Bye Bye Teixeira

Taken from my MySpace page. Original post date: July 31, 2007.

Well, well, well. The Rangers have done it again. Less than 48 hours before the trading deadline, the Rangers dealt one of their best players, and a huge fan favorite for that matter, to the Atlanta Braves.

And what did the Rangers receive in return?

Pitching!

Wait, no. They didn't get pitching. Not really. They received a 19-year-old right-hander Nestali Feliz (sounds like a familiar spanish-style take on a Christmas song?) and another minor-league pitcher that is to be determined. Included in the deal were Rangers relief pitcher Ron Mahay, and catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia and minor-league shortstop Elvis Andrus.

Okay, the Rangers are in dyer need of pitching, and have been since they arrived in Arlington from Washington, D.C. in 1972. So, why did they TRADE away a pitcher for yet ANOTHER catcher, a minor-league shortstop and, and two young pitchers who will likely be traded away from the Rangers anyways?

Let's refresh. Earlier in the season, the Rangers acquired catcher Adam Melhuse from Oakland. They also have a bright-futured minor-league catcher, Chris Stewart, who has seen some major league action this season. And the Rangers' starting catcher, Gerald Laird, is quickly and quietly becoming one of the better-hitting catchers in all of baseball. So what point does it make to acquire ANOTHER catcher from Atlanta?

Now let's look at shortstop: Michael Young. Probably the most popular Rangers player among fans. What good is acquiring another shortstop when Young is young. He is only 30 and has at least 7 more years of playing time in his career. If I was a player, I wouldn't want to be playing in the minor leagues for at least 7 years, waiting for an all-star player to retire so that I could have MY shot in the spotlight.

Conclusion? A total bust for the Rangers. It seems as if they were so concerned about getting rid of Teixeira and his $9 million salary, that they settled for whatever they could, or what they thought was the best amount of talent being offered.

The Rangers may have acquired some young talent through their dumbfounded decision making, but they lost a fan.

GO BRAVES.

War of the Wealthy's

This is from my MySpace blog. Orginal post date: June 27, 2007.

Ahh, the joys of money.

As I stand here, lonely at my podium of money, I look around and realize what money does to people.

On the Platinum Level of American Airlines Center, the so-called "Rich and Famous" of Dallas fancily parade around, flaunting their dates and attire to others as if in competition with everyone else to see who projects the wealthiest image.

Even with the pounding of raindrops on the warm, Texas-summer concrete outside, the attire is much too ritzy for a meaningless concert by "The Police."

I know, I know. The Police are historic. A great rock band of the 70s. Even if they have broken-up more than the ground after an 8.0-magnitude earthquake.

But, seriously. Thunderstorms are raging outside. The Police are mediocre. Why do these numbers-rich bank account owners insist on engaging in wealth wars?

I can picture their typical thought process while preparing for such a battle.

Step One, Grooming. Take a shower and shave. There are no rules for the amount of gel or mousse to be used in the hair. The amount necessary to hold it perfectly in place even if you were deep sea diving is acceptable.

Step Two, The Proper Attire. Should I wear the traditional black? Or venture out onto the daring ledge with bright red? Should I wear the opposite of what I think the competition is going to wear? I mean, we can't be seen wearing the same outift, let alone the same color scheme. Besides, red IS a color on a standard, police-issued patrol car.

Step Three, Outsmarting the Competition. What attitude should I portray for this event? Is this similar to a black-tie event in which I must project my enormous wealth and mannerisms? Or is a lower key, "make fun of all the people without money" event?

Step Four, The Projection. Welcome to the Main Event. It all comes down to this. All thoughts and events have led to this moment. I have to project myself and let everyone know that I am best of the best.

Step Five, The Cooldown. Well, now that the hardest part is over, I can relax and be myself a bit. I'm on the way out and I have finished making my rounds and firmly believe that everyone here knows my elegant status and worth. I think I won the war.

Step Six, The End. Well, it's over. I'm home and ready to go to bed. Whatever her name is will be sleeping with me though. What should I wear to bed? How does my hair look?

Are you kidding me? What a load of crap. Too much work in my opinion. What the hell is wealth is supposed to do for you anyway?

The "joys" of money? Right. Seems more like the duties and responsibilities that come along with the job. Or could it be that these wealthy weirdos are simply faking it?

Do they even HAVE any money? It sure seems like it. Their lackluster attitude, manners, and sense of fashion prove this to be true. But perhaps it is just a brilliant performance worthy of an Oscar. And also worthy of a call to the television show "What Not To Wear."

I guess we'll never know the truth behind the wealth wars. Thank goodness for The Police playing their "smoking" hits and saving the day.

At least we won't have to call the fashion police.

Final Blog Assignment: Ellis County Crisis

With skeptical taxpayers holding its fate, a facilities crisis in an Ellis County office building has the county clerk and tax assessor's offices on the verge of collapse.

News story from DallasNews.com: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/city/ellis/stories/DN-ellisbond_29met.ART0.South.Edition1.42fb579.html

Story from the official Ellis County website: http://www.co.ellis.tx.us/pressrelease/currentpress.htm



On behalf of the media-written article, interviews were conducted with key personnel inside the two major offices currently occupying the old, dangerous facility. The article went in depth regarding the recent health and security issues the facility has sustained and what a major threat the facility poses not only to human health but to business health as well. The many Ellis County government-operated organizations that have daily operations within the facility would suffer a monumental collapse in production if major structural damage were to occur. This collapse would severely cripple many Ellis County operations. The article does a wonderful job portraying the necessity for a rapid and substantial alternative for these organizations as well as displaying the lack of support and urgency in achieving this necessary advancement. In this account, the parties represented are the ones in the most danger of not finding a rapid alternative and those most influential in obtaining a solution.

Regarding the organizational response: the response was plethorically contaminated with mediocrity and abandonment. Contained in an official press release regarding the $53.875 million bond vote--which would cause an increase of between $35 and $90 per year, per Ellis County homeowner--referred only to the facility crisis through a common "Commissioners' Court." The statement was released six days prior to the article being posted on DallasNews.com, however, up to now, there has been no response from the County on the stated facility crisis. The tone in the coverage vs. response was like the parting of the sea; the media coverage was in depth, investigative, and proactive, whereas the organizational response has been zero. In their press release only six days prior to the DallasNews.com article, Ellis County officials had to have known about the dangerous facility crisis and how delicate the situation was with county taxpayers having the ultimate decision, yet chose to not address the issue accept by stating, "The goals and objectives...are to create a venue that allows public oversight of the county facilities projects while going through the design and construction process" (www.co.ellis.tx.us). This statement is the only conceivable illusion towards the concern of the facility crisis, yet did an abominable job. It never elaborates or fills in any possible discrepancies of the media coverage, and quite frankly, never even mentions the issue. The lack of response even up until the present, two days after the media article, is unacceptable and displays an utter lack of respect for the importance of the organizations operating in the ignored, threatening and hazardous facility.