jtache

I hope everyone's having a good summer! Youtube is personally my favorite social media site. It allows normal people like you and I to make fun videos, and gain exposure through them. The community is so large that you can literally find a video on anything that comes to mind. I dare you to think of something random and youtube search it right now. I bet a video showed up! If you're interested, check out my youtube channel! It'll be updated more frequently than my blog (and much different from it).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gCJPefL3Q4&feature=mh_lolz&list=LLOrhy1qLZIQg

If you like it, subscribe! 

 Yes this is an entry about Osama bin Laden, and yes I'm a week late... But hey, I've been busy! I'm gonna keep this one short because I'm tired (so there might be some typos), and there isn't much that can be said that hasn't been said way too many times. 

First of all, I've read a lot of opinions and talked to a lot of people about this, and almost everyone has said Osama's death will not change anything. WHAT? Osama may not have been in control of al-Qaeda to the extent that he was ten years ago, but there is not doubt in my mind he was still a key component of the organization. The White House has come out and stated that bin Laden played a larger role in the organization (recently) than they had at first believed. Even if he was not the primary strategist anymore (which I'm not convinced of), his significance as a figurehead is grossly underrated. Bin Laden had a certain charisma that gained him a large following of people. After his death, many may be more skeptical to support al-Qauda. His emotional leadership was invaluable. His death also sends a message to terrorists across the world. Although it took us over ten years to find him, we still tracked down the man we declared as the most dangerous person in the world. It sends a warning to any prospective terrorists. 

 My English teacher recently assigned an essay in which we had to pick a topic that we knew was false, and write a persuasive essay convincing our readers that it was true. I wrote that the movie Space Jam was based on a true story. THIS PAPER IS A LIE. DO NOT TAKE IT SERIOUSLY. I know this is different from what I normally write, but I hope you enjoy!

----

Ask any teenager or younger child about the movie Space Jam, and their eyes will light up. Released in 1996, the movies popularity among young people is prodigious. In the United States alone the movie grossed over $90,000,000. In the movie, a group called the “Nerdlucks” capture the Looney Tunes and make them attractions for Mister Swackhammer’s failing theme park.. Because the “Nerdlucks” are not tall, the TuneSquad challenge them to a game of basketball. If the TuneSquad were to win, they would regain the freedom. The Nerdlucks accept the challenge, but in order to prepare for the game, they return to earth and steal the basketball talent of several basketball stars. From this stolen talent, the “Monstars” are manifested. In order to match the talent of the Monstars, the Looney Tunes ask recently retired basketball star, Michael Jordan, to help them defeat the Monstars. Jordan reluctantly agrees, and after a grueling game, the TuneSquad prevails. This leads to the freedom of the Looney Tunes, the return of the stolen talent to the basketball stars, and the return of Michael Jordan to the National Basketball Association. What many people don’t know, however, is that Space Jam is based on a true story.

First of all, After the 1992-93 NBA season (one of Jordan’s best), Jordan suddenly and unexpectedly retired from basketball. Why would a player in his prime suddenly stop playing the sport he loves? In truth, Jordan did not stop playing basketball, he solely stopped playing professionally. Near the end of the 1992-93 NBA season, the Looney Tunes approached him with their predicament. Staying true to the humanitarian ideals he is known for, Jordan agreed to help them. Although Jordan was already in basketball shape, the TuneSquad was not. On top of this, Jordan had never practiced with the Tunes before. In order to maximize their level of play, Jordan devoted all of his time to whipping the TuneSquad into game shape. Of course, this left no time for the NBA, and forced Jordan into retirement.

However, Jordan’s retirement did not last long. After missing the 1993-94 season, Jordan was back for the end of the 1994-95 season. During his retirement, Jordan signed a contract with a minor league baseball team. However, this does not in anyway disprove the truth of Space Jam. Jordan signed the baseball contract in February 1994, fourth months after Jordan officially announced his retirement. Fourth months was the perfect length of time for Jordan to train and play with the TuneSquad.

Next, the players who had their talent stolen must be addressed. Two of the players who had their talent stolen were Larry Johnson and Charles Barkley. During the 1993-94 season, the two showed noticeable decline in their game. Barkley went from averaging 25.6 points per game to 21.6 points per game, and Bradley went from averaging 22.1 points per game to 16.4 points per game. Although their loss of talent was exaggerated in Space Jam for dramatic purposes, Johnson and Barkley were clearly affected by the Nerdlucks thievery. During the 1994-95 season, both players improved their scoring again, due to the return of their talent.

In addition to those facts, between the 1992-93 season, and the 1994-95 season, Jordan mysteriously gained two inches on his wing span. The arms of a 31 year old man do not suddenly grow, there must be a cause. In Space Jam, Jordan extends his arm to score the final basket against the Monstars. Although his arm seems to return to normal, it must not have been able to completely restore itself when he used that technique in real life.

Finally, multiple reporters such as John Johnson of the New Amsterdam Times and Richard Richardson of the the Monowi Recorder have interviewed Mister Swackhammer. Swackhammer is currently serving a 57 year sentence for his coordination of the Nerdlucks’ crimes, however the warden at ADX prison in Colorado has allowed reporters to speak to Swackhammer for any length of time during the 9 hours a week he is allowed out of his jail cell. Swackhammer has gone on record more than once admitting his role in the capture of the Looney Tunes, and is very adamant about the fact that Space Jam is based on a true story. However, he does believe that an actor such as the unorthodox Gary Busey would have been a better fit for his character. Mister Swackhammer hopes to be released in 2034 on good behavior.

In conclusion, Space Jam should no longer be considered a fictional film. The facts are on the table for anyone who cares to look into them. The movie is truly not as outlandish as it first seems.

Who won the battle? This seems to be the primary question in United States politics. The most recent example is in the budget battle. I don't want to get into details of that debate right now, but I will post a link at the end of this blog with some information on it for anyone who is interested.

Back to the topic. When I turn on a news station after a large debate or compromise, the headline always seems to ask which side won the battle. This never sits well with me. How can either side truly win if both sides are not satisfied? When a politician is elected to office, whether it be as a representative of the house, a senator, or even as the president, their job is to bring the issues of their people to the table in order to create a better United States for everyone. It is NOT to create a Republican utopia, nor is it to create a Democratic utopia. They may be representatives of their party, but more importantly they are representatives of their country. 

From childhood we are taught that we cannot always have what we want. Why is it then, that many politicians detest accepting anything less than what they want? There is always talk of bipartisanship, but just this week Republicans complained about Obama's criticism towards them. Sure an agreement was reached, but why was it so hard? I believe that this animosity between parties will restrict this country from reaching its potential. Bipartisanship must truly be realized. Solely focusing on realizing the views of one party will leave the rest of the country left for dead. We as Americans must learn to be satisfied with compromise. By attempting to run over those whose views we do not agree with, we are solely harming our country as a whole. It is an elementary lesson, but working together is truly the only way to make this a better country for allll of us. Politics should not be a game in which you try to defeat your opponent.

Thanks for reading! Feedback is welcome :)

For more information on the "battle of the budget", go here: 

 Yes, it's as stupid as it sounds. Frogger is an old school game where the player tries to get frogs across a busy street without being hit by the cars. A 23-year-old man decided to try playing the game... but not on his old Game Boy Color. He decided to play Frogger for real. On a real street. With real cars. WHAT?! Where could he possibly get this idea from? Of all the things he could be doing with his life, he decides to run in front of traffic. That's worse than me deciding to blog on the last Saturday of my break.

So of course the man was hit by the SUV. His body was treated in a hospital, and it's fine, but he might want to check out his head. Fortunately, the driver of the SUV wasn't charged with anything, since they didn't do anything wrong. Still this is one of the dumbest things I've ever heard of. But look on the bright side... At least he didn't decide to play live Grand Theft Auto.

Here's the original story if anyone wants to read it:

http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2010/12/31/man-hit-by-suv-while-playing-live-frogger/

A decade of disappointment and turbulence, with glimmers of hope mixed in the middle.

 For those of you who are unfamiliar with the DREAM Act, it was meant to improve the lives of SOME illegal immigrants. The requirements were that the immigrants moved to the U.S. before age 15, graduated high school, lived in the U.S. for at least five, and were of good moral character. It would allow these immigrants to earn permanent residency in the U.S. if they served in the military for two years or attended a college for four years. The act was rejected in congress, but I believe it shouldn't have been.

The primary argument against it was that it awarded those who broke the law. However, the U.S. is a nation of second chances. People who have committed much worse crimes have received second chances. A few examples are football players Michael Vick (dog fighting incident) and Donte Stallworth (who killed a man drunk driving). The U.S. shouldn't shun illegal immigrants if they aren't going to shun those who have done worse. Especially if these immigrants will be assisting the U.S.

Those who benefit from the DREAM Act will only be those who deserve to benefit. Not only will they benefit, but the U.S. will as well. We will receive military service from many immigrants. From those who do not serve in the military, we will receive intelligent citizens. Although there is a lack of jobs, you can never have too many smart people.

Finally, I consider the people who will benefit from the DREAM Act true Americans. If you live in the United States for as long as they have, are a good citizen, and have possibly served in the military, you are as much of an American as anyone in my eyes. In the nation of chances, I think we should have given these immigrants a chance.

Of course, I don't claim to be an expert, so if anyone disagrees with me (which I know many people will), please let me know.

 This might be the generalization that makes me the angriest. I'm part of this "stupid" generation, so I suppose it's not surprising that I take offense to it. I just feel as though it is ridiculous to say something like this about a generation.. But why are we considered less intelligent?

Most people making this argument say that the younger generation is dumber because of rankings and test scores. My question is if that is truly an accurate way to judge intelligence. There are too many factors that go into those tests. Some kids simply might not care about the tests, and others may not get a proper education (meaning it is not their fault if they do not know the information). Teachers unions protect teachers that do not get their jobs done proficiently, so some kids don't have access to a good education. Test scores and rankings just aren't a sufficient way to judge intelligence. Some of the most intelligent people don't perform well in school for whatever reason. May I remind you of Albert Einstein?? (haha)

Another reason people are calling this generation dumb is their lack of ability to find jobs and be successful. I think this is even more ridiculous. The economy is in the worst shape it has been in since the Great Depression, so jobs are hard to come by for everyone. Young people in the Great Depression weren't stupid, and young people now aren't either. Or am I missing something?