I Have no Solution

It's been a week since a crazy man decided to end the lives of 20 first graders and their teachers.

I wish I had something intelligent to say.  I wish I had something that would prevent this from ever happening again.  I wish the tragedy in Newtown had never happened.  I wish these children could live their lives and that their teachers who died protecting them could have the rest of their lives.  I wish I could magically make all of the hurt and anger in Newtown vanish.  I can't.

I am still speechless when I hear about the massacre and the toll  it has taken on  the Connecticutt town.  I, like most people who have children of that  age in their family, teared up when President Obama read the victims names last Sunday night.  I got choked up when I saw images of the small coffins at the funerals.  And I am angry as I write this that this type of massacre has happened again.

Something has got to change.  We can not go on living like this.  We are one of the most affluent nations in the history of the world, yet we are the most violent in the history of the planet.  How is it that we have had seven of these slaughters in the United States this year alone?

I pray our country has leaders who are smarter than I am and have the courage to take the action needed to change this.  There is no one answer but our elected officials should be calling on people who really understand the problem.  Let's combine their expertise and come up with a plan.  Yes, I know I am simplifying this.  But, other nations, notably Japan do not have murders by assault weapons and handguns.  I read an article this week saying only seven people in Japan were  murdered last year by guns.

The NRA came out with it's "answer" to the issue today.  The plan...put an armed guard in every school in the land.  I don't know how many schools there are in the United States but the first question I have is OK, who is going to pay for this.  And then what does it do to the children attending classes.  Does it make them feel that an armed guard is the answer to all of life's problems?  Personally, you and I know better.  My advice is if this is all you could come up with after a week, then maybe you had better go back and try again.

If I had been the NRA my first answer would have been let's get rid of the assault rifles and the handguns.  I am a hunter and had been a supporter until a few years ago of the organization.  I can tell you that it does not take assault rifles to kill a deer or turkey or quail or rabbit or squirrel.  The rifles I have used in the past have been plugged with three rounds of ammunition.  If you need more than this you are not much of a hunter.  And when you hunt with a shotgun for birds, two shells are plenty.  If you don't knock the bird down with two shots than  you aren't a hunter.  As far as selling weapons, the screening process would be extremely tight.  If you have had any alcohol or drug arrests; any treatment for a mental or nervous illness you would not be able to buy a firearm.  And for crying out loud, if you are on the no fly list, you sure as hell shouldn't be able to purchase a firearm.  My proposals above are obvious and should be looked at by our leaders immediately.

I don't have an answer to this and am still perplexed by those who advocate the ownership of not one, not two but multiple assault weapons.  The argument I hear is..."if this country collapses I need to protect my family".  Bullshit.  If the government and society collapse you aren't going to be safe regardless of the number of weapons you own.

I wish I could snap my fingers and the problem is resolved.  But, it wont happen.  Until it is I will continue to have more questions than answers.

Three in a Row

How long has it been since the Saint Louis Rams have won three games in a row?  I looked it up and it was the last three weeks of the 2006 season.  What's more impressive is that in three of the last five seasons the Rams didn't even reach three wins for the entire year.

The Rams defense has been tremendous under the direction of coach Jeff Fischer.  Once again this past Sunday the D kept the Rams in the game until the offense could surge ahead late in the fourth quarter.

The Rams are now 6-6-1 with three games left in the regular season.  They finish the home season this Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings and then close out the season on the road at Tampa Bay and then at Seattle the last week of the regular season.

This team continues to surprise and keep in mind they are the youngest team in the NFL.  Go Rams!

Happy Birthday Six Row

One of my favorite craft breweries in the Saint Louis area celebrated it's third anniversary this weekend.    I was fortunate to be there the weekend that Six Row Brewing opened it's doors at Forest Park and Spring three years ago.  In that time I have been made to feel at home while enjoying many fine micro brews and eating many nice meals.

Last night I was able to taste Six Row's Imperial Chocolate Milk Stout.  It was outstanding.  Hats off to Joe and Evan for this tasty beverage.  Happy Birthday Six Row and may you have many more!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like...Busy

Okay, so it's been five weeks since I last posted here.  I know, it's pretty lame, but life gets in the way of writing sometimes.  Interpret that as Work, family, work, Thanksgiving, work, Mizzou Football, work and well you pretty well get the picture.  So, given that I now have a few things I need to get off my chest.

-I didn't write on Thanksgiving Day this year, because the whole family was invited to my house.  But, you know I am very thankful for what I have.  This year I have full time work at a great organization with benefits, paid time off and retirement.  I am also thankful to have a roof over my head and a warm bed to sleep in each night after I eat a nice hot meal.  I am thankful for the love of family and friends.  In a word I am blessed.

-I was disappointed with the way my Mizzou Tigers failed to qualify for a bowl this year.  The final record of this outfit was 5-7.  They led at home in the fourth quarter against Georgia, Vanderbilt and Syracuse and ended up losing all three games.  The SEC was much tougher than the Big XII but still the Tigers should have won one of those games.  In fairness to head coach Gary Pinkel.  The Tigers offensive line was beat up most of the season and had second and third stringers playing and some of those playing out of position.  Add to that quarterback James Franklin missed parts of five games and you can see why the offense struggled.  I still look forward to next year.

-The St. Louis Rams are the youngest team in the NFL.  They have been a pleasant surprise and are fun to watch.  Head coach Jeff Fischer has done a good job of getting them ready to play each week.  Believe it or not they are headed to Buffalo tomorrow with a record of 5-6-1.  Their win total this year exceeds their total combined the past two years.  They are going to be good as they mature.

-The funniest show on television is "The Big Bang Theory".  The writers, actors and producers crank out funny stuff each week.  This past week's episode ended with an hilarious scene with Sheldon "disciplining" his girlfriend Amy.  If you missed it go to the show's website and watch it.

-If you read this blog regularly, well when I actually post, you know I love craft beer.  I have had the good fortune in the past seven days to find and drink Goose Island Bourbon County Stout, Scaldi's Noel, and Perennial Artisan Ale's Abraxas.  All three are amazing and are fine Holiday / Winter beers.

That's all for now.  Thanks for reading and I promise I will post again soon.