I'm a Bit Puzzled by my Local TV Station

and their decision to send a local reporter and crew down to the New Orleans area to cover Hurricane Katrina. Why in the world would a Cape Girardeau, Missouri CBS affiliate do this? Isn't hurricane reporting Manuel Gallegas' job? Aren't the major networks, as well as the cable news networks already there, covering the story 24/7?

I heard a spot on KFVS 12 this afternoon that said something to the effect of: "KFVS 12- the only Heartland TV Station covering Katrina live..." Maybe that's because they're the only Heartland TV station foolish enough to send someone down there... The local flooding in Kentucky due to Katrina was far more relevant to our news.

That being said, you go, Channel 12. If sending reporters to far-flung locations makes you morph into a major news powerhouse, congrats, and here's hoping you make a pile of $...

Occasionally, the Justice System

works as it should, even in Missouri; this guy got some sort of probation or deferred sentencing and made restitution... He keeps his current job (I'm sure his current employer has no idea about all this) , and we got our money back. It's probably the best of all outcomes at this point...

Robertson Apologizes for Chavez Remarks

Check out this ABC News article: Robertson Apologizes for Chavez Remarks

Clearly, Pat Robertson has gone mad. His call to assassinate Chavez makes his moral consistency more suspect than ever.

That being said, my take on Chavez is that he is the 'Kim Jong-Il' of South America, and we will experience difficulties (mainly oil-related) in the future due to his hatred of the U.S. and misplaced sense of himself as a 'powerful world leader.' Stay tuned...

Oh yes, I almost forgot. Happy Birthday to me today- 36- Glad to be alive and happy for yet another year!

Happy Early Birthday

To ME: Some years, I buy myself something or I just go do something really cool for my birthday. This year, it turned out to be a BMW R1150R motorcycle. My past riding experience was limited to dirt bike riding, which is an entirely different world from the street.

If any of you live near Southeast Missouri, I highly recommend the safety course put on by these guys – they really know what they’re doing, and it’s a fun way to get your Missouri motorcycle endorsement.

Most of my riding will probably be to and from work, but hey, it is a BMW – it should take me across the country if I decide to go…

The End of the Debate

On public schools: I recently went to a McDonald's for a breakfast biscuit- the total was $2.02. I handed the cashier (a grown woman, not a teenager) a fifty-dollar bill and two cents. Her computer was down, and she couldn't figure out that my change was $48.00. CASE CLOSED!

Back from the Lake

Norfork Lake, Arkansas, to be specific. Hung out with the family, got to scuba dive a little bit: north end of the lake, 55 ft deep, cold water, almost no visibility- but better than not diving ... I'm pretty content with my 'new-to-me' Zeagle Ranger BC. Whew! A safe ebay transaction!

The baby really enjoyed the water, so the trip was worth it, even though it was just a quick week-ender.

Rational Self-Interest is Good for Everyone

On my recent trip to New York, something happened with a bus driver that reinforced my notion that rational self interest should be the proper reason to take any action. I knew this well, but I slipped on this occasion:

My friend Carl and I were waiting for our wives to finish up some shopping, so we could move on to our next destination. A bus pulled up to the stop, and a guy on a wheelchair started to get off the bus. Of course, the driver didn't pull the bus up far enough for the man to unload onto level pavement, so I thought I'd help the man. As I did, the bus driver shows up back there to help out as well, but says to the man, ' this guy just wants your money'. WHAT? I make my own money, thank you. If I were a more violent man, I would have smacked the driver around a bit. (For those of you who don't know, training in the martial arts often makes a person very tranquil and peaceful - I am no exception) The man in the wheelchair then looked at me suspiciously. That's what I get for trying to help.

On the other hand, I have a situation where acting rationally in my own self-interest works for everyone. My neighbor, Mr. H, is an elderly gentleman and really has no business being out mowing his lawn in the Southeast Missouri heat and humidity. I offered to mow his yard when I do my own, and didn't ask him for anything in return. However, I benefit greatly from the arrangement: I get to keep an excellent neighbor around for as long as possible. Good neighbors are hard to find, and I don't want to lose this one. The arrangement is good for both of us.