Haiku Tuesday 10 – Baseball

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In honor of the Rangers’ unprecedented and long-awaited success in the playoffs, this week’s haiku theme is baseball.


What is this I see?
Hitting plus pitching goes far
Rangers win it all?

You know what to do. GO RANGERS!

2010 Race for Governor of Texas

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Politicians are like diapers; they both need changing regularly and for the same reason. – Unknown

Local political races don’t interest me much, largely because there are so many that I don’t want to put in the effort to follow them. However, I do have some interest in the races for our highest offices.

I haven’t followed Rick Perry, whom a friend calls Governor Good Hair, much during his long tenure as our governor, but he strikes me as a polished, suave, career politician. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but I can’t help but wonder how any person can stay in politics for a lifetime, particularly in the same position for multiple terms, without being corrupted by the perks of power. That’s one reason I support term limits. (see quote above – trust me, I know a lot about dirty diapers)

With regard to Perry personally, I dislike his tacit support at a Tea Party rally for secession of Texas (are you kidding me?), his refusal to debate the other candidates for governor, his attempts to paint Washington as the enemy of Texas, and his flaunting of the environment in favor of Texas businesses. So while I’m sure he’s done some good for Texas (we have weathered the recession better than most states, although Perry doesn’t deserve all the credit), I wouldn’t mind seeing a new face in the governor’s office. Is Bill White the right guy?

I think he is. Here’s why:

  1. Business Experience – He has experience both in politics as mayor of Houston and Deputy Secretary of Energy and in business as a successful lawyer and executive. I think it’s helpful for a politician to have success in a real job instead of only knowing how to be a politician.
  2. Energy Expertise – His experience in the energy sector prepares him well to help Texas manage one of its most important issues – our need to find viable, affordable, and sustainable sources of energy.
  3. Environmental Leadership – He understands that Texas needs to stop leading the nation in greenhouse gas emissions and is willing to fight the companies that contribute to the problem.
  4. Transportation – He has a better plan for managing and funding our transportation needs.
  5. Education – He helped reform education and significantly cut the dropout rate in Houston. He also understands that there’s more to a successful education than TAKS scores.

I’m certainly no expert on either candidate, but I like much of what I’ve read about White so far. Sure, he’s not flashy, doesn’t toss out zingers like some politicians, and definitely can’t compete with Perry’s hair. Who cares? White has what it takes to get the job done and won’t make the rest of the country confuse the great State of Texas with the not-so-great Republic of Texas.

He has also won endorsements from many of the largest newspapers in Texas. The Dallas Morning News recently endorsed him, as did the Houston Chronicle, the Austin American-Statesman, and the San Antonio Express-News.

Helpful Links

What are your thoughts?

October 2010 Random Facts

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It’s been a while, so let’s see what I can dig up…

  1. I’m reading a lot more books than I did a year or two ago, all nonfiction – some theology, some parenting, some historical. As a kid I loved both fiction and nonfiction. As an adult, I prefer to learn something when I read instead of just being entertained, although I certainly don’t find fault with those who love fiction.
  2. A couple of weeks ago, I ran a mile in under seven minutes. That’s still pretty slow compared to some (the record is under 4 minutes), but for me that’s a huge accomplishment. Take that, asthma!
  3. Speaking of asthma, I fear I have passed it on to Brenden. In the last couple of months, he’s done two ER visits and three urgent care visits due to breathing troubles. We now have a home nebulizer with which we give him preventative meds twice daily and albuterol as needed. Even though I didn’t choose to give him asthma, I still feel bad about it.
  4. The older I get, the more postmodern my spiritual views become.
  5. Except for a sip of wine as a kid, which I hated, I didn’t drink at all until my 21st birthday. My first real drink was an Ultimate Mudslide at TGI Friday’s in Waco. Good stuff right there.
  6. I support a soda tax.
  7. I’ve gone to Irving Bible Church since 2001 and still am not officially a member. I don’t see the point of church membership. IBC doesn’t seem to care, either.
  8. I started shaving my armpits like a swimmer. It helps me smell better, especially after I work out. Men, you should try it. Ladies, if you don’t already, it’s time.
  9. My first kiss happened at age 15, right before my 16th birthday, with a girl I knew from church. She was a good kisser. That helped prolong our doomed relationship.
  10. I find it disturbing that during our bedtime prayer, Brenden consistently wants to thank God for McDonald’s and Chick-Fil-A.

Sudan Footrace Oct 23

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I signed up for my next race – the Sudan Footrace in Lewisville on October 23. This one raises money to help kids in war-torn Sudan go to school. The organizers hope to raise $35,000 this year. I figured this would be a fun way to kick off my birthday. My legs are feeling really good, my heart and lungs are enjoying the cooler weather, and I look forward to a fun race and (I hope) a good finish time.

Future races I’m considering: