So, I feel stupid

Last night, I spent my evening at work, church, and the emergency room.  In that order.

It was a late night at the office, with committee meetings ending after the 5 O’clock whistle had blown for the afternoon. That caused a rush to get home to cook before church.

Made it, but that was only part of the fun. The remainder was the rest of the evening. Chest pains somewhere between Come Thou Font of Every Blessing and reading of Acts 2, causing some high-pitched breathing and some sweating. My apologies to those sitting near me who saw the man sweat.

So, I left during the service. For those who don’t know me, getting me to the doctor has to take an act of Congress, and Greg snoring in my ear.  I had neither this time, just the fear of a heart attack.

After some cold hands, tons of chest hair removing stickers, and two doctor reports, there is no heart attack. You can now do the Homer Simpson woo hoo or the Ric Flair woooo, both are appropriate.

Turns out it was an inflammation of my chest. You see, yesterday at the gym I overdid the workout and went too hard on the rowing machine, an exercise I hadn’t done in well years. The overextension caused the chest pains, which were sharp enough to make me tap out and head off to the ER for my yearly visit with the fine folks at UNC Hospital.

My job is get some rest - easier said than done with crossover deadline Thursday - and not to lift anything heavier than 5 pounds - there goes that 5-pound thickburger from Hardee’s. Thanks to those at church yesterday who called, or even visited the big guy in the hospital. I appreciate it.

Show Me the Hypocrisy

There is just one way to describe John Edwards’ political philosophy.

Edwards believes you should do as he says, not necessarily what he does.

For instance, Edwards wants to increase income taxes on those who actually pay taxes, and has discussed the wrongs of hedge funds, where you can establish tax shelters. Yet, Edwards made $485,000 as a consultant for a hedge fund company.

Edwards talks about the problems of the poor and the middle class. Yet, Edwards pays $400 for a haircut. For the record, I’m in need of a haircut and will pay about $15 sometime this week.

Let’s not forget that Edwards’ home in Orange County, North Carolina is the county’s largest - a $6 million tax value on a 102-acre lot.

Now the latest. In public speeches last year to discuss poverty - and let’s admit to build up support for his 2008 presidential bid - Edwards racked up more than $285,000 in appearance fees on college campuses.

Edwards talks about the high cost of college , yet at the same time takes large amounts of money to speak on campus. Many speakers who speak on campus are paid through student fees, which are fees students pay for in their total tuition bill to cover items like health services, debt services, athletics, and other events.

Actions that Edwards has shown makes it hard to take him seriously, again, as a presidential candidate. The same people Edwards claims to want to help won’t have a difficult time looking the other way with examples such as these come the primary season.

At least this prosecutor doesn’t want media attention

Here is at least one prosecutor in the country that didn’t attend the Mike Nifong School of Law course on media relations.

Gerald Poindexter, the prosecutor investigating claims that Michael Vick uses his Virginia home to schedule dog fights, is keeping quiet on the case and investigation. This should be refreshing, especially after the year-long media madness that was the Duke Lacrosse case.

Poindexter, who faces re-election in November, said,

“I don’t believe in trying cases in the press and I find that despicable, OK?”

Refreshing.

Vick is proclaiming his innocence in the case, while the media is seeking  NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to step in and lay the law on the Atlanta Falcon quarterback. Goodell could use the same arguments he used for Adam “Pacman” Jones in that there were no charges, but a time out from the game was needed should Vick not be charged.

If Vick is found to have been involved in organizing dog fights, it would add to his questionable image (this is the same guy who flipped off fans who booed him) and would certainly lead to a long suspension from the league, as well as jail time.

As always there are people who support Vick.  Clinton Portis called the claims “no big deal.” Portis, you might want to keep your views out of the press on this one.