http://www.sfninja.com/taj/ Big Black Talks Game. en Copyright 2010 Sun, 01 Jun 2008 17:30:23 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss The summer months are the worst for finding any entertainment on TV. It is the repeat season for seasonal shows, sports come to an end, and the only thing really to watch is junk. Well, the great news is that my wife found the best junk around. She discovered Deion and Pilar on the Oxygen channel. Deion is Deion Sanders, the all-pro multi-sport athlete. This show is the diary of their life together. While it is obvious that both are clearly somewhat showing out for the camera, the dialog and cheesy witty lines Deion throws out consistently are worth a watch. One episode, he consistently tries to have sex with his wife while hiding from his kids. After failed attempts of trying to make love in his closet, which is bigger than my entire house, or in his daughter's room (yes, you read that correctly), they finally decide to make an appointment in their schedules. Deion proceeds to say, "I don't feel right to make an appointment to get some drawz." Clearly, with lines like this after the transpiring events, one cannot help but to laugh at the silliness. The problem is that as you criticize the show, you slowly become more engaged in the comedy and before you know it you set Tivo to record all the shows. I do not give many recommendations, but I definitely recommend you view this wonderful show that will be sure to make you just laugh because it is intelligently stupid. http://www.sfninja.com/taj/2008/06/deion_and_pilar.html http://www.sfninja.com/taj/2008/06/deion_and_pilar.html General Sun, 01 Jun 2008 17:30:23 -0500 Do you see the sexy man in the gold shirt by the left corner of the podium?]]> http://www.sfninja.com/taj/2008/04/declaring_indep.html http://www.sfninja.com/taj/2008/04/declaring_indep.html General Sun, 20 Apr 2008 14:19:44 -0500 ]]> http://www.sfninja.com/taj/2008/04/olivia_ashley.html http://www.sfninja.com/taj/2008/04/olivia_ashley.html General Thu, 03 Apr 2008 18:24:50 -0500 Our little baby is not even here yet and that little rascal is taking over my house. My office is not full of baby stuff. It is not organized because I am awaiting furniture from the store. There is a pack and play in my dining room along with the 3 wheeled stroller. There is a bassinet and a little bouncy chair. This kid has more places to sit then I currently have. And the little one is not even here. These are not complaints. They are merely observations of this great time in our lives. Having a baby is truly a family event. My dad, mom, and family on Tracy's side are all so happy. They are loving and supportive. They just cannot wait. I tried to tell them that they cannot spoil the child, but they just laughed at me. I was once significant in my house. Now, I am forgotten. I guess it comes with the territory. I really cannot wait to see my baby. http://www.sfninja.com/taj/2008/02/invasion.html http://www.sfninja.com/taj/2008/02/invasion.html General Sun, 24 Feb 2008 21:51:05 -0500 Tomorrow will be a very important date in America history. Tomorrow will be a day that a very inspirational man will capture the hearts of Americans and begin his position to lead our country. Go out and vote with your mind and heart; Obama!!!!! There is no logical reason to vote Hillary. Not one. I will have that debate with anybody. Go out and make your voice heard. Go out and make a stand. Join the movement that is sweeping our nation. Vote Obama!!! I can fee a change coming. http://www.sfninja.com/taj/2008/02/defining_moment.html http://www.sfninja.com/taj/2008/02/defining_moment.html General Mon, 04 Feb 2008 22:12:48 -0500 This past weekend, after about 3 years, I finally finished San Andreas GTA. I completed all the missions. I did not get 100% complete, but it was 91.8%. It was this because there are stupid tasks like stealing and exporting certain types of cars. There are other tasks like this that I did not have the patience for. Overall, this game was one of the best I ever played. It was very involved and complex. The next GTA, I am sure, will surpass this fine game. http://www.sfninja.com/taj/2008/01/grand_theft_aut.html http://www.sfninja.com/taj/2008/01/grand_theft_aut.html General Thu, 03 Jan 2008 16:05:01 -0500 As I head into, yet, another year, I will not be making any resolutions. Instead, Tracy and I will continue down the path we have started down. And that is to have a family that puts faith in God to supply our needs. I don't need any resolutions. Perhaps, what is more important is the reflection of what was and what you never really want today. Here are few things on the top of my head. 1. I used to drink all night until I was tore up. Today, I have no desire to drink and would not want to feel the effects of the hangover. 2. I used to stay up until 4 am and recover in one day. Today, if I were to stay up that late, it would take me 2 weeks to recover. This would be true if I stayed up until 1 am. 3. I used to be single and chase women. Today, I am married and feel so blessed that I no longer have to chase the cat. 4. I used to be caught up in status and the power of money. Today, I no longer view it that way. It is no longer want money for that reason. I just want to eat and put a roof over my head. 5. I used to somewhat worry about what people thought of me. Today, I have no care in the world. 6. I used to hate hearing or saying the word, "No". Today, "No" is refreshing to hear. 7. I used to want to go hang out in the bars and streets. Today, the only place I want to be is on my home protected by the crazy fools in the world. 8. I used to love traveling by plane to any destination. Today, I loathe the idea of even going to the airport to deal with rookies and the obnoxious idiotic security precautions and staff. 9. I used to love working in corporate businesses. Today, my desire is definitely not there. 10. I used to love meeting new people. I still do, but today, I do not have the energy to put forth to establish a strong initial bond. There is a list of 10 things I am thankful that I have gained wisdom in. I am 32 years old, I have I look forward to 40. I definitely would not want to be in my 20's once again. Those years where actually kind of crappy. http://www.sfninja.com/taj/2007/12/wish_no_more.html http://www.sfninja.com/taj/2007/12/wish_no_more.html General Fri, 28 Dec 2007 15:04:48 -0500 Whether people like it or not, poll play a huge role in elections. Polls dictate what the media talks about and how they will talk about it. This past week in Iowa, Obama has the lead according to an ABC poll. This is huge news since Clinton has a large poll lead in the National although, it is slowly shrinking. Personally, I cannot wait until the December 10 debates in LA. These debates will be key for Obama and Edwards to really set a tone that is about them and show off their qualities that make them a better candidate than Clinton. On this date, Clinton will come will prepared and should give her typical all inclusive ra-ra answers. I no longer really want to see an aggressive attack on Clinton. Instead, I want a logical and practical argument that clearly defines a road map to respectability as a nation from Obama and Edwards. I want to see a contrast of how the American people will be the focus and not the privileged few in the next 4 years. If it is not known, let it be known now that I am not a supporter of Clinton. I was when she first announced, but her platform that she is running on is uninspiring. I just don't understand how every answer she can give can be on "my side." I want real talk. I like my man Dennis, but he just has no chance to win. Richardson has a lot to offer, but he is not the right man to be president. Somehow, it just does not work. Joe Biden is solid and I like how is more relaxed and his personality is seen more than the others. In fact, I think he would make a good president. Personally, I am more moderate than liberal. I don't support everything that liberals say and fight for, but I do respect their right to fight. To me, sometimes people are too sensitive and spend time on issues that are not necessarly the issues or that do not need to be issues. A good example of how I am moderate is regarding gay marriage. I do not support it because it is defined as a union between man and woman under God according to one of the oldest books, The Bible. This is one book that I cannot dispute. Disputing the bible is another argument. Contrary to marriage, I fully support same sex partnerships and recognition by the government even though I do not support the lifestyle. With this recognition, couples will have hospital visitation rights, benefit eligibility, estate inheritance, etc. This is the core issue with this issue. I am liberal in the fact that I do not want to impose what I believe by telling people how to live and alienating them as a citizen of this country. On the other hand, I am conservative because I do not support "Gay Marriage". Hence, I am moderate. This stance does not mean I am homophobic like many people will try to label me. Nor does it mean that I do not like people who are gay. I do not care if people are gay and have many friends who happen to be gay. For my rant above, I cannot sincerely support Edwards. I just cannot imagine my little kids coming home telling me they were read a story about two men playing daddy and mommy. These are my values and Edwards does not support them. I find myself supporting Obama mainly because of practical, sensible and diplomatic approach. I do not prefer conflict and would much rather talk out issues. However, if you do cross me, I will strike and I will strike hard. Obama offers this for Foreign policy. He is practical when it comes to social security and health care. He knows he cannot wave a magic wand and make everything better. It sucks he talks about raising the salary ceiling for taxes to help social security. but I am okay with it because I little more money I will be taxed will help out people and in the long run, it will come back to me when I am of age. Regarding health care, I think he is right on the money. Costs are completely out of control. There are many reasons for this. I think he is capable of fighting this battle as he is not in bed with the big corporations. The media makes it seem that only our Mexican neighbors are the problem with people taking residence in the USA illegally. This is not true as there are many people on student and work visa that choose not to leave and stay illegally. The problem is not with the people. The problem is with the process and system. Obama recognizes this and knows that internal reform is needed and not some dumb wall. These are a few example of Obama's practicality. My vote is for Obama unless it is miraculously change this forthcoming month and there is unexpected bad news about his policies and/or past. December 10, I hope to see his vision clearly stated as he shines over Clinton. I hope you join the Obama train with me, but regardless of who you support, my hope is that you just get out and vote for change. Our nation is in peril and it will take a pray and a miracle to bounce back. http://www.sfninja.com/taj/2007/11/polls_and_my_vo.html http://www.sfninja.com/taj/2007/11/polls_and_my_vo.html General Sun, 25 Nov 2007 23:44:27 -0500 Edwards - I am not sure where he stands. His current MO is to slam Hilliary. this tactic is fine, but John, "You need to tell where you stand." He is not telling us what he will do once he is in office. His entire rhetoric is about condemning Clinton and her old school politics not working. If you are a true liberal, Edwards is your vote. As he thinks it is okay to read gay relationship stories to little kids in the classroom. There is nothing really conservative about this Southern Boy. You are basically getting John Kerry of 2004 in 2008, except for the fact Edwards is a smooth talker. My first thought of Edwards is that he does not have what it takes to win. He is in the running, but he needs to begin to define himself a little more. Clinton - It is true. You basically love Hilliary or you hate her. She is a savvy politician who can wiggle her way out of a tough situation better than her man Bill. If you do listen to her speak, you will hear vagueness. She only once answered a question directly as her common practice is to say something that appeases everybody. Additionally, she typically answers in a manner that is inclusive of the other candidates to make it seem that they all agree with her and there are no differences. With Hilliary, you are getting somebody who as seen the dirty ways of the Oval Office. I do not know where she gets 35 years of experience from because she has only been a Senator during this century. She is polarizing and potentially will not be able to work across party lines due to excessive baggage from her husband and her senate term. Clinton tells us what she is for, but she is not admitting or specify details of what makes her different. Her claim of experience is hogwash because there is no experience that will make anybody ready to become the president of the US. The only person who can claim this advantage is Bill Richardson. Barack Obama - Obama is the fresh face on the scene. He is realatively untainted by the political process. Unlike the other Big 2, he is doing a good job of what he wants to do and enough detail to differentiate himself between the other two. He says things that people may not want to here like raising the salary tax level to pay for health insurance on top of balancing the budget. This is not what I want to hear as I will soon be in that tax bracket, but you have to respect his view. A vote for Obama will be vote for an unknown an new direction. He for sure is more culturally aware than the other candidates and will use that to drive his foreign policy. He has a better opportunity to work across party lines than the other Big 2 as he seems to be more of a peace maker than a fire starter. The strike against Obama, is not his experience, it may be is the fact that he is black. However, it seems through recent polls that the country may be overlooking this fact. A good move on his part is that he is running on his platform of initiatives without crying out any race card. You cannot compare Obama to Jesse because Obama is much more intelligent, articulate, and has higher moral values. Obama is the JFK vote in this decade.]]> http://www.sfninja.com/taj/2007/11/the_big_three.html http://www.sfninja.com/taj/2007/11/the_big_three.html General Wed, 21 Nov 2007 23:37:38 -0500 Biography - 2003-Present: Governor of New Mexico, 1998-2001: U.S. Energy Secretary, 1997-1998: U.N. Ambassador, 1983-1997: U.S. Representative, New Mexico, Catholic. Iraq - Says U.S. troops should be redeployed by the end of the year to Afghanistan and other regions in the Persian Gulf as the situation is about to implode. The surge is not working and believes Petraeus is just being team player with the current administration. Foreign Policy - Wants to be tougher on China because it's a strategic competitor. Wants UN troops in Darfur, & UN-enforced no-fly zone. with the help of China and Europe. He believe Bush's policies made Israel less safe. He promotes diplomacy and talking with enemies. It yields results. Environment - Favors U.S. joining Kyoto treaty to curb greenhouse gas emissions and going "well beyond" its requirements, boosting fuel economy standards. Wants to invest in renewable energy to decrease oil imports from 65 percent of fossil fuel use to 10 percent in 15 years. Health Care - Wants tax breaks for businesses and for people who pay for their own coverage. Lower the eligibility age for Medicare to 55 and expand programs for poor and children. Package could cost up to $110 billion a year. Savings would come by expanding spending on preventive care. Additional coverage for undocumented workers. Everybody will be covered. Abortion - Favors abortion rights and resists any effort to prevent a woman's right to choose. Civil/Gay Rights - Does not believe in gay marriage because homosexuality is a choice and not an issue of science. Supports civil unions for equal rights. Immigration - Favors path to citizenship for illegal immigrants, opposes border fence. Wants increase in H-1B visas to permit more skilled workers. Conflicting himself a bit, he wants immigrants to pay into the health care system. Budge and Economy - Raise taxes on the wealthiest. Relieve middle-income workers of the alternative minimum tax, Wants $60 billion spent in five years on tax breaks for investment in high-tech jobs and for research in new technologies. This will help the economy grow and produce strong employment opportunities. He also wants the mortgage industry to operate with more liquidity & more transparency. Supports balanced budget act.]]> http://www.sfninja.com/taj/2007/10/biography_2003p.html http://www.sfninja.com/taj/2007/10/biography_2003p.html General Sat, 27 Oct 2007 00:47:59 -0500 Biography - Catholic. 1972-Present: U.S. senator, Delaware 1970-1972: New Castle County Council, Delaware. In 1998 he sought after the presidential nomination. Iraq - Would withdraw most U.S. troops, leaving about 20,000. Wants to see Iraq governed as largely autonomous Sunni, Shiite and Kurdish regions. This includes all aspects of government and authority institutions. Opposed President Bush's deployment of more troops. Led Senate effort to pass resolution declaring war is against U.S. interest. However, he did vote for the war in 2002. Foreign Policy - Believes that Pakistan is one of the most dangerous countries in the world and wants troops in Darfur now. The biggest threat to US is from North Korea, Iran, & Russia. Wants to eliminate the debt to China from financing the war. Environment - Favors negotiation of new treaty to curb emissions. Voted for 2003 bill that would have capped 2010 emissions at 2000 levels, increasing energy costs. Health Care - Wants the states to develop ideas on moving toward universal coverage. He will also immediately insure anyone under 18 years old. Abortion - Favors abortion rights, but not public funding for abortion because iit imposes a view. However he does support partial-birth abortion ban or late-term abortions, but not undoing Roe. Accepts Catholic church view that life begins at conception. Wants the constitutional right to privacy. Civil/Gay Rights - Opposes constitutional amendment against gay marriage. Thinks civil unions are okay, but also thinks gay marriage is inevitable. Immigration - Backed 2006 bill offering legal status to illegal immigrants. Favors tightening U.S.-Mexico border with fences to stop drug trafficking. Budge and Economy - Will raise taxes on wealthiest Americans and will spend more on tax breaks for tuition. Subject incomes over $97,000 to Social Security taxes. Invest in new programs by ending the war and tax loop-holes.]]> http://www.sfninja.com/taj/2007/10/joe_biden.html http://www.sfninja.com/taj/2007/10/joe_biden.html Mon, 22 Oct 2007 23:05:35 -0500 Biography - Elected mayor of Cleveland in 1977. 1996, US House of Reps. Chair of the Progressive Caucus. Gandhi Peace Award in 2003. Iraq - Believes we are in Iraq for money. Wants to use the Iraq budget to get the troops out because he thinks occupation is driving the insurgency. Instead of US troops, he wants to bring in UN troops. Once the US troops are out, the UN will maintain the peace and establish governance. Foreign Policy - Dennis does not believe in war as a tool for foreign policy. He will provide aid for peace initiatives. Wants to have international treaties, but does not want to continue down global corporatism. We wants to reestablish working with the world communities. Environment - Heavily focused on water issues. He does not want it to be market driven and it should be public. We wants to ensure water is safe and free of contaminants. He will promote a clean environment. Health Care - Wants a non-for-profit health care system. This is different from Clinton's HMO based idea. He believes that for-profit does not look out for the patients. He does not want to make it a socialist program, but he wants long-term care 100% covered. He wants Medicare for all as it is a right as an American. He knows there is a problem when people go bankrupt over medical bills or have to neglect health because they have to choose food over going to the doctor. Abortion - Woman right to choose is essential and abortion should always be legal. The moral questions should be made by the parents, not the government. Civil/Gay Rights - Fully supports gay marriage and their issues. It is true equality to him. He want reparations for slavery and wants to overturn the unconstitutional Patriot Act. Immigration - Believes immigrants are taking the blame for our failing system. He believes America does have "Slave Labor" and it is failing. He wants a clear road map for citizenship for immigrants. He does not support a Mexican wall, Minutemen, or reporting illegal immigrants who go to the hospital. Budge and Economy - He would have all American companies pay taxes to the US. He wants to cut Pentagon spending and see the wealthy pay their fair share. He wants to see the end of war as an instrument of fiscal policy.]]> http://www.sfninja.com/taj/2007/10/dennis_kucinich.html http://www.sfninja.com/taj/2007/10/dennis_kucinich.html Tue, 16 Oct 2007 21:41:16 -0500 Biography - Considers himself to be a dark horse. Elected to House of Representatives in 1974. Served 3 terms. Elected to US Senate 1980. He is known as the "Children's Senator" as he fights for their cause. Currently in 5th term. Fluent in Spanish Iraq - Wants a date for troop withdrawal from Iraq. He wants to help Iraq, but get out by April 1, 2008 based on facts that Iraqi's and US want troops out. He believes there is no military solution to Iraq and troops will need be be redeployed. He voted for the war and now says' "It was mistake" and no longer wants to continue the mistake. Recently he says 2013 is the date for troops to be out of Iraq. Foreign Policy - Next president needs experience and US cannot afford training on the job. Believe China is close to be a adversary. Wants the US to end the Darfur genocide. Environment - Wants to help Katrina efforts to a point that elaborates what the US does right. Reduce carbon waste products by imposing a carbon tax and a 50-miles-per-gallon standard for cars by 2017. He wants oil profits to go towards research for alternative fuels. Health Care - Wants all undocumented workers and children covered under his plan. The model he uses is the congress health plan. Wants to extend Medicaid coverage to poorer families. He believes that Medicaid and Medicare have worked well and wants to expand them. He believes in order to get the coverage, the right people need to get together. Abortion - Believes in the woman's right to choose. However, he voted 'No' on a bill that requires parents to be notified for out-of-state abortions. Voted 'yes' to bill that finances education and contraceptives to stop teen pregnancy. Overall, he is heavily pro choice. Civil/Gay Rights - Wants to extend the medical and family leave act to gay couples. He believes in gay civil unions. However, he does not support same-sex marriage. And the distinction there is one of what the traditions are over the years. He strongly support those civil unions. His state (Conn.) passed a law in favor of civil unions. Considers crime against gay people a hate crime. Immigration - Wants more language training in US. This will strengthen the US in the global economy. He voted yes for comprehensive immigration reform. This establishes specified benchmarks which must be met before the guest worker and legalization programs may be initiated:control Mexico border, increase border patrol, etc. Budge and Economy - Want more liquidity in the real estate market. He did vote "No" on a bill that Vote to pass a bill that reduces federal spending by $40 billion over five years by decreasing the amount of funds spent on Medicaid, Medicare, agriculture, employee pensions, conservation, and student loans. ]]> http://www.sfninja.com/taj/2007/10/chris_dodd.html http://www.sfninja.com/taj/2007/10/chris_dodd.html General Tue, 09 Oct 2007 23:24:17 -0500 Biography - Served in the US Army. 1969 - 1981 Alaska senator. Iraq - Believe the war is Bush's war. He believes that the soldiers are dying in vain and just wants to get the soldiers out now. He will have the troops out in 120 days. Foreign Policy - Believes president needs moral judgement. The US does not have any true enemies and we need to treat everybody as equals. Does not support troops in Darfur. He believes that we must demonstrate renewed respect for international law & institutions, as our best hope for creating the conditions for peace. Environment - Wants to promote American conservation by changing tax laws. Additionally, he wants to take the Iraq war budget and build 4 million homes for the victims of Katrina. He wants to have a carbon tax and believes that would reduce emissions. Health Care - Wants to provide universal health care like most industrialized nations. Eventually he wants to rid Medicaid and Medicare. Additionally, the president plays a vital role to promote preventative health care. A major problem with the health care, he believes, is that fact the medical industry is "For Profit". If it were non-profit, everybody would receive the care they deserve. He wants a voucher program. Abortion - The right for women to choose. Decision is between the woman and her doctor. The government should not interfere. Interference can compromise care when an abortion is medically necessary. Civil/Gay Rights - Does not believe marriage is religious. Hence, he unequivocally supports gay marriages. He defines marriage as a commitment between two human beings in love. Believes that race is still an issue and will remain in the 21st century. He is particularly outraged by the drug war and how many blacks are in prison due to drugs. Immigration - English needs to be the official language and he does no support deporting immigrants that come here seeking employment. However, he wants to protect our borders and monitor the flow of immigrants into the country. Budge and Economy - Endorses The Common Sense Budget Act. The Common Sense Budget Act gives us the chance to start over with the federal budget. It rearranges the slices on the pie so that what matters get funded; and what doesn't gets cut. It won't cost a penny more nor will it raise taxes. Basically, it just reallocates the pie by allocating 17% of the enormous Pentagon budget and shifts it over to human beings. Supports a Office of Scientific Assessment (OSA). The OSA will essentially be an independent party overlooking congress' spending. ]]> http://www.sfninja.com/taj/2007/10/mike_gravel.html http://www.sfninja.com/taj/2007/10/mike_gravel.html General Sat, 06 Oct 2007 18:04:03 -0500 The political season is about to get hot. And I mean sizzling hot. The fact is that I get more excited about a debate than I do when the Lakers are playing. Let it be known that I am a democrat. The core beliefs of this party are more in tune with you I am. Republicans share some values with me; however, the differences are too much to overcome. People would say that I am in the middle, but labels do not appeal to me. I just believe in doing right and treating all people fair. Frankly, I am not too happy with our country right now. I do not feel George Bush is an effective president. I do not support his terrorist theories nor do I support his financial management of the federal budget. While I will agree that he has certain qualities that must be respect, I do believe that he has far more negative characteristics that are not good to lead our country. However, this is not about George Bush. My main point of this blog is the fact that there is only 3-4 months before nominees for each party vying to be the next president. I essentially already have made my mind up that I will be voting for Obama. As you read the last sentence, please do not sell me short to only voting for him because he is black. That argument will only discount the fact that I am educated and well informed on his positions. Despite the fact that I will be supporting Obama, I will want to do due diligence by researching the other candidates. Over the next few weeks, I will post objective information of each candidate as it relates to their background, voting histories, where they stand on important issues, and whatever else makes sense to highlight. I will do Clinton and Obama last since they receive the most press than the other candidates. After I bring forth each candidate, I will give my overall impressions and why I believe one candidate is better. Before I vote for Obama, I want to be sure I do know what all the other candidates are about. I hope this exercise will encourage you look further into candidates. Whether you are democrat or republican, their are many candidates that need to have their voices heard. http://www.sfninja.com/taj/2007/10/democratic_rese.html http://www.sfninja.com/taj/2007/10/democratic_rese.html General Sat, 06 Oct 2007 17:49:50 -0500