Fireworks and the USA

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I debated on whether or not to post something about Michael Jackson and the intense media coverage since his death. Perhaps I may make a post about that subject in the next day or two. Instead, since we are fresh off of our 4th of July celebration, I decided to post about two articles that I found on CNSNews.com regarding Fireworks.

By now, if you read here on a regular basis, you know that I think any climate change is primarily solar in nature. I am not a fan of the whole concept of the idea of cap and trade or any legislation that would increase our energy costs or impact our standard of living. I have posted about it here, here, and here.

So what did that little side rant about global warming have to do with fireworks. The first article that I came across talked about the fireworks industry coming under greater regulation if the cap and trade bill passes the Senate. Because fireworks give off CO2 when exploded, the fireworks industry could be subject to the bill. As such, the costs of our neighborhood celebrations will further stretch the already tight budgets of our local governments.

The second article, deals with the fireworks display at the National Mall. Most of the fireworks that were shot off were made in Communist China and not the USA. It just seems extremely ironic, not to mention inappropriate, that on the holiday where we celebrate our freedom as Americans that we would be using fireworks made from a totalitarian regime. I'm just saying.

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Music Monday-Van Zant "These Colors Don't Run"

In honor of the 4th of July, a tribute to our flag and our military. Van Zant and "These Colors Don't Run."

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.

Joey Chestnut Breaks Record

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In addition to all of the cookouts, parades, and fireworks displays, the 4th of July is also the day of annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest. The event held every year on Coney Island could be considered the Super Bowl of the competitive eating world. The goal is to eat as many hot dogs and buns you can eat in 10 minutes as contestants vie for the coveted Mustard Belt.

The contest figured to be battle between six time champion Takeru Kobayashi of Japan and two time defending champ Joey Chestnut of the good ole USA. Kobayashi first won the contest in 2001 when he set a record consuming 50 hot dogs in 10 minutes. Chestnut first entered the contest in 2006 and gave Kobayashi a run for his money by eating 52 dogs. Kobayashi edge him out for the crown by eating 53 3/4 dogs, a new record.

2007 marked the end of Kobayashi's reign as top dog. Chestnut inhaled 66 dogs to Kobayashi's 63 to win the event. 2008 was the closest battle between the two rivals as the main event ended in a tie with both men eating 59 dogs. Chestnut won the "eat off" by finishing 5 hot dogs before Kobayashi. This year, Chestnut easily defeated Kobayashi setting a new record of 68 dogs to Kobayashi's 64.

Personally, I can't imagine eating 68 hot dogs in a month, much less in 1o minutes. Here for your viewing pleasure is part of yesterday's contest. Remember, these guys are professionals. Don't try this at home.

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Steve McNair 1973-2009

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I was supposed to work my part time job of delivering pizzas this evening. I had a feeling it would not be a very busy night. After all, how many people have pizza on July 4th. Especially when it is a sunny day with temperatures in the 80's. So it was no surprise when I walked into work and was told that they did not think they would need me and that I could go home if I wanted to.

So I walked back to the car to head home in a pretty good mood. It is always more pleasurable to be at home with the family than to be working. My good mood was tempered when I heard the news that former NFL quarterback Steve McNair was found dead in his apartment. McNair and a woman had been shot to death in a double homicide.

McNair played his college football at Alcorn State University where he earned the nickname "Air" McNair for his proficiency in executing the passing game. During his college career, McNair finished with over 16000 yards passing and averaged 400 yards passing per game. In his senior year, his combined rushing and passing yardage was nearly 6000 yards. He won the Walter Payton Award for the most outstanding offensive college football player and finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting.

McNair's success at Alcorn State led to him being the third player selected in the 1995 NFL Draft by the then Houston Oilers. The Oilers later moved to Tennessee and became the Tennessee Titans. McNair led the Titans to their only Super Bowl appearance. He finished his career in 2007 after two seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. Among his accomplishments in the NFL was being named co-MVP of the league in 2003 and three Pro Bowl appearances.

McNair had begun to move on in his life after football having opened his first restaurant, Steve McNair's Gridiron9. The restaurant opened just two weeks ago on June 19 and was talking about opening more. Sadly, McNair's life is cut short at the young age of 36 years old. Let's hope that the police in Tennessee will quickly find the murderer.

UPDATE: It is now being reported that McNair was the victim of a murder/suicide. The woman also found dead in the apartment was 20 year old Sahel Kazemi. McNair was shot several times, and Kazemi died from a single gun shot to the head. A gun was found at the scene.

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Sarah Palin Resigns

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Sarah Palin announced yesterday that she will not be seeking re-election to the governorship of the state of Alaska. As such, she will be stepping down from the position by the end of the month.

When elected governor, Palin had promised no more politics as usual. Since she was chosen to be John McCain's running mate in the 2008 presidential election, she has faced a number of attacks from opposition. She cited those attacks and the cost to the state of Alaska as reasons why she was not going to seek re-election. She also stated that she considered taking advantage of her "lame duck status" but decided that would not be in the best interest of Alaska.

She gave no specifics as to her future plans other than to say that she would continue to fight for those things that she believed in, and to campaign for those who share in those ideals. GOP Chairman Michael Steel says he will be speaking to Palin soon and that she is an important voice in the party. Speculation exists that the move could lead to her making a run at the Senate or the 2012 GOP Presidential nomination. Regardless of what she decides to do, I am sure we have not heard the last from Sarah Palin. At least, I hope not.

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Declaration of Independence

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Happy Fourth of July to everyone out there. Today is a day for a lot of folks to enjoy their families, have a cookout, and watch their local fireworks show. These are all great and wonderful things that we should enjoy with our freedoms. We had our celebration a day early with a Baysox game and fireworks show last night.

However, today should also be a day to remember how this day came to be. 233 years ago today, our Founding Fathers set forth our Declaration of Independence from the tyranny of King George III and the British Empire. I have been thinking a lot more these days about the Declaration and our Constitution. It is my earnest wish that our elected officials would go back and read these documents, and read them without the bias of their political ideologies. I would hope that they are wise enough to see that our government has gotten closer to King George than to ideals that founded this great country.

It is our Declaration of Independence that inspired Abraham Lincoln to say in his Gettysburg Address that "Government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall not perish from this earth." Our government more and more has become a government for special interest groups. Our elected officials have become more concerned for gaining and maintaining their power, not serving those that elected them.

Speaking of government by the people and for the people, I would like to point everyone to a website I recently found. I have always had at least a passing interest in politics. The last few years it has become almost a passion. The People Decide is a website that has as it's stated goal to "Bring the voice and the will of the people to our congressman and elected officials." At the People Decide, you can look over pending legislation and vote for or against that legislation. It keeps a running tally, also viewable by state, of how their community voted. There are also links for every member of the House and Senate so that you can easily email your elected officials to tell them how you feel about the different pieces of legislation.

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Charles Rangel-"Pharmaceutical Companies Are Stealing"

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You just have to love the holier than thou attitude of a great many of our illustrious leaders in the political world. Today, I heard a story on the radio that Congressman Charlie Rangel (Dem-NY) has accused the pharmaceutical industry of "stealing." His comments came in response to the pharmaceutical companies stating that they are willing to work with the government to help control costs. The implication being that since they are now willing to accept less money that they were for the previously charging for the same products then they must have been stealing or acting immorally.

Now don't get me wrong, I am not a big fan of paying a lot for my prescriptions. Each member of my household has three or four prescriptions each. They are expensive, even with insurance. However, the last I checked, the pharmaceutical industry is a "for profit" entity. So how does the pharmaceutical industry justify their pricing?

1. First off the pharmaceuticals invest a lot of money and manpower in research and development. For every successful drug they bring to market, I am sure there are a number that fail. In order to make a profit, they must recoup those R&D costs.
2. Once a drug comes to market, the manufacturer only has the ability to market that drug for a finite amount of time before they face competition from generics.
   
3. Many of these same pharmaceutical companies have programs to help patients that do not have enough money to afford lifesaving drugs.

So, we have businesses engaging in lawful activities, making a profit. How awful! When did we get to the point in this country where making a profit is a bad thing. Plus, let's take a look at the man who is accusing these companies of stealing.

1. As chairman of the House committee that writes the tax code, Rangel failed to report and pay taxes on $75000 of rental income for a villa he owns in the Dominican Republic.
2. Rangel rented four rent controlled apartments in Harlem and used one as his campaign office which was in violation of the New York City law that requires rent controlled apartments to be used as a primary residence.
3. Rangel used Congressional stationary to solicity funds for his charitable foundation from companies that had business before the House Ways and Means Committee he chairs.
4. Rangel used a House parking garage as a storage unit for an old Mercedes, a violation of Congressional rules.

It amazes me that a man who is involved in so many questionable activities himself can accuse companies engaged in legal activities of stealing. That he can do it with a straight face is even more mind boggling.

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