A true thing: A teacher wrote The Third Rainbow Girl. A true thing: A student wrote it. A true thing: There was a double murder in a field in the United States National Radio Quiet Zone, where the government restricts Wi-Fi and cell towers so a giant satellite dish can track interstellar signals. A true thing: There are no true things.

In her debut work of nonfiction, Emma Copley Eisenberg recounts her time as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer teaching writing at a camp for teenage girls in West Virginia. An excerpt from her class notes, included in the book, reads: Does the story have more than one point/idea/theme? Could it be read in more than one way? Does the character have flaws and contradictions? Are all the words carefully chosen? Is every word necessary? Is it physical?

The Third Rainbow Girl ticks all of these boxes.

Its web of complexity stretches from themes of personal and shared experiences, silence in all its permutations, and misogynys place in the groundwater of every American city and every American town, to outsiderness and community, truth and its subjectivity. It can be read as a memoir, as a deeply researched true-crime report, as a work of philosophy. And the language isphysical and visceral in its description of both the corporeal and the psychological. By Eisenbergs own rubric, this book succeeds on many levels.

Eisenberg is a skilled researcher, a truth made clear by the troves of detail about the Rainbow Murders case, expertly laid out in engaging prose. On June 25, 1980, 26-year-old Vicki Durian and 19-year-old Nancy Santomero were murdered in an isolated clearing inside the federal Quiet Zone in Pocahontas County, West Virginia. They were shot at close range. They were hitchhiking to a Rainbow Gathering an annual, loosely knit convergence of a counter-culture group called the Rainbow Family that focused on peace, freedom and respect which in 1980 took place not far from where Nancy and Vicki were killed. The titular third woman is Elizabeth Johndrow, who had been traveling with Vicki and Nancy but decided to skip the gathering at the last minute.

The real third rainbow girl, however, is Eisenberg herself.

The search for justice in the Rainbow Murders case quickly ballooned into a complicated, shifty pursuit. Seven local men with reputations for rowdy drinking were accused in various capacities of having something to do with the crime, but it wasnt until 1993 that a local man, Jacob Beard, was convicted and sent to prison. Later, a serial killer (already imprisoned in a different state) confessed to the murders, and Beard was released. In reporting the many grim details of the case, Eisenberg explores the nature of truth and its connection to the idea of justice; she analyzes the case from the vantage point of storytelling archetypes, psychological theory and, most compellingly, her own shortcomings as an outsider.

Many outsiders narratives have been imposed on Appalachia, something Eisenberg readily acknowledges and grapples with. Despite her love of the place, her years living there and the community with which she shares a deep and complex relationship, she is not from the area. Perhaps in an attempt to reckon with this fact and to be as objective as possible, Eisenberg injects the book with two vital lifelines: her own memoir-esque chapters, and copious historical context. The narrative is expansive, but it doesnt get out of hand. It is engagingly written and well paced. Eisenbergs life in Pocahontas County was complicated by men her familial love of men, and harm experienced because of men.

Harm will always permeate a world with misogyny in the groundwater. I felt harmed and also that I had harmed others with my weakness and my silence and my actions, Eisenberg writes. Things kept returning to me and knocking, demanding to be heard for I was not just a witness but a part of all of it, a person who wanted oblivion for my own reasons.

Oblivion is sometimes preferable to knowledge, but it, too, is ultimately harmful. It is in the relentless pursuit of often unanswerable questions where the narrative becomes queer. While queerness is only explicit in the book a handful of times, the very bones and blood of it the ways in which it looks in all the corners, always asking why is where the authors queer lens shines. Ultimately, the book is about accepting multiplicity and the prismatic nature of truth and justice.

A book like The Third Rainbow Girl is a rare find. Its nuance and self-awareness propel the narrative forward into territory far beyond the black and white. In that sense, it is a rainbow in itself.

_____

The Third Rainbow Girl:The Long Life of a Double Murder in Appalachia byEmma Copley Eisenberg, Hachette, 336 pp., $27

Reading information:Eisenberg will read from Third Rainbow Girl at 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 10, at Elliott Bay Book Company,1521 10th Ave., Seattle;206-624-6600;elliottbaybook.com

Sarah Neilson Sarah Neilson is a freelance writer and book critic based in Seattle. Her work appears in Buzzfeed, LA Review of Books, LitHub, The Millions, and Electric Literature, among other outlets. She can be found on Twitter @sarahmariewrote, Instagram @readrunsea, and on her website, sarahneilsonwriter.com.

See the rest here:
The Third Rainbow Girl explores the complicated relationship between truth and justice - Seattle Times

BRANSON, Mo.-- More than 110 human trafficking cases were reported in Missouri in 2019.

Survivors of human trafficking say it's important to speak out about the abuse.

"It felt like I was dead inside like I didn't feel like a human being," said a survivor of human trafficking.

This woman, who has asked to remain anonymous, says she is a survivor of human trafficking. She was six years old when the abuse started. She says her own grandfather sold her and her sister to his brothers and friends for ten years.

"If we didn't come home with the agreed amount, we would be beaten for it," said the survivor.

She wants people to know there are signs to look out for when it comes to spotting victims.

"When you are going through something like that, you are really secluded you don't really talk to anybody because you're scared. there is a lot of physical abuse involved, it's not just sexual," said the survivor.

Tim Easton educates the community about human trafficking through his awareness and prevention course. He says this type of crime does happen more often in the Ozarks than one might think.

"We don't see a lot of it, because it's not obvious, a lot of it is done on-line," said Easton.

Human Trafficking is considered a form of modern slavery in which a person is sold for sex, work, or both. Easton says perpetrators don't discriminate when it comes to picking their victims.

"They are promised money, fancy clothes, nice stuff and it doesn't turn out like that," said Easton.

Easton says it's important to be self-aware, vigilant and to learn self-defense.

"Yell, scream, and call for help," said Easton.

And if you are a victim of this abuse, the survivor says the best way to get help is to find the courage to speak out.

For more information, click here.

Read more:
Safety experts educate on human trafficking in the Ozarks - KY3

While it is guided by our internal values, our purpose should be outwardly directed and focused to what we can contribute to the world. A purpose bounds our lives, and boundaries bring freedom. Without boundaries we would never know where to begin and end.

We would have no idea how to direct our attention and actions, nor on what we should focus. When we live according to our purpose, we are taking all of your lifes energy and dedicating it to achieving a particular end. That is a powerful way to live.

People with a purpose are more resilient and are actually in better health than those without a purpose in life. Our lives need structure, and purpose gives it that structure.

Living by our values brings peace of mind. A purpose informs us of who we are, informs others of what we are about, and helps us ensure we are on the right path, doing the right work. Purpose allows us a new and deeper level of self-awareness and social awareness.

Self-awareness comes when we take the time to mindfully reflect on and exam our actions and honestly appraise whether they are in-line with our purpose, and living purposefully brings with it a social-awareness of how we fit in with and relate to the larger world. Are we trying to live sober but are surrounded by patiers?

Do we want to live a life devoted to justice, but work in a job that does not treat people, animals, and/or the environment in a just way?

No need exists for us to be something other than what we are when we live purposefully.

One invaluable component of living purposefully is mindfulness. Mindfulness can be defined as the purposeful, non-judgemental awareness of what we are experiencing in the present moment.

By living mindfully, we bring awareness to our current state and actions. This awareness allows us to know when we are not living according to our purpose and helps us return to our mission and true selves.

Some studies even suggest that meditators areless depressedand have a greater sense of purpose; that meditation actually helps them find, strengthen, and improve their lifes purpose. A mindful life is a purposeful life.

Respond Do Not React

Reaction is based on habit and is our first emotion about a situation. When we respond we are taking the time to consider the situation completely and give it a response that is appropriate.

When someone approaches us with a job offer for more money or an exciting opportunity, our initial reaction may be Yes! but before we answer we need to pause and consider the situation fully.

Will saying yes to this offer allow us to live more aligned with our purpose? Will this opportunity bring us closer to realizing our lifes vision? If the answer is not yes, then we should respond with a No.

Building a Purposeful Life

The formula for living a purposeful life is pretty simple:

Develop a purpose. Dictated by your values and principles, how do you want to make the world a better place?

Build a vision for your future based on your purpose. Based on your purpose, what is your end state? This should give you hope for the future.

Set and achieve goals that move you toward your future.

What work should you be doing now to move toward your desired future state? Your purpose is what gives you the motivation to get out of bed to work on the goals that move you toward your vision.

Stop to mindfully reflect on where you are going, what you are doing. Are you still heading in the direction of your purpose? Does your purpose still hold meaning for you?

The vision is the what and the purpose is the why. If your purpose and vision are not aligned, then you need to re-think one of the other. But simple is not the same as easy.

Many of us struggle with developing our purpose. First, we need to understand that our purpose and especially how we fulfill that purpose can change throughout our lives.

As we move through the stages of lives single man, husband, father, and grandfather how we find and live our purpose changes. What worked for us at 25 may no longer work at 45.

Second, we must never think our purpose is not good enough or special enough to guide our lives. Making sure that people have working cars or stores to shop in is needed as much as making sure that children and adults never go hungry.

Below are some ways to develop and build your purpose. These are difficult questions to answer, but they are important questions.

What are my values and principles? What do I give the greatest importance to?

What do those values say about me? What themes or ideas can I develop around those values?

How do I represent those values in my daily life? How could I express those values?

What am I really good at? What do I enjoy doing? How can I bind those into a larger purpose for my life?

What is missing in the world? What do I think needs to be done? What do I want to contribute to the world?

What do I want my legacy to be? If my purpose was written on my tombstone, what would it read?

What accomplishments am I most proud of in my life? What activities make me feel the most satisfied? Gives me energy

What activities get me into a state of flow? What do these activities have in common? What do they mean to and say about me?

If everything in my life were to work out perfectly, then what would I be doing in ten years?

Where am I now in relation to my future self? What would it take to get to that state?

Once you have a purpose a grand, overarching reason to be on this earth what can you do that helps you live your purpose and move you toward your vision? Think of these as missions that help you achieve your overall objective. If your purpose it to alleviate suffering in the world, then you can start volunteering at a hospital.

Test out these missions and take time to mindfully reflect on how they worked for you and if you want to continue with them or try another approach.

Living purposefully can also help us live mindfully. When we are fully engaged with meaningful work, we become present and stop wanting to be somewhere else, doing something else, as someone else.

Originally posted here:
How to Be More Mindful - Thrive Global

Art installation on mental health awareness in Delhi

New Delhi, Feb 3 (IANS) A public art installation on mental health awareness ''Moving Out to Go Within by nine Ashoka University students, under the guidance of designer Sumant Jayakrishnan will be on display at STIR Gallery here from February 2 to April 15. The installation is being promoted by the India Art Fair.

Ashoka University''s Ashoka Centre for Well-Being (ACWB) in collaboration with Red Balloon''s Young People for Change put together a week-long residential workshop to initiate conversations around mental health among the youth.

This workshop brought together nine young Ashoka students from diverse cultures and backgrounds to mindfully connect and explore the importance of emotional expression and self-awareness, and to build a sense of well-being. The experiential workshop was facilitated by psychotherapist and founding director of ACWB Dr. Arvinder J Singh.

The students'' experience culminated into this interactive public arts installation that shared the participants'' personal expression and messages of awareness on mental health, well-being and self-worth.

--IANS

sukant/pgh/

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Art installation on mental health awareness in Delhi - Outlook India

With the start of a new year (and decade), the pressure is on as we sethigh goals for ourselves. I reached out to eleven girlfriends and asked them to reflect on the question, How do you practice self-care?

We all struggle with self-care, and as women, we face a ton of stress from societal pressures and expectations which differ from men. And we often find ourselves restless from spending an overwhelming amount of time and energy taking care of others. Thats why I initiated this collaborationas a gentle reminder for all of us to take better care of ourselves.

Here we share practical self-care tips and our not-so-perfect routines:

Recognize signs of burnout

For me, self-care always starts with recognizing that Im burnt out. As an introvert, the week can sometimes be mentally and emotionally exhausting with a lot of social interaction, so Ill plan ahead and find a day to set aside where I can be on my own to recharge. My me day involves doing exercise to get some much-needed endorphins, a pampering session (getting my nails done, doing a face mask), and being productive by getting some errands done. Ill also usually break up the day by throwing on YouTube or Netflix and doing some painting. By the end of the day, Im usually pretty eager to get going on stuff for next week.

Anita Kumar, Optometrist, Toronto, ON

Write to self-reflect

Writing in my journal is a very big part of my self-care routine. Finding time to have these moments of self-reflection helps me make sense of situations I encounter in my daily life. When Im able to write down all my thoughts, its easier for me to see things more clearly and find solutions to my problems. In addition, having the freedom to express myself in writing allows me to get things off my mind in one of the ways I feel the most comfortable. I would say having this type of self-care is essential to maintaining my mental health.

Karen Pun, Food Safety and Quality Assurance Specialist, Toronto, ON

Schedule inself-care activities

I have an outline of my self-care routine and I like to switch it up to keep it interesting. I block out 3-4 days ahead of each month and make a list of activities Im going to do; going to a dance class or trying a new recipe. The evening before my scheduled self-care day, I allocate a few hours to catch-up and make a list of outstanding family or work responsibilities that I will put to the side to clear my mind. I go to sleep early without an alarm and I make my favourite coffee first thing when I wake up. It isnt perfect but creating and owning this entire process helps me mentally ease into the day and enjoy my self-care activities.

Gloria Tang, Registered Nurse, Toronto, ON

Try new things

I practice self-care by trying new things. It could be as simple as going to a new caf or restaurant with friends and ordering something Ive never tried before. If its my turn to cook dinner at home, then I browse for new recipes I can make with whatever ingredients we have, like the Food Network show, Chopped. If theres an event happening that Im interested in, I try to attend it. Dont be afraid to try something youve never tried before because you never know if youll like it.

Maica Jimenez, Office Administration, Montreal, QC

Take care ofyour body, mind and soul

Self-care is a vital exercise everyone should practice as a part of your daily routine.I practice self-care by taking care of my body, mind, and soul.Body: I practice self-care with my body is by eating healthy, exercising and treating myself to foods that bring me happiness.Mind: I practice self-care with my mind by never taking things to heart and trying to stay within a happy mindset.Reminding myself that life is short and not to hold onto grudges.Soul: I practice self-care with my soul by always thinking positively and throwing good vibes into the universe by forgiving those who have wronged us.

Erim Faroque, Program Officer, Brampton, ON

Say no to commitments

Sometimes self-care comes in the form of bubble baths, face masks, keeping up with my favourite fashion blogs, or reading a good book. Other times it comes in the form of saying no to commitments that will push me past my limits. And on some days, when there just doesnt seem to be enough time for everything, I try to really enjoy things that I do regularly anyway. Whether thats taking a shower, applying skincare, or choosing my outfit for the day, I try to be present in that moment, and be thankful for all the wonderful things in my life.

Zahra Razavi, Pharmacist, Waterloo, ON

Take better care of your skin

There are many types of self-care, but one that Ive been more diligent within the past year is taking better care of my skin. When my skin looks and feels good, I feel good. I exfoliate my skin at least once a week and use a special treatment such as wash off mask, sheet mask, sleep mask or my newest edition the LED therapy mask for a minimum of every two days.Sure, using wash off mask, sheet mask or LED therapy mask requires a dedication of 15 minutes where some may think its a waste of time, but I like to see it as spending some quality me time and to meditate. Taking care of your mind is as important as taking physical care of your body. Love yourself by taking care of both your mind and body.

Donna S, Accountant, Toronto, ON

Exercise regularly

I practice self-care everyday by trying to be more physically active. I exercise at least once a week and try to stand, walk, or take the stairs as much as possible. I also like to let my mind breathe, by entertaining myself with light, positive content (Youtube is great for that). I have a budget for self-care and use it for classes or hobbies of interest. Prayer is another important aspect of self-care, as it helps you release frustrations, reflect and focus on what matters most,as well asprocess lifes ups and downs. Self-care for me is also sharing with others when possible.

Francoise Keddy,Non-for-Profit Program Specialist, Toronto, ON

Practice gratitude

I practice self-care everyday from drinking a substantial amount of water to doing my skincare routine at night. There are many self-care practices,but not all of them are suitable for everyone. The followingare examples ofself-care practices that I do regularly. First, cuddling with my dog orbeing under a warm blanketallows me to calm my mind andlive in the moment. Second, writing down at least 3 things that Im grateful for that happenedeach day helps me practice gratitude and stay grounded. Lastly, singing along to songs that best express my current emotions helps me get in touch with my values and what matters to me most. I could go on with all the self-care practices that have a long-termeffect for my mind and body, butthe trick is to find something that you genuinely enjoythat fits with your lifestyleand values.

Mary Duarte, Library Staff, Mississauga, ON

Manage your energy

Take the time to reflect on how you feel and why you feel a certain way. Be honest with yourself. As someone who constantly wants to maximize my time and accomplish as much as possible, I am sometimes guilty of taking on too much. I am learning that it is equally important to manage your energy as you do with your time. Listen to your mind and body. It is okay to take things slowly. To recalibrate. Sometimes, the key is not to prioritize whats on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities based on what you need and how you feel.

Baris L, Policy Advisor, Toronto, ON

Practice positive self-talk

I practice self-care by making a conscious effort to be positive when I speak about myself to others. When people ask me to reflect upon my accomplishments, I say positive things. Yes, modesty is cool but I never try to bring myself down. Same goes with my failures I try to stay positive and encourage myself. Im a strong believer that our minds register EVERYTHING we say. This is especially true when I talk to myself because even if no one else is around, a very important person is still listening ME! Eventually, positivity has become a part of my everyday speech, mannerisms, and thoughts and has led to my overall happiness. This practice of self-care doesnt just benefit me but also the people around me, because lets face ita positive, happy person is way more fun to be around than a buzzkill.

Anna Koshy, Project Manager, Montreal, QC

I also reflected on my own question and came up with this:

Buildself-awareness

It all starts with the mind. Any time I catch myself overthinking or clouded with distorted thoughts, I do my best toreframe them into positive andactionable ones. Leaning on my support system andpracticing gratitudethrough journalinghelps me put things into perspective.Having a routine and trackingdown my progress also helpsme look at the bigger pictureto see what works for me and what doesnt. This allows me to create better habits and boundaries for my physical, mental, and emotional well-being. I try to focus on quality sleep and regular exercise, so finding accountability partners helpsme stay on track. At the end of the day, I remind myself to take things one day at a time and to honour my growth and progress, rather than seek perfection.

Tina Chow, Content Creator, Toronto, ON

Link:
11 Women Share Self-Care Tips for a Healthy Mind, Body and Soul - Thrive Global

To the editor:

(re: Anger is just not the way to go, Dec. 19)

Anger is one of the basic human emotions, as elemental as happiness, sadness, anxiety or disgust.

These emotions are tied to basic survival, and were honed over the course of human history. Anger is related to the fight, flight or freeze response of the sympathetic nervous system. It prepares humans to fight. But fighting doesnt necessarily mean throwing punches. It might motivate communities to combat injustice by changing laws or enforcing new behavioral norms.

Of course, anger too easily or frequently mobilized can undermine relationships, and it can be deleterious to bodies in the long term. Prolonged release of the stress hormone that accompanies anger can destroy neurons in areas of the brain associated with judgment and short-term memory, and weaken the immune system.

Everyone knows the feeling. Its that rage that rises when a driver is cut off on the highway, and just wants to floor it and flip the bird. Anger doesnt dissipate just because it is unleashed. In fact, that can reinforce and deepen it.

Like all emotions, anger should be monitored via self-awareness, lest it cause self-harm or erupt into hostile, aggressive or even violent behavior toward others. Support groups for anger management are available in many cities.

In group or individual settings, cognitive restructuring may be helpful as it coaches patients on re-framing unhealthy, inflammatory thoughts.

Howard Cohn

Read the original:
Being angry? That's being human - The Riverdale Press

West Ham Uniteds Official Charity Partner DT38 Foundation is hosting a star-studded Golf Day in April.

DT38 was set up in by the family of late West Ham and Australia U20 international striker Dylan Tombides, who sadly passed away at the age of 20 in April 2014, three years after initially being diagnosed with testicular cancer.

Since February 2015, DT38 has been focused on tackling the stigma surrounding male health through educational programmes, encouraging boys and men of all ages to be self-aware about their wellbeing.

Those programmes include specially focused information for boys aged 7-10, 11-12 and 13+, all of which use Dylans inspirational story to teach youngsters the importance of leading healthy, active lifestyles, being resilient and, for the oldest age-group, the necessary facts about testicular cancer and other illnesses.

At the heart of their work across the UK, Dylans native Australia and across the world lies the message Delay Is Deadly. Get Educated DIDGE with a focus on ensuring men know how to check regularly for testicular symptoms, and what to do if they find something unusual.

To continue this valuable work, DT38 is raising funds and awareness by holding a charity Golf Day at Langdon Hills Golf Club in Essex on Tuesday 28 April, teeing off at 11am.

There, supporters will have the opportunity to play alongside a host of West Ham heroes from days gone by, including Sir Trevor Brooking, Tony Cottee, Tony Gale, Dean Ashton, Steve Lomas, Mark Ward, Geoff Pike, former Academy Director Tony Carr and many more.

Fourballs, with three supporters playing alongside a Hammers legend, are available for 500, with Fourballs alongside Brooking, Cottee, Gale, Ashton and Lomas to be auctioned off to the highest bidder. Fourballs without a legend are available for 400.

Alongside a round of golf they will never forget, all players will also enjoy coffee and a bacon roll before teeing-off, a two-course meal and an evening event featuring a Q&A session with West Ham greats, a charity raffle and auction.

Sponsorship packages are also available.

Supporters should note that all West Ham legends are subject to availability.

Limited places remain, so to show your support for DT38 and enjoy a memorable day, please email dt38@dt38.co.uk or call Ian Morgan on 07958 472847.

For more information about DT38 Foundation, visit dt38.co.uk now.

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DT38 Foundation to hold charity Golf Day - West Ham United F.C.

And this wasnt even a story that numbers could tell. At least, not in totality. Because the true essence of the tale was the method that its protagonist employed. From the opening jump, Simmons was on the attack, identifying leverage points in the defense and winning his spot with a predators zeal. With the ball in his hand, he played like some mythical creature, part bull, part cheetah, part shark, but with opposable thumbs and an ability to defy gravitys supposed constraints. Late in the first quarter, he dribbled into the lane, came to a strong jump stop, and attacked the rim despite the presence of two Celtics defenders. His initial shot bounced high off the back of the rim, but Simmons grabbed the ball on its way back down and flushed it through with a two-handed dunk. The next possession, he earned a trip to the line with an aggressive drive and sank both free throws.

See original here:
Look out, NBA. The Sixers Ben Simmons says he has kind of figured it out. | David Murphy - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Except for his athletic physique, his probable future in the National Football League and his place on Texas A&Ms career receiving lists, Jhamon Ausbon is just like you.

Ausbon, A&Ms senior-to-be receiver, wants to be financially successful. Hes working toward his college education to attain that success. He's eagerly looking forward to getting his Aggie ring in April.

And, like you, he wants his college football team to win championships. Thats primarily why hes still attending Texas A&M.

Last season, Ausbon caught more passes (66) for more yardage (872) than any A&M receiver. Yet, it was he opting to return for his senior season while Quartney Davis and Kendrick Rogers declared for the NFL draft.

The biggest thing I can do is win. I never want to end on a bad note at anything. So I think (returning was) a no-brainer in that aspect of it.

- A&M senior WR Jhamon Ausbon

A big reason whyAusbon came back to A&M wasto enhance his 2021 draft status. A bigger reason, he said, is to try to win a championship.

The biggest thing I can do is win, Ausbon said in an interview at the Bright Complex earlier this week. I never want to end on a bad note at anything. So I think (returning was) a no-brainer in that aspect of it.

Coming back and having this opportunity for my senior year to finish it out, having a big senior class, we have an advantage in the SEC. I want to take advantage of that and use it well.

You know how you pore over rosters, schedules, recruiting class rankings and NFL draft early-entry lists to project how successful the Aggies could be?

Well, Ausbon admitted he does that, too. Hes very aware A&M returns eight offensive starters, nine defensive starters and faces a less challenging schedule in 2020.

I think we have enough seniors, he said. I came in with all these guys. Weve seen all we can see. This is our last year. The energy in here is a little different. I think people are tired of not getting the job done.

We want to do so much for this university. This opportunity, having this schedule, us being all seniors and have (played together) three years in a row, we have a bigger and better chance of doing it big.

Ausbon has done his part. He wants to do even more. He catches 200 passes from the jugs machine every day. Then, he works with Kellen Mond.

Ausbon is working on routes. Hes working on weights. Hes working on getting quicker. Hes doing all this so he can work over defensive backs.

Last season, Ausbon led A&M with six receptions that covered at least 30 yards. He aims to raise that total by catching more deep passes and/or turning short passes into big gains.

Lia Musgrave, TexAgs

Even before spring practice begins, Ausbon is already working on his craft - preparing for the 2020 season.

I think I can do it, he said. I think its just a matter of getting better at it and practicing at it. I dont want to leave collegeknowing I could have gotten better at something and using that last year to benefit me.

Thats another reason he returned. Ausbon will complete his degree in business next year. Returning for the 2020 season was a business decision.

He has the self-awareness to know hes not the blazing speedster that NFL teams draft in the first round. But he also knows a lot of receivers learn to use intelligence and nuances to have long NFL careers.

Ausbon compares his style of play to Minnesota Vikings receiver Adam Thielen, a two-time Pro Bowl selection who has accumulated more than 4,300 receiving yards and 25 touchdowns in six seasons.

Hes not as big as me, but we play the same, Ausbon said of Thielen. He has consistent, strong hands and knows how to use his body to get open. Hes a very smart player.

Even though hes not the fastest guy in the world, not the strongest or jumps the highest, he gets open, and he makes plays. That shows technique and understanding of the game. Its the epitome of how far technique can take you.

His technique and skills figure to take Ausbon far. But he saw no need to rush the journey. He pointed out that former A&M stars Johnny Manziel, Trayveon Williams and Christian Kirk advised him to stay in school.

Weve had conversations, Ausbon said. All I heard was dont rush the experience. They wish they could have it back.

In truth, he really didnt need the advice. Ausbon said theres one simple reason hes in no rush to leave A&M.

I love it too much, he said.

View original post here:
Jhamon Ausbon's business decision: why he's back for one last year at A&M - TexAgs

For days now, Ive had a song bouncing around in my head.

I blame Joe Scarborough.

Scarborough, the former Republican congressman and current host of MSNBCs Morning Joe, invoked the song in discussing Ken Starrs presentation to the U.S. Senate.

As Judy Collins would sing, Scarborough said, isnt it rich?

He was referring, of course, to the Stephen Sondheim classic Send in the Clowns.

Isnt it rich? the song goes. Are we a pair? Me here at last on the ground, you in mid-air. Where are the clowns?

Moments before, Scarborough had launched into a rant about the man who so ruthlessly pursued one president now defending another.

Where do we begin with Ken Starr? he asked. If irony werent already dead and buried years ago, it was Ken Starr yesterday talking about how abuse of power is not sufficient to impeach a president. He literally dragged the corpse of irony out of the grave. He meticulously tied the corpses neck bone to the back of a tractor, and he ran that tractor throughout the graveyard of stupidity and ran over every headstone before once again kicking dirt on the corpse of irony again!

In his remarks during the trial of President Donald J. Trump, Starr had insisted it was time to bring an end to the age of impeachment.

In this particular juncture in Americas history, the Senate is being called to sit as the high court of impeachment all too frequently, he said. Indeed, we are living in what I think can aptly be described as the age of impeachment. ... How did we get here?

As he referred to the song, Scarborough was talking to Benjamin Wittes, senior fellow in governance studies at the Brookings Institution.

I was sitting with a colleague yesterday watching Ken Starrs presentation, and she turned to me and said, Does Ken Starr know hes Ken Starr? Wittes recalled. I think that kind of, you know, captured the whole thing, that there was so little self-awareness in this sort of pious presentation of the dangers of hyperactive impeachment, and you kind of watched it saying, Do you know who you are in this conversation? Do you know, have any understanding of the role you played?

Starr, after all, was the special counsel who had worked so relentlessly to drive President William Jefferson Clinton from office. It was Starr whose investigation of an Arkansas land deal eventually evolved into an examination of the presidents sexual relationship with a White House intern.

In addressing the Senate this time around, Starr described the impeachment process as a war of words and a war of ideas that divides the country like nothing else.

Those of us who lived through the Clinton impeachment understand that in a deep and personal way, he said.

Watching him speak, you could almost picture Starr breaking into song.

Isnt it rich? hed sing. Isnt it queer? Losing my timing this late in my career. But where are the clowns? There ought to be clowns.

Starr isnt alone. Lots of folks are singing a different tune these days. Take the president himself.

I really think that Ken Starr is a disaster, he said back then in an interview on NBCs Today show.

He called the man now charged with defending him a total wacko who was off his rocker.

This saga is filled with folks who saw things differently all those years back.

Dont you love farce? the song goes. My fault, I fear. I thought that youd want what I want. Sorry, my dear! But where are the clowns? Send in the clowns. Dont bother. Theyre here.

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Singing a song of impeachment | Opinion - The Rushville Republican