From the Experts?

I don’t consider myself an expert in anything, but I do consider myself knowledgeable on a few things, such as….ummmm, I’ll get back to you on that. But I have heard from and read about many “experts.” The so called “No-It-Alls.” My teachers always told me to cite these people when writing my research papers because it would make my claims more legitimate. We always see them on TV, especially during times of “disaster” – like now. But funny how, like now, the experts tell us we should so something and we don’t listen; consume and spend in order to get this economy going, but the “regular” people seem to be saving and cutting back.

Nicholas D. Kristof is who I would consider an expert in human relations. He reports and writes for the New York Times. He’s crisscrossed this Earth doing stories on human sex trafficking in Cambodia to migration degradation in China to the genocide that is taking place in Darfur – he’s seen quite a lot. I consider him an expert because of those experiences. He’s looked into the eyes of tragedy, and even rescued some people from situations that would otherwise have seen them end up dead.

In his most recent column he takes on the experts of institutionalized media, and challenges us to hold them (him included) accountable. So often we just accept what we read in the paper, or hear in the news as pure gospel. Well, sometimes these “experts” don’t have any more of a clue than we do. Sometimes I wonder if these people understand the enormous power they have because of their corporate sponsored soapboxes? I’m not saying they should candycoat situations, but for some reason I feel like the world is about to come to an end, and nothing good is happening…

…I’ll save this rant for another time. In the mean time, check out Kristof’s article – “Learning How To Think,” and challenge the experts.

Peace

Japan 2009 World Baseball Classic Champs!!!

Team Japan as 2009 World Baseball Classic Champions

Stars perform when they have to. That was Ichiro Suzuki in the 10th inning of the 2009 World Baseball Classic final. A slumpy Suzuki, Ichiro underperformed throughout the entire competition. But when his team needed him he came through by driving in the winning run, in a close 10 inning epic with 2008 Olympic champions, South Korea.

If I were a betting man I would have put my money on Japan. I knew they would pull it out. I think the consistent team work and team support allowed the Japanese to pull out some tough victories. The talent was always there, it was just a matter of making it all click just right.

Congratulations!

Peace

No ‘I’ in Team, or Japan

I love my home nation, the United States of America. Despite the economic downturn, and being the center of international criticism, I defend the merits of my country.

Mike Blake of Reuters Captures Japan's Greatest Strength - The Team

That said, I am cheering for Japan to win the World Baseball Classic. Why this flinching patriotism? Am a traitor to the cause? Quite the contrary.

You see, if U.S. baseball wasn’t so tarnished by drugs, dishonesty, downright selfishness I would be singing a much different tune. Japanese baseball isn’t weighted down by these things. The players are focused on the team, and play with a spirit that has long been lost in U.S. baseball. In the States big contracts have enhanced bad behavior, and do little to curb out-of-control egos.

I hope that one day U.S. baseball gets back to the level it once was. In the meantime I will cheer on my second home, and it’s native sons – Nippon Ichibon!!!!

Wayne and Wade Liveshow March 22, 2009/ウェインとウェイドのLiveshow２００９年三月２２日

Wayne and Wade Live

JUST WANT TO SAY, “THANK YOU!!!!! TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED WITH AND CAME TO ALL THE GIGS!!!! WE GOT A NICE DVD AND SOME REALLY GOOD CDS OUT OF THEM. THANKS FOR MAKING EVERYTHING SPECIAL!!!! NEXT LIVE SHOW….?”

Peace,
Wayne and Wade

“No Where to Run, No Where to Hide from the Terminator”

A full-on review and analysis on my favorite classic 80s flick – The Terminator. Fast paced and over the top, just like the flick. Batten down your hatches and get ready because “you’ve been targeted for termination!”

Enter the realm of the Terminator by clicking this link. You can also check out my other articles by scrolling to the bottom of the article page and clicking, “More by this source.” Enjoy. Peace

“Appetite for Destruction” Ate Me Alive

Original Cover - a painting by Robert Williams

This is a review of the first official release by Guns N’ Roses, “Appetite for Destruction,” as well as a profile of the original band members involved in making this historic album. Check it out.

You can see more of my articles by scrolling down and clicking “More By This Source.” Enjoy. Peace

The Newest Supermodel -Yokozuna Asashoryu

In prime Asashoryu fashion, he is in the limelight while his fellow mates are hard at work getting ready for the 2009 Spring Basho held in Osaka beginning Sunday, March 15th and ending Sunday, March 29th. This time though the bad boy of the Sumo world is showing his hip side.

Appearing at the Shibuya Girls Collection fashion show in Tokyo, Asashoryu brought his grand style to the Yoyogi National Gymnasium and it’s 20,000 strong.

Asashoryu waving to fashion crowd

As the title of this event suggests, the crowd was made up of 20,000 teenage girls, mostly. I don’t think these same people will be the majority of the audience who will attend the Spring Grand Tournament in Osaka. That said, from the pictures provided by Kyodo Photo (above) and Chris Jue (below) you’d think the exciting but controversial yokozuna is trying to change the face of Sumo, instead of promoting his latest sponsor, FANTA (he’s wearing a FANTA shirt, and recently appeared in a TV commercial for them).

According to Kyodo News via The Japan Times Online, the big guy sounded a bit nervous, but seemed to enjoy the whole event, “I felt a kind of tension that was new to me….The shrill voices were also impressive.”

I bet he worked on his turn alot.

I will hold my criticism towards the big guy because when it comes to success this guys record stands on its own. He’s grand champion, and has the hardware to prove it. Regardless of what people might say about him his showcase of Emperor Cups is one not to be rivaled, even by current co-Yokozuna Hakuho (they are both Mongolian by the way). Frankly speaking, I love Asashoryu, whose name means “Morning Blue Dragon” (what a badass name) because of this aggressiveness and individuality (I’m a U.S. American from the New York City area – go figure). I understand how some see his actions as disrespectful to the centuries old traditions that make Sumo what it is. And I don’t approve of his rumored womanizing and his bad attitude ego trippin’. I’m not going to hang out with him over a bowl of chunko nabe. All that said, I will watch him stuff the rikishi down the throat of another opponent, and cheer him on.

Somehow, and there is great speculation that his matches are sometimes fixed, he manages to win. I for one think he beats people because he’s better. His technique is very good. His speed and strength compliment each other very well. And he believes in himself and his ability to beat anyone (sometimes to a fault some would say, but like most elite athletes).

But before all the talk of who will be hoisting the Spring Basho’s Emperors Cup, I guess Asa has a few other things to attend to…I wonder if he listened to Right Said Fred before his catwalk debut?

Peace

Tiger Woods is Back and Starving for a Good Meal

Analysis of Tiger Woods’ comeback at the Accenture Match Play Championships, and what implications it has with regards to his future performances. I also discuss why Tiger chose such a large stage to make post-injury debut.

See more at http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1551017/tiger_woods_is_back_and_starving_for.html

Buy American Clause Not So Bad

So as I’ve been following the recent downturn in the world economy, and paying a special note to the blame being given to the United States for being the cause of this bleak situation. I guess turnabout is fair play. I mean, U.S. leaders try to dictate to the rest of the world how it should act, and we often play the blame game, so I guess it’s our turn. We took some stupid risks, and now everything is messed up…Sorry. I would like to hear more concrete solutions than blame, but what do you expect it’s human nature, right?

Within this time of note, I’ve been paying particular attention to how this new administration is going about things. President Obama and his team seem to be trying to get the U.S. back in shape, not only for the short term, but for the long term. This brings me to the subject of this post.

In the new stimulus package, that was recently signed into law, there is this little clause headed, “Buy American – Sec. 1605. Use of American Iron, Steel, and Manufactured Goods.” This little clause seems to be getting all the attention, as it apparently rings of protectionism towards U.S. industries. Interestingly enough, since this whole global downturn started many countries seem to implementing “protectionist” policies. From Sarkosy looking to help French automakers by floating them money to Russia raising tariffs on imported cars to India restricting certain ‘made in China’ products from entering its nation, the protectionist swing is going on, and it seems to be the hippest move.

Okay, back to the ‘Buy American’ clause. I don’t know what the problem is? If you read the whole thing, it’s really not that bad. Check it out:

BUY AMERICAN
SEC. 1605. USE OF AMERICAN IRON, STEEL, AND MANUFACTURED
GOODS.
(a) None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available by this Act may be used for a project for the construction,
alteration, maintenance, or repair of a public building or public
work unless all of the iron, steel, and manufactured goods used
in the project are produced in the United States.
(b) Subsection
(a) shall not apply in any case or category
of cases in which the head of the Federal department or agency
involved finds that—
(1) applying subsection
(a) would be inconsistent with the
public interest;
(2) iron, steel, and the relevant manufactured goods are
not produced in the United States in sufficient and reasonably
available quantities and of a satisfactory quality; or
(3) inclusion of iron, steel, and manufactured goods produced
in the United States will increase the cost of the overall
project by more than 25 percent.
(c) If the head of a Federal department or agency determines
that it is necessary to waive the application of subsection (a) based
on a finding under subsection (b), the head of the department
or agency shall publish in the Federal Register a detailed written
justification as to why the provision is being waived.
(d) This section shall be applied in a manner consistent with
United States obligations under international agreements.

The heading is all tough and protectionista like, but the actual body of the clause sings a different (at least in my opinion). First of all, this clause is referring to PUBLIC BUILDINGS OR PUBLIC WORKS. The private sector can do whatever it wants, and if a project is found to be INCONSISTENT WITH THE PUBLIC INTEREST things can change. Not convinced that this leaves the door open for foreign competition, well how about if the manufactured product you want is in short supply, too expensive, or just downright sucks? You can opt for an alternative. Oh, and to top this all off this clause states that it SHALL BE APPLIED IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH UNITED STATES OBLIGATIONS UNDER INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS.

Can I get some relief, and some calm? Of course any project manager that wants to waive this clause so he/she is not in violation of U.S. law, will need to put everything in writing (small price to pay…okay more paperwork – say it…Bigger Government!).

Maybe what the Obama administration is trying to do is motivate U.S. industries to raise their product quality, while making sure things remain fiscally sound. Again, this is pertaining to public projects, so maybe Obama is trying to make the Federal Government fiscally sound?

Personally I think the central government should use homemade products. I would take it as a source of great pride to know that my tax dollars when to the construction of a building that uses quality American goods, produced by my fellow citizenry.

So this doesn’t pertain to fuel, cars (unless built for government use), homes, cotton, food, etc (at least that’s how I interpret it). If China can spend billions upgrading it’s physical infrastructure, and encourage its population to buy Chinese made goods, why can’t we do the same?

In any case, I hope the global community doesn’t get in too much of a huff (I might be too late on that one) over the ‘Buy American’ clause. It’s not as tough as people have been making it out to be.

Peace

Recklessness, or Will to Succeed?

In these first months of Barack Obama’s presidency we have seen him take his campaign rhetoric to the Oval Office. He has lobbied for his programs and seems to be using his mandate given by the American people to do what he believes is necessary to improve the status of the United States. One might say enacting a huge measures that target areas for stimulus, but also lay foundations for future stability, plus tackling the financial sector, the housing market, budgetary deficits, and now health care is a reckless venture into the unknown – he’s doing too much at once. I disagree with those pessimists.

I would say Obama is exercising the will to succeed that has defined great U.S. American Presidents, and the country as a whole. I simply ask, “Why can’t we ‘fix’ the healthcare system to work for everyone? Why can’t Wall Street work for ‘Main Street’ without destroying it; there is such a thing as healthy risk taking? Why can’t we remain the most robust economy on the Earth – a superpower; and at the same time not ostracize the world at large?” I think this is how Obama thinks. Instead of always saying, “That’s not possible,” he’s saying, “Why can’t we…!”

Isn’t that what we want from our leaders? Of course we want them to have thoughtful dialogue and not be overbearing demagogues, but we at least want them to exude a confidence that shows they have the will to succeed.

If you look at the United States objectively (just try); it has a wealth of natural resources (either in low amounts or great amounts); it has ample open land which can be use to feed its own population, and have bounties leftover for others; it has been the home to great innovations (believe it or not the car was invented in the U.S.); it is home to some of the greatest universities and think tanks on the planet (Harvard, MIT, UC-Berkeley, The Brookings Institution, the American Enterprise Institute, etc.); major industries from film to finance, movies to motors, energy to environmental have bases of action within it’s borders; some of the wealthiest people in the world reside within her borders, and don’t seem to want to leave; I could keep going.

Yes, the epicenter of the global recession we are in is the United States, but what would one expect when so many entities large and small rely on this nation? If the U.S. sneezes then everyone catches a cold, or even the flue. We were foolish in our spending habits, and reckless in trying to make our visions realities. Transparency was anything but; regulations were on permanent vacation; and greed was the order of the day. That said, the drunken party seemed to extend to nations far and near. Some stayed sober, but some did not. They hold some of the fault. But let’s just place the blame where it started – The U.S. We’re adults and can handle our responsibility.

Now looking at all those positives, and the current amount of negatives, why should any leader with an ounce of confidence and ability be pessimistic in the U.S.’s ability to get out of the current quagmire and back on firm ground that will carry it, and the world into the future? Because one thing is for certain, take the U.S. out of the global economy and who is ready to replace it?

I will continue to watch, listen, read, and where necessary criticize Obama and his lofty ambitions, but I will never let my support wane because I know he is saying, “Why can’t we…,” and that means, at least to me anyway, he has the will to succeed, and believes the United States does as well.

Peace