I'm with you, Barry.

In an interview with MSNBC last night, Barry Bonds said he would boycott the Hall of Fame if they accepted his record breaking home run ball, and it has an asterisk.

The reason is could have an asterisk is because fashion mogul Mark Ecko bought the ball via an auction. He then had a poll on his website for the fans to chose what to do with the ball. The options were to donate it to the Hall as is, donate it to the Hall branded with an asterisk, or blast it in to outer space.

Next is Bonds quotes from the interview...kinda long, but worth reading. My thoughts are below.

Bonds said, "I won't go. I won't be part of it. You can call me, but I won't be there. I don't think you can put an asterisk in the game of baseball, and I don't think that the Hall of Fame can accept an asterisk. You cannot give people the freedom, the right to alter history. You can't do it. There's no such thing as an asterisk in baseball. I will never be in the Hall of Fame. Never. Barry Bonds will not be there. That's my emotions now. That's how I feel now. When I decide to retire five years from now, we'll see where they are at that moment. We'll see where they are at that time, and maybe I'll reconsider. But it's their position and where their position will be will be the determination of what my decision will be at that time. I have nothing to hide. I have said that before and I will say it now and I will look you in the face. I have nothing to hide, nothing. So look all you want to."


I'm with you, big fella. Who the hell does Mark Ecko think he is? He has no right to shit on history like that. As much speculation as there is, it's just that. Speculation, and nothing more.

Barry, you're 100% right that the game of baseball doesn't have an asterisk. There wasn't an asterisk next to Roger Maris' single season home run record, even though the number of games jumped from 154, when Babe Ruth held the record, to 162 when Marris broke it. instead, there's a story next to the ball in the Hall of Fame.

Second, let it be pointed out that Barry Bonds has never once, ever, failed a drug test. He hasn't tested positive for steroids once, ever. Is he an ass to the media? Yup. Does that mean he's a cheater? Nope.

"But come on, Mike. You KNOW he's done it."

No I don't. You see, I don't actually know Barry Bonds and haven't seen him getting juiced. Neither do you. And since he hasn't failed a test, you have to assume he's innocent.

Think about this. They've been trying to prove he's on steroids for at least 5 years. And they haven't. They've been digging and digging, and still nothing. About a year ago, they were even talking about tax evasion. It's a whole ordeal just to make Barry Bonds look bad. I'm not buying it.

Looking at his stats, there's only one year, 2001 that looks any kind of out of wack. But he's not allowed to be hot for a year? Well, let's take out that 73 home runs from 2001. Let's take the aveage of the year before and the year after (49 in 2000, and 46 in 2002.) That's 47.5. We'll take it down to 47 for argument's sake. That puts him at 736 right now. That's only 21 away from the record. Assuming he plays another year, as a designated hitter, and hits his average HR over the last 2 years (26), he would have broken it next year anyways.

But you can't say that, because he never failed a test. So, the record stands, untainted in any way, in my eyes.

Barry Bonds is THE Home Run king.

You're joking, right?

It's 6:00pm. That means sportscenter comes on. BREAKING NEWS they say. Joe Torre is now officially the manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers. I'm yawning. We've known it was only a matter of time before we heard the announcement for days now. OK, this is over, let's get to some real sports news. Up to the minute type stuff.


But, no. We get to hear about Andy Reid's sons, Britt and Garrett. His kids, both of which are over 18, by the way. Who don't play, coach, or work for a sports franchise. We hear about how the both got in trouble, in separate incidents on January 30. One of his sons was high on heroin, ran a red light and hit another car. Syringes with heroin in them were found in his car, and he admitted to having used that day. The other son pointed a gun at someone after a dispute while in traffic and was arrested on a number of charges, including carrying a firearm without a liscense.

A search of the Reid's house turned up illegal drugs and illegal prescription drugs through out the house.

Today both were sentenced and the judge had some harsh words for the entire family. Montgomery County Judge Steven O'Neill said, "I'm saying this is a family in crisis...It sounds more or less like a drug emporium there, with the drugs all over the house." A drug emporium? Ouch.

After leaving for court this morning, a search found 89 prescription pills in Garrett Reid's prison cell. He also was quoted as saying, "I liked being the rich kid in that area and having my own high-status life, I could go anywhere in the 'hood. They all knew who I was. I enjoyed it. I liked being a drug dealer."

Both sons have been sentenced to up to 23 months in jail. One got 1 year of probation following his release, while the other got 5.




OK, so now we got that out of the way. Here's my beef with that.

WHO CARES? WHY WAS THIS ON ESPN? They don't play for the Eagles. They don't even work for the Eagles. They are junkies who's father happens to work for the Eagles. This is being covered like it was LeBron James himself, found with a needle in his arm. They keep saying what effect does this have on Andy Reid's future?

My answer: Less groceries. Kick them out. They are bringing down your family. They are well over 18, one is 22 and the other is 24. The parents should have no responsibility here. Yes, the drugs were in their house, and they were stupid for letting it go on. But at the end of the day, these MEN are being treated like 14 year olds. An admitted drug dealer's parents are catching flack for his actions? HUH? Me no understand.


This was on SportsCenter before Martina Hingis, a women's tennis superstar, who retired today amidst allegations of cocaine use. That should be breaking news. This is a woman who's been in professional sports for more than 10 years. A drug test she took over the summer at Wembeldon came up positive for cocaine. Her "b" sample also came up positive. She claims she's 100% inncocent and has submitted hair samples for further testing.

Let's talk about why the Dodgers were granted exemption from MLB's policy of interviewing minority candidates. Because why? They wanted to hire Joe Torre and didn't want to conduct 'false interviews'? What happens if you find someone you like better than Joe Torre? What happens if you interview someone and go, "you know, we like you, but we want to give the manager position to Joe Torre. But, what we could do is offer you a scout position, or a coaching position and consider you again when the time comes up."

Let's talk about the press confrence to officialy introduce Joe Girardi as the manager of the Yankees, which got into the show for 2 minutes, 40 minutes in.

I can't believe I'm about to say this, but let's talk about Kobe Bryant flexing his no trade clause and turning down a trade.

Let's talk about the biggest regular season NFL game, since, well, maybe ever.

Let's not dedicate 10 of the first 12 minutes of the show to two people who shouldn't get more than a couple minutes on local television.

Slurp Fest '07

Well, week 9 in the NFL season is finally here. We all know what that means. The Patriots are undefeated, and playing the best football I've seen since the Cowboys in the early 90's or the 49ers before them. The Colts are undefeated, and defending Super Bowl Champions. And, they play each other this week in Indianapolis. The Patriots are favored to win, though not by very much. Here's the kicker. Both of the teams are trying to come off as the worst team to ever play the game.



Peyton Manning dubbed this week, Compliment Week. He says that some of his teammates have given the Pats bulletin board material in the past, and that's not the way to go. He says on Tom Brady, "I've got a lot of respect for Tom. For the way he always plays, the way he's always prepared. What he's doing this year as a quarterback is VERY impressive to me

Tom Brady painted Peyton Manning as God's gift to the game of football, saying, "What's not to like about him? He does everything well. He can throw the long stuff, throw the short stuff. He's a clutch player. He's always in command of the team, and the offense. He's a great actor." That drew a smile from Brady and laughs from reporters. Brady continued, "He's got a better arm. He's bigger. He's probably faster. He's Smarter. I've always looked up to Peyton and the way he plays." The slurp fest continues, but I can't take listening to, or writing any more of it right now.

(30 minutes later)




OK, So I think I'm ready to listen to more press conferences, this time between the coaches. We'll start with Tony Dungy.

"They don't beat themselves. That's probably the first thing you notice. You see very sound play in all three phases of the game, and that tells you how well coached they are..." They're a lot of Dungy just saying that the Patriots are very sound. "They don't beat themselves. Like we always say when we play them, 'you have to avoid losing the game first, then we'll work on winning it.'" When asked about being the underdog, he said, "I don't look at that stuff, because at the end of the day, it's not a poll. You're gonna go out there and play, and the team who has the most points at the end of the day is the winner." He later goes on to call the Patriots the "champs"

uh...no? See Tony Dungy, you won the last Super Bowl. That makes YOU the champs. You haven't lost since then, so you can't even be accused to being knocked around. You have beaten the Pats the last three times you played them, including the AFC Championship game.

But anyways, now to Belichick.

"I've been watching a lot of the Colts the last couple days. They do so many things well. I would say the most impressive thing, is defensively they don't give any big plays. They don't allow long passes, long runs. They don't have any defensive penalties. The same goes on offense...They make you earn everything. It's really impressive what they've done. The amount of football they've played, and the level they've played at, is what's impressive. They do an outstanding job in every aspect of the game. It'll be a big challenge for us to go out there and be competitive..."


My God..this sounds like the Ray J sex tape. Slurp Slurp Slurp all day. I mean come on fellas. This is a rivalry. Where is Randy Moss saying "Maaaaan. FUCK the colts. We gonna smash them hoes. They dont want it with us."???

When are we gonna hear Adam Vinatieri say "I'm the reason we won those super bowls in new england. Just look at the scores. Fuck Tom Brady."???

This might as well be a girl scout meeting! Come on fellas, I know the game will speak for itself, but I want someone to say 'let have their bulletin board material. they're gonna need it'

This is what the NFL has come to? People are THAT afraid of giving the other team motivation that they end up just making the other team to be the greatest in NFL history? GOOD GOD that's annoying. I want to hear some guaranteed victories. I want to hear 'I will run for 100 yards and 2 touchdowns. Write it down.'

Instead, we get to hear Peyton Manning talk about how pretty Tom Brady is.

NBA West Pre Season Playoff Picture

whoops...I forgot to write this before the season started. But don't worry, the games that have/are being played didn't affect my rankings. And does anyone else think Charles Barkley could be the funniest man of all time? He's hilarious. At the end of the night, I'm sitting here listening to the highlights, and whatever wack ass music they got playin behind them. Chuck just randomly shouts out "WHOEVER PICKED THIS MUSIC SUCKS."

and does anyone else think that T Mobile is trying to make D Wade look as gay as possible. I mean actually gay. Like last year in the commercials where he was a little too in to that lollipop and was watching old film of Charles Barkley and looked over and said "...sexaaayy"

then this year, there's a new one where he's trying to get in Chuck's Fave 5 by letting him wear the championship ring, and Barkley keeps refusing, so D Wade ups the amount of time. Finally he says, "OK, I'll let you wear it for a month." Right as Charles Barkley is about to say something a waitress comes up from behind them and he says "I don't want to wear your ring Dwyane!" Then the waitress looks at them and goes "...oh. sorry." and walks away. I'm telling you. T Mobile wants D Wade to be gay.

Forget that the playoffs are 6 months away. Forget that the season JUST started tonight. It's all about the playoffs, baby!

1. The Spurs

They're the champs. Their team hasn't done anything to get worse. They haven't made any significant moves to improve. But their starting 5 has been playing all together for 2 years now, and other players who get PT have been there for a while. Tim Duncan remains top 2 players in the league. The BEST player, depending on who you ask. He's certainly not exciting to watch, but you can't deny his dominance. Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker form one of the best back courts in the league, and they sharp shooters Michael Finley and Big Shot Bob off the bench. Along with lock down defensive guy (and one of the dirtiest players in the league) Bruce Bowen.


2. The Suns

The boys from Phoenix are a trendy pick to win it all this year, because they got screwed last year. Amare Stoudemire got suspended for NOT jumping in fighting. Just because there was a possible fight brewing, and when he stood up and walked towards the scorer's table, where this was all going down, he walked on the court. Because David Stern said he had to go by the book. But not when he found out that more than half of the refs in the league were gambling (lotto tickets, poker games, casino games and things of that nature). When he found that out just last week, he said he had to change the rule, because it was silly. But regardless, they have Steve Nash, who could have easily won his 3rd straight MVP last year, The Matrix, and THE FUTURE of the NBA, Amare Stoudemire. That kid is in beast mode non stop. He's a problem. They also added Grant Hill to the squad, hoping that he's the one piece they've been missing. They only have one thing that could be a distraction. Shawn Marion wants a contract extension, or he wants out. But he's making the most money on the team this year. I've heard that rookie DJ Strawberry (yea, that's Darryl's son) has thoroughly impressed through camp and the pre season. He's a 6'5 guard who was guarding Steve Nash and running along with him the whole time.


3. The Mavericks

They're always at or near the top of the West. At least it's seemed that way lately. Dirk is a force. Devin Harris and Josh Howard are illmatic. I love Avery Johnson as a coach. The little general stomping his feet and yelling on the sidelines like an old timer. It's great. They have the best owner in sports right now, and arguably history. Marc Cuban is all about his players. It's doubtful they will win the ship, because they lack a force in the paint. It's no good having someone on your team Shaq once said would be pretty good in the WNBA. I'm talking to you, Erica Dampier.

4. The Nuggets

Melo and A.I. will have had the last half of last season and the entire off season to learn each other's games, and they were solid last year just off being as good as they naturally are. They will be leading the way, but J.R. Smith should contribute offensively. You can't forget about those big guys down low. Marcus Camby and NeNe hold it down in the post. The Nuggets would be elite in the East, but unfortunately they play in the West. Unless they catch fire, this really is a two team race.


5. The Jazz

Jerry Sloan has them boys on the come up. Deron Williams is in this new class of young amazing guards. They have the guy with the best nickname in sports. AK-47..I mean his initials are A.K. and he wears number 47. AND HE'S RUSSIAN. That's 3 for 3, and ballin. Boozer finally played last year like he is expected to play, and that should continue. The Jazz with a young PG and young PF to grow together...sound familiar? I would get used to hearing Williams to Boozer. Also, center Mehmen Okur is no slouch. Well, he is on defense, but he's a center who jacks up 3's on the regular, and you can't hate on a man who's gonna draw his man so far outside that a midget could become an inside force.


6. The Rockets

YAO and T-Mac. Need I say more? Mr. Ming has come along quite well. Although he's got a new coach, Rick Adelman, with a new offensive game play that involved a lot of movement, he should thrive because of his decent jumper and newly found balls which allow him to throw down inside. Tracy McGrady is a baller. As long as he doesn't get hurt, he'll be an all star averaging 25, 5 and 5. But McGrady is injury prone, and only played in 71 games, including the 7 game post season series all of last year. They have Rafer Alston a.k.a. Hot Sauce as their PG and defensive minded ex-dukey Shane Battier.


7. The Lakers

This is assuming Kobe Bryant stays a Laker. I believe they will, at least, say OK listen Kobe. Just play here this year, and we'll make a move next off season. It would be too much of a hassle and not fair to the other players on this team to bring in a new group of guys now that the season has already started. But they're gonna have to trade him, because he can opt out after NEXT season and you can't just let him walk away. You have to get SOMETHING for him.

8. Let the gasps, and hating begin. THE NEW ORLEANS HORNETS

That's right people. See, Chris Paul gives it the thumbs up. Chris Paul is THE. TRUTH. He's gonna need a lot of help from those around him, but I just can't help but be optimistic about this team. I know that some other clubs probably should be ahead of the Hornets, but Chris Paul never gets the respect he deserves. He's so ill, it should be illegal.

My Thoughts on T.I.

Unless you've been living under a rock for the last three weeks or so, you know that rapper T.I. was arrested after giving his recently hired, surely now fired, body guard money to buy machine guns and silencers. Well, his body guard was actually an informant working for the government, and T.I.P. was arrested in a parking lot waiting on the delivery of the guns. A pound of weed was found in the car at the time of the arrest, as well as a loaded hand gun. The ATF raided his house, and found more loaded, unregistered machine guns. The guns in his house were protected in a closet with a finger print scanner. The government knew about this, because T.I. showed the body guard the gun closet at one time.

He has officially been charged with possession of unregistered machine guns and silencers and possession of firearms by a convicted felon. T.I. was released on $3 million bond, and has to be under 24 hour in home surveillance, which he also has to pay for. He's not to come in contact with any witnesses or informants involved with the case. He's facing 10 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine PER CHARGE. He has pleaded not guilty.

Here's a picture of some of the guns found at his house:




OK, so now the question is: Was he set up?

Yes and no.

Yes because his body guard sold him out, and let the feds know what was going on. He set T.I. up to be arrested in the parking lot for buying the weapons.

No Because I'm sure the body guard wasn't the one who initiated the purchase in the first place. I'm sure the day after he was hired he didn't go, "Yo T.I. check this out bruh. You need some machine guns. And some silencers. And 100 round drums for those machine guns. I know where to get some, with the numbers already filed off. You want me to make the call?"

Even if that IS how it went down, T.I. was in the position to turn down the offer. He had every opportunity to say no, just as he did yes. I think this would be going down little different if he was paying for registered guns, and just having someone else buy them. That is still VERY illegal, but a little less incriminating than purchasing the unregistered artillery.

Now, the argument has been brought up..well we don't know what he was going to do with the guns. He didn't do anything with them, he just bought them. They should have at least waited until something happened. OK, I see that. But I have three problems with it.

1. A convicted felon can't own a fire arm. At all.

2. If he wasn't going to use the weapons, or order the use of the weapons, why buy them with the serial numbers removed?

3. Let's say we did wait until something happened. And something happened. Let's say someone was murdered with a gun that T.I. bought. Then it becomes an issue of "why wasn't he in jail? He's a convicted felon who's not allowed to have weapons."

If you weren't planning on using the weapons, why purchase unregistered weapons? Why not have a friend buy the guns? (FYI, that's still illegal) If you were just planning on shooting them at a gun range, why the silencers?

If the government would have known about the purchase of the weapons and waited to act until something happened, then they would come under fire because they would have saved a life. Or lives.



Now, does the punishment fit the crime?

Well, he hasn't been punished yet, so we really can't say. He hasn't even been found guilty, or even started his trial.

But let's just say he is found guilty, and has to pay a $250,000 total and gets 10 years in prison. Is that too long? As a T.I. fan, I say hell yea.

But, it's not too long for a seven time convicted felon. Now, is that seven felonies, or just seven convictions with at least one being a felony? I don't know. I do know that he has a felony drug trafficking charge. So that's at least one felony.

But that brings up the question..how long ago was that? How many years ago? Everything I'm reading says the felony drug charges were in 1998. He's also got previous gun charges and probation violation.

So that felony was almost 10 years ago. Can a person not change? Can they not put something behind them and turn a new leaf? Sure they can. And it would appear that T.I. had put the drug DEALING behind him. Unfortunately, not the use. The amount of weed found on him during the arrest could EASILY be viewed as enough for intent to distribute. But, let's assume he's not dealing drugs.

Instead we'll go back to one of the Miranda Rights. What you say can and will be used against you in the court of law. Should his lyrics be used against him? I would argue no, but I'm not the judge, or the prosecution. They probably will want to use his lyrics against him. Because after all, art reflects life, and he's one of many who "raps what they know." He repeatedly invites listeners to come test him if they think he's slippin. He raps about shooting people all the time. So, you know he's buying these guns and you just want to wait and see what happens? That's like putting a pedophile on a playground. It's just a matter of time.



Here are some lyrics that could be used against T.I.


"A nigga try to play me, I’ma blow him off the map A.S.A.P." From ASAP


"Cause I know how to handle your fake ass
I'm a ride on you and hide you in yesterday's trash
Pull up in the Chevy's spraying rounds through the glass
See you laying face down in the grass and I'll laugh" From Stand Up

"You want to play, have you gay niggaz lay down for me
And get a order for killers to spray rounds for me" From King Back

"Just keep it very cool
Or we will bury you" From What You Know About That

"we can shoot it out whenever you wanna
whatever you wanna do boi I'm talkin to you" From I'm Talkin To You

"Cause this pistol hit you in your face, your teeth they'll have to replace
That's if you lucky nigga trust me, it don't hurt me to take
100 thousand to them Haitians you'll be murdered today" From You Know What It Is

"Ain't a damn thang change
I still keep that thang right up under my shirt
Betta tell 'em I ain't playin'
because it's all fun and games until somebody get hurt
Ain't a damn thang change
I still keep thang right up under my shirt
Run up on him where he hangin', BANG!
cause it's all fun and games until somebody get hurt
Boy you finna get hurt, murked, put him in the dirt
boy you betta catch me first" From Hurt

A Little Joba Never Hurt Anyone

Ok, so this is just a link to an article from Sports Illustrated. But I liked the article a whole lot. Even if you're not a Yankees fan, you can appreciate Joba Chamberlain after reading this. Make sure you read all 7 parts and let me know what you think..

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/baseball/mlb/10/03/joba1008/index.html

What a Finish in the Mile High City!

What. a. game. I admit, I've been lobbying for Brett Favre to retire for about 2 years now. But he showed tonight he has no business sitting at home, watching on TV like the rest of us. Number 4 went 21/27 for 331 yards (his 4th 300 yard game of the year), 2 TDs and 0 interceptions. This is the kind of game I wish the fans in London would have seen instead of that snooze fest they sat through. This was the NFL. The old man who plays like a kid. And the kid who plays with the same style. Two gun slingers, with fingers on the trigger at all times. Brett Favre's arm has been questioned, especially after their last game, where he actually underthrew a couple balls for the first time in his life. But good ol' Ron Jaworski said that before the game, he was talking to Favre about it. He said that Brett Favre put his toes on the 50 yard line and hit a pylon in the endzone, on a rope. I doubt that's actually true, but you get the picture. His arm is fine. Better than fine. He still has a rocket attatched to his shoulder.

The kid, Jay Cutler, had a good game, too. He was 21/34 for 264 and 1 TD/0 INT. He came out in the first quarter, and hit mammoth TE Tony Scheffler on a 5 yard laser to put the Broncos up 7-0.

Favre and the Pack answered on the very next play with a 79 TD to James Jones, who caught the ball near the right hash mark, cut to the sidelines, then cut all the way back across the field and sneaks in just inside the left pylon. This all happened against Champ Bailey in single coverage.

Then, we sat through a FG fest. The Broncos were down 3, starting at their own 11, with just under 2:30 left to play in the game. They were driving down the field, converting on a 4th down with a pass to Brandon Stokely. Everyone in Denver was excited. Cutler's gonna do it. He's the next Elway, leading us down the field for the win! Well, they get down to the 4 yd line. It's 3rd and 1, with 22 seconds left. Jay Cutler ran a QB sneak to the right, for no gain. Let's not mention that he probably could have moonwalked in to the endzone, had he gone left. That's neither here nor there. The Broncos don't have a timeout and the clock is running. Here comes the FG unit, running on to the field, just like week 1 against the Bills. Bodies are scrambling either entering or leaving the field. Jason Elam sets up straight back, 3 seconds left. The line sets..1 second left, the ball is snapped. He puts it through from 21 yards to tie the game and force over time. WOW. This is a game right here.

So, the Packers call heads and win the toss, and, of course, elect to receive. After a kick return out to the 18, Brett Favre comes on to the field to try and get his first win in Denver. He gets the snap, scans the field, and sees Greg Jennings, on a go route up the left sideline 1 on 1 with the Broncos other super star corner Dre Bly. He takes a shot. I mean, why wouldn't he. That's just how Favre gets down. Jennings has a step. HE CAUGHT IT! OOOOHHH HE'S GONE! PACKERS WIN ON THE FIRST PLAY IN OVERTIME ON AN 82 YARD TOUCHDOWN PASS FROM BRETT FAVRE!!

That's what MNF is supposed to be about.

Are the Patriots Running Up the Score? Are They Wrong For it?

A lot of people have been harsh on Bill Belicheck, and the Patriots for running up the score. Most recently, in a 52-7 win against the Redskins on Sunday. Before that, it was the lowly Miami Dolphins, and the week before that the Cowboys. The Pats became the first team in NFL history to drop at least 48 points in 3 straight games. So, the question has been asked. Are they running up the score?

Sure they are. They went for it on two different 4th downs in the 4th quarter, once while up 38-0. Earlier in that same drive, they threw down field on a 35 yard pass to Randy Moss, who made the catch despite being triple covered. Later in the game, with the back ups in the game, then went for it again on 4th and 1, and on that drive put their final points on the board to take a 52-0 lead. That's running it up if I've ever heard of it. Bill Belicheck was quoted saying, "what did you want us to do? Kick a field goal?"

So, we've established they're running up the score. But are they wrong for doing it?

Nope.

Not even one bit?

Big negative on that one. You don't want all those points scored on you? Here's a novel idea. STOP THEM. That's your job, defense. Thats what you get paid, in some cases, MILLIONS of dollars to do. It's the offense's job to score points, and it's the defense's job to stop them. This isn't college, where the talent level is really less superior on one side of the ball. This is your livelyhood.

Now, did anyone think about the fans? You know, the ones who pay their hard earned money to go to the game. The ones who paid to see 60 minutes of football. Not to see 45 minutes of football, then 15 minutes of waiting for the game to end. It simply wouldn't be fair to your fans, especially since this was a home game, to just stop trying because the defense didn't have an answer.

So, NFL players, coaches, and Personnel: Stop crying and stop somebody, if you dont want an embarassing loss.

Scaremongers and Jihads and Terrorists, OH MY!

First, let me state I got this from My boy Mark, who got it from his boy Tone. So, Tone, whoever you are, Thank you.

Body: I'm dressing up as a melting polar ice cap

Because that's scary. Almost as scary as the possible reelection of the party of the scaremonger in chief.

By Bill Maher



Oct. 27, 2007 | New Rule: This Halloween, every time you see something that's supposed to scare you, like a skeleton or a severed head or the ingredients in diet pudding ... take a moment and think about fear: What are you afraid of; what should you be afraid of. What's really scary this Halloween is that the same group of idea-free losers who won the last presidential election could win the next one by making us afraid of the wrong things. Which is why this year for Halloween, I'm going as something truly horrifying: a melting polar ice cap.

This week -- as every week -- all the Republican candidates talked about was who was toughest in the war on terror. While the country's most populous state literally burned. The Democrats, as usual, said nothing, because they didn't want to offend fire.

The Republicans, including the scaremonger in chief, sell themselves as protectors of our safety. But since they're all, except for McCain , armchair warriors, they're only comfortable protecting us from fears they made up. Like the way Iran is itching for a war with the United States now. Ahmadinejad is pure evil! Terror has a new name, and it's nearly unpronounceable.

At the Republican debate this week, Mike Huckabee said, "Islamofascism is the greatest threat we ever faced." Really? More than the Nazis? And the Russians? And the Redcoats?

In his latest ad, Mitt Romney warns eerily that Muslim jihadists want to establish an Islamic caliphate covering the whole world, including America .

And I thought the people scared of gays and Mexicans were paranoid. Islamic terrorists taking over America ? They can barely get across the monkey bars. Our defense budget is 600 billion a year, they're using guns they took off a dead Soviet in 1981 -- I think we can hold Charleston .

We're the most powerful nation on earth with the largest economy and the best military, and we're made to act the fool by a few thousand cave dwellers who still put out their video on VHS.

And that's because over the last seven years, because of the incompetence that goes by the name George Bush, we've become the most insecure, paranoid superpower ever. We don't think we can get anything right anymore. We can't take care of our own citizens after a hurricane, or plan for our wars, or maintain our infrastructure, and our celebrity rehab facilities obviously aren't working at all.


Some people looked at this fire and saw not a dangerous phenomenon brought on by man's activities and requiring a scientific solution, but a cleansing catharsis sent by God to punish liberals. Even though it mostly burned Orange County .

As a species, we're failing at survival trick No. 1: prioritize the threats. Environmental catastrophe will visit all of us in the coming decades, in one way or another, and when it does I hope people like ... oh, I don't know, Lou Dobbs, says to himself, "Hmmm, maybe if I was going to spend my whole career obsessing about one issue -- it should have been global warming. The skin just fell off my face, and it turns out that really wasn't the fault of a Mexican."

WHY GOD?? WWWHHHHYYY?!?!?!

Two things happened Sunday night that undoubtadly added to the suicide rate in the Bronx.

On the Red Sox way to sweeping the Rockies in the World Series, A-Rod's agent, Scott Boras, announced that he was opting out of his contract with the Yankees.

WHY GOD? I MEAN..BOTH? ON THE SAME NIGHT? WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ME?

Now, I can officialy say A-Rod is a deuche bag for the timing of his annoucement. Even if he would have announced he was returning to the Yankees, he shouldn't have done it when he did. His agent announced it in the middle of game 4 of the World Series. One that A-Rod wasn't playing in. That's so disrespectful to the game, and the teams playing. He had to make sure he had a part of the spotlight. Someone should have just told him, "Hey man, just wait until the day after the series is over. We know you made up your mind, but let these two teams stand alone like the should right now."

He had to make sure that people weren't JUST talking about the Red Sox. He needed his name in the conversation too. Well A-Rod, that's a bitch move.

AND, did you hear the reason he gave for leaving? Because of the uncertainty of Andy Pettit, Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera? PUH-LEASE! A-Rod said he wanted a long term contract (10-12 year range). How many of those 3 do you think will still be playing in 5 years? Probably 0. Your excuses are see through. Because if you cared about those players, you would wait and see what happens with them. But it is what it is.

I still was thinking, OK, once the Yankees sign those other players, then they'll make an offer in the same style that they did with Joe Torre. No wiggle room, here it is, take it or leave it. Well, it's not looking like that's gonna happen. Hank Steinbrenner, son of The Boss, had this to say:

"It's clear he didn't want to be a Yankee...He doesn't understand the privilege of being a Yankee on a team where the owners are willing to pay $200 million to put a winning product on the field. I don't want anybody on my team that doesn't want to be a Yankee...We wanted him to stay a Yankee. We wanted to let him know how much we wanted him," he said. "The bottom line is ... do we really want anybody that really doesn't want to be a Yankee? How the heck can you do that? Compare him with Jeter. Jeter, since he was a little kid, all he ever wanted to do was play shortstop for the Yankees. That's what we want."

Well, I guess it's good bye A-Rod. I hope you catch AIDS. Not really. As a Yankees fan, I got 1 finger on each hand for you. As a man, I would remember all the booing. ALL of it. I would say "New York doesn't deserve me," and I would probably be right.

So, instead, I'll just say peace out.



Now, the question is what team will he go to? And will he go back to playing short stop? There are only a hand full of teams who can afford the guy, and he's gonna be a diva about what team he goes to. Here are the frontrunners:

Angels - They have the money to pay A-Rod. The problem is their owner has stated that devoting a large chunk of the pay roll to one player isn't his style. Maybe it will change for someone who will proabably end up THE G.O.A.T.

Giants - They have shown that they will build around one player, especially a slugger. They also have the money, and should be strong in their pursuit.

Dodgers - from NY to L.A. Simple as that. A-Rod is as Hollywood as they come, so he would fit right in.

Red Sox - The suicide rate in the Bronx would SKY ROCKET. But it could happen. Their 3rd baseman Mike Lowell is a free agent, and the team hasn't commented on whether or not they will re sign him. BUT he did just win world series MVP. You gotta sign that guy back, right? This might be the team that signs him to play short stop. But where would he fit in the line up? Or the locker room? We know the scuffles through out the years, most noteable with catcher/captain Jason Varitek, so is it really all that likely? Possibly.

Tigers - A-Rod's agent represents a number of players in the D, so the team has a working relationship with him, already.



OK, So here I am watching ESPN, or at least listening to it. All day so far today has been A-Rod, A-Rod, Yankees, Joe Girardi, A-Rod, Yankees, Yankees, A-Rod, A-Rod, A-Rod. What's missing? The team who won the World Series. LAST NIGHT! Now, as a Yankees fan, I gotta say I'm lovin the fact that they are being completely ignored. You would have thought the Yankees just got done winning their 43rd ring in a row.

But Scott Boras, Rodrigues' agent, said he doesn't understand why the Yankees are bad mouthing A-Rod but not Jorge Posada, or Mariano Rivera, because they too, have become free agents. Here's the difference. A-Rod opted out of his contract, basically saying he doesn't want to be a Yankee. With the other two, their contract has expired, and they have both remained quiet. Rivera has been more vocal and he said the Yankees will get their fair shot at resigning. A-Rod sent a fuck you to the Bronx. Also added by Boras, was that A-Rod would consider coming back to the Bronx. He would gather all offers, bring them to the Yankees are try to work a deal with the Bombers. Now, that wouldn't be a problem, had they at least listened to the Yankees offer before making the announcment. The Yankees had contacted Boras and said they had an offer ready, and it was supposed to be a record breaking, highest paying contract in baseball history.

To the Rockies:

So the Red Sox just won the World Series. In what was (for about 3 weeks) ROCKTOBER!




Dear Colorado Rockies,

You had me all wrapped up in your hype, Colorado. I was rooting for you. Not just because it was the Red Sox either. I mean, if you were playing the Yankees, get real you already know what it is. But any other team, I'm pullin for the purple people. I believed that even with the 8 day layoff, you were too hot. Afterall, it wasn't your hitting that got you through the playoffs. It was the pitching. And the starting rotation doesn't pitch in actual games but every 5 days anyways. I ignored all the talk of the NL being garbage, and that you would be exposed against any of the AL playoff teams (mostly because you had to play the Red Sox). I let my guard down, and you let me down. I started bracing myself for the worse after the game 1 pounding you suffered. But then you kept it close in game 2.

"OK, maybe you have a chance," I said. "Do it for Todd Helton. Do it for Denver, for Colorado. For all those crazy fans that were out there screaming when you won the NLCS. LET'S GO ROCKIES. YEAH SON. YOU DONT WANT NONE WITH THE ROCKIES!"

Then? Another loss, only this time, it was in Denver. Down 3-0 at this point. Now, I just want you to win game 4 so there will be a World Series game and a Monday Night Football game in the same city on the same night, going on at the same time, only miles apart. Then the Sox put up a run in the 1st inning.

Here I am going "Ah shit. They started already. This is gonna be ugly."

But you kept it somewhat close. You started to come back at the end of the game. But I still expected the worse. You fell short, or some would say. I say not by a long shot.

Tell me how many people, including people on your own team expected that you would even make the playoffs with a month left in the season? How many people picked you to beat the Phillies? By the time you started with the D-Backs, we started to believe along with you. When it turned in to 20 of 21 we were like "damn, will they ever lose again?" Your team is young. Real young. You proved that you can put together a streak, and a long one. You proved that your pitching could carry you, along with timely hits, not an abundance of them.

You have something to build on. Keep your heads held high. While you probably won't be picked to make the playoffs at all next year, you can rest your hat on the fact that despite everyone doubting you, you came out and did your thing. The layoff hurt you. It did. 8 days is way too long. But should have you NOT swept through the other rounds in the playoffs? We know the answer to that. You can't do that.

I'll close with this: You had an awesome season. You finished with more regular season wins than you have in your franchise's history. You rode the 'Rocktober' wave all the way to the World Series, where you were handled by an opponent who was supposed to do just that. But there's always next year. Hopefully you wont get as used to hearing that as Cubs fans.

Week 9 College Football Wrap Up

Less upsets, less excitement.

I love the upsets. I mean, who doesn't? Who doesn't love seeing the guy who's supposed to lose coming in and fighting it out? Well, if your team is the upsetee than you.



#1 Ohio State heard all week that they hadn't played a real game yet this year. They would lose to Penn State in Happy Valley, where every home game is a White out. I tuned in to this game and Penn State held OSU to a field goal on its opening drive. Not bad, I thought. The Lions game to play. Then PSU drove down and scored on a two yard run Rodney Kinlaw. You should have heard me. "THAT'S RIGHT BABY! JOE PA'S THE MAN. FUCK OSU. FUCK JIM TRESSELL AND THAT GAY ASS SWEATER VEST!" Well, My excitement was short lived. I went and cooked dinner, and by the time I was done eating, and back to watching the game, the Buckeyes were up 24-7. Now, my statements were the same, minus the praising of Joe Paterno and the Nittany Lions. Tood Boekman spread the ball around to six revievers, going 19/26 for 253 yards, 3 TDs/1 INT. Sophomore RB Beanie Wells ran quite effectively, carrying the rock 25 times for 133 yards in the 37-17 Buckeyes W.


#2 BC went to Morgantown to take on the #8 Hokies of Va Tech. I was 100% positive that for the 4th straight week, the number 2 squad in the land was going down, and the 2nd week in a row it would happen on the road, on a Thursday night. Oh Virginia Tech, why must you toy with my emotions? This game was so boring. I couldn't watch it. I tried, I really did. But defensive games just don't hold weight against the World Series. So, I had started a mini mind celebration for the Hokies as I stumbled drunkenly out of the Ale House, where I was watching the games. I get home, flip on SportsCenter, and guess what I saw. Matt Ryan running around like Doug Flutie with less than 20 seconds left and finding Andre Callender chillin, uncovered, in the back of the end zone. Now, I'm kinda convinced that it actually was Doug Flutie because he was noticeable absent from the booth, where he calls the games on Thursday nights. He was convieniently being "inducted in to the Candadian Hall of Fame." Yeah Right. He threw that pass that gave the Eagles a 14-10 victory, and shoved Matt Ryan to the front of the Heisman Race.


#3 LSU had the week off. I think they'll need it coming in to an upset potential game with old head coach Nick Saban and his Alabama Crimson Tide, in Bama.


#4 Arizona State welcomed #21 Cal to the desert for a Saturday night showdown. The Golden Bears jumped out to a 13-0 lead heading in to the 2nd quarter, but the Sun Devils answered in the 2nd quarter, but the Bears' Heisman Hopeful Desean Jackson caught a 21 yd TD pass and put the boys from the West coast up 20-7. That's where the line was drawn. ASU scored another TD before half, and went in down 20-14. The coach let them have it, or I would imagine he did, and they came out and dropped a 17 spot in the 2nd half, while not allowing another Cal poing, taking the game 31-20. ASU RB duo Keegan Herring and Dimitri Nance put up a combined 181 yards on 45 carries, and Nance found the promise land 3 times.


In what most in the land considered the game that had the highest chance of an 'upset', the #12 Trojans of USC went to Eugene to take on the #5 Oregon Ducks. The Trojans were playing without starting QB John David Booty for the 3rd straight week, but back up Mark Sanchez is no slouch. But his turnovers did prove costly. Also, Ducks' QB Dennis Dixon showed why he is awesome. He passed for only 157 yards on 16/25 attempts, but his legs were a big reason for the win. He ran the ball 17 times for 76 yds and a TD. Ducks RB Jonathan Stewart ran 25 times for 103 yards and 2 scores in the Ducks' 24-17 win.

#6 Oklahoma had the week off and will bring Texas A&M in on Saturday.


#25 Rutgers was in the all black uni's as #7 West Virginia came in to NJ. Even with Ray Rice setting an all time record for most 100 yard rushing games, with 20, the Scarlet Knights never had a chance against Pat White and Steve Slaton. White went 10/16 for 144 yards in his typical passing day. The problem for Rutgers, was that he also had a typical rushing day, going for 156 yards and a touch on 22 carries. Steve Slaton chimed in with 76 rushing yards and 3 TDs of his own in the Mountaineers 31-3 win that knocked Rutgers out of BCS contention for the second straight year.


#9 Kansas hasn't been 8-0 since 1909. Texas A&M was not trying to have anything to do with that history. Too bad for them. Jayhawks RB Brandon McAnderson busted out 183 yards and 2 scores on 21 carries, while leading Kansas to a 19-11 win.



#10 South Florida traveled to #23 UConn and was hoping to rebound from last weeks heartbreaking loss at Rutgers. UConn was looking to beat a ranked opponent for the first time ever. Unfortuntely for the Bulls, the Huskies got their wish holding off the Bulls for a 22-15 W. USF QB Matt Grothe was 16/30 for 189 and 2 picks while rushing for 146 yards and a touch on 25 carries. The Huskies now post a 7-1 record and stand alone atop the Big East.


#11 Florida and #18 Georgia met in Jacksonville for what used to be called the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. Florida had won 15 of the last 17 meeting between the two schools, and was expected to make it 16 or 18. Dawgs coach Mark Richt told his team that they would be running laps at practice if they didn't get a celebration penalty in the 1st half. Well, we didn't have to wait long, as UGA scored on a Knowshon Moreno run, and the entire team ran to the end zone to celebrate. That's when I was thinking, "Are they dumb? Do they not realize Tim Tebow is about to get the ball? What? Do you think you just won the national championship? You scored on a 1 yard run. What's the big deal? This is about to get ugly, and Tim Tebow is about to lay his nuts on the table and embarass you. Sit down Georgia fans." Then the Gators came out and scored in 1:21 on a 40 TD pass from Tebow to Louis Murphy. Tim Tebow did the best he could with an injured shoulder that he was obvously favoring, as he didn't even have a single run attempt until the 2nd half. But it wasn't enough. Especially with the Dawgs introducing the world to Knowshon Moreno in such a harsh way. The red shirt freshman ran for 188 yards and 3 scores. UGA quarterback Matthew Stafford went 11/18 for 3 TDs and a pick, and the Dawgs upended the Gators 42-30. Tebow went 14/22 for 235 and a touch, and rushed for 2 more scores.


A little over half way in to the 3rd quarter, #13 Missouri was on upset alert while playing host to a struggling Iowa State squad. The Cyclones were holding their own, staying close and the score was 28-21 after a ISU TD with 9 minutes left in the 3rd. That's when Mizzou woke up, and dropped two touchdowns to for insurance and held on to the win, 42-28.


So, you know how you're supposed to schedule a cake game for homecoming? Someone forgot to tell #14 Kentucky that an SEC game isn't a cake game. They scheduled Mississippi State, who's now only one game away from a BCS bid. Wildcats QB and probably Heisman candidate Andre' Woodson went 24/42 for 230 yds with 2 TDs but had 3 INTs on the day. The Bulldogs threw up 31 and handled the 'Cats 31-14, giving Kentucky their 3rd loss on the year.


The #15 Virginia Cavaliers went in to Raleigh, NC to whoop up on lowley NC State. The Wolf Pack has struggled this year, and everyone on the planet expected them to bend over and take one again this week. They, on the other hand, were thinking otherwise. State QB Daniel Evans put up huge numbers, going 26/46 for 347 yards 3 TDs/1 INT as he lead his team to a 29-24 upset.


#16 South Carolina went to Knoxville and OT was needed in this game. The Game Cocks went in to the half down 21-0. They came out and threw up 21 unanswered to tie the game in the 4th. Then, with a minute and a half left, they put up the go ahead FG, to make it 24-21 in what seemed to be a game winner. Well, the Vols drove down, and hit a 47 yd FG with 5 seconds left in the game to tie it up. Overtime, here we come. UT started by putting up a 27 yard field goal on their possession. SC netted 2 yards on their first 3 plays, and had Ryan Succop set up for a 41 FG to force a second OT. Well, he missed. Tennessee upsets the Spurrier led South Carolina 27-24.


#19 Texas brought Nebraska to town in what should have been a steamroller game. The Longhorns should have pulled Nebraska's pants down, but needed a 4th quarter miracle performance to seal the deal. Horns RB Jamaal Charles ran for 290, yards and 3 TDs. 216 of his yards and all 3 TDs came in the final period, as the Horns hooked the Huskers 28-25.


this is where the writing gets short because the red sox won the world series and i'm contemplating throwing my TV out the window...but more on that later.

Struggling Minnesota went in to the Big House to take on #20 Michigan who were playing with out seniors Chad Henne and Mike Hart. That didn't matter. Minnesota just lost to North Dakota State Tech A&T last week, so they weren't a threat at all. Michigan put the stomp down and won 34-10.


Ole Miss wobbled in to Auburn looking for it's first confrence win. Bad place to start. The #22 Tigers didn't need many points to hold off the Rebels. They won 17-3.



New Heisman Top 5:

Matt Ryan, QB Boston College
Dennis Dixon, QB Oregon
Tim Tebow, QB Florida
Andre' Woodson, QB Kentucky
Ray Rice/Mike Hart/Colt Brennan/pick someone

1. Ohio State
2. Boston College
3. LSU
4. Arizona State
5. Oregon
6. Oklahoma
7. West Virginia
8. Kansas
9. Missouri
10. Georgia
11. Virginia Tech
12. Michigan
13. Connecticut
14. Hawaii
15. Texas
16. Auburn
17. Alabama
18. South Florida
19. USC
20. Florida
21. Wisconsin
22. Boise State
23. Virginia
24. Wake Forest
25. Clemson