'll save the Hillary Clinton sex scandal for another time, because it's too good to fully and thoroughly research this late at night. So I'll address the contradiction that is the Friends theme song.
So no one told you life was going to be this way.
Your job's a joke, you're broke, you're love life's DOA.
It's like you're always stuck in second gear,
Well, it hasn't been your day, your week, your month, or even your year.
But, I'll be there for you, when the rain starts to pour.
I'll be there for you, like I've been there before.
I'll be there for you, cause you're there for me too.
You're still in bed at ten, the work began at eight.
You've burned your breakfast, so far, things are going great.
Your mother warned you there'd be days like these,
But she didn't tell you when the world has brought you down to your knees.
That, I'll be there for you, when the rain starts to pour.
I'll be there for you, like I've been there before.
I'll be there for you, cause you're there for me too.
No one could ever know me, no one could ever see me.
Seems like you're the only one who knows what it's like to be me.
Someone to face the day with, make it through all the rest with,
Someone I'll always laugh with, even at my worst, I'm best with you.
It's like you're always stuck in second gear,
Well, it hasn't been your day, your week, your month, or even your year.
But, I'll be there for you, when the rain starts to pour.
I'll be there for you, like I've been there before.
I'll be there for you, cause you're there for me too
Now, I know it's catchy and you can't help but clapping, but it's also the most contradictory song in the history of TV theme songs. Did you catch it? Probably not. So here's the questionable excerpt. Try again.
So no one told you life was going to be this way.
Your job's a joke, you're broke, you're love life's DOA.
It's like you're always stuck in second gear,
Well, it hasn't been your day, your week, your month, or even your year.
But, I'll be there for you, when the rain starts to pour.
I'll be there for you, like I've been there before.
I'll be there for you, cause you're there for me too.
You're still in bed at ten, the work began at eight.
You've burned your breakfast, so far, things are going great.
Your mother warned you there'd be days like these
For your convenience, I've bolded the two lines that will be needed for the test. I lied, there won't be a test, but now you can see the problem. No one told you life was going to be this way...except your mother. Apparently, to Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer, your mom doesn't count. That's it, that's what Friends teaches it's viewers...what your mother says doesn't mean anything. That she's a "no one."
Monday, November 5, 2007
You Think You Want Government Healthcare?
Edmund Crane is a British citizen who's healthcare is covered under the British National Health Service. After putting up with pain in his hip for years, Crane had private x-rays taken which showed he had almost no hip joint. The British National Health Service kept cancelling his medical consultations. Eventually, Mr. Crane had enough of the pain and cashed his life savings and paid $18,000 for the surgery from a private doctor.
This is your future in for the U.S. if Hillary gets her way with national healthcare. But remember, under Hillary's first healthcare plan, Ed Crane would have been thrown in jail if he had pulled that little stunt in this country. You're asking for it people. You want someone else to be responsible for your healthcare...anyone but you. Again, you want healthcare, pay for it yourself. What if I want a 60 foot yacht? Will the government buy that for me?
This is your future in for the U.S. if Hillary gets her way with national healthcare. But remember, under Hillary's first healthcare plan, Ed Crane would have been thrown in jail if he had pulled that little stunt in this country. You're asking for it people. You want someone else to be responsible for your healthcare...anyone but you. Again, you want healthcare, pay for it yourself. What if I want a 60 foot yacht? Will the government buy that for me?
My CFB Top 9
New week, new top 9? That's right, 9 teams. Last week, I questioned the credibility of Arizona State and Boston College. I pointed out the fact that neither team had an overly impressive win. I entertained the two in my top 10 since they were undefeated, but wanted to see how each performed this week against tough opponents. Both lost, and when I ran out of teams I would rank ahead of them, I had nine teams. Since I won't acknowledge either of them, I am forced to publish a Top 9 instead of the more traditional Top 10. So here they are.
1. LSU Tigers
Went into Bryant Denney Stadium and came out with another tough win. LSU has played six teams ranked #17 or better this year. Out of nine games! You want schedule strength? Look no further than Baton Rouge, LA.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
10-0 now after finishing off Wisconsin late. Beanie Wells runs like a beast and the defense is still punishing. Still the class of the Big 10 and only an up-and-coming Illinois team and Michigan stand between the Buckeyes and their second straight national championship game.
3. Oregon Ducks
One of my new favorite teams. The combination of Dennis Dixon and Jonathan Stewart are almost unstoppable. And they proved me right about the Sun Devils of ASU. They opened up the game with perfect back to back touchdown drives and never looked back. USC's time is over in the Pac-10 for now.
4. Oklahoma Sooners
No more Boston College. A week after surviving a determined Iowa State team, the Sooners laid a beating on Texas A&M. Bradford looked good again and the Sooners seem to be cruising to a date in the Big 12 championship game.
5. kansas jayhawks
I still think the kansas quarter should be worth less than a real quarter, but 76 points against any team is sick. I know Nebraska's down, but seriously? 76 points? And people say New England runs up the score. But they still fall under the same label ASU and BC did. kansas took advantage of a schedule with one ranked team (#24). Arrowhead awaits you, filthy jayhawks.
6. Missouri Tigers
kansas won 19-14 in boulder. Missouri won 55-10. Just sayin'. Colorado focused too much on shutting down Martin Rucker that they forgot Chase Coffman's really good too. Daniel picked apart a really good defense by spreading the wealth. Missouri won their opening November game for the first time under Gary Pinkel.
7. West Virginia Mountaineers
I won't fault them for not playing, but they're going to need to win some games big too impress me any further. The Big East just isn't a powerhouse football conference.
8. Georgia Bulldogs
Here pretty much by default. Slipped by Troy after an emotional win against the Gators. Knowshon Moreno looks like a game-changing back, but outside that there's really not anything that stands out.
9. Michigan Wolverines
Welcome back Wolverines. And eight-game winning streak has put UM in control of it's own Big 10 (11) destiny. After the Appalachain State debacle, who woulda thought?
Just Missed: BC Eagles, ASU Sun Devils, Hawaii
One last special shout out. Notre Dame. You're absolutely awful this year. One of college football's rules is that Notre Dame beats Navy. You broke this rule today. Which might have been acceptable had Navy been the national championship powerhouse they once were. But they're not. They're a "lose to a Div. II school by allowing 59 points" Navy team
1. LSU Tigers
Went into Bryant Denney Stadium and came out with another tough win. LSU has played six teams ranked #17 or better this year. Out of nine games! You want schedule strength? Look no further than Baton Rouge, LA.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
10-0 now after finishing off Wisconsin late. Beanie Wells runs like a beast and the defense is still punishing. Still the class of the Big 10 and only an up-and-coming Illinois team and Michigan stand between the Buckeyes and their second straight national championship game.
3. Oregon Ducks
One of my new favorite teams. The combination of Dennis Dixon and Jonathan Stewart are almost unstoppable. And they proved me right about the Sun Devils of ASU. They opened up the game with perfect back to back touchdown drives and never looked back. USC's time is over in the Pac-10 for now.
4. Oklahoma Sooners
No more Boston College. A week after surviving a determined Iowa State team, the Sooners laid a beating on Texas A&M. Bradford looked good again and the Sooners seem to be cruising to a date in the Big 12 championship game.
5. kansas jayhawks
I still think the kansas quarter should be worth less than a real quarter, but 76 points against any team is sick. I know Nebraska's down, but seriously? 76 points? And people say New England runs up the score. But they still fall under the same label ASU and BC did. kansas took advantage of a schedule with one ranked team (#24). Arrowhead awaits you, filthy jayhawks.
6. Missouri Tigers
kansas won 19-14 in boulder. Missouri won 55-10. Just sayin'. Colorado focused too much on shutting down Martin Rucker that they forgot Chase Coffman's really good too. Daniel picked apart a really good defense by spreading the wealth. Missouri won their opening November game for the first time under Gary Pinkel.
7. West Virginia Mountaineers
I won't fault them for not playing, but they're going to need to win some games big too impress me any further. The Big East just isn't a powerhouse football conference.
8. Georgia Bulldogs
Here pretty much by default. Slipped by Troy after an emotional win against the Gators. Knowshon Moreno looks like a game-changing back, but outside that there's really not anything that stands out.
9. Michigan Wolverines
Welcome back Wolverines. And eight-game winning streak has put UM in control of it's own Big 10 (11) destiny. After the Appalachain State debacle, who woulda thought?
Just Missed: BC Eagles, ASU Sun Devils, Hawaii
One last special shout out. Notre Dame. You're absolutely awful this year. One of college football's rules is that Notre Dame beats Navy. You broke this rule today. Which might have been acceptable had Navy been the national championship powerhouse they once were. But they're not. They're a "lose to a Div. II school by allowing 59 points" Navy team
Thursday, November 1, 2007
State Of The Yankees
First off, I offer my sincerest congratulations to the 2007 Boston Red Sox. And I'm serious. I never thought this would be the case, but I prefer Boston as World Series champions than the St. Louis Cardinals. Boston's a legitimate winner. They won 96 games in the toughest league and in a tough division. They beat two teams that would have swept the Rockies. I think the league disparity is greater now than ever. A team that won 21 out of 22 games against National League opponents gets swept by the AL pennant winner. The Red Sox looked better in every facet of the game. They won blowouts (13-1, 10-5) and won the close games (4-3, 2-1). They swept at home and on the road. Had an ERA of 2.50 and hit .338 in the series. Even Eric Gagne threw a scoreless inning. So congratulations to them, and they'll be my World Series favorite again next year no matter what transpires this off-season.
Now on to important things.
ALEX RODRIGUEZ DRAMA
Alex Rodriguez opted out of his contract yesterday. This is devastating for the Yankees. There's no way to replace the best player in the game, but the Yankees will have to try. I firmly believe that they will not enter any bidding wars over him. Perhaps it's poetic justice that Rodriguez spurred the Yankees after the Yankees had done the same to Torre. But I don't think so.
Rodriguez gave his reason for opting out as the uncertainty surrounding the contract statuses of Andy Pettitte, Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada. But if that was the case, why not wait the 10 days to see what transpired between those players and the Yankees. It's hard for me to believe that the Yankees won't offer Posada and Rivera the best deals.
No, the reason is simple. Alex Rodriguez (and agent Scott Boras) thinks he is bigger than the game. And it's no coincidence that he announced his decision to opt out maybe an hour before the World Series was over. The news was reported during the game. We can now assume everything Alex Rodriguez says is a lie. New York never "felt like home" and it certainly wasn't "where [he] wanted to be." His multi-million dollar mansion feels like home and wherever the most money is is where he wants to be.
He'll still get a mega-deal, biggest in sports. But the Yankees were supposedly working on a 5-year, $150 million extension. Added to his remaining contract, that's 8-years, $231 million, nearly $29 million a season. He's still the best talent in the game, but this quick opt-out shows he never had any intention of staying in New York and never had or will have the balls to play under pressure.
So where will he go? He's still going to command the most money baseball has ever seen, so that severely limits his options. Both Los Angeles teams make sense and Boston has been mentioned as a possible destination. Both LA teams have gaping power holes and third base available. Boston has neither, but that wouldn't stop Theo Epstein from continuing to dole out foolish contracts. I believe Alex Rodriguez is far too heavy and immobile to make a successful transition back to shortstop, so any team that courts him would need to do so as a third baseman.
I've also heard Florida and San Francisco as possible landing places for A-Rod. Personally, I'd think it'd be a perfect ending to have him end up on one of those last place teams. He'd probably love it in Florida where there's 375 fans at his home games and the most prolific journalist there is the idiot Dan LeBetard. He'd probably pass 74 homers, especially facing the NL East teams five or six series each year.
I've also heard Chicago. That one would be sweet. The Cubs could celebrate 100 years of utter failure with the most prolific active player not to play in a World Series. Let's face it. A huge spending spree last off-season (and an in-season resigning of one of the more overrated pitchers) won them a division, but no playoff games. They were swept by a better team that was swept by a better team that was swept by a better team.
My prediction? A-Rod will end up with a 12-year, $360 million deal with a National League team. A-Rod knows he has become public enemy number one in New York City. And if his response last year (as a Yankee) to New York fans was bad, imagine an A-Rod return to New York. He'll go to a National League team and hope to avoid a trip to the Bronx.
Short-term, this kills the Yankees. A-Rod will collect his third MVP award and a Silver Slugger in the coming weeks. He was the one consistent bat that the Yankees counted on (April-September) this season. Possible replacements aren't very attractive.
Wilson Betemit: Hit .224 with four homers after being traded from the Dodgers. Decent fielder and switch-hitter but hasn't really ever been a full time player. Highly-touted prospect that hasn't amounted to much.
Robinson Cano: Always easier to find a second baseman than a third baseman. Cano's got the arm and hands to make the switch, but I like this only as a last resort.
Mike Lowell: I think Boston would be stupid to let this guy go, but if they do I'm all for bringing him back to the Yankees. People mock me for welcoming Boston players, but I don't view Lowell as a typical Red Sox player. He's too clean-cut and professional.
Joe Crede: The White Sox may not offer him a contract after his 2007 debacle, and the Yankees could probably get his relatively cheaply. He did hit 30 home runs just a year ago and averages .260/25/85 with a good glove. Not bad, but certainly not A-Rod numbers.
Garrett Atkins: Has matured nicely in Colorado. But that's about it. His home/away splits are insane. Coors Field helps this guy exponentially, and his asking price is about as high as it'll get now. I'd shy away from this guy.
Miguel Cabrera: The Fish could be enticed to trade their stud hitting machine. But he's refused to stay in shape and the Yankees would end up with yet another DH before 2009 was done.
Adrian Beltre: No, he won't put up his 2004 numbers anymore, but he's steadily improved since a shaky AL debut season with Seattle. The Mariners could be looking to clear payroll and at $12 million, Beltre's actually a bargain on this market.
Of those, I'd probably inquire how much Beltre would cost the Yankees farm system and if the Yankees could get Beltre for a B-level prospect plus the financial relieve, I'd go with him. I'd also watch the Mike Lowell developments out of Boston and the Joe Crede negotiations in Chicago. I'd stay away from Cabrera (too costly, lazy) Betemit (inconsistant) Cano (rather not make a switch) and Atkins (below average offensively away from Coors). Beltre and Lowell are probably my 1a and 1b, but I'd settle for Crede.
THE FREE-AGENT YANKEES
Andy Pettitte holds a $16 million player option for 2008. He was the Yankees most reliable pitcher in the second half and pitched a gem in the playoffs (damn bugs!). He's already considered retirement once, and probably isn't too thrilled with the recent Yankee turmoil.
Nate's prediction: Pettitte exercises the option
Mariano Rivera is a free agent. He's just off a big deal and looking for another one. He had 30 saves again this season and was dynamite in the playoffs. A couple of big innings led to a bloated ERA, but he had a decent season nonetheless. The Yankees need him more than just about anyone. They have an unsettled bullpen and Joba Chamberlain is moving to the starting rotation.
Nate's Prediction: The Yankees make the most lucrative offer and Rivera returns on a 3-year/$40 million deal.
Jorge Posada finished his option year with his best year every. He hit .338, 50 points higher than his previous career best and over 60 points better than his career average. He hit 20 homers and drove in 90 runs behind a guy who drove in 154. He's still a capable handler and game-caller and has a calming influence of young pitchers. He's more likely to leave than Rivera, but I also doubt that.
Nate's Prediction: The Yankees lock Posada up with a 3-year/$45 million deal with a mutual fourth year option.
Bobby Abreu: The Yankees hold a $16 million option on Abreu for 2007. They should definitely pick it up and keep him around. He's a solid all around player, and there aren't too many other options for the Yankees. Melky Cabrera will patrol centerfield and Matsui and Damon will keep leftfield warm while Giambi DHs. Unless one of the three is traded (which probably would be a good idea).
Nate's Prediction: The Yankees exercise the option and bat him third.
STARTING PITCHING
Here's a list of possible starting pitchers for the Yankees going into Spring Training.
Mike Mussina
Chien-Ming Wang
Phil Hughes
Ian Kennedy
Joba Chamberlain
Andy Pettitte*
Three of those guys haven't thrown 75 innings in the Majors and one isn't even assured to be back. So there's a lot of questions within the rotation. All three young guys have the potential to be top of the rotation starters. But they're young and shouldn't have to be relied on. Mussina needs to be an effective starter and Wang needs to calm down and bury his sinker.
The fact that Rodriguez left $30 million on the Yankees table bodes well for the future of the Yankees pitching situation. That's money the Yankees can spend on Johan Santana after the 2008 season and stick him on the mound for Opening Day 2009 (assuming he isn't dealt and signed long-term somewhere). The Yankees aren't going to cut payroll. That's just not in the Steinbrenner plans. They have money and they will spend it, but here's to hoping they spend it wisely this time around. Invest in up-and-coming pitchers and use the two first rounders you'll get from A-Rod on absurd talent
Now on to important things.
ALEX RODRIGUEZ DRAMA
Alex Rodriguez opted out of his contract yesterday. This is devastating for the Yankees. There's no way to replace the best player in the game, but the Yankees will have to try. I firmly believe that they will not enter any bidding wars over him. Perhaps it's poetic justice that Rodriguez spurred the Yankees after the Yankees had done the same to Torre. But I don't think so.
Rodriguez gave his reason for opting out as the uncertainty surrounding the contract statuses of Andy Pettitte, Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada. But if that was the case, why not wait the 10 days to see what transpired between those players and the Yankees. It's hard for me to believe that the Yankees won't offer Posada and Rivera the best deals.
No, the reason is simple. Alex Rodriguez (and agent Scott Boras) thinks he is bigger than the game. And it's no coincidence that he announced his decision to opt out maybe an hour before the World Series was over. The news was reported during the game. We can now assume everything Alex Rodriguez says is a lie. New York never "felt like home" and it certainly wasn't "where [he] wanted to be." His multi-million dollar mansion feels like home and wherever the most money is is where he wants to be.
He'll still get a mega-deal, biggest in sports. But the Yankees were supposedly working on a 5-year, $150 million extension. Added to his remaining contract, that's 8-years, $231 million, nearly $29 million a season. He's still the best talent in the game, but this quick opt-out shows he never had any intention of staying in New York and never had or will have the balls to play under pressure.
So where will he go? He's still going to command the most money baseball has ever seen, so that severely limits his options. Both Los Angeles teams make sense and Boston has been mentioned as a possible destination. Both LA teams have gaping power holes and third base available. Boston has neither, but that wouldn't stop Theo Epstein from continuing to dole out foolish contracts. I believe Alex Rodriguez is far too heavy and immobile to make a successful transition back to shortstop, so any team that courts him would need to do so as a third baseman.
I've also heard Florida and San Francisco as possible landing places for A-Rod. Personally, I'd think it'd be a perfect ending to have him end up on one of those last place teams. He'd probably love it in Florida where there's 375 fans at his home games and the most prolific journalist there is the idiot Dan LeBetard. He'd probably pass 74 homers, especially facing the NL East teams five or six series each year.
I've also heard Chicago. That one would be sweet. The Cubs could celebrate 100 years of utter failure with the most prolific active player not to play in a World Series. Let's face it. A huge spending spree last off-season (and an in-season resigning of one of the more overrated pitchers) won them a division, but no playoff games. They were swept by a better team that was swept by a better team that was swept by a better team.
My prediction? A-Rod will end up with a 12-year, $360 million deal with a National League team. A-Rod knows he has become public enemy number one in New York City. And if his response last year (as a Yankee) to New York fans was bad, imagine an A-Rod return to New York. He'll go to a National League team and hope to avoid a trip to the Bronx.
Short-term, this kills the Yankees. A-Rod will collect his third MVP award and a Silver Slugger in the coming weeks. He was the one consistent bat that the Yankees counted on (April-September) this season. Possible replacements aren't very attractive.
Wilson Betemit: Hit .224 with four homers after being traded from the Dodgers. Decent fielder and switch-hitter but hasn't really ever been a full time player. Highly-touted prospect that hasn't amounted to much.
Robinson Cano: Always easier to find a second baseman than a third baseman. Cano's got the arm and hands to make the switch, but I like this only as a last resort.
Mike Lowell: I think Boston would be stupid to let this guy go, but if they do I'm all for bringing him back to the Yankees. People mock me for welcoming Boston players, but I don't view Lowell as a typical Red Sox player. He's too clean-cut and professional.
Joe Crede: The White Sox may not offer him a contract after his 2007 debacle, and the Yankees could probably get his relatively cheaply. He did hit 30 home runs just a year ago and averages .260/25/85 with a good glove. Not bad, but certainly not A-Rod numbers.
Garrett Atkins: Has matured nicely in Colorado. But that's about it. His home/away splits are insane. Coors Field helps this guy exponentially, and his asking price is about as high as it'll get now. I'd shy away from this guy.
Miguel Cabrera: The Fish could be enticed to trade their stud hitting machine. But he's refused to stay in shape and the Yankees would end up with yet another DH before 2009 was done.
Adrian Beltre: No, he won't put up his 2004 numbers anymore, but he's steadily improved since a shaky AL debut season with Seattle. The Mariners could be looking to clear payroll and at $12 million, Beltre's actually a bargain on this market.
Of those, I'd probably inquire how much Beltre would cost the Yankees farm system and if the Yankees could get Beltre for a B-level prospect plus the financial relieve, I'd go with him. I'd also watch the Mike Lowell developments out of Boston and the Joe Crede negotiations in Chicago. I'd stay away from Cabrera (too costly, lazy) Betemit (inconsistant) Cano (rather not make a switch) and Atkins (below average offensively away from Coors). Beltre and Lowell are probably my 1a and 1b, but I'd settle for Crede.
THE FREE-AGENT YANKEES
Andy Pettitte holds a $16 million player option for 2008. He was the Yankees most reliable pitcher in the second half and pitched a gem in the playoffs (damn bugs!). He's already considered retirement once, and probably isn't too thrilled with the recent Yankee turmoil.
Nate's prediction: Pettitte exercises the option
Mariano Rivera is a free agent. He's just off a big deal and looking for another one. He had 30 saves again this season and was dynamite in the playoffs. A couple of big innings led to a bloated ERA, but he had a decent season nonetheless. The Yankees need him more than just about anyone. They have an unsettled bullpen and Joba Chamberlain is moving to the starting rotation.
Nate's Prediction: The Yankees make the most lucrative offer and Rivera returns on a 3-year/$40 million deal.
Jorge Posada finished his option year with his best year every. He hit .338, 50 points higher than his previous career best and over 60 points better than his career average. He hit 20 homers and drove in 90 runs behind a guy who drove in 154. He's still a capable handler and game-caller and has a calming influence of young pitchers. He's more likely to leave than Rivera, but I also doubt that.
Nate's Prediction: The Yankees lock Posada up with a 3-year/$45 million deal with a mutual fourth year option.
Bobby Abreu: The Yankees hold a $16 million option on Abreu for 2007. They should definitely pick it up and keep him around. He's a solid all around player, and there aren't too many other options for the Yankees. Melky Cabrera will patrol centerfield and Matsui and Damon will keep leftfield warm while Giambi DHs. Unless one of the three is traded (which probably would be a good idea).
Nate's Prediction: The Yankees exercise the option and bat him third.
STARTING PITCHING
Here's a list of possible starting pitchers for the Yankees going into Spring Training.
Mike Mussina
Chien-Ming Wang
Phil Hughes
Ian Kennedy
Joba Chamberlain
Andy Pettitte*
Three of those guys haven't thrown 75 innings in the Majors and one isn't even assured to be back. So there's a lot of questions within the rotation. All three young guys have the potential to be top of the rotation starters. But they're young and shouldn't have to be relied on. Mussina needs to be an effective starter and Wang needs to calm down and bury his sinker.
The fact that Rodriguez left $30 million on the Yankees table bodes well for the future of the Yankees pitching situation. That's money the Yankees can spend on Johan Santana after the 2008 season and stick him on the mound for Opening Day 2009 (assuming he isn't dealt and signed long-term somewhere). The Yankees aren't going to cut payroll. That's just not in the Steinbrenner plans. They have money and they will spend it, but here's to hoping they spend it wisely this time around. Invest in up-and-coming pitchers and use the two first rounders you'll get from A-Rod on absurd talent
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
The Media Can Be Completely Wrong Sometimes (A Lot)
ere's an excellent piece by Craig Franklin, a resident of Jena, LA who's wife teaches at the high school where the infamous "Jena 6" attended. It does a spectacular job of highlighting the agenda-setting ineptitude of the liberal bias in the media. At the end, he compares the Jena 6 case to that of the Duke Lacrosse rape case. The media had the Duke lacrosse players put in jail from as soon as a black woman accused them of raping her. But eventually, the truth that this woman was a fanatical liar and the Duke players were completely innocent. The media will have you believe that every white American citizen is a pejudiced racist bastard. Do some actual investigating, CNN.
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By now, almost everyone in America has heard of Jena, La., because they've all heard the story of the "Jena 6." White students hanging nooses barely punished, a schoolyard fight, excessive punishment for the six black attackers, racist local officials, public outrage and protests – the outside media made sure everyone knew the basics.
There's just one problem: The media got most of the basics wrong. In fact, I have never before witnessed such a disgrace in professional journalism. Myths replaced facts, and journalists abdicated their solemn duty to investigate every claim because they were seduced by a powerfully appealing but false narrative of racial injustice.
I should know. I live in Jena. My wife has taught at Jena High School for many years. And most important, I am probably the only reporter who has covered these events from the very beginning.
The reason the Jena cases have been propelled into the world spotlight is two-fold: First, because local officials did not speak publicly early on about the true events of the past year, the media simply formed their stories based on one-side's statements – the Jena 6. Second, the media were downright lazy in their efforts to find the truth. Often, they simply reported what they'd read on blogs, which expressed only one side of the issue.
The real story of Jena and the Jena 6 is quite different from what the national media presented. It's time to set the record straight.
Myth 1: The Whites-Only Tree. There has never been a "whites-only" tree at Jena High School. Students of all races sat underneath this tree. When a student asked during an assembly at the start of school last year if anyone could sit under the tree, it evoked laughter from everyone present – blacks and whites. As reported by students in the assembly, the question was asked to make a joke and to drag out the assembly and avoid class.
Myth 2: Nooses a Signal to Black Students. An investigation by school officials, police, and an FBI agent revealed the true motivation behind the placing of two nooses in the tree the day after the assembly. According to the expulsion committee, the crudely constructed nooses were not aimed at black students. Instead, they were understood to be a prank by three white students aimed at their fellow white friends, members of the school rodeo team. (The students apparently got the idea from watching episodes of "Lonesome Dove.") The committee further concluded that the three young teens had no knowledge that nooses symbolize the terrible legacy of the lynchings of countless blacks in American history. When informed of this history by school officials, they became visibly remorseful because they had many black friends. Another myth concerns their punishment, which was not a three-day suspension, but rather nine days at an alternative facility followed by two weeks of in-school suspension, Saturday detentions, attendance at Discipline Court, and evaluation by licensed mental-health professionals. The students who hung the nooses have not publicly come forward to give their version of events.
Myth 3: Nooses Were a Hate Crime. Although many believe the three white students should have been prosecuted for a hate crime for hanging the nooses, the incident did not meet the legal criteria for a federal hate crime. It also did not meet the standard for Louisiana's hate-crime statute, and though widely condemned by all officials, there was no crime to charge the youths with.
Myth 4: DA's Threat to Black Students. When District Attorney Reed Walters spoke to Jena High students at an assembly in September, he did not tell black students that he could make their life miserable with "the stroke of a pen." Instead, according to Walters, "two or three girls, white girls, were chit-chatting on their cellphones or playing with their cellphones right in the middle of my dissertation. I got a little irritated at them and said, 'Pay attention to me. I am right now having to deal with an aggravated rape case where I've got to decide whether the death penalty applies or not.' I said, 'Look, I can be your best friend or your worst enemy. With the stroke of a pen I can make your life miserable so I want you to call me before you do something stupid.'"
Mr. Walters had been called to the assembly by police, who had been at the school earlier that day dealing with some students who were causing disturbances. Teachers and students have confirmed Walters's version of events.
Myth 5: The Fair Barn Party Incident. On Dec. 1, 2006, a private party – not an all-white party as reported – was held at the local community center called the Fair Barn. Robert Bailey Jr., soon to be one of the Jena 6, came to the party with others seeking admittance.
When they were denied entrance by the renter of the facility, a white male named Justin Sloan (not a Jena High student) at the party attacked Bailey and hit him in the face with his fist. This is reported in witness statements to police, including the victim, Robert Bailey, Jr.
Months later, Bailey contended he was hit in the head with a beer bottle and required stitches. No medical records show this ever occurred. Mr. Sloan was prosecuted for simple battery, which according to Louisiana law, is the proper charge for hitting someone with a fist.
Myth 6: The "Gotta-Go" Grocery Incident. On Dec. 2, 2006, Bailey and two other black Jena High students were involved in an altercation at this local convenience store, stemming from the incident that occurred the night before. The three were accused by police of jumping a white man as he entered the store and stealing a shotgun from him. The two parties gave conflicting statements to police. However, two unrelated eye witnesses of the event gave statements that corresponded with that of the white male
Myth 7: The Schoolyard Fight. The event on Dec. 4, 2006 was consistently labeled a "schoolyard fight." But witnesses described something much more horrific. Several black students, including those now known as the Jena 6, barricaded an exit to the school's gym as they lay in wait for Justin Barker to exit. (It remains unclear why Mr. Barker was specifically targeted.)
When Barker tried to leave through another exit, court testimony indicates, he was hit from behind by Mychal Bell. Multiple witnesses confirmed that Barker was immediately knocked unconscious and lay on the floor defenseless as several other black students joined together to kick and stomp him, with most of the blows striking his head. Police speculate that the motivation for the attack was related to the racially charged fights that had occurred during the previous weekend.
Myth 8: The Attack Is Linked to the Nooses. Nowhere in any of the evidence, including statements by witnesses and defendants, is there any reference to the noose incident that occurred three months prior. This was confirmed by the United States attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, Donald Washington, on numerous occasions.
Myth 9: Mychal Bell's All-White Jury. While it is true that Mychal Bell was convicted as an adult by an all-white jury in June (a conviction that was later overturned with his case sent to juvenile court), the jury selection process was completely legal and withstood an investigation by the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. Court officials insist that several black residents were summoned for jury duty, but did not appear.
Myth 10: Jena 6 as Model Youth. While some members were simply caught up in the moment, others had criminal records. Bell had at least four prior violent-crime arrests before the December attack, and was on probation during most of this year.
Myth 11: Jena Is One of the Most Racist Towns in America. Actually, Jena is a wonderful place to live for both whites and blacks. The media's distortion and outright lies concerning the case have given this rural Louisiana town a label it doesn't deserve.
Myth 12: Two Levels of Justice. Outside protesters were convinced that the prosecution of the Jena 6 was proof of a racially biased system of justice. But the US Justice Department's investigation found no evidence to support such a claim. In fact, the percentage of blacks and whites prosecuted matches the parish's population statistics.
These are just 12 of many myths that are portrayed as fact in the media concerning the Jena cases. (A more thorough review of all events can be found at www.thejenatimes.net – click on Chronological Order of Events.)
As with the Duke Lacrosse case, the truth about Jena will eventually be known. But the town of Jena isn't expecting any apologies from the media. They will probably never admit their error and have already moved on to the next "big" story. Meanwhile in Jena, residents are getting back to their regular routines, where friends are friends regardless of race. Just as it has been all along.
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By now, almost everyone in America has heard of Jena, La., because they've all heard the story of the "Jena 6." White students hanging nooses barely punished, a schoolyard fight, excessive punishment for the six black attackers, racist local officials, public outrage and protests – the outside media made sure everyone knew the basics.
There's just one problem: The media got most of the basics wrong. In fact, I have never before witnessed such a disgrace in professional journalism. Myths replaced facts, and journalists abdicated their solemn duty to investigate every claim because they were seduced by a powerfully appealing but false narrative of racial injustice.
I should know. I live in Jena. My wife has taught at Jena High School for many years. And most important, I am probably the only reporter who has covered these events from the very beginning.
The reason the Jena cases have been propelled into the world spotlight is two-fold: First, because local officials did not speak publicly early on about the true events of the past year, the media simply formed their stories based on one-side's statements – the Jena 6. Second, the media were downright lazy in their efforts to find the truth. Often, they simply reported what they'd read on blogs, which expressed only one side of the issue.
The real story of Jena and the Jena 6 is quite different from what the national media presented. It's time to set the record straight.
Myth 1: The Whites-Only Tree. There has never been a "whites-only" tree at Jena High School. Students of all races sat underneath this tree. When a student asked during an assembly at the start of school last year if anyone could sit under the tree, it evoked laughter from everyone present – blacks and whites. As reported by students in the assembly, the question was asked to make a joke and to drag out the assembly and avoid class.
Myth 2: Nooses a Signal to Black Students. An investigation by school officials, police, and an FBI agent revealed the true motivation behind the placing of two nooses in the tree the day after the assembly. According to the expulsion committee, the crudely constructed nooses were not aimed at black students. Instead, they were understood to be a prank by three white students aimed at their fellow white friends, members of the school rodeo team. (The students apparently got the idea from watching episodes of "Lonesome Dove.") The committee further concluded that the three young teens had no knowledge that nooses symbolize the terrible legacy of the lynchings of countless blacks in American history. When informed of this history by school officials, they became visibly remorseful because they had many black friends. Another myth concerns their punishment, which was not a three-day suspension, but rather nine days at an alternative facility followed by two weeks of in-school suspension, Saturday detentions, attendance at Discipline Court, and evaluation by licensed mental-health professionals. The students who hung the nooses have not publicly come forward to give their version of events.
Myth 3: Nooses Were a Hate Crime. Although many believe the three white students should have been prosecuted for a hate crime for hanging the nooses, the incident did not meet the legal criteria for a federal hate crime. It also did not meet the standard for Louisiana's hate-crime statute, and though widely condemned by all officials, there was no crime to charge the youths with.
Myth 4: DA's Threat to Black Students. When District Attorney Reed Walters spoke to Jena High students at an assembly in September, he did not tell black students that he could make their life miserable with "the stroke of a pen." Instead, according to Walters, "two or three girls, white girls, were chit-chatting on their cellphones or playing with their cellphones right in the middle of my dissertation. I got a little irritated at them and said, 'Pay attention to me. I am right now having to deal with an aggravated rape case where I've got to decide whether the death penalty applies or not.' I said, 'Look, I can be your best friend or your worst enemy. With the stroke of a pen I can make your life miserable so I want you to call me before you do something stupid.'"
Mr. Walters had been called to the assembly by police, who had been at the school earlier that day dealing with some students who were causing disturbances. Teachers and students have confirmed Walters's version of events.
Myth 5: The Fair Barn Party Incident. On Dec. 1, 2006, a private party – not an all-white party as reported – was held at the local community center called the Fair Barn. Robert Bailey Jr., soon to be one of the Jena 6, came to the party with others seeking admittance.
When they were denied entrance by the renter of the facility, a white male named Justin Sloan (not a Jena High student) at the party attacked Bailey and hit him in the face with his fist. This is reported in witness statements to police, including the victim, Robert Bailey, Jr.
Months later, Bailey contended he was hit in the head with a beer bottle and required stitches. No medical records show this ever occurred. Mr. Sloan was prosecuted for simple battery, which according to Louisiana law, is the proper charge for hitting someone with a fist.
Myth 6: The "Gotta-Go" Grocery Incident. On Dec. 2, 2006, Bailey and two other black Jena High students were involved in an altercation at this local convenience store, stemming from the incident that occurred the night before. The three were accused by police of jumping a white man as he entered the store and stealing a shotgun from him. The two parties gave conflicting statements to police. However, two unrelated eye witnesses of the event gave statements that corresponded with that of the white male
Myth 7: The Schoolyard Fight. The event on Dec. 4, 2006 was consistently labeled a "schoolyard fight." But witnesses described something much more horrific. Several black students, including those now known as the Jena 6, barricaded an exit to the school's gym as they lay in wait for Justin Barker to exit. (It remains unclear why Mr. Barker was specifically targeted.)
When Barker tried to leave through another exit, court testimony indicates, he was hit from behind by Mychal Bell. Multiple witnesses confirmed that Barker was immediately knocked unconscious and lay on the floor defenseless as several other black students joined together to kick and stomp him, with most of the blows striking his head. Police speculate that the motivation for the attack was related to the racially charged fights that had occurred during the previous weekend.
Myth 8: The Attack Is Linked to the Nooses. Nowhere in any of the evidence, including statements by witnesses and defendants, is there any reference to the noose incident that occurred three months prior. This was confirmed by the United States attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, Donald Washington, on numerous occasions.
Myth 9: Mychal Bell's All-White Jury. While it is true that Mychal Bell was convicted as an adult by an all-white jury in June (a conviction that was later overturned with his case sent to juvenile court), the jury selection process was completely legal and withstood an investigation by the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. Court officials insist that several black residents were summoned for jury duty, but did not appear.
Myth 10: Jena 6 as Model Youth. While some members were simply caught up in the moment, others had criminal records. Bell had at least four prior violent-crime arrests before the December attack, and was on probation during most of this year.
Myth 11: Jena Is One of the Most Racist Towns in America. Actually, Jena is a wonderful place to live for both whites and blacks. The media's distortion and outright lies concerning the case have given this rural Louisiana town a label it doesn't deserve.
Myth 12: Two Levels of Justice. Outside protesters were convinced that the prosecution of the Jena 6 was proof of a racially biased system of justice. But the US Justice Department's investigation found no evidence to support such a claim. In fact, the percentage of blacks and whites prosecuted matches the parish's population statistics.
These are just 12 of many myths that are portrayed as fact in the media concerning the Jena cases. (A more thorough review of all events can be found at www.thejenatimes.net – click on Chronological Order of Events.)
As with the Duke Lacrosse case, the truth about Jena will eventually be known. But the town of Jena isn't expecting any apologies from the media. They will probably never admit their error and have already moved on to the next "big" story. Meanwhile in Jena, residents are getting back to their regular routines, where friends are friends regardless of race. Just as it has been all along.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Global Warming
Al Gore and scientists have been preaching global warming for quite a few years now. The same scientists, in fact that twenty or thirty years ago were telling the world that another Ice Age was imminent. So we know that their credibility isn't any good, but let's play along anyways.
The new secretary general of the UN told nearly a hundred heads of state that global warming is threatening the goals of eliminating poverty and world hunger. So now these poorer nations, which will come under even greater financial squeeze come Global Warming, are insisting that the rich countries, specifically the United States provide "humanitarian assistance across the globe." So instead of saving money to help, should a natural disaster occur, they'd like the money now, in order to save poor nations from the perils of climate change.
Any measurable warming of the earth stopped about ten years ago or so. And even then we're only talking about one degree over the last century. Gore has his Peace Prize ... so enough already. It's time to get off this global warming stuff and use some real science. Who are these so-called scientists anyways? Can anyone out there tell me what the ideal temperature for the earth would be?
How about this: The earth heats up. As the earth heats up more water evaporates from the surfaces of the earth's lakes and oceans. The atmosphere thus becomes even more saturated with water and rainfall increases. As rainfall increases the arid portions of the earth that were not suitable for farming suddenly become rich with crops. Not only that, but areas that were once frozen throughout the summer can now be planted in crops for a short growing season. Result? More food. OK, now tell me why this wouldn't be the real scenario ... if, that is, we actually experienced this global warming.
The new secretary general of the UN told nearly a hundred heads of state that global warming is threatening the goals of eliminating poverty and world hunger. So now these poorer nations, which will come under even greater financial squeeze come Global Warming, are insisting that the rich countries, specifically the United States provide "humanitarian assistance across the globe." So instead of saving money to help, should a natural disaster occur, they'd like the money now, in order to save poor nations from the perils of climate change.
Any measurable warming of the earth stopped about ten years ago or so. And even then we're only talking about one degree over the last century. Gore has his Peace Prize ... so enough already. It's time to get off this global warming stuff and use some real science. Who are these so-called scientists anyways? Can anyone out there tell me what the ideal temperature for the earth would be?
How about this: The earth heats up. As the earth heats up more water evaporates from the surfaces of the earth's lakes and oceans. The atmosphere thus becomes even more saturated with water and rainfall increases. As rainfall increases the arid portions of the earth that were not suitable for farming suddenly become rich with crops. Not only that, but areas that were once frozen throughout the summer can now be planted in crops for a short growing season. Result? More food. OK, now tell me why this wouldn't be the real scenario ... if, that is, we actually experienced this global warming.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
America's Lawsuit Happy
But we already knew that. Spilled coffee on your lap because you were driving and putting on makeup and talking on the phone and shaving your legs? Sue McDonalds. Feel sexually discriminated agaisnt because there a soft drink named Mr. Pibb, but none named Mrs. Pibb? Sue Coca-cola.
It's insane, I know but it gets better.
In December of 2004, a underocean earthquake shook the Indian Ocean and produced a deadly tsunami that hit the coast of South and Southeast Asia killing over 229,000 people. In August of 2005, eight months after the Asian Tsunami, a category 5 hurricare hit the gulf coast of the United States, killing 1,836 people.
Let's crunch some numbers. The Asian tsunami killed roughly 125 times more people than Hurrincane Katrina did. Got that? 125 times more people.
Since Katrina, there have been nearly 8,000 lawsuits brought against the federal and state governments of the United States.
Since the tsunami, there have been approximately 0 lawsuits brought against the governments of Asian countries.
Of course this struck me as odd. Why didn't the Asian population sue their government at all? And then I realized that tsunamis and hurricanes are natural happenings. Governments, as much as they regulate and control, actually don't control the weather.
Residents of the gulf coast of the united states had exponentially more warning to prepare and avoid their disaster than the Asian countries. And then they sued exponentially times more because they didn't listen to warnings or take proper precautions.
It's insane, I know but it gets better.
In December of 2004, a underocean earthquake shook the Indian Ocean and produced a deadly tsunami that hit the coast of South and Southeast Asia killing over 229,000 people. In August of 2005, eight months after the Asian Tsunami, a category 5 hurricare hit the gulf coast of the United States, killing 1,836 people.
Let's crunch some numbers. The Asian tsunami killed roughly 125 times more people than Hurrincane Katrina did. Got that? 125 times more people.
Since Katrina, there have been nearly 8,000 lawsuits brought against the federal and state governments of the United States.
Since the tsunami, there have been approximately 0 lawsuits brought against the governments of Asian countries.
Of course this struck me as odd. Why didn't the Asian population sue their government at all? And then I realized that tsunamis and hurricanes are natural happenings. Governments, as much as they regulate and control, actually don't control the weather.
Residents of the gulf coast of the united states had exponentially more warning to prepare and avoid their disaster than the Asian countries. And then they sued exponentially times more because they didn't listen to warnings or take proper precautions.
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