Leon Konieczny’s Blog

Today is Memorial Day. In the past, it was called Decoration Day, because it was a day to remember and decorate the graves of those soldiers who gave their lives for our country. It was also a day where people visited other graves of their ancestors as well, and laid wreaths, flowers, and gave other tributes.

My ancestors have been in this country since 1886 at the earliest, as far as I know, with the arrival of my grandfather at the ripe old age of 6! Other ancestors came later, some as late as the the first decade of the 1900s. I am not sure if any of them served in World War I. None that I recall. But a number of them have served in the armed forces since, including service in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq. I am proud, very proud, of all my ancestors and relatives who’ve served in the armed forces. My father is a veteran of the Korean Conflict. One uncle served in Vietnam, another in the Navy in World War II, another uncle in the Pacific–he’s a survivor of some of the most brutal fighting ever and never talks about it. An aunt served in World War II. And others have served in “peacetime,” too.

My great uncle, Andrew Szczech, gave his life for our country in Normandy, France, in 1944. He was 23.

Today I remember all those brave people decendants of some poor Polish immigrants who came to this country seeking a better place for their families. They found it. And some have paid the price for the great freedoms we enjoy. And perhaps in the future, others will pay that same price, all to ensure our freedom. I hope we never take it for granted.

We have a weekly staff meeting with my boss and part of my team. We have projects were working on an various things for discussion. At the end there’s a round-table–we go around and everyone has a chance to bring up topics. Finally, at the end, he asks if there’s any do-overs. In other words, something forgotten, passed by, or needing more discussion.

Life is not like that. We live the road we’ve traveled, and it’s pointless to wonder “what if” I had the chance to do it over. What if I had taken this turn instead of that? What if….

I watched a 1973 movie called “That Certain Summer” last night. I never saw it before. But I wonder, what would I have done, how would it have affected my life, if I had seen this in 1973. At the time, I was a ‘wet behind the ears’ college student, not really understanding who I was or where I was going in life. When I look back, I can’t help but wonder, “what if I’d seen this film….” But, live has no do-overs. What about the film? Look it up!

I am struck by the lack of real news on TV, especially the cable news channels–and I mean ALL of them. First, this past week they dwelled on the story of the Astronaut who came to Florida to kidnap or assault or maybe kill another astronaut due to a love triangle of some sort. Then it was the Anna Nicole Story. Sheesh! Enough. I really don’t care. True, the local news is full of it as are the Internet web sites. But the local news is thankfully brief, and on the Internet news web sites, at least I can click through to avoid the overly sensationalistic stories and look for real news.

I don’t know, I think cable news will die if it keeps this up. What about real news? Who cares about Anna Nicole. They are glamorizing a life and lifestyle that ended in premature death. By glamorizing it, young people may look up to it and try to imitate it. Sure, they think they’re smarter than to be caught dying prematurely. Little do they know…..

Boo to cable new for their overly sensationalistic reporting. They truly are going the route of no-news news. Shame!

American Idol is no longer my Idol. Now, I may watch it as it gets down to the finals and there is some real talent to be seen…that’s entertainment. But I caught some of the first two shows, where they do the so-called initial auditions. Sometimes, they are just downright cruel. Most of all Simon, but Randy and even, at times, Paula. To tell some of these characters that they can’t sing is the truth–and a good thing. But to make fun of people who are trying hard…. that’s really despicable.

I see in the news where the other night they were really making fun of a few people. I looked a the clips on You Tube. The judges were not very nice, and the camera work, the shots, what’s included and what’s not… all are just designed for  ratings and sensationalism, without any regard for the dignity of the people trying out. There needs to be a line between sense and sensational, and American Idol has crossed it. Shame on them. Shame!