Congratulations Pip!

Tonight one of my favorite basketball players Scottie Pippen finally gets his just due when he will be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Pippen will be introduced by his sidekick for the night, Michael Jordan. While Pippen was fortunate to play alongside arguably the greatest player of all time in Jordan, his credentials stand up beside any of the greats. Perhaps a greater defensive player than he was an offensive player, Pippen rose from the obscurity of Arkansas to becoming a legend, which is a testament to his determination and tenacity.

The toughness of Pippen can never be questioned because in his early years he had to deal with the pressure that Jordan placed on him in practice everyday. Pippen never wilted under the pressure, and carved out his own niche with those great Chicago Bulls teams that ultimately won 6 championships. Scottie enjoy your evening of accolades, because you earned all of them.

Pulling For Fantasia!

The Fantasia Barrino lawsuit story had been around for months, but raised it's ugly head with a crescendo on Monday after Barrino was rushed to the hospital with an apparent aspirin overdose. America always loves a train wreck, and the Barrino story almost had a tragic ending. I'm hoping that Fantasia can gain strength during her moment of turmoil. Whatever she's feeling right now, it's not worth her daughter no longer having her loving mother with her.

Almost Half The Man!

I found this interesting article at Philly.com about Billy Ivory Larson who five years ago weighed 400 pounds. Looking at a picture of himself, he couldn't believe his eyes and at 34 years old knew that he had to do something. Larson was dealing with a number of health issues including high blood pressure, sleep apnea and arthritis which were making day to day living a challenge. Determined to get his life back, Larson bypassed the surgery option and changed his diet cutting back on junk foods, eating salads instead of cheeseburgers and drinking water instead of sodas. His exercise regimen began with doing 25 sit ups a day and ultimately escalated to walking 3 plus miles a day. It took 3 years but Larson got his weight down to 225 pounds.

Today he's weighing in at 235 pounds, and knows that to maintain his weight it will be an ongoing struggle, but this is a great story about determination to live a more healthy life. Larson's entire story can be found at billivorylawson.com.

Is Criticism of Michelle Obama's Trip To Spain Fair?

I would think that Michelle Obama traveling to Spain with her daughter Sasha and friends wouldn't be a big deal under normal circumstances, however, when the country is in a recession and jobs are few everything the First Family does is open to criticism. The truth of the matter is that Michelle Obama took the trip at the request of a friend and paid many of her expenses out of the family pockets.

I'm constantly saying that President Obama needs to do a better job at getting his message out regarding all issues and situations. The true facts of this trip could've been slanted much better prior to receiving criticism, and being in a reactionary mode. President Obama has to be more proactive in all areas of governing, because a story like his wife traveling to Spain with friends should be a non story.

President Obama Hoops It Up For The Troops!

President Barack Obama hooped it up with a contingent of active and retired NBA stars along with UConn's Maya Moore yesterday entertaining wounded soldiers, and participants of a Washington mentoring program. Retired stars Bill Russell, Earvin Johnson and Alonzo Mourning joined LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony Kobe Bryant along with other stars to help culminate President Obama's birthday week.

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