UConn James

In other news, UConn James predicts that the burr up Bruce "Just Happy To Be Here" Arena's ass will stay there until Jan. 16, 2024. See? I can pull dates out of thin air, too!

I remember in my local press that the Patriots OL 'sucked' until Brady stepped in and showed that the problem wasn't the OL, it was the combination of that OL + Bledsoe. Changes have been made to the 3 weakest spots. DL hasn't gotten any better? You mean, the DL featuring one veteran DT who refused to execute his assignment? The DL that added Tripplett and McCargo? Let's see how it works out, Joe. The fact that you're so very pessimistic leads me to unvarnished optimism. I don't want Brady Quinn unless Charlie Weiss comes with him.

Romney ain't a RINO. He's had to do battle with a lot of Dems at times (e.g. the gay marriage stuff; he's trying to get it in a constitutional ballot rather than legislated thru the court), worked with them to get things done at others when a program was sensible (e.g. the state-wide health coverage that wouldn't cost very much and helps streamline; over time I think it might save them money). Takes charge when things go wrong. Last week he took control of the DOT after a woman was killed by a falling concrete slab in the Big Dig; since learned that all similar construction is at risk. Closed the tunnels. I like him as a leader b/c at least he's practical when a problem comes up where 95 percent of politicans would hide under their desks. Don't like his stance on the wind power turbines, but nobody's perfect. I wouldn't say he pandered to liberals. Western MA gave him solid turnout. As I explained there, the NE is a weird place where people elect a liberal legislature and a conservative governor and hope b/w the struggle that it balances out. There's a lot they'd do but their hands are tied.

When you think you know something in the ME, just goes to show that you don't know anything. Assad has the impression of Ethelred the Unready, but when he gets cornered it might force his hand. What has to be considered, tho, is a greenish Assad is far preferable to the Muslim Brotherhood or whoever else would take over. Now that you mention it, he does look like an Arab John Cleese....

No sh--. When's the last time a Republican used a conjunction in a sentence? It's like reading Hemingway. Only not.

IIRC, Marv doesn't touch the dollars and cents part.

Uhm... survival? About 40 seconds after Iran launches a nuke, we'll be speculating about the half-life of Tehran.

Ed, I'm glad there are saner people than the likes of you in charge of our government and military. I don't know how much saner, but.... Attacking Iran would all but guarantee a major strike on the homeland and 9/11 will look like a carnival ride. The administration is taking the proper course.

Wouldn't be surprised if this was an 'intentional accident.'

For those people who argue that we must either have to give Dr. Evil the $100 Billion or let him blow up Washington D.C. with giant FRICKIN' laser beams.... who don't have the time or the inclination to think about the situation.... and say the only solution to our problems is to blow Iran, NK, Syria, Lebanon, France and DPW off the map.... b/c this whole rational forethought thing is a real drag.... I would say 'STFU.'

You know, they used to shoot horse thieves....

I would amend it to: "Most wars, bloodshed, and misery occured over the course of human history due to politics, economics and good-old resource-grabbing in the name of religion so the leaders could simultaneously a) collectively rally their people in a medium where the craziness grows exponentially the further it gets down the line and... 2) claim the supremacy of their own ideas as being divinely intended."

He outdid BF in the Retatta thread? Due diligence, tho, BF was the creator of both the topic and the culinary disaster. He at least gave the impression he'd know something about it.

I'm not trying to be a Richard here, but.... You know that saying that sarcasm doesn't come across well on the Internet? (Especially sarcasm that is this poorly organized and argued.) Yeah. This thread is an example of that.

Condolences. There was an article in Field&Stream a long time ago by their Gun Dog columnist, I forget his name, titled "Just a Dog." That's what some of his family and friends told him when he was still depressed over it awhile later. The article was his answer to them and it was beautiful. I've been unsuccessful in getting a transcript. Took our 12-y.o., a German Shorthaired Pointer, to the vet yesterday b/c his hind legs just weren't working. He wanted to move, but he could just drag them a couple of inches. Arthritis combined with a chronic case of Lyme. And then, just as suddenly as that came on, today he was back lolling around outside. It's going to be tough when the time comes and I don't think we're going to get another, at least not right away. I did a short shadow thing at an animal hospital in high school. There was a goldie there and looking at the X-rays, he had cancer throughout the hind legs. The owners ordered him put down, over the phone. At the time I was angry at them for that, for not being there. After the injection I rubbed his ears and pet his head until he passed. Then and there found out that I could never be a vet.

Not necessarily. The grass behind him, and in front of the tank, suggests he's standing on a small hill. It's not like both man and tank are in focus. But I will say that being in front of the turret probably isn't the best place to be hanging out....

There's a really good article on the upcoming Zidane-Materazzi hearing and the provoker-retailator dynamic. What does it mean for soccer if precedent is set that a provoker of an incident like the head-butting can be punished? King Kaufman's Sports Daily. (There is a simple click-through ad to read the full article)

I was providing info going through the rumor mill. Maybe it's just a little pressure coming from the top that the S. Africa group needs to get their buns moving on construction. No different than the IOC pressing Greece when it looked like some of the event venues weren't going to be ready b/c of largely bureaucratic delays. I also would like the WC held on the African continent and see them get it right. Asking a lot --- even from S. Africa, probably the most advanced country there --- where corruption and highly unsophisticated political systems flourish. Maybe it might spur some development and put some attention to a spot that the rest of the world only hears about when Bono goes there. Much like how the US Interstate System and the Marshall Plan proved, they need transportation as the first step. That will lead to improved commerce, education, medical treatment. As it stands, when people can't get around easily, nothing happens. Sad to see that the leaders there want it to stay that way. Perhaps the WC will bring some hope and a starting place.

Are you sure you're using "poignant" properly?

I thought they dragged a few guys there out of a sense of loyalty rather than a good mix of players who would get experience for the next WC. I.e. Taylor Twellman from the Revs, etc. But.... The thing about S. Africa is that despite the official designation and assurances from that country's leaders, there is some uneasiness that the country does/will not have the necessary infrastructure in place. Stadiums, communication, transportation, etc.... There are some who believe there should be a contingency plan to hold the WC in the US (which is probably the most able to accomodate it on short notice).

I think it's people in the respective front offices who do things to try to justify their jobs, mixed in with the notion that newer is always better. Hence ideas like "Oooo, pinstriping is in right now!" and "Why not add a 40th color to the helmet?" The throwback jerseys really shocked me in their departure from this.

Perhaps we need a multi-billion dollar ad campaign to inform everyone that if they're at the Maplefest in East Deerfield, in the 1/765 trillion chance that a terrorist decides to put a bomb in the Steel Sap Collector Award, the government will.... say they're sorry. Seriously, America. Grow a pair.

Lede, eh? You must be in the business.

Just goes to show how delusional he was. Don't fret. No one has reported seeing Marv buying white flags in bulk at Wegmans. Yet. I'd rather have someone who's honest and says it's going to take a lot of hard work rather than signing names and hoping the figurative goulash is edible.

Should've been Paul's.