They Wanna Fock With Us Fans!

Does the NFL think we fans are going to take this football strike lying down? I say we fans should Organize and Financially Terrorize any and all businesses affiliated in any way with the NFL.

I've been calmly praying and hoping that the NFL owners and its players would come to terms and work out a deal. I figured there's enough money to go around for all, its just a matter of agreeing to how they'll slice it up. Then when I got my season ticket renewal request, reminding me how much I annually contribute to these clowns, I got angry.

The NFL is billing me months in advance for a product they cannot deliver today. Ever buy something from a television or newspaper ad where they guarantee satisfaction or your money back? Isn't there always a catch? Well fellow fans, the NFL appears to be doing just that this season; marketing a flawed product with no concern for the sucker placing the order.

What fans need to remember is this: Much of that Pie owners and players will be slicing into is OUR money. Through contracts, sponsors and affiliates fans are supporting NFL owners and players without even buying a ticket to the game.

I came across an article by Susan Milligan on USNEWS website titled:

Football Fans and NFL Cities Should Go On Strike

I chose to comment on the article and share it here with Raider Nation and all football fans. If we have to suffer a loss, they should suffer a loss. Yes, an eye for an eye is what's in order for this situation. Below is my comment:

I agree that fans should hit the owners and players where it hurts, in their pockets. I learned years ago a strategy of protest that might just work here.

Most owners and many players are owners, partners or investors in other businesses. If fans put together a list of businesses associated with NFL owners and players, they can boycott the products of those businesses.

You think sponsors dropped Tiger Woods like a hot potato, wait'll affiliated businesses of the NFL see a drop in sales and investments. Watch as television & satellite affiliates begin suing the NFL because Fans are cancelling subscriptions due to the NFL's negligent behavior.

There's more fans than owners and players, it would definitely get their attention. We fans have much more power than we realize. The key is to organize and act with a tactical purpose.

Boycott NFL Products and affiliated businesses. Organize!

Singer/Songstress Lizz Wright

From Lizz Wright's Album "The Orchard"
Flamenco, Jazz and Blues Intertwined

The Smartest Woman I Know

Ever hear somone talking, whether in person or on televison or radio, and it dawns on you just how smart the person is? Kinda makes you wonder if your own intelligence quotient might be lower than you'd proudly thought, maybe closer to the level of a let's say........ Fredo Corleone of The Godfather fame? Well I had one of those moments while listening to international economist Dr. Dambisa Moyo.

A former consultant for the World Bank and former emerging markets investment banker at Goldman Sachs, Moyo was named by Time Magazine as one of the "100 Most Influential People in the World

Dr. Moyo was born in Zambia and educated abroad in the West. Her accent and look almost resemble what I thought that of entertainer Mary J. Blige. She's hip and has a sleek feminine body that can wear out a taut fitting dress or business suit. Yes, Dr. Moyo's got style. But unlike so many of our stylish covergirls of today its her Intelligence, not her looks, that she is known and praised for.

Now and then while up early in the AM hours I'll listen to a radio broadcast of the San Francisco Common wealth club's guest speaker for the evening. Yeah, I know, what's the commonwealth got to do with sports? Nadda! But for us Fredo's of the world we don't come up short for lack of effort. We can sometimes hear "Smaart."

I tuned in this morning and heard this Brooklyn-British accented woman break down the state of global economics along with the past, present and future of Western economies. Though she used some words we may only find in a mathamatician's dictionary, her delivery was down to earth and decipherable to the most challenged of Fredo's tuning in. Okay, maybe not all of it.

A New York Times Best Selling author, Dr. Moyo was in San Francisco in Feb. 2011, to discuss the content of her second book; "How The West Was Lost." She points out how China has become a manufacturing colossus and their products are admired and welcomed throughout Africa. She's a great teacher and breaks it all down. She's also been on the inside of the financial institutions.

I'm sure there are many smart and beautiful women in the world doing their parts to bring awareness and new ideas to the masses, but Dr. Dambisa Moyo appeals to that Fredo Corleone part of me, who when not throwing down shots and chasing skirts in Las Vegas with Mo Green, enjoys listening to a good early morning radio talk on current events and issues.

A Fredo Moment!

Click on links below to listen to Flora.TV broadcast of Dr. Dambisa Moyo:

Dead Aid (highlights of the hoover institution series)Dr. Moyo argues that foreign aid has harmed Africa and that it should be phased out. The book offers proposals for developing countries to finance development, instead of relying on foreign aid. She argues that foreign aid helps perpetuate the cycle of poverty and hinders economic growth in Africa

How The West Was Lost (Commonwealth club)Moyo daringly claims that the West can no longer afford to simply regard global up-and-comers as menacing gatecrashers. In a world where Western economies hover on the brink of recession while emerging economies post double-digit growth rates, Moyo calls out the economic myopia of the West and the radical solutions that it needs to adopt to salvage its global economic power

Showing Dodgers What Champions Look Like

The World Series Champion San Francisco Giants overcame a Andre Ethier bases loaded triple today in a comeback win over their Los Angeles Dodgers rival.

The Champions are still on fire, with the best MLB record (13-4) of spring training. Beating the Dodgers is always special, I don't care what the circumstances. But to do it with smashing long balls and comeback scoring against the bums in blue in the ninth inning is just awesome.

If you haven't seen Pat "The Bat" Burrell's two run blast you're cheating yourself. His swing definitely has a Will "The Thrill" Clark flavor to it. Cody Ross had two out of the park home runs as well as the Giants gave the Dodgers a preview of what to expect come this season.

Final
LA 7
SF 8

CHUCKY"S BACK!

Not the old Chuckster Jon Gruden, but the Seed of Chucky is named the Oakland Raiders Defensive Coordinator.

Chuck Bresnahan returns to the Raiders after stints with the Cincinnati Bengals and the United Football League's Florida Tuskers. In three seasons his Bengals defenses never ranked higher than 25th in yards allowed, a definite concern. His Tusker teams went to the two UFL championship games, losing both times to the Las Vegas Locos.

From 2000-2003, Seed of Chucky was sprouting under Gruden as Defensive Coordinator of a Raiders team that dominated mostly with an offensive juggernaut comprised of legendary weapons. His last game with the Oakland Raiders was that Super Bowl down I-5 South that we all choose to forget.

So we'll have to wait and see this season if former DC Jon Marshall will be sorely missed or barely a memory in the eyes of fans as Chucky leads the defense into battle.

Welcome Back Chucky!

Oakland Raiders San Diego Smash 2010

Week 7 Oakland Raiders vs Denver Broncos 10-24-2010 HD Highlights


Oakland Raiders top 10 of 2010

DMAC 2010-11 Highlights

Get Rich Slick - OIL

CHEVRON Corporation and the South American indigenous peoples of Ecuador are in the final rounds of their fistfight, a fight that never should have taken place.

Why? Because an Ecuadoran court has already ruled against Chevron and in favor of the Ecuadoreans. The judgment was for $9.6 billion dollars. The court could have imposed $28 billion.

But when you're a big bullying oil corporation with multinational business contacts and loads of money for buying international justice, GUILTY verdicts are technicalities to be ridiculed, downplayed, ignored then finally twisted into a shyster's legal term: Shakedown.

Here's the skinny:

30,000 Ecuadoreans sued Chevron for extensive environmental damage caused by 20 years (1972-1992) of oil drilling operations, which have sickened thousands of Ecuadorians and polluted the Amazon rainforest. Since 1993, lawyers representing local residents have sought to force former well operator Texaco and its now parent company Chevron Corporation to clean the area known as the Lago Agrio oil field and to provide for the care of those allegedly affected.

Texaco claimed that in 1995 the Ecuadorean government, a oil drilling partner with a 25% interest in the partnership, released them from further liability after Texaco agreed to clean a number of waste pits in proportion to its interest in the partnership, at a cost of $40 million. Numerous sources show the remediation efforts to have been largely cosmetic.


We could say that this is just the unfortunate repercussion of a poor country getting in bed with a shysty Oil drilling business. The old biblical term "you reap what you sow" prophetically comes to mind.

The really scary part of it all is the P-O-W-E-R the oil companies have and their influence over international litigating parties. Any person, government or formed group such as a corporation should be made accountable for their actions in a court of law, or else what good is law other than to serve the powerful in oppression and control of the powerless.

Is it possible the legal courts worldwide are on the take?

American U.S. District Judge Martin Feldman in New Orleans ordered federal regulators to act on seven drilling permit applications this past week, overturning a presidential moratorium on deepwater drilling after BP's oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. President Obama's administration has appealed Feldman's order and filed court documents paving the way for regulators to deny such applications.

From Judgepedia.org:
After the ruling by Feldman, his investments and stocks were analyzed, showing that in 2009 he held stocks of companies that would be affected by his ruling. Judge Feldman insists that he found out about these holdings on June 21, and contacted his broker to sell them on the morning of June 22. According to the Wall Street Journal, "Under federal law, federal judges are prohibited from deciding cases in which they have financial interests in the parties or the outcome of the case. They are also prohibited from deciding cases in which there is the appearance of a conflict." [6] Because of the questions surrounding the status of his financial holdings, environmental groups have asked that Feldman recuse himself from the case and suspend his ruling. [7]

Feldman announced that he will not recuse himself from the case, saying, "The motion for disqualification is without merit." [8]

In the infamous words of Malcolm X: "Chickens Coming Home To Roost"

Huffington Post: Ecuador Another Victory

Raiderlegend: The Devil's Excrement

Chevron Guilty

Activist Tim Christopher Disrupts Oil Deal

Shock Corridor - Superbly Acted 1963 Drama

This classic black and white drama directed by Sam Fuller is still powerful and moving. Its productions like "Shock Corridor" that keep me reaching back to the silver screen era of my parents to quench my thirst for tasty movie watching.

Here's my amazon.com review for this classic:

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Black Man Convincingly Plays Role Of Racist Southerner

This review is from: Shock Corridor - Criterion Collection (DVD)

This movie just may be too "Shocking" for many viewers, even nearly fifty years after its release. Director Sam Fuller touches on many American taboos as usual, with the main theme being mental illness. When I saw Fuller's controversial movie "White Dog," its 1982 release of which was suppressed by paramount pictures, I knew him to be a man marching to the beat of his own drum.

In Shock Corridor, Fuller uses a sane journalist to expose the insane issues that haunt America's past, present and future. He accomplishes this by placing the undercover journalist inside a mental institution, faking insanity while trying to find a killer inside the place. While tactfully gathering evidence from mental patients about the killing, the journalist gets acquainted with the men and the societal issues that led to their being committed to the "hospital."

The humor in this movie is one that makes you laugh to keep from bursting out in tears. A forerunner to "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest." To see a Black man so damaged by society's racism that he insanely believes himself to be a southern White racist, is so sad and yet so convincing in the directorship of Sam Fuller. Watch this movie for that performance if for no other, simply because you'll never see it anywhere else. You'll learn how thin the thread of sanity is and how easily it can snap under pressure.

A great movie that will hopefully one day get its full share of masterpiece recognition.

San Jose Sharks Lurking In NHL Waters

The Bay Area's San Jose Sharks are in the midst of a seven game winning streak. They are leading the Pacific Division and second only to the Detroit Red Wings in the Western Conference.

Its time to start supporting our Sharks as they hit the home stretch of the NHL hockey season. We know they've disappointed in recent playoffs, but with the San Francisco Giants showing all Bay Area teams how to bring home the hardware, this could be the year of the Sharks.

I must admit, I haven't watched one hockey game all season and I couldn't name a Sharks player if you tied me down and tortured me. But I know the team and the fans are hungering for a Stanley Cup and the time is ripe in the Bay Area for them to deliver it.

Puck the Red Wings.

Let's Go Sharks!

Season Finish Playoffs
2005–06 2nd, Pacific Lost in Conference Semifinals, 2-4 (Oilers)
2006–07 2nd, Pacific Lost in Conference Semifinals, 2-4 (Red Wings)
2007–08 1st, Pacific Lost in Conference Semifinals, 2-4 (Stars)
2008–09 1st, Pacific Lost in Conference Quarterfinals, 2-4 (Ducks)
2009–10 1st, Pacific Lost in Conference Finals, 0-4 (Blackhawks)
2010–11 Championship?

The First Thing You're Given In Heaven? A Mirror

This cartoon depicting Michael Jackon's arrival in heaven was controversial in its disrespect toward an American music icon. But we should pray that heaven overlooks our earthly shortcomings, whatever they may be, and that it has a humorous side in accepting all of us imperfect sinners.

Here's a poem my sister received from my brother and passed on to me. It shows that we should be less judgmental about the sins of others and more focused on the forgiveness of our own.:

I was shocked, confused, bewildered

As I entered Heaven's door,
Not by the beauty of it all,

Nor the lights or its decor.

But it was the folks in Heaven

Who made me sputter & gasp--
The thieves, the liars, the sinners,

The alcoholics & the trash.

There stood the kid from 7th grade

Who swiped my lunch money twice!
Next to him was my old neighbor

Who never said anything nice!

Herb, who I always thought

was rotting away in hell,
Was sitting pretty on cloud 9,

Looking incredibly well.

I nudged Jesus,"What's the deal"?

I would love to hear your take.
How'd all these sinners get up here?

God must've made a mistake.

And why is everyone so quiet,

So somber-give me a clue.
"Hush, child" He said "

They're all in shock!! No one thought

they'd be seeing YOU"!!!!~

Every Saint has a past....Every sinner has a Future~ (Judge Not)

Why Freedom Of Speech Must Prevail

from the movie "Nothing But The Truth"

The First Amendment of the United States Constitution grants its citizens the right to "Freedom of Speech." This right to speak freely, without censorship, limitation or both extends to nonverbal acts of seeking, receiving and imparting information or ideas. It was probably chosen as the first because of its importance in the establishment and continuancy of a free democracy.

As we see citizens of countries in the Arab world risking lives to express their anger and frustration toward their governments, we in the United States should be thankful that the founding fathers of this nation had the forethought to include such a freedom as Free Speech in our constitution.

Our First Amendment right hasn't always been honorably upheld in this country, but I shudder to think where we'd be without it today. For it is a necessary protective shield against a government's abuse of power over those it governs. It forces the powerful to be "Accountable" for actions that may negatively effect the powerless. The Internet as we know it today could never have evolved without a First Amendment foundation.

In the movie clip above, actor Alan Alda's plea to the supreme court to rule in favor of his client's right to "Freedom of Speech" in a case where National Security may have been threatened is superb.

Latest News: Pennsylvannia Judge guilty of racketeering

The Filipino Flash Knocks Out Mexican Bantamweight Champion

Boxing Champion Nonito Donaire won his third division title with a crushing left hook knockout over WBO & WBC bantamweight champion Fernando Montiel of Mexico. The knockout punch came 2:05 into the second round and it was a showstopper.

Donaire, nicknamed the "Filipino Flash," born in the Philipines but raised in San Lorenzo, California is definitely a boxer to keep an eye on. He has speed, power and ring smarts. He says he sees everything in the ring before it happens. The proof is in the knockout of Montiel. Wow!

Congratulations Nonito on your successful bid for another championship belt!

The Gift That Keeps On Giving!

Its Good To Be THE CHAMP!

Seymour Signs Up For 2 More Years

Oakland Raiders Defensive Lineman Richard Seymour must see something lucrative in the Silver & Black organization besides dollar signs to cause him to jog back to the huddle for another tour-of-duty. Then again, maybe not.

The purported 2-year $30 million, of which $22.5 million is guaranteed, he'll get for staying the course with a rebuilding Raiders team is said to be the highest for any defensive player, annually, in the league. Is he worth it?

Richard Seymour has brought more to the Raiders defense than any player not named Asomugha in the past seven seasons. Al Davis said it last month when reitterating that the 2009 trade with the New England Patriots which landed Seymour in Oaktown was "a great trade." The Pats will cash in on that trade chip this season with the 17th pick in the draft.

No Franchise Tag for the big boy this season. He's willingly returning to anchor the Raiders defensive line. Here's what SF Chronicle writer Vittorio Tafur reported just one week ago, when he and the rest of the league thought Seymour would wear the franchise tag another year:

As for Seymour, he is happy in Oakland.

He moved from end to tackle last season, and the defensive line was one of the driving forces behind an 8-8 season - a three-game improvement from 2009. He took on a leadership role with the younger players, and late in the season he said, "I see myself retiring as a Raider."

It seems that Al Davis is still working his magic on the set of the Oakland Raiders organization. Just don't put him on a national stage in front of reporters with cameras and a projector after he's fired someone.

Basketball Phenom Ryan Boatright

This Was 3 Years Ago. Youtube or Google him to checkout his current high school basketball skillz, like scoring 55 points in a game in November 2010. Ryan Boatright could be the next Jordan.

Point guard
Aurora, Illinois
Aurora East
AAU: D-Rose All Stars
View Map
Ht:5'10"
Wt:150 lbs



Shooting:Good
Rebounding:Good
Handle:Good
Passing:Outstanding
Strength:Developing
Class:2011 (High School)

Oakland Raiders Highlight Vault - 2002

I remember watching this game on a Sunday Night at the old San Francisco Boathouse restaurant. I was amongst a host of hater Niner Fans and a sprinkling of respectable Pittsburgh Steerler fans. It was me, my girl and one crazed Janis Joplin looking woman all proudly sporting silver & black gear, cheering like Big Brother and Holding Company were in the house. But it was the Raiders who played the house like a psychedelic rock band.

I spent the night oowing and aahing as Quarterback Rich Gannon zipped passes for 403 total yards, Receiver Jerry Rice catching everything zipped his way, Raiders defense snatching 5 turnovers, Runningback Charlie Garner spinning and speeding away from would be tacklers all night with the prettiest of moves and Terry Kirby answering one Steelers score by taking the ensuing kickoff back to the house.

It was a memorable night that I'll always cherish as a proud Oakland Raiders fan moment. The evening would end in a glorious 30-17 Raiders Victory. One fan recently commented that Steelers are still trying to tackle #25 Charlie Garner!

Defense Wins Championships

Green Bay Packers linebacker #52 Clay Matthews III

The Green Bay Packers were labeled with the weaker defense in this year's Super Bowl match-up. At least that's what the so-called football experts had guessed. And who could argue this when the Blitzburgh Steelers defense is home to the likes of safety Troy Polamalu and linebackers Harrison, Timmons and Farrior, all defensive bullies.

Oh well, so much for expert predictions and intimidating names. Turns out that winning Super Bowl XLV was determined by defense all right, but it was the so-called weaker defense of the Green Bay Packers that struck the deciding blows in this up and down championship game.

The Packers defense forced three turnovers by the Steelers offense, two of those being interceptions of Ben Rothlisberger passes. On both interceptions Big Ben was being pressured by the "weaker" Green Bay defense. The other turnover was caused by Packers linebacker Clay Matthews, who accomplished winning an NFL title for three generations of Matthews that played professional football but never brought home a championship.

Mendenhall Fumble

Clay's fumble-causing hit on Steeler RB Rashard Mendenhall at the Packers 35-yard-line was crucial in that it took the second half momentum away from the resurging Steelers who were down by only 4pts and marching toward a possible go ahead score.

Sure, Super Bowl MVP QB Aaron Rogers played with precision passing in hitting starting receiver Greg Jennings for two touchdowns while backup receiver Jordy Nelson had a career day hauling in nine passes for 140 yards and a touchdown. But it was this "weaker" Packers defense, missing star cornerback Charles Woodson and a slew of other parts, who get my vote for MVP.

The fact that the Mendenhall fumble came just as I was collecting $$$$'s for my third quarter football pool numbers (GB 1 Pitt 7) may have influenced my opinion of the importance of that play. Either way, the proof of Defense Winning Championships is definitely in the pudding, and the Green Bay Packers looked like kids who'd had their fill of chocolate pudding as they hoisted the Vince Lombardi trophy this night in Dallas.

Congratulations Green Bay Packers, NFL Super Bowl XLV Champions!

Final Score: Packers 31 Steelers 25

Why CALIFORNIA?

Today's National Weather Advisory for the midwest and northeast is brutal. Grandpa Winter is packing a punch as he skirts blisteringly across these regions causing havoc on people, property and travel. Its weather not fit for a dog to go visit his favorite hydrant in.

In Ohio more than 200,000 homes and businesses are without power. In the Chicago area, where many Jay Cutler haters are still fuming, 123,000 without power. Roofs are collapsing, roads are dangerous and night temperatures can be deadly in places like Kansas City where windchill factor makes it 5 to 15 below zero. Or Chicago where they're expecting 20 to 30 below.

Meanwhile, the current temperature in my California city-by-the-bay is a comfortable 60 degrees.........above zero. Many of the regions being blasted by this latest winter storm are going into Superbowl weekend without the most important party mix; Electricity & Cable. My prayers are with you all.

My California superbowl party host just called yesterday asking if I'd prefer mesquite or hickory wood chips in the barbecue grill this Sunday. That's what I like most about California and its winters; Choices. Sure I could go up north to a wintry wonderland if I choose, but why when I can stay home and wear my Raiders Jersey without a coat on Sunday? Choices man, everyone should have at least two.

For what its worth, here's a how-to for those poor souls who may find themselves without power this Superbowl Sunday. I give you this from the bottom of my heart, instructions for fireplace cooking from The Firepit and Grilling Guru. But be careful and follow safety precautions, wouldn't want your two choices of living accomodations narrowed down to simply one, a freezing garage.

C.A.L.I.F.O.R.N.I.A. LOVE

Sports Live Streaming WebSite Seized!

Its a sad day in sports when one of the few free Live Video Streaming sites is permanently shutdown. I suspected that they were operating without permission and/or license to do business legally, but never thought that Homeland Security would be in on the bust.

In a visit to their site today to view super bowl media week highlights, I was met with the above official looking document. Could just be a homeade notification but why? Did the big major network guys finally send their goons out to pay a visit to the streaming site administrators with an offer they couldn't refuse? Sure will ruin someone's Super Bowl Party.
The question I'm left with is how much of a threat to our nation's homefront was this site of live streaming sports and television broadcasts? I suppose with the phasing out of Homeland Security's color-coded terror threat Advisory System due April 27, 2011 , the national security advisors have begun targeting the lesser evils of mankind.

What will they target next, Hooters?

Come'On Man!

World Series Champion Fanfest 2011

World Seris MVP Edgar Renteria's "shot heard around the world II"

Damn, I still can't believe that my San Francisco Giants ARE World Series Champions. The man who clinched the final world series game with a 3-run homer may have left the building, but memories of his mvp worthy gargantuan feat still gives Giants fans plenty to celebrate about.

This weekend will mark the 18th annual Giants fanfest day and I can't remember ever attending one with such pride and exhilaration. A Championship truly is the gift that keeps on giving.

This fan appreciation day will bring out more Giants fans than ever before. I don't mind the bandwagon fans who came aboard during the championship run. I actually welcome the green-gilled twenty-somethings clad in orange. The beauty of Giants fandom is that it crosses all ages, cultures and genders (san francisco has more than 2.)

So the invite is open to all fans who went wild cheering the SF Giants toward that ultimate moment of triumph on November 1, 2010. That autumn day is one that will live forever in the hearts and souls of so many orange & black wearing baseball fans.

Party At AT&T Park
February 5, 2011
11:00am-3:00pm

Its Good To Be The Champ!