The Republican's have done it again, this time with the help of their Supreme Court. To vote in the Indiana nominating primary you had to have an Indiana or federal issue photo-identification card.
I blogged this last week when the "Supremes"made their decision. In a year when thousands of young voters were showing interest for the first time and, of course, to make it more difficult for the minority voters to qualify, it worked.
Not only were voters turned away at several polling places, but a dozen nuns were not allowed to vote. The nuns, in their 80s and 90s and all residents of a retirement home near Notre Dame University, were turned away because of the stringent voter ID law upheld by the "Supremes."
Sister Julie McGuire, who was working at the polling place, had to explain to the nuns that they couldn't vote because they didn't have the proper ID card. She said, "Some of them really didn't understand why."
In addition an unknown number of college students, many voting for the first time, were turned away. You see, this new law does not recognize out of state drivers license, thus causing problems for 18 year old and above students. Also, the local DMVs would not allow students to use their out of state photo-identification drivers license to qualify for an Indiana drivers license so they could vote.
It reminded one student of a family story about her aunt, who years ago went to vote in the south side of Chicago and was told, "Your mother voted this morning." Her aunt replied, "That's strange, my mother is dead."
Let's hear it for Indiana and for the United States Supreme Court. It's the "American Way."
Comments are welcomed...please click on the comment link below!
Friday, May 9, 2008
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
HORSE RACING IS UNDER SEIGE
With the tragedy in the aftermath of the Kentucky Derby, and the loss of another thoroughbred (Eight Belles),"The Sport of Kings," is suddenly being compared with "The Squared, Circle," boxing. (God, I love cliches.)Except, there's one big exception, the boxer has a choice, the horse doesn't.
Let's see, the breeding and cross-breeding of name studs has weakened the current line of thoroughbreds. It seems like every race horse (Including all starters in this years Derby) can trace their lineage back to Native Dancer. Either directly to him, or to his son, daughter, nephew, niece, grandson, grand daughter, great-great-great and on-and-on-and-on.
Remember, Native Dancer? A bundle of a 1,000 pounds of muscle held up by four tender legs. And this weakness in his legs may just have been passed on-and-on-and-on.
The modern day trainers can really train. However, they are better trainers with a variety of drugs and a multitude of pain-killers at hand. Faster horses, through better chemistry. There has to be a line in the sand of racetracks cutting down the use of drugs. And, don't forget to check out the racing surfaces now in use. There might just be a better track to run on.
But, the best answer? Save the thoroughbreds one more year. Let them grow up, put on a little more weight, become more mature. Even create a series of exercises to build up the muscle and strength in their legs. Don't let them race until they are four years old. One year can make a world of difference.
This may just save some of the fastest horses in the world for a long and happy life. And we may never have to again face the tragedy of this years Derby.
Comments Welcomed...Click Below on the Comment Link!
Let's see, the breeding and cross-breeding of name studs has weakened the current line of thoroughbreds. It seems like every race horse (Including all starters in this years Derby) can trace their lineage back to Native Dancer. Either directly to him, or to his son, daughter, nephew, niece, grandson, grand daughter, great-great-great and on-and-on-and-on.
Remember, Native Dancer? A bundle of a 1,000 pounds of muscle held up by four tender legs. And this weakness in his legs may just have been passed on-and-on-and-on.
The modern day trainers can really train. However, they are better trainers with a variety of drugs and a multitude of pain-killers at hand. Faster horses, through better chemistry. There has to be a line in the sand of racetracks cutting down the use of drugs. And, don't forget to check out the racing surfaces now in use. There might just be a better track to run on.
But, the best answer? Save the thoroughbreds one more year. Let them grow up, put on a little more weight, become more mature. Even create a series of exercises to build up the muscle and strength in their legs. Don't let them race until they are four years old. One year can make a world of difference.
This may just save some of the fastest horses in the world for a long and happy life. And we may never have to again face the tragedy of this years Derby.
Comments Welcomed...Click Below on the Comment Link!
Monday, May 5, 2008
THE DISAPPEARING TV CRITIC
NBC's coverage of the Kentucky Derby was "clean." That's the term often used by TV sports departments when you get on and off on time, your opening and closing both work, you cover the entire story, and you get all the commercials in.
I think "almost clean" is a better description of this year's coverage. But don't forget that the Kentucky Derby, with replays, can only be stretched to five, maybe six minutes of sports excitement. The rest is simply to sell enough commercials to pay for the production cost, plus, and that's a BIG PLUS, the rights fee for the event, and maybe a little profit. NBC did very well in this department, even selling the sponsorship of The Best Hat Contest.
What was missing were taped replays of the fatal injury to Eight Belles the only filly in the race. Following her gallant second place finish, Eight Belles' tragedy came a quarter mile past the finish line, when she suddenly fell forward on her knee. She suffered simultaneous, compound fractures of her front ankles.
NBC said the injury, the horse going down, and then writhing in pain is simply not a picture to show families watching at home. And with this we agree.
The key mistake was made on Friday night in the production meeting where the decision was made to pick the horses to isolate on during the race. NBC said they decided not to use one of their cameras to isolate on Eight Belles.
Normally a good decision. But perhaps NBC was not aware that presidential candidate Hillary Clinton made Eight Belles a main part of her stump speeches last week, as the filly she would bet on and that she was sending Chelsea to Louisville with instructions to place her bet. An interesting part of the coverage that was missed. With an isolated camera, NBC would have had much better tape of the injury to show, without upsetting the viewing audience.
The "Disappearing TV Critic" awards a bronze medal.
I think "almost clean" is a better description of this year's coverage. But don't forget that the Kentucky Derby, with replays, can only be stretched to five, maybe six minutes of sports excitement. The rest is simply to sell enough commercials to pay for the production cost, plus, and that's a BIG PLUS, the rights fee for the event, and maybe a little profit. NBC did very well in this department, even selling the sponsorship of The Best Hat Contest.
What was missing were taped replays of the fatal injury to Eight Belles the only filly in the race. Following her gallant second place finish, Eight Belles' tragedy came a quarter mile past the finish line, when she suddenly fell forward on her knee. She suffered simultaneous, compound fractures of her front ankles.
NBC said the injury, the horse going down, and then writhing in pain is simply not a picture to show families watching at home. And with this we agree.
The key mistake was made on Friday night in the production meeting where the decision was made to pick the horses to isolate on during the race. NBC said they decided not to use one of their cameras to isolate on Eight Belles.
Normally a good decision. But perhaps NBC was not aware that presidential candidate Hillary Clinton made Eight Belles a main part of her stump speeches last week, as the filly she would bet on and that she was sending Chelsea to Louisville with instructions to place her bet. An interesting part of the coverage that was missed. With an isolated camera, NBC would have had much better tape of the injury to show, without upsetting the viewing audience.
The "Disappearing TV Critic" awards a bronze medal.
Friday, May 2, 2008
THE RETURN OF THE COMIC BOOK
I remember, oh so long ago, making the statement, "I don't care what anybody says. When I grow up, I'll still read comic books." I was so sure. I was so wrong.
But, it came to pass, the motion picture industry did it for me. They continue to read comic books and they continue to bring the super-heros of my youth, to life on the big-screen. Superman, Batman, and Spider-Man
continue to fight for the American way.
The current Governor of California, once answered a journalists question, "How do you pick your next picture?" Arnold said, "If you can tell what the picture is all about, from only a movie poster, then it's my kind of picture."
So here we go again. "Iron Man," is the Governors type of picture, but he's busy right now fighting the recession, so Robert Downey, Jr. makes a bigger comeback, as Tony Stark, than anyone ever thought possible.
This is the same comics story-line, billionaire/womanizing/playboy/
weapons manufacture/ makes-over into "Iron Man," who saves the world and this weekend's Box Office.
Signed: The Disappearing Movie critic
But, it came to pass, the motion picture industry did it for me. They continue to read comic books and they continue to bring the super-heros of my youth, to life on the big-screen. Superman, Batman, and Spider-Man
continue to fight for the American way.
The current Governor of California, once answered a journalists question, "How do you pick your next picture?" Arnold said, "If you can tell what the picture is all about, from only a movie poster, then it's my kind of picture."
So here we go again. "Iron Man," is the Governors type of picture, but he's busy right now fighting the recession, so Robert Downey, Jr. makes a bigger comeback, as Tony Stark, than anyone ever thought possible.
This is the same comics story-line, billionaire/womanizing/playboy/
weapons manufacture/ makes-over into "Iron Man," who saves the world and this weekend's Box Office.
Signed: The Disappearing Movie critic
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Millions of Americans Expected to Gather on May 1st, 2008 to Pray for America
Tommorrow is a very special and powerful day for our country. Tens of thousands of prayer events are planned across the country on Thursday May 1, 2008 in recognition of the 57th Annual National Day of Prayer. There are over 35,000 National Day of Prayer events that will be held around the United States on May 1. In churches, parks and on courthouse steps, citizens will pray for our nation; government leaders, media, military, schools, churches, businesses and families.
"This is a critical time to be in prayer for our country. The biblical principles upon which America was founded are under attack in every segment of society," said Shirley Dobson, chairman of the National Day of Prayer Task Force. "We pray God will raise righteous leaders for our country."
This year's theme, "Prayer! America's Strength and Shield" is based on Psalm 28:7: "The Lord is my strength and shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped." The Lord hears and responds to His children's cry for help. He is their strength, refuge, and courage in personal and national times of suffering, despair and loss.
About the National Day of Prayer:
Recognizing that prayer has been and continues to be an integral part of our nation's history, Congress established the National Day of Prayer in 1952. This observance is currently held on the first Thursday each May, when all Americans are encouraged to exercise their religious freedom by gathering publicly to worship and pray for our land.
Visit www.nationaldayofprayer.org to learn more and I encourage you to find and attend an event in your area!!
"This is a critical time to be in prayer for our country. The biblical principles upon which America was founded are under attack in every segment of society," said Shirley Dobson, chairman of the National Day of Prayer Task Force. "We pray God will raise righteous leaders for our country."
This year's theme, "Prayer! America's Strength and Shield" is based on Psalm 28:7: "The Lord is my strength and shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped." The Lord hears and responds to His children's cry for help. He is their strength, refuge, and courage in personal and national times of suffering, despair and loss.
About the National Day of Prayer:
Recognizing that prayer has been and continues to be an integral part of our nation's history, Congress established the National Day of Prayer in 1952. This observance is currently held on the first Thursday each May, when all Americans are encouraged to exercise their religious freedom by gathering publicly to worship and pray for our land.
Visit www.nationaldayofprayer.org to learn more and I encourage you to find and attend an event in your area!!
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