Change...?

I, like everyone else in the free world, watched the inauguration of Barack Obama with great interest. Mine was to see if he would perform a miracle there, or wait until after the sermon on the mount.

Please understand, I did not vote for President Obama, but plan to give him nothing but 100% support. I think he is a great speaker and motivator and these are times that call for motivation. What I do not like is the idea that opportunities were created yesterday that were not there the day before.

I know George Bush had several shortcomings. He made mistakes. But does anyone remember a little thing called 9-11? It kind of had some negative impact on the world, the economy and our lives. What kills me is that the same people who demanded to know how this could happen are the same people who now protest the war and military action. Guess what, sometimes in order to clean something, you have to get your hands dirty. I hope to God that President Obama does not have to make the choices President Bush had to. I further hope that people are slower to blame Obama if tough choices have to be made.

I am also concerned that people are expecting too much from President Obama. I heard a lady on the news yesterday exclaim how excited she was because she doesn't have to pay taxes anymore. When people realize that it's not all fixed, will they come down harder on Obama? I hope not, but it feels like it is setting up that way. I also hear people say higher income households should have to pay more- that it's not fair they pay the same as lower income households do. I hate to point out, they already do. When you take a percentage of income, that amount rises as the income does.

Finally, I made the mistake of watching a celebrity promotion about how they were going to do all of these great things now. Dedicate themselves to the world and our president. My question is this - what was Bush doing to stop you from all of this greatness before?

Change is needed, but it needs to come from people who refuse to make decisions that are are difficult...the road less traveled. I am afraid of what will happen when people realize that. Fact is the world is no different today than it was yesterday. Change is easier said than done.

Take Your Medicine

Well Packers, congratulations. You have created a fine mess. 5-10 and sinking fast. Poor coaching, even poorer drafting. I wonder how you could get away with it before this? Hmmm.

Here is the bottom line - take Favre out of the equation if you can. You took a 13-3 team to a 5 or 6 win season. You had to make the move? Fine. How does that explain everything else. Well, let me tell you. You coached with the idea of proving your move correct. Rodgers was seldom asked to do anything exceptional, and the Bears game was a perfect example. It may keep his stats clean, but it loses football games and his lack of lattitude in the offense if exposed when they have to come from behind and he can't make plays.

Well done. I hope it was worth it for you. I could handle it when the Pack sucked and went 5-11. They suck now because of your doing. Thanks a ot.

I am F'in Pissed

"God bless America and the Green Bay Packers."

When Vince Lombardi spoke those words, I know he believed them, and I have come to believe them myself. Three of my four favorite things (outside of family), God, America and the Green Bay Packers. I think the small town, underdog, lunch-pail, town-owned Packers are an American Institution. A sign of what even the smallest of people can do it they are single minded in purpose and refuse to accept what other perceive their role to be in the world. The small town that has no business playing with the big boys, much less becoming Titletown.

I love the Packers. My youngest son's name is Vincent, mostly because of his grandfather, but also because of Vince Lombardi. I wear a Packer watch. My oldest son has a Packer room. I have Packer grill tools, salt and pepper shakers, Christmas stockings...you get the picture. This may be why I am beside myself right now.

When Brett Favre retired, something didn't feel right. I was positive there was a stink coming. I then watched the press conference and was elated. Brett Favre and I are about the same age. We came to Wisconsin about the same time. I always felt some sort of one-way kinship with him, and I realized as he spoke that we were getting old, and it was time to move on. I was so happy to see Brett was being the mature one and I would once again learn from my on-field hero. A true leader even in retirement.

I heard the rumblings. I saw the Letterman interview. I just kept re-watching the press conference and convinced myself it wasn't true. I was content in my ignorance...until today.

When I read the Packer press release, my heart sank. There is nothing, and I mean nothing, that can emerge as a positive from this. Nothing. Any potential scenario sucks...for everyone.

Favre with the Vikings? Favre being a back-up for the Pack? Favre being released by the Green Bay Packers? It all adds up to unthinkable, but it appears something of this ilk will happen. And the world will not seem right.

Unless Brett can find his position as a leader once again, and stay retired.

Funny, Not Funny

I was watching the Daily Show a while back, and it occurred to me that Jon Stewart is not funny. I am fairly sure he thinks he is, but he is not. The man who used to say he was not a political pundit because he leads into a show with puppets now acts like a political pundit. Did the puppet program become that much more important? It is clear that Jon Stewart thinks he did.

Here are some people I think are funny, and not funny.

Funny- Rob Corddry. That guy is hilarious. Do yourself a favor and look up some of his videos. They make me laugh out loud.

Not Funny- Jon Stewart....see above.

Funny- Steve Martin. Verstatile, talented and introspective. The guy went from The Jerk (hilarious) to Roxanne (clever) and beyond. One of my all time favorites.

Not Funny- Jeff Foxworthy. I know he is a good guy, but the next funny thing I hear from him will be the first since the first time I ever saw him. Maybe the next gig should be..."If you can't think of anything funny to say, your career may have already peaked."

Funny- Old Jim Carey. Dumb and Dumber, Liar Liar...hilarious.

Not Funny- New Jim Carey...What happened?

Heroes and Stuff

I find I have more heroes every day.

I find out why they are that way every day.

The reason I have not written in so long is I didn't want to write over the story of Lance Corporal Anthony Melia. Now I have to.

In addition to Anthony, you can read below about another hero, my wife, who beat cancer. Now my original, and #1 hero has been struck by cancer. The greatest man I know, Angelo P. Calfo, has been diagnosed with colon cancer. He is reminding me why I admire him so much with his approach and confidence against this disease. He has made sure we are all taking it in stride and he is confident he will win this one. I am too. My friends always told me that no one commanded respect like my dad. I know cancer will find out the same.

There is one other thing on my mind. Is there a real life ignore feature I can use when Michael Moore and Rosie O'Donnell speak?

Semper Fidelus

The war in Iraq hit pretty close to home last week. Lance Corporal Anthony Charles Melia was killed in combat last week. I had the honor of coaching Anthony and knowing him and his family, and it breaks my heart to know the extent of their pain.

I was once told that grief is the most selfish emotion. To believe what I believe, it is true. I know Anthony was close to Jesus, and he is in heaven. I also know that this world cannot be a better place without him. He was so bright and charming. He was also the bravest person I know, and such an important part of his family and circle of friends, it is going to be tough for a lot of people for a long time.

When Tony was on my team, I nicknamed him "Captain Red Ass", because he "played angry". I know now that he simply "played bravely". He did it right to the end. I was told stories of his bravery and passion- two words that defined this young man. I remember the smile that everyone described as brightening up the room. I loved that smile too, but mostly because I know he smiled because he was always up to something. I told his dad a long time ago that he was going to keep him on his toes. His dad flashed that same smile Tony did. To compare that with the look on his father's face this week saddens me to no end.

I missed Anthony's send-off to Iraq. It was the weekend of my parents' anniversary and a couple weeks after surgery, and I was not worried that it would be the last time I would see him. Now I know better. I found out this week that when my son was born and I had to go with him to another hospital for his surgeries, Tony visited my wife in the original hospital, dressed in his uniform. That was him. Caring, respectful, and brave. While I am most sad that those closest to him have to press on without him, selfishly I know I will miss him to and wish I could see him again.

Tony's mother told the story that when he left, she asked him to promise her he wouldn't go first into danger. He promised her that he would always be the first. That summed up Tony so much. It also sums up the difficulty that a Marine's parents have to face in war time - the fact that their child's bravery could cost him or her their life.

So what do we do now? Here is how I will try and make sure his death does not fall by the wayside. I will make sure my sons and the kids I coach always know of his bravery. I will not speak negatively about the war or the soldiers (not that I ever have), and will never doubt their commitment to our country when it was clear the Marines do not question their mission. I will also realize that what I have seen this week has happened over 3,000 times, and each was equally devastating. I will always remember "Semper Fi" as well, and remember what it meant to each Marine present this last week.

I will also remember how much it hurt Tony's father to see people protesting a cause that cost him the brightest light in his sky. Protesting the war that had a mother lose her shining star. Belittling a cause that has so deeply impacted a family, a community and a corps.

Thank you Tony. Thank you for caring so much about people other than yourself. Thank you for caring so much about your country, your commitment and your corps. Thank you for being "always faithful" to your cause, even when you knew what it could cost you. Thank you for reminding me of what potential we all have. Thank you for being a leader. Thank you for being the best of the best. Thank you for being a hero.

Semper Fi.

Random Musings

In the same 30 minutes this morning, I saw Rosie O'Donnell, Hilary Clinton and Cindy Sheahan on the news. That has to work as some credit towards pergatory.

I don't know if it's just because I have become a father, but two stories- for different reasons- caught my attention this week. The USC kicker dying, being found at the bottom of a cliff with no clue as to what happened is such a waste. A terrible death of a young man and family that will always be forced to wonder what snuffed out such a young life.

The other was a story on Dateline about a man who was convicted of murder, being sent to jail with his two very young sons left to fend for themselves, now having lost both parents. It was completely circumstancial evidence. The man still claims innocence. What if he is? How would it feel to lose a wife and essentially two kids and go to jail for a crime you didn't commit, never to hold your sons again and leaving them to think you did it? I guess what's worse is what if he did do it.

I am now 37. In my book, that is where old starts. Some things I have been noticing make me realize I am getting old. I sing in church without regard to how I sound (which is not good), and I find myself driving very slowly sometimes, staring at things and thinking.

I can't imagine what it must be like to serve over in Iraq or anywhere else. It makes me even more grateful to those who do it.

I have been traveling a lot. I don't like the lines, taking of my shoes and putting fluids in a ziplock bag, but I know why we do it so I don't complain. When I hear people whining, I can almost imagine they are the same people who needed to blame someone for 9-11 and having hearings to figure out how it happened, but now gripe when they try to prevent it from happening again.

I am not real pumped about Nancy Pelosi. I think a woman rising to another political level is fantastic and overdue, I just wish it was a woman other than her.

It is January, and my annual rite of passage has already occurred. I know think the Dodgers will be good again this year.

I hope Brett Favre retires. I love the guy, but I don't want to see him limp out. I would rather see him leave like he did against the Bears- a warrior and a winner.