Don’t Chase Shiny Things

The bailout

Today, I am not a Democrat. I am not a Republican. I am, simply, pissed off.

I was mad yesterday, when I learned Congress would not pass the bailout plan. I was mad today, when I learned Congress probably will pass a similar plan. I was made at John McCain for grandstanding; mad at Barack Obama for twiddling his thumb when the shit was about to hit the fan. I’m mad, mad, mad, mad.

Mostly, I’m mad at the greedy corporate fuckers (sorry, but I’m quite angry here) who were allowed—sans government regulation—to do whatever the hell they wanted to, RE: mortgages. After so many years of hearing certain politicians screaming for “smaller government” and “less regulation,” well, congrats! Y’all got exactly what you wanted—a potential Great Depression II: Electric Boogaloo. This is what happens when you let business people whose sole goals revolve around money, money, money roam free; what happens when the government refuses to step in and lay down proper restrictions; what happens with slick assholes driving BMWs and booking 1 pm lunch meetings at Per Se have a stake in the general good.

There’s no happy ending here—we’re screwed. The government will have to agree to a bailout, which—as my pal Jemele Hill accurately put it—makes me want to “throw up in my mouth.” The idea that we had to cut funding for youth programs for shelters; for public schools … yet we can come up with $700 billion in tax revenues to save the anuses who blew this … well, I’m devastated. And you probably should be, too.

A nice Q&A

This was posted today—sorta gives my side on things pretty nicely. 

Rosh Hashanah

Spent today celebrating Rosh Hashanah with the family. Like many Jews I know, I’m all about the traditional side of being Jewish—the gatherings; the history; the bond. And yet, to be honest, I spend most of these holidays questioning everything about myself and my religion.

To be blunt: Why am I Jewish? Is it because I was born a Jew, or is there truly a connection? How can I call myself Jewish when I believe, oh, three percent of what I hear in synagogue? Why—when there are millions of homeless across the world—do so many religious institutions (like the one I visited today) hold their meetings in lavish, expensive, over-the-top structures? Shouldn’t that money have gone to people in need? Couldn’t a congregation simply meet in, say, a Cosco warehouse? How can we Jews stand so strongly for Israel, yet so many drive these enormous, gas-guzzling monster trucks that—cha-ching—result in billions of oil dollars going to nations that wish to destroy the Jewish homeland?

Mainly, I guess I wonder whether I attend services because I hear some sort of spiritual calling, or if it’s just plain ol’ guilt? I mean, I certainly don’t believe that, if there’s a God, he listens to prayers from a synagogue or church and not from a living room. I certainly don’t believe rabbis or priests or ministers are any closer to God than John McEnroe, Walter Mondale or Mike Tyson (well, maybe Tyson). I certainly don’t believe in the literal tellings of Adam and Eve, Noah’s Ark, the burning bush, etc. So, again, what am I doing? And why, come day’s end, can’t I stop?

PS: Lately my 5-year-old daughter has been semi-obsessed with death, and it’s pretty awkward. My wife handles it well, because she doesn’t consume herself with humanity’s inevitable personal demise. Yet death freaks me out—and I don’t want my girl to pick that up. Anyhow, just thought I’d share …

THE LOSS TO THE REDSKINS…CAN I SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT T.O.?

SportsJabber.NET Fantasy Hockey

Hey Kids,

You may have heard there is going to be a new All-Sports site popping up here soon. It's too late to get in on the fantasy football for the season but we can kick off the Sports Jabber Fantasy Sports with NHL.

If your interested, and can commit to a long season, go ahead and sign up. It is an Auto Pick so you can rank your own players or use the Yahoo default. When there is an even number of teams and we don't get any bites for a bit we will set it to draft and wallah, you will have your team ready to go.

Here is the info...

Quote:

League ID#: 72520 League Name: SportsJabber.NET Hockey League Password: sportsjabber Custom League URL: http://hockey.fantasysports.yahoo.co...tsjabberhockey Draft Type: Autopick Draft Max Teams: 20 Scoring Type: Head-to-Head Max Moves: No maximum Max Acquisitions per Week: No maximum Max Trades: No maximum Trade Reject Time: 2 Trade End Date: March 5, 2009 Waiver Time: 2 days Can't Cut List Provider: Yahoo! Sports Trade Review: League Votes Post Draft Players: Follow Waiver Rules Min Games Played: 3 Weekly Deadline: Daily - Tomorrow Start Scoring on: Week 1 Roster Positions: C, C, LW, LW, RW, RW, D, D, D, D, G, G, BN, BN, BN, BN, IR Stat Categories: G, A, +/-, PIM, PPP, SOG, W, GAA, SV%, SHO

Bradie James Says Media Is Blowing Up Terrell Owens Again

Blogging the Boys has an inteview with Dallas Cowboys linebacker Bradie James and it’s a good read on what the Cowboys locker room is like right now. 

First off, James says that Terrell Owens is humble and his comments are once again blown up by the press because they have nothing better to do. Here is his answer from the interview.

Bradie: I mean you just said it, the media said that stuff, T.O. isn’t saying it. What’s crazy is, for you to say it like that shows you guys know (the fans) that the media just wants to blow it out of proportion because part of it is their job and they want to have something to talk about. Is it right, is fair to us? No. But nobody cares about that, they just think that we’re supposed to go out there and play football. But, you know, we’re not going to allow the media to come into the locker room and stir up a mess, that’s basically what they’re doing. They want to stir up some things to tear us apart but you know that’s part of the job, this is not our first rodeo. As long as we know that T.O. is humble and we’re not at each others’ throat, it’s fine.

If You Want To Know What Death and Insanity Looks Like, Watch This

The lies? The propaganda? For how long? Will I get paid? Oh my God this guy is completely out of his mind. Folks, meet the one and only, Al Davis. 

Mr. Chicago Baseball Exclusive Part II: Steve Stone talks Cubs

By Paul M. Banks 

(more…)

The Weekly Thermometer

The Counselor is IN:

Who is Hot?

QB Brett Favre was toasty hot last weekend. He went 24 for 34 and 289 yards. He had 6 touchdowns and an interception. The old gunslinger is back in town.

RB Larry Johnson was red giant hot. He ran for 198 yards on 28 carries. He had 2 touchdowns and a fumble. LJ is back and he demonstrated it against their nemesis the Broncos. I am not sure if it was a fluke or if LJ is for real but at least last week he was HOT, HOT, HOT!

WR Muhsin Muhammad was Sahara Desert hot. . He had 8 receptions for 147 yards and 1 touchdown. Amazing what leaving Chicago will do for a receiver.

Who is Lukewarm?

RB Deuce McAllister was lukewarm. He had 20 carries for 73 yards and a touchdown. This is great news for McAllister owners since he has not played much this year at all.

QB Kurt Warner was lukewarm. He was both hot and cold at the same time. It is like turning on the both and letting them fight it out which becomes lukewarm. He went 40 of 57 for472 yards with a touchdown. But he also had 3 interceptions.

WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh was lukewarm. He 6 rushes for 40 and 0 touchdowns. Housh was seen as top Tier fantasy WR. Now he is barely a WR2.


Who is Cold?

QB Brian Griese was blizzard cold. He was 15 for 30 for 149 yards and a touchdown. He had three interceptions. He did lead his team to a victory but was cold all day.

RB Edgerrin James is freezer cold. He rushed for 29 yards on 9 attempts. He did score twice which makes him a little less frosty.

The Cowboys Rushing Offense was sub-zero cold. They only had 11 rushing attempts for 44 yards. Did you forget that you can run the ball. Check the tape from week three Boys and get back to us.


The Counselor is OUT: