by Matt Groom (10/11/12)
zzzzz (Pronounced "quintuple z") is a bunch of my random thoughts about news, sports, and other parts of life. I separate it into sections so the reader can skip over anything he or she wants to.
THINGS AT CHURCH
On Halloween, Bethel Assembly (Oakdale, CA) will be hosting something called "Trunk or Treat". It is meant as a safe alternate to trick-or-treating. What happens is when people get to the church, the kids will see trunks and truck beds full of candy, and the kids grab the candy they want. Many of the volunteers will decorate their vehicles, as well.
PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE
-The two major candidates, President Barack Obama and former Massachusetts governor, Mitt Romney, debated on October 5th. Many people felt Romney won that debate and we won a few points with the undecided voters. The one thing many people wanted to focus on was that Mr. Romney said he would cut funding for PBS if he was elected president.
My original thoughts were that I wish he wouldn't have said that. That is not a very popular stance. After looking at it further, and looking at some of the comments people had, I have a different stance (maybe just as unpopular, but since it's my blog, I'm going to say it). It made me see just how many people are depending on the federal government to fund their daily lives. People from one point of view say it shouldn't be cut because public education television is too important. It is important, I am not going to deny that. However, we currently owe China $15 billion, and the value of our dollar is declining. Some things that the government spends money on has got to go. Other programs will have to be cut as well. That's why I am glad I am not involved in the federal government. It would be hard to determine where those cuts need to be made. Many people are going to be hurting. Sometimes the cure is as painful as the ailment, but is necessary. I don't know if Romney actually believes his model, but I think it is good for a simple model. If the thing or program is worth borrowing money from China (or anyone for that matter), it should be kept. If not, it needs to go. A year ago, the credit rating of the United States was downgraded from A+++ to A++. As I was writing this, I just heard that Spain's credit rating was downgraded to "the level of junkbonds" (heard it from CBS News). We have the opportunity to learn from the mistakes of Greece and Spain and not repeat them. Now back to PBS, it is up to viewers like us to keep it going (as it should be). If you feel that PBS is that important (and to some people it is, I understand), then donate $20 (or any amount). Personally, I think the government should make that a write-off, but that would complicate the tax code. Finally, according to an article in Christian Science Monitor that was published the day after the debate, the federal government only makes up for 12% of PBS's funds. It would be painful for them not to have that money, but it would be manageable to keep great programming going like Sesame Street and the Newshour. And if they do have to get rid of a show, may I suggest Barney?
ONE OTHER THING UP FOR VOTE
-What is lost in the Presidential election, Proposition 30 in California, and other inititavies is that the citizens of Puerto Rico will vote on whether or not they would like the Atlantic island of about 8 million people to become the 51st state of the United States. This vote has been on the ballot three times before, but has been defeated all three times. The vote has been closer each time.
There are three basic ways a territory becomes a state. First, a territory must have at least 65,000 people in it. Second, it must be approved by congress. Third, the territory must ratify the Constitution. I believe this vote will fail once again, but if it does pass, I believe the move will then go to Congress.
NEWS
-There has been a lot of news lately about Bay Area cities wanting to buy water from the Central Valley. First, San Francisco wanted to buy water from the Modesto Irrigation District. A couple weeks later, it was announced that the city of Brisbane (south of San Francisco) wanted to buy water from the Oakdale Irrigation District. The San Francisco-Modesto deal did not happen. One dealbreaker was that San Francisco wanted a 50-year contract and the city would be able to back out of it at any time. Modesto was not willing to meet those terms. The Oakdale-Brisbane deal is making progress. Last week, OID Board of Directors approved to move foward with the deal 4-1. At this point, everything is non-binding, but the deal so far is for Oakdale to provide Brisbane with 2,400 acre-feet of water for about $1.2 million. (I got these stories from the Modesto Bee and Oakdale Leader.)
I am of no opinion on the Oakdale deal. I know some things need to be repaired at the Oakdale Irrigation District. Plus, I hear they are looking to expand, so that sale may be a good deal for them. I have heard arguments on both sides of the issue for Modesto. I can certainly understand Modesto not wanting San Francisco to dictate the deal. On the other side of the argument, MID was set to make nearly $115 million on the deal. San Francisco was willing to pay $700 an acre-foot; and according to the Modesto Bee, the water that would have gone to San Francisco was only one percent of what farmers currently use. I heard one argument saying that the water that would have gone to San Francisco would be lost to evaporation, anyway. I am not sure if it is true, or not; but for this moment, let's assume it is. Why lose water to evaporation when you can make over $100 million off of it. Maybe that can mean savings to customers in Modesto, or at least preventing price hikes for a while. Or maybe that money can be used to improve the facilities of MID, or possibly to hire a few more people (Usually my roommate mails the MID bill, but one day he asked me to go to the office, and when I was there, the line was long. I do not know if that happens a lot or not. A few more people could have been used for more efficiency.) I would like to hear more opinions on the subject, so if you got one, please comment.
- A school in Cranston, RI has stopped the long tradition of the father-daughter dances and mother-son baseball games due to pressure from the ACLU.
Oh, these guys again. I try to show respect for everyone when I write these things, but I have absolutely NO respect for the ACLU. This organization features the biggest bunch of hypocrites I have ever even heard about. They preach civil liberties for all, but when a white, Christian male (regardless of age) is in trouble, they are no where to be found. Yet, they will use their lawyers to stop something wholesome as the father-daughter dance just because one parent complains. If someone does not want to participate in these things, fine; but don't spoil it for everyone else. In this particular case, a single mother complained that her daughter was not allowed to attend the dance because her father was not in the picture (to be fair to the father, the article did not say whether it was because he refuses to see his kid, courts said he can't see his kid, or if he had passed away). Guess what, sometimes life sucks! I really feel bad for the girl because of it. My heart aches when a girl cannot have that much needed father-daughter time through no fault of her own. However, the mother is going to ruin everyone else's opportunity? That is not acceptable in my opinion!! True, all the other father-daughters and mother-sons can find opportunities elsewhere, but if a school wants to provide that time to encourage wholesome fun, and an opportunity to meet some of the parents; then the ACLU should back off. Go defend your NAMBLA perverts and leave these people alone! As for the girl, an uncle or grandfather should suffice to take place of the father (Note: If the girl and the mother suggested that, and the school said no, the school would be in the wrong, too.)
The ACLU has been quoted in saying (in part) "...the time has long since passed for the public school resources to encourage stereotyping from the days of Ozzie and Harriet." The only thing I will give them is that I would understand people viewing this as "stereotyping". They say not every girl wants to go to dances. First, if the girls don't want to go to dances, then don't go. Stay home, go to the mall, go to the park, or do something productive. Second, this particular girl wanted to go. There is another issue in play in this case. Third, there are some areas where we need to go back to the "Ozzie and Harriet" days. Schools were safer then, and families were closer together, partly to the credit of the father-daughter dances. Kids had more respect for adults and the crime rate was lower. The representative from the ACLU said that organizations like the PTA (Parent-Teacher Association) are allowed to host and even use school facilities for these events. They should do that. Even if they don't, the school should be able to allow these events to happen. What's next? Are they going to ban prom because some guy can't get a date? It's ridiculous.
I can go farther, but in interest of space and time, I will close with this. I am sick and tired of the ACLU defending everything that is wrong with the world, and attacking either what is right with the world or people trying to do the right thing. They are currently in Stockton right now. Lincoln School District wants to start random drug testing the athletes of Lincoln High School, because 15 percent of the athletes were found to be under the influence of one form of illegal drug or another. I am not sure how I feel about this subject, but something needs to be done when 15 percent of the athletes have been caught with drugs. The ACLU is just waiting for Lincoln Unified to do something illegal, or as I see it from the ACLU, "illegal".
GRE WORD OF THE MONTH
Inundate- overwhelm; flood; submerge; deluge; swamp
Sentence- Until the great dam was built, the waters of the Nile used to inundate the river valley every year.
WORLD GEOGRAPHY
I want to feature at least one country each month in order to educate the public on the countries of the world
This month's country: Antigua and Barbuda
Continent: North America (Caribbean islands)
Capital: St. John's
Population: 81,799 (185th largest of 195 independent nations)
Area: 170 square miles (190th in world)
Official Language: English
Currency: Caribbean Dollar
Year of Independence: 1981 (From United Kingdom)
Since I have written a lot of information on all the subjects so far, I will keep this portion brief. The islands were settled by the United Kingdom in 1632 and were held by them until 1981 (with brief interludes of French rule) (information provided by wikipedia.com). The soccer team will be playing against the United States on October 16, 2012 for World Cup Qualifying.
HISTORY
I recently saw a documentry and read about the Roman city of Pompeii before the big eruption of Mount Versuvius wiped out a big portion of the city. One thing I found interesting is how the people would use public walls and walls of businesses to communicate with the town. When one person wanted to send a message to another person, he or she would carve that message on a portion of a wall. The walls and counters were also used as a lost-and-found announcement, a showing of a record of debts, and even love messages were carved on the walls.
FIFA TOP 25 SOCCER RANKINGS FOR OCTOBER
1. Spain 2. Germany 3. Portugal 4. Argentina 5. England 6. Netherlands 7. Uruguay 8. Italy 9. Columbia 10. Greece 11. Croatia 12. Russia 13. France 14. Brazil 15. Switzerland 16. Cote D'Ivoire 17. Chile 18. Denmark 19. Mexico 20. Ecuador 21. Sweden 22. Czech Republic 23. Japan 24. Algeria 25. South Korea
All 209 FIFA teams are ranked from 1 to 207 (3 teams are tied for 207th). The United States moved up one spot to 32nd. The three teams that are tied for 207th are: Bhutan, San Marino, and Turk and Caicos Islands.
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Sac-Joaquin Section Top 25 Accroding to calpreps.com (all info as of 10/3/12)
School (City if needed) Record League
1. Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills) 5-0 Delta River (DRL)
2. Franklin (Elk Grove) 5-0 Delta Valley (DVL)
3. Elk Grove 6-0 (DRL)
4. Placer (Auburn) 5-0 Pioneer Valley (PVL)
5. Folsom 5-0 DRL
6. Burbank (Sacramento) 5-0 Metro League (ML)
7. Granite Bay 2-3 Sierra Foothill (SFL)
8. St. Mary's (Stockton) 3-2 Tri-City Athletic (TCAL)
9. Inderkum (Sacramento) 4-1 Tri-County (TCC)
10. Buhach Colony (Atwater) 3-2 Central California (CCC)
11. Oakdale 4-1 Valley Oak (VOL)
12. Vacaville 2-3 Monticello Empire (MEL)
13. Central Catholic (Modesto) 4-2 Western Athletic (WAC)
14. Merced 3-2 (CCC)
15. Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove) 3-2 (DRL)
16. Cosumnes Oaks (Elk Grove) 4-1 Sierra Valley (SVC)
17. Grant (Sacramento) 2-3 (DVL)
Nevada Union (Grass Valley) 3-2 (SFL)
19. Del Oro (Loomis) 1-4 (SFL)
20. Downey (Modesto) 5-1 Modesto Metro (MMC)
21. Pitman (Turlock) 5-0 (CCC)
22. Ripon 6-0 Trans-Valley (TVL)
23. Rocklin 2-3 (SFL)
24. Jesuit (Carmichael) 4-1 (DRL)
25. Lincoln (Stockton) 2-3 (SJAA)
zzzzz Reports- Ripon Christian Knights (1-1 at time of game) at Big Valley Knights (0-2 at time of game)
I wanted to use this game to practice my writing skills. I have written a longer version of the article of this game, and if you want to read it, let me know. I also wrote about the atmosphere of the place, and was going to put that on here, but I changed my mind. However, I will say that a Big Valley game is a great way to take the family out on a Friday night on a low budget.
This is a game featuring two young football programs that were both started up less than ten years ago, with a combined enrollment of 470 (RC 279, BV 191). The Ripon Christian Knights, representing the Southern League (SL), came into this game with a record of 1-1 with a with a win against Jim Elliot Christian (Lodi) and a loss against nearby rival, Ripon. Big Valley, representing the Central California Athletic Alliance (CCAA), is 0-2 giving up a total of 81 points against Delhi and Waterford while only scoring 26. The Knights are looking to rebound from a crushing 62-13 defeat by Ripon from a week ago, while Big Valley is looking for their first win.
It would become a long night for Big Valley. The score quickly became 26-0 before the Lions would see any hope. Vos fumbled the snap which would be recovered by Big Valley's Marcus Zuniga at the Ripon Christian 39-yard line. Big Valley would soon get a first down, as they marched down the field. It looked like the Lions were going to get into the game. However, the Lions could not get past the 14-yard line. Big Valley could not take advantage of the turnover.
When it was all said and done, the Knights would put 47 points on the board and force a 4th-quarter running clock (the clock would only stop for time outs and sometimes touchdowns. It's a version of high school football mercy rule). Ripon Christian quarterback, Danny Vos threw for three touchdowns and Andrew Brown ran for two. At times, Big Valley was able to put up an offense, but too many mistakes and too many dropped passes in the end-zone prevented the Lions from scoring any points.
CCAA Standings (as of 10/8/12)
Team (city) Conf. W-L Overall W-L
Brookside Christian (Stockton) 1-0 4-2
Big Valley (Modesto) 1-0 2-4
Stone Ridge Christian (Merced) 1-0 2-4
Jim Elliot Christian (Lodi) 0-1 4-2
Millennium (Tracy) 0-1 1-5
Sierra Ridge/Rite of Passage (San Andreas) 0-1 1-5
Note: At the end of the regular season, the two teams with the best conference records automatically go to the playoffs. There are four wildcard spots available in Divisions V and VI. Those go to the best four overall records out of the CCAA, Southern League, Sierra Delta League, and Sacramento Metro Athletic Conference.
I do not know which game I will cover for next month's edition of zzzzz. Here is a list of games I am considering:
10/13- Big Valley vs. Millennium (@ West-Tracy)
10/13- Elliot Christian vs. Stone Ridge Christian (@ Golden Valley-Merced)
10/19- Stone Ridge Christian @ Sierra Ridge/Rite of Passage
10/20- Big Valley @ Brookside Christian (@ McNair-Stockton)
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Here's what my dream playoffs would look like so far as of 10/11/12
(1) Oregon (PAC-12) would have a bye
(9) Nevada (Mountain West) @ (8) Miami (FL) (ACC)
(12) UTSA (WAC) @ (5) Alabama (Wildcard) (*Not enough league games to get the SEC spot, yet)
(4) Rutgers (Big East) would get a bye
(11) Louisiana-Lafayete (Sun Belt) at (6) Michigan (Big 10)
(3) West Virginia (Big 12) would get the bye
(10) Toledo (MAC) @ (7) Tulsa (Conference USA)
(2) South Carolina (SEC) would have a bye
- I still haven't had a chance to write a blog to defend my position, but I still believe that the NCAA should adopt a conference-winner only playoff (with one wildcard to allow a top non-conference winner or independent to advance). I also believe the bowl system to remain to reward those non-conference winners who had good seasons. The above is just a model as currently some teams have played more conference games than others (That is why current #1 Alabama is just a wildcard, and therefore 5th seed in this model.) When it is all said and done, I believe Alabama will win the SEC, Florida State will win the ACC, Boise State will win the Mountain West, Louisiana-Monroe will win the Sun Belt, and South Carolina will be the wildcard.
-Alabama has establish themselves as the top team in the nation, and it pains me to say that seeing as I HATE the SEC. That defense looks unstoppable. I am already looking forward to seeing Oregon vs. Alabama in the National Championship in January. The best offense (Oregon) would play the best defense (Alabama).
-TCU's quarterback, Casey Pachall, is suspended indefinitely and off the team due to a DUI. This is the first year since the Southwest Conference broke up in 1994 that TCU is playing in a top conference (Big 12). I wondered how the Horned Frogs would do in a big conference. They looked like they had an outside chance to win the championship and making a high-paying bowl game. Now that they lost to a lack-luster Iowa State 37-23 without Pachall, I am now wondering if they'll even make a bowl game.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYOFFS
-First, I must congratulate the Washington Nationals for making the playoffs. This is only the second time the Washington Nationals franchise ever made the playoffs. The only other time was in 1981 as the Montreal Expos in a strike-shortened year. They lost in the 1st round against the Los Angeles Dodgers that year. I am writing this edition of zzzzz over the course of a few days; and at the time of writing this specific portion, the Nationals are currently down 2-1 in the divisional series against the St. Louis Cardinals.
- I keep reading articles and hearing opinions on the fact that some writers think the NFL and NBA owners are incorrect in saying that the leagues need a salary cap. To strengthen their argument, they look to major league baseball which has no salary cap. They say that the majority of the teams in this year's playoffs are in the bottom half of the payroll, including the Oakland Athletics who have the 2nd lowest payroll of all the teams in the Major Leagues. I personally don't know if I agree with the writers, but let me give the other side of that argument. It is true that many of the small-market teams have had a lot of success this year, but without a salary cap, it generally takes small-market teams longer to get good. Case in point, the Pittsburgh Pirates. This team just completed the 20th straight losing season (defined as winning 81 games or less). The last time this team made the playoffs was 1992. When they get good players, they'll have to trade them off in the middle of the season to get some value for them before they bolt to a big-market team with a good salary, and a better chance of making the playoffs. The Cleveland Indians, Kansas City Royals, Houston Astros, Seattle Mariners, are among similar teams suffering the same problems. Washington was on that same boat until this year. Like the English Primier league in soccer, it is much more difficult for small-market teams to get to the top of the standing than for the giants of the league.
-Finally, I keep hearing that the umpires screwed the Atlanta Braves out of the playoffs. For those who need clarification, the Cardinals were leading 6-3 in the bottom of the 8th inning of a one-game playoff. The Braves had runners on 1st and 2nd bases with one out. (I didn't see that part of the game, but I saw the highlights of this play). The Braves batter (I don't remembe who it was) popped up the ball to shallow left field. Shortstop Pete Kosma called for the catch, and left-fielder, Matt Holiday called him off. It turned out that no one caught it, but the umpire called for an infield-fly rule. The Braves failed to score.
The umpires did not screw the Braves!!! Was it a bad call? I believe so (though the rules say it does not necessarily have to be hit in the infield, just that the infielder would have to be able to catch it with little effort, which that argument can be made). The Braves could have scored runs from there with one out, but they failed to do so. If the next batter were to hit into a double play, the inning is over and the point is moot. The Braves could have prevented some of the Cardinal runs, but too many mistakes allowed the Cardinals score. The Braves could have scored in the 4th inning, but their shortstop, Simmons, ran inside the base-line and by rule, he was out and the runners had to stay on base. Rarely does one mistake by the umpire determine the results of the game, and that was not the case this time. It was a bad call, but when it was all said and done, the Braves' lack of execution was more to blame for their loss than the umpires.
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