A Stream of Something

I like Chris Matthews. Seriously, I find him to be quite the character. But, unfortunately (unfortunately for him, I'm saying), a lot of those same things that I like about him; his bluntness/crudeness, that stark inability/unwillingness to sensor himself, the flat-out unpredictability of the guy (I love the Democrats, I hate the Democrats, I love the Democrats, I hate the Democrats) are in fact the same things that tend to get him in trouble........................................................................................I mean, think about it; all those frigging slurs that he made against Hillary, that purely idiotic "chill up the leg" comment, and, yes, now we have that incredibly embarrassing "I forgot that the President was black for an hour" gaffe. It, I'm afraid to say, is all starting to add up here. Hopefully, the fellow can start to keep it in check a little bit. NOT, I'm saying, to the point of being predictable/boring....but only to avoid future embarrassment. That type of keeping it in check.........................................................................................P.S. I site this fully recognizing that a person's tendency to speak voluminously (not to mention with great rapidity) brings as well a greater capacity to err. Matthews, short of an entire personality transplant, may in fact be what he is and cannot be altered. Whether, me-buckos, that's a good or a bad thing (me, I have mixed feelings) is entirely up to the reader.

The 400 Dollar Haircut/Gorilla/Lying Sack of Shit in the Room

There have been a lot of words used of late to describe John Edwards; cad, dog, liar, etc.. Might you also allow me to add stooge/hypocrite? This, in that, please, correct me if I'm wrong here, but wasn't Edwards one of those self-righteous politicians who was quick to harshly criticize President Clinton for HIS indiscretions? And, yes, didn't he, Edwards, also make it a point to constantly underscore the validity of his own family life/parade his own wife/kids around as if they were nothing but frigging props, for Christ? I don't know, folks, I personally seem to recall a lot of this...........................................................................................Oh, and, P.S., just for the record, I've been a strong defender of Edwards in the past. Last year (or was it the year before, I don't remember), when Edwards was having that big battle of his with O'Reilly (the one about the homeless veterans), I was with Senator Edwards one hundred percent (I devoted numerous posts to this issue). I was with him because 1) HE was telling the truth and 2) O'Reilly was being a God-damned jerk and a liar. You know, kind of like Mr. Edwards is being NOW.

The World According to He/She Who Cannot be Convinced

There are a lot of things that these partisan cable hosts do that irritate me. Numero uno, though, would have to be the way that they constantly interject THEIR opinions as fact. "Bush-league" Sean Hannity is clearly, CLEARLY, the most egregious of them (in this and in a lot of other regards) - obviously. But, please, believe me, he is far from the only perpetrator out there..........................................................................................Even Rachel Maddow (who I've stated on several occasions is the least obnoxious of the group) engages in such prestidigitation. Just last night, for example, she stated AS FACT the reason for the 1937 depression (i.e., the depression within the depression) as "Roosevelt's attempt to balance the budget." That, my friends, isn't a fact. It's a theory. Granted, it's a plausible one and all but, yes, that's all it really is, a theory. Well, that and a not so subtle attempt to stifle debate. But THAT you already knew, right?...........................................................................................P.S. Just for the record, competing theories for explaining the 1937 depression include a) the Federal Reserve's increased reserve requirement shrinking the money supply and b) the unionizing drives of 1937 rapidly raising wage rates and labor costs (less money available for capital investment). If in fact you were wondering.

Let's Hope That This Time He Means It

While he didn't do it with much in terms of fanfare, the President (tonight, in his State of the Union speech) did in fact reintroduce his stated commitment to eliminate the dreaded "don't ask/don't tell". Oh well, better frigging late than never, I guess.........................................................................................P.S. Seriously, though, we have tens of thousands of brave American men and women who are MORE than willing to serve.....and the only way that they CAN serve is to shut their mouths. I ask you. Isn't it about time that we changed this thing? The young people of the country are ready - more than ready. It's time for the generals to readjust, period.

As Pretty as Her Pictures

We lost another great one, folks. And, yeah, this time the pain is overwhelming. Jean Simmons, that extraordinarily beautiful/talented British actress from the 40s, 50s, and 60s died this week. Simmons starred in such great/seminal works as "Elmer Gantry", "The Big Country", "Spartacus", "The Robe", "Hamlet", "Great Expectations", "Until They Sail", "Desiree", "The Happy Ending", and, yes, even "Guys and Dolls". Her co-stars included Gregory Peck, Robert Mitchum, Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglass, Richard Burton, Frank Sinatra, Marlon Brando, Laurence Olivier, Alec Guiness, and Paul Newman. To say that this woman was a huge star back then is far, FAR, from hyperbole. But, unlike Audrey Hepburn (a contemporary), who, to this day, is still a luminary, Ms. Simmons has inexplicably fallen between the cracks. Oh well, at least Jennifer Jones'll have somebody to commiserate with in heaven now. That might be a positive side.

Maybe History Wasn't Her Best Subject

Rachel Maddow said something this evening that was palpably incorrect. While giving background to a current story, she spit out the traditional liberal bromide that President Hoover did absolutely nothing to get us out of the Depression, that he made the depression significantly worse via this inactivity, etc.. It was little more than an obligatory cheap-shot, in other words, this little commentary of hers.....................................................................................In terms of the real record, President Hoover did a number of things that he and his administration clearly hoped would turn the economy around. 1) He set up the National Business Survey Conference and, in so doing, sought to obtain pledges from businesses to maintain wages/undertake new investment. 2) He set up a new division in the Commerce Department to speed up federal construction projects (yes, Ms. Maddow, that's synonymous with, hello!, INFRASTRUCTURE, something you claimed to have liked in the past). 3) He pushed through a temporary tax reduction. 4) He worked with Congress to increase, by 400 million (yes, believe it or not, a lot of money for 1930), public works expenditures. 5) He established a Federal Farm Board that offered to farmers low interest loans and a promise to purchase grains if prices fell. 6) He signed the Smoot-Hawley tariff bill. And, 7) he established the Reconstruction Finance Corporation - this, in an attempt to stabilize the banking system........................................................................................Now, clearly, one could argue whether all or any of these measures were effective (the Smoot-Hawley bill, especially) or not. But, to imply, as the increasingly shrewder Ms. Maddow apparently was, that President Hoover was twiddling his thumbs back then - that is complete and utter bunk! Hopefully, the woman'll show some integrity and make a correction here. Not that I'll be holding my breath, of course.

Miscellaneous 3

1) I grew up watching tennis in the early to mid 70s. And, yes, me-buckos, the women who participated in the sport back then were clearly, shall we profess, something LESS than stellar. I mean, sure, things did get a little better when Chrissie Evert and Evonne Goolagong (Cawley) came along (Tracy Austin with her hag-like beauty and braces) but, still, it was pretty slim pickins' overall. Compare that to now, me-buckos. NOW, when it seems like 75-80% of the women out there competing are hot/where I don't even like to frigging watch men's tennis anymore. Talk about a mojor change, huh? The only thing that I can say is, "Thank the Lord for Russia and Eastern Europe." That's the only thing that I can even think of, kiddos......2) Note to Chris Matthews. Ask your question and shut up. Don't modify it a million times before the person can even open his mouth. I mean, sure, if you want to ask a bunch of follow-up question, fine. I actually kind of like that (that, along with your willingness to strongly interrogate everybody - NOT JUST THE REPUBLICANS). But, dude, PLEASE, let the person answer......3) Today was a banner day for University of North Carolina football recruiting. Earlier in the day, multi-purpose athlete, Reggie Wilkins decommitted from N.C. State and pledged to with the Heels. And just an hour or so ago, defensive end, Kareem Martin, a player that well over a dozen schools had been lusting after, also committed to UNC. Very impressive, huh? Now, if they could only nail down tight end, Ethan Farmer (I believe he's narrowed it down to UNC and Clemson), a class that looked like it might finish near the bottom of the ACC recruiting rankings just might finish near the top......4) Note to P. Diddy. If you're going to go on the boob-tube and pitch vodka, could you at least take a minute and learn how to pronounce it. It's vod'-ka, not vo'-ka. And, yes, while you're at it, too, stop trying to come across as a sophisticate, for Christ! You're not a sophistcate. You're a rapper.....and not a very good one at that, either. DUH!!

The (Sometimes) Gulf Between Obama and His Supporters

The President showed a large amount of class last night. Not only did he call Senator (state, soon to be U.S.) Brown to congratulate him. He also made it clear that he was looking forward to working with him in Washington (this, from Brown himself). Compare this, I ask you, to the absolutely vile treatment that Keith Olbermann leveled onto Brown. Olbermann basically did the "dozens" on the poor guy. He called him a racist, a homophobe, a sexist, a supporter of violence against women, a tea-bag candidate - essentially everything, folks. To say that this segment was an uncomfortable one to watch is really understating it. I myself literally cringed...........................................................................................This, of course, isn't to say that Senator Brown ran a perfect/totally kosher campaign. He didn't (none of them do). But, then again, neither did Martha Coakley (Brown's Democratic challenger). This, in that the woman actually stumped for votes at a Martin Luther King tribute. I mean, think about this one, folks. If a Republican had ever done something as opportunistic as that, Mr. Olbermann would have placed him/her onto that "Worst Persons" list PRONTO (and, yes, deservedly so). That, and, yeah, me-buckos, maybe even a "Special Comment" or two...............................................................................................P.S. This is in no way meant to absolve Fox and their mean-spiritedness. This, in that, clearly, those folks continue to use loaded term after loaded term to tar Obama. I'm just trying to point out that the left-wing segment of the media has a wing-nut or two themselves - Olbermann, in principal.

Miscellaneous 2

1) "YOU WERE ELECTED TO SERVE THE PEOPLE.".....Keith Olbermann.....loosely translated, "You were elected to do whatever it is that I, Keith Olbermann, think you should be doing." 2) The latest football standout to verbally commit to Duke is a definite dandy. His name is Alex Hill, from Slidell Louisiana. According to Rivals, he's the 26th best player from Louisiana and, yes, better still, the 15th best center in the entire country. I would say that this is a very solid "get" for Cutcliffe. 3) I know that I've been very critical of Obama at times. But, yes, in terms of his response to this Haiti disaster, he's been exceptional. His leadership, in particular, has been strong, quick, and decisive. Hell, I'm actually kind of proud of him. I certainly don't concur with guys like Limbaugh (who I'm still convinced could put on a good show if he wanted to), etc., who've interjected politics and cynicism (yes, I know, they're probably the same) full-throttle into it. It's just not the frigging time for it, period.

Things I Would Rather Do Than Watch Glen Beck Interview Sarah Palin (an Abbreviated List)

1) Play Boggle. 2) Wait for tea-water to boil. 3) Have a stare-down with my cat. 4) Watch reruns of "Wings". 5) Get kicked in the head by a mule. 6) Eat my estranged mother-in-law's leftovers. 7) Watch Oprah Winfrey shave her arm-pits, bikini-line, etc.. 8) Watch Sandra Bernhardt urinate. 9) Suffer through another year of Al Groh coaching Virginia. 10) Ditto, Lane Kiffin at Tennessee. 11) Stand in line for Madonna concert tickets. 12) Actually have to attend a Madonna concert. 13) Walk the streets of downtown Damascus wearing an "America is number one" T-shirt. 14) Be on the receiving end of a "power wedgie" and/or "tittie twister". 15) Be forced to repeatedly listen to that boring part of Jethro Tull's "Aqualung" (you know, the part where Ian Anderson strums and hums slowly). 16) Listen to Cliffy pontificate. 17) Listen to one of Keith Olbermann's sanctimonious "special comments". 18) Have copious amounts of dental work. 19) Conversing with an Asiatic telemarketer. 20) Listen to Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, and Celine Dion.....at the same time!! 21) Drink nothing but Pabst Blue Ribbon.....FOR LIFE!! 22) Drive through North Carolina pig country.....slowly.....with the windows wide open. 23) Fight Manny Pacquiao. 24) Root for the Phillies (I'm a Mets fan). 25) Have a Taco Bell Thanksgiving. 26) Vote for Rick Parry. 27) Read Proust. 28) Listen to Rudy Giuliani talk about 9/11. 29) Dive for golf-balls. 30) Attend a Lyndon Larouche rally. 31) Watch an entire NASCAR event. 32) Officially change my name to Floyd Boyd (middle name, Lloyd). 33) Give Joan Rivers a facial. 34) Listen to my neighbor do his Clint Eastwood and Jack Nicholson impressions (they're not very good). 35) Dump Courteney Cox and/or Felicity Huffman. 36) Watch "Gigli". 37) Basically anything.

The Turf is Sometimes Browner

Of all the people who turned down the University of Tennessee head football coaching job, Duke coach, David Cutcliffe, was easily the most surprising. This, in that, yes, Cutcliffe is a former (x2) offensive coordinator at Tennessee/a favorite of many of the current and former (Peyton Manning, amongst them) Tennessee players. It appeared to be a natural combination..............................................................................................So, why did he turn it down? Reason number one, folks, was probably the pressure. Tennessee (a la most upper tier SEC schools) has zero tolerance for mediocrity, never mind for losing. A couple of 6-6/5-7 seasons and your gone. I mean, just look at the way that the school treated Phillip Fulmer. Fulmer (who also happens to be a close friend of Cutcliffe), in HIS 17 years at Tennessee, went 152-52 (nearly a 75% winning percentage). Even more impressive than that, though, the fellow went 98-34 in the SEC (74.2%). He led the Vols to six eastern division championships, two overall SEC championships, and, yes, a national title in 1998. He led his teams to 15 bowls, winning eight of them, and, yes, was nearly always a factor in the top 25 . Now, granted, he had two losing seasons in his final four but, still, that's a hell of an impressive resume, don't you think? Well, Tennessee evidently didn't think so. They canned him after the '08 season (hiring instead that piece of crap, Lane Kiffin). Maybe Cutcliffe thought back to all this and said, "Hm, I don't think so, fellows.".............................................................................................Of course, another possibility is that maybe he actually likes it at Duke. He certainly must like the direction that his team is heading. Duke went 5-7 this year (the last time that a Duke team won as many as 5 games was 1994) and, encouragingly, they return 17 starters next year. And, while they lost their starting quarterback, Thad Lewis, red-shirt sophomore, Sean Renfree, is more than ready/able to step in. The kid is going to be great, in my opinion. Add to that the fact that recruiting has really picked up under Cutcliffe and, yeah, maybe the situation at Duke isn't necessarily a bad one. Granted, Cutcliffe probably won't win a national championship at Duke (or even an ACC crown, for that matter). But 6-8 wins a year is probably doable. And, as opposed to Tennessee, where figures like that could get you terminated, he'll be a figging hero at Duke. Not a Krzyzewski, mind you, but close......................................................................................................P.S. As I stated, folks, recruiting for Duke football has significantly improved. While the 2010 class isn't as strong as last year's, still, a slew of impressive players have verbally committed; Takoby Cofield (the 14th ranked player in North Carolina), Kelby Brown (the 15th ranked), Joshua Snead (the 19th ranked), Jamal Wallace (the 24th ranked player in Virginia), Juwan Thompson (the 33rd ranked in talent ladened Georgia), and Laken Tomlinson (the 10th ranked in Illinois). These, folks, are players that Duke probably wouldn't have landed prior to Cutcliffe. It sure as hell seems to me like a win-win situation there.

Mass Approval

I just love the way that O'Reilly asks these rhetorical (well, at least to him, they're rhetorical)/self-congratulatory type questions. Take, for example, one recent episode. In responding to the criticism that Fox has garnered for hiring Sarah Palin, O'Reilly asked his guest (a sympathetic one, naturally) this little gem, "If the people over there (i.e., at MSNBC and CNN) are so intelligent, then why are their ratings (the holy-grail, according to O'Reilly) so pathetic?" And, yes, me-buckos, the fact that he always seems to have that smug little countenance, too. It was in fact Mr. O'Reilly, in a nut-shell...............................................................................................As to how I would have answered that particular question, I guess the main thing would have been to question the very premise of it. This, in that, yes, I would have pointed out to this "fellow" the meaninglessness of these ratings - IN GENERAL. Sylvester Stallone was a much bigger box-office draw than, say, Jeremy Irons. Does that mean Mr. Stallone was a better actor than Irons? Of course it doesn't! And what about Madonna? She's sold more records than Joni Mitchell and Tammy Wynette combined. Does that mean that SHE'S better? I'm thinking no. And, yes, me-buckos, the same thing goes for journalism, too. The fact that people watch O'Reilly's show more that they do Campbell Brown's - it means nothing! - well, other than the fact that O'Reilly is catering to folks, serving up to these folks as much of that red meat as possible. It has absolutely nothing to do with honesty/integrity - zilch!

Youthful Indecisions

I know that they're only 17-18 year-old kids....and that, yes, because of this, I clearly should have more patience with them. But, still, I am getting a little tired of all these high school football players verbally committing to one school and then, 2-3 months down the road, reneging and choosing another. And the fact that they get so damned seduced by bullshit, too. Tyler Bray (previously committed to San Diego State) and Corey Miller (previously committed to Florida State), for example, have decided that they actually want to play for Lane Kiffin over at Tennessee. Yeah, that's right, folks, that same Lane Kiffin who 1) failed so miserably in the NFL and 2) can't seem to keep his God-damned frigging mouth shut (lying about coaches at competing schools, etc.). I mean, it's totally amazing to me how ANY parent would even consider having their kid play for this lunatic.........................................................................................But, please, back to the youngsters for a minute. In my opinion, if a recruit isn't 100% (or at least 95-99%) sure that they really and truly want to play for Florida State....or San Diego State, or whoever, then they really need to stay UNcommitted. I mean, think about it here. The longer that one of these kids stays committed, only to pull the rug out later, the lesser amount of time that the school has to find a replacement. I don't know, folks, I think that it just might be proper that these young "ballers" learn a valuable lesson; namely, that their decisions/indecisions impact others, a whole hell of a lot of others. It isn't JUST about THEM, in other words.

Battle-Station Nation

Everybody's falling all over themselves with this Harry Reid thing. My suggestion is that we simply take a step back and cut through the bull. 1) Harry Reid is not a racist. Or at the very least it's unlikely. This, in that there isn't any sort of consistent pattern here (there usually is with racists, harassers, etc.). 2) What Harry Reid said wasn't as bad as what Senator Lott said. This, in that Lott essentially said that the country would have been better off with a segregationist in charge. But, yes, 3) what Harry Reid did say was also moronic. A negro dialect? What in the frigging hell is a frigging negro (yes, the use of that term alone was insensitive) dialect? At the very least, Reid should have been chastised by his fellow Dems.............................................................................................As to whether Reid should resign or not, I personally don't think that it's necessary. 1) He's probably going to get bounced out of office anyway and 2) the poor fellow's already apologized profusely. Is that not enough blood-letting?..................................................................................................Oh, and, yes, for the record, I didn't think that Lott should have stepped down, either. In fact, folks, I actually thought that it was quite unseemly, the way that the fellow was treated back then - you know, by his, hello!, FELLOW REPUBLICANS!! They practically devoured the poor bastard, for Christ!!!

Far, Far, FAR, Beyond Good and Evil

Lawrence O'Donnell - now there's another piece of work. And, yes, me-buckos, damned if he doesn't continuously try to improve upon it. Just last night (for example), while substituting for Keith Olbermann, Mr. O'Donnell, in noting that (NRC chairman) Michael Steele's possible successor was once a member of a white's only country-club, also stipulated this little gem of a gem (I'm paraphrasing, of course): "I don't know, though. Republicans don't necessarily seem all that impressed with the country-club types anymore, even if they DO practice racism." And, yes, me-buckos, the fact that he says the bulk of this stuff so coldly/matter of factly, it's all, ALL-TOGETHER creepy, I'm thinking (Olbermann-like, too - pretty near)...............................................................................................P.S. Add to this the fact that Joy Behar apparently doesn't think that Sarah Palin's supporters (of which I - albeit somewhat smitten - am NOT one) are capable of, HELLO!, reading! and, yeah, one could easily get the impression here that both sides just might need to tone it down a notch (this, I'm saying, as opposed to only those racist, illiterate Republicans).

The (Without a Doubt) Most Hyperbolic Statement in Human History

"What Hitler did in 12 years cannot be compared to what Israel has done in twelve days."....Anis Mansour, October magazine (an Egyptian publication) - this (such an idiotic analogy to the nazi atrocities), in response to Israel's 1982 attempt to destroy the PLO terror network in Lebanon. And, yes, apparently he was paid for it, too.

Scozzafava

I'm sorry. I guess I just kind of like saying it. SCOZZAFAVA!!!!!

HOW COLD WAS IT?

It was so cold today, folks, I saw this lawyer on the street corner....and this time he had his hands in his own pockets.

Drooling (Literally) For Attention/Relevance

I have literally no idea what Dick Cheney is talking about. Yes, President Obama wants to close the prison at Guantanamo. But so did President Bush....and so does Senator McCain. Yes, President Obama sought to eliminate water-boarding as an interrogation technique. But so, too, did President Bush. Ditto, Senator McCain. Yes, President Obama thinks that this Nigerian born terrorist ought to be tried in an American court. But so, apparently, did President Bush think similarly when it came to shoe-bomber Richard Reid. I mean, seriously here.............................................................................................And, yes, speaking of being "weak on terror", was it not the Bush folks who actually did the premature releasing of these terror suspects? CERTAINLY, you've got pundits like Charles Krauthammer trying to soften the blow - this, by saying that George Bush was simply trying to appease the left here (it was the fault of the left, in other words)....and that the right did in fact criticise Bush for this action (they actually didn't....or they did it so fast that I blinked and missed it). But, clearly, it doesn't persuade, even a little............................................................................................In fact, folks, all that these people are attempting to do (Cheney, especially) is to tar/weaken the President. It's an unseemly enterprise and, yes, it should probably stop. I mean, seriously here; 30,000 additional troops in Afghanistan, a rock-solid increase in the Defense budget, an INCREASE in predator drone strikes in Pakistan, the assemblage of a strong foreign policy team (replete with Bush's own Secretary of Defense), a continuation of rendition, warrant-less wire-taps, indefinite incarceration, etc.. Yes, friends, that security breach in the Netherlands was major scary (not to mention Napolitano's reaction to it). But to say that this President is weak on terror - that is nothing but rank hyperbole.

Mythical Mantra

There are a lot of legitimate criticisms that one could conceivably level against the President; a lack of leadership pertaining to the stimulus and health care, a questionable strategy regarding Afghanistan (i.e., the sending of 30,000 additional troops to a country in which our enemy apparently no longer resides), etc.. And, then, of course, there are the other, far more, unfair criticisms.......................................................................................Take, for example, this whole "he's constantly apologizing for America" schpeal that the far-right (Monica Crowley being the latest to make this charge) has basically turned into its creed. I mean, yes, I know that I've written about this before and all but, please, PLEASE. President Obama has made but a spate of comments along these lines; America sometimes being arrogant (fairly factual, in my opinion), America acting unilaterally (again, probably factual), etc.. And he always, ALWAYS, makes these comments within the context of infinitely broader speeches, speeches in which he always criticizes the rest of the world, too.........................................................................................Of course, the motivation is obvious here. The far-right wants to portray the President as weak; weak on terror, weak in general. And, yes, to embarrass him, too. It's ridiculous and, yeah, maybe even a little bit despicable..........................................................................................P.S. Yes, folks, the President does from time to time play with the language here. But, really, does it matter all that much whether or not we call it a "war on terror" (this, I'm saying, as opposed to, say, a struggle against armed extremists)? I mean, really, does it?

Dagum That Lump in My Throat

Sports inspirational stories are usually hokey - no question. But I am telling you here, when Chief Osceola handed that flaming spear to Bobby Bowden, and Bowden himself slammed it into the turf (this, just before the beginning of today's Gator Bowl), THAT was frigging drama.........................................................................................For the one or two of you out there who aren't aware, today was the very last game for Florida State's great/legendary (and, yes, believe it or not, highly embattled this year) coach. And, yes, folks, the fact that FSU's opponent today was none other than West Virginia, the school that he had coached at prior to coming to Tallahassee (that, and the fact that several hundred of his former players came to witness it), the suspence was nearly unbearable. Thankfully (at least if you're a Seminoles fan), the players themselves were able to rally around their venerable leader and chalk up a victory, 33-21 (Bowden's 389th of his career, 2nd all-time). Thankfully, folks, in that, clearly, any other result would have left a bitter taste in pretty much everybody's mouth.