No Government Cheese

Don't Be A Wuss

2007-10-27T15:16:00.000-04:00

Cook your meat in a fire.

Viking style.

While there, check out the 10 manliest video games ever.

But don't blame me if you are offended by this offering.

Foot In Mouth

2007-10-27T14:46:00.000-04:00

Does anyone stick his foot in his mouth more often than Sen. Joe Biden? Maybe he should stick to plagerism. All of his original comments typically require his people to issue a clarification.

The latest, in an interview in which Biden criticizes President Bush on education, he then tries to explain why the D.C. has such a poor school system:

"There's less than 1 percent of the population of Iowa that is African American. There is probably less than 4 or 5 percent that are minorities. What is in Washington? So look, it goes back to what you start off with, what you're dealing with," Biden said.

The retraction and re-explanation:

The Biden campaign moved quickly to clarify the senator's remarks in a statement: "This was not a race-based distinction, but a discussion of the problems kids face who don't have the same socio-economic support system (and all that implies -- nutrition, pre K, etc.) entering grade school and the impact of those disadvantages on outcomes."

Fair enough, Senator. Let's correct your quote:

There's less than 1 percent of the population of Iowa that is [don't have the same socio-economic support system (and all that implies -- nutrition, pre K, etc.)]. There is probably less than 4 or 5 percent that are [don't have the same socio-economic support system (and all that implies -- nutrition, pre K, etc.)] What is in Washington? So look, it goes back to what you start off with, what you're dealing with.

Uh, yeah. Iowa has less than 1 percent (and, at the same time, less than 4 or 5 percent) of kids that have some socio-economic disadvantage. That's what you meant.

Biden then picks on Pakistan.

On foreign policy, his area of expertise, he said, "I'm a hell of a lot more worried about Pakistan," which already has nuclear weapons, as opposed to Iran, which is still working on nuclear enrichment, a possible step on the way to developing them. "I wish we'd pay as much attention to Pakistan as the saber rattling we're doing with Iran," Biden said.

I understand why Biden mentioned the threat of Pakistan. He was obviously reaching out to voters from Pakistan's rival, India. After all, Indians are a fast growing demographic in Biden's home state Delaware, at least according to this quote from Biden:

"In Delaware, the largest growth of population is Indian-Americans, moving from India. You cannot go to a 7/11 or a Dunkin' Donuts unless you have a slight Indian accent. I’m not joking."

We are pretty sure you weren't Senator.

Great New Quote

2007-10-27T14:37:00.000-04:00

BEST RECENT QUOTE BY POLITICIAN

A friend told me about this McCain quote at the office on Friday. I confirmed it on several websites.

Thought I'd share.

It is really a classic.

"Hillary tried to get a million dollars for the Woodstock museum. I understand it was a major cultural and pharmaceutical event. I couldn't attend. I was tied up at the time." - John McCain

Hot Time In The City

2007-10-23T14:25:00.000-04:00

Philadelphia, without a sports champion since Dr. J led the 76ers in 1983, and known for its brotherly love, if you consider throwing batteries as sports teams, booing Mike Schmidt and throwing snow balls at Santa Clause as brotherly love, now must accept losing yet again.

Philadelphia has been voted by Travel and Leisure magazine to have the least attractive people in the country. Ok, technically, it came in 25th on the list of attractiveness. Out of 25. Miami came in first on attractiveness, with San Diego second, though many people think the hottest people live in San Diego.

Philadelphia did pick up the pace on cleanliness (22 of 25) and safety (23 of 25).

A curious one for me: New Orleans ranked as the 2nd friendliest city, well ahead of San Diego. Yet, San Diego seems to have the edge on using sports stadiums for natural disaster evacuations:

Like Hurricane Katrina evacuees two years earlier in New Orleans, thousands of people rousted by natural disaster fled to the NFL stadium here, waiting out the calamity and worrying about their homes.
The similarities ended there, as an almost festive atmosphere reigned at Qualcomm Stadium. Bands belted out rock 'n' roll, lavish buffets served gourmet entrees, and massage therapists helped relieve the stress for those forced to flee their homes because of wildfires.

Not even one report of cannibalism.

Atlanta, which was ranked in the teens in most categories, pulled in a big number 6 on barbecue.
We were robbed.

******************************************************************************

In other news

Lest we forget, the Clintons have a history that should make one pause in the Democratic primary. It won't though.

Some people smoke because it keeps them skinnier. Not so says another anti-smoking groups' study run through a University (keep in mind that if a study were funded by tobacco and found smoking did cause you to be skinnier, it would be untrustworthy). Smoking mice are smaller and eat less, but they are also less muscular. This is supposed to make you not want to smoke. Like bigger and fat is the same as smaller and fat?

President William J. Clinton is now considering Singapore on his short list of vacation spots.

Chuck Norris has endorsed Mike Huckabee for President. If you do not know who Chuck Norris is, then read this. And pray he doesn't kill you tonight.

Read this. Warning -- Christianity mentioned.

More Reasons To Privatize Social Security

2007-10-18T17:26:00.000-04:00

It obviously is not enough to keep people from coming out of retirement.

Consider the latest group that had to come out of retirement because social security could not pay the bills:

Evander Holyfield

Beautiful Atrocities

Wuzzadem

And of course, the Ebb & Flow Institute.

Except for Evander, it is great to have you each back.

We will be watching Villainous Company closely. Heating that lake house can't be easy on the checkbook.

Thursday's Thoughts

2007-10-18T14:34:00.001-04:00

A woman is cited for disorderly conduct. For yelling profanity. In her own home. At her toilet.

In other news, her boss says that she will not be punished for her run in with the law. On the contrary, she may be promoted for being good for morale.

************************************************************************************

Not all criminals are idiots. This guy seemed to have a pretty clever gig going.

Gibson was driving a stolen box trailer, taken from Central Food Equipment on Reynolds Road in Lakeland in 2005, deputies said. The trailer had been outfitted with two tanks with a capacity of 3,250 gallons of fuel.

Gibson rigged a trap door in the bottom of the trailer and parked over the underground fuel tanks at gas stations. Deputies said he would drop a hose into the tanks and use marine batteries to pump the gas into the trailer.

He would unload the fuel into larger tanks at his business, Crews Towing, at the Recker Highway property, authorities said. Gibson would sell the fuel at $1.80 a gallon, authorities said.

Who wants to bet he got caught because he was reselling the gas too cheap?

*******************************************************************************

Alabama man finds a better way to get his house cleaned than hiring the nearest illegal alien. He catches a burglar in the act, and makes him clean the house at gun point.

Adrian McKinnon held the suspect -- Tajuan Bullock, 33, of 2963 University Drive -- at gunpoint and told him to sit on the floor until he decided what he was going to do, she said.
"We made this man clean up all the mess he made, piles of stuff, he had thrown out of my drawers and cabinets onto the floor," she said.

Once police arrived, Bullock complained to them about being forced at gunpoint to clean up the home.

"This man had the nerve to raise sand about us making him clean up the mess he made in my house," she said. "The police officer laughed at him when he complained and said anybody else would have shot him dead.

"That made the man shut up."

What a beautiful story. I love it when people get to serve as their own judge and jury.

*******************************************************************************

Why do I send my children to private school, you ask?

A school board on Wednesday approved birth control pills and patches for students at a middle school in Portland, Maine. Condoms were already available.
The sixth through eighth grade students at King Middle School will be able to get the contraceptives at their student health center.
Opponents cited religious and health objections. Supporters said students often can't discuss sexuality with their parents.

Imagine that! A sixth grader being hasseled by his parents over a few birth control pills. These knuckle draggin neanderthal parents just slay me.

*******************************************************************************

And now, for those fast hitting news stories you seek at the beginning of the newscast.

In sports, how do the Colorado Rockies keep winning, you ask? Ask their new player - God.

Today's non-Vick cruelty to animals award goes to some guy in England. Wow. I can't condone it. I mustn't. Won't do it.

In weather, Florida storms destroy a church day care and a beer tent at an Oktoberfest. Oh the humanity! (For either one, I reckon.)

Day (Season) 7 is coming (note the new address). Sometime. The new trailer comes out in Times Square on October 25. Even if Hillary is elected, Jack will protect us.

For Camojack: new 24 cast member Carly Pope:

Yeah, it would have been better if she were holding a beer or riding a motorcycle. You can't have everything. Where would you put it?

Finally, if you think the Feds are getting soft on punishment, read this legal yarn about Amtrak.

How Long We Work

2007-10-17T21:28:00.000-04:00

I really miss blogging like I used to. Truth is, a 60 plus hour work week protecting the man, two baseball seasons for the oldest (and I'm head coach, which means leaving work at 4pm on game nights), 35 children's birthday parties, and an infant just get in the way of internet surfing. I'm not even reading as much as I used to, and certainly not commenting like I used to.

A lot happened since my last post. Cassandra called it a career, for now, by shutting down the best general purpose blog on the internet, Villainous Company. And all she left us was a small taste of her brilliance. As Johnny Lang once sang, I look out my window, but it's still raining.

On the good news, the Ebb & Flow Institute has turned on the lights again. Pile On may just be campaigning, but his answers to some fast talking interrogation make you realize what a great President he would be.

Of course, I guess we should be thankful for the calm, even flow of Heigh Ho.

Well, I guess I'll talk about sports now.

It's almost too much just to keep up with the Kentucky Wildcat football team, which rocks this year and is currently #7 in the first BSC poll. Sorry about that LSU! NOT!

If you have a Heisman pick, here is your man: Andre Woodson (picture above).

Although no one will believe me, I picked the Rockies to win it all this year (well, I picked them at the beginning of the playoffs -- not in March). Getting to the playoffs by winning 16 of 17 or whatever it was convinced me. Always pick the team on the roll in baseball. I can't say I'm sorry the Mets imploded like a bad cake either. I would have liked my Braves to make it. Maybe next year.

My daughter's t-ball team which I manage much in the same vein as a collie herds cats finished the regular season 8-3-1, tied for the best record in the league. Now for the pressure cooker double elimination playoffs. The trophy size is based on the playoffs only. Oh, and of the 4 games we didn't win, I was unable to be there for 3 of them. Hey, I'm not Crash Davis. Somebody call The Sporting News.

In popular culture, I continue to wonder how Brittney fell so far. And that fall was after Crossroads. What a shame.

In real news, a student was suspended for simply suggesting that college students might should be allowed to carry concealed weapons. Regardless of how you feel about his idea, simply suggesting a change in policy is not a threat, nor is it insane. A case can be made for his position. Yet, to get back into school, he must undergo a psychological evaluation.

Yeah, a psychological evaluation over a political opinion on peacefully carrying concealed weapons. The biggest thought police tyrants occupy many of our colleges and universities. Of course, had he made outrageously untrue scientific claims, called President Bush bad names and called for the elimination of capitalism, he might win a Nobel Peace Prize.

Speaking of which -- what does global warming have to do with world peace? No - really. The Nobel Peace Prize geniuses that gave the award to two of the worst leaders in history (Arafat and Carter) offered an explanation. (See here -- read the second paragraph.) It is so ridiculous, I don't think even a lawyer could say it with a straight face.

I may be guest blogging at EFI as well. Keep checking here and there every so often.

Random Thoughts (It's About Time)

2007-04-19T21:15:00.000-04:00

Thought I'd post tonight. How y'all doing?

First, let's deal with Imus. Dumb thing to say. Rude, also.

The real tragedy is that he gave Rutgers all this free press, when the real story was as always Tennessee. First, Tennessee won, Rutgers lost. Yet because of Imus, the LOSERS got all the press.

I watched the NCAA women's championship game, and as always (except when they are playing my real team, UK) I rooted for the Lady Vols. I think Pat Summitt is awesome. If my daughter is ever offered a scholarship by Pat Summitt, she will take it, or I will kick her arse up I-75 all the way to Knoxville. I otherwise hate Tennessee. Nothing sucks like a big orange, but Pat Summitt is what Bobby Knight could have been with a little self control and class.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Next we have abortion. Partial birth, that is. The Supreme Court refused to declare unconstitutional a law that banned partial birth abortion. The 5-4 ruling gave some coniptions.

As Best of Web reports:

[T]he New York Times, whose editorial on the subject was typically hysterical:

The justices went so far as to eviscerate the crucial requirement, which dates to the 1973 ruling in Roe v. Wade, that all abortion regulations must have an exception to protect a woman's health.

As far as we know, [Justice Anthony] Kennedy and his four colleagues responsible for this atrocious result are not doctors. Yet these five male justices felt free to override the weight of medical evidence presented during the several trials that preceded the Supreme Court showdown.

BOW continued:

For her part, Justice O'Connor, then the swing vote on the Court, drew a virtual roadmap for legislators to follow in passing a constitutional ban. And as far as we know, Justice O'Connor isn't a doctor either!

Meanwhile, CNN quotes one top male Democratic lawmaker who opposes yesterday's ruling: "A lot of us wish that Alito weren't there and O'Connor were there," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, who opposed Alito's nomination, said.

Yet Reid voted for the law the court upheld. As far as we know, Harry Reid isn't a doctor, so why is he giving second opinions?

Several points here. First, many of the Supreme Court justices actually, technically, are doctors.

Like medical school students who earn an M.D. and graduate school students in any number of academic disciplines who earn a Ph.D., most law school students also receive a doctoral degree—juris doctor, to be precise. * * * *

ABA Model Code of Professional Responsibility. Disciplinary Rule 2-102 permitted a J.D. or LL.M. (master of law) recipient to use doctor with his or her name, the committee concluded in ABA Informal Opinion 1152 (1970). * * * *

The committee advised, however, that it may be misleading for a lawyer to use doctor in certain contexts, such as advertising legal services relating to medical malpractice . . . .

Or, it appears, in ruling on cases involving abortion.

Next point, what is up with Reid voting for a law, then criticizing the Supreme Court for upholding it? Who does he think he is? President Bush (you know, McCain-Feingold)?

Finally, here is what Justice Ginsberg had to say at the conclusion of her dissent:

In candor, the Act, and the Court’s defense of it, cannot be understood as anything other than an effort to chip away at a right declared again and again by this Court— and with increasing comprehension of its centrality to women's lives.

And isn't that the problem, really? The Court has "declared" this "right" again and again. And not once was this right declared in the actual Constitution.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Alex Baldwin is being made to look like a tool by his wife's divorce attorney.

After Ireland failed to answer her father's scheduled morning phone call from
New York on April 11, Alec went berserk on her voice mail, saying "Once again, I
have made an ass of myself trying to get to a phone," adding, "you have insulted
me for the last time." Switching his train of thought, Baldwin then exercised his incredible parenting skills and took a shot at his ex-wife, declaring, "I don't give a damn that you're 12-years-old or 11-years-old, or a child, or that your mother is a thoughtless pain in the ass who doesn't care about what you
do." The irate Baldwin went on to say, "You've made me feel like s**t" and threatened to "straighten your ass out."

In fairness to Baldwin, I'm sure there is more to this than meets the eye. People can be quite manipulative in custody cases, and Baldwin might have good reason to be irate.

But before I get soft, let's take a walk down memory lane with Alec Baldwin:

[Baldwin is] the guy that in December 1998 urged that House Judiciary Committee Chairman Henry Hyde be stoned to death and his family killed. That's what he said while a guest on the "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" show.

"If we were living in another country, what we, all of us together, would go down to Washington and stone Henry Hyde to death, stone him to death, stone him to death!" said Baldwin. "Then we would go to their house and we'd kill the family, kill the children."

[Then there is the] Hollywood fund-raiser he threw for Clinton in August 1998. He almost called it off at the last minute. Why? He learned that the White House organizers were preparing foie gras.

An angry Baldwin called up the Democratic National Committee bigwigs demanding that this outrage be stopped. You see, to make foie gras, geese are force-fed to enlarge their livers. The Baldwins are animal rights wackos. Making geese eat too much is bad. Stoning politicians you disagree with and advocating the killing of their families is good. Get it? Any questions?

Listen to what he told Movies USA in March of that year about his political demons: "I talk about these things because I'm committed and when I'm done I feel kind of disgusted with myself. Sitting in a coffee shop and talking about it is not committed. I think once or twice a month I lie in bed at night and think how I'd like to find a militant organization -- like some Black Panther or IRA equivalent -- that revolved around some important cause and go out and blow up some chemical plant. Really put my a-- on the line. One of the most significant differences I see between the right wing and the left wing is that in this country, the right wing's fanatical assassins -- they have better aim."

I was right the first time. He is a tool.

==============================================================

Guiliani may not know how much milk and bread costs . . .

But when asked about more mundane matters — like the price of some basic staples — Giuliani had trouble with a reporter’s question. “A gallon of milk is probably about a $1.50, a loaf of bread about a $1.25, $1.30,” he said.

A check of the Web site for D’Agostino supermarket on Manhattan’s Upper East Side showed a gallon of milk priced at $4.19 and a loaf of white bread at $2.99 to $3.39. In Montgomery, Ala., a gallon of milk goes for about $3.39 and bread is about $2.

but apparently Edwards doesn't know how much to pay for a haircut.

Quad-City barbers put down their shears and sputtered words like “preposterous” and “impossible” Wednesday when they heard of Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards spending $400 for a haircut. In the Quad-Cities, $10 or $12 is about average.

In fairness to Rudy, he was a little low on the milk (about 50% low), but bread costs are highly variable based on brand, type and whether you have a Kroger Plus Card. You can get bread for $1.25 a loaf. John Edwards on the other hand was about 40 times too much for the cost of a hair cut. Two Americas indeed.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Back to Imus. Race is a big issue again. I read the book Blink recently. It is about the subconscious and cognitive thinking in a fraction of a second. In it, the author discusses a test that measures (allegedly) your subconscious attitudes about race (positive and negative). The test can be taken on line here. When I read Blink, I didn't think the test sounded all that solid to me. It seemed to me that the order in which you take different parts of the test would impact the outcome. After taking the test, I learned that I had a "moderate preference for African-American over European-American."

Either the test is as weak as I thought before I took it, or I'm not a racist and you (probably-take the test and find out) are.

I have nothing profound to say about the murders at Virginia Tech except that I'm glad all of my friends with friends and family there are okay.

Spd was one of those people. He is worth reading. My prayers are with you all.

The Little Stuff

2007-01-09T09:25:00.000-05:00

Just a few things to ponder.

It is unconstitutional in New Jersey for "idiots" to vote. No, really.

State Senate President Richard Codey introduced a bill Monday that would remove language from the New Jersey constitution that was designed more than 150 years ago to prevent people suffering from mental illness or handicap from casting their vote in national, state or local elections.

Codey wants to eliminate a section that says "no idiot or insane person should enjoy the right of suffrage" and substitute with a reference to "a person who has been adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to lack the capacity to understand the act of voting."

Codey went on to say that had this law been enforced, he never would have been elected to office in the first place.

In related news, a decade ago, the Republicans were pushing to eliminate the Department of Education and give local schools more control. Thanks to our "conservative" President, the Federal government now controls our local schools more than ever before. And the law is up for renewal. I wonder how the Democrats will treat the bill.

In other news, Saddam's cat is in need of adoption. See photo to left.

Feel like being pissed off? Read this. Remember, conservatives are crazy, death obsessed, and irrational.

Speaking of New Orleans, near New Orleans, illegal alien Africanized killer bees are taking jobs away from the American bees.

President Bush says that Amercian bees don't want the job, but once the African bees were removed, American bees lined up for blocks to get jobs in honey production.

Scorpions on a Plane! Starring, ... oh never mind.

One word: WUSS! Don't give me that equal rights crap. This man is a disgrace.

SPANKING!

2007-01-09T07:28:00.000-05:00

In Arizona, corporal punishment is alive and well. The Gators spent the evening spanking until it hurt the Buckeyes.

Florida 41

"The" Ohio State University 14

First point, the SEC rules.

Second point: The only undefeated team: Boise State University.

As I said, Boise State should be number 1. Congrats, however, to the insufferable Gator fans. They are the first school in history to hold both the Men's basketball and football NCAA championships at the same time.

Bowl Championship Series my ass.

Baseball Hall of Fame

2007-01-08T19:31:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow we find out who made it into the Baseball Hall of Fame, and who got screwed, maybe for the first time, or again. Making the Hall is tough. First, you only get voted on by lots of whiney, self important little sports writers. Talk about holding a grudge. It's like that girl you didn't call your freshman year. They never forget it when you didn't give them a post game interview, and they vote against you forever. Just ask Jim Rice. Then, you have to get 75% of the vote. That is constitutional amendment tough, folks. Still, some people inexplicably get in, and other can't seem to break through.

Anywho, I turned in my ballot. Here is who I voted to induct into the Hall of Fame:

1. Tony Gwynn. A no brainer on everyone's ballot. The best hitter since Ted Williams. I once read where he swung and missed a pitch only 19 times in an entire year. He won 8 batting titles, hit .350+ 5 years in a row, blah blah blah. Puleze girlfriend.

2. Cal Ripken, Jr. Personally, I think Cal Ripkin is overrated. Don't go bonkers here on me. Overrated doesn't mean he isn't good. It is a statement about the people who talk about him. Ripken was a great player and deserving of the Hall. I just think writers fall all over themselves to hyperbolize his career because he was such a nice guy. Still, he is the only SS to win 2 MVPs, and he turned the SS into a hitter's position. His ironman streak was icing on the cake to a great, Hall of Fame career.

3. Jim Rice. This guy is the opposite of Cal Ripken. Sportswriters hated him and continue to punish him. His longevity numbers might be borderline for some players (just under 400 HR and 3,000 hits), but he put up his dominant numbers in a short career. But he dominated for 11 years with both power and average. He was a great player during that time. In those 11 seasons, Rice led the AL in home runs, RBI, runs scored, slugging and extra-base hits. And the only hitter even close in most of those departments was George Brett. It was long enough. Vote him in.

4. Dave Conception. For a while, I didn't think he deserved in the Hall. I've changed my mind. People need to remember that shortstops didn't become big hitters until recently (see, Ripken, above). The first recent SS to be a hitter was Cal Ripken, and now we have tons of power hitting, high average SS (Tejada, Jeter, A-Rod for a while, etc.). Conception played in a different era. He is one of only 14 SS to play 2000 games and collect 2000 hits. He won 5 Gold Gloves and his offensive and defensive numbers (.972 to .978 fielding percentage) were comparable to Ozzie Smiths, the only SS considered better than Conception in his day. He was also on a winner, the Big Red Machine, and a big reason why they were winners. The best SS in the majors for part of his career, and second best after Ozzie Smith came around. It may sound like grading on the curve, but that is worthy.

5. Goose Gossage. For a while, I too considered Goose's numbers not worthy. But he, like Sutter last year, pioneered the modern closer. Like Sutter, and unlike today's closers, he pitched fewer games and more relief innings per game, but he was one of the dominant pitchers of his day for a decade. In fact, he was better than Sutter, who was voted in last year, and had a longer career. Hall of Famers are to be judged by their era, and in Goose's era, he was the relief pitcher everyone wanted. He belongs.

6. Mark McGwire. McGwire is the controversy this year. Did he cheat? Well, if that means use steroids, most likely. Of course, baseball didn't have a rule then, not that it should matter. The numbers, though, put him in the Hall. He was a 12 time all-star, broke the major league home run record for a single season, is the all-time leader home run to at-bat ratio (1:10.6) in major league history, and even won a gold glove. The guy clearly had talent, hitting 49 home runs in his rookie season before showing any signs of being juiced. He is 7th on the all-time home run list with 583. He was also a genuinely good saleman for the game, especially during the come back of the major leagues in 1998. He ruined his good will with his Congressional testimony, but I can't refuse to vote for the guy. His looking bad isn't grounds for denying the guy his due. I wish I could say it was, but it isn't. Unlike McGwire, I truely despise Barry Bonds, but unless he gets indicted or tests positive for roids, I'll argue for his induction, too. Unlike Rose and Shoeless Joe, McGwire is on the ballot. It is an uncomfortable vote. This guy explains my feelings best on the subject. If Gaylord Perry, who did videos showing how he cheated, can be in the Hall, so can McGwire. His numbers can't be denied.

That is it for me. Several guys up this year were really good players whom I just can't seem to get over the hump. The closest two are Blyleven and Dawson. It wouldn't bother me in the least to see them inducted, even though Dawson was a stuck being a loser playing for the loser Cubs who suck.

The Pitchers.

Tommy John is a close call, and an argument can be made. I mean, they named the most important surgery after the guy. Tommy John surgery and Lou Gerhig's disease are the biggest contributions to medicine by major league baseball.

Jack Morris is hard to say no to. If I were in a World Series, he is one of a handful of pitchers I would give anything to start for my team. I don't think the career numbers are there.

Bert Blyleven also is a closer call. Perhaps the closest. He has great career longevity, so his career numbers match up well.

Position players.

Dale Murphy is another I really want to be in the Hall, but I wouldn't vote for him. He was a dominant player for about 5 years, and won back-to-back MVP awards in 82-83. The reason McGuire is a controversy is because baseball, unlike football, has a 'character' consideration in its rules. In other words, in evaluating a player, voters are supposed to consider character. Because Murphy is borderline (399 career HR, just shy of the nearly universally accepted 400 mark), it is often argued that his character should push him over the top. I don't think he makes it, and I can't see using the fact that he is a good guy make up for the lack of longevity in his numbers. I guess I'm afraid of grade inflation, and I see him, Tommy John, as well as Andre Dawson and Steve Garvey.

Jose Conseco is for me a tough call, especially after casting the vote for his former teammate McGwire. The guy had some great numbers. He hit 462 HR, which is 30th all time, won an MVP and Rookie of the Year award, started the still rare 40-40 club (players with 40 HR and 40 SB in same season). He makes me feel too icky, and his 'dominant' career wasn't long enough for me. The HR has a different meaning in Canseco's era. Plus, he has admitted to cheating and being an all around dispicable person. At least with McGwire, there remains some doubt.

Number 1

2007-01-02T06:55:00.000-05:00

I can go ahead and fill in my ballot for the final NCAA football rankings. I don't need to wait for the Ohio State v. Florida game in 6 days. I've seen all I need to see. I'm voting the Boise State Broncos as my number 1 team.

How can you do that, KJ, you ask? Aren't you an SEC boy? What if Florida wins against Ohio State? Well, I hope that happens, but that won't change my mind.

Why Boise State? Here is why:

1. They beat a very good, No. 7 ranked 10-2 Oklahoma team that lost only once (and once more on a call so bad the refs responsible were suspended for the rest of the year) in the best, wildest game I have seen since that Doug Flutie game against Miami.

2. They are undefeated, 13-0, having beaten every team they played. No matter what, neither Ohio State, which played the weakest Big 10 schedule possible, or Florida, can say that.

3. The National Championship in football is mythical. I can vote for any undefeated team I want. So like when I was ready to vote for the snubbed Auburn and Utah, I can vote for Boise State.

4. You know as well as I do that Oklahoma could have played with Ohio State. Boise State beat them.

5. Boise State plays their home games on a blue turf field. See picture. How do they do that you ask? Well, c'mon. Turf is plastic. They can make it any color you want.

So there you have it. I loved last night's game, and I think Boise State should get a share of the Title.

My final season top ten:

1. Boise State
2. Ohio St./Florida winner
3. Wisconsin
4. Ohio St./Florida loser
5. Auburn or
6. LSU if they win
7. Kentucky (screw Louisville and USC). The Cats won their first bowl game in 22 years.
8. Who cares.
9.
10.

Enjoy the rest of the meaningless games.

Merry Christmas

2006-12-27T08:26:00.000-05:00

Yeah, I've been absent doing my non-virtual job these last 6 months or so I've hardly posted a thing. So let me give everyone so inclined a belated

Merry Christmas!!

If you aren't inclined to celebrate Christmas because you are a practicing Jew, then a belated Happy Hannuka! No hard feelings on my part.

If you celebrate Kwanzaa or Winter Solstice, or some other crap, well, don't bother me with that crap. I don't recognize holidays created in the late 1960's as a political statement or based on astrological BS.

Also, let me go ahead and say

Happy New Year!!

Yeah, I know there may be Chinese people or people who haven't converted to the Gregorian calendar yet that may be offended by my western yearism attitude, and to you I say, don't bother me with that crap. I'm willing to get drunk on your new years day, also.

In other news, The Cheese offers its condolences to our most recently deceased President, Gerald Ford. I hardly knew you. No, really. I hardly knew him. I was like in elementary school during his reign. I was more concerned with the outcome of the last kick ball game.

And finally, a stress reliever. Take batting practice on those annoyingly popular penguins. Enjoy!

Atlanta = Den Of Ursine Iniquity?

2006-12-19T16:29:00.000-05:00

Coincidence???? We think not. Consider the evidence.

Item One: proprietor of little "l" libertarian Blog disappears for a protracted period of time.

Item Two: Seamy stories begin to filter out of the Hotlanta Metropolitan Area. Baby pandas photographed stretched out flat on their bellies, so inebriated they can barely walk:

Zoo Atlanta’s 99-day-old giant panda cub rose on four shaky legs Thursday morning and took a few tentative steps — a first for the youngster.

She wobbled like a drunk in a windstorm, but there was no mistaking her intentions: She’s ready to move on her own, nearly in time for her naming ceremony.

Disgraceful. The poor thing doesn't even have a proper name yet and she's already hitting the sauce. And with a start like this, is it any surprise she's confused?

Children sang and performers put on a lively dance Friday as Zoo Atlanta unveiled the name of the nation's newest panda cub - Mei Lan, a 12-pound ball of adorableness too young to attend the hoopla.

Chengdu Director Zhang Zhihe said Mei Lan, pronounced "may-lan," has male overtones, a gift Chinese parents bestow on female children whom they want to step outside traditional roles for women.

Now wait just one cotton-picking minute... I thought Atlanta was a family town? But it gets worse:

Lun Lun [the mother] was inseminated in March through a new process that aims to get a nearly pure ... sample from a male panda using massage, zoo officials said.

O-kay... we are not going to think about that one too hard.

Just what is going on down there, anyway?

"Little Peach" indeed....

Who Really Cares?

2006-11-28T09:46:00.000-05:00

A new book out compares liberals to conservatives in the area of charitable giving. His conclusions, surpising to some apparently (including the author himself) is that conservatives far out give in time, money and even blood than liberals. Personally, I find his conclusion as startling as "sex leads to pregnancy," "smart people have higher IQs than idiots" and "having a baby leads to sleepless nights," but some people (those who like spending YOUR money instead of their own on other people) will apparently be surprised.

One news story on the book begins as follows:

Philanthropy Expert: Conservatives Are More Generous

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Syracuse University professor Arthur C. Brooks is about to become the darling of the religious right in America -- and it's making him nervous. The child of academics, raised in a liberal household and educated in the liberal arts, Brooks has written a book that concludes religious conservatives donate far more money than secular liberals to all sorts of charitable activities, irrespective of income. In the book, he cites extensive data analysis to demonstrate that values advocated by conservatives -- from church attendance and two-parent families to the Protestant work ethic and a distaste for government-funded social services -- make conservatives more generous than liberals. The book, titled "Who Really Cares: The Surprising Truth About Compassionate Conservatism" (Basic Books, $26), is due for release Nov. 24…….

Thomas Sowell discusses the book in his recent column.

Professor Brooks admits that the facts he uncovered were the opposite of what he expected to find -- so much so that he went back and checked these facts again, to make sure there was no mistake.

What is the reason why some people are liberals and others are conservatives, if it is not that liberals are more compassionate? Fundamental differences in ideology go back to fundamental assumptions about human nature. Based on one set of assumptions, it makes perfect sense to be a liberal. Based on a different set of assumptions, it makes perfect sense to be a conservative.

The two visions are not completely symmetrical, however. For at least two centuries, the vision of the left has included a belief that those with that vision are morally superior, more caring and more compassionate. While both sides argue that their opponents are mistaken, those on the left have declared their opponents to be not merely in error but morally flawed as well. So the idea that liberals are more caring and compassionate goes with the territory, whether or not it fits the facts.

Those on the left proclaimed their moral superiority in the 18th century and they continue to proclaim it in the 21st century. What is remarkable is how long it took for anyone to put that belief to the test -- and how completely it failed that test.

In reading the amazon discription, he also correlates religious belief. This seems obvious to me. Liberals on average (Yes, I'm generalizing here - I know not all liberals ...) are more secularist and less religious. Conservatives, more religious and less secularist. Serious Christians, be they protestant, Catholic or LDS, are called upon to be charitable by their faith. If they sincerely believe in that calling, it should not be surprising if they were more charitable. If such Christians are more conservative on average, which I think would be the case, then that would support the conclusions of the book.

You can buy the book here.

A Lot of Hot Air

2006-11-27T10:08:00.000-05:00

What does the top map show?

Answer: Not the worst hurricane season ever.

As was predicted here. And here. And here.

But remember -- just because a bad hurricane season in 2004 and 2005 proved global warming, this non-hurricane season does not disprove global warming.

No, it doesn't.

And another thing. Just because the best weather scientists and their computer models failed to accurately predict the severity of a hurricane storm season this year does not mean that we should doubt their same computer models on the issue of global warming 5, 10, 20 or even 100 years into the future. So quit saying that it does call into question any doomsday prediction of environmentalists. It means nothings.

Telemarketers

2006-11-20T11:33:00.000-05:00

This clip (from the Bob & Tom show) teaches you how to handle a telemarketer.

Enjoy.

Happy Thanksgiving if I don't make it back this week.

Goodbye Uncle Milt

2006-11-16T14:01:00.000-05:00

There's no such thing as a free lunch.

In college, my economics buddies referred affectionately to Milton Friedman as "Uncle Milt." We read his books and watched his videos in several different classes. He was among the giants of explaining why the free market is the superior method of distributing resources. He passed away today.

"The only way that has ever been discovered to have a lot of people cooperate together voluntarily is through the free market. And that's why it's so essential to preserving individual freedom."

From The Best of the Web:

Milton Friedman, RIP. Word reached us this morning that Milton Friedman has died. Friedman, who won the Nobel Prize in Ecnomics in 1976, was a giant in free-market economics--and freedom more generally--and a frequent contributor to The Wall Street Journal. Just last month he penned an op-ed lamenting Hong Kong's departure from laissez-faire economics. Back in July Tunku Varadarajan published a charming interview with Friedman and his wife, Rose. Milton Friedman was 94.

"Most economic fallacies derive - from the tendency to assume that there is a fixed pie, that one party can gain only at the expense of another."

You can read more about him in his Wikipedia entry.

"Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself."

Better yet, go to the Friedman Foundation and help in one of his projects, the promotion of school choice to improve K-12 education. This is one of his causes that I whole-heartedly support.

"The society that puts equality before freedom will end up with neither. The society that puts freedom before equality will end up with a great measure of both."

This personal tribute to Dr. Friedman is worth reading.

"Nobody spends somebody else's money as carefully as he spends his own. Nobody uses somebody else's resources as carefully as he uses his own. So if you want efficiency and effectiveness, if you want knowledge to be properly utilized, you have to do it through the means of private property."

Finally, if you want your kids educated in economics, they need to read his books and watch his videos. His Free to Choose project resulted in a PBS TV show and a book. Order the videos here. Buy some books here.

Concentrated power is not rendered harmless by the good intentions of those who create it.

Have a high school graduate coming up in the spring? This is the best gift you could give him or her.

The Great Depression, like most other periods of severe unemployment, was produced by government mismanagement rather than by any inherent instability of the private economy.

God bless you, Uncle Milt. You will be missed. Especially by those that love freedom.

The problem of social organization is how to set up an arrangement under which greed will do the least harm; capitalism is that kind of a system.

Negative Ads

2006-11-16T10:38:00.000-05:00

Were negative political ads bad in your area this year? In Georgia, we had an all out nuclear war of negative ads for a Supreme Court justice spot.

And it has filtered down to the race for pre-school president. Check out Jimmy Jones's ad about his opponent Billy. You do want to see this.

Winner, "Not My Job" Award

2006-11-16T10:27:00.000-05:00

Heh.

*************************************************************

You Know What Burns My @$$?

2006-11-14T09:39:00.000-05:00

1. The Vatican preaching about walls.

A senior Vatican cardinal on Tuesday condemned the building of walls between countries to keep out immigrants and said Washington's plan to build a fence on the U.S.-Mexican border was part of an "inhuman program".
* * * *
"Speaking of borders, I must unfortunately say that in a world that greeted the fall of the Berlin Wall with joy, new walls are being built between neighborhood and neighborhood, city and city, nation and nation," said Martino, head of the Vatican's Council for Justice and Peace.

Well, Cardinal, there is a big difference between walls with the purpose of keeping people in, and those intended to keep people out. The U.S. does not force people to stay in the U.S. East Germany did. While it is true that Mexico's economy sucks, it isn't commiting genocide. People aren't fleeing for their lives. They are fleeing for their pocket books. The U.S. has every right to protect itself and control its borders. As does Saudi Arabia and Isreal, where the border very clearly is intended to prevent killers from entering the country.

We shouldn't be surprised though. This is the same guy who whined that the U.S. treated Saddam "like a cow" after his capture. The comments were so stupid that the Pope publicly distanced himself from the comments.

On the border issue, what is your alternative solution, Cardinal? How would you protect countries from invasion, whether economic or terror related? Protecting people from predators isn't exactly what the Church does best, now is it? Call us when you have some effective answers.
*********************************************************************************

2. People complaining about third-parties, particularly libertarians. Sometimes, they are the necessary ingredient to get coalitions built and get things done.

Critics of the Libertarian Party, who focus on their modest if growing number of office-holders, are often unaware of the Party's emphasis on local community networking and consensus coalitions that underlie real politics. Indeed, many of their most signal policy victories--the Earned Income Credit, the increasing collapse of ballot restrictions across the US, and anti-poverty programs such as the Alaska Permanent Fund--are the result of the Libertarian willingness to envision and do the hard work coalitions require, and then share the credit.

The passage of eminent domain limits and amendments in many state elections this year were largely the work of libertarians. The linked article deals specificly with Florida.
********************************************************************************

3. Being forced to choose between bad Republican leadership and worse Demcratic policies and leadership. Thanks a lot "party of small government." Thomas Sowell looks at both problems in his always insightful way.

*********************************************************************************

4. Finally, people who quote Richard Cohen in the same post where the link me. The nerve of some blog princesses.

Really.
*********************************************************************************
5. Superheroes. And Thanksgiving. Hmmm ... I wonder what they are thankful for? (Warning: adult language.)
**********************************************************************************
6. Changing the Colonel? Say it ain't so.

Sound Bites 11/13

2006-11-13T13:23:00.000-05:00

It is nice to know that Pelosi will be governing from the center, just as her non-leftist district in San Franciso would want her to do.

Meanwhile, Elton John explains to us the meaning of tollerence. Pot, I'm kettle. You're black.

Although no Democratic incumbent lost in the general election last week, one did lose in the primaries this year. Bad timing to get beat again, Cynthia. Let's home your district keeps you at home this time.

Sometimes, the intelligence of our administration and military is worthy of question. Read this article, and pay attention to this:

The incident is a setback for the aggressive U.S.-China military exchange program being promoted by Adm. Fallon, who has made several visits to China in recent months in an attempt to develop closer ties. However, critics of the program in the Pentagon say China has not reciprocated and continues to deny U.S. military visitors access to key facilities, including a Beijing command center.

In contrast, Chinese military visitors have been invited to military exercises and sensitive U.S. facilities. Additionally, military intelligence officials said Adm. Fallon has restricted U.S. intelligence-gathering activities against China, fearing that disclosure of the activities would upset relations with Beijing.

I'm glad we shared first. Welcome back, Cold War.

It isn't the decision to fire Rumsfeld. It's the timing. Heh. But seriously, it doesn't look good. I'm surprised, frankly. But only a little.

Forty things that only happen in the movies.

For you history and imperialism buffs out there: This is really cool.

Tip for you would be counterfeiter: when photocopying your money, set copier to "2-sided."

Finally, is Michael Vick killing your Fantasy Football team? Try Fantasy Congress. Damn that Cynthia McKinney!

Just a question

2006-11-10T00:06:00.000-05:00

In Georgia, ads ran during the election cycle accusing opponents of "being a liberal." The oppenents denied the charge. Even when it was true, though it wasn't always.

But do you ever see liberals saying -- "Hey, I'm a liberal and my oppenent isn't!"? Maybe it's just Georgia.

Here is a great example. An AP article in which San Franciscoans (what are they called? oh, yeah, "hippies") dispute the "liberal" labe.

SAN FRANCISO!! NOT LIBERAL!??

WHO ARE THEY TRYING TO FOOL?

Give me a break.

Gingrich Speaks

2006-11-09T15:36:00.000-05:00

If the president had decided to replace Secretary Rumsfeld he should have told us two weeks ago," Gingrich said. "I think that we would today control the Senate and probably have 10 to15 more House seats. And I found it very disturbing yesterday in the press conference, the explanation that the President gave.

"We need candor, we need directness," said Gingrich, a potential 2008 presidential candidate."We need to understand the threats we faced with are so frightening and so real, the danger that we'll lose two to three American cities so great, that we cannot play games with each other, cannot manipulate each other, we have to have an open and honest dialogue, and I found yesterday's staments at the press conference frankly very disturbing."

He condemned Bush's admission that in making last week's statement about Rumsfeld, he had known he was being misleading.

"It's inappropriate to cleverly come out the day after an election to do something we were told before the election would not be done," Gingrich said. "I think the timing was exactly backwards and I hope the President will rethink how he engages the American people and how he communicates with candor."

In other words, "don't lie to us Mr. President." Read it all here. He also talks about the entire Congress. Frankly, Gingrich is right most of the time.

Happy Blogiversary -- Or Whatever

2006-11-09T13:00:00.000-05:00

Happy 2nd Birthday to the Blog called The Unrepentant Individual.

That blog is Brad's creation. It is now in the terrible twos.

He has since made a lateral move and also serves on The Liberty Papers.

Thus, UI has changed focus, but it is still a worthy stop.

And of course TLP is a must stop.

Keep writing Brad.

Pcitured at right is Brad (or so we are told).