Berto’s rants on technology, sports, and heavy music
Representative Conyers,
This brief message is with regard to the Sirius / XM Satellite radio merger that you and your committee have the ultimate approval of:
Please stop impeding business. It is unethical and un-American. I, the paying customer, will decide what business transactions are worthy of success or failure.
Sincerely,
Mike Roberto
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Hey everyone!
On April 12, I will be joining the MS 150, a 2-day biking adventure from Houston to Austin to help raise funds for people living with Multiple Sclerosis.
The path is roughly 165 miles long. The 2008 tour map isn’t out yet, but you can see the 2007 map here.
I need to raise $400.00 to the MS Society to ride. Please help me by donating a few bucks to my MS150 fund.
In return for your donations, I promise to work very hard and finish the race (barring any major catastrophes).
Most of you know that I’m a swimmer and not a biker. In order to learn more about the hardcore training that bikers go through, I’ve been reading Cyclist’s Training Bible
I’ve been training along the South Bay Bike Path, which gets extremely interesting once you make it past the airport and into Venice Beach. For hill work, I will begin going to parts of this Palos Verdes Peninsula path.
Thanks for your endless support!
berto
PS: I am going to be taking a break from writing for a while. My past few articles have received a great amount of traffic, and I should ride that momentum, but I have too many projects going on for now. I’ll be back later, feel free to contact me.
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August 5, 2008 — The Federal Reserve cut the benchmark interest rate by 1.5% to a new target lending rate of 0% yesterday, the Federal Open Market Committee said in a statement in Washington. It’s the largest reduction since the Fed began using the rate as primary tool of fiscal policy around 1990.
“Broader financial market conditions have continued to deteriorate and credit has tightened further for some businesses and households,” the Fed said in a statement in Washington. The FOMC took the action “in view of a weakening of the economic outlook and increasing downside risks to growth.”
The Fed continued, “After a long review of our inflationary data, the determination has been made that inflation does not exist.” When asked about $5.00/gallon gasoline and skyrocketing rental costs, the Fed declined comment, merely stating that energy costs are not part of inflation data.
John Thompson, Senior Staff Analyst at RBB Associates, believes that this will solve the country’s economic woes. “Interest rates are a thing of the past. We no longer believe that they are necessary, since we can print as many greenbacks as needed to pay for our luxaries, Mexican labor, and cluster bombs. As long as the government continues to spend this money, it will exchange hands and wealth will be generated an infinite amount.”
When asked about the Euro reaching an all-time high of 1 Euro to 8 US Dollars, Thompson remarked that “European central banking will soon follow suit to eliminate interest rates and order will be restored. Clearly they will want to keep pace with the most powerful economy in the world.”
Despite panic among treasury traders, the Dow Jones closed up at 12,753.53 points. Most impressive gains were in the services sector, which were up 3.4%, despite data showing that nobody has had work for 4 months.
John McCain, former Republican Presidential Candidate and Congressman, was overheard saying “0% interest rates should get us through this election, at which point Mitt Romney will win the Presidency and we can continue to do the Federal Reserve’s biddings. The draft won’t be far off, and we’ll no longer have to worry about economics ever again”
A representative of the middle class was sought for comment, but none could be found.
Brilliant!
agree… shows us how it works in the US
[...] economie binnen half jaar over de kop?24-01-2008 om 23:15 door Carlos August 5, 2008 — The Federal Reserve cut the benchmark interest rate by 1.5% to a new target lendi… Economie, Toekomst, Verenigde Staten, Waan v/d Dag Terug naar het [...]
Ruh roh… I hope the Dutch people don’t think I’m serious!
In case you didn’t catch it, this is a satire!
And hello to everyone from over at sensibleerection.com - very interesting site you have. I tried to join but you never emailed me my activation!
You broke my heart Berto.
Berto ohno! I’m dutch and I only read your disclaimer now, I just sold all my stock based on your article, You’ll hear from my lawyer.
[...] Feds cut interest rate to zero in “emergency effort.” [...]
So sad how this is about to come true…
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This will come as complete blasphemy to the Buckeye faithful, but it is true: James Laurinaitis is the most overrated linebacker Ohio State has ever had.
I’m not saying this because I hate the guy, or because I think I’m better than him — I am not. I am saying this because the fingers have been pointed all over the place for our terrible loss to LSU, except for one of the most important spots: the heart of the defense. And if we are going to prevent humiliation in 2008, the problems need to be addressed.
For those of you still with me, I urge you to stop being spiral-eyed, brainwashed zombies for 15 minutes so that you can objectively look at the game film with me.
All season long, we have endured Laurinaitis’ endless hesitation, jumping on top of piles after the plays are already over, and shooting of the wrong gap, which are occasionally joined by an impact play. But everyone slobbered over his ‘tackle count’ and occasional interception. LSU and Illinois both knew this, and exposed us right where it counted: straight up the middle.
Enough talk, let’s get to the OSU vs. LSU game film (this is not easy to do, but we must do it):
First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third quarter
2. JL gets off the block, but overpursues
3. JL jumps on the ballcarrier after Freeman has already tackled him.
That sounds about typical.
Fourth quarter
Oh, but he falls on his ass instead. What a playmaker.
To summarize, I think that Laurinaitis is the most overrated linebacker Ohio State has ever had, and not just because of this miserable game. This has been going on all season long. He does not hold a candle to the hard-hitting, smart-playing guys of our past. He plays on his heels, thinks too much, and does not have that killer instinct.
While I think JL can come back and have a phenomenal 2008, he has things to work on, just like everyone else. My main point is that he, above all others, does NOT get a free pass for the atrocious performance displayed here, despite the “18″ tackles he somehow logged.
This was a terrible 3 hours of my life and I’m glad it’s over.
Which 3 hours were terrible? The game or the three hours it too to write this post? I am leaning towards the game as this post may have taken considerably longer.
Wow. This was a super job of breaking down what i’ve been saying all year about JL. I disagree with you however. I think this is as good as he gets. PITIFUL!!!
Hey Berto, I’m so sorry about the OSU game :( Anyway, just wanted to tell you that I found an OLD picture of us from the first time we ever hung out at the fiesta bowl 2003 against Miami here in Tempe! We look hilarious! Anyway, I’ll try and find a scanner to use and email it to ya, you’ll have a good laugh. Have a great day!
-M
[...] by OSUBucks22 Boy… JL must’ve bagged this guy’s girlfriend or something… Check it out… "James Laurinaitis: Ohio State’s Most Overrated LB Ever" It’s a blog. Any idiot can create a blog. [...]
Well, since you aren’t a coach and don’t understand the scheme or why certain things work like they do I’m gonna have to disagree with you. Especially since the NFL said he’d be a top ten pick. But what do they know?
hey, numbnuts. every time you point out an LSU O-lineman taking JL out of the play, you are ignoring the fact that our D-tackles weren’t getting the job done. what are two O-linemen doing 5 yards down field? JL had 18 tackles. he’s as good as advertised. it was our poor D-line play that cost us.
but that doesn’t matter, because every dumbass in America with a webpage or a blog is a football expert.
It amazes me that Mike is evidently smarter than every every NFL scout who said that JL is a top ten pick. Almost every mock draft had him going to New England and we all know how big of an idiot NE’s head coach is.
My favorite part is that these people (ie. Mark Austen) don’t argue a single point I make, they just go on to regurgitate the same crap that media has been spewing for the past year. Do you have any of your own thoughts?
Brainwashed indeed.
your full of bulls*it how about you go get a life.
JAMES LAURINAITIS is one of the best in NCAA football right now thats why he won all then awards. so PLEASE stop acting like you know what play the defense and offense picked. PLEASE stop acting like they wasnt suppose to do that. PLEASE stop acting like your the coach and PLEASE stop acting like you know EVERYTHING ABOUT FOOTBALL BECAUSE YOU DONT!!!!
Well done.
http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/urangajr2/l_b7f8c2e9fbbdd0375eac60d29a13f594.jpg
a picture is worth a thousand words
Reason #23743 that fans from every state in the U.S. besides Ohio hopes that for at least a decade or better yet longer that OSU doesn’t make it to another BCS title game. Back to back disasters verses the superior SEC in the MNC are just too painful to watch.
Let’s all hope that if the Big Ten does get another team into the MNC game, the sacraficial lamb isn’t OSU again.
Very funny, but I don’t think you can blame 31 unanswered points on JL and your DC–better luck this year against Florida!
JL is a nice player against inferior talent. The SEC by far the superior football conference and has proved it beyond a shadow of a doubt the past two seasons. LSU wasn;t even supposed to be on the same field with JL and OSU. One day y’all will learn. GEAUX TIGERS!!!
First time breaking down game film?
Roberto, I think you’re guilty of some negative spin. I can see your analysis and I don’t doubt what you show, but you are seeing the game as a bubble around JL. If there are O-linemen out on JL, then there should be DLmen making plays. . .and there aren’t. If I am LSU I am going to key to stop OSU’s best player and force the rest of the defense to make some plays. Well. . .as you showed, the rest of the defense did not make plays. Beyond that, LSU was the best, most balanced offense we say all year. That is tough on any defense. . .even ours. Of course, had our offense got a few more first downs and kept the LSU offense of the field a bit more, these defensive mistakes would have been far less magnified.
Is it NFL scouts that are predicting him a top ten pick or espn and internet website analyist?
Ahh, I love all the traffic coming to this page lately. Football season is in the air!
I continue to stand by what I said, and JL is still on my radar until proven otherwise. But this year I will of course be rooting for him and hope he tears the Big Ten and SC up!
Those NFL experts did a great job with Bobby Carpenter too. Time will tell…. there is much work to do for our big games.
Glad to see someone else finally realizes what the rest of the BigTen has known for 3+ years. Great analysis ‘Berto!
Haha… yeah take screen shots of different plays from ONE GAME without examining the offensive scheme or reason for the play. In any case good attempt but unfortunately you come up short in your argument based on one game. I break down every Ohio State game for my website and provide video clips to illustrate my points. Laurinaitis is an excellent linebacker… is he the best of all time at OSU? Of course not… but he is talented nonetheless. The only thing that Laurinaitis is guilty of is playing for Ohio State and well everyone loves to have Ohio State these days.
Nice info..
im gonna hve to agree with berto on all this nfl analyst may have said he was a top 10 player but they said dj hall was gonna be a second rounder awards are ridiculous in college because they go off stats i watched the bcs game and there is no way he made 18 tackles and the people who say well if the play is designed to take out jl its the d line no fuck that ive palyed football all my life and i play college football a good linebacker sheds blocks and everyone knows that as a LB ur first sterp is forward not back
I am a HUGE buckeye fan— I succeeded the sophmore-studded Buckeyes in Columbus from 1968-70–you know–Jack Tatum, Mike Sensibaugh, Rex Kern and Jim Stillwagon. I have said since Lauranitis succeed Hawk for the Buckeyes, that his talent and overall impact were no match for his predecessor. At least sfive linebackers have played the position better in the intervening three decades. Lauranitis is out of position on many plays—likes to drop deep and cover wide-outs instead of the tight end over the middle and is virtually a non-factor on draw plays or quick hitters up the middle. Maybe its partly attributed to Heycock’s mediocre defensive scheme, but as ESPN analyst and formr Buckeye linebacker stud, hris Spielman noted at the OU fiasco, JL does lack consistent and sustainable intensity. I have no doubt James is a great young man, but he;s only a good linebacker—and certainly not even close to a Butkus Award winner with his performance thus far this year….
Break down his disappearing act in the 4th quarter of the Illinois game last year and you will really prove your point. He is horrible, but manages to impress the stat gurus in beating up on the sisters of the poor.
this curry headed fuck has no idea wat the hell he’s talking about
laurenitus is the best lb in the game he is always where the ball is
He is overrated just like Tebow. But then again the Big 10 is overrated. The 2nd best team last year was Illinois and they got waxed in the Rose Bowl. I like how he gave up 2 TD’s to the TE. It is funny. Keep beating up on those CUPCAKES you 6-1 233lb Coverage MLB. I like how he gives up a yard or 2 after contact on almost every tackle. Geno Hayes is a better LB than him.
Also Tressel is OVERRATED. If it wasn’t for 6 Turnovers, McGahee getting hurt and the Phantom PASS INTERFERENCE call… He would be 0-3 in National Championship Games. Be glad the zebra saved his ass.
No I am not a Miami fan but an Arch Rival FSU!!! Yes I know my team has had its problems you don’t need to bring it up.
Every player has a bad day, you can’t judge his performance by that game. Just because you probably play in a flag football league doesn’t mean you get the right to bash the players who have real talent.
And another thing that guy was right about….. ” any idiot can write a blog”
GO OSU !!!!!
I dont think you understand what you are talking about sir. Have you ever played a snap of middle linbacker in your life? I have, and what it looks like to me is James is doing exactly what he is told to do. He is leaving the middle open because his assignment is to stop the running back. As seen more clearly in play 25, 2nd quarter. Maybe if you played at Ohio State, or even on any good team, you would know that. He jumps on these piles of already made tackles because thats what a great player does, even if the play is dead, you fly to the ball. You dont stand there and watch and then when the running back breaks free go “oh fuck! I should’ve been in there!” You join in and make the play. People like you piss me off, you don’t know what you’re talking about sir.
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I don’t have anything to say that hasn’t been said everywhere else. I just thought I’d etch in stone one of the coolest quotes I’ve ever come up with:
Despite making it to the top, we have hit rock bottom
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Uncle A said,
02.20.08 at 7:59 am
Don’t forget your Speedo. I sent a donation even though I spelled my name wrong!!! It said successful so I assume it will go thru. I once did a mile on my tri-cycle going down Murray Hill road. Crashed into MaMa Santo’s so I quit and had a Pizza instead. Good Luck
Antmaddie said,
02.21.08 at 9:42 am
Mikey…what a great thing to do…I’m sure you will do well…make us proud..
Bill said,
02.21.08 at 8:31 pm
Good for you Mike. If you want to schedule a training ride I’ll dust off my bike and go with you. Only on hill days though. After your ride lets get a surf in.
Bill
Joe Pinzone said,
02.21.08 at 8:39 pm
Mike, thanks so much for honoring my sister’s memory. Have a safe and enjoyable ride. If you ever head North, be sure to contact us.
CHUCK BURMEISTER said,
02.22.08 at 10:59 am
MIKE I AM GLAD YOU ARE DOING SOMETHING THAT I HAVE NEVER DONE FOR A GREAT CAUSE. IT ALSO AT JUNTURE NOT HAPPEN BECAUSE I COULD NOT RIDE 2 MILES,LAEVING MY RIDE ABOUT 163 MILES SHORT. GOOD LUCKAND GOD BLESS. CHUCK
"Big" Mike said,
02.27.08 at 9:44 pm
Great enthusiasm for a great cause….
Work hard, have fun and enjoy the ride.
My donation is submitted.
Yo- Momma said,
02.28.08 at 5:18 pm
Another Berto adventure that no one else in our family would ever attempt. Once again, we are proud. I guess learning to ride a 2-wheeler at the age of 4 really paid off!!!!!! Wish I could be watching on the sidelines - dousing you w/ water and cheering “Go Mikey Go!!!!!! (just like the swim meets)……. Be safe and as always, have a great time.
Kathy Gambatese said,
03.05.08 at 6:47 am
Hi Michael,
Bravo for choosing to honor a loved cousin by giving your time, spirit, and energy to a very worthy effort. Will keep you in our prayers for a safe and successful ride. You make all of us who shared in your growin’ proud.
Mr. and Mrs. G
Michelle Mack McManus said,
03.08.08 at 9:29 am
Mike,
Thanks for riding in memory of my mom. While she’s no longer suffering, there are many others who still are. I hope your trip is a success and that it leads to a cure for this devastating disease.
Again, thanks for doing this in memory of my mom.
Michelle
Geri Simon said,
03.11.08 at 2:24 am
Just another month of training, Good luck Mickey! We’re all rooting for you!
Have fun and safe travels.