Eastern Girls Dominate Trimble, 89-7

Trimble Falls In State Title Game, 33-0

http://woub.org/2013/12/08/trimble-falls-state-title-game-33-0 

The first Division-VII championship in the history of the OHSAA ended with the Trimble Tomcats falling at the hands of the Marion Local Flyers on Saturday night, 33-0. It is the Flyers’ third consecutive state championship, with the last two having come as a D-VI school.

The championship victory is the seventh in Marion Local’s history. The win increased their historic playoff winning percentage to .855 with a record of 53-9.

The Flyers, led by D-VII coach of the year Tim Goodwin, called all the right plays in cutting right through the Tomcat defense on the first drive of the game.

Senior quarterback and University of Pittsburgh commit Adam Bertke threw precise passes and handed off to his back Jacy Goettemoeller several times, picking up four first downs in five plays.

Bertke rolled right and threw a screen to Goettemoeller in the backfield near the Flyers’ sideline, and he rumbled 19 yards for the touchdown to go up 7-0.

Trimble responded on the kickoff on a reverse with Terry Simmerly handing the ball off to Konner Standley, who took the ball to the 45-yard line. The Tomcat offense moved steadily, all the way down to the Marion Local 5. Standley, in attempting to flip the ball to Austin Downs in the end zone, instead found Peyton Kramer for an interception.

Both defenses found their footing, and dug in as neither team produced much offensively. Marion Local reached the Trimble red zone with just under six minutes left in the half, but Goettemoeller coughed up the football. Justice Jenkins fell on it and the Tomcats regained possession.

Trimble made a grave mistake after a missed field goal. Near the end of the half they attempted to move the ball but maintained possession for only forty seconds before punting it away. On four successive plays, Bertke completed first down passes. Starting on his own 29, Bertke completed two consecutive passes to Hunter Wilker (for 11 and 17 yards respectively), Troy Homan for 16 yards and to Ryan Bruns down the right sideline to the two-yard line. Two plays later, Bertke punched it in for the score to put the Flyers up 13-0.

“Maybe we should have just ran the clock out, but we wanted to try and win,” Trimble coach Phil Faires said. “We didn’t come here to have a close game, we wanted to go for the win and it gave them just enough time to score.”

Trimble received possession to start the second half but gave the Flyers short field when Standley threw another interception. The next play, Goettemoeller found the end zone again and Marion Local went up 19-0.

Marion Local took advantage of short field on their next possession, after another Standley interception, as Bertke capped the short drive with a 3-yard plunge.

The Flyers scored on the next possession on a Goettemoeller 1-yard run to run the score to its final count of 33-0.

Marion Local outgained the Mohawk Mafia 414-104 on the evening.

The Flyers distributed the ball among several players on the ground, with three different players running for at least forty yards, those being Bertke, Goettemoeller and Aaron Nietfeld.

Bertke completed 17 of 28 passes with a touchdown and an interception while also picking up two touchdowns on the ground to go along with 54 yards. Bertke connected with his start receiver Troy Homan 10 times for 119 yards.

His counterpart Standley struggled, going 3-of-16 with three interceptions.  

Ultimately, the folks in Glouster’s support meant a lot to the Tomcats.

“The community support helps a lot. It means a lot to us to know that we’re helping them too as much as they’re helping us, and it’s has been a fun ride. It has been the funnest time of my life,” Standley said.

The air surrounding the Tomcats has been electric all year, and the players have memories that will last a lifetime

Senior and co-defensive player of the year Jacob Koons said, “I know we’ll look back on this and be proud of being state runners up, but we wanted to win and that didn’t happen.”

All in all, it still was a moment to remember for Athens area football, as Trimble is the first Athens County team to make the state championship game in any sport since Nelsonville-York did in football in 1981. There is a great deal of pride. The Mohawks will likely live on a bit longer.

Opinion: GOP should watch what they say

http://thenewpolitical.com/2013/12/02/opinion-gop-should-watch-what-they-say/

“Happy Holidays!” This phrase lights a fire in the bellies in many conservatives.

It’s no secret that the Republican Party is in an ongoing battle to better their image. And now the GOP is in hot water over several attempts at improving the party’s image. Republicans are attempting to reach out to minorities and traditionally liberal groups if they are to gain back ground on a national level. Democrats have done a great job in gaining the votes of marginalized groups, the last two presidential elections have made that much apparent. According to the Pew Research Center among voters aged 18-29, Obama was able to win women, blacks, and hispanics by double digit margins.

So why the annoyance with those who use the phrase “Happy Holidays?”

Now more than ever, they are hurting themselves in terms of what they are saying in an effort to build support.

Just recently, the Republican National Committee showed their ignorance on the subject of racism when they attempted to commemorate the 58th anniversary of Rosa Parks’ arrest.

This echoes a theme that many conservatives like to think is true. Referring to Park’s role in “ending racism” ignores the fact that racism prominently pervades the United States’ societal fabric today.

Now this could have very well been just a slip of the tongue. Most sensible Republicans understand that blatant racism is not a thing of the past.

But the RNC just came out with a shirt proposing that “ ‘Happy Holidays’ is what liberals say” while the back of the shirt reads “MERRY CHRISTMAS.”

What exactly is offensive about recognizing and acknowledging opposing viewpoints? No matter what people say, the United States does not have a national religion, therefore, it is not a “Christian nation” as some might have it.

And what is surprising about these shirts? These shirts actually sold out in a hurry. Maybe it’s not much of a surprise. Alienating a large portion which could make up part of your parties’ base is not an intelligent way of going about things.

Be it over Twitter or through the sale of t-shirts, the GOP continues to do a good job at maintaining a poor relationship with the general public.

Inclination towards acceptance: queer liberation and the Middle East

http://thenewpolitical.com/2013/11/26/inclination-towards-acceptance-queer-liberation-and-the-middle-east/

Captain Avner Even-Zohar spoke to an audience made up of students and faculty on Monday afternoon, with the speech centered around the current state of the Queer Liberation Movement in the Mid East.

In an event sponsored by Hillel, the LGBT Center, and the Jewish National Fund, a great deal of dialogue was introduced. 

Even-Zohar, a professor, author, gay activist, as well as former member of the Israeli Armed Forces spoke to the congregation in the Multicultural Center about numerous ways in which Israel leads the pack in terms of queer acceptance and progressive policy. Specifically Tel Aviv is quite accommodating to the queer community, at least in relation to other major Mid Eastern cities.

In talking about trans activist Nora Grinberg, Even-Kohar said: “In Israel you see amazing community leaders like (Grinberg) that would head queer organizations in Israel. And what they are trying to do, they work very successfully with the ministry of education in Israel to support teens in middle schools and high schools to provide support….”

Even-Zohar dismissed the notion that the United States was the most progressive nation in terms of policy and acceptance for queer individuals early on in his speech.

Take for example: In 1988, Israel struck down laws against sodomy on the books.  This just reinforced Israeli Supreme Court decisions in the 1960s that stated sodomy laws in effect from the British Mandate of Palestine would not be enforced (you can thank Queen Victoria for those laws). Israel began allowed gay soldiers to serve openly in the military starting in 1993.

The United States on the other hand, did not legislate the lifting of the sodomy laws at a federal level. The Supreme Court ruled the law unconstitutional in 2003 as a result of the “Lawrence vs. Texas” case, effectively ending the laws on the books against sodomy that remained in 14 states.

Queer individuals were not allowed to serve openly in the U.S. military until 2011.

In the United States, workplace discrimination exists in the sense that one can be fired in 29 states for being gay.

Israel made it illegal to discriminate against queer individuals in the workplace in 1988.

Even-Kohar said: “There is a lot of work we need to do with Congress to get it approved.” He speaks in this instance of ENDA, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which has passed the Senate but has yet to go to a vote in the House.

Delfin Bautista, Director of the Ohio University LGBT Center placed emphasis on the perception of queer individuals from an inside and outside perspective.

Bautista said: “How we talk about LGBT identities here in the US is not always how our identities are talked about in other parts of the world.  My hope is that folks who attended are able to learn from the movement in Israel. “

The disturbing practice of “Honor Killing” was another topic that was broached during the course of the presentation. This entails mostly Saudi women and gay individuals killed by family members for having sex outside of marriage, for committing “lewd” acts (this pertaining to gays specifically) or for being raped.

Even-Kohar tied in literacy rates with some of the countries in the Mid East in terms of their acceptance of the queer community. Showing Saudi Arabia and Israel as starkly contrasting in terms of educating women, literacy most notably.

His personal mission in speaking on college campuses, is to “empower and inspire” activists for the sake of women, the queer community, and others Even-Kohar believes there is much to learn from Queer Liberation Movement in the Mid East.

Bautista looked positively on the event.

Bautista said: “There is an interest on campus for more conversations on the intersection of faith and sexuality; hopefully today’s lunch will be one of many collaborative events not only between Hillel and the LGBT Center but also find ways to bring other groups into the mix.”

Opinion: Reid goes nuclear

http://thenewpolitical.com/2013/11/26/opinion-reid-goes-nuclear/

Harry Reid led the Senate Democrats to invoke the so-called “nuclear option” last week. The name itself invites an elevated sense of alarm—what has the Senate done? How could they invoke the nuclear option? Are thanks in order to Harry Reid for invoking the nuclear option?

Look at how opposed President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden were just a few years ago. One can find numerous examples of just how terrible an idea they believed the nuclear option to be. But after finding it hard to push through their own appointees, they are all for the 51-vote rule.

In 2005, then Illinois Senator Barack Obama said: “Everyone in this chamber knows, that if the majority chooses to end the filibuster, if they choose to change the rules and put an end to democratic debate, then the fighting and bitterness then the fighting and gridlock will only get worse.”

Biden, in emphatic fashion said: “You cannot change the Senate rules by a pure majority vote,” and “The nuclear option abandons America’s sense of fair play.”

Now, eight years later, they have completed a total reversal, most notably because of the inability to appoint preferred judicial appointees.

A few days ago, Obama said, “I support the step a majority of Senators today took to change the way that Washington is doing business.”

Initially, when examining the practical consequences, it really seems insubstantial.

For those unfamiliar with with the consequences of the recent Senate rule changes, the nuclear option will only require a simple majority of 51 votes in the Senate for a confirmation vote. Previously, 60 votes had been needed. The topic has been broached numerous ties in recent years with Democrats recently holding it over the heads of Republicans in hope of inviting compromise, but the debate this time around has come about as a result of recent frustrations surrounding Appeals Court nominees that have been blocked by Republicans.

Now high-ranking Republicans like Mitch McConnel of Kentucky are decrying the move, lamenting that it discriminates against the minority.

The better question here is: Why was it changed from a simple majority vote in the first place? Holding up a vote for confirmation and an insane amount of filibustering has taken place because of the necessary 60 votes. Just move forward—if there is a majority, the Senate should be able to move forward and ready itself to put the appointees to a vote. If not 50, back to the drawing board. Simple as that. It is not a tyranny of the majority, it is democracy.

One valid criticism of the new rule is this idea of a tyranny of the majority. That the Senate would become the House and the controlling party would render the process insignificant as the majority party would exercise unrestricted power. The comparison is understandable. And it could begin a slippery slope if Senate Democrats are not careful. Senate Republicans could be in the same situation in a short amount of time. Only six seats are needed by the GOP to make this a reality. But this rule should only pertain to filibustering, as a way to ensure that appointees are able to be voted upon. The 60 votes is still a good number for official confirmation.

A minority has been able to continually able to block nominees, which has essentially given the minority party the right to say, “No, we will not let the vote go forth.”

Ultimately, what is most readily apparent is the fact that it all comes down to politics. The minority party does not want the majority party to exercise power. The majority party will give itself the opportunity to best legislate as they see fit. The policy itself holds almost no value without the context of political party.

Opinion: Toronto mayor needs to step down

Rob Ford is up for reelection as mayor of Toronto in 2014. One day, he wants to be the Prime Minister of Canada. Wait, what?

When the American public thinks of corrupted or questionable politicians, they tend to think inward. There is a history of corruptible and negligent politicians within the United States’ history, so who could blame them?

When Americans think of Canada, the image invoked by many is one of the following: Mounties, maple-syrup, and hockey players who will bust your front teeth in but greet each other with a warm “How’s the weather, eh?” Well look, Americans. Right in front of you, Canada presents humanity. A looney politician no longer acting in the best interest of his constituents.

The media backlash to the release of the video showing Ford’s purchase of crack cocaine and his subsequent (but very late) admission of drug usage has been quite critical. It seems to be generally accepted that he should step down. So why is he still in office? Most politicians would have wilted under far less pressure than this.

http://thenewpolitical.com/2013/11/18/opinion-toronto-mayor-needs-to-step-down/

Ford’s outspokenness this week has brought him admirers and critics alike. He does not maintain the demeanor of the typical politician. His responses are not cold and calculated. He is brash and seems to say whatever comes to his mind first. When allegations arose that he was cheating on his wife, he shrugged it off, saying that he had plenty to “eat” at home. He later attributed the remarks to increased stress, which is quite believable given the current situation.

Mostly though, he is just a pain and nuisance to the people of Toronto who would like to move on from this nightmare. Ford has denied many an allegation. The fact that this many rumors swirl around him make him a figurehead and celebrity more than a politician. It is because of this that the city of Toronto is trying to push him out.

He maintained public office for years while coaching a local high school football team, the Don Bosco Eagles. He is also an outspoken fan of his city’s professional football franchise, the Toronto Argonauts. And it sure does not seem that Ford had any intent to stay away from the spotlight. While at a recent game, the Grey Cup against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, he held up a fake Grey Cup and posed for pictures.  CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon had even requested that he stay away from the game, but then again, why would Ford comply?

Even if smoking crack cocaine was his only fault, even if he has not solicited prostitutes, or done any of the things said of him, he is still causing a distraction. He may be acting accountable in regards to drug abuse, but Toronto laughs at him as the city council has continued to strip most of his power. Yet he just will not step down. Step down, Mayor Ford, so the city of Toronto can move on.

Opinion: Doing something about tragedy

http://thenewpolitical.com/2013/11/11/opinion-doing-something-about-tragedy/

Often in times of troubling news, people struggle to come to terms with the significance of a tragedy. So as word continually streams in from southeast Asia about Typhoon Haiyan, it is disconcerting to hear, but hard to react to.

Quite often, the tiny voice whispers something to the tune of, “What does my vote matter?” or “What can my small contribution do?” Individually, this is not an absurd thought process. But when it becomes a part of the collective conscience of a people, it becomes troublesome.

Humans inherently are not moved to action unless they are made to think that they can make a difference. This may sound over-generalized, but it is part of the very socialized surroundings that most humans inhabit.

There is no doubting the abundance of compassion and empathy with which some people act within the world today. These people do many things on this earth to help others. At the same time, there are many who do care but do not know quite how to react or provide aid. Yes, one can argue that it is as simple as calling up the local Red Cross and providing “X” amount of dollars from a MasterCard. At the same time, there are gripes that some people have with the religious affiliation that such charities possess.

This is a gripe that is concerning—that some choose not to donate charity or provide aid for the sole reason that they do not like a charity’s religious affiliation. This is not to say that an individual cannot be against donating to a particular religious charity. Maybe the way in which the organization distributes their money is unjust. Maybe an inordinate amount of money goes to higher-ups and administrators within such organizations. Maybe the organization has a history of discriminating against certain groups, like LGBT constituents.

So do research. Try to find the organizations that will funnel the money directly to those in need. Websites like this can help along the way.CBS has also compiled a list.

It is easy to come across as compassionate and caring, or pretend to be so, but what do most people do besides send out a tweet or Facebook status to help people? People who claim that they have “raised awareness” and that is their contribution are somewhat full of it. Publicity helps, but a call to action is often warranted. Everyone is a little guilty of just moving on with their lives, the guy who wrote this column included.

Just do a little research. Find effective ways to help and contribute when disaster strikes. A tiny contribution may be insignificant to the person who supplied it, but collectively, it benefits everyone when groups band together to give aid. Aiding the pain is necessary. Building those that are broken down is a tenuous process that is aided exponentially each time someone does something to help. The idea is not that not giving makes you bad, but do not feel as if you cannot make a difference. Keep that in mind for a rainy day.