Good News for the Giants?

Rick Peterson was fired (freed?) by the New York Mets today. If all you read was the headline, you know that Mets manager Willie Randolph was fired, but along with him Peterson and first base coach Tom Nieto were also let go.

What's in it for the San Francisco Giants? Peterson was the pitching coach when Barry Zito had his best years. Zito connected well with Perterson and there was much speculation he would sign with the Mets to be reunited with him. That was before the Giants wowed him with his 8 year, 128 million dollar contract. Zito has never pitched like a pitcher worthy of $18M a year. Frankly, I don't think he deserved it as he is not a staff ace, at best a #2 pitcher, more likely a #3. Right now Zito is pitching like a #5, and that's even debatable. Perhaps Peterson can bring out the best Zito can give the Giants.

There are hangups. There always are. First of all, the Giants have an excellent pitching coach in Dave Righetti. Secondly, when Peterson left the A's to go to the Mets he stated a desire to be closer to his family in New Jersey.

So what to do? Don't worry, I have an answer.

Hire Peterson as a consultant. School is just out so he could bring his family to San Francisco for the summer. He could work with Zito, in consultation with Righetti. When the Giants are on road trips he could either stay behind and meet the team when Zito pitches to give in game feedback, or treat it like with the Mets and go on the road trip. In August he could take his family back to NJ, get them settled and return for the remainder of the season. Playoffs won't be a worry.

That's my 2 cents.

Something to Consider

I get a lot of email. At various times I also get the usual "boycott this", "buy that" chain emails. Those are deleted without being sent on. However, this one caught my eye. It addresses two items that are dear to me.

#1) Buy American when possible.

#2) Don't buy Chinese if at all possible.

It is already past June 4th, but I am going to pass it on for your perusal. (Some formatting may be changed in teh cut & paste ... sorry)

Are we Americans as dumb as we appear or is itthat we just do not think? While the Chinese,knowingly and intentionally, export inferior products and dangerous toys and goods to be sold in American markets, the media wrings its hands and criticizes the Bush Administration for perceived errors. Yet 70% of Americans believe that the trading privileges afforded to the Chinese should be suspended. Well, duh..why do you need the government to suspend trading privileges? DO IT YOURSELF!! Simply look on the bottom of every product you buy, and if it says 'Made in China ' or 'PRC' (and that now includes Hong Kong ), simply choose another product or none at all. You will be amazed at how dependent you are on Chinese products, however you will be equally amazed at what you can do without.Who needs plastic eggs to celebrate Easter? If you must have eggs, use real ones and benefit some American farmer. Easter is just an example, the point is.. do not wait for the government to act. Just go ahead and assume control on your own.

If 200 million Americans refuse to buy just $20 each of Chinese goods, that's a billion dollar trade imbalance resolved in our favor...fast!! (Jeff's note: I come up with $4 Billion so I don't know how they are figuring) The downside? Some American businesses will feel a temporary pinch from having foreign stockpiles of inventory. ** Downside ?? The solution ? Let's give them fair warning and send our ownmessage. We will not implement this UNTIL June 4,and we will only continue it until July 4. That is only one month of trading losses, but it will hitthe Chinese for 1/12th of the total, or 8%, of their American exports. Then they will at least have to ask themselves if the benefits of their arroganceand lawlessness were worth it. Remember, June 4 to July 4.Send this to everybody you know. Show them we are Americans and NOBODY can take us for granted.

If we can't live without cheap Chinese goods for one month out of our lives,WE DESERVE WHAT WE GET!Pass it on America !!!

Oil & Speculators

An article from GlobalResearch.CA tells us what we have all suspected, and shows the reasons behind it.

"Perhaps 60% of today's oil price is speculation".

Read about it here.

Land of the Formerly Free

In his post yesterday, The Lawdog brings to attention a plan by the Washington D.C. Police to establish neighborhood checkpoints and only allow in residents and those who have a "good reason" to be there. Read about it here.

Back in the Saddle

Life has been busy. I know that is no excuse for neglecting my blog, but it is what it is. I'll try and be better.