WHY?

The first time I caught a ride inside the "tube" of a wave, it was in Costa Rica and due in large part from a much better surfer's nudging me along and encouraging me.

He was from Australia and occasionally drifted on and off the pro-circuit and his girlfriend was an LA Country lifeguard on vacation. She even had a water camera that caught a rough shot of that ride I will never forget.

But the bliss didn't last long that day because some obnoxious and aggressive surfers showed up and began harrasing the three of us. They were better than I, but paled in comparison to my professional pal. At first, we were competitive. But eventually, we gave way at the break as there were so many more to enjoy in Costa Rica without the nuance.

Back on the boat that had brought us out, I told my new friend that I wished I were as good as "those punks" so I could "school them" (I believe those were my words, although there might have been some profanity in there too!)

"Why?" my friend said. "You were the best surfer out there today!"

Confused, I reminded him that I was the LEAST talented surfer in the water and pointed at my pale white office tan as evidence.

"No, you were the best surfer out there because you were having FUN. That's what surfing is all about. It's why we do it... and its a shame some people don't understand it," he said.

It was then and there that I truly understood my relationship with surfing and why it continues to play a such a large role in influencing my own life and the way in which I choose to live it.

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BUT then I read this in the NYT today: "Pro Surfer's Death Exposes Beach Town's Violent Side."


I am deeply saddened to read this story. And while I am not naive to what happens in parking lots near breaks all the time - this one is different.

This was allegedly premeditated by a group of immature and thoughtless young men in their twenties that haven't the slightest idea how devastating the consequences of their actions could be on a sport loved by so many around the world. I can't imagine the grief that this poor surfer's family and friends must be suffering for a pointless fantasy shared by an ignorant few.

Surf Gangs? That is pathetic, abhorrent, repulsive and utterly unacceptable.

I'm literally sitting at a computer on a rainy Monday morning in NYC... and I can't get past my first inclination. Why?

(The photo above is Emery Kauanui Jr from the LA Times today - and article that simply asks that same bewildering question.)

HAPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Happy Mother's Day, Mom... And to ALL Moms out there too!!

My sincerest apologies as my daughters made a cute Mother's Day video message for Moms... but apparently there is a TROLL in this blogger software today that hates his mother and won't allow me to post video!

Check back tomorrow and maybe they'll get their act together!

***UPDATE: Better Late Than Never... Right, Mom!

OBAMA GETS MR. SUPER!

Now we know: Mr. Super ENDORSES Obama!!

Here's an excerpt from the Obama Camp's press release on the endorsement...

Today, California DNC Member and superdelegate Ed Espinoza endorsed Barack Obama, citing his judgment, character, and ability to unite our country for change.

Espinoza said, “I am endorsing Barack Obama today because throughout this process I have seen him show a judgment and character that we need in our next president. From day one he opposed the Iraq war and has a plan to end the war in a responsible way and bring our sons and daughters home. He has shown he has the character to lead our great nation, from his choice to spend his career serving people in the poorest communities in Chicago to his commitment to speaking truth to the American people, even when it isn’t politically convenient to do so. To unify the country at this time in our history we need a president who has these qualities, and that is why I am proud to endorse him today. My good friend Bill Richardson, who backed Obama some weeks ago, knows what it takes to lead and I trust his judgment in this decision as well. I look forward to working with this great movement to bring victory in November.”

Interestingly too, Ed is blogging today at www.mrsuper.org about the Veepstakes game for Obama - Would Bob Casey balance the ticket in PA?

Who knows?! I just hope Mr. Super keeps blogging all the way to November!

Are Polar Bears "Threatened?"

That is the question before the Bush Administration right now following a California Judge's ruling that the Interior Department must decide -- BY MAY 15th -- if the bears deserve protection under the Endangered Species Act.

Some Environmentalists argue that the climate change and melting Ice Caps reduces the Polar Bears natural habitit and thus "threatens" the species.

But others say that we may not know enough of the scientific facts to support this theory of a declining Polar Bear population. There are believed to be about 25,000 Polar Bears in the Artic Circle as best as I can determine.

In January 2007, the US Fish and Wildlife Service asked the Bush Administration to give the bears E.S.A. protection which was what then led to the May 15th deadline.

So being the intrepid reporter that I am - I am going to find out what's really going on here! I have a date with a Polar Bear tomorrow at the Maryland Zoo -- and calls into the Administration.

What do you think?

Do Polar Bears belong on the Endangered Species Act list?

Drop your thoughts to me at griffsnotes@foxnews.com.

The NUMBERS are IN

He's turned out to be a lot more than that "crazy old uncle" that Sen. Obama once described... Rev Jeremiah Wright has continued to dog the senator's campaign.

But just exactly how bad of a problem is it?

If you look at the latest Fox News-Opinion Dynamics poll, it reveals troubling news for the Obama Camp.

First, the big numbers: 45 percent of Americans care about the Controversy and 70 percent say it's damaged Obama politically – and that includes more than 6 in 10 democrats and 7 in 10 independents.

Additionally, the poll found nearly half of Americans think Wright's message is anti-white… And a majority thinks it’s anti-American. That includes almost half of Democrats – and 42 percent of Independents who Obama will definitely need to win the General Election if he is to get the nomination.

Then there’s this: Obama's favorable opinion among Democrats has fallen 10 points in two months: from 73 percent in Feb. to 63 percent in Apr. – which isn’t good news.

But the most revealing number may be this: One in five Obama supporters now say the Wright affair makes them less likely to vote for him (20%)… Yet despite this downtrend, Obama remains tied with Clinton nationally and is AHEAD still in the race that really matters ... The race for delegates.

You can watch a package that I did on this for FOXNews.com at www.foxnews.com.

(Kudos to Dana Blanton, Brian Gaffney and Matthew London for their help on this project!)