Pardon Me

About a month ago, I summed up my opinion of Lance Armstrong including his career, lies, and the Oprah Interview.  I thought it was pretty well put together and to this day is my vost viewed article.  Then, I stumbled across this.

This rant by Comedian Bill Burr blissfully summarizes my entire two part entry of Lance Armstrong elegantly and hilariously.  Simultaneously, it helps us all realize how we overreact to everything and not add a sense of humor to hot button issues. 

Isn't that the epitome of America anymore? 

Let's overreact and take drastic measures without thinking things through.  People always complain how the government controls and monitors your every more, yet, the same people complain that the government doesn't control and monitor your every move. 

Prime example number 1: Gun Control.  This has gotten out of hand.  Last week, Presidnet Barack Obama disarmed the Marines at a demonstration.  A DEMONSTRATION!!! for the United States Marines!  These people were trained to protect us.  Now they can't use their firearms, which they have been properly trained to use and went through training most of us have only seen in movies. 

We do not have a gun problem in the US, we have a people problem.  That's not an opinion, that's a fact.

There is a reason why we lead the world of high-powered nations in gun related deaths, exponetially may I add. 

Check out this chart.  It represents the yearly death rate per country.  Pretty eye opening stuff when you compare our number to the likes of Germany and the UK.

It comes down to perception, accountability, and due process.  We need to think things through.  It is terrible what happened in New Town, Columbine, Virginia Tech, Colorado and many other places, but we can't overreact by having other forces at bay control us.  Only we can do that.  We have to take responsibility for ourselves and that will flow into the rest of society.  It really is that simple.

Pardon me, I didn't me to go on this tangent.  It just came out.  Hopefully for the better.

Till next time, check out http://www.triforlifefoundation.com

Power of the.....Heart (Part 2)

This is the second installment of the Power of the Heart portion of the Tri for Life Foundation blog.  If you would like to read the first post, click here.

The Power of the Heart title represents an event where I helped raise money (Thank you to all that have donated) to a cause, individual, or family to help support those less fortunate than myself and give the money in some type of forum. 

I hope this blog inspires to you help others, donate your time, or even start a charity organization yourself.  Anything is possible when you put your mind to it (I apologize, that was terribly cheesy).

Last week, I visited the Carteret Elks to meet the Lindh family.  During Hurricane Sandy, their house shifted, broke a gas line, and engulfed into flames.  Something this family has worked for, earned, and called their home was suddenly taken from them by an unstoppable force.  They didn't miss payments or put their mortgage on black to risk it all (something I would probably do), mother nature paid a visit and humbled something most of us take for granted.

Since the storm and to this day, the Lindh family, Dave, Sue, and their two sons, move from home to home, whether it is friends or family, staying and living in unrecognizable territory.  They fight each day to reclaim something that was once their own.  Dave continues to work while Sue takes on multiple jobs to purchase a home in Carteret to reboot their lives back to normalcy.

While raising money for a family that lost something important in Hurricane Sandy, their was no family more deserving than the Lindh family.  Two lovely individuals who devote their time to help others in Elkdom.  These fine folks understand the importance of giving their time to a greater cause.  They recognize and appreciate the sacrifice one goes through when one or a group put others in front of themselves. 

In the photo above, you can see the hell they have gone through but have not given up hope or made excuses for their ill-fortunes.  They have ever right to by the way.  No one would blame them after going through Hurricane Irene (where they almost lost their home) but then, a year after, Sandy storms through and alters their life again, most would give up.  The Lindh family refused.

One has to admire such strength and I am forever grateful for meeting them and doing this for them. 

I would do it again...in a heartbeat. 

I hope this story inspires you, because doing this, it breathes new life into the organization.  I will continue to strive to help others.  All I ask of you who read and support the foundation, please continue in your efforts, it is going to a great cause.

 

www.triforlifefoundation.com

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