Unless you have been living under a rock, you are aware of the situation with Michael Vick and his conviction for the part in played in dog fighting. Now that he is out of jail, and not under house arrest, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has ruled on whether Vick can continue his NFL career.

1. Vick can immediately take part in preseason practices, workouts and meetings and can play in the final two preseason games — if he can find a team that will sign him.
2. Once the season begins, Vick may participate in all team activities except games, and Goodell said he would consider Vick for full reinstatement by Week 6 (Oct. 18-19) at the latest.

So Vick isn’t suspended from the league, kind of. The “Commish” still has control; his heavy-hand is going a bit overboard in my eyes.

I know the NFL has player conduct and/or morals clauses, but why does this even matter? If you have a field, a football and 22 guys, Michael Vick is one of the most elite human beings on the planet. THE END. No extra yardage, or touchdowns, are scored for being a good human being, but it seems like that is what we expect of professional athletes. Right or wrong (we will get to that) Vick plays a violent sport where physical contact is the norm, yet he is expected to be a role model off the field. I would like to know who decided this and what they were thinking at the time? Why is an elite athlete someone we should look to as a guide to moral behavior? If you haven’t done so before, spend some time with someone who is among the elite in their given field. Many times, that is about all they have to offer – sort of like having all their eggs in one (extraordinary) basket.

The Argument About The Punishment

They were just dogs.

Many people feel like this shouldn’t be a big deal because they were just dogs. I’m not necessarily a dog person, but I’m not a monkey, donkey, pig, hamster, moose or bear person either. Somewhere along the line, dogs were elevated, in the animal kingdom, and became protected by human beings. Hey, it is a law so whatever.

The part that rubs me the wrong way is the fact that Roger Goodell thinks the judicial system isn’t equiped to punish Vick and he must pile on his own punishment. Additionally, he can’t just let him back in the league; he has to regulate how much Vick is allowed to participate and then has the nerve to pass it off as something for Vick’s own good. I would like to know if we should start worshipping Goodell because he is acting like he is God returned to earth. Dude, you run a football league. I know some “money” people may get offended by the “Thugs” in your league, but they don’t mind when those same players are making them a ton of money.

Let’s talk about Donte Stallworth. Stallworth killed a man while under the influence and recieved 24 whole days in jail and a lifetime ban from driving. Oh, and he suspended indefinately by Goodell. I thought the two sentences were way out of whack, but I have learned more about Stallworth’s situation.

1. Stallworth did not drive himself home. He took a cab or was driven home, went to sleep for a few hours and got up to get something to eat. He had basically slept part of his drunken state off although he probably thought he was OK to drive.
2. Stallworth was cooperative with the police. He was the one who called them.
3. The man he hit, and killed, was not using a cross walk. In fact, I read that Stallworth would have hit and killed him if he was totally sober.
4. The family didn’t want Stallworth to have a greater punishment. However, they were OK with the money he gave them.

After reading more about the Stallworth case, I’m not willing to say Vick’s sentence was extreme in comparison. What I am more inclined to say is that they are comparing apples to oranges. If he did sleep for a while before driving and would have killed the man sober makes a difference to me. I still have to process how much of a difference, but it is enough of a difference for me to say it isn’t the same as Vick.

Vick Can (kind of) Come Out To Play

Kathy, from www.kleverkathy.com, recently wrote an article about whether Michael Vick can come out to play. I guess the commissioner, in his controlling way, has said Vick can indeed come out to play. He just can’t play when it counts yet.

Make Things Right Before You Say Goodnight!

On the heels of retired NFL quarterback Steve McNair’s murder, former champion boxer Arturo Gatti was allegedly murdered by his wife. The disturbing thing these two murders have in common is they were both killed in their sleep. I can’t imagine going to sleep for that final time due to someone killing me. Although it could be a less painful way to die – Gatti was strangled – it is still so wrong and brings about grief for the children and other loved ones left behind.

I guess the moral of this short story is to make sure things are right with your significant others before you drift off to sleep. Would you think the two women below are possible killers?

Below you will find several comments from the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing for the confirmation of Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor. Obviously, they follow party lines – the Democrats normally say good things while the Republicans say bad things. Two things caught my attention when reading an article about the hearing:

1. How many times the word “prejudice” was used.
2. How many times the committee took the opportunity to say something about BHO.

They, the Republicans on the committee, are going out of their way to be careful not to talk negatively about Sotomayor as it relates to her race – they are avoiding bringing up the Hispanic element if possible. But the fact that they are avoiding it says something about what is really on their minds. It matters.

In addition to the race element, I find it funny, in a convenient way, that they would use this opportunity to take pot shots (in a political way) at BHO. Instead of talking about gender and race, they are talking about the president – they basically know Sotomayor will be confirmed so they are using this opportunity for other purposes.

Looking at some of the comments below and using a little common sense, it is easy to see a big deal is being made out of some things that shouldn’t be. Does it really make sense, common sense, to think that Sotomayor has progressed to this point without making sound judgements? Would she really use race/gender/upbringing/whatever to make decisions and still be in a position to become the next Supreme Court justice? Would the first President Bush have helped her career if she was as bad as some people make her out to be?

It just doesn’t pass the litmus test to me. I think she will be OK.

Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt.
“I would trust that all members of this committee here today will reject the efforts of partisans and outside pressure groups that sought to create a caricature of Judge Sotomayor while belittling her record and achievements, her intelligence. … Let no one demean this extraordinary woman.”
Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala.
“I will not vote for — no senator should vote for — an individual nominated by any president who believes it is acceptable for a judge to allow their own personal background, gender, prejudices, or sympathies to sway their decision in favor of, or against, parties before the court.”
Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis.
“One attack that I find particularly shocking is the suggestion that she will be biased against some litigants because of her racial and ethnic heritage. This charge is not based on anything in her judicial record because there is absolutely nothing in the hundreds of opinions she has written to support it.”
Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa
“The Supreme Court is meant to be a legal institution, not a political one. But some individuals and groups don’t see it that way. They see the Supreme Court as ground zero for their political and social battles. They want justices to implement their political and social agenda through the judicial process.”
Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz.
“We cannot simply brush aside her extra-judicial statements. Until now, Judge Sotomayor has been operating under the restraining influence of a higher authority — the Supreme Court. If confirmed, there will be no such restraint that would prevent her from — to paraphrase President Obama — deciding cases based on her heartfelt views.”
Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y.
“First, as we will hear in the next few days, Judge Sotomayor puts rule of law above everything else. Given her extensive and evenhanded record, I am not sure how any member of this panel can sit here today and seriously suggest that she comes to the bench with a personal agenda.”
Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah
“There must be a vigorous debate about the kind of judge America needs, because nothing less than our liberty is at stake. Must judges set aside, or may judges consider, their personal feelings in deciding cases? Is judicial impartiality a duty or an option?”

Wow! It seems that the swim club, that’s been accused of racism over these last few days, had an emergency meeting today with its club members and overwhelmingly decided to work things out with the Creative Steps daycare. Go figure!

According to CNN.com, Bernice Duesler, the wife of the man who said the kids changed the “complexion” of the club, told CNN that “the club has been subpoenaed by the state Human Rights Commission, which has begun a fact-finding investigation, and the legal advice was to try to get together with these camps.” In other words, the club was advised to do everything they could to make this go away as soon as possible! It’s bad publicity for the club!

Based on Bernice Duesler’s statement, my interpretation of this olive branch, that’s being extended, is that the swim club is doing this, not because it’s the right thing to do, but because it’s the best thing to do, from a legal standpoint. When daycare center’s director, Alethea Wright, was informed of the swim club’s decision, she informed CNN that the kids had been “emotionally damaged” and she doesn’t know if it would be the best thing for the kids to return to the club. Especially, if those members, who said racist comments, are still there. I wonder if those same members were at the meeting today and voted to ask the kids to return. Just wondering.

What an interesting turn of events for this story. Yes indeed!

Why can’t we, as a country, get past this thing called racism? Come on people! It is 2009 and some of you are still acting like Jim Crow is your best friend! I’ve said it numerous of times – I really hate (and I really try not to use this word) racism and racist attitudes. But the following story is so blatantly racist that I had to write something about it.

The private swim club, Valley Swim Club, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, made racist comments about some minority kids who had previously been given permission to use their facilities. Then, after making the comments, the swim club cancelled the kids swimming privileges, and rejected their membership. The following is what CNN.com is reporting on this travesty:

“The Creative Steps Day Care children — ages kindergarten through seventh grade — went to the Valley Swim Club in Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania, on June 29. The day center’s director, Alethea Wright, had contracted to use the club once a week. During their first visit, some children said they heard club members asking why African-American children were there. One of the boys told the Philadelphia Inquirer that a woman at the club said she feared the children “might do something” to her child. Days later, the day care center’s $1,950 check was returned without explanation, Wright said.”

Now, it’s bad enough that this club, and its members, treated these kids this way, but what makes it worse is the president of the club, John Duesler, told two Philadelphia television stations that the children had changed “the complexion” and “atmosphere” of the club. What?!!! How can one change the complexion of a business? This is so stupid! This is classic “trickle-down effect” mentality in action. What do I mean? Well, I am of the opinion that the attitude of the worker bees stem from the attitude of the Queen bee. In this instance, the president of the Valley Swim Club is the Queen Bee and his racist attitude has “trickled-down” to permeate the entire atmosphere of his staff at this club. Not to mention some of the members who bring their own racist views to the table!

I’m not sure what the outcome is going to be for the Valley Swim Club, but I hope justice overtakes racism in this case. I really do! These are just kids who were looking to have fun swimming! Come on!

Money

Retired NFL quarterback Steve McNair hopefully had plenty of money from his playing days. He played in an era where pro athletes, especially key players like quarterbacks, make millions in salary and endorsements. Additionally, McNair had some business interests – he recently opened a restaurant – outside of professional sports.

Have you ever heard the saying “More money, more problems?” One problem, which may not seem like a problem, money can cause is excessive popularity.

Popularity

Athletes, entertainers and public figures often breeze through certain situations as a result of their popularity. They often eat without paying, something that seems so unfair, and they draw more-than-normal attention from the opposite sex. “I ain’t saying she a gold digger, but she ain’t messing with no broke…”

Since we are born with human weaknesses, the amount of popularity some people get turns into a huge negative; just because someone can throw a football 60 yards does not automatically make them equiped to deal with celebrity.

Sin

The seventh of the ten commandments speaks about committing adultery – cheating on your husband/wife. McNair had a girlfriend although he was married. When you read the initial reports, it actually seems like he had a girlfriend and a wife on the side! They didn’t even talk about it at first, but the story was certainly odd since there was no mention of divorce and/or seperation. Basically, he was sinning.

Predictable behavior

So we have a man, McNair, who should have plenty of money, is popular his playing days in the NFL and was cheating on his wife. Oh, he was also suspected of cheating on the woman who he was cheating on his wife with! I guess his first girlfriend thought he was divorcing his wife and there was something so special about her to make him change his ways. Maybe it was all the time they spent together and the Cadillac Escalade he gave her – although she had to make payments on it.

The way the story is developing the girlfriend found out he may have been cheating on her, she had to pay for the “gift” along with a car she couldn’t sell and her rent was going up. At this point the alarm probably went off and she realized where she really stood in the pecking order with McNair. When reality hit, she might have realized she wasn’t as special as she thought she was.

McNair met his girlfriend 6 months ago at a restaurant he frequented with his family. Just think what would have happened, or not happened, if he wouldn’t have cheated on his wife. Normally, the cheater gets caught and may end up breaking up with their significant other. McNair kept on cheating and paid with his life.

It was unfortunately his time to go, but if he wouldn’t have cheated he would probably be somewhere right now enjoying life. Lesson learned?

I love you honey!

To everyone on Facebook, RSS, Twitter, Friendfeed, etc., please come to www.7daybuzz.com today and comment on this subject.

Hatred (or hate) is a word that describes the intense feelings of dislike of something or someone. For example, one can have a hatred of inanimate objects (e.g. vegetables, bicycles, tables, chairs, etc…) to hatred of other people, and/o entire groups of people.

I’m saddened almost daily by the level of hatred in America; forget about the rest of the world because this is a horrible problem we have right here at home. I don’t necessarily think it (hate) is at an all-time high, but rather it is being overtly displayed more and more. You probably encounter some level of hatred everyday, but you’ve gotten so used to it, therefore, ignoring it for the most part.

Why should I have to deal with blatant hatred?

That is a question we all need to ask ourselves as well as look into the mirror to see if we are one of the many who could be increasing the negative atmosphere.

People Simply Hate Obama

There are many people who hate our president. The sentiments go from being scared of what his policies are doing to our country, to wishing he fails and ultimately, getting killed while in office. Political parties have, and will probably always have, an impact on how people feel about the government. Some people will simply go along with whatever their party believes – something I think lacks individual thinking and decision making. I can understand why someone would be against President Obama because the Democratic way isn’t to their liking and that is where my understanding stops!

I have this feeling that many people don’t like President Obama because he is a black man.

In response to a resolution apologizing for slavery, someone commented saying, “The ni.ggers in the whitehouse. Whatelse do they want?” That is such a short sentence, but it reveals some deep-seated racial hatred to have the nerve to say that in a public forum. Obviously, this person associates the word “nigger” with a black man, more specifically, the President of the United States. Also, he/she feels as though President Obama’s election should mean “they” (Black people in general) don’t need anything else. That is dripping with hate.

I’m not a Republican and I, too, don’t agree with everything President Obama has done. So where do I fit in? I would like to think I fit in as someone who can think independently and judge people on what they do rather than who they are or the color of their skin. Truthfully, I think idiots come in all races, sizes, nationalities, etc. Speaking of idiots…

I am absolutly dumfounded when people have such outspoken and strong feelings about President Obama as if he turned the country upside down as soon as he took office in January. My amazement continues when some of those same people skip over the eight years George Bush Jr. was in office and also try to blame Bill Clinton for the current issues. It’s like these people have selective amnesia as it relates to the 8 years in between.

As of April, 4, 2002 American soldiers have died in Iraq, but former president George Bush Jr. is kicked back in his Texas mansion. Since we went there on false pretenses, or a big fat lie, why can’t Bush be charged with 4,262 counts of murder? Although that may be extreme, I don’t think it is as extreme to think one man has destroyed our way of life from January 20, 2009 to the present, July 2, 2009. That is just silly. He’s only been in office less than six months! Even sillier, if President Obama did exactly what Bush did for the last eight years, many people (mostly Republicans) would still feel the same way.

Not So Heavy, But Still Filled With Hate

Why do people have so much disdain for Barry Bonds, but don’t feel the same way about Roger Clemens, Alex Rodriguez, etc.? All of them have admitted using or have been accused of using steroids. Although I am referencing baseball players, drug use – recreational and performance enhancing – and crime, are rampant in virtually every sport. How does someone come to the conclusion of hating one athlete, but not feeling the same about others? Barry Bonds, who has never admitted to using steroids, but has been accused of using the drug, has hit more home runs than anyone in history and many people would like to have his record erased. But Rodriguez, who readily admits to using steroids during his career, could very well break Bonds’ record. However, noone seems to be calling for his record to be erased. Why is that? Does it have to do with race?

Hate is often driven by envy or by someone who goes against the grain and that is what this baseball example shows. Barry Bonds doesn’t like the media and in turn the media trashed him every chance they got. Since people amazingly believe everything the media prints or talks about, many people have adopted the same feeling towards Bonds. I have personally met Bonds and he was nice to me. Should I jump on the bandwagon and believe the media or should I judge the man on how he treated me?

I’m not sure what happened between Michael Jackson and the various children he was connected with, but a court of law didn’t find him guilty of molestation. But some people are doing their best to drag him through the mud before he is even in his grave. Others have made comments like, “Michael Jackson can’t hold a candle to Elvis.” Please! Can the man rest in peace?

It Will Probably Never End

We could probably talk about different examples of hate until we are blue in the face and it will never end. This isn’t relegated to national politics, sports or the entertainment world. Hatred like this happens in our local neighborhoods, jobs, clubs, schools, stores, restaurants and churches. Since there is about a zero chance of it being eradicated totally, we can at least be mindful of others.

I have had a recent experience where I needed to show tolerance for someone who isn’t like me. I charged down one path and did not encounter the attitude I was expecting, which really blew me away. Without going into detail, I told my wife that I may have to reach out to this person because now I know where their heart is and I could be of help. Eventually, it will make me feel better because it will take far too much energy for me to show hate.

Hate is an energy draining emotion and is taking far too much time on the Internet, TV and other news media. We should have something better to do.

This week we lost Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson. These three will surely be missed and thinking back on what they’ve accomplished gave me an idea. I’m going to give $20 to the first person to answer/do the following via the comment section below (on www.7daybuzz.com):

1. Complete WordPlay Wednesday (click here to jump to the page).
2. Who was the Tonight Show band director while Ed McMahon was on there with Johnny Carson?
3. How many years was Farrah Fawcett on the TV show Charlie’s Angels?
4a. What former NBA star was in one of Michael Jackson’s videos?
4b. What was the name of the song and album for that video?
4c. Who did Michael Jackson kiss in that video?
Bonus for $5 – What star of the show “21 Jump Street” was in Michael Jackson’s Beat It video?

If you wish to participate, do what you have to and get your Paypal account ready. I will contact you and get your paypal information to send the money to you.

Many people, my wife being one, will be happy to know that Big Brother will not be watching like there were or at least could have been. Remember that Will Smith movie where he was being watched via satellite? In many ways, that program was a reality/possibility, but Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano will be putting an end to the program.

The controversial program begun during the Bush administration. U.S. spy satellites were used for domestic security and law enforcement missions. Uh, I don’t think the general public has seen any decrease in heinous crimes committed since the program was announced in 2007. So what were they really using those satellites for? Hmm.

In reality, the program never got fully off the ground because of what we all knew: this program had privacy and civil liberty issues written all over it. What I would like to know is how the Bush administration didn’t see this one coming from miles away. Were they too busy writing the fictional WMD script? Oops, did I say that? Some of our friends would have you believe the last 8 years were a glorious time in America, but in reality, we didn’t get where we are since the end of January.

I guess we can relax and worry about other things besides the eye in the sky.

“There are those who will try and scuttle this opportunity no matter what”
Barack H. Obama

President Obama is going all out to change our health care system; he will speak his mind regardless of the audience. Yesterday he told a group of doctors that he is against what he believes to be their number one priority – to limit how much money they pay out for malpractice. The response was a smattering of boos. Imagine that, you attend this function to garner support for your side from the POTUS and he plainly tells you he is against your priority that will effectively keep more money in your pocket.

Obama continued by directly addressing those he considers “naysayers,” “fear-mongers” and peddlers of “Trojan horse” falsehoods. He also spoke about those who are spreading the word that he is attempting to socialize medicine. Actually, he warned them – I’m not sure what that warning means, but it seems like he is serious about over-hauling the system.

GOP Rep. Tom Price (Georgia) thinks Obama is orchestrating a “government takeover’ of health care in America. These statement was made when talking about a committee allegedly established to overrule doctors and deny patient care. Another way to look at this could be from the perspective of patients who are placed on medicines that become addictive and do not improve the condition. Check out this rivalry on JealousBrother (click here).

What Will This Cost?

Obama let the cat out of the bag and estimated health care reform would cost about $1 trillion over 10 years! After saying, “That is real money, even in Washington” (duh), he went on to say failure to reform the system will cost trillions more in lost economic growth and lower wages.

The plan to pay for this, or find the money, was outlined, but it could be political speak in reality; smoke and mirrors meant to make us think we won’t feel the pain. In theory this plan sounds good, but the questioning side of me thinks about spreading this out over the next 10 years – obviously after Obama is out of office if re-elected.

I would say we need to be cautious of any money spent and/or allocated to things like this. Think about it, all of us have had legitimate things we needed to buy, but lack of funds kept us from doing it. Are we at a point where spending money, regardless of the impact it will have on the next 10 years, could impact the generations to come for the next 50 years? Most of us have also been in a “lean time” where every expendature was questioned. Although this is not within our personal households, but on a national level, shouldn’t we have the inclination to question it as tax payers? It is something to consider.

Still As Smooth As Ever

Obama didn’t leave a bitter taste in the doctors’ mouths, he also sympathized with the situations they often find themselves in. He acknowledged the fact that our society always has them looking over their shoulders and that is the cause for expensive malpractice insurance. This got them on his side right before he mentioned how he is against malpractice caps.

I have been in the military health care system and thought Vitamin M (Motrin) was given for…well I don’t know why they give if for so much stuff. But civilian doctors seem to give medicine in excess as a defense mechanism should a lawsuit come up. Our litigious society is to blame for that one.

A Timely Warning

The president finished by adding GM and Chrysler into the mix. By mentioning how health care for auto industry workers played a part in getting GM and Chrysler in trouble, the message was clear: “If we do not fix our health care system, America may go teh way of GM — paying more, getting less and going broke.”