Monday, June 10, 2013

Not on my bucket list

By Jeff Orvis

In the past few years, making a bucket list has become popular. I don't know if it's a new term, but it was popularized by a movie where the characters decided to do things that they hadn't done. They wrote down these things and called it a “bucket list.” At least that's what I gather from hearing descriptions of the movie. I haven't seen it yet, but hope to.

This past weekend, I watched the Belmont Stakes horse race. It was the third jewel in the Triple Crown and will probably be the last time I watch a horse race until the 2014 Kentucky Derby. I know there are a lot of folks in this country who could probably tell you more about horses and horse racing in 30 seconds than I've ever known. The Derby, Preakness and Belmont draw hundreds of thousands of fans each year. Each of these races take less than five minutes, but the build-up lasts for days.

That got me thinking about some experiences I haven't had yet, but some I have no desire to accomplish. I've never ridden a horse. I never hope to ride one. Horses can be beautiful animals. Top-notch race horses are real athletes, as are their jockeys. There may be no more exciting five minutes in sport than a major stakes horse race, unless a horse goes down during the race. I've seen that happen once or twice over the years and even though I really don't understand what's involved in preparation for these races, I don't mind saying that when I saw that, I cried just a bit.

So riding a horse is definitely not on my bucket list. I can be old and gray and infirm without ever experiencing climbing on top of a horse. Not on my bucket list.

Those of you who have become devoted victims of reading my columns in the past probably already know what's next. As I've railed on before, I have no tattoos. I realize that I am fast becoming a member of the minority. But I have no intention of drawing attention to my outward appearance by inking up. I hope I can make a positive impression on people I meet by my mind, heart and attitude. The same goes for piercings. I've got enough holes in my head already. So tattoos and piercings are not on my bucket list.

I have never attended a mixed martial arts (MMA) show. There was a time when I had a passing interest in pro boxing, back when Muhammad Ali or Sugar Ray Leonard were at their peak. I never had the urge to put the gloves on, but I understood that jabbing and dancing is a real art form. I also was once a fan of pro wrestling. In fact, I had the opportunity to interview some of the biggest stars of the show in their prime, including the future governor of Minnesota, Jesse Ventura. While I realized their moves in the ring were well rehearsed, I respected their athletic ability.

But this MMA thing is beyond my comprehension. Either punch the guy until he falls down or put a wrestling hold on him that will make him give up. But to punch a guy, then when he falls jump on top of him and punch him some more is ridiculous. MMA not on my bucket list.

Finally, at least for this time, I've never ridden on a motorcycle. I respect the folks who enjoy riding. I try to give riders wide berth when I see them on the road. I admire some of the big, classy, chrome-laden bikes I've seen. But the idea of racing down the road at highway speed with nothing between you and the pavement than a pair of jeans or leathers is not my idea of a good time. If I'm ever out on one of Iowa's rural roads at night and come up on a deer on the roadway, I know my chances are much better in my Buick or van than on two wheels. Motorcycle riding not on my bucket list.

That's it for this time. I don't spend a lot of time wondering what to put on a bucket list. It's easy to fall in the habit of regretting what you haven't done rather than being thankful for what you have done. It's good to have goals, but it's also good not to dwell on the past.

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Armed forces, hockey and softball

By Jeff Orvis

In my last blog, I indicated that this country must do much more for our service men and women returning from war. I indicated that a good start would be to cut the red tape and long delays in getting medical care and assistance to those who have been wounded.

We have several private foundations that do a good job at raising money for the wounded veterans. Unfortunately, we also have a few who claim to have the best interest of the veteran in mind, but return only a small percentage of the dollars raised to those it was intended for.

It might make us feel good to give a few dollars to some of these causes. We might think it is a way to thank those who have served. But really, isn't it the job of the employer (the federal government) to take care of those injured while in its employ?

One way, as I've already mentioned, would be to streamline the time it takes from when the soldier is injured to when treatment and rehabilitation begins. But we should do more. If we really view these women and men as heroes, they should be rewarded. Thousands have returned as amputees or suffering from post traumatic stress syndrome. If they will never be able to return to the active lifestyle they experienced before they served, then they should be compensated. Permanent disability should mean a $100,000 annual pension. Make it tax-free. That would be start, along with lifetime medical care.

There are undoubtedly economists in the Pentagon who wrestle with the cost of equipping our soldiers and sailors. When they are projecting how much a war will cost, those projections should include the cost of caring for our wounded heroes.

On a lighter note, I'm not much of a hockey fan most of the season, but since the Blackhawks are still in the playoffs, I've started paying more attention to their games. I'm amazed that more players aren't hurt because of the brutal body checks into the boards surrounding the rink. Maybe the players should demand that the league install something like the safe barriers being used at many NASCAR race tracks. It might cut down the number of concussions, etc.

I've also been watching the NCAA Women's Softball postseason tournament. I am friends with Alabama's veteran coach, Patrick Murphy, who once coached the Independence baseball team. When the defending Crimson Tide was knocked out of a return bid to the World Series, I decided to find another team to follow.

Since I have a couple of friends from Oklahoma, since the Sooners were beaten in last year's finals by Alabama and since that state has faced plenty of recent tragedy because of the tornadoes, I decided to root for the Sooners. They didn't disappoint last night, as they came from behind, including tying the game with two outs and two strikes on the hitter, to beat Tennessee in 12 innings. That's the first of a best two-out-of-three series.

Women's softball is fun to watch. The cameras can get much better close-ups of the players and their reactions. Some of the best teams have the best cheerleaders on the bench. I've decided you truly have to lose your inhibitions to be a successful collegiate softball player.

It's a lot of fun. Game two is tonight and game three, if necessary, is tomorrow. Go Sooners!

Saturday, June 1, 2013

Time for a national priority check

By Jeff Orvis

Two recent events in the news prompted today's soap box edition.

We recently commemorated Memorial Day. The thoughts of many of us centered on the sacrifices made by our men and women in the armed forces who defended this country throughout its history. The annual concert in Washington was especially moving this year, as we heard the story of two brothers. One was seriously wounded in combat and the other ultimately couldn't cope with his injuries and committed suicide.
Stories like this are repeated hundreds of times each day as we slowly begin drawing down our combat commitments in Iraq and Afghanistan. But for the many soldiers and sailors who return home and are able to pick up their lives, there are others who will spend months or years rehabilitating injuries that are apparent and others who wrestle with the trauma of what they have experienced.

Unfortunately, it is apparent that our government became much more efficient in sending troops off to war than they have been in taking care of them when they return. Unlike the Vietnam War, when many of the returning troops were viewed as second-class citizens by a lot of people who were against our involvement over there, many of us, regardless of how we feel about our longest war that is still underway, welcome the returning troops as heroes.

It's a little strange, since many who fought in Vietnam had no choice. There was a draft at that time and unless you had a physical problem or a student deferment, you were more than likely headed across the ocean. In our current situation, those who are fighting are volunteers. They didn't have to sign on the dotted line.

While our government may have done a poor job convincing a lot of us that we should be fighting in the Middle East, perhaps our view of the returning troops is partially based on our shame on how the troops were treated when they came back from Vietnam.

Even though they volunteered, I have no problem viewing the returning men and women as heroes. They had a job to do and they did it, sometimes time after time. They are trained and are willing to defend those of us who are far less able to do it ourselves.

The other recent event was the news that two bridges in this country collapsed. One was struck by a truck, another by a train. But both were older structures and it's still not clear whether the collisions would have caused the same damage if the bridges were in better condition in the first place.

It will take millions of dollars to repair or replace both of these bridges. And these incidents again brought to light the deteriorating condition of this nation's infrastructure. That includes bridges and roadways, but it also includes such things as water and sewer systems, some not upgraded for decades. Just ask some of the folks in a Davenport neighborhood who are still scooping mud and sludge from their basements after an inadequate sewer system, coupled by heavy rain, caused sewer back-up. When you sift through some of the understandable blue language, you will get a hint on what needs to be done, where the priorities for future funding should be.

That's the point. The time has come for this country to take a hard look at its present and future priorities. If we are viewing our returning troops as our protectors, our heroes, it's time we treat them like that. There's no reason why veterans should wait months for treatment. There's no reason why the veterans' support staff – spouses and children – should live in poverty and uncertainty while the soldier serves.

We have 535 men and women who must determine how our tax dollars are spent. Each member of Congress has to make the tough decisions on how those dollars are spent. I hope that most of them do so by taking into consideration the good of the people, not just in their own district or state, but across the nation. But unfortunately, with the rising cost of political campaigns, influence in the form of lobbyists flows through the halls of the Capitol like some of that sludge in the Davenport neighborhood.

Sometimes I wonder if we could suddenly pick three citizens, totally at random and have them determine how our tax money is spent if they might not do a better job. We've all had the “if I ruled the world” thoughts. Maybe they would decide we really don't need military bases in several European countries. The military show plane divisions, the Thunderbirds and the Blue Angels, put on spectacular shows around the country and elsewhere. Their operations have been suspended during our current budget crisis. But when they resume, stop and think how many thousands of dollars are spent on jet fuel and personnel each afternoon and how many hours of rehabilitation for our wounded warriors those dollars could buy.

Maybe the best way to honor the service of our armed forces or to help our friends and neighbors recover from natural disasters is to ask the congressional candidates the tough questions on where their priorities truly lie.