Young Rams

A-Team champs (zero losses), after a trouncing of our rival, Abbeville

Bottom: (l to r) Shane Right, Steve Thomas, Richard Wiggins, Andy Davis, Troy Oates, Anthony Gulledge, Carey Thomas, Top: (l to r) Lance Riley, Coach John Ross Helms, Scottie Ellison, Allen Espy, Carlton Simpson, Craig Purvis

B-Team Days

I didn't punt often in games because we had a halfback by the name of Richard Wiggins. Richard was our Bo Jackson!

My grip was slipping!

B-Team Rams (I'm on the bottom left and Dad is on the top right) This team was also undefeated. Ken Bayne, Tom Oates and Mark Espy, Sr. were coaches.

Mark Knows

Mark Espy (Dad) enjoyed playing basketball and football when he was growing up.  He earned a scholarship to Marion Institute, where he played football for two years. He told me that he scored a few touchdowns, including one against Tulane.

Hoop Days

The best I could do with this photo! With old classmate, Garrette Woodham, and basketball legend Charles Barkley. This day was A-Day on The Plains. We were standing next to the track, getting ready to see Herschel Walker run. Then, we were going to go the stadium to see the football Tigers. Dad took this photo on one of our many trips to Auburn.

One of three basketball camps I went to at Auburn University. Chuck Person, Barkley and NBA legend Jerry West were on hand to teach us campers.

In the Dothan Civic Center: I remember the ball bouncing funny on the surface...and I didn't have my usual confidence dribbling up the court.

Up, Up and Away!

With lots of Admirers

With his Boyhood Idol

With the Harvard Law Review

With Schoolmates in Hawaii

With Indonesian Classmates

Signed, Sealed, Delivered http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW5v5jPUP4Q

Tuesday

The factors below will get Senator Barack Obama elected November 4th. I personally am endorsing the Junior Senator from Illinois, so all you undecided blog readers of mine take this into consideration. =) This is actually the first election I have voted in since 1996. That year I voted for Bill Clinton. My first election, in 1992, I voted for George H. W. Bush.

Independents Economy Fund-raising Debates Iraq Race Palin Charisma W. Organization Early Voting Demographics Media Age Healthcare

Despite the outcome on Tuesday, this election process has once again exposed some real weaknesses in our country. Number one, every campaign cycle we Americans are hit hard with propaganda (i.e. well-crafted lies and disinformation) from both the Democratic and Republican parties. We deserve better than this. Number two, the two-party system doesn't actually promote democratic values because it limits the rise of other parties. Is this freedom? Finally, number three, we Americans are some of the least-informed people on earth. We lack a deep understanding of ourselves, the political process, other cultures and history. Part of this is due to an educational system and society that do not promote independent thinking. A healthy society and democracy is only as good as its people, and we have much more work to do. Taking these weaknesses into account, our standing in the world has increasingly eroded and our place among nations is in question. Despite what we like to proclaim during election rallies, we certainly can't look at ourselves and honestly say we are the best. We do, however, have potential to bounce back and we have the foundation (e.g. our sacred texts, our resources, our youth, our creativity) upon which to do so. Let's get to work!

This is how I would reform the election process

1. Get big money out of campaigns. It's a shame that any president needs in excess of half a billion dollars to get elected. Campaign dollars should come only from public financing and should be a limited amount.

2. Use bi-partisan and independent watchdog groups to check facts for any ads that could be aired on TV, radio or the Internet for either party. If the info doesn't jive, well, the ad won't be run.

3. Reduce the campaign from the 2 years it took this one to a maximum of one year. In fact, even shorter than that would be better.

4. Make it an even playing field so third party candidates can compete with the two-party system. Money for campaigns should be equal. Also, third-party candidates should be permitted in debates.

5. Invest heavily in a very thorough Civics education so that all Americans will have exposure to government and politics, so that they understand how it works.