Rising Young MindS

Written by Timothy Lewis

1. Hillary Clinton hates democracy.

It is simple, really. Hillary Clinton will do whatever it takes to win, ethicality be damned. Let’s take a look at a sequence of events:

Timothy Kaine steps down as Chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). Later gets selected as Clinton’s vice president.

Debbie Wasserman Schultz steps in as Chairperson of the DNC. She later resigns in disgrace after being exposed for colluding with Clinton’s team during the democratic primary. Afterward she was appointed the position of honorary chairperson of the Clinton campaign’s “50 State Program.”

CNN political analyst Donna Brazile was exposed by WikiLeaks as having shared sensitive material for an upcoming debate with the Clinton camp during the primaries. She is now acting as interim chairperson of the DNC.

The former Secretary of State not only went out of her way to take the primary out of the hands of voters, she has created a network of lackey politicians that are more concerned with being her lapdog than representing the people that elect them. Voting for Hillary Clinton tells Washington D.C. that this kind of behavior is okay.

2. Campaign financing.

“She will say anything, and change nothing.” - Senator Obama, 2008.

Yeah, sure, Clinton made some Senator Sanders-esque alterations to her platform, a plea to disenfranchised voters no doubt. However, make no mistake, who represents the platform is of vast importance. Sanders’ campaign against the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) and Citizens United is entirely different from Clinton’s. Why? Senator Sanders’ presidential campaign was funded almost exclusively by American citizens. That’s who his relevancy was beholden to. Even Donald Trump is free of donor constraints; a product of funding his own campaign. Hillary Clinton, alternatively, has utilized super PACs as an integral part of her campaign financing, equating 28% of all donations, or $192 million. While one can make the excuse that President Obama used similar methods, he also benefitted from tremendous grassroots support. It is difficult to imagine that the former Secretary of State would sour on the very corporations buying her way into the White House. We live in the era of the pay-to-play politician, and because of this, we must ask ourselves a simple question: Do we think companies that make millions, and sometimes billions of dollars, are investing in candidates that doesn’t offer ROI?

3. Regime overthrow.

Thousands of people have died because of Hillary Clinton’s incompetence when it comes for foreign policy. You’d think she would have learned the first time that regime change causes further problems. If not after the first, maybe the second. No such luck. Hillary Clinton’s fingerprints cover the coup in Honduras, the regime changes in Iraq, Syria, Libya and Ukraine. How many times has this illegal interference worked out? Not once. Each time either a radical leader has entered as replacement, or terrorist organizations arise from the power vacuum. Each invasion, each proxy war, destroys an undeserving life. That’s a lot of blood to put on one presidential nominee’s hands. A lot of red, for the “blue” candidate.

4. Environmental Exploits.

While the Democratic platform may push forth an environmentalist agenda, the ever-pandering Clinton is unlikely to follow through. During her time as Secretary of State, Clinton was a fracking pioneer, with her special envoy of international energy affairs launching the Global Shale Gas Initiative, encouraging countries around the world to experiment with American style fracking. Clinton has also joined establishment democrats in a staying silent regarding the the North Dakota Access Pipeline. One might think she’d hop aboard any opportunity to challenge a Donald Trump investment, but this has not been the case. While she had no hesitancy claiming to represent the indigenous people of our country, she has left them out to dry when they need a voice to help protect their sacred lands and source of water. Just another forgotten population Clinton used for power.

5. Export-Import Bank.

This is a lesser known point that may have gone unnoticed if you paid little attention to the Democratic primary. It’s an issue that hasn’t arisen during the general election but is of great importance. The Export-Import bank is a miscarriage of the private and public sectors forbidden romance. Created in the wake of WWII to help United States’ businesses export products to weakened foreign markets, the bank’s intention has since been distorted. Famously labeled the “Bank of Boeing,”  46% of the bank’s financing comes from the multinational corporation. In 2012, 82% of loan guarantees went to purchasers Boeing's products. Even then-Senator Obama once said that the institution is “little more than a fund for corporate welfare.”

By Rising Young MindS Editorial Board — November 8, 2016

“I Voted” sticker courtesy of Flickr user yaquina

Good Morning!

Today’s the day! We have heard from our families, friends, co-workers, the media and the candidates themselves why you should — or shouldn’t — vote for them. We have endured over a year of ads, primaries, polls and debates. We have seen the best of our fellow Americans, and we have seen the worst of them, too.

But now it’s time to put all that aside and focus on what you really want out of the next four years of your life. Forget the scandals. Forget the rhetoric. Focus on what you truly believe in. It’s time to vote your conscience.

Before you step into the polls, here’s one final look at the candidates:

Democratic: HILLARY CLINTON and TIM KAINE Green: JILL STEIN and AJAMU BARAKA Libertarian: GARY JOHNSON and BILL WELD Republican: DONALD J. TRUMP and MICHAEL PENCE

Don’t forget your local elections! Regardless of your views, make sure you exercise your right to vote!

By Brandon C. Kesselly - November 7, 2016

Libertarian Vice-Presidential Nominee, Bill Weld. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia.

Name: William Floyd “Bill” Weld

Date of Birth: July 31, 1945

Alma Mater:

Harvard University - A.B., Classics (Class of 1966)

University College, Oxford - Diploma, International Economics (Class of 1967)

Harvard Law School - LL.D. (Class of 1970)

Party:

Republican (Before 2016)

Libertarian (2016-Present)

Positions Held:

Governor, Massachusetts (1991 - 1997)

Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division, United States Department of Justice (1986-1988)

United States Attorney, United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts (1981-1986)

Policy Positions:

Abortion – “I happen to think that individual freedom should extend to a woman’s right to choose. I want the government out of your pocketbook and your bedroom.” Similar to his running mate, the former Massachusetts governor is pro-choice, a position he has publicly maintained for decades. In fact, a 1997 opinion piece from the Republican National Coalition For Life was written against his nomination for Ambassador to Mexico partially on this basis. He has expressed that government involvement in ensuring clinic access is “guarding a fundamental constitutional right of the individual.” He previously advocated for the establishment of pro-choice laws at the state level in the event Roe v. Wade was overturned.

Gun control – The Harvard Law alumnus was a previous supporter of strong gun control laws, but has recently amended his position to fight against them. Despite pushing for a 1993 assault weapons ban, Weld describes the gun control measures he supported in Massachusetts as “modest”, and himself as “a lifelong hunter and gun owner.” 

Drugs – Governor Weld is against treating substance abuse cases as criminal cases, classifying them as “a public health emergency”. He does, however, support tightening the distribution of opioid prescriptions and pain medication. He is not in support of drug legalization, but has previously supported both medical marijuana and needle-exchange programs. Conversely, he has previously made braggadocious statements of prosecuting “drug thugs” as part of the Reagan Administration.

Education – While little has been stated publicly by the former U.S. Attorney, he signed the Massachusetts Education Reform Act of 1993 into law, suggesting he supports common core curriculum at the state level. The Act contained many provisions, such as the role school administrators played, how to handle under-performing schools, and the establishment of charter schools. This falls in line with Johnson’s positions on schools needing to be more competitive with one another as the two of them are opposed to federal education standards.

Health care –  The vice-presidential nominee has expressed that “health savings accounts were a good idea”. He has also expressed the idea of allowing citizens to access coverage across state lines, advocating for a more competitive health care system. As Massachusetts governor he relaxed Medicaid eligibility rules after receiving federal funding, resulting in an expansion from 670,000 applications in 1995 to over one million by 2001.

Immigration –  In a 2013 joint editorial in the Boston Globe with fellow attorney Susan J. Cohen, the former governor advocates for immigration reform, considering the 11 million undocumented workers to be in a disadvantaged state of “de facto legalization” without the advantages of actual citizenship. He is against a “probationary legal status” on the basis of opposing the legal creation of “second-class citizens”. He supports increasing the cap on H-1B visas in attempts to keep foreign graduates living and working in the U.S., and that our current laws see us “literally educating our competition, at the expense of US innovation and exports.”

LGBTQ+ Rights – The former Assistant Attorney General has long been a supporter of marriage equality. Similar to his running mate, Weld supported the reversal of proposition 8 in California. He believes that marriage equality is protected by the Constitution and that the government is obligated to protect everyone’s Constitutional rights.

Environment – Weld signed the Massachusetts Rivers Protection Act of 1996, a law that restricted land use alongside state rivers. He also pushed the EPA to require electric car manufacturing in 1994, following similar regulation in California, and he supported EPA regulation placing “stricter limits on smog” in 1997. However, his position has seemingly evolved as noted on the campaign website: he and Governor Johnson believe that competition will protect the environment rather than strict regulation.

Social Security – The Oxford scholar has little to say on social security other than that he does not wish to eliminate it since he “just started receiving it”.

Written by Timothy Lewis

1. Climate change is real.

Many agree this is the most important challenge our planet faces. Ultimately, it is not difficult to see why. If there is even a 1% chance that humans are causing a change in the climate through our various practices, it must be treated as an absolute certainty. We have one planet to live on. Just one. Hillary Clinton understands this. While she may not be as concentrated on this issue as, say, the Green Party, she recognizes it as both existent and important. Donald Trump thinks global warming is a “hoax created by the Chinese.” He thinks climate change is just another way to tax people.  For someone who hasn’t needed funding from fossil fuel giants, Trump certainly spouts their propaganda effectively. A Clinton administration will acknowledge the value of our planet and make steps towards clean, renewable energy. Not only does this have the potential to save our planet, it could revolutionize access to energy across the world, as well as provide economic stimulation and employment aplenty.      

2. Preparedness.

Hillary Clinton has ice in her veins. The Democratic nominee holds a well-reasoned stance on every issue, down to their finest nuances. Removing how you feel about her policy positions, one thing that every citizen can be assured of is that Hillary is making informed choices. Every aspect of her candidacy has been measured, every argument calculated. When compared to her opponent’s “wing it” approach (to put it gently), there is no question that Clinton is the more detail-oriented, thoughtful choice for our next president of the United States.

3. Experience.

Only one candidate has experience on the campaign trail. It shows. Do you think that advantage will fade into obscurity upon becoming president? Not a chance. Hillary has the resume to match her ambition. Its honestly asinine that there is any competition between herself and the loud rich man with no qualification or insight. As First Lady, Clinton immersed herself politically. Serving two terms as New York’s senator, she further bolstered her profile. After a hard fought loss in 2008 to then-senator Obama, she was appointed Secretary of State, logging further experience while addressing some of our country’s most serious problems. A common rebuttal to her experience is one that Trump has often utilized: “It’s bad experience.” The truth is, no experience is bad experience if you’re able to learn from it. Secretary Clinton has established connections and diplomatic relationships all over the world. With her rapport in Washington and beyond, Hillary has all the requisite tools needed to fuel an effective administration. News flash: Knowing what you’re doing supplements job performance.

    4. She can work across the aisle.

Hillary Clinton is a moderate. Like her husband, she will use her pragmatism and political acumen to reach out to Democrats and Republicans alike. The former first lady is known for her flexibility, molding her views to represent the majority. This skill can pay major dividends when addressing congress. She has the ability to swallow her pride and make concessions when pursuing her goals. This has already been put on display with her adoption of key aspects of Senator Sanders’ platform. If she is able to win the millennial vote that acted against her in the Democratic primary, she should be able to cozy up with enough conservatives to make headway on bipartisan legislation.  

     5. A broad base of support.

Whereas Trump wins the support of white men by a wide margin, that’s the only demographic where he is popular. White women are divided relatively evenly, with those having  a college education leaning towards the former Secretary of State. Outside of those demographics, Hillary leads among the black, hispanic and asian men and women by a large margin, even more so than Democrats of recent elections passed. During a time of such political strife, with so much racial, ethnic and gender oriented backlash directed at Donald Trump’s candidacy, a Clinton win could go a long way towards placating the country. While there is no guarantee a Hillary Clinton administration can solve the issues of angst and division so many Americans face, she at least has enough combined trust to nurture a diverse voter base. It’s not hard to imagine that many of these same people would experience a startling sense of exclusion should her opponent be the one elected. A Hillary Clinton presidency means a more united America.  

Written by Timothy Lewis

1. He is clueless.

Seriously, have you heard him talk? His debate performances have been nothing short of cringe-worthy. While he was able to beat up on his Republican opposition with belittling remarks and grand statements, the act has worn thin. You can only bolster buzzwords with redundant adjectives for so long before it all blends together into one asinine blur of incoherency. “China… Disaster.” “Wall... Tremendous.” “Military… Fantastic.” Notice how I didn’t put anything between the buzzword and the adjective? That was on purpose. We simply cannot have a president that is incapable of answering questions without either insulting someone or wandering off topic. We cannot have a president that thinks climate change is a hoax. This man is supposed to resemble a beacon of strength to the free world, not a high schooler winging presentations, hoping for the minimum passing grade.

2. Considering you’re alive, you probably have a mother.

Maybe even wife. Perhaps a daughter, too. If you believe women are human beings as opposed to objects, Donald Trump is a disgrace. I’m addressing this point exclusively to men, because if you’re a woman voting for Trump, you’re beyond the reasoning of this humble article. Caring for a woman in your life as more than a baby receptacle mandates that you find Donald deplorable (deplorable Donald!?). Look no further than a Hillary Clinton attack ad, made entirely from clips of Trump talking. He’s an icon of patriarchy, an example of male entitlement. America can’t afford a president that treats half its population as lesser beings.

Additionally, Donald Trump seeks to defund Planned Parenthood for its providing abortions. What isn’t mentioned is that only 3% of all Planned Parenthood’s services are related to abortions. 80% of what the organization does relates to pregnancy prevention, while also providing hundreds of thousands of pap smears and breast scans every year. If you have women that you care about in your life, or just think that women are people and deserve to be treated as such, Donald Trump is absolutely unacceptable as the figurehead of our nation.

3. No political experience whatsoever.

If Donald came across as educated on the issues, or even minutely articulate, this would not be such a gaping weakness. Sure, he’s an “outsider” who defies the establishment. Unfortunately, he would also assume the role of commander in chief, with no concept of foreign policy, and more importantly, no rapport with foreign leaders. Say what you want about Hillary Clinton, but at least she has those advantages at her disposal. It is one thing to lack a rudimentary understanding of the challenges our country faces, but the concept of having a president that is unfamiliar with our day to day congressional operations is truly embarrassing. When your job impacts the balance of the entire world, it is mandatory to be qualified for the position. I’m not going to be hired to overseeing a nuclear power plant with a bachelor's degree in psychology, so Donald Trump damn sure better not achieve presidency for managing real estate.

4. Who’s in his corner?

Democrats hate him. That’s not an exaggeration, but also not totally unexpected. The real problem is that he has created a fissure within his own party. Donald Trump has been so divisive, so insulting and callous with his rhetoric, that many Republicans refuse to affiliate with him. While whispers from the liberal sector have long painted the “party of Lincoln” as white washed, bigoted, and lacking perspective, these perceived issues are no longer shrouded by political integrity. Instead, Trump has created a direct association between his own unabashed discrimination and the party he represents. Without strong political support, the billionaire is likely to resort to executive order - a terrifying proposition for someone with Donald’s unforgiving agenda.

5. The Divided States of America.

Say Donald wins, however unlikely that might be considering his one dimensional appeal (white, male). No matter what degree of truth exists in terms of him being xenophobic, racist, and/or sexist, too many people see the hat as a perfect fit. Leaving aside the argument as to whether or not he is these things, if he is viewed to represent such labels by the demographics that feel targeted by them, his victory creates a massive divide. The lack of diversity within Trump’s base of support further contributes to this problem. I don’t think I need to spell out how a divisive election could turn into a divisive administration. Racial and gender inequality are already complicated and sensitive challenges. The last thing we need is someone who is, for many, the political face representing their struggle.

Written by Timothy Lewis

1. Like him or not, he’s authentic. 

When some admittedly have “public and private” policy positions, Donald Trump says what he thinks. Whatever he thinks. His positions might change weekly, or even daily, but he will tell you exactly what he believes in a given moment. This candid honesty is refreshing, particularly for those who have difficulty trusting the pandering so often associated with the typical politician. The Donald’s ability to buck the trend of calculated responses and communicate in layman's terms offers a promising authenticity, whether you side with his stance on a given issue or not. By supporting a candidate with this kind of clarity, not only are you voting for Trump, you are sending a message directly to Washington that you expect representatives to be people, and not simply rhetorical robots.

2. Nobody can buy the Donald.

What’s the best thing about being a billionaire running for president? You can fund your own election. 99% of Trump’s $221.2 million campaign is a product of individual donors, with only 1% being supplied by Super PACs and other interest groups. Of those individual donations, 27% have been for $200 or less. Comparatively, Hillary Clinton has raised $616.5 million with 27% coming from Super Pacs and other interest groups. That’s over $166 million collected primarily from big money interests. Additionally, only 19% of her individual donors gave $200 or less. This paints a clear picture: Donald’s campaign is backed by America’s working people, while Hillary is the candidate of the elite. Where pay-to-play candidates have become the norm, Donald is beholden to no one. In this way, voting for Trump is for more than just supporting a candidate. It symbolizes an ideal for the country you hope to have; free of money grubbing politicians. If you feel you need to be heard, that our government needs to be shaken awake from its arrogant complacency, a vote for Donald Trump could do exactly that.

3. Trump actually had to earn his candidacy.

While one candidate colluded with their party’s national committee as well as the media, Mr. Trump had to scratch and claw against Republican heavyweights like Chris Christie (pun intended), Marco Rubio, Jeb Bush, and Ted Cruz. There is a reason Donald became so incredibly popular: He garnered free publicity from all the major news networks. Even democratic slanted stations turned towards him as opposed to Clinton during the primaries, not only because of his behavior in front of the camera, but because he was beating down experienced politicians in the political arena. He is a revelation and a spectacle, or in other words, damn good television. Few people are able to jump in shark infested waters and escape with a collection of dorsal fins. Yet, that is exactly what Donald Trump did. While winning the primaries is a requirement for the general election, the qualitative contrast between Trump’s victory and that of Hillary Clinton makes it all the more noteworthy. Again, a true “people’s candidate.”

4. Business Acumen.

Donald Trump is a massively successful businessman. He knows how to make money. What does this country need? Money. Sure, he comes from a wealthy family, but he’s also done well with his opportunity. The Donald is notorious for being cost effective, coming in under budget on many of his projects. He’s also been in many legal disputes as a result. This might sound problematic, but our government lives and breathes legal disputes, domestically and internationally. If Trump can negotiate policy and trade deals as successfully as he negotiated throughout his licensing and real estate career, the United States stands to be a major benefactor.

Some feel his success in the business world is up for debate. It’s not. Criticize his intelligence, his coherency, his candidacy; sure. But you can’t debate the financial aptitude of a multi-billionaire. Afterall, what’s in your wallet?

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5. Tax cuts.

By Brandon C. Kesselly - October 25, 2016

Nate Parker at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia

“I know the power of Nat Turner and what he can do for our people. What he can do for America. What happens if we start celebrating Nat Turner as a hero in this country?” - Nate Parker, The Breakfast Club

The Birth of a Nation tells the story of Nat Turner, an American slave who led a rebellion in Southampton County, Virginia in 1831. After learning how to read from an early age, Turner grew to become a preacher. His deep faith fueled his belief that he was chosen by God to free his people. Despite the eventual failure, Turner’s slave rebellion was one of the largest and bloodiest in American history. The film’s imagery and themes evoke many parallels to the Movement for Black Lives and police-involved shootings of unarmed citizens. But I’m not here to talk about that. I’m here to talk about rape.

There has been a lot of recent talk about the 1999 rape trial of writer, director, producer and lead actor Nate Parker when he was a wrestler at Pennsylvania State University (Penn State). He and his roommate - Nation co-writer Jean McGianni Celestin - had been accused by a fellow student of sexual assault while she was intoxicated and unconscious. Parker was acquitted due to previously having consensual oral sex with the victim. Celestin was convicted, but the decision would later be overturned after appeal.

Media outlets seemingly lost their minds over this public information, despite it being on his Wikipedia page as far back as 2009. Since then, Parker has been trapped in a firestorm, unable to discuss the pros and cons of a project he devoted nearly eight years of his life to. After all, what’s eight years compared to the tortured thirteen of the young woman who eventually ended her own life? I’m sure Mr. Parker would rather be treated like Woody Allen than Bill Cosby, almost never having to publicly accept his chickens coming to roost.

Let me be clear: I do not condone sexual assault. And Parker’s case - especially his acquittal - continues a disturbing trend so pervasive it has crept into the presidential election. To take advantage of someone and pervert one of the purest forms of interpersonal expression is deplorable. But this doesn’t mean we should refuse to discuss the film, especially since the theme of rape ironically comes to light as a plot device.

Nation reminds viewers that rape has been a powerful weapon throughout history. While it is rightly criticized for its historical inaccuracies for the sake of “art”, one theme consistent with history was the use of rape to dehumanize the bodies of black women and men. As I watched Gabrielle Union - a rape survivor - being offered to her master’s house guest for sex, my heart stopped. As Aja Naomi King is beaten and gang raped off screen, chills went down my spine when I saw her character afterwards. When Parker himself was threatened with rape, I reflected on the oft-ignored male victims of rape. And yet, as I continued to watch, I couldn’t shake the idea that we deserve better.

I didn’t hate the film. As someone admittedly not well-versed in the technical aspects of the craft, I found it had compelling visuals, engaging action and heartfelt performances. And, from a plot perspective, the suffering of every slave understandably fueled the fires of revolution within Turner as images of him in African tribal paint seemed to awaken his inner spirit. However, Parker’s twisted hero worship of Turner utilizes rape and violence against women as a plot device to further a superhero origin story, demeaning the historical importance of black women in the process. The fact that Union had a grand total of zero lines in the film perpetuates the silence and complacency of black women as victims and confirms the complexities of intersectionality. Her entire role was to be a background character who is raped and sheds tears to advance the plot of the male hero. King’s treatment serves the same purpose. In the wake of recent events from #OscarsSoWhite to campus rape to #BlackLivesMatter, we, the people, deserve better. Black people deserve better. Black women deserve better. Better writing, better characterization, better attention to detail. Black women should be treated as neither props nor mere damsels in distress.

Name:  Dr. Ajamu Baraka

Date of Birth: October 25, 1953 (62 years old)

Alma Mater:

City University of New York*

Clark Atlanta University*

Party: Green  

Positions Held:

U.S. Army (Fought in Vietnam War)

Founding Executive Director of the US Human Rights Network  (2004 - 2011)

Board member at Amnesty International

Board member at the Center for Constitutional Rights

Board member at Africa Action

Associate fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies (Current)

Political Positions:

Abortion:

Dr. Baraka is pro-choice in every sense. He believes that abortion should be available regardless of age and marital status. This belief extends to education about and affordable access to contraceptives.

Gun Control:

The career activist believes in rational gun control legislation. Dr. Baraka connects the US and its place atop international firearm sales with the issues we face domestically, stating “we can’t have gun control in the U.S. while having complete gun proliferation globally.” The Green Party Vice President has also made clear that he doesn’t believe gun control has anything to do with race-motivated mass shootings.

Drugs (Banned Substances):

The Clark Atlanta University graduate believes the War on Drugs to be a complete failure, resulting in militarized police being “unleashed on African American, Latino, Arab, and even still today, Indigenous people.” Additionally, Dr. Baraka supports releasing all non-violent drug offenders from prison, removing said offenses from their records, and the provision of pre and post-release support. He has gone on to say that incarcerating people for nonviolent drug charges is a “waste of taxpayer money.”

Education:

Dr. Baraka’s thoughts on education fall in line with the Green Party and Dr. Jill Stein’s platform. This consists of protecting against the privatization of education, deemphasizing standardized testing, and reconstructing our evaluative systems to provide a better education to students in low-income areas. The platform also insists upon “racially inclusive, sensitive, and relevant curriculum,” which appears appropriate considering Ajamu Baraka’s activism combating racial discrimination.

Healthcare:

The Vice Presidential nominee’s stance on healthcare aligns with Jill Stein’s platform. This means Dr. Baraka believes that healthcare is a right of all U.S. citizens, not a privilege. Some details of the platform include a single-payer public health program, eliminating health insurance, access to reproductive and contraceptive care, and allowing the government to negotiate the price of prescription drugs through bulk purchasing.

Immigration:

Dr. Ajamu Baraka has said the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007  “does not recognize the rights of migrants and immigrants as full human beings,” calling the legislation an “unprincipled capitulation to the forces of nativism, white supremacy, and liberal opportunism.” The sentiments of white supremacy and nativism run deeply into Baraka’s criticism of U.S. immigration policy, emphasizing these issues as the backbone of the country’s policy positions. To combat these notions, the Green Party representative wishes to establish multi-national, inalienable human rights with the goal of protecting against imperialism and colonization along with his perceived contradictions of globalization.

LGBT+ Rights:

The human rights activist is fully in favor of equal treatment of the LGBT community. He is firmly opposed to any form of discrimination against a person based upon their sexual orientation. Baraka also won the Woodhull Sexual Freedom Alliance’s Vicki Sexual Freedom Award in 2011 for his contributions to the sexual freedom movement. Additionally, he believes in ending all federal aid to countries that deny people freedoms based on their sexual orientation, gender expression, and characteristics.

Environment/Climate Change:

Dr. Baraka, like Dr. Stein wishes to implement a Green New Deal to revolutionize the world’s approach to sustainable agriculture and renewable energy. He believes the invasion of Iraq was falsely advertised with the primary goal of controlling the country’s oil. The Green Party has an agenda of converting the United States to 100% clean renewable energy by 2030.

Social Security:

While Ajamu hasn’t addressed his ideas on Social Security directly, it is covered in his joint platform with Jill Stein. The objective of the two is to strengthen rather than cut Social security while removing the cap on taxes “above a certain level of income.”

Tax Reform:

The Green Party tax plan is focused on putting power into the hands of the common person. This includes cutting taxes for poor and middle class citizens and raising taxes on “the richest Americans.” The Green Party platform also advocates a “negative income tax” that would provide a base income for all Americans such that they can afford necessities like food and shelter if unemployed.

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By Chris Walker— October 4, 2016

Name: Michael Richard Pence

Date of Birth: June 7th, 1959 (57 y/o)

Alma Mater: Hanover College--B.A., History, Class of 1981; Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law--J.D., Class of 1986

Party: Republican

Positions Held:

Governor of Indiana (2013-present)

Former, House of Representatives member for Indiana (2001-2013)

Policy Positions:

Abortion--The standing governor of Indiana is very anti-abortion, as signified by his signing into law a bill earlier this year that added further restrictions on abortions, to Indiana’s already strict guidelines. Pence considers himself a “strong supporter of the rights of the unborn” and will always try to protect their ability to live.

Gun control--Let’s start with the fact that in June, the vice presidential candidate tweeted about being a “strong proponent of the Second Amendment”. The former radio host has an “A” from the National Rifle Association. This probably has to do with the fact that in 2011, Pence wanted to weaken laws on interstate firearms, for one instance of several.

Drugs--Pence signed into legislation a bill that brought back mandatory minimum sentencing for drug dealers, in response to Indiana’s methamphetamine problem. At the same time, marijuana possession is 6 months  in Indiana, something the governor has defended by noting they need to focus on “reducing crime, not on reducing the penalties.”

Education--The Hanover College graduate agrees with Trump’s view that the common core is a sub par education standard. Pence repealed it in 2014, in order for the state to “take control of what the students are taught.” As well, he voted 'no' on No Child Left Behind.

Health Care--The father of 3 is in favor of medicaid expansion, making it work with the Affordable Care Act, so co-payments would be expected by participants. In accord, Pence has defunded Planned Parenthood in Indiana. As well, he does not agree with needle exchanges, despite evidence that the exchange of used needles for sterile needles can prevent the spread of STDs like HIV/AIDS.

Immigration--The native son of Indiana voted against the DREAM Act in 2010. In 2006, he brought forth an immigration strategy that would have deported illegal immigrants, but let them come back quickly. As well, Pence was strongly against having Syrian refugees in Indiana, based on security fears.

LGBT Rights--In 2006 Pence  linked gay marriage with societal collapse. As well, he called the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”, cause for the military being the “backdrop for social experimentation.” In spring of 2015, the Indiana Governor signed into law the Religious Freedom Act, which allowed Indiana’s businesses to cite religious freedom as a legal defense. The law caused an uproar with the LGBT community, who saw it as allowing discrimination towards them.  Pence would later walk it back, passing a change to the law about a week after signing in the original.

Environment--Pence has previously called climate change a myth and was apprehensive about following carbon emission rules and challenged the Clean Power Plan. He has recently softened his stance, noting that what humans do have “some impact on the environment and some impact on climate.” As well, Pence urged President Obama to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline.

Social Security--The 57 year old former lawyer wanted social security to be private, supporting Bush's push to partially privatize it, in 2005. He is in favor of raising the retirement age, amongst many different ways to limit social security.

By Brandon C. Kesselly - October 4, 2016

Name: Timothy Michael Kaine

Date of Birth: February 26, 1958

Alma Mater: University of Missouri-Columbia - B.A., Economics (Class of 1979); J.D., Harvard Law School (Class of 1983)

Party: Democratic

Positions Held:

Senator, Virginia (2013 - Present)

Chairman, Democratic National Committee (2009 - 2011)

Governor, Virginia (2006 - 2010)

Lieutenant Governor, Virginia (2002 - 2006)

Mayor, Richmond (1998 - 2001)

Richmond City Councilman (1994 - 1998)

Policy Positions:

Abortion –  Similar to his running mate, Senator Kaine is - personally - “opposed to abortion”. Despite this position, he believes women have the legal right “to make their own health and reproductive decisions”, implying he is pro-choice in policy decision-making. He believes that the government should not be involved in decisions relating to reproduction, intimacy, relationships or contraception, considering them part of “the personal realm”. He previously co-sponsored the Access to Birth Control Act.

Gun control –  The former DNC chair is a supporter of the 2nd amendment. That being said, he believes “we must take concrete steps to reduce gun violence”, suggesting the expansion of “mental health services, background record checks prior to gun purchases and responsible limits on combat combat-style weapons and high-capacity magazines”. He’s supported both the Transfer of Arms Act and the Manchin-Toomey bill.

Drugs –  In 2005, the former Virginia governor ran for governor on a platform of expanding police departments to combat terrorism and drugs. He is opposed to the decriminalization of marijuana, holding an “F” rating from MarijuanaPolitics.com. Conversely, he introduced and co-sponsored the Co-prescribing Saves Lives Act to help prevent opioid overdose deaths. He also supported the Opioid Overdose Reduction Act of 2015.

Education – “A well-educated population is the key to having the most talented nation on earth.”  In his response to President Bush’s 2006 State of the Union address, then-Governor Kaine criticized the administration for not funding the No Child Left Behind Act. He is also opposed to public education vouchers, but he supports Common Core and free public higher education, In 2015, he co-sponsored a bill to create career and technical education (CTE) residency programs to train more educators.

Health care – The Harvard alumn aligns with his running mate in health care, supporting the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare); he was a supporter for the public option before it was scrapped. He co-sponsored the Protecting Affordable Coverage for Employees Act and the Health Insurance for Former Foster Youth Act.  

Immigration –  Senator Kaine believes immigration is “fundamentally a question of talent.” He supports the Dream Act and the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Deferred Action for Parental Accountability (DAPA) programs. He has also pushed for an increase in the number of Syrian and Iraqi refugees accepted into the U.S.

LGBT Rights – The University of Missouri-Columbia alumnus co-sponsored the Equality Act, which amended the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include sex, sexual orientation and gender identity as protected under anti-discrimination laws. As well, he co-sponsored the Equal Dignity for Married Taxpayers Act of 2015, which included same-sex couples in the Internal Revenue Code.

Environment - The former governor has consistently previously for protecting the environment. During his tenure, he invested in efforts to clean up and protect Virginia rivers and the Chesapeake Bay. As a senator, he supported legislation to create the National Endowment for the Oceans. He is also opposed to the Keystone XL oil pipeline. But he has previously supported offshore drilling and fast-tracking natural gas.

Social Security - Kaine is opposed to the privatization of Social Security. He is also against the payroll tax cap, wanting to remove it in order to make the wealthy pay more into the system. As of July 2016, he holds a 93% lifetime score with the Alliance for Retired Americans for his “pro-retiree” voting record.

Written by Brandon C. Kesselly, Timothy Lewis and Christopher Walker — Monday, September 12, 2016 Intro by Brandon C. Kesselly

On August 5, 2016, Warner Bros. and DC Comics released Suicide Squad. The film is the third in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), and picks up where Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (BvS) left off. Based on the comic series of the same name, Suicide Squad brings together a ragtag group of super-criminals – gathered by Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) – to be used as covert operatives for the government. Rick Flagg (Joel Kinnaman) leads Deadshot (Will Smith), Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) and more in this summer anti-hero action flick. But could it shake the criticism of its predecessors and produce the first well-liked film in the series?

Inspired by FiveThirtyEight, I (bkesso) had a roundtable discussion about the film via Slack chat with fellow RYMS editors Chris Walker (cwlkr20) and Tim Lewis (obi-don-ginobili) between August 17 and 21. The three of us have varying levels of comic book knowledge and fandom and we decided to give the film a look from both audience and comic fan perspectives.

Note: This review contains full spoilers for the film. Please read at your own risk (or if you just don’t give a f–k).

----- August 17th -----

bkesso: Ok all, the purpose of this chat is to discuss the recent film Suicide Squad. As usual, I would like to focus on a few key areas:

Plot & Theme(s)

Characters

Music/Score

Visuals

So! Let's begin with Characters. Who did you like? Who did you dislike? Who were you surprised to like/dislike? Why?

cwlkr20: I had a real problem with Joker looking back on it. Since there isn't enough of him, he's useless in a way. Like a 2 line feature, he's there a bit but doesn't contribute even though his major significant other is in the film. The ads made him look like a real foil to the team but he just pops up, fucks with Ike Barinholtz (who's kinda blowing up) and is there for a flashback or 2, almost dies, and surprise is back for the end. Honestly that says a lot about the movie on the whole but they should have either doubled down or cut it because it's useless to half ass when you can full ass instead.

bkesso: While I was weirdly fine with Jared Leto, I agree that Joker was pretty pointless in the film. It also made little sense that they tried to romanticize the relationship between him and Harley considering the hints of abuse in her flashbacks. Deadshot and Harley were the definite focus of the movie. Though given the lack of romance between them the film Focus makes so much more sense...

cwlkr20: Haha true. Will Smith is a movie star. A shitty movie with Will Smith is still a shitty movie but the review will still talk about him being great.

bkesso: Deadshot was "Will Smith with guns". He got the same characterization as Will Smith does in other Will Smith movies.

cwlkr20: He oozes charm everywhere.

obi-don-ginobili: The whole movie sucked. Except Will Smith. Margot Robbie was pretty good too. Jared Leto disappointed and I'm glad they cut his parts out. The worst parts were flame guy (El Diablo) and Enchantress. Awful, awful presentation of those characters. Oh, Killer Croc was a piece of shit as well. The plot was garbage. I found myself struggling to pay attention. Never saw a movie with so much action that was so boring. Scratch that. Amazing Spider-Man 2 might have been on par. That's a bad place to be.

bkesso: DC managed to mess up all of their star characters except Wonder Woman within the span of 6 months. That takes a particular kind of talent. And this is coming from someone who managed to like the movie.

obi-don-ginobili: Jeez, you're a saint among men if you found Suicide Squad to be even palatable. I could throw up on a purple suit on a homeless man and it would make a better Joker than Jared Leto. Then again I could take a dump on a blank sheet of paper and have a better script. And that isn't to say I think highly of my bodily functions.

cwlkr20: Slipknot was the worst. Captain Boomerang was witty. Kinda charming but also points out a plot hole. Also I agree with @obi-don-ginobili on the "action being boring" except X-Men: Apocalypse is worse. The worst. Also to note--Boomerang is supposed to be creepier. Like half of DC’s villains are rapists, right?

bkesso:  I thought the Enchantress was really cool. Until the third act, then she was really stupid.

obi-don-ginobili: I preferred X-Men tbh. Thought it could have ended better, but I liked their portrayal of Apocalypse far more than SS’s portrayal of the Joker.

bkesso: Since we didn't review that, I'll leave this here: Apocalypse was BORING. The best part of that movie was the younger cast who got shafted harder than first-timers without lube.

obi-don-ginobili: Damn that's raw. No pun intended.

cwlkr20: The ending killed it for me. Just like this one--it ends. It just ends how we think it will. No big surprises. As a side note Viola Davis as Amanda Waller is really smart casting.

bkesso: @cwlkr20, Viola Davis can still get away with murder.

obi-don-ginobili: She was good, Viola Davis. True to form. Enchantress did seem cool at first (when she was the scary witch-thing). The third act was god awful. All CGI, no substance, and no real sense of peril. I was not impressed with Cara Delevinge.

What I'm trying to figure out is, where did it all go wrong? The casting didn't seem to be at fault, but the movie seemed more interested in song-induced transitions and “witty” sound bites than it did character development and a cohesive story. I feel as if the actors can only shoulder so much blame for that.

bkesso: It felt like a poor attempt at replicating Guardians of the Galaxy. And that's sad considering the Suicide Squad has an arguably larger following.

obi-don-ginobili: YES.

bkesso: Visually, the Enchantress and El Diablo were awesome in my book. I liked the idea of a Scarface-inspired Joker with some Lil Wayne in him, but the scenes and transitions didn't really sell me on him being anything more than a modern gangster with a paint job. Harley was MUCH crazier than he was. And Joker isn't a static character, but he wasn't a threat, either.

obi-don-ginobili: Killer Croc was supposed to be Groot but turned out sounding like the old guy trying to keep up with the kid's slang, while also being a reptile person. Will Smith was supposed to be Peter Quill, I think. Harley was Gamora. But GOTG actually developed their characters and didn't spend half the movie in flashbacks.

cwlkr20: Joker=Die Antwood

obi-don-ginobili: @bkesso: I was excited for this interpretation of the Joker, but I agree, it seemed like the average maniacal gangster with some makeup; As if the character was TRYING to be crazy instead of actually being clinically insane.

cwlkr20: At the same time, this movie doesn't develop all of its characters. Maybe just Deadshot. You get peeks really but nothing fully rises so it leads to plot stagnation.

bkesso: @obi-don-ginobili: That's because GOTG had structure, something that seems to fall flat so far for the DCEU outside of Man of Steel (which has managed to become retroactively better TWICE).

obi-don-ginobili: YES. Man of Steel seemed mediocre until all this other garbage. Now I reflect fondly.

bkesso: Also, yes, he didn't seem to be crazy. More quiet. It's like...Kingpin in the Netflix Daredevil series. You know that something's lurking, but you still seem like you can chill with them if you approach the right way.

cwlkr20: He's a hood wannabe mob boss.

bkesso: @cwlkr20: That works, too.

cwlkr20: Except he's also a terrorist. Technically speaking.

bkesso: And some kind of criminal mastermind. He's a jack of all trades Joker. But he seems to love that grill.

obi-don-ginobili: @cwlkr20: Deadshot was certainly the most developed character. The only one I felt any real attachment to. I thought El Diablo was really corny as well. When he said "BYE" in flames I started cracking up because of how lame it was. People in the theatre were looking at me. And then he turns into some fire creature and saves the day. Garbage character, lousy setup.

bkesso: Honestly, I really liked how understated he was @obi-don-ginobili.

cwlkr20: @obi-don-ginobili: the end in the bar when we find out about his life could have been moved up and I would have at least understood him some more. Like a little.

bkesso: He had a good character arc. Honestly, I think the film should have started in the bar and then flashed back to beforehand.

cwlkr20: @bkesso: Yup. Could have worked a little better. Also not enough Common. RIP Scott Eastwood.

bkesso: Because there was very little attachment to the characters. If I hadn't seen it twice, I also wouldn't believe that they cared about each other at all. There were subtle nonverbal cues but otherwise they'd be missed because you can't sit through and enjoy it. Also, yes: Common got shafted worse than the X-Men: Apocalypse younger cast.

cwlkr20: What? Nooooooooo. At least Common has been in like 2 movies I can think of. I can't name none of those kids except Sansa Stark-Lancester.

bkesso: True.

cwlkr20: Also Scott Eastwood got too much press for dying in this one.

obi-don-ginobili: I didn't mind El Diablo in appearance, but he was too much of a pussy for me. How are you a crime lord turned emo man child? Boo.  

In hindsight, we should have listed the characters individually and then deliberate on each. Would make things easier to follow.

cwlkr20: That's a good point.

bkesso:

Harley Quinn -

Joker -

Amanda Waller -

Batman -

Flash -

Deadshot -

Rick Flagg -

Captain Boomerang -

Slipknot -

Killer Croc -

El Diablo -

Enchantress -

Incubus -

Katana -

cwlkr20: Barinholtz was witty. The Batman cameo was within reason. Flash, too. Both probs made $500k for a pop up.

obi-don-ginobili: Slipknot was my favorite just because they gave him no intro so you knew he would die. But I laughed when it happened, so I consider him a positive.

cwlkr20: I respect that logic

bkesso: xD.

obi-don-ginobili: Who was the soldier dude? He sucked.

bkesso: Rick Flagg. I'm used to Joel Kinnaman from The Killing and House of Cards at this point. Also Robocop '14.

obi-don-ginobili: Rick can Flagg deez nuts because he was terrible. What a little shit. I don't know why but I wanted him to die the whole movie. Like, bro, you are boning a witch. Stop putting your problems on other people.

bkesso: I thought he was...okay? I'm not as familiar with the Squad as I am individual characters, so he's not someone I cared about to begin with.

cwlkr20: He was a bitch.

obi-don-ginobili: Well said @cwlkr20. Who the hell is Incubus? A band?

cwlkr20: I think it's the other demon that's the brother of Enchantress? @bkesso?

obi-don-ginobili: Ah. He was lame as fuck. And what about Samurai jawn? She was cool. Her sword eats souls and she uses it to talk to her dead husband or whatever. Pretty neat.

cwlkr20: I liked that they had her talk to the sword at some point. That's a major part of that character

obi-don-ginobili: I don't know her, or much of the suicide squad, but she stood out as a solid but not overblown character.

cwlkr20: @obi-don-ginobili: that's a good way to describe her

bkesso: OMG I FORGOT KATANA.  So did the writers.

cwlkr20: Haha.

bkesso: She'd be better served in Birds of Prey or Outsiders. Be real.

obi-don-ginobili: Ha! Probably didn't want to bring too much attention to the fact that the only Asian character has a samurai sword and is named Katana (seriously though?)

cwlkr20: Outsiders would be lit.

bkesso: She's pretty heavily featured in Arrow, though. Well, she was. But that's neither here, nor there.

cwlkr20: You've shat on it too much for me to watch it now, you realize that @bkesso?

bkesso: It's a cold day in Hell when Arrow did a better job with the Suicide Squad than the actual movie. If you put Viola Davis on Arrow it would have been pretty spot on.

obi-don-ginobili: Yeah, I liked her. What did y’all think of Killer Croc?

bkesso: I didn't.

cwlkr20: He didn't make any sense. obi-don-ginobili: I thought he was cringe-worthy to be honest. Didn't understand the direction of the character at all.

bkesso: He's clearly from Louisiana. And clearly a black guy turned metahuman.

cwlkr20: WHAT IF HE JUST LOVES B.E.T.? B.E.T. IS FOR EVERYONE @bkesso.

obi-don-ginobili: That's racist. WHAT IF HE LOVES B.E.T.!?!?

bkesso: I think that, despite being largely forgettable, he had the arguably "best" line in the film (out of a lot of shite lines).

obi-don-ginobili: And that was?

bkesso: "Not me, Shawty! I'm beautiful!" That was one of a few moments that got a genuine laugh out of me.

cwlkr20: ...I laughed I have to be honest.

obi-don-ginobili: Hmm I suppose our sense of humor is just different. I thought they were reaching. Would have appreciated it more if they developed his character/personality, maybe. One of the few times a flashback would have been helpful.

bkesso: That's one of the things that was actually cut. He had more screen time apparently. Especially setup time. But I don't think they wanted Batman capturing three villains in the span of 10 minutes when they're not all together.

obi-don-ginobili: Good point. The movie would have been better if Katana killed everybody but Will Smith and then they had to fight Batman and the government or something. I would pay to see that.

bkesso: It already exists in some form. See Assault on Arkham. Which is what many probably expected out of the plot. Which oddly focused a lot on Enchantress. Once we saw it happening, it really stayed there. Totally different direction than one would expect given the characters involved. Too large a scale. Soundtrack was tight, but didn't match most of the scenes

obi-don-ginobili: So, in my humble opinion:

Harley Quinn - Enjoyable.

Joker - Jared Leto is a punk bitch.

Amanda Waller - Badass.

Batman - Cool while it lasted.

Flash - Neat cameo

Deadshot - Best character (Will Smith FTW)

Rick Flagg - Bitch boy.

Captain Boomerang - Witty, but also corny.

Slipknot - Limited but worthwhile (boom!)

Killer Croc - Underdeveloped, lame interpretation.

El Diablo - Corniest bad guy I've ever seen. (“BYE”)

Enchantress - Started off neat, got progressively shitty.

Incubus - Whatever.

Katana - Underutilized but cool.

@bkesso I’ll have to watch that later. There was a BvS animated film that the theatre film totally ripped off. Funny enough, the animated one was probably better. More ruthless. I'll touch on the soundtrack later.

bkesso:

Harley Quinn - Margot Robbie is oversexualized but her acting was enjoyable

Joker - Oddly enjoyable, but highly unnecessary and overexposed

Amanda Waller - Viola Davis still knows how to get away with murder

Batman - Well utilized

Flash - Hate the costume, loved the cameo

Deadshot - Literally Will Smith with guns.

Rick Flagg - Still don't really care

Captain Boomerang - Drunk Aussie with boomerangs. Should've had more to do

Slipknot - BOOM!

Killer Croc - "Not me, Shawty! I'm beautiful!"

El Diablo - I honestly enjoyed his story

Enchantress - Initially cool; then CGI nightmare (why?)

Incubus - ...also why?

Katana - Badass but otherwise forgettable

obi-don-ginobili: @cwlkr20: Your turn.

bkesso: @obi-don-ginobili: I think we're equating "criminal" with "villain", something the film also tries to shove down our throats. I don't think El Diablo was a "villain", but he was definitely a "criminal", ya dig?

obi-don-ginobili: Yeah I got you. They wanted to make the bad guys relatable. I just didn't vibe with him after he said "BYE" with the flames. It was hard for me to take him seriously after that.

cwlkr20:     

Harley Quinn - Interesting but wanted more real depth

Joker - Not necessary b/c of scene cuts but also because kinda wack

Amanda Waller - Viola Davis does no wrong here

Batman - cool cameo the first time

Flash - cool cameo; does he get a better costume after becoming friends with Batman?

Deadshot - charismatic, charming, kinda deep. Keeps you there.

Rick Flagg - Bitch. Everyone’s bitch.

Captain Boomerang - Not terrible. Actually 3rd favorite character for the wit. (More on this in plot)

Slipknot - Who?

Killer Croc - Could have been better; couldn’t identify with him as much as I wanted

El Diablo - I wish I knew his story earlier so I could understand him through out the movie

Enchantress - Went from interesting to Hey Dr. Doom from FF 2015 I didn’t know you’d be here

Incubus - Um yeah that’s a thing

Katana - Underutilized; either a Birds of Prey or Outsiders movie better serves her

bkesso: Pretty much, yes.

----- August 21st -----

bkesso: Plot/Script. How did you feel about the story? Did the themes feel natural or forced? Did the characters act believably within the context of the plot? How did you feel about the dialogue? Did you like the ending?

cwlkr20:  It's a really straightforward plot, but there were sooooo many holes.

bkesso: What did you catch?

cwlkr20:  There's this weird cut where you see Capt. Boomerang walk away from the group and then 2 secs later he's back.

bkesso: True.

cwlkr20:  Just out the blue, sitting with the crew at the bar, no motivation necessary

bkesso: And then he leaves the bar.

cwlkr20:  RIGHT?? For a guy who actively wants to leave.

bkesso: In terms of motivations, Deadshot and Flagg were the only ones who really had any in my opinion. Even Enchantress was kinda all over the place. What you think, @obi-don-ginobili?

obi-don-ginobili: The story was garbage. The themes felt forced. The characters had no development, and as such their actions carried no sense of realism or weight. The dialog, for the most part, was uninspired, better suited for one-liners in previews than for a conversation between characters. The ending, along with the supposed climax, were tasteless and CGI driven, descending into a void of mind numbing awfulness.

bkesso: But please, tell us how you really feel, @obi-don-ginobili lol.

obi-don-ginobili: I loved Enchantress at the beginning. Very creepy. Seemed to have a lot of potential. However, she lost all of that upon her evolution back into Cara Delevingne. From there, it was just a bunch of lousy dancing and purposeless plotting. A movie like this needs a good bad guy to rally against. Suicide Squad instead opted for... Well, I don't know. I'm not sure anybody knows what they were going for.

cwlkr20:  I agree with that antagonist choice changes everything. At the same time, I felt like this was the bland version of a make your own adventure book at times except this time with villains fighting a villain! I was following the story and it all felt a little too predictable

obi-don-ginobili: It didn't feel like the people that made the movie really loved what they were doing. Like they weren't DC enthusiasts. They could have taken this anywhere and instead decided to exchange creativity for computer graphics.

cwlkr20:  They should have called Geoff Johns. Or any DC writer of note to write this. Also, this

bkesso: Story of DC. That's been a huge issue, actually. WB has all but refused to include actual DC writers in their films so far. Meanwhile, Marvel is literally run by Marvel comic writers and former editors and such.

obi-don-ginobili: It's why DC's animated films are far better than their big screen productions

bkesso: The films have had so much potential but WB is reluctant to let their actual writers do their thing.

cwlkr20:  The animated film version of this movie should have been the backbone of this movie

bkesso: Right? Assault on Arkham was a good template

obi-don-ginobili: Just watched it today. Was quite good.

obi-don-ginobili: It also was rather gory, which is a necessity if the goal is to use the bad guys as the centerpiece.

bkesso: Again: darker, edgier....Guardians of the Galaxy. Complete with the magical bad guy who lacks motivation.

obi-don-ginobili: Not having the film rated R really took away from its potential.

cwlkr20: AoA had a great feel for characters, very balanced. Right amount of Joker.

obi-don-ginobili: The animated film for BvS was also much better than its Hollywood counterpart.

bkesso: The one from like 2001? Yeahhhhh. It was the TV movie, right? Right before Justice League debuted on Cartoon Network?

cwlkr20: Oh yeah I want to bring this back up--they needed to either double down on Joker or cut it the fuck out because I'm alright with Jared Leto but shit man you did too much to be in this movie for 10 min

obi-don-ginobili: All of his parts were in the previews

cwlkr20: Exactly.

bkesso: Literally.

obi-don-ginobili: I was hoping he'd be better than he was in the previews. Unfortunately not.

cwlkr20:  Like he could have actually been a solid side villain, actively trying to disrupt the team. But then, you know he just turns in a Scarface look, almost dies, and comes back for 5.

bkesso: At least they didn't rely too heavily on Batman this time?

cwlkr20: True.

bkesso: Just....a quarter of his rogue's gallery.

obi-don-ginobili: They should have. Batman and the Joker should have been integral.

cwlkr20:  Is Deadshot a Bat Family villain? And @obi-don-ginobili yup yup sir.

bkesso: Technically, yes.

obi-don-ginobili: What's a “Bat family”?

bkesso: @obi-don-ginobili: Batman, Robin, Nightwing, Batgirl, etc. The full team is known as the "Bat[man] Family".

obi-don-ginobili:  I see

bkesso: Hahaha! I see somebody has finally finished Young Justice.

obi-don-ginobili: Nope lol.

bkesso: BRUHHHHH.

obi-don-ginobili:  Yeah it’s on Netflix too. I'm a bad person.

bkesso: Both seasons, too! But we digress. Are we done with plot - or lack thereof?

obi-don-ginobili:  Lol yeah I'm done.

bkesso: Sound/Score: Did you like the score? Did the music fit the scenes or characters? Which music was your favorite? Did you like the sound effects and mixing? What sounds worked for you? What did not?

obi-don-ginobili: The music was pretty good, but I didn't like how it was used for the sole purpose of moving us from one scene to the next.

cwlkr20:  Ummmmmmmmmmmmmm yeah. Same.

bkesso: I want to reiterate my earlier point that Cara Delevigne's Enchantress voice at the end was extremely annoying.

cwlkr20: That “Gangsta” song by Kehlani is cool.

obi-don-ginobili:  Lol.

bkesso: The music was fire. Though I'm with you, @obi-don-ginobili.

obi-don-ginobili:  It got me ready for whatever was about to happen, but it also gave the feeling that the movie didn't have a flow to it.

bkesso: Yeah. Half the time it didn't fit the scenes at all. Even though I was jamming out to "Without Me", I was like "Do they really need this song over something else?" Like, that could have been playing during the Joker/Harley chase sequence. It would have been super meta, too!

obi-don-ginobili: Introductory song ----> Something happens ----> Time lapse ---> Introductory song ---> Something else happens ---> Repeat ---> End.

bkesso: Was it mixed by an intern?

cwlkr20: Basically. You can't have Hans Zimmer do all the movies. He's expensive. Oscars change ppl.

obi-don-ginobili: However, I did find the soundtrack to be a strength. They just relied on it too heavily. Kind of like the Great Gatsby movie.

bkesso: @cwlkr20 So that's where the BvS budget went!  

cwlkr20: All of it.

bkesso: @obi-don-ginobili Hey! I happened to like the Great Gatsby movie lol. Despite its flaws.

obi-don-ginobili: Idk the intro music DC uses when the Justice League people enter the scene is badass. The jawn with the electric guitar.. Gets me so pumped. Usually only to be let down, sadly.

bkesso: I think that was the Wonder Woman theme, actually xD.

obi-don-ginobili: Great Gasby: Starring Toby McGuire's bitchass stalking a rich dude and getting 0 buns.

bkesso: The movie's about Leo anyways! Who cares about Tobey?

cwlkr20: No one.

bkesso: Exactly! He's just the narrator! LMAO.

cwlkr20:  In a post Spider-Man world, I haven't seen him do anything much

obi-don-ginobili:  Whatever. She's dope and the music is dope. That's the only DC movie I'm excited for. Gal Gadot is SO BAD.

cwlkr20:  #facts.

bkesso: I actually have some trepidation for that now that Suicide Squad happened.

obi-don-ginobili:  He's in like every scene. Leo cries the whole time. That movie was a letdown.

bkesso: @obi-don-ginobili Remember the book. Tobey's the narrator character. He had to be in every scene lol.

cwlkr20:  Uggggggghhhh.

bkesso: Anywho.

obi-don-ginobili: I know. But he was more of a bitch in the movie than in the book. Fucking Tobey. But I think I'm getting off topic.

cwlkr20: BUT WHY WOULD I WANT MORE TOBEY.  WHY!?

obi-don-ginobili:

bkesso:I'm all for Gal Gadot. But this movie gives me concerns for Wonder Woman and that movie is not allowed to suck. If that movie is garbage WB will be burned by fans the world over. I really hope the Geoff Johns rumors are true. And I hope Patty Jenkins has wrestled control away from the Snyders.

obi-don-ginobili:  If that movie sucks, WB better sell DC comics movie rights

bkesso: Maybe they could sell it to Viacom or CBS?

cwlkr20:  AHAHAHAHAHA.

obi-don-ginobili: Lmao! I get it.

cwlkr20:  I see what you did there

bkesso: 😎

obi-don-ginobili:  I think we are ready to discuss visuals.

bkesso: Yes.  

Visuals: Did you like the visual effects in the film? Did the action seem believable? How about the super-powers and/or super-tech? Did those seem real enough to suspend your disbelief? Was the filtering too bright to watch? Too dark?

cwlkr20: I stand by my earlier statement of "when did Doom from FF 2015 show up at the end of the movie?" Did the budget run out?

bkesso: We've said it already, but [the] Enchantress transformation at the beginning was gorgeous.

obi-don-ginobili: I did not like the visual effects for this film. The CGI was booty. The no-face people who don't bleed made me feel like I was watching a movie for children. The scene with fire guy and demon dude at the end was the corniest shit I've ever seen.

cwlkr20: Did they go, "fuck I forgot how much a Lil Wayne feature costs" and made cuts accordingly

obi-don-ginobili: Some sequences were good, like when Deadshot took out that whole army by himself. Badass.

cwlkr20: Oh yeah. That scene had great timing, cut the right way.

bkesso: You mean "Will Smith with Guns", right? Yeah that was a great scene all jokes aside.

obi-don-ginobili: Some of the scenes seemed like they had artistic intentions, but just didn't quite fit. For example, the scene where the Joker lies back surrounded by the knives. It looked cool, but it didn't seem to have any flow or purpose and therefore appeared forced.

YES! WILL SMITH WITH GUNS.

bkesso: I actually liked the scene at Ace Chemicals. Though I had to laugh when they used their one F-bomb in a song in passing.

cwlkr20: They played themselves.

obi-don-ginobili: I thought the scene at Ace Chemicals was quite good as well. The way he nonchalantly decided to free fall after he tossed her in actually embodied who I feel the Joker to be. A rare gem.

bkesso: And that was one of the few times the dialogue they gave him seemed to fit the character we remember. I think that's part of the problem, but we'll get back to that later.

obi-don-ginobili:  Exactly. "Would you live for me?"

bkesso: Once again: THE FLASH COSTUME SUCKED

obi-don-ginobili: Yeah wtf. He's like power ranger Iron Man. Looked so childish.

bkesso: Great cameo, but the costume.....ugh. Also, the lightning effects are waaaaaaaaay over the top. It feels like he's using too much of the Speed Force. Can't control it. Maybe that's the point?

obi-don-ginobili: A bit exaggerated.

cwlkr20: Now he's cool with Batman so he'll get the hook up like he's Spider-Man hanging with Iron Man.

obi-don-ginobili:  Might be. But I think DC is just a bit CGI happy.

bkesso: @cwlkr20 You're not wrong. You're also the second person to make that comparison to me haha.

cwlkr20:  Hmmmmmm yeah @obi-don-ginobili a bit too much.

obi-don-ginobili: I thought the fire visuals for El Diablo were solid, but it was super lame and completely random when he turned into the skeleton monster. It didn't even classify as a plot twist. Was just kind of like "oh hey, flame guy is also a devil monster who is going to beat up the bad guy."

bkesso: I....actually thought that was going to happen. And I had no idea who he was from a comic perspective.

cwlkr20:  Same here. Also, it didn't look good.

obi-don-ginobili: Looked like shit.

bkesso: He just seemed too OP to not be related in some way, shape or form. But I agree: It looked booty

obi-don-ginobili: If that's part of his powers, that's one thing. But the movie from top to bottom was made for casual viewers and not hardcore fans, so it was odd for that to happen out of nowhere.

bkesso: True.

cwlkr20: Yeah.

bkesso: I just thought it was random how they never explained how he got his abilities despite explaining it for literally everyone else. They had to have been hiding it for a reason, right? Like any other metahuman they went out of their way to explain. But him? They cut it short.

cwlkr20: For the big CGI event at the end duh

bkesso: Maybe it was bad editing. Maybe it was intentional.

obi-don-ginobili: @cwlkr20 Which is super sad considering how anticlimactic and poorly constructed that sequence was

bkesso: And it still looked better than Doomsday!

obi-don-ginobili: Idk, I think I preferred Doomsday.

cwlkr20: @obi-don-ginobili: it was kinda this "take this L right now" moment.

obi-don-ginobili: Actually, yes. I definitely preferred Doomsday. He wasn't great, but at least he had some build up and carried some weight as a bad guy

bkesso: Yeah. Physical weight. But did he have the "gravitas", tho?

obi-don-ginobili: Lmao well neither was really worth the hype.  But I've got to skidaddle.

bkesso: It's ok.

obi-don-ginobili: Think we covered everything.

bkesso: Can you throw out a final score for the film?

obi-don-ginobili:  Thanks guys!

bkesso: Thank you, @obi-don-ginobili!

obi-don-ginobili: 3.5/10.

bkesso: DAMNNNNN.

obi-don-ginobili: Lol. Have you not read my review? I think that's generous.

bkesso: LMFAO.

cwlkr20: Word. Stay blessed. I got magical sleeping stuff to take. Whatever I gave BvS, just add .5 or .75.

bkesso: Despite roasting the ever-living shit out of this film, I actually give it 6.5/10. For me, that's a full 1.5 higher than BvS.

@cwlkr20 That would put you at 4.75/10 max. I think?

cwlkr20: Yeah.

obi-don-ginobili: Lol see ya later guys.

bkesso: Peace. And thanks, gentlemen!

Reviewer Scores  

Brandon: 6.5/10

Tim: 3.5/10

Chris: 4.75/10

The most important position in the game is deeper than ever. But it is still important to have a quarterback that can offer consistent production on a week-to-week basis. That’s a tall task, reserved for the elite at the position. Not even all within the top-10 are matchup proof options, but it’s better to have one than none. If you don’t have one of the guys below, I suggest you do what it takes to get one. BAM:

Written by Kyle Yu

1) Cam Newton

You thought Cam was good last year? Imagine what he can do with guys to throw the ball to. You, know, the kind with hands (intentional dig at you, Mr. Ted Ginn Jr.). Built like a truck, graceful as a ballerina, fast, strong, and a true arm talent, Newton has evolved into a dominant force. A returning Kelvin Benjamin coupled with a blossoming Devin Funchess make for promising red zone options. Cam might throw more and run less this season, but expect an uptick in overall efficiency. While I don’t recommend reaching on quarterbacks for fantasy football purposes, you could do worse than landing Cam Newton.

Projected Stats:

Passing: 4,000 yards/ 38 TDs

Rushing: 600 yards/ 7 TDs

2) Russell Wilson

Last season, Russell Wilson took the leap from glorified game manager to supreme signal caller. There might not be an athlete at the quarterback position that utilizes all of his various tools as intelligently as the Seahawk. Pass, run, extend the play with ridiculous amounts of spinning - Wilson does it all. His multidimensional approach is what launches him ahead of his competition at the position. With the liberty of passing the ball being granted, the sky's the limit for Russell, and he indicated as much in the second half of last season, throwing for 2,146 yards, 52 TDs, and just 2 interceptions. As Seattle moves away from a run-dominant approach, expect Wilson to put up big numbers in the 2016 season.

Projected Stats:

Passing: 4,000 yards/ 36 TDs

Rushing: 550 yards/ 4 TDs

3) Andrew Luck

Most rational people won’t argue that Andrew Luck is an elite player at his position. The true question is, what is the Colt signal caller’s ceiling? This season, it is a top 3 NFL QB. The Ccolts still have questions with their offensive line, and even more with their defense. Translation: Luck will throw the ball. A lot. Moving to more 3-wide sets, the offense is going to open up for Andrew, and he will respond with vigor. Stacked with talent at the WR position, the Colts will find themselves in a few shootouts this year, and can win against the best of them. A lack of balance, combined with an abundance of talent will spur Andrew Luck to lofty passing statistics this upcoming year.

Projected Stats:

Passing: 4,500 yards/ 40 TDs

Rushing: 260 yards/ 3 TDs

4) Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers will return to form this season. A healthy Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb, accompanied by a slimmer Eddie Lacy, will make sure of it. Mike McCarthy will be back calling plays, and all will once again be right for the cheeseheads. The most talented arm in the game will live up to expectations, providing consistent fantasy production week in and out. The past has passed, so R-E-L-A-X.

Projected Stats:

Passing: 4,200 yards/ 39 TDs

Rushing: 270 yards/ 2 TDs

5) Drew Brees

Brees is healthy and has a lot of toys to play with. This means big things for the passing attack of New Orleans. The addition of skillful rookie wideout, Michael Thomas should provide a boost in the redzone. Brandin Cooks will continue to break out and establish himself as an elite deep ball threat. Willie Snead projects to maintain some of the softest hands in the league. Drew Brees at his ADP (Average Draft Position) might be the best buy at the quarterback position in fantasy football. Since arriving with the Saints in 2006, Brees has not thrown for under 4,300 yards and has averaged nearly 35 touchdowns per season. If you drafted him, you’ll be pleased.

Projected Stats:

Passing: 4,900 yards/ 39 TDs

Rusing: 50 yards/ 0 TDs

6) Eli Manning

Eli Manning took off once things clicked with Ben McAdoo's offense. He’s also got the sensational Odell Beckham Jr. to throw the ball to. The acquisition of three offensive linemen in free agency should help keep Eli upright. Using a second round pick on wideout Sterling Shepard exemplifies the commitment to bolstering what should be a high octane passing attack. With Eli at the helm and a strong supporting cast, a career year is not out of question for the Giants’ signal caller.

Projected Stats:

Passing: 4,500 yards/ 36 TDs

Rushing: 25 yards/ 0 TDs

7) Ben Roethlisberger

Big Ben has seen great success as he’s familiarized himself with Todd Haley. He’s also benefitted from having the best wide receiver in the game to throw to. Health willing, Roethlisberger will maintain his standard of excellence. All that holds him back is a suspended Martavis Bryant, who lost the entire season do to his use of a banned substance. With Le’Veon Bell out the first three games, the Steeler QB could see an uptick in throwing attempts. We project a good year for Roethlisberger, with perhaps a little regression to the statistical pace he set during the 2015 season as a byproduct of losing one of his favorite weapons.  

Projected Stats:

Passing: 4,500 yards/ 31 TDs

Rushing: 40 yards/ 0 TDs

8) Philip Rivers

Rivers has all the arm talent a starting quarterback could ever ask for. There may not be a more accurate passer in football. Most of the issues he’s faced stem from a Chargers organization that fails to build a balanced team. The defense will likely be lacking once again, but that actually means good things for Rivers. San Diego will pass early and often. A healthy Keenan Allen, newly acquired deep threat, Travis Benjamin, and the always reliable Danny Woodhead will give the veteran quarterback all the tools he needs to succeed. Add in a healthy offensive line and a gifted Melvin Gordon, and the Chargers have the makings of a potent offensive attack.

Projected Stats:

Passing: 4,400 yards/ 30 TDs

Rushing: 35 yards/ 0 TDs

9) Jameis Winston

This is the first surprise on the list. The Bucs are trending up, and Famous Jameis is a big reason why. In his rookie year, Winston threw for over 4,000 yards. In that time, he dealt with an inconsistent Mike Evans and an injured Vincent Jackson. That should change this year, with too much ability between the wide receiver duo to drop the ball again. Jameis is also an underrated running threat in the redzone, notching 6 rushing touchdowns. While that number is likely to drop, the Tampa Bay QB is already really good, and only getting better. We project a bump in passing yards, accuracy, and total touchdowns, making the leap from the #14 scoring quarterback, into the top 10.

Projected Stats:

Passing: 4,100 yards/ 28 TDs

Rushing: 220 yards/ 4 TDs

10) Tyrod Taylor

Taylor has some things working against him. Guys like Blake Bortles, Derek Carr, and Kirk Cousins are all likely to challenge for this spot. Nevertheless,But sixth-year QBTyrod has a clear edge over all of these contenders in one key area: Versatility. On any given play, one might have to rub their eyes thinking they witnessed Russell Wilson in a Bills’ uniform. He has a similar skillset to the Seattle signal caller: bBeautiful touch on the deep ball, great decision making, and a pair of legs that lead him to over 550 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns. Dual threat quarterbacks are a cheat code in fantasy football. Tyrod Taylor will flourish despite the run heavy nature of the Bills’ offense, and Sammy Watkins will be the recipient of many well placed touchdown passes.

Projected Stats:

Passing: 3,600 yards/ 25 TDs

The under-appreciated; that’s the best way to describe the running back position. In a league filled with a smorgasbord of RB committees, the elite truly set themselves apart. You might see fashionable general managers looking to ignore the position early in the draft. That’s not for everybody. Not when the premier talent is exclusive to those willing to pay the price. Below, we at RYMS have sorted the elite of the position, recognizing each player’s physical profile, strengths, and roles on their individual teams, along with any weaknesses or limitations that might hold them back. Absorb the analysis and draft wesely.

Written by Kyle Yu

1) David Johnson

It was only a matter of time. After being selected in the 3rd round of the 2015 NFL Draft, David Johnson spent time in the rookie doghouse, putting in work on special teams before getting his shot after a Chris Johnson injury. The Cardinals never looked back. The situation DJ finds himself in is a fantasy owner’s dream: A high powered offense, with an unquestioned lead back boasting a versatile skill set. DJ catches the ball just as well as he runs with it. He has the body to take the rigors of the position, standing 6’1”, 235 lbs. He can make you miss, he can run you over, and he has the speed to break off big plays. No other back has the same combination of versatility, availability, athleticism, and situation, making the Cardinal a logical first pick.

Projected Stats:

Rushing: 230 carries/ 1,050 yards/ 8 TDs

Receiving: 80 catches/ 1,000 yards/ 4 TDs

2) Todd Gurley

Todd Gurley is the future of the running back position. The torch is slowly being passed from Adrian Peterson to the Rams’ stud, and he will do his predecessor proud. Gurley would top this list if he found himself in a better situation. St. Louis’ defense will keep them in games, but #30 is going to find little running room as opposing teams stack the box anticipating the handoff. Fortunately, the former Georgia back is one of the few talents that can overcome such an obstacle. Look for the dynamic runner to put up some gaudy statistics despite the challenges he’ll face.

Projected Stats:

Rushing: 290 carries/ 1,365 yards/ 10 TDs

Receiving: 35 receptions/ 315 yards/ 2 TDs

3) Lamar Miller

The Dolphins are going to regret letting their talented running back skidaddle to the Texans in free agency once they see him in a workhorse role. On only 241 touches, Lamar Miller still managed to finish as the 6th overall fantasy running back last season. Houston head coach, Bill O’Brien, has shown a love of running the ball, even when it’s not working. Expect that to continue, but with more success now that the Texans have a sturdier option at quarterback and a premier receiving talent in DeAndre Hopkins. Miller is unleashed and his owners will enjoy the ride.   

Projected Stats:

Rushing: 250 carries/ 1,100 yards/ 8 TDs

Receiving: 70 receptions/ 650 yards/ 2 TD

4) Adrian Peterson

Adrian Peterson is still the gold standard at the position. Ranking him this low feels sinful. Blasphemous. He’s guaranteed to get north of 300 touches, and is likely looking at another dominant season. But… he is 31 years old and has well over 2,000 career rushing attempts. How long can he keep it up? Additionally, there is some erraticism at the QB position with Teddy Bridgewater’s knee exploding and Sam Bradford having little time to learn the playbook. Moving parts aplenty. That said, bet against AP at your own perrill.

Projected Stats:

Rushing: 315 carries/ 1,350 yards/ 10 TDs

Receiving: 40 receptions/ 300 yards/ 0 TDs

5) Ezekiel Elliott

The Ohio State product would be hard pressed to find a better team with which to succeed. He will have the ball in his hands often, and has the best offensive line in football to open running lanes. Ezekiel Elliott has the body and the skills to fill every obligation of the position. Thing is, we haven’t seen him do it yet. With Tony Romo breaking his back (literally), Zeke is looking at all the rushing attempts he can handle. Logic says that if Dallas can produce a 1,000 yard rushing season with Darren McFadden and no quarterback, the much more talented and less physically damaged Elliott is likely to thrive. Experience related concerns aside, the Cowboy running back is a safe choice in the middle of the first round.

Projected Stats:

Rushing: 280 carries/ 1275 yards/ 7 TDs

Receiving: 50 catches/ 450 yards/ 2 TDs

6) Doug Martin

Last season, Doug Martin reminded the league what he’s capable of. Benefitting from good health, a promising young quarterback, and a pair of talented wide receivers, the “Muscle Hamster” showed that he can still run with the best of them. As a matter of fact, he finished 3rd in fantasy scoring at the RB position. Some might remember being burned by the young Buc in the past, but the tape doesn’t lie. Nor do the numbers, which show that the 27 year old ran for 4.9 yards/ carry last season. Martin will produce as mid to low tier RB1 for owners this year.

Projected Stats:

Rushing: 275 carries/ 1,320 yards/ 6 TDs

Receiving: 35 catches/ 295 yards/ 2 TDs

7) Le’Veon Bell

For starters, Le’Veon Bell is the most talented all-around back in the NFL. He can do everything you want from the position at an elite level. Unfortunately, the Steeler comes with the baggage of a 3 game suspension. Additionally, he has had injury problems in every season of his short NFL career. The concerns surrounding Bell are legitimate, but he’s still young, still part of an elite offense, and still amazingly gifted. When he is in, you can look forward to a top 3 running back in the NFL.

Projected Stats:

Rushing: 220 carries/ 1,075 yards/ 7 TDs

Receiving: 50 catches/ 400 yards/ 2 TDs

8) LeSean McCoy

LeSean McCoy is a couple years separated from his rushing title. Be that as it may, he’s still the same running back. And it just so happens he finds himself in a great position to be a high level producer in fantasy football. The Bills will utilize “Shady” early and often as one of the most run heavy teams in the league. McCoy will also have very little in the way of competition for touches after the release of Karlos Williams. Health willing, LeSean will return to form and reward owners in a big way.

Projected Stats:

Rushing: 260 carries/ 1,120 yards/ 6 TDs

Receiving: 45 receptions/ 380 yards/ 2 TDs

9) CJ Anderson

Many fantasy owners are still cleaning the bad taste out of their mouths from CJ Anderson’s last season. A slow start coupled with a Ronnie Hillman timeshare, made the Bronco hard to trust on a week-to-week basis. Peyton could barely click the dirt off his cleats, and Kubiak brought a new style of play to the organization. Nonetheless, the flashes of excellence weren’t an illusion. Neither is the changing picture of Denver’s backfield. CJ Anderson is the undisputed workhorse, recently signed to a new contract. The Broncos are going to play defense and run the ball, making CJ a bargain at his ADP and a legitimate top 10 option at the running back position.

Projected Stats:

Rushing: 230 carries/ 1,100 yards/ 8 TDs

Receiving: 30 receptions/ 240 yards/ 1 TD

10 ) Eddie Lacy

When Eddie Lacy wasn’t eating last season, he was busy tanking the dreams of fantasy owners that wasted a first round pick on him. However, there is a reason the Packers’ running back was taken so highly: he’s really good. Green Bay was a mess in general last year, struggling to find offense consistently while missing Jordy Nelson and the play calling of Mike McCarthy. While Lacy is, and always will be a rotund human being, he’s still a damn decent football player in an elite offense. Expect Lacy to rebound with a strong 2016 campaign.

Projected Stats:

Rushing: 230 carries/ 970 yards/ 8 TDs

Receiving: 35 receptions/ 300 yards/ 2 TDs

Football season is a week away. While many fantasy drafts have already happened, some are occurring last minute to account for injury and preseason data collection. Each year it seems the league becomes more passing centric, and the wide receivers are taking advantage. Many are even considering the 0RB strategy as a testament to this. See who cracks the top 10 in Rising Young Minds’ first ever fantasy football player evaluations!

Written by Kyle Yu

1) Antonio Brown

Let’s keep this simple. AB is the best around and it’s not even close. The Steeler superstar put up astronomical numbers last year to the tune of 1,800+ yards and 10 touchdowns. And that’s with Ben Roethlisberger missing four games. With a healthy Big Ben, a suspended Le'Veon Bell (3 games), and a suspended Martavis Bryant (entire season), there is reason to believe #84 will have an even better season this year. Don’t over think this. He’s not just the best wide receiver in the game, he should also be the first overall pick in all draft formats.

Projection: 1,900 Yards, 12 TDs

2) Odell Beckham Jr.

If there is one guy that can step to Antonio’s throne, it is ODB (Old Dirty Beckham). Third year receivers have the reputation for breaking out, and for Odell, that would be legendary. In his first two seasons, he has averaged over 1,300 yards and 12.5 touchdowns. There’s not a corner in the league that can contain him. He doesn’t even need two hands to catch the ball. Odell will get his targets, and few players are as dangerous with the ball in their hands. At this point in his young career, he is a bona fide stud. Put him in your lineup and leave him there.

Projection: 1,500 Yards, 13 TDs

3) Julio Jones

Two words: Target monster. After averaging an absurd 12.7 targets per game in the 2015 season, Julio is primed for another monster year. The Falcon’s defense still stinks, and the other options outside of Devonta Freeman aren’t inspiring. Expect a similar performance to last year, where he reached 1,870 yards and 8 touchdowns. If Matt Ryan could keep the ball out of the opponents hands in the redzone, that touchdown number could easily rise. But look at the man. He’s a physical freak (6’3” 220 lbs.) and in the prime of his career. He’s good.

Projection: 1,700 Yards, 10 TDs

4) AJ Green

Few receivers have the physical tools of AJ Green. Long the favorite target of Andy Dalton, another brilliant season can be assumed. In 5 NFL seasons, the Bengal has never had less than 1,000 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns. Last year, despite some up and down games, AJ was in true form, with just under 1,300 receiving yards and 10 TDs. With Tyler Eifert, a red zone target himself, likely missing time early in the season with an injury, AJ has the opportunity to top last years touchdown count. Now that Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu signed with other teams, Dalton will have few established options to look for. When you have the talent of an AJ Green, more targets means more production.

Projection: 1,500 yards, 11 TDs.  

5) Brandon Marshall

How soon they forget. After a poor final season with the Bears, many thought Marshall was on the downswing of his career. Instead, he ended the 2015 season as the 3rd best wide receiver in fantasy football. Ryan Fitzpatrick looked Brandon’s way early and often, showing strong chemistry. The same can be expected this upcoming season. While a regression can be expected from his monstrous 1,502 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns, the Jet’s star is likely to produce another top-tier campaign.

Projection: 1,350 yards, 11 TDs

6) Allen Robinson

The Penn State product is a jump ball wizard and a top notch deep pass target. Make no mistake, Allen Robinson will eat this season. He just won’t match the production of his sophomore campaign, where he accumulated 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns. Last year, the Jaguars played from behind in most games and passed the second most out of all teams in the NFL. That is going to change. The Jags have improved their defense and signed former Jets running back, Chris Ivory. Nonetheless, Robinson has ability that can’t be ignored. Lock him in as a WR1.

Projection: 1,250 Yards, 11 TDs

7) Alshon Jeffery

Alshon has captured the reputation of “injury prone.” I’m going to let you in on a little secret: Everybody in the NFL is injury prone. While the Bears’ star receiver has missed significant time in two of his four seasons, he played a full 16 games in the others. In fantasy football, everyone is a coin flip to get banged up. What we do know for certain, is that Jay Cutler throws to his preferred target, regardless of the coverage. That isn’t a problem for Alshon, whose strong hands, physicality, and height (6’3”), make him an ideal jump ball receiver. The Bears will be playing catch up often this year and Jeffrey stands to benefit.

Projection: 1,250 yards, 10 TDs.

8) Jordy Nelson

ACL tears aren’t the death sentence they once were. Nelson has had over a year to recover and will return to his elite form in Green Bay’s high octane offense. Reports are that he will be a full go week 1. In 2014 Jordy torched the league with over 1,500 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns. Temper your projections if you expect that output to match those totals, as the 31 year old will spend some time reacclimating to the rigors of the NFL.

Projection: 1,200 yards, 9 TDs

9) DeAndre Hopkins

Hopkins was flat out unguardable last year. After dealing with collection of the world’s worst taxi drivers operating in the pocket, Brock Osweiler seems like a godsend for the young talent. You’re likely to ask me, why ranked so low? After finishing 6th last year, collecting 1,521 yards and 11 TDs, it seems that the Texan sensation is due for an even better 2016. But all is not as it seems. Houston has added running back Lamar Miller and drafted Will Fuller and Braxton Miller to add depth to an already promising receiving core. Targets will not be as easy to come by, and Hopkins is not one to create after the catch, where he finished 140th in the NFL

Projection: 1,200 yards, 9 TDs

10) Dez Bryant

In case ya’ll forgot, Dez Bryant is still a beast. Disrupted by injuries, both to himself and to his quarterback last season, #88 frustrated his fantasy owners. Fully healthy, we expect Bryant to return to form, and he could easily challenge for any spot higher on this list. Unfortunately, Tony Romo has already run (or should I say slid) into a new injury. Replacing him is preseason hero, Dak Prescott. Bryant has the talent to compensate for his quarterback, but we aren’t banking on him dominating to the extent we associate with the Dallas phenom. The selection of #4 overall pick Ezekiel Elliott can also be interpreted as a statement that the Cowboys want to have a run heavy offense.  

Projection: 1,100 yards, 10 TDs

By Brandon C. Kesselly - September 6, 2016

Name: Gary Earl Johnson

Date of Birth: January 1, 1953

Alma Mater: University of New Mexico – B.S., Political Science

Party: Republican (Pre-2011), Libertarian (Post-2011)

Total Delegates: 458/925 (1st ballot), 518/925 (2nd ballot)

Total Votes: 20,492

Policy Positions:

Abortion – During the May 5, 2011 GOP debate, Johnson expressed that he supports a woman’s right to choose “up until viability of the fetus,” suggesting he is largely pro-choice. Notwithstanding, he also supports parental notification and counseling, and he opposes public funding for abortions.

Gun Control – Despite not being a gun owner himself, the former New Mexico governor is a supporter of the Second Amendment. More specifically, he supports concealed carry laws. “I'm one of those who believe the bumper sticker: If you outlaw guns, only outlaws will have guns,” he told Playboy’s David Sheff in 2001. “The first people who are going to be in line to turn in their guns are law-abiding citizens. Criminals are going to be left with guns. I believe that concealed carry is a way of reducing gun violence.”

Drugs – Johnson feels the War on Drugs to be a “mind-boggling failure,” and that it has greatly contributed to American incarceration rates. He was named President and CEO of Cannabis Sativa, Inc. – a medical marijuana company –  in 2014, making him pro-legalization. It should be noted that Johnson is the only major presidential nominee this season to have been publicly involved in selling any illegal substances whatsoever.

Education – The Libertarian nominee has previously said the federal government should be out of education, going so far as to support the elimination of the Department of Education entirely. Conversely, he believes public schools need to be more competitive, and supports public education vouchers for this reason.  He also opposes student loans, expressing that they drive up the cost of higher education. The Libertarian candidate feels that removing that availability reduces said cost.

Health Care – Governor Johnson is against both the 2010 Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and former President George W. Bush’s Medicare Modernization Act from 2003, considering both laws to be “unconstitutional”.

Immigration – "A 10-foot wall just requires an 11-foot ladder." The former governor in in favor of  work visas for illegal immigrants after a two-year grace period. He believes that those immigrants who prove fiscally responsible should also be allowed to bring their families. In defiance of this,, he has previously supported a one-strike rule against immigrants who violate the terms of their work visas.

LGBT Rights – Johnson is against government involvement with all marriage, expressing that “the government ought to get out of the marriage business.” He has previously supported the reversal of Proposition 8 in California, and has stated he does not oppose gay marriage “as a matter of public policy”. He has also previously expressed support for civil unions.

Environment – Governor Johnson supports regulations for protecting the environment without giving advantages or disadvantages to businesses. His support of the National Governors Association “Issues/Positions” paper (01-NGA15) suggests he is particularly fond of state autonomy in handling local environmental issues. In addition, he supported the Western Governors' Association resolution (01-WGA15) on abandoned mine cleanup, suggesting Johnson supports providing incentives for organizations to engage in more eco-friendly practices.

Social Security – The University of New Mexico alumnus wishes to reform Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. He has previously supported raising the retirement age and means testing, as well as partial – or full – privatization of Social Security. He has been a proponent of personal accounts for Social Security, and in 2012 wanted to change the escalator from being based on wage growth to inflation instead.*

Tax Reform – The former New Mexico governor has stated that “tax laws have been used…as a way for special interests to penalize their competitors while subsidizing themselves.” He feels that our current tax code “penalizes the savings, productivity and investment we so desperately need.” During his 2012 election campaign, he advocated to eliminate both the income and capital gains taxes as part of his FairTax plan.

Opposition:

Green – Dr. Jill Stein  

Republican – Donald Trump

Written By Timothy Lewis 

On April 6th, 2013, Mixed Martial Arts’ (MMA) next great star was born. With smooth combinations of whirling uppercuts and punishing left hands, “Notorious” Conor McGregor made tidy work of a game Marcus Brimage. An ensuing string of strong performances in the UFC’s 145 lb. featherweight division, and the MMA community was buzzing with excitement. The braggadocious Irishman proved himself dynamic while wielding a microphone, confidently belting one-liners and torching his opponents with trash talk. As the opposition crumbled before him, the pay per view numbers kept rising, paced only by the zeros on his checks. For the first time ever, the UFC had a bonafide prizefighter.

However, this sport is not one where greatness goes unscathed. Jose Aldo, great in his own right, sat as the only ruler atop the featherweight ladder in UFC history. Having already defended his belt a total of seven times, “Scarface” sliced through his challengers with relative ease, establishing himself amongst the elite of the pound for pound rankings. And yet, he fell. Thirteen seconds into the very first round, a perfectly timed left hand from McGregor stiffened his body as it cascaded to the canvas. Just like that, Conor McGregor possessed UFC gold.

With power that can only be donned by a champion, the Irishman set his sights upon even loftier grounds: Becoming only the third fighter in UFC history to hold two belts at the same time. If McGregor were to hold two belts simultaneously, he would join the ranks of B.J. Penn and Randy Couture, both legends in their own right. Drawing power brought the Irish star negotiating influence, and McGregor convinced the UFC to give him the money fight, a champion vs champion bout against lightweight titleholder, Rafael Dos Anjos.

Unfortunately, the bout was not meant to be. Dos Anjos pulled out days before the fight was set to take place with a broken foot. Conor, endowed with his “any time, anywhere” mentality, would not be denied. On just eleven days notice, he took a bout against lightweight contender, Nate Diaz. This is where the UFC’s biggest star would taste his first defeat in the organization. Diaz, using rangey boxing and a slithering submission game, forced McGregor to tap out in the second round.

The loss was embarrassing, crushing, and showed glaring holes in the Irishman’s game. He appeared to be more product than fighter and Nate Diaz blasted his way into mainstream stardom. One problem: Nate Diaz is no Conor McGregor. Sure, the Stockton, California product is talented, can offer the occasional soundbyte, and has a significant following along with his brother, but he simply didn’t awaken the imagination and engage the public in the same way. The UFC, along with the sport of mixed martial arts as a whole, needed Conor to regain his aura.

Only now, there was a difference. The sport’s premier organization had the negotiating power. After scheduling the rematch to headline UFC 200, the most hyped fight card to date, President of Operations, Dana White pulled McGregor from the event for denying media obligations. It would appear Conor lost his edge. He no longer commanded the catering he had become accustomed to.

But a true champion will rise from defeat. At UFC 202, “Notorious” would achieve his redemption. After extended preparations, McGregor vindicated himself with a hard fought decision victory over Nate Diaz. The battle drew the admiration, and most importantly, the attention of celebrities and famous athletes alike. A leading voice in all things sports, Colin Cowherd called it “the best fight in the history of the UFC,” and “a nail in the coffin for boxing.”

All of this, the popularity, the acclaim, the relevancy, it is all a product of Conor McGregor. Of course, UFC legends like Chuck Liddell, Anderson Silva, B.J. Penn, and Randy Couture, along with many others fit into the chain of progression, but it is without a doubt that Conor McGregor is the first mixed martial artist to achieve true prizefighter status. He alone has captured the awe of the public. He alone has put the UFC into the same breath as other major sports organizations. The self promotion, the prophetic fight analysis, the press conferences, the weigh ins, even the bouts themselves, they all live up to expectation. Conor McGregor is mixed martial arts. For that reason, MMA needs him, and it needs him to win. 

Written by Timothy Lewis

Name: Dr. Jill Ellen Stein

Date of Birth: May 14, 1950

Alma Mater:

Harvard University - A.B., Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Class of 1973,

Harvard Medical School - M.D., Class of 1979

Party: Green  

Total Delegates: Estimated 225.5 (202 needed to win)

Total Votes: 11,247

Political Positions:

Abortion:

Dr. Jill Stein is pro-choice, believing in a woman’s right to have an abortion. She also believes in access to birth control, sexual education, and other social services that would help reduce the need for abortions. In her opinion, birth control should be free from any health insurance provider. Additionally, she supports stem cell research, regardless of the source from which they come.

Gun Control:

As a backer of the assault weapon ban, Dr. Stein additionally supports more authority for local communities in the handling of gun regulation. She is a believer in strengthened background checks along with thorough mental health screening. The candidate believes that the issue of gun violence is strongly related to drug violence and a lack of access to the treatment of mental illness. While she still believes in gun ownership, Dr. Stein readily cites the increased dangers statistically associated with it, saying “public safety should factor into constraints.”

Drugs (Banned Substances):

The Harvard Graduate stands for the legalization and regulation of marijuana, citing it as less dangerous than other legal substances such as nicotine and alcohol. Furthermore, she thinks that the issue of substance addiction, whether it be legal or illegal, is a medical issue as opposed to a criminal issue. Therefore, under her administration, dependency struggles would be treated medically, as she believes it is a psychological condition.

Education:

“To ensure that our students have a strong, secure economic future, how about we bail out the students instead of bailing out the banks for the fourth time?” Jill believes investing in the future of the United States’ economy is more important than funding its current elite. She also sees education as an inalienable right, supporting the idea of free schooling from pre-K through college. She wishes to extend public education through college because she believes it is now equivalent to what a high school education was worth in the 20th century. The former Ivy Leaguer thinks that many of our modern teaching techniques are geared towards standardized tests and corporate interests, and believes we need to philosophically be more centered on developing the individual students. 

Charter schools, in Stein’s opinion, siphon resources from public schools. She recognizes the benefits of Charter schools and thinks the same advantages should be available in public schools, such as family engagement. However, she thinks that dividing the resources to fund two separate schools does a disservice to the community.

Healthcare:

Stein’s platform hopes to establish a “medicare for all,” single payer, public health care system. To do this, she wants to cut private health insurance and guarantee health care as a right to all American citizens. Dr. Stein sees holistic care as a component to effective health care. She wishes to label GMOs and invest in infrastructure to produce fresh, affordable organic produce. Preventative healthcare is another aspect of Stein’s plan, emphasizing exercise, nutrition, and eliminating pollution. She states that the current system is focused on “sick care,” or treating active ailments, as opposed to focusing on the maintenance of health.

Immigration:

Immigrants and diversity are to be welcomed under the Jill Stein administration. The Illinois native believes in extending the DREAM Act to work with undocumented immigrants past the age of 30. Dr. Stein attributes spikes in undocumented immigration to poorly conceived trade policies, such as NAFTA. Furthermore, Stein sees the undocumented immigrants currently in the United States as valuable to both our country’s culture and economy.

LGBT+ Rights:

Presidential candidate Jill Stein is fully in favor of equal treatment of the LGBT community. She is firmly opposed to any form of discrimination against a person based upon their sexual orientation.

Environment/Climate Change:

As the Green Party candidate, protecting and caring for the environment is Dr. Stein’s signature issue. She believes our health care, economy, and environment are all interdependent, and when addressed as a whole, all stimulate one another. She disagrees that the strength and growth of our economy is tied to current energy giants like natural gas and oil. An aspiration of Dr. Stein’s is to implement a Green New Deal to revolutionize the world’s approach to sustainable agriculture and renewable energy. Many of Stein’s economic plans are connected to the jobs she sees arising from the shift towards environmentally friendly products and energy.

Social Security:

The former physician & professor has claimed that both medicare and social security are under attack by the “right” and need to be saved. She is also against privatizing social security, stating, "This proposal to turn our Social Security system over to private corporations would lead to huge losses for retirees who depend on Social Security. And it would create investment risks that cannot be tolerated in our Social Security program."

Tax Reform:

Stein’s tax plan is straightforward: Raise taxes on the highest earners, and substantially reduce taxes for those of low and moderate income. Additionally, the Massachusetts resident would like to place a .03% tax on all Wall street transactions and tax capital gains as ordinary income. She is adamant about putting money in the hands of everyday workers and eliminating corporate welfare.

Opposition:

Libertarian  – Gary Johnson   

Republican – Donald Trump