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Tom Valley
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FROM THE VALLEY: Soldiers and space cadets
In observance of Veterans Day, I’d like to take this moment (and space) to offer a personal note of thanks to all who have served and to those who are presently serving in the military. This humble acknowledgment cannot possibly convey the extent of gratitude and respect that I have for each and every one of you.
Your sacrifices, too often taken for granted, are the key ingredients in this country’s ability to proclaim itself the land of the free and the home of the brave. Walk (if you can or can not) proud! And may God bless all of you.
And now for something completely different.
While watching the World Series, I couldn’t help but think how hypocritical Major League Baseball is. They frequently showed pictures of the participating ballplayers as they appeared back when they were in Little League, replete with uniforms. It was mentioned throughout the series — as though trying to drive home a point — how Major League Baseball supported youth baseball.
They went on to state, “It’s every boy’s dream to play in a World Series.”
So the question begs to be asked: Then why are the games played at a time when these kids are in bed? How can you dream of playing in a World Series without ever having seen one? (The 1,500 Budweiser commercials were, also, a nice child-like touch). It was a shameless attempt to associate an often-scandalized group of men with the innocence of youth.
I’m at a loss when sports announcers say a lot of other things. It’s not just baseball. I was watching a football game the other day and the play-by-play guy noted that the quarterback had thrown the ball 55 yards “in the air.” Dare I ask, where else is he going to throw it? He stresses “in the air” as though that made it harder.
I’m telling you right now, if he throws the ball 55 yards through anything BUT air, he’s got one helluva arm. And then, Mr. Announcer-man, you’ve got yourself a scoop.
Yeah, I know, I’m a nitpicker. But that’s what I do.
Some people — totally unrelated to sports — also leave me scratching my head, but in a much different way. I was watching a program on a science channel and it reported that Stephen Hawking, the wheelchair-bound theoretical physicist, thinks the universe didn’t always exist, yet, it never had a beginning.
Alrighty then! Whatever you say! This leaves me thankful for something more up my alley, like the Cartoon Network.
It’s funny how we accept something we’re not sure of, if someone smarter than us says it’s so. Even when we don’t have a clue as to what they’re talking about, if we agreed with them up to the point where it left our mental capabilities, we assume the rest must be true.
Another mobility-challenged individual who often says things beyond my ability to understand, once uttered, “Ish zhish da bloke oush ga me ash.”
What’d he say? Not a clue. Too far out there for me.
But I don’t automatically give this guy the credibility or the benefit of genius that I offer Stephen Hawkins. There’s just something about Ozzy Osbourne that sends up red flags.
Silliness over! Thank you and I miss you, Sgt. Leo Valley, US Army Infantry, WWII.
And that’s the way it looks from the Valley.
Contact Tom Valley at Tvalley@rochester.rr.com.
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EGGERT: Welcome to a new police officer
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