Two ramblings

Argh. What a frustrating game yesterday. I'm not all that pissed about the ending - although I was jumping up and down on my couch screaming "HE GOT PUSHED OUT!" -but we didn't deserve to win. 4 turnovers (resulting in 21 points), too many stupid penalties, including a key 3rd and 4 in the first quarter, where our CB LeighBodden made the stop and caused an incomplete pass. He then saw the ball on the ground and - yes! - kicked it. 5 yeard penalty. First down. On that drive, Arizona drove for a TD.

"I didn't know it was a penalty", said Bodden.

Wow. And who didn't tell you that was a rule? It only happened LIKE TWO WEEKS AGO in OUR GAME vs. THE RAVENS!

Gees.

Anyway, two random topics as I dream about more pumpkin pie:

1) Did anyone catch the CNN/YouTube debate controversy? Apparently, at the primary debate last Thursday, there was a question submitted from a "voter" about gays in the military. It turned out that the submitter was a general who is associated with the Hillary campaign. Another questioner was found out to be a supporter of John Edwards.

Wow. Too much sloppiness on CNN's part to talk about. But this is a clear example of media bias and ignorance. Hear me out.

What is the point of a Republican primary debate? This is for Republicans to learn more about their candidate so that THE MEMBERS OF THE PARTY can choose their candidate. So, naturally, the questions should focus around the concerns of the party's members.

CNN could not understand the Republican party less. How it thinks that a gays in the military question is appropriate is beyond me. If anyone were to ask me about the political issues of the day, I'd prioritize them as:

1. Terrorism/the War
2. Illegal Immigration
3. Taxes
4. Iran/other Foreign Policy
5. Corruption/Earmarks
....
65. The "horse collar" rule. Can some candidate tell me what the hell a horse collar tackle is and why the Browns get called for it, but when Jamal Lewis is tackled in the same manner by Mr. Murder, Ray Lewis, there is no call?
.....
129. Gays in the military.

I am pretty sure that among Repbulicans, that issue is down on the list as well (right around cornhole policy and outlawing the 5-team teaser that is won EXCEPT FOR WHEN VA TECH RUNS A TOUCHDOWN BACK WITH 11 SECONDS LEFT!! *#&*($@Q^#^$#^@ (oh, sorry).

CNN completely demonstrates that they have no idea as to what makes a Republican voter tick by asking this question. Can you imagine if a flat tax question was popped up to Hillary?

Should this question be asked in the general election debates? Absolutely. But it's not a concern to Republican voters that are the audience for this debate.

Not knowing your audience is usually death for an organization.......but CNN can not be kileld and will continue to shape policy/questions their way, audience be damned.

And the fact that CNN couldn't bother to fact check and determine that the questioner is a Democratic operative is....farcical. Can you imagine if Fox News put upa debate for Democrats and a Republican questioner slipped in?

(Oh right, the Democrats are too scared of Fox News........)

2) What's with the Johan Santana love? I don't get it. People make him out to be the greatest pitcher since......Cy Young? Pedro Martinez circa 1999?
He's good, don't get me wrong. He is a #1 starter, no question.
But is he the best starting pitcher out there on any team (which I have heard numerous people say)?

Of course not.

I saw him this year. As a fan of the Tribe, I cowered when we faced him this year. The Tribe's result against Santana?

Win.
Win.
Win.
Win.
Win.

Santana was 0-5 against us this year.

Postseason? His numbers are mediocre, at best. 1-3 with a 3.97 ERA.

1-3.

Again, not the stuff of the best pitcher in the AL.

You can make a case he is the 5th best pitcher in the AL, behind Beckett, Sabathia, Haren and Lackey.

Is the 5th best pitcher in the AL worth a complete surrendering of the farm system, if you were Boston or New York?

No.