We Are....Not Done Yet

We are here.

We have arrived.

They still may want to not believe it, but it's true.

The Penn State football program has another great team that has come together, and a town and community that has been coming together and despite what feels like the rest of the world coming apart we understand that it is OUR unity and combined abilities that WE are something special. 

The way that we play is simple. 

It's for one another.  We know that every part will depend on another, and though we may have individual greatness like no other, it is our ability to bring the most out of each other that has taken us to this point. 

In countless ways and in countless times I have seen great play from every single position.  I have seen effort from every single position, and when opportunities came to either blame one another or help one another, we chose the latter.

This is why we've been successful.  Yes most of us will also have won some measure of genetic lotteries or pure individual will power, but at the same time, it's how we all work together, push one another to be better, and do it despite different backgrounds, different belief systems.

That's why I believe team sports are special. 

While in all sports there is no where to truly hide (you either perform better than your opponent or you don't.)  Team sports have the added requirement that you to adapt to others around you to succeed.  

The dual realities of College athletics is unique further still as it is the first time for most young adults to be away for extended times from their original environment, seeing perhaps for the first time a bit of global perspective, despite the modesty of a small town such as State College.

But through it all we've kept that faith, that belief, that we are on a good path, one that may or may not result in trophies, but will certainly benefit those that follow it.  We believe in enjoyment of life, and certainly that of physical activity.

It's clear they are putting in the kind or work that will lead to a great attitude in life.  That they would give their all if they go into medical fields, aspiring journalists, community leaders and educators.  

The adrenaline rush of sport can rarely be captured quite the same way in other endeavors, though we often try.

Now we sit at the doorstep of something no one thought would happen this soon; a Big Ten championship.

One more opportunity to show who We Are.

Regardless of the outcome I'm confident of one thing, that we will give it everything we have, one last burst of energy to show the world that Penn State isn't waiting for anyone else.

We are ready to be the best right now.

Still Fighting - Penn State's Community and Football program back in the spotlight.

Years ago I wrote an article entitled "Fight" dealing with how to respond to the sanctions levied against the Penn State Football program and the resulting shaming of a community.

I believed that by bonding together; that by collectively, as a community, attempting to become the best students, the best sons and daughters, to become the shining examples of what Penn State really was to us, we could put Penn State on the map for all the right reasons.

More so, we could do so while holding true the principle tenants of the School (and some might argue of life).

That we do so while acting humble and taking pride in our work and in our effort.  That when we might fail, we do so knowing we attempted to get better, to improve.

It's been five years since that article and I feel that by and large everyone in this community has improved, and for the past 5 years, with a few hiccups along the way, I don't think I've ever felt as optimistic about being a part of this community.

The Penn State Wrestling Program is the current undisputed best program in the country under the guidance of Cael Sanderson.  Our Women's Volleyball Program with Russ Rose at the helm is among the best in the country.  Our basketball teams continue to be competitive and perhaps are just a year or two away from breaking out.  Countless educational achievements have been made, and THON continues to an incredible benefit and event.  Our hockey programs are beginning to garner serious interest.

Developers are taking notice, building downtown. They are building and believing in this community.  Our hospitality industry seems to be thriving in a competitive business.  For myself, I don't think I've been more satisfied at the job that I have.

In my personal life I feel as though I've done a pretty good job at following my own advice.

I feel closer to my family and friends than I have in a long time, I've built and trusted those relationships more and more.  I've been more open and available to my longtime love, best friend and now wife.

I've made healthier choices in my diet overall, and continue to exercise regularly.

In fact, overall, I don't think I've ever felt better.

But that doesn't mean that we, or I, am satisfied yet.

Because I know I have made mistakes, I have been deficient in some areas.

I know I can improve.

That constant drive; that knowledge that life won't stop for you or your latest achievements. That life has a way of being unpredictable and leveling things out and that while you may be on top now, if you don't keep up the habits that got you there, you will inevitably fall.

This Saturday, the Penn State Football team, a long-time beacon and symbol of everything positive about this university will get the spotlight along with what many believe is the best (or among the best) football team in the nation in Ohio State.

People across the country, and certainly in the the North East and Mid-West will look out at our team, at our environment, at US and from that moment in time make a decision as to how they feel about Penn State and who we are as a community.

Regardless of the actual outcome of the game, I want those watching at home or visiting us to watch from the stands or a bar and know that we aren't scared of the light being back on us, that we aren't scared of being on the field and we aren't scared to support or cheer for our team.

We do this all in a way that is passionate, that is morally and ethically good.  We don't do it to brag, we don't do it so that we can point to our championships.  We do what we do because it makes us a better place.  Because what matters at the end of the day are two things.

Are you coming together?  And are you getting better?

I'm confident, that when ESPN's cameras capture this community, when they go and try to capture the spirit of this town, they'll find a place that embodies the best in university culture.  That we are passionate, yet respectful.  That we believe in each other and pick each other up when we fall.  That we don't quit.

As Ohio State's fans come down may our exchanges begin as welcoming, and may we be civil and respectful.  We live in a civilized world beyond the sophomoric gates of rival high-school behavior.  I hope that the fervor of fandom doesn't take hold to a negative effect.

We have come a long way in 5 years.  And the spotlight is going to be here again.  And when it lights up Beaver Stadium and all of Penn State, they'll shine a light on a group that's still fighting for everything we can be.

Still fighting to be the best.

Faith.

I never thought that my story would be a love story.

I never thought I'd ACTUALLY fall in love.

I watched my parents from a young age, saw the struggle, the pain and the ache's, and felt in some part, that I (and my sister for that matter) made life so much more difficult.

I have suffered from depression for most of my life, and had an acute bout with it right after I had quit the Penn State football team, to focus on my studies and not end up just another jock.

I felt I had failed.

I felt my dream end, and with it to some extent, who I believed I was.

I fell in and out of love with various aspects of my own choices and my own reality.

I watched best friends marry, achieve financial success.   I saw them all happy.


I felt alone.


You then came into my life.

You smile in honest.

You first came to me with what I could detect as a mutual sense of eagerness and caution.  Something that made me both confident and scared.

You made me sense who I was again.

Your brightness in the world I find inescapable.

You are someone I feel I cannot and will not be without.  I feel your presence even in your physical absence.

You make me want to be my best, despite whatever condition the world puts me in.

You give me my Faith in the world.

You give me Faith in the future.

You give me Faith in myself.

So I promise to Love You Forever.

" Because the Democratic Party is The Only Effective Institution to Implement Policy"

I think the guy at the end (Mark Malouf) is more important than 90% of this video so if you want, just skip until the last 30 seconds.

Sanders supporters walk out

This is what's wrong.  I hate this.  This is how we keep get a Trump and a Clinton.  We keep lying and saying

"F it. Whoever is playing on the winning team is who I want to back.  Yeah I like rooting for those guys that don't win but I really want to pick a Winner that I like the most.  And as long as those two teams are red or blue (in this case) I can live with the results.  Besides it's worked for the past 150 plus years right?

We have to begin as a public expect more of our leaders and more importantly more of ourselves.

We let this happen.

Civilization may have been briefly lost with the advent of technology such as the Internet but now I believe it's time we begin to move and trust our own beliefs a little more and not cower in fear that we may lose.

On Robots and Policing.

This article has to do with robots and domestic policing policy.  It doesn't touch on any of the racial tension surrounding the events that triggered the scenario in Dallas.

While I don't have a problem with the robot killing the suspect in this particular case, I believe we must establish a very clear policy for deadly force using robots and it needs to happen sooner rather than later.

This is what I think we know so far.

The suspect was confined, the area was secure of known civilians, and they could potentially communicate to the suspect. 

 

In this particular occasion it appears the suspect was emotionally disturbed.  There was also alleged taunting and singing which I would deem irrelevant to a professional force, but I know they're human too.  The suspect also allegedly said he had plans for more, if setting off any remote bombs seemed a possibility I again SUPPORT the officers decision.

However to use the same technique again should again require extreme circumstances that should be later REQUIRED to be proven true.  (The State has an obligation to provide all evidence after the fact in most cases anyway.)

I have fear that we will begin to use the robots to bomb suspects without doing the correct police work.

For example we believed on what we thought was good intelligence and been wrong before.  Specifically in our ward with terrorists where we mistakenly have bombed schools and other innocent civilians.

I also believe on occasion that police officers can be corrupt.  That on some level there is always the potential for a good officer to become or be a bad one.  

To remotely bomb a space should be an ABSOLUTE last resort for those two reasons alone.

This will kind of set a precedent. 

 If some one is on a drug bust some kind of raid and they say they fear for their lives for a breach, it is conceivable that the state could freely bomb almost any building at any time.

 What if we suspect a domestic terrorist is at a home making bombs right now, and we say he is heavily armed, and we bomb that area.  Then we later find out that the state was wrong and they kill a civilian?

This is why it's a complex issue and a bit of a big deal.

I believe it's also important in this day and age for all police to film their interactions.  While on duty nearly all of their actions should be recorded, and would think especially using explosives to kill.

Optimism In A Pessimistic Age.

I know there are problems in the world.

I know that thing like terrorism, economic inequalities, civil rights injustices, and more seem to be omnipresent in the news.

Sometimes I watch the political discourse used on message boards, facebook, twitter, and even from the politicians themselves and it feels like the world wants to tear itself apart.

Yet I still have hope.  I still love everything about this world and for all the faults that exist in myself and in the world around me I seem now to be hopelessly happy.

At the end of the month I will marry the woman I love.  I have met so many great people and feel as though through it all I'm mostly made a positive impression on the world.  I have a job where I work with good, talented and unique people.  I have the ability to travel to see my fiends and family on occasion and on occasions they can come and visit me.

I find myself constantly reminiscing over my past, reflecting on how I got here and sometimes I just find it incredible.  Life isn't easy, constantly missing potential pitfalls and battling our own battles.  Yet through it all, I feel as though I've made it.  A sense of happiness seems to have settled in that somehow feels permanent.  Or at least that I understand the path to create my own happiness.

Optimists seems rarer and rarer these day.  But I'm one of them.  I believe that even today in world rife with cynicism, fear, and rage that we can still come together and overcome our differences in the name of peace, community and love.  

I don't believe in any one religion.  I am an Agnostic.  But I believe in people.  I have faith in the unreal emotion of love. I have faith that most people do not want to cause others harm, that instead the inverse is true, and if given a simple opportunity to help, one would do so.

That while we are hopelessly flawed, we shall forever attempt to improve upon ourselves and create a better future for all to live peacefully.

The Most Important Moment In History

We are in the midst of a changing of the guard and we all know it.

The world is as contentious as can be.  Isis is a worldwide problem.  There is distrust towards our own government in many sections of America. 

I'd say tonight's votes on the West Coast will be very telling as to how America feels. I'd suspect record turnout's the rest of the way, as this election now feels like it's the most important we've ever had to do as United States Citizens.   Let's be thoughtful about this and please vote. I have to say I think Bernie's plan is the best. I'm sure everyone will have a say about it. I encourage everyone to represent their views because they're important. Support what you believe. But at the end of the day be ever so grateful we get this opportunity. This may be the most important moment in America's history.   

Go America Go.

As of now I'm on Sanders side, but I will hear out all candidates as to what they want to do about the WORLD problem that is ISIS and religious zealotry . I feel Sanders is the most honest Candidate in his desire to want to unite Americans to be the best it can be.. He has no part in special interests and isn't controlled. He want's to raise taxes on the super wealthy to put more into the American system. I'm fine with that. He wants rational thought put into war, and wants to take care of our troops. At the same time, I'm sure, like ALL of us we need to stay aggressive in our pursuits of educating and keeping safe territories that we feel our friendly.  And he believes that funding our severely underfunded

One thing I know for sure, this event and timing is unlike anything I can remember in history and everyone in those states should get to vote Wednesday and Thursday. This event and timing is crazy. But every legal person should get a chance to vote.  Besides, this also is a great sort of unintentional screening to see who votes and who doesn't.  Who wouldn't want to vote in the future of the Country they live in other than those who don't actually live here or eligible.  That would easily help you identify illegal immigration.  It also pushes voter turnout to unbelievable record numbers.  I would suggest a second day of voting.  I don't believe the State was able to adequately handle the turnout.  Stories of incredible lines and polling places running out of ballots were abound.   This would affect ALL candidates from BOTH parties.*

I would move to petition that due to an incredible event affecting the world, an extension should be given for states going forward.  Obviously, this may hurt/help someone's particular candidate, but I still feel that given the circumstances throughout the day we should allow at least a second day to consider All Candidates seriously. **

*Assuming there aren't already provisions on the books to allow this.
**Again Extreme Circumstances,  I'd say the same thing if all of a sudden we got attacked by aliens. Enormous earthquake, A Terror Strike, Global Sickness.   You get a second day to vote.