Sunday, March 9, 2014
Addictions: America’s Economic Prescription__vol2 (produced Nov. 2011)
Today that same voracious monster has placed its hands into the world of Medical Marijuana which has seen the rapid rise in Medical Marijuana dispensaries in states that have de-criminalized the prescribed use of marijuana. Federal law enforcement has stated clearly that it will not intervene in this matter at a state level clearing the way for states to tax the distribution of it. Since this defies federal laws, is it not simply an issue of revenue that has moved the Feds out of the way?
When it comes to our moral framework, it is becoming increasingly clear that cash is king. Even though we may not freely allow the direct exploitation of our children, they are often indirect victims of the sanctioning that occurs as we collect taxes for things that many people do not have the ability to engage in responsibly.
Some would say that obesity is killing just as many people as these deadly addictions, why not get rid of potato chips? Food is one addictive item that we do not implement any age restrictions on. Human beings can become as addicted to food as they do to endorphins if you jog a lot. Addictions of all types can be seen as simply a part of our nature, so how do we go about changing our nature?
Do we have the integrity to live without
the revenues of addiction….putting 100%
of that tax revenue into rehabilitation and prevention education?
Since we may never find a way to change an addicted society, the question becomes whether we care to wage a war on drugs and addictions while enjoying the tax benefits that they bring. The question is whether we have the integrity to live without those tax dollars as a statement against what they represent, or commit 100% of the tax revenue from our addicted world to rehabilitation and education against addictions. It is simply disingenuous to claim a concern for deadly and dangerous addictions while counting the cash from the revenues that these industries generate.
We’ve decided that it is better to collect money from these engines of death instead of letting them have it all to themselves. Is it not a form of blood money to tax the industries of addiction? A dirty cop shake down? Sometimes it feels that way to me.
Previous Post:
Previous Post:
Addictions: America’s Economic Prescription_vol.1
ObamaCare Causing Addictions Too? This Time The Rumors Might Be True.
Friday, March 7, 2014
Rocky Mountain Collegian 
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Mackinnon Surpasses "The Great One". Is He Gretzky (or Is Joe Sakic More Accurate?)
I was about to lose my focus on this topic when I realized that the Avalanche have the most productive 18 year old on their team since the Great One Wayne Gretzky (12 game point streak). If Mackinnon scores another point (goal or assist) he will surpass the Great Gretzky to stand alone with this record. Why we still have 18 year old hockey players but basketball players are forced into college is another blog for another day.Especially since that magical 18 year old plays for my team, I celebrate whatever system allowed for that to happen. Nathan Mackinnon is a player for the ages. Earlier in the season I wrote a post about the best Avalanche player from a big list of options, and decided that Semyon Varlamov is clearly the best of the best. Mackinnon is making me question myself.
Not that Mackinnon is really at THAT level yet, but the upside potential is absolutely scary with even a little bit of growth as a player. Considering his age, physical stature as a result of age, and impending growth from both a physical and mental perspective, McKinnon is on a path to take over the entire NHL.....no really. His point streak, that is equal only to Gretzky, does not appear to be a freak coincidence. This kid does things that boggles the mind. It feels like he is so advanced that he could be doing more hot dog type plays, which he sort of does, but with an obvious restraint.
If he was a 10 year veteran this would simply be impressive. As an 18 year old rookie we are seeing amazing stuff coming from the stick and skates of this kid. If comparisons to Gretzky are high praise, then we are at least seeing the reincarnation of Joe Sakic for sure. We'll make him earn that Gretzky stuff later.
Understanding that comparison's are the most unfair thing that we fans love to do, my praise of Mackinnon seems to discount the fact that Gabriel Landiskog is the captain of this team or that Matt Duchene is the most magical scorer we've got.
Mackinnon is something special. I watched the Avalanche/ Detroit Red Wings game in Detroit as I wrote this piece, and the record that Mackinnon had tied with Gretzky is now Mackinnon's alone (13 games in a row for an 18 year old player). With a pass from behind the net that looked like he threw it with his hand, Mackinnon found Andre Benoit in overtime to beat the hated Red Wings in their own house. A similar late assist from Mackinnon was the difference in beating the back to back champion Chicago Blackhawks two nights ago.
It was actually amazing goaltending that gave this team a chance to win. Detroit was smothering in their defensive approach, so it took a patient Avalanche team to overcome the Red Wing D and capture the overtime win. Much bigger than the Mackinnon scoring streak was the maturity of this win. Detroit may not make the playoffs this year for the first time in years, but they are a hated rival who gives us their best shot whenever we play them.
Coach Patrick Roy made the wise decision to start goalie J.S. Giguere in net. Giguere dislodged the net and broke a stick (old veteran tricks to slow down an aggressive team) as needed in order to overcome the initial attack from Detroit. It is likely that starting Semyon Varlamov in goal would not have provided the calming effect that Giguere brought to this victory.
In the end, Mackinnon finished the game in a fashion that not only reminded us of Sakic (not Gretzky), but reminds us that all legends, even Gretzky, will someday be surpassed.
Not to be forgotten was the spinning pass that Erik Johnson made to Mackinnon when the puck was moving out of the zone. That was a pretty special play as well.
The Nuggets Win! The Nuggets Win! (You know? The Denver Nugget?.....Ty Lawson and them?....)
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| WE WON, WE WON, WE ON!!!! |
That being said, the Nuggets have finally won a game.
After losing six games straight, the Nuggets are swiftly losing fan interest. I say swiftly because an Avalanche moves quickly and can overtake things in an instant. What remains peculiar is that the Nuggets are still drawing any attention from local basketball fans. Even the people calling for Shaw's head are giving measured criticism that comes only from watching the games.
Denver has hit a few bottoms this season. They have seen signs of possibility, but the falls have virtually shaken those images from our mind. On the way to losing 6 straight, the Nuggets played a close game with Portland without the support of Ty Lawson, rallied late against Minnesota with Lawson, but came up short in each. Last night against Dallas, they finally broke through.
The Nuggets owned the Mavericks from pillar to post, despite allowing a late rally from Dallas that only served to distort the artistry of their effort. Denver is mostly hard to watch because they can, and should, beat each of these teams on any given night, but are stricken with youth and inexperience on the court and the bench.
The new (and improved) angry coach Brian Shaw is still stuck with a team that can't close well, but having a chance to win is half of the battle. He must find enough players that will give a professional effort each night or his future, and this team's, will remain a roller coaster ride for sure. The coach in me is perfectly satisfied with what I have seen from all parties involved this season. Youth is what youth is. Even Damian Lillard reveals his youth at certain times, and he is probably the most mature young player in the game.
Ty Lawson has read the tea leaves and returned to the lineup as fast as his cracked rib would allow. He not only returned, but he is playing in a way to not make Shaw recognize his ability over veteran backup Aaron Brooks. The Lawson/Brooks combination plate, alongside Randy Foye/ Evan Fournier in the spot up shooter role, has made for a fast and furious line up, but it comes at the risk of guard apathy, especially in the realm of defensive rebounding.
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| Is Brian Shaw getting a grip on this team or did he start too late |
some magical work in the free agent market, small to mid-level market teams will always have to draft and develop.
Shaw is the right guy for the job and he has many of the right pieces for the mission before him, but he seems to have starting molding the clay after it sat and hardened for a while. Molding clay that has begun to harden already is tough on you and the clay.
If Shaw accomplishes this task, he will have the forearms and the grip to show for it.
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Lebron's 61 Points Was Basketball Artistry. Was It Also A Declaration To Durant (And MVP Voters)?
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| If he is clearly the best player, why isn't he the MVP too? |
Clearly Kevin Durant has been among the elite players in the league for years, but seen as a distant second to the best player in the league, Lebron James. Even now, Kevin Durant has the distinct possibility of having every person who ever mentions him for MVP, preface their explanation with "Lebron is still the best player in the league".
Is Lebron battling the history of Dwayne Wade and the consistent greatness of Chris Bosh or has Durant been diminished by the greatness of his sidekick Russell Westbrook? Serious conversation about Durant for MVP did not gain real legs until Westbrook went down and Durant was forced to elevate his game. Early on, he only elevated his scoring and the Thunder proceeded to lose several tough games. The winning returned with the rise of Durant's scoring, but Reggie Jackson and Serge Ibaka elevated their games as well.
The truth of this MVP race is hidden in the grey matter. What is not is the immense ability of each player. If we had a worldwide pick up game of basketball, Kevin Durant and Lebron James are getting picked up in the first two selections. What is also rather clear is that Durant probably will not win this year without a de facto asterisk to his accomplishment.
Whether Durant hears it or not, Lebron hears it for sure. Lebron is still the best player in the world but right now, if voters had to choose, they would vote Kevin Durant for MVP. In other words, he may not be the best, but he is playing the best. This has turned into a backhanded disrespect of both players who have to view the commentary as less than an unequivocal honor of their games.
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| By the legendary Leroy Neiman |
For Durant, winning this award shouldn't come with a gigantic shadow. If he is truly the league's Most Valuable Player, it shouldn't matter who ranks above him in overall skill and ability. When Steve Nash won 2 in a row it was because he had become a basketball magician for two season's and his flawless execution of the pick and roll game was absolute poetry. Durant is creating the kind of artful season that Leroy Neiman would love. Yet for all of his grace and form, Renoir he is not.
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| Pierre-Auguste Renoir |
Lebron James has a duty to the game of basketball. Lebron James has a duty to himself. That being said, Lebron James is currently playing because of his duty to Kevin Durant as well. Lebron has decided that there shall be no token MVP's. If those who select art decide to buy Neiman and not Renoir, then it will not be a result of Renoir failing to perform.
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Dealing with Vladimir Putin Means Doing Everything We Can Except Something Stupid
When political disagreements involve doing nothing in
congress, (or as little as possible) you have political polarization. As it relates to our current political climate, we can debate the root of it all day long, but
it amounts to nothing more than the politicians we elect doing whatever we allow.
Russian leader Vladimir Putin is hardly concerned about a
president who is not serious about his words.
He watches FOX news just like the rest of us do. He knows exactly what congress and all of
those who oppose this president are saying.
Putin is certain of very little except America’s unwillingness to
support the decisions of this president, no matter what those decisions might be.
The common refrain from those who vowed to make Obama a one
term president, is that he has not followed up on his warnings against certain
nations with consequences, that includes Russia.
When it came to Syria, it looked for a moment that the
president was ready to strike, but congress quickly declared that America’s imminent threat was
not involved. In response, president
Obama encouraged congress to vote on the matter, in which they abstained long
enough for Russia to intervene and force a deal to be made.
President Obama could do what other presidents
have done. He could have moved on Syria
and forced congress to stop him. Given
the characterization of the republican designed Affordable Care Act being rammed down the throat of America, it makes a lot of sense that he would challenge the resolve of congress instead of adding to his dictatorial image.
Personally, I would have said to hell with congress and done
what I believed to be correct, even if FOX news hardly needed another distorted story to help drive their ratings. President Obama chose political expediency when it comes to Syria, but Barack Obama has always
been a political pragmatist who most resembles the republicans that despise him.
Barack Obama did not fight tooth and nail to save the food
stamp cuts or the cancelled unemployment benefits. Obama did lean far to the right on things
like surveillance and the use of drones. Obama did not rush to join black
organizations like My Brother’s Keeper when many of those who elected him
begged for such support early in his presidency. He is joining
his support to his version of NAFTA with the Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP
which is seen as a clear challenge to American jobs and opposed by most of his party. He is driving down the deficit with his plan to cut the military, but in classic form, republicans are attacking him for cuts that they themselves have proposed. He had the voting majority to install a single payer insurance plan but decided upon RomneyCare 2.0 instead.
President Barack Obama
is a fantastic American. He is Jackie
Robinson and Martin Luther King with a side dish of Bill Clinton. Each of these great American’s, despite their
awesome stature, are as humanly flawed as is every president who ever assumed the
role. Rather it be in deed or
perspective, no president can make every decision, with such a vast list of them,
correctly.
So now the decision on Russia and the Ukraine is at hand……..allegedly. Whatever he does, Obama will have critics as
most presidents do, but there is a right answer to this no matter what the
critics declare.
Many will remind you that Bush warned Putin back when he put
troops in Georgia without consequence just as we have now done in Syria. As a result, Putin does not believe there is
any consequence to his actions.
When you
raise kids and don’t give them consequence, you may inherit a problem much like
Putin is to America right now. Unlike
children, adults, and nations of free adults are not subject to the
consequence of a disapproving nation who dislikes your 19th century
diplomacy. Ukraine fought over trade allegiance and engaged in a 19th
century governmental overthrow which Russia allowed without interruption. If America can offer a billion dollar loan to the Ukraine without a duly elected government, Russia clearly has a duty to support their Ukrainian allies (which they
did not do during the upheaval) or insure a democratic Ukraine moving forward for the sake of their
relationship with that future regime. Like it or not, this is clearly a matter of Russian geopolitical, and thus, economic concern.
Sometimes the proper consequence of 19th century
diplomacy is boots to the ground. Our 21st
century approach may result in future boots on the ground, but it certainly
should not begin there. Absent of such a punitive response, Barack Obama is doing exactly what he can do, which is everything
except something stupid.
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