Jay Kersting's Blog

Jefferson City Jays fans, a little bit of bad news.  Adkins Stadium will not be ready to open on 12 September 2008 for the game against Fayetteville, Arkansas.

The good news is that the games doesn't have to move far.  It will now be held at Lincoln University, so it will now be played literally across the street. 

The problem is the track that wraps around the field is not complete yet.  Our wet weather has been the source of blame.

Look for a true home opener on 19 September 2008 against Columbia Rock Bridge.

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Last night, we loaded a 26' rental truck full of my mom and dad's stuff.  (Out of respect, I will not use the George Carlin terminology....besides, you never know what you could inherit.  Even Lamont Sanford knew this.)

Dad, Alex, Ben, David Gaines, neighbors Randy and Dalton, and I did the bulk of the work.  Kathleen had a school meeting, so she missed a lot of it.  I am sure she is upset over that.

Anyhow, here is the point I am getting at.  First, thanks to everyone who helped.  Second, after I take part in some physical activity or a long drive, I need time to wind down.

So, I first sat outside with Dad to chat and eat some yogurt.  (No big secret, just love yogurt.)

Finally, I went to bed.  I turned on the TV.  I was too tired to bother changing the channel.

It was on John McCain's speech.  

So, I heard some of it.  

John McCain does not deliver a speech with the vigor of Barack Obama, nor the enthusiasm of Sarah Palin.  But he is not as bad some like to portray.

Content wise, he hit on some decent points.  Education as the civil rights issue of the 21st Century is one that could be a winner.  Need to hash the details out on that, but it is a concept that makes sense.  I especially liked the line about helping BAD teachers find another line of work.  Wish that had been done 25 years ago.

But what struck me most was that John McCain FINALLY talked during this campaign about how his experiences as a Prisoner of War shaped his life.

Having read "Faith of my Fathers" and having heard John McCain read it to me in the audio book version, I already knew the stories.  But to hear him tell it again to the thousands in the audience who hadn't heard it.  And the millions at home who hadn't heard it.  The camera cutting away to Bud Day in the audience wearing his Medal of Honor gave me chills up my leg.  (AGAIN, I put links in for a reason, if you do not know who Bud Day is, please check out the link.)

I know he fought to NOT talk about it, but I think he needed to.  No matter that that IDIOT former BAD President Jimmy Carter said.  I think a nuclear engineer who couldn't convince people of nuclear energy safety has little to advise others on.  

And calling Jimmy Carter a pinhead is an insult to those who have heads that come to a point, therefore, shaped like a pin.

BUT, I am off track here.  John McCain has resisted talking about his very personal experiences as a Prisoner of War.  He viewed that as a failure because he did not hold up to the standard that he set for himself.  His own father told him that he did more than most anyone could have.  Bud Day told him the same.  The late James Stockdale did as well.

When you run for political office, I think you need to share with people the stories of the events, experiences and people who have impacted your life.  It illustrates for people not so much where you are coming from, but how you got to where you are in position AND in your values and views.

And that may be why I think looking at the cast of characters that surround a politician is something that people need to look at.

If a candidate has surrounded himself or herself by the type of people you'd cross the street to avoid, you might want to reconsider voting for that person.

Just a thought.

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Have a great weekend!!