Despite ESPN's continuous reports that both sides are "very close to a deal", the NFL lockout continues. We hear about workouts organized by players themselves--trying to stay in game shape and to work on offensive timing. Well, if the two sides aren't as close as those who absolutely depend on having games every Sunday hope and pray they are, I have a suggestions for those idled NFL players: Join Team USA for the Rugby World Cup.
Those of us who enjoy rugby here in the US have wondered for years what would happen if they guys tearing it up in the NFL gave up the helmets and pads and decided to take up rugby. The US is considered a "sleeping giant" within the sport--but the lack of big money opportunities here--and practically no TV exposure of rugby--there doesn't appear to be much urgency to "wake up."
But the NFL lockout provides the perfect opportunity to show just how awesome we could be if our elite athletes took on the best of the rest of the world. Think about the lineup Team USA could roll out. Chris Johnson from the Tennessee Titans at Flanker. The fastest man in the NFL would be practically untouchable on the rugby pitch--outrunning everyone to the outside and using lethal cutback moves to get into the clear for easy Touches. Throw in guys like Maurice Jones-Drew from Jacksonville and Adrian Petersen from the Vikings (provided he can hang on to the ball and avoid knock-ons) at the wings and Team USA would spend much of the day running up and down the field racking up the points.
Add in about eight or nine linebackers to play as Centers, Scrum Halfs and Fullbacks and I doubt Team USA would ever be scored upon. You think anyone not wearing protective equipment wants to get anywhere near Ray Lewis from the Ravens or James Harrison of the Steelers? And think of the instant "sexiness" that will be attributed to rugby when the ladies get a look at Clay Matthews Jr's flowing blonde locks--unfettered by a helmet--as he runs down and punishes a Fly-Half from England forcing a turnover in their own end.
With Team USA's unbeatable speed in the back and the outside, we can load up our Locks and Props with 380-pound offensive and defensive linemen and pretty much guarantee that we win possession in every ruck and maul. Throw in Adam Vinatieri (the greatest clutch kicker in the history of the NFL) to handle all tries for goal and put Peyton Manning at Fly Half to direct the attack and I don't think anyone stays within 50 of the US. Unfortunately, the best potential rugger in the NFL--Troy Polomalu--won't be able to join our team. He's Samoan--meaning he would be joining one of the strongest teams in the world already.
So what do you say Locked Out NFL Stars, why don't you don the Red, White and Blue and show the rest of the world just how tough really you are by destroying the field at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand starting on September 1st? Right now, it doesn't look like you'll being doing anything that month.
Oh, and Soon-To-Be-Locked Out NBA Stars, this might be a good time to call about USA Team Handball tryouts. I'm getting a little tired of the Czechs and the Poles dominating in that sport.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
So Now What Happens?
Despite what many thought, the state's new collective bargaining law has gone into effect--and the sun still came up this morning. The first day in the rest of the history of Wisconsin is here and the big question is: "Now what happens?"
I'll be interested to see just how "draconian" this law turns out to be. I think the effect will be very parochial--with the determination coming from what kind of local leaders we elect. We got a bit of a foreshadowing of that with the way many school boards, city councils and county boards rushed to sign one year extensions of current contracts with their unions--thereby voluntarily foregoing the "tools" included in the bill to lower expenses.
For county employees, much of the impact will be determined by County Executives and Administrators. It's a pretty safe bet that Winnebago, Outagamie and Dane county employees will be "protected" by their left-leaning bosses--while more conservative leaders in Fond du Lac, Waukesha most of Northern Wisconsin will be even more frugal.
City employees will probaby face the tightest purse strings. Most councils are made up of local business owners who are familiar with working with budgets and controlling expenses--while many Mayors worked in the private sector as well. Here in Oshkosh, with the influence of the university and "political activists" currently on the Council, I doubt such cost-savings will be aggressively sought.
The safest harbor for public employees now will likely be school districts. Let's just say that sympathy for the "plight" of the union worker runs strongest with superintendents and on school boards throughout the state. Consider the Green Bay School Board earlier this week falling all over each other to "apologize" for requiring teachers to stay an extra half hour a day for collaboration. Shouldn't they have learned from the far more "enlightened" Oshkosh School District that the way to improve education isn't to keep teachers in the building longer--but rather to send the kids home earlier? And speaking of the Oshkosh School Board, it's a pretty safe bet that, again, with the University and union leadership influence it will make sure that things remain "fair" for 1400 "inside" the system--and not so much for the 70-thousand on the "outside".
So what will be the impact of the collective bargaining law for the vast majority of us in Wisconsin? I guess we'll find out every December when we get our property tax bills--and every April 15th when we pay our state income taxes.
I'll be interested to see just how "draconian" this law turns out to be. I think the effect will be very parochial--with the determination coming from what kind of local leaders we elect. We got a bit of a foreshadowing of that with the way many school boards, city councils and county boards rushed to sign one year extensions of current contracts with their unions--thereby voluntarily foregoing the "tools" included in the bill to lower expenses.
For county employees, much of the impact will be determined by County Executives and Administrators. It's a pretty safe bet that Winnebago, Outagamie and Dane county employees will be "protected" by their left-leaning bosses--while more conservative leaders in Fond du Lac, Waukesha most of Northern Wisconsin will be even more frugal.
City employees will probaby face the tightest purse strings. Most councils are made up of local business owners who are familiar with working with budgets and controlling expenses--while many Mayors worked in the private sector as well. Here in Oshkosh, with the influence of the university and "political activists" currently on the Council, I doubt such cost-savings will be aggressively sought.
The safest harbor for public employees now will likely be school districts. Let's just say that sympathy for the "plight" of the union worker runs strongest with superintendents and on school boards throughout the state. Consider the Green Bay School Board earlier this week falling all over each other to "apologize" for requiring teachers to stay an extra half hour a day for collaboration. Shouldn't they have learned from the far more "enlightened" Oshkosh School District that the way to improve education isn't to keep teachers in the building longer--but rather to send the kids home earlier? And speaking of the Oshkosh School Board, it's a pretty safe bet that, again, with the University and union leadership influence it will make sure that things remain "fair" for 1400 "inside" the system--and not so much for the 70-thousand on the "outside".
So what will be the impact of the collective bargaining law for the vast majority of us in Wisconsin? I guess we'll find out every December when we get our property tax bills--and every April 15th when we pay our state income taxes.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Truth In Advertising
Last week, I talked about a couple of ads that I enjoyed and felt were very effective. Today, I want to talk about an ad that is just plain wrong and is a joke.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGnE83A1Z4U
Something called the "Agenda Project" is running an viral internet ad campaign in opposition to the Paul Ryan budget proposal. It shows a boyish looking man with thick black hair (obviously a representation of Ryan) pushing an elderly woman in a wheelchair over a cliff. It then encourages you to call Paul Ryan and other Republicans to complain about efforts to rein in entitlement spending.
OK Agenda Project, I'll admit I chuckled the first couple of times I watched the ad--but now let's make a real commercial:
The scene opens with a couple in their early sixties (the man is wearing an "I'm AARP and I Vote" t-shirt, the woman has on her peace symbol t-shirt). They are driving along in a convertible with the top down. The sun is shining, the wind is blowing through her hair and they look so happy. Slowly, the camera pans out to show the front end of the vehicle--and we see that they are driving a beautiful 1965 Chevy Impala SS with the license plate "MY IRA".
Then the camera pans to the rear of the vehicle and we see a forty-something, a twenty something and a toddler in the back seat--all with a terrorized look on their face. They are screaming for help and waving their arms--begging the couple up front to "TURN, TURN, TURN YOU IDIOTS!!!!!!!!!!!"
As the camera pans out further, we see the Impala is hurtling towards a cliff--and that there is no chance the car will be able to stop in time. We then cut to the famous final scene from Thelma and Louise, as we hear the couple driving the Impala yell out "AT LEAST WE GOT OURS, SUCKERS!!!!!" and finish with the giant fireball explosion at the bottom of the canyon from pretty much any episode of the A-Team.
Now THAT, would be an ad that correctly sums up the Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security situtation. If you need someone to play the 40-somthing screaming in the backseat I'll volunteer to be in the commercial. Like Buck Owens said "All I'll have to do is Act Naturally".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGnE83A1Z4U
Something called the "Agenda Project" is running an viral internet ad campaign in opposition to the Paul Ryan budget proposal. It shows a boyish looking man with thick black hair (obviously a representation of Ryan) pushing an elderly woman in a wheelchair over a cliff. It then encourages you to call Paul Ryan and other Republicans to complain about efforts to rein in entitlement spending.
OK Agenda Project, I'll admit I chuckled the first couple of times I watched the ad--but now let's make a real commercial:
The scene opens with a couple in their early sixties (the man is wearing an "I'm AARP and I Vote" t-shirt, the woman has on her peace symbol t-shirt). They are driving along in a convertible with the top down. The sun is shining, the wind is blowing through her hair and they look so happy. Slowly, the camera pans out to show the front end of the vehicle--and we see that they are driving a beautiful 1965 Chevy Impala SS with the license plate "MY IRA".
Then the camera pans to the rear of the vehicle and we see a forty-something, a twenty something and a toddler in the back seat--all with a terrorized look on their face. They are screaming for help and waving their arms--begging the couple up front to "TURN, TURN, TURN YOU IDIOTS!!!!!!!!!!!"
As the camera pans out further, we see the Impala is hurtling towards a cliff--and that there is no chance the car will be able to stop in time. We then cut to the famous final scene from Thelma and Louise, as we hear the couple driving the Impala yell out "AT LEAST WE GOT OURS, SUCKERS!!!!!" and finish with the giant fireball explosion at the bottom of the canyon from pretty much any episode of the A-Team.
Now THAT, would be an ad that correctly sums up the Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security situtation. If you need someone to play the 40-somthing screaming in the backseat I'll volunteer to be in the commercial. Like Buck Owens said "All I'll have to do is Act Naturally".
Monday, June 27, 2011
Disorder In the Court
What the hell is going on with the Wisconsin Supreme Court? A Justice accused of choking another judge? The alleged victim accused of charging the alleged offender? The alleged attacker admitting to calling the alleged victim a "bitch"? Is this State Supreme Court or WWE RAW?
As a sports fan, I know that sometimes a little clubhouse fight is actually good for a team--getting rid of some hard feelings and frustrations. But the Supreme Court is not the 1978 New York Yankees with Reggie Jackson and Billy Martin duking it out in the shower. It is a court of law and this behavior needs to stop immediately!!
Justice David Prosser is claiming that once the "facts come out" it will be found that he did not choke Justice Ann Walsh Bradley. Unfortunately, Prosser is providing some conflicting accounts of what happened--as the initial version included "palyful hands to the throat" switching in later statements to "no contact at all".
One thing should be clear, if there was any physical contact, Justice Prosser has to go. Immediate resignation--do not pass Go, do not collect $200. GONE. There is absolutely no place for physical contact between two co-workers--especially contact that can construed as life-threatening. And if Justice Prosser's initial version of the incident is true--"She came at me in a rage, I 'playfully' put my hands around her neck" then Justice Bradley has to go as well. No matter how nasty the debate--rushing your opponent is unacceptable as well. And if it turns out that none of this happened at all--then Justice Bradley still has to go--since she was the one who went running to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel to level the accusations. Even if she is "slightly exaggerating" the situation, her allegations have cast such doubt on the ability of the high court to do its job that she will have to step down to ensure public trust can be restored.
The Capitol Police Chief is scheduled to hold a press conference today to provide the details that his department has been able ascertain. Let's hope that there is full disclosure--regardless of whom it might embarrass--so that we can rid the court of "problem children" and get back to doing what we actually elect them to do.
As a sports fan, I know that sometimes a little clubhouse fight is actually good for a team--getting rid of some hard feelings and frustrations. But the Supreme Court is not the 1978 New York Yankees with Reggie Jackson and Billy Martin duking it out in the shower. It is a court of law and this behavior needs to stop immediately!!
Justice David Prosser is claiming that once the "facts come out" it will be found that he did not choke Justice Ann Walsh Bradley. Unfortunately, Prosser is providing some conflicting accounts of what happened--as the initial version included "palyful hands to the throat" switching in later statements to "no contact at all".
One thing should be clear, if there was any physical contact, Justice Prosser has to go. Immediate resignation--do not pass Go, do not collect $200. GONE. There is absolutely no place for physical contact between two co-workers--especially contact that can construed as life-threatening. And if Justice Prosser's initial version of the incident is true--"She came at me in a rage, I 'playfully' put my hands around her neck" then Justice Bradley has to go as well. No matter how nasty the debate--rushing your opponent is unacceptable as well. And if it turns out that none of this happened at all--then Justice Bradley still has to go--since she was the one who went running to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel to level the accusations. Even if she is "slightly exaggerating" the situation, her allegations have cast such doubt on the ability of the high court to do its job that she will have to step down to ensure public trust can be restored.
The Capitol Police Chief is scheduled to hold a press conference today to provide the details that his department has been able ascertain. Let's hope that there is full disclosure--regardless of whom it might embarrass--so that we can rid the court of "problem children" and get back to doing what we actually elect them to do.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Know Your Americans
It's time to play a new game here on My Two Cents. I like to call it "Know Your Americans". I'll give you demographic information provided by the 2010 Census--and you try to guess what population group I'm talking about.
Kind of gives you a new perspective on what it means to be poor in the US doesn't it? 43% of families living in poverty own their own houses. 31% drive two vehicles. 25% were somehow able to come up with the cash for the kind of TV that I couldn't afford to buy until I had saved up birthday and Festivus gift money. 63% can afford cable or sattelite service--which in my household is over 70-bucks. And 47% can afford to eat in excess.
If you want to go deeper into the numbers, the living space for poor families in the US is 439 square feet per person. That is more spacious living quarters than high income earners enjoy in Great Britain, France and Germany. The average American living in poverty also consumes 184% of the daily recommended allowance of the 15 main nutrients humans need in their diets to stay healthy. And only 2.6% of American children suffer stunted growth due to lack of proper nutrition.
Now, does that mean poverty is not a real problem in the US--no it does not. There are certainly a lot of people who do not have the means or the opportunity to garner even the most basic necessities. But keep in mind that eligibility for many Federal and State assistance programs starts at 150% or even 250% of Federal poverty income levels--meaning just as many who can make do are draining away resources from those who cannot make do.
Just keep those numbers in mind anytime someone tries to frame the debate on reduced government spending with the tired argument of "balancing the budget on the backs of the poor."
- 43% of these Americans own their own homes
- 31% own two or more vehicles
- 25% own large screen High Definition TVs
- 63% subscribe to cable or satellite TV service
- 33% have both landline and cellular phones
- 47% are overweight
Kind of gives you a new perspective on what it means to be poor in the US doesn't it? 43% of families living in poverty own their own houses. 31% drive two vehicles. 25% were somehow able to come up with the cash for the kind of TV that I couldn't afford to buy until I had saved up birthday and Festivus gift money. 63% can afford cable or sattelite service--which in my household is over 70-bucks. And 47% can afford to eat in excess.
If you want to go deeper into the numbers, the living space for poor families in the US is 439 square feet per person. That is more spacious living quarters than high income earners enjoy in Great Britain, France and Germany. The average American living in poverty also consumes 184% of the daily recommended allowance of the 15 main nutrients humans need in their diets to stay healthy. And only 2.6% of American children suffer stunted growth due to lack of proper nutrition.
Now, does that mean poverty is not a real problem in the US--no it does not. There are certainly a lot of people who do not have the means or the opportunity to garner even the most basic necessities. But keep in mind that eligibility for many Federal and State assistance programs starts at 150% or even 250% of Federal poverty income levels--meaning just as many who can make do are draining away resources from those who cannot make do.
Just keep those numbers in mind anytime someone tries to frame the debate on reduced government spending with the tired argument of "balancing the budget on the backs of the poor."
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Hollywood Hypocrisy
I've given up on waiting for the Hollywood elite to come down hard on Tracy Morgan. The commedian got himself in a bit of trouble last week for saying in a performance that he would stab his son if he ever said he was gay. I see that Morgan is on the requisite "apology tour"--meeting with the person who posted details of the homophobic rant on-line to say he is "really sorry" and "didn't mean what I said" and "I was just trying to be funny". Morgan has "Tweeted" and posted the same on Facebook.
I can't help but think about the controversy that effectively ended the career of Michael Richards--AKA "Kramer from Seinfeld"--who went on a racist rant during a performance in Los Angeles a few years ago. You may recall, Richards was being heckled by an African-American in the audience--leading him to drop the "N-word" a few dozen times. Richards did the same "apology tour"--claiming he is not a racist and that he was truly sorry for using that language and that he was just trying to be funny. But that wasn't good enough for the Hollywood Left--to a "star", Richards was denounced--and you may have noticed that he hasn't done anything in show business since.
So that's why I was waiting for the hammer to drop on Tracy Morgan. But I guess that just isn't going to happen. In fact, the "stars" are coming out in his defense--saying they "know" he's not an homophobe and that he really is "sorry" for what he said. Where was Morgan's "30 Rock" co-star Tina Fey--who has made a career out of mocking her "twin sister" Sarah Palin's own anti-gay beliefs? I can flat out guarantee that if Palin said the same thing about her own son, they would have had a "special edition" of Saturday Night Live to air skits skewering her.
While we hear all the time that "words hurt" and that we need to be held accountable for our actions and beliefs--that must not apply in all situations. To stick with the Morgan-Richards comparison, "Kramer" was on the downside of his career--since it appears that "Seinfeld" reunion show isn't happening anytime soon. Morgan stars in one of the highest rated and critically acclaimed shows on TV. I'm guessing that Morgan will not be written out of the show. In fact, "30 Rock" will probably incorporate this into their storyline--so that it's star can "show he really does care about gays and lesbians". And Morgan is Black--whereas Richards was white. Perhaps the liberal left feels Morgan is allowed a free pass given that he himself is a "victim" of "institutional racism".
I actually think Tracy Morgan is funny, and I'm sure many in the audience that night laughed heartily at the jokes he was making. And I certainly don't condone what he was saying was funny--violence against others never is. I just want everyone who uses "words that hurt" to be held to the same standard.
I can't help but think about the controversy that effectively ended the career of Michael Richards--AKA "Kramer from Seinfeld"--who went on a racist rant during a performance in Los Angeles a few years ago. You may recall, Richards was being heckled by an African-American in the audience--leading him to drop the "N-word" a few dozen times. Richards did the same "apology tour"--claiming he is not a racist and that he was truly sorry for using that language and that he was just trying to be funny. But that wasn't good enough for the Hollywood Left--to a "star", Richards was denounced--and you may have noticed that he hasn't done anything in show business since.
So that's why I was waiting for the hammer to drop on Tracy Morgan. But I guess that just isn't going to happen. In fact, the "stars" are coming out in his defense--saying they "know" he's not an homophobe and that he really is "sorry" for what he said. Where was Morgan's "30 Rock" co-star Tina Fey--who has made a career out of mocking her "twin sister" Sarah Palin's own anti-gay beliefs? I can flat out guarantee that if Palin said the same thing about her own son, they would have had a "special edition" of Saturday Night Live to air skits skewering her.
While we hear all the time that "words hurt" and that we need to be held accountable for our actions and beliefs--that must not apply in all situations. To stick with the Morgan-Richards comparison, "Kramer" was on the downside of his career--since it appears that "Seinfeld" reunion show isn't happening anytime soon. Morgan stars in one of the highest rated and critically acclaimed shows on TV. I'm guessing that Morgan will not be written out of the show. In fact, "30 Rock" will probably incorporate this into their storyline--so that it's star can "show he really does care about gays and lesbians". And Morgan is Black--whereas Richards was white. Perhaps the liberal left feels Morgan is allowed a free pass given that he himself is a "victim" of "institutional racism".
I actually think Tracy Morgan is funny, and I'm sure many in the audience that night laughed heartily at the jokes he was making. And I certainly don't condone what he was saying was funny--violence against others never is. I just want everyone who uses "words that hurt" to be held to the same standard.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Clear Your Calendars
I'm not a big fan of "mandatory" anything when it come to government--but I am asking the State Legislature to call a special session this week to pass a law requiring everyone who lives in Oshkosh--or who drives through Oshkosh--or is thinking about ever coming to Oshkosh to attend the Department of Transportation's informational meeting about navigating roundabouts coming up on June 29th.
I can already hear some of you saying "Not another Two Cents about roundabouts!! Jonathan, just let it go!!" Well, having to drive through the two along Witzel several times a day, I can tell you that the problems created by the roundabouts--and the absolute idiocy and ignorance of those driving through them--are not going away. There is some kind of accident in one of the two roundabouts EVERY DAY!! I even saw a car hit a boat in the one along Koeller Street. Yes, a boat was hit by a car in the roundabout. A guy in a station wagon was towing a fishing boat through the roundabout when he cut off another driver legally going straight through the roundabout on Witzel. I wonder if the Oshkosh Police had to call in the DNR to assist in the investigation?
Today's Two Cents was nearly turned over Bill Schultz--host of Answers to Energy Questions every Saturday morning on WOSH--as he was struck by a woman in the roundabout down the road while driving a loaner car from his mechanic. The woman--who again cut him off while trying to make a left hand turn from the right hand lane--berated him for hitting her--before he pointed out to her that making a left-hand turn from the right-hand lane is ILLEGAL in a roundabout.
So clear your calendar for the night of June 29th Mrs. I'm Turning Left From The Right Lane Even Though I Would Never Think Of Doing That At A Stop Light, and you too Mr I Didn't Know It's Legal To Drive Straight Through A Roundabout In The Left Lane So I'm Going To Cut In Front Of You And Then Flip You Off When You Correctly Blow Your Horn At Me For Being Such A Moron. We should probably post a notice of the meeting at the Senior Center so Mr and Mrs I'm Going To Stop At All The Entry Points Because I Don't Realize They Are Supposed To Yield To Me are able to attend. And someone might want to post it on Twitter and Facebook so young Mr I'm Tired Of Waiting For Everyone Else So I'm Just Gonna Gun It In There can get the night off from McDonalds.
Uh-oh. I just noticed that meeting is going to be held at Oshkosh North High School--meaning most of the attendees will have to drive through the Murdock-Jackson roundabout to get there. OPD might want to call in all the back up they can.
I can already hear some of you saying "Not another Two Cents about roundabouts!! Jonathan, just let it go!!" Well, having to drive through the two along Witzel several times a day, I can tell you that the problems created by the roundabouts--and the absolute idiocy and ignorance of those driving through them--are not going away. There is some kind of accident in one of the two roundabouts EVERY DAY!! I even saw a car hit a boat in the one along Koeller Street. Yes, a boat was hit by a car in the roundabout. A guy in a station wagon was towing a fishing boat through the roundabout when he cut off another driver legally going straight through the roundabout on Witzel. I wonder if the Oshkosh Police had to call in the DNR to assist in the investigation?
Today's Two Cents was nearly turned over Bill Schultz--host of Answers to Energy Questions every Saturday morning on WOSH--as he was struck by a woman in the roundabout down the road while driving a loaner car from his mechanic. The woman--who again cut him off while trying to make a left hand turn from the right hand lane--berated him for hitting her--before he pointed out to her that making a left-hand turn from the right-hand lane is ILLEGAL in a roundabout.
So clear your calendar for the night of June 29th Mrs. I'm Turning Left From The Right Lane Even Though I Would Never Think Of Doing That At A Stop Light, and you too Mr I Didn't Know It's Legal To Drive Straight Through A Roundabout In The Left Lane So I'm Going To Cut In Front Of You And Then Flip You Off When You Correctly Blow Your Horn At Me For Being Such A Moron. We should probably post a notice of the meeting at the Senior Center so Mr and Mrs I'm Going To Stop At All The Entry Points Because I Don't Realize They Are Supposed To Yield To Me are able to attend. And someone might want to post it on Twitter and Facebook so young Mr I'm Tired Of Waiting For Everyone Else So I'm Just Gonna Gun It In There can get the night off from McDonalds.
Uh-oh. I just noticed that meeting is going to be held at Oshkosh North High School--meaning most of the attendees will have to drive through the Murdock-Jackson roundabout to get there. OPD might want to call in all the back up they can.
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