Today the Seattle Seahawks fired their Head Coach following a 5-11 season that was filled with adversity, player injury, poor team cohesion, inept play on the field, etc. Of course all the media that covered the story were all over the now-former HC's case about how he failed, and what a mistake it was for the team to bring him on as Head Coach, and how happy a number of players were about his being fired.
I just had to take the opportunity to once again point out the incongruity of the entire situation in regards to the overall responsibility of the HC versus the players. The following was my response to the Seattle PI article...
"I wrote an earlier response on this subject in which I postulated that teams should be heavily fining the players for their lack of execution on the field.
After all, a Head Coach can only prep the team for the games. After that, it is entirely in the players hands as to the outcome of the game. I can already hear all the boo-birds clattering about a Head Coaches responsibilities...blah, blah, blah.
The fact of the matter is, it was the PLAYERS who failed to execute the expected performance of their jobs. It was the PLAYERS who seemingly refused to band together and overcome the ineptitude on the field. It was the PLAYERS who failed the fans week after dismal week. It was the PLAYERS who failed to rise up, accept responsibility for their poor play, and then go do something about it.
Yes, we heard Housh week after tiring week telling us how much he wanted the ball; only to miss his routes, drop catchable passes, etc. Matt Hasselbeck was also telling the press about rising up; but when it came to game time, he was as inept as his receivers.
A Head Coach can only do so much to get players to work as a team. After that, it is completely up to the individual players to meld into one cohesive unit. If they fail to do that, well...just look at this year as a prime example.
Contrary to popular sentiment, a Head Coach is NEVER fully responsible for a team's win/loss record. The players should be faulted as well.
Mora DOES bear responsibility...to a degree. After that, it is the PLAYERS themselves who should be losing their jobs."
*(side note--the two responses I got to my posting both defended the poor play of the players by completely laying blame on Jim Mora, the now ex-Head Coach. The respondents (who replied as unregistered users, of course!) are so blind in their placing blame that they don't see the players as having any fault whatsoever. They are probably the same fans who praise the players for a great season, too.)
Wins=Player Effort. Losing = Bad Coaching. Hmmm...
Friday, January 8, 2010
Saturday, January 2, 2010
NBA Should Severely Punish Arenas & Crittenton
The NBA is sinking faster and faster.
First, it was allowing the Detroit Pistons of the late 1980's to basically change the physicality of the game through an increased level of aggressiveness on court. Since then, the game has devolved from a game of skill and wits into a free-for-all shoving match I now refer to as basketBRAWL.
Then, Stern and buddies stood by while thug players such as Allen "the CANCER" Iverson brought the game down to a street-level mentality complete with posses, sleeve tattoos, 'it's all about ME' attitudes, drafted high school players demanding what team they would play for (and getting their way!), and injured players sitting on the bench dressed like they're in the hood--and acting like it, too!
After that the NBA began allowing once egregious fouls to slide by because it was "how the game has evolved." For instance Michael Jordan, the King of dirty, selfish play, tossing an offensive player around in order to steal the ball, and NOT getting a foul call.
There have been referee scandals, player scandals, and team ownership scandals. How the NBA could ever let a team leave the 13th largest market for the smallest is mind boggling. But then, David Stern and Clay Bennett are the best of buddies; and if Bennett wanted to destroy the Seattle Supersonics so he could move the team to tiny Oklahoma City, well, no one would take notice...no one except the fans of the Seattle Supersonics--a team that had been entrenched in the NBA for over forty years, and had an NBA Championship history.
Now, we see the NBA has digressed to yet another level. Washington Wizards players Gilbert Arena and Javaris Crittenton had a dispute in the team locker room and drew guns and pointed them at each other! What the #@&%!! Are these guys insane? This isn't the local hood hangout; It's the NBA!
The Commissioner's Office must jump all over this one! Why? Because if they don't the league will be sending a very dangerous message to every player and every fan that this kind of behavior is acceptable. If this situation is not addressed immediately and severely, then the sport will sink to a new all-time low.
These players should be suspended without pay for the remainder of the season and be required to undergo counseling and anger management (at their own expense).
Then, the Players Union must uphold the punishment metted out by the league. If they don't [do this], the Union will send the message that such behavior is not only acceptable, but that players won't be held accountable for such actions.
There is no gray area in this. What Arenas and Cittenton did was not only illegal, it was morally wrong and incredibly dangerous. They must be made to answer for their choices! If these players whine about the consequences they should be told to shut up and take the punishment. If they are that concerned about the loss of income, maybe they should have thought about that before they chose to point a weapon at each other.
Come on David Stern...Do the right thing for the league...for once!
First, it was allowing the Detroit Pistons of the late 1980's to basically change the physicality of the game through an increased level of aggressiveness on court. Since then, the game has devolved from a game of skill and wits into a free-for-all shoving match I now refer to as basketBRAWL.
Then, Stern and buddies stood by while thug players such as Allen "the CANCER" Iverson brought the game down to a street-level mentality complete with posses, sleeve tattoos, 'it's all about ME' attitudes, drafted high school players demanding what team they would play for (and getting their way!), and injured players sitting on the bench dressed like they're in the hood--and acting like it, too!
After that the NBA began allowing once egregious fouls to slide by because it was "how the game has evolved." For instance Michael Jordan, the King of dirty, selfish play, tossing an offensive player around in order to steal the ball, and NOT getting a foul call.
There have been referee scandals, player scandals, and team ownership scandals. How the NBA could ever let a team leave the 13th largest market for the smallest is mind boggling. But then, David Stern and Clay Bennett are the best of buddies; and if Bennett wanted to destroy the Seattle Supersonics so he could move the team to tiny Oklahoma City, well, no one would take notice...no one except the fans of the Seattle Supersonics--a team that had been entrenched in the NBA for over forty years, and had an NBA Championship history.
Now, we see the NBA has digressed to yet another level. Washington Wizards players Gilbert Arena and Javaris Crittenton had a dispute in the team locker room and drew guns and pointed them at each other! What the #@&%!! Are these guys insane? This isn't the local hood hangout; It's the NBA!
The Commissioner's Office must jump all over this one! Why? Because if they don't the league will be sending a very dangerous message to every player and every fan that this kind of behavior is acceptable. If this situation is not addressed immediately and severely, then the sport will sink to a new all-time low.
These players should be suspended without pay for the remainder of the season and be required to undergo counseling and anger management (at their own expense).
Then, the Players Union must uphold the punishment metted out by the league. If they don't [do this], the Union will send the message that such behavior is not only acceptable, but that players won't be held accountable for such actions.
There is no gray area in this. What Arenas and Cittenton did was not only illegal, it was morally wrong and incredibly dangerous. They must be made to answer for their choices! If these players whine about the consequences they should be told to shut up and take the punishment. If they are that concerned about the loss of income, maybe they should have thought about that before they chose to point a weapon at each other.
Come on David Stern...Do the right thing for the league...for once!
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Kwanzaa
The following is a reply I made to an article regarding the perceived decline of the solely African-American holiday known as Kwanzaa. My reply addresses the racial aspect of this article. It also goes along the lines of an earlier post I wrote on this very subject entitled "We're All Just Americans."
I'm going to make an inflammatory statement here, but please, let me explain.
I am NOT of African descent. I personally feel that Kwanzaa, while admirable in what it exemplifies, is an attempt to further drive a racial wedge between those Americans of European descent and those of African descent.
The line between races and cultures is getting blurry with every passing year. But there will always be people yelling about the inequality of the black man; how the whities just keep oppressing. Tell me I'm wrong.
Now, if Americans of European descent decided to have a holiday to celebrate their culture, to show pride in their heritage, elements of the black community would be screaming racism. Yet, the leaders of the Kwanzaa movement (from what I've read) seek to isolate the black community by setting this holiday apart from whites and those of other racial backgrounds. Isn't this called 'reverse discrimination?' Or maybe a better word--Hypocritical.
Personally, I don't think there should be ANY division amongst races in the United States of America. Yes, we are all (aside from Native Americans) immigrants to this country. America is a melting pot of cultures. We should all learn about our ancestral heritage, and be proud of where we came from.
But, we are ALL just Americans. Regardless of race, heritage, ancient social orders etc, we are ALL Americans. No African-American; no Japanese-American; no Hispanic-American, etc. How about just saying, I am an American!
I say, take pride in being American. Celebrate THAT!
Everything else is just a reminder that certain people in this country want racism to continue existing so they have a reason to continue with their finger-pointing rhetoric while raising racial self indulgence to an art form.
I'm going to make an inflammatory statement here, but please, let me explain.
I am NOT of African descent. I personally feel that Kwanzaa, while admirable in what it exemplifies, is an attempt to further drive a racial wedge between those Americans of European descent and those of African descent.
The line between races and cultures is getting blurry with every passing year. But there will always be people yelling about the inequality of the black man; how the whities just keep oppressing. Tell me I'm wrong.
Now, if Americans of European descent decided to have a holiday to celebrate their culture, to show pride in their heritage, elements of the black community would be screaming racism. Yet, the leaders of the Kwanzaa movement (from what I've read) seek to isolate the black community by setting this holiday apart from whites and those of other racial backgrounds. Isn't this called 'reverse discrimination?' Or maybe a better word--Hypocritical.
Personally, I don't think there should be ANY division amongst races in the United States of America. Yes, we are all (aside from Native Americans) immigrants to this country. America is a melting pot of cultures. We should all learn about our ancestral heritage, and be proud of where we came from.
But, we are ALL just Americans. Regardless of race, heritage, ancient social orders etc, we are ALL Americans. No African-American; no Japanese-American; no Hispanic-American, etc. How about just saying, I am an American!
I say, take pride in being American. Celebrate THAT!
Everything else is just a reminder that certain people in this country want racism to continue existing so they have a reason to continue with their finger-pointing rhetoric while raising racial self indulgence to an art form.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Thanksgiving: Losing Its Meaning
(This post is a response I wrote to a cartoon editorial by the two-time Pulitzer Prize winning editorialist, David Horsey. This particular commentary focused on how Thanksgiving has become overshadowed by the hysteria surrounding Black Friday, and the obvious lust for deals on all the cool stuff that is to be had. The cartoon is on seattlepi.com.)
Another editorial that is Bang On the truth!
I have yet to read anything online about Thanksgiving. The Holiday is instead replaced by rumors and speculations about where the best Black Friday deals will be, and whose ad was "leaked" prematurely.
Thanksgiving is about celebrating the abundance in our lives, and in sharing that with those we love and care about the most. In this time of economic recession, we should all stop and remember what we are thankful for; because even when we have less, abundance is all around us. We just have take the time to recognize it in whatever form it exists.
I for one am out of work and have very advanced stage 4 kidney disease. But I am surrounded by friends and family who abundantly love and care about me. For these things, I am truly thankful. Thanksgiving could never be sweeter.
Thank You, David, for this editorial; and for trying to help us remember what is most important.
Another editorial that is Bang On the truth!
I have yet to read anything online about Thanksgiving. The Holiday is instead replaced by rumors and speculations about where the best Black Friday deals will be, and whose ad was "leaked" prematurely.
Thanksgiving is about celebrating the abundance in our lives, and in sharing that with those we love and care about the most. In this time of economic recession, we should all stop and remember what we are thankful for; because even when we have less, abundance is all around us. We just have take the time to recognize it in whatever form it exists.
I for one am out of work and have very advanced stage 4 kidney disease. But I am surrounded by friends and family who abundantly love and care about me. For these things, I am truly thankful. Thanksgiving could never be sweeter.
Thank You, David, for this editorial; and for trying to help us remember what is most important.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Children's Obesity--A Response
(I read an article today on the growing childhood obesity problem in America. The following was my written response to that article)
Everyone out there is incessantly pointing fingers to lay blame for the obesity problem in the United States. The fast food industry is causing it!; the genetic modification of seeds is the cause!; The processed foods so abundant in grocery stores is the problem!, etc, etc, etc.
Well, here's a novel approach...Instead of placing blame on this industry or that, how about taking personal responsibility for the health and well-being of your children? Are they active for two or three hours a day? Do they go outside to play? or do they sit around playing video games, or watching hours of TV? What are you, as a parent, doing on a daily basis to ensure that your children aren't growing fat due to inactivity?
The children of this country were healthy for generations, no matter what they ate. Obesity was extremely uncommon. Somewhere during the past twenty years, it became OK in American society to lead a sedentary lifestyle. Kids are playing less, running less and are generally less active.
What happened? Why the shift? What suddenly made it OK to allow our children to sit for hours doing very little, all while feeding them bigger portions, and consuming sugars in such mind-boggling quantities?
I suggest we all look at what we have done within our own families that has precipitated the obesity and subsequent health issues before pointing fingers. After all, no one is making you buy those fatty, sugary, empty foods for your family. No one is telling you that your kids must sit on their butts for mindless hours. How have you justified the decreasing health you have placed your kids in?
Think about it.
Everyone out there is incessantly pointing fingers to lay blame for the obesity problem in the United States. The fast food industry is causing it!; the genetic modification of seeds is the cause!; The processed foods so abundant in grocery stores is the problem!, etc, etc, etc.
Well, here's a novel approach...Instead of placing blame on this industry or that, how about taking personal responsibility for the health and well-being of your children? Are they active for two or three hours a day? Do they go outside to play? or do they sit around playing video games, or watching hours of TV? What are you, as a parent, doing on a daily basis to ensure that your children aren't growing fat due to inactivity?
The children of this country were healthy for generations, no matter what they ate. Obesity was extremely uncommon. Somewhere during the past twenty years, it became OK in American society to lead a sedentary lifestyle. Kids are playing less, running less and are generally less active.
What happened? Why the shift? What suddenly made it OK to allow our children to sit for hours doing very little, all while feeding them bigger portions, and consuming sugars in such mind-boggling quantities?
I suggest we all look at what we have done within our own families that has precipitated the obesity and subsequent health issues before pointing fingers. After all, no one is making you buy those fatty, sugary, empty foods for your family. No one is telling you that your kids must sit on their butts for mindless hours. How have you justified the decreasing health you have placed your kids in?
Think about it.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Hollywood: Hoping We're Sheep
(I wrote this as an article response to a story about Hollywood and its agendas)
The executives and filmmakers in Hollywood use the medium to push their messages all the time; whether done so overtly or not. The article has told me nothing new. Hollywood pushed the fear of the cold war on its viewers all the time with films which told us to fear an imminent Soviet invasion. They constantly tell Americans that religion is not real and a waste of everyones time; that being Christian is a bad thing. We are told that casual sex is ok and that marriage is a thing that can be thrown aside like used piece of gum. We are led to believe that everyone who disagrees with homosexuality is a bigot who should be scorned and attacked.
Filmmakers glorify and endorse violence then feign innocence when real world crimes match those seen on film. They seem to be insulated from the very messages they spew.
In relating "made up companies" to real-life ones, the parallels are obvious and to claim innocence is just plain silly. The average American viewer is not as stupid as these people think.
But, that won't stop producers or directors from making movies awash in social commentary whether the average American viewer believes the message or not. These guys are just hoping that more and more people with a sheep-like mentality start buying into their false messages.
If you don't think these messages are in the films you watch, then you really haven't been paying attention. From the time since Birth of a Nation spewed out the goodness of the Ku Klux Klan (DW Griffith was a Klansman), to the films of today, the endorsement of social commentary has marched on unabated and will forever continue to do so.
The executives and filmmakers in Hollywood use the medium to push their messages all the time; whether done so overtly or not. The article has told me nothing new. Hollywood pushed the fear of the cold war on its viewers all the time with films which told us to fear an imminent Soviet invasion. They constantly tell Americans that religion is not real and a waste of everyones time; that being Christian is a bad thing. We are told that casual sex is ok and that marriage is a thing that can be thrown aside like used piece of gum. We are led to believe that everyone who disagrees with homosexuality is a bigot who should be scorned and attacked.
Filmmakers glorify and endorse violence then feign innocence when real world crimes match those seen on film. They seem to be insulated from the very messages they spew.
In relating "made up companies" to real-life ones, the parallels are obvious and to claim innocence is just plain silly. The average American viewer is not as stupid as these people think.
But, that won't stop producers or directors from making movies awash in social commentary whether the average American viewer believes the message or not. These guys are just hoping that more and more people with a sheep-like mentality start buying into their false messages.
If you don't think these messages are in the films you watch, then you really haven't been paying attention. From the time since Birth of a Nation spewed out the goodness of the Ku Klux Klan (DW Griffith was a Klansman), to the films of today, the endorsement of social commentary has marched on unabated and will forever continue to do so.
Monday, October 12, 2009
"Tumbling" Gas Prices
(I posted the following response to an article on the recent "Tumbling" gas prices across the country. In actauality, the average prices have dropped a whopping 4 cents over the past two weeks.)
Four cents? Since when is a lousy four cent drop even considered a "tumble?" The gas prices have stayed at the same level in my area since May. There has been no "tumble" in the price [locally].
And to compare last years' greed driven prices to this year is nauseating. "(Compared to last year) that's down 83 cents." The media is simply trying to placate the american public by regurgitating useless facts that were caused by self-serving energy speculators.
Gone are the days when actual fundamentals dictated the price of oil and gasoline. They have been replaced by hype, over-sensitive market conditions, excuse driven spikes in prices, and the always timely "[insert facility name] refinery is down for maintenance."
Greed drives these commodities now more than ever, and the Federal Govt. sits on the sidelines doing nothing but raising taxes on every gallon of gas we pump. It's no longer a free market when a few companies control everything. The last time this happened, Standard Oil was declared a monopoly, was broken up, and independent dealers thrived.
But that will not happen again. Too many and too powerful are the lobbyists that are constantly pushing their agendas on Congress. Greed wins out over the wishes of constituents.
Four cents? Since when is a lousy four cent drop even considered a "tumble?" The gas prices have stayed at the same level in my area since May. There has been no "tumble" in the price [locally].
And to compare last years' greed driven prices to this year is nauseating. "(Compared to last year) that's down 83 cents." The media is simply trying to placate the american public by regurgitating useless facts that were caused by self-serving energy speculators.
Gone are the days when actual fundamentals dictated the price of oil and gasoline. They have been replaced by hype, over-sensitive market conditions, excuse driven spikes in prices, and the always timely "[insert facility name] refinery is down for maintenance."
Greed drives these commodities now more than ever, and the Federal Govt. sits on the sidelines doing nothing but raising taxes on every gallon of gas we pump. It's no longer a free market when a few companies control everything. The last time this happened, Standard Oil was declared a monopoly, was broken up, and independent dealers thrived.
But that will not happen again. Too many and too powerful are the lobbyists that are constantly pushing their agendas on Congress. Greed wins out over the wishes of constituents.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
More Beltway Disconnect
The latest move in this pathetic display of the same-as-usual politics in the ongoing healthcare reform debacle comes to us courtesy of Senator Max Bacaus (D), Mont.
The good senator has proposed that once healthcare reform is enacted, any family not paying for coverage could be fined $3800. Sure there are financial ceilings and various criteria that would have to be met, but the basic line being proposed is 'if you don't have coverage, you'll be fined.'
What the #@&%!!?
If a family cannot afford insurance under healthcare reform, how could they possibly afford a nearly $4000 fine?! This makes absolutely NO SENSE!!! Senator Bacaus is clearly displaying more of the Beltway Disconnect that our national politicians are constantly accused of.
I don't know what mystical land his brain dwells in, but it clearly is not in a land of reality shared by millions of Americans who cannot afford insurance. A $4000 fine would be an insurmountable burden for families already struggling to keep a roof over their heads or eat enough food to stave off hunger.
This proposal REEKS of a far off land where people enact laws without any real thought of the impact they have on the populace they govern....wait...That's Washington DC...inside the beltway! No wonder they just don't get it!
The good senator has proposed that once healthcare reform is enacted, any family not paying for coverage could be fined $3800. Sure there are financial ceilings and various criteria that would have to be met, but the basic line being proposed is 'if you don't have coverage, you'll be fined.'
What the #@&%!!?
If a family cannot afford insurance under healthcare reform, how could they possibly afford a nearly $4000 fine?! This makes absolutely NO SENSE!!! Senator Bacaus is clearly displaying more of the Beltway Disconnect that our national politicians are constantly accused of.
I don't know what mystical land his brain dwells in, but it clearly is not in a land of reality shared by millions of Americans who cannot afford insurance. A $4000 fine would be an insurmountable burden for families already struggling to keep a roof over their heads or eat enough food to stave off hunger.
This proposal REEKS of a far off land where people enact laws without any real thought of the impact they have on the populace they govern....wait...That's Washington DC...inside the beltway! No wonder they just don't get it!
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