Articles written by Rich Briggs

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About me - Rich Briggs

My name is Rich Briggs and I work in the education field as a substitute teacher at a junior/senior high school in southwestern Pennsylvania. I just finished my sixth full year in the field and enjoy what I do. Among other things, I coach junior high girls

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Politics, News & Issues > Presidential Elections 2008 US Elections 2008: Deciding your vote: 2 of 30
As this election year heats up, the debate rages on as to who can better run the country. We hear arguments from both sides that the Democrats and the Republicans are better equipped to run the country the next four years. Stepping up the debate a little further, is it better to be a conservative or a liberal? What side is o... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Sports Archives What the 2008 New England Patriots needed to win Super Bowl XLIII: 1 of 6
I have watched a lot of football at my relatively young age. Okay, I am a middle aged man by today's standards, but I don't feel old. I have watched college and professional football since the middle 1970s. In some aspects, the game has changed. Free agency has been a huge factor in the most recent changes, as most players f... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Football Should Coach Bill Belichick have stayed on the field for the end of the Super Bowl?: 2 of 7
It sounds like someone is a little testy about his Patriots losing to the pathetic Giants. What the real problem is that people get sick and tired of hearing how perfect Tom Terrific is and the fact Bill Belichick has the personality of a brick. No, he wasn't hired to find a cure for cancer. He was hired to coach a professio... More..
Autos > Mechanics & Repair Shops Local mechanic vs "Big Box" auto repair stores: 1 of 3
As we continue to feel the pinch at the gas pump and as fewer and fewer of us are lining up to buy new cars and trucks, most of us are choosing to hang onto our older vehicles to avoid a monthly payment. The large auto manufacturers are scaling back production of large trucks and SUVs because of the gas mileage and a soft ma... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Basketball Assessing Kobe Bryant's worth: 1 of 3
I used to be an NBA fan, especially back in the 1980s and 1990s, when Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Isaiah Thomas, and Michael Jordan were in their heyday. Yes, these players were superstars, but they knew how to play the game, utilizing fundamentals and how to work with their teammates. It is no coincidence that they have 16 c... More..
Sports & Recreation > Basketball Coaching & Skills Training and coaching tips for youth basketball practice: 8 of 14
I am a youth basketball coach, having coached junior high girls basketball for the past six years and going into my seventh year in the fall. A sidebar to this is coaching the same girls in the summer in a junior varsity league. The summer league is more loosely structured and allows the kids to learn the game in a playgroun... More..
Sports & Recreation > Football (Other) A look at what's so special about high school football: 5 of 5
While I work in education and have since the spring of 2002, I began following high school football on a regular basis back in 1994. I live in southwestern Pennsylvania, which is a hotbed for football on all levels. Some of the best players in football history began their careers in the Pittsburgh region. They all got their ... More..
Sports & Recreation > Auto Racing (Other) Reflecting on the death of NHRA driver Scott Kalitta: 4 of 4
Death, as we all know, is inevitable. We are all living on borrowed time, so what we do with the time that we have while we are here is what we are measured by. Some of us decide to take the safe, and easy, way around in life and there is nothing wrong with that. Others decide to live on the edge and challenge themselves. On... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Football Why Matt Ryan should play for the Falcons later rather than now: 2 of 2
Two words - Michael Vick. It's too early to tell whether or not Matt Ryan is going to be polished and poised NFL quarterback. The Atlanta Falcons have a public relations nightmare on their hands and the sooner they can wash their hands of it, the better. Whether Matt Ryan is ready to start in the NFL will up for debate for t... More..