Open Mouth, Insert Feet

Jerry Sandusky
(Photo: attorneygeneral.gov)

Does former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky have incompetent legal counsel?  The man accused of sexually molesting young boys for years, as described in a grand jury presentment, continues to grant interviews that, clearly, are NOT helping his case.

First, he spoke to NBC's Bob Costas by phone and was, let's just say, less than convincing.  Now, he has granted interviews, spanning four-hours over two-days, to the New York Times in which he comes off worse than he did in the NBC interview.  What strategy is his lawyer embracing by allowing this to happen?!?!?  If Sandusky really believes he's innocent and hopes to be vindicated in this sordid, tragic story, he is NOT doing himself any favors by continuing to grant these interviews in which he opens his mouth and inserts BOTH of his feet!

CBS aired this story Saturday morning on "The Early Show".  You must see this for yourself!

Since Sandusky's attorney won't tell him this, allow me: STOP TALKING! DON'T SAY ANOTHER WORD! Do you remember what agents said to you when they arrested you?  "Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law" STILL APPLIES! JUST SHUT UP!!!  You might want to consider hiring a new lawyer, too.

Oh, Good Evening!

PCH Contests: To Buy or Not To Buy?

I'm going through some of his records and just found evidence of several checks he wrote to Publishers Clearing House from 2007-2009.  Two of those checks totaled $468!!!!  What I have not found in Dad's records is evidence that he ever won a dime, let alone, a million bucks, in one of the PCH sweepstakes.

Folks, when PCH says "buying will not increase chances of winning," BELIEVE THEM! My late father clearly did not.

Oh, Good Evening!

Commercialized Holidays

I'm not stupid or naive.  I realize that just about every holiday on our calendar has been commercialized in one way or another.  I would argue that most of our holidays have been over commercialized to the point where we often lose sight of their true meanings.

That said-- I go into a major retail store on the day after Halloween and get greeted by a giant Christmas tree set up on the floor and Bing Crosby crooning "White Christmas" over the sound system.  Keep in mind, Thanksgiving is the next major holiday and I didn't see a horn-of-plenty anywhere, let alone, a turkey.

I understand the importance of Christmas to the retail sector, but on November 1 (earlier in some stores), I am not "dreaming of a white Christmas."  Neither is the retail sector.  They're dreaming of a green Christmas.

Oh, Good Evening!

Coming Soon...

Same Old Song

Lions fans celebrate during home

opener vs. Kansas City. 

(Photo: Robin Buckson/The Detroit News)

This NFL season got off to such a great start for Detroit Lions fans.  The team jumped out to a 5-0 start.  Something that I had not previously seen since the last time it happened was 1956, eight years before I was born.  Lions fever was running at high pitch.  The fifth win came against the division rival Chicago Bears before a sellout crowd at Ford Field on Monday Night Football.  But, despite the wins and the euphoric feeling the Lions were creating in the City of Detroit, it was becoming clear that the team was heading for some bumps.

Re-assembling Assembly Street

As The State newspaper continues its "Building Our City" series of reports, the installment published in last Thursday's (September 29) edition profiled a recommendation that Assembly Street be reinvented into  a narrower, more pedestrian friendly street which would include an urban park in the median. (Read the article.)  According to the article, the recommendation comes from a statewide panel of urban land experts who held meetings and a public hearing in Columbia last week.

Gone Home to Glory!

E. Mansfield Woolfolk, Jr.
October 8, 1925 - July 8, 2011

I, along with my family, have just completed an emotionally and physically exhausting two-month journey.  My father took his eternal rest on July 8th after spending 85 years and 9 months on Earth.  It was difficult saying goodbye, but I'm very happy that he is at peace.  The following are remarks that I delivered at his funeral service in Detroit, Michigan on July 22nd.

Crack!

Guy gambling at MGM Grand Las Vegas. Do you really think he doesn't know his ass is hanging out?!?!?
Oh, Good Evening!

Miss Turkey promotes turkey for Hardee's

I'm sure there are any number of people who could argue that this commercial is in poor taste, regardless of whether the burger is any good, because it appears to exploit Miss Turkey.  Despite that, it's rather humorous and quite memorable.  In the advertising world, that's called a home run for the creative team.

Oh, Good Evening!

To those who have caused a pain in my chest...

I'm not a big fan of awards shows because I am familiar with so few of the nominees and the ones I am familiar with often don't win, so the show is not very entertaining beyond a few performances. But, this past Sunday, I watched the Grammy Awards for the first time in a few years and boy, am I glad I did!

For starters-- I loved the opening tribute to my homegirl, Aretha Franklin.  Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, Martina McBride, Yolanda Adams and Florence Welch absolutely wore out a medley of Franklin's greatest hits followed by a taped message from The Queen of Soul, herself.

Barbara Streisand's performance of her classic "Evergreen" also was a treat. But, the show stopper was Cee Lo Green performing the clean version ("Forget You!) of his hit anthem, "F*** You!" along with Gwyneth Paltrow.

I feel totally out of touch saying this, but-- I had never heard of the song until seeing that performance Sunday night.  It is totally infectious and I have now adopted it as my favorite anthem. At least for the moment.  I just love part of the refrain-- "Although there's pain in my chest, I still wish you the best with a... F*** you!"  That pretty much sums up my feelings for... well, you can fill in the blank.

Oh, Good Evening!