Lakers didn't think twice.

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Sometimes in sports there isn’t room for error

By: Ryan Klund
http://www.facebook.com/rjklund

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I’m not much of an NBA fan and (admittedly) haven’t spent all that much time following the situation in Los Angeles. It’s difficult not to look at it and raise an eyebrow.

Now, I know the Lakers were supposed to be really good this year. . .  in a sort of Yankees, old-man, aging superstar kind of way. What’s the big deal, though, with losing FOUR GAMES?!

It makes us all consider the value of the modern head coach. How much better (really) is Phil Jackson over Mike Brown? A handful of wins? Its tough to imagine.

I mean Steve Nash will still run the court, Dwight Howard will still block and Kobe will be Kobe.

What does the coach really have to do with all of it? These are all veteran players that could probably use their experiences to coach themselves.

It seems to be that coaches are only good for one thing now-a-days, being fired. 

When will GAY really be OK?

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What Tammy Baldwin’s win means for U.S. politics and Wisconsin.

By Ryan Klund

As a Wisconsinite I grew up with both of the state’s senate candidates in this Senate election, Tammy Baldwin and Tommy Thompson.

I remember Thompson’s rule as Governor during my childhood and Baldwin’s first win in 1998, being the first openly gay assemblywoman elected to US House of Representatives. 

Baldwin’s win last night gives the United States and Wisconsin reason to be proud.

She is now the first openly gay US Senator ever elected and won in, what looked to be, a state welcoming republicans to big political seats.

We Wisconsinites, especially those in Madison and Milwaukee, have openly supported gay rights, despite our inability to allow same-sex marriage.

Madison is a town with a large, sprawling gay culture. 10% dances are frequently held at the UW-Madison Union and in Milwaukee we have the ‘Fruit Loop’ a group of gay bars on the city’s Southside.  Even the ever-conservative Sheboygan has a popular gay bar in its downtown.

Senator-elect Baldwin now represents a furthering change of ideology for the rest of the country.

President Barak Obama changed his stance. (Even Romneysupported civil unions (I think?)) Several states allow same-sex marriage; Maryland and Maine passed its measures to allow it last night.

These questions still remain.

When will Wisconsin make it official by joining the ranks of other states allowing basic rights to all?

When will Americans love, protect and serve all sections of our society equally?

And really, when will gay be okay?

Michigan's confusing ballot proposals

By Ryan Klund:

Today is the day! (I hope) We all did (or will do) our civic duty today and VOTED!

Maybe the most important thing this election is to come to the polls with an open mind and a master's degree. How else could you possibly decipher the ballot proposals on Michigan's ballot this election.

Check these things out.

And it's not like we don't know that they're confusing. Come on. Something is wrong here.

I understand that law uses complex wording and terminology but newspapers and television are written at a sixth-grade level... why wouldn't ballots be written the same way. It's one of the only things we encourage everyone to do in this country.

It doesn't help that media outlets don't seem to spend adequate time explaining these measures. I know it isn't sexy news but it's clearly something we all should be able to make a educated decision about.

Why confuse? Why mislead? Something needs to change.

Upton vs. O'Brien debate

Here is, what I would consider, a objective review of the strategy for Michigan's 6th Congressional District held in Buchanan on October 23rd. 

O'Brien:

The strategy was clear for Mike O'Brien. Attack, attack, attack.

O'Brien, on several occasions, criticized Fred Upton for being a lifetime politician.

He tried to connect Upton to congress' low approval rating. Upton was criticized for giving tax incentives to companies that move jobs overseas and hit Upton with his inability to work with Democrats.

Upton:

Upton wasn't feisty, and didn't need to be. He's hardly ever been challenged for the congressional seat over the past 25 years.

Upton kept pointing to his own record. He highlighted the accomplishments he's made as a highly regarded member of house and stayed very calm. Also, he seemed to directly oppose O'Brien's viewpoint, saying that he is the guy that reaches across the isle.

No matter who you support in this race, both candidates seemed comfortable and prepared. It'll be a very interesting Tuesday, given polls show a deadlock between the two candidates. 

UPTON vs O'BRIEN

With the election coming up in 2 days Southwest Michigan has some BIG decisions to make.

I attended the debate last week in Buchanan and wrote this article for ABC 57.

BUCHANAN, Michigan – Congressman Fred Upton took on his democratic challenger Mike O’Brien Tuesday night in what is turning out to be a close election for Michigan’s 6th congressional district.
The final debate between the two candidates was held in front of a packed crowd at AEP headquarters in Buchanan.
Both candidates were asked several questions ranging from the military defense spending to social issues like gay marriage and abortion. Both agreed, however, that the most important issues for Southwest Michigan this election is the economy and jobs.
A theme throughout the night was O’Brien attacking Upton’s policies and Upton defending his record.
When asked about creating jobs and the economy, O’Brien said that Upton has supported tax incentives that send jobs overseas. “We need to reverse those incentives and actually incent companies to return that equipment and those jobs back over here,” he said.
Upton responded to O’Brien’s comments by saying that he played a big part in saving Detroit and ancillary jobs in the southwest region of the state. “I was the republican lead in putting together the package that actually saved the auto industry,” Upton argued.
On healthcare, Upton bashed Obamacare by saying that health reform needs bipartisan support. “The only bipartisan part about it was there was bipartisan objection,” Upton said.
Responding the health care question, Obrien argued that Upton and congress have failed to come up with any other ideas. “Not one single recommended fix,” Obrien said.
When asked about ‘Washington gridlock’ between democrats and republicans, Upton said that he has a history with reaching across the isle but O’Brien rebutted that Upton is out of touch with his constituents. .
“I think its imperative (that) we work together and it’ll be part of that process,” said Upton.
“Our congress is populated by career politicians that have never been out of Washington and that’s the problem,” said O’Brien.
 

My thoughts on the debate and each candidate to come.