intramuralist ™

Some days it’s especially hard to hold all the tensions of the time…

Even in less than 24 hours…

Last Saturday afternoon, at 4:22 pm their time, Brown University in Providence, RI notified its community of an active shooter. The gunman entered an engineering building while final exams were being taken; it was the end of the semester. The man opened the building doors, yelled something unrevealed at this point, and began shooting. He killed two students, a freshman and sophomore, and also injured nine others. As of this posting, the situation remains unsettled; the murderer is still on the loose and the motive remains ambiguous. We do not know why this person chose to do what he did.

Then on Sunday, at approximately 6:47 pm their time, as crowds gathered for a Hanukkah festival at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, a man and his son, aged 50 and 24, stepped out of their car and began shooting at the unsuspecting, Jewish masses. At least 15 were killed — ranging in age from 87 to as young as 10 years old. The older killer died in gunfire exchange with law enforcement; his son was injured but detained. Early reports are that these murderers were motivated by the jihadist angle of Islamic ideology that advocates for the killing of Jews. 

Then still later that day, mid afternoon their time, gifted American film director, screenwriter and more, Rob Reiner, and his wife, Michele, were found in their beds, killed in their home in Hollywood, CA. Sadly still, their adult son, Nick, is accused of the murders. Each stabbed multiple times, investigators have referred to this violence as a “crime of passion,” a vicious act committed in the heat of the moment, with the murderer most likely being in an extreme emotional state. With all who have been on the receiving end of Reiner’s talent — directing cinematic classics such as “Stand by Me” and “When Harry Met Sally” — such was heartbreaking to hear. It’s fascinating how money, status and fame do not equate to happiness and peace.

How awful are all of the above.

How tragic, grievous and horrendous.

Sometimes in our shock and grief, we try to make sense of it in some way somehow.

Maybe we try to fix it, like “if this was in place, it never would have happened.” 

Other times we find ways to minimize why the intentional death wasn’t so tragic, grievous or horrendous; we find fault in their character. Let me suggest it’s always a wiser way to sincerely, only echo requiescat in pace — rest in peace.

But at this time of year, I can’t help but think of what’s better and more.

We are soon to celebrate Christmas, a day some 2.6 billion people will observe around the world. In the U.S. alone, over 90% of us will acknowledge the world’s most popular holiday. As we toast to all those tidings of good cheer, it’s wise to remember what the birth of that babe came to bring.

Predicted hundreds of years before Jesus was ever born, it was said that his birth would be miraculous. He would bring freedom, justice and salvation. He would serve but one day suffer.

And…

He would bring us peace.

Friends, the faith journey is different for every one of us. Life’s twists and turns, circumstances and experiences go in directions we never imagined. Some that have been gut-wrenching indeed.

When I think of the tension of recent days especially, I find myself grateful Christmas is soon upon us.

That promise of peace is one we desperately need.

Respectfully…

AR

What do we do when see life crumbling around someone near to us?

Better yet, what do we do when we see life crumbling to a public figure — to one we don’t know but in some ways, feel like we do?

Those in the sports world refocused their attention this week on who did/didn’t make the upcoming college football playoffs to instead what’s unfolding at the University of Michigan. Allow us to provide a brief, factual, albeit incomplete summary.

Head coach Sherrone Moore became the 21st head football coach in Wolverine history in January of 2024. He had been on staff since 2018, quickly rising through the ranks with prominence and success. He is 39 years old.

Last Wednesday, after only 2 seasons, Moore was abruptly fired. Said the university athletic director, Moore was “terminated, with cause, effective immediately. Following a University investigation, credible evidence was found that Coach Moore engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.”

Details of the inappropriateness have begun to emerge. The hidden romance lasted for sometime, and on Wednesday morning, the 32 year old woman Moore was involved with shared evidence of their affair with the administration, after denying such in a summer, internal investigation. Moore was terminated later that day, but responded by soon breaking into the woman’s home, allegedly threatening to harm both the woman and himself. A 911 call shared the dispatcher saying that a woman on location was “being attacked” and that the man at the location has “been stalking her for months.” Moore is married with three young children.

Moore was held for two days in police custody, now charged with home invasion, stalking, and breaking and entering. Questions about his mental health have been rampant to say the least.

So now what?

Obviously, the university has some work to do. They need to look at who knew what when in regard to Moore. They also would be wise to examine if there’s any systemic pattern behind the unfortunate, unscrupulous coaches’ behavior in their athletic department these past 3 years.

But what about us? How do we respond? How do we react, as obviously, Moore’s career/life/reputation, etc. — being the head of a major attention-receiving, status-building, revenue-producing program — has come to a demonstrably crashing halt… a halt from which he may or may not ever recover. His life as he knows it, has crumbled.

Isn’t it interesting how we respond? With more than just a healthy curiosity…

It’s fascinating in some ways… although “fascinating” does not necessarily equate to good.

Rumors abound. Judgment runs rampant. Commentary comes from all over the place.

School rivals debate deservingness. Racial advocates address from a demographic angle. A mass majority of inquisitive onlookers tune in to know what/where/and why… how absurd… and why would someone so prominent risk so much… fall so short… and forget about what’s most important. Talk about the frailty of the human condition. 

It’s hard. 

People who hate Michigan might hate him.

People who think they’re incapable of falling prey to the deceptive sin of adultery might say “go get him.”

I get all of the above. And yet I pause.

There is so much we don’t know.

And even when we know it, what good does the judgment do?

May whoever experiences such a disturbing downfall — whoever he represents — get better. Whether a coach, politician, or next door neighbor, may they get the help they need. Find a mental healthcare professional. Learn to rely on a solid, active faith. And let the rest of us stand aside, recognizing our perspective really doesn’t matter at all.

Respectfully…

AR

Recently we discussed the concept of something being a lack of rocket science, meaning it’s not all that complicated and thus not too difficult to understand. One societal attribute that isn’t rocket science is that we generally don’t like to wait; we don’t like to stand back, stay put and just patiently rest until we get what we want. We want what we want now. 

Companies have crafted whole marketing strategies on such… we pay more for Amazon Prime to get more stuff faster… Fastsigns made the trait their namesake… and Domino’s Pizza literally used to offer the “30 minutes or less or it’s free” concept until they had one too many delivery car accidents. The reality is that we don’t like to wait for what we want.

That’s part of fascinating irony of the season we’re now in. Hear me here…

Hanukkah begins on Sunday, December 14th.

Christmas comes Thursday, December 25th. 

And Three Kings’ Day (or Epiphany) falls into the new year on Tuesday, January 6th.

They are wonderful days and wonderful things to celebrate. And part of what makes them so wonderful is that we wait.

Steeped in ancient church tradition as part of the waiting is the current celebration of Advent. Originating in Europe in the 4th or 5th Century, Advent began as a season of heart preparation in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

To prepare this many days ahead of the holidays, the tradition encourages an active waiting… what is wise to do?… what can I work on? … what kinds of things are healthy to be stirring in my heart?…

Hence comes Advent…

There are four themes of these weeks: hope, peace, joy and love — obviously, good for us all regardless of where we are faith-wise…

Hope. Hope is that expectant waiting — that feeling of eagerly waiting for something to happen. It’s motivating and delightful; it so powerfully spurs people on. At Christmas, we acknowledge the waiting in need for a Savior, especially obvious in a broken world, full of chaos and heartache. For Christians, the expectation is two-fold, as we also wait for Jesus to return.

Peace. No doubt that broken world is a reality; just note all the discontent and crying out in the microcosm of social media. And while we may or may not personally be walking through a season of difficulty, we don’t always feel at peace. Yet part of what the historic scriptures teach us is that Jesus is our source of peace and is always available; we just have to look in his direction. It’s amazing how peace-giving that surrender of self can be.

Joy. There is so much to celebrate! But let’s be clear; joy is not simply a fleeting feeling of happiness. Joy is something deeper. Never-ending. My circumstances, hard as they may be, don’t have to eradicate the depth of what I feel inside. The calm. The peaceful jubilation. There is so much joy which is so obvious this season.

And love. There’s so much to say here. As we oft repeat, so much of the faith can be summed up in loving God and loving other people; that’s something we can all work on. (Who are we justifying not loving?) But the other thing that’s so key to the holidays is the focus not so much on us, on who we love and how we love, but rather, on just how incredibly much the great big God of the universe loves us. That’s immense. And cannot be overstated. Sitting with that may be my favorite seasonal activity.

Thus when I ponder all the things in my life — and all the things I never have to wait for — I find myself thankful that this Hanukkah and Christmas season, in the days before the holidays, we have opportunity to work on something deeper, something healthier, something more. 

So grateful for the time.

So glad to have to wait.

Respectfully…

AR

“Making movies” says Julia Roberts.

“Makeup” says Cindy Crawford. 

Guns N’ Roses drummer Steven Adler says “rock and roll”… former North Dakota Sen. Byron Morgan, not permitting drinking and driving… Dave Ramsey, “personal finance”… personal trainer Bob Harper, “weight loss”… Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff co-author Kristine Carlson, “having a great marriage”… and marketing professional Donny Deutsch, “being a businessman.”

All of the above are things the opinion staters believe not to be rocket science. 

I’ve kind of always loved that idiom. The idea that “it’s not rocket science” means that something is not all that hard to understand. Some things take work and consistent effort, but for the most part, they’re fairly straightforward.

For example, for me, it’s not rocket science that we’re called to be kind to people.

It’s not rocket science that wisdom warrants we respect the holders of opposing opinion.

And it’s not rocket science that not everyone’s a sports fan.

One more in my voluminous rocketry category is that it’s not rocket science that social media is not all good. In fact, many times it’s not good at all.

Refrain, please, from the suggestion that this semi-humble blogger is some sort of Negative Nelly, being overly critical and only seeing the downside… Facebook keeps me in touch with all my forty plus year old friends. Instagram shows me your latest vacation sunset. And TikTok provides me with the oh-so-necessary, latest catchy dances.

But (and that’s a big but)… 

As most of us know, multiple studies have concluded that social media usage has been linked to increased anxiety, depression, loneliness, envy and poor self-esteem. Comparison is rampant — and way too often a determiner of self-worth.

It can be a platform for harassment and/or bullying. 

It can rapidly spread false and/or misleading information.

And in one relevant pet peeve, it can convince grown adults that one or two sentences qualifies as respectful dialogue or relationship.

Obviously aware of this lack of rocket science, effective this coming week, Australia has mandated that 16 be the minimum age for all accounts on YouTube, X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Reddit, Twitch, Threads and Kick. Serious about this chance, tech companies that own these platforms could face fines of up to $50 million if they don’t take reasonable steps to stop under-16s from having accounts. Australia has realized social media is not all good.

No doubt there will be a mixed reaction to the ban on younger teens and adolescents. No doubt, too, that with the prominence of fake IDs, etc., many will find a way to bypass the legal restriction. It is expected and acknowledged that the implementation of the ban will be imperfect.

So what will happen next? 

Will the critics along with the imperfections make the ban futile?

Or will the rest of the watching world follow suit?

Lastly, what will the lack of rocket science impel?

Respectfully…

AR

I feel like we struggle with how to respond to the refugee, especially when we consider individual vs. collective response. Change the word “respond” if you wish — to handle, care for, whatever-word-makes-sense-to-you-here. But I’m not certain we always know what’s wisest and best.

Allow us first, for clarity and communication purposes, to define some terms and add context…

A “refugee” is a person who has fled their home country. To be clear, it’s not just a person who has fled; they are a person who has been forced to flee due to a well-founded fear of persecution. This persecution may be based on their religion, ethnicity, political opinion or more. They have crossed an international border and cannot return because their life or freedom is in danger. 

Another key person is an “immigrant.” An immigrant is a person who has moved to a country other than their birth country with the intention of living there permanently. Note they have not been forced. 

There is also the “migrant.” A “migrant” describes a person who moves from place to place, but has yet to reach a final destination.

Much of the wisdom in responding to the refugee is embedded in Judeo-Christian principles. Granted, the Bible never uses the word “refugee,” but it repeatedly calls for the compassionate treatment of “strangers,” “foreigners” and “sojourners.” Adding to our context, “strangers” are persons we do not know, “foreigners” are persons not belonging to a particular group, and “sojourners” are people staying somewhere temporarily. We are called to never oppress the above trio, meaning we are not to keep others in subservience, especially via the unjust exercise of authority.  As with all people, we are called to love them as we love ourselves. So much of Judeo-Christian ethics are summed up in this — in loving God and loving others.

And so we look at the wisest way to respond to the refugee…

My sense is we are to respond with compassion. We are to be generous in hospitality. We can offer practical care. And we are to be motivated by love — not fear. Too often I think we are sadly instead motivated by fear.

When I wrestle with the why, my sense is that in both our individual and collective responses, we’ve mixed up the varied roles defined above; it’s not easy to treat all people the same for precisely the reason that all people are not the same. Not every stranger, foreigner or sojourner who enters this country is forced. Not every stranger, foreigner or sojourner who leaves their nation of birth would be persecuted if they one day returned home. And certainly for those who’ve come from a country known to be hostile to this land of the free and home of the brave, should they come with a desire to still adhere to said hostility, they do not qualify as one in need of compassion, ignoring their animus bent.

Isn’t that the issue?

So often in order to remain firm in our stance, we negate the inconvenient; we minimize the part that dilutes the passion in our response. We ignore the angle that makes our perspective a little less penetrable.

Name your issue. Pick your point. What aspect are we underestimating?

Not all immigrants are refugees. Not all self-identified refugees have been forced to leave their country. Some who have entered America need our help; they need we the people to help them secure liberty and ensure domestic tranquility. Others have entered America who don’t need our help, but want the entitlements and benefits; there exist ways to work for such honorably. And there are still more, unfortunately wickedly, who are here to harm.

It’s logical, therefore, to conclude that a one-size-fits-all collective, government approach is likely to be grossly ineffective. It’s not that easy — letting all in or keeping all out.

Hence, I find it wise for our response to the refugee, immigrant and even our next door neighbor to be based more on Judeo-Christian principle as opposed to any partisan policy. 

Respectfully… humbly, too…

AR

As long noted here, the question mark is the only punctuation piece that invites a response. Here are the first 75 questions we saw journalists ask this past month. Note that not everyone is comfortable inviting responses…

1. The A.I. Boom Has Found Another Gear. Why Can’t People Shake Their Worries?
2. Ask MAGA Thanksgiving Guests: How Is Your Life Better?
3. Can AI Create a More Honest Media?
4. Can Cities Learn To Love Kids Again?
5. Can Democrats Nationwide Replicate Mamdani Victory?
6. Can Either Party Crack the Code on the Economy?
7. Can Elise Stefanik and Jessica Tisch Save New Yorkers?
8. Can GOP Learn To Win Without Trump on Ballot?
9. Can Mamdani Deliver?
10. Can the GOP Learn How To Play Offense?
11. Can Trump Bring Peace to Gaza?
12. Can Trump Flip Healthcare Script?
13. Can You Win Best Picture If You Flop?
14. Can We Blame Private Equity for Everything?
15. Could AI Lift Up Workers in an Unsung Profession?
16. Did GOP Blow Its Window To Capture Trump’s Coalition?
17. Do Democrats Know What They’re For?
18. Does the US Need a Third Political Party?
19. EU Aims To Sabotage New Ukraine Peace Plan?
20. Flash in the Pan or the Future of MAGA?
21. Have the Democrats Begun To Find Their Way Back?
22. How Do We Understand Victory of a Marxist Radical?
23. How Should Democrats Moderate in 2026?
24. How Would Mamdani’s Plans Work in New York?
25. If Conservatives Won’t Defend Capitalism, Who Will?
26. Is a Tariff a Tax?
27. Is Google Really Done Trying To Rig Elections?
28. Is Graham Platner the Face of Democrats’ Future?
29. Is It ‘Seditious’ or ‘Illegal’ to Urge the Military to Refuse Unlawful Orders?
30. Is MAGA Growing Restless With Trump?
31. Is Trump a Lame Duck Yet?
32. Is ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome’ Real?
33. Journalism Standards, Anyone?
34. Mamdani: A Boon to Democratic Party or a Millstone?
35. Mamdani, Trump Meeting: Real Peace or Just Party Politics?
36. Mamdani’s Next Act—Could He Actually Succeed?
37. Media Now Concerned About Trump’s Age?
38. More Time Alone, But Are Americans Really Lonely?
39. Rubio vs. Vance 2028?
40. Sedition? No. Dangerous & Irresponsible? You Bet
41. Should Democrats Help Trump Kill the Filibuster?
42. Trump-Mamdani — the start of a beautiful friendship?
43. Trump’s New Russia-Ukraine Peace Plan?
44. What Can Mamdani Do in New York?
45. What Do Mainstream Democrats Stand For?
46. What do we know about the Jeffrey Epstein files?
47. What Does the Republican Party Even Stand For?
48. What Happens When Even College Students Can’t Do Math?
49. What If ‘America First’ Works?
50. What if Dems’ Big Shutdown Loss Turns Out To Be a Win?
51. What If the Shutdown Actually Hurt Republicans?
52. What Is Up With Marjorie Taylor Greene?
53. What was ‘Operation Allies Welcome,’ which allowed some Afghans entry into the U.S.?
54. What’s Going On at the FBI?
55. What’s Next for MTG?
56. What’s the Alternative in Ukraine?
57. What’s the Matter With New Jersey Democrats?
58. When Did I Become a Fetterman Republican?
59. When Did Thanksgiving Turkey Become Such a Big Deal?
60. When Will Trump Tax Cuts Take Effect?
61. Where are you headed and what are you thankful for?
62. Where will Lane Kiffin go?
63. Where’s the Violence?
64. Which Royals Celebrate Thanksgiving?
65. Who else is mentioned in Epstein’s private files?
66. Who is Mark Kelly, and why is the US senator accused of ‘sedition’?
67. Who is Robert Irwin?
68. Who Was Running the Biden White House?
69. Who Will Benefit From Russia-Ukraine Peace Proposal?
70. Who Will Win the College Football Playoff?
71. Why Are Deranged People Walking Chicago’s Streets?
72. Why Are Math Skills Worse Than Ever?
73. Why Did We Bring So Many Afghans to the U.S.?
74. Why didn’t Biden release the Epstein Files?
75. Will Technology Save Us From a Nuclear Attack?

Always good to ask questions. Even better to invite and contemplate the response.

Respectfully…

AR

[Note: sources include Al Jazeera, All Sides, Albany Times-Union, The American Prospect, The Atlantic, BBC, The Daily Caller, The Dispatch, ESPN, The Federalist, Financial Times, The Guardian, Hot Air, HuffPost, JohnKassNews, The Liberal Patriot, Mother Jones, MSNBC, The Nation, The New Republic, New York Magazine, New York Post, NBC, New York Sun, New York Times, Newsweek, NPR, People’s Pundit, Project Syndicate, RealClearPolitics, Responsible Statecraft, The Ringer, Salon, Sirius XM, Substack, Time Magazine, US News & World Report, USA Today, Vox, Wall Street Journal, Washington Times, X, and Yahoo.]

[As it originally appeared 9 years ago…]

It was 1863… January first brought us The Second Battle of Galveston. Three companies of Union forces under the command of Col. Isaac S. Burrell were captured or killed both on land and by sea by the armies of Maj. Gen. John B. Magruder. Magruder had prioritized the re-seizing of the city. 26 people were killed. 117 were wounded.

January later brought us The Second Battle of Springfield. Confederate General John Marmaduke attempted to overtake a Union supply point in Springfield, Missouri. It was unique battle in that it was an urban battle, fought house-to-house. It is estimated that 70-80 persons were killed and over 200 were wounded.

February was The Battle of Dover — March included battles at Brentwood, Thompson’s Station, Vaught’s Hill, and many more. April was the first fight in Charleston, South Carolina.

Look at the fighting… states, houses, peoples all attempting to harm one another. And the battles didn’t cease as the year went on. Suffolk, Vermillion, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg… these were fierce fights. In fact, the war was ongoing the entire year. It did not end until Pres. Andrew Johnson’s formal declaration on August 20, 1866 — over two years later.

And yet, on Thanksgiving in 1863, then Pres. Abraham Lincoln wrote this:

“The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God…”

In a year filled with unprecedented battle, Lincoln exhorted that we dare not miss the blessing… a blessing that is always present, always available… no matter the struggle… no matter the suffering… no matter what.

The giving of thanks is a beautiful thing… It takes the focus off of self; it reminds us of the source from which our blessings and bounties come; and it softens the individual heart.

Lincoln continued… 

“… I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.”

Lincoln acknowledged a day set apart, encouraging all to think of far more than self, to think especially of those who have suffered greatly — the widows, orphans, mourners, and more. Yes, there is much strife in this world. This is not — nor should it ever be mistaken for — heaven.

The great beauty of Lincoln’s proclamation is that in a year of unprecedented struggle and strife, he calls on all people to come together, kneel in both reverence and humility, and fervently ask the Almighty to heal our nation’s wounds.

Happy Thanksgiving, friends. May we spur one another on to good things. May we love our neighbor well, do our part in building unity, and may we sincerely embrace the restoration and full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility and union in our land.

Respectfully… with Thanksgiving…

AR 

Gratitude is too good to limit it to a single day. My strong sense is that it might be wise to maximize the upcoming holiday.

In fact, the happiest, most content people I know also just happen to be generous givers of gratitude. There’s no question about it. They are abundantly grateful; they are frequent, intentional expressers of thanks. They aren’t the mumblers and grumblers we too often encounter especially on social media.

What’s the benefit? What good is it to be so consistently thankful and appreciative?

In other words, what happens inside the grateful person?

I would contend they are healthier all the way around — physically, emotionally and spiritually. They have better energy, more emotional resilience, and have a greater sense of purpose and connection to God. But take not just the insight and opinion from a semi-humble, oft witty blogger. Note the research from the University of Utah…

Gratitude can make people happier, improve relationships, and potentially even counteract depression and suicidal thoughts. Gratitude can also boost self-esteem…

“Expressing gratitude can positively change your brain,” says Kristin Francis, MD, a psychiatrist at Huntsman Mental Health Institute. “It boosts dopamine and serotonin, the neurotransmitters in the brain that improve your mood immediately, giving you those positive feelings of pleasure, happiness, and well-being.”

Each day, as we practice gratitude, we can help these neural pathways in our brain strengthen and ultimately create a permanent grateful, positive nature within ourselves.

Gratitude is associated with happiness. Expressing feelings of appreciation to others and ourselves creates positive emotions and feelings of pleasure and contentment.

Research shows that people who express gratitude are more likely to share with others freely, offer emotional support and assistance, and forgive more willingly. Being grateful is easy and has an impact on the people around us. When showing someone you appreciate them, you are encouraging them to respond in nice ways towards others—creating a chain reaction of positivity… Researchers have found that those who experience more positive moods have less anxiety and tend to view situations more optimistically.

In a study on gratitude and appreciation, participants who felt grateful showed a reduction in the level of cortisol, the stress hormone. They had stronger cardiac functioning and were more resilient to emotional setbacks and negative experiences. Over the years, studies have established that practicing gratitude allows us to handle stress better.

“When we acknowledge the small things in life, we can rewire our brain to deal with the present with more awareness and broader perception,” Francis says. “By reducing stress, gratitude reduces depression and anxiety…”

Grateful people are healthy people… Researchers have shown when we practice appreciation, our bodies release the oxytocin hormone, which expands blood vessels, reduces blood pressure, and protects your heart. Oxytocin deepens our relationships and helps us feel more connected to others. It also supports us in building a network of family and friends, which results in a longer and healthier life…

“Expressing gratitude can positively change your brain.”

Indeed it’s good to be around the grateful person. Did I mention they are the happiest, most content people I know?

Gratitude, too, is contagious. How beautiful indeed.

Respectfully…

AR

No doubt college sports are a big deal. No doubt within that big deal, college football is the most prominent — both in terms of individual program value and overall sport revenue. As we near the climatic bowl season, one football player recently stood out to me… although for reasons, dare we say, that had little to do with sports…

Allow us to turn our attention to SEC football, one of the most competitive, tradition-rich and lucrative college brands. There are 16 teams in this conference, following the addition of Texas and Oklahoma in 2024. Among the other teams with longer tenure is Auburn, which joined the SEC in 1933 and has won 8 SEC football championships.

On this team, of all the positions, this year’s kicker stands out.

We speak of Alex McPherson. The 22 year old, 160 lb. placekicker out of Fort Payne, Alabama. In high school, he set the state record for the longest field goal. He is a junior on this year’s Auburn Tigers team. 

A few weekends ago, Auburn faced off with another set of Tigers. It was Missouri vs. Auburn. The game would go back and forth with the teams taking turns with the lead, with the Missourians coming out on top after two overtimes. Missouri has the better record of the two this season.

Over the course of the game, Alex McPherson would struggle. He would attempt 4 fields goals this night, missing a 40-yard attempt before halftime, a 38-yard attempt in the third quarter, and a 50-yard attempt in the first overtime. The missed kicks were indeed a significant factor in the opponent’s victory; the multiple missed kicks were also completely uncharacteristic of McPherson. He would privately apologize to his coach for his performance, saying, “I lost that game for you.”

After each attempt, no less, make or miss, McPherson pointed to the sky so as to thank God. Success on the field did not alter the gratitude in his heart. 

His acknowledgement of the great big God of the universe did not go unnoticed. Popular sports and pop culture personality and founder of Barstool Sports, Dave Portnoy, criticized the pointing, seeing it as an inappropriate celebration. “This bothers me,” Portnoy wrote. “You shouldn’t be allowed to pretend you hit a Fg when you missed you 19th chip shot of the game.”

Many of the Auburn faithful came to the kicker’s defense, noting how he missed most all of last season, after being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and forced to have surgery to remove his colon. Many noted how it’s a miracle the man is even alive, much less playing in a college football game. 

But McPherson’s response was what caught our attention.

Confronted with the criticism, he offered the following: “All I’m gonna say is I praise the Lord whenever I miss and whenever I make. You praise Him in the highs as well as the lows. That’s what I’m going to continue to do. He’s the reason I’m back on that field.”

I love how his athletic success didn’t affect his gratitude; his lack of success didn’t diminish his giving of intentional thanks.

There are always reasons to be thankful.

I love the reminder to thank God in the good and the bad… in the easy and the hard… 

Gratitude leads to contentment. 

Contentment doesn’t mean we have everything we want or are able to succeed in all we want. Contentment simply means we trust God’s given us everything we need. Young as he is, Alex McPherson knows that.

In these days as we near the national holiday where so many will gather to give thanks, this young man stands out…

For something far bigger than sports.

Respectfully…

AR

One thing true of the Intramuralist is that we’ve never endorsed a single political candidate in our 17 year existence. Since none have yet to walk on water, we have found few worth fawning over. We have, however, articulated respectful, constructive criticism of various persons. But today I must apologize for a criticism that while respectful and constructive, was also inaccurate.

Three years ago we discussed the senatorial debate between two candidates from Pennsylvania. Let me be radically candid; it was absolutely awful.

The debate was between Republican nominee Mehmet Oz and Democratic nominee John Fetterman. Oz was articulate but seemed clearly opportunistic with no real connection to the Keystone State, having lived in New Jersey for years. And Fetterman, he had recently had a massive stroke and struggled not just to speak but to simply be coherent. Watching the exchange, I thought surely there are two far better candidates than this. The people of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania deserve more.

John Fetterman would go on to win the 2022 U.S. Senate election. I shook my head. I would have shook my head for either victor. There is an existent line of thinking in our country that the most qualified candidates refuse to run for elected office, primarily because of how unmerciful and ugly American politics have become. The choice between Fetterman and Oz substantiated said argument. Fetterman winning fueled it more.

How could a person who couldn’t clearly communicate represent the some 13 million people of his state? His health and fitness for office was questionable at best. He often made no sense. And take not my word for that debate. Fetterman himself has said it was worse than Pres. Joe Biden’s incoherent debate performance in 2024.

I thought Fetterman would be an incapable, ineffectual and unskilled senator. Let me be clear. That has zero to do with his party representation; that has everything to do with his ability to man the responsibilities of the office to which he was elected.

I apologize. I was wrong.

Allow me to share why.

It’s not because of how he’s voted. In fact, if we assess competency solely by voting record, my sense is we’re missing something significant. As the Senator said last week, having consistently voted to end the recent government shutdown, “I vote a 91% Democratic line, and if Democrats have a problem with somebody that votes 91% of the same times as you are, more than nine out of 10 times, then maybe our party has a bigger problem.”

Indeed the parties have bigger problems, but when I speak of the competency and ability of John Fetterman, I am not referring to how he votes nor to which party he aligns. He is a Democrat and has said multiple times he has zero intention of ever changing; he will always be a Democrat.

Last week I listened to an extended sit-down interview with Fetterman. He still sometimes bumbles his words a bit, but he is indeed coherent. And in the interview he spoke of how the stroke has changed him…

“I emerged… I emerged as a grateful person…

I don’t have any scores to settle…

I’ve lost any taste for calling people names…

I don’t know if it’s the winning lane, but it is my way. We have to find a way forward together…

We have forgotten that we need each other.”

Fetterman’s brush with mortality has made him realize what’s more important. I apologize. I was wrong before. We need more candidates like John Fetterman.

Respectfully…

AR