Senator Jim Webb, Baseball, And The Government

This quote was taken from Senator Webb's book "A Time To Fight: Reclaiming A Fair And Just America." I like to compare the design of our governmental system to the invention of the game of baseball,commonly accepted as our national pastime. Baseball is perhaps the most intricately designed sport ever created. Whether one enjoys it or not, it's structure is pure genius. It is an individual sport. It is also a team sport. With every pitch (indeed every pitcher), with every count on the batter, and with every new base runner, the strategy of the game can change. Every player has a specific responsibility that puts him in the glare of the spotlight. Every player has the chance to be a star, both in the field and while at bat. But in the end only the team can win, and the team can win only by working together. And on every play the umpire,judge like, must make a decision before the game can proceed. Baseball's complex rules become part of the excitement of the game. But the rules never get in the way of the action.

What Is The Difference Between R.A. Dickey and The Government?

Since it is summer, and baseball season is in full swing, my thoughts have shifted a bit to the diamond and away from the political sphere.  That being said, have been thinking recently about some things I have seen. Part of my argument comes from baseball, part from the political world that has been less than impressive of late. Similarities abound between baseball and government: rules are applied to everyone but are open for interpretations, baseball players wear robes..you get the point.  The differences between the two, mainly the actions taken after a defeat, is what I would like to focus on

 R.A. Dickey, fellow Tennessian, has lit up the New York Mets with his uncanny knuckleball and left plenty of hitters in his wake.  Before the All-Star Break, Dickey has gone 11-1 with an ERA of 2.00 before Sunday's game with the Yankees.  Dickey did not have the best of games.  He had a streak of 2 consecutive one-hitters broken, walked two, and had a score-less inning streak broken but that's not the point.  What came after the game is what I want to focus on.  Dickey could have been dejected about the streaks being broken.  Having read his book, it would have been easy for him to blame himself, or even the knuckleball, but he did not. His quotes were positive, and he mentioned starting a new streak of no-run baseball.  Thus the difference between Dickey and the government..or so I have noticed

R.A. Dickey: Fellow Tennessian, Knuckleball Genius and All-Around Good Guy

Recently I have been listening to talk radio (which I shouldn't really do) and noticed a great deal of putting down of the system.  Republicans, for the most part, are down on the system and what President Obama has done with it.  Elected officials of a Republican persuasion have worked to log-jam national laws in order to make the President look bad. Even artist have depicted the President burning a Constitution, not to mention the radio and TV pinheads. In short they see the American political system going down the tubes because of President Obama, but what are they doing about it?  They blame the system, they complain about the actions that President Obama has taken, and they nominate Mitt Romney for President.  Really guys?!? Are any of those viable solutions to the problems you see? Perhaps a re-thinking of your policy stances, an close look at what a majority of the country wants, and a better vetting system for candidates might be in line.  If the Republican want to gain back the White House, perhaps they should take some notes from R.A. Dickey...Knuckle down and throw strikes

In closing I offer this: DICKEY FOR PRESIDENT 2012

Political/ Celebrity Look Alike

Luka From ER

Paul Ryan 

From My Cold Dead, Sugary Hands

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/06/02/banning-the-big-gulp-and-taxing-sodas-are-lousy-solutions-to-the-obesity-problem.html

I am not usually one for allowing the government to tell me what to eat, drink or consume, but in this case I cannot more agree the government telling me to stop eating, drinking, and consuming.  I would take my opinion further and say that I cannot agree with the government more in telling Americans eating, drinking, and consuming.

Michael Bloomberg of New York City recently purposed a ban on large sugary drinking from being served in the city.  Honestly, I cannot agree more. It has been proven time and time again that Americans cannot control themselves when it comes to bad food, drink, and consumables.  Who then should step in to govern what we eat, drink, and consumer but the government..huumm what a novel concept.

The government governing for the common good is the foundation of The United States Of America.  Granted there is a long string of attempts that have failed but with large sodas, I cannot see a real problem.  I see sodas somewhere along the same line as roads, the military, and education.  Obviously, Americans have a long history of trying to run such institutions and have failed, so why should we argue against the government keeping us from drinking drinks that will one day kill us?

Political/ Celebrity Look Alike

This is the first of what I hope to be many of what I am going to call Political/ Celebrity Look Alike

Al Franken

Robbie Robertson of The Band