Patriotic Faith – Adam

There are two topics that are cultural faux pas: politics and religion. Here is a post about both:

With the 4th of July coming up in 5 days I've started to notice how tightly knit some people have associated God with government confusing patriotic pledges with prayers. Some citizens have gotten the line so blurred that characteristics from one are spilling into the other. People start mixing religion and politics more and more until eventually they can't tell them apart.

If I asked you to rank the importance of your faith, and your country how would they stack up?

Allow me to make some statements:
Jesus isn't Caucasian
Jesus didn't speak English during His first visit
The Bible wasn't originally written in English
The national anthem isn't a prayer
God isn't obligated to bless America/ America isn't guaranteed God's blessing

I know to some of you this is pretty obvious but believe it or not there are Americans out there who have either never considered this or don't believe it. Let me clear some stuff up right now before people start to get angry at me. I am thankful for the freedom of this country. I am grateful that I don't have to fear a lot of the same things the rest of the world has to fear on a daily basis. But having said that I am a follower of Jesus first and foremost. I have a hard time with pledging my allegiance to the flag of the United States of America when I have already been bought by the blood of Christ.

Christianity isn't American and America isn't Christian. It is troubling to see missionaries go to other countries and try to turn them into Americans rather than followers of Christ. Jesus has been rejected by people because they were being sold American culture in a Christian wrapping. Don't think it's just over seas... it happens here everyday.

A sincere Christian + false beliefs = a derailed (or disillusioned) Christian

Let me ask you this simple question: How do you feel about illegal aliens? Let me rephrase that: How do you feel about God's Children (your brothers and sisters) sharing some of God's Earth with you? Depending on how mixed religion and politics are for you will determine how difficult the question is. We start to confuse our passion and loyalty to God for our passion and loyalty to a political party or a country. Jesus isn't republican, Jesus isn't Democrat, and Jesus isn't American. If America was founded on Christianity I think we would be communist or socialist. At least closer on the spectrum than capitalism.
This 4th of July celebrate the blessing of America's freedom. Remember it is possible to be both Christian and live in America but recognize the difference.

Professional Actor - Brian

I recently encountered a question that I found pretty interesting, and am going to briefly address it here. Why? Because I can.

The question asked what professional sport you would be able to play for the longest before people realized that you were not a professional athlete.

I am spilt between two sports/positions. The first is a kicker on a NFL team. The second is a left fielder for a MLB team.

As a kicker, you will only have to go out a few times to kick (and virtually never if you play for the Browns). PATs are only about 20 yards, and that really isn't that far of a kick if you think about it. I have made those before, so I think I could be passable in that capacity.

As far as actual field goals, you would most likely shank it or kick it into the line. But in a reality, that happens quite often with professional kickers, so people would just think you had a bad kick. You could probably get away with a few PATs and a FG before everyone realized that you have no business being a kicker in the NFL. I say you might even be able to pull off an entire game.

The other position, a left fielder, could be easier or harder depending on how the game plays out. If you are playing and Justin Verlander is pitching for your team, he always has a chance at a no hitter. Why does this matter? Because if he pitches a one or no hitter, not too many balls will be put into play your way. It is a lot harder to catch a fly ball than you think, plus you would need the arm strength to throw it in for outs. But outfield is a lot easier than infield, so that is a bonus.

When you get up to bat is when you might be exposed. As long as you don't jump out of the batters box, and trust that the pitcher won't hit you, you will be fine. Plenty of people strike out so there is no risk is swinging and missing. I think you can definitely last an entire game as long as you don't have to make any serious defensive play.

I would go with baseball as the sport I think that I could last the longest in.

What are your thoughts?

Men's Wrongs – Adam

Why don't people watch women's sports? Why don't women's sports air during prime time on networks?

Inferior product?

But have you ever wondered why it is an inferior product? I know sports are Brian's area of expertize and I know Brian just did a blog on the WNBA vs High School Boys however I'd like to step out and ask this question...about women's sports...why not?

I've scratched my head over this for a while now and one main theme keeps coming up...loyalty. I truly believe that loyalty is the one and only reason the majority of America doesn't watch women's sports. Since the WNBA seems to be the most successful of the female sports I will choose to focus on it. I know there are many others but if women want their sports to get a foothold into mainstream media they'll have to break the ice somewhere and the WNBA is their best shot right now.

This season marks the 15th year of the WNBA. The NBA began in 1946 (thankfully for me the math is simple, 50 years). Men had a 50 year head start on women in the game of basketball. When sports fans talk about who the greatest basketball player of all time is Wilt is automatically not allowed to be in the discussion...why is this? Because Wilt played from 1959 to 1973 against no competition or as Cody would say “a bunch of 5 foot white guys.” This would mean that the NBA was still an inferior product after 15 seasons. So should we expect the WNBA to be as elite as the NBA or should we expect sub par athletes at this stage? “But women's sports are purely fundamental” wasn't the NBA the same way when it first started?

“But men's sports are more aggressive/competitive” This falls back on loyalty. Why are these games more competitive? Because as generations pass their passion to the next they also pass along rivalries and bias towards their team. Do you think the Red Sox look at the Yankees on their schedule and think “hmm just another game” or do you think they are going to play competitive because of all that is at stake for their fans and their team. The same goes for Ohio State v Michigan (the greatest sports rivalry) what do all high stakes competitive games have in common? Loyalty. WNBA hasn't even been around for one generation how can we expect them to be competitive when they have no 3rd generation fans painting their faces and screaming at the top of their lungs?

If people only watched sports because they are competitive and more than fundamentals then why are there clippers fans in L.A.? Wouldn't everyone be Lakers fans? So what separates a clipper from a laker? Loyalty. “But men are better than women at sports” if your argument is that you want to watch only the best of the best then why do the Cavaliers exist? Why do the Browns exist? Why do the Indians exist? If we only watch men's sports over women's because they are 'better' then shouldn't there only be two teams for every sport? The best of the AFC v the best of the NFC and the same goes for the NL and the AL or the West v East. Why are their more than just two teams in professional sports? Loyalty. Fans will go to Cavs games even though they suck...why? Because they are loyal. Every Saturday in the fall the Hiram bleachers have people in them....why? Loyalty.

If we paid the same money and respect to women would their skill increase also? What incentive do women have to become athletes? Nothing in comparison to men.

Are women's sports not on the front page of ESPN because they aren't as popular? Or Are they not as popular because they aren't on the front page of ESPN? Do women not care about sports because it isn't interesting? Or Because they can't relate because they see none of their gender in sports?

People don't follow women's sports because they haven't been around long enough to have loyal fans. And men have already been dominating the sport for half a century before women even entered. To help put into perspective how far behind women are in comparison to men: Billy Graham was two years old when the nineteenth amendment was ratified and it was 6 years before Joe Paterno was born. In other words there are still people alive on earth who were around before women could even vote!

I believe that future generations will look back at the early years of the WNBA and they will think of it the same way our generation thinks of Jackie Robinson. A lot of people were against Jackie playing pro ball but now it is laughable to think of excluding Jackie. Don't you think there will come a time in the future when our grandchildren will think it laughable to not have women's sports? You have a choice right now you can either continue to mock the WNBA or you can help a group of people continue to progress and strive for equality in this country. And that starts with a loyal fan base. I don't know about you guys but I'm going to give the WNBA a fair show this season. As I have mentioned before the period of time between the NBA finals and College Football kick off is the worst time of the year for sports. So consider this my official announcement that I will follow and become a fan of a WNBA team.

Now since the Columbus Quest no longer exists nor do the Cleveland Rockers I guess that leaves me no choice but to become an Indiana Fever fan.So starting from this post on I am officially a Fever fan.I hope Brian decides to follow also and picks a team from the west so that we can begin to debate and hopefully help this sport in its early stages take flight and be among the ranks of men's sports.



Besides lets face it during the summer months we all know any sport is better than baseball.

GOAT - Brian

Everyone wants to see the GOAT. Trust me. I watch for the GOAT in every sport I follow. I'm sure you do too. It's what we do as sports fans.

I'm talking, of course, about the greatest of all time.

We all want to say we lived through the prime of the greatest player in their respective sport. That's why everyone was so captivated by Rory McIlroy at the US Open this weekend, even if you don't really follow golf (like myself).

It's why we are so quick to anoint the LeBron James' and the Dwayne Wades of the world as "the next Jordan."

It's why we are so quick to claim that Peyton Manning and Tom Brady are perhaps the greatest QB's of all time, brushing aside Dan Marino, Joe Montana, and John Elway among others.

I don't really remember Jordan's prime, wasn't old enough for Bird and Magic, wasn't born for Wilt and Russell. I wasn't around to watch Jack Nicklaus win 80 majors. I can't claim to remember Elway, Marino, or Montana. I wasn't there for Willie Mays, Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth and the like.

That's why I root so hard for LeBron James. Do I care that he screwed over Cleveland? No. I want to say that I was in my prime during the prime of the GOAT in basketball. How great is it for all of the Jordan fans to say they watched every game of his? To remember "The Flu Game," "The Shrug Game," and "The Shot?"

I have the "48 Special" for LeBron so far. I want more. I want to watch the greatest players of all time. If not LeBron, then the next guy. Maybe Derrick Rose. Maybe Kevin Durant. Either way, I'll be rooting for both.

McIlroy is already being compared to Tiger and Nicklaus. You can bet that I am hoping he passes them both.

I want Pujols to keep putting up these monster numbers.

I want Manning to win a few more rings.

I want to see the GOAT.

Cinnamon Synonym - Adam

Cinnamon... what is it? Many a night I have stayed up tossing and turning over this question...

when someone says something tastes like cinnamon do you really know what taste they are referring to?
Allow me to explain my extreme frustration and confusion with this strange substance known as "Cinnamon"
There are two types of cinnamon...yes that is right it actually has two tastes and it isn't like they taste somewhat similar, oh no, the two tastes of cinnamon are about as similar as LeBron and Jordan (one sucks the other is amazing)

1. Cinnamon #1: or as I will refer to it henceforth to eliminate confusion "CinnaBron" cinnaBron is the cinnamon used in things like Big Red Gum, Hot Tamales, and Crest Cinnamon Rush. notice something about all of those product's packaging? they all have some sort of reference to fire in them. Why because cinnaBron is a hot spicy cinnamon it doesn't taste good and if you are expecting the other cinnamon you will be unbelievably disappointed (much like how LeBron leaves you feeling when you were expecting Michael)
   
2. Cinnamon #2: Now this is what I'm talking about this is the cinnamon we all know and love. this cinnamon is used in delicious foods such as cinnamon rolls, cinnamon toast crunch, and Cinnamelt. This cinnamon is tasty and when ever I ask for something cinnamon flavored this is the cinnamon I am referring to. It is superior in every way.
   

Do I think it is a cruel joke for the high ups in the food industry to name two contradicting flavors the same thing? yes. Is there anything I can do about it? no. Well not exactly I do have one of the top 10 most viewed blogs on the internet at my finger tips (its actually the most viewed) and with it a chance to change and fix the world to exactly the way it should be (the way I see it). I will use the media outlet to express my interest in changing the name of the hot spicy overrated cinnamon to cinnaBron while leaving the other to keep the name cinnamon.

These two tastes should have never been named the same thing the world has messed it all up and once again I am left to clean up the mistakes of our forefathers. It is a dirty job but someone has to do it.

I would say I'm open to other name suggestions for the two cinnami but this looks like a pretty open and closed case.

You're Welcome

Jordan Fades Back - Brian

This season I have been lauding quite a bit of praise on LeBron James. I have argued that Cleveland fans need to get over losing him and move on. I have argued that James was the leader of the Heat. I have argued that James was the MVP of the NBA regular season.

I don't take any of those back. But one thing that I will never argue, and no one should ever even suggest anymore, is that LeBron can be as good as Jordan.

I really only need one number to prove that, and here they are:

LeBron - Game 5 2011 NBA finals: 9 points

Would Jordan ever have submitted a game like that? Absolutely not. LeBron also looked lethargic defensively during that game too. No weak side blocks. No quick rotation on defense. Just a lot of standing around.

Jordan would have been in LeBron's face if they had played together, making sure there was no standing around. And if that wasn't bad enough, LeBron made almost no effort to make sure the Heat didn't lose the next game at home.

Jordan would have done everything possible to make sure his team won in that situation. He would have taken over that game and if his team lost, it wouldn't have been because of Jordan.

LeBron has nothing on Jordan.

And after these finals, I should never hear an argument to the contrary.

Urine Yield – Adam

Alright so I know every dude has used a urinal thus I know ever dude has had the extremely disgusting side effect of urinal use...
the splash back.

Yes it is up there as one of the most disgusting things known to an America man. Even more so is the neighbor splash where the bro next to you gives you a little treat on the feet.

I know a few dudes who have put their wet foot down and refuse to use urinals because of splash back. Well the other day as I was experiencing the unavoidable slash back on my legs and feet holding back my urge to barf I started thinking... its 2011 and porcine is the best we can come up with for a urinal? It's basically a force field reflecting right back onto you... so I started to consider other possible urinal material then it hit me like a splash of urine to the toes...

what if instead of changing up the material we simply change the design... Ladies and mainly gentlemen I give you one of my top 100 best ideas ever “The Urine Yield Shield” The UYS is a simple modification of the classical urinal. The only thing you have to change is simply make the urinal opening a long narrow gateway much like the trench on the death star.

The current “satellite dish style” actually encourages splash back. The side walls that are intended for privacy end up becoming urine navigators that help make sure ever drop of urine is returned to sender. I know I'm not a scientist but a simple trip to the bathroom and anyone can figure out there is a flaw to the design of the urinals.


So you might be thinking “Adam why hasn't someone solved this problem before?” Well folks it is because I believe that the shoe industry is also connected to the urinal industry you see if we solve this problem then shoes won't be covered in strangers urine thus people won't buy shoes as often. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if Nike has this blog taken down minutes after the posting of this article. In fact I would be surprised if it stays up all day today!

If anyone has any tips that you've mastered on how to prevent slash back I'm all ears.