For all those Tiger fans out there, yesterday's win by Woods at Arnold Palmers' tournament was yet another example of why this guy has been and continues to be the best ever (sorry Arnold).
One of the commentators noted during the closing holes of the tournament, as Woods pulled off a couple of long distance [par] saves to stay in the game, that Woods father taught him that you can "will" things to happen in life. Well, Woods on the 18th hole showed his stiff spine as he sunk a tournament winning put from roughly 16 feet.
I also heard the commentators mention how good of a technocrat the runner up was at the sport - in other words, he has learned the sport's in and outs very well. But what ultimately seperates Tiger and all the other GREATs from all those who fall by the wayside, as did this guy, is that he has not only the athletic skills and technical knowhow, but moreover, the sheer "will" to win.
How does this relate to everday life you may ask? Simply put, sometimes skill and knowhow are not enough; you have to have an internal "will" to be better, do more and dig deeper to achieve your goals, especially in the toughest times.
Tiger thrills at Bay Hill with winning putt on 18
By Doug Ferguson of the Associated Press
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/30/AR2009033000225.html?hpid=artslot
Tiger Woods drove away from Bay Hill wearing the navy blue blazer traditionally awarded to the winner of the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He is more interested in a jacket of a different color, but this was a good start.
Next stop, Augusta National.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
One Nation Under God - Just Don't Say Jesus
It seems that uttering the word Jesus in a government chamber evokes harsh critism now adays. This is truly unfortunate, but has been revealed in the bible as being the norm in the "end times"; where people will deny Jesus' name and scorn those who call on him.
Individuals should see that the usual things they have become accustomed to making their gods are all failing them (houses, jobs, 401k, stocks, governments). But Jesus never fails!
A crackdown on prayers in the Senate
By Andy Green of the Baltimore Sun Blog (3/25/09)
The Baltimore Sun's Gadi Dechter sends over this dispatch from the State House: A J-bomb went off in the Maryland Senate this morning, Julie Bykowicz tells the basement, who tells you.
During the morning prayer, a pastor from Bowie uttered the name of Jesus. This is a no-no, because it is considered insensitive to non-Christians, and possibly unconstitutional. Sen. President Thomas V. Mike Miller shook his head in disgust as the name was said and later said the prayer would not be journalized.
He ordered the secretary of the Senate to review prayers from now on.
This was the latest in several times this session that visiting pastors failed to refrain from mentioning the name of their Messiah, despite admonitions from Senate leadership to keep it ecumenical.
The House of Delegates used to have this same problem, so several years ago they simply decided to have delegates recite prayers instead of having visiting ministers, rabbis, priests and imams do the honors.
Still, lawmakers in the House also slip up occasionally. Earlier this session, Del. Donna Stifler, a Harford County Republican, mentioned the “prince of peace,” a reference to Jesus, in her convocation, though she quickly corrected herself and said she meant to say “God.”
Individuals should see that the usual things they have become accustomed to making their gods are all failing them (houses, jobs, 401k, stocks, governments). But Jesus never fails!
A crackdown on prayers in the Senate
By Andy Green of the Baltimore Sun Blog (3/25/09)
The Baltimore Sun's Gadi Dechter sends over this dispatch from the State House: A J-bomb went off in the Maryland Senate this morning, Julie Bykowicz tells the basement, who tells you.
During the morning prayer, a pastor from Bowie uttered the name of Jesus. This is a no-no, because it is considered insensitive to non-Christians, and possibly unconstitutional. Sen. President Thomas V. Mike Miller shook his head in disgust as the name was said and later said the prayer would not be journalized.
He ordered the secretary of the Senate to review prayers from now on.
This was the latest in several times this session that visiting pastors failed to refrain from mentioning the name of their Messiah, despite admonitions from Senate leadership to keep it ecumenical.
The House of Delegates used to have this same problem, so several years ago they simply decided to have delegates recite prayers instead of having visiting ministers, rabbis, priests and imams do the honors.
Still, lawmakers in the House also slip up occasionally. Earlier this session, Del. Donna Stifler, a Harford County Republican, mentioned the “prince of peace,” a reference to Jesus, in her convocation, though she quickly corrected herself and said she meant to say “God.”
Monday, March 23, 2009
Alabama Takes a Hit Below the Belt - US to Buy Chinese Condomns
Being from Alabama, I could not resist posting this article. Moreover, if ever there were any doubts about how hard-hitting and far-reaching the economic downturn is in the country, as well as, the impact of the new global economy, this story captures it perfectly.
For a roughly 3 cents saving per condemn and because Congress removed "Buy America" language from the recently passed stimulus bill, USAID is taking its business to China!
As a result, 300 individuals in tiny Eufaula, AL are SOL after decades of service.
WOW
Stimulus? U.S. to buy Chinese condoms, ending Alabama jobs
Reported on McClatchy (3/23/09)
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/251/story/64577.html
By Mike McGraw of the Kansas City Star (3/22/09)
http://www.kansascity.com/637/story/1100966.html
Call it a condom conundrum.
At a time when the federal government is spending billions of stimulus dollars to stem the tide of U.S. layoffs, should that same government put even more Americans out of work by buying cheaper foreign products?
In this case, Chinese condoms.
In a move expected to cost 300 American jobs, the government is switching to cheaper off-shore condoms, including some made in China.
That's the dilemma for the folks at the U.S. Agency for International Development, which has distributed an estimated 10 billion U.S.-made AIDS-preventing condoms in poor countries around the world.
But not anymore.
The switch comes despite assurances over the years that the agency would continue to buy American whenever possible.
"Of course, we considered how many U.S. jobs would be affected by this move,” said a USAID official who spoke on the condition that he would not be named. But he said the reasons for the change included lower prices (2 cents versus more than 5 cents for U.S.-made condoms) and the fact that Congress dropped “buy American language” in a recent appropriations bill.
For a roughly 3 cents saving per condemn and because Congress removed "Buy America" language from the recently passed stimulus bill, USAID is taking its business to China!
As a result, 300 individuals in tiny Eufaula, AL are SOL after decades of service.
WOW
Stimulus? U.S. to buy Chinese condoms, ending Alabama jobs
Reported on McClatchy (3/23/09)
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/251/story/64577.html
By Mike McGraw of the Kansas City Star (3/22/09)
http://www.kansascity.com/637/story/1100966.html
Call it a condom conundrum.
At a time when the federal government is spending billions of stimulus dollars to stem the tide of U.S. layoffs, should that same government put even more Americans out of work by buying cheaper foreign products?
In this case, Chinese condoms.
In a move expected to cost 300 American jobs, the government is switching to cheaper off-shore condoms, including some made in China.
That's the dilemma for the folks at the U.S. Agency for International Development, which has distributed an estimated 10 billion U.S.-made AIDS-preventing condoms in poor countries around the world.
But not anymore.
The switch comes despite assurances over the years that the agency would continue to buy American whenever possible.
"Of course, we considered how many U.S. jobs would be affected by this move,” said a USAID official who spoke on the condition that he would not be named. But he said the reasons for the change included lower prices (2 cents versus more than 5 cents for U.S.-made condoms) and the fact that Congress dropped “buy American language” in a recent appropriations bill.
Forget Smoking - Eat a Few Burgers
I was just mentioning to a co-worker the other day that I have never had an addictive personality. I drank in college, but quit later in life. Likewise, I smoked cigars for a period of time, but also let that habit go. However, those hamburgers and fries are something I have never been able to shake (pun intended).
Maybe it is because fast food joints are on nearly evey corner in urban communities. Or maybe it is because most American children have been unwittingly trained, socialized even, to know the golden arches from birth. Either way, fast food is as ingrained into our way of life as is t.v. (which is a whole other conversation).
We all know fast food can be very unhealthy, but is fast food akin to tobacco? A case is being made by a Yale research center that says so.
Is Food the New Tobacco?
By Marion Nestle of the Atlantic (3/21/09)
http://food.theatlantic.com/nutrition/is-food-the-new-tobacco.php
The Rudd Center at Yale is devoted to establishing a firm research basis for obesity interventions. Its latest contribution is a paper in the Milbank Quarterly from its director, Kelly Brownell, and co-author Kenneth Warner, an equally distinguished anti-smoking researcher from the University of Michigan. Its provocative title: The perils of ignoring history: Big Tobacco played dirty and millions died. How similar is Big Food?
The paper is getting much attention. A spokesman for the American Dietetic Association, a group well known for its close ties to food companies, emphasizes that food is not tobacco. Of course it's not. But food companies often behave like tobacco companies, and not always in the public interest. The Milbank paper provides plenty of documentation to back up the similarity. Worth a look, no?
Maybe it is because fast food joints are on nearly evey corner in urban communities. Or maybe it is because most American children have been unwittingly trained, socialized even, to know the golden arches from birth. Either way, fast food is as ingrained into our way of life as is t.v. (which is a whole other conversation).
We all know fast food can be very unhealthy, but is fast food akin to tobacco? A case is being made by a Yale research center that says so.
Is Food the New Tobacco?
By Marion Nestle of the Atlantic (3/21/09)
http://food.theatlantic.com/nutrition/is-food-the-new-tobacco.php
The Rudd Center at Yale is devoted to establishing a firm research basis for obesity interventions. Its latest contribution is a paper in the Milbank Quarterly from its director, Kelly Brownell, and co-author Kenneth Warner, an equally distinguished anti-smoking researcher from the University of Michigan. Its provocative title: The perils of ignoring history: Big Tobacco played dirty and millions died. How similar is Big Food?
The paper is getting much attention. A spokesman for the American Dietetic Association, a group well known for its close ties to food companies, emphasizes that food is not tobacco. Of course it's not. But food companies often behave like tobacco companies, and not always in the public interest. The Milbank paper provides plenty of documentation to back up the similarity. Worth a look, no?
President's Green Jobs Push May Stall Due to NIMBY
As President Obama promotes job growth (green jobs) while also mapping out a 21st century energy transformation, he may run into a modern-day hurdle known by all: NIMBY - - Not In My Back Yard
We all know great ideas are great ideas unless they somehow impact us. Once that becomes the case, great ideas often die a quick and painful death. The President's effort to create new jobs through developing the wind, wave, solar and biofuels industries of tomorrow may be the latest casualty of this communal self-interest.
'Green' Push Faces Resistance From Locals
By Ian Talley of the Wall Street Journal (3/20/09)
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123757810072598461.html
The risk that President Barack Obama's plans to promote "green jobs" could bog down amid local and state opposition to the transmission lines, windmills and other clean energy hardware is becoming an issue for both supporters and critics of the president's agenda.
A new U.S. Chamber of Commerce Web site launched Friday catalogues 62 wind, wave, solar and biofuel projects and 15 high-voltage transmission proposals across 25 states that have faced significant local opposition, often enough to shut them down entirely. It also documents how 18 natural gas projects, 17 nuclear power plants and around 175 coal plants worth more than $62 billion in investments have encountered local antagonism.
"Just saying you're for green jobs or green technology doesn't get the project built," said William Kovacs, the Chamber's vice president of environment and regulatory affairs. The Chamber advocates setting stricter deadlines for environmental reviews, among other actions.
We all know great ideas are great ideas unless they somehow impact us. Once that becomes the case, great ideas often die a quick and painful death. The President's effort to create new jobs through developing the wind, wave, solar and biofuels industries of tomorrow may be the latest casualty of this communal self-interest.
'Green' Push Faces Resistance From Locals
By Ian Talley of the Wall Street Journal (3/20/09)
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123757810072598461.html
The risk that President Barack Obama's plans to promote "green jobs" could bog down amid local and state opposition to the transmission lines, windmills and other clean energy hardware is becoming an issue for both supporters and critics of the president's agenda.
A new U.S. Chamber of Commerce Web site launched Friday catalogues 62 wind, wave, solar and biofuel projects and 15 high-voltage transmission proposals across 25 states that have faced significant local opposition, often enough to shut them down entirely. It also documents how 18 natural gas projects, 17 nuclear power plants and around 175 coal plants worth more than $62 billion in investments have encountered local antagonism.
"Just saying you're for green jobs or green technology doesn't get the project built," said William Kovacs, the Chamber's vice president of environment and regulatory affairs. The Chamber advocates setting stricter deadlines for environmental reviews, among other actions.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
The Sisterhood!
As we draw toward the close of Women's History Month (March) it is only fitting that I recognize the incredible strides women have made in our society over the years. Particularly in the African American community, sistas have been on a rocketship to higher and higher heights never before realized. Case in point is the lovely FLOTUS (First Lady of the United States).
Yet, other beneficiaries of this monumental realigning of power over the years can be found within the administration with the "sisterhood", a group of African American females that are running things for the POTUS (President of the United States) and making new history. These women are a new cadre of highly educated, well regarded and super networked powerbrokers that have scaled to some very high heights.
The Ties That Align: Administration's Black Women Form A Strong Sisterhood
By Krissah Thompson of the Washington Post (3/18/09)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/17/AR2009031703744.html?hpid%3Dartslot
Like two old girlfriends catching up, they ignored onlookers, hugged and laughed. Donna Brazile, the political strategist and Washington veteran, peppered Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson with questions.
"How are the kids?" "Have you contacted the church? I don't go every Sunday but they know me."
Before she left, Jackson had an open invitation to Brazile's place for home-cooked red beans and rice, served up every Monday night.
"The sisterhood in this town, there's deep history here," Jackson said.
The "Obama women" -- as African American women who've taken big jobs in his administration have been nicknamed -- mark another step in the long journey of black women from outsiders to gatekeepers in political Washington. They have quietly entered their jobs with little attention paid to the fact that they are the largest contingent of high-ranking black women to work for a president.
Many are firsts -- as in the first black woman to run the Domestic Policy Council, the first black EPA chief and the first black woman to be deputy chief of staff. Last week, Obama tapped Margaret (Peggy) Hamburg to lead the Food and Drug Administration. If confirmed, Hamburg -- who is biracial (her mother is African American, her father Jewish) -- will also be a first.
Seven of about three dozen senior positions on President Obama's team are filled by African American women. Veterans in town see them as part of the steady evolution of power for black women, not only in the White House but also across the country -- in the business world, in academia, in policy circles.
Yet, other beneficiaries of this monumental realigning of power over the years can be found within the administration with the "sisterhood", a group of African American females that are running things for the POTUS (President of the United States) and making new history. These women are a new cadre of highly educated, well regarded and super networked powerbrokers that have scaled to some very high heights.
The Ties That Align: Administration's Black Women Form A Strong Sisterhood
By Krissah Thompson of the Washington Post (3/18/09)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/17/AR2009031703744.html?hpid%3Dartslot
Like two old girlfriends catching up, they ignored onlookers, hugged and laughed. Donna Brazile, the political strategist and Washington veteran, peppered Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson with questions.
"How are the kids?" "Have you contacted the church? I don't go every Sunday but they know me."
Before she left, Jackson had an open invitation to Brazile's place for home-cooked red beans and rice, served up every Monday night.
"The sisterhood in this town, there's deep history here," Jackson said.
The "Obama women" -- as African American women who've taken big jobs in his administration have been nicknamed -- mark another step in the long journey of black women from outsiders to gatekeepers in political Washington. They have quietly entered their jobs with little attention paid to the fact that they are the largest contingent of high-ranking black women to work for a president.
Many are firsts -- as in the first black woman to run the Domestic Policy Council, the first black EPA chief and the first black woman to be deputy chief of staff. Last week, Obama tapped Margaret (Peggy) Hamburg to lead the Food and Drug Administration. If confirmed, Hamburg -- who is biracial (her mother is African American, her father Jewish) -- will also be a first.
Seven of about three dozen senior positions on President Obama's team are filled by African American women. Veterans in town see them as part of the steady evolution of power for black women, not only in the White House but also across the country -- in the business world, in academia, in policy circles.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
A Community of Leaders or Not - Political Leadership in the African American Community
In keeping with the question of the day regarding the time being at hand (or has been at hand) to see a new generation of leaders take charge in the black community; what say you regarding Roland Burris - - the Senator from Chicago?
At best a quizzical figure whose self-aggrandizing only makes you laugh harder or at worst, a stain on the recent legacy the President tried to build coming out of the often repudiated Chicago political environment to rise to a level never before seen by the African American community?
Either way, these two figures - representing a generational divide - are an interesting juxtaposition to one another and a stark reality of where we find ourself as a community.
Here are two recent sources to check out more on Senator Burris:
Collection of the latest stories by the Chicago Tribune (3/17/09)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/topic/crime-law-justice/justice-rights/roland-burris-PEPLT000007550.topic
The Replacement
The rise of Roland Burris.
By Jeffrey Toobin of The New Yorker (3/23/09)
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/03/23/090323fa_fact_toobin
At best a quizzical figure whose self-aggrandizing only makes you laugh harder or at worst, a stain on the recent legacy the President tried to build coming out of the often repudiated Chicago political environment to rise to a level never before seen by the African American community?
Either way, these two figures - representing a generational divide - are an interesting juxtaposition to one another and a stark reality of where we find ourself as a community.
Here are two recent sources to check out more on Senator Burris:
Collection of the latest stories by the Chicago Tribune (3/17/09)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/topic/crime-law-justice/justice-rights/roland-burris-PEPLT000007550.topic
The Replacement
The rise of Roland Burris.
By Jeffrey Toobin of The New Yorker (3/23/09)
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/03/23/090323fa_fact_toobin
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