Opinion: Obama on Gun Control...Too Little Too Late

Read this.

This. (if you haven't already)

This. (you probably didn't read it)

And this. (if you haven't already)

That's right, you do what I say because I am your master. Three conflicting views all with valid points. I'm right of course, and by default they would be wrong, good arguments nonetheless. In the wake of the latest and probably most horrific mass shoot, it's going to be pretty tough to stand on the other end of this issue. I threw out a pretty bad scenario in my post, but nothing as bad as what actually occurred. Now Obama wants to call for stricter laws on guns, and while I do believe there should be a ban on assault rifles and other automatic weapons, I do not want these people to take this tragedy as a reason to jump overboard with my rights. People still have their right to protection and sport (hunting, I don't but I know people do, and do so without murdering one another). I still want to be able to purchase one if I feel the need. And do not want to have to attempt to purchase one illegally if I cannot, because let's face it, unless the police are going door to door collecting guns, there are plenty of them out there and the number will continue rise.

I'm probably over simplifying this, but I would think the best way to attack the issue without going too far is the ban I already spoke off and having shop keepers check to see if the person buying the gun has a legit license, we stop the criminals and crazy people from buying guns...legally at least. We already talked about how easy they are to get. Your other option...well, I kind of hesitate to write this, it's such a loaded issue and what has just transpired is so wrong...but

arm everyone. I'm serious, at this point trying to get the guns out of America is like trying to take the salt out of the ocean. Mandatory handguns and free trips to the firing range for everyone, well the trips to the range aren't mandatory, they are just highly recommended. But everyone would be issued a pistol from the state. Perhaps drastic measures need to be taken. It's gotten ridiculous, and call me crazy, but one of the best ways to make these mass shooting go away is to have every adult and his momma packing heat.

Music: Check Out: Kendrick Lamar- Good Kid, M.A.A.D City

This is serious people.

When I started listening to Kendrick Lamar it was kind as a joke. Moops had made me listen to my first song starring him, The Recipe with a beat by Dre. I thought it was kind of lame, yea the beat was good but I wasn't really feeling the lyrics. But then, to break Moops balls, we looked up a bunch of his shit Kendrick had previously released, expecting it to be wack, but it wasn't. Two tracks really caught my eye, well ear, A.D.H.D, and A1 Everything with Meek Mill. Meek had always one of the few artist I still like in the rapidly declining rap game, but Kendrick went harder than Meek on the track...The kid had my attenion.


So, I copped Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City, and was instantly blown away. Believe me when I say there isn't a bad track on the CD. He's got many different kinds of songs, none of which sound the same, and you can literally listen to it from begining to end. I dare say I would consider this shit an instant classic. Even the Pre-Good Kid, M.A.A.D City Mixtape that dropped right before the CD, so basically the songs that didn't make the CD was still pretty great. To name a couple a song you should probably check out from the mixtape and CD: Backseat Freestyle, The Art of Peer Pressure, good kid, Swimming Pools, and Black Boy Fly on the album - The Spiteful Chant, Cartoon and Cereal, Cloud 10, and Dumb it Down on the mixtape, and many more on both CDs. So, take my advice, check some out on YouTube and get the album, if you are a fan of innovative rap that is. Trust me you will not be disappointed.

Seriously.

Sports: Leave it to the French

They take this 'no-hands' thing in soccer a bit too far...



Seriously? Leave it to the French to immortalize poor sportsmanship. As you few and faithful readers may be aware, I'm all about sportsmanship. Now this is far from being a cockblasting that was unleashed at this years Olympics, but I would wager just as disgraceful.

For those of you familiar with soccer, you are already aware of Zinedine Zidane and his notorious '98 World Cup headbutt. For those that aren't (Americans) please feel free to watch here and listen to the feeble excuse the announcer gives, but take it with a grain of salt and bare in mind the World Cup Finals, are like Super Bowl except it's not just American's going apeshit, it's the entire world going apeshit over a sporting event.

Again, a Frenchmen was losing a internationally televised sporting event and could not handle the fact that their might be someone out their that is better. Notice a pattern? No? Me either.

One would think the country being represented would be embarrassed by this, but on the contrary. They are not only proud but have immortalized the chickenshit head-butt as a bronze statue in front of the Paris' Centre Pompidou. And here I thought that statue of Rocky infront of the Philadelphia Art Museum was the dumbest shit ever. THE FRENCH WILL NOT BE OUTDONE!

So here we are, they've gone from making statues of Lady Liberty to making ones of  Headbutt McScowly? Let's say it will be about, ten years until Nicholas Batum has his statue erected infront of the Louvre? I have alot more to say on this, but am just at a loss at the moment. But hey, if our country hadn't done anything to be proud of since the Renaissance, we'd be grasping at straws too.

Just picture it in bronze.

Sports: Brent Celek, Is There Anything He Can't Do

I've never been a huge fan of Brent Celek, neither has my associate Copperhead. Our reasons are our own. But if you MUST know, he banged my mother and his girlfried. But all that aside, take a gander at this:

PIcture taken minutes before Copperhead's girlfriend and my mother made him into a Celek Sandwich.



Now, we are both big men, not big in the sense of the way Mr. Celek is big. We are bigger men in the sense that we can look past all that, as long as he performs well for our Eagles. I've never been to big on him, he has good hands, but has dropped some crucial touchdowns as well. He runs hard and rarely ever goes down on the first hit....until:




First down motheruckers!

Whoa! Dude, got his bell run, shook it off in seconds, and just went HAM with his first down motion. His swagger was on full, I have no doubt. At this point of thinking, wow, he hung onto the ball...AND HE CANNOT BE BROKEN. Now I've been watching the Eagles a long time but you don't see someone get the wind knocked out of them and come up firing. B oh no, he was not done yet:

Alley-Oop.

One of the funnier things about this is what as soon as Celek got the ball, Copperhead yelled out "He's gonna hurdle someone." And not more thean 1 second later Ed Reed was hurdled. I could not imagine what that feels like, the whole "Where did he go" feeling. This isn't the first time he's done this either. I can recall at least 3 or 4 games where this has taken place over the past 5 years, although I failed to find anything on youtube.

But believe me, it happens.

See?

So, let's just sign this guy up for the Olymipics, sure we can continue to dominate in swimming, but with a stud like this out on a track with those fairies, not only with he out run and out hurdle them, he will also run them the fuck over, because he can. Or better yet, put a saddle and a jockey(like DeSean Jackon) on this stud and watch him rock the equestrian games:

"Six foot vertical? Piece 'o cake, hold on little buddy."

I'm all for this. I'd like to see the Eagles win the Super Bowl finally, but wouldn't it be better to have America dominate in track, field, and the equestrian games next Olympics?

Oh...and just cause it was Ed Reed and I fucking hate Mr. Reed for getting a pick and taking Kelce out for the season, here's Horsecock Celek sack tapping him from a different angle.

Mr. Reed, suck it.

 

Opinion: The Camden City Cigarette Party

My arduous, hour-long commute from work this afternoon -- which, I might add, was quite exasperated by the Labor Day thrill-seekers overflowing in minivans filled with an alcoholic’s paranoia at the dire annunciation of ‘last call’ -- was calmed by the soothing, poetic voice of the late Christopher Hitchens reading the book he authored God is Not Great.  Filth of this sort upsets the devout, but reminds me -- an unholy, non-believer -- that I am unconditionally free from an omnipotent, omniscient & omnipresent ruler, and unrestricted in living my life according to my own volition.  Or am I?

"This cigarette business only confirms my suspicions about god's existence."



With windows down, I cruise past the umpteenth WaWa as Hitch goes in for full penetration: “Violent, irrational, intolerant, allied to racism and tribalism and bigotry, invested in ignorance and hostile to free inquiry, contemptuous of women and coercive toward children: organized religion ought to have a great deal on its conscience.”  Then I notice a sign on the well-groomed grass of the WaWa: “[Cigarettes] Sold at the lowest price allowed by law!”. Well, stop the music.  Just what do you mean?

Have we called “the state” off the bench to pinch-hit for our divine, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent ruler in cases of economics?  The state, rebuked in the past for their epic failures in the arena of price ceilings, is still playing un-criticized with price hurdles it seems.

As of January 1, 2012, New Jersey imposed a $2.70 per pack tax on cigarettes.  PER BLOODY PACK!  And this exorbitant amount only lands them at #6 among these united States (gather your children for a fun game of ‘Find Out How Much My State Thinks I Should Be Taxed For Purchasing Unhealthy Products, Although I Have Decided For Myself To Take The Risk When Making The Purchasing Decision’ by clicking here.  “But, Mom, I thought America was a free-market?” “Ah, Timmy, so naïve you are.  Those public schools will educate you!”).  So, a one-pack-a-day kinda’ guy from the Garden State will pay $2.70 per pack per day multiplied by 365 days in a year, which costs him thousand bucks every year.

Why?  Is it because cigarettes are unhealthy?  Such reasoning would force the state to tax every unhealthy aspect of our lives, which ironically includes the state themselves and their intermingling in the economic affairs of society.  The current paternalistic state should offend any rational, reason-minded citizen; the legislation of morality and "healthiness" (subjective a phrase as it is) should not be tolerated by any civilized society.

In conclusion, I want to express my empathy to WaWa as a non-smoking, atheist champion of liberty and free markets.  This company is willing, by every indication, to charge lower prices for cigarettes, but the state will not allow it.  Consumers pay the price to fill the insatiable gut of Mr. Christie under the guise of morality and health.  Do not let the rhetoric beguile you.

Christie hungry.

How can we convince the state that excise taxes are unjust, and that legislating morality is immoral in itself?  Who is John Galt?

Well, tonight, under the stars of Camden city, at the foot of the Ben Franklin Bridge, we fill the Delaware River with [even more]: stogies, butts, roaches, cartons, chew, snus, snuff, blunt guts, cigars, doobies & empty cigarette packs.  Join me comrades!

Seriously, stop asking me, I haven't the foggiest.



Sports: Swoop Throws Like a Bitch!

Philadelphia Eagles Mascot Swoop takes the flight out of "Flight Night"

Philadelphia Eagles Mascot Swoop

This past Sunday I was invited by a friend to attend the Philadelphia Eagles Flight Night, which in all honesty is nothing more than just a glorified training camp, followed by a laser light show (which was pretty rad). The atmosphere was electric as fans of all ages made their way around stadium to discover all types of games, collectables, and the ever so popular stations where you can take pictures with nameless Eagles' cheerleaders. Now like most folks in the Philadelphia/South Jersey region, I love the Birds and being at the Linc with so much excitement, it seems as if there wouldn't be much reason to complain (aside from the $4 bottled waters). It was all good except for one factor, Swoop, the Philadelphia Eagles Mascot who can't seem to throw a souvenir football or t-shirt passed the third row. The crowd was small that night, no seats were filled past the 100 level and with a smaller crowd to please and the make up being mostly children, you would think they would do their absolute best with trying to give everyone a fair shot at the free giveaways. But no, not Swoop and his limp dick of an arm.  The crowd cheered as he made his way onto the field, pointed at the stands and did his stupid dances as the fans screamed and raised their hands to the sky with anticipation of catching whatever free gifts that were launched into the seats.

Don't get me wrong, as a grown man I could care less if I win a prize, but what about the kids in the last row? I mean seriously, is it that hard to get at least a few shirts past the third row, even with their fancy sling shot? Not only do the fans in the front rows get the privilege of being closer to the action and have a better shot of getting a player to autograph some type of memorabilia, but they also get all the free giveaways too? Bullshit I say! Obviously, Swoop can't get the job done by using his arm or sling shot, so where's the canon? As I look around at all the disappointed children's faces in the back rows and the kids/grown ups in the front rows basking in their glory of free giveaways, sharing high fives, their guts exploding with laughter as they're drenched in spoils I can't help but to think Swoop is a bitch. He looks like a bitch, throws like a bitch, and dances like a bitch.  If he is reading this right now, take heed to these words and know that your only purpose is to please the fans and not just the ones in the front row. Fans are fans, whether in the front, back, bathroom, or parking lot. They all deserve the same amount of consideration.  If you can't do that then you should take off the jersey, quit your job, and go stand on the street corner with an arrow promotions for Popeye's, this way you don't have to please anyone, just collect a paycheck. 

P.S. It doesn't matter if your an eagle, most people won't know the difference or care as they drive by beeping and laughing at your tragically sad dance moves. Bitch.

Sports: History Made - US defeats Mexico 1-0

Quick everybody, Man-hug!

I realize that I am a day late and a dollar short on reporting the events that took place August 15th, 2012. Yes, I also realize this was just an International Friendly with no FIFA, Confederate, or World Cup implications. And finally, I am also aware that Mexico had just won the gold medal for men's soccer and sat a lot of their starters. However, it was not as if the USA was using all of their best players in this game either, with team leaders like Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley, Carlos Bocanegra, and Jozy Altidore not participating in the friendly. That all being said, this victory was still a historic moment for the US soccer team and probably the best I can recall in recent memory.

For those of you that do not care, or are simply unaware of our team's record when playing in Mexico, please allow me to sum it up. We have been going to Mexico for 75 years to play them in soccer, and do you know what our record was in Mexico before August 15th, 2012? One draw, twenty-three losses, and zero wins. That's right, 0-23-1, we had never beaten them on their home turf until last week. To me, this is a sign that America is finally becoming relevant in the world of soccer(or football, whatever). We've always had a rivalry with Mexico dating back to 1934, mainly due to the fact that our countries are so close to one another. But since the mid 90s, the matches have begun to get more competitive. America is not a team to be taken lightly anymore, and they've been proving it over these past ten years.

Someone tell this guy to get off my back, I can't hear a damn thing!

Now, the game itself was...fine. I'd like to say that our boys really took it to the Mexican team, but it was quite the opposite. It seemed like team Mexico controlled the possession and were on the USA's side of the pitch most of the game. However, the Americans new defensive experiment seemed to pay off, with four defenders deep, anchored by Geoff Cameron, who at one point saved a goal with a beautiful play. While he was marking his man and running towards his own net, he somehow managed to get a head on the cross ment for a wide open Mexican striker, and blast it away from his net. Aside from the stellar defense the Americans put up, there was not much to be excited about in terms of offense. The turning point of the game came around the 78 minute mark I believe, when American coach Jürgen Klinsmann decided to put Brek Shea into the game. As to why he decided to put the struggling midfielder into the game while we were deadlocked at 0-0 with roughly 10 minutes left to play, I do not know. But, it was unquestionably the right call, because a few minutes after checking in Mr. Shea did this:

Brek Shea pictured at the bottom of the screen, not pictured is his enormous dong.

As you can see from the video, what he brought to the game was his energy. A quick burst of speed up the left side, followed by a light touch guiding the ball around the dumbfounded defender, and topped it off with a soft pass to an semi-open Terrence Boyd. The ball was then quickly back heeled by Boyd and was sent spinning toward the goal, only to be finished off by Michael Orozco Fiscal. Not much later, Shea had another run down the same side of the pitch and put up a perfect cross to an open teammate(who's name escapes me) that should have made it 2-0, however the cross was not tucked home.

It was the end of the game and US men's soccer was on the verge of history, and that is when Mexico decided to throw everything they had at them, kitchen sink included. If not for the efforts of Tim Howard, well we would still be looking for our first win on Mexican soil. Rather than describe the saves Howard had to make in the last ten minutes of the game, it's easier to show you.

Soccer balls? Shit, I could stop tennis balls out this bitch.

It helped greatly that the Mexican striker Chicharito appeared to be completely snake bitten the entire match. He had countless opportunities, but it just came down to him being a hair offsides, a split second too late, or just plain bad luck.

I am in no way taking anything away from the Americans, they played a hard game and earned the win. But while I watched the game, I could not help to think that Mexico had outclassed them on the pitch. This was a perfect storm for team USA, a stalwart defense that the Mexicans could not penetrate, a goalie zoned in and making incredible saves, a spark plug bench player coming in and playing out of his mind (if only for ten minutes), and well, a world class striker having a less than world class game. But hey, a win is a win and we will take them anyway we can get them.

This was just a warm up, the real game will come in 2014's World Cup Qualifiers. For the future, let's hope the rivalry builds and the time until the qualifiers gives America enough time to get their game up to par with the gold medalist Mexicans. But for now, let's just enjoy the historic victory and be glad we can head into the World Cup Qualifier's without that damn 75 year monkey on our back.

Opinion: Boycott the Registry Racket

My younger brother was short-sighted enough to have conceived a beautiful baby girl a few months back. Now that this angel is living among us, I am reminded of the strange unisex baby shower that preceded her arrival. This awful, feminine-fest was fortunately held at a bar, stocked with enough craft beer to placate the never-thirstier mouths of the men dragged to witness the insanity (What is the deal with the umbrella and goofy chair? This is what happens when women are left alone too long.). My niece is a true miracle, and this article will be limited to an examination of the lunacy known as the Baby Shower Registry.

I just shit my pants daddy!

I am perhaps too young to remember when this phenomenon first hit the scene, and perhaps the registry replaced an even worse process (even though it may seem hard to imagine that a group of excited women would make uneconomical decisions). Regardless, I assert that the process of gift giving via a registry is uneconomical and should, therefore, be eradicated and replaced.

First, let us walk through a high level economic axiom. Consumers in a market economy universally make purchasing decisions through a tradeoff process; this process compares a consumer’s desired ends (i.e., utility) versus the means to acquire the ends (i.e., money). The market accommodates consumers with varying levels of quality & functionality at varying price levels. Consumers survey the market and select the appropriate product that meets their tradeoff between desired ends and available means. This value tradeoff will vary among consumers, because, as Lewis Black will tell you, “…we’re all like snowflakes”.

Let us examine a personal example to hammer this concept home. I am wicked frugal and decide to sit in the bleachers in Fenway for a Sox game for $20 as opposed to the much-coveted seat atop the Green Monsta which sell on stubhub.com for $300. There are a dozen choices in between these two, and the alternative remains to stay home altogether. Only I -- as the consumer in this case -- am capable of efficiently determining how much of my efforts (i.e., dollar wages) the product is worth. Only I can choose among the varying strata of options available in the market, and make the tradeoff decision. This is how a market economy works, and every one of us makes these decisions nearly every day whether we are consciously aware or not. Companies then react to the market demand, prices are adjusted accordingly, consumers react to the changes in the market, and the process continues constantly.

Armed with a basic understanding of the market process, let us now explore why the registry racket retards the market process. The final consumer (my brother, and his lovely fiancé in our introductory example) select one or two retail stores, grab a scanner, and march through the store scanning items that they "need" in an effort to "help" family and friends purchase a gift for the baby shower. Already, we can spot some issues: rather than source from many stores, the registry is typically limited to one or two of the big chains who offer everything and incite this racket; the scanning is usually done on the fly, in one trip, with no comparison or market research & the couple is forced to "need" enough things for their full guest list. These issues when translated into economic terms represent: a limited supply, limited information and an artificial spur in demand; this is the Great Nor’Easter of inefficient purchasing.

My biggest gripe with this registry racket may be slightly less obvious. It became apparent to me in this case when I strolled through Babies R Us with the registry in hand and was confronted with a $250 baby stroller with an iPod plug-in and speakers; I violently erupted -- much to the dismay of my life partner by my side and those families in the general area -- "Are you fucking kidding me?!". Ask yourself some questions: Does he need this? Would he make this decision in the market economy with his earned income? Would I? Would anyone? Now repeat the answers with me: No. No. Fuck no. Idiots maybe.

By separating the consumer from the role of purchaser we unleash chaos and inefficiency; the value tradeoff between quality/features and price can not possibly be conducted when it is not your money. But Copperhead, he saw the price and, therefore, made the value tradeoff when he scanned it. “Hey Farva. What's the name of that bar with all the goofy shit on the walls?.. ‘Shenanigans’.” He is unable to make this determination unless it is his money being spent, and I call Shenanigans on anybody asserting otherwise. And, quite frankly, the entire registry process feels like Eric Cartman’s birthday party where everyone was extorted for a gift of his choice in exchange for the invitation (Southpark Episode S01E08, ‘Damien’); the concept was lampooned in this episode, yet accepted in our world. I call for a mass boycott of this madness. Put some cash in a card with kind words and a copy of this blog post -- the world will be better off.

I'll take the Lamborghini Countach.

Sports: Batum vs. Navarro - The Cockshot Heard Round the World

Where's my money, bitch?

Holy shit people, I could not believe it when I saw it. Apparently, Nicholas Batum became enraged in the final minutes of the game as his Frenchmen were facing elimination via the Spaniards in the quarterfinals of men's basketball. He spotted his arch nemesis Juan Carlos Navarro, balled up the massive hamhock he calls a fist while sprinting toward his unknowing victim, and with the fury of a thousand suns threw a cockpunch so fierce that I assume sent the tiny spaniard to the floors in the fetal position alternating between a horrible mix of severe convulsions, vomiting blood, and massive rectal leakage.

"I wanted to give them a good reason to flop," Batum was quoted saying, which implies that it wasn't necessarily Navarro that was a specific target of his rage, just a bystander of it, that happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and paid dearly. Now for a moment let's forget this was on the world stage and this guy hasn't embarrassed his coach, teammates, and country. Let's also forget that being a sore loser and a sucker punching pussy is extremely lame and those are the worst kinds of people. And lastly, let's forget that his guy won't be punished very harshly even though he deserves to be banned from any sporting event ever because he cannot conduct himself like a civilized human being. With that all forgotten, for me, this was an hilarious moment in an otherwise low scoring and uneventful game. Some people might not agree and say that it has no place in the sports, and to those of you boring fucktards, I pose the question, "Would basketball, college, NBA, or otherwise, benefit from an deranged dickbashing enforcer imposing his will on his opponents?" Please take a moment to think about this, it works in hockey right, I mean, aside from the crotch assault. Who wouldn't tune in to see giants abuse each other's penis' for four straight quarters? The answer is nobody that I would associate with, which leads me to believe this is the evolution of basketball before our eyes. People said it was the 3 point shot, or the expansion of the 3 second area or misguidedly stated it would be Slamball. But they were/are dead wrong, it is oversized neanderthals striking each other in the go-nads.

Scene : Craft Beer Sales Explode!

Craft Beers are rising faster than anytime since Prohibition...

Now I don't know about you, but I do enjoy myself a good craft beer, and apparently I'm not alone.  According to the Brewers Association there are now 2,126 craft breweries in the U.S., which turns out to be the most there have been since 1890.  That figure also includes the 350 new breweries that have opened since June 2011.  Surprising?  Maybe, but I've noticed that almost every time I'm at a function be it a BBQ or shooting the breeze at the local watering hole, at least one person is either drinking or telling me about this new craft beer they've discovered.  

The sales of craft beers have seen a 12 percent increase despite the fact that overall beer sales are down.  Makes perfect since, if the sales of craft beers continue to go up then naturally the "traditional" beer sales will begin to drop.  Take myself for example, when I was younger I usually went for the more "traditional" beers or whatever I seen the older guys drinking, but now I'm always on the look out for something new to try.  

An interesting quote from Paul Gatza, director of the brewers association stated "Beer passionate Americans are opening breweries at a rate faster than the day Prohibition ended for the beverage moderation.  There is nearly a new brewery opening for everyday of the year, benefiting beer lovers and communities in every area across the country".  I'll cheers to that.  Another fun fact about these craft breweries is they account for about 104,000 full and part-time jobs, helping our nation's recovering economy.  So next time you hit the liquor store and your looking for something new, try checking out a craft beer.

A few suggestions to check out...

- Old Brown Dog (Smutty Nose Brewing Co.)
-DogFish Head
-Samuel Adams Boston Larger

Opinion : Victims of Ignorance

Is it really gun control that we need or ignorance control?

On Sunday the fears of 9/11 were brought back to surface as a shooting took place at a Sikh Temple in Milwaukee.  The gunman was identified by associate press as Wade Michael Page, 40, who also was a military veteran and resident of neighboring community.

Page, 40, was killed by officers in the parking lot after he allegedly fired off rounds close range at police as they attempted to stop him. Oak Creek Police Chief John Edwards told reporters that Page served in the Army from 1992 to 1998.  Police investigations report the shooter, who was white, harbored extreme racial views, but cautioned none of those allegations have been confirmed.

Just about a week ago author, Blackfyre, posted an opinion piece on gun control.  Now while I do agree with his point of view and also believe that we have the right to bear arms it comes down to a simple fact: "Guns don't kill people, people kill people".  So while we could go back and forth all day about gun control, where's the discussion on ignorance control?

Sports : Garret Reid Dead at 29

Son of Phildelphia Eagles Head Coach Andy Reid was found dead at Lehigh University...

At 7:20 a.m. Lehigh University campus police discovered Garrett Reid the oldest son of Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid dead. Officers deemed Reid as "unresponsive" after the University's Chief of Police, Edward Shupp placed the 911 call.

Shupp explained "Upon arrival, it was observed that attempts were made to revive the individual, and they were unsuccessful", Shupp also stated that "The individual was deceased upon arrival and that no suspicious activities were found".  Northampton County Coroner Zachary Lysek, who pronounced Reid deceased at the scene, said he is conducting an investigation at the request of the Lehigh campus police.

Music : No More Snoop Dogg?

Snoop Dogg has now changed his name to Snoop Lion...

Snoop Lion

It's official, Snoop Doggy Dogg, the rapper that we've all come to know and love has changed his name to Snoop Lion.  On Tuesday at a press release in New York Snoop broke the news to reporters and industry reps that he was losing the Dog and adding the Lion.  

So why the change?  It was a bit of a spiritual experience one might say.  On a trip to Jamaica Snoop said he had an epiphany and came to the realization that he was bored with rap and that it was time to start making music that his grandparents and grandkids could listen to.

While on his journey in Jamaica Snoop took a visit to one of the holiest Rastafarian temples where he was blessed with the title of Lion.  Unlike dogs, Lions hold a place of pride in the Rasta theology and Rastafarians would indicate you calling yourself a dog as having a lack of self knowledge.  The symbolism of the Lion runs deep in Rastarfarian theology being that it's a symbol for Solomon's tribe of Judah (Christians see Christ as the Lion of Judah).  The most famous Rastafarian of all time, Bob Marley often sang about the "Lion of Zion".

So what does this mean for all the Snopp fans across the globe?  Well the Lion sees himself as a reincarnation of the late Bob Marley and wishes to keep the fire of his spirit burning.  In the late fall we can expect to see Snoop's first reggae album released.

At the end of the conference Snoop told reporters "I feel like I've always been Rastafari, I just didn't have my third eye open".

Perspective : Law and Disorder in Philadelphia

BBC attempts to understand the high crime rate in Philadelphia.

In 2010 the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) released a documentary that searched for answers to the high crime rate in Philadelphia.  Reporters took a tour of the North Philadelphia section of the city with Police officers from the 24th precent to try to gain insight on what could be causing such a high crime/murder rate that the city is notorious for.

The documentary features officers from different divisions including beat cops, under covers, and special units designated specifically to the elimination of drug and violent criminal activity.  Law enforcement agents attempt to show the obstacles in place as they make little to no progress in "cleaning up the streets".  They also shed light onto some of the reasons why the streets have become so riddled with crime.

But there's two sides to every story and this documentary makes an effort in showing that.  You hear from the dealers, dope heads, and "victims".  I use quotations when I say victims because although the police are trying to do their job of keeping the streets safe, they use a controversial tactic known as "Stop and Frisk", an article of legislation that was passed after Mayor Michael Nutter took office in 2008.  The law gives the police the right to stop and search anybody even if there's no suspicion to do so.

As interesting as this documentary is, it's also sad too seeing the oppression that people live in along with a cultural train of thought doesn't seem to be changing anytime soon.  One of the major themes that echo in this documentary is the "Stop Snitching" state of mind that cripples the communities they plague in more ways than one.

Entertainment : Beats by Dre Raids 2012 Olympics Games

Beats by Dre gives headphones to British Athletes.

Rapper Dr. Dre

A controversy is boiling in London as the Doctor raids the Olympic Games with a brilliant or devious marketing plan.  The rapper Dr. Dre along with his public relations and marketing teams sent British athletes customized versions of his Beats headphones.  The headphones were quite impressive as they were complete with personalization and draped in national colors. 

 So what's the big deal you might ask?  Well unfortunately like most things in life it comes down to dollar signs. Apparently it's prohibited to "advertise" from companies that do not hold official Olympic rights. The IOC (International Olympic Committee), the company that regulates advertising for the games are upset being they already have an official electronics sponsor with Panasonic.

Entertainment : Hottest Olympians of 2012

A Closer Look at the 2012 Games Hottest Athletes...

Leryn Franco

One of the biggest trending topics that I notice for the 2012 Olympic Games is the highlighting of athletes off the field.  More and more it seems that athletes are not only being recognized for their talents but their looks as well.  Although looks don't predict who is going to win or lose, they present and interesting career opportunity outside of sports.  Paraguayan Track and Field star Leryn Franco is one of those athletes who actually recognizes and acknowledges this fact.  She realizes that in the 2012 games she most likely won't place high enough to receive a medal but admits that her career is really in the media.  Franco is actually a model who also happens to be an athlete and in 2006 was a runner up in the Miss Universe Paraguay contest.  She has also appeared in numerous magazines including Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition.  For more on the top 25 Hottest Athletes click here.

Sports : Olympic Medal Results

No. 2 Ranked U.S.A holds 11 Medals Total

Right: Ryan Lochte, Left: Michael Phelps

With the opening weekend of the Olympics coming to a close team U.S.A is currently ranked No. 2 taking home 11 medals total thus far.  Most of their medals came by way of  swimming events.  The break down is as follow; 3 Gold (2 from Women's Skeet Shooting and 1 from Men's 400m Individual Medley).  5 Silver (1 Men's team Archery, 1 Women's Synchronised Diving, 1 Men's 4 X 100 Freestyle Relay, 1 Women's 4 X100 Individual Medley).  3 Bronze, (1 Men's 100m Breaststroke, 1 Men's 400m Relay, and 1 Women's 4 X 100 Freestyle Relay).  The Men's Swimming events played out to be a bit on the disappointing side with the return of  8 time Gold medalist Michael Phelps not reclaiming the events that he set world records in at Bejieng 4 years ago.  More events are set to start with the beginning of the week bringing more possibilities for the Americans to see the podium.  Still in the hunt for medals are Men's and Women's Soccer, Men's Basketball, Women's and Men's Beach and Indoor Volleyball, and Men's and Women's Gymnastics.

Editor's Response: Ban on Assault Rifles and Automatic Weapons

Though Mr. Copperhead was quiet eloquent in pointing our that state endorsed genocides, and infantry/officers that fail to exert sympathy, empathy, or self control, I am well aware of there existence. The numbers are staggering even though most of these events took place over years under violent regimes. However what Mr. Copperhead failed to recognize is that I am not talking about military murdering civilians, that has been done before the invention of the assault rifle, hell before the invention of the gun. So while I appreciate all the international statistics and found the link very interesting, let's stick to America who is typically near the top of the list every year, sitting pretty with countries that are either virtual war zones or are suffering from out of control drug cartels.  So most of what he addresses I cannot speak too, though it seems like a rather simplistic and cold take on the issue. If Mr. Copperhead his reading this I would like him to take moment and reread my article, because I was not pushing to have assault weapons banned, simply banned from civilian use and distribution. To claim that not allowing our citizens access to weapons made for war, is self defeating and that the 'occassional psychopath' getting his hands on an AA-12 and going berserk in a mall is acceptable..because governments have done it on a larger scale? I'm sorry, I find that logic offensive and disgusting considering how easy it is to procure automatic firearms in some states. In summation, though I respect your views and appreciate your take on the larger scale of things, I hope you can understand these are separate issues and one does not excuse the other. Speaking on the issue of state violence against it's on people. Well, even with the assault rifles, we are outgunned by the states bombs, missiles, and nukes. There is no reason to clutch your AK so the government won't violate your rights. If they want you violated, it's going to happen. So please Mr. Copperhead, uncock the trigger, remove the clip, empty the chamber, and PUT THE GUN DOWN!

Note: For further reading on the issue, one of the guys at Cracked.com wrote a funny but ultimately pointless article that can be read here.

-Blackfyre

Reader's Response: Ban on Assault Rifles and Automatic Weapons

The author of this post, along with Jon Stewart, is correct when he encourages discussion on the topic of gun control; it can never be ‘too soon for discussion’ as the parade of right-wingers chant in the opening minutes of the linked episode. Let us discuss.

My copy of the Constitution is bit dusty and perhaps outdated (my frugality does not permit me to procure the ‘Progressive’ edition), but Amendment II is quite clear in my version, “the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed”. The author acknowledges and agrees with the spirit of this Amendment, but maintains that “assault weapons” should be banned. Let us examine this claim, and the second video in greater detail.

The second video link, featuring a pugnacious AA-12, was a not-so-subtle scare tactic; here we see a terrifying automatic shotgun in the hands of the United States Government (in the case of this video it is the major defense contractor, Blackwater). Rather than strengthening the author’s argument, this video merely reveals the ugly face of the number one enemy of the people: the state. State violence, also known as Democide (a phrase coined by Professor Rummel in “Death by Government”), is a much greater threat than the occasional psychopath. I shall now provide a scare tactic of my own which when taken in conjunction with this AA-12 video will illustrate the threat we face; here is a list of all the states which killed more than one million people during the 20th century:

U.S.S.R. (1917-1987), 61,911,000; Communist China (1949-1987), 35,236,000; Nazi Germany (1933-1945), 20,946,000; and Nationalist (or Kuomintang) China (1928-1949), 10,076,000; Japan (1936-1945), 5,964,000; Cambodia (1975-1979), 2,035,000; Turkey (1909-1918), 1,883,000; Vietnam (1945-1987), 1,678,000; North Korea (1948-1987), 1,663,000; Poland (1945-1948), 1,585,000; Pakistan (1958-1987), 1,503,000; Mexico (1900-1920), 1,417,000; Yugoslavia (1944-1987), 1,072,000; Czarist Russia (1900-1917), 1,066,000. (http://www.fff.org/freedom/1094f.asp)

Banning “assault weapons” to prevent the “slaughter [of] mass groups of people”, as recommended by the author, is self-defeating. As the list makes clear, the state is the leading culprit of mass slaughter, and acquiescing its thirst for superior weaponry above the citizenry will only placate its desire. If citizens are to retain their liberty in the long term it is essential that the second amendment be safeguarded from the erosion of regulations, laws and controls promulgated by the state. As Noah Webster noted in the Examination into the Leading Principles of the Federal Constitution (1787):

Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed; as they are in almost every kingdom in Europe. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword, because the whole body of the people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any band of regular troops that can be, on any pretense, raised in the United States. (http://www.constitution.org/mil/rkba1982.htm#37)

Notes: I agree with the author’s comments on drug & gambling laws; my libertarian approach encourages individual choice in these matters with no interference from John Law. Also, this response is limited in scope to merely rejecting the author’s call to ban “assault weaponry”. A multitude of arguments could have been put forth in a more general argument on the right to bear arms, and I stand by with the trigger cocked.

--Copperhead

Sports : 2012 Olympics

The Best of the Best set to Compete...

Magic in the air as the 2012 Olympic Summer Games hosted in London, England are set to officially kick off  at tonight's opening ceremony.  Every 4 years whether it be summer or winter, the Olympic games summon together the best athletes from around the globe to compete on the worlds biggest stage.  The opening ceremony is a spectacle within itself as it usually entails a large ceremonial production to light the torch that ushers in hopeful athletes competing for the gold.  I can't even explain why it is that I get so excited when the Olympics are on.  Most of the games featured I don't even watch on a regular basis which makes them all the more interesting.  When do you get the chance to watch sports like Track & Field, Gymnastics, Badminton, Synchronized Diving, Swimming, and the list goes on and on.  One of the sports that I hope to catch is Women's Volleyball.  Now although I will be watching for the competition, I will admit that cute women bouncing around in bikinis does sweeten the pot.  Currently Mens' and Women's soccer is in full swing but the first event officially set to go off after the opening ceremony will be the Women's 10m Air Riffle Qualification.  One of the more main scale sports, Basketball, will be under close watch and filled with expectation as Lebron James was quoted saying that the "2012 team would defeat the 1992 Dream Team".  Does that mean a gold medal hands down?  The excitement and expectation of gold from the team is high but I think that American's still have to see it to believe it after the few last Olympics teams representing the US performed sub par at best.  Check back frequently as we will have updates, results, and coverage of the 2012 Summer Olympics.