The Illogical Thoughts of Ryan

Hope This Never Gets Out

2009-08-06T01:18:00.003-05:00

Alan Keyes is a Crazy Person

2009-02-21T23:58:00.002-06:00

LA Times via Kos

By Keyes' estimation we only have about 4 years left to enjoy the US of A so live it up! What happened to this guy? I know he's always been on the fringe, but he's really gone to the zoo now.

Change

2009-01-21T02:27:00.002-06:00

That was special. The first black President of the United States is Barak Obama. He swore the oath of office on the same bible President Lincoln swore his oath. President Obama will be living in the White House which was built by slaves. This inauguration day's historic significance has been proclaimed countless times by countless talking heads since November 4th, but I am still struck by it. January 20, 2009 was a day for Americans to be proud of their country.

I've always been sappy about America. I don't think the US is without it's faults, but despite those faults my national pride has always heavily outweighed any embarrassments I may have. If election day is the super bowl of politics and government, inaugurations are the trophy presentation. They are the celebrations of accomplishments past and present.

Inaugurations days are an orgy of delight for me. I love the traditional military pomp and circumstance, Hail to the Chief, the peaceful transfer of power, the simple and meaningful oath of office, the inaugural balls, and the overall celebration of our country and it's new president.

President Obama gave a bit of a somber inaugural address which I found appropriate for the time we are living in. I thought he ended the address particularly strong.

"Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter;" was probably a reference to our current economic hardships, but to me and I can hope to President Obama it also means the idea of America--a country that leads by example and does what is right even when it is not the easiest path or as a previous president liked to say, "a shining city upon a hill."

This shining city has lost much of it's luster over the past eight years. I hope President Obama and the rest of the elected representatives in Washington can once again give Americans a country to be proud of without a hint of embarrassment or reservation.

Go Away

2009-01-10T04:48:00.004-06:00

How do either of these clowns sell any books? American conservatives would be better off in a world without Ann Coulter and Bill O'Reilly. Both are guilty of being bold fresh pieces of bullshit.

President-Elect

2008-11-05T02:40:00.002-06:00

I didn't vote for him, but it is still a good night for the United States of America.

Hopefully I cast the wrong vote and President-Elect Obama is indeed the right man for the job.

Prediction

2008-11-02T19:51:00.002-06:00

October Surprise?

2008-10-27T00:59:00.003-05:00

To anyone paying close attention to this race the above audio isn't a surprise. Senator Obama believes in the redistribution of wealth. Does this make him a bad person? No. Does this make him unamerican? No. However, I do have a problem with his attempt to conceal this belief from the American voters. It is just as bad as President Bush concealing he was a big government advocate during the 2000 campaign.

This revelation also underlines the worries about his lack of a record. Who is Barack Obama? It was arguably a racist and fear mongering question before, but now it suddenly becomes a very legitimate question. What other economic, social, or judicial philosophies is he trying to keep under wraps until November 4th?

The Obama campaign should be thankful for their large lead at the moment. They should also be thankful this didn't come out earlier this month. I think it will narrow the race. The huge blowout that seemed inevitable is now unlikely. Undecided voters are going to break for Senator McCain in a big way.

Making up 7-8 points in a week is a tough needle to thread. I doubt it can be done, but this race sure got a lot more interesting.

Goodbye Part 2

2008-08-07T03:08:00.003-05:00

What a roller coaster the last month and a half has been. It all started in early March. Three time NFL MVP and face of the Packers franchise for 16 years, Brett Favre, retired from the game of football. Then came small grumblings of Favre considering a comeback. Then came an interview with his former QB coach Steve Mariucci in which said he would consider a comeback if Aaron Rodgers were injured. Then came the bombshell. Early July Chris Mortenson of ESPN reported that Brett Favre contacted Packers' head coach Mike McCarthy to let him know he was seriously considering ending the retirement that began only months ago.

I personally first heard the news on the radio while driving in my car . A smile immediately formed on my face. Brett Favre is all I've really known as quarterback for the green and gold. I love watching him play and find it hard to imagine another player ever topping him as my favorite player of all time. I was excited for the possibility of another deep playoff run lead by number four. Then came the drama.

Turns out that the front office of the Green Bay Packers didn't share my enthusiasm. What followed was hard for me to watch. The team I will cheer for till the day I die was at odds with a player that I, for the lack of a better word, love. Release demands, bribes, long conversations, and more rumors then I can count have filled the last month plus. Then came the trade.

Late last night this sideshow was put to an end. Possibly the greatest Packer to ever play the game was traded to the New York Jets. So the question that remains is who's at fault?

This could be potentially debated for years and years to come. I'll take the easy way out and say its both Brett and the organization's fault. One thing that I feel can't be denied is that Favre handled this about as poorly as possible. He retired when he shouldn't have. He revealed his intentions to play in a way that caused a huge distraction for his teammates. He strung this out for weeks and weeks and weeks because he was unable to fully commit. He refused to put bad feelings behind him and rejoin the Packers. He refused to talk to other teams interested in trading for his services until just a couple days ago.

The front office lead by general manager Ted Thompson is certainly not without fault. They probably made Brett feel rushed to make a decision. They communicated poorly with Brett. They handled public relations about as badly as they could have. They were too dogmatic in their stance on Aaron Rodgers as starter. They miscalculated Brett's desire to return.

One thing needs to be kept in mind. Both parties were put into a difficult and unique situation. Swiss clock precision by either side was an unrealistic goal.

The final question which should be answered fairly quickly is was this the right move by the Packers? I think you'd be hard pressed to find a Packer fan (though there are a few) that wouldn't want Brett back this year. The divide in the fan base is between those who want Brett back and don't understand why Ted Thompson forced him out and those that want Brett back but understand why management did what it did. Consider this.

Unlike the previous couple years, Brett didn't work out with a personal trainer in the offseason. Throwing the ball around with the local high school team is all well and good, but at Favre's age he should be doing more focused workouts under the supervision of an expert not less.

In Brett's retirement press conference, he questioned his desire to do the things necessary to be successful come game time--meetings, offseason workouts, game film, practice, training camp etc. He also questioned whether he ever wanted the ball in his hands with the game on the line again.

The potential for a divided locker room could be realized. Even if the Packers did an open competition, it could end up being close and half the locker room could think one QB won and the other half the other QB won. Also the team is full of mostly younger players who haven't played with Favre all that long. They might think it unfair to take the job away from Aaron Rodgers since, unlike Brett, he has been committed to the Packers the entire offseason.

I hate this situation and wish it never happened this way. However, I will support the Packers and Ted Thompson. He has built a young and talented team and we as a fans should be grateful. Despite all the mistakes he has made this offseason, I still think highly of Brett Favre and will always be an apologist and fan of number four. He would have to pull an OJ to undo the 16 years of excitement, entertainment, and joy he has brought me watching him play the position of quarterback like no other.

Don't give into your need to find someone to blame. Sometimes things just happen.

Go Pack, Go Jets.

MTP

2008-06-14T00:17:00.006-05:00

Tim Russert's sudden death could not come at a worse time for journalism. In an era of increased partisanship and mud slinging, Tim Russert was a rarity. Sure every network has a Sunday morning show with a somewhat even handed moderator, but Russert was by far the best at it. Widely regarded as the toughest interviewer in Washington, he had a way of being tough without raising his voice or talking over his guest.

He was a newsman not a commentator. Today's media organizations seem to think Americans need talking heads on TV to formulate opinions for them. Meet The Press under Russert sought the facts through probing questions and the audience made their own conclusions.

Watching the coverage on TV today I began to wonder how this was affecting other journalists--the Bill O'Reillys, Keith Olbermanns, Sean Hannitys, Chris Matthews'... If one of these other host and/or commentators were to tragically die tomorrow as Russert did, how would they be remembered?

In the daily and weekly ratings wars and non-stop gauntlet of political wedge issues, it seems to be forgotten that life is short and none of that stuff really matters. The respect of your peers and your audience is more important then winning the 25-50 demo. The honest airing of the facts and civilized discourse is more important then making the red team or the blue team look bad.

I hope this death will not be in vain. I hope other journalists will take a look at the career and legacy of Tim Russert and realize many of them are doing a disservice to the craft of journalism and more importantly this country.

Unity

2008-06-01T01:47:00.005-05:00

citizen tube's You Choose ’08: Monday Round-Up

Memorial

2008-05-26T15:24:00.003-05:00

"The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

--President Abraham Lincoln

Honesty

2008-05-01T03:48:00.006-05:00

In today's politics, its assumed most politicians are liars or at the very least benders of the truth. The many scandals over the past fifty years have seen to that. So why in this latest reemergence of Rev. Wright is Senator Obama still taken at face value by many?

The Senator claims, "...the insensitivity and the outrageousness of his statements and his performance in the question and answer period yesterday. I think shocked me. It surprised me." Really? Shock and Surprise were your emotions? Anyone else surprised?

If you say were surprised you either had no internet, TV, or newspaper access since Rev. Wright became a household name or you're a liar. Senator Obama falls in the later category. Barak Obama not knowing Wright's extremist beliefs is about as likely as Sammy Sosa really forgetting how to speak english or not knowing his bat was corked. Sure there is a small chance, but its so small it should be laughable to suggest so.

So the Senator from Illinois has finally disowned Rev. Jeremiah. When did this occur? After a twenty year relationship with the man? No. After the national media exposed Wright's extreme beliefs? No. Not until Rev. Wright suggested that Senator Obama's speech, statements and actions regarding him were politically motivated did the Senator decide to cut that relationship off.

That is the straw that broke the camels back. For the Senator, "God Damn America" or federal government AIDS spreading theories aren't as objectionable as a politically damaging observation that most unbiased third parties already made.

One thing Rev. Wright can't be accused of is parsing his words or not saying what he believes. He may be out there, but he can't be called a liar. Which is what makes this quote from a April 30 2007 New York Times article so interesting.

“If Barack gets past the primary, he might have to publicly distance himself from me,” Mr. Wright said with a shrug. “I said it to Barack personally, and he said yeah, that might have to happen.”

This is not a new kind of politics. This is not hope. This is the same old thing in an articulate, younger and darker package which seems to fool a lot of people.

Yosted

2008-04-20T15:34:00.003-05:00

Baseball fans picture a team for me. This team has two aces, two young solid starting pitchers and a veteran pitcher with a decade plus of experience and postseason success. This team has a veteran bullpen with four different pitchers with closing experience and a shutdown left handed specialist. This team has a lineup with power and speed. Sounds like a championship caliber ball club right? One catch--that team is managed by a mental midget.

That man is Ned Yost. Who still after more then four years of managing at the major league level and before that working under Bobby Cox for twelve years can't figure out how to manage a pitching staff.

The game which just finished is a prime example. Brewers scored 2 runs in the top of the tenth inning to take a 3-1 lead over the Reds. Eric Gagne had pitched the previous three days. Three days is pushing it enough, but Ned thinks it wise to send him out there for the fourth straight day. The Milwaukee Brewers at this very moment are carrying fourteen pitchers. Yes fourteen! Torres has closing experience, Turnbow has closing experience, and David Riske has a little closing experience (closed the first game of the year after Gagne blew the save an inning earlier). Now even to the average baseball fan this adds up to a situation that where you give Gagne a day off and go with another one of your the pitchers from what has been a good bullpen so far this year.

This doesn't dawn on Ned Yost however. Over sixteen years as a coach at the major league level and he can't figure this out. This is just one example of his many mistake over the years during his management of the Brewers.

This is why I can't get to high on the Brewers this season. I know that in many games this year the players will have to overcome the decisions of their manager. I know in many games this year players will be put in positions where they will likely fail. The most frustrating part of this is that teams in markets like Milwaukee don't have large windows to have postseason success and it is nothing but a waste to have Ned Yost managing this team at this time.

The '07-'08 Milwaukee Bucks in a Nutshell

2008-03-27T17:49:00.002-05:00

NBA basketball is dead to me.

From brewhoop.com/

Typical

2008-03-21T00:18:00.000-05:00

Obama typical white person
by dollarsandsense123

I can't wait for Senator McCain's commentary on a typical black person. I bet that will go over well. Its becoming more and more clear that Senator Obama believes some of Rev. Wright's views on race in this country.

Goodbye

2008-03-04T14:32:00.001-06:00

I grew up with you quarterbacking my favorite team. You played the position like no one had before. Thanks for the memories. Hard to think of a football player more deserving of a long and relaxing retirement. Goodbye Brett. You'll always be missed and you'll never be forgotten.

US Americans Such as Asian Countries...

2007-08-26T22:24:00.000-05:00

You've probably already seen this but...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj3iNxZ8Dww (sorry embeded is acting weird)

wow. That was like that essay question you knew nothing about so you wrote down everything you could think just to get some pity credit. I love that the question was about how the US has a problem and her brain just can't compute that so she starts talking about South Africa and "the" Iraq. Oh and don't forget the asian countries--I hear they are all poor and stupid too.

If you feel even a little bad for her, don't. Within 10 years she'll be married to a fortune 500 CEO or a professional football player and making fun of what you're wearing or how poor you are. Also, props to AC Slater aka Mario Lopez for keeping it together. All those years of acting with Dustin Diamond finally paid off.

I'm off to build up our future.

Al Gore Continues His Struggle to be Important

2006-12-06T16:06:00.000-06:00

I don't like to beat up on the guy personally. Al Gore lost the presidency in 2000 when the majority of Americans voted for him to be the president. He has a right to be somewhat bitter, but he said something for the "I invented (edit for my anon reader: "created") the internet" scrap book on the Today show this morning...

"Calling the Iraq war 'the worst strategic mistake in the entire history of
the United States'"

I think that pretty much speaks for itself.

Best Rant Ever

2006-11-09T21:53:00.000-06:00

I didn't see it live, but from what I've seen from the youtube clips Steve Colbert was in rare form on election night.

Here's the opening clip that's pretty funny...

And here's the rant at the end of the show (it starts at the 2 minute mark but the rest is pretty funny too)...

Security Now!

2006-10-28T20:13:00.000-05:00

My lastest article in the University Standard...

Fans of the television comedy Seinfeld remember the episode “The Serenity Now” from the show’s final season. Dialogue from the first scene of that episode reads, “Frank: Doctor gave me a relaxation cassette. When my blood pressure gets too high, the man on the tape tells me to say, 'Serenity now!' George: Are you supposed to yell it? Frank: The man on the tape wasn't specific.” That humorous exchange is built on throughout the episode as George Costanza’s father Frank continues to yell “Serenity Now” to decrease his stress and blood pressure, but the yelling instead just fuels Frank’s anxiety and makes the situation worse. On October 17, 2006, President Bush signed the Military Commissions Act of 2006 into law. The President characterized the new law as “one of the most important pieces of legislation in the War on Terror”, but in reality the MCA is the equivalent of the US government yelling “Security Now!” The Military Commissions Act allows the federal government to take away an American’s basic constitutional rights while claiming to do so for the safety of the country.

The MCA has drawn a lot of attention from the national media as well as international media. Early on, the media focused on the clarifying of the Geneva Conventions’ definition of torture as it applied to the US government’s coercion of “unlawful enemy combatants.” Talk of water-boarding and stress positions was all over cable news, newspapers and Internet blogs. The MCA states, “As provided by the Constitution and by this section, the President has the authority for the United States to interpret the meaning and application of the Geneva Conventions and to promulgate higher standards and administrative regulations for violations of treaty obligations which are not grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions.” In layman’s terms, the President decides what is torture and what is not torture. The current coercion techniques are here to stay until at least 2009. Despite the outcry from the Left, this issue is not as cut and dry as it may seem. These coercion techniques (which some have classified as torture) may bring out information needed to stop terrorist plots and save American lives. On the other side of the coin, how can the United States continue to claim to be morally superior to terrorists and rogue nations when we are using the same type of methods they use? How can we now be outraged and demand justice be done if in the future captured American soldiers are tortured for information?

The new interpretation of the Geneva Conventions Article III by the United States is not nearly as troubling as the potential loss of habeas corpus for American citizens. The MCA clearly eliminates the writ of habeas corpus for aliens of the United States. The laws states, “No court, justice, or judge shall have jurisdiction to hear or consider an application for a writ of habeas corpus filed by or on behalf of an alien detained by the United States who has been determined by the United States to have been properly detained as an enemy combatant or is awaiting such determination.” This is another gray area. Even though aliens in the past have been given the full protection of the Constitution when being held for a crime, the Constitution makes no mention of the protection of non-citizens.

The suspension of the writ of habeas corpus for non-citizens should not be the main concern however. Sec. 948a. (1) of the MCA states, “UNLAWFUL ENEMY COMBATANT – a person who, before, on, or after the date of the enactment of the Military Commissions Act of 2006, has been determined to be an unlawful enemy combatant by a Combatant Status Review Tribunal or another competent tribunal established under the authority of the President or the Secretary of Defense.” The President or the Secretary of Defense can declare anyone they wish to be an enemy combatant and hold them indefinitely—including US citizens.

Also, the first half of the unlawful enemy combatant definition is vague: “A person who has engaged in hostilities or who has purposefully and materially supported hostilities against the United States or its co-belligerents who is not a lawful enemy combatant (including a person who is part of the Taliban, al Qaeda, or associated forces).” If a Muslim American citizen gave money to a mosque in Saudi Arabia and the executive branch later decided that mosque helped fund al Qaeda, that American citizen could very well be considered an unlawful enemy combatant and stripped of his constitutional rights.

The Military Commissions Act is unconstitutional. Article 1 Section 9 of the United States Constitution plainly reads, “The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.” There is no rebellion. There is no invasion. Of the 303 Republican members of Congress, only seven voted against the bill (no GOP Senator voted against the MCA). What happened to the Republican Party philosophy of strict interpretation of the Constitution? The MCA is yet another example of the GOP disregarding their conservative principles to maintain power. One of the main reasons the MCA was voted on in late September and signed in mid-October was the GOP wanted to paint Democrats who voted against the MCA as weak on national security only a month before the midterms. Power and the desire to hold onto power continue to corrupt the Republican leadership in Washington.

The Military Commissions Act of 2006 puts at risk American’s constitutional rights in the name of security. When President Bush addressed Congress just ten days after the 9/11 attacks he said, “Freedom and fear are at war.” Five years later, it seems fear is winning the war. Trading freedom for security is unacceptable. Legal challenges to the MCA are already being prepared and hopefully the courts will act quickly against this unconstitutional law. If this law is upheld through the judicial process it will be a dark day for Americans and I will have to start yelling “Hoochie mama!”

A Breach of Contract

2006-10-10T02:35:00.000-05:00

Another article i've written for the University Standard...

With the midterm elections about a month away, I am reminded of the 1994 House and Senate elections. At the time of the ‘94 midterms, the Republican Party had gone 40 years without holding a majority in the House or Senate. The 103rd Congress, which served from 1993 to 1994, had a Democratic Party majority of 258-176 in the House of Representatives and a 57-43 majority in the Senate.

During the fall of 1994, the GOP introduced the “Contract with America”. The contract, which borrowed heavily from the text of President Regan’s 1985 State of the Union address, was written mostly by Texas Representative Dick Armey and publicized and promoted by Georgia Representative Newt Gingrich. Armey and Gingrich’s contract promised floor votes on several pieces of legislation if the GOP were voted into the majority.

The promised legislation in the contract focused on economic issues and congressional reform. In November of 1994, the American electorate voted out of office 34 Democratic incumbents and when the dust had cleared the GOP held a 230-204 majority in the House and a 52-48 majority in the Senate.

This amazing power shift in Washington was fueled by a document that promised Americans responsibility in government and fiscal policy. Despite the success of the Contract with America, the Republican Party over the past 12 years has shifted their focus from responsible spending and a more honest and open legislative branch to religious right pandering and big government.

As stated before, the contract made little mention of moral or values issues. Of the ten different bills promised in the contract, only two have a connection to values—The Personal Responsibility Act and The Family Reinforcement Act.

The PRA was described in the contract as, “Discourage illegitimacy and teen pregnancy by prohibiting welfare to minor mothers and denying increased AFDC for additional children while on welfare, cut spending for welfare programs, and enact a tough two-years-and-out provision with work requirements to promote individual responsibility.” This bill was basically welfare reform with a nod toward the problem of teenage pregnancy.

The contract describes the TFRA as, “Child support enforcement, tax incentives for adoption, strengthening rights of parents in their children's education, stronger child pornography laws, and an elderly dependent care tax credit to reinforce the central role of families in American society.” The TFRA was the only completely values-focused bill in the contract. The GOP made no mention of abortion, gay marriage, media censorship or gun ownership anywhere in the contract.

Yet, morality and family values are now the focus of the Republican Party that controls both the legislative and executive branches of the federal government. The current Congress (109th) has introduced or passed the following bills: Theresa Marie Schiavo's law, Family Entertainment and Copyright Act, Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, We The People Act (states religious freedom, sexual orientation and gay marriage are not in the federal court’s jurisdiction), Constitution Restoration Act (limits the federal judiciary’s jurisdiction in cases involving religious liberty) and Workplace Religious Freedom Act. These issues certainly should be discussed and possibly addressed by making new laws, but are there not more pressing issues in the US?

The Republican controlled Congress has done a complete 180 in terms of fiscal policy and the size of government since the 104th Congress. No two issues were hit more repeatedly in the Contract with America than a responsible fiscal policy and a smaller federal government.

The contract states, “This year's election offers the chance, after four decades of one-party control, to bring to the House a new majority that will transform the way Congress works. That historic change would be the end of government that is too big, too intrusive, and too easy with the public's money.”

Initially, the GOP made good on its promise. Spending was brought under control and the federal budget actually had a surplus after 2000. Then, President George W. Bush was elected president and federal spending increased dramatically.

Several reasons exist for this sudden increase in spending. President Bush, despite being a Republican in name, is in favor of a larger government while his predecessor President Clinton declared that “the era of big government is over” in his 1996 State of the Union address.

Another reason for the increase in federal spending is the GOP-controlled Congress no longer had to worry about an opposition President getting credit for federal programs and policies which they passed. An example of this would be President Clinton’s failed attempts to pass campaign finance reform and health care reform. Both of which were passed (in some capacity) during the Bush Administration.

However, these two reasons are not conclusive. Though spending did not skyrocket until George W. Bush became President, there was a significant rise in spending during President Clinton’s second term in comparison to his first.

September 11th is often cited as a reason for the increased federal spending, but it is often used as a convenient excuse for apologists of the current Republican leadership. The post-9/11 increase in spending has not been only on the national defense or military. Non-defense spending has increased to levels not seen since late 70s and early 80s. The percentage growth of non-defense spending during the Bush Administration has reached levels not seen since the Ford Administration.

Finally, the main reason spending has increased so dramatically since 1995 is the same reason spending was high during the pre-President Regan years: the Republicans have grown comfortable in their seat of power. The only difference is Democrats are supposed to be pro-big government and the GOP is, as the Contact With America continually stated, pro-small government.

Tax cuts are one area in which the Republicans and their current leader President Bush remain close to their conservative roots. The Bush tax cuts have contributed to the current thriving economy, but combined with the increase in spending the tax cuts have also contributed to a ballooning national debt.

Daniel J. Mitchell, PhD of the Heritage Foundation writes, “Regrettably, the benefits of better tax policy have been undermined, especially in the long run, by excessive government spending.” Economics is an inexact science in which many intelligent people disagree, but anyone can understand that the combination of lowering taxes and increasing spending results in debt. A debt which citizens of college age and younger will most likely have the responsibility of paying off through a much higher tax burden than the American workforce has today.

The GOP now focuses on energizing the religious right to win elections rather than responsible spending and honest government. A party that used to proclaim sensibility in fiscal policy has now sacrificed the long-term future of the US economy for the immediate satisfaction of the current robust economy.

Rather then working to reduce federal spending and the national debt, Congress continues to pander to the religious base of the GOP. In this year’s midterms, polls are indicating the Republicans will at the very least lose a significant portion of their majority and possibly become the minority in both the House and Senate.

Moderates and small government conservatives have been alienated at a time when the GOP desperately needs their votes. The time is now for the Republican Party to remember how they became the majority in the first place.

A Disappointing Present With a Promising Future

2006-10-04T02:08:00.000-05:00

I recently wrote an article for the new metro-milwaukee/uwm University Standard. Check out their website if you have time. Here's my article on the Milwaukee Brewers...

A Disappointing Present With a Promising Future

Think back to September 30, 2005. The Milwaukee Brewers came into Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with 80 wins and three games to go in the season. The game that night started poorly for the Brewers. They were down 5-0 after five innings and it seemed the quest for a .500 record would have to wait another day. During the next two innings, the Brewers scored six runs capped off by Wisconsin native Damian Miller’s two-run homer which gave the Brew Crew a 6-5 lead. In the bottom of the ninth before a PNC Park crowd of 20,922, closer Derrick Turnbow struck out two of the three men he faced to record his 39th save of the year. Win 81 was in the books. For the first time since 1992, the Milwaukee Brewers would not lose more games then they won. Right fielder and Brewer elder Geoff Jenkins said that night, “It's an awesome, awesome feeling. It's not the playoffs or anything like that, but for us this is kind of our playoffs. It's a great feeling and something to build on for next year."

Fast forward to September 19, 2006. The Brewers lost their 83rd game of the season. Damian Miller, who has battled nagging injuries all year, did not play. Derrick Turnbow pitched one-third of an inning and gave up 1 hit, 3 walks and 5 runs (2 earned). After being down only one run at 3-2 through five innings, the Brewers did not score another run and gave up nine more for a final score of 12-2. Not exactly what Geoff Jenkins or anyone else in Milwaukee were hoping to build to in 2006.What are the reasons for this unexpected turn for the worse in the 2006 season after the promising building block that was the 2005 season?

3. Geoff Jenkins: Jenkins had a solid 2005 season, but it did not translate to a good 2006 season. His batting average in 2006 is .268 – down from 2005’s average of .292. His slugging percentage is .426 – down from .513. His on base percentage is .347 – down from .375. His homeruns and RBI totals currently stand at 15 and 67. In 2005, he finished the year with 25 homeruns and 86 RBIs. Geoff’s statistical drop off hurt the Brewers’ offensive production significantly and rumors circle around Miller Park that this will be Jenks’ last year in Milwaukee. 2006 may be an unfortunate end to his career as a Brewer.

2. Derrick Turnbow: 2006 has become complete and total meltdown for Derrick. The season started well for the Brewers’ ex-closer, but just before the all-star break in July it all unraveled. The statistical free fall for Turnbow has been well documented, but the key has been his lack of control. He still has the hard fastball, but his sometimes inconsistent control has morphed into just downright dreadful control. Over 67 and 1/3 innings last year, Turnbow gave up 24 walks. In 2006, he has given up 36 walks in 53 and 1/3 innings. Somewhere along the way Derrick lost something whether it be mental, mechanical or both. Hopefully, in 2007 he will regain that 2005 magic.

1. Injuries: The biggest reason for the Milwaukee Brewers not building on last year’s success is the injury bug. JJ Hardy, Rickie Weeks, Corey Koskie, Ben Sheets and Tomo Ohka were all being counted on as key contributors coming into this year and they all have missed two months or more in 2006. Few major league baseball clubs can sustain long term injuries to their starting shortstop, second baseman, third baseman and two starting pitching and still have a winning season.

As the 2006 regular season comes to a close, Milwaukee baseball fans are turning their attention toward next year. Yes, this year was a big disappointment, but reasons for optimism still exist.

3. The Young Guns: Prince Fielder, Corey Hart, Rickie Weeks, JJ Hardy, Billy Hall, and Tony Gywnn Jr. are 26 years old or younger. These are players on the upside of their careers rather than aging veterans (i.e. Geoff Jenkins) who are more likely to see a slide than an increase in their production. They all gained valuable experience this year (some more than others) and Fielder and Hall have already proven that they are legitimate middle of the order run producers.

2. Sheets and Capuano: Ben Sheets seems to be completely recovered from his recent back muscle injury troubles. A full year of both Ben Sheets and Chris Capuano would give the Brewers a legitimate one-two punch in their starting rotation.

1. Doug Melvin: Do not be fooled by 2006’s results. Doug Melvin is one of baseball’s better general managers. Unlike the losing teams of the late 90’s and early 2000’s, the 2006 sub-par performance was due more to bad luck and unexpected production drop off from certain players instead of management putting together a bad team. Rest assured, Doug Melvin will turn the Brewers back in the right direction sooner rather than later. The 2006 season is not an indication of the overall direction of the Milwaukee Brewers. They possess the talent and the management to play competitive and entertaining baseball in 2007.

2,974

2006-09-23T04:10:00.000-05:00

The national media has made light of the death toll of American soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq recently surpassing the number of deaths that occurred in New York City, at the Pentagon, and in Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001. My question is why? Why is that a story? Why does that matter? Is the media trying to tell us that somehow this means these military actions are more of a failure or all these young men and women dying more of a tragedy?

Whether they are or not is not the issue. The issue is that this is exactly what it looks like the media is doing. Motives mean little in this area. Whether it is shortsighted and irresponsibly journalism or an elaborate plot does not matter. The media should be going out of its way to avoid even the appearance of spinning military death tolls for political gain. I can understand addressing the milestones (for lack of a better word) of one thousand dead or two thousand dead, but 2,974 is not a story.

Before you accuse me of defending the second gulf war or the Bush Administration, I want to make it clear I'm not a big fan of either. Anyone who knows me would tell you that. 2,973 terrorist attack deaths in one day is a tragedy and 2,974 military conflict deaths over five years is a tragedy, but these numbers miss the greater point. I find it disrespectful to simply reduce the men and women who died on 9/11 and the American soldiers who died giving what Abraham Lincoln said was the "last full measure of devotion" to parts of a simple math problem--2,974>2,973.

Too often we forget the dead soldiers, the victims of 9/11, and their families. However, the greater wrong is that when we are reminded of them and their sacrifice it is often for the wrong reasons.

"Kneel Before Your God Babylon!"

2006-08-30T05:19:00.000-05:00

The Comedy Central franchise of Stewart and Colbert made the presentation for the Outstanding Reality-Competition Program emmy last sunday. That presentation was without a doubt the best three minutes of the whole award show.

Here's a little background for those of you who didn't watch the show. The "I lost to Barry Manilow!" line stems from Stephen Colbert losing out to Barry Manilow in the "Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program" category. The Wolverine reference after the Manilow line is citing Hugh Jackman also being nominated in that category for his performance as host of the 59th Tony Awards.

On a side note, the voters were on acid this year--at least when it came to voting for the drama categories. 24 winning best drama series and best lead actor in a drama series (Kiefer Sutherland's acting on that show consists of yelling and talking into a cell phone) is a sad day for small screen drama. I watched the entire season of 24 and the show has some of the worst plots, writing (just keeping track of the 100 different uses of the word protocol and you'll begin to understand what I'm talking about), and acting of any show on television. I watched 24 for the unintentional humor that results from how bad the show is. Hopefully Studio 60 will pick up the slack this fall.

Dumb and Dumber

2006-08-01T05:04:00.000-05:00

Very few people do more harm to the public image of conservatives then Bill O'Reilly and Ann Coulter. I hate being lumped in with these ego maniacs.

A few youtubes for your consumption.

First Ann Coulter on The Big Idea...

What seriously? William Jefferson Clinton is gay? Wow, just wow.

She talks about it further on Hardball...

Notice how the questions from the audience are about 1000x more intelligent then anything then anything that comes out of Ann's mouth.

As far as liberals being "godless", I think its impossible to label a whole group as having no belief in god. Also, if Ann Coulter is a healthy example of what a christian should be, I want to be an atheist.

Apparently the buzz from the "9/11 widows enjoyed their husbands deaths" story had warn off so she decided to go with Bill Clinton is gay to get some attention. What a media whore.

Finally Letterman sums it all up with a little humor...

Now Bill O'Reilly. Countdown has some fun with something he said on his radio show...

Bill O'Reilly has your phone number! This after the liberal countdown host Keith Olbermann schooled him on the "Malmedy Massacre" gaff in late May. Bill is far too moronic to have some many outlets in which to say something stupid on.

Can conservatives who are all over the media stop saying stupid things at least till the midterms are over? Make sure to thank Bill and Ann when Nancy Pelosi is the Speaker of the House.

Gambling

2006-07-17T19:08:00.000-05:00

Last week the US House of Representatives passed HR 4411 otherwise known as the Internet Gambling Prohibition and Enforcement Act. This is part of the "Family Values Agenda" being pushed by the GOP to firm up their base for the midterm elections. I have three problems with the bill...

1. I can play poker at my local casino but not on the internet. If the House is going to try to save me from myself, brick and mortar casinos should be closed too. Or how about this? Instead of going after gambling go after big tobacco. I can see how the House in its infinite wisdom looks to save my bank account before my health though.

2. The bill is hypocritical. Horse racing and lotteries are except in this bill. Playing the ponies good? Playing cards bad?

3. Prohibition of gambling doesn't work. Just like prohibition of alcohol didn't work. US government needs to stop playing babysitter and let adults make adult choices.

The following videos feature Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, Rep. Barney Frank of Massachusetts, and finally Jon Stewart for a little humor mixed with truth.

Great Game With a Weird Moment

2006-07-10T10:15:00.000-05:00

Yesterday the Italians capped off their fourth World Cup title and probably the greatest string of defensive performances the tournament has ever seen. Sure they are divers and injury fakers, but Italy played extremely solid defense game after game and always seemed to find that timely execution for goals.

I guess soccer fans will remember the Germany Italy semi-final as the better game, but the final definitely had the oddest moment. Zinedine Zidane, the Golden Ball winner (MVP) of the 2006 World Cup, completely lost his mind in the second over time. I think this picture really says it all.

So the greatest sporting event in the world ends and the four-year wait begins. This really was a great world cup with tons of memories. The only problems I had were the refs taking over games with fouls and cards and many players treating the soccer pitch like a swimming pool. Just because a player falls doesn't make it a foul. Hopefully FIFA refs will let only the players decide who wins in South Africa (yes S. Africa. And you thought Japan/South Korea was a stupid host choice).

Congratulations to the Italian team and their fans.

Leaders

2006-07-04T18:00:00.000-05:00

Have you ever read the first two paragraphs of the declaration of independence? I would hope most Americans have. I would hope most have read the whole thing really, but the first two paragraphs are gold. If you have never read the document or haven't in awhile, you should give it a look.

Sometimes I wonder, because I'm a bit of a history nerd, what Jefferson thought as he wrote, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed." Could he imagine the spark that these words and that document as a whole struck would set off the explosion of not only revolution and independence for those 13 small colonies but also the start of revolutions across all of Europe? Could he imagine that those self-governing 13 colonies would become a nation that would one day save the British and rest of Europe from fascism and make the very country it once sought to be separated from safe for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?

In a time of ballooning national debt, a long and costly war, a shrinking middle class, and an immigration crisis which still is left without permanent solutions, I find a nice escape in thinking of 18th century America. I also can not help but compare today's leaders with the ones during this nation's infancy. Where are the Jeffersons, Washingtons, Madisons, Hamiltons, and Marshalls?

We are a nation that faces real problems without leaders with real answers. 2,500 brave men and women and thousands more innocent civilians have died in a war with no clear objective or end. Our national debt continues to grow and no one in Washington seems concerned. Thousands of illegal immigrants continue to flood across our border and Congress continues to move at a snails pace on the issue. Who is rising up to meet these challenges?

More then ever we need leaders who are forward thinking and it is our responsibility as "the governed" to hold our leaders accountable for their acceptance of the status quo. On this day of celebration of the United States' past, be mindful of the future. Think toward the fall elections and begin to examine the candidates. In this time as much as any in recent history we need leaders with vision.

Poker, poker, its all skill...

2006-06-03T15:33:00.000-05:00

start with the worst hand and go up hill.

I have registered to play in the PokerStars World Blogger Championship of Online Poker!

This Online Poker Tournament is a No Limit Texas Holdem event exclusive to Bloggers.

Registration code: 2998422

If you like playing poker and have a blog give it a try. Can't hurt, its free.

Say What?

2006-05-28T00:14:00.000-05:00

Finally sign language that I can understand.

Special thanks to Eric McCabe for bringing this video to my attention

The Night That TV Died

2006-05-11T01:43:00.000-05:00

In the legendary song American Pie, the phrase "the day that music died" is used several times. The song and that phrase referred to the tragic death of Buddy Holly in a plane crash. Don McLean equated Holly's accident to the death of music. As I watched the final credits of The West Wing, I made a similar connection between this series finale and TV's demise.

The West Wing began its seven-year run in 1999. Tonight that run ended. I personally did not start watching the show regularly until near the end of the first season, but after I did I was instantly hooked. The show was funny, intelligent, and thought provoking and along with the superior writing and acting, it became a hit.

Aaron's Sorkin's brainchild had a combination of realism and idealism. The nuts and bolts of politics and law making were accurate, but The West Wing also possessed a idealism about Washington. Bipartisanship and people in government who actually wanted to do what was best (in their minds) for America were the centerpieces of the show. I found this refreshing when compared to the doom and gloom of scandal and partisanship that is often seen in Washington. The West Wing, in many ways, was a look at what our government should be.

Of course many complain about the liberal bias in the show. I would argue it is impossible and unrealistic to make a show that would portray a completely moderate white house. Also, anyone who has watched the West Wing consistently knows that conservative viewpoints have been presented in a positive light as well. Besides, people who base their political viewpoints on what Martin Sheen said as the fictional President don't have the brainpower to remember what he said an hour later.

So why is this the day (or in this case night) that TV died? Consider what shows the NBC broadcast of the series finale was up against. CBS: Survivor (Reality), Fox: The Simpsons (Cartoon), ABC: Extreme Makeover-Home Edition (Reality), USA: Monk (Cop Show), UPN: America's Next Top Model (Reality). Most likely, The West Wing will finish in the bottom half of those shows in terms of ratings. Why? Because Americans watch dirty people fight for a million dollars, humorous cartoons, a guy yelling into a megaphone, a funny cop solving crimes, and beautiful skinny people over intelligent writing and great acting. 95% of network TV is a reality show, a cartoon, a cop show, or courtroom show. The other 5% needs sex and violence to get ratings.

The West Wing was unique in that it fit in none of those categories and did not use sex and violence to draw viewers. With The West Wing gone, TV has become nothing but brain numbing entertainment and that is why tonight was the night TV died.

Stupid entertainment eventually won over intelligent entertainment, but The West Wing fought the good fight for seven years and for those seven years I am thankful.

I leave you with some of my favorite West Wing quotes.

"So, five White House staffers in the room. I would like to say to the 1.6 of you who are stoned right now that it's time to share."

"The Democrats aren't going to nominate another liberal, academic, former Governor from New England. I mean, we're dumb, but we're not that dumb." "Nah, I think we're exactly that dumb."

"I'm going to make a suggestion, which might help you out. But I don't want this gesture to be mistaken for an indication that I like you."

"Nobody ever looks like Joe McCarthy. That's how they get in the door in the first place."

"I wasn't calling you a fool, sir, the brand new state of Georgia was."

"The President has asked Josh Lyman and Sam Seaborn to run these meetings, so it's entirely possibly that by week's end we'll have alienated Christians, China, and our own government."

"You know what word should be Yiddish but isn't? Spatula. Also, farfetched."

"Could I have a couple of aspirin, or a weapon of some kind to kill people with?"

"Yet it feels strange to score political points by doing the right thing… I'm victim to my own purity of character."

Prices & Poverty

2006-05-11T00:03:00.000-05:00

While browsing YouTube, I came across this nugget. A report on Lou Dobbs about the facts regarding the need (or lack thereof) for low paid illegals to do labor on farms. Good stuff.

On a side note, I found it funny when Lou Dobbs gave us a short history of his farming days. Picturing Dobbs picking veggies makes me laugh.

Colbert

2006-05-06T18:25:00.000-05:00

The Colbert Report is one of the funniest shows on tv. Some of the finest satire out there today. Steve Colbert, host of the Report and former reporter on the Daily show, shows the stupidity of the cable news talking heads (ie O'Reilly) by simply acting like them to the extreme.

This clip is from one of his formidable oppenent segments.

Crackers!

2006-05-06T02:53:00.000-05:00

YouTube is offically my favorite site. Funny video on immigration...

Get Down!

2006-05-03T15:25:00.000-05:00

World's Worst Dancer. Also notice he's sitting alone. There's a reason for that.

Confusion

2006-03-27T22:46:00.000-06:00

I'm confused. Why is it a Mexican's right to work in the United States? Why should the United States show mercy and favoritism to a group of people who don't respect American law?

This seems simple to me. These illegals (yes that's what they are illegal immigrants i.e. law breakers i.e. criminals) are no doubt hard working people who just want a better life for themselves and their families. However, they are breaking the law to do so. A purse snatcher in central park New York City may be desperate for money to feed his family, but if he is caught he is punished.

Why on this issue is breaking the law not only supposed to ignored, but looked at as noble? We're not talking about breaking Jim Crow laws or some like that. Speaking of the civil rights movement, in the pictures above you notice a hispanic young man holding a sign that says, "I have a dream." How completely disrespectful of him. To compare this to the Black struggle for equality is unreal. African Americans are here because their ancestors were forced into our country. They didn't sneak across the border. They took the middle passage and then were forced to do labor without pay. How are these situations even comparable? Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. DuBois, Martin Luther King Jr. etc... fought being born into a country that treated them as second class citizens. The only thing these noble illegals are fighting are the border patrol and US immigration.

Also notice in the pictures all the Mexican flags. Yes I know there are American flags at these demonstrations too, but clearly these people consider themselves Mexicans first.

I'm confused. I almost feel like I'm wrong like I'm missing something. The facts are so simple in my mind, I don't know why there is even a debate.

So far in the battle between pro-security/law vs. hispanic pandering is being won by team pander. Why? Why does a group that can't vote control the immigration agenda in Washington? Are Democrats and Republicans so desperate to get the hispanic vote that they will do anything to get it?

I have a whole lot of questions, but not many answers.

Filibuster

2006-03-23T14:45:00.000-06:00

It is hard to believe that a Republican leadership that is constantly talking about values and about faith would put forth such a mean-spirited piece of legislation. It is certainly not in keeping with my understanding of the Scriptures, because this bill would literally criminalize the Good Samaritan and probably even Jesus himself. We need to sound the alarm about what is being done in the Congress.

Is that crazy Pat Robertson at again? Nope, its former first lady, current senator, and well know Bible scholar Hillary Clinton. What has American become when even the Good Samaritan is a criminal?! On a side note, the Good Samaritan is a fictional character in a parable. Hillary might as well have said this bill would criminalize Superman because he isn't really an American citizen. Also when it comes to Jesus, I'm pretty sure Dubya would work out a visa for him for no other reason then to pacify the religious right.

What bill is Mrs. Clinton referring to? H.R.418--REAL ID Act of 2005 was authored by James Sensenbrenner, a republican representative from my state of Wisconsin. The title of the bill states...

To establish and rapidly implement regulations for State driver's license and identification document security standards, to prevent terrorists from abusing the asylum laws of the United States, to unify terrorism-related grounds for inadmissibility and removal, and to ensure expeditious construction of the San Diego border fence.

Obviously the text of the bill contains more, but that is a summary of the basics. The major point of contention seems to be "to unify terrorism-related grounds for inadmissibility and removal." Democrats are arguing that hard working illegals that pose no threat to security will be punished as felons.

Minority leader Harry Reid-D NV is ready to fight this one to the bitter end...

If Leader Frist brings a bill to the floor that does not have the approval of the Judiciary Committee, it will not get out of the Senate

He also said he would, "use every procedural means at my disposal." Basically if the republicans bring it to the floor of the senate the democrats will filibuster. Before I called President Bush a hypocrite over the now failed (yes!) port deal. Now I have to do the same for senators Clinton and Reid. If the security of our ports is important, certainly the security of the southern border is just as important.

On the not surprising at all news front, Mexico opposes the bill...

We oppose those measures and that our migrants be denied drivers' licenses. We're against building any wall between our two countries because they are walls that increase our differences.

-Interior Secretary Santiago Creel.

Don't you love it when a government that can't keep its citizens from fleeing the country and whose economy is largely made up of the drug trade tells another country how to do things? I'm all for increasing our differences. The main one: our government isn't a complete joke and yours is.

Ted Kennedy and John McCain have co-authored a similar bill which eliminates the HR 418 penalties to current illegals. My guess is that is the bill that will eventually become law. Either way dealing with the Mexican border is long overdue. I prefer the Sensenbrenner bill despite the claim its too harsh. These people might be nice and hard working, but they broke the law and they knew they were.

Let the pro-security vs. hispanic pandering battle begin!

Free Agent

2006-03-22T05:47:00.000-06:00

I've done posts on national security, presidential elections, inspirational stories....blah blah blah. Time for an entry on something that matters---Green Bay Packer football. As most males (and probably a majority of females) in Wisconsin, I was raised a Packers fan. You don't miss a game and you're passionate about the results. Yelling at the TV is optional, but encouraged. The Bears and Vikings do indeed suck.

I was fortunate to be born when I was in terms of the Packers. From age 8 to 20, I knew nothing but winning football. Well there was the one year Ray Rhodes was coach, but I'm pretty close to completely erasing that from my brain. I watched a Super Bowl victory. I've seen a first ballot hall of fame quarterback start 250+ straight games. I watched the greatest defensive end in NFL history play from my favorite team. I've seen many division titles and 3 MVP seasons.

Unfortunately last season I saw something I haven't seen since I was 7---a losing season. The Packers went 4-12. As in four wins and twelve loses. 12 out of 16 weeks of the NFL season I had to go through 3 hours of torture and the anger and depression that comes afterward. Yeah I know I care too much, but there's nothing that many Packer fans or I can do it about it. It may just be a game and I don't play or actually lose or win anything based on the result, but it just matters.

I don't want to go through the 70's and 80's like my father and grandfather did. I've heard the horror stories. The Packers being a doormat for the Bears and Vikings again would not be good for my emotional state. One thing that kept me going during the season was the upcoming offseason. All the teams are 0-0 again and in the NFL quick turnarounds aren't unheard of. Also the Packers came into free agency with more cap room then any other NFL team and they have a top five pick in the draft. Things were looking promising.

Free agency is about a week and a half old and the Packer signed two free agents of atleast some note from other teams---Ryan Pickett and Marquand Manuel. Not exactly Lavar Arrington and Terrell Owens. So day by day free agents are being signed while the Packers and relatively new GM Ted Thompson sit on their pile of cash.

Yes, there is still plenty of time for the Packers to pick up some players and the draft is still coming up, but I'm worried that this rebuilding process is going to be a long one. Bottom line, this team can not just sit on it's hands and do nothing. Time for Ted Thompson to sign some players who are going to help this team.

Failure is not an option.

Oh yes, and the Bears Still Suck.

Dedication

2006-02-27T07:00:00.000-06:00

Ok enough with the political stuff for one post--time for a story that will make you feel good. First a little plug for a cool site I check out every time I am online and that brought this story to my attention. Deadspin is a major sports themed blog that is updated daily by talented and funny writers. The site's writers not only publish and commentate on the major sports stories, but also find obscure stories that you will not find on espn.com or cbssportsline. Check it out if you have the time.

Jason McElwain is a high school senior from New York. Like many high schoolers, he enjoys basketball. He would have loved to play for his high school team Greece Athena, but Jason is autistic. Instead Jason helped out as team manager. Finally in the last home game of his senior year his coach Jim Johnson decided to reward Jason for his dedication and allow him to suit up for the game, but Greece Athena was in a meaningful game and there was no guarantee Jason would see action. With four minutes left and Jason's team up big, coach Johnson called his number.

What happens next is truly remarkable and hard to do justice with words. These videos show the story much better then I could tell it. On the right hand side click the most popular tab and have a look.

The first link no longer works. Here's one that should work for awhile...video

Bush's Perplexing Port Stance Continues

2006-02-25T04:23:00.000-06:00

Beep Beep Beep.....This off the wires......Bush administration refuses to admit mistake or listen to any kind of reasonable alternative view. This Deja vu?

What is going on at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.? As this situation gets more and more bizarre, I become more and more worried about what Bush and his advisors are thinking at this point. This is either stupidity in it's simplest form or there is something to this story that has yet to come to light.

First this little revelation...

WASHINGTON President Bush wasn't aware that shipping operations at six major U.S. seaports were being sold to a state-owned business in the United Arab Emirates until after his administration had approved the deal, the White House said Wednesday.

Susan Page, USA TODAY http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-02-22-bush-ports_x.htm

Ah WHAT?!?

We believe once Congress has a better understanding of the facts and the safeguards that are in place that they will be more comfortable with the transaction moving forward.

Scott McClellan, White House Press Secretary

Hopefully a "better understanding" then Bush had once it was approved. I feel dizzy.

It shouldn't have happened, it never should have happened... The quicker the Bush administration can get out of the deal, the better... There's no question that two of the 9/11 hijackers came from there and money was laundered through there... From our point of view, we don't want foreigners controlling our ports. From their point of view, this is a legitimate company that had a legitimate bid and won, and here are all these congressmen saying all these things about not wanting this company. It looks to them like it's anti-Arab.

Thomas Kean, former R-Gov. New Jersey; Chairman of the 9/11 Commission

Someone hold me.

Kean makes an interesting point. Not only is it potentially harmful in the future in terms of security, but is definitely harmful now in public relations with the Middle East. Bush is making the valid concerns of Congress look like simple racism. Great, now this is harmful on more then one level.

Not really shocking that the UAE gave 100 million for Katrina Relieft which may have greased the wheels on this deal a little bit, but I think there is more to this story. I'll keep my one reader (maybe) updated.

Veto

2006-02-22T02:31:00.000-06:00

It has been awhile since I have posted on this thing. Even though no one reads it, I figured it would be a good way to fill time with not being in school this semester.

President Bush is in the sixth year of his presidency and has yet to veto any kind of bill. With republican control of both houses for almost all those years, on the surface that is not really surprising. Also consider the recent history of the veto. Democrat Bill Clinton served as President during a Republican majority in congress for most of his 8 years in office and only used the veto 37 times.

So I guess Dubya is getting antsy because he is threatening to dust off the old executive veto power if a certain issue does not go his way. Increased unnecessary spending? Yeah I know, that was a funny one. No it is not a pork bill. Actually the bill has to do with national security. Makes sense, this was a big reason the American people reelected Bush II. So what is that irresponsible congress up to? Cut of national/homeland security? Nope. Congress too lenient on immigration? Try again. Border control? Warmer.

Recently the Bush administration approved the sale of Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company to Dubai Ports World. Ok, so what is the big deal? Well the sale of this London company means that Dubai Ports World, a company run by the state of the United Arab Emirates, will be running the operations of major ports in New York, New Jersey, Baltimore, New Orleans, Miami and Philadelphia. One red flag is raised.

The United Arab Emirates is not Iran, but there should be some concern. Even though we are not talking about Iran or North Korea here, the UAE is not exactly Canada.

Lawmakers from both parties have noted that some of the Sept. 11 hijackers used the United Arab Emirates as an operational and financial base. In addition, critics contend the UAE was an important transfer point for shipments of smuggled nuclear components sent to Iran, North Korea and Libya by a Pakistani scientist.

TED BRIDIS: http://apnews.myway.com/article/20060222/D8FTUD90B.html
Two red flags raised.

Ok on the surface this looks bad, but Joe Citizen does not know what the President or members of congress know. The opposition is just probably the Dems and a few Republicans that have a grudge with the White House trying to make the administration look bad...

"We must not allow the possibility of compromising our national security due to lack of review or oversight by the federal government."--House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Illinois

"overly secretive process at the federal level."--Gov. Robert Ehrlich, R-Maryland

"The administration should freeze the contract ... until a full and thorough investigation is carried out,"--Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y (Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee)

"It's unbelievably tone deaf politically at this point in our history, four years after 9/11, to entertain the idea of turning port security over to a company based in the UAE who avows to destroy Israel," --Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina

Of course the usual suspects of Hillary, Schumer, and the rest of the left are jumping on this, but when in this era of bitterness between parties it is shocking the left and right can agree on anything. Three red flags raised.

Well the President Bush has threatened a veto if congress acts to stop this sale, but why? Here are some quotes on his reasoning behind it.

"It sends a terrible signal to friends around the world that it's OK for a company from one country to manage the port, but not a country that plays by the rules and has got a good track record from another part of the world,"
--The good track record of hating Israel and being a hub of smuggling in the Middle East?

"I can understand why some in Congress have raised questions about whether or not our country will be less secure as a result of this transaction, but they need to know that our government has looked at this issue and looked at it carefully."
--Ah the trust us we have looked into it argument.

"They ought to listen to what I have to say about this. They'll look at the facts and understand the consequences of what they're going to do. But if they pass a law, I'll deal with it with a veto."

So the question is why does Bush make his stand here? It is curious. This certainly conflicts with his wire tapping arguments. Better safe then sorry when it comes warrentless wire taps, but hey the ports will be fine. Bush has looked into this, that should be good enough for the American people and their representatives in congress. I swear Dubya is asleep at the wheel. Bush continues to disappoint most real conservatives over and over again.

Bravo Congress, make the President use his first veto on this or better yet override it.

Legacy

2005-01-21T10:00:00.000-06:00

"I George W. Bush do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of the President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States. So help me God."

Today (Inauguration Day) I was sitting in the student center watching President Bush reaffirm his oath to protect the constitution of the United States. I sat and wondered, "what could he be thinking right now?" Only 42 other men in 200 plus years have been able to take that oath. Even fewer have been able to take it more then once (18 to be exact, now 19). Men like Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Jackson, Lincoln, Grant, Cleveland, McKinnely, Teddy Roosevelt, Wilson, Coolidge, FDR, Truman, Eisenhower, LBJ, Nixon, Reagan, and Clinton. Quite the company Bush II has put himself in. Men who have: established a solid foundation for the nation during it's infancy, reunited the United States through a civil war, lead in times of tremendous progress, won world wars, and help in the fall of communist Russia are all represented in this list.

So the question again, "what was Bush thinking as he took that oath?" Well I obviously will never exactly know, but I know what I would be thinking. I would think about how I will stack up against those other great presidents. The word legacy is used often when the president is nearing the end of his public service. Basically what will Joe American high schooler read about in his history book when Bush 43 comes up? I see three potential scenarios...

1. Bush is viewed as a great leader in times of crisis on a par with FDR. 9/11 being his defining moment with the stable democratic Iraq his grand finale.

2. Bush is viewed as rising to the occasion on 9/11 and providing solid leadership in a time of crisis. The folly of the second Gulf War will have him remembered as a good not great president.

3. 9/11 fell into Dubya's lap and basically won him a second term. Any president would have looked like a hero in that situation. He then used that new found public trust to deceive the American people into supporting a war to finish off his daddy's business. To top it off Iraq became an unstable country and many American lives were lost.

The ultimate goal of the next four years of the Bush Administration will be to make #1 true. Will that happen? Probably not. The most likely scenario is #2. Unfortunately Iraq will end up putting a giant black mark on what could have been a presidency on par with the likes of Reagan. Democracy in Iraq is just too daunting a task for any man. Too much religious radical thought is present there for a democratic republic to function. The Iraqi people do not want democracy bad enough to die for it or they would have overthrown Sadam long ago. In fact, many in Iraq are willing to die to ensure democracy does not work in Iraq. The biggest shame of the whole thing is young men are losing their lives for this lost cause. The war on terror and the war in Iraq are two different things. If anything, Iraq has taken away from the war on terror.

Some would argue that those expectations are way too high and impossible to reach, but being President requires doing the impossible. So if George W. Bush somehow makes Iraq work he will have accomplished the impossible, he will have a legacy that will approach that of Reagan, but that is unlikely to happen in the mind of this writer. Unfortunately, Bush 43 will be remembered as "The President that lost his focus."

Bet ya Dubya wasn't thinking that.

Reg-gie, Reg-gie...

2005-01-02T21:19:00.000-06:00

Last week sunday I was woke up to a text message on my cell phone from my friend Lorenzo. "Dude Reggie White died." I couldn't believe it. For those who don't know, Reggie White is, in the opinion of many, the greatest defensive lineman ever to play the game of football. He set the career sack record (later broken by Bruce Smith who stayed in the league for two or three years, playing part time, just to break the record) and caused many offense tackles to lose sleep on saturday nights. He took over games and made the job for the other 10 guys on defense easier in one way or another--hard to believe a man so strong could die from sleep apnea at age 43.

He was a great football player, but that was not what made his early death so tragic. Reggie was a great person. "Minister of Defense" was his nickname because he was an ordained preacher and never hesitated to use his football fame to talk about his faith. Team Bible studies and leading post-game prayers only scratched the surface of the impact Reggie had in bringing God into football. He left the Philadelphia Eagles for the Green Bay Packers in free agency because he felt that is where God wanted him to be. He made several community service commitments to the cities of Green Bay and Charlotte (his home town). His heartbeat was urban inter-city projects which is an area unfortunately ignored by too many Christians. He was a great father and husband.

Though under fire for comments against homosexuality, the vast majority of football fans respect Reggie White as a player, but more importantly respect him as a person and his faith. He brought God to the minds of possibly millions of people. Reggie was a great example of a great person. He will be greatly missed.

Thanks for the great football memories Reggie, but more importantly thanks for being an example of a Godly man for all to see.

4 More Years

2004-11-07T20:03:00.000-06:00

One big question exists for me after this election. Is Karl Rove a genius or did John Kerry and the Democrats run the worst campaign in a long time? I give Rove all the credit in the world for running a great campaign but the truth is the Kerry camp along with the DNC ran a really poor campaign. A few observations...

Iraq
Kerry was never able to get a sound and coherent message out about Iraq. I still am not totally sure what his actually view on the war is. This is where Howard Dean would have been a much better candidate for the dems. He could have pounded at Iraq over and over because he has always had a solid anti war stance.

Economy
Unfortunately for Kerry, the more time passed the better the economy got. Really not much he could do about that. However, states like Ohio which the economy has been slower to recover should have been won by Kerry handedly. Ohio should have been a state blue.

Morality
This is the issue (according to exit polling which all the sudden we are trusting even though they said Kerry would win Florida and Ohio and well the election, but whatever) that won it for Bush. This is where just being a democrat hurt Kerry. Pro-Gay and Pro-Abortion is anti-traditional values. Homosexuality and abortion weren't really talked about much on the campaign trails, but Homosexuality became a backdoor (no pun intended) issue when 11 states put a gay marriage ban referendums on the ballots. That brought out the morality vote and had a huge affect on this election.

Identifying with the electorate
This is where Kerry lacks the most in my opinion. I mean how does the average American relate to a guy has been rich his whole life, doesn't know the name of lambeau field, and throws like a girl. Not to mention his senatorial droney voice. Bottom line, people didn't buy into Kerry. I have yet to talk to anyone who voted for Kerry because they liked him. They voted for Kerry because he was running against Bush or because they were lifelong dems. It is very hard to win an election just simply being the anti-incumbent. You have to be able to stand on your own.

Wildcards
Kerry's senate record. Did he ever bring up anything he accomplished in his 20 years in Washington? Bush pounded on that off and on for the whole campaign and I believe it had an affect.
Swift Boat Vets for Truth. They basically wasted all the effort put into the democratic national convention. Whether you believe the swift boat vets or not, they put that seed of doubt in your mind about his integrity and whether or not he was worthy of being commander and chief.

So that's why Bush won or better said why Kerry lost. Liberals across America are still feeling the shock and are a bitter bitter lot, but I don't know how they can change this. The nation seems to be drifting right, meaning if the Democrats don't change they will lose more seats and the presidency in '08. A couple things I would do immediately to turn things around if i were a leader in the democratic party: 1. Fire Terry McAuliffe, sure he can raise money but he's been an overall failure. A fresh start is needed. 2. Find a good old boy Southern Democrat to prime for '08, Northwest liberals aren't going to cut it for a long long time.

Here's hoping Bush has a successful next four years and doesn't make me regret voting for him. He'll deffinitely have more room to do what he wants now considering he doesn't have to worry about reelection and has a majority in both houses.

Moore is Less

2004-07-28T21:35:00.000-05:00

Outside of President Bush, there is no more polarizing man (right now) in the US then Michael Moore. I saw Fahrenheit 9/11 about a week after it came out. It is an interesting film that will get a reaction out of anybody. The other Moore film I have seen was "Bowling for Columbine" which I enjoyed and found to actually be a documentary that was certainly deserving of an oscar. F 9/11 gave me a different reaction. Many have called the film propaganda--certainly true, but for me it was one giant hate-fest for the grand old party and rich people; the manifestation of both being President Bush.

Moore is extremely good at what he does, playing to emotions of hate, anger, and envy. F 9/11 summed up to me as, "Bush is a rich, lying, thief who you should hate just as much as I do." I'm not going to even bother going into the details of bin laden's family never really being allowed out of the country by Bush or the 9/11 commission, the senate investigation, and the British investigation clearly stating Bush did not lie but was given bad information which he acted on. For Moore that matters little, the important thing is that he energizes liberals for this upcoming election and maybe even sway a few independents.

What is scary is the hero Michael Moore has become to so many liberals. I mean honestly, do democrats like John Kerry? Sure some may actually like the man, but most democrats voted for Kerry because they thought he was the most electable (which I disagree with, I found Edwards a much more appealing candidate for moderates and independents) and not because they were impressed with Kerry. The dems have become the "Anybody but Bush" party. For this reason democrats have gravitated toward Moore. They like him because he's a fighter, intelligent sounding, and funny. The problem is they don't only like him, but they believe everything he says and spread his lies to those they know. As much as President Bush has hurt the unity of this country with his action, Michael Moore has intensified that disunity even more with his words and his film.

As I sat in that movie theater watching F 9/11 end with Bush stumbling over his words in a speech, I wondered to myself what everyone around me thought about the movie. My question was quickly answered with cheering and clapping. I could only smile and think, "Is this nation ever going to recover from the deep seeded hate?" Unfortunately I don't think we will; well not as long as people like Michael Moore continue take Machiavellian means to their ends.

Decision 2004

2004-07-22T20:26:00.000-05:00

Well its that time again. President Bush will take on long time Senator John Kerry in November for the position of most powerful man in the world. Just think about the job of President first off. Domestically, the President has to further an agenda that will improve areas of need such as the economy, social security, and medicare/cade. Of course, Bush or Kerry will not get the exactly what they want or not even close to what they want because representatives and senators will do their best to get as much pork as possible and in some cases will try to kill bills to make the President look bad. Foreign policy will be the President's number one concern next term. Both Kerry and Bush are aware that a terror attack under their watch will not be forgiven and will lead to a one term presidency for Kerry or a Democrat winning in 2008 for Bush. Finally, look good doing it. Today's President can not just simply be good at his job, he has to be charismatic and connect with a large segment of Americans.

Being President takes a special person. For all the jokes and cracks about Bush's intelligence, anyone would acknowledge he is doing an extremely tough job and most would acknowledge he has done atleast a decent job as President. The biggest feather in his cap is his leadership post 9/11. This is why that aspect of his presidency has been challenged so often by the Democrats. Despite these attacks, the majority of Americans still think he is the more capable in foreign policy/leading the war of terror then John Kerry.

"July 01, 2004
Issue of Terrorism Continues to Favor Bush
Most Americans believe 9/11 attacks could not have been prevented
by David W. Moore and Jeffrey M. Jones
A recent Gallup survey finds that a majority of Americans approve of the way President George W. Bush is handling terrorism and believe that he, rather than likely Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry, would do a better job of handling the issue. About 4 in 10 Americans assign at least a moderate amount of blame to the Bush administration for the terrorist attacks on 9/11, but about the same number also blame the Clinton administration. Most Americans, however, believe the 9/11 attacks could not have been prevented."

I agree with most Americans on this issue. Sure, Iraq has not been all peaches and cream, but I would rather have a pro-active President who actively seeks out threats and deals with them asap. Kerry voted to give the President the power to go to war in Iraq, yet later voted against the 80 billion to fund the troops and rebuild Iraq. That is enough for me to seriously question Kerry's foreign policy. Those two votes prove to me that he would be a President without convictions who simply will do what public or possibly international pressure will tell him to do.

I admitedly do not like Bush's handling of the economy. Tax cuts are fine with a surplus, but increases in spending and tax cuts with a deficit simply does not make sense. The problem is Kerry really has not given a plan to counter Bush's handling of the economy.

So right now I'm leaning toward voting for Bush, but I will be watching the conventions and debates closely. One thing is for sure, this is going to be close and both parties are out for blood.

Liberal

2004-07-14T20:53:00.000-05:00

Ever wonder if someone is a liberal? There's a fool proof test to know for sure. A person's reaction to simply the word liberal is all you need to know. If the person wishes to distance himself from the word liberal then he's not a liberal (well one exception, when the person is running for office). If the person says something to the affect of, "I'm not, but what's wrong with being a liberal?" or openly embraces the label, he is a liberal.

So now that you know who's a liberal, now you need to know why liberals are dangerous. They are dangerous for the same reason "right wingers" are dangerous. Being an extremeist is never good. Case and point example religion. Look not farther then bombed out abortion clinics and the big hole in the ground that used to be the world trade center. In America, political extremeists may not kill people (although I know of some people who would claim Bill Clinton has), but they will do whatever else they can to further their positions.

The most dangerous part of being on the political far left and far right in America is the affect it has on this country's unity and reputation. The most common attack on the unity of the country is the president being acted by the opposing party. Bill Clinton, for all his faults, was wrongly accused of using the military action in Kosovo to divert attention from his impeachment. George W. Bush, for all his faults, was wrongly attacked for those words in the State of the Union about Iraq trying to buy yellow cake from Africa. These tactics of attacking the President, whether true or not, polarize the country and a polarized country does not progress.

Another attack on the unity of America is the issue of patriotism. The right wing waves flags to a fault and drop F bombs on people they disagree with on the senate floor (sorry I hate Cheney, couldn't help myself). Anyone who doesn't fully support the war in iraq or say nothing but "Bush is a great leader" are unpatriotic. Liberals on the other hand act more often like they wished they lived in France. A proclaimed liberal who I work with says his favorite rendition of the national anthem was by Roseanne and he would dodge a draft if faced with that situation.

As for the country's reputation, Michael Moore and the rest of Hollywood types continue to bash America in European press. While the right continuely discredits the United Nations and all other countries who have disagreements with American pro-war policies.

Bottomline, be open minded. No one is always right. The choice is clear, be a moderate.

Greed

2004-07-12T19:16:00.000-05:00

I've worked on an assembly line during the summer. Its not a bad job and it pays ok, well I thought it payed ok until today. Today I found out a part we make about 200 of a week is sold individually for a sum of money that is more then I make in a month. Yet, American companies continue to "out-source" labor and layoff workers (the company I work for also has a history of this).

Now I'm all for innovative businessmen making a good profit and being set for life, but not at the expense of middle income hard working people with families to support. Too often capitalism and freedom/liberty/patriotism are all viewed as the same. Today's American capitalism is anything but patriotic; it is simply greed.