A Wise Kid and a Warm Kiss

By Brenda Black

Just when I thought the world had gone completely mad, two heart-warming headlines highlight the finer side of humanity this week. A teen golfer sees the bigger picture and opts for possibilities instead of quick cash. And an empathetic romantic is chivalrous in the middle of chaos.

In case you missed it, South River (Md.) High freshman Garrett Sauls turned down $5,000 in prize money after he won a putting contest at Lake Presidential Golf Club in Upper Marlboro, Md. Sauls didn't want to jeopardize his amateur status as an athlete for the next three years of high school, so he chose the high road of integrity and let the prize money go. Pretty smart kid.

In stark contrast to the gallery of civilized country club golfing fans where Sauls' defining moment occurred, were the darkened streets of Vancouver, BC, where hoards of angry hockey fans protested their hometown team loss of the Stanley Cup. When riot police forced the sore losers down the street, caught in the mayhem were innocent tourists, Scott Jones and his girlfriend Alex Thomas. Thomas was knocked to the ground by the police. That's when Jones swooped in with a comforting kiss to alleviate her fears and the whole thing was caught on digital film. Pretty sensitive man.

Yes, there is insanity mixed in with these two tales. A putt worth $5,000 seems a bit extreme when people are working weeks on end to earn anything close to that amount. And rioting over a hockey game? Come on, grow up! But the refreshing take-away is a teenager with good sense and a noble man with good manners. Now there are two rare and priceless qualities seldom celebrated in the press.

If given the chance, I'd shake both their hands and tell them thank you for the good example. Their acts of nobility reminded me of a conversation with a friend recently who spoke of his travels all across this great country. He said there are good people everywhere you go; decent, reasonable, kind people who are the rule rather than the exception. I had to agree because I've met many as well.

In the Midwest, we're seeing these “salt-of-the-earth” folks come from near and far to rebuild Joplin. We're watching hard-working farmers who have labored and supplied this country with food and fiber increase in courage and community to match the rising flood waters robbing their homes and harvests in northern Missouri. I know of families holding onto each other and watching their belongings burn to the ground out West. And some are desperate for rain and facing drought so severe they may have to sell out or move from down in Texas.

But if you ask these people from all across the country what matters most, they won't say money or trophies or even their houses or lands. It's not politics or police enforcement. Nor is it professional sports or Hollywood fashion. They'll tell you it's family and faith and the fight to overcome all odds. It's the goodness of friends and the kindness of strangers. It's young people making mature choices and gentlemen showing compassion. What matters most are good choices in tempting and treacherous circumstances.

Why such a fuss over a putt and a kiss? Because this teen's putt and this man's kiss gave me a little bit of hope that some people still know how to choose what is right in a world of madness.

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.” (James 3:13)

Give Me a Break

By Brenda Black

American gossip rags are littered with royal wedding news, joining the British journalists who are following every minute leading up to William and Kate's blissful day. As the fuss over young love rises, I guess it's par for the course then for BBC News to cover the posh life of our own upper echelon – the golfing president.

It just about makes my not-so-royal blood boil as I peruse top headlines from around the world that scream of bloody battles, bank crashes, kidnappings and more earthquakes. In the midst of such grave topics, a story about poor President Obama's tough job and his need for recreation paints our U.S. Chief of Staff as a rock star in need of yet another vacation!

The article is titled “Obama says golf is only 'excuse to get outside'.” Read it for yourself:

US President Barack Obama has said he enjoys golf in large part because a game is the only way he can escape outdoors for hours at a time.

He said he misses the trappings of ordinary life - weekend lie-ins, trips to the market and walks in the park.

"I just want to go through Central Park and watch folks passing by," he told Hearst newspapers. "I miss that."

Mr Obama's security bubble precludes much privacy and spontaneity. He recently announced a re-election bid.

"I miss being anonymous," he told Hearst Magazines' publishers and editors at the White House.

"I miss Saturday morning, rolling out of bed, not shaving, getting into my car with my girls, driving to the supermarket, squeezing the fruit, getting my car washed, taking walks. I can't take a walk."

He said he loves his life at the White House but does not enjoy the "kabuki dance" of Washington DC partisan politics.

As to golf, Mr Obama rejected suggestions he is fanatical about the game, saying: "It's the only excuse I have to get outside for four hours at a stretch."

On Saturday, Mr Obama took a rare, unscheduled outing to the Lincoln Memorial near the White House, dashing up the steps to greet tourists, shake hands and talk about a budget agreement struck the night before with Republicans.

So you tell me, are you feeling sorry for the man. I might add that a photo of a cheezy smiling Obama zipping around in a golf cart accompanies the column. Say, I wonder how many miles to the gallon he gets with that buggy? Golf carts might just be the vehicle of choice the way things are going. While Obama is teeing off and dodging sand traps, we hard-working Americans are getting teed off, virtually paying to go to work because of fuel hikes. And we feel trapped, thinking about our children's children's children, who will still be shoveling this country out of debt thanks to ridiculous spending by the illustrious leader and his yes-men. Yet, according to this reporter, Obama says “he misses... ordinary life.”

Okay, Mr. President. Then step on down and join the pressure cooker that looks like paradise from where you sit with your feet propped up on the presidential desk. If you had to live on what the rest of us make, you would certainly be walking to the park, because you couldn't afford to drive. You would either be curled up on the weekends praying for a job or working a third factory shift to just buy groceries. And you can kiss golf goodbye. Because when everyone in America is on equal terms as you suggest, there won't be a tee time available – we'll all qualify for membership!

If there is so much complaining about loss of privacy and his fetish for golf being his only great escape, then why make a bid for the presidency again?

Do yourself and all the rest of us a favor and quit! Wait, that would put the next worst option for president behind the golf cart wheel – the V.P., that we haven't seen or heard anything from in months. Maybe he's joined a Japanese dance company and is brushing up on his kabuki.