Oh, Super Bowl XLIX is this weekend? I kind of forget. No, not really but the way "Deflategate" has stole the show, I wouldn't be surprised if most people did forget about the big game. The big game on Sunday down in Glendale, Arizona at the University of Phoenix Stadium. The big game that will kickoff at approximately 6:30pm on NBC. The big game between the defending Super Bowl Champions, Seattle Seahawks and the three-time Super Bowl Champions, New England Patriots-the team at the center of the "Deflategate" scandal.
So, what is "Deflategate" anyway? Well, if you've been living under a rock for the last two weeks or just don't care about football at all, let me catch you up. "Deflategate" is a term being used to describe a "scandal" in the 2014 AFC Championship game between the Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts. A game in which the Pats routed the Colts 45-7.
The controversy came with 11 of the 12 game balls that were being used by the Pats. Let me rephrase that. The controversy actually came a week earlier in the divisional playoffs when the Baltimore Ravens, who lost to the Pats, 35-31 had suspicions of them playing with under inflated balls during the game. Afterwards, the Ravens brought it to the attention of the Colts and told them to watch for it.
Now, to get back to the actual "scandal". At halftime of the AFC Championship game, after the Colts defense had picked off Tom Brady and as the balls were being weighed by an official as done with all game balls before each NFL game and during halftime of each game, the referee found that 11 of the Patriots game balls were under inflated. League rules note that game balls must be within the specifications of 12.5-13.5 PSI. The balls in question were only inflated to 10.5 PSI. This would give an advantage to Tom Brady and his receivers in terms of gripping the ball. Especially in the cold, rainy conditions that were present during the entire championship game.
That's what this whole "Deflategate" is all about. How it happened, when it happened and why it happened are still yet to be determined. And may never be determined. I have heard rumors though about the NFL having a person of interest in the Patriots locker room attendant. But that's all I've heard thus far.
So, who really cares about the Super Bowl this year when something like "Deflategate" is going on? Who cares about the biggest, most popular sporting event in America when there's controversy to talk about? Why get excited for a game when there's "scandals", accusations, possible cover ups and endless amounts of drama and rumors swirling around? Americans care way more about that kind of stuff anyway. Its sad, but these past two weeks have proven it to be true.
Why though? Why have we let "Deflategate" take over everything good about this time of year? Maybe it's because of who it involves. I mean, it's the New England Patriots for Gods sake. It's Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, two of the greatest. Everybody knows their history and their success together and their Super Bowls. They've appeared in six Super Bowls together with three wins under their belts.
Yes, maybe "Deflategate" is a much bigger deal because the Patriots are considered the best. It's always so much more dramatically intriguing when the most successful people get caught doing things wrong. It's almost like it's welcomed in today's society. Everybody loves to hate the best. Like, we're just waiting for them to go down so we can feel better about our-not so famous or lucrative lives.
Those have to be the reasons why people care more about "Deflategate" this year than they do the actual Super Bowl, right? I mean, what else could there be? Well, as impressive as Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are together, they're also equally controversial together.
We all remember "Spygate" back in 2007 when the Pats were caught video taping the New York Jets sideline hand signals. An act that cost Bill Belichick $500,000, the Patriots $250,000 and a first round draft pick in 2008.
To stay objective here, I should probably point out that New England also went on to the Super Bowl that season where they lost to the New York Giants, 17-14. That game was played in Glendale as well. And this is where the conspiracy theorist could chime in and intensify the drama that has plagued the entire league this year.
All that aside though, there are still numerous other allegations of "cheating" via illegal videotaping on the part of Bill Belichick and the Patriots organization. This goes all the way back to 2000 when Belichick was hired as the head coach in New England.
There is also, along with the ball deflation controversy when the Pats took on the Ravens in the divisional playoff game three weeks ago, the Ravens making an issue out of certain offensive formations executed by the Patriots.
The play in question by the Ravens had Patriots running back, Shane Vereen flanked out on the line of scrimmage to the right. He reported as an ineligible receiver so that tight end, Michael Hoomanawanui who was lined up as a tackle, would be an eligible receiver. When the the ball was snapped, Vereen ran backwards and threw his arms in the air confusing the Ravens defense. This play worked for completions on three different occasions. It was a totally legal play but out of confusion and frustration, upset the Ravens only adding to all of the "Deflategate" controversy.
If you want to look at all these controversial stories of the past and relate them to "Deflategate", I guess you could legitimately do so. There is after all the saying "Once a cheater, always a cheater." However, these issues are all in the past now and we cant forget that there is no evidence of any wrong doing yet on the part of New England. Isn't it innocent until proven guilty?
Lets just look at one of the many possibilities here. A scientific possibility. I'll admit that I'm no scientist or investigator but I do have the common sense to know that if it's 70 degrees out on the day I fill my vehicle tires up to 35 PSI and it drops down to 20 degrees the very next day, my tires will not have the same 35 PSI inside them anymore.
Things filled with air expand and contract when subjected to temperature change. Have you ever purchased helium balloons when it's extremely hot outside? Some of the balloons may burst as you walk out into the heat. If you purchase helium balloons when its extremely cold out, your balloons with deflate and not float at full strength.
Isn't it possible that the same reaction happened with those 11 game balls used by the Patriots? I'd say yes, but will also somewhat debunk that theory by questioning why none of the other balls used by any of the other teams this season after the weather got cold did the same exact thing.
That's a question nobody can answer either way. But it still doesn't rule out the fact that weather may have played a part in this. Look, I'm not saying someone couldn't have deflated 11 out of the 12 game balls used in the AFC Championship game. And I'm not saying Tom Brady and or Bill Belichick didn't know anything about it either. All I'm saying is until there is actual proof laid out by the NFL that someone from the Patriots sideline physically deflated their game balls we cant jump to conclusions or rule out other possibilities such as a natural phenomenon.
Besides, in sports, if you're not always trying to gain some sort of advantage, if you're not trying to bend whatever rules you can get away with bending...you probably aren't winning. Is that morally wrong? Yes. Is it competitively wrong? Well, only if you get caught.
I mean, how many pitchers get away with sticky, pine tar fingers each season? How many batters get away with cork in there bats? How many athletes are on performance enhancing drugs, but just haven't tested positive yet? How many race car drivers get away with illegal modifications to their cars each season to make them faster? Hell, even Olympic athletes push the limits of legality. The most admired, respected and prestigious athletes in the world bending the rules for competitive gain and advantage.
It's no different with quarterbacks. Tom Brady prefers a lower inflation to his balls. Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers prefers his balls bigger and harder to fit in his hands better. And how many other quarterbacks get away with deflating or over inflating their balls each game? How many quarterbacks tamper with and buff their balls before game time? Most, if not all of them.
Which leads me to the whole point of this post. This is professional sports. This is the NFL. The is the Super Bowl. Where you do whatever it takes to win and to be the best. Will that tarnish the legacy of Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, the Patriots and the entire NFL? Only time will tell.
Until then, lets not let "cheating" in sports, another "scandal" within the Patriots organization or any other problems that occurred in the NFL during this past season ruin the single greatest sports day in our country. The NFL will get to the bottom of this issue and the Patriots will be punished accordingly-if wrong doing is proven. So for now, lets stop all this "Deflategate" nonsense and get ready to watch what will hopefully be one of the greatest Super Bowls in the history of the NFL.
Ok, since we got to the bottom of all that and since I'm a guy who loves football and the Super Bowl, lets get down to my predictions:
"Deflategate" will either distract the Patriots into playing as terribly as the Denver Broncos played in last years Super Bowl or it will motivate them into playing like they did when all the experts counted them out after beginning the season 2-2. It seemed like all hell was going to break loose in Foxborough before the Pats went on to win seven in a row.
Either way, I'm a Michigan man and a Tom Brady fan so, GO PATS!!! Although, I honestly don't think they'll be able to get over the distractions of "Deflategate". And even if they do, I just can't forget about what the Seahawks did to the Broncos last year. I mean, they almost embarrassed Peyton Manning-one of, if not the greatest QB in NFL history into retirement. I cant go against that again. So, I'm taking Seattle, 28-17.
Happy Super Bowl everybody and enjoy the game...and the ads :)
Sources:
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Brady
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_England_Patriots
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_National_Football_League_videotaping_controversy
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Belichick
Be sure to also checkout all of my T-Shirt designs in my online Zazzle store.
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Monday, January 26, 2015
Republicans, Fiscally Responsible?
Everyday out of Washington D.C., we hear phrases like big government spending, small government, loop holes, government shutdowns, and fiscally responsible. We hear words like budget, deficit, debt, regulations, reform, loans, investments and economy. And everyday, just as we hear those words and phrases, we hear plenty of arguing, disagreeing and blame over which political party is more fiscally responsible and which parties policies are better for our economy.
Liberals are for big government and Conservatives are for small government. The left just spends, spends, spends no matter what the cost. The right just cuts, cuts, cuts even when it hurts a majority of their constituents. Democrats give handouts which make people dependent on the government. Republicans give corporate handouts while killing the middle class.
These debates go on all the time. Not a day goes by that we don't hear about them on the news or read about them online. So, what's considered big and small government? What does it really mean to be fiscally responsible? And which party is actually more fiscally responsible? Well, let me answer these questions for you right now...
Small, fiscally responsible government IS NOT giving corporations billions of dollars each year just to stash away in offshore bank accounts avoiding taxation. And in the process not create American jobs that would drive our economy like they promised us they would.
It IS NOT raising taxes on the middle class, our veterans and the elderly while also cutting their pensions, benefits, social security and earned income/child tax credits at the same time just to make up for all of those corporate tax breaks. Keeping hard working Americans in poverty, forcing them onto government assistance is not fiscally responsible. Its greedy and it's un-American and shouldn't be stood for by any of us.
And it IS NOT blocking/voting down bills that regulate Wall Street and big banks-the establishments which led to our economic woes in the first place. The establishments that nearly drove us into a depression. For more on Wall Street and big banks checkout this good read from Positive Money titled "What Caused the Financial Crisis & Recession?"
This is also a good piece from the Huffington Post by Miles Mogulescu about Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts) and her uprising started by taking on Wall Street and the big banks. Although the call for Ms. Warren to step into the 2016 presidential race is strong and loud-as mentioned in the Huffington Post piece, I believe she is still much more valuable in the Senate-and will be for some time-fighting Wall Street and the big banks head on. She'll also be a good voice to keep Hillary in check when she becomes our 45th and 1st Madam President of the United States of America. In either case though, we need more politicians like Elizabeth Warren who truly understands what it means to be fiscally responsible.
Fiscally responsible, unlike the politicians who led us into the Iraqi War. Let me tell you all something, small, fiscally responsible government IS NOT spending six trillion and sacraficing 4500 American lives on a war that was based on blatant lies.
Small, fiscally responsible government IS NOT funding things like torture programs which cost us at least 380 million or prisons like Guantanamo Bay which cost us 454 million to operate in 2013. That is the equivalent of 2.7 million per prisoner as discussed in William Holt's article on Yahoo News. That is nearly a billion dollars for programs and a single detention center that our country condones yet still waste money on each year.
It IS NOT spending millions of dollars on these investigations into factitious scandals such as Benghazi. A factitious scandal created out of pure hatred and jealousy towards our president. And even after the administration was cleared of any wrong doing, Republicans began yet another Benghazi investigation. I believe this was the eighth or ninth investigation into the same exact incident. If you want to talk about wasteful spending you better be talking about the Republican Party. I wonder what the final cost will be once the GOP finally stops wasting our tax money on these pointless probes? And this is not even considering the millions spent on the IRS investigation in which the administration and Democratic Party were also cleared of any wrong doing as pointed out by Tom Sherman in his State Column piece.
And small, fiscally responsible government IS NOT spending millions each time they vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act. A law that regulates inhumane practices by insurance companies. A law that allows millions of people the opportunity to purchase health care. And not be denied because of pre-existing conditions. A law that has proven to not only be cheaper than originally thought but it also has not destroyed the economy as many Republicans tried scaring people into believing it would.
Funding wars of greed and oil, using millions of tax payer dollars on numerous Benghazi and IRS investigations along with throwing away money to try and repeal a law 50 times-over in a four year stretch as stated in Ed O'Keefe's article on the Washington Post website is not fiscally responsible. Especially when it is law that most Americans now support keeping in place. This is all wasteful spending to the fullest extent and is no way an example of small, fiscally responsible government.
And small, fiscally responsible government IS NOT cutting funding for public education just to put that money into private schools where yes, you guessed it, they, and their corporate buddies profit. Less funding for public schools, trying to force kids into paying for private school only results in overcrowded public school classrooms. Which means less quality education and less personal attention per student. Which means higher illiteracy rates and higher drop out rates. Which means poor opportunities for our youth and more government assistance paid for by higher taxes on the people who already cant afford their tax rates as it is.
And it IS NOT making college so expensive that its impossible for most kids to attend. And the ones who do attend are trapped with student loan debt until they're 50 years old. This is one of our nations biggest problems and would not be ignored by a fiscally responsible government.
Small, fiscally responsible governments would also not ignore things that would solve most, if not all of our country's monetary woes...such as legalizing marijuana. An act that would accumulate enough money to fund every school in the country. An act that would allow lottery profits to actually go towards schools. An act that could help provide two years of free community college to anybody that wants it. An act that would possibly create millions of new jobs. An act that would allow taxes set aside for infrastructure to actually go towards infrastructure. An act that would allow funding for any and all government programs. An act that would allow our country to not only balance our budget each year but to also operate in the black. An act that would undoubtedly pump billions of dollars into our economy and government on an annual basis. Opposing the legalization of marijuana is definitely not fiscally responsible.
And small, fiscally responsible government IS NOT building a pipeline through the center of our great country. A pipeline in which we do not receive any of the oil or the oil's profits. And lets be honest, any revenue we do actually see from the Keystone XL Pipeline will go directly towards the Koch Brothers puppet show known as the Republican led U.S. Congress. So, are we clear on this? A pipeline running through our country-carrying oil we don't get to use or sell for ourselves will surely end up costing us money in the long run. Costing tax payers in the long run. That is not fiscally responsible.
And never forget that pipeline accidents and oil spills can and will happen. They probably already happen more frequently than you think. Remember the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico? If not here are some reminders of the destruction caused by that disaster. And then, more recently is the Bridger Pipeline oil spill in Montana that dumped 50,000 gallons of oil into the Yellowstone river.
To take the risks associated with the Keystone Pipeline without seeing any of the benefits from the oil is so far from being fiscally responsible that it's unbelievable people are actually considering this pipeline good for our economy. Just take a look at TransCanada's safety record-the big oil company which would own the Keystone Pipeline and then tell me if you think building the pipeline is environmentally or fiscally responsible.
And keeping right in line with environmental issues, small, fiscally responsible government IS NOT denying science and global warming by blocking bills that would assure a nobble effort to reduce the likelihood of catastrophic events such as natural disasters and rising sea levels. Bills that reduce air, water and ground pollution. If Republicans keep ignoring these real problems and threats, then, in the long run, small government will be more costly than any big government research, programs, prevention or policies to stop the destruction of our planet.
Think about it. Rising sea levels alone will displace millions of people. Not just here at home but globally as well. And guess who's going to pay for it? Yes, the government. Which will eventually lead to us paying for it as taxpayers. This is an excellent read of what might happen when sea levels rise and how much it'll cost us on an annual basis over the next 90 some years.
If we start acting now, we can overt certain cost and destruction. Its all about awareness and prevention though. So, if Republicans keep blocking these very important and very necessary steps, we, as an entire country will be sorry. That is another fact.
To conclude here today, regulating things like taxes and carbon emissions and health care and cutting out loop holes might be examples of big government. But its big government in a fiscally responsible way.
Denying people living wages while raising their taxes so you and your corporate financiers can profit, regulating women's health, marriage equality, cutting food assistance, social security and health and safety regulations though are also examples of big government. But this is big government in a very fiscally irresponsible way.
I wont deny that the fact that Democrats are more big government than anything but Republicans cant deny that they're big government either-which they do. Less spending does not necessarily mean more responsible. All of these issues above are proof of that. Sometimes you have to spend money to make money and even to save money. All political parties spend money. Republicans just don't want you to think they do. So they lie straight to your faces about it. I'll tell you this much, I'll take an honest party spending money on us, the people over a dishonest party spending money on only the rich, the richer and the richest any day of the week. If you consider yourself fiscally responsible, then you would too.
Sources:
http://m.thefiscaltimes.com/all/articles-2014-06-05-without-offshore-tax-havens-these-companies-would-owe-us-much
http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/04/opinion/rieckhoff-congress-military-vets/
http://www.positivemoney.org/issues/recessions-crisis/
http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/6338608
http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSBRE92D0PG20130314?irpc=932
http://qz.com/309339/what-us-taxpayers-paid-to-build-and-run-the-cias-torture-program/
http://news.yahoo.com/new-report--gitmo-costs-u-s---2-7-million-per-prisoner-134148004.html
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2014/07/07/benghazi-committee-33-million-republicans/12301935/
http://nypost.com/2014/11/23/gop-looking-to-discredit-benghazi-report-that-cleared-obama/
http://www.politicususa.com/2014/02/26/republican-irs-witch-hunt-cost-14-million-counting.html
http://www.statecolumn.com/2014/12/after-initial-investigation-white-house-cleared-of-irs-scandal-involvement/
http://m.dailykos.com/story/2014/05/01/1296215/-How-Much-Did-Republicans-Cost-You-With-Every-Single-Attempt-To-Repeal-Obamacare
http://time.com/61969/obamacare-cost/
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2014/03/21/the-house-has-voted-54-times-in-four-years-on-obamacare-heres-the-full-list/
http://www.collegedata.com/cs/content/content_payarticle_tmpl.jhtml?articleId=10064
http://www.denverpost.com/marijuana/ci_26247743/pot-revenues-starting-help-select-schools-pricey-projects
https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-bp-oil-spill
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/montana-oil-spill-renews-worry-safety-pipelines-28395233
http://m.thestar.com/
http://ecowatch.com/2014/02/11/coastal-flooding-sea-level-rise-cost-annually/
Liberals are for big government and Conservatives are for small government. The left just spends, spends, spends no matter what the cost. The right just cuts, cuts, cuts even when it hurts a majority of their constituents. Democrats give handouts which make people dependent on the government. Republicans give corporate handouts while killing the middle class.
These debates go on all the time. Not a day goes by that we don't hear about them on the news or read about them online. So, what's considered big and small government? What does it really mean to be fiscally responsible? And which party is actually more fiscally responsible? Well, let me answer these questions for you right now...
Small, fiscally responsible government IS NOT giving corporations billions of dollars each year just to stash away in offshore bank accounts avoiding taxation. And in the process not create American jobs that would drive our economy like they promised us they would.
It IS NOT raising taxes on the middle class, our veterans and the elderly while also cutting their pensions, benefits, social security and earned income/child tax credits at the same time just to make up for all of those corporate tax breaks. Keeping hard working Americans in poverty, forcing them onto government assistance is not fiscally responsible. Its greedy and it's un-American and shouldn't be stood for by any of us.
And it IS NOT blocking/voting down bills that regulate Wall Street and big banks-the establishments which led to our economic woes in the first place. The establishments that nearly drove us into a depression. For more on Wall Street and big banks checkout this good read from Positive Money titled "What Caused the Financial Crisis & Recession?"
This is also a good piece from the Huffington Post by Miles Mogulescu about Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts) and her uprising started by taking on Wall Street and the big banks. Although the call for Ms. Warren to step into the 2016 presidential race is strong and loud-as mentioned in the Huffington Post piece, I believe she is still much more valuable in the Senate-and will be for some time-fighting Wall Street and the big banks head on. She'll also be a good voice to keep Hillary in check when she becomes our 45th and 1st Madam President of the United States of America. In either case though, we need more politicians like Elizabeth Warren who truly understands what it means to be fiscally responsible.
Fiscally responsible, unlike the politicians who led us into the Iraqi War. Let me tell you all something, small, fiscally responsible government IS NOT spending six trillion and sacraficing 4500 American lives on a war that was based on blatant lies.
Small, fiscally responsible government IS NOT funding things like torture programs which cost us at least 380 million or prisons like Guantanamo Bay which cost us 454 million to operate in 2013. That is the equivalent of 2.7 million per prisoner as discussed in William Holt's article on Yahoo News. That is nearly a billion dollars for programs and a single detention center that our country condones yet still waste money on each year.
It IS NOT spending millions of dollars on these investigations into factitious scandals such as Benghazi. A factitious scandal created out of pure hatred and jealousy towards our president. And even after the administration was cleared of any wrong doing, Republicans began yet another Benghazi investigation. I believe this was the eighth or ninth investigation into the same exact incident. If you want to talk about wasteful spending you better be talking about the Republican Party. I wonder what the final cost will be once the GOP finally stops wasting our tax money on these pointless probes? And this is not even considering the millions spent on the IRS investigation in which the administration and Democratic Party were also cleared of any wrong doing as pointed out by Tom Sherman in his State Column piece.
And small, fiscally responsible government IS NOT spending millions each time they vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act. A law that regulates inhumane practices by insurance companies. A law that allows millions of people the opportunity to purchase health care. And not be denied because of pre-existing conditions. A law that has proven to not only be cheaper than originally thought but it also has not destroyed the economy as many Republicans tried scaring people into believing it would.
Funding wars of greed and oil, using millions of tax payer dollars on numerous Benghazi and IRS investigations along with throwing away money to try and repeal a law 50 times-over in a four year stretch as stated in Ed O'Keefe's article on the Washington Post website is not fiscally responsible. Especially when it is law that most Americans now support keeping in place. This is all wasteful spending to the fullest extent and is no way an example of small, fiscally responsible government.
And small, fiscally responsible government IS NOT cutting funding for public education just to put that money into private schools where yes, you guessed it, they, and their corporate buddies profit. Less funding for public schools, trying to force kids into paying for private school only results in overcrowded public school classrooms. Which means less quality education and less personal attention per student. Which means higher illiteracy rates and higher drop out rates. Which means poor opportunities for our youth and more government assistance paid for by higher taxes on the people who already cant afford their tax rates as it is.
And it IS NOT making college so expensive that its impossible for most kids to attend. And the ones who do attend are trapped with student loan debt until they're 50 years old. This is one of our nations biggest problems and would not be ignored by a fiscally responsible government.
Small, fiscally responsible governments would also not ignore things that would solve most, if not all of our country's monetary woes...such as legalizing marijuana. An act that would accumulate enough money to fund every school in the country. An act that would allow lottery profits to actually go towards schools. An act that could help provide two years of free community college to anybody that wants it. An act that would possibly create millions of new jobs. An act that would allow taxes set aside for infrastructure to actually go towards infrastructure. An act that would allow funding for any and all government programs. An act that would allow our country to not only balance our budget each year but to also operate in the black. An act that would undoubtedly pump billions of dollars into our economy and government on an annual basis. Opposing the legalization of marijuana is definitely not fiscally responsible.
And small, fiscally responsible government IS NOT building a pipeline through the center of our great country. A pipeline in which we do not receive any of the oil or the oil's profits. And lets be honest, any revenue we do actually see from the Keystone XL Pipeline will go directly towards the Koch Brothers puppet show known as the Republican led U.S. Congress. So, are we clear on this? A pipeline running through our country-carrying oil we don't get to use or sell for ourselves will surely end up costing us money in the long run. Costing tax payers in the long run. That is not fiscally responsible.
And never forget that pipeline accidents and oil spills can and will happen. They probably already happen more frequently than you think. Remember the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico? If not here are some reminders of the destruction caused by that disaster. And then, more recently is the Bridger Pipeline oil spill in Montana that dumped 50,000 gallons of oil into the Yellowstone river.
To take the risks associated with the Keystone Pipeline without seeing any of the benefits from the oil is so far from being fiscally responsible that it's unbelievable people are actually considering this pipeline good for our economy. Just take a look at TransCanada's safety record-the big oil company which would own the Keystone Pipeline and then tell me if you think building the pipeline is environmentally or fiscally responsible.
And keeping right in line with environmental issues, small, fiscally responsible government IS NOT denying science and global warming by blocking bills that would assure a nobble effort to reduce the likelihood of catastrophic events such as natural disasters and rising sea levels. Bills that reduce air, water and ground pollution. If Republicans keep ignoring these real problems and threats, then, in the long run, small government will be more costly than any big government research, programs, prevention or policies to stop the destruction of our planet.
Think about it. Rising sea levels alone will displace millions of people. Not just here at home but globally as well. And guess who's going to pay for it? Yes, the government. Which will eventually lead to us paying for it as taxpayers. This is an excellent read of what might happen when sea levels rise and how much it'll cost us on an annual basis over the next 90 some years.
If we start acting now, we can overt certain cost and destruction. Its all about awareness and prevention though. So, if Republicans keep blocking these very important and very necessary steps, we, as an entire country will be sorry. That is another fact.
To conclude here today, regulating things like taxes and carbon emissions and health care and cutting out loop holes might be examples of big government. But its big government in a fiscally responsible way.
Denying people living wages while raising their taxes so you and your corporate financiers can profit, regulating women's health, marriage equality, cutting food assistance, social security and health and safety regulations though are also examples of big government. But this is big government in a very fiscally irresponsible way.
I wont deny that the fact that Democrats are more big government than anything but Republicans cant deny that they're big government either-which they do. Less spending does not necessarily mean more responsible. All of these issues above are proof of that. Sometimes you have to spend money to make money and even to save money. All political parties spend money. Republicans just don't want you to think they do. So they lie straight to your faces about it. I'll tell you this much, I'll take an honest party spending money on us, the people over a dishonest party spending money on only the rich, the richer and the richest any day of the week. If you consider yourself fiscally responsible, then you would too.
Sources:
http://m.thefiscaltimes.com/all/articles-2014-06-05-without-offshore-tax-havens-these-companies-would-owe-us-much
http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/04/opinion/rieckhoff-congress-military-vets/
http://www.positivemoney.org/issues/recessions-crisis/
http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/6338608
http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSBRE92D0PG20130314?irpc=932
http://qz.com/309339/what-us-taxpayers-paid-to-build-and-run-the-cias-torture-program/
http://news.yahoo.com/new-report--gitmo-costs-u-s---2-7-million-per-prisoner-134148004.html
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2014/07/07/benghazi-committee-33-million-republicans/12301935/
http://nypost.com/2014/11/23/gop-looking-to-discredit-benghazi-report-that-cleared-obama/
http://www.politicususa.com/2014/02/26/republican-irs-witch-hunt-cost-14-million-counting.html
http://www.statecolumn.com/2014/12/after-initial-investigation-white-house-cleared-of-irs-scandal-involvement/
http://m.dailykos.com/story/2014/05/01/1296215/-How-Much-Did-Republicans-Cost-You-With-Every-Single-Attempt-To-Repeal-Obamacare
http://time.com/61969/obamacare-cost/
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2014/03/21/the-house-has-voted-54-times-in-four-years-on-obamacare-heres-the-full-list/
http://www.collegedata.com/cs/content/content_payarticle_tmpl.jhtml?articleId=10064
http://www.denverpost.com/marijuana/ci_26247743/pot-revenues-starting-help-select-schools-pricey-projects
https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-bp-oil-spill
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/montana-oil-spill-renews-worry-safety-pipelines-28395233
http://m.thestar.com/
http://ecowatch.com/2014/02/11/coastal-flooding-sea-level-rise-cost-annually/
Be sure to checkout my newest anti-Republican t-shirt design in my Zazzle store here!!!
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
State of the Union #SOTU
I gotta tell you guys something. All day yesterday, I had it in my head that today, I was going to blog about Presdent Obama's sixth State of the Union address. As I waited in anticipation, my excitement grew for what I might hear from our president. I had caught a few previews and clips of the speech and all the experts expected it to be a real doozy. I was totally ready. And I was totally ready to blog about it.
But then, I stumbled across a Facebook post on the page of Democratic Congressman, Dan Kildee-representing Michigan's 5th U.S. congressional district. The post asked his followers what they wanted to hear from the president in his second to last SOTU. Being a loyal follower and fan of Congressman Kildee, I, of course, commented what I wanted to hear. My post consisted of expressing hopes that President Obama would renew the push for sensible gun control and also to be reassured that he would veto the Keystone XL Pipeline bill after it passes through the Republican led Senate as expected. It passed the Republican led House earlier this month.
I wasn't thinking much about it afterwards until I received an alert from somebody responding to my comment. I wont mention this "Americans" name but I am going to share with you exactly what he had to say-with no editing on my part. Keep in mind that my comment was short and sweet and only made minor mention of the Keystone Pipeline. This was his response...
"Yor a idiot democrat or if you believe the OBAMA lies your a socialist !!
The only reason gas prices are low today are because of the shale deposits being fraked in Dakota !
Obama hasn't approved. 1 ounze of Oil on federal land it's all being done in private or state land !! If Keystone passes it will release AMERICA from OPEC oil control and OBAMA is not gonna let that happen since he financed ISIS that's right your president sent hundreds of millions of dollars to the Muslim Brotherhood
Who in turn gave all the money and military arms to ISIS that is your president !! He is a traitor and all the terrorism that is happening today has OBAMA's Name on it !!
Wake up you Fools"
Yup, that is precisely what went through my head as well. I could barely gather my own thoughts to respond back to him. I cant even remember what I typed in the cloud of stupidity that hung over me. I'm not even sure I want to remember. But after that cloud finally went away and after I was done responding to him I did what I always tell myself not to do. And just like it always does when I go on to read other peoples comments, the situation got worse. The same guy who responded to my own personal comment left a personal comment of his own-on the original post. This is what else he had to say-again, with no editing on my part...
"Are you people serious!! Who gives a shot about roads and bridges ! Or paying higher taxes ! That's Obamas agenda tax hikes ! What about the Americans who died in Bhengazi! Or the border patrols died in Fast and furious? Or the billions of dollars that went into the stimulus plan waisted on shovel ready Jobs it's all a LIE OBAMA is a big Lie to us the American people!! Kildee stand up for us the the American Voter who got you where you are !! I'm worried about Radical Islamic Muslim Terrorrism !! That is the biggest threat against Ameriac today !! Yet you or your OBAMA can't even say it !! iSLAMIC TERRORISM !! It's infaltrationg AMERICA as we speak ! Yet all of you liberal radical Democrats
Want to make sur you don't cross the politically correct Line !! Wake up you idiots ! Any Muslim Radical that wants to believe in the Karan is a enemy of America ! When the moderate Islamic MUSLiMS speak up against the radical Muslim terrorists is when this will stop!! So wake up Kildee wake up OBAMA !! Your all corrupt until you believe in the Contstitution of the United States of America your all Blinded by the OBAMA LiES !! When you go against American Military and of kids in uniform as OBAMA has done you know there is something wrong in Politics !!"
I mean, seriously? What is this guys deal? I'm honestly debating whether or not he has some sort of mental issue...like most of the other people who call themselves Tea Party Republicans. I really feel bad him. Those who are that oblivious to reality really need help. If you're part of the Tea Party please get the help you are so desperately in need of. Here's a hot line to help you.1-800-662-HELP. This is an actual hot line to SAMHSA-for substance abuse and mental health. I'm serious about getting you help.
Now, even after all that Facebook nonsense I was still stoked to blog about the SOTU. And after hearing what our leader had to say, I was for the most part, impressed. I'm glad it was mostly about the middle class-the people struggling the most today. I'm glad he called on congress to do what's right for the country and ALL the citizens of this country. I liked that he was confident and cocky, yet classy-the Obama that us Democrats and a whole lot of Republicans voted into office not just once, but twice. And there's more I liked about the speech too but I will admit that all the good stuff was overshadowed a bit by the fact that he didn't say anything about gun control or Amir Hekmati, former U.S. Marine from Flint, Michigan who has been imprisoned in Iran since 2011 on false accusations of being a spy for the CIA. And worst of all, for me anyway, is the fact that President Obama not one time mentioned vetoing the Keystone Pipeline XL bill. He made one short remark about the pipeline but to me, it wasn't reassuring enough that he would use executive action to kill this pointless proposal.
And then, all the Keystone drama from before the address had even begun and from Keystone being left out of the presidents speech was all topped off by Iowa's freshman Republican Senator, Joni Ernst going on national television and calling it the "Keystone Jobs Bill" and "Infrastructure Bill" during the official Republican response to the presidents SOTU.
All of the other lies in Joni Ernst rebuttal were mute to me after the blatant lie of calling the pipeline a "jobs bill". The Keystone XL Pipeline is a lot of things but in no way shape or form is it a "jobs bill" or an "infrastructure bill"-other than a Republican bank account infrastructure bill.
This pipeline may create thousands of temporary jobs. But that's it. Temporary. Not permanent. The permanent jobs may add up to a total of 50. That's all. Just 50 permanent jobs...at most...when it's all said and done.
Yes, those temporary jobs may spark the local economies while in the construction phase-hotels, stores, restaurants, etc. and that's only if the cost of living and inflation don't sky rocket during this phase. But then afterwards, what happens? Possibly a local recession and loss of numerous jobs? Yes, that is exactly what might happen.
And what does it really mean for the national economy? Republicans claim it will spark it and help it. People say it will lesson our dependency on foreign oil like we, as a country aren't already 75% energy independent. And the biggest crock of all being told by Republicans about the pipeline is that it will lower gas prices here in the states.
Let me put it to you guys like this...the Keystone XL Pipeline will be built through our country from the Canadian border to the Gulf of Mexico in Texas. Canadian oil (not American oil) will flow through the pipeline where it will be shipped out to China. We see NONE of the oil and NONE of the profits. Hell, Republicans don't even want to use American made steel to build the thing.
So, how it's going to help gas prices here in the states when all the oil is being shipped out of the states is beyond me. How it's going to help our national economy or our crumbling infrastructure is also beyond me. Considering the fact that any revenue actually produced from XL will be pocketed by The Koch Brothers and other politicians with personal investments in the pipeline like Speaker of the House, John Boehner and newly appointed Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell. Or used in the massive cleanup projects when the pipeline leaks-and it will leak. Kind of like the leak that just happened in Montana with the Bridger Pipeline which dumped 50,000 gallons of oil into the Yellowstone River where its residents water supply is now unsafe to drink and use.
So you see, essentially, XL will have no impact on our economy. But what it will most certainly impact is not just our own environment here on the homeland but also environments around the world. Especially in Canada where their dirty tar sands are already dumping carbon emissions into our ozone and water pollution into our ground.
Now, there are many reports out there on the environmental impacts of this pipeline in our own country. Some say the impacts will be minor. Others say the impacts are already being felt. Since there are strong arguments from both sides of the environmental issue here, I am going to post two links. One from each side. After you read them you can decide which stance you want to believe.
This is a site claiming major environmental impact of XL:
http://www.foe.org/projects/climate-and-energy/tar-sands/keystone-xl-pipeline
And this is a site claiming minor-no environmental impact of XL:
http://keystone-xl.com/keystone-xl-will-not-significantly-exacerbate-climate-change/
In my strong opinion, even if this pipeline doesn't add to global warming and global carbon emissions-like some claim, it will still have huge impacts on our environment. Land will be destroyed. Wildlife will be replaced and as stated before, it will only be a matter of time before this thing starts to leak and spray dirty oil onto our beautiful, majestic land, rivers, streams and lakes. And that is where the major environmental impacts and destruction will come from.
It's just not worth the risks. None of it is. Unless of course, you're a Republican or a Koch. But we cant just stop at denying this pipeline though. Canada is and has been shipping their dirty tar sands through our country via train rail for awhile now. Which is a completely different story and I will get to that story right after people get this pipeline out of their heads. I will not be 100% satisfied though until there is not one single drop of dirty Canadian oil running through this great country. Unless, it is actually going to safely and positively impact and benefit us.
So, as just stated, we must first stop this pipeline from being constructed. It's a waste of money. It's a waste of land. It's a waste of resources. It's a waste of our governments time when there are real problems and real solutions to those problems-both of which are being completely ignored by Congressional Republicans.
Ya know, after the midterms I wondered how some of these candidates on the right like Joni Ernst could have possibly pulled out victories in the House and Senate. But after watching her address last night and seeing all the strings attached to her arms, legs and mouth, the reasons are clear. Her puppet masters, the Koch Brothers spending tons of money through "Citizens United" to put all of those lies into campaign ads that falsely attack opposing candidates and discourage voters from exercising their voting rights.
Its very disheartening to openly see high up politicians ignoring everything that a majority of their constituents want because of what a very few rich people want. The really, really, really, really sad thing is that all of those Republican lies...those lies that were put out there by Joni Ernst last night, they resonate into the minds of the unfortunate, the uneducated and the ignorant-like the guy who responded to my comment yesterday. And they actually believe the propaganda spewed by Republican/Koch Brothers puppets including Fox "News".
It has got to stop. It has to be stopped. By politicians who are actually willing tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. By politicians who will proudly stand up and fight and do whats right for the entire country. By politicians who will compromise and just simply work together. Who will just simply do their jobs.
But it all starts with us, the people. It starts with us by not believing the propaganda. It starts with us by doing our own research. It starts with us by actually VOTING. And it starts with us by actually acting like...ya know....Americans. Let's all finally start doing our jobs again, America! Let's fix this great country that we all call home!
I'll leave you all with this one question to think about. How can we possibly expect politicians to do their jobs when we cant even do our own jobs?
Sources:
http://www.foe.org/projects/climate-and-energy/tar-sands/keystone-xl-pipeline
http://keystone-xl.com/keystone-xl-will-not-significantly-exacerbate-climate-change/
https://www.facebook.com/RepDanKildee/posts/859633850745940:0
http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-yellowstone-river-oil-spill-20150120-story.html
http://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
Be sure to also checkout my:
-Poetry and Pictures Blog
-Facebook
-Tweet Me @skbedtelyon
-Photo Portfolio on Shutterstock
But then, I stumbled across a Facebook post on the page of Democratic Congressman, Dan Kildee-representing Michigan's 5th U.S. congressional district. The post asked his followers what they wanted to hear from the president in his second to last SOTU. Being a loyal follower and fan of Congressman Kildee, I, of course, commented what I wanted to hear. My post consisted of expressing hopes that President Obama would renew the push for sensible gun control and also to be reassured that he would veto the Keystone XL Pipeline bill after it passes through the Republican led Senate as expected. It passed the Republican led House earlier this month.
I wasn't thinking much about it afterwards until I received an alert from somebody responding to my comment. I wont mention this "Americans" name but I am going to share with you exactly what he had to say-with no editing on my part. Keep in mind that my comment was short and sweet and only made minor mention of the Keystone Pipeline. This was his response...
"Yor a idiot democrat or if you believe the OBAMA lies your a socialist !!
The only reason gas prices are low today are because of the shale deposits being fraked in Dakota !
Obama hasn't approved. 1 ounze of Oil on federal land it's all being done in private or state land !! If Keystone passes it will release AMERICA from OPEC oil control and OBAMA is not gonna let that happen since he financed ISIS that's right your president sent hundreds of millions of dollars to the Muslim Brotherhood
Who in turn gave all the money and military arms to ISIS that is your president !! He is a traitor and all the terrorism that is happening today has OBAMA's Name on it !!
Wake up you Fools"
Yup, that is precisely what went through my head as well. I could barely gather my own thoughts to respond back to him. I cant even remember what I typed in the cloud of stupidity that hung over me. I'm not even sure I want to remember. But after that cloud finally went away and after I was done responding to him I did what I always tell myself not to do. And just like it always does when I go on to read other peoples comments, the situation got worse. The same guy who responded to my own personal comment left a personal comment of his own-on the original post. This is what else he had to say-again, with no editing on my part...
"Are you people serious!! Who gives a shot about roads and bridges ! Or paying higher taxes ! That's Obamas agenda tax hikes ! What about the Americans who died in Bhengazi! Or the border patrols died in Fast and furious? Or the billions of dollars that went into the stimulus plan waisted on shovel ready Jobs it's all a LIE OBAMA is a big Lie to us the American people!! Kildee stand up for us the the American Voter who got you where you are !! I'm worried about Radical Islamic Muslim Terrorrism !! That is the biggest threat against Ameriac today !! Yet you or your OBAMA can't even say it !! iSLAMIC TERRORISM !! It's infaltrationg AMERICA as we speak ! Yet all of you liberal radical Democrats
Want to make sur you don't cross the politically correct Line !! Wake up you idiots ! Any Muslim Radical that wants to believe in the Karan is a enemy of America ! When the moderate Islamic MUSLiMS speak up against the radical Muslim terrorists is when this will stop!! So wake up Kildee wake up OBAMA !! Your all corrupt until you believe in the Contstitution of the United States of America your all Blinded by the OBAMA LiES !! When you go against American Military and of kids in uniform as OBAMA has done you know there is something wrong in Politics !!"
I mean, seriously? What is this guys deal? I'm honestly debating whether or not he has some sort of mental issue...like most of the other people who call themselves Tea Party Republicans. I really feel bad him. Those who are that oblivious to reality really need help. If you're part of the Tea Party please get the help you are so desperately in need of. Here's a hot line to help you.1-800-662-HELP. This is an actual hot line to SAMHSA-for substance abuse and mental health. I'm serious about getting you help.
Now, even after all that Facebook nonsense I was still stoked to blog about the SOTU. And after hearing what our leader had to say, I was for the most part, impressed. I'm glad it was mostly about the middle class-the people struggling the most today. I'm glad he called on congress to do what's right for the country and ALL the citizens of this country. I liked that he was confident and cocky, yet classy-the Obama that us Democrats and a whole lot of Republicans voted into office not just once, but twice. And there's more I liked about the speech too but I will admit that all the good stuff was overshadowed a bit by the fact that he didn't say anything about gun control or Amir Hekmati, former U.S. Marine from Flint, Michigan who has been imprisoned in Iran since 2011 on false accusations of being a spy for the CIA. And worst of all, for me anyway, is the fact that President Obama not one time mentioned vetoing the Keystone Pipeline XL bill. He made one short remark about the pipeline but to me, it wasn't reassuring enough that he would use executive action to kill this pointless proposal.
And then, all the Keystone drama from before the address had even begun and from Keystone being left out of the presidents speech was all topped off by Iowa's freshman Republican Senator, Joni Ernst going on national television and calling it the "Keystone Jobs Bill" and "Infrastructure Bill" during the official Republican response to the presidents SOTU.
All of the other lies in Joni Ernst rebuttal were mute to me after the blatant lie of calling the pipeline a "jobs bill". The Keystone XL Pipeline is a lot of things but in no way shape or form is it a "jobs bill" or an "infrastructure bill"-other than a Republican bank account infrastructure bill.
This pipeline may create thousands of temporary jobs. But that's it. Temporary. Not permanent. The permanent jobs may add up to a total of 50. That's all. Just 50 permanent jobs...at most...when it's all said and done.
Yes, those temporary jobs may spark the local economies while in the construction phase-hotels, stores, restaurants, etc. and that's only if the cost of living and inflation don't sky rocket during this phase. But then afterwards, what happens? Possibly a local recession and loss of numerous jobs? Yes, that is exactly what might happen.
And what does it really mean for the national economy? Republicans claim it will spark it and help it. People say it will lesson our dependency on foreign oil like we, as a country aren't already 75% energy independent. And the biggest crock of all being told by Republicans about the pipeline is that it will lower gas prices here in the states.
Let me put it to you guys like this...the Keystone XL Pipeline will be built through our country from the Canadian border to the Gulf of Mexico in Texas. Canadian oil (not American oil) will flow through the pipeline where it will be shipped out to China. We see NONE of the oil and NONE of the profits. Hell, Republicans don't even want to use American made steel to build the thing.
So, how it's going to help gas prices here in the states when all the oil is being shipped out of the states is beyond me. How it's going to help our national economy or our crumbling infrastructure is also beyond me. Considering the fact that any revenue actually produced from XL will be pocketed by The Koch Brothers and other politicians with personal investments in the pipeline like Speaker of the House, John Boehner and newly appointed Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell. Or used in the massive cleanup projects when the pipeline leaks-and it will leak. Kind of like the leak that just happened in Montana with the Bridger Pipeline which dumped 50,000 gallons of oil into the Yellowstone River where its residents water supply is now unsafe to drink and use.
So you see, essentially, XL will have no impact on our economy. But what it will most certainly impact is not just our own environment here on the homeland but also environments around the world. Especially in Canada where their dirty tar sands are already dumping carbon emissions into our ozone and water pollution into our ground.
Now, there are many reports out there on the environmental impacts of this pipeline in our own country. Some say the impacts will be minor. Others say the impacts are already being felt. Since there are strong arguments from both sides of the environmental issue here, I am going to post two links. One from each side. After you read them you can decide which stance you want to believe.
This is a site claiming major environmental impact of XL:
http://www.foe.org/projects/climate-and-energy/tar-sands/keystone-xl-pipeline
And this is a site claiming minor-no environmental impact of XL:
http://keystone-xl.com/keystone-xl-will-not-significantly-exacerbate-climate-change/
In my strong opinion, even if this pipeline doesn't add to global warming and global carbon emissions-like some claim, it will still have huge impacts on our environment. Land will be destroyed. Wildlife will be replaced and as stated before, it will only be a matter of time before this thing starts to leak and spray dirty oil onto our beautiful, majestic land, rivers, streams and lakes. And that is where the major environmental impacts and destruction will come from.
It's just not worth the risks. None of it is. Unless of course, you're a Republican or a Koch. But we cant just stop at denying this pipeline though. Canada is and has been shipping their dirty tar sands through our country via train rail for awhile now. Which is a completely different story and I will get to that story right after people get this pipeline out of their heads. I will not be 100% satisfied though until there is not one single drop of dirty Canadian oil running through this great country. Unless, it is actually going to safely and positively impact and benefit us.
So, as just stated, we must first stop this pipeline from being constructed. It's a waste of money. It's a waste of land. It's a waste of resources. It's a waste of our governments time when there are real problems and real solutions to those problems-both of which are being completely ignored by Congressional Republicans.
Ya know, after the midterms I wondered how some of these candidates on the right like Joni Ernst could have possibly pulled out victories in the House and Senate. But after watching her address last night and seeing all the strings attached to her arms, legs and mouth, the reasons are clear. Her puppet masters, the Koch Brothers spending tons of money through "Citizens United" to put all of those lies into campaign ads that falsely attack opposing candidates and discourage voters from exercising their voting rights.
Its very disheartening to openly see high up politicians ignoring everything that a majority of their constituents want because of what a very few rich people want. The really, really, really, really sad thing is that all of those Republican lies...those lies that were put out there by Joni Ernst last night, they resonate into the minds of the unfortunate, the uneducated and the ignorant-like the guy who responded to my comment yesterday. And they actually believe the propaganda spewed by Republican/Koch Brothers puppets including Fox "News".
It has got to stop. It has to be stopped. By politicians who are actually willing tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. By politicians who will proudly stand up and fight and do whats right for the entire country. By politicians who will compromise and just simply work together. Who will just simply do their jobs.
But it all starts with us, the people. It starts with us by not believing the propaganda. It starts with us by doing our own research. It starts with us by actually VOTING. And it starts with us by actually acting like...ya know....Americans. Let's all finally start doing our jobs again, America! Let's fix this great country that we all call home!
I'll leave you all with this one question to think about. How can we possibly expect politicians to do their jobs when we cant even do our own jobs?
Sources:
http://www.foe.org/projects/climate-and-energy/tar-sands/keystone-xl-pipeline
http://keystone-xl.com/keystone-xl-will-not-significantly-exacerbate-climate-change/
https://www.facebook.com/RepDanKildee/posts/859633850745940:0
http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-yellowstone-river-oil-spill-20150120-story.html
http://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
Be sure to also checkout my:
-Poetry and Pictures Blog
-Tweet Me @skbedtelyon
-Photo Portfolio on Shutterstock
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)