"Somebody said that we're not in President Obama's Final Four, and as much as I respect what he's doing, really, the economy is something that he should focus on, probably more than the brackets...." While Coach Mike Krzyzewski (pronounced Mike Shi-Shev-Ski to the morons out there) was only being facetious (you can replace this word with droll, cheeky, or sprightly) when he made his suggestion to the President, he spoke some truth. There is a little... or a lot of truth in every joke.
I pose several questions to the President. Why is the economy being relegated as an equal to other matters? Why are you campaigning when you've already been elected? What is your plan? Allow me to elaborate on each of these.
Why does the economy seem so secondary to the President? In recent days there have been clips of President Obama relaying messages about the economy... and laughing. There is nothing funny about my parents having all of their retirement evaporate. Yet the President seems to think this topic is equal to the environment, poor detainees in Cuba, and what's left of our taxable income. I do believe in having a priority. Right now my future and that of my parents and children are at stake. Money is at the forefront (namely the lack of any money). What do Gitmo detainees and the environment have to do with the dwindling value of every company in existence? Obama is apparently too focused on partisanship and delivering goods to his loyals to focus on the real problems.
Why, when the country needs a President to be doing his job, is Obama campaigning on the various networks? He has already been elected. If he wants to make a statement, he should do like all other elected officials and have a set commentary. If he needs exposure or wants to calm us regular Americans, he should follow FDR and have weekly or nightly broadcasts. Above all he shouldn't act like the celebrity he is, and go on talk shows. That's why he has reps. It makes him seem like a total douche bag paparazzi hound. Next he will be seen in a club with Paris Hilton and doing a movie with the Rock.
Finally, if the president wants to truly alleviate all fears, he needs to be clear on his plan. It seems he's just playing it by ear, but he wants us to think he's had this all thought out from the start (before his primary inner circle all quit due to tax evasion and other problems). He needs to be truthful. If President Obama admitted he was having to put together a plan as problems arise, most Americans would accept it. However, he has built an entire culture around his appearance as a savior, from which he can't admit any lack of a plan. Basically, Obama dug himself a hole and he's got to build a ladder to get out.
Our President is failing on the side of maintaining popularity. You can only carry public approval so far, however. I don't care about political leanings at this point in history. I simply want the President to quit partying with celebs and begin locking himself in his office until he solves this crisis we're in. Instead, Obama is strolling around the media while regular Americans continue to lose their savings. If he were a regular working guy he might not be fired, but the boss would call him to his office and instruct him that his focus is seriously lacking... and his job is on the line. The American people are the President's boss. We should be telling him how his job performance has been lacking.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Kay Yow... I might not have been a huge women's b-ball fan but I was a Coach Yow fan.
I will admit, I didn't know Coach Yow as well as many others. I did know her well enough for her to know my name, and for her to give me personal advice on several occasions. I will always remember her as an honest and Christian lady who went out of her way to help everyone else around her.
There are people in everyone's lives that leave an everlasting influence. Coach Yow was one of those people for me. Sadly I was a stupid teenager or college know-it-all when I mostly knew her. I never took her lessons to heart... until later. And Coach Yow had a lot to teach.
These days Coach Yow is primarily known for her courage in the face of cancer. It is one of many great things she has done. I remember her for something more. I heard her talk many times about her mission in life. It wasn't one of coaching, inspiring, or mentoring others. That all came with her true mission, to do God's will. All of the rest fell into her overall mission of being a Christian. I remember myself getting into trouble with NC State for a cartoon I published in the newspaper. Most people saw it as humor but a loud few decided they should threaten me until I apologised. I was too cocky to give a real appology, and shot back with a sarcastic and empty editorial apology. A few days later Coach Yow called me and told me something I didn't understand then. She said "Being a Christian means not reacting to anger with anger." She wasn't saying it's not right to fight back. She explained that you don't win friends by making enemies, and you don't win for God by reacting in anger. I just acted like a typical college genius and thought to myself, "whatever". I'm sad I didn't listen closer.
I also remember when I asked her about doubt, being a Christian. She retold a story I had heard before about her being the coach in the Olympics. She helped smuggle hundreds of bibles into Russia to give to the secret Christians in the USSR. She said she knew the consequences (losing the coaching job, going to jail in Russia, and being chastized) and had done it anyway. Coach Yow said she never had a doubt about what she needed to do. The lesson was that all Christians have doubts, but when it comes to God's will there is no doubt.
Still I know that Kay Yow is above watching everyone she loved... meaning everyone she ever met. I just feel that the single focus on Coach Yow's fight against cancer does a slight disservice to her whole story. She was a Christian, cancer victim, a mentor, and much more.
There are people in everyone's lives that leave an everlasting influence. Coach Yow was one of those people for me. Sadly I was a stupid teenager or college know-it-all when I mostly knew her. I never took her lessons to heart... until later. And Coach Yow had a lot to teach.
These days Coach Yow is primarily known for her courage in the face of cancer. It is one of many great things she has done. I remember her for something more. I heard her talk many times about her mission in life. It wasn't one of coaching, inspiring, or mentoring others. That all came with her true mission, to do God's will. All of the rest fell into her overall mission of being a Christian. I remember myself getting into trouble with NC State for a cartoon I published in the newspaper. Most people saw it as humor but a loud few decided they should threaten me until I apologised. I was too cocky to give a real appology, and shot back with a sarcastic and empty editorial apology. A few days later Coach Yow called me and told me something I didn't understand then. She said "Being a Christian means not reacting to anger with anger." She wasn't saying it's not right to fight back. She explained that you don't win friends by making enemies, and you don't win for God by reacting in anger. I just acted like a typical college genius and thought to myself, "whatever". I'm sad I didn't listen closer.
I also remember when I asked her about doubt, being a Christian. She retold a story I had heard before about her being the coach in the Olympics. She helped smuggle hundreds of bibles into Russia to give to the secret Christians in the USSR. She said she knew the consequences (losing the coaching job, going to jail in Russia, and being chastized) and had done it anyway. Coach Yow said she never had a doubt about what she needed to do. The lesson was that all Christians have doubts, but when it comes to God's will there is no doubt.
Still I know that Kay Yow is above watching everyone she loved... meaning everyone she ever met. I just feel that the single focus on Coach Yow's fight against cancer does a slight disservice to her whole story. She was a Christian, cancer victim, a mentor, and much more.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
The Obama Factor: or I don't buy it and I don't celebrate his holiday yet
I have no political equivalent. I describe myself as a socio-capitalist, libertatarian, anti federalist, conservamentationalist, environmentalist. However, I want to go down on record as not buying into the entire Obama hype. I know he is president elect. I really wish him well. Being President is no easy task. It's also not a cake walk, where you make promises and see them happen either. I want what's best for the United States. I also want to hold to the US Constitution and what America was meant to be. I believe everyone born in America should have the opportunity to be president. My concerns are these:
1. Obama has not realized how disconnected his campaign promises were with reality.
He Said many things about cutting taxes and stopping war and being friendly with other nations. Not to go off point, but so did Bill Clinton, so did Jimmy Carter, so did Richard Nixon, so did both Presidents Bush, so did FDR, JFK, etc. Professional politicians tend to say things they don't follow up on when they get elected. Call me jaded. I simply see it as history.
2. The Media is power and can spin it how it wants.
The media might spin stuff to look better than it is. I've seen them in 8 years spin stuff to look quite worse than it is. I saw them spin it the 8 years before to look like we were all happy when people were losing jobs to NAFTA. Before that, we were in a recession that would bring an end to America, according to the media. Basically, news sources have tended toward making news. If they can blow way out of proportion and bleed a story they most certainly will.
3. Beware the media, Obama.
You have been their darling for quite some time, but like I said, they love a story. Being President is "the loneliest job in the world". One screw up and you will eat it for years to come. There is no dark room (unless your name is Kennedy) to hide in. Keep it straight and on the narrow.
4. What will everyone say?
By now, and clearly from his political appointments it's true, Obama has realized he's not going to keep hardly any promises. His war against the war is dead. His tax promises are a pipe dream. But so many people gave him big money to go their way. Some have or will be given cooshie jobs they're unqualified for. What about the rest of the party? They hedged their bets on a huge socialist overturn of the government. Government controls everything. Everyone is equal. The world all loves one another. Blah blah blah. At least that's socialist views... and most of the hard left. (Why do I get labeled a libertarian when I say the government has no say in helmet laws but everyone gets up in arms when I say helmet laws are socialist? Anyway.) They won"t be happy when President Obama doesn't fulfill his promises. Enter the media... if they haven't been totally bought out.
5. Yeah I'll bring up the racist thing.
I'm going to be labeled a racist for saying this... but I've seen it. African Americans will expect something from Obama being president. It's just the truth. I am happy to say in any of my SOUTHERN family's history there has not been a salve owned. I was raised to believe, if you you were a hard working American despite your race, you deserved happiness. However, I get the feeling the African American community feels they are owed something. My family comes from poor Scottish, English, German, Welsh, and Irish share croppers. As well, I am sure there is Native American in there too. I never asked or expected reparations. nor would I expect any. I make 21 thousand a year. There's people of every race imaginable that make more than me. I don't judge people by race. But if you try to bring guilt on me I will spit in your face. I am a proud American, not to be labeled by race. Neither should you be. Too much emphasis is placed on Obama's race as well. Now days racism is only an issue for those that want to make it an issue.I don't think President Obama wants that.
5. Good luck, Obama.
The media has created the Iraq and other wars so unpopular that you don't want to deal with them. However you have to. And pulling out is not an option. As well, pessimists have driven the proud American economy into the ground. I would never want your spot. I do believe President Obama is getting an empire. The US is a great empire. It's a Hollywood cliche to say the US is an empire in a negative sense. That's crap. It is true that if a baby cries in another country, we're the one everyone turns to to feed it. It's also true that if our country crumbles the world comes tumbling after. Example? We hit an economic slump, Europe and Asia took a nose dive. We made economic moves, those markets followed suit. Also, their were many international investments in this past election. If other countries are investing in our President we are definitely a powerhouse worldwide. Suck on that "losing face in the world" media.
6. Safety.
Is Obama going to make me feel safe. Right now I don't know. That means no. And that's a big NO. He hasn't ever elaborated on American security... except to say he was going to release people who pose a threat on America. He did back off of that theory though, as he began introductions to the Whitehouse. That was about the same time these guys began seeing trials. However, no other country will allow any such criminals to be held on their soil. Oh... it just adds to the ever flowing dramatic quality of life. I will now go into hip-hop mode. When the bombs blow up we all go up. Oh yeah. When terrorists stand up, we ought to all give up. Oh yeah. All the atheists say, "Oh, Yeah. Blow, Yeah. If we die, Yeah. It's what happens, Yeah."
So if this post doesn't get me labeled as an unfriendly to the new government... or to general uneducated folks who happened to learn to use a computer, you may hear from me again. Still I wish for President Obama to succeed in every way. My 401k and my safety depend on it.
1. Obama has not realized how disconnected his campaign promises were with reality.
He Said many things about cutting taxes and stopping war and being friendly with other nations. Not to go off point, but so did Bill Clinton, so did Jimmy Carter, so did Richard Nixon, so did both Presidents Bush, so did FDR, JFK, etc. Professional politicians tend to say things they don't follow up on when they get elected. Call me jaded. I simply see it as history.
2. The Media is power and can spin it how it wants.
The media might spin stuff to look better than it is. I've seen them in 8 years spin stuff to look quite worse than it is. I saw them spin it the 8 years before to look like we were all happy when people were losing jobs to NAFTA. Before that, we were in a recession that would bring an end to America, according to the media. Basically, news sources have tended toward making news. If they can blow way out of proportion and bleed a story they most certainly will.
3. Beware the media, Obama.
You have been their darling for quite some time, but like I said, they love a story. Being President is "the loneliest job in the world". One screw up and you will eat it for years to come. There is no dark room (unless your name is Kennedy) to hide in. Keep it straight and on the narrow.
4. What will everyone say?
By now, and clearly from his political appointments it's true, Obama has realized he's not going to keep hardly any promises. His war against the war is dead. His tax promises are a pipe dream. But so many people gave him big money to go their way. Some have or will be given cooshie jobs they're unqualified for. What about the rest of the party? They hedged their bets on a huge socialist overturn of the government. Government controls everything. Everyone is equal. The world all loves one another. Blah blah blah. At least that's socialist views... and most of the hard left. (Why do I get labeled a libertarian when I say the government has no say in helmet laws but everyone gets up in arms when I say helmet laws are socialist? Anyway.) They won"t be happy when President Obama doesn't fulfill his promises. Enter the media... if they haven't been totally bought out.
5. Yeah I'll bring up the racist thing.
I'm going to be labeled a racist for saying this... but I've seen it. African Americans will expect something from Obama being president. It's just the truth. I am happy to say in any of my SOUTHERN family's history there has not been a salve owned. I was raised to believe, if you you were a hard working American despite your race, you deserved happiness. However, I get the feeling the African American community feels they are owed something. My family comes from poor Scottish, English, German, Welsh, and Irish share croppers. As well, I am sure there is Native American in there too. I never asked or expected reparations. nor would I expect any. I make 21 thousand a year. There's people of every race imaginable that make more than me. I don't judge people by race. But if you try to bring guilt on me I will spit in your face. I am a proud American, not to be labeled by race. Neither should you be. Too much emphasis is placed on Obama's race as well. Now days racism is only an issue for those that want to make it an issue.I don't think President Obama wants that.
5. Good luck, Obama.
The media has created the Iraq and other wars so unpopular that you don't want to deal with them. However you have to. And pulling out is not an option. As well, pessimists have driven the proud American economy into the ground. I would never want your spot. I do believe President Obama is getting an empire. The US is a great empire. It's a Hollywood cliche to say the US is an empire in a negative sense. That's crap. It is true that if a baby cries in another country, we're the one everyone turns to to feed it. It's also true that if our country crumbles the world comes tumbling after. Example? We hit an economic slump, Europe and Asia took a nose dive. We made economic moves, those markets followed suit. Also, their were many international investments in this past election. If other countries are investing in our President we are definitely a powerhouse worldwide. Suck on that "losing face in the world" media.
6. Safety.
Is Obama going to make me feel safe. Right now I don't know. That means no. And that's a big NO. He hasn't ever elaborated on American security... except to say he was going to release people who pose a threat on America. He did back off of that theory though, as he began introductions to the Whitehouse. That was about the same time these guys began seeing trials. However, no other country will allow any such criminals to be held on their soil. Oh... it just adds to the ever flowing dramatic quality of life. I will now go into hip-hop mode. When the bombs blow up we all go up. Oh yeah. When terrorists stand up, we ought to all give up. Oh yeah. All the atheists say, "Oh, Yeah. Blow, Yeah. If we die, Yeah. It's what happens, Yeah."
So if this post doesn't get me labeled as an unfriendly to the new government... or to general uneducated folks who happened to learn to use a computer, you may hear from me again. Still I wish for President Obama to succeed in every way. My 401k and my safety depend on it.
The sports season is done or When does baseball start?
Is it me or has the entire football season seemed to have died and gone to an unnamed purgatory? I could care less about the college season. I can't name more than one guy playing in the remaining BCS game. Tim Tebow. While I have learned to love him as a player, the game doesn't iterest me much. Oklahoma? They became Big 12 champs by fate and a screwy ratings system. I hope Florida runs them into the ground.
As for basketball season. Geez. They've had the BCS system in place for years. If you aren't a top teir team to start the season then your chances are screwed. UNC loses to the 11th ranked team... in their conference. Still they end up number 3. Or Duke does nothing but win to halfwit teams and ends up second. Yeah, a lot of common sense there. Everyone needs to be ranked at zero preseason. That's the only way. Who cares anyway. If you touch a top teir player with your shirt sleeve now, they blow a foul. The difference in college ball and the NBA is in what form they get paid.
I can't wait for baseball season. At least the players in that sport go pro before getting paid.(I'm just waiting on the report on college and high school baseballers getting paid to be released.)
As for basketball season. Geez. They've had the BCS system in place for years. If you aren't a top teir team to start the season then your chances are screwed. UNC loses to the 11th ranked team... in their conference. Still they end up number 3. Or Duke does nothing but win to halfwit teams and ends up second. Yeah, a lot of common sense there. Everyone needs to be ranked at zero preseason. That's the only way. Who cares anyway. If you touch a top teir player with your shirt sleeve now, they blow a foul. The difference in college ball and the NBA is in what form they get paid.
I can't wait for baseball season. At least the players in that sport go pro before getting paid.(I'm just waiting on the report on college and high school baseballers getting paid to be released.)
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