The World According To Peter Matesevac

My thoughts about PSU and Joe Paterno

2011-11-10T23:15:00.009-05:00

Recently, many have taken issue with my position with Penn State and Joe Paterno. While most people know that I am indifferent on matters of collegiate football; I do consider myself a Penn State fan and I share the appreciation for the career of arguably the greatest coach in all football history.

Jerry Sandusky did horrible things which are heart wrenching. His actions ultimately put everyone else in their respective position.
Mike McQueary should bear the brunt of discipline (outside of Sandusky) for the course of action taken. He was 28 years old at the time, not a child or a young college student; He was a grown man. If I were in his position, I would have taken immediate physical intervention against Jerry Sandusky; followed by a swift call to authorities. Instead, he conferred with his father and went to a member of faculty, Joe Paterno, as opposed to the police (and not campus police.) He should be fired.
The officials at the school who did nothing should be charged to the fullest extent of the law.
Joe Paterno, in my opinion, did not necessarily do anything criminal, as far as we know. He did, however, display either an incredible lack of leadership or a strong emotional disconnect with the situation. Paterno has himself admitted that he was aware that there was inappropriate physical contact.
All parties were aware that something happened; this cannot be denied. The fact that they did nothing after realizing that he continued to work with young boys after the situation had been reported to campus administration should have been an indicator that no action had ever actually been taken. They had a moral, but not necessarily legal, obligation to ensure that appropriate due diligence had been taken by confirming whether or not the situation had been dealt with.
Joe Paterno had the opportunity to elevate an already legendary legacy by being a hero in the situation, but failed.
I believe Penn State did the right thing by firing Paterno; and I think they failed by not firing McQueary. While I admire Paterno's accomplishments and his career; The University has the right, and the authority, to protect what they felt was best for their reputation.

Note about previous posts

2011-11-10T22:53:00.000-05:00

Unfortunately, some of my posts have been used for purposes outside of my original intentions. If there is something you would like to see; please send a message as I have archived them.

Why don't Christians understand the concept of charity and goodwill?

2011-03-14T20:40:00.002-04:00

With the recent events in Japan, I wanted to air a matter of frustration in hopes that it might change at least one person.

Many Christians, especially those who consider themselves of the 'fundamental' school of thought, seem to lack an understanding of conventional charity. To them, a donation to relief efforts in Japan involves contacting a mission board or missionary to see what they need to rebuild their church; followed by keeping a jar in the church lobby for 6 weeks while people in the affected area are more concerned with immediate needs like potable water and basic quality of life issues.

Why is this? Quite simply it is the fear of the unknown; Most of these people have never made a charitable donation that wasn't handled through their church. After all, a donation to the Red Cross could mean that those in need aren't getting a 'gospel presentation' to accompany their good deed; because all 'charity' must include that, at least by the status quo. Nevermind that people who need Christ may be dying and in need of basic essentials. That is, apparently, of no good if we have to donate to secular organizations. Perhaps we can rebuild the church after we first attend to basic needs, since the one lost life may be the one we meet at the church's re-dedication next year.

I saw this happen firsthand at my former church in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and have heard similar stories about Haiti's earthquake and it really bothers me.

Hymns vs. Praise Choruses Revealed

2010-09-15T21:00:00.000-04:00

An old farmer went to the city one weekend and attended the big city church. He came home and his wife asked him how it was. “Well,” said the farmer.”It was good. They did something different, however. They sang praise choruses instead of hymns.”

“Praise choruses?” asked the wife. “What are those?”

“Oh, they’re okay. They’re sort of like hymns, only different,” said the farmer.

“Well, what’s the difference?” asked the wife.

The farmer said, “Well it’s like this . . . if I were to say to you, ‘Martha, the cows are in the corn,’ well that would be a hymn. If, on the other hand, I were to say to you, ‘Martha, Martha, Martha, Oh, Martha, MARTHA, MARTHA, the cows, the big cows, the brown cows, the black cows, the white cows, the black and white cows, the COWS, COWS, COWS are in the corn, are in the corn, are in the corn, in the CORN, CORN, CORN, COOOOORRRRRNNNNN.’ Then, if I were to repeat the whole thing two or three times, well that would be a praise chorus.”

As luck would have it, the exact same Sunday a young, new Christian from the city church attended the small town church. He came home and his wife asked him how it was. “Well,” said the young man, “It was good. They did something different, however. They sang hymns instead of regular songs.”

“Hymns?” asked the wife. “What are those?”

“They’re okay. They’re sort of like regular songs, only different,” said the young man.

“Well, what’s the difference?” asked the wife.

The young man said, “Well it’s like this ¦ If I were to say to you, ‘Martha, the cows are in the corn,’ well that would be a regular song. If on the other hand, I were to say to you,

Oh Martha, dear Martha, hear thou my cry
Inclinest thine ear to the words of my mouth.
Turn thou thy whole wondrous ear by and by
To the righteous, glorious truth.

For the way of the animals who can explain
There in their heads is no shadow of sense,
Hearkenest they in God’s sun or his rain
Unless from the mild, tempting corn they are fenced.

Yea those cows in glad bovine, rebellious delight,
Have broke free their shackles, their warm pens eschewed.
Then goaded by minions of darkness and night
They all my mild Chilliwack sweet corn chewed.

So look to that bright shining day by and by,
Where all foul corruptions of earth are reborn.
Where no vicious animal makes my soul cry
And I no longer see those foul cows in the corn.

Then, if I were to do only verses one, three and four, and change keys on the last verse, well that would be a hymn.

Thanks to James via Stuff Fundies Like

Roger Clemens

2010-08-23T22:38:00.000-04:00

Anyone who knows me can probably guess that I don't believe Roger Clemens about the whole HGH thing. I wanted to, as he was one of my boyhood favorites (and is probably still one of the greatest pitchers of the 80s & 90s despite HGH); but I don't anymore.

However, he has not been proven guilty of a crime in an actual court of law. He simply gave Congress a statement in a meaningless hearing. These hearings were not a proper court, they were simply for information gathering on MLB drug use (you may also use the terms "fishing expedition" or "excessive government involvement in leisure activities.) Many other MLB athletes also gave similar testimonies in these hearings.

This is nothing more than government waste. Regardless of your diminished feelings about The Rocket, I don't want tax money being wasted on this garbage. Even if he admitted that he did use HGH, that's not exactly a crime; It's merely a violation of the rules of a corporation whose job is to oversee athletes in a leisurely spectator sport. Why don't we let professional sports govern themseles?

Why I Love baseball

2010-03-16T20:07:00.001-04:00

It has been a long winter and that wonderful sign of spring is coming, baseball. Anyone who knows me knows that I don't care for football, I can't watch hockey on TV, and I despise soccer and basketball as much as humanly possible. While I did enjoy the Winter Olympics (especially curling), I am ready for the return of America's pasttime.

Here are some of the reason I love baseball (in no order):

1. It is timeless. It is the same sport played a hundred years ago. If you brought a player from the 1800s into today, he would have no trouble understanding the rules of play; as very few changes have been made.

2. It is the only major sport where defense maintains possession of the ball. In "2 goals" sports, offense carries the ball; As opposed to baseball, where the actual player is element that scores.

3. Fun to watch. What other game is as pleasurable to watch on a sunny day? Basketball and hockey are played inside (professionally) and football is played during the winter (when it is cold out). Not only that, a casual observer can quickly learn to understand the complexity of the game.

4. Individuality. Very few sports allow viewers to watch players one at a time. When you follow a particular team, you learn a lot about each player since they each have their turn at-bat. Unlike football or hockey, you see their faces and mannerisms very closely.

5. It is on TV every day for six months. Football teams only play about 20 games a year (including pre-season).

6. Every venue is different. Whether it is little league or Major League, every field has it's own unique dimensions and characteristics. No defined outfield boundaries, no mandatory fence materials or heights. Other than the diamond and the foul lines, each field is a new experience.

7. The history of the game. No other sport has every detail preserved like baseball. The stats of Babe Ruth can easily be compared with the stats of contemporary players. Even the way baseball euphemisms have become so commonplace that most people don't think about it is amazing.

8. The human element. As much as I generally despise umpires, they have the distinction of being the only sports officials whose in game decisions are virtually law. Besides home run and boundary calls that have recently introduced replay, the rest is all 100% human. The umps don't even have to use replay unless they decide they want to; Noone can compell them to use it.

9. Unique feats like no-hitters, unassisted triple plays. Great accomplishments like home run records and hitting streaks.

10. The Yankees versus The Red Sox

I could go on for days.

Maybe Ann Coulter and Curt Schilling aren't so bad after all

2010-01-12T00:55:00.020-05:00

I obviously do not ultimately know whether or not Curt Schilling or Ann Coulter have come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, but the excerpts from the following links are encouraging. Although these two people are generally universally acknowledged to have very tactless, coarse personalities that often drive away even those in agreement with then, I encourage you to read on.

Schilling posted a link to an article written by Coulter on his blog. He didn't elaborate, he just prefaced the link with this remark.....

Flame away, but read this first.

Rant and rave, scream and moan, but when you realize it’s all true don’t yell at me.

Oh and all you Ann haters, just remember that when she stoops to Bill Maher’s level and debates, she does so with facts, while he does so, as do most of the folks that hate her, with humor, stupid stories or BS.

I won't post the whole article, because it is a bit lengthy; although I encourage to read it entirely (although I will stop short of endorsing the article, because I am not 100% in agreement with all of her theology). The following are excerpts of the article from Ms. Coulter:

.....Christianity [is] the best deal in the universe.

God sent his only son to get the crap beaten out of him, die for our sins and rise from the dead. If you believe that, you're in. Your sins are washed away from you -- sins even worse than adultery! -- because of the cross.

Surely you remember the cross, liberals -- the symbol banned by ACLU lawsuits from public property throughout the land?

Christianity is simultaneously the easiest religion in the world and the hardest religion in the world.......

........All you'll need is a Bible (in order to grasp the amazing deal you're getting) and probably a water baptism.....

.......You can be washing the dishes or walking your dog or just sitting there minding your business hating Susan Sarandon and accept that God sent his only son to die for your sins and rise from the dead ... and you're in!

"Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9.

If you do that, every rotten, sinful thing you've ever done is gone from you.....

No fine print, no "your mileage may vary," no blackout dates. God ought to do a TV spot: "I'm God Almighty, and if you can find a better deal than the one I'm offering, take it."........

........In a boiling rage, liberals constantly accuse Christians of being "judgmental." No, we're relieved.

Christianity is also the hardest religion in the world because, if you believe Christ died for your sins and rose from the dead, you have no choice but to give your life entirely over to Him. No more sexual promiscuity, no lying, no cheating, no stealing, no killing inconvenient old people or unborn babies -- no doing what all the other kids do.

And no more caring what the world thinks of you -- because, as Jesus warned in a prophecy constantly fulfilled by liberals: The world will hate you.

With Christianity, your sins are forgiven, the slate is wiped clean and your eternal life is guaranteed through nothing you did yourself, even though you don't deserve it. It's the best deal in the universe.

10 Years of technological progress

2009-12-31T21:23:00.008-05:00

I was reflecting on what "modern conveniences" I had on NYE 1999 compared to now. I thought I would share them with you.

1. While cell phones were fairly commonplace, they were a secondary thing. No one in 1999 would have cut the landline for one. If you had one, airtime was relatively expensive and you had a monochrome screen that did little more than make and receive phone calls. No text, no GPS, no games or videos, no MP3 and no internet. I actually had a pager in 1999, remember those.

2. While I did have a CD burner in 1999, very few others did. It was a 2x drive and discs cost about three bucks a pop. Now, they're obsolete because of I-pods, flash drives and smart phones; and they burn a disc in about a minute. Most people still had a tape deck in their car because they couldn't make mix CDs.

3. My favorite innovation of the past decade is the DVR. I remember using my VCR all the time (which by the way cost over $200 in 1997). I can't fathom going back to recordings that looked terrible, and inevitably were longer than the tape I had in the unit. The DVR is so much smarter than a VCR. Series recordings, custom configurations, picture quality and much more.

4. HDTV was a novelty in 1999. The electronics stores all had a demo, and that was the only one we ever saw. And why would someone buy it? It was a CRT projection that cost over 5k, and there was no available programming.

5. Remember when an analog 32" CRT TV with a curved screen cost $1000? Now we gripe about spending that amount of money on a basic 46" LCD HDTV that weighs 50lbs. and offers picture quality we couldn't dream of a decade ago.

6. Most of you know that I have over 10,000 albums. They take up a large portion of my basement; but I have about 50,000 songs on my laptop, with plenty of room to spare. Few of us even knew what an MP3 was 10 years ago, and few of us could survive without them now.

7. I bought my first computer in 1999. It was a 750Mhz HP with 64mb of RAM, Windows 98 and a 19" monitor; and it was a monster for it's day. It had a 40Gb hard drive, which seemed ridiculous as no one could possibly need that much storage. I paid nearly $1500 for that desktop computer. Now $1500 seems excessive for a monster laptop.

8. GPS, enough said.

9. Because of phone modems, the internet used to require not receiving any phone calls for a while; even though there was little to look at while surfing. I never would have paid a bill online, and only a few friends had e-mail; although I thought it was silly to chat over the internet when I could just call them. How things have changed.

10. One of the things that has changed dramatically is radio. Technology has actually ruined conventional radio. Terrestrial radio once had 24/7 talent on the air; but now is filled with pre-programmed playlists managed from often hundreds of miles away with "DJs" who are actually strategically placed sound clips inserted to sound live. Unless it is during the workday, the station probably is empty; and even then it may be a DJ hundreds of miles away working on multiple stations without the casual listener knowing. XM & Sirius offer a lot more music (for a price), and certainly weren't around 10 years ago, but they generally lack a regional sound as well. But our MP3 players, CD burners and satellite radios probably took a good pinch at traditional radio.

I'm sure I'll think of more, but these were the ones that came to mind the most.

Who to root for?

2009-10-26T18:36:00.007-04:00

Most of you know that I love the Boston Red Sox. I probably watch at least 120 of their games each year, and my wardrobe is comprised of many (a lot, actually) Red Sox shirts, hats, sweatshirts and a beautiful World Series Jersey. As a Red Sox fan, I love the rivalry with the Yankees; it is something special for Boston and New York fans alike. Fans of these two teams may not admit it (or often even realize) that these two teams rely heavily on one another for their individual appeals. Many fans of both teams will tell you that a New York/Boston ALCS would have been better TV than any World Series match up, regardless of who wins (remember 2003 & 2004). Getting to the World Series by besting your archrival to get there really makes it great (and it means a lot more than beating an expansion team or West Coast team, as was this year's ALCS).

That being said, I also have family roots in Flushing, NY - The home of the New York Mets; of whom I am also very loyal. Although the Mets have certainly had a bad year (which followed two consecutive years of epic collapses), I am still a fan regardless of their performance (remember, I can do this as I was a Red Sox fan from childhood through 2004). Granted, I would take the Sox over the Mets (1986? anyone?); but as a Mets fan, I am also sworn against rooting for the Phillies (well, any Philly team really; but that's not a Mets thing).

Most would say that I should root for the lesser of two evils, the Phillies; but I don't think that is prudent. I don't think I am capable of rooting for the Phils. I prefer AL baseball, I'm far more familiar with the Yankees and I love New York as a city. Mets fans are cheering the Yankees not just because they're playing an archrival, but because they're New Yorkers. Well, I may not be a true blood-born New Yorker; but I may have to partially root for the Yankees.

BUT, I honestly like the roster of Phillies better; which poses another problem. I have nothing but respect for Mo and Jeter, but I can't stand A-Rod, Damon, Joba, Girardi or Tex (I felt that way when he was an Angel). Too many of these Yankees have an MVP complex and walk with a swagger that bothers me. Now I know the same could be said about Beckett or Youk, but they're out golfing right now; so that is a dead end argument. Philadelphia actually has some classy guys like Cliff Lee, Victorino and Ryan Howard. The Phillies also have my favorite pitcher, Pedro Martinez (Who, by the way, is among the most hated active players in Yankee Universe); which is making this even harder. Well, I am a Pennsylvanian; so maybe I could root for the Phillies on a technicality.

Either way, the archrivals of my two favorite teams are facing each other. Picking a victor is like choosing between Hillary or Obama. Either way, I am going to hear a lot of trash from both sides. Maybe I should just wait for Spring Training.

Regardless of what transpires, I still won't lower my standards enough to watch football (I'd sooner wear a Yankees cap). May it go the full seven.

An Applied Lesson In Socialism

2009-07-27T20:48:00.003-04:00

I recently received the following in an e-mail from my brother, Adam. I have no way of telling whether this story is true or not; but the underlying moral of the story cannot be disputed:

An economics professor at a local college made a statement that he had never failed a single student before, but had once failed an entire class.

That class had insisted that Obama's socialism worked and that no one would be poor and no one would be rich, a great equalizer. The professor then said, "OK, we will have an experiment in this class on Obama's plan". All grades would be averaged and everyone would receive the same grade so no one would fail and no one would receive an A.

After the first test, the grades were averaged and everyone got a B. The students who studied hard were upset and the students who studied little were happy. As the second test rolled around, the students who studied little had studied even less and the ones who studied hard decided they wanted a free ride too so they studied little. The second test average was a D! No one was happy. When the 3rd test rolled around, the average was an F.

The scores never increased as bickering, blame and name-calling all resulted in hard feelings and no one would study for the benefit of anyone else. All failed, to their great surprise, and the professor told them that socialism would also ultimately fail because when the reward is great, the effort to succeed is great but when government takes all the reward away, no one will try or want to succeed.

Michael Vick

2009-07-20T14:09:00.002-04:00

Michael Vick may be a moron. However, other athletes have beaten their wives and otherwise menaced society without consequence to their athletic careers. I'd sooner re-instate a dog-beater than a wife-beater.

Commissioner Goodell may or may not re-instate him, citing gambling instead of animal cruelty as the reason for his suspenion. It is my opinion that Goodell is the only man who makes Bud Selig seem wise.

Daddy Again!!

2009-06-27T15:20:00.003-04:00

Although he came two weeks early, and we were completely unprepared; My wife and I are now the proud parents of our second child, a son.

We figured we had two more weeks to prepare; so we didn't bother unearthing the car seat, the swing or prepare a place to put him. We even nearly attended a baseball game in DC the night my wife ultimately went into labor (It was the bottom of the eighth when I got the phone call that contractions has started. - btw, Boston won).

After a few days of enjoying our new son, Nicholas, I had a gruesome thought. Had my wife gone to her due date, we would still be within the law to have a barbarian like the one recently killed in Kansas perform a late-term abortion. I don't think people realize that you can legally abort a child who is capable of living outside the womb. Nicholas is not connected to machines and has no defect, he is healthy and beautiful; yet we live in a society that states that this child is nothing more than a static blob of cells. While I don't condone assuming the position of God and executing justice like a vigilante; I'm glad that someone like this "doctor" is no longer also able to assume the role of God.

On a side note, I am disgusted how we as a society are glorifying Michael Jackson after his passing. Last week, it was universally understood that he was a morally corrupt pervert. While Michael Jackson excelled professionally at everything he did, his personal life should be reason to strip him of any post-life glory. It is simply a shame that a man blessed with the talent Michael Jackson had also lived such a childish and perverted life. Perhaps we should have given this much attention to a decorated war veteran and devoted father of six like Ed McMahon who also passed away this week.

Interleague Play & it's room for improvement

2009-06-15T19:15:00.002-04:00

One thing I love about June is Interleague Play. Although it is great, MLB has many things to address. The biggest thing I hate is the fact that MLB's schedule isn't accomodating for it and because Cross Town/State rivalries hog up the schedule!

Many cities & states have multiple teams, and I understand the appeal. But it is unfair for teams that don't have "natural" rivals. The Yankees have a three game series against the Mets at home, then in Queens a week later. The same goes for the Cubs/White Sox, A's/Giants and Dodgers/Angels. How is it fair that these teams always get to play each other when teams like the Rockies or Mariners have no natural rivals? There is also an inequity by having a team like the Cardinals and a team like the Royals play six games against each other, because these two historically are never good simultaneously; while New York's teams are typically both superb teams. While four cities have cross town rivalries, several states also have two teams which can benefit from a made up "natural rivalry" such as Ohio (Reds/Indians), Texas (Astros/Rangers), Florida (Marlins/Rays) and Maryland/DC (Orioles/Nationals). The list of loners is getting smaller.

Well, now the MLB makes up rivalries. The Braves play the Red Sox six times because the Braves played in Boston from 1871-1952; and we all remember the good old days 57 years ago. We can make up a rivalry between the Brewers and the Twins; because they have an NFL rivalry. Then, we make up rivalries based on old World Series matchups; as if we cared about rematches of 80 year old games whose participants are long since passed. On top of that, the National league has 2 extra teams which requires an intraleague matchup daily throughout.

If we're going to use the current system, I think a schedule should be devised where the natural rivals each play one or two games at each of their parks every year, not six times. They are geographically close enough to do this. A schedule needs to be made up where every other team plays one series against each other about once every three years, then that schedule repeats at the opposite ballparks the next three years, and so on.

In a perfect world, the Brewers would have stayed in the AL; allowing an odd number of teams in each league. If that were the case, we could have interleague matchups all year; allowing all the teams to rotate through. It would also allow each team the same odds to make the World Series.

Tips for responsible government spending.

2009-06-09T19:07:00.002-04:00

There are many things that could cut spending. Some of these are federal projects, some are state to state issues and others are wasteful all around. Some programs could be completely eliminated, others could be trimmed.

1. Agricultural subsidies - These exist because the representatives from agriculturally heavy states realize they will be out of a job if they do the right thing. Without these subsidies, the Democratic party would disappear completely from otherwise red states. Further confusing is the fact that tobacco is still subsidized.

2. Advertising - Why do we need to advertise the post office? Millions are spent recruiting for the military; but I don't know anyone who joined the Marines after seeing a commercial on TV or a tricked out Hummer at the county fair.

3. Welfare - My idea: 6 months and you're out. You will have to prove once a week that you filled out a minimum number of job applications, you will provide community service of grass cutting, litter pickup etc. of no less than 20 hours a week and you will not be permitted to have cable TV or a cell phone. Upon receiving assistance, you will surrender any vehicle that has an outstanding loan; which will be liquidated as partial repayment. Any proceeds from the car may be used to purchase a pre-screened clunker if it is determined that a car is practical for you. You may use welfare no more than one time. After six months, you will have to find a family member or shelter with a spare bed.

4. The Arts - Why does the artistic community believe that the Arts are a human right deserving federal funding? We should immediately cease all grants designated for this, especially given the economic climate. There are plenty of corporate donors who would gladly trade advertising for support of the Arts.

5. Libraries - Why do public lending libraries have thousands of music Cd's and Disney DVDs? Why do libraries need to have computers for any purpose other than cataloguing? Libraries are for research, and public libraries don't need to compete with free-market entertainment. Also, Why don't we consolidate many of these libraries with local school-district libraries and make them accessible after school hours for all to enjoy?

6. Stop building new schools - Everywhere you go, a new school is being built. Well, these schools are supposedly not equipped to educate today's young people. Funny, not long ago, I was a young person who seemed to get a quality education in an 'obsolete' school building.

7. Education - Get the unions out of the schools and hold teachers accountable. Base teachers salaries on the average per capita income of your state. This will also keep districts from luring teachers away from other districts.

8. Stadiums - It is not the governments job to be landlords for football teams. There is no reason why we're paying for stadiums. I would support non-tangible incentives for cities to attract teams such as special loans or short-term tax breaks; but teams can afford their own stadiums. The various jurisdictions that have built stadiums all claim that they will make money by owning the stadiums; but the government isn't supposed to be in real estate.

9. Media - PBS is not a government-run institution, but it might as well be for all the money the government sinks into it. PBS had HDTV years before anyone else, because we paid for it.

10. Workforce - The government is overstaffed, and often overpaid. Who isn't tired of seeing government workers standing around and leaning on shovels by the roadside? We need to forbid unionizing of any taxpayer-paid job. If you research the history of unions, you realize that it is an oxymoron for them to be unionized.

11. Amenities - Let legislators pack their own lunch, drive their own car and answer their own phone. It might actually put them back in touch. Give them a strict budget with which they have to manage a staff, an office and the like (It would be a lot like running, say, a business).

12. Police - There are too many of them, period. If we have enough police to crowd the shoulder of America's roads on the most beautiful days of the year; I would imagine we too many of them on the rainy days when are they too self-righteous to be harassing motorists.

There are thousands more, but these have been especially on my mind as they are the most visible examples.

The DTV transition: Morons exposed

2009-06-04T14:12:00.006-04:00

The DTV deadline is only days away. This relevant milestone has been delayed numerous times, and noone seems to be ready; nor do they often even understand what the DTV transition is.

First of all, this transition has been part of my job for the last decade. I knew it was coming and understood this 10 years ago; but most people have been to ignorant to understand it.

The government has completely botched this up, and I can tell you why.

1. The government mandated the transition nearly a decade ago, but didn't require compatible TVs be built until only recently.

2. They allowed the system to be designed by politicians, instead of engineers. They essentially told the National Association of Broadcasters that their input was not only unnecessary, but unwanted.

3. They convinced people that free TV was an entitlement that noone should be denied.

4. They required those of us who are willing to pay for TV service via cable or satellite also pay for those who are too cheap for anything other than free off-air TV to receive a digital converter box; because those people are, after all, entitled to free TV. Interestingly, subscribers of pay TV are not eligible for the coveted government coupon. If you are too 'poor' for TV, tough; TV is a luxury, not a necessity or right. After all, the radio is still free.

5. Not only did the government pay the majority of the cost of these digital convertor boxes; they also dictated their prices. This has resulted in the majority of the DTV boxes being built to an inferior quality compared to their analog counterparts, resulting in fewer channels being received.

6. They did a lousy job of explaining who would be affected, and didn't stop pay TV services from further confusing people. I have encountered literally hundreds of my customers who are apparently naive enough to think that as a cable or satelite subscriber, they should be concerned. In case you're wondering; No, you don't have to change anything if you pay for TV service.

7. They did not allow broadcasters the option to discontinue terrestrial broadcasting in lieu of transitioning (ie: becoming a cable only channel), resulting in several stations closing their doors because they could not afford the transition.

8. Not only did they pay for the majority of the cost of the DTV boxes, they also payed for the 'lower income' class to have their boxes professionally set-up. How do I know? because I have to perform many of these free installs.

9. The government promises viewers the ability to receive channels, regardless of whether or not they can, based on their distance from a TV tower. Check out dtv.gov and see.

10. President Obama's delay of the transition further confused viewers. It also spat on the faces of those who worked diligently to prepare for this.

Just remember the FCC is run by politicians, not broadcasters. Most of the DTV blame can be placed on the very inept and unqualified son of Colin Powell, who was chairman of the FCC for the majority of the transition. I still wonder what GWB was thinking when he appointed Michael Powell, who implemented some of the worst FCC policies since it's inception (don't get me started on Broadband over Power Lines (BPL) .

Also, DTV is not necesarrily HD; nor was it necessarily originating from a digital source. DTV simply means it is broadcast from the tower to you antenna digitally.

Please feel free to e-mail me at harmonyav@gmail.com if you have any questions.

I hate ESPN (and MLBN, FOX & TBS) sports commentators

2009-06-03T23:24:00.004-04:00

In the past, I have made no secrets about my distaste for Joe Morgan; however, I have a new grievance. It seems that everytime a pitcher has gone deeper than four innings without allowing a hit, they suddenly interrupt everything to hype a no-hitter in progress. They do 'live cut-ins' and historical stats and analysis, etc. Now, I am not one of those idiots who believes in senseless jinxes (as most of you do), but it is a distraction for us as viewers.

As most of you know, Tim Wakefield went 5+ innings several weeks ago and Josh Beckett almost did tonight as he went 7+ innings against the Tigers, before surrendering two hits and leaving the game. It was exciting to watch, but I don't want to hear the first mention of it until the seventh inning stretch at the earliest; especially when a game is already a bloodbath.

Where does Joe Morgan fit into this? He doesn't, I just think he is arrogant. After any notable play, he eagerly tells a story about himself accomplishing something as grand. He literally loves talking about how great he thinks he is. Also, he constantly discredits the importance of stats over observation.

Other grievances:

Joe Buck - Hates all American League teams (especially those in New York & New England). He also seems to be annoyed sometimes by working games he seemingly isn't interested in, such as Super Bowl XLII. Last year, he even admitted in an interview that he no longer enjoys calling a game like he used to. If Jack Buck hadn't been his dad, he would never have been a sportscaster

Tim McCarver - He simply stinks as a commentator. To quote a classic Sports Illustrated, "when you ask him the time, will tell you how a watch works".

Chip Caray - Grandson of Harry Karay, son of Skip Caray. That doesn't matter, because he seems to have inherited his skills maternally.

Harold Reynolds - (see Joe Morgan)

Steve Phillips - Yes Steve, we know that you were the GM for the Mets at one time. Yes, we're aware that you signed/recommended/drafted every other player. He's a credit hound.

Chris Berman - I love you, but you shouldn't work baseball games.

Who do I like?

There are still a lot of great commentators out there, below are my favorites.....
Bob Costas
Ken Rosenthal
Don Orsillo
Peter Gammons
Orel Hershiser
Dennis Eckersley
Jerry Remy

And, best of all, the late great Phil Rizzuto.

Thoughts on the auto industry

2009-05-31T01:03:00.003-04:00

I'm going to keep this short because I could rant all day. GM & Chrysler are now essentially government-run entities like Amtrak and the USPS. How could this happen, and why does the US government seem to think it's the right path?

1. If they declared bankruptcy prior to government control, the UAW would be powerless to stop concessions to their far more than competitive pay scale. (remember that with pensions and benefits, a UAW auto worker costs over $70/hr.)
2. The government is free to devote all R&D to designing cars that will serve the special interest niche of nerd-mobiles that could hypothetically use earth-friendly design concepts.
3. They can essentially control our ability to acquire "gas-guzzling" SUVs and pickups. After all, Americans don't really need vehicles capable of pulling a camper or hauling a load of topsoil; Nor, do they realize that the wheels of industry can't be practical if they're bolted to a little tiny car. Can you envision your plumber fitting everything he needs to do his job into a little hatchback?
4. They can dictate which dealers will remain in business. Although an open market has previously been effective at determining such an issue; the government can opt to eliminate dealerships that do not subscribe to their ideals. (This is not conjecture, it has happened already).

Remember, this is the same government that has never made Amtrak profitable. This is the same government that hasn't been able to modernize the postal system to meet modern needs. This is the same government that thinks we need to raise the price of stamps to make up for less volume, while failing to realize that rising prices were one of the main reasons we stopped mailing letters to begin with.

Think about this....

1. OEM Parts - Think OEM parts are expensive now?
2. Competition - Do you really think new and exciting American cars will be in the pipeline? Honda and Toyota are free to spend money to introduce new models while GM & Chrysler play guinea pig to the needs of political games.
3. Jobs - The government, as history has shown, would rather continue paying someone $50/hr than hire two people at $25/hr. They'll simply lay people off as needed rather than totally re-align the bad system that has ruined the industry in the first place.
4. I wonder what a new car would cost without Gov't mandated air bags, anti-lock brakes and crash-worthiness. Then, deduct all the gimmicks like side air-bags, back up alarms, smart cruise control, delayed theater-style dome lights and the like. Remember, in 1993 you could by a stripped S-10 pickup that got 30+ mpg for $5,000 or a Geo Metro that got close to 50mpg for $4000. If they could pull that off now, they could play catch up really quick.

Where has Pete been?

2009-05-25T09:48:00.003-04:00

Many of you have asked why I haven't been blogging lately. Well, first of all, I have been a bit pre-occupied trying to find work (unsuccessfully). Second, I have been trying to figure out my angle on current events as they have been transpiring slowly. I am going to try to post a few upcoming things about Prop 8, the auto industry, the Postal system, labor unions and more soon.

Edwardsville, Alabama

2009-01-09T22:56:00.001-05:00

Why can't our government figure out why they don't have enough money?

The article below shows just how inept they are....

http://www.11alive.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=125506&catid=3

EDWARDSVILLE, Ala. -- Edwardsville, Alabama, is one of those blink-and-you-miss-it kind of towns.

On a short stretch of US 78, an hour's drive from Atlanta, you'll find a car dealership, a cabinet shop, and a general store. That's about it.

But Edwardsville has big economic dreams, the kind of dreams that will draw critics and insults.

Less than 200 people call Edwardsville home. More than a quarter of them live below the poverty line.

With that in mind, town officials went looking for a slice of President Obama's economic stimulus pie -- $375 million worth.

Jerry Fuller, who runs the town General Store and is also the fire chief, admits the request may be a bit excessive for a town the size of Edwardsville.

"Three hundred million?" asked Fuller. "Yeah, that's a right smart amount of money."

Two years ago, Edwardsville city officials started looking at ways to turn the drab town green, creating a renewable energy plan they hope will create jobs and tourism.

It calls for solar powered street lights and electric cars. As Amanda Ledbetter looks for a new truck, she doubts Edwardsville is ready for all that.

"People here like things the old fashioned way," said Ledbetter. "Most of them don't even own computers. They don't know how they work."

Nevertheless, E.D. Phillips, a member of the Edwardsville utility board, says the town turned to the economic stimulus package, hoping it might hold the key to funding. Included in the town's request-- $50-million for a solar heated water system, $32-million for a renewable energy museum, and $3-million for those solar street lights.

Phillips insists the plan would help more than just Edwardsville, and would also aid as many as 80-thousand people in the surrounding area.

While 11Alive reporter Jerry Carnes and photographer Dan Reilly were in Edwardsville, Phillips called from out-of-town to say publicity about his request for stimulus money had drawn criticism from around the country, that he was dropping it.

"What we want to do is exactly what President Obama wants," he told 11Alive by phone.

He later released a statement attributed to town leaders.

"The public perception of us being full of greed and the tremendously ugly comments have disheartened and disappointed us to the point that we are withdrawing our projects," the statement reads. "We have tried to do things correctly through our projects and plan appropriately for our future. We had thought our work positive in nature."

For now, Edwardsville will remain Edwardsville, a place where the fire chief jokes that there's as much going on at the local cemetery as any other part of town.

Euphemisms - They have an area of opportunity

2008-12-31T21:20:00.006-05:00

Don't you get sick of stupid euphemisms? Why can't people call things what they are? I finally get accustomed to referring to something; then always find that last weeks word is now deemed insensitive.

Examples:

Do you answer the phone and take messages? Do you type memos and help your boss? Well, guess what, YOU are a secretary. You aren't an administrative assistant. If you wanted a cool job title, you should have gotten a cool job.

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD or ADHD). This is a euphemism for "Your kid is too lazy to pay attention". This isn't a "disorder"; it's a kid who doesn't receive loving discipline.

Cripples were crippled, then they were handicapped, then they were disabled, now they're disadvantaged. I could have told you that cripples were disadvantaged. Why do people who are actually lame need a lame euphemism?

Abysmal failures are now looked at as "areas of opportunity". I suppose this term only works for people stupid enough to actually use the term themselves.

You used to be an employee, then you were an associate, but now you a "team member". Well, unless you work for me - then you're an employee. Again, naive college business types might be stupid enough for this joke; but street smart level headed people realize that it's not a team, it's your job. You show up at work to make money and in return your employer expects you to work.

People who beat their wives should be called "wife beaters", not domestic abusers. Call them what they are because they are scum and don't deserve a water-downed term.

"Shell-shock" (*-see note below). This is the phenomenon where a healthy soldier occupies a bed meant for an injured soldier because he has emotionally disturbed, a natural emotion. Well, the hippie types have re-termed it battle fatigue. Since Vietnam, it has been called Post Traumatic Stress disorder. No, I never served in the military and I imagine it is hard to forget what you've actually seen. But abandonment of your brethren if they are still fighting is treason; and you should be in a jail bed, not a hospital bed. (* - I do believe in shell shock. I believe it would be a haunting experience for anyone to endure; but call it what it is, don't water it down, and don't call it a disease or disorder.)

Liberals have recently coined a term "Intact dilation and extraction" for Partial birth abortion. This is a polite way of saying "After the newborn baby emerges from the womb, we will drill a hole in it's head and suck out the brain". This procedure is evil and wrong; it should be a capitol offense just to defend it; and it gets a stupid euphemism.

Outsourcing means that greedy unions have killed the economics of maintaining a viable work opportunity. The employer then finds people who are willing to DO THEIR JOB because they are grateful to have one.

I could go on forever.

(I'm not singling out anyone, I am not grinding an axe; I'm just fed up at people who are naive enough to use these.)

If you're going to throw shoes at the president........

2008-12-17T23:48:00.004-05:00

.....get a pair of these. (and at least wait until January 21st.)

Bob Jones University finally shows responsibility for past actions.

2008-12-10T22:19:00.006-05:00

I want to commend Bob Jones University for finally issuing a long overdue apology for the inexcusably ungodly and ignorant past policies regarding race; which was posted on the BJU website (link) November 20th. This has been long overdue and I want to commend Stephen Jones for showing a level of responsibility that we hoped was still alive in Greenville.

The posting on their website correlated dates with the public submission of www.please-reconcile.org's alumni petition asking the University to seek forgiveness to those who were hurt over the years by the University's achilles heel, racism. I applaud the decision as it should have been issued immediately after the lifting of the policy regarding interracial dating in 2000.

For the past eight years, I have personally struggled with being able to endorse the University due to their apparent resistance to admit wrongdoing on such a moral scale; and I can again be proud to have attended this esteemed institution.

The following is an excerpt from the post:

BJU’s history has been chiefly characterized by striving to achieve those goals; but like any human institution, we have failures as well. For almost two centuries American Christianity, including BJU in its early stages, was characterized by the segregationist ethos of American culture. Consequently, for far too long, we allowed institutional policies regarding race to be shaped more directly by that ethos than by the principles and precepts of the Scriptures. We conformed to the culture rather than provide a clear Christian counterpoint to it.
In so doing, we failed to accurately represent the Lord and to fulfill the commandment to love others as ourselves. For these failures we are profoundly sorry. Though no known antagonism toward minorities or expressions of racism on a personal level have ever been tolerated on our campus, we allowed institutional policies to remain in place that were racially hurtful.

Mitt Romney chimes in on the auto crisis.

2008-11-22T15:52:00.005-05:00

I wanted to share an op-ed piece Mitt Romney wrote this past week for the New York Times. As the son of an auto executive, he shares some great thoughts for fundamentally restoring the Big 3 to greatness. I recently met Mr. Romney, and I must say he is a remarkable man.

LINK

If General Motors, Ford and Chrysler get the bailout that their chief executives asked for yesterday, you can kiss the American automotive industry goodbye. It won’t go overnight, but its demise will be virtually guaranteed.

Without that bailout, Detroit will need to drastically restructure itself. With it, the automakers will stay the course — the suicidal course of declining market shares, insurmountable labor and retiree burdens, technology atrophy, product inferiority and never-ending job losses. Detroit needs a turnaround, not a check.

I love cars, American cars. I was born in Detroit, the son of an auto chief executive. In 1954, my dad, George Romney, was tapped to run American Motors when its president suddenly died. The company itself was on life support — banks were threatening to deal it a death blow. The stock collapsed. I watched Dad work to turn the company around — and years later at business school, they were still talking about it. From the lessons of that turnaround, and from my own experiences, I have several prescriptions for Detroit’s automakers.

First, their huge disadvantage in costs relative to foreign brands must be eliminated. That means new labor agreements to align pay and benefits to match those of workers at competitors like BMW, Honda, Nissan and Toyota. Furthermore, retiree benefits must be reduced so that the total burden per auto for domestic makers is not higher than that of foreign producers.

That extra burden is estimated to be more than $2,000 per car. Think what that means: Ford, for example, needs to cut $2,000 worth of features and quality out of its Taurus to compete with Toyota’s Avalon. Of course the Avalon feels like a better product — it has $2,000 more put into it. Considering this disadvantage, Detroit has done a remarkable job of designing and engineering its cars. But if this cost penalty persists, any bailout will only delay the inevitable.

Second, management as is must go. New faces should be recruited from unrelated industries — from companies widely respected for excellence in marketing, innovation, creativity and labor relations.

The new management must work with labor leaders to see that the enmity between labor and management comes to an end. This division is a holdover from the early years of the last century, when unions brought workers job security and better wages and benefits. But as Walter Reuther, the former head of the United Automobile Workers, said to my father, “Getting more and more pay for less and less work is a dead-end street.”

You don’t have to look far for industries with unions that went down that road. Companies in the 21st century cannot perpetuate the destructive labor relations of the 20th. This will mean a new direction for the U.A.W., profit sharing or stock grants to all employees and a change in Big Three management culture.

The need for collaboration will mean accepting sanity in salaries and perks. At American Motors, my dad cut his pay and that of his executive team, he bought stock in the company, and he went out to factories to talk to workers directly. Get rid of the planes, the executive dining rooms — all the symbols that breed resentment among the hundreds of thousands who will also be sacrificing to keep the companies afloat.

Investments must be made for the future. No more focus on quarterly earnings or the kind of short-term stock appreciation that means quick riches for executives with options. Manage with an eye on cash flow, balance sheets and long-term appreciation. Invest in truly competitive products and innovative technologies — especially fuel-saving designs — that may not arrive for years. Starving research and development is like eating the seed corn.

Just as important to the future of American carmakers is the sales force. When sales are down, you don’t want to lose the only people who can get them to grow. So don’t fire the best dealers, and don’t crush them with new financial or performance demands they can’t meet.

It is not wrong to ask for government help, but the automakers should come up with a win-win proposition. I believe the federal government should invest substantially more in basic research — on new energy sources, fuel-economy technology, materials science and the like — that will ultimately benefit the automotive industry, along with many others. I believe Washington should raise energy research spending to $20 billion a year, from the $4 billion that is spent today. The research could be done at universities, at research labs and even through public-private collaboration. The federal government should also rectify the imbedded tax penalties that favor foreign carmakers.

But don’t ask Washington to give shareholders and bondholders a free pass — they bet on management and they lost.

The American auto industry is vital to our national interest as an employer and as a hub for manufacturing. A managed bankruptcy may be the only path to the fundamental restructuring the industry needs. It would permit the companies to shed excess labor, pension and real estate costs. The federal government should provide guarantees for post-bankruptcy financing and assure car buyers that their warranties are not at risk.

In a managed bankruptcy, the federal government would propel newly competitive and viable automakers, rather than seal their fate with a bailout check.

Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, was a candidate for this year’s Republican presidential nomination.

Man, I wish he would have been the Republican nominee.

Another thought about the auto industry...

2008-11-17T23:41:00.009-05:00

I finally figured out why the liberals want to bail out the US automakers!! If they don't bail them out, the automakers face bankruptcy. If they file bankruptcy, they would be required to renegotiate labor contracts with the UAW. Since we wouldn't want to renegotiate labor with the very people who destroyed our auto industry; a bailout is their only rational choice.

Another reason why organized labor is obsolete.

Mixed feelings for Automakers

2008-11-10T18:39:00.004-05:00

I feel bad for the Big Three. Ridiculous fuel prices and economical concerns have car buyers waiting on that big purchase. Even more, people are waiting to see what new technology is coming; After all, who wants to spend 30k on a new car only to have it lose all resale value if techy improvements render it obsolete before it's paid off.

Is any of this GM, Ford, or Chryslers fault? no

What caused this crisis?

UAW - One of the countries most vicious union cartels has long dictated how these mammoth companies pay their employees. UAW has fleeced the auto industry even as foreign automakers have been able to move manufacturing to the US union-free. I'm sorry, but noone has the right to walk a picket line because making $40 an hour to bolt on a door handle isn't enough money (as well as far above average benefits).
CAFE - If your not familiar with CAFE, it stands for Corporate Average Fuel Economy. Companies overall vehicle fuel economy for all vehicles must meet an arbitrary number (it has changed many times, it's currently somewhere around 20mpg). Well, Tradespeople who work out of their vehicles need trucks. Sure, every manufacturer has a truck these days; but do you see plumbers and electricians, et al driving little Toyota trucks? Why do you think stupid vehicles like the Chevy Aveo and Ford Aspire ever existed?
Consumer Advocacy - For too long, American media has ruined the credibility of American cars. How many Hondas and Toyotas do you see these days? Too many people honestly believe that these US assembled vehicles benefit US workers; they don't realize that they're assembled with foreign made parts that are shipped here for assembly to get around duties and tariffs on complete vehicles.
Miseducation - While the general public has been unfairly harsh on GM, Ford and Chrysler; they can't tell you why. "Hondas are better", "US cars get terrible fuel economy", "blah....blah...". This is not 1973; it has been 35 years since smog controls were first introduced in North America. New American cars are as reliable and efficient as cars built anywhere in the world, and I'm proud to drive one.

The only way we can get out of this crisis is to ........

tell the mafia UAW to shove it or there might not be an overpaid position to fill.
change the attitudes of the misinformed import buyers who would sooner see their money help the European and Asian economies.
level the playing field by charging appropriate tariffs and duties on import cars (regardless of where they're assembled) to allow US companies to compete. (or eliminate the UAW form the equation so that the Big 3 can offer more competitive prices)

COMING SOON: A new series of blogs entitled "If I Ran The Show". Segment 1 - Labor

Obama will hurt Pro Sports

2008-11-08T22:54:00.004-05:00

Do you think pro-sports athletes and owners are greedy now? Of course.

Well, when you promise the owners higher taxes and threaten huge capital gains and inheritance tax increases when teams change hands, and when you plan to outlaw the practice of hiring scabs when labor unions eschew their implied loyalties to you to the curb, your going to make owners nervous.

When you promise to strengthen the player's unions (the MLB players union is already considered the world's most powerful labor union), while also telling the athletes you're going to bloat their taxes, you're going to see those already over-priced outfield bleachers even more expensive because players will demand higher salaries to recoup their taxation woes.

Possibly the only benefit we will see from President Obama will be fair access to consumers of televised events across different platforms. Likely, shady deals like the NFL ticket on DirecTV and NHL Center Ice on cable will be redrawn requiring that all service providers be allowed to offer these. (How many people have DirecTV for no other reason than football? well, I've met hundreds)

good related article: espn.com

Limbo

2008-11-06T22:32:00.003-05:00

Pronunciation: \ˈlim-(ˌ)bō\ noun. a: a place or state of restraint or confinement b: a place or state of neglect or oblivion c: an intermediate or transitional place or state d: a state of uncertainty

The National League has won the World Series, The Democrats have won the election. These events are over, they cannot be changed. We must look at a dissappointing election as we do with baseball. Even though our ideological opponents have won, we need to realize that we are in the off-season. The new season does not begin until after the new year. Surely the Republicans will bounce back just as the American League surely will, but the confetti on the floor is still wet from the champagne and some of those balloons are still hovering, if barely, aloft in the air.

If politics were sports, we would be talking about off-season changes and new appointments. I am speculating about the Red Sox and the Washingtonians, but it is only speculation because nothing has happened yet. Let's enjoy the last weeks of this term even though it will likely be uneventful; but, it is ours to savor. GWB hasn't handed in the keys to his office yet, but the trade deadline is approaching. I'm not screaming at the Yankees or the Red Sox yet because they haven't picked up their bats; and when Obama fills the stands for opening day, I'll be ready for business as usual.

Enjoy the Limbo. It worked for Chubby Checker and it can work for you

Stop asking

2008-11-06T00:12:00.007-05:00

All day long, I have been getting e-mails, text messages and phone calls from my circle of friends and colleagues seeking my advice, opinions and commentaries. Well, I am still trying to put my thoughts into words without sounding hostile or bitter. I imagine I will be able to sum them up soon, but as of now, I do have a few thoughts......

Congress concerns me more than the White House
The Supreme Court is at stake
It's hard to take away something after it has been given. Once entitlements are granted, they will be virtually unable to take away.
Obama has the support of enough youth to start his 'domestic military' (or it's called something like that)
The second amendment is at stake. ( http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/s_560181.html )
Freedom of speech is at stake if the Fairness Doctrine is instituted (Charlie Schumer has already authored the bill).
Conventional marriage, by legal definition, is essentially over. By legal terms, civil unions are the same thing. Obama has already stated that "marriage" is a religious term, not a legal one. ( http://obama.senate.gov/press/060607-obama_statement_26/index.php )
You thought Clinton had baggage? (Ayers, Wright, Khalidi......come on, I can see one missunderstanding; but THREE!!)
Private schools are in jeopardy. Obama insists on public schools. When you control the education, you control the minds of the youth. Hitler did it, remember how devastating his youth movement was? Here's a refresher...( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitler_Youth ) It killed millions.
Obama has already showed his true colors by nominating Rahm Imanuel as his chief of staff (yes, the guy who sends people he doesn't like rotting dead fish ( http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/political-tough-guy-wants-you-to-meet-his-inner-wonk-2008-06-23.html ). Imanuel was ranked 2nd most left leaning person in Washington.
Obama has stabbed black people in the back. He stole their blind trust. After Obama, it may be very hard for another black man to win. Remember David Dinkins?

Bitter gun clinging religious zealots - Here are some relevant Biblical references regarding the election.

2008-11-04T23:41:00.004-05:00

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7 KJV)

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19 KJV)

And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? (Revelations 6:10 KJV)

Ultimately, we as Americans are not in control. Even as we enter into a new era in America, we must remember that God has allowed this to happen.

.....And the waiting is the hardest part

2008-11-04T11:45:00.004-05:00

Although I would venture to guess his ideals are quite different than mine. Tom Petty's lyrics really fit the tension of the day.

GREAT OBAMA JOKES FROM: http://barackobamajokes.googlepages.com/

"Racist" Jokes about Obama

1. If you have ever chuckled at his middle name, you may be guilty of racist Obama jokes.

2. If you ever ridiculed the assertion that tire gauges lower gas prices, you may be guilty of racist Obama jokes.

3. If you ever laughed at the claim that he campaigned in 57 states, you may be guilty of racist Obama jokes.

4. If you ever suggested that the "Vero Possemus" campaign signs had something to do with possums, you may be guilty of racist Obama jokes.

5. If you ever downloaded the video of him bowling a 37 in front of reporters, you may be guilty of racist Obama jokes.

6. If you ever shared the video comparing him to Paris Hilton, you may be guilty of racist Obama jokes.

7. If you ever cracked wise about his cocaine use, you may be guilty of racist Obama jokes. (Joking about Dubya's alleged cocaine use is politically correct.)

8. If you ever made fun of his big ears, you may be guilty of Obama jokes. (Joking about Perot's big ears is politically correct.)

9. If you ever said that the look on his wife's face could curdle fresh milk, you may be guilty of racist Obama jokes. (Joking about Cindy McCain's face is politically correct.)

10. If you ever noted that his pastor acted like he was on Def Comedy Jam, you may be guilty of racist Obama jokes.

Curt Schilling is right on the money about Obama!!

2008-11-03T13:15:00.002-05:00

Today, Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling posted an excellent blog on his website about why Barack Obama is unfit for the presidency.

I will vote for John McCain on Tuesday. Stop reading if you don’t care, and no, I don’t want you to vote for him because I am. Vote for the person you believe will best serve us, the American people on Tuesday.

95% of Politicians lives are spent ‘behind closed doors’. We can’t see or hear the things they do and say. We rely on these men and woman to make the right decisions, we rely on them to serve in our best interests at home and abroad.

What do I know about Barack Obama?

Listen I don’t for a second think the links to Bill Ayers, founder of the Weather Underground and known domestic terrorist, who bombed among other things a police station, the Pentagon and other buildings, I don’t think that makes Barack Obama a terrorist, contrary to what some might have you believe.

I don’t think that the links to Rashid Khalidi make him a supporter of the PLO.

I don’t think that his associations and work with ACORN means he was out soliciting and registering ‘fake’ voters.

I don’t think that his associations and ’spiritual counseling’ from Jeremiah Wright means he hates our country or wishes the country ill will.

Maybe he does, I don’t know, but I don’t believe he does.

I am very concerned about the fact that in the past 7 days the ‘floor’ of his tax plan on Americans has been given as 4 very distinctly different numbers that, depending on which one we are to believe, would affect a much larger % of Americans than we’ve been led to believe.

What I do know about Senator Obama is, I don’t really know what he is going to do other than raise taxes and put in mechanisms to parcel out that money under a ‘plan’, supposedly, we know nothing about.

But none of the points above make me think he’s a ‘bad guy’ or ‘mean person’, however they give me absolute right and I think it would be borderline negligent to NOT question his judgment in a very serious way. And isn’t that important of a President? Aren’t we supposed to vote for someone who, even if they don’t have every single interest of ours as their priority, we trust to have good judgment? Do any of those examples make me think that is the case?

(Anyone wishing to use this as a reason for me to vote against him can zip it, I don’t have a job, I am likely retired, and the tax threshold means squat to me. I am now a small business owner in a start up and there is nothing he’s proposed that is going to help me hire new employees or maintain the best health care coverage in the industry my company is in. I’m going to have to do that despite him if he’s elected)

I am not voting for John McCain for any of the reasons above in and of itself. In fact pretty much every reason I can think of to vote for Senator McCain has to do with the man himself.

I am put off by the fact that Senator Obama has made this campaign about him, and his desire to be the President of the United States, while Senator McCain has made it clear that serving as President would be an honor and privilege following a life spent doing that very thing.

But this is the reason it has all become easier for me. Neither of these men stand on platforms I am in complete agreement with. If you say otherwise, you’re lying. For one reason we don’t know what their platforms are in total, but we have an idea. Obviously my beliefs are more in line with Senator McCain but it’s not some landslide thing where I can say “Wow! That’s stupid! No way I’d vote for that guy”. No. So if I don’t agree with both of them in total, I need to go to the next check mark. Which of these men can I trust to do the “Right Thing” (Sorry Spike!).

In a scenario far beyond anything anyone reading this can imagine, on the most important day of his life, in the most life threatening peril any of us could think to imagine, no cameras, no votes to win, no political favors to gain, this man, John McCain made a decision I don’t think many of us could, or would have made.

Faced with likely death if he stayed, versus living and being nursed back to health AT HOME, IN THE U.S., John McCain stood by the code of Honor, Ethics, Morals, and Integrity we only WISH men running this country had. Broken arms, leg, shoulder, ribs, dysentery like you can’t imagine, after years of torture and beatings, solitary confinement, all of that, he choose to stay in prison, with his brothers in arms, rather than being set free because he was the son of one of the most powerful and influential men in the United States Armed Forces.

He was willing to give his life for something he believed in. Something that to many was nothing more than words on paper, but to men like Senator McCain and all those serving with him, beside him, these were much more, they were something you built a nation out of. A nation of great human beings. He did this for that reason, and that reason alone.

Having every reason in the world to go home to his wife and young child, and health, he didn’t! Why? Please answer that question in your own mind. Answer that and then tell me with a straight face this man is someone you don’t trust with our best interest? Really?

The other big piece to this is that if you have heard him he’s as honest as the day is long. For better or worse this man will be the first to admit he’s made mistakes, he’s screwed up. Show me any other person on the ticket that has been so ‘real’, his warts are out there for all to see and he makes NO EXCUSES, NONE, for his short comings. I can live with someone that’s made mistakes as long as I know those mistakes were made in our best interests, made with the notion of serving the greater good. I worry more about people failing to recognize or admit or own up to screwing up.

The one prime example of this, and you only need to pick up the paper to see it, is the war in the Middle East. 1 year ago it was front page news, every single day. Why not now? Well in addition to the Global Economy being in the tank, the bigger reason is because the ‘Surge’ that was thought to be “Political Suicide” for any politician endorsing it, is working. No one needs to be reminded who voted on which side back then, but it’s horribly convenient that it’s dismissed off hand today. Once again, with everything to lose, Senator McCain said “I’d rather lose this election than lose this war” . Against literally all odds and I would guess advice, he did what he knew to be the right thing FOR THE COUNTRY.

Senator Biden? Where was he? He’s the foreign Policy Expert guy right? The guy with a lifetime of experience and know how? Well he was here and he was wrong. Wrong then, wrong now.

Senator Obama? He was here stating emphatically
“nobody wants to get U.S. troops out of Iraq more than he does, but doing so will require voters to pressure Senate Republicans, including New Hampshire Senators Judd Gregg and John Sununu, to break with President Bush”. That was 16 months ago!!. In the past 16 months can ANYONE on the planet not admit the tide has turned, things have changed on an epic scale? Senator Obama still holds to the line saying “It has not worked”.

Can anyone fathom what would have happened if we’d actually followed that course of action? Can you honestly say if he’d has his way, and we’d pulled out, things would be better in this world? How can you? He was wrong, all of them were.

That’s not to say it’s over, it’s not and won’t be in the near future, any rational person knows that and should expect it to be more time and effort and unfortunately lives and least of all money, to get what needs to be done, done. Don’t we owe it to the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces, NATO forces of the coalition and the men, women and children of Iraq to see it through? That’s not to say it’s been easy or in any way diminish the staggering cost in lives, those things in and of themselves are horrible. But we have a country of men and women willing and able to take on that responsibility and that is a source of pride we should all take comfort in. Stop with the why’s and how’s of it all beginning. None of us can or will deny we were not given the right or proper information at the outset and I won’t disagree for a second that the people responsible will have to bear witness to their involvement and accountability. But memory is a funny thing, because I have trouble finding anyone that was out in the street screaming and hollering at President Bush in the months following 9/11. We were proud as hell to be acting how we acted, and doing what we were doing. The minute the ‘cost’ came into view people started scrambling for life boats and politicians all over this country showed you what they truly believed about us, and their agendas, in the months and years that have followed.

In the last debate Senator McCain emphatically asked us only ONE THING, one, ‘Check the record’ on both he and Senator Obama. In the white noise that has become this political campaign lots of people, me included at times, have lost focus on the people, the men, the women, and who and what they are. Isn’t that what matters?

I am voting for Senator McCain because when the lights are off, and no ones watching, I know for a fact this man is going to ALWAYS vote for and push for and make happen, the thing that is in our best interest; and by “our” I don’t mean my taxes, your salary, his 401K, her Medical, I mean he’ll always take the route that is best for US, as a whole, the country, and that’s what we need in my opinion. We must have someone who understands this job is bigger than he is. Than any one or two people are, and that this job unlike any time in our life, is going to command someone with the life long experience of instituting change, redirecting failed efforts, fighting the establishment and having to ‘go against the grain’ but most of all someone who knows and understands service to country is the most important responsibility we have. Someone who’s done it, someone who’s passed tests few have ever been asked to take, and far fewer could ever pass.

John McCain has spent his life passing tests in service of our country and at no time in my life, or my children, is this country more in need of someone new to take charge and change the very fabric of who we are, and what we are doing.

Socialist? Evangelical Christian?

2008-10-30T21:10:00.002-04:00

I had a conversation the other day with well-meaning, intelligent liberal friend. He took enormous offense to Barack Obama being called a socialist; explaining that although his policies may be interpreted that way, he doesn't consider it socialism as it is generally regarded.

These same Obama supporters repeatedly refer to me as an 'Evangelical Christian'. Although this term by technical definition encompasses my beliefs as well, I do not like to be termed as an evangelical Christian; but rather a Bible-believing fundamental Baptist.

Well, guess what. I'm willing to ignore my preferences and be called an evangelical Christian because it does reflect my beliefs. I just wish that my socialist friend would return the favor.

Why well-meaning fellow conservatives botch things up.

2008-10-28T19:06:00.008-04:00

I have noticed something that happens far too often. Well meaning folks attack Barack Obama for the wrong reasons; not because the reasons are bad (they're often true.) For example, I keep hearing people calling him Muslim; which isn't true because although his very early upbringing may or may not have influenced him; the fact is he has never practiced Islam.

Second, you can't preach Christian values to liberals during an election. While we certainly have many of core electability credentials tied in to abortion and capital punishment, we need to hit liberals with the "non-Christian" issues first.

How to discuss Obama's shortcoming's with liberals (in plain English):

1. If you're rich employer loses money because of higher taxes, you will not receive a raise anytime soon.

2. Obama has no desire for the price of gas to go down. Lower gas prices mean less tax revenue. Increased consumption of fuel causes enviro-nerds to cry. North American countries drilling for oil may hurt our standing in the global petroleum marketplace (remember, Dems and Reps both have a bizarre love interest with Middle Eastern oil sultans).

3. Barack Obama never mentions people's work ethic. He doesn't seem to understand that the people with the ambition aren't the people struggling to make ends meet. While helping the needy is important, and mandated Biblically; It is noone's responsibility to feed the lazy.

4. True Socialism is NOT simply redistribution of wealth, you look like an idiot when you say that. Socialism is when the government provides you access/assistance/etc. to basic "needs" such as free education, health care, 'cradle to grave' programs, etc. So, in essence, Barack probably is a socialist; but hit up a dictionary before you try to pepper you political acumen to your liberal friends (they may be smarter than you give them credit for.) See the following for a more concise description of modern socialism.

(Socialists mainly share the belief that capitalism unfairly concentrates power and wealth among a small segment of society that controls capital and creates an unequal society. All socialists advocate the creation of an egalitarian society, in which wealth and power are distributed more evenly, although there is considerable disagreement among socialists over how, and to what extent this could be achieved.
Newman, Michael. (2005) Socialism: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-280431-6)

5. Stop trying to put McCain on a pedestal. You all hated him until last year, and our liberal friends remember that. He was a moderate at best, and he still is. He is light years better than the alternative, but we look like wafflers when we posture him (remember waffling in '04? they do).

6. Don't talk about Biden. They aren't that fond of him either; and the discussion will only lead to an argument about Sarah Palin. Don't talk about Palin either; they won't understand.

7. Health insurance is accessible to everyone. Liberals, however, have made it very expensive due to negligence on their part. They have allowed ridiculous lawsuits to be waged against the medical industry driving their insurance through the roof. Maybe if Obama would consider stopping or capping crazy malpractice suits if elected, health care would be more affordable. But the concept of free healthcare doesn't work.

I will add to the list as I think of more.