I WANT TO MAKE A CONFESSION!

Oh well, the Oakland Raiders (4-11) are winding up their miserable 2012 season with a meaningless game in San Diego against the just as lowly Chargers (6-9).  Of course I'll watch, if for no other reason than to say goodbye to the miseries of Sundays past.

I began this silver and black season with such high hopes, as always, only to be let down and disappointed yet again.  Its been some time since my Raiders played a meaningful role in the NFL post-season picture. 

I don't know, maybe we need some truly divine intervention from the heavens above.  If only we could get a glimpse at the soul of Al Davis and how he's handling this season's disappointment. 

I wonder, just how is the late great Al Davis handling the Oakland Raiders losing season?

CONFESSION

Job Security in 2012-13

Here's a very telling story about job security, or lack therof , here in these United States of America today.  With the passing of "Right to Work" laws union contracts are about as binding as the thin papers their written on. 

Right to Work might not do away unions, but it sure puts a huge divide between union members fighting for wages and benefits versus the members who just want a paycheck.  If the saying "Divide and Conquer" could ever be applied to a passed law's intent, Right to Work is rubber-stamped with a divide and conquer quest.

Momentive Performance Materials in Waterford,NY, is a company that has put the right to work law into practice by breaking a three year contract with the workers' union and slashing pay by 40%.  Ever been to any of those upstate New York towns in the dead of winter and compare the haves and the have-nots?  A job is what seperates the two and companies like MPM know what it means to working men with families; survival.

This story by Kat Aaron drives home the issue.  Should we be glad just to have a job or do companies owe loyal workers fair treatment in a struggling economy?

WATERFORD, N.Y. -- Momentive Performance Materials sprawls near the banks of the Hudson River, just outside Albany, N.Y., its silver silos and windowless sheds nestled in the low, rolling hills. Men who work there see deer on the road as they drive their pickups to work.
Inside the plant, the tranquility vanishes. It’s not just that the workers are handling toxic, explosive chemicals. That’s par for the course in silicone manufacturing. Many Momentive employees have been at the company for decades, back when it was part of General Electric. They accept the risks in exchange for a steady, sizable paycheck.

The problem is that the paycheck is neither as steady nor sizable as it used to be. read more.....

Have A "Gargantuan" Holiday!

My plan for the holidays is to get full, kickback and watch one of my favorite old-time monster movies, War of the Gargantuas.  

As a kid I was captured by the human emotions of the two beasts. They were the result of genetic experiments done in a laboratory.

Other than showcasing a decent good vs evil story, War of the Gargantuas features great visuals and a chilling original soundtrack. I can't wait to see the classic Tokyo cafe singer doing her best not to be eaten alive while singing the song "The words get stuck in my throat."

Lastly, this movie has one of the best monster fight scenes of all time. It ranks right up there with Godzilla vs King Kong and Godzilla vs Ghidorah the three-headed monster. All are monster-movie classics. Epic!

Happy Holidays Sports and Monster Fans

Enjoy the Season

End Of The World

DON'T WORRY!

Eyes & Hearts On Connecticut

Our Prayers Go Out To Newtown, CT.

Cold Day in Hell

Why is it the devil appears to be freezing here in this pic?  Well, it ain't often that a sports franchise that's known for being cursed and losing early in a season turns it around and starts getting a little respect.

The last time I used this pic in a post was when the Arizona Cardinals went to the Super Bowl.  We're not talking basketball championship yet, but the autumn winds have a way of blowing our perceptions and expectations clear out of arenas and coliseums.

The Golden State Warriors are surprising the basketball world with their winning ways early in the NBA season.  They've won on the road as well as at home and are doing it with young, no-name players.  With the promise of a long awaited big man (Andrew Bogut) shattered due to injuries, guys are making the most of their chances and stepping up their game.

Who knew that head coach Mark Jackson, in his second season with the Warriors, could get these bay area bottom-feeders to play defense and change a losing culture into one that promises to be a playoff contender.

It's still very early in the season, but with the L.A. Lakers (9-13)struggling to get wins, the Golden State Warriors (14-6) might just be in position to wear a West Coast Crown.  Of the four California NBA Teams, only the L.A. Clippers have a better record at 14-4.  Sure, its only December and hell hasn't frozen over yet, but I hear the devil is wearing thermals.  Thanks for that one Tom Tolbert of KNBR.

Update Dec. 12th: Warriors Stun Heat

2012-13 Roster
Num	Player	Pos	Ht	Wt	DOB	Prior to NBA/Country	Yrs
40	Harrison Barnes	F	6-8	210	05/30/1992	North Carolina/USA	R
20	Kent Bazemore	G	6-5	201	07/01/1989	Old Dominion/USA	R
15	Andris Biedrins	C	7-0	242	04/02/1986	BK Skonto/Latvia	8
12	Andrew Bogut	C	7-0	260	11/28/1984	Utah/Australia	7
30	Stephen Curry	G	6-3	185	03/14/1988	Davidson/USA	3
31	Festus Ezeli	C	6-11	255	10/21/1989	Vanderbilt/Nigeria	R
23	Draymond Green	F	6-7	230	03/04/1990	Michigan State/USA	R
2	Jarrett Jack	G	6-3	197	10/28/1983	Georgia Tech/USA	7
44	Richard Jefferson	F	6-7	230	06/21/1980	Arizona/USA	11
22	Charles Jenkins	G	6-3	215	02/28/1989	Hofstra/USA	1
7	Carl Landry	F	6-9	248	09/19/1983	Purdue/USA	5
10	David Lee	F-C	6-9	240	04/29/1983	Florida/USA	7
4	Brandon Rush	F-G	6-6	210	07/07/1985	Kansas/USA	4
11	Klay Thompson	G	6-7	205	02/08/1990	Washington State/USA	1
3	Jeremy Tyler	F-C	6-10	260	06/21/1991	Tokyo Apache/USA

Pacman Never Saw Marquez Knockout Punch!

There are rare moments in sports where time truly stands still.  Fans everywhere can recall exactly where they were and how they responded to the win, lose or draw of that moment.

Last night, Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao was knocked out cold by Juan Manuel Marquez with a second or so left in the sixth round. It was a moment that paralyzed every fan watching. Even Marquez seemed stunned immediately afterwards. It was a moment of screaming silence.

Pacman never saw the short right punch coming as it buckled him to the canvas face first, motionless for much of two minutes.  He never saw it, the punch that would stun the faithful Filipino fans and send Latinos into a frenzied celebration.

By the time Manny knew who he was and where he was, Marquez, busted up nose and all,  had celebrated on the ropes in triumph and toweled off before visiting the Pacman on the stool in his corner to make sure all was well. It was.

My personal view on the fight is that Pacman was the aggressor and Marquez the counter puncher.  Pacman, after being knocked down and then getting a knockdown of Marquez, had become more aggressive and was controlling the fight in a frenzied pace.  It looked in the sixth round as if Pacman could've ended it and was going all out to do so in the final seconds.  There is where the smarts and training of Juan Manuel Marquez took over to win the fight.  Marquez knew the aggressive mode Manny was in and cunningly waited and baited until just at the right moment. Boom!!!!!!!! Down Goes Manny!

 

Congratulations to Juan Manuel Marquez

Pacquiao Marquez IV Was Epic

There Will Be A 5ive

What's in a Name? Pomp, Style, Elegance: Garçon

Pierre Garçon

(English pronunciation: /piˈɛər ɡɑrˈsoʊn/)

Its all in the pronunciation for this Washington Redskins wide receiver who hails from my neck of the woods in upstate New York.  He learned from one of the best in Indianapolis colts receiver and future HOF'er Marvin Harrison.  In this his fifth season, the 2008 sixth rd draft pick is matching the sound of his exotic french-haitian name with exotic stats and eye-catching highlight reel plays on the field.

We here in these united states of north america might not welcome much anything that carries a taint of french (french fries are Not french), but in our sports world we've taken a liken to announcing a player's name that not only sounds of the arrogant richness of french cuisine, but gives the speaker an air of elegance and pomp when saying it.

Where else but in the NFL, with its many flavors from various lands, can a dish so french sound and taste so delicious.

Garçon

 Judgement is in; Garcon Is a #1 wide receiver

Hello Heisman

 

Here we are again, ready to pick the most outstanding player of NCAA Football 2012.  The field of candidates consist of three gutsy quarterbacks, one of which has earned the catchy moniker of Johnny Football, one mauling linebacker and a Biletnikoff Award Finalist from USC. Lov'em or Hate'em, the USC Trojans consistently develop Heisman caliber players.

Last year at this time I gave honor to the man who lent his image to the sculpture that is the Heisman Trophy, Mr. Ed Smith. Today I'd like to share a little background on the first Heisman winner, who won the 1935 Downtown Athletic Club trophy that would be renamed the Heisman a year later.

His name was Jay Berwanger. Born in Iowa, played college football at the University of Chicago where he was known as a "one man football team."  The bruising running back would leave a scar under the left eye of Michigan center Gerald Ford, who'd go on to become the 38th President of the United States.  The President was known for bragging about receiving the scar while making a tough tackle on Berwanger. 

Berwanger's other first was to be the first player selected in the first NFL Draft ever held in 1936.  Selected by the Philadelphia Eagles, his negotiating rights traded to George Halas and the Chicago Bears, Berwanger chose not to sign and went on to compete for a spot on the 1936 U.S. Olympic team in the decathalon.  He wouldn't make the Olympics, nor would he go back to accept the offer from the Papa Bear. 

Jay would marry, enter world war II and become a  U.S. Navy flight instructor, attaining the rank of lieutenant commander. After the war he established a company producing plastic and rubber parts for the automotive industry.  Jay Berwanger became a financial success and returned to his alma mater as one of its biggest supporters.

Today I'd like to honor and thank Jay Berwanger as a pioneer of the game we've all grown to love and cheer for come Sunday. To the original J Football of college sports, "We Salute You."

Peyton Manning Joins This Legendary Battle

The night of the week might have changed, but the heated hatred and traditional vengeance these two teams feel towards one another continues to flourish. There was a time young fans, when horse collars, late hits on quarterbacks and concussed opponents were rewards of a dominating defense. 

Tonight's game is likely to be a throwback to those times of old, when players played and referrees were there to stop play while a broken body was carted off the field. The Raiders and Broncos know that in this Thursday Night NFL matchup, ghosts of seasons long past come back to terrorize and tease, haunt and harrass the football world with ole'skool bullying.  Nothing soft, nothing censored.

Tonight's game comes with a warning; "viewer disecration is advised." So put away the kids, kiss the sweety goodnight and plop your oversized keister into that favorite sports seating device. The Raiders & Broncos clash tonight, and there will be blood.

The 48 Laws of Power

My review of this very POWERFUL book:

5.0 out of 5 stars POWER-FULL, December 6, 2012

By

W. Powell - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

 

This review is from: The 48 Laws of Power (Paperback)

Its simply a great book to have if you enjoy seeing power in action. "The 48 Laws of Power" by robert green shares hidden secrets about the ways and means of wielding power in order to obtain control and respect. After reading a few stories you realize just how pretentious persons in power can be. One learns that gaining power isn't so hard, but retaining it is what drives some men to dastardly destruction of place, peoples and self.

The trick to reading this book is not to get caught up in the character of historical figures, but instead observe the methods they employ to gain or lose power. I must say that I felt a little dirty, cold and cruel when reading about power. Power might scorch and/or inspire those it is held over, but the bearer of power must remain to himself a stoic, unmoved and unemotional victim of that he possesses; always watching, always calculating and never indulging completely in the fruits of his conquests. Power corrupts a soul.

A very readable book with legendary lessons from stories that span the history of civilization.

Law 19

Know who you're dealing with, do not offend the wrong person

There are many different kinds of people in the world and you can never assume that everyone will react to your strategies in the same way.  Deceive or outmaneuver some people and they will spend the rest of their lives seeking revenge.  They are wolves in lambs' clothing.  Choose your victims and opponents carefully, then - never offend or deceive the wrong person.

The Arrogant and Proud Man.
- although he may initially disguise it, this man's touchy pride makes him very dangerous.  Any perceived slight will lead to a vengeance of overwhelming violence.  You may say to yourself, "But I only said such-and-such at a party, where everyone was drunk..." It does not matter.  There is no sanity behind his overreaction so do not waste time trying to figure him out.  If at any point in your dealings with a person you sense an oversensitive and overactive pride, flee.  Whatever you are hoping for from him isn't worth it.

The Hopelessly Insecure Man.
- this man is related to the proud and arrogant type, but is less violent and harder to spot.  His ego is fragile, his sense of self insecure, and if he feels himself deceived or attacked, the hurt will simmer.  He will attack you in bites that will take forever to get big enough for you to notice.  If you find you have deceived or harmed such a man, disappear for a long time.  Do not stay around him or he will nibble you to death.

Mr. Suspicion.
- another variant on the breeds above, this is a future Joe Stalin.  He sees what he wants to see - usually the worst - in other people and imagines that everyone is after him.  Mr. Suspicion is in fact the least dangerous of the three: Genuinely unbalanced, he is easy to deceive, just as Stalin himself was constantly deceived.  Play on his suspicious nature to get him to turn against other people.  But if you do become the target of his suspicion's, watch out.

The Serpent with a Long Memory
- if hurt or deceived, this man will show no anger on the surface; he will calculate and wait.  Then, when he is in a position to turn the tables, he will exact a revenge marked by a cold-blooded shrewdness.  Recognize this man by his calculation and cunning in the different areas of his life.  He is usually cold and unaffectionate.  Be doubly careful of this snake, and if you have somehow injured him, either crush him completely or get him out of your sight.

The Plain, Unassuming, and Often Unintelligent Man.
- ah, your ears prick up when you find such a tempting victim. But this man is a lot harder to deceive than you imagine.  Falling for a ruse often takes intelligence and imagination - a sense of the possible rewards.  The blunt man will not take the bait because he does not recognize it.  He is that unaware.  The danger with this man is not that he will harm you or seek revenge, but merely that he will waste your time, energy, resources, and even your sanity in trying to deceive him.  Have a test ready for a mark - a joke, a story.  If his reaction is utterly literal, this is the type you are dealing with.  Continue at your own risk.

Whatever Happened To Biafra?

My introduction to World Affairs as a child of the 60's was the Vietnam War and the establishment of a little republic in Africa named Biafra.

To this day I hear the name Biafra and visions of Black Power, Revolution and Struggle are awakened.  We are the accumulations of our pasts, and though we might live in a society modernized with all the new global technologies, medical breakthroughs and abundance of foods, I will never forget my thoughts of the Igbo peoples and their struggle for independence from Nigeria.

Power to Biafra, your struggle is our struggle!

Biafra, officially the Republic of Biafra, was a secessionist state in south-eastern Nigeria that existed from 30 May 1967 to 15 January 1970, taking its name from the Bight of Biafra (the Atlantic bay to its south).^[1] The inhabitants were mostly the Igbo people who led the secession due to economic, ethnic, cultural and religious tensions among the various peoples of Nigeria. The creation of the new country was among the causes of the Nigerian Civil War, also known as the Nigerian-Biafran War.
Land of the Rising Sun was chosen for Biafra's national anthem, and the state was formally recognised by Gabon, Haiti, Côte d'Ivoire, Tanzania and Zambia. Other nations which did not give official recognition but which did provide support and assistance to Biafra included Israel, France, Portugal, Rhodesia, South Africa and the Vatican City.^[2] Biafra also received aid from non-state actors, including Joint Church Aid, Holy Ghost Fathers of Ireland, Caritas International, MarkPress and U.S. Catholic Relief Services.^[2]
After two-and-a-half years of war, during which a million civilians had died in fighting and from famine, Biafran forces agreed to a ceasefire with the Nigerian Federal Military Government (FMG), and Biafra was reintegrated into Nigeria.^[3]

Championship Bound Bama Beats Georgia Bulldogs

Today saw the number one and two ranked ncaa football teams play the  SEC Championship game; and what a game it was.  Ranks as one of the best college football games of the season, with the winner awarded the division crown as well as a birth in the BCS Championship bowl against #1 Notre Dame.  The stakes simply couldn't have been any higher.

The #2 Alabama Crimson Tide won this come from behind game with grit and determination.  By my calculations, #3 Georgia Bulldogs should've actually won it.  They played a great game overall, but at key moments the team either didn't execute nor take advantage of opportunities.  Eventually Georgia gave up the big play and the momentum went rolling the Tide's way. I also believe Georgia was outcoached. Bama made the necessary adjustments to come back and win, Georgia didn't.

Let's face it, Bama just has a way of snatching the momentum, crashing through an opponent's defenses, ripping the remaining vital organs out and watching the corpse give a last dying death rattle before giving up the ghost. Like a deadly virus, they know how to finish.

My advice to the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame; Play Dead!

Final Score

Alabama 32

UGA 28

 

Roll Tide!