Second Round Bound...Mavs ride Spurs out 4-1, with defense...

SAN ANTONIO- Famed legendary Dallas head coaching icon Tom Landry once said of winning that "the secret to winning is constant, consistent management." With the steeling steady hand of their new head coach Rick Carlisle the aging but upstart Dallas Mavericks exchanged counter-punches with the San Antonio Spurs early on then gave them a spur in the rear and out of the playoffs 106-93, before a maligned crowd at the AT&T Center Tuesday night.

Dallas was scorching from the field, as a team they were over-50% shooting and they used timely defense to usher out their under-manned in-state rival.

Playing without the services of wily Manu Ginobili, who has been sidelined with a much reported right-ankle stress fracture, the Spurs were no match against the athletically deep Mavericks. The 13-point loss marks the first time in Tim Duncan's stellar career that his team has not advanced beyond the first round of the NBA playoffs.

NBA 6th Man Jason Terry (19pts, 4asts, 2rebs) summed up how good it felt for this Mavs team to defeat San Antonio chacterizing the Spurs as, "our mortal enemy" during his post-game interview. German born Dirk Notwizki paced the Mavs with 31 points on 11-17 shooting.

However, the night belonged to the ageless wonder Jason Kidd. The 36-year old point guard poured in 12 points, 5 assists and 3 steals in 40 plus minutes. He shot only 4-11 from the field but the four shots that he made were 3-point daggers into the hearts and minds of the Spurs and their fans. Whether the bucket came with the clock winding down or off a carousel of passes from teammates, if he had time to set his feet he sank shot after shot to help Dallas keep the lead that they would never relinquish.

The blow-out win Tuesday night coupled with the quick dispatching of a perennial playoff powerhouse with defense signals to the rest of the league that the Mavericks are again ready to contend with the upper echelon of the NBA. All-Star forward Dirk Notwizki said before the game, “We should know the importance of closing a team out when you get the chance," referring to their 2006 debacle when the Mavericks lost a 2-0 advantage in the Finals. Ironically, that team also beat the Spurs en-route to their first Finals appearance in franchise history. He maybe in his first-year with the Mavs but, league veteran head coach Carlisle knows what it takes to be playoff-ready. The 2008-2008 Mavericks have toiled through adversity that seemed insurmountable at times during the regular season and they are peaking at just the right time.

Next ahead for the Mavericks will be the winner of the series between Denver and New Orleans. Right now, the Nuggets hold a commanding 3-1 edge over the Hornets and will be looking to advance as well tomorrow night when they play Game 5 at home. If the Mavericks face the Nuggets, they will hope to do better than they did against them during the regular season. Dallas was 0-4 against the Nuggets in this year but in the playoffs the regular season means nothing when you have your sights set on world championship.

The Lockhart Line Webisode #3 Dallas Cowboys Draft Report Card

Dallas Mavericks Jason Terry named NBA 6th Man of the Year

The NBA named nine-year veteran Jason (Jet) Terry the 2009 NBA 6th Man of the Year yesterday. The former Arizona wildcat has done a phenomenal job this season with his new role in Rick Carlisle's system. Without holding his head down or complaining about his reduced playing time. Jason accepted the challenge of coming off the bench with vigor and passion and the league has taken notice.



JT has been a fan favorite for many years in the DFW area because of his stellar play on the court and his fiery attitude in the huddle. He earned the nickname "Jet" because of his quickness off the dribble on fast break drives to the basket.




Honestly at age 32, this reduced role on the team will most likely extend Terry's playing career by at least two or three more years if not more. In just 74 games this season he had a 19.6 points per game(PPG) average and shot 36.6% from 3-pt range both are career highs in their respective categories. He graciously thanked God, his wife and teammates and coaches for making this individual accomplishment possible.

The Lockhart Line (Webisode #2)

The Lockhart Line (Webisode 1)

Economic challenges

In these tough economic times, to pay or not to pay student loans, is one of the tougher calls that 2009 college students have to make.

President Obama suggested during his campaign, that the United States needed to make college more affordable and help students who are taking on high levels of debt. Graduating from college with large amounts of loans, he said, deters students from pursuing some careers. He pitched his plan to provide students a tax credit of up to $4,000 for tuition in exchange for performing community service.

The volatile stock market continues fluctuating upward and downward daily like a pinball on steroids. Rainy day funds and 401K's are in the toilet. Your parents have probably decided that making the first or second mortgage payments on time this month is a better idea than buying a new iPod or cell phone. Now, more than ever, college students are faced with very tough financial decisions which is having an affect on enrollment and delaying completion of degree plans.

Few students can afford to pay for college without some form of educational financing. Two-thirds of 4-year undergraduate students graduate with some debt, and the average student loan debt among graduating seniors is $19,237 (excluding PLUS Loans but including Stafford, Perkins, state, college and private loans), according to the 2003-2004 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS). The median is $17,120.


One quarter of undergraduate students borrow $24,936 or more, and one tenth borrow $35,213 or more. For federal student loan debt (excluding PLUS Loans), the figures are 62.2% and $17,036. Average cumulative debt increases by about 3percent, or approximately $550 a year. When one includes PLUS loans in the total, the average cumulative debt incurred is $21,899. Approximately one in 10 parents borrow PLUS loans for their children's college education, with a cumulative PLUS loan debt of $16,317.

So far, the only positive for Main Street to come out of the recent economic slowdown had been the drop in the price of oil. At first glance, the drop has equated to a slight decrease in price at the pump but, if the economy continues in this downward spiral the low price of oil could mean delays in moving to alternative energy sources. Besides, those meager savings alone won't be enough to change the pessimistic minds of Wall Street investors and many others.

Economists say that the credit markets are thawing but they are still frozen overall. The financial department of Richland College, where I am currently taking classes, reports only a 1% increase (14%) in the amount of financial aid loans that have defaulted this year. In an recent interview, (former) Richland Financial Aid Director Bill McMullen commented on the economy, education and some of the programs that are available on campus to assist students with financial needs.

Q. What are some of the financial aid challenges that you see for students who will be attending classes next semester?

McMullen: If the student wishes to participate in the Federal Student Loan program, finding a lender that still participates in the program can be challenging.

Q. President Obama has proposed legislation to increase the amount of Pell Grants that are available to college students. Do you think this is a good idea? Why or why not?

McMullen: If we can give students more money in grant programs, this reduces the amount they need to borrow. I support reducing students debt.

Q. What are some of the financial aid support sources offered by the Financial Aid department? What criteria if any do students have to meet to qualify for these programs?

McMullen: We offer several federal and state programs. The student will need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. (FAFSA)
Traditionally, college students have always had to do more with less but students attending courses now or making plans to attend a secondary school in the future have enormous financial decisions that may hinder or halt their educational dreams.
Third-year Business Marketing major, Grant Nash said he was hopeful that the economy would correct itself over time and continue to grow.

"Thankfully, I'm not using any student loans right now to pay for school but I will be using them when I transfer to the University of Texas at Dallas in the spring."



The recent steps taken by the White House and Congress to bail out banks was supposed to improve the economic outlook and keep the markets moving. So far their moves have had little affect on the troublesome financial challenges that we all are facing.

Cavs Brown named Coach of the Year

The NBA named Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Mike Brown the 2009 NBA Coach of the Year. Brown lead the Cavs to their best finish in franchise history with 66 wins and wrapped up the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. Coach Brown deserved to win this year, gracious as always Brown thanked his players and assistants for their hard work and commitment to their partnership. "This is a player's league and I feel really fortunate to be around this group of players because if they players did not want me to coach them then I would not be able to coach them.",said the 1st time award winner Brown. "I look at this as a partnership." With Lebron James as a partner it's no wonder Brown was so bountiful with his praise on the "players" during his pres conference. He seemed almost giddy describing what the players "allow" to happen on the court and how it impacts the success or failure of the team. Hey, whatever his methods are he should continue them because they have been highly successful this year and Lebron is playing at his best flying to the basket with authority and the intensity and hunger for the taste of a NBA championship. The fans of Cleveland are licking their chops in anticipation of a return trip to the Eastern Conference Finals and the NBA Finals and well and if Game 1 of the their first round match-up with Pistons is any indication. They will do just that.

NBA Playoffs begin this weekend

The 2009 edition of the NBA playoffs kick off this weekend. It came down to the final day of the season but with several furious finishes the NBA bracket is finally set. Most of the fighting for playoff positions occurred in the Western Conference while the seeds in the Eastern Conference saw only a few changes. The Lakers locked up the No. 1 seed along time ago thanks to the stellar play of the of Kobe Bryant and Phil Jackson's steady hand as the head coach. Thanks to a loss by the Houston Rockets the Denver Nuggets wrapped up the No. 2 spot before taking the floor against the Portland Trailblazers.

In the East, the 76ers locked up the No. 6 seed Wednesday night by beating the Cavs 111-110 in overtime. While the Bulls lost at home 109-98 to the Raptors to settle for the No. 7 seed. The No. 1 seeded Cavs and Labron "King" James will be facing the weary but battle tested No. 8 seeded Detroit Pistons without the aging Allen Iverson. Prediction: Cavs

The Bulls will face the second-seeded, defending champion Celtics in the first-round of the playoffs. Unfortunately, for the Celtics they maybe heading into their title defense without their on and off court leader K.G. who has been sidelined nursing a knee injury, though they will still bring in two All-stars forward Paul Pierce and guard Ray Allen A*K*A "Jesus Shuttlesworth". The champs will be tested but will ultimately prevail easily. Prediction: Celtics

The high-flying No. 3 seeded Orlando Magic and Dwight Howard will face Andre Iguodala and Philadelphia. Orlando has been playoff ready for most of the season as they challenged early for the No. 1 seed but without point-guard Jameer Nelson who is out nursing his shoulder. Prediction: Magic

D. Wade and the No. 5 seed Miami Heat will look to get back into the NBA elite conversation when they face off against the Josh Smith and the No. 6 seeded Atlanta Hawks. D. Wade has been torching the league of late wooing MVP voters away from the perennial favorites Labron James and Kobe "Bean" Bryant. He will need help from his surrounding cast if he is to deliver wins and reclaim his rightful place in the superstar playoff stratosphere. Prediction: Heat

Back out West, amiss the chaos the sure but short-handed Spurs won the Southwest Division and earned the No. 3 seed with a 105-98 overtime victory against Chris Paul and the Hornets to close out the regular season. The loss dropped the Hornets into the No. 7 seed and a first-round match-up against the Northwest Division champion Nuggets. Prediction: Nuggets

The Utah Jazz and head coach Jerry Sloan will be served up as the No. 8 seed against the tenaciously offensive Los Angeles Lakers. Prediction: Lakers

The Blazers' big win in their season finale against Denver helped them earn the fourth seed and home-court advantage in a first-round series against Houston. Playing without their injured leader Tracy McGrady, the Rockets and Coach Adelman will have to rely heavily on the play of center Yao Ming if they are to advance. Prediction: Blazers

Houston had a chance to be seeded as high as second in the West, but lost 95-84 to the Mavericks and fell all the way to No. 5.


The sixth-seeded Mavericks, who climbed out of the No. 8 seed and avoided a match-up with the top-seeded Lakers, will play the Spurs in the first round. This intense fierce in-state rivalry will be without the slick and slippery Argentine Manu Ginobili but will nonetheless thrill and delight fans. Prediction: Mavs

Without a doubt the long 82-game regular season has served as quite a warm-up for the coaches, players and fans. This year's playoffs offer so many compelling and intriguing 1st round games that true NBA fans will enjoy and remember for years to come. I'm taking Phil Jackson the Lakers to win this year's title. The Lakers are simply a well oiled machine and will only get tougher adding the services of a resurgent A. Bynum who has been stellar in his limited action since returning from an early season re-aggravation of the right knee injury which had him watching the playoffs last season. The Lakers will most likely face the winner of the seventh and deciding Eastern Conference final between No. 1 and No. 2 seeds Boston and Cleveland. Although, his coach Doc Rivers is skeptical about his chances of playing I believe that K. G. will not only make an appearance in the playoffs but play big minutes and be very effective, though it will not be enough to surpass the Cavs and Lebron in the conference finals.

The playoffs officially begin tomorrow afternoon when the Bulls and Celtics square off. Check NBA.com and your local listings for more details then check back here for the latest updates from the playoffs.

Cellphone Distractions

Communication is defined as a process by which we assign and convey meaning in an attempt to create shared understanding. This process requires a vast repertoire of skills in intrapersonal and interpersonal processing, listening, observing, speaking, questioning, analyzing, and evaluating. Use of these processes is developmental and transfers to all areas of life: home, school, community, work, and beyond. It is through communication that collaboration and cooperation occur. (Wikipedia) So, by definition communication is a natural occurrence designed to deliver messages from one entity to another.

The advent of the cell phone has enhanced and significantly improved our day to day or minute to minute communication but they have also created a huge dangerous distraction. There are several reasons why cell phone usage should be curtailed and I will provide several sources to support my claim in the coming paragraphs. I will begin with letting you know that I have first hand experience with this phenomenon. I am constantly finding myself distracted while I am at the wheel no matter the time day or night. From urgent calls from the office to last minute text messages from one of the kids about a change in their football, basketball, volleyball or band practice schedules. My phone is my single greatest communication tool but, also my most dangerous distraction especially behind the wheel. Just the other day I was driving and almost swerved off the road because the car in front of me had stopped suddenly and I had to maneuver around them before I crashed. As I passed them I scowled in their direction and to my dismay it was a teenage girl text-ing. My heart sank and my blood boiled at the same time.Last year, I watched a local news report on a Fox 4 by reporter Lynn Kowano, entitled “Cell phone distractions”. The angle of the story was clear and the message was intended to help younger more inexperienced drivers learn about the hazards of driving while carrying on cell phone conversations. John Kennedy of National Safety
Council said “80% of all collisions are the results of some type of distractions;
probably the biggest one right now is cell phone use.” Lynn’s story also talked about how local driving instructors can create classes designed to show teens ways to reduce the distractions of the cell phone. They hope by using real world scenarios behind the wheel with seasoned instructors they will empower young drivers
tremendously and effectively stop any bad driving habits before they start.

In 2008, the head of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Dr. Ronald B. Herbman made national headlines when he issued a staunch warning to his faculty and staff about the use of such devices because of the dangerous electromagnetic waves created by cell phones when they triangulate to get their wireless signal. However, many in the renowned cancer research community are not as convinced as Dr. Herbman, yet. In an Associated Press report found on ABCnews.com, the good doctor was quoted saying, “Really at the heart of my concern is that we shouldn’t wait for a definitive study to come out but err on the side of being safe rather than sorry later.” (ABCNews) I agree with him wholeheartedly. There are several things that can be done at the local level almost immediately, without significant costs that can have a great affect on the overall use of the distracting but useful cell phone. First, city councils can enact ordinances that prohibit cellphone use during high traffic times and also in school zones. The fledgling United States car industry can integrate affordable hands-free equipment in their new more energy efficient vehicles. They can also enable automatic shut-off mechanisms that detect when the conversations are overly distracting the driver and immediately disable the cell phone unless there is an emergency. Concerned citizens can also form coalitions to limit cell phone usage by kids under the age of twelve. Other local government organizations can give their residents credits with the city for electrical or water services if they reduce their cell phone use by ten percent. Churches can have monthly, “Mute the Cell Phone” gatherings for families with activities oriented for children so that they learn to communicate from face to face direct social interactions rather than text-ing.
In closing, the need to limit the use of cell phones especially when driving can not be over stress or considered. If we truly want to make our society safer for the next generation, we must learn to use technology for its’ complete intended good and stop creating unnecessary distractions to our endless commutes through the communication cycle.

Stadium on the rise

Here is the article I submitted for the 100th Texas Intercollegiate Press Association (TIPA). This was my first experience competing at the prestigious Texas Press event and I was honored to be selected to represent Richland College and our newspaper The Chronicle. The competition field included students from throughout the state and of various writing/broadcasting abilities. I added some photos I snapped while on the new stadium grounds to enhance the copy. I hope you enjoy the article as much as I enjoyed writing it!


Sports writing competition
Stadium on the rise - #347

When construction began April 2006 just three short years ago, the future home of the Dallas Cowboys to many seemed on paper to be “the kind of stuff that dreams are made of” but, as the structure has taken its form across the Arlington skyline, the dreams have become reality. The saying, “everything is bigger and better in Texas” is cliché but true. Standing inside the still hollowed structure, you get a glimpse of its size seeing an 18- wheeler which looks like a toy truck on the floor that will become the field. The massive 2.3 million-square-foot still unnamed facility, once complete will be the largest domed building on the planet.

The design team HSK Architects along with the Jones family spanned the globe taking construction ideas from places such as Japan, China, Australia, and England to ensure that the city of Arlington, owned building would be a compilation of the best architectural ideas in the world. “Because of the visibility of the franchise and the fans, we had to take it up a notch. I don’t think people would come to see the home of the Dallas Cowboys and expect to see the same thing you would see anywhere else.” said Director of Corporate Communications Brett Daniels. “We are trying to create a monumental piece of architecture, but also something that was versatile enough that could be seen as more than just a football stadium but as a year round venue for hosting any major event from sporting events to concerts, trade shows, and conventions.”

The state of the art technology seen throughout the structure more than justifies the 1.1 billion dollar price tag. From the expansive retractable roof, the largest of its kind in the world stretching approximately 661,000 square feet, to the two monumental arches which soar 292 feet above the playing field, one can see that the money has not been wasted or stuffed some where in a Swiss bank account. Taxpayers gave 325 million dollars to ensure the construction of the site, although many will not be able to experience the grandiose vision up close because of the high cost of tickets. In these tough economic times, a family of four could easily expect to spend over $500 dollars just getting tickets, souvenirs and concession area food. Director of Communications Brett Daniels responded to this statement saying, “It’s probably a price point that some people will have difficulty trying to reach, but the burden of paying for the building is on the people who actually use it.” When the “King of Country” George Strait opens the building later this year with a concert in June the world will finally get a glimpse what will truly be the greatest show on earth!

Saying good-bye is never easy

For some there are times in life that are too difficult if not impossible to make the lips form the words "good-bye". Others have all but removed the word from their vocabulary and replaced it with phrases such as, “So long” “See you later” or “After while crocodile.”

As a soldier, I had to be absent from my family and friends on many occasions and although the uncertainty of military life makes separation a “norm”, separation is never “normal”. I always found myself searching for ways not to say “good-bye” because the words are so final.

I remember like it was yesterday, it was the Fall of 1995, when I was given deployment orders for my first duty station. To my unfortunate surprise, I received an unaccompanied tour in Seoul, South Korea. I had dreaded the Korea tour because it would mean I would immediately begin my military career far, far away from my young family and my home in Texas. I had just graduated from high school and joined the Army with hopes of a better life for my young pregnant wife and daughter. We had just overcome for four full months of separation, while I endured the rigors of Basic Combat Training (BCT) and Advanced Individual Training (AIT).

As a reward for my accomplishments, I received a two week furlough to go home and reconnect with my family briefly before I was to be shipped out to South Korea for a full calendar year. But, separation is to military life as fish are to water. And like it or not I knew my situation was no different than the countless number of other men and women who also would be leaving loved ones behind in the United States. The enormous distance alone was frightening enough but I was going to be in a foreign country for the first time ever in my life and I was terrified!! I can remember being torn between my new found respect for duty, honor and country and the gut-wrenching thought of leaving my young family alone and defenseless for a year without me.

I devised a plan in my mind that if I could somehow get re-assigned somewhere stateside long enough to have the baby and get settled, I could satisfy my overseas duty requirement later on before my first enlistment ended. So, I went to the local recruiting station in hopes of getting an emergency change of duty assignments since my wife would be alone and was nearing her third trimester with our second child. Needless to say, the Recruiting Commander and I did not see eye to eye on this issue.
He had a skewed military point of view when it came to matters such as these concerning brand new soldiers. He knew it was a tough position to be in as a young soldier and father but he saw the greater needs of the Army and the affects that changing my duty assignment would have on another soldier and his/her family. With that in mind, he summarily dismissed my request and ordered me to make movement or face the consequences.

As a legal specialist in the Army, I knew very well what that meant. I did not want to face those consequences because it would hurt my family even further if I was to face Uniformed Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) action. UCMJ action is the Army equivalent of civilian court. If I faced a court-martial, I could be forced to forfeit all pay and allowances, have my rank taken and my pay-grade reduced or worse I could be sentenced to jail and given a dishonorable discharge. Explaining this situation to my civilian wife was not easy. Still, I knew that I had to stand up and respond honorably. I had taken and sworn to a solemn oath to defend the country against all enemies foreign and domestic. The final decision though difficult was made ultimately without much continued hesitation.When the day finally arrived for me to board the plane for Korea, I remember driving to the airport with my wife still searching for a way to say “good-bye” with no serious success. As we walked to my departure gate hand in hand without saying a word the silence was deafening. We anxiously watched the airport clock and the departure/arrival board hoping time would freeze or my plane would be miraculously delayed for a year. Unfortunately, there would be no delays and the clock continued to tick down until my flight was ready to begin boarding. When they called my row and section to board the plane, my heart sank and I felt a hollowness inside that I never want to experience again. We hugged and kissed and our faces moistened with the tears that no separation could ever wash away. To this day, I never remember uttering the words “good-bye” then because the emotion on my face said it best.