It's gone unnoticed long enough. It's time we step up and address the problem. Check the link, donate yourself, help a friend or family member. It's a lot closer than you think.
http://www.fightthenewdrug.org/index.cfm
Friday, August 26, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Monday, August 22, 2011
Weekly Guest Blogger: Jeff Morgan
Jeff Morgan grew up in the land of Logan, Utah. You will see from his entry that he has some things to say about lifestyles of, well you will just have to read it.
"Sometimes, the Closet is the Safest Place to Be"
"Sometimes, the Closet is the Safest Place to Be"
What does it mean you drive through downtown Salt Lake in early summer and all you can see is rainbows, colorful balloons, topless men and women, and drag queens? Salt Lake City Pride Festival is going on.
I was in Salt Lake while this happened, and while I didn’t participate in any of the activities, it gave me a lot to think about. I think seeing it all kind of re-enforced my thoughts that gays are kind of crazy.
Here’s the thing: They want social change, right? They want equal rights? I don’t know if they realize this or not, but they aren’t impressing anyone when they hold their yearly festival that is supposed to be family friendly and supposed to raise awareness of LGBT issues, but they walk around in their underwear (sometimes placed on their head like a 5-year old) or dressed as a Las Vegas showgirl (generally men doing this). How can anyone take them seriously at their protests and rallies when at all of their other public appearances, they are dressed like slutty clowns?
Watch the beginning of this to see what I mean: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r44HrMUM8oY
Another thing I don’t think they realize: Putting down the dominant cultures beliefs is not going to help create change. We all know what I’m talking about. The LDS church.
I understand some gays are angry with the church. They feel as though they’ve been lied to. They don’t like the role the church played in Prop 8, and continue to play in other LGBT politics. They are angry that some of their family members abandoned them when they came out, and the reason behind the abandonment has to do with religious beliefs. I understand. I really do.
That being said, the church and its members don’t like being put down and made fun of and told they are wrong any more than the gays like being called faggots or queers, or being told they aren’t born that way and they just aren’t faithful enough to change; that if they really wanted to, they could overcome it.
The only way social change will really occur is to be understanding. Everyone needs to be more understanding. For social change to occur in Utah, the church and the gays need to be more understanding of each other (and if I might say so, I feel that the church is trying harder to be more understanding than the gays). The church has a stance on homosexuality that cannot be fundamentally changed because it is based on the doctrines of eternal marriage. Eternal marriage, according to LDS teachings, is essential because it allows a husband and wife to become like God in the next life and part of that is eternal procreation. This can’t physiologically happen between members of the same sex. It’s an unchanging doctrine of the LDS church.
The gays feel shunned from the church. Many of them have found happiness in the church to some degree, but as they came out, they became alienated. Many of them tried to fight it for years, only to sink into utter depression. Out of desperation, they chose to live a life of “sin”: trying to find love with someone they can be with for the rest of their lives. They were continually rejected by members of the church and members of society. They were pushed so far that they grew to hate the church that helped raise them.
The church/members see gays as vile sinners (committing the sin next to murder) that are living a filthy lifestyle filled with illicit sex, drinking, and Lady GaGa. Gays see Mormons as uptight, narrow-minded religious zealots that are out to get them. I think these thoughts are true to a degree, but only because these groups have decided it would be this way. If both groups can shift their thoughts to a more understanding point of view, I believe social change will occur. If the church can really look at how its actions have caused so much hurt and heartache to the LGBT community, learn from that, and move forward in a direction of understanding (ie. No more political involvement, teaching members to love everyone regardless of lifestyle changes, etc.), the LGBT community will be more willing to work with them. Conversely, if the LGBT community will be forgiving, loving, and helpful to the LDS church and its members, remembering that the church has an unchanging doctrine on homosexuality and that they meant no harm in their actions, they will feel less resistance from the LDS community.
I really do believe this. I won’t be surprised if people disagree with me. I don’t really care though. I think it will probably make some people angry, even. If this were to go anywhere and get any attention, I could see some LGBT individuals getting upset and saying that I don’t understand their position. To them, I would like to say this: I understand. I was raised LDS. I’m an openly gay man. I want social and political change. I just believe that if that is going to happen, we have to stop this stupid mudslinging game. Let’s all put the past in the past, move into the future, and treat each other with dignity.
Oh, and one more thing. Stop acting crazy. Both sides.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
The Lockout Continues!
Here is my take on the lockout, Mr. Jeff. Also, I have reached my 1,000 page viewing. Thank you for supporting my nonsense!
My take on the lock out is parallel of what Mr. Crowther thinks. It’s absurd, stupid, moronic, ignorant, stupid, and just plain stupid. I wish I could grab ahold of Kevin Durant and slap him across his stupid face. Here is what he said in the NY Times when talking about revenue and revenue sharing:
My take on the lock out is parallel of what Mr. Crowther thinks. It’s absurd, stupid, moronic, ignorant, stupid, and just plain stupid. I wish I could grab ahold of Kevin Durant and slap him across his stupid face. Here is what he said in the NY Times when talking about revenue and revenue sharing:
"We're going to stand up for what we have to do, no matter how long it's going to take.”
What does that mean? Does that mean that the league is wrong for taking some of the money of the players to try and give others who actually WORK for a better chance at a more substantial living? Is it wrong to try and lower ticket sales amongst other financial charges around the league?
With last year’s big free agency ordeal, over 20 owners of NBA teams lost money. This was because players like LeBron James thought he needed more money because he’s so good. The only thing he needs is a bigger headband to cover his large forehead. I mean, is he going for the black Bret Michaels look here? Hey LeBron, instead of asking for more money, finish a game and earn the money you’re already making. Do any of these players deserve raises? I’m sure some of them are hard workers on the court and really do deserve a big paycheck. I can think of a few, but amongst the hundreds of players, those are good odds. I am dumbfounded that these players are striving so hard to get more money while EVERYONE around them loses.
Owners want to reduce the players’ guaranteed basketball revenue by less than 3%, which will amount to around $500 million over the next five years. To those players with their large salaries and even some product contracts, this will be just a tiny thing for them. Nothing more than a 1-yard desert in an oasis of money.
As Jeff pointed out, those losing are the people who never make it to the camera (besides the court-cleaning boys) and they have to depend on this money all year round. The players only get paid from November 13 through April 30, so they won’t be missing out on any money. Heaven forbid that some of the most powerful people in the entrainment industry give up less than 1% of their fortune to help people who are already struggling during a crappy economy. Does anyone else find it funny that in one year we have a lockout in the NBA, NFL, and a debit deficit debacle? I am tired of these lazy, good-for-nothing ninnies complaining about only have four cars while their neighbor has five. Holy cow that must be SO hard.
But this isn’t a political issue. This shouldn’t even BE an issue!
NBA players, remember when the game was fun? Remember when you played for the passion? For the fans?
We do. We do.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Friday, August 12, 2011
Hooray a Lockout!
Mr. Jeffrey Gordon Crowther and myself have decided that we should go into business together. That business, you might ask? Well, it's the business of awesome. And a few smart-ass remarks against the other person.
What we want to do is chat about what we know best. Sports. I know, you were probably thinking relationships or glitter toes but maybe we will save that for another blog. It is basically a point, counter-point type scenario, but for the first one we will both agree on one thing: Lockouts are really cool for the sporting world.
Here is what Jeff has to say:
Professional sports are a joke of a business. Every deal they make to continue
playing is just a postponement of another lockout. The way these leagues are ran
and organized is pathetic in my mind and it doesn’t take a genius to figure it out.
The players union is ridiculous and needs to be done away with. Take for example
the NBA. If I were David Stern, I would say fine, we will find other players to play if
you don’t want to play under our rules. Go over to Europe and find somewhere else
to play basketball. They don’t have to play in the NBA if they don’t feel like they are
getting treated fairly.
I am not rooting for the owners in this situation either. Owners need to realize
that it’s a business. Unless you own the Lakers, it’s not a great business to have.
It’s more of a status for billionaires to own a professional sports team. If you are
expecting to make the revenue from the Milwaukee Bucks like you did from your
real estate empire, guess again! I think the owners should do just that. Own their
team. Take care of it, hire and fire people and do what owners do. They don’t need
a say in what goes down with the next collective bargaining agreement, and neither
do the players.
David Stern is the commissioner. He needs to form a group, or a governing body,
or some type of organization that can decide what is best for the NBA. If the owners
don’t like their decisions, they can sell their team and someone else can buy it. If the
players don’t agree with the rules, Lithuania awaits you! Heck, enjoy some vacation
while playing over in Europe. What I am tired of is both owners and players arguing
over billions of dollars saying it’s not fair for their side. They don’t have to play
in the NBA and they don’t have to own a professional sports team. This sense of
entitlement is un-American and is what plagues our nation today.
What the real problem is with these lockouts is that how many people behind the
scenes are losing money because of these morons. The front office workers who
get cut hours because there is nothing for them to do, the professional trainers who
can’t even meet with a player during a lockout, the facility managers who are left
to dry because there are no summer training camps are the ones that are suffering.
The people who actually need the money are the ones being spat on by these silly
lockouts. I pray that college athletes never get paid because then eventually they
will form a union and then we will have a lockout in the only thing worth watching
nowadays, college sports.
My point will come later in the weekend. Will you be surprised by what I have to say? Probably not.
What we want to do is chat about what we know best. Sports. I know, you were probably thinking relationships or glitter toes but maybe we will save that for another blog. It is basically a point, counter-point type scenario, but for the first one we will both agree on one thing: Lockouts are really cool for the sporting world.
Here is what Jeff has to say:
Professional sports are a joke of a business. Every deal they make to continue
playing is just a postponement of another lockout. The way these leagues are ran
and organized is pathetic in my mind and it doesn’t take a genius to figure it out.
The players union is ridiculous and needs to be done away with. Take for example
the NBA. If I were David Stern, I would say fine, we will find other players to play if
you don’t want to play under our rules. Go over to Europe and find somewhere else
to play basketball. They don’t have to play in the NBA if they don’t feel like they are
getting treated fairly.
I am not rooting for the owners in this situation either. Owners need to realize
that it’s a business. Unless you own the Lakers, it’s not a great business to have.
It’s more of a status for billionaires to own a professional sports team. If you are
expecting to make the revenue from the Milwaukee Bucks like you did from your
real estate empire, guess again! I think the owners should do just that. Own their
team. Take care of it, hire and fire people and do what owners do. They don’t need
a say in what goes down with the next collective bargaining agreement, and neither
do the players.
David Stern is the commissioner. He needs to form a group, or a governing body,
or some type of organization that can decide what is best for the NBA. If the owners
don’t like their decisions, they can sell their team and someone else can buy it. If the
players don’t agree with the rules, Lithuania awaits you! Heck, enjoy some vacation
while playing over in Europe. What I am tired of is both owners and players arguing
over billions of dollars saying it’s not fair for their side. They don’t have to play
in the NBA and they don’t have to own a professional sports team. This sense of
entitlement is un-American and is what plagues our nation today.
What the real problem is with these lockouts is that how many people behind the
scenes are losing money because of these morons. The front office workers who
get cut hours because there is nothing for them to do, the professional trainers who
can’t even meet with a player during a lockout, the facility managers who are left
to dry because there are no summer training camps are the ones that are suffering.
The people who actually need the money are the ones being spat on by these silly
lockouts. I pray that college athletes never get paid because then eventually they
will form a union and then we will have a lockout in the only thing worth watching
nowadays, college sports.
My point will come later in the weekend. Will you be surprised by what I have to say? Probably not.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
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