High School Buddy On The Lam
Defiance, Ohio hosted some famous residents, like General ‘Mad Anthony’ Wayne and race car star, Sam Hornish. No doubt the most infamous celebrity from my home town is Tommy Thompson, who discovered the Ship of Gold. Our high school reunion is next weekend, but Harvey Thompson will not be joining us. He is on the run with the proceeds of his treasure having neglected to repay millions of dollars to his investors.
In 1857 the wooden Central America sank off the coast of South Carolina taking 421 souls and tons of $20 gold coins 8,000 feet to the bottom of the Atlantic. In 1989 Thompson and his survey team discovered the wreckage. Harvey designed Nemo, a very early underwater robot that enabled the team to harvest their find and sail into glory with an estimated $400 million treasure. Insurance companies sued and a thirteen year court battle ensued. Eventually, the treasure was auctioned off at a discount, a mere $100 million. Rather than pay-off the $55 million to investors and banks that financed the venture, Harvey split town to whereabouts unknown. Attached is a 2006 Forbes cover story about the sordid affair, “Ship of Fools.”
My memories of Harvey go back well before the gold rush. In high school Thompson owned an aqua car. He took innocents on a ride along the river and shocked them by steering into the currents. They were still screaming as the car putted along the shore. Later, he acquired a 1948 Buick Roadmaster Convertible to cruise between the Dairy Queen and Holiday Bowling Lanes. One evening nine of us jumped in: three in front; three in the back seat; and three sitting on the trunk, including me, with our feet dangling on the back seat. Harvey hit the brakes and my face broke the Roadmaster windshield. Luckily for being a dummy, the harm was only 17 stitches in my lip.
Years later Kathy and I lived in Columbus, Ohio and Harvey worked for the Battelle Memorial Institute. Unannounced, he frequently showed up to our apartment for dinner. After too many glasses of Liebfraumilch, he slept on our couch. Between bites and sips, Harvey enamored us with dreams of gold treasure. He was a charmer and I immediately understood how investors emptied their wallets into his dreams.
I will miss chatting with Harvey at the reunion. The discussions no doubt would have drifted to the BP gulf oil disaster. He picked individual gold coins off the ocean three thousand feed deeper than BP’s fragile cap. Too bad Harvey wasn’t around to help out. Somewhere in the Caribbean or on the coast of Thailand, he is likely thinking about that or dreaming about another treasure just over the horizon. Good sailing, my friend.
Islam in America
A New York developer wants to build an Islamic culture center and mosque within two city blocks of the World Trade Center site. An amusement park is sponsoring an Islamic Day on September 12. Both issues are igniting debates in social media and on the 24 x 7 cable news. How dare they? What a lack of sensitivity! Why do Muslims think they are so special?
I am teaching an international culture and diversity course this fall where we will address these and other issues. Thanks in advance for being my sounding board as I practice a lecture.
There are 1.8 billion Islamic people in the world. It is the second largest and fastest growing religion. In the United States there are estimates of 1.5 to 2.2 million Muslim citizens. Believe it or not, Islamic settlers came to America before the Mayflower. Estevanico of Azamor, a Muslim from North Africa, escaped enslavement, wandered into the Gulf of Mexico, and scouted the first Spanish expedition into the American Southwest in 1527. Moors and Turks joined Sir Francis Drake’s early English settlements. The first foreign leader to recognize the United States was the Sultan of Morocco in 1790. In return South Carolina granted ‘special citizenship’ to Moroccan immigrants.
In the first decade of the 20th Century Muslim cultural centers were established in New York and Chicago. The first American building, dedicated to a mosque, was built in Cedar Rabid, Iowa in 1934. Dearborn, Michigan, home of the largest U.S. Islamic population, built their mosque in 1945.
For 474 years we co-existed with American Islamic citizens in relative peace. Then came September 11th followed by: Iraq and Afghanistan wars; a shoe bomber; a crotch bomber; and a Times Square bomber. All killed or tried to kill Americans. We chose to hold a major religion and centuries of American citizenship responsible for the evil of a few. While most religious scholars believe the Koran projects as much peace as the Bible, a 2006 Pew poll shows 36% of American believes Islam was more likely than other religions to encourage violence. Christian and Judaism religions received an average of 50% favorability in a 2006 CBS poll, but Islam favorability was 19%. A 2007 Pew survey revealed 51% of American Muslims find life more difficult after 9/11.
This lecture is not likely to change many minds. I ask us to separate religion from terrorism. Hitler and many of his cronies were Catholics. Thank God my religion is not held responsible for their terror. I ask us to not throw away a very long history of U.S. Islamic citizenship because of a handful of villains during the last decade. Finally, I ask us not to put too much reverence on city blocks and amusement park special dates. What makes this country special is not who we fear or hate. What makes us special is who we accept. Someone accepted my poor, dirty, and hungry Irish ancestors. Thank God for that.
Problem Passport is A Pain in Portugal
I am watching a group of Iroquois lacrosse players trying to reach a tournament in Great Britain with only their tribal passport. The UK will not let them in without a U.S. Passport. I used to take these international documents for granted until the day I was deported from Portugal.
It was 2004 and a few of us were travelling to Lisbon to address the Kodak European Sales Meeting. It was a treat to fly via the Kodak corporate jet, a sleek and comfortable ride across the Atlantic. By this time Europe had been my destination over eighty times, all on commercial airlines. Yawning in the early morning I queued up at the Lisbon passport desk. The immigration officer studied the worn blue book, turning it over several times and frowning. She excused herself and soon brought over another serious officer. The pair asked me to join them in an office. This of course separated me from my colleagues. I later learned they were told I would not be joining them – at least in Portugal.
In the post 9-11 world you quickly learned to be polite to all immigration and airport personnel. In very good English I was asked to present a drivers license and credit card. For an hour we debated my true identity. Finally, they revealed my passport had expired. How and why had I come to Lisbon with the wrong passport? I admitted I was a dumb pack rat that for some reason kept old souvenirs, like one stamped with so many different countries around the world. Coming on a corporate jet fell outside airline processes that airport processes that would have halted my trip at the home airport.
A call to the U.S. Embassy was not helpful. Begging did not work. They explained it had only been two weeks since terrorist bombed trains in nearby Madrid, killing 191 and wounding 1,800. There are no exceptions given the threats around the world.
I was deported and put on the first plane to the U.S. It was the last seat in the back, right next to the rest room. For eight hours of flushes I tried to figure how I pulled the wrong passport and how embarrassing the next few days were going to be. After a firm lecture from the U.S. Immigration officers, I returned home. My wife, also a seasoned traveler, forced me to burn the expired documents in the fireplace. So much for souvenirs.
It took me a while to live it down as the event became one of the two most embarrassing days in my long career. Since that fateful day I must pull out my passport and look at it a dozen or more times before leaving on a trip. You have to appreciate the security people around the world with all the pressure without some bozo bringing the wrong documents. I wish the Iroquois lacrosse players luck. It is tough enough arriving in Europe with the wrong paperwork. I cannot imagine the challenges with clubs in your luggage.
A Hill Too Far
Over the weekend Lance Armstrong fell to 39th place in the Tour de France, ending all hope of winning an 8th title in his last tour. The King of Cycling retired in 2005 after his seventh Tour de France victory, an amazing achievement. Despite repeated tests and accusations, Lance left the sport clean. Now, as he struggles through the last two weeks of the tour, new drug accusations shake his reputation more than the cobblestones.
Lance Armstrong is my hero. This is not due to his personality, an acid mix of arrogance and agitation. It is not just about his biking. Although, who will ever forget the last climb up the L’Alpe d’Huez in 2001 when he stared back at rival Jan Ullrich, daring him to catch him.
Armstrong is my hero because he put the spotlight on cancer. Like many, who are stricken with this disease, Lance was a fighter. With determination and luck he overcame it and provided hope through post-cancer success. Lance invested his money, time, and reputation in establishing Livestrong. The foundation raised over $60 million dollars for cancer research since 1997.
As I pedal through the countryside with sweat dripping on my yellow Livestrong wrist band, my thoughts are on Armstrong. Too bad the spotlight pulled him out of retirement. It is tough to see him crash in the Alps. Will the drug investigators catch up with him? No matter, I will continue to wear my yellow band believing the Livestrong foundation is the mountaintop where he will be remembered.
Employers – The Best Illegal Immigration Wall
The Justice Department is suing to stop the new Arizona immigration law. Politicians and pundits are debating border protection, amnesty, and other immigration issues with increased ferocity. Very little is mentioned about those that employ illegal immigrants.
Conservatives want the federal government to finish the three-story wall along the US-Mexican border, some of the most challenging terrain in the country. Comedian Lewis Black isn’t sure. “People want to build a 700-mile wall on the Mexican border,” Black said. “These people can’t build a levee in New Orleans; how are they going to pull that off?”
Mexican citizens are risking their lives and liberties by illegally entering the United States to find jobs. Rather than build a border or change the Bill of Rights, why not more strictly prosecute illegal employers. The Arizona bill only brushes on the issue. If it became a felony to hire an illegal immigrant, illegal job offers become a higher risk. Rather than place 1,800 to 3,600 military personnel on the border, engage 600 to 1,200 more immigration officers to focus on employers. Make sure the rules are clear. Force everyone to prove they used the Federal e-verify service on all social security numbers. Provide a grace period for employers to prove employees are legal or to release them. After the grace period, begin prosecution. After a few televised perp walks by illegal employers, the illegal jobs will dry up in addition to the immigration.
I am a big supporter of comprehensive immigration reform that deals with security and the 11 million-plua existing illegal immigrants. Let’s focus on employers that lower their costs and avoid taxes through illegal hiring. Sure, we need some short-term licenses for agriculture harvesting. Put a lid on the rest.
There should be sympathy for immigrants and Arizona residents. Lewis Black is right about the wall. Let’s focus on the employers and work on a broader and fairer law.
A Comet Passes By
My nephew, Ted Moninger, passed away last week. The seventeen year old honor student and class clown was a couple months shy of his senior year. Gifted is an understatement for Ted. He excelled as an artist, musician, gardener, oceanographer, student leader, mechanic, and jewelry-maker. Recently, Ted won a scholarship on a speech he wrote about the true heroes in this world are those that help the poor and hungry.
My nephew’s greatest strength was comedy. With an impish grin and a quick wit Ted’s pranks ranged from hilarious to ribald. It was no wonder hundreds of friends attended visiting hours and the funeral mass. A local pastor observed, “Kids loved him because Ted accepted everyone. His biggest challenge was accepting himself.”
As expected, many look to the heavens seeking answers to ‘why?’ I look in the same direction and see Ted as a comet that grew from a tiny spark to a blazing star as he flew by, too quickly disappearing over the horizon. His sparkling trail will brighten our universe for all time. Godspeed Ted!
Flemish 1 – Vatican 0
The Vatican was shocked and outraged as Belgium police took aggressive steps to halt child sexual abuse by priests in their country. Last week authorities raided Church offices; confiscated documents and computers; detained a number of conferencing bishops; and drilled into two tombs of former cardinals. The Flemish government is apparently tired of the delays within the Belgium Catholic Church to self-investigate and prosecute pedophiles within their ranks.
According to the NY Times the Vatican Secretary of State “expressed great stupor at the way in which the seizures were conducted yesterday by Belgian authorities and indignation at the fact that two tombs were violated.” It is ironic the Church is using the term ‘violated.’ Consider the thousands of alleged violations of children around the world by trusted men of the cloth.
This move by the Belgium government reflects a growing impatience throughout Europe for the Church to increase the pace and aggressiveness of its actions to prosecute pedophile priests. It would be wise for the Vatican to cooperate rather than complain. Even their founder once advised his followers to, “Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s.”
Abuse Took Years to Ignite Belgian Clergy Inquiry
Summer Reading: The Best Books . . . So Far . . . In 2010
The mid-year sunshine is time for beach towels, blue skies, and a good novel. Here are my picks . . . so far . . . for the best books in 2010.
NON-FICTION
Outliers – The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell: My dad used to claim, “The harder I work, the luckier I get.” Malcolm Gladwell insists luck or timing is the primary driver of success. He reviews the triumphs of The Beatles, Bill Gates, Canadian hockey stars, and Chinese mathematicians. There is a consistent thread and common statistic that leads to interesting and fascinating reading.
The Post-American World by Fareed Zakaria: The Newsweek correspondent and CNN host provides and absorbing description of globalization. He does a nice job describing the foundational elements of the explosive growth in China, India and Brazil. Zakaria then focuses on the U.S. and how America can continue to lead the world using its technology and diplomacy.
FICTION
The Scent of Rain & Lightening by Nancy Pickard: A young woman, who lost both parents on a violent and stormy night, learns the alleged murderer was released from prison. The author crafted an intense page-turner of power, revenge, deceit, and hope that gallops to a satisfying ending.
The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet’s Nest by Steig Larssons: Lisbeth Salander takes vengeance on her tormentors with a little help from her friends in the final installment of the Millennium Trilogy. Too bad the author died before book 4, but the finale is better than anticipated.
Nine Dragons by Michael Connelly: LA Homicide Detective Harry Bosch’s investigates a Chinese gang murder when he learns his daughter in Hong Kong is kidnapped. Bosch goes to Asia to find her and the quest brings thrills, mayhem, and surprises. Connelly is very good. This is his best.
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel: What was Henry VIII like before he began lopping off his spouse’s heads? Wolf Hall captures the atmosphere, politics, and tension in Tudor-land before the axes were sharpened.
So, use plenty of sun screen and enjoy the summer!
Organ-Izer
Richard Brodsky, candidate for New York Attorney General, wants more than taxes out of us. He wants our organs.
Brodsky, whose daughter received two kidney transplants, is promoting a law, called ‘presumed consent,’ that assumes all New Yorkers will provide livers, kidneys, hearts and corneas upon our death unless we opt out. In 2009, according to the New York Organ Network, 9,600 needed an organ transplant, but the number of NY deceased organ donors only reached 423. Just 13% of the state’s 18 and older population provides consent for organ donation. Mr. Brodsky imagines the number of pancreas he could harvest from the total state death count.
I am all for promoting more organ donation. Doctors need to explain the program’s benefits. Religious leaders will help by assuring all you can get to heaven without your kidneys. The motor vehicles department may consider a license renewal discount for donors.
One reason New York is facing bankruptcy, despite the highest taxes in the land, is due to politicians promoting individual pet projects and exchanging votes with colleagues promoting their own pet projects. It is like trading baseball cards, or in Brodsky’s case – imagine livers flopping on the trading table. The cost of government increases, our rights decrease, deficits grow, and business ‘escape from New York.’
Say ‘yes’ to promoting more voluntary organ donations. Say ‘no’ an imposed chopping block for our citizens.
Memorial Day In Hornell, NY
Like hundreds of communities, Hornell, New York will celebrate Memorial Day with a parade and veteran ceremonies. The event in this Southern Tier village is a bit more personal for the town’s people. It is the first Memorial Day since Zach Smith died in Afghanistan.
It is now a little over four months since his wife, parents, brother, sister, the town were informed of his passing. Since then, more information was released about Zach’s death. His Marine unit walked into a Taliban ambush with over thirty insurgents firing from three sides. Caught in the open, the Marines hit the dirt. Zach, an expert marksman, scrambled forward and provided cover fire for his comrades. While seeking a better position, he tripped on a remote controlled bomb and was killed instantly. The additional information simply reinforced friends and family. They already believed their native son was a hero.
A bill is before the U.S. Senate to change the name of a Hornell federal facility to the Zachary Smith Post Office Building. The town is doing its best to honor the first local casualty since Viet Nam. Despite the flags and brass bands, his family and friends struggle each day. Blazing rhododendrons remind them, Zach would have been home on leave, celebrating this holiday, had the dogs of war not taken him. It is difficult to imagine how many holidays will pass before their pain is softened.
The parade begins near the East Street Bridge at 9:30 AM and ends at the Veterans Monument on Broadway. An orator will remember Lincoln, “. . . that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion.” Veterans from Bastogne, Iwo Jima, Inchon, and the Mekong Delta will remember fallen buddies. The Town of Hornell will think about an outgoing All-American kid that sacrificed himself in a foreign desert to assure our bands will always march and flags will always fly.
