I knew this would be a response I’d get, portly directly after Mm’s post. But then I went for it anyway, so my post could go both w.... err... be taken both ways.
I told dviss the story about how my dad was raised in rural Alabama and my mom was from Atlanta where I was born. I told him how my father raised me to look down on African-Americans but that when I was about 8 or 10 he started reading and reading and reading. He loved the classics including Aristotle, Socrates and Sophocles. Then he seemed to go through a sort of metaphorphisis and told me he had been all wrong and that I should never denigrate African-Americans 'cause they're just like you and me but with different experiences such as we all have. He turned from a bigot to a flaming Liberal. Although he professed to be an atheist, he saw the value in churches including the Southern Baptist church that he was raised in. Anyhow, all that is what helped to get me turned around when I was about 13 and I am so glad I did. I've believed since then that, as my mother used to say about the disadvantaged, there but for the grace of God, go I. So., I guess you'd have to say that my parents taught that to me at an early age. I still believe that even good people can make terrible mistakes and I'm a living example of that. Oh come on, you guys don't believe that bull shit, do you? J/K I stand by what I said. dviss, you may be one of the best fathers I've ever met. You are in some very good company 'cause I hang out with good people and a couple of them are outstanding fathers, just like you!
Kudos to you. I grew up in Oswego (now Lake Oswego) and everyone who wasn't a WASP got the worst of it. This included the Germans, Italians, Japanese, Chinese, Hispanics and the bottom of the barrel were the African-Americans. Shamefully, even though it didn't feel exactly right, I fell in line with what all the other kids were believing. Hey, we didn't even care for Catholics and they had a large church about 2 blocks from our large church. OMG, even our litany swore allegiance to the Holy Roman Catholic Church. My church? Episcopalian. Now, the priests were good and would not have condoned our behavior if they had known about it. We even had our Boy Scout meetings in our church but us kids were rotten. I tell you this because it strengthens my resolve to never again let any of that crap into my life. I even slugged a huge guy for insulting my Asian wife. Nope, I help myself by not allowing it around me and I hope all of you do the same. Of course, I'm not saying you should challenge some Neo Nazi to a fist fight or even rile him but in other, safer situations, we've all got to stand up for what's right. My God, are still reading this? GET A LIFE
I notice the picture of Lucas. My great nephew, the one who played for Lamar Hurd, use to be coached by the son of Lucas who put together a youth basketball league. As a side note, my wife and I use to work out with Johnson's son. You know, the Portland center who played college at Oregon State and married Stu Inman's daughter. A really nice guy. Of course, I wouldn't talk about him if he weren't nice.
Steve Johnson used to live around the corner from us back in the day. His son Michael went to k-12 with my little brother. His dad was a major asshole, sorry.
David Lucas. Saw him at the Summit tonight. I've refereed him (as a coach) and that ML20 program. I may have refereed your great nephew!
Never knew that about Steve, in fact, never knew him at all, but his son, Michael was surprisingly nice.
Yeah I work with the MLF (run by Mo’s son, David) to coordinate our company donating wine for his big auction gala every year. We pretty much supply wine for the entire event (500+ attendees). As for Johnson.... yeah, he was a cool dude. My dad coached his son back in the day. Told a few stories about that on S2 over the years.
