What's in your Cuban?

Hello... Hello... Okay, Im glad you're still there, I couldn't hear you for a second. Im still here as well.

Back to live action. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban recently admitted on a sports radio show that he has smoked weed before. Cuban did not go into detail about his use but his admission was in defense of his all-star forward Josh Howard. He was prompted by Dan Patrick, formerly of ESPN, who asked, "do you care if he [Howard] smokes pot"? Cuban replied that he would be a hypocrite if he said yes. I guess its reassuring to know that smoking weed doesn't stop you from earning billions. However on the business side of things i don't think Cuban would be wrong if he cared. Im almost certain that when Cuban puffed he wasn't required to be in tip-top shape and his lungs weren't tied to fourth quarter like light bulbs are to darkness. Although Cuban says that he believed Howard had not done so during the season, he still needs to look into it no matter how small he perceives it to be (he does pay this guy millions).

Since im on this subject; granted smoking weed is illegal is it really something that should be? From my personal accounts as the third person perspective the people i have observed don't appear to be to detrimental to society when mentally dusted. If you ask me (and only if) alcohol appears to wreak more havoc than weed does. Hey, Im just saying...doesn't weed cure glaucoma?

What you nervous about?

I was just reminded of this so it is slightly past due, but not really. The NFL draft just passed and during the time leading up to the draft plenty of players are interviewed and participate in national television appearances. Most of the potential players that are publicized are relatively sure-fire 1st round pics and maybe an early 2nd rounder.

I am confused as to why the players always talk about how nervous they are and things of that nature. How can you be nervous when you are CERTAINLY going to be selected on the first day of the draft. One of the reoccuring questions is "what if you slip back from maybe a 5th pick to like a 20th pick". I don't think it matters if you slip back 15 slots because you are still getting an opportunity to live out your dream. Approaching situations humbly is usually the way to go. These players just need to be grateful that they are in this situation and not be worried about where they are selected, just as long as you are selected. When selected you are going to be making exponentially more money than you were prior to, so why sweat it?

The main thing is you have to work hard in order to retain your position anyway, there have been some high draft selections that did not bloom and were bounced from the league within maybe three years, and on the contrary you can be selected in the late rounds and forge a path and nice career for yourself.

I guess the guys feel how they feel but i find it rather awkward for the fortunate to be worrying about matters so trivial. ( I had to use my LSU guy as the picture, time to get busy Dorsey)

Funny Money

What is this nation doing? In an attempt to save some cheese many corporations and organizations (24 on the aol list) are closing doors, closing shops, or cutting back. Among the companies named some of the more recognizable were: Home Depot, Starbucks, Sprint, CompUSA, Macy's, Lane Bryant, Kripy Kreme, Sharper Image, and Rite Aid. Most of these are just losing stores and employees, but there were a couple on the list that filed for bankruptcy or bankruptcy protection.

This could be a start but the leaders of these companies have to make better decisions. It seems as if everyday somebody is closing something. However chew on this, the average CEO salary according to a graph by CNNmoney.com is $613,826. The average figure for an individual in the retail sales division is $24,000. To be completely candid about this topic, there is a notion that retail sales is a relatively easy position to replace. However, I actually think the same can be said for the CEO position, granted there aren't that many. There are plenty of company executives that harbor the necessary thought processes to make sound company decisions, but there is only one per company so the numbers don't weigh the same. The average CEO tenure is about five years now, a sharp decline from ten.

But the question that i am trying to arouse here is, are CEO's worth that much more than some of the more populous positions. If this were the founder or entreprenuer that started the company than i would not have anything to say because they bore that risk and start up cost and it was their life on the line. But the CEO's are often not that. They should definately be paid well but that is a pretty big disparity. I have a hunch that the brain trust running the companies are not adjusting well to changing methods, technology, and processes. The people who should get paid are the people who do research because that's what these companies need in order to figure out how to make better decisions.

The point is, those in charge need to use some savvy business acumen to make it work. I hope it gets better but the money in the in country is tight. Hope you don't have to borrow a dollar anytime soon.

Running for your life

Excuse the brevity because this isn't my fortay. The question i pose is, why after the Kentucky Derby did they have to kill the horse (eight belles) that broke his two front ankles, and on the track at that. Like i said i do not know alot about horse physical therapy but i suppose there could have been some sort of horse cast they could have given the philly, right? I do know that he needs to be able to walk but im sure with modern technology and money they could manufacture something. Or did they have to kill her because the horse could no longer be a race horse and make money, I don't know, im just throwing that out there. Oh yeah, and here comes PETA...

Regularly Random Scheduled Health Update

I want everyone to reach into the medicine cabinet and grab an aspirin. It seems like everyday they find a new benefit of the over-the-counter "wonder drug". I have heard the people that swear by aspirin. In yet another report, the National Cancer Institute reveals that an aspirin a day can reduce breast cancer in women by 16%.

They say aspirin can reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular related deaths. It is also used to reduce pain and inflammation. Aspirin slows the progression of colon cancer and can prevent some cancers from occurring at all and the same goes for dementia. This is phenomenal for such an inexpensive OTC. All this can be done with a low-dose aspirin. With all this good stuff floating around i did a little more research.

From the tablets of the highly regarded UofM health room here is some cautionary advice. A. Mark Fendrick M.D. noted "Although taking aspirin leads to a wealth of potential health benefits for adults, people should realize that even a baby aspirin is not free of dangerous side effects,Therefore, in my opinion, aspirin should not be taken on a daily basis without first discussing it with your health care provider". One of the trade offs is the increasing susceptibility to a bleeding ulcer. The level of protection in the stomach is decreased and can lead to a perforated ulcer or bleeding in the GI tract. They also note that thousands of people die each year from complications with aspirin and other NSAID's (non-steroidal anti inflammatory drug).

You learn when you read this blog, huh? Im just here to educate. Remember, the more you know, the more you grow.

They had it Bubblin like Soda Foam!

This pic is from one of the cooler spots that had sneaks.

As im boppin from city to city i had an epiphany. Independence and comradery is a state of mind. Im sauntering down Peters St. in the peach state and i see they know how to get it bubbling in a major way and the location is irrelevant. Here's the blueprint; a block about a half mile long packed with independent business on both sides and actually a couple around the corner. There is actually an art show every third friday of the month i believe but all the businesses in the area welcome you, even though they may not have art. The doors are all open and most of the spots offered complementary drinks and snacks.

A few spots actually had some art, every open lot or building had some local art and/or artist in it. The boutiques were open about an hour later and the whole thing drew a nice crowd. It is something to be said for people coming together and everybody can eat. Someone needs to tell these northerners that its enough money for everybody to eat. The whole thing was so cool because every place had its own flavor and it was pumping with lively ideas and creativity. A couple of restaurants were on the strip and the food that i had was on point like a harpoon.

The critical detail here is that the neighborhood/area is nothing special but because the people and businesses showed so much love it made the area special. I even ran into my man from De La Soul (shout out to original hip hop), the dark skin bald one. Matter of fact dude was sitting outside one of the good eats in a chair on his mac book, talking to his people when they came by. One of the eateries had a Mac that you could just walk up and use to jump on the internet or do what you please. It was creative.

So what im tryin to say is: Show love and We can All get it Crackin!

"Im Not Buying It"

Gentlemen and ladies we have a guest speaker today. Coming to the stage is my main man Hump. (Applause) Hump you have the floor:

Yesterday April 21 marked the kickoff of Senator John McCain’s “It’s Time for Action Tour.” The purpose of this tour is for the Arizona Senator to reach out to those as he describes, “That have been ignored for long years by the sins of indifference and injustice, or have been left behind as the world grew smaller and more economically interdependent." This five day tour kicked off yesterday in Selma, AL with a speech on the Edmund Pettus Bridge, which was the site of “Bloody Sunday” and other parts of the state. His tour continued today in Youngstown, OH to visit Fabart Inc. which is a heavy metal fabricating facility which shut down after filing Chapter 11 status, and to conduct a town hall meeting on the campus of Youngstown State University. His tour will continue with stops to Kentucky, New Orleans and other parts of Louisiana, and Little Rock, Arkansas. Now I think I’m one of the most positive and optimistic people you will ever meet, but with this particular issue I can’t be, with these reasons.

During his tenure of public service, the presumptive Republican Presidential Nominee has shown characteristics of one who has been ignoring those who he described on his tour. One example is as a Congressman in 1983, McCain voted against creating a federal Martin Luther King Holiday, motion that was voted for by the majority colleagues including at the time Reps. Dick Cheney of Wyoming, and Newt Gingrich of Georgia. This same man, who voted against honoring the memory and legacy of one of the greatest men to walk the face of the earth, had the audacity to go to Memphis, Tennessee and participate in the 40th anniversary of his death and speak in front of the motel of where he was assassinated. In my opinion, this was an attempt to garner camera time and votes for the general election by trying prostitute the legacy of a man and a movement. In his defense Senator McCain has said his position has evolved since he voted against the now national holiday, but his evolution is hard to comprehend when he continued to vote against legislation for the advancement of minorities and the underprivileged.

In 1990, Senator McCain voted against the Civil Rights Act of 1990. This bill was designed to address employer discrimination by imposing new penalties on employers convicted of job discrimination. Senator McCain didn’t vote against this bill not once, not twice, not three times, but FOUR times. In 1999 Senator McCain voted to table an amendment that required States to address juvenile delinquency prevention efforts and system improvement efforts designed to reduce the disproportionate number of juvenile members of 'racial minority groups' who come in contact with the juvenile justice system. When interviewed in 2004, Senator McCain stated he would not support affirmative action policies in public college admissions. Concerning the underprivileged, Senator McCain has on 8 different occasions voted against increasing the minimum wage.

Like I said before, I consider myself to be a very optimistic person and I want to assume positive intent of his “tour” through areas of the country he feels the Republican Party has neglected and taken for granted for so many years. It is hard for me to do this because it was just last year where Senator McCain denied the opportunity to participate in a dialogue concerning the issues of minorities and the underprivileged during “The All American Presidential Forums” held on the campuses of Howard University and Morgan State University. These debates were opportunities for the candidates from the Democratic and Republican Parties to directly address the issues facing the people described in Senator McCain’s tour. It is funny how back then when nobody believed he had a shot at a legit bid at The White House he didn’t want to address the issues of minorities and the underprivileged. Now since he is on the brink of doing what he set out from the beginning of his candidacy, he wants to now reach out to those who have been forgotten.

I’m sorry Senator McCain, but I’m not buying what you’re selling.

A Job without Benefits... or Consequences

The New York Knicks have a new president and his name is Donnie Walsh. Walsh obviously comes in with his own ideas and theories. One of the first decisions he made is to strip Isaiah Thomas of his general manager and head coach title. However, they are retaining him in a mystical capacity. Donnie Walsh said that no person will report to Isaiah and he is to have no contact with the team. As a matter of fact the wording states, "he is barred from contact with the team as a result of his reassignment agreement". The question that should be asked then would be, is he still going to get paid? For the record, Isaiah assembled that whole team.

Pretend this is not the Knicks i am talking about lets make it Sony. What person have we ever seen or known that works but reports to no one? They are also allowed to work but can have no contact with another division of the company. This is like the movie Office Space where they move the gentleman down to the basement and he works by himself, but in actuality he doesn't even work for the company, he just thinks he does. Possibly Isaiah will be submitting reports and information to an erroneous email address too. How can this be a real job? Even more peculiar is Walsh's candor (i have always been one of the most fervent advocates for honesty), most executives use some form of soft deception and ambiguity to sugar coat a company position to make it appear more than what it is. Matter of fact think about your job and when they hired you. But Walsh lunged straight forward and virtually said, hey this guy won't be helping anybody and won't be talking to anybody. He should have just said he's useless but we don't want to fire him just yet.

The Knicks are in disarray and there are whispers that Mark Jackson could be in line for a coaching job. A guy that has played but never coached matter of fact he has spent the last few years in the broadcasting booth. Here's a memo to New York, save yourself some money and hire me, I cost less!

Times are rough for you too, huh?

This was my guy in his hey day. I recently found a report from Nov. 07 that former ESPN Sportscenter anchor, talk show host (Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn on CBS), and actor from the Benchwarmers showed up homeless, drunk, and passed-out in front of ESPN's studios in Bristol, CT. Im uncertain as to how they deemed he was he was homeless but the article said so, therefore they have to deal with any repercussions if its not true, not me. The account also reported he was extremely frail. Granted this is hitting the blog past it ripe date, im sure you didn't know either so consider this breaking news.

Allegedly at the time he was found he had one shoe, not as if that means he was homeless. He managed to finagle his way into ESPN studios, im assuming only because he previously worked there. Once in the building he became disruptive yelling former catch-phrases from his stint on the air with ESPN. Im sure he got that nostalgic feeling being back at his old stupering, oops i mean stumping grounds. He was extremely aggressive and obnoxious but yet aloof. A past co-worker attempted to help Kilborn once he unexpectedly found Kilborn sitting in his chair. This is way more depressing than i thought it would be when i clicked the link. You can look him up if you want the disheartening details (I kept it light).

Now here's my commentary: How can you shut it down on Sportscenter, get your own show on CBS (that was actually kind of funny) and then you end up in the bottom of the barrel, scraping. Maybe athletes aren't the only ones who blow their money. But lets not go to far yet, back to this homeless thing. How do they know he was homeless? Did he have a certificate that said "just lost house; homeless", semi-colon and all. Maybe they indulged...but here is something to remember, its never as good as they say it is and its never as bad as they say it is. Im gonna look up and he is going to be on Good Morning America getting his shine on. And if that happens i want a cut because i held him down on the blog.

Remember when you grandparents told you not to spend it all in one place. Turns out they knew what they were talking about.

Goodbye California...

Pay attention people. This is pretty serious. Governor Schwarzenegger has signed a law outlawing terms that are allegedly percieved negative to gays, i.e. "mom and dad" and "husband and wife" in public schools. WHAT! If you want to look the bill up it is Bill SB777. Furthermore, students male or female can now utilize the gender oriented restroom and locker room of which they choose to identify with. To put it in rudimentary terms (perhaps i shouldn't have used rudimentary) the boys can use the ladies restroom and locker room and vice versa. All you can do is shake your head to this one. This is a quote so you know im not making this up.

"We are shocked and appalled that the governor has blatantly attacked traditional family values in California," said Karen England, executive director of Capitol Resource Institute.

For all the salt of the world this is demoralizing. Even more important is the fact that text, teaching aids, and reference guides that refer to marriage as only between a man and a woman or say people are born male and female (nothing in between) will be banned. In addition, sources that fail to include a variety of transsexual, bisexual and homosexual historical figures, and sex education materials that fail to offer the option of sex changes will also be banned.This is important because California is one of the largest purchaser of text books, from what i read publishers are not apt to labor the cost of making two sets of text books, one for California and one for the rest of the states, and do not intend on losing California as a purchaser because they are a substantial money tree. So what do we anticipate the textbooks will look like in the near future? Like my man Big Boi said, "an adolescent mind is very impressionable in those stages". Additionally the word "sex" will no longer refer to your biological gender.

Only in Cali, that's what they said when Arnold was elected and look what has spawned. My question is what should the children who have mothers and fathers call their parents, because they are mom and dad. They are expeditiously trying to reform America, they are looking to break values and create chaos. It is not discriminatory to anyone if a child calls his mom "mother", how can someone be offended, that is what she is. It doesn't refer to anyone else's family situation. If you effectively get rid of mother and father then will boy and girl be next? Will we all just be simply "human". If California does not understand that only a man and a woman can make a child then they deserve to break off and drift into the ocean. This is what happens when you get shows like "Tila Tequila" all over tv. In an effort to desensitize people gradually inject more and more homosexuality into America and then it turns into this. For the record I love everyone but right is right and wrong is wrong. To choose your own way of life is your right and that should not be taken away from you, ultimately you live with the decisions you make. However, when you begin to confuse children that creates a larger problem. Children are probably not even concerened with sexuality. Private schools should see a significant spike in Cali, and if they don't then its a problem. How can parents feel comforted and at ease that their child is being educated in school and not being brainwashed concerning sexuality. First they take prayer out of school and now this.

California you can go ahead and break off into the ocean whenever you get a minute. You can populate your island with gender reflective relationships and see how that works. Arnold has really done it this time, seriously!