Author: Tony L. Blackwell

Happily Married Father w/ a Daughter on her way to College. Sports Fanatic, Follower of Politics, Lover of Truth But I Despise Racism, Bigotry and Those Who Won't Stand Up For All of Us instead of the 47%.

Categories
Sports

And Then There Were Two

From the Final Four to the Final Two. With only one #1 Seed left in the March Madness tournament, the Louisville Cardinals will contend against the 4 Seed Michigan Wolverines on Monday night for the 2012-2013 Men’s Basketball Championship. And what a Final it should be.

In the first game of the evening, #9 Wichita St. gave Louisville all they could handle. With a one point lead at the half, Wichita St. jumped out to a 12-point lead with 13-minutes to go, leading 47-35. Louisville tried to slow the Shockers by trying the half-court press but to no avail. Each time, Wichita St. broke the press and scored with jump shots and easy layups  After seeing his first stringers struggling to get a rhythm, Coach Rick Pitino called on his bench to initiate some energy to their flat offensive team. That move proved to be the boost the Cardinals needed.

George Mason transfer Luke Hanson scored 13 points in 12-minutes to help lift Louisville from its shooting slump and provided them with the jump starting motivation needed to overcome what would have been a ‘Shocker’ of an upset. With Kevin Ware – whose season ended last week with the terrible compound fracture to his right leg in the game against Duke – barely able to look on at times on the sidelines, the Louisville Cardinals advanced to the Grand Finale, scheduled for Monday night. They held off Wichita St., 72-68 with clutch free throws in the waning seconds and now move on against the winner of the second game of the night, #4 Seed, Michigan Wolverines.

The Michigan Wolverines and #4 Seed Syracuse Orange was yet another epic game between two feisty and tenacious teams where the Wolverines jumped out to a 36-25 halftime lead. Mitch McGary didn’t lead the Wolverines in scoring but his contributions were gigantic because it helped Michigan overcome a stubborn Syracuse Orange defense by a 61-56.

McGary had just scored 10 points, but pulled down 12 rebounds and dished out a team-best six assists. He’d made shots from the high post and the block. He’s averaging 16 points and 11.6 rebounds a game during the NCAA tournament, and that includes an impressive stat line (25 points, 14 boards) against one of the nation’s best frontcourt player in Jeff Withey at Kansas. Tim Hardaway, Jr. added 13 points in the Wolverines victory. Syracuse was led by C. J. Fair’s 22 points but it wasn’t enough as the Michigan Wolverines punched their ticket for the Final dance of the Season against the Louisville Cardinals.

So the question was posted after the games ended. Can Louisville’s defense stifle the offensive threats of Tim Hardaway Jr., Glenn Robinson III and Mitch McGary?

Well, if the sons of their famous father’s Tim Hardaway and Glenn Robinson can get an early jump on Louisville and McGary has another good night as he did against the Orange, this game could swing in the favor of the Wolverine’s. They look pretty good at times but I still think the Louisville Cardinals are #1 for a reason. This will definitely be a great finish to one of the best March Madness title runs to date.

And with that said, I won’t crown them champions just yet but, it is the #1 Louisville Cardinals that are favored. I’m going with the Favored.

Oops, I guess I just crowned them Champions!

Categories
Sports

On To The Fantastic Final Four!

The March Madness 2013 has come down to this – The Final Four. Yes, the Final Four teams remaining from the great race that began with 68-teams on March 19th. Sixty four teams began the quest, the dream, the hustle plays, the blocked shots, big 3-pointers to win and advance and alas, the heartaches and heartbreaks. What a tournament it has been leading up to the Grand Finale which starts off with the Final Four teams on April 6th.

  • Representing the Midwest is #1 Seed Louisville Cardinals who survived by defeating #2 Duke Blue Devils on Sunday after a gruesome injury to starting Louisville point guard Kevin Ware who broke his leg in the first half.
  • Representing the West Region is #9 Wichita St. Shockers that pulled a ‘Shocker’ of a win over #2 Ohio St.
  • Representing the South Region is #4 Michigan Wolverines who upset 1 Seed Kansas Jayhawks on Friday and 3 Seed Florida on Sunday.
  • Representing the East Region is #4 Syracuse who knocked off 3 Seed Marquette on Saturday as well.

Wichita St. comes in as the highest seeded team into the Final Four as a 9 Seed and the Louisville Cardinals are the lone survivor as a 1 Seed with Kansas going down in an overtime thriller against a surging #4, Michigan Wolverines.

There have been many games and teams that have caught the eye and the imagination of all March Madness folklore. Probably the most entertaining, loose and highest seed ever to make it into the Sweet 16 was 15 Seed Florida Gulf Coast University who lost to the Florida Gators on Friday. After much hoopla, the ‘Dunk City’ Crew just didn’t have it on Friday evening. FGCU was thumped by 12 and it really was much worse than that but the Eagles of Florida Gulf Coast should hold their heads high for they are now on the Map of the college basketball world. LaSalle is another team that went deep into the tournament, eventually losing to #9 Wichita St. which has a Final Four matchup with #1 Louisville.

With the tournament coming down to the wire, how did your brackets fair? I bombed but I’m not alone for sure. With a lowly 34 out of 60 correct (34-26), I had selected many games that, on paper, should have gone the other way. But, now that we’re in the Finale, it begins afresh. On April 6th, I have #1 Louisville overwhelming #9 Wichita St and the two #4’s of Michigan and Syracuse is difficult to pick but I’m believing Michigan can keep the ‘Big Mo’ going to lead to a Louisville vs Michigan final on the evening of April 8th. This will be, if my prediction is correct, Michigan’s first final appearance in 20 years, the last being when the ‘Fab 5’ were dominating the college ranks with Chris Webber, Juwan Howard, Jalen Rose, Jimmy King and Ray Jackson.

This should be a one of the greatest Final Four’s of All Times with the Championship game being equally heart pounding. So no matter what your bracket looks like, excitement and anticipation fills the air.

I’m Ready for the Grand Finale! Are You?

Categories
Sports

The Streaking ‘Heat’ Stopped by the Bulls

The Miami Heat 27-game win streak has officially been derailed. The 1971-1972 Los Angeles Lakers record of 33-straight is safe. The Wednesday night match-up with the Chicago Bulls was another hard fought game that favored more of a football game between the Miami Dolphins vs. the Chicago Bears at times. With LeBron James being literally tackled by a Bulls defender as James attempted a layup or close lined by Taj Gibson during another layup attempt, this was one physical outing. Nevertheless, the streak is over. But what a run it was.

The Heat hadn’t lost a game since February 1, against the Indiana Pacers but on February 3, against the Toronto Raptors, the historic Heat journey began. During the 52-days of this run, the Heat had some impressive achievements. They compiled 13-road wins, overcame 7-double digit deficits (one of those, a staggering 27-point hole they had dug against a short handed Cleveland Cavaliers team just last week), averaged nearly 51% shooting from the field (50.8), had an 11.9 point margin of victory, and earned the 2nd longest NBA win streak in history. LeBron James averaged 27-points during the streak while shooting an amazing 57.5% with 8 rebounds and 8 assists. Dwayne Wade had great numbers as well, averaging 22.8 a game and shooting 53.6%.

Needless to say, the streak hadn’t gone without notice. Some of the greats of the game, both past and present, expressed their perspectives of this amazing run by the Miami Heat. Hall of Famer, Jerry West, who is one of the proud participants of the current 33-game win streak from the ’71-’72 Lakers, said on Wednesday nights Heat loss,

I really thought they were going to do it. It’s a remarkable streak. I wasn’t rooting against them at all. At halftime, I thought they were going to win the game. But all you need sometimes is a few things to go wrong. It was a great accomplishment. It creates incredible fan interest.

West also added that he feels the Heat players wouldn’t be distracted by the loss due to their ultimate goal and focus for year end accomplishments–the NBA Title.

Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers added thoughts from a fans perspective in saying,

I think just as a student of the game, as a fan of the game, you appreciate those kind of streaks and you realize how difficult it is to put together that big of a streak. Obviously the Lakers winning 33 in a row was phenomenal, but the Heat’s one was just as impressive.

No matter if you’re a fan of the Miami Heat or not, you have to appreciate the significance of this extraordinary run. To win 27-straight games against NBA players is not like winning that many in the college level or below. These are professional basketball players. Yes, some teams are weaker than others, but I guarantee you could never comprise your best 5 to 10 players off the street and expect to perform at a higher level than the worst NBA team. The 1971-1972 Los Angeles Lakers know how difficult it was, just as the 1972 Miami Dolphins who have the record of a Perfect Season going undefeated and winning the Super Bowl in that season finishing 17-0. Unheard of back then, and still, no one has matched them to date.

So we, as fans, are and will always be, in awe of greatness. No matter the team, the sport, or the individual. Amazing will always be Amazing. Thank you Miami Heat players for bringing us fans such an amazing stretch of basketball. Now, it’s time for the playoffs and time to defend as NBA CHAMPS!

Let’s Go Heat!

Categories
Easter Religion

What Does Easter Mean To You?

Happy Easter! But what does Easter mean to you? There are so many that believe Easter has something to do with a Bunny Rabbit that lay eggs for us to hide and hunt  for; or jelly beans and chocolate bunnies that are crème filled and full of calories and the fulfillment of a sweet tooth craving. Easter has turned into a commercially charged money-maker. With candy companies loading stores with their sweets and clothing stores laying out their racks with new suits and dresses, Easter has become a multi-billion dollar sales bonanza for major corporations.

According to the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) Easter spending survey, conducted by BIGinsight in March of 2012, Americans shelled out an average of $145.28 on everything from apparel and candy to food and decorations that year, up 11 percent from $131.04 the previous year. Total spending was expected to reach $16.8 billion.

“Though the price of gas is on everyone’s mind, Easter is one of the few holidays some consumers are willing to stretch their budgets, especially because many children look forward to treats and new outfits on Easter morning,” said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. “Retailers will make sure to offer plenty of promotions on candy, apparel, food and decorations in the coming weeks for eager holiday shoppers.”

Due to consumer demand, the sales breakdown is expected to look like this:

  •  48.5% will head to retailers for spring sales on fashions and accessories for kids, men, and women while spending approximately $3.0 billion on these items.
  • 89.3% will purchase more than $2 billion on traditional favorites such as chocolate eggs and jelly beans.
  •  Easter meals with the average person expected to spend around $44.34 for a total $5.1 billion.
  •  53.6% will buy greeting cards, spending an average of $7.04.

My, how the most sacred of holidays has eclipsed the true meaning of what this week is supposed to represent. According to the Holy Bible, this week was the time in which Jesus triumphantly entered Jerusalem, promoting the “Kingdom of God” was at hand. The Passover and the Last Supper had taken place and Jesus was betrayed into the hands of the Chief Priest by Judas Iscariot and on Friday, he would be Crucified by the Roman soldiers. As He died on the cross, Jesus, in His last breathes asked GOD to forgive them for, “They no not what they do”. That still rings True on today. We, as a nation – even this whole world –, ‘know not what we’re doing’. The Good News is God Still Forgives! All we have to do is ask, which is why Jesus came into this world.

So, what is the true meaning of Easter? Is it the things that money can buy or is it the one thing that money could never buy?

A tiny hint, money can’t buy your Salvation. And Salvation is Sweeter than candy. Smile.

Categories
Domestic Policies women

Violence Against Women’s Act Unawareness At UNC

It seems like the Violence Against Women’s Act was re-signed so very long ago. President Obama signed this important legislation into law on March 7th in which many are hoping will curb attacks against women nationally. We could only hope. But at the University of North Carolina, it appears they are unaware of such legislation being signed, let alone it even being introduced or even discussed in the media, on television or even debated throughout various political battlegrounds both for and against this important and historic law.

Attorney Clay Turner of Chapel Hill North Carolina, sent a letter Monday to The University of North Carolina [UNC] Chancellor Holden Thorp, advising the school of the complaint that his client, Landen Gambill filed with the Office for Civil Rights in the U.S. Department of Education.  Ms. Gambill says the school expelled her for retaliation against her speaking out publicly about the rape and assault on the campus. Attorney Turner wrote to Thorp saying he was “to demand that you immediately end this reckless prosecution. The retaliatory charges against my client are inappropriate, unconstitutional and utterly without merit.”

Landen Gambill

Ms. Gambill has yet to identify the alleged offender but the Chancellor and the Board has stated that she violated the honor code by creating an environment that’s intimidating for him. FOR HIM… The accused!

After a hearings board cleared him of sexual assault, they did find him guilty of a much lesser charge of harassment but no criminal charges were filed.

Mr. Turner lashed out saying, “In speaking out for change at UNC, Ms. Gambill is not ‘harassing’ or ‘intimidating’ her abuser, whom she has never named. “Rather, the university’s decision to press charges against Ms. Gambill has tragically provided her abuser with the opportunity to harass and intimidate her” despite a no-contact order issued against him last May.

This makes the third such complaint against the University in which they are being accused of “under reporting” crimes on the campus. Also, Gambill and five additional women in January filed a Title IX complaint with the office of civil rights, saying UNC-Chapel Hill mishandles sexual abuse cases.

The school has denied any wrongdoing however, and continues to stand by its decision in expelling Ms. Gambill. But this will not go away. It has now gained national attention from Melissa Harris-Perry of MSNBC and others, so the heat on UNC’s Board will get hotter before cooler.

No, this story will not go away but the Chancellor is. Thorp is resigning in June to become the chief academic officer of Washington University in St. Louis.

The school this month hired two new employees to investigate sexual assault allegations and to help victims.

Stay tuned.

Categories
Sports

Bracket Busted and Disgusted!

Well, it’s officially over…for me that is. My March Madness 2013 Brackets are as ugly as ugly can be. I’m sitting on 32 out of 48 correct or 32 and 16. The key culprits for my demise – #15 Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) and #13 LaSalle. FGCU is playing some of the best basketball in the tournament and is the lowest seed to ever advance to the Sweet 16. Oh, yeah, I had them advancing for sure! Out of the South, #15 FGCU began its first round by beating #2 Georgetown which is what totally demolished my Brackets. From there, they’ve won against another underdog of sorts, #7 San Diego St. which had eliminated #10 Oklahoma in their first round game.

LaSalle, in it’s own right, has beaten some pretty good teams too. And to think, LaSalle had a ‘Play-In’ game just to get into the Big Dance and look at them now. In the first round, they beat #4 Kansas St. to advance to the second round where they won against #12 Mississippi that had knocked of 5 Seed Wisconsin.

And in Sunday’s games, my UNC Tarheels had a Great first half. I sure wish that’s all they had to play because they came out in the second half flatter than a pancake and laid the proverbial egg. With a halftime score of 30-21, North Carolina gave up 49 second half points to #1 Seed Kansas while only scoring 28 themselves and losing 70-58. An ugly finish to the year but on a bright note; Coach Roy Williams won game #700 in their victory over 9 Seed Villanova. Not a National Title by any means but a victory of sorts. Oh, and 2 Seed Duke is still alive. (Who Cares).

Other upsets were #9 Wichita St. beating #1 Gonzaga and #10 Iowa St. sending #7 Notre Dame packing early in the West Region.

Now, on to the Sweet 16 and there are some great match-ups upcoming.

  • #1 Louisville vs #12 Oregon in the Midwest
  • #2 Duke vs #3 Michigan St., Midwest
  • #9 Wichita St vs #13 LaSalle in the West
  • #2 Ohio St. vs #6 Arizona, West
  • #1 Kansas vs #4 Michigan in the South
  • #3 Florida vs #15 Florida Gulf Coast Uni. (FGCU), South
  • #1 Indiana vs #4 Syracuse in the East
  • #2 Miami vs #3 Marquette

As you can see, there are still three #1’s still in it, three #2’s and three 3’s still fighting to advance deeper into the tournament. The lower seeds consist of a #15, underdog extraordinaire, Florida Gulf Coast University, a 13 Seed, LaSalle and a 12th Seed which is Oregon. This has turned out to be exactly what I gathered early on – non-traditionally unpredictable – but hasn’t it been a Great tournament thus far? I think so.

And if you’re like me, you had the right picks. It’s just the teams you selected didn’t live up to Your expectations. Hey, that’s not Your fault. You Made the Right picks. Next year, the teams you select just have to play better. J

At any rate, my Championship teams are still alive, #1 Louisville in the Midwest and #2 Miami in the East. Looking forward to this weekend already!

 

Categories
Sports

March Madness – ‘Brackets Busted’

I Love March Madness 2013! It’s just as I predicted, unpredictable.

What I didn’t predict was some early upsets. Did anyone have #2 Seed New Mexico losing to #14 Seed Harvard (President Obama’s Alma Mater) in the West Region showdown? I know I didn’t. Or how about in the East Region with #12 Seed California beating #5 Seed UNLV. Uh, nope, didn’t have that one either. I also chose the Pitt Panthers from the West, Missouri and Oklahoma St. from the Midwest. Not a bad start, thank you very much.

Thus far in the opening round, I had a modest 11 of 16 games correct but guess what, I’m leading our President by one game. So far, President Obama is 10 for 16. According to the Bracketologist, the teams the President selected that are going home early are;

  • Midwest: 5-seed Oklahoma State and 9-seed Missouri
  • West: 8-seed Pittsburgh and 11-seed Belmont
  • East: 5-seed UNLV

According to a USA Today article, 75% of the country is outpacing the President this year in their guesses, uh, selections (sorry prognosticators).

As I had stated in an earlier blog, the parity and non-dominating teams should make this one of the most fun tournaments of ‘Madness’ to watch. This weekend be no different with more upsets and ‘Bracket-Busters’ to come. Sure, #1 Seed Louisville destroyed N.C. A&T 79-48 in their opener in the Midwest Region, but #1 Seed Gonzaga in the West barely surpassed #16 Seed Southern University, 64-58.

And these college kids are laying it on the line and leaving everything on the court. Some real heartbreaking, post-game interviews with some teams and players have gotten very emotional, as we saw with one star athlete point guard, Tray Woodall for the Pitt Panther’s who had a dismal shooting night (1-12) from the floor in a first round lost to #9 Seed Wichita St. He cried throughout the entire interview, apologizing to both his teammates and his school for his performance. Even the play-in game with N.C. A&T escaping Liberty University on the Wednesday night opener was a nail-biting missed lay up by the Liberty point guard in the final seconds of the game. He, too was dismayed

Yes, many great moments have already occurred in this year’s edition of March Madness. The ‘Thrill of Victory and the Agony of Defeat’ has taken place in just a few short games…and we’re only ¼ of the way home.

Hold on Tight March Madness Fans and Enjoy the Ride. It’s going to be a Wild one.

Categories
Sports

The Madness Is Upon Us – College Basketball Style

Yes! It’s Here! March Madness 2013 – the Superbowl of College Basketball, will begin Thursday, March 21st, 2013 with 68-teams focusing on the biggest prize in the college ranks, that of National Champion!

To be fair, there are several ‘Play-In’ games of smaller schools to actually get the opportunity to play against the #1 seeded teams in each region. Oh BOY, if you’re the smaller school that wins the ‘Play-In’ game. But the elation of that win turns into a sudden dose of reality once they step into the arena of BIG TIME Basketball against powerhouse #1 seeds like Indiana out of the East Region, Kansas from the South, Louisville representing the Midwest and, yes, the Cinderella Darling of previous National Championship runs, Gonzaga University out of the great state of Washington – with a student body enrollment of just over 7,800 – solidifying the #1 seed from the West.

Just looking at the brackets this year brings about intrigue and anxiety, depending on who you’re pulling for. I’m a North Carolina Tarheels fan and they’re an 8 seed. They’ve been a staple in the Big Dance for years and have 5-National Titles which includes 1957, 1982, 1993, 2005 and the last in 2009.  They won’t win a 6th this year. (Sorry ‘Heels Fans). This is the first time I can recall UNC not having a ‘true’ big man in the middle. It will be tough to advance without one, especially if they win against #9, Villanova, they get #1 Kansas. Goodnight.

Also coming out of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) are N.C. State, another 8 seed in the East, Miami, a 2 seed also in the East who, arguably, should be a 1 after winning the ACC tournament and perennial tournament participant, Duke University (BOOO!), a 2 seed in the Midwest Region.

Another first, at least in my opinion, there’s not a clear favorite to win this year’s coveted trophy. That is unless you’re a #1 seeded fan. Indiana, Kansas, Louisville and Gonzaga have all been ranked #1 this season, only to suffer loses immediately after becoming #1. I know some will say, that’s just the regular season and this is when the season begins. True in both, but in years past, the dominating teams like Duke or Georgetown or North Carolina or Kentucky  – which didn’t even make it in this year –  or Michigan or Michigan St., just to name a few, were teams that ran the table during the regular season in most instances, won their conference championship and/or were regular season champs. It just doesn’t seem like the teams have that same dominance this year. And because of that, this tournament is Wide Open.

Outside of North Carolina being the clear favorite, I’ve never been so excited about March Madness. Why you ask? Because of how evenly matched these teams are, it will be hard to discern which region has the clear advantage or which team has an easier track to the Final Four. All the #1 seeds will make it deep into the tourney but they also have uphill battles with some teams that are poised to send them home before the Final Four.

Let’s take a quick look at some possible bumps in the road in each region:

  •  Louisville, the overall #1 seed in the Midwest may play #9, Missouri in the 2nd round and if Duke makes it through, Wow, what a great game to see who makes it through the Elite 8.
  • Gonzaga, out of the West, has #2 seed Ohio State possibly in an Elite 8 match-up  but they may have a tougher time trying to get past a tough Sweet 16 possibility with  #4 Kansas State. And, there’s a hungry, 29-5, #3 seed, New Mexico team sitting out there as well.
  • In the South, Kansas has some match-up problems of their own with a possible tango with #4 Michigan, in a must-see Sweet 16 nightmarish challenge. Within the same region, Florida and Georgetown may do the dance to advance to the Elite 8.
  • Finally, the East #1 seed, Indiana definitely won’t have a cake-walk with Syracuse, a struggling #4 seed in their bracket. Miami, a 2 seed, is playing some great ball at the moment and has all the momentum going into this tournament. They too, are in the East and have a chance to advance to the Final Four.

Again, just looking at the brackets this year, survival early will be the name of this year’s Madness. Upsets have happened early before but I don’t see any of the #1 seeds getting bounced early this year. However, I don’t think all of the #1’s will make it through to the Final ‘Soirée’ either.

 My Final Four are: Ohio State, Kansas, Miami and Louisville

 Finalist will be: Ohio State vs. Miami

 National Champions: Miami Hurricanes

 I’m no Prognosticator by any means but my picks feel solid. It’s all up for debate which is why we fill these crazy brackets out every year. It’s Always fun, Always Crazy and It’s Always Madness Baby! Thanks Dick Vitale J

Categories
Death Penalty Domestic Policies

The Death Penalty Debate – My Take

Corporal Punishment or ‘The Death Penalty’, has been a topic of national debate for years, especially on a state-by-state basis. Now, after eight years since its last execution, Maryland is planning to become the 18th state to abolish the ultimate punishment. Democratic Governor Martin O’Malley has been pushing for this legislation since his very first year in office. If the Bill passes, convictions will be downgraded to life without the possibility of parole as the most severe sentence statewide.

The House advanced the legislation this week after delegates rejected nearly 20 amendments, mostly from Republicans, aimed at keeping capital punishment for the most heinous crimes.

Death Penalties have been a subject of divisiveness since its inception. Supporters of repeal argue that the death penalty is costly, error-prone, racially biased and a poor deterrent of crime. But supporters of the death penalty say it is a necessary tool to punish lawbreakers who commit the most egregious crimes.

So what about you? How do you weigh in on ending someone’s life? Personally, I’ve teetered from one end of the spectrum to the other. I had been one that didn’t believe in putting someone to death for any reasons but over the years, as more and more senseless murders occur, I’ve leaned more towards Death.

Let’s look at the Mass Murderer or even a Serial Killer as an example. As they are initiating the act of murder, it appears to me to be premeditated, meaning their intentions are to deliberately take someone’s life without hesitation. I’m sorry, but if they are non-remorseful in their actions against an innocent human being, why should we be remorseful in saving there’s? Kind of cold I know, but aren’t they being just as cold, callous and calculated?

We have to look at this decision seriously and very closely. I know there are cases where some convictions are questionable; racially biased, wrongful convictions, etc., but in cases that are absolute, non-questionable convictions where the defendant is beyond the shadow of a doubt guilty, then we should pull the hammer, flip the switch, insert the needle… whatever the method, say goodnight. Some advocates claim this to be a costly solution to evil. Well, how much does it cost to keep them imprisoned for life? I don’t know the answer to that but I’m sure there are some figures out there.

What I do know is everyone has an opinion on this matter. And just think of some of the most heinous murders and murderers of our time and tell me where you side on it:

  • Charles Manson (Leader of Helter Skelter),
  • the Menedez Brothers,
  • David Berkowitz aka ‘Son of Sam’,
  • Ted Bundy
  • and now, a killer on trial for her very life currently, Jody Arias who killed her boyfriend by shooting him, stabbing him 29-times and slit his throat from ear to ear.

I know this debate will rage on, probably forever, but as Maryland attempts to be the 18th state to abolish the death penalty, families of those brutally and senselessly taken are left to wonder if justice is truly being served. Killing the killer will never bring back loved-ones but, sometimes, there is Justice in Satisfaction.

Categories
ObamaCare Paul Ryan Politics

The Brand New Same Old, Same Old – Ryan Plan

With a plate full of crises already looming in President Obama’s second term – North Korea’s nuclear threats, the Drone Program, domestic gun control and continued GOP obstructions on every front – the latest battle is an oldie and not a goodie. It appears Obamacare has resurfaced with a great wave of ‘pomp and circumstance’.

Over this past weekend, many Republicans have begun their 35th war on ObamaCare, threatening to destroy the very fabric of its existence in the name of Debt Reduction. Now, the wiz kid of the previous election, Vice Presidential Candidate Rep. Paul Ryan has devised a plan (Again) to eliminate ObamaCare and reduce the debt in the same swing. After the fiscal cliff fiasco, Ryan said, “We’re not going to re-fight the past because we know that’s behind us,” but he doesn’t apply that logic to ObamaCare, which he and his fellow Republicans do want to relitigate… again!

Fighting to repeal ObamaCare was “never a doubt” in Republican minds, he said Tuesday.

This is completely ironic, mind you, because if you recall, Obamacare was patterned after the Mitt Romney health care plan he formulated in Massachusetts while he was governor. Also, if you recall, then Vice Presidential candidate Ryan, also formed his own plan. (Do you follow me?) When asked by a reporter what he thought of the Paul’s plan, Romney said, “I’m the one running for president. We’ll go by my plan.”

It appears that Rep. Ryan has no one holding him back now, so here is the brand new same old same old Paul Ryan Plan… again, Part 2.

It’s a 10-year fiscal plan that takes aim at repealing ObamaCare’s 2010 health care overhaul in which Paul projects savings of $4.63 trillion over 10 years, yielding a surplus of $7 billion by fiscal 2023. “Our opponents will shout austerity, but let’s put this in perspective,” Ryan wrote in an op-ed posted to The Wall Street Journal’s website Monday night. “On our current path, we’ll spend $46 trillion over the next 10 years. Under our proposal, we’ll spend $41 trillion. On the current path, spending will increase by 5 percent each year. Under our proposal, it will increase by 3.4 percent.”

But who benefits from this plan and who will be hurt by it?

As always, tax cuts for the wealthiest and the poor will see programs slashed, if not cut completely. The budget would take its heaviest toll on entitlements that support the poor, including Medicaid and food stamps, while holding Social Security harmless. Why the poor and middle class are always targeted by Republican programs has been a mystery to millions of Americans especially when the wealthy seem to not be phased by any loophole they can squirm through.

Do they understand that taking away any program from those that are in need only demoralizes that individual, that family, that community? And does the super rich Congressional Republicans really believe that Americans truly want to live on Food Stamps and Unemployment Benefits? Or have a Medicare program that doesn’t work for them?

Here’s the final analysis Rep. Ryan. During the 2012 election, America did not support your “plan” of action. They came out in record numbers and voted for the President’s approach in November. As a matter of fact, a new McClatchy-Marist poll of registered voters shows that, generally, voters, by 53 to 37 percent, prefer to reduce the deficits by mostly cutting government programs and services rather than mostly by raising taxes..

The White House chimed in on the Ryan plan stating,

“By choosing not to ask for a single dime of deficit reduction from closing tax loopholes for the wealthy and well-connected, this budget identifies deep cuts to investments like education and research – investments critical to creating jobs and growing the middle class.  And to save money, this budget would turn Medicare into a voucher program–undercutting the guaranteed benefits that seniors have earned and forcing them to pay thousands more out of their own pockets.  We’ve tried this top-down approach before.  The President still believes it is the wrong course for America.”

It’s an attempt to make himself and his party look ‘busy,’ the same old, tired attack on Obamacare – a healthcare program that at last count, had the support of 9-GOP Governors over the past 3 weeks. Rep. Ryan and a group within the rank and file Republicans have decided to give it another go. But all of this is just another attempt to tarnish the legacy of President Obama.

Congressional Republicans have not backed the President’s plans or his direction for this country unless they felt cornered. And this is just an addendum or a harbinger of the Republicans wish for the future. Posturing for the 2014 elections? Digging in for the 2016 White House? Yes and Yes. But make no mistake about it, with Americans polling in high numbers that the wealthiest should take on more of the tax burden than the poor, Rep. Ryan and his GOP surrogates have an uphill fight or if you prefer, going up stream, up a creek without a paddle.

Still Out of Touch with America. The good thing is, the longer they stay out of touch with America, the longer they’ll stay Out of the White House. In that case, Stay the Course.

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Politics

Senator Rand Paul, You Got Served!

Just when you thought this Drone debate couldn’t take any more twist and turns, you haven’t been paying attention to your United States Congress lately.

For 13-hours, Sen. Rand Paul babbled on and on about the Obama Administrations position on the Drone Program and its possible effects on the American citizens rights. Sen. Paul even placed actress Jane Fonda into the mix by stating Obama could even target her, given the fact that she once spoke out against the United States in the 1960’s during the Vietnam War. His publicity stunt was received glowingly by many of his Republican brothers and has been on every television news outlet, both cable and local.

But two of his colleagues were not amused.

Sen. John McCain and his tag team partner, Sen. Lindsey Graham weighed in on their fellow Senator’s Filibustering act in their session today, with not so flattering and outright disapproval of Paul’s ranting. Sen. McCain said;

“If Mr. Paul wants to be taken seriously, he needs to do more than pull political stunts that fire up impressionable libertarian kids in college dorms.”

McCain even called Paul’s assertions of the Drone Program, “unfounded”. Continuing, McCain added;

“To somehow say that someone who disagrees with American policy and even may demonstrate against it, is somehow a member of an organization which makes that individual an enemy combatant is simply false.”

Jane Fonda is now off the hit list. (Sign of relief from Ms. Fonda).

As Sen. McCain yielded to his partner, Sen. Graham took on Sen. Paul with an awesome display of, well, let’s just say, verbal corporal punishment. He began his speech with the normal rhetoric of downing the Presidents agendas including Obamacare but then, he did a complete 180 degree turn, comparing of all people, President Bush’s drone program in taking out the ‘enemy’. He stated that President Obama’s approach is completely parallel to his predecessor. Graham politely challenged the room by stating, “To my Republican colleagues, I don’t remember any of you coming down here suggesting that President Bush was going to kill anybody with a drone, do you?” Graham said. “They had a drone program back then, all of a sudden this drone program has gotten every Republican so spun up. What are we up to here?”

Ok, after I picked myself up from off the floor, shook my head to get the cobwebs out and did a double-take to make sure I wasn’t dreaming, I actually applauded Sen. Graham for his boldness in setting Paul and the rest of his Party straight. For a brief moment, we actually witnessed bipartisanship and it was beautiful.

Senator Paul has been on Fox News often, spreading so much far-right wing stench, that it was nauseating. And yesterday, for 13-hours, I believe he thought he was going to score party points and justify his ‘position’ in the Grand Old Party. Well this time, it may have backfired. It was great to see Senior Senators of his party stand up in support of the President for once, and gave Paul a Public Butt Kicking.

Well deserved, well said and long overdue. Oh, and Sen. Paul, this Too will be Televised.

Stand by Ted Cruz. After Paul shellacking, you’re on notice.

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Politics

Domestic Drone Attacks? Maybe One Day

It appears the debate on Drone attacks are really beginning to heat up, but not where you’d expect. No, not internationally, but domestically… right here in the Good ol’ US of A. Now before you get all flustered and began pulling out the ‘registered’ Oozy’s you just purchased at your friendly neighborhood gun show, listen to what the Attorney General of the United States had to say.

Eric Holder

Attorney General Eric Holder said in a press conference on Tuesday that he could see Drone attacks taking place on U.S. soil one day. In fact, he said;

“It is possible, I suppose, to imagine an extraordinary circumstance in which it would be necessary and appropriate under the Constitution and applicable laws of the United States, for the President to authorize the military to use lethal force within the territory of the United States. For example, the President could conceivably have no choice but to authorize the military to use such force if necessary to protect the homeland in the circumstances of a catastrophic attack like the ones suffered on December 7, 1941, and September 11, 2001. The question you have posed is entirely hypothetical, unlikely to occur, and one we hope no President will ever have to confront.”

 

Rand Paul

Of course, this has riled some feathers, especially from Tea Party Extraordinaire, Rep. Rand Paul. In an interview with the beloved, Fox News, Paul stated;

“The thing about the drone strike program is we’re not talking about someone’s actively attacking America — we’re not talking about planes flying into the World Trade Center. What we’re talking about is you’re eating dinner in your house, you’re eating at a café or you’re walking down the road.”

The two instances Attorney General Holder spoke of were the most dastardly and atrocious attacks on the United States. And let’s not forget about the bombing of the Federal Building in Oklahoma that took place in April of 1995 where 168 innocent people were killed. That was a homegrown attack, cowardly planned and executed by an American. An unimaginable crime against our own people, American citizens. Americans who went to work as they always did on a seemingly, routine day. Some dropped off their kids in a daycare in the same building that was attacked. A routine, uneventful day that was just like a day in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 or in New York City on September 11, 2001. They all turned out to be anything but routine.

Here’s my take.

The dynamics have changed. The game has changed. Warfare has changed. I know we are Americans and living on American soil but, as an American, don’t we and shouldn’t we have the right to live in our own country, free from fear? A fear that may one day be generated by one of our very own Citizens that have nothing but terror and terrorism in their heart, like the cowards that attacked the Federal Building in Oklahoma.

The last thing I’d want is for Drones to be used here in America, BUT, if there is a known threat to my family, friends and loved ones, “Drone the H*ll out of Them!”

This shouldn’t be a Debate. IF the public is at risk from a “known” terrorist – American or otherwise – I believe the Government, the President, the Military should use any means necessary to eliminate that threat. So, if that means drones in the United States, So Be It.

Sometimes, Rep. Paul, a trial just won’t do.

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