The passing of the "King of Pop"

Okay, so pretty much 24 hours has passed since I learned that Michael Jackson, The King of Pop died from cardiac arrest. And too be quite honest I was so stunned and shocked that I didn't want to even begin to believe or fathom the idea that "MJ" had left us, but after some time to allow this depressing news to settle and soak in I have started to realize something so apparent, so blatantly obvious.....Michael Jackson had left us a long time ago. His mind, body, and spirit had more than likely died many many years ago. People will always remember his music, and how could you not, but it is so obvious that the world used and sucked this man completely dry. From the tabloids and countless lawsuits that were drug up against him, I am honestly surprised that he has made it this far.As I have told many people since his passing....."I am deeply sadden by his death", not so much that he died so to speak, but more so because I believe he never really had any people that he could have called a "friend". And that is the saddest thing of all. Death is the debt that all men pay, but to die alone and not knowing who really loves you for you and not your wallet....that is the worse torture of all. His family used him to make millions of dollars, and I am sure that many more will reap the benefits of his now untimely death.

I hope that many people will remember him for what is proven and true and not necessarily what is "rumored" in the media. Did or didn't he? Was he or wasn't he? If we don't know for sure, and we may never know.....than why should we attach such a negative stigma to Micheal's legacy. He never served one day in jail for the crimes that he was accused of. So what if he paid this person or that person off....as ridiculous as it sounds, I honestly see why he would fork over a small percentage of his mega fortune in order to make a accusation simply go away. Its really no different than going to court to pay a speeding ticket that you know you were going 70mph instead of 80mph.....but you pay it anyways so you don't run the risk of losing the case and losing your license. Its really no different.... "pay offs" does not constitute ones guilt.

The sad thing about Jackson is that he was really doomed from the onset. He found fame and fortune not by choice, but rather from a psychotic and controlling Father. The man was completely stripped and raped of his childhood. Next time you judge Jackson for being a weirdo or a freak.....try and put yourself in his shoes my friends. Think about the last time you went to pump your gas, or went to the supermarket to buy milk, and someone stopped you and asked you for your picture or for a autograph.....got nothing uh??? Micheal Jackson hasn't literally been able to experience that scenario since the age of 5 years old. So you tell me how you would react and grow as a adult if your every move was followed, stalked, and harassed.

As I sit here beginning to reflect on this man's life, I can't help but think of all the things gone unnoticed and not publicized. Micheal Jackson's music did more, inadvertently, to help smash the race barrier than Jackie Robinson, Martin Luther King, or dare I say Barack Obama. His music inspired a generation as a whole. His concerts brought people of all races, genders, and background together in celebration.....even if it was for only 3 hours. His presence, voice, and dance brought peace and joy to the masses. His countless contributions to children charity (over $80 million) to his "We are the World" project to help AIDS research and fight World Hunger....Jackson has given so much back even when the world and mostly the savage media chewed him up and spit him out.

So I would hope that MJ's legacy is portrayed for what is concrete and true, instead of tattered with inconsistent holes and lies. I firmly believe that Jackson utterly and completely loved what he did, that was to make and produce music, but at what cost??? His Life and Sanity.....the world that loved and adored him so very much was the same that ultimately killed him in the end. What is so puzzling to me, is that Jackson's cause of death was ruled as cardiac arrest, but how can a man die from a heart attack when his heart had been broken and destroyed many many years ago. I am just so thankful that he can now, finally rest and be at peace and get away from the hardships that have long tortured his spirit.


May Your Soul Rest In Peace and Your Music Live through Generations to Come, The "Gloved One", The King of Pop........ Michael Jackson

Ultimate Trust Lies Within The Heart

Have you ever heard of The
Cherokee Indian youth's rite of passage?

His father takes him into the forest, blindfolds him and leaves him alone. He is required to sit on a stump the whole night and not remove the blindfold until the rays of the morning sun shine through it. He cannot cry out for help to anyone. Once he survives the night, he is a MAN.

He cannot tell the other boys of this experience, because each lad must come into manhood on his own. The boy is naturally terrified. He can hear all kinds of noises. Wild beasts must surely be all around him. Maybe even some human might do him harm.

The wind blew the grass and earth, and shook his stump, but he sat stoically, never removing the blindfold. It would be the only way he could become a man! Finally, after a horrific night the sun appeared and he removed his blindfold.

It was then that he discovered his father sitting on the stump next to him. He had been at watch the entire night, protecting his son from harm.

We, too, are never alone.

Even when we don't know it, God is watching over us, sitting on the stump beside us. When trouble comes, all we have to do is reach out to Him.

Moral of the story: Just because you can't see God, doesn't mean He is not there. 'For we walk by faith, not by sight.'

Blessings in Disguise.......

The journey that leads me into the darkness, will be the same that guides me to the Light. A dark and deary place, may eventually become my safe haven. The most typical and logical way, may become the most dangerous path. Traveling through the ugliest storm, only to basked in the beautiful sunset. Decisions will be made and goals conquered, only to become undone and demolished. Life seems to twist and turn on a bumpy road, only to reveal the trail most desirable. Fear is certain and warranted, only to arrive at Faith and Contentment. The purpose of one, is most often hidden and disguised by the masses. Only submission to ones heart, can the secret of Life's enigma be solved. Defeated and beaten, only to Raise up Victorious once more..........

Being Deployed..........

As some of you already know, as of February 18, 2009 I have been recalled to active duty (part of the 17,000 Troop Reserve Recall) and ordered to the Middle East in support of the Operation Iraqi Freedom/ Enduring Freedom. I am to report for training in April and be "boots on the ground" in the desert by June 1st. The details are still unknown at this time as to what exactly I will be doing over there. It will not have anything to do with my job that I have trained for in the Navy, and in fact I will be attached to a Marine/Navy Battalion. This has come to all of us as a shock and the timing couldn't be at a worse time. Lauren and I are expecting our little baby girl June 3rd, two days after I am schedule to leave the country. Currently I am seeking a delay (a possible month) of my report date to Kuwait, but that is just something that has to be approved by Naval Command Forces in Washington, D.C.. Chances look good, but as with the military and "Mission Readiness" such request can and some times often are not approved. Keep that thought in mind, of a "delay", when you say your prayers tonight and each night there after.

This again has become such a shock to Lauren and I, and we totally did not expect this to happen. As I have said, the timing is just horrible. We are both first time parents and to know that I might not be there holding Lauren's hand while we welcome our beautiful baby girl into the world is just heart wrenching. I have been pretty torn up about the thought of being away from Lauren and my child for a year. It is very possible that I will miss all the things that most Fathers get to experience....ya know the little things. First smile, first laugh and giggle, first bath, first crawl, first words, first steps, and the first time seeing your child look at you and for them to know that you are their Father. That is all really tough to swallow..........but, with all those things that I know I will miss, I know that I have a job to do and I know that my "Country" has called on me to serve once more (not trying to sound cliche). But there has been men and women who have gone before me and made the same sacrifice as I shall have to make. Some have made the ultimate sacrifice, and to complain and moan about going over and defending my country would do a dishonor and disgrace to those who have been lost. I decided, back in September 2001, that I would join the Armed Forces and give back to my Country, and do my part in this fight for freedom. I signed up and VOLUNTEERED for this fight 8 years ago, and it is important all of you know and understand that!!!! We are at WAR. I don't like war, in fact I hate it, but we entered into this WAR on terror at a time not of our choosing (September 11, 2001).America didn't ask to be attacked. Terrorist struck first and we MUST be the ones who strike LAST. As GWB said, "this fight against terroism will end at a time of America's choosing." Terrorist are still plotting to kill, so we must continue to defend, and fight at whatever "means and cost" necessary.

I Love Lauren so very much and I already have a feeling in my heart that I would do anything in this world to secure my child's life and safety.....even if it means being separated from the both of them and sent over to another country in order to do it. We are going to make it through all of this. I ask for your support for not just me, per say, but for Lauren and our child while I am gone.

In closing, I have a video that I saw while in the Navy that I would like to share with all of you. It will only take a short time to watch it. It shows the Navy/ Marine Corp Team hard at work in the fight with the War on Terrorism. It may give you a little insight as to what I will be doing, and what it is like to be focused on the Mission at hand, even when separated from those you love. Please take note as to the tail end of the video. It shows you that we do come home, and that there is a happy ending to such a difficult time as being deployed. Thank you so much for you support. Love you all

So you want Abortion and Gay Marriages uh??

OK here are my plans for "Change" when it comes to both subject matters at hand.

1. Abortion- The most common excuse for abortion that I hear from across the aisle and those in the media, is that they do not want to take away a woman's right to choose. That they don't fee that, " in the event that a women is raped or it is harmful to the health and life of a woman, that we should give that women the right to choose." OK....but honestly how many abortion are actually performed due to this reasoning???

Good question...well according to the National Health Association, " Out of the 1.75 million abortion conducted in 2007, 1% of all abortions occur because of rape or incest; 6% of abortions occur because of potential health problems regarding either the mother or child, and 93% of all abortions occur for social reasons (i.e. the child is unwanted or inconvenient).

Wow.....so we are making an excuse for the 7% of Abortions?!?!?. I am "comfortable" some what with the 7%. But what about the 1,627,500 babies that are killed because the mother didn't want it or it was an "inconvenience". The rape or the "health" of a woman excuse is a "cop out" to the real issue that is going on.

So Pro-Choicer are saying that we should give a woman a right to choose. Well in my opinion, it is obvious that they have abuse that right and that decision. That it is why I feel the Government should limit and restrict the abortions due to unwanted pregnancy, how can they do that you might ask. First an abortion can only be done through a examination by a physician to determine if the pregnancy will cause health complications or death for the mother. Secondly, women who have been raped will also have to been seen and examined to determine if a rape has actually occurred. Some might argue that not all rapes are reported, which is true, but a doctor can determine if a rape has occurred 20 weeks after it has happened. I am sorry, but if a women has really been raped, should it really take 20 weeks to determine whether or not she really wants a abortion. In the instances of rape and welfare of the woman, I believe we should have a limited form of abortion rights for the woman. It is evident that abortion clinics and doctors are not getting the good business that they are (1.75 million abortion a year), because of sexual predators and rapist of the world.

2. Gay Marriages- Okay from a moral standpoint, I do not support Gay marriage or a civil union, because lets face it civil unions are political "cop out" for Gay marriages. Again I never really hear that gays and lesbians should marry because, " They love each other and they should be treated the same as everyone else." No No.....we hear, "if Joe Blow has his "life partner" Steve in the ER he should be allowed to visit him, or if Joe Blow wants to have Steve insured under his insurance that he should." Ok....I agree with that, I think anyone should be allowed to visit there loved one when they are ill. But if that be case the Democrats or Obama's argument for Gay Marriage, then it should be left up to the States (which it is) to change the laws that would allow anybody that person resides with or has claimed as a dependent to visit them in the hospital. As I have said before, I don't support Gay Marriages or civil union due to a moral standpoint, but if the states allowed the voters to decide and it was approved , I wouldn't lose sleep over it. I would say, "well, the voters have spoken and they have decided." California, Arizona, and Florida all had Proposition 8 on there ballots, and they all choose to vote in favor of," marriage is between a man and woman." The voters have spoken in those States and I believe we should honor that vote.

Again if people are going to advocate for an issue than seriously tackle the real reason behind that issue. Women want the right to choose....well they have mishandled and misused that right. Its time for more stern Governmental restrictions on abortion. Gays and Lesbians want the right to get married not because of hospital visits and insurance policies. They want to get married because they love each other, just as all people get married for. We live in a democracy, and that is why our country is so great and yet so dysfunctional at times. We can all have an opinion and a position to stand for or against an issue, but that our vote reigns power over opinion. Let the voters decide this issue since it is a State law, and we should listen to the voters and respect their decision.......whatever decision that might be.

Matt Ryan for President 2012

Before I get into why I believe Matt Ryan is the greatest thing since sliced bread. I just want to laugh in the face of all the boneheads who complained and advocated that the Falcons should have taken Glenn Dorsey instead of Matt Ryan.What has Dorsey done this year?? I haven't heard his name on ESPN or NFL network once since the Draft. The Falcons were in such disarray from the Michael Vick scandal and then their coach walking out in mid-season last year, it was time to "clean house" and start over.You don't build your team with a star DT. A tackle is not going to change the season around for you. The teams success starts with the captain, the general, the man who orchestrates the momentum and drive of your team.....the QUARTERBACK.

Matt Ryan will be one of the best QB's to ever play the game. I would have to say he reminds me of Tom Brady. Ryan rarely makes the same mistake twice. He will definitely bring championships to Atlanta.
Never mind the stats or the arm. Matt Ryan is a winner. He is a leader on and off the field. Ryan has an excellent supporting cast to help make him better.He has a dangerous weapon in Rowdy White and Michael Jenkins has now emerged as a excellent "go to" guy. Couple that with Michael "the burner" Turner toting the rock and you have all the elements on offense to take where you need to go in December and January.

Now the Falcons are staring the playoffs dead into the eyes. Unfortunately, my prediction is for the Falcons to go as far as the NFC championship game, because they lack the dominant defense to win a championship. GM Thomas Dimitroff will try and load up his defense with the '09 Draft (maybe a LB in Rey Maualuga or the huge 'Bama NT Terrence "Mount" Cody).Either way Dimitroff has proven that he knows what it takes to build a "system" of success. Look for the Atlanta Falcons to be your next big team "to beat" for the next couple of years. BANK ON IT.And finally there are some nay sayers out there who want Vick back in Atlanta. Some who still sport their Vick jersey in and around Atlanta. Some who say, "No. 2 won't ever be what No. 7 was."Well I can't argue with that....Matt Ryan will never ever be the man, nor the football player Vick was..and thank the ALMIGHTY GOD for that. The day Arthur Blank made his historic phone call to Matt Ryan was the turning point for a team, a city, and its fans.

That day Matt Ryan, with just a smile and a thumbs up, brought HOPE and CHANGE to the city of Atlanta.

"J"

Questions, Questions ??

Questions, questions, questions.....that's all I seem to be having lately. Should I go here? Should I go there? Should I do this? Should I do that? And the more and more I ask myself those questions the more and more I wonder.....whats the point?? I mean seriously what is the point. DO I REALLY HAVE ANY CONTROL OVER IT ANYWAYS. My destiny had already taken its path the day I came into this world. I didn't have a choice in it. I couldn't prevent or stop it. I didn't choose my parents. I didn't choose my hometown. I didn't choose my race or gender. It was all chosen without my say so or without my input. Simply put.....I cannot stop the inevitable. I cannot prevent what has already been set out for me. GOD is going to let me make whatever decision I make...he gives us freewill, but at the end of the day, he is going to have his way. Worrying and questioning ones life, is questioning and worrying that GOD doesn't know what he is doing. Why should I worry about tomorrow when I haven't even gotten through today. Like Jesus said," Let tomorrow worry for itself." So what is the point in trying to question a problem that has already been answered. What is that answer you might ask......I have no EARTHLY idea, and that is absolutely refreshing to me.


"J"