Debt Management

Senin, 11 Januari 2010

Bay Area Football

SAN FRANCISCO - AUGUST 22: San Francisco 49er...

Just how interested are Bay Area football fans in watching the NFL playoffs, since neither the San Francisco 49ers or the Oakland Raiders have taken part since the 2002-2003 season?

Despite what's become a frustrating, seven-year itch for the fans, and for two teams who've combined for eight Super Bowl titles....this weekend's games had some interesting national story lines.

Today, the Phoenix Cardinals scored an overtime defensive touchdown to beat the Green Bay Packers 51-45, in the highest scoring offensive show in playoff history.

They move on to play the suprising Saints in New Orleans, while yesterdays victorious Dallas Cowboys round-out the National Conference line-up by battling the Vikings in Minneapolis next week.

In the American Conference, the Baltimore Ravins shocked the New England Patriots today 33-14, and will visit the heavily favored Indianapolis Colts. Meanwhile, the New York Jets fly west to San Diego to play the Chargers....the closest to a hometeam that we have.

So, what's happened to our local teams? The 49ers glory days began precisely 28-years ago today, when Dwight Clark made "The Catch" against Dallas on January 10th, 1982. Five Super Bowl rings followed, however, the last one happened 15-years ago!

Meanwhile, the Raiders won their first Super Bowl 33-years ago yesterday on January 9th, 1977....and on January 22nd will mark exactly 26-years since they won their third and final world championship at Super Bowl 18.

Although they did reach the big game 7-years ago, the Raiders lost badly in Super Bowl 37, and haven't come close to recovering since..

The 49ers are probably closer to re-entering the playoffs under 2nd-year headcoach Mike Singletary, who improved the team by winning eight times....while the Raiders finished with an NFL leading 7th-strait season with 11 or more losses.

If Oakland does what's expected, and fires their 2nd-year headcoach Tom Cable, it would make nine different Raider headcoaches to lose their jobs over the past 20-years!

For the Raiders to really improve, Owner Al Davis needs to retain Tom Cable and fire himself, at least by way of hiring on a general manager who can cut loose of Quarterback JaMarcus Russell, and continue to develop the Raiders talented young players....as Al takes a back seat!

The 49ers just need to continue improving with quarterback Alex Smith, Pro Bowlers Vernon Davis and Patrick Willis....who, like Nnamdi Asomugha of the Raiders, have become genuine team leaders.

A handful more players like these on both teams, would no doubt restore NFL playoff games to the Bay Area, and probably spice up interest for everyone....not only the hardcore fans.

Thanks, and enjoy next weeks games.

PeteCam4

Minggu, 10 Januari 2010

2010 Census controversy

* Description: "Colored Waiting Room&quot...

Image via Wikipedia

The U.S. Census Bureau on Friday announced it would explore eliminating the term "Negro" from future surveys, responding to an emotional outcry and passionate debate which questions why our government still asks Americans if they identify with a term that many consider outdated, obsolete and racist.

"My first reaction was that we take two steps forward to take one step back," said Rick Callender, former president of the San Jose/Silicon Valley NAACP. "African-Americans in this country have not referred to themselves as Negro since the 1950's."

Question 9 on the census, referring to a person's race, lists one of the options: "Black, African Am., or Negro." The controversy started early this week as the Census Bureau started its road tour in New York.

"I wouldn't say it offends me, but it makes me feel uncomfortable," said Austin Jackson, a 16-year old Fremont student serving as president of the NAACP Youth Council in Alameda County. "It's unfortunate they would use such a clearly outdated term."

Sonny Le, a regional spokesman for the Census Bureau, said the term "Negro" has been on the survey for at least 100 years, and that the form is thoroughly analyzed and reviewed by different offices and advisory groups before being finalized.

Le also aid the decision to keep the term on the form was due to some older African-Americans who still identify themselves by it. In fact, the 2000 census included more than 50,000 people who wrote down explicitly that they identified themselves as "Negro" in a section offered to provide additional information.

"At the same time, I think it's a good time for everybody to have this conversation now," said Le. "The census is an evolving process that's supposed to reflect our country. If enough prople don't want the term used, we should revisit whether or not it belongs."

Callender questions the argument about older African-Americans still identifying themselves as "Negro" saying, "I'd like to know just who those African-American's are." He says his late grandmother in her 80's, never used the term, nor does his mother in her 60's.

Today the Census Bureau stated that it will gather research from the 2010 census to analyze the effects of removing the term "Negro" on future surveys, and on the 2020 census.

David Glover, Executive Director of Oakland Citizens Committee for Urban Renewal expects the term will turn-off many African-Americans, and may thwart their attempts to improve participation in the once-a-decade count. Glover adds that he will tell as many as he can to "go ahead and be counted, because that's the most important thing."

Meanwhile, young Jackson concluded that, "this is a good discussion to have, but honestly....there are more important things going on in the world right now."

Being Caucasion, this writer can in no way properly relate to this controversy, except to say that....my memories of the outdated term come from old movies, books, newsreels and an intense, personal study of perhaps the greatest league of American baseball players in history--who had to wait until 1947 to properly display their GLOBAL dominance!

The "Term" may have been ok then, but this is now! The U.S. Census Bureau should adjust accordingly, and exclude it.

Thanks, PeteCam4

Sabtu, 09 Januari 2010

THE SEA LION

SAUSALITO, CA - JUNE 15: A sea lion grabs a f...

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

THE SEA LION

Last Friday night a poor Sea Lion, was entangled around the neck and snout with fishing line on pier 39 in San Francisco. Every since the Loma Prieta earthquake Sea Lions have been floating on a platform at pier 39. San Francisco was planning Sea Loin anniversary celebration, but with Oscar plight that’s what I’m calling him the celebration was postponed. Oscar The Sea Loin is so scared he swam away from pier 39 in San Francisco sometime late Friday night early Saturday morning. Oscar The Sea Lion swam 100 miles all the way to Moss Landing in Monterey County. On Thursday rescuers attempted to catch Oscar The Sea Lion, but he was to quick and managed to avoid capture. I’m wondering why they didn’t tranquilize Oscar the Sea Lion if it doesn’t hurt him, so they can capture him and get him some help. Well Oscar The Sea Lion is swimming some where out in the sea, so if you spot Oscar The Sea Lion call the Marine Mammal Center (831) 633-6298. Oscar I’m praying for your safe rescue.

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local-beat/Injured-Sea-Lion-Evades-Rescue-Again-81016712.html