Dr. Blackwell's BLOG

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

#25 UCF Knights Prepare for Bulldogs

Filed under: UCF Sports — Dr. Christopher Blackwell @ 02:39

Liberty Bowl

Today, the UCF Marching Knights departed Orlando bound for Memphis, Tennessee to support their football program in the 2010 AutoZone Liberty Bowl. The Knights (10-3; 8-1 C-USA) finished the season ranked #25 in the final BCS standings and were crowned Champions of Conference USA for the second time in the last five years. Their opponent, the University of Georgia Bulldogs  (6-6; 3-5 SEC) just completed a relatively poor season ranking 9th place in the SEC. Although the Dawgs have won the last 5 of their 7 games, they will end the season with a losing record should they fall to UCF at the Liberty Bowl. The Knights arrived in Memphis on Monday and set-up practice camp at the University of Memphis. The Knights and Dawgs have met once before.

In 1999, the Knights lost to UGA in Athens by just one point (24-23) which resulted from a questionable pass interference call from an SEC referree. That left many Knights fans with a sour taste in their mouths. On top of that loss, UCF has yet to win a bowl game. They lost last year to Rutgers in the St. Pete Bowl and have prior losses to Mississippi State (2007 Liberty Bowl) and Nevada (2005 Hawaii Bowl). Consequently, the Knights are ferociously hungry for their first post-season win. The match up between the two teams is close. UGA and UCF both have starting quarterbacks who are freshman. And while UGA’s AJ Green is a receiver to be reckoned with, the UCF defense has played tough against teams with much stronger offenses this season. Kickoff for the AutoZone Liberty Bowl is 3:30pm on Friday (New Year’s Eve). The game is nationally-broadcasted on ESPN. 

Pre-game festivities for the Liberty Bowl include the Liberty Bowl Parade (12/30: 3:00pm: Beale Street); Bash on Beale Pep Rally (12/30: 5:00pm: Beale Street); and the Battle of the Bands Pregame-Buffet (12/31: 11:00am: Arena Building).  

Below, watch Georgia’s QB Aaron Murray (of Plant City, Florida High School) discuss taking-on the Knights and the Knights’ Tuesday in Memphis:

 

Monday, December 20, 2010

Research Study Shows High Level of Ignorance among Fox News Viewers

Filed under: American Life and Society,National and International News — Dr. Christopher Blackwell @ 01:10

  While there have been plenty of research studies assessing the bias of Fox (Faux) News Channel, a new study indicates that those who view Fox News are significantly more likely to be misinformed of factual truths in current events. The study, conducted by the Program on International Policy Attitudes at the University of Maryland, found not only were Faux News viewers more likely to believe falsities about current events, but that the more exposure to the channel viewers had, the more likely they were to be ignorant of factual information. The study compared several national news companies including CNN, MSNBC, NPR, and PBS. Faux News viewers had statistically significant higher levels of ignorance and believed the following items to be actual truths, despite the fact they are all incorrect. The data speak for themselves:

  • Most economists estimate the stimulus caused job losses (12 points more likely)
  • Most economists have estimated the health care law will worsen the deficit (31 points)
  • The economy is getting worse (26 points)
  • Most scientists do not agree that climate change is occurring (30 points)
  • The stimulus legislation did not include any tax cuts (14 points)
  • Their own income taxes have gone up (14 points)
  • The auto bailout only occurred under Obama (13 points)
  • When TARP came up for a vote most Republicans opposed it (12 points)
  • And that it is not clear that Obama was born in the United States (31 points)

    • Democrats (and very few Republicans) Overturn DADT

    Filed under: GLBT Social Issues and Civil Rights,Politics — Dr. Christopher Blackwell @ 00:52

    A disgraceful and discriminatory chapter in American history came to a close Saturday afternoon as civil rights took a major step forward. The United States Senate voted to repeal the Military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, Don’t Pursue” Policy, which prohibited gay men and women in uniform from serving openly. The vote was largely among party lines as all but one Democrat and only 8 Republicans voted in favor of repeal. Florida’s Senators Nelson (D) voted yay while Republican LaMieux voted nay. President Obama pledged to end the ban on the campaign trail and sided with top military officials who overwhelmingly took the position that the ban was damaging military readiness. Republicans used fear-mongering to stall the repeal, spewing data that were not based in fact but instead based in bias. Nonetheless, their efforts, spear-headed by John McCain (R-Arizona) failed.
    Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was a policy passed by President Bill Clinton during his first term. Prior to the policy, gay men and lesbians who acknowledged their sexuality were deemed ineligible to serve. Clinton fought hard against Republican-lead opposition and Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was made policy out of compromise. Gays and lesbians could serve, but only if their sexual orientation remained hidden. Tens of thousands of well-qualified personnel were discharged under the policy, which came under increasing scrutiny between 2004-2005, when a group of gay Arabic linguists were discharged under the policy. A subsequent report indicated a critical shortage of Arabic linguists needed to interpret intelligence and suggested the discharges posed a major threat to national security. After taking Office, President Obama charged Congress with repealing the ban. A comprehensive study conducted this Summer by the Pentagon found the vast majority of America’s troops didn’t think repealing the ban would cause a major disruption. They also indicated most knew of gay soldiers within their unit and that sexuality had no impact on how they interacted with comrades.

    This historic victory was a LONG-WAY coming! God knows this vote could NEVER have happened with the slew of incoming Republican Congressmen and Senators. 
    So, THANK-YOU to the Democrats (and the 8 Republicans) who voted to repeal DADT! No serviceman or woman willing to sacrifice his or her life for our country should ever have to fear losing his or her military career due to sexual orientation. It is time to put inequality and discrimination in our Armed Forces behind us. God bless our troops.

    Thursday, December 16, 2010

    Republican Scott Gets Celebratory Party Thanks to Special Interests

    Filed under: Politics — Dr. Christopher Blackwell @ 02:08

    Incoming Republican Florida Governor Rick Scott is getting a huge bash thrown in his honor! And, despite Florida’s struggling economy, under-funded educational system, and record-high rate of unemployment, special interests are ponying-up $2 million for his inaugural celebration. The US Sugar Industry, CEO Group (who controls Florida’s prison system), Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Holland & Knight are just some of the groups who cut Scott a check for $25,000 to fund his party. Interesting to note, all of these companies have been entrenched in Florida’s political scene for years. Take it as a lesson learned for those who voted for Scott because he wasn’t your “typical Republican.” On the contrary, Scott is just what the Republicans have always been–crooked, incompetent, and criminal. Floridians made the bed with Scott. Unfortunately, we all have to now lie in that bed with them.

     For more coverage of Scott’s $2 Million Bash, check-out this article in the Miami Herald:

    Scott’s Inauguration Kitty: $2M and Counting!

    Monday, December 6, 2010

    #24 UCF Knights Win C-USA Championship, Face UGA in Liberty Bowl

    Filed under: UCF Sports — Dr. Christopher Blackwell @ 01:37

    UCF players celebrate with trophies at the end of the Conference USA Championship game of SMU at UCF at Bright House Networks Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, December 4, 2010. UCF won the game 17-7 to claim the conference championship. 

    The UCF Knights athletics department had an amazing week last week. First, the UCF (7-0; 0-0 C-USA) basketball program secured their greatest victory ever over the #16 UF Gators (5-2; 0-0 SEC). Then, on Saturday the Knights (10-3; 7-1 C-USA) earned the Conference USA Championship Crown after their victory over the SMU Mustangs (7-6; 6-3 C-USA). UCF scored on the opening possession of the game, with freshman quarterback Jeff Godfrey hitting Latavius for a 5-yard touchdown pass. The Knights steadily marched up the field on the 13-play, 73-yard drive. The points wouldn’t come quite as easily the rest of the game, forcing UCF’s defense to make a big stand against SMU’s vaunted high-scoring offense. The Knights led SMU 17-7 in the fourth quarter. The Mustangs got the ball back with 6:44 left in the game, plenty of time for the quick-strike SMU offense to mount a rally. Instead, the defense sacked SMU sophomore quarterback Kyle Padron three times on the final drive and shut down the Mustangs.

    After the game, the Knights were awarded with the C-USA Championship trophy (pictured, above) and were offered a bid to play in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl in Memphis, TN on 12/31. UCF’s head coach George O’Leary gratefully accepted the bid on behalf of the University and on Sunday, the University of Georgia Bulldogs accepted their bid to represent the SEC in the Bowl. Also on Sunday, as the final season polls were released, the UCF Knights were ranked #24 in the Coaches Poll and settled at #25 in the BCS standings. Both were a first in the program’s 15-year history in IA. The Liberty Bowl pits Conference-USA’s #1 team against an SEC foe. Kickoff is set for 3:30pm on 12/31 and the game will be nationally-televised on ESPN. Below, watch the UCF Knights celebrate their C-USA Championship win with the UCF students: 

    After 10 Years, Roxette has a New Album!

    Filed under: Popular Music — Dr. Christopher Blackwell @ 01:06

     

    10 years ago, Roxette, the Swedish pop-rock sensation released Room Service, what many thought would be their last album ever. After launching a worldwide tour to promote the album and selling-out stadiums and arenas across the globe, leading lady Marie Fredriksson was diagnosed with a near-lethal brain tumor. She underwent months of chemotherapy, radiation treatments, and finally had to undergo open-cranial surgery to have the tumor excised. Roxette’s other member Per Gessle toured Europe for the next decade while Marie stayed largely out of the limelight.

    Then, in 2007, Roxette released The Collection of Roxette Hits and recorded two new songs for the album. They also quietly began making plans to record a new album and made a few public appearances performing in such Swedish events as Night at the Proms. Well, after 10 years, Roxette has recorded a new album! Titled Charm School, the album will release on February 11th (US date yet to be announced) and consists of twelve songs in a style that’s best described as “updated classic Roxette”, from the initial power pop fireworks of “Way Out” to the bittersweet closer “Sitting On Top Of The World”. “Sitting On Top Of The World” is the first single and will release on January 10th.

    Thursday, December 2, 2010

    UCF Knocks Off #16-Ranked Florida Gators

    Filed under: UCF Sports — Dr. Christopher Blackwell @ 02:46

     

    The UCF Knights (6-0; 0-0 C-USA) knocked off national powerhouse the Florida Gators (5-2; 0-0 SEC) 57-54 last night in the Florida Citrus Sports Florida Shootout at the Amway Arena. It was the biggest win in UCF history and the Knights’ first victory over a Top 20 opponent. UCF’s sole previous win over a ranked team was an upset of No. 25 College of Charleston in 2002. When first-year UCF coach Donnie Jones was asked to put the win in perspective, he responded, “Well I really can’t. I’m just kind at a loss for words right now. It’s kind of surreal that this happened. I’m really proud of our team. … We won with our defense. We beat a very good basketball team out there tonight.”

    The Gators came into the game as heavy favorites and were nationally-ranked at #16; their only loss was against #2 Ohio State.  But the relentless Knights proved to be too much for the Gators to handle. The Gators pulled within one point with 1:03 left in the game, with the Knights clinging to a 53-52 advantage. UCF freshman guard Isaiah Sykes turned the ball over on an inbound pass, but Florida sophomore guard Kenny Boynton missed a jumper. UCF sophomore Keith Clanton rebounded the ball and kicked it out sophomore Marcus Jordan, who was fouled.

    Jordan hit both freethrows, pushing UCF ahead 55-52 with 24 seconds left. Florida junior guard Erving Walker missed a 3-pointer with 17 seconds left, senior forward Vernon Macklin rebounded the ball and Boynton missed another 3-point attempt with 12 seconds left. Clanton was fouled and knocked down two freethrows, pushing UCF ahead 57-52 with nine seconds left. Walker hit a layup with four seconds remaining to cut the score to 57-54, but the Gators never got another look at the basket.

    Story and Photo Courtesy Orlando Sentinel.

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