Suspend Jim Tressel for the season

Ohio State coach Jim Tressel apologized Wednesday for letting people down and acknowledged that in the poll of public opinion, he may be viewed as a cheater in the wake of the violations that led to his self-imposed 5 game suspension.

“I suppose there could be some that might feel that way and there might be others who might not.”

Relax Jimmy, the public is aware that pretty much all successful coaches lie and cheat in some way. Unfortunately (for you), you got caught. It’s OK Jimmy because the punishment (which you gave yourself) was a slap on the wrist. 

Missing 5 games is a joke especially when you are allowed to work with the team all spring, throughout preseason practices, and even during the suspension. That’s right folks. Jim Tressel just has to stay away from the Buckeyes on game day during his 5 game suspension.

Former Oklahoma State wide receiver Dez Bryant was suspended for 10 games when it was proven he lied to the NCAA about his relationship with Deion Sanders. What Tressel did was much worse.

Tressel knew for a fact at least two of his current players had sold signed Ohio State memorabilia and were receiving improper benefits. But Tressel told the NCAA that he had no knowledge of any violations. Seems like a bigger lie to me. Plus, last time I checked we tend to hold coaches to a higher standard.

If simply lying about a friendship means you get shit-canned for 10 games, Tressel’s Sgt. Schultz routine (I know nothing) should get him banned for the entire season. The NCAA needs to step up. Simply accepting Tressel’s sanctions — which also includes a $250,000 fine taken from his estimated $3.5 million annual salary is unacceptable.

I’ll be surprised if the NCAA does the right thing here. This entire situation is just another example of why the college system is flawed.

Posted: March 30, 2011 at 5:24 pm | by Ryan
Filed under: Sports
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Rep. Michele Bachmann proposes a tax code that would encourage “family formation.”

Michele Bachmann…that’s all I really have to say. But I will continue.

The batshit crazy (Tea Party Queen) United States Representative is proposing a tax system that would encourage “family formation.” Bachmann wants to give tax credits and/or lower tax rates to parents who are married as opposed to those who are single. I highly doubt it’s even that cut and dry. Bachmann’s past statements on gays and lesbians, makes me believe the tax breaks would only be for heterosexual couples.

Last time I checked, single parents have a more difficult time financially taking care of a child than people who are married. But that doesn’t matter to Michele Bachmann because single parents are immoral in her eyes and must be punished. I thought the Republican party (and the Tea Party) wanted less government control.

Apparently government control is bad when it does things like regulate businesses, keep our food and products safe, and try to keep corporations from screwing individuals. But it’s great when it controls your private life. The Right Wing’s plan is simple. You will marry who they tell you to marry, have sex in the manner they tell you to, and reproduce according to their plan. Resistance is futile!!!

What about the widows of soldiers who died in Iraq and Afghanistan? Do they count? Hey Michele, maybe we can use all that money we’ll be taking away from poor single parents trying to feed their children, and use it to give tax breaks for the rich. I bet you would just love that. Doesn’t encouraging “family formation” through tax credit cripple the sanctity of marriage? I thought your definition of marriage was a holy union between a man and a woman, who make a promise to one another and to God based on love. This proposal would only encourage people to marry for financial reasons.

I’m having a hard time figuring out who’s more insane. Michele Bachmann or the people who voted for her.

[Michele Bachmann wants new tax code]

Posted: March 28, 2011 at 10:42 pm | by Ryan
Filed under: News, Politics
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Where are the jobs John Boehner?

Last November the Republican party won victories that gained them control of the House of Representatives. They did this by claiming their number 1 priority was jobs for the American people.

“This coming election is about one issue: jobs,’ he said. ‘It’s about jobs that were promised to the American people by the current administration, and were never delivered.” – John Boehner

Three months have passed and the House has yet to pass any job focused bills that would help the unemployment issue in America. The number 1 issue the Republican party claimed was so important to them. They HAVE been focusing on a plethora of social issues that have no chance in Hell of passing, INSTEAD of working on job creation.

Here are six legislative goals the Republican party believe are more important than trying to create jobs for this country. 

1) Curtailing Abortion Rights

A top priority for Republicans, H.R. 3, “The No Taxpayer Funding For Abortion Act” is on its way to passage in the House after successfully maneuvering through the Judiciary and Ways And Means Committees.

Though the GOP stripped out some of its most controversial provisions — such as denying exemptions to a woman even in cases of rape, incest and when her life is in danger — the measure raises costs for businesses by eliminating tax deductions on employee health insurance plans that cover abortion.

2) Defunding Planned Parenthood

The House last month approved a measure 240-185, sponsored by Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN), to cut off all $317 million in Title X funding for Planned Parenthood and all other health care providers that offer abortions.

Under the law, Title X money cannot be used for abortion, so — beyond the shot across Planned Parenthood’s bow — Republicans effectively voted to strip funding enjoyed by mostly low-income women for medical services like cancer screenings, breast exams and HIV tests.

3) Defunding NPR

In the wake of James O’Keefe’s highly edited video sting that defamed National Public Radio executives, House Republicans last week called an emergency session to push through legislation that eliminates taxpayer funds to the radio-based news agency. It passed 228-192 on a partisan vote, winning over no Democrats and losing 7 Republicans.

4) Investigating American Muslims

House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Peter King (R-NY) held a controversial hearing two weeks ago about the extent of radicalization within the American Muslim community. Though even critics admitted that the xenophobic undertones were relatively mild compared to what they expected, the hearings had their fair share of bizarre statements.

5) Declaring English As America’s Official Language

Liberating Americans from ever needing to learn another language, Republicans this month introduced the “English Language Unity Act,” which would declare English as the official language of the U.S.

The bill declares that “all citizens should be able to read and understand generally the English language text of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the laws of the United States made in pursuance of the Constitution.”

6) Reaffirming The “In God We Trust” Motto

The House Judiciary Committee last week approved a GOP resolution reaffirming the motto of the United States as “In God We Trust” — you know, just in case people forgot what America was all about.

This disgusts me. Are these issues more important than creating jobs for the American people? Even if you think they are (you’re an idiot if you think so), you can’t ignore the fact that Republicans have flat out ignored their campaign promise. I guess claiming your number 1 issue is creating more jobs was a better ticket to run on instead of saying you’re priorities are anti-woman, petty, and just down right mean spirited.

I never expected the House to pull a rabbit out of their hat but it sure would be peachy if they made it difficult for corporations to move jobs out of the country. It would also be nice if they focused on a few structural changes that rewarded businesses for adding people to the workforce full time. And while I’m dreaming, how about making it easier for local homegrown businesses to expand? Lower the barriers to entry for telecommunications and related industries, and break up a couple of those neo-monopolies to free up capital and resources.

Yeah I know, crazy talk…

[Top 6 things Republicans consider more important than job creation]

Posted: March 22, 2011 at 5:46 pm | by Ryan
Filed under: News, Politics
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