Chris Paul, Dime #36The good news is that Team USA got an actual test heading into an Olympic tournament that definitely won’t be easy. The bad news is that the critics have a lot of ammo at their disposal following yesterday’s exhibition win over Australia. D-Wade scored 22 to lead the U.S., who “only” won by 11 points against a Boomers squad that was resting Andrew Bogut (ankle). The Americans didn’t look bad in the first half, but in the second they were outscored 47-43, went a sorry 20-for-33 from the stripe and an even sorrier 3-for-18 beyond the arc. The Aussies used Russia’s blueprint of conceding rebounds to the U.S. in the name of stifling transition opportunities, too, and got solid contributions from numerous guys, most notable Patty Mills. The St. Mary’s College sophomore-to-be scored 13 and was giving Chris Paul the business for stretches … Whereas the U.S. has sometimes been too willing to make the extra pass during their previous blowouts, this time guys were forcing shots left and right. Kobe (13 pts, 3-for-9 FG’s), LeBron (16 pts), Carmelo (12 pts, 4-for-13 FG’s) and Wade were all forcing shots … On the positive side, at least it’s a double-digit win everyone’s worried about and not a loss. And with their first two games of Olympic pool play coming against China and Angola, Team USA has some time to get back into rhythm before the big dogs come knocking … As good as the James Posey signing was for the Hornets, letting Jannero Pargo walk would be almost as bad. Everyone saw how big Pargo was in Game 7 of the Spurs series, but throughout the season he came through in crunch-time situations and gave the Hornets a spark off the bench. Yesterday Pargo’s agent said that N.O. didn’t “seem interested” in re-signing his client, and we’ve been hearing that Pargo’s got interest from the Spurs and Nuggets. Although the Nuggets wouldn’t have the cap space unless they let J.R. Smith leave, Pargo could actually start for them at point guard. The Spurs could use some fresher legs off the bench and another guy who can create his own shot … Did you see where the Cavs signed Tarence Kinsey? That’s their most significant addition of the summer, and also part of the reason why LeBron reportedly said he’d consider playing in Europe if he got $50 million a year … Greg Oden is (almost) officially back, going through his first actual basketball practices recently. Oden’s post-microfracture baptism came at the hands of Channing Frye, who’s descent from “Future of the Knicks” to “Greg Oden’s Tackling Dummy” has been swift … While the Sixers keep moving toward bringing Andre Iguodala back into the fold, GM Ed Stefanski says he’s also looking to sign another inexpensive veteran big man. Looking at who’s out there, the best bets are a couple of really old guys (Theo Ratliff and Dikembe Mutombo), a couple of guys who plays like they’re really old (Jamaal Magloire and Lorenzen Wright), and a couple of guys who probably won’t be in the League long enough to get old (Robert Swift and David Harrison) … Speaking of fringe pros, shouldn’t Kwame Brown just not say anything to anyone with a recorder or a notepad until he gets a chance to prove himself on the court? Talking to the assembled Detroit media, Kwame said, “I think I’m one of the most underrated defenders in the league.” At least the guy seems focused on succeeding this time around. Kwame said he is trying to “rewrite my own legacy” in the D, and refused to make any excuses for what’s gone wrong in his career so far. Do you think he’ll ever pan out to be a decent NBA player? … With Ricky Davis signing a deal WAY under market value for someone with his skills, Stephon Marbury being treated like a bag full of post-hangover puke (it’s not gonna take itself out) and Jamaal Tinsley not being very popular on the trading block despite coming off of a pretty good season (11.9 ppg, 8.4 apg), it brings up the question: How much should an NBA team value talent versus character? If you were running a team, where would your priorities lie? … The Pistons didn’t surprise anyone by picking up the team-options on Rodney Stuckey and Arron Afflalo that will keep them locked up through the 2009-2010 season. Any chance those two are Detroit’s starting backcourt by then? Chauncey will be 34 going into 2010 training camp, while Rip will be 32. Not to mention one more championship-less run could mean a major housecleaning by Joe Dumars … Euroleague update: Shawn Kemp will go to training camp with Premiata Montegranaro (Italy), John Lucas III is getting interest from Snaidero Udine (Italy) where he’d share the backcourt with Philly legend Jerome “Pooh” Allen, and Earl Boykins signed a one-year deal with Virtus Bologna (Italy) for $3.5 million that makes him the highest-paid player in the country. And that’s the last time you’ll see a parallel drawn between Earl and KG … Given the choice, would you take a less money and a possibly diminished role to play in the NBA, or get more cash and PT overseas? Some guys have gone one way — Charlie Bell was a superduperstar in Spain who left for a backup role and backup money with the Bucks — while others like Russia’s national team point guard J.R. Holden are content to live it up overseas and pass up a shot at the League. We asked the DimeMag.com readers that question yesterday, and it seemed most of you would go to the highest bidder regardless of location … Well, everyone says they want today’s athletes to be more vocal politically. Did you really think we’d make it through an election year without hearing from Gilbert Arenas? From the NBA’s most popular blog: “It’s hard for me to vote, because since I’ve been in the NBA I’ve been in the upper class so I’ve been a Republican. If you have any type of money, you’re a Republican, period. So, it’s hard because you see a better looking president in Obama — I don’t even want to say because he’s black, but he just looks the part — and then you have McCain who is Republican and I’m like, man. I know Obama is going to raise taxes on the upper class from 20-60 percent, that’s what I’m looking at.” … And more from Gilbert: “There’s another reason I don’t vote — I don’t want jury duty. If you’re not registered to vote, you can’t get jury duty. I know that campaign Diddy had a couple years ago, “Vote or Die.” Yeah, if the alternative is jury duty, I’m going to die. I’m not going to get in one of these cases where they blow the jury members’ houses up to get out of the trial, I’m cool. I’ve seen too many movies.” … If you were around for our Dime Summer Cleaning giveaways a couple weeks ago, check back on the site later today, as we’ll be unveiling the winners … We’re out like Juror #0 …
Related posts:
August 6th, 2008 at 3:19 am
JM says:
1st!
August 6th, 2008 at 3:31 am
knoc says:
lmao at gil. go obama!!!
looking forward to the ball matches in the coming weeks!
August 6th, 2008 at 3:38 am
V says:
Making a play 4 parso would be great for the nuggets. They need a point cuz anthony carter ain’t cutting it and letting jr smith go won’t be too bad cause they already have Iverson for a shooting guard n they have many others who can score. However something tells me their front office still has their heads up their asses and Denver will not make the move.
August 6th, 2008 at 3:44 am
solomon says:
obama!!!
well, we’re all entitled to our respective opinions, so…
we’re out like jury / baller / agent…
August 6th, 2008 at 4:15 am
bill clinton says:
Let’s go Portland! That Ogden guy’s good.
August 6th, 2008 at 4:28 am
Luigi says:
Gils blog is phenominal. in the rest its like hidden delegates and super delegates lol..i like that he goes for Obamaaa [i have a shirt that says Obama/Arenas Black Presidents 08]
but team USA NEEDS to BLOW OUT teams like CRAZY! Dwyane n Kobes n Melo n LBJ needs to insert SHOWTIME in their systemss
n i cud imagine LBJ overseas…him averaging 70 ppg with 20 apg. lmao
oh n imagine Lebron vs..the star of greece…..Josh Childress?. lol
but the guys with no character just go overseas like Steph. haha
oh well….
August 6th, 2008 at 4:29 am
Luigi says:
@ bill Clinton….
you were a pimp but its spelled Oden
August 6th, 2008 at 4:49 am
K-Diggs says:
If I’m putting together a team I’m looking for talented players with high character. If a potential player has character issues it can hurt your whole system to bring them in no matter how talented they are. The Spurs are a good example of a succesful team that tends to highly value character and have passed on or shipped out guys who didn’t meet their standards.
“Winning takes talent, to repeat takes character.”
- John Wooden
August 6th, 2008 at 4:52 am
KBY says:
morning orange-juice spit-take
“Yeah, if the alternative is jury duty, I’m going to die.”
I really love Arenas
August 6th, 2008 at 5:18 am
heavy d says:
Got to give Arenas props for honesty.
August 6th, 2008 at 5:26 am
M says:
What about his pool remarks btw..
And sharktanks?
No wonder all the roleplayers are going overseas! They want their sharks too.
August 6th, 2008 at 5:58 am
s says:
kwame’s “legacy”?
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA…..
August 6th, 2008 at 5:58 am
bill clinton says:
Ogden ROY 08-09!
August 6th, 2008 at 7:16 am
AB_40 says:
LeBron James to Europe would be the biggest blow to the NBA even bigger the MJ going out to play baseball. He’d be the first global basketball icon since michael jordan. THE WHOLE WORLD KNOWS MJ. Kobe not so much, LeBron? no. Outside of the basketball world not to many people have heard about these guys. They’re amazing ballers, amazing talents. But none of them have established themselves the way jordan did during his career. As I was saying the NBA losing it’s best player to Europe even if it is for just one year would be terrible for the NBA but great for the marketing value of LeBron James… So let’s start the bidding haha
August 6th, 2008 at 7:22 am
AB_40 says:
PS if he’d come back in 2011 or 2012 he’d still only be 26 or 27 at the start of the season leaving 3 or 4 more prime years to do whatever he pleases in the nba.
August 6th, 2008 at 7:24 am
YOUNGFED says:
ANYTHING’S POSSSSSIBUUUUUUULLLL!!! Kwame Brown 2009!!!
@Dime
Since when are consistent double digit leads cause for worry. USA is gonna Tiger Woods this sh#t.
U.S.A.!!!!U.S.A.!!!!U.S.A.!!!!!!!
FEDRODOMOUS PREDICTS
1.)Beasley for R.O.Y.
2.)USA wins the Gold
3.)YOUNGFED Gets Even More Paper in 2009. (LMAO)
Just a few predictions…HOLLA!!!
August 6th, 2008 at 7:28 am
YOUNGFED says:
AB40
Um you do know that Kobe (K-Hova) Bryant has the #1 selling jersey in the world. So I think he’s pretty well known.
August 6th, 2008 at 7:36 am
knoc says:
he meant outside the basketball world. ie the people not buying jerseys.
August 6th, 2008 at 7:38 am
Luigi says:
okayy lets start the bidding for LeBron. im doing this for Real Madrid. in the spanish league…..300 million for 1 year. lmaoo
August 6th, 2008 at 7:38 am
GayforRudy says:
Funny thing about Kwame is that while he may claim that he’s one of the most underrated defenders, I AM the most underrated defender in the league! No one even knows about me… Oh yeah and I’m not in the league.
August 6th, 2008 at 8:02 am
92021SpurMD says:
Whatever happened to having pride in playing with or trying to be the best in the world? It’s not like you can’t survive living off the minimum, hell, i’ll take that in a second!
August 6th, 2008 at 8:08 am
dcom says:
Kwame is a defender??? did i miss that..all i remember him doing is turn over the ball like it wuz cancer
August 6th, 2008 at 8:25 am
YOUNGFED says:
THIS JUST IN:
“Unrestricted free agent Earl Boykins signed a one-year, $3.5 million deal Tuesday to play with Virtus Bologna of the Italian league.
Boykins, 32 and a point guard, will be the highest-paid player in Italy for the 2008-09 season. He also will participate in the sponsorship and marketing income of the team.
Boykins, who played at Eastern Michigan, has been in the NBA for 10 years and averaged 9.4 points. He has played for the Bobcats, Nets, Cavaliers, Magic, Clippers, Warriors, Nuggets and Bucks.” - detnews.com
August 6th, 2008 at 8:27 am
Smitty313 says:
Kobe and Lebron are huge around the world.
August 6th, 2008 at 8:31 am
Celts Fan says:
Gil is HILARIOUS! I’m pretty sure he’s not some Joe Schmoe. He should be able to afford the security system to protect himself/his house. Also, the real world isn’t like Goodfellas (and they go after the witnesses anyway, so jsut stop snitchin and you’re fine!)
btw, am I the only one that thought $3.5M wouldn’t be close to highest paid in Italy? We keep hearing how that, Greece, and Spain are the best leagues in Europe. I guess Italy’s must be 3rd on the list?
Thanks for the heads-up Dime. People were starting to question the validity of the Summer Cleaning (I personally, just figured I didn’t win anything!)
@92021SpurMD, anyone COULD survive on the minimum, but it’s about lifestyle. If you awnt to live like most of us do, in a modest home with an average car, then the minimum is great. If you have bigger ambitions (mansion, Bentley, vacation homes, etc.) you need bigger checks. This isn’t Gil leaving $10M on the table, taking $110M+ instead of $120M+. this is taking $1M over $400K. HUGE difference. And the guys that would do that (NBA guys) aren’t the ones that have made that set-for-life money.
August 6th, 2008 at 8:50 am
Living the Life says:
BOSTON BLOWS HARD!! they got lucky..SO LUCKY!
GO GRIZZLIES!!
GAY MAYO 08!
ALL YOU SUCK I WOULD KILL YOU IN ALL VIDEOGAMES!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
u suckk big time!
oh n bitch at me if u want my gamertag is PurplexCodeine999.
August 6th, 2008 at 8:53 am
YOUNGFED says:
Damn Dime yall beat me to the Boykins news. Guess there’s a 1st time for everyhing.
@Celts
Also Gil was not hilarious Celts, he was more like moronic. By his logic I guess Oparah, Jay-Z, Diddy, Paris Hilton, and Half of the wealthy americans aren’t really upperclass. Gil is forgeting where he comes from (poverty) and seems to be on some I got mines get yours ish. I’m getting six figures and so is my girl so I assume I’m upper class but I’ll always be a democrat because thats most of my people are.
Alright I’m off my soap box now. lol
August 6th, 2008 at 8:58 am
Celts Fan says:
just meant the jury duty part man. hope you’re not scared of heights up there on your pedastal. haha
August 6th, 2008 at 9:01 am
Jay G says:
IS ARENAS BIPOLAR?
August 6th, 2008 at 9:11 am
Skeeter McGee says:
Man, living near the D.C. area, I gotta say I can’t get enough of Gil. That dude is entertainment beyond most NBA players.
Umm he was just speaking the truth YOUNGFED. There are exceptions to the rule, but generally speaking, the more money in your pockets the more likely you are to vote Republican because nobody with money wants higher taxes and Democrats usually go that way. That being said, I’m definitely not trying to start another political debate in here, just saying…
I guess only winning by 11 against other countries is too much of a concern now huh? Please, when we beat Argentina and Spain, since all the critics are saying “Oh we’re f****d!” I bet we might win by like 4 or 5 points but I’ll take a win over a loss anyday, how bout you guys?
August 6th, 2008 at 9:14 am
Skeeter McGee says:
Oh and also…
When I first said that someone like LeBron was being connected to Olympiakos and the billionaire brothers that own the team, people on here were trippin like “Dude will never leave the NBA cause he won’t be considered the GOAT if he does…” I get all that, but if someone is gonna offer something in the range of $50 million/year, AFTER taxes, your telling me you wouldn’t at least CONSIDER it? That’s absolutely ridiculous. Athletes know that one play can end their whole career, so when you get the chance to amass dollars, you at least THINK about it…
August 6th, 2008 at 9:28 am
Celts Fan says:
@Skeeter, I don’t think anyone ever envisioned someone throwing $50mil at him either. and btw, that’s untaxed, not after tax, so it’s essentially $100M pre-tax here. Despite the owners being “billionaire brothers,” I still just don’t see it happening. That’s WAY too much money to make back, and you don’t become a billionaire by not caring about profits (though if these guys are the Greek Mark Cuban, who knows…)
August 6th, 2008 at 9:31 am
MSkittle says:
Kwame will never be a baller. He has horrible hands
August 6th, 2008 at 9:42 am
rodnets says:
two weeks ago:
“this team will ass whoop the world”
today
“thank good it was an 11 point victory and not a loss”
hillarious
Peace
August 6th, 2008 at 9:45 am
MoxWestCoastRep says:
I think I like St. Mary’s as an early sleeper for the final 4….Damn that kid is good.
Kwame, Kwame, Kwame….Oh boy.
I wonder if Kobe is still planing on hand surgery after the games??
August 6th, 2008 at 9:57 am
Imperial-Mel says:
Kwame,Ricky Buckets,and Agent Zero need to kick it, and tape it. It probably would make it the funniest show on the earth!!!!
Call it Agent Buckets, and the Bum
August 6th, 2008 at 10:15 am
GEE...when we conspire to conceive says:
That was just what USA needed. You got to have a close game so dudes won’t get to comfy going in and taking things to lightly.
As good as they are, remember they are not the Original Dream Team who in my opinion didn’t even need a coach. They were that good. Still you got young thundercats who take things for granted sometime.
I think Gil is speakin for many that ain’t demos and are demos up in the pay scale. From what I hear that is what many of them have a concern with the most (raising taxes on the wealthy).
Dude should vote though fa real.
50 Mil. a year. That would be crazy! Not only would he likely win a championship over there, but he would be gettin that money too. Nice. Then on top of that say he plays 2 or 3 years and gets his overseas ring. He still could come back to the L and make great money and go to a better team than Cleve and try for his ring hear. Provided it happens…That is options!
August 6th, 2008 at 10:18 am
P_Dizzle says:
LOL at the Gilbert and Kwame quotes. Hilarious stuff! Kwame just doesn’t have a clue, does he!? I think he has underrated and suck confused in that quote.
I know what team USA’s problem is, besides the 3 or 4 black holes on the team (Redd, Kobe, Melo). Melo has led the team in rebounding the last few games. Melo doesn’t rebound and if he is your leading rebounder then something is up. Coach K needs to Van Gundy on Howard and all the bigs. We need to score, but we also need someone to bust their butt to get a rebound. This is where I think Prince and Boozer come up big for you. They will do the dirty work that the other players won’t.
Also, how ’bout Boozer playing for his old coach and getting no burn against the Aussies. That has to be a self-esteem booster.
August 6th, 2008 at 10:21 am
P_Dizzle says:
Sir Charles needs to run for President and have Gil as his VP. Now that would be some hilarious sh*#.
They would have the white house rockin’ and would make that Clinton - Lewinsky scandal child’s play.
August 6th, 2008 at 11:30 am
fuckahgil says:
that’s cool Gil is only looking out for him and his money. Yeah he’s going to raise taxes, but we all know the rich have tax lawyers who get them out of half, if not all the shit they should pay for. No more of this Gil is an underdog, everyman bullshit.
August 6th, 2008 at 11:42 am
rangerjohn (mccain in '08) says:
yep hes going to raise taxes o nthe wealthy AND the middle class, if you make more then $20,000 a yr expect a tax increase, and its true those rich guys like that have accountants to get them out of having to pay those extra taxes, which leaves the middle class to pay the real taxes. he also wants to raise taxes on small business while leaving taxes on big business pretty much where they are at.
dark day if that happens
August 6th, 2008 at 11:45 am
Logan Light says:
Ok, so I’ve been a Kwame Brown hater since… well, his entire career. He has hands of stone. He has the basketball IQ of a 4th grader. He adds NOTHING to team chemistry. I literally laughed out loud a couple of weeks ago when AB called him a “serviceable big man.” I’ve seen him play live - yes I bought a ticket to see the Grizzlies play - and I have never really been impressed by anything he does other than look big.
With all that said - I’m going to turn over a new leaf.
I’M ROOTING FOR KWAME BROWN TO “CHANGE HIS LEGACY.”
In the town that expects it’s big men to have a chip on their shoulder and take nothing from no one, he fits right in. Sure, he’s not the toughest guy on the block, but dude has some things to prove. He won’t be as good as Big Ben when he was in his prime, but to get boards and put a body on someone… (I’m cringing writing this) this might just work out. Plus he’s back with Rip who saw how he was introduced to the league.
I’m just saying… it might work out.
LL
August 6th, 2008 at 11:53 am
word says:
lmao @ Gil keepin it real
August 6th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
P_Dizzle says:
Lebron ain’t leaving the NBA to play with a bunch of D-Leaguers. He’s just messing w/ everyone’s head, ’speacially the Cavs. He is going to use it for leverage come time to sign on the line by the X.
But damn if they really do offer him $50 mil / season, that’s tough to turn down.
August 6th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Sir Lix-a-Lot says:
My brother has a T-shirt. It has a picture of Obama and Clinton. The headline underneath says, “Bros before hos”! Obama ‘08. WTF is going on with LeBron, leaving to go to Europe?
August 6th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Bruce says:
Go Shawn Go……….Go spread your seeds……
August 6th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
dukesman2000 says:
As far as the question of “Will Kwame Brown ever pan out in the League?” HHHHHEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLL NNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOO!
Kwame is straight garbage. Look, the dude fooled the crowd. He made everybody thinks that he could turn out to be something special and he cashed in on his hype. He never lived up to expectations and never will. Teams should just count their losses and move on from this guy.
August 6th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
jdawg says:
So I been reading smack and y’all’s comments for quite a while and it’s pretty f’n entertaining. I stayed out of the politics debate from a few weeks ago but now I feel like I gotta speak out. rangerjohn - fact check yourself before you go off sounding all ignorant. Factcheck.org is about as non-partisan as you can get these days (both the McCain and Obama campaigns use it in their ads/websites) and Factcheck states that Obama’s plan will not raise your taxes unless you are making over $41,500 a year or a couple making 81,000. That’s some halfway decent paper and if you are making less than 35,000 it would actually be a tax cut. So, don’t buy into all the media bullsh*t/spin and fact check yourself before you make any more outrageous claims:
http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/the_32000_question.html
August 6th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
doc says:
@rodnets-Chris Sheridan and them dudes gotta spin this Olympic shit as a drama because he getting paid to cover the team.It aint no worries from the real fans.We won by 11 in my book thats a ass whipping.Who cares if Bogut didnt play.What would he do besides get shitted on by Dwight.If I was Bron I would weigh my options.If he go to New York or LA his Nike contract go to 200+ mill from 100 or 50 mill a year overseas.Some good decisions to make for that young man.Im out like Bron being broke.Yo dime I put up 47 in this summer league in Drexel last night.They had a nice squad,Juanny Wagner and them from Camden but ya boy was on.
August 6th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Austin Burton says:
@Doc — Nice work. Is that the league where Wagner, Hakim Warrick, Cat Mobley and those guys play?
August 6th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
rangerjohn (mccain in '08) says:
jdawg
ok 1st if you think $41,500 is “wealthy” your nuts. 41,5 is about as middle class as middle class gets. hell in california that is damn near pverty levels. and then the claimed $502 “tax break”, that would be coming off of your overal taxes, that is not a refund, in other words if you made 30,000 as a subcontractor for example and had to pay your own taxes, it would be a $502 off the money you owed. in other words, you would owe something along the lines of $8400 in taxes for your 30k, now with that tax break you would owe $7898 instead.
i like the part where obama voted (and plans to continue fighting against) to let the tax breaks and incintives to “expire” which will cause taxes to GO UP (hmmm go figure)from 25% to 28%. this in turn would take a person from 25% to 28% if they made $30,000 of taxable income. in other words it would raise their taxes about $900.
(and all of this is right there on your factcheck page.)
and fianlly “Factcheck.org” is not exactly a “fair and balanced” website, go look around, damn 75% is pro dems.
and as for “So, don’t buy into all the media bullsh*t/spin and fact check yourself before you make any more outrageous claims:” what the hell are you talking about, the “bias media” being anti obama? pro mccain?
your nucking futs if you believe that.
August 6th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
doc says:
@AB Yeah they all play there.I got Alvin Williams on my team and Rasul Butler.We be cooking them cats in here.Pooh Allen be in here too when he in town.Since yall gave him the shoutout I threw that in.
August 6th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
doc says:
I dont know how to do all that link shit on here but go to http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xz69y_1er-match-de-drobinson-au-csp-33-pt_sport
August 6th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
doc says:
dam its that easy.Thats some overseas work from last year.
August 6th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
jdawg says:
rangerjohn-
alright, step by step:
#1: (41,500 is wealthy) I never said that 41.5k is wealthy, just that it’s some “halfway decent paper,” which where I come from is true. I just graduated from college where I had been surviving (and paying tuition) off of 19 grand, and took a job as a high school teacher making something in the low 30s. Granted I don’t have a family to support (for which you get lots of tax breaks… but not enough) or much other stuff but I was able to live pretty comfortably and pay off a bunch of my student loans making less than 41.5k. It’s called budgeting and making good decisions.
#2 Obama letting the tax cuts expire: Well we’ve had about 6 years of the Bush tax cuts and they haven’t seemed to do our economy much good. Plus if you read the whole article, Obama only plans to let the tax cuts expire for the higher tax brackets (about those in the top 10& of earners) so yes it raises taxes, but only on those who are in the top 10% with most of the burden falling on those who are in the top 1%.
#3 Factcheck.org is used extensively by both campaigns, as well as news outlets such as CNN, MSNBC and Fox News. Also most of their analysis is based on the non-partisan Tax Policy Center (which is used by EVERYONE). The fact is that the campaigns as well as news outlets with bias, such as MSNBC and Fox pick and choose when to use services such as Fact Check or the Tax Policy Center when it suits their desired message.
#4 The whole anti/pro one candidate is in my view a pretty gross misconception of the news media. For the most part the press just wants a good story that will sell papers/fill airtime/make them money. Plus for the most part they love both of these guys (Obama cause he’s ‘new and exciting’ and McCain because he’s so chummy with them (During the primaries he called the press his “base”). The press is just looking for stories, whether it be endless loops of McCain jokingly chanting “Bomb-bomb-bomb Iran” or Obama saying that he prefers arugula (sp). It’s annoying cause it is a clear distraction from the issues, but politics is a sport, just as much as basketball, and lately it seems that the way you win is not by selling yourself but just by demeaning the other guy. Granted the stakes are often a little higher but… that doesn’t take away from the fact that so often it seems we are playing a stupid game instead of having a serious conversation. So, just think about things and read up before you say Obama is going to raise taxes on those making under 20k. He’s not.
August 6th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
rangerjohn (McCain in '08) says:
ok
1st you make intersting points, (1st person who seams to support obama here yet to do)
i dont agree, while being single and young(you are obviously young from your posts) 41,5 is a nice living, BUT anything over that is looking at a tax increase according to fact check, in the context of EVERYTHING obama claims he is ONLY increasing tax on the wealthy. this is grossly mis represented if that is the case because my wife and i make well over the 41,5 each (more then the 83 combined) yet we are not in the “wealthy” categories if you look at ANYONE ELSES PLANS (other then obama) and yet we are facing a stiff hike in taxes. (to the tune of more then $6,000 per yr) not to mention his plans to tax small businesses while releiving taxes on large business. (i own a small business) not to mention his plans to make every small business be required to provide health care, this is more then $12,000 a yr per employee.
generally speaking oil prices are the majority of reasons for the economy issues, not anything to do with the tax cuts. homes got forclosed on which had nothing to do with tax cuts. a HUGE surplus of invintory homes is the leading factor for home sales issues. i own a contruction company and i know all about the home issues. home builders completely STOPPED building due to invintory, this brought the market to a crash. this has nothing to with tax cuts. the wars going on are generally the reason for the deficit which again has nothing to do with tax cuts. on the other hand, the stimulous checks we all enjoyed a month or 2 ago have helped boost the economy, you can kiss those good buy as well.
as for the media, yes mccain was the “darling” on the republican side, yet he was also the most liberal of all the repubs running. then obama has recieved 1000’s of times the POSSITIVE press. the media has had some really rediculous polls in the past and no mater who wins, they have generally always worded things to obamas favor, case in point, they had a stupid poll on who was more popular with PET OWNERS, mccain was far and away more popular with people who owned pets (some 75% of people in the us own pets or some number to that extent) and the headlines on EVERY news site said “OBAMA MORE POPULAR WITH NON PET OWNERS.” this is the norm, then there was the trip to the mid east, since when does a candidate get reporters (not just field people but head line reporters) to travel with them, on their own dime and not his?
there is so much media bias on obamas side it is rediculous. there is no sane person in the world who can say mccain gets preferential treatment in any way shape or form.
again i thank you for you honest input and actual real valid points, not just some “mccain is old” bs
August 6th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Skeeter McGee says:
A good point from Tony Kornheiser on PTI was that if LeBron were to play somewhere for 3 years and something like $50 million dollars/year, he could still come back to the NBA after making over $150 million and be in the prime of his career. I mean, to think about that, it wouldn’t be completely absurd. He’d be like what, 28 years old if those were the circumstances? That’s when he could sign a max contract in the NBA and it still would be nothing in comparison to how much he made in 3 years.
Just something for you fellas to think about…
August 6th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
dagwaller says:
Haha, Gil cracks me up. At least he’s honest.
Also, good point, Skeeter. Then Bron could go to the best team around for pretty much free and just win chip after chip.
August 6th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
jdawg says:
heh i agree that it’s nice to have a respectful debate every once in a while, i swear politics can get pretty damn heated.
As far as taxes go (and this is not my area of expertise but here goes…), if a transition from 25% to 28% Fed tax means 6k than combined income is around 200k which means with other combined taxes (FISA, State income etc) it probably comes off to about 35-40% which does mean that a LOT of money is coming out of y’alls pocket. That does suck, but if the money is used correctly (and a lot of it won’t be regardless of who wins) than much of it will be returned to you in terms of improved infrastructure, new energy (drilling, renewable etc), cheaper healthcare (which will be subsidized and I don’t think Obama requires you to provide it to your employees… I think that was Hillary’s plan).
As far as small business goes unless it’s over 250k taxes should not be hiked (http://blog.washingtonpost.com/small-business/2008/07/voter_resource_group_slams_mcc.html) Side note: It is factcheck again but Washington Post is about as conservative of a mainstream newspaper as you will get… aside from the Wall Street Journal
…if my math is correct from earlier you’re hovering around that line as well, but tax breaks, claims etc would hopefully lower you below the threshold.
As far as tax cuts and the economy goes I think in some sense the way the tax cuts were proposed did hurt both the housing market and more. While I can’t argue with the fact that both the sub-prime mess and the rising cost of oil totally f’ed up the economy, the flat nature of most of Bush’s tax cuts the vast majority of the tax cut was given to the people who didn’t need it to buy a house (they already had enough) and not to those who would have been first time buyers etc. Finally on the economy note, while McCain cannot be held responsible for all of Bush’s policies, I think it is fairly well accepted that the Iraqi invasion has not helped with oil prices (last time I checked oil production in Iraq wasn’t even at pre-invasion levels) as well as Bush’s gross mishandling of Venezuela and it’s oil. Oh and Obama has called for another round of stimulus checks.
Finally finally, yeah I agree that McCain was definitely the darling in part because of his liberal views (it’s no secret that the majority of reporters, newscasters are liberal… but the flip side is that the people who own the news companies (Murdoch etc) are generally conservative), but I think also he was a darling because of the amount of access he granted reporters (if I hear one more story about the “famed” couch on the straight talk express I’m going to throw up… or one more story about how Barack Obama is going to be the racial healer of all things etc). I really believe that most of the coverage is based on following stories. I mean I’ve had times where I want to scream at the TV/paper why do you care about this? I think it is because it gives them something to talk about AND it fits into the meta-narratives that have already been established for the candidates:
McCain is really old… but experienced/battle tested;
McCain is a maverick… but still a bit close to Bush etc
Obama is a fresh and exciting face… but maybe too inexperienced to lead;
He offers the chance to “transcend” race… but whenever anyone (Obama, McCain, Jesse Jackson, Pat Robertson) says anything close to inflammatory they are playing the race card and hooray the news outlets can talk about it for 24-48 more hours!
I guess my example would be when McCain mixed up Sunni/Shi’ite a few months ago in a speech, no one said it was because he was inexperienced in foreign policy (but if Obama had they would have), instead it was framed as a bs and quickly glossed over “senior moment.” So I think that while there is significant bias (MSNBC… particularly Olbermann is blatantly rooting for Obama and after the end of the Republican Primary Fox News has been pretty terrifying to watch because of it’s blatant bias)
It can be frustrating as hell to watch any news source because it’s so hard to get the full story, no one seems to give it to you straight regardless of which side you’re on.
So that’s my piece, feel free to respond.
Sorry y’all for taking up so much space, there’s no students to teach and for the past month and a half I’ve been doing little more than playing ball and sitting on my ass watching/reading about politics.
August 6th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
GEE...when we conspire to conceive says:
Naw Skeeter I can’t let you get Tony Korn that credit lol. I said same thing and more mornin. LOL
That would be an awesome thing to do though. Plus he still gone get endorsements out the wazoo and his international fame just gets higher, if that’s possible.
LOL just think where that would leave Clev. though. Well they would have some extra cap space to go after a someone though. Still for that franchise I don’t know what they need more a new GM or coach?
August 6th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
rangerjohn (McCain in '08) says:
well lets see where to start,
my income is in a higher tax bracket then the 25-28% BUT the 3% increase seams to be univeral. $200,000 is fairly close but a rounded number for “ease” in conversation.
my business is in a much higher bracket, about 4 mil in rev a yr, while i do have tax incentives and breaks both personal and business, there are several of those proposed to be either “revamped” or “removed”. we do not have state income tax in texas by the way. which speaking of “infrastructure improvements” texas has some of the best roads in the country, drive out of the state and it is a noticeable difference almost everywhere you go, yet we have no state income tax. (hmmm just a curious thought huh)we have a slightly higher sales tax (in houston including county and city, the total sales tax is about 8.25%)
obama has been pushing employers to be required to pay health care while clinton was pushing for socialized medicine. neither works for me (and will not work for more then half the nation).
i have no disagreement on the war causeing SOME of the higher oil prices. iraq has lower production levels but iraq was not allowed to put their oil on the market do to sanctions against them steming from the “wmd” inspections sadam was not allowing steming from the 1991 gulf war. the oil for food program got some of the oil out and to the public of the world but not even 50% of production fro mthat country if i remember the number correctly. as for “drilling/renewable”, obama has stated on several occasions he is not for new drilling and he is not for researching renewable either “because it will not fix the problem now” and “these things will take 10+ yrs before having an effect” both of which are complete bs. as an example, the price of oil has dropped more then $25 a barrel just on the “threat” of more drilling and the release of the drilling ban by bush a couple weeks ago.
as for bush’s handleing of chavez and venezuela, that all started with bill clinton, and gw continued on in the same manor. chavez took over and became crazy against us well before bush took office.
the tax cuts had little to do with people buying a house they could not afford, while the tax cuts put money in people pockets, the stupid lenders only out for a buck sold them the house. the housing market was BOOMING again before bush, and those loans (such as variable rate loans) where being handed out like candy during the clinton yrs. the point of the tax cuts was not for home purchases but to get people out spending money, it just happens that people used it to try to get a house they could not afford from people who didnt care what they could afford.
as for the media, dont be so sure the owners are all for the conservatives,
http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/search.php?cid=&name=&employ=clear+channel&state=%28all%29&zip=%28any+zip%29&submit=OK&amt=a&sort=A
clear channel is one of the largest media corps in the usa and some 99% of their money went to the dems. (just an example)
now to the “race card” i see/hear more race issues start from obama who claims to be trying to “nip it in the bud” before mccain can start it yet mccain has yet to even try to use it. i see it as obama wants to use the race thing but doesnt want to seam like he is using it.
sorry if i am all over the map on this one lol
August 6th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
rangerjohn (McCain in '08) says:
“clear channel is one of the largest media corps in the usa and some 99% of their money went to the dems. (just an example)”
sorry not 99% more like 60%
August 6th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
that's whats up says:
yo DOC
I like the vid. You were gettin’ buckets in “Le Match”.
Your shot, kinda fading away, reminds me of Brent Barry and Craig Hodges…..just kinda walkin’ away from it after release. ….style points though don’t equal game points, so keep it real. It’s goin’ in.
Good work droppin’ 47 last night, I hope you can have an overseas team drop 47K in your bank account after each game next season.
Peace - and good luck
that’s on the real
August 6th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
GEE...when we conspire to conceive says:
47 doc aight then. That’s whats up! Do you pimpin. The L awaits you at some point. Keep grindin.
August 6th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
Skeeter McGee says:
My bad I rarely read the whole thread on here just a couple before my post and a couple after.
Cleveland would be so royally screwed by King James (I just made a pun!) going to Greece or anywhere other than the NBA for that matter (would he be God James in Greece?). I wonder if in the future before his contract is up when more details might emerge about his impending decision if the commish will try to implement a salary cap-free period for the NBA or something, because we all know that if the NBA loses someone like LeBron to Europe, either the NBA is screwed or there’s going to be a NBA Euro Division the next day haha.
August 6th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
GEE...when we conspire to conceive says:
It’s all good lol.
Yea you did make a pun. They would be screwed though. Oh I most def. see Sterny steppin in mid-year, or most def after the next basketball season to do something to where it’s harder for players to just bounce overseas if they are already in the L.
Well and of course you already know Sterny wants NBA teams overseas (doc that will be ya chance homey, hopefully you get on before then though). Still till Sterny gets that poppin he can’t afford to lose James or anyone close to LeBron’s level.
doc next time drop 50 and do yo dance!
August 7th, 2008 at 1:30 am
Lady Luck says:
I have visions of Sheed choking Kwame when he blows a wide open dunk in the closing moments of a playoff game.
August 7th, 2008 at 8:24 am
Young Lebron 23 says:
@ 7 LOL about Clinton being a pimp.
The sixers should bring in Mt.Mutumbo because he can still block shots and wave a finger