Hold on
I’m not sure that this story has made much national news but President Obama used a process known as recess appointments to put 15 appointees in place that had been on hold. This is a procedure to go around the Senate’s ability to place a hold on an appointee. The 15 appointments is exactly the same as the number that George W. Bush had appointed using this procedure by this time in his first term so before anyone goes off on how scandalous this procedure is, there is precedence for it. My concern is that some of these appointments are being held up not because a given senator has a problem with the appointee but rather they are looking for some pork for their district. One such instance of this has Carl Levin asking for a decision on promoting a brigadier Army general to the rank of major general and David Vitter placing a hold on this change for the last 5 months because Vitter wants the Army Corps of Engineers to build three projects in his state. There was also a recent appointee that was held up by one Senator only to be unanimously approved when the hold was removed.
The last bipartisan act
Good news on the last bipartisan act also know as TARP. Citibank will be paying back money with $8 million in interest paid.
Government Mortgage Backed Securities program
Over the last year and a half the government, to stabilize the housing market and the economy in general, have been buying mortgage backed securities (bundled home mortgages). They have purchased $1.2 trillion of mortgages with annual interest payments of $50 billion. If the housing market continues to recover not only will the government make money off the interest but they will also make money off the sale of these securities.
GM Again
GM has been paying back the government loan that it received last year and expects to have it paid off by mid year 2011 with a profit for the government and a stable, more productive GM.
Private industry
One thing to keep in mind when discussing free market is that the corporation is not responsible to the public. Their only responsibility is to their shareholders. As such they will do what ever it takes to increase their numbers even it that is to the detriment of the public. On the other hand, the government is responsible to the public and the taxes we pay are to cover the public good. One example of serving the public good were the regulations in place on the banks known as Glass-Steagall The removal of regulations on the banking industry were one of the major reasons for the Great Recession. Below is another example of how too little regulation can have an affect on you.
The expensive "sheep's milk" cheese in a Manhattan market was really made from cow's milk. And a jar of "Sturgeon caviar" was, in fact, Mississippi paddlefish.
Some honey makers dilute their honey with sugar beets or corn syrup, their competitors say, but still market it as 100 percent pure at a premium price.
And last year, a Fairfax man was convicted of selling 10 million pounds of cheap, frozen catfish fillets from Vietnam as much more expensive grouper, red snapper and flounder. The fish was bought by national chain retailers, wholesalers and food service companies, and ended up on dinner plates across the country.
"Food fraud" has been documented in fruit juice, olive oil, spices, vinegar, wine, spirits and maple syrup, and appears to pose a significant problem in the seafood industry.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Bold Prediction
I was checking out nbadraft.net and noticed that they are projecting Patrick Patterson going #9 overall in the June draft.
I want to go on the record that Patrick Patterson will NOT go in the lottery. In additon, I will add that I do not see Patterson going ahead of Ekpe Udoh - who the site is currently projecting at #16.
Jim Rome Is Bullshitting
A couple real whoppers from Monday's JRIB show. One from the host and one from a panelist:
"(MSU) may not be best of the remaining four but no one is hotter and that's not a coincidence because Izzo always has them playing their best when it matters most"
Fact-check:
Duke won the ACC Tournament.
West Virginia won the Big East Tournament.
Butler has not lost since December 22nd. That is a 24 game win streak.
Michigan State LOST IN THE FIRST ROUND of the Big 10 Tournament.
So, I don't know what the basis is for claming they are the "hottest" team in the tournament?
Here is the other comment which seems to lack any basis in reality:
"Butler did not necessarily advance through tough competition. They had the easiest road to the Final Four than anyone else had." --- Vincent Thomas (of NBA.Com & Slam Magazine)
Fact check:
Butler beat the #1 and #2 seeds (Syracuse and Kansas State) in their bracket!
Michigan State, on the other hand, has beaten nothing higher than a #4 seed (Maryland).
So, how does that argument hold up!?!!? (Let alone the frontal assault on grammar!)
"(MSU) may not be best of the remaining four but no one is hotter and that's not a coincidence because Izzo always has them playing their best when it matters most"
Fact-check:
Duke won the ACC Tournament.
West Virginia won the Big East Tournament.
Butler has not lost since December 22nd. That is a 24 game win streak.
Michigan State LOST IN THE FIRST ROUND of the Big 10 Tournament.
So, I don't know what the basis is for claming they are the "hottest" team in the tournament?
Here is the other comment which seems to lack any basis in reality:
"Butler did not necessarily advance through tough competition. They had the easiest road to the Final Four than anyone else had." --- Vincent Thomas (of NBA.Com & Slam Magazine)
Fact check:
Butler beat the #1 and #2 seeds (Syracuse and Kansas State) in their bracket!
Michigan State, on the other hand, has beaten nothing higher than a #4 seed (Maryland).
So, how does that argument hold up!?!!? (Let alone the frontal assault on grammar!)
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Tab Bamford Knows Football
You're probably asking... "hey Furriners... who is Tab Bamford?" Fortunately, I am here to answer that question. He is a blogger who is making sense. I quote from his veritable posting:
On Wednesday, the Arizona Cardinals signed former Cleveland Browns quarterback Derek Anderson.
Everywhere, Larry Fitzgerald owners rejoiced.
I couldn't have set it better myself. Well, actually, I could and did. But my loyal readers already know that. I am happy to share some of the spotlight with Tab.
On Wednesday, the Arizona Cardinals signed former Cleveland Browns quarterback Derek Anderson.
Everywhere, Larry Fitzgerald owners rejoiced.
I couldn't have set it better myself. Well, actually, I could and did. But my loyal readers already know that. I am happy to share some of the spotlight with Tab.
ESPN Thinks Brady Quinn Is Going To Start!?!? I'm Shocked.
I don't know who Bill Williamson is - but he is quoted at ESPN.Com with:
"There is no timeline for Quinn to take over, but Denver clearly sees something in the 25-year-old slinger. Again, Orton is not in immediate trouble, but teams who are completely sold on their 27-year-old quarterbacks usually don't trade for younger ones."
That said, there is also an article in which Coach Josh McDaniels states there is "no question" that Kyle Orton is the starter.
Bottom line: Brady Quinn sucks no matter how much Jon Gruden or Tony Kornheiser wish it were not the case.
"There is no timeline for Quinn to take over, but Denver clearly sees something in the 25-year-old slinger. Again, Orton is not in immediate trouble, but teams who are completely sold on their 27-year-old quarterbacks usually don't trade for younger ones."
That said, there is also an article in which Coach Josh McDaniels states there is "no question" that Kyle Orton is the starter.
Bottom line: Brady Quinn sucks no matter how much Jon Gruden or Tony Kornheiser wish it were not the case.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Return To Glory? Yes.
Those of us who have knowledge of the Phoenix area are well aware that the Cardinals are on the downward spiral. I mean, in 2009, the Cardinals went to the Super Bowl. In 2010, they did not. That is just a fact.
So, I would be lying if I didn't admit to speculating that the Cardinals have pushed Kurt Warner out the door because of the mere possibility of acquiring Derek Anderson. That the Cardinals ended up getting Anderson for a contract that is more befitting a scrub like Charlie Whitehurst is mere gravy! Actual quote from FootballNewsNow.Com:
"Whitehurst agreed to a two year deal with the team that will pay her $5 million-per-year."
Let's just say that I don't know anyone who is questioning the genitalia or chromosome makeup of 2007 Pro-Bowl QB Derek Anderson.
So, I guess what I'm saying is: this could be the genesis of an NFL dynasty being born before our eyes. We are witnesses.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Pro Bowl QB on the Market
As expected, Derek Anderson was released today.
Not as expected was ESPN actually saying some positive things about him (ESPN personalities have generally loved Brady Quinn).
This is from James Walker blog posting at espn.com:
Anderson will likely catch on with another team quickly. He's 6-foot-6, he's young and he's got one of those rare rifle arms that make NFL GMs drool. He's also got experience with 34 career starts.
And Merrill Hoge responded to a question of his future prospects with:
"Oh, no question... there'll be interest (around the league)."
Monday, March 8, 2010
Earmarks
One thing I always loved about John McCain is his stance on earmarks. I don't understand why if he became president he vowed to "make them famous" and "you will know their names" but he can't do that as a senator. Regardless I hear frequently about how Democrats are for big government and spending the tax payer’s money. I decided to look into this a little. I thought you might find the information I collected interesting.
- The number of earmarks jumped from 3,000 in 1995 to 15,000 in 2005 (Republicans controlled both the House and Senate from 1995-2005)
- Comptroller General David M. Walker, who heads the Government Accountability Office, explained the extent of the affliction.
He calls earmarks “tainted,” saying they “corrupt the process.”
Pentagon officials told him, he said, they estimated that they received more than $20 billion in funding for projects that they had not asked for or did not need.
- In the most recent Omnibus bill the average cost of earmarks per Republican Senator was $47.10 million while the average cost of earmarks per Democrat Senator was $44.86 million.
- There has been a 25% reduction in earmarks since the Democrats regained control of Congress.
- The poorest states tend to have the most earmarks in what ends up being a personal stimulus bill for the Senators representing these states.
- The number of earmarks jumped from 3,000 in 1995 to 15,000 in 2005 (Republicans controlled both the House and Senate from 1995-2005)
- Comptroller General David M. Walker, who heads the Government Accountability Office, explained the extent of the affliction.
He calls earmarks “tainted,” saying they “corrupt the process.”
Pentagon officials told him, he said, they estimated that they received more than $20 billion in funding for projects that they had not asked for or did not need.
- In the most recent Omnibus bill the average cost of earmarks per Republican Senator was $47.10 million while the average cost of earmarks per Democrat Senator was $44.86 million.
- There has been a 25% reduction in earmarks since the Democrats regained control of Congress.
- The poorest states tend to have the most earmarks in what ends up being a personal stimulus bill for the Senators representing these states.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Did you know...
Did you know...
That the current health care proposal offered by President Obama is based off of the Massachusetts reform plan from 2006 put together by GOP hopeful Mitt Romney and both plans rely on the same MIT economist.
Did you know...
That $1,400 of every vehicle produced by GM is for employee health care which, by the way, is more than it costs for the steel that makes up the actual vehicle. These plans are better than the health care offered to congress (Lynn Rivers whose husband worked for the auto companies used his coverage instead of the coverage offered to her as a congresswoman). Funny how when we subsidize the cost of health care for people making $50,000 - $200,000 per year it's held up as the bastion of capitalism but when we subsidize those who can not otherwise afford health care with taxes it becomes something to loathe.
Did you know...
Around $14 billion a year is spent on emergency room visits for non emergency situations and that an emergency room visit typically costs around 5 times more than a standard visit. Any money not collected from the patients is paid by the rest of us.
Did you know...
That Hawaii has had a public health care plan since 1974 and yet their health care costs are the second lowest in the nation despite the fact that almost everything else there cost more (second highest home price in the nation). Also the people of Hawaii have the longest life expectancy of any state (one example: Hawaii has the nation’s highest incident of breast cancer but the nation’s lowest death rate from the disease). Hawaii has a 34% lower rate of outpatient visits to the emergency room.
Did you know...
That the Presidents current health care plan is eerily similar to the plan proposed by Republicans back in 1993.
Did you know...
Mitt Romney made the following "socialist" statements regarding health care reform:
"The basics for creating a workable, affordable system that insures everyone and keeps private insurance and personal choice intact are these: First, create incentives for those who can afford insurance to actually purchase it. … Second, create an exchange to help make buying insurance easier for individual—as opposed to corporate—buyers. The exchange lowers premiums. … Third, help the poor buy their own private insurance with a sliding-scale subsidy."
"In my view, the failures we encounter virtually every day are the result of features imposed on the health-care system that have distorted market incentives. …"
"If Americans enjoyed better health and longevity than people in other countries, it might be reasonable to argue that our excessive health-care spending is simply a rational consumer choice. But the life span of the average American is less than that of people in nations that spend far less. Japanese men outlive American men by five years; Frenchmen outlive us by three years. To put it bluntly, we spend more and die sooner."
"Confronted by the sheer magnitude of the health-care cost problem—our overspending compared to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) average is about $750 billion a year—an increasing number of observers recognize that small measures simply will not get the job done."
"I quote Dr. [Atul] Gawande's [New Yorker] article at length because it was a balanced portrait from a moment in time before the debate became politicized. …"
That the current health care proposal offered by President Obama is based off of the Massachusetts reform plan from 2006 put together by GOP hopeful Mitt Romney and both plans rely on the same MIT economist.
Did you know...
That $1,400 of every vehicle produced by GM is for employee health care which, by the way, is more than it costs for the steel that makes up the actual vehicle. These plans are better than the health care offered to congress (Lynn Rivers whose husband worked for the auto companies used his coverage instead of the coverage offered to her as a congresswoman). Funny how when we subsidize the cost of health care for people making $50,000 - $200,000 per year it's held up as the bastion of capitalism but when we subsidize those who can not otherwise afford health care with taxes it becomes something to loathe.
Did you know...
Around $14 billion a year is spent on emergency room visits for non emergency situations and that an emergency room visit typically costs around 5 times more than a standard visit. Any money not collected from the patients is paid by the rest of us.
Did you know...
That Hawaii has had a public health care plan since 1974 and yet their health care costs are the second lowest in the nation despite the fact that almost everything else there cost more (second highest home price in the nation). Also the people of Hawaii have the longest life expectancy of any state (one example: Hawaii has the nation’s highest incident of breast cancer but the nation’s lowest death rate from the disease). Hawaii has a 34% lower rate of outpatient visits to the emergency room.
Did you know...
That the Presidents current health care plan is eerily similar to the plan proposed by Republicans back in 1993.
Did you know...
Mitt Romney made the following "socialist" statements regarding health care reform:
"The basics for creating a workable, affordable system that insures everyone and keeps private insurance and personal choice intact are these: First, create incentives for those who can afford insurance to actually purchase it. … Second, create an exchange to help make buying insurance easier for individual—as opposed to corporate—buyers. The exchange lowers premiums. … Third, help the poor buy their own private insurance with a sliding-scale subsidy."
"In my view, the failures we encounter virtually every day are the result of features imposed on the health-care system that have distorted market incentives. …"
"If Americans enjoyed better health and longevity than people in other countries, it might be reasonable to argue that our excessive health-care spending is simply a rational consumer choice. But the life span of the average American is less than that of people in nations that spend far less. Japanese men outlive American men by five years; Frenchmen outlive us by three years. To put it bluntly, we spend more and die sooner."
"Confronted by the sheer magnitude of the health-care cost problem—our overspending compared to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) average is about $750 billion a year—an increasing number of observers recognize that small measures simply will not get the job done."
"I quote Dr. [Atul] Gawande's [New Yorker] article at length because it was a balanced portrait from a moment in time before the debate became politicized. …"
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Furriners Handicaps The Olympic Hockey Tournament
Chances of winning the Olympic Gold Medal... Oddsmaker Style:
Canada - 30%
Sweden - 23%
Russia - 21%
USA - 10%
Finland - 6%
Slovakia - 6%
Czech Rep - 2.5%
Germany - 1.1%
Others* - 0.1%
* (Belarus, Latvia, Norway, Switzerland)
I just hope Don Cherry doesn't see this post... he might attempt to suicide bomb the Furriners Offices.
Canada - 30%
Sweden - 23%
Russia - 21%
USA - 10%
Finland - 6%
Slovakia - 6%
Czech Rep - 2.5%
Germany - 1.1%
Others* - 0.1%
* (Belarus, Latvia, Norway, Switzerland)
I just hope Don Cherry doesn't see this post... he might attempt to suicide bomb the Furriners Offices.
Monday, February 15, 2010
"Damaged Goods"?!?! You're Damaged Goods!!!
Rotoworld is speculating that:
(T)he Browns figure to shop (Derek) Anderson around for the next few weeks to see if they can get a late-round pick for him. They most likely won't find any takers. D.A. seems to be damaged goods at this point, but should generate interest from teams that run vertical offenses.
This blogger wonders if there are any offenses that run backwards... because they'd be perfect for Brady Quinn. Or perhaps I am being redundant.
Anyway, we're waiting to see where Anderson ends up for the 2010 season. While my preference is to see D.A. get a starting job, I certainly wouldn't mind seeing him back up Matthew Stafford here in 'The D'.
Monday, February 1, 2010
The Truthiness of Michael Wilbon
Memo to ABC Sports:
If you're going to insist on putting Michael Wilbon on ABC's NBA coverage... you need a fact checker! Here is what Mr. Wilbon had to say on Sunday (while discussing the declining Big Three of the Boston Celtics):
"And these guys (Allen, Garnett, Pierce) are deep into the playoffs most of those years too. They're not doing, you know, the 80 game regular season and done. They're out there double-digit playoff games as well every year."
Reality:
Ray Allen - 14 seasons w/ 4 seasons of double digit playoff games ('01, '05, '08, & '09)
Kevin Garnett - 14 seasons w/ 2 seasons of double digit playoff games ('04 & '08). Was injured for '09 playoffs and didn't even make the playoffs in '05, '06, or '07.
Paul Pierce - 11 season w/ 4 seasons of double digit playoff games ('02, '03, '08, & '09)
And here is a look at career playoff games comparing the Boston's "Big 3" to some other future Hall-of-Famers:
Shaquille O'Neal - 203 games
Kobe Bryant - 159
Tim Duncan - 147
Chauncey Billups - 130
Jason Kidd - 111
Paul Pierce - 77
Kevin Garnett - 73
Ray Allen - 59
Hmmmmm. Oh well. I'm sure Wilbon felt it to be true when he said it.
If you're going to insist on putting Michael Wilbon on ABC's NBA coverage... you need a fact checker! Here is what Mr. Wilbon had to say on Sunday (while discussing the declining Big Three of the Boston Celtics):
"And these guys (Allen, Garnett, Pierce) are deep into the playoffs most of those years too. They're not doing, you know, the 80 game regular season and done. They're out there double-digit playoff games as well every year."
Reality:
Ray Allen - 14 seasons w/ 4 seasons of double digit playoff games ('01, '05, '08, & '09)
Kevin Garnett - 14 seasons w/ 2 seasons of double digit playoff games ('04 & '08). Was injured for '09 playoffs and didn't even make the playoffs in '05, '06, or '07.
Paul Pierce - 11 season w/ 4 seasons of double digit playoff games ('02, '03, '08, & '09)
And here is a look at career playoff games comparing the Boston's "Big 3" to some other future Hall-of-Famers:
Shaquille O'Neal - 203 games
Kobe Bryant - 159
Tim Duncan - 147
Chauncey Billups - 130
Jason Kidd - 111
Paul Pierce - 77
Kevin Garnett - 73
Ray Allen - 59
Hmmmmm. Oh well. I'm sure Wilbon felt it to be true when he said it.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
A Does Not Equal B
Consider these two observations from Wayne Larrivee, a play-by-play guy for men's basketball on the Big 10 Network, during the January 20th game of Michigan at Wisconsin:
A (with 6:24 left in first half): "That was Michigan's first offensive rebound tonight."
B (with 3:37 left in first half): "Wisconsin doing a little bit better job on it's defensive board now."
Wow, that must have been some three minutes to go from a first offensive rebound of the night to apparently dominating the board to having Wisconsin re-take control!
Anyway, when this scintillating game ended with Wisconsin winning 54-48, Michigan had a total of five offensive rebounds for the game.
Also, consider this footnote from The Book of Basketball by Bill Simmons:
"Pete Maravich holds the white-guy record for points (68); Jerry Lucas for rebounds (40); Mark Eaton for blocks (14); Dirk Nowitzki/John Stockton for steals (9); and Dan Majerle/Rex Chapman for threes (9). Peja Stojakovic had 10 threes in a game but I don't count the Euros as true white guys. Just a personal thing with me."
It's good info - but if he isn't counting Euros as "white guys"... then why is Dirk Nowitzki included for his 9 steal game?!? Are Germans not Euros? WTF?!?
A (with 6:24 left in first half): "That was Michigan's first offensive rebound tonight."
B (with 3:37 left in first half): "Wisconsin doing a little bit better job on it's defensive board now."
Wow, that must have been some three minutes to go from a first offensive rebound of the night to apparently dominating the board to having Wisconsin re-take control!
Anyway, when this scintillating game ended with Wisconsin winning 54-48, Michigan had a total of five offensive rebounds for the game.
Also, consider this footnote from The Book of Basketball by Bill Simmons:
"Pete Maravich holds the white-guy record for points (68); Jerry Lucas for rebounds (40); Mark Eaton for blocks (14); Dirk Nowitzki/John Stockton for steals (9); and Dan Majerle/Rex Chapman for threes (9). Peja Stojakovic had 10 threes in a game but I don't count the Euros as true white guys. Just a personal thing with me."
It's good info - but if he isn't counting Euros as "white guys"... then why is Dirk Nowitzki included for his 9 steal game?!? Are Germans not Euros? WTF?!?
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Brandon Jennings Update
It has been 10 games since, on Nov. 27th before a nationally televised contest with the OKC Durants, Jalen Rose opined that Brandon Jennings should start the All Star for the Eastern Conference. Since that date, here are Brandon Jennings averages:
17.1 pts/g
6.2 ast/g
2.8 reb/g
0.8 stl/g
2.0 to/g
37% FG%
For the season, Jennings is now averaging less than Gilbert Arenas in points, assists, rebounds, and steals.
And, if you ask this humble blogger, my current vote for guard#2 in the East (besides Dwyane Wade) would probably be Rajon Rondo. Obviously, Rondo is not a prolific scorer (12.0 ppg) but he leads the Eastern Conference in assists (9.5) and leads the NBA in steals (2.5). He also is shooting over 53% from the floor and averages fewer turnovers than every other player in the leagues top 9 assist leaders. Oh, and the Celtics currently share the best record in the NBA with the Lakers at 20-4.
17.1 pts/g
6.2 ast/g
2.8 reb/g
0.8 stl/g
2.0 to/g
37% FG%
For the season, Jennings is now averaging less than Gilbert Arenas in points, assists, rebounds, and steals.
And, if you ask this humble blogger, my current vote for guard#2 in the East (besides Dwyane Wade) would probably be Rajon Rondo. Obviously, Rondo is not a prolific scorer (12.0 ppg) but he leads the Eastern Conference in assists (9.5) and leads the NBA in steals (2.5). He also is shooting over 53% from the floor and averages fewer turnovers than every other player in the leagues top 9 assist leaders. Oh, and the Celtics currently share the best record in the NBA with the Lakers at 20-4.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Open Letter to Democrat Senators
Dear Senator (fill in the blank),
I understand that Joe Lieberman and the Republicans are again making every effort to thwart the progress in health care that the American public desires. Public opinion polls show that 76% of Americans want a public option available to those who can not otherwise afford health care and yet here we are whittling away a perfectly good bill just to appease a few rogue senators.
As a lifelong Democrat, I am particularly disturbed at the lack of a backbone the members of the Democratic party are showing in this debate. For six years, with only a slight majority, the GOP shoved a number of Bush policies down our throats and we sat by and took it. I think it is time for the Democrats in the Senate to exhibit this same resolve and put the public option back in the health care bill. The worst the GOP can do is filibuster. This would be political suicide for them. With public polls against them, any prolonged filibuster will hurt the Republican brand. The GOP spin will be that the Democrats are holding up the government from important work, however, the truth would be that the Democrats would be willing to vote whenever the petulant Republicans stop fighting for the insurance companies and start working for their constituents.
The biggest concern for me as a Democrat is that by giving into the demands of the few who represent less than 25% of the public interest, it will set a precedent that the Democrats in the Senate are too spineless to fight for what Americans want. The current negotiations have gone from being a compromise to making this a GOP bill. We need to take a stand now and do what the vast majority of the public wants or run the risk of being bullied for the next few years.
There are very few issues that garner this level of public support and calling the Republican’s bluff is only way to proceed now.
I understand that Joe Lieberman and the Republicans are again making every effort to thwart the progress in health care that the American public desires. Public opinion polls show that 76% of Americans want a public option available to those who can not otherwise afford health care and yet here we are whittling away a perfectly good bill just to appease a few rogue senators.
As a lifelong Democrat, I am particularly disturbed at the lack of a backbone the members of the Democratic party are showing in this debate. For six years, with only a slight majority, the GOP shoved a number of Bush policies down our throats and we sat by and took it. I think it is time for the Democrats in the Senate to exhibit this same resolve and put the public option back in the health care bill. The worst the GOP can do is filibuster. This would be political suicide for them. With public polls against them, any prolonged filibuster will hurt the Republican brand. The GOP spin will be that the Democrats are holding up the government from important work, however, the truth would be that the Democrats would be willing to vote whenever the petulant Republicans stop fighting for the insurance companies and start working for their constituents.
The biggest concern for me as a Democrat is that by giving into the demands of the few who represent less than 25% of the public interest, it will set a precedent that the Democrats in the Senate are too spineless to fight for what Americans want. The current negotiations have gone from being a compromise to making this a GOP bill. We need to take a stand now and do what the vast majority of the public wants or run the risk of being bullied for the next few years.
There are very few issues that garner this level of public support and calling the Republican’s bluff is only way to proceed now.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Bullshitter of the Week
This award goes to Dave Zirin, Sports Editor of The Nation.
Because on Friday's broadcast of 'Countdown with Keith Olbermann', Mr. Zirin was asked by Keith's stand-in (Lawrence O'Donnell) the following question with regards to a statement posted on Tiger Woods website which indicated he was taking an 'indefinite break' from golf:
Q: What is "indefinite" in the world of golf? Two months? Four months? A year? What?
A: People in the know are saying they think it's a year but no one knows for sure. It's worth telling your audience, Lawrence, that this is almost without precedent though. Remember, athletes are not pundits or actors. There is a very finite period in which they can make their money and in which they can win the prizes and the trophies; and for an athlete to take themselves out of commission in the middle of their prime for a year? The only comparison I can think of is Michael Jordan in 1993 following the death of his father.
Okay, indulge me while I go over all the flaws in his answer.
First of all, who are these "people in the know" to whom he refers? Something tells me this jackhole does not have an insider with Team Tiger. I'd love to place a wager on this. I'd bet big money Tiger is back for The Masters.
Secondly, I don't paid to know sports but I can come up with some names that have temporarily left during their prime (John Riggins sat out the 1980 season, Kim Clijsters 'retired' to have a baby only to return a couple years later and win the 2009 U.S. Open, Justine Henin is returning (as did Jennifer Capriati before her), and how about Sugar Ray Leonard 'retiring' at age 26 only to return a year later... followed by his other retirements and returns).
Third, his comment about 'athletes are not pundits or actors'. Yeah, no shit. But his contention that athletes have a 'very finite period...', well according to Forbes, Michael Jordan earned $45 million in endorsements in 2009! So, I would argue that Tiger will be marketable for a long time after his prime.
And, finally, and this actually relates to #2. I came up with names that have left their sports in their prime only to return after a year plus absence... but I really should not even do that... because IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN with Tiger Woods. We'll see him in Augusta in April 2010.
Conclusion: Dave Zirin... You're my Bullshitter of the Week. Congratulations!
Because on Friday's broadcast of 'Countdown with Keith Olbermann', Mr. Zirin was asked by Keith's stand-in (Lawrence O'Donnell) the following question with regards to a statement posted on Tiger Woods website which indicated he was taking an 'indefinite break' from golf:
Q: What is "indefinite" in the world of golf? Two months? Four months? A year? What?
A: People in the know are saying they think it's a year but no one knows for sure. It's worth telling your audience, Lawrence, that this is almost without precedent though. Remember, athletes are not pundits or actors. There is a very finite period in which they can make their money and in which they can win the prizes and the trophies; and for an athlete to take themselves out of commission in the middle of their prime for a year? The only comparison I can think of is Michael Jordan in 1993 following the death of his father.
Okay, indulge me while I go over all the flaws in his answer.
First of all, who are these "people in the know" to whom he refers? Something tells me this jackhole does not have an insider with Team Tiger. I'd love to place a wager on this. I'd bet big money Tiger is back for The Masters.
Secondly, I don't paid to know sports but I can come up with some names that have temporarily left during their prime (John Riggins sat out the 1980 season, Kim Clijsters 'retired' to have a baby only to return a couple years later and win the 2009 U.S. Open, Justine Henin is returning (as did Jennifer Capriati before her), and how about Sugar Ray Leonard 'retiring' at age 26 only to return a year later... followed by his other retirements and returns).
Third, his comment about 'athletes are not pundits or actors'. Yeah, no shit. But his contention that athletes have a 'very finite period...', well according to Forbes, Michael Jordan earned $45 million in endorsements in 2009! So, I would argue that Tiger will be marketable for a long time after his prime.
And, finally, and this actually relates to #2. I came up with names that have left their sports in their prime only to return after a year plus absence... but I really should not even do that... because IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN with Tiger Woods. We'll see him in Augusta in April 2010.
Conclusion: Dave Zirin... You're my Bullshitter of the Week. Congratulations!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
You Cannot Be Serious?!?!
I saw a headline today at espn.com that says "Texas QB McCoy leads finalists for Heisman".
Well, I watched the Big 12 Championship Game and I charted the passes of Colt McCoy out of that infamous spread offense. Here is what I found:
Passes behind the line-of-scrimmage: 11-11 for 59 yards. 0 TD & 0 INT.
Passes over the line-of scrimmage: 9-25 for 126 yards. 0 TD & 3 INT. (0-2 on passes over 20 yds from l.o.s.)
So just remember that when considering how impressive it is that he completes ~70% of his passes. I have nothing against the guy - but I'm not at all certain he merits a first day pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.
Here are some other observations for the weekend in college football:
Is Eric Mangini running the Nebraska offense? That was pathetic!
Ndamakong Suh is a beast!
Demaryius Thomas of Georgia Tech had another long touchdown reception (70 yards). Thomas is averaging 25.1 ypc and has 9 catches of 50+ yards. I am very curious if he'll declare for the draft and what type of 40 time he'll run (www.nfldraftscout.com is projecting/predicting/reporting -not sure which- that he'll run ~4.59 and go in either the 1st or 2nd round).
C.J. Spiller was very impressive this weekend. Mel Kiper projects him to go mid 1st round. It's too bad - as he would make a good complement to Kevin Smith for the Detroit Lions.
As good as Spiller looked... I'll say it again. If there is one back in college football who really looks to be a future NFL franchise back - it's Trent Richardson from Alabama. Mark Ingram (my vote for the Heisman) is better now - but Richardson has the higher upside. I guess it's like Thurman Thomas and Barry Sanders back at Oklahoma State in the late 1980s.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Best. Talk Show. Guest. Ever.
All right, that is probably hyperbole. And my sincerest apologies to Adam Carolla for even making that claim (half-)jokingly. But I caught Artie's appearance on Jimmy Fallon from early October... and he gets more laughs during the second guest's segment (the lovely Olivia Munn from G4's "Attack of the Show") than almost any other guest gets in his/her own segment. So this is worth a watch:
http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/blogs/2009/10/artie-lange-destroyed-on-the-show-tonight
http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/blogs/2009/10/artie-lange-olivie-munn-late-night-gold
http://www.hulu.com/watch/105001/late-night-with-jimmy-fallon-ping-pong-jimmy-and-artie-vs-olivia-and-susan
Going Rogue
I came across this (excerpt of a) review on the web for Sarah Palin's book that she didn't actually write:
"Millions of copies will be sold of a book written by someone who can’t write, intended for an audience that doesn’t read, about the thoughts of a person who doesn’t think. God is dead."
Of course, it insinuates the former half-term governor actually wrote the book - which is misleading... but, nevertheless, it is a good encapsulation of my thoughts on this cultural phenomenom.
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