attached to my father and clung to him almost constantly. My Dad passed away in July of this year. Perhaps Beau could sense the loss and wanted to be with my Dad again. In late August, our vet diagnosed Beau with a tumor on his liver. Beau lost a great deal of weight and energy. It was heartbreaking watching that happen to him. Beau was a fighter and fought bravely to the end. Even today,he was still trying to muster enough strength to stand up. At least we can take comfort knowing that Beau's suffering is over and that he is reunited with my Dad in a much better place.
Thank you,Beau,for all the joy and companionship you gave us through the years. Enjoy your new Heavenly home. God bless you,my beloved friend.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Never Forget
December 7, 1941
November 22, 1963
September 11, 2001
Anybody old enough to remember those historic and tragic days in American history remembers exactly where they were and what they were doing on those days. My parents lived through the attack on Pearl Harbor,the assassination of President John F. Kennedy,and the terrorist attacks on our nation. I lived through 9/11 like most living Americans.
The significance of those dates are significant in that we learn from the things that caused those tragic events and do everything possible to make sure they never happen again.
Keep the families of those who perished in the horrendous attacks on our nation on September 11, 2001, in your prayers and thoughts. Let us remember that we must not rest until the threat of terrorism has been wiped off the face of the earth.
Let us remember those in uniform who defend our freedom. God bless them. God bless America.
November 22, 1963
September 11, 2001
Anybody old enough to remember those historic and tragic days in American history remembers exactly where they were and what they were doing on those days. My parents lived through the attack on Pearl Harbor,the assassination of President John F. Kennedy,and the terrorist attacks on our nation. I lived through 9/11 like most living Americans.
The significance of those dates are significant in that we learn from the things that caused those tragic events and do everything possible to make sure they never happen again.
Keep the families of those who perished in the horrendous attacks on our nation on September 11, 2001, in your prayers and thoughts. Let us remember that we must not rest until the threat of terrorism has been wiped off the face of the earth.
Let us remember those in uniform who defend our freedom. God bless them. God bless America.
Friday, July 30, 2010
NASCAR- Laying Down The Law Or Censoring Free Speech?
It came out earlier this week that NASCAR had penalized two drivers for allegedly making disparaging remarks about NASCAR. Their names were not known until sources revealed the drivers were Denny Hamlin and Ryan Newman.
Hamlin was fined for commenting about a caution during a race. Newman was fined for allegedly making derogatory remarks about NASCAR after the spring Talladega race. I thought we had something called the First Amendment to the Constitution that gives all Americans the right to freedom of speech. NASCAR drivers (and everybody else) should be able to speak their minds without intimidation or fear of reprisals. This is political correctness run amok.
I know there is one school of thought that says NASCAR was just doing what any company would do if their employees openly criticized it. That sounds good on the surface but it should be noted that Hamlin and Newman are not NASCAR employees. Hamlin is employed by Joe Gibbs Racing, Newman by Stewart/Haas Racing. It is true that NASCAR is a sanctioning body and there are some things NASCAR should be allowed to regulate,such as a code of conduct,on-track behavior,etc,but whether or not drivers should be penalized for simply stating opinions is ridiculous. If drivers were employees of NASCAR itself,I would understand,as employee loyalty is important with any company but drivers are team employees,they do not work for NASCAR directly.
Some argue that Major League Baseball,the NBA,and the NFL do the same with their athletes. In the spirit of consistency,it should be said they are just as guilty as NASCAR.
Certainly NASCAR is big enough to take some criticism. It would not hurt NASCAR to listen to the fans and the drivers once in a while. I have no idea how it hurts NASCAR. NASCAR has been suffering from declining race attendance and sagging TV ratings. Those things started happening before the recession. NASCAR is clearly at fault for its own troubles, not fans or drivers. The economy is likely a factor but to a lesser extent because these problems plagued NASCAR before the recession began. The recession has added to NASCAR's difficulties but is not the cause of them.
Earlier this year, NASCAR announced they were going to let drivers police themselves, yet NASCAR wants to regulate what drivers say. NASCAR cannot have it both ways. If drivers are allowed to police themselves on the track, they should be allowed to speak their minds as well. There is such a thing as constructive criticism. NASCAR would do well listening.
NASCAR dishes it out so they should take it as well.
Hamlin was fined for commenting about a caution during a race. Newman was fined for allegedly making derogatory remarks about NASCAR after the spring Talladega race. I thought we had something called the First Amendment to the Constitution that gives all Americans the right to freedom of speech. NASCAR drivers (and everybody else) should be able to speak their minds without intimidation or fear of reprisals. This is political correctness run amok.
I know there is one school of thought that says NASCAR was just doing what any company would do if their employees openly criticized it. That sounds good on the surface but it should be noted that Hamlin and Newman are not NASCAR employees. Hamlin is employed by Joe Gibbs Racing, Newman by Stewart/Haas Racing. It is true that NASCAR is a sanctioning body and there are some things NASCAR should be allowed to regulate,such as a code of conduct,on-track behavior,etc,but whether or not drivers should be penalized for simply stating opinions is ridiculous. If drivers were employees of NASCAR itself,I would understand,as employee loyalty is important with any company but drivers are team employees,they do not work for NASCAR directly.
Some argue that Major League Baseball,the NBA,and the NFL do the same with their athletes. In the spirit of consistency,it should be said they are just as guilty as NASCAR.
Certainly NASCAR is big enough to take some criticism. It would not hurt NASCAR to listen to the fans and the drivers once in a while. I have no idea how it hurts NASCAR. NASCAR has been suffering from declining race attendance and sagging TV ratings. Those things started happening before the recession. NASCAR is clearly at fault for its own troubles, not fans or drivers. The economy is likely a factor but to a lesser extent because these problems plagued NASCAR before the recession began. The recession has added to NASCAR's difficulties but is not the cause of them.
Earlier this year, NASCAR announced they were going to let drivers police themselves, yet NASCAR wants to regulate what drivers say. NASCAR cannot have it both ways. If drivers are allowed to police themselves on the track, they should be allowed to speak their minds as well. There is such a thing as constructive criticism. NASCAR would do well listening.
NASCAR dishes it out so they should take it as well.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Congratulations,Jamie McMurray
Jamie McMurray is one of my favorite NASCAR drivers. I was so happy for Jamie when he won the Allstate 400 At The Brickyard,one of NASCAR's most prestigious races along with the Daytona 500. McMurray is only the third driver to win the Daytona 500 and the Brickyard in the same year. Congratulations,Jamie,on a win well-deserved.
Again,congratulations to Jamie on winning the race. Also,congratulations to Jamie and his wife Christy,who are expecting their first child in December. Driver Ryan Newman and his wife Krissie are expecting also,along with Sam Hornish Jr and his wife Crystal. Congratulations to all new and expectant parents.
Again,congratulations to Jamie on winning the race. Also,congratulations to Jamie and his wife Christy,who are expecting their first child in December. Driver Ryan Newman and his wife Krissie are expecting also,along with Sam Hornish Jr and his wife Crystal. Congratulations to all new and expectant parents.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Carl Edwards and Brad Keselowski
Last Saturday,at Gateway International Raceway,in the closing laps of the NASCAR Nationwide series race, Carl Edwards punted Brad Keselowski off the track for the win. Defenders of the move by Edwards say it was just a racing deal or something Dale Earnhardt Sr might have done.
Edwards admitted wrecking Keselowski for the win. He admitted wrecking Keselowski in the Atlanta Cup race as well. Edwards intended to wreck Keselowski for the win and admitted it. That was just plain dirty driving on Edwards' part. When Dale Sr raced anybody,he would give them a tap just to "rattle their cage" and meant no harm to anybody and if they wrecked,it was purely an accident. It seems Edwards has every intention of wrecking his rivals if they do not let him by. Never mind that the driver in front of him wants to win also and is not obligated to move aside for Carl Edwards or any other racer. Unlike Edwards, Earnhardt Sr earned and deserved the respect of other drivers and millions of fans. Edwards' good-guy,always smiling image is questionable in my opinion. Why he acts like he does on the track sometimes,I have no idea.
The "penalty" dealt by NASCAR is a joke. Edwards was given a 60-point deduction,a $25,000 fine,and placed on probation the rest of the year. Keselowski was also placed on probation the rest of the year. Why should Keselowski be penalized? Keselowski did nothing wrong. Keselowski was the victim. At the very least, Edwards should have been suspended the rest of the season.
Something tragic could happen on the track before NASCAR actually does something about Edwards. I cannot speak for other NASCAR fans,but I would not be surprised if the numbers are growing. I am fed up with NASCAR and their slap on the wrist "penalties" and blatant favoritism. NASCAR has again contributed to its own demise.
Edwards admitted wrecking Keselowski for the win. He admitted wrecking Keselowski in the Atlanta Cup race as well. Edwards intended to wreck Keselowski for the win and admitted it. That was just plain dirty driving on Edwards' part. When Dale Sr raced anybody,he would give them a tap just to "rattle their cage" and meant no harm to anybody and if they wrecked,it was purely an accident. It seems Edwards has every intention of wrecking his rivals if they do not let him by. Never mind that the driver in front of him wants to win also and is not obligated to move aside for Carl Edwards or any other racer. Unlike Edwards, Earnhardt Sr earned and deserved the respect of other drivers and millions of fans. Edwards' good-guy,always smiling image is questionable in my opinion. Why he acts like he does on the track sometimes,I have no idea.
The "penalty" dealt by NASCAR is a joke. Edwards was given a 60-point deduction,a $25,000 fine,and placed on probation the rest of the year. Keselowski was also placed on probation the rest of the year. Why should Keselowski be penalized? Keselowski did nothing wrong. Keselowski was the victim. At the very least, Edwards should have been suspended the rest of the season.
Something tragic could happen on the track before NASCAR actually does something about Edwards. I cannot speak for other NASCAR fans,but I would not be surprised if the numbers are growing. I am fed up with NASCAR and their slap on the wrist "penalties" and blatant favoritism. NASCAR has again contributed to its own demise.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Remembering A Special Man
On July 12, 2010, I lost a very special person in my life. My father passed away. For nine months, since he had a stroke in October, 2009, he had been bedridden and suffered much pain. I am thankful now that his suffering is over. He was a deeply dedicated Christian and knew Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and Lord.
He was born a son of textile workers and grew up in Kannapolis, North Carolina. He wanted to join the Army in World War II but was turned down because of a punctured eardrum. He attended college,where he met my mother. They married soon after graduation. They raised five children,of whom I am number four. My dad was a hard worker and taught us all the value of a dollar. He instilled in us a love of nature,of flowers,trees,birds,and all of God's creation. My dad had a zest for life and had a great sense of humor. He loved his wife,children,and grandchildren. He was very attached with his dog Beau and the feeling was mutual. He was very passionate about such things as gardening and eating.
My father was a very friendly man with a great personality. He never met a stranger. He was everybody's friend and could talk about anything with anybody he met.
I will never forget the lessons he taught me and the times he helped me out. I will always be grateful for those things. His advice was sound and has helped me immensely. One of his favorite sayings is something I live by,that a person who won't be beat can't be beat. Thank you,Daddy. I love you. I miss you very much but at least knowing someday we will be together again.
He was born a son of textile workers and grew up in Kannapolis, North Carolina. He wanted to join the Army in World War II but was turned down because of a punctured eardrum. He attended college,where he met my mother. They married soon after graduation. They raised five children,of whom I am number four. My dad was a hard worker and taught us all the value of a dollar. He instilled in us a love of nature,of flowers,trees,birds,and all of God's creation. My dad had a zest for life and had a great sense of humor. He loved his wife,children,and grandchildren. He was very attached with his dog Beau and the feeling was mutual. He was very passionate about such things as gardening and eating.
My father was a very friendly man with a great personality. He never met a stranger. He was everybody's friend and could talk about anything with anybody he met.
I will never forget the lessons he taught me and the times he helped me out. I will always be grateful for those things. His advice was sound and has helped me immensely. One of his favorite sayings is something I live by,that a person who won't be beat can't be beat. Thank you,Daddy. I love you. I miss you very much but at least knowing someday we will be together again.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Dispelling The Danica Hype
So the media's new darling,Danica Patrick,races again in the Nationwide series. This was her second Nationwide race,and as in the first,Danica has failed to impress. She finished the New England 200 in 35th position and five laps down. The only IRL win Danica has ever had was a non-points Indy Racing League race in Japan. The closest she has since come to a win was a second place IRL finish at Texas Motor Speedway earlier this year. Most of Danica's finishes are mid-pack at best.
So why all the media hype about such a mediocre driver? I think we all know that answer,because Danica is female and racing in the Nationwide series,so this makes her a cash cow for NASCAR. Also,the fact that she drives for Dale Earnhardt Jr,another media favorite,is another reason along with the media fixation on open-wheelers in NASCAR even though the only open-wheelers to truly succeed in NASCAR are Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart. It escapes me why some people think Danica is one of the greatest racers of all time when her career statistics do not bear that out. Danica is a token female used by NASCAR to earn their politically correct points.
Somebody says,"Danica causes more ticket sales",proving my point that NASCAR does not care about Danica as a driver,but how much money they can get out of her. Also,if Danica is driving in a race,it might make some people boycott the Nationwide series(along with there being excessively many Cup drivers,but that's another story), NOT because she's a woman but because of her classless,arrogant,prima donna attitude. Danica is notorious for not taking the blame for accidents she clearly causes. She slams her own pit crew and wrongly blames other drivers for her own mistakes by charging into their pit areas and making a jackass of herself. Sorry but until Danica has the guts to take responsibility for her actions,she has not earned my respect.
I have absolutely NOTHING against women or minorities racing in NASCAR but only if they are actually talented and are not being used by NASCAR as promotional gimmicks. There are women racers I admire such as Milka Duno,Sarah Fisher,and Ashley Force Hood. I also admire and respect Janet Guthrie.
If Danica wants to make it in NASCAR and I hope she does,she must make an attitude adjustment.
So why all the media hype about such a mediocre driver? I think we all know that answer,because Danica is female and racing in the Nationwide series,so this makes her a cash cow for NASCAR. Also,the fact that she drives for Dale Earnhardt Jr,another media favorite,is another reason along with the media fixation on open-wheelers in NASCAR even though the only open-wheelers to truly succeed in NASCAR are Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart. It escapes me why some people think Danica is one of the greatest racers of all time when her career statistics do not bear that out. Danica is a token female used by NASCAR to earn their politically correct points.
Somebody says,"Danica causes more ticket sales",proving my point that NASCAR does not care about Danica as a driver,but how much money they can get out of her. Also,if Danica is driving in a race,it might make some people boycott the Nationwide series(along with there being excessively many Cup drivers,but that's another story), NOT because she's a woman but because of her classless,arrogant,prima donna attitude. Danica is notorious for not taking the blame for accidents she clearly causes. She slams her own pit crew and wrongly blames other drivers for her own mistakes by charging into their pit areas and making a jackass of herself. Sorry but until Danica has the guts to take responsibility for her actions,she has not earned my respect.
I have absolutely NOTHING against women or minorities racing in NASCAR but only if they are actually talented and are not being used by NASCAR as promotional gimmicks. There are women racers I admire such as Milka Duno,Sarah Fisher,and Ashley Force Hood. I also admire and respect Janet Guthrie.
If Danica wants to make it in NASCAR and I hope she does,she must make an attitude adjustment.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Congratulations,Duke University
I am normally a fan of the University of North Carolina but Duke University is also in my home state,also a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, and just eight miles from UNC,the 2009 NCAA Men's Division 1 basketball champions. The championship stays on Tobacco Road.
Congratulations to Duke's men's basketball team on winning the NCAA Division 1 championship Monday night in Indianapolis. Duke won 61-59 in a game that could have easily gone either way and was close from the tip-off. Duke defeated Indianapolis-based Butler University. As glad as I am that Duke won,it is still heart-wrenching that Butler would lose the championship game in their hometown. This is Duke's fourth championship and likewise for Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski.
Butler has nothing to be ashamed of with a 33-6 season. Butler fought hard for the win in Monday night's game but the Blue Devils (35-5 for the season) prevailed in the game's closing seconds.
Congratulations,Duke University.
Congratulations to Duke's men's basketball team on winning the NCAA Division 1 championship Monday night in Indianapolis. Duke won 61-59 in a game that could have easily gone either way and was close from the tip-off. Duke defeated Indianapolis-based Butler University. As glad as I am that Duke won,it is still heart-wrenching that Butler would lose the championship game in their hometown. This is Duke's fourth championship and likewise for Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski.
Butler has nothing to be ashamed of with a 33-6 season. Butler fought hard for the win in Monday night's game but the Blue Devils (35-5 for the season) prevailed in the game's closing seconds.
Congratulations,Duke University.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Happy Easter
Yesterday was Good Friday,tomorrow is Easter. Let us remember the message of Easter. Jesus gave His life so that we would live. He paid the ultimate price to offer us the free gift of eternal life, which I gladly received many years ago. Though I make mistakes and do things I should not do,I am quick to repent of my sins and ask God's forgiveness and the grace and redemption He offers us through His Son Jesus Christ.
If you have not done so,why not ask Jesus into your heart right now. He gave His life for you and me because He loves us more than we can comprehend and wants eternal life for all who receive Him as Savior and Lord. Pray this simple prayer :
Lord Jesus.
I am a sinner.
I have sinned against You.
I repent of all my sin.
I know You died for my sin and rose from the dead.
You took the penalty I deserve.
I ask You now to come into my heart and live Your life in me.
I will live for You and serve You all the days of my life.
Thank You,Lord Jesus,for hearing my prayer and coming into my heart.
I receive You as Savior and Lord.
Thank You for saving me.
Amen.
If you prayed this prayer,God has no memory of your past. He has washed you clean.
"Whosoever will call upon the Name of the Lord,shall be saved" (Romans 10:13)
According to the Holy Scriptures,you are a new creature (or creation) in Christ Jesus. Behold all things are become new.(2 Corinthians 5:17).
God bless you now and always.
If you have not done so,why not ask Jesus into your heart right now. He gave His life for you and me because He loves us more than we can comprehend and wants eternal life for all who receive Him as Savior and Lord. Pray this simple prayer :
Lord Jesus.
I am a sinner.
I have sinned against You.
I repent of all my sin.
I know You died for my sin and rose from the dead.
You took the penalty I deserve.
I ask You now to come into my heart and live Your life in me.
I will live for You and serve You all the days of my life.
Thank You,Lord Jesus,for hearing my prayer and coming into my heart.
I receive You as Savior and Lord.
Thank You for saving me.
Amen.
If you prayed this prayer,God has no memory of your past. He has washed you clean.
"Whosoever will call upon the Name of the Lord,shall be saved" (Romans 10:13)
According to the Holy Scriptures,you are a new creature (or creation) in Christ Jesus. Behold all things are become new.(2 Corinthians 5:17).
God bless you now and always.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Justin Allgaier-Class Act All The Way
Congratulations to Justin Allgaier,who won Saturday's Nationwide race at Bristol Motor Speedway. Allgaier's win proves that nice guys do finish first.
Aside from the fact that a non-Cup Nationwide regular won the race,it was also refreshing that Allgaier raced clean with his Nationwide teammate Brad Keselowski to an exciting finish. Also,this is Allgaier's first NASCAR win. First wins are always exciting but even more so when it's a driver who's as well-liked as Allgaier.
I believe this is the first of many wins in the Nationwide series for Allgaier. Also,whenever Allgaier moves to the Cup series,he will be a force to be reckoned with there as well. Allgaier has just the right combination of being a determined and fierce racer but he races clean and has rightly earned the admiration and respect of his fellow drivers and many fans. He is a humble and likable person. Allgaier is one of the most fan-friendly drivers.
Enjoy your win,Justin. You deserve it.
Aside from the fact that a non-Cup Nationwide regular won the race,it was also refreshing that Allgaier raced clean with his Nationwide teammate Brad Keselowski to an exciting finish. Also,this is Allgaier's first NASCAR win. First wins are always exciting but even more so when it's a driver who's as well-liked as Allgaier.
I believe this is the first of many wins in the Nationwide series for Allgaier. Also,whenever Allgaier moves to the Cup series,he will be a force to be reckoned with there as well. Allgaier has just the right combination of being a determined and fierce racer but he races clean and has rightly earned the admiration and respect of his fellow drivers and many fans. He is a humble and likable person. Allgaier is one of the most fan-friendly drivers.
Enjoy your win,Justin. You deserve it.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Way To Go,NASCAR...Not!
Well if this does not prove NASCAR plays favorites with certain drivers, I have no idea what does. NASCAR has dealt a meaningless three-race "probation" to Carl Edwards after he deliberately wrecked Brad Keselowski in the closing laps of Sunday's Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Three races?! That's outrageous, not even probation for the rest of the season. NASCAR harps on about safety but does not back up what they say with corresponding action, not in this case. It seems NASCAR does not care if one of their cash cows endangers the lives of the other drivers on the track and the fans in the stands. Hypocrisy reigns supreme in NASCAR. Apparently, it will take death or serious injury on the track or in the stands before NASCAR does something.
Kenny Wallace,in a Twitter entry,sounded like he blamed NASCAR fans for what happened on Sunday at Atlanta and tried letting NASCAR off the hook. Nice try,Kenny,but it's not the fault of the fans. The COT is poorly designed, badly engineered, and was definitely a factor in Sunday's wreck,but in the end,it's a person's inability to control his or her own emotions that causes tragedy. I am for the drivers having the ability to police themselves,but as the late radio commentator Paul Harvey wisely noted,"Self-government cannot work without self-discipline". The drivers should police their own emotions before policing those of other drivers.
I knew Carl Edwards would get a light penalty but it looks like in this incident,he's getting no penalty at all. This will likely embolden Edwards to pull more stunts like this if he snaps again. I agree that Brad Keselowski's brash attitude and overly aggressive driving have been problems for other NASCAR drivers. If the wreck had been much less severe,I might have said Keselowski was "getting his cage rattled" as payback, but a major wreck like this,deliberately caused by another driver, cannot be written off as a "racing deal". Thank God that Keselowski walked away safely from his wreck but who is to say there might not have been injuries or deaths?
If NASCAR cared about safety,they would have suspended Edwards for 5 races and put him on probation through the end of the season. Today's decision shows NASCAR's true colors.
Kenny Wallace,in a Twitter entry,sounded like he blamed NASCAR fans for what happened on Sunday at Atlanta and tried letting NASCAR off the hook. Nice try,Kenny,but it's not the fault of the fans. The COT is poorly designed, badly engineered, and was definitely a factor in Sunday's wreck,but in the end,it's a person's inability to control his or her own emotions that causes tragedy. I am for the drivers having the ability to police themselves,but as the late radio commentator Paul Harvey wisely noted,"Self-government cannot work without self-discipline". The drivers should police their own emotions before policing those of other drivers.
I knew Carl Edwards would get a light penalty but it looks like in this incident,he's getting no penalty at all. This will likely embolden Edwards to pull more stunts like this if he snaps again. I agree that Brad Keselowski's brash attitude and overly aggressive driving have been problems for other NASCAR drivers. If the wreck had been much less severe,I might have said Keselowski was "getting his cage rattled" as payback, but a major wreck like this,deliberately caused by another driver, cannot be written off as a "racing deal". Thank God that Keselowski walked away safely from his wreck but who is to say there might not have been injuries or deaths?
If NASCAR cared about safety,they would have suspended Edwards for 5 races and put him on probation through the end of the season. Today's decision shows NASCAR's true colors.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Carl,Carl,We Hardly Knew Ye
Congratulations to Kurt Busch for a consistent performance and keeping the lead to win the Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. One of my favorites,Matt Kenseth,had a solid second place finish and is second in points after a consistently strong season so far with crew chief Todd Parrott.
It was a great day for Penske Racing as well,with Kurt Busch winning the race,and great runs by teammates Sam Hornish Jr and Brad Keselowski but in the closing laps of the race,Keselowski's car was punted and sent airborne by Roush Fenway Racing driver Carl Edwards. Fortunately, Keselowski was not injured. Some say what Edwards did was payback for an incident involving Edwards and Keselowski at Talladega last year. While I am not a fan of Keselowski and find him to be arrogant and disrespectful sometimes,what Carl Edwards did was out of line and uncalled for. Edwards had just been getting back into my good graces after the post-fall race incident at Martinsville Speedway in 2007 when Edwards fake punched teammate Matt Kenseth during a post-race TV interview Kenseth was doing. I somehow thought that Edwards' wholesome,nice guy,always smiling image would unravel at some point. It looks as if Sunday's race at Atlanta was a breaking point for Edwards.
It makes no sense that Edwards would do what he did,when Keselowski was on the lead lap and Edwards was more than 150 laps down. If Edwards was battling Keselowski for a position on the lead lap,it might have been dismissed as a "racing deal". Edwards could have dealt with Keselowski away from the track,outside of NASCAR's jurisdiction. Edwards,with his build and agility,could have confronted Keselowski face to face instead of using a 3,400-pound car moving 190 miles per hour as a weapon. I hope NASCAR suspends Edwards for at least one race but a longer suspension would set a better example. During the off-season,NASCAR made a wise move by letting the drivers police themselves on the track,but obviously with the understanding that the drivers would control their emotions.
Carl Edwards has a long hill to climb to restore his reputation and fan appeal. The image he has cultivated as a wholesome,always smiling nice guy took a beating Sunday. Edwards might have already done irreparable damage to his image. I guess only time will tell.
It was a great day for Penske Racing as well,with Kurt Busch winning the race,and great runs by teammates Sam Hornish Jr and Brad Keselowski but in the closing laps of the race,Keselowski's car was punted and sent airborne by Roush Fenway Racing driver Carl Edwards. Fortunately, Keselowski was not injured. Some say what Edwards did was payback for an incident involving Edwards and Keselowski at Talladega last year. While I am not a fan of Keselowski and find him to be arrogant and disrespectful sometimes,what Carl Edwards did was out of line and uncalled for. Edwards had just been getting back into my good graces after the post-fall race incident at Martinsville Speedway in 2007 when Edwards fake punched teammate Matt Kenseth during a post-race TV interview Kenseth was doing. I somehow thought that Edwards' wholesome,nice guy,always smiling image would unravel at some point. It looks as if Sunday's race at Atlanta was a breaking point for Edwards.
It makes no sense that Edwards would do what he did,when Keselowski was on the lead lap and Edwards was more than 150 laps down. If Edwards was battling Keselowski for a position on the lead lap,it might have been dismissed as a "racing deal". Edwards could have dealt with Keselowski away from the track,outside of NASCAR's jurisdiction. Edwards,with his build and agility,could have confronted Keselowski face to face instead of using a 3,400-pound car moving 190 miles per hour as a weapon. I hope NASCAR suspends Edwards for at least one race but a longer suspension would set a better example. During the off-season,NASCAR made a wise move by letting the drivers police themselves on the track,but obviously with the understanding that the drivers would control their emotions.
Carl Edwards has a long hill to climb to restore his reputation and fan appeal. The image he has cultivated as a wholesome,always smiling nice guy took a beating Sunday. Edwards might have already done irreparable damage to his image. I guess only time will tell.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Nationwide Series Being Invaded And What NASCAR Should-And Must-Do
I know this topic has been discussed on NASCAR radio and TV talk shows, Internet message boards,and in NASCAR-related blogs, but I feel it is worthy of being mentioned again.
The stats for the first three races of the 2010 NASCAR Nationwide series should be most disturbing. All three Nationwide races run so far this season have been won by Cup series regulars. The last several Nationwide championships have been won by Cup drivers. Almost every Nationwide race is won by a Cup driver. Why should NASCAR fans be bothered by it?
The main purpose of the Nationwide series,since its inception as the Busch series in 1982,has been to nurture up and coming talent and prepare drivers for the Cup series but the privilege of Cup drivers racing in the Nationwide series has been abused in recent years. This keeps out potential talent that will be needed in the Cup series in the future. Some argue that the presence of Cup drivers makes full-time non-Cup Nationwide regulars more competitive. That might be true up to a point but if too many Cup drivers are in the same Nationwide race,it does not make it very competitive for upstart drivers who are supposed to compete against each other for wins and open doors for themselves in the Cup series in the future.
Another argument is that Cup drivers help boost attendance at Nationwide series races. While NASCAR is a business and they obviously want to make as much money as possible,it's still unfair to up and coming drivers who have dreams of being the next Richard Petty,Tony Stewart,or Jeff Gordon. I have no objections to the presence of a few Cup drivers in each Nationwide series race but NASCAR should place restrictions on how many races a season Cup drivers race in the Nationwide series. NASCAR should make it restrictive enough to the point that they do not take too many points or too much money away from the full-time non-Cup Nationwide regulars.
Cup drivers must be reminded that it is the Nationwide series,not a practice session for Cup races. Also,the arrogant,condescending attitudes of some Cup drivers in the Nationwide series is very disturbing. How soon they forget that they were once seeking to fulfill a dream like the Nationwide regulars they belittle. Whether NASCAR is too timid or too greedy to do anything about it is a matter of debate. What's not debatable is that it is a problem and an issue NASCAR must do something about now if the Nationwide series,and perhaps NASCAR itself,is to have a future.
The stats for the first three races of the 2010 NASCAR Nationwide series should be most disturbing. All three Nationwide races run so far this season have been won by Cup series regulars. The last several Nationwide championships have been won by Cup drivers. Almost every Nationwide race is won by a Cup driver. Why should NASCAR fans be bothered by it?
The main purpose of the Nationwide series,since its inception as the Busch series in 1982,has been to nurture up and coming talent and prepare drivers for the Cup series but the privilege of Cup drivers racing in the Nationwide series has been abused in recent years. This keeps out potential talent that will be needed in the Cup series in the future. Some argue that the presence of Cup drivers makes full-time non-Cup Nationwide regulars more competitive. That might be true up to a point but if too many Cup drivers are in the same Nationwide race,it does not make it very competitive for upstart drivers who are supposed to compete against each other for wins and open doors for themselves in the Cup series in the future.
Another argument is that Cup drivers help boost attendance at Nationwide series races. While NASCAR is a business and they obviously want to make as much money as possible,it's still unfair to up and coming drivers who have dreams of being the next Richard Petty,Tony Stewart,or Jeff Gordon. I have no objections to the presence of a few Cup drivers in each Nationwide series race but NASCAR should place restrictions on how many races a season Cup drivers race in the Nationwide series. NASCAR should make it restrictive enough to the point that they do not take too many points or too much money away from the full-time non-Cup Nationwide regulars.
Cup drivers must be reminded that it is the Nationwide series,not a practice session for Cup races. Also,the arrogant,condescending attitudes of some Cup drivers in the Nationwide series is very disturbing. How soon they forget that they were once seeking to fulfill a dream like the Nationwide regulars they belittle. Whether NASCAR is too timid or too greedy to do anything about it is a matter of debate. What's not debatable is that it is a problem and an issue NASCAR must do something about now if the Nationwide series,and perhaps NASCAR itself,is to have a future.
Welcome!!!!
This is the first post on my new blog. I will post about different topics,mostly sports,some basketball,some football,but mostly NASCAR. I also plan on posting non-sports related topics as well. You might disagree with me. You might agree with most of what I write. Whatever your opinion is,I hope you enjoy my blog.
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