CNN keeps putting out these polls, but they don't tell you on air how many people are undecided in the Democratic race. This is the question that was asked in New Hampshire:
34. (DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY VOTERS ONLY:) Have you definitely decided who you will vote for in the New Hampshire primary, are you leaning toward someone, or do have you considered some candidates but are still trying to decide?
( http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2007/images/09/25/relnh5a.pdf )
Well, here was the response for New Hampshire:
September 2007
Definitely decided 17%
Leaning toward someone 28%
Still trying to decide 55%
That's 83 percent of those polled who are still undecided! That's right. 83 percent. Let's put it this way, that means just 17 percent of the people CNN polled made up their mind.
Think that's bad, look at these results from earlier this year:
July 2007
Definitely decided 10%
Leaning toward someone 26%
Still trying to decide 64%
That means just 10 percent knew who they were voting for in July and the number has increased just seven percent. That means this is a wide open race.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Griese to replace Grossman at QB for Bears
NFL.com Wire Reports
The NFL Network's Adam Schefter has confirmed that Brian Griese will start at quarterback Sunday for the Chicago Bears.
Griese will replace Rex Grossman, who threw three interceptions as the Chicago Bears fell to the Dallas Cowboys 34-10 on Sunday night and did not get a vote of confidence from his coach a day later.
"Will Rex Grossman start Sunday?" coach Lovie Smith asked on Monday, repeating the question. "Well, our evaluation process is going on right now, and if you come out to practice Wednesday, you'll have a better idea of who will be starting at all positions."
Smith gave his usual answer when asked Sunday night about Grossman -- "Rex Grossman is our quarterback" -- but his tone was different on Monday, fueling speculation Brian Griese might start Sunday against Detroit.
Grossman's supporters would have a hard time arguing against the move, considering he ranks 23rd in the league with 500 yards, has a 45.2 passer rating and is 47-of-89 (52.8 percent) with a league-leading six interceptions and just one touchdown.
But is Griese the answer?
A Pro Bowl pick with Denver in 2000, he has passed for 16,564 yards, but has also been released three times -- by the Broncos, Miami and Tampa Bay.
"I have confidence in our entire football team," Smith said. "Brian is a part of that. After you have a loss like that, we all feel bad. We should."
And Smith realizes something needs to change -- quickly.
At 1-2, the Bears are certainly not living up to those soaring expectations after last season's Super Bowl appearance. Besides Grossman's struggles, injuries are mounting.
They lost former Pro Bowl safety Mike Brown and starting nose tackle Dusty Dvoracek to season-ending knee injuries in the opener at San Diego. And on Sunday, Bears were falling like dominoes.
Linebacker Lance Briggs (groin), cornerback Nathan Vasher (groin) and defensive tackle Tommie Harris (knee) all left the game with injuries. Offensive lineman Ruben Brown suffered what was announced as a game-ending ankle injury, although he returned near the end.
"All of these injuries we're evaluating right now," Smith said. "I can't give you anything else."
As for the evaluation at quarterback, Grossman's troubles are well-documented and they explain why the Bears let him enter this season with an expiring contract rather than an extension.
He was the NFC Offensive Player of the Month last September. Now, he may not be the starting quarterback when September ends.
There certainly is blame to pass around, but the focus is on the quarterback.
The Bears were hoping Grossman would play the way he did the first five weeks last season and ditch the inconsistency he showed the rest of the way.
Well, he is more consistent.
The problem is "Bad Rex" keeps lining up behind center, and that's bad news for the Bears.
Smith stuck with Grossman last season, but that leash appears to be growing shorter with each pass into double or triple coverage; there were a few of those on Sunday night.
Like the one that Anthony Henry picked off early in the fourth quarter.
Dallas' Nick Folk had just kicked a 44-yard field goal when Grossman tried to hit Muhsin Muhammad in triple coverage. Henry intercepted and ran it back 28 yards for a touchdown that made it 27-10 and put away the Bears.
Grossman didn't get much help.
"All the way around the whole offense, it was one of those days where it seemed like we'd get something going and it'd fall back, and we just couldn't get anything going," wide receiver Bernard Berrian said.
The NFL Network's Adam Schefter has confirmed that Brian Griese will start at quarterback Sunday for the Chicago Bears.
Griese will replace Rex Grossman, who threw three interceptions as the Chicago Bears fell to the Dallas Cowboys 34-10 on Sunday night and did not get a vote of confidence from his coach a day later.
"Will Rex Grossman start Sunday?" coach Lovie Smith asked on Monday, repeating the question. "Well, our evaluation process is going on right now, and if you come out to practice Wednesday, you'll have a better idea of who will be starting at all positions."
Smith gave his usual answer when asked Sunday night about Grossman -- "Rex Grossman is our quarterback" -- but his tone was different on Monday, fueling speculation Brian Griese might start Sunday against Detroit.
Grossman's supporters would have a hard time arguing against the move, considering he ranks 23rd in the league with 500 yards, has a 45.2 passer rating and is 47-of-89 (52.8 percent) with a league-leading six interceptions and just one touchdown.
But is Griese the answer?
A Pro Bowl pick with Denver in 2000, he has passed for 16,564 yards, but has also been released three times -- by the Broncos, Miami and Tampa Bay.
"I have confidence in our entire football team," Smith said. "Brian is a part of that. After you have a loss like that, we all feel bad. We should."
And Smith realizes something needs to change -- quickly.
At 1-2, the Bears are certainly not living up to those soaring expectations after last season's Super Bowl appearance. Besides Grossman's struggles, injuries are mounting.
They lost former Pro Bowl safety Mike Brown and starting nose tackle Dusty Dvoracek to season-ending knee injuries in the opener at San Diego. And on Sunday, Bears were falling like dominoes.
Linebacker Lance Briggs (groin), cornerback Nathan Vasher (groin) and defensive tackle Tommie Harris (knee) all left the game with injuries. Offensive lineman Ruben Brown suffered what was announced as a game-ending ankle injury, although he returned near the end.
"All of these injuries we're evaluating right now," Smith said. "I can't give you anything else."
As for the evaluation at quarterback, Grossman's troubles are well-documented and they explain why the Bears let him enter this season with an expiring contract rather than an extension.
He was the NFC Offensive Player of the Month last September. Now, he may not be the starting quarterback when September ends.
There certainly is blame to pass around, but the focus is on the quarterback.
The Bears were hoping Grossman would play the way he did the first five weeks last season and ditch the inconsistency he showed the rest of the way.
Well, he is more consistent.
The problem is "Bad Rex" keeps lining up behind center, and that's bad news for the Bears.
Smith stuck with Grossman last season, but that leash appears to be growing shorter with each pass into double or triple coverage; there were a few of those on Sunday night.
Like the one that Anthony Henry picked off early in the fourth quarter.
Dallas' Nick Folk had just kicked a 44-yard field goal when Grossman tried to hit Muhsin Muhammad in triple coverage. Henry intercepted and ran it back 28 yards for a touchdown that made it 27-10 and put away the Bears.
Grossman didn't get much help.
"All the way around the whole offense, it was one of those days where it seemed like we'd get something going and it'd fall back, and we just couldn't get anything going," wide receiver Bernard Berrian said.
For Ann Coulter, Upsetting Democrats Is Better Than Sex
This text below is from the Examiner and basically supports my video about Ann Coulter and John Edwards, where I stated he and his wife Elizabeth were waisting their time attacking her. My video's below, in case you didn't see it the first time.
From The Examimner - Coulter’s latest publicity extravaganza is pegged “If Democrats Had Any Brains, They’d Be Republicans,” which is due out in two weeks. Her polemical pyrotechnics are sure to cause just as much hullabaloo as her previous works (a sampling: “Bill Clinton’s library is the first one to ever feature an Adults Only section” and “The Military — Their Pet Peeve: Keeping George Clooney Safe”).
In the book, Coulter admits to loving the marvelous buzz (and money) her controversies create. “About twice a year for nearly a decade, I have upset the little darlings with some public statement. … Each time they think I can’t ‘sink any lower’ — I proceed to do so! ... When I see the hot spittle flying from their mouths and the veins bulging and pulsing above their eyes, well, that’s when I feel truly alive. … And with every statement that brought my career to a crashing halt, I continued to write bestsellers. ... My career has been ‘finished’ so many times, I’ve practically made a career out of ending my career.”
TechCrunch's Arrington Says Trumpia's A Stupid Site
TechCrunch's Michael Arrington was totally blunt in his dislike for Trumpia, the site that allows you to send one message to a group of people and on their cell phones, instant message, and phone text at the same time -- did I leave anything out?
He writes "Don’t even think of using this to contact me. Trumpiais an absurdly stupid new site that, like the efficient crank calling tool we once covered, will likely be used to annoy people far more often than it will be used for any useful purpose.
Here’s how it works: Register for an account and tell it the contact information for your soon-to-be-ex friends. Make sure you enter their instant messaging, cell phone and email contact information for maximum impact. You can then group your friends and message them all at once by texting a message to Trumpia. Your friends receive the message on all of their communication devices at the same (email, SMS, IM), ensuring that there is no way in the world that they can plausibly claim to have missed it."
I've got to say any company that has a diverse video showing a Black male in a positive light can't be all bad to me. I'll give them a chance. Here's the video:
He writes "Don’t even think of using this to contact me. Trumpiais an absurdly stupid new site that, like the efficient crank calling tool we once covered, will likely be used to annoy people far more often than it will be used for any useful purpose.
Here’s how it works: Register for an account and tell it the contact information for your soon-to-be-ex friends. Make sure you enter their instant messaging, cell phone and email contact information for maximum impact. You can then group your friends and message them all at once by texting a message to Trumpia. Your friends receive the message on all of their communication devices at the same (email, SMS, IM), ensuring that there is no way in the world that they can plausibly claim to have missed it."
I've got to say any company that has a diverse video showing a Black male in a positive light can't be all bad to me. I'll give them a chance. Here's the video:
Blip.tv's Mike Hudack Brokers Deal With Rocketboom - Ads In QuickTime Videos A First
I got this from ClickZ as it's 2:45 AM and I'm too tired to blog it myself. Props to Mike.
Rocketboom’s quirky video blog now contain clickable video ad overlays that might mark the first time such ad units were created in QuickTime, according to those involved.
The ad campaigns are the result of a deal between Rocketboom and blip.tv, an online network that hosts, distributes, finds sponsors for and shares revenue with independently produced programs. Blip.tv is also now hosting Rocketboom segments, serving its RSS feed and syndicating it to other online video portals, said blip.tv co-founder and CEO Mike Hudack. Other shows on the growing site include Wallstrip, Geek Entertainment TV and Alive in Baghdad.
The first ad campaign to accompany Rocketboom episodes is for the second season of Comedy Central’s The Sarah Silverman Program. Blip.tv worked with New York ad agency Deep Focus to broker the deal. In addition to the QuickTime video ad overlay, the campaign includes post-roll videos for the Silverman show.
Blip.tv personnel began working with counterparts at Rocketboom several months ago and built the infrastructure needed to transfer Rocketboom’s hundreds of episodes to blip.tv, said Hudack. It also developed what Hudack calls “pioneering new technology” needed to serve the Silverman campaign ads.
Hudack said he believes it’s the first time anybody has created interactive QuickTime overlay ads that behave similarly to the more common Flash units. “Historically, with Flash video on the Web you can pretty much do anything you want, but QuickTime is more complicated and more difficult to work with,” he said. “QuickTime is not an authoring environment." He said the overlay comes up within a few seconds of the initiation of a video and has a close button..
Hudack declined to share early results, but he said the partnership is "seeing good viewership numbers and good impression numbers.”
The QuickTime overlay works in iTunes and Miro. In his blog, Hudack praised “the brilliant Dennis Backus of Apple’s QuickTime team and Josh Paul of Aweli” for their work on the project. He also said Rocketboom co-creator Andrew Michael Baron, “wouldn’t settle for just any QuickTime advertising implementation” and “insisted on something groundbreaking.”
Blip.tv has 10 employees, three of which are involved in ad sales, working with “a number of different agencies and brands.”
In a statement, Deep Focus Media Director Eric Druckenmiller observed Rocketboom and Sarah Silverman are a good match since they feature “unique content” appreciated by both of their audiences. Hudack agreed, noting, “Everybody is trying to figure out how you take the content we deal with and match it with advertising” that resonates with the fans. He said many programs hosted by blip.tv have avid followers who are notified regularly when a new episode is available. “Some of these people get shows delivered on a daily basis,” said Hudack. “They develop a real relationship with the host or hostess.”
Also important is finding ways to serve advertisements that are as non-intrusive as possible, he said. The video overlays being used on Rocketboom are an example of this in that it gives viewers “the opportunity to learn more and, if they are not interested, to kind of tune it out or, if they want, to close it."
Rocketboom’s quirky video blog now contain clickable video ad overlays that might mark the first time such ad units were created in QuickTime, according to those involved.
The ad campaigns are the result of a deal between Rocketboom and blip.tv, an online network that hosts, distributes, finds sponsors for and shares revenue with independently produced programs. Blip.tv is also now hosting Rocketboom segments, serving its RSS feed and syndicating it to other online video portals, said blip.tv co-founder and CEO Mike Hudack. Other shows on the growing site include Wallstrip, Geek Entertainment TV and Alive in Baghdad.
The first ad campaign to accompany Rocketboom episodes is for the second season of Comedy Central’s The Sarah Silverman Program. Blip.tv worked with New York ad agency Deep Focus to broker the deal. In addition to the QuickTime video ad overlay, the campaign includes post-roll videos for the Silverman show.
Blip.tv personnel began working with counterparts at Rocketboom several months ago and built the infrastructure needed to transfer Rocketboom’s hundreds of episodes to blip.tv, said Hudack. It also developed what Hudack calls “pioneering new technology” needed to serve the Silverman campaign ads.
Hudack said he believes it’s the first time anybody has created interactive QuickTime overlay ads that behave similarly to the more common Flash units. “Historically, with Flash video on the Web you can pretty much do anything you want, but QuickTime is more complicated and more difficult to work with,” he said. “QuickTime is not an authoring environment." He said the overlay comes up within a few seconds of the initiation of a video and has a close button..
Hudack declined to share early results, but he said the partnership is "seeing good viewership numbers and good impression numbers.”
The QuickTime overlay works in iTunes and Miro. In his blog, Hudack praised “the brilliant Dennis Backus of Apple’s QuickTime team and Josh Paul of Aweli” for their work on the project. He also said Rocketboom co-creator Andrew Michael Baron, “wouldn’t settle for just any QuickTime advertising implementation” and “insisted on something groundbreaking.”
Blip.tv has 10 employees, three of which are involved in ad sales, working with “a number of different agencies and brands.”
In a statement, Deep Focus Media Director Eric Druckenmiller observed Rocketboom and Sarah Silverman are a good match since they feature “unique content” appreciated by both of their audiences. Hudack agreed, noting, “Everybody is trying to figure out how you take the content we deal with and match it with advertising” that resonates with the fans. He said many programs hosted by blip.tv have avid followers who are notified regularly when a new episode is available. “Some of these people get shows delivered on a daily basis,” said Hudack. “They develop a real relationship with the host or hostess.”
Also important is finding ways to serve advertisements that are as non-intrusive as possible, he said. The video overlays being used on Rocketboom are an example of this in that it gives viewers “the opportunity to learn more and, if they are not interested, to kind of tune it out or, if they want, to close it."
Meg White Shown Having Sex With Fat Guy - White Stripes Axes Tour
Here's yet another sex tape scandal! (What is it with this?)
Because this is a family blog for those 16 and up, I'm not going to run the sex tape that's posted all over the Internet and freely downloadable or postable. But I will have a face photo if only to attempt to confirm that it's Meg White of the White Stripes -- which I've never heard of. But many think it's her.
The sex video itself is nothing special. First, I hate to watch, and like to "do." Second, she's got a pot belly and is flabby. Third, I look better than he does by far.
But the question is -- is that her?
Well look at these photos and tell me what you think?
My view? That girl looks a lot like her...droopy chest and all. The boobs reveal it all. The lady in the movie has sagging tits; this photo of Meg White shows, you can see it, saggy tits. Then there's the hair and the nose and eye distance and ...it's her.
Blyk Is Innovative Solution That Could Revolutionize Communications
I just learned about Blyk a few seconds ago. The website for the product reads..
Blyk is the new mobile network for 16 – 24s that’s funded by advertising. Blyk links young people with brands they like and gives them free texts and minutes every month.
For advertisers, Blyk is an innovative, new media channel, providing direct access to the 16-24 year old market.
Blyk is now live in the UK. It will go pan-European during 2008 with the potential to reach over 40 million young consumers.
Blyk was co-founded by CEO Pekka Ala-Pietilä, former president of Nokia Corporation, and Antti Öhrling, Chairman and CEO of Contra Group.
Blyk has offices in London, UK and Helsinki, Finland
This network is free to the user and the target audience Blyk identifies is in every high school and college in the World. Wow. The most obvious connection to me is...
Well, I'm not going to say. Let's just leave this -- the clue: "Save The Cheerleader. Save The World."
Blyk is the new mobile network for 16 – 24s that’s funded by advertising. Blyk links young people with brands they like and gives them free texts and minutes every month.
For advertisers, Blyk is an innovative, new media channel, providing direct access to the 16-24 year old market.
Blyk is now live in the UK. It will go pan-European during 2008 with the potential to reach over 40 million young consumers.
Blyk was co-founded by CEO Pekka Ala-Pietilä, former president of Nokia Corporation, and Antti Öhrling, Chairman and CEO of Contra Group.
Blyk has offices in London, UK and Helsinki, Finland
This network is free to the user and the target audience Blyk identifies is in every high school and college in the World. Wow. The most obvious connection to me is...
Well, I'm not going to say. Let's just leave this -- the clue: "Save The Cheerleader. Save The World."
President Bush Insults Barack Obama - Examiner
Yep. This Bush official -- who wasn't countered by the President, and so must be held to task -- said this:
As for Obama, a senior White House official said the freshman senator from Illinois was "capable" of the intellectual rigor needed to win the presidency but instead relies too heavily on his easy charm.
"It's sort of like, 'that's all I need to get by,' which bespeaks sort of a condescending attitude towards the voters," said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity. "And a laziness, an intellectual laziness."
Of all the people to hurl such an accusation!
As for Obama, a senior White House official said the freshman senator from Illinois was "capable" of the intellectual rigor needed to win the presidency but instead relies too heavily on his easy charm.
"It's sort of like, 'that's all I need to get by,' which bespeaks sort of a condescending attitude towards the voters," said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity. "And a laziness, an intellectual laziness."
Of all the people to hurl such an accusation!
Barack Obama Wins Candidate Mashup Debate Poll - Huff Post
"Barack Obama Wins Candidate Mashup Debate Poll"
This news was just posted on the Huffington Post online news blog. The debate was the result of a collaboration between Slate, Yahoo, and the Huff Post. This win is significant, as the online event drew 1 million people.
This news was just posted on the Huffington Post online news blog. The debate was the result of a collaboration between Slate, Yahoo, and the Huff Post. This win is significant, as the online event drew 1 million people.
Under Pressure From Hillary Clinton, GQ Kills Negative Story About Her - Politico.com
Apparently, GQ writer Josh Green wrote a negative article about Hillary Clinton . According to this article in Politico.com, it was killed by the Clinton campaign, who threatened to curb access to Bill Clinton. I wonder what the article said? Something like that can only stay low for so long.
Atlanta Falcons' DeAngelo Hall Goes Off In Loss To Panthers
I don’t know why Atlanta Falcons Cornerback De Angelo Hall went off in the game againt Carolina, but I’m sure it was related to the kind of year he’s had thus far. D-Hall’s been torched. He was taken to school by Chad Johnson in the second game of the season, and the Panther’s Steve Smith wasn’t so kind either. Still, he’s been beaten before, so that can’t be the only reason for his actions that producd not one but two personal foul penalties.
But after reading the AJC, it seems that Hall’s got a hot head, and Smith may have figured out how to get to him. It certainly worked, as the Panthers scored on the critical three-penalty-drive that led to their victory over the Falcons 27-20. For his part, Hall’s facing a team-given punishment and is going to take it like an adult: "I made a mistake. I promise it won't happen again, no matter what."
We’ll see.
Monday, September 24, 2007
1. The Oakland Raiders Finally Win - Beat Browns
After a streak of 11 straight losses, the Oakland Raiders, coached by Lane Kiffin, finally won a game. They beat the Cleveland Browns 26 to 24, and with a tactic used against them the following week at Denver.
In that game, the Raiders lined up to kick what would be the game winner in overtime, only to have a successful field goal attempted whistled dead because Denver Broncos Head Coach Mike Shanahan called a time out just a tick of the clock before the snap of the ball. When the Raiders lined up again, they missed the attempt.
This week Kiffin used the same maneuver against the Cleveland Browns when they lined up to kick what would have been the game winning field goal; the Browns came up short.
Yes, Kiffin’s a fast study. But lost in the discussion of the strategy used was that the Raiders were competitive in each game they played in, and so were bound to get a win.
The main difference is the offense. The combination of timed passes, varied formations, short drops, and zone-blocking has formed an offense that can move the ball and keep the defense off the field, which is a good thing because this Raiders defense isn’t the driving killing force of 2006.
Last year, I called for then-Raiders Offensive Coordinator Tom Walsh to be fired even before the season started, no so this year. Last year, the Raiders were a study in offensive ineptitude --- this year, the system they use is state of the art. I predicted a 9 and 7 season for the Silver and Black. I’ll stick to that.
ABC News And Amada Congdon Still Together For Now
Contrary to many posts, ABC News Vlogging Star Amanda Congdon is still with the network for now. She reports on her blog...
Wow. A girl goes on vacation for a week (my first week off in over a year– I was in production on Christmas!) — and look what I come back to! Whew. Contrary to some reports, AC on ABC WILL resume next week, as I mentioned in my most recent episode. However, I’ve decided not to continue at ABC once our year together is up (and it ain’t up yet) in favor of a new, innovative project that will take every ounce of my time and energy. Brian Stelter over at the New York Times has some accurate coverage.
Thanks to everyone who has written me… I appreciate all the supportive emails, myspace messages, etc. I’m excited (kinda giddy actually) for what’s ahead– should be interesting. In the meantime, see you next week on ABC for a special military-themed episode.
I hope ABC comes to a moment of clarity and gives Amanda more involvement in how their news reporting is done. One can only hope...
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Ron Paul and Racism - CNN/YouTube Republican Debate Question
This question for the CNN/YouTube Republican Debates is based on an article I found in the Houston Chronicle and dated May 23, 1996. In the article, which I present below and has this link: Houston Chroncle Ron Paul Article .
9:16 PM 5/22/1996
Newsletter excerpts offer ammunition to Paul's opponent
GOP hopeful quoted on race, crime
By ALAN BERNSTEIN
Copyright 1996 Houston Chronicle Political Writer
Texas congressional candidate Ron Paul's 1992 political newsletter highlighted portrayals of blacks as inclined toward crime and lacking sense about top political issues.
Under the headline of "Terrorist Update," for instance, Paul reported on gang crime in Los Angeles and commented, "If you have ever been robbed by a black teen-aged male, you know how unbelievably fleet-footed they can be."
Paul, a Republican obstetrician from Surfside, said Wednesday he opposes racism and that his written commentaries about blacks came in the context of "current events and statistical reports of the time."
Selected writings by Paul were distributed Wednesday by the campaign of his Democratic opponent, Austin lawyer Charles "Lefty" Morris.
Morris said many of Paul's views are "out there on the fringe" and that his commentaries will be judged by voters in the November general elections.
Paul said allegations about his writings amounted to name-calling by the Democrats and that his opponents should focus instead on how to shrink government spending and reform welfare.
Morris and Paul are seeking the 14th Congressional District seat held by Greg Laughlin of West Columbia. Laughlin lost the Republican primary to Paul, a former congressman and the Libertarian Party's 1988 presidential candidate.
Paul, writing in his independent political newsletter in 1992, reported about unspecified surveys of blacks.
"Opinion polls consistently show that only about 5 percent of blacks have sensible political opinions, i.e. support the free market, individual liberty and the end of welfare and affirmative action," Paul wrote.
Paul continued that politically sensible blacks are outnumbered "as decent people." Citing reports that 85 percent of all black men in the District of Columbia are arrested, Paul wrote:
"Given the inefficiencies of what D.C. laughingly calls the `criminal justice system,' I think we can safely assume that 95 percent of the black males in that city are semi-criminal or entirely criminal," Paul said.
Paul also wrote that although "we are constantly told that it is evil to be afraid of black men, it is hardly irrational. Black men commit murders, rapes, robberies, muggings and burglaries all out of proportion to their numbers."
A campaign spokesman for Paul said statements about the fear of black males mirror pronouncements by black leaders such as the Rev. Jesse Jackson, who has decried the spread of urban crime.
Paul continues to write the newsletter for an undisclosed number of subscribers, the spokesman said.
Writing in the same 1992 edition, Paul expressed the popular idea that government should lower the age at which accused juvenile criminals can be prosecuted as adults.
He added, "We don't think a child of 13 should be held responsible as a man of 23. That's true for most people, but black males age 13 who have been raised on the streets and who have joined criminal gangs are as big, strong, tough, scary and culpable as any adult and should be treated as such."
Paul also asserted that "complex embezzling" is conducted exclusively by non-blacks.
"What else do we need to know about the political establishment than that it refuses to discuss the crimes that terrify Americans on grounds that doing so is racist? Why isn't that true of complex embezzling, which is 100 percent white and Asian?" he wrote.
In later newsletters, Paul aimed criticism at the Israeli government's U.S. lobbying efforts and reported allegations that President Clinton used cocaine and fathered illegitimate children.
Stating that lobbying groups who seek special favors and handouts are evil, Paul wrote, "By far the most powerful lobby in Washington of the bad sort is the Israeli government" and that the goal of the Zionist movement is to stifle criticism.
Relaying a rumor that Clinton was a longtime cocaine user, Paul wrote in 1994 that the speculation "would explain certain mysteries" about the president's scratchy voice and insomnia.
"None of this is conclusive, of course, but it sure is interesting," he said.
------------------------
Someone wrote that his statements were "true." Well, that's not so at all. The studies Paul reffers to are unidentified and anyone believing this is looking for some "emprirical" reason to hold a racist viewpoint. Racism is a mental illness that must be treated and eliminated. Congressman Paul must deal with this question of racism because it's based on material produced by him and his campaign.
Moreover, Paul has White Supremacist David Duke as a supporter and gives interviews to the John Birch Society. Yikes.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Bill O'Reilly Not First White Person To Visit Harlem
I was so upset with Bill O'Reilly, I made the video and sent this email..
Bill,
Hey, I like your show, but I gotta tell you your editorial about Blacks and your restaurant visit was one of the most unfortunate and stupid comments I've ever listened to.
Look, racism is both a mental illness and un-American. Moreover, not every Black person comes from "The Ghetto" but your take gives fuel to stupid uneducated people to essentially say racist comments.
Why not tell people, especially kids, that those who are successful -- really successful have all kind of friends and are intelligent enough to see them as individuals.
Thanks,
--
Zennie Abraham, Jr.
Chairman and CEO
http://www.sbs-world.com
Sports Business Simulations
510-387-9809
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lz9MsdETJX8
Vernon Jordan Says Republicans Have Whites Only Sign Up
Well, the battle-lines are drawn both in Jena, LA, and in the 2008 Presidential Race. I've come to believe racism is both mental illness and un-American. Here's Vernon Jordan's take.
The candidates for the Republican party's presidential nod are building quite a track record--of snubbing prospective voters. This week the four leading candidates--Fred Thompson, Mitt Romney, Rudolph Giuliani and John McCain--added the PBS-sponsored debate at Baltimore's historically-black Morgan State University to their "I'll-pass" list. That list now includes the National Urban League, Univision, the Spanish-language television network, the National Association of Latino Elected Officials and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. It's getting to be a long list.
But perhaps it's those of us who are dismayed by these displays of camapign cowardice that just don't get it.
Perhaps the GOP candidates are following the same script the Bush administration has used for governance: be irresponsible.
Or perhaps, they're developing a new paradigm for how a political party contests elections. Perhaps they want to test that you actually improve your chances of winning by snubbing entire groups of voters, and that in a nation whose voting pool is becoming more and more diverse, you make it clear you want just the votes of whites.
Republicans love to talk about Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan, presidents whom they hold up as having met the tests of greatness. Is this what Abraham Lincoln would do? Is this what Ronald Reagan would do?
Republicans also used to talk about their welcoming all Americans into the party of the "big tent." But actions speak louder than words. The actions of the Republican candidates make it clear the big tent has a whites-only sign over the entrance.
Barack Obama To Storm New York September 27th - Barack Video
Senator Barack Obama's coming to New York City September 27th in what promises to be a love in. Here's a video called "Meet Barack Obama."
Dan Rather Sues CBS - Dan Rather Details - Broadcasting & Cabl
Dan Rather Suing CBS News for Violation of Contract
ALSO BY THIS AUTHOR...
$70M Suit Names Moonves, Redstone, Heyward
By Marisa Guthrie -- Broadcasting & Cable, 9/19/2007 6:14:00 PM
More than one year after Dan Rather left CBS News under a cloud for a flawed report on President Bush’s National Guard service, the former face of CBS News is suing CBS, its corporate parent and his former superiors at the news division.
In a $70 million suit filed in State Supreme Court in Manhattan Wednesday, Rather, 75, alleged that CBS violated his contract by giving him precious little airtime on 60 Minutes, where he remained as a contributor after being forced to step down as anchor of the CBS Evening News in March 2005.
The suit alleged that CBS made him a “patsy” and that the network caved to “right-wing” pressure to get rid of him, and it also contended that CBS damaged Rather’s reputation by commissioning a “biased” investigation into the 60 Minutes II report.
Richard Thornburgh, who was an attorney general in the first Bush White House, was one of the panelists tasked with examining the National Guard segment.
The suit -- which seeks $20 million in compensatory damages and $50 million in punitive damages -- named CBS CEO Leslie Moonves, Viacom chairman Sumner Redstone and former CBS News head Andrew Heyward.
“These complaints are old news and this lawsuit is without merit,” CBS said in a statement.
CBS -- which recently settled a lawsuit with deposed shock jock Don Imus (to the tune of $20 million, according to published reports) -- will likely fight the Rather suit, according to sources.
Rather's attorney, Martin Gold, said in a statement that CBS "intentionally damaged" Rather's reputation by sacrificing "independent journalism for corporate financial interests."
He added that the goal of the suit was to "further" the principle of an "independent press."
If Rather is "successful," added Martin, "he intends to donate substantial sums to furthering these ideals."
But industry veterans are skeptical about Rather's chances of prevailing in his suit.
CBS' "only obligation is to pay him," says an industry insider well versed in contractual law. "They are not obligated to keep him on the air. If he thought they were wrong, he should not have taken their money; he should have walked out the door and immediately sued them."
The 60 Minutes II report-- which aired in September 2004, mere months before the presidential election -- posited that President Bush received preferential treatment that kept him out of combat in Vietnam while in the Texas Air National Guard. But the report relied on what turned out to be forged documents.
Three producers -- Mary Mapes, Betsy West and Josh Howard -- were forced out at CBS for their part in the disputed segment.
According to a report by The New York Times, Rather’s 32-page suit lawsuit paints him as little more than a narrator of the National Guard broadcast -- a perception at odds with his reputation and the recollection of others involved.
Rather, said Howard, now vice president of long-form programming at CNBC, “worked the phones. He talked to sources. He was in the room with the so-called document experts. He argued with us over every line of the script. I can’t imagine how he at this point can say he was just the narrator.”
After he left the CBS Evening News in March 2005, Rather’s contract called for him to become a “full-time correspondent” on 60 Minutes II and, after that broadcast was canceled in May 2005, on the original edition of 60 Minutes. But Rather’s suit contended that the eight pieces he did for 60 Minutes paled in comparison to what regular 60 Minutes correspondents did.
Rather officially left CBS News in 2006. He is now anchoring a series of news specials for Mark Cuban’s HDNet.
Rather did not return a detailed message for comment Wednesday.
AlterNet.org's Don Hazen Thinks The Porn Industry Has Run Amok
I agree with Don Hazen in AlterNet.org to a certain extent that porn's rampant, but he leaves out the way the Internet's used to fuel our desire to see porn. Also, this is painted as a male-only issue, where women too search for porn.
I think the idea's he expresses are outdated and not without a certain "male guilt" complex. What people forget is part of the way we're wired -- lust -- is the backbone of the reproductive process.
Now to be sure, he's writing about extreme porn -- whatever that is -- and that's not something I'm personally familar with. Perhaps he is.
Personally, this photo of Michelle Lin's enough for me.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Delaware State Lockdown After Campus Shootings
CBS) DOVER, DELAWARE
The campus of Delaware State University is under tight lockdown Friday after gunshots fired through the air Thursday night. A manhunt is currently underway. Two students were wounded as a result of the shootings, and one remains in critical condition.
A Delaware State spokesman, Carlos Homes, said one of the female victims has sustained very serious injuries, potentially life threatening.
Thursday night, University officials say students and staff were warned of the shooting from a message on the campus website. Officials also made phone calls and notifications to residents and all housing buildings.
As of now, according to authorities, students have been instructed to stay in their dormitory rooms and commuters were instructed to stay home while police in Dover scour the campus and examine surveillance video.
It appears as though University administrators have responded in a timely and appropriate fashion, saying last years Virginia Tech massacres taught them the ultimate lessons. Virginia Tech administrators were severely criticized for not quickly alerting students about a shooter who killed 32 people in Blacksburg.
“We have learned from Virginia Tech. We need to act on the side of caution and do the best we can to protect our student population,” stated Mr. Homes.
All this comes just a month after the Delaware State community mourned the tragic loss of 3 students shot execution style during a robbery in New Jersey.
Delaware officials believe the shooter left campus, but they don t know that for certain.
Few details of this latest incident have been released. There's no word whether the shooter knew the victims or whether they just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Stayed tuned to CBS 2 HD and wcbstv.com for the latest from Dover.
The campus of Delaware State University is under tight lockdown Friday after gunshots fired through the air Thursday night. A manhunt is currently underway. Two students were wounded as a result of the shootings, and one remains in critical condition.
A Delaware State spokesman, Carlos Homes, said one of the female victims has sustained very serious injuries, potentially life threatening.
Thursday night, University officials say students and staff were warned of the shooting from a message on the campus website. Officials also made phone calls and notifications to residents and all housing buildings.
As of now, according to authorities, students have been instructed to stay in their dormitory rooms and commuters were instructed to stay home while police in Dover scour the campus and examine surveillance video.
It appears as though University administrators have responded in a timely and appropriate fashion, saying last years Virginia Tech massacres taught them the ultimate lessons. Virginia Tech administrators were severely criticized for not quickly alerting students about a shooter who killed 32 people in Blacksburg.
“We have learned from Virginia Tech. We need to act on the side of caution and do the best we can to protect our student population,” stated Mr. Homes.
All this comes just a month after the Delaware State community mourned the tragic loss of 3 students shot execution style during a robbery in New Jersey.
Delaware officials believe the shooter left campus, but they don t know that for certain.
Few details of this latest incident have been released. There's no word whether the shooter knew the victims or whether they just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Stayed tuned to CBS 2 HD and wcbstv.com for the latest from Dover.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
CNN Susan Rogerson Missreporting Of Jena 6 Issue Fuels Racial Tension
I'm watching CNN, and Susan Rogerson tells me that I'm supposed to feel soory for Justin Barker -- the white student who was beaten up after racially taunting Black students in Jena, Louisiana, and attended a social function after supposedly being beaten so hard.
She says "What about him?" WHAT? Is CNN nuts? Look, this story started because a Black student wanted to sit under a tree supposedly just for White students -- which is totally crazy itself. Then when he did, White students hung nooses on the tree. Black students were beaten up by White students -- but charges never filed.
Now, I've got to hear CNN's Rogerson talk about this idiot like he's the victim, and then hear this racist Jena D.A. down there back him? Come on! Racism is a mental illness, and that town's got a problem.
Jena's a nutso place it seems. But CNN's fueling racial tensions by the way it's reporting the issue. For a totally great explanation of what happened down there, watch this video:
She says "What about him?" WHAT? Is CNN nuts? Look, this story started because a Black student wanted to sit under a tree supposedly just for White students -- which is totally crazy itself. Then when he did, White students hung nooses on the tree. Black students were beaten up by White students -- but charges never filed.
Now, I've got to hear CNN's Rogerson talk about this idiot like he's the victim, and then hear this racist Jena D.A. down there back him? Come on! Racism is a mental illness, and that town's got a problem.
Jena's a nutso place it seems. But CNN's fueling racial tensions by the way it's reporting the issue. For a totally great explanation of what happened down there, watch this video:
Barack Obama's Statements On Jena 6 - Jesse Jackson Jr. Helped Obama
Barack Obama Statements on Jena 6
CHICAGO, IL – U.S. Senator Barack Obama released the following three statements on the Jena 6.
September 19, 2007 | Obama Statement on the Jena 6
"Outrage over an injustice like the Jena 6 isn't a matter of black and white. It's a matter of right and wrong. We should stand as one nation in opposition to this and any injustice. That’s why I’ve previously spoken out and demanded fairness in the Jena 6 case. That's why I've fought against injustice as a civil rights attorney and public official, and why I'll continue to fight to heal the wounds of division in our nation as president. My statements on Jena 6 were carefully thought out with input and support from one of my National Campaign Chairmen, U.S. Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr."
September 14, 2007 | Obama Statement on the Jena 6
"I am pleased that the Louisiana state appeals court recognized that the aggravated battery charge brought in this case was inappropriate. I hope that today's decision will lead the prosecutor to reconsider the excessive charges brought against all the teenagers in this case. And I hope that the judicial process will move deliberately to ensure that all of the defendants will receive a fair trial and equal justice under the law."
September 10, 2007 | Obama Demands Fairness in Jena 6 Case
"When nooses are being hung in high schools in the 21st century, it's a tragedy. It shows that we still have a lot of work to do as a nation to heal our racial tensions. This isn't just Jena's problem; it's America's problem."
"There are a number of signs that the system is not working in this case. It's a problem when criminal charges are brought against some students for fighting, but not others. It's a problem when a public defender doesn't call any witnesses. And it's a problem when a prosecutor decides to try teenagers as adults for a school fight, a charge that could leave them in jail for the majority of their lives. That is why I join my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus in calling on the judge to consider all the relevant factors and calling on the District Attorney to drop the excessive charges brought in this case. And I, along with other members of the CBC, will continue to monitor this case closely."
"Going forward, we have to fix our criminal justice system. Whether it's Jena 6 or Genarlow Wilson, it's long past time for us to admit that we have more work to do to ensure that our criminal justice system is fair. We must ensure that both victims and defendants can receive equal justice under the law, regardless of race, wealth, or other circumstances."
Bionic Woman On Comcast On Demand - Saw It
I just saw Bionic Woman on Comcast OnDemand. Click on this -- Bionic Woman -- to read my review of the pilot episode.
Bionic Woman - Just Saw It; Michelle Ryan's Intense
I just found and watched NBC's new program Bionic Woman on Comcast ondemand. First, it's good actually great and intense. It has a lot of characters that are well intervoven. The trouble is that it moves too fast -- so fast that scenes that need more time to unfold to have real meaning last in seconds.
The version I saw is without commercials, so I thought maybe I was "fooled" by a shorter version. But then I thought of the Star Trek episode "Balance of Terror" and it seemed longer than the Bionic Woman even though they're both about 35 minutes of screen time.
The "problem" is the Bionic Woman's so rich with story, scenes, people, and tech that you want to taste a scene, only each one's too small a bite to enjoy. That's a problem the writers and Dave Eick, it's producer, have to work on. It's a nice problem to have.
Overall, I did enjoy Bionic Woman. It's not anythng like the Bionic Woman I remember as a kid. This is much darker and has subplots that you beg to be unraveled right then. For example, who's the Russian guy who seems to be Katie Sackhoff / Sarah Corvus's love interest and likes to sew his arm with string? (An apparent signal that this is some kind of bionic man?)
The special effects are a seemless part of the story -- no sound effects. The fight scene between Jamie Sommers and Sarah Corvus is very well done and includes one really cool and real-looking action scene where Jamie throws Sarah like she's a sack of trash.
What about Jamie's bartender life? How can she handle it and work for the organization that re-built her? And how can she make love to her boyfriend Will without harming him? That he was on top was a start -- it's where I'd like to be -- but the whole orgasm matter was skipped over. Ah, details.
I look forward to the Bionic Woman, but it's days could be numbered if the matter of this rapid pacing isn't adressed right away. But they've already got the episodes in the system, so we'll just have to wait.
I can't wait.
Mean, Sneaky Senator Clinton Gets Free Pass From Media
I'm serious about this. There's a conspiracy in the media to get her elected. It's so insidieous that it must be pointed out. One blogger points out that she's hiding from the press, but that doesn't stop others from keeping her name out there favorably.
But not with bloggers, who point to her lack of a press conference and this well-planned set of public appearances with Bill Clinton.
Then there's this video of her avoiding shaking hands with a well-wisher. Yikes.
But not with bloggers, who point to her lack of a press conference and this well-planned set of public appearances with Bill Clinton.
Then there's this video of her avoiding shaking hands with a well-wisher. Yikes.
Congresswoman Barbara Lee “Lone Iraq No Vote” Fundraising Event - Sunday, September 23, 2007
Please Join Hosts
Steve Phillips & Susan Sandler,
Gene Eidenberg & Anna Chavez, Elizabeth Colton,
Zenophon Abraham, Ed Penhoet,
Wayne Jordan & Quinn Delaney,
Hari Dillon, John Gooding and Miguel Bustos
In honor of
Congresswoman Barbara Lee
And the 6th Anniversary of the “Lone Vote”
On September 14, 2001, Rep. Barbara Lee was the only member of Congress to vote against a resolution that gave President George Bush a blank check to go to war without constraint. Bush used this resolution to launch his “global war on terror.” Since then, she has led the effort to prevent – and now to end – the War in Iraq. We are proud of her leadership and urge you to join us in honoring her.
At the home of
Steve Phillips and Susan Sandler
553 Arkansas Street
San Francisco
NEW DATE!
Sunday, September 23, 2007
6:00 pm until 8:00 pm
$2,300 Champion • $1,000 Host
(Includes a signed copy of the Lone Vote speech)
$500 Partner • $250 Friend
RSVP by contacting Mitchell Lester at 415-308-5849 or Maria Ali at 510-663-1207 or maria@leeforcongress.com.Valet parking will be available.
Congresswoman Barbara Lee
September 14, 2001
Mr. Speaker, Members, I rise today really with a very heavy heart, one that is filled with sorrow for the families and the loved ones who were killed and injured this week. Only the most foolish and the most callous would not understand the grief that has really gripped our people and millions across the world. This unspeakable act on the United States has really -- really forced me, however, to rely on my moral compass, my conscience, and my God for direction.
September 11th changed the world. Our deepest fears now haunt us. Yet, I am convinced that military action will not prevent further acts of international terrorism against the United States. This is a very complex and complicated matter.
Now this resolution will pass, although we all know that the President can wage a war even without it. However difficult this vote may be, some of us must urge the use of restraint. Our country is in a state of mourning. Some of us must say, let's step back for a moment. Let's just pause, just for a minute and think through the implications of our actions today, so that this does not spiral out of control.
Now I have agonized over this vote. But I came to grips with it today, and I came to grips with opposing this resolution during the very painful, yet very beautiful memorial service. As a member of the clergy so eloquently said, "As we act, let us not become the evil that we deplore."
Congresswoman Barbara Lee
Barbara Lee was first elected to represent California's ninth Congressional District in 1998. On September 14th, 2001 Barbara Lee courageously cast the lone vote against granting the President a blank check to wage war without constraint. She is currently on the Appropriations Committee – bringing her bold voice and progressive agenda to the powerful spending committee. Congresswoman Lee also serves as the First Vice Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, and the co-Chair of the Progressive Caucus.
Lone Vote Event — September 23, 2007
Federal Election Law allows individuals to donate up to $4,600:
$2,300 designated for the Primary Election and $2,300 designated for the General Election
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Checks should be made payable to “Barbara Lee for Congress” and mailed to:
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Wednesday, September 19, 2007
O.J. Simpson Free On Bond Of $125,000 - Case Flimsy
As of this writing, O.j. Simpson is on his way home to Florida after posting $125K in bail in Las Vegas. I saw the accusers on CNN and I've got to admit their case is flimsy at best. I believed from the start O.J. was being set up and the person who did it isn't even being tried for a thing!
This case's going nowhere fast.
University of Florida student Tasered - Former Cop Provides Sane Look
I saw this post over at Salon.com and was overjoyed:
"Former cop here
And those cops were oafs. They may or may not get away with their unprofessional, excessive behavior, depending on the quality of the investigation, but they handled that situation with a level of incompetence one would usually only expect from a Bush political appointee.
Setting aside for a moment the question of whether the kid should have been taken down in the first place (I think he should have been allowed to rant, myself), skillful, well-trained police officers have methods for dealing with unruly individuals, not the least of which is basic diplomacy..
There is absolutely no reason why that situation should have devolved the way it did except that the officers involved didn't know what they were doing and overreacted. In my former department, that level of incompetence wouldn't be tolerated.
-- Bukk63"
The world needs more active police officers like him. Thank God for this voice of sanity.
"Former cop here
And those cops were oafs. They may or may not get away with their unprofessional, excessive behavior, depending on the quality of the investigation, but they handled that situation with a level of incompetence one would usually only expect from a Bush political appointee.
Setting aside for a moment the question of whether the kid should have been taken down in the first place (I think he should have been allowed to rant, myself), skillful, well-trained police officers have methods for dealing with unruly individuals, not the least of which is basic diplomacy..
There is absolutely no reason why that situation should have devolved the way it did except that the officers involved didn't know what they were doing and overreacted. In my former department, that level of incompetence wouldn't be tolerated.
-- Bukk63"
The world needs more active police officers like him. Thank God for this voice of sanity.
University of Florida student Tasered at John Kerry Forum
Here's the story:
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A University of Florida student was Tasered and arrested Monday when he attempted to speak at a forum with U.S. Sen. John Kerry during a question and answer session, university officials said.
Andrew Meyer, 21, asked Kerry why he did not contest the 2004 presidential election, which he lost to President Bush, and why there had been no moves to impeach Bush.
"He apparently asked several questions — he went on for quite awhile — then he was asked to stop," university spokesman Steve Orlando said. "He had used his allotted time. His microphone was cut off then he became upset."
While as many as four police officers tried to remove Meyer from the forum, he yelled for help and asked "What did I do?" Minutes after Meyer started speaking, he was Tasered.
Meyer was charged with resisting an officer and disturbing the peace, according to Alachua County jail records. No bond had been set. Meyer was scheduled to appear in court Tuesday morning, a jail official said.
Orlando said university police would conduct an internal investigation on the incident.
"The police department does have a standard procedure for when they use force, including when they use a Taser," Orlando said. "That is what the internal investigation would address — whether the proper procedures were followed, whether the officers acted appropriately."
The event was sponsored by the UF student government speaker's bureau, according to a news release. A telephone message left at the speaker's bureau office was not immediately returned Monday evening.
It was not known if Meyer had an attorney.
But the bottom line is that -- if you look at the video -- Andrew wasn't even making a big fuss. He may have been asking uncomfortable questions, but that was it. That's supposed to be America. For the UF police to do what they did was totally nuts. Plus, their own internal review's not going to turn up anything.
Between this action and the way Capital Police treated the minster at last week's Petraus hearing , one has to ask what's going on with the kind of people law enforcement's bring in. They seem to lack proper judgement on when and why to use force, and thus bring shame on the very police departments they're suppose to bring respect to.
We must demand a higher standard. Now.
I also totally disagree with Michelle Makin's take on this, as it seems she's knee-jerk into defending anyone in a uniform just because they're in a uniform. Michelle' s not using her intellect by adopting this lazy thinking, rubber-stamp approach to the analysis of any controversial action in American culture. Her take also shows the limits of dogma, where people are so blinded they can't see injustice before them.
Makin's obviously not aware that college police are developing a pattern of over-the-top behavior, but fortunately Salon.com's got a collection of videos showing this travesty of the American legal system.
Senator John Kerry comes off looking bad. He tells the newspapers he didn't see what happened, and yet on the video we can hear him talking as this is going on and referring to the question. This kind of behavior is why John Kerry lost the election -- he's afraid to take a stand and defend basic American rights because he wants to look good for the cameras. Can't have that hair messed up when you're taking a stand, right Senator Kerry?
And to think I supported him for President in 2004.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Condoning Cheating? - NFL Coaches Unfairly Treating Jets Coach Eric Mangini
Profootballtalk.com and The New York Times report today that several NFL Coaches and executives are working to gang-up on New York Jets Head Coach Eric Mangini for blowing the whistle on New England Coach Bill Belichek for telling NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell that the Pats vidoed defensive signals from opposing teams, a violation of NFL rules.
Selena Roberts of the NY Times writes:
Mangini didn’t just flip on Belichick, costing his former mentor a celebrated image that has been reflected in a shelf-full of Lombardi Trophies, as well as a $500,000 fine and a prime draft pick. He did more. He also humiliated the respected Patriots owner and league power player Robert K. Kraft.
That sin has left Mangini toxic to some team executives. After all, would you trust him? Is there anyone — a player, assistant, general manager, owner or mascot — that he wouldn’t betray in a pinch?
Mike Florio of Profootballtalk.com reports:
The reality, however, is that Mangini has likely learned his lesson, and that he knows that he has pulled the trigger on a one-shot pistol. But this doesn't change the fact that no NFL executive could justify taking the risk that Mangini might offer up a sequel.
Meanwhile, Mangini might have problems keeping the job he currently has. As one league insider opined on Tuesday:
"The biggest issue that Mangini faces is that his team absolutely stinks. One of the problems with being a surprise team is that you can't surprise anyone anymore. They won't win more than six games this year. The Ravens tried to hand the game to the Jets after dominating for three quarters and the Jets refused to take it. The offensive line is awful, the defensive line is terrible, the running back is old, the wideouts drop passes, and the secondary is beat up. The Patriots will win that division by five or six games, easy. That, more than anything, is going to put heat on Mangini."
Wait. That's not right. It points to the observation that some NFL execs may have actually known that New England was cheating and kept quiet; indeed, if Mangini himself knew this, and talked, then how many other people knew? It doesn't make the NFL look good at all, and with these latest headlines, sends up more smoke, implying there's a fire burning somewhere in the league.
This matter of punishing Mangini as whistle-blower also opens another question -- at least in my mind. Why does the NFL allow a double-standard to exist, where players transgressions are blurted out to the public with abandon, and there's no threat of backlash by NFL team execs, but when it comes to the matter of an NFL coach like Bill Belichek, this invisible protective shield is thrown up?
It's not right. The Commissioner should release a statement warning the league's execs of punishment if such statements are made in the future. I personally dislike this aspect of how the NFL functions. Yes, Bill Belichek's a great coach, and while he should not have done what he did, and his overall record is somewhat tainted, he's got three Super Bowl trophies, and that didn't come just from hard-to-get videos.
But look at the facts -- the Pats have won some very close games in Super Bowl history. It's fair to ask if the video practice was used prior to each Super Bowl the Pats were in under Belichek. I'm not saying take his awards away, but the way they were gotten is under scrutiny.
That process of investigation must begin. But meanwhile, leave Eric Mangini alone. I'm certain he got tired of being well-prepared for New England only to have his hat handed to him by a too-well-prepared Patriots team, and knowing how they got ready to play, and what they did during the game steamed him.
Enough was enough.
Selena Roberts of the NY Times writes:
Mangini didn’t just flip on Belichick, costing his former mentor a celebrated image that has been reflected in a shelf-full of Lombardi Trophies, as well as a $500,000 fine and a prime draft pick. He did more. He also humiliated the respected Patriots owner and league power player Robert K. Kraft.
That sin has left Mangini toxic to some team executives. After all, would you trust him? Is there anyone — a player, assistant, general manager, owner or mascot — that he wouldn’t betray in a pinch?
Mike Florio of Profootballtalk.com reports:
The reality, however, is that Mangini has likely learned his lesson, and that he knows that he has pulled the trigger on a one-shot pistol. But this doesn't change the fact that no NFL executive could justify taking the risk that Mangini might offer up a sequel.
Meanwhile, Mangini might have problems keeping the job he currently has. As one league insider opined on Tuesday:
"The biggest issue that Mangini faces is that his team absolutely stinks. One of the problems with being a surprise team is that you can't surprise anyone anymore. They won't win more than six games this year. The Ravens tried to hand the game to the Jets after dominating for three quarters and the Jets refused to take it. The offensive line is awful, the defensive line is terrible, the running back is old, the wideouts drop passes, and the secondary is beat up. The Patriots will win that division by five or six games, easy. That, more than anything, is going to put heat on Mangini."
Wait. That's not right. It points to the observation that some NFL execs may have actually known that New England was cheating and kept quiet; indeed, if Mangini himself knew this, and talked, then how many other people knew? It doesn't make the NFL look good at all, and with these latest headlines, sends up more smoke, implying there's a fire burning somewhere in the league.
This matter of punishing Mangini as whistle-blower also opens another question -- at least in my mind. Why does the NFL allow a double-standard to exist, where players transgressions are blurted out to the public with abandon, and there's no threat of backlash by NFL team execs, but when it comes to the matter of an NFL coach like Bill Belichek, this invisible protective shield is thrown up?
It's not right. The Commissioner should release a statement warning the league's execs of punishment if such statements are made in the future. I personally dislike this aspect of how the NFL functions. Yes, Bill Belichek's a great coach, and while he should not have done what he did, and his overall record is somewhat tainted, he's got three Super Bowl trophies, and that didn't come just from hard-to-get videos.
But look at the facts -- the Pats have won some very close games in Super Bowl history. It's fair to ask if the video practice was used prior to each Super Bowl the Pats were in under Belichek. I'm not saying take his awards away, but the way they were gotten is under scrutiny.
That process of investigation must begin. But meanwhile, leave Eric Mangini alone. I'm certain he got tired of being well-prepared for New England only to have his hat handed to him by a too-well-prepared Patriots team, and knowing how they got ready to play, and what they did during the game steamed him.
Enough was enough.
2008 Presidential Race - Zennie Questions Fayetteville, GA
I recently took my trusty Sony camcorder to visit my Mom in Fayetteville, GA and in the process ask some of the locals two questions: first, what they thought of the 2008 Presidential Race, and second who they planned to vote for. I received some interesting responses.
Now, it must be reported that I did not go up to every person I encountered. I randomly picked my spots and let's face it, most people will not speak before a camera. Yeah, someone may give this great opinion but the minute I say "Hey, can I get that on camera?" they will say "No, not on camera." The very act of coaxing them is so time consuming that I'd rather not be bothered. But then there are people who do speak, and they offer a great opening to be interviewed.
Also, I knew I was going to make a five-minute video -- ok, almost six -- and so didn't focus on talking to a lot of people. I wanted to have full unedited responses, and that's what I got.
I also didn't try to get some kind of ethnic balance. To be frank, Fayetteville, GA offers a pretty fair variety of people. The 2000 census, which really reflects the mid-1990s when you think about it, is just plain wrong about Fayetteville, Georgia in 2007. This Atlanta suburb is now seemlingly half-African American, if not majority Black. Regardless, my experience confirms my assertion that our American Census and the country's overall perception of itself on a regional basis is way out of whack with reality.
The true picture I get is of an America more diverse and mixed in thought and in human color than we are led to think by the mainstream media, which itself needs an overhaul because it's so behind the times in how it covers American Culture -- fact is replaced by bias dressed as fact all too often.
But I digress.
What I learned in my little bitty video survey is that people have made of their minds -- sort of. The responses you hear all come with the causionary sentence "For now", or "At this time." Which means they could switch or shift for some unknown reasons.
To me this is shaping up as the most volitile and unpredictable election in American History. I think Bill Kristol nailed it when he said the 2008 Presidential Race will break all the rules. There are so many elements that are a part of today's culture that were not even evident in 2004, when President Bush was reelected -- YouTube, cell-phone-only-homes, to name a few of them. Plus, the standard methods of surveying our society's preferences doens't even capture this, and yet the results are reported on CNN and other news networks and without introspection.
Wow.
This is the election where America will learn how wrong it is about itself.
O.J. Simpson Jailed On Trumped-Up Charges
Ok. I've tried to avoid the O.J. Simpson matter because I thought it would go away and the Las Vegas law authorities would figure that it was a set-up -- it has all the signs of that. But they've not done so, thus, I'm going to weigh in.
My view is that O.J. was set up by some totally loser characters that are involved in selling sports items of value, and who most likely stole the items from O.J. What really is bothersome is that the Las Vegas District Attorney's not really intelligent enough to see this matter for what it is, and avoid heaping on silly charges, but that's what's going on.
On top of that, many media outlets, including CNN, feel it's the story to cover -- at first I disagreed, but the actions of the Las Vegas District Attorney's Office have caused me to think this is now a story. O.J.'s past is being used against him without the actual admission of the Las Vegas authorities. It makes me wonder if there's really such a thing as justice in a post 9/11 America.
Now, the other person at fault in this whole deal is O.J, but it's not for any one of the 10 felony charges he's been hit with. It's for not calling the FBI if he thought there was a problem, and for hanging around the wrong people. Post the murder issue, it's hard to understand why O.J. would allow himself to wade back into the cesspool of public opinion, which is like mob rule in O.J.'s case.
I don't know what got into his head that he had to do an interview on that aspect of his past, as opposed to, say, his exploits as a record-setting running back with USC and in the NFL. It seems like spritually wading into those waters led to this punishment -- I do belive it's a weird act of God O.J.'s dealing with. Regardless of his guilt or innocence he should have left the whole matter alone.
Now, he's got a new set of issues. But if he believes and prays, he will prevail. I don't think he did anything wrong -- but I do think he's being thrown into a spritual test.
I agree with "A Girl In Shorts" -- I'm rooting for O.J. And since we both are, it blows all to hell the equally racist main stream media bent on asking if there's a racial divide -- the answer's no.
GO JUICE!
Let's see how he does.
At Rally, Hillary Clinton Refuses Autograph - Video
For some reason - and she's shown here doing it -- Senator Hillary Clinton passed on signing an autograph, saying, why don't I just shake your hand? And then proceeds, seemingly a bit piturbed over the whole deal, but still shaking hands. I've got to say that this is in direct contrast to Senator Obama, who signs books and papers given to him, though not on the spot. What the campaign does is instruct people to give them the books and they give them back after his walk.
Commissioner Goodell -- Remarks Before The Senate Commerce Committee
Commissioner Goodell -- Remarks Before The Senate Commerce Committee
09/18/2007
TESTIMONY OF ROGER GOODELL
COMMISSIONER
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
BEFORE THE
COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE AND TRANSPORTATION
UNITED STATES SENATE
September 18, 2007
Chairman Dorgan, Chairman Inouye, Vice-Chairman Stevens, and Members of the Committee:
Good morning and thank you for inviting me to appear today and testify on this important subject. I do not believe that this subject is, or should be, immune from Congressional scrutiny. To the contrary, the National Football League has always strived to conduct itself in the public interest, and to do everything in a first-class way. We can only benefit from objective, thoughtful reviews of our policies and programs. And so I welcome the opportunity to be with you today.
I am joined here today by Harold Henderson, our Executive Vice President of Player Programs, and Dennis Curran, our Senior Vice President and labor relations counsel. Both Mr. Henderson and Mr. Curran have been deeply involved for the past two decades in collective bargaining, including on player benefits, and in the administration of these benefit programs by the joint NFL-NFL Players Association Retirement Board.
I recently completed my first year as Commissioner of the NFL. During that year, I have spent a considerable amount of time with retired players and on the concerns raised by a number of them. And while I would candidly acknowledge that we have more work to do, I want to outline both the steps taken thus far, and the framework within which we are approaching this issue going forward.
In that context I should add that I cannot comment on the specifics of any individual case. In my role as Commissioner, I have not read the disability claims files, and I am not qualified to speak to the medical and legal issues raised in any individual case. Although I appoint one half of the Trustees on the Retirement Board, those Trustees act in a fiduciary capacity and I never discuss pending cases with them. Insofar as you may have questions regarding individual cases, I am certain that Mr. Henderson or Mr. Curran, or one of Mr. Upshaw’s colleagues, could respond better than I can today.
In considering the subject of benefits for retired players, I begin from a premise which I think no one seriously disputes – the men who played professional football decades ago deserve our respect and recognition, and their contributions to our game must never be overlooked. I honor them and their achievements and neither I nor the NFL clubs will turn our backs on them.
Second, while it might be tempting to say – as some have – that this is Gene Upshaw’s problem to solve, that is neither fair nor accurate. The responsibility for addressing the needs of retired players belongs to all of us. The retired players, the current players, the clubs, Gene as head of the Union, and I as the Commissioner – all of us have a role to play. We will continue to address this issue in a way that is compassionate, creative, and realistic.
Third, just as it would be wrong to say this is Gene Upshaw’s problem to solve, it would be wrong to say that the NFL can or should solve the problem by itself. While some may not believe this, the fact is that we cannot solve every problem of every type that has been identified, and certainly not in a way that will satisfy everyone. NFL clubs currently spend close to 60 percent of their gross revenues on player benefits and salaries. Our clubs contributed almost $150 million last year to finance medical, disability, and retirement benefits for former players, and during the term of our current collective bargaining agreement, we project that our clubs will spend more than $700 million to fund just this package of player benefits. Owners are responsibly addressing these concerns, but they are simply not in a position to absorb significant incremental costs.
In meetings with Committee and personal staff, our office and the NFLPA have provided you with a comprehensive summary of the benefits provided to retired players. Those benefits have steadily improved over time, and among the benefits available to a player who retires from the NFL today are all of the following:
n A defined benefit pension plan with a benefit that is geared only to years of service, not to the player’s earnings. If a player with ten years of service begins to receive his pension at age 55, he receives $56,000 per year; if he waits until age 65, he receives $147,000 per year. These amounts have grown steadily, and pension benefits have been increased in each new collective bargaining agreement over the past 15 years. For example, a player who retired 25 years ago – in 1982 – and who begins to receive his pension at age 55 has seen his pension benefit credit more than double since he retired as a result of increases agreed to in collective bargaining.
At a time when companies all over America – many of which are considerably larger than the NFL – have terminated their pension plans or turned them over to the federal pension guaranty board, we have both negotiated steady increases in our benefits, and agreed to apply those increases on a retroactive basis. In our most recent agreement in 2006, we agreed to increase pension obligations by more than $200 million. In the last ten years, we have increased those obligations by roughly $400 million – virtually all of which has been for the benefit of retired players. I think everyone would agree that this is a substantial additional commitment by our member clubs to former and current players.
n We also offer a 401(k) plan, in which player contributions are matched on a 2:1 basis by the clubs up to $20,000 per year. Players have access to these funds as early as age 45.
n A player annuity plan, under which eligible players receive an NFL contribution of $65,000 per year to provide transition income to players. They have access to these funds as early as age 35.
n Five years of post-career medical care and a health reimbursement account of up to $300,000 for use later in life.
n A lump sum severance benefit paid upon retirement from the NFL based on the number of seasons played.
We also, as the Committee knows, have a disability plan which offers a range of benefits, including Total & Permanent, Football degenerative, and “Line of Duty” benefits. We recently added another benefit, known as the “88 Plan,” which provides up to $88,000 per year for former players suffering from dementia, without requiring proof that the dementia is football related. For other categories of disability, the benefits range from $18,000 per year to $224,000 per year, depending on the nature and severity of the disability. These benefits are in addition to any state workers’ compensation. In addition, not all disability benefits are based on a complete inability to work.
Benefits available under the disability plan have also grown substantially over the past 15 years. An active player who qualifies for football-related Total & Permanent disability has seen his annual benefit increase from $48,000 in 1993 to $224,000 today. An active player whose Total & Permanent disability is not related to football has seen his annual benefit grow to $134,000. And former players with football-related “degenerative” disabilities have seen their annual benefit grow from $75,000 in 1993 to $110,000 today, without regard to whether they are able to work. These are annual amounts paid to the player as long as he remains disabled.
Our disability plan has a number of features that make it unique and superior to many other plans. I am told that most American workers have no employer-provided disability benefits. A report released last month by the Labor Department showed that barely 3 out of every 10 workers in the private sector have access to long term disability coverage. In certain sectors of the economy that might be perceived as higher risk, the rate of coverage is ever lower.
The NFL Plan covers all players with at least three seasons of experience (four years for players retiring before 1993) and provides for benefits even if the disability is not football-related. With as few as three years of NFL experience, a former player can receive benefits from the NFL disability plan even if his disability results from a car accident, a fall at home, or some other everyday cause. Moreover, eligible players can still apply for football degenerative benefits for up to 15 years after they retire from the NFL.
The NFL Plan provides for payment of disability benefits on a retroactive basis, so players are not prejudiced by delays in the application and administration process. A player who is approved will receive benefits retroactive to his date of application. If the disability precedes the application, the player can receive up to 42 months of benefits on a retroactive basis. And, finally, NFL disability benefits are not offset by medical or workers’ compensation payments, or any other NFL benefits, such as injury protection or severance pay. As the Committee knows, the workers’ compensation system provides lifetime medical and other benefits to players. NFL disability benefits are in addition to any payments received from those systems.
We believe these features, far from being exclusionary, demonstrate our commitment to providing fair and generous benefits to players and their families. And the record bears that out – since 2000, we have paid more than $110 million to players from the 1960s to the present who qualified for disability benefits.
Like you, I have heard concerns expressed about “red tape” and the complexity of the application process. We have taken recent steps to address that problem, and I think there is more we can do. One area of frustration is the Plan’s “Initial Claims Committee.” This arises out of new regulations adopted by the Labor Department in 2002. At the time these regulations were being considered, we filed comments with the Department noting that these regulations would likely have the effect of slowing down decisions on disability claims, and urged that they not be adopted. As we said at the time, because of the sometimes complex nature of disability decisions, including the need to have medical examinations completed by neutral physicians, and the reports analyzed within 45 days, the new rules “will only force faster denials.” The requirements imposed by the Labor Department have had the unintended consequence of making the application process longer and more complex, as our people feared at the time they were proposed.
In the future, we can look more closely at how we decide which cases need to be reconsidered. The statistics show that an overwhelming number of recipients are approved to continue their benefits, which rather strongly suggests that we may not need to review and reconsider cases as often as we have in the past. We have begun that process by reducing the frequency of medical re-evaluations from annually to once every three years for players receiving Total & Permanent disability payments.
When decisions need to be reconsidered at the Board level, we will begin making decisions outside of the Retirement Board’s quarterly meetings. Thus once an application is complete, or additional medical evaluations have been received, the Board can consider and vote on the application by fax or email. This simple change will allow more expedited processing of applications.
Finally, we have tried to ensure that the standards by which disability claims are evaluated are clear and understandable, and therefore more easily applied. As one example, decisions regarding “Line of Duty” disability, which is a partial disability arising from football, are based on standards developed by the American Medical Association. We also recently agreed to expand the standards for determining Total & Permanent disability by incorporating the medical findings of the Social Security Administration. If a player has been determined to be eligible for disability benefits by Social Security, no separate medical assessments will be needed. Instead, the determination of the Social Security Administration will govern the former player’s medical eligibility for NFL disability benefits. Our retirees have my personal commitment to continue the effort to identify and implement any reasonable procedural changes that would allow disability determinations to be made more quickly and reliably. To that end, we have enlisted the assistance of independent counsel and benefit consultants to advise us on best practices with respect to disability plans and to recommend steps we can take to improve the administration of the Plan.
This does not mean that every person who seeks disability benefits will, or should, receive them. That needs to be understood by all parties. Disability benefits are meant to assist people who cannot work, not simply that they can no longer play professional football. No disability plan, whether sponsored by a private insurer, by an employer, or by the Federal government, provides benefits to anyone who applies. And it does not mean that, even if approved, every applicant will receive the amount he requests. But we will continue to strive to do better, and to be seen as doing better.
I now want to address certain allegations about the manner in which decisions are made on disability applications. The administration of the disability plan is governed by federal law and by regulations established by federal agencies. The Plan operates as required under those regulations, including the use of an Initial Claims Committee, neutral physicians, and the associated time limits. The people who make decisions act as fiduciaries, who are obligated to follow the law and the terms of the Plan.
There are those who claim that disability applications are nonetheless denied as a result of some sort of grand labor-management conspiracy. This claim assumes that an extraordinary number of people – myself, my predecessor, Gene Upshaw, the Trustees, the Plan Administrator, the neutral doctors, Plan counsel, and their various staffs – have all agreed to deny benefits without regard to whether an applicant actually qualifies.
Those who adhere to this theory also dismiss that federal courts throughout the country have upheld the Retirement Board’s decisions in 24 of the 25 cases that have been litigated. The critics explain that away by saying that the standard of review is too deferential, ignoring that the standard is set by federal law, not by the NFL, and is consistently applied in reviewing decisions by benefit plan administrators and fiduciaries in all sectors of the American life.
But no matter how deferential the standard of review may be, no court would defer to a decision tainted by collusion or conspiracy. The simple reality is that no such claim has ever been proved and no court has ever made such a finding. These charges are as cynical as they are unfounded, and the Committee should not dignify them here.
There is one other myth about decision-making that should be dispelled – that being that many players are either denied benefits altogether, or forced to endure extraordinary delay, because the Union and management trustees routinely divide 3-3 on applications. There is no basis whatsoever for this suggestion. In fact, since the Initial Claims Committee was put into place in 2002, it has deadlocked on only six claims in a line-of-duty disability and only 32 cases of Total & Permanent Disability. Every other claim filed – almost 600 claims – was decided unanimously, one way or another.
Where claims are appealed to the Retirement Board, the same is true. The Board seldom splits in its votes. And even if there is a split in the Retirement Board, the case is referred to a neutral physician, called the Medical Advisory Physician. That doctor’s report is final and binding. That report decides the case – not the Union trustees or the Management Trustees.
Apart from addressing the workings of the disability plan, we have recently
taken some additional steps to address specific needs of former players.
Earlier this year, we joined with the NFL Players’ Association, the NFL Alumni Association, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame to establish an “Alliance” to bring together the different groups seeking to help retired players. As a first step, we have agreed to create a fund, set initially at $7 million, to fund two specific medical initiatives.
First, to provide full or partial funding of hip, knee or shoulder replacement surgery and related rehabilitation for former players at a network of leading hospitals throughout the country.
Second, to provide an expanded national program of cardiovascular risk screening, and education for former players.
Apart from these two programs, we are also exploring ways of providing support for players in need of assisted living arrangements, and other specific medical needs.
Finally, we are expanding our outreach efforts to better identify former players with special needs, so that our Alliance can provide financial assistance to those proud former players and their families who are sometimes hesitant to ask for assistance.
We recognize that this is not a short-term problem. Some of the leaders addressing this issue – former players like Jerry Kramer or Hall of Famers Willie Lanier and Merlin Olsen – have met with us and continue to do so. I am sure that together we have the resources, creativity and determination to make a real difference in the lives of our former players.
There are today approximately 8000 active and retired NFL Players. Like many groups of 8000 people, their circumstances vary widely. We are proud of the comprehensive and improving package of benefits provided to players, and we will continue working to do as much as possible to help those in need.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify before your Committee today.
09/18/2007
TESTIMONY OF ROGER GOODELL
COMMISSIONER
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
BEFORE THE
COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE AND TRANSPORTATION
UNITED STATES SENATE
September 18, 2007
Chairman Dorgan, Chairman Inouye, Vice-Chairman Stevens, and Members of the Committee:
Good morning and thank you for inviting me to appear today and testify on this important subject. I do not believe that this subject is, or should be, immune from Congressional scrutiny. To the contrary, the National Football League has always strived to conduct itself in the public interest, and to do everything in a first-class way. We can only benefit from objective, thoughtful reviews of our policies and programs. And so I welcome the opportunity to be with you today.
I am joined here today by Harold Henderson, our Executive Vice President of Player Programs, and Dennis Curran, our Senior Vice President and labor relations counsel. Both Mr. Henderson and Mr. Curran have been deeply involved for the past two decades in collective bargaining, including on player benefits, and in the administration of these benefit programs by the joint NFL-NFL Players Association Retirement Board.
I recently completed my first year as Commissioner of the NFL. During that year, I have spent a considerable amount of time with retired players and on the concerns raised by a number of them. And while I would candidly acknowledge that we have more work to do, I want to outline both the steps taken thus far, and the framework within which we are approaching this issue going forward.
In that context I should add that I cannot comment on the specifics of any individual case. In my role as Commissioner, I have not read the disability claims files, and I am not qualified to speak to the medical and legal issues raised in any individual case. Although I appoint one half of the Trustees on the Retirement Board, those Trustees act in a fiduciary capacity and I never discuss pending cases with them. Insofar as you may have questions regarding individual cases, I am certain that Mr. Henderson or Mr. Curran, or one of Mr. Upshaw’s colleagues, could respond better than I can today.
In considering the subject of benefits for retired players, I begin from a premise which I think no one seriously disputes – the men who played professional football decades ago deserve our respect and recognition, and their contributions to our game must never be overlooked. I honor them and their achievements and neither I nor the NFL clubs will turn our backs on them.
Second, while it might be tempting to say – as some have – that this is Gene Upshaw’s problem to solve, that is neither fair nor accurate. The responsibility for addressing the needs of retired players belongs to all of us. The retired players, the current players, the clubs, Gene as head of the Union, and I as the Commissioner – all of us have a role to play. We will continue to address this issue in a way that is compassionate, creative, and realistic.
Third, just as it would be wrong to say this is Gene Upshaw’s problem to solve, it would be wrong to say that the NFL can or should solve the problem by itself. While some may not believe this, the fact is that we cannot solve every problem of every type that has been identified, and certainly not in a way that will satisfy everyone. NFL clubs currently spend close to 60 percent of their gross revenues on player benefits and salaries. Our clubs contributed almost $150 million last year to finance medical, disability, and retirement benefits for former players, and during the term of our current collective bargaining agreement, we project that our clubs will spend more than $700 million to fund just this package of player benefits. Owners are responsibly addressing these concerns, but they are simply not in a position to absorb significant incremental costs.
In meetings with Committee and personal staff, our office and the NFLPA have provided you with a comprehensive summary of the benefits provided to retired players. Those benefits have steadily improved over time, and among the benefits available to a player who retires from the NFL today are all of the following:
n A defined benefit pension plan with a benefit that is geared only to years of service, not to the player’s earnings. If a player with ten years of service begins to receive his pension at age 55, he receives $56,000 per year; if he waits until age 65, he receives $147,000 per year. These amounts have grown steadily, and pension benefits have been increased in each new collective bargaining agreement over the past 15 years. For example, a player who retired 25 years ago – in 1982 – and who begins to receive his pension at age 55 has seen his pension benefit credit more than double since he retired as a result of increases agreed to in collective bargaining.
At a time when companies all over America – many of which are considerably larger than the NFL – have terminated their pension plans or turned them over to the federal pension guaranty board, we have both negotiated steady increases in our benefits, and agreed to apply those increases on a retroactive basis. In our most recent agreement in 2006, we agreed to increase pension obligations by more than $200 million. In the last ten years, we have increased those obligations by roughly $400 million – virtually all of which has been for the benefit of retired players. I think everyone would agree that this is a substantial additional commitment by our member clubs to former and current players.
n We also offer a 401(k) plan, in which player contributions are matched on a 2:1 basis by the clubs up to $20,000 per year. Players have access to these funds as early as age 45.
n A player annuity plan, under which eligible players receive an NFL contribution of $65,000 per year to provide transition income to players. They have access to these funds as early as age 35.
n Five years of post-career medical care and a health reimbursement account of up to $300,000 for use later in life.
n A lump sum severance benefit paid upon retirement from the NFL based on the number of seasons played.
We also, as the Committee knows, have a disability plan which offers a range of benefits, including Total & Permanent, Football degenerative, and “Line of Duty” benefits. We recently added another benefit, known as the “88 Plan,” which provides up to $88,000 per year for former players suffering from dementia, without requiring proof that the dementia is football related. For other categories of disability, the benefits range from $18,000 per year to $224,000 per year, depending on the nature and severity of the disability. These benefits are in addition to any state workers’ compensation. In addition, not all disability benefits are based on a complete inability to work.
Benefits available under the disability plan have also grown substantially over the past 15 years. An active player who qualifies for football-related Total & Permanent disability has seen his annual benefit increase from $48,000 in 1993 to $224,000 today. An active player whose Total & Permanent disability is not related to football has seen his annual benefit grow to $134,000. And former players with football-related “degenerative” disabilities have seen their annual benefit grow from $75,000 in 1993 to $110,000 today, without regard to whether they are able to work. These are annual amounts paid to the player as long as he remains disabled.
Our disability plan has a number of features that make it unique and superior to many other plans. I am told that most American workers have no employer-provided disability benefits. A report released last month by the Labor Department showed that barely 3 out of every 10 workers in the private sector have access to long term disability coverage. In certain sectors of the economy that might be perceived as higher risk, the rate of coverage is ever lower.
The NFL Plan covers all players with at least three seasons of experience (four years for players retiring before 1993) and provides for benefits even if the disability is not football-related. With as few as three years of NFL experience, a former player can receive benefits from the NFL disability plan even if his disability results from a car accident, a fall at home, or some other everyday cause. Moreover, eligible players can still apply for football degenerative benefits for up to 15 years after they retire from the NFL.
The NFL Plan provides for payment of disability benefits on a retroactive basis, so players are not prejudiced by delays in the application and administration process. A player who is approved will receive benefits retroactive to his date of application. If the disability precedes the application, the player can receive up to 42 months of benefits on a retroactive basis. And, finally, NFL disability benefits are not offset by medical or workers’ compensation payments, or any other NFL benefits, such as injury protection or severance pay. As the Committee knows, the workers’ compensation system provides lifetime medical and other benefits to players. NFL disability benefits are in addition to any payments received from those systems.
We believe these features, far from being exclusionary, demonstrate our commitment to providing fair and generous benefits to players and their families. And the record bears that out – since 2000, we have paid more than $110 million to players from the 1960s to the present who qualified for disability benefits.
Like you, I have heard concerns expressed about “red tape” and the complexity of the application process. We have taken recent steps to address that problem, and I think there is more we can do. One area of frustration is the Plan’s “Initial Claims Committee.” This arises out of new regulations adopted by the Labor Department in 2002. At the time these regulations were being considered, we filed comments with the Department noting that these regulations would likely have the effect of slowing down decisions on disability claims, and urged that they not be adopted. As we said at the time, because of the sometimes complex nature of disability decisions, including the need to have medical examinations completed by neutral physicians, and the reports analyzed within 45 days, the new rules “will only force faster denials.” The requirements imposed by the Labor Department have had the unintended consequence of making the application process longer and more complex, as our people feared at the time they were proposed.
In the future, we can look more closely at how we decide which cases need to be reconsidered. The statistics show that an overwhelming number of recipients are approved to continue their benefits, which rather strongly suggests that we may not need to review and reconsider cases as often as we have in the past. We have begun that process by reducing the frequency of medical re-evaluations from annually to once every three years for players receiving Total & Permanent disability payments.
When decisions need to be reconsidered at the Board level, we will begin making decisions outside of the Retirement Board’s quarterly meetings. Thus once an application is complete, or additional medical evaluations have been received, the Board can consider and vote on the application by fax or email. This simple change will allow more expedited processing of applications.
Finally, we have tried to ensure that the standards by which disability claims are evaluated are clear and understandable, and therefore more easily applied. As one example, decisions regarding “Line of Duty” disability, which is a partial disability arising from football, are based on standards developed by the American Medical Association. We also recently agreed to expand the standards for determining Total & Permanent disability by incorporating the medical findings of the Social Security Administration. If a player has been determined to be eligible for disability benefits by Social Security, no separate medical assessments will be needed. Instead, the determination of the Social Security Administration will govern the former player’s medical eligibility for NFL disability benefits. Our retirees have my personal commitment to continue the effort to identify and implement any reasonable procedural changes that would allow disability determinations to be made more quickly and reliably. To that end, we have enlisted the assistance of independent counsel and benefit consultants to advise us on best practices with respect to disability plans and to recommend steps we can take to improve the administration of the Plan.
This does not mean that every person who seeks disability benefits will, or should, receive them. That needs to be understood by all parties. Disability benefits are meant to assist people who cannot work, not simply that they can no longer play professional football. No disability plan, whether sponsored by a private insurer, by an employer, or by the Federal government, provides benefits to anyone who applies. And it does not mean that, even if approved, every applicant will receive the amount he requests. But we will continue to strive to do better, and to be seen as doing better.
I now want to address certain allegations about the manner in which decisions are made on disability applications. The administration of the disability plan is governed by federal law and by regulations established by federal agencies. The Plan operates as required under those regulations, including the use of an Initial Claims Committee, neutral physicians, and the associated time limits. The people who make decisions act as fiduciaries, who are obligated to follow the law and the terms of the Plan.
There are those who claim that disability applications are nonetheless denied as a result of some sort of grand labor-management conspiracy. This claim assumes that an extraordinary number of people – myself, my predecessor, Gene Upshaw, the Trustees, the Plan Administrator, the neutral doctors, Plan counsel, and their various staffs – have all agreed to deny benefits without regard to whether an applicant actually qualifies.
Those who adhere to this theory also dismiss that federal courts throughout the country have upheld the Retirement Board’s decisions in 24 of the 25 cases that have been litigated. The critics explain that away by saying that the standard of review is too deferential, ignoring that the standard is set by federal law, not by the NFL, and is consistently applied in reviewing decisions by benefit plan administrators and fiduciaries in all sectors of the American life.
But no matter how deferential the standard of review may be, no court would defer to a decision tainted by collusion or conspiracy. The simple reality is that no such claim has ever been proved and no court has ever made such a finding. These charges are as cynical as they are unfounded, and the Committee should not dignify them here.
There is one other myth about decision-making that should be dispelled – that being that many players are either denied benefits altogether, or forced to endure extraordinary delay, because the Union and management trustees routinely divide 3-3 on applications. There is no basis whatsoever for this suggestion. In fact, since the Initial Claims Committee was put into place in 2002, it has deadlocked on only six claims in a line-of-duty disability and only 32 cases of Total & Permanent Disability. Every other claim filed – almost 600 claims – was decided unanimously, one way or another.
Where claims are appealed to the Retirement Board, the same is true. The Board seldom splits in its votes. And even if there is a split in the Retirement Board, the case is referred to a neutral physician, called the Medical Advisory Physician. That doctor’s report is final and binding. That report decides the case – not the Union trustees or the Management Trustees.
Apart from addressing the workings of the disability plan, we have recently
taken some additional steps to address specific needs of former players.
Earlier this year, we joined with the NFL Players’ Association, the NFL Alumni Association, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame to establish an “Alliance” to bring together the different groups seeking to help retired players. As a first step, we have agreed to create a fund, set initially at $7 million, to fund two specific medical initiatives.
First, to provide full or partial funding of hip, knee or shoulder replacement surgery and related rehabilitation for former players at a network of leading hospitals throughout the country.
Second, to provide an expanded national program of cardiovascular risk screening, and education for former players.
Apart from these two programs, we are also exploring ways of providing support for players in need of assisted living arrangements, and other specific medical needs.
Finally, we are expanding our outreach efforts to better identify former players with special needs, so that our Alliance can provide financial assistance to those proud former players and their families who are sometimes hesitant to ask for assistance.
We recognize that this is not a short-term problem. Some of the leaders addressing this issue – former players like Jerry Kramer or Hall of Famers Willie Lanier and Merlin Olsen – have met with us and continue to do so. I am sure that together we have the resources, creativity and determination to make a real difference in the lives of our former players.
There are today approximately 8000 active and retired NFL Players. Like many groups of 8000 people, their circumstances vary widely. We are proud of the comprehensive and improving package of benefits provided to players, and we will continue working to do as much as possible to help those in need.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify before your Committee today.
Maddison Gabriel - !3-Year-Old Picked As Aussie Fashion Week Model
Well, she's tall -- 5 feet, seven inches to be exact -- and blonde, and a model. So she's supposed to be in the running to be picked as the model for Australia's Fashion Week, right?
Well, she's 13. Yep. 13.
And because of this, in my view, she's too young. Look, this digital instant image culture has created a market for an image like that of Maddison Gabriel, but in the process it's robbing young women of their youth. It's time to put on some breaks and install some basic restraint. Pick an 18-year old, who's an adult. Let Madison be a kid -- which is what a 13-year old is -- a little longer.
I mean, come on. She looks like she's 13! What were they thinking? Well, this is going to be an interesting story, no doubt.
Republicans Can Vote For Obama In Open Primary States
Want to vote for Barack Obama because you don't like Clinton? But -- what's that you say? You're a Republican? Well, that's ok. You too can vote for Barack Obama if you live in the following states:
Alabama
Arkansas
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Indiana
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
North Dakota
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin
That's a lot of states! So if you want real change -- and many Republicans like Barack Obama -- vote for him in your state's open primary!
Alabama
Arkansas
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Indiana
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
North Dakota
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin
That's a lot of states! So if you want real change -- and many Republicans like Barack Obama -- vote for him in your state's open primary!
Len Pasqurelli Says Redskins Jason Campbell Has Arrived - Beat Phili
And I agree. I didn't see the game, but I've long believed that Campbell would grow into the position and be not just the Redskins leader, but one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.
Remember, he came out in the same draft at Alex Smith and Aaron Rogers, yet wasn't even considered as good as those two. He was drafted in the first round, but his selection was virtually ignored by many.
Watch out for Campbell.
Remember, he came out in the same draft at Alex Smith and Aaron Rogers, yet wasn't even considered as good as those two. He was drafted in the first round, but his selection was virtually ignored by many.
Watch out for Campbell.
GOP Avoidance of Debate Before Black Audience Shows Mental Illness Called Racism
Look, there's no other way to describe the relutance of the top GOP Presidential candidates to participate in a debate before a mostly Black audience.
Thompson, Giuliani, Romney, and McCain are exhibiting a kind of mental illness we call racism. What the reason for this is, I don't know. But then racism never makes logic, so to expect logic in this case is not logical.
Thompson, Giuliani, Romney, and McCain are exhibiting a kind of mental illness we call racism. What the reason for this is, I don't know. But then racism never makes logic, so to expect logic in this case is not logical.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Goodell with Costas: if more"Illegalities" come to light, the penalty will be higher!
Those of us who got home from th Giants Vs.Packers excuse for an NFL game got to relax with "Football night in America." We had the Pleasure of watching Bob Costas interview Mr. Goodell. He spoke eloquently for most of a quarter of an hour about crime and punishment. Not about Mike Vick or Tank Johnson or even David Boston, But about a Coach who had been caught stealing signals from the sidelines of opposing teams via video camera, and an assistant Coach who was found guilty of using a controlled substance. Both men were fined, but was the punishment just in both cases?
I'm not saying if both men deserved to be punished, i'm asking if both punishments were leveled correctly....
Coach Belachick earned a 500,000 personal fine. Thats like hitting me with a $.25 fine for spitting. His salary is around 8 million dollars a year. So 500K comes out to about 6.25% of his yearly salary. This is just punishment?? He SHOULD be suspended for the remainder of the season, as well as the Team losing BOTH First round draft picks! Why? Because he cheated, and it shouldn't be tolerated. On to Coach Wade Wilson, the Cowboys QB coach.
he claimed he took Steroids for his Diabetic condition"to improve the Quality of his life." While i can relate to that being a diabetic myself, if you are in a job that has certain rules about what you can and can not take medically. weather you are a coach or player, you have to follow those rules. Ok, so Coach Wilson took HGH(probably to improve the Quality of his "adult" functions), and was caught. He agreed to cooperate with the legal investigation.
Sure, he should be punished, but should that punishment be almost one third of his 325K a year salary?? Because his actions were criminal, but did not Hurt another person(meaning Not Punitive in nature) just maybe $100.000 is a bit excessive here....I barely Make 1/6th of Coach Wilson's Salary, and if you took away one third of that I'd throw a royal fit. Wade Wilson has a right to question the punishment leveled at him, but not weather he should be punished.
If the Head Coach of a professional Football team needs to "collect" Data on other Coaches' signals,..it's time for him to get out of the game. If I were Patriots owner Bob Kraft, knowing that he is the Orthodox Jewish man that he is, I would simply terminate the Coach and Hire someone else 10 minutes ago!
I'm not saying if both men deserved to be punished, i'm asking if both punishments were leveled correctly....
Coach Belachick earned a 500,000 personal fine. Thats like hitting me with a $.25 fine for spitting. His salary is around 8 million dollars a year. So 500K comes out to about 6.25% of his yearly salary. This is just punishment?? He SHOULD be suspended for the remainder of the season, as well as the Team losing BOTH First round draft picks! Why? Because he cheated, and it shouldn't be tolerated. On to Coach Wade Wilson, the Cowboys QB coach.
he claimed he took Steroids for his Diabetic condition"to improve the Quality of his life." While i can relate to that being a diabetic myself, if you are in a job that has certain rules about what you can and can not take medically. weather you are a coach or player, you have to follow those rules. Ok, so Coach Wilson took HGH(probably to improve the Quality of his "adult" functions), and was caught. He agreed to cooperate with the legal investigation.
Sure, he should be punished, but should that punishment be almost one third of his 325K a year salary?? Because his actions were criminal, but did not Hurt another person(meaning Not Punitive in nature) just maybe $100.000 is a bit excessive here....I barely Make 1/6th of Coach Wilson's Salary, and if you took away one third of that I'd throw a royal fit. Wade Wilson has a right to question the punishment leveled at him, but not weather he should be punished.
If the Head Coach of a professional Football team needs to "collect" Data on other Coaches' signals,..it's time for him to get out of the game. If I were Patriots owner Bob Kraft, knowing that he is the Orthodox Jewish man that he is, I would simply terminate the Coach and Hire someone else 10 minutes ago!
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Video - MoveOn.Org Accuses President Bush Of Betrayal Of Trust
This video's the latest missile MoveOn.org has fired at the Bush Administration regarding the Iraq War.
Friday, September 14, 2007
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