Jay to the World September 2018

I’m writing this on Sunday, August 26th and I just watched an awesome retrospective of Senator John McCain’s life. I am so disappointed in myself that I didn’t vote for this man when he ran for president.I had always heard some of the stories about him from the war in Vietnam but I never really paid closeattention to the magnitude of what he went through and everything for which he stood. I had never watched the video of him lying in bed with both arms broken while being fed by the Vietnamese. I had never understood the incredible sacrifice of refusing to be released because that would have meant leaving behind soldiers who had been captured before him. But most of all, and worst of all, I never took the time to truly understand the depth of the man’s character, his love for this country, and his lifetime of doing what hebelieved was right, regardless of what others thought. I know there are a few people in this country who have questioned whether John McCain is a hero, but I’m not even sure the word hero does him proper justice. That guy was a stud.

Am I the only one who thought that this might be President Trump’s big opportunity to be all presidential and say all the right things to show the world that he does have the ability to actually shower someone elsebesides himself with praise?? I thought he was headed in that direction but he just couldn’t quite bringhimself to call Mr. McCain a hero. Oh well, maybe next time.

One more political nugget and I’ll stop (I promise): Our buddy Rudy Guliani recently dropped the “the truth isn’t the truth” zinger on Meet the Press. Say what you want about Rudy, but he is all in when it comes to defending the president. I’m not really sure what he means when he says the truth isn’t the truth, but maybe it will stick and from here on out judges will simply tell witnesses to raise their right hands and say “Do you promise to tell the truth, the whole truth, even when it isn’t the truth, so help you God?”

Can you believe that school is already back in session?? My wife and I recently visited the elementary school on “meet the teachers” night and we were extremely impressed with the overall vibe of the school this year. Our new elementary principal is terrific and is going to make a big difference at the Valley campus. The building looked brighter, the classrooms looked brighter, and there was a noticeable buzz walking down the halls. It should be a fun year!

I recently read one of Tom Shatel’s columns in the Omaha World-Herald and in it he called himself a “grandpa dad”. As most of you know, I too am a father who will likely be mistaken for a grandparent at my kids’ high school and college graduations and it’s not helping things that I will be taking part in my 35-year high school reunion in about 3 weeks. I remember when I was in high school and we would be lined up to march through the parade and we’d have to wait for all of the “old reunion people” to get out of the way so we could start marching. I can’t believe that I am now one of those people. So to anyone celebrating their 40, 50, or 60-year reunions this year – please know that you have my utmost respect.

Speaking of growing old, I have come to realize over the past several months that a large majority of my
readers are over the age of 70, so you will enjoy this little nugget courtesy of my son: We were visiting my
mom last week and the parking lot at the assisted living facility was completely full and Beau looks at me and
says “What’s going on?? Is it National Old Man Day??”

A recent study indicates that, when it comes to quitting smoking, the weight gain that accompanies kicking the
habit is still better for you than continuing to smoke. This makes perfect sense to me but apparently my father
never saw this as an either/or situation.

Well Husker and Hawkeye fans, it sounds like the traditional “Black Friday” game that is going on hiatus here
in a couple years will be back on the schedule starting in 2022. And just to spice things up a little, starting in
2019, every time the game is played in Lincoln the bank will give away 4 tickets (2 to Hawkeye fans and 2 to
Husker fans). Yes, the 4 tickets will be together -we’re calling it our “Hatfield’s and McCoy’s” promotion.
Since it’s always more fun when you actually know the people you’re rooting against, I need fans from both
sides to send us emails and tell us who you would like to sit next to and why.

On a recent 90-degree day I made the colossal mistake of letting Beau eat a Kit Kat bar in the backseat of my
truck. When we got home he was COVERED in chocolate. I told him to not move or touch anything, at
which time I ran around the truck, opened his door, got him unbuckled and proceeded to carry him inside like
he was some sort of ticking time bomb. I took him straight to the kitchen and got him all washed off and he
looked up and said “dad, it’s a good thing they invented sinks”. And that, Rudy, is what they call the truth.

And finally, it seems like the presidential thing to do these days is to come out with a list of your favorite
books. President Obama is currently reading “Educated” by Tar Westover and “Warlight” by Michael
Ondaatje; while President Trump spends his non-Twitter time pouring over “The Russia Hoax: The Illicit
Scheme to Clear Hillary Clinton and Frame Donald Trump” by Fox News legal analyst Gregg Jarrett and
“The Briefing: Politics, the Press and the President” by former press secretary Sean Spicer. I’m sure these are
all fine books, but they’ll never top “Under the Bleachers” by Seymour Butts.

Until Next time….

Jay