Looking at Tim Tebow and Vince Young
by Bryce Martin

Vince Young is bundled up like an Eskimo on the sidelines of the Titans games while coach Jeff Fisher and other non-players are mostly in light attire. That's a great example for Young to set. He is learning and passing on some wonderful leadership qualities. Also, I wonder what he's really tuned into under the wool caps and hoods.

And what's the deal with three quarterbacks suited up each game? In years past, the Titans have not carried three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster. None of the Nashville media wants to even bring it up. One can only guess they don't want to burn a source (Fisher) by even asking. It's especially newsworthy a subject to pursue since teams have to trim the roster to 45 near game time. Fisher was disappointed a few weeks back when one of his starters came back too soon from a groin injury and had to come out for good after a couple of plays. He made it clear that had he known that he would have instead inserted a backup player who could have, at least, played the entire game.

Yet, none of the media points out how Young, supposedly, the backup quarterback, requires a backup himself. One of which, is "wasting" a roster spot.
...

Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow seems to be loved by everyone. Opponents aside. And even they voice unusual signs of respect for the big fella. He's Mr. Clean, a young man who goes on Christian missions with his parents.

That's not what I see on television when watching Florida football contests. Florida will likely win the national championship this year. They're big, fast, strong and powerful, just like Tebow, except for the fast part, and he is fast enough.

After Tebow plows through a weak line from a lesser opponent, I see him on the sidelines laughing and high-fiving his teammates with the kind of wide smile and jubilation often reserved for winning national championships. Don't tell me he's happy, he's young and all that cliched nonsense. I would expect someone such as him to show more charity for his opponents on the field. When you and your bullies are pounding the weaklings 40-6, is this the kind of Christian attitude to display?

His actions do not fit his billing, nor his stated beliefs.

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Jesse Jackson: I Cry a little When I See You Near
by Bryce Martin

Jesse Jackson knew even before Barack Obama put his hand on the Bible for swearing-in ceremonies as our nation's 44th president that the jig was up. He had to do something big to, if not be the No. 1 black again, maintain any celebrity status at all.

Clearly, he was about to be forgotten now that Obama had rendered him obsolete.

Think. Think. Think, he thought to himself. Oprah will be there. I'll be there. The cameras will get shots of us from the crowd. What's that stuff called? Makes you cry? Not onions. It makes it look like tears are rollin' down. Glycerin. That's it. I read once they use it in the movies to fake crying scenes. Perfect. It'll be as famous as Iron Eyes Cody. Civil Rights leader Jesse Jackson is back.

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Difference in Time and Times
by Bryce Martin

Not all that long ago, say, in the 1950s, if you asked someone (strangers included) how far it was to a certain locale, you would always get your answer in one form: in miles.

Disregarding the few who would respond with their own question, "Clock time, or as the crow flies?"

Ask today, and you will still get an answer in one form: in time.

Since I base how long it takes to drive somewhere on the old mile-a-minute ratio (at 60 miles an hour), I have a real dislike for those who relate to minutes or hours and not distance. Considering that most people today drive ninety miles an hour minimum to go a mile to get a quart of milk or 40 miles to go to work, I don't find their response beneficial.

Instead of driving fast to go everywhere, people drove the speed limit, but left earlier if they had an appointed time. It goes deeper than that. You left early so if you had a flat tire you had time to change the flat and still be on time. Being punctual meant something. You allowed yourself time because you were a responsible person. Personal responsibility today is an arcane concept. That's why you now get your destinations in minutes and not miles.

"Do you have the exact time?"

Holding his own pocket watch as if to simulate a time comparison, my grandfather would periodically ask a shopkeeper or other citizen on the sidewalk that question. Why "exact" instead of just asking what time they had, or what time they were keeping? Because people had wind-up watches and they all tended to run fast or slow. People who owned the watches knew after a period of time about how many minutes fast or slow they probably was running based on the last winding.

It was just my grandfather's way of making sure they kept up with their calculations, or, in rare cases, they had a watch that kept correct or near-correct time. Plus, it almost always encouraged further talk about the make of the watch and how consistent it was, not in keeping good time, in the minutes it ran fast or slow.

Of course, if you was in a real hurry, such small talk would have to wait for another day.

-30-

9/19/2006

New and notes from the San Antonio food scene
Gary and Kathy Gilstrap owned a pharmacy in Galena, Kansas, for 20 years — until they took a vacation to Europe and discovered their ardent interest in the art of fermentation. After intensive research, the Gilstraps decided to “look for dirt,” and dirt they found, in the Pedernales River Valley, where they founded their Texas Hills Vineyard. Gary Gilstrap will share his story and his passion 7 p.m., Thursday, September 21, at the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park Visitor’s Center on the corner of Avenue G and Ladybird Lane in Johnson City. (830) 868-7128 for info.