"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
Iconic Masculine Guy, Burt Reynolds, Wants You to Pimp His Ride
Forget your motorcycles baby boomers. You can win a restored Trans Am by submitting a video to Heavy.com telling Burt and his co-judges why you deserve the car.
Depending on your sense of humor, Smokey and the Bandit, was either classic 70s shtick or a poor substitute for The 3 Stooges. You'll remember that Burt Reynolds co-starred with the 1977/78 Pontiac Trans Am. Starting Friday, October 19, on the DIY Network, 5 episodes air where you can watch Burt and a team of experts restore the classic Motor City ve-hi-cle in Burt Builds a Bandit. (10 pm EST/9 pm CST)
Here's a video clip detailing the submission guidelines from the po-lice. Even if you don't enter, this is one Officer of the Law, that will make you laugh out loud.
Deadline for submission is November 30th and the winner will be announced on the series finale December 14th.
I can't think of a better Baby Boomer gift than that!
Prison System Broken But Stocks Keep Rising
If you don't think prison building represents big profits, think again.
Despite a recent U.S. Census report pointing to unexpected decline in prison population, prison stocks are expected to rise, according to Barron's. Correction Corp. of America is likely to see its profits rise 20%.
In making this point, I realize I may send readers to make an investment I don't recommend, but I'm willing to take the risk. I think that most men who find this blog care about their families, their communities and young men, in particular.
I believe that there is a direct correlation between the rise of juvenile incarceration and the bullish news about prison stocks. In business-speak I think they call it "future planning."
We are at risk of marginalizing and disempowering an entire generation of young people, disproportionately male and non-Caucasian.
Frankly, I'm at a loss at what to do about this miscarriage of justice other than to point people to resources, like Man-Making and organizations like The Gathering For Justice.
Injustice in the Justice System: The Shame of Juvenile Incarceration
Statistics prove it; recent events in Jena, LA confirm it. USA Today's editorial, "In La., a missed opportunity ignites a racial uproar," (10/05/2007), fulfills its mission "to serve as a forum for better understanding and unity to help make the USA truly one nation," Al Neuharth, Founder, wrote September 15, 1982.
Clearly I am not black nor male but I remember the '68 race riots in Detroit. I was only in grade school but remember trying to make sense of the anger in the streets. My father was particularly shaken because many of his customers were black and lived within the city limits. The city was in lock down. He didn't work for three days, and the good people were prisoners in their own homes.
But I believe the bigger story has been hidden. Until now.
Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), states that public policy in California drives the building of more prisons and pulls no punches in this YouTube video.
When
a five-year-old is handcuffed and taken to jail for having a 30-minute temper tantrum
a nine-year-old is charged with attempted armed robbery with only a towel wrapped around his hands
five students, 14 to 18, were charged with second degree murder for a school fight and their tennis shoes deemed "lethal weapons"
our communities and leaders should be ashamed.
The Gathering For Justice addresses this sickening scope of juvenile incarceration. Spearheaded by some of the most notable thought leaders in the black community (Harry Belafonte, Marion Wright Edelman, Dr. Cornel West, Ruby Dee, and others), The Gathering evolved out of the understanding that civil rights and social justice organizations require national solidarity and collective focus to stop the political and moral obscenities that are severely undermining our justice system and violating the most sacred tenets of the U.S. Constitution.
They have created an intergenerational, interracial, and multicultural space where like-minded individuals can work together to change the justice process.
As the atrocities of WWII were being revealed, a man was asked, "What is the nature of evil?"
"It is when good men do nothing," he said.
The purpose of this blog is to encourage, educate, inspire and, on this occasion, to engender outrage among virtuous men. Watch the video and you'll see what I mean.
Tim Allen: I'm Not Really Here Star of the hit sitcom "Home Improvement," his take on quantum philosophy, intergender relationships, and the male midlife crisis. Who knew?
