Winning Words 1/8/13
“Don’t waste too much time tryin’ to be a better man, ‘cause you ain’t never gonna be one without a good woman.”  (Mark Roberts)  I’ve never watched the TV show, Molly and Mike, but this quote is from the episode, “Peggy’s New Beau.”  I know that “the dating game” rules change with the generations, but social scientists say that what attracts persons to each other is as old as the birds and the bees.    ;-)  Jack.

  FROM MICHIZONA RAY:  "And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him" (Genesis 2:18 KJV). If it is "not good" that a man should be alone, than his "help meet (mate)" must be good as the alternative consequence. Anyone who knows my lovely bride would certainly agree, without hesitation, that God was right!////FROM JACK:  I look back....and smile.  I'm glad to have had a part in your (plural) life.

 FROM WALMART REV:  Blessed to have a wife who has put up with me these 42 years.////JACK:  We don't marry a mate who has been raised in a vacuum.  We are all the product of the homes in which we have been raised.  I've met your wife...and you are indeed blessed.

 FROM MY ATTORNEY:  My wife says thanks.////FROM JACK:  Yours is a perfect example.

 FROM HAWKEYE GEORGE:  And Iowa bb can only get better with even better athletes.FROM JACK: Are any of the players on this year's team married?  How about when you  were playing?////HG:  Jack, kids don't get married anymore - they just live together. El Stupido, especially for the woman.////J:  Yes...more... but not all!

 FROM BBC IN ILLINOIS:  Love it!  Thanks for the smile.  Have seen that research as well.  Showed the kids research in the Economist last year that said that scent (beyond what humans can notice) conveys certain DNA/genetic sequencing such that one tends to pick a partner with complimentary genetics even though we don’t notice.  Made me wonder if the perfume and personal hygiene industry messes this up or masks the natural selections.////FROM JACK:  There's a lot we don't know that we think we know.  Darwin seemed to be on the right track, but he was only scratching the surface.  Perhaps you know the song..."Birds do it, bees do it, etc."

 FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY:  Never watched the program but whoever said it was right on!  :-)////FROM JACK:  In the 1600s Voltaire said, "Behind every successful man stands a surprised mother-in-law."

 FROM TRIHARDER:  Hmmm.  I wonder how my gay friends would feel about this statement.  But, I get your gist.  There are women in my life that have inspired me.////FROM JACK:  You will notice that the quote is not mine, but that the (politically correct) commentary is mine.  What I wanted to say is: "Any success that one might have if often the result of the influence of someone else."////TH: My first and only professional boss was probably my biggest influence.  But, I always wanted to make the women in my life proud of me -- and that had nothing to do with financial success (although being a good provider was also important to me).  I think what made me most proud in front of my loved ones would be to be warmly greeted publicly by people who I had befriended along the important walks of life.

 FROM ME IN NEWPORT BEACH:  Now Jack, I like this and have no problem with it.  However, like Bret Mussberger's comment about the Alabama quarterback's girl friend during the BCS game last night, it did get my attention.  I do not recall ever having been accused of being politically correct.  Indeed, I know I have occasionally gone out of my way to say something I know to be politically incorrect if I felt a comment was deserved, or appropriate by my old school standards.  However, I did notice some critical comments about Mussberger this am.  I also noted critical network reaction to his previous comments (I think they were his) about the need for gun control, which I have always felt are long overdue.  The Mark Roberts comment may find critics from those who would perceive it as anti gay.  On the other hand, even when considering the gay community, there would never be the man in the first place without the mother.  Not sure why I am sending this other than that both the Mussberger comment and your Winning Words quote for today, caused an immediate reaction in me.  Not negative to me, but attention getting because of the society in which we now live.////FROM JACK:  Interestingly...within just a few minutes, I have received two responses making the "gay" point.  As I said in the previous blog answer, the quote and my answer were simply meant to say that we are influenced by others.  I heard Mussberger refer to the qb's girl-friend, but I didn't hear the entire comment.  After reading it this morning, it did seem "overboard" and not relevant. ////ME:  As I said earlier, no problem for me and I fully understand the context.  As to sports commentator's comments, much is not relevant.  I find the gun control comment to be both relevant and refreshing, given the sports context from whence it came.

 FROM CL IN SANTA BARBARA:  Got it. Roberts' comments are not negative to me either, in fact the gay nuance didn't even enter my brain.  That said, I'm (gasp!) 68 years old and don't necessarily reflect the mainstream demographic of the US.////FROM JACK:  Every person more than a number and is important to the demographic...even if they're 68. 


 FROM MOLINER JT:  MR knew what he was talking about.////FROM JACK:  I know more than a few guys who are better because of the woman who came into their life.

 FROM BLAZING OAKS:  LOVE THESE WW WORDS!  I REMEMBER BILL SAYING ONCE TO A GROUP, "I JUST WISH I WAS HALF THE MAN MY WIFE THINKS I AM!"  BUT AGREED MY HIGH OPINION OF HIM SPURRED HIM ON TO  MEASURE UP!" BILL IS STILL OUR FAMILY'S HERO, AND INSPIRATION...HE HAS A GRANDSON AND THREE NEPHEWS NAMED FOR HIM!  ITS NICE TO THINK A FAITHFUL SPOUSE MAKES SUCH A DIFFERENCE. THANKS FOR THIS QUOTE!  I'VE HEAR MOLLY AND MIKE IS VERY ENTERTAINING!////FROM JACK:  Yes, it is difficult to live up to the expectations of others, but that's life.  BTW, With so many channels to choose from on Cable TV, Molly and Mike haven't made it to our screen.  Now, when I go surfing, I'll have to look for them.

 FROM CA IN MICHIGAN:  AMEN!   AMEN!   Love this one.////FROM JACK:  Did your husband cast his vote?

 FROM AW IN ILLINOIS:  Guess there is no hope for me, since I am a widower.////FROM JACK:  Think of what you might have been without the influence of that good woman in your life.