Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Indy Colts Coach Tony Dungy Announces Retirement Today

Tony Dungy is my all time favorite NFL head coach. Today, after really about three years of thinking about it, he actually did it. He retired.

Dungy was the modern day Tom Landry, with a stern demenor on the sidelines and a keen football knoweldge. He was first the young star defensive coodinator who's talents were first mentioned by John Madden. Then he became head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and had what to many was his signature game in 1998, when his team upset the San Francisco 49ers, sacking quarterback Steve Young eight times.

But an inability to craft an explosive offense there did him in, and he landed with the Colts. There he built the team into the modern force it is and rallied the community behind them.

Tony's unshakable faith in the Lord is a guide for me. I hope one day U get the chance to meet him.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Call to Service: Join the Obamas on Jan 19th

Michelle Obama recorded a short video to tell you more about an important effort on Monday, January 19th in anticipation of the Inauguration of America's 44th President, Barack H. Obama. Please take a minute to watch it and sign up to host or attend a service event near you.


People like you are committing to renew America together, one community at a time. Volunteer part of your day on the eve of the Inaugural - you'll never forget it.



Whatever service activity you organize or take part in -- cleaning up a park, giving blood, volunteering at a homeless shelter, or mentoring an at-risk youth -- you can help start this important journey. But this is about more than just a single day of service, it's the beginning of ongoing commitment to your community.

Monday, January 19th, is also Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Dr. King taught us to live a life of service, and he led by example. He once said:
"If you want to be important -- wonderful. If you want to be recognized -- wonderful. If you want to be great -- wonderful. But, recognize that he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. That's a new definition of greatness."

Ordinary citizens working together with a common purpose can get this country back on track. Join the Obama's national day of service as your next step. Whatever service activity you organize or take part in -- cleaning up a park, giving blood, volunteering at a homeless shelter, or mentoring an at-risk youth -- you can help start this important journey. Click below to find a service opportunity in your area or to organize one yourself.

Find an Event
Plan an Event

MLK Birthday is a National Day of Service in 2009

Tony Dungy reported to be resigning as Colts coach - Los Angeles Times

More at Los Angeles Times: “Tony Dungy reportedly will announce today that he is stepping down as coach of the Indianapolis Colts.

The team has called a news conference for 2 p.m. PST.

Various media outlets, citing unnamed sources familiar with the situation, say Dungy is ready to call it quits after nearly three decades of NFL and college coaching. He has long indicated an interest in stepping away from the game at some point, in part to devote more time to his Christian ministry.”

-- Sad news and I would hate to see this happen, but it seems that it's going to happen.

Tony Dungy reported to be resigning as Colts coach - Los Angeles Times

More at Los Angeles Times: “Tony Dungy reportedly will announce today that he is stepping down as coach of the Indianapolis Colts.

The team has called a news conference for 2 p.m. PST.

Various media outlets, citing unnamed sources familiar with the situation, say Dungy is ready to call it quits after nearly three decades of NFL and college coaching. He has long indicated an interest in stepping away from the game at some point, in part to devote more time to his Christian ministry.”

BART Meeting: Linton Johnson - BART Spokesperson On Shooting

BART Spokesperson Linton Johnson expresses his frustration over the bad PR BART has received regarding the BART Fruitvale Shooting just before the start of the community meeting held at MetroCenter on January 11, 2009

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Christina Romer explains a new report about job creation

Chair-designate for the Council of Economic Advisers, UC Berkeley's Christina Romer explains how President-Elect Barack Obama's American Recovery Act of 2009 will create or retain over 3 million jobs.

Zennie Abraham Takes On CNN's Ali Velshi On Economic Stimulus

For me this was a ton of fun to do. But it's even better when someone takes time to let folks know you did a great job. Such was the case with the CNN iReport and CNN.com, who contacted me regarding my question for CNN's Ali Velshi on what he thought of giving $3,500 to each American taxpayer under $100,000.

Here's the video:



This is what CNN iReport's Rachel8 wrote:

Would you go head-to-head with CNN's top economic expert on an economic stimulus plan? How about live on the air?

Fearless iReport superstar Zennie Abraham did. After submitting an iReport suggesting a taxpayer stimulus package, he discussed his plan with CNN chief business correspondent Ali Velshi on CNN.com/live. Velshi said the plan -- which calls for a $3,500 stimulus check to those making less than $100,000 a year -- was not targeted enough to work. But Zennie courageously defended his idea.

"I disagree, with all due respect," he said to Velshi. "$3,500, particularly for college students or their parents, can help pay for their housing. For a person who's older, that could help pay their mortgage. ...You have to have time for the other aspects of President Obama's programs to work. The idea with this proposal is to buy time for those programs to kick in. I'm not saying that this is a cure-all. It works as part of a package."

And, after hearing the explanation, Velshi started to agree.

"In that context, I can understand that. If we are creating jobs, and we are helping people out with their mortgages, as an added extra, that could work," he said.

Nicely done, Zennie! You really held your own
.

Thanks Rachel! It was a lot of fun and I hope I get the chance to do something like that, again.