Big Man Blogging

For anyone from the metroplex who may be visiting Miami soon and will smack Bill Parcells for me.

I never imagined that an entire NFL draft could be ruined by one person but leave it to “Dollar Bill,” to mess things up.

Let’s face it as fans, we wait for the NFL draft like our dogs wait for us to fill their dish!  Salivating is optional but for real fans it happens and what happened early last week?  Parcells decides to take all the suspense out of it by signing the #1 pick on a Tuesday.

Nevermind the guy went to that school up north, Nevermind he was o-for his career against THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY!(check my Buckeye credentials),  Nevermind that when his name was called Saturday it was a ho-hum moment.

And with the first pick in the 2008 NFL DRAFT THE MIAMI DOLPHINS SELECT…yea we know “Dollar Bill” told us already.

Parcells managed to screw up the NFL draft!!!  That’s like screwing up a peanut butter and jelly sandwich!

Screwing up the NFL draft is very difficult to do!  Bill can you cook a hamburger?  Can you walk and chew gum?  We already know you couldn’t coach Dallas to a playoff win but destroying the moment football fans look forward too nearly as much as the superbowl, has got to be a crime!

President Bush, “Dollar Bill” is 90 miles from Guantanamo Bay, send him there and torture him if you must!!!  His nickname is “Tuna” a little waterboarding should not bother him!

For us real NFL football fans this was definetly a declaration of war…another attack of  SHOCK AND AWE proportion by General “Dollar Bill” on the fan base that has paid this OVERRATED, FAT, NEVER WON A THING WITHOUT LAWRENCE TAYLOR, condescending, disrespectful, blame the players not the coach, sideline/front office prowler!

Next Draft “Dollar Bill,”  if you haven’t left the Dolphins for a job at ESPN, only to return to a franchise to be named later…KEEP YOUR DRAFT CHOICE TO YOURSELF!

You managed to not speak TO’S NAME, you currently aren’t speaking to the only player you have on that sorry Dolphin Roster, Jason Taylor.

My point is, when you’re not eating, and we know you do a lot of that!!!  You manage to keep your mouth shut when you want too!

Should no one take me up on my $5 offer…I’ll give it you “Dollar Bill” consider it hush money to keep your 2009 Draft choice to yourself until Draft day!

it’s a big man’s world, it’s a big man blogging

When some of you aren’t referring to me as my colleague and friend “Newy Scruggs,”  you’re often reminding me of stories past.

I guess My story with HELLGA, the American Gladiator is still on the brain!   People from all over say they thought it was funny and liked that we actually arm wrestled.  (she did place 3rd in the world’s strongest woman contest)

I must tell you that I take no pride in beating a woman in Arm Wrestling but it had to be done.  Some of my News Colleagues were actually challenging me to see if I would do it and if I could possibly lose!!!  So my choices were win and I beat a woman, lose and I lost to a Girl…She had to go down.

For a quick review of the story you can click this link:

http://video.nbc5i.com/player/?id=243846

Now for the record I rather enjoyed being lifted into the air by HELLGA…but her strength got me to thinking, who among my MALE colleagues at NBC 5 would have stood a chance against HELLGA in an arm wrestling match?

So while conventional wisdom, (among NBC 5 photojournalists) I’ve talked to is NONE!

Here are my predictions: (feelings will likely be hurt)

LOSING TO HELLA IN DRAMATIC FASHION ARE THE FOLLOWING:

David Finfrock-32 years at KXAS, he is “the man,” his new weather set and Promo suggest he has everything short of a phone booth (to change in), Superhero Cape and utility belt!  Sorry DF, the forecast is not very sunny, Hellga beats you faster than North Texas weather changes on a Spring afternoon.

Mike Snyder-oh ye of the Baritone voice, may squeal in Soprano-like tones as Hellga forces your arm to the table, but you’d get the last word on her my friend.

Newy Scruggs-the electric smile and custom suits won’t help you here!  The verbal hazing you’d take from our Fraternity Brother’s alone is enough for you not to attempt it, sorry, you too go down homie!

Kevin Cokely-you cover a lot of politics, it’s a contact sport!  Trust me Hellga is more physically powerful than your average politician…sorry, the back of your hand meets a table.

Brendan Higgins-Don’t think you can hide from this in the AM.  I’m giving you a loss BH, you better be wide awake to take on Hellga, I know you’re sleep deprived, no match for the world’s 3rd strongest woman…some competitive warm up challenges from Deborah Ferguson and Tammy Dombeck may be in order, a little training may get you off the LOSER LIST.

Steve Maclaughlin-let’s face it, you’d thoroughly enjoy losing to Hellga!  You’d do so with a smile on your face, you’d remain good natured throughout the beatdown, but you’d still lose!

James Aydelott-if you notice in the video, Hellga doesn’t mind punching a man with Glasses, watch out!  you are dropping like the dew point my friend!

Derek Castillo-Dnice! as I call him!  Nothing but love for you Derek, but I cannot overlook the fact that HS Cheerleaders TOWER over you my vertically challenged friend, in those HS FRIDAY FOOTBALL live shots…stay in your weight class and away from Hellga!

Scott Friedman-you are being hurt by your “golden domeness”  Notre Dame has not done too well lately (Hellga could start on your Alma Mater’s FB Team) that aside, wrestling with Corporate Giants like American Airlines is nothing like Wrestling Hellga…don’t do it man, I’d bet Hellga on this one too.

Omar Villafranca-Omar may be asking himself , why Randy?  Why me, I’m young, Talented, Strong!  That you are, my friend, but Hellga ain’t a Gladiator for nothing.  She’s battle tested and until I see you put her down, I’ll take Hellga.

WINNERS:  SHORT LIST

Brian Curtis: yes BC is a winner, he works out and while he may be outsized, he’s hanging out with a lot of olympic athletes lately!  I think BC may pick up a few pointers from elite athletes and put Hellga down!

Brett Johnson-BJ would take Hellga down!  Brett, loves music, wine and women, not necessarily in that order but the combination could prove lethal for Hellga, once charmed and under the influence of a nice merlot, she might literally be a push over for Brett!  Brett is also not opposed to be hoisted into the air by a woman!

Ken kalthoff-I know KK’S wife, and if he’s caught holding hands with Hellga the American Gladiator, He’ll run the gauntlet at home! So put her down quick KK!  Not to mentikon KK is a vet!  Battle tested and has stood up to heavyweights in his great career.  Hellga better watch out, KK is crafty.

Grant Stinchfield-Grant is a New Yorker,  Bottom line, that means if he had to, he’s not above cheating to win!  Hellga loses to Grant in a WWE style Arm wrestling Cage match…Grant will need a Trick or two to secure victory,  but he’ll win.

Scott Gordon-My occaisional Post worknite drinking buddy! (we haven’t had one in a while) my opinion is entirely based on our friendship and should we be out drowning our sorrows at some bar I would hope that if a fight breaks out, YOU CAN TAKE A GIRL, even a big girl!

I think that cover’s the fellas, should any of you feel slighted by my predictions, you should know I have Hellga’s digits!  She’ll be back in the Metroplex sooner than you think, I’d hate to show up with her and a Camera and make television of any of you, but I’ll do it, you know I will!

it’s a big man’s world, (I’m 1-0 vs. Hellga) it’s a big man blogging.

16 and counting…

That is the number of men wrongly convicted in Dallas County Courts and exonnerated of all charges by DNA EVIDENCE.

16 and counting the largest number in any county in any state anywhere…#16 is no longer defined by a state prison number, his name is Thomas McGowan.

McGowan spent 23 years in PRISON for a Rape he NEVER committed.  23 YEARS!!!  Nearly half his life and certainly what most of us look back on as the best part.

Your 20’s, 30’s, early 40’s GONE with the bang of a Judges gavel, knowing the entire time you didn’t do it, you just happened to be too poor, too black or both to prove your innocence in a Dallas County Court system that  increasingly looks as if very little Justice was taking place there under previous prosecutorial administrations.

23 years!

I have had the opportunity to speak with several of the men who’ve been released after spending decades behind bars.

To a man, none of them have ever spoken of hostility, hatred, bitterness, or revenge for a system that STOLE the prime’s of their lives.  Locking them in an enviornment where you’re treated as animals by authorities, surrounded by concrete, steel and Angry men who lost their freedom, now operating by their own set of JAILHOUSE RULES.

Every second of your life could literally be your last in prison and any Warden or Guard will tell you that. (especially in max security)

Yet each man, has emerged speaking fondly of their faith, of belief in the truth and the system that so violently wronged them.

I don’t know how they do it?   Hell, if I get a traffic ticket, I’m livid.

Lock me up (wrongly) for 23 seconds and there will be a problem.

23 minutes, I’m likely to throw a punch or two.

23 hours, by then I’m in solitary to protect other’s from me and me from them.

23 days, I’m full-blown GANSTA! I’m talking THUG-LIFE!

23 YEARS, not likely I’d live that long imprisoned.

Should I ever suffer such an injustice as being wrongly imprisoned and 23 years later it’s learned I DIDN’T DO IT!  Do not release me!

I would be a walking, breathing, violent felony waiting to happen!  For sure, do not take me back to the Courthouse of my injustice, have me stand before a judge to get a short, “I’m sorry…good luck” speech.

If you do send me back to that courthouse, warn any Judges, Cops, witnesses or jurors in the community I’m out and I’m not HAPPY!

I cannot envision not being entirely consumed with REVENGE!  I cannot imagine having any forgiveness in my heart for the criminal justice system or anyone involved in my wrongful incarceration.

The state even low-balls the men upon their release, capping the amount of damages they can seek at such a ridiculously low level, in terms of the years they’ve spent behind bars, the cash, if totalled annually doesn’t even amount to them being above POVERTY.

HOW MUCH IS 23 YEARS OF YOUR LIFE WORTH?

Mr. McGowan and the other men who’ve been released, my hats off to you, you all have my deepest respect.  You are all better men than I.

I regard FREEDOM, as the most precious thing in life.  Losing your freedom is horrible, having it taken from you is Criminal, the capacity to forgive such actions after 23 years(Mr. McGowan), is completely remarkable.

it’s a big man’s world, it’s a big man blogging.

You can probably tell by my previous posts that nothing quite wets my chops like a good political debate.

My take is draw blood if you have to but go ahead and get the venom of ideology out of your system in the form of a nose to nose argument.  It’s smack talk 101.

I confess I talk my share of it.

Which brings me to today’s topic, IMMIGRATION!

I’ve covered the marches, meetings, protests, demonstrations, round tables, rallies, walk-outs, counter-protests, lawsuits…whew!

I’ve heard people say we need to “close the borders,”  “send people back,” “build a fence,” “deport them,” “enforce the law,” “lock them up,” “english only,”…whew!

I don’t care to mention some of the names I’ve heard Undocumented Immigrants/workers called so fill in the blank…I bet you’ve atleast heard a few.

What never ceases to amaze me is the stark reality of the aftermath of a storm.

I don’t care where you are, when Mother Nature decides to test the durability of where we live, whether it’s wind, water, fire, lightning or some other weather event that produces damage.  The people there picking up the pieces are while (not exclusively) are nearly, entirely UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS.

Men and Women who woke up, stood in a street in the dark, waited for a contractor to come pick them up, bring them to our neighborhood, to repair our rooftops, buildings, fences, windows, chimney’s, trees, homes, carports, pools, …whew! (and manage to do it speaking spanish only)

When we are at our MOST VULNERABLE,  they show up for work and help people.  If I have seen it once I have seen it a thousand times.  Most recently in Plano and Allen.   Conservative Cities where some of their elected officials like to occaisionally spout off on IMMIGRATION, with chatter about getting tougher on UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS, and Cracking down on it’s practice.

Frankly, the response of UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS to the scene of a disaster is quicker and more responsive to the immediate needs of Homeowners than that of the Government. (my opinion but it’s informed cause I’m on those same streets)

In light of these facts, I offer my services as moderator to this debate, For ANY POLITICIAN, ANYWHERE.

TIME: the day after a damaging storm (mid morning works fine)

PLACE: on a street with damage (outdoors of course)

I want ALL the Politicians and homeowners and the people repairing those homes to meet and have a debate, a nose to nose argument about IMMIGRATION, UNDOCUMENTED WORKERSand what to do about it.

Hopefully everyone will show up and afterwards, we can take a look at the street and see exactly how much work got done that day.

it’s a big man’s world, it’s a big man blogging.

   Lord knows I’m a people person, but if one more person calls me NEWY SCRUGGS,  they may wind up being their very own breaking news report!

I can’t even go to a ball game in Dallas without someone Staggering up to me (after a few beverages) and swearing I’m Newy!

Ever have to explain to a Drunk person that you are not who they think you are?  Honestly the conversation is funny at first, at times I may even play along and make up some outlandish story (I may as well get a laugh out of it) just to entertain myself.

THE FACTS:

Newy and I both work at KXAS NBC 5 IN DALLAS, we both are Black men, we both Report and anchor, we both are bald, we both desire wealth and we both are members of the Greatest fraternity on the planet, OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY INC.

That is basically where the similarities end.  Infact we argue and debate all kinds of stuff all hours of the day and night.   Normally it’s email, phone calls or text messages but rarely do we absolutely agree on anything. 

There may come a time where we bring these arguments from cyberspace to Television.  If nothing else they are entertaining, thought provoking and should eliminate all thoughts that NEWY and I are one in the same.

If you are still a non-believer and are certain I’m Newy, not Randy, go to our website www.nbc5i.com and you will see both of our bio and blogs.

For you conspiracy theorists, I know they are just photo’s and words, rarely do people see us in the same place at the same time, so some of you may remain skeptics and should you stagger up to large Black man you just called NEWY and find yourself in a headlock…Please remember to tell the Police it was NEWY.

it’s a big man’s world, it’s a big man blogging. 

Please allow me to dip my toes into the world of sports for a minute regarding the recent decision by Kansas Basketball Coach Bill Self to REMAIN the head man at KU.

I know Bill Self, I met him years ago at Eskimo Joes in Stillwater right off Oklahoma State’s Campus.   Self is a genuine, nice guy.  Loves to laugh and a Great sense of humor.   I have a feeling he won’t be laughing about the decision he recently made to stay at KU.

For 5 years Self heard nothing but complaints from the KU faithful!  That he didn’t win enough, some even wanted him fired after losing in the first round of the tournament last year.

After winning the National Championship, stunning the Memphis Tigers in OT, Self has taken KU to heights it hasn’t seen in 20 years.  Rock-Chalk or whatever the Jayhawks fans chant!

Here’s where the plot thickens, Self is a native Okie, grew up 20 minutes from Stillwater, played for OSU, was an assistant coach at OSU, spent 11 years there and OSU wanted their Homeboy back.

OSU did not ask Self to return for honor or any of that sentimental stuff, they offered CASH!!! My sources tell me the deal discussed was 50-plus million over 12 years in a contract most of it guranteed.  That does not include side endorsements, speaking engagements, and all the other business opportunities that go with it.

It also doesn’t include the friendship of OSU’S biggest donor, fellow alum, BILLIONAIRE, T BOONE PICKENS.

T BOONE is the guy who wrote OSU a check for 165 million, put that money in his hedge fund and it’s worth has grown to more than 300 million!

300 MILLION!

Now my sources tell me that OSU Athletic Director, Mike Holder, gave T Boone, 35-thousand dollars, that money went into T Boone’s hedge fund and it is now worth 20 MILLION!

20 MILLION!

If Bill Self hadn’t got caught up in all the euphoria of winning a National Championship, of KU fans begging him to stay, of people like my Frat Brother NEWY SCRUGGS waxing on about KU tradition,  he’d be in Stillwater, his home right now!  Coaching his alma mater and reviving tradition there.

Self could have given T Boone about 20 million and allowed the Billionaires hedge fund turn that money into 120 million or more over the course of his contract or lifetime.   That is the kind of cash that can set a family up for GENERATIONS!!!

Self says he’s “happy” at KU.  I sure hope so because while no one can argue with his Basketball decisions, his recent business decision leaves me scratching my head!!!  He turned down becoming the highest paid coach in college sports history!

By the way, of the 3 games KU lost this year, one of them, was to OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY.  The alma mater Self just shunned.

it’s a big man’s world, it’s a big man blogging.

   Lately I have had opportunities to speak with young students either as a guest speaker or as part of some Journalism workshops.

I love that, talking to kids and sharing my experiences with them is one of the perks of being a reporter, people sometimes want to hear your opinions.

One of the things kids often talk to me about is “Diversity.”   “How diverse is your newsroom.”  “How does diversity impact decisions?”  “Do news managers think about diversity when making news decisions?” 

Words like diversity, tolerance, inclusion all sound nice.  The people who use them seem well intentioned. 

Let’s face it, when the talk is about diversity, tolerance or inclusion the underlying inference is symbolic.   Do you have blacks, whites, latinos, asians?  Do you have all religions covered?  How about Gay people?  Don’t forget folks with disabilities.

I think you can have plenty of “diverse opinions” among any group of people who may share the same gender, race, church, orientation, disability or any other category you can dream up.

Diversity is not a goal to strive for as far as I’m concerned and that’s what I tell kids when I speak to them about it!

I tell them I don’t want to be tolerated, I don’t wish to be included nor do I want to be the black man who adds “Diversity” to your group.

No one has ever bled or died for the sake of “Diversity.”

EQUALITY, is the word and goal that has been replaced by Diversity.

EQUALITY, the concept of absolute fairness, of being judged soley on the content of one’s character. 

EQUALITY is what patriots of our nation whether fighting in uniform or demonstrating in America’s streets have bled and died for.

EQUALITY deserves it’s rightful place back in our conversations and collective conscience.

DIVERSITY, for me, is just watered-down EQUALITY!  

it’s a big man’s world, it’s a big man blogging! 

Lewisville ISD is set to begin random drug testing of basically a majority of it’s middle and high school students.

This is a mandatory program that forces students to prove they aren’t using drugs in order to participate in in extracurricular activities like team sports, academic competition, clubs and other school related organizations.

You even have to agree to random testing to drive a car and receive a parking sticker from LISD.

You don’t even have to pass a drug test to get a drivers license!!!

The program will cost the district about 370-thousand dollars! LISD says it’s grant money well spent, because the goal of the program is not punitive but to get students who are consistently using drugs recreationally, the help they need so they can be productive students. Students do not get suspended from school for positive tests, they get suspended from competition in extracurricular activities and are forced to go to counseling.

I see what LISD is trying to do and in theory addressing teen drug use and abuse is absolutely necessary. I just wonder if drug testing kids is the answer?

I have yet to see any entity of any kind successfully implement a drug testing program. Even businesses who’s very credibility demands stringent drug screening fail at it miserably:

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL=FAILURE (ask congress)
NFL=FAILURE (see shawn merriman-sd chargers or his hero lawrence taylor or some of your favorite cowboy’s of the 70’s, 80’s or 90’s)
OLYMPICS=FAILURE (you can visit marion jones in prison in fort worth)
TOUR DE FRANCE=FAILURE (lance armstrong-still rumored, floyd landis-confirmed doper)
BOXING-FAILURE (steroid and recreational drugs are rampant)
NBA=FAILURE (the league has been littered with drug issues see chris “birdman” anderson)

My point is if these multi-billion dollar sports entities, who have Congress breathing down their necks, all sorts of Random testing and absolute credibility on the line everyday can’t run credible Random Drug Testing programs, what makes LISD think it can?

There are all sorts of Grey areas that exist in Drug testing kids. What concerns me most is the stigma that goes with being yanked out of class, in front of your peers, walked down the hallway and forced to urinate in a cup.

In a typical Middle or High School it takes a rumor about 5 minutes to morph into full blown scandal.

I wonder what will be said if an athlete on monday is drug tested and on friday, isn’t suited up for the game?

I wonder what life will be like that week in school with the rumors and teasing that come with adolescence?

I wonder if any counseling will help the student deal with the reality that a private matter became public the second the student was summoned from class?

I wonder what will happen if a false positive test prevents a student from participation or even a scholarship?

I wonder what will happen if a parent mounts a legal challenge to the Random Drug Testing policy?

I wonder if LISD should simply teach drug prevention and not drug test it’s students?

I wonder how many LISD employees would pass a Random Drug Test? (they aren’t tested)

it’s a big man’s world, it’s a big man blogging.