There are some great Nicknames in sports. So here are some of my favorites all-time. And yes I am sure I will miss some of your favorites. I'd like your additions... but don't be a dick about it.
*no particular order
Magic Johnson
Why it's great: When your nickname becomes your name that is impressive. Plus Magic is such an apt description of his play it is definitely deserving of making the list.
"The Matrix" Shawn Marion
Why it's great: Shawn Marion was (he has declined over the years) one of the best athletes in the NBA. Crazy dunks, steals, & dunks (and yes I said dunks twice) to go with possibly the ugliest jump shot in NBA history. It's like the Matrix operated on another physical dimension when at his peak.
"Kung Fu Panda" Pablo Sandoval
Why it's great: Dude is fat as hell but is still has hit for a .303 average over his MLB career in the National League where he cant hide on the bench as a DH.
"The Answer" Allen Iverson
Why it's great: Because he is the answer (well was). That Sixers team he took to the NBA finals was not very good I mean the starting five included Jumane Jones, Eric Snow, and Black Skeletor. Iverson is probably the best player in NBA history 6'0" and under. He won 4 scoring titles in six years.
"The Lawfirm" Benjarvus Green-Ellis
Why it's great: It is the best fictional lawfirm name since Dewey-Cheatem-and Howe.
"Air Canada/Vinsanity" Vince Carter
Why it's great: See below
"Megatron" Calvin Johnson
Why it's great: not many heros in sports can have the nickname of a villain, be a great human being and player and have the moniker fit but Megatron does just that.
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
a long sentence
I drove the rover for some custard pie in my time of dying down by the seaside and in the light; which was ten years gone from when took a night flight to boogie with Stu and the kashmir dressed black country woman that was sick again; trampled underfoot and wanton; song we all sung in Bron-Yr-Aur (one of) the houses of the holy.
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Wikileaks and Pussy Riot
So the "Whitehouse" is protesting the two-year prison sentence for Pussy Riot. Politicians shake their twitter fists of shame against the Russian Regime.
But where will the outrage be for Julian Assange? Oh that is right there wont be any. While Julian Assange is part of a diplomatic tug-o-war we have our Political Elite calling the Russian System shameful. Meanwhile Assanage is wanted for Sexual Assault charges in Sweden, but everyone knows these charges are specious and merely a reason extradite him and subsequently hand him over to the United States. Then he is to be thrown into a hole or Git'Mo. Bradley Manning and Assange are the enemy to the Congressional Military Industrial Complex so they must be stopped.
The Pussy Riot case shows how transparent the American Political Establishment is. The powerful only champion freedom of speech when it is obvious and when it does not have an impact on them (which is to say us). But speak out against the US Government, well we can't have any of this.
President Obama and Kelly Ayotte you can shame the Russians for an absurd punishment all you want. But, WE know it is just political grandstanding. Republicans and Democrats at least can agree on one thing. Freedom of Speech is bullshit and a prop that is used to get the citizens to think we are free.
But where will the outrage be for Julian Assange? Oh that is right there wont be any. While Julian Assange is part of a diplomatic tug-o-war we have our Political Elite calling the Russian System shameful. Meanwhile Assanage is wanted for Sexual Assault charges in Sweden, but everyone knows these charges are specious and merely a reason extradite him and subsequently hand him over to the United States. Then he is to be thrown into a hole or Git'Mo. Bradley Manning and Assange are the enemy to the Congressional Military Industrial Complex so they must be stopped.
The Pussy Riot case shows how transparent the American Political Establishment is. The powerful only champion freedom of speech when it is obvious and when it does not have an impact on them (which is to say us). But speak out against the US Government, well we can't have any of this.
President Obama and Kelly Ayotte you can shame the Russians for an absurd punishment all you want. But, WE know it is just political grandstanding. Republicans and Democrats at least can agree on one thing. Freedom of Speech is bullshit and a prop that is used to get the citizens to think we are free.
Saturday, August 4, 2012
You and Chick-Fil-Aint Shit
Chick-Fil-A and Ignorance
Everyone is choosing sides in the Chick-Fil-A controversy. The LGBT community is outraged that a company that is not open on Sundays would be against Gay Marriage (at least the corporate leadership). So as a good Lib I am not eating at the controversial chicken joint. Full disclosure: this is not some grand sacrifice for me. I have only eaten Chick-Fil-A a few times. It's pretty good but whatever. The weird thing to me is not someone wanting to protest a restaurant or business because of their policies, service, or products. It just seems odd that people are going to Chick-Fil-A to show how much they hate gay people. If you never went to Chick-Fil-A before this controversy and are now a PROUD supporter you sir are a buffoon. If you choose to eat there or not to eat there great. But... get over yourself.
Rodimus Prime the co-host of The Black Guy Who Tips made a great point. If you want everyone to boycott Chick-Fil-A because of their stance on Gay Marriage are you going to boycott your grandmother because she feels the same way? It is easy to demonize an amoral entity when they make a [im]moral stand. It actually takes courage to express to your family ie your elders they are on the wrong side of an issue. Old people are the ones voting when these initiatives are on the ballots Additionally if you are tweeting about Chick-Fil-A from your iPhone like this person you should be aware of how an iPhone is made.
The conditions at Foxconn are horrendous. Workers are forced to live in cramped dormitories and conditions are so bad there is a problem with suicide inside the factory and nets were put in place to catch workers trying to kill themselves. But Apple is not the only company guilty of questionable actions. In fact if you use nearly any electronic device it is likely comprised of Rare Earths. Most rare earths such as Scandium, Cerium, Erbium, Terbium etc are mined in China (about 97% of global supply). According to Tim Folger (National Geographic June 2011) rare earth mines also contain uranium and thorium which are radioactive. The radioactive materials poison local water supplies and farm land.
But hey, if we can get (relatively) cheap electronics who cares right?
1st Amendment Rights
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. - The Constitution of the United States of America
Can you tell where the hell in the 1st amendment you are protected from criticism? I guess I missed that day in Constitutional Law with Dr Jules Gleicher. Oh no it's because it does not exist.
Let me explain the FIRST AMENDMENT to you all.
The citizens are protected from the GOVERNMENT. The government may not interfere with your ability to speak your mind or publish awful material (such as this blog). Yes, Dan Cathy is free to express is opinion. The citizens/consumers are free to exercise their opinions regarding such comments as an opinion on gay marriage.
I am really tired of these clowns misstating what the 1st amendment really is.
Regarding mayors discussing the topic... at this point it is just words. the subject is nuanced and can be discussed intelligently. I don't think it is the right tactic for a mayor or other elected official to say Chick-Fil-A is not welcome but it does not come near a first amendment issue unless laws are passed either at the federal or local level. This rudimentary understanding of the first amendment is not only laughable but it is crippling to our society and our debates.
Systemic Problem
Go to Chick-Fil-A or boycott it. In the end I don't really care You really think that company is the only one giving money to rightwing groups? We have a systemic problem because of Super-PACs and Citizens United. Large companies give their money to right wing groups. This happens because for are amoral and the right wing faction is only concerned with profits and lower taxes no matter the cost to society (these ideas are usually called externalities in the business community I guess it makes it easier to not give a shit when fancy words are used). Organizations such as ALEC provide legislation to congresspersons (see I'm a good lib) and state legislators to further conservative policies.
We have a system in place that allows for the consolidation of power to large companies. If we want to boycott individual companies that is fine but if you boycott McDonalds because of reason X or Y do you really think your Whopper Meal from Burger King is any different. I personally don't shop at Wal-Mart (for a number of reasons) but I really doubt target is really that much better. Until I have my self-sustaining farm in the mountains I guess I will have to join the rest of society and shop at evil companies. But I guess just shop a little less (so I can sleep at night).
Libs can still eat chicken though
But at least there is one chicken chain we can all go to.
Everyone is choosing sides in the Chick-Fil-A controversy. The LGBT community is outraged that a company that is not open on Sundays would be against Gay Marriage (at least the corporate leadership). So as a good Lib I am not eating at the controversial chicken joint. Full disclosure: this is not some grand sacrifice for me. I have only eaten Chick-Fil-A a few times. It's pretty good but whatever. The weird thing to me is not someone wanting to protest a restaurant or business because of their policies, service, or products. It just seems odd that people are going to Chick-Fil-A to show how much they hate gay people. If you never went to Chick-Fil-A before this controversy and are now a PROUD supporter you sir are a buffoon. If you choose to eat there or not to eat there great. But... get over yourself.
Rodimus Prime the co-host of The Black Guy Who Tips made a great point. If you want everyone to boycott Chick-Fil-A because of their stance on Gay Marriage are you going to boycott your grandmother because she feels the same way? It is easy to demonize an amoral entity when they make a [im]moral stand. It actually takes courage to express to your family ie your elders they are on the wrong side of an issue. Old people are the ones voting when these initiatives are on the ballots Additionally if you are tweeting about Chick-Fil-A from your iPhone like this person you should be aware of how an iPhone is made.
The conditions at Foxconn are horrendous. Workers are forced to live in cramped dormitories and conditions are so bad there is a problem with suicide inside the factory and nets were put in place to catch workers trying to kill themselves. But Apple is not the only company guilty of questionable actions. In fact if you use nearly any electronic device it is likely comprised of Rare Earths. Most rare earths such as Scandium, Cerium, Erbium, Terbium etc are mined in China (about 97% of global supply). According to Tim Folger (National Geographic June 2011) rare earth mines also contain uranium and thorium which are radioactive. The radioactive materials poison local water supplies and farm land.
But hey, if we can get (relatively) cheap electronics who cares right?
1st Amendment Rights
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. - The Constitution of the United States of America
Can you tell where the hell in the 1st amendment you are protected from criticism? I guess I missed that day in Constitutional Law with Dr Jules Gleicher. Oh no it's because it does not exist.
Let me explain the FIRST AMENDMENT to you all.
The citizens are protected from the GOVERNMENT. The government may not interfere with your ability to speak your mind or publish awful material (such as this blog). Yes, Dan Cathy is free to express is opinion. The citizens/consumers are free to exercise their opinions regarding such comments as an opinion on gay marriage.
I am really tired of these clowns misstating what the 1st amendment really is.
Regarding mayors discussing the topic... at this point it is just words. the subject is nuanced and can be discussed intelligently. I don't think it is the right tactic for a mayor or other elected official to say Chick-Fil-A is not welcome but it does not come near a first amendment issue unless laws are passed either at the federal or local level. This rudimentary understanding of the first amendment is not only laughable but it is crippling to our society and our debates.
Systemic Problem
Go to Chick-Fil-A or boycott it. In the end I don't really care You really think that company is the only one giving money to rightwing groups? We have a systemic problem because of Super-PACs and Citizens United. Large companies give their money to right wing groups. This happens because for are amoral and the right wing faction is only concerned with profits and lower taxes no matter the cost to society (these ideas are usually called externalities in the business community I guess it makes it easier to not give a shit when fancy words are used). Organizations such as ALEC provide legislation to congresspersons (see I'm a good lib) and state legislators to further conservative policies.
We have a system in place that allows for the consolidation of power to large companies. If we want to boycott individual companies that is fine but if you boycott McDonalds because of reason X or Y do you really think your Whopper Meal from Burger King is any different. I personally don't shop at Wal-Mart (for a number of reasons) but I really doubt target is really that much better. Until I have my self-sustaining farm in the mountains I guess I will have to join the rest of society and shop at evil companies. But I guess just shop a little less (so I can sleep at night).
Libs can still eat chicken though
But at least there is one chicken chain we can all go to.
Monday, July 30, 2012
book excerpt
“Who’s there?”
Vinno becomes lost in the darkness of the forest. No moonlight penetrates the thick cloud cover. The stars are extinguished by the billow of water vapor suspended in the night sky. The isolation and darkness heighten his other senses. Vision is rendered useless in this environment. The sounds of footsteps surround him. Vinno turns to his left and then back to the right. The bully has become a coward alone in the eclipse of his mind and soul. He shouts again. “Who’s there?” The words fall on deaf ears. The putrid smell of vile excrement and rotting teeth surround his nostrils. “Who are you? Identify yourself asshole.” He shouts into the black. Scared he fires his gun into the void. He fires again. Vinno screams as the madness descends upon him; ripping his flesh from bone; devouring him; biting his face and neck; tearing through his clothing. Over a dozen hands rip at his belly tearing skin and muscle. Bony fingers rip out his left eyeball. He calls for his own death to end the pain. The yell only awakens the blackbirds perched in an oak tree. Their calls only mock Vinno as the feast continues. They flap into the night as he falls to the deepest pits of hell.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Saturday, July 7, 2012
love/hate relationship with sports and athletes
Here is a fact. There are no statistics to back it up but it is just as true as anyone's batting average or who leads the NFL in touchdown passes. You are a fan. You do not own athletes and they do not owe anything to you. I do not care if you are season ticket holder (1st year or 31st season). I do not care how many jerseys you buy for you or your kids.
It annoys me to hear that so-and-so is the property of this NFL team or that NBA team. Do you have any clue how offensive that is? Are you the property of GM/Ford? How about Wal-Mart? Does your employer own you? Yeah, thats what I thought.
Fans love their sports but hate their pro-athletes. The professional athlete is adored in America and hated simultaneously. We love when they do things for our favorite team. But then hate them when they leave. I have news for you rust-belt cities you don't even want to live there. Why should you expect LeBron James to stay. Team owners like Dan Gilbert dehumanize their players by writing a smug letter to appease fans with displaced anger about their own lives.
You think you know athletes or even the talking heads on ESPN; just because you see them on TV daily or weekly. Remember when fans thought more kids should look up to Marvin Harrison? How did that turn out?
I'd take Chad Johnson/Ochocinco or Randy Moss him any day. But Moss is referred to as thug because frankly he is funny and entertaining.
In our society athletes are nothing more than gladiators trotted out for our entertainment. The glory is short lived; they are dehumanized and thrown away. We feel ok about it because they are paid large sums of money. All that does is buy us the ability to treat them as less than human. Because: "what do they care; they are rich".
It would be one thing if fans were principled in how they view athletes when in trouble with the law. But, fans rationalize certain crimes or players and crucify others. Fans want to control players because they don't "act a certain way". You know them boys gotta be kept it line. It doesn't matter if its professional or major college there is absolutely a racial component in this love hate dynamic.
There was outrage when it was learned that P-Diddy's son earned a football scholarship to UCLA. Interesting I never heard anyone complain about Andrew Luck's scholarship (his dad is the AD at West Virginia and played/worked in NFL).
It's sports enjoy the best athletes in the world competing.
Don't be mad that you weren't good at anything.
It annoys me to hear that so-and-so is the property of this NFL team or that NBA team. Do you have any clue how offensive that is? Are you the property of GM/Ford? How about Wal-Mart? Does your employer own you? Yeah, thats what I thought.
Fans love their sports but hate their pro-athletes. The professional athlete is adored in America and hated simultaneously. We love when they do things for our favorite team. But then hate them when they leave. I have news for you rust-belt cities you don't even want to live there. Why should you expect LeBron James to stay. Team owners like Dan Gilbert dehumanize their players by writing a smug letter to appease fans with displaced anger about their own lives.
You think you know athletes or even the talking heads on ESPN; just because you see them on TV daily or weekly. Remember when fans thought more kids should look up to Marvin Harrison? How did that turn out?
I'd take Chad Johnson/Ochocinco or Randy Moss him any day. But Moss is referred to as thug because frankly he is funny and entertaining.
In our society athletes are nothing more than gladiators trotted out for our entertainment. The glory is short lived; they are dehumanized and thrown away. We feel ok about it because they are paid large sums of money. All that does is buy us the ability to treat them as less than human. Because: "what do they care; they are rich".
It would be one thing if fans were principled in how they view athletes when in trouble with the law. But, fans rationalize certain crimes or players and crucify others. Fans want to control players because they don't "act a certain way". You know them boys gotta be kept it line. It doesn't matter if its professional or major college there is absolutely a racial component in this love hate dynamic.
There was outrage when it was learned that P-Diddy's son earned a football scholarship to UCLA. Interesting I never heard anyone complain about Andrew Luck's scholarship (his dad is the AD at West Virginia and played/worked in NFL).
It's sports enjoy the best athletes in the world competing.
Don't be mad that you weren't good at anything.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
what does the 4th of july mean to me?
We remember the birth of a nation. The birth of an idea. The idea a nation could be founded on equality, freedom, and reason. On July 4, 1776 a bunch of traitors (I mean patriots) signed the Declaration of Independence.
I know, you think I hate America or I want to fly around the world apologizing for our wars blah blah blah... No, I don't think "Merica" is a horrible place. I think that we have been fooling ourselves when it comes to "American Exceptionalism". We rank 25th in math; 22nd in science; the United States is 50th in life expectancy even though we are the 6th richest nation based on GDP per capita. The backbone of our economy was once the auto industry. It has made improvements in the last three or four years. But I should note that my Republican grand parents (who are incredibly conservative) drive a Japanese vehicle and I drive a Korean one. But at least we are number 1 at something.
But, yet I feel conflicted when it comes to Patriotism. I understand owning a sense of pride when thinking about where you come from. The Olympics start in a couple of weeks and I'll root for the basketball team and our swimmers and the rest of our team. I enjoy watching the track and field events. Really though, I just want to see excellence. If someone from the USA wins the 100M by breaking Usain Bolt's World Record that would be AMAZING. But, yet I feel I am equally a citizen of the United States of America as I am a citizen of the world. So I would not feel any different if Usain Bolt broke his own record while slowing down for the final steps they way he did in Beijing.
We live in an era where we forget why we celebrate the 4th of July. I once heard someone I know refer to it as the day with the fireworks and that is all this person knew about Independence Day. We live in a politically charged climate where each side uses words of the founding fathers to prove their point of view is correct. I like using quotes just like anyone else. But does it really matter what some people 236 years ago thought? We have put these mortals onto a pedestal as though their words are the gospel. Let us not forget many of the founders of this nation owned slaves. Think about how grotesque it is, to own another human being. Listening to the news we constantly hear about how "the founding fathers are rolling in their graves" ad nauseum etc etc. If I had one wish I would seriously like to raise the founding fathers from the dead (not zombies or anything scary) and ask them what they really meant regarding the church and the constitution; their thoughts on social security and single payer health care. We are stuck as a society considering what people that died 200 years ago would think about a topic or question that did not even exist at that time. It is as though that we attempt to validate our opinions by inferring what Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, or Thomas Paine (T-Paine) would say about an issue.
Freedom has become a punchline when we debate Healthcare, War, and Rhetoric. Yes, we have reached the point in our society where we have to actually debate rhetoric. One man can be convicted of terrorism while another is just a patriot. It seems that even being patriotic is a political position. Nationalism, Patriotism, Jingoism... its all for the birds. Yes, I am a citizen of the United States of America. But I am also a citizen of the World.
236 years ago a group of [white] men sat around birthed a new nation. One that was not affiliated with a church (no matter what your Christian friends would like you to believe), a nation that was not controlled by a Monarchy or an Oligarchy. A nation that outlawed titles of nobility so that all men (and in the future women) could have an opportunity to succeed. But these ideas, have become myths. We no longer have a meritocracy. Sure, we can all point to a few individuals that broke the odds and became successful. But those people have become the exception to the rule.
We have a society where money equals speech. Logically, some individuals are born millionaires while others are born poor. Does that mean the rich have more freedom than my children? Unfortunately, the answer is yes. Noble titles are not used but rather we have a class system in which there are the wealthy; those that think they are part of the near wealthy; and the poor. America has de facto nobility which is cloaked in the aire of opportunity. Breads and Circuses reign supreme to silence our minds. It is easy to eat a hamburger and drink a beer today while forgetting that we possess a false hope. One that makes us believe we are a lucky break away from joining the elite.
So what does the 4th of July mean to me? We have ruined an ideal of freedom with the perils of money. The summer holiday equates to sales on mattresses and colorful explosions. We can think about the soldiers that have lost their lives and limbs fighting for our ______. We can think about the Revolutionary War. But, why not think about what you can do for your fellow citizen. Whether he or she lives in Indiana or India; Arizona or Iraq; Wisconsin or Germany; or anyplace on this planet. Because America is not a country it is an idea. It is an idea that has been mangled; it has been kicked around and laughed at but it is not dead. The idea is not some myth about striking it rich; the idea of America is the ability to think and say what you feel. The idea of America is no child should be hungry and everyone has a chance to be educated and enlightened.
Possibly one day we can reach that apex of excellence or at least strive for what made us great... whatever that is/was for you.
I know, you think I hate America or I want to fly around the world apologizing for our wars blah blah blah... No, I don't think "Merica" is a horrible place. I think that we have been fooling ourselves when it comes to "American Exceptionalism". We rank 25th in math; 22nd in science; the United States is 50th in life expectancy even though we are the 6th richest nation based on GDP per capita. The backbone of our economy was once the auto industry. It has made improvements in the last three or four years. But I should note that my Republican grand parents (who are incredibly conservative) drive a Japanese vehicle and I drive a Korean one. But at least we are number 1 at something.
But, yet I feel conflicted when it comes to Patriotism. I understand owning a sense of pride when thinking about where you come from. The Olympics start in a couple of weeks and I'll root for the basketball team and our swimmers and the rest of our team. I enjoy watching the track and field events. Really though, I just want to see excellence. If someone from the USA wins the 100M by breaking Usain Bolt's World Record that would be AMAZING. But, yet I feel I am equally a citizen of the United States of America as I am a citizen of the world. So I would not feel any different if Usain Bolt broke his own record while slowing down for the final steps they way he did in Beijing.
We live in an era where we forget why we celebrate the 4th of July. I once heard someone I know refer to it as the day with the fireworks and that is all this person knew about Independence Day. We live in a politically charged climate where each side uses words of the founding fathers to prove their point of view is correct. I like using quotes just like anyone else. But does it really matter what some people 236 years ago thought? We have put these mortals onto a pedestal as though their words are the gospel. Let us not forget many of the founders of this nation owned slaves. Think about how grotesque it is, to own another human being. Listening to the news we constantly hear about how "the founding fathers are rolling in their graves" ad nauseum etc etc. If I had one wish I would seriously like to raise the founding fathers from the dead (not zombies or anything scary) and ask them what they really meant regarding the church and the constitution; their thoughts on social security and single payer health care. We are stuck as a society considering what people that died 200 years ago would think about a topic or question that did not even exist at that time. It is as though that we attempt to validate our opinions by inferring what Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, or Thomas Paine (T-Paine) would say about an issue.
Freedom has become a punchline when we debate Healthcare, War, and Rhetoric. Yes, we have reached the point in our society where we have to actually debate rhetoric. One man can be convicted of terrorism while another is just a patriot. It seems that even being patriotic is a political position. Nationalism, Patriotism, Jingoism... its all for the birds. Yes, I am a citizen of the United States of America. But I am also a citizen of the World.
236 years ago a group of [white] men sat around birthed a new nation. One that was not affiliated with a church (no matter what your Christian friends would like you to believe), a nation that was not controlled by a Monarchy or an Oligarchy. A nation that outlawed titles of nobility so that all men (and in the future women) could have an opportunity to succeed. But these ideas, have become myths. We no longer have a meritocracy. Sure, we can all point to a few individuals that broke the odds and became successful. But those people have become the exception to the rule.
We have a society where money equals speech. Logically, some individuals are born millionaires while others are born poor. Does that mean the rich have more freedom than my children? Unfortunately, the answer is yes. Noble titles are not used but rather we have a class system in which there are the wealthy; those that think they are part of the near wealthy; and the poor. America has de facto nobility which is cloaked in the aire of opportunity. Breads and Circuses reign supreme to silence our minds. It is easy to eat a hamburger and drink a beer today while forgetting that we possess a false hope. One that makes us believe we are a lucky break away from joining the elite.
So what does the 4th of July mean to me? We have ruined an ideal of freedom with the perils of money. The summer holiday equates to sales on mattresses and colorful explosions. We can think about the soldiers that have lost their lives and limbs fighting for our ______. We can think about the Revolutionary War. But, why not think about what you can do for your fellow citizen. Whether he or she lives in Indiana or India; Arizona or Iraq; Wisconsin or Germany; or anyplace on this planet. Because America is not a country it is an idea. It is an idea that has been mangled; it has been kicked around and laughed at but it is not dead. The idea is not some myth about striking it rich; the idea of America is the ability to think and say what you feel. The idea of America is no child should be hungry and everyone has a chance to be educated and enlightened.
Possibly one day we can reach that apex of excellence or at least strive for what made us great... whatever that is/was for you.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
no title
yanno sometimes you just have to say fuck. its raining in florida. went to the beach the other day. that was pretty cool if just for the novelty.
thats all
and I am listening to the new Big K.R.I.T. record
thats all
and I am listening to the new Big K.R.I.T. record
Friday, June 1, 2012
Jose's Metta World 6/1/12
I always figured him as a 57 kind of guy... but what do I know?
then later
then later
I am really quite speechless
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Zombie Apocalypse
There's something happening here. What it is aint exactly clear. So lets take a look at a set of recent events.
July 2009
San Antonio, TX
This story has been discussed as new but actually took place nearly 3 years ago. In July of 2009 a baby boy just shy of a month of age was dismembered by his mother Otty Sanchez. The boy's head was severed with brains removed and ate. Some of the toes were chewed off by Sanchez. She was found on the couch by police with a gunshot wound to the chest and her throat slashed (self-inflicted injuries).
March 21, 2010
Eureka, CA
Jarrod Wyatt a mixed martial arts fighter allegedly ripped out the still beating heart of his friend and sparring partner Taylor Powell. Wyatt also removed Powell's tongue and skin while still alive. It seems like it would be pretty obvious there would be removal of skin with the ripping of a still beating heart from a mans chest, but I'm not a physician. The heart was also found charred in a wood burning-stove inside the home of the grisly attack. I dont know which is more shocking; he ripped his friends heart out or the fact he has a wood-burning stove.
May 26, 2012
Miami, FL
Ok Not much is really need to say here. Rudy Eugene ate a man's face. Yeah, nearly his whole effing face. When the police arrived and told him to stop Eugene raised his head and growled with pieces of flesh in his mouth and continued chewing on this mans face.
I am not posting the after picture but if you click the picture above it takes you to a link...
May 27, 2012
New Jersey
Wayne Carter repeatedly stabbed himself with a 12 inch knife. As police tried to approach (and presumably stop him) Carter began hurling pieces of skin an intestine. Yes His OWN INTESTINES!!! The police said he had them hanging out
May 31, 2012
Baltimore, MD
A Morgan State University student named Alexander Kinyua was arrested for the murder, dismemberment, ingestion of Kujoe Bonsafo Agyei-Kodie. Agyei-Kodie had been missing since May 25. His head was found in a metal canister in Kinyua's living quarters along his with hands. Kinyua admitted to eating the dead man's heart and brain.
So... who or what is to blame? Is it something in the water? No, considering these events took place in Miami, California, New Jersey, Baltimore, and Texas. Wait video games are to be blamed!!! That doesn't seem likely either. I highly doubt video games could drive people to this. I mean was Rudy Eugene playing Dead Island at the why on Tuesday nights? No it's not video games or floride in the water. It's not death metal music or movies. No there is an even more sinister culprit. Who You Ask????
HOLLYWOOD!!!!
Yes. Not Hollywood in the the movies are making our kids monsters way that you may think. Unfortunately there are two characters that must be stopped. Both are the beginning of the legion of the Un-Dead.
Nicolas Cage he is so perplexing. Half of his movies are excellent the other half are unbelievably horrible. How can one man a film career that is unbelievably Janus in nature. Why do I say that he is undead (besides his film career) because he is AT LEAST 180 years old. He may be even older for all we know. He may actually be the Greek God Janus if he is not an undead creature of the night. What proof? How about a Legit picture of Nic Cage from the Civil War (Five-Head and all)
So, who is the mystery sidekick in this War of Terror?
None other than Tom Cruise!
Here is a picture of Tom Cruise in 1989
Now look at this Satan Warrior at the 2012 Academy Awards.
The guy doesn't freaking age. There is only one option. Cage and Cruise are Vampires (or something no-one has even thought up yet) that are sending their legion of man-demons to lurk the earth. These beasts must be stopped.
July 2009
San Antonio, TX
This story has been discussed as new but actually took place nearly 3 years ago. In July of 2009 a baby boy just shy of a month of age was dismembered by his mother Otty Sanchez. The boy's head was severed with brains removed and ate. Some of the toes were chewed off by Sanchez. She was found on the couch by police with a gunshot wound to the chest and her throat slashed (self-inflicted injuries).
March 21, 2010
Eureka, CA
Jarrod Wyatt a mixed martial arts fighter allegedly ripped out the still beating heart of his friend and sparring partner Taylor Powell. Wyatt also removed Powell's tongue and skin while still alive. It seems like it would be pretty obvious there would be removal of skin with the ripping of a still beating heart from a mans chest, but I'm not a physician. The heart was also found charred in a wood burning-stove inside the home of the grisly attack. I dont know which is more shocking; he ripped his friends heart out or the fact he has a wood-burning stove.
May 26, 2012
Miami, FL
Ok Not much is really need to say here. Rudy Eugene ate a man's face. Yeah, nearly his whole effing face. When the police arrived and told him to stop Eugene raised his head and growled with pieces of flesh in his mouth and continued chewing on this mans face.
I am not posting the after picture but if you click the picture above it takes you to a link...
May 27, 2012
New Jersey
Wayne Carter repeatedly stabbed himself with a 12 inch knife. As police tried to approach (and presumably stop him) Carter began hurling pieces of skin an intestine. Yes His OWN INTESTINES!!! The police said he had them hanging out
May 31, 2012
Baltimore, MD
A Morgan State University student named Alexander Kinyua was arrested for the murder, dismemberment, ingestion of Kujoe Bonsafo Agyei-Kodie. Agyei-Kodie had been missing since May 25. His head was found in a metal canister in Kinyua's living quarters along his with hands. Kinyua admitted to eating the dead man's heart and brain.
So... who or what is to blame? Is it something in the water? No, considering these events took place in Miami, California, New Jersey, Baltimore, and Texas. Wait video games are to be blamed!!! That doesn't seem likely either. I highly doubt video games could drive people to this. I mean was Rudy Eugene playing Dead Island at the why on Tuesday nights? No it's not video games or floride in the water. It's not death metal music or movies. No there is an even more sinister culprit. Who You Ask????
HOLLYWOOD!!!!
Yes. Not Hollywood in the the movies are making our kids monsters way that you may think. Unfortunately there are two characters that must be stopped. Both are the beginning of the legion of the Un-Dead.
Nicolas Cage he is so perplexing. Half of his movies are excellent the other half are unbelievably horrible. How can one man a film career that is unbelievably Janus in nature. Why do I say that he is undead (besides his film career) because he is AT LEAST 180 years old. He may be even older for all we know. He may actually be the Greek God Janus if he is not an undead creature of the night. What proof? How about a Legit picture of Nic Cage from the Civil War (Five-Head and all)
So, who is the mystery sidekick in this War of Terror?
None other than Tom Cruise!
Here is a picture of Tom Cruise in 1989
Now look at this Satan Warrior at the 2012 Academy Awards.
The guy doesn't freaking age. There is only one option. Cage and Cruise are Vampires (or something no-one has even thought up yet) that are sending their legion of man-demons to lurk the earth. These beasts must be stopped.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Masturbation of Our Minds
I was reading some of the good doctor's (thats Dr Gonzo [Hunter S. Thompson] to the uninitiated or square) correspondence letters from Fear and Loathing in America. Anyone could wax about his sharp style or critiques of America socially, politically, etc. But, I really began to think about how that period the 1960's and 1970's (up through the early/mid nineties) was the last era of meaningful communication.
The letter is an arcane artform. It is so slow... With the time it would take a letter to reach Ben Franklin in Paris and his reply to Washington, D.C. the contents better be important, thought provoking, and forward thinking. Even email today is to slow and static; and has evolved into Facebook and Twitter which moved email from a (mostly) private conversation to a semi-public forum. On the surface this sounds revolutionary. There is a constant flow of data and breaking news stories. We see what are friends and associates are eating, watching, or doing. The instant gratification of a response to a blog, tweet, or status update lures us in. What do people think of my ideas and links to other websites? Please like this photo of the Grand Canyon... RT @justinPHX snarky comment #hashtag #hashtag basketball music and general bullshit.
We share links from spotify or videos from youtube to show what we are listening to at the moment. Google offers us the option of hanging out with our friends without leaving our home!!! We meet new people and talk to the ones we knew only to realize we have nothing in common except we went to the same high school We yearn to connect via common interest with our friends and strangers. The masses are really searching for validation. Validation in their thoughts and feelings. The cows graze the field like the masses consume and regurgitate information, pictures, video, and philosophical musings. You are oh so original with the memes and tweets during NBA games. Information moves through our wi-fi connections and from our phones so we are always connected. In the car, on the train, waiting in line or on the john we are always connected to something. The speed has increased to the point that substantive arguments and information is put to the side for the trite as we all become micro-blog comedians.
We think that we are searching for the truth when we watch cable news (FoxNews and MSNBC) but really we are not viewing for information, we are seeking affirmation. Ah Ha President Obama is a secret Muslim that went to a radical Christian Church in Chicago and controls gas prices (when they go up).
All we are left with is a trite stream of talking points and half-cocked jokes. Twitter is either a great news source and stream of unfettered consciousness or unfiltered bullshit. I am going with the latter. And I am not immune to this criticism. I am a felony offender. I check my twitter feed all through the day and for what? There are some mildly amusing jokes; people commenting on the NBA playoffs; even breaking news. But how does me reading about a landslide in Myanmar, a serial killer in New York, or a tiger attacking a tourist in Mumbai (which is surrounded by a jungle full of tigers; bet you didn't know that) really effect my life. By the way I said tourist because why the hell would anyone care if some poor Indian was mauled by a Liger. Even the events in Syria are shocking but, lets get real I am doing anything about it.
Yesterday Ron-Ron-Ron aka Metta World Peace took heat because he didn't know it was Memorial Day. Evidently, he thought it was Labor Day or something (who cares). People got on their high-horses about the troops... really, what the hell were you doing yesterday? huh? Unless you were volunteering at the VA; honoring your grandfather that served by playing cards with his friends at the VFW; or anything at all I dont want to hear it. My guess is that 90% of the people shaking their iPhones at Metta just grilled chicken, drank some beer, and updated their Facebook status with something about how "Freedom isn't Free" or "Remember our troops". Sorry to burst your bubble but supporting the troops isn't changing your profile picture to a flag waving in the air.
Maybe we should listen to Noam Chomsky and David Lynch
We share links from spotify or videos from youtube to show what we are listening to at the moment. Google offers us the option of hanging out with our friends without leaving our home!!! We meet new people and talk to the ones we knew only to realize we have nothing in common except we went to the same high school We yearn to connect via common interest with our friends and strangers. The masses are really searching for validation. Validation in their thoughts and feelings. The cows graze the field like the masses consume and regurgitate information, pictures, video, and philosophical musings. You are oh so original with the memes and tweets during NBA games. Information moves through our wi-fi connections and from our phones so we are always connected. In the car, on the train, waiting in line or on the john we are always connected to something. The speed has increased to the point that substantive arguments and information is put to the side for the trite as we all become micro-blog comedians.
We think that we are searching for the truth when we watch cable news (FoxNews and MSNBC) but really we are not viewing for information, we are seeking affirmation. Ah Ha President Obama is a secret Muslim that went to a radical Christian Church in Chicago and controls gas prices (when they go up).
All we are left with is a trite stream of talking points and half-cocked jokes. Twitter is either a great news source and stream of unfettered consciousness or unfiltered bullshit. I am going with the latter. And I am not immune to this criticism. I am a felony offender. I check my twitter feed all through the day and for what? There are some mildly amusing jokes; people commenting on the NBA playoffs; even breaking news. But how does me reading about a landslide in Myanmar, a serial killer in New York, or a tiger attacking a tourist in Mumbai (which is surrounded by a jungle full of tigers; bet you didn't know that) really effect my life. By the way I said tourist because why the hell would anyone care if some poor Indian was mauled by a Liger. Even the events in Syria are shocking but, lets get real I am doing anything about it.
Yesterday Ron-Ron-Ron aka Metta World Peace took heat because he didn't know it was Memorial Day. Evidently, he thought it was Labor Day or something (who cares). People got on their high-horses about the troops... really, what the hell were you doing yesterday? huh? Unless you were volunteering at the VA; honoring your grandfather that served by playing cards with his friends at the VFW; or anything at all I dont want to hear it. My guess is that 90% of the people shaking their iPhones at Metta just grilled chicken, drank some beer, and updated their Facebook status with something about how "Freedom isn't Free" or "Remember our troops". Sorry to burst your bubble but supporting the troops isn't changing your profile picture to a flag waving in the air.
Maybe we should listen to Noam Chomsky and David Lynch
Monday, May 28, 2012
Jose's Metta World 5/28/12
It is time for another installment of Jose's Metta World. Today Jose takes on the playful subject of death and a little bit of Hell.
till next time
Sunday, May 27, 2012
More HST and Outerwear; and Honesty
Gentlemen:
I am returning the "Alaska Hunting Coat"--for which I recently paid you &24.95--for a full refund, as noted in your standard guarantee. The "Cadiz, Kentucky" coat I received bears only a vague resemblance to the coar pictured in your catalogue. the most flagrant misrepresentation has to with the "leather-lined" pockets and "leather shoulder-patches." If the garbage on this coat is leather, I'LL EAT IT (caps are mine).
In a nut, the coat is far below the standards I've come to expect from quality mail order suppliers... such as Eddie Bauer and L.L. Bean, from whom I buy consistently. On the other ahnd, I;, quite satisfied with the Russell Oneidas you sent, and also the Jokay shooting vest.
So I'm willing to write this off as inconsistency, rather than fraud... but I suggest, in the meantime, that you be more careful about the wording of your catalogue.
I look forward to receiving your check for $79.90. This represents $54.96 for the "Everest Down Parka" that I returned last week, and $24.95 for the enclosed hunting coat.
Thanks,
Hunter S. Thompson
P.S.... I see, in the new catalogue that came with my order, that you've dropped the word "leather" from the description of the hunting coat's shoulder patches and pocket edgings. This is an admirable move, but it's not much help to me--since I was using your not-so-new catalogue.
HST
Clearly; the "I'll eat it" part is the dopest line in the whole letter. Also, the fact he did a PS section discussing the changes in the catalogue is hilarious. I really need to become a curmudgeon like HST. I feel this is not much a stretch for me.
Screw settling for crappy merchandise and service. Last night we went to some seafood restaurant in Tempe. It was almost 10 and I looked around and asked the hostess "what time do you close?" Her answer was 10pm and then went into her corporate nonsense about its ok etc etc etc. We replied that we dont want to be that customer etc etc etc. She pointed out a large part that just sat down and another couple seated diagonally from us. So we said ok...
The waiter comes up and says "what do you want?" um kinda rude and it was uncomfortable. This is just another case of of everyone trying to please everyone and nobody is happy. The server wasn't happy to help us. They were taking the kitchen down for the night. We didn't want to be hurried but, the restaurant can't possibly tell someone we are closing and be honest with them. So I ordered a Rye and some sushi. V had a side salad (which was terrible) and a water. We should have been honest with the hostess as the hostess should have been honest with us. It was too late for new patrons.
It's ok to tell a customer to leave and everyone can be happy. But, nobody (sans myself) really wants honesty...
I am returning the "Alaska Hunting Coat"--for which I recently paid you &24.95--for a full refund, as noted in your standard guarantee. The "Cadiz, Kentucky" coat I received bears only a vague resemblance to the coar pictured in your catalogue. the most flagrant misrepresentation has to with the "leather-lined" pockets and "leather shoulder-patches." If the garbage on this coat is leather, I'LL EAT IT (caps are mine).
In a nut, the coat is far below the standards I've come to expect from quality mail order suppliers... such as Eddie Bauer and L.L. Bean, from whom I buy consistently. On the other ahnd, I;, quite satisfied with the Russell Oneidas you sent, and also the Jokay shooting vest.
So I'm willing to write this off as inconsistency, rather than fraud... but I suggest, in the meantime, that you be more careful about the wording of your catalogue.
I look forward to receiving your check for $79.90. This represents $54.96 for the "Everest Down Parka" that I returned last week, and $24.95 for the enclosed hunting coat.
Thanks,
Hunter S. Thompson
P.S.... I see, in the new catalogue that came with my order, that you've dropped the word "leather" from the description of the hunting coat's shoulder patches and pocket edgings. This is an admirable move, but it's not much help to me--since I was using your not-so-new catalogue.
HST
Clearly; the "I'll eat it" part is the dopest line in the whole letter. Also, the fact he did a PS section discussing the changes in the catalogue is hilarious. I really need to become a curmudgeon like HST. I feel this is not much a stretch for me.
Screw settling for crappy merchandise and service. Last night we went to some seafood restaurant in Tempe. It was almost 10 and I looked around and asked the hostess "what time do you close?" Her answer was 10pm and then went into her corporate nonsense about its ok etc etc etc. We replied that we dont want to be that customer etc etc etc. She pointed out a large part that just sat down and another couple seated diagonally from us. So we said ok...
The waiter comes up and says "what do you want?" um kinda rude and it was uncomfortable. This is just another case of of everyone trying to please everyone and nobody is happy. The server wasn't happy to help us. They were taking the kitchen down for the night. We didn't want to be hurried but, the restaurant can't possibly tell someone we are closing and be honest with them. So I ordered a Rye and some sushi. V had a side salad (which was terrible) and a water. We should have been honest with the hostess as the hostess should have been honest with us. It was too late for new patrons.
It's ok to tell a customer to leave and everyone can be happy. But, nobody (sans myself) really wants honesty...
Friday, May 25, 2012
Dr Gonzo was less than pleased with this parka
Gentlemen:
I am returning the navy blue Everest Parka that I received from you two days ago. Your guarantee notes that "I may return merchandise within 10 days after delivery and my full purchase price will be refunded." So that is the purpose of this letter, and the carton to which it's attached. In the carton you'll find the parka, never worn and in absolutely new condition.
I'm returning it for a very simple reason: I don't think it feels or looks right on me, and I don't think it's as good a value as several other parkas I could buy here in Aspen for the same price. This is no fault of yours--except that your catalogue description led me to believe that I was ordering a much tougher and heavier parka than the one I received. But I suspect this was a matter of misinterpretation on my part, and for that reason I offer my apologies.
In any case, I'm returning the parka and requesting a full refund, inre: your guarantee. Thanks.
As you know, I ordered three other items when I sent the check that covered the parka: a canvas hunting coat, a leather vest, and a pair of leather moccasins. I trust these will be sent as soon as possible... but if there's any problem, please send me a refund on these items also. My check, #253, was for $121.35.
Sincerely,
Hunter S. Thompson
January 29, 1968
Wood Creek, CO
This must not be bat country...
I am returning the navy blue Everest Parka that I received from you two days ago. Your guarantee notes that "I may return merchandise within 10 days after delivery and my full purchase price will be refunded." So that is the purpose of this letter, and the carton to which it's attached. In the carton you'll find the parka, never worn and in absolutely new condition.
I'm returning it for a very simple reason: I don't think it feels or looks right on me, and I don't think it's as good a value as several other parkas I could buy here in Aspen for the same price. This is no fault of yours--except that your catalogue description led me to believe that I was ordering a much tougher and heavier parka than the one I received. But I suspect this was a matter of misinterpretation on my part, and for that reason I offer my apologies.
In any case, I'm returning the parka and requesting a full refund, inre: your guarantee. Thanks.
As you know, I ordered three other items when I sent the check that covered the parka: a canvas hunting coat, a leather vest, and a pair of leather moccasins. I trust these will be sent as soon as possible... but if there's any problem, please send me a refund on these items also. My check, #253, was for $121.35.
Sincerely,
Hunter S. Thompson
January 29, 1968
Wood Creek, CO
This must not be bat country...
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Jordan Moments: The Finals
'Bron isn't clutch??? Here are 4 of of the Chicago Bull's most memorable moments from the NBA Finals with Michael Jordan. In no particular order...
The Shrug
Paxson
Kerr
So LeBron gets maligned for not always taking the last shot??? People on Twitter tonight were actually talking about how Jordan wouldn't have done this or would have done that. Get the Hell outta here. Two of the most iconic moments of the Bulls 3-peats are Steve Kerr and John Paxson. One is Jordan hitting a three and shrugging his shoulders and of course there is this...
Byron Russell
That being said. The Miami Heat need some better plays coming out of timeouts at the end of games. Their last two losses in the '11-'12 playoffs have looked terrible in the final seconds.
The Shrug
Paxson
Kerr
So LeBron gets maligned for not always taking the last shot??? People on Twitter tonight were actually talking about how Jordan wouldn't have done this or would have done that. Get the Hell outta here. Two of the most iconic moments of the Bulls 3-peats are Steve Kerr and John Paxson. One is Jordan hitting a three and shrugging his shoulders and of course there is this...
Byron Russell
That being said. The Miami Heat need some better plays coming out of timeouts at the end of games. Their last two losses in the '11-'12 playoffs have looked terrible in the final seconds.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
RIP Donald Duck Dunn
Donald Duck Dunn passed away. You may not know his name if you are under 40yrs old. But you definitely know his music. He played the Bass for Booker T & the MG's. They (along with their own catalog of instrumentals) were the house band for Stax Records in in the 60's and early 70's. Duck Dunn was absolutely an influence on me when I played Bass in the Will James Band (1999-2000).
So here are some of my favorites (and I know I will leave some off) for us to enjoy.
Time is Tight
Most people think of "Green Onions" when they think of Booker T & the MG's but it was actually recorded in 1962 (2 years before Dunn joined the band). So here is their classic hit from 1969.
Born Under a Bad Sigh - Albert King
Is there a better example of the Stax Rhythm than "Born Under a Bad Sign"? It has soul and rocks with that classic Duck Dunn driving bass line.
Since I've Been Lovin You - Otis Redding (Live at Monterey Pop)
OK I'm not fooling anyone. Otis Redding was the real star here but come on the section 1:20-1:38 is tremendous. As Otis said "Do it just one more time".
In The Midnight Hour - Wilson Pickett
Classic dance beat from the 60's... Whats not to like?
Soul Man - Blues Brothers
Lets end with a little fun. The late John Belushi introduces Steve Cropper and Duck Dunn.
Rock over London...
So here are some of my favorites (and I know I will leave some off) for us to enjoy.
Time is Tight
Most people think of "Green Onions" when they think of Booker T & the MG's but it was actually recorded in 1962 (2 years before Dunn joined the band). So here is their classic hit from 1969.
Born Under a Bad Sigh - Albert King
Is there a better example of the Stax Rhythm than "Born Under a Bad Sign"? It has soul and rocks with that classic Duck Dunn driving bass line.
Since I've Been Lovin You - Otis Redding (Live at Monterey Pop)
OK I'm not fooling anyone. Otis Redding was the real star here but come on the section 1:20-1:38 is tremendous. As Otis said "Do it just one more time".
In The Midnight Hour - Wilson Pickett
Classic dance beat from the 60's... Whats not to like?
Soul Man - Blues Brothers
Lets end with a little fun. The late John Belushi introduces Steve Cropper and Duck Dunn.
Rock over London...
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Jose's Metta World 5/12/12
Its time for another installment of Jose's Metta World. Ron-Ron-Ron made his return tonight and the Lakers are moving on to face the OKC Thunder.
Ron-Ron-Ron never shy... From the Motherships Chris Palmer
I can't wait for this series to start. And, if you forgot here is a reminder.
Ron-Ron-Ron never shy... From the Motherships Chris Palmer
I can't wait for this series to start. And, if you forgot here is a reminder.
LBJ and 3 MVP's
Man you might think that LeBron James eats children and kicks baby puppies by the way fans think of him. But we NEED to have a villain don't we. By we I am talking about NBA fans (fan is short for fanatic).
Here is LBJ's 3rd MVP acceptance speech. Other than changing out of those blue slacks what do you want him to do?
According to samayja
I guess haters are gonna hate. People are morons.
Here is LBJ's 3rd MVP acceptance speech. Other than changing out of those blue slacks what do you want him to do?
According to samayja
Possibly, Lebron should have gone with a little Rickey Henderson when accepting the MVP award instead of thanking his mother, fans teammates, etc.
I guess haters are gonna hate. People are morons.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
old paper
I read an article a whole back about the end of the "audiophile". The central theme or point was that we have changed how we "listen" to music. Not long ago a huge stereo system called a "hi-fi" (high fidelity) comprised of various components anchored the living room or den. One could simply sit and listen to high quality sound.
Two things changed. The masses now use music as background while cleaning or playing with their children. Music is played in the car while we drive; it's piped into waiting rooms, elevators, and malls. It has become a secondary stimuli. The second thing that changed is we traded the analog bulk for digital convenience. The high quality has been sacrificed for quantity and ease of use. The iPod can hold thousands of songs; pocket-sized and cheaply.
So, how we listen to music has changed. We don't really see the value in things that are do easily attained and/or disposed of. New songs are easily downloaded and forgotten. There is no feel like remembering the sunshine outside the store when you bought the Axis: Bold as Love at the used record store in Madison. Who remembers when they downloaded and album off iTunes???
Photographs
We can remember the photo albums from our childhoods. Stacks of hem at our parents house. Now we keep all our photos in our phone or on the Facebook. We Tweet them out and filter them on Instagram. But I don't have hardly any "physical" photos in my house. It's a bit sad how one glitch in the endless digital code 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 01 11 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 could make so many memories that we thought were forever saved gone; gone forever.
We have the instant satisfaction of approving or deleting of the photos we take haphazardly. Remember; remember how exciting it was to open the pouch of glossy 3x5's? There were surprises; so what if some of the pictures had a finger blurring the edge. Who is this random person in the back of the picture of your brother? Pictures get old and have character and history. That book on the shelf ages; the pages turn yellow; the smell. The smell of old paper.
Somethings are not always better even though they are yanno better.
Two things changed. The masses now use music as background while cleaning or playing with their children. Music is played in the car while we drive; it's piped into waiting rooms, elevators, and malls. It has become a secondary stimuli. The second thing that changed is we traded the analog bulk for digital convenience. The high quality has been sacrificed for quantity and ease of use. The iPod can hold thousands of songs; pocket-sized and cheaply.
So, how we listen to music has changed. We don't really see the value in things that are do easily attained and/or disposed of. New songs are easily downloaded and forgotten. There is no feel like remembering the sunshine outside the store when you bought the Axis: Bold as Love at the used record store in Madison. Who remembers when they downloaded and album off iTunes???
Photographs
We can remember the photo albums from our childhoods. Stacks of hem at our parents house. Now we keep all our photos in our phone or on the Facebook. We Tweet them out and filter them on Instagram. But I don't have hardly any "physical" photos in my house. It's a bit sad how one glitch in the endless digital code 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 01 11 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 could make so many memories that we thought were forever saved gone; gone forever.
We have the instant satisfaction of approving or deleting of the photos we take haphazardly. Remember; remember how exciting it was to open the pouch of glossy 3x5's? There were surprises; so what if some of the pictures had a finger blurring the edge. Who is this random person in the back of the picture of your brother? Pictures get old and have character and history. That book on the shelf ages; the pages turn yellow; the smell. The smell of old paper.
Somethings are not always better even though they are yanno better.
Monday, May 7, 2012
Jose's Metta World 5/7/12
Jose Canseco is crazy as Hell someone needs to help this man. Below his some of his choice tweets for the evening. Evidently, he needs Investors for a sitcom pilot, a reality TV show with his twin brother Osvaldo, a comedy skit with Pete Rose, and Anti-Aging Products.
Man with all those ideas... somethings gotta work.
Please note that you can contact his agent at Joemelendez@msn.com. I think MSN.com is the same web-hosting platform that Scott Boras uses.
Please note that you can contact his agent at Joemelendez@msn.com. I think MSN.com is the same web-hosting platform that Scott Boras uses.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
The NBA: 2 Camps
There does not seem to be much middle ground when it comes to the National Basketball Association. In my (less than scientific) experience it appears there are two camps. 1. Enthusiasts who love the NBA. 2. "Fans" who think the players don't actually play defense and travel all the time. I don't like to use the word "fan" because fan is short for fanatic (who wants to be called a fanatic; except maybe members of a cult). I like to consider myself a purveyor of the physical arts. OK I'm not that hoytie toytie. I just enjoy watching people do things that I cannot.
So lets start with the second group of "fans"
These people are typically older or at least did not actually play ANY basketball beyond 8 years of age. They complain about all sports and how the athletes get paid too much money (even though in labor disputes we are talking about Billionaires [owners] v. millionaires and upper middle class thousandaires [players] and their contracts are not always worth as much as "fans" think they are). The complaints about the play of the Association are even more absurd. Fans lionize the good ole days when Karl Malone was a leader on the court but unfortunately not off it. Fans who disparage the NBA today think the players are soft but yet go ballistic when Ron-Ron-Ron (the extra Ron is for Extra Crazy; thanks NFN Kalyan) pulls a fully cocked elbow on James Harden.
Fans talk about how the players are lacking skill because we all know we would rather watch this
Instead of this*
* please note the epic dunk at number 1
These fans talk about how they like the NCAA more than the NBA. Really? Get out of here. The NCAA tournament is fun and exciting but does anyone really think the top NCAA teams today stand anywhere near the Duke/UNLV teams of the early 90's or even Kentucky's National Championship team in 1996. So the idea that current NCAA teams are better than ever is laughable. There is tremendous talent, however, they all leave after one year (which I'm fine with) so they cannot compare to teams 15-20 years ago full of Juniors and Seniors (that too went on to the NBA).
The Enthusiasts
We are the ones that actually like/love the NBA. We can appreciate Kobe even if he does dress like a transgendered mujahideen warrior. The NBA has never been better. There are great stars like LeBron, D-Wade, Kobe, Durantuala, Dirk, Nash, Rondo, Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, D-Rose, and a slew of others. Most of these players also seem like great humans and fun to be around (please note, I did say MOST). The NBA has always had an image problem. The perception of casual fans and the national audience is that the NBA is full of thugs but it is really just a small minority that make the headlines for assaults and other crimes.
I appreciate the great athletic feats accomplished each night. You don't need be an expert to know that LeBron James is one of the most physically-gifted athletes to walk the Earth. If people just sat back and attempted to watch the NBA without a preconceived notion they would likely appreciate how great these players really are. Even the last guy on the bench in Charlotte had arguably a better High School career than Kobe Bryant.
We get it. We understand that the NBA is better than ever. It's FANTASTIC!
So lets start with the second group of "fans"
These people are typically older or at least did not actually play ANY basketball beyond 8 years of age. They complain about all sports and how the athletes get paid too much money (even though in labor disputes we are talking about Billionaires [owners] v. millionaires and upper middle class thousandaires [players] and their contracts are not always worth as much as "fans" think they are). The complaints about the play of the Association are even more absurd. Fans lionize the good ole days when Karl Malone was a leader on the court but unfortunately not off it. Fans who disparage the NBA today think the players are soft but yet go ballistic when Ron-Ron-Ron (the extra Ron is for Extra Crazy; thanks NFN Kalyan) pulls a fully cocked elbow on James Harden.
Fans talk about how the players are lacking skill because we all know we would rather watch this
Instead of this*
* please note the epic dunk at number 1
These fans talk about how they like the NCAA more than the NBA. Really? Get out of here. The NCAA tournament is fun and exciting but does anyone really think the top NCAA teams today stand anywhere near the Duke/UNLV teams of the early 90's or even Kentucky's National Championship team in 1996. So the idea that current NCAA teams are better than ever is laughable. There is tremendous talent, however, they all leave after one year (which I'm fine with) so they cannot compare to teams 15-20 years ago full of Juniors and Seniors (that too went on to the NBA).
The Enthusiasts
We are the ones that actually like/love the NBA. We can appreciate Kobe even if he does dress like a transgendered mujahideen warrior. The NBA has never been better. There are great stars like LeBron, D-Wade, Kobe, Durantuala, Dirk, Nash, Rondo, Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, D-Rose, and a slew of others. Most of these players also seem like great humans and fun to be around (please note, I did say MOST). The NBA has always had an image problem. The perception of casual fans and the national audience is that the NBA is full of thugs but it is really just a small minority that make the headlines for assaults and other crimes.
I appreciate the great athletic feats accomplished each night. You don't need be an expert to know that LeBron James is one of the most physically-gifted athletes to walk the Earth. If people just sat back and attempted to watch the NBA without a preconceived notion they would likely appreciate how great these players really are. Even the last guy on the bench in Charlotte had arguably a better High School career than Kobe Bryant.
We get it. We understand that the NBA is better than ever. It's FANTASTIC!
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Free Speech is Bullshit
Society wins when there is an open and honest exchange of competing ideas. The best political or economic philosophies win. But what happens when we are no longer capable of debating ideas? What happens when we take the U.S. Constitution for granted? You know what happens? The First Amendment is Fucking Bullshit. I felt it necessary to use such vernacular to to convey my feelings on the subject. I thought; I actually believed in something that was real; something that had meaning. But it clearly does not.
“Congress
shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of
speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to
assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of
grievances.” -Amendment I (ratified effective December 15, 1791)
The far right (politically speaking) like to assert that President Barack Obama is "shredding the Constitution" or "hates the Constitution" or "doesn't understand the Constitution". These people are scoffed as being ignorant, racist, or some other pejorative. The [not-so] funny thing is... President Obama (and his Administration) have shown a disregard for the Constitution but not for the reasons that right wing-nuts would like you to believe. The erosion of the Constitution began before President Obama took office. The last twelve years have seen the [un]Patriot Act, Predator-Drone strikes on "enemy combatants" and recently on US citizens abroad; notably Anwar al Awlaki. We have witnessed the civil rights atrocity that is the Bradley Manning case. You may ignore such instances by thinking "they are the bad guys". But the evidence that al Awlaki was doing the things he was accused of is suspect to say the least. Further more we are offered the protection from "unreasonable searches and seizures"(Amendment IV). We shall not be "deprived of life, liberty, or property without the due process of law" (Amendment V). The [un]Patriot Act allows for warrantless wire-taps and other invasions of our (assumed) privacy.
I was planning on writing a long piece on Tarek Mehanna and the long-term ramifications of his conviction and sentencing. Included would be historical perspectives on the Sedation Acts of 1798 and 1912. I had planned to craft an argument that sounded like the Founding Fathers or the [modern day] Tea Party had their constitutionally protected rights squashed by the "Big Bad Federal Government". But all of that would have simply been cute window dressing for the real issue. The issue of free speech and free press is taken for-granted. Blindly we the citizenry tout free speech without thinking about what it means. The ability to discuss our grievances and offer opinions and ideas comes second nature We forget the free exchange of ideas is not easy. Debate is hard and can be emotional. The amount of intellectual capacity necessary to agree with someone is minimal. The greatness of "America" is the freedom to exchange ideas; to debate them. The agreement of those ideas is not a pre-requisite to voice an opinion; offer a perspective; or question the government.
If you are unfamiliar with Tarek Mehanna use the Google Machine (it is simple enough, just type the word or phrase you would like to learn about and click "google search"). But, here is the gist of the Takek Mehanna case.
1. He was sentenced to 17 1/2 years prison.
2. In 2004 Mehanna and a "friend" traveled to Yemen to train in a Jihadi camp.
3. Camps were shut down by the time he arrived in Yemen. He returned to U.S. to finish Pharmacy School.
4. He was found guilty because he advocated Islamic and Jihadist causes form his home in the United States.
That is right. Tarek Mehanna was found guilting on Terrorism charges and sent to jail for translating jihadist material and placing it and videos on the "interwebs". He did not specifically plan any attacks (foreign or domestic). Tarek Mehanna was not found guilty of providing financial support to any terrorist organization(s). Tarek Mehanna was found guilty of political thought. Is this the standard now in the United States of America? What if someone made a kids version of Mein Kampf?
So what do we do with Ted Nugent?
How about Sharron Angle? She seems to argue that the citizens have the right to take up arms against the government.
I am not advocating violence against the government. I actually believe that WE THE PEOPLE have the power to shape our government through the use of the ballot box.
I may not agree with a systematic effort to attack innocent people. Those people are going to work in an office building or attending a wedding do not [need to] think they are going to die because of bombs or gunfire. I do not agree with the use of force in lieu of diplomatic talks and an honest effort for peace. But, I image the people in Afghanistan do not like to see their friends and family members killed by American or International forces. The overwhelming majority of the Afghans (about 92%) do not even know what 9/11 is or was. Thats right over 90 PERCENT of the people in Afghanistan never heard of the "Twin Towers". They are fighting "our" soldiers because they are there? What else would you do if Russians occupied your town? So let me be clear, I do not advocate violence of Jihad. But, I do advocate for the rights of American Citizens to share ideas. The wonderful concept of free speech allows for the best ideas to win. We honor people like Nelson Mandela as an international HERO. The former political prisoner (deemed a terrorist by the South African Government) is one of the most respected men on the planet and symbol of determination and dignity.
The annals of history are filled with men and women that were deemed enemies, heretics, agitators, terrorists, and deviants. We need to step away from the small concaved lens we use to view our world. We need to think about the ramifications of how we punish other viewpoints. Often we forget the importance of laws and court-cases are not felt immediately. Tarek Mehanna may go to jail today and it does not impact our lives. But, I ask you to think about how this may be interpreted in the future. If we stand idle what does it say about our values and our rights (in the future)?
If you do not agree with what I have to say, well, that is fine. But at least afford me the opportunity to voice my opinion. Agree that we are all free to express our grievances; we are free to discuss in public; we are free to assemble; we are free to worship as we choose. If we cannot agree on these simple concepts then the Constitution and (more specifically) the First Amendment are Bullshit; and possibly Fucking Bullshit.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
I Love the NFL Draft
The NFL Draft offers everything possible in television; hope, action, suspense, mystery, drama, human interest stories, and of course stars.
Hope
The NFL Draft offers hope to (nearly) all the cities, fans, and franchises. Fans all think about how well their team did in the draft. Fans, GMs, coaches, players, and even The Browns feel like the get better from the draft. It's like the NFL's fix-it-weekend. The NFL is designed for bad teams to improv quickly from one year to the next. Fans feel great about their favorite team (sans top ten draft choices) drafting players they never heard of before the combine if at all.
Action
This years draft featured the trading of the 2nd pick weeks before the draft. Ultimately, picks 2-7 all involved trades. In 2003 the Minnesota Vikings allowed their 15 minute clock to expire. What followed was a flurry (likes of which has not been seen since the Golden Corral began offering its chocolate fountain of dysentery) of teams rushing to the podium to make their selection before the Vikings. Minnesota selected Kevin Williams from Oklahoma State. Williams became an anchor for their Defense.
Suspense
The players attend the draft have a general idea where they will be drafted. Aaron Rodgers could have been the first pick in the draft (that honor went to Alex Smith). Instead he slid and slid down to Green Bay as fans watched the uncomfortable Rodgers wait and wait and wait. How about Thurman Thomas? He fell so far (into the 2nd round) that he ACTUALLY FELL ASLEEP in the NFL Draft Green Room.
The suspense was minimal during the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft. No player fell. No real shocks. I guess thats what happens when the Oakland Raiders do not have a first round selection. Remember this gem:
Mystery
The only real mystery that is involved in the NFL draft is on ESPN.
Drama
What were the Miami Dolphins thinking when they drafted Ted Ginn jr and Cam Cameron touted his kick/punt returning (because thats what top ten draft choices are for... punt returns)
Human Interest Stories
We get to learn all kinds of titillating facts during the NFL Draft
1. Tim Tebow helped provide circumcisions in the Philippines.
2. all other human interest stories that do not contain Tim Tebow are not worth mentioning.
Stars
The NFL draft is like a reunion show for our favorite sitcom that went off the air 4 months ago. They all look so different. Some have bulked up with off season work outs. Others are not even wearing their uniforms? If there is one thing I have learned from NFL United Way Commercials is that NFL players always where their jersey.
Thanks NFL you are the best!
Hope
The NFL Draft offers hope to (nearly) all the cities, fans, and franchises. Fans all think about how well their team did in the draft. Fans, GMs, coaches, players, and even The Browns feel like the get better from the draft. It's like the NFL's fix-it-weekend. The NFL is designed for bad teams to improv quickly from one year to the next. Fans feel great about their favorite team (sans top ten draft choices) drafting players they never heard of before the combine if at all.
Action
This years draft featured the trading of the 2nd pick weeks before the draft. Ultimately, picks 2-7 all involved trades. In 2003 the Minnesota Vikings allowed their 15 minute clock to expire. What followed was a flurry (likes of which has not been seen since the Golden Corral began offering its chocolate fountain of dysentery) of teams rushing to the podium to make their selection before the Vikings. Minnesota selected Kevin Williams from Oklahoma State. Williams became an anchor for their Defense.
Suspense
The players attend the draft have a general idea where they will be drafted. Aaron Rodgers could have been the first pick in the draft (that honor went to Alex Smith). Instead he slid and slid down to Green Bay as fans watched the uncomfortable Rodgers wait and wait and wait. How about Thurman Thomas? He fell so far (into the 2nd round) that he ACTUALLY FELL ASLEEP in the NFL Draft Green Room.
The suspense was minimal during the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft. No player fell. No real shocks. I guess thats what happens when the Oakland Raiders do not have a first round selection. Remember this gem:
Mystery
The only real mystery that is involved in the NFL draft is on ESPN.
Drama
What were the Miami Dolphins thinking when they drafted Ted Ginn jr and Cam Cameron touted his kick/punt returning (because thats what top ten draft choices are for... punt returns)
Human Interest Stories
We get to learn all kinds of titillating facts during the NFL Draft
1. Tim Tebow helped provide circumcisions in the Philippines.
2. all other human interest stories that do not contain Tim Tebow are not worth mentioning.
Stars
The NFL draft is like a reunion show for our favorite sitcom that went off the air 4 months ago. They all look so different. Some have bulked up with off season work outs. Others are not even wearing their uniforms? If there is one thing I have learned from NFL United Way Commercials is that NFL players always where their jersey.
Thanks NFL you are the best!
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
The Grey
The world dreams in grey; morose...
young hearts hope. Green hats and red hearts capture eyes.
The man looks around the corner, What
is it? Whose voice is there?
Its me; do you not know? How are you
so blind with squid eyes?
The black shadows creep on the walls.
phantoms in a child's mind.
The sun moves over the horizon and
blinds the cold colorless city with its pink and yellow. Pollutes
the mundane with orange.
Again, I ask whose voice is there?
Darkness creeps
Oh you know, come on, come closer.
The shadow disappears in a pall cloak.
voice in the distance echoes the words-
already spoken.
You are not original why do you speak?
YOU are original, why are you silent?
The porcelain walls painted and
shouldering the film of age hum with agitation.
It is me that I see?
The words come back but they are frail
and stifled. White hair and wrinkled
What have I done?
Nothing.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Technology
Ok lets see if this is connected to my twitter feed (twitter.com/justinPHX). I believe this should post to my twitter feed automatically.
leggggooooo
leggggooooo
Saturday, April 21, 2012
American and 3rd World Economics (Published 2011)
...deficits don't matter -Dick Cheney
Meanwhile states across the country pass voter ID laws (which equate to a poll tax). This is done as a way to reduce voter participation.
But let’s rewind for a moment and figure out how all this happened to begin with…
During the 2010 election cycle all we heard about was jobs, jobs, jobs. With good reason, considering that since the economic collapse of 2008 the unemployment rate has risen dramatically. According to Google the unemployment rate was at 4.4 percent in May 2007 and by May 2011 it was 9.1 percent. So the newly elected Republicans and speak Boehner said it is time to get to work on jobs. Mitch McConnell was then quoted as saying “The single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president." The republican goal is not to increase GDP or create jobs. The GOP is not going to fix problems but rather obstruct and exacerbate existing troubles we face in the United States.
Meanwhile states across the country pass voter ID laws (which equate to a poll tax). This is done as a way to reduce voter participation.
But why would the republicans want to restrict voting rights? The Tea Party was a populist movement right? Watch this clip of Paul Weyrich (founder of the Heritage Foundation) from 1980.
But let’s rewind for a moment and figure out how all this happened to begin with…
The number one problem in the United States is the expansion of income inequality. The average American worker has not seen an increase in wages over the last 30 years. According to Michael Snyder in 1950 the ratio of earnings between average executive and worker was about 30:1. In the last 10 years that ratio has varied between 300:1 - 500:1. While the rich have gotten richer and corporate profits have increased (although not at the rate in the increase in CEO pay, which makes one wonder how they can justify the increase in payment) taxes are at historic lows. In 2008 taxes on corporate income as a percentage of GDP was 1.8 percent. Iceland was 1.9 percent and they had a worse disaster economically than the United States. By comparison 19 countries had a rate that was 3 percent or greater and the average was 3.5 percent globally. Bruce Bartlett notes that
…federal taxes are at their lowest level in more than 60 years. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that federal taxes would consume just 14.8 percent of G.D.P. this year. The last year in which revenues were lower was 1950, according to the Office of Management and Budget.
The postwar annual average is about 18.5 percent of G.D.P. Revenues averaged 18.2 percent of G.D.P. during Ronald Reagan’s administration; the lowest percentage during that administration was 17.3 percent of G.D.P. in 1984.
The “Bush Tax Cuts” have cost our national treasury $2.5B. These numbers demonstrate the laissez faire style or supply side economics of Milton Friedman. The thinking is that when large corporations have greater capital they can expand production leading to an increase in jobs and therefore economic growth. These profits do not “trickle down” to the working classes. More jobs were created while Bill Clinton was President than during the Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 Presidencies combined. Exxon Mobile last year was the most profitable company EVER. The reason: simply, Supply Side Economics (Reaganomics/trickle down) does not work.
There is only so much money one person/family can spend. An average family earning $50-$100k per year will likely spend most (nearly all) of that between housing, food, vacation, entertainment, cars, education, clothing medical expenses, etc. But as Robert Reich (Former Secretary of Labor) noted in his book Aftershock in 2007 Bank of America CEO Kenneth Lewis made almost $100M. To spend that much money he would have to spend $380 per minute. This is a feet that is nearly impossible. The dollars that working families earn go directly back into the economy. The $100 million that Kenneth Lewis earned sits there and does not stimulate the economy.
Things like unemployment benefits dollar for dollar have a greater impact on the economy than a tax decrease for the wealthy. The reason is known as a multiplier effect. The money that someone receives via unemployment immediately goes back into the economy through the purchase of vital goods and services such as food and housing or auto repairs and medical services.
Housing
The housing boom and bust drained consumers of their spending potential. As housing prices increased home “owners” drew out their equity to buy cars and boats. Consumers were sold mortgages without being told the necessary disclosures. CountryWide Financial was one of the largest home loan lenders in America and their sales people were instructed to get people to agree to a home loan within five minutes of speaking to someone over the phone. Angelo Mozilo CEO of CountryWide Financial recently settled for $73M with the SEC to avoid a trial and fraud charges. This was touted as a victory even though he made $260M between 2005-2007.
Why is fraud important when dealing with Sub-Prime mortgages? Other than ripping off consumers and selling them into loans they could not possibly pay… Sub-Prime mortgages were packaged together and sold as a commodity known as a Credit Default Swap/CDO. CDO’s work like this...
Mortgages are packaged together as a security that is sold to investors. This does one thing in particular that was dangerous for the economy. Loans did not need to be backed by anything. Often loan applications would be done as an “income stated” loan. This means the person seeking the loan would only need to provide a verbal statement regarding how much they earned each year. One can guess (correctly) that these applications would have false data.
The loan would be sold by the originator (therefore, losing all the risk because they already made their commission on the loan) to a larger investment firm (Lehman Bros, JP Morgan, etc). Once the sub-prime loans were sold to the brokerage house they were traded as part of a system that includes “tranches”.
Tranches are tiers of an investment. The tiers have varied risks and payout procedures. Think about a building with multiple floors. The first floor is a riskier investment but it pays out quicker while the top floors are “safe” investments that pay out progressively later.
The subprime mortgages would be packaged together with a few traditional mortgages to increase their rating as an investment even though they would be “piles of crap” (which I think is a technical term). After a while however, the sub-prime mortgageswere packaged alone and the ratings agencies (S&P and Moody’s) “assumed” that about 80 percent of securities would receive the AAA rating. Economists estimated that the securities would only have been comprised of 10-15 percent sub-prime mortgages but that figure was actually closer to 85-95 percent. Most of the sub-prime loans had a 2 year teaser interest rate (allowing borrower to pay interest only, or an adjustable rate loan) so they were ticking time bombs waiting for their ARM to expire. Then investors would buy the Credit Default Swaps taking out insurance (AIG for one) against the Securities sold as AAA.
The insurance was a bet against the existing securities that were known to be "piles of crap".
After all this no one went to jail except possibly one junior executive and Bernie Madoff. His crime was stealing from Rich People I would have to assume.
Voting
All of this helps the richest 1 percent of people in America. The goals of the Republican party is not to broad the base of people but rather limit those with power. The voter ID Laws are said to fight corruption and voter fraud. But voter fraud is almost nonexistent in the United States (about 20 cases and 3 convictions per year). In Texas a citizen can get around the voter ID law if they have a conceal and carry permit... now who are those people most likely to vote for?
The Debt Ceiling
The debt ceiling has been raised 60 times in the last 50 years without much of a peep. The downgrading of the American credit is the result of a Manufactured crises. The democrats caved to the demands of the Republicans who have sold their allegiance to Grover Norquist who makes the GOP Candidates sign a pledge saying they will not raise taxes under any circumstance. I really question the constitutionality of signing such a pledge. How can anyone be an honest actor with this kind of albatross around their neck. The GOP will not raise taxes under any circumstance and the Demorats will certainly cave in as about half are corporate Democrats any how.
Solutions
We need to end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The question from an economic perspective what would we do with all those soldiers? 1. if the only reason you are fighting a war is that it is employment for thousands that is a grotesque principle. 2. We should get them and many other Americans to work rebuilding American infrastructure. This includes the roads and bridges that we utilize a daily basis but also here is a radical idea. How about we begin on creating a national high speed rail system that can connect cities or how about a national wi-fi system that would help business by increasing the connectivity and therefore productivity through the use of wireless devices. We need to invest in our future today. This is a time to increase funding for schools and police & fire departments. We need to fight the urges of globalization and end free trade agreements Not increase them. Presidential candidates should be ashamed if they find their official t-shirts were made Latin America. We need to have tariffs that can make local companies competitive. This would keep jobs in America.
Voting
All of this helps the richest 1 percent of people in America. The goals of the Republican party is not to broad the base of people but rather limit those with power. The voter ID Laws are said to fight corruption and voter fraud. But voter fraud is almost nonexistent in the United States (about 20 cases and 3 convictions per year). In Texas a citizen can get around the voter ID law if they have a conceal and carry permit... now who are those people most likely to vote for?
The Debt Ceiling
The debt ceiling has been raised 60 times in the last 50 years without much of a peep. The downgrading of the American credit is the result of a Manufactured crises. The democrats caved to the demands of the Republicans who have sold their allegiance to Grover Norquist who makes the GOP Candidates sign a pledge saying they will not raise taxes under any circumstance. I really question the constitutionality of signing such a pledge. How can anyone be an honest actor with this kind of albatross around their neck. The GOP will not raise taxes under any circumstance and the Demorats will certainly cave in as about half are corporate Democrats any how.
Solutions
We need to end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The question from an economic perspective what would we do with all those soldiers? 1. if the only reason you are fighting a war is that it is employment for thousands that is a grotesque principle. 2. We should get them and many other Americans to work rebuilding American infrastructure. This includes the roads and bridges that we utilize a daily basis but also here is a radical idea. How about we begin on creating a national high speed rail system that can connect cities or how about a national wi-fi system that would help business by increasing the connectivity and therefore productivity through the use of wireless devices. We need to invest in our future today. This is a time to increase funding for schools and police & fire departments. We need to fight the urges of globalization and end free trade agreements Not increase them. Presidential candidates should be ashamed if they find their official t-shirts were made Latin America. We need to have tariffs that can make local companies competitive. This would keep jobs in America.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)