UConn James

I would argue that Palin was a net plus for the other side. As much as she may have energized the base (and I agree she did), she turned off independents and energized those Dems who 'could have lived with' McCain but were scared off by the Palin they saw in interviews who couldn't speak English and demonstrated that she knew nothing about where she stood on issues, and relied on shout-outs, winks, and you-betchas to fill the dead air. Again, she embodied the Party of Stupid. She didn't pull in nearly what Romney, with his connections, could have. McCain wouldn't've needed to take public funds. A Romney who, at the convention, gave a very good speech that was just to the right of Ronald Reagan. JM said the thing he liked least about campaigning was asking for money (commendable) and his weakest issue was the economy (to wit, I think this was the stupidest sentence he could have uttered and this admission really cost him). He didn't shore those weaknesses up. What could JM have done with a 30-min., major-network ad-buy? Those aren't the only things that cost him, for sure, but they were two of the biggest.

God, it was funny watching Jesse try to cry, holding his finger up to his nose. I bet he had to think about his first dog dying. And then, just for the media, had to leave the wet trail there. For a dude whom he said he'd like to "rip his nuts off." Memo to Jesse (& Al): go crawl under a f---ing rock!

McCain erred in changing his style of openness. The Straight Talk Express shut down, and reporters' access was almost completely cut off starting just shortly after he got the nomination. He stopped explaining issues in much more than simple declarative sentences b/c that's what you have to do to attract that 25% base that puts you over the top. They don't want straight talk, they don't want explanations and if you appear too smart they won't vote for you. The fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants Palin choice went after exactly that crowd, and women, and it backfired. I still think that if JM had selected almost any other VP on the slate, it at least doesn't go this badly for him --- Ridge, Romney, Pawlenty, Rudy, Jindal, or hell, even someone like Chris Shays. McCain pandered, stepped away from what got him that far, and he lost. I confess that I am a registered Republican. Have been since I turned 18. I voted 'None of the Above' this time, after I voted against Bush b/c there was just something I didn't like about him from the start and it played out. My party registration is up in the air, not liking what I see of what the big two have become. I'll probably continue to generally vote Republican in local and state elections. But for national elections, I don't know exactly when the Republicans turned into the Party of Stupid, but if they ever want to win again, they need to toss out the crazy Baptist ministers and start forming a cordon with a bouncer at Reagan's 'Big Tent.'

My town used to have the old voting booths with the select-down levers. They switched to the optical scan 2 years ago. I much preferred the booths. There was a real sense of 'What I'm doing and where I am is exactly how they did it 80 years ago.' It seemed special. Now, you put your ballot in a thing that really looks like a paper-shredder and you hope that's not what it is, but quietly suspect this is so.

When Wade and Sam Gash left, and we replaced them with Gregg and Larry Centers.

Why can't you be glad enough that people aren't peeing in the wash sinks?

I don't think anyone's going to argue he'll get NC money. But if you think GMs aren't lustily looking at Greer, you're fooling yourself. And re-signing him isn't as easy as saying, "Here's a contract. You're re-signed." Unless we franchise him, which is untenable, given the givens of ~$10M for a franchised CB and a full stable of CBs that the FO drafted in anticipation of losing Greer. Takes two to tango, and vouchsafe that Greer and his agent are waiting until Feb. to dance. The only good thing for the Bills is that he's really inspired to play lights-out for the rest of the year as he's done for the past year and a half. Hopefully, we can make use of it.

Right. If Stevens wins the election it'll force a special election after he resigns. That was instituted after the Murkowski incest. So, conceivably, 1) On Tuesday, McCain/Palin lose. Stevens wins. 2) Facing sentencing in Feb., and a senate removal vote, Stevens resigns his seat. 3) Palin runs for Senate in the special election, presumably against the current Dem candidate. And then, 4) You have to wonder whether Stevens will be pardoned by Bush. I don't think it'll happen, but then again, I didn't think a lot of things would happen in the Bush presidency that ended up being all too real. At this point, what does Bush have to lose for a chance for one last middle finger to the Dems, especially if the Senate seat numbers are close, or close enough for a pardon to prevent a supermajority. And if Stevens is pardoned, you'd have to consider that he'd stay on; might be uncomfortable for him for a while, but he's a cratchety old guy and would probably weather it.

Sorry, but to borrow a great movie line, Schobel is like the white stuff in chicken sh--. It might be the most most gleaming white you've ever seen, but it's still sh--. Coincidence that since our shutdown corner(s) left town, his sacks nose-dived? Dude's trademark move is to get matadored out of the play, run 15 yards past the LOS, and then double back. Then there's his inside spin move that fools no one. That is his entire bag of tricks. The fact that Denney isn't much of a drop-off might tell you something. I wish this weren't so, but the truth hurts. DE needs to be priority # 1 for the FO in the offseason. Need to cut dead weight and bring in guys who can produce.

3) I can't say it any better than, McKelvin is just *blah* on KOs. Prefers to run into people when he has the option of hitting a hole. Why the hell is April not exploring other options? 4) and 9) There was no pass rush besides a couple of plays where CBs had coverage. The usual whiffs by our DEs --- should-be 10-yard losses turned into 20-yard gains; this happens at least two-three times per game. Even when the guy was at Favre's feet and had him in his grasp, throw, catch, ~20 yards. There's not even the trade-off of 'No pass rush, but we're stopping the run.' Seriously, there was a play in the first half where two defenders rushed head-on toward the end zone when Favre was to their left and no one was between. Favre is Favre and they're going to put up points b/c the NFL rules are so skewed in favor of the offenses, but getting non-production from our 'high motor' guys is criminal for the money they get. Don't think it'll get better even with a healthy Schoebel, and it's starting to be even more apparent that the only reason he got sacks was because we had shutdown corners that we don't have any more. 7) Plus, if Trent doesn't take those sacks, Lindell doesn't miss and makes it a whole different scenario with our last possession. Offense had lots of good things going. Not much of a running game, but they were moving the ball. Just, a few critical plays (turnovers) made the difference. If Roscoe doesn't slip, it might not have been an INT or at least it doesn't go for 7. Fumbles and penalties continuing to be a problem. Peters standing around like a piece of furniture on Trent's sack & fumble. Honestly, I think he's dogging it --- or, rather, not giving it his all --- b/c of his contract stuff. Dude pissed away lots, came in unprepared and is playing uninspired. 11) Greer had a great game today. GMs have seen what he's done for the last two seasons and he's going to get big money in UFA. Derek Fine was a bright spot today. If he can block even halfway decent, he's already better than any TE we've had since Reimersma.

That's something I've thought about, too.

Railing on the CBs lining up 10 yards off the WR (something I just don't get) has been going on since Wade left. Three different coaches have been here, with different schemes and different players and we're still doing this. I noticed it less early this year when we were winning when we were playing more aggressively, and now it's back. Seems to be key to the 'Bend But Don't Break' type defense. On balance, playing in a division that has thoroughly run the dink'n'dunk this decade, giving up 10 yards a go and hoping the QB is 'off' that day doesn't seem to be a very good strategy. But whad'do I know, I didn't stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night.

You mean, just like... FDR?

This has been discussed before. It was a joke. Everyone in the auditorium laughed. McCain laughed. Pretty sure the kid laughed (seriously, does someone need to interview him to set your mind at ease?). He answered a smartass question and then made a smartass quip in like kind after he seriously answered the question of whether he thought he'd get Alzheimers' and die in office. I was at Home Depot once, they didn't have what I needed (something common you'd think they should have) and I said, "So, you mean I have to go to a real hardware store?" The manager looked over his shoulder and said, "Security!" We both laughed. This is an example of smartass humor.... If he went off on the kid from the get-go, if he didn't answer the question, if he had the kid removed from the auditorium, you might have a point. Regardless of the other charges, this is false. Do yourself a favor and stop dredging it up. Every serious media outlet I've read that reported this said it was made in jest; the only ones who claim it wasn't, provide no context, don't say that everyone laughed and provide no link to video are the leftie-version wingnuts. People who have seen the interaction on Youtube and claim it was a verbal assault just look like witless morons who can't get a joke, or they're trying to make it into something it most definitely was not to further a political argument. Like I've said to Obama detractors I've met, if you don't like the dude, there's plenty of real reasons not to... don't go just making sh-- up. * This message was written by a person who will be voting for "None of the above" as a write-in for the presidential column on Tuesday.

This seems to be Cruise back in the form where he does best. There's been a whole string of just plain bad movies, that seemed to start around the time he went psycho on Matt Lauer on the Today show. I'm not sure people hate TC so much as they think he should stop talking about Scientology, etc. and just make good movies. I think he's done this for the most part since that time, but then again, I watch/read less entertainment news than most hobos. My best friend from childhood into high school is in this, so to go along with the other stuff he's been in, it's nice to see that he hasn't been involved in movies that're absolute crap. Don't know how big a part it is, tho from the quickest of glances, it looked like him driving TC in that jeep. All the sh-- we pulled as kids, it just seems weird to see him in movies now.

To be fair, Overdorf handled/s contract negotiation and cap issues. Marv had nothing to do with that side of things. There's a sizable portion of the cap locked into the DL, and not much to show for it. The Stroud acquisition hasn't helped the DE situation wrt QB pressure. This should be one of the priorities in the coming offseason.

Grasping at straws.

Either my audio is tweaked, or Joaquin sounds like he's as high as a kite in that clip.

I would say, he's a gun enthusiast who pushed his son into sharing his hobby and it was way too much, way too soon. I'd also add that it was a pretty dipsh-- policy for the club/show to allow this. The DA is considering charges, which I think might be appropriate given the established facts. I'd agree that they can/should only legislate so far and that laws already on the books are probably applicable, tho new ones will be proposed b/c that's what happens. At least set an age-limit for using like weaponry. Perhaps requiring a safety course for anyone who's going to handle firearms --- CT has a mandatory hunter safety course before you can get a permit, and a pistol safety course required for pistol permit applicants, both with tests students must score at least 90(?) to pass --- taught by qualified, licensed instructors. Also think it'd be a good time to introduce more education resources in schools, ala the Eddie Eagle program of "Stop. Don't touch! Leave the area. Tell an adult." Tho, this wouldn't have helped in this case, and schools at least in this area have been downright hostile letting anything created/funded by the NRA into the classroom, even if they fully agree with the message. My father tried to give the very same school you're seeing on the news a full kit back in the early 90s (Jason Priestley was the host) and they wouldn't take it b/c it had small NRA logos on the back page. Nothing can make up for a rational estimation of danger on the part of a responsible adult, tho. Some people don't seem to get that life does not include an 'Edit-->Undo' option.

Yeah. If Obama gets elected and directs or even presides over a recovery, that'll be bad. Better that we should stay in recession until a Republican can take credit for a recovery. Then we won't have anything to fear. Credit for the recovery is what matters. Not the actual recovery.

"Too big a leap. Maybe next year." -- Mike Pereira

I didn't write that you had to cry, grieve, or feel pity. It's not technically my loss. Just, I'm an uncle to a little boy who lost one of his friends in an accident, and I live in a community that's going to be dealing with the effects (even tho it didn't happen here). I would ask that you and everyone at least show some human decency. Some of the comments here are truly sick, "coping mechanism" or not. My mother taught me if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything. Guess all those rules of how to act in society don't apply when you have anonymity and it's 'cool' w/in the medium of the Internet to make jokes, heckle, "pwn," bully, etc. Maybe you have to be forced to see it from the other perspective before you can really understand it.

As I wrote in the Off the Wall thread last night: Being a life member of the NRA (tho I haven't done target-shooting or hunting for quite a while) it hurts all the more to know that on top of the personal tragedy and loss, this is going to be used by gun-banners as a political argument. Chris's father or an event allowing this is one of the all-time bonehead things I've heard of. But it's done and you can't take it back. First, I'd just say it reflects on a culture we now live in that children are being forced by adults into grown-up situations earlier and earlier --- this runs the gamut from suggestive clothing targeted to children and allowing 10-year-olds to dress like sluts on Halloween, children having so much influence on family purchasing, and here, using a !@#$ Uzi when even just 10 years ago, that was the age when you learned to safely handle and shoot a BB gun. Everything has to be more, faster, better, and bigger these days, and it needs to be pushed earlier --- that's the mindset. Someone said, "The most important question of our day is 'How much is enough?'" It's like a competition of who can push their kids to grow up fastest. And I think this stems from that oft-discussed break-down of the authoritative parenting style that would put a check on stupidity and providing guidance and smart family leadership, and its replacement to this thing of being your child's best buddy, as if you're still a child, only with car keys --- parents who grew older but didn't grow up. In some form, I think this is also connected in with the epidemic of child molestation. Diddlers thinking of themselves in a way as still being children, forming a connection and then taking advantage of that child-like situation and after it goes through some kind mental warp zone that I couldn't begin to describe, fulfill adult desires. Sorry if that paragraph might be a bit ambling, my thought process is working in tangents a little today. Certainly, there needs to be new rules instituted for the safe handling of guns. At the few shows I've been to, there've been no-ammo-on-premises policies openly stated --- if you're interested in buying but want to test-fire, it's something you'd have to arrange with the vendor off-site. As for age when handling firearms and a proper progression, I don't know, that's something that'll be discussed, but for sure, something needs to happen there --- you'd hope this could be self-regulated, but reworking of laws is probably on its way, and probably deservedly so. Laws that allow for an 8-year-old to use an Uzi.... Laws aren't a substitute for common sense, tho, and we're living in an age when common sense is not common.

Sometimes I think "LOST" is the only thing keeping me from saying, "Screw all these stupid people around me!" growing a beard and becoming a mountain man. Just have to wait about another year and a half.

When I first saw the story, I was a little stirred that it'd happened relatively close. And then, come to find out this afternoon that the child was actually from my town in northeast CT. My nephew was in the same class with him last year and played with him at recess on Friday. This is always the sort of thing that happens somewhere else... and then it hits closer to home than you could think. You have to wonder what this does to the kids to be exposed to death so early of someone they know. This is a nephew who refused to say goodbye to my dog (whom he played with a lot) when we had to put him down earlier this summer. This is going to be a difficult and tenuous next few weeks. I'm reading through some of the crap here and I'm just appalled at some of your comments. But I guess this lack of decency, black humor, and flip attitudes are the times we live in. Doesn't seem that way here in town today, tho. It feels a lot like just after 9/11 when people were nice to each other (which lasted for about 4 days), said hello and asked how you're doing and really meant it. I think the politics can wait.