My proofreader is out of the office

Usually when I post a thread, I am in the middle of fuming from something I just read or heard, so I pop out my words and thoughts like a Pez dispenser. My wife usually assists me on the final draft. "Give honor to whom honor is due", amen. She has been hard at it lately with her own little projects in life.

I believe in the use of layman's terms, and proper English, so having come to grips with the reality that I never actually learned proper English and grammar during 12 years of public school, I am trying to reinvent my English and grammar and am also having to actually educate myself again along those same lines.  I do find it extremely important in this day and age, so forgive me if some posts are not properly proofed. 

The Detroit Red Wings vs. The Pittsburgh Penguins 2009

The rematch of 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs is set with a original six victory in Detroit last night against the feisty Chicago Blackhawks. For the first time in 25 years,  two teams will meet in back-to-back finals. This match-up, which features the Detroit Red Wings vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins, has been anticipated by many hockey fans and reporters. 

The intensity and story lines are great. The previous finals showcased phenomenal scoring, with well matched stellar defensive stops as well. Fitting that it came down to inches, down to the last second, and the puck slipping through the crease in a close game 6 last season. 

Marion Hossa, soon after losing game 6 as a Pittsburgh Penguin, accepted a much smaller salary and a trade to the rival Red Wings who just ended his dream. He stated that the Red Wings, to him, had the "best shot to win the Cup again". He now faces his old team, the Penguins, a awkward obstacle to his dream.

The hits this playoff year with the Penguins and Red Wings also tells us to expect one of the most physically challenging finals in recent years.

American flag offensive

What rights do we even have anymore if you can't fly an American flag on Memorial Day? It isn't like she adorns her cubicle every day, even so, what is the wrong in that. It does represent the nation we live in, and the sacrifices that were and are being made to preserve what it's representation.  Her main goal was to honor veterans. Her supervisor, an immigrant that moved here from Africa 14 years ago, was the supervisor that personally took it down.  

When McLucas came to work Friday, her boss told her another supervisor had found her flag offensive. "I was just totally speechless. I was like, 'You're kidding me,'" McLucas said. 

McLucas said the supervisor who complained has been in the United States for 14 years and is formerly from Africa. McLucas said that supervisor took down the flag herself. 

The flag was disrespectfully placed on the floor in a lump.

Of course this will stand, and she will not be able to fly it in her cubicle anymore. You can't have African immigrants being so easily offended. You cannot hang anything that represents liberty, justice, bloodshed, and honor. It's just not politically correct. Between the Spanish billboards here in the San Juaquin valley, to this, sometimes I truly wonder what country we live in. 

I guess we should get with the program, and start flying one of these...

"There must be some kinda way outta here"

There is so much in the news today, I really don't even feel like divulging much information or exerting myself to strongly when it comes to political madness. So I will leave a few links for you Christian patriots out there to reflect on. This Supreme Court decision is a big deal especially when you have "men in black" deciding laws and making decisions for millions of Americans based totally on agenda then law. Before I go on, I will leave you with quote from Thomas Jefferson on this matter:

"You seem… to consider the judges as the ultimate arbiters of all constitutional questions: a very dangerous doctrine indeed, and one which would place us under the despotism of an oligarchy. Our judges are as honest as other men, and not more so. They have, with others, the same passions for party,  for power, and the privilege of their corps. Their maxim is “boni judicis est ampliare jurisdictionem,” and their power the more dangerous as they are in office for life, and not responsible, as the other functionaries are, to the elective control. The constitution has erected no such single tribunal, knowing that to whatever hands confided, with the corruptions or time and party, its members would become despots." - Letter to William Jarvis, September 28, 1820

We knew this was coming: Our new Supreme Court Justice is Judge Sonia Sotomayor

The president, in his announcement, said he was looking for a justice with a "common touch and a sense of compassion" as well as experience and depth of knowledge. He said Sotomayor, who grew up in a Bronx housing project and has an extensive judicial background, would come to the Supreme Court bench with more varied experience than anyone currently on the court when they were appointed."

What happened to upholding the Constitution being one of the conditions for nomination?

Check out some of her previous history. She is actually just the person I would expect from President Obama. 

Also, the large majority of California voters upheld Prop. 8 today, so don't let the media fool you into thinking you are only a small pocket of Americans that believes in the Bible and righteousness as opposed to perversion, and immorality.

Finally, Leon Panetta just visited Israel and pretty much "read them the riot act" when it comes to ceasing any action against Iran, who are inevitably going to become active in the nuclear community. if they aren't already.

“as far as the [Obama] administration is concerned, if Israel could just leave Iran’s nuclear installations alone, Iran would behave itself.” She notes that American officials would regard any harm to American interests that flowed from an Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear facilities as Israel’s doing, not Iran’s.

This attitude is pure lunacy. "Iran would behave themselves". This is the country that provided 10 of the 14 9/11 hijackers safe haven prior to the attacks. This country as a collective whole has broken so many peace treaties it's not even funny. If we could just let Israel off it's leash, you would see one of the greatest military armies in action.

Hockey 101

Being a fan of hockey is one of life's little added bonuses as far as I'm concerned. If you think about it, among our major professional sports, it is the least politically correct sport out there. In a world that strives to avoid confrontation and struggle, the NHL revels in it. What red-blooded American male could not appreciate a good brouhaha when some gloves hit the ice? What strategist would not enjoy the mini-chess matches that go on with line changes? The NHL has true-blue bad guys (Pronger) and good guys (Lidstrom). Some of the greatest rivalries in sports are in the NHL.

There are so many things about the sport alone that appeals to my nature. The contact aspect of the game, the speeds at which objects travel, including a small circular piece of galvanized rubber traveling at a maximum of 105 mph. People who complain about the fighting because they don't understand that the motivation behind fighting is to eliminate goon squad tactics of other teams  or to (protect your money guys). Then there is the thrill of a power play, or a penalty shot, and the nearly 3 month long "2nd season", which ends at the culmination of raising the Stanley Cup, the oldest sports trophy in all major sports. The NHL or hockey to me is one of the standards for true athleticism and competition though eclipsed in popularity by other professional sports. 

Today's NBA definitely has some high caliber athletes who exaggeratedly act as if they have been mauled by a mountain lion when nudged by an opponent and proceed to writhe on the court in freakish agony only to get right back up and play the next possession seemingly unscathed from the vicious attack. 

Then you have the NFL who has designated staff on the sidelines ready and waiting to squeeze a bottle of water into some over-paid athletes mouth, cause they are to spoiled to do it themselves, who own three mansions in three states, and declare bankruptcy 2 years after being out of the NFL.

And lets not forget the mega-money to be made in the steroid laced MLB. Not to mention the outrageous  salaries handed out with ease during the so-called "recession". It's hard to even follow someones career anymore without wondering if he is tainted with juice as well.

In this reality which is professional sports, it's refreshing to have the NHL. A bunch average, hardened men who still play with injuries and blood. It's almost enjoyable to watch a player pick up his own water bottle and quench his own thirst. And then seeing a man like Paul Kariya get absolutely smashed in the 2003 playoffs by Scott Stevens, and then he comes back into the game and scores the game winner. Or Jiri Hudler this year get viciously blindsided at an expense of 10 stitches and was back on the ice in 10 minutes. 

Playing on through broken noses, busted teeth, gashes, fractures, pulled muscles, broken ankles (Yzerman), intense pain and more. If many NBA stars felt that impact of a clean visceral Scott Stevens, or a more current Nikalas Kronwall check, they would have gladly enjoyed drawing their salary for about a month.

The NHL has men who take enormous pay cuts just for a chance to play on a team who has a chance to compete and win the Stanley Cup. Your average "grinder" with the NHL is pulling in maybe $500,000 to $800,000 a year, which is a modest income in the NHL and considered to be poverty in the NFL, NBA, and MLB. These guys love to play, and it shows. You have men in the MLB making $29 million a year and they rarely produce the numbers they are paid for. How much was Ocho Cinco paid last year and what were his numbers?

I can find enjoyment in the sporting and competition aspect of baseball, basketball, football, soccer, ping-pong and pretty much any competitive sport. But knowing the financial burdens of friends and families, and then to hear some of these NFL guys get fined $100,000 and say, "that's nothing to me", really makes it hard to respect them. A guy gets fined in the NHL, he rarely discusses it or takes responsibility for it without making excuses even if he disagrees.

All and all, in the end an individual will find a sport that most accommodates their interest and frame of mind. I just thought I would give my 2 cents, for what it is worth. I know my opinion is biased of course. I was bored, and it is, however a free country...

I do have a life...oh yeah!

I originally began this blog the same reason I guess others do, to speak their voice to anyone who will listen, and to keep others, such as family and friends up to date on things. It's been nice to chronicle some of my friends blogs, and see and hear about random moments in their life. 

I have noticed a trend with most of my post, well, all of them actually, as well some of you may, that I use blogging as my take on some current events and a "WHAT in the world is going on" soapbox. 

Most of my days are spent with my children, focusing on their needs and WANTS! It is not for the faint of heart, (see picture) and definitely requires a learning curve...well, it did for this "dude". On the other hand, it is quite wonderful spending so much face time with them. Truly seeing that they're dependent on you for everything, what a picture that represents, and what responsibility that carries. 

Seeing them go through everyday life is something I never thought I would witness as first hand as I am. Lately, much time is spent corralling Deklan as he is pretending he is a cat, meowing, and ripping through the house with 5 year old sass trailing right behind him. At the same time trying to solicit a criminal partnership for some grand scheme with his mischeivious, billy goat-climbing, adventuring brother, Gavin. As much as I hate our life circumstances right now, it has it's rewards. They are precious gifts, them two! My wife and I both can't wait until we are done out here in California. Some normality of life is nice sometimes and it's been a while since we have had it. We are tired of being gypsies.  

So, every now and then, I have decided to occasionally throw in some stuff about the kids, and other life interest. I usually only write a post when something jumps out at me, so we'll see how many off-topic post I create.

Walmart in "rare" form

Wal-Mart has developed a reputation of being a "turncoat" corporation who once exuded integrity, honor, and moral values. In the last 15 years, the once proud mega corp. has opted to dash its values, and ethics for a more distinct trait of "loving of money", trashing the working class while replacing them with less costly immigrants freshly off the fence, and leaving a boot-print on small business. It's been in the news for years, and I have seen it first hand.  Wal-Mart is also known for employing the most brutal of lawyers, delivering the shifty policy changes to protect them for years of mistreatment toward American workers, countless law suits, and corruption within its highest ranks.

Make no mistake about it, this worldwide corporation has elected to side with policy rather than with right. 

Today I was shocked to see in the news, it appears that Wal-Mart has banned Greenday the punk rock band that made it in to the big-time, for language and content. Good for them. Now, do I think it is a sign of things to come, no. I tend to think it is a double standard as a matter of fact. You're going to ban Green Day for language, and sell Katy Perry's CD's? Parents need to educate themselves. Have you seen what is on the shelves of your local Wal-Mart? Have you read the lyrics to some of the most popular songs that kids love today? You have illicit speech and deliberate sexual innuendos that sum up many of them. Some don't even bother insinuating but rather come across as blatant, disrespectful, womanizing, and degrading, and then they call it art.  "I'm an artist", or "I'm just expressing myself". That to me is quite frightening. They are expressing themselves? Again, have you read some of these lyrics? Having been a fan of Green Day in my youth, going to see them play in bars before they made it big, it's funny seeing them singled out all of the sudden for a few cuss words when Wal-Mart has Eminem, AC/DC, Lady Gaga, Rancid, Iron Maidens' Flight 666, and many more albums that are influential and morally detrimental to America's youth.

Green Day's bassist had this to say:

But bassist Mike Dirnt said: "As the biggest record store in the America, they should probably have an obligation to sell people the correct art."

Since when did profanity become an art form? How did we get where foul language, references to sexual behavior, illicit drug usage, and murder is considered an art form? We've come along way from 1964's "Under the Boardwalk".

All in all, it seems Wal-Mart just wants their once-reputable name back in the news for something other than union problems, disgruntled workers (rightly so!), DHS, and FBI investigation, and high administration members being imprisoned for theft right out of the workers pockets. Will their action stop the river of filth that spews from the music industry? It won't even make a minuscule scratch.