Blog @ MoreWhat.com

Nothin’ like celebrity damage control to demonstrate what is really important to them. Money, sex and politics may rank as the top subjects leading to a bankrupt moral compass but it seems a bankrupt financial future is more the concern of one celeb.

Money, sex and politics are featured in the trifecta of both John Edwards and Mark Sanford. Tiger Woods does not get honorable mention for excluding politics. The scheduled event described below will likely be seen for what it is. An attempt to woo advertisers who abandoned the Woods’ brand after his multiple falls from grace.

Question for the day: What is the worst thing you ever did?

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

and here’s the brief report from VOA from which the post title is taken.

The agent of world number-one Tiger Woods says the American golfer will end nearly three months of silence on Friday, when he speaks publicly for the first time since revelations of his marital infidelity.

Agent Mark Steinberg said Wednesday that Woods will speak to a small group of reporters and friends at 11 a.m. EST, at the clubhouse of the TPC Sawgrass golf course in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

Woods is expected to talk about his past, his future plans and to apologize for his behavior.

The appearance will come in the middle of the first big event of the year, the Accenture Match Play Championship, which got under way Wednesday in Marana, Arizona.

Accenture was the first sponsor to drop Woods when the scandal first broke.

Poll: 61% Say Start from Scratch on Health Care Reform

Poll: Majority Favor Military Courts for Terror Suspects

Muslims:Airport Body Scanners Violate the Teachings of Islam

Rep. Patrick Kennedy Won’t Seek Re-Election

Economic Report Sings Blues on Jobs

After Rare Bipartisan Deal, Reid Slashes Jobs Bill

Republican hopes rises in California

Ahmadinejad: Iran Now ‘Nuclear State’

Is the Voice of America Pro-Iran?

Republicans Seek to ‘Start Over’ on Health Care Legislation

…Americans Support Cutting Size of Government Workforce

Labor Nominee Blocked in Senate

Ben Nelson Joins GOP to Oppose Labor Nominee

Tebow Super Bowl Ad Featured Mom

Crist: I’m a True Blue Reagan Conservative

GOP: Obama Won’t Negotiate on Stalled Healthcare Bills

Obama Invites GOP Leaders to Healthcare Talk

W.H. Super Bowl Guests Include One Republican

Palin: Obama’s Agenda Will Be Short-Lived

Palin: Obama Could ‘Play the War Card’

Palin: ‘Absurd’ Not to Ponder Presidential Bid

Even though many countries throughout the world largely blame the US for what was called the global financial crisis the greed responsible and regulatory incompetence that enabled excessive risk in financial markets has its roots where most massive failures do; the legislative halls of the US Congress and other such institutions around the planet. Those countries citing the US as responsible for their crippling losses are as guilty as anyone for gladly participating while everything was working out in that house of cards.

International criticism and commentary aside there have been other suggested culprits throughout the long history of actions leading to the economic problems Americans now face. Senator Chris ‘Countrywide’ Dodd as well as sputtering Congressman Barney Frank are but two politicians connected to the banking industry. There are many more who helped themselves to the profits available in the mortgage industry during the run up to disaster and one such person is none other than Rahm Emanuel, President Obama’s Chief of Staff. The President’s choice for Secretary of the Treasury, Timothy Geithner, also has dirt on his hands from his tenure at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

During the initial reporting on such matters over the last couple of years the mortgage portion of the crisis included criticism that the Community Reinvestment Act was responsible for much of what happened. It was suggested that financial institutions were forced to extend credit for housing that borrowers were not likely to pay back.

Another culprit receiving criticism in recent years was the Securities and Exchange Commission or SEC. In the past this site featured press releases from the SEC describing the results of legal action against various types of fraud in the financial markets. Almost exclusively the outcome involved what essentially was profit sharing between the offenders and the government. Rather than ever seeing jail time the perps were merely barred from engaging in business in the financial markets and paying some amount of money to the SEC that no doubt came from the ill-gotten gains.

Testimony by former Fed Chair Paul Volcker has focused attention on what may be the single largest reason for problems in banking and Wall Street. The Banking Act of 1933 also known as Glass=Steagall was enacted to avoid problems within the banking industry that occurred then and are remarkably similar to what happened lately. Over the years various parts of the ‘act’ were repealed and some are calling for restoration of those limitations now.

You can do a search on the topic at your favorite engine. You will likely find information about the original safeguards and a repeal history. In addition, HR4375 is a bill sponsored by a Democrat and co=sponsored by nine more plus a Republican. The bill seeks to restore some of Glass-Steagall. Also Senators McCain and Cantwell are in the news claiming to want the same thing or something similar.

This story and the items mentioned above point to the central theme of this post. Political rhetoric and ‘after the fact’ reactions are all too common. It is the evidence that proves what most of us already know about government and those who run it. They govern poorly allowing events to occur that could have been prevented. Where were all these people before the problems referenced here took place? Certainly most of them were in office before the so-called global financial crisis emerged.

The author of this blog supports restoring common sense in government. Like most expressing a personal preference for conservative principles and adhering to our nation’s founding documents Congress and the rest of government is encouraged to concur. And if in this particular case wisdom dictates restoring Glass-Steagall to its original form, please do.

It seems logical to accept the following idea. If the current economic turmoil is in fact the worst since the Great Depression and none has occurred since Glass-Steagall until certain portions of it were repealed then restoring the original legislation is prudent.

It would be helpful to all involved if those in government could produce a series of consecutive actions that can be applauded universally as successful and impressive. At least then citizens could be reassured that it IS possible for government to do something right. There is currently little evidence to suggest that is the case.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Are we serious this time? Among the other items within the liberal agenda spearheaded by President Barack Obama as well as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and others, amnesty for illegal immigrants, no deportation for those here illegally and lax national security and border control feature prominently. But a few members of Congress, 22 to be exact, have put forth a resolution reminding everyone the rule of law must prevail to secure America’s borders and protect the nation.

111th CONGRESS 2d SessionH. RES. 1026Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the continued peace, prosperity, liberty, and national security of the United States and its people depend upon the rule of law and credible and effective immigration enforcement policies which both welcome lawful immigrants and non-immigrants and also prevent the unlawful entry or unlawful continuing presence of foreign persons.IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 21, 2010

Mr. CHAFFETZ (for himself, Mr. HUNTER, Mr. KRATOVIL, Mr. NYE, Mr. FLEMING, Mrs. LUMMIS, Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado, Mr. MCCLINTOCK, Mr. POSEY, Mr. ROE of Tennessee, Mr. HARPER, Ms. JENKINS, Mr. BARROW, Mr. BRIGHT, Mr. LUETKEMEYER, Mr. OLSON, Mr. TAYLOR, Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania, Mr. MCINTYRE, Mr. KAGEN, Mr. SHULER, and Mr. CHILDERS) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Labor and Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

---

RESOLUTIONExpressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the continued peace, prosperity, liberty, and national security of the United States and its people depend upon the rule of law and credible and effective immigration enforcement policies which both welcome lawful immigrants and non-immigrants and also prevent the unlawful entry or unlawful continuing presence of foreign persons.Whereas the United States, as a nation of immigrants, recognizes and celebrates the economic and cultural contributions of generations of lawful immigrants;

Whereas the United States must remain a place where lawful immigrants can come to enjoy the promises of religious, political, and economic freedom; and

Whereas the continued peace, prosperity, liberty, and national security of the United States and its people depend upon the rule of law and credible and effective immigration enforcement policies which both welcome lawful immigrants and non-immigrants and also prevent the unlawful entry or unlawful continuing presence of foreign persons: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that–

(1) the use of a basic pilot program described in section 403(a) of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1324a note; commonly known as the E-verify program) by employers of workers within the United States should be mandatory, and that enforcement policies should hold both employers and employees responsible whenever an individual’s employment violates United States immigration law;

(2) installing and sustaining the necessary border infrastructure and manpower to effectively secure and control United States borders to prevent the unauthorized passage of persons or contraband is a critical responsibility of the Federal Government; and

(3) any immigration reform proposal adopted by Congress should not legalize, grant amnesty for, or confer any other legal status condoning the otherwise unlawful entry or presence in the United States of any individual.

It is not everything we need but it IS a good start. Problems remain with those supporting amnesty for illegal immigrants like Mayor Bloomberg.

NY Mayor Bloomberg to promote immigration reform

On the hot-button issue of immigration, he favors more liberal laws on allowing immigrants into the country and legalizing those who lack documentation. That will draw opposition from advocates of tightening the border and deportation of illegal aliens.

“We’re committing what I call national suicide,” Bloomberg said on the NBC’s “Meet the Press” last Sunday. “Somehow or other, after 9/11 we went from reaching out and trying to get the best and the brightest to come here, to trying to keep them out.”

“In fact, we do the stupidest thing, we give them educations and then don’t give them green cards.”

What planet is Bloomberg living on? Sure, foreign nationals are educated in the US. But that is but one aspect of the problem. We’re talking about illegal immigration. Is Bloomberg suggesting students from foreign countries are here illegally? Probably not.

And his suggestion that educating the best and the brightest is a direct insult to American citizens who are pursuing their education here or already received it. Yet in addition he wants to loosen the almost non-existent immigration law and enforcement further.

This is the mindset that must be resisted. What Bloomberg suggests IS NOT reform. He merely wants to eliminate immigration law and completely open the borders. You don’t fix what is wrong with your country by importing replacements for your own citizens or exporting their jobs to another country. That has been Mexico’s answer to their country’s problems. Export it to the US. Then they benefit by the money sent by illegals back to Mexico.

The point is the US needs to improve education and the performance of students and teachers without abusing immigration law. And Mexico and other countries need to fix their own country’s problems without burdening the US. Stop sending American jobs overseas and importing cheaper labor here. And let other countries fix their own problems without affecting the US.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Without presenting some of the information provided in an article from The Economist, to avoid having your eyes glaze over, the following excerpt may some it up.

Most troubling of all is the continued failure of economic growth to benefit the labour market. Employment fell by over 300,000 jobs during the last three months of 2009, despite strong expansion in GDP. The first quarter of 2010 is unlikely to show as big an output gain, suggesting that the pace of improvement in employment may be slowing, even as regular job growth has yet to return. And the situation may be more dire still; initial jobless claims have grown in recent weeks, indicating that what momentum there was in labour markets has been lost.

And leave it to one of Obama’s economic gurus, Larry Summers, to spin the situation in a liberal form. He says the American economy is experiencing “a statistical recovery and a human recession”.

That’s liberal-speak for we present numbers that minimize the problem and portray continued losses in employment as a ‘human recession.’ How comforting. The report indicates 41% of the unemployed have been so for 27 weeks. How does that translate into it ’s all Bush’s fault? Those losses came within Obama’s first year in office.

I can hear the liberal response already. However, libs should understand that regardless of the degree to which the previous administration or anyone else contributed to an economic downturn, then candidate Obama campaigned that his hope and change would fix what’s wrong. He knew then what he would face if elected. It is folly to now say that the failure of his agenda is someone else’s fault.

That is why the overwhelming demand from the public, aka voters, is to return to the basics. Stop spending. Stop borrowing. Live within our means and take common sense steps toward recovery. Enough with the political agenda that only serves the ambition of politicians.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Criticism of the Tea Party phenomenon is limited to familiar rants. During last summer’s townhall meetings any attendees raising opposition to the liberal agenda were labeled as paid political thugs or racists or bigots clutching their bibles or guns. Frequently those dismissing the current public outrage over the growth of government, debt, deficits and taxes describe the opposition as mostly white. Yet you can likely compile a list of those opposing the current political climate featuring a significant number of non-white participants.

The race card is becoming quite the irrelevant insult largely adopted by the political left as are other complaints from liberals that characterize their political opposition as somehow inferior. A piece from Real Clear Politics sums up the situation rather well.

Palin and the Tea Party protests are also united by what is united against them: the liberal base. This is not the wave that brought Barack Obama to the White House. But this too is a people’s movement. It might not be liberals’ people. But grassroots activism it is indeed. And it has summed now to this convention, combining the second biggest political rock star with the hottest movement in American politics. That gets mainstream conservative voters, like my 7th grade girlfriend, to pay attention. This Tea Party might only be getting started.

Reference was made to some of the legitimate criticism or concerns about the Tea Party nation and all it represents. It is reasonable to evaluate developments and trends especially when they pose significant threats to established mechanisms within society. And politics is certainly no exception. Entrenched power structures like political parties have the most to gain or lose by success or failure of ‘movements’ like the tea parties.

The most important point to consider on this topic is not whether the tea party movement or its convention are good, bad, left, right or universal. That the message would be ignored by those in public office even when it represents a growing discontent across the nation beyond the movement itself demonstrates the reason for its existence.

To remove those from office who simply don’t get it or refuse to respond to the public they represent.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

you need to read the following….

An inconvenient question about the Mount Vernon Statement (Michelle Malkin)

US Senator-elect Scott P. Brown said today he would not always be a reliable Republican vote, and would chart a new course in Washington.

Brown’s declaration of independence came after his Democratic opponent, Martha Coakley, had charged during the campaign that he was marching “in lockstep with Washington Republicans.” Brown’s stunning upset victory over Coakley in the special election has sent a shock wave through American politics.

Along with optimism that the man who now holds the US Senate seat previously occupied by Ted Kennedy reduces the liberal majority in Congress comes the concern this as yet unknown quantity represents a sheep in wolf’s clothing.

Conservatives certainly do not need another RINO and talk radio personality Michael Savage has predicted widespread disappointment over the newly elected Senator from Taxachusetts. So what’s the deal?

Could it be that Brown simply used the obvious strategy to win votes from liberals and independents by suggesting his independence? As reported above his opponent in the special election accused him of being a GOP rubber stamp. And the message he crafted set out to overcome that objection. So again, what’s the deal?

Given the fact that Senator Scott Brown will be facing re-election in 2012 as part of the ‘class 1′ group in the US Senate it is unlikely he will risk that opportunity by alienating voters. But how simple will that task be coming from a blue state in which many liberal voters may have stayed home as reports suggest?

As the weeks and months go by evidence of Scott Brown’s political future may become clear. Then there’s the occasional suggestion he may be a presidential consideration for 2012. That certainly seems premature.

Part of the reason for this post is the concern that the GOP as well as conservative voters may be over-confident about prospects for this November and beyond. Let’s not forget what got us in this mess…. abandoning principle.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Honda Motor Co said it will recall another roughly 378,000 vehicles in the U.S. to fix potentially faulty airbag systems that are linked to at least one known fatality and 11 injuries in the U.S.

The expanded recall brings to more than 826,000 vehicles the number of Honda and Acura models covered by a series of airbag system recalls that began in 2008.

The company said some airbags in its older vehicles deploy with too much pressure, and send metal fragments flying into the car.

Never liked airbags and never will. And even though potential user injury is a common complaint and has been for years the current report trumps the previous worries generally limited to smaller or older passengers.

Nanny state proponents wonder why so many oppose government intervention claimed to be on behalf of the public. Here’s a good example. Or should we accept the risk of shrapnel from airbags along with other known and unknown hazards?

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

A billboard getting some attention was erected at the direction of some as yet unknown sponsors. There’s nothing like a little humor for this troubling political climate. And yes, this blogger laments the departure of Bush 43. Certainly not perfect but a preferred option over current conditions. And like most, the author of this brief post is anxiously awaiting November 2010. After that it will be anxiously awaiting November 2012.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

If you are a fan of either the New Orleans Saints or the Indianapolis Colts Sunday’s forty-fourth Superbowl undoubtedly had special meaning for you. Likewise if you are simply a big fan of professional sports the annual premiere pigskin competition gets your undivided attention. But as the case goes for most activities these days there are many ways to analyze this year’s football finale.

Certain aspects of the event receive the lion’s share of attention each year. From the half time entertainment to the big bucks offerings from commercials during the broadcast to commentary on the ‘elites’ on the field or those occupying spectator seating at the venue. But this year presented the almost obligatory injection of politics into the fray.

Move over Janet Jackson your wardrobe malfunction may no longer occupy first place for the absurd at a Superbowl. Fortunately there was no such problem with delivering the National Anthem. And Carrie Underwood’s performance of the Star-Spangled Banner eclipsed The Who’s halftime performance as well as finding the singer’s wardrobe choice a refreshing change of pace. But that’s not the politics. It is part of the usual appraisal.

In the run up to the event news reports or op-eds and other commentary raised an issue for some liberals about the planned advertising spot from Tim Tebow and his mother. Libs of course suggested there should be no political advertising during a sporting event. Their concern was the growing public sentiment against abortion. The ad was described as the Tebow pair presenting the fact that a difficult pregnancy was not aborted and the child born grew up to be a very successful quarterback.

If you saw the ad on Sunday you may be surprised at the uproar from the libs. It was well done and the libs probably raised more attention to it than if they had just let it be. But then liberals are nothing if not neurotic.

So if you want to raise a political issue with the Superbowl how about this? Courtesy of VOA News an opening paragraph from one article on Superbowl 44.

Just four years after Hurricane Katrina decimated the city of New Orleans, the Saints are the champions of the National Football League. The New Orleans Saints defeated the Indianapolis Colts, 31-17, Sunday night in Super Bowl XLIV.

And in the same article this statement:

Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who has dedicated himself to helping both the Saints and city of New Orleans recover from 2005’s Hurricane Katrina, was named the game’s most valuable player.

An otherwise interesting additional article from VOA News examining the possibility of this Superbowl being a ‘classic’ also included something of a political reference.

A victory for the Saints would complete the resurrection of the franchise, which finished 3-13 the season before Drew Brees came to New Orleans. It would also go a long way toward instilling pride in a city still working toward recovering from the horror and devastation of 2005’s Hurricane Katrina. Saints head coach Sean Payton says the team has a special relationship with the people of New Orleans.

“This is a city that really has been very close to this team through a lot of hard times. And after Katrina, when the Saints were able to get back and play in the Superdome there was certainly some symbolism that evening. I think playing good football and giving them something to be proud of is important,” he said.

The game has special meaning for Peyton Manning as well. He grew up in New Orleans, where his father Archie quarterbacked the Saints during 10 losing seasons.

There were more relevant references to NOLA that could have been made but the point is they were unnecessary. Anyone with a brain can make the connections without urging from the media. And if you are going to make an emotional case for a sad situation at least have the common courtesy to present a balanced appraisal. Like most of NOLA’s troubles are of their own making or neglect.

One title in news reports suggested someone might be making the case for balance.

Not everyone is happy for the Saints

It was really no shocker to find a sports report suggesting others in the sporting world may be unhappy with Sunday’s outcome. And in the opening the author wondered upon arriving in NOLA if he would observe a population hung over the Superbowl XLIV or ‘revving up’ for Mardi Gras then expecting both.

And President Obama hosted a Superbowl party in a week when he has renewed talk about bipartisanship in the wake of the failure of his flagship agenda item, ‘health’ reform. The lone member of the GOP invited was Joseph Cao of the LA-2 which includes most of NOLA.

It had nothing to do with the game or NOLA but a down payment on the purchase of Cao’s vote for the Demcare. Cao was the only Republican in the House to vote for it based on promises of help for NOLA from President Obama.

The point here is enough already with the wailing and gnashing of teeth about NOLA or Katrina. For about three hundred years the city has been below sea level. There is an abundance of reference material available to demonstrate the repeated failures of public officials and private interests to adequately deal with Katrina-like vulnerabilities for years. Some of that information is on this site and at this blog.

The final word on New Orleans and Katrina is get over it. Stop blaming others for problems of your own doing.

Once again the economic media darlings weigh in. Paul Krugman deserves his lefty description. This is a man who would be a natural for NASCAR; circular motion always moving to the left. And like NASCAR races, each lap is a repeat.

In a column of his last week, Fiscal Scare Tactics, Krugman makes his case with something as appealing to liberals as bashing Bush. That is, bashing Bush. When they’re not bashing Bush they’re bashing Bush or something about Bush.

So why the sudden ubiquity of deficit scare stories? It isn’t being driven by any actual news. It has been obvious for at least a year that the U.S. government would face an extended period of large deficits, and projections of those deficits haven’t changed much since last summer. Yet the drumbeat of dire fiscal warnings has grown vastly louder.

To me — and I’m not alone in this — the sudden outbreak of deficit hysteria brings back memories of the groupthink that took hold during the run-up to the Iraq war. Now, as then, dubious allegations, not backed by hard evidence, are being reported as if they have been established beyond a shadow of a doubt. Now, as then, much of the political and media establishments have bought into the notion that we must take drastic action quickly, even though there hasn’t been any new information to justify this sudden urgency. Now, as then, those who challenge the prevailing narrative, no matter how strong their case and no matter how solid their background, are being marginalized.

‘…even though there hasn’t been any new information to justify this sudden urgency’ is exactly the point, Mr. Krugman. For all the disdain elites and political power brokers have for ordinary citizens my fellow ‘commoners’ and I do understand clearly at least one element of this topic.

The following are some things that increase and rarely, if ever, decrease.

-The US national debt
-The US budget deficit
-Taxes
-the size of government
-the pay for those in government including elected representatives
-entitlements
-those receiving entitlements
-legislation that spends taxpayer dollars
-the amount of money borrowed by the government
And did I mention taxes?

Mr Krugman: Continuing to spend money we don’t have is a bad idea. And yes, it is an idea that is not new. That’s the problem. Not like their should be a learning curve on this issue. Spending what you don’t have is what caused much of our current problems. And the agenda(s) being pushed in DC are tantamount to the Madoff ponzi scheme.

Obama-speak, et al (translation): We are taking more of your money (tax dollars) to spend on things we want that will benefit you in the long run.

Like I said, a ponzi scheme to rival Madoff. And where is he currently residing?

And from another media darling comes the following:

This being a democracy, don’t the Democrats see that clinging to this agenda will march them over a cliff? Don’t they understand Massachusetts?

Well, they understand it through a prism of two cherished axioms: (1) The people are stupid and (2) Republicans are bad. Result? The dim, led by the malicious, vote incorrectly.

Liberal expressions of disdain for the intelligence and emotional maturity of the electorate have been, post-Massachusetts, remarkably unguarded. New York Times columnist Charles Blow chided Obama for not understanding the necessity of speaking “in the plain words of plain folks,” because the people are “suspicious of complexity.” Counseled Blow: “The next time he gives a speech, someone should tap him on the ankle and say, ‘Mr. President, we’re down here.’ “

A Time magazine blogger was even more blunt about the ankle-dwelling mob, explaining that we are “a nation of dodos” that is “too dumb to thrive.”

The key ‘economic’ word here being ‘agenda.’ And the attitude of those now governing toward those being governed is as much a part of an economic discussion as anything else. Since it is the dollars of those governed that those now governing plan tu use for their agenda. And the problem is, to pay for it, requires borrowing into the next millennium and continuing to pay for it long after that.

This is why liberals bashing the Tea Party citizens is an idea as bankrupt as their agenda. There is a piece at the Boston Herald from a ‘fellow’ at the Heritage Foundation that should make Mr Krugman cringe.

If spending jumps $12,000 per household, taxes must eventually rise. The president would make a large down payment on that with a $2 trillion tax hike on all Americans. Yet that would still leave the government running up $8.5 trillion in deficits over the decade, setting the stage for even larger and more damaging broad-based tax hikes later.

Ominously, economists close to the White House suggest that a value-added tax of 15 percent and 20 percent is eventually possible to finance Obama’s agenda.

By doubling the national debt over pre-recession levels, he’d push America toward a tipping point - where rising debt levels will become too large for global capital markets to absorb. This could trigger a financial crisis, an interest-rate spike and tax hikes.

And it still comes down to that nothing new concept Mr Krugman alluded to in his column. We cannot continue to spend what we don’t have. Everyone can understand that.

And to couple another item with Mr Krauthammers’ commentary comes the following brief item Charles Hurt at the NY Post. In a small amount of space Mr Hurt condenses the sanity of tea party nation those plain words for plain folks like us, down here, near the voting booth.

These people have come from all across the nation for the first National Tea Party Convention to denounce not just President Obama and the Democrats, but Republicans and all of Washington for getting infected with the same voracious and parasitic plague spawned by big-government liberalism.

Read the rest, it won’t take long and anyone can understand it. Even those lowly voters who have the audacity to raise a loud voice in opposition to leaders with a hearing problem.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

The past year has seen several dynasties reassert their dominance in U.S. sports. In this look back at 2009, the Los Angeles Lakers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Penguins, the New York Yankees and top college teams added more trophies to their collections.

The Pittsburgh Steelers made history when they won last February’s National Football League Super Bowl game played in Tampa, Florida. Their 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals gave the Steelers a record sixth Super Bowl championship, one more than the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers have won in the 43 seasons the game has been played.

Pittsburgh had finished the regular season with the second best record in the AFC at 12-4 while the Cardinals squeaked into the post-season from the NFC at 9-7.

The Cardinals looked on the verge of winning their first Super Bowl title when Steelers’ quarterback Ben Roethlisberger organized a drive capped by a touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes to win the game in the waning seconds.

Steelers’ coach Mike Tomlin said after the win that his team was prepared for whatever the Cardinals threw at them.

“So many times, football teams get caught up with the game not unfolding the way they envisioned it unfolding,” Tomlin said. “Or the way the media tells them it is going to unfold leading to the football game. We go into games with no preconceived notions.”

Gators clinch another title

In U.S. college football, the University of Florida Gators won the title for the second year in a row and the fourth since 1996 when they beat Oklahoma in the Bowl Championship Series game January 9.

Florida quarterback Tim Tebow completed 18 of 30 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns in the 24-14 victory. The Gators were 13-1 for the season, with only a loss to Mississippi preventing them from going undefeated.

Carolina wins another NCAA crown

In college basketball, the University of North Carolina won its fifth NCAA men’s Division One title by beating Michigan State, 89-72, in Detroit. The win was UNC Coach Roy Williams’ second national crown in five seasons at the university he attended as a student.

“Winning the second national championship for our Alma Mater is even sweeter,” Williams said. “They [the players] have been on a magical run and, as I said last night, they took me for a fantastic ride.”

U Conn trounces Louisville in Women’s NCAA finals

In women’s college basketball, the University of Connecticut went undefeated (39-0) and won the NCAA title with a 76-54 win over Louisville. The victory gave Huskies’ coach Geno Auriemma his sixth national title and his fifth since 2000.

Auriemma said he was glad he did not have to face the disappointment of losing after his team played so well during the regular season and the tournament.

“These kids deserve it, even if I don’t, which I don’t care if I do or not. But all I kept thinking about was ‘Man, I do not want to get up tomorrow morning with that feeling,’” he said.

Meanwhile, Pat Summit, the University of Tennessee women’s coach, won her 1,000th victory in 2009. In 35 seasons in Knoxville, Summit has amassed 1,005 wins, eight national titles and 14 Southeast Conference titles.

Lakers capture 15th title

In National Basketball Association play, the Los Angeles Lakers captured their 15th title in 2009, beating the Orlando Magic in the best-of-seven finals in five games. The Lakers’ win gave Coach Phil Jackson his 10th NBA title, including four with Los Angeles and six with the Chicago Bulls. Jackson said his players deserved all the credit.

“I’ve always felt as a coach that you have to push your team,” Jackson said. “And they pushed themselves and I really feel strongly that this is about them. However, having won 10 championships is a remarkable accomplishment, there’s no doubt about it.”

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant took home his fourth NBA crown and was voted the finals Most Valuable Player. Bryant said winning his first title without former teammate Shaquille O’Neal was a great relief.

“It felt like a big-ole monkey was off my back,” Bryant said. “It just felt so good to be able to have this moment. You know for this moment to finally be here and to reflect back on the series and the season and everything that you’ve been through, - it’s top of the list, man.”

Basketball Hall of Fame inducts Jordan

One of the men who contributed to Phil Jackson reaching his milestone - former Chicago Bulls star Michael Jordan - was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.

Jordan said at his induction ceremony that he loves basketball, and his love for the game propelled him to his amazing career achievements.

“I don’t look at this moment as the defining end to my relationship with the game of basketball,” Jordan said. “It is simply a continuation of something I started a long time ago. One day you might look up and see me playing the game at 50, because limits like fears are often just an illusion.”

In other honors, Cleveland Cavaliers guard LeBron James was named the regular season Most Valuable Player for 2009.

Yankees win world series

In Major League Baseball, the year started poorly for Alex Rodriguez and the New York Yankees. Before spring training, Rodriguez admitted to using steroids while he played with the Texas Rangers in 2001-2003. Then a hip injury hindered the Yankees’ third baseman, but later he would emerge as one of the team’s leaders.

The Yankees won their 27th World Series title in November with a four games to two win over the defending champion Philadelphia Phillies. The title came in the first year of the Yankees’ new $1.6 billion ballpark.

Japan’s Hideki Matsui was voted the Series’ Most Valuable Player after he hit .615 (8 for 13) with three home runs and eight runs batted in (RBI), including a World Series record-tying 6-RBI performance in Game 6. He then became a free agent, and after seven years with the Yankees signed with the Los Angeles Angels.

The Yankees’ cross-town rivals, the New York Mets, also opened a new ballpark in 2009, the $900 million Citi Field.

Buehrle pitches perfect game

Elsewhere in the Major Leagues, Chicago White Sox left-handed pitcher Mark Buehrle threw the 18th perfect game in Major League history against the Tampa Bay Rays on July 23. Buehrle threw 116 pitches and had six strike outs in the 5-0 victory, the first perfect game since Randy Johnson threw one for Arizona in 2004.

The Chicago left hander said that he had a tough time grasping the significance of his achievement.

“Any time your name gets up there with some of the greats in the game, it obviously means a lot,” Buehrle admitted. “I think it’s another thing when you sit back and retire and you see how many perfect games have been thrown in history and your name is in there, I think that’s when I will sit back and kind of be surprised.”

Penguins win NHL title

The Pittsburgh Penguins won the National (ice) Hockey League title by beating perennial favorites the Detroit Red Wings in seven games. Sidney Crosby led the Penguins with 15 playoff goals, even though he had to sit out most of the deciding game with a knee injury. It was the Penguins’ third Stanley Cup and their first since 1992.

In U.S. auto racing, stock car driver Jimmie Johnson won the NASCAR Sprint Car Championship for a record fourth straight year. At the Indy 500 race in May, Helio Castroneves of Brazil took the checkered flag for the third time in his career, just weeks after a jury had cleared him of U.S. tax evasion charges.

No triple crown winner

In U.S. horse racing, there was no Triple Crown winner - again. Jockey Calvin Borel rode two of the three Triple Crown champions, but missed a personal Triple Crown at the Belmont.

Aboard 50-1 long shot “Mine That Bird,” Borel won the Kentucky Derby May second.

Tom Dirkin shared the amazement of others watching the race as Borel rode to victory.

“Mine That Bird has come now to take the lead as they come down to the finish. And a spectacular upset! Mine That Bird has won the Kentucky Derby. An impossible result here!” the announcer exclaimed.

Borel then made the unprecedented move of changing mounts to ride “Rachel Alexandra” to the Preakness title two weeks later. However, in June’s Belmont Stakes, Borel missed a personal Triple Crown when “Summer Bird” won the New York race.

Untimely deaths

Tragedy also marked the past year in U.S. sports, as 22-year-old Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart died in a car crash April 9, just hours after he threw six scoreless innings against the Oakland A’s.

Former Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair was killed in a bizarre murder-suicide in July. The 36-year-old McNair was found dead in his apartment next to the body of his alleged mistress.

Former Detroit Pistons coach Chuck Daly also died in 2009. The 78-year-old Daly led Detroit to two NBA titles and coached the 1992 U.S. Olympic men’s “Dream Team” in Barcelona.

Other deaths of note in 2009 included Special Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver, former Boston Red Sox outfielder Dom DiMaggio and Philadelphia Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas.

The past year brought the first decade of the new millennium to a close with several long-time champions reasserting themselves. As the so-called 20-aughts (years with zeros) end, the Yankees, Lakers, Steelers and other perennial powers hope to continue their tradition of winning.

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