THE ENTERPRISE--HOPES & FEARS & THE FUTURE OF AMERICA

THE ENTERPRISE--HOPES & FEARS & THE FUTURE OF AMERICA

FIRST OF ALL, MY BEST WISHES FOR A HAPPY THANKSGIVING WEEKEND. 
As much as we might be critical of the plight of our country, its economy and so many other things (some of which follow), America is still the best country in the world.  If you don't believe me, take a moment and think of one where you'd rather live.  I did, and I can't.  Let's all pull together to make America even better, and be thankful for the freedom and opportunities we enjoy.

READ MY LATEST FORBES BLOG POST: ECONOMIC RECOVERY:  A CRISIS OF CONFIDENCE
http://blogs.forbes.com/prospernow/2010/11/13/economic-recovery-a-crisis-of-confidence/

YOU KNOW I LIKE PEGGY NOONAN--HERE'S WHAT SHE HAD TO SAY
In a column entitled  Americans Vote for Maturity she reflects on the recent elections and what they meant.  Commenting on President Obama's Wednesday morning news conference on the aftermath of the election, she had (wrote) these observations:
--"The president is speaking, in effect, to an empty room.  From my notes, five minutes in: 'This wet blanket, this occupier of the least interesting corner of the faculty lounge, this joy free zone, this inert gas.' "
Pretty strong, critical words, but she didn't stop there. 
--"By the end I was certain he will never produce a successful stimulus because he is a human depression.  Actually I thought the worst thing you can say about a president: He won't even make a good former president.  His detachment is so great, it is even from himself."
These are the words of a woman who was a leading speech-writer for the most admired president in modern decades, Ronald Reagan (aka "The great communicator"--hint, someone-- wrote those speeches for him to edit and deliver!)  That somebody was Noonan and a few others.  She has observed the Washington scene from an insider's perspective, and for her to honestly report such a bleak picture of Barack Obama is a noteworthy observation.
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-WHERE HAVE ALL THE HEROES GONE?

SUMMER'S GONE, FALL IS WINDING DOWN; SPORT SEASONS ARE SHIFTING & STRUGGLING--YET THAT'S WHERE MANY "HEROES" OF AMERICAN YOUTH COME FROM

EXCELLENCE: THE RUNNER TO SURPASS ALL OTHERS--GALE SAYERS OF THE BEARS
In his short 68 game career--shortened by knee injuries doctors could repair now, but couldn't fix back then--this man was undoubtedly the most elusive runner ever seen in American football. This video says he was number two--but that is wrong--as can be attested to by so many of his contemporaries.  He was voted into the football hall of fame within 5 years.  That's amazing and so was his ability to stop, change directions, and accelerate to out run the fastest players of his era.  Ultimately the man exceeded the runner for his devotion to his running mate Brian Piccolo who died from cancer. Sayers is now in his late 60s but he still supports the foundation he created in Brian's name, and is CEO of his own successful $100mm company.  I was in the stands, soaked with rain when he scored 6TDs in one game--and could have had 7 except George Halas held him out.
Watch the best runner you will ever see. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0DTIuT4Hfs

BUT WE HAVE SO FEW HEROES TO ADMIRE
NY'S Derek Jeter is getting old.  Tim Duncan is so low key. Peyton Manning is someone to look up to.  But the list gets shorter and shorter.  Brett Favre's star has gone out.  Too many big time baseball players to list are tainted by steroid scandals--who's drug assisted and who's not?  Football players are tainted by meaningless and mindless violent acts or stupidity.  Basketball is tainted by star level mercenaries, who shift franchises as fast as they change socks. 

Boxing has moved to Eastern Europe and Latin American countries.  Hockey belongs to Canada--and maybe Russia.  Tennis is becoming dominated by big strong women whose name ends in -ova, and by 140mph servers.  Women's golf is owned by young Korean women.  Men's golf is talent laden, but Tiger is shot and Phil is ailing.  College football is dominated by "star coaches," making $2.5-5 million. 

My two favorites for authenticity are also being threatened: Little League World Series (threatened by its commercial success and arm damage done to young arms by a steady stream of curve-balls); Women's College Basketball (threatened by UConn, now maybe Baylor, and a handful of perennial powers, and it is still the province of real basketball skills--not overwhelmed by mega-athleticism.

OUR YOUNGER GENERATION IS IN TROUBLE--TOO FEW ROLE MODELS AND "HEROES" (other than CELEBRITIES!)
When our youth must turn to drug using musicians and actors (actresses) to find role models, they are in trouble.  When our young athletes seek "heroes" and find Tiger Woods misadventures, numerous other pro athletes in various kinds of trouble (drugs, guns, etc.) where do they look for role models.  When young women look for "idols," I hope they don't look to Lindsay Lohan, or Paris HIlton, et. al.

OUR NATION HAS MISTAKENLY LINKED ATHLETIC SUCCESS WITH CHARACTER--THERE IS OBVIOUSLY NO RELATIONSHIP. 

  1. Chicago Cubs  outfielder Andre  Dawson on being a role model: "I wan' all  dem kids to do what  I do, to look up to me. I wan' all the kids to copulate   me."
 
  2.  New Orleans Saint RB George  Rogers when asked about the  upcoming season: "I want to  rush for 1,000 or 1,500 yards,  whichever comes first."
 
  3.  And, upon hearing Joe Jacobi  of the 'Skin's say: "I'd  run  over my own mother to win the Super Bowl," Matt Millen of  the Raiders  said: "To win, I'd run over Joe's Mom,   too."
 
  4.  Torrin Polk, University of Houston receiver, on his  coach, John Jenkins: "He treats  us like men. He lets us wear  earrings.."
 
  5.  Football commentator and  former player Joe Theismann: "Nobody  in  football should be called a genius. A genius is a guy like  Norman  Einstein."
 
  6.  Senior basketball  player at the University of Pittsburgh :  "I'm going  to graduate on time, no matter how long it  takes."
(Now  that is  beautiful)
 
  7.  Bill Peterson, a Florida  State football coach: "You  guys  line up alphabetically by height.." And, "You  guys  pair up in groups of three, and then line up in a  circle."
 
  8.  Boxing promoter Dan Duva  on Mike Tyson going to prison: "Why  would  anyone expect him to come out smarter? He went to prison for three years, not Princeton ."
 
  9.  Stu Grimson, Chicago Blackhawks left wing, explaining why he  keeps a color photo of himself above his locker: "That's so  when I forget how to spell my name, I can still find my  clothes."
 
  10.  Lou Duva, veteran boxing  trainer, on the Spartan training  regimen of heavyweight Andrew  Golota: "He's a guy who gets up at six o'clock in the morning, regardless of what time  it  is."
 
  11.  In the words of NC State  great Charles Shackelford: “I can go to my left or right, I am  amphibious.”
 
  12.  Frank  Layden , Utah Jazz president, on a former player: "I  asked him, 'Son, what is  it with you? Is it ignorance or  apathy?' He said, 'Coach, I don't know and I don't  care.'"
 
  13.  Shelby Metcalf,  a basketball coach at Texas A&M, recounting what he told a player who  received four F's and one D: "Son,  looks to me like you're spending too much time on one   subject."

NOW WE CAN'T BLAME THESE POOR JOCKS--BUT MAYBE THE COACHES SHOULD BE A BIT SHARPER
A large percentage of Americans can't name the leaders of our government--such as Vice President Biden, and surely have no idea who the Supreme Court Chief Justice might be.  Yet these are voters!  Our schools have been dumbed down day care centers for youth, where they are fed (on the taxpayers money) their meals, kept approximately "in line" and if they are lucky or attend a good school with some good teachers, they learn somethings that are valuable and important. 

WHERE SHOULD SOME HEROES BE FOUND?  IN FRONT OF A CLASSROOM
A few of mine sure were.  My math teacher, Jim Madole, my basketball coach Chuck Rolinski, my office studies teacher Betty Cusack--those are heroes to me for things they taught me.  Their lessons and examples remain, 50 years later.

THE DUMBING DOWN, MEDIOCRITY OF AMERICAN SCHOOLS--THANKS TO APATHETIC PARENTS AND TEACHER'S UNIONS
American kids go to school shorter hours, and fewer days of the year than most countries.  Why is that?  Perhaps teachers (or their Unions) want more free time for what they are paid.  Some teachers live in fear--of either students or parents.  Others live to loaf and just collect their pay.  The best ones make a huge difference--thank God for them.  Unfortunately, the teachers' Unions (like Unions in so many walks of American life) don't just negotiate for them, they keep the weak ones employed and force out administrators who want to reward good teachers and dump the loser.

THIS ABOUT SUMS UP WHY SO MANY AMERICANS ARE DEPRESSED (humor?)
    Over five thousand years ago, Moses said to the children of Israel,"Pick up your shovels, mount your asses and camels, and I will lead you to the Promised Land."
    Nearly 75 years ago (when Welfare was introduced), Roosevelt said, "Lay down your shovels, sit on your asses, and light up a Camel, this is the Promised Land."
    Today, Obama has stolen your shovel, taxed your asses, raised the price of Camels and mortgaged the Promised Land!
     I was so depressed last night thinking about Health Care Plans, the economy, the wars, lost jobs, savings, Social Security, retirement funds, etc .   I called a Suicide Hotline.   I had to press 1 for English.  I was connected to a call center in Pakistan.  I told them I was suicidal.
    They got excited and asked if I could drive a truck......

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All the best, John