Four for Friday

(Link at left)

Q1 - Public Speaking:What is the largest group of people you have ever spoken in front of, and what was the focus of your talk/speech?

I've spoken in churches several times, as liturgist, presenter and/or reader, and in meetings of various types (not really "in front of," more "in the midst of"), and in large classrooms. I can't remember anything much more than about 100 people. That's enough!

Q2 - Freedom of Speech: Earlier this week, former Miami Heat basketball player Tim Hardaway said on a sports radio talk show that he would not want a gay player on his team. "You know, I hate gay people, so I let it be known," Hardaway said. "I don't like gay people and I don't like to be around gay people. I am homophobic. I don't like it. It shouldn't be in the world or in the United States." National Basketball Association commissioner David Stern, upon learning of the remarks, banished Hardaway from this weekend's NBA's All-Star activities in Las Vegas. Despite what you think about Hardaway's comments, do you think the NBA took the right, appropriate or just action in barring him from the League's All-Star functions?

Well, it seems to me that the NBA probably did him a favor. I'd bet on there being at least one gay person in the vicinity, and since he doesn't like being around gay people...he got his wish.

He's honest. I'll give him that. And yes, he has the right to say stuff like this. And the NBA has the right to tell him to siddown and shaddup, in this case disinviting him from something that is clearly invitational. I don't think the Heat could fire him for saying this stuff, but again they might just be able to say what I said in my first paragraph: You don't want to be around gay people? OK, well, since there may be gay people on our staff and in the crowd on game days, I guess you'll have to seek employment elsewhere. Someplace where there are no gays.

Uhm, yeah. Let me know how that works out for ya, maggot.

Q3 - Food Poisoning: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers not to eat from certain jars of Peter Pan peanut butter or Great Value peanut butter due to risk of contamination with Salmonella Tennessee (a bacterium that causes food borne illness). The affected jars of Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter have a product code located on the lid of the jar that begins with the number "2111." Have you ever had food poisoning? If so, what made you sick, and can you still eat that particular food? If a restaurant was involved, can you still eat food from the establishment that contributed to your food poisoning?

I've surely had mild cases of food poisoning, but I've never been able to tie it to a specific food, or a place where I ate. Sometimes the canapes have just sat out too long at someone's house party.... If I did get sick from a restaurant, I doubt I'd eat there again.

Q4 - Purchases: What was the last thing you purchased, and what do you think you will purchase next?

Food. It's always about food for me!

Seriously: I ate Taco Bell food last night (ironic that this follows a question about food poisoning!), and I need to hit the grocery store today.