walkin in my winter wonderland

The Steelwells in Rolling Stone magazine

2011-02-14T23:38:00.000-08:00

maninbeans

2010-03-22T19:21:00.001-07:00

maninbeans
Originally uploaded by winterman93

Maualuga

2009-06-18T18:08:00.001-07:00

Maualuga
Originally uploaded by winterman93

This is one of my favorite athletes who has donned the USC jersey and I actually have this jersey as the AWAY jersey.

hung where?

2009-06-18T17:54:00.001-07:00

hung where?
Originally uploaded by winterman93

I thought this was a classic sign...

March Madness!

2009-03-18T15:46:00.000-07:00

Well how can I have this tourney come and go without putting myself on the chopping block? Here before you now are my picks throughout the NCAA tourney starting tomorrow...to NOT put my picks out would be irresponsible as a sports fan!

Elite EIGHT
WEST
1)UConn---------|
3)Mizzou--------|UConn
MIDWEST
1)Lville--------|
3)Kansas--------|Kansas

Kansas wins over Uconn

EAST
1) Pitt---|
6)UCLA----|UCLA
SOUTH
1)UNC--|
2)OU---|UNC

UNC wins over UCLA

Title Game--UNC v. Kansas with UNC winning a closer than expected 76-75.

key upsets in tourney included:
UCLA over Duke
USC over Michigan St.
W. Kentucky over Illinois
Temple over ASU

College Rivalries and all of the jokes between them

2008-12-08T17:13:00.000-08:00

Due to USC's win over UCLA....I thought to bring this up...what are the best jokes between rivalry schools? here are a few from USC fans at the Bruins expense...

How do you get a UCLA grad off your front porch?
Pay him for the pizza and send him on his way.

“I used to go to UCLA, then my dad got a job.”

I knew a UCLA grad who studied for five days … to prepare for a urine test.

UCLA means University of California with Lower Achievement!

UCLA means U Clowns Lose Always!

How is a UCLA coed like a quarter in the toilet? You know it's there..but no way you are taking it out..

“My brother went to UCLA in 1979,” “He’s going to become a senior next year. He’s in gradual school.” -Wendy Leibman

You are ruined if you are a BRUIN!

There are plenty more but for the time being...what rivalry jokes do you have with the school that opposes yours? Michigan/Ohio State fans? Harvard/Yale? Utah/BYU? Georgia Tech/Georgia? Auburn/Alabama? Texas/Oklahoma?

what I am for Thanksgiving!

2008-11-18T16:40:00.001-08:00

You Are The Stuffing

You're complicated and complex, yet all your pieces fit together.

People miss you if you're gone - but they're not sure why.

What Part of Thanksgiving Are You?

SC is greedy? No, PAC10 needs more teams...PAC12 is in order

2008-11-05T17:52:00.001-08:00

My letter to Dan Wetzel,

Dan, I thought about this in a few ways. I think that it is safe to say that Utah and Boise St are the missing links of an "upcoming but will never happen" Pac12..if you take either Utah/BYU and either Boise St/Fresno St. out of their current leagues, the MWC will STILL survive with BYU/Utah and TCU and Air Force as their strengths..if you take out Boise State/Fresno State, you still have Nevada, Fresno State/Boise State and Hawaii as their strengths in the WAC. You don't lose anything in those leagues as they can still have non conference against their rivals ...see UGA against Geo. Tech.

If the current PAC10 plays Utah/BYU who they went 1-6 against for the most part....then you have 2-3 MORE ranked teams in the PAC12 and you have a north and south that you can be proud of and the rest of the nation would applaud the addition AND the PAC12 championship...you would have to put both teams in the north region unless, Fresno State were chosen. If Fresno State were to be chosen, then 1 team goes north and the other south..

BSU/Utah Scenario
PAC12 north-1)BSU 2)Utah 3)Oregon 4)Ore St 5)UW 6)WSU
Pac12 south-USC-Cal-UCLA-ASU-UA-Stanford

Fresno St/BYU Scenario
PAC12 north-1)BYU 2)Cal 3)Oregon 4)Ore St 5)UW 6)WSU
Pac12 south-USC-Fresno St.-UCLA-ASU-UA-Stan

Believe me, this would break up the monotony of the PAC10 with 2 more ranked teams and yes, Utah/Boise St. and or BYU and Fresno WOULD compete as they have this year quite well at 6-1 against the PAC..we are looking at 2 more ranked teams which means USC would have 4-5 ranked games every year for a LONG time. Utah/BYU/Fresno St and Boise State can all compete at the D1 level and have all made BCS teams look like fools on several opportunities...Boise State with Oklahoma 2006, Utah against USC 2001(10-6), BYU against UCLA twice in a year, this would improve the pac big time...

If USC has to battle against Utah/BYU/Boise State or Fresno State depending on how the teams are aligned, in a PAC12 championship game, they would get the respect of the nation. Especially those in the Big 12 and SEC region who have to do the same thing.

The Big 10 needs to annex Notre Dame and change their name to the Rust Belt Conference since there already is a Big12 that actually HAD 12 teams in it. If the "rust belt conference and the Pac region conferences have a championship game, then all but the Big East would have legitimate conference champions and it would facilitate looking at who really are the BCS champion worthy teams.

As far as rivals are concerned with Utah and BYU or other rivals, don't be. Georgia and Georgia Tech definitely do not allow that to create problems for their rivalry. Neither do Iowa and Iowa State. So rivalries would continue as they have in the past. If USC plays Notre Dame for 70+ years, Utah and BYU should have no problems whatsoever...and actually it helps them out as they do not cancel each other out for the chance to get into the BCS and it is one less team in the MWC to muck things up.

As it stands, Utah or BYU have to go against each other plus Air Force AND TCU. With that out of the way, BYU or Utah would still face each other but as a nonconference game and they can still have the chance to get into the BCS bowl system, only difference is that one of them would be going up against USC year in and year out until SC's domination ends which could happen anytime in the next decade. We still have no idea how long Carroll will remain at USC, but either way the PAC Regional Conference would be sweet! Seeing Utah vs. Cal every year would be awesome as would a Utah/Boise St game or Boise St against USC. There would be a lot of fantastic football with this augmentation and reorganization of the current PAC10.

Maybe they're risque...but was not meant to offend lol

2008-10-20T19:58:00.000-07:00

I found these and several others on cafepress.com

a few other choice titles were as follows:

-Save a camel, ride a coastie
-Save a boat, ride a coastie
-Coasties do it better (ask a Navy wife)
-Got coastie?
-Coasties, taking care of navy wives since 1790
-forget cowboys, ride a coastie
-can't handle the surf, stay in the sand
-coasties do it in any weather
-Coasties do a body good
-this coastie curls my toes
-my coastie rocks my socks
-Coasties do it deeper
-be an environmentalist, save water and shower with a coastie

yes there were several "i love my coasties" but those are the norm and not the exceptions...so I thought I'd bring out the ones that create some of the shock value lol...

Gamers make bad lovers, researchers say

2008-10-15T15:47:00.000-07:00

ladies...do you REALLY think that a guy who spends over 1500 dollars in games alone and 5700 in subscriptions is REALLY going to care what you think? lol

look...I am not making this up by myself...I cannot embellish on what needs no embellishing..click on the title of the post and the story sells itself..lol

Secrets of Sexually Satisfied Wives

2008-09-23T18:31:00.000-07:00

September 20th, 2008 by Laura M. Brotherson

Women have incredible sexual potential. Female sexuality has traditionally been minimized, but for the benefit of one’s wholeness, and for the strength of one’s marriage, an awakening of one’s sexuality within marriage becomes vital.
Sexual satisfaction may seem unimportant to the wife who has not yet made it a priority. Nevertheless, sexual development in marriage goes to the heart of one’s wholeness and personal development. It ultimately allows for the ecstasy of mutual enjoyment in marriage. This is God’s intended gift.
In order to empower women to reap the blessings of sexual wholeness and marital oneness, we must know what it is we are working toward. What are the secrets of sexually satisfied wives? If it is our intention to become sexually whole in our marriages, what are the characteristics of a sexually satisfied wife that we too can develop?
Embraces sexuality. The sexually satisfied wife embraces and takes responsibility for her sexuality. She makes it a priority. She sees her sexuality as good and important not only for her marriage, but also as an important part of her beingness. She has learned to find pleasure in the physicalness of the sexual dimension of marriage.
Nurtures the relationship. She nurtures the relationship with her spouse, and willingly addresses issues as they arise, so that they don’t grow and fester. She understands that how connected she feels emotionally towards her spouse affects how she feels sexually. She does what she needs to to nurture feelings of love and friendship.
Overcomes inhibitions. She works to overcome the inhibiting beliefs and barriers that may keep her from enjoying the sexual relationship with her husband. She works to reprogram those thoughts and beliefs that are counterproductive to feelings of emotional connection and sexual arousal.
Nurtures sexual feelings. She makes it a priority to nurture sexual thoughts and feelings towards her spouse. She understands that with her unique wiring, sexual feelings and desires are more consciously acquired.
Sexually educated. She willingly takes an active role in getting educated about this dimension of marriage. She understands and accepts the differences in sexual wiring between herself and her husband, as well as the differing paths to arousal each may experience.
Makes peace with her body. Sexually satisfied wives make peace with their body and appearance, but also do what they can to look their best. They put effort into their health and appearance through exercise, eating healthly, getting enough sleep, and dressing attractively. They make the best of what they have. They also accept that there are some things they can’t change about their appearance, and have learned to be okay with it.
Is fun and playful. The sexually satisfied wife maintains an element of fun and playfulness in the relationship. Even amidst the demands of life, she makes the effort to tease and be playful with her husband. They know each other well, and enjoy each other’s presence.
Knows what she needs. She spends time learning and practicing together with her husband until they have identified what turns her on, and what kind of stimulation she needs to regularly experience orgasm.
Communicates. She’s learned to communicate with her husband without being reactive, so that delicate subjects such as sex can be discussed. She’s willing to ask questions and shares personal preferences to help her husband learn how to sexually engage and excite her.
Likes to touch. She likes to touch. Sexually satisfied wives see to it that there is plenty of touching going on in their marriage. She takes responsibility, if need be, to see that there is enough non-sexual touch and affection outside the bedroom as well as within.
Surrenders to the passion. She’s learned how to relax and let go within lovemaking. She is willing and able to surrender to the all-encompassing experience of sexual pleasure, and is in tune with her sensuousness. While it may seem paradoxical, the sexually satisfied wife not only surrenders herself to the sensual experience, but she also actively engages in experiencing and expressing her passion.
Takes responsibility for self. The sexually satisfied wife takes responsibility for her happiness and well-being, and keeps her focus on things she can do to improve the marriage and sexual relationship. She knows that how she feels about herself affects how she feels sexually. She is regularly working on aspects of herself that she’d like to change, which keeps her from getting caught up in trying to change her spouse.
These secrets of sexually satisfied wives can show us how we too can be empowered to experience and enjoy sexual wholeness and the sexual potential God created in marriage.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Laura M. Brotherson is the author of a groundbreaking book on sexual intimacy and marital oneness entitled, And They Were Not Ashamed—Strengthening Marriage through Sexual Fulfillment. Laura shares her passion for building strong marriages and families as an author, intimacy educator and relationship consultant.
Visit her website www.StrengtheningMarriage.com to learn more and to sign up for her “Straight Talk about Strengthening Marriage” newsletter. StrengtheningMarriage.com is your trusted resource for education, products and services to strengthen marriages intimately!

Poll shows gap between blacks and whites over racial discrimination

2008-09-23T08:09:00.000-07:00

Actually this article is pretty good. I think it is news worthy...the title could be distracting or overly generic..but the meat of the article is worth reading.

If you click on this title, you will leave my blog...but one back click and you are back to my frivelous rantings ;) lol

Obama/Biden '08

2008-09-18T19:05:00.000-07:00

See latest stories on Yahoo! News

Alright I got tagged...here we go...tagging is as follows below...

2008-09-14T02:07:00.000-07:00

Tag Game- List 5 joys, 5 fears, 5 obsessions/collections, and 5 surprising facts, then tag 5 people.

Joys
1. kids potty training..lol
2. USC beat Ohio State! Angels won their division, Dodgers in 1st place!
3. Finishing my degree!
4. taking my kids places they hadn't gone..like the beach...that was cool!
5. changing jobs next year...not sure what yet...

Fears -
1. fear of falling thus ladders/HIGH roller coasters/roofs but not ordinarily planes (heights)
2. not raising my kids correctly, in the eyes of others...
3. losing money on the house/losing home in quake
4. Bankruptcy/credit damage
5. Divorce

Current Obsessions
1. School (I swear I WILL GRADUATE by the time I am 35 lol)
2. Work
3. My kids
4. college football particularly USC/U of U
5. music...i am not sorry.. this will never die...it is my peace and quiet

Surprising Facts
1. I LOVE CA more than ut
2. I have a cousins younger than me with better degrees lol
3. People in my work think I'm over 40
4. Owning a home is not as easy as it looks
5. Provided I put in 20 yrs of military time, my kids schooling is paid for in CA!

What does 9/11 mean to you? Where were you when it occurred?

2008-09-11T17:59:00.001-07:00

I remember that I had just dropped off Bell at school and was driving on 7th East in SLC and I was listening to 107.5 (The End) when it came over the radio that the 1st tower had come down. I was in shock...as were most drivers...by the way that they were driving, rather rudementary from time to time. It was a very somber and sobering moment that will forever change how we look at life itself and where our futures will go.

I was already in the process of joining the US Coast Guard at the time. I remember that when I went to work at Jordon Commons in Sandy, my boss (Mr. Joos)asked me if I was sure I still wanted to go. I am putting his name out there, because it was very typical of who he is as a person. That said, most people at my work were very supportive of my new opportunity to serve my country. I remember watching the horror on the big screen and my stomach churned as much as everyone else's. I remember the hurt that I felt and the lack of understanding but since there were attacks on that building in 1993, I guess there was a very disgusting feeling of closure. They finally achieved and not just once, but twice on our country. It was very offensive and painful to deal with. I, in fact, could not be any more proud of my decision to join the military. I would do it all over again without flinching.

In the months following, nothing else mattered. You could not see a car go by that did not have a decal. Everyone was as nice to each other as I have ever seen in my life. People simply respected one another. The richest and poorest Americans would never even consider treating each other with less than the greatest respect. it is a shame that now, we need the olympics and this war for us to feel any patriotism as an overall country. I saw today on CNN that the threat for another attack is under 35%...that creates more fear in me than a lot of things. I think that is proof that we have indeed forgotten 9-11. It is always when we expect it the least that these moments occur. I am grateful that we have not had to deal with it, but I am always distrusting and leary of gaining any sense of confidence against terrorists as they are very untrusting and volatile people who can go off at any time. I hope that we will NOT forget 9-11. I do not think we need to create a sense of resentment towards those of the same religion who fear Al Qaeda as much as we do. I think they too have the same feelings that we do, for the most part. Iraq has lost 3 times as many people as we have and I am sure that they are capable of seeing how extremism is simply what it is.

During basic training, the Anthrax scares occurred and that was troubling as well. When I was in San Francisco at Golden Gate, many people looked at that unit as a station vacation. Nothing could be further from the truth. That is a very very busy small boat station that should be lauded for all that it has to deal with on a daily basis. Their efforts are often underappreciated and underestimated. I received only the best training when I was there. Watchstanding included taking care of the bridge itself. There was a HUGE sense of pride and I look at that time as a huge growing opportunity for me. I grew more as a seaman in San Fran and as a newlywed than at any other time of my life. The threat of terrorism was at its highest and the fact that we worked around the clock to save people, took care of the bridge and kept the station looking its best was a pleasing way to serve our vulnerable and victimized country at that time.

Now years later, I find myself here in the Bay Area where I feel many times we have truly forgotten 9-11. I am taking classes in domestic and international terrorism and I have been learning this as training for my job. Now, I am a Yeoman. We are not known for being in counter-terrorism. We are best known as Human Resource Specialists. I am first a member of the military, I am second a YN. I will do whatever I am asked to do and if my knowledge in the matter can be of assistance to any unit, detachment or operation of the Coast Guard, I will offer my services where I can.

I am grateful for my opportunity to serve my country and I will never forget 9-11. I will never regret serving my country and I will never look back, only forward!

Semper Paratus!

Ladies explain this: Dress Barn? Sag Harbor? Paper Doll? Roseanne's? Trashy Diva?Hot F(l)ash?

2008-09-10T18:37:00.000-07:00

How is it that women go to the Dress Barn....women YEARN to not be compared to a cow, yet, they go to this store that is coincidently called "dress barn". How is it that this works out? And inside this "barn" we're looking at labels like Sag Harbor? Like women need a constant reminder that their breasts are sagging? I am pretty sure that is the LAST reminder they need.If Sag Harbor isn't enough, let's go with Hot F(l)ash...because every woman wants to think about menopause as they are buying their clothes...let's move on...heaven forbid I dwell on that one..let's go to the MAJOR female killer...Paper Doll...LOVELY!..women are all pissed prudes and are victimized due to their men watching porn...oh hey, guess what I bought at the barn?? I got these paper doll skirts...very nice! Now, if we want to get away from the filth, we need not move too far because the BETTER clothing label is Trashy Diva...which is much better than the infamous Roseanne's....because every woman wants to be reminded of Roseanne Barr as they are buying clothes.

So there you have it...it makes NO SENSE at all...but it is what it is...

but excuse me if I do not follow the rest of the men into Limp Johnson's apparel...or Beerbelly Bar or any other place that reminds a man of his inadequacies...but if it works for you...who am I???

BE CAREFUL WITH ALL CEREALS!

2008-09-08T12:59:00.000-07:00

We are finding weevils IN the cereals...it's gross and I think it is MORE widespread than people are willing to either admit or complain about...or even worse, it is going unnoticed and we're all eating these things!!!

take the time and COMPLAIN to your supermarkets...the only way we force quality control is to mandate it ourselves!

Here are some fun signs in this country!

2008-09-04T18:07:00.000-07:00

Here are some fun signs in this country! part TWO

2008-09-04T18:03:00.000-07:00

this park is in Rexburg, ID...you can't make this stuff up...

plese KNOW that this is NO reference to Katrina. I recieved this picture as a gaffe about the Coast Guard and it in no way refers to Katrina since I received it before 2005.

Why I changed my party affiliation

2008-09-02T19:25:00.000-07:00

I am proud to be a democrat. This did not occur overnight, it was in fact, very difficult to decide. I had to decide within myself where I felt that I was. MY change had little to do with the present election or any President of either party. I cannot honestly tell you that it DIDN'T get some help from a few politicians in each direction, but that was not the deciding factor. I started to understand a lot of the consequences from the actions taken. I started to understand what the ramifications were of the bills and propositions that were being passed and how I was voting for them. I started to see how the Republicans stopped becoming themselves and lauded President Reagan as if he were a God. I respected President Reagan, but if I am to be successful in the military, I will be successful as a Winter and NOT as a Reagan surrogate. I need to make the most of my life through the family that my God gave me regardless if they feel the same way that I do, or whether they believe the same way that I do. We agree to disagree and we know that there are beliefs that we will not see the same way, and we have no desire to change that.

I was not always a Democrat and I was consistent in my beliefs. I was NOT aware that I was consistently wrong and uneducated about what I was voting for. That is no reflection of my parents. My parents were taught in the ways of their parents and they too see and have differences between their parenting styles and personal beliefs. It isn't right or wrong, it is simply different. It is a difference we learn to respect and leave it at that.

I was not understanding the whole picture. I did not see with my own eyes. I saw what people wanted me to see. I appeased people and told them what they wanted to hear. I had to learn the hard way to be true to who I am. I have made several problems for myself because of this both small and large and it has affected relationships, my marriage, my schooling, my mental and emotional growth. It has affected me in every facet of my life.

It took a person to show me that there are politicians who are willing to tell me what I did NOT want to hear. I did NOT convert solely for and because of Barack Obama. I was already leaning that way for the last 10 years. The more that I was able to see a new paradigm, the more I understood that dichotomy between the Repulican and Democratic parties and I understood more of what I hadn't before.

This may be a bit strong for evangelicals to accept. But those who are LDS may see how I have come to this change in my life.

D&C 29:36
36 And it came to pass that Adam, being tempted of the devil—for, behold, the devil was before Adam, for he rebelled against me, saying, Give me thine honor, which is my power; and also a third part of the ghosts of heaven turned he away from me because of their agency;

If you click on the title of this post, you will read an article regarding the plan of salvation and how our free agency is applied and how it came to be.

If we are to be more like Christ, we should want to understand his thought process. We are NEVER going to know as much as he does. We may never be remotely close to following his will in all that we do. He gave us free agency and we can choose of our own free will whether we choose to return to God's presence. The most obedient would go to Heaven and the glory would be unto God.

Satan’s plan of compulsion, whereby all would be safely conducted through the career of mortality, bereft of freedom to act and agency to choose, so circumscribed that they would be compelled to do right—that one soul would not be lost—was rejected; and the humble offer of Jesus the First-born—to assume mortality and live among men as their Exemplar and Teacher, observing the sanctity of man’s agency but teaching men to use aright that divine heritage—was accepted. The decision brought war, which resulted in the vanquishment of Satan and his angels, who were cast out and deprived of the boundless privileges incident to the mortal or second estate.

So what does this have to do with my desire to be democrat? It has EVERYTHING to do with that. When people commit abortions, when gays choose to get married, when we go to war and when people die of drugs, it all relied on our ability to handle things ourselves. Christ does not enjoy seeing the rampant crime that is being done. But he has to suffer it to be. It is the process of free agency. When we force people to follow what is right, we are following the Adversary's plan REGARDLESS of how correct they are or how they feel.

With the LDS Church insisting that marriage is solely heterosexual and they get very close to the lines between church and state by making phone calls and visits, they are uniting with those to make marriage solely for heterosexuals. In so doing, the LDS Church here in California is forcing compulsion in this matter to the extent that everyone in California, regardless of whether they are LDS or not, are now in accordance with LDS rules which dictate that marriage is ONLY for man and woman.

IF this happens, we are being forced to do what is right according to LDS faith and their rules. "We" is not JUST members of the LDS faith or the population of California, but we as in every person from San Francisco, CA to Bangor, ME. We are being taught that we MUST do what is right. Our free agency is no longer ours. While I appreciate the zeal of those in the LDS Church and the republican party who feel they need to enforce what is right as a statewide law. I am an (in)active LDS member who goes through the motions, there are somethings that simply do not work. This is one of those things.

I am not pro abortion or pro life. I am for free agency. That woman needs to make a choice and they must live with the consequences of that choice. If she decides to have sex, she needs to decide whether she will keep that child. She must also decide quickly because the longer she waits, her indecision becomes her decision. "You can choose a ready guide/In some celestial voice/If you choose not to decide/You still have made a choice" -Neil Pert (Freewill, Rush)
the more her free agency challenges and impacts the free agency of that fetus. As long as that fetus has a heartbeat, it also has its own free agency to consider.

If we could personify the fetus, who is to say that fetus would WANT to be a child to the mother whose more loose than a slot machine in Vegas? She has no job, she has 15 more credits in high school to go, she has no man by her side, she smokes or drinks...is that something a fetus would voluntarily want to be born into? I doubt it. But she has to make that choice and she has to consider the best future for that fetus and be aware that THAT future may not include her. God, Christ, you and I all have to accept that she may or may not make the decision we would like her to make. It is what is part of free agency. If we force her to have kids, she may be a horrible mother, she may not...but the odds are not on her side. She still has no capability of paying the bills that will come her way and may not have anyone to really help her. We assume that people will step up and help. We NEED to stop doing that. It is NOT a guarantee, it is a blessing when it DOES happen. She may not have the resources or the money to take care of that child...She may do the right thing and have the child adopted. It is a choice she has to make.

I am not for or against guns. I am for gun safety and security checks because too much is at stake in regards of guns. We should have the responsibility to be able take care of guns in every way, because it is the person behind the gun that dictates the free agency of others if used errantly. I feel that we need to make the right choices in our lives in a self compelled way and we ought to do it of our own free will and NOT being forced into doing what is right. We are incapable of choosing the consequences, but if we deny ourselves from even having the right to choose, then the choice is already made for us as is the consequence. We do not have any input on either.

Gay people deserve to be happy. They make decisions that we disagree with, but if we force them to follow what WE feel is right, they are compulsed to do what is right according to a state law and a religious commandment that they do not agree with or believe in. It is about free agency. WE may not agree with free agency or gay marriage, but to keep the integrity of the free agency that Christ has offered us, we have to accept and maintain free agency for all people so that Christ's free agency gift is not compromised. The moment that we force people to do what WE want them to do, we have compromised their free agency. At that point, how are we any better than Che Guevara or Fidel Castro?

THE BEST STRATEGY OF THE DNC

2008-08-26T18:53:00.000-07:00

The DNC has been by and large extremely impressive and refreshing. They have given the Republican party a HUGE pass. They have not laid into McCain at all up till now and it is my hope that they continue! Tonight's attacks against McCain were mild and that is exactly where it ought to be!

The less attention we give to our opponents, and the more we focus on the issues and the points where we need to improve upon, the stronger we are as a nation. We need to focus on the strengths that we still have and work together regardless of party lines to assure the best results in this country regardless of the issue.

If we give CNN, MSNBC and other media outlets their fair share of soundbytes, then all this is worth are lonely worthless soundbytes instead of creating the foundation by which our nation can grow back to where we were before 2000.

If we want to be strong again, we, as a people have to come together and find the results and work towards the betterment of this country as a communicative country who are willing to look towards our future and learn from our errors in the past.

I am glad that we are not into mudslinging, because when the RNC comes about, that is going to be the strength of their convention. They will rest all of their comments on Obama and how they are more like Reagan than even Reagan was. As ironic as that sounds, I do not say that to mudsling. I have heard several Republican debates and more often than not, the focus was on bringing the past to the present with each candidate comparing himself tirelessly to Reagan and how they will continue on his legacy. I don't understand that mentality. You do not hear Obama telling people how he wants to be like JFK, or FDR or any other past Democrat Presidents. We may have seen some of the old school democrats providing talks, but they have been supportive and provide Obama with an overall support from past, present and future support.

Even now, Romney has been sent by the McCain staff to Denver to discount and flame Obama. I find it amusing that no real press is being provided to Romney. The 3-4 men who have been arrested in a murder plot against Obama have gotten more press than Romney.

Mark Warner (D-Virginia) provided a huge talk tonight and as a follow up to Michelle Obama's talk, we have so much to look forward to with Obama's talk coming on the same day as Martin Luther King's,"I Have A Dream" address at The National Mall!

Jericho Scott's pitching is good enough to scare a whole team!

2008-08-26T15:42:00.000-07:00

Look, having played 11 years of baseball from the time I was five, I have seen my fair share of "Jericho Scotts"...there were pitchers that had my number and a lot more that didn't. When I was on a team called the Phillies, we took 2nd place and the ace was a kid named Paul...that boy had himself an arm, but the next year, he did NOT dominate the league as most expected he would...not sure if he stressed his arm, but he was never the same. Then there was a kid when I was 14 years old named Kevin Brown...HE was FAST...if he threw less than 70, it was a curve or a changeup...and I had the confidence to hit him, but I also knew that I had to choke up and get to the back of the box in order to see the ball as long as I could. I could get decent contact on foul balls, but that is costly unless you have 2 strikes already...my best hit off him was a LONG fly out right at the fence....but it DID get his attention...as I had a great game that day and he thought he gave up a HR. While I flew out, I will die with the strong self confidence that I could hit off of him or any other kid in that league. I STILL go to the cages and I STILL can hit off of the 80 mph cages. I want to always hit well and keep up that skill regardless, so that I can teach my kids how to do the same. A good catch does NOT reflect in my ability to hit the ball off of an ace. I knew what I could do. I will teach Gabriel and Jasmine how to have that level of self confidence and assurance so they are capable of understanding with a clear and lucid mind, that they can hit off of any pitcher or pitch to any hitter and if that hitter or pitcher gets the best of them that day, then give that athlete their due credit and get to their level!

PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE...if these kids, whose coach decided to close up shop and leave without practicing, were taught anything, it was how to quit. There is NOT a worse lesson in sports than to give up and quit. Little League is a place where you improve on your abilities and if YOU can't hit, you had better get your dad to pitch to you, or a brother, or an uncle or anybody you can get and if THAT doesn't work, 10-15 dollars will give you plenty of training! Get into the cages, get into the game.

Baseball is a beautiful game because even these kids in self-entitled USA, will HAVE to realize, is that baseball DEMANDS work, persistance, self confidence and several other traits. NOTHING will get your self confidence up like hitting off of the ace! These kids need desperately to be shown Kirk Gibson's matchups with Goose Gossage and more important, Dennis Eckersley. Eck was a FORCE...that man did NOT have K-Rod's need to have men on base..he would get everyone out and his 47 saves were indicative of how vicious he was. When Eckersley got on the mound, it was LIGHTS OUT..Dodger fans everywhere were VERY concerned, it was over. We knew who was coming up and who was in the hole, we knew Kirk was NOT an option...and yet once Eckersley had his own oversight by walking Mike Davis, we saw the impossible occur. Lo and behold, Kirk Gibson comes out of the dugout as the pinch hitter. Kirk was NOT intimidated by Eckersley, he hit a very important HR against Gossage 4 years prior, this situation was made for him, not all of us had that same faith as Gibby's knees were shot and we got a very good sign of that from a foul ball that he tried to run out. Gibby got the ball he wanted and jacked it over the right field wall. What was he doing before that???

PRACTICING IN THE BATTING CAGE!!!!

Some people never learn

2008-08-18T18:36:00.000-07:00

Jenn Stuczynski could definitely take a page out of Alain Bedard's book on trash talking. In both cases, the one who talks, is the one who paid the price. You would think on day 11 after over a week or two from when Bedard decided to challenge Phelps and the Americans that he planned on smashing, OUR athletes would think twice before pulling the same crap. Sadly, no...we succomb to the same pressure and Stuczynski is talking about beating some Russian butt??? really? wow, wonders WILL never cease. I generally vote for the US in most situations, but in this case, I did not feel bad and actually laughed, even momentarily at Stuczynski's naivete due to the circumstance and irony.

We need to let our actions speak volumes above our own voices.

selected quotes from JOHN LEICESTER, AP Olympics Columnist,

"Yelena Isinbayeva got the Olympic gold and a world record; American Jenn Stuczynski got the silver and a lesson in humility."

Isinbayeva is Russian but she understands English just fine. The greatest women’s pole vaulter of all time heard Stuczynski’s challenge loud and clear.

“I am not deaf,” she said. “It made me really angry.”

So Stuczynski gives Isinbayeva some locker room material. Stuczynski's underwhelming prediction not only ticks off Isinbayeva, but now Yelena has some extra drive and turns on the stove and bakes the competition. While Stuczynski was able to achieve 4.80 metres (15-9), Yelena achieved 4.85 to win and all of a sudden it turned into the Yelena show when they raised the beam to new heights at 5.05 (16-6 3/4) and Yelena hit it on the last of her 3 tries.

"Isinbayeva tried not to be smug. She had done what she had set out to do: let her vaulting do the talking.

'I just wanted to prove who is the best at the Olympic Games.'

But she couldn’t resist one last little dig

'She must respect me and … know her position,' she said.

'Now she knows it.'"

No, Yelena, the whole world now knows it and is celebrating with you!

Spain Spain Spain....remember...the intent is NOT the same as the impact..act accordingly

2008-08-14T14:25:00.000-07:00

I will not condone or show the picture of these knuckleheads making these gestures. I do not want to give them any more press than necessary because it is appalling.

"In the past the Spanish have been left in no doubt as to the sensitivity of racial issues internationally, especially since Spain's football manager, Luis Aragonés, made his infamous remark about Thierry Henry, monkey chants greeted England's football players in a friendly game in Madrid and the formula one driver Lewis Hamilton was subjected to abuse in Barcelona." -Sid Lowe The Guardian, Monday August 11 2008, Article history

During the World Cup games in Germany, racism was a VERY prominent concern for FIFA and officials from every country participating but more among the fans than by the actual athletes..

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/worldopinionroundup/2006/05/racism_shadows_germanys_world_1.html

China bans black people during the olympics from drinking!

http://shanghaiist.com/2008/07/18/the_racist_games.php

For a country with the motto of One World, One Dream...we recognize with all of these examples that we are still a LONG way away from recognizing the need to respect people in general as well as their cultures.

Regardless of how much affection the Spanish teams may want to use as their excuse to having accepted this stint, it is deplorable and embarrassing and China had every right to boo them with enthusiasm. Pau Gasol said,"it was “absurd” people were calling the gesture racist.

“We never intended anything like that,” he said.

Mr. Gasol, intent does not equal impact. Everyone who was offended was within their right to do so. To do what you did sir, regardless of your reasoning, was in poor taste. It is surprising that NOBODY stood up to think that this might offend someone.

Alain Bernard, Kharma was NOT on your side!

2008-08-11T14:49:00.000-07:00

I have to say that while swimming has not been of complete interest to me since watching my friends swim meets at Troy High over 15 years ago...until last night. In stunning form, we all witnessed world wide the biggest relay race in a long time. Most people would NOT care about this race had it not been for Alain Bernard's brash comment that they would SMASH the US team. Well Alain, it would have done you some good to talk with our boy Jim Rome and actually GET YOURSELF SOME POSITIVE KHARMA before throwing down that befuddled prediction. What happened instead, was a smashing, but it was your expressions that told the story better than anybody else could. The sports gods got involved, KHARMA TURNED and you provided locker room motivation for the US team. Lezak and Phelps made sure that you would eat your words and ...I might ask how it tastes..but again, I saw the look on your face and it spoke volumes. Need more salt?

what was the price of your prediction?

how about 1) an individual world record? 2) a team world record? and 3) what of your pride and that of your team right about now?

GERMAPHOBES ARE ANNOYING MORE THAN THEY REALIZE

2008-08-05T18:43:00.000-07:00

OK...YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND...germaphobes are beyond lysol...they can be outright offensive and their OCD wears on their family and friends more than people are willing to admit...so here you go...you THOUGHT...you just liked being clean...well being clean has gone to your head...LITERALLY!

Cleanliness Rules Germaphobes' Lives
Germaphobes are obsessed with sanitation and feel compelled to clean excessively, but they're really suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder.

By Leanna Skarnulis
WebMD Feature

Reviewed By Brunilda Nazario, MD

In the Monk TV series, gentle detective Adrian Monk works the grimy streets of San Francisco but is so driven by a fear of germs that he must scrub his hands after shaking hands with someone. Monk has been called the "poster boy" for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In fact, in an informal survey conducted by the Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation, OCD patients said they liked the character, who triumphs even when his condition interferes with his ability to do his work.

Monk is a "germaphobe," the popular name for people who become obsessed with germs and dirt and feel compelled to act out rituals of washing and cleaning. Real people with this condition include the late Howard Hughes and Saddam Hussein, who reportedly often ordered visitors to strip and wash with antibacterial soap.

True germaphobes have OCD, which can take various forms. For example, some people with OCD are "checkers." They're obsessed with a fear of losing control of aggressive urges, and their anxiety can be relieved only by checking something, such as whether a burner on the stove has been turned off. Hoarding, counting, and praying are some other manifestations of the disease. People often have multiple forms of OCD.

What Causes the Compulsion to Wash?

OCD is believed to be caused by an abnormality in the brain's circuitry. Brain scans show brain activity is different in people with OCD. There's probably a genetic component as well, especially when OCD begins in childhood. One-third to one-half of adults with OCD say their illness started in childhood or adolescence.

Why someone with the disease is compelled to wash, as opposed to check or count or hoard, isn't known. What's true with all types of OCD is that a compulsion is acted out to relieve anxiety produced by an obsessive, intrusive thought. For example, a woman accidentally cuts herself, washes the wound, puts antibacterial ointment on it, and bandages it. That should be that, but an anxious feeling and thought intrude: what if microscopic germs remain? She knows it's irrational, but she's compelled to wash the cut again in order to relieve the anxiety. She may have to repeat the act over and over.

When Is Cleanliness a Problem?

Every office has its neat freak. Maybe it's the woman who cleans her cubicle every morning and keeps everything arranged just so. Is she just a perfectionist or is she driven by OCD? It can be hard to tell at first because OCD is a secretive illness, says Mary Guardino. She is the executive director of Freedom From Fear, the national mental illness advocacy organization she founded in Staten Island, N.Y., in 1984. "When you first meet her, you notice how nice and organized and clean everything is. But she may be hiding her rituals. If she heard a co-worker got the flu, she'd fear she might have touched something that person handled, so she'll sneak into the bathroom to wash."

Guardino says a clinician looks for these signs of OCD:

The obsession with contamination is gradually taking over the person's life and actions.
The individual engages in ritual cleaning or washing at least one hour a day.
Acting out the rituals is done to relieve anxiety.
The person knows the obsession with germs is foolish but feels compelled to wash or clean over and over.
"People who have OCD really don't want to be that way," Guardino tells WebMD. On the other hand, people who have obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD), which is less serious than OCD, pride themselves on being neat freaks. Felix Unger, of The Odd Couple, for example. "It didn't bother Felix that he ran around with a paper towel and Windex. It bothered Oscar. Also Felix probably didn't clean a surface over and over. He thought his behavior was appropriate because he needed to have things perfect. He didn't want to change."

Treatment With Medication and Therapy

The most effective treatment combines medication, usually one of several antidepressants, and a form of cognitive behavioral therapy called "response prevention" or "exposure and response therapy."

"The object of response prevention therapy is to delay implementation of the ritual," says Guardino, whose expertise and advocacy grew out of her own 25-year battle with anxiety and depression. "The longer you delay it, you will get slowly over time a decrease in the anxiety to enact the ritual."

For example, the therapist might tell a patient that after washing her hands once, she must wait 15 minutes before washing them again. Gradually the length of time is increased until the patient can wash just once without feeling compelled to wash again. Successful treatment produces a change in brain activity and, for most patients, at least partial remission of the disease.

The Role of Family Members

Families often make the mistake of enabling loved ones with OCD. "A man who sees his wife cleaning the house three or four hours a day may at first think he's got the world's greatest wife," says Guardino. "But over time he sees her energy level go down, she's irritable, and there's something bizarre about her cleaning. So he reads about OCD on WebMD and gets her into treatment."

Family members can play an important role in carrying out response prevention treatment prescribed by a therapist. "After dinner, the wife jumps up to clear the table and get the bleach, but the husband tells her, 'Sit down for half an hour, we're listening to Mozart,'" says Guardino. "In the morning he says, 'I'm throwing my pajamas on the floor and I want them there when I get home tonight."

Danny Way WORST to SECOND LOL./JAKE BROWN'S REBOUND AND BRASILEIRO BOB WINS GOLD AT BIG AIR

2008-07-31T18:33:00.000-07:00

CRAZY....IN A WORD, it is more than I can even express.

Let's start with Aussie Jake Brown. Last year, Jake Brown took the infamous 50 foot drop onto the hardwood of the ramp. He broke his leg and limped off, it was unheard of that he walked away from that drop. It is the equivalent of falling off of a 2-3 story house and for the better part coming away unscathed...the fact that he left with only a broken leg, was fortunate at least and rather miraculous...as most know, the majority of skaters are able to get their knees out in order to absorb the force and transfer that inertia down the ramp...

THIS year, Jake Brown came back and ran THE SAME RUN that he had last year and NAILED IT...THEN on his second run, he even improved on it...it was sick and INCREDIBLY ADMIRABLE considering what he went through last year...which brings us to Danny Way and HIS injury TODAY...this just happened...

Danny got his run and on the first jump tried to backflip unsucessfully. He went back up the ramp for run #2 at which he nailed the first 360 jump but as he did the 540 melon and got roughly 19 feet of airtime off the lip, on his way back down, his shins caught the lip and he went down hard...he was motionless at first as medical checked him out. he WALKED off the ramp under his own power although there were chairs offered...that is not the Danny Way...then the Doc, frustrated by even having to ask, did so asking Danny not to run again as he broke his leg and more than probable, did some decent damage to his ankles and collarbone, back and chest...

So he runs the EXACT same run he had before, in Jake Brown style and LANDS IT HUGE enough to grab the lead...

Danny Way is UP for Run #4....he has medical on himself again...he has hit his head...his legs are moving which is a positive side. His feet and arms are moving appropriately...Danny sits up and is moving his head well...Danny Way is amazing...he walks off...he did a varial and whipped his head. Danny Way may not know when to stop, but you can't help to appreciate his ferocity and intensity and insistence to go through all 5 runs knowing full well, that he trained all year for this only to end up in 2nd or 3rd at best.

Jake Brown on his 4th run....went for the 720...unsuccessful..but safely slides downramp..

Brasileiro Bob Burnquist attempts the front flip, but was unsuccessful on this attempt. He is leading the field at the moment.

Danny Way is here for Run 5....this is happening now as I am...YOU CANNNT FREAKIN BELIEVE IT BABY!!!!

BACKFLIPS...LANDS IT...UP THE RAMP...DOES ANOTHER 540 WITH A VARIAL...FEET IN THE WRONG PLACE...LANDS IT AGAIN AFTER GETTING 21 FEET AIR...GOOD JOB DANNY...DANNY WAY GETS A 94 AND TAKES FIRST BACK FROM BOB BURNQUISTS' 93.33....HOWEVER BOB IS STILL COMING UP FOR HIS LAST RUN...IF YOU DON'T YOUTUBE THIS AND CHECK IT OUT...YOU MISSED IT..BUT BY ALL MEANS SEEING IT LIVE WAS EXCEPTIONAL!

Jake Brown's 5th run was unsuccessful, but take nothing away..a Bronze for a guy who shouldn't even BE here...fantastic effort..

Bob Burnquist turns up the heat with a a 180 ollie and at the ramp Indy 360 at 20 feet and lands it nicely! brazilian Bob Burnquist hits 96.00 the highest Xgames score EVER for the big air...well done Roberto...bem feito mesmo!

Manny Manny Manny...how we will have to get used to thee

2008-07-31T15:45:00.001-07:00

It is going to take a while to get used to you in Blue...Hit us a HR or 22 and we'll forgive you for being a Red Sox too.

ManRam in Hollywood...I guess it could be good...The Diamondbacks will start crying like they should..

hitting .500 will not get you a playoff spot AZ, so the Dodgers getting past them should be easy!

Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier and Juan Pierre, throw Manny's bat in the mix and we're already there.

Welcome to Chavez Ravine, Manny make sure you are not heard but seen. The only thing we want to hear from you is the crack of the bat and the stomp of the plate..that way we can victoriously leave the gates.

It's been 20 years since the men in Blue have seen a ring. It may not be this year, we need Nomar back too, but next year watch out NL, The Blue Crew will be back to dominate the NL and AL too!

What a sick state of affairs....

2008-07-29T01:06:00.000-07:00

Look, I have seen a trend that should worry the majority of America...whether it does or not is rather personal...but I found it to be rather disturbing and I cannot help but see the pattern duplicate itself on a rather large scale...I don't care what religion you are as this transcends through all of them..even the LDS faith..

This generation, besides being the playstation/xbox generation, is also one that has become a self entitled generation. They do not EARN the respect that they DEMAND from their parents. They EXPECT to receive certain things and will CRY and complain till they get it...regardless of the consequences. They MUST be entertained constantly. Parents have GIVEN UP almost completely as it is easier to give in, than to fight their kids incessant whining and complaining.

We will not hit our kids in this new politically correct (PC) world we live in. We are unafraid by our kids CPS threats, HOWEVER, there are cameras and we respect that we cannot and will not raise our children as we were raised, even though, the way we were raised was large in part..CORRECT. We are lazy parents as a result giving into things we would never give in to otherwise. We do understand the difficulty of getting our kids back if the SLIGHTEST thing were to go wrong...we fear losing our children to the government on a daily basis while we have done nothing wrong...not even remotely...in fact, we ought to do more, but we fear that by doing more we risk negligence in acts of commission OR worse, omission.

It is NOT that we have any intention or interest IN hitting our kids OR that hitting them is even an appropriate answer or response. We DO love our kids, however, we are being taken advantage of and the power and influence has shifted. We are negotiating with 3 year olds when we NEVER had that capacity when WE were 3 years old. My opinion barely mattered till I was about 7 or 8...and even then, could be dismissed for being a kid. At school, teachers can report cases and will even though they themselves may not even HAVE kids...and therefore lack the understanding of what a parent might be going through in particular situations BECAUSE the empathy cannot exist in that situation...so teachers CAN impose in a situation where they think they have all of the answers and yet...do not. We understand that their actions are in good intentions, however, they impose on OUR ability to teach our OWN kids what is right from wrong in the name of what is best for the kids.

All this aside, we are responsible for all of this that we have created. Kids cannot go to the park and even have a catch with their old man, because he is watching TV...or is on the PC (lol...quiet you!)..or is out with friends...OR WORSE...is involved in his addictions..whether it is movies, music, porn or whatever else is keeping him from being productive...the mother is too busy being pissed at the husband for not cleaning up after himself, as well as not playing with kids etc etc...and the kids ...God bless them through all of this dysfunction...are either playing xbox/playstation or are watching something on TV that may not even be age appropriate...

Now there are exceptions to this scenario...or even variations...maybe it is the wife who is victimized by addictions..whether light or heavy..maybe the husband works a different shift or works longer hours...OR maybe the husband is the housemaker as that is happening at a higher rate now....regardless...the kids are not playing baseball, or any other sport, there are no activities and the kids are getting bruised thumbs from the iPods, game controls and whatever else they are involved in...

so how did this get this way? Well mommies have to work...they didn't do all that schooling for nothing...it would be a waste...can't have that...NOW...UNDERSTAND that there are women who must work out of necessity as single mothers...but how did they become single mothers? divorced? really? what caused it? His porn addiction? the results of that addiction? or her involvement at work or all of the above?

kids are NOT getting the exercise they need, this country is as fat as it has EVER been....people even justify their liking of BBWs when 20 years ago, being overweight was abhorred...now..it is part of life...while medical conditions CAN be a part of that...they STILL lead sedentary lifestlyles and their kids pay the price and parents, I can only guess, feel that their kids get their exercise at school...so why do it again? The parents are busy, bills to pay, errands to run...

funny because the baby boomers DO get out of the house and they took us to OUR games! Now we phone it in and take our kids to the game and pick them up when their done?!

The inner city has a MAJOR challenge with baseball, adults are NOT being able to afford a better life and are working 13 hour days to pay for the simplest things in life and yes, this economy sucks...but we had NO problem finding 20 bucks (or more) for Batman's latest which made over 300 million in 10 days...plus the gas it took everyone to get there...just a bigger screen!

While I can understand people's frustration at going to ballgames to support these rich athletes, they are fun and enjoyable...if you don't go for you, at least go for your kids...and for those of us who have swing or graveyard shifts...make the most of the time you have during the day with your kids...

LISTEN TO THE WIFE. Now I have not been one to follow this very well..and it HAS COST ME...when I do..it helps me...novel concept...

don't lie to one another and have your disagreements away from your kids as they can impose guilt on themselves for these fights..and it can play on their own emotional growth and development.

You DO have free agency...but your actions can hold your free agency captive and the only way you get it back is by doing the right thing when it has to be done, regardless of what it is.

Take your kids to the park....show them that they exist beyond the walls of your home.

Date your wife. You need it and so does she. More than you will ever know! Take care of her as well...manicures and pedicures may seem like expenses...but you sure didn't complain last night...be grateful that she WANTS to look good for you!

Get your butt off of the sofa, Tivo it if you must...but go do something YOUR dad would have done with you OR that you would like to have done and think your kids would like to do...

take a freaking interest in your kids schoolwork and understand what their needs and wants are....do you even know who your children are? Do you recognize how YOUR actions influence them?

I am not saying this to anybody but myself....but if you need the butt kicking...then do for your kids what I must do for my own...

We are not perfect...don't beat yourself up too much but..don't justify anything either...own it and move on!

Longest All Star Game Ever Held at The House That Ruth Built

2008-07-17T19:06:00.000-07:00

At a record time of 4 hours and 50 minutes and 15 innings of length, Michael Young's Sacrifice flyball allowed Justin Morneau to score in the bottom of the 15th inning, giving the AL their 12th straight win in as many years.

The house that Ruth built is set to be closed down due to the construction of the new stadium being built on the opposite side of the street. It is only fitting that the All Star game be held in Gotham City this year AND that the game would be as good as it was. It was NOT just the game itself, but the Home Run contest the night before where Josh Hamilton hit 28 homeruns in the first round alone and 35 altogether even though Justin Morneau ended up stealing that from Josh as well. Even though this all star break ended up being more about Justin Morneau, it really was more about Josh Hamilton and his incredible feat of 35 homeruns only to not get the title...equally admirable was having his All Region Coach Counsil throwing BP to him. At the young age of 71, who is to question Counsil's ability to throw BP with 35 HRs as a result?

I was thoroughly excited with the game as well as the festivities at this year's HR contest. I felt bad about Dan Uggla who had himself a rough day...shake it off Dan...it's just a game! Well, I never got a chance to go to Yankee Stadium...I feel a little bad about that...but my hope is that I do get a chance to get to the new stadium at some point in my life. I am not sure I am willing to drop 65 large on a seat at the very last Yankee game this year and I don't have 265 bucks to go to the cheapest seat...let alone the flight to NYC...but neither does anyone else these days...so I plan on watching it from the same sofa as everyone elses...the one at home with a drink and a burger hoping that the Yanks win...not because I am a Yank fan...but every home team should win that game...there IS a feeling within that says that the sports Gods may even allow the Yanks to rebound and get into the playoffs JUST for that reason...they have their work cut out for themselves with the Sox and Rays playing MUCH better than they are...but then...crazier things have happened in Baseball...like 28 first round HRs and a the longest All Star game to boot!

Josh Hamilton Hits 28 HRs in ONE round!

2008-07-17T18:25:00.000-07:00

you have to see this...he hits a 518 foot HR, a 504 ft HR and a 502 ft HR...among several others!

1930s Marital Scale

2008-07-02T18:53:00.001-07:00

As a 1930s husband, I am
Very Superior

Take the test!

ALWAYS GOOD TO HAVE A TROJAN DRAFTED BEFORE A BRUIN!

2008-06-26T17:11:00.001-07:00

It is always a good thing to see USC drafted higher than UCLA regardless of what UCLA has...or how far they went in March Madness....USC may never get the same respect in basketball as UCLA because of Wooden and all that is UCLA Basketball..but that is what makes it all the nicer to get a player drafted higher than the Bruins...Only Westphal has done it before Mayo, so it is good to see it happen again!

Congratulations Fresno State on your First NCAA World Series Championship

2008-06-25T19:08:00.000-07:00

click on the title to read the story....but regardless of the sport...it is ALWAYS cool to beat up on the SEC and all the better that it was a California school giving Georgia the beat down...and it was! It was a shutout till the 8th inning before a solo HR broke it up! It is the BIGGEST Cinderella team EVER regardless of the sport..Fresno State was the LOWEST ranked team in the tournament and went up against the best teams in the country...(6)Rice, (2)North Carolina, (4)Arizona State, (19)LB State, (9)San Diego, and (8)Georgia.

To the best of my knowledge, at NO point were they EVER on the top 25 -30 teams in the country throughout the year...sometimes the WAC teams go underrated...but with teams like Boise St winning in Football against Oklahoma, Hawaii going undefeated and playing at Georgia and Fresno State winning their first NCAA title in a man's sport not to mention playing my SC Trojans as hard as they did a few years ago...do NOT take these teams lightly...YES Hawaii DID get humbled by Georgia in their BCS bowl, but the WAC has established itself more so now than ever...no MID MAJOR conference has had 2 BCS bowls and a NCAA World Series in a 3 year run. That is UNHEARD OF. So, my hat goes off to the Bulldogs for kicking Georgia Bulldogs in the teeth!

So what are you?? I don't need to know...but maybe YOU DO!

2008-06-25T18:51:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, we THINK that we're Republicans or we get ticked with the way things are today with Iraq, Gas Prices, immorality of today, Drug war, etc..and we wonder if we are Republican or Democrat or sometimes we don't really even fit in either??

well...instead of just accepting 1 of the 2 because you fear throwing your vote away....AT LEAST know what party you belong to...

you can obviously vote for whoever you want either way...so that you don't feel that vote is getting thrown away...but at least know what party your beliefs belong to...

By clicking on the post, there is a 10 question quiz that maybe more telling than you thought!

gas stations cry over credit card fees

2008-06-19T16:28:00.000-07:00

GAS STATIONS ARE GETTING ALL BENT ABOUT PEOPLE GETTING 4 DOLLAR GAS AND PUTTING IT ON THEIR CREDIT CARD BECAUSE OF THE CREDIT CARD FEES THAT ARE IMPOSED..
SO I SAY THIS....BUY PREMIUM GAS AND BUY IT ON YOUR CREDIT CARD...
THIS GOES AGAINST EVERYTHING THAT MAKES SENSE..EVEN TO ME IN THE BEGINNING..BUT THINK OF IT THIS WAY..
AS LONG AS YOU HAVE A LIMIT IE..7 GALLONS OR 30 BUCKS WHATEVER COMES FIRST, YOU WILL HAVE FILLED YOUR CAR WITH PREMIUM GAS...SO YOUR CAR WILL RUN BETTER AND WILL HAVE BETTER QUALITY GASOLINE.
PAY YOUR CREDIT CARD THAT EVENING OR THE FOLLOWING MORNING TO AVOID INTEREST. THE MORE FREQUENT THAT YOU PAY YOUR CARD, THE BETTER YOUR CREDIT WILL BE AND IT WILL BE THE SAME AS IF YOU USED YOUR DEBIT CARD.
IN THE END, YOUR CREDIT CAN GO UP, YOUR CAR GETS BETTER GAS AND YOU SCREW THE GAS STATIONS...THE MORE MONEY THEY LOSE ON THE DEAL, THE MORE THEY WILL BITCH AND MOAN ABOUT IT...
IT MAY NOT LAST A LONG TIME AND YOU HAVE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FINANCIALLY TO PAY YOUR CREDIT CARDS...BUT HEY...NOT A LOT OF DOWN SIDES IF YOU ARE CAREFUL.
THE ONLY DOWNSIDE IS THAT YOU GET A LITTLE LESS GAS...SO INSTEAD OF FILLING UP AT THE 1/4 MARK, FILL UP AT THE 3/8 OR EVEN THE 1/2 MARK...THEN IT WON'T CHANGE AT ALL..AND YOUR TANK WILL BE FULL.
I DID IT THIS MORNING AND THE RESULT WAS VERY LITTLE DIFFERENCE, YET I COULD FEEL THE DIFFERENCE WITH THE BETTER GASOLINE!
I FILLED IT WITH THE SAME 30 BUCKS AS ALWAYS AND IT WON'T BREAK MY BANK BECAUSE I ALREADY HAVE THAT BUDGETED INTO MY ACCT.

Easy Crab Cakes

2008-04-29T17:08:00.000-07:00

Easy Crab Cakes

2 pouches of Chicken of the sea Crab (3.53 oz)
2 Tbs finely chopped red bell pepper
2 Tbs finely chopped green onion
2 Tbs mayo (substitute lite mayo?)*
2 Tsp lemon juice
1/4 Tsp seasoned salt
1/4 Tsp garlic powder
1 dash cayenne powder
1 med. egg beaten
2/3 C. seasoned breadcrumbs
3 Tbs butter (lighter substitute?)*

In bowl, combine red peppers, green onions, mayo, lemon juice, seasoned salt, garlic powder and cayenne pepper. Stir in the 2 pouches of crab, egg and 1/3 cup breadcrumbs (mixture may be sticky). Divide and form into 4 balls. Roll crab balls in remaining breadcrumbs; flatten into cakes about 1/2 inch thick. In skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Fry (bake?*) crab cakes 3 to 4 minutes per side or until golden brown. Makes 4 servings.

Prep time: 10 min cook time: 8 mins

* items are for alternate measures to make the crab cakes more healthy...but is completely optional...if they (alternative crab cakes) turn out well ...let me know! I am not sure if you CAN bake them instead of frying, I imagine you COULD in a toaster oven, but I am not sure how long to bake them or at what temp...that is the experiment part!

After living in Maryland, I learned to LOVE these...and if your kids want to make REAL crabby patties...well here you go!

Marine-ated Grilled Tuna

2008-04-16T16:23:00.000-07:00

For Harvey Walden's
Marine-ated Grilled Tuna:

1 thick tuna steak
Pinch of salt and freshly ground
black pepper
1 tablespoon light soy sauce

Zest and juice of 2 limes
Olive oil spray

Place the tuna in a shallow dish and season with the salt and pepper.
Mix the soy sauce, lime zest and juice, chili pepper, and ginger in a small bowl and pour over the tuna. Leave to soak for 30 minutes.
Preheat a nonstick grill pan over medium-high heat and lightly coat with olive oil spray.
Place the tuna steak gently in the pan when it is very hot and cook quickly for 2 to 3 minutes on each side. DON'T overcook.
Great with a small, green leaf salad, maybe with a touch of vinaigrette if you have done your exercises thoroughly.

Non conference slates continue to weaken

2008-04-16T13:25:00.000-07:00

April 14, 2008

Mike Huguenin
Rivals.com College Football Editor

It's time to face facts: College basketball is over and we're 135 days away from the first college football game of the season.

Brian Kelly and Cincinnati play three road games against non-BCS conference opponents.
In other words, it's time to panic. Now you have to spend time with your family, read a book, clean out the garage, do yard work or focus more intently on your job.

But we're here to help. It might be four-plus months away from the start of the football season, but that doesn't mean it's too early to start breaking down 2008 schedules.

Today, we're breaking down each league. Tuesday, we'll look at the 12 most embarrassing non-conference games of the season. Wednesday, we'll look at the 12 best non-conference games of the season. We agree that it might be a tad early to look four-plus months down the road. But given the alternative …

Two things: First, we will be referring to games against "Division I-AA" teams even though the NCAA now refers to that division as the "Football Championship Subdivision." Given that the NCAA has far more important matters to worry about than changing the nomenclature of its football divisions, we still use the "I-AA" moniker as a sort of silent protest. Second, while Notre Dame isn't a member of a "Big Six" league, we are including the Irish when we talk about "Big Six" schools.

Here's a league-by-league look at each league's non-conference schedules.

THE "BIG SIX" LEAGUES

INSIDE THE SCHEDULES
"BIG SIX" VS. I-AA GAMES
2008: 51 games
2007: 41 games
2006: 47 games
2005: 31 games
NOTE: Starting in 2006, teams were allowed to play 12 regular-season games.
PLAYING AT LEAST 3 "BIG SIXERS"
*Connecticut (3)
East Carolina (4)
Florida International (3)
Florida Atlantic (3)
Fresno State (3)
Hawaii (4)
Louisiana-Monroe (3)
Marshall (3)
Middle Tennessee (4)
Navy (5)
*Notre Dame (10)
Troy (3)
UCF (3)
*USC (3)
*Syracuse (3)
*Wake Forest (3)
Western Kentucky (4)
PLAYING TWO I-AA TEAMS
*Clemson
*Florida State
*Georgia Tech
*Texas Tech
Western Kentucky
PLAYING NO "BIG-SIXERS"
Air Force
*Arizona
*Indiana
*LSU
*Minnesota
*Texas Tech
*Wisconsin
NOTES: This is the third season in a row Texas Tech is on this list. This is the second season in a row for Arizona, Indiana and Minnesota. It's the second time in three seasons for Wisconsin.
TEAMS WITH EIGHT HOME GAMES
*Indiana
*Louisville
*LSU
*Nebraska
NOTE: Last season, there were eight teams with eight home games, and four of those were from the SEC, two from the Pac-10, one from the Big Ten and one from the Big East.
TEAMS WITH FIVE HOME GAMES
Akron
Arkansas State
Bowling Green
Central Michigan
Eastern Michigan
FAU
FIU
Fresno State
Kent State
Louisiana-Lafayette
Louisiana-Monroe
Middle Tennessee
Navy
North Texas
Ohio U.
Troy
*Stanford
Temple
Western Kentucky
Western Michigan
NOTE: Last season, there were 22 teams with five home games, with two of those (Duke and Florida State) from "Big Six" leagues.
NON-"BIG SIXERS" HOSTING "BIG SIXERS"
Vanderbilt at Miami University, Aug. 28
Mississippi State at Louisiana Tech, Aug. 30
Minnesota at Bowling Green, Sept. 6
West Virginia at East Carolina, Sept. 6
Maryland at Middle Tennessee, Sept. 6
Texas Tech at Nevada, Sept. 6
Texas A&M at New Mexico, Sept. 6
Connecticut at Temple, Sept. 6
USF at UCF, Sept. 6
Texas at UTEP, Sept. 6
UCLA at BYU, Sept. 13
Wisconsin at Fresno State, Sept. 13
Arizona at New Mexico, Sept. 13
Stanford at TCU, Sept. 13
USF at Florida International, Sept. 20
Iowa State at UNLV, Sept. 20
Cincinnati at Akron, Sept. 27
Oregon State at Utah, Oct. 2
Cincinnati at Marshall, Oct. 3
Louisville at Memphis, Oct. 10
Washington State at Hawaii, Nov. 29
Cincinnati at Hawaii, Dec. 6

*— signifies member of "Big Six" leagueACC: The league gets the ignominious honor of being the league whose members are playing the most games against Division I-AA opponents, with 14. Every league team except Wake Forest is playing a I-AA foe, and – shame, shame – Clemson, Florida State and Georgia Tech are playing two each. The flipside is that the ACC gets to boast that its members are playing far more non-conference games against "Big Six" schools than any other "Big Six" league, with 23. Every league school is playing at least one such opponent. Nine of the 12 league members – all but Boston College, Maryland and Virginia Tech – are playing at least two such games, and Wake Forest and North Carolina are playing three.

Big East: There are seven non-conference games against I-AA members, with each league school expect for Pittsburgh playing one such game. The Big East is second among "Big Six" leagues with 16 non-conference games against fellow "Big Six" members. Each league member has one such game, and Connecticut and Syracuse have three each. Louisville is one of just four schools nationally with eight home games this season.

Big Ten: League members have nine games against I-AA schools, with all but Michigan, Michigan State and Purdue partaking. Big Ten teams are playing just 13 non-conference games against "Big Six" schools – the lowest total among all the conferences. Indiana, Minnesota and Wisconsin are playing zero non-conference games against "Big Six" programs. Of note: Big Ten teams are playing 13 games against MAC schools, with each league team except Iowa playing one and Indiana, Michigan and Minnesota playing two each. Indiana also is one of the four schools nationally with eight home games this season.

Big 12: There are 10 games against I-AA teams. Each league team has at least one of those – Texas Tech has two – except for Nebraska, Texas and Texas A&M. There also are 15 games against other "Big Six" programs; every league school has at least one except for Texas Tech. Baylor has three such games. Nebraska is the only Big 12 school with eight home games this season.

Pac-10: Give it up for the Pac-10, which has just two games against I-AA opposition, by far the lowest of any league. (Arizona State and Washington State are the only league teams playing I-AA foes.) There also are 14 games against other "Big Six" schools; every league team except Arizona is playing at least one and USC is playing three. Of note: Stanford is the only "Big Six" school with just five home games this season.

SEC: There are nine games against I-AA foes, with each league team except for Alabama, Tennessee and Vanderbilt playing one such game. There are 15 games against other "Big Six" opponents, with each league school playing at least one such game except for LSU. LSU also is one of the schools with eight home games in '08.

THE OTHER LEAGUES

Conference USA: The league has seven games against I-AA opponents and 23 against "Big Six" foes. Each of the league's 12 schools has at least one game against a "Big Six" foe, with East Carolina having four and Marshall and UCF three each. ECU, Marshall, Memphis, UCF and UTEP each have one home game against a "Big Six" opponent.

Mid-American: There are eight games against I-AA opponents. But the MAC can crow about its 28 games against "Big Six" programs, the most of any league (13 of those are against Big Ten schools). Four of those 28 will be on MAC campuses – at Akron, Bowling Green, Miami and Temple. But eight of the 13 league members have just five home games: Akron, Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Kent State, Ohio University, Temple and Western Michigan.

Mountain West: There are seven games against I-AA schools, with each MWC team except New Mexico and UNLV playing one such game. There are 14 games against "Big Six" schools, with every league school involved in at least one except Air Force. Six of those "Big Six" opponents will be playing on a MWC campus, with New Mexico playing host to two such opponents and BYU, TCU, UNLV and Utah playing host to one each.

Sun Belt: There are five games against I-AA opponents, with provisional member Western Kentucky playing two of those. There also are 26 games against "Big Six" members, the second-most of any league. Each Sun Belt team is playing at least two "Big Six" opponents; Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky are playing four each, and Florida International, Florida Atlantic, Louisiana-Monroe and Troy are playing three each. Each of the league's nine members have just five home games, with FIU and Middle Tennessee the only league schools playing host to a "Big Six" member (USF is at FIU and Maryland is at MTSU).

Western Athletic: There are seven games against I-AA schools, with Fresno State and Utah State the only WAC schools not involved in such a game. There also are 17 games against "Big Six" members, with every league school playing at least one such game; Hawaii has four and Fresno three. Hawaii has two home games against "Big Six" schools, and Fresno, Louisiana Tech and Nevada have one each. In all, though, Fresno has just five home games this season.

Independents: Army and Navy each play one game against I-AA schools. Those two plus Notre Dame will play 17 games against "Big Six" opponents, with Army playing two, Navy five and Notre Dame 10. Navy has just five home games.

http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=796874

Let's assure that Hillary never "Misspeaks" again!

2008-03-26T19:11:00.000-07:00

McCain may be a military man...but most military families have NO desire to LIVE in Iraq on any military base. You have to guess that under McCain's century long plan in Iraq..that a base cannot be far offbase (pun intended).

4000 soldiers and sailors are dead already...how many have to pass away before this war becomes silly? we support all of the military and understand that they are following direct orders to continue, but they are well aware of the situation at hand as well.

What will be the final cost? at this moment, it is over 3 trillion dollars..when is it simply ENOUGH?

LET'S GET BARAK IN THERE AND GET THE TROOPS SAFELY OUT! DON'T WORRY ABOUT WHETHER WE WIN OR NOT...THIS WAR OFFERS NO WINNERS AND TERRORISM WILL EXIST EITHER WAY.

Mom, I DIDN'T LIE!!!! I MISSPOKE!!

2008-03-25T16:33:00.000-07:00

Leave it up to the Clintons to redefine what a LIE is...

so what happens if you MISSPEAK in court?

What happens if you MISSPEAK on your presidential campaign?

What happens if you Misspeak anywhere???

Do we rename the LIE detector as the Misspeaking detector?

Did Judas misspeak?

Thou shalt not "misspeak"?

This changes EVERYTHING!!!

FANTASTIC PAC10 BASKETBALL IN CALIFORNIA

2008-03-06T22:04:00.000-08:00

Well that is, if you are from Southern California. If you're from the Bay Area, you are not sure how everything happened. At the Galen Center, USC had a decisive lead with roughly 2 minutes left when Cal goes on a 10-0 run to get into range with USC. USC and Cal fouled each other all the way throughout the game with Eric Vierneisel, Patrick Christopher and Randle fouling out for Cal. Davon jefferson was the sole eviction for USC. USC opened up OT and had a 10-2 run before Cal answered back and came as close as 3 points away before losing by 4. While USC gave Cal as many opportunities as they were willing to receive, Cal continually gave those back to USC who did take advantage more often than not.

Across the way in Westwood, Stanford had a lead for the better part of the game up until 40 seconds to go in the 2nd quarter. The only time UCLA had a lead was early in the first half at 2-0. They didn't see the lead again until they forced OT due to Collison's free throws 4 seconds away from regulation from a controversial foul by Lawrence Hill. In OT, UCLA made it happen 7-2 in OT and took a decisive lead with 35.2 seconds at 75-65. Stanford was not able to shut down a very strong UCLA offense. Collison and Love were strong all night combining for 39 pts. While the end of the Stanford/UCLA game was not as close as the SC game, UCLA had to scratch and claw in order to even get into OT, so you have got to love their chances in the dance and the upcoming PAC10 tourney.

The Steelwells ROCK!

2008-02-29T17:35:00.000-08:00

Here is some good information for this band! The Steelwellians United is the community page on both Myspace.com and on Orkut. Check out the Steelwellians new EP called The Open Letter!

http://www.myspace.com/thesteelwells

ANYBODY BUT McCAIN

2008-02-04T20:33:00.000-08:00

I AM A REPUBLICAN, BUT IF McCAIN WINS OVER ROMNEY, I WOULD VOTE CLINTON AHEAD OF McCAIN IF NECESSARY...

IF McCAIN ENDS UP AS THE FRONTRUNNER, OBAMA WILL HAVE MY VOTE!

Brasil E'

2008-01-30T21:00:00.000-08:00

01. O único país do mundo onde se pode abastecer simultaneamente um carro com Álcool, Gasolina e gás. Tudo isso, com tecnologia nacional;
02. Que seremos o primeiro país do mundo a desenvolver o biodiesel à base de mamona. Novamente tecnologia nacional. Será a redenção do Nordeste, pois a mamona é praga por lá e a PETROBRAS já está começando desenvolver o sistema produtivo;

03. Que as fábricas mais modernas de produção de automóvel (General Motors, Mercedes Benz e FIAT) e Volks Caminhões, também estão aqui;
04. E entre outras coisas, a PETROBRAS é a única empresa do mundo a deter a tecnologia completa de produção de petróleo em águas profundas;
And among other things, PETROBRAS is the only company in the world to

05. As empresas produtoras de aço estão em sua capacidade máxima instalada;

06. Finalmente os Estados Unidos renderam-se a qualidade de nossos aviões (EMBRAER) e vão adquirir aviões altamente especializados para Treinamento de sua força aeronáutica.

Os dados são da Antropos Consulting:

01. O BRASIL é o país que tem tido maior sucesso no combate à AIDS e outras doenças sexualmente transmissíveis, e vem sendo exemplo mundial.
Brasil is the frontrunner on AIDS and other STDs and is seen as an example.

02. O BRASIL é o único país do hemisfério sul que está participando do Projeto Genoma.

Brasil is the only country in the southern hemisphere participating in the Genova Project.

03. Numa pesquisa envolvendo 50 cidades de diversos países, a cidade do Rio de Janeiro, acusada por violência, foi considerada a mais solidária.

04. Nas eleições de 2000, o sistema do Tribunal Regional Eleitoral (TRE) estava informatizado em todas as regiões do Brasil, com resultados em menos de 24 horas depois do início das apurações. O modelo chamou a atenção de uma das maior es potências mundiais: os Estados Unidos, onde a apuração dos votos teve que ser refeita várias vezes, atrasando o resultado e colocando em xeque a credibilidade do processo.

05. Mesmo sendo um país em desenvolvimento, os internautas brasileiros representam uma fatia de 40% do mercado na América Latina.

06. No BRASIL, há 14 fábricas de veículos instaladas e outras 4 se instalando enquanto alguns países vizinhos não possui nenhuma.

07. Das crianças e adolescentes entre 7 a 14 anos, 97,3% estão estudando, hoje!!!.

08. O mercado de telefones celulares do BRASIL é o segundo do mundo, com 650 mil novas habilitações a cada mês.

09. Na telefonia fixa, o país ocupa a quinta posição em número de linhas instaladas.

10. Das empresas brasileiras, 6.890 possuem certificado de qualidade ISO 9000, maior número entre os países em desenvolvimento. No México, são apenas 300 empresas e 265 na Argentina.

11. O BRASIL é o segundo maior mercado de jat os e helicópteros executivos.

Por que esse vício de só falar mal do Brasil?

01. Por que não se orgulhar em dizer que o mercado editorial de livros é maior do que o da Itália, com mais de 50 mil títulos novos a cada ano?

02. Que o BRASIL tem o mais moderno sistema bancário do planeta?

03. Que as agências de publicidade ganham os melhores e maiores prêmios mundiais?

04. Por que não se fala que o BRASIL é o país mais empreendedor do mundo e que mais de 70% dos brasileiros, pobres e ricos, dedicam considerável parte de seu empo em trabalhos voluntários?

05. Por que não dizer que o BRASIL é hoje a terceira maior democracia do mundo?

06. Que apesar de todas as mazelas, o Congresso está punindo seus próprios membros, o que raramente ocorre em outros países ditos civilizados?

07. Por que não lembrar que o povo brasileiro é um povo hospitaleiro, que se esforça para falar a lí ngua dos turistas, gesticula e não mede esforços para atendê-los bem?

08. Por que não se orgulhar de ser um povo que faz piada da própria desgraça e que enfrenta os desgostos sambando.

É! O BRASIL é um país abençoado de fato.
Com suas raças e todos os credos.
Bendito este povo, que sabe entender todos os sotaques.
Bendito este povo, que oferece todos os tipos de climas para contentar
Bendita seja, querida pátria chamada Brasil!

Free Agency in relation to my political views

2008-01-30T20:34:00.001-08:00

First and foremost, I am an advocate to free agency. I believe that we all have the free agency and the right to voice our opinions and to believe as we would like. At no point does it mean that I am IN FAVOR of the actions that each American decides. People CAN commit abortions, they can do stem cell research, they can get a same sex marriage. They can do LEGALLY what they insist on doing. Americans should have the free agency to do that which they feel is morally correct. It is NOT my abortion. I do not have to feel the consequence of the actions of another anymore now, than I have had to for the better part of my life. I am not making these actions ok, nor am I condoning them, but due to free will being a concept that I truly DO believe in, I feel that we will all be held accountable for our actions and we have responsibilities for the rights that we are so happy to have. The freedoms and rights that we have received, have been afforded to us by the blood of the military regimes of this country that have kept us safe and sound. We DO have the right to make our own choices. These choices should NOT be limited by a government that has better things to do than to cater to personal decisions of individual americans.

This is NOT a free for all. I am not allowing all to happen in the name of free agency. We have free agency already and BECAUSE of existing laws, we are able to coexist. There are rules and regulations that are common law and are approved by our congress and our society demands that they exist. There is a lot of gray area however that may allow things to be freed up considerably. We as a country need to put our efforts into activities and efforts that will strengthen this country. I do NOT condone, practice or approve of same sex marriage, abortion or stem cell research. I do not believe that same sex marriages should have the same benefits of a regular family. It is NOT my choice however. I am overstepping my personal bounds by limiting the free agency of other people. We are all taxpaying individuals, we are all adults. We all have the ability to make our own decisions. it is to be noted, however, that we will be responsible for every action of commission and omission. We will pay the consequences whether good or bad. it is up to each of us to make sure that we use our free agency to the best of our ability. Our free agency can and will affect other people and we will be held responsible for those actions.

I am not for drugs, but I am not for a drug war that has been proven inefficient. There is no reason to fight a war that has been going on longer than WW1, WW2, Vietnam and the Gulf War. We are dropping millions into a war that has not shown its efficiency. I am not saying that we should completely distance ourselves from illegal drug use, I am saying that, we should work with countries like Colombia and Venezuela and hold the governments accountable for the money they receive in order to curb drugs. We should receive a report that tells us how the money has been used. We need to know that we are not in an involuntary drug recycling program. We need to assure that the government is putting our tax money to good use in this war, or, put it to other uses completely.

I am not for abortions, I have seen the aftermath of a miscarriage and it is ONE THING to have a D and C involuntarily. I can only imagine what consequences and the culpability must lie in the hearts of those who do it voluntarily. it is a heavy weight as a husband to know in that situation, that I was literally useless, I felt bad for my wife, but i will never understand THAT physical and emotional scar. Again, I feel for those who would inflict that upon themselves voluntarily because they insist upon having untimely, irresponsible sexual relations with other people. Again, they will have faced the consequences of their actions and I can only hope that is the ONLY consequence they have to face. that said, it is a decision for every woman to decide, I will NOT put myself in the way. I much prefer that they are treated in a clinic to avoid back alley abortions do not occur. These are consequences that are naturally occuring due to choices that were made. Whatever divine consequence is believed upon, so be it.

AM I WHITE ENOUGH? SEE? RACISM IS IGNORANT!

2008-01-25T18:12:00.000-08:00

If you need another reason to understand how STUPID and assinine the subject is. The US media moreso than anyone else, is responsible for keeping the subject on our televisions as often as it is. The concept of racism is at best, immature and self serving. People who have issues as far as race, have to look JUST a tad deeper than skin-deep.

When I was in Washington DC, I noticed a trend that happened in EVERY race, and it is based upon the concept of each race helping itself out. You can be in a parking lot and physically WATCH someone putting their purchases into their trunk, get into the front seat, their lights come on....and...NOTHING..that is...until you continue driving. At that point, they pull out from their parking spot RIGHT after you leave and allow the person behind you who is from their SAME race into their spot. Now I am not sure how their vision is SO adept that they can see a couple cars down, but if this happened only once or twice to me, then I wouldn't say anything. Unfortunately it happened SEVERAL times. I am NOT going to cry racism. I don't know WHAT provokes that kind of activity. I don't know if it is based upon racism or they just decided to eat something in the car or sorted mail. I cannot say why that happened with the frequency that it did. I just know that it happened a LOT.

There are African Americans who are discriminated against because they are NOT dark enough. Well that is, unless they are Halle Berry or other ridiculously hot celebrities where they MAY have faced these things in their youth, but not as much in their celebrity status. There is racism/nationalism in Asia where if you are from one country or another, you are NOT as good of a person as someone from THAT country. The nationalism that occurs in Asia is somewhat paralleled with the classism or class issues in Latin America where the problem is NOT so much racism, but is based upon rich vs. poor. They don't care about somebody's race in Latin America as much as they care about a very rich man marrying below himself to a poor woman or vice versa. If I were single, I could NEVER, even as an American, marry a rich Brazilian Victoria Secret model. I am NOT single, and I am NOT looking. My Brazilian wife is what makes me rich! That said, I don't make enough for a rich latina to marry me. I don't make enough and the class status DOES matter.

There are people from ALL RACES who are DETERMINED to keep marriages within the race. Often we see issues from parents in the Baby Boomer generation who have SERIOUS issues with interracial marriage and often their support HINGES conditionally upon who they feel is best for their kids. A young man or woman cannot marry someone that their parents are set against? Why can't I marry this girl/guy? Is it because they are a different race? They are a different nationality? What year is this?? What CENTURY is this? Isn't this MY choice? Ahhh but I don't know what I am getting myself into...right? And you, who have married several people from several races....you know? Ohhh no, wait, you haven't...so how do you KNOW this from a first account? This is my point. We are NOT in the 50s or 60s. Segregation is over, slavery is over. Racism is FAR overdue to end as well.

This country is SUCH a brewing pot, we have people from every country speaking over 100 different languages. We NEED to call people for what they are. They are illegal or they are legal. If they are Illegal, they are deportation bait. If they are legal, they are AMERICANS. I don't care which community they belong to, the latino, asian, native indian, african american...I don't care. They are AMERICANS., if they have their citizenship, then they are US Citizens! We as a country need to recognize as well that Americans ARE from North America, Central America and South America.

The concept of having a political race which continues to deal with gender and race is an insult to this whole country and the media drives as hard to the hoop as they can to keep the subject on the front page.

It is rumored that,"to the caucasians, race means nothing and to everyone else, it means everything". While I can definitely understand how and why every race continues to reach back to their ancestors and their roots, and are proud of their forefathers for the sacrifices that were endured for over 500 years. I feel that race IS as important as WE make it in our own lives. We can make it the center of everything and use it as a scapegoat or as an excuse for everything we do, or we can just live our lives and ONLY talk of race when it is challenged or discussed. We all have to decide how our race will play in and to what degree depends on how sensitive we are about it as well as how our family has been impacted possibly DUE to our race. I will ALWAYS hold several Americans as heroes regardless of their race. I will also hold some Americans as heroes based upon how their civil right efforts. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was MUCH more important than ANYTHING that LBJ could have created. He was the political piece that HAD to be there, but it would have been any other President had it happened before or after he was in office. Jackie Robinson and Branch Rickey revolutionized how sports would end up today. The African American community had the homerun record LEGITIMATELY cornered with Hammerin' Hank Aaron and Willie Mays for decades! While Mr. Bonds is on trial, he STILL holds the record. You may think that THAT was all Jackie, but he just started everything off. I can't forget Dr. King's wife Coretta King, Frederick Douglass, Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou, Thurgood Marshall, Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, or Booker T. Washington. Walter White was the FIRST LEADER OF THE NAACP and was OFTEN criticized as not being Black enough. Condoleeza Rice is viewed as not being Black enough because she is a Republican. Where does that kind of stupidity end? Of course, the absolute stupidest thing ever stated was that Clinton is the first balck president...Really? Ask Martin Luther King III if he respects Clinton for sleeping in the background? Seriously, Barack Obama is not yet President, but he WILL be if elected.

But, no matter what, look to people for who they are, if the ONLY thing you do in life is look to the character of people rather than the color of their skin, then you are only cheating yourself.

The NEED OF Latin Participation here in the USA

2008-01-21T16:24:00.000-08:00

My Fellow Latinos,

Independant of your native country, you are now here in the United States. Many of you have arrived here legally. I am grateful for your willingness to have completed the process here legally. I am grateful for your time and your will to read or hear my message to you.

The United States is a country of promises. It is time for these promises to be realized. The realization of these promises hinge on you doing your part.

During the last 2 terms, here in the USA, we have progressed, but not nearly enough. There are various programs of the government that simply are not doing sufficiently to help the Latino community that IS legal. This is NOT about those who are here illegally. This is about the benefits that legal latinos SHOULD be receiving and ARE NOT. Those who DO have their permanent resident cards should also have the benefits that they DESERVE to have. If you have a green card or are citizens, you SHOULD have precedence over those who are here illegally.

I need to talk to you about an unfortunate case of mortgage fraud that is occurring and that is where people are purchasing homes, they take out large HELOCs on their homes and simply return back to their native country. My hope is that that nobody reading this is in that company. This level of crime is deplorable and it undoes this country. We are already having difficulty in the housing industry where many people are being taken out of their country due to bankruptcy due to mortgage fraud and faulty lending where the paperwork is ANYTHING but transparent. My hope is that whoever is guilty of mortgage fraud or lending scandals are found, arrested and punished for whatever they have done that is unethical and illegal.

As far as hourly kitchen and cleaning jobs, I will look to augment the minimum federal salary and also create ways by which the LEGAL latino community will have all of the benefits that they rightfully deserve. One of the most important rights is that you all have the ability of taking English classes. While you can speak whatever language you desire in your home, I would hope that you would procure opportunities to integrate within the American threadwork and that you have the best academic opportunities that you can have whether at your work or in your community. Your opportunity to learn English can be at either a school, work, or at home. By learning English, the assumptions and discredits to the Latino community may begin to subside. It will also help your resume and allow you to compete for better paying jobs so that you can help your families.

The best part is to have someone who can empathize and present your questions and doubts and, with respect to your culture and having lived in Brazil for over 2 years, I have the capability to help you in a more personalized manner. I can show more sympathy and empathy in general. I have lived and I live now within the Latin population. I have lieved among you. I have lived in poor neighborhoods in Belo Horizonte, Vespasiano (Morro Alto) and Betim. I am not your typical rich ignorant politician, whose interest lies at those lobbysits and others who will help the rich and leave the poor behind.

I am just like you, married to Isabel, my Brazilian American wife who came here legally in June of 2000 and I am grateful to her for her support, her assistence and a different perspective that helps me remain empathetic and understanding for the need to have cultural awareness among all races and communities.

I will be very grateful for all of your help and participation. I will do all that I can to help you, the Latino community in each of your respective industries, be it education, transportation, food and hospitality, tourism, military, engineering, sciences etc. This country is ready and the need for a dramatic change is overdue. With your help we can make this country the one that realized all of our goals.

La Necesidad de Participacion de los Latinos Aqui en Los EE.UU

2008-01-16T20:10:00.000-08:00

Mis Queridos Latinos,

Independente de qual pais Ustedes pertencen ou llaman su pais nativa, Ustedes estan aqui en los Estados Unidos. Bastante de ustedes llegaran aqui legalmente. Yo estoy muy grato por ustedes tienen hecho y completado el processo de immigracion legalmente. Estoy grato por su tiempo e voluntad de leer y apoiarme al leer mi mensaje a ustedes.

Los Estados Unidos da America es um pais de promesas. Es la hora que estas promesas sean realizadas. La unica forma que estas realizaciones van acaecer, es se todos ustedes continuan haciendo su parte.

Durante esta epoca, aqui en los EEUU, tenemos progredido, pero nao es el suficiente. Hay varias programas del gubierno que simplesmente nao hacen el suficiente para ajudar el pueblo latino que SON legales. Esto, NO es sobre personas ilegales, esto son beneficios que no llegan por los latinos que no son solomente residentes permanentes, pero tambien algunos que pueden tener recebido su cidadania.

Infelizmente, hay una sistema de fraud adonde personas estan comprando casas, hacen emprestimos altos e simplesmente vuelvan para su pais de origen. Mi esperanza es que nadie haga esso, este nivel de crime e' deplorable y tambien abaja este pais. Ya estamos teniendo dificultad en la industria de casas adonde tiene mucha gente sendo tirado de sus casas por falta de pagar debido a um contrato y pagamiento que no tiene condicion de cumplir. Mi esperanza es que las personas culpadas desde fraud seam cativos e punidos, y se necesario..deportados.

Cuanto trabalho en las cocinas e trabajos horarios, me voy buscar a aumentar el salario minimo federal y tambien crear medios por qual los latinos legales van tener todos los sus beneficios. El mas importante, es que como residentes legales, es que ustedes tienen la capacidad de tener clases de Ingles. Por mientras que ustedes pueden hablar cualquer lenjua que quieren, buscamos oportunidades adonde ustedes tengan el mejor educacion que podan receber independente de su trabajo, para que todos tienen la oportunidad de estudiar, mejorar su Ingles y tambien ser capaz de abajar los preconceitos contra ustedes y aumentar sus curriculos vitales. Esto va ayudarles a ser capazes de conseguir trabajo bien mas facil y aumentar la cantidad que van ganar financeramente.

El mejor parte es de tener alguien que ustedes pueden pedir ou apresentar sus preguntas o dudas y, con respecto a su cultura y teniendo vivido en California Del Sur y endo hecho vacaciones en Mejico, yo tego la capacidad de ayudar ustedes en una forma personalizada. Yo puedo mostrar mi empatia. Yo ya vivia entre ustedes en un pais latino. Eu ya vivia em barrios pobres de Belo Horizonte, Vespasiano e Betim en Brasil. Yo no soy aquel politico rico, ignorante que solomente beneficia los ricos y ignora los pobres. Yo soy bien como cualquer persona, y la mejor cosa, es que casei me con una Latina! Yo soy muy grato a mi esposa por su ayuda y su apoyo y las diferencas de opinion de el porque ellos me ayudan a ver otros perspectivos y pontos de vision.

Me voy ser bien grato por su ayuda, y voy hacer todo que yo poda hacer pra ayudar los latinos adonde yo puedo me envolver en todas las industrias que ustedes se participan, sea educacaion, transportacaion, comida e hospitalidad, turismo, militar, engenerismo, ciencias, etc. Este pais bien listo para las mudanzas que estan por vir! Espero que ustedes sean a voluntade de me ayudar muevar este pais para el mejor!

A Necesidade de Participacao dos Latinos Aqui Na America

2008-01-16T19:27:00.000-08:00

Meus Queridos Latinos,

Independente de qual pais voce pertence ou chama sua pais nativa, voces estao aqui nos Estados Unidos. Muitos de voce chegaram aqui legalmente. Eu vos agradeco por terem feito e completado o processo de immigracao legalmente. Estou grato por seu tempo e vontade de ler e me apoiar ao ler minha mensagem a voces.

Os Estados Unidos da America e' um pais de promessas. E' a hora que estas promessas sejam realizadas. A unica forma que estas realizacoes vao acontecer, e' se todos voces continuam fazendo sua parte.

Durante esta epoca, aqui nos EUA, temos progredido, mais nao o suficiente. Tem varias programas do governo que simplesmente nao fazem o suficiente para ajudar o povo latino que SAO legal. Isso, NAO e' sobre illegais, isso sao beneficios que nao chegam pelos latinos que nao sao somente residentes permanentes, mas tambem alguns que podem ter recebido sua cidadania.

Infelizmente, ha uma sistema de fraud aonde pessoas estao comprando casas, tomam emprestimos altos e simplesmente voltam para seu pais de origem. Minha esperanca e' que ninguem faca isso, este nivel de crime e' deploravel e tambem desfaz este pais. Ja estamos tendo dificuldade na industria de casas aonde tem muita gente sendo tirado de suas casas por falta de pagar devido a um contrato e pagamento que nao tem condicao de cumprir. Minha esperanca e' que as pessoas culpadas desde fraud sejam cativos e punidos.

Quanto trabalho nas cozinhas e trabalhos horarios, eu vou procurar a aumentar o salario minimo federal e tambem criar meios pelo qual os latinos legais terao todos os seus beneficios. O mais importante, e' que como residentes legais, e' que voces tem a capcacidade de ter aulas de Ingles. Enquanto que voces podem falar qualquer lingua que quiserem, procuramos oportunidades para que voces tenham o melhor educacao que possam receber independente de seu trabalho, para que todos tem a oportunidade de estudar, melhorar seu Ingles e tambem ser capaz de diminuir os preconceitos contra voces e aumentar seus curriculos vitais. Isso vai lhes ajudar a ser capazes de conseguir trabalho muito mais facil e aumentar a quantidade que vao ganhar financeiramente.

O melhor parte e' ter alguem que voce podem pedir ou apresentar suas perguntas ou duvidas e, com respeito a sua cultura e tendo morado em Brasil por mais que dois anos, eu tenho a capacidade de ajudar voces numa forma personalizada. Eu posso mostrar minha empatia. Eu ja morei entre voces. Eu ja morei em bairros pobres de Belo Horizonte, Vespasiano e Betim. Eu nao sou aquele politico rico, ignorante que somente beneficia os ricos e ignora os pobres. Eu sou muito como qualquer pessoa, e a melhor coisa, e' que casei me com uma Brasileira! Eu sou grato a minha espousa por sua ajuda e seu apoio e as diferencas de opiniao dela porque eles me ajudam a ver outros perspectivos e pontos de visao.

Eu vou ser muito grato por sua ajuda, e vou fazer o tudo que eu puder pra ajudar os latinos aonde eu puder em todas as industrias que voces se participam, seja educacao, transportacao, comida e hospitalidade, tourismo, militar, engenherismo, sciencias, etc. Este pais esta' pronto pelas mudancas que estao por vir! Espero que voces estejam a vontade de me ajudar mudar este pais pelo melhor!

America and Homeland Security

2008-01-16T18:55:00.000-08:00

As a member of the US Coast Guard, I was involved actively in our missions have centered around helping Americans feel more secure and comfortable. With terrorism being at the centerpiece of a table where every country that sits at the table wishes for peace and union between one another, our need to work diplomatically with each other and our insistance to NOT negotiate with terrorists, We may be able to remain incident free and assist other countries to remain equally peaceful.

Equally however, as a member of the Coast Guard, I was also very aware of our weaknesses and discrepancies at our ports. I am aware of where we are exposed and what is needed to ameliorate the situation.

We need to address the Airport security issues such as near hits/misses on the tarmac as well as oil plants, energy plants and water plants.

We need to assure that our natural minerals and resources are untainted and are well taken care of. We need to assure that any chemical warfare and suicide car bombs are not taking place here in the US.

We need to assure each and every person in this country that while there are natural emergencies, there are ALWAYS fellow americans in our neighborhoods and in our cities who are willing to show their charity and caring for their neighbor and help them where needed. Hurricanes, Nor'easters, Tornadoes, Earthquakes and Floods are challenges we face annually in this country...the strength of this country is NOT only how we deal with the emergency itself, but also to reach out to others and show our humanity towards others.

America's Men, Fathers and Family

2008-01-16T17:50:00.000-08:00

"No other success can compensate for failure in the home."-David O. McKay. I love this quote. I know that you can look into this and break it down and spin it to your liking. I would expect that. However, if you take it at face value, it means what it says. Whether we are debating the role of the father, the role of the mother, the role of the husband and wife, the most important part and the most gratifying part of having a family and home, is that its success is based upon the example and love of the parents towards each other and to their children.

I would challenge every person who enjoys having intimate relations, to recognize that if it DOES result in pregnancy, that they take ownership of their actions and hold themselves accountable for their actions and father or mother this new child of theirs and provide a loving home in which that child can develop and grow with a loving mom and dad. Any man can become a biological father, any woman can become a biological mother. It is one thing, to do that, it is quite another to truly become a mommy or a daddy. The reason that those terms are endearing and tender, are because our memories of our own mommies and daddies are parents who care about us and take care of us. They have unconditional love and are willing to die for us. They sacrifice their wants and desires to assure we have what we need.

It is imperative that these parents truly take part of the education process of their childrens' lives from the get go and NOT rely purely upon the education system to take care of their kids. The Department of Education does NOT have a WING dedicated to babysitting. It is very important that parents are interactive with their children's schoolwork as well as with their teachers. it is important that we KNOW when our children are unfortunately in positions that they need to be removed from.

Our homes should be havens, they should be refuges for our families, they should not be anything less, but in order for that to happen, we need, as a country, as men, as fathers, to be daddies. We need to take time away from ESPN, away from our DVDs, OUr laptops, our work and all that consumes our time away from our children and re-dedicate ourselves to our children. We need the men of this country to BE examples to their children and to show their kids what they should and should not do. The rule of life should NOT be, "Do as I say and not as I do." We should educate our children in a way that our actions can be reflected in their behavior and we can be proud of their upbringing. If our lives are in disarray, what can we expect, when the lives of our children are comparably dysfunctional? If we have conditions that require prescription medication, please be a responsible parent and take them so that your kids may see you and respect who and what they see.

The healthier our homes are spiritually, physically, mentally and socially, the more mature and educated our kids will be and the happier the overall feeling will be in the home!

Our kids are the future of this country, they depend upon us to assure that they get the education and the training they need to become well balanced and mature adults. We as adults and parents are solely responsible to see that they have the ability to get to that point.

The Faith of an American

2008-01-16T16:44:00.000-08:00

My beliefs in my Savior Jesus Christ who was crucified for all mankind, are NOT in anyway tied into my professional vocation where the American people are concerned.
There is a division between Church and State and it is my responsibility to assure that that division remains in place. My belief in God or in my religion will not be compromised, however, it is not my standard of beliefs that are on trial here. My candidacy and electibility IS. I would hope that we can move forward from a time where each person is pidgeon holed into a clique or group like we were in high school. I don't care if you are black, orange, grey, white, lesbian, gay, straight, latino, or anything else. I am not here to judge you, quite the opposite! My faith and religion will ONLY play in as much as common human decency and society agrees with what should be considered normal and correct on a grand scale.

Faith is believing in something that you cannot see. We cannot see the wind, but some of us know first hand of its effects. Acting upon your faith by donating money and supplies to those in New Orleans, Florida and San Diego are not only ways of providing support to your fellow Americans, but is a way that Americans can show their love and understanding for charity and service towards others. As I said before, as we look outward from self, we shall be blessed from within. The more selfless we are in our communities, the more we grow as a family, neighborhood, city, state and country.

I have faith in this country and in its growth. As said before, I cannot SEE that growth right now, but with our efforts and actions and as we work through our faith, we will see the country progress as a result!

Don't worry about my religion, it is somewhat inconsequential with my professional vocation and my bid for office. I am convict in my beliefs, and will not waiver. This country is not led by the Prophet, or the Pope or any other religious leader. it is led by the President of the United States and that shall continue as it has since July 4, 1776.

America and its Fiscal Responsibilities

2008-01-16T16:11:00.000-08:00

Doesn't fiscal responsibility lie within our grasp collectively as a country? Yes, it should and YES it does! Yes, the Commander in Chief can ok policies regarding tax breaks, tax cuts or even sadly, new taxes. Unfortunately to make money, every investor knows that they have to spend money to make money with the pre-requisite that they KNOW where this money is going and WHY it is going there. the days of NOT knowing where your tax dollars are going is over. The American people pay their taxes annually and every year, the American people should be able to find out how their money has been spended or how the government plans to spend their money. The areas where tax money needs to be used the most, is where they will be used. it will work in a daily priority and will be published for all Americans to see.

We need a President who is able to trim down the national debt with the budget set apart to get the country back to the green/black levels so that we can work as a country whose debt is minimal. We need to work to have a surplus. It was achieved under the Clinton administration, so it is possible. Let's not forget those who helped us get where we are, and lets bring it back to those who got our budget back where it belongs and put the money BACK into the pockets of those who need it the most!

The rich upper class will be able to live off of their interest for the better part of their lives and they can afford to give back to the community to allow others to grow and benefit. The rich and upper class do NOT need tax breaks as they get taxed plenty as it is and it should remain as it is. The poor, lower middle class, middle class and upper middle class are those who deserve the tax breaks and should get them. I would set up a tax code where the poor pay 5% taxes (salaries under 30,000), middle class (30,000-100,000) would pay 10%, Upper middle class (100,000-200,000) would pay 15% and the rich would pay 20% taxes annually. I would think that would be substantially better and all parties would be much happier than what they are paying now.

Special interest earmarks and pork barrel spending will be publically informed where all Americans can decide whether that is plausible.

Gas and oil businesses as well as other special interest groups will NOT get any more attention than any other industry.

Government spending will be made public and anything over a certain amount which should draw a red flag, will, and the government official that uses money erroneously will be made an example of publically. it will NOT be a slap on the hand, the difference between what is within the scale of normality (ex.price of an airline ticket) and the absurd spending that occured will be processed as a fee to that government official or it can be taken from their taxes in the following year.

American Ethics

2008-01-16T15:32:00.000-08:00

The definition of work ethics is as follows: A set of values based on the moral virtues of hard work and diligence. The Definition of ethics is: The study of the general nature of morals and of the specific moral choices to be made by a person; moral philosophy. The definition of situational ethics is: A system of ethics that evaluates acts in light of their situational context rather than by the application of moral absolutes.

There is NO situation where I will contradict my values of what is right. My career, my marriage, my position as an example to my children are just a few of the things that I would risk by so doing let alone my personal character or any possible chance of getting anything that I lost, back. It is not worth the hassle or effort to challenge or compromise all that I have worked for to lose it all.

There will be closed door meetings regarding national security. There will NOT be secret meetings to develop national energy policy. Lobbyists worst nightmares will be realized, as their needs will be addressed as deemed necessary by me and others on my staff whose values and ethics are equal to mine or higher! You can probably guess how often that will occur.

The secrets that MUST be kept secret from this country to maintain national security are the secrets that the American people understand and are willing to allow remain at the level where those who need to know, will. However, I believe that the majority of information that is For Official Use Only (FOUO) and all unclassified information is available to public domain and I encourage my fellow Americans to join me and be aware and educated in how this, your country works, and to be participants in how it works! No more unnecessary secrets on how your tax dollars are spent and while we're on it, there will be a budget towards how government spends YOUR money. There will be no more wasteful spending, there will be audits, checks and balances towards how money will be spent and how it is currently being spent to assure that every day, money control and budgeting is better than the day before.

America's Immigration Resolution

2008-01-15T20:22:00.000-08:00

I think that, as you look at my beautiful wife, my position on Immigration speaks for itself. My wife came over legally with her permanent resident green card on Jun 6th 2000. She arrived in Salt Lake City, Fox News filmed her arrival, and Sandy Riesgraf covered the story from the beginning. Three years after arriving here, my wife renewed her green card and I was removed as her financial sponsor. In 2007, She applied for her US Citizenship and was sworn in as a US Citizen on December 4th of 2007. I met her exactly 13 years prior to that in Belo Horizonte when I arrived in Brasil. My wife stands as a living example that we DID it right in terms of her immigrating legally here AND that it CAN and should be done in the same way that we did. At no point did her visa lapse. At no point was she considered illegal. She never had to worry about her Social Security being anything less than legal and she has had all of her rights as a permanent resident and now she has every right that any other American has.

Those who have come in illegally, should return and do it the right way. The US Mexican war has occurred. Whether people choose to deny this or not does not mean that it did not occur. The holocaust has also occurred and yet it is not taught in German history. We may disagree with an event, we can deny or ignore these events all that we would like, but it does not change the fact that they occurred. People who have broken the law must understand that when laws are broken (again regardless whether they believe in the wars of the past or not) there are always GOING to be consequences and resolutions to laws that have been broken. over 200,000 prisoners will be deported back to their respective countries. and 170,000+ prisoners were deported last year. You break the law, you deserve the consequences of your actions regardless of whether your intentions are good or bad. You did not only break the law by coming in illegally or overstaying your visa, but then you began working without the proper paperwork, some of you have cost your employers thousands, all of you have cost the economy thousands of dollars. You cannot vote, you are always looking over your back, you always have to deal with horrible health care options, why would you do that voluntarily when you can do it all legally?

Loitering near Home Depots, Lowes, and other places should also be considered as it is, loitering on private property. Since you are NOT American citizens nor are you permanent residents, then I would have no problem assuring that all illegals who DO get work, that you be paid a comparable wage with what you were paid in your respective country. it is NOT about being inhumane, as it is about removing your incentives for being here.

Please understand, that I DO know what it is to go through the USCIS system and what it is like to be on the phone for hours on end to get anyone else on the opposite end. I am clearly aware after SEVERAL mornings outside of INS offices in order to be seen by an INS officer which before appointments became the norm, was comparable with winning the California Lottery. I was vehemently opposed to the fact that it took as long as it did for the INS to get papers processed. It is abhorrent that it takes over 9 months for someone's wife to be able to be legally admitted into this country. So while I understand that it is frustrating and expensive to bring your family here, as obvious as it may seem that this country discourages immigration, please know that while there are hoops to go through to get here, please know that one of the happiest days of my life, was when my wife walked off of that plane in Salt Lake City. Our marriage and the birth of our children were happier but all 4 of those days were incredible. The most important part, was doing the process the right way and winning!

Please do not misconstrue what I am saying, I am all for legal immigration. I am all for the immigration country and the land of immigrants where it all started at Ellis Island. Those people arrived legally. There were no fines, they did it as it ought to be done. There is no reason why illegal immigrants cannot return and do the same.

America's Energy and Environment Inprovement Efforts

2008-01-15T18:22:00.000-08:00

It is NOT because my wife is a Brazilian American, that I find it incredibly important that our country signed the contract that we did with Brasil in order to free ourselves from the vice we found ourselves in the Middle East. Brasil has been using alcohol in its vehicles for over 30 years. They have thousands of acres of land DEDICATED to sugar and corn, possibly more than the US could ever grow and they have been anxious and excited to be able to import it to us. They have now found over 8 Billion barrels of oil and may have found another oil field of comparable size. They are prime to join the OPEC panel which controls the volume and pricing of oil worldwide. The US can only improve in this move. Brasil is also one of the few countries that are 100% independant oil-wise and we will benefit by joining and aligning ourselves with an ally rather than a neutral party.

Further energy issues are simple. We, as a country need to continue being responsible and turn off the lights in our home when they are not being used. Those who are in military housing should adhere more to this than others, since it is the taxes of this country that pay for those energy bills. I am not fathering you, by telling you what you should know all by yourselves, I am not lecturing or preaching environment to you. I am saying this because I feel that the majority of America already does not do this. Buy the energy reducing lightbulbs and appliances that will help us do our part as a country. Like I said regarding other subjects, America is only as strong as its discrepancies and deliquencies. We must progress individually and collectively.

We NEED vehemently, to dedicate ourselves to the automakers of our industrial midwest and bring back the jobs that have dissolved in Detroit so that we can have QUALITY green cars that will show the global ecojnomy that American made vehicles cannot only be made, but they can do everything that any import can do, and can do it for the same price or better. We need to have vehicles for families that are able to accomplish at least 35 mpg without any exception. Detroit will resurge again and its success and its workforce will not be as it was, it will be better!

Regarding global warming, lets look at the history of this planet. It has gone through several warming trends and has had little ice ages. The warming has not been uniform globally, in fact in some places, it has cooled. The warming has been all of .4C in the last century. I am NOT saying that we should ignore it, I am not saying we should blow it off, I am saying that it will NOT define the way we live in the next 50 years. We should do our part to conserve as much energy as we can.

America's Education and Success of our Children

2008-01-15T18:02:00.000-08:00

Our education and the progress of our children are in the hands of the parents of this country. Get involved with your children. get involved with their teachers. Your childrens' education is a reflection of your involvement and their success is predicated upon your desire and your interaction with your children. Do NOT teach them self reliance in this manner. They will learn all of the self reliance that they need when they go to summer camps, athletic camps or even as Freshmen at the college/university of their choice. They need the assistance of their parents and they will not always ask for it. We as parents need to be there. When our children were born, we accepted the full package to maker sure that they are taught to the best of our ability. We need to assure that the best teachers remain in schools. We need accountability of said teachers and we need to pay them better. We need to show our children that their educations are paramount to the success of this country and that they can take over where we have left off. We need to guarantee that the exchange from our generation to theirs is seamless and that if anything, the quality of our childrens' education and our assistance and enforcement of the best teaching possible actually shows progress from one generation to another.

We need to look at what we have done to this point, and work continually to do all that we can to improve on our delinquencies and fine tune our strengths. Our success in the education sector depends on us as parents, as adults, as teachers, and as Americans. We should all do what we can to assist our kids to succeed beyond our own successes. We need to do all that we can to assure that our country improves and that leans heavily upon our ability to improve the education of this country. There is NO reason whatsoever, that our education should be #2 to any other country for any reason. We are responsible to assure that this takes place.

America's Economic Future

2008-01-15T17:32:00.000-08:00

I believe that America's free enterprise and our ability to live the American dream, is what makes this country shine. Millions of people come to this country for a reason, and that reason is due to our economy and our freedom to control our own financial destiny to a certain extent. While we DO have a certain amount of accountability and ownership. Education is the keystone of our overall success and that lies upon the teachers and more importantly, the student. The lighthouses of this country make sure that every sailor comes home safely. But while those lighthouses can provide the light, it still takes a strong sailor to navigate their way to safety.

We have to work as a nation in what we can bring to the table and combine and not duplicate our efforts to assure our success as individuals and as a country. Our innovative leaders in the private sector are equally as important as those who create the laws and execute them. More important than the big wigs of this country, are those who helped them get to where they are today. We cannot discount the blue collar workforce who give all that they have so that others may have more. We should, if anything, applaud them for all of their efforts and give them the breaks that they need in order for their progress as well. The white collar and big wigs of this country can afford to help those who have been working the grindstone their whole life and may struggle to get enough money for their kids education AND still have the ability to retire.

Our country must always appreciate the role of each person who supports our economy whether that person be an investor, a C-level executive, a middle manager or the hourly laborers who may even work a couple of jobs to make ends meet and may STILL live paycheck to paycheck. We should create and offer these people some slack on the line so that they be with their families or be able to create one. We are stronger as a country of home owners rather than a country of renters. While it is not always possible to buy a home nor is it always the "time" as housing right now is not a popular option, it is still a benefit to your credit level, providing you can afford the home and all that comes with it, NOT just the mortgage alone. Please, prior to purchasing a home, remind yourselves of the taxes, insurances, daily expenses that go unseen, as well as appraisals, landscaping and other expenses that often go overlooked. While home ownership is still better for America collectively, a country full of foreclosures or defaults is devastating to this country as we are all seeing. We NEED as a country, to make smarter choices and to recognize when bank and home loaners make offers that seem too good to be true.

We will progress as a country as soon as we stop worrying about ourselves and start building people up around us. Americans must work as a team rather than working against one another.

A team full of athletes who work for their own stats and their own success, may get to the Super Bowl, BCS Title Bowl,The World Series, Stanley Cup,The World Cup or NBA Finals. A team that is dependant upon indiviual talent will always fail to the team that works as a team. A team full of individuals will be successful throughout the regular season, however, the ultimate goal, more often than not, will be won by the team who works together. We need to be the team that works well with others.

The success of this economy depends on all of us working together and showing that we can work as a team!

Americans with Disabilities

2008-01-15T17:18:00.000-08:00

My aunt has a mental disability and I couldn't love her more if I tried. She is a beautiful human being and she has a completely active lifestyle. She has the ability to work at a shop with other people who have equal disabilites and she does not let it get her down or keep her from doing what she wants.

There are countries where, if you have a disability, you may or may not be allowed to get a job depending on the disability. As an example, a trucker who breaks his leg may not have the ability to drive work in his vocation and will have to look for a job in another area completely.

our goal in this country should be, nationwide, to make sure that those who have disabilities are able to live their lives without any interruption as well as being successful and not having discrimination keeping them from being able to get jobs, homes or any other need that they may have in their lives. Their lives should not change any more than it has to. There are, obviously going to be some barriers due to the level of disability and when we are faced with the challenges, we need to find the innovation and the smart minds of this country in order to face these challenges head on and overcome these barriers as soon as we can with as little resistance as possible.

Civil Rights, how America must treat its own people

2008-01-15T16:51:00.000-08:00

Race is as important as we make it. Every culture places a level of importance on race as they deem necessary. In some countries, it is one of the least important measures and in others it can dominate their lifestyle.

Growing up, my heroes were the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., Willie Mays, Jackie Robinson, Harriett Tubman, Rosa Parks as well as many other leaders of the African American community. Sadly still today, the division of race affects this country on both sides. I have lived and traveled across this country and have seen it play out in several places and fault can be placed on both sides.

We need to focus on the same values and ethics that Dr. King spoke of and apply them in our lives. We need to show human decency to one another. We are all Americans before and after July 4th and we need to act that way towards all people regardless of their race, status or any other factor that we might use to discriminate or demean them. We need to take ownership for our acts of commission as well as those of ommission. People must be seen as who they are before anything else, people.

While we may disagree about their legal status and their right to be here, they are here. We need to treat people with human decency. We have rights and responsibilities towards those who are in prison, so why shouldn't we have laws of human decency towards any one person who is living in this country? We may not like that someone is here illegally but it is no reason to treat them as less of a person. The verbal attack of calling someone a "sub-human" was a derogatory term during a part of American history that was deplorable and abhorrent. This type of mentality exploits and exposes our overall ignorance for people in general and gets plenty of attention in this global economy that we live in and it DOES affect how other countries look to us as the example that we OUGHT to be.

During my time in Coast Guard, recruit training, if someone was punished, the whole company was punished. This applies to us as a country as well. When one of us is seen as culturally or racially insensitive, it weakens us as a country overall. We have all, for the better part, learned that if you don't have anything nice to say, then, say nothing at all.

WHY DO PEOPLE WORRY MORE ABOUT ROMNEY'S MORMONISM THAN KENNEDY'S CATHOLICISM?

2007-11-26T12:19:00.000-08:00

I really don't see it. I am speaking without bias or favoritism. I have yet to see a strong surge of ANY faith due to the discipleship of the President of the US. I am incredibly curious as to why Evangelicals think that Romney's faith would have ANY implication whatsoever. Did we all become catholic converts after Kennedy became president? I can safely say that we did not. Why would the same occur under Romney?

"Many evangelicals do not want to see Mormonism mainstreamed," said Matthew Wilson, a political scientist at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071121/lf_nm/usa_politics_romney_dc;_ylt=AuYOVa4mvkQcn4rXTBKNWWY7Xs8F

let me tell you this, President Hinckley of the LDS faith has NOTHING to do with the Presidential candidacy nor will Romney take or request help from the Mormon President, in order to do his job. If mormonism goes mainstream, which it PROBABLY will not do anyway, it will NOT be due to President Romney at all.

The Church is growing at 5.3% in the South. Not only do many Southern Baptists regard the Mormon church as a cult, they also regard it as a competitor that is winning -- or poaching -- converts from among the evangelical flock.

so WHAT IS A CULT: according to Webster it is as follows:
Etymology: French & Latin; French culte, from Latin cultus care, adoration, from colere to cultivate
1: formal religious veneration : worship
2: a system of religious beliefs and ritual; also : its body of adherents

Well if this religion (AS ALL RELIGIONS ARE CULTS BY DEFINITION) cultivates, cares and adores Christ and brings souls unto the Savior, I have YET to see what the problem is.

Also, if you look at what a cult typically is, Heaven's Gate, FUNDAMENTAL MORMONS (NOT LDS! BUT FLDS), Branch Davidians. These sects are/were SMALL and typically meet in small meetinghouses. The LDS faith has nearly 13 million members who have been baptized worldwide and there are more OUTSIDE the US than within.

13 Million may be a small number in comparison to the Buddhist or Catholic faith standards who have over a Billion members, but 13 Million is roughly the size of Los Angeles proper and more than most cities.

The fact is, the reason that Evangelicals may rest uneasy, may not be due to the Mormon Politician gaining the presidential seat, but that IF there IS an influence, it WILL impact their wallets. The Church of Latter Day Saints does NOT have a paid clergy as most faiths do. Most pastors and reverends are NOT as concerned about whether the LDS (Mormon) faith is a cult or not. It is a GREAT cover story, but the fact is, that if people are leaving their faiths and are paying tithing in the LDS faith, it is money that goes toward the growth of the LDS Church and NOT in anybody's pocket within the Evangelical faiths. Tithing and Offerings within the baskets of the Catholic, Protestant and Evangelical faiths is what keeps them running. Obviously the absence of this money has affected them.

"In America some of its fastest growth has been in Southern Baptist strongholds, notably the South, according to data provided by the Mormon church.

In the United States overall its membership grew by 3.2 percent from 2004 to 2006. But in 13 states of the South its numbers grew over the same period by 5.3 percent.

Evangelical soil can be fertile ground for Mormon growth.

Mormons and Southern Baptists take similar conservative stances on social issues and tend to vote Republican, so their cultural and political outlooks are not really in conflict.

"Some Southern Baptists will live near Mormon communities functioning at their best, where they will see in practice the kind of family-oriented, sober, diligent, and disciplined lives that Southern Baptists preach but do not always display," said Mark Noll of the University of Notre Dame."

We are ALWAYS afraid of that which we do not know. Romney could very well be the best candidate that the Republican party and its constituents let go, once the Primary election comes up and MOST of the reason why Romney may not make it, is due to people NOT knowing him and to some extent fearing his religion. They SIMPLY DO NOT KNOW enough about it. The biggest problem, is their reluctance to LEARN about it. it is a level of, for lack of a better word, ignorance, that people do not mind retaining. People also have a level of comfort in NOT going to the LDS faith to learn about the LDS faith. They don't know THOSE people...so they will go to their pastor or reverend. Well, honestly, this man gets paid by you WEEKLY or monthly...what do YOU think their answer is going to be? If I want to learn about the Lutheran Church, do I go to the Methodist Church to do so? So why do people fear talking to the LDS missionaries who want nothing more than to help people in any way that they can? Because they know that the LDS Church is a high volunteered faith where everyone does their part and everybody depends on one another to do so.

I actually have to think that if people do NOT vote for Romney based SOLELY upon religion, if that is not a form of bigotry. I am NOT saying that if you don't vote for Romney, that you are a bigot. I AM saying that if you cannot separate his religion, from the work that he did in Massachusetts or at the 2002 Olympics, and the ONLY reason you are NOT voting for him is due to his faith, that you know NOTHING about..besides what your OWN church says...well consider the source and re-evaluate what IS true from the horse's mouth.

Bigotry: a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices; especially : one who regards or treats the members of a group (as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance.
http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/bigot

If this form of discrimination exists; then the LDS Church, which may not be an ethnic or racial group, it IS a LARGE group of people (approximately 5-6 MILLION US members) who are being singled out and will be able to confirm that due to their religion, they can NEVER be elected as a President of the US if their professional ambitions led them that way.

If I choose Giuliani or Clinton or even Obama over Romney, it will have NOTHING to do with religion. I am NOT voting for a pastor or a bishop. I am voting for a Presidential Candidate and I am judging his work SOLELY on what he has done.

"If you are not going to support Republican Mitt Romney for president because you don't think he is the guy to win the war on terror, that is your call. If you are pro-life and you do not buy his abortion conversion story, it's a free country. But if you are not going to support Mitt Romney for president because he is Mormon, or because you think he will not be elected president because he is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, say your prayers for America."
-Kathryn Lopez

Do the NE PATS get an asterisk for a perfect season?

2007-11-07T15:39:00.000-08:00

I think not...let's consider what the Patriots have done to this point. Don Shula, who was the head coach of the 1972 Miami Dolphins made the comment that, "The Spygate thing has diminished what they've accomplished," Shula told the paper. "You would hate to have that attached to your accomplishments. They've got it."

There is also New England's 21-game win streak over the course of the 2003 and '04 seasons that some Patriots players tried to equate to the Dolphins 17-0 season, which Shula at that point claimed wasn't the same.

The New England Patriots have manhandled every team they have faces with the exception of the Indianapolis Colts who they cam from behind to win last Sunday.

If the New England Patriots were to go 19-0 will Shula go away even though the Patriots have won 5 more games than the 1972 Dolphins did? Or is it just not the same?

I am willing to say that if the Patriots have a 19 game winning streak, a ring resulting from that 19-0 run and they had a 21 game winning streak, then yes it is MUCH MORE impressive than just 14 games...we get 15-1 teams every once in a while, so winning 14 games is good, but it is not rare. Being undefeated with a ring IS rare, but has been done and will be done again, whether it is the Patriots or any other team.

Spygate will NOT keep the Patriots from playing their A game and it will not lessen the need for their opposition to keep them out of the endzone in order to NOT have the score run up on them.

Gundy v. The Oklahoman's Carlson

2007-09-25T16:43:00.000-07:00

I am not laughing at Gundy…I am laughing at the amateurish column left by the Oklahoman and I DO question her credibility as well as that of her editor. When I read this article, things stuck out to me that I would NEVER use in an article whether the Oklahoman is willing to man up to this or not. who uses phrases as “I suppose”, “It seems…”, “Word is”…these phrases which were spread throughout the article are that of a 3rd party assumption. “When you assume, you make an ass of u and me. It is, in my mind, the ONLY job of a sportswriter, to go to the source. Do not adlib, do not paraphrase or put words in the mouths of others or assume that YOU have the knews based on heresay comments that this athlete told this person or that person which also occurred twice at least that I counted. When you go directly to the source without equivocation, it takes out ANY doubt and both sides of the story are aware at what will be printed. It is after the fact, to ask a coach of what the “factual errors” are..they SHOULDN’T have existed from the beginning and an emailed interview or a phone call would have clarified the situation. I am 100% behind Mike Gundy and as a father of two kids, I would have my kids play under him regardless of what you think of him. Mike Gundy is a PARENT’S coach…he is NOT a babysitter, but he is a good man who I could feel 100% comfortable having my kids play for his program without blinking twice. Parents want this type of a coach for their kids. A coach who will publically go to bat for their kids against a columnist What does Ms. Carlson want anyway? Coach Gundy told her a couple of points in his rant as far as where she goofed and said what wasn’t true, did she pay attention at all to what he said? As far as getting meal from his mom, he IS still a kid. How many of you were athletes whether in HS or college? in a 4 hour game you CAN get some hunger strikes…so the hell what? Are you better than that athlete because you don’t? his mom is in the stands and he is on the sidelines..you are making a MUCH bigger issue about this than is needed. Everybody makes Coach Gundy to be enraged, I gotta say, I thought that he was direct, forward and brunt. there are times where that is called for. If I talked about anybody’s kids the way Ms. Carlson talked about Bobby Reid- I would EXPECT to get creamed as well. Ms. Carlson, what will you do when your kid is playing Little League and someone BOOS him off the field?? Are you ready to deal with that? Probably NOT! People who write about sports, should be at LEAST athletes, so they have perspective as an athlete and as a team member. Gundy, I applaud you..people say what they want. You HAVE no explaniation to do, you gave two examples which were MORE than needed. A columnist should be able to read through their article and pinpoint where they went to the source, where they may have hit too hard or where they may not have reliable sources. An Editor should be twice as vigilent in that respect. If anything, this amateur athlete got a raw deal by an amateur columnist. Hopefully, people do NOT take Gundy’s rant out of context to benefit their own opinions. Hopefully, people will read it in the spirit and the letter of intent that he meant it.

The very fact that YOUR paper backs you up as well as your editor, means they are in line with your comments (especially the twice mentioned chicken comment) means that the Oklahoman has NO problem with articles that fail to go to the source. They are ok with all of the many discrepancies that you fail to see the need to correct, OR CHOOSE to not correct.

I found it humerous that this was KILLED OFF and deleted and would NOT be surprised to see this deleted as well…of course..ANYTHING served up as a critique to your professional credibility will be discounted and thrown away as being negative energy..

well if it were JUST me..that would be one thing..but I am OBVIOUSLY not the only one who feels this way!

HC Mike Gundy-A PARENT AND ATHLETE'S COACH!

2007-09-24T21:46:00.001-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoMmbUmKN0E

2007-09-24T21:46:00.000-07:00

HC Mike Gundy-A PARENT AND ATHLETE'S COACH!

2007-09-24T21:28:00.000-07:00

> Did you see Coach Gundy defend his QB Bobby Reid?
> That was AWESOME!!!

> Wow...I LOVE coaches like that...if I am a player on a bad day...and
> my coach goes to bat for me the way he did calling the editor and
> columnist out like that?? I almost don't even care what their
> record is...the coaching that they get can be so much more about
> life in general than just what happens within the gridlines.
>
> INTENSE...and spot on! If my son does play football and could play
> for Gundy...I would have NO problems with that at all...THAT is a
> parent's coach! Not just for football, but in ANY sport. My hopes
> are that my son DOES have coaches like that! He may not play
> football but...hopefully in baseball or whatever he likes.
> I hope too that when he DOES have that big
> game (I had quite a few)where he may have a bad day or not have the best
> stats...that my wife and I can help him look at what he has done GOOD
> to get his team where they are.
>
> I hope I can coach Little League or High school teams after the
> military. I will take that as an exemplar way of handling the
> situation. That was awesome...he said he wished he could say
> more...I can only imagine how much more poignant or direct he could
> be.

Jena 6

2007-09-21T13:46:00.000-07:00

"Three white students were suspended but not criminally prosecuted. LaSalle Parish District Attorney Reed Walters has said he could find no state law covering the act."-AP

are we sure he COULD not find, or preferred NOT to find?

The first irrational and ridiculous action occurred with the nooses being hung from the tree. That was not done by African Americans, that hatred was done by Caucasians and 3 days and probation is NOT nearly enough punishment. I would call into question the hatred level of those district leaders as well! They should have the proper education to know the difference between a prank and a hate crime. That is what THAT was..a hate crime and to the best of MY knowledge (unless Louisiana law is different) is a criminal offense...if NOT...it should be!

To 911 Families and Those Who Have Lost Loved Ones in the War

2007-09-11T16:02:00.000-07:00

On that miserable and sobering day in 2001, every American knows where they were at that moment. We all felt useless and all of our hearts fell deep into our souls knowing that there was not nearly enough empathy or compassion that we could share with the families of those who lost members of their families. Whether those members were within the towers, firemen or policemen they will be remembered by all Americans. If some Americans wish to forget that day, it is NOT for lack of patriotism or the desire to forget what you have gone through as families. They want to stop the hurting that we all feel.

Thousands of families have sent their sons and daughters into the military and thousands of those members have since given their lives as a reminder that we, as Americans, will never forget. Thousands of military members still remain in Iraq, Afghanistan and around the world with a single eye's focus on ending the war against Terrorism and against those who have raised themselves against the USA for whatever reason.

No presidential administration can or will be able to fill the void that was created on that day. No amount of perfect hindsight or prevention may keep it from happening again. None of us will be able to erase the memories that have been burned into your minds or even those in our own minds with what we saw. While it hurts all of us inside, it also reminds us to remain vigilent and to always be ready. In my military service, we use the phrase Semper Paratus which means just that. The only thing we can do is to continue the fight against our enemies and do our part to redeem and avenge the loss of our innocent as well as our warriors. Our innocent Americans who passed away in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania will never be forgotten. Our soldiers and sailors who work around the clock 24/7 regardless of their feelings or ours regarding the management of US efforts against this war, are there to keep us safe whether they are in the Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force, Marines or Army...WE, your military will fight for you, your families, your memories, your hurt, your prayers, your hopes and for all that is good in this country. May God bless this country on this day that we will all be cognizant of those who cannot be with their families on this day, for whatever reason. I would hope that we may hug our children with the thought in mind that military families may be separated or that those who have lost their loved ones permanently, and that we may feel compassion and as much empathy for those who are unable to do the same. it should not be a moment of pride, as much as an awareness that we, as a country are able to still be one united country.

MY HOPE IS THAT, WE CAN BE ONE IN THE SAME UNITED AND PATRIOTIC WAY THAT WE WERE FOR MONTHS FOLLOWING 9/11. MAY THE LORD BLESS THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE FELT LOSSES IN YOUR FAMILIES AND KNOW THAT WE ARE DOING OUR BEST TO FEEL YOUR PAIN AND LOSS ON THIS DAY. WE SEND OUR CONDOLENCES TO YOU AND YOURS ON THIS DAY AND WILL CONTINUE TO REMIND OURSELVES HOW BLESSED WE ARE AS A COUNTRY. FOR THOSE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR SOLDIERS AND/OR SAILORS, WE ALSO FEEL YOUR LOSS AND WISH THE SAME FOR YOU AND THAT YOU KNOW THAT THE FIGHT TO FULFILL WHAT YOUR SONS/DAUGHTERS/HUSBANDS/
WIVES/BROTHERS/SISTERS AND PARENTS HAVE FOUGHT FOR OUR FREEDOM. IT IS TRUE THAT FREEDOM ISN'T FREE AND WE ARE DOING ALL THAT WE CAN TO ASSURE YOU OF THE FREEDOM AND SAFETY THAT YOU ENJOY. MAY WE ALL REMEMBER THIS DAY AS OUR DEDICATION TO AVENGE THE LOSS OF THOSE WHO DIED DUE TO TERRORISM AND RELIGIOUS EXTREMISM.

To The Everett Family

2007-09-11T16:00:00.000-07:00

Kevin Everett...we know you can't read this, but our hope, faith and prayers from those of us on this board are with you.

I have repeatedly said that risk and recognition of said risk as far as sports may not gain the sympathy that may or may not be deserved. Kevin, you have paid that ultimate and most undeserving price that may cost you your life and/or the ability to walk. We do not say that to discourage you, in fact we hope that your quality of life is not highly altered by this accident and that you WILL walk again.

Everyone here, regardless of our religion or lack thereof wishes the best for you and your family so that you may survive the imminent surgeries and treatment that you are going through. We are not interested in whether you will play football again. That is almost ideal at this point...or beyond what our immediate hopes are for you. We hope that you can survive the difficulties that have been placed before you and hope that your family can keep the faith and hope alive that you WILL indeed walk again.

Kevin, as you fight and progress through this ordeal, we will continue with eagerness to learn of your progress and listen attentively rto your health updates. Again, we wish the best for you , your family and for those friends and teammates of yours within the Buffalo Bills organization at all levels.

Barry Bonds Birthday 24July64

2007-07-24T19:18:00.000-07:00

To all of the haters who do not like Barry Bonds for whatever reason, you may feel justified in your decision to prejudge someone, just keep in mind that your decision to not forgive the guy puts you on the same level as God. This is the level where you get to decide whether you will forgive him or not..and over something like this...I just don't see the reason for it. Whether he did it or not, there are worse things in life. That goes for his mistress as well. Apparently she is set out to throw him under the bus as well...I may say this to her in response to her comment on Yahoo sports:

"If I had more self-esteem when I was younger," she said, "I wouldn't have been caught up with such a rotten man."

My response: Ms. Bell, Mr. Bonds too, had a lapse of judgement as well by getting involved with you and the only reason for your response and need to thwart his efforts at this time is because he left you in 2003 and you are ticked that you are not with him now. I would hope that Liz Watson would not get concerned about this as Ms. Bell is simply trying to coattail her way and create as much discomfort for Bonds and his family as she possibly can, especially NOW with Barry being right on the cusp of the all-time homerun record. Her ploy includes a future spread in Playboy magazine where she will again, throw Barry underneath the bus..because he is an easy target. The media has dumped on him for most of his career, whether it is of his doing or not..so why would Ms. Bell act differently?

Baseball is a game. We will never know when the steroid era began nore will we ever know if it started with Mr. Canseco or he was simply the most prolific.

No matter whether Barry took the clear or cream knowingly or not, the results cannot be changed nor will the record books. We are all aware of that. There are far too many asterisks to go around.

I will be honest, i do not expect Barry to get 3 HRs tonight (he is already 0 for 1. But I would like to see one homerun tonight..there is no better way to help yourself and your team out on such a great occasion in this record breaking year.

If you want to hate Barry Bonds for what he has accomplished, remember that he was a HOFer long before the steroid scandal began. And if it makes you feel better...provided A-Rod and Pujols do not get injured...they will overtake his record in roughly a decade...so...enjoy..you will probably get your man sooner than waiting another 3 decades..

As far as I am concerned the NBA scandal involving Tim Donaghy is a MUCH bigger story as is the NFL's Michael Vick indictment...THOSE to me warrant more of a "hate' than anything Bonds has done to this point. Donaghy compromised the NBA and its validity of the last 13 years. Vick has knowingly had dogs abused and murdered on his property by people within his family..whether he was involved or not. it is his house and ignorance is NO excuse. As long as it happened in his home, he is liable and SHOULD be held as such.

2007-07-24T14:22:00.000-07:00

Michael Vick and His Dogdays

Whoever thinks this is ONLY about race, they're wrong. Whoever thinks that this is about ONLY celebrities or athletes, they're wrong. Whoever thinks that this is anything more or less than the abuse of animals is wrong. C rime was committed and it just happens that the FEDS have convicted him. The Federal Govt. does not convict unless they have a good reason to do so and have the evidence to show that the convicted will NOT get off...a D.A like Nifong may convict without merit or morals (didn't he get disbarred for that among other things?) but Vick is gonna go down on this one and he has no recourse...no one to throw the scapegoat on...look..there are really no surprises about the kids in this Vick Family...I am NOT really all that surprised. In fact if ANYTHING..I feel for his mom and dad...I CANNOT see how parents could actually raise their children to grow up and make these decisions. They HAVE to just be suffering inside as parents. yes Michael Vick is an adult as is his brother Marcus-both of which had issues at VTech and Marcus had his fair share of fun on some guy's calf muscle...thankfully and reasonably so..he was NOT picked up in the draft and his attempt to try out was dismal...he screwed himself out of more money in one stomping than I will EVER make...I also feel for the guy that got stomped on..but HE'LL go into the NFL knowing that neither Vick will be there...If Vick gets less than 5 years...I would consider the whole thing a travesty....ANY CRIME where you take away the free agency or life of another human being or animal should be seen as a murderer. Again, I feel bad for Vick's family...they have to tolerate this crap...

2007-07-24T14:17:00.000-07:00

I LOVED THIS...THIS WAS HYSTERICAL....TALK ABOUT A GUY WHO DOESN'T GET IT....

"I feel like it's the Nazi regime coming in here, talking away all of our rights, said Tim Main, as he cleaned up Mike's Ten-Pin Lounge in Alton. "First they make it so you have to wear seat belts, and now they want to put a stop to smoking. What's next?"

HEAVEN FORBID THAT THE GOVERNMENT WANTS TO KEEP YOU ALIVE AND HEALTHY!!!!

DON'T GET THE WRONG IDEA THOUGH...IT ISN'T THAT YOU ARE ALL THAT IMPORTANT...REMEMBER THE ONLY TWO SURE THINGS ARE TAXES AND DEATH....AND THEY'RE GONNA TAX YOU AS LONG AS THEY CAN...SO THEY'LL KEEP YOU ALIVE IN ORDER TO DO SO!!!!