The Seahawks are now 0-2 which sucks. The sad thing is once they get healthy, they will probably win the division... it's that bad in the NFC West. I will just be glad when we can get a play in the offense that goes for over 20 yards in the playbook. If you don't believe me watch the Hawks play--quite ugly.
Since a lot of people aren't political I'll be a little light today. Here's some good humorous political commentary that anybody can enjoy from Jon Stewart, the video below characterizes the flipity floppity floop nature of the Republican Party these days.
Here is also a story of the McCain marriage that you probably don't know about. CNN did a report on this when they exposed the "real" John McCain and Barack Obama during a special back in August. John McCain was a jerk based on that CNN report. Basically this story exposed that he was dealing with some "issues" and his ex-wife had to deal with all of his antics.
From this report he is an inhumane scumbag, to say that lightly. Thanks to Tarik Pain for finding this. I don't think it is morally acceptable for someone to put another person through that situation especially knowing she has an unconditional love that will not tear you down. Drawing from a similar situation, former President Clinton was scum for extramarital affairs that occurred while he was in office. Right now, we know about extremely dirty misdealings and have the opportunity to prevent such a man going into office. I vividly remember the attacks President Clinton's character took while the sex scandal went on... but I doubt there will be similar actions taken.
In music stuff F-150 face Curtis Jackson bka 50 Cent dissed Kanye, video below. I am by no means a Kanye fan but this is just lame. The fact that people still 50 is a sign the world is coming to an end. Really we need to get it together America.
Ramadan is going well and I am developing the spiritual connection that is essential to growth and development during such a time.
OH! And the San Diego Chargers lost a game today because of a rule... I am thinking we should make sports rule books like the constitution or the Bible and interpret them as living documents. Ed Hochuli (Mr. Man of sports referees) knew he blew the call but because of the rulebook he couldn't make it right. Now the Denver Broncos are 2-0 and the San Diego Chargers are 0-2. What did we learn today? Politics are screwed, music is screwed and sports is screwed... good luck out there in this cold, cold world!
Salute
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Friday, September 12, 2008
Saturdays and Sundays are gonna suck for a while
I am going to find solace in the fact that "Montlake" Jake Locker will be in Seattle for two more years and Mike Holmgren is retiring... but still it is going to really suck getting thru this football season. I won't even address October--when basketball starts and I have to start being a fan of a new team.
Hurricane Ike hit Texas and pretty hard it sounds like. There aren't official damage numbers or death tolls, but I am sure there will be a significant amout of damage and a far higher number of deaths than should be. For whatever reason some people did not heed the warnings and decided they would just chill. Yesterday, I saw footage on CNN of some guys walking with their dog right up where the water was surging over barriers... bleepin' stupid.
Gas prices rose dramatically, as there are a great deal of the country's oil refineries are located in Texas. Gas has risen 6 cents nationally, I think about 20 cents in Kentucky and certain areas in Texas don't have gas at all. I wouldn't be surprised if gas stays a few cents higher after all of this is resolved. That's what they do.
I would say this is further proof that we need to find something else to do besides drill for oil and build pipelines. The fact that we are having exponential increases in price of gas because of a seasonal natural disaster is even more proof. A pipeline from Alaska and offshore drilling aren't solving this problem either. You cant completely get rid of oil dependency, but you can definitely become less dependent.
For those who are not as cynical as I am, here's a little story about the U.S. Interior Department in relation to oil companies.
It is pretty lengthy, but definitely worth the read. We have so many problems in this country that need exposure... this is a really big step.
Since I took the semester off in Fall '05 I have been more up on what goes on in national news. From that point I have heard quarter after quarter of record profits by the oil companies as prices rose and rose. This article alleges that there were improper benefits, not collecting federal royalties, drug usage, sexual impropriety, and many other ethical practices and actions. This is just plain sickening considering the American people are feeling the brunt of said decisions... and those making the decisions and enforcing rules can't keep their pants on, their noses clean or their minds right.
Back to sports, I didn't think Ty Willingham was on the hot seat going into the season, but considering the field goal attempt before the half with 1 second on the clock, I think he just put himself in that seat. You're down 34 and you need to score points, you gotta go for the TD. The kicker missed the field goal, so it's easy to criticize the decision, but if you're down at that point, you go big or go home.
I feel really bad for this Husky team because the schedule has been tough, facing three top 25 teams in the first three games of the year. Not only that, but the team isn't getting any breaks going back to last year. I keep waiting for them to turn the corner and get back to that prominence that I grew up accustomed to, but it just isn't working. Last year they lost a lot of close games to a lot of good teams and many fans figured this year things would yield a few more wins, but it hasn't worked out that way.
It will go a long way when they get their act together and gain that confidence and swagger that you see from winning teams, but until then Jake Locker & Co. are really struggling with being a young, inexperienced, not good team. Jake Locker is capable of turning in a Herculean effort that will inspire his team to glory and I feel that effort coming very soon. The team WILL be galvanized by these experiences, mark my words!
I still have hope for the Huskies, like I do the country which is in the midst of being dealt a lot of bad breaks, especially politically. If more of the injustices and misdealings are exposed the United States can turn it around. Go Huskies! And Go USA! After November 4th you'll get your leader that will deliver the Herculean effort.
Salute
Hurricane Ike hit Texas and pretty hard it sounds like. There aren't official damage numbers or death tolls, but I am sure there will be a significant amout of damage and a far higher number of deaths than should be. For whatever reason some people did not heed the warnings and decided they would just chill. Yesterday, I saw footage on CNN of some guys walking with their dog right up where the water was surging over barriers... bleepin' stupid.
Gas prices rose dramatically, as there are a great deal of the country's oil refineries are located in Texas. Gas has risen 6 cents nationally, I think about 20 cents in Kentucky and certain areas in Texas don't have gas at all. I wouldn't be surprised if gas stays a few cents higher after all of this is resolved. That's what they do.
I would say this is further proof that we need to find something else to do besides drill for oil and build pipelines. The fact that we are having exponential increases in price of gas because of a seasonal natural disaster is even more proof. A pipeline from Alaska and offshore drilling aren't solving this problem either. You cant completely get rid of oil dependency, but you can definitely become less dependent.
For those who are not as cynical as I am, here's a little story about the U.S. Interior Department in relation to oil companies.
It is pretty lengthy, but definitely worth the read. We have so many problems in this country that need exposure... this is a really big step.
Since I took the semester off in Fall '05 I have been more up on what goes on in national news. From that point I have heard quarter after quarter of record profits by the oil companies as prices rose and rose. This article alleges that there were improper benefits, not collecting federal royalties, drug usage, sexual impropriety, and many other ethical practices and actions. This is just plain sickening considering the American people are feeling the brunt of said decisions... and those making the decisions and enforcing rules can't keep their pants on, their noses clean or their minds right.
Back to sports, I didn't think Ty Willingham was on the hot seat going into the season, but considering the field goal attempt before the half with 1 second on the clock, I think he just put himself in that seat. You're down 34 and you need to score points, you gotta go for the TD. The kicker missed the field goal, so it's easy to criticize the decision, but if you're down at that point, you go big or go home.
I feel really bad for this Husky team because the schedule has been tough, facing three top 25 teams in the first three games of the year. Not only that, but the team isn't getting any breaks going back to last year. I keep waiting for them to turn the corner and get back to that prominence that I grew up accustomed to, but it just isn't working. Last year they lost a lot of close games to a lot of good teams and many fans figured this year things would yield a few more wins, but it hasn't worked out that way.
It will go a long way when they get their act together and gain that confidence and swagger that you see from winning teams, but until then Jake Locker & Co. are really struggling with being a young, inexperienced, not good team. Jake Locker is capable of turning in a Herculean effort that will inspire his team to glory and I feel that effort coming very soon. The team WILL be galvanized by these experiences, mark my words!
I still have hope for the Huskies, like I do the country which is in the midst of being dealt a lot of bad breaks, especially politically. If more of the injustices and misdealings are exposed the United States can turn it around. Go Huskies! And Go USA! After November 4th you'll get your leader that will deliver the Herculean effort.
Salute
Monday, September 8, 2008
Recovery from Sorrow
I have finally recovered from this terrible sports weekend (thanks Seattle)... to be thrust into the life of a full-time student, writer and semi-involved jerk. To add to that, my pockets I decided to fast for the remaining three weeks of Ramadan to experience what some of my friends were experiencing and prepare my mind for whatever it is I am preparing it for. Not to make light of what fasting is like but here is my experience so far.
Day 1 was cool... except I am not sure if I actually made it. I woke up and ate some left over Cool Mint Creme Oreos from last night's SUCCESS meeting. I got up before sunrise, as I later found, but I may have eaten literally minutes before, during, or after.
I also tried to eat a Milky Way... My boss keeps candy in her office and if she is not there I make it a point to eat some--it is a silly habit. Well I started chewing the Milky Way and then realized my commitment to fasting, so I spit it out.
I made it through the rest of the day and promptly broke fast at 7:58 at the College Democrats meeting, which wasn't so bad at all (the fasting that is... I had no problem with the meeting LOL). And I got home and ran for about 2.5 miles and I actually feel great.
I really want to do this, and I will try to make it thru the rest of the week. I wish I would have started when Ramadan started so that I could have enjoyed the entire experience. Oh and by the way I'll say it again. I am not Muslim, but if I were, what would it matter? Really?
Anyways here is a live sample of Kanye Love Lock Down
On to Politics!
David Brickner of Jews for Jesus said that the Jews being terrorized was God punishing them for not being faithful or something like that. Sarah Palin's current Pastor Larry Kroon of Wasilla Bible Chruch wouldn't comment on the statement made by David Bricker since this has become big, but apparently is boys with the Jew for Jesus.
I wonder if this will blow up like Jeremiah Wright? .... Doubt it. You can find that story on CNN by the way. They may be moving more towards real journalism! In fact there's a few more interesting things there about her religion--still, i doubt it will receive much media attention even though there are glaring similarities... I like using the word interesting to describe f'ed up ish and things that are just blatantly unfair, so it is interesting that one person's beliefs are taken in context and as their individual practices, and the other persons beliefs are espoused to their pastor... O beautiful for spacious skies...
Again, Sarah Palin is out there misremembering facts. She is attacking Obama on earmarks, while being responsible for 197 million dollars in requests for earmarks. She was a proponent of the "bridge to nowhere" until it became politically unsavory. More and more will come out, about her--but right now facts are not at all relevant. This is quite sad.
Salute
Day 1 was cool... except I am not sure if I actually made it. I woke up and ate some left over Cool Mint Creme Oreos from last night's SUCCESS meeting. I got up before sunrise, as I later found, but I may have eaten literally minutes before, during, or after.
I also tried to eat a Milky Way... My boss keeps candy in her office and if she is not there I make it a point to eat some--it is a silly habit. Well I started chewing the Milky Way and then realized my commitment to fasting, so I spit it out.
I made it through the rest of the day and promptly broke fast at 7:58 at the College Democrats meeting, which wasn't so bad at all (the fasting that is... I had no problem with the meeting LOL). And I got home and ran for about 2.5 miles and I actually feel great.
I really want to do this, and I will try to make it thru the rest of the week. I wish I would have started when Ramadan started so that I could have enjoyed the entire experience. Oh and by the way I'll say it again. I am not Muslim, but if I were, what would it matter? Really?
Anyways here is a live sample of Kanye Love Lock Down
On to Politics!
David Brickner of Jews for Jesus said that the Jews being terrorized was God punishing them for not being faithful or something like that. Sarah Palin's current Pastor Larry Kroon of Wasilla Bible Chruch wouldn't comment on the statement made by David Bricker since this has become big, but apparently is boys with the Jew for Jesus.
I wonder if this will blow up like Jeremiah Wright? .... Doubt it. You can find that story on CNN by the way. They may be moving more towards real journalism! In fact there's a few more interesting things there about her religion--still, i doubt it will receive much media attention even though there are glaring similarities... I like using the word interesting to describe f'ed up ish and things that are just blatantly unfair, so it is interesting that one person's beliefs are taken in context and as their individual practices, and the other persons beliefs are espoused to their pastor... O beautiful for spacious skies...
Again, Sarah Palin is out there misremembering facts. She is attacking Obama on earmarks, while being responsible for 197 million dollars in requests for earmarks. She was a proponent of the "bridge to nowhere" until it became politically unsavory. More and more will come out, about her--but right now facts are not at all relevant. This is quite sad.
Salute
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
What a day!
Today was another _ _ _ _ day. Not bad, not good just _ _ _ _. Whatever that means.
I finally got enrolled in classes and with the UK so now I can return to being a normal guy that runs around campus sleeping in meetings LOL.
I lied about watching the RNC as much as I did the DNC... well actually I didn't because I had to go back and watch a few of the big speeches, as my duties to the Kernel and to my people took me away a night or two. I did see the most important stuff though. More than likely tomorrow I'll lay into Sarah Palin's speech, I have already heard it was a little "shrill". That term was dissected for about 5 minutes by CNN pundits in relation to it being a term you only hear with females... shrill is defined as high pitched and difficult to take on the ears. I would be extremely worried of Barack Hussein gave a shrill speech.
Speaking shrill, I am finding it funny at the media's insistence on remaining fair and balanced. I have noticed this a lot lately because a good deal of what is reported on is forced into being covered straight down the middle, and some things like this presidential race just aren't things you can cover equally.
For Barack Obama is much more interesting than John McCain. Not that John McCain isn't interesting, but Barack Obama is black, a successful politician, an author, a brilliant mind, a hooper, and all kinds of other stuff. John McCain is a maverick, former POW, um, dang... see I'm already out of stuff. Ok not really, but you get the point.
The interesting thing about this election is that if you look at the projection and the maps it is pretty clear that this country is really two countries. One country is where people live and mingle and have to work in a diverse world, and the other where you wake up to people who look like you, think like you, and are fine with things the way they are, whatever that may mean.
All I am saying is I live in a state where a lot of people go to a city with a population over 100k and it is the first time they have sustained interaction with black people, or anybody else in the rainbow for that matter. A lot of the stuff I and others fight for is stuff I grew up with that I think of as common sense, but nobody challenges thought here so the status quo remains.
Man. I'm fired up. I really wanna see this Palin speech!
Salute
I finally got enrolled in classes and with the UK so now I can return to being a normal guy that runs around campus sleeping in meetings LOL.
I lied about watching the RNC as much as I did the DNC... well actually I didn't because I had to go back and watch a few of the big speeches, as my duties to the Kernel and to my people took me away a night or two. I did see the most important stuff though. More than likely tomorrow I'll lay into Sarah Palin's speech, I have already heard it was a little "shrill". That term was dissected for about 5 minutes by CNN pundits in relation to it being a term you only hear with females... shrill is defined as high pitched and difficult to take on the ears. I would be extremely worried of Barack Hussein gave a shrill speech.
Speaking shrill, I am finding it funny at the media's insistence on remaining fair and balanced. I have noticed this a lot lately because a good deal of what is reported on is forced into being covered straight down the middle, and some things like this presidential race just aren't things you can cover equally.
For Barack Obama is much more interesting than John McCain. Not that John McCain isn't interesting, but Barack Obama is black, a successful politician, an author, a brilliant mind, a hooper, and all kinds of other stuff. John McCain is a maverick, former POW, um, dang... see I'm already out of stuff. Ok not really, but you get the point.
The interesting thing about this election is that if you look at the projection and the maps it is pretty clear that this country is really two countries. One country is where people live and mingle and have to work in a diverse world, and the other where you wake up to people who look like you, think like you, and are fine with things the way they are, whatever that may mean.
All I am saying is I live in a state where a lot of people go to a city with a population over 100k and it is the first time they have sustained interaction with black people, or anybody else in the rainbow for that matter. A lot of the stuff I and others fight for is stuff I grew up with that I think of as common sense, but nobody challenges thought here so the status quo remains.
Man. I'm fired up. I really wanna see this Palin speech!
Salute
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Republicans do it... better?
Do they really? Probably not, but the GOP can stake a claim to Abraham Lincoln and that Emancipation Proclamation stuff, or whatever it was he was doing. They also lay claim to that guy MLK Jr. who did some stuff in the about civil rights. Heck, they probably understand the whole Barack Obama thing better than anybody else.
Here is a quote from Newt Gingrich former Republican Speaker of the House taken from obamapedia.org:
"Well, Abraham Lincoln served two years in the U.S. House, and seemed to do all right." (Meet The Press 12/17).
You can do a Google search on your own and find it many other places... it's a real quote from an interview with the late great Tim Russert.
There is so much fear in the Republican Party about Barack Obama it's almost palpable. They know that he is reaching people by speaking about tomorrow and what we leave for our children. They know that this "abstract" change is going to mean huge losses in their takeover of the world. They see the pie being re-distributed to take 99% of our country's wealth from just one percent of the population. Very scary for them folks
So far I have enjoyed the Democratic National Convention. Highlighted so far by Hillary's speech and orange pantsuit, this convention has had so much enthusiasm, power and most importantly unity. The surrogates have done a good job going after McCain and working to garner support for Barack Obama. All of the speakers and people who have been interviewed get the message, except for a few Hillary supporters that clearly cannot hear. Here is an excerpt from her magnificent speech:
"I want you to ask yourselves: Were you in this campaign just for me? Or were you in it for that young Marine and others like him? Were you in it for that mom struggling with cancer while raising her kids? Were you in it for that young boy and his mom surviving on the minimum wage? Were you in it for all the people in this country who feel invisible?"
That is pretty clear right? Here's what I heard/saw:
Hey guys! It's me Hillary. I'm here rockin' the hell out of this orange pantsuit (take that Michelle). But on the real, I know y'all love me—but is the truth Barack is gonna be working for you guys just I would have if I didn’t underestimate him."
Somehow CNN found two Clinton supporters that missed what she said and what heard/saw.
One Clinton supporter whose name I missed said, "I need to be courted" and that her not supporting Barack was on "principles". What principles?! I guess that’s the principles of Nobama democrats (thanks Fatimah). She continued to say "I don't vote on the first date."
WOW! Keep your vote!
Then there Ann Price-Mills was the delegate from the great state of Washington in the city of Kent. She is actually really close to where I am from, very sad. I'm not furious that she said she hasn't connected with Barack Obama, because all that shows is laziness in finding information and an inability to let go of things. I am not a McCain fan by any means, but I can tell you what he stands for and why people like him and think he is worth voting for. She also said Hillary looked Presidential and said that democrats made a mistake. Well the people spoke and selected Barack to have the right to BE presidential not just look like it.
But no, that's not really why I am mad. Actually, I am mad because she said, on national television mind you, that she may not vote. Our adviser at the Kentucky Kernel said that using profanity is taking the easy way out, so I won't write what I think, but I will say Price-Mills needs to immediately have her delegate rights removed. How you can even introduce the idea of not voting? It’s absolutely shameful. How can you in good conscience represent a body of people and consider the idea of not invoking one of the most fundamental democratic rights?
I'll be watching the next few days eagerly and please believe I'll do the same for the RNC.
Salute
Here is a quote from Newt Gingrich former Republican Speaker of the House taken from obamapedia.org:
"Well, Abraham Lincoln served two years in the U.S. House, and seemed to do all right." (Meet The Press 12/17).
You can do a Google search on your own and find it many other places... it's a real quote from an interview with the late great Tim Russert.
There is so much fear in the Republican Party about Barack Obama it's almost palpable. They know that he is reaching people by speaking about tomorrow and what we leave for our children. They know that this "abstract" change is going to mean huge losses in their takeover of the world. They see the pie being re-distributed to take 99% of our country's wealth from just one percent of the population. Very scary for them folks
So far I have enjoyed the Democratic National Convention. Highlighted so far by Hillary's speech and orange pantsuit, this convention has had so much enthusiasm, power and most importantly unity. The surrogates have done a good job going after McCain and working to garner support for Barack Obama. All of the speakers and people who have been interviewed get the message, except for a few Hillary supporters that clearly cannot hear. Here is an excerpt from her magnificent speech:
"I want you to ask yourselves: Were you in this campaign just for me? Or were you in it for that young Marine and others like him? Were you in it for that mom struggling with cancer while raising her kids? Were you in it for that young boy and his mom surviving on the minimum wage? Were you in it for all the people in this country who feel invisible?"
That is pretty clear right? Here's what I heard/saw:
Hey guys! It's me Hillary. I'm here rockin' the hell out of this orange pantsuit (take that Michelle). But on the real, I know y'all love me—but is the truth Barack is gonna be working for you guys just I would have if I didn’t underestimate him."
Somehow CNN found two Clinton supporters that missed what she said and what heard/saw.
One Clinton supporter whose name I missed said, "I need to be courted" and that her not supporting Barack was on "principles". What principles?! I guess that’s the principles of Nobama democrats (thanks Fatimah). She continued to say "I don't vote on the first date."
WOW! Keep your vote!
Then there Ann Price-Mills was the delegate from the great state of Washington in the city of Kent. She is actually really close to where I am from, very sad. I'm not furious that she said she hasn't connected with Barack Obama, because all that shows is laziness in finding information and an inability to let go of things. I am not a McCain fan by any means, but I can tell you what he stands for and why people like him and think he is worth voting for. She also said Hillary looked Presidential and said that democrats made a mistake. Well the people spoke and selected Barack to have the right to BE presidential not just look like it.
But no, that's not really why I am mad. Actually, I am mad because she said, on national television mind you, that she may not vote. Our adviser at the Kentucky Kernel said that using profanity is taking the easy way out, so I won't write what I think, but I will say Price-Mills needs to immediately have her delegate rights removed. How you can even introduce the idea of not voting? It’s absolutely shameful. How can you in good conscience represent a body of people and consider the idea of not invoking one of the most fundamental democratic rights?
I'll be watching the next few days eagerly and please believe I'll do the same for the RNC.
Salute
Monday, August 25, 2008
Today was a _ _ _ _ day
It wasn't good, it wasn't bad. It just was a day.
I did UK Fusion, which is this huge community service based event designed to get students involved. That was interesting. Then I did my first Kernel Edit Board Meeting. More interestingness. Neither bad by any means, just something new to add to my life experiences.
I did some of the welcome week stuff which was cool and got to see some familiar and new faces... thats always nice. BTW I am sincerely sticking to my commitment to be cool and sociable. I don't know how I am going to do it, but by golly I will.
Today I saw that Daddy Yankee (the guy that did that Rompe")endorsed John McCain. That was interesting...and not in a good way. It reaks tokenism among many other things that will influence an unaware audience into voting making a bad decision. Even if it is just one voter its bad enough. And as much as I think bigger picture, I also recognize the power of the individual, because that uninformed vote influences people in ways that can weave a web of ignorance and singular thought processes that can steal an election(wait...that's big picture). All that said, I would much rather have Young Jeezy's endorsement than Daddy Yankee's. Young said "y'all touch him we ridin'", that's real dedication even though I don't advocate "ridin'" on anybody LOL.
On a positive note, Michelle (Robinson) Obama gave a great speech that Republicans are trying to chop up and say lacked substance. Aside: I NEED to find a woman like that... I dont see it happening, but hey, here's hoping! Again they are using the out of touch perspective that asks for specifics, neglecting that the prevailing desire to make America better, while vague will take shape as we all have our say in this election. Lack of experience, and the theory of Barack being a blank slate have been thrown around, but I look at the two as fresh perspective and careful consideration of issues before making a decision.
A lot of companies hire cunning new thinkers to come up with fresh ideas and keep their business running, why can't politics be the same. Most of our country is a profit driven machine anyways, so why not? Because the fresh ideas include making health care less of a money maker and more of a problem solve.... geez why would we vote for that Obama guy?
Additionally, this whole blank slate thing is BS--although I will say the Obama campaign hasn't really framed this issue well. In representative politics, a politician cannot rush to judgment and make rash decisions. Look at Bush-Cheney's stance on Iraq. Essentially they ran in there and rode on Iraq, because one half of the country wanted to do so based on, I'll go with slanted, intelligence from our guys. That quick decision, among with many other unrepresentative decisions have Bush and Cheney enjoying some of the lowest approval ratings ever by a president and vice president respectvely. Nice. Again, why vote for the guy that considers stuff and makes compromise, gosh thats stupid.
Random song playing in my head: Jamiroquai-Virtual Insanity
I think the internet is giving me virtual insanity, I literally spend more time on the internet than I do being conscious (that's really hard to do).
As I type this a sharp pain is going up my left knee... the one I tore three ligaments in. The right one I just tore the ACL in so it doesn't give me too much trouble. Anyways, since the left knee injury I have wondered where life would have taken me. Like where would I be? What would I have chosen to do? How would I be different? I based my life on being athletic and didn't really think too much of what else there was in life, so when things went sour I had no plan. By no means was I that good, and I never thought past the immediate season and whatever sport I was playing. After high school, I made plans to go into law and be rich... Really, thats it. Amazing how shallow I was and to some extent still am.
Ever since then I have been making plans to do this and do that and nothing ever ends up the way I expect it and its not always good. But I am better for it and I have something you only get from taking a lot of shots on the basketball court... and that's character, thank you Doug T. for that one.
Salute
I did UK Fusion, which is this huge community service based event designed to get students involved. That was interesting. Then I did my first Kernel Edit Board Meeting. More interestingness. Neither bad by any means, just something new to add to my life experiences.
I did some of the welcome week stuff which was cool and got to see some familiar and new faces... thats always nice. BTW I am sincerely sticking to my commitment to be cool and sociable. I don't know how I am going to do it, but by golly I will.
Today I saw that Daddy Yankee (the guy that did that Rompe")endorsed John McCain. That was interesting...and not in a good way. It reaks tokenism among many other things that will influence an unaware audience into voting making a bad decision. Even if it is just one voter its bad enough. And as much as I think bigger picture, I also recognize the power of the individual, because that uninformed vote influences people in ways that can weave a web of ignorance and singular thought processes that can steal an election(wait...that's big picture). All that said, I would much rather have Young Jeezy's endorsement than Daddy Yankee's. Young said "y'all touch him we ridin'", that's real dedication even though I don't advocate "ridin'" on anybody LOL.
On a positive note, Michelle (Robinson) Obama gave a great speech that Republicans are trying to chop up and say lacked substance. Aside: I NEED to find a woman like that... I dont see it happening, but hey, here's hoping! Again they are using the out of touch perspective that asks for specifics, neglecting that the prevailing desire to make America better, while vague will take shape as we all have our say in this election. Lack of experience, and the theory of Barack being a blank slate have been thrown around, but I look at the two as fresh perspective and careful consideration of issues before making a decision.
A lot of companies hire cunning new thinkers to come up with fresh ideas and keep their business running, why can't politics be the same. Most of our country is a profit driven machine anyways, so why not? Because the fresh ideas include making health care less of a money maker and more of a problem solve.... geez why would we vote for that Obama guy?
Additionally, this whole blank slate thing is BS--although I will say the Obama campaign hasn't really framed this issue well. In representative politics, a politician cannot rush to judgment and make rash decisions. Look at Bush-Cheney's stance on Iraq. Essentially they ran in there and rode on Iraq, because one half of the country wanted to do so based on, I'll go with slanted, intelligence from our guys. That quick decision, among with many other unrepresentative decisions have Bush and Cheney enjoying some of the lowest approval ratings ever by a president and vice president respectvely. Nice. Again, why vote for the guy that considers stuff and makes compromise, gosh thats stupid.
Random song playing in my head: Jamiroquai-Virtual Insanity
I think the internet is giving me virtual insanity, I literally spend more time on the internet than I do being conscious (that's really hard to do).
As I type this a sharp pain is going up my left knee... the one I tore three ligaments in. The right one I just tore the ACL in so it doesn't give me too much trouble. Anyways, since the left knee injury I have wondered where life would have taken me. Like where would I be? What would I have chosen to do? How would I be different? I based my life on being athletic and didn't really think too much of what else there was in life, so when things went sour I had no plan. By no means was I that good, and I never thought past the immediate season and whatever sport I was playing. After high school, I made plans to go into law and be rich... Really, thats it. Amazing how shallow I was and to some extent still am.
Ever since then I have been making plans to do this and do that and nothing ever ends up the way I expect it and its not always good. But I am better for it and I have something you only get from taking a lot of shots on the basketball court... and that's character, thank you Doug T. for that one.
Salute
Sunday, August 24, 2008
My thoughts on elitism...
I have heard the topic of elitism being thrown around for several months now and I want to properly focus people on what elite is. (I won't go attacking a guy who doesn't know how many houses he owns, because that's not what I am here for. In fact, I don't think I could accurately describe the situation to really grasp how crappy it is.) Anyways, since sports is my thing I will use sports to describe true elitism.
I'm an American, proud to be here--don't plan on leaving. But I will say we have an elite mentality when it comes to sports. Let's take soccer, which is great. The rest of the world eats it up. The world cup final literally has billions of people watching it... but not many of those numbers come from America.
Take Olympic Basketball and the "Redeem Team," as they have been dubbed. I understand why it is a big deal that we need to win the gold, but we have this elitist mentality that we shouldn't lose. So what do we do? Put together a team with 2 guys that are there for one skill (Tayshaun Prince and Redd), a guy who would be a great counterpunch to some of the crafty power forwards of the international game (Carlos Boozer), and Jason Kidd, whom I will not address because my opinion of him could fill seven, 20k word posts.
Even our spin on the medal count shows massive amounts of elitism. The United States will come out with more total medals than China, but China will have more gold medals. We say we won in real sports and real events. I have also heard the sentiment that if you subtract events that weren’t subjectively/arbitrarily by people, we have won just as many gold medals as China. While I do think the system is flawed, China won and minus the small children in gymnastics, they were better (gold medal wise) than us. We have the same opportunity to play badminton and table tennis like they do. Let’s be gracious.
I want to reiterate the fact that I love America and think it’s the best large place/country ever (the state of Washington is the best place in general). Yet I think it’s worth mentioning this sports elitism because it spills into other aspects of life. The fact that a country turns its nose up to the “beautiful game” and calls it a sport for wimps is a testimony. Or maybe its visible major sports talk radio widely ignoring a world athletic competition, save Michael Phelps, USA basketball and a little Usain Bolt. And for what? To talk pre-season NFL football!
Upon winning the gold medal in Olympic basketball the theme of what the “Redeem Team” did was the first gold since 2000. Last time I checked, the Olympics happen every 4 years. So basically, we didn’t win in ’04 and that’s it. It wasn’t the end of the world. The team didn’t play well, but Americans in general were generally ungracious. When the Pistons lost in the NBA finals a few years ago the media vilified the team for not giving credit to the Spurs for beating them and being better.
The American response to not winning gold in Sidney was quite similar to that of the Pistons who failed, which is funny because the world really has caught up. Argentina has 6 NBA players and one player that was a staple in the league for years. Spain has eight players that have been or will be in the NBA either last year or next year. Aside: Rudy Fernandez of the Portland Trailblazers abused the US defense, and he made Dwight Howard look bad when he dunked on him. Fernandez was born the day after I was and he plays for my new favorite team so he must be a good guy. Other teams also have NBA regulars and really talented players who can hold their own anywhere. In basketball you only need to have the best five guys on the floor…
In short, well not so much, we have to get a hold of ourselves, realize that there is more to life than America and American sports, and be a gracious people. The elitism we have in sports manifests itself in our media, politics, and lifestyles and I hate that it has spilled to my favorite thing in the world. Please guys let’s just play nice!
Salute
I'm an American, proud to be here--don't plan on leaving. But I will say we have an elite mentality when it comes to sports. Let's take soccer, which is great. The rest of the world eats it up. The world cup final literally has billions of people watching it... but not many of those numbers come from America.
Take Olympic Basketball and the "Redeem Team," as they have been dubbed. I understand why it is a big deal that we need to win the gold, but we have this elitist mentality that we shouldn't lose. So what do we do? Put together a team with 2 guys that are there for one skill (Tayshaun Prince and Redd), a guy who would be a great counterpunch to some of the crafty power forwards of the international game (Carlos Boozer), and Jason Kidd, whom I will not address because my opinion of him could fill seven, 20k word posts.
Even our spin on the medal count shows massive amounts of elitism. The United States will come out with more total medals than China, but China will have more gold medals. We say we won in real sports and real events. I have also heard the sentiment that if you subtract events that weren’t subjectively/arbitrarily by people, we have won just as many gold medals as China. While I do think the system is flawed, China won and minus the small children in gymnastics, they were better (gold medal wise) than us. We have the same opportunity to play badminton and table tennis like they do. Let’s be gracious.
I want to reiterate the fact that I love America and think it’s the best large place/country ever (the state of Washington is the best place in general). Yet I think it’s worth mentioning this sports elitism because it spills into other aspects of life. The fact that a country turns its nose up to the “beautiful game” and calls it a sport for wimps is a testimony. Or maybe its visible major sports talk radio widely ignoring a world athletic competition, save Michael Phelps, USA basketball and a little Usain Bolt. And for what? To talk pre-season NFL football!
Upon winning the gold medal in Olympic basketball the theme of what the “Redeem Team” did was the first gold since 2000. Last time I checked, the Olympics happen every 4 years. So basically, we didn’t win in ’04 and that’s it. It wasn’t the end of the world. The team didn’t play well, but Americans in general were generally ungracious. When the Pistons lost in the NBA finals a few years ago the media vilified the team for not giving credit to the Spurs for beating them and being better.
The American response to not winning gold in Sidney was quite similar to that of the Pistons who failed, which is funny because the world really has caught up. Argentina has 6 NBA players and one player that was a staple in the league for years. Spain has eight players that have been or will be in the NBA either last year or next year. Aside: Rudy Fernandez of the Portland Trailblazers abused the US defense, and he made Dwight Howard look bad when he dunked on him. Fernandez was born the day after I was and he plays for my new favorite team so he must be a good guy. Other teams also have NBA regulars and really talented players who can hold their own anywhere. In basketball you only need to have the best five guys on the floor…
In short, well not so much, we have to get a hold of ourselves, realize that there is more to life than America and American sports, and be a gracious people. The elitism we have in sports manifests itself in our media, politics, and lifestyles and I hate that it has spilled to my favorite thing in the world. Please guys let’s just play nice!
Salute
Monday, July 14, 2008
Election Talk
Being so busy, I haven't had my time to get my election '08 stuff out. So I have to really catch up.
Jesse Jackson.... PAB (figure it out) of the week. (I am borrowing that title from Jim Daniels a former late night anchor for Fox Sports Radio. In no way am I that creative). It was nice for people on the outside to see the cowardice that come of the prominent black leaders have regarding their opinion on Barack. While I do not agree with, what Barack's recent stances and statements on race, I don't think someone of Rev. Jackson's stature should make such a statement, even in the most private of moments, as the historical significance of Hussein Obama cannot afford such distention.
I love how the terrorist fist jab has made it back into the news thanks to the New Yorker. It has gotten the whole Muslim, thing going all over again. BTW, who cares if he is a Muslim. Our nation was founded on the principle of church being separate from state. And how hypocritical is it for a country that boasts liberty and justice for all to use a natural right, religion, to potentially persecute a presidential candidate. Oh and I thought the intellectuals and elitists at the New Yorker would know better.
The other day I read something about Barack chastising Bernard McCullough, better known as Bernie Mac about his jokes. This is what I was referring to when I was talking about his recent stances on things that I feel, deal with race. Bernie Mac is a comedian. He tells outrageous and extreme jokes. Recently, at a fundraiser for Obama, Bernie Mac introduced the presumptive Democratic nominee. I wasn't there, but from what I have read Mac delivered his usual jokes about race, culture, society and social standards. Mac is one of, if not my favorite comedian (I want some milk and cookies, LOL), and I am familiar with his content. It would be safe to assume that the rest of his followers know to. So when he gets on there and says things like:
"Being a president is tough ‘cause you're not just running the county. You got to run your family too," Mac said. "Having a black first lady is different. You're still going have to do the dishes and the laundry and all that …you got to pick up the kids. You didn't pick up the kids? I just came from
or
"People like rumors. They are going to say things like, you know, you was in the club with Lil’ Kim and you and Kanye West got in a fist fight.”
I think to myself that's the Mac man at his best—nothing worthy of denouncement by any means. The people know that Mac does movies to dispel racial stereotypes and know that he is a supporter of the types of things Obama seeks through the president. Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, Cedric the Entertainer, Steve Harvey and a whole host of other black comedians would probably have said the same thing. It is one thing to be a candidate that happens to be black, but it is another to try to completely negate the influence of race. I am sure things like this are bordering on alienating some black folk around the country.
On to McCain. I logged on to the debaucherous myspace about a week ago and saw and saw 71 year old John McCain now has a profile. Cute. I guess he thinks that will get him votes. I wonder if he knows the demographics of the people that actually use that site.... No I don't. I REALLY do wonder if he gets spam solicitation from asses...hmmm.
Also he is still pandering to Latinos to get a vote. I again don't understand how minorities vote for the Republican Party, on a national scale that is.
Sorry for the long post. It's been a while.
Salute
Monday, June 30, 2008
2008 Election: Thoughts and more Projections
If you don't know, I have a huge interest in politics.... not exactly sure where that’s going to take me, but I'm positive it will be very key in my future interests and jobs. ANYWAYS, I have been sitting on this a while, so it’s a little old. Since there aren't any sports or TV of any kind worth watching, I stay tuned in to CNN constantly to stay up on the latest political talk. Well, Carl Rove is trying to tag my boy Barack as arrogant. That just isn't going to fly, because simply put Barack is far from arrogant and the people that are going to decide the election aren't that ignorant (the ones who want to control the election are.) I will concede that he has made some mistakes and comments that come off as arrogant, with the gun comment and the Obama seal.... but to anybody with a brain thats the furthest thing from the truth. You cannot get that kind of support on such a high level with the type of grassroots movement he has cultivated. Just doesn't work.
Here’s a snippet of what he said.
"I will say yes, I do think Barack Obama is arrogant," Rove said Tuesday night on Fox News, where he's a contributor.
"Even if you never met him, you know this guy," he said at a Capitol Hill breakfast, according to ABC. "He's the guy at the country club with the beautiful date, holding a martini and a cigarette that stands against the wall and makes snide comments about everyone."
And here is the whole article according to the CNN folks:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/06/26/obama.rove/index.html
The most annoying/frustrating/irritating/generally lame thing about it all is that the GOP tries these tricks to detract from his campaign. It says a lot about how they view their loyalists. Fear mongering, divisive and negatively slanted attacks, diversion, misinformation and down right lies are the main ways they try to motivate their vote. It's like the more ignorant, spoon-fed, and impressionable you are the better suited you are to vote Republican.
What is humorous about it all is the majority of the attacks, such as this have little to nothing to do with politics, in addition to not being true. I mean honestly, I hate to be a broken record, but can you have that many donors, volunteers, and support if you're arrogant? To me it sounds like Rove and people of his ilk are bothered by the confidence/swagger of a politician who knows he has the support of the people to do what he wants. Because even if he is that guy with the fine wife, the drink and the cigarette, what does that have to do with being president?
As much as I hate those types of guys, they generally succeed at life. Like a Don Trump. Not sure what he's good at, but he sure fits the description Rove is throwing out. Funnier than that is Trump ain't even good looking and he has bad hair. So with those glaring disadvantages he still dominates the things a man wants to say he has and does, arrogant or not.
At this point I am more concerned about results, than perceived arrogance. So even if it were there who cares? Let's focus on issues. Please. You're better than that Carl and company. Really.
Here's another election projection site. Check it out as well. Apparently its a little more conservative, but its a good road map to Obama '08 as well!
http://www.electionprojection.com/index.shtml
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
fivethirtyeight.com... Some political projections you may find useful.
http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/
I paired this post with the Don Imus post, but I think people need to check out this site. It’s amazing. It has stats and polls and good information on everything that is the 2008 Presidential election. Straight dope. The funniest thing about it is I found it on one of the top 5 best overall blogs in the world http://ussmariner.com/. Interesting what baseball can lead you to. And on that note the Mariners look like they are playing major league baseball again. Quite nice.
So this 538 really is great. I have no idea what it stands for. All that I know is one day i was reading something about Pitch FX or fangraphs or something about baseball and the good folks at USSMariner, Dave and Derek, referred the site visitors to its projections. Their pitch was that it was something like baseball analysis with politics. So I checked it out. And its been a good thing.
I have seen the shift of polls near and far for about 2 months now and I must say I like what I am seeing. Not because it is for my boy Barack Hussein, but because from what I have gathered in news watching, reading and sniping....this s#!+ is correct!. So blessings to ya.
Salute
So here you go:
http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/
Imus Update, Representation
So Don Imus' comments were made to present a sarcastic point....right. I still don't think they were good or necessary and could have been presented much better if that in fact was the case. Not to mention his producers and the people that work for him say its OK. That's nice. Another case where one black person speaks for black people, and for that matter all people who could be offended telling everybody there is no cause for concern.
I was listening to NPR a about a month and a half ago,I heard a piece on Bertie H. Bowman author of 'Step by Step'. One particular excerpt from the book that played on NPR talked about how Strom Thurmond, a deceased former senator of South Carolina helped him get into Howard University. Another recollection talks about Senator Fulbright another politician that was a staunch supporter of segregation. Bowman says that in his time an aide for the senators in D.C. he made friends with all of them. Now they helped him get an education and helped him out with letters and opportunities and all of that. This is very nice. But the overwhelming message of the two senators I mentioned was segregation.
I reference this because to Mr. Bowman those two senators who opposed many of the integrated things we have today, were his friends. But to a much larger majority of black and other sectors of America, these guys were the supporters of the most fundamental hypocrisy and evil of this country. And to the guys that work for Imus he has probably also helped them out a lot and is helping to further their careers.
By no means am I calling these people tokens. But its like this. You're going to defend and support and stand by people who have your back. And even if they are wrong you tend to empathize or understand where they are coming from more acutely than the guy on the outside. Everybody does it. Its human nature. But there are two problems with this.
Don Imus shouldn't have been stupid enough to make such a comment without thinking it through or making it clear that he was being sarcastic and joking, because in sound-bite society--anybody can look like anything. Not to mention he has history of being a one of the most culturally competent and sensitive people around. See Don that's sarcasm.
Secondly, in America, the thoughts of one black person are the thoughts of all black people. So Al Sharpton comes out and gives thumbs up or thumbs down that's what black people think. If Willie at the job (ironically my dads name is Willie, so when comedians use Willie at the job that all the white people like, it hits home LOL) says yea or nay that's what all black people think. And if you also follow comedy, every white person always references their one black friend whenever in any kind of race related trouble for something they said or did. So I'm going to assume based on this and being the one black friend that is asked to represent all black people that they will say "since those black people that work for Imus don't have a problem with it so they must not care overall.
I'm not totally right about this, but I'm more right than I want or should be :(
I was listening to NPR a about a month and a half ago,I heard a piece on Bertie H. Bowman author of 'Step by Step'. One particular excerpt from the book that played on NPR talked about how Strom Thurmond, a deceased former senator of South Carolina helped him get into Howard University. Another recollection talks about Senator Fulbright another politician that was a staunch supporter of segregation. Bowman says that in his time an aide for the senators in D.C. he made friends with all of them. Now they helped him get an education and helped him out with letters and opportunities and all of that. This is very nice. But the overwhelming message of the two senators I mentioned was segregation.
I reference this because to Mr. Bowman those two senators who opposed many of the integrated things we have today, were his friends. But to a much larger majority of black and other sectors of America, these guys were the supporters of the most fundamental hypocrisy and evil of this country. And to the guys that work for Imus he has probably also helped them out a lot and is helping to further their careers.
By no means am I calling these people tokens. But its like this. You're going to defend and support and stand by people who have your back. And even if they are wrong you tend to empathize or understand where they are coming from more acutely than the guy on the outside. Everybody does it. Its human nature. But there are two problems with this.
Don Imus shouldn't have been stupid enough to make such a comment without thinking it through or making it clear that he was being sarcastic and joking, because in sound-bite society--anybody can look like anything. Not to mention he has history of being a one of the most culturally competent and sensitive people around. See Don that's sarcasm.
Secondly, in America, the thoughts of one black person are the thoughts of all black people. So Al Sharpton comes out and gives thumbs up or thumbs down that's what black people think. If Willie at the job (ironically my dads name is Willie, so when comedians use Willie at the job that all the white people like, it hits home LOL) says yea or nay that's what all black people think. And if you also follow comedy, every white person always references their one black friend whenever in any kind of race related trouble for something they said or did. So I'm going to assume based on this and being the one black friend that is asked to represent all black people that they will say "since those black people that work for Imus don't have a problem with it so they must not care overall.
I'm not totally right about this, but I'm more right than I want or should be :(
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