Steve

Haha..I shed a tear when Henry scored against Leeds...and come to think of it, I really did cry when Wiltord scored the winner at OT to win in '02. Anyway, great movie. Two thumbs up for it.

http://www.thegrio.com/politics/black-gop-congressman-tim-scott-skipping-state-of-the-union.php Black GOP Congressman Tim Scott skipping State of the Union Disappointed in this guy as well. Unfortunately there are some conservative blacks who go out of there way to prove they have no ties to a black Dem or liberal or black community and my guess . Colin Powell is a Republican but was well liked amongst blacks. Why? He didn't act ashamed of the larger black community and spoke of ALL Americans. JC Watts to a lesser extent but he wasn't hated. Some black conservatives are two sides of the same coin with the likes of Jesse Jackson. Justice Thomas would make speeches specifically addressing the wrongs in the black community without anything positive to say. Bill Cosby speaks about the same issues and is still beloved BECAUSE he also shows his love and repsect for the community and everyone. He wants the best for everyone. Okay, another tirade over.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/24/martin-bashir-joe-walsh-child-support_n_1229166.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000009&ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false#sb=321726,b=facebook Martin Bashir tore into Representative Joe Walsh on Tuesday, condemning the congressman for his failure to pay over $100,000 in back child support in a live interview. The MSNBC host was interviewing Walsh, Republican from Illinois, in the lead-up to President Obama's State of the Union address on Tuesday night. Bashir suggested that Walsh had been "somewhat disrespectful" for his refusal to attend Obama's jobs speech in September, and quizzed him on his support on Newt Gingrich's plan for zero tax on capital gains. Then, Bashir abruptly shone the light on a sore subject for the congressman. "One of the things you've repeatedly said is that you will not place another dollar on the backs of your children," Bashir said. "Haven't you already done that by inadequately paying child support that you owe to your wife and children?" Walsh protested, "Hey Martin, that's an awkward segue on TV." He said he was fighting the issue legally and in private. Bashir pressed on, asking Walsh for his reaction to a bill that would bar people who owe over $10,000 in child support from running for public office in Illinois. It was disrespectful NOT to attend. If your senior members of your own party thought it was disrespectful to the office not to go, then you are WRONG. The hypocracy.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/25/jan-brewer-obama_n_1232367.html?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl1%7Csec1_lnk3&pLid=130282&ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false#sb=321726,b=facebook Arizona Governor Jan Brewer traded words with President Obama after she greeted him at a Phoenix airport Wednesday. Brewer and Obama "spoke intensely for a few minutes" after he landed at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, according to a White House pool report. At one point, the GOP governor shook her finger at the president. "He was a little disturbed about my book," Brewer told a reporter after the incident, referring to her political memoir, "Scorpions for Breakfast." In the book, Brewer depicted Obama as "patronizing" during an earlier meeting. "I said to him that I have all the respect in the world for the office of the president," Brewer said. "The book is what the book is. I asked him if he read the book. He said he read the excerpt. So." In the pic she's poking her finger at the President. In any scenario its disrespectful. I keep reading when each person that disrepsects the office say they respect it but their actions say otherwise. Their actions say they don't respect the office. I'd be saying the same it was Dubya. Its a very bad precedent. People/politicians will be emboldened to do it again because of the lack of public backlash.

Good video except it has a bash liberal slant. Fact is BOTH parties. Reagan and Dubya left us with deficits and I assume the elder Bush did as well. Republicans talk a good game about balancing budgets UNTIL they get in office. Then they make exceptions, usually for defense and wars that don't need to be fought.

For a second I thought the previous post was about the movie 'Warrior'. I am too lazy to go back enough pages to see if anyone wrote about it but I saw it recently and loved it. The movie with mixed martial arts as the background. I am getting soft in my old age 'cause I shed a tear at the end.

http://news.yahoo.com/republican-house-member-boycott-obama-speech-133225145.html Republican House Member to Boycott Obama Speech Here is Lamborn’s explanation to his constituents in its entirety: “This is the first SOTU speech Lamborn has passed on Congressman Lamborn has attended all the past SOTU addresses. As for what makes this year’s speech different, Congressman Lamborn but believes the President is in full campaign mode and will use the address as an opportunity to bash his political opponents. As far as he knows, he is the only Republican who will pass on attending SOTU. He is doing this on his own and is not trying to coordinate this with any other Members. Congressman Lamborn is doing this to send a clear message that he does not support the policies of Barack Obama, that they have hurt our country. Congressman Lamborn respects the President personally, and the office of the President. Congressman Lamborn is protesting Obama’s recent 'recess appointments' to the National Labor Relation’s Board and newly-created Consumer Protection Board. He is protesting Obama’s decision to reject the job-creating Keystone Pipeline. He is protesting the President’s draconian cuts to defense. Lamborn wants to send a strong, clear message that President Obama’s deficit spending cannot continue. Congressman Lamborn plans to watch the speech on television.†This particular part is complete bullshit: "Congressman Lamborn respects the President personally, and the office of the President." Why is the ones that claim to love America the most are so often the ones who do the most un-American things? Its his right not to attend. I hope he gets drummed out of office. Sadly, his constituents will applaud such behavior in all liklihood. Just like in the military, you respect the office if not the man. His excuse is bullshit. As bad as Nixon was you respected the office he was in. Dems had more far better reasons to boycott Bush. I don't care which party, its disrespectful and the Republican leadership should call him on it. This guy shows how partisan things are. To use such bullshit reasoning and having the temerity to do it shows just how far gone things are. It shows just how friggin' partisan some members of Congress are. Like the guy who planned that 'Liar' thingy last year. Can't all Republicans get through one State of the Union without incident? Democrats are not the ideal but they at least show more respect. Good grief.

http://news.yahoo.com/los-angeles-mayor-signs-porn-star-condom-requirement-024936401.html Los Angeles mayor signs porn star condom requirement LA just managed to reduce their own economy...again. The porn industry is safer than the general public. At least i know there is an attempt to test the porn star I'd bang but no testing of the girl I talk to at the club at 3am. LA treated the movie industry like shyt and drove jobs to Canada and other locales.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etta_James Surprised I didn't see Etta James on here. She was 're-discovered' when a Jaguar car commercial had her hit 'At Last' as its theme song. I didn't know who she was but loved the song. I asked my parents about her when I first heard it and my dad said I should know who she was but had my head filled up with that rap stuff to appreciate good music (sidenote: why am I sorry I ever ask them anything? They only criticize me...arghhh!!) Anyway, I read her life story and hers was basically a poster child story for how a lot of black singers career was in those days. Glad she could re-capture some popularity before she died.

The religious right is so much hypocritical bullshit. They are religious when its convenient in picking a candidate that is born again but aren't when it suits them. McCain has never been the religious type and by all accounts Obama was more 'christian' than he was. Romney is a mormon and Obama is a born again Christian. Obama is a Christian family man, as far as we know hasn't cheated and Newt has family issues and as far as we know as religious as most of you on here. Which isn't a criticism. Religion and your own personal family shouldn't be an issue anyway but they made it one and the show so much hypocracy over it. Same with the black churches as well. Lets be honest. The religious right are the fundamental white churches, often the huge mega ones and the big mega black churches support any Democrat and would take a jewish Dem or a gay atheist Dem over a born again Republican. Both are wrought with hypocracy.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/buffett-blames-congress-romneys-15-155000898.html Warren Buffett, the billionaire calling for more taxes on the rich, said Mitt Romney's U.S. tax rate of about 15 percent reflects poor laws rather than failings by the candidate for the Republican presidential nomination. What makes the lowering of the tax rates that Romney, Gingrich and Republicans in general so odious is that multi millionaires as well as corporations don't pay their rate. There are so many tax write offs and loop holes it makes the existing tax rate a non issue. All of them talk of lowering the corporate rate. How many corporations pay it? I'd be shocked if any of them do. Truly. The tax code and the loop holes are written by the big money companies. They write their own loopholes. Its always been that way. You don't even have to be rich. Years ago I had a "business" that mysteriously lost money each year until I could no longer write off losees then I "went out of business". Its always done. Write off rooms in your home as an home office, etc. The tax rates are bullshit for anyone making decent money. Years ago, I loved tax time because I always got a refund. All legal.

Its simple. The health industry as a collective (HMOs, the doctor guild the AMA, big Pharma, etc.) have successfully been able to not only buy off the politicians have also been able to brain wash the masses with the oft said phrase 'best medical care in the world' and not saying the rest '...if you're rich and its also the most expensive medical care in the world'. The republicans would rather leave it out as an issue. They are forced to address it only because Dems have made it an issue in years past. The republican solution is the 'free market' will lower prices. I don't think it will and if its done as such it will basically make adequate healthcare something only for the rich. Americans travel to India, Mexico, Thaiand, etc. for surgeries too expensive in America. Best medical care? Complete bullshit. Medical tourism is now part of our lexicon because people are priced out of healthcare in America. 80% at least of Americans don't have a passport so all they know is what is spoonfed to them. Those of us that do travel see the bullshit for what it is. We get our dental and other medical needs done when we're in the kingdom at a cheaper price.

Obama 47 Romney 41.5 Ohio http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/oh/ohio_romney_vs_obama-1860.html Obama 43 Romney 39.8 Pena. http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/pa/pennsylvania_romney_vs_obama-1891.html Obama 42 Romney 46 Fla (11/11 dated poll) Obama 41 Romney 46 Mich (11/11 dated poll) *Romney's dad is a former governor there http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2011/11/21/romney_leads_obama_in_florida_michigan.html Obama 305 electoral points v. Romney 220 http://www.nationalpolls.com/2012/obama-vs-romney.html However it will be closer as they placed Floria in leading Dem and I don't see it. Its Romney or toss up at best right now for Obama in Florida.

As far as his economic plan I see nothing new or innovative. Its mostly the standard Republican platform. Lower corporate and capital gains taxes, let oil companies drill anywhere it wants for oil. Not that I don't want the corporate rate lowered. However, it does NOT create jobs nor does it stop foreign companies from investing in America. America is the biggest, richest market. Even the poor in America have a color tv set and amenities that middle class folks in 3rd world countries have. Go to a housing project parking lot and you can't find a parking space. American companies have always made money no matter how much you tax them. They are not hiring because they have no faith in the economy and have no faith the populace will spend. Its not because their taxes are too high. Oh, they'll say that when they are asked why they aren't hiring so they can make more money but its not the reason. As far as capital gains, of course it can be lowered but people who invest don't look at capital gains. I've invested. I've worked for brokerages in all levels and those that buy stocks buy it based on it being a good stock and don't buy it based on it being a bad stock. People don't say, "Hmmm...capital gains is too high so I won't buy XYZ stock" Thats BS. They expect to make a killing and will worry about how to get the profits without paying as much taxes later. Its not even a considearation. Many of you have bought and sold common stock and know this. As far as drilling willy nilly, my issue is that it makes us more reliant on oil and being an oil based economy. America is a major world oil producer already. New oil fields are discovered and drilled all the time around the gloe but we don't see the price of oil lowering. Its all bullshit. Oil companies use any issue in the middle east as an excuse to jack prices and we don't even get nearly as much oil from the region as we did in the past. We should moving AWAY from an oil based economy NOT getting more entrenched in it. Oil has been trouble for years now. We've gotten into wars over protecting our source and we're stuck our noses in regions politically because of it. I'm failing to see how lowering taxes creates jobs and not just makes companies richer? I'd like to do both, jobs and profits not just one sided. I don't see where Newt does that.

With almost 2 out of 3 bankruptcies tied to health costs, I think healthcare as an issue is of paramount importance. Newt on Heathcare: http://www.newt.org/solutions/healthcare Newt's plan to save lives and save money 1.Make health insurance more affordable and portable by giving Americans the choice of a generous tax credit or the ability to deduct the value of their health insurance up to a certain amount and by allowing Americans to purchase insurance across state lines, increasing price competition in the industry. 2.Create more choices in Medicare by giving seniors the option to choose, on a voluntary basis, a more personal system in the private sector with greater options for better care. This would create price competition to lower costs. 3.Reform Medicaid by giving states more freedom and flexibility to customize their programs to suit their needs with a block-grant program similar to the successful welfare reform of 1996. With that block grant, each state can focus on providing the assistance to low-income families that they each need to buy health insurance. 4.Cover the sickest with a High Risk Pool set up by each state to cover the uninsured who have become too sick to buy health insurance. 5.Protect consumers by reinforcing laws which prohibit insurers from cancelling or charging discriminatory rate increases to those who become sick while insured. 6.Extend Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) throughout the health care system. Everyone on Medicare and Medicaid should be free to choose an HSA for their coverage. All workers should be free to choose an HSA in place of their employer coverage if they desire. 7.Reward quality care by changing the Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement models to take into account the quality of the care delivered and incentivizing beneficiaries to seek out facilities that deliver the best care at the lowest costs. 8.Reward health and wellness by giving health plans, employers, Medicare, and Medicaid more latitude to design benefits to encourage, incentivize, and reward healthy behaviors. 9.Stop health care fraud by moving from a paper-based system to an electronic one. Health care fraud accounts for as much as much as 10 percent of all health care spending, according to the National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association. That's more than $200 billion a year. Compare this to the 0.1% fraud rate in the credit card industry thanks to its high-tech information analysis systems. 10.Stop junk lawsuits that drive up the cost of medicine with medical malpractice reform. 11.Speed medical breakthroughs to patients by reforming the Food and Drug Administration. 12.Inform patients and consumers of price and quality so they can make informed choices about how to spend their money on care. Patients have the right to know this information, but finding it is virtually impossible. 13.Invest in research for health solutions that are urgent national priorities. Medical breakthroughs--ones that prevent or cure disease rather than treating its symptoms--are a critical part of the solution to long-term budget challenges. More brain science research, for example, could lead to Alzheimer's Disease cures and treatments that could save the federal government over $20 trillion over the next forty years.

I am pretty much only focusing on Newt's ideas. I personally don't think he has the temperment for the highest office. But I'm willing to put those concerns aside if he has a better plan than Obama. Lets look at what Newt would like to do with the economy: http://money.cnn.com/2011/11/29/news/economy/newt_gingrich_plan/index.htm Gingrich wants to sharply reduce corporate tax rates, while reforming entitlement programs, the Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency. He wants to repeal the health care and Wall Street reform laws, while getting rid of estate and capital gains taxes, Sarbanes-Oxley and the Community Reinvestment Act. But wait, there's more to his plan... Gingrich wants to extend the Bush tax cuts, balance the budget, institute an optional flat tax, break up Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and reform the Federal Reserve. Here's a snapshot of what the country might look like under President Newt Gingrich: Corporate taxes Gingrich wants to reduce the corporate tax rate from 35% to 12.5% -- a move that would take the corporate tax rate from one of the highest in the industrialized world to one of the lowest. He argues that a drop of that magnitude would make the U.S. a much more attractive place to do business. But at the same time, the drastic reduction would leave an enormous hole in revenue collected by the government, making a balanced budget all the more difficult. Individual taxes Gingrich wants to add to the current tax code by putting an optional 15% flat tax on income in place. Similar to the plan proposed by Rick Perry, taxpayers would be able to choose whether to pay the flat tax, or file under the existing tax code. The new flat tax would boost growth, Gingrich says, while saving hundreds of billions in compliance costs. But tax experts have thrown cold water on that idea -- arguing that adding an additional tax option would necessitate the preparation of multiple returns to ensure the lowest rate. In addition, Gingrich would like to eliminate the estate and capital gains taxes. Federal government If Gingrich gets his way, the size of the federal government will shrink dramatically, and the agencies left over will do far less regulating. Gingrich wants to replace the Environmental Protection Agency -- which his website calls a "job-killing regulatory engine of higher energy prices" with an "Environmental Solutions Agency." He would replace the National Labor Relations Board and reform the Food and Drug Administration The Federal Reserve's mission would be pared back. No longer would the Fed be tasked with keeping unemployment in check. Instead, the central bank would be limited to a goal of "maintaining stable prices." Less regulation Gingrich is in favor of "very serious deregulation" and wants to repeal the Wall Street reform law that, among other things, authorizes regulation of the murky derivatives market. Sarbanes-Oxley, which laid down new regulations on public companies after major accounting scandals hit Enron, Tyco and others, would be wiped off the books. And Gingrich would remove bureaucratic and legal obstacles that prevent offshore drilling and oil shale development. Entitlement reform Gingrich favors the creation of optional private Social Security accounts for younger workers. He also wants to give states block grants to fund Medicaid. As for Medicare, Gingrich wants new private insurance options with a regular "premium support" payment. Gingrich would also shift all federal means tested welfare programs back to the states, which he said would "help millions move from dependency to prosperity while saving taxpayer trillions."

I don't use Newt's marital issues and his not serving to judge him. Plenty of noble men, who did good things weren't the best husbands (MLK, Jefferson, etc.). His military issue was 40 years ago. No way I hold someone to the same frame of mind as they did 40 years ago. We don't do it for Ali or Foreman, two beloved people now who changed. People can and do change. Its his views now that matters. I do worry about the history of those that didn't try to serve being so willing to send people into harms way. Probably some sort of compensating psychological thing going on. His rhetoric suggests he'll be quick to pull the trigger. With regards to the race, and I've read this in a few articles brave enough to say it. Romney's ONLY appeal to the Republicans is how he polls against Obama. It has NOTHING to do with his proposed policies. That reason is why I see the Republican party has no soul. Huntsman, Johnson, Paul have far better ideas and are far better qualified. I see how Mondale is treated historically and I was son the 'loser' bandwagon at one time until I read his bio. The guy would have made an honest president. A great one possibly. I see the Dems as the far better of two evils. The Dem voters could easily have made the safe bet with Hillary. She'd have won with ease but credit to the masses for going with someone who they saw with ideas. How he governed is not the point, they went with their hearts. Some Republicans have done that with the popularity of Cain and Gingrich but the heirarchy is rotten to the core. Winning is all that matters. How the country will be is a side issue.

HH, you're a smart guy. I know that first hand. "Shirley" you don't believe Obama is that bad. Republicans get worked into frenzies sometimes to the point it defies logic. I'm sure you've said the same about EVERY Democrat president ever, huh? lol.

This won't get anywhere but its needed http://sanders.senate.gov/petition/?uid=f1c2660f-54b9-4193-86a4-ec2c39342c6c

Okay, even though some of it is spliced and being a bit hyprocritical of Romney because I also stammer, its still funny. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/18/mitt-romney-south-carolina_n_1213944.html

A large segment of our scientific community are Asian, Middle Eastern or Indian/sub continent peoples and I would be surprised if the government didn't take a closer look at them to see if secrets were being sold or given to China, Iran, India or Pakistan. In fact, I'd be pissed if they weren't. This may sound strange or even hypocritical from a black American who has been the 'victim' of DWB (drving while black) or sometimes walking while black. I see a difference. For example, there was a highway cop in one of the southern states who had a high positive arrest rate because he stopped blacks and latinos driving cars with NY, Penna., and NJ plates. It was no secret growing up that you could get paid well driving 'packages' as we used to call them from Florida to the atlantic states. A smart cop would be wise to stop those cars because the stats would prove that the vast majority of drug couriers fit that profile (which makes me wonder why they didn't use other races and other states tags...lol). Anyway, big difference between that and stopping a black guy in a suit driving in a white neighborhood. Stats don't bear out that a black guy driving a benz or BMW commit crimes in white neighborhoods. Those stops to me are based on prejudice/racism rather than logical police tactics. I've been stopped in my white shirt and tie in white neighborhoods. I was angry about it. If I get stopped in Georgia on my way back to Philly with Pennsyvania plates, I'm blaming the black guys acting as couriers rather than the cops for my being singled out. So, that's where I draw the line and make the difference. Jewish Americans have been passing secrets to Israel for years. My guess from what I've read is that they view helping Israel as non threatening to America because we are allies. As opposed to us helping Russia for example. I think the Chinese Americans helping China is partially for the money and partially dual allegiences. I've read that the Chinese military's ability (or soon to be ability) to reach the western U.S. with a missile attack was from stolen and/or sold technology. PS: I've long advocated all NY Yankees and Man United fans be watched closey as well. Tottenham fans shouldn't even be hired in the first place.

Its actually a good reason to piss off Rupert Murdoch... http://news.yahoo.com/rupert-murdoch-turns-twitter-attack-obama-175645674.html Media baron Rupert Murdoch used his new Twitter account this weekend to attack the Obama Administration's opposition to parts of proposed legislation designed to combat Internet piracy. "So Obama has thrown in his lot with Silicon Valley paymasters who threaten all software creators with piracy, plain thievery," News Corp's chairman and chief executive officer posted on his personal Twitter account Saturday. Murdoch, whose media empire includes Fox TV, The Wall Street Journal, Fox Studios and the Sun newspaper in Britain, continued with several tweets, attacking Google as the "Piracy leader" for streaming movies free. In later tweets he called Google a "great company." Google said it did not appreciate Murdoch's comment even after he back-peddled with a compliment. "This is just nonsense," Samantha Smith, a Google spokesperson, said in an emailed statement. "Last year we took down 5 million infringing Web pages from our search results and invested more than $60 million in the fight against bad ads. Like many other tech companies, we believe that there are smart, targeted ways to shut down foreign rogue websites without asking U.S. companies to censor the Internet."

You're possibly gay if this has any meaning to you. New Year, New Looks For Justin Bieber And Selena Gomez http://awards.music.yahoo.com/blog/135-new-year-new-looks-for-justin-bieber-and-selena-gomez?nc

This would be one of several reasons NOT to vote for such a candidate if they have such an asanine ad. Gingrich hits Romney for knowing how to speak French http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/gingrich-hits-romney-knowing-speak-french-150300235.html During his college years in the 1960s, Mitt Romney spent two years as a Mormon missionary in France. Now, Newt Gingrich is trying to use that time abroad against him. A new web ad released by Newt Gingrich's campaign titled "The French Connection" compares Romney to other politicians from Massachusetts, including former governor Michael Dukakis and Sen. John Kerry, both former Democratic presidential nominees. The "French Connection" of the ad's title? In a parting shot, the voiceover explains: "Just like John Kerry," the voice in the ad says, "he speaks French too!"

Scientist sentenced for selling chemical secrets to Chinese http://news.yahoo.com/scientist-sentenced-selling-chemical-secrets-chinese-234749316.html Wen Chyu Liu, also known as David Liou, was convicted February 7, 2011 of stealing and selling secrets about Dow Chemical's Tyrin chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) process. The process is used to manufacture automotive and industrial hoses, electrical cable jackets and vinyl siding. He also was convicted of perjury for lying to cover up his involvement in a conspiracy that included at least four of his coworkers. He was sentenced on Thursday in US District Court in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In addition to the prison sentence, Liu, 75, must forfeit $600,000 and pay a $25,000 fine. Liu came to the United States from China as a graduate university student. He started working as a research scientist for Dow Chemical in 1965 and retired in 1992. Liu was based at the company's Plaquemine, Louisiana facility to develop elastomers, including Tyrin CPE. There have been far worse secrets sold as well. I think its far worse than we know and this includes Dept of Defense and strategic defense issues as well. No proof but I read an article several years ago about the army of hackers the Chinese have and that they may be able to render us non operational as a country by being able to shut down transportion, communication and defense abilities either through a virus or control from distance.