My initial reaction, upon reading the news on the ticker about a week and a half ago, showing allegations that Syracuse assistant head coach Bernie Fine molested 2 boys was to gag. Literally, gag, like I was on the front end of hurling in front of my TV. I immediately fired up my laptop and read that ESPN had this news back in 2003, but chose to do nothing with it.
Then I got mad. I wanted to cancel my ESPN.com and magazine subscription. It was shitty journalism at its worst. The Syracuse police and the university came out with statements that they had done investigations and nothing could be found, and they dismissed the allegations.
To me, and to a well-known former ESPN employee Jason Whitlock, it looked like ESPN was involved in nothing better than a witch hunt. Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim stood up for his friend of 50 some years and called the allegations bogus and a hunt for money.
And now Bernie Fine has been fired from the university after a taped phone conversation has been let out. It's disturbing, I've read it. The conversation is between the first accuser and Fine's wife. I admit, it doesn't look good for Fine....until the end, when you read that the accuser and Mrs. Fine had an affair. Wait, WHAT??!!
I just want to throw it out there, we now have 3 men accusing Bernie Fine of something completely disgusting. However, I'm pointing this out, too, about those accusing this man, of the following:
Accuser #1-seemed eager to go on TV only after the Penn State debauchery (and by debauchery, I mean how royally screwed up that situation is, I'm not making light of it)
Accuser #2-is Accuser #1's stepbrother.
Accuser #3-this man's father said he was never on the trip in which the alleged incident happened.
And now, we have a man's wife allowing a conversation to be recorded where she admits infidelity. I'm no lawyer, but doesn't any of this scream "REASONABLE DOUBT" to you?
Full disclosure-I love Syracuse. I was accepted but couldn't afford it. Had I figured out a way to attend there is a very good chance I would be in some form of sports communication, be it in TV or radio, or heck, even writing. I have loved the football, lacrosse and especially the basketball program since 1986, Sherman Douglas will always have a special place in my heart, as well as Lawrence Moten, Billy Owens, Dave Johnson, John Wallace, Red Autry, Otis Hill, Terrance Roberts, Rick Jackson and so many more that I could spend all day talking about them. We're talking 26 years of my life, every time Da 'Cuse was on TV, I was in front of it. It, for lack of a better phrase, is my squad.
These allegations disgust me. You know what else disgusts me? That I'm hearing about it now. I'm not blaming victims, or potential victims. I want some answers, but I'm truthfully terrified to ask the questions. I love that coach Boeheim stood up for his friend, and chastised the media for not letting the process run its course. It's what friends do. Until they find out that they themselves have been betrayed, like when The Col. James was behind prison glass trying to explain his behavior to Jack Horner in 'Boogie Nights', eventually you'd be forced to walk away by your own moral compass. I'm not sure what I will do if Fine is found to have done any of these things. Do I toss out all my stuff, burn it in effigy?
However, I believe we have another villain in this mess. That would be Mrs. Fine. She's no better than Joe Paterno at Penn State. If this is true, and she knew about it and did nothing, then she is culpable.
Something stinks, I don't know what it is, but I am willing to let the process run its course. I know the media won't, but I will check in every day or anytime some other allegation props up.
I hope this isn't true, that's what I hope. But I have a bad feeling about what is on the other side.
Special notice on this post needs to go to:
Jason Whitlock
Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician
Sunday, November 27, 2011
The rest of the week 12 picks
Last Week: 5-7-1
Season: 69-80-6
Already this week: 1-2
Denver @ San Diego (-6): I know the Chargers and the Broncos always play weird AFC West tilts against each other, but I have seen nothing from SD that tells me they should be favored. Denver
Arizona @ St. Louis (-3): No clue on this one, either. Arizona
Buffalo @ NY Jets (-9): I think it’s safe to say that the Bills deal with the devil expired a few weeks ago, since they have been ravished by injuries all along the whole team. I don’t think the Jets have the ability to deliver the death blow, however. Buffalo
Cleveland @ Cincinnati (-7): Everyone is screaming ‘trap game’ for the Bengals. Which is why I am choosing to go the other way. Cincinnati
Houston (-6 ½) @ Jacksonville: No Matt Schaub, no Mario Williams, but Andre Johnson returns for the Texans. Let’s watch and see if Houston head coach Gary Kubiak can coach up new starting QB Matt Leinart. Expect the Texans and the Jaguars to run, run, and run some more. Talent wins. Houston
Carolina (-3) @ Indianapolis: And this line is too low. Carolina
Tampa Bay @ Tennessee (-3 ½): I have no idea which team will show up for either side, do you? Will Titans RB Chris Johnson snap out of his season long funk? Can the Bucs just hand RB LeGarrette Blount the ball 20 times to see what he can do? I sense trouble in the Titans locker room. Tampa Bay
Minnesota @ Atlanta (-9 ½): No Adrian Peterson for Minnesota. Julio Jones might be healthy for the Falcons. Atlanta, at home against a team it should handle? Let’s see what they’re made of. Atlanta
Chicago @ Oakland (-4): a ton of injuries last week, most importantly for the Bears was QB Jay Cutler. Not so fast, Oakland will be without a few of their speedy WRs. Since I’ve seen Oakland play sloppy at home, the Bears will have some special teams trickery. Chicago
Washington @ Seattle (-3 ½): Get on that Redskins bandwagon if you want, I’ll be the guy avoiding them like the plague. Add to it that weird things happen to road teams in the Pacific Northwest, sounds like a recipe for all sorts of goofy quotes after the game-that’s what you get Shanahanighans! Seattle
New England (-3 ½) @ Philadelphia: No Michael Vick. No Jeremy Maclin. No OchoCinco for the Pats. Sounds like addition by subtraction to me. New England
Pittsburgh (-10 ½) @ Kansas City: Soon the Tyler Palko experiment will be over, Chiefs fans. KC used to be a scary place to play. The fans want to get loud, but I suspect a ton of Terrible Towels to be waiving all around Arrowhead Stadium. Pittsburgh
NY Giants @ New Orleans (-7): Finally a potentially good game on Monday night. New Orleans comes off their bye healthier as a team and rested. Eli Manning ran for his life last week. Points should be scored by both teams. The Superdome will be rocking. New Orleans
Thursday, November 24, 2011
The Beginning of the week 12 picks
Green Bay (-6) at Detroit: I know, I know, this is supposed to be the game Green Bay finally loses. Based on what, though? Green Bay
Miami @ Dallas (-7): Miami has put on a nice show lately, but now it's time to play some big boy teams. Dallas
San Francisco @ Baltimore (-3 1/2): No Ray Lewis again? Couldn't stop Cincy from marching up and down the field, and the 49ers have the best run D in the biz, now that's something you travel with. San Francisco
Miami @ Dallas (-7): Miami has put on a nice show lately, but now it's time to play some big boy teams. Dallas
San Francisco @ Baltimore (-3 1/2): No Ray Lewis again? Couldn't stop Cincy from marching up and down the field, and the 49ers have the best run D in the biz, now that's something you travel with. San Francisco
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Week 11 Picks
Last week: 7-8
Season: 64-73-5
Just picks today, no filler…
Tennessee @ Atlanta (-6 ½): Atlanta
Buffalo @ Miami (-3): Buffalo
Cincinnati @ Baltimore (-7): Cincinnati (with no Ray Lewis for Baltimore….)
Jacksonville @ Cleveland (-1): Jacksonville
Oakland @ Minnesota (-1 ½): Oakland
Carolina @ Detroit (-6 ½): Detroit
Tampa Bay @ Green Bay (-14): Green Bay
Dallas (-7) @ Washington: Washington
Arizona @ San Francisco (-10 ½): Arizona
Seattle @ St. Louis (-3): St. Louis
San Diego @ Chicago (-4 ½): Chicago
Philadelphia @ NY Giants (-5 ½): NY Giants
Kansas City @ New England (-15): New England
Sunday, November 13, 2011
cleaning up the desk...again
Things I think about while wondering why people have no sense of space out in public anymore...Denver is not a huge city, by any stretch, but any time I'm at the bank or grocery store you can be damn sure that someone behind me is well closer than within an arms reach. I want to ask some of these people if we're dating.
As always, these are my thoughts on certain subjects-you don't have to agree, but you don't have to beat me up if you disagree, either.
The NBA Lockout
Here's to the players holding strong. If anyone tells you its a 50/50 split that the league and its owners are offering, check the not-so-fine print. Owners want that split after they break even. Not sure what that math is, but it for damn sure isn't a 50/50 split. Added bonus to the lockout? We all get to watch more college hoops and the NHL. If the NBA and the people involved are honestly selfish and greedy enough to think that we the people won't find something else to do, then they are still thinking CDs are the greatest form of music. Everybody has a website nowadays , folks, nothing new under the sun.
To the NBA Union attorney who uttered the quote, "Instead of treating the players like partners, they're treating them like plantation workers." Just shut up. Pack up your belongings and go, your services are no longer needed here. Yup, plantation workers made millions. The comment is so ignorant that I can honestly say I'm happy David Stern slapped him down. There is no place for Al Sharpton-like rhetoric. This is a negotiation between those that are prepared (owners) and those who discuss things on a personal level (players). I would like to see the players prevail, but they are ill-prepared. Statements like the one above do a disservice to the memory of slavery and in no way help the current situation. Screaming 'Racist' when their is no racism just dulls it down.
Penn State
Things I think about while watching Joe Paterno's son Jay well up at the end of that loss to Nebraska-I welled up, too. I'll get to why in a minute. Here are some links and some thoughts;
My first thought was that it was ridiculous to even think about firing a man that has spent such a long time building up not only a program but a university that no one would know about if it weren't for him. Joe Paterno cared, but not enough for some people about this subject. He was wrong. He admitted it will haunt him. And I believe him. Disclaimer-I like the old guy. He hasn't changed. He's 84 years old, still wears white socks with black shoes, his glasses are thicker but same style it looks like, pants are a little short. I'd kill for his head of hair, wouldn't you? Like I said, I like the old guy. How Penn State University handled this whole situation from the jump is wrong. I hate the question of 'why didn't he go to the cops?', as if it falls on him. He didn't witness the incident. He only heard about it. What about the coach that did witness it? Why is he still on the payroll at Penn State? Why was he not at the game vs Nebraska Saturday (and the answer is because of threats on his life-fine, I get it, but you didn't see even one cop around JoePa's house yesterday on camera, at least)? Why was Paterno, after some 50 or 60 years of service to that university, fired by a courier and then a phone call? Why is the president of the university allowed to resign as opposed to getting fired? That's the one that really pisses me off. Fired to me means no bennies, no severance, no good byes, no nothing. Resigning means there was some form of dignity to that process. Why should the university president get off like he knew nothing.
Penn State fucked this up from the get-go when they first found out about it over a decade ago. The perpetrator of these disgusting acts, Jerry Sandusky, should be publicly lynched. That I read reports that he's distraught over how Paterno was fired for his actions sickens me. Sandusky should be publicly castrated with a pair of hedge clippers. Yeah, I said it.
I'm tired of stories about child abuse. Especially children being sexually abused. It's disgusting, heinous, immoral and flat out wrong. If I could be a superhero, that would be the thing I would try to stop and avenge. These sick perverts need to be wiped off the map. Period, end of discussion.
Back to PSU and their handling of it, especially this week. Before Paterno was fired, Jason Whitlock points out that Penn State had no problem keeping this under wraps until after he got win number 409. I originally thought that Penn State firing JoePa was stupid, and I still do, because of the way it was done. I also don't look at it as just Paterno. There is a chain of command that seriously did some wrong things. Swept under the rug? Probably yes. Shouldn't they all be fired, including the holier than thou board of trustees? Sorry, I realize that I have way more questions than answers. If I have all these questions, shouldn't someone involved with the school spoken up and asked these questions?
The skeeviest of rumors-I'm addressing it right now. There is a rumor out there that Sandusky, thru the charity Second Mile, may have 'pimped' some of these young boys out to rich donors. If that is the case, then I want names. All of them. I want every donor to Penn State football or Second Mile investigated for the last 30 years. Beyond appalling. There is no punishment that could fit the crime, the victims won't ever be made whole again. I understand the outrage that people have. I do. I don't want to dismiss the victims in this, because it's already happening. They are on the backburner of this story, and it's not right. A lawyer of some of the victims even states that Penn State screwed up royally by firing Paterno. My last 2 thoughts on this whole sordid travesty are this-1)Deadspin.com does a great job of reporting on this, and a timeline, including grand jury testimony. 2) Matt Millen. A horrible GM, we can all agree to that, right? A Penn State Linebacker. Known Jerry Sandusky since 1976 (I'm guessing probably met him less than a year after I was born). Click this link, watch the video. Mock him all you want. I'm going to throw something by you that probably no one else has thought. While Millen is part of the PSU family, and loves JoePa, Millen is a fiery guy. I think it's kind of a prerequisite to play MLB in the NFL. Do you think it's possible that once Millen found out about this stuff he went thru the following: "This is crazy. Wait, he did what? Where? To little boys? No way. I've known the guy for 35 years, this can't be possible. Holy Shit. This man has been in my house. Around my kids. What about...my kids? Did this sick fuck touch my kids?"
And that, boys and girls, is how we all should think. I realize that there are things my friends don't know about me and I don't know about them, but if I ever found out one of my friends for the last 20-25 years did anything like this, I'd be disgusted with myself. My skin would want to crawl off my body and leave. And then? I'd want some answers, but I'd probably want some justice of the fist first. That's wrong, and I know it. But as I've told my friends, anyone lays a finger on any of their kids, they'll have me right by their side. I'm so disgusted that people like this even exist.
Now, I have another question-why is JoePa so wrong for not doing enough but we celebrate a child molester like Michael Jackson? Think about it.
Oh, the Liberal Media, your balls are showing
(the statement above is a reference to Ace Ventura:When Nature Calls)
This might not be damning evidence, but damn! They sure do know how to sway a debate, now don't they?
Remember when the news decided to attack Republicans when the mere thought of the 'nuclear option' was mentioned? Harry Reid does it and it barely registers. Gee, I wonder why...
For my next trick..... blackface! (Warning-I'm about to get real salty in the language dept)
Herman Cain, you're my new favorite person. I don't care about politics, I will in a minute, but right about now, I have a bit of a man-crush, for the following reasons:
You're blacker than Barack (please oh please oh please let Obama tell us Cain is 'too black' to be President-I won't ask for another gift for like 20 years, I promise, Santa!!)
You've run multiple businesses, successfully
Never been a part of affirmative action
You've stood up, for something, and haven't wavered
You've called out the Occupy folks
You have dealt with real racism, in the south, and rose above
You have a radical tax plan that doesn't just say, 'tax those people over there' and play off of wealth-envy
You called out your own race and told them to get off the plantation (see kids, that is where you use that word. Not about money, but about state of mind). Bill Cosby did it and was filleted.
Now for the salty language dept-what the media attempted to do the last 2 weeks is pathetic. Trying to state Herman Cain is a walking sexual harassment case is hilarious. First, because the first 4 women that the press said they had never showed. Second and most importantly-it sure as hell didn't matter when Bill Clinton was raping women all around Arkansas (yeah, I'm going there) or giving an intern a pearl necklace in the Oral, I mean Oval, Office. While he was married. So if you're one of those folks who thinks Herman Cain and his alleged sexual misconduct would be bad for the office of President, I have but two names for you; Bill Clinton, John Edwards. Wait, make it three-Jesse Jackson.
So the question needs to be asked-is Herman Cain not nearly enough of a house-nigger for some of you white folk? Or you, the media? Are you looking for a man with no sense of humor, who kicks and screams until he bullies his idea into your living room, like Obama? Does he not race bait enough for the Sharpton's, Jackson's and Farrakhan's of the world? Is it too bad that he pretty much looked at those wanting a handout without doing any work and told them, 'tough'?
I want to know. I want to know for so many reasons-and in my own way, one of the biggest reasons is to shove white guilt down the throats of those who were so happy we have a black president (we have a half-black president you buffoons. His Mother is white, and he was raised by white people, get over it. You want the race debate-there it is. You can't be happy he was raised in a loving home, oh no, but he's just black now-how convenient you forget to mention his Mom. If this were ESPN the Magazine and Obama's Mom was black, it would be at the forefront of the story. Fuck you and your uppity bullshit). Another? Hypocrisy. I remember everyone calling Bill Clinton the first black president. Seems kinda bigoted and racist now, dontcha think?
Herman, I love you just because you make people squirm and make some folks look in the mirror. Ah, the mirror, the great equalizer. If a man can't look at himself in that, he ain't much of a man (and by man, I mean person. You people and your spirit-killing political correctness, you'll never be happy)
Occupy This
Maybe the initial Occupy Wall Street crowd had a reason. The people invading the cause now? I'm not buying it. They just came to fuck shit up. Throwing human shit at a cop is not a 'damn the man' move. It's disgusting.
The idea that the government should fix any issue with regards to almost anything, let alone the economy, is terrifying. These folks screwed up running a whorehouse. What have they run that hasn't been involved in deficit-spending and tax raising? G'head, I'll wait.
More importantly, why would anyone think this administration has any of the answers? They clearly don't. Their ideas regarding numbers and statistics are not even done in crayon, more like an Etch-a-Sketch. Bad news for some folks out there, I have an accounting degree from one of the top schools in the country when it comes to business, I can make numbers dance all over a spreadsheet if I needed to. I admit there are some issues with capitalism, but find me a better system than the government taking my money and giving it to someone who doesn't try. Or makes bad decisions. I'm sorry if people grew up without that knowledge, of right and wrong, or that decisions have consequences-but I'm not paying for them. I would rather help them, train them, teach them than just hand them money.
Who wouldn't be for a piss test for unemployment? I was out of work for 18 months. No one would hire me. Not Walmart, not Target, not a grocery store, not McDonald's. None of them. I was over-qualified (gee, ya think?). Not a retail store. Not a call center (too professional). Yet there I was, every week, making dozens of phone calls and applying for a multitude of jobs. Did I scream at the system and tell the government to force some company to hire me? No, I walked into my county unemployment office dressed to impress and was consistently floored by those around me smelling of stale cigarettes and cheap booze. Unshowered, unshaved, unkept. And those folks? A lot of them expecting someone to hand them a job. You want fair, dear Occupiers? Make smarter choices. I'll be involved with helping the helpless, but fuck the clueless. You don't get to not do something until you're 28. Quit telling me you are damaged and have issues. We all are and we all do. Life sucks sometimes, wear a helmet, a cup and a chest protector. They'll soften the blow. You fucking wimps make me mad for my friends that have real issues and want answers and try to contribute to society. My old roommate has a real health issue, but she tries-and succeeds quite a bit. What do these people at the Occupy protests do?
Sidenote-it's honestly one of the biggest reasons I did not sign up for the 2nd round of comedy writing. Listening to the instructor and 2 of my fellow classmates say they wanted to see what was up because it was all Bush and Reagan's fault (really? Reagan hasn't been in office since January of 1988....really?) and this is 'stronger and more put together than the Tea Party', I knew I was in the wrong room. I don't like the blame game. And I'll prove it in my next segment.
Back to the Occupiers, I'm not sorry-I'm glad that I read that some of the small businesses around Zuccotti Park in NYC are going to protest the protesters tomorrow. Since one of the small cafes had to lay off 20% of his staff, I want someone to tell me that they didn't mean for it to happen, but oh well. Oh well? You just cost people their living. How does that solve your problem? Oh, and this is what Occupy Denver looks like....but they'll be cleaned out soon enough, at least that's the rumor.
Owning It
On my job hunt front, I have but 2 stories. One, I had an interview this past Wednesday that I thought went really well. 90 minutes of chatting and the last 15 of it were spent talking about Syracuse basketball (you bet your ass I was thinking this is a lock). The hiring manager told me to give him a call on Friday afternoon. I left a vm, haven't heard back. If you don't think I'm racking my brain, you don't know me at all.
Two, I had a recruiter stalk me. Stalk might not be strong enough of a word. I was called last Monday afternoon by a recruiter who found me on a job search website. I won't give the name out because this is the first recruiter I've dealt with regarding my resume on that site, and if they are all even remotely similar I am going to delete my resume and ask the sitemaster to go back in all history logs and delete any mention of my profile. Said recruiter passed along a light job description to me and wanted my resume. I was not able to get to it until after work. I know, I know, Google Docs. Or some other cloud file holding option. First it was an email reply that they could represent me for the role. Sure. Then an email for 2 references. Sure. Then a follow up call on the emails. And a call about the references when I couldn't get them to this place in a fast enough time. Finally I get home, fire off the resume and the references. Then, the 5th phone call. Since I recognized the number, I answered the phone the only way I knew how, "Are we dating?" Seriously, 5 phone calls and 3 emails, in a day? I've been in relationships that didn't have that much communication (wait....that should probably be something I remember for the next one whenever it comes). Then on Tuesday I got another call, from the recruiting executive-not a good time. I was in the middle of a VP-level escalation and this knucklehead told me I needed to completely redo my resume. Not a good move. Not after I told them it wasn't a good time to talk. That's just poor form. I let them have it. And here's where I own things. They wanted me to change my resume because it has gaps in it. No shit. Of course it has gaps in it. I've been out of work for 2 large chunks of time since 2007. Not by choice, I assure you. Did they want me to admit that maybe my choices weren't the smartest? Fine, mission accomplished. Otherwise, if I wasn't their candidate, I can live, I have a job (ah, kinda refreshing to state that).
No, John Lackey does not get a mulligan. Not for being a douchebag to his teammates. Not for sucking the life out of a locker room.
Tiger Woods' former caddy is not a racist. Can we get a moratorium on that word? Or people screaming that word if they don't like what someone says? Please? It was stupid, yes, but racist? No. Emphatically, no.
Interesting take on the career of Eddie Murphy.
Lastly, been a rough week for me. I admit it. Looked at the calendar on Monday night and realized it's been 3 years since my Superman has passed. He was my mentor, my sounding board....my asshole. Miss ya, Pops.
And while I am saddened by the loss of Andy Rooney, Joe Frazier and Bil Keane, I am most saddened by the loss of Heavy D. You made the jams! And you'll be missed.
----------------
Now playing: Heavy D and The Boyz - We Got Our Own Thang
via FoxyTunes
As always, these are my thoughts on certain subjects-you don't have to agree, but you don't have to beat me up if you disagree, either.
The NBA Lockout
Here's to the players holding strong. If anyone tells you its a 50/50 split that the league and its owners are offering, check the not-so-fine print. Owners want that split after they break even. Not sure what that math is, but it for damn sure isn't a 50/50 split. Added bonus to the lockout? We all get to watch more college hoops and the NHL. If the NBA and the people involved are honestly selfish and greedy enough to think that we the people won't find something else to do, then they are still thinking CDs are the greatest form of music. Everybody has a website nowadays , folks, nothing new under the sun.
To the NBA Union attorney who uttered the quote, "Instead of treating the players like partners, they're treating them like plantation workers." Just shut up. Pack up your belongings and go, your services are no longer needed here. Yup, plantation workers made millions. The comment is so ignorant that I can honestly say I'm happy David Stern slapped him down. There is no place for Al Sharpton-like rhetoric. This is a negotiation between those that are prepared (owners) and those who discuss things on a personal level (players). I would like to see the players prevail, but they are ill-prepared. Statements like the one above do a disservice to the memory of slavery and in no way help the current situation. Screaming 'Racist' when their is no racism just dulls it down.
Penn State
Things I think about while watching Joe Paterno's son Jay well up at the end of that loss to Nebraska-I welled up, too. I'll get to why in a minute. Here are some links and some thoughts;
My first thought was that it was ridiculous to even think about firing a man that has spent such a long time building up not only a program but a university that no one would know about if it weren't for him. Joe Paterno cared, but not enough for some people about this subject. He was wrong. He admitted it will haunt him. And I believe him. Disclaimer-I like the old guy. He hasn't changed. He's 84 years old, still wears white socks with black shoes, his glasses are thicker but same style it looks like, pants are a little short. I'd kill for his head of hair, wouldn't you? Like I said, I like the old guy. How Penn State University handled this whole situation from the jump is wrong. I hate the question of 'why didn't he go to the cops?', as if it falls on him. He didn't witness the incident. He only heard about it. What about the coach that did witness it? Why is he still on the payroll at Penn State? Why was he not at the game vs Nebraska Saturday (and the answer is because of threats on his life-fine, I get it, but you didn't see even one cop around JoePa's house yesterday on camera, at least)? Why was Paterno, after some 50 or 60 years of service to that university, fired by a courier and then a phone call? Why is the president of the university allowed to resign as opposed to getting fired? That's the one that really pisses me off. Fired to me means no bennies, no severance, no good byes, no nothing. Resigning means there was some form of dignity to that process. Why should the university president get off like he knew nothing.
Penn State fucked this up from the get-go when they first found out about it over a decade ago. The perpetrator of these disgusting acts, Jerry Sandusky, should be publicly lynched. That I read reports that he's distraught over how Paterno was fired for his actions sickens me. Sandusky should be publicly castrated with a pair of hedge clippers. Yeah, I said it.
I'm tired of stories about child abuse. Especially children being sexually abused. It's disgusting, heinous, immoral and flat out wrong. If I could be a superhero, that would be the thing I would try to stop and avenge. These sick perverts need to be wiped off the map. Period, end of discussion.
Back to PSU and their handling of it, especially this week. Before Paterno was fired, Jason Whitlock points out that Penn State had no problem keeping this under wraps until after he got win number 409. I originally thought that Penn State firing JoePa was stupid, and I still do, because of the way it was done. I also don't look at it as just Paterno. There is a chain of command that seriously did some wrong things. Swept under the rug? Probably yes. Shouldn't they all be fired, including the holier than thou board of trustees? Sorry, I realize that I have way more questions than answers. If I have all these questions, shouldn't someone involved with the school spoken up and asked these questions?
The skeeviest of rumors-I'm addressing it right now. There is a rumor out there that Sandusky, thru the charity Second Mile, may have 'pimped' some of these young boys out to rich donors. If that is the case, then I want names. All of them. I want every donor to Penn State football or Second Mile investigated for the last 30 years. Beyond appalling. There is no punishment that could fit the crime, the victims won't ever be made whole again. I understand the outrage that people have. I do. I don't want to dismiss the victims in this, because it's already happening. They are on the backburner of this story, and it's not right. A lawyer of some of the victims even states that Penn State screwed up royally by firing Paterno. My last 2 thoughts on this whole sordid travesty are this-1)Deadspin.com does a great job of reporting on this, and a timeline, including grand jury testimony. 2) Matt Millen. A horrible GM, we can all agree to that, right? A Penn State Linebacker. Known Jerry Sandusky since 1976 (I'm guessing probably met him less than a year after I was born). Click this link, watch the video. Mock him all you want. I'm going to throw something by you that probably no one else has thought. While Millen is part of the PSU family, and loves JoePa, Millen is a fiery guy. I think it's kind of a prerequisite to play MLB in the NFL. Do you think it's possible that once Millen found out about this stuff he went thru the following: "This is crazy. Wait, he did what? Where? To little boys? No way. I've known the guy for 35 years, this can't be possible. Holy Shit. This man has been in my house. Around my kids. What about...my kids? Did this sick fuck touch my kids?"
And that, boys and girls, is how we all should think. I realize that there are things my friends don't know about me and I don't know about them, but if I ever found out one of my friends for the last 20-25 years did anything like this, I'd be disgusted with myself. My skin would want to crawl off my body and leave. And then? I'd want some answers, but I'd probably want some justice of the fist first. That's wrong, and I know it. But as I've told my friends, anyone lays a finger on any of their kids, they'll have me right by their side. I'm so disgusted that people like this even exist.
Now, I have another question-why is JoePa so wrong for not doing enough but we celebrate a child molester like Michael Jackson? Think about it.
Oh, the Liberal Media, your balls are showing
(the statement above is a reference to Ace Ventura:When Nature Calls)
This might not be damning evidence, but damn! They sure do know how to sway a debate, now don't they?
Remember when the news decided to attack Republicans when the mere thought of the 'nuclear option' was mentioned? Harry Reid does it and it barely registers. Gee, I wonder why...
For my next trick..... blackface! (Warning-I'm about to get real salty in the language dept)
Herman Cain, you're my new favorite person. I don't care about politics, I will in a minute, but right about now, I have a bit of a man-crush, for the following reasons:
You're blacker than Barack (please oh please oh please let Obama tell us Cain is 'too black' to be President-I won't ask for another gift for like 20 years, I promise, Santa!!)
You've run multiple businesses, successfully
Never been a part of affirmative action
You've stood up, for something, and haven't wavered
You've called out the Occupy folks
You have dealt with real racism, in the south, and rose above
You have a radical tax plan that doesn't just say, 'tax those people over there' and play off of wealth-envy
You called out your own race and told them to get off the plantation (see kids, that is where you use that word. Not about money, but about state of mind). Bill Cosby did it and was filleted.
Now for the salty language dept-what the media attempted to do the last 2 weeks is pathetic. Trying to state Herman Cain is a walking sexual harassment case is hilarious. First, because the first 4 women that the press said they had never showed. Second and most importantly-it sure as hell didn't matter when Bill Clinton was raping women all around Arkansas (yeah, I'm going there) or giving an intern a pearl necklace in the Oral, I mean Oval, Office. While he was married. So if you're one of those folks who thinks Herman Cain and his alleged sexual misconduct would be bad for the office of President, I have but two names for you; Bill Clinton, John Edwards. Wait, make it three-Jesse Jackson.
So the question needs to be asked-is Herman Cain not nearly enough of a house-nigger for some of you white folk? Or you, the media? Are you looking for a man with no sense of humor, who kicks and screams until he bullies his idea into your living room, like Obama? Does he not race bait enough for the Sharpton's, Jackson's and Farrakhan's of the world? Is it too bad that he pretty much looked at those wanting a handout without doing any work and told them, 'tough'?
I want to know. I want to know for so many reasons-and in my own way, one of the biggest reasons is to shove white guilt down the throats of those who were so happy we have a black president (we have a half-black president you buffoons. His Mother is white, and he was raised by white people, get over it. You want the race debate-there it is. You can't be happy he was raised in a loving home, oh no, but he's just black now-how convenient you forget to mention his Mom. If this were ESPN the Magazine and Obama's Mom was black, it would be at the forefront of the story. Fuck you and your uppity bullshit). Another? Hypocrisy. I remember everyone calling Bill Clinton the first black president. Seems kinda bigoted and racist now, dontcha think?
Herman, I love you just because you make people squirm and make some folks look in the mirror. Ah, the mirror, the great equalizer. If a man can't look at himself in that, he ain't much of a man (and by man, I mean person. You people and your spirit-killing political correctness, you'll never be happy)
Occupy This
Maybe the initial Occupy Wall Street crowd had a reason. The people invading the cause now? I'm not buying it. They just came to fuck shit up. Throwing human shit at a cop is not a 'damn the man' move. It's disgusting.
The idea that the government should fix any issue with regards to almost anything, let alone the economy, is terrifying. These folks screwed up running a whorehouse. What have they run that hasn't been involved in deficit-spending and tax raising? G'head, I'll wait.
More importantly, why would anyone think this administration has any of the answers? They clearly don't. Their ideas regarding numbers and statistics are not even done in crayon, more like an Etch-a-Sketch. Bad news for some folks out there, I have an accounting degree from one of the top schools in the country when it comes to business, I can make numbers dance all over a spreadsheet if I needed to. I admit there are some issues with capitalism, but find me a better system than the government taking my money and giving it to someone who doesn't try. Or makes bad decisions. I'm sorry if people grew up without that knowledge, of right and wrong, or that decisions have consequences-but I'm not paying for them. I would rather help them, train them, teach them than just hand them money.
Who wouldn't be for a piss test for unemployment? I was out of work for 18 months. No one would hire me. Not Walmart, not Target, not a grocery store, not McDonald's. None of them. I was over-qualified (gee, ya think?). Not a retail store. Not a call center (too professional). Yet there I was, every week, making dozens of phone calls and applying for a multitude of jobs. Did I scream at the system and tell the government to force some company to hire me? No, I walked into my county unemployment office dressed to impress and was consistently floored by those around me smelling of stale cigarettes and cheap booze. Unshowered, unshaved, unkept. And those folks? A lot of them expecting someone to hand them a job. You want fair, dear Occupiers? Make smarter choices. I'll be involved with helping the helpless, but fuck the clueless. You don't get to not do something until you're 28. Quit telling me you are damaged and have issues. We all are and we all do. Life sucks sometimes, wear a helmet, a cup and a chest protector. They'll soften the blow. You fucking wimps make me mad for my friends that have real issues and want answers and try to contribute to society. My old roommate has a real health issue, but she tries-and succeeds quite a bit. What do these people at the Occupy protests do?
Sidenote-it's honestly one of the biggest reasons I did not sign up for the 2nd round of comedy writing. Listening to the instructor and 2 of my fellow classmates say they wanted to see what was up because it was all Bush and Reagan's fault (really? Reagan hasn't been in office since January of 1988....really?) and this is 'stronger and more put together than the Tea Party', I knew I was in the wrong room. I don't like the blame game. And I'll prove it in my next segment.
Back to the Occupiers, I'm not sorry-I'm glad that I read that some of the small businesses around Zuccotti Park in NYC are going to protest the protesters tomorrow. Since one of the small cafes had to lay off 20% of his staff, I want someone to tell me that they didn't mean for it to happen, but oh well. Oh well? You just cost people their living. How does that solve your problem? Oh, and this is what Occupy Denver looks like....but they'll be cleaned out soon enough, at least that's the rumor.
Owning It
On my job hunt front, I have but 2 stories. One, I had an interview this past Wednesday that I thought went really well. 90 minutes of chatting and the last 15 of it were spent talking about Syracuse basketball (you bet your ass I was thinking this is a lock). The hiring manager told me to give him a call on Friday afternoon. I left a vm, haven't heard back. If you don't think I'm racking my brain, you don't know me at all.
Two, I had a recruiter stalk me. Stalk might not be strong enough of a word. I was called last Monday afternoon by a recruiter who found me on a job search website. I won't give the name out because this is the first recruiter I've dealt with regarding my resume on that site, and if they are all even remotely similar I am going to delete my resume and ask the sitemaster to go back in all history logs and delete any mention of my profile. Said recruiter passed along a light job description to me and wanted my resume. I was not able to get to it until after work. I know, I know, Google Docs. Or some other cloud file holding option. First it was an email reply that they could represent me for the role. Sure. Then an email for 2 references. Sure. Then a follow up call on the emails. And a call about the references when I couldn't get them to this place in a fast enough time. Finally I get home, fire off the resume and the references. Then, the 5th phone call. Since I recognized the number, I answered the phone the only way I knew how, "Are we dating?" Seriously, 5 phone calls and 3 emails, in a day? I've been in relationships that didn't have that much communication (wait....that should probably be something I remember for the next one whenever it comes). Then on Tuesday I got another call, from the recruiting executive-not a good time. I was in the middle of a VP-level escalation and this knucklehead told me I needed to completely redo my resume. Not a good move. Not after I told them it wasn't a good time to talk. That's just poor form. I let them have it. And here's where I own things. They wanted me to change my resume because it has gaps in it. No shit. Of course it has gaps in it. I've been out of work for 2 large chunks of time since 2007. Not by choice, I assure you. Did they want me to admit that maybe my choices weren't the smartest? Fine, mission accomplished. Otherwise, if I wasn't their candidate, I can live, I have a job (ah, kinda refreshing to state that).
No, John Lackey does not get a mulligan. Not for being a douchebag to his teammates. Not for sucking the life out of a locker room.
Tiger Woods' former caddy is not a racist. Can we get a moratorium on that word? Or people screaming that word if they don't like what someone says? Please? It was stupid, yes, but racist? No. Emphatically, no.
Interesting take on the career of Eddie Murphy.
Lastly, been a rough week for me. I admit it. Looked at the calendar on Monday night and realized it's been 3 years since my Superman has passed. He was my mentor, my sounding board....my asshole. Miss ya, Pops.
And while I am saddened by the loss of Andy Rooney, Joe Frazier and Bil Keane, I am most saddened by the loss of Heavy D. You made the jams! And you'll be missed.
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Now playing: Heavy D and The Boyz - We Got Our Own Thang
via FoxyTunes
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Week 10 Picks
Last Week: 7-7
Season: 57-65-5
Pittsburgh (-4) @ Cincinnati: The Steelers are hurting after losing in the last minute to Baltimore at home last Sunday night. Cincinnati has the label of ‘yeah, but look who they beat’ on the way to going 6-2. Some praise needs to go the way of Bengals Mike Brown, for holding out and getting QB Andy Dalton in the 2nd round of this year’s draft and for winning the poker-staring contest with old QB Carson Palmer, getting a 1st round pick and potentially another 1st round pick is phenomenal. Back to the game, Cincinnati is tough on defense. Tougher than anyone gives them credit for. Pittsburgh has beaten New England, not looking like world beaters right now. Cincinnati
Denver @ Kansas City (-3): I think KC looked past the Dolphins last week to this divisional game. Denver will give them fits with the faith in Tebow tour back in effect. However, the Broncos really don’t stop the pass all that well. Kansas City
Jacksonville (-3) @ Indianapolis: I can’t remember the last time the Colts were underdogs at home, well, before this season. Jacksonville will run, then run, and then run some more. Jacksonville
Buffalo @ Dallas (-5 ½): The Bills are waiting to turn it up on someone. Dallas never seemed to be able to put away Seattle at home last week. Oh, and the new Cowboys stadium was built on the ground where Bills RB Fred Jackson’s childhood home was. Buffalo
Houston (-3 ½) @ Tampa Bay: The Bucs play different at home. It won’t matter, the Texans pack their league-best running game. This is another one of those games that the Texans have to win if they want people to take their playoff chances seriously. Meanwhile, the game is blacked out locally in Tampa Bay-isn’t that ridiculous? Division leading team coming into your house and you can’t sell out the game? That’s just not a good sign. Houston
Tennessee @ Carolina (-3 ½): This could be the game where Titans RB Chris Johnson gets on track. This could also be another game that the Titans don’t show up for. Man, does that offense (and all of my fantasy football teams) miss WR Kenny Britt or what? Carolina comes off their bye week and rookie QB Cam Newton looks to do everything. Entertaining game, really. Carolina
Washington @ Miami (-4): Who wants to watch this game? I don’t even think the teams playing do. Time to mention that it’s time to start questioning if ‘Skins coach Mike Shanahan really is anything of a coach…he hasn’t had a winning season with a playoff in quite a long time. Can he call up Jake Plummer? The Dolphins haven’t quit, and for that they are to be commended. Miami
New Orleans @ Atlanta (Pick ‘Em): Atlanta is 2-8 in their last 10 games against New Orleans. Unless they can develop a serious pass rush with their front four, Saints QB Drew Brees is going to have his way. The Falcons are nothing special in the secondary. Looks like another game for RB Michael Turner is needed to control the clock and keep that Saints O on the sideline. Time to go against the grain. Atlanta
Detroit @ Chicago (-3): Which Bears team is the real one? The one last Monday night in Philly? Or the team that got rolled in Detroit with huge plays? Can Detroit have a big win? Nope. Chicago
St. Louis @ Cleveland (-3): In an ugly game like this, look to who is healthier. St. Louis
Arizona @ Philadelphia (-14): Can’t really believe in Philly right now. It’s tough. They don’t make enough plays, and if it weren’t for RB LeSean McCoy they wouldn’t even have 3 wins. The line is this high because some think they will come out and dominate at home. Didn’t think that last week, and I’m not buying it this week, either. They might win, but not cover. Arizona
Baltimore (-6 ½) @ Seattle: Smells like a trap game. Baltimore gets up for Pittsburgh, and lose the next week. It already happened the beginning of this season. It happens again, where weird stuff happens in Seattle, because their fans show up no matter what. Seattle
NY Giants @ San Francisco (-3 ½): Things the Giants do well-pass the ball. Things the 49ers do well-stop the run. The pass? Not so much. Should be the game of the day. NY Giants
New England @ NY Jets (-2 ½): I’m worried. As a Pats fan, they still haven’t found an option on offense that can take the top off a defense. TE Aaron Hernandez isn’t completely healthy. The addition of Chad OchoCinco has been a failure, to put it lightly. The Albert Haynesworth experiment is over after he quit on his team last week (just check the tape-pathetic). The Jets come in on a roll. Their defense has gotten on point, and the offense is grinding out a running game. Here comes New England’s league worst pass defense. I got a bad feeling about this one. NY Jets
Minnesota @ Green Bay (-13): Do not use the last time met in Minnesota as a gauge. It was QB Christian Ponder’s first start. Now there is tape on him. Packers QB Aaron Rodgers is playing at a Tecmo Bowl pace right now-he’s looking better than Tom Brady in 2007. Green Bay
More coming later tonight....
Now playing: Statik Selektah - Never A Dull Moment Ft Action Bronson Termanology and Bun B
via FoxyTunes
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Week 9 picks
Week: 8-4-1
Season: 50-58-5
Atlanta (-6 ½) @ Indianapolis: Line should be higher. Who thinks that there will be a Colts renaissance the rest of this season? Me, neither. Look for lots of running to the right by Atlanta, as LT Sam Baker is out. Maybe some play-action passing. Atlanta
Tampa Bay @ New Orleans (-8 ½): So that Saints are a Super Bowl contender, so long as they are at home? They kinda suck on the road. I cannot seem to get a read on the Bucs. They feel too Jeckyl & Hyde-ish for my liking. But something about them tells me TE Kellen Winslow and WR Mike Williams are due to get on track. I like the points. Tampa Bay
Cleveland @ Houston (-10 ½): Run, Houston, run. Houston
NY Jets @ Buffalo (-2 ½): Any faith in Jets QB Mark Sanchez to make smart decisions, on the road, in what will be a packed house at Ralph Wilson Stadium? Can the Bills run the ball? Says here they can, and will have some luck generating turnovers. Buffalo
Miami @ Kansas City (-4): Really? Have I missed something in watching the Dolphins just appear inept? More importantly-why have I had to see the Dolphins 3 times already??? Kansas City can thank Chargers coach Norv Turner for being Norv Turner-not a lot of shots to the end zone on Monday night. This gives KC some hope, and the passing game is coming around. At Arrowhead? Thanks! Kansas City
San Francisco (-4) @ Washington: This is where we will find out if 49ers HC Jim Harbaugh has the troops trained. One of the oldest and bestest rules in wagering is to never, and I mean NEVER, take a west coast team traveling east for an early game. Think I’m kidding? Check out other people’s gambling manifestos and you’ll see it. There is an unwritten caveat to said rule however, and it’s this-unless the home team sucks donkey nuts. Or coached by LeatherFace (Mike ‘I hate fantasy football geeks’ Shanahan-aka, Shanahanighans). San Francisco
Seattle @ Dallas (-11): Some say too high. I say time to bust out the passing game. Dallas
Denver @ Oakland (-7): Too low. What has anyone seen that makes anyone think that Tim Tebow looks like an NFL QB (more on the douchebaggery going on about all things Tebow later)? We get to see if Carson Palmer can still play QB now that he ought to know more than 15 plays for the Raiders. The Broncos look asleep at the wheel, and trading away WR Brandon Lloyd couldn’t have been much of a morale booster, especially since he’s done quite alright in St. Louis. Oakland
Cincinnati @ Tennessee (-2): Again, I am left wondering what the home team has done to show that they should be the favorite in any game moving forward. Cincinnati has won at home, on the road, and they pack their defense and running game. Tennessee looks like they are about to have another divided locker room. RB Chris Johnson may have got his money, but he brought none of his game this season. Kind of liking that the Bengals could have a playoff shot. Cincinnati.
St. Louis @ Arizona (-3): No Kevin Kolb for Arizona. The Rams looking alright with a backup QB at the helm. Better game than it looks like. St. Louis
NY Giants @ New England (-9): This line is too high. The Patriots cannot stop anyone from throwing the ball at will against them. Enter Eli Manning, who keeps throwing for 250-350 yards every game. This is what happens when Bill Belichick the GM doesn’t draft well for Belichick the coach. NY Giants
Green Bay (-5 ½) @ San Diego: The Packers get to play in a place that has virtually no weather other than sunshine? No cold, no rain? San Diego, a team that can’t get out of its own way, will have to step up like this is their Super Bowl, and get in the end zone. They won’t do it nearly enough. Green Bay
Baltimore @ Pittsburgh (-3): I’m going strictly with my gut on this one. No way Pittsburgh allows Baltimore to smack them around like this is Week 1. This is the measuring stick. I read some folks who think Baltimore is a title contender. I see the Steelers using a quick passing spread attack, and Baltimore doing Ravens things-watch for dumb penalties. Pittsburgh
Chicago @ Philadelphia (-8): All depends on which Bears team shows up. The team that establishes the run has a shot. The team that comes out throwing and goes 3 straight series of 3-and-outs and ends up down at least 13-0 after the 1st period? Not so much. Philly looked fantastic against Dallas, but their run defense is still atrocious. I know it’s Michael Vick on Monday night, but the Bears should run the ball to keep him off the field. Chicago.
Happy Daylight Savings Time!!
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