More child abuse

I just finished reading an article about Shyima Hall.

Shyima is a 19 year old girl, who lives in California. She was born in Egypt and lived there until she was 10 when she was brought here to serve as a child maid. A wealthy Egyptian couple brought her from a poor village in northern Egypt to work in their California home. Her duties included waking up before dawn to iron their clothes, mop the marble floors and dust the family's crystal. She often worked past midnight. She earned $45 a month working up to 20 hours a day. She had no breaks during the day and no days off.

The family she worked for lived in a spacious five-bedroom, two-story home, which was decorated to look like a Tuscan villa. The house also featured a fountain of two angels spouting water through a conch.

Shyima though was not welcomed in the house. She was told to sleep in the garage. It had no windows, heat, or air-conditioning. After the garage's only light bulb went out, the family didn't replace it. From then on, she lived in the dark.

Shyima became a maid after her father who was a bricklayer became ill. Her mother found a maid recruiter and signed a contract that essentially leased her daughter to the family for 10 years.

Her family, of course, was poor.

At first, Shyima worked in her owner's home in Cairo. She was 9 at the time. Her mother came by once a month, not to visit her daughter, but to pick up her salary. Later when they moved to California, Shyima moved with them. But, she was never treated as family. As a matter of fact, she was treated like dirt. The kids of the family called her stupid, and that was allowed. Still, she had to wake up in the morning and serve the cretins.

Finally, in April 2002, an anonymous call was placed to the California Department of Social Services notifying them that there was a child living in a garage. A few days later the local police came and rescued the girl from the house. It took four years, but eventually the mother and father of the family were charged and a trial ensued.

During the whole ordeal the girl was ostracized by her own family.

Her father yelled at her.

She was quoted as saying, "They kept telling me that they're good people. That it's my fault. That because of what I did my mom was going to have a heart attack."

Thankfully, her owner's finally pleaded guilty to all the charges they faced. The husband was sentenced to three years in federal prison. The mother was sentenced to 22 months. Both were to be deported after their prison stints. They were also ordered to pay Shyima $76,000. The amount she would have earned if paid minimum wage.

The story does have a happy ending being that Shyima has been adopted by a new family that treats her well.

The sad part of this is that this is something that is rampant. The article reported that there are tens of thousands of children in Africa being recruited every year to work as domestic servants. Some of the children are as young as 3 years old.

Many of these servants end up in the United States and Europe. In fact, The U.S. State Department found that over the past year, children from at least 10 African countries were trafficked as maids to the U.S. and Europe. Unfortunately, because the servants are so well hidden they have no idea of just how many.

As I read this type of articles, I can't help but wonder why these types of atrocities toward children are being allowed, or better yet, tolerated. I thought the children represented our future. If so, what type of future will we have if these types of things continue to happen?

I say "we" because we are truly a global people. Although we may not like to realize it, what affects others, affects us. It is time for us, not government, to stand up against these people who use our children as slaves.

As for the mother of the family, she is back in Cairo. The last time she was spotted she was walking around in the lobby of her apartment with designer sunglasses on. Right behind her, was a little girl carrying her grocery bags.

The girl was around 9 years old.

The Wizard has spoken

When is the right time to break the news to your child?

Hey. Son. You know that fat man in a red suit and hat that you adore so much. That man you write letters to every year asking for all the newest toys. The guy we make cookies for every Christmas and leave them out on a plate with milk.

Yes, Daddy.

Well, Son. I hate to tell you, but Santa Claus is not real. Neither are the reindeer.

What?

During these holidays, I've been replaying that conversation constantly in my mind. Trying to figure out when would be the best time to tell my son the truth about Santa Claus. Being that he is two now, I don't have to worry about it. Right now, he still doesn't know who Santa is.

But, I'm sure that will change next year.

Still, it was something that crossed my mind this year.

I want to make sure I approach the topic properly. I do know that this is a sensitive and somewhat shocking revelation. I still remember when my father told me. We were standing at a bus stop on a cold and snowy day in Toronto. I can't remember what exactly provoked the conversation, but whatever it was it led to him telling me rather harshly that there was no Santa.

I was devastated.

I also quickly learned that the Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy were not real either.

It was a rough time in my development.

As for my son, I think I would like to be a little more sensitive than my father was in breaking the news to me.

I'm sure that it won't be an easy conversation.

And yeah, Son, before you ask.

I'm the one who has been eating the cookies and drinking the milk.

The Wizard has spoken.

My baby is missing

"Oh, I forgot. I don't have one"

That is what, Meagan McCormic, essentially said this week after creating a stir in her community in Miami, Florida. Meagan appeared at a news conference and while in tears announced to all who were watching that her 5-month old son was missing.

Her original story was that she hadn't seen him since leaving him with a nanny.

She was joined at the news conference by the child's supposed father.

After having police search for the boy, it was revealed that the whole thing was a hoax. The baby never existed. She made up the whole story in an attempt to lure back her ex-boyfriend.

Apparently, she told him that he had fathered her child. When he decided to come and see his baby, she told him the baby was missing. That led to the news conference where she tearfully said, "I don't even know if he's dead or alive".

Well, love, we don't know either. Being that he was a figment of your imagination.

Meagan has been charged with filing a false police report. If convicted she may have to pay restitution to the authorities for the cost of their search.

I guess she can kiss the ex-boyfriend bye for good now.

Just how desperate is that?

The Wizard has spoken.

Not 0-16

As a sports fan, I enjoy watching historic moments.

But, I really hope that the Detroit Lions do not make history today by becoming the first to go 0-16.

No, I'm not a Lions fan. I do have family members who are. I just don't want to see it happen.

Maybe, I feel sorry for them.

The Lions have suffered enough. They had to deal with Matt Millen and his horrific tenure as President and General Manager. They've had to deal with organized walkouts. They've been embarrassed on Thanksgiving.

They don't need this.

Unfortunately, I don't think they're going to be able to beat the Green Bay Packers today. Not in Lambeau. Not with this team that seems to be devoid of pride. As a person who used to play the game, there is no way I would let me or my team go out like this. You would like to think somebody in that locker room would stand up and say, "We are not going to allow THIS to happen".

Obviously, that is not the case.

I never thought I would see a team go undefeated and then the Patriots pulled the feat last year. I definitely thought I would never see a team go winless. But, the Lions are trying their best to make it happen.

Hopefully, it won't happen.

Go Lions!!!

The Wizard has spoken.

The Wiz NFL Week 17 Pics

Sunday Football
St. Louis at Atlanta - Atlanta
New England at Buffalo – New England
Kansas City at Cincinnati - Cincinnati
Detroit at Green Bay – Green Bay
Tennessee at Indianapolis - Indianapolis
NY Giants at Minnesota - Minnesota
Carolina at New Orleans - Carolina
Cleveland at Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh
Oakland at Tampa Bay – Tampa Bay
Chicago at Houston - Chicago
Jacksonville at Baltimore - Baltimore
Washington at San Francisco – San Francisco
Miami at NY Jets – Miami
Dallas at Philadelphia – Dallas
Seattle at Arizona - Seattle

Sunday Night Football
Denver at San Diego – San Diego

The Wiz's 2008 Record: 140-83-1

The Wizard has spoken

The CIA does push drugs!

Well, not those types of drugs.

But, I just read an article in the Washington Post about how the CIA is using Viagra as an incentive to gain informants in Afghanistan.

One official was quoted in the article as saying, "You didn't hand it out to younger guys, but it could be a silver bullet to make connections to the older ones. Afghan tribal leaders often had four wives -- the maximum number allowed by the Koran -- and aging village patriarchs were easily sold on the utility of a pill that could put them back in an authoritative position."

To be fair, two veteran officers stated that the use of Viagra is rare and only given to older tribal officials for whom the drug would hold special appeal. Plus, there are other things used as bribes, such as: pocketknives and tools, medicine or surgeries for ailing family members, toys and school equipment, tooth extractions, and travel visas.

Still, a friend of mine brings up a valid point. If you or I were to hand out prescription drugs without a license, we would be in jail – for a long time.

Yet, again, we are talking about the CIA.

But, I do have a question about all of this. What about the side effects?

What instructions do they give these men if they experience erections lasting longer than 4 hours?

Plus, I just wonder where do they get the funding for these goodies?

The Wizard has spoken

Married at 8

I really try not to judge other cultures. I’m sure there are things within our culture that others may disagree with.

Still, I can’t understand why some cultures condone child marriages.

I just read an article where an 8 year-old girl in Saudi Arabia was denied an annulment to end her marriage to her 47 year-old husband. Apparently, the father of the little girl arranged this marriage to his close friend to settle his debts.

The mother of the child was the one who was trying to get the marriage annulled. But, it turns out that she is not her daughter’s legal guardian. Thus, the judge ruled against her motion. She and the father have separated.

One thing the judge did do was make the husband pledge not to consummate the marriage until the girl reaches puberty. He also ruled that the girl could file for an annulment once she reaches puberty.

In truth though, how would the judge know if the husband did have sex with the girl?

I find it disturbing that the judge would even have to ask for this pledge. What type of man would even consider sleeping with an 8-year old?

That is just absolutely disgusting.

And as for the father, I just can’t fathom how he could resort to giving away his daughter to settle his debts.

I can understand being poor. But, me, I would have to find another way – even if it meant being the man’s personal slave. The girl had nothing to do with accumulating his debt. Yet, she has to pay the ultimate price.

The real tragedy about this case is that it is not an isolated case.

The Human Rights Commission reports that they are presented cases like this in Saudi Arabia once every four or five months.

That’s unreal.

The Wizard has spoken.

Murdered for late homework

As a former educator, I understand the need to encourage students to do their homework. I also agree with the need to punish students if they turn in their homework late.

But, this is crazy.

In Egypt, Haitham Nabeel Abdelhamid, a 23-year old instructor, is accused of beating Islam Badr Ibrahim, an 11-year old student.

Why did he assault his student?

He did it because he turned in his homework late.

According to reports, the instructor beat his student with a ruler then took him outside and beat him to his stomach. The boy fainted and was taken to the hospital.

He died later of heart failure.

This case has brought outrage to Alexandria. The resources are so bad that the schools have been forced to hire unqualified instructors who sometimes have to teach classes with up to 100 students.

The people of the country want answers.

Furthermore, the father of the child wants the Minister of Education charged as well for hiring this man.

Could you imagine what would happen if something like that were to happen here?

While I’m sure it would garner a lot of media attention for a good couple of weeks, I just don’t think it would cause the same amount of outrage.

I could be wrong.

But, it just seems like we have become numb to this type of occurrence.

The Wizard has spoken.

When it is all said and done, would you care?

I had a real interesting discussion with a funeral director a couple of days ago. He was giving me a tour of the facility and showing me some of the more expensive caskets. Some of his caskets cost up to $100,000.

What I found even crazier was the fact that they sold.

We briefly discussed burial prices. And, I was very astonished to hear about what some funerals could cost.

I mean, who really needs a $100,000 casket?

He was talking about how comfortable the caskets were. So much so, I almost forgot that we were discussing a dead person.

Personally, once I'm gone, comfort is not an issue. I would rather give the money to my child. He could bury me in a pine box for all I care.

I really wanted to ask him if he has ever dug up a casket and reused it. I just couldn't muster up the nerve.

When I lived in California, there was a big case in which a funeral home was being accused of doing just that. I'm unsure of how the case ended. I do remember that it caused quite a stir.

But, what would prevent someone from doing that?

That is why I find the whole thing ridiculous. And because there are so many people wanting extravagant funerals, the cost are just skyrocketing.

You could easily spend $20,000 - $50,000 on a basic funeral.

I find that simply amazing.

Cremation used to be a cheaper option.

But those prices are rising too.

The Wizard has spoken.

Why is Blagojevich still in office?

This one seems like it should be a no-brainer.

After what has been revealed this week concerning the reprehensible acts of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, there is no reason why he should be allowed to keep his job.

There should be no need for his peers to have to call for his resignation. The Attorney General shouldn't have to file motions for his removal.

He should lose his job – period.

Then face serious criminal charges.

At the very least, he could resign like, John Harris, his former chief-of-staff.

But, that would take honor.

And, he obviously has none.

I do wonder what the going rate is for a Senate seat.

The Wizard has spoken.

Orgasmic childbirth?

Obviously, I'm not a woman.

Still, from what I have heard this would seem to be an oxymoron.

On January 2, 2009, ABC's 20/20 will air a documentary named "Orgasmic Birth". The movie is by Debra Pascali-Bonaro, a childbirth educator and a doula. Her goal is to ask the question, "What would happen if women were taught to enjoy birth rather than endure it?"

Apparently, in the movie there are women who discuss having orgasms during childbirth.

One couple discusses their experience during the birth of their second child. While in labor, they caressed and kissed resulting in the mother experiencing an orgasm while giving birth.

I haven't heard of many women wanting to caress and kiss their partner during labor, much less see them. Still, it is an interesting concept.

From a male point of view though, how humiliating would it be for a man to find out his wife, or significant other, never had an orgasm while having sex?

But then, all of a sudden, she has one while delivering a baby.

Talk about feeling small.

The Wizard has spoken.

Thursday Night Football
New Orleans at Chicago - Chicago

Sunday Football
Tampa Bay at Atlanta – Atlanta
Washington at Cincinnati - Washington
Detroit at Indianapolis - Indianapolis
San Diego at Kansas City – San Diego
Seattle at St. Louis – St. Louis
San Francisco at Miami - Miami
Buffalo at NY Jets – NY Jets
Tennessee at Houston - Tennessee
Green Bay at Jacksonville – Green Bay
Minnesota at Arizona - Minnesota
Denver at Carolina - Carolina
Pittsburgh at Baltimore – Baltimore
New England at Oakland – New England

Sunday Night Football
NY Giants at Dallas - Dallas

Monday Night Football
Cleveland at Philadelphia - Philadelphia

The Wiz’s 2008 Record: 132-75-1

The Wizard has spoken

The perfect woman

I guess we all find love in different places.

Inventor Le Trung, a scientific genius, who resides in Brampton, Ontario was too busy to find real love. So he created Aiko, a fem-bot, who is supposed to be in her 20's and has a 32, 23, 33 figure.

Aiko has many features.

She remembers his favorite drink and does simple cleaning and household tasks. She can understand and speak 13,000 different sentences in English and Japanese. She does the math for Trung when he is working on his accounts.

She is also very patient and never complains. A trait all men would adore.

Trung also states that Aiko is not his sexual partner. But, her software could be tweaked to do so. He is quoted as saying, "Her software could be redesigned to simulate her having an orgasm and reacting to touch as if she is playing hard to get or being straight to the point."

Can you imagine trying to convince a robot to give you some?

Just how low would you feel if she said no; or, said she had a headache?

He has tried to sell his technology, but so far he hasn't been successful. His cost so far to build Aiko has been a little over $20,000.

You would think for the amount of money he has spent on Aiko, he could have found love for at least a couple of nights. But, obviously, he was looking for something a little more real.

It's almost scary for me to admit that I once lived in Brampton for about a year and a half. When I lived there, there was no shortage of girls and they all seemed rather friendly to say the least.

But, I guess we all have different taste.

I love computers too but…

The Wizard has spoken.

The Matt Jones suspension makes no sense

I’m a little confused here.

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver, Matt Jones, was caught with cocaine earlier this summer and received a three game suspension.

Six other players were caught using a diuretic, a couple of weeks ago, and received a four game suspension.

Matt Jones has been able to play the majority of the season because he appealed his suspension but will now miss the last three games. There is no real loss to the Jaguars because they are out of playoff contention.

Most of the other suspended players also appealed their suspension. A decision is expected soon on their cases. Their teams, for the most part, are still vying for the playoffs.

Am I the only one who sees something wrong with this?

NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, has promised to punish players who embarrass themselves, their teams, and the league.

For the most part he has done it.

But, what kind of message is he sending here?

It’s better to get caught with an illegal narcotic than with a dietary aid?

This makes no sense whatsoever.

The Wizard has spoken.

Overcoming odds

Jessica Cox is not a celebrity or household name.

Still, she seems to be a pretty amazing woman.

Born without arms, she has refused to let that hold her back. In fact, she can type, write, drive a car, brush her hair and talk on her phone using only her feet.

At 25, she is also a former dancer and double black belt in Tai Kwon-Do. She has done all these things without the use of artificial arms, which she hasn’t used since she was 13.

But, what might be most amazing is that she can fly a plane.

She said that the only thing she has been afraid of since birth was flying. So, she decided to conquer her fears.

After being asked by a fighter pilot if she wanted to learn how to fly, she decided to give it a try. She learned to fly in rudderless light Ercoupe aircraft, which requires only the use hands to control it rather than both hands and feet.

It took her three years instead of the usual six months to complete her lightweight aircraft license. But, she did it.

Now, she is studying to become an instructor. She wants to teach other people with disabilities to fly.

How amazing is that?

The Wizard has spoken.

Has genetic testing gone too far?

I was reading an article the other day about a genetic test that might be able to determine which sports suit the talents of your child.

A company named Atlas Sports Genetic, located in Boulder, Colorado, offers this test for $149. The process includes swabbing the inside of the child’s cheek and across the gums to collect DNA. Researchers are looking for ACTN3, one gene among more than 20,000 in the human genome. The test's goal is to determine whether a child is better suited for speed and power sports like sprinting or football, or endurance sports like distance running, or a combination of the two.

Now, I’m all for genetic testing when the goal is to find new medical advances and possible cures for diseases.

But, in this case, I’m against it.

My son is two-year’s old right now. And like a lot of parents, I often dream about what sport he may be good at. Of course, I would like to see my son follow in my footsteps and play football and maybe even basketball.

Still, the possibility exists that he may not like those sports. He may like baseball or something else. He may not like sports at all.

I think that is the problem with this kind of test. After doling out their cash, most parents are naturally going to use the results to try and force their child into the recommended sport.

But, what if they don’t like it?

Then what?

The Wizard has spoken

Human rights

I know there are several differing views on human rights.

So, I ask this question.

Should there be a point where a person forfeits their human rights?

I ask this question in all seriousness.

I was reading a story about a man in Minnesota who answered a babysitting advertisement listed on Craigslist. He got the job then proceeded to use the two-year old girl he was supposed to be babysitting in his pornographic movies.

My first thought was who in the hell watches a two-year old in a porn movie?

He obviously was making it for somebody.

He has pleaded guilty to the charges. And now faces a long prison term.

But, is prison really the proper sentence for this man?

While, for most crimes, I don’t believe in the death penalty, in cases like these, I have no problem with it.

In fact, the only problem I do have is the amount of time they take to perform the execution. I see no reason why the criminal should be sitting on death row for several years while taxpayer’s pay for his/her welfare.

I know people who are against the death penalty talk about the preserving the human rights of the criminal. But, in cases like this one, did the criminal have any concern about the rights of their victim?

No.

Just think about this two year old girl. She is permanently scared and most likely has physical damages that she will have to live with for the rest of her life.

Should we be concerned over the welfare of the animal who perpetrated this crime?

I don’t believe so.

I’m sure people will call my thought process barbaric. But, I think he should be made to go through a very painful death.

Maybe, that would send a message.

The Wizard has spoken.

Another question for my Conservative friends

Do you just cringe and shake your head in disgust every time President Bush opens his mouth?

His intelligence, or lack thereof, has been well chronicled. During the past 8 years, he has made more than his share of famous blunders.

Still, his recent remarks in his interview with ABC News' Charlie Gibson have to be the most ignorant statements he has ever uttered.

Listing his regrets, he told Gibson, "Well, I think I was unprepared for war. In other words, I didn't campaign and say, please vote for me, I'll be able to handle an attack. In other words, I didn't anticipate war. Presidents — one of the things about the modern presidency is that the unexpected will happen."

Wasn't his father a President also? Wasn't Desert Storm during his tenure?

Not to mention the fact that the President is the Commander-In-Chief. I wish Gibson had asked him what his definition of that was.

His statements brought flashbacks of "Monty Python's Flying Circus" where the famous catchphrase was, "Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!"

Unfortunately, the "Flying Circus" was a parody.

Bush, well, he's just a dysfunctional idiot.

The Wizard has spoken.

Just in case you didn't know

Here is some breaking news.

We’re in a recession.

And, have been since December 2007.

The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), charged with officially designating business cycles, made the startling revelation on Monday.

I’m sure glad they cleared that up.

With unemployment rates skyrocketing, the corporate bailouts, major retail stores going bankrupt, and the plethora of foreclosures, I was starting to believe that we were in the midst of a boom – silly me.

In other startling news, I walked outside this morning and realized there is a sky.

That was simply an amazing revelation.

All I have to do now is wait for the official announcement.

The Wizard has spoken.

Watching my little one grow up

One of the greatest satisfactions I have as a father is watching my two year old grow up.

Of course, his vocabulary seems to grow everyday. But, the most amazing thing for me is watching him form his little likes and dislikes – especially concerning music.

Since he was born, my son has always seemed to appreciate music. When he was a baby, he liked to watch music videos when he was swinging in his chair. It often calmed him and put him to sleep.

Now, he bobs his head in the car and asks me to turn up the radio when a song he likes comes on. His favorite artist happens to be Beyoncè or "Oncè" as he pronounces it.

And, this doesn't appear to be any fair-weather thing.

Every day when we come from daycare we must watch "Oncè" on YouTube. It has become somewhat of a ritual. He must see her recent American Music Awards performance where she sang her latest hit "Single Ladies".

Once the video comes on, he sings along and dances. He just has himself a good old time. And when it is done, we must watch it again - four of five times, to be exact. He needs to see it that many times to get his "Oncè" fix for the night.

Good thing, I like her too.

I get to use him as my excuse to watch her. While, I hope we're watching for two different reasons, I'm not entirely sure.

My son definitely likes older girls also.

Something about girls in diapers doesn't work for him.

The Wizard has spoken.

In honor of my son, I am posting his favorite video for your viewing pleasure.

Some people are just sick

In Florida, a woman was arrested and charged with neglect to the elderly. She was charged because her mother was found at home in deplorable conditions without a working heater.

This happened on Thanksgiving Day.

The mother, who is 84, was living in a house with about 50 cats, 20 ducks, 15 turkeys, and a dog. She told the police that she kept herself warm by covering herself with the animals.

The daughter apparently placed he mother in the house against her will. She removed her from a nursing home that was providing her with the care she needed.

When the authorities came to the house, they were greeted by the overwhelming smell of cat urine, and animal feces which covered the floors in nearly every room. Two dead cats were found in a freezer, where the daughter said they were being stored until they could be cremated. In one of the bedrooms, they found caged turkeys. In another bedroom, ducks were found, along with an empty kid's swimming pool. A dog was in a third bedroom, where its feces had piled up. Several geese, ducks and chickens were found in the back yard. And, the only toilet in the home did not work and the sinks would not drain water.

The mother was also using a faulty oxygen machine. She suffers from congestive heart failure. She also stated that she lived at the house alone and that her daughter would stop by from time to time to care for the animals.

What kind of individual does something like this to their parents?

While I'm not the type to judge, there is absolutely no way I could treat my parents in this fashion.

Well, on second thought, maybe.

Last week, a British man was arrested for raping two of his daughters and fathering nine of their children over 27 years.

The two daughters have been pregnant 19 times. They've endured nine births, five miscarriages and five abortions.

Seven of the children are alive but suffer genetic deformities.

The 56-year-old father could face at least 19½ years.

It is cases like these that make me rethink my stance on capital punishment.

People like these don't deserve to rot in jail.

It should be real simple.

Just take them out back and end it.

The Wizard has spoken.

Kevin Smith strikes again

About a month and a half ago I wrote a post about this supposed bill collector who called my house. For those who may not have read that post, here is a recap.

Kevin called my house and stated that he was trying to collect on a loan that I had taken out in 2005. I told him that I didn't recall taking out said loan and would like for him to mail or fax me the documentation.

He refused.

He then when on to tell me that if I didn't pay the amount owed in 24 hours he would send the sheriffs to my house and have me arrested on charges of "federal swindling". His company was also going to sue me for five times the amount of the original loan.

Needless to say, I didn't pay.

I did a little research on the Internet and found that other people had been receiving similar calls. While reading through the complaints, I read how people had been harassed at home and work by this tyrant.

I called the Federal Trade Commission and filed a complaint. Apparently, this wasn't the first complaint they had received regarding Kevin Smith.

Kevin has called back periodically still demanding money and making his threats. He has left several disrespectful messages on my machine calling me a coward among other things.

Still, somehow I'm free and don't have any pending lawsuits.

I actually started to find it amusing.

But then the other day he called my house and my wife answered. I happened to not be around the phone when he called, and he took advantage of the opportunity by abusing my wife verbally. He shouted at her several times, demanded to speak to me, and then made fun of her accent – she is Hispanic.

She hung up in disgust.

But, of course, he called back.

And, this time I answered.

Our conversation was real short. I told that him until he could furnish documentation of this supposed debt, he could kiss my ass.

Then, I hung up.

For some reason, he hasn't called back.

The Wizard has spoken.

The Wiz's NFL Week 13 Picks

Thanksgiving Football
Tennessee at Detroit – Detroit
Seattle at Dallas – Dallas
Arizona at Philadelphia - Philadelphia

Sunday Football
San Francisco at Buffalo - Buffalo
Baltimore at Cincinnati - Baltimore
Indianapolis at Cleveland - Indianapolis
Carolina at Green Bay – Green Bay
Miami at St. Louis - Miami
New Orleans at Tampa Bay – New Orleans
NY Giants at Washington – NY Giants
Atlanta at San Diego – San Diego
Pittsburgh at New England – New England
Denver at NY Jets – NY Jets
Kansas City at Oakland - Oakland

Sunday Night Football
Chicago at Minnesota - Minnesota

Monday Night Football
Jacksonville at Houston - Jacksonville

The Wiz's 2008 Record: 115-60-1

The Wizard has spoken

Do we really need more credit?

Are these bailout and economic plans really going to help us in the long run?

One thing that I don't understand is this push to get banks to offer more credit. This seems to be very counterproductive.

Isn't this a big part of the reason we are in this mess in the first place?

Too many people live way beyond their means. And, have leveraged their income by using credit. Now, it's time to pay the piper. And we're witnessing the results – increasing foreclosures and bankruptcies.

It seems that part of the solution would be to encourage people to return to the good old days of living by a budget.

We need to teach people to save or be patient when they can't afford something. Using credit and putting yourself in a deeper hole is not the answer.

I was reading an article today and Scott Brown, a chief economist at Raymond James & Associates in St. Petersburg, Florida said the following:

"One of the big problems we have is that there has been a lack of demand for debt. You have seen the market for securitized debt such as credit cards or student loans dry up completely"

Is he saying that debt is a commodity?

Let's be honest, people generally use credit to satisfy their wants. We want to buy things like the Playstation 3, the brand new car, or the big old house that we don't really need.

I plead guilty as well.

The downside to that thought process should be evident. We now have several people who were living the "American Dream" now living on the American streets.

But now that we are here, it would seem wise to learn from our past mistakes and start making wiser decisions. If not, "Main Street", will never be truly fixed.

We will continue on playing with monopoly money until the piper comes calling again.

Then what?

The Wizard has spoken.

What happened to Michael Jackson

First, he changed himself from a black man to his own species.

Then, he transformed his face. He now looks like a ghoul.

And now, he has changed religions. Michael Jackson is now a Muslim. He used to be a Jehovah's Witness.

He also changed his name from Michael to Mikaeel.

Apparently, Mikaeel converted to Islam a few days ago during a ceremony held at a friend's house.

If a normal person did these things, it would be odd. But, we all know Mikaeel is not normal. From the zoo in his backyard, to the former pet chimpanzee, to admitting that he would rather climb trees than have sex.

And, of course, there were those charges.

I do find it strange though that Mikaeel would choose Islam.

It would seem like he would've chosen to become Catholic.

The Wizard has spoken.

Here's a question

If the stock market is called Wall Street

And middle income individuals are called Main Street

What do we call poor people?

Skid row?

The Wizard has spoken

Don't fart! You could be arrested

I have to admit; reading the news sometimes can be a hilarious experience.

Yesterday, I stumbled upon the following story.

In Florida, a 13-year-old student was arrested after authorities said he was passing gas and turning off his classmates' computers.

He was charged with disruption of school function and released to his mother. There was no word regarding the possible punishment this kid may face.

Granted, I've left off some good ones in my day that left me checking to see if I still had my facial hair.

Still, I never thought that was a criminal offense.

I'm sure the people involved must have thought this was a way to possibly scare this kid and hopefully prevent any further outbursts.

But still, this just seems a little far-reaching.

The Wizard has spoken.

It's official. People will sue for anything

In Arkansas, a man is suing McDonald's because nude photos of him and his wife have turned up on the Internet.

Why McDonald's you ask?

Well because, apparently, the man left his cell phone at a McDonald's and the phone contained the naked pictures.

Last Friday, he filed the suit seeking three million dollars in damages for suffering, embarrassment, and the cost of having to move to a new home. His argument is that when he called the store to ask if they had found the phone, they said they did and would hold onto it until he returned.

To me, this suit is as frivolous as they come. Sure, whoever posted the photos was wrong. But ultimately, it is his fault. Why this case has even got this far is beyond me.

With all these suits going on, I'm starting to think that I should file one too.

I had an embarrassing moment back when I was twelve years-old.

I wonder how much I could get from Playboy for that.

The Wizard has spoken.

Rough times for Donovan McNabb

It hasn’t been a good few weeks for McNabb.

First, three weeks ago, he was clearly seen struggling to catch his breath during a comeback attempt against the New York Giants. While head coach, Andy Reid, hasn’t said so publicly, it seemed to affect his play calling towards the end of the game. He called two bizarre running plays on third and forth down when the Eagles were driving for what could have been a go ahead score.

Last week, Donavan revealed that he didn’t know that NFL regular season games could end in a tie. While his teammates and head coach tried to defend him, it clearly didn’t work. Fans and the media ripped him all week. And, he was the butt of several jokes.

Then when it seemed like it couldn’t get worse; he got benched in the second half of yesterday’s game. Granted, his play probably warranted the benching. Still, it was pretty surprising considering how much his head coach has defended him in the past.

Now, the questions will undoubtedly begin. Is this the end of McNabb in Philadelphia? Will he now become a stop-gap solution for some other franchise looking to bring along their quarterback of the future?

If so, it would be a shame.

As much as I detest the Eagles, he has been the face of that franchise for years. He has also never really been surrounded by a quality supporting cast. Still, he has led the team to several NFC Championships and a Super Bowl appearance.

Last week, my father and I were discussing the possibilities of McNabb making it to the Hall of Fame. Personally, I think he should be there. Maybe not as a first-ballot pick, but when you look at his whole body of work, I think you can make a compelling case.

Luckily, for the Eagles they have a short week before their next game on Thanksgiving against Arizona.

The bad part of that scenario is that they are playing at home.

If he does start and struggles, it could get ugly.

He had better hope the tryptophan kicks in.

Or, he is going to be the dessert platter for the Philly fans.

The Wizard has spoken.

Now what?

The BCS is in a pretty pickle once again.

Thanks to Oklahoma and their destruction of Texas Tech, the BCS Championship will once again be mired in controversy.

Even, if 1 Alabama holds on and finishes the season undefeated, the question will be debated as to who deserves to be 2 and play them in the Championship game.

Texas, Penn State, Oklahoma, Florida, Utah, Boise State, USC, and even Texas Tech all have a legitimate claim.

Yes, Texas Tech just lost to Oklahoma. But, Oklahoma lost to Texas. And, Texas Tech beat Texas.

USC, Florida, and Penn State lost games earlier in the season.

Both, Utah and Boise State are undefeated.

Talk about a mess.

The easiest and smartest solution, of course, would be to have a playoff. The fans, members of the media, and even President-elect Barack Obama have been clamoring for it. Yet, the BCS still refuses to relent. In fact, they just signed a fat new contract with ESPN to televise the BCS games through 2014.

So, that would probably be the earliest that they would consider it.

And, it is truly a shame.

College football is the only major sport not decided by a playoff. And, in truth, none of the excuses given by officials as to why makes any sense.

Like everything else, it comes down to the all mighty dollar. Still, you would think that a well constituted playoff would garner even more money.

Most importantly, it would give us a true champion.

Is that too much to ask?

The Wizard has spoken.

A stranger in the doctor's office

Yesterday, I took my son to get a check-up and to make sure he was caught up on all of his immunizations. Upon arriving at this doctor’s office, I was greeted by a bunch of shocked faces.

While my ego would love to believe the amazement was due to my good looks and savoir faire, I know the truth.

Granted, I was the only man in the facility. But, is it really that extraordinary to see a father taking his son to the doctor?

And, it didn’t stop with the looks.

Being that this was our first visit to this particular facility, we had to go through an intake process. The nurses spoke to me as if they were unsure that I knew anything that had to do with my son’s medical history. Often, they repeated questions. I was halfway waiting for them to ask me if I knew what two plus two was.

It was that type of experience.

I explained to the nurses that since my son’s birth, I have taken him to all of his doctor appointments. For one thing, I have the more flexible schedule. Secondly, my wife can’t stand seeing my son get a shot.

She actually cries more than he does.

So, I do it. To me, it’s nothing out of the ordinary.

Apparently it is.

The nurses and the doctor seemed genuinely amazed that I knew so much about my son’s health history. Not to mention the fact that I knew how to fill out his health questionnaire. They actually applauded me for it like I applaud my son when he accomplishes something.

One nurse actually said, “Yeah, Daddy!”

All that was missing was the clapping.

I really didn’t know whether I should take it as a compliment or an insult.

I did feel that it was a little demeaning.

I like to think of myself as a good father. Still, I would like to believe that I am not the only one who takes his child to see the doctor.

Personally, I rather enjoy it and find it important to stay abreast of what is going on with my son.

Is that so strange?

As it turned out, my son was indeed caught up on his immunizations. All he needed was a flu mist – a flu vaccination given in the form of a nasal spray.

No more scheduled trips to the doctor until he’s three.

Hopefully, we won’t go through this again.

The Wizard has spoken.

Live suicide

With all the advancements in technologies and the increasing popularity in web cams, it was bound to happen one day.

Earlier this week in Florida, a teen killed himself while broadcasting live on justin.tv – a web-streaming program that allows viewers to share broadcasts and other live events.

What makes this story particularly sad is the fact that he announced his intentions to his viewers. Many of those watching did not take him seriously. Some even egged him on as he started taking the pills that would eventually lead to his death.

Then he fell to his bed and lay motionless for several hours. Still, many of the viewers didn’t believe he was dead. By the time someone informed the authorities, he had broadcast this tragic event for over 12 hours.

His family is, of course, stunned and grieving. The teen reportedly had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Unfortunately, this news isn’t too stunning. A lot of teens these days use sites like Facebook, MySpace, and now justin.tv to document and chronicle their lives. We’ve all heard of Internet predators using these sites to prey on young victims, and now this.

It’ll be interesting to see what the fall out of all this happens to be. I don’t think that there needs to be stricter rules in place. I just think that parents need to be more cognizant of what their kids are doing.

Hopefully, nobody tries to copycat this event.

That would truly be sad.

The Wizard has spoken.

The Wiz's NFL Week 12 Picks

Thursday Night Football
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh – Pittsburgh

Sunday Football
Tampa Bay at Detroit – Tampa Bay
NY Jets at Tennessee - Tennessee
Buffalo at Kansas City – Kansas City
Chicago at St. Louis - Chicago
New England at Miami – New England
Minnesota at Jacksonville - Jacksonville
Philadelphia at Baltimore - Baltimore
Houston at Cleveland - Cleveland
San Francisco at Dallas - Dallas
Oakland at Denver - Denver
Washington at Seattle - Washington
NY Giants at Arizona – NY Giants
Carolina at Atlanta - Atlanta

Sunday Night Football
Indianapolis at San Diego - Indianapolis

Monday Night Football
Green Bay at New Orleans – New Orleans

The Wiz's 2008 Record: 103-56-1

The Wizard has spoken

Is this truly discrimination?

I am sorry.

While I feel that Proposition 8 was wrong and that everybody deserves equal rights, this is just ludicrous.

Yesterday, eHarmony settled a discrimination lawsuit in New Jersey. The suit had been brought against them because they didn’t offer services for those looking for same-sex matches. As part of the settlement, eHarmony now has to post photos of same-sex couple matches on the company's website and in promotional material. The company also has to revise statements on its websites, handbooks and other publications to indicate that it does not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation.

Plus, they will launch a new service by March 31st, 2009 that will be called “Compatible Partners”.

How ridiculous is that?

eHarmony is a private business and should be able to conduct its business the way they wish. To basically force them to offer same-sex services in my opinion is absolutely wrong.

Couldn’t the same person who filed this lawsuit just create a new site and/or service himself?

And while I’m not sure, I like to believe there are already gay dating sites available.

While I disagree with many of the viewpoints shared by those supported Proposition 8, things like this only gives them more ammunition.

So, if this can happen, what’s next?

The Wizard has spoken

Why do we care?

It’s simply amazing to me to see the number of people who are mesmerized by celebrity news. I’m still trying to figure out what is so fascinating.

Yesterday, while I was going through the “news” on a particular website, I found a couple of articles that simply blew my mind. The first was about hip-hop mogul, Diddy. While, I respect Diddy’s business acumen, I couldn’t care less about the fact that he shaves and grooms his private parts.

The second was a story about actress Eva Mendes. Apparently, there is a big scandal because some publication released a story in which she supposedly said that she has had sex in all 50 states. Of course, she refutes the story. But, really who gives a damn. Hell, I wish I had sex in all 50 states.

But, what really blew my mind was the fact that they even made headlines.

With everything that is going on in this country with the economy and lost jobs, Diddy’s private parts and Eva’s possible sexual entanglements are supposed to be news?

What’s worse is that people are reading about it, and discussing it like it means something. Each story had at least 100 comments below them.

That is scary.

The Wizard has spoken.

Somebody actually wants to coach the Raiders

Well, I'll be damned.

I was under the impression that when Al Davis unceremoniously fired former head coach, Lane Kiffin, that he would have a hard time finding a new head coach.

Sure, the Raiders are one of the premier coaching jobs because of their history. But, as of late, they have been horrible and Davis has continuously handcuffed his coaches and teams with his meddling ways.

Still, former New York Giants head coach, Jim Fassel wants the gig.

What makes it more fascinating is that he is being seriously proactive in his pursuit of the job. It is being reported that Fassel sent Davis a handwritten letter expressing his admiration and respect for Al and his desire to coach the team.

I know Fassel has been out of coaching since 2006 when the Ravens released him as their offensive coordinator, but still.

Maybe, his is a masochist.

Or, possibly he truly thinks he can work under Davis.

There were no reports as to Al's response. And, it will be interesting to see if he takes Fassel up on his offer. He might as well give it to him. I'm not sure there will be too many others rushing to coach the black and silver.

I know I wouldn't.

The Wizard has spoken.

What is NSPD-51 truly?

I’ve heard all the rumors, and innuendo about what powers NSPD-51 grants the President. I have even read the directive several times myself. And, while I understand it in parts, some of it remains vague – perhaps intentionally.

Still, I wonder what it truly means.

Reading various blogs and Internet sites the general consensus is that NSPD-51 grants the President the power to do everything from suspend the election to declare martial law and stay in power long after his term is supposed to end.

There are those - some of whom would be considered “conspiracy theorists” - who wholeheartedly believe that President Bush will exercise his Executive powers granted in NSPD-51 sometime prior to January 20.

Personally, I’m just confused.

But, I am trying to be informed. And really understand some of the laws that are on the books, especially this one.

What is your interpretation?

For those who have never heard of or read the initiative, you can read it here via the White House website http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/05/20070509-12.html.

The Wizard has spoken.

Maybe, I was wrong about Favre

During the last offseason, I was very critical of Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers for their handling of his retirement and eventual un-retirement.

I felt that Favre was being a prima donna and was really putting his replacement, Aaron Rodgers, in a no-win situation.

I also felt that Favre wasn’t all that he has been built up to be as a quarterback.

Maybe, I was wrong on that last point.

While I still believe Favre is somewhat overrated, in the sense that he seems to hurt his team at the most inopportune time, I am surprised at how well he is doing as the quarterback on the New York Jets.

Especially when you consider the fact that he had a shortened training camp and is learning a completely different system.

It is a real possibility that the Jets could win the AFC East division this year and a big part of that would be because of Favre – although I can’t forget to mention their defense, which is pretty good too.

Right now, Favre looks like he is a lock for an AFC Pro-Bowl spot. And, I believe that, as of right now, he has to be considered among the candidates for NFL MVP.

As for the Packers, their decision to trade Favre is looking like a bad one. A team that was 13-3 last year, and pretty much returned everybody, except for Favre, of course, is in serious danger of not making the playoffs. Naturally, the question is would they be in the same predicament if Favre was still their quarterback?

Obviously, no one knows the answer to that question. It is possible they would have the same record even if Favre was still the starter – albeit not likely.

The one thing that is certain is that the Packers were wrong in hastily dispatching Brett. He deserved a chance to come back to the team that he almost singlehandedly brought back into prominence.

It’ll be interesting if their decision to cut ties with Favre will cost both head coach, Mike McCarthy, and general manager, Ted Thompson, their jobs.

I’m sure there will be some Packers fans calling for their respective heads.

The Wizard has spoken

Should the Bush administration be investigated?

One of the more fascinating political issues gaining steam is what will happen to President George Bush when he leaves office.

It is being reported that Congressional Democrats are going forward with their plans to investigate the Bush administration. Some of the possible things they could look at are if he abused his Executive powers, the torture of detainees, and the role of some of his former aides in the firing of federal prosecutors and eavesdropping without a warrant.

Do you think it would it be a smart political move by the Democrats to push this issue?

Or, should they focus on the more pressing issues like the economy and just let him be in Texas?

Personally, I think there is enough out there to warrant an investigation. But, I am very skeptical. I just don’t think that even if they were to find something criminal, they would actually bring him or his aides up on charges.

Plus, it is being reported that he may be able to block subpoenas even after he leaves office.

Which makes me wonder if it is even worth it?

What do you think?

The Wizard has spoken

The Wiz's NFL Week 11 Picks

Thursday Night Football
NY Jets at New England – New England

Sunday Football
Denver at Atlanta - Atlanta
Philadelphia at Cincinnati - Philadelphia
Chicago at Green Bay - Chicago
Houston at Indianapolis - Houston
New Orleans at Kansas City – Kansas City
Oakland at Miami - Miami
Baltimore at NY Giants – NY Giants
Minnesota at Tampa Bay – Tampa Bay
Detroit at Carolina - Carolina
Arizona at Seattle - Seattle
San Diego at Pittsburgh – Pittsburgh
Tennessee at Jacksonville - Tennessee

Sunday Night Football
Dallas at Washington - Dallas

Monday Night Football
Cleveland at Buffalo - Buffalo

The Wiz's 2008 Record: 95-49

The Wizard has spoken

When is a war over?

This is not some anti-war rant.

I ask this question because it was initially a huge issue during the election. And while both Senator McCain and President-elect Obama spoke on the issue, I kept asking myself, “What brings an end to a war?”

For the longest, I believed that a war was over when the opposition’s leader was either captured or killed. If that were the case this war in Iraq would have been over a long time ago.

Former President Sadaam Hussein, who I thought was the target, has been captured, tried, convicted, and hanged.

Still, they fight on.

So, what is it that is going to bring this war to its conclusion?

Without a definite purpose or set goal, this war could simply just carry on forever.

There has been plenty of talk in regards to our need to protect ourselves, our nation’s interest, and to ensure the safety of our armed forces. Efforts to reduce spending on this war have been met by fierce opposition.

Still, the numbers are staggering. An estimated $10 billion dollars a month and we’re in the midst of the worst economic struggle since the Great Depression. And the Iraqi government has been reported to have a surplus from anywhere between $60 and $80 billion dollars.

Not to mention the continued fatalities.

Something has to give.

I am cognizant of the fact that I am blessed to have several people who have previously served in the armed forces who happen to read my blog.

Maybe, they can shed some insight onto this topic.

The Wizard has spoken

Timeout for the Veterans

Today, I would like to take a break from our friendly discussions and thank all the brave men and women who are in the armed forces across the world protecting our Country.

I would also like to send a special prayer to their families, friends, and loved ones who I am sure spend countless sleepless nights, and worry for their safety.

To all the families, friends, and loved ones of fallen soldiers, I would like to send my condolences.

And, lastly to my grandfather, who was a Veteran himself, and a member of the Buffalo Soldiers, I would like to say although we had our differences, I love you and miss you.

Tomorrow, we can get back to our sometimes heated and wonderful debates.

As for today – this is their day.

The Wizard has spoken.

What are the qualifications for being a real American?

I ask this question in all seriousness.

During the election, and various other instances, I have seen or heard people being labeled Anti-American simply because of their point of view on some issues.

So, how do you become a real American?

Am I not American because I was born in Canada? Yet, I have dual citizenship and have lived here in the United States for almost as long as I lived in Canada.

Does being American mean that you have to follow a certain party or ideology? And if so, which one is acceptable?

If you speak out against the war, or other perceived wrong doings, does that disqualify you?

Must English be your first language?

Do you have to have a flag planted on your doorstep?

What does it take?

The Wizard has spoken.

Please, enough with the reality

Is anyone else fed up with all these reality shows on television?

When Survivor and American Idol first came on, it was okay. But now, every network has at least one reality show.

We get to see shows that feature forgotten actors, like Corey Feldman and Corey Haim, trying to resuscitate their careers by allowing us to see into their daily lives.

I guess this an attempt to show us that they too have problems in their lives.

It has gotten to the point where there is a reality show for, pretty much, anything you can think of.

I thought the goal of television shows was to provide us with an escape, a distraction, from reality for a few hours.

Maybe, it just speaks to a lack of creativity. Or, possibly this is just the networks’ way of fulfilling a need.

Are we that interested in that type of reality?

I surely hope not.

As for me, the only reality television shows I need are my football, basketball, and boxing.

At least they are not scripted.

Or, are they?

The Wizard has spoken.

Pride versus employment

I heard an interesting conversation on the radio the other day.

Basically, there was a job fair held here in Georgia hosted by the airport and people who attended were very upset. They thought that because the airport was hosting the fair, there would be a plethora of high-paying airport jobs offered.

What they found out was that the majority of the openings were for a local fast food chain that happens to have a restaurant in the airport.

People called into the radio station livid. They felt that they were led on. 95% of the people who called into the show were unemployed – and had been so for several months.

The radio host asked the callers who were unemployed if they had, at least, submitted a resume. And, again, most of the answers were no. Most, talked about the job being beneath them. There was no way they were going to work for a job that only paid $8 an hour.

Now, I will admit. It would be a hard pill for me to swallow to have to work in a fast food restaurant at $8 an hour. I am used to working for a far higher wage, plus I know I am worth far more. But, if that were my only option, I would have to swallow my pride and ego and do it. Survival is the most important thing, first and foremost.

What will be interesting to see in the coming months is the reaction of unemployed workers. Will they lower their demands and accept lower waged jobs? Or, will they hold out in hopes of finding a job that pays an amount that reflects their experience?

Either way, the current reports regarding unemployment is discouraging. It is expected that between now and January 20, the day President Obama takes office, that approximately five hundred thousand more jobs will be lost.

That is one hell of a pool for employers to pull from.

And with the current economic struggle, it is reasonable to assume that employers are going to place a premium on those who are willing to work cheap. It isn’t fair but it is the truth.

Even for people like myself who are self-employed there is cause for great concern. Many of the business owners I talk to on a daily basis share with me that they are just about ready to call it quits. Business is too slow, and the bills are still coming in. They are being forced to make the tough decision between just closing the doors and filing bankruptcy – in some cases both.

Talk about being between a rock and a hard place.

There is really no easy answer for those looking for a job right now. We’re taught that we should have pride in what we do, and we should know our worth.

Still, too much pride, in these conditions, could lead to a shopping basket and a cardboard box – if you know what I mean.

The Wizard has spoken.

What has happened to boxing?

Boxing, the sweet science, is a sport that I adore. I grew up watching fights with my father, and still discuss matches with him today. But, it is a complete travesty what is happening to the sport.

On December 20th, WBA heavyweight, Nikolay Valuev will “defend” his title against Evander Holyfield who is not only 46 years old, but he is way past his prime. The fact that this fight is being discussed, not to mention sanctioned, is bordering on criminal.

I have never been a Holyfield fan, even during his heyday, but at the same time, I find it ridiculous to see a man be allowed to jeopardize his health like this. Boxing regulators need to look no further than Muhammad Ali, who fought one too many fights. Now, look at him. And Holyfield is clearly on his way. His speech is slurred to the point that now you damn near need subtitles when he speaks.

Even if Holyfield was in his prime this fight would be a mismatch. Valuev is 7’1 and approximately 320 pounds. Holyfield stands at 6’3 and comes into the ring around 220. That is a huge disparity.

I understand the fact that Evander has some financial difficulties. His 105 room house was almost foreclosed on, and he has to pay child support for his 11 children. Still, this fight amounts to nothing more than a public execution.

It truly speaks to the said state of the heavyweight division when a boxing manager can say with a straight face that Holyfield is the best competition available. I remember the days when the heavyweight champion of the world was one of the most recognizable figures in the whole world. Even people who never watched a boxing match a day in their lives knew who the champ was. That is clearly not the case now.

Mismatches of recycled opponents are only one of the problems boxing faces. The networks, corrupt promoters, and lack of exposure have all played a significant role in the decline.

The world of MMA has jumped at the opportunity to fill the void. While, I truly feel it is a substandard product, the people behind the scenes clearly understand how to market it to the masses.

There is something about the brutality of hand-to-hand combat that attracts people.

Boxing once knew how to satisfy that desire.

Now, the powers seem to be more concerned with greed rather than the survival of the sweet science.

The Wizard has spoken.

The issue of same-sex marriage

Being a Californian for several years, I realize how controversial and big this issue is in California. During the election, the people of California voted on Proposition 8 – an initiative aimed at banning same-sex marriages.

The proposition passed, and people who opposed the bill are upset.

Is their anger justified?

One of the things that I have observed in discussing this issue with various people is that it invokes passionate emotions unlike most issues. Either people are intense advocates or they are equally as intense in their opposition.

The question is why?

In essence, the issue of same-sex marriages is Constitutional. Do gay deserved to be treated as equal and enjoy the same rights and liberties as everyone else?

The short answer to that is yes, they do. Regardless, of how you feel personally about gay relationships, they are people too and deserve to be treated as equals.

But, when this issue is discussed or voted on, it isn’t that simple.

This is an issue that is voted on, for the most part, based on preference or personal beliefs. It really becomes a referendum on the gay culture as a whole. That is why you hear people talk about gay marriages being immoral and destroying the sanctity of marriage. Or people, like me, who aren’t gay, and have no issue with gay people, talk about not caring what they do in the privacy of their own homes.

Still, neither of the groups addresses the real fundamental issue.

Do gays deserve equal rights?

But, that is just my opinion.

What are your thoughts?

The Wizard has spoken.

The Wiz's NFL Week 10 Picks

Thursday Night Football
Denver at Cleveland - Cleveland

Sunday Football
New Orleans at Atlanta - Atlanta
Tennessee at Chicago - Tennessee
Jacksonville at Detroit - Jacksonville
Seattle at Miami - Miami
Green Bay at Minnesota - Minnesota
Buffalo at New England – New England
St. Louis at NY Jets – NY Jets
Baltimore at Houston - Baltimore
Carolina at Oakland - Carolina
Indianapolis at Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh
Kansas City at San Diego – San Diego

Sunday Night Football
NY Giants at Philadelphia - Philadelphia

Monday Night Football
San Francisco at Arizona - Arizona

The Wiz's 2008 Record: 84-46

The Wizard has spoken

The blame game has begun

It seems that in every arena, people feel the need to blame someone for their defeat. In the case of the McCain campaign they are clearly trying to blame Governor Sarah Palin.

And, that is unfortunate.

I have stated several times on this blog that I didn’t like Palin politically and felt she was a bad Vice Presidential choice. Still, there is no need to try and sully her name.

Yesterday, several reports surfaced referring to campaign infighting, Palin’s diva like tendencies, and a host of other things being leaked by McCain aides.

One story out there is that one time McCain’s aides came to her hotel room to brief her and she greeted them in nothing but a bath towel wrapped around her body and another around her wet hair. There are also new details surrounding about the amount of money spent on her clothes. Aides are now saying the number was closer to $200,000 and that Palin also had aides buy items with their own personal credit cards.

The most damaging leaked news was probably the fact that she didn’t know that Africa was a continent or couldn’t name the countries in North America.

While all these stories may be true, I find it reprehensible that they are trying to destroy this woman personally and politically – all because they lost.

What I find interesting is that they don’t seem to realize that they are not only tarnishing her image, they are also tarnishing McCain’s.

This was his pick; his first major decision as a presidential candidate. Makes you wonder if they would have released all this information about her had they won. It would seem pertinent to the American people to know that their vice president is an idiot, who is trying to get by on her looks.

Isn’t that the picture they are trying to paint now?

And for those who want to try and blame the liberal media for these stories, hold you horses. I saw these reports on Fox News; as a matter of fact on the O’Reilly Factor.

I have always believed in the creed that you win and lose with dignity.

The campaign is over; they lost; now it is time for them to move on.

And let Palin be.

The Wizard has spoken

Now, I have a new dream

There is no doubting the significance of the Obama presidency. It was truly a historical and monumental event.

But, now I truly look forward to the day when we as a nation are color blind. A day when race, gender, age, sex, culture truly don’t matter. When a person who happens to be Black, or Hispanic, or gay, or a woman accomplishes something and there is really no significance other than the fact that they were the best person.

That is the day we will truly be united.

That is the day we will finally be one people.

The Wizard has spoken.

Now that the dust has settled

You may not like President-Elect Barack Obama but there is no denying his magnetic persona. As I sat and watched the election last night, I was just amazed at the number of people who were drawn to see this man.

Grant Park, Times Square, Los Angeles, Atlanta, the White House, and Kenya – all filled with people hanging on to Obama’s every word as he made his victory speech.

I have never seen anything like that.

I truly believe that his ability to invoke a feeling of hope is what is going to help move America from its current position to a better place.

I’m not naïve in believing that he will be able to deliver on each promise. No politician has ever done that. But, I think he possesses that innate ability to inspire that is going to help bring us together and heal the wounds of this election period.

There is no way we’re going to make it if we stay divided. I hope Obama realizes this and truly works with everyone to find the best solution.

I have a feeling he will.

The next four years are definitely going to be interesting.

The Wizard has spoken

To all of my conservative friends - Part 2

In hindsight, how do you think Senator McCain’s choice of Governor Palin affected the outcome of this election?

Personally, I think she was a horrible choice and one that was made simply because President-Elect Obama did not pick Senator Clinton.

In some ways, I think McCain felt that women would just blindly vote for another woman. I may be wrong. He may have thought she was the best choice regardless of the situation.

What do you think?

The Wizard has spoken.

A day I will never forget

Shocked, amazed, proud – I’m filled with so many different emotions right now.

I voted for President-Elect Barack Obama. But, the fact that he was black had minimal impact on my decision. I voted for him because, like I said before, I truly believed that he was the right man for the position.

Still, as a black person, I can’t deny how extremely proud I feel at this moment. As I think of my parents, my grandparents, and my great-grandmother who is still alive, I feel happy for them. They had to endure segregation and racism on a level that thankfully I have never experienced. I think of Martin Luther King, and Malcolm X, who were assassinated. I think of Rosa Parks, W.E Dubois, Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, and all the other black leaders who died and never witnessed this day. I think of all the slaves who were tortured, lynched, and were made to feel less than human.

This day is their day. This day is vindication and validation for all they went through.

I feel great joy and pride because today proves that we can rise above the glass ceiling.

Today is a day that I will never forget. I was blessed by the fact that I was able to talk to my father the moment it was announced that Obama was the victor.

The dream is finally a reality.

Yes, we can.

The Wizard has spoken

Election Day is finally here

Thankfully, I voted almost three weeks ago. So, I will be able to avoid the long lines that are expected here in Georgia today.

My hope is that we have minimal issues today and that we have a vote that represents the will of the people. I’m sure we’ve all heard some of the stories about people being turned away from the polls, or being intimidated into not voting, etc…

And, that is what we don’t need.

This election has already been the most divisive one I have ever witnessed. There is truly no need for anymore drama. Regardless of who wins, what we need to do is accept it, heal, and move on.

The most important thing is that democracy is preserved.

For all of those who haven’t voted, I would strongly advise that you do so.

Let your voice be heard – regardless of whom you candidate is.

The Wizard has spoken.

To all of my conservative friends

I am no conservative by any stretch of the imagination. But. as in all things, I respect other people’s point of view. I have plenty of conservative friends and while we may disagree politically, I still have much respect for them.

But, I do have a question for all conservatives. And, honesty is always appreciated. What is it about Senator Barack Obama that scares you so much? I understand that you may not agree with his political agenda, and that is cool. But, unlike any other election I’ve seen, there is genuine fear of Obama.

I simply don’t understand it.

I’ve heard all of the talk about him being a terrorist or being a Muslim and, personally, I think those are just excuses for what the real problem is. I could be wrong.

So, what is it?

I really would like to know.

The Wizard has spoken

Is Daylight Savings Time necessary?

If, I could travel back in time I would like to go and meet the genius who invented time and DST - two methods of control that have done nothing but cause stress and anxiety.

For the life of me, I cannot understand the need to mess with the clock two times a year. I understand the premise of why it was started. It’s debatable if it was even needed then. But, now, in this day in age, ii is just ridiculous.

All it seems to do is throw everyone’s biorhythms off for a few days, and have everyone confused. There are absolutely no advantages that I can see.

Hopefully, one day soon we will eliminate this foolishness and leave the damn clocks alone.

The Wizard has spoken.

No candy if you support Obama

Now, I have heard it all.

A woman in Detroit refused to give candy to trick-or-treaters who supported Senator Barack Obama. The little kids who came to her door were greeted by a sign that said the following:

“No handouts for Obama supporters, liars, tricksters or kids of supporters.”

When interviewed by the local news, the lady stated that, “Everyone has a choice.”

And, she was serious.

I can understand the fact that she supports McCain and Palin and she has that right. But, to deny kids candy because of politics? That is just ridiculous. According to the report, some of the kids were actually crying on this woman’s doorstep and her answer was simply, “So what”.

As a parent, I don’t know how I would have reacted if I took my son to her house and she had pulled that stunt – especially, if my son has started crying.

This woman should truly be ashamed of herself.

Halloween is for kids and for enjoyment. Not for some foolish political statement.

The Wizard has spoken.

The Wiz's NFL Week 9 Picks

Sunday Football
NY Jets at Buffalo - Buffalo
Detroit at Chicago - Chicago
Jacksonville at Cincinnati - Jacksonville
Baltimore at Cleveland - Baltimore
Green Bay at Tennessee - Tennessee
Arizona at St. Louis - Arizona
Houston at Minnesota - Minnesota
Tampa Bay at Kansas City – Tampa Bay
Miami at Denver - Denver
Atlanta at Oakland - Oakland
Dallas at NY Giants - Dallas
Philadelphia at Seattle – Philadelphia

Sunday Night Football
New England at Indianapolis – New England

Monday Night Football
Pittsburgh at Washington - Washington

The Wiz’s 2008 Record: 76-40

The Wizard has spoken

The art of pimping your name

Thanks to Senator John McCain we all know “Joe the Plumber”.

Now, Joe is trying to cash in on his newfound fame. Who can blame him? He became an instant celebrity during the last Presidential debate and has been the eye of the media since.

In the last few weeks, Joe has talked about potentially running for Congress in 2010. He has also talked about possibly starting a singing career; he has hired a publicity team, and has a possible book deal in the works.

That is pretty impressive.

But, what makes him qualified to even discuss running for Congress; or, consider recording? And, is there really anything interesting or important about his life, other than the fact that he spoke to Obama that warrants a book?

It seems to me that would be a quick read.

And, I thought the real issue was supposed to be the fact that he was plumber who would not be able to purchase the business he had worked so hard for – all because of Senator Obama’s economic plan.

Maybe, he should be thanking Obama.

His little conversation with the Senator has produced some real fruit - at least for fifteen minutes.

The Wizard has spoken.

Here's a question

With all things being equal, if Senator Barack Hussein Obama’s name were Rayfield LeShon Jackson would there be any concern or question about him being Muslim?

Think about it.

The Wizard has spoken.

Can't wait for this election to be over

Admittedly, this is the first time that I have really followed politics.

In years past, I felt that my vote truly didn’t matter. Especially, after I saw Al Gore win the popular vote yet still lose the election. But, over the course of the last few years, my views and thoughts have changed. I thought about the many struggles and sacrifices my ancestors went through so that I could be afforded this opportunity.

I was very proud of the fact that I stood in line a couple of weeks ago and cast my first vote. And even after voting, I have continually tried to stay abreast of all the issues.

But, it has really become exhausting. I’ll be happy when we get through this election and we can move on and hopefully heal some of the wounds caused during these campaigns.

What I have witnessed during this political season is that it has brought out the very best and worst of us all. While, it is encouraging to see all the people who are energized and feel that they need to vote, it has been distressing to see all the divisiveness and hate.

And, what has tickled me the most about both candidates is the staggering amount of money they have used during their respective campaigns. It has just been an inordinate amount. Especially, when you consider the fact that we are going through such harsh economic times.

In truth, it has become overkill for both parties. I would like to believe that by now pretty much everybody who has not voted knows who their presidential candidate is. It would be nice if they would both give their closing arguments, so to speak, and just relax.

Let the chips fall were they may.

Apparently, that is not going to happen. As a matter of fact, they are both doing the opposite and ramping up their efforts. I heard that, in Georgia, McCain is starting to run robo-calls – hopefully, I don’t receive one. Obama is starting to run ads in Arizona. And, they will both be interviewed on Monday Night Football.

The unfortunate thing is that neither of them is saying anything new at this point. They are just regurgitating the same messages. We all know that Obama feels that McCain will continue on the path of President Bush. And, McCain feels that Obama is a socialist and is not prepared to be President.

They’ve both made their point. Enough is enough. At least I think so.

Tuesday can’t get here fast enough.

The Wizard has spoken.

Stop the hate

Things are truly getting crazy.

It is being reported that an assassination plot to kill Barack Obama has been thwarted. The reports state that two skinheads were planning to kill 88 black people, 14 by beheading, and Obama. Apparently, the number 88 and 14 have meaning within the skinhead movement.

Also, yesterday, on amazon.com, several people were outraged to find out that the Obama Halloween mask was listed under the “terrorist” section. As a matter of fact, it was the only mask listed under the terrorist section. The “mistake” has since been corrected.

This is a Presidential election.

And unfortunately, because of Obama’s skin color it is becoming much more than that. We are witnessing the fact that although we have made strides, there is still some deep rooted hate and prejudices residing in some. We are supposed to be living in a country where race, age, sexual-preference, etc… is not supposed to matter.

But, it truly does.

Growing up, I had the luxury of living in Toronto, which is one of the most multicultural cities in the world. I had the benefit of meeting and mingling with people of all races. I have friends from all different cultures and beliefs.

I say this to say, that I live my life by one simple factor. If you are cool with me, I am cool with you. I don’t see color. Or, judge by preconceived notions or stereotypes. I give everyone a clean slate.

Maybe, I am naïve by wishing that we all could operate based on that premise. This would allow us to live in a type of society that Martin Luther King spoke about in his “I have a dream” speech.

Hopefully, that day will come one day.

It is apparent we are not there yet.

Remember, united we stand divided we fall.

The Wizard has spoken.

Things are not looking good for McCain

Nothing seems to be going McCain’s way.

All the polls suggest that Obama has a sizeable lead. Colin Powell publicly endorsed Obama. And, one of his top advisors earlier this week decided to jump ship and voted for Barack.

Not to mention, the campaign supporter who faked her attack a couple days ago.

Now, there is news that Palin is going off the reservation. According to insiders, she is completely disregarding her handlers and campaign strategy.

Lately, their campaign seems to be a confused mess.

When it was revealed last week that the campaign had spent $150,000 on Palin’s wardrobe, McCain stated that they spent the money because she needed the clothes. Palin refuted the story and said that they were not about that, and in fact, they were quite frugal.

So, who is telling the truth?

One thing that hasn’t been disputed was the amount the campaign paid her makeup artist – over $22,000 during a two-week period.

How many hockey mom’s and Joe six-packs can afford that?

And, I’m supposed to believe that McCain-Palin can relate to what I’m going through?

There have been other instances where McCain and Palin have appeared to contradict one another. For instance, Palin denounced the McCain robocalls. This was a day after McCain defended them.

Not good.

With just over a week left to go, it will be interesting to see if McCain and Palin can get it together. Many believe Palin has already figured out they are going to lose and is trying to position herself for 2012.

In truth, the only reason McCain picked her was he felt that she may be able to attract some of the Clinton supporters.

It seems like his master plan has backfired.

The Wizard has spoken.

The Wiz’s NFL Week 8 Picks

Sunday Football
Tampa Bay at Dallas - Dallas
Washington at Detroit - Washington
Buffalo at Miami - Buffalo
St. Louis at New England – New England
San Diego at New Orleans – San Diego
Kansas City at NY Jets – NY Jets
Atlanta at Philadelphia - Philadelphia
Oakland at Baltimore - Baltimore
Arizona at Carolina - Carolina
Cleveland at Jacksonville - Jacksonville
Cincinnati at Houston – Houston
NY Giants at Pittsburgh – Pittsburgh
Seattle at San Francisco – San Francisco

Monday Night Football
Indianapolis at Tennessee - Indianapolis

The Wiz’s 2008 Record: 67-35

The Wizard has spoken

Don't be a victim - Part 2

I had a real uneasy time sleeping the other night after receiving the call from the debt collector. Although, I didn’t feel that he could legally pursue any of the actions that he threatened, there was still that ounce of doubt.

What if he could? I truly cannot afford to be charged with fraud. It would completely ruin me. I had a long talk with my father, the only person who I could trust to give me some sound advice, and he was certain that this whole thing was a scam.

The more I thought about it, the more it made sense. Still, there was a big problem. This man somehow knew my current address (I just recently moved), my full social security number, and he called me on a number that I use but is not registered to me.

That was a major concern for me – still is.

After tossing and turning all night and continually replaying the conversation in my mind something told me to Google this man’s name.

I did and what I found was shocking. The man identified himself to me as Kevin Smith and called me from (877) 448-6309. I found several complaints from other people who had received calls from this man. All had been threatened and told they would be prosecuted. I also found that he has used several other numbers such as: (866) 573-4821 and (612)216-2200, and has caused distress for several people. A couple of people have even buckled under his pressure and paid.

I am publishing this man’s name and his various numbers just in case he happens to call you next. I have literally read over 100 complaints on the Internet about this man. A word of caution, do not fall for this scam.

Somehow, Kevin has been able to gain access to several people’s social security numbers and credit reports. He obviously preys on people who have blemishes on their reports and tries to act as if he represents one of their collectors.

I am in the process of protecting myself and my identity, which is obviously compromised now. I am filing complaints with my local Attorney General’s office and the Attorney General’s office in Minnesota. He claimed to be calling from Minnesota. From what I have read, several people have filed complaints with different law enforcement agencies to no avail. Apparently, he has found a way to hide behind these bogus 800 numbers. There is also a class-action suit being filed for those who have fallen victim to this scam.

I am sure I will be receiving another call from Kevin in the near future. He believes he has me scared and ready to do anything to stave off prosecution. He also has no idea that I now know what he is all about.

What a surprise he has in store.

This story will be continued.

The Wizard has spoken.

Don't be a victim

Last night, I received a very disturbing call from a debt collector.

Basically, the collector on the phone threatened that he would file federal charges and sue me if I didn’t pay back an $800 defaulted loan by today.

He refused to send me any paperwork regarding the loan until after I paid it – even after I told him that I didn’t remember taking out such a loan. I allegedly took out this loan back in 2005.

The man used all kinds of strong-armed tactics in trying to persuade me to pay off this loan. He told me he would file charges against me for federal swindling, have my wages garnished, property seized, and sue me for $4000 or $5000 dollars. According to him, this would be the amount after legal and attorney fees. I asked him what kind of payment resolution could be made and he boldly told me that I had 24 hours to pay or be sued and have a sheriff at my door. He then hung up the phone.

There were no other acceptable arrangements.

I will admit that at first I was taken aback. The threat of being imprisoned or sued initially worried me because I, like everyone, can’t afford it. But, after researching the Fair Credit Collection policies on the Federal Trade Commissions site, I realized that his tactics were illegal.

I am sure that many of you also receive calls from creditors – hopefully, not as harassing as mine. But, it is important that you know your rights. The Federal Trade Commissions site can be found here.

Also, make sure to report people that violate your rights to your state Attorney General's office and the Federal Trade Commission.

It is time to put an end to the harassment.

The Wizard has spoken.

I got a STD, you may have it too

Just imagine opening your email and receiving that message from your lover. Now, imagine if you received it in an e-card.

Since 2004, an online company called inspot.org has been allowing people to anonymously send e-cards to their partners to get tested for STD’s such as HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis.

And the news is delivered in a variety of styles. One card reads, “You're too hot to be out of action. I got diagnosed with an STD since we played. You might want to get checked too”.

Isn’t that kind of like a teacher giving you an “F” and putting a smiley face next to it?

Personally, I don’t know what would piss me off more. The fact that I may have an STD. Or, the fact that the person who possibly burned me didn’t have the guts to at least pick up the phone and tell me.

There are plenty of good reasons to send an e-card. Informing someone that you may have given them a disease is not one of them – in my estimation.

Apparently, there are those who feel that it is appropriate. InSpot boasts that since its inception over 50,000 e-cards have been sent.

That is just so impersonal.

But, it may be a sign of the times.

The Wizard has spoken.

The Wiz’s NFL Week 7 Picks

Sunday Football
San Diego at Buffalo - Buffalo
Minnesota at Chicago – Chicago
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati - Pittsburgh
Dallas at St. Louis - Dallas
Tennessee at Kansas City - Tennessee
Baltimore at Miami - Miami
San Francisco at NY Giants – NY Giants
New Orleans at Carolina - Carolina
Detroit at Houston - Houston
NY Jets at Oakland – NY Jets
Indianapolis at Green Bay – Indianapolis
Cleveland at Washington - Washington

Sunday Night Football
Seattle at Tampa Bay – Tampa Bay

Monday Night Football
Denver at New England – New England

The Wiz’s 2008 Record: 57-31

The Wizard has spoken

Political trash talking

Admittedly, I am not a fan of John McCain. But, I am a fan of trash talking.

Maybe, it is just the athlete in me. I can trash talk with the best of them. So, when McCain said that he was going to “kick Obama’s you know what” on Wednesday during their debate it resonated with me.

I’m not sure McCain can or will back up his words. Still, in that moment, I found him interesting.

As it stands right now, I’m still not voting for him. In my estimation he hasn’t given a reasonable plan as to how he would fix this current mess. Plus, I just can’t imagine what will happen to this country if Governor Sarah Palin had to take over office.

That’s a scary thought.

So, this just makes the final debate even more interesting. I will be intently watching looking for the McCain haymakers.

By my count, he is down two rounds to none and needs a knockout.

The Wizard has spoken.

Philly fans strike again

I guess the hockey mom theme didn’t play too well with the Philly fans. Governor Sarah Palin was loudly booed during her ceremonious puck drop at the Philadelphia Flyers home opener on Saturday night.

Apparently, Palin doesn’t know too much about the Philadelphia fans.

These are the same people who once booed Santa Claus.

The governor thought that by dressing her seven-year-old daughter, Piper, in a Flyers uniform that would distract people from booing.

Nope.

I do think it is unfortunate that the little girl had to go through that experience.

Overall, I just think the whole appearance was a mistake. There was simply too much risk involved. The chances of having a positive reaction from the fans were slim. Maybe, she forgot about the current state of the economy. And, that people are pretty upset about their finances.

Not to mention the fact that mixing politics with sports is not a good idea.

The Wizard has spoken.

The Wiz’s NFL Week 6 Picks

Sunday Football
Chicago at Atlanta - Chicago
Baltimore at Indianapolis - Baltimore
Detroit at Minnesota - Minnesota
Oakland at New Orleans – New Orleans
Cincinnati at NY Jets – NY Jets
Carolina at Tampa Bay – Tampa Bay
St. Louis at Washington - Washington
Miami at Houston – Houston
Jacksonville at Denver – Denver
Dallas at Arizona – Dallas
Green Bay at Seattle – Green Bay
Philadelphia at San Francisco - Philadelphia

Sunday Night Football
New England at San Diego – New England

Monday Night Football
NY Giants at Cleveland – NY Giants

The Wiz's 2008 Record: 50-24

The Wizard has spoken

How can a father turn his back on his child?

Every day, I wake up to the most beautiful experience in the world. I get to look at my precious son’s face while he sleeps peacefully. He looks like a quiet little angel without a care in the world. He is just so innocent and loving.

What an amazing gift from God.

And when I look at his face, I feel at peace. That is my seed lying there, and that alone brings instant joy into my heart.

Sometimes, while I’m laying there I wonder to myself “how could any man turn their back on something like this?”

I just don’t understand.

I’m not trying to be judgmental. I understand that everyone has different circumstances. But, I can’t imagine anything that would allow me not to be a part of my little one’s life – regardless if something ever happens between his mother and me.

I just cannot fathom the pain I would feel if I didn’t see my little man’s face anymore. Not to mention the pain he would feel if his Daddy was to up and disappear.

As my son continues to grow, I understand more and more the tremendous responsibility I have to him as his father.

Who else is going to teach him how to be a man? Who else is going to talk to him about those things that only a father can talk about with his son? Who else is going to be his protector and teach him discipline?

I don’t want to leave society in charge of raising my boy to a man. Or, for that matter, the TV and its warped depictions of what a man is and isn’t.

That is a father’s duty.

And it is one that I welcome and enjoy immensely.

The Wizard has spoken.

I hope this is not true

There are several reports stating that during recent campaign stops by Governor Sarah Palin there have been calls by the crowd to “Kill him”. The “him”, of course, is Senator Barack Obama.

Apparently, what helps incite members of the crowd are Palin’s claims that Obama is palling around with terrorists.

Now what Palin is doing is both transparent and very dangerous. The McCain campaign has publicly stated that they are going to attack Obama’s character. But, what these attacks seem to be trying to do is rehash the old debate about the Senator’s religious preference. It looks as if they are again trying to paint him as a radical Muslim.

Obama has repeatedly denied being a Muslim. He has stated several times that he is Christian. But, let’s for a moment pretend like he was Muslim.

Should that matter?

Not all Muslim’s are radical.

It is also worth stating that every religion has radicals. The bloodiest wars ever fought had religious undertones.

Still, I thought this was America.

I thought that here your race, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, age, and gender didn’t matter. I thought we were a country of equal employment opportunity.

That is what is stated for all jobs.

Should the Presidency be any different?

If this is true and people are making calls to kill Obama at these rallies, why isn’t the media doing a better job of pointing this out?

More importantly, why isn’t McCain or Palin publicly denouncing these people?

Regardless of your political views this shouldn’t be about killing the opposition. I may not prefer McCain or Palin. Still, I wouldn’t want to see them killed.

As I said before hopefully this is not true and is just urban legend.

It would truly be a shame if it was.

The Wizard has spoken