The State of 2015

I tuned into the SOTU speech and initially thought I was watching something produced by Aaron Sorkin. Then recognizing the production values were not as good as I would expect from him, I thought I might be seeing something from another country given the rosy state of everything the guy speaking was talking about.  (I even broke out into a few bars of ‘Everything is Awesome‘)

It was only after I noticed what had to be a shiny silver liquor decanter sitting in front of an old orange man just off the left shoulder of the guy speaking that I knew I had the right speech.

I lasted about 10 minutes.

Being told that up is down, black is white and right is wrong only works with me for about that long… and that’s making an effort. It’s possible I lasted a bit longer as I remember the President of the United States taking credit for low gas prices. Much like a serial killer taking credit for all of your good deeds after he decides not to kill you.

I didn’t watch the rest.

So I would rather talk about Deflated Balls.

Look, I know that steroids have played a major role in the NFL, but I just can’t understand how Deflated Balls helps anyone.  Possibly the wide receivers, but then only marginally at best.  How much friction and drag do you actually lose?

Then Yesterday I learned that Tom Brady “liked” deflated balls.  Fine… whatever floats your boat… but again, whatever your thing is should have no place on the football field.  Today Joe Biden chimes in that he also likes ‘a Softer Ball’.  OK Guys… enough already.

Now, apparently, there are all kinds of accusations flying around about the Boston Patriots having Deflated Balls.

I can’t decide if this is just trash talk or frankly stated observations.  If it’s trash talk, save it for the game.  If it’s statements of fact, I think these are issues to be dealt with when the players are ready and then only if they choose to deal with them.  Leave them alone.

So there you have it…

We should all stop talking about Balls.

That’s the State of the Union for the first 3-weeks of 2015.

Deflated Balls… a metaphor?

Kind of sums it up.

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Super Bowl XLVII

A Few of you might recognize this post already, but a tune-up was requested.

So here you go…

Does it matter who wins the Superbowl?
I’m sure it does to the San Francisco fans as I’m sure it does to the Baltimore fans.  (Personally, I’m rooting for Coach Harbaugh.)

But what I’m asking is, does it really matter?

Will your life be effected if your team loses? (If you’re gambler then, yes… I get it.)

You can keep reading, this isn’t some diatribe on how sports are ridiculous and a waste of time etc. In fact, I think sports are one of the few opportunities still available for the world to see a meritocracy in action. For Americans the Super Bowl is an annual affirmation regarding the benefits associated with competition. We should try applying it in other areas of our lives more often.
However, it strikes me as interesting that millions of fans know more about; how the game is played, who the best players are and why, the distinct characteristics of the coaches and their records, Deer Antler Spray etc. Some even know the type of turf each stadium has and the stats for the team mascot. The problem I have with this is that whoever wins cannot totally screw up your life… (right… unless you’re a gambler…)
Your asking about now, what does he mean? Does this guy have a point?

Well, every two years we have elections in this country. It’s my contention that had we paid as much attention to our elected officials over the last 60+ years as we do our sports, we wouldn’t be in the mess we are in right now.
Then there is the other side of the coin.

It is also my contention that too many of us handle our politics the same way we root for our favorite team. We are the “fair weather fans”. We don’t pay much attention unless “our” team is winning then we may watch them during the regular season but certainly in the play-offs. We don’t really know anything about the players or the coach, but our parents were “fans” when we were kids and/or we grew up close to where the team plays so we’re “fans”. It’s enough that we have a jersey. Right?
Unfortunately this is also how many people vote.

So between the hyper-focus to the exclusion of what truly matters and the cursory focus on what we think matters spells for electoral results that leave us wishing we had bought the case instead of the twelve pack at the grocery store. And, it’s our fault.
My suggestion is we get as excited about elections as we do about our football, baseball and basketball.(I would add golf but… seriously?) Then we learn as much as possible in regard to the characteristics of the candidates, their professed political philosophies and then what they actually believe in based on their actions. It wouldn’t hurt to know their districts and the kind of turf they have… Then and only then do we go vote.

“But sports are way more exciting!” you say. I agree in many regards, but the 49’ers are not going to raise your taxes and the Ravens don’t have the ability to spend the country into oblivion. The above described political contestants do.

So focus your energy on what matters and take off your “party jersey” that your parents gave you.

Learn about the difference between Free-market Capitalism vs. Democratic Socialism.

Understand and be able to identify what camps these politicians belong too even when they tell you something different as they are all prone to do. (Editors Note: Frankly, many of these clowns occupying office have no idea what they are really representing.  Remember, there are no IQ tests required to be in politics.)  Because these guys can and do screw up our lives… on a regular basis… legally… with your permission…  while some of you actually cheer.

Pay attention to sports too… like I said, it may best the last arena we have to see actual competition. Unless, of course, the Politicians figure out a way to regulate that out of existence, which they are working on.

Time for a beer… game’s about to start.