YOU HAVE MEDDLED WITH THE FORCES OF NATURE, MR. SIMMONS . . . and . . . YOU! MUST! ATONE!!!

Well here we go again. Another ESPN opinion columnist, touted for being on the edge, has been called to the carpet in the style of that famous scene from the 1976 movie “Network” featuring Ned Beatty. The notion that Bill Simmons was suspended (with pay *gah* I should be so lucky) for explicatives said on a PODCAST is ridiculous. He got the hammer because of what he said about Roger Goodell. Thou shalt not defame Roger Goodell. Even if what was said was true. He *IS* a liar. I have been saying that for years. I said that during BountyGate. I also said that during the New England Patriot’s cheating scandal. Of course when Bill Simmons’s beloved Patriots were under the gun, he wasn’t as vocal – but that is another conversation.
So let me ask you a question, ESPN. You sell slow-motion replays of thugs bashing into each other while at the same time, selling alcohol during the commercials yet you espouse this as an issue of integrity, ESPN? Is that really what is going on? No – you are just afraid of losing Monday Night Football. That one little sliver of NFL game coverage you have left. The NFL is smart because they get to control ABC and ESPN all at once with #MNF. It is no coincidence that the NFL (WHICH IS TAX EXEMPT BTW!) has media contracts with all of the major broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox.)
Roger Goodell has proven time and time again he is the master of legalese and plausible deniability. Remember what he said about New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton – “Ignorance is not a defense.” Many say these skills will allow him to survive. Oh really? No – it is the screwed up structure of the tax-exempt NFL that allows for him to stay in his massively over-paid position. Commissioner? Der Kommisar? More like a fascist “Il Duce.”

Suspending Bill Simmons for one week longer than Stephen A. Smith or Ray Rice also proves to be interesting. The one good thing about this is the suspension is making news as to what was said content-wise – which is the truth. We now have mainstream reporters coming out and stating the obvious without fear. What is next for ESPN? Can we expect more censoring of Outside the Lines?
What is not being talked about and is something I really do not understand is Bill Simmon’s toxic-co-dependent relationship with ESPN. They have been constantly butting heads over the years. Is he that Boston-ingrained that he cannot seek freedom from a competitor? It is extremely obvious that the two really do not like each other but in spite of the NFL’s influence, ESPN realizes that for true Boston home-town credibility, it needs Bill Simmons as much as he needs their paycheck (suspended *WITH* Pay? That is a free vacation!)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/24/bill-simmons-suspended-espn_n_5878604.html

http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-espn-bill-simmons-suspended-20140924-story.html

https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/espn-suspends-bill-simmons-for-podcast-calling-roger-goodell-a–liar-234203170.html

http://deadspin.com/espn-suspends-bill-simmons-from-twitter-after-em-first-453717304

http://money.cnn.com/2014/09/24/media/espn-suspends-bill-simmons/index.html

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/espn-suspends-bill-simmons-weeks-calls-nfl-commissioner-roger-goodell-liar-article-1.1951872

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Either Jan Brewer is a Political Genius or the Public and the Media are just Fools

Fool me once, shame on you . . . fool me twice . . . well . . . I knew this was coming. So the same strategy that Arizona Governor Brewer employed during the last mid-year cycle is holding up just as well the second time around. It’s an ingenious strategy when you think about it at first. Then when you realize the public has such a short memory and the media is completely driven by actions in the now, nobody does their research. Even if we are talking about events in the last few years.

Rewind to 2011: Remember when the obsession with Obama’s birth certificate was reaching high visibility? How do you propel yourself to the top of the daily news cycle over and over again? Have your far-right cronies play the bad cop so you can come in at the last minute and play good cop – or rather – the voice of reason. You can be the epitome of the “cooler heads will prevail” mentality.

Back then, the very social conservatives in the Arizona state legislature – fueled by the upcoming presidential election and the obsession with Obama (also helped by long term Arizona character Joe Arpaio) passed legislation that would have required presidential candidates to provide documentation showing that they were born in the United States in order to be allowed on the state’s presidential ballot. The process was dragged out in the legislature and the duration between passage and her final action was also dragged out for dramatic effect. When she finally made the decision, she came across as the moderate rational hero. The good cop. The voice of reason. The bill, she said in a letter about her veto, was a “distraction” and “a bridge too far” that would have created “significant new problems while failing to do anything constructive for Arizona.”

Fast forward to 2014. Here we go again. The Obama obsession has been played out. What’s another socially conservative firestorm that can energize the base yet allow her to look like a moderate leader? Let’s capitalize on the hatred of homosexuals. She was smart enough to have her staff be sure to purge all references to this from her Wikipedia page (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_Brewer) since she knew this would be the extent of any historical research on her (especially since going deep into a search engine required too much diligence. But a simple query of the phrases “Jan Brewer” and “bridge too far” would have brought it all back.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0411/53710.html

For the past two weeks, Jan Brewer has been in the news. I have no doubt this was orchestrated where the idea was created with the end in mind. Beautiful politics exploiting both sides of the political spectrum. Another reason why I don’t participate in the game. Some say Jan Brewer is old and winding down. I think she is looking for higher office. The question is, how long will she continue to reuse this strategy?

This Year’s Holiday Miracle (One that will yield hope for us all . . .)

This holiday season, I actually experienced a lot of peace. We hear that a lot around this time of year. But do we actually get it? I gave myself some peace this holiday season. And before you all pass judgment, get worried, and/or feel sorry for me – ask yourself how much peace you had over the holidays this year.

However you define what is peaceful is up to you. For me, a peaceful holiday was not hearing one or more of the following:

Is this all I get?
I can’t believe you voted for that guy!
Will you *please* just talk to my mother?
I’d like to talk to you about this great investment opportunity.
Sure, I’ll lay off the credit card. What will *you* tell the kids?
I can’t believe you sat there and fell asleep on the couch!
S/He’s on the phone and she’s threatening not to come. Can you please talk her down?
Are you *trying* to ruin Christmas?
How can you possibly have voted for that guy! You just *threw* your vote away.
So I hear you work on computers? I’ve got this issue with . . .
Someone’s being a little anti-social!
I think you’ve had enough.
Will you *please* try to be more festive?
Well personally, I think he is doing a pretty good job of protecting the country.
I think I’ve had enough.
They’ll be here in five minutes. Please hide the alcohol!!!
Must you call attention to my sister’s hairstyle? She’s self-conscience enough as it is.
That was supposed to be for the guests!
Please don’t bring up the discussion of her around him this year!
I don’t care if it’s Christmas, there is no way in hell I am doing that!
Why aren’t you playing with the kids?
Are you going to play with the kids all day or are you going to help me?
Merry Christmas, I’m Pregnant!
Why are you checking email? It’s the holidays!!
———-

Now ask yourself this: Did any of you get through the holidays without hearing any of the above?

For those of you interested in wanting to know how I achieved that peace, feel free to inquire off-line.

Forensics Fraud

These are a great series of articles from Reason Magazine. I subscribe to this magazine in print and I love getting each issue. One of the stories I have been keeping up with is the expose on forensics fraud created by two “forensics experts” who over the years, gained favorable reputation by prosecutors by always delivering what they wanted in terms of “expert testimony.” Their arrogance and lust for probably even a potential Court TV show led them to even manufacture evidence even to the point of getting too sloppy to destroy the evidence of their tampering.

“Indeed, and Without a Doubt”
How a Mississippi dentist may be sending innocent people to jail.
Radley Balko | August 2, 2007
One of the first pieces on Dr. Michael West.
http://www.reason.com/news/show/121671.html

CSI: Mississippi
A case study in expert testimony gone horribly wrong
Rodney Balko’s first peice on the Stephen Hayne story from November 2007.
http://www.reason.com/news/show/122458.html
President of Mississippi State Medical Association Denounces Dr. Hayne
Radley Balko | February 15, 2008, 12:03pm
http://www.reason.com/blog/show/125019.html

The Bite-Marks Men
Mississippi’s criminal forensics disaster
Radley Balko | February 25, 2008
http://www.reason.com/news/show/125151.html

Dr. Steven Hayne Is Done
Radley Balko | August 4, 2008, 8:51pm
http://www.reason.com/blog/show/127915.html

Hayne Sues
Radley Balko | November 7, 2008, 11:37am
The last bastion of a discredited hack: Sue for Defamation. Former Mississippi medical examiner Dr. Steven Hayne has filed a defamation suit against the Innocence Project.
http://www.reason.com/blog/show/129975.html

Manufacturing Guilt?
Experts say this exclusive video shows a dental examiner creating the bite marks that put a man on death row.
Radley Balko | February 19, 2009
http://www.reason.com/news/show/131527.html

The National Academy of Sciences Slams Bite Mark Analysis
Radley Balko | February 28, 2009, 4:13pm
http://www.reason.com/blog/show/131943.html

Michael West Responds
Radley Balko | March 1, 2009, 10:55am
The Tooth? You can’t handle the tooth!
http://www.reason.com/blog/show/131954.html

More on Michael West’s Response
Radley Balko | March 4, 2009, 11:37pm
http://www.reason.com/blog/show/132059.html

Civil Rights Lawsuit Filed Against Hayne, West
Radley Balko | April 6, 2009, 1:11pm
http://www.reason.com/blog/show/132728.html

Dr. Michael West Speaks Out, Says He Has “Lost Faith in the System”
Radley Balko | May 14, 2009, 11:31pm
Surreal. He has “lost faith” and the system. The system he helps to corrupt? Lost faith in how he can keep working knowing the baggage he now carries?
http://www.reason.com/blog/show/133504.html

A Forensics Charlatan Gets Caught in the Act
Video from a defense attorney’s sting exposes Mississippi bite-mark “expert” Michael West.
Radley Balko | May 15, 2009
http://www.reason.com/news/show/132574.html

TV Story on Youtube

In Defense of the “Bro-mance”

The following is a rant –a- response to this stupid article. Read the article first and then read my point-by-point response with a male perspective. Be advised of this before reading.

This post is meant to defend what is now called a “bro-mance.” It used to be referred to as a guy having a buddy.

http://lifestyle.msn.com/relationships/articletkt.aspx?cp-documentid=19996811

1. He has more nicknames for his best guy friend than for you.

RESPONSE: What is the significance of keeping score on petty items such as this? I am sure if the opposite were true (he had more nicknames for you than his friend) THE OTHER GUY WOULD NOT CARE or for that matter, probably even notice. Why? It is insignificant. Bear in mind he could likely know the guy a lot longer and his friendship with his bro has probably lasted longer than many relationships with women and will likely last longer than the one he is currently in -especially if she is keeping score on the number of nicknames.

2. When you suggest a double date, he says, “Great, you go out with Suzy, and Bill and I will catch the game.”

RESPONSE: Let’s get real. Double-dates are for the women, not for the men. Men rarely have fun on these things and if the two guys get along and act the way they would had the women not been there, the woman would be appalled and embarrassed. So let’s just make it enjoyable for everyone. Let the ladies go out and let the guys stay home! We don’t want to dress up in the homogenized golfer outfit you have picked out for us to wear.

3. He went to see I Love You, Man … twice. And cried.

RESPONSE: And this is a problem because . . . ? I guess a man crying in a movie is only acceptable if it is a chick flick? I suppose women would have a problem with a guy crying at the end of the first “Rocky” movie too? That reminds me, I have not seen it in a while. Think I’ll pop that in tonight. ALRIGHT ROCKY!!!! YO ADRIAN!!! WE DID IT BABY!!!

4. They have at least two almost-identical outfits.

RESPONSE: Correct. When two guys wear the exact same thing, they marvel at each other’s excellent taste in apparel. We do not throw fits and cause scenes and create drama because we happen to be wearing the same thing.

5. During your wedding, his pal dragged you aside and said, “Take good care of him for me, okay?”

RESPONSE: Deal with it. You are lucky he is not taking the groom aside and saying “DUDE, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING? GET OUT! GET OUT NOW! I CAN DRIVE US FAR AWAY FROM HERE! YOU DO NOT HAVE TO GO THROUGH WITH THIS!!!”

6. He spends more time getting ready for his bros’ night out than for your Friday night date.

RESPONSE: Yes. He wants to look good. Just like you want to look good when you tart yourselves up and go out on your “ladies night out” binges. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander. When’s the last time you dressed up for him that way on a date? Hmmmm??

7. They have an anthem, be it from Journey or Jay-Z, that they famously dub “our song.”

RESPONSE: “Just a small town girl! Living in a looonely woooorld! She took the midnight train going anywhere . . . .”

8. They take 10 minutes to tell the “hilarious” story about the first day they met (again).

RESPONSE: Right, and when we have figured out how in the hell we got baited and switched by you . . . Oh wait. Now we remember. But it is so depressing to think about since you don’t do those things anymore.

9. You finally earn enough airline miles for the anniversary trip you’ve been dreaming of, and he says, “Cool! Dave and I can go to Vegas!”

RESPONSE: Did you tell him that you were planning to do this? Probably not. You see, when you spring something like this on a guy and he is going to use this as an opportunity to do something that will not cost him as much money as an anniversary trip with you is already going to cost. What you do not spend on airline tickets you will more than likely make up the difference and more on buying crap and going to see Siegfried and . . . well Siegfried. This was your agenda, remember. You assumed he would have either no independent thought or would read your mind and know exactly what to say.

10. He answers his buddy’s call … while you and he are getting romantic together.

RESPONSE: Well . . . I guess what is currently happening is not as exciting as him getting the call. Maybe the problem is with you!

Most Health Insurance costs less than 15,000 a year.

How to resolve the Helath Insurance problem:

Force all people to buy or put them in jail!

I wonder if Oprah is going to fund all of her fans who can’t afford to pay this. Will she let them go to jail? After all, she commanded her flock to vote for the guy.

http://republicans.waysandmeans.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=153583

More False Panic

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=7033021

In their quest for ratings and the perpetuation of “WE’RE ALL GONNA DIE!!!!!!” fear mongering, the media and our beloved local state government have, once again, teamed up to spread fear. Out of a population of ten million people (2.2. million children,) one child has died from Swine flu.

In order to protect panic in the specific area where the child lived, they have decided not to tell where the child lived, how it was contracted, and when it was contracted. They are only saying it happened in North Carolina – HENCE – creating fear and panic across the entire state.

Please also note this quote:

“Engel said the child’s death was likely due to underlying medical conditions which made the effects of swine flu more severe.”

It would help to know what these underlying medical conditions were.