The Salad Days

I have come to realize that most people base what is right completely on anecdotal evidence. Today, I read a short article by TV host Montel Williams (a person living with Multiple Sclerosis). There has been continuing controversy over stem cell research. Here, I briefly quote Montel Williams:

"If the headline-grabbing cowards who mock the infirm had to walk one inch in the shoes of a survivor like Michael, like me, like the millions of others across this nation and the world, they would march, albeit unsteadily, to a different beat and support all stem-cell research. Basic common sense would demand it."

He is reacting to some insensitive comments made by (Mr. Sensitive himself) Rush Limbaugh regarding Michael J. Fox (the Michael to whom he refers in the article).

I will not comment on how I feel about stem cell research, because it is not my point. My point is this: I detest the notion that I would change my position simply if I were in that person's situation. This especially riles me up on issues which I find to be so important.

Don't get me wrong-sometimes it is imperative for us to change a postion due to circumstance. But that change of position should come from underlying principles which drive that change. If my underlying priciples are changed, we have a serious problem. It makes me wonder what certain people's underlying principles are, and how they formulate them. If you believe in stem cell research in principle, so be it. The merits of it can be dealt with and debated, for that kind of dialogue is healthy. But don't ever tell me what cause I would support in a given situation. The presumptive arrogance of it is so striking as to make me furious.

Tonight, one of our favorite rituals takes place. We turn back the clock one hour, and revel in the extra 60 minutes granted to us once a year. Is it a coincidence that the end of baseball (one last remnant of a summertime which seems farther and father away) falls so closely to falling back and election day? Election day could only happen when things turn harsh. Otherwise, politicians would not be able to provoke anger from citizens. The approaching winter cannot help but stir up dissent I suppose.

I refuse to cooperate. The longer I live, the more impatient I become toward almost anything political. Instead, I will enjoy my cider and pumpkin muffins, and watch my kids waddle around in increasingly large garments, and always look forward to the stillness and warmth of my home as I come in from the cold.

I just watched President Bush stumping in Indiana a few moments ago, and last night saw David Letterman act like a child regarding the war in Iraq. There is nothing uglier to me than the irrational emoting and calculated cockiness one can observe during an election season. I am constantly reminded of the transience of this world, and how unimportant it all is when compared to His Kingdom. Do I have political beliefs? Yes. But I would rather focus on the Kingdom of heaven. A world where, someday, when I die, I will enter into a land of eternal falling back, where everyday seems to have an extra 60 minutes coming from nowhere.

As I continue to adjust to life in Minnesota, I love to laugh at the difference in weather reporting here as opposed to LA. Here, words such as "raw", "bonechilling" and "biting" are used often. Today, another incident made me laugh. We were watching a 7 day forecast, and the next 7 days the highs are mainly in the 40's and 50's. However, the forecast high for Halloween read a high of 36. This did not make me laugh as much as the fact that the weather reporter went on to describe this forecast as "optimistic." A 36 degree high is optimistic. Ah jeez. That's funny.

I love interesting weather.

David Eckstein...Paul Lo Duca...Guillermo Mota...Jeff Weaver...Scott Spezio...Jim Edmonds...Shawn Green...Jose Valentin...Juan Encarnacion.

These names all have one thing in common. They all played in LA (yes, to the diseased minds in Anaheim, Anaheim is in LA) on either promising or championship teams.

Let's go through this. Why the Angels traded Eckstein is beyond me. He was a cornerstone of the 2002 Wild Card/World Series champs, and they traded him to make room for the big time guys like Vladimir Guerrero, who has yet to lead them to the same place. Getting rid of Spezio also looks bad right now, especially since the man hits over .600 with runners in scoring position in the postseason.

The Dodgers' trade which involved Lo Duca, Encarnacion and Mota (all three of whom are in the NLCS right now) has proven to be one of the most short sighted in recent memory. The Dodgers' bullpen has never been the same, and Lo Duca's presence has been missed.

Jeff Weaver is enough of a wild card that I can't blame anyone for trading him, but he has pitched two fine games in the clutch.

Shawn Green was a good citizen in LA. He provided some great years for the Dodgers, and all they could do in return was desperately try to get rid of him.

Valentin was a good veteran presence on the Dodgers before injuries took him out.

And Jim Edmonds. Ah yes...the ol' Edmonds for Kent Bottenfield trade. Who, may you ask, is Kent Bottenfield? My point exactly.

It must be something in the water, or probably something in the air, which causes these two teams to trade such useful pieces of their respective puzzles. Lo Duca will never be in the Hall of Fame, but his skills and play are so valuable to a championship caliber team.

My wife and I disagree about the NLCS (I am rooting for the Cards, Steph for the Mets), but we do agree on one thing...the amount of expatriot Angels and Dodgers in the NLCS is striking. What makes it even more striking is the absence of both the Angels and Dodgers for any further post season play this year.

I witnessed something lovely this morning. I picked my wife up at the airport, and she and I caught up a bit over coffee. When we got home, the kids were still in bed, but Jack was awake. When Steph walked in, and he saw her, there was no shriek of joy, or squeal of happiness. Instead, he wrapped his arms around her neck, rested his head upon her shoulder, and smiled a Platonic version of a smile. If contentment exists, this was the Platonic form of that as well. He would smile, rest his head, and then lift his head up to almost as if he was seeing if it was still his mom. Upon reaching the conclusion that it was still mom, he would repeat the same hug, the same head on the shoulder, and the same smile of contentment.

I really loved being with the kids these few days, and spending time with my folks. But there is a completeness to things now that Steph is back, even if she can't keep her eyes open thanks to the red eye flight.

It's been a week, and a lot is happening:

-Steph is in CA. She is having a very relaxing time now after having a full day Thursday. Thursday she attended services for her late Grandfather, and had a meaningful time with family.

-I have been having a great time with the kids. We went to the famous Sculpture Garden in Minneapolis on Thursday, and my parents arrived yesterday. We have had a great time, visiting the falls, having Juicy Lucys (local delicacy, you'll have to come to the Twin Cities to find out!), and going to an apple orchard today. We are looking forward to having Steph back, but are having a great time.

-The Twins finished their season with a wimper. They looked pathetic.

-Granted the Yankees haven't been eliminated yet, but I think a brick needs to be taken to the head of Yankee management in order for them to figure out that you need pitching to win. Right now, they are almost elminated by the Tigers, because they don't have pitching.

-The Dodgers look to stay alive tonight-that should be made easier by going home and having Greg Maddux on the mound.

-We lost a great soul in Buck O' Neill today. If you do no know who that is, go to MLB.com and find out. A great ambassador for baseball and a great person. We will miss him.