A Little Blurb About Election '08
M.D. Wright
11.4.08
I will keep this short, as I have studying to do and some other blogs to post before the end of this week. However, this historic event warrants a few thoughtful words on my part.
As an Independent who is not beholden to either party, I am not given to the pot shots and labeling that many of the people who grundgingly cling to their party affiliations are wont to resorting to. My wallet was and always is going to be my main concern when it comes to who the President. Everything else is up for grabs and I will adjust accordingly.
Having said that, as a Black man, I am happy to see Sen. Barack Obama become President-Elect of the United States, here on November 4, 2008. I have been truly following politics since I was five years old (my mother took me with her as she went out to hear Jesse Jackson and his supporters speak as he ran for President in 1984) and I have been politically inclined ever since. I followed the 1988 Election, which was much like this one, but everyone knew Jackson would not win.
THIS TIME, however, the anticipation built steadily throughout March and April... throughout the summer and again in the past couple of weeks when reality set in: Barack Obama was going to be elected the next President of the United States.
I think this campaign showed both how far we have come as a nation, but also how divided we still are, how racist MANY people still are (and swept it under the rug, hoping they'd never have to truly address it) and where peoples' minds and hearts really were. Everyone had an opinion. That was not the case in 1984, 1988, 1992 (although that election felt similar to 2008) and there was definitely a general feeling of apathy in 2000 and 2004.
As I watched John McCain's concession speech, I have to give him shouts for taking the high road and being gracious in defeat, not giving himself over to taunts and low blows. He was sincere. HOWEVER, as a lot of his supporters both at his speaking locale and here locally in North Carolina and elsewhere demonstrated, there are a LOT of hateful people out here. And I mean White people who hate Black people for no reason other than the fact they are Black.
WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO. And regardless of what you believe about party lines and what have you, McCain WILL uphold his word to "reach across the aisle" and work with Obama and the Dems to get this nation back on track. As far as the Body of Christ goes, we HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO. The two sticking points I have with Barack Obama are two of the main contigents for his being elected: 1) Homosexuals/Gay Rights Activists and Supporters and 2) Pro-Choice Abortionists. Personally, I don't anoint the President as Jesus Christ, Savior and Lord. The Church should be attacking these issues, instead of being scared to even mention them, because sex is STILL SO FRIGGIN' TABOO in the Church. Isn't it obvious that the things we REFUSE to deal with in the Church are the things that come back to bite us in the tail in the end...? Isn't that ALWAYS the case...? WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO NOW?
As for President Obama, I am happy for him, and I am happy as a Black man to have witnessed this IN MY YOUTH, and not crusty, old and bent over (no homo).
I think we're going to be alright, despite what senseless, no-matter-what-I'm-going-to-support-Republicans-just-because meatheads who think that if you do not fit into their Cookie Cutter image of America then you're wrong and they must change and control you. I think that is what turned me off from the Republican Party (2002-2007) and what has a lot of Democrats and especially Blacks and Latinos who DID NOT GROW UP LIKE WHITE PEOPLE and are naturally different, turned off to them as well. People need to realize that we are all different and have different gifts, talents, skills and perspectives. Just because we do not all agree that there is one way to skin a cat does not mean that the person who DISAGREES with you is WRONG. Democrats seem to have a lesser problem with this than Republicans. Think about it.
I want Republicans and Ultra-Conservatives/Bigots/Racists to take a LONG look at themselves and see the hatred and hypocrisy trail that they have left for everyone to see over the past nine months or so.
As politically incorrect as I wanna be.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
My NFL Week 10 Power Rankings - Election Day Edition
My NFL Week 10 Power Rankings - Election Day Edition
M.D. Wright
11.4.08
1. Tennessee Titans.
I'll give them a break, since we have been looking iffy on offense of late (even though we've still scored 85 points against decent defenses in the past three games).
2. New York Football Giants.
The running game cannot be stopped, which is why the Giants will be there in the end, despite Eli Manning's play of late. And despite a secondary which is battered right now.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers.
Look at their injuries. They still find ways to win. Even their starting QB out for half the game last night, they manhandled Washington.
4. Carolina Panthers.
They have looked very suspect in their losses, but they are still 6-2. Look at their next few games...
5. Arizona Cardinals.
Say what you want, but I have said since late last year that their defense is NASTY and my boy Tim Hightower is about to take off as their RB. You already know about their league-best WR trio. Keep Warner upright and they'll win 11.
6. Chicago Bears.
I'm gambling that they will keep up the good play at QB and solid defense (along with Forte's running ability).
7. Baltimore Ravens.
Remember they lost three straight TOUGH games. Now they won three in a row and they look scary.
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
They win ugly and lose even uglier. But hey, they are 6-3.
9. Washington Redskins.
They took a few steps back after last night's debacle. Their losses outside of the Giants' opener have been inexplicable.
10. Philadelphia Eagles.
I hate them, but they are finding ways to win with an iffy offense (don't look at their points scored, they're doing it against awful, beat-up teams).
11. Atlanta Falcons.
I'd put them higher, but their defense is shaky outside of Abraham getting sacks (and 2nd in the league at it, BTW) and Brooking's solid play at MLB.
12. New England Patriots.
I hate them, but they are 5-3 for a reason.
13. New York Jets.
Only because they lost to the Patriots in Week 2.
14. Buffalo Bills.
They look flummoxed of late.
15. Dallas Cowboys.
OK, this is their season. They are 5-4. Romo comes back. They face a shaky (lately) Washington team. Make or break for them. Appropriately right here in the middle.
16. Green Bay Packers.
Whiffed on a chance to prove their worth vs. Tennessee.
17. Indianapolis Colts.
I still think they are more like the team that beat Baltimore and New England than the one that blew a chance to get closer to Tennessee in Week 8 and their other losses.
18. New Orleans Saints.
I do not know what to make of them. Big offense. AWFUL defense. They are 4-4 for a reason.
19. San Diego Super Chargers.
I think they are going to go on one of their patented 6-7 game winning streaks to save their season.
20. Miami Dolphins.
I don't feel comfortable putting them any lower nor higher.
21. Denver Broncos.
That defense is going to continue being the death of them.
22. Minnesota Vikings.
Ugly team to watch. But their defense is saving them quite a bit lately.
23. Houston Texans.
I'm sticking with them all year, even if they end up 8-8 and three years off the pace I had them initially (11-5).
24. Jacksonville Jaguars.
They suck. The end.
25. Cleveland Browns.
They made an unnecessary QB change. It might sink their boat, right when they were beginning to play more consistently.
26. St. Louis Rams.
At least they are semi-competitive.
27. San Francisco 49ers.
YIKES...
28. Cincinnati Bengals.
Too bad they waited until halfway through the season to start playing well on offense.
29. Seattle Seahawks.
I almost feel bad for Mike Holmgren. They were slated to win 10-12 games. They might not win 5 now.
30. Kansas City Chiefs.
They are playing with a spark, as if they are playing to win the game.
31. Oakland Raiders.
That game Sunday was an absolute horror show. I do not put them lower because...
32. Detroit Lions.
The Lions are the worst team in the league. THE END.
M.D. Wright
11.4.08
1. Tennessee Titans.
I'll give them a break, since we have been looking iffy on offense of late (even though we've still scored 85 points against decent defenses in the past three games).
2. New York Football Giants.
The running game cannot be stopped, which is why the Giants will be there in the end, despite Eli Manning's play of late. And despite a secondary which is battered right now.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers.
Look at their injuries. They still find ways to win. Even their starting QB out for half the game last night, they manhandled Washington.
4. Carolina Panthers.
They have looked very suspect in their losses, but they are still 6-2. Look at their next few games...
5. Arizona Cardinals.
Say what you want, but I have said since late last year that their defense is NASTY and my boy Tim Hightower is about to take off as their RB. You already know about their league-best WR trio. Keep Warner upright and they'll win 11.
6. Chicago Bears.
I'm gambling that they will keep up the good play at QB and solid defense (along with Forte's running ability).
7. Baltimore Ravens.
Remember they lost three straight TOUGH games. Now they won three in a row and they look scary.
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
They win ugly and lose even uglier. But hey, they are 6-3.
9. Washington Redskins.
They took a few steps back after last night's debacle. Their losses outside of the Giants' opener have been inexplicable.
10. Philadelphia Eagles.
I hate them, but they are finding ways to win with an iffy offense (don't look at their points scored, they're doing it against awful, beat-up teams).
11. Atlanta Falcons.
I'd put them higher, but their defense is shaky outside of Abraham getting sacks (and 2nd in the league at it, BTW) and Brooking's solid play at MLB.
12. New England Patriots.
I hate them, but they are 5-3 for a reason.
13. New York Jets.
Only because they lost to the Patriots in Week 2.
14. Buffalo Bills.
They look flummoxed of late.
15. Dallas Cowboys.
OK, this is their season. They are 5-4. Romo comes back. They face a shaky (lately) Washington team. Make or break for them. Appropriately right here in the middle.
16. Green Bay Packers.
Whiffed on a chance to prove their worth vs. Tennessee.
17. Indianapolis Colts.
I still think they are more like the team that beat Baltimore and New England than the one that blew a chance to get closer to Tennessee in Week 8 and their other losses.
18. New Orleans Saints.
I do not know what to make of them. Big offense. AWFUL defense. They are 4-4 for a reason.
19. San Diego Super Chargers.
I think they are going to go on one of their patented 6-7 game winning streaks to save their season.
20. Miami Dolphins.
I don't feel comfortable putting them any lower nor higher.
21. Denver Broncos.
That defense is going to continue being the death of them.
22. Minnesota Vikings.
Ugly team to watch. But their defense is saving them quite a bit lately.
23. Houston Texans.
I'm sticking with them all year, even if they end up 8-8 and three years off the pace I had them initially (11-5).
24. Jacksonville Jaguars.
They suck. The end.
25. Cleveland Browns.
They made an unnecessary QB change. It might sink their boat, right when they were beginning to play more consistently.
26. St. Louis Rams.
At least they are semi-competitive.
27. San Francisco 49ers.
YIKES...
28. Cincinnati Bengals.
Too bad they waited until halfway through the season to start playing well on offense.
29. Seattle Seahawks.
I almost feel bad for Mike Holmgren. They were slated to win 10-12 games. They might not win 5 now.
30. Kansas City Chiefs.
They are playing with a spark, as if they are playing to win the game.
31. Oakland Raiders.
That game Sunday was an absolute horror show. I do not put them lower because...
32. Detroit Lions.
The Lions are the worst team in the league. THE END.
ESPN NFL Week 10: Power Rankings
ESPN NFL Week 10: Power Rankings
RK (LW) TEAM REC COMMENT
1 (1) Titans 8-0-0 Outplayed for a good while by Green Bay, the Titans didn't flinch and found a way to win, making it to the halfway point of the season undefeated. (PK)
2 (2) Giants 7-1-0 They didn't play that well on offense -- and still killed the Cowboys. A showdown with the Eagles looms. (MM)
3 (4) Steelers 6-2-0 The Steelers finally proved they can beat an NFC East team this season. (JW)
4 (3) Panthers 6-2-0 Healthy and rested coming off the bye. Oh, the picture gets even brighter. The Panthers start the second half of the season with Oakland and Detroit. (PY)
5 (5) Redskins 6-3-0 Jason Campbell's no-interceptions streak met its demise in the face of a brutal Pittsburgh defense. The Cowboys are coming to town after their bye. (MM)
6 (10) Eagles 5-3-0 The Eagles' defense feasted on Seneca Wallace after a shaky start. Donovan McNabb can't afford to have another awful start. (MM)
7 (9) Buccaneers 6-3-0 Avoided disaster in Kansas City. They get a bye week to try to find their offense. (PY)
8 (13) Cardinals 5-3-0 Despite a big day from Tim Hightower, the Cardinals left lots of yards on the field. (MS)
9 (12) Bears 5-3-0 The Bears face a huge question: Can Rex Grossman keep them in first place until Kyle Orton returns? (KS)
10 (16) Falcons 5-3-0 Coming off a shutout of Oakland, the Falcons will be shooting for their first NFC South win of the season when the Saints visit Sunday. (PY)
11 (19) Jets 5-3-0 The Jets have won four of their past five games and are 2-1 against the AFC East. (TG)
12 (7) Patriots 5-3-0 The injury-riddled Patriots were a play or two from beating the Colts in Indianapolis. Despite criticism from that loss, Bill Belichick might be doing the best coaching of his career. (TG)
13 (14) Ravens 5-3-0 Behind rookies Joe Flacco and Ray Rice, the Ravens have discovered an offense. Uh-oh! (JW)
14 (6) Bills 5-3-0 Everything we thought about the 4-0 and 5-1 Bills is in doubt. They are winless in their division and have dropped three of their past four. (TG)
15 (18) Colts 4-4-0 The Colts deserve credit for their win over New England but played a super-careful style that was hardly captivating. Do they now get to face Byron Leftwich instead of Ben Roethlisberger? (PK)
16 (11) Packers 4-4-0 The Packers have a key two-game stretch against Minnesota and Chicago that could decide their season. (KS)
17 (24) Dolphins 4-4-0 The Dolphins have a couple of ugly losses, but they are 2-1 in the AFC East and are one fluke Brett Favre touchdown pass from being undefeated in the division. (TG)
18 (17) Saints 4-4-0 Survived the London trip and bad luck in the first half of the season. Now, the Saints have to make their move. (PY)
19 (8) Cowboys 5-4-0 Tony Romo will try to breathe life into the fading Cowboys after their bye. A loss to the Redskins on Nov. 16 would be a big blow. (MM)
20 (23) Vikings 4-4-0 Can the Vikings beat the Packers for the first time in the Brad Childress era? (KS)
21 (21) Chargers 3-5-0 The Chargers had a great bye week. They are the only AFC West team not to lose Sunday. (BW)
22 (15) Broncos 4-4-0 The Broncos are trying to figure out what went wrong. But they don't have much time. They have to play Thursday night in Cleveland. (BW)
23 (20) Jaguars 3-5-0 When they were 3-3, those who picked them for the Super Bowl still could map out a big season. It's not nearly as easy now after a terrible two weeks. (PK)
24 (22) Browns 3-5-0 No time to sulk after a tough loss. The Browns take the field again Thursday against Denver. (JW)
25 (25) Texans 3-5-0 No sustainability. The Texans followed a three-game win streak with another road dud. Now they are without Matt Schaub for at least two weeks because of a knee injury. (PK)
26 (26) Rams 2-6-0 Steven Jackson's thigh injury is dragging down Marc Bulger and the Rams' offense. (MS)
27 (27) Seahawks 2-6-0 This is shaping up as the worst season of Mike Holmgren's coaching career. (MS)
28 (29) 49ers 2-6-0 The switch to Shaun Hill at quarterback should reduce turnovers, but protection still is an issue. (MS)
29 (31) Bengals 1-8-0 The Bengals aren't the worst team in the NFL after all. (JW)
30 (28) Raiders 2-6-0 The Raiders have a lot more to worry about than reaching the end zone. They have to move the chains. Oakland had three first downs in its shutout loss to the Falcons. (BW)
31 (30) Chiefs 1-7-0 Next step for the Chiefs: winning. They did everything but win in the past two weeks. They've played hard, but it hasn't been enough. (BW)
32 (32) Lions 0-8-0 The Lions have made some progress under Dan Orlovsky. But it looks like it's Daunte Culpepper time. (KS)
RK (LW) TEAM REC COMMENT
1 (1) Titans 8-0-0 Outplayed for a good while by Green Bay, the Titans didn't flinch and found a way to win, making it to the halfway point of the season undefeated. (PK)
2 (2) Giants 7-1-0 They didn't play that well on offense -- and still killed the Cowboys. A showdown with the Eagles looms. (MM)
3 (4) Steelers 6-2-0 The Steelers finally proved they can beat an NFC East team this season. (JW)
4 (3) Panthers 6-2-0 Healthy and rested coming off the bye. Oh, the picture gets even brighter. The Panthers start the second half of the season with Oakland and Detroit. (PY)
5 (5) Redskins 6-3-0 Jason Campbell's no-interceptions streak met its demise in the face of a brutal Pittsburgh defense. The Cowboys are coming to town after their bye. (MM)
6 (10) Eagles 5-3-0 The Eagles' defense feasted on Seneca Wallace after a shaky start. Donovan McNabb can't afford to have another awful start. (MM)
7 (9) Buccaneers 6-3-0 Avoided disaster in Kansas City. They get a bye week to try to find their offense. (PY)
8 (13) Cardinals 5-3-0 Despite a big day from Tim Hightower, the Cardinals left lots of yards on the field. (MS)
9 (12) Bears 5-3-0 The Bears face a huge question: Can Rex Grossman keep them in first place until Kyle Orton returns? (KS)
10 (16) Falcons 5-3-0 Coming off a shutout of Oakland, the Falcons will be shooting for their first NFC South win of the season when the Saints visit Sunday. (PY)
11 (19) Jets 5-3-0 The Jets have won four of their past five games and are 2-1 against the AFC East. (TG)
12 (7) Patriots 5-3-0 The injury-riddled Patriots were a play or two from beating the Colts in Indianapolis. Despite criticism from that loss, Bill Belichick might be doing the best coaching of his career. (TG)
13 (14) Ravens 5-3-0 Behind rookies Joe Flacco and Ray Rice, the Ravens have discovered an offense. Uh-oh! (JW)
14 (6) Bills 5-3-0 Everything we thought about the 4-0 and 5-1 Bills is in doubt. They are winless in their division and have dropped three of their past four. (TG)
15 (18) Colts 4-4-0 The Colts deserve credit for their win over New England but played a super-careful style that was hardly captivating. Do they now get to face Byron Leftwich instead of Ben Roethlisberger? (PK)
16 (11) Packers 4-4-0 The Packers have a key two-game stretch against Minnesota and Chicago that could decide their season. (KS)
17 (24) Dolphins 4-4-0 The Dolphins have a couple of ugly losses, but they are 2-1 in the AFC East and are one fluke Brett Favre touchdown pass from being undefeated in the division. (TG)
18 (17) Saints 4-4-0 Survived the London trip and bad luck in the first half of the season. Now, the Saints have to make their move. (PY)
19 (8) Cowboys 5-4-0 Tony Romo will try to breathe life into the fading Cowboys after their bye. A loss to the Redskins on Nov. 16 would be a big blow. (MM)
20 (23) Vikings 4-4-0 Can the Vikings beat the Packers for the first time in the Brad Childress era? (KS)
21 (21) Chargers 3-5-0 The Chargers had a great bye week. They are the only AFC West team not to lose Sunday. (BW)
22 (15) Broncos 4-4-0 The Broncos are trying to figure out what went wrong. But they don't have much time. They have to play Thursday night in Cleveland. (BW)
23 (20) Jaguars 3-5-0 When they were 3-3, those who picked them for the Super Bowl still could map out a big season. It's not nearly as easy now after a terrible two weeks. (PK)
24 (22) Browns 3-5-0 No time to sulk after a tough loss. The Browns take the field again Thursday against Denver. (JW)
25 (25) Texans 3-5-0 No sustainability. The Texans followed a three-game win streak with another road dud. Now they are without Matt Schaub for at least two weeks because of a knee injury. (PK)
26 (26) Rams 2-6-0 Steven Jackson's thigh injury is dragging down Marc Bulger and the Rams' offense. (MS)
27 (27) Seahawks 2-6-0 This is shaping up as the worst season of Mike Holmgren's coaching career. (MS)
28 (29) 49ers 2-6-0 The switch to Shaun Hill at quarterback should reduce turnovers, but protection still is an issue. (MS)
29 (31) Bengals 1-8-0 The Bengals aren't the worst team in the NFL after all. (JW)
30 (28) Raiders 2-6-0 The Raiders have a lot more to worry about than reaching the end zone. They have to move the chains. Oakland had three first downs in its shutout loss to the Falcons. (BW)
31 (30) Chiefs 1-7-0 Next step for the Chiefs: winning. They did everything but win in the past two weeks. They've played hard, but it hasn't been enough. (BW)
32 (32) Lions 0-8-0 The Lions have made some progress under Dan Orlovsky. But it looks like it's Daunte Culpepper time. (KS)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
