In a unanimous show of support, the City of Oakland's Oakland City Council Public Works Committee voted to support the AC Transit Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project.
The Public Works Committee, which consists of Councilmembers Nancy Nadel (District 3 - West Oakland, Downtown), Rebecca Kaplan (At-Large), Desley Brooks (District 6 - Central East Oakland) and Patricia Kernighan (District 2 - Grand Lake, San Antonio)
Rocky Fernandez, President of the AC Transit Board of Directors, said:
"We really need to think big about transporting people around in this area. Not just now, not just tomorrow, but well into the 21st century. This is a project that is highly recommended by the Federal Transit Administration for the benefits it provides to taxpayers and future taxpayers. I want to assure everybody that we definitely are listening to riders and groups within the community about moving forward on this project."
According to AC Transit, the service should be ready in 2013 and "fully implemented" by 2015.
Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan said that, "overall I think this is a great project." That's true.
The AC Transit Bus Rapid Transit project is on its way to the full Oakland City Council. All this blogger asks is for AC Transit to keep the "Epic Beard Man" and that guy he was sparring with, off it.
Stay tuned.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
NFL Draft: Brandon Marshall trade has focus on Dez Bryant
The trade of Wide Receiver Brandon Marshall from the Denver Broncos to the Miami Dolphins has eye falling on top-rated Oklahoma State Wide Receiver Dez Bryant at the 2010 NFL Draft. But regarding Dez Bryant, this blogger has to get one thing out of the way.
Daniel Wolf of The Bleacher Report wrote: "Obviously, the Dolphins are out of the equation, but what I want to know is will the Broncos take a chance on Bryant, who has rumored character concerns?"
That was not correct and all Daniel Wolf had to do was use Google to find out. Dez Bryant does not have "character concerns", what this near-Brandon Marshall clone has is an involvement with NFL legend Deion Sanders that the NCAA believed violated their rules.
But that's light-years from the common word association with the term "character concerns." Dez Bryant didn't rob a bank or sell drugs. No. What Dez Bryant did was lie about his association with Deion Sanders and not telling the truth is an NCAA no-no. But Dez Bryant did apologize for that, too.
But the near-Brandon Marshall clone not a character problem any more than Brandon Marshall was, or in the way we have been conditioned to think. No sense in re-conditioning the culture now. Any NFL team that passes on Dez Bryant for this issue has a player personnel director who should be fired.
And that's why this corner thinks The Oakland Raiders should take Dez Bryant with their 1st round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. That's far from saying the Raiders will, but consider the Raiders lost Javon Walker, who they released, and with the disappointing start of now-second-year Wide Receiver Darius Heywood-Bey, the Raiders need a true deep threat wide receiver.
Dez Bryant may fall in the NFL Draft, but if he does it will be because of a lackluster pro day performance, not his character. A person can have good character and still have a bad pro day.
Stay tuned.
Daniel Wolf of The Bleacher Report wrote: "Obviously, the Dolphins are out of the equation, but what I want to know is will the Broncos take a chance on Bryant, who has rumored character concerns?"
That was not correct and all Daniel Wolf had to do was use Google to find out. Dez Bryant does not have "character concerns", what this near-Brandon Marshall clone has is an involvement with NFL legend Deion Sanders that the NCAA believed violated their rules.
But that's light-years from the common word association with the term "character concerns." Dez Bryant didn't rob a bank or sell drugs. No. What Dez Bryant did was lie about his association with Deion Sanders and not telling the truth is an NCAA no-no. But Dez Bryant did apologize for that, too.
But the near-Brandon Marshall clone not a character problem any more than Brandon Marshall was, or in the way we have been conditioned to think. No sense in re-conditioning the culture now. Any NFL team that passes on Dez Bryant for this issue has a player personnel director who should be fired.
And that's why this corner thinks The Oakland Raiders should take Dez Bryant with their 1st round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. That's far from saying the Raiders will, but consider the Raiders lost Javon Walker, who they released, and with the disappointing start of now-second-year Wide Receiver Darius Heywood-Bey, the Raiders need a true deep threat wide receiver.
Dez Bryant may fall in the NFL Draft, but if he does it will be because of a lackluster pro day performance, not his character. A person can have good character and still have a bad pro day.
Stay tuned.
Brandon Marshall trade from Broncos to Miami Dolphins has Twitter abuzz
See: brandon marshall, miami dolphins, twitter tweets,
That NFL Wide Receiver Brandon Marshall's one of the NFL's most effective pass catchers when he get the ball is not lost on the general public, at least if Twitter is any read. As of this writing, Brandon Marshall is a top trend on Twitter.
The announced trade of Brandon Marshall from the Denver Broncos to the Miami Dolphins for the Dolphine 2nd round pick in the 2010 and 2011 NFL Draft has Twitter tweets claiming the "Fins" got the steal of the year, and some wondering why other NFL teams, like the San Francisco 49ers, didn't try to get Marshall.
But before this mornings news, it seemed Brandon Marshall was off to become a Seattle Seahawk and not a Dolphin. Seahawks Head Coach Pete Carroll must be thinking this certainly isn't USC, where trades and backdoor deals were not part of the college landscape. Obviously, whatever the Seahawks were offerings, cheap though it may have been, it didn't match what the Miami D Dolphins offered Denver.
Interestingly, The 12th Man Rising blog, reports that Denver wanted one of Seattle's two picks in the 1st round of the 2010 NFL Draft - not happening. But that Denver was willing to part with their star wide receiver says a lot about Denver Broncos Head Coach Josh McDaniel's ability to really connect with strong personalities, be it Marshall or Defensive Coordinator Mike Nolan. He's got to work on that, or he's going to fail as an NFL head coach.
Stay tuned.
That NFL Wide Receiver Brandon Marshall's one of the NFL's most effective pass catchers when he get the ball is not lost on the general public, at least if Twitter is any read. As of this writing, Brandon Marshall is a top trend on Twitter.
The announced trade of Brandon Marshall from the Denver Broncos to the Miami Dolphins for the Dolphine 2nd round pick in the 2010 and 2011 NFL Draft has Twitter tweets claiming the "Fins" got the steal of the year, and some wondering why other NFL teams, like the San Francisco 49ers, didn't try to get Marshall.
NuFlavaent Steal of the year Broncos trade Brandon Marshall to Dolphins for 2010 & 2011 2nd rd picks..
35 minutes ago from UberTwitter
MoesesSoulright RT @streetcredceo: RT @BoxKev: Brandon Marshall to the Dolphins for a 2nd Round Pick??? THATS IT! Come on Niners! You make me wanna cry sometimes
36 minutes ago from UberTwitter
centerofsports Sports Update!!, Scouts Inc.: Marshall just what Fins needed - http://tinyurl.com/y65jjl8
36 minutes ago from WordTwit
But before this mornings news, it seemed Brandon Marshall was off to become a Seattle Seahawk and not a Dolphin. Seahawks Head Coach Pete Carroll must be thinking this certainly isn't USC, where trades and backdoor deals were not part of the college landscape. Obviously, whatever the Seahawks were offerings, cheap though it may have been, it didn't match what the Miami D Dolphins offered Denver.
Interestingly, The 12th Man Rising blog, reports that Denver wanted one of Seattle's two picks in the 1st round of the 2010 NFL Draft - not happening. But that Denver was willing to part with their star wide receiver says a lot about Denver Broncos Head Coach Josh McDaniel's ability to really connect with strong personalities, be it Marshall or Defensive Coordinator Mike Nolan. He's got to work on that, or he's going to fail as an NFL head coach.
Stay tuned.
Donovan McNabb and Terrell Owens reunited at Washington Redskins?
See: donovan mcnabb, terell owens, washington redskins, philadelphia eagles, stephen a smith
Will Donovan McNabb be reunited with Terrell Owens at the Washington Redskins? Right now, given that at least McNabb is there, having been the focus of a trade from his old home with the Philadelphia Eagles, you can't rule out the idea. But first, some history.
For those of you who don't know this, Donovan McNabb and Terrell Owens played together in Philadelphia and lead the Eagles to Super Bowl XXXIX in Jacksonville, Florida (The very same Super Bowl this blogger tried to land for Oakland.), where they lost to The New England Patriots.
The next season, the McNabb / Owens friendship unraveled as a then-less-mature T.O. blamed Eagles losses on McNabb not getting the ball to him and publicly dressed McNabb down during a game that year. Eventually, and dramatically, T.O. was sent packing.
Since that time McNabb and Owens have made up - but to the extent of being reunited? That's a good question.
For the present, a McNabb / T.O. pairing exists only in the head of sports writer and media commentator Stephen A. Smith. Smith issued the idea from his Twitter page @stephenasmith via this tweet from Pennsauken NJ 08110 USA:
Given the Redskins need more playmakers on offense, it's a good idea. It would also sell tickets. But practically, the Washington Redskins would certainly have more proven all-pros on their offense if they were to get Terrell Owens. The idea that Terrell's a locker room cancer is overblown, and his pass catching production in Buffalo did not decrease. Overall, this corner thinks it's a good idea.
But this corner also loves polls and this is a great chance to do one! What do you think? Take the poll below:
run your own opinion survey on pollsb.com
Will Donovan McNabb be reunited with Terrell Owens at the Washington Redskins? Right now, given that at least McNabb is there, having been the focus of a trade from his old home with the Philadelphia Eagles, you can't rule out the idea. But first, some history.
For those of you who don't know this, Donovan McNabb and Terrell Owens played together in Philadelphia and lead the Eagles to Super Bowl XXXIX in Jacksonville, Florida (The very same Super Bowl this blogger tried to land for Oakland.), where they lost to The New England Patriots.
The next season, the McNabb / Owens friendship unraveled as a then-less-mature T.O. blamed Eagles losses on McNabb not getting the ball to him and publicly dressed McNabb down during a game that year. Eventually, and dramatically, T.O. was sent packing.
Since that time McNabb and Owens have made up - but to the extent of being reunited? That's a good question.
For the present, a McNabb / T.O. pairing exists only in the head of sports writer and media commentator Stephen A. Smith. Smith issued the idea from his Twitter page @stephenasmith via this tweet from Pennsauken NJ 08110 USA:
I'm starting a movement on the Stephen A. Smith Show right now: McNabb and T.O. need to be REUNITED in Washington D.C. Yeah, I said it :-)
about 2 hours ago via web
Given the Redskins need more playmakers on offense, it's a good idea. It would also sell tickets. But practically, the Washington Redskins would certainly have more proven all-pros on their offense if they were to get Terrell Owens. The idea that Terrell's a locker room cancer is overblown, and his pass catching production in Buffalo did not decrease. Overall, this corner thinks it's a good idea.
But this corner also loves polls and this is a great chance to do one! What do you think? Take the poll below:
run your own opinion survey on pollsb.com
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Obama and Democrats beat the Tea Party Movement in Florida
See: tea party movement, democrats v republicans, florida special election, palm beach county
As this blogger wrote earlier in the week, the Tea Party Movement is a media creation with little real bite, but who's life is consistently maintained by a drum beat of stories by Fox News and CNN. Neither cable network will tell you when a Democrat beats a Tea Party-assisted candidate, and that's what happened Tuesday night.
But the real story is one that's to be expected: one of demographics. It's not enough to be a Democrat or a Republican, the candidate has to match the people voting for that person. Ted Deutch did; Ed Lynch didn't.
Democrat Ted Deutch soundly beat Republican Ed Lynch in the 19th Congressional District special election in Broward County, Florida. It was Ed Lynch, 44, who ran on the idea that Washington was "broken" and the "Career politicians" couldn't fit it. Moreover, The Tea Party pointed to this election as one to get behind.
The blog Red County blog entry headline on April 11th read "TEA Party Working for Ed Lynch for Congress in Florida's 19th District" and Dr. Richard Swier, the blog author wrote "Tow the conservative line or else may be the message sent if TEA Party favorite Edward Lynch wins this special election."
So what's the message sent now?
The message is that the Tea Party Movement isn't strong enough to turn an unknown Republican candidate in a district that had 65 percent of its voters back Barack Obama for President, and is replacing a very popular democrat in Rep. Robert Wexler.
Moreover, the 19th Congressional District of Florida has a strong Jewish population. According to the Sun Sentinel, Ted Deutch was firmly behind Jewish causes and lives just west of Boca Raton which is part of Palm Beach County and that's 70 percent of the voting base. Ted Deutch is a lawyer; Ed Lynch is a contractor.
Ed Lynch was outspent and outnumbered. 10,000 Tea Party Movement phone calls didn't help. And where was the anger over the Obama Health Care plan? It never showed up. Ed Lynch was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
This not just proves that the Tea Party Movement is overblown, but that you have to pay attention to election demographics.
Stay tuned.
As this blogger wrote earlier in the week, the Tea Party Movement is a media creation with little real bite, but who's life is consistently maintained by a drum beat of stories by Fox News and CNN. Neither cable network will tell you when a Democrat beats a Tea Party-assisted candidate, and that's what happened Tuesday night.
But the real story is one that's to be expected: one of demographics. It's not enough to be a Democrat or a Republican, the candidate has to match the people voting for that person. Ted Deutch did; Ed Lynch didn't.
Democrat Ted Deutch soundly beat Republican Ed Lynch in the 19th Congressional District special election in Broward County, Florida. It was Ed Lynch, 44, who ran on the idea that Washington was "broken" and the "Career politicians" couldn't fit it. Moreover, The Tea Party pointed to this election as one to get behind.
The blog Red County blog entry headline on April 11th read "TEA Party Working for Ed Lynch for Congress in Florida's 19th District" and Dr. Richard Swier, the blog author wrote "Tow the conservative line or else may be the message sent if TEA Party favorite Edward Lynch wins this special election."
So what's the message sent now?
The message is that the Tea Party Movement isn't strong enough to turn an unknown Republican candidate in a district that had 65 percent of its voters back Barack Obama for President, and is replacing a very popular democrat in Rep. Robert Wexler.
Moreover, the 19th Congressional District of Florida has a strong Jewish population. According to the Sun Sentinel, Ted Deutch was firmly behind Jewish causes and lives just west of Boca Raton which is part of Palm Beach County and that's 70 percent of the voting base. Ted Deutch is a lawyer; Ed Lynch is a contractor.
Ed Lynch was outspent and outnumbered. 10,000 Tea Party Movement phone calls didn't help. And where was the anger over the Obama Health Care plan? It never showed up. Ed Lynch was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
This not just proves that the Tea Party Movement is overblown, but that you have to pay attention to election demographics.
Stay tuned.
Jerry Brown investigates Sarah Palin speaking event at CSU Stanislaus
 |
| Sarah Palin |
"This is not about Sarah Palin. She has every right to speak at a university event, and schools should strive to bring to campus a broad range of speakers. The issues are public disclosure and financial accountability in organizations embedded in state-run universities. We're not saying any allegation is true, but we owe it to the taxpayers to thoroughly check out every serious allegation."
Jerry Brown
The Sarah Palin speaking engagement controversy started when Cal State University students found a shredded copy of the five-page speaking contract issued to Palin in a dumpster, according to The San Francisco Chronicle. California State Senator Leland Yee's inquiries into what CSU Stanislaus was fiscally up to were resisted and Yee learned that CSU Stanislaus hid an email about Sarah Palin's speech, so he asked Brown to step in.
The contract, which ABC News posted and you can download with a click here > SARAH PALIN CONTRACT) is with the Washington Speakers Bureau.
Sarah Palin is signed exclusively with the Washington Speakers Bureau, which reports that it is "connecting with the World's greatest minds." Her profile reads about what one would expect: Governor of Alaska (2006-2009) and 2008 Republican Vice-Presidential Nominee. It also reports that her fees - which have gained her an estimated $12 million since July 2009 - vary with travel distance. But this quote could not be passed up:
Palin is a fearless, resilient and independent voice who stands firm by the principles and values for which she holds dear. Whether working to protect taxpayers from wasteful spending or advancing the cause of special-needs children, Palin speaks passionately on her experiences confronting the issues of our time.
Does that include wasteful spending by the taxpayer supported CSU Stanislaus?
Stay tuned.
NFL Draft: Dillon Baxter future NFL star to watch at USC
See: Baxter future nfl draft, usc spring scrimmage, dillon baxter, reggie bush, marcus allen.
Dillon Baxter's a name you've never heard of until now. The USC freshman and former Mission Bay High quarterback has the Internet abuzz with his play at USC's spring intersquad scrimmage, putting on what the LA Times called "a show" and getting the attention of NFL scouts four years (OK, perhaps three years) before he's eligible for the NFL Draft.
Dillon Baxter's 50-yard run has a USC observers mentioning him in the same name as Heisman Trophy winners Reggie Bush and Marcus Allen. In the video below, the 6-foot 199 pound Dillon's run happens at the 51 second mark:
Dillon Baxter's run is not funny. Baxter's stupid fast. In fact, Baxter may be faster than Reggie Bush was at USC; that's just by observation. Cal Football fans Dillon Baxter must be stopped.
Aside from Dillon Baxter's play, the video also has Junior Defensive Tackle DaJohn Harris' rob of the ball (not really a strip as he just took it from him) from quarterback Mitch Mustain and ran 52 yards before Mustain tackled him at the 4-yard-line.
But something the Internet isn't buzzing about, but should be, is USC Head Coack Lane Kiffin's use of a no-back, five-wide receiver formation, and a five-step drop. Lane's bring in a new and more aggressive offensive attack than when Pete Carroll was the USC coach.
Stay tuned.
Dillon Baxter's a name you've never heard of until now. The USC freshman and former Mission Bay High quarterback has the Internet abuzz with his play at USC's spring intersquad scrimmage, putting on what the LA Times called "a show" and getting the attention of NFL scouts four years (OK, perhaps three years) before he's eligible for the NFL Draft.
Dillon Baxter's 50-yard run has a USC observers mentioning him in the same name as Heisman Trophy winners Reggie Bush and Marcus Allen. In the video below, the 6-foot 199 pound Dillon's run happens at the 51 second mark:
Dillon Baxter's run is not funny. Baxter's stupid fast. In fact, Baxter may be faster than Reggie Bush was at USC; that's just by observation. Cal Football fans Dillon Baxter must be stopped.
Aside from Dillon Baxter's play, the video also has Junior Defensive Tackle DaJohn Harris' rob of the ball (not really a strip as he just took it from him) from quarterback Mitch Mustain and ran 52 yards before Mustain tackled him at the 4-yard-line.
But something the Internet isn't buzzing about, but should be, is USC Head Coack Lane Kiffin's use of a no-back, five-wide receiver formation, and a five-step drop. Lane's bring in a new and more aggressive offensive attack than when Pete Carroll was the USC coach.
Stay tuned.
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