This Sunday’s Oscars were the best ever, and it wasn’t because of Hugh Jackman’s chiseled jaw line (or the fact that Anne Hathaway didn’t win shit). These Oscars were great because of this.

I am fully aware what a sour taste these speeches left in some people’s mouths. Some hate the idea of using the Oscars as a political soap box, and I can appreciate that point of view. I am also aware how many disapprove of how Sean Penn continues to act like the moral compass of Hollywood, as if the political opinion of famous actor is somehow more relevant than that of a lay person. “I do know how hard I make it to appreciate me. Often.” You’re right about that, Sean. You frequently do make it that way, and I’m someone who usually agrees with you (and loves your acting, for that matter).

But, what Dustin Lance Black and Sean Penn said last night needed to be said.

Oscars or not.

America has been seriously embroiled in the gay marriage debate for about a decade now (many gay Americans would say even longer, I’ll bet), and we are reaching a watershed moment. Judges tell us gay marriage should be legal, voters tell us (in decreasing margins) that it shouldn’t be. It’s a matter that divides churches, divides political parties, and sadly, it divides families. In fact, I learned from a friend of mine that one his friends from his hometown decided to come out to his parents after watching the speech. How they took it, I don’t know.

As much as it might offend some, I have to agree with Sean Penn: Our grandchildren will be ashamed of us if we continue down the path we have been taking. We will be remembered as a generation that, despite electing the first black man to the presidency, continued to segregate and oppress and deny people basic human liberty because they are different from the norm. We will be seen in the same light as the segregationists and xenophobes of another age. You may think I am wrong. You may think that what I have just said is offensive and vitriolic. You may hate being lumped together with the KKK and all the images that accompany a different period of segregation. You may think that gay marriage is just plain wrong. And frankly, I would like nothing more than to have this debate with you (though I wish it didn’t have to be through the comments section). But, in 50 years, we will have to explain to your grandchildren why we thought it was right to stop those who love each other from expressing that love, whether in the ceremony of marriage, or the sharing of property, or the decision to end their partner’s life with dignity. We will have to explain why we thought it was better to let thousands of children grow up in group homes and with abusive foster parents rather than in an environment of support and love, just because their would be two fathers or two mothers in that loving, supportive household. We will be praised for what we have accomplished, but we will also be shamed for the injustice we let continue.

In 50 years (and I hope it only takes that long) those who despised Sean Penn’s speech last night will be the minority, and Harvey Milk will no longer only be a hero to the gay community, but to the human community.

I invite everyone to take some time to think about what you believe, why you believe it, and how you will answer future generations when they ask you what and why this generation believed.

Remember the days when a president was inaugurated and actually served as president before people started commenting about the next election?

I don’t.

Instead, I remember the last two elections distinctly.

During the Democratic National Convention in 2004, Barack Obama gave a stirring speech that brought him into the national spotlight. Fairly soon after, he was touted as a possible frontrunner for the Democratic Presidential nomination in 2008.

Fast forward to….today. We now have a president with that same name. Weird.

Here we are mere months after the election of our first black president and everyone in the political scene is already making Republican nominations for the next presidential election.

I’m not sure if math is not their strong suit or what but…THE ELECTION IS ALMOST 4 YEARS AWAY.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you may realize that there hasn’t been a big D in the White House since Will Smith released Willenium.

To make a long rant short, give the Democrats their time in the sun. You had yours. For 8 miserable years.

And now….a shirtless picture of Will Smith completely unrelated to mostly everything I just said.

If Joe Buck calls this I’m gonna flip my shit.

I doubt this will be on the video montage next to the arch.

Meghan McCain finally said what so many young Republicans have been thinking for the last few years. CNN is reporting today that Meghan, daughter of former Presidential candidate John McCain, is calling for Republicans to become more technologically savvy or risk losing more and more political relevance. She is exactly right. Without reaching out to the American people with such extremely popular tools such as Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Blogs, the Republican party can forget dethroning Obama in 2012. The fact that Obama won the election with enormous contributions from young voters and the internet should be the only sign the Republican party needs to change their game plan. The Republican party cannot expect to gain any ground on the majority holding Democrats if their best and brightest cannot even operate a computer in the 21st century.

Here’s McCain’s idea of home computing.

Meghan McCain, you are completely right. Now, get out there and convince your father’s friends to take a class on computing skills. Even better, hire a homeless man to teach them, because chances are they could probably type better than our former President could. (on a computer, not a typewriter)

I was recently asked by roommate and fellow Lowdown writer what I thought it meant to be a patriot in today’s America. This is a very complex question, a question that has no right or wrong answer. It does, however, have an answer that should always be changing. We live in a world of corruption, sin, violence, murder, and war. We have sex scandals, political bribery and corruption, two domestically challenged wars, a recession that is falling into a depression faster than our own bombs into Baghdad, and the largest budget deficit in human history. It’s true, life in America is not what it once was. However, that does not mean the United States is no longer the face of freedom, hope, and prosperity for the world. We don’t have to worry about being poisoned for speaking out against our government. (I hope) We have the freedom to start the business of our dreams, to be tried fairly (unless you’re a celebrity), practice the religion you believe (or lack of one), and we are not forced into military service. These are things that not every country can provide. We have a new President, a new hope for normalcy, and a new belief that things can change. We live in a great country. A country that we should be proud of. Though she has her flaws, she is filled with people who understand that things can and will change for the better. We as a country need to be thankful for the blessings that we take for granted living in this nation. Our soldiers are. They understand what it means to stand up for a country in need; to do whatever duty their country asks of them. So the next time we criticize our country (which we should for the sake of change), remember to be thankful for the freedoms that make this country great, and for the men and women who fight for those freedoms.

This Johnny Cash song is probably the most patriotic song I have ever heard.

As much as I sometimes feel that constant yearly reminders of public tragedies can be hackneyed, I’ve been thinking about the NIU shooting quite a bit over the weekend. It was a tragedy that hit close to home for Illini, and it seems almost everyone knows someone at NIU, and many know those who were in the room with the shooter (myself included).

I have always felt that NIU President, John Peters’ “Forward, together forward,” remark was an amazingly simple, beautiful, and truthful observation about life after tragedy. One year later: Forward, together forward.

The New York Post is reporting today that Chicago Bulls General Manager John Paxson will be resigning after the February 19 NBA trade deadline. Now, I’ve always liked John Paxson. He played well for the Bulls years ago, and I feel that he’s always had the best interest of the team in heart, which isn’t always true with general managers. Paxson is responsible for drafting Tyrus Thomas, Joakim Noah, Derrick Rose, Kirk Heinrich, Ben Gordon, and basically every player on the roster.

How I miss you, Ben Wallace.

However, although I believe that Paxson has always had the team’s best interests at heart, that does not make up for a lack effectiveness at the general manager position. Paxson’s draft classes over the last 6 years or so have looked tremendous. And on paper, these players seem to have the potential to be the next generation’s all-star players. But, it hasn’t worked out that way. All of these players brought in by Paxson are great collegiate and individual players, but they are not suited to build a great team around. (With the exception of Derrick Rose) Paxson has drafted the perfect team filled with players who could, and probably should, be traded away. (again, with the exception of Derrick who is untouchable by any other team)

You may be thinking, “well if these players have so much potential, then it must be the coach’s fault for not getting everything out of his players.” I completely agree. Last year the Bulls got rid of head coach Scott Skiles. Although he was a good in game coach, he drilled, screamed, yelled, abused, and expected way too much of his players. He drove the team into the ground working them too hard. So now, the Bulls were in need of a new head coach. And what do ya know, Mike D’Antoni is fired from the Pheonix Suns after many great seasons! It’s a sure lock that the Bulls will pick him up with their young up and coming team, right? No. Of course not. Instead, John Paxson hires Vinny Del Negro. A former player who was traded from team to team in his playing days and has ABSOLUTELY NO COACHING EXPERIENCE. That’s right, not a single day of being in charge of a basketball team. He was the former assistant general manager of the Pheonix Suns, but still hadn’t had a minute of on-court coaching experience.

That’s Mike D’Antoni (left) and Vinny Del Negro (right). Think Paxson just got confused on which one he was supposed to hire?

Shockingly enough, he’s done a terrible job coaching the Bulls this year. He has no idea what he’s doing on the court, doesn’t motivate the players, and rarely has a good idea for a last minute play; defensively or offensively. Last week, ESPN’s Bill Simmons proclaimed the Del Negro hiring as the worst coaching hiring of the year, by far.
To quote:
“….it’s more like watching an old person getting ready to go through a metal detector at an airport. Just complete confusion and panic and a lot of stopping and starting and glancing around. I feel bad even making fun of it. Let’s just move on.”

Thats Simmons’ evaluation of Vinny coaching style during a game. Pretty accurate in my opinion.

So after all the bad drafting, poor hiring, and lack of effectiveness, what have we learned? That not only does John Paxson need to go, but he needs to take Vinny with him. Take my advice Johnny boy, trade Gordon and Noah for Amare Stoudemire and then jump ship. It will improve the Bulls, and make people less pissed off at you. Because although it could change the team around completely, Bulls fans will still think you’re worthless but we might have a little more sympathy for you if you leave us with a good taste in our mouths.

If you haven’t heard the latest news, Brett Favre has told the New York Jets that he plans to retire. Now, I know we all went through this a year ago and he ended up being traded to the Jets after months of rumors of retirement and convincing press conferences. But this time it’s different. He’s old, he’s injured, and he knows it. His shoulder gave him a lot of trouble towards the end of the season and it affected his play dramatically. You all know the legacy of Brett Favre so I am not going to ramble off statistics. What I am going to tell you is why Brett Favre is my new favorite player of all time. Sorry Cade McNown.

BRETT FAVRE IS MY NEW FAVORITE NFL PLAYER FOR THIS REASON: I NO LONGER HAVE TO HEAR ABOUT A-ROD AND HIS JUICING FROM FIVE YEARS AGO.

Brett has picked the perfect time to announce his retirement. Now ESPN has something new to talk about. I can finally turn the Television back on without wanting to slam my head through the glass with A-Rod frustration.

Don’t get me wrong, I do not support steroid use at all because although it does increase homeruns and slugging percentages, it gets away from the mystique of the game of baseball. The game is meant to be about hard work, grinding it out, and being able to play no matter what your body type. I am so sick of hearing about A-Rod taking steroids back in 2003 that hearing Brett Favre is going to retire is music to my ears. From now on, I only have to hear about whether Brett will actually retire or play another year just like last season. But at least it’s not A-Rod.

“There’s a drive into left center field! That ball is gonna be…OUTTA HERE! It’s gone! It’s 715! And there’s a new home run champion of all time, and his name is Henry Aaron!” (Again)

If this keeps happening, and it will, get ready for Hammering Hank to take the top spot again.

And now, for a bit of the good ol’ days.

One of the best home run calls of all time, in my humble opinion. Though I never got over Joe Buck calling McGwire’s 62nd. Just typing his name gives me the willies.

Praise the Lord!

President Bush is no longer in office, time for some changes. Everything is gonna be different from now on! No more speeches that make us wonder if the President has been drinking. No more embarrassing moments in front of foreign diplomats. No more waving goodbye and hitting his head on the helicopter door……………….. oh shit.

While I can’t believe this was on the main page of CNN.com, it does prove that Obama is human and that not only George Bush can make a fool of himself. Believe it or not America, Barack Obama can fuck up sometimes.

But don’t worry, at least he isn’t this bad.