Wait, There's More!!

Last night was a first. it was the first You Tube/CNN presidential debate. This one was for the Democrats. This debate pretty much ended up being what I expected it would be. There were some really good questions and a few not so important ones. And like with a lot of You Tube videos. You put a camera in front of some people and they think they're stars. The questions ranged from Health Care, to " Who was your favorite teacher" to Gun Control. One of the questions that I missed ( I watched the entire debate, except for a few seconds that to watch the Red Sox game.) or wasn't asked was that of Terrorism. Although we haven't had an attack since 2001, if any indications of what have been going on with our neighbors across the pond, an attack in the U.S. is a quite plausible idea. The problem with this debate was that it was truly not a Democratic debate, meaning this was not democracy at work. And honestly I don't think it will ever be. You see CNN if they are to continue this format will have to continue to screen the videos, not just because of importance, ( putting on the most serious videos, videos with serious issues being discussed) but also because of the time constraints. I believe the debate was two hours long, and CNN received over 3,000 videos, well it doesn't take a genius to understand that there is only an handful of entires that can actually make it on television.

So this is what I know about what I saw last night. Overall I think John Edwards won the debate, as I think his answers were a bit more complete and honest than others, and he actually made sense with the time he made. Hillary was okay, not spectacular. I think the question on whether she/other candidates would meet with the other world leaders in their first year of the being President, she excelled. She basically said that she would send others over first to open up talks and lay the ground work for an eventual Presidential meeting. Obama to me held his ow, can't really say much I don't think he really stood out. Joe Biden made his mark in the debate, and shut down one of my favorites Gov. Bill Richardson, who in my opinion really performed poor. And Mike Gravel, was Mike Gravel that is all that needs to be said. The Republican You Tube/ CNN debate is in September.

Now its time for a bit of entertainment news. it appears that Lindsy Lohan has been arrested by way of a D.U.I. and there are also some reports saying that she was found with cocaine in her pocket. Isn't this just Lovely more dumb people to take up space in the news. Maybe she'll go back to rehab after this, and maybe she'll go back to her usual behavior after she's done with the rehab. My take on Lohan and all lof these other young Hollywood crowd who's thinks that there are no consequences for their actions. Here is a solution it may be a radical one , but lets give them some consequences. To me acting in movies and being a star is a privilege not a right, so i think its time for these producers to say to these girls like Lohan. If you can't control yourself, we're not going to put you in our movie.There are other girls/young women who may not be as talented as Lohan, but don't draw negative attention to themselves. Girls like Amanda Bynes and Mandy Moore. I think that the non-tough love from Hollywood is actually enabling her. If there are no real consequence except going to a posh rehab facility how is she ever going to "get it" Maybe if Hollywood starts denying her roles and hurting her pocket maybe then she'll start to think " I need to stop" She's barely 21, has multiple stays in rehab, has been arrested for DUI, and she just keeps on going. Don't get me wrong I don't really care what Lindsey does in her career or her life, as I am not a fan, but tis a shame to watch young talent self destruct. From the entire young Hollywood crowd/ celebrities, she's the worst out of the bunch.and who knows with the way she's going, she might pass out one night and never wake up. What a shame and a waste of a life that would be.

Until next, Stomp your feet. Why? I don't know I just want to see you look like an asshole!!!!

I Don't Steal, I Just Borrow and Forget to Return.

Did you hear about this one? There is a story making the national media rounds about a rape case that isn't a rape case, let me explain. Pamir Safi is on trial for raping former Nebraska University student Tory Bowen. Bowen says that Safi raped her in her sleep. This first trial ended in a hung jury, the second one wel lthis is where things get weird . Judge Jeffre Cheuvront of Lancaster County District Court has barred Bowen and her lawyers from using the words "rape" and "sexual assault". Cheuvront fears that the defendant Safi will not get a fair trial if he is painted as of all thing, a rapist. This is a rape trial is it not? And Bowen herself had been threatened 30 days in jail for saying the words in her testimony against Safi Well due to all of the sudden media coverage judge Jeffre Cheuvront has called for a mistrial. Wow imagine that. I don't care if this takes four trials some kind of justice needs to happen. Either it needs to be proven that this man raped miss Bowen or not. it seems to me that Safi's Lawyers are making a strong case for themselves and their client after the first jury couldn't make up their minds, and with the Judge of the second trial not even believing this woman's accusations. I mean why else would he not want the defendant to be called a rapist if the judge truly believed he was innocent.
I don't know where to go with this one. When a woman cries rape you want to believe her. And especially in this case seeing as hard she is actively tying to get some justice for herself. I don't know which way to go, but to me when you're on trial for rape, whey not just used the term rape. Safi is/was not on trial for fondling or grouping this woman, he was on trial for allegedly raping her, so let's just call it what it is.

Atlanta Falcon quarterback Micheal Vick is in big, big trouble. Him and four others are accused of running an illegal dog fighting ring at one of Vick's home. Now from all reports these charges are coming from federal authorities after a lengthy investigation. Now I know its not the same thing but if the now infamous Duke Lacrosse case has told us anything, its don't be so quick to convict, or in this case don't be so quick to convict Vick. Now I'm not trying to say what he is being accused of is no biggie because he's being accused of doing some savage things. Not only dog fighting, but a electrocuting and hanging the losing dogs. This is some serious animal cruelty offenses and as reports have stated come with a sentence up to six years in prison. No what I'm saying until he is convicted of the crime, or at least when the more facts come out during the trial, lets give him the benefit of the doubt. So many times in this country we jump the gun as soon as charges are levied. Seeing how this justice system is not perfect, as many working in the Innocence Project will tell you, I'm going to wait till I come to my own conclusion of Vick's innocence or guilt.

Did you hear about this one? Coming to a Walmart near you its the Jesus action figure( its not a doll, because dolls are for girls). Now kids can finally live out their biggest fantasy battle and find out once and for all who would win, Jesus "Son of God" or Superman "Son of Jor-L". Wow I have to tell you if this isn't at the heights of Sac- religiousness than I don't know what is. But I guess its okay since its a Christian based company who's making the toys. I mean before Jesus fights Superman, he can say a Bible passage. And then the boy who's playing with the toy can say " But this time I'm going to turn your cheek". It seems between the mega Churches, television deals, and jazzed -up Gospel music ( not actually Jazz) , that being in the business of being Holy is a lucrative one. There's even a video game based upon the popular "Left Behind" book series. The book series about the Biblical Armageddon. Now aren't these the same group(s) who complain about violence in our culture especially in Video games? I guess its not violence if you're trying to defeat the Devil. Only 420 (that's one-sixth) Walmarts will carry these dolls. I guess their testing them out before they make the decision to expand to other stores. I wonder if their going to have a black or non-white Jesus, oh I mean a Biblical accurate Jesus, to be sold along with the long brown haired and blue-eyed one? If you have to think about that one then you're already a step behind the game.

Until next time, Never say never...Opps!!! I just said never twice!!!

Bonds on Everyone Else.

There is a big story brewing. Barry Bonds is creeping closer and closer to what is perhaps the most popular record in all of sports. When Hank Arron surpassed Babe Ruth as baseball's all-time home run hitter, there were rumblings that somewhat resembled outrage over him doing so. This outrage was primarily racially driven. Arron received death threats during his chase to the record. Just think about it a black man surpassing a white man in the 70's, even though Arron was a beloved figure in baseball, some people in the country didn't feel the same way about Hammering Hank. Now fast forward to the year 2007. Barry Bonds , a black man is about to pass another black man for the record, so what's the uproar this time? Its steroids silly. Now I'm not a baseball fan so I might not fell as passionately about this issue as others, but lets be honest is all of this hate against Bonds necessary. Did he used steroids? i would say yes, but again I would also say where's the proof. He did testify to unknowingly using some performance enhancing cream that was referred to as "The Clear' but no legal action was taking against Bonds nor did he receive any action from Major League Baseball. So with this unpunished revelation, plus the fact that he has never failed a drug test, a random drug test, or any other steroids evidence, the question has to be asked why is Bonds being so vilified. Vilified to the point that nomral citizens are going out of there way to protest Bonds' chase to the all time home run record.

Keith McDonough. owns a sport memorabilia shop in Chicago. He's calling, pleading for Bonds to retire before he breaks the record. In his argument he says that guys like Henry Arron did it the right way, meaning no steroids and Bonds is a disgrace to the game and shouldn't be allowed to break the record. Today he appeared on ESPN's First take and expressed his views. When(at this point only if Bonds have a career ending injury or dies, there is no if) he breaks the record he's calling for fans to burn signed bats, rookie cards, and other Bonds memorabilia. He's calling it a Bonds-Fire. So again why is it that fans are so opposed to Bonds. I may think this is the reason. Baseball is supposed to be the American past-time and with all of its history fans like to look at it as a pure game of athletics. Unlike many positions in Football or Basketball, a Baseball player does not need to be an oversize mount of an man. I've never heard of an undersized 1st baseman or heard anyone saying "he's too small to play center field". These are things you will never hear coming out of the mouths of Baseball fans. So when there is a drip of speculation of steroid use fans feel betrayed whether the allegations have merit or not. Now I'm not saying that Bonds was not an applicable culprit, but even if I think he used steroids, which i do, there is no hard evidence, at this point everything is based of a speculation. Sure there is the "Game of Shadows" book, and the Balco trials, but if Bonds was involved in anything at this point something would have happened by now.

As he nears the completion of his journey to overtake Baseball's most hallowed record. More and more debate on Bonds are taking place. To whether the Commissioner should be there or whether there should be any celebration even in San Fransisco, to whether or not baseball should even acknowledge the breaking of the record. My all-important take is this. Until Bonds has any charges brought against him by a court of law , or by MLB, give the man all of the pomp and circumstance that you would give to Ken Griffey Jr. and Alex Rodriguez , or any other baseball player that doesn't have the steroid cloud hanging over them. This should be a celebrated occasion not just in Baseball but all of sports and in America. Until we have substantial proof or a comprehensive confession from Bonds himself, he should be celebrated as the Home Run King that he will be.

Until next time, Don't aim for the stars, cause you just can't reach them!!!

The Sound Heard Around the World.

Today there is a big series of concerts going on called Live Earth. These concerts will take place on all seven continents including the Antarctica. These concerts will not raise any money but is meant to raise awareness about Global Warming or Climate Change as its now being referred to more and more these days. I'm always weary about big concerts like these that have a cause attached to them, with big names such as, Madonna, Bon Jovi, Snoop Dogg, Faith Hill, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Black Eyed Peas such to name a few, and I do mean few, I wonder if the message gets lost in the spectacle of it all. I'm not blaming it on the promoters but rather the listening audience. I wonder if they paid to go to these concerts to support the awareness of Climate Change or are they just there to see their favorite acts. Personally i think its the latter. Surely the lure of trying to save the planet is not what drove these patrons to reserve their seats for these mega concerts. I know that if there was a line-up that i could get excited about and the cause was AIDS prevention, or the proceeds went to AIDS/HIV research, I would care less about that just as long as I get to recite the lyrics of my favorite acts during a live performance. Hell I think you can have a concert for the spread of AIDS and with the right line-up it create a massive turnout. But I'm sure that the people going to the concerts will read the literature that was passed out at the door when they get home. They might read all of it, but I'm sure they will keep it in storage somewhere just to be sure that people know they were there. To enjoy some good music first and then, maybe if they can, think about the environment.

Until next time try not to kill yourself!!!