For most of my life I hated baseball. It seemed too boring, too slow, too blah. Shortly after college when a few of my friends were fanatics for the Red Sox I decided I should at least start to see what was doing and, as a suggestion from Best Man, started rooting for the joke-of-the-MLB Detroit Tigers. I can't say that I actually watched a single game during this time but at least now when these Sawx fans were going on and on about baseball I could talk about my favorite player, Juan Gonzalez. Wow, look at me!
Shortly thereafter I started dating uber-Yanks fan Hot Mary and she got me watching the Evil Empire on a regular basis. This was a new thing for me. For my entire sports fan life I have had to deal with only being able to see my Redskins on teevee on those rare instances when local coverage had them playing a NY team. But with the Yankees I could watch them every day all day. It just about blew my mind. Couple that with how I started to play some fantasy baseball and I was officially hooked.
Unfortunately, I had come on to Yankee fever just around the time that they lost total sense in building an effective roster. It was all to similar to my Redskins fandom in that they just picked some aged has-been, threw a sweaty fist full of dolla bills at them, and expected success. Much like the Underpants Gnomes business model, except where the Gnomes used this formula"
1. Collect Underpants
2. ????
3. Profit!
The Redskins/ Yankees do this:
1. Throw money at old men
2. ????
3. Profit!
Anywho, the point is that this is an exciting year for me because it is the first time I will be able to watch a World Series and have a sincere interest (excluding the times I hope the Red Sox crash and burn).
Enter the Phillies. If ever there was a team in the NL equipped to handle the Yankees, Philadelphia would have to be worthy of that distinction. They play excellent defense, they can hammer the ball, they have some fantastic baserunners, and they have adequate pitching.
So please indulge me in my position by position analysis:
Catcher
Excuse me but this is a decided no-brainer. Yes, Ruiz has been raking so far this postseason with an OPS of 1.000, but I would have to be stupid to think that he was in any way shape or form a better catcher than Jorge Posada. Posada will go down as one of the better offensive catchers in MLB history. He has the resume, and he has the experience. The only thing that bites the Yanks in the ass is that Girardi decided that Jose Molina should catch for Burnett. Girardi has had a habit of over managing this ballclub. Burnett is such an erratic pitcher that the difference the catcher makes is borderline negligible. Hopefully, he comes to his senses and starts Posada.
Winner-Yanks
First Base
This is great matchup: Teixeira vs Ryan Howard. Both are big time sluggers, and Howard has been on fire so far. If this was to be based on current postseason performance so far I'd have to give the edge to him, but this isn't fantasy baseball, and defense does count. Perhaps one of the most overlooked aspects of the Yankees this year has been the effect Teixeira's glove has made on the team. It is an immense relief to look at first and not see Giambi looking like lost retard at the mall. Call me crazy, but I think Teixeira's bat is bound to wake up this week.
Winner-Even
Second Base
Another good one with Chase Utley and Robinson Cano. Both are batting great this year, and both play sound defense. These may be the two best second basemen in the league, although Pedroia and Roberts both deserve consideration. However, where Utley has the clear advantage is the fact that the dude is a great base runner having stolen over 20 bags this year.
Winner-Phils
Third Base
This isn't even close. Alex Rodriguez vs Pedro Feliz. One has an OBP of 548, the other is 212. One has 12 RBIs, the other has 2. One of them is currently leading the team is just about every offensive category, the other, well, the other is Pedro Feliz. It's amazing the turnaround A-Rod has gone through. I hated this guy for his first couple years in NY. As soon as he stopped complaining about Jeter and how no one loved him he just turned on fire. So, you're telling me that when you stop worrying about stupid shit and just start playing ball you might be a little better at the game? Who knew?
Winner-Yanks
Shortstop
Rollins vs Jeter. The move to the leadoff spot has worked wonders for Jeters game. This year has seen a resurgence in both his hitting and defensive work. He still has a tendency to hit in to double plays too much, but the leadoff spot has helped to cut down on that problem. Rollins, on the other hand has seen a big drop off in his performance. The guy is supposedly a multi-talented threat as a 20 homer/20 stolen base kind of guy, but so far this postseason he has neither. The talent is there, but he is definitely underachieving.
Winner-Yanks
Outfield
Here you have Damon-Melky-Swisher vs Francisco/Ibanez-Victorino-Werth. This is a position in which the Phillies have a clear cut advantage. Francisco and Ibanez will probably be juggled at the DH spot depending on who the Yankees are pitching but both are solid players. Francisco is definitely the superior outfielder but Ibanez swings a mean bat. Victorino is the spark plug of the offense and base stealing threat. Werth has had a breakthrough season in which he mashed over 30 homers. For the Yankees, Damon has found that hitting in new Yankee stadium has definitely agreed with him, but his weak arm has been well documented. Cabrera is having a career year after initially losing the center fielder job to Brett Gardner. Swisher carried this damn team on his back in the early season, but this postseason has not been kind to him.
Winner-Phils, by a mile
DH
This is probably going to come down to Matsui vs Ibanez/Stairs. Given what Ibanez is capable of doing as seen in the early season, it looks like he could carry the advantage, but he has definitely not been hitting the ball well. Stairs is hard to get a good idea on as he has only had 4 plate appearances so far. Matsui has found some success in the DH spot now that his legs no longer enable him to play in the field. He's only hitting about 240 but he's also been walked 8 times.
Winner-even
Rotation
Sabathia vs Lee-This should be a great matchup. I wonder what Cleveland thinks about seeing two of their former Cy Young winners going head to head in game 1.
Pedro vs Pettitte-Two postseason veterans. Sounds like fun to me. Pedro has lost alot but he's a compensated and, so far, has been pitching well this year. Pettitte is postseason warrior and has been throwing the ball very well.
Hamels vs Burnett-These are two fellas who are capable of shutting down the opposition at any given moment. However, they're also capable of having a complete blowup. It's hard to believe that Hamels was the hero of World Series last year for Philadelphia. What the hell happened to that guy?
Blanton vs Gaudin-These two might not get a turn in the rotation if either team gets what they want. If they do, Blanton would probably have the advantage. He had himself a comeback year
while Gaudin is adjusting from leaving the spacious confines of PETCO park to the homer fest known as Yankee Stadium
Winner-Even
Bullpen
What was one the strength of the Yankees in the Hughes-Rivera combo is now looking quite suspect with Phil's recent troubles. Girardi is also mismanaging the relief arms and seems to have a problem with letting Robertson get it done. Philly on the other hand is suddenly seeing Lidge throw the ball with authority after a miserable regular season. However, they have a number of struggling arms in Madon, Happ, and Park.
Winner-Yanks
Management
Girardi is managing like an asshole.
Winner-Phils
All told, the matchup looks great. I think it will be close and I think it will be dramatic.
Prediction- Yankees in 7
Let's go Yanks!!!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Adding insult to injury
Mios dios. I have to apologize on behalf of all of Redskins nation for the public being subject to the slow agonizing torture that is "Redskins being televised nationally". This game... was awful! The Redskins finally get a chance to play a team that has actually won a game and the promptly respond by turning the ball over 4 times. Four fucking times!!! Campbell was on the run the entire time. And by "on the run" I mean staring blankly at swarms of Eagles coming at him. That game was awful.
Readers of deadspin will know that Mr Daniel Snyder has been waging a personal battle against the fans. Why exactly is he drowning out the very same people who allow the team to function? Somewhere in the trail of links is a column by somebody at the Washington Post who states that a team spokesman released a statement saying that the behavior of these upset supporters are not representative of "real fans". How delusional is that? So, the only real fans are actually cheering for this team which has zero direction, even less talent, and no possibility of success this year? I find it awfully hard to believe that an uber-successful businessman like Snyder is so far removed from reality.
Unfortunately, this is old news. The real kick in the pants from Monday Night's embarrassment is that my boy, Chris Cooley, broke his ankle and could now be out for the season, at worst, or as little as 4 weeks, at best. Perhaps it's a blessing in disguise. The game, even as unwatchable as it was, had a couple of bright spots in that the young bucks Fred Davis and Devin Thomas actually got involved in the offense. Maybe losing his favorite target and getting new play calling from Sherman Lewis will force this offense to open it up and take some shots. At this point, the season is lost. What do they have to lose by venturing out of their comfort zone? Their offense is anemic and painful to watch. Let's at least give the loyal fans who are still paying money a good show. That's the least they can offer.
Unless of course "real fans" like Tom Cruise disagree.
There is a silver lining to it all of course. Just not for me, or you. What puts a smile on my face is that Chris Cooley will be in good hands as he is nursed back to health.
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Readers of deadspin will know that Mr Daniel Snyder has been waging a personal battle against the fans. Why exactly is he drowning out the very same people who allow the team to function? Somewhere in the trail of links is a column by somebody at the Washington Post who states that a team spokesman released a statement saying that the behavior of these upset supporters are not representative of "real fans". How delusional is that? So, the only real fans are actually cheering for this team which has zero direction, even less talent, and no possibility of success this year? I find it awfully hard to believe that an uber-successful businessman like Snyder is so far removed from reality.
Unfortunately, this is old news. The real kick in the pants from Monday Night's embarrassment is that my boy, Chris Cooley, broke his ankle and could now be out for the season, at worst, or as little as 4 weeks, at best. Perhaps it's a blessing in disguise. The game, even as unwatchable as it was, had a couple of bright spots in that the young bucks Fred Davis and Devin Thomas actually got involved in the offense. Maybe losing his favorite target and getting new play calling from Sherman Lewis will force this offense to open it up and take some shots. At this point, the season is lost. What do they have to lose by venturing out of their comfort zone? Their offense is anemic and painful to watch. Let's at least give the loyal fans who are still paying money a good show. That's the least they can offer.
Unless of course "real fans" like Tom Cruise disagree.
There is a silver lining to it all of course. Just not for me, or you. What puts a smile on my face is that Chris Cooley will be in good hands as he is nursed back to health.
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"Yeah, it's me, Mr. Squirrel, not a plastic explosive or anything..."
Some songs don't need lyrics. Tool speaks the language ROCK!
I'm making a push to have my fiance walk down the aisle to this jam but chances are high that it ain't gonna fly.
Perhaps the most epic song ever written and one of the coolest bass grooves in existence. Ride the wave, kiddies!
Friday, October 23, 2009
The definition of a "slump buster"
So yeah, Steve Phillips of ESPN and former NY Mets GM fame, has done got himself in to a dilly of a pickle. He went ahead and ended his marriage due to the sweet alluring charms of this ESPN employee:
Take a good look at that. This homely maiden is Brooke Hundley, a fellow ESPN employee whom Phillips thought was worth dipping his pen in the company ink. What in God's name made him think this was a good idea. He can no longer brag about being the guy to discover David Wright. This chick is now his crowning achievement.
Not only does she look like a dump truck, she's also completely out-of-her psychotic. She left a letter for Steve's wife, telling her how their catholic faith shouldn't get in the way of annulment because God wants everyone to be happy, and she also plowed her car in their house. Oh yeah, she also friended little Steve Jr on facebook and pretended to be a classmate or some other shit.
Way to go, Steve. Hopefully you get all of this straightened out during your "leave of absence".
Update: Phillips done got himself fired!!! Awww Nawww!!!
Take a good look at that. This homely maiden is Brooke Hundley, a fellow ESPN employee whom Phillips thought was worth dipping his pen in the company ink. What in God's name made him think this was a good idea. He can no longer brag about being the guy to discover David Wright. This chick is now his crowning achievement.Not only does she look like a dump truck, she's also completely out-of-her psychotic. She left a letter for Steve's wife, telling her how their catholic faith shouldn't get in the way of annulment because God wants everyone to be happy, and she also plowed her car in their house. Oh yeah, she also friended little Steve Jr on facebook and pretended to be a classmate or some other shit.
Way to go, Steve. Hopefully you get all of this straightened out during your "leave of absence".
Update: Phillips done got himself fired!!! Awww Nawww!!!
The only thing that could have made the Rams season worse
I don't like Rush Limbaugh. Not at all. He is an expertly guided hypocrite missile aimed at the Democrats/liberals. So when it came out that the group planning to buy the St Louis Rams had dropped him from their efforts I would be lying if I said that it didn't make me happy. Rush has every right to do with his money as he wishes, but it's also the right of others to exclude him from their business proposal.
Rush is in the business of saying offensive scandalous things. He's built his entire reputation on this and has gotten paid very very well by doing so. He is well within his rights as an American citizen (although I have yet to see his birth certificate) to say whatever he wants on the radio and get paid for doing it. What Rush seems to have no clear concept of is the idea of consequence.
As with most things and with most people, there are consequences to ones actions. Certain people who have mucho de money and mucho de power can avoid most of these as long as they stay within their little bubble of influence. In Limbaugh's world, he's a god. He's untouchable. But time and time again, whenever he has ventured outside of his world things have not gone too well.
Although, Rush may deny it at every opportunity, he has steadily built up a body of work that may lead a large number of people to believe things about him. If it were one or two instances, maybe I could believe the excuses. However, this is years and years of his work on the radio. That's fine, he can say what he wants, but after all this time of saying things about black people, mexican people, european people, and whatever people there are... it's really easy to believe this man is racist.
Listen, I understand that Obama being elected has caused a huge race card shit storm sweeping all over the nation. I used to be a huge fan of Keith Olbermann's show Countdown but at some point he became one of those pundits who started calling everyone a racist and that really turned me away from his program. But, with Rush, it just has been too much a part of what he does to be able to make any rational excuses about it.
So when it became known that Rush was a part of the group hoping to buy an NFL franchise, the disapproval by many was not surprising. It must have been a bitter disappointment for the radio show host. The man is football-lover, which I can appreciate, and big time fan of the Steelers. But a number of players and owners all came forth with criticism about Limbaugh. The commissioner even released a statement. It just wasn't going to work, and to avoid any potential problems, Rush was dropped from the group. One would think that in the face of all of this opposition, perhaps Rush would see the error in his ways.
But, alas, this is not a Shakespeare story, but rather another chapter in the life of Rush Limbaugh. The reason for this turn of events does not lie in the actions of Limbaugh, according to him. As with all things, the blame for all of the horrible things that happen in America, and America's Anchorman, can be placed squarely on liberals.
"This is not about the NFL, it's not about the St. Louis Rams, it's not about me. This is about the ongoing effort by the left in this country, wherever you find them, in the media, the Democrat Party, or wherever, to destroy conservatism, to prevent the mainstreaming of anyone who is prominent as a conservative.Therefore, this is about the future of the United States of America and what kind of country we're going to have."
In all honesty I believe this story serves as a huge clue as to how this man operates. In his own mind he has built up liberals to epic nightmarish proportions. Liberals, in the mind of Rush, are the boogieman hiding in the closet. For the longest time I have wondered if he is serious about the crazy shit he says, or if he is simply operating on an agenda to further the conservative movement. Although that is still a possibility, his childish reaction to not getting what he wants has convinced me along the line of thinking that this is stuff that he actually believes. A life built around sitting in front of his golden microphone and spouting rhetoric day after day has done a far better job of indoctrination on himself than anything the President could have accomplished with an hour on tv in front of school children.
In other crazy conservative pundit batshit crazy news:
- Glen Beck tells his audience that "progressives were slaveowners"
- Ann Coulter debates with Joy Behard (how fucking annoying must that debate be) states that "presidential assassins were all liberals"
Thursday, October 22, 2009
"I have found some kind of temporary sanity in this"
That's Tool gettin it done!
A couple of weeks ago I had the chance to watch a couple movies I've been wanting to see. First off was District 9. I heard a lot of good things about it and it's symbolism and sci-fi goodness. When I finally got to see it I have to say that the reviews were dead on. The movie was bad ass. Sure, there was a bunch of plot holes, but I won't let that get in the way. Parts of it were slightly disturbing, as advertised, and taken as the metaphor that it is supposed to be I suppose it's moving on a human level. The action was the main selling point, though. I'd definitely give it a couple extra viewings.
Final verdict: 4 Lebowskis
I also got to take Transformers 2 for a ride. The reviews weren't nearly as kind to this one and more than one fancy pants movie critic went out of his or her way to shit directly on the fine work of Bay. As I said in a previous post, people who even consider seeing this movie know what they have coming. They're not looking for something deep and thoughtful. They want robot battles. You think it's easy delivering a robot battle? Eh, the movie was entertaining for the most part. Waaaay too long though. If I recall correctly this thing clocked in at over 2 hours. Totally unnecessary. If I had to pick the thing that bothered me the most it would have to be that way too many generic Transformers were inserted in to this thing for the simple purpose of providing a death count. Kind of lame. But, Optimus and Bumblebee tore some shit up, Turturro is good, Sam's parents are funny, Megan did her thing, and it appears that they have this thing set up for an infinite number of sequels.
Final Verdict: 3 Lebowskis.
Dingers!!!
Congratulations to the Phillies for securing themselves a repeat appearance in the World Series. I can only wonder if it was as painful for them to play in the game last night as it was for me to watch it. The game had been on for about 2 hours by the time that they got half way through the 4th inning. Total game time: 3 hours and 40 minutes. Eesh. So, the game took forever. I finally quit when the score was something like 8-3. Accountants need sleep.
All I can really recall from the game was a shitload of homers, Vincent Padilla looking like he was in a full sweat, and Cole Hamels throwing the ball no where near the strike zone. There was a total of 7 homers last night. Most of them in the first 2 innings. Not a great game, but a series clinching one none the less. Thus dies the hopes of a Torre vs Girardi match up. That would have been the balls.
It's a bit premature to preview a Yanks-Phillis World Series but all signs seem to be point to that being the case. Hopefully New York can wrap things up tonight and not blow it. Burnett vs Lackey... I'm not to keen on AJ but hopefully he will keep the ball in the park just enough to end the hopes of California having a place in the main event.
All I can really recall from the game was a shitload of homers, Vincent Padilla looking like he was in a full sweat, and Cole Hamels throwing the ball no where near the strike zone. There was a total of 7 homers last night. Most of them in the first 2 innings. Not a great game, but a series clinching one none the less. Thus dies the hopes of a Torre vs Girardi match up. That would have been the balls.
It's a bit premature to preview a Yanks-Phillis World Series but all signs seem to be point to that being the case. Hopefully New York can wrap things up tonight and not blow it. Burnett vs Lackey... I'm not to keen on AJ but hopefully he will keep the ball in the park just enough to end the hopes of California having a place in the main event.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
The Redskins are an awful awful team...
Meh. My loyalties are being tested this year. So we're now heading in to Week 6 of the 2009 NFL season and my Redskins are sitting not-so-pretty at 2-3. On the schedule this weekend are the Kansas City Chiefs. The 0-5 Chiefs, that is.
Thus continues the trend so far; the 'Skins have yet to play a team that has won a game:
1-NYG 0-0 L
2-STL 0-1 W
3-DET 0-2 L
4-TB 0-3 W
5-CAR 0-3 L
6-KC 0-5 ??? (L... no confidence)
The NFC East is a beast. Annually you can expect at least 3 of the teams to be competitive. After the Week 1 dismantling in the Meadowlands there was this wonderful streatch of 5 games against horrible teams in which the Redskins had a great chance to build up a lead in the division. Instead, we stand a game under .500 and are now considered the joke of the league. Last week on Deadspin the resident dick joke guy, Drew Magary, wrote up a little piece on my team and I take issue with none of it.
Once the Chiefs further embarrass the team we embark on a brutal six week stretch:
7-PHI
8-bye
9-ATL
10-DEN
11-DAL
12-PHI
13-NO
If we can get one win out of that I will be surprised. So, for the sake of projections let's say that when the next break comes along in Week 14 against the Raiders, the Skins will already be firmly eliminated with a record of 3-9.
Every year I get excited for the NFL. And every year the Redskins give me a kick to the pants.
Damn you Dan Snyder!!!
Thus continues the trend so far; the 'Skins have yet to play a team that has won a game:
1-NYG 0-0 L
2-STL 0-1 W
3-DET 0-2 L
4-TB 0-3 W
5-CAR 0-3 L
6-KC 0-5 ??? (L... no confidence)
The NFC East is a beast. Annually you can expect at least 3 of the teams to be competitive. After the Week 1 dismantling in the Meadowlands there was this wonderful streatch of 5 games against horrible teams in which the Redskins had a great chance to build up a lead in the division. Instead, we stand a game under .500 and are now considered the joke of the league. Last week on Deadspin the resident dick joke guy, Drew Magary, wrote up a little piece on my team and I take issue with none of it.
Once the Chiefs further embarrass the team we embark on a brutal six week stretch:
7-PHI
8-bye
9-ATL
10-DEN
11-DAL
12-PHI
13-NO
If we can get one win out of that I will be surprised. So, for the sake of projections let's say that when the next break comes along in Week 14 against the Raiders, the Skins will already be firmly eliminated with a record of 3-9.
Every year I get excited for the NFL. And every year the Redskins give me a kick to the pants.
Damn you Dan Snyder!!!
Do people really take this guy seriously?
Ugh... I guess it takes a Planet Fitness viewing of the Glen Beck show to bring me back from a week long blog hiatus. Because the TV receiver at the machine I was using produced a horrible squeal while I was trying to listen to ESPN, I was forced to look for alternative entertainment. Against my better judgment, I decided to tune in to my good pal Beck and see what was grinding his gears today.
I've noticed that Beck has a tendency to take two unrelated topics, force them to so
und like they are similar, and move on as if this is the truth. He basically centers each episode on false assumptions. When he was in the middle of the ACORN diatribe, after he reached the conclusion of the whole pimp & prostitute scandal, he went on to say how these employees were "community organizers". He then jumped from that to how we didn't know what community organizers really do, but now we do. So, luckily for us, Beck assisted us in determining that Obama's time as a community planner involved cheating taxes, prostitution, smuggling foreign under-age girls for said prostitution, drugs, and murder. He does this without missing a beat.
Yesterday he was focused on everyone's favorite current events topic: health care. He brought on... some guy. He might have been a CIA dude or not, I can't recall. His area of "expertise" was hostage situations. Beck had him explain the traits of a hostage takeover. Dude gleefully described situations as quick and violent. Beck then went on for the entire segment to associate the health care reform efforts to a terrorist hostage situation. I couldn't believe it.
Actually, let me correct myself. Beck initially said that he didn't want to jump to any conclusions and compare the two. Having made that disclaimer, he then went on to jump to conclusions and compared the two.
First, how long has health care reform been a goal of the Democratic Party??? 20... 40... 50 years? This is not a surprise!!! This is not a sneak rushed attack against the American people!!! Everyone knew this was coming. Show me a piece of legislation that either party has not said needed to be "signed quickly". You know why both parties do this? Because as sure as shit the other party is going to do it's best to slow down the process in hopes that it stalls forever.
The Republicans keep saying publicly that they want to slow down the workings on this reform. I would have a much easier time of believing that if it weren't for the fact that in multiple instances word has leaked out that they want it to go so slow that it ultimately dies. At least be honest enough and say, "we have no intention of passing any sort of health reform. You might as well forget about even working with us." That, I would respect. Each side has it's own agenda. If the Republicans had any intention of doing something like this they would have addressed it during their 6 years of dominance.
Second, Beck seemingly tentatively asks his "expert" if violence could be interpreted as vocal violence rather than physical. When dude, again gleefully, says "yes", Beck begins to build the case that the poor teabaggers are being treated oh so harshly by their critics. The poor teabaggers and townhall disruptors are being "shouted down". I almost laughed myself off the stairmaster at that point. This Beck guy, he's serious, right? Is he a satire like Stephen Colbert? The fact that he is applying the label of "terrorist" to people shouting down a group of people who are themselves shouting down and slowing down the democratic process... I don't even know how to handle that.
He piles it even thicker by saying that he and his ilk are not encouraging violent behavior. All he is doing is allowing these poor people to "blow off some steam". So, the conclusion is that when Beck and his people are doing their thing, it's therapeutic. When others do, they're terrorists.
Again, who the fuck is the guy and why the fuck do people think he's relevant?
At that point, I had had enough and powered up the Ipod to let Mike Mcready do his thang, as only he can...
I've noticed that Beck has a tendency to take two unrelated topics, force them to so
und like they are similar, and move on as if this is the truth. He basically centers each episode on false assumptions. When he was in the middle of the ACORN diatribe, after he reached the conclusion of the whole pimp & prostitute scandal, he went on to say how these employees were "community organizers". He then jumped from that to how we didn't know what community organizers really do, but now we do. So, luckily for us, Beck assisted us in determining that Obama's time as a community planner involved cheating taxes, prostitution, smuggling foreign under-age girls for said prostitution, drugs, and murder. He does this without missing a beat.Yesterday he was focused on everyone's favorite current events topic: health care. He brought on... some guy. He might have been a CIA dude or not, I can't recall. His area of "expertise" was hostage situations. Beck had him explain the traits of a hostage takeover. Dude gleefully described situations as quick and violent. Beck then went on for the entire segment to associate the health care reform efforts to a terrorist hostage situation. I couldn't believe it.
Actually, let me correct myself. Beck initially said that he didn't want to jump to any conclusions and compare the two. Having made that disclaimer, he then went on to jump to conclusions and compared the two.
First, how long has health care reform been a goal of the Democratic Party??? 20... 40... 50 years? This is not a surprise!!! This is not a sneak rushed attack against the American people!!! Everyone knew this was coming. Show me a piece of legislation that either party has not said needed to be "signed quickly". You know why both parties do this? Because as sure as shit the other party is going to do it's best to slow down the process in hopes that it stalls forever.
The Republicans keep saying publicly that they want to slow down the workings on this reform. I would have a much easier time of believing that if it weren't for the fact that in multiple instances word has leaked out that they want it to go so slow that it ultimately dies. At least be honest enough and say, "we have no intention of passing any sort of health reform. You might as well forget about even working with us." That, I would respect. Each side has it's own agenda. If the Republicans had any intention of doing something like this they would have addressed it during their 6 years of dominance.
Second, Beck seemingly tentatively asks his "expert" if violence could be interpreted as vocal violence rather than physical. When dude, again gleefully, says "yes", Beck begins to build the case that the poor teabaggers are being treated oh so harshly by their critics. The poor teabaggers and townhall disruptors are being "shouted down". I almost laughed myself off the stairmaster at that point. This Beck guy, he's serious, right? Is he a satire like Stephen Colbert? The fact that he is applying the label of "terrorist" to people shouting down a group of people who are themselves shouting down and slowing down the democratic process... I don't even know how to handle that.
He piles it even thicker by saying that he and his ilk are not encouraging violent behavior. All he is doing is allowing these poor people to "blow off some steam". So, the conclusion is that when Beck and his people are doing their thing, it's therapeutic. When others do, they're terrorists.
Again, who the fuck is the guy and why the fuck do people think he's relevant?
At that point, I had had enough and powered up the Ipod to let Mike Mcready do his thang, as only he can...
Thursday, October 8, 2009
How about a list of corporations that aren't corrupt?
In response to legislation currently in the works in the effort to de-fund ACORN, it looks like there is now a fledgling effort to reduce all activity between the government and companies engaging in fraudulent activity. Representative Alan Grayson (D-Fla) has since asked for the publics' assistance in identifying said companies.
The list, so far, is impressive.
The list, so far, is impressive.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Palin around with Rogues
Here it is boys, soak this image in
"Going Rogue". That is the name of Sarah Palin's book coming soon to a Walmart near you. Word is that there's like a zillion of these books preordered for all of her many many fans. The way this lady has vaulted in to super stardom is amazing and I can't blame her for throwing a lasso around that charging bull and riding it for all it's worth.
There has been no leaked info on what exactly is going to be in this book but the obsession that the politically aware have over this lady is such that these people don't even care. Conservatives love her and liberals love to hate her.
The choice of title really baffles me, though. My understanding of the word "rogue" is that it is not a term used to describe someone in a positive light. Why not a title of "You betcha" or some sort of cheesy use of "patriot" or "America"?
Let me put something out there, in my youth I enjoyed a little Dungeons & Dragons and I recall a character class called "Rogue". Here's the description: "A rogue's real talent shines in deceit, espionage or performing acts of subterfuge: lock picking, disarming traps, stealing valuables, and assassinating key targets."
Here's how Webster sees it:
1 vagrant/tramp
2 a dishonest or worthless person :scoundrel
3 a mischievous person :scamp
4 a horse inclined to shirk or misbehave
5 an individual exhibiting a chance and usually inferior biological variation
or
1 resembling or suggesting a rogue elephant especially in being isolated, aberrant, dangerous, or uncontrollable
2 corrupt/dishonest
3 of or being a nation whose leaders defy international law or norms of international behavior
I'm not sure if she's trying to capture the mood of any of those definitions. The thing with Sarah is that she has never been one to get caught up in specifics or literal meaning. She's always been kind of a loose cannon. Make shit up along the way, shoot from the hip, and let the elitists try to to clean up after her. What she really wants to do is evoke emotion out of the people who love her and aren't bright enough to dissect what it is exactly that she is saying.
As it has always been since she showed up, a slogan (drill baby drill, paling around with terrorists, death panels) has proven to be much more effective to her target audience than a well-thought out idea.
Now excuse me, I have to go preorder this book STAT!
"Going Rogue". That is the name of Sarah Palin's book coming soon to a Walmart near you. Word is that there's like a zillion of these books preordered for all of her many many fans. The way this lady has vaulted in to super stardom is amazing and I can't blame her for throwing a lasso around that charging bull and riding it for all it's worth.There has been no leaked info on what exactly is going to be in this book but the obsession that the politically aware have over this lady is such that these people don't even care. Conservatives love her and liberals love to hate her.
The choice of title really baffles me, though. My understanding of the word "rogue" is that it is not a term used to describe someone in a positive light. Why not a title of "You betcha" or some sort of cheesy use of "patriot" or "America"?
Let me put something out there, in my youth I enjoyed a little Dungeons & Dragons and I recall a character class called "Rogue". Here's the description: "A rogue's real talent shines in deceit, espionage or performing acts of subterfuge: lock picking, disarming traps, stealing valuables, and assassinating key targets."
Here's how Webster sees it:
1 vagrant/tramp
2 a dishonest or worthless person :scoundrel
3 a mischievous person :scamp
4 a horse inclined to shirk or misbehave
5 an individual exhibiting a chance and usually inferior biological variation
or
1 resembling or suggesting a rogue elephant especially in being isolated, aberrant, dangerous, or uncontrollable
2 corrupt/dishonest
3 of or being a nation whose leaders defy international law or norms of international behavior
I'm not sure if she's trying to capture the mood of any of those definitions. The thing with Sarah is that she has never been one to get caught up in specifics or literal meaning. She's always been kind of a loose cannon. Make shit up along the way, shoot from the hip, and let the elitists try to to clean up after her. What she really wants to do is evoke emotion out of the people who love her and aren't bright enough to dissect what it is exactly that she is saying.
As it has always been since she showed up, a slogan (drill baby drill, paling around with terrorists, death panels) has proven to be much more effective to her target audience than a well-thought out idea.
Now excuse me, I have to go preorder this book STAT!
Into the flood again... again?
Some random Friday things...
I had no idea that the new incarnation of Alice in Chains had released their first CD in something like 50 years until I checked out Deadspin this morning. Read through the football previews a bit and you'll see their youtube link to the first single. It's uncanny how new guy sounds so much like Staley. The song itself sounds so much like vintage AinC it's ridiculous. So, as can be expected, I'm mighty stoked about this. My music preferences for some reason seem to be stuck on repeat in the 1990-1995 era and haven't been able to move past brooding lyrics, thick ugly distortion, and subject matter mostly limited to losing buddies to heroin. That's Alice in Chains to a T. My lunch break may feature a trip over to Best Buy (and Subway?) later. Or perhaps I will have to scoot on home after work and visit Isohunt instead. Viva le Grunge!
And in other Friday surprises, I was also unaware that hockey started yesterday. If you were a casual ESPN radio listener you would think that the only thing that happened yesterday was this:
ALEX OVECHKIN SCORES 2 GOAAAALLLLLSSSSSS!!!!!!
rather than this:
Washington 4, Boston 1
Montreal 4, Toronto 3 OT
Calgary 5, Vancouver 3
Colorado 5, San Jose 2
Ever since the NHL signed on with Vs and broke off their relationship with ESPN, the worldwide leader has made it painfully clear that they could give two shits about hockey. If there is a person alive who cares more about Who's Now than what's happening in hockey they deserve to be sodomized with Stuart Scott's head.
Still, hockey's back and that is good for me. Despite the fact that it hasn't gotten out of the 40s here in central New York this is the best time of year. Baseball playoffs, Football, and Hockey all at my disposal. Thus ends my pathetic attempts at being outside and active as those give way to sitting in front of teevees, eating shitty food covered in cheese, and pounding Pabst Blue Ribbons. You gotta love sports!
In other news, Letterman let on last night that he's been getting down and dirty with some of his co-workers. Apparently some douche on another show has known about it and has been trying to extort some cash from Letterman. I honestly don't know if I care. Of course it's a dick move as it's safe to assume that this has been going on while he's been with whatever lady he recently married, but who's to say that they haven't already addressed this privately. Still, extortion-guy really fucked up by trying to blackmail him. You're just getting your own ass in trouble in that situation.
I had no idea that the new incarnation of Alice in Chains had released their first CD in something like 50 years until I checked out Deadspin this morning. Read through the football previews a bit and you'll see their youtube link to the first single. It's uncanny how new guy sounds so much like Staley. The song itself sounds so much like vintage AinC it's ridiculous. So, as can be expected, I'm mighty stoked about this. My music preferences for some reason seem to be stuck on repeat in the 1990-1995 era and haven't been able to move past brooding lyrics, thick ugly distortion, and subject matter mostly limited to losing buddies to heroin. That's Alice in Chains to a T. My lunch break may feature a trip over to Best Buy (and Subway?) later. Or perhaps I will have to scoot on home after work and visit Isohunt instead. Viva le Grunge!
And in other Friday surprises, I was also unaware that hockey started yesterday. If you were a casual ESPN radio listener you would think that the only thing that happened yesterday was this:
ALEX OVECHKIN SCORES 2 GOAAAALLLLLSSSSSS!!!!!!
rather than this:
Washington 4, Boston 1
Montreal 4, Toronto 3 OT
Calgary 5, Vancouver 3
Colorado 5, San Jose 2
Ever since the NHL signed on with Vs and broke off their relationship with ESPN, the worldwide leader has made it painfully clear that they could give two shits about hockey. If there is a person alive who cares more about Who's Now than what's happening in hockey they deserve to be sodomized with Stuart Scott's head.
Still, hockey's back and that is good for me. Despite the fact that it hasn't gotten out of the 40s here in central New York this is the best time of year. Baseball playoffs, Football, and Hockey all at my disposal. Thus ends my pathetic attempts at being outside and active as those give way to sitting in front of teevees, eating shitty food covered in cheese, and pounding Pabst Blue Ribbons. You gotta love sports!
In other news, Letterman let on last night that he's been getting down and dirty with some of his co-workers. Apparently some douche on another show has known about it and has been trying to extort some cash from Letterman. I honestly don't know if I care. Of course it's a dick move as it's safe to assume that this has been going on while he's been with whatever lady he recently married, but who's to say that they haven't already addressed this privately. Still, extortion-guy really fucked up by trying to blackmail him. You're just getting your own ass in trouble in that situation.
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