We're all mad here...

Hottest

2008-02-07T15:29:00.000-05:00

Summer Glau is the winner.

Send me your list in order for the top 13, the following are eligible for 13.

Lena Headey-http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0372176/
Evangeline Lilly-http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1431940/
Lindsay Czarniak-http://www.flickr.com/photos/jfphoto/373396715/
Megyn Kelly-http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,133828,00.html
Katherine Heigl-http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001337/
Ali Larter-http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005123/
Alyssa Milano-http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000192/
Eva Longoria-http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0519456/
Rashida Jones-http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0429069/
Hayden Panettiere-http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0659363/

After that, give me 20 names from the list below

Aimee Teegarden, http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1631435/
Heather Chantal Jones, http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2773581/
Rachel Nichols, http://www.sidelinehotties.com/rachel-nichols/
Suzy Kolber, http://www.sidelinehotties.com/category/suzy-kolber/
Padme Lakshmi, http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0482290/
Paula Garces, http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0305519/
Jenna Fischer, http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0278979/
So Cal Val, http://www.socalval.org/
Katie Cassidy http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1556320/
Erica Durance http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1570568/
Alyson Hannigan http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004989/
Jennifer Morrison http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0607185/
Mariska Hargitay http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002127/
Emily Procter http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0698346/
Elizabeth Mitchell http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0593310/
Giada De Laurentis http://www.askmen.com/women/models_300/397_giada_de_laurentiis.html
Leeann Tweeden http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1204486/
Robin Meade http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/morning.express/
Kristen Kreuk http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0471036/
Olivia Wilde http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1312575/
Yvonne Strahovski http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2088803/
Chyler Leigh http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0500200/
Kate Walsh http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005532/
Jennifer Carpenter http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1358539/
Christa Miller http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0588096/
Lucy Liu http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005154/
Sarah Chalke http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0149950/
Pam Oliver -has been disqualified for having no site or anything to reference
Holly Madison http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0534975/
Poppy Montgomery http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0599889/
Teri Hatcher http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000159/
Eva Longoria http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0519456/
Alyssa Milano http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000192/
Kari Byron http://www.karibyronfansite.com/
Melissa Theuriau http://www.melissa-theuriau.fr/en.html
Rashida Jones http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0429069/
Tricia Helfer http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1065454/
Portia de Rossi http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005577/
Pauley Perrette http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005306/
Jennifer Love Hewitt http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001349/
Anna Friel http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0295484/
Jamie Pressley http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005326/
Kathryn Tappen http://www.kathryntappen.com/
Rosylen Sanchez http://imdb.com/name/nm0761052/
Kaitilin Olson http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0647698/
Katrina Bowden http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2197298/

I have to say that this comment elicited one reaction from me

2007-11-06T12:30:00.000-05:00

Apparently Dana Perino doesn't pay attention to what the people she works for does over there on Pennsylvania Avenue.

She said that the administration is “deeply disappointed” by the measure, which suspends the country’s constitution, and believes it is never “reasonable” to “restrict constitutional freedoms in the name of fighting terrorism”:

Q: Is it ever reasonable to restrict constitutional freedoms in the name of fighting terrorism?

MS. PERINO: In our opinion, no.

This brought on only one response from me, and I think it's appropriate...

Change Your Links

2007-08-09T10:31:00.000-05:00

like seriously wtf?! is up and running right now. Yes, it's still on blogger but that is only until the website is completed. In the meantime, enjoy our new community blog for lack of a better term.

College Football is almost upon us

2007-08-09T09:14:00.000-05:00

Which of course means the discussion of a playoff system is about to come around once again, and this time I believe I have a solution. They key to this is trying to appease everyone under the sun. The folks who say they need to study, the people who want the playoffs, and the BCS system.

They key to this is winning your conference championship. You are not eligible unless you won your conference championship. Yes, I know this will piss off Big 12, Big 10 and SEC fans but hey, win your championship and you can't complain.

There are eight seeds in this playoff system, and the first round happens the next week after conference championship games. Now the Big East, ACC, Big 12, Big 10, SEC and Pac 10 all get a bid into this. There are six other conferences (of sorts) left. You put the WAC, Sun Belt and MAC in one slot with the MWC, Conference USA and Independents in another. Now the conference champion with the highest BCS ranking between those conferences are entered into the playoff system. The seeding is also based on the BCS system. So for example, this would have been last year's seeds.
1.Ohio St
2.USC
3.Florida
4.Notre Dame
5.Louisville
6.Boise St
7.Oklahoma
8.Wake Forest

You have the first round games directly after conference championships at the higher seeds home stadium. The semifinals you alternate every year between the current BCS Bowls. The final game, you have take place where they would like to have the plus one game, so a week after new years. That way those teams who didn't make it to the semis can still have a bowl game. Now the final game, I don't know if it should be a bowl game, or at the higher seeds home stadium. I know the initial reaction will be a bowl, but I think it would be exciting to have it in a team's home stadium at the same time. So last year's playoffs would have looked like so...
Ohio St vs Wake Forest
Boise St vs Florida
Louisville vs Notre Dame
Oklahoma vs USC

I like this set up, it gives the smaller teams a chance at the title and puts importance once again on the conference championship. I'm sorry, we don't need another non-conference champion (see Oklahoma or was it Nebraska?) in a National Championship game. Yes, Michigan, LSU, you wouldn't have been involved last year. Win your conference and you would have.

So, thoughts? Possible problems that could arise? Any suggestions?

Has it really been that long?

2007-08-02T09:22:00.000-05:00

The month of July flew right by me didn't it? I mean it's gone by so quickly Anita comes home from Houston in four days. Once my muse has returned, will this cause me to write again? Undoubtedly, but there has been some reason as to why I have been gone lately.

It started a few weeks ago with a spark inside the ole noggin, and it slowly grew into a blazing brush fire that threatened Malibu. Like my great-grandfather, who survived 7 Malibu fires in the hills during his forty plus years living there in the same house, I stood strong and was not consumed by the flames licking at my face.

I read blogs, lots of them, and they all tend to have their specific niches in the world whether it's celebrity, political, sports, weirdness, geekery, or entertainment, they all have their specialty. Well, this fireball began growing with my friends and I and we have decided to open your one stop shop of blogery. It will be a blog that shall cover every spectrum you can imagine, save for things like Paris Hilton and Britney Spears, we'll leave that for the "news" channels. We have a good number of skilled writers and should be opening the doors to our brothel fairly shortly.

Ironically it all started a few months back when one of our friends was randomly putting in domain names to see if they were available, and one was and he HAD to buy it. So, hopefully, sometime in August we will introduce you all to likeseriouslywtf.com

Dr. Strangebush

2007-07-05T09:10:00.000-05:00

Troop Surge! A New Way Forward by George W. Bush

Top Ten Movie Badasses: Single Movie Edition

2007-06-29T11:21:00.001-05:00

Much like yesterday's list, except this one the character has only been in one movie. Picking a number one on this list was more difficult then it was yesterday, no surprise there. You only get one shot at seeing the character and then nothing. There were great choices for this list, in the end only ten could make it. To clarify, Khan Noonan Singh did not make this list since he was on the TV show as well.

Honorable Mention
Gunny Highway (Clint Eastwood) Heartbreak Ridge
Seth Gecko (George Clooney) From Dusk Till Dawn
Vic Vega/Mr. Blonde (Michael Madsen) Reservoir Dogs
V (Hugo Weaving) V For Vendetta
Tony Montana (Al Pacino) Scarface
Judge Roy Bean (Paul Newman) The Life And Times of Judge Roy Bean
Marv (Mickey Rooney) Sin City

10. Creasy (Denzel Washington) Man on Fire-When it comes to Denzel I am a flip flopper. Some of his stuff I absolutely love (see Man On Fire) and other stuff I'm not as impressed as other people are (see Training Day). Honestly I thought he was much better in Man on fire then he was in Training Day. Hell, Wayne Brady was better at playing that character on The Chapelle Show. The man is the ultimate bad ass, get gunned down, the lil girl is kidnapped and he works his way back up the criminal chain and ends up rescuing the girl and giving his own life in the process, bad ass.

9. Mani (Mark Dacascos) Brotherhood of the Wolf-The movie opens up with Mani kicking some serious French ass. Hey, now I'm not trying to puff up my shirt, but you see how one Native American just kicked an entire French police undercover unit's ass? He then fights a lion wearing nothing but his tattoos and holding a tomahawk. The guy is only taken down by a back shooting coward, after he has whooped everyone's ass that there is to whoop. Just on top of it, his manliness is so much that the French whores don't know what to do when confronted with a REAL man, not a french man. He shows them his superior...skill...and, well we shall call it his magical ability. Tattoos rock, tomahawks rock, putting racist French aristocrats in their place rocks, kicking France's ass single handedly rocks. Sure, he lets his French brother get in on the action on occasion, but just to amuse himself to see how he attempts to copy his bad assery.

8. Maximus (Russell Crowe) Gladiator-Roman general who took on the barbarian, well German, hordes. May have been the last time Italy stood up to Germany, even if they made it sound like Maximus may have been Spanish, but historically he would have been given those lands so maybe just his wife is. Regardless of that, he escape execution, becomes a slave and begins kicking ass in front of people the likes that has not been seen since Bruiser Brody. Gets called up to the big time, to perform in front of rome, the senators, the emperor and the emperor's sister who we're pretty sure he banged before he got married. From there he takes down Andre The Giant and Tigers at the same time, gets a country to revolt against it's leader with a simple turn, and in the end overcomes tyranny while poisoned.

7. Kazuo Kiriyama (Masanobu Ando) Battle Royale-How bat shit crazy does one have to be to volunteer for a game of death? Well, in the books he didn't exactly volunteer, but he definitely was made for this...game? For those of you who don't know or haven't seen the movie, basically a high school class is put on an island and they have three days to kill each other until only one survives. I could have gone with Kawada since this was his second time playing the game, but he limps about at the end. Kiriyama continues to fight, even when he becomes blind. Hell, I could have put Noriko as she was without a doubt the most fucked up person in the entire flick.

6. William Wallace (Mel Gibson) Braveheart-Him, this can't be the first place person I am prettier then this man. Yes, William Wallace, the character that had us yelling freedom for a decade. Now if only I could get my hands on some REAL woad, things would get interesting. Course, having woad and a broadsword here in DC probably wouldn't be the smartest of ideas, as I would likely get myself and others killed in my drugged insanity. He had to see everyone he ever loved die, was betrayed by the man he believed should be king, exacted revenge with a dish best served cold, and wasn't even phased by torture. He would be our administration's worst nightmare at Gitmo that's without a doubt. I wish there were more people in our country that had the kind of passion and dedication to rebel while standing in front of such obvious tyranny and cruelty.

5. King Leonidas (Gerard Butler) 300-A man much in the same mold as William Wallace, and Maximus. Hell, I think I remember a friend of mine saying that Leonidas reminded him of the bastard child of Maximus and William Wallace. I don't think it was too far off, they were fighting against tyranny and for freedom (sort of but it's a movie folks not a history lesson). He and his 300 kicked some ultimate ass against a bunch of Persians and their conquered nations. A man fighting for his country will fight much harder and risk more then a man forced to fight for a cause he does not believe because if he doesn't he and his family will suffer their ruler's wrath. Even when getting pelted by thousands of arrows, he managed to keep his word and make Xerxes bleed. Even Ty Cobb couldn't hit a shot like that.

4. Jules Winfield (Samuel L. Jackson) Pulp Fiction- You know, I could end this all in one sentence and reference his wallet. I mean, I don't need to look any farther then his wallet to know that he is one Bad Ass Mother Fucker. He doesn't blink in the eye of a gun, hell he relishes seeing a gun in his face. Just makes the blood in his veins that much colder. He also isn't stupid and realizes when a miracle happens. He gets the job done, is able to compromise with a resisting force, something Congress can't do, and come on, that's the best fro since Kareem. Besides, he's the mother fucking king of foot rubs.

3. Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt) Fight Club-First you must know, not fear but know that some day you are going to die. Until then, you are useless to me. Hell, most of you who think that you're going to live forever are completely useless to me. Sorry folks, you can have those extra five years, I do not fear death for I will go stand before Crom and know the Riddle of Steel. Tyler Durden knew this, he created an entire underground fight network based on the riddle. From there he branched out into one of the greatest organizations known to man, Project Mayhem. In the end you all know that you wish Project Mayhem had really taken out all those credit card companies and their records and started us all over with a clean slate.

2. Lee (Bruce Lee) Enter The Dragon-Do I need to say anything to justify Bruce Lee's position here? Now, there might be an argument over if it should be this or Bruce Lee from Game of Death. I'll grant you that he did fight Kareem in Game of Death, but I think overall Dragon is the better movie and as such Lee is selected over Billy Lo. This character is great, just when you think he's kicked as much ass there possibly is, more people come out of the wood work and suddenly there is fresh ass for Lee's grinder. Sure, he took on John Saxon, but the guy tried standing up to Freddy Krueger once. After standing up to Bruce Lee, Freddy was a cake walk...even if Freddy killed him. Lee even made small work of the man who almost killed Jean Claude Van Dam, so what more is there to say? Bruce Lee, greatest martial arts movie star of all time.

1. Bill Munny (Clint Eastwood) Unforgiven-I'm sure this comes to a surprise to many of you. Hell, many were probably thinking I would have put Wallace or Leonidas here. Maybe even Daniel LaRusso, but sadly that's a multiple movie character. I put Bill Munny because next to The Man With No Name, this is the most bad ass character Eastwood has ever played. Hell, I even wrestled with putting The Stranger from High Plains Drifter and Gunny Highway from Heartbreak Ridge into this top ten. This very well may make Clint Eastwood my ultimate movie bad ass. Actually, yes, I'm declaring here and now that Clint Eastwood is Hollywood's Ultimate Movie Bad Ass. Between Harry Callahan, The Man With No Name, every western and military movie, it may not get more bad ass then Clint Eastwood.

My apologies

2007-06-29T11:18:00.001-05:00

I realize I forgot some fairly important people when I made the list yesterday. I mean come on, where is Dirty Harry? Hell, I even forgot Rooster Cogburn on that list. So, in the end, my apologies, I'm trying to do better today with the single movie list.

Top Ten Movie Badasses: Plural Movie Edition

2007-06-28T10:49:00.000-05:00

You may be asking yourself, plural movie edition? Yes, to qualify for this list the character has had to have appeared in more then one movie. For example, William Wallace is not eligible, he's been in one flick. El Mariachi however has been in three, he is completely eligible, and in this list as well. Yes, watching Live Free or Die Hard inspired this last night and now I bring it to you.

Honorable Mention
Snake Plisken (Kurt Russell) Escape Series
Richard B. Riddick (Vin Diesel) Pitch Black Series
Gabriel (Christopher Walken) The Prophecy Series
Aragorn (Viggo Mortenson) Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Ash (Bruce Campbell) Evil Dead Trilogy
Mad Max (Mel Gibson) Mad Max Series

10. The Bride (Uma Thurman) Kill Bill 1&2-Didn't expect to see a woman on this list did you? The woman took down every single obstacle that came in front of her, was reunited with her child that she didn't even know existed and word has it that this is not the last of The Bride, we very well may see much more of her and her daughter in the near future if the studios get their way.

9. Conan the Cimmerian (Arnold Schwarzenegger) Conan Series -I had to put the King of Kings on this list, how could I not? I may not have the courage to mock Crom, but this was Arnold at his best. Be it Barbarian or Destroyer, Conan is definitely the cock of the walk. I mean, he beheaded James Earl Jones in front of all his followers. How can you not get behind a warrior who answers what is best in life with, "To crush your enemies, to see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women." Now THAT is truly bad ass.

8. Sergeant Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) Lethal Weapon Series-You all know you have a secret love for the Lethal Weapon series. It was a great blend of action and comedy and reinvented the buddy comedy/action movie. Riggs was insane, loved getting out of a straight jacket, eating dog food, harassing the psychiatrist, and driving his partner up the wall. He over came ever romantic obstacle he came across (see women keep dying on him) to finally knock up Rene Russo. He took on every comer, got his ass kicked by Jet Li, and still somehow managed to walk away.

7. Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) Alien Series-TWO women on this list, see you REALLY didn't see that coming. I'm sorry boys, but men don't have the corner on the market when it comes to bad assery. Ellen Ripley has blown up a spaceship, nuked a planet, turned convicts around, all the while doing a better the job then the Marine Corps, HOO-RAH! Sure, she started slow, but who can deny that it is hard to find someone who kicked more ass the last twenty minutes of movie like she did in Aliens. I'm not going to hold Alien Resurrection against her, technically that wasn't her, that was a clone.

6. Han Solo (Harrison Ford) Star Wars Trilogy-Of course Han Solo has to make it onto this list. Come on, didn't we all want to be Han Solo growing up? No one cared about being Luke Skywalker, we all wanted to be Han Solo because he was cool and in the end got the girl. The man survived becoming a rock slab for crying out loud! He beat Colt 45 at a game a cards and got the best starship in the universe this side of 1990. His best friend is a wookie, and apparently only he can understand him, how much more bad ass can you get? Oh, if it wasn't for him the Death Star never would have been blown up, both times.

5. El Mariachi (Antonio Banderas/Carlos Gallardo) El Mariachi Trilogy-The only character on this list that was played by two separate actors, one must truly be bad ass to accomplish that. Of course you saw the original actor in Desperado as one of his friends, but Antonio is still what most people think about when it comes to El Mariachi. He exudes that coolness that this character wouldn't be half as fun without. I mean the man romanced Salmea Hayek for crying out loud, all the while having to fight Danny Trejo who was making him into a pin cushion with throwing knives. He had to take down his own brother and William Dafoe, do you need more evidence? Ok, fine, how many of you STILL to this day want a guitar case full of guns?

4. The Man With No Name (Clint Eastwood) Man With No Name Trilogy-He was called by something different in each film, but it has always been refereed to as the man with no name. It has been said that The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly is one of the most influential movies of all time. Without a doubt it is probably the most influential western of all time, at least with the current directors in Hollywood. It currently ranks as the top rated action film on IMDB. The man was as cold as ice, smooth and calculating, and always managed to pull something out of his ass. From the modified bullet proof vest to the rock with nothing written on it, the man always has a plan.

3. John McClane (Bruce Willis) Die Hard Series-The man was what we made the mold of Jack Bauer after, a one man army against terrorist, terrorism, and anything that threatens life, liberty, and the right to kick ass! He has blown up an office building, demolished a major airport, walked around Harlem with his life on the line, and saved the US from going into the darkages. All the while he has had to deal with a wife who doesn't appreciate his heroics and estranged children, no matter how many times he saves their collective asses. The guy was snark before the term was even coined, brought the trash talking during the fight to a whole new level that only Deadpool can reach.

2. Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) Indiana Jones Series-Yes, the good doctor of archeology comes in number two. I wonder who it could be who has beaten a man who brought whips into style so much a song was written about it. The man smart enough to bring a gun to a sword fight, was able to prevent his heart being taken out of his chest, and has fucked every single hot female in the 40s. His is also a one man army against the Third Reich, had the balls to get Hitler's autograph, and still ruin all his plans. You know how much money that baby is worth now on eBay, those Nazi product folks would love that shit, sadly you can't have it, it leads to the Holy Grail. He didn't need an army of knights to find it like Arthur, this bookworm found it with the help of a book. Also, let us not forget an important part, Jesus found him worthy and he chose wisely.

1. Bond, James Bond (Sean Connery/Roger Moore/Timothy Dalton/Pierce Brosnan/Daniel Craig/George Lazenby) Bond Films-Of course the ultimate bad ass of all time is James Bond, how can it not be? We don't need to talk about the shear numbers of Bond films there are, let us now discuss what we can consider. For me, other then Sean Connery and Daniel Craig, the others can all blow. Roger Moore never looked the part to me, he always seemed too soft. Dalton definitely wasn't pretty enough, I mean who could buy him getting any kind of woman? Brosnan was too pretty, I could buy the woman part, just not the action hero aspect of it all. Lazenby, eh who cares, has anyone actually ever watched that movie anyways? Now Daniel Craig, he looks like he could fuck any woman and rip your throat out at the same time. Then of course, there is the man who is and always will be Bond to us, Sean Connery. Does anything else really need to be said?

John F'N McClane

2007-06-28T10:31:00.000-05:00

I will start off by saying John McClane is one of my favorite characters of all time when it comes to cinema. Don't know why, maybe it was my impressionable youth when I saw my Die Hard for the first time, all I know is when I cried during Armageddon it wasn't because that character died, it was because I was thinking about John McClane.

Going into the fourth installment I have been very skeptical. I was NOT a fan of the third one, bigger doesn't always mean better. I was a fan of the centralized locations of the first two movies, it just works better. I don't even care if you add Samuel L. mother fuckin Jackson to the movie, it just didn't work for me. It also apparently didn't work too well for the audience either as it definitely didn't do as well as the previous two movies. With all that said, I was definitely skeptical of Live Free or Die Hard.

I can gladly say all my hesitation about the fourth movie was unwarranted, it was a kick ass flick.

Yeah, it's a bigger scale and it has a few ridiculous stunts, but so does every Die Hard movie. I thought Justin Long added a great deal to this flick and I don't know if it would have been enjoyable without that character. Kevin Smith was great as the "jedi", not saying too much don't want to ruin anything or give away too much spoiler wise, but everyone on this film just seemed to click. It wasn't a case like some movies where you question why that person was cast for a certain role, no, I think each and every part was chosen right, and they all worked like a well oiled machine.

I was worried that a much older Bruce Willis would bring down the role, it did not. That in turn gives me hope when it comes to the new Indy flick. If Bruce Willis can make a believer out of you at his age, Harrison can do the same with Dr. Jones. There was also definite hotness going on in this flick as well. I've had a thing for Mary Elizabeth Winstead since I saw Sky High and she played the part of Lucy McClane perfectly. She gave that attitude that papa has very well, and I bought it, which is always important for me to get a movie to work.

Timothy Olyphant, I was worried about his casting because he just gave off the prick vibe in almost every role I've ever seen him in. You probably know him best as the porn producer in The Girl Next Door. That being said, he also makes it work. That vibe works very well with that character, sure he's no Hanz Gruber, but no one really is are they?

In the end, this was a fun entertaining ride. If you just need some action to pump into your bloodstream, with decent enough acting that doesn't make you as nauseous as most actions movies, this is the movie to go see. You have your choice of this and Sicko this weekend, which I'm still gonna see. Thankfully Live Free or Die Hard came out yesterday and so there is no conflict, just a biding of time till Transformers.

I don't know if I could vote for the man...

2007-06-27T14:19:00.000-05:00

...but I sure as hell could vote for his wife.

As some of you may or may not know, Ann "More Man Beast Then Rhino" Coulter was on Hardball with Chris Matthews the other day. Why, we still all wonder, but according to Mr. Matthews it is because, "She sells books" (read I need ratings badly). She was doing her best to spew out toxicity and hate, you know her bag baby, when there was an unexpected call. Elizabeth Edwards, wife of John Edwards cancer survivor and currently has incurable cancer, called into the show to have a few choice words with Ms., or is it Mr perhaps eh I don't know I'll call it IT Coulter.

Matthews: Do you want to say something directly to the person who’s with me?

Edwards: I’m calling — you know, in the south, when someone does something that displeases us, we want to ask them politely to stop doing it. I would like to ask Ann Coulter to — if she wants to debate on issues, on positions — we certainly disagree with nearly everything she said on your show today — but it is quite another matter for these personal attacks. The things that she has said over the years, not just about John but about other candidates, lowers our political dialogue precisely at the time that we need to raise it. So I want to use the opportunity, which I don’t get much because Ann and I don’t hang out with the same people…

Coulter: I don’t have enough money.

Edwards: …to ask her politely stop the personal attacks.

......

Coulter: Yeah, why isn’t John Edwards making this call?

Matthews: Well, do you want to respond? We’ll end the conversation.

Edwards: I haven’t talked to John about this call. I’m making the call as a mother. I’m the mother of that boy who died. My children participate — these young people behind you are the age of my children. You’re asking them to participate in a dialogue that is based on hatefulness and ugliness instead of on the issues, and I don’t think that’s serving them or this country very well.

[Applause]

See what I mean? This lady has experienced all kinds of pain, all kinds of obstacles and she is STILL a lady till the end. She confronted IT Coulter, asked her kindly to stay on issue and not resort to hate and personal attacks, she did something honorable, and even then Coulter wouldn't stop for an instant. On the contrary, she tried saying she never did those things. I don't know if Faux Opinion folks realize it or not, but we do tend to record anything you have ever said. You realize you're being shown up by a person with dignity and can't even admit to things you have done, you stumble over yourself and lie out that large gawping hole in your face.

Elizabeth Edwards, you have all the respect in the world from me and I would be proud to have you as First Lady or any other position someone seems fit to grant you.

Took Tragedy To Bring Me Back

2007-06-27T13:04:00.000-05:00

I know, I know, it's been over a month since I last posted and I was only supposed to be away for a week. I wish I could apologize folks, but between planning things for the wedding, kickball, and everything else that has gone on in my world, I took they time to recharge. Honestly I don't know if there was much I could post about without sounding repetitive. I mean you can only pound your fist and get red in the face about the situation with the government for so long till you need a break because you realize there is very little to do.

I've been meaning to write this post since Monday night, and it has taken me this long to attempt to find the right words. Information is still coming out at this hour about the tragedy that has happened in Georgia. Emotions and speculations are running high right now, many people and corporations are doing the best public relation job that they possibly can, and the fans are trying to make heads and tales of this.

Let me get this out in the open right away, Chris Benoit was without a doubt my favorite wrestler in the last ten years. My favorites of all time have been Cactus Jack, Arn Anderson and Chris Benoit. What he did inside the ring was a work of art, and the passion he had for this business led to many of us, fans and people in the business alike, to respect him almost above all others. When I first heard the news on Monday I was devastated. I was DJing per usual, and we just happened to flip it on Raw and saw what was going on.

Over the next few hours I received text messages, phone calls, you name it from people talking to me about this. That didn't happen when Eddie Guerrero died, NO ONE saw this coming. He was supposed to be one of the good guys, someone you could legitimately look up to, and then this happened. When I got home the first reports of this being a double homicide/suicide began to come out. They had the wrestler testimonials online when I got home, but by the time I had gotten off the phone with Anita, they had been taken down.

Over the next few hours the WWE took down almost every mention of Chris Benoit from its site, apparently they received an onslaught of criticism for giving a tribute to Benoit after he apparently did this. At the time though, no one had any idea what was going on. One of their most beloved workers had just died and the natural thing to do was to honor him. I understand why they have backpedaled on this, especially due to the media coverage it has received. I am sure many in the company right now feel much how I feel, confused, unsure how to feel about all of this.

On one hand, you have the worker, the professional, without a doubt one of the most sound wrestlers that has ever graced this business. He was definitely one of those people who you could easily give the old saying to of, "He could have a match with a mop and it would be good." The other is how to reconcile your feelings for someone you admired with the final actions he apparently took. Unlike most of the media, I don't want to write here and speculate about what happened. They haven't found a suicide note, and we may very well never know what happened. I have had numerous theories as to what took place, but one of the tragedies in this may be we may never know why he snapped. I think we may have a better idea of what happened once the tox-screens come back, but until then we have nothing.

I know there has been much talk about steroids in our sport, and there is a problem, at least in the upper echelon. Almost every worker I know personally doesn't take steroids. That may be why they are still in the independents, but I respect them for that because they aren't putting their lives on the line by taking steroids. I think it's gonna take a stronger hand by the big companies to ban steroids to get it out of our sport. Some say it will never be out, and I agree, but you can at least make a stronger effort. There are some who aren't on steroids who are some of the best in the world, CM Punk and Samoa Joe come to mind. I won't argue though that those on when it comes to "the big time" are much higher then those not on.

At the end of the day all I know is that I will miss with every breath of me the performer aspect of Chris Benoit. He was one of the few reasons I still watch the WWE, and not I think I may be able to count the wrestlers one hand. I have no words for what happened, it's a tragedy and my heart goes out to the families who have been hurt by this. Most of all my heart goes out to Dean Malenko, who in the last two years or so has had to watch his two best friends die long before their time. Other then parents, children and siblings, I don't know if there is anyone out there who is hurting more right now then Dean. I just hope he is not beating himself up too much about this, blaming himself for allowing this to happen.

Is there an upside to any of this, perhaps. Maybe a few more people will see the dangers of steroids (if they turn out to be a factor) and think twice or stop using them. Maybe this will make the WWE make their drug testing even tougher, keep a better check on its employees, make sure that everything is ok at home and with one's family. Debra McMichael, ex-wife of Steve Austin, says there is a bigger problem of domestic violence in pro-wrestling then people realize. Maybe this is true, maybe she was trying to get people to remember her. If it is true, I hope this will give people a light to see that they need to get some help.

Many people have brought it up over the last few days, but we have lost too many people in our business in recent years. It started with Brian Pillman if memory serves and has just gone downhill from there. This is a rough business, people call it fake but I'd say almost every wrestler is on some kind of pain medication from simple Tylenol to Oxy. People still party, maybe like in the 80s, but there is still partying going on. Maybe this happening to a worker that everyone respected will wake some folks up and get them to change their lives for the better. All I know is I lost one of my favorite performers of all time, families and friends lost loved ones, and I don't know if anyone who cared in the first place really knows how to feel and mourn at this point in time. I just hope whatever demons, issues and problems that plagued this family has left them wherever it is you go after this.

Taking the Week Off

2007-05-22T09:54:00.001-05:00

This movie spoof has lead to bigger and better ideas and I'm going to be spending this week coming up with ideas, checking the bases, and working everything out to prepare for our feature length mockumentary. I'll see everyone post-holiday, be safe.

I do have that itch

2007-05-21T09:54:00.000-05:00

A great article today in the USA Today about Troops Getting Different Tattoos once they come home from Afghanistan and Iraq.

In the beginning they wanted tattoos that identified them by name, religion or simply as soldiers, as Freeman did, says tattoo artist Scott LaGrange, 26, of Forever Tattoos in Evans Mills.

"That's when their religion comes out," LaGrange says. "Crosses, bottles of booze, hearts with 'Mom' and 'Dad.' "

A former Marine and veteran of Afghanistan, LaGrange says those who return are requesting skulls, patriotic phrases or memorials to fallen comrades.

"It's more what had happened to them," he says.

Returning troops often want tattoos to express their intense feelings, or even to blot them out — if only for a short time.

"A little bit of pain makes you forget about a whole load of it," says Joe Robbins, 37, owner Empyre Tattoo.

As a tattoo person, it's always nice to see an article that puts tattoos in a positive light as it still has that stigma of bikers and ruffians to most people, even though my generation is probably more tattooed then any American generation prior. This article just reminds me that I need to go see my guy next month, it's been far too long.

The Result of My Labor of Love

2007-05-21T08:13:00.000-05:00

The Holiday When Prada Departed The D

Go, watch, make sure to rank it five stars (pretty please?) and send us (well me since MTV will only send one person) to the MTV Movie Awards. Send it to friends, family, co-workers, dock workers, and anyone else who has internet access.

I'd also love to hear your thoughts on it, and for the record, that was the second take of her doing an actual powerslide on the carpet.

Be Missing Today

2007-05-17T09:21:00.000-05:00

I'm trying to come up and organize people to make one of the MTV Movie Award Spoofs and it will take all of my time today. I've already lost the potential cast to film The Departed with various other roles in it and now I might be forced into a chick flick. Lord save us all.

Smack Yo Bitch Up

2007-05-16T13:32:00.000-05:00

Rep. Ron Paul laid another bitch slap to the Republican nominees last night during the second debate. Finally a candidate told the truth of some of the reason why were attacked on 9/11. It wasn't because they hate our FREEDOMS, it's due to the policy and actions of our government over the last quarter of a century.

Rudy Giuliani apparently took offense to the FACTS and tried to go after Ron Paul. Since Rudy is trying to run as the Mr. Terrorism Defeater since he was Mayor of NYC during 9/11 (who doesn't even have the support of his former constituents) he wanted to sound strong, in the end I think he hurt himself. Then on the blowback, Hannity and Colmes, who must have had a shot of courage prior to this, Ron Paul smacked Hannity as well.

I don't know which Republican talking point Hannity was trying to push, as he tried about five at once, but Paul and Colmes were able to correct him. I wouldn't mind a Paul/Hagel ticket as now one outside of NYC cares for Bloomberg. In the end Ron Paul even won Faux News American Idol imitation text poll, though of course Faux tried to spin that as well. We may as well call Faux News The Spin Cycle.

My Office Is Dee Dee Dee

2007-05-16T11:42:00.000-05:00

So I just received a call from one of my bosses...

Jaba-Does anyone have YouTube or MySpace on their computers?

Joker-Uhh...no, the Pentagon blocked all access so to them from the .mil network.

Jaba-So no one has it on their machines then?

Joker-Nooo, they cannot reach it when input the address.

Jaba-Good, I was worried that the secretaries were using them after that decision.

Joker-YouTube and MySpace are websites, they aren't programs, no one can access them now. The Pentagon merely blocked the websites.

Jaba-Oh, ok, so no one has it on their computers then, ok thanks. (click)

(head. desk)

Yeah, I....I'm just speechless that I had to have the conversation. It even says on the memo, the websites of etc etc etc. Yeah, I've told you I work in a very SPECIAL office.

Fall of the Moral Majority

2007-05-16T10:33:00.000-05:00

I guess I should say something about the passing of Christian blow-hard Jerry Falwell yesterday. I have no love for the guy and I'm trying my damnedest not to dance on his grave. I don't feel sympathy for friends and family, it's always tough to lose a family member or someone you're close to. I could say something nice and say something like...he touched many people's lives, but then again so did Pinochet.

I know some people gasp when there has been comments like, one down now it's time for Pat Robertson to push up daisies. Hell, I thought it too. These two men have caused more harm to our nation arguably then any other two men in the last quarter century. This was a man who had the audacity to say our embrace of homosexuality is why God punished us with 9-11. So I'm supposed to feel sorry that this cosmic jackass is dead?

Hell no I won't, and I won't feel bad when Pat Robertson is released from the mortal coil. These men lead a religion that is supposed to be based on love and forgiveness but preach hate and damnation. They love to say what Jesus would do, but their turning business into a business goes right against the teachings of Christ.

John 2:13-15
13When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16To those who sold doves he said, "Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!"

In the last 25 years they have preached hatred and condemned people of other lifestyles because it wasn't what THEY believed, Jesus said nothing about homosexuality. Pat Robertson even went against the Ten Commandments, which the right hold in such high regard, and called for the assassination of Hugo Chavez. It was people like these two assclowns that led me to almost despise organized religion. I grew up in a religious household of a sort, I knew my bible, I know the message Jesus taught and it wasn't this message. About ten years ago it went from love, forgiveness, and the good news of Jesus Christ. In the last ten, it has become hellfire and brimstone, damnation and how all these sins are to be blamed for our lot in life.

I'm sorry, I just don't buy it. I think these two figured out people will gladly give money to save their souls from fire on Earth, a message of the great evil that surrounds us, then a message of peace, love and prosperity. I know I'm ranting, but these people get under my skin like no one else. I know around every turn of the century the Christians get like this, expecting the Rapture and Revelations, but it's tired.

The saddest thing is John McCain, so determined to become President he sold his morals and integrity to attempt to win favor of these far right whack jobs. He once called Jerry Falwell "an agent of intolerance" and he was completely right. Since losing in 2000 he has sold his soul to the devils of this world in an attempt to be President and it hurts me a lil bit inside. Damn, I didn't want to dance on a grave, but it looks like I went off on a rant a bit.

Punisher 2 News

2007-05-16T09:34:00.000-05:00

I think I was one of a few people who enjoyed The Punisher from the comic book community. I think it was brilliant, money wise and story wise, to move the location to Florida. The crime bosses down there are still as vicious as they have ever been and brings a bit of reality to the story. Plus not every Marvel movie can be set in New York City can it?

I didn't know much of Thomas Jane before the movie, I knew him from Deep Blue Sea but other then that nothing sprung to mind. See I have always been in the camp of Henry Rollins needs to play The Punisher. Myself and many others believes he is a dead on ringer for our favorite vigilante. That being said I LOVED what Thomas Jane did with the character and I believed in it, I really really enjoyed the flick.

Ever since then he has been the biggest supporter of The Punisher 2. He has always been involved in the direction of this film and was trying desperately to get this film made. Well, apparently that is all over.

What I won't do is spend months of my life sweating over a movie that I just don't believe in. I've always loved the Marvel guys, and wish them well. Meanwhile, I'll continue to search for a film that one day might stand with all those films that the fans have asked me to watch.

The stinks of someone who really doesn't know shit from shinola messing with the script and going away from the source material that the fans and Jane love. He has been a die hard fan of the fans and wanted to do this right. Him pulling out of the picture tells me they're working on an abomination, and no I'm not talking about the Hulk 2 villain.

Rare Throwback

2007-05-15T23:14:00.000-05:00

Since YouTube is now blocked at work I can no longer post throwbacks during the day. Though my best friend Dock let me in on this sweet gem from 91.

The best thing is how Kevin Nash is in character the entire time

I Hate Police Week

2007-05-15T14:25:00.000-05:00

So this week is the annual Police Week in Washington, DC and I felt the brunt of it last night when I was DJing kickball. The highlight of the night was when the Suffolk County Pipers came down to The Swerve and played for a few minutes for our enjoyment. Being the resident kilt wearer I obviously got a huge kick out of it. Though I had to spend some of the time explaining to my friend why you don't ask an IRISH Pipers for Scotland The Brave.

Now don't get me wrong, I don't hate Cops, the job they do, or the people themselves. What I hate is this event in my bar. You see, I usually get to go home when they shut down The Swerve. The rest of kickball is gone and I can go home and sleep a lil sleep. Last night however was not the case, and I was not informed of such until about midnight. There was not many folks down there and so I played some of the harder requests that had been made. One of the managers didn't appreciate and as such I had to go back to the grind of country, 80s, pop and grinding music.

Let me tell you folks there is nothing more terrifying then see two late 30s early 40s cops grinding each other on the dance floor. I mean this was basically the cop version of Band Candy. Of course they would argue over what they want to hear, hip-hop and dance music or, "that college rock stuff the kids like". There was one gentleman, easily had to be in his fifties who was falling all over the place, passing out, knocking over beers, until his friend finally convinced him to attempt the stairs.

I finally was allowed to leave about 2am, and as I reached the top of the stairs I have never EVER seen The Times as packed as I saw it that night. They weren't letting people in it was so crowded. Of course the folks downstairs had no complaints, there was only about 30, compared to the two hundred or so upstairs. I walked out at one am or so for a smoke and these bastards were still coming out of the woodwork, I couldn't believe my eyes. We're not talking a few, we're talking in swarms of twenty.

The second blast of the evening was seeing the Sommerset County Pipers playing in the middle of the street and the go off marching into the barren streets of DC at one in the morning, with my hope they would wake the nation's capitol. I do not wish that night on anyone, a bunch of officers of law drunken as a kitten with catnip, all trying to obey the law. I will say this for them all, they can drink with the best of them, some just can't control themselves all the time.

We All Hate Comcast

2007-05-15T14:01:00.000-05:00

Hell, if you have cable you probably hate your provider as well. Sen. John Rockerfeller (D-WV) is going to introduce a bill that has something to do with Television violence and this has led to the Cable Choice a la carte option that many folks want. John Dunbar, AP, has more:

The Federal Communications Commission released a report in late April suggesting to Congress that an a la carte system would allow parents to shield their children from violent shows by not subscribing to the channels that carry them.

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, who has been unshakable in his support of channel choice, says it can't happen without federal legislation. And thus far, the issue has gotten little traction on Capitol Hill.

Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., who is expected to unveil a bill addressing television violence any day now, has opposed the creation of an a la carte system.

The overall lack of support might seem surprising, considering that the average household in 2006 received 104 channels, yet tuned in to only 16 of them, according to the Nielsen TV ratings company.

A la carte is being supported by the Parent's Television Council and Consumer's Union and is being opposed by the National Cable and Telecommunications Association, an industry trade group. Of course this is because, despite their claims, subscribers would be charged less money not more. Yeah, they may need to hire more staff, but they need to do that anyway because 90% of Comcast employees are fucking dee dee dee.

I am in full favor of a la carte, especially since it would hopefully shut the Parents Television Council up, which I've been dying to have for a decade now. So this now brings to mind, what channels would you want? The study shows that people only really watch 16 channels so my question to you is what twenty channels would you choose to have on your cable subscription?

My List
ABC
CBS
NBC
FOX
The CW
ESPN
ESPN 2
MASN
USA
TNT
Sci-Fi
Comedy Central
BRAVO
History Channel
NFL Network
A&E
MSNBC
Food Network
SPIKE TV
Cartoon Network

Theocrat of the Week

2007-05-15T13:35:00.000-05:00

Goes to Joseph Scheilder, head of the Chicago-based Pro-Life Action Network (PLAN) who won his Supreme Court case on a technicality. This case has been going on since the 80s, Scheilder was the head of the folks were bombing and committing arson against abortion clinics.

Scheidler, a leader of some of the most violent anti-abortion protests in American history, is celebrating final victory in a civil suit that lasted 21 years, and went to the U.S. Supreme Court three separate times before it was dismissed on a technicality. Scheidler and his allies orchestrated violent clinic protests at the same time he was praising notorious criminals, visiting convicted clinic arsonists in prison, and personally pleading (unsuccessfully) for pardons from then-president Reagan. The better known Operation Rescue, was created by, and was a project of the Scheidler-led PLAN.
...
The Supreme Court did not dispute the factual findings of the federal jury that criminal acts had been committed -- only that they did not constitute extortion. Free speech and the First Amendment rights of protest were not an issue. Nevertheless, Scheidler, told the Associated Press:

"It's really about free speech."

Right, bombing a building, burning it down and harassing the employees of said building is all about free speech. How very Christian of you, little baby Jesus must be so proud of you sir. You are truly a role model to the religious zealot faction of this once great nation that is sadly growing in this country. You're the people who hijacked the Republican Party because you have some idiotic belief that this is a "Christian" nation.

Now I don't need to go into detail about how I wouldn't piss on this guy if he was on fire, but I do have a question. In this 9/11 world we now live in, are the acts he committed in the 80s forms of Terrorism? I would think so, if they were perpetrated by someone from the Nation of Islam the entire country would be out with pitchforks and torches.

Ten on Tuesday

2007-05-15T09:44:00.000-05:00

10 Songs That Make You Cry

This is an interesting list as I didn't think I could fill it but then I remembered that I could. I will not only list the songs, but where they come from in relation to when they first made me cry.

10. Last Kiss-Pearl Jam-No where really, and this one doesn't really make me cry it's just very sad to me.

9.Everywhere-Tim McGraw-It made me cry once due to my first really bad break up, and it was how I felt about it at the time.

8.Questions In A World of Blue-Juliee Cruise-An absolutely beautiful song in Twin Peaks:Fire Walk With Me. First time I saw it, I think the song plus seeing Laura Palmer crying got me.

7.If I Had Only Known-Reba McEntire-The first of the two songs from 8 Seconds that just rip your ever loving heart right out.

6.It's Your Song-Garth Brooks-Just listening to this song on the live album and the passion behind it you break down when he breaks down.

5.Wild Horses-The Sundays-I know what some of you are thinking and yes, this is from the Buffy Prom episode when Angel walks in for that perfect prom moment. Yeah, I know, sue me I fucking loved that show.

4.Full of Grace-Sarah McLachlan-Once again we have Buffy, the song that is played right after she has saved the world by putting a sword in the gut of the man she loves.

3.Once In A While-Billy Dean-Our second entry from 8 Seconds, just thinking about the song right now is making me teary eyed. Jesus does this song get to me.

2.Sgt McKenzie-Clann An Drumma-Mind you that Clann An Drumma is my favorite band ever, but most of you know this song from the movie We Were Soldiers as they fly into the first battle.

1.Amazing Grace-Bagpipes-I won't lie to you people, this is also the song that caused me to cry at the movie for the first time. Say it with me, Star Trek II:The Wrath of Khan, Spock's funeral.

Quote of the Day

2007-05-14T15:19:00.000-05:00

"No, the insane ones would make a suit of the rock and march into Metropolis and play king of the mountain."-Black Mask, Batman #638 in reference to Kryptonite and Red Hood's sanity.

For some reason I found this fucking hysterical.

Well That Explains It

2007-05-14T14:00:00.000-05:00

via CNN:

The Defense Department will begin blocking access "worldwide" to YouTube, MySpace and 11 other popular Web sites on its computers and networks, according to a memo sent Friday by Gen. B.B. Bell, the U.S. Forces Korea commander.

The policy is being implemented to protect information and reduce drag on the department's networks, according to Bell.

I suppose this is the reason why I don't get to spend my days watching videos and the like at work. It also could be suggested that it's the reason I've blogged more on average in the last week then I have the entire time I've run Planet Houston.

With that in mind, I've noticed a HUGE spike in my traffic over the last few weeks. In the last three weeks I've had something like 3000 visitors, and I want to thank you all. Since BlogPatrol is still down I have no idea where you all are coming from, if there really is that many people taking interest in me. So please, tell me about yourselves, where you found me and what brings you back every day?

Stats are facts...right?

2007-05-14T13:08:00.000-05:00

Carlos Mencia hit the nail on the head when this so called "report" was published recently. Of course they call more fouls on black players then they do on white players, they are the majority of the NBA. I think each team might have a token white guy, though only a few are considered "stars". Almost every white star in the NBA is a foreigner as well, (see Nash, Steve and Nowitzki, Dirk). Hell, let me go take a look at this year's All NBA team and see if I see any player who is a white American.

First Team: F Tim Duncan, F Dirk Nowitzki (German), C Amare Stoudemire, G Kobe Bryant, G Steve Nash (Canadian).
Second Team: F LeBron James, F Chris Bosh, C Yao Ming, G Gilbert Arenas, G Tracy McGrady
Third Team: F Kevin Garnett, F Carmelo Anthony, C Dwight Howard, G Dwyane Wade, G Chauncey Billups

Ok, so nothing there, if I had the time I would check each roster of starters to see how many of those people are white but off the top of my head I can say Luke Walton (American), Wally Szczerbiak (Spanish), Kirk Hinrich (American), Mike Dunleavy (American), Mike Bibby (American), and Mehmet Okur (Turkish). Of those the closest one of those players who can even get into the conversation is Kirk Hinrich, MAYBE Mike Bibby and Luke Walton a few years from now, but that's it.

Of course this all came out after the Tim Duncan ref suspension incident occurred right before the playoffs. I know there are a good number of people who LOVE, I mean absolutely adore, playing the race card (see Sharpton, Al). Sometimes there are definitely legitimate concerns about how certain races are treated (see LAPD) and other times it has almost nothing to do with it (see Bonds, Barry). Personally I don't see why a study like this even has to take place. To me, someone who was raised in a multi-cultural society in Northern California, the only racism I experienced growing up was my grandfather who still used racist words because he grew up in a time where that was the norm.

Racism is a huge problem still in this world and I wish it didn't exist, but what doesn't help the situation is when people try to use it where it as a scapegoat and there is no legitimate claim. That is why I see so many people pay no regard to anything that Al Sharpton says, because no matter what the situation the fault lies in racism. Shaquille O'Neal does not get called for fouls by NBA referees because he is black, it's because he is a huge lumbering oaf who just powers people that isn't allowed by the rules of the game. Bill Laimbeer was one of the all time biggest culprits of committing fouls, and he is about as white as they come.

On a quick side note, I always loved watching Bill Laimbeer play when I was a kid. Hell, I loved the Pistons style of play, even growing up in California where we had Magic, Worthy and Kareem. He was one of my top five players I enjoyed watching growing up (Dominique Wilkins is my favorite b-ball player ever) without a doubt. I believe he deserves to be in the Hall of Fame, it always bugs me that we give this decision in some sports over to writers, they can be so fickle and can carry a grudge forever.

What Would You Do With A Billion Dollars

2007-05-14T12:08:00.000-05:00

via Crooks and Liars:

While there is some disagreement on the idea of troop deadlines for US soldiers in Iraq, all sides seem to be on board with the amount included in the bill to fund the war.

Including the $124.2 billion bill, the total cost of the Iraq war may reach $456 billion in September, according to the National Priorities Project, an organization that tracks public spending.

The amount got us wondering: What would $456 billion buy?

You can take a glimpse of what it could buy with Boston.com's gallery.

I find it funny that while we are more then willing to give $400 billion for this illegal war we tighten our purse strings when it comes to helping our OWN folks here at home devastated by natural disasters, which the government is at fault in certain occasions (see levees).

More than 20 months after the Katrina catastrophe, tens of thousands of houses remain vacant, in part because of administrative delays in the aid program, the largest single source of direct federal help for homeowners. To date, only 16,000 of 130,000 applicants have received money.

Now, ICF Consulting, the Fairfax firm hired to administer the claims as part of Louisiana's Road Home program, projects that the allotted aid budget of $6.9 billion will fall $2.9 billion short of the claims from homeowners who have been promised checks.

Read the whole story at The Washington Post.

It is shameful that we give more to other countries when a natural disaster hits then we do to ourselves. It's almost two years later and people are STILL living in FEMA trailers and that is inexcusable. We have no problem apparently throwing money to Haliburton, Blackwater, and other Haliburton subsidiaries, but when it comes to actually helping our own people there apparently is nothing to gain, no monetary reason to attempt restore their lives back before Katrina hit.

If I were the Democrats and want to get REALLY creative with the War Funding Bill and make it lethal to Republicans, add some pork that no one with a heart would object to. Add say $20 billion dollars of aid to victims of Hurricane Katrina and those who lost their homes in the recent tornadoes in Kansas. See what Bush's response to the bill is, sure it makes it even more political then it already is, but you can claim that you're at least trying to help people here while funding the war as well.

The Politicizing of Justice

2007-05-14T11:56:00.000-05:00

Many have commented how ironic it would be to have the person to take down a powerful arm of the Administration if her name was Monica. The New York Times has an article up about this very thing.:

She also insisted that she be given final approval in hiring assistant United States attorneys in offices where there was an interim chief prosecutor. Interim United States attorneys always had to seek permission for hiring, but the review was typically lower level and involved checking that sufficient slots were available, current and former employees said.

But Ms. Goodling’s reviews delayed hiring decisions for weeks or months, creating problems in busy offices, and her concerns at times appeared to be for partisan reasons.

In one case, Ms. Goodling told a federal prosecutor in the District of Columbia that she was not signing off on an applicant who had graduated from Howard University Law School, and then worked at the Environmental Protection Agency.

“He appeared, based on his résumé, to be a liberal Democrat,” Ms. Goodling told Jeffrey A. Taylor, the acting United States attorney in Washington, according to two of the department employees who asked not to be named. “That wasn’t what she was looking for.”

Mr. Taylor ultimately found a way to go around Ms. Goodling in hiring the applicant.
She appeared to take similar concerns about political leanings into account when making decisions about promotions and special assignments for Justice Department lawyers.

I love the fact that this is the woman who wanted to plead the fifth when asked to testify to Congress. In the past pleading the fifth has been used so that you don't incriminate yourself in a crime. Well, this would be the huge smokestack rising from DoJ that lets us know that there is definitely fire where we believe it is. A judge has recently granted an immunity deal to Ms. Goodling in regards to her testimony to Congress. I don't have the details with me, but she more or less can only be charged with perjury after this, no criminal actions. I don't believe this has anything to do with Iglesias filing a Hatch Act complaint either, just what is brought up during Congress.

Now we will see the lady who is such a die-hard Republican and Christian if she will actually stick to her Christian teachings and not lie under oath. She says she expects to tell the truth when testifying, which I will be pleasantly surprised to see, but I expect we will hear much of the same as we've heard during this entire process. A good amount of I don't recall, I can't remember, I've searched my memory and have no recollection, you know things of that nature.

I won't lie, I'd love to see this topple the house of cards that the administration built because Karl Rove never expected to lose the power base they had in Congress. The politicizing of DoJ may only be the tip of the iceberg, with Congress intent on finding how far down the rabbit hole really goes.

Pacman Jones-Worst Person of the Year

2007-05-14T10:45:00.000-05:00

The story about Pacman Jones making it "rain" and the shooting at a Vegas strip club has received a great deal of press in these last few months. It forced Roger Goodell to suspend Pacman Jones for the entire year, even though he is appealing it, and let to what was needed by the NFL, a new player conduct policy. Pacman even took out an ad in a Nashville paper to apologize to the fans.

That is all fine and dandy, apologize to the fans for not being able to stay out of trouble. You talk about earning back their trust, making amends and the like but have you apologized to Tommy Urbanski yet? CNNSI has a great story about Mr. Urbanski who is paralyzed after the shooting. A former professional wrestler, no I don't recognize him must have been a run of the mill indy worker, is paralyzed from his belly button down after the shooting. The man has a 9mm bullet permantely lodge into his spine cause of this and all he did is walk outside.

My problem with this whole situation is I haven't heard Pacman Jones apologize to this man whose life has been turned upside down after only trying to help put his wife through law school. He apologized for letting down the team and basically being a menace to society, but what about the immediate harm your actions and the actions of the people you run with with? All anyone seems to care about is how this affects the Tennessee Titans and the NFL conduct policy, not the fact that Tommy Urbanski is permanently in a wheelchair because of this.

I would like to ask Mr. Goodell if the year long suspension was too soft for Pacman Jones. Some have said, oh it's far too hard, but I disagree completely. When you are involved in an incident that results in a shooting that results in someone being paralyzed you deserve far more then just a suspension. I hope the Vegas PD are not afraid of Jones and his lawyers and slam the book on him and send him to prison for a few years. So he may have ruined the Titans season, who cares, they'll have plenty of other seasons. Tommy Urbanksi however will likely never walk again and for that Pacman Jones needs to be held responsible.

Mission Accomplished

2007-05-14T10:15:00.000-05:00

That's right ladies and gentlemen, I bypassed the closer supermarkets yesterday to go find my second grail of ice cream of the Ben and Jerry and Stephen Colbert fame, Americone Dream. We might as well call this our new 37 part series, Better Know An Ice Cream. It wasn't all cotton candy and rainbows finding this ice cream either, it took effort, it took dedication, and a relentless will to find this brand of ice cream.

I walked into Safeway yesterday to get my breakfast and lunch items for work this week. I knew what to get, I had a game plan and a portion of that game plan was to find The Dream. I knew from Ben and Jerry's website that this Safeway sold The Dream, so it was only a matter of time until I came across it. I had my roommate SB with me and I had to help her with her shopping. You have to understand, SB is in her early 20s and moved down here from the rural Jersey/PA border. To put it into context she once watched a cow float by one day when there was a flood.

Her parents are old fashioned, to the point of they never want her to go anywhere alone because she could be raped and killed by some maniac. I wish I was making this up, but I'm not. She also doesn't know how to cook much of anything other then Mac and Cheese. So as we perused the aisles I pointed out things that shouldn't be that difficult for her to make for dinner and the like. This took up a good portion of our time until we finally emerged onto the ice cream aisle.

As I approached I had a sense of anticipation, much like a child on a crisp Christmas Morning awaiting to see what presents Santa Colbert had left for me. SB was excited as well as she wanted to try the Vermonty Python. As we walked up the aisle the BnJ section almost gave off a holy glow, much like ancient paintings of Jesus and the Virgin Mary. We approached slowly, making sure to look down for it is forbidden to look into the face of one's God. We finally reached the section and right there SB was quite excited for the was a plethora of Vermonty Python for her enjoyment.

I however looked and Americone Dream was not to be found. I searched every row, Cherry Garcia, Cookie Dough, Willie Nelson's, The Gobfather, a Phish one, everything but MY Grail. I continued to look, checking the labels of the empty spots and FINALLY came across one barcode. Above the barcode and numbers it clearly said, AMERICONE DREAM. It however...was empty. I almost felt crushed, like running up to the Stadium expecting to see KISS in concert but learning that it was sold out. I felt defeated briefly, the very will that propelled my hung over stature was slowly crumbling like ashes in a campfire.

I then looked up, with a renewed sense of religious fervor that only abortion clinic bombers can match. I could sense that it was in there, somewhere it was in there, The Dream was in this freezer, I just had to find it! I looked next to it, I don't even remember what it was it was insignificant. I decided to pull out the very last one in that row since all that was facing me was the nutritional information. As it turned to my face I felt like Joseph of Arimathea as there smiling back at me was none other then Stephen Colbert. I had in my hand, finally, my own portion of the Americone Dream. I immediately sent a text to Anita proclaiming my victory over Satan and his legions.

That night I sat down after dinner to the Law and Order channel, intent on discovering what the Americone Dream tasted like. Was it everything it promised to be and then some? Could it match the might which was the power of the Vermonty Python? I figured the only way to be sure was to do what I did with the Python, and eat the entire thing right there. Well, I ate it, I loved it, it was absolutely delicious. The question remains though, was this as good as Vermonty Python?

A day later and I still have not come to the conclusion, I am no closer to the answer. Much like the old blind taste test on the street corner, this will need a competition to see who is the superior ice cream once and for all. I will buy one portion of Vermonty Python and Americone Dream and we will have our first Planet Houston taste off for the best ice cream on the planet. I will likely have my roommates SB and MF accompany me in this endeavor. I will take their thoughts into consideration, but in the end it will be mine and mine alone to determine which ice cream truly is superior.

Updated The Space

2007-05-11T11:01:00.001-05:00

Yeah, I updated the colors (a lil Longhorn and Browns action for ya) messed with a few settings and there ya go. Any thoughts on the updates?

More Then Meets The Eye and then some

2007-05-11T09:54:00.000-05:00

Michael Bay has posted images of what the Autobots and Decipticons will look like this summer in his annual overhyped blockbuster, Transformers. Naturally I have issues with these, he seems to be suffering from George Lucas syndrome.

Mr. Bay, a friendly word of advice that Mr. Lucas didn't heed. Just because you can update something and make it all kinds of flashy and futuristic doesn't mean you should. These things shouldn't look like different models of the T-100 and a car combined. For example the following is Frenzy the difference between Frenzy in the movie and classic Frenzy.

Now do either of these two items look similar to you what so ever? Besides how are you going to have Frenzy when you're not even bothering with Soundwave?! So you don't see it feasible having a boom box as one of the items, but a pistol you have no problem with? Update it, make it a stage of some kind with speakers, there's your Soudwave. I mean you have a good group of Decepticons, and the only big names one you take are Megatron, Starscream and to a lesser extent Frenzy, but who should really be Rumble. No Constructacons, no Skywarp, no laserbeak or ravage, and no Shockwave. Hell, most of their Transformers come from later generations or from their own subconscious. I don't care if Soundwave "Has a big part in the sequel" we'll never see it if you bomb the first one assclowns.

The Autobots aren't much better, though at least they give you name characters. You have Prime, Bumblebee, Jazz, Rachet, and Ironhide, all names we all recognize from the original show. These appear somewhat more like their cartoon counterparts, for example Jazz still has his shades eyes.
Though I am sad that Volkswagon didn't want to be a part of this movie and as such Bumblebee will not be a bug. I still just don't understand the thought process of eliminating the outer casing for more of a Terminator feel. Am I crazy in this thought, am I the only one worried they're gonna completely ruin this movie but like a schmuck I'm gonna see it anyways? Please folks, tell me I'm not the only one who feels this way.

Into The Black

2007-05-11T09:36:00.000-05:00

You scored as Serenity (Firefly). You like to live your own way and donâ€™t enjoy when anyone but a friend tries to tell you should do different. Now if only the Reavers would quit trying to skin you.

Serenity (Firefly)

100%

Moya (Farscape)

88%

Babylon 5 (Babylon 5)

88%

FBI's X-Files Division (The X-Files)

75%

Deep Space Nine (Star Trek)

75%

Galactica (Battlestar: Galactica)

69%

Millennium Falcon (Star Wars)

69%

SG-1 (Stargate)

69%

Enterprise D (Star Trek)

63%

Andromeda Ascendant (Andromeda)

56%

Bebop (Cowboy Bebop)

56%

Nebuchadnezzar (The Matrix)

50%

Your Ultimate Sci-Fi Profile II: which sci-fi crew would you best fit in? (pics)
created with QuizFarm.com

Quote of the Day

2007-05-10T09:06:00.000-05:00

Rep. Linda Sanchez this morning on the Stephanie Miller Show:

My father has Alzheimer's and has a better memory then Alberto Gonzalez.

It's funny cause it's true.

Painting Prodigy

2007-05-10T09:02:00.000-05:00

A 12 year old girl apparently paints the visions she receives from god. This isn't the case of a religious nuthouse, her mother was apparently atheist when all this began. I don't want to go into the entire spirituality of this, but she is quite the excellent painter. I don't think I've seen someone that young paint something that beautiful. The only question I have is, why does Heaven look like Middle Earth? Is it just me?

Fantasy Island

2007-05-10T08:40:00.000-05:00

Source: The Hollywood Reporter
May 10, 2007

Eddie Murphy is attached to star in Columbia Pictures' big-screen adaptation of Fantasy Island, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Murphy will play multiple roles in the film, which is based on the popular TV series that ran from 1978-84 and starred Ricardo Montalban.

Described as a family-oriented comedy, the project will be written by Jay Scherick and David Ronn, who most recently teamed with Murphy on Norbit.

So basically it will take a decent show and bastardize it, much like Charlie's Angels. Of course, this is also the movie that Eddie Murphy has made for the last ten years save Dreamgirls and Shrek. I've heard of mailing it in but jesus christ on a pogo stick, I mean Rob Schiender stretches more acting in an Adam Sandler movie then Eddie Murphy does now a days. Then again we shouldn't be shocked, 48 Hours and Beverly Hills Cop were more or less the same character as well. Hell, last I checked Khan Noonian Singh was still alive...just like you left me...buried alive!!!

While you're at it, take a look at these Star Trek Inspirational Posters

Covering Your Own Ass

2007-05-09T14:16:00.000-05:00

By Edward Cody, Washington Post Foreign Service, Washington Post May 9, 2007

China will send a military engineering unit to help strengthen the overtaxed African Union peacekeeping force in Darfur, the Foreign Ministry announced Tuesday, following criticism that Beijing has not done enough to support peace efforts in the region.

A spokeswoman, Jiang Yu, did not say how many Chinese soldiers would be dispatched or what their duties would be, describing them as "multifunctional" military engineers. U.S. officials in Washington estimated the number at around 300, the Reuters news agency reported.

The decision to help bolster the 7,000 African Union peacekeepers was seen mainly as a gesture to underline Chinese support for a U.N.-administered solution to the four-year-old conflict in western Sudan's Darfur region. Since an armed secessionist revolt began there in 2003, as many as 450,000 people have died from violence and disease and about 2.5 million have fled their homes.

In recent weeks, the Darfur crisis has become particularly sensitive in China because of suggestions in the United States and Europe that people should boycott the 2008 Beijing Olympics to demonstrate opposition to Chinese policies in Sudan. China, which has deep economic and military ties there, has been widely criticized for failing to bring strong pressure on the government to persuade it to accept a large force of U.N. peacekeepers in Darfur.

The ties include large oil purchases and extensive arms sales. The human rights group Amnesty International recently charged that the purchases and sales have been continuing despite U.N. calls for an embargo. Jiang, the Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, declined to respond to questions about the Amnesty charges. But she said China's arms sales to Sudan are strictly controlled, include only conventional weapons and do not violate U.N. regulations.

Five of the African Union peacekeepers were killed April 1, leading to warnings that the Darfur situation could deteriorate further unless more is done to stop the fighting. Clashes involving the Sudanese army, allied militias and a half-dozen rebel groups have erupted regularly despite a peace agreement reached a year ago. Fifteen A.U. soldiers have been killed since the peacekeepers were stationed in Darfur in 2004.

The U.N. Security Council decided in August to send more than 20,000 peacekeeping troops and police officers to halt the bloodshed, which the Bush administration has described as genocide. But the Sudanese government, headed by President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, has insisted that Sudanese authorities should retain control over the rebellious area and suggested that the African Union force should be allowed to do the job.

As negotiations continue about the full U.N. force, Bashir has accepted a 3,500-member interim U.N. force designed to strengthen the African Union units already on the spot. The Chinese engineers were being dispatched as part of those reinforcements, which have been called a "heavy support package," U.S. officials said.

Rejecting the criticism from abroad, Jiang said China also has "a positive attitude" toward getting the full-strength U.N. force to Darfur. Throughout the struggle, however, the Chinese government has insisted that whatever the United Nations does should first be approved by Bashir's government. Citing that stand, it abstained when the Security Council voted in August to send 20,000 peacekeepers.

So the Chinese Government, one considered to be one of the bad guys by our Administration and Jack Bauer are assisting in the Darfur crisis. Of course we could have troops there if they weren't too busy fighting and dying in an oilman's war. How bad does this look, a Communist country is assisting in Africa, a location that to my knowledge they haven't helped with much in the past. We are being upstaged by China and this is all on your shoulders Dubya.

Then again, this may be to just cover their own ass in regards to arming the various sides in this conflict along with the Russians.
via New York Times, May 9, 2007:

China and Russia are supplying arms to Sudan that are being used to fuel the violence in the Darfur region, in violation of a United Nations arms embargo, Amnesty International said in a report on Tuesday.

“The irresponsible transfer of arms to Sudan and its neighbors are a significant factor in the massive human rights catastrophe in Darfur and its spread into eastern Chad,” Amnesty International said.

The report said “the bulk” of the arms were transferred from China and Russia, without giving specific figures. It added that Beijing and Moscow should have been aware that their military equipment was being used for attacks on civilians.

A Sudanese government spokesman, Bakri Mulah, denied the report’s accusations, saying, “It is the sort of claim that has no material proof.” A spokeswoman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Jiang Yu, said Chinese sales to African nations were “very limited and small in scale,” but refused to say whether any were being made to Sudan. The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that “no Russian weapons have been shipped to Darfur.”

In March 2005, the Security Council extended an arms embargo already in force in Darfur for the rebels and the militias to include Sudan’s government.

The Amnesty report said the group was particularly concerned about Russian Mi-24 helicopter gunships acquired by Sudan that were said to be used for attacks in Darfur.

A photo of three Chinese “Fantan” fighter jets on the tarmac of an airport in southern Darfur was also in the report.

So, we have China sending troops over to "assist" with the Darfur crisis at the same time Amnesty International releases this report, coincidence? Perhaps, they may have merely buckled to the international pressure, or they could be doing the work of covering their ass and disobeying the UN embargo of weapons in the region.

You know what is truly sad about this entire situation, it's that George Clooney, Don Cheadle, Elie Wiesel and other non government workers have done more to help the region then governments have. Why is it individual citizens are having to Save Darfur and politicians only talk about it when there is a rally at your doorstep?

The Greatest Ice Cream Ever?!

2007-05-09T13:43:00.000-05:00

Sunday night Anita and I were at the store gathering components in what was to become a very delicious dinner that I cooked us when we stopped by the Ben and Jerrys location of the Giant Supermarket. Of course I was looking for my so far unobtainable holy grail when I came upon another type of...graaaaaaaaaail. Yes, I came upon Vermonty Python ice cream from Ben and Jerrys. I've loved my concoction that I made at Cold Stone (chocolate shavings, sweet cream ice cream and whip cream) but not even that holds a candle to this explosion of deliciousness.

When they say , "Fudge Cows" they mean fudge cows. Each intact piece of fudge, which I usually don't eat, was imprinted in the shape of a cow. The cookie crunch swirl is an actual cookie crunch swirl, the snoz berries taste like snoz berries! It is an absolute treat that I've been wanting to write about for a few days now but I just never got around to it.

As for Americone Dream, it appears I must locate a Safeway in the greater DC Metro area if I wish to find it according to BenandJerry.com, as they appear to be the main supplier of Americone Dream in the area. I shall find it soon and then we will have the battle of ice cream to see who is truly superior, American Grail and British Grail.

Ah What Could Have Been

2007-05-09T11:53:00.000-05:00

You see that building, the white one, right past right field? That is where I work and where I would have been able to watch Nationals games if Arlington had won the right to have the games. It would have been a much better location then the current DC one, and would probably have had much less political bullshittery then what the DC City Council did in regards to the new stadium. You would have been able to see the Washington Monument, Capitol Hill, and if up in the nose bleeds, the Pentagon and Lincoln Memorial.

It is the PERFECT location for the ballpark, unlike the current location. It has acess to two different metro lines with room to expand. It shows all the sights of DC more or less, and you still have a very picturesque view of DC. Sadly they wanted the stadium IN DC and not Virginia and it ended up there. It just makes me shake my head at what could have been. For the record you can look at images and news of the new ballpark here.

The National Pastime

2007-05-09T10:34:00.000-05:00

Tom Verducci over at CNNSI has made his list of Top Ten Franchise Players under 25. I enjoy the list, have a few issues (why is David Wright so far down, is it because he is sucking right now, maybe, START PLAYING ASSHOLE I SPENT A FIRST ROUND PICK ON YOU!)but for the most part I like the list. That being said, and in tradition of my Mock Draft, I give to you the team I would field of under 25 studs. Well, a team in the field including pitcher, three utility men, another two starters and a reliever.

C. Joe Mauer, 24, Twins-The 2006 batting champ is without a doubt the easiest choice on this list. I can see someone making an argument for McCann, but then they're Braves fans.

1B. Prince Fielder, 23, Brewers-Anyone who is wondering what has gotten into the Brewers this season can look no farther then Prince Fielder. Every time I'm looking up this kid is making a big hit of some kind to help his team win.

2B. Robinson Cano, 24, Yankees-This was without a doubt the hardest position to chose from. There are at least four other players who could have been here (Upton, Kendrick off the top of my head) but to play consistently for the Yankees means you have ice water in your veins and I want that in a player.

3B. David Wright, 24, Mets-I know, some people would rather have Cabrera in this spot, but I see Wright as more of a leader then Cabrera and hence he gets the starting nod. Plus, this guy made the greatest defensive play I've ever seen last year, and that includes my entire life of watching baseball.

SS. Jose Reyes, 23, Mets-Right now he has to be the front runner for MVP in the NL. Him and Wright not only represent the best combination of SS and 3rd in the NL, they can be argued to be the best of all of baseball, sorry A-Rod and Jeter, the Yankees don't beat the Mets in this category.

OF-Grady Sizemore, 24, Indians-Here is the reason the Indians have been on fire the last few weeks. Without a doubt the best outfielder under 25, maybe even under 35. Next to Joe Mauer this was the easiest decision on this list. To think, he was one of a group of players the MLB ripped off the now Nationals when they had control of the Expos (see Bay, Jason, Lee, Cliff).

OF-Jeff Francoeur, 23, Braves-Sadly the rest of the outfield was not as easy as Sizemore. After Sizemore the list of outstanding outfielders dwindle a bit to just good players. I chose Francoeur because I think if he isn't the focal point of the offense he can blossom.

OF-Nick Markakis, 23, Orioles-This kid has shown real potential in his year and a half in the majors. On a team with people like Ramon Hernandez and Miguel Tejada, this kid is their other big name. He could be something special not being the focal point, much like Francoeur.

UTL-Miguel Cabrera, 24, Marlins-I think he is the only Marlins player on my roster, with Dontrelle Willis just missing the pitching spot by a hair. Easily the third best player on this team, he'd likely replace Markakis in the outfield in the starting lineup.

UTL-Stephen Drew, 24, Diamondback-He would have easily been the shortstop if it wasn't for uberchild Jose Reyes. Now he is the utility infielder, maybe even playing 2nd if this is in the AL as he tends to be a better fielder then Cano.

UTL-Ryan Zimmerman, 23, Nationals-This kid was a beast when Soriano was here and had all the expectations to be the star. Since he left that has fallen upon Zimmerman and he is still adjusting to that role. When not expected to be a star there is one word that represents this kid, clutch.

SP-Matt Cain, 22, Giants-This kid looks like he will become the ace the Giants have always needed. He has great stuff, allows few hits, and is young enough to just improve. As long as they take care of his arm, he averages 200 innings a year right now, this kid will be money.

SP-Cole Hamels, 23, Phillies-Ever since this kid walked into the MLB last year he has impressed me. He isn't cocky as some think, he is merely confidant. He fully expects to win 20 games and a CY Young every year. I want that in a starting pitcher, not the arrogance that some have with it, just the confidence that he has.

SP-Francisco Liriano, 23, Twins-We don't know if he is playing again, but if he is I want him on my team. This kid has absolutely nasty stuff and is a winner, hands down. Easily the best pitcher under 25, I just hope he still has his stuff when he recovers.

RP-Huston Street, 24, Athletics-You knew I had to have one of my A's on this list. Who can argue that he isn't the best under 25 closer in baseball? A national champion from Texas, he just gets all kinds of bonus points from me.

Don't Ask

2007-05-09T10:21:00.000-05:00

...unless we are severely low on numbers and then we don't care WHAT you do.
via Petulant:

The Navy returned an openly gay sailor to active duty last year in what gay rights advocates say is an example of how some military commanders — stretched by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan — are turning a blind eye to the controversial “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy banning gays and lesbians from revealing their sexual orientation.

Petty Officer Jason D. Knight, a Hebrew linguist who says he had officially informed his superiors that he was homosexual, was discharged in April 2005 after completing his four-year tour of duty, according to a summary of his Navy personnel file.

Nine months later, the Navy recalled him to active duty, even though he was openly gay, and sent him to Kuwait, where he served as a translator and received multiple awards for exemplary service.

You can read the rest of the story over at Boston.com

Of course, if you ask the Navy...

The Navy stressed yesterday that Knight was dismissed in 2005 simply because his service commitment was over, not because he was gay, as reported in Stars and Stripes. The assertion "is not consistent with our records," said Commander Jeff Davis, a Navy spokesman.

But other military officials who declined not to be named because they were not authorized to speak to the press said it was possible that the Navy simply waited for Knight's commitment to end rather than dismiss him for being gay. In fact, Knight's personnel record was coded RE-1, allowing the Navy to recall him if needed.

This is true, he was dismissed in 05 because his commitment was over, but only because it was done before the DADT paperwork would have even been close to being completed. They know now and...they're doing nothing. This is how bad it has gotten, we all remember at the start of the war when the Army discharged a great deal of linguists because they were gay. I can only shake my head at this story, what a wondrous world we now live in.

The Only Respect I've Given

2007-05-09T09:49:00.000-05:00

Via ZMan once again

That is Texas Rep Ron Paul, one of the Republican candidates for President. Now, I know why I am respect him other then any other Republican candidates, he is listed as a Republican but considers himself a Libertarian, much like myself. So he would be a right leaning Libertarian to my left leaning Libertarian. He also appears to be the only Republican candidate going against the War in Iraq, via his website:

The war in Iraq was sold to us with false information. The area is more dangerous now than when we entered it. We destroyed a regime hated by our direct enemies, the jihadists, and created thousands of new recruits for them. This war has cost more than 3,000 American lives, thousands of seriously wounded, and hundreds of billions of dollars. We must have new leadership in the White House to ensure this never happens again.

Now, I have a few issues with his Border and Immigration ideas (mainly the ending of citizenship for children born of illegal aliens) I do like the fact he merely wants to enforce the laws already on the books. Then again, this history right here is the reason as he is the only Republican candidate to have any respect from myself.

He has never voted to raise taxes.
He has never voted for an unbalanced budget.
He has never voted for a federal restriction on gun ownership.
He has never voted to raise congressional pay.
He has never taken a government-paid junket.
He has never voted to increase the power of the executive branch.
He voted against the Patriot Act.
He voted against regulating the Internet.
He voted against the Iraq war.
He does not participate in the lucrative congressional pension program.
He returns a portion of his annual congressional office budget to the U.S. treasury every year.

I'm going to contact his group to find out his stance on the religious rights involvement with this administration to see if he is someone we can actually support. I don't know about you, but I'd love to have two candidates this time around who are worth voting for.

Rock It Amadeus

2007-05-09T09:47:00.000-05:00

Via ZMan

I just wish I had the coordination that this kid has, I have a problem walking a straight line and that was before the vertigo.

Popular Passions are Necessary

2007-05-08T12:42:00.000-05:00

LT. COL. Paul Yingling has written a scathing article for the Armed Forces Journal in regards to the failure that he sees in our military, namely our Generals.

America's generals have failed to prepare our armed forces for war and advise civilian authorities on the application of force to achieve the aims of policy. The argument that follows consists of three elements. First, generals have a responsibility to society to provide policymakers with a correct estimate of strategic probabilities. Second, America's generals in Vietnam and Iraq failed to perform this responsibility. Third, remedying the crisis in American generalship requires the intervention of Congress.

Now I'm not just saying this was a great article because his last name sounds similar to my favorite beer; it's because he is able to lay everything out there for you in a simple manner and be clear about.

The passion of the people is necessary to endure the sacrifices inherent in war. Regardless of the system of government, the people supply the blood and treasure required to prosecute war. The statesman must stir these passions to a level commensurate with the popular sacrifices required.
...
The general is responsible for estimating the likelihood of success in applying force to achieve the aims of policy. The general describes both the means necessary for the successful prosecution of war and the ways in which the nation will employ those means. If the policymaker desires ends for which the means he provides are insufficient, the general is responsible for advising the statesman of this incongruence.
...
However much it is influenced by passion and probability, war is ultimately an instrument of policy and its conduct is the responsibility of policymakers. War is a social activity undertaken on behalf of the nation; Augustine counsels us that the only purpose of war is to achieve a better peace.
...
The most tragic error a general can make is to assume without much reflection that wars of the future will look much like wars of the past. Following World War I, French generals committed this error, assuming that the next war would involve static battles dominated by firepower and fixed fortifications. Throughout the interwar years, French generals raised, equipped, armed and trained the French military to fight the last war. In stark contrast, German generals spent the interwar years attempting to break the stalemate created by firepower and fortifications. They developed a new form of war — the blitzkrieg — that integrated mobility, firepower and decentralized tactics.
...
After visualizing the conditions of future combat, the general is responsible for explaining to civilian policymakers the demands of future combat and the risks entailed in failing to meet those demands. Civilian policymakers have neither the expertise nor the inclination to think deeply about strategic probabilities in the distant future. Policymakers, especially elected representatives, face powerful incentives to focus on near-term challenges that are of immediate concern to the public. Generating military capability is the labor of decades.

It may just be me, but this Light Colonel puts it simply the problem we see with today's Generals. I've seen it working at the Pentagon, we have a group of Generals who idolize Patton, this in itself is not a bad thing. The bad thing is they would make Patton sick with the way they care about policy and politics. They idolize a man, they invoke his name, and yet have none of the qualities that made him one of if not our greatest general.

We have generals who do only what this administration tells them, they jump through hoops instead of focused on the job of winning the war and informing the administration what they needed to win this war. General Shinseki had it right at the outset when he testified to Congress that they would need hundreds of thousands of troops to pacify Iraq. Wolfowitz and Rummy took him to task and replaced him as Chief. He understood what the dangers were, but didn't go along with the administration's policy and as such was replaced. This has happened to any officer that didn't agree with the administration and in their place we have yes men who will gladly do what the administration desires.

I have to suggest reading the entire article, it's long but it is very well written and thought out.

This is where the real failure lies in this war in Iraq. We all know we shouldn't be there, except for the 28% who believe Sadaam was BFF with Osama, but the military decisions are being made by men who have no military background. They have no idea what COMBAT is like, and as such think they know best and avoid the PTSD problem that the military currently has.

Quote of the Day

2007-05-08T11:27:00.000-05:00

Found via Melissa McEwan of Shakesville and John Edwards fame.

“States all over the country are not only missing personnel—National Guard troops are about 40 percent of the troops on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan—but we’re missing the equipment. When the troops get deployed, the equipment goes with them. So, here in Kansas, about 50 percent of our trucks are gone. We need trucks. We’re missing Humvees, we’re missing all kinds of equipment that can help us respond to this kind of emergency. … [A]s you travel around Greensburg, you’ll see that the city and county trucks were destroyed. They—the storm hit them, as well as anything…so we’re borrowing equipment from around, but National Guard are our first responders. They don’t have the equipment they need to come in. And it will just make it that much slower.”

That was from Kansas Govenor Kathleen Sebelius (D). As you know there were six tornadoes that touched down in Kansas over the weekend unleashing a tremendous amount of damage. It killed ten and put hundreds, maybe thousands, more without homes. Above is an aerial image of the Greensburg Tornado damage. Just another example of how this war in Iraq is hurting our country.

I have to wonder, how many natural disasters do we need, how many American's without homes can we get, before the commander guy realizes those people are desperately need more here then to defend your poppa, get oil, fight terror, or whatever other rhetoric he wants to come up with this week to justify this illegal invasion.

Paris Hilton Appeals

2007-05-08T11:03:00.000-05:00

Paris Hilton appealed her sentence of 45 days in jail for an alcohol related reckless driving case. According to Paris:

"I feel that I was treated unfairly and that the sentence is both cruel and unwarranted and I don't deserve this,"

Of course you don't dear, what you deserve is someone to slap you straight, but then I don't even know if Mike Tyson could do that. Hun, you're a Hotel heiress, you're worth millions I would guess. Is there any reason what so ever that you were driving?

I mean really, this just doesn't go out to Paris Hilton, this goes out to every celebrity and athlete who makes more money then the rest of us. Folks you have to understand, when us the "common folk" get drunk we're smart enough to know to call a cab, take the subway, something to prevent from being arrested and going to jail. You have the money to afford these things, hell you have the money to afford a chauffeured car or limo for the evening, I suggest you use it. I think the family of Josh Hancock wished he would have called a cab or something last week.

I don't care how powerful, famous, notorious or rich you are if you're drunk do NOT drive. If you're caught drunk driving then you will have no sympathy from the rest of us. I know people who got six months in jail for a DUI, Paris your measly 45 days is laughable. If I were you, I'd pray for solitary because County prison in LA is full of gang bangers who would love nothing more the shank your rich ass. Sleep in the bed you made baby, and next time maybe your entourage will be smart enough to hail you a cab.

Right Fears Olberman

2007-05-08T10:37:00.000-05:00

Glenn Greenwald is a terrific writer in the blogosphere, at least from my point of view. When I read his work, I almost always come away impressed. He also wrote a best selling book, How A Patriot Would Act. He's one of the good guys (see constitutional law and civil rights litigator in New York.) in this where more and more of the bad guys are the ones who get to speak their minds while those who are tolerant and thoughtful are pushed away for sound bites.

His piece yesterday is about an AP story that the Giuliani campaign had complaints over the fact that Keith Olbermann, heir apparent to Edward Murrow, was assigned to cover the GOP presidential debate with Chris Matthews, windbag extraordinaire, to moderate.

Olbermann's popularity and evolving image as an ideaologue (sic) has led NBC News to stretch traditional notions of journalistic objectivity. . . .

Having Olbermann anchor -- as he will continue, with Matthews, for big political nights throughout the campaign -- is the MSNBC equivalent of Fox News Channel assigning the same duties to O'Reilly.

Fox has never done that, perhaps mindful of the immediate controversy that would result. Fox has tried to differentiate between its news operation and its prime-time opinion shows, even as its critics believe strongly that's bunk.

In this case, MSNBC doesn't try to separate news and opinion people, even as it tries to separate news and opinion.

Now, I'm not going to go off on Brit Hume or other Faux News personalities because in my opinion they're all Bill O'Reily, I don't know if you have one legitimate straight news anchor on that network. No, what I would like to speak on is the right's fear of K.O.

He has done his damnedest to channel his inner Murrow, and in doing so has seen his ratings rise. He has taken on the beast with a shield and sword and has beaten the beast back. If you think that blogs and people like Glenn Greenwald, Jon Stewart and Keith Olbermann don't have anything to do with this change in national perception in regards to the right wing politicians, you must be living under a rock. Unlike the right who plead to the community's fears and emotions, this new left pleads to your common sense and decency.

This is a new left that has a backbone, even if the majority of the politicians don't yet. Some are slowly growing one, they're not backing down when confronted by a White House or hit an obstacle like a Presidential veto. The people have spoken and they are tired of all the lies and corruption in our Nation's capital. I think the right fears Olbermann because he is the closest thing to Edward R. Murrow that we have right now and the right saw the power Murrow had to bring down one of the most powerful Senators of his time.

If I was the right, I would be scared shitless right now. The corruption they have been living in for the last six years is beginning to peak its head out from under the carpet they tried to sweep it under. The wolves are closing in around their campfire and they only have a few embers left until it completely goes out and their entire party is hurt worse then anything Nixon ever did to harm it. This time no actor, be it Fred Thompson or Arnold himself, will be able to pull it up from the absolute carnage that this administration is going to leave it in.

Vertigo

2007-05-08T10:21:00.000-05:00

That's right folks, if you've been wondering why the updates have slowed in the last week it is because I have been experiencing vertigo for the last week and a half. Oh, believe me, it's about as much fun as you can imagine. Finally made myself go to the doctor last week and I now have a date with a specialist, an otologist. Sadly it's not until the 21st since he is extremely busy and is only at this location one day a week. Hopefully if I keep taking my meds it can keep it at bay until it goes away as the severe case I had yesterday afternoon was no fun what so ever. Luckily I took my medication and it subsided in time to play in our game yesterday afternoon.

That's right, the Potomac Pirates are in First place in the Potomac division. I apparently pitched a gem when I was playing yesterday, which was nice since I don't think I was even at 80% health wise cause of this vertigo bullshit. People always ask, how is it hard to pitch in kickball. Well, it's not just the slow underhand that you're used to, people chuck that red ball at you. I'm not a speed pitcher like some of the other folks in the league. The best way to describe me is the Greg Maddux of the league. No Cy Young awards, but just some nasty curvy shit to throw you off just enough to make you kick a bad ball.

I'll probably have something more substantial later on today, I think a piece about Roger Clemens and the Yankees may be brewing, but we'll see. Here's to hoping that I have a spell free day as I really don't want to spend my afternoon like I did yesterday.

Movie Review: The Black Dahlia

2007-05-07T10:05:00.000-05:00

The Black Dahlia, starring Josh Harnett, Scarlet Johansson, Aaron Eckhart, and Hilary Swank.

I've been fascinated with the unsolved murder of Elizabeth Short for a long time, but I never really dug into the history of it until this movie. My roommate is a lover of all things serial killer so I know she was absolutely fascinated by this story, maybe the most notorious unsolved murder in California's history (we all know OJ did it). So Anita and I last night were looking for something to watch last night as we ate dinner and decided on The Black Dahlia, something we had both wanted to see last fall just never got around to it.

On the surface this movie has all the tools to be VERY successful. It has a two time oscar winner, Hilary Swank, the IT girl of the last few years, Scarlet Johansson, an award winning director, Brian De Palma, and a book by acclaimed writer James Ellroy. Aaron Eckhart was an extra bonus for me as I enjoy pretty much everything I've seen him in (Thank You For Smoking, Suspect Zero) and he will be our new Harvey Dent in The Dark Knight and I'm all kinds of excited to see how he portrays Two-Face. Everything seemed in place, so where exactly did it all go wrong?

For myself I think it has to do with the murder itself not truly being the centerpiece of the movie and more of a plot device to tell the story of Eckhart, Harnett, and Johansson. Even with that story you lose Eckhart's character halfway through the movie and it does a poor job explaining why he's doing what he's doing. They give you one line why this case is more personal to him then any other, but other then that (which doesn't do a good job of that) there is no real explanation. I loved the chemistry between Harnett, Johansson and Eckhart, but again there was no real explanation as to why they did the things they did, it almost assumes the audience knows that this kind of life is normal.

Mira Kirshner, wonderful actress (24, Crow City of Angels), is highly underused in this picture as well. We get to see her in screen tests, but that is the extent of that. I believe what the problem with this film is that it doesn't really look into the murder what so ever, sure they give you a killer and the like, but none of it is based on any kind of known fact. The murder is merely the backdrop where it needs to be the centerpiece if the movie is called The Black Dahlia. Though it is one of the few movies I've seen where I've actually found Hilary Swank attractive.

Sadly it appears that Josh Harnett is doomed to romance his best friend's lady after they die (allegedly in some movies). He actually did a well enough job acting wise to hang with four other actors who are much better then he is, but that doesn't help when there is loophole after loophole in the story and plot. I haven't read the book, maybe it fills those gaps and this could be a result of the studio having editing ability, but that is where the movie fails.

The Black Dahlia, C.

Spiderman 3

2007-05-04T13:46:00.000-05:00

As I look out at the vast land of the blogosphere this morning and read other's reviews of Spiderman 3 I see a general consensus of the same thing. We all think Spidey 2 was so far the best comic book movie of all time. We all wish for that to improve on, but how do you improve on perfection? I don't know if you can, and they definitely didn't, but we all agree that we liked it and didn't like it all at the same time. That being said, let me talk about first about the things I absolutely loved about this movie.

1. I loved the fact that both Venom and Sandman had dead on costumes in this movie and Gwen Stacey had Gwen Stacey hair. I know this seems childish in a sense, but when you have movies like X-Men just completely throw off the costume idea, it's nice to see something that is such a visual art form stay true to that fact.

2. Sandman, wow, they did this character some justice in his back story and what his motivations were. I think you could have saved this character for the next movie and mix in some Lizard, but he was really well done.

3. Venom, it was from space, it became bloodthirsty, and I personally think they set up Carnage at the end, but then I may be the only one who picked up on that. Not just that, they stayed true to his weaknesses and the like, I though that was really well done. Actually, Venom and Sandman were both really well done, that was not the problem in this movie, it was something else completely.

4. Bruce Campbell and Stan Lee with their best cameos in this series in this movie. Their characters gave a levity that helped this movie and die-hard fans greatly at times where there was no action.

Problems with this flick

1. Kirsten Dunst, who I'm pretty sure hung out with Chong this entire film, just mailed this one in. I know Peter got the emo hair at one point, but did she have to actually be emo the entire time? We didn't need to hear her sing, no one cares about MJ, and this just isn't the right actress to play her, period. Other then the plot device to get Aunt May involved and Harry involved in the final scene. I think to me she is what was wrong with this movie, I just didn't buy the chemistry of Peter and herself. The better choice would be for at the beginning of the movie MJ to go off to LA to become an actress, which leads to Gwen and Peter and Eddie having conflict. Hell, you could have still killed her father and her blaming Spidey, just have Venom do it.

2. The wrong relationship was center stage, they wanted to focus more on MJ and Peter and this will they won't they bullshit they've had since the first once and the Harry and Peter relationship that had a chemistry I DID buy. The butler part wouldn't have been as cheesy if they had skipped the entire Peter as Fred Astair in the Jazz club. You could have seen a mental breakdown of Harry, seen him fight within himself, and come to the realization that Peter was right.

3. Not enough Gwen Stacey, and when she was used, it was improperly. MJ and Gwen were friends, almost best friends one would say. She was smart and loved the intellectual side of Peter Parker, not the bimbo model they portrayed her as half the movie. She still could have died in this movie, but to have any impact there would have had to been a romance between Peter and her and for some reason the powers that be refuse to allow us Peter's one true love.

It was at least a solid movie, not as bad as others, but I could just see the potential they had in it. Just the various things they could have done that would have made it oh so much better, but sadly they love MJ for some reason. Yes, I putting the blame of this movie on Kirsten Dunst and Mary Jane. Everything else was spectacular, it wasn't the problem of too many villains as some have suggested it's this worthless layabout who can't hack it on Broadway, whore.

Though I did pop for the Spamalot signs, which apparently MJ's play was in the same building since if I remember right from earlier this year, there isn't a theater right next to it.

I love me some sci-fi...

2007-05-04T13:32:00.000-05:00

EW has posted their Top 25 SCI-FI Movies and TV shows of the last twenty five years. To say that I have issues with this list would be an extreme understatement. This list is an abomination, with shows and movies being listed which are not even remotely sci-fi. I'm sorry, I don't care how much I love Lost, Heroes and Eternal Sunshine but those are not Sci-Fi shows. The only thing we agreed on was V being number 25, other then that I think this person needs to expand their viewing of sci-fi if they're going to write a column. The following is my top twenty five, I'd write why, but I have to do my Spidey review.

25. V The Mini-Series
24. Starship Troopers
23. Millennium
22. Pitch Black
21. Andromeda
20. Event Horizon
19. ET
18. Blade Runner
17. Total Recall
16. Fire In The Sky
15. They Live
14. Quantum Leap
13. Stargate SG1
12. The Matrix
11. Battlestar Galatica
10. Dr. Who
9. Star Trek: The Next Generation
8. The Thing
7. Firefly/Serenity
6. Back To The Future Trilogy
5. The Terminator 1&2
4. Aliens
3. Star Trek Movies 2 & 4 (Khan and Voyage Home)
2. The X-Files
1. Farscape

Draft Day 5

2007-05-04T11:10:00.000-05:00

6. Baltimore Ravens, B+. It pains me of doing this, it really does, cause I hate the Ravens with a PASSION. You know, I'd probably be a fan of theirs, if they weren't the former Browns, but since they are they deserve to burn in hell for all of eternity. As for their draft, I love the selection of Ben Grubbs, OG Auburn, and Marshall Yanda, OG Iowa, to help their aging line. If the Ravens have proved anything it's that they know offensive linemen. This just secured their interior and will help McGahee and McNair stay healthy, sadly. I REALLY love the selection of Troy Smith, QB Ohio St, by the Ravens. He will be motivated to prove that he can play in the pros and gets to learn from a constant winner, Steve McNair.

5. San Francisco 49ers, B+. Much like my Cleveland Browns, the Niners fought their way back into the first round to select some protection for their young QB with Joe Staley, OT Central Michigan. I don't know if I'm sold on Staley, but they had to do it as he wouldn't be available by their next pick. Patrick Willis, ILB Ole Miss, could be the central fixture of their defense for the next decade, but I have my reservations about his lack of tackles behind the line. I think Mike Nolan will get Jay Moore, DE Nebraska, and Tarrell Brown, CB Texas, to play to the best of their ability. Their not superstars, but they can be consistent players who are always on the field giving 100%. Jason Hill, WR Washington St, could be the steal that absolutely no one is talking about due to his lack of playing time at WR in the sense that he just moved there recently. Dashon Goldson, FS Washington, may have been a stretch that early in the draft, but he is quite versatile so maybe that's the thinking there. A good solid draft by a team on the upswing.

4. New England Patriots, A-. Of course they get this high, they just received arguably the best Wide Receiver in the NFL for a fourth round pick. He has already shown that he is willing to conform to the Patriots' way of business and they have let it known that one misstep, one hair out of place and your ass will be shown the door. Brandon Merriweather, FS Miami, I think will be compared all year long to Devin Hester and I believe it is a valid comparison. Dude can seriously be the game changer they need on defense and special teams that put them back on top. Think about the finesse at one safety and the manslaughter that Rodney Harrison unleashes on the other. Clint Oldenburg, OT Colorado St, and Justin Rogers, OLB Southern Methodist, are players in that traditional Patriots mold. Corey Hilliard, OT Oklahoma St, could very well be one of those players as well, I just don't know if he will excel in the NFL as he struggled from time to time in college. Oscar Lua, LB USC, could very well be the steal for the Patriots in this draft if he manages just to stay healthy. He will learn a great deal from his fellow SC alumni Junior Seau and could be that replacement that they were needing for the aging linebacking corps.

3. Carolina Panthers, A-. Jon Beason, the heir apparent for one of the best defenses in the league, possibly. I like the idea that this kid can excel in the NFL, and if anyone can get this accomplished it's the Panthers, but I wonder if Harris or Buster Davis would have been a better choice. No doubt he will be assisted by fellow U alumni Dan Morgan, but something in my head says this is a huge bust. No real reason why, I just see his stuff and feel uncomfortable spending a first round pick on him. That has nothing to do however with their second round which can be summed up with the following, holy shit v is for victory. The tandem of Dwayne Jarrett, WR USC, and Ryan Kalil, C USC, just bumped up their offense immensely. They let go Keyshawn Johnson to make room for this kid who I think compliments Steve Smith almost perfectly. Charles Johnson, DE Georgia, will have a great career with the Panthers opposite Julius Peppers not to mention over his much hyped teammate Quentin Moses. Ryne Robinson, WR Miami (OH), will alleviate Steve Smith from returning everything as he is the nation's active career leader in both punt-return yardage (1,677) and punt-return touchdowns (seven).

2. Arizona Cardinals, A. Yeah, I know, I'm just as shocked as you all are. The first two spots in this grading goes to two teams that have been the doormats for the last five years or so. I LOVE their choice as the head coach, they have all the talent on offense to win and I will say it now, the Cards will be a wild card team this year, at the least. I called Levi Brown, OT Penn St, going to the Cards Whisenhunt loves this kid. I do too, he's a strong and physical player who will just smash you in the mouth. Alan Branch, DT Michigan, SHOULD be motivated after going from Top Ten pick to the second round, but ya never know sometimes with kids. Their BEST selection was Buster Davis, ILB Florida St, to lead their defense out of the drums it has been in for the last twenty years. This kid is all over the place, we're talking the second coming of Mike Singletary. If the offense has the ball somewhere, this kid is likely to be somewhere nearby. His selection is just slightly over the pick of Ben Patrick, TE Delaware, the best TE to come out of this draft, who was selected in the seventh round. You just gave Leinart all the tools he needs to succeed in the NFL. A fully equipped WR corps, with additional fourth man Steve Breaston, WR Michigan, a star TE and a running back. Whisenhunt will shape this line up and once he does, this offense becomes more potent then the Colts.

1. Cleveland Browns, A+. When Joe Thomas, OT Wisconsin, Brady Quinn, QB Notre Dame, and Eric Wright, CB UNLV, are your first three picks you know you just had a Reggie Jackson day in October. You just gave yourself three people who are the foundation, with Kamerion Wimbley, just gave you the foundation for a great franchise. Yes, for the first time since the Browns came back from exhile, we have the foundation we have always needed. Add that too SGT. Kellen Winslow, Braylon Edwards and D'Qwell Jackson and you have the beginnings of a beautiful relationship to all involved. We showed that we had a huge pair by trading back into the first round to get the man we could have easily taken at our original position. The rest of our picks are solid depth players who should have an opportunity to show themselves, prove they have what it takes and can end up starting some time soon. There is plenty of opportunity and the players drafted all look to be over-achievers, which is a beautiful change.

Spoiled Brats

2007-05-03T15:41:00.000-05:00

I hate kids like this, sadly there seems to be more and more of them. The best part is the son saying the camera is off...

Throwback Thursday Spidey Edition

2007-05-03T15:22:00.000-05:00

TONIGHT AT MIDNIGHT!!!

Day 3 & 4 Grades

2007-05-03T09:36:00.000-05:00

18. Buffalo Bills, C+. I know I have Buffalo higher then a lot of other folks right now, but I think I see the method to Marv Levy's madness. He shook off some of the older baggage the team had, put faith in his young quarterback, who I think will still be a stud kid is a gamer, and continues to build this tremendous youth program within the team. Last year they shocked everyone with Donte Whitner, but he saw what other Safety players have done for in this league (see Reed, Ed and Palamalou, Troy). This year after discarding McGahee he took the best RB available to help his young QB. He replaced Takeo Spikes with Paul Posluszny, LB Penn St, which is a Marv Levy type of player. I think the steal for the Bills is Dwanye Wright, RB Fresno St, if he stays healthy. I he is healthy Buffalo will forget about Lynch and be chanting Wright every Sunday. I also love the pick of John Wendling, FS Wyoming, to compliment Whitner in the secondary. I'm not sold on Trent Edwards as everyone else, but he can at least be a strong backup.

17. Miami Dolphins, B-. I didn't punish the Dolphins as harshly as everyone else for passing up Brady Quinn. When you think about it, even with the foot injury Ted Ginn Jr. is the safer pick regardless. The dude can simply return kicks like no one's business. If he is healthy, then it is a great pick in the sense that the quarterback has no one to throw to before this pick and now there is at least a threat there. Not sold on John Beck, but I'd rather take a chance on a QB farther down the draft then earlier. I absolutely love the pick of Samson Satele, C Hawaii, as the anchor to their offensive line. The dude is a true warrior and may be the second coming of Kevin Mawae. Same goes for Paul Soliai, DT Utah, they were both very high on my third-fourth round draft boards and love the picks. They had plenty of picks that they used to add depth to a team that is in definite flux and could be very special with new coach Cam Cameron.

16. Minnesota Vikings, B-. I will start by saying that I am not sold on Adrian Peterson, RB Oklahoma, and sure it may have something to do with him being a Sooner. It also has something to due with the fact that this kid has not been healthy in three years, he always manages to find a way to hurt himself. That was on real grass, now put him in doors and this could be one if not the biggest draft busts in Vikings' history. That being said I think their team got better from the second round on. Sidney Rice, WR South Carolina, I think will be something special in Minnesota. Marcus McCauley has all the ability to be a star corner in this league, but does he have the motor and desire to do so? Brian Robinson, DE Texas, will be their best 12th man and special teams star as there is no question about HIS motor. Rufus Alexander, OLB Oklahoma, has the opportunity to prove to many people that his drop in production last year was a fluke and he may be the Cato June steal of this draft.

15. Indianapolis Colts, B-. Anthony Gonzales, WR Ohio St, had to be the happiest man drafted. He goes from playing on a National Title contender to catching balls from Peyton Manning. He more or less steps right into the spot he was playing at Ohio St, second and third fiddle to other players, but stealing the show every time he is on the field and gets the ball. This kid has the ability to bump Reggie Wayne to the number three spot. I think trading your first round pick next year to draft Tony Ugoh, OG Arkansas, was WAY too much of a reach and he is definitely not worth that kind of price. Daymeion Hughes, CB Cal, was an absolute steal where they got him and should help fill voids left by players who left this year as is Quinn Pitcock, DT Ohio St, who was another third round steal. Their first day was great, except for the Ugoh deal, and I think that is why they fell on my board. When there was plenty of line talent available you give up your first round to move up in the second it drops you a few grades. Other then that, I think it was one of their better drafts in recent years.

14. Pittsburgh Steelers, B-. Lawerence Timmons, LB Florida St, was a great selection with Joey Porter leaving for Miami. If Wimbley is any indication of what a Florida St linebacker can do lately, the Steelers will be very happy with their first round selection. Lamaar Woodley, DE Michigan, could be an absolute steal if they can get his motor going 100%. He has all the tools, but relies too much on ability and not desire, which is something the Steelers will allow. Daniel Sepulveda, P Baylor, is a former walk on at linebacker with a hell of a leg. So imagine a punter who can kick AND tackle without any fear, that portion of your team just rose tremendously. Cameron Stephenson, G Rutgers, was a good pick, a very underrated player, and helps if your pro bowl guard does end up leaving your team within the next year or so. Nothing fancy or flashy about this draft, but no glaring mistakes, which is Steeler football.

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, B. I believe I may be one of the only people on this planet who has not bought into the Gaines Adams, DE Clemson, hype. I've seen Clemson in person while he played for them and he didn't stand out at all. To me that does not make a top five pick, a top five pick should look like a man amongst boys. To give you an example, that very same game saw Vernon Davis, TE Maryland, who looked like a man playing among boys. Now the selection of Aaron Sears, OT Tennessee, and Quincy Black, OLB New Mexico, may be the real gems for the Buccs in this draft. New Mexico coaches think Black can be better then Urlacher, so you can imagine a player like that on the Buccs D. Tanard Jackson, CB Syrause, is one of the biggest steals of this draft. Without a doubt this kid has first round ability, but he played at Syracuse and as such never got much attention. You put him under Ronde Barber's wing and watch this kid soar. Chris Denman, OT Fresno St, is another player that very well could be Ying to Sears' Yang for many years to come. This was a very solid draft for the Buccs, and continued the solid foundation they began the last few years.

12. Oakland Raiders, B. JaMarcus Russell, QB LSU, is a kid to be the face and example of your franchise. He is an outstanding human being, and a pure physical presence that the Raiders have not had in that spot in a very long time. I think the addition of Russell gives the Raiders at least 3 extra wins on pure determination alone. Zach Miller, TE Arizona St, might have been a reach in the second but it was a good pick. I would have gone after Ben Patrick, TE Delaware, later in the draft but that's just me, I think Patrick will be known as the best TE out of this draft. Johnnie Lee Higgins, WR UTEP, will be grand larceny for when they got him. I think this kid has the opportunity to be something really special and will have this opportunity in this offense. Michael Bush, RB Louisville, should have been a top ten pick if it wasn't for the broken leg and has the ability to be their new Bo Jackson. Eric Frampton, S Washington St, kept being knocked since he didn't have "prototypical size" of a safety, but this kid just plays his ass off and I want that in a football player.

11. San Diego Chargers, B. Without a doubt I think it was a mistake to take Craig Davis, WR LSU, over Dwayne Jarrett, WR USC, if only for the SC alumni who come to the games. You're in San Diego, you know the mafia that is USC. Plus I think Jarrett is just a better football player, but then again Norv Turner is now there so everyone get ready for disappointment. That being said, I love the selection of Eric Weedle, S Utah, to a very young defense who love to get after the ball. Brandon Siler, ILB Florida, may be a HUGE steal in the seventh round if he plays to his ability. I know many Charger fans are excited by the addition of Legedu Naanee, WR Boise St, one of the Heroes of that game against Oklahoma this year. There isn't too many holes in this Charger team and I think they did a good job a putting things in place to patch up the few loose ends they did have.

10. Atlanta Falcons, B. Again, I never jumped on the Jamaal Anderson, DE Arkansas, bandwagon like so many others. I think the Falcons dropped the ball by not trading up to get LaRon Landry. I think he makes that defense in the top five right now, as opposed to Anderson who may be a bit of a project. Justin Blalock, OT Texas, and Chris Houston, CB Arkansas, were two of my favorite picks in the second round however. Blalock has all the ability to become their best offensive lineman, and Houston may end up being the best corner from this draft. Doug Datish, C Ohio St, may be one of those great late round offensive linemen. The rest of their draft merely added quality depth to many of the positions that they needed bodies in. Daren Stone, SS Maine, remember that name, this kid could be one of those really special players that no one but me saw coming.

9. Washington Redskins, B+. Unlike many other places, I did not penalize the Skins for their lack of first day picks, the one they did make has transformed their secondary into what may be the best secondary in all of football. Landry, Taylor, Smoot, Springs, Rogers, if all five of those men get on the same page and begin functioning like a well oiled machine, teams may not be able to throw on the skins. Dallas Sartz, OLB USC, and HB Blades, LB Pitt, were absolute gems in the second day of the draft. Blades has a determination to be his own man that may push him to excel in ways that has Joe Gibbs giddy with joy. If Dallas Sartz gets back into 2004 form, then the Skins have found a defender who will always be around the ball and leading their defense in tackles every year. Jordan Palmer, QB UTEP, lil brother of Carson could be the answer to all of the Redskins' quarterback woes. Not a first rounder, not a has been, or the ball coaches' college players, just a kid determined to make his own way, be his own man, and prove he is just as every bit as good as his brother.

8. Denver Broncos, B+. I'll put it right out there, I hate Denver with an absolute passion. They only had four picks in this draft, but two of them were two of my top five defensive ends in this draft, this includes my top defensive end, Jarvis Moss, DE Florida. They followed this pick with Tim Crowder, DE Texas, and I have come to the conclusion that they used their first two picks to spite me personally and I will not let this stand. Ryan Harris, OT Notre Dame, is likely going to be the LT that protects Jay Cutler for the rest of his pro career, however long that may well be. Marcus Thomas, DT Florida, has the ability of a top ten pick, but does he have the character? He could be an absolute steal and pillaging of the fourth round, or he is their new Maurice Clarrett.

7. Detroit Lions, B+. Calvin Johnson, WR GA Tech, is he the answer? Is he finally the WR Holy Grail you've been searching for all these years Mr. Millen? He better be, for your jobs' sake. I know how many times we've heard the tale of, "this kid is a no miss...going to be one of the greatest ever.." and the kid ends up hurt, or just doesn't have the drive to excel in the NFL. I think this kid is something special, but Detroit has many holes and could have used the extra picks to trade down. I knew they would take the local kid Drew Stanton, QB Michigan St, and I think he will do great things in Detroit. He never really had any weapons as a Spartan, and was always fighting to score since his defense was about as good as France's. Ikaika Alama-Francis, DE Hawaii, might turn out to be a great pick as well if he can work on getting lower. If this happens, the NFC North needs to watch out. They added depth, with a few possible trophies in there, but may not be enough to save Matt Millen's job.

Sorry bout my absence folks

2007-05-03T09:03:00.000-05:00

I had a very bad case of Vertigo yesterday and I wasn't up to do much of anything, including blogging. Sorry for the delay of the draft grades, I will cover Weds and Thurs today, no worries.

Draft Grades Day 2

2007-05-01T11:12:00.000-05:00

25. Chicago Bears, C. I love that they were able to sit tight at 31 and Greg Olsen fell right into their lap. It was a great choice and one of the things that offense desperately needed. I also love the pick up of Beekman, G Boston College, as that line is getting up in years. I didn't see the need for Bazuin, they need tackles since their two starters are in their mid fifties. Garrett Wolfe, RB Northern Illinois, is an interesting pick and could be a steal and where it was a reach, I don't think it was too much at that point. A decent draft, but missed out on filling some definite needs.

24. Dallas Cowboys, C. I know, our BFFs, and they only receive a C. I think there is much work to be done in Dallas and I think they only helped themselves a little bit. I love the Anthony Spencer, DE Purdue, pick along with James Marten, OT Boston College, the rest of the draft however just seemed like a Picasso painting, sort of all over the place. Doug Free, OT Northern Illinois, could be a real steal but it also may have been a huge stretch at that point in the draft. There is nothing that just shouts at me that this was a bad draft, it was merely decent. Then again, we haven't seen this draft completed until we see the fruits of their trades next year.

23. St Louis Rams, C+. The Rams are a team that are in a weak division and are on the edge of dropping off into the lower realm of the NFL and excelling once again. Almost a contender and almost a door mat all at the same time. I like Adam Carriker, DE Nebraska, as that defense has been missing a presence since Grant Winstrom and he appears to be in the same mold. I love Brian Leonard, FB Rutgers, as a football player I just don't know if it fits into their offensive scheme. The rest of their draft was for moderate college football players and it appears that they were merely adding depth to their chart and not really looking for a true gem, even though the pick of Jonathan Wade, CB Tennessee, is intriguing since he's also a track star and the Rams do play indoors. Dustin Frye, C Clemson, is a solid choice in my opinion and should help pave the way for Stephen Jackson.

22. New York Giants, C+. Of course I love the pick of Aaron Ross, CB Texas, especially for a defense who has a great pass rush but no secondary to help that fact. They also stole Steve Smith, WR USC, from the rest of the NFL as they all dropped the ball on that one. If Eli doesn't get better with Steve Smith in his huddle then he is what I always said he would be, a mediocre quarterback riding the coattails of his brother. Jay Alford, DT Penn St, helps the youth movement in their D-Line and I think can really excel in NYC. Zak DeOssie, OLB Brown, may very well be the Giants version of Steve Trasker and I think Giants fans will love this kid. The rest of the draft didn't excite me however, and that's why it doesn't get much higher then this. A solid draft which could help Coughlin keep his job, but only time will tell there.

21. Kansas City Chiefs, C+. Looking back, I probably should have had the Giants above them, but they did do more to help their team I think then the Giants did. Dwayne Bowe, WR LSU, finally gives them a legit receiver and not just the random folks they've had the last few years. This grade also goes into them NOT trading Trent Green, why get nothing when you let him go June 1st when you could have had another draft pick. Turk McBride, DT Tennessee, was a HUGE stretch in the second round then to follow it up with Tank Tyler, DT NC State, was interesting though the players and their rounds probably should have been swapped. Kolby Smith, RB Louisville, is an interesting pick as someone to relieve Larry Johnson of having to run the ball 30 times a game. Michael Allen, TE Whitworth, could be a HUGE steal as this kid can block like an O-Lineman and catch the ball as well and Tony G isn't getting any younger.

20. Tennessee Titans, C+. I love how they continue to buy my support by turning the one time Houston Oilers into the Texas Longhorns. Michael Griffin, S Texas, was a superb pick even if they could have used a WR there. He gives that defense a mean streak that it desperately needs, especially when playing against Peyton Manning twice a year. Not quite sure about Chris Henry, RB Arizona, but Paul Williams, WR Fresno St, is built like a Greek god and I predict will be one of Vince Young's favorite targets for the next few years. Paul Williams may very well be the next TO, they are built almost identical and tends to have that same passion for excelling, without the me first attitude, could end up being the best WR taken in this draft. Antonio Johnson, DT Mississippi St, does what a great DT does, who occupies multiple blockers allowing his teammates to make the tackles and doesn't need the huge stats to know he's made a positive impact. They had ten draft picks, half of which could very well end up starters, a very solid draft for a very young team.

19. Houston Texans, C+. My future hometown team may have stole the best player in this draft with Amobi Okoye, DT Lousiville. This kid is a fucking prodigy and will only continue to succeed in his life and becomes the anchor in a defense next to Mario Williams. I see and begin to understand the Texans thinking now, when playing the Colts let us worry about stopping them before we worry about outscoring them. Fred Bennett, CB South Carolina, I think was a absolute steal in the fourth round and could end up starting before the year is over. Kasey Studdard, G Texas, is a great selection late. A hometown kid and has a chance to also start before the end of the year since the Texans have the absolute worst o-line in the NFL since their conception a few years ago. Jacoby Jones, WR Lane, may have been a stretch, but his since and relative inexperience could result in one of the biggest diamonds in this draft if he gets going. The rest add great depth to a young team still trying to find its identity.

Ten on Tuesday

2007-05-01T09:41:00.000-05:00

10 Political Figures, and What You Think of Them

Bill Clinton-Easily the most charismatic statesman since JFK, if not more so. This man could sell you a plate of shit and have you asking for thirds. If any administration knew what was good for them they'd appoint this man Secretary of State 4 Life.

Lamar Alexander-During the 2000 election this was the man I wanted to be President. Sadly he was only third on the Republican side and hadn't turned to the dark side back then. The only candidate that made any sense and seemed human to me at the time. I think he could have done great things for this country.

Tom DeLay-One of the craziest and crookest men in America and somehow someway this sack of steaming shit is still not in prison. We need some kind of strong and lethal prosecutor to send him to jail, Big Bubba needs a bunkmate.

Mike Gravel-I'm telling you folks, I am in love with this crazy old bastard. It is a crime that CNN has taken him off their debates. He rose like ten points after the first democratic debate. I think he is what this country wants, a no nonsense, no bullshit, straight talker who will tell you what is on his mind.

Dennis Kucinich-The Ohio Pixie did quite well in the Democratic debate, but sadly will never be a real contender because he doesn't look the part. Ever since the creation of the television you almost have to look the part to be elected. This man could have played an elf on Lord of the Rings, but has wonderful ideas none the less.

Nero-He always got a bad wrap due to Christian writers and his persecutions of Christians. He improved relations with the greeks, suppressed the British revolt, made peace with the Parthian Empire, built theaters, promoted athletic games and was loved by his people before and after his death. Though he is usually taught in a bad light since the Christians at the time based many of their prophecies on Nero as they saw him as a bad bad man. Much has been said about Rome burning and Nero, but hey who knows without us being there.

Condi Rice-I don't care if she is a fellow Browns Backer, I can't stand this lying bitch. Her and her "husband" have done more harm to this country then any President before them, not to mention the countless number of lives, Iraqi and American, that have been lost because they're nothing but a bunch of cowboys.

Al Gore-A robot no more, he has taken up his quest about global warming and has really transformed himself. We all remember in 2000 how he seemed wooden, robotic, just way too uptight. Now he is fighting for something, seems passionate, and has the look of a man I could vote for.

Barak Obama-The man definitely has some charisma doesn't he? During the democratic debates, least to me, he seemed to be the only one up there that truly had a presidential presence about himself, a certain charisma that the greatest have. It's not always about knowing all the answers or having the best ideas, sometimes it's about leading and having the charisma that makes people want to follow.

John McCain-In the not so distant past I used to respect this man, but that time has come and gone. With the desire to not be denied the Presidency, he has given up his morals, his "straight talk" and his ground to the religious right in the hopes that he somehow will be elected President. I find it sad that a man, who if he was just himself and not this hollow shell, could win the Presidency if he DIDN'T do this course of action has been fooled into this path.

Law Day

2007-05-01T09:20:00.000-05:00

It is quite ironic that today of all days is National Law Day. Though instead of talking about Mission Accomplished, Vetos, and the Constitution I want to talk about the sign that we truly are the modern Roman Empire, we even assassinate our own leaders.

The "deathbed confession" audio tape in which former CIA agent and Watergate conspirator E. Howard Hunt admits he was approached to be part of a CIA assassination team to kill JFK was aired this weekend - an astounding development that has gone completely ignored by the establishment media.
...
E. Howard Hunt names numerous individuals with both direct and indirect CIA connections as having played a role in the assassination of Kennedy, while describing himself as a "bench warmer" in the plot. Saint John Hunt agreed that the use of this term indicates that Hunt was willing to play a larger role in the murder conspiracy had he been required.

Hunt alleges on the tape that then Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson was involved in the planning of the assassination and in the cover-up, stating that LBJ, "Had an almost maniacal urge to become president, he regarded JFK as an obstacle to achieving that."

I've always been fascinated by the Kennedy assassination, and it is quite sad how naive we all were to believe that one person could have accomplished that kill. Perhaps we will find out more about this if it starts to make the rounds, but I doubt it.

Jerry Jones is my new BFF

2007-04-30T10:42:00.000-05:00

Of course by now most of you have heard about how we, the Cleveland Browns, absolutely stole this draft. We had the best draft ever since our return to the NFL, and we couldn't have done it without our Bonnie to our Clyde, Jerry Jones. Not only did he allow us to get back into the first round to take the hometown kid, he also allowed us to get back into the second round to take maybe the best corner in this draft. We returned the favor, although way back in the sixth round, we still returned it. I wonder how Dallas is going to feel when we're not as bad as everyone expects and their first round pick is much later then theirs.

It matters not, Jerry Jones will probably deal those two picks to get to the top of the draft to get Ray Rice or someone of that nature next year anyways. In the end, this may have been the best day for Browns fans since the announcement that we were getting our team back. We have FINALLY got that core group of players that you need to be successful. We had all the extras to go with a team, just not that core, not that face. Well, it's here and the AFC North just became a four way race.

With that being said this week I will be giving my Draft grades for each team from worst to first. Seven today and tomorrow, six each day after that. I have read only Dr. Z's opinion of who did what so this is my own opinion, no one elses, but be warned, I'm usually right about this...most of the time, but other cases I blame on injury, Katzenmoyer.

32. Seattle Seahawks, D-. The only two players of notice I think for the Seahawks are Baraka Atkins, DE, Miami and Mansfield Wrotto, G, GA Tech. I like Wrotto a good deal, he was in my top ten of guards in the draft and I think it helps replace Hutchinson in the long run, not as good but at least reliable. Atkins will be a serviceable DE in to learn under Patrick Kearney. I think a good amount of their picks were stretches at people they believe will do better then they did in college. Marcus McCauley was still available but they went with the Maryland CB instead.

31. New Orleans Saints, D+. I liked the pick of Robert Meachem, even though I think for the fans you might have tried to trade up to get LSU's Dwayne Bowe, but that is only to make the fans happy, I don't see much space between Bowe and Meachem talent wise. The rest of the draft seemed to me to be one giant stretch, with all from small schools other then Antonio Pittman (which they traded up to get which made zero sense) and another Volunteer. If they turn out to be players, I will be pleasantly surprised but I do fear they really reached this year. The Pittman selection really boggled my mind, you have Deuce and Bush why Pittman? The only reasoning is that he will be the back who goes between the tackles so the mustangs are not injured or continually beat up.

30. Green Bay Packers, D+. When I think about the Packers draft all I can hear in my head is Carlos Mencina going, dee dee dee. I want to thank them on passing on Brady Quinn, but I seriously don't understand your thinking. You take Justin Harrell, which first round talent but I have this feeling he's going to be one of those guys you are shocked to find were first round picks five years from now. You had Bowe and Meachem on the board that could have helped Farve, but you go with Harrell. The only picks I liked by the Pack were Mason Crosby, the best kicker in the draft and Aaron Rouse, the safety from VA Tech. The rest seemed to be stretches and filler. Why draft two ILB when you have AJ Hawk, in a row non the less? Are we starting with the building of special teams before Defense and Offense?

29. Philidelphia Eagles, C-. In many ways I liked good portions of the Eagles middle round picks. I like the addition of Tony Hunt, RB Penn St, and Victor Abiamiri, DE Notre Dame, to their team. I think they fit well with the team chemistry. Taking Kevin Kolb, who I think may become very good, with your first pick (even if in the 2nd) was a mistake. He would have been there in the third for you. I mean, you could have given Donovan Dwayne Jarrett to play with but you passed to give your team a fourth quarterback. I think the Eagles had more needs then they actually addressed at the top of their draft and they dropped the ball in that sense. I didn't see much separation between Kolb and Jeff Rowe and Troy Smith who both went in the fifth.

28. Cincinnati Bengals, C-. Ah the Bengals managed to bungle another draft, breaks my heart it does. I like the picks of Leon Hall and Jeff Rowe, even if Hall has been beat by every big time receiver he played against. Hell, I really like it, it means Braylon Edwards will torch his fellow Wolverine when they play. Kenny Irons is my pick for biggest RB bust this draft, so that will be interesting to see if he gets any playing time with what they have already. Dan Santucci will be a serviceable guard for them to help alleviate the emptiness they must feel with Eric Steinbeck coming home to Cleveland. They merely had many holes to fill due to character problems that likely will happen and I don't know if they found those solutions here.

27. Jacksonville Jaguars, C. Trading down and still got Reggie Nelson was the best move they made, sadly it was a large draft filled with another case of stretching towards something that MAY be, not something that helps sooner rather then later. They did have eleven picks and I'm certain some of those players will at least be contributors in some fashion, if only special teams. Adam Podlesh is intriguing, a punter who runs a 4.43 40, don't know why you would need one, though if done right could make an onside kick VERY interesting. Then again, the Jaguars may just change another position of a player they take. I love Jack Del Rio and that's why this draft didn't fall farther, I think he knows what he's doing with this group of kids.

26. New York Jets, C. Only having four picks hurt their draft grade, and unlike the other teams with very few draft picks, I only really enjoyed their first two picks. Darrelle Revis, CB Pitt, and David Harris, ILB Michigan, I think are great additions to a defense that is getting very strong. The Jets definitely needed help in the secondary and he fills that immediate need. I like the pick of Harris because I think he is a football player, he just knows how to play the game and has a real passion for it. Plus if they are going to be moving or releasing one of their linebackers, this fills that hole as well. Jacob Bender I'm not too sure about, I would have moved up in the draft with the remaining picks, or one of next years, to continue to build that offensive line you got off to a great start with last year. It wouldn't matter who your running back was if the O-Line was that good to knock the defense on their collective ass.

That's it for the first batch, get ready for tomorrow as we finish out the twenties.

My Final Mock Draft

2007-04-27T13:39:00.000-05:00

The draft is FINALLY here, and I'm sure my father right now is chuckling to himself in California thinking how obsessed I always was with the draft, hell below is evident of how I still am. With that being said, yes, there is some crazy ass trades in my mock draft, I think we'll see more first round trades then ever before on draft day. I almost pulled off one more trade (New England moving up and swap with Cleveland at 9 to take Okoye for both their first rounders) so we'll see how accurate I am. Monday I will give to everyone my percentage.

2007 NFL Mock Draft
1. Oakland Raiders - JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers(via Trade with Detroit)- Calvin Johnson,WR, Georgia Tech
3. Miami Dolphins (via Trade with Cleveland) - Brady Quinn, QB, ND
4. Detroit Lions (via TB, received 4, 35, 64) - Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
5. Arizona Cardinals - Levi Brown,OT, Penn St.
6. Chicago Bears(via Redskins, gave Lance Briggs and 37 for 6 and 2008 1st and 4th Rounds)- Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin
7. Minnesota Vikings – Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma
8. Atlanta Falcons – LaRon Landry, FS, LSU
9. Cleveland Browns (via Miami received 9, 40, 60) - Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville
10. Houston Texans - Ted Ginn Jr, WR, Ohio St
11. San Francisco 49ers – Patrick Willis, ILB, Ole Miss
12. Buffalo Bills - Paul Posluszny, LB, Penn St.
13. St. Louis Rams - Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansas
14. Carolina Panthers – Greg Olsen, TE, Miami
15. Pittsburgh Steelers - Darrelle Revis, CB, Pittsburgh
16. Green Bay Packers - Marshawn Lynch, RB, California
17. Jacksonville Jaguars – Charles Johnson, DE, Georgia
18. Cincinnati Bengals - Leon Hall, CB, Michigan
19. Tennessee Titans -. Dwayne Jarrett., WR, USC
20. New York Giants – Joe Staley, OT, Central Michigan
21. Denver Broncos – Alan Branch, DT, Michigan
22. Dallas Cowboys – Michael Griffin, S, Texas
23. Kansas City Chiefs – Robert Meacham, WR, Tennessee
24. New England Patriots (via Seattle) - Lawrence Timmons, OLB, Florida St.
25. New York Jets – Justin Blalock, OG/T, Texas
26. Philadelphia Eagles – Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska
27. New Orleans Saints – Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU
28. New England Patriots - Aaron Ross, CB, Texas
29. Baltimore Ravens - Arron Sears, OT, Tennessee
30. San Diego Chargers – Reggie Nelson, S, Florida
31. Chicago Bears – Jon Beason, OLB, Miami (FL)
32. Indianapolis Colts- Anthony Gonzalez, WR, Ohio St.

ROUND 2
1.22.Oakland Raiders-Steve Smith, WR, USC
2.34.Detroit Lions- Antonio Pittman, RB, Ohio St.
3.35. Detroit Lions (via trade) - Marcus McCaulley, CB, Fresno St
4.36.Cleveland Browns- Jarvis Moss, DE, Florida
5.37.Washington Redskins (via trade) - Anthony Spencer, DE, Purdue
6.38.Arizona Cardinals- Daymeion Hughes, CB, Cal
7.39.Atlanta Falcons - Sidney Rice WR, South Carolina
8.40.Cleveland Browns (via trade) - Michael Bush, RB, Louisville
9.41.Minnesota Vikings- Trent Edwards, QB, Stanford
10.42.San Francisco 49ers- Buster Davis, ILB, Florida St.
11.43.Buffalo Bills- Kenny Irons, RB, Auburn
12.44.Atlanta Falcons - Quin Pitcock, DT, Ohio St.
13.45.Carolina Panthers- Brandon Meriweather, S, Miami (FL)
14.46.Pittsburgh Steelers- Josh Beekman, OG, Boston College
15.47.Green Bay Packers- Justin Harrell, DT, Tennessee
16.48.Jacksonville Jaguars- Aaron Rouse, S, VA Tech
17.49.Cincinnati Bengals- Marshal Yanda, OG, Iowa
18.50.Tennessee Titans- Brandon Siler, ILB, Florida
19.51.N.Y. Giants- Chris Houston, CB, Arkansas
20.52.St. Louis Rams- Johnnie Lee Higgins, WR, UTEP
21.53.Dallas Cowboys- Tim Duckworth, OG, Auburn
22.54.Kansas City Chiefs- Drew Stanton, QB, Michigan St.
23.55.Seattle Seahawks- Tony Ugoh, OG, Arkansas
24.56.Denver Broncos- Quentin Moses, DE, Georgia
25.57.Philadelphia Eagles- David Harris, ILB, Michigan
26.58.New Orleans Saints-HB Blades, ILB, Pitt
27.59.N.Y. Jets- Jon Abbate, ILB, Wake Forest
28.60.Cleveland Browns (via trade) - Ryan Kalil, C, USC
29.61.Baltimore Ravens- John Beck, QB, BYU
30.62.San Diego Chargers- Craig Davis, WR, LSU
31.63.N.Y. Jets (from Chicago)-Stewart Bradley, OLB, Nebraska
32.64.Detroit Lions (via trade)- Ben Grubs, OG, Auburn

Democratic Debate

2007-04-27T10:11:00.000-05:00

I did not get to see it as I was working last night, but from what I have seen I was quite impressed with a few people, namely Mike Gravel. Some have said his performance was nutty, that he was a crazy old cot, but I think it was some frank honesty that we desperately need in this country.

Barak Obama apparently did very well, but this clip frightens me a lil bit.

I do think Kucinich came off as very intelligent, very well spoken, and very firm on his positions. People said Richardson may have dropped, but I don't see it, least so far and to be fair I haven't seem the entire debate as of yet. Right now though, the "lower-tier" candidates appear much more intelligent and have ACTUAL plans, not just talking points.

Watch the end of that video to see the genius of Gravel, his plan to get Bush to end this war is put simply, genius. I will continue to give my thoughts as I get to see more of these videos, stayed tuned.

Army Officer Accuses Generals Of 'Intellectual And Moral Failures'

2007-04-27T09:55:00.000-05:00

In the last month we have seen more and more former and active officers coming out against the Army leadership in regards to Iraq. Lt. Col. Paul Yingling, an Iraq vet is the latest to join the fray.

By Thomas E. Ricks, Washington Post Staff Writer

An active-duty Army officer is publishing a blistering attack on U.S. generals, saying they have botched the war in Iraq and misled Congress about the situation there.

"America's generals have repeated the mistakes of Vietnam in Iraq," charges Lt. Col. Paul Yingling, an Iraq veteran who is deputy commander of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment. "The intellectual and moral failures . . . constitute a crisis in American generals."

Yingling's comments are especially striking because his unit's performance in securing the northwestern Iraqi city of Tall Afar was cited by President Bush in a March 2006 speech and provided the model for the new security plan underway in Baghdad.

He also holds a high profile for a lieutenant colonel: He attended the Army's elite School for Advanced Military Studies and has written for one of the Army's top professional journals, Military Review.

The article, "General Failure," is to be published today in Armed Forces Journal and is posted at http:www.armedforcesjournal.com. Its appearance signals the public emergence of a split inside the military between younger, mid-career officers and the top brass.

Many majors and lieutenant colonels have privately expressed anger and frustration with the performance of Gen. Tommy R. Franks, Lt. Gen. Ricardo S. Sanchez, Lt. Gen. Raymond T. Odierno and other top commanders in the war, calling them slow to grasp the realities of the war and overly optimistic in their assessments.

Some younger officers have stated privately that more generals should have been taken to task for their handling of the abuses at Abu Ghraib prison, news of which broke in 2004. The young officers also note that the Army's elaborate "lessons learned" process does not criticize generals and that no generals in Iraq have been replaced for poor battlefield performance, a contrast to other U.S. wars.

Top Army officials are also worried by the number of captains and majors choosing to leave the service. "We do have attrition in those grade slots above our average," acting Army Secretary Pete Geren noted in congressional testimony this week. In order to curtail the number of captains leaving, he said, the Army is planning a $20,000 bonus for those who agree to stay in, plus choices of where to be posted and other incentives.

Until now, charges of incompetent leadership have not been made as publicly by an Army officer as Yingling does in his article.

"After going into Iraq with too few troops and no coherent plan for postwar stabilization, America's general officer corps did not accurately portray the intensity of the insurgency to the American public," he writes. "For reasons that are not yet clear, America's general officer corps underestimated the strength of the enemy, overestimated the capabilities of Iraq's government and security forces and failed to provide Congress with an accurate assessment of security conditions in Iraq."

Yingling said he decided to write the article after attending Purple Heart and deployment ceremonies for Army soldiers. "I find it hard to look them in the eye," he said in an interview. "Our generals are not worthy of their soldiers."

He said he had made his superiors aware of the article but had not sought permission to publish it. He intends to stay in the Army, he said, noting that he is scheduled in two months to take command of a battalion at Fort Hood, Tex.

The article has been read by about 30 of his peers, Yingling added. "At the level of lieutenant colonel and below, it received almost universal approval," he said.

Retired Marine Col. Jerry Durrant, now working in Iraq as a civilian contractor, agrees that discontent is widespread. "Talk to the junior leaders in the services and ask what they think of their senior leadership, and many will tell you how unhappy they are," he said.

Yingling advocates overhauling the way generals are picked and calls for more involvement by Congress. To replace today's "mild-mannered team players," he writes, Congress should create incentives in the promotion system to "reward adaptation and intellectual achievement."

He does not criticize officers by name; instead, the article refers repeatedly to "America's generals." Yingling said he did this intentionally, in order to focus not on the failings of a few people but rather on systemic problems.

He also recommends that Congress review the performance of senior generals as they retire and exercise its power to retire them at a lower rank if it deems their performance inferior. The threat of such high-profile demotions would restore accountability among top officers, he contends. "As matters stand now, a private who loses a rifle suffers far greater consequences than a general who loses a war," he states.

Durbin Kept Silent On Prewar Knowledge

2007-04-27T09:50:00.000-05:00

This is interesting, I understand that you're sworn to secrecy, but at the same time this administration didn't mind bending those rules (see Plame, Valerie). You think of how many American and Iraqi lives that could have been saved if you would have just said something, anything, to prevent this war. You knew, and still did nothing to stop it.

By Sean Lengell, Washington Times

The Senate's No. 2 Democrat says he knew that the American public was being misled into the Iraq war but remained silent because he was sworn to secrecy as a member of the intelligence committee.

"The information we had in the intelligence committee was not the same information being given to the American people. I couldn't believe it," Majority Whip Richard J. Durbin, Illinois Democrat, said Wednesday when talking on the Senate floor about the run-up to the Iraq war in 2002.

"I was angry about it. [But] frankly, I couldn't do much about it because, in the intelligence committee, we are sworn to secrecy. We can't walk outside the door and say the statement made yesterday by the White House is in direct contradiction to classified information that is being given to this Congress."

Mr. Durbin's comments come after years of inquiries and debate about prewar intelligence, and as congressional leaders clash over Democrats' calls to pull out of Iraq.

The White House responded by saying Congress had access to the same intelligence and voted overwhelmingly to go to war.

"We all understand today that there were intelligence failures, but there was no effort to mislead either members of Congress or the American people," said White House spokesman Tony Fratto.

Mr. Durbin yesterday said there was no "ethical" way to notify the public of specific misleading information being touted by the Bush administration because it would have required revealing top-secret information being provided to the intelligence committee.

He cited the White House's claim that Iraq was trying to acquire aluminum tubes needed for a nuclear weapons program -- details of which have since been declassified -- as an example of bad intelligence, saying that there was an ongoing debate within the administration as it was being used in public.

Mr. Durbin, whose floor comments were part of the debate before yesterday's passage of an emergency war-funding bill, said he and half the Democrats on the intelligence committee voted against the war over concerns of the White House's "very flimsy case, but it was given to the American people as a proven fact."

Congress authorized the 2003 use of armed force against Iraq by votes of 296-133 in the House and 77-23 in the Senate. Five of nine Democrats on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence voted for the measure as did all eight Republicans.

At least you voted against it, but you could have implied to other Democrats that what they were being told were bold face lies, you didn't, shame on you sir.

Putin To Suspend Pact With NATO

2007-04-27T09:45:00.000-05:00

With all our attention in the Middle East we have forgotten to keep an eye on an even bigger threat, one that actually has the ability to attack and not with our own airplanes.

New York Times April 27, 2007
By C. J. Chivers and Mark Landler

President Vladimir V. Putin said Thursday that Russia would suspend its compliance with a treaty on conventional arms in Europe that was forged at the end of the cold war, opening a fresh and intense dispute in the souring relations between NATO and the Kremlin.

The announcement, made in Mr. Putin’s annual address to Parliament, underscored the Kremlin’s anger at the United States for proposing a new missile defense system in Europe, which the Bush administration insists is meant to counter potential threats from North Korea and Iran.

Mr. Putin suggested that Russia would use its future compliance with the treaty as a bargaining point in that disagreement with the United States.

The new standoff also demonstrated the Kremlin’s lingering frustration over NATO’s expansion toward Russia’s borders and with the treaties negotiated in the 1990s when Russia, still staggering through its post-Soviet woes, was much weaker and less assertive on the world stage than it is today.

Although Mr. Putin did not mention it on Thursday, Russia is angry that in 2001 the Bush administration unilaterally pulled out of the Antiballistic Missile Treaty of 1972.

On Monday, Mr. Putin’s defense minister, Anatoly E. Serdyukov, rejected an offer from the visiting American defense secretary, Robert M. Gates, to share antimissile technology, which had been intended as a way to assuage Moscow’s opposition to Washington’s missile defense plan.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, speaking in Oslo at a gathering of diplomats from NATO countries, reacted coldly to Mr. Putin’s speech.

“These are treaty obligations, and everyone is expected to live up to treaty obligations,” she said.

Ms. Rice also dismissed Russian concerns that introducing new military technology to Europe could upset the balance of forces there and set off an escalation that could lead to a new cold war. She called such claims “purely ludicrous” and said the scale of the proposed missile defense system was obviously far too small to defend against the Russian nuclear arsenal.

Treaty obligations Secretary Rice? Say like...the Geneva Conventions or something of that nature? Excuse me, Ms. Kettle, there is a Mr. Pot calling on line 3.

Since it's Friday

2007-04-27T08:56:00.000-05:00

I give to you....the REAL Drunken Monkey

Throwback Thursday Week Away Edition

2007-04-26T14:49:00.000-05:00

Yeah, I can't fuckin wait either

Throwback Thursday

2007-04-26T09:54:00.000-05:00

When people get engaged flowers, cards and best wishes are sent. The flowers and cards go to the woman more often then not as the man gets to hold the hand and try to settle down the woman who appears to have an iv of jolt plugged into her arm. Well, my baby is so wonderful she got me a present too since something just came out this month.

That's right bitches, Evil Dead The Musical Soundtrack

Cap and Rummy

2007-04-26T09:35:00.000-05:00

After seeing this I'm glad he got shot

It is quite sad that this is very honest

2007-04-25T11:07:00.000-05:00

Barry of Wise County, Texas has posted this video on his website. He claims it is, "a lil creepy but effective". I agree that it is quite creepy, but the reason it is creepy for me is from what I've heard from the women I know is that this is more or less one of the most honest videos that has ever been made.

The Hole - video powered by Metacafe

Uncovering Pentagon Bullshit

2007-04-25T10:52:00.000-05:00

If you were not in the Army within the last six years you may have not known about the kind of hatred and resentment the majority of us, or at least those I served with, towards PFC Jessica Lynch. There was a good amount of us who thought she should be charged with treason for not continuing to fight when she was still able. The truth is finally coming out about what happened to her.

I will say she redeemed herself a little bit in my eyes, she was willing to testify before Congress about yet ANOTHER story the Army made up to get public opinion on their side. The so called rescue was not as daring as they would have let you believe and is just another example of the kind of bullshit the Pentagon has fed the U.S. since 9-11. Do I have issue with her taking full advantage of the situation at the time, yeah I do but the level of deep seated hatred I used to have for this woman has been put to rest. I can respect the fact that she finally came forward with the true account of what actually happened that night in Iraq.

Though at least her family hasn't had to endure the amount of bullshit the Tillman family has. In a sense I know why the DoD and Army did what they did, Pat Tillman was their greatest recruiting tool, he was their poster child of patriotism and he was killed by fratricide. So a person you are posing as a hero needs a hero's death, I get that in a sense. At the same time and I do not agree with it in the slightest, especially lying to his family. Hell, his own brother was in the same platoon and they lied to him.

Then the audacity of some people in the military is down right disgusting. A Colonel gave a ESPN interview which Pat Tillman's mother spoke of yesterday. If you don't know about this, check out this shit:

Kauzlarich, now a battalion commanding officer at Fort Riley in Kansas, further suggested the Tillman family's unhappiness with the findings of past investigations might be because of the absence of a Christian faith in their lives.

In an interview with ESPN.com, Kauzlarich said: "When you die, I mean, there is supposedly a better life, right? Well, if you are an atheist and you don't believe in anything, if you die, what is there to go to? Nothing. You are worm dirt. So for their son to die for nothing, and now he is no more — that is pretty hard to get your head around that. So I don't know how an atheist thinks. I can only imagine that that would be pretty tough."

Asked by ESPN.com whether the Tillmans' religious beliefs are a factor in the ongoing investigation, Kauzlarich said, "I think so. There is not a whole lot of trust in the system or faith in the system [by the Tillmans]. So that is my personal opinion, knowing what I know."

I am astounded and disgusted that a military leader would say something like that. People's beliefs have zero to do with how long they recover from a tragedy, especially one that an institution has consistently lied to them about. They have repeatedly said that they merely want to know THE TRUTH but apparently that is far too challenging for our military to give to us in this day and time. We have always been at war with Eastasia and you shall support our troops as we continue our fight against Eastasia, our enemies since time began.

Laura Bush

2007-04-25T10:32:00.000-05:00

Our First Lady, who I used to almost respect, has now lost all respect from me. Why do you ask, well she's taken a note from her husband's play book and tried portraying themselves as the real victims of the Iraq War. No, I'm not kidding though I wish I was. Apparently our First Lady Laura told Anne Curry on the Today Show, that the American people need to know that "no one suffers more than their President and I do."

Really...wow...really? I think Seth and Amy may have a few choice words for Laura in the upcoming weeks. Though a part of me wonders if she said this to help support the ludacris story that I talked about earlier this week in regards to Dubya and someone's purple heart.

My Choice for 08

2007-04-24T14:14:00.000-05:00

That last line equals fuckin money

DC, Politicians and the Right to Vote

2007-04-24T11:55:00.000-05:00

Over at EndTheColaWars the blogger brings up an interesting thing happening in DC, that the politicians are attempting to impose more taxes on Verizon Center items to fund $50 million for the Verizon Center for "upgrades". Mind you that this place is about a decade old so hardly has the problems of the Pittsburgh Penguins arena. This would also give the building to the DC Government in 2047, if we make it that long and we don't according to the Mayans.

The real kicker of all of this is that Abe Pollin, owner of the Center and I believe all the teams that play in it, is going to give the DC Government a luxury suite if they do this. These puppies run around $3-500k a year, but the criminals in the DC government basically are bribed to hand over $50 million that will "upgrade the Chinatown area". Problem with this, it's pretty much already upgraded as it is going to get as I doubt you could expand the area.

With this comes the push for DC to get the right to vote in national elections. I have a problem with this, and not just due to the Constitution. I hate to say it, but DC has not shown me they can vote with any intelligence. It is hard to find one DC politician who isn't a criminal of some kind. They continue to re-elect Marion Barry to various offices, even after he was busted smoking crack with a prostitute AND forgetting to pay his taxes. Show me some responsibility in voting and then I will consider it. No one forces you to live in DC, you want to vote nationally, move to Maryland or Virginia if you don't want to leave the area.

I know this is cold, but the simple fact is I don't trust the people of DC to vote on a national level. Now I'm sure some will scream and pull out the race card but there is no race card to pull out. I know many white people who live in DC and don't care about voting either way. Now it could be said that this country has a problem with national voting anyways (see 04 election, Dubya) and I would agree with you. Our nation is dumbing down to the point where we are almost regressing on the evolutionary chart. Folks should take serious the most prized gift they have and that is the gift to vote.

Burning Bridges

2007-04-24T11:31:00.000-05:00

I hope to be this creative when I quit my job

Random Meme

2007-04-24T11:26:00.000-05:00

week of April 22: name 3 of each....

1. favorite tv programs
All Time
Farscape
Twin Peaks
Buffy The Vampire Slayer

Current
Law and Order: SVU
Heroes
24

2. favorite foods
Ribeye Steak
My Death by Pizza
Four Cheese Macaroni

3. favorite books
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S Thompson
The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller
Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk

4. favorite people
Anita
Father
Mother

5. favorite movies
Fight Club
The Godfather
Patton

6. favorite vacation spots
A cabin in the mountains
Northern California foothills
San Diego

Tuesday Nooner

2007-04-24T11:01:00.000-05:00

"When you have examined all the illusions of life and know that there isn't any reality, but you nevertheless go on, then you are a mature human being. You accept the idea that it is all mask and illusion and that people are in disguise. You see the crumbling of reality and you accept it." -Marguerite Young

Sorry for the delay folks, been reading various this and thats and it slowed down today's posting. For those of you who care, my stats from yesterday's game were...

2 innings 0.00 ERA for the win, 1-1 with 1 RBI.

Now allow me to guide you through some of the blogosphere this morning...

Governor Spitzer of New York will be pushing forward a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in his state. This is great progress for the nation, if a place like New York legalizes it I can only imagine how many other states will follow suit.

The Office of Special Counsel is going forward with an investigation into Karl Rove and some of the other Administration cronies. Check out the link to see why this is even more interesting then a congressional investigation.

Speaking of Rove and the Administration, there may be some new evidence about the 2004 Election and Ohio. Namely that for some reason the Secretary of State website that published the results for some reason went from a state government server to the very same server that holds those missing emails from the RNC.

This is just an example of one of the reasons I vow never to go into Georgia again. Just the plain ignorance and stupidity of some of its residents.

Kryptonite apparently exists, it's just a shame that it doesn't work on Karl Rove and Faux News.

If you need any evidence that the VA Tech shooter was just batshit insane, just check out what else he bought on eBay. I know people OBSESSED with ducks that would NEVER purchase those just for their own amusement.

Rep Feney, who has long been suspected of being part of the Abramoff group of Reps, is finally being investigated even if he is doing so "voluntarily". This likely comes as a former aide has just been busted for being one of Abramoff's loyal soldiers on Capitol Hill.

It is rare that I find a church that attempts to do good, but there such a church in Indianapolis it appears. Though local fundies apparently hate to hear evidence that disprove their homophobic beliefs. My hat goes off to a church that actually attempts to teach the REAL teachings of Jesus Christ, not the teachings of old white men who love power and have their own skewed beliefs.

Just in case you were wondering, Chuck Norris gives us HIS opinion on why the VA Tech shootings took place. I wonder though, is this because he has become a right wing fundy or after decades of karate and movies, he thinks that the shooter was an extra in one of his Missing In Action movies, one wonders.

"I found it disconcerting to see how rapidly the power of American political leaders was crumbling away." -Pierre Salinger

Sick To My Stomach

2007-04-23T14:47:00.000-05:00

Via Kileen Daily Herald:

History will be made today when Copperas Cove resident Bill Thomas and his wife, Georgia, present President George W. Bush with a Purple Heart at the Oval Office.

Thomas said he and his wife came up with the unprecedented idea to present the president with the Purple Heart over breakfast one morning a few months ago as they discussed the verbal attacks, both foreign and domestic, the commander in chief has withstood during his time in office.

"We feel like emotional wounds and scars are as hard to carry as physical wounds," Thomas said.

The medal was awarded to Thomas on Dec. 18, 1965, following injuries he sustained while serving in heavy combat with the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam.

Excuse me?! A man who hid from Vietnam thanks to DADDY and has done more harm to this great country then Osama Bin Laden is being given a purple heart by some senile old man for "emotional woulds and scars"? Does this man not read the news about how this man does not care about mental health of our troops what so ever?

Someone needs to remind sparky that we appreciate that he suffered three wounds resulting in purple hearts, but this man is not Eisenhower, hell this man isn't even LBJ. This is a man who forces the military to send soldiers to Iraq who have suffered brain damage. When one looks at LaVena Johnson, Pat Tillman, Walter Reed and the numerous suicides that is happening to our veterans of the Iraq War how can you not be physically ill?

Tis The Season

2007-04-23T12:54:00.000-05:00

That's right ladies and gentlemen, today is Opening Day for DC Potomac. After a year that saw the Pirates get robbed in the playoffs only to go and win the fall trophy we begin once again to finally capture our first spring crown. As a matter of fact, I forgot to give everyone the link to my pre-season GMOT that I put out last week. I highly suggest going to my column and watching my video, one that will change each week with a different homage. For Week One I have given much thought about who to do and I think I might have to do some thinkin thinkin thinkin and go back to the top of the mountain...yeah...

Excuse me for a moment...customer on the phone, she's broken something far away...sigh...

Yeah, that was fun now where was I, oh yes politics politics politics. Wait, no, I got that from History of the World Part One that introduced Anita to over this weekend. Speaking of this last weekend and movies, I highly recommend Hot Fuzz to everyone who enjoyed Shaun of the Dead. I love the fact that their parodies are merely homages to certain films and not straight parodies. Hollywood forgot how to do parodies around the time they stopped making the Airplane movies. I personally have a deep love for Point Break in for my stupid movie to love category and it was hilarious to see it in this movie.

Nick Frost and Simon Pegg are as always beautiful together with Pegg being even more of a straight man in this movie. I can assume that these three (with director Edgar Wright) could make movies until we all are dust and they would never bore or cease to amuse me. Wow...Cate Blanchette and Peter Jackson made uncredited cameos, which you would never know because their faces were covered. I figured the lady Cate played was the GF from Shaun, wow I was WAY off.

Sorry updates have been sporadic, been dealing with being engaged and everything that is involved since we live in a very busy community in the sense that we have to book the place NOW for this time next year, pure insanity. Not sure if more will come today or not but who knows, we'll see.

Manic Monday

2007-04-23T10:19:00.000-05:00

More to come later in the morning, just making the rounds to all my blogs. So in the meantime enjoy this portion of the Daily Show about the Berto testimony.

Never Thought I'd Say This

2007-04-20T14:18:00.000-05:00

GO BYU! When I say BYU I mean the students and not the administration. I have my own issues with Mormonism, but my hat goes off to those students, very well done. You can catch up about the story at This Divided State

Henry Rollins Friday

2007-04-20T10:13:00.001-05:00

Throwback Thursday Big News Edition

2007-04-19T10:37:00.000-05:00

So why Say Anything...? Still one of my favorite 80s and romantic movies ever. So why am I playing this as a part of Throwback Thursday? Well, something big happened last night...

I got engaged.

Berto Day

2007-04-19T10:21:00.000-05:00

Yes, it's that time of the week. It's time for Berto to take his evil carcass up to Capitol Hill and "testify" before Senators. Now that I think about it, it's probably why traffic was so bad going down North Capitol St this morning. If you don't have access to a TV or anything of that nature, The Blue State is doing a Live Blogging of the events as they unfold.

So far there has already been some amusing events, like Hatch from Utah thinking he was out on the mall and playing softball with Berto. I mean seriously, I've heard tougher questions on the Red Carpet at the Nickelodeon Kid Choice Awards. The star so far this morning has to be Diane Feinstein from my home state of California. She continually grilled Berto on The Patriot Act and Carol Lam, both times contradicting himself and proving what a useless lump he really is. Congress sent her letters, that's right Berto, letters of commendation you jackass.

In sadder news, one of my favorites was kicked off last night on ANTM. Of course she didn't do good in a TV commercial, have you heard her voice? It sounds like she gargles with sand every morning and twice at dinner. That leaves Britney as the only person on the show that I care about in any way. Dionne is...well let's just say that's cool that's cool. Rene is double talking emo, Natasha is a Russian Mail Order Bride and Jaslene does nothing for me. All I can hope for is that while in Australia they are attacked by some giant poisonous animal.

Wow, that's classic. I would have had my deputy AG MORE involved in the firings. Yes, of course, that way he is even a bigger human shield then he already was. It's going to be a long day in that of bullshit coming out of someone's mouth.

Dr. Phil

2007-04-18T09:07:00.000-05:00

That overrated blowhard has weighed in to, thanks to Game Politics for the transcript.

DR. PHIL: Well, Larry, every situation is different… The question really is can we spot them. And the problem is we are programming these people as a society. You cannot tell me - common sense tells you that if these kids are playing video games, where they’re on a mass killing spree in a video game, it’s glamorized on the big screen, it’s become part of the fiber of our society. You take that and mix it with a psychopath, a sociopath or someone suffering from mental illness and add in a dose of rage, the suggestibility is too high.

And we’re going to have to start dealing with that. We’re going to have to start addressing those issues and recognizing that the mass murders of tomorrow are the children of today that are being programmed with this massive violence overdose.

I think I speak for the MILLIONS of video game players around the world who don't go on a killing spree when I say, fuck you Phil fuck you and the horse you rode in on.

Fred Phelps

2007-04-18T08:42:00.000-05:00

Apparently the most disgusting man in America weighed in on the VA Tech Massacre. From Fred Phelps’ Westboro Baptist Church website…

WBC will preach at the funerals of the Virginia Tech students killed on campus during a shooting rampage April 16, 2007. You describe this as monumental horror, but you know nothing of horror -- yet. Your bloody tyrant Bush says he is 'horrified' by it all. You know nothing of horror -- yet. Your true horror is coming. "They shall also gird themselves with sackloth, and horror shall cover them; and shame shall be upon all faces, and baldness upon all their heads" (Eze. 7:18).

Why did this happen, you ask? It's simple. Your military chose to shoot at the servants of God today, and all they got for their effort was terror. Then, the LORD your God sent a crazed madman to shoot at your children. Was God asleep while this took place? Was He on vacation? Of course not. He willed this to happen to punish you for assailing His servants.

Never mind the fact that this man looks a lot like the preacher from Poltergeist 2. He is as equally horrifying if not more so. Least that guy stuck to a house, this living pile of shit is the infamous man who goes to soldier funerals proclaiming they died because, "God hates fags". I can only hope the Hells Angels who have been protecting those funerals can come over to the east coast and protect the upcoming funerals of those who were killed this week.

People ask me why I have a problem with Christianity and all I have to do lately is point them towards men like Fred Phelps and the nutjobs up at Jesus Camp. Yes, I know that this is not the majority, but it's quickly getting that way. You would think that in this day in age ignorance would reduce, not raise, but hey is wishes were rainbows and unicorns we'd all live peacefully.

Spidey 4

2007-04-17T10:17:00.000-05:00

My co-worker and I began brainstorming about Spiderman 4 today since a good amount of movie news is covering this subject. I can see why since Sam Raimi may leave to go film The Hobbitt, Toby might turn it down as he sees it as a trilogy, and Kirsten Dunst thinks she's more important then she really is to the story. Sorry hun, most die-hard Spidey fans don't care for you and we'd much rather see Gwen Stacey anyways (which we finally get this time in 3).

So we began theorizing about what we actually would do in Spidey 4, since the really important villains are covered after this coming movie. We basically had three ideas before us and I think they're all doable, but I will tell you where we finally landed after we mention the three ideas we discussed.

Kraven The Hunter and the story of Kraven's Last Hunt. Kraven was the world's best big game hunter and naturally wanted to go after the ultimate prey, which was Spidey. I think it could really pull at the heart strings of the fans who don't know the story to see him buried and then crawl out of his own grave. The only down side is that it isn't as flashy as the fans are used to by now of a Spidey film.

The Sinister Six. This one you can play with because there are so many side and minor villains that the fans love you can get the majority of them with this movie. It doesn't really need a deep meaningful theme, just a full blown action movie that appeals to all of our nature to see bigger and better. No deep introspective by Parker, which is rare, but you could use it to introduce The Black Cat which every fanboy around the world is still waiting for.

Maximum Carnage. If pro wrestling has taught me anything it's that some of the best matches of all time are a three way dance. With this in mind, Maximum Carnage would up every ante. It pleases the Venom fans by keeping him still there and shows how he becomes an Anti-Hero while creating a complete psychopath who is given these powers. You could put into the story of Spidey saving Venom's ex-wife's life and how he understands and becomes the Anti-hero.

The Decision
The Sinister Six
Why, cause ideally you could start a new trilogy at number four and as such you want to save the other two stories for later. This is also a way to appease the old school fans who want to see some of the original villains on screen. They have had Lizard in the movies since 2, but still no green scales. So my thinking is since you can't get Kingpin since he's in the DD movies, get Silvermane or Alistair Smythe to fund a group to take down Spidey for some reason. They hire Dr. Connors to work on something, but it brings about the chemical changes that turn him into Lizard eventually. In the meantime you would have Chameleon, Vulture, Rhino, Hobgoblin, Scorpion and Electro. It's a nice mixture of talents where none of the creatures really resemble each other. Then towards then end Lizard is transforms and they all must battle him to stop his rampage. We feel it would be a good start that would lead into Kraven's Last Hunt and ended with Maximum Carnage.

Ten on Tuesday

2007-04-17T09:38:00.000-05:00

10 Idols/Heroes When You Were a Kid

10.Indiana Jones-Cool, brash, and he had a whip. He fought Nazis and chased all around the world looking for historical artifacts, ya damn right.
9.Ryan Sandberg-My favorite baseball player who was not a member of the Oakland A's. In my opinion the best 2nd baseman ever to play the game.
8.Mike Singletary-The best middle linebacker of the 80s, maybe of the last thirty years, he drew to me because he was an cerebral linebacker who studied and relied more on his intelligence then his athletic gifts.
7.Dave Stewart-The ace pitcher for the Oakland A's I was absolutely obsessed with his fork ball, still am.
6.Bernie Kosar-Ask a Browns fan when the change into contender came about and many would say it was when we drafted Bernie. I mean, it's Bernie, he is still treated like a God by Browns fans.
5.Rickey Henderson-How can I say anything that tops what he all told us when he broke the stolen base record?
4.Ronnie Lott-Without a doubt still my favorite football player of all time. Damn, could that man hit, and toughness? There may have been few who were tougher then Ronnie Lott.
3.The Nature Boy Ric Flair-Simply put, the greatest of all time. What little kid didn't want to be a wheelin dealin, jet flying, Limousin ridin, kiss stealin son of a gun...even if we had no idea what it meant at the time.
2.General George Patton-I grew up listening to the opening speech from the movie Patton, hell I may be able to quote you it now. Greatest American general of all time, he ends WWII if he was in charge at least a year early.
1.Admiral James T. Kirk-Come on, he had his own spaceship, defeated Khan, went back in time to save the whales and found time to woo alien ladies from all over the galaxy, can you spell Pimp any other way?

Bushies

2007-04-16T12:21:00.000-05:00

I know we of the blogosphere love to point out the faults of the Bush administration. I wish upon wish that it was things that were menial and not that important or cost human lives which the Republicans so love to claim they cherish, but sadly this is not the case. Especially when your Humanitarian Ambassador for Sudan doesn't believe there is genocide taking place there.

So in the last month or so we have lawyers from a college run by a TV nutjob running the DOJ, the Humanitarian Ambassador telling us that the sky is purple, and then we have the final report about something we all already knew, that abstinence only programs don't work.

Finally, the VA Tech Shootings has turned into the worst campus shooting in American history, with 21 people killed. I really worry where the media is going to take this with the anniversary of Columbine coming up in a few days. I have a good number of friends who are VA Tech alumni and I know today has been tough on them. You never want your college known as the place where this will become its history. Again, thoughts, prayers, etc go out to all the family and friends of the fallen.

Monday Movie Reviews

2007-04-16T10:06:00.000-05:00

Blades of Glory, starring Will Ferrell, Jon Heder,Craig T. Nelson, Amy Poehler, Will Arnett and Jenna Fischer.

Will Ferrell has proven once again that he very well may be the best in the world right now when it comes to making comedies. Not just comedies, but comedies that sell and that almost everyone enjoys. My father didn't like Talledega Nights, but then again this is the same man who will watch The Edge whenever it comes on the TV.

Ferrell manages to chose rolls in which he creates a truly memorable character and has so many one liners one would think it was a Rock promo. I'm sure you have seen this in one of the many commercials for the movie where the review quotes are things said by Chazz Michael Michaels in the movie. To say that I would actually watch figure skating if Chazz was a part of it wouldn't be that much of a stretch. I still think my favorite line of the movie is, "That's how babies are made."

I'm not a big fan of Heder, Napoleon Dynamite was not as big of a hit for me as the rest of you, but I did enjoy him in this role. Jenna Fischer is HOT in this flick, but that's merely my opinion. Though the real life married couple of Will Arnett and Amy Poehler very nearly steal the entire movie. This movie is one of those that just click on every level and you don't want it to end and yes, some of my favorite scenes are when Olympic mascots get hurt in some fashion.

A-

TMNT Voice Talents Sarah Michelle Gellar, Mako, Patrick Stewart, Chris Evans, Kevin Smith and Ziyi Zhang.

I grew up a die-hard Ninja Turtles fan, I mean DIE HARD. When I went to visit my cousins in the hills, who lived on a ranch type property, we "trained" to be ninjas. I saw the first two live action movies, but was wise enough to bypass Turtles in Time as it was obviously a steaming pile. None the less, this movie follows those plot lines more or less and continues a few years after.

The only continuity problem I had was that ace reporter April O'Neil was now some antiquities dealer specializing in South American artifacts. Casey and April are living together, but their relationship is never truly stated until the end. They do do a solid job of keeping the type of characters they had in the movies, though thankfully they got rid of Splinter "making a funny".

This is a more serious version of the Turtles, one the RPG and comic book fans can enjoy, but not serious enough to drive away parents and children. The animation is absolutely fantastic and fits this type of movie perfectly. I would actually suggest this type of movie if they're not going to redo GI Joe. The movie itself is more about Leo and Raph's relationship and what happens when there is no one left to fight. What it does do is set up the franchise very well to continue on from this point, and I hope they made enough money to do just that.

B+

A Shooting In Blacksburg

2007-04-16T09:56:00.000-05:00

VA Tech had a shooting this morning in one of their dorms closing the school today.

The state university posted an advisory on its Web site advising students that a shooting had occurred at a residence hall and a "gunman is loose on the campus." The university also told students to stay in their homes away from windows.

My co-worker I think said it best, "How much money do you want to put that the gunman's last name is Vick."

There may be more news as there appear to be reports that there may have been another shooting there. In all seriousness it's sad that we cannot keep the shootings only to high schools these days, as they are permeating to higher levels of education. That or VA Tech is just trying to be like UT, and that's just really sad.

In all seriousness, thoughts, prayers and what not go out to the friends and family of those who died today.

Henry Rollins Friday

2007-04-13T10:34:00.000-05:00

One of the more amusing anecdotes from his Spoken Word series

Friday the 13th

2007-04-13T09:44:00.000-05:00

I will make a bigger post later explaining my love for campy slasher flicks from the 80s but till then enjoy this tribute

RIP Mr. Vonnegut

2007-04-12T10:20:00.000-05:00

I've sat here the majority of the morning attempting to write something worthy enough as some form a remembrance for Kurt Vonnegut. Granted I've only read a few of his works, but that's more due to time constraints and constantly reading then on the works themselves. What I have read I have enjoyed immensely, and he is truly a one of a kind American and easily in the top ten most interesting people of the 20th century, least for me he is.

His mother committed suicide on mother's day, he was a Nazi prisoner of war in Dresden and witnessed the Dresden bombing first hand. In fact he was one of only seven American POWs to survive the bombing. He adopted three of the four children of his sister after she died of cancer and her husband died in a train wreck, all in the same week. He is without a doubt one of the most influential American writers of the last century, and even played himself in Back To School with Rodney Dangerfield, writing a paper...about himself.

When people say, "They broke the mold when he was bored." it definitely can be said about Kurt Vonnegut. I mean who can argue with a man who said,

"If you really want to disappoint your parents, and don't have the nerve to be gay, go into the arts."

The man revered Mark Twain as an American saint, who can argue, and in a way foretold his death in Vonnegut style. Kilgore Trout, who many view as the projection of himself, dies at the age of eighty-four, the same age Kurt was. I don't know if I can do this man any can of literary justice what so ever so I'm gonna stop attempting to do so. All I can say is thank you for giving us such masterpieces...

"George W. Bush has gathered around him upper-crust C-students who know no history or geography....[about 2004 election]no matter which one wins, we will have a Skull and Bones President at a time when entire vertebrate species, because of how we have poisoned the topsoil, the waters and the atmosphere, are becoming, hey presto, nothing but skulls and bones."-Kurt Vonnegut from A Man Without A Country

Throwback Thursday Colon Edition

2007-04-12T09:46:00.000-05:00

Hey, the movie comes out this weekend, gotta support it

Weds Wrap Around

2007-04-11T10:42:00.000-05:00

I don't know why this week feels like it has been going on for an indefinite amount of time, but it does. It is just Wednesday and yet it feels like the weekend will never get here. It is a big night tonight since we have softball starting tonight and the Top Design season finale tonight. I swear, I may start a riot if that bitch Carisa wins tonight. I never thought I would ever cheer on Matt, even though he is talented, but I can not stand this bitch. Every week she crawls further under my skin with her lil uppity bullshit, I'm still pissed she wasn't booted at the garage show when she was in her own little universe.

I digress, this isn't the time for this kind of rant, it's wrap around time and I have a few choice items for you today.

BarkBarkWoof has a great article up about the advancement of stem cell studies. It involves diabetics and how they are producing their own insulin after beginning treatment. Of course Shrubbery has declared he will veto and legislation blah blah blah. They sum it up best with, "His morality is killing people." Then again, that's not the only way he's killing people.

Hurrah, we all should give a huzzah to Henry Waxman, or who I like to call the busiest man in DC who isn't the paper shredder/burner for the administration. This goes into a lil more detail about subpoenas issued to Berto and his bandits.

Conrad Burns spoke about it and now apparently Rep. Gingrey, not Gingrich, who is on the Armed Forces Commission says there is a Super Secret Plan B in the works before the next election. If that doesn't work I'm sure the Super Duper Ninja Secret Plan C will be unleashed in 2010, and so on until they are all out of power. I think it's about time we put them on Double Secret Probation.

Tom Delay I think is attempting to use the Internet, he has to be. I've never seen this amount of Godwinning from anyone who wasn't on the net. The problem is he problem saw the definition and actually thought it was a GOOD idea.

Torture some of you said would never happen to an American by American hands. That habeas corpeus would never be suspended, that no American's basic rights would never be thrown out the window. Well, you were wrong trusting fools. You look at this administration sometimes with the glass half full view, when the rest of us realize that there is nothing left in the glass, and that they have hit it with a sledge hammer.

Townhall is usually a place of scum and villainy where the right finds refuge in the blogsphere. This article however is not surprising that this has happened and the exact opposite has happened. Now this would the correct course of action to take in a case like this, and one can only hope that in the future it will. Then again we all know the hell it very well may raise with the races...again.

This Just In

2007-04-11T10:22:00.000-05:00

Apparently there is a song by Nappy Roots called Ho Down on their album Watermelon, Chicken and Gritz. I eagerly await to hear their thoughts on this whole Imus situation.

New Season Is A Comin

2007-04-10T09:56:00.000-05:00

You may ask yourself, hey, where are you in this picture? Well I'm definitely in it, but the photographer, damn him to hell, cut me off. You see I was laying on the floor in all my glory and was cut completely out. How's that for a sign of respect? Well we are mere weeks away from the start of a new kickball season, hell next Friday is not only our Free Friday Nights at the EWA it is also the Pre-Season party for the Potomac Division. Which means, as the CZAR of all media, I need to get my butt in order and start working on the pre-season GMOT.

The GMOT, if you have not been paying attention, is the Ghost Man On Third Newsletter that we put out and I have been given full editorial control...yes, I too agree this is a bad idea. I really do need to make that video before next week...now to just get what to say down without offending...too many people. I'm gonna try not to piss of EVERYONE, but then I was never to good at that so I will just be my charming self.

Along with the new season of kickball comes a new season of DJing and as such I've been updating my CDs, getting requests, and slowly listening to the crap they request as to try to defuse the anger I was legend for. Hell, this even consists of listening to a few country songs seeing as D-Rob is always known for it. We're talking O.A.R., The Killers, and of course...Kelly Clarkson.

I've also been working on my format of the GMOT, you know true editorial type deals. Perhaps I will make it like a Newspaper front page, but it depends on involved that gets. I want to have it out Weds afternoon each week, which doesn't give me too much time so it may be pushed back to Thursday just for those who do actually work at jobs where they have to work and still want to contribute to the GMOT.

That being said, don't be surprised if my entries are less...exspansive...as they are now, but I will put links up to the GMOT so you can at least still see my work, and have no idea what we're talking about.