Ladies and Gentlemen, your former Golden Gopher Joel Przybilla...

The final buzzer sounds and the Portland Trailblazers head off the court after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves by a score of 107 to 84.

Some Timberwolves fans, having been bored by the game and disappointed with the start of the season, decided that they weren’t going to go home without a story to tell. They got one.

After making their way down near the Trailblazers tunnel, they began poking fun at the passing players. First they targeted LaMarcus Aldridge, saying that “Texas sucks!” and getting a reply of “Championship game, fellas” alluding to the Longhorns’ football success.

Next on their list was Greg Oden as they taunted him by saying “they should have drafted Durant!” with little to no acknowledgement by Oden towards the fans remarks. These few fans continued to hassle the Trailblazers as they headed down the tunnel exit.

Joel Przybilla however, apparently doesn’t take too kindly to hassling from opposing teams’ fans. As you may know, Przybilla was born in Monticello, Minnesota and was the star center on the University of Minnesota basketball team for two seasons in 1998 to 2000. Przybilla left Minnesota after being suspended for "lack of academic commitment”. This coming on the heels of reports of massive academic fraud in the Gophers basketball program and admissions by team tutors who acknowledged doing schoolwork for players. This is where the Timberwolves’ fans hit a nerve.

As the 7-foot Przybilla strolled into the tunnel heading toward the locker room, the fans dropped a bombshell and he definitely returned one. All that was said was “Joel, do your own homework!” At this point, Przybilla was already under the overhang and out of sight from most fans. Upon hearing this remark, Przybilla stopped dead in his tracks. He then turned around and came back out from under the overhang and yells to the fans, “Suck my d*ck, mother f*ckers!” Wow. Przybilla is just another example of the University of Minnesota’s finest and always pleasant men, those Gophers. Apparently, not so golden after all.

Global Warming: A Convenient Lie

Introduction
In the coming months and years, mankind will face forces that will threaten Earth’s very existence. The sea level will rise to great heights, causing massive flooding resulting in complete destruction. The food chain will go into complete disarray causing humans and animals to starve to death. Environments will be irreparably changed forever. Wars among tribes and nations will ensue. There will be utter confusion and panic. This is an urgent and eminent threat. This is the defining issue of our time. Unfortunately this is not a blockbuster drama film, but this is actually what is being said about global warming and its potential effects.

Narration
The global warming debate is nothing new. In fact, the issue has been debated since the 1980s with no true consensus still to this day. Only recently has it become such a hot topic due to the increased media exposure. Currently, the issue of global warming has transformed into more than just the increased temperature of the Earth. The term climate change is now a more widely used term often substituted for the term global warming and focuses on anything in an environment that is different from years past. Global warming or climate change is also pointed towards for being the root cause of many natural disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina. Proponents say the biggest cause of global warming is humans and their increased production of greenhouse gases due to a “ridiculous over-dependence on carbon-based fuels” according to Al Gore. These gases are those in the atmosphere such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone that absorb and emit radiation while preventing heat from escaping. The projections of future climate change over the next century and beyond are “based on insufficiently verified climate models and are therefore not considered reliable at this point in time” (Khandekar, Murty, & Chittibabu 1557). Therefore, although there appears to be a rising global temperature at the moment, there is no evidence to link this to the harsh consequences said to be caused by human activity which is the proposed theory that is laid out by proponents of global warming.

Proposition
The human-caused climate change issue is greatly exaggerated and merely used for the gain of money, power, and control. (Value)

Forecast
Starting in the 1980s, the idea of global warming has since turned into an economic, social, and political issue. The media has taken advantage of the global warming hysteria and run with it. Those such as Al Gore have taken the idea and used it to promote their own ideology while bringing in revenue from films and books by exploiting the controversy. Countries and organizations have used global warming to gain funds as well as power and influence. All of these examples tend to exaggerate and skew the issue in order to frame it in their own context for their own personal gain.

Presentation
The main groups associated with the global warming frenzy include the United Nations, many governments, the media, many large corporations, scientific organizations, and a large portion of the general public (Carter 61). Even though there is “no scientific consensus as to the danger of human-induced climate change,” there is still great alarm within all of these groups (Carter 61). This alarm is greatly attributable to the media and its exaggerated and often misleading coverage of the climate change issue. In pursuit of circulation needs and high ratings in order to increase their revenues, the media is “full of doom and gloom” about human-caused global warming (Carter 61). Al Gore makes millions of dollars by making films and giving speeches on this topic even though he is not an expert on the subject and has been proven wrong on numerous occasions. However, the general public is drawn to these two sources of information because of their exaggerated claims and begins to accept these claims as true without regard to any factual support or lack thereof.

The underlying concern for all of these groups is that human activity and the increased production of greenhouse gases is causing destructive changes in the environment. This hypothesis has failed multiple tests thus far. There has been shown to be no close relationship existing between the 20th century patterns of increasing carbon dioxide and changing temperature which then translates to present day (Carter 62). The rates and magnitude of temperature change during this time fall well within previous natural limits of change. Lastly, the deterministic computer models that have been used have proved unable to predict the course of temperature change since 1990, so why would it now be reliable to predict temperature change up to the year 2100 (Carter 62)? Studies have also debunked the myth that increased carbon dioxide is a dangerous pollutant. Increased carbon dioxide has repeatedly been shown to be beneficial for plant growth and thus not a dangerous pollutant (Carter 62). Ignoring this, governments and organizations like the United Nations still want to have control over how much carbon dioxide humans produce in order to increase their power and influence over others. Therefore, since many of these groups’ claims have gone unproven, they must bend and shape the truth to their liking in order to benefit themselves.

Conclusion
Although there is much known about climate and weather, there is still much that is unknown. However, those who want to promote their own ideologies as absolute truth fail to recognize this fact. In reality, the climate change issue is significantly more complex than just an increase in the Earth’s temperature and thus far there has been no convincing scientific evidence for a measurable human effect on global climate (Khandekar, Murty, & Chittibabu 1557). In light of this, many people and organizations simply choose to ignore what does not fit within their constructed argument. This is easy to do because providing exaggerated and misleading concepts and ideas will help bring about their own personal desires. Whether it is money, power, or control, they are all pursing something and their means of getting it are all the same: deception through exaggeration.


References

Carter, R. M. (2007). The Myth of Dangerous Human-Caused Climate Change. The AusIMM
New Leaders’ Conference, (pp. 61-74). Brisbane.

Khandekar, M. L., T. S. Murty, and P. Chittibabu "The Global Warming Debate: A Review of
the State of Science." Pure & Applied Geophysics 162.8/9 (2005): 1557-1586. EBSCO MegaFILE. EBSCO. Web. 12 Oct. 2009.

HAIL TO THE VICTORS!

Toulmin Model: University of Michigan Football

Claim 1: The University of Michigan is the most successful football team in the Big Ten conference.

Ground 1/Claim 2: The University of Michigan is one of the most prestigious football programs in college football.

Warrant 1: Prestige is associated with high quality and success.

Ground 2: The University of Michigan has won more Big Ten championships than any other team.

Warrant 2: The number of Big Ten championships is a good measure of success.

Ground 3: The University of Michigan has won more National championships all-time than any other team in the Big Ten Conference.

Warrant 3: The number of National championships is a good measure of success.

Ground 4: Among Big Ten conference teams, the University of Michigan has the second most alumni currently playing in the NFL.

Warrant 4: Producing NFL players is associated with a successful college football program.

Ground 5: The University of Michigan averages the highest attendance in all of college football.

Warrant 5: Attendance numbers are directly related to the success of a sports program.

Claim 2: The University of Michigan is one of the most prestigious football programs in college football.

Ground 6: The University of Michigan has the most wins in college football history.

Warrant 6: The number of wins is directly correlated to prestige and success.

Ground 7: The University of Michigan has the highest all-time winning percentage in college football history.

Warrant 7: Winning percentage is directly correlated to prestige and success.

25 Things I Dislike About This Administration, Congress, And The Economic Stimulus Bill... (February 6, 2009)

25 Things I Dislike About This Administration, Congress, And The Economic Stimulus Bill... So Far...

Hope? There is none (1).
Change? Isn't always good (2).

President Obama (3), who preached hope and change throughout his campaign, appears to be creating hopelessness (4) in the hearts and minds of the American people, whom many may now wish they could change their November 4th vote.

As the euphoria of President Obama’s inauguration begins to wear, so too does his message (5). Although his first approval rating is near 62 percent, his early executive orders have drawn some sharp opposition. Americans have not approved of his first major decisions in office; to close the Guantanamo Bay prison (6) and to allow U.S. funding for overseas planning organizations that provide abortions (7). Now as the trillion dollar economic stimulus package (8) is being discussed and more information is being disseminated to the public, approval of the bill is falling fast as only 37 percent of Americans favor the legislation.

President Obama and the Democratically controlled Congress (9) are resorting to scare tactics (10) in an attempt to gain public favor of a bill that is filled with outrageous pork-barrel spending projects (11). Some of these projects that are supposed to stimulate the economy include $355 million for "STD Education" (12), $400 million for HIV and Chlamydia testing (13), $600 million for hybrid cars for government employees (14), $25 million for ATV trails (15), $7 billion for modernizing federal buildings and facilities (16) and the list goes on and on. Fortunately, $200 million to re-sod the National Mall was recently removed from the bill, but this is only one small step that needs to be taken to rid the economic stimulus bill of unnecessary spending.

President Obama and Congress claim this is the worst economic times in the United States since the Great Depression and that America has never seen anything like this. However, economic times were actually worse in 1982 than they are now. 27 years ago is far from the 75 years ago which was the Great Depression. But as we know, Democrats are bad with numbers; Obama thinks there are 57 states (17), Nancy Pelosi thinks 500 million Americans lose their job each month (18), and Obama’s nominees think they don’t have to pay their taxes (19). President Obama and Congress want Americans to believe we are headed for the Great Depression II in order to get their economic stimulus bill and selfish agendas passed with less opposition (20). In fact, the entire economy actually rose 1.3% for all of 2008. However, as we all know free-markets go through cycles, but eventually repair themselves when left alone or simply encouraged like with Reagan's economic recovery plan which showed that reducing excessive tax rates stimulates growth.

Where is our country’s leader in this time of need? Giving interviews and writing letters to newspapers, rather than addressing the complaints of lawmakers (21) that would help rid the bill of pork-barrel spending and help create bipartisanship. President Obama and Congress are merely increasing the national debt (but what's another trillion dollars right?) and most likely will not stimulate anything with this bill except for the nerves of the American people.

Let’s all hope that President Obama can turn this rough start around and better the United States of America for the good of the people. Thankfully, in God we trust. Not President Obama.


Vice President Joe Biden (22)
Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton (23)
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (24)
First Lady, Michelle Obama (25)

“President Obama has more scandals here during his transition than most presidencies have in one term!”

Breaking Down Barack Part 2

On the eve of Election Day, many if not all of you have your mind set on who you ARE going to vote for. If you are not planning on voting, that is another story. For those of you that are going to vote thank you, it is privilege and your right.

I just wanted to summarize a few things that may make you think twice about who you vote for on November 4th. I will give you my top five reasons behind my choice to NOT vote for Barack Hussein Obama.

1. Obama openly mocked and criticized the Bible and the Christian values that our great nation was founded on. This shows Obama’s ignorance.

2. Obama has relationships with many corrupt people. Obama chose to sit under preaching from Reverend Jeremiah Wright as well as have his children baptized by the black liberation theologian, whose most famous sayings include “Not God Bless America, God Damn America!” and “'If God is not for us and against whites ... we had better kill him” and even went so far as to call America the “US of KKK A.” These are only three quotes from the radical reverend who preaches hate. Tony Rezko, a long time friend and fund-raiser for Obama, was indicted last fall on federal charges that accuse him of demanding kickbacks from companies seeking state business. Obama has ties to terrorist William Ayers. The two met in 1995, when Ayers hosted events for Obama’s political career. Obama and Ayers also served together from 1999 to 2002 on the board of the Woods Fund, a Chicago-based charity that develops community groups to help the poor. Ayers was a member of the Weather Underground, known initially as the Weathermen, who claimed responsibility for a series of bombings, including ones at the Pentagon and U.S. Capitol. This shows Obama’s lack of judgment.

3. Obama has less experience than McCain. Obama even said in 2004 that he would not run for national office because he’s a “believer in knowing what you’re doing” and he believed he was not ready then and he is not ready now. Obama’s experience in government pales in comparison to John McCain’s experience and leadership. America does not need hope or change, America needs leadership. This shows Obama’s inexperience.

4. Obama will make America less safe. Obama will end “misguided defense policies” such as the surge in Iraq that has brought countless terrorists to justice and will “cut investments on missile defense systems.” Next he will “slow development of future combat systems” so when the United States is fighting fourth-generation warfare and beyond against terrorists around the globe, our soldiers will not be equipped with the latest combat systems and equipment that they will need in order to be successful and keep America safe. Next he “will not develop new nuclear weapons” and make “deep cuts in our nuclear arsenals.” Meaning less missiles and munitions available which are needed to protect and defend America. This shows Obama’s misunderstanding of national security.

5. Obama will make America closer than ever to a socialist country. Obama favors a socialistic economic approach by supporting tax cuts and tax credits which would merely shuffle wealth rather than creating it. The tax on the wealthiest American’s would mostly go to those who are not even paying taxes. Obama’s economic plan would hurt small businesses because they will not be able to create jobs due to the high taxes under Obama’s plan. If tax cuts were given to small businesses, jobs would be created and the middle-class would prosper. The middle-class would then be able to support their families and aid the economy because they would have an income. Under Obama’s economic plan, these jobs are not being created, there is no increased income, and the economy suffers. Which is better: A new job that was created from a tax cut for a small business owner who pays his new employee $30,000 or a measly $500 tax rebate given to that same person who didn’t get that new job because one was never created due to Obama’s policy? This shows Obama’s incompetence when it comes to the economy.

I am not voting for a man. I am voting for service, leadership, moral values, experience, judgment, Capitalism, and most of all security and you should too. Make the right choice. Barack Obama is an empty suit full of meaningless words and unreal promises. Don’t believe the hype. Vote John McCain.

Breaking Down Barack Part 1

Breaking down Barack Hussein Obama:

To start it off, Barack Obama has rejected the free market vision of government that America was founded on. In a free market economy, the suppliers and consumers determine the price for products rather than the government based on the supply and demand. The government maintains some control over the price by setting price ceilings and price floors; which is needed to provide structure. Obama says that the free market “doesn't require much thought or ingenuity.” Instead he would rather have the government control everything; decide what and where your money should be spent, taking away options for every American citizen. This apparently takes much more thought and is more original. Obama’s economic view appears eerily similar to the socialist market economy view, like that of communist China.

Barack Obama has questioned the harsh penalties for drug dealing, noting that selling 15 tablets of Ecstasy was the same class of felony as raping a woman at knife point. However, it may never have crossed his mind that illicit drug use can be a preliminary step in violent crimes such as rape and homicides.

Percentage of State and Federal prison inmates who reported being under the influence of drugs at time of their offense, 1997
Type of offense Federal prison inmates State prison inmates
Total of all inmates 22.4% 32.6%
Violent offenses 24.5 29.0
Murder 29.4 26.8
Negligent manslaughter * 17.4
Sexual assault 7.9 21.5
Robbery 27.8 39.9
Assault 13.8 24.2
Other 15.9 29.0
Property offenses 10.8 36.6
Burglary * 38.4
Larceny/theft * 38.4
Motor vehicle theft * 39.0
Fraud 6.5 30.5
Other 16.4 30.6
Source: BJS, Substance Abuse and Treatment, State and Federal Prisoners, 1997.

Interestingly enough, Obama experimented with cocaine in high school, as well as smoked marijuana throughout high school and college. Obama now gets his high from nicotine, as he is a smoker to this day.

America’s so-called addiction to oil is high on the issues list for candidates to discuss this upcoming election. First and foremost, Barack is against drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in order to preserve the animal’s view of the wilderness. The United States Department of Energy estimates that ANWR oil production between 2018 and 2030 would reduce the cumulative net expenditures on imported crude oil and liquid fuels by an estimated $135 to $327 billion, meaning less dependence on foreign oil. Obama voted YES on removing oil and gas exploration subsidies. Instead of adding taxes on all foreign oil imported, which would raise your money for renewable resources, this bill that Obama voted for calls for taxing our domestic oil and hindering America’s energy progress.
Barack Obama is weak on homeland security. Obama thinks that Al-Qaeda is stronger now than in 2001 as Iraq distracted us, even though the United States has eliminated many top leaders of Al-Qaeda in the region. Also, the United States has heard only empty warnings with no fruition from terrorist organizations for over seven years now because America has gone on the offensive rather than staying on the defensive. However, Obama states that the United States is “no safer now than we were after 9/11.” Obama has flip-flopped on his homeland security stances. First he promised to repeal Patriot Act, and then he voted for it.

Part of our national security is the immigration issue. Obama thinks “that if they are illegal, then they should not be able to work in this country.” But he also wants “to give them a pathway, so that they can earn citizenship.” In summarization, Obama believes that illegal immigrants should be able to stay in America, not work, live off of Americans’ tax dollars and eventually become a citizen of the United States. Essentially, Obama wants American citizens to give their money in order to fund programs and assist people who do not belong in America at the moment.

And finally, we must look at Obama’s experience. “Good leaders develop through a never-ending process of self-study, education, training, and experience.” Obama’s experience in political office pales in comparison to John McCain, the GOP’s number one. Obama, who is vying for the Presidential spot, may not even have as much experience to the GOP’s number two Sarah Palin. Vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin’s tenure as Alaska governor equals, if not exceeds, Obama in experience. Palin, 44, has spent 12 years in elected office: 10 years as a city councilor and mayor and nearly two as governor. Obama, 47, has also spent 12 years in office: eight years as a state senator and close to four as a U.S. senator. Meaning Palin in fact has more executive experience than Obama and with the President being the chief executive of the United States, this could be a problem. It is not merely about how much experience but a matter of what kind of experience. Yet, the Democrats comparison of Obama and Palin makes no sense as they are vying for two different spots. However, the liberal drive-by media consistently attack Palin for her experience compared to Obama’s. What should be looked at and examined is the experience of John McCain compared to Barack Obama first and foremost.

Quick Facts:

-Obama was ranked most liberal in Senate, based on 99 votes.

-Took donations from Tony Rezko, who is an American political fundraiser, restaurateur, and real estate developer in Chicago, Illinois convicted on several counts of fraud and bribery in 2008. Obama was also involved in some shady real estate dealings with Rezko. Scandalous?

-Recently stated he has traveled to 57 states, with one left to go, not including Alaska and Hawaii. Out of touch much?

-Joined church that emphasized a "Black Value System" which is a congregation with a non-negotiable commitment to Africa and was exposed to Islam as he attended Muslim and Catholic schools. Whose values does he really hold?

-Defended Infanticide, or Live Birth Abortion, the killing of fully born infants who survived failed abortion attempts and were left to die. This is "deep dyed, cold blooded, ruthless, ideology."


Barack Obama is a Hard-core Liberal. Tax, tax, tax. Spend, spend, spend.

Another Draft Gone Wrong

New Flash: Kevin McHale STILL sucks.

McHale traded Antoine Walker, Marko Jaric, Greg Buckner and the rights to No. 3 pick O.J. Mayo to Memphis for Mike Miller, Brian Cardinal, Jason Collins and the rights to No. 5 pick Kevin Love.

Also, don't forget about the trade that sent Mario Chalmers to the Heat for two 2nd-round picks in what will be one of the least talented drafts in recent years.

The trade was essentially Mike Miller and Kevin Love for O.J. Mayo. Now 1/3 of the Minnesota Timberwolves is white. When did the last team with four white guys on the roster win an NBA championship? Not since McHale's days as a player. Currently three of the best white guys in the NBA are Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash, and Manu Ginobili. What makes these three different from Kevin Love? They are very athletic and can shoot! When did the last very good white power forward come along? The answer is probably not since McHale's days as a player. Kevin Love is a glorified Mark Madsen, who so happens to also be on the Wolves. The best thing analysts had to say during the draft was how strong his passes were. Who cares! He can't get up and down the floor and isn't the greatest scorer down low. I would probably take any starting power forward in the NBA right now over Kevin Love. I just don't see him helping the Wolves long term.

The Timberwolves will be near the bottom in every defensive category as the only defender they have is Corey Brewer, whose ONLY asset is defense. Their starting five will be atrociously bad on the defensive end. Their tallest guy is Al Jefferson at 6'10'' so they will also have one of the smallest teams in the league.

Mike Miller is a good shooter but just a more athletic Wally Szczerbiak. Miller will not help bring Minnesota a championship during his time on the team.

It looks to be a very bleak future for the Minnesota Timberwolves franchise. Their only hope is to overhaul management and find a new and respectable coach. At least with Mayo on the team their was hope of something great on the horizon but with Love their is only mediocrity for many more years to come. Thank you Kevin McHale.