The 'Gotcha' question

I read an article today how Matt Lauer prefaced a question to VP Joe Biden by saying "This is not meant to be a 'gotcha' question..." He proceeded to ask what he (Biden) thought about flying to Mexico. Biden proceeded to put in his mouth (again) anyway by replying he thought it was a terrible idea to take planes and subways and go anywhere. Essentially inducing panic and not helping the airline industry a whit and making people not take the subways due to a virus that hasn't infected more than like a hundred people in the US. Clearly with a population of 50 million plus that seems like death defying odds to go on the subway. Not. Isn't he supposed to promote calm and collected opinions? Not panic driven drivel.

However, to me the worst part of the interview was the fact that Lauer had to preface the question. What? Has the media become so ingrained into politics/money/etc that they can't even conduct an interview? Isn't the point of an interview to get some information that otherwise might not have been said or asked. Politicians can schedule a press conference to say whatever they want all the time- its only the stuff they don't want to admit or don't want to talk about that the average person wants to find out. Shame on Lauer for bending to that pressure and not having the reporting gumption to ask the hard questions and not apologize for them. That's his job- not pushing policies through fluffball questions. Whatever credibility NBC news pretends to have is rapidly disappearing with this cast of characters. Reporters report- they aren't supposed to be a puppet to politics.

Fore!

Its my second time out for the golf team this year, last time was rather a disappointment. I bogeyed the first, then sunk a 35 footer for bird on the second, backed it up with a respectable bogey (I was in the woods with no chance of getting to the green) so I was 1 over after 3, I missed a 4 footer for par to drop another stroke and then it was just all downhill. I hit the green with my approach shot and it shot off the green into basically a hole. I could only hit the top half of the ball. Doubled that, par'd the next then just never got 2 shots back to back. It was frustrating. But this time I'm pumped and have a plan, the plan is to do better =). Stay tuned.

Speaking of frustrating it was great night in NY sports. The Rangers were eliminated, the Mets lost (again) - they get close to .500 then just lose. Its just what they do. But the prize goes to the Devils. Up by 1 with less than 2 minutes to go, they first give up the tying goal with a 1min 30 left, then let in the winning goal with 46 seconds left. How is that possible? How could they just fall asleep like that? A game seven, two minutes and the lead; and not even make it to OT? Wow....

Golf League!

I joined the golf league this year, and have my first match today. I will lose. No its not that I'm a terrible golfer but for the first three matches I have to establish a handicap. In other words unless I shoot even par (or better), I basically have no chance of winning. Which honestly is pretty much a little frustrating. Not that I go into a round thinking "well if I double here and bogey here I might have one birdie on 8..." No I plan to shoot like 9 under for 9, that just has never happened. The course is nice, though I haven't played in over two weeks now so I'm a tad nervous. I tried to get to the range on at least half dozen occasions during that time- every time it rained. However, today is supposed to be just fantastic so that seems poetic justice.

Mets lost again last night, the team just has no heart, that and they can't score a run to save their lives...

When information is too much

I don't like the idea of torture, it makes my skin crawl to a degree. But there comes a point when I don't know what releasing these documents as the Obama administration does. I appreciate that he is trying to distance himself from the Bush administration, and I know that he was adamant about closing Guantanamo because he thought it was being used as a recruiting tool, but isn't it sometimes better to let sleeping dogs lie? Privately reprimand the people who let the torture get out of control, but don't cast it out and let the world see how bad it was. I just don't see how any good can come of this- only further embarrassment. Not to mention the morale issue, these are volunteer service people- not contractors, not well paid, many do it out of patriotism, and that will be damaged if they become publicly embarrassed. Isn't the outrage from that a much larger recruiting tool for terrorism than a prison where 'alleged' things happened? I thought there was an unwritten code that Presidents didn't actively embarrass former presidents or something like that, and it seems Obama does whatever he wants to do; and usually the exactly opposite. I understand he wants to be his own man, but its still the same country, and a certain amount of pride should be taken with that. I don't want my president shaking hands a smiling like a chum with a dictator who called your predecessor 'Satan', and took every moment he could to jeer and blame America. I don't like that and I don't want it to happen again. By doing so I think you are condoning the public humiliation of the Presidency, and legitimising a professed 'revolutionary' against the United States. Its time Obama grows up and acts tough on something other than the former administration. So far this isn't change to believe in; its been blame to relive in.

Baseball Update

Yes here it is; the first time I have been in first place in this league in two years. My team is playing very well (albeit probably over their heads) but I'll take some satisfaction from managing them to this position. Now I just need to hold on for a few more months.

My Mets continue to disappoint scoring zero runs and relying too heavily on pitching, which thank goodness they have been getting some, but still, get a hit with men on people please. The whole team swings for the fences anytime they need a single; so frustrating. Also David Wright learn to do an interview, you say the same thing every time, get angry for once call some people out- that's you job as a leader of the team. I am so sick of every time I hear him "We hit the ball well today, we just couldn't get the big hit to drive in runs." No kidding. How bout this instead; we need to look to get the hits that drive in runs, we need to manufacture runs, we can't be looking to go yard every time up. Tatis needs to bunt 1st and 2nd nobody out in the 7th no excuses. Something like that. Its very hard to swallow that the team is doing almost everything right when they win only half their games.

The News debate continues

http://omg.yahoo.com/news/ashton-kutcher-becomes-first-twitter-member-to-net-1-million-followers/21414?nc

So after questioning CNN's reporting on NOT following the tea-parties the other day Yahoo's front page is the above article. In which it claims during the final hours it (CNN) was actively trying to recruit people to its Twitter site during the broadcast!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!? I hope this was mostly done in jest and fun- but really? This is more news than citizens voicing their opinions on a pretty major issue? I have my doubts. I don't have Twitter, and to be fair I don't care to know about it. I get enough updates that hardly affect my life on facebook, I don't need them on my phone too. And I really don't care what Ashton Kutcher is doing daily either so the whole thing is just odd to me. I just don't see how this is news. Anyone with me on this?

Also in a follow-up to the wide gap (chasm?) between the far left media CNBC, the left CNN and the right FOX has ironically left the middle point far from any of them but in the middle. (Oh and I don't buy the 'Oh I only get my news from the BBC, they have no agenda.' BS... they are owned by a Saudi sheik, that's why their reports seem tempered (particularly related to Muslim/Middle Eastern relations) but harsh on other governments.) Anyway my personal opinion is the only well informed person is the one that takes from each and formulates their own opinion, its math; average the sources and you have probably the most accurate data from which to base an opinion. That too could be why the networks have taken such dramatic views; its a matter of survival. There is so much info on the Internet now, people have access to information that the evening news was once the sole provider of. That's why its really not news on the so-called news channels anymore- its entertainment.

Two Tea Party Takes

http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20090415/pl_politico/21275

I watched with some amusement yesterday as the 'Tea Parties' were run all over the country yesterday on tax day- did you pay yours?; Or if you are in the Obama cabinet just another day not too =P. Sorry its too easy- but seriously it was good to see that the President was paying his taxes- all told over 800k, must be nice.
To the tea, as the article mentioned the disparity in the coverage was stark, which is sad because this was 'news' I mean it actually was something real- spread out over a whole bunch of cities certainly more important than the majority of the 'news' out there. I thought it was exciting that people were motivated enough to do something, and voice opinions. And that's good, that's the core fundamental belief of our society. And I agree that I think the spending is out of control; again I'm not naive to the point that I think the better solution is to do nothing, but the precedent has been set; there are haves and have nots. Banks are haves, automakers are have nots (they were almost have's), Fannie Mae is a have, AIG- huge have, corner bakery is a have not. The average worker sees this and senses its unfair but has no outlet so they go to this tea-party. So that is news and it should be covered- and not mocked like the article says the anchors did on several networks. That's just juvenile. And Olberman is just a clown anyway- he can be funny- that's why hes still maintaining a job, but to call him a journalist is an insult to journalists everywhere. Just because they have a pulpit doesn't give them the right to abuse it; and that goes both ways. Now there are two schools of thought in the article, the fact that Fox overhyped it- to the point where several of its point people were 'on site' that to is too much. If the 'show' has a bias ala Olberman or Hannity- they should be allowed to say whatever they want really- they are PAID for their opinions and entertainment value. But the disparity really shows how far left and right the news organisations have become, and that is the more unfortunate part. Its when it broaches into 'news' this was news, now show us the dog that survived falling over Niagara falls.....

Ron Paul takes on Pirates

http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20090415/pl_politico/21245

Personally I think its a great idea- albeit one that could quite easily get out of control. Lets not forget Captain Kidd was once a paid captain in her majesty's navy- as a privateer. Until he found (through not finding pirates) that attacking traders paid better. On the other side I'm sure the bounties for pirate hunting could be decent and companies like the former Blackwater group (I think they are now XE?) have plenty of mercenaries who would have fun chasing pirates around. If nothing else it would limit the use of the US Navy who deserve better than floating around without proper authority to attack the pirates due to idiotic laws and restrictions. The press has been having fun saying the pirates have 'challenged the US Navy' and created a 'standstill'- no that would not be the pirates that would be the UN, EU, and international court who are severely lacking proper laws regarding chasing piracy.

Blog vs Baseball

I noticed that my posts have been getting shorter and fewer and far between. There is a reason for this. Its called Fantasy baseball. The time I used to have for the blog has been drained by checking stats and matchups and other such things... and this will go on for a while.... In a twist however the posts I have made have been more upbeat and less political; which makes sense however; Baseball is a form of entertainment, it makes us feel good, it takes us away for a while to simplify what we have. Like watching the Mets Christen their new stadium by first tying the game up on a three run homer from David Wright, then the next inning blowing it and losing the game by balking.... yes balking in the winning run for the other team. Only the Mets. It looks like its going to be another year and more frustration... then again I could be a Cubs fan anyway I think the Mets will be fine for the short term once they decide to win games. On the plus side I am very happy with my fantasy team, If Pelfrey didn't lay an egg last night I could have had 3 wins ~30k's and a very low era... (everyone else had 0.00) Not to mention I had some good rbi totals... I think I might be back into second today. =)

When Work Gets Rough

At work yesterday I had a pretty rough day. Politics unfortunately played a major role and that is frustrating. Not like party politics- but the politics of the the office. There is a saying that *hit flows downhill, and its true, so when you are towards the bottom of the food chain and things go bad- they go very bad. In a twist from the public opinion the problems go up. Say the actual government, who do people blame for their problems? Usually the President, the Congress, Senate, state and local governments. Or if a company goes bad the board of directors or CEO gets blamed (often deservedly).

Its also a bit like the game 'telephone.' Do you remember? Someone starts and whispers into the person next to them, their ear and so on. The last person then says what they interpreted it to be, often to a humorous result. (Madagascar II) had a great part with telephone. (It was also a great movie so you should see it if you haven't) Anyway the short end is that people only hear what they want to hear, so in my case a seemingly innocent observation got hideously blown out of proportion to the point like a vice president of engineering heard about it and chaos follows. IE Not good.

Sorry this was a crummy blog, I'm still not in a great mood. =P
PS I am 3rd in my two fantasy baseball leagues!

Baseball is Back!

There is nothing, and I mean nothing that signifies summer is here more than baseball. Suddenly there is a game every night, fantasy stats daily, roster moves by the minute. Its awesome. It also makes me crave a hotdog with chili and cheese. Since Sports Illustrated already jinxed the Mets, it could be a tough year. If you follow the Mets you will realize that the past two years have been not only tough but brutal years. Speaking of which does anyone actually read Sports Illustrated anymore? We used to get it, but stopped years ago. Lets face it, I get some monthly magazines and STILL can't finish them before the next month comes around- who needs a weekly sports mag? Its all about the internet now- instant gratification, as I sit hear I have some boxscores updating as I type and my fantasy baseball teams are instantly showing stats. I can get a full recap minutes after the last out. That is some progress. I just don't even see the name anymore, and it used to be the epitomy of sports reporting. Now its just a dinosaur awaiting a slow extinction.

How is this Possible?

This is frightening. In fact it even borders on insanity in my opinion. While we hear that the healthcare system is broken all the time now, and that a Government sponsored healthcare is not only better but required; I can't help but hesitate. The people in this article in my opinion are just abusing the system- to be fair there may not be another option. But if this an accurate tally for hospitals across the nation then about 1000 people or so represent about 300 million in five years- charged to medicare/medicaid. So where's my slice of the pie? According to those ratio's I could be eligible for $300,000 in procedures and healthcare. Obviously I'm not really serious, but the fact is that people will abuse the systems- and more will abuse it once(if) the Government takes over healthcare. The line will be 'I pay taxes' which its hard to disagree then that that person shouldn't be eligible for their 'share.' And that 'share' will be the afore mentioned 300,000 on a 30-40k salary. Allow me some grossly simplified math, 5 years (10k) taxes = 50k, of that 50k 20% to healthcare (grossly high) = 10k so 300k-10k=290k in the RED per person every five years.

Short story in my opinion is then if we haven't already driven the truck off the financial cliff already with the bailouts and wars, then Government regulated healthcare surely is the death knell. I have yet to see a model where it truly works. But I don't have a better solution either so don't bother asking.

Why the Blog has been silent

So I haven't been able to post recently because when I went skydiving the other day my chute went so far wide of the landing zone I really had no idea where I was. Upon getting stuck in a tree I had to befriend a small squirrel who after several days of starving- and attempting to communicate with the furry thing I convinced it to chew through the material. I can tell you waiting and feeling each strand go as I dropped minutely lower second by second was agonizing in the least. Not to mention the insane craving I had for a cheeseburger. Finally enough of the chute was released that it ripped and I tumbled about 20 inches to the ground. I set off in hopes of finding civilization when I was suddenly aware that the squirrel had made off with my wallet. With no ID nor money I wandered the streets only to come across a burger joint. However, with no money I was forced to walk by it, and kept on walking until I found my way home, where I had a cheeseburger and was able to blog again.

April Fools