Archive for NFL
Patriots all the way!
Posted by: | CommentsHello again to my gathering of readers. First, I must apologize for missing last week. Things were hectic and my staff was not at full complement. It seems a lot has happened in the past week. Most important, my Cats are #1. Of course, I am realistic enough to know they won’t stay there for the rest of the season. Nor do I think it would be a good thing for them to do so. The pressure would be too great. We now know the match up for the Super Bowl. A rematch of five years ago between the spectacular New England Patriots and the surging New York Giants. I have always admired the Patriots and had disdain for the New York “elite”, therefore, Patriots all the way.
It appears we could be in for a long Republican primary season. A combination candidate that combines Newt’s passion and historical knowledge, Romney’s business acumen, Ron Paul’s convictions, and Santorum’s honesty and integrity would be ideal. That candidate, however, isn’t running. At this point, I will settle for the best and most forceful debater who will stand up to Obama and put him in his place and that is Gingrich.
Our state political body is acting more like children than adults with their redistricting plans. Each is trying, while often ignoring the law, to eliminate as many of the other side as possible. This gerrymandering is one of the worst procedures that we allow politicians to do. It is why we have such extreme radical representatives. We need a better reapportioning system and leave the selection up to the voters. That is the way it is suppose to work. Our system of today too highly favors those of extreme positions because they are the ones who donate their time and money most readily. The independents and moderates in this country must find a way for our voices to be heard or things will continue to disintegrate into chaos.
Well, that’s all for now. Until next week, Doc.
A quick discussion about…clothes!
Posted by: | CommentsHello again to my loyal society of readers. As this is the shopping season, my staff and I had a deep discussion about clothes last week. I maintain that sometime in the last 15-20 years, the quality of clothes has tremendously dropped. The quality of material, workmanship, and dyes is not nearly what it was when I was growing up in the sixties. I believe that they have dropped the quality to keep in line with what the majority of people can afford. Marketing has done the rest to fool people into thinking they’re nice and stylish. I remember back when I was little a nice pair of dress slacks was around $20, a nice sweater $25, a nice suit $125. Salaries, due to inflation, are now about six times what they were then. However, not many people will pay $120 for pants, $150 for a sweater, or $750 for a suit. The reason that clothes had to get cheaper was taxes, pure and simple. Then the average tax burden total was about 8-10%. Now, it is 30-40%. How much more could people afford if we had that 20-30% of our money for ourselves?
Taxes are the main reason the quality of life has gone down hill!
Switching to sports, I had to endure watching my Wildcats and Bengals lose back to back at the very end of the games. I don’t mind losing to superior opponents, but I hate losing due to stupidity. It doesn’t take but a foul to run out the clock and not committing a pass interference call to win both games. The Bengals now must win three straight and get help to make the playoffs. Until the last loss, they controlled their own fate.
Lastly, I read with interest that many respectable organizations are having to buy up XXX web domain names to keep them from shady characters. Why were these created? It seems it was just a quick money grab by the people who sell domain names. Once again, a rip-off get rich quick scheme foisted on American businesses and institutions. I guess I will have to buy AWINNINGSMILE.HOTSTAFF.XXX just to be safe. Can’t be too careful.
Until next week, Doc.
Looks like we’ll have football this year
Posted by: | CommentsHello again to my gathering of loyal readers. Well, it appears we will have football this year but I think the first few weeks are going to be very crazy for many teams due to many new free agent players and a lack of preparation time. On the surface, it appears to be a good deal for both sides. The players got a larger salary cap with a larger cap floor, health benefits for retired players, and more days off from practice to reduce wear and tear. The owners get ten years of peace and a rookie salary scale. Trying to handicap the race this year, though, will be anyone’s guess. I foresee many roster moves in fantasy football throughout the season.
The Reds are continuing to plod in mediocrity while still staying in the race. While many positions have been suggested for trades, I feel the greatest needs are 3rd base and RH relief pitching. Rolen is finished and Massett is very ineffective. I don’t know if Alonzo is the answer in LF with his lack of experience at that position, but his bat should be a major upgrade. SS will be OK once Cozart’s elbow heals. At that point, Renteria should be sent packing. He has lost too much range to play SS anymore.
I sincerely hope Washington gets their act together. The ambivalence is wrecking havoc with businesses due to the fact that the country’s credit rating may have a large effect on interest rates and the ability of businesses to borrow to meet their needs. These games being played in the Capitol have real consequences on Main St. The only spending reductions that really count are the ones promised for this year and next. Beyond that it is meaningless hollow promises because a future congress can change the budge on a whim. The only constraint that will have any lasting meaning is a balanced budget amendment or a rule tying spending to a certain percent range of GDP. Outside of that, all else is empty rhetoric.
Until next week, Doc.
Is it hot enough out there?
Posted by: | CommentsHello again to my clique of loyal readers. Is it hot enough for everyone? Personally, I could do without the free sauna. If this keeps up, I’ll have to start being a morning person. It appears the NFL is going to reach an agreement just in time to take all of our money and divide it up among themselves. This is not coming without distractions though, as the retirees are suing over post-concussion after effects. Hello, it’s football you were playing, not chess. If they keep modifying the rules enough, it may soon become touch football.
Will the mess in Washington D.C. get resolved in the latest daytime soap opera? Both sides are willing to sell us down the river for votes as long as the other side takes the blame. It would be funny if so much weren’t at stake. Posturing to get what they want without stating the facts seems to be what politicians now do best.
Just a word about my latest pet peeve. What is up with people who insist on backing into parking lot spaces but give no turn signal and then get upset when you are in the way? I’m sorry, but I can’t read your mind to know you want to back into that space.
Until next week, Doc.
