Random Thoughts

Well.....The weather is warmer this week. That's definitely a plus in Middle Tennessee. There are a lot of things to write about this week, and I couldn't choose just one. From Haiti to Carl Smith, there's a couple of things that matter....and a couple that don't, but here goes...

HAITI-----We read and see about destruction all over the world sometimes that I think we tend to get immune to it. The earthquake in Haiti is something that threw me for a jolt. I was watching CNN with my wife over dinner Saturday night, and I've got to tell you that my respect for Anderson Cooper went up about twenty notches. In one of his reports, he was asked to follow behind a family as they carried one of their loved ones to an unmarked grave. Watching this on TV, I can understand the respect that many had for Cronkite and Rather during Vietnam. Sometimes, no matter how wide or vast your experience is, there are no words. Then, CNN ran footage of crews trying to pull a little girl from the rubbish. She had survived a few days, but after they got her out...she passed away. I'm sure the tragedy has had many faces, but that's one that got to me. Folks, there are many ways, and many organizations that you can help that are over there right now doing their best to make this situation a little easier. If you can, please do so.

CARL SMITH-----Sunday afternoon, Nashville was hit with the news that Carl Smith had died at the age of 82. In writing a tribute to Carl for LimeWire.com, I realized that along with Little Jimmy Dickens, Smith was the last male star standing from the early 1950s. I remember my mother once telling me that even though she wasn't the biggest Country fan growing up...(that changed!), there were two that she liked---Marty Robbins and Carl Smith. Two very talented, and also very handsome men.....I have read many other stories along those lines the past couple of days. Over the years, on my trips to Franklin, I would pass by Smith's ranch. If there's any consolation about all of this, at least he is with his beloved Goldie. If you like Classic Country, pick up a Carl Smith CD....You'll be glad you did!

THE NFL PLAYOFFS: I have taken some flak the past few days from some that have blamed me for the Cowboys' loss to the Vikings. Let me say this....As I team fan, there is none other that I root for like I do "America's Team." I do think that Tony Romo and company made a lot of progress, and I also think that they are right about where the team was in 1992...so stay tuned....At the same time, for a lot of reasons....I am a huge fan of Brett Favre, and if the Vikings can win one this year, I would love to see him do it. Through his career, he has been one of the more exciting athletes I have ever seen. He has taken a hit or two from some for being wishy-washy about retirement. But...when it's all said and done, I think that history will judge the Packers for showing him the door. There's two sides to every story, but I think that seventeen years with a team gives you some leeway...or at least it should! With that said....I'm not trading in any of my Dallas stuff....I'll need it for next year when we win it all!

and finally.....As many know, I am a fan of classic TV. The past few years, there have been many who have lamented that the medium isn't what it once was. While that may be true, I ask that they tune into Fox on Monday nights for HOUSE. Hugh Laurie has brought such an understanding to the role of Dr. Gregory House over the past six seasons. With another actor, the character might very well be looked up as an annoying know-it-all, but not this doctor. Then, on Thursday nights, CBS has this show called THE MENTALIST. I have watched a couple of episodes, and I am hooked. It has some of the best dialogue, and the lead character, played by Simon Baker, delivers some of the best smart-aleck lines since Larry Hagman's JR Ewing some three decades ago. While most of the stuff on TV today won't make me put my DALLAS and THE WALTONS DVD's away...(and there's two more of those coming out this month), it seems that some fifty years after FCC Chairman Newton Minnow once claimed that TV was a "Vast Wasteland," there's still some "Must See TV," after all!