I want to encourage everyone to join the virtual march against global warming to show our politicians that we are serious about this issue! Visit stopglobalwarming.org, sign the petition, and tell the world why you are marching. The website is great. It has an emissions calculator so you can see your personal impact by the number of tons of carbon you stopped from entering the atmosphere. It also offers advice on saving money while conserving energy.
With links to other sites, videos, celebrity awareness, and all the information one could hope for, the site is a great starting point to get educated and to stay updated. I joined almost a year ago when the site had only 100,000 members. Today we stand 807,785 and are growing stronger each day.
Also, check out Robert Redford's The Green Tuesday nights at 9pm to see how people are changing the world and how every person can live a sustainable and healthy life both personally and for the planet. Episodes are available on Itunes. They are interesting and well as entertaining and important. Thanks!
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Monday, May 28, 2007
Memorial Day
I would like to take a break from our regularly scheduled program to step back and reflect on Memorial Day. It just hit me tonight that I had not thought for one second this weekend about those who have given their lives for the United States until ESPN showed the former lacrosse player from Duke who died in Iraq this past year.
Although no soldier will ever read this. I want to thank you all for your strength, courage, and perseverance. I cannot imagine how difficult it is to do the job you are assigned when the whole world, even some in America look down upon you. I absolutely do not agree with the reasons the United States are in Iraq, but I disagree more with the thought of a half ass job and an early exit.
We screwed up, but it is our duty to fix our mistake. You break it, you buy it. We broke it so we better be able to fix it. The only way we have a chance is with soldiers like the ones we have. Despite the violence and the differences in opinions, I am optimistic about Iraq. People have a way of surprising the world when the world counts the people out. Have faith, it has to turn around sooner or later. Right?
Although no soldier will ever read this. I want to thank you all for your strength, courage, and perseverance. I cannot imagine how difficult it is to do the job you are assigned when the whole world, even some in America look down upon you. I absolutely do not agree with the reasons the United States are in Iraq, but I disagree more with the thought of a half ass job and an early exit.
We screwed up, but it is our duty to fix our mistake. You break it, you buy it. We broke it so we better be able to fix it. The only way we have a chance is with soldiers like the ones we have. Despite the violence and the differences in opinions, I am optimistic about Iraq. People have a way of surprising the world when the world counts the people out. Have faith, it has to turn around sooner or later. Right?
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Yankees
I am not normally a critic of the New York Yankees, but damn they just are starting to irritate me. With arguably the most dangerous lineup in baseball history last season, the Yanks barely made the playoffs and exited early at the hands of the Detroit Tigers. Their problem? Pitching! With an even more dangerous lineup this year (Matsui is back, A Rod is having a record year, and Posada can't seem to hit the ball anywhere near the opponents glove), the Yanks problem is still, guess what? Pitching! I can only come to one logical conclusion. Brian Cashman has no clue.
Yankees manager Joe Torre is basically gone and this is unfair. Look at the rotation he has to work with. Over fifteen different starters so early in the season is just insane. I doubt Roger Clemens can stop the bleeding. For how good the Rocket is, he is in his mid 40's and is not getting any younger. And according to Al Gore, those summer day games are not getting any cooler either.
The fact that the Yankees play in the AL East, may be the only reason they make the playoffs for the following reasons. First, the Red Sox are in first place. They always flounder late in the year and if the Yankees can manage to close the gap before the All Star break, they may be okay. Secondly, the rest of the division is horrendous. They should be able to beat up on the Devil Rays, the Blue Jays, and the Orioles. They better hope they beat the Red Sox beat them up just a little less. Thirdly, with no other division with two extremely strong teams, they still have a chance at the wild card.
If I were Cashman, I would get some young arms. Trade Giambi, (damn you no trade clause) Abreu, (he is terrible) and one of the over the hill pitchers they have. Melky Cabrera will do in the outfield to fill Abreu's spot and I would much rather have Doug I don't know how to spell his last name and a 20 game winner than Giambi.
Do the Bombers have a chance? Yes. Is it dwindling? You better believe it.
Yankees manager Joe Torre is basically gone and this is unfair. Look at the rotation he has to work with. Over fifteen different starters so early in the season is just insane. I doubt Roger Clemens can stop the bleeding. For how good the Rocket is, he is in his mid 40's and is not getting any younger. And according to Al Gore, those summer day games are not getting any cooler either.
The fact that the Yankees play in the AL East, may be the only reason they make the playoffs for the following reasons. First, the Red Sox are in first place. They always flounder late in the year and if the Yankees can manage to close the gap before the All Star break, they may be okay. Secondly, the rest of the division is horrendous. They should be able to beat up on the Devil Rays, the Blue Jays, and the Orioles. They better hope they beat the Red Sox beat them up just a little less. Thirdly, with no other division with two extremely strong teams, they still have a chance at the wild card.
If I were Cashman, I would get some young arms. Trade Giambi, (damn you no trade clause) Abreu, (he is terrible) and one of the over the hill pitchers they have. Melky Cabrera will do in the outfield to fill Abreu's spot and I would much rather have Doug I don't know how to spell his last name and a 20 game winner than Giambi.
Do the Bombers have a chance? Yes. Is it dwindling? You better believe it.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Duke Lacrosse
Memorial Day Weekend is one of the best weekends of the year. It is finally hot outside, people flock to the beach and yes, the NCAA lacrosse championships are on TV. The country's fastest growing sport has more people in attendance every year. It is great to see the growing fan base and rosters that have players outside DC, Maryland, Virginia, New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, even if its just a few.
Normally, I am stoked to see the intense competition, the rivalries, the upsets, and the special stories heard throughout the weekend about the remarkable people that are playing the game. This year was different because one story dominated the highlights: the Duke rape case. Now over a year after the incident, Reade Seligmann and Conner Finnerty still show up in our living rooms, first as the bad guys and now as victims.
I understand that these young men experienced something that no one should have to go through, but to be hailed as role models of courage and perseverance? This should hardly be the case. The activity that went on that night was embarrassing, classless, and not at all representative of NCAA student athletes or their universities. There is no way these kids should have been put through such ordeal, but to laud them as stand up people is ridiculous.
I personally blame Duke University for allowing such behavior to occur. After multiple complaints and turning of heads from the administration, it was only a matter of time before something occurred. Duke should not allow athletes to live off campus. Boston College for example, requires all scholarship athletes to live in on-campus dormitories.
It does not matter who is at fault. The point is, I do not want to hear about it anymore. I along with many people I know could care less about the spoiled brats from Duke any longer. Just show me some lacrosse and the amazing stories of those who have persevered all their lives to get to the game's final stage.
Go Cornell!
Normally, I am stoked to see the intense competition, the rivalries, the upsets, and the special stories heard throughout the weekend about the remarkable people that are playing the game. This year was different because one story dominated the highlights: the Duke rape case. Now over a year after the incident, Reade Seligmann and Conner Finnerty still show up in our living rooms, first as the bad guys and now as victims.
I understand that these young men experienced something that no one should have to go through, but to be hailed as role models of courage and perseverance? This should hardly be the case. The activity that went on that night was embarrassing, classless, and not at all representative of NCAA student athletes or their universities. There is no way these kids should have been put through such ordeal, but to laud them as stand up people is ridiculous.
I personally blame Duke University for allowing such behavior to occur. After multiple complaints and turning of heads from the administration, it was only a matter of time before something occurred. Duke should not allow athletes to live off campus. Boston College for example, requires all scholarship athletes to live in on-campus dormitories.
It does not matter who is at fault. The point is, I do not want to hear about it anymore. I along with many people I know could care less about the spoiled brats from Duke any longer. Just show me some lacrosse and the amazing stories of those who have persevered all their lives to get to the game's final stage.
Go Cornell!
Welcome
Musings was like a job. I had to write everyday even if I had nothing to say. Stratosphere is more like my life. I am not quite sure how my life will turn out, but I know I will end up either writing or working towards a cleaner earth, or maybe both! Hopefully the second time around, I will focus on things I really care about: Sports and the environment (obviously along with passion, emotion, humanity, love gasp, and all that crap). I am going to have fun with it and let it evolve on its own, but this time I will attempt to be challenging, provocative, and controversial. Comments and disagreements are welcomed and encouraged. I look forward to our conversations. Welcome to the stratosphere!
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