SHOTS IN THE DARK

*** The MEMPHIS POLICE Department is having a hard time . The cops want to lock up the criminals but it turns out the bad guys are other cops .

I bet there have been at least 10 officers arrested in the last month. Police going to jail for accepting bribes , extortion, & other crimes .

Director Godwin has promised to arrest anyone involved . So it looks like the cops will be arresting each other for a while .

*** Democrats & Republicans are going to destroy this country . Neither group can tell the truth about health care .

A political party is out to get all it can for its members .They are not interested in the greatest good for the greatest number .

Our democracy worked fine until the lobbyist found they could buy votes & get the law the way they wanted.

Term Limits would help prevent professional politicians from ruling for their own gain .

*** Who had the ideal for the USA to become a debtor nation ? I know every nation can not have a positive balance of trade but you had better be certain your nation does .

We are in hock up to our ears to China . If Big Red calls in markers & we can't pony up what does that do to the world economy ? Remember the Japanese could not conquer Pearl Harbor so they bought it.

*** Why are banks in trouble? The Reserve System which made them successful is now working against them .

The Reserve System allows the bank to loan 12 dollars for every dollar the bank holds in reserve . The old banker can collect interest on 12 dollars when he only had a buck to loan .

Sweet Deal Huh ! Only way things can go south is if you have a lot of defaults. Then the bank is on the hook for 12 dollars with only a dollar to back it up .

See all the defaults & foreclosures are 12 x as bad as we thought . OUCH !!!

THANK YOU FOR READING !

THE WAKE UP CALL

*** About 10 years ago I was spending a few days in College Station Texas. I was staying in a hotel on the corner of Texas / University avenue .

This hotel had the best complimentary breakfast you could want. Eggs ,bacon, sausage, waffles, pan cakes ,juice & the whole load. They also had the Dallas , Fort Worth ,& Houston newspapers.

You could find me there every morning ,reading & eating . That is what I was doing when the Lady approached the desk .

This fine thing was wearing a Jacques Vert suit which set her back a couple of Grovers . A Grover is a 1000 dollar bill so called because Grover Cleveland's likeness is upon it.

She was also sporting a gold Cartier watch & a bunch of gators had to die for her purse & shoes. I don't think she had her hair & nails done at Mona's Style & Profile in Medina either. She was about 10 pounds over perfection ,her only flaw.

This vision stepped up to the desk & said " I am Ms Burk in 317 . You failed to place my wake up call . As a result I am late for my meeting . I will receive a 6:30 call tomorrow or I will hold you responsible . " Then she turned & stalked out .

I could hardly wait . The next morning I was up at 4:30 . At 4:45 I dialed 317 . A voice heavy with sleep answered " Hel - Hello ". I spoke loudly " Ms Burk , It is time you got your FAT BUTT up ." I hung up & ran for the lobby .

I did not have long to wait . Here she came like Hurricane Katerina hitting the coast . Baby Doll had rollers in her hair ,some kind of cream on her face , an old raggedy white robe & one flip - flop.

She was breathing hard & blazing fire when she hit the desk . The little guy behind the counter was just off the boat from New Delhi but his eyes widened with fear when he saw her .

She leaned as far over the counter as she could & screamed " What the hell the matter with you ? What do you mean calling in the middle of the night & making offensive remarks ?"

The little Dude was holding his hands in the air like a 7/11 robbery when she fired another volley . " I want to speak to the manager ,No I demand to speak to the owner right now" she howled .

I figured it was time to grab a couple of sausage & biscuits , The Star Telegram & head for higher ground .

When I reached the elevator I could still hear her demanding to be treated with respect . I wonder how long it took her to cool down & if she needed a wake up call tomorrow.

THANY YOU FOR READING !!

THIS & THAT

***** Tiger Woods does not owe me an apology or you either. Woods needs to apologize to his wife ,his family , & maybe his sponsors.

It is dumb as dirt to pick a professional athlete as a role model . Because someone can run & jump or hit, throw, kick or catch a ball does not qualify one to be a role model .

Parents should be role models for their kids , not some far removed person they see on tv.

Why don't the parents pick Madonna or Elton John for their kids to look up to. No more stupid than picking a player.

***** DANGER ALERT Reginald French is running for Shelby County Sheriff. This is a serious threat to our well - being.

French was Willie Herendon 's main man for years. Electing French Sheriff would be like putting Al Capone as Director of the FBI . Or having Tiger Woods watch over an NFL cheerleading squad.

Vote against this man . A - B - F , anybody but French . Lord help us if we put the fox in the hen house.

***** HEADS UP HEADS UP Our political leaders are trying to snooker us again . You know the law says we must have a dual vote for consolidation. That means both city & county voters must approve consolidation.

Not much chance of that happening . Not to be denied our leaders are trying to do away with the dual vote . They are pushing for one combined vote so they can get their way .

To keep county & city separate you will have to be alert & ready to fight.

***** The other day at the mall Chilli Pepper & I saw this couple . All of a sudden the man deeply & passionately kissed the woman .
Chilli Pepper said "why don't you do that . "
I said " Lord have Mercy , Chilli Pepper I don't even know that woman'

THE MEDINA HAYRIDE

*** A hayride was a big event in Medina . They were usually sponsored by a local church . A Youth Minster or Sunday School teacher did the driving.

All you needed for a hayride was a long flat - bed trailer, a few bales of straw and a tractor. I don't think the church leaders knew they were pulling a mobile Lover's Lane .They had their back to all the action.

In 1963 I was going on the hayride with Peggy Lee Tate . You have to understand ,Peggy Lee was Smoking Hot. She was the most beautiful girl in the world. At least in Gibson ,Madison ,& Carroll counties anyway.

When Peggy Lee left Medina they retired her sweater . Put in right up there in the trophy case.

Peggy had already caused me to almost fail the 8th grade. She cheated on her test by writing the answers high on her leg. When teacher wasn't looking Peggy would raise her skirt & get the answers.

I could not finish my test . The teachers screamed at me "what have you been doing " & you had plenty of time".

I knew I needed help to appear worldly . My Baptist Church thought wearing a tie was worldly but a tie didn't seem right for a hayride . So I bought a pack of cigarettes instead .

So on the hayride we go . I opened my pack of Winston & lit one . Having never smoked before , I was seized by a coughing fit like those guys with TB.

When I finished coughing I leaned over & put my best kiss on Peggy Lee. She kissed back . I knew what the Apostle Paul was speaking of when he was caught up to the third heaven .

Being in a state of bliss , & not being an experienced smoker ,I didn't know what to do with my Winston . So I laid that sucker down .

Seconds later a flash fire erupted on the hayride . Straw burns really fast . Couples were forced to untangle & dive to safety . This caused a lot of bruises & skinned knees.

Last we saw of the youth minster he was pulling a pillar of fire down Lonnie Holt Road . Everybody was really whizzed at me & Peggy Lee was less than impressed.

Some Good came from this . I never smoked again !!

GOOD BYE OLD FRIEND

*** I was very sad to hear of the passing of Dana Kirk . I knew Dana when he was riding high at the top of his game . The Memphis State Tigers lead by Dana brought a new level of excitement to Memphis.
The entire team was from Memphis or very close to Memphis . Most Memphis neighborhoods had one or more guys playing on the Tigers .The whole city felt included.
Dana's daughter was one of my favorite students & Dana was so good to my son who was around 8 at the time . Dana always took time to talk with Rhett & had us out to practice several times . Dana's brother - in -law was one of my greatest players.

I believe Dana was the best X & O coach in Tiger history . If Dana had coached the last 2: 11 of the 2008 title game the Tigers would have been National Champs. So Long Partner.

*** Looking for Nate .
The years have been hard on my old boxing buds . Red Fortner, Little Billy Hendricks,Andy Reece & Jim Kidd have all passed away . Also Tick Tock Tucker & Sleepy Rutherford of the older group are gone .

A couple of years ago I was talking to Joey Hadley & I asked him " what ever happened to Nate Jackson ?" Nathaniel Jackson was the United States Light- heavyweight Champ in 1970 .

Nate was a Memphis guy , went to BTW I think . I haven't heard a word about Nate in almost 40 years . Mayor George Smith took Nate & I plus a couple of others to box on a card in Cincinnati. Took us up there in a funeral home limo . The Mayor of Jackson was our chauffeur & Sleepy Rutherford was our coach for the evening.

Nate was part of the most bizarre boxing match I ever witnessed. It was Nate vs Crazy Carl Summers at the Oman Arena in 1971. I will tell this story later .

Help me find Nate . If you find out anything give me a call or an e-mail .

**** If you have a story you want me to share { You Listening Rick} give me a call at 901 - 651 -8246 or email rockyjoegraves@yahoo.com

Thank You for reading .

IT'S ALL IN THE GAME

*** Willie Herendon is a Master of the Political Game. One of the best to ever play .

This is how Willie works the game . He works hard to provoke whites to attack or criticize him . Each time a white speaks out critical of Willie ,his support in the black community intensifies.

Since Willie's district is two thirds black , Will is just working the numbers. If Willie was in a balanced district you would never hear a discouraging word .

Willie does not hate all white people . He loves the whites who put dollars in his pocket. Willie does not love all black people , just those who benefit him .

Willie is not much different from most politicians . He is just playing the numbers ,gaming the system . Same game George Wallace played for years.

White folks need to realize every time they criticize Willie , they make him stronger . Willie won't be beat until the people of the 9th district want a change . That is the way it should be .

I don't have the right to tell the people in the 9th what they need to do . If I want to call the shots in the 9th ,then I should move in that district. I am not crazy about Marsha Blackburn , never voted for her , but I don't need someone in Union City telling me what to do .

I don't have the right to tell people who to elect in Jackson , Nashville or the 9th district . Just mind your own business & let them elect whoever they want .

The voters will not change until they realize they are being jobbed . The more outsiders try to tell them the more they will resist.

I just wanted to explain the game & make sure everyone understood the rules . This game is played on the local, state , & national level.

How long before the voters wake up? Ask Rip Van Winkle.

ARE THE TIGERS CRACKING ?

*** Relax Memphis fans . The Tigers are fine. You knew things were going to be tough when Cal & Worldwide Wes hi-jacked the entire recruiting class to Kentucky.

The Tigers are 17 - 7 overall & 7 - 2 in C-USA. Pretty good for only 7 scholarship players with only one or two tall enough to pee over the backyard fence.

Josh has done well . You can not put the puzzle together when you are missing pieces. Josh has worked around the problems & made do with the parts available .

Pastner really made a statement when he put Pierre in the fast food take- out line full time. Josh made it clear he is willing to lose some games to maintain a principle.

The rule of thumb is " you can have as much discipline as you have depth" Let me explain . If you have great depth you can be as hard & demanding as you want to be. If you are not happy with a player ,sit his butt & play the next guy. Players get the message, If I don't please Coach I have to sit my butt down . The bench is the best motivator .

Using the bench is much harder when you have few players . That Norman Dale line in Hoosiers only works in the movies . You do that in the real world & most Athletic Directors will have an early dismissal slip ready for the Ole Coach.

Josh has some left - over guys who were minor players on great teams .These guys enjoyed the success without toting much of the load . Now when faced with adversity their true selves are revealed.

Winning covers a lot of problems . When you lose some ugly things begin to emerge . Josh has to respond or give up the ship. Saying good - bye to Pierre was a response.

I have enjoyed the Tigers much more this year because the games are in doubt . Much more fun to watch if you don't know the winner in advance

How much fun would Deal or No Deal be if you watched the last 5 minutes first.

OH Pierre , Rally Burgers has a great special this week right there in your old neighborhood.

WILLIE IS GOING TO WASHINGTON

*** Willie Herendon will be the next Congressman from the 9th district. You can take it to the bank . How do I know this?

Willie is going to make this all about race . The color of the candidate will be the only issue . The numbers in the 9th are heavy in Willie's favor.Willie is counting the vote will be along racial lines which it will.

Willie is in line with the political thinking in this country . Some Districts are drawn to insure certain candidates win . This is why at - large districts were out - lawed.

Willie is proposing a quota system . A majority black district should be represented by a black . Most people are opposed to a Quota system except when it benefits them . Don't be deceived, this nation is full of quotas in many areas.

If quotas are good in politics they should work in sports. Let's see the Metro area is about 40 % white . So the Tigers should have two white players on the floor at all times . That is a Quota at work .

I propose a new rule for basketball: Both teams must have the same number of white players on the floor up to a maximum of two.

Just think of the premium this places on white guys . Go out ,recruit 2 good white players & watch other teams rush to catch-up.

Think of all the strategy created. When do I put in the white Dudes ? If my white guys are better than yours I would choose to go Pale most of the game.

HEY if it's good for government it's good for games !!!! RIGHT WILLIE

WHO DAT WHO DAT

*** The Saints won the Super Bowl . Does not matter if they were the best team . Makes no difference who would win best of five. The Saints won when it counted.

I feel bad for Peyton Manning but Drew Brees is a great QB & a great person also.You have to be happy for the long suffering Saints.

New Orleans did what they had to ; reduce the number of possessions , run the ball successfully ,& dominate the kicking game. The Saints flat out won the game .

The Colts could not get enough pressure on Brees . Give Drew that much time & he will complete a lot of passes . Going for the 51 yard field goal was not smart . Not being alert for the on - side kick did not help. The final nail was the 76 yard interception return for the final score.

Will Peyton win the Super Bowl again ? I don't know. He will be 34 next month. The clock is ticking. Who is the oldest QB to win the Super Bowl ? I will have to look that up.

It was an enjoyable game to watch . I feel bad for the Colts & glad for the Saints. Mostly I feel sad cause no more football for seven months .

WHO DAT WHO DAT WHO DAT

SUPER BOWL THINKING

*** I think the Colts will win Super Bowl 44. But the Saints have a good shot for an upset. The pressure is on the Colts ,they are supposed to win .The Saints should be playing loose with nothing to lose.

The Colts have the best offense in football . Peyton Manning is the best QB in the NFL. Every receiver is a real threat & the Colts can run the ball enough to keep defenses from overloading the passing game.

The Saint defense is in the bottom 25% of the league. Their only chance to stop the Colts is to knock Manning out of the game . So look for the Saints to bring a ton of heat. Don't be surprised if there are some late hits.

The Saints have the second best QB & offense in football . Drew Brees has a lot of weapons to work with & Reggie Bush is a match -up nightmare. The Saints need to work the running game ,reduce the number of possessions ,& keep Manning on the sideline.

The Colt defense is fast & quick but have trouble with a power running game. The Colts are tougher against the run than the Saints but it still could be a problem . The better the Saints run the ball the less opportunity for Manning to do damage.

The Saints have the advantage at Head Coach . Sean Payton is good at play calling but he sometimes tries to be cute & out-smarts himself . No tricks Sean , just run the plays you best execute . Don't beat yourself trying to show how smart you are.

Jim Caldwell has less to do with the Colts than the guy selling popcorn & peanuts in Section 27. Ole Jimmy is just along for the ride . Some of the players wonder who is that guy hanging around.

It should be a great game to watch . I think the Colts will win by 7 but who knows.

CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES ARE LIKE WOMEN & THE WEATHER . YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT THEY ARE GONNA DO!!!!!

NOTHING CHANGES IN MEDINA

I read in the Jackson Sun where the charges were dropped against the Medina city attorney .This Dude used to be the city judge . He was accused of punching a man in the face.

According to the Sun , the men were having a confrontation over a parking place at the Crackerbarrel. The other party gave the former Judge the Finger which lead to the alleged punch in the face .

That is the way it used to be at Medina. You give somebody the finger , you could get punched in the nose . I am glad that it still seems to hold true.

LOOK OUT PEYTON LOOK OUT

The Saints intend to hurt Peyton Manning . They know their best chance to win is to put Peyton out of the game . They don't mind a couple of 15 yarders to do it. Look for the Saints to hit Peyton late hoping for the knockout.

The Saints used this tactic with great success verses the Cards & the Vikings. They beat the snot out of Favre & Warner . They are planning the same for Manning.

I bet the Saints have a late hit before the end of the first quarter.

WILL TEBOW MAKE IT IN THE NFL ?

I don't know & neither does anyone else . Tim has a lot going for him. He has great talent & physical ability . Intelligence & character are off the charts.

What is the problem ? Tebow has almost no experience under center . Can he learn to play under center? Time will tell.