The Older Man

The University of Wake Forest baseball coach, Tom Walter gave one of his kidneys to freshman Kevin Jordan who is suffering from an autoimmune disease. This was possible because of the rare blood type they share.

Tom’s generosity taught us two things – first a white can donate to a black. People seeing them on TV were shocked they were not the same color. This was about blood and matching, not skin color, showing us the same blood types run through everyone’s veins. 

Second, Tom gave Kevin part of him both figuratively and literally as it was the right thing to do. He stepped up to the plate with no intention of receiving anything in return. His selfless act shows the true meaning of helping others.

Chase Bank overcharged 4000 veterans with rate increases on their mortgages, penalties on late payments, and in some cases foreclosure.

Capt. Jonathan Rowles who brought a lawsuit against the bank in South Carolina brought this to light.

Chase also broke the SCRA (Service members Civil Relief Act), which caps interest rates and forbids foreclosure for active-duty service members.

The banks response was an apology, refund, retraction of foreclosure, and formed a special committee to deal with this situation.

This is another example of the banks greed with no regard to the person it is affecting, expecting the refunds to make everything okay.

These men and woman are protecting our way of life and should not have to worry about their home when they are trying to stay alive.

It is appalling, the way Chase handled this situation, and they do not care about our service members, only their bottom line.

Contrary to popular belief, millions do not watch football, and for them it was a normal Sunday night. As I was watching the Super Bowl, I wondered what they were doing.

It was a quiet week for them, as they did not listen to the hype and constant analysis by the talking heads.

It is difficult to understand non-football watchers, as I have seen every Super Bowl, even though two thirds were slow, boring, over hyped, or blowouts.

After the game, the diehard fans will listen to talk radio shows beat every play to death and the losers will have to explain the three turnovers, which cost them the game.

The non-watchers will not hear any of these idiots, will not be concerned about the game, the winner, or loser, and continue with their lives.

So, what did they do during those four hours the world was watching the game.

Some may have gone to Super Bowl parties for the companionship.

I can only guess what the others did, and here are my thoughts – they went to a movie, read a book, took a nap, went on the computer, took a drive, went to work, played with their children, cooked a three course meal, wrote a letter, or called a friend. Making love was not an option as the majority of the male species was glued to the TV.

I would like to have the peace and quiet they enjoy on this day and maybe next year I will stop watching.

Nah, I would have no idea what to do with myself.