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The last few days have been dominated by discussion of the NFL and former Baltimore Raven Ray Rice's domestic assault on his fiancée in an Atlantic City elevator. A month ago, when Rice received a two-game suspension for his actions, Geoff Brown thought the NFL could do better. A few others also felt the suspension was too trivial for a world-class athlete who had apparently knocked a woman out cold. But the NFL and its "Commissioner" Roger Goodell defended the suspension at the time, while some tried to shift blame to the victim. After a short burst of coverage in early August, the story blew over, the NFL instituted a new policy, and fans expected Rice back on the field for week three. Then the video from inside the elevator surfaced and all hell breaks loose. The Ravens cut Rice outright, the NFL suspended him indefinitely and NFL owners pop up on ESPN to predict that Rice will never play in the NFL again. Many TV commentators took the NFL to task for waiting for the video to emerge, frequently asking the rhetorical question: "What did you think happened in that elevator Janay Palmer was dragged out of?" Suddenly neither the suspension, nor the new policy came close to what people wanted, which was for Rice to be jailed immediately. But the people calling for him to be jailed now (not back before the video came out) were the same people asking the NFL "What did you think happened in that elevator?" Turns out that while it makes absolutely no difference to a person who gets knocked out whether it happens to be on video or not, it makes all the difference in the world to us. Hearing that Ray Rice knocked his fiancée out in that elevator bothered some people - "six games would have been better than two games" - but no one said he should never be allowed to work in the NFL again. But s eeing Ray Rice throw those punches set our televisions on fire and took a sports story into the national news. Also about a month ago, in Ferguson Missouri, a police officer shot an 18-year-old named Michael Brown six times, killing him. While conceding that Brown carried no weapon at the time he was shot, the Ferguson police department has suggested that Brown attacked the officer, who then acted in self-defense (no police report has yet been released). In the midst of protests in the streets of Ferguson, video again came into play. A surveillance film of Brown appearing to shove a store clerk and steal cigars was released by the police department about a week after the shooting. At the time this video was released, sentiment was running heavily against the police officer who shot Brown. But the video changed the conversation completely. As yet, no video of the shooting itself has come to light. Described in print as an "unarmed teenager," Brown looked like a victim of clearly excessive force or even racism - the police department was in trouble. But seen on the tape, Brown looks huge, over six-three, and menacing to the store clerk. The video was released to change the conversation from "why would a police officer shoot an unarmed teen" to "look at this huge, dangerous man conducting a 'strong-arm robbery.'" The police claimed at the time the video was released that they had received so many request for the store video that they had to release it, a claim that later proved false. But that hardly matters now. The video had done its job and soon fundraisers were being held for the police officer's legal defense. There are plenty of articles to read on who is right and who is wrong in Ferguson. Investigations continue and evidence and reports are being gathered. The police officer is entitled to the presumption of innocence, just as Brown would be, if he were alive. But for many, the video of Mike Brown they saw with their own eyes answers all the questions they have about the situation, and there may be nothing that changes those minds. Which brings us to the last, and most important video in the news. In the last few weeks, a group calling itself "ISIS" released two videos of journalists being beheaded after reading coerced "confessions." The executioner in the video then taunted the United States in general and President Obama personally, grandiosely promising the defeat of America, the rise of a world-wide "Islamic" government under ISIS leadership, and more executions if America takes military action against ISIS. If you don't know what ISIS actually is, you should. ISIS is some thousands of "fighters" that have armed themselves with machine guns, trucks and grenade launchers left over from the wars in Iraq and Syria. They have "reportedly" captured some pieces of serious military hardware, including some tanks, Humvees, and allegedly a few helicopters that they are probably unable to deploy, lacking pilots and the ability to maintain aircraft. ISIS has no economy, no manufacturing, no resource-extraction capabilities, no meaningful allies, no navy or air force and no plausible path to obtaining any of these things. While reports vary, ISIS has been credibly reported to have fewer than 10,000 men, lightly armed. In June 2014, The Economist reported that "ISIS may have up to 6,000 fighters in Iraq and 3,000-5,000 in Syria, including perhaps 3,000 foreigners . . ." ISIS is often said to control an area "the size of Pennsylvania," in order to make them seem important, however, they are nowhere near Pennsylvania. All of ISIS' personnel are in northern Iraq and Eastern Syria, surrounded by their enemies in Syria, Turkey, Jordan, Iraq itself and the Kurdish section of northern Iraq, every one of which has an actual military. For comparison purposes, before the 1991 Iraq war, Iraq itself had nearly a million active-duty soldiers. It had over 5,000 tanks and men trained to operate them. Thousands of artillery pieces and hundreds of aircraft were fielded by Iraq at the time and while they proved no match for coalition forces in the 1991 war, they had sustained a major war against neighboring Iran for eight years in the 1980s. To give a present day example, Iran currently has half a million trained soldiers with real equipment they know how to use, an air force, a navy, ballistic missiles, an economy, allies, a nuclear program and a nation of over 75,000,000 people. The point being, ISIS is nothing. But man, do they know how to do PR. Through the power of video, a tiny collection of thugs with Kalashnikovs and pickup trucks without friends in the world or so much as a ride out of the desert they "occupy," under a flag they made up just this year, is about to start a war with the United States of America. Just last week our counterterrorism czar, Matthew Olson, told us that "there's no credible information" that ISIS is planning an attack on America and " no indication at this point of a cell of foreign fighters operating in the United States." Never mind; we've seen the videos. A U.S. Senator actually cited ISIS' claim that it would "fly its black flag over the White House" as a credible threat. President Obama addressed the nation Wednesday night to discuss a plan to "deal with" a trivial enemy that is in a position to do absolutely nothing. But what about two murdered American journalists? Nearly 4,500 US servicemen and women were killed in the Iraq war. Some of them were captured and tortured to death and even beheaded. But these soldiers are only statistics to us now, while the beheading videos, created for the purpose of starting a war, are fresh in our mind, and having their intended effect. A crush of nightly news reports about this rag-tag band of incompetents has elevated them above nation-states with nuclear weapons trained on us, so here we go. After eight years and thousands of deaths on our side, hundreds of thousands of deaths on the other side, and with nothing more that could plausibly be accomplished by our presence, the Iraq war ended in December of 2011. Some people there, and some people here, miss it so much they can't wait to start it up again. But they needed some compelling video to get it started.

September 11, 2001 is a day that changed the world forever. More than 3,000 people died that day in the greatest terror attack in our nation's history. If you were old enough to remember when you learned the news, it would forever be etched into your soul. Today, members of the Bordas Law family reflect on where they were when they learned of the 9/11 attacks. Jim Bordas: I was about to leave for work; I recall staying home just a bit later than normal because I had just settled a major case for a client the night before. I had the television on in the upstairs den watching the news when I saw the first plane hit the north tower. I watched in disbelief as the second plane hit the other tower. Stunned, I left for work, and we had a prayer service at the firm for the victims of this horrible terrorist attack. Scott Blass: I was in Common Pleas Court in Belmont County, Ohio. I was waiting for my hearing to begin. Many other attorneys and court staff were also waiting when the news broke and a TV was turned on just before the second tower was hit. All hearings were cancelled. Time seemed to stand still. Jamie Bordas: On 9/11, I was 26 years old and I had just stopped at a new house that I had bought to check on the decorating when I learned that the World Trade Center buildings had been struck. At the time, I was the head coach of the Bishop Donahue football team. I canceled practice that day as a result of the tragedy. It is still the only time I can ever remember football practice being cancelled for reasons other than weather. Linda Bordas: I had an appointment to get some measurements for a house Jamie was buying. The door was unlocked and after I knocked, Buck Erdner, the seller, yelled for me to come upstairs. The plane had just hit the first tower. We sat together, unable to even talk, as we watched the plane hit the second tower. All thoughts of measuring were gone from both of our minds. Geoff Brown: Looking back on 9/11, there are a few things that stick out in my mind. Like everyone else, I could not get over the shock and horror of what was happening. Although I saw the towers come down on live TV, part of me couldn't even trust my own eyes. I was working in Cleveland at the time and my wife and son happened to be out of town. I did not feel like going home to an empty house so I stuck around downtown far longer than I might otherwise have done. Walking across that empty parking lot on what otherwise would have been a busy workday was absolutely surreal. Not long thereafter, my thoughts turned to my friends who still served in the US Army. I had only been off of active duty for a few years myself back then and many of my friends were still in service around the world. It was clear that we had to respond to that cowardly attack as a country and I knew that would mean placing some of my best friends directly in harm's way. While I knew that they were more than up to the task, I also knew that many of them, like me, were just starting their own families and I worried about what the years ahead had in store for all of us. As the years have gone on, what sticks with me is the resiliency of the people of New York. New York City is one of my favorite places in the world. I was afraid that the attacks would fundamentally change the diverse, free, welcoming and even cocky New York that I loved. While it is certainly true that like the rest of us, New Yorkers will never forget what happened, I greatly admire how the people of NYC have bounced back. I have been lucky enough to get back to the "Big City" many times since then. It is still welcoming. It is still safe. It is still diverse. And it is still confident. Just like the great country it represents. Chris Regan: After working in Manhattan in 1999, I found myself in Wheeling, West Virginia on 9-11 at Bordas & Bordas. Many of my friends and colleagues were in New York that day, and I remember calling them and being unable to get through, as no one could, all morning long. Through a long day of watching the news and waiting for reports, I remember thinking that such attacks were bound to be repeated over and over, but they never have been. Jenna Heaston: At the sound of the bell, the last of my classmates spilled from the hallway into second period history class. I noticed the television in the corner - smoke, fire, lights, chaos. Planes. I recognized the burning structures and began to hear my own heartbeat. I turned around, in disbelief, to find the color draining from my friends' faces. The class quickly fell silent. Our substitute teacher entered and explained that America had been attacked. We prayed. In the doorway, he phoned his wife. We heard and watched him weep for our country. I wept. In those initial moments, I knew our America had been deeply wounded and changed forever. Linda Scaggs: I was at work on the morning of 9/11. Howard Klatt, one of our attorneys at that time, was on his way to a deposition and called in and told me that he heard on the radio that an airplane had flown into one of the twin towers. I thought to myself that it was probably a small plane and an accident, but I ran downstairs to the basement office where there was a television. I got down there in time to see the second plane fly into the building. Even then I couldn't believe anyone would do something that horrible. Zak Zatezalo: I remember that morning vividly. I was living and working in Dallas, Texas getting ready to leave for the office. I rarely, if ever had the television on in the morning, let alone the news, but for some unexplained reason, that morning I had turned on the news. The first plane had already hit and I was watching the footage of the smoking tower. I recall there still being some confusion at that time about exactly what had occurred, when I saw the second plane hit live. I remember feeling completely shocked and immediately thinking it was the work of terrorists. I was new to my firm so, I went on to work, but I was quickly sent home since I worked in a downtown high rise and everyone was concerned that no building was safe. I remember going home that day with the feeling that this would prove to be a permanent turning point for the country and things would never be quite the same again in my lifetime. John Artimez: When the first plane hit, I was riding with my friend, Ed Johnson, on my way to Sistersville to meet with a client. At that point, we just thought it was a terrible accident. We were sitting in the client's kitchen watching the news when the second plane hit. I remember feeling sick to my stomach as we saw people leaping to their deaths to avoid being burned alive. I remember how quiet we all were as we watched the towers collapse. My feelings went back and forth from profound sadness to furious outrage. I knew that in those few moments, our world had been changed forever. Tyler Smith: I was in my office on the 29th floor of the US Steel Tower in Pittsburgh when the first plane hit Tower I. I knew this event would change our lives forever. I learned that a third plane (Flight 93) was turning around and heading for Pittsburgh. Being that the US Steel Tower was the tallest structure in the city, the building was being evacuated; and, security systems were put in place shortly thereafter. Carrie Scanlon: I was the Marketing Director for OVMC and East Ohio Regional Hospital at the time and I was in a meeting with Brian Felici over at EORH. His secretary came in and said a plane hit the World Trade Center. We wrongfully assumed it was a small passenger plane. On the way back to Wheeling, I listened as the Pentagon was hit. I recall feeling intense grief and sadness for my own children knowing that this was the world that they would grow up in. I remember feeling incredible pride in how our country came together in the days following the attack. I also recall on my way home that day, I noticed the flag for the city of Moundsville had not been lowered at the entrance to the city and I called and gave them a significant piece of my mind. Jodi Cunningham: I was standing in the courthouse in Tucker County when I learned of the first plane hitting and thought it must be a terrible accident. I then ran across the street to my office to watch the coverage on TV. That's when the second plane hit and then I realized that this was not an accident, but an act of terror. I remember having a lot of mixed emotions. I felt scared, shocked, sad, confused, angry and devastated that something like this could happen. Corey Pietranton: I was teaching kindergarten at St. Michael Parish School when someone knocked on my classroom door and whispered the news to me. Details were sketchy at first so I figured it could have been an accident. Once the additional attacks took place, parents of my students started coming to the classroom to pick up their children. At the time, my classroom had huge windows and a door that led to a courtyard where students were dismissed daily so I could see the panic on the faces of the parents as they rushed to the school that day. That panic and the visible rush of relief once the parents hugged their children is something I will never forget. Strangely, one of the things that I remember well about that day is how beautiful the weather was - sunny, blue skies and beautiful white clouds. I remember thinking that it was incredibly difficult to believe that something so horrific could happen on such a beautiful day. What stands out the most for me, though, is the sharp contrast between the innocence and joy of a kindergarten classroom and the evil and horror that our country experienced that day. Michele Rejonis: On 9/11/01, I was working in the PR department at a local college. When my colleagues and I heard the news of the first plane hitting the first tower, I initially thought it was a terrible accident. We then turned on the television in the boss' office just in time to see the second plane hit. The feeling in my gut said this was no accident. It was at that point I knew that we, as a nation, were dealing with terrorism as we'd never seen before. Maggie Tague: It is hard to believe that thirteen years have passed since that fateful day. At the time, I was a freshman in high school-just fourteen years old. But I remember that day as if it was yesterday. I was sitting in first period. The principal made an all school announcement that students should return to homeroom. No mention was made as to why. When I walked into homeroom, other students had already begun clamoring around the television. We watched as news reporters tried to piece together what had happened. A live feed of the World Trade Center played in the background. What will forever stay with me though is the hush that came over the room as the first of the towers fell. It was then that we began to realize the gravity of the situation. No one could undo that moment; no one could save the people that were still trapped in that building. I will never forget 9/11. Shay Stein: I was 17 years old and was beginning my senior year at Wheeling Central. My class and I immediately knew something was wrong when we walked into our 3rd period religion class and the TV was on. I remember standing there staring at the TV in complete shock. During that class we all watched as the second tower was hit and later as they both fell. The entire day we went from class to class only watching the news and trying to grapple with the feelings of shock, sorrow and anger at how something like that could ever happen. Jeanne Dedo: I can remember coming into the office and thinking the air traffic controls systems where down and all the air traffic was in deep trouble, until I found out what really happened. Everyone at Bordas & Bordas gathered in the conference room and prayed for those who lost their lives and their families. I then went to get my children from school, Phillip was a student at Wheeling Park and Nicholas was in REAP at Oglebay. With all the students being released, it was a mad house. I then received a call from my parents that one of my friend's brothers was on one of the flights. They told me that the plane that crashed in Shanksville, PA, flew over their house and that they were both trying to figure out why it was flying so low. What I remember most is being in New York that December, we headed to ground zero and saw the workers and all the rescue dogs still going though the ruble. But what will always stand out to me was the smell. To this day when I talk about it, I can still smell that awful death-jet fuel smell. I will never forget the images that I saw. Jason Causey: After waking up from a typical law school student night of intense studying and maybe a few drinks, I headed to the WVU law school. Another student came out of the lounge raving about the attack -- "they hit the World Trade Center." I thought he was either crazy or simply overly excited about some movie he had seen and went on to class. There was some stirring in class and after hearing a bit more ---I left and went to the student lounge and discovered this was for real. Before the second plane hit, I, like most, assumed it was an accident. I went home and watched in awe for hours. Olivia Morgan: I was in the third grade, passing out my birthday treat to the class. The principal came in and asked me to take a seat. He explained what was going on, but because most of us were only eight or nine years old, we didn't know what the Twin Towers were. School was dismissed early. When arriving home, I quickly understood. I will never forget watching the horrific scenes that replayed on the television. Laura Pollard: I was a sophomore in high school on September 11, 2001. I first heard about the events in New York City from a friend in the hallway on the way to lunch. I specifically remember her approaching me and another friend and saying, "hey, have you guys heard that our country is, like, burning?" Having no context to what she meant, I felt confused, but also vaguely concerned and wanting to know more. I had Spanish after lunch, and our teacher had the news on the classroom TV, with the lights in the classroom off. We watched in silence for the entire class period. It seemed surreal, and it was difficult to really wrap my mind around what it was I was watching. Bryan Pasciak: I was in my 7 th grade science class when an announcement stating that two airplanes ran into the World Trade Centers was made throughout the school. When the announcement came, I was confused and angry, but I did not realize the magnitude of the attack until later in the day when pictures and videos were posted. Susan Wilson: I was home watching CNN when they broke in about the first plane. My first thought was how in the world could this be an accident. It was such a beautiful morning. I then watched the second plane hit live on CNN. I called many family members to let them know what was happening as all the horrific events happened one after the other. When the plane went down in Shanksville, I immediately went to Triadelphia Middle and Steenrod Elementary and picked up my sons. My thought was if we are all going to die, we are dying together. Alena McAllister: I was a senior in high school and I was a teacher's aide for a classroom of freshman students. They had a scheduled speaker that morning in the auditorium, so I stayed in the classroom to finish some homework and watch the news because I had heard about the first plane flying into one of the towers at that point. I remember being in that classroom alone when the first tower fell and mostly feeling stunned and scared. Marilyn Bell: I was working that morning at Schrader, Byrd & Companion, and my friend Melissa had the Internet playing on her computer. She commented on the tragedy of a plane hitting one of the Twin Towers. We all huddled around her computer screen to see what was going on. We watched in horror as a second plane hit and then the other one in DC. My immediate thoughts ran to my kids, one in college at Fairmont and one in college at Bethany. We continued to be glued to the computer screen at the office and listened to the news broadcast about another plane that went down in Pennsylvania, not far from us! I wanted nothing more than to gather my children under my wing. Brandi Richards: I was in Mrs. Macintyre's fifth grade class when I learned of the 9/11 attacks. I want to say I was in math class when everything happened, though I'm not positive. One of the other teachers whose name I can't remember came to the door and asked Mrs. Mac to step outside for a second. My teacher's reaction from the hallway told us something was very, very wrong. She entered back into the classroom very flustered and beside herself and briefly explained the situation as best and as calmly as she could. She described it as an accident rather than an attack. Shortly thereafter the entire school (approximately 100 kids on a good day) gathered in the auditorium and watched that fateful day's happenings unfold right before our very eyes. It was terrifying. I remember being more scared than I'd ever been in my life and wanting nothing more than to go home to my family, however school felt much safer than what was going on in the world around us. Becky Murphy: I was at work at a Title Company and listening to talk radio and they interrupted and stated that a small plane had hit one of the Twin Towers in New York City. Not long after that news, the radio announcer stated that they think it was a passenger plane that hit one of the Twin Towers. We then turned on the small Black & White TV we had at work and watched in horror what had transpired. Then the other plane hit the other tower and then another passenger plane hit the Pentagon in Washington, DC. We all knew then that we were being attacked by terrorists. Most of the employees who did not have children stayed at work for the rest of the day. When the passenger plane went down in Pennsylvania, the other employees decided to go and picked up their children at school or day care. That was getting too close, in fact, DC was too close for me. Jeremy McGraw: On the morning of September 11, 2001 I was busy getting ready for my day of classes at Concord College. My fraternity brother, Jason, came in to tell my roommate, Steven, and I to turn on the TV. We watched in anger and horror as the buildings fell unsure of what the future would hold. Steven and I had a Geology test scheduled for that day. As the aftermath unfolded Steven and I went to our exam. Our Professor walked in the class and explained that he was in school and had an exam scheduled on November 22, 1963 when they learned of the JFK assassination. The examination was still held and to my recollection that was the last class of any kind that I attended for several days. Large groups of students gathered around the TVs in the student center watching in disbelief as the investigation continued. The horror of those days was followed by one of the few times in my adult life when our Country seemed truly to be United. Hopefully, it does not take any more tragic events to help us find unity as Americans. Jay Stoneking: I was in court. Someone mentioned that a plane had hit one of the towers and we all assumed it was a terrible accident. It wasn't until I got back to the office that I learned it was part of a terror attack. After returning to the office, Jim gathered all of the lawyers & staff in the conference room & we had prayer together. Ellie Wallace: Sitting at my desk on the second floor and Linda Scaggs came up to my counter and said she just heard that a plane had hit the World Trade Center. At that point in time nobody knew for sure what had happened and I took the news as just another terrible accident. I turned on some Internet news to watch. Although the rest of that morning is a blur of pieces of memory of how the news unfolded I do remember that some of us decided to go downstairs and watch it on Chris Regan's TV. While we were watching we witnessed the second jet hitting the second tower. It was at that point in time that everyone realized that we were under attack. The fear that grips you is on such a deep level that it takes over your whole being and I could feel that fear reverberate throughout the office as everyone watched their computers as each horrific scene unfolded. Finally, at some point in the morning Jim asked the attorneys and staff to meet in the conference room and requested Jay to say a prayer. I'm not sure if he told us to or if we instinctively did it out of fear but we all linked each other's hands as he prayed so very eloquently for our nation, our leaders, for all of us. Afterwards, Jim made an announcement that we were free to go home and be with our families if we wanted or stay at work. After connecting with my family via telephone I stayed at work. Ryan McQuaid: I was in my first semester at the University of Pittsburgh. I was in my dorm room, probably downloading music from Napster when I learned of the attacks. Two months later I joined the army and eighteen months later I found myself in Baghdad as a satellite communications operator for the US Army. Crystal Shaver: I was working at Steptoe & Johnson at the time. I remember watching the events unfold on a tiny television set in one of the attorney's offices. What horrible sights. I was in shock. This couldn't be happening to us! My daughter, Sara, was only two years old. My mother was watching her that day. All the phone lines were down, and I was not able to call my mom to see if they were okay. I was so scared that the whole country may be under attack, and I wasn't able to be with Sara. I think that was the longest day of my life. A day I hope we'll never see again. Sherry Sharpsky: I'll never forget that day. Like most, I started my day off at work, just a regular day, until my boss came out with a look of shear confusion and disbelief. He said he had just heard that a plane had gone through one of the Twin Towers. We were all in shock and disbelief at how such an "accident" could have occurred. When news came that that another plane had crashed, that's when the confusion turned to horror and fear. I'll never forget the moment when one of the planes was actually flying right over our area and headed for PA - for the first time in my life, I actually did not feel safe in my own country and all I wanted to do was rush to get my children from school and gather as a family and that's just what I did. As we watched the events of the day unfold before our eyes on TV, the magnitude of what had occurred was surreal and my sense of security diminished; it changed me somewhat. God Bless all those who perished and for those who heroes who did all they could to protect their country and their loved ones. Sally Blon: I was at work on September 11, 2001. One of my employers came in and said a plane had crashed into one of the towers and they thought it was an act of terrorism. The rest of us just looked at each other with disbelief. When I got home that night and saw the news footage, I cannot express the chilling horror I felt as I watched people leaping from the building, preferring a quick end rather than burning to death. Erin Dodd: At the time, I was a stay-at-home Mom and my son was watching Blues Clues. The channel on the television was interrupted by this horrific event and as I was in the kitchen cleaning up breakfast dishes, my son who was just a toddler yelled, "Mamma the plane went into the building"! I ran in to witness this event stunned at what I had seen. Michelle Marinacci: I was in my office working on a supreme court brief that was due filed the following day. When it became obvious we were under attack, we gathered in another attorney's office to watch the news coverage on TV. Was confused, scared about what would happen next and worried about friends and extended family who were in the danger zones and wondering if they were ok. Amy Wilson: I was working for a law firm in North Carolina when a co-worker came over to my desk and informed me that an airplane hit one of the Twin Towers. The entire office met in the conference room and watched as the events unfolded. It all seemed so surreal. Darcy Springer: I was at the office when I found out about the attacks. We went down to the basement to watch it on the only television in the building. It was just a feeling of disbelief and horror. It was difficult to wrap your mind around the extent of the lives lost and the destruction. Missy McAbee: I was at my previous job at the time of the 9/11 attacks. I had just dropped my son off at daycare and heard something on the radio about it. When I got to work we my boss grabbed the radio and we all listened in disbelief. Shannon Spigarelli: On that day I was getting my daughter, who was about 18 months old, ready to go to the doctor. I remember as I was dressing her, my husband called and told me to turn on the TV. The first tower had just been hit. When I was waiting in the waiting room of the doctor's office, I recall watching the first tower collapse.

This week marks the halfway point in my training for the Columbus half marathon. While I still have a long way to go, I've been lucky enough to find support and motivation in my cousin/running partner. Just a few short weeks ago, I shared the marathon's Facebook photo saying that it was the last chance to save on signing up for the marathon/half marathon and asked my Facebook friends, "Who's running the half with me?" The only one up for the challenge was my younger cousin who had been weighing the idea of trying to run her first half marathon. It took a few days of convincing, but she decided to sign up and that following week we started our 12-week training program. Now we are nearly 6 weeks in and are up to six miles, averaging under a 10 minute-per-mile pace. Having a training partner has been crucial for both of us during this process. Even when we haven't been able to run together, we are always texting each other to make sure that we hold each other accountable for our workouts. On days when the last thing we feel like doing after work is going for a run in 80 degree weather, we know the other one will be there to give each other the push we need. The best part, though, has been getting to spend quality time together and catching up on our lives. I'm looking forward to the next six weeks of training with her and can't wait to cross that finish line on October 19 with my cousin by my side! Don't forget that there's still plenty of time to donate to Nationwide Children's Hospital and help me reach my Children's Champion fundraising goal, which just happens to be almost halfway there, too! To donate to my fundraising page please visit: http://nationwidechildrens.kintera.org/childrenschampions2014/shaystein For more information on Children's Champions please visit: http://www.nationwidechildrens.org/childrens-champions For more information on the Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon please visit: http://www.columbusmarathon.com

2014 started off with a bang and brought about many new and exciting changes for me. While I not only seamlessly transitioned from intern to full-time employee at Bordas & Bordas, my fiancé, Jade, and I were fortunate enough to find and purchase the home of our dreams when we weren't even looking for it. It was a cold night in early January on the way to dinner at Red Lobster when we noticed a "For Sale" sign at the end of a lane not far from either of our homes. We'd visited Bonnie Lane many times because all of the houses there are always beautifully decorated for the holidays and we enjoy driving past them. Not anticipating anything more than a casual drive-by, we headed down the lane and were totally captivated by the up-for-sale fourth house on the left. After scouring the selling agency's website via iPhone and making a late-night phone call to the realtor, we were scheduled for a tour the next morning. I told myself not to fall in love with the place before I walked inside, but I couldn't help myself. It exuded warmth that I'd felt in no home but the one I grew up in. It smelled like a mix of apple pie and freshly baked cookies and the view was to die for. It felt like the house was built specifically for us and we both knew we had to have it. After making an offer two days later and wrapping up the closing process in late February, the place was ours. We've spent the past six months painting walls, refinishing hardwood floors, installing new hardware and backsplashes and just making the house our own. I never knew manual labor could be so fun and rewarding. I'm not sure there's any greater feeling in this world than owning a home. If such a feeling exists, I haven't felt it yet. It's absolutely mind-blowing to think that there's a place on this earth that belongs solely to Jade and me, a place that no one can take away from us. Each and every time I turn onto Bonnie Lane and head towards the fourth house on the left, the one with the reddish-orange roof and shutters, my heart swells and could just burst with pride. I can't wait to fill all 1200 square feet with laughter, love, family and memories that will last a lifetime.

Anyone who follows our firm's blogs on a fairly regular basis will probably recall that in my "free time" I have worked as a college and high-school basketball official. Toward the end of the 2013-14 basketball season, I wrote an article talking about some of the most misunderstood rules in the game. As it turns out, the article was pretty popular among our readers, so you can look for something similar in the coming months. Until then, I thought it might be interesting to provide you with some information about rule changes that you will see at the high school level in the upcoming season. Each year, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) meets to consider various suggestions to make the game better. Generally, two types of changes can come out of that meeting: specific rule changes or new "points of emphasis." Despite the fact that most folks believe the rules of the game haven't changed much since the time of Dr. Naismith and his peach basket, the truth is that in every year I have been in officiating (since 1985), at least one rule change has been made. Players evolve, the game evolves, and so must the rules evolve. This year, there are four changes being made to the rules, the simplest of which providing that players can now enter the lane on a free throw when the shooter releases the ball, instead of when the ball hits the ring. Aside from rule changes, each year the NFHS also comes out with a list of "points of emphasis" for officials. This is typically a list of four or five areas in which the Rules Committee members feel aren't being handled very well. In pre-season clinics, officials will be told of the points of emphasis for the coming season, and they will be given specific information about how the Rules Committee wants certain areas of the game to be officiated. In each of the past four or five seasons, the Rules Committee has made "hand checking the dribbler" a point of emphasis for officials. We have been told that there is too much contact being allowed on the ball handler. We have been told that whenever contact on the dribbler has an effect on his rhythm, speed, balance or quickness, a foul should be called. However, up until now the question of the effect of contact on the dribbler has been a judgment call for the official. Contact which one official rules a foul, may be incidental contact in the eyes of another. Accordingly, enforcement of the rule against hand-checking has been inconsistent. After reviewing what has happened in the past few seasons, the Committee has determined that there is still too much contact being permitted on the perimeter. The fact is that when this type of contact goes up, scoring goes down. And when scoring goes down, the game is less interesting. When the game becomes less interesting, there are fewer fans willing to pay to watch it. That sort of thing hits schools in the wallet, and causes the NFHS to sit up and take notice. It has done just that. In an effort to bring more consistency to this area of the game, the Rules Committee has implemented a specific rule change. Beginning with the 2014-2015 season, certain types of contact on the dribbler while on the perimeter will result in an automatic foul being called. No longer will the official be required to judge whether or not the contact had an effect on the dribbler. The following acts will result in an automatic whistle: a. Placing two hands on the dribbler. b. Placing an extended arm bar on the dribbler. c. Placing and keeping a hand on the dribbler. d. Contacting the dribbler more than once with the same hand or alternating hands. As with any other rule change, it's going to take some time for the players, coaches and fans to adjust. It is likely there is going to be a significant increase in the number of fouls that are called in games, especially early in the season. Star players are going to get into early foul trouble, which always results in an increase in hostility toward the officials. Just remember that coaches have already been made aware of the rule change, so hopefully they will begin teaching their players how to adjust (playing defense with their feet would be a nice start). Until then, please don't scream at us to "Let 'em play!!!" We're just doing what the rules tell us we have to do.

With Labor Day weekend behind us, it won't be long before the leaves are changing colors and I am trading in my t-shirts and shorts for sweatshirts and long pants. The white handbags have been put away and I will soon be bidding farewell to my open-toed shoes for another season. Shoes. They're my thing and I think it's fair to say I'm shoe-obsessed. Anyone who knows me knows this. Move over Carrie Bradshaw! I believe the right shoes with otherwise basic clothing can take an outfit from fair to fab immediately without the need to add a bunch of other accessories. With more than 100 pairs of shoes and an entire room to house them, it's pretty safe to say I'm prepared to put the finishing touch on any ensemble. That, however, does not stop me from making additional footwear purchases and I'm still trying to explain to some that just because you have a pair of black heels, it does NOT mean that they go with everything that one would wear black shoes with, and the style of the shoe is just as important. You wouldn't wear a pair of casual, look-cute-with-jeans shoes with a business suit, would you? I'm not exactly sure how the footwear obsession began, but I do recall loving shoes as kid. You know the pics you've seen on the Internet of the little girl in her mother's heels? Yep...that was me. As soon as I was old enough to wear heels and not look like I should have been at home playing dress-up, I've been sporting a pair. And then I met Jimmy, Christian and Manolo. Instant addiction. There's just something about the look and feel of the high-end brands. I'm very thankful for Joe at Campetti's Shoe Hospital in Wheeling. He has breathed new life into many pairs when they were beginning to look a bit ragged or were just plain broken, and such has occurred on occasion. Once when that happened at work, I had to wear a colleague's shoes home to get another pair as there was no way to improvise when the four-inch stiletto snapped off the bottom of my shoe. The moral of that story was to put a pair of basic pumps in the car just in case. Within the last few months, I found my way back to the gym, which necessitated the purchase of new workout shoes. I was pleasantly surprised to see the variety of colors and patterns - black and white checkered, green and white mesh or pale grey with neon green and purple trim to name just a few. Gone are the days of the basic white tennis shoes with a red or blue swoosh. I currently have my sights set on a pair of black and grey leopard print with pink trim. I don't want boring footwear, even at the gym. I do have to chuckle at myself, though. The cost of athletic shoes causes me pause. However, if I were purchasing heels, I wouldn't think twice. Maybe as I become more involved in fitness, this will change. But for now, I'll be waiting for the UPS man and that new pair of leopard CLs!

One subject that can really fire up a debate when I get together with my family is the subject about healthcare and/or medical malpractice. I work at a law firm that handles medical malpractice cases. My daughter is an LPN who works at a local doctor's office. The clash is predictable and self-evident. Of course, both sides of the issue have strong points, i.e., medical costs are so high because the doctors have to purchase medical malpractice insurance and if medical professionals were more careful and followed proper procedure they wouldn't have to worry about having medical malpractice insurance. We also hear a lot about frivolous lawsuits with people just searching for something to sue the doctor for to make some quick money. In the 24 years that I have worked for Bordas & Bordas, I have never seen a frivolous medical malpractice suit. We are extremely careful about the cases that we take and usually our medical malpractice cases are ones that leave you feeling devastated for the victims and families, wondering "how could this have happened?" One case in particular that stays in my memory is one that I worked on during the first year that I worked at Bordas & Bordas. If I ever had any questions about why we need to support medical malpractice, they were quickly answered after I was exposed to this case. It was clear to me that when medical professionals are negligent or careless and don't follow the strict protocols, the consequences can quickly spiral out of control. This particular case involved a 23-year-old woman who was experiencing nausea, vomiting and a lot of abdominal pain on her right side. She went to her gynecologist to get checked and upon examination he felt a mass on her right side. That, together with her other complaints were classic symptoms of appendicitis, tubal ovarian abscess, or an ectopic pregnancy. Even though each of these things could be potentially life threatening, instead of immediately admitting her into the hospital for further tests, the doctor sent her home after scheduling her for exploratory laparotomy at a date two days later. That night her symptoms worsened and when she returned to the ER the next morning, they discovered that her appendix had ruptured causing a pariappendiceal abscess. After surgery, the surgeon neglected to leave a drainage tube in her abdominal cavity to flush the area and then the physician prescribed the wrong kind of antibiotics for a ruptured appendix. Without the drainage tube and the proper antibiotics she immediately developed an infection which traveled her blood stream throughout her body. Then as if the surgeon's mistakes were not enough, her condition was monitored poorly by the hospital staff and she eventually went into septic shock. When the surgeon finally had enough sense to call another doctor in to review the case, the new doctor immediately recognized the dire condition of the woman and scheduled her for emergency surgery. Unfortunately, it was too little, too late. She eventually died 16 days after she had presented to her doctor with symptoms of appendicitis. I can still remember the tears running down my face as I typed the various documents, preparing this case for trial. At the time my own daughters were ages 16 and 13 and I'm sure that that fact made my connection to the case even more emotional. My empathy for her mother was almost unbearable, as I imagined her sitting there helplessly watching her daughter struggle for her life day after day. She was trusting the professionals that they were doing everything they could, when in fact, there was negligence and blunder after blunder that eventually made her daughter's survival unobtainable. Although not every medical malpractice case that our firm handles ends in such a tragic way, you can be assured that each and every one of them is a case where the patient has suffered in a major way. In the end, you end up wondering why, especially when you could plainly see that the tragedy could have been prevented. It might be true that the high cost of medical malpractice insurance has contributed to the high cost of medical care in this country. But to let incompetent medical professionals go unpunished and ignore these terrible things happening to people is not the answer. The happy balance will be when excellence in following medical procedure and practice outweigh the need for harmed patients to have to resort to litigation for compensation, but that would require rose-colored glasses.

A few of us around the Bordas & Bordas office have been waiting all summer for the return of one of our favorite guilty pleasures - Doctor Who. For those unfamiliar, Doctor Who is a British science-fiction TV show that first aired in 1963. It follows the adventures of an alien who goes only by "the Doctor" and who travels through time and space in his TARDIS - a spaceship that looks like a blue police box. The Doctor can "regenerate" when he is in mortal danger, and doing so changes his appearance and personality. Doctor Who returned to TV on August 23, giving the office "Whovians" a chance to see how Peter Capaldi, the latest actor chosen for the role, decided to portray the character. I checked in with Jay Stoneking and Stephani Campbell, the other Bordas & Bordas Who fans, to see what they thought of the newest Doctor. Jay pointed out that "Everybody has their favorites, but I like seeing how each actor gets to emphasize a different aspect of the Doctor's character." All three of us agreed that we enjoyed the introduction to the 12 th Doctor and are looking forward to seeing how Capaldi further develops the role. We are especially interested to see an older actor's (Capaldi is 56, versus Matt Smith, who was only 26 when he was cast to play the 11 th Doctor) take on the role, particularly since the character of the Doctor is supposed to be 2,000 years old. Stephani said, "I already prefer him to Matt Smith and look forward to seeing how Capaldi plays the role in future episodes." But perhaps the best part of Doctor Who isn't just getting excited about watching the newest episode or seeing a brand new actor playing the Doctor, it's knowing that generations of fans have been getting excited about these things for over 50 years. Jay told me, "I think the thing that's amazing about Doctor Who is that it reaches across generations. My girls grew up watching the old Doctor Who show with me and now we both enjoy the new show." My family's experience is similar to what Jay describes with his daughters. My mom grew up watching Tom Baker as the 4 th Doctor, and now my sister and I both love the show as well. There's something really fascinating about the idea of a character who continues to evolve over such a long period of time, and who remains interesting and fun to so many different people. Are there any Whovians in our Bordas & Bordas extended family? If so, what did you think of the newest Doctor and his "attack eyebrows?"

The Bordas dogs Barley and Guinness are very excited to hear that the Wheeling Dog Park will be opening in the near future down by Tunnel Green. The boys have been waiting a long time to get together with their furry friends in in a fun and safe environment.The excitement is building and we, as dog parents, are also very excited for the Wheeling Dog Park to open. Barley and Guinness want to thank all of you who worked so hard to get Dog Park in Wheeling. So many people pulled together to help make this park a reality. We are also very excited for the Oglebay's "Drool in the Pool" which is happening today, September 1, 2014 from 4pm to 6pm at the outdoor pool. Dogs and owners will have a chance to take one last dip before the summer season ends. Please if you plan on attending with your furry children, make sure you have your shot records.Also, if your pup is like my Guinness who has Doggie ADHD, please make sure that you have them on a leash so that they don't just take off running after everyone. Guinness thinks every dog wants to be his friend and every human wants kisses from him.(Hate to tell you bud, some people don't like dog kisses, I know, can you believe that?) So if you're out about for the last holiday of this summer, keep your eyes opened for all the dog activity in the Wheeling area. Bark on Bordas Dog Nation Bark on.

This past July I had the great pleasure to become a member of the Lions Club International.I joined the Moundsville, West Virginia club.My grandfather had previously been a member of the Lions and I had previously known many others who were members, but I really did not know much about the club beyond generally knowing about its work with vision issues.I was asked to join by a man that I respect very much and whom I have gotten to know since I moved to the Northern Panhandle, Gary Rider.I met Gary through church and because his family has been friends with my in-laws for many years.Gary was a teacher in Marshall County prior to his well deserved retirement and has long been active in community involvement clubs and events.Gary encouraged me to take a look at the club and see if I liked what I saw.I wanted to become more active and meet more people in the community so I attended several meetings as guest before formally joining. Lion's Club International is the largest service club organization in the world with over 1.35 million members in over 46,000 clubs worldwide.Men and women in over 200 countries are members.The Club started back in 1917 by Chicago businessman Melvin Jones.The idea was to create a group that would work to help improve the community.By the 1920s the club had already expanded beyond the United States to Canada and Mexico.Many people probably are aware, or familiar, with some of the work that the Lions Club does with eye sight.The dedication to the vision cause began in 1925 when Helen Keller addressed the Lions Club International Convention and challenged the club to become "knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness."From that date on, vision causes have been a driving force for the Lions.The Lions have been active in many other causes too.The Lions Club Foundation has been active in obtaining and utilizing over $800 million in grants over the years to help meet the needs of communities her in the US and throughout the world.The Lions are also very active in youth programs including Leo Clubs.Leo Clubs allow young people to develop into young leaders and become active in their communities through service opportunities.The Lions Club is active in establishing scholarships for youth and many other events.Much more information about the Lions is available by going to www.lionsclub.org or www.wvlions.org. Locally, there are several events upcoming which will help the Lions with their service.On Monday, September 1, 2014 (rain date September 7) there will be the annual Dan Dague Memorial Car & Bike Show for Sight.The event, which raises significant funds for the WV Lions Sight Foundation, will be located at The Highlands.On Saturday, September 20, 2014 the "Moundsville Zombie Prison Break 5K Run/Walk" will be held.The 5K run/walk is a new event being operated and supported by the Moundsville Lions Club and will go along with the Annual Moundsville Zombie walk which has become a popular event over the last few years in Marshall County. At the Lions Club you will find a diverse group of business leaders, church leaders, educators and neighbors who all have the common goal of improving their community and having a little fun at the same time.I would encourage anyone who is interested to look into joining a local club.

Last Saturday, I stood on top of a building, I thought of my children. I thought about my friends. I thought about my life. And, with one deep breath, I stepped off the ledge. This wasn't a suicidal mission. This was for charity and to help the women of the YWCA of Wheeling. The "Over the Edge" program consisted of individuals raising money to rappel over the Stone Center in Wheeling to support the YWCA and its purpose. More than 40 individuals went over, myself being one, and through our efforts helped to raise nearly $47,000 for an organization whose mission is to empower and help women and children right here in our community. City Officials, Fire fighters, members of the Police Department, Attorneys, Realtors, Community Members, Grandmothers, Athletes, Non-Athletes, and even a pro sports Mascot fearlessly made the walk down the side of the building. Eight stories and 126 feet doesn't sound like much until you are staring down at the sidewalk below and straight up to the clear blue sky above you. Have I  mentioned that I'm afraid of heights? Did I also mention that I lost my footing on the first step and kind of swung there suspended for a few moments before I got my footing? Did I mention that the adrenaline rush supercedes every fear and the cause I was helping was worth even more than that? As with most things in life, the first step was the hardest. And, like other life metaphors, the way down was easier once I made the commitment to just do it. This was the first year for the "Over the Edge" program and I can assure you that next year I will take the same journey along with many others who have already made the commitment. In the meantime, I consider myself lucky. Lucky to have never needed the services provided by the YWCA. Lucky that my professional path put me on track to meet and join up with so many amazing people that make the YWCA a successful organization for local women and children in need. Lucky that I am physically able to take on such challenges such as rappelling down a building for a good cause. Lucky that I got to be involved in such an amazing day. For more information about the YWCA, to volunteer or get involved in some of their many programs, contact them at 304.232.0511 or visit their website.

For the past week or so, the attention of the nation has been focused on the events in Ferguson, Missouri, in the aftermath of the shooting death of 18 year-old Michael Brown. While there are relatively few undisputed facts known thus far, we do know that Brown was shot six times by Officer Darren Wilson of the Ferguson PD. Accounts of what actually precipitated the shooting vary wildly. One account has Brown essentially being executed while attempting to surrender with his hands in the air, while another has Brown being killed after attacking the officer and trying to take his gun. An investigation is underway, and the entire nation is watching. As always seems to happen when a tragedy like this hits the national news, social media has exploded with reactions covering the entire spectrum of possibilities. One side argues that Brown was a law-breaking, drug-selling thug who got what he was certainly going to get at some point in his young life, while the other screams that this is yet another case of an out-of-control, power-crazed, ticking time bomb of a police officer over-reacting to what should have been a routine situation. The fact is that the investigation is ongoing, and until it has been completed we really won't know what happened or, perhaps more importantly, why it happened. What I do know is that a large percentage of the reactions I have heard and read are critical of the police. I think it is safe to say that it's almost a part of our heritage as Americans to be suspicious of those in positions of authority. In the "land of the free", we are instantly critical of those in a position to take away our freedom. What concerns me is what I perceive to be a move from healthy suspicion to knee-jerk, cynical criticism. So before we all decide that our police officers are all ego maniacs, foaming at the mouth and hoping for an opportunity to draw that weapon and fire, let's stop, take a deep breath, and think. Most of us don't have the slightest idea of what a police officer has to deal with on a daily basis. Throughout my time as a prosecuting attorney in Marshall County and now in the City of Moundsville, I have learned a lot about what it's like to be in law enforcement. One of my closest friends is a WV State Trooper, so I've heard the stories and seen the aftermath first hand. What I have concluded is this: police officers (and their families) deserve our support, our thanks, and most of all our respect. Cops get to deal with the absolute worst our society has to offer on a daily basis: the drunks, the drug addicts and drug dealers, the petty thieves to the violent rapists, and everything in between. They leave for work every single day knowing that they might not ever come home again. They gladly take on a job that requires them to be equal parts psychologist, doctor, mediator, EMT, firefighter, mechanic, MMA fighter, and marriage counselor. They deal with the ugly underbelly of society, the part we know is always there, but we prefer not to talk about around the dinner table. They get spat upon, urinated upon, vomited upon, scratched, punched, kicked, clubbed, bitten and shot at, and they take it all in stride. They risk their lives so that we can sleep peacefully at night. Aside from being a soldier in an active war zone, I can't imagine a more stressful profession. And they do it all for what is at best an average wage. So before we jump to unfounded conclusions, let's be sure we have all of the facts. Is it possible that the officer in Ferguson acted improperly? Of course it is. As with every other profession on the face of the earth, there are good ones and there are bad ones. If the investigation concludes that Officer Wilson acted inappropriately or with criminal intent, he should suffer the consequences of his actions, as would any other member of society who breaks the law. I'm simply suggesting that before we look to condemn the entire profession, and before we try to further handcuff them from doing the job we all need them to do, let's make sure we know what happened, and why. I for one am ever grateful for the thin blue line that protects my children and my wife from the worst our world has to offer, and whenever their actions are called into question, I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt. I think they've earned it.