I’m truly a sucker for super hero movies; especially if someone is going to fly in it.  Hancock had all the trappings of a movie I just HAD to see; flying, superpowers, fighting evil, cool action scenes like Will Smith standing in front of an oncoming locomotive to save a stranded motorist.  To top it all off, I’ve yet to see a bad Will Smith movie.

So what can you expect from this movie?  You can expect to be disappointed.  Will does an excellent job of keeping this movie from going completely bankrupt.  The movie starts out great with a story that has promise.  A drunk, depressed, reluctant super hero who has a terrible public relations problem.  They you have an ideological public relations guy who is tanking in the business world.  Get the two together and something magical can happen in the world.  Real good up to this point.  Then, I think the writers took a  break, smoked something illeagal during lunch, and lost their minds.  The movie does not just take a turn in the road, the train comes off the tracks!  What ridiculousness. 

In spite of the nonsensical story line, I would still encourage you to see this movie.  It is mildly entertaining.  But, if you need a movie that makes sense…go watch Kung Fu Panda.

Tom’s Rating:

Will Smith - A

Action & Special Effects - A

Plot & Story Line - D-

At age 41, Dara will be the oldest American swimmer ever to compete in the Olympics.  Keep your eye on this story.  I sense a sensational American story unfolding.  I must admit, I have a special place in my heart for those who, on the calendar, are older; but are really young at heart!

The United States Supreme Court made a historical decision this week in support of the 2nd amendment right to bear arms.  The court’s 5-4 ruling struck down the District of Columbia’s 32-year-old ban on handguns as incompatible with gun rights under the Second Amendment.

Even though this ruling is a victory for those who love the constitution, it is frightening that it was a 5-4 decision.  In reading the minority opinions in this case one would wonder if these justices had ever studied constitutional law or any form of American History.  Their opinions are based in current political rhetoric and not founded in constitutional fact.

Even the writings of the majority opinions are somewhat shaky.  The main reason of thinking was this:  the original framers included the 2nd amendment right of the people to bear arms so as to defend themselves from violent crime.  No doubt this is a good reason, but not the reason the founding fathers required this amendment. 

The 2nd amendment was put there to allow a free people to remain free.  Those first Americans did not trust government.  They knew what it was like to be under the domineering fist of a tyranical government.  They knew that an unarmed populace was subject to tyranny.  An armed people would remain a free people.  Let us never forget this; the first step to tyrany is to disarm the people. 

Think about the power of the court when making your presidential vote this fall.  Just one more liberal judge could change the future of America!  We need judges who are lovers of the constitution - not political operatives!

Contrary to popular belief, nuclear power, is the cleanest and safest form of electrical energy available.  It has the least negative impact on the environment.  So why are we not using more nuclear energy?  There are several reasons but it basically comes down to two main reasons.  One, is that fossil fuels are, have been, cheaper.  We have an addiction to coal and oil in this country.  So, in spite of the absolute fact that fossil fuels have tarnished our environment with air, water and land pollution, not to mention the multitude of thousands of people who have died, we continue to be dependent on fossil fuels.  Why?  Because it is cheaper. 

Also, the second reason for the large abstinence from nukes would be fear.  The movie China Syndrome and Russia’s Cherynobol are used to continue this fear mongering.  Many see nuclear waste products as a reason not to use nuclear power.  I see it  just the opposite.  What other large scale power source, that will not have adverse impact on the environment, can contain 100% of its waste product?  100% of the waste from nuclear power can be contained and managed. 

Don’t you think the time is now to think nuke?

Here is an excellent blog that compares nuke to coal:

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.appvoices.org/images/galleries/MartinCountyNastySpill.jpg&imgrefurl=http://nextbigfuture.com/2008/04/coal-is-more-deadly-and-dangerous-than.html&h=768&w=1024&sz=206&hl=en&start=75&tbnid=h8SCgl6c4Vy7hM:&tbnh=113&tbnw=150&prev=/images%3Fq%3DNuclear%2Bpower%2Bwaste%26start%3D60%26imgsz%3Dxxlarge%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D20%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN

“Now if you are going to win any battle you have to do one thing.  You have to make the mind run the body.  Never let the body tell the mind what to do.  The body will always give up.  It is always tired in the morning, noon and night.  But the body is never tired if the mind is not tired.”

George S. Patton, U.S. Army General, 1912 Olympian

A suit has been filed in federal court to ban South Carolina from making this custom plate from ever being available to private individuals.  The claim is that this violates the 1st amendment of the constitution, alleging “separation of church and state.”

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

If the state was mandating this plate for all of its citizens, I would support their suit.  Since this is in fact something you would have to personally purchase, at a greater cost to you and profit for the state, how is this a violation of the 1st amendment?  Is it not just the opposite?  Is this not a violation of the “prohibiting the free exercise thereof and abridging the freedom of speech?”

What do you think?

Here is a sample news article on this issue: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,366242,00.html

Does this mean Minnesota supports topless dancers?

Does New Hampshire support free flatuation?

Does Mississippi support NASCAR?

Is it just me…or is golf not worth watching unless Tiger is playing?

I’m starting a bible class this Sunday examining the old testament blessing.  This song is an excellent reminder that we are to be a blessing and not a curse to our world. 

In May of 2007, while poolside after baptizing an entire family, a dear friend threw out the following challenge: “Hey, let’s all do a sprint triathlon next year!”  I and another friend, caught up in the moment, replied, Yeah!  Let’s do it!”  Our goal was to complete, not compete. 

None of us really knew what we were getting into…but it really sounded good at the time.  Now came the work.  I started running again for the first time in 20 years.  Of all places to start my running training, I had to pick Richmond, VA. during the summer!  Oh, well, it hurt….bad….but I stuck with it.  Then it was bike, bike, bike.  Instead of taking the car, take the bike.  The miles began to pile up.  Then the most dreaded area to work on….swimming.  I had not done any serious swimming since High School!  That was 35 years ago!  It took some time, but I worked my way up to swimming a mile without stopping.

I did much reading on-line to prepare physically and mentally.  Everyone was saying how you need to really swim in the open water.  I began swimming at Wamplers Lake.  Wow!  what a difference from swimming in the pool!  That was one of the best things I did in preparation.  I did not have that panic feeling that most first time triathletes get.

So, on Saturday, June 14, 2008, I completed my first triathlon in Findlay, Ohio.  I made several mistakes, lost my “chip” (time piece) during the swim and had to finish with an “unofficial” time, but had the time of my life.  What made it so special was not just completing a goal set, but having my loving and adoring wife, my 3 awesome children, their fantastic spouses and my super grandchildren there to share in this experience with me.  I sure do love my wife, kids and family!  They are the best blessings in the world!  My love for them all is just about to make me explode!

My gorgeous daughter took my picture at each stage of the race; from the beginning to the end.  The pictures have a time stamp on them so I have a pretty accurate idea of how well, personally, I did.  For the complete story, check with the best journalist to come along since Walter Cronkite, see the one and only, famous Mudpuppy at http://mudpuppy.wordpress.com/

I set a personal goal to not only finish, but finish with a time of 1 hr. 30 minutes.  According to the times stamps on the camera, I finished in 1 hr. & 26 minutes.  I had my pit crew, Tommy T there to save me precious time during the transitions and to take video. 

It’s now in the books.  Thanks Jack for the challenge!  If you had not made the challenge I would  never have tried this.

I can’t wait until the next one!