Tom Brady. What is the first thought that comes to mind when you read or hear his name? I think of a four time Super Bowl champion and three time Super Bowl MVP. In fact, I think of the greatest quarterback to ever play the game. From what I see on my social media such as Facebook and Twitter, is nothing but absolute hate for this man. So I asked myself why so many people dislike such a likeable person?

The answer is quite simple. They hate his success. Brady was drafted 199^th overall in the 2000 NFL draft. No one thought he would be the player that he is today. I will tell you one thing, he did.

This brings me to the overly discussed topic that is “deflategate.” It pains me to see Brady put in the light that the media such as ESPN and the NFL Network have been putting him under. Now, the constant coverage of this story is absolutely pathetic. Is there no other content to provide your viewers?

This goes back to something I wrote about in another piece about the news presenting only what was trending and not what was important. Since so many people like to hate on Brady and the Patriots for their success, it would only make sense for the networks to milk this story for everything it has to offer.

I understand that his is a big story. I mean, we are talking about one of the greatest, if not the greatest to ever play the game being charged of cheating. For many biased and uniformed Facebook and Twitter users, it is so easy to call him a cheater and all the other profane words used to describe him that I, for many reasons, will not repeat.

The Wells report, in my opinion, was the biggest waste of approximately 5 million dollars. That money would have been better spent elsewhere, somewhere like, donating it to schools or basically any charity on earth. 5 million dollars for a “more probable than not.” If I am paying you millions of dollars, I want hard evidence and answers, not a maybe. Are you kidding me? This maybe is what the NFL is going after to punish Brady and the Patriots. Commissioner Goodell does not hesitate to punish people even without the proper evidence. This is not the first time either. He is notorious for laying down the hammer on players.

Going back to how the media has been covering this situation. On NFL Network, I turn to it and on the menu guide it says it is showing the “TOP 10 Brett Favre Games.” I am instantly tuning in, thinking I am going to watch the gunslinger bomb a 50 yard touchdown, only to be greatly disappointed. Can you guess what was on? You got it, “deflategate” coverage. It only makes the situation worse when it is all people talk about.

Later on in the day, I find myself flipping through the channels once more. I see that this time, the NFL Network is showing what I believed was “Path to the Draft,” or something of substance.  I was yet again disappointed to see Ian Rappaport’s face once again discussing “deflategate.” The NFL Network decided to forgo all scheduled programming to shove “deflategate” down our throats and to me, that’s disrespectful to the viewer.

I am convinced that all of the information discussed over the past 24 hours about Tom Brady and “deflategate” could have all been discussed and shared in 15 minutes. But that is what the media is all about. Making mountains out of mole hills and stretching any news into full blown 24 hour coverage.

Not only is it disrespectful and pathetic, it is thoroughly obnoxious. Even Colin Kaepernick agrees that we should move on from this story.

“No football in the world is going to help you win by 38! Let it go and let Tom be great! On to the 2015 season #7tormsComing.”

He makes a legitimate case here. The Patriots made the Colts look like a 2-14 team. I can assure you, it was not the PSI in the balls that made this happen. It was the brilliance of both Brady and New England head coach Bill Belichick.

As for Brady’s legacy, unfortunately, it will now be tarnished by “deflategate.” But not by his doing, it was the selfish media and jealous haters out there that made that happen.

If you want an image that says it all, look up the front page of the Boston Herald. Here is a link, enjoy.

http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2015/5/13/8598231/boston-herald-deflategate-cover-nfl-tom-brady-patriots

–Nick Ortiz

Try and imagine a world with no water. Pretty daunting isn’t it? Water shortages have already begun to spring up in California. This has lawmakers in the west coast losing sleep on how to figure out a solution to this issue. Water is the most important natural resource on earth. Everyone and everything relies on water to keep being a part of this beautiful planet. In California, the past three years have been the driest three years in its history, dating back to the 1849 Gold Rush. This is due to low snowpack, combined with 2014 being the hottest year in history of California, making the situation worse.

Residents of California have to water their lawns only twice a week. This will have the largest impact considering that the watering of lawns in suburban homes makes up 44 percent of water consumption in California.

The main reason this is getting so much national attention is because California is responsible for producing almost half of the nation’s food. It won’t be long before wed start seeing more and more states implementing laws limiting the use of water.

It is not only California who is showing signs of drought. More and more states are declaring that they have had previous shortages of water. Texas faced their driest drought in its history in 2011 when 110 percent of the state was experiencing droughts.

This water shortage is not only a west coast problem. North Carolina faced their largest drought in its history in 2008 which prompted lawmakers to make some changes.

The biggest issue I have with this situation in California is that why are only residents having to cut down their water consumption? Meanwhile, farmers are left to use water as freely as they have been?

I believe that farmers should either find ways to raise cattle and other animals while abiding by the new restrictions on water or move elsewhere. In fact, I believe the latter should be the course of action. That would restore some balance in the erratic water consumption of California.

The only issue is the stubbornness of these farmers and their inability to see the bigger picture. For them, it is all about profits. I get it, money is important. One thing they fail to see is that our planet and the well-being of the human race is much more important.

We must not let this water shortage keep rising at the rate that it is. More restrictions must be implemented to preserve our water. These farmers must relocate or be included in the water restrictions implemented to all Californians. More must be done other-wise there will be no human race. Bold statement, but someone had to say it. Water is an essential resource for the survival of not only the human race, but to all who inhabit this earth.

–Nick Ortiz

ESPN reporter Britt Mchenry was on the other side of the news over the past couple of days. Instead of delivering the news, she WAS the news. After watching the leaked video of her encounter with a towing company employee, I cannot understand why she is still employed by ESPN. She even used the “I am on TV” line as if that were to come with special treatment. Now she did apologize on twitter claiming her emotions got the best of her.

Let’s be honest Britt, you are a stuck up pretty girl who is used to getting what you want. Your emotions did not get the best of you. This is who you are, a rude, self-centered woman who believes to be too good for getting her car towed.

How is she still employed by ESPN? She should be employed by a towing company by now. I know her apology was fraud. She didn’t mean it. She only issued that apology because she wanted to keep her job or to show she actually has a sole. I would like to keep it real here, she reminds me of those teenage drama queens we all see in movies who end up getting dumped for the less attractive but better hearted female actress by being exposed of her heartless and ugly inside.

McHenry reminds me of Cinderella’s step-sisters too. Just her demeanor and how treats someone as if she were above them is almost identical to that of Cinderella’s step-sisters.

So is a weak long suspension long enough? Absolutely not! How ESPN feels it to be enough is beyond me. In fact, considering how physically attractive she is, she may be getting higher ratings and therefore ESPN can only afford to suspend her for that long.

I will now quote Dan Patrick, ESPN’s favorite Sports TV personality by referring to ESPN as “The Mothership.”

The bottom line, she is gorgeous, on the outside. She looks good on TV. But she has proven to be a horrible person. And The Mothership condones to this. Otherwise she would not be employed by them anymore.

I will take it one step further. What have I been connecting all my past blogs to? Sexism in this case, is the trending topic. If ESPN fires her, they will be deemed sexist by the female community? I know that if this had been a male reporter, he would no longer be employed by ESPN.

It bothers me how she is already back at work. She received nothing but a slap on the wrist. A minimal punishment. Absolutely ridiculous. Absurd. Atrocious. These are just some of the words that descried how I feel ESPN handled the situation.

Where is the consistency? Women have been working so hard for decades to receive the same treatment as men in the workplace, and yet, employees don’t seem to understand that they still treat women differently. Whether it is in pay or in punishment. It is the same shenanigans over and over again. Yes I said shenanigans. Because if it equality is what women strive for, the equality on all fronts are to be implemented.

So dear ESPN, aka The Mothership, get your act together and fire that ungrateful woman you call a reporter and give someone who not only deserves the job, but will act appropriately outside of work. Someone who will represent their employer well and not shame them on national television. So my last question for you ESPN is where do I apply?

— Nick Ortiz