Sportsmanship Defined

Wikipedia defines sportsmanship as: "Sportsmanship typically is regarded as a component of morality in sport, composed of three related and perhaps overlapping concepts: fair play, sportsmanship, and character."

This video is the embodiment of that ideal. Have a hankie handy. You'll need it.

Than You

ThanYou, originally uploaded by androidny.

For the past several years as I've been traveling around the country, I've been approaching soldiers in the airports and thanking them for serving for us. On several occasions I have noticed that it felt a little awkward for both of us. There are several reasons, some of which I am even just now learning as I produce this film and talk to more soldiers. But they have always appreciated being thanked, and I have always felt better having expressed my gratitude.

I started to think that it would be nice if civilians had a gesture or sign that they could use to say "thank you" quickly and easily without even having to approach. I did some research and found the sign that we are now using.

Is this limited to the military? Not at all. If you look around you I'm sure that you'll find lots of people who are serving their communities, from local to global. If you appreciate their service, give them a sign. Say "thank you."
-Scott Truitt, FOUNDER, The Gratitude Campaign

Trippy Trav

Post removed upon request of my son.

Sometimes you assume things are cute where others are either offended and/or embarrassed.

Humor is sometimes lost when it comes to controversial subjects - especially when it didn't even enter into the author's mind that it would have caused trouble.

Weekly Anti-war Protest in Bush Country

MVI_3031
Originally uploaded by androidny

Friday noon anti-war protest on the town square in Tyler, TX with fellow Amerikuhaters. What struck me was the regularity of people voting with their car and truck horns. Yes, here in the land of the Prince of Peace. Imagine that.

These and other people have been meeting here every Friday for over a year. Not once did the TV station in the background cover this regularly attended event.

Winter Soldier Article in Houston Chronicle

Photo by Cheryl Coward

"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.
If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked."

Luke (6:27-35)


Well, after meeting Hart and reading about him and what he has written, he sure seems to be living up to this creed. I sure wish more of his other fellow Christians would strive for this and leave violence for the extremists. Unfortunately, it seems we have met the enemy and he is us.



ACTION ALERT:

You may want to consider posting supportive comments about the Houston Chronicle's stroy on Winter Soldier.


War-torn vets speak out
Haunted by their wartime experiences, some Iraq veterans are are protesting

From the page: "Hart Viges walks the streets of Austin in a tunic and carries a sign that reads, "Jesus Against War." It's one of many ways, he says, that he must atone for his actions as an American soldier in Iraq.

Army Sgt. Ronn Cantu says lingering memories of killing a civilian in Iraq led him to start a chapter of Iraq Veterans Against the War at his home -- Fort Hood.

And in Houston, Chris Hauff, an Iraq War vet who returned from combat two years ago, wrestles with the feeling that his best friend died in a misguided war.

"The idea that American soldiers are there to spread democracy and liberate the people is all smoke and mirrors," Hauff says.

After five years and more than 4,000 American deaths, hundreds of anti-war Iraq veterans and even some active-duty soldiers are speaking out in protest. Though they make up a relatively small percentage of all the soldiers who have served, certainly they speak from experience. They've had their boots on the ground."



I've had breakfast with Hart Viges. Great guy. God fearing Christian. Anti-war. Pro-peace. Just like Jesus of Nazareth. Imagine that.

Here's what Dave posted in the comment section:

"My thanks to the editors of the Houston Chronicle for allowing this story to run and to Claudia Feldman whose resolve and determination to report the story is exemplary.

As a veteran of the war in Viet Nam who went to that war with a firm belief in its necessity and honorable goals and returned in anger against my government for the lies that sent me, I can well relate to what the men and women of Winter Soldier: Iraq and Afghanistan face. To allow them to tell their story is, truly, "supporting the troops".

Some 10 years after the last US soldier left Viet Nam a survey was conducted regarding the views about that war among its veterans. The results suggested that, much like the nation as a whole for much of the war, those veterans were divided in their views; some still believing it a "noble cause" and others denouncing it as criminal aggression, futility, or error heaped upon error. The same will likely prove true ten years after the last US soldier leaves Iraq. But the division of opinion among veteran and civilian alike is no excuse for muffling the voice of these men and women who have each served with honor and continue to serve by standing up and telling the truth as they experienced and perceive it.

Bring the troops home now and care for them when they return.

Dave Collins
Hill Country contact
Vietnam Veterans Against the War"



hoto by Cheryl Coward

Here's a clip of Hart during the Winter Soldier Event this spring:

Shoot the Moon

TerriXLN2EarthMoon, originally uploaded by androidny.

This is a picture I took of Terri at the XLN pool hall with a couple of enhancements... Click on the picture and click on the 'ALL SIZES' icon to see the detail.

The Humbling Universe

glumbert - The Humbling Universe

glumbert - The Largest Model of the Universe