Red Sox Players Stand Up!

Kudos to Red Sox players for standing up for the coaches.

For those who don't know what happened, the Red Sox are due to travel to Japan for their opening day game against the Oakland Raiders. In the agreement with MLB officials, the players and coaches were to be paid a $40,000 stipend for the travel expenses and other expenses. Terry Francona, the Red Sox manager, found out a couple of days ago that the coaches would NOT be receiving these stipends as promised. When the Red Sox players found out this morning, they met and voted to not take the field today against Toronto or board the plane tonight for Japan unless the coaches received the stipend. A deal was worked out and they took the field an hour after the scheduled start time.

Some people will argue that the players are just whining, that they already make millions of dollars and they're crying over $40k. This is true, the players do often make a great deal of money. The coaches, however, DO NOT. For some of the coaches, the $40,000 amounts to 40% of their salary for the year. This is a big deal. If your company required you to travel for business, they give you a travel expense. This is the coaches travel expense.

The players did the right thing in sticking up for their coaches, and they should be applauded.

Economic Limbo

This whole economic crisis has caused a lot of ordinary people to believe we are in a recession. Personally, I don't believe we are in a recession, but that has less to do with the strength of the economy than something else. All the talk of the hurt in the market, and the focus on the fed rate and the dow jones are actually helping to prolong and exacerbate the crisis. The most worrisome problem in this crisis is not the credit crunch or inflation, but the fallout from the subprime mess. Because these loans got packaged, bundled, and spread around, the risk is spread all over. With this comes the caveat that NO ONE KNOWS HOW MUCH MONEY THEY CURRENTLY HAVE!!! Every week we hear of some major bank announcing write-downs of billions of dollars. However, they are basing this on the current assumed value of the securities, rather than projected values. Since no one wants to buy these securities, the bank is stuck with it. Now, if, after this crisis, we learn these securities weren't a terribly bad deal, there value would rise, prompting a possible inflationary rise.

The main thing here is that, if you don't know how much money is in your checking account, you can't pay your bills or buy groceries. This is kind of what is happening to the banks. No one will lend them money because the bank can't tell the lender what collateral they can put forward.

Actions speak louder than words

For someone who is seeking the highest office in the country, who is trying to be the post-racial black candidate, Obama has not done a good job of showing that he can talk truth to power, especially when it comes to close, personal friends. If he, or Hillary for that matter (this is not just an Obama-bash), feel so strongly about universal health care, why don't they introduce a bill in the Senate? We all know it won't go anywhere, but the act itself would be a sign they are serious about the issue.

Obama's Debacle

Obama has created a world of trouble for himself with this whole issue regarding his former pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Personally, I think the pastor's comments and accusations are disgusting and horribly bigoted. For all the talk from Obama about post-racialism and moving beyond race and color in our government, he is closely associated and friendly with someone who is fomenting the racial divide in this country. He hasn't rejected Rev. Wright, nor has he explained why he continued to go to the church after listening to these "sermons". While he did say that he did not agree with the comments and found them disgusting himself, Obama did not (as far as is known by the media) talk to Wright and tell him how disturbing these "sermons" were to him.

Beginning of the beginning

I find the need to put my two cents into any conversation, regarding pretty much anything. This will be the place I do that. Topics will range far and wide, but mainly focus on a few key areas: politics, economy, world news, and sports. This is a Boston sports place - Yankees fans may leave now if you do not wish to be offended, which you probably will be.

I have no problem with discourse and debate, but back it up with some facts. Don't just spout political ideology, it's annoying and unwanted. Bring facts, it makes you sound less idiotic.

Nate