Coffee Klatch

Why do we have rules? Rules are created to help facilitate peaceful coexistence with others in the community? Yes? Whether playing Candyland or leaving your neighbor’s property alone, we have rules so we can all get along, safely and peaceably.

But rules are nothing if they are not enforced. They are LESS than nothing, they are detrimental, because some choose to abide by them and others do not. And when that happens, people are taken advantage of, whether in a children’s game or in social relations.

Which is it just burns my cookies to see speed limits of 35 mph on a street while practically EVERYONE drives 50+. If you’re going 45 mph on that street and you’re being passed by everyone, I’d say that nobody’s following the rules. And when the police don’t enforce the rules, that just perpetuates the problem and ends up creating an unsafe environment.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not bellyaching about being passed or about everyone driving faster than I. I’m complaining about rules that are not enforced. I don’t have a problem with driving 50 or 55 along with everyone else, SO LONG AS THE LAW ALLOWS IT! If the law is going to be “drive 35 mph unless it’s during rush hour and then it’s okay to drive 50 mph,” that’s great. Somebody should just POST it. That’s all.

And even worse is Stoplight Enforcement! Maybe it’s a big-city thing, but I see running red lights as a ubiquitous problem in Indianapolis. You know it’s a serious problem if you go through when it’s already yellow (I know, technically it’s amber, but who really calls it that?) and THREE cars follow you through! I see that happening all the time in Indy. And I’d say that’s MUCH more dangerous than just speeding on city streets.

You know, that’s why I became an R.A. in college and remained one for three years. I figured, if you don’t like the rules, get yourself into a place where you can change them. Until then, abide by them. So that’s what I did.

Current music: Paint the Sky with Stars: The Best of Enya

Another news story from this week is that the census in Texas shows that it has become the fourth state (not counting Washington, D.C.) to have “minorities” become more than 50% of the population. The overall U.S. population consists of 32.6% non-whites, since there are another nine states with 35%-50% minorities.

So what does it take to be considered a minority, speaking strictly of race and percentages?

Is it just anything less than half the population? Or, in our increasingly diverse American society, is it maybe less than 1/3? Would it be safe to say that if a particular race is more than a third of the population that you’re a “major” component and not really a “minority” any more?

If that’s the case, then there are over a dozen states where minorities aren’t as much the minority any more. Granted, that’s ALL minorities grouped together making up those percentages, but in many of those there’s one particular race that makes up most of the minority grouping in that state, whether black, hispanic, native american or asian.

It’s interesting to watch the changes and shifts in U.S. culture, and it makes me curious as to how long it will be before whites are less than 50% of the total U.S. population. That would really be something, indicating that we truly have become a diverse nation.

Yahoo has another story that has lots of information and links in it on this topic.

Current music: San Juan Suite (Vol. 1), by Michael Gettel

Yup, it’s that time of year again! NFL teams have begun preseason games. Fans are gearing up for the games, buying tickets and gear, and cheering/booing players. And thousands are getting into Fantasy Football. Including yours truly! I’ve been playing a variety of NFL-related games for 8 years now, and playing Fantasy Football for 3 or 4. Yahoo! offers one of the best free fantasy football systems out there. I’ve got one set up that still has some openings. If you’re interested in playing fantasy football this year, or even trying it out if you’ve never done it before, I’ve got a good group of people together who have fun without being overly competitive or talking smack too much. Just let me know if you want to join and I’ll give you the free signup information.

In the news, Brett Favre is looking as good as ever. He actually spent time in the off season with a strength-and-conditioning coach for the first time. He’s getting older, but he’s hanging tough (as always) and is still increasing his consecutive games started record, which is an amazing 189 games! (208 if you count playoff games) Plus, just last year he had over 4,000 passing yards and has had 30+ touchdown passes each season the last two years. He sure isn’t slowing down as he gets older! And he’s still representative of the life-blood of football for the entire state of Wisconsin.

On the opposite side of the fence is Terrell Owens. He’s good, no doubt, but I don’t think he’s good for a team, even if it is the Eagles. In and out of training camp, and more because of attitude than injury, with the capstone being sent home from the training camp this week for arguing with the coach. Plus he didn’t show up with his teammates to sign autographs this week “because of his injury” (which was to his GROIN! — THAT will certainly making signing your name difficult!). He’s gotten so full of himself that the good of the team comes second to his own good, as he perceives it. He just signed a deal last year when he moved to Philadelphia for about $49 million for 7 years. So he gets picked up by a really good team, gets to go to the Super Bowl, shows long term potential for contributing to the team’s success, and gets $7 million a year…. But that’s not good enough for T-O! He’s got to try to renegotiate his contract after one year there. Talk about ungrateful and unsportsmanlike!

A good site for NFL Sports News is Yahoo!’s NFL Site. Lots of great info, articles, schedules, stats, and help for fantasy players.
Current music: Fahrenheit, by Toto