Just opening up a new blank slate. Fill it up with whatever you like.
By the way, the new template may be temporary. While I was away on vacation, something blew up on the old template and removed most of the side widgets. Most importantly, it took away the recent comments heading. So I had to change. I’m not sure if this theme will remain, but it will be here at least for a little while.
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Travellinbaen 
Any TBU citizens out there on Twitter? If so, (a) please note the new “Tweet” button at the bottom of posts. If you see a post you like, show the love and send it on your feed. Maybe some new lost souls can find their way over to the TBU family; and (b) let me know so I can follow your posts. Others here might like to do that too. I’m already following two of y’all, but I’ll let you post the link if you want to so I don’t overstep your privacy.
Also, for those of you who don’t have a twitter account, never fear. The tweets referenced to your right can be read by anyone whether they tweet or not. The most recent posts show up on that list and it is basically my way of microblogging items that I don’t have the desire to do a full post on, often pictures.
Why is no one speaking up about how Obama is trying to destroy this country and couldn’t care less what the American people want? Come on TB and the rest of you Obama voters, you wanted change, well, you’re gettin it. Oh , you thought it was gonna be change for the better? Silly liberals, change is accomplished by volunteers or real men and women, not career politicians, especially not a vacationing, tax payers’ money blowing, not even a real citizen muslim!!!!!! Where are the patriots in this country? Are we to let apathy and aristocracy kill this great land? Viva Revolucion!! Get U Some Baby, thats what I say!!!
I think we’ve seen change for the better. Not nearly enough, and I don’t begrudge a conservative hating Obama’s policies, but I don’t want conservatives calling me silly or assuming I should regret my vote. I DO regret there is no candidate that reflects my views, but given the choices in ’08, I don’t regret my vote. I still regret my 2000 vote for Bush, however.
I don’t feel like there has been any change at all. I am still disillusioned and see no end of that insight.
TB, I don’t remember. Do you allow posts here with cussin’?
Within reason. I discourage use of the “queen mother” of cussin and her close kin but context is everything. I trust the people and their judgment.
I will refrain then. I will send you the link in a fb message. Pretty funny.
So my wifes birthday is August the 21st. Today. I was at the station yesterday and had a wreck call late last night. Well, when I got back to the station at 12:05am and looked at the date on my watch, I saw it was Aug 21st. My neanderthal brain started freaking out because I thought I had went the whole day without wishing Christi a Happy Birthday. Now, if you don’t already know this about my wife, she kind of thinks birthdays are a big deal <—-understatement of year. So, anywho, I am having some date confusion and trying to figure out how best to keep my butt from sleeping on the couch for an undetermined amount of time. I decide to send her a text message at 12:06am apologising profusely for missing her birthday (which I did not as it was the 20th that I was thinking about) and wishing her a Happy Birthday. So, long story short, I was the first person to wish my wife Happy Birthday on her actual birthday. Winner, winner, chicken dinner!!!
see below. Why?
So, you come here illegally, avoid getting convicted of committing a felony and you are in for good? Is that Obama’s immigration policy? If so, I would anticipate a rapid rise in people attempting to cross the border illegally.
______
By SUSAN CARROLL
Copyright 2010, HOUSTON CHRONICLE
Aug. 24, 2010, 9:00PM.
Billy Smith II Houston Chronicle
Culling the immigration court system dockets of noncriminals started in earnest in Houston about a month ago and has stunned local immigration attorneys, who have reported coming to court anticipating clients’ deportations only to learn that the government was dismissing their cases.
Critics assailed the plan as another sign that the Obama administration is trying to create a kind of backdoor “amnesty” program.
Gonzalez said DHS attorneys are conducting the reviews on a case-by-case basis. However, he said they are following general guidelines that allow for the dismissal of cases for defendants who have been in the country for two or more years and have no felony convictions.
______________________
Welcome back from your TBU hiatus MD. The blog has missed your reports from Drudge. Allow me to smack down ANOTHER GOP meme. The fact is, Obama has been tougher on illegal immigration than Bush. This is documented all over the web, but here’s a sample article from Mother Jones.
http://motherjones.com/politics/2010/05/obama-immigration-policy
an excerpt
Last week, Homeland Security immigration chief John Morton vowed to ramp up deportations and crackdowns on employers who hire illegal immigrants—which are already higher under Obama than during the Bush administration. “He’s deporting more people, trying to be tougher,” says Moreno. “It’s like Bush on steroids.”
Ok, Mac wanted to post this while I was out of town and due to the “don’t go overboard” cussin’ policy here at TB, he decided he’d just send it to me privately.
I don’t think its overboard though. It is damn funny.
Click the link for Ron White (no relation) on how to get our national finances back in order. Enjoy.
SEC Football fans, check out this blog–The last 10 years of SEC football recapped facebook style. Pretty funny. (hat tip to Six Pack)
http://www.chadgibbs.com/
That was pretty funny
I want to gripe and I can’t on facebook because I will hurt some feelings. So I am gonna dump it here. Listen people, if you are more than 10 years older than your “friend”, do NOT comment on anything. You are, what I refer to as a “thread ender”. Generally thread enders don’t get it and say something completely out of context and it weirds out everybody who was commenting. Thanks for listening TBU.
Um. Sorry. I’ll stop doing that. You’re only about 3 years younger tho, so I’ll keep merrily on killing your threads I guess.
You’re good TB. I was letting off some steam. Speaking specifically about three people, a couple of whom I am related to.
Heard there was another oil rig explosion this morning. Just wondering what anybody down there is hearing since ya’ll are closer to the action?
Huff post says its a drilling platform and not a drilling rig, whatever difference that makes. All 13 crew members in the water(no deaths reported) which indicates to me it is a much smaller vessel, and hopefully a smaller incident. But then again, for a week the Deepwater Horizon was covered as a bad explosion, but not an environmental disaster.
TB,
Cograts on 100K blog hits. Your motto could be: “Doing my part to contribute to the non-productivity of the American worker since 2008.”
I try, try, try not to discuss religion on facebook. It does no good. But I think the context of this article is likely to be read here so I am going to post it. It is an EXCELLENT article when read in it’s entirety.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/clay-naff/hawking-to-god-your-servi_1_b_705773.html
Exhibit A about why the death penalty should be repealed. Make that, Exhibit A5000.
I can’t begin to tell you how egregious this conduct was and this Judge and DA should be disbarred.
http://nmisscommentor.com/law/what-judge-millss-opinion-says-about-judge-kitchens-and-forrest-allgoods-candor-with-the-court/
Since it is freestyle I would like to know why people value celebrities poilitcal so highly? I just dont understand everytime a actor says anything politcal it ends up on CNN or some other news outlet and its regarded so highly. Just my two cents.
This is a good question. I personally have little interest in what celebrities have to say, be they actors, athletes, half-term governors or talk show hosts. One thing that I do appreciate is that the internet has given an outlet to a whole lot of not famous people to give their opinion and for all of us to be exposed to perspectives that tv and traditional print media all but ignored. Unfortunately, it opened us up to a lot of new craziness, but you take the good with the bad I guess.
But back to your point, I have gotten to where I cannot watch TV news on any channel. It’s awful and what they deem important just fails to resonate with me.
Im glad someone agrees with me. I just get tired of The Matt Damons and The Sean Penns. As far as TV goes I agree. I think talk radio is much much better.
why can’t we institute a flat rate 10% income tax? wouldn’that be fair? Or does that make too much sense?
I’m proud to represent this client (assisting TDW), the aunt/adoptive mom. A good article from this Sunday’s Clarion Ledger.
http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20109190352
With your background you would be the perfect person to depose the ex-wife – I believe you could trip her up in a matter of minutes. Very interesting, can’t wait to see how this turns out – keep me in the loop.
Um, let’s make it clear to the peeps…JLou is referring to my former life as a divorce lawyer. Some might misconstrue why exactly it is I’d be suited to take on the ex!
Yes, your LEGAL background will be the reason you would be successful. Never assume – you know what that does.
that’s like an episode of Law & Order.
TB, I have always assumed this but wantt o confirm: is that you from afar by the water in that photo at the top of your homepage?
I have to admit, that physique is TBesque, but alas, no. I was the photographer.
i have wondered the same thing, glad that question has been answered…
BR, still waiting on a pic of the TB hat at Dollywood.
Anyone can come up with a list of places to see before you die, but this fella in the link below made a list of places not to see, ever. He even made it 12 places so as not offend TB’s rule that “no list shall consist of exactly ten items”. The writing could have been better and made to be more humerous, but I thought it was a clever idea.
MD, this is a good idea. But the link was bad. Repost? I couldn’t find the exact article.
I also can’t think of any place off hand I’d definitely say “don’t visit” where I’ve been, not counting places where I have lived or worked. Still trying, though.
Does anyoen know how I can apply for the job mentioned below? It is a UN gig, so it probably pays well and, I would assume, requires litle actual work. The UN has been a complete failure for most of its existence, but at least it is on top of this alien ambassador issue. So we have that going for us…….which is nice.
___________________
UN ‘to appoint space ambassador to greet alien visitors’
A space ambassador could be appointed by the United Nations to act as the first point of contact for aliens trying to communicate with Earth.
_______________
I expect they’ll be here soon. Keep your towels close to hand and remember, don’t panic.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3349166738303664828#docid=-7308246594327434369
The mythbusters lighting a fart. It was banned. Probably due to communists.
Why hasn’t anyone commented on my question about a 10% flat rate income tax? TB, MD, TDW, RSR, JLou? Where my dogs at? I would think this to be a valid and important issue. Am I chopped liver? WTF?
I am in favor of the 10%, fair, or whatever other tax system they want to impose. The current tax system sucks major ass. But some will argue to their deaths that a graduated tax system is the only fair way to do it. And they come up with decent arguments if you listen to em.
Thursday Pickin will be u a little late today, probably after lunch, if you’re looking for it. Gotta be in Court this a.m.
Slacker.
This is too funny (not haha funny, but funny in the odd, depressing and pathetically sad sort of way):
__________________
McDonald’s, 29 other firms get health care coverage waivers
By Drew Armstrong, Bloomberg Business News
Nearly a million workers won’t get a consumer protection in the U.S. health reform law meant to cap insurance costs because the government exempted their employers.
Thirty companies and organizations, including McDonald’s (MCD) and Jack in the Box (JACK), won’t be required to raise the minimum annual benefit included in low-cost health plans, which are often used to cover part-time or low-wage employees.
The Department of Health and Human Services, which provided a list of exemptions, said it granted waivers in late September so workers with such plans wouldn’t lose coverage from employers who might choose instead to drop health insurance altogether.
Without waivers, companies would have had to provide a minimum of $750,000 in coverage next year, increasing to $1.25 million in 2012, $2 million in 2013 and unlimited in 2014.
“The big political issue here is the president promised no one would lose the coverage they’ve got,” says Robert Laszewski, chief executive officer of consulting company Health Policy and Strategy Associates. “Here we are a month before the election, and these companies represent 1 million people who would lose the coverage they’ve got.”
The United Agricultural Benefit Trust, the California-based cooperative that offers coverage to farm workers, was allowed to exempt 17,347 people. San Diego-based Jack in the Box’s waiver is for 1,130 workers, while McDonald’s asked to excuse 115,000.
The plans will be exempt from rules intended to keep people from having to pay for all their care once they reach a preset coverage cap. McDonald’s, which offers the programs as a way to cover part-time employees, told the Obama administration it might re-evaluate the plans unless it got a waiver.
McDonald’s and Jack in the Box didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.
The waiver program is intended to provide continuous coverage until 2014, when government-organized marketplaces will offer insurance subsidized by tax credits, says HHS spokeswoman Jessica Santillo.
The regulations would have hit some insurance plans for young adults in the universal coverage program run by the state of Massachusetts. The program, enacted in 2006, has a plan for individuals ages 18 to 26 who can’t get coverage through work, covering about 5,000 people. The waiver obtained by the state “will give us time to implement the transition plan in a manner designed to mitigate premium increases,” says Dick Powers, a spokesman for the state program.
The biggest single waiver, for 351,000 people, was for the United Federation of Teachers Welfare Fund, a New York union providing coverage for city teachers. The waivers are effective for a year and were granted to insurance plans and companies that showed that employee premiums would rise or that workers would lose coverage without them, Santillo says.
_______________________
Obama campaign speech in 2012: “We passed universal health care coverage for all Americans.” *1
Endnotes
1. unless of course, your company had enough sense to hire a CPA that could run some numbers to show that this new health care law would cost the company money, in which case we would grant that company a waiver.
_____________________
I am not shocked that the teachers union got a waiver. I wonder what the odds would be for FOX News to get a waiver? Surely this “most ethical administration ever” would not play politics with waivers, would it?
More Health Care Fun!!
________
JOHN STOSSEL: The Laws of Economics Strike Back
By John Stossel
Published October 07, 2010
| FoxNews.com
It’s raining! I don’t like it! Why hasn’t Congress passed the Good Weather Act and the Everybody Happy Act?
Sound dumb?
Why is it any dumber than a law called the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,” which promised to cover more for less money?
When Obamacare was debated, we free-market advocates insisted that no matter what the president promised, the laws of economics cannot be repealed. Our opponents in effect answered, “Yes, we can.”
Well, Obamacare has barely started taking effect, and the evidence is already rolling in. I hate to say we told them so, but … we told them so. The laws of economics have struck back.
Health insurers Wellpoint, Cigna, Aetna, Humana and CoventryOne will stop writing policies for all children (http://tinyurl.com/24437o5). Why? Because Obamacare requires that they insure already sick children for the same price as well children.
That sounds compassionate, but — in case Obamacare fanatics haven’t noticed — sick children need more medical care. Insurance is about risk, and already sick children are 100 percent certain to be sick when their coverage begins. So if the government mandates that insurance companies cover sick children at the lower well-children price, insurers will quit the market rather than sandbag their shareholders. This is not callousness — it’s fiduciary responsibility. Insurance companies are not charities. So, thanks to the compassionate Congress and president, parents of sick children will be saved from expensive insurance — by being unable to obtain any insurance! That’s how government compassion works.
In 2014, the same rule will kick in for adults. You now know what to expect.
This is just the beginning of reality’s backlash. President Obama promised that under his scheme no one will have to change medical plans, but some 840,000 Americans are already left without coverage because their insurer, the Principal Financial Group, decided to leave the market:
“(T)he company’s decision reflected its assessment of its ability to compete in the environment created by the new law,” The New York Times reports. “Principal’s decision closely tracks moves by other insurers that have indicated in recent weeks that they plan to drop out of certain segments of the market … .”
_________
You lost me at John Stossel.
There is only one answer. Universal health coverage. Put the health insurance companies out of business. That was my position then, that’s my position now.
That was the plan all along TB.
My child is uncovered and that is my major worry.
MD- That was the plan all along. Pass the law using the idiot liberals then drive the industry in the dirt so the govt “has no choice but to step in”. Viva revolucion, man, how many times I gotta say it?
This wasn’t favored by any of we idiot liberals. We wanted universal government coverage and wanted to compromise with a public option which would have given people losing coverage, or no longer able to afford coverage a freakin’ OPTION in the free market. But dipshit conservatives were afraid to let the private companies compete with the supposedly incompetent feds. It was also the dc’s that blocked and continue to block removing antitrust exemptions that prevent competition in their sacred “free markets” TM among the private companies themselves.
But I am glad to see conservatives suddenly care about people who can’t get health care. Maybe instead of just sayin’ no all the time they will come to the table with some real ideas when they take power in November.
Bwaaaaahahahahahahahaahahahahahaahahahahahaahahahahaha
I’m a retarded liberal — I didn’t test high enough to qualify as an idiot liberal. But how do I hook up with the idiot liberals and increase our collective power to bring down the insurance industry? It’s obvious we wield so much power over them already.
If the retards and idiots combined just imagine what we could accomplish. Seriously, we could start a movement; perhaps call it the tea party or something fatuously symbolic like that. We could claim that we’re taking our country back (not that it ever was taken from us, but remember we’re idiots and retards. Our claims need not make sense.) We can claim Republicans are facists AND communists. Further, we can base our movement on the Constitution without ever reading it much less understanding it. And many of our principles can actually trample on citizens’ constitutional rights while we continue to tout the sanctity of the Constitution.`
I’m getting excited just thinking about our new “tea party” of idiots and retards.
TDW. Do you have examples of the “many of our principles can actually trample on citizens’ constitutional rights”? I would like to see them. Not some garbled mess written on a poster by an illiterate redneck at a rally but the actual principals. You can throw stones at the tea party all you wish but I would hope sincerely that you don’t hang your hat in one of the established parties in this country since they have both done their best to royally &%$# this republic. Will the tea party be any different then the lying snakes that are in there now. I don’t know but I know they can’t be any worse.
Hey Mac. First, please don’t take me seriously. Second, I’m an equal opportunity smartass, i.e., I dump on Democrats and Republicans. So, no, I don’t hang my hat on either party. I despise them both. George Washington warned us against political parties and we’ve proven him right.
Regarding the tea party and the Constitution, I’ve heard far too many tea baggers clamoring for putting “God back in school,” which is begging for unconstitutional practices. The whole repeal the 14th Amendment movement basically means, “We love the Constitution once we change it to fit our needs.” Those are just a couple off the top of my head.
Bottom line, I was attempting to be humorous. I don’t like either party and I actually hope that the tea party succeeds in one way — ripping apart the GOP. And then I want one to do the same thing to the Democrats.
yea TB, we should probably just turn health care, energy, retail and everything else over to the feds as it has an outstanding track record of running massive programs.
TDW – I thought you were hilarious 🙂
And this is why you’re my all time favorite person in the world.
Politcal Correctness is ruining this country. I am a proud Ole Miss fan and always will be no matter how bad they are. Its not right when a universty can not express who they are through a mascot. Now we have to chose from smokey the bear, jaws or a mannequin. Just isnt right.
I agree Pitalo, regarding the silliness on the OM mascot. But it’s giving me a lot of laughs at y’all’s expense.
Im sure it is. How do any of these represent a rebel? At least make up something that is a rebel.
Ditto from a Rebel fan. Also, the Landshark idea sux because (1) our defense isn’t that dominant and (2) what are we going to do when the defense really sux?
Having said that, lots of mascots have nothing to do with the nickname. Look at the Auburn War Eagle, Tiger, Plainsmen, they still don’t know who they are. Or Alabama’s Elephant Crimson Tide — that fat ass mascot is a gray tide.
I am glad that we got rid of “athletic” Colonel Reb. Nobody likes a 90-year old with a studly body. Look at that freak Jack Lalanne and his juicer. Who wants to be reminded of that guy all the time?
The “mannequin” label cracked me up.
Thats true about some mascots but Col. Reb was the greatest mascot IMO. Im biased of couse. I really dont know what we can do to get a decent mascot. I just dont think nothing we will ever do will match up to Col. reb. Even the helmet with Col. Reb on it looked so awesome.
An interesting article from the Libetarian perspective on health care.
http://www.libertyforall.net/?p=4933#more-4933
“Free your mind and the rest will follow.” – En Vogue
good article Mac. Anyone who quotes the great philosopher En Vogue has instant credibility in my book.
On the Col. Reb, It makes me puke that in order to even try to keep up with larger, richer, more successful programs in SEC we have to cowtow and lose the Colonel. But why hasn’t someone just developed a more modern, re-vamped CR? Like the Buc on Tampa Bays helmet? Or UNLV’s Runnin Reb? A swashbucklin’, riverboat gamblin’ type of Rebel? Doesn’t that make more sense than a fish or a bear for cryin’ out loud? Sometimes I feel like I’m the only one around with any common sense!!!!
As far as the health care thing, I hate all parties as well, they’re all a bunch of crooks and opportunistic leaches. I am a liberal conservative. Or a conservative liberal. Wait, now I’m confused. I do know that letting the govt. take over ANYTHING is a bad idea, I (gulp) agree with MD on that one. The govt. should only regulate thru checks and balances to protect citizens/consumers/patients and prevent monopolies/ price gouging,etc. Take over the market or use OUR tax dollars to bail out??? HELL NO!!!
sweet,
they are coming to get you…
That sht’s funny.
Sorry its been quiet in the TBU this week. I actually got some good blog fodder this weekend at the balloon fest, but I’ve been busier than usual with work. Gotta drive to Natchez for the second day in a row tomorrow, which means I’ll probably have to save my ideas for Friday or next week.
Keep starin’ friends.
That’s weird. People have been writing to the Sun Herald here on the coast the past week claiming to have seen odd lights and such during day and evening. Maybe they have finally decided to make their presence known, huh Sweet?
We had sightings of strange lights here in Richmond over the weekend. Very strange. Is the alien invasion on the way?
That was a cool video MD. For the record TBU, there are no aliens flying around our planet in saucers. FTR.
Anyway, onto the reason I popped in. This is a pretty good little article on mainstream media and their lack of substance. It’s why I don’t watch ANY of them.
http://seminal.firedoglake.com/diary/77402
Since Sweet is Silent perhaps they have already picked him up! Imagine that scenario.
It is possible that they abducted me at some point. All I know is that I have seen a being metamorphosing into human form by the water at River Docks. So they are among us.
maybe this guy should be our representative to deal with the aliens. Not to even get into the rent control in New York, but as a note to all renters: if your landlord raises your rent, then you can move.
http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local-beat/Rent-Is-Too-Damn-High-Candidate-Doesnt-Pay-Rent-105346278.html
Mac- I also do not watch ANY of the news channels, not even Fox News. I just can’t believe we ever got to the point where the media stopped reporting the news and gave their own spin on what was going on. As Joe Friday from Dragnet used to say, “Just the facts, ma’am.”
On Walton and Johnson radio this morn, it was reported that a new figure was posted that claims $14 billion revenue in Cal. from LEGAL mary jane. That is $12 billion more than the Cal. wine market.(blank stare) That is LEGAL weed!!!! What is real figure? Can you imagine the positive monetary injection legalization nationwide would bring, especially when you consider the money no longer wasted on FIGHTING the cultivation, sale, and possession of it? WOW!!!! But, we probably don’t need that, I mean weed is such a destructive substance, esp. compared to say, alcohol, tobacco, and fast food. I digress.
Here is what should happen to most reporters for the bleeding-heart,http://www.break.com/usercontent/2008/1/Bird-Poops-In-Reporters-Mouth-439943.html liberal media networks. It’s called poetic justice.
Sorry guys, messed that up.
http://www.break.com/usercontent/2008/1/Bird-Poops-In-Reporters-Mouth-439943.html
Unfortunately the spin started when the government decided that networks no longer had to give fair time to each side of an issue. They could pick and choose. Rupert Murdoch heard that and went, oooo, I have an idea. And here we are, networks, liberally and conservative, picking and choosing what suits them.
Also, has everybody else noticed how stupid Christine O’Donnell is?
Drudge Update:
I am glad that the “most ethical administration ever” which “will not hire lobbyists” has hired yet another lobbyist, this one for Fannie Mae and Goldman Sachs, two of the main culprets that caused the housing bubble/financial meltdown. What national security experience does this fella have?
_______
Opinion
Why is Obama putting a Fannie Mae/Goldman Sachs lobbyist/consultant as NSA?
By: Timothy P. Carney
Senior Examiner Columnist
10/15/10 4:10 PM EDT
Obama last week tapped Tom Donilon as National Security Advisor. What’s Donilon’s resume? I summarized it when folks floated his name as potential White House chief of staff:
He was a top lobbyist at Fannie Mae during the housing bubble, when Fannie fought — with Democratic help — to avoid any restrictions or curbs on its work to inflate home values and get more people under mortgage. Before that, Donilon was a lobbyist at O’Melveny and Myers, where Fannie was a client.
In 2008, according to his financial disclosure forms, Donilon was a paid consultant for Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, and Apollo Investments.
Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Fla., had a similar reaction to the NSA news, putting out this press release:
“Now that we’re in a post 9/11 environment we need a National Security Advisor who has a history of expertise with security issues to protect us against terrorists and not a lobbyist who has a history of running our economy into the ditch as Senior Vice President & General Counsel for Fannie Mae and a lobbyist for Goldman Sachs”
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This is GARBAGE
Juan Williams is a liberal, but not one of those ones that cannot say anything bad about a Democrat no matter what and not one of those who slants every news story to pursue an agenda. Therefore, I have always respected him despite not agreeing with his views.
Official NPR correspondent IR, what is up with your media outlet?
____________________
NPR Ends Williams’ Contract After Muslim Remarks
by David Folkenflik
Stephen Voss/©2007 NPR
October 21, 2010 NPR News has terminated the contract of longtime news analyst Juan Williams after remarks he made on the Fox News Channel about Muslims.
Williams appeared Monday on The O’Reilly Factor, and host Bill O’Reilly asked him to comment on the idea that the U.S. is facing a dilemma with Muslims.
O’Reilly has been looking for support for his own remarks on a recent episode of ABC’s The View in which he directly blamed Muslims for the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Co-hosts Joy Behar and Whoopi Goldberg walked off the set in the middle of his appearance.
Williams responded: “Look, Bill, I’m not a bigot. You know the kind of books I’ve written about the civil rights movement in this country. But when I get on the plane, I got to tell you, if I see people who are in Muslim garb and I think, you know, they are identifying themselves first and foremost as Muslims, I get worried. I get nervous.”
Williams also warned O’Reilly against blaming all Muslims for “extremists,” saying Christians shouldn’t be blamed for Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh.
But strong criticism followed Williams’ comments.
Late Wednesday night, NPR issued a statement praising Williams as a valuable contributor but saying it had given him notice that it is severing his contract. “His remarks on The O’Reilly Factor this past Monday were inconsistent with our editorial standards and practices, and undermined his credibility as a news analyst with NPR,” the statement read.
Williams’ presence on the largely conservative and often contentious prime-time talk shows of Fox News has long been a sore point with NPR News executives.
_____________________
I think NPR is now caught up with something that everyone is, which is the very strange line our country now straddles when it comes to making comments about Muslims. Personally I had no problem with what he said. Although I disagree with his concern. We now live in a media age where every public figure will have any statement parsed and spliced and misused. It’s a shame really. Makes me happy I got out of journalism when I did. Unfortunately those that usually get fired, are one’s that said the least offensive comments. What he said was not on par with what Brian Kilmeade said the other day, “All terrorists are muslim”, which is clearly just ignorant, but Kilmeade still has a job. Ol’ Juan doesn’t. Basically because people expect that from Fox News, so it doesn’t surprise them if any of their personalities, like Glenn Beck for instance, say something provacative or incendiary. But if someone like Juan Williams does, it’s considered more of a big deal, even if it’s not.
I don’t have a problem with what he said because it is true, and 99.9% of people in this country think the same thing. Can anyone honestly say that they would not be a little concerned about being blown up if you were on a plane with 5 Islamic guys in their 20’s and one stood up and yelled “Allah Akbar!!!”.
I really tire of hearing people comparing Mcveigh to Muslims. Yeah, he might have spouted off something in the name of Christianity, but we all know he was just a disgruntled ex-military psycho. And he is ONE person!!!! There has been many, many instances of Islamic terrorism. All in the name of Allah. It is not just a denomination, it is a whole lifestyle and doctrine. Of course all Muslims are not terrorists, but it sure would be nice if the peaceful ones would speak out against Muslim terrorists and actively help in trying to stop it. The ones hiding Bin Laden have probably never fired an AK-47 or launched a RPG or set off a bomb, but are they innocent, peaceful, GOOD Muslims? How many American terrorists do we see bombing places in the name of Catholicism or Presbyterianism? Hmmmmmm……….
I don’t think you will see anyone bombing in the name of Catholicism or God forbid, Prebyterians. I think all the terrible things done TO catholics is something you will have to go back in history to see about – their religion was greatly misunderstood as well. Did any of you see the 60 Minutes interview with the Muslim leader in NYC who is wanting to build the mosque? It was pretty interesting – he said it was his job to get between a muslim terrorist and any person they were threatening.
Yes, I would be nervous in a plane with several young islamic folks – male or female – it would be in the back of my mind. I’m sure they have many thoughts on red headed people and what they are capable of as well. Stigma is stigma!
well JL, we all know that redheads are pure evil 🙂
There is a lot more to it than that……… 😉
MD- you don’t respond to all that I wrote, but you quip something about evil redheads? I am hurt.
The problem is organized religion. Muslim faith requires them to convert all to Islam, by force if necessary. The Christian religion has the same goal. They just aren’t as fervent about it.
What’s funny is I’ve been on a plane where there were a large number of muslims, and due to an open bleeding wound on my knee, they were looking at me frightened. I found it to be funny and ironic.
People compare McVeigh because he’s the most known assailant. As for christian terrorism, what about Northern Ireland? Or those that bomb abortion clinics in the name of what the “Lord” has told them was wrong? Honestly I agree with Mac. It’s like the line from Dogma, “Humanity took a good idea and made a belief structure out of it.” Because of that structure, many people from all religions, refuse to believe that there might be something else, or refuse to acknowledge someone else’s right to have a different belief structure. It is an affront to what they believe is true, and they will have none of it.
In the case of Bin Laden. I’ve never bought that he or his higher ups actually believe that bull crap they say. I think they’ve used the emotionality of people, and their gullibleness, to get them to do what they want. Is Bin Laden a psychopath? Of course he is. Are the people that follow him also psychopaths? Of course. But should that impugn all Muslims. No.
But is it okay for people to be paranoid. Equally yes. I just generally choose not to be when it comes to this stuff. I’m more concerned about American police officers than I am Muslims.
Christians used to be extremely fervent about converting everyone (the Inquisitions in Europe and sending out missionaries all over the world). At least the Inquisitions have stopped.
this dude would just have to be killed:
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Australian Tattoo Artist Allegedly Inks Lewd Image on Friend’s Back
Published October 26, 2010
| FoxNews.com
A 21-year-old Australian man has been charged with assault after allegedly tattooing an image of a penis on his friend’s back, according to the Courier Mail.
The 25-year-old victim was visiting the amateur tattoo artist at the man’s home last week when he was talked into getting a tattoo, according to the paper.
The man wanted a yin and yang symbol tattooed on his back, but allegedly got a 16-inch tattoo of a penis with an obscene gesture instead.
That’s a lot worse than when we colored Greekson purple in Oxford with majik markers
Oh. those were the days.
TB are you going to have a special edition of Pickem for the the house and senate races next tuesday?
I would be interested in you and Md’s prediction.
We can do that.
Anybody interested in the California Chamber of Commerce’s Reefer Madness:
World Series Prediction: Rangers in 6.
I have been waiting in the wings silently watching the Taylor / Palazzo election. To be honest, like a lot of you, while I feel it is my duty to vote, I am quite apathetic because I think they’re all crooks/ idiots. But I heard an ad today that claims Palazzo introduced a bill while a State Cong. to cut the state retirees 13th check they get every Dec. 15th to offset end of the year(XMas) costs and Beginning of the year expenses such as property taxes. He views this as wasteful govt. spending. (Blank Stare) This is actually one of the things the state got right. Our Public Employee Retiree System is actually good, I know first hand. Why would he want to take money out of retirees’ hands who earned that thru service and depend on it? His exorbitant part time salary is a waste!!! That was all I needed to hear. You got my vote Gene, just to naysay a turd!!
As the son of two lifelong government employees, both of whom the taxpayers got their money’s worth out of, I am glad to hear your perspective is from the populist viewpoint regarding their well deserved retirement security.
As for the election, they both are way too far right wing for me, so I really don’t care who wins, though a Gene Taylor defeat would be fascinating and a bad sign for Democrats. If he loses by a few percentage points, you have to think his “the Gulf is fine–looks like Choc Milk” comments were the difference.
MD, nice call on the WS
So, the Rally to Restore Sanity was pretty awesome. Good to see the artist formerly known as Cat Stevens, Ozzy, and the O-Jay’s. Crowd was pretty massive. I think estimates are putting it at around 200,000-215,000, which would be a little over 100,000 more than Glenn Beck. Of course, I’m sure the Fox folks are only focusing on the anti-Fox part of the crowd, but that’s not a shock. Actually I know that’s what O’Reilly is focusing on. My girlfriend watched him with her dad last night and informed me that he didn’t mention how big the crowd was, didn’t talk about the overall message, and just talked about the anti-fox people and those that were wackily dressed. It seems that he forgot that it was the day before Halloween, which might explain the fun costumes. As opposed to the Tea Party people who get into their outfits because it April.
The overall message of the event was good. We aren’t a viciously divided country that can’t ever get things done and compromise. Us normal folks do it every single day with each other. Of course, Congress is anything but normal. But anytime I think about that aspect, I always recall a part of Hunter S. Thompson’s book Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail, when talking about Wallace, he basically says, that Wallace’s act goes down a lot differently in St. Petersburg than it does in say New York. So what seems nutty to me here in Virginia, might not be seen in the same light by the voting public in Denver.
Overall, people were nice, a lot of the signs were funny, and I got to see Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and R2D2. Unfortunately, it’s not like the Rally will change a dang thing. The media will still only look at the craziest among us, and politicians will still do stupid crap that their base loves, while the rest of us give a blank stare.
Thanks for the report Irv. I saw a few shots of the crowd, it looked pretty big. As for B.O., bad publicity is better than no publicity!
Remember to vote Libertarian today.
It should be an interesting game of chicken in DC for the next two years.
I’m voting Green. Or, considering the choices that will be on my ballot, I might be doing a lot of write-ins. May put you down MD.
The only contested race on my ballot got a checkmark by the Libertarian candidate. Don’t know squat about him and he’s probably looney as a shithouse rat but he’s got to be better than the two main parties candidates.
Good idea TB – he could work for my district. I’m sick, just sick of them all.
Irv – I looked for you and was disappointed not to see you – glad you made it back.
MD-I just realized that your TV alter-ego, politically speaking, is Ron Effing Swanson from Parks and Recreation. And that’s a compliment.
IR,
I’ll check that out at home as our systems do not allow us to watch any type of internet video here.
I do like the middle name “Effing”. “Hello. My name is Anita Effing Dick. Would you like to go out sometime?”
pretty map
http://www.foxnews.com/interactive/politics/election-map-2010/#race=racesInPlay&pres=false
Congratulations Republicans. Now get started cutting the budget.
THEY NEED TO DO A LOT MORE THAN THAT!!!!!!!! The economy, health care, welfare, education, taxes, term limits, campaign regulations, salary limits, energy sources, war, and the beat goes on…………………..Palazzo said last night the very first thing he will do once sworn in is fire Pelosi. Did the 4th dist. rep. gain some new power I am not aware of?
Empty rhetoric. The same thing that got him elected FTR.
Clearly shaken by the total and utter rejection of his policies by the American people (biggest shift in the House since Herbert Hoover), Obama will show that he respects the voters’ views and that he is ready to get to work to fix the problems that we face. He will lead by example in cutting wasteful spending in DC by booking 800 luxury hotel rooms and traveling to India with 3000 of his cronies – taking with him 40 limos and 34 naval vessels at a cost to the US taxpayers of $200 million per day. He is clearly humbled by his historical defeat.
could I get a source for this stunning travel expense meme?
Even if it is not $200 mil a day TB, don’t you think his spending of the taxpayers’ dollars for all these extravagant trips he and his wife have taken are grossly wasteful and unnecessary? His wife’s trip to Spain was ridiculous and this timely trip to India ( which has no significant purpose btw) is even worse. What a joke!!!
This is truly funny. She can’t take a hint?? Surely the Dems are not THAT stupid.
I can’t tell you how much I hope she wins.
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House of Representatives
Pelosi: ‘I Am Running for Democratic Leader’
Published November 05, 2010
| FoxNews.com
Print Email Share Comments (1159) Text Size
Reuters
Tuesday: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Chris Van Hollen talk to reporters at Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington.
Bucking speculation that she would step down after her Democratic Party suffered a “shellacking” in Tuesday’s election, outgoing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced Friday that she will run for minority leader in the next Congress.
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As magnificent a display of engineering as I have ever seen:
http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1Edi8Z/www.youtube.com/watch%253Fv%253DvrCb_fNmSTA
Blank Stare
I also had a *blank stare* type of reaction. But, that didn’t stop me from posting it on my Facebook page. I like the video, I’m just not sure why.
I love Rube Goldberg machines.
Possibly the baddest man ever.
cool
More companies (and a bunch of unions) have been granted new waivers from the Obama administration from the debacle that is Obama Care. I thought it was supposed to be the greatest thing since sliced bread. If so, I wonder why all of these companies are scrambling to get out of it.
http://www.hhs.gov/ociio/regulations/approved_applications_for_waiver.html
What a joke. Unfortunately, the joke is on us.
Obama promised us that: (1) everyone would be covered; (2) premiums would not go up; and (3) no one would lose their current insurance.
These waivers are granted if you can show that premiums will go up such that you might drop your insurance coverage, and millions of workers have now been excluded from coverage through these waivers, so (1) and (2) have now been proven to be false. (3) would be false but for these waivers.
The only way that he can explain the waivers is to admit that (1), (2) and (3) were false. Otherwise, the waivers would not be needed.
Everyone, and I stress EVERYONE, knew and knows that this was just the liberals trying to finally get their socialist health care passed no matter what it took. Anyone who said or says that it would not wreak havok on the insurance industry and cause prices to rise either 1)has absolutely no understanding of economics or 2)is/was lying through their teeth.
10 points to anyone who knows what special occasion today marks in the TBU.
Thinking of adding some new significance this year, maybe get the churches involved.
I’m pretty sure that I know this one, but I don’t get to have points so I won’t spoil the fun.
I was thinking it had something to do with the holiday season but it might be too early for that.
Happy Third Week everybody!!
You are a true champion.
Time to party friends, it’s the (third) most wonderful time (arguably) of the year.
And here’s my idea to make it take off–Third Week happens right after election day, so, to give it some religious meaning…..it celebrates Jesus throwing the money-changers out of the temple.
Are you with me?????
The NYSE began using the stock ticker on this day, which led to the scores ticker on the bottom of your tv screen, which led to more interest in sports gambling, which led to Thurday Pickin in the TBU
Ahah, Third Week. I knew there must be some reason for my lack of enthusiasm at work this week. That explains it.
Why wasn’t this stuff around when we were in high school?
http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/11/17/alcohol.caffeine.drinks/index.html?hpt=T2
It was. It was just called Bud Light and Mini Thins
true dat.
See article below. No, wrong conclusion Ms. Hyde.
The results of this survey do not mean that we need more mental health workers, it means that we have now come up with so many new “mental illnesses” and lowered the standards so far that way too many people qualify.
I realize that mental health workers want as many people as possible to be “mentally ill” so they make more money (the same way lawyers want more laws passed so that people need them more to interpret the law and the same way that CPA’s don’t want to simplify the tax code so that people need them to understand it), but if 1 in 5 adults has a “mental illness”, then the way they define “mental illness” is obviously wrong.
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Nearly 1 in 5 Americans had mental illness in 2009
Published: Thursday, 18 Nov 2010
CHICAGO – More than 45 million Americans, or 20 percent of U.S. adults, had some form of mental illness last year, and 11 million had a serious illness, U.S. government researchers reported on Thursday.
“Too many Americans are not getting the help they need and opportunities to prevent and intervene early are being missed,” Pamela Hyde, SAMHSA’s administrator, said in a statement.”
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MD, you obviously have not visited the right places lately.
The mentally retarded have a hard time admitting they have a problem, thus MD’s lack of recognition.
I had nothing wrong in 2009, but some other years have been in question.
Can this dude get anything right? He should easily join the ranks of Jimmy Carter and Warren G. Harding as one of the worst Presidents in U.S. history. His staff obviously are morons also, because no one seems to advise B.O. worth a sh1t, or his ego will not allow him to heed. Check it out.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20101119/pl_afp/natosummitobamatransportenvironmentoffbeat
I have a “union” anecdote today for all the “pro”unionizers out there. Just an example of why unions do far more harm than good these days and why it costs so much to build anything somewhere that is unionized.
I was at work the other day when I saw some maintenance painters painting the side of a building. They had a hose attached to a fire hydrant (1st no-no) to dilute the paint as they were painting. FYI, it takes only a small amt at a time to do this. But they had water continuously running the whole time. The hydrant they were using is defective and is up for repair. It leaks underground so as they were flowing water continuously, it was washing away the ground underneath. We stopped and asked them why they were doing it this way and not turning the hose on and off as needed? Response was “We are just painters. To turn the water off we have to get a maintenance pipefitter down here to shut it off. So we just had him leave it on, then we call him when we are through to come shut it off. If we shut it off we are taking work away from the pipefitters.” My response after a dizzy blank stare, “Well, we’re shutting off. You can’t use this hydrant.” Several days later there was a grievance from the pipefitters about us shutting the water off. Go figure. Well, of course we can do what we want with the hydrants being we are the fire department so the grievance went nowhere. But just think of how ludicrous this is. And it is like this wherever there are unions on a daily basis. No wonder it takes so much money to build a ship. Or anything else for that matter.
Sweet,
If I went to a reunion of your former girlfriends, the ratio of the mentally ill would be more like 4 out of 5, with a certain red-headed major contributor to the TB site being in the 1/5 group 🙂
sEan,
I used to hear stories like that all of the time about the unions at the paper mill in Moss Point.
Manager: “These bolts are loose. Please tighten them.”
Worker: “No sir. I cannot do that. It must be someone from the ____ department.”
20 minutes later with 5 people now standing there waiting around doing nothing, someone from the __ department finally shows up and tightens the bolts. One of the many reasons why China makes everything now.
Al Gore finally fesses up on the ethanol sham. When will he fess up on the sham that is man-made global warming?
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U.S. corn ethanol “was not a good policy”-Gore
Mon Nov 22, 2010 12:24pm GMT
By Gerard Wynn
ATHENS, Nov 22 (Reuters) – Former U.S. vice-president Al Gore said support for corn-based ethanol in the United States was “not a good policy”, weeks before tax credits are up for renewal. U.S. blending tax breaks for ethanol make it profitable for refiners to use the fuel even when it is more expensive than gasoline. The credits are up for renewal on Dec. 31.
Total U.S. ethanol subsidies reached $7.7 billion last year according to the International Energy Industry, which said biofuels worldwide received more subsidies than any other form of renewable energy.
“It is not a good policy to have these massive subsidies for (U.S.) first generation ethanol,” said Gore, speaking at a green energy business conference in Athens sponsored by Marfin Popular Bank. “First generation ethanol I think was a mistake. The energy conversion ratios are at best very small.
“It’s hard once such a programme is put in place to deal with the lobbies that keep it going.” He explained his own support for the original programme on his presidential ambitions. “One of the reasons I made that mistake is that I paid particular attention to the farmers in my home state of Tennessee, and I had a certain fondness for the farmers in the state of Iowa because I was about to run for president.”
U.S. ethanol is made by extracting sugar from corn, an energy-intensive process. The U.S. ethanol industry will consume about 41 percent of the U.S. corn crop this year, or 15 percent of the global corn crop, according to Goldman Sachs analysts.
A food-versus-fuel debate erupted in 2008, in the wake of record food prices, where the biofuel industry was criticised for helping stoke food prices. Gore said a range of factors had contributed to that food price crisis, including drought in Australia, but said there was no doubt biofuels have an effect.
“The size, the percentage of corn particularly, which is now being (used for) first generation ethanol definitely has an impact on food prices. “The competition with food prices is real.”
________________
If this would have happened when W was Presisent, it would have been all over CNN and the late night talk shows as showing: (a) how stupid he was to have been duped by this fella; or (b) that he lied to us about the potential for peace just before the election. Instead, everyone just sees it for what it was: a failure of intelligence. See WMB issue.
_________________
Taliban Leader in Secret Talks Was an Impostor
By DEXTER FILKINS and CARLOTTA GALL
Published: November 22, 2010
KABUL, Afghanistan — For months, the secret talks unfolding between Taliban and Afghan leaders to end the war appeared to be showing promise, if only because of the appearance of a certain insurgent leader at one end of the table: Mullah Akhtar Muhammad Mansour, one of the most senior commanders in the Taliban movement.
But now, it turns out, Mr. Mansour was apparently not Mr. Mansour at all. In an episode that could have been lifted from a spy novel, United States and Afghan officials now say the Afghan man was an impostor, and high-level discussions conducted with the assistance of NATO appear to have achieved little.
“It’s not him,” said a Western diplomat in Kabul intimately involved in the discussions. “And we gave him a lot of money.” American officials confirmed Monday that they had given up hope that the Afghan was Mr. Mansour, or even a member of the Taliban leadership.
____________
Nice.
This is a follow up post to my post from a year ago showing that Obama was crooked for giving his union buddies’ non-secured positions in GM preferential treatment over the bondholders’ secured positions in the US government’s bailout of that entity.
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GM’s union recovering after stock sale
Taxpayers and investors not as fortunate as UAW
By Patrice Hill
–
The Washington Times
7:24 p.m., Thursday, November 25, 2010
General Motors Co.’s recent stock offering was staged to start paying back the government for its $50 billion bailout, but one group made out much better than the taxpayers or other investors: the company’s union.
Thanks to a generous share of GM stock obtained in the company’s 2009 bankruptcy settlement, the United Auto Workers is well on its way to recouping the billions of dollars GM owed it — putting it far ahead of taxpayers who have recouped only about 30 percent of their investment and further still ahead of investors in the old GM who have received nothing.
The boon for the union fits the pattern established when the White House pushed GM into bankruptcy and steered it through the courts in a way that consistently put the interests of the union ahead of many suppliers, dealers and investors — stakeholders that ordinarily would have fared as well or better under the bankruptcy laws.
________
MD above
See my post above from 11-19-10. I guess I am mentally ill now. I suppose that we (the taxpayers) will now be funding (to the tune of millions of dollars) research into this BS much to the delight of Duke University.
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Adult Picky Eaters Now Recognized as Having a Disorder
Published November 29, 2010
He’s 63 years old, but Bob Krause admits he still eats “a 4-year-old’s dream diet.”
Krause likes peanut butter, crackers, grilled cheese sandwiches, chocolate milk and little else. More adventurous meals look like “a plate of barf,” he told LiveScience.
“If I could snap my fingers and change, I would,” he said, explaining his pickiness helped ruin two marriages, limited his career options and makes most social occasions sources of stress.
Researchers think Krause could be one of thousands suffering from a previously unrecognized illness: selective eating disorder, more commonly known as very picky eating. Instead of having a couple foods they’d rather avoid, the way most of us do, people with selective eating disorder feel there are very few foods they are even capable of eating.
“People who are picky aren’t doing this just to be stubborn,” said eating researcher Nancy Zucker of Duke University, explaining that extremely picky eaters experience food differently than the rest of us.
_________________
And I thought you and I were bad, MD. Your meat and bread only hamburger, and my NO ONIONS EVER policy pale in comparison.
MD, at the risk of sounding like I agree with you, I, too, am somewhat puzzled and amused by the increase in disorders, especially those merely name the person’s behavior and then stick the word “disorder” at the end.
Crankiness is now Aversion To Annoying People Disorder. 99.99% of the women on the planet are afflicted with TDW Is Unattractive And I’d Never Have Sex With Him Disorder. (This last one is legit actually.)
TDW- I guess that answers my question of whether or not that is a picture of you beside your name.
DW,
“at the risk of sounding like I agree with you”. funny guy
I would be amused also except for the facts that (1) we are all paying for this BS treatment through higher insurance premiums (most of which cover mental health now); and (2) it only increases the glorification of the “I am a victim” theology that is helping to drive this country into the ground. What ever happened to toughness and pride and not blaming others or some bogus “disorder” for all of one’s problems?
It went out with the prayer, pledge of allegiance, and paddle in school MD. Where have you been? It’s the mamsy pamsy-ification of America. Haven’t you seen the Geico commercial?
No comments on this story yet? Where you at Townsend?
_____________
NCAA spins fairy-tale fodder
By Gene Wojciechowski
ESPN.com
Archive Newton Eligible To Play
Huh? Did the NCAA do what I think it did? Did it basically rule that a father and a third party can actively, brazenly and with impunity shop a player around for hundreds of thousands of dollars — and the worst thing that happens is the father has to lie low and the third party has to disassociate himself from the programs in question?
Did it just get embarrassed by a rules loophole the size of Jordan-Hare Stadium, the gist of it being: Your old man and another guy can put you on the open market, but as long as you don’t know about it, you’re good to strap it up for the next big game?
The answers: yes and yes.
“In determining how a violation impacts a student-athlete’s eligibility, we must consider the young person’s responsibility,” said Kevin Lennon, NCAA vice president for academic and membership affairs, in announcing the ruling Wednesday that Auburn quarterback Cameron Newton is eligible. “Based on the information available to the reinstatement staff at this time, we do not have sufficient evidence that Cam Newton or anyone from Auburn was aware of this activity, which led to his reinstatement.”
Amazing. The NCAA just made it possible for anyone with a blue-chip prospect to shop that player without fear of real punishment. Football player … hoops player — doesn’t matter. All you have to do is say the kid didn’t have a clue about the sales price and it’s like nothing happened. Plausible deniability.
The Rev. Cecil Newton should thank the heavens that the NCAA carries guns loaded with blanks. Newton’s penalty for peddling his son: His access to Auburn athletics is “limited.” That’s it — “limited,” whatever that means.
This isn’t a slap on the wrist; it’s a wet kiss on the ring finger. Someone who tried to sell his own son as if he were a football commodity essentially beat the rap.
You think the reverend cares whether he has limited access? Please. In all likelihood, his son has two games left in his Auburn career. And then Cam is off to the NFL, where the auction is sanctioned and done publicly. Amen, to that.
As expected, everyone involved issued the appropriate statements. The NCAA made its molar-less ruling. Auburn said it was pleased with that ruling. And SEC commissioner Mike Slive said, “The conduct of Cam Newton’s father and the involved individual is unacceptable and has no place in the SEC or in intercollegiate athletics.”
Duh. Of course it’s unacceptable. But nothing the NCAA or the SEC did Wednesday is going to make this go away in the future. If anything, Cecil Newton provided a detailed road map for those parents or others looking to make a buck (or nearly $200,000) off their sons. Now everyone with their hands out knows the NCAA is powerless to do anything — just as long as the kid has that plausible deniability.
And maybe it’s just me, but the NCAA’s phrase, “Based on the information available to the reinstatement staff at this time” caught my attention. Does that mean investigators are still digging? Or does it mean they’ve run out of shovels?
And if they are still digging, what happens if they find something after the Heisman vote? Or after the national championship game? Then what?
So Cam Newton is eligible — for Saturday night’s game against South Carolina, for the Heisman and for the BCS National Championship Game, should No. 1-ranked Auburn win the SEC title. But something still doesn’t feel right.
The NCAA, for all its countless, mind-boggling rules, is apparently useless when it comes to a father trying to sell his son. Think about that for a minute. It’s like a bad fairy tale.
But here’s the thing: This isn’t the end; it’s the beginning. Of loophole chaos.
It is at once disgusting and not surprising at the same time.
Statement by NCAA President Mark Emmert on Cam Newton Eligibility
“We recognize that many people are outraged at the notion that a parent or anyone else could “shop around” a student-athlete and there would possibly not be repercussions on the student-athlete’s eligibility.
I’m committed to further clarifying and strengthening our recruiting and amateurism rules so they promote appropriate behavior by students, parents, coaches and third parties. We will work aggressively with our members to amend our bylaws so that this type of behavior is not a part of intercollegiate athletics.”
One size does not fit all: Differences between eligibility and investigations
Many in the media and public have drawn comparisons between recent high-profile NCAA decisions while ignoring the important differences among the cases. There is a purposeful distinction between determining student-athlete responsibility through an eligibility decision and university culpability through the infractions process. Universities are accountable for rules violations through the infractions process.
Student-athletes are responsible for rules violations through the eligibility process.
Reinstatement decisions are independent of the NCAA enforcement process and typically are made once the facts of the student-athlete’s involvement are determined. The reinstatement process is likely to conclude prior to the close of an investigation.
“The enforcement staff investigates all types of rules violations,” said Julie Roe Lach, NCAA vice president of enforcement. “Some of these investigations affect student-athlete eligibility and others do not. The investigation does not stop with a student-athlete eligibility issue, but school officials must address it as soon as they are aware of the violations.”
The NCAA looks at each student-athlete eligibility decision based on its merits, because no two are identical. In the Cam Newton reinstatement case, there was not sufficient evidence available to establish he had any knowledge of his father’s actions and there was no indication he actually received any impermissible benefit. If a student-athlete does not receive tangible benefits, that is a different situation from a student-athlete or family member who receives cash, housing or other benefits or knowingly competes and is compensated as a professional athlete.
“As the reinstatement staff reviews eligibility cases, we must review each case based on its own merits and the specific facts,” said Kevin Lennon, NCAA vice president of academic and membership affairs.
“During the decision, we must examine a number of factors, including guidelines established by our membership for what conditions should be applied based on the nature and scope of the violation. We also carefully consider any mitigating factors presented by the university to determine if relief from the guidelines should be provided.”
While comparisons may be human nature, they should at least be made based on the facts.
If there was not sufficient evidence then why was he ever declared ineligible to begin with? What a joke. A media driven society nearing its end, thats all I can say. None of this crap should have come out until there was enough FACTS and EVIDENCE and the investigation had been concluded. Then report the FACTS and leave it alone. All the innuendo and subjugation and supterfuge is what causes most of the chaos in America today. Where have all the good times gone?
A little nod to the passing of another part of TB’s, and a lot of y’all’s, childhoods, especially when I got to stay up past halftime.
Man, I sure miss those days, RIP Dandy Don.
10-4 on that, good player, great colored man………the sanitizing of the MNF booth has really sucked. I keep the sound off. Zeek, send in a demo tape to ESPN
Not to mention, he was sooo good looking – really. Loved watching the spots with Howard Cosell over the weekend – takes me right back to the Monday nights of my childhood.
JLou, I can picture you and your momma gettin all worked up over Dandy Don and Magnum P.I.
http://tela.sugarmegs.org/_asxtela/JohnLennonUnreleasedHomeDemos.asx
In honor of the anniversary Lennon’s death I figured I’d throw this link up on here. If you want to listen to some late Lennon stuff he was working on when he died. It’s pretty good stuff.
I wonder where that poster of Magnum went….. totally another subject.
As for Lennon – I remember where I was and what I was doing when I heard that news. I was on my bed studying for AP economics test during my senior year and listening to the radio – if I’m not mistaken it was a Monday night. It was an unbelievable thing at the time – couldn’t believe anyone would do that and put an end to an era.
It was a monday night. ESPN has been running a story about how the news was broken on MNF. Cosell didn’t want to break the news on air, because he didn’t know how he could put it in, and I think it was Gifford who said, just say it. It’s pretty interesting hearing the clip of Cosell announcing to the country that Lennon had been shot and killed, since I think they were the first tv program to announce it. Eerie hearing that Cosell cadence say, “Dead on arrival.”
SWEET, I THOUGHT DANDY DON WAS “WHITE” NOT COLORED .HA
Thought you might like that
I’d like to hear that clip – is it on youtube or somewhere? Send it to me if you still have it. I was listening to either WQID or WABB at the time. Lennon’s last album “Double Fantasy” has not been out very long at that time.
Here it is:
Now that Urban Meyer has resigned is there any chance Mullin leaves STATE for Gainesville???
Colin Cowherd just said two sources told him that Fla is making a call today to a very good head coach at a nice program. He is giving the clue S.T.A.B as an acronym to prove he had the scoop when the story breaks. The same sources gave him the Kiffin to USC news the day before. Is Mullen a “very good” coach and is Miss St a “nice” program?
What does S.T.A.B. mean? Sounds like something from the UCLA-USC game.
Shane Matthews was on a local show here in Jackson today and said “no way” about Mullen. Said Fla wants to go pro style and away from the spread. I think they are crazy if they don’t get Mullen back. I think he is a very good coach, and if he stays a couple more years, MSU will be a “nice” program.
Does Petrino fit Cowherd’s clues?
PS, probably won’t get to the final regular season post today, but by tomorrow for sure. I’m leaning toward Sweet’s playoff suggestion for the bowls. Stay tuned.
I agree Mullen is a very good coach. S.T.A.B “sorry to abandon Boise” “second try at Bobby (Petrino)” were a couple that were thrown out “State to accept buyout”? Could be anything I guess. probably blowin smoke up our ass. guess we’ll find out in a couple days
It’s Fedora from USM.
STAB is the school where: Sweet leTtered At Basketball
STAB – Sterno Takes ABout 2 seconds w kw
Sweet, Terrible At Bookin
Sweet TAkes hourly Baths
Sweet Tongues All Bare feet
Sterno Takes Allday to Blowdry his hair
State Takes A Blow? I agree, UF should want Mullen, State should be praying he stays. If he goes, it’s back to mediocrity. We’ll see.
Gore Effect. It happens every time there is a rally, meeting or Senate hearing on global warming. This is Mother Nature’s way of saying “You can’t pigeonhole me!”
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Irony alert: The unusually chilly global-warming summit
Cancun is hosting the U.N. conference on man-made climate change — amid record cold temperatures
posted on December 9, 2010, at 11:57 AM
The irony: As negotiators from nearly 200 countries met in Cancun to strategize ways to keep the planet from getting hotter, the temperature in the seaside Mexican city plunged to a 100-year record low of 54° F. Climate-change skeptics are gleefully calling Cancun’s weather the latest example of the “Gore Effect” — a plunge in temperature they say occurs wherever former Vice President Al Gore, now a Nobel Prize-winning environmental activist, makes a speech about the climate. Although Gore is not scheduled to speak in Cancun, “it could be that the Gore Effect has announced his secret arrival,” jokes former NASA scientist Roy W. Spencer.
The reaction: ClimateGate was “bad enough,” says Duncan Davidson in Wall Street Pit, but Cancun’s weather is particularly “inconvenient” for global-warming alarmists. It’s a reminder that global temperatures have “flatlined” despite rising carbon dioxide levels, “which is decidedly chilling against the concept of hampering economic growth to limit Co2 emissions.”
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Did we ever figure out what STAB meant? Star Texas Assisitant Bolts?
Sorry To All Blackbears.
SMILEY Takes A$$ Bangin’ !!!!!!!!
TB, are you ready to admit yet that man-made global warming was a complete sham? Or have you now adopted the “global climate change” slogan like Al Gore?
______________________
Coldest December since records began as temperatures plummet to minus 10C bringing travel chaos across Britain
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 11:38 AM on 18th December 2010
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Fingers rubbing temples. Sigh.
Merry Christmas to the TBU, from Santa
Smiley:
^ ^
___
That is excellent.
You miss me, TB.
J.E.T.S…Jets Jets Jets
That’s right! I am a Jets fan and have been since I was a kid. I don’t really know why because they have been terrible my whole life. Hopefully Rex won’t overload his A$$ by running his mouth this week. We’ll see!
BTW…I have living proof that I am not a “bandwagon” Jets fan. I have an 8 year old lab mix named…Jettie…Yes, that would be New York Jettie!!!
James Edgar was the inspiring person who thought of that name! About time Jamie!
wow, I don’t think I’ve ever known a Jets fan. Well, not counting Bobby Brady.
Got called in to help with a trial this week. Blog will be quiet til its over.
Forerunner of the blank stare?
“Why do you sit there looking like an envelope without any address on it?” – Mark Twain
Random tunes list anyone? Harmony? Rock Star? I need a fix.
Sweet is AWESOME!!!!!
Hey Smily
This kills me (NSFW):
Anyone down for some Friday song lists? Here is a truly random one – the last dozen tunes that shuffled on my iPhone:
Sign O’ the Times – Prince
Down by the Water – The Decemberists
Land of Canaan – Indigo Girls
Fourteen Black Paintings – Peter Gabriel
Dance Hall Days – Wang Chung
Neon – John Mayer
Panama – Van Halen
It’s the End of the World as We Know It – REM
Mr. Lucky – John Lee Hooker
Old Apartment – Barenaked Ladies
Furnace Fan – Robert Earl Keen
I Am – Train
“Adrienne” ~ The Calling
“B-Boys Makin’ With the Freak Freak” ~ Beastie Boys
”Bouncing of the Walls ~ Sugarcult
”Be the One” ~ The Ting Tings
”Sex With Ducks” ~ Garfunkle and Oates
”Tonight Tonight” ~ Smashing Pumpkins
RSR ~ I have never heard of The Decemberists, I am loving them right now. Thanks!
I’m so glad! Listen to 16 Military Wives when you get a chance. That was my introduction to them. It was love at first note!
LOVE Decemberists!
Howlin’ for You – The Black Keys
Barton Hollow – The Civil Wars
Rollin in the Deep – Adele
I’ve loved Mumford & Sons for a while now, but ever since they brought it to the Grammy’s I can’t get enough!
Thanks ladies! I love playing this game…
I knew I could count on you for a list, tiny d! I just discovered The Civil Wars. Barton Hollow is a great tune. Plus, the dude looks a little like Will Kimbrough – also from Nashville – who I love.
Tinyd ~ I love Adele! The Black Keys are new to me and I just added their cd to my Amazon cart (with The Decemberists)..thanks for that!
I heard this song on the most recent Gray’s episode, I love this woman’s voice:
“Riverside” ~ Obel.
Very smooth Harm. I like!
RSR – I love having other music connoisseurs to share my thoughts with!
Just got this from a friend at work on Friday, and enjoyed 30 minutes in the car post mom-taxi moments listening to her.
Y’all will thank me for this link. Trust me. Pure gold. http://instantbueller.com/
Hah!!
Music that played a part in my morning…
This morning as I was getting ready, I realized that I needed to torture Jessica O with another cover of Europe’s “Final Countdown”…it pleased me to find this gem.
Shortly there after, out of the blue “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” popped into my brain and I allowed myself to relentlessly belt it out while getting Ryder ready for school.
“Here I Go Again” Picked at me while I was at the store picking up milk, after I dropped the kids off at school. Feeling the crazy need to play the air guitar, I asked the cashier if he ever felt like sliding down the store aisle belting out tunes…un-amused with my perky music driven inspiration, so early in the morning, he blankly looked at me and said “NO.”
I have had a break-up mixed tape in my head for years and years, and while many of the songs change as time go by, one has remained constant, the first track – Here I Go Again. You play that air guitar! I’ll hold the milk.
XM 12 has been playing the Secret Sisters covering Johnny Cash’s “Big River” this week and it rocks. Jack White and a dude from My Morning Jacket sitting in and produced by T Bone Burnett. My SOTW. Scroll down the article for the streaming tune.
http://www.covermesongs.com/2010/09/jack-white-roars-johnny-cash-with-the-secret-sisters.html
Tiny D is probably already all over this, but just in case you missed it TD, this week’s “free on itunes” is good. An REM tune and a Lucinda tune plus one from the Oasis front man’s new band.
Also, RSR just informed me about http://www2.gibson.com/Gibson.aspx
Go to the bottom of the page for the free music link. There is some good stuff here for all types of music–requires a bit of diggin’ to get ’em.
Finally, if you get Southwest Airlines’ emails, they are giving away 20 free tunes for artists “about to fly.” Only one I knew was Hayes Carll, but figured it was worth picking these up just in case there’s some other good ones.
For your upcoming St Patricks Day………
I’ll have what he’s having
Friggin Hilarious!!!!!! Can’t believe there were not more comments.
Check out the South by Southwest Freebies on iTunes this week:)
Happy St. Patrick’s Day, TBU! Here is my song o’ the day tweeted by Michelle Branch (love her, love this tune tip):
I Am a Youth That’s Inclined to Ramble – Paul Brady
From the resident redhead – I wish you all a Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
The Cold War Kids – “Louder than Ever” new song I heard today – feedback?
Perhaps you have noticed, the TBU is going through (another) extended period of dormancy. It’s just that I’m finding my own thoughts personally intolerable lately and don’t want to inflict them upon you. This Jon Stewart clip is much funnier than my take on the current state of affairs in the (actual) universe anyway.
The Daily Show
Tags: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook
RSR and Tiny d ~ Have the two of you been watching this season of AI? I typically do not watch that show, but for whatever reasons was drawn into it this year (it even has a spot on the DVR..gasp!). Anyway, if so who is your favorite and can somebody tell me the appeal of Jacob Lusk? Is it just me or does he always sound like the cowardly lion?
I haven’t been watching AI this season, but your description of Jacob Lusk cracked me up so much that I had to check him out online. You nailed it!
http://www.americanidol.com/contestants/season_10/jacob_lusk/
What an excellent birth date – belated wishes for a great year!
Harmony – happy belated birthday – April 1st right? I’m only 2 weeks late!
I have been unable to get into AI this year but there is an office pool where several co-workers have picked their faves. This name is not one I hear talked about.
Thanks, JL! You have quite the memory!
A lot of people like that guy, but I just can’t see the appeal.
The only show I’ve been able to faithfully follow this season is Parenthood. (If you watch and want to discuss, I’m all in – especially after this week’s episode) I do catch glimpses of AI between supper/laundry, etc. because my girls love it. Didn’t know this fella, but after watching RSR’s link, cowardly lion is right on! So funny! My girls just informed me that Lauren is their fave, for what it’s worth…
Um – Happy belated b’day Harms!
And good to hear from you guys – I think I miss you when you are gone… 🙂
Thanks RSR and Tiny d!!
I agree, Tiny d, it’s good to hear from you all. Maybe TB, should give us our own forum. LOL!
I do watch Parenthood. Let’s see what happened this week…
Amber is reverting back to her wild child self with reckless abandon.
Haddie got busy with her adult boyfriend(!!!). In general, however, Haddie makes me want to punch holes into walls…she is the bitchiest thing I have ever seen. And her disrespectful attitude? Totally smack worthy.
Crosby bought a dump and is hoping to win over Jasmine with it. Side note, I do not like this relationship at all.
Anything else? What do you want to discuss? 😀
The “literal” butt dialing scene induced a jaw-drop for me. I don’t even want to imagine that. I really want to slap Haddie and Amber. The scrap with Amber and Sarah was also intense. I secretly hoped that Crosby’s hook-up with Minka Kelly would be fruitful. Oh well. Jasmine is a bit controlling. (sarcasm font needed) Can’t wait till next week – surely Amber will come through and I can’t wait to see whose pregnancy test that was. Certainly it belonged to Christina. (I’d shoot myself if I were her!)
Yes! I had hoped the same thing for Crosby and Minka Kelly situation..I do NOT like Jasmine. She definitely took controlling bitch to a whole new level. I had worried for a moment that the pregnancy test belonged to Jasmine, but I dismissed that thought with the fact that she seems to be spending her time with Julia and not Christina. I’m certain that it isn’t Haddie’s.
TB…. Can you put a stop to this?
Sorry Smily! I guess I thought any discussion involving Minka Kelly would be acceptable…
http://www.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/04/19/granderson.children.dress/index.html
Fantastic! We are their parents not their friends…absolutely.
We will be in Mobile for Easter, so I thought I’d share a favorite song by my favorite Mobile artist – Will Kimbrough’s Piece of Work. I lived for Will and the Bushmen in college. He was the Will.
I know that only several of you are golfers here at TBU, but I have to give a “Vaya con Dios” to the dearly departed Seve Ballesteros. Seve succumbed to brain cancer today in Spain at age 54. A true rebel and free spirit, Seve was an emotional, tenacious competitor who was arguably the greatest shotmaker of all time. He was troubleshooting from the rough, behind trees, and outta the sand like Tiger, Mickelson, and Luke Donald do now, but before the clubs, balls and courses were so much more vastly superior. He is the primary reason the Europeans have been consistently kickin our butts in the Ryder Cup the last 15 yrs. He mentored many younger golfers and instilled confidence and pride in those lucky enough to be on his team. Revered by all his peers, and feared by his opponents. See ya on the other side Seve, good luck helping the angels with their short game. Rest in Peace amigo.
Totally digging My Morning Jacket’s new song…
Happy Fathers’ Day TBU dads:) Old bit still funny…
Thanks for that TinyD – I’d never seen that before! Father’s Day at Petit Bois was darn near perfect and I saw no dads like these.