‘When the angels had left them and gone into heaven’

December 24, 2016

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to ...

Setting a standard

December 22, 2016

Noriana Radwan made a really poor decision. No, she didn’t hit someone like Joe Mixon. She didn’t punch a pregnant lady like Tyreek Hill. Radwan was a freshman in the UConn women’s soccer team and the Huskies had just defeated the University of South Florida to win the American Athletic Conference championship on penalty kicks. She flipped the bird to a TV camera — an ESPN camera, no less. You can’t hide those things. Head coach Len Tsantiris said in a statement released by the school that she had been “indefinitely suspended from all team activities, including ...

It is more than a punch

December 19, 2016

Joe Mixon punched Amelia Molitor. Knocked her down and, basically, out. On July 25, 2014, Mixon walked into Pickleman’s Cafe on Campus Corner at the University of Oklahoma one day after his 18th birthday and walked out 24 seconds later. During his short visit he got into an altercation with Molitor. She told police that Mixon aimed a homosexual slur at her friend. She shoved Mixon, who feinted at her with a closed fist. She then put her left hand on his chest and slapped his neck with her right hand. He responded with a right cross that knocked her down and, basically, ...

What’s in a name?

December 14, 2016

Until the Cleveland Indians reached the World Series, the hottest topic surrounding the team for the past five seasons has been their incriminating mascot, Chief Wahoo. Love him or hate him, he’s been thrust into the national spotlight for his potentially offensive demeanor. Native American groups and supporters of change have protested outside of Progressive Field, and MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has even stated that he will look into banning the logo permanently. The Indians took a step on their own to limit the use of Chief Wahoo. On Tuesday, the team announced that it will ...

There are worse ways a football game could end

December 12, 2016

I still have people talking to me about the 24-21 win by Bishop Hartley over Steubenville in the Division IV state championship game on Dec. 2. “What do you think?” they ask. “It was a great high school football game.” Too many people want to find a scapegoat. “Big Red should have won,” I have been told. Tell that to the Hartley players, coaches and fans. There are mistakes in every high school athletic contest — coaches, players and referees. It’s just the way it is. Eventually, one team makes one more play than the other team. That’s the bottom ...

The BCS was more fair than current system

December 5, 2016

Six years ago, as a junior in college, I took a public speaking class. The twice-a-week course allowed us to brainstorm ideas for a speech on Tuesday, then deliver it on Thursday. One week, though, the assignment was amped up. For a de facto final exam, we had to write and present two persuasive arguments in the same week. Some of my classmates were dreading this part. I couldn’t wait to offer my opinions on a pair of topics I was, and still am, passionate about. My speeches were on why college kids should subscribe to a newspaper and why the Bowl Championship Series is an ideal ...