I Proclaim

How come everything now a days needs to be in the form of a Reality TV show?







How come rich and famous celebrities get to have national publicity, their own radio or TV show/special to totally embarrass themselves or their teammates or their fans?





It's not fair!

Everyone, no matter his or her social status, economic background or whatever, should be given the opportunity to do this anytime they want!

I think there should be a new cable or satellite channel called.... oh I don't know.... lets start with

"I Proclaim"

where anybody can reserve a time slot to broadcast yourself live for anybody anywhere to watch.

Viewers could vote for their favorite ones; and the best, or worst, can be shown afterwards on demand.

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Not a Big Deal

So, the NFL is investigating the Redskins for tampering...

And what could happen if the Skins are found guilty?

They could loose a draft pick!

Snyder: "Oooo, I'm soooo scared!"

NOT!


The Redskins place little or no value on draft picks, so this potential slap on the wrist means nothing to them!

So what other recourse could the NFL have?

Would nitpicking every little detail and record for the investigation be worse?

No.

Would the bad press and fan embarrassment be worse?

No. (This certainly has not stopped them in the past)

OK, so what would?


Would banning the skins from post season play work?
No, they will be able to do this all by themselves...

Would taking away TV rights and revenue for a year work?
Perhaps?

How about they loose the rights to Haynesworth. Send him back to the Titans, or put him back out on the free market; but have the Skins required to continue to pay him.

Now that would be an investigation and fine worth avoiding!

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BAD KARMA

I don't know what is going on with this past week but the stars must be all out of alignment or something...














It seems that there are gremlins loose and they are playing with all of our home projects, appliances and electronic equipment.

Back in college, before Spielberg, we called them Zombwits. Back then they usually occupied themselves with pencils, important papers, and socks. But with the advancement of technology, they have evolved and gained new skills.

This week we had the following happen...

Lawnmower Died...

I tried to repair but could not find parts anywhere that would work and the more I fiddled with it the more it broke. So off to Home Depot I went for a new one.







Microwave oven Died...

If you have never tried living at home without a microwave oven, especially with kids in the house, you should try it sometime. This week it died a painful death with an agonizing screeching sound, and smoke!
We did not see any in the local stores that looked good or got good reviews so we found a reasonable one with good reviews on the Internet and ordered it.








Of course, now we have to wait for shipping!



Amplifier / Receiver for the entertainment system died...















This one I almost decided to forgo replacing but since this particular piece of equipment is the heart and sole of the entire setup, I decided it needed replacing. After all without it, nothing else worked. Fortunately we have a backup system and all the kids could plug into another TV (yet much smaller TV) to play their games and watch their DVD's and other TV shows.
Regardless, it ended up being some one board capacitors that required the whole board to be replaced - and yup - you guessed it, either one did not exist or it cost just as much as a new unit would.
So back onto the Internet I went and after much research found one I liked. Now, I am by no means an audio junkie, so I was not about to spend literally thousands of dollars on another one. But I do know what I like and the cheapest unit, again with good reviews, that I could find was way more than I was willing to spend. So after a bit more research I found a place that had some reconditioned/refurbished ones for sale at about 1/2 the price with factory warranties! Now, being in the computer field, I know that 90% of returned/reconditioned manufacturer PC's are not actually broken but rather its the stupid people who can't figure out how to work them that are; so I figured that this might apply to slightly sophisticate home theater equipment as well. And so, just like with the microwave, I am waiting for Shipping!

Speaking of backups...

My Hard Drive on my work laptop died...
And I had to go all week with a loaner and about 1/2 the information and apps that I usually had. I put in a request to get a newer laptop, but it seems that my laptop is still under warranty, so no such luck. I did, however, get approved for the latest Vista image and MS 2007 version of all my apps. So this is kinda cool. But still I was on a loaner laptop for most of the week.

The CD player in my car finally died...
this has been dying a slow agonizing death for months - mostly my agony because it refused to work when it was below 50 degrees...

So while I was online looking up all the other stuff I found a HD radio with all the necessary USB, ipod and Aux connections on the front panel which not only fit my car (this was actually tougher than I thought it would be) but was a reasonable price and had decent reviews! And yes, you guessed it, I am waiting on shipping for this as well!


So now its a waiting game for all this wonderful shipping to arrive.

And what am I going to do while I listen to that big Whoooshing sound of all my money going out the window...







Easy, I just fire up the ol' gaming machine, pull out my little bag of costume tricks, and take my aggression out on those little buggers that caused all this mischief in the first place...

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A Technical Foul !

I feel that I have been betrayed.
Violated.
Failed as a parent and role model...

Today I discovered something that I never thought anybody in MY household, raised under MY roof, and with MY rules, values and loyalties would ever do or own...

Something so hideous that I just can't explain with words.






































Of course I still have the correct drinking mugs prominently displayed and within easy reach.























I'll just have to put the "others", yes there is more than one... :-(
way in the back.

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No, No, No and please No!

Rumor: Redskins to back up the truck for Albert Haynesworth

“This time around [the source] tells me that the Washington Redskins break the bank to sign Albert Haynesworth. The Titans could come over the top of the Redskins deal as well, but my guess is that the Redskins will let Haynesworth get the best offer possible from the Titans and then "better deal" it.
My source tells me to look for a contract that could break $100 million with an average of $15 million to $16 million per. “

That’s really nice, but HOW?

Washington has reworked the contracts of tackle Chris Samuels, defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin, defensive end Andre Carter and wide receiver Antwaan Randle El, and also released linebacker Marcus Washington in an attempt to improve its cap situation, but it remains among the worst in the NFL. The salary cap for the 2009 season will increase to $127 million, roughly $4 million higher than many projections, which provides some relief, but the Redskins entered last week over the cap.

Tennessee, Atlanta, Detroit and Tampa Bay are other teams that have Haynesworth atop their wish lists, according to league sources, with most of those clubs having exponentially more cap space than the Redskins with which to complete deals.

Tampa Bay released five high-priced veterans yesterday, including 11-time Pro Bowl linebacker Derrick Brooks, and is $60 million under the projected cap. The Buccaneers potentially could make a massive offer to Haynesworth and still possess the resources to pursue other top-tier free agents.

There are alternatives….

The Redskins reportedly have significant interest in Dallas defensive end Chris Canty, according to league sources, who would be a far less expensive alternative to Haynesworth.

Canty, 26, who started all 16 games and had three sacks last season for the Cowboys, is regarded as a younger, more dynamic version of Redskins veteran Phillip Daniels, according to a team source. He could occupy multiple blockers and stuff the run on first and second downs, rush from the inside on third downs and would be much more cost-effective than Haynesworth. The role Canty could fill for the Redskins was Demetric Evans's job last season, which could explain why the team has not extended a contract offer to Evans with him eligible for free agency.

And other more important needs…

Read my lips “OFFENSIVE LINE”. This is what you need to give Jason Campbell and Portis room and time to be effective. Last year this, not your defense, was your Achilles heel.

The offensive line is in need of am overhaul. However, Snyder and Cerrato are not expected to pursue the linemen expected to command big contracts, such as left tackle Marvel Smith and guard Chris Kemoeatu of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and versatile Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman Jason Brown. Cincinnati Bengals right tackle Stacy Andrews, who underwent reconstructive knee surgery last month, could be in the Redskins' budget. Green Bay Packers tackle Mark Tauscher, also coming off injury, could be another option as a value player. Stalwart center Jeff Saturday of the Indianapolis Colts is willing to play guard, his agent said, and could be seen as a value pickup.

And please please do not forget what is coming up in April!

The NFL Draft. There are a decent number of candidates out there to address both the offensive and defensive line positions.

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I give up....

It is now officially Lent.

So, here are some ideas of things to give up...

Sports:

Not!

This may be asking the impossible. Though, if you're anything like me, this would be quite the sacrifice. How many hours a day do you spend reading about sports? How many games and television shows (Sportscenter) do you watch? Instead, use that time and spend it with the people that you love.

I, for one, know that my wife would love it if I gave up sports for Lent.
Man, I hope she's not reading this article.

Stocks:

Not!

Though this may not be a bad idea given that the market is intent on killing all returns from the past 10 years!

Myspace, Facebook, Youtube:

OK, maybe...

At this point I'd like to welcome all you 'former' internet socialites to the ancient community app that started it all: BLOGGER!

Alcohol, Ice Cream and Soda:

I am setting the lofty goal(s) for all three!
Hey, it's fat Tuesday as I am writing this, so, guess what I am indulging in....
Thank god for spell check!

And, not to alienate all those other great ideas and sport celebrities...
Note: I am not giving up Ranting or trying to be Humorous ;-)
Though, after this post, maybe I should...

Colorado Avalanche are giving up......Winning any games the rest of the season.

Brett Favre is giving up......Playing in the NFL....or is he?

Alex Rodriguez is giving up......Naming names in the steroids scandal.

Ben Roethlisberger is giving up......scrambling.

Minnesota Vikings are giving up......2009 Season by attempting to sign QB Sage Rosenfels.

Bill Belichick is giving up......polos and button down shirts.

Detroit Lions are giving up......that's it...just giving up.

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Silence is golden…

There was a good article, actually I’m sure several hundred at least – but I will reference the one in my local paper the Washington Post, regarding the latest announcement of yet another banned substance scandal.

In it the writer makes the following statement…
“Baseball or the federal government, which seized the list, should release the names of every player who tested positive for a banned substance in 2003, if for no reason than it would clear the names of more than 600 major league players who refused to sully the game or themselves that year. “

In fact, I think we should expand this concept / list to include all sports and reprehensible activity, such as the ones on this NFL crime watch list …

Then, let’s put some teeth behind these lists and make folks accountable. Players should be suspended, without pay, for breaking the rules; if for no other reason to reward those who do honor the game and their god given talent.

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The names have changed, but...

Geithner Announces Restructured Bailout Plan
Plan Aims to Aid Banks, Spur Lending, Push Private Investors to Buy Toxic Assets
By David Cho and Lori Montgomery
Washington Post Staff Writers Tuesday, February 10, 2009; 1:10 PM
Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner announced Tuesday morning an aggressive and multi-faceted program that could commit $1.5 trillion or more in public and private funds to rescue banks and financial institutions and thaw frozen credit markets.

WHY?

Well, as much as I hate to admit that anything Microsoft has a hand in, MSN Money had it right weeks ago and, to top it all off; explained in plain simple terms that even I could understand.

Why the bank bailouts are doomed
It's tempting to believe that more money will fix the messes of our financial institutions. But simple math tells us the system is insolvent, and the solutions are unpalatable.
By Jon Markman
MSN Money

I took the liberty of cut-and-pasting a cliff-notes version below.

Unfortunately, I think the only things that have “changed” with the new administration are the names…

“In the past 12 months, taxpayers, sovereign wealth funds and private investors have sunk $1 trillion into failing U.S. and British financial institutions.

Yet major banks continue to collapse. Why

The math is not complicated. Bank losses from the write-offs of bad loans and busted derivatives tally up to $1.5 trillion so far. In addition, $5 trillion to $10 trillion worth of off-balance-sheet businesses such as structured investment vehicles -- leveraged lending vehicles used by big banks to fatten their profits in boom times -- are being forced back to banks' balance sheets by regulators. Rules require banks to keep a base of real shareholder capital amounting to 10% of those funds. So banks need to find up to $1 trillion within the next year to meet that objective.

Add the $1.5 trillion in losses to $1 trillion in needed new reserves, and you can see that banks need as much as $2.5 trillion in new capital to remain solvent under current rules.

In aggregate, therefore, the entire system is simply insolvent, as liabilities are greater than assets. Governments aren't forcing banks to admit this, but investors are, and that is why big banks' shares have lost half of their value this year. Governments, meanwhile, are trying desperately to help banks plug the gap, but they're coming up short. When you add the $500 billion from sovereign wealth funds to the $500 billion from the first tranche of the Troubled Assets Relief Program, it's only $1 trillion. That's already been provided. So that leaves a gap of $500 billion to $1.5 trillion.

Because the calculation is so easy -- and so devastating -- it kind of makes you wonder why the Bush administration created TARP in the first place. But the administration couldn't do nothing, as that would have been politically unpalatable, so $500 billion has basically bought more time for someone to come up with a better answer. Tick, tick, tick.

You can't very well have a bankrupt banking system, however, so the market has spent the first three weeks of the new year pricing in the inevitable next step: nationalization of most large banks. The reason is simple: If your owner can print money, you don't need to keep any reserves. Problem solved.

The new Treasury secretary should stop the charade with the second tranche of TARP money and certainly not contemplate TARP II and TARP III, as has been discussed in Washington. Just nationalize the banks and get on with the next phase rather than pour more money down a hole.

The best course of action, which would have been the most painful in the short term but beneficial in the long term, would have been to force banks to open all their books to regulators and investors, allowing us to see which were solvent and which were not. Then the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., which is sort of a mini-nationalizer, could have closed the bad banks and merged their assets into strong banks, and we would be halfway through the crisis by now.”

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I've Been Busy...

Well, it’s the winter of the sports world now. You know the time between the NFL season, March Madness, opening day for Baseball and the start of our fair weather sports such as Golf.
I know, Hockey and the NBA are in full swing, but with hundreds of games to be played before anything really counts, it’s hard to truly get excited.

So, this could only mean one thing… tax season again!

Many of us are faced with the possibility of having to pay money back to the government for taxes we owe. Some of us are lucky enough to be getting tax money back.

Well, I’ve come up with a plan that not only entitles us to never pay taxes again but to stay out of jail too!

Become a public servant who works to form the laws and policies of our cities, states and national government!

The evidence is clear.

Tim Geithner - not paid $35,000 in self-employment taxes for several years
Tom Daschle - did not pay taxes on an additional $83,333 that he earned as a consultant
Nancy Killefer - a $946.69 tax lien on her home for failure to pay unemployment compensation tax on household help

And last but certainly not least…

Former DC Mayor Marion Barry - failing to file his tax returns from 1999 to 2004 – did not file on time in 2005 and has either not filed or failed to file his taxes on time for the eighth time in nine years.

When questioned about this, Mr. Barry said that he had “been busy” working at his job on the council.

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Ba-Da-Boom

Ok, It was bound to happen sooner or later; My first attempt at a slightly humoristic, slightly satirical, and slightly sarcastic commentary on the current news.

This weekend the US congress fought over the resolution of Obama’s version of a stimulus and fail-out, oops I mean bail-out, package. They finally came to terms cutting approximately 20% of the package.
Here is a list of cuts; and my take on each…. Ba-da-boom !

Partially cut:
• $3.5 billion for energy-efficient federal buildings (original bill $7 billion)
> We all know the government is never efficient.

• $75 million from Smithsonian (original bill $150 million)
> Come on, the Smithsonian is FREE!!!
> That means it is one of the best economic
> bang for the buck attractions around; even in a recession…

• $200 million from Environmental Protection Agency Superfund (original bill $800 million)
> Well, if we are not going to make the government more efficient
> and save energy, why do we need to protect the resources?

• $100 million from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (original bill $427 million)
> NOAA? But I love all those great and colorful radar pictures,
> satellite views, and long range forecasts. Not to mention
> advanced warnings on hurricanes and other natural disasters!!!

• $100 million from law enforcement wireless (original bill $200 million)
> 50% cut? Either this is the republicans attempt to make them
> more efficient or congress does not have a clue.
> Might as well have cut it all if you really don’t
> want first responders to communicate.

• $300 million from federal fleet of hybrid vehicles (original bill $600 million)
> Makes sense, see (EPA and Federal Building Cuts)…
> Who cares about setting a good example…

• $100 million from FBI construction (original bill $400 million)
> Well, if you are cutting wireless so they can’t “roam”
> where are all these people going to sit?

Fully eliminated

• $55 million for historic preservation
> Goes along with not protecting stuff…

• $122 million for Coast Guard polar icebreaker/cutters
> Since we are not cutting emissions,
> it’s all going to melt anyway…

• $100 million for Farm Service Agency modernization
> Gotta keep those migrant workers employed…
> Oooooo Sorry – not PC.

• $50 million for Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service
> Sounds like something to do with education…

• $65 million for watershed rehabilitation
> If we are not going to preserve stuff, and conserve stuff,
> then why bother with rehab?

• $100 million for distance learning
> More education cuts,
> oh and no wireless to support distance learning either…

• $98 million for school nutrition
> So, not only do we not educate better,
> We stop feeding them too?
> Looks like the kids will be packing more lunches…

• $50 million for aquaculture
> What is aquaculture?

• $2 billion for broadband
> No FIOS either?
> And the weather channel just went HD too… :-(
> Hmmmm, What about IPTV, Streaming Movies
> and other large AV content delivery businesses.

• $100 million for National Institute of Standards and Technology
> NIST –
> there’s a pun about government having standards in here somewhere…

• $50 million for detention trustee
> Is this school or federal?

• $25 million for Marshalls Construction
> What is Marshall Constructing?

• $300 million for federal prisons
> Must have meant federal detention…

• $300 million for BYRNE Formula grant program
> Byrne? Gotta look this one up?

• $140 million for BYRNE Competitive grant program
> Baby Burn…

• $10 million state and local law enforcement
> Again with the first responders… Sheeesh.

• $50 million for NASA
> This probably means one less astronaut….

• $50 million for aeronautics
> Isn’t our fleet of planes getting old?
> in need of repair and or replacement?
> I thought building infrastructure was for Planes, Trains, and Automobiles…
> Guess it’s just going to be Trains and Automobiles, oh wait…
> Auto companies are going down the tubes..
> Just Trains I guess.

• $50 million for exploration
> Exploration of what?
> Who needs to explore when we just cut NASA, NOAA,
> Communications, Education and broadband delivery
> for all the information we aren’t going to find out about…

• $50 million for Cross Agency Support
> No wireless,
> No buildings for agency workers,
> OK already, we get the point

• $200 million for National Science Foundation
> Exactly what do they do?

• $100 million for science
> Again with the science.
> Doesn’t matter,
> We will not be going anywhere and exploring either.

• $1 billion for Energy Loan Guarantees
> So more people will not be able to afford heat… Great!

• $4.5 billion for General Services Administration
> Probably a drop in the bucket for them…

• $89 million General Services Administration operations
> If you cut operations, you need less administrators…
> (this almost makes sense!)

• $50 million from Department of Homeland Security
> Again with the security and first responders…
> and cross agency communication.
> Hope no radical groups are looking at this list.

• $200 million Transportation Security Administration
> Well, we already cut the planes and autos,
> so all they need to watch are the trains…

• $122 million for Coast Guard Cutters, modifies use
> With more water, aren’t they going to need more boats?

• $25 million for Fish and Wildlife
> Guess in their minds,
> more water = more room for more fish and more wildlife…

• $55 million for historic preservation
> Wasn’t this the first thing cut?

• $20 million for working capital fund
> Wouldn’t working capital help the economy?

• $165 million for Forest Service capital improvement
> We already covered resource management…

• $90 million for State and Private Wildlife Fire Management
> Ditto…

• $1 billion for Head Start/Early Start
> Queue the music…
> “We don’t need no education…”

• $5.8 billion for Health Prevention Activity
> They probably thought this meant preventing health…
> which would not be a good thing….

• $2 billion for Health Information Technology Grants
> There goes Obama’s electronic medical records project

• $600 million for Title I (No Child Left Behind)
> Sure, building for the future does not mean education…

• $16 billion for school construction
> Unbelievable….

• $3.5 billion for higher education construction
> No worries,
> less of them are going to be smart enough to get into college
> So, you can cut the college loan programs too…

• $1.25 billion for project based rental
> Does this have something to do with the housing?

• $2.25 billion for Neighborhood Stabilization
> No education,
> no first responders communicating,
> no housing…
> no worries about stable neighborhoods?

• $1.2 billion for retrofitting Project 8 housing
> Come on people…. !!!

• $40 billion for state fiscal stabilization (includes $7.5 billion of state incentive grants)
> We bail out bad banks and executives
> but not states being affected by a bad economy?

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On Demand

What is worse than a demanding 2 ½ year old?
A 2 ½ year old and “on demand” recording from your cable company. I should probably include any form of recorded media as well including tape and DVD, since we also have these scattered around the house as well.

Perhaps another good phrase for this post is; Good technology in the wrong hands is nothing but a good idea gone horribly wrong.

One of the shows William (our 2 ½ year old) absolutely loves is Blues Clues. Now, this is really a good show. It has won numerous awards, such as; Best Educational TV Show or Series, Outstanding Achievement in Children's Programming, and even a Peabody Award.









So, what is so bad about Blues Clues? Absolutely nothing!

However, when one has dozens of episodes recorded via on demand (thanks to older siblings), DVD and tape; all of which are easily accessible from a handy remote, push of a button or convenient box; then the demanding 2 ½ year old would like nothing more than to watch Blues Clues every waking moment of every waking day over and over and over again. Of course, when he does not get his way, he throws a horrible fit!





It’s almost as if William thinks he is entitled to it because we have it and he can technically watch it when ever he wants.

Of course we, as good parents, will work with him so that he realizes that he is not entitled to what ever he wants when he wants it. And that throwing a fit is not the proper response.

And this leads me to my next thought….









What ever happened to the good old days when there were no recordings? Shows aired once a week and we all anxiously looked forward to watching the next exciting episode of our favorite show?

You know, “same bat time, same bat channel”.






In fact, though I may be embellishing this just a bit, we would gladly do our chores, homework, and go outside and “be good” all week just so that we would not miss watching our favorite show.

Ah, the good ol’ days….

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Get your priorities straight!

You go into the draft with great expectations for a high profile season, on one of the premier football teams in the country.

Everyone says you have all the skills and talent to be the play maker everyone thinks you can be. You get drafted along side of the likes of Jonathan Stewart, LT and DeSean Jackson.

And what do you do?

Average a measly and anemic 3.6 catches per game, 54.7 yards per game and 2 whole points per game. Sheesh!

Even in the playoffs you manage do just OK and low and behold; the professional football team you just happen to be on, makes it to the Super Bowl.

And then, THEN and only THEN do you have the audacity, the nerve and the gumption to play the way we all expected you to play.

9 catches, 131 yards, and a stunning TD catch for 6 points winning the game.

Come on man, do this when it really counts, during Fantasy Football Season.

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