Michael Jackson's $702 million IRS Debt

Michael Jackson estate is undergoing a fight with the IRS for $702 billion dollars in debt and penalties charges. Jackson's estate is said to owe $505 million with additional $197 million in penalty charges. Turns out the net-worth of Michael Jackson was reported at $7 million dollars, while the IRS reported Jackson's net-worth being $1.125 billion dollars (Nope, that's not a typo). Reports on the forms show that Michael Jackson likeness was valued at $2,105 dollars while the IRS reported Jackson's likeness to be $434.264 million. Many estates undergo audits because of the natural High value of estates.

Have you ever seen a million dollars? Let alone $702 billion dollars? I don't even picture myself making that amount of money in my lifetime. I found it unbelievable that our government is in such debt when there may be the possibility that Jackson's estates owe anywhere near $702 billion dollars. The amount of money that Jackson has made in a lifetime, I think it's sad that lies have been reported on forms to lower the amount of estate taxes that need to be paid. I'm glad that the estate is being audited. If the IRS is able to collect even millions of the billions owed maybe our government would be in better shape than it is in. End of the day, I pay the thousands I owe in taxes and I only make NOTHING compared to the worth of Jackson's estate.

Winter Olympics

As many are aware, the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics are beginning tomorrow, and there has been much talk about the city's unpreparedness for the games.  Unfinished hotel rooms, poor plumbing, brown sink water, and many other issues have led many journalists and visitors to wonder if Sochi is even prepared for the 2014 winter games.  Additionally, the Washington Post reported that only six of the nine media hotels are ready at this time, leaving many journalists to scramble to find a place to stay.

Interestingly, it has been speculated, though not very plausible, that Putin himself has created this "tailor-made" situation in order to distract everyone from the recent gay-rights and freedom and safety issues. In any event, however, it seems to be premature to deem the Russians as inhospitable, as they have already spent $51 billion in preparing for the winter games.  Will this year's winter Olympics be a disaster? Or will Russia be able to pull it all together in time?

Not Even Close

As many of you have probably heard by now, the Seattle Seahawks defeated the Denver Broncos in glorious fashion.  The final score was 43-8.  This was due to Peyton Manning throwing 2 interceptions and a number of turnovers by the Denver players.  This is the same Peyton Manning that won season MVP for the 5th time.  The same Peyton Manning who only a week prior, defeated my team, the New England Patriots.

A sense of satisfaction did fill me as I saw one of my favorite coaches, Pete Carrol, and a quarterback in his second year in the NFL, Russel Wilson, beat the team that beat mine.  The game was a complete domination of ball control and constant offensive advances by the Seahawks.

Bruno Mars lit up the stage with the Red Hot Chili Peppers in an incredible Half-time spectacle.  The game itself ended in a fashion that no one ever expected.  The point spread favored Denver by only 2.5 points over Seattle.  No one ever expected a blowout in favor of Seattle, but I am very happy that is what happened.  Payton Manning's Post season record is now reduced to 3-10.

Democrats Embarrassed of Obama

After watching a Crossfire Interview on CNN the host, Democratic, and Republican parties argue as to how Democratic Governors do not want to be seen with the President. Various reasons such as they were too busy or just simply did not want to be seen with the president were given for fear of losing sway in their states vote for governor. I suppose the true question is what has Obama done to make his fellow party members not want to be seen with him?

Permanent Drought?

While not as flashy as some of the subjects here it will be no less political. The Colorado river, the main source of fresh water to the American Southwest, is going dry. California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming, with the cities of  Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Diego, and Phoenix, and some 4 million acres of farmland stretching from California's Imperial Valley to Wyoming's cattle herds depend heavily on the Colorado. 14 years of drought unrivaled in 1,250 years and rising population have depleted a once plentiful resource. Lake Powell and Lake Mead, the main reservoirs that supply the southwest are at dangerously low levels. If lake Mead drops just another 100ft the supply pipe that feeds several states will be above the water line. Much has been done but rationing is projected to begin in 2015. No doubt this will become a hot political topic when states begin jockeying for water rights and supplies. There are even predictions of immigration restrictions on new residents to the effected states. The nature of this and other natural "disasters" point out the reactionary nature of our political system and our population. Although we pay our elected officials extremely well monetarily and in social standing to ostensibly make the "big" decisions we do not support them in any long term thinking or planning. Only in an emergency do we look away from the headlines to cry "how could this happen" and "who is to blame". It will be up to the Millennium Generation to deal with this and, I fear, many other long term natural resource crises.

Money Means Power?

As we all know,  Justin Bieber was arrested early this week.  To the normal civilian, an offense such as this would be an immediate deportation and additional fines.  Unfortunately, given his popularity and status in the world, Bieber is so wealthy that an offense such as this will mean nothing to him.

Clearly, be is "above the law."  Additionally, Justin was reportedly seen at a Maxim party early this morning, arriving at 2 am and seen drinking and talking about marijuana use.  Clearly, he deserves to be deported, but with money, it appears that anything can be done.

Immigration criticism

When it comes to immigration, many could be critical about the situations, and other could simply  be like the

millenniums, that although they were born after the baby boomers, and should have an idea about  growth,

and opportunity, they would probably not agree  with immigration. In the past readings, we read about the

millennials being overprotective, and when it comes to immigration, they would probably state more negative

effects then they could name if good outcomes. Millennials are those whom wont respect authority, and if this
shows you no morals, imagine the idea of morality that they would use to protect someone elses rights. I like

to use this example of the readings, and as something that has been going  on in the news. The criticism of

immigration is something that was stated on the state of the union address, talked about in news articles, yet,

\no action has been taken. The fact that I decided to write about this is, although many have been given the

opportunity to speak out and are given opportunities like the millennials, sometimes we choose to be ignorant

just like the millennials, and not care about what we are surrounded of, and rather being a follower.