I have decided I hate the news media. I've always disliked them, but now it has crossed over to just plain hate. If they could get anything right, or not sensationalize beyond recognition it would be incredibly amazing. From my own local paper accusing a "Pit Bull of MAULING a 7 year old" to Jennifer Aniston snickering because Sean Penn won the Oscar for "Milk" over whatever Brad Pitt was nominated for.
The first one in the what I call the "Daily Senile" stated it was a "Pit Bull type dog". Which really could mean anything because Pit Bull itself is a misnomer attached to the American Staffordshire Terrier. The Pit Bull term comes from dogs used in 19th century England for what is called "Bull Baiting", which is an extremely barbaric act that was supposed to kill the bull in a stressful manner to, in theory, tenderize the meat. The most common dog used for that was the Staffordshire Bull Terrier because of their strength. When that practice was made illegal, owners turned to dog fighting as a form of sick entertainment that continues today, albeit illegally. That is where the Pit portion of the phrase comes from, and can be any dog in a Pit that is fighting. Sadly, today it is most commonly the American Staffordshire Terrier because of their sheer strength and intense desire to please their master, which can include fighting another dog to the death to get praise. I could go on for hours about this, but effectively the argument is that the media is extremely irresponsible in their reporting and we cannot count on them to report responsible news. They will stretch the truth as much as possible to sell papers, and unfortunately, incite witch hunters who are too stupid to form rational opinions regarding specific matters.
The second one about Jennifer Aniston, is actually what really made this make sense to me. Leave this woman alone! My heck, she and Brad Pitt have been divorced for almost a century now, and the media will not leave this threesome alone. There is a video attached to the story of her snickering as Sean Penn is announced as the Oscar winner. What's stupid about this snickering accusation is that she sitting right behind Sean Penn; why can't it be that she was simply happy for him. They likely spent some time visiting, getting to know each other, etc. But it has to be this BIG Jennifer vs. Brangelina deal! AAAGGGGHHHH!
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Vick Okay'd for home confinement
I just read Vick is getting closer to getting out of the Penn. The interesting thing about that article is there are several NFL teams that have said they won't touch him because of the wrath of animal lovers and PETA. I don't know why they'd be worried about PETA, they said and have continued to say the dogs should have been destroyed, they are a waste of resources. Which makes me think PETA is a waste of an organization. Back to the waste of humanity, Vick, the only thing this man can possibly do to try and redeem himself is become an animal rights advocate. That's just my personal opinion. People do make mistakes, I've have made my own unforgivable wreckage. But if he were really to get into the core of animals and their rights, and what we subject them to, he could be a voice for saving so many that lose their lives because human beings are generally idiots. Another thought on that, is he may be one voice who can reach the urban street fighters...just wishful thinking on my part. He's probably going to sit around and whine about his lot in life and how wronged he was by the system...I can hope people are better than that, but they generally aren't.
Nacchio headed to jail...finally (hopefully)
Former Qwest chief executive Joe Nacchio soon may be known as inmate number 33973-013.
An appeals court on Wednesday affirmed his insider-trading conviction, revoked his bond and ordered him to begin serving his six-year prison term.
"What they're saying is you need to start your sentence right now," said former federal prosecutor Rick Kornfeld.
Nacchio, 59, already is registered in the federal prison system. He requested placement in a Pennsylvania correctional facility, but the U.S. Bureau of Prisons hasn't said whether that's where he's going.
Nacchio, a New Jersey resident, is free on $2 million bond. He ran Denver- based Qwest at the height of the technology bubble in the late 1990s and made millions after the upstart company acquired phone giant U S West.
Nacchio's attorney, Maureen Mahoney, said the 10th Circuit ruling is at odds with decisions of other appeals courts across the country.
"We are optimistic that the Supreme Court of the United States will review the case," she said in a statement.
One former federal prosecutor said, however, that a review by the Supreme Court was unlikely.
"An evidentiary ruling by the trial court that's upheld by the court of appeals on whether or not to allow an expert to testify, I would be surprised if that's something the Supreme Court would (review)," said Tony Leffert.
Nacchio has 90 days to petition for a review and could get a 60-day extension. The court reviews less than 1 percent of cases submitted. Nacchio can also ask for an emergency stay of his sentence, but those are rarely granted.
David Gaouette, acting U.S. attorney for Colorado, said the ruling "reaffirms what the government has believed from the beginning, that the jury verdict finding Mr. Nacchio guilty was indeed correct."
Many retirees and Qwest employees lost millions in retirement holdings as the company's stock tanked in the two years after the U S West buyout. Rank-and-file employees were not allowed to trade company stock held in pension funds. During that time, however, Nacchio and his executive team were aggressively selling stock and reaping millions.
He was indicted on 42 counts of illegal insider trading in December 2005. The indictment accused Nacchio of accelerating his sale of company stock in 2001 when he had nonpublic information that Qwest's financial condition was deteriorating.
After a month-long trial, Nacchio was convicted on 19 counts and acquitted on 23 counts in April 2007. In addition to the prison sentence, he was ordered to pay $19 million in fines and forfeit $52 million in ill-gotten gains.
I doubt also that the supreme court will hear this case, but if they do, I hope they come to the same conclusion and an example is made out of this scumbag. His arrogance is disgusting. I worked on some of the SEC investigation and heard him testify in front of congress. He is one cocky thief, who has convinced himself that what he did was justified, and millions of employees lost their hard earned life savings while this useless son-of-a-bitch got rich. This is where I think an eye for an eye justice system is best served, rather than a piddly little prison sentence. Let's do like they did with Mussolini...hang this bastard in the square! I know what he and his fellow criminals did was not on the scale of Worldcom or Enron, but they all happened around the same time, and this one was very close to home.
An appeals court on Wednesday affirmed his insider-trading conviction, revoked his bond and ordered him to begin serving his six-year prison term.
"What they're saying is you need to start your sentence right now," said former federal prosecutor Rick Kornfeld.
Nacchio, 59, already is registered in the federal prison system. He requested placement in a Pennsylvania correctional facility, but the U.S. Bureau of Prisons hasn't said whether that's where he's going.
Nacchio, a New Jersey resident, is free on $2 million bond. He ran Denver- based Qwest at the height of the technology bubble in the late 1990s and made millions after the upstart company acquired phone giant U S West.
Nacchio's attorney, Maureen Mahoney, said the 10th Circuit ruling is at odds with decisions of other appeals courts across the country.
"We are optimistic that the Supreme Court of the United States will review the case," she said in a statement.
One former federal prosecutor said, however, that a review by the Supreme Court was unlikely.
"An evidentiary ruling by the trial court that's upheld by the court of appeals on whether or not to allow an expert to testify, I would be surprised if that's something the Supreme Court would (review)," said Tony Leffert.
Nacchio has 90 days to petition for a review and could get a 60-day extension. The court reviews less than 1 percent of cases submitted. Nacchio can also ask for an emergency stay of his sentence, but those are rarely granted.
David Gaouette, acting U.S. attorney for Colorado, said the ruling "reaffirms what the government has believed from the beginning, that the jury verdict finding Mr. Nacchio guilty was indeed correct."
Many retirees and Qwest employees lost millions in retirement holdings as the company's stock tanked in the two years after the U S West buyout. Rank-and-file employees were not allowed to trade company stock held in pension funds. During that time, however, Nacchio and his executive team were aggressively selling stock and reaping millions.
He was indicted on 42 counts of illegal insider trading in December 2005. The indictment accused Nacchio of accelerating his sale of company stock in 2001 when he had nonpublic information that Qwest's financial condition was deteriorating.
After a month-long trial, Nacchio was convicted on 19 counts and acquitted on 23 counts in April 2007. In addition to the prison sentence, he was ordered to pay $19 million in fines and forfeit $52 million in ill-gotten gains.
I doubt also that the supreme court will hear this case, but if they do, I hope they come to the same conclusion and an example is made out of this scumbag. His arrogance is disgusting. I worked on some of the SEC investigation and heard him testify in front of congress. He is one cocky thief, who has convinced himself that what he did was justified, and millions of employees lost their hard earned life savings while this useless son-of-a-bitch got rich. This is where I think an eye for an eye justice system is best served, rather than a piddly little prison sentence. Let's do like they did with Mussolini...hang this bastard in the square! I know what he and his fellow criminals did was not on the scale of Worldcom or Enron, but they all happened around the same time, and this one was very close to home.
Monday, February 23, 2009
The story continues...
I posted a few days ago about choices and realizing that today I know I have choices that during my drinking days never occurred to me. One of the things that I said was I didn't want to hear from a certain person anymore. That was pretty far from the truth. I wanted to hear from him badly, I wanted to hear what I wanted to hear, not the rants that I felt subjected to that were responses to my continued irrational behavior. Well, I heard from him, and it has been surprising. I have missed him terribly over the last couple of years that I've been on this journey through my sobriety that is a life journey. He is coming to town to visit in about three weeks, and I can't believe how much I am looking forward to it.
We have talked the last couple of nights on the phone, and the things that have come to light about how bad I was has been simply mind boggling (that word doesn't look right...). I am amazed that he would want to see me or have any kind of a civil relationship with me. I feel incredibly blessed that he would and once again turn to the power of the AA program and what it has done to turn my life around. He hasn't changed. He is who he is, doing what he is doing, and has shown in the past and continues to show an amazing amount of compassion for someone who really didn't deserve it. He has shared with me some stories of my behavior that I don't remember. It doesn't make less accountable, but it is interesting to hear. What's more, I am ready to hear it. I have changed tremendously, I like to think for the better, but know that in some fundamental ways, that isn't true. A year ago I would railed against it, and said he was trying hurt me. Now I hear it, and I hear him say he doesn't want to hurt me or make me feel bad, and I really hear that from him, and I appreciate it. But I also know that I need to hear it. I need to hear the painful truth of what I was to really appreciate how far I have come and to keep me going down this serene path of sobriety. I don't ever want to forget what I was, and I want people to be honest with me. I want to try to make amends where I can, some I know can probably never be made, but I really want to try.
I am grateful. I am grateful to him, my family, the program and my friends for giving me this second chance to be the best that I can be. I know now, with no illusion, that I am working to arrest an extremely powerful foe that will take me down in a second if I give it any hint of light, and hearing the truth helps me keep it securely locked away, one day at a time.
We have talked the last couple of nights on the phone, and the things that have come to light about how bad I was has been simply mind boggling (that word doesn't look right...). I am amazed that he would want to see me or have any kind of a civil relationship with me. I feel incredibly blessed that he would and once again turn to the power of the AA program and what it has done to turn my life around. He hasn't changed. He is who he is, doing what he is doing, and has shown in the past and continues to show an amazing amount of compassion for someone who really didn't deserve it. He has shared with me some stories of my behavior that I don't remember. It doesn't make less accountable, but it is interesting to hear. What's more, I am ready to hear it. I have changed tremendously, I like to think for the better, but know that in some fundamental ways, that isn't true. A year ago I would railed against it, and said he was trying hurt me. Now I hear it, and I hear him say he doesn't want to hurt me or make me feel bad, and I really hear that from him, and I appreciate it. But I also know that I need to hear it. I need to hear the painful truth of what I was to really appreciate how far I have come and to keep me going down this serene path of sobriety. I don't ever want to forget what I was, and I want people to be honest with me. I want to try to make amends where I can, some I know can probably never be made, but I really want to try.
I am grateful. I am grateful to him, my family, the program and my friends for giving me this second chance to be the best that I can be. I know now, with no illusion, that I am working to arrest an extremely powerful foe that will take me down in a second if I give it any hint of light, and hearing the truth helps me keep it securely locked away, one day at a time.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
I just saw this article on Yahoo
INDIANAPOLIS (AP)—Two teams with unsettled quarterback situations—the San Francisco 49ers and the Minnesota Vikings—might be interested in acquiring suspended Atlanta Falcons star Michael Vick.
Vick is in federal prison on felony charges related to dogfighting and is scheduled to be released in July. The Falcons have said they will try to trade him, though they could cut him and make him a free agent.
The popular belief is that the 9er's will not end up pursuing Vick. They can put it out there all they want, but when it comes to public opinion, San Francisco is an unlikely place for him to hang his hat. It will be surprising to many people if it happens. Part of it is the San Fran liberal way of life and it is an absolute dog loving city. Many of the dogs taken from his property in Virginia live in Oakland now. BAD RAP is based in Oakland and some of those dogs are still in their care, and they are being very public about their rehab success with those now pets, and I think, debunking the Pit myth more and more each day. I have no idea about Minnesota, but they are in a witch hunt of their own and may celebrate this idiot.
I found the entire indictment online and read it to see what his involvement really was, since he says other people were just using his property, he was never there, and didn't know what was happening, but plead to reduce his sentence. He was directly involved in financing and promoting at least three dog fights that the feds know of, so he can't claim ignorance and people who say he's being picked on because he's a celebrity are misguided. The thing that was mind boggling about it was the purses were pretty low, around $2,600 for for a fight. Who would risk a $130 million contract for that? Well, now we know...
Vick is in federal prison on felony charges related to dogfighting and is scheduled to be released in July. The Falcons have said they will try to trade him, though they could cut him and make him a free agent.
The popular belief is that the 9er's will not end up pursuing Vick. They can put it out there all they want, but when it comes to public opinion, San Francisco is an unlikely place for him to hang his hat. It will be surprising to many people if it happens. Part of it is the San Fran liberal way of life and it is an absolute dog loving city. Many of the dogs taken from his property in Virginia live in Oakland now. BAD RAP is based in Oakland and some of those dogs are still in their care, and they are being very public about their rehab success with those now pets, and I think, debunking the Pit myth more and more each day. I have no idea about Minnesota, but they are in a witch hunt of their own and may celebrate this idiot.
I found the entire indictment online and read it to see what his involvement really was, since he says other people were just using his property, he was never there, and didn't know what was happening, but plead to reduce his sentence. He was directly involved in financing and promoting at least three dog fights that the feds know of, so he can't claim ignorance and people who say he's being picked on because he's a celebrity are misguided. The thing that was mind boggling about it was the purses were pretty low, around $2,600 for for a fight. Who would risk a $130 million contract for that? Well, now we know...
A cute Callie Tidbit
I just love this picture of her. I had her about two weeks, I think, when I took this. She was so little! Anyway, cute Callie tidbit: My dog farts...not unusual I know. But it makes me laugh. We were getting ready for our walk this morning and she gets really excited. We are going somewhere fun, she just knows. And when she gets really excited, she farts. She has done this for months now. What the funny part is, is that it surprises her every single time. She whips around and looks behind her like something was sneeking up on her. She has yet to figure it out. I'm guessing when she gets to Ozzie's age, she likely won't care where it comes from any more.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Boys
A friend called me tonight having been through many issues of late. He and I have become good friends over the last few years. I worked with him at the little store I was at before transferring, he has left that store and now works for the post office with the goal of going to college. If I had a son, it would be him. He's a terrific young man and wants many things out of life. I keep encouraging him to get on campus as soon as possible. He says he's trying, but I need to butt out, it's his journey, not mine. What I did emphasize to him is that he is in a prime place right now. He's young, unattached, no children, no mortgage. The world is his for the taking, he just has to set his goal and go for it. He has worried frequently about pleasing others and making sure his family approves of him. I recognize that behavior. He knows he needs to let that go and do what is right for him, but I know that is much easier said than done. When I was his age, I was a college grad, married, and working. I really wanted to be a grown up with a grown up life (way overrated!). A few short years later we had a mortgage and I wanted to set out and explore the world (I had a safe harbor, so I wanted to start coloring outside the lines...death nail in my marriage). I did it backwards, and now I am doing all that I should have done in my younger days. I told him he might as well be doing his exploring now because it is the way life is designed. Define your life, decide what you want, go for it and the rest falls into place. Otherwise you have to do it when your older, and it is simply exhausting! There is no getting out of it, which I find an interesting aspect of the universe. Not to mention there is the dealing with the extra baggage that comes with making those mistakes in early years, and the collateral damage of addiction mixed into the pot.
This friend is good for me to have in my life. I can give him sage (read bullshit) wisdom and learn lessons from his experiences. Plus, I just enjoy him so much. He's funny, self-deprecating, adventurous and really open to good suggestions. He has the keen ability to discern decent advice given with care from bad advice designed by selfish motives. He also knows my story inside and out because we have spent so much time together at work and otherwise. He hears where I took wrong turns and what I have learned, and what I am doing to unpack that baggage that I have carried for so long. A good friend of mine from my AA group calls it uncovering, discovering and discarding. Realizing the truth and letting go of the shame and humiliation of it is the first step to making progress. We all have it, but with this particular young friend, he is truly carry some burdens that are not his to carry. I know in dramatic detail how dangerous it can be to carry someone else's cross.
I told this friend of mine that I have faith he will make the right decisions for himself. He is, if nothing else, honest with himself and believes in his abilities. The only thing he needs to do in my mind is pick a path, take it and never look back. I know he won't take my path, he's too grounded in reality for that, but hopefully he'll take my lessons and use them for his benefit and in the end have a whole and fulfilling life.
This friend is good for me to have in my life. I can give him sage (read bullshit) wisdom and learn lessons from his experiences. Plus, I just enjoy him so much. He's funny, self-deprecating, adventurous and really open to good suggestions. He has the keen ability to discern decent advice given with care from bad advice designed by selfish motives. He also knows my story inside and out because we have spent so much time together at work and otherwise. He hears where I took wrong turns and what I have learned, and what I am doing to unpack that baggage that I have carried for so long. A good friend of mine from my AA group calls it uncovering, discovering and discarding. Realizing the truth and letting go of the shame and humiliation of it is the first step to making progress. We all have it, but with this particular young friend, he is truly carry some burdens that are not his to carry. I know in dramatic detail how dangerous it can be to carry someone else's cross.
I told this friend of mine that I have faith he will make the right decisions for himself. He is, if nothing else, honest with himself and believes in his abilities. The only thing he needs to do in my mind is pick a path, take it and never look back. I know he won't take my path, he's too grounded in reality for that, but hopefully he'll take my lessons and use them for his benefit and in the end have a whole and fulfilling life.
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