Author’s note: I use “Tuesday’s with Tim” to bring stories, news and notes to my fellow readers each week (avg 780 per week). This blog is my virtual soap box to comment on the news of the day and to give everyone a little inspiration here and there. Feel free to comment or not. 

1.     Now that students have returned to colleges and universities, I thought it would be appropriate to see what courses are presently being offered in this country.  The following caught my eye:  

·         On Being Bored - Brown University
·         Wasting Time on the Internet – University of Pennsylvania
·         How to Win a Beauty Contest – Oberlin College
·         Tree Climbing – Cornell University
·         Tattoos, Piecing and Body Adornment – Pitzer College
·         The American Vacation – University of Iowa

2.     The Pennsylvania 2016-2017 budget is due in about 10 months --- to my elected representatives, please start working on it now because your track record of agreeing, uh, compromising on a state budget isn’t the best.  Seriously, I am that naïve to think that grown men and women can’t sit at the same table and hammer out a compromise?  The more polarized we have gotten and the more we blame the “other side”, the more we will continue down this path of no communication.

3.     I was sorry to see Chase Utley of the Phillies be traded last week.  Gone are the days of the professional athlete playing their entire career with one team.  It was a class act by Chase taking out a full page in the Philadelphia Daily News on Monday thanking the fans and the city of Philadelphia for their brotherly love.  My fondest memory of Chase was watching him play in game 3 of the world series in 2009 with my son Andrew. 

4.     From blogs to vines, social media has certainly changed communication.  Let’s talk a walk back in time through the social media history, shall we? (history taken from the book Breaking Through by Kevin Sullivan):

·         1999 – term blog was coined
·         2001 – Wikipedia was launched
·         2003 – MySpace arrived
·         2004 – Podcasts and Flickr began
·         2005 – The year that You Tube started
·         2006 – Facebook opened up to everyone over age 13 (FB was founded in 2004)
·         2007 – Twitter became mainstream
·         2007 – the iPhone changed how we communicate
·         2010 – Pinterest became popular
·         2010 – Instagram went live (FB purchased it in 2013)
·         2011 – The Flip camera was no longer produced
·         2013 – Snapchat became widely popular in 2013
·         2015 – Vine reports 1.5 billion loops per day (began in 2013)

5.     “The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again.” - Terence Mann Field of Dreams (1989).  Good luck Red Land (Lewisberry, York Co., PA) in the Little League Baseball World Series.

6.     This coming Saturday, August 29, will be 10 years that Hurricane Katrina struck the gulf coast, most notably the city of New Orleans.  The citizens of that region showed tremendous resolve in the days, months and years following the devastation.  What struck me about how they reacted to Katrina’s aftermath was their unity in facing hardship. They didn’t rebuild alone – they sought each other’s help.  When facing the storms of life, seek family and friends to get you through the rough times.  I am reminded by the verse Ecclesiastes 4:12 (Message Bible) that reads, " By yourself you’re unprotected. With a friend you can face the worst. Can you round up a third? A three-stranded rope isn’t easily snapped.” Even people who are not religious can find meaning in this verse.

7.     Howard Stern on Donald Trump’s candidacy: “I'll tell you why I think he's going to be the nominee: he's proven that no matter what he says, people dig him…But I think more or less, people are super tired of politicians, meaning that they like the idea of a successful businessman running the country who might actually be able to get (stuff) done. But the problem with it is, and Donald Trump will find this, being the president isn't like being the president like a corporation. You still got to go through Congress for everything you want to do and that's the tough part. You've got to be one who can consolidate on both sides of the aisle, you know, some sort of coalition and it's very difficult.”

8.     In 1976, when I was 10, I would spend Saturday mornings in the fall watching television.  The morning TV line-up is below. How many of these shows do you remember watching?

·         8:00 AM – Tom & Jerry / Grape Ape / Mumbley Show
·         8:30 AM – Bugs Bunny / Road Runner
·         9:00 AM – Jabberjaw
·         9:30 AM – Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle
·         10:00 AM – Shazam and Isis
·         10:30 AM – The Krofft Supershow Hour
·         11:30 AM – Clue Club
·         12:00 PM – Junior Almost Anything Goes
·         12:30 PM – American Bandstand

9.     Are you going to get the free "Pooductive" app for your iPhone? This app “…lets you chat with local and global strangers who are on the toilet, somewhere else in the world at the same time as you…think of it as a magical place where from around the globe can anonymously meet to enjoy their time of zen, peace and tranquility together, by conversing philosophizing and sharing ideas with each other.”  By the way, this is a legitimate app that was released on the App store on August 15.

10.   Last week, a truck carrying 80 pigs – destined for a place that makes bacon, pork chops and hot dogs - overturned on a highway ramp in Lancaster County.  Several of the swine had to be euthanized after sustaining life-threatening injuries.  Now PETA wants to erect a memorial to these fallen heroes near the site of the tragedy for a month.  “This memorial is intended to remind tractor-trailer drivers of their responsibility to the thousands of animals they carry to their deaths every year,”  said Tracy Reiman, PETA's executive vice president in a press release.  Not sure what to say about this, other than you can’t make this stuff up.

 
Have a great week everyone. God Bless.

Reedy-Right.Now.
#ExpectMore from your government

Galatians 6:3 “For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.”

At a recent family gathering, several of us ventured into no man’s land when someone asked me if I watched the recent GOP Presidential debate.  Reluctantly, I gave my opinion.  Quickly, because of my opinions, the conversation turned from the debate to American Exceptionalism.  Wikipedia defines American Exceptionalism  as “...the theory that the United States is inherently different.”

Neoconservatives, war-hawks and win at all cost members of the GOP use this America is Great attitude to justify its establishment of democratic ideals anywhere they see fit.  In short, since our country is great, you should be as well.  What makes us great?  Wealth? That’s up for you to ponder.

Most people that succumb to American Exceptionalism also promotes smaller government.  In actuality, government expands as a matter of recourse with this line of thinking.  Why?  When we think we are better than anyone else, we spend more money on the military to show our might.  Further, we buy more things to show other countries that we have more wealth than you, which puts us in more debt.  Hopefully, you get the idea.

To me, the lines have blurred over the last half century from one of helping people in the world to one of trying to push our way of life onto others, especially in our foreign policy.  Part of our desire is to eradicate evil, of which there is plenty in the world; but, our senseless need to conquer troubles me, especially when we should be conquering other issues on our shores, such as poverty, homelessness, budget deficits, crime and high taxation that stifles innovation and job creation.   Defending America and its shores is a different discussion altogether and one we must do if attacked or provoked.

After reading the preceding paragraph, some of you are wondering aloud, “how did Tim get so very liberal? I thought he was a conservative.”  Suffice it to say that I don’t consider myself progressive or staunchly conservative. I  abhor labels because they seldom allow for thorough problem solving on issues because you become a slave to your label and not to your principles. Both major political parties have allowed their leadership to become ensconced and beholden to their ideologies instead of adhering to sound principles, such as right and wrong.

Our decisions get off track when we as Americans pump up our chests and proclaim to be better than others.  This attitude deflects focus on solving problematic issues here on our shores, such as bloated government, regulations, and increasing taxes to name a few.

Principles should rule our approach to tackling the most pressing of issues here on the homeland. Look at it this way.  If you are a financially struggling single mom or a family, you will focus your attention on meeting your basic needs rather than spending money on things - that while nice - would not allow for the rent to be paid.  In other words, you wouldn't (or shouldn't) buy a new car as a show piece to your friends while at the same time your family is not eating.  In this example, the struggling families would attack the core of the issue by getting a second job or cutting expenses -- they attack the core or nucleus of the financial issued they are facing.

On a state and national scale, instead of agreeing to principles of living within our means, we instead puff out our chests and proclaim that Pennsylvania and America are great because my party is in charge.  Today's politicians are so mired in their hubris that they fail to attack the core of issues in favor of making themselves look good to their special interests.  Proclaiming America is Great makes us feel good.  Its intoxicating and people like that feeling. However, after the intoxication wears off, the same core problems exist.

Therefore, in order to change a government's direction so that they will make the tough choices to attack the core of the problems, you must first look in the mirror and change your heart first.  Our elected officials come from you and I -the people - so therefore, in order to change the government and the politicians, change yourself first.

Make yourself exceptional instead, rather than the government. Be kind.  Live within your means. Don't be boastful.  And do not believe that you are better than anyone else. 

If we truly want to make America exceptional - start with yourself - because ultimately, America is a reflection of its people.

1.  Back in the day when there were only three channels plus PBS (public broadcasting), Sesame Street and Mr. Rogers seemed to always be on at our house during the day.  Scrolling ahead to 2015, we find that Sesame Street is moving to HBO.  The new 32 episodes for the upcoming season, all produced by HBO, will make there way to free TV - PBS - after nine months. In this day and age of streaming video to devices, I am sure that children watching the shows on PBS will not care that the episodes are nine months old.  After all, kids today seem to watch the same videos over and over again.  HBO will give Sesame Street some much needed cash to allow them to create content more in line with today's children.  While it pains me that a pay service is producing this show, I am nonetheless OK with this move because it will allow Big Bird, Oscar, Ernie, Bert and Rosita to continue to be in households across the land.  Sesame Street helped me learn my A-B-Cs and 1-2-3s and it looks like another generation will learn them too.

2.  I like Apple products and BMWs, but I'm going to pass on buying a white 1995 325i convertible that's for sale in California.  The third owner of this ultimate driving machine, which has a book value of $2,350, is selling it for $15,000.   The seller admits that the price is high; however, he is asking a premium price because the first owner of this car was owed by Steve Jobs from 1995-1996.  

3.  New food items at this year's Iowa State Fair.  Did I mention that they are sold with a Lipitor (R) chaser?

• Corn in a Cup: A heaping portion of grilled Iowa sweet corn cut straight off the cob
• Deep Fried Cherry Pie: A Hostess® Cherry Pie on a stick dipped in sweet mix and deep fried.
• Deep Fried Nacho Balls: Taco meat, diced jalapenos, taco sauce and cheddar cheese all nicely rolled in crushed Doritos® deep fried and served with nacho cheese.
•  Donut Sundae: A cinnamon sugar donut sliced in half and filled with ice cream. This sugar explosion is then topped with sundae topping and whip cream. With this dessert, you can have your cake donut and ice cream too in Walnut Square.
• Golden Fried Peanut Butter & Jelly On-a-Stick: .A delicious un-crusted peanut butter and jelly sandwich golden fried to create a crispy bread exterior.
•  Kernel Kluster: Delicious soft and chewy marshmallow based popcorn balls mixed with or without M&M candies and of course, served on a stick.
• Toasted Coconut Caramel Cluster: A delicious combination of toasted coconut, caramel, fudge and bits of pretzel, then frozen on a stick and freshly dipped in chocolate. 
• Ultimate Bacon Brisket Bomb: 8 oz. of fresh brisket trimmings infused with a light jalapeno cheese, blended with seasonings, and then wrapped in bacon.
• 27° Super Chill Beer:  Steer 'N' Stein is debuting a super 27 degree beer that is sure to be a hit with fair goers on a hot August day.

4. Jason Day (age 27) of Australia won golf's last major championship on Sunday by winning the PGA championship.  Jason, full of tears, was greeted on the 18th green by his wife Ellie and their daughter Dash in one of the more memorable family celebrations that I've seen in professional golf.  Just 15 years ago, Jason's father passed away.  This tragedy lead Jason to drink at age 12.  Fortunately, his best mate Colin, who is also his instructor and caddie, got Jason away from drinking and into playing golf.  Their partnership has endured much in the past 15 years.  It all culminated this past weekend when Colin was the first one to give him a hug after Jason tapped in the final putt.  I took three lessons away from this story:  1) Family is important and must be together when celebrating life's triumphs  2) Everyone should have a best friend or confidant to keep them grounded and 3) Never give up pursuing your dreams and destiny.

5.  Often, I use this space to quote Biblical scripture.  I try and find verses for everyone - religious and non-religious - that inspire you (and me) to become better people while we are on Earth.  Today's verses come from 1 Peter 4: "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms."

6.  GOP Presidential front runner Donald Trump said yesterday, "I'm not eating any more Oreos."  Trump is dismayed that the parent company of Nabisco, who makes Oreo cookies, is moving some of their Chicago operations to Mexico.  Not sure what the Donald's proclamation will do to the sales of Oreos, but picking on the poor Oreo who did nothing to Trump is hitting below the belt.  I wonder if those close to Sesame Street's Cookie Monster will have a response to this latest development?

7.  At Camden Yards last night, 5 year old Hailey Dawson from Utah who suffers from Poland syndrome threw out the first pitch before the Orioles game.  She used her specially designed and Orioles-themed prosthetic device called Flexy-Hand 2 to throw the ball to catcher Manny Machado.  Hailey's older brother plays Little League Baseball for the Orioles and she said that someday, she wished she could see the big Orioles play.  A huge shout out to the O's for making Hailey's dream come true.  It warms my heart to know that we as a society are blurring the lines between those with disabilities and those who are deemed normal.  Shouldn't we all be treated the same?

8.  Like them or not, the Millenials - people born after 1981 - are becoming a force in society.  In order to understand how they communicate, you first must learn their language:  tweet.pin.snap.hashtag.selfie.follow.  More information about Millenials are as follows:

• 25% of the US Population are Millenials
• 50% of them are more willing to purchase from a brand that supports a cause
• 25% are parents
• They crave authenticity 
• 70% of them feel responsible to share feedback with companies after a good or bad experience
• 85% own a smart phone
• They spend 5.4 hours per day on social media, checking their smart phones over 42 times a day
  
• In their lifetime, this group of young people will spend up to $10 trillion. 

9. I fondly remember playing Kick the Can on summer nights with the neighborhood kids.  We are now approaching day 100 of the PA budget impasse.  Even if a stop-gap funding measure is agreed upon to fund PA services, both parties will be just kicking the can down the road by avoiding settling the issues of pension reform and education funding.  People in the know keep telling me that since I don't understand the political game in Harrisburg,  I could not possibly do anything to solve these issues - even as an elected official - because its all about the leadership.  Well, I am prepared to stand up against the leadership because in my view, they have failed us.  Most importantly, they have failed the next generation by kicking the can down the road by saddling my kids with an unbelievable debt that is coming due.

10.  Books I'm reading presently:

• Destiny by T.D. Jakes
• Who Built That by Michelle Malkin
• The Bible (Books of James & Peter)

Have a wonderful week everyone!  God Bless.

1.     We recently had a small invasion of ants in our house's mud room.  Did you know  accordingly to people who study ants, that there are 1.6 million ants per every person in the world?  Reminds me of the song High Hopes:

Just what makes that little old ant
Think he'll move that rubber tree plant
Anyone knows an ant, can't
Move a rubber tree plant

But he's got high hopes, he's got high hopes
He's got high apple pie, in the sky hopes

2.     Gender equality has landed at Target.  The big box retailer announced last Friday that “it will start phasing out gender-based signage in some departments (due to) response to customer feedback that distinguishing between products for girls and boys is unnecessary and even harmful”.

I remember going to Sears back in the day for school shopping where I would pick out my clothes by “matching Garanimals.” Looks like things have come full circle -- you didn't look for the boys or girls clothing sections at Sears.  All you did was match animals.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXceQWHxcpo

3.     “If you think you are too small to make a difference, try spending the night in a closed room with a mosquito.”  African Proverb

 4.     When I was five, I used to play “Monday Night Football” in my back yard.  I used to pretend that I was the kicker starting off the game by sending the ball from the tee into the sky and into the neighbor’s yard.  I was allowed, back in the early ‘70s, to watch only the opening kickoff and the first offensive series on Monday Night Football before I had to go to bed.  After all, 9:00 PM was way past my bedtime. 

For the better part of my adolescence, Cosell, Meredith and Frank Gifford were the voice of MNF and of America. Monday Night Football had a 70 share (70% of all TVs) back in the 1970s and their discussions during the telecasts set the conversations on Tuesdays.  RIP Frank Gifford.  Thanks for backyard memories.

5.     Did you ever wonder why our paper currency is green?  As a way to finance the American Civil War, the federal government began issuing paper money for the first time since the American Revolutionary War. These new bills became known as green backs because their backsides were printed using green ink, which was an anti-counterfeit measure since the cameras of the time could only take pictures in black and white. When the government shrunk the size of the money in 1929, the green color remained because the color green was associated with stability.

 6.     “Jesus never sought to change the world through public policy but rather through personal transformation. All people didn't embrace Him either.”   - Pastor T.D. Jakes, The Potters House

 7.     On Sunday after church, Tina, the girls and I went to Wegman’s at King of Prussia for lunch and some grocery shopping. My favorite part of the trip was at the checkout lane when I used my Apple Watch to pay for the groceries.  I just positioned my watch in front of the reader and technology did the rest. 

 8.     After Moses killed a man and was banished from Egypt, he found solace in the wilderness as a shepherd. I am sure he wondered why in the world he went from palace luxuries to watching sheep graze. God knew that Moses would be leading the Israelites, shepherding them if you will, throughout the wilderness for 40 years after their release from bondage.  Right now, whatever job you have, whether it is a server at a restaurant, a CEO of a company, an administrative assistant or a young mother, you are being trained for something in the future; so therefore, soak up everything you can because later in life, you will draw on these experiences – just like Moses.

 9.     I was engaged in a discussion last evening that eventually ended up at American exceptionalism. While I believe that America has done tremendous good in the world, I also believe that this hubris has lead us down a path of societal destruction.  Before we begin to “save the world”, we must first save ourselves by making changes in our lives.  To change the direction of anything, the nucleus – the core – must be attacked and altered. Everything that our government tries to change seldom attempts to attack the core of the issue.  In an upcoming blog post, I will explain why taking care of your family unit – however you define it – is the first step in leaving the world better than you found it for your kids.  We must return to common sense and doing things in moderation.

 10.  The 2016 political campaigns and elections for everything from the Presidency to the State house will be the first time that the millennials (18-34) will equal the baby boomers as a share of eligible voters.  Some interesting views on these two groups:

 ·        51% of millennials have a positive view of President Obama; 31% have a negative view
·         For those 50 and over, 41% are favorable toward the President and 49% have a negative view of him
·         60% of millennials believe government should do more to solve problems; 46% of people over 35 years of age believe                         government should do more


Believe,Act.Serve.
#Reedy-Right Now

1.       The “We Are … Penn State” cheer is a crowd favorite at Beaver Stadium.  The PSU class of 2013 donated funds for the creation of a “We Are” statue, which was erected near the Stadium on June 30.  I wanted to give a shout out to a former PSU football equipment manager colleague of mine in the 1980s, Dwayne Rush, who was the project manager for this effort.  Great job Dwayne!

2.       In the movie Bull Durham, the player to be named later played by Kevin Costner (aka Crash Davis), breaks the minor league home run record near the end of the movie.  Congrats to the real life Crash Davis, aka 37 year old Mike Hessman of the AAA Toledo Mudhens, who hit his minor league record 433rd homerun last evening, breaking the record originally set in 1937.  It took him 19 seasons in the minor leagues to achieve this milestone – now that’s dedication.

3.       Did you ever have one of moments in life where you feel vindicated for suggestions and beliefs you championed over the several years, despite the fact that your peers and co-workers shot you down?  I had one of those moments on Sunday evening.  The best part of the vindication was that I was able to share it with my wife, who emphatically told me, “I believe in you.”  #blessed

4.       Speaking of my wife, she asked me “what is the attraction of Donald Trump and his double-digit lead in the polls?”  My answer is three-fold: 1) he is viewed as a successful businessman who has the reputation of getting things done so-to-speak, which people believe is needed in government,  2) he is awaking an portion of the electorate who is angry at politicians, the political parties, and the perceived dysfunction of government and is therefore looking for anyone who can upset the apple cart and clean house and 3) he willing to take the blows from the media and the public and yet he keeps standing for what he believes

5.       There has been a lot of talk and articles in the paper about the pension crisis in PA. My assessment is as follows:

• Both parties are to blame for the $50 billion unfunded liability 
  
• For over a decade, the leadership in Harrisburg stopped contributing to the pension funds (public and teachers) to keep taxes low, although the employees continued to make their contributions
  
• Several members of the leadership detail in Harrisburg, who contributed heavily to this mess in the early 2000s, remain in power – as Einstein said, “problems cannot be solved by those who created them.”
  
• The only ways to pay this liability are to either raise taxes (property, sales, etc.) or cut funds from other departments and use those funds to replenish the pension fund and don’t raise taxes. 
  

6.       Just an observation: why do people care about the killing of lions, giraffes and rhinos, but could care less about ridding the world of flies, ants, raccoons, rats, foxes, or alligators? It seems that people care about the murder of majestic animals and not about the ones that are ugly or a nuisance. All I want out of people is to be consistent. 

7.       Someone asked me recently, “Why do you want to run for public office?”  Here’s my answer…In my life, I have experienced joy, heartache, made bad decisions and had some successes in my life. I fully understand that when faced with adversity, only hard work and meeting those adversities head on makes you stronger in the end.  I understand that simple solutions to even difficult problems work.  Name calling doesn’t work. Looking your adversaries in the eye with a calm demeanor works. Not running away from poor decisions you made makes you understand what not to do the next time. Knowing when to apologize for actions tears down boundaries.  Tearing down others doesn’t work. Complaining doesn’t work.  Solving one issue at a time keeps people focused.  I will bring an old-school mentality to the public sector.  Most importantly, I would be this kind of leader and you have my word on it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZARAldXlSyA  . I want to run (and win) because I believe I can help.  And when I have completed my job to my satisfaction, I will get out.

8.       “Whatever we accomplish belongs to our entire group, a tribute to our combined effort.” – Walter Elias Disney

9.       Only LIGHT conquers darkness.  If you really want to “change the world”, start by having a personal relationship with God.  If you don’t believe that there is a God, I will not try and change your views. But, I will ask you to look at all of the good things that people of God have done to help this world.

10.   To my fellow Christians start living this: “…first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”  (Matthew 7:5 NIV). Stop trying to change others.  Start by changing yourself.  Let God take care of the rest.