"Let's Be Royal" to "Let's Be Real" For the 2015 KC Royals

"Let's Be Royal" to "Let's Be Real" For the 2015 KC Royals

The American League Champion, Kansas City Royals, were the darlings of underdog lovers everywhere in Major League Baseball, last season. In 2014, their slogan was "Let's Be Royal!" The 2015 slogan, "Forever Royal," should probably be changed to "Let's Be Real." The Royals bring back almost the entire team, from the World Series team of 2014, but there are many things that have to happen, for them take the next step and win a World Series Ring, or to start a fever pitch every year for post season play. Major League Baseball isn't the NFL (with 16 games), or even the NBA (82 games), and it takes more than just adding/subtracting a few players to win a division, go to post season play, and definitely to win a World Series, in a 162 game season. Big market teams, such as the Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers, or a team that is throwing tons of money and prospects for winning now (some for the first time, like the Padres), are usually the teams that have the depth and deep pockets to keep each season close to post season dreams. However, the Royals did it, last season, thru their farm system and patience, adding a few free agents (James Shields, notably) for prospects, and with the "Baseball God's" smiling down on them, last year. Yet, every year is a new challenge and this is what the Royals will have to do, at least this season, to continue with the "Forever Royal" theme.

Relief Pitching:

For most teams, this would be down the list of things possibly being so costly, to their team's chances. However, this is one of the Royals strongest, if not the strongest points of their whole team. Wade Davis, Kelvin Herrerra, and Greg Holland were brilliant last season. Holland and Davis are just now entering their prime, at 28, and Herrerra is only 24, so age isn't a problem. They all had WHIP's (Walks + Hits / Innings Pitched) which were inhuman, Holland .914, Davis .847, and Herrerra 1.14, making the 7th, 8th, and 9th innings virtually impossible for teams to score. However, Holland blows 4 (just making him human) and saves 42, Davis' WHIP creeps up one point (to 1.84), and Herrerra also has a slight tick up (he didn't give up a home run last season, so let's say he gives up two, this season)? This alone could lose the Royals 4 to 8 games, if they just are at All-Star levels of pitching, rather than blanking every team, the last three innings of the games Royals are leading. This does not count the regular day to day possibilities of getting a blister, having stint on the DL, or maybe something worse in the health issue department. Relief pitching has a very fine line, and the Royals have relied on it heavily for the past two seasons (especially, in 2014, in their pennant run), a slight increase in the unbelievable numbers of their top three, could make the Royals go from making the playoffs, to not going at all.

Position Players:

For the Royals to repeat last seasons phenomenal run, they are going to have to produce more home runs, and runs in general. The Royals didn't have any player hit 20 home run last season. They basically got the job done with speed, "small ball," and some smoke and mirrors play. In baseball, each season teams can't count on this to happen, and most of the time it doesn't. The Royals need Eric Hosmer, Alex Gordon and Mike Moustakas to not only take the next step, offensively, but to fulfill the contracts and reasons, the Royals have built their team around them. Alex Gordon is one of the best left fielder's (defensively) in the game, hands down. However, another year with less than 20 home runs and less than 100 RBI's, is not going to be what the Royals need. Mike Moustakas, not only has to have a career year, but he can't repeat what he did last year. A starting third baseman in the major leagues isn't someone who only hits 15 home runs and 58 RBI's (while hitting a paltry .212), and there is no way he should be sent down to AAA a third of the way thru he season. Now, Moustakas was a huge part of the Royals post season, hitting for better average and also mashing 5 home runs, but this must carry over to the complete regular season. His numbers should be more like a normal, to better third baseman in the MLB, hitting .250+, 25 HR's and 80-100 RBI's. Eric Hosmer is the final, but most important piece to the Royals core puzzle. He is probably the best "looking"/"sweet swinging" player on the Royals roster. He just got a new two year contract, and the Royals are betting massively on him, to be the first baseman the team hoped he would be, coming up thru the minor leagues. Hosmer hitting only .270, 9 HR's, and 58 RBI's, was a huge disappointment. Though his defense was top of the charts in the A. L., but that isn't what the Royals need. They must have him hit .290-.310, 25-30 HR's, and over 100 RBI's for the Royals to repeat, or possibly win the division. These are three "top tier" players, as far as the Royals roster goes, but they have to perform, and live up to all the potential and what the Royals saw in their minor league careers.

Salvador Perez Staying Healthy & KC Getting A Catcher To Rest Him

Salvador "Salvy" Perez caught 150 games last year. Since his call up, he has basically played every single time he was asked to come out, and it was behind the plate. He is the captain of the team, controlling the whole pitching staff, and his production at the plate (especially in the heat of the summer, with all the gear, and staying healthy) was ok, hitting a so-so .260, 17 HR's, and 70 RBI's. He is easily an All-Star, behind the dish. However, he cannot continue to catch 130-150 gams a year, without some kind of back up (which the Royals don't have now) to sit him, or DH him, Perez's catching days will be numbered and/or he will get hurt and land on the DL. Right now, Eric Kratz a 35 year old journeyman (who isn't on MLB rosters every year), and a 21 year old rookie, are his only back ups. This could be a huge problem, and the Royals need to sign either Ryan Doumit, Jose Molina, or even Chris Snyder. Just someone who has some experience, can catch 1-2 times a week, especially in the summer months down the stretch, to allow Salvy to continue to do what he does best, run the club's staff.

Which Alex Rios Are the Royals Going to Get?

The Royals signed Alex Rios to a one year deal, to be able to provide some pop and also be able to play either corner outfield spot, in case the team doesn't want to play Aoki, Dyson in right, and can let Gordon takes some games at DH, to give him a day off in the field. Dyson can grab some games, to let Lorenzo Cain sit, and they won't lose the speed in center, but he doesn't have the arm, (nor does Terrance Gore) to play in right. However, Rios has numbers that look like the Rocky Mountains over his career. He had multiple years in Toronto, where he hit almost .300, with mid-20's HR's and almost 100 RBI's, and he also had multiple years where he was a .250 hitter, with low teens HR's, and 60-70 RBI's and massive K/BB ratios. Then he went to Chicago (AL) and Texas. In both places, it was the same story, he could be an A. S. worthy numbers guy, offensively, one year, then the next he was average at best. If the Royals get the 25 HR and 80-100 RBI Rios, then it will solidify the line-up significantly, will give Gordon, Hosmer, Perez, and Moustakas the protection the need in front and behind them, and will allow the Royals to score 4-6 runs a game. If the Royals can score 4-6 runs a game, they have the pitching to go back to the post season. However, if they don't, it will be another year of "small ball" and they will let the White Sox (who have stocked up in the off-season) and the aging Tigers to surpass the Royals.

There are "what if's," in the Royals coming 2015 season, and there is also a lot of reason to be hopeful. Yet, if the Royals want to get to the post season, much less the World Series, again, they have to address these issues. "Royal Forever," could be a reality if the Royals play to potential, make some slight adjustments, and do not fall back on what they have done, and strive for what they can do. Also, the front office has to do more than just sign the past Royals, get an up and down Offensive outfielder to DH, and sit back and see what happens. They have to address all of the above, and still figure out what and when to bring along the younger Royals (such as Brandon Finnegan, in the starting rotation, or in the bullpen again, this year). Either way, it will be a fun ride with the Royals, because aside from the White Sox, there isn't anyone in the central that has made massive retooling efforts. The Tigers are getting older and are banged up (not to mention that Max Scherzer is a National now, so not seeing him 4-8 times this season, will be nice), and the Indians are relying on younger players and those there last year. "Be Royal," or "Be Real," all fans will see which slogan should fit the team by the All-Star break, and even then, there will be a chance for KC to make some kind of trade(s) before the deadline, if need be, as they seem to be stacked (especially in the pitching department), in the minors. Let's play some baseball in Kansas City to find out for sure, if last season was a blessing from the "Baseball God's," or will the team fall into another slogan laden and typical excuse filled season, to not be the team they should.

THE REAL OBAMA PRESIDENCY

(I wrote this, after the first debate between Clinton and Obama, in '08.  I wish more people would have read it, or at least paid attention)

Copyright. "The Thought Spigot"
http://TheThoughtSpigot.Com

The debate, in Philadelphia, was a new kind of debate, on the national level. Where Clinton has fielded most of the hard shots, off of the bat of all media outlets, the other candidates (now just Obama), have been fielding squibs. Charles Gibson and George Stephanopoulos, from ABC NEWS, took the gloves off, for both candidates during the debate. A feature in the countless debates, in this campaign, the other media sources have not been able to achieve. Barack Obama for whatever reason, one wishes to espouse, has been given a free pass by media outlets, before last night (a view, very few dispute). In the "City of Brotherly Love," Gibson and George were in rare form, putting Obama's claim, personal religious mentor, personal friends and possible advisors, and the overall character and judgment, of the Democratic golden boy, to the test. Pressing the issues, with Obama and Clinton's rebuttals, past the brink of Obama's cool zone. For the first time, in this election process, Obama was finally pinned down on character and past judgment issues. However, instead of direct answers to the questions, again, for the first time he came across not presidential and angry, flustered, and reverted to the same line, "These are not the questions the American people want to here about, this is old political games."

On the contrary, these are the issues the American people do want to know about. In states like Missouri, Tennessee, Indiana, and others in the Midwest, constant Americans are talking and calling in to talk radio, blogging and waiting for reasons for the judgments Obama has made in the past. One of the questions, brought on by Stephanopoulos, was on about Bill Ayers and Obama's affiliation/friendship. Obama made a comparison to Tom Coburn (a republican congressman) who once said, there should be a death penalty for those who give abortions, if abortion was legal. Obviously, comparing this remark and man, to Ayers, who was a member of a home grown 1960's terrorist organization (The Underground Weathermen), set bombs off (on the Pentagon, Capital Building, NY Police Headquarters, and eight other government installations), and on September 11, 2001 (after the terror attacks) said, "I do not regret the things I did back then, I just wish I could have done more," is a bit ridiculous. Another character and/or lack of judgment is sitting in the pews of the Trinity United Church, with Reverend Jeremiah Wright (who married Obama and Michelle and baptized both of their children). Obama continued to flounder and lashed out, when asked about Wright saying, "He had already gone over all of this and these are the questions of old politics." The only questionable topic for Obama, not brought out, was his working relationship and friendship with Tony Rezco, who is on federal trial for multiple charges.

Since Obama joined the race to become the President of the United States, he has been the darling of the media. There have been countless questions not answered, either because of the questions not being asked, Obama staying in friendly venues to speak, or the fact he does not answer questions, rather he gives speeches after things come out. In speeches he can control the environment and his political machine can control the spin. Then, with the media at his beckon call, he is free to skate for the majority of the time, not getting any of his choices vetted, thoroughly. It was really hard to evaluate Barack Obama's overall philosophy, the policies he was running on, and most of all where he was coming from, based on his past.

It was really hard to piece together, where all of these odd figures, people from his past, and now the people in his recent past fit. There were no answers to the complete puzzle, due to the fact, the media was not asking a lot of the "personal questions," in order to get answers. One example, after the Jeremiah Wright comments first came out, Obama had a position he explained on Fox News (on a Friday Night), "He had never heard anything like that out of Wright's mouth." Then on Saturday, on the stump, "he said that he had not heard those words in the pews." The story changed on Sunday, when he said, "I had not heard those specific words and clips, that are in the media loop." Finally, he ended giving "the race speech," in Philadelphia (coincidentally), saying that, "He had not heard those exact words and clips from Reverend Wright. However, I have heard some things that he has said, but the major portion of Trinity United Church and Rev. Wright's service to the community and sermons are not like that. You cannot sum up a man's whole career, in just a two minute media loop, or with sound bytes." A very evolving set of views, in just a five day period. Most people do not watch every single thing coming out of Obama, Clinton, or McCain's mouth, and some just watch the news headlines. They would have never seen the evolution of Obama's view and basic lie (based on what he said, on Friday, to Fox News), so it was imperative for Obama to be asked the questions, during the debate.

There has always been a bit of a puzzle around Barack Obama. When all of the candidates were in the race, it was impossible to see and view a lot of time on any one candidate. As the field of candidates was whittled down, there became more and more time, to see the candidates for whom they were, where they stood, and what their policies they wished to implement. However, when the field was cut down, it also brought up more questions, on the freshman senator from Illinois, because of his very little experience and meteoric rise to the top. Barack Obama, as a candidate and a politician, had a variety of pieces to his puzzle. Some of the pieces, to the Barack Obama candidacy, are embedded in grace, excellence, charisma, and other mesmerizing things. Although, some of the puzzle pieces were shrouded in mystery and were not answered. The puzzle pieces were always there, but there was never any glue, or a common thread, to hold them together.

The Obama mosaic was composed of being a charismatic speaker, the first biracial (Afro-American, partially) man to come this far, an eloquent and presidential demeanor, a great family, a message of hope and change (most Americans longed for), and an overall sense he had answers to questions, nobody else had are the good pieces. Then things changed (when the candidates started to drop) and other pieces began being revealed. Things like his drug use as a "young person" (when Bill Clinton was nearly cut off, for "not inhaling"), his socialist and communist teachers (Carl Davidson), the business relations and friendships, in cut throat political Chicago, Illinois (Tony Rezco, Bill Ayers), to joining the Reverend Wright church, deciding not to where a flag pin on his lapel (insinuating, people who wore lapel flag pins, are unpatriotic), and the San Francisco "small town people" ("cling gate") comments are a set of the flawed mosaic pieces. However, Obama's wife, also adds a piece to his puzzle. When she was twenty-two years old, at Princeton, her senior thesis was entitled/about "The Two Types of Blacks in America: Separatists and Integration Black People." She stated in that thesis, "The blending of whites, or blacks with whites, would regulate the culture and black America." Also stated, in the same thesis, she said, "I will use all of my resources, for the black community, no matter where her role was." Michelle Obama, in the present, has also made statements, saying, "For the first time in my life, I am proud of America" and "America is a mean country."

As stated, Barack and his wife is both unique individuals, with very deep and distant lives. They are both motivated and have exceptional speaking skills, but their motivations are very questionable. However, Barack Obama is the only candidate running for President, and is a multifaceted candidate. He has many pundits, a major political machine, and the media (with the exception of last night, when the two moderators were asking pertinent and the correct questions of him) at his back. Until last night, in the City of Brotherly Love Debate, the glue for the beautiful Mosaic, called Barack Obama, was found. Anger and disillusionment with the country, is the glue. Statements Obama has made, both last night and in the recent past, are proof to the fact Obama is an angry and motivated man. His statements about the small town people, "clinging to their religion, to their guns, to the antipathy of different people and races, to illegal immigrants problems, and to anti-trade deficit [losing of jobs]." Last night, in the debate Obama stated, "If you look at the anger of blacks in the barber shops and urban cities, these are issues that need to be discussed." Also, in the debate, he spoke and stated, " people across America are angry, fed up with the political situation and establishment." Obviously, with the approval rating of 27-31%, for President Bush and a 19-21% approval rating for congress, the American people are not happy with government.

Obama is the most liberal senator, in Washington. He has socialist, communist, federal criminals, a reverend and spiritual advisor (who has been an integral part of his life, for twenty years) for friends and political allies. He has an antipathy for people, who are not like him, his wife, and are not in the 4% of liberal and social elites, in America. He does not seem to have any value for people that do not share his political philosophies, do not value his ideas and policies. Lastly, by going by his own words, the deeply religious, people who own guns and sportsmen, and are not living a "secular, progressive, liberal, and/or socialist lifestyle" are also not welcome in his social circle. He wants to include the United Nations into the United States affairs, seeks world opinion over American people's interests (see his votes and stances on immigration, pro-choice, guns, and foreign policies), and most of all he is ready to pull out of Iraq (he guaranteed a complete withdrawal, within eighteen months of his being elected President) and will talk to with high levels of terrorist states and organizational leaders, in Hamas, Hezbollah, Syria, and Iran.

THE BOTTOM LINE: In Pennsylvania last night, coupled with the last four weeks, Barack Obama has accomplished one thing. He has provided the glue, holding together the pieces, of his whole presidential campaign. Now that America has the pieces to the puzzle and the glue to hold them all in place, it is one scary looking picture.

Feckless Obama Foriegn Policy, U.S. Looking & Is Weaker

   

President Obama has some excellent qualities, such as, he is an excellent orator, he commands and looks like he should be respected (no matter what), and to his credit the drone strikes were a step in the right direction (even though, he bowed to Pakistan, to enable our shipping routes to go thru, instead of demanding it, from a supposed "Allie").  Yet, there are so many glaring problems with the feckless, ineffective foreign policy and his answers to it (without the tel-a-prompter).

There are many examples to his either incompetence, ignorance, or his foreign policy (or lack there of) is what he wants.  Right?  Well, take a look (except for Bin Laden's death, which any President, except Clinton when he had the chance, and the drone strikes, as stated) at the first example.  Not even mentioning Iran's nuclear intentions, what we should do, or anything about it, Iran has 32 different terror groups they either sponsor, help, or are in direct workings with.  The Iranian guard, as stated by the Pentagon and several high ranking officials, are in Syria, killing innocent people, committing genocide thru rape, and also have maimed and/or killed over 25,000+ people (which is just what the Red Cross can guess, because it is to dangerous to be in the country full time).  What, besides sanctions, which were for the "nuclear program", not anything else, has Obama done about any of this, with Iran?  Nothing, is the answer.  In fact, he is stonewalling, Israel, stating "we still have time, and negotiations can still work," in his speech at the United Nations, on the 25th of September.

How about Yemen?  Yes, the President has used drones there, and killed some key people.  However, when the press is reporting Obama will "NOT" meet with any leaders, he met with the leader of Yemen.  This is a country brimming with Islamic Terrorists, as stated in "WorldNow.Com" (http://www.WorldNow.Com):  (title) "Yemeni Women Say Lives Are Worse, After Revolution" (in the article, it states, from a top woman from the protesters/revolution) "We wanted jobs, security, an end to corruption and an improvement in services, schools, and police (to feel safe).  Instead, we can't afford food, there is no electricity, and there are guns everywhere."  Now, this on the ground, coupled with the Al-Qeada presence and the militant Islamic groups, all over (minus, the U. S. Anwar Awlaki, who was killed by a drone, but not before a year's worth of plots, including the "underwear bomber," who would have succeeded, if he didn't "sweat the bomb into malfunction.").  What has the President done there, what has changed, and out of all the members/leaders he could have met with, why the Yemeni President?

How about the "homeland," our United States of America, is the President doing all he can here?  Can a city in this country keep people out of it, if it is an actual city, such as, Kansas City, or even a rural city?  Until a couple days ago, or after this article is read, probably people would say, "No, that is discrimination.  Anyone should be able to come into a city, or at least drive thru it."  Well, not in "Islamaberg, New York, where there are about one hundred, or so, Islamic people (similar to Amish, or Mennonites) living on land, and completely self-sufficient (they have a grocery store, a mosque, and even have a full target range).  Yet, it is 100% blocked from the public, and there is a screening, even if you are Muslim.  This is bad enough, but is is believed to have been founded by Pakistani cleric Sheikh Mubarak Ali Gilani Hashimi in 1980. Gilani, who lives in Pakistan and was questioned there in connection with the abduction of Daniel Pearl, founded the group on a trip to the United States. Members initially engaged mostly in attacks against Indians and Indian religious figures in the US.  However, the fact there is nobody allowed in, or around the city, which is bad enough, there are radicals in the city and in the U. S., but they have also committed multiple attacks on the U. S. and other places.  Although various members have been suspected of assassinations and other acts of terror perpetrated in the 1980s and later, and some members having been charged with conspiracy to commit first degree murder and other crimes, al-Fuqra itself is not listed as a terror group by the US or the EU (it was listed as a terrorist organization in the 1999 Patterns of Global Terrorism report by the U.S. State Department.).  News reports have attempted to connect "shoe bomber" Richard Reid and "Washington sniper" John Allen Muhammad to al-Fuqra, but the connections were not definitive. There are also allegations that Clement Rodney Hampton-El, one of the plotters who planned to blow up different New York City bridges and tunnels, was a member of Al Fuqra. The group has been banned in Pakistan. Jamaat Al Fuqra was also involved in the planned bombing of a Hindu temple in Toronto, Canada in 1991.  This is not the only "city/community", but the Pentagon says, "In rural America, there could be over 100 of these "Muslim Cities."  Therefore, why have there not been any reports on this, or why has President Obama not went in to take a look, or even use the FBI to go in and check.  He has done it for "far right terrorist groups in the U. S."?

The conclusion, is summed up best (believe it, or not) by the New York Times, today (http://www.TheNewYorkTimes.Com).   They state, with named sources, "President Obama has up ended three decades of the United States of America's relations, with it's most stall wort ally in the Middle East and the Arab World (sic), putting the weight of the U. S. squarely on the side of the Arab Street.  It was a risky move by the President, flying in the face of the advice of his elders on his staff, at the State Dept., and also at the Pentagon."  If the New York Times can see the problems with snubbing the prime minister of Israel, all the leaders (except the President of Yemen) of the Middle East (while it is literally on fire, everyday), and the fact Libya's consulate and the U. S. Ambassador Chris Stevens (even though he warned of I. E. D./Improvised Explosive Devices, R. P. G. attacks and gun battles, plus the new tape from Al-Qaeda and the fact it was 9-11) and three other Americans dead, as our consulate was stormed in a terror attack.  Knowing that any attack on an embassy, or consulate, is an act of war (not counting killing and dragging Ambassadors behind cars and sodomizing them).  What has Obama done?  He actually, indirectly (by blaming the "video trailer," offending the profit mohamed, aired six months ago.  Even sending the U. N. Ambassador Susan Rice, to all 5 Sunday Morning News Shows, to tell this story, and sticking with it, half the time, today and in his speech to the United Nations on the 25th), lied to the American people and continues to do so.  Libya's consulate was under guarded and nobody in the White House paid any attention to the date (9/11, the day of the attack and protests in Egypt), what could happen, and it was almost like Obama forgot about 9/11 altogether.  Instead, he went to Las Vegas, Colorado, the Hispanic Convention Dinner, and two other fundraisers, plus flight time, in the 48 hours during and after the Libya Terrorist Attack (something Obama has yet to fully say in a complete sentence, "Libya was terrorist attack."). 

The President is showing, right now, how clueless he is, by not coming out to the American people and giving a speech, to let us know what the United States, who pays his salary, what his plans are.  He came into the White House Feckless and full of words.  I believe the phrase is, "All hat and no cattle."  One thing is for sure, if President Obama is re-elected, he better get some intestinal fortitude, because his decisions to date, have made us less safe, all the radicals in the whole Middle East and Africa want the Americans/"infidels" dead, and a Muslim Caliphate, across the world.  A scary proposition.

Copyright.  Dman@TheThoughtSpigot.Com
Http://TheThoughtSpigot.Com

A Completely Different Take, On Replacement NFL Referees

There have been countless complaints, bad calls and just a list of mayhem (not the Gieco commercial, "mayhem," either).  There are hundreds of pundits, sportscasters and even on cable news channels, the "replacement referees" are getting hammered.  Maybe, it is rightfully so, as they have blown many, many calls.  Yet, there has been nothing, but complaining, and no answer for why the referees are not competent to do this job.  Even though, the majority of them have been "umpires", "line-judges", and "so-on."  If there is no explanation, then how can the problem be looked at correctly, or how can it be fixed completely?  Here is the reason, obviously in my opinion (though playing sports thru college and coaching most of my life, I think I do have some look, into the problem), and here is the reason they can't do the job, well.

The reason for the lack of quality calls and just blown calls, is two fold:  1. As a rule, a person should not coach, referee, or step onto a field, in which they have not been prepared for, from the time they were young, and a step by step process over time, to make them excel at what they are trying to achieve.  The first thing, no matter whether you are a woman, or a man, at some time in a person's life, they decide to do something they like.

Let's take, just for an example, baseball (as it is an intricate game, fast, with ultimate athletes, where umpiring, as seen in the "No, No-Hitter Game" with the Tiger's Armando Galaraga, where the "Pro" umpire, blew an obvious call, costing him a perfect game.).  Growing up, most kids start playing at 5-7 years old, and they start with tee-ball.  Then, after a couple years of "tee-ball," they move to coach/machine pitch, to kids pitching, and that is where people start to quit playing and players are seperated.  At this age, around 9-12, tournament teams are chosen after regular seasons, and the group is honed even more, to go compete in those.  The next 4-5 years is that person, practicing, playing with their pitch backs, hitting in cages, and really making strides, because high school sports is coming.  In high school, kids get better and better coaching, summer leagues, both high school and summer (Legion, Babe Ruth, and other assorted competition leagues are formed), and this whittles down the players more.  To guess, by the time a player is a senior in high school, there are only about 2-5% of players, which started in "tee-ball" still playing, as they either went to other sports, decided to go to choir/debate, or just to concentrate on grades.  However, the players left have skills and some will not go past playing in high school, some go to Jr. colleges, some other colleges, and then the best get drafted/signed.  However, there is a giant difference between the player that starts, as a rule, later in life, or just tries to jump in, in high school.  It is a situation where if you do not start with the rest, then you are probably not going to catch up.  This is kind of true with just about anything.

(Example:  Motor cross.  Those "X Games" people, in motor cross, didn't just jump on a motorcycle and start jumping 25 foot jumps.  They started with a bicycle, then a small motorbike, then a dirt bike, and so on, till they were driving and working on tricks, speed, and know the whole bike, like it is a part of themselves.)

Now, back to the referees.  There is "an unwritten rule," in coaching, a person (as a rule) should not coach past where they played, by more than one league/step.  If a person stopped playing football in high school, and then decided after college, they would become a referee in football, that same person probably shouldn't start out with, OR GO PAST, high school (or less) and/or small Jr. colleges.  As that person has not seen the speed of college football, the new rules, and they would naturally be intimidated by the players they never were good enough to be, or any other list of reasons (guys' who will obviously go pro, or ruining rankings in college football).  Therefore, take the referees today, and most haven't even done Division I NCAA Football, and some have only done high school football.  If a person, a referee in the NFL now, is deciding whether "MegaTron" got both feet in bounds on a touchdown pass, and Champ Bailey was covering him, both are getting into that referees face, to plead their cases.  If you are "star struck," "show any intimidation," and/or any kind of weakness, then that referee is toast.  This is just for the stars. 

Then the speed, technical side of the game, and the fact that NOBODY who has not played a professional sport, a Division I sport (to be around pro-type players), shouldn't (as a rule) be allowed to be a part of refereeing an NFL game.  Case in point, Green Bay Packers vs. Seattle Seahawks, on Monday Night Football, where millions are watching the game, and all the news, fans, and sports announcers have been on the "replacements" all Sunday, the week before, and now you are on national television.  Is this a good idea?  Obviously not, as it wasn't just that last call, but calls throughout the game.  However, just look at the last play of the game.  A long "Hail Mary" pass, where Golden Tate pushed a defender completely down, then a G. B. player jumps up, making the interception, but Tate gets his hand (not arms, not an ARM, but from the forearm down), into the play.  One "replacement" signals stopping the clock, the other, standing right there the whole play (who should have caught the "Tate Push"), signals touchdown.  This all happened in about 3-4 seconds, a time frame any "ordinary"/"not trained"/"not in the game past a lower level" can't make calls that are split second.  It would be like putting Albert Pujols on an "X Game Motorcross Race," where he would probably drive slow, crash, and not know anything about what that was.  No difference here.  These referees, need to go back to high school, because the game is just to fast, to intricate, and the games mean to much.

There is your reason, though, for why they are not able to do the job, and it isn't their fault.  Honestly, if most people were offered $75,000 a game to referee, most would take the job, whether they could do it, or not. 

Copyright. Dman@TheThoughtSpigot.Com
Http://WWW.TheThoughtSpigot.Com

CAN'T BEAT A "Man's/Woman's" True Love, And How To Keep It

Maybe, I am just not as skilled in the "art's of the manly ways," or I am just in the section of my life where things are just as sweet as they can be (in my social life, opposit sex life), I do not know for sure? Yet, I do know (as Don Johnson says, in "Harley Davidson and the Marlboro man"), "The right right woman can make you, and the WRONG woman can BREAK you!"
I do not know how many men about there realize that women, as different as they are from men, are still "people, humans, have problems, dreams, want the truth, and are generally the same,"yet they are also completely different in a handful of ways." If they were not, then men and women would NEVER have any problems. Right? Everyone would just be the same and they would get along.

However, there are those few men, few women, who just want to be loved and as they say on the movie, "Moulin Rouge", "The greatest thing in the world, is to be loved, and to loved truly in return." (paraphrasing, as I think the last part, may be just off). Those people, are far and few between, as a rule. Therefore, how hard is it for two people to find each other, date (starting those dates, with 100% honesty, not "making either party better/worse than they are, as people, past, present, or future), have enough time to invest (with work, social life, and what life has to offer) in a chance, date long enough to actually have feelings, and then "truly fall in love." I believe that all people truly want to fall in love, but it is not the easiest thing to do. It takes patience, trust, and then the other person has to have the same. It is almost a better shot for a regular person, to "splice DNA," then to actually find a person who is their "soul-mate," or that one special person, who is to be by your side for the next fifty to sixty years.

Then, when a person is not expecting, not looking, and is just being themselves. Like a lightening bolt, from a powder blue sky, two people meet and they are honest and hit it off from the beginning. When it happens, there isn't any other feeling like it, in the whole world. The start is with honesty and the chit-chat is out of the picture, but "real topics" take it's place (no more talk about the whether, how a team is doing, or the regular garbage most people start out with). Then, with honesty in the fulcrum of the lever of love, there is nothing that cannot be accomplished, as everything from then on is real talk. As time goes on, there is nothing that those two people can't handle, because there is nothing stronger than the truth.

Of course, this takes two people who are willing to go that route, making the truth the biggest thing in their relationship. However, when "TRUTH" is the biggest pillar in the relationship and stays that way, there is nothing better. As, I know from personal experience, there is not any feeling in the world in being able to trust the lady, in every single facet of my life. Though, it took very hard work, many hours of talking, chatting, and emails, in the end, the feeling of having that, is not worth any trade in the world. KNOWING, as long as trust (a blessing from God, honesty and trust, "In my opinion") stays that strong of a pillar in our relationship, there is no more dating, no more wondering, and it allows for peace to be in our relationship. Two people bound, happy, in love, and for eternity being together. In the end, I just do not see anything, more special and important, than having that.

Peace, MD http://www.TheThoughtSpigot.Com

Fox News, "Fair And Balanced," While Shilling for Romney?

Everyone knows that Fox News', catch phrase is: "Fox News, Fair and Balanced." However, if anyone has paid attention to Iowa Caucus Vote and the Republican Primary, it is very obvious from the beginning, as a whole, the network has been for Mitt Romney, from the very beginning. There have been countless debates, Fox held two, and in the two debates and after coverage of the others, Fox News always began running down, all the candidates except Mitt Romney.

First, Newt Gingrich, a man who has had some "personal" mistakes and he was not the most affable person, as the Speaker of the House, in the 1990's. There are some Republicans, like Daryl Issa (R-Head of the Judiciary Committee) and some others, even came out on Fox News (not MSNBC, or CNN, that I saw), to bash Mr. Gingrich. After the complete bashing of the "speaker", came $3.5 million dollars in "JUST IOWA", ran against him, mostly by "PACS" (Political Action Committees, who have no laws for them to stop, hold them back, they can say anything, and if they are a "Romney PAC, Ron Paul PAC", the candidates can come off free of "negative ads." Yet, everyone knows they are from the candidates, as a rule. Even with all of those ads and negative words, Gingrich did not ever go negative against others (Reagan's "11th Commandment" Thou shall not speak ill of other Republicans), no negative ads, and kept his campaign on big ideas and policy.

Ron Paul is second, in the Iowa polling, or within the margin of error, to be first. However, to here Fox News (which I actually agree with this), smashed Paul for his foreign policy stance. Paul believes all bases, troops, and wars should come home and/or stop. He believes the United States has become the "policeman of the world," but what is always highlighted on Fox, is WWII, and forcing the Nazi's back, or the "end of the Cold War." Stating, if we would have not done those things, we would "all be fascists now." A statement Bill O'Reilly made, Sean Hannity made, and others have made, in prime time, on Fox News.

Then, Rick Santorum, who by all rights has been out of the race, until the last week of polling, has not even been on the Fox News Channel (though on Monday, O'Reilly invited him to be on his show, which benefits him, because Santorum will do well in Iowa, after all). The most conservative, in the family/social issues, Santorum is the one (other than Bachman, Perry, or any of the other candidates) highlighted here, because he is the only one with a shot to be close to the top, and is also in second place in the polling, as of now. However, if one looks at the last 3-4 days of polling, he is in a statistical/in the margin of error tie for first, with Romney. Yet, he has been all, but dragged down as just a "Catholic, good guy, who has some good values", not a Presidential Candidate.

For the full disclosure, I like Fox News, as a rule. I watch it more than I do the other News Channels and I am a political "Wonk" Junkie, watching the channel quite a bit (like 4-5 hours a day, then splitting that time up, flipping to CNN, as MSNBC is a complete waste, or a Democratic shill, just look at last year's election). However, they have missed the boat on this. They have not been "fair and balanced", when 41% of the Iowa electorate "could change their minds at the caucuses." Then, you have all of the Mitt Romney flip flops: 1. For abortion before against it, then for, and now against. 2. He made Massachusetts an "ObamaCare" state, and actually made the diagram for "ObamaCare" (as per, the Obama Administration in '08). 3. He was a DEMOCRAT, when he ran in the beginning of his career.

No one knows who will win, and become the Republican Primary, overall. However, the biggest news channel, most watched, and most influential has thrown this completely, the Iowa Primary (when he will already win the New Hampshire primary, with no help), propelling him to a big lead against those who are just as viable. This is not fair and balanced, this is swaying people's minds, by bending the details, omitting things, and just reporting the negatives on other candidates. The American people deserve better coverage (with the exception of Bret Baier, who has done an outstanding job of making all the coverage fair, and everyone getting time, including interviews with ALL the candidates, who wished to come). As, there is not any show, TV star/program, who should try to sway, by omition, ever, while hammering other networks for the same. Why cover all the garbage, when nobody knows "Romneys 51 point plan," "Newt's Tax Plan," and/or "All of Paul's positions (except the negative ones)". Why?

Merry Christmas, From Our "Leaders"

How does one "lose" $1 billion dollars?" John Corzine, former mayor of N. J., and after his term went to work at M. F. G. (Monetary Fund Global), was brought on to run the whole "M. F. G.," as the CEO, and was paid over $1 million base salary. He is to testify in front of congress today, will not take the fifth, but has a twenty one page introduction, to Congress, but in it, he states, "I do not know where the money went, but I am sorry." Sorry? A person is sorry, if they do not give the cashier at the store, $5. When you lose $1 billion, of "INVESTOR's MONEY", who have invested, done their homework to make money, and using the capitalist system to retire, but there is no where to find these dividends. Therefore, all of these people, are just out of luck.

Then, President Obama sends his family on, to Hawaii, for their vacation, as his "tax holiday." After not having a budget for two years, failing to get $4 trillion cut out of the debt, failing to get a quality budget cut for the $1 trillion, failures of Congress and the "Super Committee," and all the while, the President's words: "I am staying out of it, and letting Congress work it out." How has that worked out? I am not sure, as I am torn, because if President Obama would put his "LEADERSHIP" to good use, he may have tried to do another "Obamacare," "EPA Control of every animal in the world, halting production and jobs," and "he could also go ahead and just deny "The Constitution" and the people and MANDATE health care, or something else, he deems necessary. Then again, what has "Congress" (both the Senate and Congress, on "The Hill") have a 8-12% trust rating, and they have not done anything, but play politics (leading up to the election, starting eight months ago) on all the issues, both sides. Democrats want to spend, spend, spend the way out of the jobs and recession storm, and the Republicans want everything paid for, that the U.S. spends, or adds on.

Now, everyone knows that George W. Bush's last two years, were a DISASTER! Fanny and Freddie (which is not his fault, but was Barney Frank (D- retiring due to redistricting, in N. Y.) and Chris Dodd (D-Connecticut), as it was called the "Dodd/Frank Bill." Yet, it has Bush's name on the bottom, so he gets some responsibility. Then the two wars, which cost the United States trillions of dollars and U.S. soldiers blood. However, strategically (no matter if you are for war, against it, think it was right/wrong, to go into Iraq and Afghanistan), there was only one option, after 9-11. That was to go to war, in the most strategic places, for the best intelligence, and that was Iraq (who had used gas and bombs against the Kurds, killing thousands, not to mention countless Christians, just in Iraq) and Afghanistan (who was running "terrorist high" with the Taliban. Killing Christians, instituting Sharia Law, and the things they did to women there are not worth repeating here). These two places were the right targets (even though, nobody could know how long we would be there, cost, or what, and also that the Middle East would go up in smoke, and Obama would do nothing).

Here the United States people are in debt, by $15 trillion dollars (73% of GDP), looking like Europe (in our values, money, and all of the things that Italy, France, Ireland, and others are going thru, in Europe) with the "Wall Street Crowds" who do not actually know what they are fighting for, or they are plants and being paid (not counting the criminals across the country hiding in the crowds). So, President Obama spared part of his vacation. Does he deserve one, more than the regular 5 days around Christmas? Libya, Egypt, Iraq (where he didn't listen to his general's, played politics with the war and is bringing them all home, for IRAN, to step in, with the Shi'ite figurehead as a "constitutional figure"), Afghanistan, Pakistan (blocking our routes to get supplies to Afghanistan, saying the U. S. is not a "friend", and they have nukes. Say hello, to India, our new best friend.), Iran and Syria, who openly had war games, ships in the Mediterranean Sea, and enough rockets, weapons and air power (from Syria) to provide a FULL SCALE Israeli War, if things do not get better, in a hurry. This does not even count, the fake job numbers (8.5% unemployment, is the White House Stat, but 350,000 people just quit looking for jobs, so they are not counted and the "underemployed" are not counted either, so it is more like 17.4% unemployment, hello France), lack of financial security, and all of the FDA, EPA, and other regulators killing our economy. All of this, the Christmas season (with those without, for reasons, that need not be there), and our borders wide open enough to kill an ambassador (if the Iranian's would have been smarter. Merry Christmas, President Obama!

"PJ" An Obituary, On My 1st Dog

PJ, "Peej" for a nickname, became my first dog (as in "my" first dog on my own). My father and I drove all the way to Brookefield, Mo., to get her, at about 10 weeks old. She rode on my lap all the way home. From then on, PJ was with me for the next two and a half years. I lived, after I hurt my back, in trailor (my choice, as I couldn't live with folks, but was still hurt too), and PJ and I were outside in a 18 foot trailor, for those two years. She learned hand, voice, and even head signals over those two years. :) She was so smart.

My father and I started taking her hunting that same year we got her (two month after), but on that trip, she was walking on the edge of the water (at 4 months) and then decided to crawl into my hunting jacket arm/sleeve, on the ground at my feet. However, the next year, she was good to go. Best dog for ducks and geese, field and water, and there wasn't anything she wouldn't get in the water/land (tennis balls, frisbees, etc...). She was an outgoing and loving dog that "EVERY TIME" I came home, or someone came to visit, PJ met them/us at the door, with "TWO" (had to be two?) balls, a ball and a tug rope, two of ANYTHING, just "2". :)

Peej loved people, sitting on the couch, being my best friend, hunting, fishing, being with family, and just living life. Even on her last day: "I took a turkey brat out for me, or the cats, and one for PJ (she wouldn't come in the house, for the last three days, she knew it was time). I walked outside and she lifted up her head, pounded her tail on grass (just like she did, ANY time I came up to her while she lounged on "her couch", and shared a brat and some water with me, on the ground, as I sat by her. Like she was shiny and new, not beat up and dying from cancer."

However, as PJ is in Heaven, waiting for me to come up and throw the frisbee, or to go fish with me, I will just have to settle for her looking down on Cali (my rescue dog), Cinnamon (my rescue cat), and me. I will always miss her and all the time we had, thru my physical stuggles and my living alone, the whole time she was alive she was with me. I will always remember the good stuff, and I don't think I could have any "bad things" to remember, she was that good of a best friend and dog.

Peace and God Bless,
MD

Copyright. Dman@TheThoughtSpigot.Com

http://thethoughtspigot.com/

Syria, When Is Killing Civilians And Protestors, To Much?

There is not any way, for anyone, to know how many people have died for sure (the rough total is anywhere between 4-6500 people dead, thousands injured). Yet, there is no doubt that Syria is gunning down civilians (literally), using tanks and personal carriers (with mounted and personal weaponry aboard), and then there is the always popular (in the Middle East, with the Jihadism) the lobbing mortar rounds into the civilian populations. All of this, because the people of Syria are tired of the dictator and his family, who have ran Syria and all of it's components, for over 40 years. The satellites, computers, phones, reporters, and any kind of trying to get a story out and correct, results in death (even if you are a reporter, currently, there are at least 4 reporters in Syrian prisons, from the E. U.). Then there is Egypt, Libya, Iran, and the other civilian populations, in the Middle East, longing for freedom and liberty, but there is no help, there are very few solutions, and the population is left to fend for themselves, far out gunned, out manned, and are in dire situations.

Most people know about the above, hate it with all of their being, but what is there to do, in order to save the lives of the Syrian people and getting Bashar al-Assad, either to get out of the country and turn it over to a democratic (for the Middle East) government, or have him killed. The protests continue everyday, and so do the killings. The United Nations Security Counsel is putting up sanctions, with teeth, on Syria's oil exports, mainly going to the E. U., Russia, China, and some other smaller countries. Although, there is a complete blow back in the U. N. Security Counsel, with Russia, China, South Africa, India and Brazil, as they are the ones who are trading and selling oil, natural commodities and then regular trading partners. Those countries are pulling back on the sanctions, are not looking to not accept the oil (Syria is selling), so it will be very interesting to see what the U. N. draws up on paper, continuing with the sanctions, and how watered down they may get.

Where is the United States, our military, and President Obama on Syria? The Obama White House will not call it a "war," "civil war," and/or anything controversial. There is not any way, the United States (alone), could put boots on the ground, use a no fly zone (like in the "non-war" in Libya, which the Obama White House is "leading from the rear" on), so sanctions are what the Syrians will get from the United States, as well.

Then there is other Middle East countries and "The Arab League," and C. A. I. R. (Counsel on American, Islamic Relations). There are very few, definitely something that people have to research to find, moderate Muslims speaking out, taking a stand, and trying to assimilate. Instead, there is nothing, but backlash, rioting in the E. U. (partially from the economy and partially from the non-assimilation of Muslim's and other cultures), and then there are countries who have things tied into the United States, Syria, and the country doing business. As an example, Amnesty International tried to go thru Turkey (who are killing Kurds and are having huge problems with Syrian refugees), and they were stopped from entering the country, seeing and going into the refugee "tent city," and were told not to come back.

There are multiple reasons, ranging from just the political, to the geo-political, and/or just bad blood and getting over on the next country, for the problems in the Middle East (Lebanon, Syria, Libya, etc...etc....). Nicholas Sarkosi spoke out and said, "The Assad, Syrian Government has caused irreparable damage, to the Syrians, Syria's Leaders, and the Middle East as a whole. The Syrian leaders, lead by the Assad Family are wrong in thinking the public will not rise against the government, as it is in the human spirit to yearn to be free." The French leader has had more to say, publicly and privately, then anyone in the United States, including President Obama. Although Turkey, Iran, Yemen and Syria are definite problems, there is also wars in Libya, Iraq, and Afghanistan, so troop presences, from the United States would have to come with "peace keeping missions/forces," if they were to be sent in.

The more a person looks at the current problems in Syria (and Libya, the whole Middle East, really), the more involved the problems become. Syria is a major trading partner with Brazil, and Brazil gets oil, as a majority from Syria/Iran. Also, Brazil is in the middle of a booming economy, with it's natural resources to ship, worker's working for very little (for the exporting), and they are also looking to go off shore, very soon, which makes it all very hard to get it thru the South American countries. However, Brazil is also in a very hard place too, as their currency is at a place where they are in for a scare with major inflation. Therefore, why would there go with a Security Council Vote? They wouldn't. Then there is Lebanon, Israel, and Syria. Israel sandwiched between two governments who use Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Iranian Guard (similar to our C. I. A., highly trained and highly filled with tons of weapons). Lebanon is, basically, ruled Hezbollah, which does not think Israel has the right to exists (as per the Iranian Constitution, and what the Mullah's and President have all said repeatedly). In the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the Hamas group is part of the government (legally, thru elections, assuming they were not rigged) and is also an Iranian puppet group.

Where does the world go? What does the world do? How many people have to die, even thru such a complicated and multi-faceted problem? The world does not have any answers, other than the sanctions being drawn up and implemented. There is one "wild card," in all of this, as the U. S. sits by (like in Libya and 2009 Iran, when they had an "uprising", which was crushed, by lack of effort) and does nothing. Though, the United States could spread fliers, use the Net, hack into (other countries computers, to show the people we were with them) computers, and use Twitter, Face Book, and other social sites to let the people of the world. It would let those people, "know" they are no alone, and could end up as a greater option, then sending in air power and troops. The only thing the people of the world know, is Syria is killing it's civilians, over them wanting a new government, to be free, and to not live under a dictator. No matter how hard, grueling, or long a problem is, there is an answer, and it is people who yearn for freedom. Whether that "freedom" is like the United States, or if it is an elected government of different tribes, and/or elected officials. If a person yearns for freedom, they are just about willing to do anything to achieve it. They just need some help.

Copyright. DMAN @ TheThoughtSpigot.com
http://www.thethoughtspigot.com/

Gun Shows, The Media, & The Tea Party

Personally, I believe full disclosure should be the only way to go (due to the partisan rhetoric and ranker, from our government), and I am a "half independent and 1/2 libertarian," if a person was to rate, or have to put a label on me. Also, I have grown up with guns, around guns, have hunted, and understand that everyone should be able to protect themselves. However, I have also quit hunting, even though I ate the things I killed. I saw that I was able to buy whatever I need to eat, and their need not be "any" suffering, in the least, to the animals I may have shot in the future. I also believe that there is a difference and a "huge" facade, by the far right and the NRA, to try and make the AK-47's, AR-15's, and all the other heavy military weapons, used at "home defense guns." On the left, they to have the same talking points and the same tricks, but they are obviously looking to have the United States, "just like London, England" and the rest of the European Union. Now, with that being said, I will continue with the article.

Last weekend, I was able to muster enough strength and go to a "a major gun show in the Missouri area," with my father. I was there, not just to have a good time and look at high dollar, collector's, and just overall (to me) neat looking guns and knives with my dad, but also to look at the "tea party people" (which are often labeled by the media, as "gun nuts," "huge amounts of people, mobs if you will, who hoard guns and ammunition"), and also to just get a feel for the overall sense of who the people were that worked there. To be honest, there was about 10% that were just about as "batty" (or how MSNBC would label them), for my taste, in that they were there as obvious racists, obvious survivalists, and some separatists. Then there was about 60% that were die-hard gun owners, collectors and were seller's. NOT ONE GUN, THAT I SAW PURCHASED (48, while I was there, and witnessed the whole process) DID NOT DUE A BRADY/FBI CHECK, AND DID ALL OF THE CORRECT PAPERWORK AND PHONE CALLS. These dealers walking around and those people who were there to sell a gun, or two out of there own collections (I saw seven of these), asked for ID (which they didn't have to), talked to the guy (for more than 5-6 minutes, which they didn't have to), and they also made the decision to sell to each of those people (which they didn't have to, and two guys turned down people "for the asking price of their gun," do to the fact they did not feel "comfortable selling to those two people", and both were white men). Then there is about 30% of people selling everything, from purses, candles, and a combination of all kinds of items. As there is a certain amount of things, other than guns and weapons, allowed in each show (depending on the show).

Meeting more than 400 people personally, that day, getting pictures, and video, I did not have any bad relations, talks, and there was more people and vendors there to just talk about their own hobby. However, one stood out, from the other vendors/dealers. I walked up to the majority of the tables, but when I walked up to the table labeled, "She's A Pistol", I was really blown away. They had a mixture of things. Yet, the thing that caught my eye, was they had a set of "sensual clothes/bikini's" (see pictures below, there is nothing lewd about them), having a combination of pink with camouflage. Then I looked, more and a little more, and they had a mixture of outdoors things, clothes, and also some of the most "quiche" side of the outdoor world, I have ever seen. Then, up walks a lady, to help me, and we begin to talk about how they got started. These people did not only have the best booth, but they were also great people. They were not terrorists, did not sell any guns, and they were in the "norm of society." I would have to say, they were as far away from the "belt way, as they could be, but they had common sense and knew about a host of political issues. (If you wish to look at these cool things, not in my pictures, below, here is their web site: ( http://www.shesapistol.com/ and all questions, for thier products are to be directed to ( sales@ShesAPistol.Com ).

This was the overall vibe, of the whole gun show. It was not about whether you were one of those fringe elements, as those people who were there to buy a ticket "knew" who was for "them," "on the fringe," and/or just something they were not into, or were into. The people in between the aisles of sale, were a mixture of races, genders, and ages. There were people there of different sexual orientation, those that were way out on the "far right," and there was not problems. There was not any police action, except one rumor that a gun went out the front door, without the dealer, or the owner's permission, but they would not go into any details, or specifics. With the right and left side of the media, side of the population, or the fact that those who have given these shows a "label" (one way, or another), there is only one thing I would say about this show. It was "everything" the mainstream, right and left fanatics, and those who want to squelch "the right to bare arms," opposite, of what is coming out of the majority of those venues.

This is not the only gun show I have been to, or the only state (Missouri). I have been to more than fifty gun shows in my life, pretty easily. The only problem(s) I have ever seen, heard, or was involved in anything wrong (as portrayed in the media, the far side of each), was when I saw one white man (in one of the smaller gun shows, not that it makes it right), not serve someone of another color. This is the only thing, I have ever seen, heard, or witnessed bad, at any of these gun shows. Some people take these times to have and make money, others are there to let others see the collection, and then there are others that are at these gun shows, like I was (last weekend), to spend time with their father.

Copyright. DMAN @ TheThoughtSpigot.Com

http://www.thethoughtspigot.com/

LSU's Players Lack Of Respect & Violations, Cost Them A National Title

LSU Tiger Football just took a huge hit this week (pun intended), and a bit earlier in the week. It is official, LSU Tiger quarterback Jordan Jefferson and starting linebacker Josh Johns. Also, adding in the suspended and multi-talented Russell Shepard (think Dexter McCluster, the tandem brother combo at Oregon State (last year), or even Tyrell Pryor). These three players, all hammered, and justifiably so, by the NCAA and the LSU school, have not only jeopardized their own futures, but they just dashed the hopes of a National Championship, for sixty-five (plus) other teammates. Jefferson and Johns were both charged with 2nd degree battery, and both players bailed out on $5,000 bond. Though, Jefferson found out thru a text message/tweet, that he was wanted by the law, and he did walk in on his own, this is something that made Les Miles and the Tiger Staff to take action, suspending both players from all football activity indefinately.

LSU football will survive. They already have a quarterback (thought without the talent of Jefferson), in Jared Lee, in the wings who can fill in to the position. The second string quarterback, is a transfer, who just got to LSU in January, and the coaching staff had already admitted, that he was at least a year away, "though his arm strength is ready now." Johns, the linebacker, was just a back-up linebacker, but he has the same 2nd degree battery charge behind his name. However, the loss of Jefferson and Shepard, from the number four team in the land, is more than the Tigers and Les Miles can afford. The lack of respect of the institution (giving these players, OVER other deserving applicants), lack of respect for the law and the recipient of the "battery" (details are sketchy on who got hit and what went on, for sure), and then the lack of respect for themselves and their "teammates", it begs to question on whether Jefferson (especially), desierves another chance (after constant and other troubles with people in the law and life, counting 4 instances, to date, that are known). Especially, with (#4) Tigers versus (#3) Oregon Ducks (some think is the best team in the land), rolling into town on opening weekend. This game should be a precursor of things to come and the only question left:

Can LSU even make a bowl game this year, or do you start rebuilding, now?

Copyright. DMAN @ TheThoughtSpigot.Com
http://www.thethoughtspigot.com/

Rick Perry/George W. Bush II New Mantra Better Be..........

Texas Governor, Rick Perry is the "shiny new penny," in the 2012 Presidential race. He, in the latest Gallup Poll (as of 8-16-11), it shows: Rick Perry 29%, Mitt Romney 18%, and Michelle Bachmann 13%, has pulled ahead, to become the front runner. What does the "front runner" do on his first day? He says that the Chairman of the Federal Reserve (honestly a heinous institution, and poorly run, to say the least), Ben Bernake, was "almost guilty of treason," obviously a charge that carries a possible, death penalty (something for sure to come out later, Perry's Texas death prison rate, and how many times he has NOT "come to the aid". To be seen in another article). However, President Obama, who is out on a bus tour, for "jobs" (in reality, no pundit, White House Staff, or W.O.N.K. on the Hill, could say otherwise, that this is a tax payer, fund raising trip for Obama, right after the Iowa Straw Polls and Perry's recent announcement.), said the exact same thing, about the "far right/tea party" and that they were also guilty of treason, he just used six sentences to say it. Good politician, good speaker, and (aside from Bill Clinton) the best fund raiser in either party is Barack Obama.

I digress, back to Gov. Rick Perry, and what is soon to be his problem. He will act like, will look like at times, and he will most definitely be attacked as, George W. Bush, and possibly G.H. W. Bush, too, one never knows today). When the constant comparison comes up, "Rick, Rick, Rick, Mr. Perry what do you say, that you are just another George W. Bush, big oil, big Pharma, wrapped in a different package?" Wow, if that question would have been asked by anyone, to Rick Perry today, what would he have said? "Well, I can understand your question, but I am Rick Perry look at my record, look at his." C'mon, what would he have said? It would have been, something like that, and then the next ten months, he would have been branded "George W. II"!

His answer should have been, "Are you kidding me? You are asking me, if my 10 years as Governor, all of the things I have done, and all the while I was not in the White House, or anywhere near Capitol Hill? I did not have anything to do with George W. Bush, but good business and taking care of my fellow Texans. However, now I am running and am planning on "winning" the White House. Once this happens, I will have to look out for everyone of my fellow Americans, not just Texans, so no, I am no carbon copy of George W. Bush. I hope that puts this question to rest." If he would say that, and just take his lumps, over a Monday thru a Friday news cycle, it would stick. The Democrats and President Obama, would come off seeming petty and just name callers.

One thing is for sure, this election cycle will continue to continue to get more and more ugly. Both sides are far, far away from being individuals and are not going to play fair, this is the game of politics. However, the Republicans will be shown the door, as this election is going to be historic. Every single vote will count, there are 14+ months to the election, many things can change. However, Rick Perry's campaign, as him being a "shoot from the hip" talker, and a politician who will be (and could eat up) all of the new found glory, falling on his face. Though, he will not even get to Florida, if he will not stick to the "I am not George W. Bush II" answer down, and get it down fast.

Copyright. TheThoughtSpigot.Com by DMAN
http://www.thethoughtspigot.com/

America Home Of The Down?

In the light of another Serbian General being tried (at the Hague, Mladic, Serbian General in the "Kosovo Affair"), the latest kill of Osama Bin Laden, an Iraq and Afghanistan War, and the Libyan War (that isn't not even considered a hostility, by the Obama Office), and the countless other things people may have a problem with the United States, as a whole. Whether a person is a Democrat, Republican, through the Liberatarian table, pro war to a dove, or if they have no politics what so ever, but are just participating in America, in the best way they know how, I am sure that everyone can agree, for every problem, atrocity, multi-billion dollar affair/corruption, and so on................

Please remember, we are a country of immigrants, who has done more in less amount of time, than any other country in the history of this world. Through that "power"/"strength"/"grace" (whatever one wishes to call it), America, Americans, have done more and have helped more than any country in the world. We are Americans first. We should celebrate this with such zeal, as aside from our most core belief (some of our faiths), America and what it stands for, is always there, with people to answer that call. The humanitarian aide, while not perfect, is donated and given multi-times over, through the last 100 years, showing that America and Americans are about pride, making those people with less have more, and above all there are more people wanting and trying to come to America, The United States, to settle and make these free shores theirs, as well.

Please celebrate our gifts, and above all be safe today, as there are so many who can't be with us today. Have fun, have pride, be thankful for those fighting for those here in America, and show why America is the country it is, regardless of what may have been problems, perceived and/or real, over the last three to twelve years. God Bless America, and it's people.

Copyright. DMAN@TheThoughtSpigot.Com
http://www.thethoughtspigot.com/

PLEASE REMEMBER, ON OUR DAY OF CELEBRATION..........

"On this day of celebration, let's all take time to remember our loved ones, those who have come before us, the fight in Americans to bring our lives (if we so choose) to the next level, and NEVER forget our troops in combat, those back who have served, and those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our beloved land. Please be safe and remember what the holiday is all about." -----Me

Copyright. DMAN at "TheThoughtSpigot.com"

http://www.thethoughtspigot.com/

Vacilating Obama No Surprise, And IS U. S. Voter's Fault

President Obama is one of the very best orators, politicians, and one of the top five to ten most charismatic Presidents, in United States history. He is a bright man, period. These are all things that voters and the world knew, when he began (even before, with his two books and his meteoric rise to President). Yet, there are a lot of things that are not coming true, policy and primary statements that have both sides of the aisle not in the best of moods, and most of the American people act like this is a big surprise? When President Obama was a Senator in 2007, he voted and spoke very harshly about George W. Bush's attempt to raise the debt ceiling (a problem coming in the next month, again). Not only has President Obama raised the debt ceiling 9 times, since his stint in the Oval Office, but here is what he said in 2006-07: ............."The fact that we are here today to debate raising America’s debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the U.S. Government can't pay its own bills. It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our Government’s reckless fiscal policies. … Increasing America’s debt weakens us domestically and internationally." The debt ceiling is one promise, flip flop, or change of mind (however, a person wishes to characterize it), it just one example. President Obama made these promises on the campaign trail (and keep in mind, these are just the policy/U. S. things he has changed on, or can't explain. There is no Rev. Wright, birth certificate stuff, or personal problems, John McCain was to gutless to go after him on, before that 2008 election): First words, "I will cut all of the taxes on those 2% of the rich, and resend the Bush Tax Cuts." Action, he extended the Bush Tax cuts, even for the wealthy 2% and Wall Street, for two years. Original stance, "I guarantee, when I am President, I will close GITMO!" Actual action, it is still open. "Those of you who will go under the government's plan to 'reform health care', will not have any changes in doctors, procedures, or see anything change." Actually, people have had doctors retire, not take Medicare/Medicaid people (I know, I am one), there has been massive cuts in what tests people can have done (like instead of my quarterly blood tests, I only get two now.), and finally he has given over 1000 actual 'waivers' to major companies (GE, almost all the car companies, banks, and all the unions, just to name a few). Then it has been said/ruled on, by multiple states and courts, the whole ObamaCare system is not Constitutional, but he will not fast track it (which would save millions, literally, of dollars in attorney and court expenses alone), and even Joe Biden has said it is going to have to be handled by the Supreme Court. Then, there is all of the debt and spending. To be fair, there is $1 billion a week (yes, a week), going to the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. On the campaign trail and in his first year in office, Obama said, "I will bring or troops home from Iraq, in my first year of office! (actually banging his fist on the podium). Yet, there are still troops there, whether if they are fighting, or sitting in lawn/sand chairs. They are still there. These things do not even touch the trillion dollars of debts he racked up, in his first two years of office. Where he spent more money, straight from the playbook of people like Allinsky, Piven, and the progressives throughout history, wanting government to run the lives of the United States people, rather than the states and people taking care of their individual regions (which all vary). All of these things have transpired, but this is not a bash President Obama post. It is a "YOU SHOULD NOT BE SURPRISED" post and it is nobody's fault, but the American people. Those who did not vote, did not pay attention, said "my vote won't make a difference," or actually voted for the man (even after all the problems with Rev. Wright, his voting "present" more times than "yes/no" in the Senate, the fact he was a Jr. senator, only serving for really two years (as he was traveling to get elected, the other two years of his senatorial stint), and everyone bought the "Hope and Change" slogan, "Hope and Change We Can Believe In." Well, we all got it. It is "change." We can believe in it, because look at the country, and how the democratic party (with a super majority, in all houses, and with a Dem. President), has spent more money than all the other President's, from Washington to President G.W. Bush. If the American people do not start caring, voting (even for school boards and alderman's, the most miniscule votes), and studying all of the candidates. Well, all that can be said is, "You will get more and more "Change", but it will have all the "Hope" gone out of it. American's should have known before Obama was elected, and if they do not know now, we all deserve whatever we get. Copyright. DMAN@TheThoughtSpigot.Com http://www.TheThoughtSpigot.Com

The XXX CHURCH And Pornography In The Mainstream

If you were out today, between 4:30-5 P. M. (CST)., then you may have then you may have heard two completely different and shocking things one the radio. On one channel, 96.5 "The Buzz" (on the "Lazlo Show, http://965thebuzz.com/) and then on 92.5 Bott Radio (on the Richard Land Show, http://bottradionetwork.com/), they were both talking about the exact same thing, but in completely different ways. They were both talking about "porn"/pornography and marriage, relationships, and outcomes from porn in the household. It would be up to the reader, here, to decide if you want to go and look at the pod cast, of either of these shows, there will be no shilling for either. Yet, there was some content that is striking.

From the online XXXChurch (http://xxxchurch.com/), there was a man who has been to the (two time a year) "Porn Show," and will also be attending this year, on the weekend of February 6 (http://xxxchurch.com/getinvolved/x3events/pornsunday.html). He was a pastor and has been going, with a couple of other pastors, and this year he will be going with the NFL's former quarterbacks John Kitna and Josh McNown, and on the site, Matt Hasselback (from the Seattle Seahawks) has a video clip. Having pastors and ministers going to a "Porn Show," for the last four years has brought a lot of different thoughts and feelings, from a lot of different faiths and Christian denominations. However, there is not any doubt, there is a huge problem with pornography in America. A $4 billion a year industry, it is touted from, "a marriage aid," to "keeping people with deviant/non-normal wants in the house, rather than acting out, in life."

(At the end of this, I feel the only way I can make this article credible, is to give a small sliver of my own story on this topic, as if I do not, I am just some "guy with an opinion.")

Moving on, the "keeping deviants in the basement and marriage aids" arguments is NOT going to be settled here. However, it is important for people to know the facts. Things as, the majority of married couples have sex less than 20 times a year, 58% (depending on the table/set of stats looked at) of marriages end with some kind of a pornography component, and more and more young men are having trouble (with the easy access, even free, in most cases, as more than 70% of men 18-34 have watched/viewed some kind of pornography, in the last WEEK. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pornography#Statistics) actually forming real, loving, and treating women, as they are to be treated. This is leaving a whole generation, without the skills and knowing what is real in the bedroom.

There is a general knowledge of what is thought of, some people know some things, but as a rule, the majority of people (ESPECIALLY men, and young men) think this is just a "good time," is normal stuff, and just part of the mainstream now. However, here are just a handful of statistics and websites (as I am not the one who should research every single thing, sell anyone on what they should/shouldn't believe, but at the same time I do need to give every reader, friends in most cases, but those who are my blog readers across the world, the tools and places to see for themselves. Then they may make their own decision.

Yet, feeling like I am not above reproach on this issue, in any way, as I have seen and viewed porn, just like the majority of society. However, when I was 25 years old (I am 38 now), I decided that I was going to take a whole year off from sex and six months off from dating women, as I had not had the best of luck. The only thing I could see, as a common denominator, in my failings in finding a wife, was the sex involved. I also realized that I had only one "clean/pure relationship," which last for about two years and it was a "true love" situation, and there was no sex involved. Now I am not going to go into why that relationship did not work out, but I will say that is was not either my, or the woman's fault, at that time in our lives (being just 19). Moving on, that one relationship was clean/pure, like I said, there was no porn in my life, and everything I know about that relationship was what every relationship (in my opinion) should be based on. After that year, I began dating again, also I was still looking at porn videos and some magazines, nothing crazy, just the "run of the mill" (as I would describe it) sexual stuff. I continued on dating, but not having sex and yet there was a well defined problem, with the women I was seeing, as I would be refusing sex (sometimes after 5 dates, sometimes after a couple months). This always ended the relationships/dating with the women, and I was either labeled "weird" (as why would a guy not want to have sex with a really nice looking women?), or else I was labeled "gay/homosexual." This is pretty personal for me, but like I said, the only way to be credible is to sometime go out of your comfort zone, and speak up. I ended up being hurt and after a while, the whole time still watching porn, I quit dating altogether. However, I also re-dedicated my life back to a Christian life, taking things in order (like apologizing to friends for some things in the past, then quit lying, then working on my body, mind, and soul, then family issues, and finally I came to the "porn problem." I can honestly say, that with the exception of "chewing tobacco" (which I still have not conquered), my trying to eliminate all porn out of my life was the second hardest thing I have ever done. It took almost eight months, 4 years ago, to get it all gone.) Now, everything is in the trash, no Net porn, and I stay away from the Cinemax shows, late at night, as well. I have to stress, though, how hard this was, and I never planned it to be that hard. This is why I have written the article, given the web sites and stats, plus the story of what I heard on the radio today. I only hope this helps, whoever it is supposed to help, with no judgment in me at all. I just hope that it reaches one person, as this is so pervasive in the mainstream, from the music, television shows, movies, even when you let your kids watch NickToons, or those childrens channels (like Hannah Montana, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, even Harry Potter, watch, as parents, how many times the little girls, dip into the camera, just showing off enough skin, to make a difference. Look at the shows reality and game shows, and see how many women and men are there in tight clothes, or loose clothes leaning into the camera, just for that three to five seconds, in order for the man (who watches and looks for these things) to see that little extra skin, cleavage, whatever. IT IS EVERYWHERE!).

Here are some of the stats and web sites, which you may read and then check yourself. However, I highly recommend and look at this http://www.xxxchurch.com/, as it will be a valuable experience. The rest is also good, so here you go:

This is from the web site (a porn participant, those who have been in movies, web site http://www.thepinkcross.org/, a site which is both for straight, gay, bi-sexual, and transgender porn actors/actresses):

At the 2003 meeting of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, a gathering of the nation’s divorce lawyers, attendees revealed that 58% of their divorces were a result of a spouse looking at excessive amounts of pornography online.

Child pornography is one of the fastest growing businesses online, and the content is becoming much worse.

In 2008, Internet Watch Foundation found 1,536 individual child abuse domains.
Of 1351 pastors surveyed, 54% had viewed Internet pornography within the last year.
There are 4.2 million pornographic web sites, 420 million pornographic web pages, and 68 million daily search engine requests.

From the web site BlazingGrace (http://www.blazinggrace.org/cms/bg/pornstats), which includes statistics from TIME, LA Time Magazine, and then some other religious statistic sites, as well:

* The U.S. Customs Service estimates that there are more than 100,000 web sites offering child pornography (which are illegal) worldwide. Red Herring Magazine, 1/18/02
* Hollywood currently releases 11,000 adult movies per year – more than 20 times the mainstream movie production. LA Times Magazine, 2002.
* 39 million homes receive the adult channels in scrambled form, while the number of children with potential exposure to such images is about 29 millionMorality Continues to Decay. Barna Research Group, November 3, 2003.
* One in 4 American adults surveyed in 2002 admitted to seeing an x-rated movie in the last year. National Opinion Research Letter 55%: Percentage of Porn movie rentals vs. non-porn movies in hotels in 2005. AVN News, State of the Adult Industry
* The average time a porn movie is watched in a hotel room is 12 minutes.Time.com, 3-29-05

Here is also a list of sites, in which you may go to, in order to find out more, as you may have time:
http://xxxchurch.com/, www.womansavers.com/infidelity-statistics.asp (a site which is for marriage, women, and what happens within the marriage bond, do to pornography), www.purehope.net/statisticspornography.asp, http://www.orthodoxwiki.org/Pornography_Addiction, and http://www.wisechoice.net/porn-statistics/