"The General" blasts Kentucky coach John Calipari

No doubt, after the dust settled earlier this after John Calipari signed an 8-year, $31.65 million deal to coach the University of Kentucky basketball team, eventually the day would come where he would have to address past suspicious actions at his former schools.
Little did he know such criticism would come early in his first season at the helm in Lexington, a time when the Wildcats are undefeated and again one of the nation's premier teams.
During an Indiana Hall of Fame fundraiser earlier this week, the all-time leader in mens' college basketball coaching win Bobby Knight took a few shots at the Kentucky head man, claiming Calipari was "lacking in integrity" and does not understand why he is still coaching.
"We've gotten into this situation where integrity is really lacking and that's why I'm glad I'm not coaching," Knight said. "You see we've got a coach at Kentucky who put two schools on probation and he's still coaching. I really don't understand that."
Previous coaching stints at Massachusetts and Memphis though successful, were shrouded in controversy, both schools sanctioned by the NCAA for violations occurring during Calipari's time on campus.
After making a run to the 1996 Final Four with UMass, the team's record was wiped from the books after the NCAA discovered former Minuteman player Marcus Camby accepted money and gifts from an agent.
More recently, the NCAA looked into allegations a player on the 2007-08 Memphis team knowingly had another person complete his SAT exam. The player, later identified as talented guard Derrick Rose, would force the Tigers to vacate the entire season in which he played, including a trip to the national title game in 2008 which was lost in overtime to Kansas.
In addition, allegations of Rose's brother being allowed to travel with the team during road games at no charge also came to the forefront.
However, by this time Calipari had moved on to Lexington and his job of delivering another championship to Kentucky. The NCAA also informed the coach that he was not considered a person of interest in its investigation.
In the wake of Memphis having to drop NCAA and school records, it seemed the issue would roll right into the season and possibly affect his first year in the Bluegrass State. But time seemed to heal wounds, and for an extended period little news was heard out of the program aside from what was happening on the hardwood.
Unfortunately for the Kentucky head man, one person - Knight - was taking notes.
Few others pushed the boundaries in college basketball the past few decades than the former Indiana and Texas Tech coach.
Known for his blow-ups at the media and questionable method of coaching, there was a time that he was in Calipari's shoes, his every move magnified and scrutinized.
Enduring similar issues during his own career, it was very surprising to hear "The General" criticize the Wildcats coach.
No matter how controversial though, Knight never bailed out on one of his programs in the face of sanctions, his own personal matters usually having little to do with the welfare of his employer (the university) or his players.
The accomplishments of two schools were wiped out because Calipari got caught sleep behind the wheel. Not to say he will do the same at Kentucky, but his past record of managing programs is less than dazzling.
Wins will sure make past indiscretions fade away - at least for the time being.
No matter though, Knight has more wins than any other men's basketball coach; we have definitely not heard the last from him.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.

A fan's letter to the Dallas Cowboys ...

It's about time I bought another hat.
Sitting for the past few years in the back of my car as a token of reverence to my team, the Dallas Cowboys,once a sharp royal blue has been sapped of its color, faded from the sun beaming on it day after day.
Similarly, the team emblazoned on it has somewhat become jaded in recent years, blinded by tales of past glory.
It almost seems like yesterday Dallas was navigating its way through the NFL, rising from the depths of a 1-15 season to the Super Bowl only a few years later.
That bright January day at Pasadena's Rose Bowl would be the first of three trips for the Cowboys to the big game, each of which were victories for the team dubbed "America's Team."
The trio of quarterback Troy Aikman, NFL all-time leading rusher Emmitt Smith and hall of fame wide receiver Michael Irvin reminded Dallas fans of the glory days in which Roger Staubach and Tony Dorsett roamed freely at Texas Stadium, while coach Tom Landry roamed the sidelines.
Headed into the 1995 season, there were high hopes of a fourth championship in a five-year span. Dallas would finish 10-6 that year, just enough to get past rival Philadelphia to earn the NFC East title.
The team would start the playoffs on a high note, defeating Minnesota 40-15 and seemingly on a collision course with Green Bay in the NFC Championship game.
For Cowboys fans, that day - Dec. 28, 1996 - sticks with us even as we prepare to begin the second decade in the 21st century.
It was the last time Dallas won a playoff game. Kerry Collins and an upstart Carolina Panthers club would bounce the Cowboys out of the postseason the next week, beginning a bad trend of December and January flame outs by the team.
Going into each year, the question remains, "Can Dallas win in December?"
The calendar's final month is the most important in the NFL season, separating the real from fake and solidifying playoff positioning.
During the past 13+ years, however, the Cowboys have found ways to dismantle their hope of earning a championship ring.
Unfortunately, these are the facts the team and us fans live with everyday:
- more than 4,700 days since the team's last playoff win in 1996, losers of its last five postseason games
- Dallas has not experienced a winning December since 1996.
Tough pill to swallow, without a doubt. After last season's swoon, in particular the 44-6 drubbing at the hands of the Eagles with a playoff bid on the line, the faith a lot of us has been shaken, always wondering when the woes will end.
With each failed opportunity to rid themselves of December's past, doubt creeps into players' minds as well.
The only way to dispel the notion of flame outs in the season's final month is simple - WIN!
Dallas has three final opportunities to change its notoriety of being a team that seems to "finish first" - in the bad way.
Making it happen this year will be difficult, with games at unbeaten New Orleans in addition to renewing acquaintances with division rivals Washington and Philadelphia.
As is always the case this time of year, my Cowboys will show what they are made of.
Hopefully, the results are good, beaming radiantly like the Dallas star logo etched to the brand new cap residing in my car.

R.I.P. Chris Henry 1983-2009

It's at these times the games don't really matter.
I literally tossed and turned last night, sick from the news that Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry had been in a serious accident in Charlotte.
Following a domestic dispute, the five-year pro jumped into the bed of the pickup his fiancee was driving away from the residence. At some part of the ride, Henry was ejected, suffering fatal injuries the result of the incident.
He was 26.
At that age, the belief for most of us is that we're only showing signs of our future potential.
Henry was certainly beginning to blossom, getting his life turned around after being classified as one of the NFL's "thugs," a guinea pig along with former NFL player Adam "Pacman" Jones of Commissioner Roger Goodell's league Personal Conduct Policy.
At one point, it seemed he had exhausted his final opportunity to stay in the league after multiple arrests.
But Henry turned his life around. With the help of his girlfriend, it seemed the Bengals receiver was on the right track.
Often crediting her with his turnaround in interviews, Henry convinced all of us he was serious about making a change. A father of three kids, it was apparent to those in NFL circles this young man wanted to be an example to not only his children, but use his status to maybe help that youth looking for someone to look up to.
But on an overcast day in Charlotte, that all was flushed away from him; so quickly, so suddenly.
Reading and seeing the reaction of his teammates and fellow NFL players, it really put into perspective how X's and O's took a backseat to the welfare of a team and a family who has lost a loved one.
Regarded to some as an "organized fight," players often build a certain hate for rivals on the other sideline. But the loss of a life or an unfortunate occurrence in one's life brings out the best in NFL stars, showing there is more to making millions, being paid to play a "boy's game" and entertain us.
Underneath that tough exterior, there is a heart.
Understandably, the hearts of Cincinnati Bengals players, management and fans broke this morning learning of Henry's death. For someone who seemingly had a bright future ahead of him, the receiver's passing is a bitter pill to swallow.
It will definitely be hard for the team to focus and prepare for its pivotal matchup with San Diego this Sunday. As big as this game is toward the Bengals' common goal of a Super Bowl, it lacks importance to the loss of a teammate, brother and friend.
My prayers go out to Henry's family, the Cincinnati Bengals organization, and those affected by his loss.

Reflections on NFL Week 14

Hitting the stretch run toward the NFL playoffs, week 14 was dubbed as "Show and Prove" weekend for many teams. Wanting to make a statement as well as jockey for positioning in their respective conferences, a win was critical for those with sights set on a date in February on South Beach and Super Bowl XLIV.
Five questions going into this weekend of action:

1. Could Indianapolis and New Orleans continue their respective pursuits of perfection?
At no time in NFL history had two teams been 13-0 in the same season.
The Colts and Saints changed all that on Sunday, remaining perfect after late runs by their opponents.
Indianapolis' defense had trouble defending Denver wide receiver Brandon Marshall, who set a record by hauling in 21 receptions during the game. However, his effort was not enough as Peyton Manning despite throwing three interceptions led the Colts to a 28-16 win.
The victory earned Indianapolis (13-0) the AFC's top seed and homefield advantage throughout the postseason. It also was the Colts' 22nd consecutive victory during regular season play, breaking the record of 21 set by New England earlier this decade.
It may not always look pretty, but New Orleans continues to find ways to win.
Surviving a late flurry from Atlanta, the Saints got a 38-yard field goal from Garrett Hartley and made enough plays on defense at the end to remain undefeated, defeating the Falcons 26-23.
New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees threw for 296 yards and three touchdowns in the win, two of which went to Reggie Bush.
The win gives New Orleans (13-0) the NFC South title and a first round bye in the NFC playoffs. It also keeps the Saints two games in front of Minnesota for the conference's top seed and homefield advantage throughout the postseason.
Going into the final three weeks of the season, it will be interesting to see if these teams will continue to pursue perfection, or try to rest starters for the playoffs.
New Orleans has a favorable schedule (vs. DAL, vs. TB, @ CAR), while the Colts' road is a bit tougher facing tough defensive matchups in Jacksonville and the New YOrk Jets the next two weeks.
Indianapolis ends the season with a trip to Buffalo.

2. Could San Diego continue its December roll, or would Dallas put an end to its late season woes?
It's not always about how you start, but how you finish.
Over the past several seasons, San Diego has proven this time and again, making late season runs propelling the team into the playoffs.
On the other hand, the Cowboys have had their troubles in December, watching seasons with hopes of success disintegrate in the year's final month.
The trend for both teams continued Sunday as San Diego rode the arm of Phillip Rivers to a 20-17 victory Sunday at Cowboys Stadium.
Rivers completed 21 of 32 passes for 272 yards against Dallas Sunday, with a 14-yard touchdown pass to tight end Antonio Gates breaking a 10-10 tie in the fourth quarter.
Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo did not have a bad day, completing 19 of 30 passed for 249 yards and two touchdowns. But Dallas did not make the most of its opportunities, wasting opportunities in the red zone,including not being able to score after getting three cracks from the 1-yard line.
The loss drops the Cowboys (8-5) out of first place in the NFL East, falling a game behind Philadelphia with three games to go. Wins are necessary for the team to have any chance of earning a playoff berth, and that will be tough considering Dallas must travel to New Orleans and Washington before ending the season at the rival Eagles.
San Diego (10-3) on the other hand can earn the AFC's no. 2 seed and a first round bye by beating Cincinnati this Sunday. The Chargers also won their 16th straight game in December, an NFL record.

3. Who would take control of the NFC East?
Knowing Dallas had lost earlier on in the day, Philadelphia and New York knew the teams' meeting at Giants Stadium had added incetive - first place in the division.
A rivalry noted for its many defensive struggles, Sunday's contest wound up with the offenses taking center stage.
However, no one's star shone more brightly than Eagles' second year receiver DeSean Jackson, making two trips to the end zone to lead Philadelphia to a 45-38 win over the Giants.
Jackson caught six balls for 178 yards, including a 60-yard bomb from Donavon McNabb that helped the Eagles regain the lead after New York jumped in front 31-30 midway through the third quarter. He also had a 72-yard punt return go for a score, adding to his notoriety as one of the league's most dangerous players.
The Giants, who were hoping to create a logjam at the top of the NFC East, fell to 7-6 with the loss. New York has lost 6 of its last 8 games after a 5-0 start to the season.
If a playoff run is in the Giants' future, it will almost likely have to run the table against Washington, Carolina and Minnesota, which may rest players to prep for the playoffs in week 17.
Philadelphia (9-4) can really take advantage of the division in the next few weeks, getting San Francisco and Denver at home before ending the regular season in Dallas.

4. Could New England end its losing streak?
Losing streaks of any kind are rare for the New England Patriots.
Suffering two straight losses at the hands of New Orleans and Miami, New England was looking to get back in the win column against Carolina.
The Patriots found things a bit tougher than expected, however, having to work to put away a scrappy squad of Panthers 20-10.
Tom Brady threw for 192 yards and his third quarter touchdown pass to Ben Watson broke a 7-7 tie, giving the Patriots a lead they would not relinquish.
Carolina had no answer for New England receiver Wes Welker, who went over 100 receptions for the season in the contest after hauling in 10 passes in the game.
Surprisingly, Randy Moss was a non-factor in the game, only making one catch for 16 yards. Moss would lose a fumble on the play, and would be targeted only a few more times in the contest.
The win helps the Patriots (8-5) keep their one game advantage over Miami and the New York Jets, both 7-6.

5. Could Brett Favre and Minnesota keep the heat on unbeaten New Orleans in the race for the NFC's top seed?
Brett Favre only threw for 192 yards in Minnesota's contest with Cincinnati Sunday.
However, it was all that was needed to lead the Vikings to their 11th win of the season, claiming a 30-10 victory over the Bengals.
In what was arguably the team's best performance of the year, Minnesota held Cincinnati to 210 total yards, which included holding Carson Palmer to 92 yards passing.
Sidney Rice continued to be a thorn in the side of opposing defenses, making his fifth touchdown grab of 2009. The South Carolina product has caught 67 passes this year for 1,075 yards.
The Vikings will try to clinch the NFC North Sunday when the team travels to Carolina for a 1 p.m. kickoff.

A dream fulfilled

All it took was one play for Mark Ingram Sr. to turn around the biggest game of his career, Super Bowl XXV.
Faced with third and long inside Buffalo territory during the third quarter of the contest, New York Giants quarterback Jeff Hostetler completed a short pass across the middle to Ingram, primarily in an attempt to get his team in position to at least kick a field goal.
The slippery New York receiver had other ideas however, turning what seemingly would wind up a field goal attempt into a drive-saving play, eluding tackles by several Bills defenders before making a last-second lunge for the markers and a first down.
It was only a matter of inches, but that's all it took for the Giants to continue a drive that saw them consume more than eight minutes of game time, ending with an O.J. Anderson 1-yard touchdown run to give New York a 17-12 lead in the contest.
New York would eventually win its second Super Bowl title, needing every second to down Buffalo, 20-19.
If only life could had proven as easy for Ingram as that pivotal play.
Waiting to be formally sentenced on bank fraud and money laundering charges, Ingram was captured as a fugitive early this year. He now faces 10 years behind bars.
Having to share the remote with fellow inmates at a New York City jail, it likely was difficult for him to consistently watch his son, Mark Jr., become one of college football's top players at Alabama. But from the few portions he was able to see, it is likely he saw a lot of himself out there on the gridiron.
Blessed with breakaway speed, power and balance making him hard for even the biggest of linemen to bring down, Mark Jr.'s sophomore season was one to remember in the "Heart of Dixie," setting Alabama rushing records and helping the Crimson Tide to a 12-0 record and the program's first SEC title since 1998.
As with all good players, Mark Jr.'s best performances usually came when his team needed him most.
Struggling to put points on the board against a stout South Carolina defense the running back put the Tide on his back.
On that drive, Mark Jr. carried the ball six plays in a row — most in the "Wildcat" formation — leading 'Bama 68 yards down the field en route to a touchdown sealing a 20-6 victory over the Gamecocks.
He also came up big in a SEC Championship game rematch with rival Florida, gashing what was then the nation's top ranked defense for 189 total yards. The Tide won the game 32-13, earning a trip to the National Championship Game vs. Texas next month in Pasadena, Calif.
Such clutch performances against top notch competition were likely enough to put Mark Jr. over the top in the eyes of Heisman Trophy voters, making him the 75th member of college football's elite fraternity.
He is Alabama's first Heisman winner, accomplishing a feat Tide greats like Bart Starr, Joe Namath, Ken Stabler, Jay Barker, Shaun Alexander and others failed to do in their time in Tuscaloosa.
While his son was standing at the podium in New York City last weekend accepting college football's highest honor, I wonder whether Mark Sr. flashed back more than a decade ago to when his son said "Dad, I'm going to become a better player than you."
For most fathers, the goal is for their children to exceed everything they did during their lifetime. Tears of joy likely flowed from the eyes of Mark Sr. Saturday night, knowing his son's wildest dreams had been fulfilled.

College Football's Forgotten Field General

Bursting onto the scene his freshman year in 2006 at a pivotal juncture of his team's rivalry game against Tennessee, Florida's Tim Tebow pushing for the first down began a decorated chapter in school and NCAA history.
Tebow's Gator squad would win the first of two national titles won during his time in Gainesville that year, a play that was the beginning of a career in which he gained 8,803 total yards and 85 touchdowns, still with a New Year's Day tilt with Cincinnati at the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. As a starter, he led Florida to a 34-6 record, and became the first Heisman Trophy winner at the school since quarterback Danny Wuerffel in 1996.
Characterized not by his play on the field but his faith, Tebow earned the respect and admiration of football fans and those who knew little about the sport.
While the Florida quarterback was causing problems for SEC defenses on a weekly basis, a young man hailing from Greenwood, S.C., was doing the same - albeit in front of a smaller audience.
Armanti Edwards turned down scholarships from southern powerhouses Clemson and Georgia to attend Appalachian State University, a Division I-AA school located in the small mountain town of Boone, N.C.
Wanting the chance to prove he could play quarterback at a high level, Edwards immediately seized the job upon arrival at the school in 2006. Taking over for Richie Williams, who led the Mountaineers to a national title the previous year, he had big shoes to fill.
But Edwards would cast his image over the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS, formerly known as Division I-AA). In his first two years on campus, he would lead ASU to two more national titles, doing his part to help the program accomplish a feat few others have accomplished - a 3-peat.
Edwards would win the 2008 Walter Payton Award, given to the FCS's most outstanding player, in addition to being a two-time Southern Conference Player of the Year as well as a three-time all conference performer.
He also led Mountaineers to one of the biggest upsets in college football histor, a 34-32 victory over Michigan, which at the time was among the top five teams in the nation.
Edwards' dazzling collegiate career came to an end Saturday, falling 24-17 to Montana, a game short of the FCS championship game. During his time in Boone, he gained 10,039 yards and 74 touchdowns.
The ultimate dual threat, teams literally had to build a gameplan around him - much like Tebow.
Hopefully like the Florida quarterback, Edwards' place in college football history is not easily buried in the pit of forgetfulness.

As Tiger's World Spins ...

Funny, huh?
Not long ago, Tiger Woods was a media darling, given the keys to the mansion because of his success on the golf course.
Who could argue? The golfer is on pace to become the most successful golfer of all-time, not to mention his success of the links, being able to garner millions of sponsorship dollars.
But as the Notorious B.I.G. said, "Mo' Money, Mo' Problems." In Tiger's case, the celebrity brought more problems than even he could take on.
Recently confessing to extramarital affairs, Woods is doing his best to plug as many leaks as possible, with new allegations coming out everyday.
This week, a number of mistresses have come out of hiding, alleging they have had a relationship at one point with the golf legend while being married to Elin Nordegren.
For a guy trying to heal from a car wreck, the dismantling of his public image and most importantly his relationship with his wife and kids, the past few weeks have been a sobering pill to swallow.
We've heard nothing from Woods aside from a personal statement revealing his transgressions and that the matter should be one dealt with only in the confines of his own home. Hopefully within time they can reconcile their differences, doing what's best for their two children.
It's nothing that he didn't bring on himself, however. Your words and actions are all you have on this earth, and unfortunately he didn't used a few hours or days of his life wisely.
But aren't we a society of second chances? Let me ask you another question: are you a Kobe Bryant fan?
If so, you remember a few years ago that Bryant was similarly crucified by the media and society in general in 2003 after being accused of sexual assault at a hotel in Edwards, Colo., by a hotel employee.
Kobe admitted committing the act of adultery, though he claimed the encounter was "consensual." The case would later by dropped after the accuser informed prosecutors she was unwilling to testify, though a separate suit against the Lakers star was settled out of court.
It's easy to forget this when you see an impersonation of Bryant on the "Most Valuable Puppets" commercials now part of a Nike marketing campaign.
Tiger can and likely will redeem himself, win a few more major titles and maybe make some more sponsorship dollars. But time will tell, and Woods is the only one who can provide the end of the script.

Hitting the right notes

By JOE L. HUGHES II
The Gaffney Ledger
joe@gaffneyledger.com

A house rarely is built in a day, needing as many people and tools available to ensure the safety and comfort of those planning to make the structure their home.
In their quest to find the perfect tune, bands also will employ the use of an array of instruments and talents, wanting to provide audiences with quality entertainment and something to "groove" to.
Monday was not your typical business day at a Logan Street barber shop, as the sound of clippers and chatter were replaced by that of drums, the strumming of guitars and voices of several local talents.
"3 ... 2 ... 1..., let's go!," yelled bassist Earl Vernon to members of Tha Band, signaling the beginning of a musical journey whipping listeners back to the soulful sounds of the 1960s and '70s, playing the tunes of artists like Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross and the Commodores, eventually taking on the more recent tunes of Erykah Badu, Musiq Soulchild and Jill Scott.
"We're trying to cover all the bases," said Michael Logan, keyboardist/bassist for Tha Band. "It's a goal of ours to appeal to both the young and the old."
Music is a way of life for the group, which includes Vernon, Logan, saxaphonist Lamar Peeler, vocalists Ike Bridges, Shaun "Terri" Hall, Melody Harris and Jamarcus Littlejohn, bassist Ben Gaffney, drummer Vince Hambright, keyboardist Josh McDowell and guitarist Kendall Kirby.
Tha Band was formed four years ago, a collection of ministers of music, lead musicians and vocalists from local churches and music groups.
"We all have our own thing going on, but always come back together to make good music," Bridges said. "A lot of us have been good friends for a long time, and it's only right for good people to make good music together. (Music) is what we do."
A love rooted from their days as youths sitting in pews listening to choirs at local places of worship, the group has taken its act around the Upstate.
Tha Band will be jammin' for a cause Saturday, performing at the M&I Productions Christmas Ball in Blacksburg with proceeds going to help the Cherokee Children's Home.
For the past 20 years, the private, nonprofit organization has served as an emergency shelter for abused, abandoned and neglected children up to 17 years of age.
"It's all a part of trying to do something good this Christmas season," Bridges said.
Also scheduled to perform at the Christmas Ball are Floyd's Passion, Meechie and Letroune Allen, Kent Oglesby and DJ Snowball.
Soul food will be available at the event and drawings for door prizes will be held.
The Christmas Ball will take place at Iron City Place, located on South John Street in Blacksburg.
Festivities begin at 9 p.m.
Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 the day of the event.
For more information, call Logan at (864) 425-6675, Bridges at (864) 202-2907, or Vernon at (864) 425-3998.

Second chances

First time, shame on me; the second time, shame on you.

It’s a statement so many of us have heard in times past, leading some to believe that they can mess up once yet get another chance to redeem themselves.

In our society however, such could not be further from the truth. Single moments are opportunities and rarely are they given twice.

Positive thoughts about hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy above his head after kicking a 47-yard field goal through the uprights was likely the only thing on the mind of Buffalo Bills kicker Scott Norwood in Super Bowl XXV nearly 20 years ago. Unfortunately for him, the way he envisioned things took a twist as the ball ended up to the right of the intended target.

A moment that lives in infamy for Bills fans across the country, the shame and feeling of guilt for not coming through in the clutch is a burden Norwood has shouldered since that late January day in 1991. As good as he was during his 7-year NFL career, making more than 72 percent of his field goal attempts (133 of 184), someone so reliable to his team is unjustly associated with failure.

At least he was able to get another opportunity to give his confidence a boost, shaking off past missteps and kicking the ball through the uprights. For a lot of others, one mistake can put you behind for years, some for life.

Marriage vows are an example of this, a verbal and written contract by two people dedicating themselves to that certain significant other for the rest of their lives. A relationship that sometimes took many years to build can crumble quickly however, and be put on display for the world to see.

But after catching their significant other with pie on their face, how many would be strong enough to stick with that person? There aren’t many who would.

A lot of people cannot stand Hillary Clinton, or in particular, her politics. But it took a lot for her to stick with her husband, former president Bill Clinton, after his muchpublicized troubles.

While painful, the two of them were able to put the past behind them and build for the future, one in which she has risen to one of the nation’s highest posts as Secretary of State.

In the Bible, we’re reminded that there is punishment for sin, but God is willing and just to forgive us of our missteps, casting them as far as the east is from the west. Why can’t we do the same?

I have always admired longtime Florida State Head Football Coach Bobby Bowden. Everyone likes a winner, but there is more to him than his accomplishments on the field.

Always willing to share his Christian values with his coaching staff and players, he has earned their respect by backing up his words with actions.

Ten years ago, Bowden was faced with a difficult choice after one of his best players, Peter Warrick, and a teammate allegedly purchased clothes valued at more than $400 for $21.40, a discount so large it is considered shoplifting in the state of Florida. The Seminoles were one of the top teams in the country that year, and Warrick in the upper echelon of players, being highly considered for the Heisman Trophy.

Most coaches would have done away with Warrick at that moment, deciding the student-athlete’s actions made him no longer worthy of a scholarship from the institution — a just punishment considering the alleged incident. Others may have done nothing, giving the player preferential treatment due to how much he meant to the team.

Though not popular at the time, Bowden maneuvered between both options, deciding to suspend Warrick two games and all but ending the talented athlete’s Heisman dreams. But it earned the coach the trust of his players, being looked at as a father-figure, feeling a sense of guilt if they were to disappoint him.

Florida State would wind up undefeated that season, claiming the national title in the 2000 Sugar Bowl. Warrick also played a part in the contest, accounting for 160 yards and three touchdowns en route to being named the game’s most valuable player.

For the both of them, I can almost bet it was sweet redemption after having their names dragged through the dirt months earlier.

I’m not saying that we should clean out the jails in the name of second chances. They are doing that behind bars, earning that opportunity through good behavior and morale.

But more stories like that of Warrick and Oregon running back Lagarrette Blount need to be told, letting children know that one mistake does not equate to failure.

Blount, who earlier this season was suspended by the university following a post-game fracas in which he punched a Boise State football player, was recently reinstated by head coach Chip Kelly.

The move allowed the senior running back to join teammates for the remaining games on their schedule, including the Ducks’ “Civil War” matchup with rival Oregon State.

Blount would score a touchdown in the contest, playing a vital role in helping the team win its conference and advance to the 2010 Rose Bowl.

More importantly however, he is getting the opportunity to restore his name.

I see it everyday, especially in this line of work, instances in which people’s missteps are aired out to a mass audience. Their intentions may have been innocent, but something along the way didn’t go as expected.

I can think of dozens of friends, family or acquaintances that wish certain moments of their life could be done differently. A perfect picture, it’s unlikely they would like the movie of their life to include times of embarrassment or hurt.

But if everything is so sunny and bright, when can we appreciate the rain that washes away grudges and missteps we incur along the way?

Mistakes can and will happen, and all of us fail at some point. It’s how we pick ourselves up from those errors in judgment that are a true measure of character.

All they want is another chance to prove themselves worthy of our trust; are you willing to let them do so?

Man calls 911 ... tells officers to arrest him!

Usually I don't take much pleasure in other's issues. But for this guy, he asked for it ... seriously. Dude wanted a free trip to jail, and he got it.

By TIM GULLA
The Gaffney Ledger

A 49-year-old Gaffney man, who allegedly called E-9-1-1 five times on Oct. 13, telling an operator he wanted to go to jail, apparently got what he wanted.
The Gaffney Police Department served an arrest warrant against Dennis Charles Gregory, of Carlisle Street, charging him with unlawful use of an emergency 9-1-1 number.
According to a police report, Gregory called Cherokee County E-9-1-1 five times between 1 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. without an emergency. Police claimed Gregory was intoxicated and was telling an E-9-1-1 operator that he wanted to go to jail.
By calling E-9-1-1 without an emergency, police contend Gregory was tying up an emergency dispatcher.
Police initially booked Gregory on charges of unlawful use of 9-1-1 and public drunkenness. He remained lodged at the Cherokee County Detention Center as of Thursday afternoon in lieu of $1,000 bond.
Dispatch Captain Reggie Petty said Cherokee County E-9-1-1occasionally gets non-emergency calls, such as people asking for directions. While most of the non-emergency calls are harmless in nature, Petty said, "It's tying up 9-1-1 lines when there might be a real emergency."

It's not a smart idea, but Rush has the right to try

It's ironic that under the definition of controversy in Webster's Dictionary there is no sight of Rush Limbaugh or his likeness.
After all, for much of the past two decades the political talk show host has been the voice of those on the right side of the aisle and conservative America.
I'm not here to argue anyone's political beliefs and ambitions, that's your business and should be respected as such. However, Limbaugh has been more than willing to stir the pot a little during his time on television and radio, raising eyebrows for his comments about Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donavon McNabb.
Limbaugh, at the time employed by ESPN and part of its Sunday NFL Countdown show, said "the media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well,''and "there is a little hope invested in McNabb," getting a lot of credit for the performance of this team that he didn't deserve.
It's fine to be controversial every once in a while, everyone is not going to be 100 percent in your corner during this lifetime. But when you make it to where people — specifically people of certain races — are uncomfortable, some tend raise red flags and take a few steps back.
During his career, the political talk show host has referred to the NFL as "a game between the Bloods and the Crips without any weapons," and said rather insensitive words about the institution of slavery, saying America's and specifically the South's century long infatuation with the business was not necessarily a bad thing, serving as a catalyst for this region's growth.
After saying such statements it should come as no surprise that people are in an uproar about Limbaugh being part of an ownership group interested in buying the St. Louis Rams.
The Revs. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson have already raised their voice about the matter, with Jackson saying the right to own a NFL franchise is a privilege, one Limbaugh forfeited due to previous words and actions.
"The National Football League has set high standards for racial justice and inclusion," Jackson said. "He should not have the privilege of owning an NFL franchise -- and it is a privilege."
During Jackson's statement, he reiterated that owning an NFL franchise is a privilege, and I agree.
But he also must take a look at the track record of the players he and other civil rights leaders claim to represent. I've said it many times that "Men lie, women lie, but numbers don't."
Being able to suit up in a NFL uniform and play a sport that became the apple of their eye at a young age is a "privilege." If Jackson's assessment of Limbaugh is right, a healthy population of NFL players also have forfeited their right to earn millions of dollars and the recognition that goes with being a professional athlete.
Close to 60 players were arrested last year, with 25 getting bracelets put around the wrists they had not bargained for.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has done his part to crack down on this problem, with this year's numbers significantly lower than those from 2008 (though the year still has two full months of life). Not wanting to anger players, owners or sponsors, Goodell spoke up about the Limbaugh situation a few days ago, basically stating the NFL does not want divisive entities owning franchises in the organization.
Though I hope Limbaugh's attempt to own a NFL team is unsuccessful, he is within his right of trying to do so. But I beg a series of questions both to players and fans:
— If Limbaugh was given the green light to own the St. Louis Rams, what would you do about it? how much would your protests accomplish?
— Players: If Limbaugh's name is the one signed on a check, would you turn it down?
The NFL in its past has had divisive characters, such as former Washington Redskins owner George Marshall, who for a long time swore to never have a Black player on his team. Even to this day, the Redskins' fight song, "Hail to the Redskins," is a knock off of the team's original theme of "Fight for Old Dixie."
Time will tell how this shakes out, but Limbaugh's dream looks like it will take quite a bit of persuading, no matter his opinion.

The lifestyle changes once you say ‘I do’

“If you tell the truth, it will always be in your past. If you tell a lie, it’ll continue to be part of your future.
— former NFL coach Tony Dungy

If your life is anything like mine, there are moments you wish you could press a rewind button, rethink exactly what you were doing and then proceed with life as if nothing had happened in the first place.
Unfortunately, a small icon does not magically appear above our heads anytime we please.
By the way, if such gadgets and tools existed, our lives would never end, primarily because we hit the rewind button dozens of times in an effort to find whether said event would somehow have a different outcome.
For some reason, we have heard a lot of people wishing they could turn back the hands of time, usually after their private indiscretions were placed in the public eye for all to judge and scrutinize.
In sports, no one likely received more heat for his actions than New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez.
After stating on national television that he had never used steroids or some type of human growth hormone (HGH), Rodriguez’s lies eventually caught up with him with help of a 2003 report that listed his name as one of the 104 Major League Baseball (MLB) players that tested positive for some sort of banned substance.
Day after day it seemed the Yankees’ third baseman received some sort of heat from the New York media as well as sports fans around the world. Though he lied, his apology opened the door for healing.
Rodriguez made the most of his opportunity, batting .286, hitting 30 home runs and 100 runs batted in during the 2009 season. Success sure makes people forget about past faults.
We’ve also seen our public servants scrutinized for their transgressions behind closed doors. Our own Gov. Mark Sanford spilled the details of an affair he was having with an Argentine woman after it was learned the Palmetto State’s chief executive was not in the country.
Among those that were in line to throw jabs at Sanford during his time of weakness was “Late Night Show” host David Letterman, adding him to a list of disgraced public figures whose missteps became the subject of jokes during segments of the broadcast.
Sanford’s ordeal put his marriage in peril and virtually ended any aspirations he had of potentially running for president in 2012. Meanwhile, Letterman’s show continued to achieve high ratings, much to the dismay of those he insulted in the moments they were most vulnerable.
I tell you, karma is something else.
A few months after taking shots at Sanford for his extramarital affairs, Letterman would make portions of his own private life public, revealing he had a relationship with an employee of the “Late Night Show.”
It’s a shame that these people, put on a pedestal with the help of voters or through fans viewing their shows on a regular basis, fell prey to their own lust. Even worse, their faults were unveiled in front of a national and international audience.
I pray each of these men can repair their images, being that I don’t wish the worst for anyone despite how I may feel for them or how they live their lives.
But these men succumbing to the sin of adultery only sheds light on a bigger problem in America, as it seems many couples no longer take their vows seriously.
Married adults now divorce more than twice as often as adults did 20 years ago and four times as often as they did 50 years ago, according to a 2005 study on families and intimate relationships. It is also estimated between 40 and 60 percent of all new marriages will end in divorce.
In my opinion, you have some who like the notion of being in love, but not ready for a lifelong commitment. However, they choose to embark on a journey together, not knowing the seriousness of the vows spoken on their wedding day.
Unfortunately, they are victims of the moment, not knowing their lives will change the moment they say “I do.” Living in the moment also makes one prone to mistakes, with many being made trying to scoop another cookie out the jar.
The single life is gone and two lives are meshed together as one, making the long nights out and hanging out with the “friends” of the opposite sex at inappropriate times of night a no-go.
Yes, temptation will always be there to try to throw a monkey wrench in a person’s goal of staying faithful to their mate. Though the merchandise may be very enticing, does it fill a void, or take care of your short and long term needs?
If not, it might be best to leave those goodies on the shelf … trust me, you won’t have to make up an excuse later.

Oregon RB Blount may get second chance

Yes, it was quite a cowardly act, but we live in a world where people receive second chances — some of whom make the most of the opportunity and others that find new ways to screw things up.
You would hate for this young man's final game to be remembered for sucker punching a fellow student-athlete and going after fans following a loss. Hopefully, Blount will get another chance to prove himself to the University of Oregon and pundits around the country.
The senior running back is one heck of an athlete, it would be a shame for his NFL career to have been wiped out because of a moment of weakness.

EUGENE, Ore. (AP)—Oregon running back LeGarrette Blount could be reinstated later this season, according to a report on ESPN.com.

Ducks coach Chip Kelly planned to speak with the media after practice Friday “to discuss elements of his plan that has been in place with senior running back LeGarrette Blount that could include Blount’s potential reinstatement prior to the conclusion of the 2009 season,” the school said in a statement.

Further details were not immediately available.

Blount, who punched Boise State’s Byron Hout after a season-opening loss, had been suspended by the school for the rest of the season. He could be reinstated provided Blount continues to follow a plan set in place after the first game, a source told ESPN. That would not happen until Oregon’s bye week on Oct. 17 at the earliest.

It’s believed Oregon athletic director Mike Bellotti and school president Richard Lariviere have agreed to a possible reinstatement. On Thursday, the Oregon school newspaper published an apology from Blount, who recently became a new father.

Blount has also called Hout and Boise State coach Chris Petersen to apologize for the punch, which was captured by national television cameras. Although he was suspended, Blount remains on scholarship and has been allowed to practice with the team.

The No. 16 Ducks host Washington State on Saturday.

It Only Takes One

If you don't learn something new each day, you're not living at all.

Though most of us will never stay awake for 24 hours at a time, it's amazing that someone can make an impact in another person's life through simply a smile, a spoken word or a simple gesture.

Just as easily, we humans can turn off our fellow man through being rude and obnoxious, not caring much about how their actions may offend their neighbor.

The first time we see a new face, we are enlightened to new information, given a brief moment to peer into another person's life. This small amount of time allows us to formulate an opinion — good or bad — and work with that until your paths cross again or you have a change of heart.

Unfortunately, as is the case with most first impressions, they are also the last and rarely do these chance meetings end well.

I've kind of figured out why people go through a midlife crisis. After people reach that 25th birthday and are no longer "at-risk" drivers until they reach the ripe age of 65 and the opportunity to reap the fruits of retirement, little attention is paid to you.

It's because we are either trying to learn as many lessons from our older citizens before they are no longer here, or doing our best to teach the next generation how to live a successful life, hopefully free of the stresses and cares of this world seeming to bog even the best of us down.

Why 25?

By that time most of us have finally left our childish ways developed during our teenage years behind; you know, when we felt invincible and had our whole life in front of us. Usually we have somewhat established what role we want to play in this world, a spot reserved only for one person — yourself.

Also, if you went to college (which for most comes before the age of 25), you know a lot of bad habits are picked up the day you arrive on campus.

For the first quarter of our lives, we are molded and shaped into an identity fitting only one person. During this process, we are influenced by many people — parents, siblings, cousins, teachers, friends, and so on.

As is the case with anyone, it doesn't take long to find out who someone has been hanging with, and how their behavior has influenced others in one way or another.

Too often these days, our youths are the ones falling for peer pressure, sometimes being led toward a life of crime and eventually an early grave.

Not too much older than students now going through high school, I still remember when people's first impression of me and my friends were that we were up to nothing but trouble. While nothing could have been further from the truth, the fact that we were young black males in America didn't help the way society perceived me.

It took hard work and the willingness for people to see the good in me for them to change their view of me, and hopefully that of my fellow African-American brothers.

Being able to watch this next generation of Black males grow up kind of worries me, partly because a lot of the things that me and past generations experienced no longer hold importance or relevance to them.

So many of my brothers have no respect for females, and could care less if this particular woman was/is the mother of his child. If that's how they treat her, think of how they'll treat the child.

We no longer have respect for our elders; parents and grandparents simply are aiming to be friends, no longer placing a fear of God in children and a discipline to make it in a world where work must be done to meet dreams.

Part of the blame goes to our lifestyle, which through the avenues of television, music and Internet teaches children to treat women like prostitutes, promote violence and behavior that does nothing but pull them closer to tragedy.

The job of being an example rests in our hands, Black men willing to make a difference in the lives of our young men.

And when a breakthrough is made, boy does it take root.

Take for example last week, after Gaffney defeated Woodruff 20-13 at the American Community Bank Cherokee County Jamboree, I had the opportunity to speak with one of the players.

We spoke for a few minutes, during which I commended him for his play during the game. Before I could utter another word, the young man asked me "You want to know why I was able to do that?"

Still in reporter mode, I quickly whipped back, "Why is that?," thinking I would get back an answer like harder training, more focus or better attention to detail.

He said, "I simply got closer to God ... He's the only reason I'm here and able to do this, and all my blessings and ability come from Him."

It was easy to see this kid has surrounded himself with good people, from the people at home to his coaches while on the football field.

It's always good to see our youths with a good head on their shoulders, doing what is right. At a time when our focus is on all the wrong they do, his example gives me hope others can follow a similar path.

All it takes is one, after all.

Court ruling sets disturbing precedent

Even before we stepped into a classroom at some school in this great country of ours, we knew the importance of being obedient to teachers.

After all, at that time they were so much bigger than us, along with the added fact these were adults and we were mere children; our parents taught us these people were to receive our respect.

With each new day came another nugget of wisdom, valuable knowledge that may not be needed at that moment but could come in handy in days ahead. On a daily basis for around nine months each year teachers bring their best in an effort to make a lasting impression in young lives, in addition to being able to rest at night knowing they can live their later years in peace because the future is in good hands.

It doesn't take rocket science to know that teachers hold a special place in their students' hearts. Why else would a child regularly bring a delicious apple to school at a time in their lives when they are quite territorial about personal belongings?

No doubt as years passed by, these beacons of learning seemed to get shorter and in some cases, looser in how they treated students. Steadily becoming more like a big brother or sister rather than a revered entity, teachers steadily slacked up on the rope little by little, only doing so if they had reason to believe we could handle responsibilities.

But we always knew that there was a line in the sand, and if it was crossed there would be consequences.

There was a certain code of student-teacher conduct at all levels of education, each reading something like this:

— Students are not to make any type of physical contact with teachers.

— Teachers being their superiors and deserving of their respect, students are never to get into verbal spats with them, risking in-school or out-of-school suspension, with the possibility of expulsion.

— In accordance with the laws of the state and to promote a healthy learning environment, teachers and students are never to be involved in a personal relationship aside from that in the classroom.

No doubt being a teenager and having the opportunity to be in the presence of some attractive teachers definitely caused me and others my age to develop a crush or two.

In the Palmetto State, the age of consent is 16 years of age, with adults in line to be charged with a felony if caught having sexual contact with a teenager and be more than four years their senior.

However, the law does allow those 18-years old or younger to have consensual sex with someone as young as 14.

Though I don't necessarily agree with teens being of the right mind to do "grown folk" stuff at such a young age, we would be stupid to say it will not occur.

For students and teachers to be allowed to have a relationship with each other though, is totally ludicrous; but for at least one Southern state, it is a reality.

In June, the Georgia Supreme Court ruled that teachers can legally have sexual contact with students as long as they are 16 years of age or older, the minimum age of consent in the state. The ruling came during an appeal of the conviction in the case of Melissa Lee Chase, a 30-year-old teacher sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2007 for the alleged sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl. The instructor told authorities the physical contact was consensual.

The Georgia General Assembly passes statutes criminalizing sexual contact between people in a position of authority like teachers, prison guards or psychiatrists. While state law disallows a consent defense for those like guards or psychiatrists, the court ruled that such defense was valid for this case.

"Generally speaking, it is not a crime in Georgia to have physical sexual contact with a willing participant who is 16 years of age or older," said Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears, according to a report in the Augusta Chronicle. "The District Attorney's passion for protecting school-age children is admirable. However, to accept these arguments would be to legislate by judicial fiat, and to do so ex post facto to boot. We will not usurp the General Assembly's legislative role."

It's unbelievable that in 2009 we would have to talk about the re-writing of "stone age" laws passed by legislators decades ago.

The precedent is disturbing and could encourage predators to become more bold in their actions. Hopefully legislators in the Peach State will rethink their position on this issue before the flood gates open and others committing similar acts make their attempt to jump through this legal loophole.

Also potentially at risk are students whose instructors can't, or won't, focus entirely on his or her job. Honestly, I'm rather surprised there hasn't been more outrage about this — guess I'm more passionate about our next generation than they are, but who's to say?

Certainly this is an illustration of how bizarre this country has become in a short time.

Just when you think it can't stoop any lower, it gets worse.

We'll see brighter days though, just keep the faith.

I think I love my job...?

The life of a journalist is not planned; it simply happens.
From the car crashes and fires that scar families almost beyond repair to the football games that bring communities together, this is definitely a one of a kind job. Seriously, you see something new everyday.
Along with this territory comes the occasional "What in the (bleep)?" questions, received either by phone or by readers coming to my place of employment asking questions or requesting me or one of my fellow reporters look into a certain issue.
Today was no different, receiving at least 10 phone calls before even opening my box of Chick-fil-A Chick-n-Minis for breakfast. People eventually got the clue, but I believe it only set me up for the next fellow who would come to my desk asking ME specifically to look into something for him.
Ever since Barack Obama took the reins of the nation after being elected president, there are a lot of people that will not be happy until he is out of office.
For some, the reasons reside in the fact that this man's set of beliefs are far different from their own. Considered a "leftist," President Obama is pro-choice, believes somewhat in gay rights and is far from the warmonger his predecessor George W. Bush was during his time in the nation's capitol.
The handling of the nation's finances seems to be another stumbling block to Obama critics, with another $787 billion in funds going toward education, health care, law enforcement and infrastructure.
Each of us have our likes and dislikes of the President's policies, like my gripe with the aforementioned stimulus bill which will wind up being paid off by our nation's next generations, many of whom have not been norn yet.
But who am I to agree with every action or decision of another person? That would make me a robot.
However, I was approached by a reader whose T-shirt said it all: 'The Worst President Ever' Barack Obama.
That's a pretty bold statement since the man has not hit the eight month mark in his presidency. In addition, he handed me a wrinkled, smoky sheet of paper printed from a Web site titled "Obama's Certified Copy of Registration of Birth... in Kenya!"
Since Obama's announcement that he was running for president, this rumor has followed him around, adding fuel by Republicans specifically that this man is not meet the qualifications mandated for him to hold the nation's highest office.
You would have thought these people would have went away after the Obama's election and inauguration, in which every part of his life was put under a microscope, including his birth certificate.
But here we are now going downhill toward 2010, and these questions still linger. With that in mind, I have a question: "When will you guys get a life and worry about more important problems like keeping people employed?"
Exactly like I thought, SILENCE.
It doesn't surprise me, however, that something like this would happen. After all, it's the American way to scream and belly ache until something is done to ease your pain.
These people's protests likely will not end any time soon nor will Obama be taken out of office over such a minor matter. So guy, whatever your name is, you likely will not be seeing that story in your neighborhood paper.
Sometimes saying no is all in a a day's work. Gotta love my job!

In death, King of Pop touches another generation

Alright, I have come to the conclusion that legends never die.
For a short span of time, all of us have the opportunity to walk this planet and make our own footprint that future generations can live by.
A lot of our efforts go unnoticed to nearly the rest of this world's inhabitants over seven continents separated by the four great oceans. But each generation has their own group of people who earn the attention of everyone, lending their lives as a lesson of what you can do, and in isolated cases what should best be left alone.
Always able to make a football comparison even when we're still out of season, the quarterback position is often the most scrutinized position in professional sports. For a long time, however, the man under center was primarily used as a channel from the center's snap to the gut of a running back.
Football hall of famer Johnny Unitas changed all of that, becoming a coach on the field. Sometimes overruling his head coach on the sideline, Unitas revolutionized the game through precision passing and knowing what every offensive player is supposed to do on any single play.
Playing in Baltimore, Unitas played for the hometown Colts, the beloved franchise of Maryland's largest city from 1953-83. The team would leave that year to move to Indianapolis, keeping their nickname but not necessarily their history.
Cue Peyton Manning. The current Colts quarterback is often compared to Unitas, who passed away in 2002, primarily for his knowledge of the game and being a coach on the field of play.
Manning and other quarterbacks give Unitas a lot of credit for his contribution to how the game is currently played, and for that the ol' school gunslinger is considered by some to be the greatest of all time.
But enough about football, music seems to bridge generations.
As a child, we would listen to old choir hymns or listen to a little bit of jazz or R&B, as my parents tried to shelter me from rap/hip-hop for years, that is until they figured they had no way to keep it from getting to my hands.
But one person we could all agree on was Michael Jackson.
I can still remember watching 'Thriller' for the first time when I was five years-old, and being scared of the video and wondering whether these unearthly beings were hiding under my bed.
At that age you soak in any and everything put before you, so of course I ate it up. There were times where me and my cousin Erica would sneak into her father's secret stash of albums, which include the likes of The Temptations, Smokie Robinson and numerous others.
Even though as we became older our appreciation grew for the music of the 1950s and 60s, but the 'King of Pop' just left us in awe. For that reason, those albums seemed to collect dust on my uncle's shelf during the 1980s, while Jackson's 'Thriller,' 'Bad,' and 'Dangerous' stayed in heavy rotation.
Even though you probably didn't know many of the other words after your first time listening, you still tried your best to sing along to 'Beat It,' 'Billie Jean,' 'Dirty Diana,' or my favorite 'Smooth Criminal' (Eddie are you OK, Eddie are you OK, are you OK Eddie... simply classic).
This man seemed immortal, or 'Invincible,' the name he gave his final album seven years ago.
But as we know, this earthly body is not meant to live forever.
Realization Jackson had passed away came for me by way of Twitter, as me and millions of others all tried to sift through every bit of information being reported by media outlets like the Los Angeles Times, E! News and everyone's favorite, TMZ.
A piece of my childhood and that of others, was gone ... or was it?
Through this man's life, we bore witness to one of the greatest musicians to ever live, and in death the 'King of Pop' has affected another generation, doing exactly what he did his entire career — sell records. In weeks after his passing, Jackson has sold more than 2 million albums worldwide, in essence helping him dig out of the massive debt he left when he died.
Jackson also showed us the vulnerable nature of being famous. With the world as his audience for nearly his entire life, allegations of inappropriate and bizarre conduct sometimes circled around him.
Even in the weeks following his death, people are still trying to reconstruct the days and hours leading up to his final moments, the Jackson family and the rest of the world wondering what happened.
I guess it's the way Elvis Presley's family felt in the weeks following his death in 1977. Similar to Jackson, rumors have circulated in the 30-plus years since 'the King' passed.
But as he did when he rocked stages coast to coast, Presley remains a topic of conversation, with some of you (you know who you are) believing he's still waiting for the right time for a farewell tour.
With a large catalog of music and a life of achievement and controversy to his credit, its likely Jackson will have a similar impact for years to come.

'Facebooking' has become a way of life

Facebook is a funny tool.
Linking long lost family and friends, the social networking site has become a favorite primarily for those in the 18- to 35-year-old demographic — of which yours truly is a proud member.
Through the site, members are able to tell virtually everything that is going on in their lives, regardless of whether it is a simple change of status or the uploading of pictures.
Being able to browse the pages of my some 400+ friends (it used to be much longer) offers the unique opportunity to be a part of their lives from a distance, something our forefathers probably didn't believe would happen until the year 3039, if not at all.
On some occasions, my wife will come and tell me of one of our fellow Winthrop alumni furthering their education, getting a new job, buying their first home or starting a family. Good news is always pleasant to the ears.
As great and helpful as this search engine can be, it can create problems that each of us encounter during a certain point every day.
Unknowingly, each of us open the door to the wondering minds of our "Facebook friends" through the items we put on our pages.
I know you're wondering why I'm still a member of the social networking site even though it exposes my business to the rest of the world. My answer: we're all humans ... we all deserve at least one good addiction.
Daily us "Facebookies" will often place little blurbs about what we're doing, where we're going or what was great the night or week before. This particular status may be of great significance to one person, but to another it could be used as a way to question one's direction in life.
Often during a visit to Rock Hill, a friend will mention a name and on many occasions the conversation will revert back to Facebook.
"It's been a long time since I saw them, but I checked their Facebook page a few days ago," a friend might say. "I don't know who they are with, but what he/she has on their page is a hot mess."
Sometimes when these particular moments happen, I wish their mother would do like mine used to and say, "Mind your own business, keep your mind on what you have going on."
Kids, all of us say it but it's the truth — parents are always right.
As valuable a tool as Facebook is, it reveals the human need to express opinions — good or bad — as well as feed into our nosey instinct of wanting to know everything going on in someone else's lives.
If that is what we are trying to do, what do you think others are doing? I hear flash bulbs popping everywhere.
That's right: the same thing.
There is a reason why we're told to mind our business. Mostly because in the end there is only one life that is controlled by me, myself and I — my own.
Trying to pry our way into why others do things a different way than someone else somewhat shows where our priorities lie, and it's definitely not focused on our own well-being.
It's a fact that all of us have to come to grips with — people will only tell as much as they want you to know, and in the end it is up to to you to decide which path to go with after that. Unfortunately, our perceptions are wrought without them being able to plead their case.
For example, a resume goes into great detail about where you have been in life and what you have accomplished. On this one to two page document, it also includes a few important people that may have made some sort of impact on your life.
However, not every nook and cranny of your existence is found on your resume. Think I'm lying? Ask most professionals if their college GPA (grade point average) is included with the document.
Getting back on task, when you get to an interview, employers often use the resume as a basis of conversation. If or when they decide to ask questions about issues not listed on the resume is up to them, and you still have the right not to volunteer the information.
At least at that point you are able to face up to the questions on your own.
Life is too petty to keep trying in vain to break someone else down. It's already a job for all of us to make it through today and advance to the next, why do we try to make everyone else's business our own?
Adopting a personal policy that places the focus on correcting our own problems and deficiencies takes away the time we have to look at the shortcomings of others. And if you happen to look at those problems, commend them with an encouraging word and an optimism that uplifts them to do better rather than a scathing message again dragging them through the dirt.
It seems in life we're so tied up in matters not our own that we don't get the chance to audit our own hearts. By doing so, some of the stresses of life may brush off your shoulders a little easier.

Allow me to introduce myself...

All of us have a yearning to let the world know a few things about themselves, thoughts that may have been welling up in our bones for months or even years.
But for some reason we cannot find a way to express exactly how we feel. Whether it is the thought of being embarrassed or simply by being the slightest bit shy, a lot of us "punk" out to ourselves just to be one of the crowd.
However, only YOU can be you. As similar we may be to each other, family members or friends, each of us walk a different path through life, none of us going at the same pace or walking to a similar beat.
Keeping with that, each of us think our own thoughts, taking our own views and stances on complex issues like abortion, whether marijuana should be legalized and the direction of our next generation of Americans to simple ones that don't matter in the true scheme of things, but still we take great liberty into arguing who the best team in the NFL is, or whether Kobe is better than LeBron and vice versa.
For that reason, I started this blog, to give my views of things that may or may not be important to you, but for some reason I felt like sharing.
Feel free to share opinions and/or criticism; after all, I get that everyday from my newspaper's loyal fan base.