Observations 1/25

For assignment number 1 I would like the class community to us Movies as the topic instead of TV Shows. I am a fan of both movies and tv but I feel as if writing about a movie would provide a more concrete background or base to write about. TV shows have different characters entering in and out every show, every season causing more action or drama each time. The plot also changes each episode with different problems, situations, and story-lines. If we are going to have to write about something I would rather write about one movie instead of seasons of one tv show. It would be less confusing and you would be able to go more in depth about the topic.

Observations 1/17/08

Although questioning authority and the idea of asking "why" is more common today than it was 50 years ago there are still many terms in society that are set by certain people or groups and simply accepted by the majority. It is common for people to question the law, education, politics, pretty much anything you have an opinion about. However it may seem harder to criticize or speak up against someone when that person is a well known figure, a role model, had a rough life or time period, or is just an overall nice person. It seems if a person has any one of these character traits than it gives them a pass on some deserved criticism or questioning. Now for a person to kick someone while there down is another story, but to ignore major mistakes or inefficiencies because they are a really nice person should not happen as much as it does today. I am not saying to be insensitive or to hurt someone's feelings but people should not be afraid to speak up against a prominent figure.
An example of this occurred earlier this week after the NFL play-off game in which the San Diego Chargers beat the favored Indianapolis Colts. The colts head coach is Tony Dungy who is known as a great inspirational leader, a preacher, a family man, and a man who had a son kill himself. During the game Dungy made a few costly coaching mistakes and that a significant affect on the game's outcome. The major deciscion was going for it on 4th and goal from about the 7 yard line in the last few minutes of the 4th quarter. The smart play in that scenario was to kick a field goal and hope your defense plays well enough to get the ball back. To make a long story short they did not convert the 4th down play and the Colts ultimately lost the game by 4 points. As I waited for fans, the play-by-play announcers, and the media to rip and criticize the deciscion, it never came. Any other coach would have been criticized heavily and for a while too. However it seemed as though no one really questioned the decision, or at least spoke out about it. Instead it went as just a courageous call that went the wrong way instead of what it was, a stupid coaching mistake. Unfortunately, this is how it works in sports and even in life. If the Colts score on that play instead of turn the ball over, Dungy is a hero; however if they don't he is the goat (but that is another observation and argument). Dungy's character has never been in question, however, I do not feel like that should get in the way of evaluating his coaching abilities and deciscions.