Take a deep breath and let the legal system take over
Here is what I know about the much-talked about Great Bend High School swim team bus controversy. I wasn’t there. That is the only fact I have. Armed with that information, I am not here to take sides. Because, as I stated, I wasn’t there. I don’t know.
There are some peripheral things I do know. One of those is the near-mob mentality that has taken over this town is not good for Great Bend. Ironically, nearly 99.5 percent of those with that mentality weren’t on that bus either. They, like me, don’t know the facts. Only a handful or two of people in the back of that bus that day know the facts.
The Ellsworth County Sherriff’s Office is investigating. They will talk to those who have direct knowledge and at that point decide what charges – from none to very serious – to bring forward. If you aren’t one being interviewed by the Ellsworth Sherriff’s Office there is a reason. You don’t know the facts.
People, let the legal process takes its course.
I also know this much. The school district and the administration who dealt with the situation feel on the information they gathered they handed out the correct discipline. I also know the mother of the child on that bus feels by the information she has the proper decision was not made. I don’t know who is right. I wasn’t there. I don’t have all the information.
I know that vandalizing houses and making threats to those involved are against the law as well. The entire process is giving Great Bend a bad name.
The Wichita media thrives on it. They get to go back to Wichita when they are done. We live here. And trust me, they will stop coming all at once and move on to the next thing. But we will still be here.
I am all for protesting things you feel are not right. But do so lawfully. All Americans have the right to protest. No Americans have the right to break the law while protesting. This goes for social media as well as public places.
Again, I have no idea what happened. Chances are neither do most people reading this. Let the legal process play out. That is what we have in America and despite its shortcomings at times it has worked pretty darn well for some 240 years.
Prep thoughts
The post season is here for winter sports. It starts this weekend when state wrestling regionals are held around the state. That is of great interest to some local schools.
Annually, Hoisington is among the powers at the 3-2-1A level. It is no different this year. The Cardinals are currently ranked 8th in the state. The Cardinals have three wrestlers ranked in the top six by the Coaches Association in their weight classes – headlined by Christopher Ball.
It seems like there has been a wrestler named Ball in Hoisington for 20 years – about as long as it seems like Perry Ellis has been playing basketball at KU. Ball is ranked No. 2 in 145, Landen Urban 3rd at 285, and Austin McHenry 4th at 195.
The Cardinals caught a pretty decent draw at regionals. The only other top 10 team in Beloit this weekend is Marysville. They come in at 4th.
At GBHS, Cody Liles currently sits as the top ranked wrestler at 132 pounds in Class 5A. Keaton Sander is ranked 6th at 138. The Panthers will head to Valley Center for their regional. Great Bend, also, gets a regional that has just two ranked foes. Valley Center (4th) and Salina Central (6th) are in the top 10.
Former Athlete/Coach update
It’s been a while since we checked in on former Barton men’s basketball coach Steve Forbes. His East Tennessee State team is currently tied for second in the Southern Conference with four losses. Chattanooga leads at 12-2 with Furman (11-4) and East Tennessee State (10-4) behind.
Chattanooga (23-4) will win the regular season. East Tennessee (17-10) will not get an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. That means for Coach Forbes to make the NCAA Tournament in his first year as a DI head coach the Buccaneers are going to have to win the post-season tournament.
The tournament will take place March 4-7 in Asheville, NC. It’s been a pretty good first season for Forbes. A trip to the Dance would make it a great one.
Around campus
They’re creepy and they’re kooky. Mysterious and spooky. They’re all together ooky. The Addams Family. Tickets are now on sale for the Barton Music Department’s production of the Broadway Musical the Addams Family.
Reserve seating is only available with advance purchases but there will be some general admission tickets available at the door. Performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. on March 4 and 5 and at 2 p.m. March 6 at the Barton Fine Arts Auditorium.
Now I was always more of a Munsters guy growing up but do have an appreciation for Lurch and the crew. Should be a good time so come check out some local talent.
And Finally
Mayberry, North Carolina. The more the years pass the more mythical this town becomes. I grew up in Glen Elder, a town of less than 500 people. My wife and daughter call it Mayberry.
The Andy Griffith show can still be seen nearly 24 hours a day somewhere on television. I still watch, much to my family’s dismay.
It is kind of a fantasy land time as the biggest issues were Gomer making a Citizen’s Arrest on Barney. Opie telling of Mr. McBeevee, a man who walks in treetops, wears a silver hat and has 12 extra hands.
The trials of a business man in a hurry that has car troubles in Mayberry on a Sunday and has trouble getting someone to fix his car on the Sabbath. Otis pretending to be the deputy to impress his brother. Then finds out his brother is also a town drunk.
Or any of the episodes that included Ernest T Bass – the best rock thrower in the county. Amazingly, Ernest T was only in five episodes.
Sure, Mayberry was a fictional, almost fantasy town. But wouldn’t it be nice if the biggest issues were having to eat a double batch of Aunt Bee’s homemade pickles.
Now it seems like everyone is that businessman trying to get his car fixed on a Sunday in Mayberry. Patience is no longer a virtue, it is a lost art. No one stops to smell the roses. It is a now, now, now world.
I still believe that patience is a virtue. I believe, now more than ever, people should give it a try.