There needs to be a BCS Playoff system. I've already blogged about how since there's no playoff, the Big Ten needs to add teams and crown it's own conference champ. Read about "My Plan to fix the Big Ten and save College Football". Keep the bowl games, I don't care how you figure them out. Let the BCS figure that part out on thier own. The playoffs would be a 16 team, 15 game, three week, action packed love fest of college football.
In early December you have figured out your 16 teams, this year they should be as follows:
1 Florida
2 Oklahoma
3 Texas
4 Alabama
5 Texas Tech
6 USC
7 Penn State
8 Ohio State
9 Utah
10 TCU
11 Boise State
12 Oklahoma State
13 Cincinatti
14 Georgia
15 Ball State
16 Virginia Tech
From here on out the playoffs look eerily similiar to the NCAA Basketball Tourney. That's because it makes the most sense and is the most fair, all while being exciting and dare I say, makes a crap load of money. How many office pools a year are there for March Madness? Okay, now how many for BCS, NFL, MLB, NHL, Little League World Series, and the Triple Crown? I'll bet if you add ALL of them up, they won't even come close to the number of office pools for the NCAA Men's Basketball. I'll bet most american teams from the LLWS have pools, every floor of every office building in New York, LA, Toronto, Boston, Atlanta, Baltimore, and Philadelphia has pools and there's 5 foot 2 inch Inuit in Kotzebue, Alaska who's won his pool three years in a row.
So it goes like this:
1 vs 16
2 vs 15
3 vs 14
4 vs 13
5 vs 12
6 vs 11
7 vs 10
8 vs 9
If you don't understand that, unplug your computer, put it in a box, and drop it off at your nearest Goodwill. Now, in my version of the playoffs Florida, Ohio State, Texas, USC, Oklahoma, TCU, Alabama, and Texas Tech make it to the second round. Now we have some pretty sweet match ups here. Number 1 Florida plays nubmer 8 Ohio State in an epic battle. Tebow gets sacked 5 times and the Buckeye defense plays outstanding. Tyrell Pryor throws for two touchdowns and runs for one and they beat Florida by 10. Number 6 USC plays Number 3 Texas in a battle-royale. USC upsets Texaswith 1:23 left on the clock to play in a highly anticipated and money making rematch versus a healthy and fired up Ohio State football team. Number 4 Alabama goes up against Texas Tech and the Crimson Tide rolls by 17 and Texas Tech shows that maybe SEC defenses really ARE better than Big 12 defenses. Number 10 TCU goes up against number 2 Oklahoma Sooners. Again, Big 12 is over-rated and it shows. Oklahoma just can't last against the incredible defensive display by TCU. So our final four looks like this:
No. 8 Ohio State vs No. 6 USC and No. 4 Alabama vs No. 10 TCU.
Ohio State, healthy and a completely different team, beats USC by 13 to win a spot in the BCS title game. Alabama fights a tough TCU team, but since they played and lost to Florida earlier in the SEC Title game, they learned from thier mistakes playing a good defense and run for 160 yards. And now the game everyone has been waiting for, the National Title game. Ohio State vs Alabama, Buckeyes vs the Crimson Tide, The Program vs The Capstone. After a great game and the cheers from the Alabama cheerleaders about how the Tide is a fourth quater team, the Buckeyes come out of nowhere and score 14 unanswered points to win by 11 and are crowned National Champs.
Yes, I am a fan of the Garnet and Grey, but this outcome is completely possible and make a LOT of sense. If the Big Ten got it's head out of it's proverbial ass and the SEC, Big 12, and Pac-10 realized how much MORE money they could make, it would happen. Obama, get it done!
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Monday, December 22, 2008
My 2008 BCS bowl game picks
I still say that the BCS needs to have a playoff. This year it should be:
Ohio State versus Alabama for the title. Want to know how I came about that idea? Read my blog about "The BCS needs a damn playoff!" At any rate, the current bowl games should suffice, since we have no other option. Here are my picks for this year:
Florida - 41 / Oklahoma - 31
Decent defenses and great offenses should be a great game but Brandon James and some long field goals could be the difference in this game. Oklahoma just won't be able to perform against Florida's defense as the game wears on while Tebow shows why he should have won his second Heisman in a row.
Ohio State - 21 / Texas - 20
Ohio State is pissed about the last two years and Texas is pissed that they aren't playing for a title. What's the difference? Easy. Big Ten kids are going to be mentally prepared and Texas will be sulking over not being in the title game. Tyrell Pryor shows why Ohio State is the team to watch next season. My upset pick for this bowl season has Ohio State winning with a last minute walk down the field down six to win the game.
Alabama - 31 / Utah - 16
Utah can't match Alabama's physical style of smash-mouth. Alabama's defense holds Utah to under 20 points and the offense racks up two rushing touchdowns, one passing touchdown, a defensive touchdown, and a field goal.
USC - 31 / Penn State - 17
USC has probably the best defense playing this bowl season and the offense is just disgustingly good. Penn State's defense is good, but remember what Ohio State's defense did to Penn State's offense. Two turnovers and 80 yards in penalties and Ohio State is playing USC in a rematch. Pete Carrol vs Joe Paterno - Outcome: Pete Carrol is younger, better, walks with out assistance and fires up his USC kids on the sidelines while Joe Pa lets his son and the rest of the REAL coaching staff throw away a chance to be ranked in the top 5 to start next season.
Oklahoma State - 44 / Oregon - 41
This game will be what everyone thinks it will be, a lot of scoring, not a lot of defense, and a come from behind win. Oklahoma State comes back in the fourth quarter with two big touchdowns and forces some turnovers to win the game.
Texas Tech - 41 / Mississippi - 27
Mississippi hangs around in the first half and scores first in the second half until the middle of the third quarter when Texas Tech scores three unanswered touchdowns to win the game.
Virgina Tech - 31 / Cincinatti - 17
Virginia Tech, who trounced Boston College and is clicking on all cylinders, comes out with a fury and shuts down Cinci, even when Cinci tries to make a comeback in the fourth quarter. The key to this game is Virginia Tech's defense under Bud Foster and the always strong special team play.
TCU - 24 / Boise State - 20
Boise State falters early and fights its way back into a tough and physical smash-mouth game, but TCU's amazingly staunch defense wins out with TCU kicking late field goal to put the game out of reach with Boise State not being able to score a needed touchdown when a field goal is not enough.
Northwestern - 30 / Missouri - 23
Northwestern might, might have the best defense in the Big Ten and we'll find out against a Missouri offense that couldn't stay consistent against the Sooners. After a 20 - 20 tie in regulation, Northwestern wins a close game in double overtime when Missouri falters and fails to score a touchdown on fourth and goal.
Pitt - 27 / Oregon State - 21
Pitt dominates the clock and forces turnovers to win over an Oregon State team that should have beat Penn State but played like Iowa should have played against Penn State.
Michigan State - 31 / Georgia - 23
Georgia barely beat Kentucky and Auburn, two teams I think the Spartans could handle easily. Georgia also lost to Georgia Tech while Michigan State beat Notre Dame, Northwestern, Wisconsin, and Iowa. Michigan State shocks everyone by shutting down Georgia's running game making them one dimensional and helps the Big Ten go 3 for 6 in bowl games.
Big Ten Winners
Ohio State, Michigan State, Iowa, Northwestern
Big Ten Losers
Penn State, Wisconsin
Ohio State versus Alabama for the title. Want to know how I came about that idea? Read my blog about "The BCS needs a damn playoff!" At any rate, the current bowl games should suffice, since we have no other option. Here are my picks for this year:
Florida - 41 / Oklahoma - 31
Decent defenses and great offenses should be a great game but Brandon James and some long field goals could be the difference in this game. Oklahoma just won't be able to perform against Florida's defense as the game wears on while Tebow shows why he should have won his second Heisman in a row.
Ohio State - 21 / Texas - 20
Ohio State is pissed about the last two years and Texas is pissed that they aren't playing for a title. What's the difference? Easy. Big Ten kids are going to be mentally prepared and Texas will be sulking over not being in the title game. Tyrell Pryor shows why Ohio State is the team to watch next season. My upset pick for this bowl season has Ohio State winning with a last minute walk down the field down six to win the game.
Alabama - 31 / Utah - 16
Utah can't match Alabama's physical style of smash-mouth. Alabama's defense holds Utah to under 20 points and the offense racks up two rushing touchdowns, one passing touchdown, a defensive touchdown, and a field goal.
USC - 31 / Penn State - 17
USC has probably the best defense playing this bowl season and the offense is just disgustingly good. Penn State's defense is good, but remember what Ohio State's defense did to Penn State's offense. Two turnovers and 80 yards in penalties and Ohio State is playing USC in a rematch. Pete Carrol vs Joe Paterno - Outcome: Pete Carrol is younger, better, walks with out assistance and fires up his USC kids on the sidelines while Joe Pa lets his son and the rest of the REAL coaching staff throw away a chance to be ranked in the top 5 to start next season.
Oklahoma State - 44 / Oregon - 41
This game will be what everyone thinks it will be, a lot of scoring, not a lot of defense, and a come from behind win. Oklahoma State comes back in the fourth quarter with two big touchdowns and forces some turnovers to win the game.
Texas Tech - 41 / Mississippi - 27
Mississippi hangs around in the first half and scores first in the second half until the middle of the third quarter when Texas Tech scores three unanswered touchdowns to win the game.
Virgina Tech - 31 / Cincinatti - 17
Virginia Tech, who trounced Boston College and is clicking on all cylinders, comes out with a fury and shuts down Cinci, even when Cinci tries to make a comeback in the fourth quarter. The key to this game is Virginia Tech's defense under Bud Foster and the always strong special team play.
TCU - 24 / Boise State - 20
Boise State falters early and fights its way back into a tough and physical smash-mouth game, but TCU's amazingly staunch defense wins out with TCU kicking late field goal to put the game out of reach with Boise State not being able to score a needed touchdown when a field goal is not enough.
Northwestern - 30 / Missouri - 23
Northwestern might, might have the best defense in the Big Ten and we'll find out against a Missouri offense that couldn't stay consistent against the Sooners. After a 20 - 20 tie in regulation, Northwestern wins a close game in double overtime when Missouri falters and fails to score a touchdown on fourth and goal.
Pitt - 27 / Oregon State - 21
Pitt dominates the clock and forces turnovers to win over an Oregon State team that should have beat Penn State but played like Iowa should have played against Penn State.
Michigan State - 31 / Georgia - 23
Georgia barely beat Kentucky and Auburn, two teams I think the Spartans could handle easily. Georgia also lost to Georgia Tech while Michigan State beat Notre Dame, Northwestern, Wisconsin, and Iowa. Michigan State shocks everyone by shutting down Georgia's running game making them one dimensional and helps the Big Ten go 3 for 6 in bowl games.
Big Ten Winners
Ohio State, Michigan State, Iowa, Northwestern
Big Ten Losers
Penn State, Wisconsin
Friday, November 21, 2008
Mike Mussina: Not a Hall of Famer
Should Mike Mussina be in the HOF?
Not at all.
0 Cy Youngs
0 perfect games
0 no-hitters
0 World Series Titles
0 MVPs
Nothing.
He played 18 years, 10 with Baltimore and 8 with New York. Ironically, the New York Yankees started out as the Baltimore Orioles.
During his time with the Birds:
Five-time all-star
(on a team that was an o.k. team except for ‘91 and 2000, the first and last years he was with them)
MVP voting twice
Cy Young voting 7 of 10 years
Lowest Team ERA 8 of 10 years
Average an 18% share of his team’s wins
During his time with the Yanks:
Never made the all-stars
MVP and Cy young voting only one year (2008)
Lowest Team ERA 4 of 8 years
Only one year had 18% share of his team’s wins (in 2008)
The biggest thing I noticed was the fact that his completed games dropped off significantly during his time with the Yankees as did quality starts, but his innings per year didn’t. He started more games, but won less. He won more than 50% of the games he started in Baltimore, but less than 50% in New York. Even with a better team, better pitching staff, and a much better General Manager, Mussina did not fair as well as he did with the Orioles.
Mussina averaged a win less per year with the Orioles, but almost a 3% share of wins more. The Yanks averaged 32 games above .500 when Moose played with them, but when he played with the Orioles, they averaged 3 games above .500. When you look at his post-season numbers, it’s more clear why Mussina is not a Hall of Famer. He can’t win when it counts, the post-season. He’s two games over .500 in the post season and faired the same no matter which team he played for.
He played in an era where 250 wins weren’t as important a milestone as 300 wins were. He played in an era where performance enhancers ran rampant. I have been saying for a long while that players need to prove they were clean since most are hiding behind the MLBPA and not speaking up about what went on. Especially when you play on teams that had so many PROVEN users, it’s not hard to speculate that Mussina could have pitched 200 innings per year due to a little “boost.”
When Mussina left the Orioles they sucked bad, but before that they were a decent team. He never had Ace numbers and had an excellent closing staff at New York. This one, to me, is a no brainer, and I live in Williamsport, PA.
Not at all.
0 Cy Youngs
0 perfect games
0 no-hitters
0 World Series Titles
0 MVPs
Nothing.
He played 18 years, 10 with Baltimore and 8 with New York. Ironically, the New York Yankees started out as the Baltimore Orioles.
During his time with the Birds:
Five-time all-star
(on a team that was an o.k. team except for ‘91 and 2000, the first and last years he was with them)
MVP voting twice
Cy Young voting 7 of 10 years
Lowest Team ERA 8 of 10 years
Average an 18% share of his team’s wins
During his time with the Yanks:
Never made the all-stars
MVP and Cy young voting only one year (2008)
Lowest Team ERA 4 of 8 years
Only one year had 18% share of his team’s wins (in 2008)
The biggest thing I noticed was the fact that his completed games dropped off significantly during his time with the Yankees as did quality starts, but his innings per year didn’t. He started more games, but won less. He won more than 50% of the games he started in Baltimore, but less than 50% in New York. Even with a better team, better pitching staff, and a much better General Manager, Mussina did not fair as well as he did with the Orioles.
Mussina averaged a win less per year with the Orioles, but almost a 3% share of wins more. The Yanks averaged 32 games above .500 when Moose played with them, but when he played with the Orioles, they averaged 3 games above .500. When you look at his post-season numbers, it’s more clear why Mussina is not a Hall of Famer. He can’t win when it counts, the post-season. He’s two games over .500 in the post season and faired the same no matter which team he played for.
He played in an era where 250 wins weren’t as important a milestone as 300 wins were. He played in an era where performance enhancers ran rampant. I have been saying for a long while that players need to prove they were clean since most are hiding behind the MLBPA and not speaking up about what went on. Especially when you play on teams that had so many PROVEN users, it’s not hard to speculate that Mussina could have pitched 200 innings per year due to a little “boost.”
When Mussina left the Orioles they sucked bad, but before that they were a decent team. He never had Ace numbers and had an excellent closing staff at New York. This one, to me, is a no brainer, and I live in Williamsport, PA.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
New England Patriots and New Jersey Jets Rivalry
After talking with Gary V. at Eagle rock winery last night
http://tv.winelibrary.com
http://garyvaynderchuk.com
http://twitter.com/garyvee
http://www.eaglerockwinery.com
I decided to post my open letter to all New Jersey Jets fans.
From a Rabid Pats Fan:
Thank You New Jersey Jets for:
1976 41-7 Week 6 Monday Night Win
1982 Patriots Disassemble the
"New York Sack Exchange"
1985 Post-Season
1988 28-3 Week 1 Win
Rainstorm Game
1992 Giving Us our 2nd and Last Win
of a 2-14 Season
1997 Taking Player Stealing Parcell
Giving us Pete Carroll
1998 Taking Curtis Martin
1999 30-28 Week 1 Win
2000 Giving Us Bill Belichick
After being Head Coach
of the Jets for one day
2001 Post 9/11 Mo Lewis takes out Bledsoe
Giving Us Tom Brady
2004 Giving Us an NFL Record 18 straight
Regular Season Wins
2005 31-21 road win on MNF
Flutie vs Interceptaverde
Flutie's Last Game
Drop Kick Extra Point
2006 37-16 Wild Card Win
Taking Eric Man-gina
Taking Matt Chatham
Taking Tim Dwight
2006 24-17 Week 2 Win
Patriots Franchise Record
Over .500 since 1968
2006 37-16 Playoff Win
2007 Taking QB Coach Brian Daboll
2007 38-14 Week 1 Win
Ellis Hobbs 108 Yard TD Return
Spygate Game
2007 20-10 Week 15 Win
Wilson 21st Player to Score - NFL Record
Gostkowski - 67th Extra Point - NFL Record
Pats 14-0 tying 1972 Dolphins
Clinched home-field through playoffs
Tomorrow we shall be .500 for the franchise history versus the Jets!
It's an S-T-B year!
(S-triple-B)
Super Bowl Bound Baby!
http://tv.winelibrary.com
http://garyvaynderchuk.com
http://twitter.com/garyvee
http://www.eaglerockwinery.com
I decided to post my open letter to all New Jersey Jets fans.
From a Rabid Pats Fan:
Thank You New Jersey Jets for:
1976 41-7 Week 6 Monday Night Win
1982 Patriots Disassemble the
"New York Sack Exchange"
1985 Post-Season
1988 28-3 Week 1 Win
Rainstorm Game
1992 Giving Us our 2nd and Last Win
of a 2-14 Season
1997 Taking Player Stealing Parcell
Giving us Pete Carroll
1998 Taking Curtis Martin
1999 30-28 Week 1 Win
2000 Giving Us Bill Belichick
After being Head Coach
of the Jets for one day
2001 Post 9/11 Mo Lewis takes out Bledsoe
Giving Us Tom Brady
2004 Giving Us an NFL Record 18 straight
Regular Season Wins
2005 31-21 road win on MNF
Flutie vs Interceptaverde
Flutie's Last Game
Drop Kick Extra Point
2006 37-16 Wild Card Win
Taking Eric Man-gina
Taking Matt Chatham
Taking Tim Dwight
2006 24-17 Week 2 Win
Patriots Franchise Record
Over .500 since 1968
2006 37-16 Playoff Win
2007 Taking QB Coach Brian Daboll
2007 38-14 Week 1 Win
Ellis Hobbs 108 Yard TD Return
Spygate Game
2007 20-10 Week 15 Win
Wilson 21st Player to Score - NFL Record
Gostkowski - 67th Extra Point - NFL Record
Pats 14-0 tying 1972 Dolphins
Clinched home-field through playoffs
Tomorrow we shall be .500 for the franchise history versus the Jets!
It's an S-T-B year!
(S-triple-B)
Super Bowl Bound Baby!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Biden @ Lyco and Palin @ Bowman Field
Today was an awesome day. I went to hear Joe Biden speak with passion and then geared up for the Palin visit. Before I go into anything, I want to point out how ironic it is that Palin was speaking at the stadium used by a team called the "Cross Cutters." Take what you will from it, but I find it rather ironic.
The Biden rally was much what I expected it to be, and I saw many people there I had no clue supported Obama but wasn't surprised that they did. We didn't wait long, It was inside, and it was nice and toasty. It was a cozy environment full of hope. Several hundred people showed up, old, young black white, latino, christian, jew, muslim, the whole shebang. Everyone was local and many people knew each other and talked about how uplifting the experience was and of course a lot of Philadelphia Phillies talk. Biden didn't bash Palin or McCain and instead explained positions and offered clear plans. The Palin event couldn't have been more different.
First off, they had to hold it at Bowman field because they bussed in people from State College, Lewisburg, Lock Haven, Mansfield, and Bloomsburg. Then people would exclaim how McCain would win the election and of course cause Palin lured thousands from Williamsport come out, yet Biden had only several hundred. Seriously, that's your deductive thinking? Biden's visit was last minute, Palin's was planned. And if you don't believe me that's your fault for not going to both, the difference was clear.
I didn't go into the stadium, because, let's face it - I have a temper and I don't play well with Hard-Right Neo-Cons. But a lot of people from the Biden Rally actually did, to hear first hand the Palin message of hate and to give her a chance to talk to them. Nobody I talked to who went to both came away voting for McCain. By all accounts of independant voters I talked to ( granted were not many the event was one big Bible hugfest) Palin spent most of her time attacking Obama and Biden instead of dealing directly with issues.
The saddest part of the whole experience was the vile hatred towards us. There were grade school children with us who were subjected to many vulgar words, hateful words, people yelling about Obama being an Arab or Muslim, claiming a right to life means a raped woman who is not christian must succumb to christian values and have the baby. Many well to do folk who told us to go to Russia and to enjoy a socalist USA and many, MANY rednecks who told us to: "go to fu#$ing hell" "you're a bunch of f#@king losers" "god hates you fag loving hippies" "you're going to f&^king hell." Mind you there were children present everywhere. There were people driving by rolling down their windows yelling "baby killer" and giving us the finger. WHO GIVES THE FINGER TO AN 8-YEAR-OLD GIRL?!?! Then three people tried to steal our coffee, doughnuts, signs, and sign making materials and when we chased after them, they dropped everything but threw the coffee and kicked the bags, yelling how it was on the ground and therefore open game. The man called me a "fu*&ing piece of shit" and a "ni&&er lover" and challenged me to fight, boy did I want to. We did have several people apologize for the behavior of many of the flock and say while they disagreed with our positions, that we still had our right to be there and we shouldn't have to deal with vulgarity and verbal abuse.
This is exactly the problem with McCain/Palin. They offer up nothing but hatred and division while telling people they must pay taxes on $5000 the gov will give you, meaning here's $5000 now pay us $300 to $600 in taxes, which by the way can't come from the $5000 we're giving you. I read the McCain plan, that's exactly how it works. And here's a catch, it will be considered income, which violates MANY tax laws. It can NOT be considered income. That's what the GOP ticket is running on: FEAR AND HATRED. I can't wait for Obama to win. And let us not forget that this nation was founded on RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, which means freedom for muslims, jews, athiests, satanists, EVERYONE! Not just CHRISTIANS!!
The Biden rally was much what I expected it to be, and I saw many people there I had no clue supported Obama but wasn't surprised that they did. We didn't wait long, It was inside, and it was nice and toasty. It was a cozy environment full of hope. Several hundred people showed up, old, young black white, latino, christian, jew, muslim, the whole shebang. Everyone was local and many people knew each other and talked about how uplifting the experience was and of course a lot of Philadelphia Phillies talk. Biden didn't bash Palin or McCain and instead explained positions and offered clear plans. The Palin event couldn't have been more different.
First off, they had to hold it at Bowman field because they bussed in people from State College, Lewisburg, Lock Haven, Mansfield, and Bloomsburg. Then people would exclaim how McCain would win the election and of course cause Palin lured thousands from Williamsport come out, yet Biden had only several hundred. Seriously, that's your deductive thinking? Biden's visit was last minute, Palin's was planned. And if you don't believe me that's your fault for not going to both, the difference was clear.
I didn't go into the stadium, because, let's face it - I have a temper and I don't play well with Hard-Right Neo-Cons. But a lot of people from the Biden Rally actually did, to hear first hand the Palin message of hate and to give her a chance to talk to them. Nobody I talked to who went to both came away voting for McCain. By all accounts of independant voters I talked to ( granted were not many the event was one big Bible hugfest) Palin spent most of her time attacking Obama and Biden instead of dealing directly with issues.
The saddest part of the whole experience was the vile hatred towards us. There were grade school children with us who were subjected to many vulgar words, hateful words, people yelling about Obama being an Arab or Muslim, claiming a right to life means a raped woman who is not christian must succumb to christian values and have the baby. Many well to do folk who told us to go to Russia and to enjoy a socalist USA and many, MANY rednecks who told us to: "go to fu#$ing hell" "you're a bunch of f#@king losers" "god hates you fag loving hippies" "you're going to f&^king hell." Mind you there were children present everywhere. There were people driving by rolling down their windows yelling "baby killer" and giving us the finger. WHO GIVES THE FINGER TO AN 8-YEAR-OLD GIRL?!?! Then three people tried to steal our coffee, doughnuts, signs, and sign making materials and when we chased after them, they dropped everything but threw the coffee and kicked the bags, yelling how it was on the ground and therefore open game. The man called me a "fu*&ing piece of shit" and a "ni&&er lover" and challenged me to fight, boy did I want to. We did have several people apologize for the behavior of many of the flock and say while they disagreed with our positions, that we still had our right to be there and we shouldn't have to deal with vulgarity and verbal abuse.
This is exactly the problem with McCain/Palin. They offer up nothing but hatred and division while telling people they must pay taxes on $5000 the gov will give you, meaning here's $5000 now pay us $300 to $600 in taxes, which by the way can't come from the $5000 we're giving you. I read the McCain plan, that's exactly how it works. And here's a catch, it will be considered income, which violates MANY tax laws. It can NOT be considered income. That's what the GOP ticket is running on: FEAR AND HATRED. I can't wait for Obama to win. And let us not forget that this nation was founded on RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, which means freedom for muslims, jews, athiests, satanists, EVERYONE! Not just CHRISTIANS!!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Follow Up On State Representative Race
The blog linked therein is my blog. If you read the blog I state how I heard some information about Dave Huffman and then RESEARCHED the information. I have the document that shows he beat his wife and if I could find it, anyone with even a passing knowledge of the internet, the ability to receive a fax, and the knowledge to use a telephone ( with long distance I might add ) can find it also. I will scan a copy if someone wants to see it, but they must give me a verifiable name, address, e-mail and listed telephone number. thos are my rules, if you don't want to follow through, you don't get the document.
Furthermore, Dave Huffman blindly voted no as a school board memeber, and has stated numerous times with vigor about how he will vote no anything with a tax increase. He also talks about abortion as an issue. It's NOT AN ISSUE FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVES! The legality of abortion comes from the federal government. The State is limited to requiring providers to provide information about gestation and such to a woman interested in obtaining an abortion. Dave Huffman also talks about his support of the 2nd amendment. This again is a mute issue. As we have recently seen with District of Columbia v. Heller, the Constitution and the Supreme Court unequivocally established and continue the right to bear arms. All the states are allowed to do is provide the legal process to obtain arms. 5 day waiting period, computer background check, whatever hoops are created the right remains and will not perish.
These two issues, which Dave Huffman consistently tries to reinforce, have more to do with trying to get voters to vote on percieved emotional and cultural values, than having voters vote on who is best suited to represent them in the 83rd District. Rick Mirabito, from everything I've heard him say, has no opposition to guns and LEGALLY it doesn't matter if he is or isn't, so this means that Dave Huffman's attempts to bring the issues of Abortion and the Second Amendment to bear is his only recourse in getting the voters to ignore the fact that he is unable to lead, has no valuable experience, does not own property in the District, does not hold a job, and who's own party leaders privately have no confidence in his ability to be a State Representative.
He abused his wife, he intimidated Retirement Home Residents, he intimidated Pennsylvania College of Technology Students, he misleads the 83rd District voters, his campaigners use unethical tactics in print media as well as removal or obstruction of posted campaign signs, he is a free-loader with no verifiable employment, has no familial ties to the 83rd District even going as far as holding a political fundraiser in is father's town well outside of the 83rd District, yet he claims to be TRULY Invested in the community. He can't even come up with his own slogan? Anyone notice Huffman came out with the whole "Truly" addition to a slogan Rick Mirabito has used as a foundation of HIS campaign? You don't even have to look very hard to see the subversion that thisman's life is all about
Furthermore, Dave Huffman blindly voted no as a school board memeber, and has stated numerous times with vigor about how he will vote no anything with a tax increase. He also talks about abortion as an issue. It's NOT AN ISSUE FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVES! The legality of abortion comes from the federal government. The State is limited to requiring providers to provide information about gestation and such to a woman interested in obtaining an abortion. Dave Huffman also talks about his support of the 2nd amendment. This again is a mute issue. As we have recently seen with District of Columbia v. Heller, the Constitution and the Supreme Court unequivocally established and continue the right to bear arms. All the states are allowed to do is provide the legal process to obtain arms. 5 day waiting period, computer background check, whatever hoops are created the right remains and will not perish.
These two issues, which Dave Huffman consistently tries to reinforce, have more to do with trying to get voters to vote on percieved emotional and cultural values, than having voters vote on who is best suited to represent them in the 83rd District. Rick Mirabito, from everything I've heard him say, has no opposition to guns and LEGALLY it doesn't matter if he is or isn't, so this means that Dave Huffman's attempts to bring the issues of Abortion and the Second Amendment to bear is his only recourse in getting the voters to ignore the fact that he is unable to lead, has no valuable experience, does not own property in the District, does not hold a job, and who's own party leaders privately have no confidence in his ability to be a State Representative.
He abused his wife, he intimidated Retirement Home Residents, he intimidated Pennsylvania College of Technology Students, he misleads the 83rd District voters, his campaigners use unethical tactics in print media as well as removal or obstruction of posted campaign signs, he is a free-loader with no verifiable employment, has no familial ties to the 83rd District even going as far as holding a political fundraiser in is father's town well outside of the 83rd District, yet he claims to be TRULY Invested in the community. He can't even come up with his own slogan? Anyone notice Huffman came out with the whole "Truly" addition to a slogan Rick Mirabito has used as a foundation of HIS campaign? You don't even have to look very hard to see the subversion that thisman's life is all about
Monday, October 27, 2008
My plan to fix the Big Ten and save College Football
Here is my plan for the Big Ten:
Logo
1. Change the Name to the Big Tens Conference
2. Add 9 teams:
Syracuse - Big East
Notre Dame - Big East
Rutgers - Big East
West Virginia - Big East
Pittsburgh - Big East
Marshall - Con USA
Maryland - ACC
UConn - Big East
Iowa State - Big 12
3. Split into two divisions:
Western Division
Minnesota
Iowa
Wisconsin
Northwestern
Illinois
Purdue
Indiana
Michigan
Michigan State
Iowa State
Eastern Division
Ohio State
Penn State
Syracuse
Notre Dame
Rutgers
West Virginia
Pittsburgh
Marshall
Maryland
UConn
4. Add a Conference Championship Game
Each team plays 14 games a year. Two conference rivals that you always play: PSU - Mich, Wisc; OSU - Mich, Mich State; Mich - PSU, OSU etc. and then they play the rest of thier conference with one of four teams rotating out over four years: OSU - Marshall, Maryland, UConn, Rutgers; PSU - Marshall, UConn, Syracuse, Rutgers; etc.
Two non conference games at the beginning of the season one must be a mid-major or higher.
August
Week 1 Non-Con 1
Sept
Week 2 Non-Con 2
Week 3 Conference Game 1
Week 4 Division Game 1
Week 5 Division Game 2
October
Week 6 Conference Game 2
Week 7 Division Game 3
Week 8 Division Game 4
Week 9 Conference Game 3
November
Week 10 Division Game 5
Week 11 Division Game 6
Week 12 Conference Game 4
Week 13 Division Game 7
December
Week 14 Division Game 8
Week 15 Conference Championship Game
Here is an example of what could be the 2012 season using the 4 most watched teams:
Penn State 11-3
1 Southern Florida W
2 Navy W
3 Iowa State W
4 @Syracuse W
5 Notre Dame L
6 @Michigan W
7 West Virginia W
8 @Maryland L
9 Wisconsin W
10 @Rutgers W
11 UConn W
12 @Mich State W
13 Ohio State L
14 @Pittsburgh W
Ohio State 12-2
1 Troy State W
2 Army W
3 Michigan L
4 @Pittsburgh W
5 Wisconsin W
6 @Mich State L
7 Syracuse W
8 @Marshall W
9 Illinois W
10 @West Virginia W
11 Notre Dame W
12 @Iowa W
13 Penn State W
14 @Maryland W
Michigan 11-3
1 Southern Miss W
2 Air Force W
3 Ohio State W
4 @Purdue W
5 Northwestern W
6 @Penn State W
7 Minnesota W
8 @Iowa W
9 Notre Dame L
10 @Wisconsin L
11 Illinois L
12 @West Virginia W
13 Mich State W
14 @Iowa State W
Notre Dame 11-3
1 San Diego State W
2 Stanford W
3 Mich State L
4 @West Virginia L
5 Penn State W
6 @Indiana W
7 Maryland W
8 @Syracuse W
9 Michigan W
10 @UConn W
11 Ohio State L
12 @Purdue W
13 Pittsburgh W
14 @Rutgers W
All four teams would end up ranked in the top 15, all playing in big bowl games, and the Big Tens Conference has the best strength of schedule ahead of the SEC.
Logo
1. Change the Name to the Big Tens Conference
2. Add 9 teams:
Syracuse - Big East
Notre Dame - Big East
Rutgers - Big East
West Virginia - Big East
Pittsburgh - Big East
Marshall - Con USA
Maryland - ACC
UConn - Big East
Iowa State - Big 12
3. Split into two divisions:
Western Division
Minnesota
Iowa
Wisconsin
Northwestern
Illinois
Purdue
Indiana
Michigan
Michigan State
Iowa State
Eastern Division
Ohio State
Penn State
Syracuse
Notre Dame
Rutgers
West Virginia
Pittsburgh
Marshall
Maryland
UConn
4. Add a Conference Championship Game
Each team plays 14 games a year. Two conference rivals that you always play: PSU - Mich, Wisc; OSU - Mich, Mich State; Mich - PSU, OSU etc. and then they play the rest of thier conference with one of four teams rotating out over four years: OSU - Marshall, Maryland, UConn, Rutgers; PSU - Marshall, UConn, Syracuse, Rutgers; etc.
Two non conference games at the beginning of the season one must be a mid-major or higher.
August
Week 1 Non-Con 1
Sept
Week 2 Non-Con 2
Week 3 Conference Game 1
Week 4 Division Game 1
Week 5 Division Game 2
October
Week 6 Conference Game 2
Week 7 Division Game 3
Week 8 Division Game 4
Week 9 Conference Game 3
November
Week 10 Division Game 5
Week 11 Division Game 6
Week 12 Conference Game 4
Week 13 Division Game 7
December
Week 14 Division Game 8
Week 15 Conference Championship Game
Here is an example of what could be the 2012 season using the 4 most watched teams:
Penn State 11-3
1 Southern Florida W
2 Navy W
3 Iowa State W
4 @Syracuse W
5 Notre Dame L
6 @Michigan W
7 West Virginia W
8 @Maryland L
9 Wisconsin W
10 @Rutgers W
11 UConn W
12 @Mich State W
13 Ohio State L
14 @Pittsburgh W
Ohio State 12-2
1 Troy State W
2 Army W
3 Michigan L
4 @Pittsburgh W
5 Wisconsin W
6 @Mich State L
7 Syracuse W
8 @Marshall W
9 Illinois W
10 @West Virginia W
11 Notre Dame W
12 @Iowa W
13 Penn State W
14 @Maryland W
Michigan 11-3
1 Southern Miss W
2 Air Force W
3 Ohio State W
4 @Purdue W
5 Northwestern W
6 @Penn State W
7 Minnesota W
8 @Iowa W
9 Notre Dame L
10 @Wisconsin L
11 Illinois L
12 @West Virginia W
13 Mich State W
14 @Iowa State W
Notre Dame 11-3
1 San Diego State W
2 Stanford W
3 Mich State L
4 @West Virginia L
5 Penn State W
6 @Indiana W
7 Maryland W
8 @Syracuse W
9 Michigan W
10 @UConn W
11 Ohio State L
12 @Purdue W
13 Pittsburgh W
14 @Rutgers W
All four teams would end up ranked in the top 15, all playing in big bowl games, and the Big Tens Conference has the best strength of schedule ahead of the SEC.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
The Local State Representative Race
I definitely blog in Williamsport, about Williamsport, FOR Williamsport! I moved to Williamsport about 6 years ago and I have been consistently disappointed with the political landscape here. Why is it that a Republican Mayor is so scared about party politics that he endorses a Republican candidate for State Representative who beat his wife and had a restraining order against him? This makes no sense, I wasn't able to vote in the primaries but on the Republican side I liked Rebecca Burke and I'm hoping that she comes public and endorses Mirabito!
Do the owners all of these houses I pass with Dave Huffman signs out front know what kind of person Dave Huffman REALLY is?! I'm a republican and a christian and I can not in good conscious vote for a coward who physically and verbally abused his wife!
When I heard about Dave Huffman's past I didn't believe it at first, but then I did my own research and was astonished at what I found. Dave Huffman owns no property in Lycoming County, is UNEMPLOYED, is a Domestic Abuser, and is NOT a Christian in action, only words. Not to mention, he has repeatedly stated that he will never vote for a tax increase which in today's economic situation is an ill-advised and ignorant position to take. How can an underfunded education system rely on someone who will blindly vote no at every chance he can? I'm not talking about paying teachers, but FUNDING EDUCATION! You cut a property tax to give the taxpayer relief, then you need to use a tax increase somewhere else to maintain education funding!
The biggest problem I have is the subterfuge being used by those who Dave Huffman has surrounded himself with in this election. Charles Messner, Jamie Gilbert, Jason Fetter, and Michael Fetzer have been making statements in the virtual newsroom and/or letters to the editor as though they are just casually interacting with Dave Huffman when in all reality they are campaigners for Dave Huffman. Isn't that kind of subterfuge, while legal, not very ethical? I would assume that they know of Dave Huffman's past transgressions and have still chosen to support him. As far as I can tell Dave Huffman is a slightly unstable, unethical, and ignorant little man and he and his supporters should be held accountable to their actions.
And Mr. Fetter, next time you choose to not teach your Pennsylvania College of Technology class and have Dave Huffman in to substitute for you, make sure you accept responsibility for him telling students to vote for him like he did this past April. I had friends who were in those Marketing classes.
Please vote for Rick Mirabito, a man who won't beat his wife, who will not intimidate people in a retirement community, who will not intimidate college students, and who will NOT blindly vote NO simply because a tax is presented.
Do the owners all of these houses I pass with Dave Huffman signs out front know what kind of person Dave Huffman REALLY is?! I'm a republican and a christian and I can not in good conscious vote for a coward who physically and verbally abused his wife!
When I heard about Dave Huffman's past I didn't believe it at first, but then I did my own research and was astonished at what I found. Dave Huffman owns no property in Lycoming County, is UNEMPLOYED, is a Domestic Abuser, and is NOT a Christian in action, only words. Not to mention, he has repeatedly stated that he will never vote for a tax increase which in today's economic situation is an ill-advised and ignorant position to take. How can an underfunded education system rely on someone who will blindly vote no at every chance he can? I'm not talking about paying teachers, but FUNDING EDUCATION! You cut a property tax to give the taxpayer relief, then you need to use a tax increase somewhere else to maintain education funding!
The biggest problem I have is the subterfuge being used by those who Dave Huffman has surrounded himself with in this election. Charles Messner, Jamie Gilbert, Jason Fetter, and Michael Fetzer have been making statements in the virtual newsroom and/or letters to the editor as though they are just casually interacting with Dave Huffman when in all reality they are campaigners for Dave Huffman. Isn't that kind of subterfuge, while legal, not very ethical? I would assume that they know of Dave Huffman's past transgressions and have still chosen to support him. As far as I can tell Dave Huffman is a slightly unstable, unethical, and ignorant little man and he and his supporters should be held accountable to their actions.
And Mr. Fetter, next time you choose to not teach your Pennsylvania College of Technology class and have Dave Huffman in to substitute for you, make sure you accept responsibility for him telling students to vote for him like he did this past April. I had friends who were in those Marketing classes.
Please vote for Rick Mirabito, a man who won't beat his wife, who will not intimidate people in a retirement community, who will not intimidate college students, and who will NOT blindly vote NO simply because a tax is presented.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Rant on the Issues
Let's look at issues that are so ever present in the current political landscape. I encourage democrats, republicans, independents, catholics, christians, muslims, jews, atheists and everyone else to approach the issues on a LEGAL and CONSTITUTIONAL level.
Abortion:
Legally, and if I am wrong then someone needs to show me the CONSTITUTIONAL LAW that says otherwise, a person is either Human or a corporate entity. On the HUMAN side of things, one is not a Human until the moment of BIRTH. Therefore, from a constitutional point of view and unborn child is NOT a Human and therefore are not afforded any rights of a Human. No matter what your religious or moral viewpoint, the LEGAL status of Humans is as such and anyone who would argue otherwise is simply instilling a religious or moral viewpoint on an issue that is a LEGAL one. With that being said, I do not favour nor do I support abortion. Personally I would not be for it, but I will NEVER tell another HUMAN that she can not get an Abortion especially if she's been raped or is in a medical emergency. From a constitutional standpoint Abortion is and shall always be legal and I dare say that no state can make a law providing for it because it would violate the United States Constitution. I suppose you must place my position as being liberal when in reality it is simply a constitutional position.
Affirmative Action:
Affirmative action is constitutionally illegal. It gives a preference based on race, sex, or other category. To give a preference to one group over another when it comes to race, sex, religion, age, etc is ridiculous and unconstitutional. I would even go as far as to say that the age of majority and the age of consent should be one and the same and the age should be placed at 14, meaning you can vote, drink, smoke, what have you at age 14. It would eliminate 14-year-old kids getting off with 4 years of detention and being tried as an adult for adult actions. We are going through a reversal of times. Years ago people were wed at very young ages for many different reasons; life span, religious views, necessity, etc. People were wed at onset of puberty through arranged marriage. There is no reason to prolong childhood into our adult years. Back to Affirmative Action, if a company does not hire a proportionate number of women, african americans, seniors, what have you, then they could be subject to going before a court to explain why that is such and the person or persons who feel they have been prejudiced against need to prove how. If a woman sued a lumber company for not hiring her because she was a woman, I would have a hard time finding in her favour. She would have to prove that she was physically able to do the job. I'm sorry but if you can DO a job, then you should be allowed to DO IT. If you are physically, mentally, or found inadequate in another aspect for a specific job, THEN YOU SHOULDN'T BE IN THAT PROFESSION! A person should be hired only on his or her merits and qualifications. The legal system exists for those who have been screwed over by corporate prejudice.
Gay Marriage:
Once again, I urge everyone to look at this from a strictly legal sense. Marriage is a LEGAL and FINANCIAL agreement between two HUMANS. To say that marriage is only for a man and a woman and is for the protection of FAMILY is not only religious bigotry and hatred, it is unconstitutional. The problem is that it needs to be fought in each and every state. It violates the United States Constitution. Gay marriage at the time of this writing is legal is California, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Again, if I am wrong someone prove me wrong with CONSTITUTIONAL LAW. If it's legal in one state, i.e. made LAW in Cali., Mass., and Conn., then it MUST me ratified and recognized by the rest of the states and territories, MEANING same sex marriage is technically legal in every municipality in the United States. Let's not forget about the whole idea of making laws based on age, sex, race, or sexual orientation!
Gun Ownership:
Self-defense and providing for food. That's what gun ownership is about. I can do both with an automatic weapon, but I can do it better with a double pump shotgun or an AR15 with 3 round burst. I don't feel that a private citizen should be allowed to own a fully automatic weapon. That should be for the military and the military alone. The police should not be allowed to use weapons that civilians cannot use, so I feel that while private citizens should not be allowed to own a fully automatic weapon, if the police can than private citizens should. If you don't want to hunt, do hunt, but do NOT tell others that they can't. While we're at it, if a burglar tries breaking in, I'm shooting him or her, once they enter my house without proper warning. And proper warning shall be understood as if you come into my house with out my permission I have every right to shoot you. I should NOT have to tell someone to NOT come into my house. This goes for police as well as private citizens.
Teaching Family Values, Sex Education, Creationism, and allowing Prayer in School:
Family Values: No
Sex Ed: Yes
Creationism: No
Prayer: No
Notice anything? The "No's" are all issues that have to do with religion and morality. You shouldn't teach something in public schools that is based on a religious or moral viewpoint, especially when public school children have many diverse backgrounds. Now if you have a religious viewpoint and do not wish that your child learn how to protect itself from STD's, understand puberty, understand date rape, pregnancy, or a myriad of other valuable tools, then you sign a waiver your child brings home before instruction can begin. You can't teach family values when the idea of family values varies so greatly from family to family, even ones within a shared religious set. Creationism is NOT science and has to carry with it a belief in a Christian God, therefore being biased towards a group based on a religious or moral viewpoint. Now, if you wish your child to learn creationism, teach him or her on your own or in your religions educational program. Prayer should NEVER be a mandatory part of ANY PUBLIC AFFAIR. There should not be a prayer to open a session of congress, to open a sporting event, or any other circumstance except a religious service or event. It is offensive to anyone who is not Judeo-Christian to be made to worship along with others or to endure worship of something that very may well be against your own religious viewpoint. Now I understand this might be hard to understand for those who are Judeo-Christian, which is part of my point. Imagine being a Judeo-Christian and going to a basketball game and having to listen to a prayer to Allah or hearing a reading on how the players should play with the Buddhist Principles of the Eightfold Nobel Path of Enlightenment. I'm pretty sure you would be beyond uncomfortable and you should not have to be subjected to that. Nor should anyone else, so pray on your own or before or after the event on your own. Heck give your shout out to your god or gods while you play I don't care as long as you don't violate the rules of the game or taunt or make fun of another person's religious or moral beliefs.
Death Penalty:
As I mentioned earlier, a Human is born and as such a human dies. That death should ALWAYS be natural, save accidental death. If someone murders another, depending on the circumstances, that person should spend as much time in prison or a mental care facility until it is deemed that person can return to a life outside of a cell. It is not only cruel and unusual punishment, but one can not expect to be and enforcer of inherent rights if one takes those rights away. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness may not be taken away for taking someone else's life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Pretty simple, maybe someday the rest of the world can figure that out.
Drugs and the War on said Drugs:
Marijuana should be legal. Not because I am a pothead, I'm far from such. It's a naturally occurring substance, not man-made, and therefore should not be regulated for personal use. While I agree that adults should be allowed to use alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, etc., I think that it should be unregulated except for health reasons, non smokers can laugh, but hear me out. Cigarettes should be made free of chemicals and additives and a health warning be on all packaging. Cocaine, meth, opium, etc should be illegal because they can easily kill someone who is not knowledgeable enough or could mishandle the drug, i.e. everyone other than herbalists, chemists, doctors, and the like. Not only should the war end against marijuana, we should go after the other drugs with a vengeance while offering programs to those who wish to end their addiction to tobacco and/or alcohol. The use of weed for medicinal purposes should negate every ridiculous law outlawing it's use, possession, and consumption.
The Patriot Act:
The Patriot Act violates constitutional rights. The Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-56), otherwise known as the USA PATRIOT Act, is an American act which was signed into law by President George W. Bush on October 26, 2001. It was renewed on March 2, 2006 by the Senate and on March 7 by the House. President Bush signed the renewal into law on March 9, 2006. Unfortunately provision 213 allows for the "surreptitious search warrants and seizures upon a showing of reasonable necessity and eliminates the requirement of Rule 41 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure that immediate notification of seized items be provided." Also, many people do not know that the owner of the property or person identified does not have to be told about the search. There is an extra special clause that allows the Director of the FBI to ask for the phone records of a person without EVER notifying the person and if the company does not provide said documentation fines, or worse can be imposed. For things other than Phone Records the person or property owner must be notified, but not necessarily before the search occurs. THEN you have Section 215, which allows the FBI to secretly obtain a warrant from the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court for library or bookstore records of anyone connected to an investigation of international terrorism or spying. Many parts of the Patriot Act are not needed at all and in fact are illegal. It allows law enforcement to infringe upon freedom of speech, freedom of the press, basic human rights, and the right to privacy. THE WORST PART: section 215 allows government investigators to gain access to personal records such as financial, medical, telephone, internet, student records, and/or library records, simply on being "relevant for an on going investigation concerning international terrorism or clandestine intelligence activities," rather than probable cause as the Fourth Amendment of the CONSTITUTION provides.
And so for now I will go lay down and let my mind wander as I drift off to sleep.
Abortion:
Legally, and if I am wrong then someone needs to show me the CONSTITUTIONAL LAW that says otherwise, a person is either Human or a corporate entity. On the HUMAN side of things, one is not a Human until the moment of BIRTH. Therefore, from a constitutional point of view and unborn child is NOT a Human and therefore are not afforded any rights of a Human. No matter what your religious or moral viewpoint, the LEGAL status of Humans is as such and anyone who would argue otherwise is simply instilling a religious or moral viewpoint on an issue that is a LEGAL one. With that being said, I do not favour nor do I support abortion. Personally I would not be for it, but I will NEVER tell another HUMAN that she can not get an Abortion especially if she's been raped or is in a medical emergency. From a constitutional standpoint Abortion is and shall always be legal and I dare say that no state can make a law providing for it because it would violate the United States Constitution. I suppose you must place my position as being liberal when in reality it is simply a constitutional position.
Affirmative Action:
Affirmative action is constitutionally illegal. It gives a preference based on race, sex, or other category. To give a preference to one group over another when it comes to race, sex, religion, age, etc is ridiculous and unconstitutional. I would even go as far as to say that the age of majority and the age of consent should be one and the same and the age should be placed at 14, meaning you can vote, drink, smoke, what have you at age 14. It would eliminate 14-year-old kids getting off with 4 years of detention and being tried as an adult for adult actions. We are going through a reversal of times. Years ago people were wed at very young ages for many different reasons; life span, religious views, necessity, etc. People were wed at onset of puberty through arranged marriage. There is no reason to prolong childhood into our adult years. Back to Affirmative Action, if a company does not hire a proportionate number of women, african americans, seniors, what have you, then they could be subject to going before a court to explain why that is such and the person or persons who feel they have been prejudiced against need to prove how. If a woman sued a lumber company for not hiring her because she was a woman, I would have a hard time finding in her favour. She would have to prove that she was physically able to do the job. I'm sorry but if you can DO a job, then you should be allowed to DO IT. If you are physically, mentally, or found inadequate in another aspect for a specific job, THEN YOU SHOULDN'T BE IN THAT PROFESSION! A person should be hired only on his or her merits and qualifications. The legal system exists for those who have been screwed over by corporate prejudice.
Gay Marriage:
Once again, I urge everyone to look at this from a strictly legal sense. Marriage is a LEGAL and FINANCIAL agreement between two HUMANS. To say that marriage is only for a man and a woman and is for the protection of FAMILY is not only religious bigotry and hatred, it is unconstitutional. The problem is that it needs to be fought in each and every state. It violates the United States Constitution. Gay marriage at the time of this writing is legal is California, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Again, if I am wrong someone prove me wrong with CONSTITUTIONAL LAW. If it's legal in one state, i.e. made LAW in Cali., Mass., and Conn., then it MUST me ratified and recognized by the rest of the states and territories, MEANING same sex marriage is technically legal in every municipality in the United States. Let's not forget about the whole idea of making laws based on age, sex, race, or sexual orientation!
Gun Ownership:
Self-defense and providing for food. That's what gun ownership is about. I can do both with an automatic weapon, but I can do it better with a double pump shotgun or an AR15 with 3 round burst. I don't feel that a private citizen should be allowed to own a fully automatic weapon. That should be for the military and the military alone. The police should not be allowed to use weapons that civilians cannot use, so I feel that while private citizens should not be allowed to own a fully automatic weapon, if the police can than private citizens should. If you don't want to hunt, do hunt, but do NOT tell others that they can't. While we're at it, if a burglar tries breaking in, I'm shooting him or her, once they enter my house without proper warning. And proper warning shall be understood as if you come into my house with out my permission I have every right to shoot you. I should NOT have to tell someone to NOT come into my house. This goes for police as well as private citizens.
Teaching Family Values, Sex Education, Creationism, and allowing Prayer in School:
Family Values: No
Sex Ed: Yes
Creationism: No
Prayer: No
Notice anything? The "No's" are all issues that have to do with religion and morality. You shouldn't teach something in public schools that is based on a religious or moral viewpoint, especially when public school children have many diverse backgrounds. Now if you have a religious viewpoint and do not wish that your child learn how to protect itself from STD's, understand puberty, understand date rape, pregnancy, or a myriad of other valuable tools, then you sign a waiver your child brings home before instruction can begin. You can't teach family values when the idea of family values varies so greatly from family to family, even ones within a shared religious set. Creationism is NOT science and has to carry with it a belief in a Christian God, therefore being biased towards a group based on a religious or moral viewpoint. Now, if you wish your child to learn creationism, teach him or her on your own or in your religions educational program. Prayer should NEVER be a mandatory part of ANY PUBLIC AFFAIR. There should not be a prayer to open a session of congress, to open a sporting event, or any other circumstance except a religious service or event. It is offensive to anyone who is not Judeo-Christian to be made to worship along with others or to endure worship of something that very may well be against your own religious viewpoint. Now I understand this might be hard to understand for those who are Judeo-Christian, which is part of my point. Imagine being a Judeo-Christian and going to a basketball game and having to listen to a prayer to Allah or hearing a reading on how the players should play with the Buddhist Principles of the Eightfold Nobel Path of Enlightenment. I'm pretty sure you would be beyond uncomfortable and you should not have to be subjected to that. Nor should anyone else, so pray on your own or before or after the event on your own. Heck give your shout out to your god or gods while you play I don't care as long as you don't violate the rules of the game or taunt or make fun of another person's religious or moral beliefs.
Death Penalty:
As I mentioned earlier, a Human is born and as such a human dies. That death should ALWAYS be natural, save accidental death. If someone murders another, depending on the circumstances, that person should spend as much time in prison or a mental care facility until it is deemed that person can return to a life outside of a cell. It is not only cruel and unusual punishment, but one can not expect to be and enforcer of inherent rights if one takes those rights away. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness may not be taken away for taking someone else's life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Pretty simple, maybe someday the rest of the world can figure that out.
Drugs and the War on said Drugs:
Marijuana should be legal. Not because I am a pothead, I'm far from such. It's a naturally occurring substance, not man-made, and therefore should not be regulated for personal use. While I agree that adults should be allowed to use alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, etc., I think that it should be unregulated except for health reasons, non smokers can laugh, but hear me out. Cigarettes should be made free of chemicals and additives and a health warning be on all packaging. Cocaine, meth, opium, etc should be illegal because they can easily kill someone who is not knowledgeable enough or could mishandle the drug, i.e. everyone other than herbalists, chemists, doctors, and the like. Not only should the war end against marijuana, we should go after the other drugs with a vengeance while offering programs to those who wish to end their addiction to tobacco and/or alcohol. The use of weed for medicinal purposes should negate every ridiculous law outlawing it's use, possession, and consumption.
The Patriot Act:
The Patriot Act violates constitutional rights. The Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-56), otherwise known as the USA PATRIOT Act, is an American act which was signed into law by President George W. Bush on October 26, 2001. It was renewed on March 2, 2006 by the Senate and on March 7 by the House. President Bush signed the renewal into law on March 9, 2006. Unfortunately provision 213 allows for the "surreptitious search warrants and seizures upon a showing of reasonable necessity and eliminates the requirement of Rule 41 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure that immediate notification of seized items be provided." Also, many people do not know that the owner of the property or person identified does not have to be told about the search. There is an extra special clause that allows the Director of the FBI to ask for the phone records of a person without EVER notifying the person and if the company does not provide said documentation fines, or worse can be imposed. For things other than Phone Records the person or property owner must be notified, but not necessarily before the search occurs. THEN you have Section 215, which allows the FBI to secretly obtain a warrant from the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court for library or bookstore records of anyone connected to an investigation of international terrorism or spying. Many parts of the Patriot Act are not needed at all and in fact are illegal. It allows law enforcement to infringe upon freedom of speech, freedom of the press, basic human rights, and the right to privacy. THE WORST PART: section 215 allows government investigators to gain access to personal records such as financial, medical, telephone, internet, student records, and/or library records, simply on being "relevant for an on going investigation concerning international terrorism or clandestine intelligence activities," rather than probable cause as the Fourth Amendment of the CONSTITUTION provides.
And so for now I will go lay down and let my mind wander as I drift off to sleep.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Memories...
Sometimes looking back brings things out that were hiding inside...
So I'm sitting here - bored - I figured I'd put on the 1992 World Series - Since we don't have TV.. And I'm thinking about the Tigers being in the World Series this year - and I'll probably miss the whole series for the first time in 10 years or so.. It's fitting how many Yankee fans will be rooting for the Tigers cause - my grandfather loved the Tigers so much...
So I'm completely taken aback when I start getting teared up with each great play by Toronto... Alomar stealing 2nd base, Joe Carter walks, and Dave Winfield at bat - now the great hitter pulls a sac bunt - so my boy Olerude is up and they bring Sprague in... The Braves walk Sprague and Candy Maldanodo comes in.. This is from 14 years ago... I KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN... but when he hit the ball... I started bawling... I'm sitting there thinking - what the fuck is wrong with me...
Then game 4 - Jimmy Key throws out Trot Nixon, tears flow... this happens a couple times, Key vs. Nixon... Pat Borders - home run - tears flow again... I should turn this off, but I can't... so Duane Ward comes in for Jimmy Key in the 8th inning, gets the out and now the 9th inning, Blue Jays win... tears flow... WTF!!!!!!
So game 5 - David Justice - 4th inning... this guy is the epitome of what a baseball player should be, he makes Derek Jeter look like a stuck up premadonna... he hits a home run - tears flow... Lonnie Smith - grand slam - 5th inning - tears flow... now I'm cryin' when Atlanta scores...
I feel like shit, I'm lonely, I'm angry, I don't feel good, I'm frustrated, I'm depressed, negativity is a shroud and while I pull the blanket close to keep warm, I feel the negativity fall like the rain... October 15th through February 15th ALWAYS SUCKS... I hope this isn't indicative of what's ahead for the next 4 months....
Anyways, game 6 - bottom of the 9th, Braves trail 2 to 1, and the Jays haven't blown a save in 77 games... BUT... Lonnie Smith walks... 2 men on... Cabrera gets the out 2 outs, Otis Nixon on... hit... bad throw... tie game... Gant pops it up... he's out... 10th inning... 11th inning... One on and Alomar at bat... Devon White goes to second, Alomar on 1st... Joe Carter at bat... he pops out.. and Dave Winfield comes to the plate... I know what's coming... I'm a huge Blue Jays fan... this is historic... the pitch... White and Alomar score... Jays lead... tears flowing like the flood waters in upstate New York a couple months back...
Jimmy Key is now the pitcher for the Jays... 2 men on... 1st and 3rd... Belliard bunts... Blauser on 3rd, Smoltz on 2nd... 4 to 3 Toronto leads... 2 outs... Otis Nixon at bat vs. Jimmy Key... see I told you... but wait - the Jays bring in Timlin... Nixon bunts and Timlin gets him at first... game over - Jays win the World Series... and I'm bawling... and this whole time... through 21 minutes of video.. I'm thinking about one person who I wish was here with me now...
So I'm sitting here - bored - I figured I'd put on the 1992 World Series - Since we don't have TV.. And I'm thinking about the Tigers being in the World Series this year - and I'll probably miss the whole series for the first time in 10 years or so.. It's fitting how many Yankee fans will be rooting for the Tigers cause - my grandfather loved the Tigers so much...
So I'm completely taken aback when I start getting teared up with each great play by Toronto... Alomar stealing 2nd base, Joe Carter walks, and Dave Winfield at bat - now the great hitter pulls a sac bunt - so my boy Olerude is up and they bring Sprague in... The Braves walk Sprague and Candy Maldanodo comes in.. This is from 14 years ago... I KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN... but when he hit the ball... I started bawling... I'm sitting there thinking - what the fuck is wrong with me...
Then game 4 - Jimmy Key throws out Trot Nixon, tears flow... this happens a couple times, Key vs. Nixon... Pat Borders - home run - tears flow again... I should turn this off, but I can't... so Duane Ward comes in for Jimmy Key in the 8th inning, gets the out and now the 9th inning, Blue Jays win... tears flow... WTF!!!!!!
So game 5 - David Justice - 4th inning... this guy is the epitome of what a baseball player should be, he makes Derek Jeter look like a stuck up premadonna... he hits a home run - tears flow... Lonnie Smith - grand slam - 5th inning - tears flow... now I'm cryin' when Atlanta scores...
I feel like shit, I'm lonely, I'm angry, I don't feel good, I'm frustrated, I'm depressed, negativity is a shroud and while I pull the blanket close to keep warm, I feel the negativity fall like the rain... October 15th through February 15th ALWAYS SUCKS... I hope this isn't indicative of what's ahead for the next 4 months....
Anyways, game 6 - bottom of the 9th, Braves trail 2 to 1, and the Jays haven't blown a save in 77 games... BUT... Lonnie Smith walks... 2 men on... Cabrera gets the out 2 outs, Otis Nixon on... hit... bad throw... tie game... Gant pops it up... he's out... 10th inning... 11th inning... One on and Alomar at bat... Devon White goes to second, Alomar on 1st... Joe Carter at bat... he pops out.. and Dave Winfield comes to the plate... I know what's coming... I'm a huge Blue Jays fan... this is historic... the pitch... White and Alomar score... Jays lead... tears flowing like the flood waters in upstate New York a couple months back...
Jimmy Key is now the pitcher for the Jays... 2 men on... 1st and 3rd... Belliard bunts... Blauser on 3rd, Smoltz on 2nd... 4 to 3 Toronto leads... 2 outs... Otis Nixon at bat vs. Jimmy Key... see I told you... but wait - the Jays bring in Timlin... Nixon bunts and Timlin gets him at first... game over - Jays win the World Series... and I'm bawling... and this whole time... through 21 minutes of video.. I'm thinking about one person who I wish was here with me now...
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