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.