Jay Kersting's Blog

Please take time to remember that it was forty years ago today that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot and killed by James Earl Ray, an escapee of the Missouri State Penitentiary, in Memphis, Tennessee.

I think it is time to recall that Dr. King did more than act on behalf of just certain minorities.

While far from perfect as a man, and while some may not have agreed with his course of action on some issues, nor agreed with him on some of his views, this is another time to note the tone that he tried to set.  While fighting for civil rights, Dr. King accomplished one big thing.  He brought the issue of civil rights to many folks who otherwise thought nothing of the issue because it did not effect them directly.  And he did so in a mainly positive way.

Most who have followed in his wake have not done so in the same manner.  Rather, so many who came later did so in an opportunistic way.

What was Dr. King's intent?  It was to bring those who were being held back to having the opportunity to being on a level playing field.

And those who came later?  To demagogue the issue in a matter to line their own pockets and maybe tilt that level playing field in their favor.

A couple of weeks ago, I stated in this blog that when Dr. King was assassinated there was a void left.  And those voids, or vacuums, must be filled by something. 

Sadly, that void has been filled much like what was used to fill against the foundation of my home.  Scrap wood, sawdust and other materials that were not even worthy of throwing away.

And we wonder why things have not improved in the last 40 years?  Are we wandering in the desert?

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TAKE NOTE!!

There is ONE TEAM in all of Major League Baseball to be undefeated.

The Kansas City Royals!!!!

Will it last?  Of course not.  Trey Hillman doesn't have Bill Belichick's video equipment.

Speaking of Trey Hillman, he is officially the winningest all-time manager in Major League Baseball (with at least 3 games managed). 

OK, to be serious on this, it is just refreshing to see the Royals get their first season starting sweep on the road since 1977.  And that 1977 was probably better than any other team in the history of the franchise, including the World Series teams of 1980 and 1985.

Now, is this team is much better than what people have expected so far.  Will this hold?  Don't know, but I hope.

In fact, let me put this in writing, I predicted that the Royals would finish with at least 80 wins and possibly a winning record.  Since most people who follow baseball agree that the AL Central is one the two toughest divisions in baseball, if not the toughest, it is unlikely that a winning record gets you close to the playoffs.

But, so far at least, I am loving the direction that I am seeing.

And I have no problem with being wrong on this one. 

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Rick Sinclair showed me a Texas Hold 'Em Tournament being held tomorrow here in Jefferson City to benefit a Sudden Infant Death Syndrome group.  Yes, it has cash prizes.

A week later that YMCA has Las Vegas style "Puttin' on the Ritz" party.

Where is the outrage over these events?

Gambling, if you are to believe the anti-gambling zealots, leads to white collar crime and broken homes.

This is OK?  

Must be.  Because this type of gambling doesn't lead to white collar crime and tear apart families.  Neither does the library.  Of course not.  These....these examples of gambling are OK because they are for.....THE Children.

Hypocrites.

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This story got my attention simply because of the name of one of the subjects.  Not a funny name, just one familiar to me and those who may be reading this back in Knoxville.  

If you want me to explain, shoot me an e-mail. 

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Have a great weekend and Go Royals....bring home a winning record before starting the HOME portion of the season against the New York Yankees.

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