Audi's "Truth in 24"

I just got finished watching "Truth In 24," the movie about Audi's 2008 24 Hours of LeMans campaign. I was simply blown away by the film. If it wasn't well past midnight when I started watching it, I would have cranked up the surround sound all the way and let the terrific soundtrack and wonderful noises from the race cars thunder about the house. The camera work was stunning. I will definitely have more to write about this wonderful movie when I am more awake; I was left with goosebumps.

You can get the movie for free on iTunes; just search for "Truth in 24" in the iTunes Store.

Mac McCormick III
kf4lmt@comcast.net

Pontiac and the Grand Am Rolex Series

Perhaps I missed it in the coverage of yesterday's Grand Am Rolex Series race at Virginia International Raceway, but I never heard them mention the impending end of Pontiac.  It increasingly looks like Pontiac will be discontinued by General Motors as part of their restructuring.  Pontiac is a major presence in both the Grand Am DP and GT classes.  Pontiac has also been one of the biggest advertisers for Grand Am.  You have to wonder what the end of Pontiac will mean for Grand Am and the teams that are running the Pontiac GT cars and the Pontiac engined DP cars.  Will GM end the Grand Am programs altogether?

Mac McCormick III

kf4lmt@comcast.net

Oppression and Secession

Over the past few weeks, I have been troubled by two words that I have heard protesters using:  Oppression and Secession.  These are two powerful words and I'm not sure that it is wise to use them.  

Protesters have made statements that they are oppressed by our government.  Perhaps our government's current policies are not best for us, perhaps they cause us trouble but I don't think that they can be classified as oppressive.  History offers many examples of oppression; I have a hard time believing that we are an oppressed people.

Some protesters have brought up secession, suggesting that states should secede from the Union because of economic policy.  Did we not learn anything from the 1860's and our Civil War?  Secession led to a war of destruction and to hard feelings and mistrust that lasted for decades and to an extent even to this day.  

Let us choose our words carefully and think carefully about what we say.

Mac McCormick III

kf4lmt@comcast.net

Miss California and Perez Hilton, Intolerance in Entertainment

I wouldn't know Perez Hilton from a hole in the ground.  I wouldn't know Miss California from a hole in the ground.  I don't follow Hollywood and entertainment gossip and I don't follow the various pageants so I don't know a thing about either except for what I've seen on the news over the last couple of days.  What I do know is this:  The entertainment industry has shown itself to be no different from the "conservatives" and Republicans they so often paint as being intolerant. 

During the Miss USA Pageant, Miss California was asked a question about gay marriage, which she answered according to her beliefs (that she was opposed to it).  It matters not whether I agree with her nor does it matter if the judges and the audience agreed with her; it is her right to have that opinion.  Following the pageant, she was blasted by Mr. Hilton (it was he who asked the question, by the way) for her answer, going so far as to refer to her as a bitch on his website and further implied calling her worse.

Some have been upset that Miss California's answer cost her a win in the pageant.  That to me, is not the issue at hand here; the pageant is a private affair and if the judges and those in charge wanted to penalize her for her beliefs, that is their prerogative.  What disturbs me is that there is outrage over what she said and very little to no outrage over Mr. Hilton's response.   He criticizes her for being intolerant of homosexuals but his behaviour towards her is just as intolerant.  He wants her to be respectful of his way of life (homosexual), yet he is disrespectful towards her way of life (conservative).  If the entertainment industry were truly serious about preaching tolerance, there would be just as much outrage over Mr. Hilton's insulting comments as there has been over Miss California's honest answer.

Mac McCormick III

kf4lmt@comcast.net

McLaren's Unsportsmanlike Conduct

The last time McLaren was in trouble, I defended them. This time, I cannot defend the actions of former McLaren Sporting Director Dave Ryan and driver Lewis Hamilton. In the recent fracas over whether or not the allowed Jarno Trulli to pass Hamilton during a yellow flag both Ryan and Hamilton told the race stewards a bold faced lie. The next week at Malaysia, they continued to lie about it despite being presented evidence to the contrary.

What is worse, Hamilton called a news conference at Malaysia to tell eveyone that he didn't want to lie, but was directed to by the team. He was lauded by some in the media for doing so. Hamilton is a grown man. If he didn't want to lie, he should not have. He should have done the right thing even though his team may have directed him to do otherwise. Dave Ryan is no longer with McLaren from the team over this incident. In my opinion, if Ryan is gone then Hamilton should be sent packing as well; he is just as guilty as Ryan is.

This whole episode has been a sorry example of sportsmanship for youngsters interested in motor sports and young people who are moving up the motor sports ladder of talent. A world champion and multiple world championship team should be setting a better example.

Mac McCormick III
kf4lmt@comcast.net

18 More Races for A.J. Allmendinger

I can't be more happy for A.J. Allmendinger. After truly being given the shaft by Red Bull last year he was picked up by Richard Petty Motorsports (Gillette-Evernham) and given a ride for the beginning of this season. He has done pretty well, currently standing 20th in the NASCAR Sprint Cup points, not much worse than his more experienced teammates. Autosport reports this morning that he has picked up sponsorship and will have his ride at Petty for at least 18 more races.

Allmendinger is definitely one of the most improved over the last season and deserves the chance to show what he can do.

Mac McCormick III
kf4lmt@comcast.net

More on my Church Decision

I would like to thank those who commented on my last blog post about the Church. I really appreciate the support and the prayers; no doubt they helped me make my decision. As I said in my comment to the last post, I have decided to stay where I am at and try to work toward making things better.

Mac McCormick III
kf4lmt@comcast.net