It happened at the Texas Tech Men's Basketball game at the United Spirit Arena in Lubbock, Texas, in a game against Oklahoma State University. It was a full house and it was a hotly contested game. The Red Raiders won, upsetting a ranked team.
During the game the Lubbock announcers were decidedly negative about the arrogance of Marcus Smarts. However, the "unwritten rule" is that an athlete never goes after a fan, no matter what happens. The history is that Marcus Smart has had problems with his behavior in the past. But on February 8, 2014, he shoved a fan http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/eye-on-college-basketball/24437173/video-marcus-smart-shoves-fan-near-end-of-osu-loss-at-texas-tech. It is never appropriate for an athlete, amateur or professional, to go after a fan. Sometimes, it happens. And, unfortunately, the young man involved in this incident, will be suspended for the next three games his team plays. He apologized in a statement on Sunday http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaab-the-dagger/marcus-smart-apologizes-altercation-accepts-three-game-suspension-234016680--ncaab.html. I say unfortunately because he is in a way paying for the inappropriate behavior of the fan, as well has his own inappropriate behavior.
The fan is Jeffery Orr, described as an "uber fan," a Texas Tech graduate who travels to all the games. And, according to the Lubbock media, has had problems as a fan in the past. The editorial comments on that http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/college/lupica-fan-smart-article-1.1608035 indicate as much.
Mike Holder, the Athletic Director for Oklahoma State University made a statement http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/10428708/marcus-smart-oklahoma-state-cowboys-suspended-3-games-shoving-fan that really indicated an awareness of the need for the young athlete to grow, not be marked for one mistake, and that more forces than a young athlete were in play in this incident.
Is this fair? We put athletes in fish-bowl pressure cookers in sporting events, expecting ultimately very mature behavior from still young people. We blame them if they are not emotionally involved enough in their sport, and castigate them if their emotions overtake them . They may be getting an education paid for but they are not other wise compensated for their hours of effort. And, they become heroes or scapegoats, depending upon their performance and the ultimate performance of their team.
This is a lot to put on a still young adult. Maybe we have some unrealistic expectations of these young people, who, on the whole, perform outstandingly in the mature behavior sportsmanship category. The consequences for negative behavior from a player can be penalties in a game, ejection from a game, very drastically, forfeiture of a game, and suspension. If serious enough, the negative behavior could affect the athlete's scholarship and academic standing. These could be life changing consequences.
And, let's face it, what are the consequences for a fan: to be walked out of a game, to be banned from games, and notoriety that they otherwise would not receive if they were well behaved. People who behave as did Orr probably eat up the notoriety. Or at least, do not let it influence or affect them negatively.
The decks are skewed, against the player, who may really not be as much to blame as the fan.
I am glad the consequences for Marcus Smart are what they are. I am sorry that there are not some criminal charges against Orr. I am not trying to be vindictive or retaliatory, but really an adult needs to be held responsible for the consequences of his behavior. The behavior of Mr. Orr could have dragged Marcus Smart into some serious, harmful behaviors, which could have scarred his future. We are grateful that it seems the consequences will not do that. Let us hope.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Of Course They Meant It
A coworker told me she purchased the movie "The Butler" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1327773/. She told me she was disappointed about the way Anglos were portrayed because not everyone was racist and tried to discriminate against Blacks. I will give her that. But then she used the example of her uncle who used "the N word" because that was the way he was raised, and even Black people referred to themselves that way, and he really did not mean it. I countered. I said people really did mean it, or why did they pass Jim Crow laws http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Crow_laws. If someone is discerning, they may have been raised a way to treat people, but they have a choice in what they do as adults.
Jim Crow laws were a deliberate, institutionalized, legalized, systematized way of discriminating against Afro-Americans. They were demeaning and dehumanizing laws. There was no intent to have "separate but equal." The intent was domination of one race by another.
We lived through the era of fighting for integration which was the law of the land long before it was practiced. How can anyone say that Anglos did not mean it. They fought tooth and nail to keep White Male Dominance. And even today, there are still undertones of White Male Dominance in our world. Things have become better, and we do have an Afro-American man elected as the President. But he is very aware he is one step away from being treated like other Afro-Americans who do not have his face and name recognition, power and influence. To my knowledge, he has only referred to that once, but he is aware of it.
White washing our past serves no purpose. This is what our country did. We cannot deny it. We must face facts and deal with what was and what is.
Jim Crow laws were a deliberate, institutionalized, legalized, systematized way of discriminating against Afro-Americans. They were demeaning and dehumanizing laws. There was no intent to have "separate but equal." The intent was domination of one race by another.
We lived through the era of fighting for integration which was the law of the land long before it was practiced. How can anyone say that Anglos did not mean it. They fought tooth and nail to keep White Male Dominance. And even today, there are still undertones of White Male Dominance in our world. Things have become better, and we do have an Afro-American man elected as the President. But he is very aware he is one step away from being treated like other Afro-Americans who do not have his face and name recognition, power and influence. To my knowledge, he has only referred to that once, but he is aware of it.
White washing our past serves no purpose. This is what our country did. We cannot deny it. We must face facts and deal with what was and what is.
Thursday, February 6, 2014
The Tonight Show
I really enjoyed "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson http://www.johnnycarson.com/. I have to say, I had occasion as I was growing up, to watch "The Tonight Show" with Jack Paar http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonight_Starring_Jack_Paar. I was too young to watch it consistently, but did get to watch it on occasion.
When Jay Leno took over, http://www.nbc.com/the-tonight-show I enjoyed watching the show, especially on Monday nights when he did the "headlines." But I was less of a fan than I was of Johnny Carson.
I will watch his final performance tonight. I am in hopes that Jimmy Fallon http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Fallon will be as good a host as Jay, Johnny and Jack have been. He has something going for him: his name begins with J.
When Jay Leno took over, http://www.nbc.com/the-tonight-show I enjoyed watching the show, especially on Monday nights when he did the "headlines." But I was less of a fan than I was of Johnny Carson.
I will watch his final performance tonight. I am in hopes that Jimmy Fallon http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Fallon will be as good a host as Jay, Johnny and Jack have been. He has something going for him: his name begins with J.
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
It Is Bitter Cold Outside
It is bitter cold outside right now. This happens from time to time in the course of the winter season in Lubbock. I am blessed. My little house does okay. When the outside temperatures are mid -range 50° to 36° or approximately that range, my house is a little on the cold side.
But when the temperature gets bitter cold, my house is snug and warm. There are places in the house, doors and windows, where there is a draft. But the heater kicks in to keep the house warm, and that is a blessing.
I do use space heaters to enhance the comfort zones. But I do not need to use these, except I like the extra warmth.
I am blessed. I have a warm house.
But when the temperature gets bitter cold, my house is snug and warm. There are places in the house, doors and windows, where there is a draft. But the heater kicks in to keep the house warm, and that is a blessing.
I do use space heaters to enhance the comfort zones. But I do not need to use these, except I like the extra warmth.
I am blessed. I have a warm house.
Sunday, February 2, 2014
The Chair
Some years ago, Haiku decided that she liked the office chair at my computer desk. I kept a throw or afghan on it, and she was sleeping in it frequently. Sometimes, I would go into the computer room, and not realize she was on the chair, and would sit on her. She developed a self preservation skill of mewing when I came into the room.
For the longest time, I just relinquished the desk chair to Haiku. First I moved in a folding nylon lawn chair, and used that. I put a throw on that chair, too. But it was not comfortable to sit in it and use the computer. Later, I moved in a metal folding chair, the kind that might accompany a card table. I used that for a very long time, but still, it did not give me the support I needed, although it, too had a throw and a pillow for support.
Recently, I have reclaimed the office chair. I did this because I am trying to get some relief for my sciatica, and good posture and support are important. However, not only has Haiku claimed the office chair, but Sake and Taki have also taken to sitting in it, whereas before, only Haiku used it.
I have the folding nylon lawn chair in the computer room, also. If I move Haiku into that chair, she will stay there. Sometimes, Taki will use that chair. Sake does not.
We play "merry go round" with the chair, and through out the day, any cat might be in the chair, and object to being moved.
As much as I want to accommodate my cats, I have decided for my back health, I have to move the cat in the chair to a suitable other chair.
For the longest time, I just relinquished the desk chair to Haiku. First I moved in a folding nylon lawn chair, and used that. I put a throw on that chair, too. But it was not comfortable to sit in it and use the computer. Later, I moved in a metal folding chair, the kind that might accompany a card table. I used that for a very long time, but still, it did not give me the support I needed, although it, too had a throw and a pillow for support.
Recently, I have reclaimed the office chair. I did this because I am trying to get some relief for my sciatica, and good posture and support are important. However, not only has Haiku claimed the office chair, but Sake and Taki have also taken to sitting in it, whereas before, only Haiku used it.
I have the folding nylon lawn chair in the computer room, also. If I move Haiku into that chair, she will stay there. Sometimes, Taki will use that chair. Sake does not.
We play "merry go round" with the chair, and through out the day, any cat might be in the chair, and object to being moved.
As much as I want to accommodate my cats, I have decided for my back health, I have to move the cat in the chair to a suitable other chair.
Snowbound, Sort Of
The weather forecast yesterday included the possibility of light winter precipitation in Lubbock, with the heaviest amounts being to the south and east of Lubbock. The thought was the storm would hit late Sunday afternoon or even Sunday evening, Monday morning.
Well, I woke up and there was 2-3 inches of snow on the ground in Lubbock, and as of 8:25 AM, it was still snowing, although now, about 9:30 it appears to have stopped in Lubbock. True to the prediction, the amounts south and east of Lubbock are greater than the amount of snow we received in Lubbock.
The traffic is moving, and those going slow and easy will be okay, if they do not get taken out by a careless driver. There are accidents, closed roads, and air line cancellations. http://www.kcbd.com/story/11894446/area-delays-and-closings. I had a brief errand to run today, to get some things in the mail for NASW. Since the next pick up is not until Monday, anyway, I can drop off the items before I go to work in the morning.
So it is, that I can be "snowbound" and enjoy it.
I am thinking about the complaints that the Superbowl http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/48 is being held in New Jersey this year. The complaints include that that it is in an outside stadium in a part of the country that is sure to be cold, and could have snow and ice with which to contend. Well, this storm in the Southwest reminds of John Madden's http://www.biography.com/people/john-madden-9542594 comment about football "any given Sunday." Well, his comment referred to the fact that on any given Sunday, any team could beat any other team.
This snow storm reminds me that a snow storm can occur on "any given Sunday" in the South. Yet, in the South, a snow storm of just a few inches can cripple a city in the South: The South does not have the equipment to contend with a winter storm. People in the South do not always have the equipment, clothing and experience to deal with a winter storm. So, in my mind, it makes sense to consider that if the Superbowl is going to be in an outdoor stadium, there is no reason not to have it in the North, where people are accustomed to winter weather and are better equipped to deal with winter weather. Let's face it, even a Superbowl in a domed stadium in the South could face problems from winter weather. Look at what happened in Atlanta, Ga. http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/01/29/us-usa-weather-idUSBREA0Q1DK20140129 recently.
So a few inches of snow can make me enjoy being "snowbound" for the day. If the Superbowl were to be held in the vicinity of this snow storm, there might be logistics problems involved. But no, no Superbowl in Lubbock. Just snow.
Well, I woke up and there was 2-3 inches of snow on the ground in Lubbock, and as of 8:25 AM, it was still snowing, although now, about 9:30 it appears to have stopped in Lubbock. True to the prediction, the amounts south and east of Lubbock are greater than the amount of snow we received in Lubbock.
The traffic is moving, and those going slow and easy will be okay, if they do not get taken out by a careless driver. There are accidents, closed roads, and air line cancellations. http://www.kcbd.com/story/11894446/area-delays-and-closings. I had a brief errand to run today, to get some things in the mail for NASW. Since the next pick up is not until Monday, anyway, I can drop off the items before I go to work in the morning.
So it is, that I can be "snowbound" and enjoy it.
I am thinking about the complaints that the Superbowl http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/48 is being held in New Jersey this year. The complaints include that that it is in an outside stadium in a part of the country that is sure to be cold, and could have snow and ice with which to contend. Well, this storm in the Southwest reminds of John Madden's http://www.biography.com/people/john-madden-9542594 comment about football "any given Sunday." Well, his comment referred to the fact that on any given Sunday, any team could beat any other team.
This snow storm reminds me that a snow storm can occur on "any given Sunday" in the South. Yet, in the South, a snow storm of just a few inches can cripple a city in the South: The South does not have the equipment to contend with a winter storm. People in the South do not always have the equipment, clothing and experience to deal with a winter storm. So, in my mind, it makes sense to consider that if the Superbowl is going to be in an outdoor stadium, there is no reason not to have it in the North, where people are accustomed to winter weather and are better equipped to deal with winter weather. Let's face it, even a Superbowl in a domed stadium in the South could face problems from winter weather. Look at what happened in Atlanta, Ga. http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/01/29/us-usa-weather-idUSBREA0Q1DK20140129 recently.
So a few inches of snow can make me enjoy being "snowbound" for the day. If the Superbowl were to be held in the vicinity of this snow storm, there might be logistics problems involved. But no, no Superbowl in Lubbock. Just snow.
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Health Insurance
I am an employee of the State of Texas. Until most recently, the State of Texas contracted with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas to provide health care coverage to its employees. September of 2012, that changed, and we are now covered by United Health Care. So many people say that United Health Care is an inferior health insurance provider. Especially medical providers: they negotiated lower rates of pay than many other insurance providers. But these negotiations were widely although not universally accepted. And the State of Texas changed to this insurance provider for the lowered costs.
There have been some things that for me are good about this new coverage. Wellness prevention checks are covered. For years, my major medical expense was the co-pay for my yearly gynecological exam. Now, there is no co-pay. I have had to have some x-rays this past year, and there has been no co-pay for some of these, as they were preventive, not diagnostic.
I am careful to use my insurance as I am supposed to: My primary care physician is excellent at following up on getting referrals and authorizations. I check that these have been obtained, and I try to make sure I understand what the parameters of these authorizations are.
I needed new glasses and went in for a vision exam. The optometrist discovered some problem with my left eye, and he suspected it was with the optical nerve. My PCP obtained authorization for follow up appointments, and I went to that appointment.
Recently, I received an explanation of benefits from the insurance, which indicated that the optometrist was "out of network." Well, when I checked the list of "network" optometrists, he was still listed, as he had been when I went for that appointment.
So, I called the insurance company to find out what was going on. The wonderfully understanding representative assured me that I had a valid authorization and referral. She quickly ascertained that the problem was that the optometrist billed under an ID number that was not a current provider number with the insurance. She said that if I have to have additional follow up, WE need to find me a new provider who will be covered for this problem. The insurance representative asked me if she could put me on hold, called the optometrist office, and then got back to me. She told me with whom she spoke. She said that the office person said they thought, including the optometrist thought, that he was authorized with the insurance as a provider, and that they would correct that. The insurance representative said that if they did correct that, they could retroactively submit my bill as a courtesy, so I would not have to pay the uninsured bill. She also told me to check back with the provider in a week or so, to make sure that they follow through.
I had dreaded contacting the insurance. I was pleasantly surprised by the customer service that I received. I do not know how this will be resolved. I have little faith that the optometrist and his clerical staff will do the right thing. I am sure I need to find a new optic provider: probably an opthamologist, since I know I have cataracts, and now possibly some other problems.
This was a good lesson regarding health insurance. I know no matter what authorizations there are, there are no guarantees.
I was pleasantly surprised by the help from the insurance company. I hope this can be resolved in my favor, but I am anticipating a protracted negotiation, which I hate, but which I suspect I will have to negotiate.
Well, this is true. There are no guarantees in life So why should I think there are guarantees in insurance.
There have been some things that for me are good about this new coverage. Wellness prevention checks are covered. For years, my major medical expense was the co-pay for my yearly gynecological exam. Now, there is no co-pay. I have had to have some x-rays this past year, and there has been no co-pay for some of these, as they were preventive, not diagnostic.
I am careful to use my insurance as I am supposed to: My primary care physician is excellent at following up on getting referrals and authorizations. I check that these have been obtained, and I try to make sure I understand what the parameters of these authorizations are.
I needed new glasses and went in for a vision exam. The optometrist discovered some problem with my left eye, and he suspected it was with the optical nerve. My PCP obtained authorization for follow up appointments, and I went to that appointment.
Recently, I received an explanation of benefits from the insurance, which indicated that the optometrist was "out of network." Well, when I checked the list of "network" optometrists, he was still listed, as he had been when I went for that appointment.
So, I called the insurance company to find out what was going on. The wonderfully understanding representative assured me that I had a valid authorization and referral. She quickly ascertained that the problem was that the optometrist billed under an ID number that was not a current provider number with the insurance. She said that if I have to have additional follow up, WE need to find me a new provider who will be covered for this problem. The insurance representative asked me if she could put me on hold, called the optometrist office, and then got back to me. She told me with whom she spoke. She said that the office person said they thought, including the optometrist thought, that he was authorized with the insurance as a provider, and that they would correct that. The insurance representative said that if they did correct that, they could retroactively submit my bill as a courtesy, so I would not have to pay the uninsured bill. She also told me to check back with the provider in a week or so, to make sure that they follow through.
I had dreaded contacting the insurance. I was pleasantly surprised by the customer service that I received. I do not know how this will be resolved. I have little faith that the optometrist and his clerical staff will do the right thing. I am sure I need to find a new optic provider: probably an opthamologist, since I know I have cataracts, and now possibly some other problems.
This was a good lesson regarding health insurance. I know no matter what authorizations there are, there are no guarantees.
I was pleasantly surprised by the help from the insurance company. I hope this can be resolved in my favor, but I am anticipating a protracted negotiation, which I hate, but which I suspect I will have to negotiate.
Well, this is true. There are no guarantees in life So why should I think there are guarantees in insurance.
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