Oh, Andy Staples, why are you so moronic? He's trying to be Mr. Sarcastic, Mr. Whitty, or whatever. In his article, regarding the suspension of the OSU players, Andy suggests that fans should sympathize with student athletes' plight of not being able to get paid for work while playing collegiate athletics:
"Just the ones who think you should take your scholarship and shut up. Those people fail to understand that you are asked to work a full-time job as a full-time student. The difference is the guy who works 40 hours a week as a waiter at Chili's can afford tuition, room and board and still take his girlfriend to a movie on the weekend. And he doesn't make millions for Chili's. You do make millions for the athletic department at The Ohio State University. Let those fans get mad. You don't need friends like them."
Are we supposed to feel sorry for Terrelle Prior for getting a full ride to Ohio State University, getting a world class education, because he doesn't get paid as an athlete or is not allowed to get a job? This is the most asinine thing I have ever heard of. First off, Mr. Chili's is only working 40-hours a week so he can get his education at Ohio State. He will end up with $30,000 or more in student loan debt despite his full time Chili's job. If athletes would rather not get the full ride to play sports, just so they can get a job while being a student, then they don't have to play the sport. He's more than welcome to take the SATs or ACTs and be like the majority of students on campus. Heck, maybe he'd get a full ride academic scholarship, which would allow him to get a job and not have the student loan debt at graduation. Andy's whining for college athletes' "unfairness" just makes him look silly and pompous.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Welcome to Royal Dutch Shell, Nigeria
The Guardian (UK) is now reporting that Shell has embedded employees in the Nigerian government. There is a wealth of oil reserves in Nigeria. This stuff is real.
Visa, Mastercard, and the Puppets
The Guardian (UK) is reporting that the Obama administration lobbied on behalf of Visa and Mastercard regarding the Russian government creating legislation that creates a national payment processing service. How ironic Visa and Mastercard would suspend payments. Also being reported, the KKK's website gladly accepts Visa payments and Visa is obliging.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Where Am I?
I've been super busy over the past two to three weeks. The week of Thanksgiving, my wife had surgery to have her gallbladder removed. Everything was successful and she is recovering to almost full speed ahead! In addition, we are preparing our house for our home study for the adoption process. The time is getting near... My wife and I have been working on the house non-stop, cleaning it up, painting the upstairs, putting beds together, and more. It's been tiring, but will be really cool when done.
Monday, November 22, 2010
If Jesus...
...was walking the streets of America, in modern times, and came across a sick person without health insurance, who lost their job 8 months ago, what would he/she do?
A. Tell them that they are not doing their part and to go "get a job."
B. Ignore them
C. Tell them to open up a HSA and buy an affordable insurance plan with a $5,000 deductible
D. Care for them
A. Tell them that they are not doing their part and to go "get a job."
B. Ignore them
C. Tell them to open up a HSA and buy an affordable insurance plan with a $5,000 deductible
D. Care for them
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Lawrence O'Donnell vs. Glenn Greenwald
Although this topic has been covered quite extensively, I think it's a great discussion on why the Democrats lost handily in last weeks elections. This started out as a somewhat contentious debate between Lawrence O'Donnell and Glenn Greenwald of Salon.com on MSNBC's Morning Joe. It started like this:
Since time ran out for the discussion, Lawrence invited Glenn on his show last night. The debate continued, although in a less contentious fashion:
I think both bring up valid points.
Glenn contends that Democrats lost the election by not clearly defining the party's goals and accomplishments and how those affect everyday people in America. He believes that by "Alienating your own base by moving to the Right via Blue Dog dependency is obviously a bad electoral tactic for Democrats." He suggests that Blue Dogs are corporatist Democrats who watered down major legislation, for example health care reform, by catering more to the corporate dollar as opposed to whats best for the Democratic base.
Lawrence believes that the United State electorate is generally moderate, and by pushing overly liberal policies, such as health care reform, the Democrats lost. He contends that Blue Dog Democrats were needed in order to maintain Democratic control of Congress as they serve as a check to the "liberal" Democratic issues.
As I said, I agree with both points. But I think if the Democrats follow Glenn's suggestion in boiling their message down to policy and how those policies would directly benefit them, Democrats may have a better chance. If you watched the second clip above, Lawrence, a former writer of the West Wing, showed a clip from the final season of the show where Santos, the fictional Democratic presidential nominee, sung the praises of liberal accomplishments over time, and that liberal is not the dirty word that Republicans make it out to be.
Santos: I know you like to use that word 'liberal' as if it were a crime.
Vinick: No. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have used that word. I know Democrats think liberal is a bad word. So bad you had to change it. What do you call yourselves now, progressives? Is that it?
Santos: It's true. Republicans have tried to turn liberal into a bad word. Well, liberals ended slavery in this country.
Vinick: A Republican President ended slavery.
Santos: Yes, a liberal Republican; what happened to them, Senator? They got run out of your party! What did liberals do that was so offensive to the Republican Party? I'll tell you what they did. Liberals got women the right to vote. Liberals got African-Americans the right to vote. Liberals created Social Security and lifted millions of elderly people out of poverty. Liberals ended segregation. Liberals passed the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act. Liberals created Medicare. Liberals passed the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act. What did Conservatives do? They opposed them on every one of those things, every one. So when you try to hurl that label at my feet, 'Liberal,' as if it were something to be ashamed of, something dirty, something to run away from, it won't work, Senator, because I will pick up that label and I will wear it as a badge of honor.
Ask anyone, liberals or conservatives, if they value those programs, and I'm sure you'll find that the vast majority people in our country are indeed liberal and value these "practical socialist" ideals. There are many of the practical socialist ideals out there, waiting to be successful in the U.S. such as Universal Health Care.
Since time ran out for the discussion, Lawrence invited Glenn on his show last night. The debate continued, although in a less contentious fashion:
I think both bring up valid points.
Glenn contends that Democrats lost the election by not clearly defining the party's goals and accomplishments and how those affect everyday people in America. He believes that by "Alienating your own base by moving to the Right via Blue Dog dependency is obviously a bad electoral tactic for Democrats." He suggests that Blue Dogs are corporatist Democrats who watered down major legislation, for example health care reform, by catering more to the corporate dollar as opposed to whats best for the Democratic base.
Lawrence believes that the United State electorate is generally moderate, and by pushing overly liberal policies, such as health care reform, the Democrats lost. He contends that Blue Dog Democrats were needed in order to maintain Democratic control of Congress as they serve as a check to the "liberal" Democratic issues.
As I said, I agree with both points. But I think if the Democrats follow Glenn's suggestion in boiling their message down to policy and how those policies would directly benefit them, Democrats may have a better chance. If you watched the second clip above, Lawrence, a former writer of the West Wing, showed a clip from the final season of the show where Santos, the fictional Democratic presidential nominee, sung the praises of liberal accomplishments over time, and that liberal is not the dirty word that Republicans make it out to be.
Santos: I know you like to use that word 'liberal' as if it were a crime.
Vinick: No. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have used that word. I know Democrats think liberal is a bad word. So bad you had to change it. What do you call yourselves now, progressives? Is that it?
Santos: It's true. Republicans have tried to turn liberal into a bad word. Well, liberals ended slavery in this country.
Vinick: A Republican President ended slavery.
Santos: Yes, a liberal Republican; what happened to them, Senator? They got run out of your party! What did liberals do that was so offensive to the Republican Party? I'll tell you what they did. Liberals got women the right to vote. Liberals got African-Americans the right to vote. Liberals created Social Security and lifted millions of elderly people out of poverty. Liberals ended segregation. Liberals passed the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act. Liberals created Medicare. Liberals passed the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act. What did Conservatives do? They opposed them on every one of those things, every one. So when you try to hurl that label at my feet, 'Liberal,' as if it were something to be ashamed of, something dirty, something to run away from, it won't work, Senator, because I will pick up that label and I will wear it as a badge of honor.
Ask anyone, liberals or conservatives, if they value those programs, and I'm sure you'll find that the vast majority people in our country are indeed liberal and value these "practical socialist" ideals. There are many of the practical socialist ideals out there, waiting to be successful in the U.S. such as Universal Health Care.
Yeah, just a plane my ass!
According to the Pentagon today, the "mystery missile" is just a plane.
I'm no rocket scientist, but this is not a plane.
Somebody pushed the wrong button and is trying to make the gaffe go away.
I'm no rocket scientist, but this is not a plane.
Somebody pushed the wrong button and is trying to make the gaffe go away.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
The Day After
They (referring to those who know more than us) told us it was going to happen, and it happened. Republicans swept the nation by storm, taking control of the House and taking away the 2/3 majority in the Senate. Since they told us it was going to happen, is anyone surprised? It seems that during midterm elections, this happens. It didn't happen in 2002 because we were urged to "Stay the Course" in the aftermath of 9/11 and in 2004 we were again urged to "Stay the Course" because of our war on terror. In 2006, America said, "No more," and in a voted Democrats in control of congress as a way of telling Bush that we're tired of the lies. It wasn't so much as shift in political ideals, from right to left, as it was more of a means to let Bush know that America has no interest in his policies. This trend continued in 2008 with the hope that our new President could "Change" the way America behaves politically.
Now that we are back to Republican control of the house, what can we expect? I expect gridlock. With the Senate majority still in Democratic hands, anything the house passes with respect to tax cuts for the rich, elimination of health care reform, and a step back in financial regulation will stall. Anything that may pass will have the opportunity to meet Presidential Veto power.
I am going to give them the benefit of the doubt. First, they must, within 60 days, show tangible evidence that America is recovering from an economic standpoint. If, not, "Take Back America" chants will be starting. In 2 years, if we are not floating in budget surplus, the they'll get voted out.
Now that we are back to Republican control of the house, what can we expect? I expect gridlock. With the Senate majority still in Democratic hands, anything the house passes with respect to tax cuts for the rich, elimination of health care reform, and a step back in financial regulation will stall. Anything that may pass will have the opportunity to meet Presidential Veto power.
I am going to give them the benefit of the doubt. First, they must, within 60 days, show tangible evidence that America is recovering from an economic standpoint. If, not, "Take Back America" chants will be starting. In 2 years, if we are not floating in budget surplus, the they'll get voted out.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
How Sales Really Work at CVS
Normal Price: $19.99
You Pay: $20.99
Instant "Rebate": $3.00
Final: $17.99
Something is fishy...
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
I ate at the Taco Truck...
I ate at the Taco Truck by Kragen today for lunch. I ordered the usual "Chile Verde especial burrito with no sour cream." Instead what I got was the "Pork Fat Verde Burrito with no sour cream." The food is usually superb, but not today. This is the first time I've been disappointed in many visits, but I will no let this deter me.
Friday, October 22, 2010
The Whole Juan Williams Thing
Let me get this out of the way first. For those of you who think NPR is left leaning, you probably have never listened to NPR. It is the most centrist news organization out there.
Now here are my thoughts. Should have he gotten fired? Probably not. This is where I understand why he was fired. His role at NPR was as jouranlist - unbiased and opinion free. When you appear on Fox and make biased statements, your creditbility as an unbiased journalist is compromised. NPR takes great pride in provided unbiased news and political coverage and the behavior is not accepted.
As for unfunding NPR, it gets less than 6% from the government, on ANY level (local, state, and federal). Most of that funding goes to the local affiliates and not the national NPR unbrella. So stop with this defunding babbling.
Now here are my thoughts. Should have he gotten fired? Probably not. This is where I understand why he was fired. His role at NPR was as jouranlist - unbiased and opinion free. When you appear on Fox and make biased statements, your creditbility as an unbiased journalist is compromised. NPR takes great pride in provided unbiased news and political coverage and the behavior is not accepted.
As for unfunding NPR, it gets less than 6% from the government, on ANY level (local, state, and federal). Most of that funding goes to the local affiliates and not the national NPR unbrella. So stop with this defunding babbling.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Robbie Hummel Goes Down
Robbie Hummel, one of Purdue's All_American candidate, and the heart of the team re-tears his right ACL and will miss the season, as reported by the Lafayette Journal-Courier. This hurts Purdue's national title hopes, but does not elimante them, whatsoever. With two other All-American candiates in JaJuan Johnson and E'Twuan Moore, Purdue will have to rely on Sandi Marcius, DJ Byrd, Patrick Bade, and freshman Travis Caroll to fill in. I wouldn't be supprised if Matt Painter went with a three guard line-up as well as we have a couple of athletic gurads in the Johnsons (Terone and Anthony). Kelsy Barlow also has some size to him as well, which could make him a viable option. With all the talent Purdue has this year, I think it's certainly not over.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Local Politics at it's Finest
The cover story of the Union-Democrat, the newspaper here in Sonora, read, "Republicans denounce library display as 'propaganda'." The story is about the local Democratic Club who applied months ago and was granted permission to use a display case to present, "California’s Democratic Women Warriors," which featured famous women politicians of the Democratic party.
First of all, the title tells you exactly what type of town I live in. A small hotbed for all things conservative. Second, the use of the word, "propaganda," suggests that the local Republicans have no real argument here. I think we've all learned by now that terms such as propaganda, socialist, Marxist, take back America, and so on and so forth, are buzz words to provide the average Joe a little "shock and awe" to instill fear as if liberal Democrats are the next coming of communist Russia.
I couldn't agree more with the head of the local Democratic Club, Domenic Torchia, “If the Republicans didn’t think about it, tough crap,” Torchia said. “They were sleeping on the job.” That sums it up; the local Republicans have no real argument, because jealousy does not count as one.
But the story does not end there, it gets better. Mymotherlode.com reports this morning that a moratorium was placed on County library displays. Are you kidding me? I mean this whole thing is ridiculous to begin with. It's like if your child sees another kid with a cool new toy and than says, "I want one! I want one." And now our County leaders are buckling to the pressure (because they certainly know who their base is) and forcing them to take it down because ""It has been found that the actual display is not consistent with the description provided in the application requesting space.", which was aptly titled, "History of the Democratic Party, 1932-2010." Just because the word "Women" is missing does not mean that the title is inappropriate. By doing this does it mean that the local Republicans are sexist? Just asking.
This whole thing is childish and just goes to show that the local Republican leaders have no real plan for Tuolumne County.
First of all, the title tells you exactly what type of town I live in. A small hotbed for all things conservative. Second, the use of the word, "propaganda," suggests that the local Republicans have no real argument here. I think we've all learned by now that terms such as propaganda, socialist, Marxist, take back America, and so on and so forth, are buzz words to provide the average Joe a little "shock and awe" to instill fear as if liberal Democrats are the next coming of communist Russia.
I couldn't agree more with the head of the local Democratic Club, Domenic Torchia, “If the Republicans didn’t think about it, tough crap,” Torchia said. “They were sleeping on the job.” That sums it up; the local Republicans have no real argument, because jealousy does not count as one.
But the story does not end there, it gets better. Mymotherlode.com reports this morning that a moratorium was placed on County library displays. Are you kidding me? I mean this whole thing is ridiculous to begin with. It's like if your child sees another kid with a cool new toy and than says, "I want one! I want one." And now our County leaders are buckling to the pressure (because they certainly know who their base is) and forcing them to take it down because ""It has been found that the actual display is not consistent with the description provided in the application requesting space.", which was aptly titled, "History of the Democratic Party, 1932-2010." Just because the word "Women" is missing does not mean that the title is inappropriate. By doing this does it mean that the local Republicans are sexist? Just asking.
This whole thing is childish and just goes to show that the local Republican leaders have no real plan for Tuolumne County.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
[Not So] Deep Thoughts...
As I was walking out of the lower Save Mart the other day, after purchasing beer for my children, there was a mother yelling, cursing, and grabbing at her child for walking in the drive aisle. I was thinking to myself, "Gees, this lady deserves parent of the year."
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
I'm learning...
Random thoughts and exciting life highlights are in the pipeline. Hopefully I'll be up and running at full speed soon.
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