Stimulus Package

I believe now is the best time to legalize marijuana. With job losses mounting week in and week out, the best for of stimulus to the economy comes in the form of government regulated marijuana. Here are some things to think about:

1. With the legalization, the government can highly regulate and highly tax marijuana. With regulation, comes a safer form of marijuana. Gone will be the days of marijuana laced with other drugs, which is what really makes the drug dangerous. Even with taxing the sale of marijuana, it will still be cheaper to produce and sell legally than illegally. The government will be tapping a source of income that is there, but of which it does not see a single cent. And there is a lot of money to be made, all of which can be put into the government's pocket for roads, programs, and other public aid.
2. Imagine the amount of jobs created by adding a new industry to US economy. There are varying levels, from field workers planting and harvesting the crops to chemists analyzing the plants to produce the best product to sales, marketing and executive jobs for the companies that will sell the marijuana. All types of skill positions and professional positions will open up from the creation of a new industry. Even the addition of coffee shops and employees will be created.
3. Is marijuana worse of a substance than cigarettes or alcohol? I don't believe it is. I believe the statement that marijuana being a gateway drug is false because people who use marijuana and move on to other drugs are into them because of the illegal aspect of drugs, not because marijuana makes you want to do other drugs. Most other drugs make you body react in a much different manner than marijuana, which only mellows you out. Marijuana does not make you angry, as alcohol does to some people. Of course, operating a vehicle while under the influence will still have to watched, as marijuana slows your reaction time.
4. Legalizing marijuana can increase tourism to the US and help retain US citizens for their getaways. Most people know someone who has traveled to Amsterdam to experience the Coffee Shops. Why not in the US? Having the substance available in the US may keep citizens here for vacations, spending their money on our taxed marijuana and stimulating the local economies. People from other countries may see the US as a more desirable vacation destination.
5. Illegal drugs send money to other countries and terrorist entities. Why not keep the money within our borders rather than have it sent to Afghanistan and funding terror cells? Even if it does not fund terror cells, the money most likely goes to a country that does not have a high opinion of America, other than loving the money being sent to it.

These are some of the reasons that I believe the USA needs to legalize marijuana. Let's use the $800 billion in stimulus money to create a new industry with loads of jobs for citizens that will create a tax revenue for many years to come. President Obama, if you read this by chance, please consider the reasons and decide appropriately.

Thoughts? Do you agree or disagree?

Scolari Sacked

The Gene Hackman was officially sacked today by Chelsea. Chelsea is starting to go through managers like Spinal Tap goes through drummers. With a five-point hold on fourth place in the EPL, I think this move is going to hinder Chelsea in the long run. Arsenal signed Arshavin in an effort to inject some health into their roster and are going to start edging closer to the fourth spot. I don't see Aston Villa losing pace for the rest of the season. I feel the Champions League spot was Chelsea's to lose, and I think they drop to fifth place with a manager change mid-season.

Special 1 TV Episode 2

Very funny, as usual. "You have a Brasilian and your Arse Shaven?" Hilarious line.

Be Champions.

Shadow Seen

The groundhog has seen its shadow and predicts 52 more weeks of Super Bowl Champions.

New Steeler

Courtesy of Mondesi's House, today's Steeler parade led to the discovery of a new Steeler...none other than Pitt's DeJuan Blair. Apparently Charlie Batch (another native Pittsburgher) snuck him on to the float. With watching Zack and Miri Make a Porno today, I've had my fill of Pittsburgh. Great scenes of Pittsburgh.

My Top 5 Super Bowl Ads

5. Coke Zero

I love the original commercial with Mean Joe Greene. At first, I did not like the commercial with the Coke Zero guys, but Troy redeemed the commercial with the tackle. Definitely made me laugh.

4. Career Builder

I love this commercial, especially the "Hey dummy" part.

3. Bridgestone- Jump Around

I love the prospect of wheels being stolen on another planet. Hilarious!

2. Pepsi- I'm Good

You cannot go wrong with male pain.

1. Doritos- Crystal Ball

I like the throwing of the crystal ball into the snack machine. It also really tied into The Office when Kevin threw the chair into the snack machine.

Thoughts?

Psychostick- Beer!

In honor of all of Steeler Nation drinking, enjoy the sounds of Psychostick. This is a great song!

Church Brew Works

On a Super Bowl weekend, it was only proper to go to a brewery in Pittsburgh. The choice for Church Brew Works was made, located on Liberty Avenue in Pittsburgh. The brew pub is located in an old church which makes for a great setting.

The Beer

My first beer, and favorite beer of the night, was the Sleigh Wrecker.

From 01-31-09

This beer has a very robust flavor, tasting of chocolate and caramel. The beer is a winter warmer and definitely warms you on the inside. I am a big fan of this beer, especially since the hop content is low.

The second beer I had was Halbert's Saison.

From 01-31-09

While not quite as good, the beer had a great flavor. I think it was a little to fruity for my liking, but it was still drinkable.

The Food

I ordered the Pittsburgh Pierogie Pizza for dinner and it was excellent.

From 01-31-09

If you like pierogies, I highly suggest ordering this pizza. It is a very filling meal, as it is a 14" pizza covered with potatoes and cheeze. What a heavenly treat!

Overall

I had a great time at the Chruch Brew Works. The food was excellent and so was the beer. I highly recommend making a trip to the Church.

Special 1 TV

I love David Beckham's confusion over the David statue.

Hoobastank- For(n)ever

Hoobastank |MTV Music

Hoobastank has returned with the album For(n)ever. I am very pleased with this album. The first single "My Turn" is embedded and really rocks. The first time I heard it I enjoyed it, and every time I hear it I cannot get the guitar riff out of my head. It's good that Hoobastank has basically abandoned the bubble-gum pop rock of The Reason and put out a rocking record that gets its roots from their self-titled album. Check it out!

Bloodhound Gang- The Bad Touch

The Bloodhound Gang |MTV Music

My throwback song that I am throwing at you today is The Bloodhound Gang's "The Bad Touch". This song on its own is hilarious, but the video puts the icing on the cake.  Enjoy!

Impact of Beckham

Beckham scored again today for AC Milan and I feel this all but solidified his move to Milan permanently. He has called the gaLAxy "frustrating", and I totally agree. In fact, I am sort of sick of the Beckham circus that surrounds the team. Yes, he is still a great player and nobody plays a better dead ball than him. But I feel that he cannot exist on a team in MLS that does not have Landon Donovan (which is all but likely).

This is a very good time for the gaLAxy for to start from scratch with their Designated Player slot. Michael Owen would be an excellent replacement for Donovan. While he doesn't have the star power that Beckham does, he will give the gaLAxy plenty of goals.

Now, does Beckham leaving hurt the MLS? I believe it does right now, as the network is already scrambling with poor ESPN ratings. Beckham is the only player that could consistently sell tickets. I don't believe the gaLAxy will have ticket trouble at home, but the hosting teams will see a significant drop off when LA comes to town. Less tickets means less revenue and no Beckham means less attention. However, I think with less media attention on the team, the gaLAxy themselves will play better. So for the league, it will hurt significantly. But the team has nowhere to go but up, and in the long run, LA playing well has done well for the league.

Barack and Michele Do What?

Saw this video and about spit out my soda.

Another Reason to Like Pittsburgh West

According to Kiper's mock draft, the Arizona Cardinals could draft Pittsburgh running back LeSean McCoy. While the draft is far away and many things could change, the pick would make sense provided that Edge still wants out of Phoenix. If he changes his mind, I can't see Arizona drafting a running back as they would have three potential starters. But putting McCoy with other Pitt grads such as Larry Fitzgerald and Gerald Hayes (read Larry FitzGerald Hayes) makes the Cardinals a likeable and watchable team. However, the likeing only begins after Sunday.

Go Steelers

From 1-24-08

One week away from the Super Bowl, and the fever has reached Central Pennsylvania. The photo above was taken from Commerce Bank's corporate headquarters in Harrisburg, PA.