Sports - Wayne Gretzky's Birthday

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.  Happy Birthday to our lord and savior - Wayne Gretzky

A.D.D. Rumblings No. 12208

I'm supposed to write. That's what I do. What do I write about when my mind is elsewhere? Death don't you know, trumps all. What is death really all about to those left behind? Is anyone really ever prepared for it? The finality of it all. Tough stuff to figure out, yet it happens every day to everyone at some point or another.

I guess what has really come to my attention is how people act when death occurs. The true colors of people really stand out. Friends you expect to stand up are nowhere to be found. Friends you had no idea were so cool, really step it up a notch. People you didn't know were your friends become your friends. Acquaintances lend an ear and shoulder just because. Strangers come up to you and renew your faith in humanity.

Yet there are those directly effected by it and you expect them to act a certain way, talk a certain way, and feel a certain way. Yet they completely throw you for a loop and you are left wondering what the heck is going on? Who are these people and why exactly are they my friends to begin with?

There are no rules for this. Everyone handles things differently I know. Some people laugh it off, some people cry forever. Some are motivated to do something. Some take a look at their lives and become very introspective. Some just glance for a minute, then carry on forgetting the importance of life. I know this, because this is what I am seeing. I can't believe what I'm seeing sometimes. I can't believe what I am hearing.

I am seeing strength in those that I thought were week. I see weakness in those who once were strong. I see anger, denial, sorry, and pain. I see stupidity, bitterness, depression, and the vain. I see those who want to bring attention to themselves, and that makes them feel useful. Some want to connect so they do something to help out. They talk, they write, they visit. It's all a menagerie of actions and non-actions that never seem to make sense, yet it's what is done. It's this confusion of shared anxiety and purpose.

[I can't stand people that walk around with coffee cups in their hands all day long. You look so useless. Get busy or something.]

True Colors. Death can make you a better person. Death can make you a complete nut job. Death can you make you do things in life that makes you wish you were dead. Death death death...it's a shame it has to happen. It's fear we all have, how could we not? And maybe just maybe that's it. It's the fear we can't deal with. The finality of it all is uncomfortable enough. Maybe seeing it, talking about it, being right in it's face is just too much. It is after all the complete opposite of what we are currently doing. It's anti-everything.

It is, It is, It is.

Liberty - Hitting The Nail On The Head

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Mike Church, The King Dude himself posted something that I thought was perfect. Here it is:

My principles are not for sale and yours shouldn't be either. I'm not going to go randy for McCain simply because Hillary must be defeated. When a political Party that is an heir to an ideology, as Republicans are, then it is incumbent on those who claim to be members of the Party to defend that ideology. If the Republican Party can stand for and be defined by whatever John Mccain or Mike Huckabee thinks it stands for without paying homage to it's raison detre than what's the point of having a Party?

The Republican Party has self-inflicted it's own wounds when it has decided it doesn't need it's ideology and that a crowned candidate- supero Republicas -is free to a liberal interpretation of same. See: Cleveland (II), Taft, Hoover, Nixon, Ford, Bush 41 & 43. McCain may very well be able to beat Mrs. Clinton and THAT is what spells trouble for this Party, the Country and the dream of Constitutional, limited Government. i.e. McCainism BECOMES the ideology because it worked to prevent Slick Hilly.

Danny Griffin - Eulogy

A.D.D. Rumblings No. 10408

At this time I'd usually be expecting an email from Bethany mentioning the latest laughable Democrat quote, along with another statement on how I needed to lose weight...but that's not going to happen anymore.

I've been struggling to wrap my mind around this, and I can't. I can't grasp the concept of how these things occur. I know full well they occur, and it happens often. I know that it isn't because the stars are aligned a certain way, or it was just time, or God's will...none of that stuff people use to make themselves feel better. It can't be. I am not going to just chalk it up to being an accident, because it was more than just that. Cause and effect. Reason. Choices.

The thousands of people who have died at the hands of a drunk driver need more than just some blanket reason for their lives being cut short. This has to stop. So how do you get it to stop? I read people who come out and blast drinking. Is it really about drinking? Maybe. How can you say it is not...when if there was no alcohol in his system, he wouldn't have driven down the interstate for 4 miles! However far more people drink and never get behind a wheel. Why is that? Because they make preparations ahead of time, they are with the right people who care, or they just know better. Or they were lucky and never got caught. You know what I'm talking about.

I will not let the death of these children amount to just a memory. I will not let it fade away as just another accident. I vow to make a difference somehow, someway. I am going to do something about it. First off let me tell you I had a person on myspace tell me that I was wrong to be mad at the drunk driver, that it was just an unfortunate accident. That everyone makes mistakes and I needed to forgive him. I didn't waste my time responding, because I realize I'd be wasting my time on that mentality. How do you argue with a person who isn't thinking clearly? Forgive him????

I have a statement issued from the family of the drunk driver indicating how apologetic they are, how sorry they are, and how upset they are. I have no reason to not believe that's how they feel. It's obvious an attorney wrote the message, but the point is it doesn't get to the heart of the matter. Driving drunk is more than just a poor decision, it's more severe than that. I'm trying to find an analogy of what could be considered an equal act, but I'm at a loss to find one. He's a young guy who did something stupid and will pay for it for a long time. We all know that the price to pay never equals the crime, but that's another story. We all have made stupid mistakes because of immaturity, youth, and indiscretion. Sometimes we may even amaze ourselves that we are even alive. But still, why did he do it? Why didn't anyone stop him? Why did it get so out of hand? My close friend who is suffering with all of us wrote this public letter to the family:

It is an American tragedy that pockets of our society are littered with families who enable the reckless and irresponsible behavior of their brothers and sisters. Your brother didn't become a thoughtless drunk by chance on December 30th, 2007, he gradually made his way to that point because he was a part of a family and community of friends that did nothing to discourage his eventual path. A Taco Bell drive thru worker showed more responsibility in 5 minutes than any of the people who were close to Michael over the last 24 years. Where were Michael's friends when he was getting drunk? How can you let someone you love get drunk three times over the legal limit and let him walk around with car keys in his pocket? If life were fair Michael would have driven his truck into a telephone pole at 70 mph and the world would have a slightly cleaner gene pool. But life is not fair. Life is made up of a history of events that often lead to unbearable conclusions. Each of you in your own small or large way are responsible for the tragic conclusion of five lives. It is my hope that you all will carry that with you for the rest of your days and live your lives with a profoundly increased sense of responsibility for your decisions. That is my hope, not my expectation.

He's hit the nail on the head. This is what I've been contemplating. This is my struggle and frustration. Oh those poor babies. I'm mad. I'm angry. I'm sad. I'm hurt. I'm lost. I'm in mourning for my friends. I'm upset that I'm writing about how I feel, because I know full well it doesn't matter how I feel. I'm overwhelmed with the generous support of donations from around the country. I'm blushing with pride from the thousands of emails, comments, and messages showing support and kindness for my friends. I'm helpless because I don't know if I can do enough, yet I am committed to making a difference somehow, someway. Who's with me?




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Update

Donations in Michigan to:
Jordan Griffin Memorial Fund
TCF Bank
Acct 4883611406

Or you can send constributions through paypal.com to:
bethanyandtheangels@gmail.com

A drunk driver killed my friends

I don't know how to thank you all for your kind words, support, prayers and thoughts. You are great, and I am proud to have you as my friend. I went to the hospital today, and I visted Sydney. She is improving greatly, but still has a long road ahead. Thank you for everything.

Adrian man in fatal Toledo crash held on $1.25 million bond

Jacob did the right thing

http://www.toledoblade.com/assets/mpg/TO357301231.MP3