A Buck or Two - Brian

Big Ten commissioner Jim Delaney recently proposed and increase in scholarship money that schools would be allowed to give to student athletes to help cover the "cost of attendance."

Delaney argues that the current scholarships, which cover tuition, room and board, and books, do not cover the true cost that athletes face when going to school. The proposed increase would be roughly $2500-$5000 more per year per athlete. This would also cover all sports within a school, not just football.

What are some of these extra costs of attendance that Delaney is talking about? Laundry, clothes, transportation, and even pizza. Unfortunately these are some things that college students have to pay for while at college. So why give athletes the money to cover such things?

So many people have rejected this proposal before actually realizing how this is actually more fair to athletes than the current system. Student athletes generate millions and billions of dollars for thier respective universities each year. Why shouldn't the university put a little bit of that money back into the scholarships to help said athletes?

They make so much money for their schools, why shouldn't the schools help the students buy clothes and bus passes during the year? A lot of athletes wouldn't be able to afford school without athletics. If they generate the money, the deserve a little of it back.

I am not arguing for student athletes to get actual paychecks. But to add $3000 a year to a student athletes scholarship really isn't that extreme. $1500 a semester isn't going to buy anyone a super nice car or allow a student to buy a house. It's enough to pay for a cell phone, maybe grab some new clothes, and get some fast food whenever they are feeling like it.

I am all for this addition. If you make millions for your school, you should get a little back.

Besides, Ohio State has been doing it for years and they are pretty damn good. I call that a win win.

Judgment is Nigh – Adam

So what’s all this talk about tomorrow being the end of the world May 21 2011? Well let’s take a look.

According to the first site in a google search here is what we know:
11,013 BC Creation (how we know this, no clue)
4990 BC The Flood or 6023 years since creation (If Adam was born/created on year Zero then the flood actually happened 1656 years since creation not 6023 do the math!)
1988 The year the church age ended and the great tribulation of 23 years began 13,000 years since creation (first of all how do we know it was 13,000 years since creation? second of all who says the church age ended? Lastly the great tribulation of 23 years began or as I like to call it the great Adam era of 23 years began)
2011 the end of the 23 years which means Judgment Day will begin and the rapture 7000 years from the flood 13,023 years from creation (We certainly are making quite the bold calculations with how old the earth is and exactly how long it has been since the flood aren’t we?)

They go on to say that in 2 Peter 3:6-8 “One day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” Now according to Genesis 7:4 when God told Noah the flood would occur in 7 days He also meant in 7,000 years (which apparently, according this fancy website, is tomorrow)

It goes on to explain how they got the exact date I wonder if back in Noah’s day they counted leap year… the Hebrew Calendar adds a 13th lunar month seven times every 19 years (what?!).
Upon further investigation I found that Harold Camping is predicting tomorrow because: the world will end on 21 May, that will be 722,500 days from 1 April AD33, which he believes was the day of the Crucifixion. The figure of 722,500 is important because you get it by multiplying three holy numbers (five, 10 and 17) together twice. And He’s even calling for 6pm… Is that Eastern Time? Camping is 0-1 so far in predicted the second coming. The first was 6 September 1994.

Then again Maybe these guys are on to something:
Tsunami in Japan
Earthquake in Haiti
Levees in New Orleans
Record amounts of MLB rain delays
Mississippi and Ohio Rivers at all time highs
Sumatra-Andaman earthquake
Cyclone Nargis
Tornados in the South

So the question is this: “Are more natural disasters happening on the Earth or have they been happening the whole time it’s just now because of technology and fast pace information distribution are we more informed?”

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Matthew 24) “for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” (1 Thessalonians 5)

In the words of Paul Harvey here’s “the rest of the story”:

“As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door.” (Matthew 24) “But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.” (1 Thessalonians 5)

So I guess the question is …what do you think?
Ready or not Tomorrow will come and 6pm (not sure what time zone) will occur.

Billboard Justice - Brian

Recently, the LA Police Department put up around 300 billboards across the city in order to help find the attackers of Brian Shaw. They also have a team of 17 detective working not stop to solve the case, even offering a $200,000 reward for tips that lead to the capture of the two people responsible for this senseless crime.

In case you have been living under a rock recently and have no idea who Brian Shaw is, check out Adam's recent post.

When you read about all that the LAPD is doing to catch these attackers, you might think it's noble and warms your heart to know they are trying so hard to catch them.

My opinion? It's absolutely ridiculous.

Why does Brian Shaw deserve all of this money and man power to find his attackers? There were 7,973 violent crimes in LA during 2010. Where are those victims billboards? Where are their 17 detective?

It usuallly works out that a detective has 17 cases, not 17 detective for one case. But because Brian Shaw's attack was so public and plastered on ESPN, he deserves more attention than anyone else?

Where are the thousands of murder victims billboards?

Where are the victims of gang violence's 17 detective per crime?

The LAPD has been forced to cut police manpower because of budget cuts. But they can use all of these detectives and money in one case? Who is losing out because of this? The family in the ghetto who is just become a footnote in the LAPD?

I am all for being proactive with finding criminals, but no one should be put above another because ESPN covered the story extensively.

I'm sorry to say it, but solving Brian Shaw's crime is NOT more important than solving Jane Smith's rape case. It's not more important that solving Joe Schmoe's murder case.

If Brian Shaw deserves a billboard, that so does every other victim in LA.

Sports shouldn't trump equality in the judicial system.

Five Star Life - Adam

Are you tired of seeing all the stats on drop outs, drug and alcohol abuse, sexual abuse, youth violence, etc. Five Star is fed up with poverty and hopelessness! They know that programs don't change people! People change People! Five Star is building a massive team of people (currently around 300 volunteers) to inspire and transform the next generation. You can join in the fun on May 12th - 13th! In fact, you can spread the word for them between now and then as well:

Jordan Ford Volvo Toyota Presents "Five Star Life....Changing a Generation" Radio-A-Thon hosted by NewsTalk 95.3 Michiana's News Channel. Call in on May 12th -13th to become a Five Star Hero! 574.255.STAR (7827), or visit www.fivestarlife.org to learn more.

Tune in during Matt Patricks morning show from 5am-9am to see why he's so passionate about helping the next generation. Hear from volunteer Five Star Coaches, parents and students about the impact Five Star is having across Michiana! They have turned away more than 400 students this school year that wanted to participate in Five Star! This event will help them raise money to reach more students and grow into more schools.

Become a Five Star Hero

Questions: Call Justin Maust / 574.266.4038

If you are like me and you are thinking "...I don't live anywhere near that area nor am I exactly sure where that is how am I suppose to listen on the radio?" then do I have the link for you just click right HERE Thursday and Friday mornings from 5:00am ET till 9:00am ET to get a good ear full.

now you might also be thinking "hmm did Adam just sell out/pull a shameless plug?" the answer my friends depends on what you consider selling out... if selling out means me simply asking people to tell their friends and family and themselves to give out of your abundant riches (If you live in America you are in the top 5% wealthiest people) to help some people help people who need help. then yes this is a shameless plug and Adam has sold out. But if you think hmmm maybe my dog could go a few more days without that convertible so that I can give some coin to a cause that will bring a slice of the kingdom to this world then you and I my friend are on the same page.

Lastly some of you might be thinking to yourselves "of all the stations in America and all the times to pick something to plug, why would Adam pick this?" well my friends lets just say that if you happen to be tuned into that station this Thursday May 12th at 8:30am ET you might just catch a delightful treat for the ears.

But seriously brothers and sisters PLEASE tell people you know to tune in and listen and if you feel a nudge to give then let nothing stop you.

Dice not Thrice - Brian

I am sick of everyone talking about "The Big Three" in Miami. They aren't the "Big Three." They are more like the "Big Two and Half."

This team has two superstars - LeBron James and Dwayne Wade.

Then they have another good player in Chris Bosh.

So for all of you saying that the Heat teamed up three superstars, just stop. Chris Bosh is not a superstar and never will be. Is he a good NBA player? Absolutely. But a star? Not even close.

Bosh is barely a top 10 power forward. How can he be a superstar? You probably don't believe that there are 9 other PF's who are better, so let me name them: Amare Stoudemire, Dirk Nowitzki, Blake Griffin, Lamarcus Aldridge, Kevin Love, Zach Randolph, Pau Gasol, Carlos Boozer, and David West.

Could it be argued that he is better than a few of those guys (Boozer, West, and maybe Aldridge)? Yes. Can it be argued that he is the best at his position? You would be laughed out of the room.

Why does this matter? Because it means that LeBron and Dwayne are carrying perhaps the worst team in the NBA outside of their top two. I have always been a huge proponent that you need two superstars to win an NBA title. That is exactly what the Heat have. They also have a pretty good player (Bosh) and the worst bench in the NBA.

The other top teams in the NBA have the same blueprint as the Heat - two superstars, a pretty good player, and the rest of the team. The Lakers (Kobe, Pau, Bynum and everyone else), Chicago (Rose, Boozer, Noah and everyone esle), OKC (Durant, Westbrook, Ibaka and everyone else) and so on and so forth.

So for those of you saying that the Heat "should" win because they somehow "cheated" and got three superstars, you are wrong. They paid for three superstars but only got two. Just like the other top teams in the league.

So stop whining about it and just enjoy some damn basketball.

Including "Miami Dice."

bin Laden is Alive - Adam

First off as I'm watching the NBA play offs I can't help but wonder if Phil is going to be able to pull another title off the guy already has an Adam's Dozen of rings as is. Second off if you aren't a follower of the blog on the right hand side of the page please join up we'd like to get a better idea of how many people actually read our blog and we know it's around the 100k mark.

Have you ever been driving down the road and noticed how certain roads are certain numbers and think to yourself “hmm why did they pick 270 for the name of this road I keep going in circles on?” well after about the 3rd lap I too thought the same thing.

One- and two-digit highways are national routes:
Odd numbered routes run north-south, and higher numbers are farther east.
Even numbered routes run east-west, and higher numbers are farther north.

Three-digit highways, or Auxiliary Interstate Highways, run only within a single city.
An odd first digit signifies a spur route, which may begin at a large highway and terminate at a city center.
An even first digit signifies a loop route around a city or a bypass through a city.
I-270 travels the perimeter of Columbus.
I-670 serves as a bypass of downtown Columbus.
The last two digits signify the highway's origin.
I-670 in Ohio leaves I-70 to go into Columbus.
Sometimes, a three-digit highway branches off another three-digit highway; this is called a tertiary spur route of a two-digit highway. Tertiary spurs do not meet their parent highways, but are associated with them via the three-digit highways they do meet.


After learning all of this I realized this may be the dumbest possible way to name the interstates. Alright the one and two digit highways aren't that stupid but the three digit ones are for sure. So 70 runs east-west obviously because it is an even numbered road and because it seriously does (been there done that) but then 270 and 670 loop/bypass it...so which one loops and which one bypasses? We don't know because no one said all 200's loop and all 600's bypass...

Take Toledo for instance you hop of 475 ok so I'm either loopin or cutting through and I'm somehow near 75...that's all I know? Really? And where did the 400 come from? Worthless!

Plus does anyone even need to know this information anymore? I guarantee every person reading this is thinking “oh I always wondered what the road numbers meant” and still others are thinking “I still don't know what the road numbers mean” but it doesn't matter which of the two you fall into everyone eventually just says “ehh I just use my GPS” and it is so true we don't need maps and we don't need road signs anymore.

How about we melt all the road signs and the poles that come with them into the precious metal that they are and sell it to get out of national/state debt? GPS' also tell you what the speed limit is so that's more signs to melt down! And while we are at it can we melt down all those worthless telephone lines? Fiber optic is cheaper and better...

wow look out Trump someone else has ideas churning for this country.

Coach of the Year - Brian

Today the NBA announced that Tom Thibodeau won the Coach of the Year award. He certainly deserved the award, increasing the number of wins for the Bulls by 21 games and vaulting Chicago to the first place seed in the East. He also dramatically improved the Bulls defensive and offensive efficiency.

He also did it with the help of Carlos Boozer and an incredible Derrick Rose.

With that said, I have to respectfully disagree with that selection. My vote for Coach of the Year would be George Karl, hands down. And I'm not just saying that because I am a Nuggets fan. Karl had to deal with more turmoil than any other coach this season.

First and foremost, Karl had to come back from throat cancer. That alone is a feat worth honoring. Karl was forced to miss the end of last season and the playoffs, his departure hurt the Nuggets as evident by their implosion against the short-handed Jazz. This season was a struggle for him to come back, and his impact was felt immediately by the team.

The second main issue Karl had to deal with was the Carmelo Anthony drama. The fact that Anthony openly wanted to be traded could have completely ruined the Nuggets season, but Karl was able to keep the team together and competitive while dealing with all of the off the court distractions. This is usually something that can destroy a team's season, but the Nuggets were never close to losing a playoff spot.

Karl then had to deal with the trade of Anthony and the creation of basically a whole new team. After the trade, the Nuggets somehow ended up with the second best post deadline record to go along with the best offensive efficiency rating and the second best defensive efficiency rating. This is incredible in itself to be able to make a team that competitive after a huge trade.

I realize the Nuggets flamed out in the postseason, but the award is only for the regular season and Karl showed that he finally should have won the award. No coach had to go through what the Nuggets went through and still be able to maintain success at such a high level.

Karl won the whole "did more with less" and "somehow kept a team together even though their superstar wanted nothing to do with the team" concepts.

And he still managed to get the Nuggets to 50 wins. Incredible.

So while I am not upset with the Thibodeau win, I think they might have got it wrong this year.

And now George Karl's memorable season will never forgotten. That's how it goes in sports -people don't remember who got second place.