Assignment 5-1: Written Weekly Analysis V

This week’s posting is going to be a follow –up from week two where I discussed that horrible thing called “Fantasy Football.” I said I was going to explain how exactly fantasy football works and here it is. Before I get started though I’ll give you a little update on how my season is going thus far and it is not very promising. In all of my three leagues I have a combined record of 2-4 and that is pitiful. If I don’t turn it around this week I might as well just start looking forward to next year. It has been a season full of bad luck just one misfortune after another. I have been praying to the “Fantasy Gods” so hopefully my prayers will get answered.
It is really hard to explain how fantasy football works because there are so many parts to it. I will do my best and hope that I don’t leave you totally confused. Fantasy football is usually played through yahoo.com, and the most popular espn.com. There are many others but these are the two that have the best setup to play with. A fantasy league is created by any person wishing to startup a league and this person is usually called the commissioner. The commissioner invites normally eleven other friends or coworkers that will become owners of a fantasy team. Many times there is an entry fee that the owners will have to pay in order to be in the league. This fee ranges in price depending on the league and the champion at the end will receive the “kitty.” However, in many leagues the champion does not receive the entire kitty; instead the runner-up will receive a portion, as well. The owners have the ability to name their team and create a team logo. After this done the league will have a “fantasy draft”, which is the foundation of fantasy football. A lot of time and effort goes into preparing for this draft and a lot of strategy is involved.
The “Fantasy Draft” is very much like any other sports related draft where the owners select the players they wish to be on their team. Each round the owners will select one player and the draft usually consists of sixteen rounds. After the draft is complete the owners now have their team and they are able to do whatever the desire with it. They can drop players, add players, trade players, and bench players. Each week teams go head to head and the team with the most “fantasy” points Tuesday morning wins the matchup. The “Fantasy” season including the playoffs typically lasts as long as the NFL regular season does. The playoffs are much like any other sports related playoffs where the teams with the best records make it to the playoffs and the team left standing is the champion.
Now, the way points are awarded can be quite confusing so I will try my best to make it simple. “Fantasy” points are directly related to how each player performs in “real life” that particular week. Points are awarded for touchdowns, amount of yards received and gained, and so on. Points are deducted for fumbles, interceptions, and so on. The amount of points actually awarded for each category is determined by the commissioner, so each league will vary. A “fantasy” roster is very much like any football team’s roster. It normally consists of a quarterback, two running backs, two wide receivers, a tight end, a defense, and a kicker. The team will have a bench and the number of players on the bench will vary by league.
Well, that is basically it in a nutshell. There are other aspects of the game but you have to be a little more familiar with the sport to totally understand their meanings. I hope I have not left you totally confused. Have a good rest of the week.

References:
Fantasy Football Draft Board. Available http://www.casinosnob.com/pictures/fantasyFootball.jpg, Sept. 17, 2008.

Assignment 4-1: Weekly Written Analysis IV

I did not really have anything in mind to write about this week in my weekly analysis so I done a little browsing on the web. I log onto msnbc.com and the headline reads "Dow falls 500 points in worst day since 2001." Can the economy really get any worse? I'm sure it can but from where I'm standing the picture is not looking too promising, at this point. Another question you can ask is "where is the help?" Is it Obama or is it McCain? I know I shared an email with you last week and I'm going to do the same this week. People really need to read this email sent to me before they decide which candidate they will vote for this November. I will admit that I'm a supporter of McCain 100 % but this email is totally unbiased and the writer is solely trying to prevent people from making a catastrophic mistake. The writer of this email writes the phrase several times throughout the email, "How does this affect you?" That is the question that you need to ask yourself before you make your decision.

Proposed changes in taxes after 2008 General election:

CAPITAL GAINS TAX MCCAIN 0% on home sales up to $500,000 per home (couples) McCain does not propose any change in existing home sales income tax.

OBAMA 28% on profit from ALL home sales

How does this affect you? If you sell your home and make a profit, you will pay 28% of your gain on taxes. If you are heading toward retirement and would like to down-size your home or move into a retirement community, 28% of the money you make from your home will go to taxes. This proposal will adversely affect the elderly who are counting on the income from their homes as part of their retirement income.

DIVIDEND TAX MCCAIN 15% (no change)

OBAMA 39.6%

How will this affect you? If you have any money invested in stock market, IRA, mutual funds, college funds, life insurance, retirement accounts, or anything that pays or reinvests dividends, you will now be paying nearly 42% of the money earned on taxes if Obama become president. The experts predict that higher tax rates on dividends and capital gains would crash the stock market yet do absolutely nothing to cut the deficit.

INCOME TAX MCCAIN (no changes) Single making 30K - tax $4,500 Single making 50K - tax $12,500 Single making 75K - tax $18,750 Married making 60K- tax $9,000 Married making 75K - tax $18,750 Married making 125K - tax $31,250

OBAMA (reversion to pre-Bush tax cuts) Single making 30K - tax $8,400 Single making 50K - tax $14,000 Single making 75K - tax $23,250 Married making 60K - tax $16,800 Married making 75K - tax $21,000 Married making 125K - tax $38,750

Under Obama your taxes will more than double! How does this affect you? No explanation needed. This is pretty straight forward.

INHERITANCE TAX MCCAIN 0% (No change, Bush repealed this tax)

OBAMA Restore the inheritance tax How does this affect you? Many families have lost businesses, farms and ranches, and homes that have been in their families for generations because they could not afford the inheritance tax. Those willing their assets to loved ones will not only lose them to these taxes.

NEW TAXES BEING PROPOSED BY OBAMA * New government taxes proposed on homes that are more than 2400 square feet * New gasoline taxes (as if gas weren't high enough already) * New taxes on natural resources consumption (heating gas, water, electricity) * New taxes on retirement accounts and last but not least.... * New taxes to pay for socialized medicine so we can receive the same level of medical care as other third-world countries!!!

Thank You

Robert D. Jenkins Vice President - Investments Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor Wachovia Securities, LLC

References:

McCain & Obama. Available http://www.donkeydish.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/mccain_obama.jpg, Sept. 15, 2008.

Assignment 1-3: Journal Article Analysis

After reading the article by Travis Vogan I would speculate that his publication was aimed towards a specialized audience rather than a general audience. This was apparent by Vogan’s references to particular people that a general audience might not be familiar with. However, he does reference to certain events that a general audience would be familiar with such as; Katrina, Pat Tillman’s death and Rutgers women’s basketball team’s conflict with Don Imus. The author does use some subject specific terminology and vocabulary that would be specifically directed to an educated sports fan.
This article is actually a book review of “Welcome to the Terrordome: The Pain, Politics, and Promise of Sports” by Dave Zirin; however it does have some key points. The first paragraph stresses the idea that athletes and commentators should not discuss how sports influence political actions. The following paragraph is mainly just used as a simple review of the book and a critique of the author. Vogan lists the examples of sports figures and incidents that have challenged “the dominant discourse.” The final paragraphs are Vogan’s thoughts and reflections of Zirin’s final chapters and the book in its entirety.
Vogan discusses the variety of examples that the author uses to support his main idea. Vogan explains how Zirin uses the Superdome’s role during Hurricane Katrina as a discussion to tie in his main points of the book. Zirin uses this as a metaphor of sports and politics’ complex relationship. He is adamant about the idea that sports have the ability to unite, educate, and effect change.
As far as organization goes the review written by Zirin is in logical order and flows fairly easily. The review does lack a relevant introduction and a strong conclusion. A reader can become somewhat confused by Vogan’s introduction that can be taken as his owns thoughts on the topic discussed by Zirin. The review also lacks a strong conclusion that would persuade the reader to either read the book or not. As discussed before, Vogan lists the many examples that Zirin used throughout the book that support his position but the reader does not gain much from this. I understand that a book review is simply review and is not a summary but Vogan lacked enough information for the reader to base their decision on.
What stuck in my mind about this article was Zirin’s idea that sports can play a huge part politics. I personally pay way more attention to sports than I do politics and I’m definitely not just a small proportion of the population. If sports figures would adamantly speak about politics and stress the importance of being involved in government functions I believe as Zirin does that people would be more likely to become involved themselves. Sports play a huge role in our popular culture and politics have somewhat diminished over the years and if somehow they could become integrated, it would benefit both parties.
There is flipside to Zirin’s idea that would have a negative impact on politics. Just as fans buy soda that is endorsed by their favorite athlete, I believe they would do the same and support the politician that is endorsed by their favorite athlete. Athletes would become even more influential and could create more of a problem. People would vote for the most popular candidate rather than the candidate that stands for the same principles as they do. In the theory Zirin has an excellent idea but the maturity of the sports figures need to be improved before this will be successful.
As I said before I’m a huge fan of sports and I am somewhat involved in politics but just off Vogan’s review, “Welcome to the Terrordome: The Pain, Politics, and Promise of Sports” would not be a book I would chose to read. The review does bring up some interesting points that would be something I would be interested in researching.

References
Vogan, T.(2008). Welcome to the Terrordome: The Pain, Politics, and Promise of Sports. Journal of Popular Culture, 41(2), pp. 367-368.

Assignment 3-1: Weekly Written Analysis III

I am going to share with you an email I received today that really made me think about how I look at life.

Is your life really that BAD????
David Letterman wrote this; it's the David we don't often see...
" As most of you know I am not a President Bush fan, nor have I ever been, but this is not about Bush, it is about us, as Americans, and it seems to hit the mark 'The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some Poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right? The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the President. In essence 2/3 of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change. So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, 'What are we so unhappy about?''
A.Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 Days a week?
B. Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter?
C. Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?
D. Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?
E. Maybe it is the ability to drive our cars and trucks from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state?
F. Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter?
G. I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough either.
H. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.
I. Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home.
J. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames, thus saving you, your family, and your belongings.
K. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss. L. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90% of teenagers own cell phones and computers. M. How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world?
N. Veterans who are getting monthly checks for 100% PTSD and 100% free medical care at a VA hospital, which most people pay 700 to 900 a month for health insurance and still pay thousands of dollars deductable and co-pays.Maybe that is what has 67% of you folks unhappy.

Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. , yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here. I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me? Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad? Think about it......are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the 'Media' told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day. Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an 'other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable' ' discharge after a few days in the brig. So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans? Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells, and when criticized, try to defend their actions by 'justifying' them in one way or another Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book about how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way......Insane! Turn off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as country. There is exponentially more good than bad. We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day or at least be thankful and appreciative.' 'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, 'Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'

David Letterman

David Letterman. Available http://weblogs.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/blog/david-letterman.jpg, Sept. 8, 2008.

Assignment 2-1: Written Weekly Analysis

All I have to say is a new Fantasy Football season is now underway. This equals many late nights of rushing to get homework done because I have spent all of precious my time adjusting my rosters for the week. The dishes will be stacked up, the trash won’t get taken out, and nothing will get checked off the honey-do-list till this season is over. My productivity at work will be cut in half because Fantasy Football is the topic of discussion above all lesser important things. Fantasy Football is an addiction and there is nothing that can be done about it; you’re just lucky enough to get a break from February to August.
Fantasy Football has become a part of our popular culture over the past couple of years and it continues to grow in popularity. I have been addicted for going on four years now and get’s worse every year. The first year I played I was only in one league and this year I’m in four. The addiction keeps on getting worse with no end in sight. I know I make it sound like this horrible thing that will bring down society and that is definitely not the case here at all.
Fantasy Football is just absolute pure entertainment for the diehard sports fans and it doesn’t involve buying a $10 hotdog and a $7 beer. Three out of my four leagues I had to pay an entry fee to join but I have the chance to win a total of $550 at the end. That $55 I paid in is well worth the five months of fun I will get in return. Not all the time is spent adjusting the rosters; it is also spent chatting on the league message boards which can be entertaining alone.
On my next weekly analysis I will explain the intricate science of Fantasy Football and how it all works.

References:

Top 10 Reasons Girls Love Fantasy Football. Available http://www.draftkit.com/images/tshirt4.jpg, Sept. 1, 2008.

Fantasy Football Excuses. Available http://www.jerseytees.com/player2.gif, Sept. 1, 2008

Assignment 2-2: Icon Analysis

I’m going to keep the sports theme going on this blog and identify three icons in the sports world. I’m going to go a little further and identify three icons in the Ohio’s sports world. The first icon I chose is the Ohio State Buckeyes Head Football Coach Jim Tressel. The second icon I chose is the Cleveland Cavalier superstar and Akron St. Vincent St. Mary alum Lebron James. The last icon I chose is the Cleveland Browns backup quarterback and Dublin Coffman alum Brady Quinn. All three of these icons I personally idolize. This does not necessarily mean they are the three most popular sports figures in Ohio either.
I could write a whole 1000 word essay on why Jim Tressel can be considered as an icon but I will just highlight his accomplishments at Ohio State. In only his second year as head football coach he led the Buckeyes to a perfect 14-0 season and capped it off with a victory in the National Championship. Tressel’s record at Ohio State is 73-16, with four Big Ten championships, and a 4-3 record in bowl appearances. Those are all phenomenal feats but the statistic that trumps all others is Tressel’s record of 6-1 against the hated Michigan Wolverines.
“King James” has basically held the Cleveland Cavaliers on his shoulders since his arrival in 2003. James was drafted No.1 overall out of high school in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. I could also write another 1000 word essay on why Lebron can be considered as an icon but I will just highlight his major accomplishments. He was named Ohio’s “Mr. Basketball” three times, was named NBA Rookie of the Year, is a 4-time NBA All-Star, and led the Cavaliers to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1992. Most recently he helped the USA Men’s Basketball team win gold in Beijing.
Brady Quinn is very unlike the first two icons and it would be difficult to write a 1000 word essay on his accomplishments unless you were his mother. I am by no means saying that Quinn is not a good athlete it is just that he hasn’t been in the spotlight for very long. At Notre Dame, Brady was a superstar and after he was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in last year’s draft he has ducked under the radar. But his popularity is starting to gain as the probability of him being the starting quarterback in Cleveland increases. Brady always his popularity with the ladies to fall back onto but I think years from now I’ll be able to write that 1000 word essay.
The whole reason I chose these icons is mainly because they were all born in the state of Ohio and they all still play in Ohio. It may all be just a coincidence but it says a lot about a person to stay loyal to their home. A lot of athletes leave their homes for bigger contracts and more spotlight but all three of these athlete didn’t chose to do so. Now the spotlight is on the state of Ohio.

References:

Jim Tressel. Available http://whatsthefuss.freedomblogging.com/files/2008/01/jim_tressel.jpg, August 28, 2008.

Lebron James. Available http://www.openentrance.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/lebron-james-vogue.jpg, August 28, 2008.

Weekly Written Analysis I

This being the closing day of the 29th Olympiad I find it fitting to write my thoughts and reflections of this Olympics. My thoughts going into this Olympics were very pessimistic because of the negativity coming out of Beijing. There was the issue of the poor air quality and smog that caused China to take millions of cars off the roads prior to the Olympics in an attempt to reduce the smog. There was also the issue of China’s human rights policies and their attempts to control everything within their country. For me today, all of that is forgotten and only the memories from a memorable Olympics left behind.
I usually don’t pay much attention to the Olympics because they have truthfully had no appeal to me whatsoever but for some reason this year was different. It wasn’t just Michael Phelps quest for eight gold medals either it was more about nationalism than anything. With country our in dismay we needed something to bring us together I think the Olympics have had an impact.
I saw something this past weekend that absolutely astonished me. I would have never thought in a million years that I would see people at sports bar watching the Olympics, let alone cheering like it was the Super Bowl. The whole bar was glued to the TV’s cheering Phelps on to his record 8th gold medal. What I witnessed that night really gave me a better outlook on our values as a country. These athletes don’t have multi-million dollar contracts; they are out there to win for their country and show the rest of the world who we truly are.
It wasn’t just a stroll in the park either; it took four years of dedication and sweat. Many didn’t go home with anything but to make it there is an accomplishment in itself. I hope the 30th Olympiad brings me these memorable moments just as this past Olympics has.

References:

Beijing Olympics. Available http://www.granitegrok.com/pix/BeijingOlympics.jpg, August 24, 2008

Michael Phelps. Available http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2008-08/41641871.jpg, August 24, 2008