American Football and Injuries.

This was the cover story in Time Magazine.  As far back as President Teddy Roosevelt, ways were discussed to make the game safer.

President Woodrow Wilson felt American football was the best game out there because it taught, teamwork, discipline and perseverance.   Since I write, I recognize the last two especially as important.

Do we care about the injuries?  Well, there is the toughness factor.  What do you have to work through to reach a goal.  Is it worth permanent damage down the road?

I leave this for the reader to work out.  Are professional football players like gladiators in Ancient Rome only they are getting paid to take the punishment and there are no lions waiting for their supper?

If you are a professional player, should you be protected more, or are the hits a major part of the sport, deal with it?

Look at the other side, though.  What parent is going to risk their son getting hurt that way, unless it is a background where things are already so bad, football is THE ticket out.  Two weeks ago, on 60 minutes, CBS did a story about the kids in American Samoa playing American Football.  American Football is THE ticket out there.  American Samoa now has the largest per capita of NFL (National Football League) players.

Will pro football become like some folks becoming gangsters (I’m doing this, so my kids don’t have to).

The lessons American Football does teach are still needed, though.  This is how I see the life lessons of the game.  Where is the balance?

I still think we need the game.

2010 State of the Union Address:

Health care is hung up, the economy is now his mess, where is this going?  Did President Obama bite off more than he could chew?

Reminder, that 54% still support President Obama.  President Reagan at one point was lower.

He at least mentioned that people are angry.  He began with the economy, which is where he had to begin.  True, we all hated the bank bailout, and that was mentioned.  Popular as a root canal?  Good description and mentioning trying to prevent worse unemployment and foreclosures.  Did it?  Can’t prove really whether the efforts worked or not, because we did not let the banks fall.

Yeah stick it to the banks, LOL!  Keep the pitchforks to yourselves!

He is talking about success, but he has to do what one would do in a paper.  Provide direct references.  Directly how people benefited.  I like his call for the jobs bill, but will wait to see what comes out at the end.

He mentioned businesses being the job creator.  Prevents the socialism label and glad he made clear government is the guide not the boss.

Thirty billion dollars of the big bank payment to small banks for small business loans.  Now that would work.  Tax incentives?  Certainly can’t accuse him of socialism there LOL!

Infrastructure.  That needs work!  I hope the Florida High Speed Railroad will work.  As long as Amtrak does not touch it.  It is embarrassing, our lack of proper high speed rail.

Basic research?  See my post from yesterday about solar.  It is going to be a tough race against China.  The call for nuclear power plants should bring some heat.  Let’s see what that goes and more drilling for offshore oil and gas.

The nation that leads the clean energy economy is the nation that leads the global economy?  He is right, but I am afraid that will end up being China.

Increase on exports for two million more jobs?  I hope it can work, but I am skeptical.  We do have to seek markets aggressively.

Glad he addressed the middle class.  Make student loans easier and make colleges and universities control their costs.  Not just for individuals, but for the nation.

For we must think of the nation with a capital “N”.

Liked the way he slipped in health care reform in talking about the middle classes.

At least, he could make fun of himself, he did not take on health care, ’cause it was good politics.

If the Congressional Budget Office is right, this is a good thing.  Bringing down the deficit.  At least, Mr. President, you made it clear that you could have been more clear about health care.

I  liked his challenge, if you have something better, bring it to me.  Always make the complainer come up with something better.

I’ve tried to have some fun, with my writing what was said.  I am enough of a realist to know, it is going to be a hard trip

United States vs. Canada

On Facebook, my friend Brenda Nyveld and I debate the merits and drawbacks of U.S. and Canadian society.  I think we should start a show we post on YouTube, with a humorous vein; point counterpoint.

You up to the challenge, Brenda, eh? 

2010 United States Census, Counting the Homeless.

I put this on my Facebook status today.  I read an article in today’s Arizona Daily Star about the Census Workers going into areas to count the homeless.

I wondered how much risk there is to the workers.  Let me know what you think.  To work on the problem, some sort of count is needed, but with many of our homeless (too long to go into here) having psychological issues, how safe is it?

Green Jobs.

Tonight on BBC America, Ted Koppel did a report on Green Jobs.   He was interviewing the CEO of a company in Massachusetts.  The CEO admitted the place may end up in China.

I forgot where I read this, but one thing President Obama did not take into account the fact that many of the materials needed for Green jobs are found in China.

Also, the United States used to lead the world in investment for research and development.  Now, China, with a command economy can throw the money in when and where it is desired.

Where does that leave us?  I will be curious to see the State of the Union Address tomorrow night.

Why We Should Care about Haiti? Pourquoi Nous Devrions Nous soucier de l’Haïti.

I am not going to give you the humanitarian argument here.  Ted Koppel was on BBC last week and was asked about the practical reasons for helping Haiti out.

It boils down to, it is less expensive than processing Haitian refugees and keeping Haiti from becoming a major narco state and keeping Hugo Chavez from trespassing.

Je ne vais pas vous donner l’argument humanitaire ici. Ted Koppel était sur BBC la semaine dernière et a été demandé des raisons pratiques pour tirer l’Haïti d’embarras.

Il se réalise à, c’est moins cher que le traitement des réfugiés haïtiens et du fait d’empêcher l’Haïti de devenir un état de narco important et garder Hugo Chavez de envahir.

Brief Haitian History Histoire haïtienne brève

Because of responses on Facebook and Palin’s Travels, I decided to put up something on basic Haitian history, to help explain the aftermath of the earthquake.

It starts when Haiti was the French colony of St. Dominique, the wealthiest of all 18th Century French colonies.  That wealth was based on sugar and slaves.

By 1790, word slipped through to slaves about the French Revolution and the Rights of Man.  The slaves of course rebelled (regardless of Pat Robertson saying they made a deal with the devil.  Then again, he blames 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina on things like that.  Also, if you are a slave and the devil shows you the yellow brick road, are you going to say, no, I think I will wait)?

Of course the slaves rebelled.  Unlike other slave rebellions, they won.  Well, less they won than Napoleon got tired of losing his men to Yellow Fever and wanted to concentrate his fighting in Europe.

OK, Haiti is now independent.  No one taught them how to set up a modern government.  France was not going to help.  The United States, under Thomas Jefferson, who owned slaves himself was certainly not going to help.  Not with a population of slaveholders.

Through the decades, the average Haitian was better off in the sense they were not slaves.  They were still poor and had leaders who did not care about their plight.  Not caring about the poor did not begin with Papa Doc. (the first Haitian President I was aware of because of my friends).   Also do you see a pattern here?  Haitian political issues were almost always solved by violence.

Between 1911-1915, six Haitian presidents were assassinated.  The United States sent the Marines.  Not to save Haitians, but to keep the Germans from using Haiti as a base.

The U.S. occupation lasted until 1934.  Eventually, the Duvaliers father and son were presidents.  The United States cared because Haiti was anti-Communist.  The Duvaliers left and in 1994, the United Nations restore Aristide to power, only to have him sent packing again.

In summation, the closes to “stable” an independent Haiti has been is under the Duvaliers.  What does that tell you?

As I said in the first essay, taking care of the sick, injured and homeless will not be enough.  Rebuilding Haiti is really building Haiti.  For Haiti needs the foundation she did not get at independence.  If that is not done, the world will be back for the next tragedy.

Is it in the world’s best interest to do this?  It is fine for individuals to open their wallets and pocketbooks, but what about national self interest.  I don’t know, you tell me.

À cause des réponses sur Facebook et les Voyages de Palin, j’ai décidé de relever quelque chose sur l’histoire haïtienne fondamentale, aider à expliquer les conséquences du séisme.

Il commence quand l’Haïti était la colonie française de Rue. Dominique, les plus riches de toutes les colonies de français du 18ème siècle. Cette richesse a été fondée sur le sucre et les esclaves.

D’ici à 1790, le mot a glissé par aux esclaves de la Révolution française et des Droits d’Homme. Les esclaves se sont évidemment révoltés (sans tenir compte de Pat Robertson les disant a fait une affaire du démon. Mais aussi, il blâme 9/11 et l’Ouragan Katrina sur les choses comme ça. Aussi, si vous êtes un esclave et le démon vous montre la route jaune de briques, allez-vous dire, non, je crois que j’attendrai) ?

Évidemment les esclaves se sont révoltés. À la différence d’autres rébellions d’esclave, ils ont gagné. Bien, moins ils ont gagné que Napoleon est devenu fatigué de perdre ses hommes à la Fièvre Jaune et a voulu concentrer sa bagarre en Europe.

Bien, l’Haïti est maintenant indépendant. Personne ne leur a enseigné comment remettre un gouvernement moderne sur pied. La France n’allait pas aider. Les États-Unis, sous Thomas Jefferson, qui a possédé des esclaves lui-même n’allaient pas certainement aider. Pas avec une population propriétaires d’esclave.

Toutes les décades, l’haïtien moyen était plus riche dans le sens ils n’étaient pas des esclaves. Ils étaient toujours pauvres et avaient des chefs qui ne se sont pas souciés de leur état critique. Pas en voulant des pauvres n’a pas commencé par le Toubib de Père. (le premier Président haïtien j’étais conscient d’à cause de mes amis). Aussi voyez-vous un dessin ici ? Les éditions politiques haïtiennes étaient presque toujours résolues par la violence.

Entre 1911-1915, six présidents haïtiens ont été assassinés. Les États-Unis ont allemands d’utiliser l’Haïti comme une base.

L’occupation américaine a duré jusqu’à 1934. Finalement, le père Duvaliers et le fils étaient les présidents. Les États-Unis se sont souciés parce que l’Haïti était anticommuniste. Le Duvaliers est parti et en 1994, les Nations Unies restituent Aristide au pouvoir, seulement l’avoir envoyé l’emballage de nouveau.

Dans la somme, les fins “à ferme” qu’un Haïti indépendant a été sont sous le Duvaliers. Que vous dit-il ?

Comme j’ai dit dans le premier essai, en s’occupant du malade, blessé et sans foyer ne sera pas assez. La reconstruction de l’Haïti construit vraiment l’Haïti. Car l’Haïti a besoin de la fondation qu’elle n’a pas reçue à l’indépendance. Si ce n’est pas fait, le monde reviendra pour la tragédie suivante.

Est cela dans le meilleur intérêt du monde de le faire ? C’est parfait pour les individus pour ouvrir leurs portefeuilles et calepins, mais en ce qui concerne national moi l’intérêt. Je ne sais pas, vous me dites.

What is to be Done for Haiti? Qu’est-ce qui doit être Fait pour l’Haïti ?

The essay will be in English first, then French.

L’essai sera dans l’anglais d’abord, alors le français.

First of all, a reason I care.  I attended high school with Haitians.  I still have a 30 year friendship with a high school friend born in Haiti.  I want Haiti to prosper.

I have been watching Brian Williams and Ann Curry of NBC and Matt Frei and his colleagues from BBC reporting from Haiti and seeing the pictures.  The pictures tell the story.

Having said that, Haiti has not just had a disaster, Haiti IS a disaster.  Some of what I am going to say is going to bring some disagreement and I welcome the debate.

First of all, who can possibly agree with Pat Robertson’s statement?    The Haitian people have had more than their fair share of disaster and tragedy, but not the reasons he gave.

As repulsive as slavery is to civilized people, Haiti was France’s wealthiest colony.  Obviously, only a few had that wealth.

The Haitians successfully threw France out and Napoleon abandoned it to concentrate on Europe.  Were they ready to build a nation?  The United States in 1804, under President Thomas Jefferson certainly would not have helped Haiti.

Can you blame the Haitian people?  Can you build a house without tools?  The Haitian revolution was a slave revolt and then Napoleon, wanting to concentrate on Europe abandoned the Haitians to Yellow Fever and their own devices.  Matt Frei said it best.  You can count the Haitian presidents who died in bed on your hands.

The basic history lesson is over.  What needs to be done?

Colin Powell was just on BBC with Katty Kay.  Secretary of State Robert Gates said U.S. warships are coming.  You can’t have air drops, you would cause Lord of the Flies style violence.

I am not an economist.  I majored in Political Science in college, but the Caribbean was not my specialty.  I am just trying to give some suggestions with some common sense.

The relief effort has organized and taken care of, but what happens after the cleanup?  This is what I think should be done.

The countries helping with the cleanup need to stay.  Haiti needs to be rebuilt from the ground up.

The first thing is a well taken care of  road system for the entire nation.  Then feeding the children.  They are the future and their bodies must be nourished before their minds.  Raise the new generation with International help.

The government will have to be run by an International conglomerate to get Haiti on its feet.  Agriculture will have to be reorganized because the once fertile land has been deforested.  The land will need to be redone by International agricultural experts to feed the population and grow food for export.  Other economic specialists need to help with building appropriate industries.  Educators need to train a population for the industries that fit the country.

How many years will be needed?  I don’t know.  This is not colonization, but the old saying of “feed a man a fish, he eats for today, teach a man to fish he eats for life.

Food for thought.

Tout d’abord, une raison je me soucie. J’ai assisté au collège avec les Haïtiens. J’ai toujours une amitié de 30 année avec un ami de collège né en Haïti. Je veux que l’Haïti prospère.

J’ai regardé Brian Williams et Ann Curry de NBC et Matt Frei et ses collègues de BBC annonçant de l’Haïti et voyant les peintures. Les peintures disent l’histoire.

Ayant dit que, l’Haïti a non seulement eu un désastre, l’Haïti EST un désastre. Un peu de que je vais dire va apporter un peu de désaccord et j’accueille la discussion.

Avant tout, qui peut peut-être approuver la déclaration de Robertson Tout prêt ? Les gens haïtiens ont eu plus que leur part équitable de désastre et tragédie, mais pas les raisons qu’il a données.

Aussi repoussant que l’esclavage est aux gens civilisés, l’Haïti était la colonie la plus riche de la France. Évidemment, seulement quelques-uns avaient cette richesse.

Les Haïtiens ont avec succès jeté la France et Napoleon l’a abandonné pour se concentrer sur l’Europe. Est-ce qu’ils étaient prêts à construire une nation ? Les États-Unis en 1804, sous le Président Thomas Jefferson n’auraient pas certainement aidé l’Haïti.

Pouvez-vous blâmer les gens haïtiens ? Pouvez-vous construire une maison sans instruments ? La révolution haïtienne était une révolte d’esclave et ensuite Napoleon, en voulant se concentrer sur l’Europe a abandonné les Haïtiens à la Fièvre Jaune et à leurs propres artifices. Matt Frei l’a dit le mieux. Vous pouvez compter les présidents haïtiens qui sont morts dans le lit sur vos mains.

La leçon d’histoire fondamentale est finie. Quels besoins être fait ?

Colin Powell était juste sur BBC avec Katty Kay. Le secrétaire d’Etat Robert Gates a dit que les cuirassés d’escadre américains viennent. Vous ne pouvez pas avoir des gouttes aériennes, vous provoqueriez le Seigneur de la violence de style de Mouches.

Je ne suis pas un économiste. Je spécialisé dans la Science Politique dans le collège, mais la Mer des Antilles n’étais pas ma spécialité. J’essaie juste de donner quelques suggestions avec un sens commun.

L’effort de relief a organisé et s’est occupé, mais qu’est-ce qui arrive après le nettoyage ? C’est que je pense devrait être fait.

L’aide de pays avec le nettoyage doit rester. L’Haïti doit être reconstruit de la terre en haut.

La première chose est bien gardée le système routier pour la nation entière. Alors alimentation des enfants. Ils sont l’avenir et leurs corps doivent être nourris avant leurs esprits. Levez la nouvelle génération avec l’aide internationale.

Le gouvernement devra être dirigé par un conglomérat international pour recevoir l’Haïti sur ses pieds. L’agriculture aura

L’agriculture devra être réorganisée parce que le dès que le terrain fertile a été déboisé. Le terrain aura besoin d’être refait par les experts agricoles internationaux pour nourrir la population et cultiver des aliments pour l’exportation. D’autres spécialistes économiques doivent aider avec la construction des industries appropriées. Les éducateurs doivent entraîner une population pour les industries qui correspondent au pays.

Combien d’années seront nécessaires ? Je ne sais pas. Ce n’est pas la colonisation, mais le vieux dicton “de nourriture un homme un poisson, il mange pour aujourd’hui, apprendre à un homme à pêcher il mange pour la vie.

Aliments pour la pensée.

Women in Dangerous Jobs.

That was our theme at Saguaro Romance Writers last Saturday.  We had a toxicologist from the crime lab,  an A-10 pilot from Davis Monthan, who flew missions over Afghanistan and a detective in sex crimes with the Tucson Police Department.

Interesting stuff about how they dealt with male colleagues risks in flying and risks on the street.  For people who want to write about them, it was great.

 

Yerbie’s Date with Destiny.

No, he has already has that organ clipped.  He went to the groomer.  She made him look like a lion.  He only LOOKS like a lion.