Numbing of America

Early in the campaign for Governor, I made a list of stances based on my beliefs and my view of what Government should be. One of those points came early in a debate in East TN. (Sorry only TV coverage was provided by the Knoxville Stations) The question came up, "What is your take on Gay Marriage". Most of you can guess what my take was. The question came up again in an Adult Education Forum in Brentwood when a young woman came up to me and asked about Gay Marriage and Adoption. This time I hesitated as I found myself looking at her and trying to determine if she was gay or not. I answered the question on gay marriage and gave a answer to the Adoption point as well. (My adoption answer surprised many folks)

Most recently we have seen in the news, Belmont addressing a related issue with one of their coaches.. a coach on the women's soccer team. The coach was dismissed when it was learned of her sexual orientation and she and her partner were having a child. This incident made the local news both printed and broadcast. Protest were held by small bands of folks. Not sure of how many were actual students of the University or had ties to the University. The Media was there to cover the protest. The bad light was shed on the University. Mike Curb, a major Belmont Benefactor even went to the media to give support to the coach. Over the past year(s) Belmont has worked to remove its ties to the Southern Baptist Convention..I don't think this had any impact with that move. What disturbs me is that a University should be able to hire and fire anyone that doesn't reflect its core values. Its a PRIVATE institution. A parent or student should know what that University stands for. If they don't like it...then they don't have to attend the school. We are now still consumed with the idea of being politically correct...trying to appease everyone even small groups that do not share core values. Its like in our own K-12 education process...lets lower standards to achieve the better results for more people across the board. I applaud the State as it looks to raise the standards. In the long run, wondering what Belmont will do. I recall back in the late 60's and early 70's Lipscomb University went through something similar. They did not rehire teachers who attended a certain Church in Nashville. I'm not sure of how they would handle the Belmont situation if it happened on the Lipscomb campus today.

(Side Bar)

In January, The Battle of the Boulevard will take place on the Lipscomb campus as Belmont and the Bisons will face each other in a game of Basketball. In previous meetings over the years, there has been quite the show between the two student bodies...usually poking fun at each other. I am anxious to see what the Lipscomb student body will take on the recent episode on the Belmont Campus or if Lipscomb officials try to damper the subject on Game Night. In recent years, The Lipscomb students has targeted big Belmont Supporter, Vince Gill...with great novelty! (Should note that Vince's daughter with Amy Grant is the last of the Burton family to attend Lipscomb free of charge. Wondering if Vince will send her to Lipscomb when that time comes). I hope many of you will make plans to attend this game. Its one of the greatest events of our community and the Southeast. There is no other game like this. I would suggest that you go on and contact the Lipscomb Box office if you don't already have a ticket to this game. It will be a sell out!

Back to Topic
I think that I have a large range of a sense of humor. I can find humor in lots of things. I enjoy watching funny movies and TV shows of all types and really not thinking about what I am laughing about..until recently. I will reference The Columbia Broadcasting System' Monday night line up. Two hours of sitcoms which include: How I met Your Mother, Rules of Engagement, Two and a Half Men, and Mike and Molly. Guess what the underlying theme of each show or a major topic on each show: Sex! and why...because it draws viewers. There are things discussed and promoted on these shows which should leave people feeling a bit uncomfortable most notably on Two and a Half Men.
Not to sound like a prude...I don't know see what good comes out of shows like these and others on the other networks especially in Prime Time. Hope parents of young kids have taken notes of these shows. Is this another sign of lowering our Standards and a continuation of the Numbing of America? Where are our core values?
This reminds me of how things have changed over the years. I dated a girl back in the mid-70's who would blush and roll her eyes when certain Feminine Product commercials would come on TV. She would say, why in the world do they have to show those commercials on this show? I wonder if she still blushes today? I wouldn't think so. I wonder why the Networks and programmers feel that they have to have a gay couple or fill the script up with sexual situations..is it just a case of Shock and Awe or is it something else..or is it the old advertising saying...Sex Sells?

Julian Assange-Hero? Advocate of Free Speech and Expression?

Wikipedia founder and Webmaster Julian Assange is in jail for Sexual Assault Charges in Sweden. He is best known for his website which makes public many sensitive and secret documents. He is being hailed as an Advocate of Free Speech by many people across the world. His publishing of these documents on the internet have put many people's lives across the world in jeopardy. Many celebrities have stepped up and offered to pay his bail. What if this Australian Journalist was in a Muslim Country and released sensitive documents or made comments disrespectful to the Islam Faith? Do you think they would hold this man in high esteem? Don't think so? He would be lucky to see the next light of day or would be wearing a bandage where his right hand used to be. I have so many questions to this man and to the people who support his efforts. Why? What good does this do? What if someone loses their life over your leak? The world is at a cross roads in certain areas. There are sensitive situations that are out there..some negative impacts could lead to a major blow up between Countries. Our actions good and bad have consequences. He needs to realize his actions need to be dealt with...yet there are those who hail his efforts.

The Numbing Continues

I recently heard a preacher state..some years back he got together with some other men and read the Bible to see what the Bible actually had to say. At first, I thought that might be a good thing. Like attending Sunday School, Going to Bible Classes, Attending lectures to hear different thoughts on certain topics or reading Bible Commentaries...maybe like a new day Restoration Movement. Personally, I think the Bible has a lot to say. "Where the scriptures speak, we speak, where the scriptures are silent, we're silent" --a motto of the Restoration Movement. I would be very interested in knowing what these men think the Bible is saying when the scriptures are silent. We can see how recent interpretations of our Constitution have led us into unchartered waters where like the Bible, it is silent. Men and Women of the Supreme Court have given their opinion and have allowed our way of life to evolve in a certain way. Example: There is no where in the Constitution that separates Church and State. This topic has evolved based on one man's opinion. Public school athletic teams cannot have a pre-game or post game prayer legally. Can't have the 10 commandments in public places...and certain groups want to remove One Nation under God or In God We Trust. We have organizations that their mission is to promote the removal of Religion in our Country and believe that it is the right thing to do...regardless of the consequences.

We have people in Congress who were recently re-elected by the so-call will of the People. These Congressmen and Women have led our Country down the wrong path. We have seen corruption, greed, mis-management, and mis-appropriation ...all which has help cause the economic mess that we are in. Yet, a number of these people are still in leadership positions. Many of these do not share our core values...but yet they are sill re-elected. Its my take that they are re-elected by The Numb!

Some Random and Mindless Thoughts
The Titans recently asked me to send them $473.00 for playoff tickets. I'm assuming that they sent these notices to all of their PSL holders. Wonder if anyone actually sent them any money?

I have been playing phone tag with Governor Elect Haslam. The ball is now in his court.

Guess Who's Coming to Family Christmas this year? This year we have a whole slew of Fiances, boyfriends and girlfriends, and a few dogs (Putter..the Shih Ztu, Cody...the Newfoundland, and Doc..the Golden Doodle) and a couple of babies.

I update the Dedeacon's blog as I have something to share or something that is on my mind. A number of you want me to be more consistent with weekly updates. I'll try but I can't promise. But until next time...I still remain The Dedeacon!

Have a great Holiday Season!! and a Safe one.

Commercials...New Meanings?

Have you seen the most recent Tennessee Lottery Commercials? The first one has the two country "sangers" male and female twanging out a song. I guess this is a parody on what is perceived to be the typical country music performers.The other commercial is a female who recites a bit of verbiage with a lone guitarist in the background and breaks into a clogging dance. Both commercials end with an announcer who promotes the Tennessee Lottery.

These two spots have had the reverse effect most notably on me..not that I am going to go out and buy a lottery ticket anyway. It probably keeps me from buying a ticket for sure.

I would really like to slap all parties who participate in these spots...especially knowing that they are getting paid for doing that. Some people have no shame. Hey did you know the Lottery director makes nearly $900,000 a year? Also, did you know that Governor Bredesen took around $90 Million dollars out of the lottery fund to pay for his Pre-K program? One of my campaign points...was to quit funding this Pre-K program and put the money back into College Education where it belongs. Guess how many HS graduates we could help send to College with $90 Million Dollars. Our quickest and best return on our Education dollars would be on the College Students and not those Pre-kindergartners. The State's own reports indicate that it is a program that does not get the results that it hoped to have. Hope newly elected Governor Haslam will truely become a good steward of the Tennessee Dollar and see the error.

And then there was Carnival Kia's New Spot
I know most of you folks who live in the Middle Tennessee area have seen the Carnival Kia commercials. Many of the spots have included owner/operator Chris Bostick and his wife Dessie and their kids. Their two sons have appeared in many of these promotions. Some of which would consider hokey but yet entertaining. It gets you to remember the name of the dealership.
You might also recall that Chris ends each spot with " Please don't leave until you see me." The most recent commercial spot just features him and his wife. It is very apparent that Dessie will draw lots of attention to her participation in the ad. If I was in the market for a new car and considered a Kia...I would rather see her instead. He might have to change his slogan to.."Don't you leave until you see _ _ _ _ _!" Bravo to Chris and his Ad team! Wonder what market segment they are looking to attract?

With the economy the way it is...I'm wondering how all the dealerships are doing? Out my way, I don't know anyone who has recently bought a new vehicle. My family is driving vehicles that were purchased in 2004-2005 and we hope they are going to last a bit longer.

Bucket List Update

I am working on the next item on my Bucket List. I am preparing the way. Letter has been written and currently waiting on a response and hopeful meeting. Having to take a bold and proactive approach to this one. Will let you know if that opportunity comes around. You never know until you try.

Campaign Memory and Fopahs

I am hoping thru the Dedeacon's Tale that I will be able to share some of the more interesting things that took place on my state-wide campaign trail. The first is a fopah I made on KWAM radio in Memphis this past summer on John Hester's The Average American Show. John had asked me a question about my stance on K-12 Education. I went on to describe a point that I would like to have a contract between the schools, the students and their parents...indicating what was expected from all parties. Also noting the school's decorum on dress and punishment. I indicated that if the student did not follow the rules and had signed the contract with the a school that he or she would be subject to "capital" punishment. John quickly went to a commercial break. The studio went deafly quiet. No word from the board operator and my wife. Everyone had a puzzled look. After a minute passed..John meekly asked, "Don't you think Capital Punishment would be somewhat cruel?" I responded with a NO! I don't think so. Patricia reaches over to whisper in my ear, I think you should have used the word "corporal" instead of capital punishment. I was a bit embarrassed by the comment and we had to do a clarification when we came back on. I will say that I got more votes in Shelby County than I did in Williamson County. Guess some folks in Shelby County agreed with me.

Sharing Campaign Thoughts and Lessons Learned

I have developed a little talk on my experiences while on the campaign trail and have incorporated them into a presentation or speech per se. If you know of a school group (class), church group or a civic group that might be interested in me speaking to them please contact me. You can reach me initially thru my email at bayron.binkley@gmail.com. I spoke to 5 different high school classes while on the campaign trail. I come cheap.

I welcome your thoughts and comments to this blog. Until next time...I am The Dedeacon.