uncommonly feeble and random thoughts

https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/sports/college/msu/2018/01/30/former-michigan-state-basketball-star-travis-walton-denies-sexual-assault-allegation/1079104001/ Excerpts from the article: The 30-year-old Walton had an assault and battery case in East Lansing 54B District Court that was reduced to a littering fine, according to court documents. ESPN interviewed the alleged victim in that case, Ashley Thompson. The alleged incident occurred at Dublin Square bar in East Lansing on Jan. 16, 2010, and the plea agreement was reached April 21 that year according to court records. That same month, according to the ESPN Outside the Lines report, Walton and two unnamed players from the Spartans’ 2010 Final Four team were alleged to have sexually assaulted a woman off campus along. ESPN reported the alleged gang rape was never reported to police or the university’s Title IX office, but the network said the victim and her family reported it to athletic director Mark H...

https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/2018/01/30/michigan-state-university-larry-nassar/1080043001/ John Engler. The man who worked tirelessly to take the "public" out of public education. Who moved the Michigan Education Assessment Program, or MEAP office, out from under the Dept. of Education over to Finance and Budget, where he didn't have a messy Board with which he'd have to contend. Who tried mightily to also remove that Board, but found out there was a state Constitution in his way. THAT John Engler. Sparty augurs in. It's getting chilly in hell.

It looks pretty bad. A mic in Izzo's face and him stonewalling. Damning copy in the NYTimes, on ESPN, etc. about Travis Walton being allowed to coach... but then, the court said he could. Not wanting to cover for Tom, but does the U want to tell him to issue a sanction when a court will not? If that's the case, then we have a whole lot of work to do. Yes the U had to be sued on FOIA grounds for info regarding cases of sexual assaults involving athletes. Yes they redacted names that the ELPD and others did not. Yes the U has a vested interest in brand protection. The U also has a vested interest in protecting students in their care. So. Who among the public understands the law regarding release of information, and specifically names of those involved? I don't. Police departments aren't charged with protecting the privacy of those named in reports, are they? I don't know. Are schools? I don't know. I think they are. I know about FERPA. I would think th...

(from an email I sent to a high school classmate) I listened to several victim impact statements on the FB livestream from Aquilina's courtroom. I've read thousands of words on the cases. I've tried to process this avalanche of input and data. It, like Sparty's response, is still a work in progress. I guess that because Jordyn Wieber lived in our neighborhood, and we know her, and her brother, and her parents, that we have a more personal connection than many. And, our son played (and practiced) hockey in the same barn as Twistars. We share the whole alum connection as Linda and I have five degrees from MSU. I, perhaps like you, grew up riding my bike around campus, first living in the barracks across the street from what is now Holden Hall. The quonsets were mansions. So yeah, taking' it personally, and bleedin' green. I'm stunned at many things. I thought Sandusky would have prompted far better controls being adopted. I have a...

The heinousness of the Nassar reign of terror is over. At least, there will be no new victims. It will never be over for the survivors. We must never forget that. They told us, and at long last, we listened. Judge Aquilina was amazing. But for all the catharsis that might attach to the testimony we heard, pain will persist for these women, and girls, and their families. Parents who could not protect them, and significant others who cannot console them, are added to the victim list. Collateral damage, it's called in war. A cold term, for sure, but conceptually helpful to frame the horror. And I wonder about the children these women have, and will have. I'm so moved by Rachel Denhollander's recounting of her view of her daughters. How incredibly sad it all is. So now, we await the Eaton County sentencing, and wonder where the monster will be residing, and whether he'll commit suicide, and whether other experiences await him, behind bars. And the press turns rapidl...

Buffalo Trace is a company that is well-connected to the history and to the community. The workforce (labor) pitched to management a notion to create a park on the grounds, for their breaks in part but also as a beautification move. Once approval was granted, they then donated their time to build it. Talk about sweat equity. There have been a number of floods, over the years, and so on the historical side of the ledger, each flood has been commemorated on Building 61. Note the plaques, starting a ground level: For clarity's sake, here's a zoom on the concept: Throughout the distillery buildings and grounds, there are many small but character-giving touches. Exhibit A, this tap handle for tasting for quality control early in the distillation process: And another bit of information... in case the trivia game at the bar ever poses the question... the answer is "...made at Buffalo Trace in Frankfort!" And behold, the smallest bond...

Saturday was a whirlwind. Sunday, I began with a couple miles of walking in Rob and Wynee's neighborhood. It's a series of cul-de-sacs and... oh wait. Google Timeline to the rescue! The light blue shows my walking path. Well, to the accuracy allowed.. I walked on the streets, not through the yards: That prepared me for a hearty breakfast, delicious, served up by Wynee! Then, it was time to head for our last distillery stop. Have to say, that save-the-best-for-last phrase sure permeated the visit! Rob and Wynee have a great, great, neighbor who happens to work at Buffalo Trace and offered to give us his personal, private tour. What? Spend your time on a Sunday at work??? Yeah, well, he's that kind of guy. Amazingly knowledgeable, witty, and giving. It was truly a gift. So, here we go!! Side note: they have one superlative web site ... a must-see if you plan to go there. Heck, even if you don't, a web site visit will certainly not be a waste of ti...