Why Willie Mays?

In the '60s, things were much more innocent. You got what the local newspapers and your parents fed you and that was it. In 1970 I went to my first baseball game at Candlestick Park, S.F. Giants v. Cincinnati Reds; starting in centerfield was number 24, Willie "Say Hey" Mays. From that point on, he was my idol. I tried to hit like him, with the top hand flying off the bat on the follow through, and catch like him, the basket catch. He was an icon, the star of the local team. Oh there was Juan Marichal, Willie McCovey and later Chris Spier, but Willie was the guy. As a kid, he was just some vague "hero" who was a star. I knew nothing about his surliness to others, his off-field relationships, his contract status. All I knew was he hit .300, had 30 HRs and was the best fielding CF of all-time; and that's all I needed to know.

Sadly, I wonder for my boys how they will choose their idol and whether they will be overwhelmed with the facts (and innuendo) available. The thirst for knowledge has hit the oversaturation point where there is little left to the imagination for both youngsters and adults. Do I really need to know Barry Bonds' alleged lovers? I admit I am partly to blame because I could choose not to read about it. I'm not blaming the media, I'm blaming ourselves. The reading public needs to put their attention to more important matters rather than why Greg Anderson (Bonds' trainer) is a public figure, like which international mutual fund is the best value for the next 10 years. I've failed on that account but realize I need to do better.

Sprint Stinks

Bought a Motorola Razr from Sprint last week with the 30 day return guarantee. Well they lowered the price 50% this week. So I figure I can get the lower price since its within the 30 day return period. I called Sprint customer service to make the request. Sprint's response was tough luck, you bought the phone. Well that ignores that I could return it and go somewhere else. The customer service rep could not understand that logic. Corporate America just does not get basic customer service (now Nordstrom understands and will give you the sale price because you can return anything anytime.)

Earth Wind & Fire and Kids

Remember that song by EWF, That's the Way of the World? Well my favorite verse in that song was "child is born with a heart of gold." Being around my two kids (5 and 7) and their friends and classmates always reminds me of that verse because when I look at kids, especially when they are born, I truly believe that every child is born with a heart of gold and unfortunately the bad apples that show up have been somehow socialized that way. Now I understand that genetics plays a part in their physical attributes, including their brain in some way, but I believe that the children are taught to hate and disparage others and that the huge influences are their parents. I'm far from a perfect father but I try every day to show my boys how to embrace others and to avoid the hate and show love to all living things.

Before I became a parent, I admit that I had a hard time understanding the unconditional love that parents showed to their disabled children. I now understand that whether they have a physical deformity or have suffered an accident or have been afflicted with an unfortunate disease, e.g. Down's Syndrome, there is no limit to the love that they can bestow on you and the love that you can give them.

The Death of Public Education

I recently met the dean of the public law school that I attended in the '80s. Sadly the fees have gone up 40 x since then even though its a public institution. I asked why? The dean pointed out that in the '80s the State of California paid for over 80% of the costs, today less than 30%. How did we get to that point? I realize I have been dismissive of this issue in the past but with two elementary school children my concerns are growing daily. Not just because my kids will face this crises, but also because of those less fortunate than I may not have the opportunity to attend law school. Not only are the costs increasing, sadly, public loans have all but evaporated also. Rather than have the opportunity to receive 2% APR federal loans, students are now steered to private loans which have APRs of 8-14%. Another reason to avoid investing in one's education. I am very grateful for those in the '60s and '70s who had the foresight to provide educational opportunities for those who could attend low cost professional schools. We need more of those people today.