Party Like a Rock Star...

If you haven't been watching the Democratic National Convention, you need to. I guess everyone's been saving their money speeches for this week and I'm sure Barack's will be no different tonight. Former president Clinton gave a great speech last night. Great enough, I think, to make everyone forget how annoying he became during Hillary's run. He made me admire him again and realize all over again why I wish he would have been able to run for a third term. Also, Steven Spielberg produced a tribute to US Veterans and it was pretty awesome. Then again, when has he ever done something bad that was related to the military or army?



Sadly though, the more people I talk to about politics or more specifically, this election, the more I realize no one cares. Despite everything in this country being in the shits, people still don't care enough to read a paper or watch the news. It amazes me to hear what little people know about an election as important as this one, and it demoralizes me to hear that they just don't care. I'm not sure what the notion behind all this apathy is? That maybe this election doesn't effect them? That it doesn't matter who the president is? That watching America's Got Talent is somehow more beneficial to them than deciding who to vote for?

I admit that I am not the most knowledgeable person when it comes to politics or the inner workings of lobbyists and congress, but I'm trying. And I'm also not trying to sound self-righteous. I love watching inane shows as much as anyone else, but I do have a problem when people don't pay attention to what's happening or know anything about what is going on, but pass themselves as people who care; concerned citizens. Doubtful. I'm fine with the people who willingly admit they don't care. It takes more self awareness to admit that. I don't agree with them, but I respect their decision to not care about the election and then not vote. What bothers me are the people that don't care but say they do. The ones who say they are voting for someone and then can't give an answer as to why. This is how Bush got elected twice. People don't pay attention to anything and then we end up with an awful president for 8 years.

Anyways, tonight Barack accepts the Democratic Nomination and will probably give one of the best speeches since the one he gave at the convention in 04. Watch it. It'll be on at least 8 different channels and he will probably speak around 9 though it could come earlier. Regardless if you are already voting for him, or voting for McCain, just watch it. Take an interest in the world you live in. I realize college football kicks off tonight. I'm not saying you need to listen to what a bunch of random suits have to say about every single line anyone has said during this election, or pretending like they have some insight into politics because I hate the pundits as much as anyone else. But I do think you should watch Obama's speech tonight and McCain's next week. It's important.

Sorry. That turned into a rant. Anyways, go big or go home...

-M, p, z & shredder

Yes, We Can...

Though Clinton clearly can't win now that Obama has enough delegates, she still won't drop out. I'm not sure what kind of sense, if any, that makes but I'm going to try and figure out her line of reasoning. Either she has actually deluded herself into thinking that she won the popular vote (she didn't), she thinks that her being white will even everything out in the end (it won't (I hope)), she believes that staying in somehow gives a voice to all the people who voted for her. The logic in all of these reasons is flawed but it seems to be the last one that she is sticking to as her story.

First of all, just because she is still fighting doesn't mean that she's making the "18 million people who voted for her" have a voice, it means she's more stubborn that I am which is a difficult feat. It's an election. That's what happens. People lose. Even, in the case of Gore in 2000, the majority on occasion. She didn't win the majority, she has no chance of winning the nomination and yet somehow she thinks she should stay in. What about the millions who voted for Edwards in the primaries in 04? What about the millions who voted for Kerry in 04? should everyone who runs get to be president? Is that what she's implying? Obviously not really, but if you break it down that's pretty much what it boils down to. It's kind of insane.

Anyways, enough about that. Just had to mention something because she's kind of driving me crazy. Here's the newest trailer for that lovable Wall-E. If you don't start to laugh at about 1:20 into it, you don't have a heart.



As always, go big....

-M, p, z & shredder

Yes, We Will?...

Seriously Hillary? You can't think of your own hook so you steal my boy's? That's a little pathetic right? In case you didn't see her speech last night, Hillary ranted for a while about Barack's 'empty' speeches and figured the best way to make her point was to steal his catch phrase. Crazy.

Anyways...Sunday was senior night for the MSU basketball team and I saw something that reminded me why I love sports so much. I have never really been a huge college basketball fan. In high school I used to only watch March Madness and got more into it after going to college at a school that had a great basketball team. Over the years though, I have come to appreciate NCAA hoops a lot more. While there are still many things I don't like about it (35 second shot clock, most players suck, can't shoot, 3 point line is too close (though it's changing next year)) there is so much about it that is basketball at it's best.

Oftentimes in the NBA the 'love' gets lost. Players forget that they get to play basketball for a living and make more money than would ever be necessary. People decide that they are going to turn down a 3-year 27 million dollar contract because that's "not enough money to feed their family." They lose the love and claim that their 'heart is in their chest' and not with a team and leave a beloved team and city for more money with a rival. They bicker about every single call or no-call to the refs and argue with their coaches.

College basketball is different. It is people playing basketball because they love it. Because they love to be on a team and compete. Sure winning is important but it's not everything. At least to most schools. If you aren't a top tier school, the odds of even making the tournament are pretty slim given the number of D1 schools. People play because they love the sport. They respect the other teams, the other coaches and best of all, they go 100 percent on every single play. You never see people walk up the court getting back on defense or play lazy, partly because they have a short schedule but mostly because they want to play hard.
















So at senior night on sunday, en route to blowing out 12th ranked Indiana by 30, Drew Neitzel and Drew Naymick played their last games at home for the Spartans. I remember when they were both freshman and talking about how good we were going to be with Neitzel and while we haven't won a championship we got to the final four under him. It was sad to see them go because they always played their hearts out and on their way off their home court for the last time they each kneeled down and kissed the "S" at center court. It was a pretty touching moment I think for any Spartans fan and hopefully for basketball fans in general. They loved the game so much and appreciated every second on the court so much that they kissed the floor of a gym where they spent 4 years working their asses off for free. That's why I love basketball and that made me love not only the Spartans, but basketball in general a whole lot more.

Anyways, that's all for now. Go big...

-M, p, z & shredder

oh ps - if you know what's good for you, you'll go buy Vampire Weekend. Best cd I've purchased in a long time. For realz.