As we approach a milestone in baseball history, that of the career HR record being broken by Barry Bonds, I tend to wonder why there is so much animosity and negative press/feelings surrounding this. There were negative and racial threats against Hank Aaron back in his day, but those were bigots threatening a black man (albeit a classy and deserving one) for breaking a record of a white man.
No, I wonder why so many people are rooting against Barry and why so many people are "well, he'll break it but we don't have to like it". Then I had an epiphany. It's because he's an asshole.
It's pretty well known that he did steroids, despite the fact that he never tested positive for them. BALCO was probably as advanced in masking them as it was in producing them.
He demeans and gripes incessantly at the media for all this attention.
He's selfish, self-centered, and arrogant.
He's just not a nice guy - or at least his public persona isn't a particularly pleasant one - and we exact our public opinion revenge on him for that.
Mark McGwire was, and is, a really nice guy. He's a diligent father, a good teammate, and a helluva guy. Steroids? Nah, he used andro (which, by the way, enabled this blogger to put on 10 pounds of quality muscle). Our speculation of his steroid use is very mitigated by the simple fact that we really like him.
We don't like Barry Bonds. He suffers in the public opinion poll and this is well earned by the way he interacts with us and the media. So our judgement is especially harsh against him because he has negative faction with his "fans".
Is this necessary? Well, you act like a jerk and you will be treated and judged accordingly. Sorry, but that's the truth.
**********
10 things that pour forth from my mind this Monday morning...
10. The lifestyle in Oregon is way slower, but easier, than Atlanta, GA.
9. Cobi Jones still sux, even at age 37 he's no more useful than he was at 27.
8. The NHL playoffs are basically going the way of the upper seeds - but so far they've been exciting.
7. Carl Pavano will not last past this season with the Yankees - if he makes it that far.
6. Speaking of the Yankees, their injury-plagued rotation will be their achilles' heel (again).
5. Slot machines blow dog, you win money at the tables.
4. Jackie Robinson's courage and playing ability earns him more respect than you could ever muster.
3. Winning money is way better than earning it.
2. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas - but tell your buddies secretly, cuz it's COOL!
1. I have the most wonderful wife in the world, bar none.
4.16.2007
4.04.2007
While I'm taking a deep breath to blog...
One of the most addicting and aggravating games...ever! I love it!
If you never find yourself leaning in your chair in hopes that you'll boom a dot, you aren't playing...
Boomshine
If you never find yourself leaning in your chair in hopes that you'll boom a dot, you aren't playing...
Boomshine
Dishonest Politics XXIV
Jim Geraghty over at the Hillary Spot has a quick post on bilingual education. But his criticism misses the point.
Perez is being disingenuous and he knows it. The issue is not about failing to promote second languages to Americans. Bilingual education has the effect of allowing native Spanish speakers to AVOID learning English.
But the joke doesn't sound so funny if the punch line is "an illegal in the Barrio."
Perez is being disingenuous and he knows it. The issue is not about failing to promote second languages to Americans. Bilingual education has the effect of allowing native Spanish speakers to AVOID learning English.
But the joke doesn't sound so funny if the punch line is "an illegal in the Barrio."
4.03.2007
That is Why I am Not on ESPN
I could not have been more wrong if I tried. The Florida-OSU game was over by half-time...just like the BCS Championship. Ohio State might be getting a complex.
All that said, this is how it should have been. The fact that Florida lost some "easy" games shows, in retrospect, a loss of focus, not talent. Hat's off to them.
In other sports news:
1. Yankees bats and bullpen saved Pavano. But A-Rod's error and all the "boos" in the top of the first was the highlight of the game. Good of Jeter to throw one away to make A-Rod feel better.
2. Schilling had a rough go. His control....well, let him tell you. Maybe I am just nuts, but reading him recap a game is like watching 24. Riveting. (Okay, I am officially in complete baseball crazy mode.)
3. Barry Bonds. He will break the record, probably in late-June. Too bad.
4. Back to NCAA Hoops. Billy Donovan becomes one of only four active coaches to have one more then one title. The others: Bobby Knight, Coach K and Jim Calhoun.
5. Peter Crouch scores a "perfect" hat trick for Liverpool against the Arses...I mean Gunners. A perfect hat trick is a left foot, right foot and header. Given the stinginess of goals and the opponent (Arsenal is not some "soon to be regulated" squad), kudos to Crouch.
All that said, this is how it should have been. The fact that Florida lost some "easy" games shows, in retrospect, a loss of focus, not talent. Hat's off to them.
In other sports news:
1. Yankees bats and bullpen saved Pavano. But A-Rod's error and all the "boos" in the top of the first was the highlight of the game. Good of Jeter to throw one away to make A-Rod feel better.
2. Schilling had a rough go. His control....well, let him tell you. Maybe I am just nuts, but reading him recap a game is like watching 24. Riveting. (Okay, I am officially in complete baseball crazy mode.)
3. Barry Bonds. He will break the record, probably in late-June. Too bad.
4. Back to NCAA Hoops. Billy Donovan becomes one of only four active coaches to have one more then one title. The others: Bobby Knight, Coach K and Jim Calhoun.
5. Peter Crouch scores a "perfect" hat trick for Liverpool against the Arses...I mean Gunners. A perfect hat trick is a left foot, right foot and header. Given the stinginess of goals and the opponent (Arsenal is not some "soon to be regulated" squad), kudos to Crouch.
3.26.2007
Fantastic Final Four
In my two ESPN brackets, I had UNC and Georgetown as winning it all. I guess I liked the East.
Two Number 1s and two Number 2s. That hasn't happened in over 10 years. The Elite 8 had no one lower then a 7 seed; which I am certain does not count as Cinderella. The games have been generally close (even the UNC-G'Town game went OT before the Hoyas took over).
And there is a possibility of a Florida-OSU championship again!
This has been an outstanding tournament.
My quick predictions: I will stick with G'Town over Florida. As I said below, Florida should take the championship, but I like these Hoyas. I also like UCLA, who I think will have the heart to beat OSU, though I am nervous after the way OSU played against Memphis.
Finally, I see a championship for another Thompson-Ewing combo.
Two Number 1s and two Number 2s. That hasn't happened in over 10 years. The Elite 8 had no one lower then a 7 seed; which I am certain does not count as Cinderella. The games have been generally close (even the UNC-G'Town game went OT before the Hoyas took over).
And there is a possibility of a Florida-OSU championship again!
This has been an outstanding tournament.
My quick predictions: I will stick with G'Town over Florida. As I said below, Florida should take the championship, but I like these Hoyas. I also like UCLA, who I think will have the heart to beat OSU, though I am nervous after the way OSU played against Memphis.
Finally, I see a championship for another Thompson-Ewing combo.
3.21.2007
That's Gratitude for You
My two boys are taking the MCAS tests, which are Massachusetts' state standardized tests. My oldest son had a comprehensive essay yesterday on the topic, "Who is Your Hero?" His answer: his Dad! It is a wonderful feeling.
My youngest son had his comprehensive essay yesterday on the topic, "The Best Day of Your Life." His answer, the day he, his younger sister and I spent together while Mrs. Tilam and the oldest (see above) traveled out of state to a Jazz competition. I am two for two!
Mrs. Tilam, who has been a stay at home Mom, and his psychotically devoted to the kids and the family is none to pleased...
My youngest son had his comprehensive essay yesterday on the topic, "The Best Day of Your Life." His answer, the day he, his younger sister and I spent together while Mrs. Tilam and the oldest (see above) traveled out of state to a Jazz competition. I am two for two!
Mrs. Tilam, who has been a stay at home Mom, and his psychotically devoted to the kids and the family is none to pleased...
3.15.2007
A long string of lies, is there more to come?
Okay, I'm done with Pete Rose. For the longest time we've all suspected that he bet on his own team, the Reds, which he had vehemently denied. Of course, he also vehemently denied betting on baseball for 15 years before finally admitting that he did. Well, of course he bet on the Red, he bet on them every night!
Okay, last straw for me. Being a racist (Ty Cobb), a womanizer (Babe Ruth was the FIRST of many), a drunk (Mickey Mantle), those are different from a) betting on baseball (which, frankly, I could have forgiven eventually), and b) betting on YOUR OWN TEAM.
But Pete says he "always bet on them to win". Sorry, how the hell are we supposed to believe that? You've lied about EVERY serious betting allegation against you, why should this be any different? I'm done with Pete. No, I don't think he should be in the Hall of Fame anymore. No, I don't want him reinstated; if he was, what's to say he wouldn't do the same thing? Nope, goodbye Pete Rose, the major league hit king.
As for saying "I should be reinstated, because I'm the best ambassador baseball has"? Not even close, Pete. Good riddance. :(
Okay, last straw for me. Being a racist (Ty Cobb), a womanizer (Babe Ruth was the FIRST of many), a drunk (Mickey Mantle), those are different from a) betting on baseball (which, frankly, I could have forgiven eventually), and b) betting on YOUR OWN TEAM.
But Pete says he "always bet on them to win". Sorry, how the hell are we supposed to believe that? You've lied about EVERY serious betting allegation against you, why should this be any different? I'm done with Pete. No, I don't think he should be in the Hall of Fame anymore. No, I don't want him reinstated; if he was, what's to say he wouldn't do the same thing? Nope, goodbye Pete Rose, the major league hit king.
As for saying "I should be reinstated, because I'm the best ambassador baseball has"? Not even close, Pete. Good riddance. :(
3.13.2007
One Quickie on Coaching
I live in a mid-size town in Massachusetts. We have a relatively strong youth sports program and one thing it does is try and keep the level of coaching high. I have coached every fall and spring at least one team for eight straight years, and have seen a great improvement in the level of coaches. (I do not consider myself a great coach. My strength is identifying talent and directing that talent on the field to maximum success. My weakness is that I get emotional. Too emotional for my tastes, especially in soccer.)
In youth soccer, it now requires coaches to go to clinics and get certified depending on age. I must say, I am in favor of this though it is a pain.
In baseball, you must apprentice as a coach for Little League. Yes, apprentice. This, I think, is a bit much.
In youth soccer, it now requires coaches to go to clinics and get certified depending on age. I must say, I am in favor of this though it is a pain.
In baseball, you must apprentice as a coach for Little League. Yes, apprentice. This, I think, is a bit much.
Around the Horn
Okay, my take on things:
Politics:
-Scooter Libby. Scooter got convicted of the same thing Martha Stewart got convicted of. But on (arguably) less solid evidence. I am not partisan enough to say he should get off any less or that Bush should pardon him now. Was it a political show trial? Sure, but that is Washington right now. And he is a Republican. Democrat and Clintonista Sandy Berger got off with a slap on the wrist for destroying classified material (which he lied about), but he is a Democrat.
Unfair? Certainly, but that is the way the media and Washington work.
-Iraq. The current conditions seem to be affecting the situation positively. (I don't thing the "surge" can take all the credit.) Iraq will be a mess for years, our job is to get the mess to a level manageable by the Iraqis themselves.
-Dems 2008. Anyone who thinks Obama has a shot is smoking something. Hillary will be the nominee. Barack has too much baggage that is only trickling out. The Clinton op-force is patient and will strike fast and brutally when the time is right. The Clintons INVENTED the politics of personal destruction.
-Attorney Firings. More political hay. Dems and Repubs are shocked (SHOCKED) that this sort of thing goes on. (Hillary also fired 93 attorneys when the Clintons came to town. But, claim Democrats, that was DIFFERENT! Of course, it was. ) I simply do not see the problem with firing a political appointee if that appointee is not carrying on the administration's wishes. NEXT!
-GOP 2008. I am not sure any of the current Big 3 will be nominated. McCain does not want to make nice with the more conservative wing, Romney still makes people uneasy with his flip-flops and religion, and Gulianni has appeared too many times in a dress.
Two words: Fred Thompson.
Sports:
-UConn. I weep. Nothin'. Not even an NIT bid. I think the this might mark a real transition year in NCAA Hoops. Calhoun (and every other DI coach) will need to understand how to work with very talented freshman/sophomores and mid-level upperclassman that do not have the talent to go early. But Calhoun will clean house in the off-season.
-Tournament Time. Wow. Who knows? I would think that UNC should walk away with it. Or Florida. But I like Kansas (who has the hardest road) and UCLA is a legitimate contender. I am still down on the Big 10, but I think Maryland has a real shot if they can stay up for the games. (But then everyone who can stay up for the games does.)
My choice right now: UNC.
-38 Pitches. Love him or hate him, Curt Schilling is a worthy read. He has a blog, 38 Pitches, that I have added on the left. Check it out.
-Cleats. Okay, so I am in a sports shop looking at the clearance rack and I find these Kelme cleats. For $29! One slight problem is the biggest size they have is an 8, which I passed long ago. But a deal is deal, so I make like freakin' Drizella trying to cram her doggies in that glass slipper before Cinderella gets a shot. With about as much luck. Damn, so close.
-The Kids. Youth sports starts soon. My eldest has his first lacrosse practice tonight, Little League tryout are in a few weeks and spring soccer starts soon. More observations on the insanity that are kids' sports leagues to follow.
Politics:
-Scooter Libby. Scooter got convicted of the same thing Martha Stewart got convicted of. But on (arguably) less solid evidence. I am not partisan enough to say he should get off any less or that Bush should pardon him now. Was it a political show trial? Sure, but that is Washington right now. And he is a Republican. Democrat and Clintonista Sandy Berger got off with a slap on the wrist for destroying classified material (which he lied about), but he is a Democrat.
Unfair? Certainly, but that is the way the media and Washington work.
-Iraq. The current conditions seem to be affecting the situation positively. (I don't thing the "surge" can take all the credit.) Iraq will be a mess for years, our job is to get the mess to a level manageable by the Iraqis themselves.
-Dems 2008. Anyone who thinks Obama has a shot is smoking something. Hillary will be the nominee. Barack has too much baggage that is only trickling out. The Clinton op-force is patient and will strike fast and brutally when the time is right. The Clintons INVENTED the politics of personal destruction.
-Attorney Firings. More political hay. Dems and Repubs are shocked (SHOCKED) that this sort of thing goes on. (Hillary also fired 93 attorneys when the Clintons came to town. But, claim Democrats, that was DIFFERENT! Of course, it was. ) I simply do not see the problem with firing a political appointee if that appointee is not carrying on the administration's wishes. NEXT!
-GOP 2008. I am not sure any of the current Big 3 will be nominated. McCain does not want to make nice with the more conservative wing, Romney still makes people uneasy with his flip-flops and religion, and Gulianni has appeared too many times in a dress.
Two words: Fred Thompson.
Sports:
-UConn. I weep. Nothin'. Not even an NIT bid. I think the this might mark a real transition year in NCAA Hoops. Calhoun (and every other DI coach) will need to understand how to work with very talented freshman/sophomores and mid-level upperclassman that do not have the talent to go early. But Calhoun will clean house in the off-season.
-Tournament Time. Wow. Who knows? I would think that UNC should walk away with it. Or Florida. But I like Kansas (who has the hardest road) and UCLA is a legitimate contender. I am still down on the Big 10, but I think Maryland has a real shot if they can stay up for the games. (But then everyone who can stay up for the games does.)
My choice right now: UNC.
-38 Pitches. Love him or hate him, Curt Schilling is a worthy read. He has a blog, 38 Pitches, that I have added on the left. Check it out.
-Cleats. Okay, so I am in a sports shop looking at the clearance rack and I find these Kelme cleats. For $29! One slight problem is the biggest size they have is an 8, which I passed long ago. But a deal is deal, so I make like freakin' Drizella trying to cram her doggies in that glass slipper before Cinderella gets a shot. With about as much luck. Damn, so close.
-The Kids. Youth sports starts soon. My eldest has his first lacrosse practice tonight, Little League tryout are in a few weeks and spring soccer starts soon. More observations on the insanity that are kids' sports leagues to follow.
3.05.2007
World Wide Visibility
So you know that we are far reaching in our Blog...
A special call out to our readers in Moosejaw, Saskatchewan. A hockey breeding place if there ever was one - that's where the tough players grow up.
Also, referencing the comment from our anonymous poster..."Well Kelly has a real talent for BUTCHERING songs...NASCAR anyone? Her HYPE is sooo over. She's terrible live." We'd like to thank Justin Guarini for his comments, and thank him for reading the drivel that is this blog. :) And my return comment..."well, at least Kelly is better than Britney (or, dare I say, Paris Hilton?).
A special call out to our readers in Moosejaw, Saskatchewan. A hockey breeding place if there ever was one - that's where the tough players grow up.
Also, referencing the comment from our anonymous poster..."Well Kelly has a real talent for BUTCHERING songs...NASCAR anyone? Her HYPE is sooo over. She's terrible live." We'd like to thank Justin Guarini for his comments, and thank him for reading the drivel that is this blog. :) And my return comment..."well, at least Kelly is better than Britney (or, dare I say, Paris Hilton?).
Serious URL Mistakes
1. A site called "Who Represents" where you can find the name of the agent who represents specific celebrities:
www.whorepresents.com
2. Experts Exchange, a knowledge base where programmers can exchange advice and views at:
www.expertsexchange.com
3. Looking for a pen? Look no further than Pen Island at:
www.penisland.net
4. Need a therapist? Try Therapist Finder at:
www.therapistfinder.com
5. The Italian Power Generator company:
www.powergenitalia.com
6. The Mole Station Native Nursery, based in New South Wales:
www.molestationnursery.com
7. If you're looking for computer software, there's:
www.ipanywhere.com
8. The First United Methodist Church in Cumming, Georgia:
www.cummingfirst.com
9. Brainless art designers, at Speed Of Art:
www.speedofart.com
10. Want to holiday in Lake Tahoe? Try their brochure website at
www.gotahoe.com
www.whorepresents.com
2. Experts Exchange, a knowledge base where programmers can exchange advice and views at:
www.expertsexchange.com
3. Looking for a pen? Look no further than Pen Island at:
www.penisland.net
4. Need a therapist? Try Therapist Finder at:
www.therapistfinder.com
5. The Italian Power Generator company:
www.powergenitalia.com
6. The Mole Station Native Nursery, based in New South Wales:
www.molestationnursery.com
7. If you're looking for computer software, there's:
www.ipanywhere.com
8. The First United Methodist Church in Cumming, Georgia:
www.cummingfirst.com
9. Brainless art designers, at Speed Of Art:
www.speedofart.com
10. Want to holiday in Lake Tahoe? Try their brochure website at
www.gotahoe.com
An Open Letter to CPAC Sponsors and Organizers Regarding Ann Coulter
Conservatism treats humans as they are, as moral creatures possessing rational minds and capable of discerning right from wrong. There comes a time when we must speak out in the defense of the conservative movement, and make a stand for political civility. This is one of those times.
Ann Coulter used to serve the movement well. She was telegenic, intelligent, and witty. She was also fearless: saying provocative things to inspire deeper thought and cutting through the haze of competing information has its uses. But Coulter’s fearlessness has become an addiction to shock value. She draws attention to herself, rather than placing the spotlight on conservative ideas.
At the Conservative Political Action Conference in 2006, Coulter referred to Iranians as “ragheads.” She is one of the most prominent women in the conservative movement; for her to employ such reckless language reinforces the stereotype that conservatives are racists.
At CPA2007 Coulter decided to turn up the volume by referring to John Edwards, a former U.S. Senator and current Presidential candidate, as a “faggot.” Such offensive language–and the cavalier attitude that lies behind it–is intolerable to us. It may be tolerated on liberal websites but not at the nation’s premier conservative gathering.
The legendary conservative thinker Richard Weaver wrote a book entitled Ideas Have Consequences. Rush Limbaugh has said again and again that “words mean things.” Both phrases apply to Coulter’s awful remarks.
Coulter’s vicious word choice tells the world she care little about the feelings of a large group that often feels marginalized and despised. Her word choice forces conservatives to waste time defending themselves against charges of homophobia rather than advancing conservative ideas.
Within a day of Coulter’s remark John Edwards sent out a fundraising email that used Coulter’s words to raise money for his faltering campaign. She is helping those she claims to oppose. How does that advance any of the causes we hold dear?
Denouncing Coulter is not enough. After her “raghead” remark in 2006 she took some heat. Yet she did not grow and learn. We should have been more forceful. This year she used a gay slur. What is next? If Senator Barack Obama is the de facto Democratic Presidential nominee next year will Coulter feel free to use a racial slur? How does that help conservatism?
One of the points of CPAC is the opportunity it gives college students to meet other young conservatives and learn from our leaders. Unlike on their campuses—where they often feel alone—at CPAC they know they are part of a vibrant political movement. What example is set when one highlight of the conference is finding out what shocking phrase will emerge from Ann Coulter’s mouth? How can we teach young conservatives to fight for their principles with civility and respect when Ann Coulter is allowed to address the conference? Coulter’s invective is a sign of weak thinking and unprincipled politicking.
CPAC sponsors, the Age of Ann has passed. We, the undersigned, request that CPAC speaking invitations no longer be extended to Ann Coulter. Her words and attitude simply do too much damage.
Tilam
While I normally do not "sign" letters of this sort, civility is something I believe separates conservative voices from the liberal left. Captain Ed makes a personal stand.
Ann Coulter used to serve the movement well. She was telegenic, intelligent, and witty. She was also fearless: saying provocative things to inspire deeper thought and cutting through the haze of competing information has its uses. But Coulter’s fearlessness has become an addiction to shock value. She draws attention to herself, rather than placing the spotlight on conservative ideas.
At the Conservative Political Action Conference in 2006, Coulter referred to Iranians as “ragheads.” She is one of the most prominent women in the conservative movement; for her to employ such reckless language reinforces the stereotype that conservatives are racists.
At CPA2007 Coulter decided to turn up the volume by referring to John Edwards, a former U.S. Senator and current Presidential candidate, as a “faggot.” Such offensive language–and the cavalier attitude that lies behind it–is intolerable to us. It may be tolerated on liberal websites but not at the nation’s premier conservative gathering.
The legendary conservative thinker Richard Weaver wrote a book entitled Ideas Have Consequences. Rush Limbaugh has said again and again that “words mean things.” Both phrases apply to Coulter’s awful remarks.
Coulter’s vicious word choice tells the world she care little about the feelings of a large group that often feels marginalized and despised. Her word choice forces conservatives to waste time defending themselves against charges of homophobia rather than advancing conservative ideas.
Within a day of Coulter’s remark John Edwards sent out a fundraising email that used Coulter’s words to raise money for his faltering campaign. She is helping those she claims to oppose. How does that advance any of the causes we hold dear?
Denouncing Coulter is not enough. After her “raghead” remark in 2006 she took some heat. Yet she did not grow and learn. We should have been more forceful. This year she used a gay slur. What is next? If Senator Barack Obama is the de facto Democratic Presidential nominee next year will Coulter feel free to use a racial slur? How does that help conservatism?
One of the points of CPAC is the opportunity it gives college students to meet other young conservatives and learn from our leaders. Unlike on their campuses—where they often feel alone—at CPAC they know they are part of a vibrant political movement. What example is set when one highlight of the conference is finding out what shocking phrase will emerge from Ann Coulter’s mouth? How can we teach young conservatives to fight for their principles with civility and respect when Ann Coulter is allowed to address the conference? Coulter’s invective is a sign of weak thinking and unprincipled politicking.
CPAC sponsors, the Age of Ann has passed. We, the undersigned, request that CPAC speaking invitations no longer be extended to Ann Coulter. Her words and attitude simply do too much damage.
Tilam
While I normally do not "sign" letters of this sort, civility is something I believe separates conservative voices from the liberal left. Captain Ed makes a personal stand.
3.02.2007
Idol Time 2
Daughtry Rules! Sorry...lost it for a second.
I am not a big Kelly Clarkson fan, nor am I too enamored of Carrie Underwood. Idol has has some great singing talents...they just have not won. Which leads to comment two.
Looks. The fact is that the hot girls (and to a certain extent, guys) will survive over the great singers. The "Mandissas" of this year are LaKisha and Melinda: each has a great voice but they are too *ahem* big to make it. Antonella is the Kelli Pickler of Season 6: she can't sing very well, but she is very cute. (Actually, I thought Kelli was not cute at all, but Antonella is.)
So the voting seems to first get rid of mediocre looks, then mediocre talent and then talent without the look.
***
To answer Thew's question: incest is statutorily defined. The state statute will say "incest is when A has a certain type of sex with B, C, or D" and B, C, and D will be very specific (sometimes grossly so). It is not usually up for interpretation. As you can see in the MA statute, if you are prohibited from marrying someone and that someone is consanguine to you (descendant), then it is incest.
I am not a big Kelly Clarkson fan, nor am I too enamored of Carrie Underwood. Idol has has some great singing talents...they just have not won. Which leads to comment two.
Looks. The fact is that the hot girls (and to a certain extent, guys) will survive over the great singers. The "Mandissas" of this year are LaKisha and Melinda: each has a great voice but they are too *ahem* big to make it. Antonella is the Kelli Pickler of Season 6: she can't sing very well, but she is very cute. (Actually, I thought Kelli was not cute at all, but Antonella is.)
So the voting seems to first get rid of mediocre looks, then mediocre talent and then talent without the look.
***
To answer Thew's question: incest is statutorily defined. The state statute will say "incest is when A has a certain type of sex with B, C, or D" and B, C, and D will be very specific (sometimes grossly so). It is not usually up for interpretation. As you can see in the MA statute, if you are prohibited from marrying someone and that someone is consanguine to you (descendant), then it is incest.
American IDULL
Not a fan. The excitement factor died with me shortly after "To Kelly from Justin" hit the big screen.
Kelly Clarkson is a REAL talent.
Where is Ruben Studdard? Clay Aiken seems to have a fringe career somewhere, but his first song was about stalking some nice girl "if i was invisible, I would hide in your room".
Carrie Underwood is another talent, although she has shifted into country and has a successful career going.
I saw Taylor Hicks on Letterman, or the Tonight Show, or something like that a couple of days ago, he was awful.
I don't know why Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul were picked for the panel, but I admit I'm a fan of Simon.
Other shows that really NEED to be cancelled:
Survivor
MTV's Real World
The Surreal Life (and any other shlocky assinine reality show on VH1)
Ty Pennington's house fix up show needs to go too.
Reality shows that you really want to watch:
The Contender (although Ray Leonard is REALLY annoying with his dramatic speeches)
The Ultimate Fighter
America's Next Top Model (although *I* might not be in favor, my wife and 15 year old daughter love this show)
Project Runway (I hate to admit my feminine side, but this show is interesting)
******
News from the world of sports
NBA - there's an NBA? Actually, I have a close neighbor who used to work for the Portland Trail Blazers as a personnel advisor, keeping their young elitist thug punks in line with advice, accountability, and tutlege. Portland fired him. 'Nuf said.
MLB - Hello spring training. Quit bitching and whining Bernie Williams, you need to earn your starting spot, but I think a roster spot isn't out of the question. However, if you're holding out like a primadonna and you get cut, you have no one else to blame. For years you have been associated with the great WS winning Yankee teams of the late 90's, now you're just an over the hill no skill having whiny little geriatric. TEAM first dood...
More steroids probes and allegations, this time not on the west coast, on the east coast (New York). Biggie Smalls v Tupac all over again? Look, MLB needs to understand that people ARE USING performance enhancing drugs, they just have to find those offenders.
NHL - Lots of trades, the HUGE one being Ryan Smyth out of Edmonton to the Islanders. WTF is Edmonton thinking?! Wayne Gretzky, then Mark Messier, now Ryan Smyth? There is something to be said about trading the heart of your team...
NFL - nuttin...
*****
In the question of legalities, I heard about a case where a father who was involved sexually with his daughter is going to jail for incest. HOWEVER, I'm not sure this is a crime for the following reasons:
- the girl was his step-daughter
- she was an adult, age 22
- she admitted to this being a concensual relationship
Morally abhorrent? Yep.
Sick and twisted? Oh Yeah.
But here's the question. Is that incest? Our resident legal expert, Tilam will weigh in...
NOTE: It is unknown at this time whether or not he has legally adopted her.
Kelly Clarkson is a REAL talent.
Where is Ruben Studdard? Clay Aiken seems to have a fringe career somewhere, but his first song was about stalking some nice girl "if i was invisible, I would hide in your room".
Carrie Underwood is another talent, although she has shifted into country and has a successful career going.
I saw Taylor Hicks on Letterman, or the Tonight Show, or something like that a couple of days ago, he was awful.
I don't know why Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul were picked for the panel, but I admit I'm a fan of Simon.
Other shows that really NEED to be cancelled:
Survivor
MTV's Real World
The Surreal Life (and any other shlocky assinine reality show on VH1)
Ty Pennington's house fix up show needs to go too.
Reality shows that you really want to watch:
The Contender (although Ray Leonard is REALLY annoying with his dramatic speeches)
The Ultimate Fighter
America's Next Top Model (although *I* might not be in favor, my wife and 15 year old daughter love this show)
Project Runway (I hate to admit my feminine side, but this show is interesting)
******
News from the world of sports
NBA - there's an NBA? Actually, I have a close neighbor who used to work for the Portland Trail Blazers as a personnel advisor, keeping their young elitist thug punks in line with advice, accountability, and tutlege. Portland fired him. 'Nuf said.
MLB - Hello spring training. Quit bitching and whining Bernie Williams, you need to earn your starting spot, but I think a roster spot isn't out of the question. However, if you're holding out like a primadonna and you get cut, you have no one else to blame. For years you have been associated with the great WS winning Yankee teams of the late 90's, now you're just an over the hill no skill having whiny little geriatric. TEAM first dood...
More steroids probes and allegations, this time not on the west coast, on the east coast (New York). Biggie Smalls v Tupac all over again? Look, MLB needs to understand that people ARE USING performance enhancing drugs, they just have to find those offenders.
NHL - Lots of trades, the HUGE one being Ryan Smyth out of Edmonton to the Islanders. WTF is Edmonton thinking?! Wayne Gretzky, then Mark Messier, now Ryan Smyth? There is something to be said about trading the heart of your team...
NFL - nuttin...
*****
In the question of legalities, I heard about a case where a father who was involved sexually with his daughter is going to jail for incest. HOWEVER, I'm not sure this is a crime for the following reasons:
- the girl was his step-daughter
- she was an adult, age 22
- she admitted to this being a concensual relationship
Morally abhorrent? Yep.
Sick and twisted? Oh Yeah.
But here's the question. Is that incest? Our resident legal expert, Tilam will weigh in...
NOTE: It is unknown at this time whether or not he has legally adopted her.
Idol Time
The truth is I am not an Idol fan. But it is a show that the whole family can watch. So, we have begun TiVo'ing and watching it with the kids in the early evenings.
But I can't sit idoly by (sorry for the pun) and not make a couple of comments.
Song Choice. Okay, there is a pretty hard and fast rule that, if you are a girl, DO NOT pick a song from Barbra Streisand, Whitney Houston or Celine Dion. (Some add Mariah Carey to the mix, but I don't for reason's mentioned below.) These are three women who you simply can not imitate. They are also big enough that their signature songs are pretty well tailored for them.
So stop it! Mariah Carey is a different matter. I don't place her in the same league as BWC and if you really have chops, you can pull off a Mariah song. But any pitchiness will kill you.
Guys do not have the same problem, BUT they do have a totally verboten song: Unchained Melody. Everyone hears the Righteous Brothers in their head and there is no way you can do what Bobby Hatfield did on this song; and many (Willie Nelson, Barry Manilow, Elvis) have tried. The only half-way good rendition was done by a woman: LeeAnn Rimes.
More later...
But I can't sit idoly by (sorry for the pun) and not make a couple of comments.
Song Choice. Okay, there is a pretty hard and fast rule that, if you are a girl, DO NOT pick a song from Barbra Streisand, Whitney Houston or Celine Dion. (Some add Mariah Carey to the mix, but I don't for reason's mentioned below.) These are three women who you simply can not imitate. They are also big enough that their signature songs are pretty well tailored for them.
So stop it! Mariah Carey is a different matter. I don't place her in the same league as BWC and if you really have chops, you can pull off a Mariah song. But any pitchiness will kill you.
Guys do not have the same problem, BUT they do have a totally verboten song: Unchained Melody. Everyone hears the Righteous Brothers in their head and there is no way you can do what Bobby Hatfield did on this song; and many (Willie Nelson, Barry Manilow, Elvis) have tried. The only half-way good rendition was done by a woman: LeeAnn Rimes.
More later...
2.27.2007
Small Town New England
I just got back from a vacation in Vermont, near Stowe. While the vacation was not necessarily "relaxing" (three kids ages 8 - 12 will do that), I will say that I thoroughly enjoy the refreshing, small town New England friendliness.
From Keith, the baker at Thompson's Flour Shop in "downtown" Morrisville, to all the "good mornings" from strangers as you walk or jog. Coco, who pumps gas at the corner Mobil station, was as cheerful as can be, even though she was out in -8 degree weather. For some reason, New Englanders do not have the reputation as being as friendly as, say, Southerners, but the good people of Northern Vermont put to rest this lie.
Of course, being so close to Ben & Jerry's would improve anyone's attitude...
From Keith, the baker at Thompson's Flour Shop in "downtown" Morrisville, to all the "good mornings" from strangers as you walk or jog. Coco, who pumps gas at the corner Mobil station, was as cheerful as can be, even though she was out in -8 degree weather. For some reason, New Englanders do not have the reputation as being as friendly as, say, Southerners, but the good people of Northern Vermont put to rest this lie.
Of course, being so close to Ben & Jerry's would improve anyone's attitude...
2.26.2007
Religion of Peace
James Cameron of Titanic fame is coming out with a documentary that says the bones of Jesus and his family have been discovered.
Does this remind anyone else of Geraldo and the vault of Al Capone? One thing for sure, Christians will not be rioting in the streets calling for fatwas against Cameron.
Now it is possible, but does not make sense to me. After his very public ministry, Jesus did what? Retire? Marry and have a child? In obscurity? All these family members buried at various times and it never came up? Okay, I am willing to believe that Jesus did not matter to the Romans, but the Jews failed to mention it to the early converts? He was buried in Jerusalem for goodness sakes.
But I will TiVo it, so Cameron scores one I guess...
UPDATE: Or maybe not. Maybe there is a reason this has not sparked serious interest before.
Does this remind anyone else of Geraldo and the vault of Al Capone? One thing for sure, Christians will not be rioting in the streets calling for fatwas against Cameron.
Now it is possible, but does not make sense to me. After his very public ministry, Jesus did what? Retire? Marry and have a child? In obscurity? All these family members buried at various times and it never came up? Okay, I am willing to believe that Jesus did not matter to the Romans, but the Jews failed to mention it to the early converts? He was buried in Jerusalem for goodness sakes.
But I will TiVo it, so Cameron scores one I guess...
UPDATE: Or maybe not. Maybe there is a reason this has not sparked serious interest before.
2.21.2007
Strange Bedfellows
No BLOG fans, this isn't going to be a story about Thew's noctural activities with Mrs Right (middle name: Always)...
A-clod just DOESN'T get it. In some recent interviews with the press, he's admitted that his relationship with Derek Jeter has changed, perhaps not a good as it used to be. But it's all in the past, he says, we should just move on and play baseball together. We don't have to have sleepover parties and such, our friendship has cooled, etc etc etc.
What the hell are you saying? Basically, you're saying that you're no longer in the inner circle of one of the most beloved Yankees ever? Do you not understand what it is to be a Yankee? It's ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS with Jeter. It's not good enough to be a teammate who plays good baseball (except for the postseason, of course), it's about BEING A YANKEE. If that means sucking it up and bowing to the captain and kinda kissing his butt, then DO IT. Jeter will go to the well for you if you prove you're a YANKEE, which you haven't done, and the others will follow suit. Being on the same team doesn't mean you're a TEAMMATE! It's not good enough to play, you have to be a Yankee teammate.
Sheesh. He'll never get it. He'll never be a YANKEE. He'll be traded, even though Cashman isn't in a rush, he'll be gone.
A-clod just DOESN'T get it. In some recent interviews with the press, he's admitted that his relationship with Derek Jeter has changed, perhaps not a good as it used to be. But it's all in the past, he says, we should just move on and play baseball together. We don't have to have sleepover parties and such, our friendship has cooled, etc etc etc.
What the hell are you saying? Basically, you're saying that you're no longer in the inner circle of one of the most beloved Yankees ever? Do you not understand what it is to be a Yankee? It's ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS with Jeter. It's not good enough to be a teammate who plays good baseball (except for the postseason, of course), it's about BEING A YANKEE. If that means sucking it up and bowing to the captain and kinda kissing his butt, then DO IT. Jeter will go to the well for you if you prove you're a YANKEE, which you haven't done, and the others will follow suit. Being on the same team doesn't mean you're a TEAMMATE! It's not good enough to play, you have to be a Yankee teammate.
Sheesh. He'll never get it. He'll never be a YANKEE. He'll be traded, even though Cashman isn't in a rush, he'll be gone.
2.16.2007
Attracting Negative Attention
I think that gays have made much progress in their fight for recognition, but they have also done themselves a vast disservice in the manner that they have tried to achieve this, thereby slowing their progress.
"See My, I'm Gay, Deal With It!" Running around trumpeting the fact that your GAY AND FABULOUS (said with the proper lisp), drawing attention to your differences, cramming your gay-ness down peoples' throats, I think isn't quite the way to go about things. I used to work at one of the top Telecommunications companies, and probably 1/3 or our IT staff, centered on the DBA's for some reason, was gay. One of them, in particular, was VERY gay. Gaydar alarm gay. Grab the fire extinguisher gay. But (I'll call him) Dean was also a really fun guy, professional, had a great sense of humor, made me laugh, and was a quality DBA with a great knowledge of technical aspects and a focus on the customer, and we became good friends. Forcing people to acknowledge your homosexuality by shoving it into their faces (into their "personal space") makes them uncomfortable, and by doing this you foster a reaction of scorn. If you were much more subtle and pleasant and matter of fact about being gay, and your announcements and trumpeting of your love of the same sex were not plastered on page one of the newspaper, you'd find that people wouldn't feel so...well, threatened is not the true word here, but I'm going to use it anyway. Shouting on the rooftops that you're gay is making the huge issue of it, thereby causing a chain reaction where others make a huge deal of it, albeit on the negative side of acceptance. One of the reactions you have to consider is the fact that the more in their face you are about being gay, the more your audience will worry about the fact that you're going to prey on them sexually. Your behavior goes a long way in programming and determining the reaction of the people you tell.
"You're different, Deal with it" Differences, personalities, and behavior which are NOT "normal" in society, and frankly religious circles, are going to be frowned upon. Gays want to be recognized but they don't want people to think they are different - which in fact, they are. The natural human reaction among many people (the unelightened ones?) is to segregate and criticize behavior that is seen as different. So understand that you're different, non-standard, and that there are going to be some difficulties in getting people to accept you; but there will be difficulties, and you have to understand that in accepting you for "who you are" people are going to go through some stages, the first of which is usually "IEWWW, yer a fag, get away from me?".
Be patient. I'm sure that you can gain full acceptance and recognition, but if you push the issue according to a "we want it NOW" attitude all you are going to get in return in push back. See: black rights, women's suffrage, the designated hitter.
"See My, I'm Gay, Deal With It!" Running around trumpeting the fact that your GAY AND FABULOUS (said with the proper lisp), drawing attention to your differences, cramming your gay-ness down peoples' throats, I think isn't quite the way to go about things. I used to work at one of the top Telecommunications companies, and probably 1/3 or our IT staff, centered on the DBA's for some reason, was gay. One of them, in particular, was VERY gay. Gaydar alarm gay. Grab the fire extinguisher gay. But (I'll call him) Dean was also a really fun guy, professional, had a great sense of humor, made me laugh, and was a quality DBA with a great knowledge of technical aspects and a focus on the customer, and we became good friends. Forcing people to acknowledge your homosexuality by shoving it into their faces (into their "personal space") makes them uncomfortable, and by doing this you foster a reaction of scorn. If you were much more subtle and pleasant and matter of fact about being gay, and your announcements and trumpeting of your love of the same sex were not plastered on page one of the newspaper, you'd find that people wouldn't feel so...well, threatened is not the true word here, but I'm going to use it anyway. Shouting on the rooftops that you're gay is making the huge issue of it, thereby causing a chain reaction where others make a huge deal of it, albeit on the negative side of acceptance. One of the reactions you have to consider is the fact that the more in their face you are about being gay, the more your audience will worry about the fact that you're going to prey on them sexually. Your behavior goes a long way in programming and determining the reaction of the people you tell.
"You're different, Deal with it" Differences, personalities, and behavior which are NOT "normal" in society, and frankly religious circles, are going to be frowned upon. Gays want to be recognized but they don't want people to think they are different - which in fact, they are. The natural human reaction among many people (the unelightened ones?) is to segregate and criticize behavior that is seen as different. So understand that you're different, non-standard, and that there are going to be some difficulties in getting people to accept you; but there will be difficulties, and you have to understand that in accepting you for "who you are" people are going to go through some stages, the first of which is usually "IEWWW, yer a fag, get away from me?".
Be patient. I'm sure that you can gain full acceptance and recognition, but if you push the issue according to a "we want it NOW" attitude all you are going to get in return in push back. See: black rights, women's suffrage, the designated hitter.
More Musing on Life Styles
Some further thoughts on the gays struggle for acceptance. In "Gay in NJ", I said:
"I think gays do a disservice to their cause by using the courts to attempt wholesale change. I think this is because they are ultimately trying to impose moral acceptance as well as legal acceptance. I think I am like a great many Americans: while I support gay rights, I find gay sex repulsive. Does that make me a bigot? Maybe. Should the gay community care. No."
In a broader context, Jonah Goldberg in NRO discusses Dinesh D'Souza's contention that American culture does not always win the hearts and minds. But I think the issue is deeper and more complex than that. The imposition of culture, whether by accident or design, can provoke a visceral reaction. You need not look past our shore to see it. Agree or not, the movement to amend states' constitutions to define marriage as between a man and a women is the backlash against the imposition of gay marriage on the general populace. Further, you might see the rise of Evangelicals as a reaction to the imposition of a certain moral culture by Hollywood, coastal liberals, etc. on the rest of us.
I think the vast majority of people are willing to NOT impose their moral vision of the world on you, so long as you reciprocate. Liberal cultures (small "l" liberal) run up on the rocks is when they seek to impose their "culture" on an unwilling audience. The gays have run into that in the US and the US has run into it abroad.
Coming back to Hardaway's reaction, he may find gay sex disgusting. I do not believe he has anything to apologize for that. But to make the leap from "yuck" to "hate" is reprehensible.
"I think gays do a disservice to their cause by using the courts to attempt wholesale change. I think this is because they are ultimately trying to impose moral acceptance as well as legal acceptance. I think I am like a great many Americans: while I support gay rights, I find gay sex repulsive. Does that make me a bigot? Maybe. Should the gay community care. No."
In a broader context, Jonah Goldberg in NRO discusses Dinesh D'Souza's contention that American culture does not always win the hearts and minds. But I think the issue is deeper and more complex than that. The imposition of culture, whether by accident or design, can provoke a visceral reaction. You need not look past our shore to see it. Agree or not, the movement to amend states' constitutions to define marriage as between a man and a women is the backlash against the imposition of gay marriage on the general populace. Further, you might see the rise of Evangelicals as a reaction to the imposition of a certain moral culture by Hollywood, coastal liberals, etc. on the rest of us.
I think the vast majority of people are willing to NOT impose their moral vision of the world on you, so long as you reciprocate. Liberal cultures (small "l" liberal) run up on the rocks is when they seek to impose their "culture" on an unwilling audience. The gays have run into that in the US and the US has run into it abroad.
Coming back to Hardaway's reaction, he may find gay sex disgusting. I do not believe he has anything to apologize for that. But to make the leap from "yuck" to "hate" is reprehensible.
2.15.2007
Gays in Sports
Can't anyone be a bigot today? Why is Hardaway apologizing? He feels a little heat and goes all weak on us. Fag.
End sarcasm.
Thew is dead on. I would only quibble with "verb tense" here and there. There is no doubt that professional sports is not receptive to gays. But the status quo will not change unless there are more John Amaechis coming out. He has made it easier for the next guy and the one after that will be easier still.
Hardaway represents a point of view that comes from his heart, not his head. (I do not mean that in a good way.) When I was part of a fraternity, the thought of a gay Brother would not have sat well with me or the rest of the guys. Years removed, I know its wrong, but I still felt it.
I think, for me, the issue was that sex was always at the front of our "public" persona. Who are you going to "do"? Who are you doing? How many? We were young guys looking to score with girls. Promoting that image (and the resulting "successes") helped our fraternity recruit members and throw great parties well attended by the opposite sex. It fed into not only the public perception, but our own self image. For better or worse and psychologically very complicated. I would weakly say we were really nice guys, but we behaved like brutish cads.
In the midst of this sea of testosterone, the relationship between Brothers was very simple: beers and sports. Very simple. A openly gay Brother would have complicated all that (to say nothing of the total "blech" factor). I do not know if we, in fact, had a gay brother in our midst. But if we did, he would not have gotten one ounce of encouragement to come out of the closet.
Fraternities, sports teams, the military. None are particularly receptive to homosexuals. This will change, but over time.
More to follow on this issue...
End sarcasm.
Thew is dead on. I would only quibble with "verb tense" here and there. There is no doubt that professional sports is not receptive to gays. But the status quo will not change unless there are more John Amaechis coming out. He has made it easier for the next guy and the one after that will be easier still.
Hardaway represents a point of view that comes from his heart, not his head. (I do not mean that in a good way.) When I was part of a fraternity, the thought of a gay Brother would not have sat well with me or the rest of the guys. Years removed, I know its wrong, but I still felt it.
I think, for me, the issue was that sex was always at the front of our "public" persona. Who are you going to "do"? Who are you doing? How many? We were young guys looking to score with girls. Promoting that image (and the resulting "successes") helped our fraternity recruit members and throw great parties well attended by the opposite sex. It fed into not only the public perception, but our own self image. For better or worse and psychologically very complicated. I would weakly say we were really nice guys, but we behaved like brutish cads.
In the midst of this sea of testosterone, the relationship between Brothers was very simple: beers and sports. Very simple. A openly gay Brother would have complicated all that (to say nothing of the total "blech" factor). I do not know if we, in fact, had a gay brother in our midst. But if we did, he would not have gotten one ounce of encouragement to come out of the closet.
Fraternities, sports teams, the military. None are particularly receptive to homosexuals. This will change, but over time.
More to follow on this issue...
That's not a skeleton in my closet, it's my boy-toy!
So the sports world (well, mostly the pro basketball world) has been rocked by a couple of "scandals"...
John Amaechi, a quality if unspectacular center for several seasons, has come out of the closet. You can read an excerpt from his book "Man in the Middle" (no, I'm NOT going to go there...). Many questions abound about why he didn't come out earlier, why keep his life secret, yadda yadda yadda...
Well, in scandal number 2, we find out why. Tim Hardaway says "I hate gay people" and goes on to say things like "I wouldn't want him on my team", etc. Nice Tim. Way to promote the anti-gay sentiment. The next athlete who is gay will CERTAINLY out himself (herself?) now that you've set the landscape...
But frankly, I don't think a sport like the NBA is the right place for a player to come out. DEFINITELY not football, hockey, nor baseball. Look at the microcosm of sports and the people who play them today - the abundance of testosterone, masculinity, groupie promiscouity (e tu Shawn Kemp?), the entire attitude and presentation of professional athletes is "we are manly men, kicking ass, taking names, screwing bitches, we are the uber-mensch of the world!". Regardless of how good a player that person was, and regardless of how much acceptance gay people have garnered in the last however many years, I really don't think that it's good for a homosexual to come out while playing professional sports. Not because it will make them less of a person or player, but because their professional peers are, for the most part, homophobic. Or somewhat homophobic. They will ostracize and segregate their gay teammate, forcing him or her to lead a miserable and lonely existence. Sure, there will be some who don't care, but let me ask you this...of the people who said they "didn't care really" about Magic Johnson being HIV positive, how many of them do you think would trade physicality in the paint with him for a rebound, taking a chance to get a bit bloodied? NONE! Different diseases, same attitude.
By the way, in all this, Amaechi has conducted himself with class and dignity and without apology for who he is...his response to Tim the homophobe Hardaway? "It's what stops gay and lesbian people in the workplace from coming out."
John Amaechi, a quality if unspectacular center for several seasons, has come out of the closet. You can read an excerpt from his book "Man in the Middle" (no, I'm NOT going to go there...). Many questions abound about why he didn't come out earlier, why keep his life secret, yadda yadda yadda...
Well, in scandal number 2, we find out why. Tim Hardaway says "I hate gay people" and goes on to say things like "I wouldn't want him on my team", etc. Nice Tim. Way to promote the anti-gay sentiment. The next athlete who is gay will CERTAINLY out himself (herself?) now that you've set the landscape...
But frankly, I don't think a sport like the NBA is the right place for a player to come out. DEFINITELY not football, hockey, nor baseball. Look at the microcosm of sports and the people who play them today - the abundance of testosterone, masculinity, groupie promiscouity (e tu Shawn Kemp?), the entire attitude and presentation of professional athletes is "we are manly men, kicking ass, taking names, screwing bitches, we are the uber-mensch of the world!". Regardless of how good a player that person was, and regardless of how much acceptance gay people have garnered in the last however many years, I really don't think that it's good for a homosexual to come out while playing professional sports. Not because it will make them less of a person or player, but because their professional peers are, for the most part, homophobic. Or somewhat homophobic. They will ostracize and segregate their gay teammate, forcing him or her to lead a miserable and lonely existence. Sure, there will be some who don't care, but let me ask you this...of the people who said they "didn't care really" about Magic Johnson being HIV positive, how many of them do you think would trade physicality in the paint with him for a rebound, taking a chance to get a bit bloodied? NONE! Different diseases, same attitude.
By the way, in all this, Amaechi has conducted himself with class and dignity and without apology for who he is...his response to Tim the homophobe Hardaway? "It's what stops gay and lesbian people in the workplace from coming out."
2.14.2007
PTI or Pardon Tilam's Idiocy
Various and sundry from the sports world:
1) There is talk that Duke may not make the NCAA tournament. I suspect they will be in, but the outrage is how any team in the middle of their division can be ranked in the Top 25 at all. Prior to the rose color glasses being knocked off, Duke was ranked 16th while being .500 in the ACC. Of course, readers of TvT heard of Duke's woes early.
2) The USMNT beat Mexico 2 - 0 in Arizona. The US did not play particularly well, but they also did not have their first team. Mexico had their first team and could not put the ball in the net. Overall, my thought is that the USMNT needs more games like this where mental toughness helps win. Now the US is playing in Copa America against Argentina in late June. That will be more of a metric on how the team will fair in the future.
3) Lefty wins Pebble Beach. Good to have you back, Phil.
4) Boston University wins the Beanpot Championship and college hockey is ruled by Notre Dame. Mrs. Tilam's alma mater is ranked seventh in the nation, but she does not give a whit.
5) Speaking about alma mater's, mine is ranked 14th in DIII hoops. Go Maroons!
6) Marty S. is out as coach of San Diego. I am taking bets on whether the Bolts wil
l be in the playoffs next year.
7) Dodge is coming out with a very nice roadster called the Demon. (Okay, sports to cars as follows: Daytona 500 to NASCAR to fast cars to the Demon.) Nice.
8) My 8 years olds are 2 - 2 in their indoor league this year. While we are nearly an all-girls team, they are playing in a boys league. Not bad, but the difference between the sexes is starting to show.
9) It is snowing and I am smiling. Because next week the Tilam clan will be skiing at Stowe. No cellphones, no e-mail just a few feet of powder (and me trying to keep up with the little Tilams).
Ta-ta.
1) There is talk that Duke may not make the NCAA tournament. I suspect they will be in, but the outrage is how any team in the middle of their division can be ranked in the Top 25 at all. Prior to the rose color glasses being knocked off, Duke was ranked 16th while being .500 in the ACC. Of course, readers of TvT heard of Duke's woes early.
2) The USMNT beat Mexico 2 - 0 in Arizona. The US did not play particularly well, but they also did not have their first team. Mexico had their first team and could not put the ball in the net. Overall, my thought is that the USMNT needs more games like this where mental toughness helps win. Now the US is playing in Copa America against Argentina in late June. That will be more of a metric on how the team will fair in the future.
3) Lefty wins Pebble Beach. Good to have you back, Phil.
4) Boston University wins the Beanpot Championship and college hockey is ruled by Notre Dame. Mrs. Tilam's alma mater is ranked seventh in the nation, but she does not give a whit.
5) Speaking about alma mater's, mine is ranked 14th in DIII hoops. Go Maroons!
6) Marty S. is out as coach of San Diego. I am taking bets on whether the Bolts wil
l be in the playoffs next year.7) Dodge is coming out with a very nice roadster called the Demon. (Okay, sports to cars as follows: Daytona 500 to NASCAR to fast cars to the Demon.) Nice.
8) My 8 years olds are 2 - 2 in their indoor league this year. While we are nearly an all-girls team, they are playing in a boys league. Not bad, but the difference between the sexes is starting to show.
9) It is snowing and I am smiling. Because next week the Tilam clan will be skiing at Stowe. No cellphones, no e-mail just a few feet of powder (and me trying to keep up with the little Tilams).
Ta-ta.
2.12.2007
Global Warming
BTW, one thing I failed to mention is that there are other reasonable explanations to global warming other then human activity. Obviously, time will tell and further study is necessary, but that is my point. (Again, that human effluence contributes in some manner seems pretty logical, but how, in what way, to what degree and what should be done are fair questions.)
The scariest part of the sun spot explanation is the whole "lack of control" problem: we just can not stop that. The comforting part is that the cycle will change again...eventually.
The scariest part of the sun spot explanation is the whole "lack of control" problem: we just can not stop that. The comforting part is that the cycle will change again...eventually.
Gaffe? I Laugh!
Who said the best Super Bowl ads were restricted to those debuting during the Super Bowl rather then just appearing in a Super Bowl?
2.07.2007
Joke of the Day
A husband and wife were sitting on the couch one evening watching TV when the husband turned to his wife and said, "I bet you can't say something that will make me both happy and sad at the same time".
After thinking for a few minutes the wife replied, "Your dick is bigger than your brother's".
After thinking for a few minutes the wife replied, "Your dick is bigger than your brother's".
Darwinism at its Finest
Why do we continue to legislate against stupidity? Does the government feel THAT much responsible for saving us from ourselves? Read this article and see for yourself.
Now, while I really think that this accident was tragic, the young man in question is dead because he was stupid. Is it the manufacturer's fault? The bus driver's fault? Nope, the person was out in la-la land just rocking away and walked into the path of an oncoming bus. Why does the government continue to attempt to put into place completely useless and moronic laws like Mr Krueger wants to in order to protect society from the man in the mirror?
Some stupid old lady spills hot coffee on her lap and sues McDonald's? Cool, let's award her a buttload of cash and tell McDonald's to make their coffee colder. WHO IS THE IDIOT? The lady - sorry ma'am, but you're a moron. And McDonald's, not to mention society, shouldn't have to pay for your lack of intelligence.
I wish the government would keep outta this - if we're THAT stupid, then we deserve the consequences...
Now, while I really think that this accident was tragic, the young man in question is dead because he was stupid. Is it the manufacturer's fault? The bus driver's fault? Nope, the person was out in la-la land just rocking away and walked into the path of an oncoming bus. Why does the government continue to attempt to put into place completely useless and moronic laws like Mr Krueger wants to in order to protect society from the man in the mirror?
Some stupid old lady spills hot coffee on her lap and sues McDonald's? Cool, let's award her a buttload of cash and tell McDonald's to make their coffee colder. WHO IS THE IDIOT? The lady - sorry ma'am, but you're a moron. And McDonald's, not to mention society, shouldn't have to pay for your lack of intelligence.
I wish the government would keep outta this - if we're THAT stupid, then we deserve the consequences...
A minor gaffe
Yes, avid readers, Tilam has committed a foh pah! In his analysis of the Super Bowl adds, he offers his best of all time "...And, the all time best, Mean Joe?"
Thank god one of us is on the ball...The 1979 Mean Joe Green Coke commercial, which everyone agrees is a classic and would rightfully be ranked among the top 2 or 3 of all time, did not actually debut during the Super Bowl.
Perhaps we need a "stat-boy" like PTI, to correct us before we screw up in public...
Thank god one of us is on the ball...The 1979 Mean Joe Green Coke commercial, which everyone agrees is a classic and would rightfully be ranked among the top 2 or 3 of all time, did not actually debut during the Super Bowl.
Perhaps we need a "stat-boy" like PTI, to correct us before we screw up in public...
2.06.2007
Super Bowl Ads
Yep, this year was definitely a far cry from past. (Oh, Terry Tate were are you? MJ & Bird? And, the all time best, Mean Joe?)
About half of them were funny in parts. Martha Stewart wanting cilantro and the throw away line, "rookie" when he brings cumin. The lion saying "sexy, like Ricardo Montalban," and the other lion starting to talk and then saying "Ricardo Montalban?" The apes were funny. Rock, paper, scissors...BAM! The Blockbuster mouse was clever.
But nothing like years past. I seem to remember that there was at least one ad that was "must see TV" for days. Oh, well.
At least, pitchers and catchers report in the next two weeks...
About half of them were funny in parts. Martha Stewart wanting cilantro and the throw away line, "rookie" when he brings cumin. The lion saying "sexy, like Ricardo Montalban," and the other lion starting to talk and then saying "Ricardo Montalban?" The apes were funny. Rock, paper, scissors...BAM! The Blockbuster mouse was clever.
But nothing like years past. I seem to remember that there was at least one ad that was "must see TV" for days. Oh, well.
At least, pitchers and catchers report in the next two weeks...
Couple of final thoughts
Prince did a fantastic half-time show, I did not mention this before - just shows that the nearly 50 year old can still rock it BIG despite being what....5 foot nuthin?
The ads kinda sucked, I'm with Tilam on this one...but I particularly enjoyed the Snickers kiss and the Taco Bell Lions. Car-r-r-r-r-r-r-ne Asada!
The ads kinda sucked, I'm with Tilam on this one...but I particularly enjoyed the Snickers kiss and the Taco Bell Lions. Car-r-r-r-r-r-r-ne Asada!
The Game Was Up to Expectations
First, I appreciate the kudos from Thew.
Second, while I agree that Colts played solid football (certainly in the second half), I don't agree that the Bears defense or Grossman is to "blame" for the loss. I do believe that Dungy beat Smith and this was a coach's victory.
Turnovers were a factor. There were two muffed snaps that do not appear on the "fumble" line which were very important in stopping Bear's drives. That would make 8 "fumbles" and picks of which 5 were turnovers. Ouch.
Grossman did not play well, but WTF were the coaches think having him throw deep in the pouring rain? Manning was using short passes, running and the threat of going deep to march down the field. The Bears showed they could do that also, but then lost patience. And Grossman was not playing at the level necessary to make those plays. In summary, the Colts played within themselves and the Bears tried to do too much.
I agree about the whole "black" coach thing. Is the media saying that black coaches in the Super Bowl are a surprise because they are not as good? If not, drop the race thing. Tony Dungy is not a Hall of Fame black coach; he is a HoF coach who happens to have black skin. Lovie Smith (while not at Dungy's level yet) gives every indication that he will get there. Their skin color is not germane.
(In fairness, the media is always looking for an angle: oldest, youngest, first three legged coach, but adding adjectives that have no bearing on the underlying noun takes away from the main accomplishment: getting to the Super Bowl.)
On a final note: the ads were very disappointing. The Tilam family favorite was the Bud Light ad with the hitchhikers (Boy: "But he's got Bud Light." Girl: "And an ax!"). There were several that were cute, but none that were great.
Second, while I agree that Colts played solid football (certainly in the second half), I don't agree that the Bears defense or Grossman is to "blame" for the loss. I do believe that Dungy beat Smith and this was a coach's victory.
Turnovers were a factor. There were two muffed snaps that do not appear on the "fumble" line which were very important in stopping Bear's drives. That would make 8 "fumbles" and picks of which 5 were turnovers. Ouch.
Grossman did not play well, but WTF were the coaches think having him throw deep in the pouring rain? Manning was using short passes, running and the threat of going deep to march down the field. The Bears showed they could do that also, but then lost patience. And Grossman was not playing at the level necessary to make those plays. In summary, the Colts played within themselves and the Bears tried to do too much.
I agree about the whole "black" coach thing. Is the media saying that black coaches in the Super Bowl are a surprise because they are not as good? If not, drop the race thing. Tony Dungy is not a Hall of Fame black coach; he is a HoF coach who happens to have black skin. Lovie Smith (while not at Dungy's level yet) gives every indication that he will get there. Their skin color is not germane.
(In fairness, the media is always looking for an angle: oldest, youngest, first three legged coach, but adding adjectives that have no bearing on the underlying noun takes away from the main accomplishment: getting to the Super Bowl.)
On a final note: the ads were very disappointing. The Tilam family favorite was the Bud Light ad with the hitchhikers (Boy: "But he's got Bud Light." Girl: "And an ax!"). There were several that were cute, but none that were great.
2.05.2007
Finishing Strong
Well Well Well
Tilam saves the day with an ASTOUNDINGLY close 27-13 Bears win prediction. Now, truth be told I was rooting for the Colts, but my money was on the Bears, so I take a minor victory here...but Tilam's prediction comes very close to the actual final score, and kudos need to be passed out, regardless of how painful it is for me.
Some observations:
- The Colts weren't spectacular, but they played good, solid football. Well above average on the performance scale. They played like a Super Bowl winning team.
- The Bears defense was fallible and was clearly outplayed by the Colts defense. The defense in Chi-town that I thought would win the championship showed up on the other side of the ball - little role reversal here, with the Colts defense playing like the Bears had played and vis-versa.
- Rex Grossman turned out, on the big stage, to be the weak link. He threw 2 interceptions, including the perfect pass to the Colts' Kelvin Hayden early in the 4th quarter for that touchdown return.
- Turnovers, in my opinion, were NOT that much of a factor - Manning threw 1 interception, Grossman 2. The Bears took 2 fumbles, the Colts 2. So total turnovers were 5-3 for the Colts.
- Having the ball for 16 minutes more than the Bears was a key for the Colts. Manning loves to pick apart defenses with short underneath passes, while their running game makes up for the difference, and they played that to perfection with the Bears soft zone and linebackers dropping into coverage. Too much short space, which is perfectly fine for Peyton... The Colts pretty much dominated in every offensive category; first downs (24-11), passing (239-154), rushing (191-111), and ran SIGNIFICANTLY more offensive plays than the Bears (81-48, nearly twice).
- Lovie Smith and the Bears will be back here within 2 years. He is too good a coach and they are too good a team not to have another shot - watch for the Bears to pick up, YES, a quarterback in the off season. Grossman is a decent quarterback, but they need a top notch QB to bring them to the promised land.
Some annoyances:
- God is a Colts fan? What is up with these references to "doing it with the Lord"? Sheesh...
- When are we going to STOP looking at the color of a coaches skin and just say "Lovie Smith and Tony Dungy are frikkin' quality coaches"? Yes, it is significant that they are black, but things become issues only if you make them out to be one - blame the media for this useless hype. It's a tired subject in my humble opinion...
In other sports news...
The Cubs (THE CUBS!) spent $300 million this off-season acquiring free agents in a huge effort to put a winning team on the field. I can see retaining Aramis Ramirez and signing Alfonso Soriano to high deals, but shoveling $40M to Ted Lilly? What is up with that? Lilly sucked with Seattle and the Yankees, what makes them think he's going to be successful with the Cubs? Then again, he could be the next coming of Kenny Rogers in Detroit...
Tiger's streak is over at the Dubai...oh wait, it's NOT over. His streak is still at 7, since the Dubai Classic is a European Tour event...sorry, but that's going to be a record with an asterisk if he breaks it, I want him to win 12 consecutive STARTS, not 12 consecutive PGA tour events...big difference in my book.
Time to scoot, more to come later...
Tilam saves the day with an ASTOUNDINGLY close 27-13 Bears win prediction. Now, truth be told I was rooting for the Colts, but my money was on the Bears, so I take a minor victory here...but Tilam's prediction comes very close to the actual final score, and kudos need to be passed out, regardless of how painful it is for me.
Some observations:
- The Colts weren't spectacular, but they played good, solid football. Well above average on the performance scale. They played like a Super Bowl winning team.
- The Bears defense was fallible and was clearly outplayed by the Colts defense. The defense in Chi-town that I thought would win the championship showed up on the other side of the ball - little role reversal here, with the Colts defense playing like the Bears had played and vis-versa.
- Rex Grossman turned out, on the big stage, to be the weak link. He threw 2 interceptions, including the perfect pass to the Colts' Kelvin Hayden early in the 4th quarter for that touchdown return.
- Turnovers, in my opinion, were NOT that much of a factor - Manning threw 1 interception, Grossman 2. The Bears took 2 fumbles, the Colts 2. So total turnovers were 5-3 for the Colts.
- Having the ball for 16 minutes more than the Bears was a key for the Colts. Manning loves to pick apart defenses with short underneath passes, while their running game makes up for the difference, and they played that to perfection with the Bears soft zone and linebackers dropping into coverage. Too much short space, which is perfectly fine for Peyton... The Colts pretty much dominated in every offensive category; first downs (24-11), passing (239-154), rushing (191-111), and ran SIGNIFICANTLY more offensive plays than the Bears (81-48, nearly twice).
- Lovie Smith and the Bears will be back here within 2 years. He is too good a coach and they are too good a team not to have another shot - watch for the Bears to pick up, YES, a quarterback in the off season. Grossman is a decent quarterback, but they need a top notch QB to bring them to the promised land.
Some annoyances:
- God is a Colts fan? What is up with these references to "doing it with the Lord"? Sheesh...
- When are we going to STOP looking at the color of a coaches skin and just say "Lovie Smith and Tony Dungy are frikkin' quality coaches"? Yes, it is significant that they are black, but things become issues only if you make them out to be one - blame the media for this useless hype. It's a tired subject in my humble opinion...
In other sports news...
The Cubs (THE CUBS!) spent $300 million this off-season acquiring free agents in a huge effort to put a winning team on the field. I can see retaining Aramis Ramirez and signing Alfonso Soriano to high deals, but shoveling $40M to Ted Lilly? What is up with that? Lilly sucked with Seattle and the Yankees, what makes them think he's going to be successful with the Cubs? Then again, he could be the next coming of Kenny Rogers in Detroit...
Tiger's streak is over at the Dubai...oh wait, it's NOT over. His streak is still at 7, since the Dubai Classic is a European Tour event...sorry, but that's going to be a record with an asterisk if he breaks it, I want him to win 12 consecutive STARTS, not 12 consecutive PGA tour events...big difference in my book.
Time to scoot, more to come later...
2.02.2007
More Energy Nuttiness
Back to energy again, Charles Krauthammer talks about energy independence. You can just hear the annoyance in his prose. While I am not crazy about $4.00 per gallon gas, he is rock solid in his thinking.
I made a point last April about the silliness of the energy debate and even linked to another Krauthammer article. The energy "problem" is solvable and, compared to other problems, relatively easily. There is simply no will to do it.
Cowards.
I made a point last April about the silliness of the energy debate and even linked to another Krauthammer article. The energy "problem" is solvable and, compared to other problems, relatively easily. There is simply no will to do it.
Cowards.
The President Problem
Clive Crook in the National Journal gives an interesting assessment of the "problems" of the Bush presidency. It's not something obvious, but a point I have been making for awhile:
"[Crook's] point is this. The awesome obtuseness of the administration on the issue has created a falsely confident and passionate opposing consensus. Attitudes on that side can be just as tyrannical as they are within the White House. In both camps, the view is: You are either with us or against us -- and if you're against us, by the way, you're an idiot."
While I disagree with his equating the "obtuseness" of the administration (correct) with "tyranny" on both sides (this is a media created impression of Karl Rove and implies a knowing strategy that is simply lacking, hence "obtuse"), I do agree that Bush has been so polarizing that merely being anti-Bush seems to be a winning strategy. I do not believe, in fact, that the country is as anti-Bush as the numbers shows, but the Democrats seem to believe that fully and have crafted everything they are doing based on this position.
Being anti-Bush takes no thought. Criticisms without solutions is a sign of a lack of intellectual vigor. This is not what the country needs right now.
"[Crook's] point is this. The awesome obtuseness of the administration on the issue has created a falsely confident and passionate opposing consensus. Attitudes on that side can be just as tyrannical as they are within the White House. In both camps, the view is: You are either with us or against us -- and if you're against us, by the way, you're an idiot."
While I disagree with his equating the "obtuseness" of the administration (correct) with "tyranny" on both sides (this is a media created impression of Karl Rove and implies a knowing strategy that is simply lacking, hence "obtuse"), I do agree that Bush has been so polarizing that merely being anti-Bush seems to be a winning strategy. I do not believe, in fact, that the country is as anti-Bush as the numbers shows, but the Democrats seem to believe that fully and have crafted everything they are doing based on this position.
Being anti-Bush takes no thought. Criticisms without solutions is a sign of a lack of intellectual vigor. This is not what the country needs right now.
1.31.2007
Global Swarming
Okay, I am really having a hard time with this "global warming" "debate." Joe over at Dartblog seems to get the tone right. The sheer politics of the subject matter completely overwhelms all reason.
I do not think anyone disagrees with the main premise: that the earth average global temperature has been rising in recent history. But where that leads us and what we should do about it is very much in doubt. The Kyoto Protocol is worse then useless for at least two reasons. First, it exempts China and India. If you really want to save the world, you need everyone's cooperation and exempting the two fastest growing economies is absurd. Second, the Protocol is, from a practical perspective, impossible to achieve and has no teeth for punishment. So, why bother.
And by talking about "average" global temperature, you ignore the reality. In fact, the earth is warming in a very un-uniform manner. The Northern Hemisphere seems to be warming, but the Southern Hemisphere, in particular Antarctica, is cooling. What does this mean?
Also, how confident are we that this is a trend that needs addressing? In the 1970's, there were claims we were on the verge of a new Ice Age. Given how accurate that was, should we be rushing to impose new regulations at enormous cost? The claim is that humans are to blame and that changing human activity will solve the problem, but is that true? I believe the scientists are not sure.
Finally, there is the "so what?" response. Okay, the sea levels will rise if the Arctic ice melts, but the Antarctic ice is increasing so shouldn't that mitigate this? Even if it doesn't, so what? Not to be Johnny Raincloud, but I just do not see how any of this will be catastrophic? At least in the sense of a sudden, horrific change. Humans and the ecosystem will adapt and no one is claiming otherwise, as far as I am aware.
Let's be clear: reducing greenhouse gas is a good thing. The less polluting the better. But the answer is not to ban Al Gore's private jet or to outlaw Hummers or to convert to ethanol. The answer lies in finding a clean, renewable source of power to provide electricity. We do not have an energy problem; we have an electricity problem. Solve the electricity problem and you will save the world.
UPDATE: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has now said they are 90% sure there is a link between humans and CO2 emissions. Glenn Reynolds has the right level of angst. But see Iain Murray's comments to the effect of "what are humans doing in specific to cause this?" A necessary question to figure out what behavior to change.
I do not think anyone disagrees with the main premise: that the earth average global temperature has been rising in recent history. But where that leads us and what we should do about it is very much in doubt. The Kyoto Protocol is worse then useless for at least two reasons. First, it exempts China and India. If you really want to save the world, you need everyone's cooperation and exempting the two fastest growing economies is absurd. Second, the Protocol is, from a practical perspective, impossible to achieve and has no teeth for punishment. So, why bother.
And by talking about "average" global temperature, you ignore the reality. In fact, the earth is warming in a very un-uniform manner. The Northern Hemisphere seems to be warming, but the Southern Hemisphere, in particular Antarctica, is cooling. What does this mean?
Also, how confident are we that this is a trend that needs addressing? In the 1970's, there were claims we were on the verge of a new Ice Age. Given how accurate that was, should we be rushing to impose new regulations at enormous cost? The claim is that humans are to blame and that changing human activity will solve the problem, but is that true? I believe the scientists are not sure.
Finally, there is the "so what?" response. Okay, the sea levels will rise if the Arctic ice melts, but the Antarctic ice is increasing so shouldn't that mitigate this? Even if it doesn't, so what? Not to be Johnny Raincloud, but I just do not see how any of this will be catastrophic? At least in the sense of a sudden, horrific change. Humans and the ecosystem will adapt and no one is claiming otherwise, as far as I am aware.
Let's be clear: reducing greenhouse gas is a good thing. The less polluting the better. But the answer is not to ban Al Gore's private jet or to outlaw Hummers or to convert to ethanol. The answer lies in finding a clean, renewable source of power to provide electricity. We do not have an energy problem; we have an electricity problem. Solve the electricity problem and you will save the world.
UPDATE: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has now said they are 90% sure there is a link between humans and CO2 emissions. Glenn Reynolds has the right level of angst. But see Iain Murray's comments to the effect of "what are humans doing in specific to cause this?" A necessary question to figure out what behavior to change.
1.23.2007
Vive La Colts!
Ya gotta feel bad or Peyton Manning, cuz his honeymoon's over. Beating the Pats was a huge thing in his life, although I'd say he needs to do it one more time in a really meaningful game before we can call the monkey off his back. But, and this will spark some debate, defense wins championships. And right now, the Bears' defense is frightening. Not to mention their SOLID running game (better than the Pats I'd say) and ground chewing offensive tanks. People forget that Jim McMahon was only an above average quarterback lo these many moons ago (heck, Big Ben last year was the same type of situation for the Steelers); he didn't have a strong arm and wasn't all THAT accurate, but those Bears had a nasty defense, a great running attack, and a team that just didn't screw up. So you heard it here first folks; Bears 24 - Colts 17.
As for those calls, I missed those plays because of my honey-do list at the time, but the No Fun League is crippling the players. Incidental contact to the head should run the same line as inadvertent facemask; 5 yard penalty. As for "obstructing the view of the receiver" I've got to ask the same question; isn't that what they are SUPPOSED to do? Confusing...
In "I would have soiled my pants and died screaming in fear", check out the following:
SYDNEY, Australia - A diver escaped a 10-foot shark’s attack by poking the animal in its eye after it had already chomped on his head once and was preparing for another bite, witnesses and officials said Tuesday.
Eric Nerhus, 41, was flown to a hospital with serious injuries to his head, body and left arm after the attack Tuesday off Cape Howe, about 250 miles south of Sydney.
The shark grabbed Nerhus by the head, crushing his face mask and breaking his nose, said Dennis Luobikis, a fellow diver who witnessed the attack.
Eric, you are my hero! After having your HEAD BITTEN BY A SHARK, you still had the courage and presence of mind to poke it in the eye?! Holy shit dude...
So the Big Tuna left Big D...am I the only one who expects Terrell Owens to come out with something BIG and STUPID to put the limelight back on himself? :)
Barry Bonds says that both Pete Rose and Mark McGwire belong in the Hall of Fame...I wonder if he is setting up the public relations talk for when HE is up for election? Time will tell...
As for those calls, I missed those plays because of my honey-do list at the time, but the No Fun League is crippling the players. Incidental contact to the head should run the same line as inadvertent facemask; 5 yard penalty. As for "obstructing the view of the receiver" I've got to ask the same question; isn't that what they are SUPPOSED to do? Confusing...
In "I would have soiled my pants and died screaming in fear", check out the following:
SYDNEY, Australia - A diver escaped a 10-foot shark’s attack by poking the animal in its eye after it had already chomped on his head once and was preparing for another bite, witnesses and officials said Tuesday.
Eric Nerhus, 41, was flown to a hospital with serious injuries to his head, body and left arm after the attack Tuesday off Cape Howe, about 250 miles south of Sydney.
The shark grabbed Nerhus by the head, crushing his face mask and breaking his nose, said Dennis Luobikis, a fellow diver who witnessed the attack.
Eric, you are my hero! After having your HEAD BITTEN BY A SHARK, you still had the courage and presence of mind to poke it in the eye?! Holy shit dude...
So the Big Tuna left Big D...am I the only one who expects Terrell Owens to come out with something BIG and STUPID to put the limelight back on himself? :)
Barry Bonds says that both Pete Rose and Mark McGwire belong in the Hall of Fame...I wonder if he is setting up the public relations talk for when HE is up for election? Time will tell...
Zebras Doing Their Job
I wanted to clarify one thing below. I don't think the referees made the wrong call on the PI and roughing the passer plays. I think they were accurate.
What I object to is the pussification of the NFL...
What I object to is the pussification of the NFL...
1.22.2007
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
We saw two different types of games on Sunday. In the first, one wonders what one ever saw in the Saints. 4 fumbles (3 lost) and 1 pick. You can't win playing like that. Credit the Bears defense who really showed up and Rex Grossman, who played much smarter when it counted. All that said, it was close until the 4th quarter.
The Colts-Pats game was a great game to watch. You were not sure of the outcome until a minute left to play. The quarterbacks played very well and with the final drive in the 2nd quarter, you knew it was not over. I thought the Pats defense really looked beat in the second half, BUT it were two call emblematic of the problems creeping into the NFL.
The first was a pass interference call on New England's Ellis Hobbs. Of course Hobbs did not touch the Colts receiver, he was called for "blocking his view." Blocking his view? Isn't that what the f*** he gets paid to do? Next year they are changing the rule, so it is interference if you don't say "mother may I" before going for the ball. Ridiculous!
The second was the roughing the passer call on the last Indy drive. While going for Peyton's arm, Tully Banta's hand glanced off of Manning's helmet. (Manning did not even stumble from the blow.) Bam! Half the distance to the goal line setting up the final score.
Those calls should not be in the NFL.
That said, it should not have come down to that. The Pats' defense was sick and tired and spent by the third period, but Manning still had to make the plays...Clark still had to catch the passes (something Reche Caldwell had a difficult time doing), so hats off to them.
So...my predictions: going 0 for 2 this past weekend has not inhibited me a bit. Given my track record though, Bears fans will delight in my pick:
Colts 27, Bears 13.
Grossman will throw 2 picks minimum. Manning will play relaxed and confident after the comeback.
The Colts-Pats game was a great game to watch. You were not sure of the outcome until a minute left to play. The quarterbacks played very well and with the final drive in the 2nd quarter, you knew it was not over. I thought the Pats defense really looked beat in the second half, BUT it were two call emblematic of the problems creeping into the NFL.
The first was a pass interference call on New England's Ellis Hobbs. Of course Hobbs did not touch the Colts receiver, he was called for "blocking his view." Blocking his view? Isn't that what the f*** he gets paid to do? Next year they are changing the rule, so it is interference if you don't say "mother may I" before going for the ball. Ridiculous!
The second was the roughing the passer call on the last Indy drive. While going for Peyton's arm, Tully Banta's hand glanced off of Manning's helmet. (Manning did not even stumble from the blow.) Bam! Half the distance to the goal line setting up the final score.
Those calls should not be in the NFL.
That said, it should not have come down to that. The Pats' defense was sick and tired and spent by the third period, but Manning still had to make the plays...Clark still had to catch the passes (something Reche Caldwell had a difficult time doing), so hats off to them.
So...my predictions: going 0 for 2 this past weekend has not inhibited me a bit. Given my track record though, Bears fans will delight in my pick:
Colts 27, Bears 13.
Grossman will throw 2 picks minimum. Manning will play relaxed and confident after the comeback.
1.19.2007
Running and Lifting
Lifting is fun and is something a do as part of my workout schedule (the other thing is swimming). But I am not worried about getting big, I am trying to stay "cut." ("Cut" is in quotes because it is generally a losing cause.) Being cut requires you to burn the fat IN ADDITION to building the muscle mass, so I run a couple of times a week and swim on Sunday mornings to try and do that. (Then promptly have that #2 Combo Meal at Wendy's...with a Diet Coke.)
I took a three month hiatus from lifting and just got back into it (can you say "sore for three days?). I like lifting because of the feeling in your muscles post workout, where it feels like you are going to bust out of your skin.
Biking is also great exercise and is something I do during the summer, but it does take a bit of time, which is a precious commodity. I have a great bike (an older model of this) and a great route over a mountain and around a reservoir.
I took a three month hiatus from lifting and just got back into it (can you say "sore for three days?). I like lifting because of the feeling in your muscles post workout, where it feels like you are going to bust out of your skin.
Biking is also great exercise and is something I do during the summer, but it does take a bit of time, which is a precious commodity. I have a great bike (an older model of this) and a great route over a mountain and around a reservoir.
I have a different perspective on running...
I hate running. I do it sometimes, and when I do I interval train - walk a length, then run, then walk, then jog, then walk, then run fast, etc. But it almost takes me an act of God to get me out on the pavement doing roadwork. Now, I CAN hop on my bike, drop in a dvd, and ride for hours on end, or do it while watching the TV. You get lost in the moment and time passes nicely.
However, I am a weight person. Nothing feels better than to grab some iron and move it around. I have not been able to be consistent lately for a great many reasons, but I love that. I can lift some respectable weights for an old slim guy, but this is where I enjoy my physical exertion.
Oh, and there are few outdoors things better than having a golf bag on your shoulder, the sun high in a cloudless sky, and a long drive in the middle of the short stuff.
*****
Michael Vick has finally proven he's an NFL player by being caught with a water bottle which had a secret compartment and a trace amount of a substance believed to be cannabis within this secret compartment. Hmm, now I'm wondering if Marcus DID follow in the footsteps of his older brother. Michael is proving that he's nothing special by his actions OFF the field now; he's already proven he's mediocre ON the field...
However, I am a weight person. Nothing feels better than to grab some iron and move it around. I have not been able to be consistent lately for a great many reasons, but I love that. I can lift some respectable weights for an old slim guy, but this is where I enjoy my physical exertion.
Oh, and there are few outdoors things better than having a golf bag on your shoulder, the sun high in a cloudless sky, and a long drive in the middle of the short stuff.
*****
Michael Vick has finally proven he's an NFL player by being caught with a water bottle which had a secret compartment and a trace amount of a substance believed to be cannabis within this secret compartment. Hmm, now I'm wondering if Marcus DID follow in the footsteps of his older brother. Michael is proving that he's nothing special by his actions OFF the field now; he's already proven he's mediocre ON the field...
Winter Running
I had two different experiences with winter running this week. Wednesday morning I hit the road for a normal 4.5 mile run and it was crisp, dry and...cold. I meant really cold. 8 degrees on the thermometer and, according to AccuWeather, about -10 in "RealFeel."
Just past the halfway mark, my vision blurs and I think, "crap, I lost a contact." I am closing one eye then the other to see which one, and it occurs to me, "no, my contact are freezing." They did not freeze solid, but I could feel them becoming slushy. So, I am jogging on narrow back road, in the dark, with blurred vision, and only THEN it dawned on me, "maybe this was a bad idea."
This morning the temp was 32 degrees and snow was falling. There was an inch or so on the ground of good packing snow. It was wonderful. When I run in this weather it never ceases to amaze me how quiet it is. The snow on the ground and in the trees just deadens the noise and cause a light gray illumination when your eyes adjust.
There is nothing more peaceful on God's green (make that white) earth.
Just past the halfway mark, my vision blurs and I think, "crap, I lost a contact." I am closing one eye then the other to see which one, and it occurs to me, "no, my contact are freezing." They did not freeze solid, but I could feel them becoming slushy. So, I am jogging on narrow back road, in the dark, with blurred vision, and only THEN it dawned on me, "maybe this was a bad idea."
This morning the temp was 32 degrees and snow was falling. There was an inch or so on the ground of good packing snow. It was wonderful. When I run in this weather it never ceases to amaze me how quiet it is. The snow on the ground and in the trees just deadens the noise and cause a light gray illumination when your eyes adjust.
There is nothing more peaceful on God's green (make that white) earth.
1.18.2007
A Little Star Wars Trivia
Jonah Goldberg uses Star Wars in a piece on moral certainty and gets hammered by the author of the novelization of Episode III, who claims that Luke's "sole purpose in life is to slay his father."
While many Star Wars afficiandos comment, Jonah is kind enough to print my response.
Expanding on the last sentence, while I really, really like all things Star Wars, I simply had the hardest time reading the crap that Stover wrote. It was absolutely horrible prose and had a style that would have failed him in a second year Lit class. A buddy loaned me the book and it was all I could do to finish it.
After stamping that piece of shit with the Star Wars logo, he thinks he is an expert. To prove he is an expert he makes a point that is demonstrably wrong. If he had stuck with his broad point - that Star Wars did not divide the universe in light and dark sides - he might of had some basis, but George Lucas started out making three films (Episodes IV - VI) about good vs. evil and redemption. The Jedi were "guardians of peace and justice" and it was clear that they were always tempted by the Dark Side. (In fairness to Stover, there is no "Light Side" of the Force in the movies. That is unofficial short-hand that evolved in the Expanded Universe.) There is never a claim that Jedi are "good," but it is clear that the Sith are "evil" and that the Jedi fight evil. You draw your own conclusions.
I think Goldberg's use of the metaphor is apt: moral certainty does play a huge part in Star Wars. But "certainty" does not mean "correct," and Luke's journey through Episode's IV - VI is about come to grips with enormous changes in his "certainty."
As Obi-wan says, "many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our point of view."
While many Star Wars afficiandos comment, Jonah is kind enough to print my response.
Expanding on the last sentence, while I really, really like all things Star Wars, I simply had the hardest time reading the crap that Stover wrote. It was absolutely horrible prose and had a style that would have failed him in a second year Lit class. A buddy loaned me the book and it was all I could do to finish it.
After stamping that piece of shit with the Star Wars logo, he thinks he is an expert. To prove he is an expert he makes a point that is demonstrably wrong. If he had stuck with his broad point - that Star Wars did not divide the universe in light and dark sides - he might of had some basis, but George Lucas started out making three films (Episodes IV - VI) about good vs. evil and redemption. The Jedi were "guardians of peace and justice" and it was clear that they were always tempted by the Dark Side. (In fairness to Stover, there is no "Light Side" of the Force in the movies. That is unofficial short-hand that evolved in the Expanded Universe.) There is never a claim that Jedi are "good," but it is clear that the Sith are "evil" and that the Jedi fight evil. You draw your own conclusions.
I think Goldberg's use of the metaphor is apt: moral certainty does play a huge part in Star Wars. But "certainty" does not mean "correct," and Luke's journey through Episode's IV - VI is about come to grips with enormous changes in his "certainty."
As Obi-wan says, "many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our point of view."
1.16.2007
Er, Rational Exuberance?
The Chargers are upset at what they viewed as overly exuberant celebrations by the Patriots.
Puhleeeeeze! Boo-freakin'-hoo.
It should be noted that the Charger's were guilty of over exuberance also - theirs just happen during the game and were followed by two 15-yard personal fouls...
Puhleeeeeze! Boo-freakin'-hoo.
It should be noted that the Charger's were guilty of over exuberance also - theirs just happen during the game and were followed by two 15-yard personal fouls...
Well, well, Thew is Human
Three games decided by 3 points. You would think that it made for great theater, but only the Saints-Eagles displayed the type of football you would expect in the playoffs. But other then saying that Tom Brady played one of the worst games I have seen him play and the Ravens did play like shit, especially McNair, there is not alot to comment on. Playoffs (or Playoops) are just games...there is no trend to be seen (as if this year had any clear cut trends), it is win and advance.
So, what is in store? First, let me get the "obvious" over with: 'da wheels are BARELY hanging on 'da Bears. Saints will nudge them off. I agree with Thew that a >10 point victory is highly likely.
As for the Colts-Pats...I have to go with the Pats. Yes, Colts beat them in Foxboro 27-20. Yes, Brady had 4 (YIKES!) INTs in that game. Yes, the Colts should win. But...
The Patriots simply have had the Colts number all these years. Once again, the pressure is in Manning, not Brady, and I don't think Peyton responds well to that particular pressure. Belichek is still the best coach in the Playoffs and will not make mistakes. The Colts defense, despite playing well in the last few games, is still suspect. In particular, the Colts are not particularly good at pressuring the QB.
All that said, the Pats have some serious weaknesses, but I am going to say the Curse of the Patriots will plague the Colts once more, 24-17.
* * *
Beckham is a unique soccer player. He and his wife are a brand manager's dream. Ronaldinho is the best soccer player in the world; it really is apples to oranges. Thierry Henry and Cristiano Ronaldo are the two players that come to mind that might have the star power to attract a following playing in the US. Henry is almost 30 and might consider it, but Ronaldo is not quite 22 and has plenty of playing left in him in the EPL or Spanish Primera.
* * *
I am starting to pity Michelle Wie. She is clearly a sideshow and it does not seem to me that she is getting closer to making a cut. Now she is getting beat by YOUNGER boy amateurs. (Yes, kudos to Tadd, who would have pulled down $54K for his weekend's work.) She has had plenty of opportunities to be the next big thing, but it did not work out...last year. Now, it is getting embarrassing.
She is very talented; it is time she developed that TALENT and forgot about the PR.
So, what is in store? First, let me get the "obvious" over with: 'da wheels are BARELY hanging on 'da Bears. Saints will nudge them off. I agree with Thew that a >10 point victory is highly likely.
As for the Colts-Pats...I have to go with the Pats. Yes, Colts beat them in Foxboro 27-20. Yes, Brady had 4 (YIKES!) INTs in that game. Yes, the Colts should win. But...
The Patriots simply have had the Colts number all these years. Once again, the pressure is in Manning, not Brady, and I don't think Peyton responds well to that particular pressure. Belichek is still the best coach in the Playoffs and will not make mistakes. The Colts defense, despite playing well in the last few games, is still suspect. In particular, the Colts are not particularly good at pressuring the QB.
All that said, the Pats have some serious weaknesses, but I am going to say the Curse of the Patriots will plague the Colts once more, 24-17.
* * *
Beckham is a unique soccer player. He and his wife are a brand manager's dream. Ronaldinho is the best soccer player in the world; it really is apples to oranges. Thierry Henry and Cristiano Ronaldo are the two players that come to mind that might have the star power to attract a following playing in the US. Henry is almost 30 and might consider it, but Ronaldo is not quite 22 and has plenty of playing left in him in the EPL or Spanish Primera.
* * *
I am starting to pity Michelle Wie. She is clearly a sideshow and it does not seem to me that she is getting closer to making a cut. Now she is getting beat by YOUNGER boy amateurs. (Yes, kudos to Tadd, who would have pulled down $54K for his weekend's work.) She has had plenty of opportunities to be the next big thing, but it did not work out...last year. Now, it is getting embarrassing.
She is very talented; it is time she developed that TALENT and forgot about the PR.
1.15.2007
Goes well with Coffee...
Wow, close call on the oh-fer! Time to eat a few pieces of humble pie...
The Ravens looked like crap in losing to the Colts. McNair did NOT look like the Ravens' "final piece of the puzzle" QB he has been for a last many weeks. Ironically enough, it was the Colts' defense that looked sharp, not the vaunted Ravens. And of course, FOOD FOR CONFLICT is the fact that the Colts' next opponent is...
The Patriots are a winner. I loved David Rivers, but truly I have to give kudos to Tilam for his prediction about rookie quarterbacks. Giving up the touchdown right before halftime was the first domino to fall in a long chain of second half dominance by Brady and the Pats. Tom Brady and Bill Belichik are 12-1, that's TWELVE and ONE, in the playoffs. They are winners, plain and simple.
Not sure where the game went wrong, but the Seahawks looked pretty much average against da Bears. And when the 'Hawks' defense needed to come up with a stop in the 4th quarter, they didn't. So momentum at home shifted to the Bears side of the field (see above, Pats v Bolts). How do you let a middling quality QB like Grossman complete a 30 yard pass over the middle in OT?! As soon as the Bears tied it to send it into overtime and stopped the Seahawks on their opening drive, it was just a matter of time...
THANK YOU Drew Brees. The Saints are the real deal. Years of underachieving at the QB position and they finally got a solid performer in Drew Brees directing them around, and they are showing their talent...
Now, onto next round:
I cannot believe I'm going to say this, but the Colts over the Pats. The Colts defense is feeling pretty good after holding the Ravens to 2 FG, and I think they are really hungry to prove themselves against the Pats. I think the Pats are beatable this year; coming back against a rookie quarterback who's never played a playoff game before is one thing, beating the Colts, who are only gaining confidence and momentum, is a different thing. Colts 24-17
The Bears are barely holding on, frankly. Rex Grossman is a good enough quarterback, but so is a G.E.D. That's called a "Good Enough Diploma". Basically, you can make up 4 years of high school in 6 hours. Not as good as the real thing. The Saints are just too much team for the Bears. I can see the Bears defense holding the Saints to a reasonable scoring total, but they will begin to feel the pressure, make mistakes, and get beaten since they KNOW that Rex Grossman has to play a game that he rarely plays, mistake free and attacking, for Chicago to win. Saints 31-13.
In other sports...
I cannot help but wonder, after some further reflection, that if David Beckham is worth $10M a year and $50M in endorsements as a step-slower "star", how much do you think some of the other high profile quality players might be worth should they decide to jump to the MLs? In a soccer fan's wet dream, how much do you think Ronaldinho would be worth if Becks commands THAT kind of money...I am concerned that this will set a lousy precedent...
Something that passed the world by unless you're a hockey fan, the league's (and history's) FIRST Japanese player made his debut in the NHL this past weekend; Los Angeles Kings goalie Yutaka Fukufuji became the first Japanese-born player in the NHL when he started the third period against the St. Louis Blues on Saturday. Frankly, with Mathieu Caron injured, it was a sound decision regardless of his nationality: Fukufuji was 2-0-0 with a 1.30 goals-against average in three games at Manchester of the American Hockey League and 3-3-0 with Reading of the East Coast Hockey League.
Is it ME, or is men's college basketball currently a war of attrition? As in "what top ranked team is going to lose today?".
Talk about hyping something new, check out this little PGA blurb...Vijay Singh, coming off a victory last week at Kapalua, birdied his last three holes for a 69. He tied for 34th at 277. The good news for the big Fijian is that he stayed atop the FedExCup points list, with only 32 weeks remaining until the playoffs. THIRTY TWO WEEKS?! Who gives a shit...talk to me when there's 23 weeks left, it's way to early to talk about the FedEx Cup. Talk about building up some free public chatter...
The Ravens looked like crap in losing to the Colts. McNair did NOT look like the Ravens' "final piece of the puzzle" QB he has been for a last many weeks. Ironically enough, it was the Colts' defense that looked sharp, not the vaunted Ravens. And of course, FOOD FOR CONFLICT is the fact that the Colts' next opponent is...
The Patriots are a winner. I loved David Rivers, but truly I have to give kudos to Tilam for his prediction about rookie quarterbacks. Giving up the touchdown right before halftime was the first domino to fall in a long chain of second half dominance by Brady and the Pats. Tom Brady and Bill Belichik are 12-1, that's TWELVE and ONE, in the playoffs. They are winners, plain and simple.
Not sure where the game went wrong, but the Seahawks looked pretty much average against da Bears. And when the 'Hawks' defense needed to come up with a stop in the 4th quarter, they didn't. So momentum at home shifted to the Bears side of the field (see above, Pats v Bolts). How do you let a middling quality QB like Grossman complete a 30 yard pass over the middle in OT?! As soon as the Bears tied it to send it into overtime and stopped the Seahawks on their opening drive, it was just a matter of time...
THANK YOU Drew Brees. The Saints are the real deal. Years of underachieving at the QB position and they finally got a solid performer in Drew Brees directing them around, and they are showing their talent...
Now, onto next round:
I cannot believe I'm going to say this, but the Colts over the Pats. The Colts defense is feeling pretty good after holding the Ravens to 2 FG, and I think they are really hungry to prove themselves against the Pats. I think the Pats are beatable this year; coming back against a rookie quarterback who's never played a playoff game before is one thing, beating the Colts, who are only gaining confidence and momentum, is a different thing. Colts 24-17
The Bears are barely holding on, frankly. Rex Grossman is a good enough quarterback, but so is a G.E.D. That's called a "Good Enough Diploma". Basically, you can make up 4 years of high school in 6 hours. Not as good as the real thing. The Saints are just too much team for the Bears. I can see the Bears defense holding the Saints to a reasonable scoring total, but they will begin to feel the pressure, make mistakes, and get beaten since they KNOW that Rex Grossman has to play a game that he rarely plays, mistake free and attacking, for Chicago to win. Saints 31-13.
In other sports...
I cannot help but wonder, after some further reflection, that if David Beckham is worth $10M a year and $50M in endorsements as a step-slower "star", how much do you think some of the other high profile quality players might be worth should they decide to jump to the MLs? In a soccer fan's wet dream, how much do you think Ronaldinho would be worth if Becks commands THAT kind of money...I am concerned that this will set a lousy precedent...
Something that passed the world by unless you're a hockey fan, the league's (and history's) FIRST Japanese player made his debut in the NHL this past weekend; Los Angeles Kings goalie Yutaka Fukufuji became the first Japanese-born player in the NHL when he started the third period against the St. Louis Blues on Saturday. Frankly, with Mathieu Caron injured, it was a sound decision regardless of his nationality: Fukufuji was 2-0-0 with a 1.30 goals-against average in three games at Manchester of the American Hockey League and 3-3-0 with Reading of the East Coast Hockey League.
Is it ME, or is men's college basketball currently a war of attrition? As in "what top ranked team is going to lose today?".
Talk about hyping something new, check out this little PGA blurb...Vijay Singh, coming off a victory last week at Kapalua, birdied his last three holes for a 69. He tied for 34th at 277. The good news for the big Fijian is that he stayed atop the FedExCup points list, with only 32 weeks remaining until the playoffs. THIRTY TWO WEEKS?! Who gives a shit...talk to me when there's 23 weeks left, it's way to early to talk about the FedEx Cup. Talk about building up some free public chatter...
1.13.2007
Deep thoughts...
Well, the exact phrasing wasn't quite right, but I basically covered Michelle Wie's press conference almost spot on:
"I tried my best. It's all I can do," said Wie, who has not made the cut in seven PGA Tour starts. "I have a lot of game, it's just not showing right now. When I get it to come out, I'm going to be fine."
But a HUGE GRATS to Tadd Fujikawa: four days after he celebrated his 16th birthday, Fujikawa shot a 4-under 66 to become the youngest player in 50 years to make the cut on the PGA Tour. I don't care if this kid finishes dead last, the state of HI is finally delirious, since a local teen is playing on the weekend of the Sony Open. Oh, and it's not Michelle Wie...
On the other hand, Abe Mariano and Tom Johnson both finished behind Michelle Wie in missing the cut. Sorry boys, but finishing behind Michelle Wie in missing the cut must feel like finishing second to Marion Barry in the mayoral race - who was so bad they finished second to a crack head?!
Oh, and is Michelle Wie destined to be the next Anna Kournikova? Considered beautiful (don't ask...) but unable to win ANYTHING? Time will tell...
Is is ME, or does Posh need to put some meat on her bones? That chick is so skinny she makes MK Olsen look normal. Sorry, but you need to have something to hold on to...
"I tried my best. It's all I can do," said Wie, who has not made the cut in seven PGA Tour starts. "I have a lot of game, it's just not showing right now. When I get it to come out, I'm going to be fine."
But a HUGE GRATS to Tadd Fujikawa: four days after he celebrated his 16th birthday, Fujikawa shot a 4-under 66 to become the youngest player in 50 years to make the cut on the PGA Tour. I don't care if this kid finishes dead last, the state of HI is finally delirious, since a local teen is playing on the weekend of the Sony Open. Oh, and it's not Michelle Wie...
On the other hand, Abe Mariano and Tom Johnson both finished behind Michelle Wie in missing the cut. Sorry boys, but finishing behind Michelle Wie in missing the cut must feel like finishing second to Marion Barry in the mayoral race - who was so bad they finished second to a crack head?!
Oh, and is Michelle Wie destined to be the next Anna Kournikova? Considered beautiful (don't ask...) but unable to win ANYTHING? Time will tell...
Is is ME, or does Posh need to put some meat on her bones? That chick is so skinny she makes MK Olsen look normal. Sorry, but you need to have something to hold on to...
1.12.2007
Two More Quick Updates...
Wie held steady on the back nine and finished 8 over par. Unfortunately, she finished all alone in 143rd place or second to last.
According to the TV at the gym this morning, it turns out that $200 million of the $250 million in Beckham's deal is endorsements. As Jerry Seinfeld says, "not that there is anything WRONG with that..." According to the WSJ, his salary is $10 million per year (down from $16 million at Real Madrid); plus he gets 40% to 50% of team jersey sales and a cut of the gate.
Within a few hours of the announcement, LA sold 1,000 new seasons tickets and 100 new premium boxes. Of course, not all those new fans are just interested in David...
According to the TV at the gym this morning, it turns out that $200 million of the $250 million in Beckham's deal is endorsements. As Jerry Seinfeld says, "not that there is anything WRONG with that..." According to the WSJ, his salary is $10 million per year (down from $16 million at Real Madrid); plus he gets 40% to 50% of team jersey sales and a cut of the gate.
Within a few hours of the announcement, LA sold 1,000 new seasons tickets and 100 new premium boxes. Of course, not all those new fans are just interested in David...
1.11.2007
Breaking news...
Just wait until you hear the inevitable "well, I felt like I hit the ball good today, just a bit unlucky at times". Or "I'm very close to where I want to be". Michelle, TIGER can get away with those statements after a bad round, you cannot. Because you have not earned the right to say them and have people nod their heads in agreement. But when you are 17 and rich beyond your father's wildest dreams (yeah, we know who's pulling the endorsement and schedule strings) does it really matter if you win?
UCONN is young, athletic, and raw. Look for them to have a major down rebuilding season this year. Sorry Husky fans (and I am a graduate of that school), it's the truth. So much success has spoiled you, I just hope that you don't treat the kids like crap as they mature and learn their team game.
Wow, I needed smelling salts after the Beckham deal. Of course, what OTHER team in the MLS would have been the right home for Becks and Posh? Hollywood, here we come. The perfect home for the king and queen of soccer (wow, with her in the bedroom, I'd have to make sure I straightened it like Beckham, not bent it). Tilam, in his quick wisdom, beat me to the NASL analogy, which was "throw money at a ton of aging stars with no real return over time" and the league folded. But I also believe that the US soccer fans will embrace this more than those fans of 30 years or so past. I also agree with Tilam in that I think they need to temper their spending, since the fan base of MLS isn't enough to support that kind of contract - come to think of it, where the hell ARE they going to get that money? This will be VERY interesting to watch as it plays out...
UCONN is young, athletic, and raw. Look for them to have a major down rebuilding season this year. Sorry Husky fans (and I am a graduate of that school), it's the truth. So much success has spoiled you, I just hope that you don't treat the kids like crap as they mature and learn their team game.
Wow, I needed smelling salts after the Beckham deal. Of course, what OTHER team in the MLS would have been the right home for Becks and Posh? Hollywood, here we come. The perfect home for the king and queen of soccer (wow, with her in the bedroom, I'd have to make sure I straightened it like Beckham, not bent it). Tilam, in his quick wisdom, beat me to the NASL analogy, which was "throw money at a ton of aging stars with no real return over time" and the league folded. But I also believe that the US soccer fans will embrace this more than those fans of 30 years or so past. I also agree with Tilam in that I think they need to temper their spending, since the fan base of MLS isn't enough to support that kind of contract - come to think of it, where the hell ARE they going to get that money? This will be VERY interesting to watch as it plays out...
Meanwhile, At the Sony..
Michelle Wie is 8-over after nine holes.
This has gone well beyond sad and past pathetic some time ago. I have to agree that Michelle needs some time to mature and hone her game on the LPGA and that, at some point, getting destroyed in every men's tournament will permanently psyche her out.
This has gone well beyond sad and past pathetic some time ago. I have to agree that Michelle needs some time to mature and hone her game on the LPGA and that, at some point, getting destroyed in every men's tournament will permanently psyche her out.
$250 Million Reasons to Be Like Beckham
David Beckham is reported to be going to the LA Galaxy. For $250 million in salary and endorsements. Holy Shite!
Now I have been a consistent supporter of the old man. (Time to remind everyone of his and Posh's interview with Ali G! 'Ear me, now.) At 31, as I said before, he has lost a step, but can still play AND still is the best in the world at free kicks. That said...$50 million per year?
There is plenty of speculation that Ronaldo is coming to the Red Bulls. Most important, Beckham has broken an important barrier and the amount of money is SURE to get attention from other players with international appeal.
The MLS has to tread lightly here though. There are maybe a hand full of players with the skills and the marketing potential to be superstars here. (Andy Rooney or Mickey Rooney or whatever your name is - don't bother.) Paying nine figures for a bunch of has beens gets you into bankruptcy real quick.
UPDATE: I am basically in agreement with Jen Chang. My quibble is that at $250 million, ANYONE in the EPL would not hesitate to play here.
Now I have been a consistent supporter of the old man. (Time to remind everyone of his and Posh's interview with Ali G! 'Ear me, now.) At 31, as I said before, he has lost a step, but can still play AND still is the best in the world at free kicks. That said...$50 million per year?
There is plenty of speculation that Ronaldo is coming to the Red Bulls. Most important, Beckham has broken an important barrier and the amount of money is SURE to get attention from other players with international appeal.
The MLS has to tread lightly here though. There are maybe a hand full of players with the skills and the marketing potential to be superstars here. (Andy Rooney or Mickey Rooney or whatever your name is - don't bother.) Paying nine figures for a bunch of has beens gets you into bankruptcy real quick.
UPDATE: I am basically in agreement with Jen Chang. My quibble is that at $250 million, ANYONE in the EPL would not hesitate to play here.
As If on Queue
UConn and Duke both got beat last night. UConn by Marquette, a decent conference opponent (73-69) and Duke by Georgia Tech, a decent conference opponent (74-63). If you read ESPN today, you will find out that Duke is a young team looking for leadership.
Of course, you could have read Tilam v. Thew yesterday...
Of course, you could have read Tilam v. Thew yesterday...
1.10.2007
HoF and HoS
Welp, you saw it here sports fans, Tilam and Thew correctly predicted Gwynn and Ripken into the MLB Hall of Fame. Pretty spot on with the rest of our discussion, with a few salient observations to make:
How the hell did Jose Canseco get 6 votes?
Come to think of it, how the FREAKING hell did Albert Belle get 19?!
Donnie Baseball got less than 10%, which is a surprise to me. I thought he'd get more, although if you miss by 10 votes or 100 votes, you still miss.
Goose Gossage didn't make it in, but he's only 20 votes shy...over time they will relent and he'll make it, and I believe deservedly so. But if Gossage gets in, why not Lee Smith?
Big Mac got less than 25% of the votes required - sad, in my opinion. Tim Kurkjian went on a rant on ESPN, stating many of the things we've said here about Mark McGwire. He started his rookie year off with 49 home runs, he's won a (2?) Gold Gloves at first base as a fielder, the man was a star from the beginning, he just got bigger. Does it turn 49 HR's into 70, being on 'roids? Maybe...IF he actually did them. I hope Big Mac gets in, but I'm a little disappointed at this juncture.
On the "haven't I beaten a dead horse enough?" front, an interesting article on the current state of Michelle Wie. I'm sure that if you read the article many of the statements they make will sound familiar...since I've penned many of them right here in this blog. No more outrage, no more rants against Wie, just the simple fact that at this point we are destroying the talent of a young athlete - in her mind and in the public's eye. I'd say that at this point, she's just a revenue/gate generator, people are just looking at her to fly high then crash and burn like Icarus. And that's sad, because she could, if focused on the proper sport, challenge the best, I'm fairly convinced of that.
And finally, in the blurred line between fantasy and reality, a scorpion stung a passenger on a United Airlines flight on the back of his right leg, just below the knee, then continued up that leg and down the other before getting him again in the shin. It wasn't what he was expecting on a flight from Chicago to Vermont...must have been one of those Blackhawks fans, they are particularly mean people...
How the hell did Jose Canseco get 6 votes?
Come to think of it, how the FREAKING hell did Albert Belle get 19?!
Donnie Baseball got less than 10%, which is a surprise to me. I thought he'd get more, although if you miss by 10 votes or 100 votes, you still miss.
Goose Gossage didn't make it in, but he's only 20 votes shy...over time they will relent and he'll make it, and I believe deservedly so. But if Gossage gets in, why not Lee Smith?
Big Mac got less than 25% of the votes required - sad, in my opinion. Tim Kurkjian went on a rant on ESPN, stating many of the things we've said here about Mark McGwire. He started his rookie year off with 49 home runs, he's won a (2?) Gold Gloves at first base as a fielder, the man was a star from the beginning, he just got bigger. Does it turn 49 HR's into 70, being on 'roids? Maybe...IF he actually did them. I hope Big Mac gets in, but I'm a little disappointed at this juncture.
On the "haven't I beaten a dead horse enough?" front, an interesting article on the current state of Michelle Wie. I'm sure that if you read the article many of the statements they make will sound familiar...since I've penned many of them right here in this blog. No more outrage, no more rants against Wie, just the simple fact that at this point we are destroying the talent of a young athlete - in her mind and in the public's eye. I'd say that at this point, she's just a revenue/gate generator, people are just looking at her to fly high then crash and burn like Icarus. And that's sad, because she could, if focused on the proper sport, challenge the best, I'm fairly convinced of that.
And finally, in the blurred line between fantasy and reality, a scorpion stung a passenger on a United Airlines flight on the back of his right leg, just below the knee, then continued up that leg and down the other before getting him again in the shin. It wasn't what he was expecting on a flight from Chicago to Vermont...must have been one of those Blackhawks fans, they are particularly mean people...
1.09.2007
Baseball HoF
Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn are in the Hall of Fame. McGuire garnered over the 5% needed to stay on the ballot, but, as expected, did not come close. Harold Baines was the only other rookie to receive 5% or more and remain on the ballot.
According to HoF watchers, next year is a "thin" year; offering guys on the cusp their best shot at admission.
According to HoF watchers, next year is a "thin" year; offering guys on the cusp their best shot at admission.
U-Con
I have been silent about the UConn Huskies, but I can't simply whistle past the graveyard. While I would like to write, "They Suck" or some such, that would be wrong. They do not suck, in fact, they are very good.
But they are leaderless and soulless right now. There is no Rip Hamilton or Ben Gordon or even a Rashad Anderson or Denham Brown to look for leadership. While this is not unique in today's college game (Duke is suffering the same problem), it is particularly acute in UConn's case.
Coupled with Calhoun's soft scheduling in November and December, this is a team that will have to mature late, if at all. They have Marquette (who humiliated them last year), St. John's at MSG and then Pittsburgh at Pitt. This stretch will go along way to determine NCAA or NIT.
Finally, I just look at UNC and wonder how anyone will knock them off with Tyler Hansbrough? It is certainly possible as Gonzaga showed, but they are the team to beat this year.
But they are leaderless and soulless right now. There is no Rip Hamilton or Ben Gordon or even a Rashad Anderson or Denham Brown to look for leadership. While this is not unique in today's college game (Duke is suffering the same problem), it is particularly acute in UConn's case.
Coupled with Calhoun's soft scheduling in November and December, this is a team that will have to mature late, if at all. They have Marquette (who humiliated them last year), St. John's at MSG and then Pittsburgh at Pitt. This stretch will go along way to determine NCAA or NIT.
Finally, I just look at UNC and wonder how anyone will knock them off with Tyler Hansbrough? It is certainly possible as Gonzaga showed, but they are the team to beat this year.
Greators!
I can't say that I am surprised, though I did not have the balls to predict it. Like the basketball team last spring, Florida "snuck" up on the world and took home a Championship. Now, there is no shortage of adulation.
I will say that until the Michigan/USC game, I felt that OSU was the favorite. The Michigan game exposed the top part of the Big Ten as mostly hype. Yes, they beat Texas early, but Texas was #2 based on the past not the present and ended up 10-3. Beating Michigan by 3 at home was not the win it seemed like at the time.
Florida's only loss was to a strong Auburn team. (Auburn had also beat LSU early in the season.) And given LSU's performance, maybe the SEC was disrespected a bit. Of course, looking at Jeff Saragin's conference rankings, the SEC was the top ranked conference while the Big Ten ranked 5th.
All this just SCREAMS for a play-off. Sure, you will still get complaints from the last team left off the 8 or 10 team playoff list, but the BSC ranking system is just a piece of junk. Further, each team had nearly a month lay-off prior. How does that promote the best game? Was Troy Smith a bit rusty? Would he have played better if he had to face Louisville or California in the prior weeks?
Just asking...
I will say that until the Michigan/USC game, I felt that OSU was the favorite. The Michigan game exposed the top part of the Big Ten as mostly hype. Yes, they beat Texas early, but Texas was #2 based on the past not the present and ended up 10-3. Beating Michigan by 3 at home was not the win it seemed like at the time.
Florida's only loss was to a strong Auburn team. (Auburn had also beat LSU early in the season.) And given LSU's performance, maybe the SEC was disrespected a bit. Of course, looking at Jeff Saragin's conference rankings, the SEC was the top ranked conference while the Big Ten ranked 5th.
All this just SCREAMS for a play-off. Sure, you will still get complaints from the last team left off the 8 or 10 team playoff list, but the BSC ranking system is just a piece of junk. Further, each team had nearly a month lay-off prior. How does that promote the best game? Was Troy Smith a bit rusty? Would he have played better if he had to face Louisville or California in the prior weeks?
Just asking...
1.08.2007
I can go OH-FER and still hit .500!
It's gonna be an interesting next playoff round, that's for sure. Especially since I don't agree with Tilam on a few of his choices...
Ravens over Colts by 10 points. The Ravens are just too good, the Colts blew their load against the Chiefs.
I like the 'Hawks over da Bears. Rex Grossman just isn't the QB to take the bears to the promised land, they don't score enough points, and although their defense is pretty damm good, losing 13-6 will be their ultimate fate.
Drew Brees is the real deal, Jeff Garcia's midnight cinderella clock just chimed. Saints 27-17.
And I'm not a member of the "rookies can't win playoff games" club. Rivers will lead the Bolts over the Pats 24-17.
That's it for now, more when I get a chance to take a deep breath...
Ravens over Colts by 10 points. The Ravens are just too good, the Colts blew their load against the Chiefs.
I like the 'Hawks over da Bears. Rex Grossman just isn't the QB to take the bears to the promised land, they don't score enough points, and although their defense is pretty damm good, losing 13-6 will be their ultimate fate.
Drew Brees is the real deal, Jeff Garcia's midnight cinderella clock just chimed. Saints 27-17.
And I'm not a member of the "rookies can't win playoff games" club. Rivers will lead the Bolts over the Pats 24-17.
That's it for now, more when I get a chance to take a deep breath...
Islamic History
Since Thew professed interest in my post on the founding struggles of Islam, I would point to Peter Wehner's review of the historical emergence of radical Islam over at Real Clear Politics.
The only point I would niggle about is that I was taught that the seeds of the Shiite/Sunni struggle occurred with the Umayyad takeover of the Caliphate. While the death of Ali was the result of a planned multiple assassination (including Muawiyah and Amr) by Islamic radicals, the other men survived and both happened to be bitter enemies of Ali. Muawiyah was very quick to take over the Caliphate as the first of the Umayyad Caliphs and then high-tailed it to Damascus to establish the throne.
Sound fishy to you? Under the Tilam view of Islam, the Battle of Karbala was open confrontation of arms, but the divergence of Shiites and Sunnies occurred nearly 20 years prior.
The only point I would niggle about is that I was taught that the seeds of the Shiite/Sunni struggle occurred with the Umayyad takeover of the Caliphate. While the death of Ali was the result of a planned multiple assassination (including Muawiyah and Amr) by Islamic radicals, the other men survived and both happened to be bitter enemies of Ali. Muawiyah was very quick to take over the Caliphate as the first of the Umayyad Caliphs and then high-tailed it to Damascus to establish the throne.
Sound fishy to you? Under the Tilam view of Islam, the Battle of Karbala was open confrontation of arms, but the divergence of Shiites and Sunnies occurred nearly 20 years prior.
Playoff Prediction Recap (or Don't Quit Your Day Job)
I basically batted .500 this past weekend. The Pats/Jets game was higher scoring then I expected, but what the hell happened to the Chiefs? They really looked like they didn't belong. Of course, the Colts looked like crap too, but in comparison to the Chiefs, they were a rock.
Tony Romo played like Perry for one play and lost the game for the Cowboys. And the Iggles did win, though the game was much better (and closer) then I expected.
Hat's off to Thew, who went 4 for 4 for his weekend picks.
Give me a couple of days to ruminate, but my first cut at next weekend games are:
Pats over Bolts
Ravens over Colts
Bears over 'Hawks
Eagles over Saints
I am going with the "rookie QBs lose playoff games no matter how good they are during the season." But the only win I am confident in is the Ravens. LT may give NE fits, though the Pats have the 5th best run defense in the NFL. The 'Hawks and Bears will be a"who is going to lose it" game. I think the Iggles have an experience edge over the Saints; Garcia seems to be able to pull off the victory whether its pretty or ugly.
Tony Romo played like Perry for one play and lost the game for the Cowboys. And the Iggles did win, though the game was much better (and closer) then I expected.
Hat's off to Thew, who went 4 for 4 for his weekend picks.
Give me a couple of days to ruminate, but my first cut at next weekend games are:
Pats over Bolts
Ravens over Colts
Bears over 'Hawks
Eagles over Saints
I am going with the "rookie QBs lose playoff games no matter how good they are during the season." But the only win I am confident in is the Ravens. LT may give NE fits, though the Pats have the 5th best run defense in the NFL. The 'Hawks and Bears will be a"who is going to lose it" game. I think the Iggles have an experience edge over the Saints; Garcia seems to be able to pull off the victory whether its pretty or ugly.
1.05.2007
Here's to swimmin with bowl legged wimmen...
Nice, a rocket scientist as an NFL cheerleader! Though truthfully, I'd prefer that she were an English major, cuz then she'd be able to better help me with my Longfellow! However, a HUGE distinction must be made here - even though her degree is in aerospace engineering, her JOB is "assistant project manager", which you KNOW means "gopher". Although frankly, if she were to gopher MY gusto, I'd be more than happy to interface with her system and provide the proper trajectory!
But ultimately, I have some other ladies that can compete with her for MENSA membership:
Janette has a degree in nursing, not a cakewalk discipline...
Stephanie Graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of St. Thomas with a B.A. degree in Psychology and a B.S. degree in Business Economics
Shanna is a United States Air Force – Integrated Avionics Technician
To name a few...
But ultimately, I have some other ladies that can compete with her for MENSA membership:
Janette has a degree in nursing, not a cakewalk discipline...
Stephanie Graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of St. Thomas with a B.A. degree in Psychology and a B.S. degree in Business Economics
Shanna is a United States Air Force – Integrated Avionics Technician
To name a few...
1.04.2007
Comeback to Thew's Musings
Good to read some Thew-zings. My thoughts on his topics.
NFL: Iggles over the G-men. Big 30-7. The Giants' front line will not be able to consistently stop the Eagles pressure and Manning is AW-Fucking-FUL under pressure.
Romo stops playing like Como (Perry, that is) and the 'Boys win. It helps the Seahawks were one of the most inconsistent teams this year. 24-10.
Chiefs win (24-20) and Pats win (17-6). In other NY news, Eric Magenious becomes a NYC demi-god, while Conklin gets canned.
In other NFL news, she is a rocket scientist and Houston Texan cheerleader. (Insert lame joke about sending your rocket into orbit.)
NHL: I would LOVE to see Buffalo win it all. There, my expertise is done.
MLB: The fact that Randy Johnson is up for trade shows there is hope for the Bombers in 2007. I agree with Thew: Johnson was just not right for NYC. Neither was Zito, BTW. Get some farm talent and bring them up. (But I hear Jeff Weaver is still available!)
NCAAF: Nick Saban is going to Alabama after swearing to high heaven it was not going to happen. Pat Forde goes NUTS! Pat...relax. Saban could have been telling the truth...right up until he heard $32 million over 8 years guaranteed minimum. He is also rumored to have told Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga that if Huizenga wanted him to stay, Saban would.
And read Shula's comments...Don does not look much better. Let's face it: Saban is no Belichek or Mangini or Dungy or Jim Mora for God's sake. The Fish will be better off long term without him.
Charlie Weis has done a great job at ND, but he is not done yet. They were a Top 20 team, but not a Top 10 team. But what about JaMarcus Russell? Holy Crap can that kid throw the ball. I watched the game with my Dad and we both were pulling for ND, but Russell was really impressive and has a big time pro career ahead of him. If Russell jumps early to the NFL, Detroit would be wise to pick him up with the second pick.
NCAAB: I had a lunch meeting today in Newton, MA at the Marriott. While there, I ran into the FSU Lady Seminoles Basketball team in the lobby. (They play BC tonight.) Let me tell you that 6' 3" just seems bigger on a woman then it does on a man. No disrespect intended. Good luck, girls.
Iraq: No tears for Hussein here and if the execution was imperfect...fine. Iraq is imperfect right now. Longer post on Iraq will be forthcoming.
Democrats: For six years they have been the sand in the wheels of government, now they have to govern. Initial indications are not promising - hiking minimum wage puts people out of work; mandating drug prices keeps new drugs off the market; there are no good options to leave Iraq right now. And after campaigning on bi-partisanship, they immediately shut out Republicans from the debate. Pelosi = DeLay in a skirt is not an auspicious start.
NFL: Iggles over the G-men. Big 30-7. The Giants' front line will not be able to consistently stop the Eagles pressure and Manning is AW-Fucking-FUL under pressure.
Romo stops playing like Como (Perry, that is) and the 'Boys win. It helps the Seahawks were one of the most inconsistent teams this year. 24-10.
Chiefs win (24-20) and Pats win (17-6). In other NY news, Eric Magenious becomes a NYC demi-god, while Conklin gets canned.
In other NFL news, she is a rocket scientist and Houston Texan cheerleader. (Insert lame joke about sending your rocket into orbit.)NHL: I would LOVE to see Buffalo win it all. There, my expertise is done.
MLB: The fact that Randy Johnson is up for trade shows there is hope for the Bombers in 2007. I agree with Thew: Johnson was just not right for NYC. Neither was Zito, BTW. Get some farm talent and bring them up. (But I hear Jeff Weaver is still available!)
NCAAF: Nick Saban is going to Alabama after swearing to high heaven it was not going to happen. Pat Forde goes NUTS! Pat...relax. Saban could have been telling the truth...right up until he heard $32 million over 8 years guaranteed minimum. He is also rumored to have told Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga that if Huizenga wanted him to stay, Saban would.
And read Shula's comments...Don does not look much better. Let's face it: Saban is no Belichek or Mangini or Dungy or Jim Mora for God's sake. The Fish will be better off long term without him.
Charlie Weis has done a great job at ND, but he is not done yet. They were a Top 20 team, but not a Top 10 team. But what about JaMarcus Russell? Holy Crap can that kid throw the ball. I watched the game with my Dad and we both were pulling for ND, but Russell was really impressive and has a big time pro career ahead of him. If Russell jumps early to the NFL, Detroit would be wise to pick him up with the second pick.
NCAAB: I had a lunch meeting today in Newton, MA at the Marriott. While there, I ran into the FSU Lady Seminoles Basketball team in the lobby. (They play BC tonight.) Let me tell you that 6' 3" just seems bigger on a woman then it does on a man. No disrespect intended. Good luck, girls.
Iraq: No tears for Hussein here and if the execution was imperfect...fine. Iraq is imperfect right now. Longer post on Iraq will be forthcoming.
Democrats: For six years they have been the sand in the wheels of government, now they have to govern. Initial indications are not promising - hiking minimum wage puts people out of work; mandating drug prices keeps new drugs off the market; there are no good options to leave Iraq right now. And after campaigning on bi-partisanship, they immediately shut out Republicans from the debate. Pelosi = DeLay in a skirt is not an auspicious start.
Taking a deep breath for 2007
Happy New Year to you as well Tilam. Another year of backbiting, insulting, and demeaning on the horizon, and that's just in our households! I expect the kid gloves to be shed during 2007!
I didn't watch any of the college bowls, although I heard that Boise State pulled a tricky dicky move against Oklahoma that was pure highlight action. That is why I love the college game more than the pro game, especially with regards to basketball...they play for glory and the win, not just for the money. Nothing makes an athlete hungry like a trophy - once they get the fat contracts, they tank it for show. But this is much more prevelant in the NBA rather than the NFL, but I still find the purity of the college game more exciting...that being said, WTF happened to Notre Dame? They got "palindromed", which is another word for scoring the reverse numbers of their opponents in points - 41-14. Charlie Weis, remember that in a way the college game is still like the pros - having a nice regular season is a plus, but if you have a good record but get blown out in a bowl game, it's a total loss.
NFL
WOW, look who's at the top of the supposed power rankings, the Chargers. Philip Rivers is the real deal in San Diego, and LT is making it look easy. Other than that, I have gotten thoroughly confused by the NFL. Other than the surety that my Vikings suck bullnuts, all the others teams are, as Tilam suggest, an enigma. The Colts once again are experiencing late season armor chinks, what happened to da Bears, and other pertinent questions abound...
G-men vs Philly: The Giants are on a 2-6 slide and the Eagles are playing quality football right now with Jeff Garcia (yes, THAT Jeff Garcia) at the QB position. Eagles 27-14
'Boys vs Seattle: Similar situation with the Cowboys on a losing streak and the 'Hawks playing well lately. You've got to go with the girl who's strutting her stuff right now - Seahawks 24-14
Colts - Chiefs: LT is the league MVP hands down, P-Man and the Colts are 2-3 in their last five games. Not to mention that the Colts defense kinda sux right now - they are 21st in the league and LAST in run defense. Not a good match up for Tony Dungy. BUT, I think he's going to pull this one out, the Colts' D is going to show and slow LT. This is my "against the grain" pick. Colts 28-24
Jets - Pats: Chad Pennington is the Comeback PotY in the NFL, but the Jets had NO expectations of making the playoffs at the beginning of the year, I think they are just happy to be there. Pats 24-10
NHL
In the "no way do I want to be a supervisor anymore" department, Chris Chelios was visibly shaken and upset that 2 of the employees of his Cheli's Chili bar in Detroit were stabbed to death by a former employee who was let go very recently. He faces life without parole - I wonder if being unemployed and looking for a job is a worse fate than being bent over a steel spring mattress with a largely endowed inmate teaching you the term "anal retentive". Oh well, he'll find out soon enough...
Anaheim and Buffalo, the 2 best teams in the conferences, have been showing a let down as of late, but don't be fooled folks, they are destined to meet for the Cup. And I give the edge to the Sabres at this point.
Penguins to Kansas City? KC is rolling out a major welcome mat for 'em, I bet this gets done.
MLB
The Yankees are still exploring a trade for Randy Johnson - it appears that the D-backs are interested in bringing him back to Arizona. I'm going to be sorry to see him go, I think he still did very well in NY despite the pressure - well, but not lights out like people expect, but don't over look the fact that he won 17 games BOTH seasons he was with the Yankees. The bad part is that on some of the "higher profile" games (read: against Red Sox) he was lit up like a Christmas tree, and his post-season performance was sub-par. That will ultimately spell his exit from NY. Too bad.
On a more interesting note, a company that uses computer imaging claims baseballs had a larger rubberized core and a synthetic rubber ring in 1998, including the ball Mark McGwire hit for his 70th homer. The company tested 35 or so baseballs made by Rawlings, and "the evidence shows his ball (the 70th HR ball hit by Big Mac) -- under the governing body of the league -- was juiced." So the BIG question is "does this evidence, disputed by MLB's COO, reduce the significant question of Mark McGwire and steroids"? If the balls were juiced, who cares if Big Mac was, they will still fly farther...stay tuned for more of this drivel. One other note: the dispute from the COO says "Beginning in 2000, we have had annual independent testing done by UMass at Lowell, baseball research center, under the direction of Dr. James Sherwood, and those tests have showed full compliance with standards". But it doesn't say anything about the balls used in 1998...
NBA...nevermind.
World News
I have to admit, I'm in the "who gives a shit" about the outcry over the Saddam Hussein video. I am somewhat disgusted by the fact that some asshole filmed it with his camera phone, believing he might get money or fame because of it. But that is the opportunistic nature of humans today with the advent of youtube and google video.
HOWEVER, the fact that Hussein got taunted and didn't die in a completely dignified manner really doesn't affect me that much. I highly doubt that HIS victims got much better treatment - those many he had hanged for "crimes" and I bet he didn't lose any sleep over those Kurds he gassed. Karma. Quid pro quo. Do unto others... Sorry, no sympathy there for him...
Interesting that the Democrats are taking control of both sides of Congress today. They sure talk a tough game; imposing a ban on gifts from lobbyists and a clampdown on travel funded by private interests (in response to Republican scandals recently), voting next week to raise the federal minimum wage, increase federal support for stem cell research and allowing the government to negotiate with drug companies for lower prices on prescription drugs for Medicare recipients. Not to mention challenging the president to end the war in Iraq. I don't know much about Harry Reid (taking the reins of the Senate) and Nancy Pelosi, tabbed as the most likely to ascend to speaker (and the first woman), I will let Tilam speak to them. Although Reid makes a funny statement, saying that "politics has prevented progress on many of those front running issues for too many years." HeHe. And I'm sure he wasn't one of those politicians?
Bush also claims that he has a 5 year plan for balancing the budget. What a shrewd move on the part of the Republicans - should the Dems win the Oval Office in 2008, the GOP can fully blame them if the budget doesn't balance, stating that Bush's plan would have done it had they just followed the steps. Political poison pill, if you ask me.
And a final quote from John McCain..."We forgot why we came to Washington. We lost our way, we got engaged in earmarking and pork barrel projects, and we valued power over principle and we paid a heavy price for it." Isn't this descriptive of all of our elected officials in Washington? :P
I didn't watch any of the college bowls, although I heard that Boise State pulled a tricky dicky move against Oklahoma that was pure highlight action. That is why I love the college game more than the pro game, especially with regards to basketball...they play for glory and the win, not just for the money. Nothing makes an athlete hungry like a trophy - once they get the fat contracts, they tank it for show. But this is much more prevelant in the NBA rather than the NFL, but I still find the purity of the college game more exciting...that being said, WTF happened to Notre Dame? They got "palindromed", which is another word for scoring the reverse numbers of their opponents in points - 41-14. Charlie Weis, remember that in a way the college game is still like the pros - having a nice regular season is a plus, but if you have a good record but get blown out in a bowl game, it's a total loss.
NFL
WOW, look who's at the top of the supposed power rankings, the Chargers. Philip Rivers is the real deal in San Diego, and LT is making it look easy. Other than that, I have gotten thoroughly confused by the NFL. Other than the surety that my Vikings suck bullnuts, all the others teams are, as Tilam suggest, an enigma. The Colts once again are experiencing late season armor chinks, what happened to da Bears, and other pertinent questions abound...
G-men vs Philly: The Giants are on a 2-6 slide and the Eagles are playing quality football right now with Jeff Garcia (yes, THAT Jeff Garcia) at the QB position. Eagles 27-14
'Boys vs Seattle: Similar situation with the Cowboys on a losing streak and the 'Hawks playing well lately. You've got to go with the girl who's strutting her stuff right now - Seahawks 24-14
Colts - Chiefs: LT is the league MVP hands down, P-Man and the Colts are 2-3 in their last five games. Not to mention that the Colts defense kinda sux right now - they are 21st in the league and LAST in run defense. Not a good match up for Tony Dungy. BUT, I think he's going to pull this one out, the Colts' D is going to show and slow LT. This is my "against the grain" pick. Colts 28-24
Jets - Pats: Chad Pennington is the Comeback PotY in the NFL, but the Jets had NO expectations of making the playoffs at the beginning of the year, I think they are just happy to be there. Pats 24-10
NHL
In the "no way do I want to be a supervisor anymore" department, Chris Chelios was visibly shaken and upset that 2 of the employees of his Cheli's Chili bar in Detroit were stabbed to death by a former employee who was let go very recently. He faces life without parole - I wonder if being unemployed and looking for a job is a worse fate than being bent over a steel spring mattress with a largely endowed inmate teaching you the term "anal retentive". Oh well, he'll find out soon enough...
Anaheim and Buffalo, the 2 best teams in the conferences, have been showing a let down as of late, but don't be fooled folks, they are destined to meet for the Cup. And I give the edge to the Sabres at this point.
Penguins to Kansas City? KC is rolling out a major welcome mat for 'em, I bet this gets done.
MLB
The Yankees are still exploring a trade for Randy Johnson - it appears that the D-backs are interested in bringing him back to Arizona. I'm going to be sorry to see him go, I think he still did very well in NY despite the pressure - well, but not lights out like people expect, but don't over look the fact that he won 17 games BOTH seasons he was with the Yankees. The bad part is that on some of the "higher profile" games (read: against Red Sox) he was lit up like a Christmas tree, and his post-season performance was sub-par. That will ultimately spell his exit from NY. Too bad.
On a more interesting note, a company that uses computer imaging claims baseballs had a larger rubberized core and a synthetic rubber ring in 1998, including the ball Mark McGwire hit for his 70th homer. The company tested 35 or so baseballs made by Rawlings, and "the evidence shows his ball (the 70th HR ball hit by Big Mac) -- under the governing body of the league -- was juiced." So the BIG question is "does this evidence, disputed by MLB's COO, reduce the significant question of Mark McGwire and steroids"? If the balls were juiced, who cares if Big Mac was, they will still fly farther...stay tuned for more of this drivel. One other note: the dispute from the COO says "Beginning in 2000, we have had annual independent testing done by UMass at Lowell, baseball research center, under the direction of Dr. James Sherwood, and those tests have showed full compliance with standards". But it doesn't say anything about the balls used in 1998...
NBA...nevermind.
World News
I have to admit, I'm in the "who gives a shit" about the outcry over the Saddam Hussein video. I am somewhat disgusted by the fact that some asshole filmed it with his camera phone, believing he might get money or fame because of it. But that is the opportunistic nature of humans today with the advent of youtube and google video.
HOWEVER, the fact that Hussein got taunted and didn't die in a completely dignified manner really doesn't affect me that much. I highly doubt that HIS victims got much better treatment - those many he had hanged for "crimes" and I bet he didn't lose any sleep over those Kurds he gassed. Karma. Quid pro quo. Do unto others... Sorry, no sympathy there for him...
Interesting that the Democrats are taking control of both sides of Congress today. They sure talk a tough game; imposing a ban on gifts from lobbyists and a clampdown on travel funded by private interests (in response to Republican scandals recently), voting next week to raise the federal minimum wage, increase federal support for stem cell research and allowing the government to negotiate with drug companies for lower prices on prescription drugs for Medicare recipients. Not to mention challenging the president to end the war in Iraq. I don't know much about Harry Reid (taking the reins of the Senate) and Nancy Pelosi, tabbed as the most likely to ascend to speaker (and the first woman), I will let Tilam speak to them. Although Reid makes a funny statement, saying that "politics has prevented progress on many of those front running issues for too many years." HeHe. And I'm sure he wasn't one of those politicians?
Bush also claims that he has a 5 year plan for balancing the budget. What a shrewd move on the part of the Republicans - should the Dems win the Oval Office in 2008, the GOP can fully blame them if the budget doesn't balance, stating that Bush's plan would have done it had they just followed the steps. Political poison pill, if you ask me.
And a final quote from John McCain..."We forgot why we came to Washington. We lost our way, we got engaged in earmarking and pork barrel projects, and we valued power over principle and we paid a heavy price for it." Isn't this descriptive of all of our elected officials in Washington? :P
1.02.2007
Bowl Games
First off: Happy New Year, Thew!
Second, I really like several of the Bowls games this past weekend. My favorite was the USC-Michigan game. I admit to have been rooting for Michigan, but I was won over by the USC team. Both QBs played very well and both have great pro careers ahead of them. Freakin' Henne throws ropes and nothin' but ropes. Booty was even more impressive and made the Wolverine secondary look bad.
The difference IMHO was the USC rush, which put alot more pressure on Henne. Frankly, I was surprised because Ohio State in their victory over UM, did not put as much pressure on Henne as USC did. Henne still had a 92.4 QB rating. But Booty had a 162 QB rating against (what I thought was) a very good Michigan defense. Hats off to the USC defense.
The Outback (PSU v. Tennessee) and the Capital One (Wisconsin v. Arkansas) were also entertaining. I did not see the Fiesta Bowl and am damn sorry I didn't.
In summary, after an exasperating year in the NFL where it seems team fell over themselves to lose when they needed to win, the NCAA comes through with some real entertainment.
Second, I really like several of the Bowls games this past weekend. My favorite was the USC-Michigan game. I admit to have been rooting for Michigan, but I was won over by the USC team. Both QBs played very well and both have great pro careers ahead of them. Freakin' Henne throws ropes and nothin' but ropes. Booty was even more impressive and made the Wolverine secondary look bad.
The difference IMHO was the USC rush, which put alot more pressure on Henne. Frankly, I was surprised because Ohio State in their victory over UM, did not put as much pressure on Henne as USC did. Henne still had a 92.4 QB rating. But Booty had a 162 QB rating against (what I thought was) a very good Michigan defense. Hats off to the USC defense.
The Outback (PSU v. Tennessee) and the Capital One (Wisconsin v. Arkansas) were also entertaining. I did not see the Fiesta Bowl and am damn sorry I didn't.
In summary, after an exasperating year in the NFL where it seems team fell over themselves to lose when they needed to win, the NCAA comes through with some real entertainment.
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