THIS COUNTRY DEMANDS MORE, EXPECTS MORE

Article originally published in the East Tennessean Monday, February 19, 2018, edition.

I feel like Bill Murray in the movie “Ground Hog’s Day.” Murray is a journalist reporting on small-town America and keeps waking up stuck in the same day. Except instead of a rodent looking for his shadow on a superstitious holiday in February, there is another mass shooting in America at a school for adolescence. There are reported dead, injured and a young shooter with mental health issues.

Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, now joins Sandy Hook, Columbine, Virginia Tech and many others on a growing list of infamous schools.

Republicans are sending up thoughts and prayers; Democrats are calling for stricter gun control; and once again, social media feeds reflect the ignorant divide of the nation’s political parties.

President Donald J. Trump addresses the nation following the recent mass shooting in Florida.
(Photograph by Joyce N. Boghosian / the White House)

This shooting occurred weeks after a gunman terrorized a Kentucky school. Two students were killed in Kentucky and 14 injured. In Florida the tragedy is worse, 17 students and faculty have been slain and another 14 wounded.

Many across the nation are trying to figure out why. Why is this a continuing problem in the U.S.? Others are reeling in shock and debating on even attending school. Parents are confused about sending their young to receive an education or protect them by means of isolation.

A large social movement is gaining strength. Advocates want stricter access to firearms in order to prevent the next Parkland, Florida, which seems inevitable in the constant stream of news footage showcasing one school shooting after another. We as a culture are accepting this as a normalcy rather than setting differences aside to solve the real issues behind these events. It is clear through tone and statements from both sides that even media coverage seems to forget the victims and their families to raise a flag in support of or opposition to gun control.

Florida law permits someone of 18-years or older to purchase AR-15s, a rifle styled after military type assault weapons. They are used for hunting, sport and collecting by gun enthusiasts. Nikolas Cruz, the 19-year-old shooter, used one to murder his peers.

Is gun control the solution? Would stricter gun laws curb shootings like this?

In my opinion, the short answer is no. Stricter gun laws would do nothing to stop a person like this from harming others. The problem is multifaceted, and therefore the solution must be too. However, an update for sensible gun law reform needs to happen; either pass federal law or regulate state law.

The shooter in Florida bragged about planning this online, shown multiple warning signs of mental health issues and police were called to his home over a dozen times. How was he able to legally purchase this rifle at 18-years-old with these extenuating circumstances?

I cannot justify any reason this kid was able to purchase this firearm legally without training or screening. More strenuous background checks could have prevented this. Raising the age limit to purchase a firearm could have. Mandating mental health checks and supervised training before approving the purchase of the rifle could.

Many things could have prevented this, not just more gun control. Better education could have prevented this. Interpersonal communication could have prevented this. Recognizing the signs of mental illness and the reaching out of a deranged adolescence for attention could have prevented this. We as a nation need to recognize the multiple causes for mass shootings and treat the problems as a whole. A Band-Aid on a hemorrhaging artery will not stop the bleeding. In my opinion, that is what more gun control would be like.

We need to have more interpersonal communication, as in face-to-face speaking with one another. We need to teach our young that every life is precious and stop focusing on emphasizing oneself over all others. We need a boatload of better education.

When every person hunted for food, we as a culture had a deeper understanding and respect for firearms. We knew they could take life. We knew what the consequence for taking life was. We knew that all life was precious and there was an urge to protect thy neighbor as thy brother. We did not glorify cultures of violence and were taught there were other ways to solve problems. Children did not sit for hours playing video games that give rewards for killing the most people. Our movies were not inundated with celebrations of “heroes” that indiscriminately kill mass amounts of people in third-world countries.

There are many things that need to be done in the U.S. to curb our mass shooting pandemic. Children across the nation are scared to go to school. A place that should be a vestige of security has turned into the adolescent terrorist playground.

We must stop pointing the finger at guns and each other. We need to take a deep introspective look at our culture and recognize the causes as a whole. Until we do, we will continue to wake up to the same tragedy playing again and again.

Head Coach Noah Naseri Shares his Perspective on the State of Mountain Biking in Northeast Tennessee

NETCT Coach sits down and talks about the challenges of starting the regions first High School Mountain Biking Team in Northeast Tennessee. He and I had this discussion the day after Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day, an event hosted by the local SORBA/IMBA chapter. Naseri is an ambassador for the sport and wonderful to talk to about mountain biking.

https://www.podomatic.com/embed/html5/podcast/5464695?style=normal&autoplay=false

Northeast Tennessee Cycling Team Head Coach Noah Naseri was on the grounds at Winged Deer Park for Take A Kid Mountain Biking Day. Naseri just returned from a cross-country bicycling trip to raise money for his team. Photo by W. Kenneth Medley II

Planning for the Future, What Do You Need?

Preparing for the future may be one of the hardest challenges one faces. It is the unknown that can cause the most anxiety or fear of failure. That fear and anxiety can be dilapidating. Prep work is probably the most important part of this. Preparing yourself mentally and physically for the struggles ahead is paramount.

If a person has never been taught how to do this it will be that much harder. One may question, at this point, how can one be taught HOW to prepare for the future? Who isn’t taught how to prepare? Isn’t this something that is inherent to human nature? The short answer is yes and no, in my opinion. Yes it is inherent and can be taught. No; not everybody is taught this.

A person who lives paycheck to paycheck, in my opinion, has NOT been taught this.

The anxiety that one may experience in thinking of the future is because they do not know how to plan for it. The future becomes an abyss of the unknown, of failure, or even, danger and death. It can stimulate fear and that fear can freeze a person and stop their forward progression.

Now, is this fear rational? YES, it most certainly is! Maybe not the fear of death, but the fear of failure is definitely rational. Most people, I imagine, experience some degree of anxiety when setting goals for the future. There is never a guarantee that one will achieve these goals. Even a person that plans and prepares the most can fail. This is why the future can be so scary.

I have heard a lot of graduating college students express these fears in different ways. Most of the students I have discussed this issue with have some degree of anxiety because of this. Some even sabotage their own graduation to stay in school just a few more years. They fail classes or change a minor, refuse to pay financial holds.

They worry about leaving school and securing employment, providing for themselves and their family, and the myriad of other things that American Culture has come to expect from them. They feel that without a promise of a job they will fail and have to move back in with their parents, or worse.

What can one do to mitigate this fear? One possibility is to talk about it with other students. As clichéd as it may sound talking about one’s problems with another person can help. Understanding another person’s perspective, and solutions, to a problem, may present ideas in solving the issue.

Talking about a personal problem, with another, may make one realize that a lot of people have the same issues. This can help lessen the fear and anxiety by making one feel that they are not an outcast or different.

The people that have expressed the least fear have been those that extensively plan. They have a detailed set of goals. Not a short list of hopes, but an actual list of achievable goals with descriptions of what it will take to achieve them.

This gets me to my final thought for the morning. Planning is great and having a well laid out plan with attainable goals is a must for success. Now, what is the second thing you need after a well thought out and analyzed plan? Probably more important than the plan is, D-I-S-C-I-P-L-I-N-E, and that will be the discussion of my column tomorrow.

 

 

Americans Aren’t Entitled to Happiness

My morning thoughts have wandered today. It has been a busy morning. Up early to get my son ready for school and then to Kingsport for an appointment with Kaye. My time has been spent reading different things and engaging in conversation on Social Media.

I am not going to get into my discussions that I was having. It was on a topic I do not wish to discuss here. The topic isn’t the purpose of this series. I will, however, share a take away from this conversation.

Reflections: I will define the term as, introspective thinking in an existential way to highlight faults and strengths in ones own character or behavior. Reflections like this usually come with age and are manifested as maturity or wisdom. They must be objective, honest assessments, in order to be effective.

Many of you probably have heard a form of this sentiment. One example is, “The only person you have to live with is the person in the mirror.” Statements like this and others allude to what I mean by reflections. It is and must be an honest assessment of ones own behavior in order to inspire change.

This gets me to my second point of this Morning Thoughts.

In the U.S. we have a sense of entitlement to happiness. This is a false belief. We in the U.S. have a right to pursue happiness, but nobody can guarantee it. There is a huge difference. A lot of people have been tricked into believing that happiness comes from material things.

This isn’t a surprise in a nation with such immense wealth as the U.S. Many people living in poverty, according to American standards, still have it better than the middle class in other countries. This is my opinion, but one that is based off of many different research findings, and witnessing this first hand.

I feel that a deep-rooted consumerism belief is one demon of this problem. A lot of people in today’s America would rather buy something new than repair something they have. Americans are inundated with advertisements that appeal to emotion or class status, rather than the quality of a product.

Some people in the U.S. will pay $30 four-times-per year, for a product that breaks more often, than $150 for a like product, built in a local craft shop, that may break once in 10 years.

I feel that one reason for this is the inundation of advertising Americans face daily. Another is the desire to have what others have and living outside of ones means financially.

In my opinion, another issue is internal victimization in the U.S.

People in the U.S. scream oppression while they or their family earn tens-of-millions of dollars a year. They see themselves as victims because they have been indoctrinated by an education system that tells them, “no matter how hard you work, you’re still going to be oppressed.” I have witnessed this first hand in a university classroom.

I do not wish to challenge the oppression of those that feel they are oppressed. I only want to point out that there is a gap between what people earn and what people save in the U.S. There is also a gap between what people say they are going to do to solve their situation and what their actions are.

People individually must stop seeing themselves as victims. Unfortunately, the world can be a very unfriendly place. We as a people must stop telling others that it isn’t their fault. We must stop looking for fault all together and look for solutions. “The first step to solving a problem is recognizing the problem.” (Unknown) The second step is not assigning blame. If one cannot succeed because of an outside force, then how can one overcome that adversity?

We must encourage the next generation, and the generation of Americans who stand idly by waiting for a handout, in order to lift them out of their situation. Americans must stop telling other Americans that it isn’t their fault. The message needs to revert back to,

“Work as hard as you can for what you want in life and never stop working for it.”- My Dad

What Happened to Respect in the U.S.?

This morning’s thoughts turn to respect. People are raised differently throughout the U.S. This is something that is clear from one individual to the next. One can argue that individuals influence those around them and in turn are influenced by others. Researchers have done many studies on this subject.

The way one speaks, and speaks to those around them, is one way that we influence others. Today I ask, what happened to speaking with respect to and about one another?

When I was young my father made sure that I spoke to him with respect. It wasn’t hard for the lessons to set in. Most, if not all, youth at the time were taught to “respect their elders.” This wasn’t long ago. I am a Millennial, albeit, just barely. I make the cut by 5 years. It did not matter who the adult was: a teacher, preacher or otherwise. I was taught to respect my elders and speak to any human being with respect, if only for the reason of them being human.

What has happened to this philosophy in the U.S.?

I have seen, on Social Media, a university professor whose comments were humorously and condescendingly contextualized toward a student, attending the school he works at, over a claim of oppression. He condemned her story and said that she was “ignorant” for her claim.

She is a Caucasian Conservative Republican claiming that she had recently began to be attacked for her political beliefs and the color of her skin. The professor is a Caucasian, assumingly, of a different political party. I am not condemning this professor’s actions or his claim that the student’s story is erroneous. I will, however, argue that his point could have been made with more respect for the woman.

Why is the norm becoming to reply with shouts when one disagrees with another?

Our leadership is one place that change could be initiated. President Trump is one individual that we see on the new-media shouting rhetoric contextualized with anger. Why not change the tone? I am reminded of an environmental slogan, “Think global, Act local.” The same applies to behavior; societal behavior change begins with the individual’s behavior.

The solution I propose is a simple one. I propose a call to action to all my readers and followers. I challenge you to wake up with a congenial disposition daily. One must challenge internally their will to not let the world change that disposition.

It is easy to blame others for your decisions and the consequences of those decisions. The world encourages in doing so. It is also challenging to accept failure and blame for most people.

One must face adversity with a smile and welcome the challenge. One must realize that the day-to-day makes you stronger, every day, even when the world tries to tear you down.

We as a society, as a nation, must stop shouting and challenging one another. We must sit down and realize that we are all human. We are all different and that those differences make us stronger. That to move forward, together, we must discuss hard issues with empathy toward one another and acceptance of each other’s faults, but with respect.

Featured Image Sourced from YouTube: Actor Jeff Daniels during opening scenes of HBO’s series, Newsroom.

 

 

 

10 reasons to live in Johnson City, Tennessee

Recreation: Johnson City, Tennessee is a mountain town. The city is within 30 miles of Bristol Motor Speedway. The speed way host two annual NASCAR races. The accompanying Bristol Dragway host events March 26, through Oct. 1, 2016, including “Street Fights,” DER Test N Tune days and NHRA drag racing events.

The mountain location offers ample mountain biking, hiking, all-terrain vehicle and horseback riding trails. The Nolichucky River is great for white-water rafting, canoeing or any other river activities. There are restaurants and music outlets that offer a variety of food and tunes.

Adventurous fisherman will discover mountain streams, rivers and lakes with healthy ecosystems. Different waterways offer varieties of fish including trout, musky, catfish and bass to name a few. The lakes are great for kayak and canoe fishing. Pontoon boat festivities are abundant on the lakes too.

Music: A quick Wikipedia search will inform one of Johnson City’s musical roots. Bristol, Tennessee, has a recognized role in the birth and development of country music by The Birthplace of Country Music Museum, but recordings were made in JC as early as 1928. This musical tradition carries over today.

Hunter Grigg performs at The Willow Tree Cafe located in dowtown Johnson City.

The Downhome, Poor Richards Campus and Hungry Apex are local establishments that offer live music. Poor Richards is a restaurant and local college bar. The Downhome has been serving as a music venue since its founding in 1976. According to their website, “the primary emphasis is on quality music, and the performance atmosphere promotes listening rather than socializing.”

Location: Johnson City is located in North Eastern Tennessee, spread amongst three counties, Washington (mostly), Carter and Sullivan. The city is ninth largest in Tennessee, and ranked number 14 “Best Small Place for Business and Careers” in the U.S. by Forbes. The estimated population according the U.S. Census Bureau by 2014 was 65,813.

The location places JC at the base of Buffalo Mountain. The city is also near Cumberland Gap, The Great Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Parkway. The drives in and around the city offer majestic views. One can relax getting lost in the rhythm of the road on country drives or motorcycle rides.

View of N. Roan Street, Johnson City as seen from Buffalo Mountain.

Americana Spirit: First, to understand how Johnson City embraces this one must define the term. Henry Seidel Canby defined Americana as nostalgia when he wrote, “[I]t is the small town, the small city, that is our heritage. We have made twentieth-century America from it, and some account of these communities as they were … we owe our children and grandchildren.”

Johnson City’s communities embrace this. One can achieve a sense of belonging within the community by giving back. The historic “Tree Streets” represent times in America during prohibition. Al Capone’s house stands as one of the largest structures in this area. The boom of the city, as a depot transporting coal from the mountains to America, is still heard in the magnitude of trains passing through everyday.

Art: East Tennessee State University, located in Johnson City limits, allow the “Art Scene” to thrive. Local establishments like The Willow Tree Café offer multiple venues for artist to sell work. Musicians can choose from a multitude of outlets for live shows. Stand-up comedians can discover open-mic nights at local joints such as The Hideaway.

Community: Johnson City offers a variety of communities. There are historical districts, downtown apartments and mountainside cabins all within driving distance of the hottest shopping and entertainment areas. Each of these communities offer a variety of lifestyles. The common thread one may discover is giving back. The more you are involved within the communities Johnson City the more those communities will help you.

History: The history of Johnson City is unique and interesting. The area became a train depot in the 1850s founded by Henry Johnson. The city grew becoming a major intersection for three states. The location and train depot helped grow Johnson City into a traveling hub for those heading west.

Later, George Carter donated 100 acres of land, to the state, helping to establish East Tennessee State Normal School in 1911. The school achieved university status in 1963, becoming ETSU. The school was apart of an effort establishing a state school in Tennessee’s three regions.

Memorial Hall (Brooks Gym) is home to ETSU’s Army ROTC program.

Al Capone, the famous gangster from Chicago, once called Johnson City his “second favorite city” giving it the nickname Little Chicago. Capone’s house is now an apartment complex. Located across the street from an Elementary school in the historic “Tree Streets” area.

Diversity:  There is diversity in the activities, food, music and people you will meet. Freiberg’s, a German restaurant, is located across the street from the Korean Taco House. Yee-haw Brewing Co. and White Duck Taco Shop are right around the corner.

Music venues in JC cater to everything from live bands to DJs. Some play covers and others original music. Many musicians will blend their stage time with original music and covers. One can almost bet on hearing the song “Wagon Wheel” if a live band is playing.

Just Jump is a trampoline center where children and adults are welcome. There are over 100 miles of bicycle paths in and around the city. The Tweetsie Trail is over 10 miles alone and connects Johnson City with Elizabethton, Tennessee.

Kenneth Medley and Kaylani Ngirarois enjoy bike riding along the Tweetsie Trail.

Education: Education opportunities are available in Johnson City. There are multiple public and private options for lower education. Religious schools for youngsters are available as well.

ETSU is a 4-year state school. They have award-winning programs in pharmacy, video game design and others. The university has over 100 years of history in Johnson City. Other higher education centers in the area are King College, Milligan College and Northeast State Community College.

Growth: Without delving into statistics one can observe the growth of Johnson City. Over the last three years multiple business have opened. New apartment buildings, such as Monarch 851, have been and continue to be built. Yee-Haw Brewing Co. and White Duck Taco Shop and Trek Bicycle Store are but a few of many.