Articles written by Pete Smits

What is Helium

About me - Pete Smits

Greetings -

By day, my background is legal and technical, yet another attorney that also pursues a career as a writer. As such, I have written and published extensively on Fantasy Football and related topics, such as sports handicapping and gambling generally.

+ more bio information

RSS Feed

Health & Fitness > Gym & Health Club Top mistakes people make in the gym: 1 of 25
FINDING THE RIGHT GYM FOR YOUOver the course of the past 30 years or so, starting in late high school, working out at a weightlifting / aerobic exercise gym has been a successful part of my fitness regimen and, indeed, has led to generally good mental and physical health. During that time, the gyms where I felt most at home h... More..
Jobs & Careers > Job Search (Other) How to beat the job-hunting blues: 1 of 13
KEEPING YOUR SANITY AT INSANE TIMES: Surviving Job Search LimboUnfortunately and fully unexpectedly as of a decade ago, several events - the dot.com busts, the economy after 9/11, moving back home after a decade away and life in general conspired to make holding down a full-time position more difficult than I would have imagi... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Presidential Elections 2008 US elections 2008: Why to choose Obama over McCain: 1 of 8

THE MOST IMPORTANT ELECTION IN THE HISTORY OF CIVILIZATIONA bold statement perhaps, but one that I will do my best to defend. The only choice for the United States of America, its people and the entire world, free or otherwise, friend or foe, industrialized or third world country, is to elect Barack Obama as the next Presiden... More..
Sports & Recreation > College Basketball March Madness: The basketball pool: 1 of 8
The Best Sporting Event in AmericaThe growth of the NCAA College Basketball tournament, commonly known as "March Madness," continues to be as exponential as ever. In fact, the growth of the tournament threatens American productivity throughout the month of March, as conservative projections estimate the loss to be well over o... More..
Politics, News & Issues > US Elections (Other) Should religion play an important role in choosing presidential candidates?: 2 of 15
FIGHTING A LOSING BATTLE: Removing Religion From PoliticsThe title of this debate assumes several facts with which I disagree - first of all, religion should play NO role in choosing presidential candidates, let alone an important one.Second, allowing for some role for religion to be inferred, the question of whether religion... More..
Sports & Recreation > College Football The conflict between the BCS and the NCAA football championship: 4 of 19
The Path to the Playoff SystemAs any reasonably avid sports fan knows, deciding the NCAA College Football Champion each season is an unprecedented and hopefully unrepeated blend of incredible fan interest and incompetent decision-making. We will likely never see a full-blown playoff system, but the system is creeping along to... More..
Sports & Recreation > Running Marathon training program for beginners: 3 of 11
A Few Tips and Thoughts for the First-TimerIn this event, I am certainly no expert, having completed my first marathon, the ATT Austin Marathon, a few weeks ago (2/17/2008). But being a reasonably competent athlete, I found the training process challenging, fascinating at times and the entire process, including the race itsel... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Presidential Elections 2008 US elections 2008: Why Barack Obama epitomizes the American dream: 7 of 18
WHY BARACK OBAMA MUST WINAmerica has lost its way, both domestically and internationally. To restore hope, as Senator Obama constantly reminds us, drastic change is required. Fortunately, drastic means are not necessary in that Barack Obama is a poised, logical, inspirational candidate whose very presence in the race demonstr... More..
Hobbies & Games > Hobbies & Games (Other) How to win your fantasy football league: 4 of 9
Improve Your Fantasy Football Life Today!Fantasy sports in general and Fantasy Football (abbreviated "FF" going forward) in particular are growing at an exponential rate. And, in this, as in all things, it is always more enjoyable to win and prosper than not, whether it be for pride, prestige, notoriety or money. Although it ... More..
Entertainment > TV Characters & Personalities TV show characters: Jack Bauer: 1 of 1

The writer's strike postponed Season 7 of "24" until January 2009, a long wait for the ardent fans of the series. Rather than focus on the political debates of whether the show encourages torture, gives terrorists bad ideas or is too far left or right, the reason most people have followed the show is the greatest character in... More..