Anyone who knows me knows that I am a huge baseball fan. I have followed and been a fan of the San Diego Padres since 1969, when I attended my first professional baseball game the first year the Padres entered the league. I suffered through many bad seasons, thoroughly enjoyed the 1984 season and whupping up on the Cubs and continue to root every day for my Padres. The strike of '94-'95 kinda' soured me but I came back because I think baseball is the truest sport in America. If you understand baseball, you'll understand life.
So it is with great distress that I find myself making the following commitment. I recently read that there is a movement to have the 2011 All-Star game moved from Arizona unless they repeal the recently passed immigration legislation.
In the wake of Arizona's new anti-immigration law, calls for repeal are coming from an unusual source: Major League Baseball players. Players are demanding the 2011 All-Star Game be moved from Phoenix, AZ unless the new law is repealed. (From moveon.org).
First of all, I don't believe for a minute that a majority of baseball players are calling for a repeal. There may be a few, but I'd bet money the majority of them either don't really care or they support the new law. Either way, I'm making the following commitment: If MLB and Commissioner Selig decide to move the game because of the law, I will:
a) No longer attend a major league game as long as Selig is commissioner,
b) Not purchase any official MLB merchandise as long as Selig is commissioner, or
c) Not access MLB.com or any website officially associated with MLB.com as long as Selig is commissioner.
I know my little personal boycott will have exactly zero effect on the game of baseball. But at least I'll be able to say I made a personal sacrifice to support something I really believe in. So Mr. Selig, it's up to you. You can let the game be played as scheduled or you can bow to the left-wing, whacked out liberals and move it. I suggest you man up and let them play in Arizona.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Another Obama telling quote
This line is from the official Fathers' Day proclamation sent out by Obama:
Nurturing families come in many forms, and children may be raised by a father and mother, a single father, two fathers, a step father, a grandfather, or caring guardian.
OK, fine. But I'm offended that he left out so many others. What about two fathers AND a mother, what about a father AND two mothers, what about three fathers, what about a father and a goat? So offensive that he would exclude so many.
Nurturing families come in many forms, and children may be raised by a father and mother, a single father, two fathers, a step father, a grandfather, or caring guardian.
OK, fine. But I'm offended that he left out so many others. What about two fathers AND a mother, what about a father AND two mothers, what about three fathers, what about a father and a goat? So offensive that he would exclude so many.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Pop Music and Paul
I've tapped my foot to many a Beatles and Paul McCartney song. Being a fan of pop music, they were the kings for many years. But I'll also be the first to admit, I've always liked the playfulness, sillyness and sometime ridiculousness of top-40 pop music. Remember 'Season in the Sun', 'Billy, Don't be a Hero' and 'Spiders and Snakes'? I love them all. And Paul McCartney's music fit right into that mode, as shallow as a California puddle in June. But his success got him a gig at the White House where he crooned to Michelle Obama. All was well until his comment, "After the last eight years, it's good to have a president that knows what a library is." He should really stick to just singing.
But then he did receive the 'Library of Congress Gershwin Award.' Boy, if we're going to give him that, we might as well give Obama a Nobel Peace Prize and Al Gore & Sean Penn an Academy Award. Oh wait .......
But then he did receive the 'Library of Congress Gershwin Award.' Boy, if we're going to give him that, we might as well give Obama a Nobel Peace Prize and Al Gore & Sean Penn an Academy Award. Oh wait .......
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Addicted to American Culture
Ya, I'll admit it. I'm hooked on American culture. Actually, I think I'm hooked on following American culture rather than the culture itself. I guess that's my attempt to be in the world but not of the world. So I was very interested in Entertainment Weekly's recent article on pop-culture characters of the last 20 years. From the introduction to their article:
To help celebrate Entertainment Weekly‘s 20th anniversary, the writers and editors have carefully curated a list of the 100 greatest characters in pop-culture over the last 20 years. Whether the fictional women, men, ogres, muppets, babies, and cartoon rockers who made our list were initially created before 1990 didn’t matter so long as they made a lasting impact in the culture after 1990.
Their complete list has 100 names, but the top three are:
#3: Buffy from Buffy the Vampire Slayer
#2: Harry Potter from the Harry Potter series
#1: Homer Simpson from The Simpsons
What do you think? Is Homer Simpson the greatest character in pop-culture over the last 20 years? And if he is, what does that say about the state of entertainment in America? Of course, these lists are made to try to get arguments started as everyone will have a different opinion. But there's not much to argue about here. The list is a sad statement of the decline of standards, principles and morals in our country. There are a couple of nice entries on the list, Woody from the Toy Story series (#25) and Napoleon Dynamite from Napoleon Dynamite (#88), but beyond that, there's not much to feel good about. Most either represent the sex (Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City), violence (Master Chief from the Halo series), or depravity (Eric Cartman from South Park) of our world. We wonder why there are so many problems in our world. Leave it to Entertainment Weekly to show us.
To help celebrate Entertainment Weekly‘s 20th anniversary, the writers and editors have carefully curated a list of the 100 greatest characters in pop-culture over the last 20 years. Whether the fictional women, men, ogres, muppets, babies, and cartoon rockers who made our list were initially created before 1990 didn’t matter so long as they made a lasting impact in the culture after 1990.
Their complete list has 100 names, but the top three are:
#3: Buffy from Buffy the Vampire Slayer
#2: Harry Potter from the Harry Potter series
#1: Homer Simpson from The Simpsons
What do you think? Is Homer Simpson the greatest character in pop-culture over the last 20 years? And if he is, what does that say about the state of entertainment in America? Of course, these lists are made to try to get arguments started as everyone will have a different opinion. But there's not much to argue about here. The list is a sad statement of the decline of standards, principles and morals in our country. There are a couple of nice entries on the list, Woody from the Toy Story series (#25) and Napoleon Dynamite from Napoleon Dynamite (#88), but beyond that, there's not much to feel good about. Most either represent the sex (Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City), violence (Master Chief from the Halo series), or depravity (Eric Cartman from South Park) of our world. We wonder why there are so many problems in our world. Leave it to Entertainment Weekly to show us.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
First the dentist, now the doctor
OK, it wasn't as painful, at least not physically. I went to the doctor today just to have blood drawn prior to my appointment next week. When I arrived, there wasn't anyone in the waiting room. There were three, count'em, three ladies sitting behind the glass. One checked me in while the other two discussed the final 'Lost' episode. I sat in the waiting room for about 20 minutes. No other patients came or went the whole time. Finally a nurse came out, looked around the room, then in a loud voice said, without looking at me, "Anthony?" What the heck, I'm the only one there! Who's she talking to? Anyway, we go back, she takes my blood, and I leave. I never saw another patient and mine was the only car in the parking lot. So my question is, why did I have to wait? Is it some kind of requirement that patients have to wait at least a few minutes just so they know who's in charge? Is there some medical reason for this? Why, oh why, do we always have to wait? I need to know.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Five Obama Quotes ....
.... is all I really need to know where he stands on issues, and he's wrong on every one.
1) "I think when you spread the wealth around it's good for everybody."
Now I'm all for everyone being wealthy, but not when you do it the Robin Hood way, by stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. I've lived in subsidized housing and I've used government provided health care. I used it to help pull me up so that I could take care of me and my family myself. And I don't mind helping out those less fortunate, but 99 weeks of unemployement?!?! Come on, let's teach these people how to fish instead of giving them a constant supply of seafood.
2) "I've got two daughters, 9 years old and 6 years old. I am going to teach them first of all about values and morals. But if they make a mistake, I don't want them punished with a baby."
Wow, I had never thought of children before as punishment for something. I guess in this case we should punish the baby by killing it? So let me get this right, if your daughter gets drunk and drives, then gets pulled over by the police, I guess you really don't want her to be punished with a ticket or higher insurance or traffic school. Is that right? We can make choices but we can't always control the consequences of those choices. It's called living and learning.
3) "It's not surpising, then, they get bitter, they cling to guns and religion...."
Yes, Mr. President, I do cling to religion, a religion that believes in God and that I am a child of God. I believe in self-worth, in self-reliance, in working hard, in prayer, in attending church meetings on Sunday, in keeping the sabbath day holy, in the holy scriptures, in Jesus Christ. I think the real question is, 'What do you cling to?'
4) "We cannot continue to rely only on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives that we've set. We've got to have a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded."
What in the flip is a civilian national security force? Be honest, what is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear that phrase? I think of Maria, in the Sound of Music. Remember her boyfriend, Rolf? A young man who had been brainwashed into following the Nazis. Call me crazy but it was the first thing I thought of.
5) "I know my country has not perfected itself. At times, we've struggled to keep the promise of liberty and equality for all of our people. We've made our share of mistakes, and there are times when our actions around the world have not lived up to our best intentions."
If Mr. Obama had said this in a cabinet meeting or within a private group in order to try to better our country, I would have been fine with it. But he is actually apologizing to the world, apologizing for us being the best nation on this planet in every respect. No country has accomplished more for the world, done more good for the world or sacrificed more for the world. We are a blessed nation and most Americans recognize that.
These are simply five quotes I've collected. There are many more. And I am fairly certain that there are many more to come. Are you listening?
1) "I think when you spread the wealth around it's good for everybody."
Now I'm all for everyone being wealthy, but not when you do it the Robin Hood way, by stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. I've lived in subsidized housing and I've used government provided health care. I used it to help pull me up so that I could take care of me and my family myself. And I don't mind helping out those less fortunate, but 99 weeks of unemployement?!?! Come on, let's teach these people how to fish instead of giving them a constant supply of seafood.
2) "I've got two daughters, 9 years old and 6 years old. I am going to teach them first of all about values and morals. But if they make a mistake, I don't want them punished with a baby."
Wow, I had never thought of children before as punishment for something. I guess in this case we should punish the baby by killing it? So let me get this right, if your daughter gets drunk and drives, then gets pulled over by the police, I guess you really don't want her to be punished with a ticket or higher insurance or traffic school. Is that right? We can make choices but we can't always control the consequences of those choices. It's called living and learning.
3) "It's not surpising, then, they get bitter, they cling to guns and religion...."
Yes, Mr. President, I do cling to religion, a religion that believes in God and that I am a child of God. I believe in self-worth, in self-reliance, in working hard, in prayer, in attending church meetings on Sunday, in keeping the sabbath day holy, in the holy scriptures, in Jesus Christ. I think the real question is, 'What do you cling to?'
4) "We cannot continue to rely only on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives that we've set. We've got to have a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded."
What in the flip is a civilian national security force? Be honest, what is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear that phrase? I think of Maria, in the Sound of Music. Remember her boyfriend, Rolf? A young man who had been brainwashed into following the Nazis. Call me crazy but it was the first thing I thought of.
5) "I know my country has not perfected itself. At times, we've struggled to keep the promise of liberty and equality for all of our people. We've made our share of mistakes, and there are times when our actions around the world have not lived up to our best intentions."
If Mr. Obama had said this in a cabinet meeting or within a private group in order to try to better our country, I would have been fine with it. But he is actually apologizing to the world, apologizing for us being the best nation on this planet in every respect. No country has accomplished more for the world, done more good for the world or sacrificed more for the world. We are a blessed nation and most Americans recognize that.
These are simply five quotes I've collected. There are many more. And I am fairly certain that there are many more to come. Are you listening?
Friday, May 21, 2010
Quit Clowning Around!
From http://www.chicagobreakingbusiness.com/:
A corporate watchdog group renewed its call for McDonald's to retire Ronald McDonald, hoping to build on momentum from a recent White House report recommending that food companies stop marketing junk food to children.Boston-based Corporate Accountability International, whose previous campaigns include the retirement of Joe Camel, held a protest in downtown Chicago on Wednesday that kicked off at Millennium Park and ended at the retro McDonald's restaurant at 600 N. Clark.
The group, consisting of about 20 protesters, also made a stop outside the Tribune Tower. Some members were dressed as clowns and held signs saying "Chicagoans for Retiring Ronald" and "Clowns for Retiring Ronald." Other activists were dressed as Joe Camel and the Marlboro Man.Corporate Accountability launched its campaign to retire Ronald McDonald in late March. The group is also planning to send representatives to McDonald's annual shareholder meeting on Thursday morning in Oak Brook, although it did not submit a shareholder's resolution on the matter for consideration. Instead, the group will try to get to the microphone during the open question-and-answer session and hand-deliver written comments from concerned consumers to executives."A resolution is a tactic we might employ in the future," said senior organizer Deborah Lapidus.
Oooooo, a resolution!?!? Scary?!?!
Point#1: Blaming Ronald for kids eating unhealthy food is like blaming Schwinn for kids having bike accidents. Ronald represents a lot of good things in this country and he should not be retired.
Point#2: In the realm of 'corporate accountability', if Ronald McDonald is the worst thing these people can find to object to, they need to get out more. I'll bet they've never protested a video game company for creating games like Grand Theft Auto or Halo, which also appeal to children but do far more damage than a happy meal.
Point #3: Too much of any food is not good and it is the parents that feed their children so if anyone is to blame, it is the parents. Parents who let their kids overeat at McDonalds are probably also doing other far more damaging things to their kids.
Point#4: The thing these liberal, left-leaning groups really don't like is that McDonalds is a very successful corporation that, through ingenuity and great marketing, makes millions of dollars each year. Get over it and leave Ronald alone. Go have a Big Mac on me.
A corporate watchdog group renewed its call for McDonald's to retire Ronald McDonald, hoping to build on momentum from a recent White House report recommending that food companies stop marketing junk food to children.Boston-based Corporate Accountability International, whose previous campaigns include the retirement of Joe Camel, held a protest in downtown Chicago on Wednesday that kicked off at Millennium Park and ended at the retro McDonald's restaurant at 600 N. Clark.
The group, consisting of about 20 protesters, also made a stop outside the Tribune Tower. Some members were dressed as clowns and held signs saying "Chicagoans for Retiring Ronald" and "Clowns for Retiring Ronald." Other activists were dressed as Joe Camel and the Marlboro Man.Corporate Accountability launched its campaign to retire Ronald McDonald in late March. The group is also planning to send representatives to McDonald's annual shareholder meeting on Thursday morning in Oak Brook, although it did not submit a shareholder's resolution on the matter for consideration. Instead, the group will try to get to the microphone during the open question-and-answer session and hand-deliver written comments from concerned consumers to executives."A resolution is a tactic we might employ in the future," said senior organizer Deborah Lapidus.
Oooooo, a resolution!?!? Scary?!?!
Point#1: Blaming Ronald for kids eating unhealthy food is like blaming Schwinn for kids having bike accidents. Ronald represents a lot of good things in this country and he should not be retired.
Point#2: In the realm of 'corporate accountability', if Ronald McDonald is the worst thing these people can find to object to, they need to get out more. I'll bet they've never protested a video game company for creating games like Grand Theft Auto or Halo, which also appeal to children but do far more damage than a happy meal.
Point #3: Too much of any food is not good and it is the parents that feed their children so if anyone is to blame, it is the parents. Parents who let their kids overeat at McDonalds are probably also doing other far more damaging things to their kids.
Point#4: The thing these liberal, left-leaning groups really don't like is that McDonalds is a very successful corporation that, through ingenuity and great marketing, makes millions of dollars each year. Get over it and leave Ronald alone. Go have a Big Mac on me.
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