#3- The Miracle on Ice
Even though this event happened before I was even born, I can still recognize its massive significance and emotional power, especially when I get to see the replays. More than likely, many of you have seen the Disney movie “Miracle” so you know what I am talking about. Here’s a little background. In 1980, Olympic Hockey did not allow for the use of professional athletes, meaning that players had to be amateurs. The United States fielded a team entirely made up of college kids with most of them coming from the University of Minnesota (Brooks refused to even let a Michigan Wolverine be on the team). The players took a long time to learn how to get along seeing as how they were from rival schools. The USSR team, by contrast, was made up of “amateurs” who were really professionals hiding under a guise created by their country to allow them to play and dominate. Leading up to the Olympics, the Soviets repeatedly won exhibition games against NHL teams and blanked the NHL All-Stars 6-0, while the Americans struggled to beat Norway and other sub-par teams.
Team USA finally melded together using their hatred for their coach (Herb Brooks) as their motivation. Coach Brooks repeatedly admitted intentionally trying to make himself their enemy in order to get the team to bond. No one really expected them to do much in the Olympics considering they were only seeded 7th out of 12 teams. They turned heads by tying favored Sweden in their first game, and then blowing out Czechoslovakia in their second game. They went on to finish 4-0-1 in the tourney and advanced to the medal round.
That was where they met the Soviets. As improbable as it was, Team USA kept with the Soviets the entire game and took the lead 4-3 on Captain Mike Eruzione’s goal with 10 minutes to go. They held on to win the game and that is where the historical significance comes in. The 1970’s had been rough on the US, and patriotism was hurting especially with the perception that the US was losing both the Cold War and Olympic Sports to the Soviets. Team USA’s win rekindled patriotism all over the USA and some have even credited the game with turning the tide in the Cold War. Al Michaels’ call of the game, “Do you believe in Miracles? Yes!” was immortalized and earned him Sportscaster of the Year. Team USA won numerous awards from Sports Illustrated including “Sportsmen of the Year” and “Athlete of the Year.” As part of its 25th Anniversary, ESPN named the game as the top sports moment, headline, and game between 1979 and 2004. Lastly, the wildly popular U-S-A! U-S-A! Chant now shouted at just about every international competition in every sport featuring a US athlete or team, was popularized at that game.
How could anything possibly top this moment? You’ll have to check back next week for #2 of the Top 4 Greatest Sports Moments Ever.
15 December 2008
01 December 2008
Greatest Sports Moments Ever: #4
So I know that I originally advertised this as “Top 3,” but while I was writing, I realized that I couldn’t narrow the list to 3. I have also decided that in order to give each moment its proper recognition I will divide the post into four parts.
This posting is about what I think are the 4 greatest sports moments ever. While I fully realize that there are probably several dozen events worthy of making the list, I have chosen these as my Top 4. The criteria I have set as the basis for ranking these moments are: Overall significance to sports, Emotional impact, Memorability, and Future sports impact.
#4- Kirk Gibson’s Game Winning Home Run in Game 1 of 1988 World Series
While many other baseball teams have historic and memorable home runs, none is as significant as this one. The Oakland A’s had been a juggernaut and were overwhelming favorites in the series. When Kirk Gibson hobbled to the plate as a pinch hitter, the Dodgers were trailing 4-3 with two outs in the bottom of the 9th inning. Dennis Eckersley was on the mound for the A’s looking to close out the win. Gibson, who had sustained multiple injuries to his legs and knees during the NLCS, could barely stand and grunted in pain after each swing. He extended the count to full at 3-2, and then hit the next pitch into the right field bleachers winning the game. Gibson then became immortal as he rounded second base and pumped his fist twice.
The Dodgers went on to win the World Series in 5 games, but the significance of the event reached even further. It marked the first time in World Series history that a team had won a game on a come from behind home run. And even more significant, millions of kids (myself included) were seen to mimic Gibson’s fist pump at little league games all over Southern California. We thought we were so cool rounding First base on a ground ball, but still pumping our fists like Gibson. That was Kirk Gibson’s only at bat in that World Series, as his injuries prevented him from any further playing time. Lastly, this home run is also considered to be the greatest home run in Dodgers franchise history.
What tops this sports moment? You’ll have to check back next week for #3 of the Top 4 Greatest Sports Moments Ever.
This posting is about what I think are the 4 greatest sports moments ever. While I fully realize that there are probably several dozen events worthy of making the list, I have chosen these as my Top 4. The criteria I have set as the basis for ranking these moments are: Overall significance to sports, Emotional impact, Memorability, and Future sports impact.
#4- Kirk Gibson’s Game Winning Home Run in Game 1 of 1988 World Series
While many other baseball teams have historic and memorable home runs, none is as significant as this one. The Oakland A’s had been a juggernaut and were overwhelming favorites in the series. When Kirk Gibson hobbled to the plate as a pinch hitter, the Dodgers were trailing 4-3 with two outs in the bottom of the 9th inning. Dennis Eckersley was on the mound for the A’s looking to close out the win. Gibson, who had sustained multiple injuries to his legs and knees during the NLCS, could barely stand and grunted in pain after each swing. He extended the count to full at 3-2, and then hit the next pitch into the right field bleachers winning the game. Gibson then became immortal as he rounded second base and pumped his fist twice.
The Dodgers went on to win the World Series in 5 games, but the significance of the event reached even further. It marked the first time in World Series history that a team had won a game on a come from behind home run. And even more significant, millions of kids (myself included) were seen to mimic Gibson’s fist pump at little league games all over Southern California. We thought we were so cool rounding First base on a ground ball, but still pumping our fists like Gibson. That was Kirk Gibson’s only at bat in that World Series, as his injuries prevented him from any further playing time. Lastly, this home run is also considered to be the greatest home run in Dodgers franchise history.
What tops this sports moment? You’ll have to check back next week for #3 of the Top 4 Greatest Sports Moments Ever.
25 November 2008
Unsportsmanlike Conduct III: Hockey, A Beacon of Hope
Many of you are probably thinking something like, “How the heck can Hockey represent sportsmanship with all the fighting?” Here is what makes Hockey different from the rest.
While it is absolutely true that Hockey is one of the most physical sports (Sports Illustrated says it is the 2nd toughest sport [Boxing #1]), it is also the one where those who play can also see the big picture. In the other major sports where ones-self and ones-own are glorified in success, Hockey stands in stark contrast by showing respect to those who came up short. If you have ever been to a youth, high school, college, or playoff series deciding pro game, you have seen the handshake line.
After almost every game growing up, no matter where they are in the world, both teams line up and shake each other’s hands, win or lose, champion or not, to congratulate each other on their efforts. It is a tradition in-grained into the sport. Some of my proudest moments being a Hockey fan have been watching Stanley Cup Champion after Stanley Cup Champion follow this model. Buzzer sounds, throw gloves, sticks, and/or helmets into the air, mob the goalie, hug teammates (sometimes cry), put on champs cap, and then automatically like it has been built into their very being, line up as a team and shake hands/hug every player and coach on the team they just defeated. They don’t celebrate their victory during the handshake line; they celebrate the game, and the grit, passion, and determination it takes to play.
This type of sportsmanship is rarely if ever seen in the NBA, NFL, or MLB. When one of those sports crowns a champion, the winners are mobbed by reporters and other officials looking for that chest-thumping, self-boasting sound bite / video clip, and the losers are left to maybe congratulate a former teammate before disappearing into the mob and going to their locker room. When a big name player loses, he gets interviewed about why he and his team failed, and oftentimes he congratulates the other team but berates his own.
The question to ask here is which image do we want to send to kids? Do we want kids to realize that you can interrupt / put off celebrating long enough to show respect to your opponent, or do we want them to see that winning isn’t just everything, it really is the only thing.
Lastly, I want to cite some statistics about success beyond sport. What follows are the graduation rates among NCAA Div. 1 male student athletes as reported by the NCAA and its member institutions in their 7-year trend report of Sept. 2008. I also injected my own opinion by including their most likely career after sports in [brackets]. The statistics didn’t surprise me one bit, did they surprise you?
Ice Hockey- 84% [Manager/Entrepreneur]
Football (1-A)- 67% [Car Wash Attendant]
Football (1-AA)- 65% [Burger Flipper]
Baseball- 66% [High School Gym Teacher/Coach]
Basketball- 61% [Drug Dealer/Gangbanger]
Check back soon for my next article: Top 3 Greatest Sports Moments Ever
While it is absolutely true that Hockey is one of the most physical sports (Sports Illustrated says it is the 2nd toughest sport [Boxing #1]), it is also the one where those who play can also see the big picture. In the other major sports where ones-self and ones-own are glorified in success, Hockey stands in stark contrast by showing respect to those who came up short. If you have ever been to a youth, high school, college, or playoff series deciding pro game, you have seen the handshake line.
After almost every game growing up, no matter where they are in the world, both teams line up and shake each other’s hands, win or lose, champion or not, to congratulate each other on their efforts. It is a tradition in-grained into the sport. Some of my proudest moments being a Hockey fan have been watching Stanley Cup Champion after Stanley Cup Champion follow this model. Buzzer sounds, throw gloves, sticks, and/or helmets into the air, mob the goalie, hug teammates (sometimes cry), put on champs cap, and then automatically like it has been built into their very being, line up as a team and shake hands/hug every player and coach on the team they just defeated. They don’t celebrate their victory during the handshake line; they celebrate the game, and the grit, passion, and determination it takes to play.
This type of sportsmanship is rarely if ever seen in the NBA, NFL, or MLB. When one of those sports crowns a champion, the winners are mobbed by reporters and other officials looking for that chest-thumping, self-boasting sound bite / video clip, and the losers are left to maybe congratulate a former teammate before disappearing into the mob and going to their locker room. When a big name player loses, he gets interviewed about why he and his team failed, and oftentimes he congratulates the other team but berates his own.
The question to ask here is which image do we want to send to kids? Do we want kids to realize that you can interrupt / put off celebrating long enough to show respect to your opponent, or do we want them to see that winning isn’t just everything, it really is the only thing.
Lastly, I want to cite some statistics about success beyond sport. What follows are the graduation rates among NCAA Div. 1 male student athletes as reported by the NCAA and its member institutions in their 7-year trend report of Sept. 2008. I also injected my own opinion by including their most likely career after sports in [brackets]. The statistics didn’t surprise me one bit, did they surprise you?
Ice Hockey- 84% [Manager/Entrepreneur]
Football (1-A)- 67% [Car Wash Attendant]
Football (1-AA)- 65% [Burger Flipper]
Baseball- 66% [High School Gym Teacher/Coach]
Basketball- 61% [Drug Dealer/Gangbanger]
Check back soon for my next article: Top 3 Greatest Sports Moments Ever
11 November 2008
Unsportsmanlike Conduct II: College Game Day Edition
Every week the SEC, Florida St. or Miami (FL) provide numerous examples of the behavior mentioned in the previous post and now they go unpenalized. And nothing in my recent memory surpasses Michael Vick’s little brother Marcus’ actions in what proved to be the final game of his college career (Google: Marcus Vick stomps on opponents’ leg).
There are two major differences between the college game and the NFL. One is that school bragging rights are often on the line and because of this; the players are often encouraged by more than just their own egos, such as having thousands of their fellow classmates egging them on. The other major difference is that all NCAA student-athletes sign code of conduct agreements stating that they will exhibit good sportsmanship both on and off the field. I don’t think that chest-thumping and taunting the other team fall in line with that code of conduct.
The problem extends beyond the players too. School officials, government officials, and sponsors/boosters are also involved in these unsportsmanlike behaviors either actively or by inaction. Kudos, to Virginia Tech for kicking Vick off the team, but shouldn’t it have happened sooner? His Wikipedia page documents his frequent brushes with the law in significant detail. Vick spent his entire freshman year suspended for numerous criminal convictions. He was allowed to play his sophomore year, but had several more incidents occur both on and off the field (including the leg stomp). That still didn’t get him kicked off the team. It wasn’t until he was again convicted of various misdemeanors that VT finally had enough and gave him the boot.
In 24 career games at Virginia Tech, Vick threw for 2,868 yards, 19 touchdowns and 15 interceptions while also running 184 times for 492 yards and 6 touchdowns. My favorite one of his statistics occurred off the field where he was arrested 9 times!
Every time Michigan and Ohio State play each other in Columbus, we get to see unsportsmanlike conduct at its best, and not by the players. In 2006, when both teams entered the game 11-0 and ranked #1 and #2, the hotel Michigan was staying in conveniently had its water and power shut off. Then when the Wolverines arrived at the Horseshoe, Ohio State Troopers stopped the bus and illegally searched each player’s person and belongings “for drugs”. I don’t know whether those events affected the outcome of the game or not, but conveniently for OSU, the final score of the game: OSU: 41 UM: 38.
If I was a college administrator, I would ask myself what is more important, winning football games or teaching boys how to be men and contributing members of society. I would hope that everyone who knows me knows how I would answer. It is far more important to me that collegiate athletes become contributing members of society than champions or Heisman winners.
Enough is enough! College sports are supposed to be about giving a student a chance to also be an athlete, hence the ordering of the title student-athlete. As a society we must stand up for sportsmanship and demand that the NCAA and its member institutions enforce their codes of conduct, and punish athletes, school and government officials, and sponsors/boosters who violate them.
Stay tuned for the conclusion: Unsportsmanlike Conduct III: Hockey, a Beacon of Hope.
There are two major differences between the college game and the NFL. One is that school bragging rights are often on the line and because of this; the players are often encouraged by more than just their own egos, such as having thousands of their fellow classmates egging them on. The other major difference is that all NCAA student-athletes sign code of conduct agreements stating that they will exhibit good sportsmanship both on and off the field. I don’t think that chest-thumping and taunting the other team fall in line with that code of conduct.
The problem extends beyond the players too. School officials, government officials, and sponsors/boosters are also involved in these unsportsmanlike behaviors either actively or by inaction. Kudos, to Virginia Tech for kicking Vick off the team, but shouldn’t it have happened sooner? His Wikipedia page documents his frequent brushes with the law in significant detail. Vick spent his entire freshman year suspended for numerous criminal convictions. He was allowed to play his sophomore year, but had several more incidents occur both on and off the field (including the leg stomp). That still didn’t get him kicked off the team. It wasn’t until he was again convicted of various misdemeanors that VT finally had enough and gave him the boot.
In 24 career games at Virginia Tech, Vick threw for 2,868 yards, 19 touchdowns and 15 interceptions while also running 184 times for 492 yards and 6 touchdowns. My favorite one of his statistics occurred off the field where he was arrested 9 times!
Every time Michigan and Ohio State play each other in Columbus, we get to see unsportsmanlike conduct at its best, and not by the players. In 2006, when both teams entered the game 11-0 and ranked #1 and #2, the hotel Michigan was staying in conveniently had its water and power shut off. Then when the Wolverines arrived at the Horseshoe, Ohio State Troopers stopped the bus and illegally searched each player’s person and belongings “for drugs”. I don’t know whether those events affected the outcome of the game or not, but conveniently for OSU, the final score of the game: OSU: 41 UM: 38.
If I was a college administrator, I would ask myself what is more important, winning football games or teaching boys how to be men and contributing members of society. I would hope that everyone who knows me knows how I would answer. It is far more important to me that collegiate athletes become contributing members of society than champions or Heisman winners.
Enough is enough! College sports are supposed to be about giving a student a chance to also be an athlete, hence the ordering of the title student-athlete. As a society we must stand up for sportsmanship and demand that the NCAA and its member institutions enforce their codes of conduct, and punish athletes, school and government officials, and sponsors/boosters who violate them.
Stay tuned for the conclusion: Unsportsmanlike Conduct III: Hockey, a Beacon of Hope.
01 November 2008
Unsportsmanlike Conduct: “Narcissistic Football League”
Anyone who knows me knows that I am a passionate sports fan. Those who know me well also know that I really dislike the NFL. I love football. Even though it’s only my third favorite sport (Hockey #1, Baseball #2), I just prefer the college game. And unfortunately, I am beginning to have major issues with college football too. But here is why I have issues with the NFL.
For the last several years I have watched as the NFL has gradually evolved into a show rather than a game, and a big part of that has been caused by allowing showboating and unsportsmanlike conduct.
In the past, the players from each team would run their respective plays and when the play was over they would get up, high five and go back to their huddle to prepare for the next play. Frequently you would see acts of sportsmanship as players on opposing teams would help each other to their feet, exchange slaps to the butt or helmet, and the occasional pat on the back before returning to their respective huddles.
Now we get to watch the glorification of disrespect and poor sportsmanship, and of self instead of team. After a successful play, players are frequently seen to prance around the field while furiously thumping their own chest, striking some thug pose to show everyone that they are “playas” and not “players,” or waiting for teammates to join them so that all of them can engage in the previously mentioned acts. My personal favorite has always been when a defensive player sacks the quarterback and then stands over him and taunts him.
Terrell Owens is a prime example of this behavior, though he has severely toned down of late (probably due to his lack of success on the field and not because he has matured). A couple years ago, SportsCenter spent at least 5 minutes a day showcasing and glorifying his behavior as acceptable by letting us watch it from three different angles and having it included as a Top 10 play of the day or week. I got to see T.O. score and then pull a cell phone out and call somebody while still standing in the end zone and holding the ball. The next week, he pulled a sharpie out of his pocket, autographed the ball and then chucked it into the crowd.
I am so sick and tired of seeing these actions, and they set such a horrible example for the youth of America. What are we teaching our children about respect and good sportsmanship when we encourage and cheer for this type of behavior?
And as if that isn’t all, this type of behavior, which in the past would have been completely unacceptable and severely penalized in the college game, is slowly creeping in and becoming more acceptable.
Check back soon for Part II of Unsportsmanlike Conduct: “College Game Day Edition”
For the last several years I have watched as the NFL has gradually evolved into a show rather than a game, and a big part of that has been caused by allowing showboating and unsportsmanlike conduct.
In the past, the players from each team would run their respective plays and when the play was over they would get up, high five and go back to their huddle to prepare for the next play. Frequently you would see acts of sportsmanship as players on opposing teams would help each other to their feet, exchange slaps to the butt or helmet, and the occasional pat on the back before returning to their respective huddles.
Now we get to watch the glorification of disrespect and poor sportsmanship, and of self instead of team. After a successful play, players are frequently seen to prance around the field while furiously thumping their own chest, striking some thug pose to show everyone that they are “playas” and not “players,” or waiting for teammates to join them so that all of them can engage in the previously mentioned acts. My personal favorite has always been when a defensive player sacks the quarterback and then stands over him and taunts him.
Terrell Owens is a prime example of this behavior, though he has severely toned down of late (probably due to his lack of success on the field and not because he has matured). A couple years ago, SportsCenter spent at least 5 minutes a day showcasing and glorifying his behavior as acceptable by letting us watch it from three different angles and having it included as a Top 10 play of the day or week. I got to see T.O. score and then pull a cell phone out and call somebody while still standing in the end zone and holding the ball. The next week, he pulled a sharpie out of his pocket, autographed the ball and then chucked it into the crowd.
I am so sick and tired of seeing these actions, and they set such a horrible example for the youth of America. What are we teaching our children about respect and good sportsmanship when we encourage and cheer for this type of behavior?
And as if that isn’t all, this type of behavior, which in the past would have been completely unacceptable and severely penalized in the college game, is slowly creeping in and becoming more acceptable.
Check back soon for Part II of Unsportsmanlike Conduct: “College Game Day Edition”
26 October 2008
Airport Security
I am sure that most of you have experienced our post 9/11 airport security screening process. I think it’s the best part of flying! (Sarcasm heavily intended!) Obviously nothing could have really prepared us for the tragic events of 9/11, and it doesn’t surprise me at the lengths the government went to try and prevent this from happening again. And it only got worse after those idiots successfully snuck shoe bombs and liquid bombs onto their respective flights. But I have gotten to the point where I believe we have gone too far.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for security and protecting us from those nutballs who are hell-bent on killing people, but at some point we have to say enough is enough. I am sick of the current screening process and how it makes me feel like some criminal being processed at the county lockup.
I stand in a line with a hundred other people (on a good day) and we slowly move forward through the turnstyles as if we are waiting to get on the Tea Cup ride at Disneyland. Then I am greeted by a TSA agent who gives the impression of being either annoyed or disgruntled. I hand over my photo id and boarding pass for the agent to scrutinize. After several tense seconds, and several glances at my id and my face, the agent decides I am a legitimate and non-threatening traveler. I am handed back my id and boarding pass and I proceed to the next step. I reach the x-ray machine and proceed to empty everything I have with me into dirty plastic bins so that they can be x-rayed for unapproved items.
(Thanks to all the restrictions regarding liquids I travel real light in the toiletry department. All I have with me right now is a tooth brush. I’ll buy deodorant at my destination and leave it there so that I can avoid that whole ordeal.)
So I stand there at the conveyor belt and empty my pockets, remove my belt, jacket, and shoes, and put all the items into a bin. Second and third bins are required so that I can properly have my backpack and laptop scanned. I also have my carryon luggage. So I go through the magnetometer while holding my pants up (luckily I pass through the metal detector without issue), and meet my belongings on the other side. Satisfied that I am not carrying contraband, my belongings are spit out the other side of the x-ray machine. I then get to carry three bins and my luggage to a chair so that I can re-assemble myself, and then I am done and can proceed to the gate.
This was a relatively painless interaction, considering what I’ve gone through in the past when flying with the family. We’ve had milk scrutinized, diaper rash crème confiscated, and our bags searched. (Because a terrorist would be stupid enough to blow up a plane with his wife and kids on it, I’m sure.) Maybe it’s just me, but I think all of it is a little excessive. I also hate how they have to be pc and suspect everyone.
The dumbest part of this whole subject is that even if the current airport procedures had been in place before 9/11, it still wouldn’t have prevented those terrorists from succeeding. Sure they wouldn’t have had box cutters, but they were all ticketed passengers on the flight who could have easily used non-metallic weapons to carry out their evil plans. The only thing that would have stopped them is the current cockpit door procedure.
So next time you fly, when you are going through security, make sure to check out the person in front of you and the person behind you, because chances are the TSA suspects all three of you are terrorists.
Look for my next post: Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for security and protecting us from those nutballs who are hell-bent on killing people, but at some point we have to say enough is enough. I am sick of the current screening process and how it makes me feel like some criminal being processed at the county lockup.
I stand in a line with a hundred other people (on a good day) and we slowly move forward through the turnstyles as if we are waiting to get on the Tea Cup ride at Disneyland. Then I am greeted by a TSA agent who gives the impression of being either annoyed or disgruntled. I hand over my photo id and boarding pass for the agent to scrutinize. After several tense seconds, and several glances at my id and my face, the agent decides I am a legitimate and non-threatening traveler. I am handed back my id and boarding pass and I proceed to the next step. I reach the x-ray machine and proceed to empty everything I have with me into dirty plastic bins so that they can be x-rayed for unapproved items.
(Thanks to all the restrictions regarding liquids I travel real light in the toiletry department. All I have with me right now is a tooth brush. I’ll buy deodorant at my destination and leave it there so that I can avoid that whole ordeal.)
So I stand there at the conveyor belt and empty my pockets, remove my belt, jacket, and shoes, and put all the items into a bin. Second and third bins are required so that I can properly have my backpack and laptop scanned. I also have my carryon luggage. So I go through the magnetometer while holding my pants up (luckily I pass through the metal detector without issue), and meet my belongings on the other side. Satisfied that I am not carrying contraband, my belongings are spit out the other side of the x-ray machine. I then get to carry three bins and my luggage to a chair so that I can re-assemble myself, and then I am done and can proceed to the gate.
This was a relatively painless interaction, considering what I’ve gone through in the past when flying with the family. We’ve had milk scrutinized, diaper rash crème confiscated, and our bags searched. (Because a terrorist would be stupid enough to blow up a plane with his wife and kids on it, I’m sure.) Maybe it’s just me, but I think all of it is a little excessive. I also hate how they have to be pc and suspect everyone.
The dumbest part of this whole subject is that even if the current airport procedures had been in place before 9/11, it still wouldn’t have prevented those terrorists from succeeding. Sure they wouldn’t have had box cutters, but they were all ticketed passengers on the flight who could have easily used non-metallic weapons to carry out their evil plans. The only thing that would have stopped them is the current cockpit door procedure.
So next time you fly, when you are going through security, make sure to check out the person in front of you and the person behind you, because chances are the TSA suspects all three of you are terrorists.
Look for my next post: Unsportsmanlike Conduct
20 October 2008
Where's My Bailout?
Yeah, so I know that its like old news now but I want to talk about the bailout. When I first heard about the idea of a bailout, all I heard was that the government was going to help out struggling banks and I thought it was a good idea. Then, when I learned more about it I became strongly opposed. I fully understand that there are good people who just want their piece of the American dream by owning a home, and that for some, these sub-prime mortgages were the only way to make it happen, but to me that doesn't outweigh all the rest of the people who caused the problem. As I see it, the people who bought way more home than they could afford, and knew it, deserve to lose their homes. I have absolutely no sympathy for them.
The Banking institutions involved in all of this deserve to suffer some of the consequences as well. You can't pay your Executives millions of dollars, and approve mortgages that you have no business approving, and get away with it because the government bails you out. At least, that is what I think. Apparently our government feels differently. This just builds on an issue I already had with corporate bailouts.
Every time the government gives money to GM, Ford, Daimler Chrysler, or the Airline industry I cringe. What kind of a government do we have that professes capitalism, but practices something else? Capitalism is built on the principles of survival of the fittest, not survival of who can get the biggest the fastest regardless of financial consequences and then expect a government handout out to save them and "American jobs." Capitalism teaches us that those who work hard succeed, and those who don't fail. And yet here we are.
The thing that ticks me off the most with this situation is how much I get screwed by it. The economy took a nose dive just as I graduated college. So for me, it took a 2,000 mile move and almost six months to find a job at all (outside of fast food). Many of us who went to college also incurred student loan debt in order to pay for our education. And now that I have graduated, guess who isn't waiting for me to start paying them back? That's right, the bank.
So from my perspective, I am one of those hard-working Americans who went to school and got a degree so I could make a better life for myself. I paid for that degree with debt, and now I get to scrape by at a job that is irrelevant to my degree in order to pay my bills. (Don't get me wrong, I love my job.) Then I look at the other people out there, the ones who are benefiting from this bailout. Some of them don't even work, they live off the government because they can and not because they must. People who are genuinely disabled or have other circumstances I am fine with giving government help, the people I am not okay with are the lazy people. So, I sit here and look at the person who didn't go to college because they didn't want to or because it was too hard, and they don't work because they don't want to, and I see them sitting in their homes that they can't afford, and I think why? Why do we reward those people?
Why do I get screwed for working hard and doing the right thing, while the non-contributors of society get all the benefits? You want to know a much better use for that bailout money? Pay off every American's student loan debt. In my case, it would instantly mean a higher credit score and an extra $200 a month that I have to save for a house or spend on other needs. Those homeowners who can't pay their mortgages? Their student loan debt goes away and suddenly they have several hundred or even thousand dollars extra with which to pay their mortgages. Granted this isn't perfect and surely a number of people would abuse it, but to me, its much more fair (reward those who work hard and make sacrifices) and much smarter than handing $750 BILLION DOLLARS over to the banks who have already proven they can't be trusted with money! As proof... Washington Mutual loaned out $16 for every $1 they had on deposit. What kind of idiots were running the show over there?
Lastly, I called a loan officer at a local bank, just as this crisis began, to inquire about my qualifications for buying a house. To qualify for a $100,000 mortgage, my annual salary has to be above $50,000. That is double what I currently make! When is someone in my position going to get into a house? At our current rate of economic decline, probably never. I guess honest hard work doesn't really pay off.
The Banking institutions involved in all of this deserve to suffer some of the consequences as well. You can't pay your Executives millions of dollars, and approve mortgages that you have no business approving, and get away with it because the government bails you out. At least, that is what I think. Apparently our government feels differently. This just builds on an issue I already had with corporate bailouts.
Every time the government gives money to GM, Ford, Daimler Chrysler, or the Airline industry I cringe. What kind of a government do we have that professes capitalism, but practices something else? Capitalism is built on the principles of survival of the fittest, not survival of who can get the biggest the fastest regardless of financial consequences and then expect a government handout out to save them and "American jobs." Capitalism teaches us that those who work hard succeed, and those who don't fail. And yet here we are.
The thing that ticks me off the most with this situation is how much I get screwed by it. The economy took a nose dive just as I graduated college. So for me, it took a 2,000 mile move and almost six months to find a job at all (outside of fast food). Many of us who went to college also incurred student loan debt in order to pay for our education. And now that I have graduated, guess who isn't waiting for me to start paying them back? That's right, the bank.
So from my perspective, I am one of those hard-working Americans who went to school and got a degree so I could make a better life for myself. I paid for that degree with debt, and now I get to scrape by at a job that is irrelevant to my degree in order to pay my bills. (Don't get me wrong, I love my job.) Then I look at the other people out there, the ones who are benefiting from this bailout. Some of them don't even work, they live off the government because they can and not because they must. People who are genuinely disabled or have other circumstances I am fine with giving government help, the people I am not okay with are the lazy people. So, I sit here and look at the person who didn't go to college because they didn't want to or because it was too hard, and they don't work because they don't want to, and I see them sitting in their homes that they can't afford, and I think why? Why do we reward those people?
Why do I get screwed for working hard and doing the right thing, while the non-contributors of society get all the benefits? You want to know a much better use for that bailout money? Pay off every American's student loan debt. In my case, it would instantly mean a higher credit score and an extra $200 a month that I have to save for a house or spend on other needs. Those homeowners who can't pay their mortgages? Their student loan debt goes away and suddenly they have several hundred or even thousand dollars extra with which to pay their mortgages. Granted this isn't perfect and surely a number of people would abuse it, but to me, its much more fair (reward those who work hard and make sacrifices) and much smarter than handing $750 BILLION DOLLARS over to the banks who have already proven they can't be trusted with money! As proof... Washington Mutual loaned out $16 for every $1 they had on deposit. What kind of idiots were running the show over there?
Lastly, I called a loan officer at a local bank, just as this crisis began, to inquire about my qualifications for buying a house. To qualify for a $100,000 mortgage, my annual salary has to be above $50,000. That is double what I currently make! When is someone in my position going to get into a house? At our current rate of economic decline, probably never. I guess honest hard work doesn't really pay off.
19 October 2008
Purpose and Repercussions
As this is the first entry of this blog, I feel it only appropriate to do some explaining and set some ground rules.
My purpose is to create an outlet where I can freely express my own opinions and feelings on various subjects. I plan to discuss things that I feel positively about as well as things I feel negatively about. Realizing that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I am reserving this as my place to express mine. I plan to post about once a week, but may post more or less depending on what and when I want to write. Who knows maybe something I say will educate and open the eyes of someone in need of such education and eye-opening.
It is likely that at some point I will say something that you disagree with. When that happens, you are welcome to express your opinion, but only if you can act like an adult and express your opinion using sound arguments and evidence, and without name-calling or labels. Anyone refusing to comply with these rules will not be allowed to express their opinion here.
Lastly, I would encourage you to invite your friends and family to read my blog, because after all, what good is expressing your opinion if no one reads it?
My purpose is to create an outlet where I can freely express my own opinions and feelings on various subjects. I plan to discuss things that I feel positively about as well as things I feel negatively about. Realizing that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I am reserving this as my place to express mine. I plan to post about once a week, but may post more or less depending on what and when I want to write. Who knows maybe something I say will educate and open the eyes of someone in need of such education and eye-opening.
It is likely that at some point I will say something that you disagree with. When that happens, you are welcome to express your opinion, but only if you can act like an adult and express your opinion using sound arguments and evidence, and without name-calling or labels. Anyone refusing to comply with these rules will not be allowed to express their opinion here.
Lastly, I would encourage you to invite your friends and family to read my blog, because after all, what good is expressing your opinion if no one reads it?
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