... I could send you clips from Browns games in 2000 where Spergon Wynn was our quarterback. Now THAT is something you could cry about.
I understand you are in mourning about Brady's injury. I can relate - I felt the same way when Tim Couch went down in 2001....and 2002.....and 2003. But we got up off the mat and played on! Played on to a 5-11 record.
Anyway, people are dancing on the grave of the Patriots because they dismiss Belichick and "he has not won a playoff game without Tom Brady". This is not true! He has won a playoff game without Brady - and the star of that game is still available!
Vinny Testaverde led the Belichick-led Browns to their last playoff win back on January 1, 1995. It seems like yesterday! And as you know, Vinny was a quarterback in this league last year.
Now all you need is a phone call, and that Belichick-Vinny magic can work for the 2008 Patriots.
Sep 9, 2008
Sep 8, 2008
Thoughts about Palin
Well, it's been a exciting two weeks in the presidential contest, no question. And the race has been turned on its end by McCain's selection of Sarah Palin, the governor of Alaska. I've got a lot of thoughts about this and they are all rambling through my head....so I apologize if they all aren't coherent.
First, this is rebranding at its best. Look, it's clear now that the Bush brand of Republicanism is not good. Politicians with an R next to their name are running scared.
So how does one re-brand the Republican label? Well, figure out what people don't like about the current brand and fix it.
We can debate about this for hours, but I believe that people turned against the R label because of:
- corruption/scandals (think Larry Craig and Abramoff)
- high spending/deficits (not in line with traditional R principles)
- lack of "humanity" and not being in touch (Katrina).
I don't think it's the war - especially now with the Surge working well.
McCain can rightfully claim that he can turn around the party on those first two planks - corruption and spending - but the third one is iffy. How can a 72-year-old white man show that he can relate to the masses?
Well, enter Palin. She complements McCain on the first prinicple and clearly shows that she is "in touch". So what do we have now? The party can now be rebuilt around:
- strong defense
- lower spending
- driving out corruption
- in touch and responsive to needs
and this rebranding has some substance behind it - since McCain /Palin have a track record on some of those issues.
It will be a long process - but it is the start of a divorce from some of Bush's domestic policies. This separation process may not be successful in 2008 - I still think this election will turn on whether the US think Obama is ready and willing to embrace him - but this rebranding could be fantastic in 2010 and beyond.
Look- those principles that McCain/Palin is trying to rebrand the party on are very similar to Newt's contract with American in 1994. 2010 could be a 1994-type election if Republican's nationwide embrace those planks.
So - again - why Palin? Well, she can be the face for those new principles for the next decades. McCain has - at most - 10 years in the public eye. Who will be the Reagan and carry the banner for decades more? Palin is being set up to be a spokeswoman for these principles - almost like a Barry Goldwater. The 2008 election may not be won, but the base for a successful rebirth of a party can form around these thoughts.
I don't think you can pick a more effective spokesperson than Palin. And yes, that has to factor into the equation in picking a VP candidate - in effect, picking another national candidate to carry the banner.
Some more thoughts:
2. Palin is an excellent pick as she walks the line between social conservatism and drawing in working women. I am amazed on how this pick has woken up the conservative base. Palin - through her social conservative views - is starting to be a cult hero to conservative women. These women weren't even sure they were going to vote this fall! This is huge.
And Palin can be seen as appealing to independent, working women....those women that are married, have children, and have a career - those women who share some child care duties with their husband as the two of them juggle day care responsibilities. THose women - I guess you can call them "soccer moms" - voted Democratic in 2006 but voted for Bush in 2004 and 2000. Palin appeals directly to them.
And where are they located? Butler, Warren, Medina, Geauga counties in Ohio, Macomb in Michigan...the suburban counties in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and northern Virginia. These are not the Clinton feminists that Palin is trying to go after.
The pick of Palin - in one fell swoop - get the social conservative on board and also should swing some soccer moms to McCain. Brilliant.
3. It's amazing how easy you can make your strategy when you know the opponent's response. For a golf analogy: if you are in match play, and know that every time you get up and down from off the green to tie a hole, it drives your opponent crazy - and that craziness causes him to swing harder and harder.......well, wouldn't you try to miss greens? Wouldn't you try miss greens, knowing you can get up and down and purposely sending your opponent off the deep end?
I swear I think the Republicans know this. The media and most liberal democrats are predictable. We can guess what their reaction is going to be - "a woman governor from Alaska? She's a dumb hick that can't possibly hold up in the national media spotlight. And besides, she has 5 kids! She can't do the job!"
Well, if you can predict that reaction, you can be one step ahead of them by preparing and strategizing against that. Her speech onWednesday was good - boiler plate attack dog stuff - but since the story was the "dumb hick" angle, she looked impressive.
By the way - if you just read the speeches and didn't know who made them, you would think the historical speech was McCain's. It is shocking to hear the presidential candidate of a party effective bash much of the party's record over the past few years. It was -as I said earlier- a start of a divorce from 2001-08.
4. For all these reasons, Palin is a great political pick. And I think that's what drives some on the other side nuts. They expect to win this election, and in their eyes can see no way how the Republicans can or should win. As a result, they expect the Republicans to almost concede - that's what a pick of Pawlenty or another white male would have been.
But the Republicans are actively giong to try to win this election - that's what the pick of Palin signifies. This, I believe, is what is scaring Democrats. Some believe - after 8 years of Bush - the Presidency should automatically be handed to them. It's not, and they will have to make a case. That's not what they were expecting - and that's why the Palin pick took them by surprise.
First, this is rebranding at its best. Look, it's clear now that the Bush brand of Republicanism is not good. Politicians with an R next to their name are running scared.
So how does one re-brand the Republican label? Well, figure out what people don't like about the current brand and fix it.
We can debate about this for hours, but I believe that people turned against the R label because of:
- corruption/scandals (think Larry Craig and Abramoff)
- high spending/deficits (not in line with traditional R principles)
- lack of "humanity" and not being in touch (Katrina).
I don't think it's the war - especially now with the Surge working well.
McCain can rightfully claim that he can turn around the party on those first two planks - corruption and spending - but the third one is iffy. How can a 72-year-old white man show that he can relate to the masses?
Well, enter Palin. She complements McCain on the first prinicple and clearly shows that she is "in touch". So what do we have now? The party can now be rebuilt around:
- strong defense
- lower spending
- driving out corruption
- in touch and responsive to needs
and this rebranding has some substance behind it - since McCain /Palin have a track record on some of those issues.
It will be a long process - but it is the start of a divorce from some of Bush's domestic policies. This separation process may not be successful in 2008 - I still think this election will turn on whether the US think Obama is ready and willing to embrace him - but this rebranding could be fantastic in 2010 and beyond.
Look- those principles that McCain/Palin is trying to rebrand the party on are very similar to Newt's contract with American in 1994. 2010 could be a 1994-type election if Republican's nationwide embrace those planks.
So - again - why Palin? Well, she can be the face for those new principles for the next decades. McCain has - at most - 10 years in the public eye. Who will be the Reagan and carry the banner for decades more? Palin is being set up to be a spokeswoman for these principles - almost like a Barry Goldwater. The 2008 election may not be won, but the base for a successful rebirth of a party can form around these thoughts.
I don't think you can pick a more effective spokesperson than Palin. And yes, that has to factor into the equation in picking a VP candidate - in effect, picking another national candidate to carry the banner.
Some more thoughts:
2. Palin is an excellent pick as she walks the line between social conservatism and drawing in working women. I am amazed on how this pick has woken up the conservative base. Palin - through her social conservative views - is starting to be a cult hero to conservative women. These women weren't even sure they were going to vote this fall! This is huge.
And Palin can be seen as appealing to independent, working women....those women that are married, have children, and have a career - those women who share some child care duties with their husband as the two of them juggle day care responsibilities. THose women - I guess you can call them "soccer moms" - voted Democratic in 2006 but voted for Bush in 2004 and 2000. Palin appeals directly to them.
And where are they located? Butler, Warren, Medina, Geauga counties in Ohio, Macomb in Michigan...the suburban counties in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and northern Virginia. These are not the Clinton feminists that Palin is trying to go after.
The pick of Palin - in one fell swoop - get the social conservative on board and also should swing some soccer moms to McCain. Brilliant.
3. It's amazing how easy you can make your strategy when you know the opponent's response. For a golf analogy: if you are in match play, and know that every time you get up and down from off the green to tie a hole, it drives your opponent crazy - and that craziness causes him to swing harder and harder.......well, wouldn't you try to miss greens? Wouldn't you try miss greens, knowing you can get up and down and purposely sending your opponent off the deep end?
I swear I think the Republicans know this. The media and most liberal democrats are predictable. We can guess what their reaction is going to be - "a woman governor from Alaska? She's a dumb hick that can't possibly hold up in the national media spotlight. And besides, she has 5 kids! She can't do the job!"
Well, if you can predict that reaction, you can be one step ahead of them by preparing and strategizing against that. Her speech onWednesday was good - boiler plate attack dog stuff - but since the story was the "dumb hick" angle, she looked impressive.
By the way - if you just read the speeches and didn't know who made them, you would think the historical speech was McCain's. It is shocking to hear the presidential candidate of a party effective bash much of the party's record over the past few years. It was -as I said earlier- a start of a divorce from 2001-08.
4. For all these reasons, Palin is a great political pick. And I think that's what drives some on the other side nuts. They expect to win this election, and in their eyes can see no way how the Republicans can or should win. As a result, they expect the Republicans to almost concede - that's what a pick of Pawlenty or another white male would have been.
But the Republicans are actively giong to try to win this election - that's what the pick of Palin signifies. This, I believe, is what is scaring Democrats. Some believe - after 8 years of Bush - the Presidency should automatically be handed to them. It's not, and they will have to make a case. That's not what they were expecting - and that's why the Palin pick took them by surprise.
Can't Wait For March Madness!
I can't believe we are already in the sporting doldrums of February. The Super Bowl has ended, pitchers and catchers are just reporting, so baseball is still a ways away. Even the NBA players don't really care about these games right now. We are just waiting for March Madness and then baseball's Opening Day to bring the sports calendar back to a more exciting place.
What's that? Its still September?? Football season didn't just end? Hmm. Thats strange, because it sure feels like it...
What's that? Its still September?? Football season didn't just end? Hmm. Thats strange, because it sure feels like it...
Sep 7, 2008
Its like Christmas morning
I'm so excited. I was telling Carol last night that I wasn't too sure I could get to sleep since I was so excited about today. I haven't been this amp'd for the football season ever. It might be due to the A's being 30 games back, or it might be because:
1. Gambling on something real. I'm tired of hunting down value in Spanish Soccer and Track and Field. Its getting old hearing gambling tips on tennis from Wiz that never pays off.
2. Fantasy Football- I trimmed down to two teams this year. My old Farmer's Insurance League in Baltimore and my old softball league. I'm pretty excited this time since I spent more than one hour prepping.
3. Sunday mornings are now fun again. Wake up around 7:00am have some coffee, make final decisions on what to bet on, go for a run, then head over to the local bar to watch the games. Now I got Ben doing it this year along with his old neighbor Mike who is from Chicago. Should be fun.
So I was thinking about my predictions for the season and I'm having a tough time picking the AFC. If you buy into the theory that 2-3 new teams will make the playoffs, then we have some tough decisions to make.
AFC: Pats, Steelers, Chargers, Titans, Jaguars, and the Colts
NFC: Cowboys, Packers, Seahawks, Bucs, Giants, and the Skins
So the Pats will win the East and I'm going with the Jags in the South. Colts will hit the wild card, but we will have 3 new teams making the playoffs.
1. Denver- Yes the Broncos. This is more of a vote of no confidence against the Chargers than anything else. And yes, this is the year that Norv will take this team down.
2. Houston- Andre Johnson is the most under-rated player in the game right now. If he can stay healthy and their RB situation gets set, I see them making huge strides.
3. Browns- Sportsguy rips the trades that they made, but I don't understand why. Run defense was terrible and they got two top notch inside guys. I think that they will hold steady at 10-6 and win the division.
NFC: GreenBay, Cowboys, and Seattle will make the playoffs. Green Bay is the best team in the NFC, not the Cowboys.
1. Eagles- Yes this seems like the popular pick, but they will take the place of the Giants this year.
2. Carolina- I just hate TB. Carolina will be without Smith at the beginning, but they will be just fine. Solid running game, solid defense, and solid coach. I like them.
3. Lions- Wildcard bound. Book it.
Superbowl- Green Bay - Pats.
1. Gambling on something real. I'm tired of hunting down value in Spanish Soccer and Track and Field. Its getting old hearing gambling tips on tennis from Wiz that never pays off.
2. Fantasy Football- I trimmed down to two teams this year. My old Farmer's Insurance League in Baltimore and my old softball league. I'm pretty excited this time since I spent more than one hour prepping.
3. Sunday mornings are now fun again. Wake up around 7:00am have some coffee, make final decisions on what to bet on, go for a run, then head over to the local bar to watch the games. Now I got Ben doing it this year along with his old neighbor Mike who is from Chicago. Should be fun.
So I was thinking about my predictions for the season and I'm having a tough time picking the AFC. If you buy into the theory that 2-3 new teams will make the playoffs, then we have some tough decisions to make.
AFC: Pats, Steelers, Chargers, Titans, Jaguars, and the Colts
NFC: Cowboys, Packers, Seahawks, Bucs, Giants, and the Skins
So the Pats will win the East and I'm going with the Jags in the South. Colts will hit the wild card, but we will have 3 new teams making the playoffs.
1. Denver- Yes the Broncos. This is more of a vote of no confidence against the Chargers than anything else. And yes, this is the year that Norv will take this team down.
2. Houston- Andre Johnson is the most under-rated player in the game right now. If he can stay healthy and their RB situation gets set, I see them making huge strides.
3. Browns- Sportsguy rips the trades that they made, but I don't understand why. Run defense was terrible and they got two top notch inside guys. I think that they will hold steady at 10-6 and win the division.
NFC: GreenBay, Cowboys, and Seattle will make the playoffs. Green Bay is the best team in the NFC, not the Cowboys.
1. Eagles- Yes this seems like the popular pick, but they will take the place of the Giants this year.
2. Carolina- I just hate TB. Carolina will be without Smith at the beginning, but they will be just fine. Solid running game, solid defense, and solid coach. I like them.
3. Lions- Wildcard bound. Book it.
Superbowl- Green Bay - Pats.
Sep 6, 2008
NFL Week 1: The Refs!
We're back for our weekly installment of predictions for the NFL games. This year's themes: introducing you to the NFL Head Referees in place for 2008! There are 17 head referees in the league -and 17 weeks to the season. How about that!
Week 1 brings us Al Riveron. Never heard of him? Neither have I! He is one of two that have been newly promoted to the head ref position this year. So he's a completely unknown quantity - just like the Week 1 games. We have no idea who is good, who is bad, overrated, underrated, or what. Everyone is presumed average until proven otherwise - and every ref is presumed innocent until guilty of a game-changing call.
(My guess is that he will be doing the Det-Atl barnburner....but watch him show up in Cleveland tomorrow.)
On to the picks:
Det 27, Atl 13. This is similar to Thursday night's game....I'm not sure what Detroit is going to do this year, but Atlanta should be in the bottom 3 of the league.
Sea 17, Buf 16. I don't get all the Buffalo love. "this is their year! 10-6!" a lot of people say. Why? Trent Edwards?
NYJ 24, Mia 16. Some agonizing here. Yes, Chad Pennington knows the Jets playbook - but on offense, can he execute? No. And do you think the NFL/CBS will let Favre lose game 1?
(By the way - Jets were 4-12 last year. The Dolphins were 1-15. So yes- CBS puts their "A" broadcasting team on the opener between the two this year! And for all those groaning that the Browns got 5 prime time games, imagine how many Jets games you will be forced to see this year....)
NE 31, KC 10. Is there something to Brady's foot injury that we don't know about?
Tampa 27, NO 24. Should be a great game, down to the wire. I think New Orleans needs a couple weeks and then they should be firing on all cylinders.
Philly 27, St Louis 20. I have no idea. Really.
Pit 27, Hou 17. Is Houston really that good enough to hang with Pittsburgh on the road? I would love to say yes....but I can't.
Ten 20, Jax 17, OT: A match of two playoff teams from the past year. This is the game that Nantz/Simms should be doing.
Bal 16, Cin 13. I can't believe I am taking Joe Flacco on his opening game rookie year.....but have you seen the Bengals at all? No O-line, no defense....this will be one ugly game.
SD 27, Car 24. A wild hunch here... and I think the Panthers will stay in it until the end.
SF 23, Az 20. Maybe the 49ers that we all expected last year will finally show up one year later.
Ind 27, Chi 10. I think the Bears will be just as bad on offense as they were last year. And why again are many people dissing the Colts?
GB 24, Min 17. I'm supposed to believe in Tavaris Jackson? People doubt the Browns because of Derek Anderson - which I can understand - but they think Tavaris will lead the Vikes to the playoffs? Hello?
Oak 23, Den 20. I am certainly not on any Jay Cutler baandwagon.
Cle 27, Dal 25. In real life, Romeo calls timeout and Dawson nails the 27 yard FG with no time left.....
Best bets: currently 1-0:
Det -3
NYJ -3
NE -15.5
TB +3
TB/NO over 42.5
Pit -6.5
Ten +3
Bal +1.5
Bal/Cin under 37.5
Car +9.5
Car/SD Over 41.5
SF +2.5
Ind -9.5
Ind/Chi Under 44
GB -2
Oak +3
Sep 4, 2008
Oh yeah, by the way...
the NFL season start tonight!
Let's begin our annual attempt to have a winning wagering season (3 out of the last 4!) with Pick 1 of the 2008 NFL year:
NY Giants 27, Washington 10. I'm not sure if the Giants are going to slip or not, but I have no faith in this Washington team.
Best bet:
NY Giants -4.5.
Let's begin our annual attempt to have a winning wagering season (3 out of the last 4!) with Pick 1 of the 2008 NFL year:
NY Giants 27, Washington 10. I'm not sure if the Giants are going to slip or not, but I have no faith in this Washington team.
Best bet:
NY Giants -4.5.
My actual nightmare
First, thanks to all for the kind notes after our son, Martin Kasper, was born. Everyone is doing well and we are adjusting to life (again) with newborn!
But life with a newborn involved little sleep. Martin got up around 1 last night, and Janice took him to the other room. She kept him in there on the rocker for most of the early morning. So I actually slept from 1:30 until I woke up from a nightmare. Here's the dream I had:
Browns down, 25-24, with 20 seconds left but we are driving at the Cowboys 30. We have 4th and 2 at the 30 - with one timeout left. We decide to go for it.
Anderson hits Winslow over the middle at the 15; Winslow runs to the 10 and is tackled with 9 seconds remaining.
Tick...Tick...tick....9....8...7...6..5....4...3...2...1......
No one calls timeout. The game ends; we lose, 25-24.
Hoo boy, did my anti-Romeo feelings from 2006 get all fired up again!
Any psychologists want to help intrepret this one?
But life with a newborn involved little sleep. Martin got up around 1 last night, and Janice took him to the other room. She kept him in there on the rocker for most of the early morning. So I actually slept from 1:30 until I woke up from a nightmare. Here's the dream I had:
Browns down, 25-24, with 20 seconds left but we are driving at the Cowboys 30. We have 4th and 2 at the 30 - with one timeout left. We decide to go for it.
Anderson hits Winslow over the middle at the 15; Winslow runs to the 10 and is tackled with 9 seconds remaining.
Tick...Tick...tick....9....8...7...6..5....4...3...2...1......
No one calls timeout. The game ends; we lose, 25-24.
Hoo boy, did my anti-Romeo feelings from 2006 get all fired up again!
Any psychologists want to help intrepret this one?
Aug 30, 2008
Wow, looks just like Eric
So for one day lets put aside on VP issues and take a momment and congratulate Eric, as his third boy was born this morning. I had some people there at the hosptial taking pictures and wanted to share. Looks like we have our 8th for Vegas.
Aug 26, 2008
Veepstakes, part 2!
Now let's review the VP choices on the Republican side. I am trying to see if I can clear my schedule to head to Dayton on Friday to see McCain unveil his VP pick for the first time publicly.
However, I'm becoming more and more convinced that this election - in general - is not about McCain and what he can promise/say/do. The election will ultimately be decided by the Hillary Clinton primary voters. Will they come home - come back home to the Democratic party? Or will they stay home and not voter out of anger/apathy/sickness on Election Day? That is the #1 question for the next 3 months.
(I'm wathcing Hillary's speech now - so far, an absolute bore, except for one zinger on Bush/McCain. "It makes sense that they have their convention in the Twin Cities! They're practically twins!" I didn't do it justice here, but that line is so far the only highlight.)
Anyway, can McCain pick a VP that may change Hillary Clinton voter dynamic - and exacerbate the split in the Democratic party? Or will he choose a VP that may influence one or two key states in an election that may be excrucriatingly close? Eric's odds:
Tim Pawlenty (MN): 5-1. A Republican governor of a somewhat blue state. I'm not sure he himself can overcome the R label and turn Minnesota from blue to red. He is a social conservative, semi-young, and telegenic, very much like Bayh. A national unknown, however. McCain would choose him if- and only if - he'd guarantee Minnesota for McCain. And I don't think he can.
Joe Lieberman (I-CT): 6-1. Wow. This would turn the race on its end. However - ask yourself this: does McCain feel he is behind enough to take this sort of a risk? If McCain was 8-10 points down (think Dole, 96), this pick would make sense. I don't think he needs to take this risk.
Rob Portman (OH): 20-1. Bush's budget director, and a former congressman from Ohio (I think from Don's district)! Very popular in SW Ohio, but that doesn't mean he can carry the state. Too unknown, no benefits.
Mike Huckabee (AR): 10-1. He's making a strong move as we come to the home stretch! What a way to thank your pirmary "opponent" (if you can call him that) by tag-teaming with McCain against Romney. And with McCain's apparent weakness on economics, this pick could shore up the blue collar vote that usually would be Democratic but don't like Obama.
But - ugh. A lot of downsides, especially to the socially moderate/progressive.
Meg Whitman (CA): 20-1. The former eBay chairwoman. I know nothing about her, but she has been mentioned as a possible candidate to shore up the domestic program of McCain. And the word "eBay" may help with the age issue for McCain. But still - a political novice? (and that's being nice?)
Tom Ridge (PA): 30-1. We have an inside source on this blog that has heard firsthand that Ridge will not be picked. Should we believe him?
Mitt Romney (MA): 3-1. I guess, by process of elimination, the front runner. The political calculation positives are pretty strong: the Mormon issue may affect him negatively in some states, but it is a strong positive in states like Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico, all battleground states that McCain needs. The Romney name is also popular in Michigan, and may turn the dial toward McCain a few points.....
but there's something about him I don't like. Too smooth, too polished, too telegenic. He seems like a car salesman. And that's a turnoff.
The Field: 1-1. I am more and more convinced McCain will choose somebody not on the above list. Newt Gingrich? Bobby Jindial (LA)? John Kasich (OH)? Carly Fiorina (Hewlett Packard)? Michael Steele (MD)?
There's a darkhorse out there somewhere. Where?
However, I'm becoming more and more convinced that this election - in general - is not about McCain and what he can promise/say/do. The election will ultimately be decided by the Hillary Clinton primary voters. Will they come home - come back home to the Democratic party? Or will they stay home and not voter out of anger/apathy/sickness on Election Day? That is the #1 question for the next 3 months.
(I'm wathcing Hillary's speech now - so far, an absolute bore, except for one zinger on Bush/McCain. "It makes sense that they have their convention in the Twin Cities! They're practically twins!" I didn't do it justice here, but that line is so far the only highlight.)
Anyway, can McCain pick a VP that may change Hillary Clinton voter dynamic - and exacerbate the split in the Democratic party? Or will he choose a VP that may influence one or two key states in an election that may be excrucriatingly close? Eric's odds:
Tim Pawlenty (MN): 5-1. A Republican governor of a somewhat blue state. I'm not sure he himself can overcome the R label and turn Minnesota from blue to red. He is a social conservative, semi-young, and telegenic, very much like Bayh. A national unknown, however. McCain would choose him if- and only if - he'd guarantee Minnesota for McCain. And I don't think he can.
Joe Lieberman (I-CT): 6-1. Wow. This would turn the race on its end. However - ask yourself this: does McCain feel he is behind enough to take this sort of a risk? If McCain was 8-10 points down (think Dole, 96), this pick would make sense. I don't think he needs to take this risk.
Rob Portman (OH): 20-1. Bush's budget director, and a former congressman from Ohio (I think from Don's district)! Very popular in SW Ohio, but that doesn't mean he can carry the state. Too unknown, no benefits.
Mike Huckabee (AR): 10-1. He's making a strong move as we come to the home stretch! What a way to thank your pirmary "opponent" (if you can call him that) by tag-teaming with McCain against Romney. And with McCain's apparent weakness on economics, this pick could shore up the blue collar vote that usually would be Democratic but don't like Obama.
But - ugh. A lot of downsides, especially to the socially moderate/progressive.
Meg Whitman (CA): 20-1. The former eBay chairwoman. I know nothing about her, but she has been mentioned as a possible candidate to shore up the domestic program of McCain. And the word "eBay" may help with the age issue for McCain. But still - a political novice? (and that's being nice?)
Tom Ridge (PA): 30-1. We have an inside source on this blog that has heard firsthand that Ridge will not be picked. Should we believe him?
Mitt Romney (MA): 3-1. I guess, by process of elimination, the front runner. The political calculation positives are pretty strong: the Mormon issue may affect him negatively in some states, but it is a strong positive in states like Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico, all battleground states that McCain needs. The Romney name is also popular in Michigan, and may turn the dial toward McCain a few points.....
but there's something about him I don't like. Too smooth, too polished, too telegenic. He seems like a car salesman. And that's a turnoff.
The Field: 1-1. I am more and more convinced McCain will choose somebody not on the above list. Newt Gingrich? Bobby Jindial (LA)? John Kasich (OH)? Carly Fiorina (Hewlett Packard)? Michael Steele (MD)?
There's a darkhorse out there somewhere. Where?
Management Question #16
So I have a little dilemma here at the office. We have a local guy who lives out of his van that parks in our parking lot at night. He has a nice big van that he lives in and a small red car that he drives. Everyday at 6:00pm, he pulls into our parking lot and parks both vehicles near the back portion of our building. He is usually very good about moving both vehicles by 7:00am. But this morning his red car was still parked in our parking lot. So I ended up driving next to his van (parked right outside of our parking lot) and honked the horn for a little bit hoping that he would wake up. No go. So the question is do I go out there and knock on the van door and ask him to move his vehicle? I don't want him to think that I've become soft, but at the same time I don't want him to get pissed at us and then vandalize our building after hours.
My staff really doesn't care and actually feeds this guy from time to time, which pisses me off. The homeless are like seagulls. You feed them once and they swarm you and won't go away. My staff is very soft. During last Thanksgiving, another homeless man built an amazing cardboard house out by our dumpster. He completed it on Wednesday afternoon right before Thanksgiving, complete with a couple of matresses and a random couch. I was going to go out there to take it down, but my staff stopped me since it was right before Thanksgiving. I gave in then and allowed it to stay up until Monday, and now I'm probably the laughing stock of the homeless community.
So do I make a point and get his car towed this morning?
My staff really doesn't care and actually feeds this guy from time to time, which pisses me off. The homeless are like seagulls. You feed them once and they swarm you and won't go away. My staff is very soft. During last Thanksgiving, another homeless man built an amazing cardboard house out by our dumpster. He completed it on Wednesday afternoon right before Thanksgiving, complete with a couple of matresses and a random couch. I was going to go out there to take it down, but my staff stopped me since it was right before Thanksgiving. I gave in then and allowed it to stay up until Monday, and now I'm probably the laughing stock of the homeless community.
So do I make a point and get his car towed this morning?
Aug 25, 2008
Aaaah! Too Much Information!
To kick off our convention coverage, I'd like to share what Bob Schieffer said in his closing remarks on "Face the Nation" this past Sunday.
Schieffer was reminiscing about covering conventions in the past, and he remarked that this would be "his 11th Democratic convention" that he covered - and he has also covered 10 Republican conventions so far.
"The first Democratic convention I covered was the convention in Chicago in 1968, which was memorable for me. It was memorable not because of the proceedings on the convention floor, but rather because 9 months after the day the convention started, my first daughter was born."
Aaah! Aaah! My ears! My eyes! The forced vision of Bob Schieffer having sex is quite a wake up call to my system.........next thing you know, Madeleine Albright will mention that August 28, 2008, is the 60th anniversary of the day she took a young Lloyd Bentsen behind the Capitol steps and (ed- this post has been terminated. )
Aug 20, 2008
Let's play veepstakes!
Today's game: the Democrats. Who will Obama pick as his VP choice?
Before we start, let's give some credit to McCain for finding a message that seems to be working. Tying Obama to random celebrities - Paris, Britney, etc. - is pure genius. It plays directly to the middle-aged white voter who still is unsure about Obama, and puts into words the hesitation. It also occured right after the time Obama was on his Europe trip and made a speech in Germany in front of 200,000 people.
One piece of advice my Dad gave me - if you want to attack something that seems unassailable, attack their strengths. Example: Burger King in the 80s. They wanted to attack McDonalds. How? They were the king - burgers fast and fresh. How do you attack them in an ad?
Answer: By attacking the fact they were fast. Why were they fast? Because they made the burger one way. You can't get it any other way. But what if you wanted a burger...your way? And a slogan was born.
McCain is doing exactly that. Obama is very popular - almost too popualr. He's attacking that image effectively. And (by chance!) where is Obama giving his acceptance speech next Thursday? Why, at Mile High Stadium in front of 75,000 people! This just adds to the celebrity/rock star label that McCain has given him. Obama has got to be careful not to provide more ammunition for that image.
Anyway, what is the end result of that ad campaign? An unquestioned tightening of the race - one poll shows McCain up 5 right now - and in the overall electoral vote count, McCain is seen to be ahead, 274-264.
There is no question that we are at the high point in McCain's campaign right now (so far?). All the toss up states are leaning McCain's way right now - Ohio, Virginia, Missouri, and so on. The good news for Obama is that it is very hard to see how Obama loses any more states. If Michigan and/or Pennsylvania start to turn to McCain, this thing could turn into a rout.
But for now, Obama should have a floor of 264 votes. The big question he needs to answer - given the current themes of the campaign and the current electoral map, can a VP pick influence either?
Some choices, with Eric's proposed odds:
1. Tim Kaine (VA): 10-1. Virginia's popular governor has been listed as a possibilitiy. Could this pick swing Virginia back to the Democrats? However - and I feel bad for saying this - I can't believe that America would elect a VP with that haircut. I'm sorry -some images do matter.
2. Joe Biden (DE): 4-1. Picking Biden would help close the "experience" issue Obama may have - Biden has 30+ years of experinece in the Senate and extensive foriegn policy credentials. However, he is the consummate Washington insider - would that hinder Obama's message of change?
One other thing - there was a presidential candidate that didn't have a lot of foreign policy items on his resume. He chose a VP who had a lot of congressional experience, various foreign policy responsibilities, and was seen as a sharp debater/good speaker.
It's not hard to draw parellels between Biden and Cheney.
3. Kathleen Sebelius (KS): 20-1. The chic rumor going around now - the Kansas governor would help with the female vote and would add to the "change" campaign them. And Sebelius is a conservative Democrat, and certainly can not be confused as a liberal. But would it deliver Kansas? The 5 electoral votes - with the current map - would make the election projected to be 269-269. (And, at this time, a tie goes to the House, which assuredly should remain Democratic).
And do we really know anything about her? What vetting is going on right now? A risky pick.
4. Dianne Feinstein (CA): 7-1. I'm surprised she's not talked about more often. The more moderate of the California senators, Feinstien has experience in Congress (16 years in the Senate) and has served on foreign policy committees, I think. She was a Clinton ally, so that may help mend some bridges. She is Jewish, but that issue should be put to rest given Lieberman's run in 2000 (and it may help in Florida). Not a bad pick.
5. Hillary Clinton (NY): 40-1. What, is Obama insane?
6. Evan Bayh (IN): 3-1. I think this is the smart pick. Bayh is the conservative senator from Indiana, and the Bayh name is powerful in that state. I would have to predict that the 11 electoral votes would swing toward Obama - meaning McCain would need another state to win. He has almost 10 years of experince in the Senate, and serves on the Armed Forces committee; he is 53 years old but looks younger, so can effectively look the part of "change".
7. The Field: 2-1. There's always a surprise lurking around the corner. As I was walking the dog, I tried to think about the last several VP picks and whether they were in the running for a VP and talked about before the announcement:
84: Ferraro: a complete surprise, and not a good choice. She did not deliver her home state.
88: Quayle (R): another complete surprise
88: Bentsen (D): I think he was mentioned on a short list as a possible balance for the northereastern Dukakis
92: Gore: yes, he was mentioned. Gore ran for President 4 years before!
96: Kemp: another surprise, not in name (since many knew him) but was not talked about as a VP candidate.
00: Cheney (R): medium surprise. He led the VP search committee - and then came back to Bush and said "nope, no qualified candidates out there....except moi!"
00: Liebermann (D): boy, it seems weird now putting a "D" next to his name! I think this was a small surprise.
04: Edwards: no surprise here.
So about half the time the pick comes out of left field.....will it happen again this week?
I say no - I say the pick is Evan Bayh. Your thoughts?
Aug 18, 2008
Seriously?!?!
Trampoline is a SPORT?
How does this make the Olympics and Softball is getting the axe?
This is stupid! Which Canadian was better? WHO CARES!
How does this make the Olympics and Softball is getting the axe?
This is stupid! Which Canadian was better? WHO CARES!
Aug 17, 2008
One more golf tournament
The last individual event for the 2008 season is upon us tomorrow. Don, Craig and I will be playing in the Cincinnati Met Mid-Am, the amateur championship for those 25 and older. Miraculously, I finished 4th last year.
Lines for tomorrow's first round action (the final 18 are on Tuesday):
Eric favored by 1 over Don
(this was a pickem until Saturday's head to head matchup)
Craig favored by 5.5 over Don
Craig favored by 4.5 over Eric
Three person special: Don, Craig and Eric's score:
Over / under set at 239.5
Results should be posted at gcga.org later in the day Monday.
And what else is tomorrow night? The Browns on Monday Night Football! I haven't posted too much on here about the Browns yet because I don't know what to say. I am nervously optimistic about this season. We are talented enough to go 11-5 or so, but if a couple of things go wrong, this could snowball into a 6-10 season.
We have so many games this year that I could see us winning or losing even if we play well:
- home vs Dallas
- both Pittsburgh games
- at Washington
- home vs NY Giants
- home vs Indianapolis
- at Tennessee
- at Jacskonville
- at Philadephia
and I don't think we are good enough (yet) to assume 4-0 vs Baltimore and Cincinnati.
Bottom line: check back with me on Sept 13. While the first game vs. Dallas is important - and I will be elated if we win and disappointed if we lose - the second game at home vs Pittsburgh is the big big big test.
If we win, expect 3 days of jubliant posts on this board.
If we lose, I will be distraught.
Lines for tomorrow's first round action (the final 18 are on Tuesday):
Eric favored by 1 over Don
(this was a pickem until Saturday's head to head matchup)
Craig favored by 5.5 over Don
Craig favored by 4.5 over Eric
Three person special: Don, Craig and Eric's score:
Over / under set at 239.5
Results should be posted at gcga.org later in the day Monday.
And what else is tomorrow night? The Browns on Monday Night Football! I haven't posted too much on here about the Browns yet because I don't know what to say. I am nervously optimistic about this season. We are talented enough to go 11-5 or so, but if a couple of things go wrong, this could snowball into a 6-10 season.
We have so many games this year that I could see us winning or losing even if we play well:
- home vs Dallas
- both Pittsburgh games
- at Washington
- home vs NY Giants
- home vs Indianapolis
- at Tennessee
- at Jacskonville
- at Philadephia
and I don't think we are good enough (yet) to assume 4-0 vs Baltimore and Cincinnati.
Bottom line: check back with me on Sept 13. While the first game vs. Dallas is important - and I will be elated if we win and disappointed if we lose - the second game at home vs Pittsburgh is the big big big test.
If we win, expect 3 days of jubliant posts on this board.
If we lose, I will be distraught.
Aug 11, 2008
These posts will keep coming....
Until we agree that this blog will officially endorse John McCain as president.
First, we found out that John McCain is a avid craps player.
Now, we find out that ABBA and Neil Diamond make it into McCain's Top 10 Songs list.
Gees, people, what more do we need?
First, we found out that John McCain is a avid craps player.
Now, we find out that ABBA and Neil Diamond make it into McCain's Top 10 Songs list.
Gees, people, what more do we need?
Aug 10, 2008
Sunday afternoon ramblings
Some random followups on golf and the olympics:
1. Finished third in the club championship. I thought I was in the lead after the first round until a 65-year old greenskeeper shot 72 after I left the clubhouse.
So I started 5 back, got to within 3, and then boarded the bogey train for a while and finished third.
The 65-year-old? He finished 9-6-9 on 16, 17, and 18 (par 4-4-5) and finished behind me. Tough, tough, tough to watch it all unfold. I was speechless.
2. Then played at the Ohio Publinx at Cook's Creek. The driver has been my worrisome club all year, so what do I do? I hit 11 of 14 fairways....and shoot 85. Could not hit any irons, and I was off with my pitches. The greens were rock hard, and I had trouble adjusting.
The 2nd round brought the complete opposite - through 11 holes, I hit 4 fairways, but made everything. I had 14 putts through 11 holes and was even for the round.
Then I had a block, leading to a triple - and then couldn't find a swing. Finished 8 over. Ugh. The problem: I have no reliable "pressure" swing anymore - the swing you need just to get the ball out there. I used to have this 230-yard gentle fade that I could atuomatically hit under any situation. Not anymore. Ugh.
The putting was phenomenal - the shortest putt I missed was a downhill 20 footer. Everything inside that was in the hole.
I'm taking a break for a week - to flush the system.
3. This golf pool that Layup and I are in, however - this is starting to be an unhelathy obsession. This pool requires you to pick a golfer for each tournament, and you can only pick a golfer once all season. Out of 120 or so people, Layup and I are 2nd at this point, a mere $1900 back of first.
I feel like a pastor of a Church - my off days are Monday; on Tuesday, it's reasearch day; Wednesday involves a 30-45 minute phone call with Layup as we argue over the pick - and then the tournament starts Thursday.
Our pick this week is Retief Goosen - and the leader (and the person directly behind us) has Phil. Entering the 4th round, Goosen is one back of Phil.
4. Go Ben! If Goosen can't win, let's see the boy from Ostrander win his second major.
5. Olympics fever is in this house now. Two pieces of evidence:
a. I actually had Freddie and Warren watching Women's basketball yesterday - Mali vs New Zealand! They chose to root for the Kiwis and were dancing around the room when they made a 3 pointer.
b. For the opening day of men's basketball, I entered in a 6-team teaser:
Russia
Spain
Croatia
Lithuania
Germany
USA
6-for-6! Winner!
Yes, I am insane.
1. Finished third in the club championship. I thought I was in the lead after the first round until a 65-year old greenskeeper shot 72 after I left the clubhouse.
So I started 5 back, got to within 3, and then boarded the bogey train for a while and finished third.
The 65-year-old? He finished 9-6-9 on 16, 17, and 18 (par 4-4-5) and finished behind me. Tough, tough, tough to watch it all unfold. I was speechless.
2. Then played at the Ohio Publinx at Cook's Creek. The driver has been my worrisome club all year, so what do I do? I hit 11 of 14 fairways....and shoot 85. Could not hit any irons, and I was off with my pitches. The greens were rock hard, and I had trouble adjusting.
The 2nd round brought the complete opposite - through 11 holes, I hit 4 fairways, but made everything. I had 14 putts through 11 holes and was even for the round.
Then I had a block, leading to a triple - and then couldn't find a swing. Finished 8 over. Ugh. The problem: I have no reliable "pressure" swing anymore - the swing you need just to get the ball out there. I used to have this 230-yard gentle fade that I could atuomatically hit under any situation. Not anymore. Ugh.
The putting was phenomenal - the shortest putt I missed was a downhill 20 footer. Everything inside that was in the hole.
I'm taking a break for a week - to flush the system.
3. This golf pool that Layup and I are in, however - this is starting to be an unhelathy obsession. This pool requires you to pick a golfer for each tournament, and you can only pick a golfer once all season. Out of 120 or so people, Layup and I are 2nd at this point, a mere $1900 back of first.
I feel like a pastor of a Church - my off days are Monday; on Tuesday, it's reasearch day; Wednesday involves a 30-45 minute phone call with Layup as we argue over the pick - and then the tournament starts Thursday.
Our pick this week is Retief Goosen - and the leader (and the person directly behind us) has Phil. Entering the 4th round, Goosen is one back of Phil.
4. Go Ben! If Goosen can't win, let's see the boy from Ostrander win his second major.
5. Olympics fever is in this house now. Two pieces of evidence:
a. I actually had Freddie and Warren watching Women's basketball yesterday - Mali vs New Zealand! They chose to root for the Kiwis and were dancing around the room when they made a 3 pointer.
b. For the opening day of men's basketball, I entered in a 6-team teaser:
Russia
Spain
Croatia
Lithuania
Germany
USA
6-for-6! Winner!
Yes, I am insane.
Aug 3, 2008
No More She-manny-gans
I'll be the first to say it - I loved the Manny Era in Boston. He was there for 7 1/2 years, and was a huge part of two World Series teams. Sure, he quit on the team in 2002 and 2006 and did some quirky things, but he always entertained you. Some of my favorite Manny moments:
- jacking a home run and standing at home plate with his arms raised long enough for a bird to land on his helmet
- high fiving a fan after making a catch (and doubling a runner off)
- taking a leak in the Green Monster bathroom while the game was going on
- coming out of said Green Monster holding a sign that read Manny being Manny
- cutting off Johnny Damon's throw in CF (to the SS) from about 12 feet away
- Dropping a routine flyball then after saying "Oh well there goes my Gold Glove. I guess I'll have to go for the Silver or Bronze."
- Going out to left field with a water bottle in his back pocket
- Manny on Jay Leno talking about his slide in the World Series vs Colorodo. Manny is talking about the play (as they are cueing up the highlight to show on the screen), and he says "Oh I was definitely safe, no doubt about it, look here Jay, look here. (they show the play), Oh I guess I was out.
- While rehabbing in Pawtucket (where he spent almost a MONTH, seriously what big leaguer wants to spend a month in AAA????) he slid into third base and somehow lost a huge diamond earring. The players and umps were all looking for his earring. He told them to not worry about finding it, it was "only" a $25,000 diamond.
- Running on the bases and always flipping his helmet off as if once he discarded the helmet he would turn into Vince Coleman on the bases.
Now having said ALL THAT... they had to move him, it was time. Somehow, it went from quirky and silly, to just boorish and selfish. He was just different this year, knocking a 62 year old RS Employee to the ground, punching Youkilis in the dugout, were signs that things in Mannyland were stranger than ever. Once he sat out the two games (against King Felix and Joba), that was it. He was really pissed that the Red Sox wouldn't tell him whether they would pick up his option (for $20 mil) in 2009, so he was threatening to shut it down. I actually think the Sox did very well to get Jason Bay back for Manny and two guys who were very expendable. BTW, what were the Marlins thinking? They could have had Manny for free and they passed? Strange.
I am sure that Manny will have a strong second half for LA, and I am sure that the Red Sox will be better off without Manny. I am also sure I'll miss watching him play every day.
- jacking a home run and standing at home plate with his arms raised long enough for a bird to land on his helmet
- high fiving a fan after making a catch (and doubling a runner off)
- taking a leak in the Green Monster bathroom while the game was going on
- coming out of said Green Monster holding a sign that read Manny being Manny
- cutting off Johnny Damon's throw in CF (to the SS) from about 12 feet away
- Dropping a routine flyball then after saying "Oh well there goes my Gold Glove. I guess I'll have to go for the Silver or Bronze."
- Going out to left field with a water bottle in his back pocket
- Manny on Jay Leno talking about his slide in the World Series vs Colorodo. Manny is talking about the play (as they are cueing up the highlight to show on the screen), and he says "Oh I was definitely safe, no doubt about it, look here Jay, look here. (they show the play), Oh I guess I was out.
- While rehabbing in Pawtucket (where he spent almost a MONTH, seriously what big leaguer wants to spend a month in AAA????) he slid into third base and somehow lost a huge diamond earring. The players and umps were all looking for his earring. He told them to not worry about finding it, it was "only" a $25,000 diamond.
- Running on the bases and always flipping his helmet off as if once he discarded the helmet he would turn into Vince Coleman on the bases.
Now having said ALL THAT... they had to move him, it was time. Somehow, it went from quirky and silly, to just boorish and selfish. He was just different this year, knocking a 62 year old RS Employee to the ground, punching Youkilis in the dugout, were signs that things in Mannyland were stranger than ever. Once he sat out the two games (against King Felix and Joba), that was it. He was really pissed that the Red Sox wouldn't tell him whether they would pick up his option (for $20 mil) in 2009, so he was threatening to shut it down. I actually think the Sox did very well to get Jason Bay back for Manny and two guys who were very expendable. BTW, what were the Marlins thinking? They could have had Manny for free and they passed? Strange.
I am sure that Manny will have a strong second half for LA, and I am sure that the Red Sox will be better off without Manny. I am also sure I'll miss watching him play every day.
Is Layup faster or slower than this?
Found this classic on You Tube. No, it is not in slow motion.
Ah, memories.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jem453SaSpU
Ah, memories.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jem453SaSpU
Jul 29, 2008
Random Thoughts
Well, it's been a while - hello there! It's been crazy at work, and I am finally getting over the "Big D" I acquired from my trip to Mexico. Yesterday, I finally had my first solid bowel movement in about 10 days.
Some random thoughts:
1) First of all, if you haven't heard, Layup is fine after the earthquake in CA. I would say something calling him a wimp since he was scared over a measly 5.7 quake - but then, this spring in Ohio we felt a 3.1 quake and it was the lead story on our local news for 4 days with plenty of old women calling in "reporting" the quake. I love local news.
2) Mexico: it was very enjoyable to watch the home run derby in Spanish rather than put up with Mr. Blowhard, Chris Berman.
3) The Browns will take the field for a preseason game in 9 days. Wow. Football is almost here.
4) Why do I hate Jim Nantz? Well, this should be the only exhibit I need. Fourth quarter play, week 11, Cleveland - Pittsburgh. Watch and listen to the call. He just sucks the life out of any excitement on the field. Can you imagine if Dick Enberg was on the call? Gus Johnson? Joe Buck? Dick Stockton? Ian Eagle? Sam Rosen? All would be much much better than this.
What if Nantz called our gambling action in Vegas? He'd put us to sleep. If Gus was there, he'd be egging Kermit to get up and slug Wiz after doubling on 6....
5) Speaking of Sam Rosen, I still submit he is the most underrated play-by-play voice out there doing the NFL. He's on FOX, and there's no chance of him doing a Browns game this year. (The only two games that FOX would carry are week 1, when Dallas comes in - a game undoubtedly called by Joe "That's Outrageous" Buck and Mr. Cowboy himself, Troy Aikman), and the NYG game - but that's a MNF game). It's too bad. His call of the Seattle game last year was superb.
(that's the game no one else saw, since it was on at the same time as the NE-Ind game).
6) Coming soon: my opinion of each NFL head referee! A sneak preview: Ron Winter is not as bad as you think he is, while I cringe if Mike Carey is doing my game.
7) Golf week 08 starts Saturday, with the defense of my club championship crown and then the Ohio Publinx, this year at Cook's Creek. Monday's traditional practice round have all 4 participants confirmed, as Dad and I will square off against Steve and Kermit.
I feel like I'm playing the best golf of the year, which is not saying much at all. Expectations are low.
Some random thoughts:
1) First of all, if you haven't heard, Layup is fine after the earthquake in CA. I would say something calling him a wimp since he was scared over a measly 5.7 quake - but then, this spring in Ohio we felt a 3.1 quake and it was the lead story on our local news for 4 days with plenty of old women calling in "reporting" the quake. I love local news.
2) Mexico: it was very enjoyable to watch the home run derby in Spanish rather than put up with Mr. Blowhard, Chris Berman.
3) The Browns will take the field for a preseason game in 9 days. Wow. Football is almost here.
4) Why do I hate Jim Nantz? Well, this should be the only exhibit I need. Fourth quarter play, week 11, Cleveland - Pittsburgh. Watch and listen to the call. He just sucks the life out of any excitement on the field. Can you imagine if Dick Enberg was on the call? Gus Johnson? Joe Buck? Dick Stockton? Ian Eagle? Sam Rosen? All would be much much better than this.
What if Nantz called our gambling action in Vegas? He'd put us to sleep. If Gus was there, he'd be egging Kermit to get up and slug Wiz after doubling on 6....
5) Speaking of Sam Rosen, I still submit he is the most underrated play-by-play voice out there doing the NFL. He's on FOX, and there's no chance of him doing a Browns game this year. (The only two games that FOX would carry are week 1, when Dallas comes in - a game undoubtedly called by Joe "That's Outrageous" Buck and Mr. Cowboy himself, Troy Aikman), and the NYG game - but that's a MNF game). It's too bad. His call of the Seattle game last year was superb.
(that's the game no one else saw, since it was on at the same time as the NE-Ind game).
6) Coming soon: my opinion of each NFL head referee! A sneak preview: Ron Winter is not as bad as you think he is, while I cringe if Mike Carey is doing my game.
7) Golf week 08 starts Saturday, with the defense of my club championship crown and then the Ohio Publinx, this year at Cook's Creek. Monday's traditional practice round have all 4 participants confirmed, as Dad and I will square off against Steve and Kermit.
I feel like I'm playing the best golf of the year, which is not saying much at all. Expectations are low.
Jul 13, 2008
Oil
Ok, I promise that my next post will be something non political related. I don't have a good bathroom story, so I guess you all are stuck with this, but after reading Eric's and Laura's comments about gas I wanted to make some comments of my own. 
First, I tend to agree with Laura and $4+ gas is actually good. I do agree that this does push people to conserve more (I carpool 3 days a week) and provides an incentive to the private sector to push for alternative fuels. Just today I saw "Go Nuclear" sign in someones yard in Dana Point. You wouldn't see that with $2 gas. The problem starts though with the thought that gas would stay around $4. It won't. Currently as of this morning, gas in Southern CA is $4.69. Why would anyone think that gas wouldn't be even higher in a couple of months. There is no indication that oil would go in the other direction with the weak dollar, Iran War on the horizon, and no drilling allowed.
When will it stop? When will enough be enough. You would be naive to think that gas would stay in the $4-$5 range. Carol and I are planning on gas being in the $7-$8 range since Congress and the President won't do anything. Just like Social Security and Health Care, I'm up for every option.
- Alaska Drilling- Let's go folks. What will it take for people who have never been to Alaska to say, "Let's go".
- Off shore Drilling- I had a nice chat with Richie last week and I asked him how his dad was doing. He chuckled and said that he is so pissed right now at Arnold because he won't drill off the coast of CA. Ha!
- Nuclear Plants- Why are people scared? Because of Chernobyl? Um, that nuclear plant was run by idiot Russians. We have one right on the ocean down the road from us and there are no complaints.
- Strengthen the dollar- We need a balanced budget to get the dollar stronger.
- Alternative fuels- Well I'm for it. I'm for tax breaks, government incentives, or whatever else is needed. I know that Arnold just gave some very large incentives to Tesla Motors who has a electric car with a 200 mile range.
- Conserve- Here is the problem though about conserving. California is thinking about raising the gas tax since consumption is down 3% and they are losing out on all of the revenue. Seriously? Really?
- Speculation- Leave it be. For people that have no idea on why it was created and how much it provides some normalcy to the market, just shut up.
- Taxes- Help me understand how taxing the Oil companies help us with this situation. If people can, then I would be for it, but it just seems to me that it is spiteful and serves no purpose.
Now, I would think that I'm the only one here that can truely bitch about gas prices and truth be told, my budget has not gone up for gas. I used to have an Infiniti that used premium gas which I got rid of last August. I now carpool with people from work, so despite gas prices increasing at a fast rate, I have held my budget the same. So it works for now, but jack prices up again to $6 and then we are going to be in some trouble.
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