Thursday, May 5, 2016
Wednesday, May 4, 2016
TV and Movies
Elementary, Agents of Shield, and Person of Interest all had similar storylines this week. It will also be the major plot line for this summer's big Marvel blockbuster, Captain America: Civil War.
The story is an interesting one to be sure. It's not a question of good guys and bad guys, it's a battle between world-views and perspectives. Most powerful organizations don't consider what they are doing as wrong. They purport to be there to help or to fix things. But the bigger the organization, the better chance they might take questionable steps in order to achieve these goals. Questionable at least, by other powerful organizations that sees things differently.
In the Marvel Universe, Hydra wants out take out "bad guys" before they become bad guys. In the game of baseball sabermetric stats show player tendencies clearly that aren't always seen just by looking. Hydra wants to take out an Adolf Hitler BEFORE he becomes Adolf Hitler. Sheild wants people to have the chance to mess up before they actually, you know, start killing them.
In a world where not everyone agrees on what IS best, a world with no ONE set of clear moral conduct guidelines, people will always do what THEY think is right or best. Hence the world-view conflict. Hence, the battle of perspectives.
The Democrats and Republicans in America are becoming more like that. It's definitely a real world struggle. And that's assuming that people really DO want to do what's right. If either party has an agenda, hidden or otherwise, that only adds to the conflict. And we're always asked to take sides.
We tend to think those we agree with have less of an agenda. We tend not to trust those we disagree with. We see them as evil. The bad thing? Our perceptions may be right.
But, of course, we may be wrong as well. Your world-view is shaped by what you truly believe is right or wrong. If you have a standard that doesn't move, you'll probably be safer than someone who changes their mind constantly based on circumstance.
Of course if you disagree with me, you'll think just the opposite.
That's our world-views in conflict. We can't even see the other person's perspective.
The story is an interesting one to be sure. It's not a question of good guys and bad guys, it's a battle between world-views and perspectives. Most powerful organizations don't consider what they are doing as wrong. They purport to be there to help or to fix things. But the bigger the organization, the better chance they might take questionable steps in order to achieve these goals. Questionable at least, by other powerful organizations that sees things differently.
In the Marvel Universe, Hydra wants out take out "bad guys" before they become bad guys. In the game of baseball sabermetric stats show player tendencies clearly that aren't always seen just by looking. Hydra wants to take out an Adolf Hitler BEFORE he becomes Adolf Hitler. Sheild wants people to have the chance to mess up before they actually, you know, start killing them.
In a world where not everyone agrees on what IS best, a world with no ONE set of clear moral conduct guidelines, people will always do what THEY think is right or best. Hence the world-view conflict. Hence, the battle of perspectives.
The Democrats and Republicans in America are becoming more like that. It's definitely a real world struggle. And that's assuming that people really DO want to do what's right. If either party has an agenda, hidden or otherwise, that only adds to the conflict. And we're always asked to take sides.
We tend to think those we agree with have less of an agenda. We tend not to trust those we disagree with. We see them as evil. The bad thing? Our perceptions may be right.
But, of course, we may be wrong as well. Your world-view is shaped by what you truly believe is right or wrong. If you have a standard that doesn't move, you'll probably be safer than someone who changes their mind constantly based on circumstance.
Of course if you disagree with me, you'll think just the opposite.
That's our world-views in conflict. We can't even see the other person's perspective.
So What's the NFL's Beef With Beef?
Clenbuterol is a steroid that Mexican and Chinese farmers regularly give to their beef cattle. Their governments ban its use but nobody enforces the ban. The problem is that the NFL also has it on its banned list and they test for it.
Last year, Houston Texans' player, Duane Brown took a short bye-week vacation to Mexico, when he came back, he tested positive for Clenbuterol. While there, the offensive lineman consumed massive quantities of his favorite meat, as his normal practice.
The NFL eventually cleared him but told other players IF it happens again, they'll blame the players, not the cows. The players are responsible for what they eat. The Texans are scheduled to play the Raiders in Mexico City on November 21. ALL the players are expected to obey the rules, at the same time, most NFL players eat an awful lot of beef as part of their regular diet and fitness program. Avoiding it while in Mexico is a big deal for some.
In 2011, Mexico's National soccer team tested positive for the substance under FIFA guidelines. ALL the players on the team had traces of clenbuterol in their systems.
My advice? If you want to be built like yesterday's blog picture, book a vacation to Mexico, and enjoy the tacos while you're there. As to the NFL, if they expect the players to play in foreign countries, they should be required to supply all the food. It's only fair, the NFL mandate for these games is the reason those players are there in the first place.
Last year, Houston Texans' player, Duane Brown took a short bye-week vacation to Mexico, when he came back, he tested positive for Clenbuterol. While there, the offensive lineman consumed massive quantities of his favorite meat, as his normal practice.
The NFL eventually cleared him but told other players IF it happens again, they'll blame the players, not the cows. The players are responsible for what they eat. The Texans are scheduled to play the Raiders in Mexico City on November 21. ALL the players are expected to obey the rules, at the same time, most NFL players eat an awful lot of beef as part of their regular diet and fitness program. Avoiding it while in Mexico is a big deal for some.
In 2011, Mexico's National soccer team tested positive for the substance under FIFA guidelines. ALL the players on the team had traces of clenbuterol in their systems.
My advice? If you want to be built like yesterday's blog picture, book a vacation to Mexico, and enjoy the tacos while you're there. As to the NFL, if they expect the players to play in foreign countries, they should be required to supply all the food. It's only fair, the NFL mandate for these games is the reason those players are there in the first place.
Tuesday, May 3, 2016
Twins Win Against Quality Pitcher
I actually watched some of the game last night.
I usually wait until the third or fourth inning to see if the Twins are ahead and then will switch to it during commercial breaks from Gotham or Raw. Last night, I lingered longer than usual. Berrios was sharp. Kuechel for the Astros was not.
We now have the same record as the Astros at 8-18. Neither team is much to write home about, BUT at least we we're on the winning end of the match-up. Dozier broke out of his slump with three hits and Park is looking better at the plate every game.
More please.
I usually wait until the third or fourth inning to see if the Twins are ahead and then will switch to it during commercial breaks from Gotham or Raw. Last night, I lingered longer than usual. Berrios was sharp. Kuechel for the Astros was not.
We now have the same record as the Astros at 8-18. Neither team is much to write home about, BUT at least we we're on the winning end of the match-up. Dozier broke out of his slump with three hits and Park is looking better at the plate every game.
More please.
Monday, May 2, 2016
Golden State Dominates Portland Without Curry
And Curry is optimistic he could be back by game three. It's up to Curry and Kerr to decide, BUT if a couple more days of rest would help him heal more fully, AND the Warriors are playing quite well without him, maybe he should not rush coming back.
Most playoff teams dream about giving their starters time off with the long play-off schedule in the NBA. This is Golden State's chance to give the NBA's top star that rest. Of course, the NBA playoffs have a LOT of rest built right in already. Toronto just won their first round playoff series with the Pacers last night. Conceivably, a team could need 28 playoff games (more than 1/3 of a season) to win the championship. Those games would take upwards of two months to play.
Giving Curry time off could pay real dividends in about a month.
In other sports news, I'm not going to talk about Minnesota baseball until there's something to talk about.
Most playoff teams dream about giving their starters time off with the long play-off schedule in the NBA. This is Golden State's chance to give the NBA's top star that rest. Of course, the NBA playoffs have a LOT of rest built right in already. Toronto just won their first round playoff series with the Pacers last night. Conceivably, a team could need 28 playoff games (more than 1/3 of a season) to win the championship. Those games would take upwards of two months to play.
Giving Curry time off could pay real dividends in about a month.
In other sports news, I'm not going to talk about Minnesota baseball until there's something to talk about.
Sunday, May 1, 2016
Vikings Draft Moritz Boehringer
Who?
That's what I was wondering. He's a 22-year-old receiver from Germany who has never been to America. He's the first NFL player to be drafted that way. If you want to see how good he is watch youtube. That's all the Vikings had to go on, too.
The Twins? Don't ask.
That's what I was wondering. He's a 22-year-old receiver from Germany who has never been to America. He's the first NFL player to be drafted that way. If you want to see how good he is watch youtube. That's all the Vikings had to go on, too.
The Twins? Don't ask.
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