Roger Goodell Voices Concern Over Rush Limbaugh

I have thought for quite some time that the NBA's David Stern was the best commissioner in professional sports. Now it appears, however, that the NFL's Roger Goodell is giving Stern a run for his money.

Not only is he continuing to lay down the law for the players, but with his latest comments on Rush Limbaugh's viability as a NFL owner, Goodell has also made it perfectly clear what the league is all about and, perhaps more importantly, what it's not about.

Goodell Voices Concern Over Limbaugh -- NYTimes.com

Obama on Health Care: 'Open to New Ideas'

In an interview with ABC's Robin Roberts, President Obama says he will not sign any health care reform bill that adds $1 to the national deficit.

Obama on Health Care: 'Open to New Ideas'


Meanwhile, R.E.M. says millions of Americans can't wait around while Washington politicians play games with health care reform.

R.E.M. Rallies For Health Care Reform

Witnessing History--The Sequel

Some of you may remember my post "Tyson Chandler: Witnessing History," where I told you about a meeting between the NBA rising star and Senator Barack Obama on the campaign trail. Chandler had written how the experience gave him a different perspective on politics, in general, and society, as a whole.

Shortly after Senator Obama became President-Elect Obama, Chandler added another post to his blog about watching the election night coverage with his wife.

One passage in particular from Chandler's blog post stood out to me. In reference to a story about one of his assistant coaches growing up in the South and remembering the "white only" water fountains and having to enter stores and restaurants through the back door, Chandler wrote, "A lot of times we lose touch of the opportunity that we have. It makes you respect it a lot more when you hear something like that, or you get a chance to hear Bill Russell speak about playing back then. You say, 'Man, I've got the opportunity to do what I love night in and night out, and there were people before me who fought and died for this.'"

Normally Reserved Tiger Talks Obama

If you know anything about Tiger Woods, you likely know how tight-lipped he can be regarding just about any topic, including golf at times. And when it comes to social issues or politics, you usually have a better chance of outdriving him than hearing Tiger give his thoughts or opinions.

However, as he is progressing through his early 30's, maybe Tiger is ready to be more open about his feelings towards politics. Check out the story below from The Golf Channel, where golf's number one player talks about America's new number one citizen and its number one issue.

Tiger Woods, who is normally reserved when it comes to any topic not related to golf, weighed in on Barack Obama's election as the first African American president in United States history.

"I think it's absolutely incredible," Woods told CNBC. "He represents America. He's multiracial. I was hoping it would happen in my lifetime. My father was hoping it would happen in his lifetime, but he didn't get to see it. I'm lucky enough to have seen a person of color in the White House."

Obama was elected last Tuesday as the 44th President of the United States. When asked by the cable news outlet how his father Earl would have reacted, Woods said: "He would have cried. Absolutely. No doubt about it."

Woods, who has been sidelined since winning the U.S. Open in June due to season-ending knee surgery to repair a torn ACL, also spoke out on the state of the country's economy and how it might affect the PGA Tour.

"I don't know if some of the tournaments, if they're going to go away or have new sponsors come in," Woods told CNBC.Woods is still uncertain as to when he will return to competition. He hopes to begin hitting full shots at the beginning of 2009 and be back no later than the Masters Tournament in April.

Obama's Election Day Pickup Game

One of the reasons Barack Obama became an early favorite of mine is because he is one of the few modern-day politicians I know that plays basketball. Several play golf, albeit poorly, while others run or play racquetball. But the overwhelming majority of today's politicians aren't exactly what anyone would call athletic.

In keeping with his Election Day routine, President-elect Obama put together a pickup game with some of his closest friends after he finished campaigning. CNN was given exclusive, behind-the-scenes access and recently shared some of that video.




As far as President-elect Obama's skills are concerned, for a politician, he's actually not bad. I have played with much worse on the pickup courts through the years. Plus, I give him extra credit for that smooth behind-the-back dribble. If you are going to get this country back where it needs to be, Obama will need to be able to go both Left and Right.

Now, I just need to find out where I can score one of those "That One" jerseys!

LeBron James And Jay-Z To Host Rally For Obama

As I noted in an earlier post, today's high-profile professional athletes seem to stay away from political and social causes out of fear of losing endorsements. But this recent AP story reveals that LeBron James does not hold such reservations.

Oct 23rd, 2008 CLEVELAND -- NBA superstar LeBron James and Grammy-winning recording artist Jay-Z want people to get out early to vote for Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.

James and Jay-Z will host a rally Wednesday at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland which will include a free concert by the hip-hop star.

James attended a Cleveland rally earlier this month to encourage people to vote for Obama. He's also contributed $20,000 to a committee supporting the presidential nominee.

UPDATE: I recently came across an article in the Washington Post talking about this very subject. Check it out: Jock The Vote: NBA Players Raise Their Voices

Obama Takes Heat For Possible Delay Of World Series Game

Check out this story from CNN about how Barack Obama's 30-minute infomercial to the nation might push back the start of a World Series game.

(CNN) – The Republican National Committee took aim at Barack Obama Wednesday over the Illinois senator's half-hour ad buy that will delay the start of a World Series game by 18 minutes.

"It’s unfortunate that the World Series’ first pitch is being delayed for Obama’s political pitch," RNC spokesman Alex Conant said. "Not only is Obama putting politics before principle, he’s putting it before our national pastime.”

Major League Baseball has agreed to a request from Fox to delay the start time of Game 6 of the World Series (if a Game 6 is necessary) so the network can air the 30-minute Obama spot, a Fox spokesman confirms to CNN. The Illinois senator has also bought similar time on CBS and NBC, set to begin at 8 p.m.

“FOX will accommodate Senator Obama's desire to communicate with voters in this…format," Fox spokesman Scott Gorgin said. "We are pleased that Major League Baseball has agreed to delay the first pitch of World Series Game 6 for a few minutes in order for FOX to carry his program on October 29."

It's the first time a presidential candidate has bought that length of airtime on network television since Ross Perot purchased several 30 minute blocs in 1992.

"This is a big platform, this is a big megaphone, the interest level is clearly there and people will watch," Evan Tracey of Campaign Media Analysis Group, CNN's consultant on campaign advertising said.

The October 29 game will now start at 8:38 instead of 8:20.

Obama Takes Heat For Possible Delay Of World Series Game

Obama Is In The Game

From the time he first entered the race for the presidency, Barack Obama and his campaign managers have recognized the importance of new media. And that recognition has played a major part in Obama being in position to be elected to office.

Beyond just a website, Obama's campaign has been using popular social networking sites such as youtube, Facebook, MySpace and Twitter to build a broad base of support. And nowhere has this effort shown more results than with young voters.

However, the Obama campaign is not stopping there. Check out this story about Obama becoming the first presidential candidate to buy advertising inside a video game!

Obama and his campaign staff are quickly redefining modern political strategy.

By Devlin Barrett
updated 1:55 p.m. PT, Tues., Oct. 14, 2008

WASHINGTON - Too busy playing video games to watch presidential ads on television? Barack Obama has found you, too, by becoming the first presidential candidate to buy ad space inside a game.

Nine video games from Electronic Arts Inc., ranging from the extremely popular "Madden 09" football game to the street racing "Burnout: Paradise," feature in-game ads from the Obama campaign. The ads — they appear on billboards and other signage — remind players that early voting has begun and plug a campaign Web site.

The idea of embedding advertising temporarily inside a video game is relatively new, having only begun about 18 months ago, and Obama is the first presidential candidate to buy space, company officials said.

Ads For Obama Campaign: It's In The Game

Tyson Chandler: Witnessing History

There was a time in our history that professional athletes were some of the most involved citizens in the current issues of the day. They used their name and their stature to call their fans' attention to topics that might not otherwise be familiar.

Today, however, it seems professional athletes try to stay as far away from social activism and politics as they can. Following in the footsteps of Michael Jordan who once said, "Republicans buy Nike too," modern day athletes are more concerned about gaining/losing commercial endorsements than they are about bringing change to their communities.

Now, don't get me wrong, I don't think ALL professional athletes should be involved in social issues. Quite frankly, not all of them are informed enough to add anything to the discussion. Some, in fact, might do more harm than good. Yet another similarity they share with everyday citizens, I might add.

However, it is refreshing when professional athletes--especially younger ones--take the initiative to get involved or, at the very least, expand their perspectives.

New Orleans Hornets forward Tyson Chandler recently attended a Barack Obama rally in Indiana. He wrote about the experience on his nba.com blog. Here's an excerpt:

He's just one of those dudes who comes off so poised, calm and just touchable. I've never felt like a Presidential candidate was touchable, that you could actually sit down and have a conversation with him. But with Obama, I feel like I'm in touch with him, like I understand what he's talking about.

I've watched debates in the past, and I never knew what was going on. I never realized what the President was talking about. But Obama breaks it down so that I can understand, my grandparents can understand, anybody can. He bridges the gaps and brings everybody together.

I was sitting at the rally yesterday and I saw this older black gentleman with a camcorder. He had grey hair and he was recording it. I was just watching him and he looked so proud. It looked like he was gonna record it and go back, show his grandchildren and say "I was here on this day."

And next to him were some older white ladies, who when Obama was making his speech, were jumping up, screaming and raising their hands. So, I was thinking, "Wow, look at that." You had different nationalities there, different ages and different genders, and everybody was there for the same cause. We haven't seen this in a long time. And it was just a great thing to be a part of.

Obama Directly Addresses America In Two-Minute Ad: Plan for Change

Visit BarackObama.com/plan to read Obama's plan for the economy now.

Don't Play Me Like I'm Stupid

I don't care if we are talking sports or politics, one thing I absolutely hate is for someone to insult my intelligence by lying dead to my face. It's somewhat of a common practice in sports.

We, in the media, call it coach-speak. Coaches will say certain things they know may not be completely true in order to keep their team focused on the task at hand or so they won't tip their hand before a game is played. Oftentimes, it's blatant, but always harmless in the grand scheme of things.

However, in the world of politics, insulting society's intelligence isn't just commonplace, it's the norm, and as we have seen with Iraq, it can be gravely dangerous.

Politicians have made a career out of saying whatever is necessary to get re-elected, and voters have been falling for such tactics for centuries.

But to quote an old, wise sage from the 90's, "Homey don't play that!"

I know in some parts of our country--especially the part where I live now--it's acceptable to openly lie to any and everyone about any and everything. But I grew up in the South, and down there you can't just knowingly lie to people and expect them to take you at your word. As we Southerners like to say, "Don't piss on my head and tell me it's raining!"

I raise this point, because I'm starting to get a little upset at the current presidential campaign, particularly the Republican party. I've already touched on the hypocrisy of the McCain campaign.

Check out this latest example:



So, being a mayor or governor for only a short time disqualifies you from the presidency, but it doesn't disqualify you from being one heartbeat away from it? Whew, I feel so much better now.

But beyond the hypocrisy, it's the outright, blatant lies that are originating from McCain supporters, and oftentimes his campaign itself.

New York Times Columnist Paul Krugman writes, "Did you hear about how Barack Obama wants to have sex education in kindergarten, and called Sarah Palin a pig? Did you hear about how Ms. Palin told Congress, "Thanks, but no thanks" when it wanted to buy Alaska a Bridge to Nowhere. These stories have two things in common: they’re all claims recently made by the McCain campaign — and they’re all out-and-out lies."

Charles Babbington from the Associated Press says, "The "Straight Talk Express" has detoured into doublespeak."

And James Rainey writes in the Los Angeles Times, "News organizations and these admirable truth-squadding outfits, including PolitiFact.com, do not collaborate. But in independent news reports and commentaries this week, they seemed to reach a consensus to say ‘enough’ to the McCain camp's efforts to demonize Barack Obama."

Enough already. I'm beyond fed up with these low-rate political tactics. Don't disguise your lack of solid viewpoints and arguments on the issues that affect us the most with lies and smears of the opposition.

Don't play me like I'm stupid. Don't play the American voters like they are stupid. This election is too damned important to be playing games!

Tax Plans: Obaba vs. McCain

There seems to be quite a bit of confusion about the differences in the proposed tax plans of Barack Obama of John McCain. A recent article in The Washington Post broke down the numbers according to annual salaries.

I will be honest and tell you that my tax burden will go up under Obama's plan. However, losing a few additional thousand dollars a year will not hurt me financially. I am much more concerned about the larger population of tax payers. Plus, if the economy grows under Obama has it has historically done under Democratic presidents, I will recoup that money down the road. (see earlier post)

So, check out the numbers below and decide for yourself which plan makes the most sense for not only you, but for the country.

Obama and McCain Tax Proposals
According to a new analysis by the Tax Policy Center, a joint project of the Urban Institute and the Brookings Institution, Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain are both proposing tax plans that would result in cuts for most American families. Obama's plan gives the biggest cuts to those who make the least, while McCain would give the largest cuts to the very wealthy. For the approximately 147,000 families that make up the top 0.1 percent of the income scale, the difference between the two plans is stark. While McCain offers a $269,364 tax cut, Obama would raise their taxes, on average, by $701,885 - a difference of nearly $1 million.

(Courtesy: The Washington Post)

Allegations Of Racist & Sexist Remarks By McCain/Palin Surface

I don't know the authenticity or credibility of these respective articles and internet sites, but someone please, please, please tell me these stories aren't true.

Unfortunately, however, my life experiences have prepared me not to be shocked in the least if any of these stories turn out to be true. I pray for the day when I will be shocked.

McCain: racist, bigot & homophobe

Alaskans Speak (In A Frightened Whisper): Palin Is “Racist, Sexist, Vindictive, And Mean”

More Of The Same: Bush = McCain

Are You Registered To Vote?

I just received the following e-mail from voteforchange.com, and regardless of your candidate of choice, it's important that everyone registers to vote and then casts their ballot on election day.

I would encourage everyone to forward this e-mail to their friends/co-workers. You would be amazed at how many people have never registered to vote.


Turning everyone's passion and enthusiasm into votes is the only way we'll bring about the change we all want. But knowing when, where, and how to vote hasn't always been easy -- until now.We've created a new online tool -- VoteforChange -- that will give you customized answers to all of your voting questions, personalized just for you.

Try it now: https://voteforchange.com/

Need to find out how to register to vote? Not sure if you're already registered? Just enter some basic information and get instant answers.

Need to find out your Election Day polling location, absentee voting information, or other registration requirements? Or perhaps you want to find out if your state allows early voting or vote by mail. We've got it all covered.

Once you get the information you need, pass it on to all of your friends with our easy-to-use sharing feature. We all know people who’d like to vote but just don’t have the information. With VoteforChange.com, they’ll have no excuses.

Making sure that everyone's voice is heard in the political process is what this movement for change is all about. Make sure you and everyone you know isn't left out: https://voteforchange.com/

Republican Inaccuracies And Hypocrisy Show No Bounds

I realize that in this day and age of modern American politics, one side is going to constantly attack the other side on the issues-- both real and unreal. So, as much as I hate such tactics, I get it.

However, the only thing I would ask for--and I assume the majority of Americans would hope for as well--is that the attacks are factual in nature and they are not hypocritical. The speeches and some of the commentary we heard Wednesday night at the Republican National Convention did not live up to those requests.

In the words of Associated Press journalist, Jim Kuhnnenn, Sarah Palin and her Republican supporters "stretched the truth" in their reproach of Barack Obama and their praise of one another.

As far as the hypocrisy is concerned, I think I'll just turn it over to The Daily Show's Jon Stewart.




Again, I understand the relentless attacking of the other side, but those attacks, even if aimed towards my favored party, would carry much more weight with me if they were accurate and fair.

I'm beginning to think, unfortunately, that such a request is far too much to ask in today's political forum, especially from conservatives.

UPDATE: Speaking of hypocrisy!

Georgia Republican Congressman Westmoreland Calls Barack And Michelle Obama "Uppity"

Damn! Really?

Hell, why didn't he just add nigger to it? I mean, no one's ever been called an "uppity cracker."

It's funny how no one wants race to be a factor in this election, but the Republicans keep referring to it and always in a negative manner.

By Mike Soraghan
thehill.com

Georgia Republican Rep. Lynn Westmoreland used the racially-tinged term "uppity" to describe Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama Thursday.

Westmoreland was discussing vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin's speech with reporters outside the House chamber and was asked to compare her with Michelle Obama.

"Just from what little I’ve seen of her and Mr. Obama, Sen. Obama, they're a member of an elitist-class individual that thinks that they're uppity," Westmoreland said.

Asked to clarify that he used the word “uppity,” Westmoreland said, “Uppity, yeah.”

Other Democrats have charged that the Republican campaign to paint the Illinois senator as an “elitist” is racially charged, and accused them of using code words for “uppity” without using the word itself.

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/westmoreland-calls-obama-uppity-2008-09-04.html

Sarah Palin: "Iraq Is A Task Of God"

Check out this excerpt from a recent address Sarah Palin gave at her hometown church where she referred to the Iraq War as a "task of God."

My question is, Who exactly gets to determine God's plan?

Click the link below for the video portion of this address.

Three months before she was thrust into the national political spotlight, Gov. Sarah Palin was asked to handle a much smaller task: addressing the graduating class of commission students at her one-time church, Wasilla Assembly of God.

Her speech in June provides as much insight into her policy leanings as anything uncovered since she was asked to be John McCain's running mate.

Speaking before the Pentecostal church, Palin painted the current war in Iraq as a messianic affair in which the United States could act out the will of the Lord.

"Pray for our military men and women who are striving to do what is right. Also, for this country, that our leaders, our national leaders, are sending [U.S. soldiers] out on a task that is from God," she exhorted the congregants. "That's what we have to make sure that we're praying for, that there is a plan and that that plan is God's plan."

Religion, however, was not strictly a thread in Palin's foreign policy. It was part of her energy proposals as well. Just prior to discussing Iraq, Alaska's governor asked the audience to pray for another matter -- a $30 billion national gas pipeline project that she wanted built in the state. "I think God's will has to be done in unifying people and companies to get that gas line built, so pray for that," she said.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/02/palins-church-may-have-sh_n_123205.html

Leave Palin's Daughter Out Of The Campaign

As much as the news of Sarah Palin's daughter's pregnancy flies in the face of all her conservative beliefs as it relates to sex education and the practice of abstinence, I do not believe her daughter's pregnancy should into question Palin's ability to serve in public office.

Nor do I think it should be a road that Obama/Biden should venture down that road during the campaign. Leave that up to the liberal blogs and talk show hosts because we all know, if the situation was reversed, the likes of Bill O'Reilly, Rush Limbaugh, and Sean Hannity would be all over it. But just because conservatives seem to always use such mudslinging practices, it doesn't mean everyone or anyone else should.

I think a much bigger issue is the investigation underway in Alaska as to whether she tried to force the firing of a state trooper involved in a custody battle with Palin's sister. And after the state commissioner would not fire the trooper, the governor allegedly turned around and fired the commissioner. This would be a huge abuse of power and further call into question her judgment as a public official.

Barack Obama Delivers On The Biggest Stage

Coming from someone who minored in political science and once considered a career in public office, I think Barack Obama hit a home run with his acceptance speech.

He hit the game-winning jumper at the buzzer.

He scored the game-winning touchdown with no time on the clock.

He sank the birdie put on the 72nd hole of a major.

He was Babe Ruth, Michael Jordan, John Elway and Tiger Woods all rolled into one.

He was simply brilliant, or better put, he was presidential!

As I assume with so many of you, I am so moved by what I saw tonight. I am extremely proud to be an American, and more specifically, just like Barack Obama, a bi-racial American.

So I guess now the question is: What are we, as a people and individually, prepared to do to put this man in the White House?

http://my.barackobama.com/page/m/692b67550d64b5b6/nLv4QJ/VEsH/