I am troubled.

I am troubled.

I am troubled by the state of affairs my beloved university is in.  22 months ago the Board of Visitors hired at first female president in the history of the University of Virginia, Dr. Teresa Sullivan, and two weeks ago asked for her resignation.  I met the woman this spring - she is delightful –but I do not know all the reasons why the controversy arose.  What I do know is that my university is an uproar, authority is being challenged, many students faculty and alumni are speaking out on behalf of the president and there is a great deal of discontent on the Gounds of Mr. Jefferson’s University.  For a place that always seems to be under control with solid leadership, the past few weeks have been chaotic and embarrassing.  I’m troubled for all the very good people, some of whom I count as friends, who are embroiled in this controversy.  The Governor of Virginia asked for the resignation of the entire board, who were appointed by Virginia Governor’s, if the matter is not resolved this week.  I pray for a peaceful, amicable resolution.

Being a cup half full kind of guy, I look for opportunity in every challenging situation.  For my university the opportunity is to take advantage of all the people who are engaged at this point and keep them engaged in the discussion that will follow on the direction that the University of Virginia will take.  Higher education is on the cusp of great change.  I do not know what it will look like three years, five years, 10 years from now, or when my grandchildren enter the process 13 years from now.  Whatever happens, my university needs to be ready for change and part of the process.  To paraphrase Mr. Jefferson, a little revolution is good every now and then.

I am troubled for all of the good people who live in and around State College, Pennsylvania, all who have roots there and those with ties to Penn State.  I am troubled that the stain of a pedophile will for an extended period taint our vision of them.  Sandusky was caught, prosecuted, and will be put away for the rest of his life.  There is a special place in the afterlife for people like him. I am proud as punch when my former players still refer to me as ‘Coach’ but he has tarnished that image, too.  The sad, sorry episode is over.  But for his victims and for the good people of that community, the stain, sorrow and sadness will linger.  I have a fraternity brother who lives there with his lovely wife and family.  One of my great and good friends was raised there and still has family in the area.  His brother was the basketball coach for the Nittany Lions for a time a while back.  I’ve been there and it is a lovely community.  Because of the pervasive nature of college athletics these days, there will be constant reminders of this episode from coast to coast. The spotless reputation of Penn State is forever tarnished.  Everything good and positive compiled during a remarkable coaching career of Joe Paterno is washed away and branded with a scarlet letter P.  I grieve for the Penn State family and am furious at those who let this go on for so long.

I am troubled for the Elsmere policeman who was put in a position where he felt compelled to discharge his firearm and injure a person.  It is a horrible thing to have to do and everybody who enters police service realizes that it is a possibility.  That doesn't make it any easier on him, on his department and his chief, on his community and its mayor, on his family and friends.  The fact that a person is dead compounds the situation.  I am not expressing an opinion on whether or not the shooting was justified, on whether or not the deceased behaved in a criminal manner, etc.  My opinion is that any shooting affects everyone in the circle that surrounds the participants.  It happens across the river daily but it is a rare occurrence in Northern Kentucky, especially suburban Northern Kentucky.  I'm so sorry that this happened.  I feel so sorry for the policeman and his family.

I am troubled for our Commonwealth and our country.  Presidential campaign ads are already been run on television and it's just June.  Battle lines are being drawn.  Everyone seems to be taking extreme positions.  Compromise is both a lost art and highly criticized.  More on this later.

I am troubled by a divorce case has been going on for four years and I cannot get it to end.  I have been working on it forever and ever and ever, have spent hundreds of hours on it and can't seem to get the system to bring it to a conclusion.  There's always something else - some other delay -some new problem -and these people just cannot get along.  My client is at her wit’s the end, has been out of money for years, and has lost faith completely in our system of justice. I am an officer of the court and a leader in the state bar, and am frustrated to no end.  There are no correct answers or directions to give this woman that will bring her closure and peace.

I think I need a dose of serenity prayer.