Posted September 15, 2005

By Kevin Devlin

     Some things that people do annoy others. Sure they do. It certainly annoys me to the point that I merely shake my head in disbelief. So, I’d like to share my thoughts and my frustrations with you, and see what you think. I also intend to share the thoughts-the gripes-of others.

     My friend from Dorchester, who is involved in youth sports programs, and who has already shared a gripe or two, would like to share another. His gripe is youth coaches.  In many instances, he doesn’t like what he sees from the coaching ranks. He’s all for discipline, determination, dedication, and hard work.  But, to yell and scream at players, to chastise them and belittle them in front of their peers, is something that doesn’t fit quite well with this griper. He feels that there are other ways to motivate players, and it’s called positive motivation and reinforcement.

     As far as he is concerned, those coaches who graciously volunteer should gracefully coach, stop yelling at the players, and stop acting as if these young kids are professional athletes being paid millions of dollars to perform. Don’t forget, above all else, youth sports are supposed to be fun, aren’t they? And, don’t forget, building character and good sportsmanship should be factored in, not just winning at any cost.    

     A woman, who lives on M Street near the beach, jogs every morning around 5 a.m. and wonders why men are allowed to loiter near the World War II monument at the lagoon. She says she sees vodka bottles littering the area, is apprehensive as she jogs past them, and wonders why local police allow this to continue?

     We are thought of as the “Wasteful Society” by less fortunate souls such as ourselves, and in some instances they are right. One griper has told me that it drives him crazy when he’s driving around Southie on a cool day. It bothers him immensely when he hears the sound of air conditioners humming throughout the streets. Why, he asks, do people continue to use them after a heat wave is over, and dry, cooler air has moved into the region? Why, he asks, waste the energy if there isn’t any need to do so? As far as he’s concerned, save the energy for a hot day, and don’t waste it unnecessarily.

     But hold on, there is a need for pause at this juncture on the gripe line. New Englanders always gripe about the weather. It’s either too hot or too cold. After seeing events unfold down south caused by Hurricane Katrina, some, many of our gripes seem so frivolous, so foolish, and so unimportant. Without doubt, these gripes fade like the sun setting in the sky, as we realize the gravity of the situation. I hope I never complain about our weather again, it pales in comparison to the destruction the nation is witnessing, the devastation of 90,000 square miles.

     Thousands of people have died. Man, besieged by catastrophe and despair, resorted to the state of nature, and begin looting, killing, and raping. Never in a million years did we expect this to happen in America.  

     Perhaps unwilling to kneel to Mother Nature, incapable of thinking the unthinkable, our city, state, and local governments were caught napping at the wheel, paralyzed and unable to act. People were wondering when help would arrive. What was going on? But, we finally woke up, and are now speeding to help those in need of food, drink, shelter, medicine, and a whole lot of love.

     It will take time, energy, and most importantly money, but brighter days are on the horizon for all those Americans left homeless and destitute. And we pray for the dead. From this experience, from this tragedy, America must move forward. America must now plan in greater detail in order to be ready for future challenges that Nature will inevitably send our way.

     The lesson learned is America should never doubt that we must be humble at all times when dealing with Nature, and never doubt the merciless fury that can be unleashed, wreaking havoc on those in its path.

     We cannot and must not challenge her might, because if we do, it could be fatal, again. 

     (Writer’s Note: People do annoying things that bother us, all of us. So, what’s your gripe?)