Immigration and the National Anthem

When I got into work this morning, I saw the headline in the Freep about a Spanish version of the National Anthem, which actually got the blood going a bit.

Now, I am as liberal as anyone, but this crap has to stop. Where do we draw the line here? Do we need a Spanish, French, Hindi, and Portugese version of our national anthem? How about Swahili(sp?), Russian, and German too? For goodness sakes, this is America dammit, and our national language is English. Why in the world do we have to have our anthem in another language? To me that is just ludicrous. As my wife pointed out, there is an exception up in Canada with their anthem being in French and English, but they have two official languages, we have one, case closed.

Now on to immigration. Why can't we have the same policies as other countries when it comes to immigration? If I was to move to Canada, I would have to find a job, establish residence, and THEN wait for two years in order to become a citizen. If I was to move to Canada, and found to be there illegally, I wouldn't be given some golden key like Bush wants to do, I would be tossed out of the country. There is the argument that we accept illegals from Mexico because they will do the menial labor Americans won't do. Hogwash, they would do it if they had to, and if the welfare system in this country actually changed. The reality of it is Americans are too damn lazy to work in a field, or do what it takes to make ends meet. Most would rather sit in a welfare line, collect from the government, and make more babies so they can collect more welfare and mooch off the government. If the US actually forced the unemployed to work, or volunteer, we wouldn't have some of the problems we have with immigration. There wouldn't be jobs for these immigrants!! Yowzers, American's would actually be working!!

What I want to see is for this country to do a couple of things. First of all, if one is to move here, learn the language. I have run into so many people who have been here for years, and have no clue how to speak, or read the language. How is one supposed to survive if you don't know how to speak English? (Charity, am I turning into a conservative?) Secondly, tighten the borders. How we do this is simply beyond me, but I am just a guy who sits in front of a microphone by day and writes by night.

Off to New Hampshire for a board meeting tomorrow. Go Sox!!!

Fells

The sports rant.......

The AAA International League has indefinitly suspended Devil Rays prospect Delon Young for throwing a bat at an umpire in Durham's game against Pawtucket. Young says it was an accident....Yeah right, and Bush is a democrat. Some think he should be suspended for 20 games, others have said 50, but I say suspend him for the rest of the season. What that kid did was just plain wrong. You don't throw a bat at an umpire!! If called out, a 20 year old kid shouldn't even look back at an ump, much less throw a bat at him. Anything less than a full season suspension would send the message that professional athletes are not accountable for their own actions. Does Young realize how many kids saw the video and think it is funny? How many Little League kids may see his behavior and do the same? The kids I coach over in Center City know that if they question an umpire, they are pulled from the game. I have zero tolerance for poor sportsmanship, and my kids know it.

The lesson was learned from Jack Gordon when I was in Little League back in my hometown of Lafayette, California. Jack was an old marine who ran his teams like he was a drill sargeant. If you were on one of Jack's teams, you hustled, you played hard, and you didn't even breathe in the direction of an ump. I did it ONCE, and only ONCE. Man, I asked an ump where a pitch was and good old Jack tore me to shreds, then pulled me from the game. This lesson was very well learned, as later he told me why he did what he did, and the importance of being a good sport. The lesson has always stayed in my mind, and is something I teach to the kids I coach.

On another note, Barry Bonds is set to pass Babe Ruth on the all-time home run list. I don't think there should be an asterisk next to his name, there should be a syringe. Bonds is juiced, he knows it and the world knows it. Even though I am a life long Giants fan, I don't want him touching the Babe's or Hank Aaron's record. I want to see Bonds get 600 intentional walks, and I want him to sulk all the way to the guy who juices him up.

Tis all, writer's block is over, now I can get back to work.

From Plattsburgh......

Thanks to everyone who showed up today for Democracy for America's rally over at Plattsburgh State. I was honored to speak on the downward spiral that President Georgie has been spinning this country into. It was also great to meet and speak with Plattsburgh City Councilor Bill Provost, and congressional candidate Dr. Bill Johnson.

There was a great turnout, great messages, and it is good to see the number of people who are sick and tired of the Bush administration, and the war as a whole. By the way, if my buddy Amy the VAA nut is reading this....It was GREAT to finally meet you. It was nice to put a face behind the voice, and talk some politics with you. It was also nice to put faces to our listeners as well.

The war......

Tomorrow in Plattsburgh, Democracy for America is holding a rally and march that will start over at the Angell Center at Plattsburgh State. I will be over there speaking, and encourage people to come to the event and speak out against the war, and the injustices by the Bush administration. The war has now killed well over 30,000 civillians, along with 2,500 soldiers.

I am sick and tired of hearing about this war since I don't think we have any business in being there. Did Saddam have WMD's? Of course he didn't. Did we have an exit plan going into this conflict? Lord, no. Do we have any plans to get out of Iraq? Well, considering that Bush has said we will be there for many more years, I don't think so. When will this administration realize that with our actions, we have actually opened ourselves up even more to terrorist attacks? Other countries despise us right now because of our actions, and the fact we are trying to push our ideals on another country. Could it be possible that Iraqis don't want democracy? Could it also be possible that as always, we as a country seem to be pushing the massive superiority complex onto the rest of the world?

We need to pay attention to our own problems such as the health care crisis and rebuilding New Orleans and the southeast. For once, we need to put ourselves first.

On this Easter Sunday.....

I will not be going into religion. My views on religion would really piss everyone off, and for some odd reason, I don't feel like doing that......today.

Man alive, the Sox are looking good. I think Pappalbon has ended the closer debate by going 6-6 in save opportunities and making Foulke seem like trade bait. Also, try this one on for size, and make your predictions. The Sox have made just TWO errors in the first 11 games of the year. Could the entire infield win Gold Gloves? Considering that all but Youk have won one, I don't think it is out of the realm of possibility. By the way, Youklis continues to impress me down at first. He is making the tough plays, and is digging balls out of the dirt like he has been there for years.

Call it a year for the Bruins, and take advantage of the extra day to get the taxes in. I am still sick as a dog, so again this will be short.

I'm with Haik......

I don't have a darn thing today. Well, I have also been on the couch since 10:00 this morning with the cold from hades, so the brain hasn't exactly been running.

Sox at 7:05 tonight, infield still looks good, Wells needs to hang it up. Wells is overweight, doesn't have much of anything, and when you get nailed for seven runs in five innings in a rehab start, that generally isn't a good sign.

A Red Sox show is being worked on for WFAD in Middlebury, so let me know if there is a guest you guys want me to have. Give me a few weeks and it will be on-air.

Fells

This just in from the Vermont Senate floor.......

The mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines in the Sexual Violence and Protection Act that many have demanded, has now passed the Senate by a 29-0 vote. This falls short of the 15-20 years that many had asked for, but it is seen as a solid comprimise. The initial bill called for a minimum of eight years for aggravated assault, but parts of, if not all of the sentence could be suspended. The final vote on the ammendment is expected by both the House and Senate tomorrow, but it is expected to pass.

We're talking baseball............

Man, the Sox are looking good right now, but it looks like there is some controversy that is brewing before the home opener tomorrow. (If you are in Middlebury, catch it on ESPN 1490 at 1:35) The debate is over the closer position in the Sox pen. Keith Foulke is coming back after a disappointing year, and scopes on both of his knees and hasn't pitched well yet early in the season. Johnathon Pappalbon on the other hand is pitching very well, and seems to have the inside track on the closer position. Now, if JP does end up being the closer, what happens to Foulke? Does Francona turn him into the setup man, or does Foulke get traded for a prospect or two?

Overall, I am impressed with the way the team is playing. With the new infield of Youk, Loretta, Gonzalez, and Lowell, I was more than a tad bit concerned, but they have played very well. Coco Crisp(One of the best names in baseball) is playing well in center, and adds some speed on the bases as well.

Stay tuned, as it looks like I am developing a live call in show for the Sox down at WFAD in Middlebury. Now, this should be a BLAST!!!

Fells

The infinite stupidity of mankind

And in the news today, a Burlington man is dead after he dared his friend to shoot him and the idiot actually did. Apparantly the man was shot after an argument over who was the best fighter. Ok, now this is an actual story as I can't make this crap up. How farking stupid can people be anyway? "Dude, I dare you to shoot me." "Alright man!! I will!!!". Shot fired, another dead person, and yet another person who should have been removed from the genepool many years ago. Unbefarkinglievable!!!!

Rethinking......

As I took the two hour trip to New Hampshire for the company retreat, I couldn't help but think that my poor car was going to destruct from all of the potholes I was hitting. There are holes the size of Volvos on Route Two, and it told me just how horrible our roads are and what needs to be done to fix them.

As I previously stated, I was opposed to a gas tax to repair the roads, but now I am starting to think it is the only thing we can do. Yes, gas prices have gone back to the point of being ridiculously high, but I think things need to be put into perspective. I have a 12 gallon tank, a four cent per gallon gas tax will only add 50 cents a tank to my tab. Usually I fill my tank about six times a month, so it ends up to be an additional three bucks; over the course of a year that is $36.00 or so. Now working in radio, I don't get paid much, but if this is what it takes to get the roads fixed, I am willing to do it.

For those who have travelled down in Chelsea and Randolph, you may know what it is like to drive on the East Randolph Road. Man alive, that thing looks like it hasn't had a construction crew on the thing since the Pony Express came through. There are MASSIVE frost heaves, and there are holes in the road that take up an entire lane. The entire road from Chelsea into Randolph is like dodging mines in a minefield.....If you hit a big one, your car will go boom.

I know we all pay a fortune at the pump, but something has to be done. I will kick out my extra three bucks a month, and have the hope that I will actually be able to drive a Vermont road without fearing my car will become a bucket of bolts the next time I hit one of those Volvo sized potholes.

In memoriam.......

This doesn't have anything to do with the news, sports, politics, etc. This post actually has to do with my late uncle as my family approaches the one year anniversary of his death.

April 16th of last year, my Uncle Hal passed away after a long battle with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. There are many people in this world I like, few I respect. Well, Uncle Hal was one of them. Uncle Hal was like the Pied Piper when it came to kids. As a kid I remember all of the insane things he would do to make the kids laugh. He would make outrageous faces, say outrageously random things, and had the rare ability to make the most cynical and grouchy person laugh. To say the man was the master of self deprication is like calling the Grand Canyon a hole.....

But then, there was the man with infinite wisdom and compassion for those less fortunate. Uncle Hal gave countless hours to charity, and along with my Aunt Marge developed a Peace Garden in downtown Minneapolis. The dynamic duo went to Japan, spoke with local and national leaders about the wounds that had not healed from World War II. When they came home, they developed their dream. Their dream has educated those about racism, and helped to heal so many of the wounds that existed from the American's treatment of the Japanese.

The man taught me about baseball, how to give, how to love, how to be compassionate, and the joy of writing. Uncle Hal's passion for all have made me the man I am today. (Well, aside from being cynical and sometimes snarky.......) Most of all, he taught me about what it means to be courageous. Uncle Hal suffered from ALS, but in many ways, I don't think he suffered. When I would call to see how he was doing, Uncle Hal would be the one who was trying to make ME laugh. Somehow with all that was going on, he was trying to teach everyone a lesson. The lesson being that life isn't so bad, just roll with the punches and hang on for the ride.

Rest in peace Uncle Hal, you deserve it, but we still miss you terribly.

Another insomniac night

Ok, it is about 10:20, I should be asleep, but my semi-frequent bout of insomnia has hit. Anyhoo, when the insomnia hits, the fingers start writing.

I am a democrat, but am starting to lean more towards the center than I have in years past. What makes me think of this is the Sexual Violence and Protection Act that is before the House. More than anything in this world, the thought of someone harming a child in any way repulses me to no end. I have to applaud those in the Vermont House who are pushing for mandatory minimum sentences for those convicted of sexual assault on a minor. Jessica's Law calls for a minimum of 15-20 years for those convicted of aggravated sexual assault on a minor, the plan which should go through committee tomorrow will call for ten years. As much as I would like to see longer sentences, this is a step in the right direction. Those on the far left will criticize me for this, but I have my reasons.

1) Those who are convicted of these crimes do need rehabilitation, but they need to be kept away from children for a sustained period of time. The rate of recitivism for those without supervised treatment is high, and those who are in the community while being treated can still commit crimes against children. Keeping those individuals in prison while being treated will ensure that another child won't be harmed by the same individual.

2) The thought of someone harming my two adorable nieces out in California makes me ill. If someone was to harm Lucy or Janie, I would want that individual behind bars for many, many years. The psychologial trauma that a victim endures takes decades to get over; in many cases it cannot be undone. Those who commit these crimes need to pay for the life long damage that is inflicted on their victims.

Charity over at She's Right will laugh at the fact I am becoming more of a moderate, but it is true, it is actually happening. (By the way, I will link your blog, but I have to wait for my wife to get home from a business trip. I am a radio guy, I don't have a clue about HTML.)

Night all,

Fells

This just in.......

Two sources have confirmed the Senate Judiciary Committee will vote to insert an ammendment into the Sexual Violence and Protection Act that will ensure mandatory minimums for aggravated sexual assault on a minor. This would be a ten year, non-suspendable sentence. This will be voted on in committee tomorrow, but it is expected to pass. Following the vote, this would go to the Senate floor for debate.

Senator Dick Sears told me that he will be firm on his belief there should be mandatory sentences. Sears also told me he would like to see stronger sentences, but this is a good comprimise with the political climate of the state.

A late night post

Well folks, I just got home from working at a college fair for my college alumni association and felt the need to babble before I sleep for a few hours.

First of all, it is baseball season and life is good. Da Sox came out and played well today, even though there were a couple of baserunning blunders and Foulke looked like crap. Is he really ready to come back after having both knees scoped? With a new infield, and Wake having to break in a new catcher to try and catch his knuckleball, it should be an interesting first part of the season. Lowell is a decent third baseman, and Mark Loretta will be an upgrade at second. It should be interesting to see how Youk handles the transition to first after playing third most of last year.

Secondly, the roads in Vermont are just deplorable. I drove Route Two between Montpelier and Saint Johnsbury twice in four days and I thought my car was going to fall apart. I was dodging so many potholes that I thought the police would pull me over thinking I was drunk.

I hate the way people drive, and that is pretty much all I have to say about the matter. Oh yeah, and one thing you don't see in my beloved home of San Francisco......Having to pass a slow moving tractor who won't pull over. Is there an art to that?

I have the Yankee's/A's game on so I can hear the Yanks lose, and the play-by-play guy is saying that before some changes were made to the mausoleum(sp?) in Oakland used to be one of the more picturesque stadiums in the league. Is he on crack??? That place is and always has been a cookie cutter toilet. Even before Al Davis turned it into the Raiderdome, it was awful. Give me Pac Bell(Or whatever it is called now) and Fenway anyday. (Yes boss, I am still awake and will be alive and cranking in the morning. This is called unwinding from a long drive.) I love the ballparks with charm, character, and maybe a little bit of history to them. Pac Bell doesn't have the history, but an amazing view of the bay and the city. Give me the small town charm of Centennial Field and Holman Stadium in Nashua, and I am one happy baseball addict.

Unwinding done, time to head to sleep.

Fells