You Got Praying Hands (Or Is It Preying)

“I am a man who walks alone

And when I'm walking a dark road

At night or strolling through the park

When the light begins to change

I sometimes feel a little strange

A little anxious when it's dark.

Fear of the dark, fear of the dark

I have constant fear that something's always near

Fear of the dark, fear of the dark

I have a phobia that someone's always there”

--Harris of Iron Maiden from “Fear of the Dark,” 1992.


Before I begin this rant, I wanted to state that my parents raised us in a very Catholic environment when we were children. The following commentary should in no way reflect their upbringing of their children which adheres to the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church.

Nor should the following in any way name me as the next Anti-Christ.

All that said, Illinois has the STUPIDEST and most UNCONSTITUTIONAL act on the books. It is called “The Student Prayer And Silent Reflection Act.” Notice that title.

The “act” was supposed to be voluntary and then moved to mandatory this fall by a single legislator who wanted to basically guilt schools in Illinois to take up religious causes for what I would consider a hypocritical gesture. Kind of “holier-than-thou” type of thinking. I am not sure of all of the politics, but my understanding basically this mandatory sentence was due to the efforts of a legislator from a troubled Northern District of a strongly ethnically diverse population who was feeling pressure from some ministers in a reaction to various situations of urban plight.

How the act works is simple. The students are to recite the pledge, and then stand for a moment of silence. During that time, the act assumes the students will reflect on their lives or pray if they wish.

Nice world, I suppose, albeit not a real one.

Here is reality; my kids stare at the wall, look around, stare at the most attractive kid’s behind or whatever. One student I had said he tried to pray; but the vast majority do not. Nor do they reflect.

Yesterday, the last day of school, I was sent the following email: “Today, the judge in the moment of silence lawsuit entered a preliminary statewide injunction stopping the application of the law. The injunction prohibits all school districts in Illinois from conducting the mandatory moment of silence. State Superintendent Chris Koch has notified all districts that they should immediately cease enforcing the law.”

Ding Dong, the witch(hunt) is dead.

Now some might think I over-react; but this was complete crapola from its inception. Minister’s in a community who would rather not blame parents and community members for their troubles decide to pray them away. Find and dandy, but at some point, do not impose that belief system on me.

Do not make a public institution break the constitutional precedent of separation of church and state.

And for the government personnel in the state of Illinois, do not hide behind a Bible in your act of appearing kind or pious.

We are a society of laws and all of our rights need to be protected: even those whose beliefs we may disagree with from time to time. The mere fact that the word “prayer” was included in the title shows a lack of regard for a group of individuals. Hopefully those in power saw the exclusiveness of the act.

Either that or they recognized it for the bullshit it is.

Good day and God Bless.

Losing My Faith In My Religion

“Oh, life is bigger
It's bigger than you
And you are not me
The lengths that I will go to
The distance in your eyes
Oh no, I've said too much
I set it up

That's me in the corner
That's me in the spotlight,
I'm losing my religion
Trying to keep up with you
And I don't know if I can do it
Oh no, I've said too much
I haven't said enough

I thought that I heard you laughing
I thought that I heard you sing
I think I thought I saw you try…”
--REM from “Losing my Religion.”



In a sense of incredible irony, I have been in charge of the Baccalaureate for my school. For those not in the know, a Baccalaureate is a religious service for the graduating class.

I am the Senior Senior class advisor and the other advisor has no desire to indulge himself with the religious ceremonies, as this is a blessing and a service for the Seniors.

In the last ten or so years I have done this, I have been insulted at every turn.

One year one of the Ministers who perform the service publicly decided to insult my belief system.

One year a student took a pot shot at me by saying how she was surprised someone like me would run the service.

No kidding.

I had a comment to her; the rest of the holier-than-thou crowd I work with would not do it.

And here is the kicker, I freaking do it for free. It was handed to me by a now-retired administrator who decided that the Senior advisors should perform the act.

This year I arrived early to set it up and the Monsignor of the Catholic Church introduced himself to me; thinking I was a band or music director. I said I was not and he asked who I was. I explained I was a Social Studies teacher who was in charge of the service, as far as the high school was concerned. He asked why I did the work for the school and I had no answer. I said “I guess because no one else would do.”

I am not a religious person, although with a few heart surgeries under my belt of experience, I probably should be. That said, I hate the sanctimonious, holier-than-thou buggers who think they are so pious. Hell, most of them would not understand the last sentence—too many syllables. I suppose I swear too much for some or they do not understand my jokes. I would only point out that that is less of my religion and more of others’ ignorance.

Last year I did this service the day I attended Hunter’s wake, and I must admit, I questioned the actions of a God who would take Hunter away when I attended a religious service.

Then a bolt of intellectual spirituality struck me; it was not for me or Hunter I did this service; it was for the graduating kids—even though the chief negotiator of my contract did not see it fit to offer me some alms for my services. The kids are really who I work for in this service; well them and their families. Some appreciate it. Some insult me because I dare to ask questions, but at least they leave me to my own mental devices.

The truly holiest people I have met in my life are the ones who do “God’s work” and do not judge others. And the amazing thing is that most of these folks are not trained in the ministerial arts—in fact some are agnostic or atheists. So as one of the ministers this year insulted me; as a few students asked me why “someone like me” would be involved in a religious service; I can take some solace in the fact that they have judged when not fit to do so.

After doing this for almost ten years, only one minister ever said a kind word about me. Reverend Bill Beswick, who recently passed away of a stroke, commented to the crowd at the Baccalaureate, that I received my “calling” to be a teacher, as he named me among a few others in the community who did their chosen fields—and therefore did the work that God had set out for them to do. It was among the greatest compliments I have ever received. Now the kind-hearted and decent Reverend Bill is gone. He was a fine man who I learned to respect through his actions and through working with his children, as they were in my classes.

And as a tribute to Bill and a few before him, I actually live by the Golden Rule. I do not think I am holier than anyone but I know that the people who judge me as a Heathen of sorts are not holy either.

Maybe this why so many people are turned off by religious people; and maybe this is why next year will be my last to perform this service.

And here is my Heathen/Pagan advice: God Bless and follow your God’s words rather than judging others.

How Much Is A Kicker Worth?

“So understand

Don’t waste your time always…Searching for those wasted years.\

Face up... make your stand…

And realise you’re living in the golden years.”

--Bruce Dickerson of Iron Maiden “Wasted Years.”

How much is a kicker in the NFL worth?

According to the Bears, about 15 million dollars.

Now I do not want to debate this but, a kicker is worth about 40 field goals a year. Considering the Bears extra points after touchdowns, considerably less should be considered.

With the Bears, this seems like wasted money. Whereas I personally like Robbie Gould, I cannot fathom any kicker worth this much money.

Whereas I like Robbie could, I cannot place his value equal to a guy like Brian Urlacher.

Whereas I like Robbie Gould, how many games has he really won?

So please note, this is nothing against Robbie Gould, but come on, Bears.

Pay Urlacher what he is worth and move on.

How can any team justify this amount of money for a kicker in the first place. Let alone, justify this kind of money for a free agent, undrafted kicker in the second place.

I was talking at Fat Jacks (fine bar in Bloomington) about Robbie Gould, when one of my friends and a patron and a Bears fan named Mike said “well, he won the Seahawks game in the playoffs in 2006.”

As I reminded Mike it was true, but that was after he missed a few field goals. In overtime, he made one, but he missed two I believe in regulation. No one can deny kicking in Soldiers Field is a pain, but 15 million dollars?

I think Robbie is a class act and a nice kid, but 15 million dollars?

For a kicker we pay 15 million dollars?

Wow.

I am so in the wrong profession.

In fact former Pontiac High School and State Champion winning Coach Mick Peterson (and also a great friend whom I will miss when he retires) turned to me at lunch and said “Gould wants a contract extension for a fu#kin’ kicker?”

And thus and lo the Bears gave him a deal.

Oh well, good for Gould; I hope they consider the same type of opulence and generosity for a star like Urlacher.

Just a Thought....

You know, if it were something cool like a Erdinger, Tucher, or even a Guinness--I might go for it.

But since it is PBR, I would not be caught dead in that coffin.

OK, raise your hands if you weren't expecting that terrible joke...

More Chicago Bears Woes

“You've Been Hit By A Smooth Criminal…”
--Michael Jackson

Nice job Jerry Angelo.

Looks like you are the Wiley Coyote, Super Genius of the NFL. You let a very stable and hardworking running back go for a moron like Cedric (where is a soft spot so I can land) Benson. And you wasted a first round draft pick and a great deal of money on him.

Whoo-hoo.

Don’t stretch your arm patting yourself on the back for this one, Jer.

To quote from the Bears Website:
LAKE FOREST, Ill. – As the Bears concluded their three-day rookie minicamp Sunday, coach Lovie Smith said that he was “very disappointed” to learn that running back Cedric Benson had been arrested late Saturday night near Austin, Texas.

The Bears running back was charged with boating while intoxicated and resisting arrest, both misdemeanors. Benson apparently was operating a 30-foot boat carrying about 15 passengers on Lake Travis when he was stopped. He reportedly failed a field sobriety test and had to be pepper sprayed by an officer after refusing to cooperate with police.

Travis County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Roger Wade told The Associated Press that Benson was freed from jail on a $14,500 bond Sunday morning.

“I haven’t had a chance to speak with Cedric yet, but anytime we’re talking about one of our players getting arrested, you’re disappointed in it,” Smith said. “What we’re going to do from here, I’ll go back and try to get as much information as I possibly can and go from there.”

Asked by a reporter what the team expects of its players in terms of off-the-field behavior, Smith said: “We expect the guys to do what they’re supposed to do when they’re supposed to do it. It’s as simple as that. Stay out of trouble. The same things your employers ask you to do.

“That’s what we’re asking our guys to do around here. But it doesn’t work like that always. Guys get in trouble in all fields in society. Of course, ours is talked about a little bit more. But we’re disappointed whenever we’re talking about something that puts the Chicago Bears in a negative light.”

Benson was arrested twice while attending the University of Texas, first for marijuana possession in 2002 and then for criminal trespassing in 2003 when he kicked in the door of an apartment shared by a man who was suspected of stealing Benson’s plasma television.

Yep, nothing but good news. Maybe snagging Shaun Alexander might not be a bad idea?

By the way, notice the pepper spray chemical burns on Wonderboy's face. Yes indeed, nothing but the best in Chicago these days.

I Am Iron Man

"Now the time is here…

For Iron Man to spread fear.

Vengeance from the grave…

Kills the people he once saved.

Nobody wants him,

They just turn their heads.

Nobody helps him,

Now he has his revenge.

Heavy boots of lead;

Fills his victims full of dread.

Running as fast as they can;

Iron Man lives again!"

--Ozzy Osbourne of Black Sabbath from the song “Iron Man” from the album Paranoid, 1971.



I have to admit it, as Mark was correct: IRON MAN was a great movie.

Mark called it in January and he was correct. Grossing over 52 Million dollars thus far this weekend, Iron Man will go down as one of the better Super Hero movies that we have seen.

I rank it on the level of Spider-Man I and II. Not quite up to Batman Begins standards; but certainly better than most.

In pure geeky news: it was the talk of Free Comic Book Day at Acme comics in Normal. Go get a free comic and learn to enjoy life, by the way.

The movie was socially relevant on today’s global standards; Robert Downy was an incredible Tony Stark and played it perfectly; I was less thrilled with the Jeff Bridges character, but from what the other comic shoppers told me—his character was based on a story and Bridges did the character perfectly (uh…I had only a minor/passing interest in Iron Man as a kid, so I really was not as familiar with some of the villains); special effects were unreal as to how perfect they looked; great direction; nice use of humor; and some truly great actions scenes. The film also allows the characters to evolve as we see why Stark becomes Iron Man and his origin, although tweaked from what we see in the comics, makes sense.

I will not give anything away, although I will remind all good patrons to STAY IN YOUR SEAT UNTIL AFTER THE CREDITS. There is another scene that follows the tradition of Marvel Comic Book movies. This particular one is very cool.

Watch out for that cool executive with the heart of steel and set the repulsor rays towards stun and fly out to the theaters now. This one is one of the best.