Has America Lost It's Energy?

The other night, I was staying up later than usual and happened to catch Jimmy Fallon's Late night where he features up and coming performers. On this night, Fallon introduced A musical group called the Paper Tongues who performed, "Ride to California", something between rap, rock and hip-hop...a little out of my Baby boomer league. But before I could hit the remote for another channel, I was blown away by their performance, their unbridled energy. I couldn't really understand the lyrics, but the beat was amazing and oh, that energy! The lead singer was positively frenetic in his performance, but his band was equally energized which gave their performance a synergistic effect that was must-see TV for at least 2.5 minutes.
Afterwards, I sat on my couch, mesmerized but at the same time, asking myself, where did they get that amazing energy? Why don't I see this energy more often?
I feel I have somewhat of a license to discuss this topic due to it being my trademark as a teacher. My evaluations always included energetic, enthusiastic, high energy level teaching. My mantra as an teacher meant that if I wasn't enthusiastic about the subject matter, how could I expect students to be at all interested?
So to the big picture question: What has happened to America's energy level? No, I am not talking about the oil spill from the Deep Horizon off shore tragedy. There appears to be an energy-drain that has hit our nation. a collective tired, lethargic mood.
So who would I select as examples of energy in motion? Let's start with the likes of Lucille Ball. In the I Love Lucy series, Ball was a constant bundle of energy as Lucy Ricardo. Elvis Presley had that sexual energy that wasn't an add-on, or an "I'm bringin' sexy back". It was part of the Presley package, unmistakable, undeniable, and unforgettable! Sammy Davis, Jr. was energy personified.
Today's examples seems to have hit the potholes of negativity which is a surefire energy-extinguisher. Tiger Woods had it on the golf course but events beyond the ropes have sucked that natural energy right out of him. President Barack Obama has great energy as a candidate. Who can forget that easy jog to the podium, the rollin' up of shirt sleeves, and the energy of conviction, or as the late Senator Teddy Kennedy would have said, the vigah (ok vigor for the rest of us? As President, Mr. Obama seems to have lost that edge. Even Sarah Palin emotes enthusiasm, but tack on her "gotcha" attitude and the enthusiasm downgrades to a mean spirited rant of those who dare disagree with her.
So, how do we find our collective soul?...Oh,no, that's another musical group! But maybe soul has something to do with our search. Is our energy a wonderful bi-product of our passion, our soul?
Can we recapture that vitality, almost child-like , and transform it into an energy that fuels our daily lives, our relationships and our pursuit of happiness even when life-challenging obstacles stand in the way? Dog-gone-it! Let's just do it...just like Paper Tongues did on Jimmy Fallon's late night show. It could happen!
P.S. Thanks to Paper Tongues and Jimmy Fallon for renewing my faith in the ENERGY Within!

Panama City Beach Spring Breakers: Fun in the Sun or Just an Underage Student Body of Scum

We have the "Gator Nation", the "Roll Tide" and the "Bull Dogs". Well, sorry, but after three days of more than 60 institutions (Spring Break 2010 College & University Dates) of higher learning descending on our beautiful beaches, I can only title this group at our condo as "the Student Body of Scum"....or "Scum Nation".
You see I live at Laketown Wharf and while this development has had its financial woes, it is actually a beautiful location with beautiful pools, green areas, and a boardwalk surrounding a protected piece of wetland. This complex provides long term rentals at an affordable price and a million dollar view. You can imagine the disgust we "long termers" feel towards the absolute destruction of our property by underage, undereducated binge drinkers with no respect for property, who have invaded our domain. How the majority of these weekly breakers are able to rent a condo and not only be under the age of twenty five, but worse, underage, is beyond my pay grade, but that's exactly what has happened.
Do the Charlie Hiltons of the beach think that throwing fire extinguishers from the 20th floor at security, alternately peeing and puking in the elevators, date rape charges and cocaine drug busts nightly, is worth keeping "heads in beds"? But at what price? If that's what our community represents than this is definitely not the area the Southwest Airlines was seeking.
Speaking of Mr. Hilton and his ilk, I have biked by the Frank Lloyd Wright style, 9000 square foot home in Alys Beach owned by Charlie Hilton and I have taken pictures for our grandkids. We like to call it "Iron man House" because it looks a lot like Tony's digs from the movie. It makes me wonder if Mr. Hilton would be happy to walk through throw up, hundreds of beer cans, urinated rugs in the elevator and trash everywhere?

Charlie Hilton's "Iron Man" home"
Don't misunderstand my message. The maintenance and security at Laketown Wharf are doing the best possible job under the circumstances. What needs to change is the tolerance for this behavior which the CVC/TDC ( Convention andVisitor Bureau/Tourist Development Council) and some resort owners allow in exchange for their scum dollars while selling out our beautiful pristine beach and ignoring the citizens of Panama City Beach who call this area home.
Similar to Hilton of Holiday Inn Sunspree, is the attitude held by Bay County Commissioner, Mike Thomas, who won't even consider additional economic support for the Bay Town Trolley, which is the best service to come by way of our beach in years. The trolley actually puts us in the lead of community services over the 30A area and Destin. Imagine that!
So why write an editorial if you have no solution? I won't do that. The only solution for those of you who love the beach, the Bay Town Trolley and the progress of this community is to demand a leadership change: sooner not later. Fun in the Sun for spring breakers is old school, reminiscent of "Where the Boys Are", which is a far cry from the Scum Nation which now rules. Spring Break2011 has to go.