SodaHead - Michael's Questions

Did the New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick loose the game Sunday night against the Indianapolis Colts?

2009-11-16T06:13:03Z

Did the New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick loose the game Sunday night against the Indianapolis Colts?

7 answers, +1 raves

After the New England Patriots were stopped short on fourth down deep in their own territory, Manning took advantage by throwing a 1-yard touchdown pass with 13 seconds left that rallied the unbeaten Colts to a 35-34 win Sunday night. Manning's toss to Reggie Wayne completed the Colts' comeback from a 17-point deficit. A decision by the Patriots coach put them in position for their 18th straight regular-season win. Belichick decided to go for it on fourth-and-2 from their own 28 with 2:08 to go. Tom Brady threw to Kevin Faulk , who made a juggling catch but was pushed backward and came up just short. Manning needed just four plays before hooking up with Wayne for the winning score. ''We were preparing to go 60, 70 yards,'' Manning said. ''It was a great play by the defense, shortened our field.'' It was the most improbable victory for the Colts (9-0) in their winning streak, tied for the second-longest in NFL history with New England. It was the first time Belichick's Patriots had lost when leading by at least 13 in the fourth quarter. Belichick had a dazed look as he ran across the field for a lightning-quick, postgame handshake with Indianapolis coach Jim Caldwell.

Yes, what a bad call with a few minutes left leaving Peyton Manning on their 35 yard line.	71% (5 answers)
No, it was a fine call and was a coaches decision. The team lost the game not the coach.	0% (0 answers)
Other...leave comment.	29% (2 answers)

Was Dante Wesley of the Carolina Panthers hit on punt returner Clifton Smith fair or cheap?

2009-10-19T18:11:41Z

Was Dante Wesley of the Carolina Panthers hit on punt returner Clifton Smith fair or cheap?

1 answers, 0 raves

Buccaneers punt returner Clifton Smith, who was in position to field the punt but hadn't signaled for a fair catch, was leveled on the second-quarter play. Smith remained on the ground for a few minutes before being helped to his feet; the Bucs said at halftime that he suffered a concussion from the blow. Wesley was ejected for the late hit as players from both teams stormed off the sidelines. After the game, Wesley made it known he wasn't trying to hurt Smith, saying "I was just trying to make a play." The eight-year veteran also stated he hopes he doesn't draw a fine from the league.

Yes, this was a cheap hit	100% (1 answers)
No, it was fair	0% (0 answers)

Obama's school speech. What are the reasons you are for or against it?

2009-09-08T05:55:21Z

Obama's school speech. What are the reasons you are for or against it?

94 answers, +8 raves

Conservatives have gone crazy over Obama's speech to school children. If you are conservative, what is your main issue. Most Democrats support his speech. What is it about his speech to school children do you think is worth supporting. This is not an "us vs them" question, I just want to better understand each sides perspective. Remember you are not going to change the view of the opposite side, so stay respectful and try to offer a good explanation.

I support the speech. The President is the leader of America and has the chance to positively influence these school children. As long as it does not turn political, but stays focused on education and it's importance, I am fully supportive.	50% (47 answers)
I do not support the speech. The similarities to a socialist or totalitarism regime is too close as the "leader" intends to spread his parties views (propaganda).	14% (13 answers)
I do not support the speech. I believe the president's influence can easily brain-wash kids. If you control the youth then you control the future.	5% (5 answers)
I do not support the speech. I am not worried about brain-washing or propaganda. Like the separation of chuch and state, so should the president be separated from mass speaking to school children. This sets a bad precident for future school speeches.	6% (6 answers)
Other (leave comment)	24% (23 answers)

Van Jones: Only ‘Suburban White Kids’ Shoot Up Schools. Is this a fair statement?

2009-09-06T00:04:51Z

Van Jones: Only ‘Suburban White Kids’ Shoot Up Schools. Is this a fair statement?

208 answers, +20 raves

Yes, like Van Jones said, blacks might shoot each other but would never think of doing a Columbine like incident	12% (24 answers)
No, this is ridiculous, black and white shoot each other and entire groups of innocent people. This is not a black/white issue.	45% (94 answers)
Other (add comment)	43% (90 answers)

Three fisherman lost at sea for a week off Texas. Could you survive being stranded at sea for a week?

2009-08-31T13:01:12Z

Three fisherman lost at sea for a week off Texas. Could you survive being stranded at sea for a week?

108 answers, +13 raves

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/08/30/texas.coast.guard.rescue/ind...

Yes, instincts take over and you do what you can to survive.	63% (68 answers)
No, I could not take it.	37% (40 answers)

Government to buy 8 new elite private jets. Considering the grief Congress gave the car industry about private jet use, do you find this purchase justified or not?

2009-08-08T17:02:13Z

Government to buy 8 new elite private jets. Considering the grief Congress gave the car industry about private jet use, do you find this purchase justified or not?

175 answers, +17 raves

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124960404730212955.html

Yes, this purchase is justified to upgrade the fleet	7% (12 answers)
No, in this economy it is totally unjustified and hypocritical	86% (151 answers)
Somewhere in between, maybe buy only 2 now and when the budget is more under control buy more as necessary	7% (12 answers)

What is your fav color

2009-05-05T19:15:43Z

What is your fav color

67 answers, +28 raves

None

red	45% (30 answers)
blue	55% (37 answers)

Vice President Biden not so charitable according to tax returns. Should the #2 person in America donate more money to charity?

2009-04-16T04:26:14Z

Vice President Biden not so charitable according to tax returns. Should the #2 person in America donate more money to charity?

12 answers, 0 raves

As candidate Barack Obama crisscrossed the country last year breaking campaign fundraising records, he was also taking in plenty of cash himself: almost $2.7 million, chiefly through blockbuster sales of his two books. The $2.7 million figure comes from the tax return Obama and his wife, Michelle, signed on Sunday. The White House released the return Wednesday afternoon as millions of Americans raced to meet the April 15 income tax filing deadline. It shows the Obamas paid about $855,323 in taxes, or about 32 percent of their income. Still, the $2.6 million in book royalties Obama earned in 2008, paled in comparison to the nearly $4.1 million his books pulled in during 2007, the year he launched his presidential bid. All in all, the couple’s income dropped 40 percent last year. In the five years before Obama entered the Senate, the couple’s annual income hovered around $250,000. They also made very modest charitable contributions. In 2002, they gave just $1,050, or 0.4 percent of their income, to charity. The Obamas have said they were still paying off student loans during that period. In 2005, the Obamas’ income shot up to almost $1.7 million, buoyed largely by sales of “Dreams From My Father,” a book he wrote tracing his upbringing and family history. The family’s finances were also boosted by Mrs. Obama’s employer, the University of Chicago, which raised her annual salary from $121,910 to $316,962. The couple ramped up their charitable giving that year, too, doling out $77,315. When their income surged even more dramatically in 2007, they were generous, giving more than $240,000 to nonprofits, such as churches, food banks and scholarship funds. Last year, the Obamas gave charities $172,050, or about 6.5 percent of their income. The largest individual gifts were $25,000 each to Catholic Relief Services and the United Negro College Fund. However, they gave nothing at all to what used to be their regular place of worship, the Chicago-based Trinity United Church of Christ. They had given the church $26,270 in 2007. Fiery sermons and provocative statements from the church’s former chief minister, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, landed Obama in hot water while he was locked in a primary battle with Hillary Clinton early last year. Obama distanced himself from the pastor and ultimately quit the church. Vice President Biden and his wife, Jill, also released their tax returns Wednesday showing total income of $269,256 in 2008. A statement from Biden’s office expressed some defensiveness about the $1,885 the couple donated to charity, going so far as to calculate the Bidens’ after-tax income, a figure which is not usually reported but which makes their donations seem more substantial. The Bidens’ donations last year came to 0.7 percent of their adjusted gross income — or about 1 percent of their take-home income of $183,315. “The charitable donations claimed by the Bidens on their tax returns are not the sum of their annual contributions to charity. They donate to their church, and they contribute to their favorite causes with their time, as well as their checkbooks,” the statement from the vice president’s office said.

Yes, I expect more from my Vice President	33% (4 answers)
No, it's his money, he should not feel compelled to donate	50% (6 answers)
Undecided	17% (2 answers)

Average cost of Yankee ticket is now $73. Would you pay that for a likely bad seat?

2009-04-03T02:03:46Z

Average cost of Yankee ticket is now $73. Would you pay that for a likely bad seat?

18 answers, +8 raves

Sitting in new Yankee Stadium on the first day fans came to the $1.5 billion ballpark, general partner Hal Steinbrenner admitted some tickets might be overpriced given the recession. The Yankees set prices for its premium Legends Suites seats 13 months ago and sold them for $500-$2,500 as part of season tickets. According to the team's Web site, some of those seats remain available for individual games, when the prices goes up to $2,625. http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/30016986/

No, it's way too expensive	72% (13 answers)
Yes, yanks rule I would pay that even for a bad seat	17% (3 answers)
Undecided	11% (2 answers)

Obama said safety of world at stake in Afghanistan. This sounds like a Bushism. Is this what you voted for?

2009-03-27T17:18:21Z

Obama said safety of world at stake in Afghanistan. This sounds like a Bushism. Is this what you voted for?

28 answers, +3 raves

Obama announced plans for 4,000 more troops in Afghanistan, new legislation that would help the economies in Pakistan and Afghanistan, more training to bolster Afghan security forces and an increase in civilian expertise to help develop Afghanistan's economic, social and governmental institutions. This is exactly what Bush was doing but for some reason the whole world, or more importantly America, gave him grief on. I thought voters voted for change. This sounds like the same policies as Bush, which in fact might have been the right policies.

This is what I voted for. I expected more troops in Afganistan.	21% (6 answers)
This not what I voted for. Obama promised no increase in troops.	4% (1 answers)
Other (please comment)	75% (21 answers)