How 'bout them Gators? What a treat to see Florida whip a little Volunteer butt! I expected a high scoring game, so Florida's 59 did not shock me too much, but I thought Tennessee would put up decent numbers also. So, either (a) Tennessee's offense is not as good as advertised, or (b) Florida's D is coming together beautifully. I am hoping it is more B than A, but I am not even close to an expert on it. Either way, 1-0 in the SEC and the winner of the UF/UT game has won the SEC 11 of the last 14 years! Let's go to Atlanta!
In other Gator news, according to Gene Menez at Sports Illustrated/Heisman Watch says, "The ballot if the season ended today" his vote would include Tim Tebow at number 2. For what? While the young man is impressive as a QB, he is only a sophomore. While, technically, the Heisman CAN be awarded to a Sophomore or Freshman, tradition does not allow it, so why would you put a sophomore on the ballot? Tim may win the trophy. He could (possibly) win it 2 years in a row, but it won't happen this year.
In other football news, I didn't do so well in this week's pool. It is painful to from 10 for 10 in Week 1 to 5 for 10 in Week 3 and I should have done better. While I truly felt it was possible for ND to beat Michigan, I knew it wasn't probable. And who could have guessed that Miss St would beat Auburn? Oh, well, better luck next week to me!
And, of course,
GO GATORS!
Monday, September 17, 2007
Friday, September 14, 2007
A Quote for Today
"The object of government is the welfare of the people. The material progress and prosperity of a nation are desirable chiefly so far as they lead to the moral and material welfare of all good citizens." - Theodore Roosevelt
Well Said
I know he doesn't have a shot at winning the election and maybe I wouldn't really like him if I looked more into his politics, but former Alaskan Senator Mike Gravel does have the best sound bites.
""I'm prepared to tell you that Americans are getting fatter and dumber," the former Alaska senator told comedian Bill Maher, one of the debate's moderators. "I have no problem saying that.""
I really do respect a Presidential candidate who speaks his mind. I will probably vote for him in the Primary. What difference does it make? My vote isn't going to count anyway!
There is a short blurb on the rest of what he said here. There is a video also with some more comments. Very interesting.
""I'm prepared to tell you that Americans are getting fatter and dumber," the former Alaska senator told comedian Bill Maher, one of the debate's moderators. "I have no problem saying that.""
I really do respect a Presidential candidate who speaks his mind. I will probably vote for him in the Primary. What difference does it make? My vote isn't going to count anyway!
There is a short blurb on the rest of what he said here. There is a video also with some more comments. Very interesting.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
My Sentiments Exactly
Since the beginning of this stupid war in Iraq, I have found it funny (not, funny HA HA) that the politicians fighting so hard to send our children off to die have (for the most part) not been in war. I have thought many times that maybe if these men and women were to spend time in Iraq, doing the soldiers job, maybe they would not be so willing to leave our troops there any longer. Of course that is never going to happen, but, for the first time, the soldiers doing the job have expressed the same opinion.
"Back in Iraq, there's no access to the news for the troops at the heart of the surge, but the soldiers are fully aware of the political debate and the sentiment back home. The troops long to be back in the States. But if that's not going to happen, they really wish the politicos would take a tour with them, deep in the trenches of war."
I have never served in a war, but I don't have to to be able to empathize with those who are doing the job. I have a very vivid imagination and, while I am sure I know NOTHING about what it is actually like, I can make myself sick with the images on TV and those in my own head. I don't need to be in the trenches to understand these men and women need to come home NOW.
"Back in Iraq, there's no access to the news for the troops at the heart of the surge, but the soldiers are fully aware of the political debate and the sentiment back home. The troops long to be back in the States. But if that's not going to happen, they really wish the politicos would take a tour with them, deep in the trenches of war."
I have never served in a war, but I don't have to to be able to empathize with those who are doing the job. I have a very vivid imagination and, while I am sure I know NOTHING about what it is actually like, I can make myself sick with the images on TV and those in my own head. I don't need to be in the trenches to understand these men and women need to come home NOW.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
College Football Week 2
Well, didn't I just stink this time around? After a lovely 10 for 10 last weekend, I managed a paltry 6 wins this weekend. I truly thought that Michigan was better than they obviously are. And I really thought that Miami had a shot against Oklahoma. Oh, well.
DSD managed 8 wins, but lost 2 due to upsets. South Florida beat Auburn? Wow. And while Spurrier has been running his mouth about his team's ability to win the SEC, I didn't think it was TRUE.
Due to the fact that I live in this wonderful state, I was unable to watch most of the evening games because I was stuck in front of my computer waiting for Gator updates. The Gametracker on Gatorzone is much improved from last year, but it still stinks. And while I love those Gators, $29.95 is a lot to pay to watch them beat Troy 59-31. I have the ESPN Gameplan, but it blacks out the Gator games for those living in the state. Unfair? Of course, but I am used to it. My plan was to hit a sports bar, but I didn't take the fact that DSD's son was with us this weekend into consideration. I find it tacky to take children to a bar and boring to go alone.
So I missed the South Carolina-Georgia game and all but the end of USF-Auburn. At least next week's game is televised. Here's hoping for 1-0 in the SEC. And a better week in the football pool.
DSD managed 8 wins, but lost 2 due to upsets. South Florida beat Auburn? Wow. And while Spurrier has been running his mouth about his team's ability to win the SEC, I didn't think it was TRUE.
Due to the fact that I live in this wonderful state, I was unable to watch most of the evening games because I was stuck in front of my computer waiting for Gator updates. The Gametracker on Gatorzone is much improved from last year, but it still stinks. And while I love those Gators, $29.95 is a lot to pay to watch them beat Troy 59-31. I have the ESPN Gameplan, but it blacks out the Gator games for those living in the state. Unfair? Of course, but I am used to it. My plan was to hit a sports bar, but I didn't take the fact that DSD's son was with us this weekend into consideration. I find it tacky to take children to a bar and boring to go alone.
So I missed the South Carolina-Georgia game and all but the end of USF-Auburn. At least next week's game is televised. Here's hoping for 1-0 in the SEC. And a better week in the football pool.
Friday, September 7, 2007
Pre/Post Kickoff Thoughts
Well, I didn't win last week's football pool, although I did go 10 for 10. I sat through the 4th quarter of the FSU/Clemson game hoping and praying for just one more score (by Clemson) and never got it. I had 54 for the tie-breaker, the total was 42 and the winner had 43. Better luck this week, right?
This week's games:
Bama @ Vandy Bama
Oregon @ Michigan Michigan (come on, do you think they are going to lose again?)
NCSt @ BC BC
SouthMiss @ TN TN (see the remarks from above)
ND @ Penn St Penn St
VT @ LSU LSU
S Florida @ Aub Aub
Miami @ OK Miami (not sure that I chose correctly on this one!)
Neb @ WF Neb
S Carolina @ Georgia Georgia (tie breaker game) 48
I think I probably should have gone higher on the tie breaker. I usually do pretty well on picking the winners, but I stink at the tie breakers. Both SC and UGa should score a lot. While UGa is normally fairly good defensively, Spurrier's Fun'nGun can be a killer. This is not the SEC of the 90's though, so I think UGa can beat them (I hope).
DSD chose Oregon over Michigan (did I mention he was from Colombus, OH?) and Oklahoma over Miami. I am pretty sure I chose Oklahoma in last year's Fiesta Bowl, so I am still pretty POed at them.
I have also joined the fray at www.fannation.com and entered their pool. Grand Prize is an NCAA 2008 football weekend. I have always wanted to watch the OSU/Michigan game in the 'Shoe!
This week's games:
Bama @ Vandy Bama
Oregon @ Michigan Michigan (come on, do you think they are going to lose again?)
NCSt @ BC BC
SouthMiss @ TN TN (see the remarks from above)
ND @ Penn St Penn St
VT @ LSU LSU
S Florida @ Aub Aub
Miami @ OK Miami (not sure that I chose correctly on this one!)
Neb @ WF Neb
S Carolina @ Georgia Georgia (tie breaker game) 48
I think I probably should have gone higher on the tie breaker. I usually do pretty well on picking the winners, but I stink at the tie breakers. Both SC and UGa should score a lot. While UGa is normally fairly good defensively, Spurrier's Fun'nGun can be a killer. This is not the SEC of the 90's though, so I think UGa can beat them (I hope).
DSD chose Oregon over Michigan (did I mention he was from Colombus, OH?) and Oklahoma over Miami. I am pretty sure I chose Oklahoma in last year's Fiesta Bowl, so I am still pretty POed at them.
I have also joined the fray at www.fannation.com and entered their pool. Grand Prize is an NCAA 2008 football weekend. I have always wanted to watch the OSU/Michigan game in the 'Shoe!
One More Try
I have been working on a post about Sen Larry Craig since the story broke and it has just not come together. So I am going to try it once more before I move on to my college football ramblings for the week.
First, I need to mention that I do not care if the man is a homosexual. Who a person sleeps with is not my business as long as it is between two consenting adults.
And second, the man is a Republican and a conservative, so to me that also means he is a hypocrite already. The fact that he voted for the Defense of Marriage Act and against the anti discrimination for sexual orientation (while trying to pick up someone in the men's room) just PROVES he is a hypocrite. The Republicans worry about embroyos and fetus' and those whose brains are mush.. unless their brains are mush because of an injury caused by this stupid war.. and they start stupid wars that kill our young men and women and Iraq's young men and women and the not so young and... plus they believe in not helping those less fortunate than themselves and (let's face it) aren't we all less fortunate than the rich, middle-aged white guys who are running this country? Yes, I am rambling, but none of it makes sense, so I didn't even try to force some sense into it.
So the point that I wanted to make (and I am not sure that I have seen this exact point made in other blogs) is that the man is a complete, total and absolute MORON. He needs to resign from office and move to an island somewhere where there is no possibility that he will infect others with his stupidity. Was he hitting on a cop in that airport bathroom?* Was he railroaded? Are the lefties out to get him? Does anyone really care?
Hey, Larry, you PLEAD guilty. You never hired a lawyer. Did you even tell your family? What is your degree in, underwater basket weaving? How long have you been in the Senate? While I understand that (according to Cheney) there are now four branches of government, Congress is still supposed to be the legislative branch... that means they make laws, Larry. Do you have any understanding of what that means?
Mrs. Gump said, "Stupid is as stupid does." That seems to be the correct quote in speaking of the (hopefully) former Senator Larry Craig.
*Ewwwwwwwwww.
First, I need to mention that I do not care if the man is a homosexual. Who a person sleeps with is not my business as long as it is between two consenting adults.
And second, the man is a Republican and a conservative, so to me that also means he is a hypocrite already. The fact that he voted for the Defense of Marriage Act and against the anti discrimination for sexual orientation (while trying to pick up someone in the men's room) just PROVES he is a hypocrite. The Republicans worry about embroyos and fetus' and those whose brains are mush.. unless their brains are mush because of an injury caused by this stupid war.. and they start stupid wars that kill our young men and women and Iraq's young men and women and the not so young and... plus they believe in not helping those less fortunate than themselves and (let's face it) aren't we all less fortunate than the rich, middle-aged white guys who are running this country? Yes, I am rambling, but none of it makes sense, so I didn't even try to force some sense into it.
So the point that I wanted to make (and I am not sure that I have seen this exact point made in other blogs) is that the man is a complete, total and absolute MORON. He needs to resign from office and move to an island somewhere where there is no possibility that he will infect others with his stupidity. Was he hitting on a cop in that airport bathroom?* Was he railroaded? Are the lefties out to get him? Does anyone really care?
Hey, Larry, you PLEAD guilty. You never hired a lawyer. Did you even tell your family? What is your degree in, underwater basket weaving? How long have you been in the Senate? While I understand that (according to Cheney) there are now four branches of government, Congress is still supposed to be the legislative branch... that means they make laws, Larry. Do you have any understanding of what that means?
Mrs. Gump said, "Stupid is as stupid does." That seems to be the correct quote in speaking of the (hopefully) former Senator Larry Craig.
*Ewwwwwwwwww.
Sunday, September 2, 2007
College Football Roundup
Go Gators!
Ok, so I understand that playing Western Kentucky is not exactly a hardship. It is practically a scrimmage. But it did prove that Tim Tebow can throw the ball. My brother called me at the end of the 1st quarter to announce that Tim had not thrown a single incomplete pass. He had only thrown 3 passes at that point, but none of them were incomplete! He had also already thrown for over 100 yards.
The final score (after just over 51 minutes of football)* was 49-3. There were some old timers out there, but more new names and faces! Here's to a great 2007!
***************************************************************
In other news,
1. Michigan lost to Appalachian State. I really love typing that! What a joke. This was the team who felt they should have played for the National Championship instead of Florida last year and who many had picked to play for the National Championship this year! Plus, DSD is a Colombus, Ohio born and bred Buckeye, so I get to hate the Wolverines by default. (He hates the 'Noles, that is what love is all about!).
2. DSD and I participate weekly during college football in a friendly little football pool organized by our friends at our neighborhood watering hole. There are 10 games each week, winner is the person who picks the most correct wins. If there is a tie, one game is chosen as a tie breaker and the person who picks the number closest to the combined total score wins. I first started playing during the 2004 season and I didn't get to play every week, but the weeks I did play I would win 3 out of 10 or 4 out of 10. I never used REASON, you see. I made all my picks on emotion. Pick FSU to win? Not bloody likely!
During the 2005 season I did better. I was even tied going into the Bowl pool, the last one of the year.. worth the most money. Unfortunately, Texas and USC kept scoring and scoring and scoring and my tiebreaker was not that high.**
Last year I won the next to the last weekly pool (Thanksgiving weekend football!) AND the Bowl pool! (I was starting to sweat when no one scored in the 3rd quarter of the National Championship game. I needed that last TD to win. The fact that it was a Gator TD just made it sweeter!)
So far this week, I am 9 for 9. DSD chose Wake Forest in the BC/Wake game, so he is only 8 for 9. The last game is tomorrow night at 7 CDT. The Bowden Bowl. I didn't pick FSU to win, but that is because they usually don't when they play Clemson. And my tie breaker number is 54. Wish me luck, I could use the money!
3. I had Auburn in the pool and I like to support the SEC teams when they play out of conference, but I would have been thrilled if KState had pulled out the win. My best friend, P, is from Manhattan, KS and practically her entire family has attended KState. I figured Auburn would win, but it was a really great game and I hope that is a sign that KState is going to be competitive in the Big 12. Plus I have a special place in my heart for them since their defeat of Texas last year led to my Gators in the National Championship game!***
* Game was called on account of lightning before the middle of the 4th quarter.
**The loss would not have been so horrendous, but the winner was a girl who made her picks on uniform color and has no interest in college football normally.
***It really is all about the Gators, you know!
Ok, so I understand that playing Western Kentucky is not exactly a hardship. It is practically a scrimmage. But it did prove that Tim Tebow can throw the ball. My brother called me at the end of the 1st quarter to announce that Tim had not thrown a single incomplete pass. He had only thrown 3 passes at that point, but none of them were incomplete! He had also already thrown for over 100 yards.
The final score (after just over 51 minutes of football)* was 49-3. There were some old timers out there, but more new names and faces! Here's to a great 2007!
***************************************************************
In other news,
1. Michigan lost to Appalachian State. I really love typing that! What a joke. This was the team who felt they should have played for the National Championship instead of Florida last year and who many had picked to play for the National Championship this year! Plus, DSD is a Colombus, Ohio born and bred Buckeye, so I get to hate the Wolverines by default. (He hates the 'Noles, that is what love is all about!).
2. DSD and I participate weekly during college football in a friendly little football pool organized by our friends at our neighborhood watering hole. There are 10 games each week, winner is the person who picks the most correct wins. If there is a tie, one game is chosen as a tie breaker and the person who picks the number closest to the combined total score wins. I first started playing during the 2004 season and I didn't get to play every week, but the weeks I did play I would win 3 out of 10 or 4 out of 10. I never used REASON, you see. I made all my picks on emotion. Pick FSU to win? Not bloody likely!
During the 2005 season I did better. I was even tied going into the Bowl pool, the last one of the year.. worth the most money. Unfortunately, Texas and USC kept scoring and scoring and scoring and my tiebreaker was not that high.**
Last year I won the next to the last weekly pool (Thanksgiving weekend football!) AND the Bowl pool! (I was starting to sweat when no one scored in the 3rd quarter of the National Championship game. I needed that last TD to win. The fact that it was a Gator TD just made it sweeter!)
So far this week, I am 9 for 9. DSD chose Wake Forest in the BC/Wake game, so he is only 8 for 9. The last game is tomorrow night at 7 CDT. The Bowden Bowl. I didn't pick FSU to win, but that is because they usually don't when they play Clemson. And my tie breaker number is 54. Wish me luck, I could use the money!
3. I had Auburn in the pool and I like to support the SEC teams when they play out of conference, but I would have been thrilled if KState had pulled out the win. My best friend, P, is from Manhattan, KS and practically her entire family has attended KState. I figured Auburn would win, but it was a really great game and I hope that is a sign that KState is going to be competitive in the Big 12. Plus I have a special place in my heart for them since their defeat of Texas last year led to my Gators in the National Championship game!***
* Game was called on account of lightning before the middle of the 4th quarter.
**The loss would not have been so horrendous, but the winner was a girl who made her picks on uniform color and has no interest in college football normally.
***It really is all about the Gators, you know!
Misc Sunday Thoughts
Michael Vick is a scum, sucking pig. He deserves to be sent up the river for a very long time and to never be allowed to even watch football again. What he did and allowed to be done to those dogs was cruel and inhuman, but (to me) the part that he truly needs to be punished for is taking the gifts that he was given and flushing them down the toilet.
I don't know a lot about his childhood, but my understanding is that it wasn't very "Leave it to Beaver". When I looked up Vick on Wikipedia there were a lot of references to the crimes that he pled guilty to, but there is also plenty of insites into the neighborhood and public housing that he grew up in. It didn't sound like a fun place, but his parents were together and both (according to the article) were honest and hardworking and he had something that a lot of people in that situation do not have... A WAY OUT.
I feel for the poor, the needy, the uneducated. I am constantly looking for ways to help them, although I am usually disapointed in my own efforts. Michael Vick did not need my help or anyone else's. His talent, whether you consider it God-given, genetic or just pure dumb luck, allowed him to receive an education and then elevated him to a place that most only dream of. He was a shining example that hard work and dedication will allow a person to fulfill their dreams (although maybe not the tune of a $40 million signing bonus for everyone). And he blew it. Not only did he break the law, but he thumbed his nose at every single person (and the list includes me) who has cheered for him through the years. He basically said "Eff off" to all of us who appreciated where he came from and what he had made of himself.
I do not feel that he should be punished any more or less than any other NFL quarterback because he is black. If Rex Grossman (my fave QB because he is a former Gator) were caught in this situation, I would be devastated, but I would feel he deserves the same punishment. I don't believe this has anything to do with race. I think it has to do with basic human decency and anyone committing the crimes that Vick committed obviously does not understand what those words mean.
I don't know a lot about his childhood, but my understanding is that it wasn't very "Leave it to Beaver". When I looked up Vick on Wikipedia there were a lot of references to the crimes that he pled guilty to, but there is also plenty of insites into the neighborhood and public housing that he grew up in. It didn't sound like a fun place, but his parents were together and both (according to the article) were honest and hardworking and he had something that a lot of people in that situation do not have... A WAY OUT.
I feel for the poor, the needy, the uneducated. I am constantly looking for ways to help them, although I am usually disapointed in my own efforts. Michael Vick did not need my help or anyone else's. His talent, whether you consider it God-given, genetic or just pure dumb luck, allowed him to receive an education and then elevated him to a place that most only dream of. He was a shining example that hard work and dedication will allow a person to fulfill their dreams (although maybe not the tune of a $40 million signing bonus for everyone). And he blew it. Not only did he break the law, but he thumbed his nose at every single person (and the list includes me) who has cheered for him through the years. He basically said "Eff off" to all of us who appreciated where he came from and what he had made of himself.
I do not feel that he should be punished any more or less than any other NFL quarterback because he is black. If Rex Grossman (my fave QB because he is a former Gator) were caught in this situation, I would be devastated, but I would feel he deserves the same punishment. I don't believe this has anything to do with race. I think it has to do with basic human decency and anyone committing the crimes that Vick committed obviously does not understand what those words mean.
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