First Ammendment Wrongs

In response to the Satirical Cartoon of Barack and Michelle Obama on this week’s New Yorker Magazine cover:

The magazine gives its reasons for why they put such a derogative image of a potential American President on their cover:

“Satirizes the use of scare tactics and misinformation in the Presidential election to derail Barack Obama’s campaign.”

Isn’t “Satire” supposed to be funny? Their reasons are neither funny nor reasonable to many Americans, especially those who see this Presidential Candidate as a hope for change in future American politics and racial attitudes. Insensitive and poorly thought out journalism like this is what continues to undermine the American people’s fight for justice and equality for all its citizens.

For a respected magazine like the New Yorker to cross the line toward inappropriateness at such a crucial time in American economics and politics gives fuel to the rumor that there is a contrived and coordinated effort from within to bring America to its knees, by any means necessary.

If, after the September 11^th attack, the New Yorker printed the same cover with the likes of Pres. Bush and Vice-Pres. Cheney replacing Michelle and Barack, adding maybe a hanging painting of the smoldering WTC with oil drums rising from the ashes to go along with the Osama Bin Laden portrait, would the editor and all involved still defend such a picture? Would they ignore the sensitivities of families who suffered the loss of a loved one, all in the name of Satire? Would some Americans find it truthful or even funny? This “attack” on Barack and Michelle Obama is an “Attack on America” and what it is supposed to stand for.

My final question or maybe I should put it more in a statement than a question. Had the New Yorker consulted an African-American or any minority for that matter, about the offensiveness of this image, I’m sure they would’ve been told of its unpleasant inflammatory inference. Are we as a nation also still treating all Muslims and people of middle-eastern descent as terrorists?

Is it possible that someone will take responsibility and apologize for this juvenile decision so that we as a country can move on with a more refined Presidential race that’ll deal with the pressing issues we face as a nation? Perhaps!

I fear to think that someone paid a lot of money in hopes of damaging the “Barack For President” campaign. Yes, magazines sell to the highest bidders also. Or is it possible the owners of the New Yorker are just spreading their political wings and saying “to hell with the American public’s feelings.” In times of change, it’s always those with the most to lose, whether real or imagined, who perform such immoral and malicious acts.

Oakland Raiders Three-Headed-Monster Attack!

Remember Ghidorah aka Monster Zero? He was one nasty SOB, ripping through military defenses and causing havoc amongst the monster kingdom. In one movie it took a ferocious Godzilla, a teradactyl flying Rodan and Mothra the killer Moth ( remember it's 60's television) to bring down Ghidorah, and still he went down swinging.

In 2008, Ghidorah is what they're calling the Oakland Raiders projected trio of running backs. Each brings a little something different to the battle and all can cause havoc on an opponent.

Listen --->

There's a great article about this group of Raiders backs (The Three Headed Monster Of The Oakland Raiders) that convinces me we Raider Fans are in for a treat this season. We may not be so high on the receiving corps yet, but this Ghidorah of a backfield is looking like the answer to an offense that needs to attack defenses in multiple ways.

If we had to name this explosive backfield something that symbolizes mass terror and annihilation, I can think of nothing better than Ghidorah the three headed monster. With a weapon like Ghidorah, all we need is a decent offensive line and some creative play calling to subdue opponents this season.

GHIDORAH IS COMING! AND ANYONE THINKING OF STOPPING HIM BEST BRING GODZILLA, KING KONG AND THE WHOLE DAMN MONSTER KINGDOM COME NFL SUNDAY.

The Brother Who Was Passed Over

Fredo Corleone: I’m your older brother, Mike, and I was stepped over!
Michael: That’s the way Pop wanted it.
Fredo: It ain’t the way I wanted it! I can handle things! I’m smart! Not like everybody says… like dumb… I’m smart and I want respect!

Every Family Has One. A Brother, Uncle or Cousin who feels he should've played a bigger role in the family business. He knows he's "Smaht" (smart). He just wants the love and respect of the family. Betrayal becomes his method of choice.

Here's a slideshow tribute to the character who first brought this family phenomenon to the world's attention. This is for Fredo Corleone, son of a Godfather, brother to a murderer. His own.

Do You Fill-up Using A Credit Card? Watch Out!

Call it false advertising, hidden fees or just plain old cheating. First we're told to be on the look out for suspicious terrorist activities, then the sub-prime mortgage debacle has us weary of home loans, why even the salmonella infected tomatoes didn't give me as sickly a feeling as the gas price hikes this summer.

And Now, on top of paying some of the highest gas prices this country has ever known, we're being warned to watch for hidden fuel costs when using our credit cards at the pump. Geez Louise!

I'm ready to purchase my own big rig fuel tanker, drive over to Tijuana, Mexico where gas is still a respectful $2.54 a gallon, and load up for the summer. What're they gonna do, arrest me for not buying American? Deport me for not spending $4.54 per gallon at Shell?

When does it all end I ask you? When will the auto and energy companies come up with an alternative to expensive fossil fuel or find ways to lower the cost? When will they decide they've gouged our pockets dry?

Answer: When us North American consumers begin flocking to Mexico for jobs, housing and reasonable gas rates at Flaco's Fuel and Fajita. Yo Quiero Flaco.

Barry Zito Pitches Giants Past Dodgers

Yes-in-deed, Barry Zito, the million dollar baby bust, pitched one helluva game in the SF Giants win over the L.A. Dodgers yesterday. After giving up back to back doubles to begin the game, Zito (4-12) hunkered down and began pitching his best game of the season at the Giants home park, possibly at any park.

For those Dodgers fans at the game who always seem to come to the Giants ballpark and treat it like Dodger Stadium North, by the bottom of the seventh they were quiet as church mice nibbling at crumbs. All that Dodger blue waiting for the Giants bullpen to blow it like the night before were left "scurrying" for the exit ramps long before Frank Sinatra's "I Left My Heart In San Francisco" began blaring out of the ballpark PA system.

I'll take the sounds of a swooning Frankie over booming fireworks on any fourth of July weekend game against the fodgers.

Barry Zito got the win, Brian Wilson got the save and the SF Giants gave us fans a rare San Francisco treat for the Holiday weekend, a home win over the stinking fodgers. Ray Charles couldn't have sang it better:

"America, America, God shed his grace on thee, and crowned thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea." Go Giants!

Final Score
Giants 5
Dodgers 2

Nathan's Hotdog Eating Champ Retains Belt

Joey "Jaws" Chestnut, last year's Hot Dog Eating Champion defends his title in a sudden death playoff match.

Of course the competitor who forced joey to stuff down a total of 64 Nathan's hot dogs was former champion Kobayashi, the 128 pound eating machine from Japan. It's been two years since Takeru Kobayashi last held the belt and it looks like he'll have to wait one more to have another go at it. But he'll be back, you can bet on that. The fans want him and I myself am still looking for a Kobayashi T-shirt to sport. He's the main reason 35,000 fans showed up to watch the Coney Island competition.

• Shoshichi Kobayashi (mathematician)
• Takao Kobayashi (astronomer)
• Takeru Kobayashi (competitive eater)
• Tetsuko Kobayashi (actress)
• Toru Kobayashi (astronomer)
• Toshiyuki Kobayashi (mathematician)
• Yasuo Kobayashi (aikido teacher)

In the meantime, 2008 Champion Joey Chestnut is enjoying his two year run and from the looks of it, has finally earned the respect of the once invincible Kobayashi. As they say in sports, in order to be the champ you have to beat the champ, and no challenger was able to beat Joey "The Champ" Chestnut this 4th of July.

So Joey, you've just won the 2008 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, what will you eat while at Disneyland?

Congratulations Joey "Jaws" Chestnut of San Jose, Ca., you've proven that you deserve to be crowned Hot Dog Eating Champion 2008. Now if only you could hold the belt up correctly. Video clips available on YouTube.

Warriors Lose A Leader

Looks like BD (Baron Davis), Golden State Warriors Point Guard, will be leaving the team to sign with the L.A. Clippers. Thanks for the highlight reel BD. Man's gotta do what a man's gotta due. BD is going back to the land he was raised in. No hard feelings about his departure. Can only wish him the best with the Clips. Though we're already looking at replacing him with Elton Brand of the Clips, I still feel that sinking feeling of losing more than I'll ever gain.

Baron Davis, "Former" point guard of the Golden State Warriors.

JUST BECAUSE WE'RE MEN!

JBLP

Our Boxer Of The Future

When I first saw this clip I just couldn't believe it. After playing it about three times I still just don't believe it. I saw Manny Pacquiao win his fourth title-weight belt this weekend with fast hands being the difference. If fast is what it takes to win championship belts these days, then 6-year old Golden Child Bam Bam, aka Pretty Boy, is destined to make Future Boxing History.

Anyone who tries to use the written word to describe the talents of this Gen-Z Boxer will easily run out of adjectives. He's simply what P.T. Barnum would call, "The Greatest Show On Earth."



Any Takers?

Fresno State Wonderdogs Win College World Series

The Fresno State Bulldogs of the WAC defeat the Georgia Bulldogs to earn the 2008 NCAA Baseball Championship. Instead of underdogs they've labeled themselves "Wonderdogs" and proudly showcased the moniker on t-shirts and signs at the stadium.










They not only earned the title of Champions, but did so in historic fashion by surviving six elimination games as a No. 4 regional seed (the first N0. 4 seed to reach the CWS since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1999).

Congratulations Fresno State Wonderdogs on winning your first NCAA CWS and adding to the ever growing archives of sports lore.

Link to a great article by John Meadus of how Fresno State won it all and why it ranks high on the sports historic upset meter: Fresno State Glass Slipper Fits

Santa Jet Skiing To A Chimney Near You!

Yes folks, Santa may be jet skiing instead of sledding to your chimneys this season. That is if the Xmas season were this summer. It's being reported that for the first time in our civilized history the North Pole will have no summertime ice over it's waters. Now I'm no weather channel analyst or global warming expert, but it doesn't take a PhD to figure out that no ice on the Arctic Sea spells trouble somewhere, somehow for some people.

It may not be this year, and it may not be an immediate catastrophic event, but believe me when I say life on this old earth won't be what it used to be when that inevitable change occurs.

I'll let you in on a little secret I learned from a wise old archaeologist years ago. Global changes in the earth's natural environment will not destroy the earth, but it can and will destroy the inhabitants living on earth.

Remember the dinosaurs, prehistoric creatures who roamed and ruled this planet some billions of years ago? they succumbed to the changes almost over night. There's proof that the change in some prehistoric environments happened without warning. Either immediate drought or immediate ice age, change was inevitable. Ever see those prehistoric willy mammoth's found in ice while still eating a meal? They weren't that slow were they? And what about Mars? Was it once a green and blue paradise that somehow lost it's luster?

So maybe it's time we start taking Al Gore and his message of global warming very seriously and begin pressuring our government to do something before this thing gets out of hand. If it means going back to horse and buggy I'm game. At $4.55 for a gallon of gas these days I'm ready to purchase a rickshaw and hire a footman to pull me around town. Whatever it takes to stop global warming and these petroleum producing companies from getting any richer. Maybe I'll purchase a few reindeer from Santa at markdown since he'll have no use for them in the near future.



Ho Ho Ho!

Shaq Rap and Imus Insult all in one Day

I refuse to write about the latest Shaquille O'neal diss on Kobe. I also have no comment on the most recent Don Imus racial slur. But many reporters, bloggers and interviewers have something to say about it.

Tell Me How My Blog Taste!

Very Funny Scene From 1991 Movie "Life Stinks"

I remember the movie "Life Stinks" as being funny, but I didn't remember it being so funny I'd get a belly ache from laughing so hard. Such was the case last night while watching this Mel Brooks comedy. 

I found myself rewinding scenes and laughing even harder the second time through. If only today's comedies could match this bygone era of slapstick. Though it's not a typical Mel Brooks comedy in the likes of Young Frankenstein or Blazing Saddles, it gives the funny bone a good work out and leaves you gasping for more. 

The scene I've posted is the one that just tickled me to death. At 3:07 of the clip, a crazed homeless man mimics the irate speaker at the podium believing himself to actually be delivering the threat which is really directed at him. Earlier in the movie this same crazed homeless man (played by Rudy De Luca) believes he's millionaire tycoon J. Paul Getty who just so happens to find himself down and out like our main character, played by Mel Brooks. 

Living in a city where homelessness is rampant, I found this movie to be as relevant today as when it was made back in the Reagan-era 90's. I suppose the movie is a serious comedy that shows us the funny and sad side of rich and poor. Maybe not for everyone, but definitely for those who can laugh on cloudy days.

SWITCH PITCHER VS SWITCH HITTER?

Yes, it happened last night in a minor league game between the Staten Island Yankees and the Brooklyn Cyclones. Only in New York I tell yah!

I'd just had a discussion recently about what if? What if a switch pitcher faced a switch hitter? Which player would determine whether it would be a lefty matchup or righty matchup? What do the MLB rules say?

Well it was obvious in last night's game that nobody was quite clear on the rules of such a matchup, least of all the umps. Every baseball fan is now giving their interpretations of the "Correct" rule on thousands of blogs. Anyone want to comment on the rule hear feel free.

Link to SI Article

The pitcher's name is Pat Venditte, recently acquired by the Staten Island Yankees. For the last three seasons he's pitched for the Creighton Bluejays in Omaha, Ne. He sports a specially made glove that's wearable on either hand, go figure.



The video clip of the switch matchup between pitcher and hitter resembles a classic comic routine straight from Abbott and Costello. Check it Out!

Video Clip

Boston Celtics are NBA Champions!

Paul Pierce Finals MVP

The probable has now become the printable as the Boston Celtics finish off the L.A. Lakers 131-92 to earn their first Championship in 22 years.

The Celtics made game 6 look like a scrimmage against a sixth seed NIT team. They out coached, out defended and out hustled the Lakers to leave no doubt in anyone's mind that they are deservedly the 2008 NBA Champions.

Afterwards, with mad man emotions leaking all over the Boston Garden parquet court, you could see just how much this Championship meant to the Boston players, coaches, personel and fans. They're probably still hugging and crying at the Garden as I type this. Go ahead and cry Boston, you've won.

Again, I'm not a Celtics fan. And I pretty much wish the worse for Boston teams as a whole. But for this Celtics team I happily cheered them on to victory against Kobe and the Lakers. Let's see how Jim Rome twists this loss into a positive for L.A., that cesspool of human producing earth waste.

If Boston can keep this team together a bit longer, they could find themselves hoisting up another Championship trophy in the near future. Imagine that, Big Baby Davis crying while cradling the 2010 NBA championship trophy. The Big Baby, gotta love it!

Congratulations Boston Celtics on reaching the NBA Mountaintop.

Raiders Breaking News! Breaking!

Raiders newly acquired wide receiver Javon Walker is found unconcious a block from the Las Vegas strip after being robbed and severely beaten.

Sounds bad I know. More questions than answers. Prayers go out to Javon for a full and speedy recovery. While the media has been guessing the worse, I'll just say that the young man is very lucky to be alive. Javon should be counting his blessings.

Here's a link to what is known about his injuries so far: Thoughts from the Dark Side

Tiger Wins US Open Playoff Match

It came down to sudden death in the playoffs. An underdog threatening to upset a proven champion, denying the champ another trophy. An underdog who was in awe of the champ's play and felt honored to be on the same playing field. An underdog who had fun with the media and genuinely just loves the game.

The game is golf and the underdog is Rocco Mediate. He came in to this 108th US Open ranked 158th and found himself in a playoff against the greatest golfer on the planet, Tiger Woods.

Tiger was coming off knee surgery and confessed to this being one of his toughest wins. In the end, the Champ prevailed and the underdog was glorified in placing an honary second to a legend.

Rocco and Tiger. It wasn't quite ROCKY VS APOLLO, but for a few hours over two days of play, their every swing sure held America in utter awe and suspense.

What a way for Tiger to bring in his 1st Father's Day.
Congratulations Champ!

Celtics Stun Lakers with 24 Point Comeback

Never thought I'd pity an L.A. team, but tonight was an evening for many firsts. Leading by as many as 24 points on their own court, the Los Angeles Lakers somehow laid an egg in losing their momentum and then the game to the "never-say-die" Boston Celtics 97-91.

The Comeback by Boston was the largest in finals history. The Celtics did it with pressure defense, clutch bench play, sharpshooter scoring, and their big three of Allen, Pierce and Garnett. I guess you could say Boston wanted it more. No Leprechaun luck this evening, credit coach Doc Rivers for making the right adjustments. The Celtics played like a championship team, period.

The stars came out in L.A. this evening only to be clouded over by a Boston Nor'easter. The L.A. fans, both famous and infamous, were totally stunned. They thought, as well as the rest of the basketball world outside of Boston, that they had the game in the bag and would be celebrating a laugher win. Instead of tying the series at two games apiece, the Lakers find themselves in a 3-1 hole where history tells us no finals team has ever returned from. E-V-E-R.

To be honest, after that Jordan-esque reverse layup Ray Allen planted on the Lakers kisser, a deep and dark hole is probably where the Lakers should hide out until game five come Sunday. I'm sure ESPN will be showing that play over and over again. I'm looking to post the clip myself.

I suppose all that's left is for the Lakers to play for pride on Sunday. After all, Kobe is the league MVP this season. Unfortunately for Los Angeles this season, Boston has the MVT (Most Valuable Team).

2008 NHL CHAMPION DETROIT RED WINGS

We must congratulate the Detroit Red Wings Hockey team for winning the Stanley Cup this season. They beat a formidable opponent in the Pittsburgh Penguins. I read today that the Red Wings have won FOUR championships in eleven years. I believe that qualifies them for dynasty status in the NHL.

Myself, I was hoping to see the Philadelphia Flyers get to the championship and win it all. I know nothing about the Flyers, but I bought an orange Flyers cap the other year to wear to Giants baseball games on "Orange Fridays" and I guess the hat has influenced my NHL fandom, sorry Sharks.

I've been traveling a bit lately and didn't get to see much championship Hockey play. But I did see a lot of Don Cherry the colorful hockey commentator for ESPN. Don gets my "Mack Daddy Award" for the year, check him out, flower and all:

Some of his outfits are a bit over the top, something that only a Dion Sanders could pull off in front of the cameras. But you gotta give it to Mack Daddy Don, he's one sharp sum beech. Who else could wear pinstripes and polka dots and not be taken for a clown?

It's a new NHL I tell you.

RB McFADDEN SIGNED!

Signed, sealed and ready to deliver. Raiders first round pick, RB Darren McFadden, is officially an Oakland Raider. Big Al, We the Raider Nation Salute You!

You're a part of the Nation now D-Mc. Now it's time to put in work.

NBA FINALS - GAME 1 GOES TO CELTICS

Just to set the record straight, I dislike all Boston/New England teams as well as those from Southern California. I could care less whether the Celtics or Lakers add another championship to their trophy case. After all it's just the nba, a league dominated by a few all-star individuals, not the NFL where a team of blue-collar players like the New York Giants can win it all.

It being the NBA though I must say that I've been mesmerized by the play of some individuals over the years. Yes, Jordan was the best. Magic, Bird and many before them were Greats. Today's finals bring us yet more individual greats. Of the greats in these finals, I'd like to see Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce finally earn their due. Kobe already has his, I believe K.G. and Pierce are hungrier and will come away with this year's championship.

Game 1 was a good watch. We'll see how it plays out.

Final Score Game 1
Celtics 98
Lakers 88

Tui is Back in Black?

Marques Tuiasosopo is back with the Oakland Raiders? Someone tell me I got it wrong. As much as I enjoyed the years of rooting for Tui to take over as quarterback, I now know better. It would most likely be a step backwards for the Raiders. I wonder if the playbook is even the same since Tui's last stint with the Raiders?

I suppose it's just Big Al giving Tui one more shot at making an NFL team before hanging up his cleats for good. A gesture of goodwill by the Raiders. But you never know. Jim Plunkett arrived with the Raiders at the right time and won two Super Bowls. Should JaMarcus Russell for some unexpected reason not be able to perform, Tui could be that suprise backup QB. But please God, give me a Tui on the sideline with a clipboard in hand while Jamarcus leads us to many victories this season. That is worth going to church and confessing my sins is it not Lord? ..........Lord?

Raiders News: 5/22/08 Oakland Raiders sign QB Marques Tuiasosopo.

Wah Wah Watkins

Wide Receiver Todd Watkins could be the surprise deep threat that the Raiders have been looking for. Who is Todd Watkins you may ask? Heck, I'm still trying to find information on him. But after reading the article "Don't Sleep On Todd Watkins" I'm pinching myself to see if what I read wasn't just a dream.

Bottom line, he's fast and can catch a football. If he makes the team we might see a JaMarcus to Watkins combination that will stretch the field for our bevy of running backs waiting to run roughshod over this season's opponents.

Oh, did I mention that Wah Wah Watkins will also give SeaBass some competition at field goal and point after kicks? He was just about flawless as a kicker in college at BYU.

I can smell the 2008 NFL season approaching. And the Raiders have all the ingredients for a winning dish.

Todd Watkins, an added spice to the Raiders offensive threat this coming season.

As for the Wah Wah bit, my bad. I was thinking of a funky guitar player from the 70's. Turns out his name was Wah Wah Watson. He Sho Wuz Funky!

Digger Phelps Phone Call

Well it wasn't like getting a call from the President, the Pope or Big Al himself (Al Davis-Raiders Owner), but I was just as excited and honored to hear Digger Phelps voice on my cell phone, Live!

Yes, Digger Phelps the former Notre Dame Basketball coach and current ESPN College Game Day analyst, that Digger Phelps. Digger to his friends.

So Digger and I............(he asked that I please just call him Digger), So Digger and I chewed the fat for a good twenty minutes or so talking about people and places we both know. He's really just a regular Joe who loves basketball with a passion. He's also a guy who hasn't forgotten where he came from which is how I ended up getting the call in the first place.

Digger's latest book "Undertaker's Son: Life Lessons From A Coach" just so happened to have found me while I was browsing at the Library last month. Since March Madness was just beginning I figured it would make a good basketball read during the tournament. What I found in the book was a very familiar voice talking about familiar people and places.

Imagine opening up a book of someone nationally known and reading of names, places and events that are in your hometown, population around 15,000 or so. Teachers from your high school, coaches from your pop warner league, go cart derby locations and stores on main street. Well, that's what I experienced once I began reading Digger's book.

Us who come from small towns will always have a bit of that small town in us. What Digger does in his book is show how the small town values he came from helped mold and prepare him for the many successful things he's experienced in life, basketball coaching included.

If you're a sports fan and are looking to read a fun action packed sports book, then this book of Digger's may not be for you, try his "Tales From The Notre Dame Hardwood." But if you wanna know the type of place, people and things that go into making a man like Digger then I strongly urge you to read his "Undertaker's Son." It really is a book on life lessons and its heartening to know that many of those lessons came from a small town in these United States of America. In a time when there's so much anger, resentment and distrust of the American way of life, I found Digger's book a much needed injection of what makes America and Americans so great.

After reading his book I wrote a letter to Digger expressing just how touched I was by the familiarity and the message in it. It wasn't just that I grew up in the same town, but that I felt the same way Digger felt about the town. I felt that this small town in upstate New York provided me with all the basic needs and character strength to be a success in whatever endeavors in life I chose. And I can be successful in any place in many ways. Knowing how to give back is one way and Digger seems to have done just that.

So the call from Digger was to thank me for understanding the message of his book and expressing it so well in a letter written to him. And my thanks to Digger was for just being a small town boy who went on to national fame and success yet still finds time for another small town boy like myself. True, the lessons of life never stop teaching.

Thanks Digger!

LOCK AND LOAD!

So Far So Good!

• 2008

Raiders Transactions
Date	Pos.	Player	Description
03/31/2008	C	John Wade	Signed
03/28/2008	LB	Akbar Gbaja-Biamila	Signed
03/28/2008	DE	Kalimba Edwards	Signed
03/25/2008	QB	Jeff Otis	Signed
03/24/2008	QB	Erik Meyer	Signed
03/20/2008	CB	DeAngelo Hall	Acquired via trade (ATL)
03/14/2008	DT	William Joseph	Signed
03/12/2008	WR	Drew Carter	Signed
03/06/2008	T	Cornell Green	Re-Signed
03/05/2008	WR	Javon Walker	Signed
03/05/2008	T	Kwame Harris	Signed
03/03/2008	DT	Warren Sapp	Reserve/Retired
02/29/2008	OT	Barry Sims	Released
02/29/2008	S	Gibril Wilson	Signed
02/29/2008	DL	Tommy Kelly	Re-Signed
02/20/2008	CB	Nnamdi Asomugha	Franchise Player Designation
02/13/2008	RB	Justin Fargas	Re-Signed
02/13/2008	WR	Todd Watkins	Claimed off Waivers (ATL)
01/16/2008	RB	Adimchinobe Echemandu	Reserve/Future Signing
01/11/2008	WR	Will Buchanon	Reserve/Future Signing
01/01/2008	WR	Drisan James	Reserve/Future Signing
01/01/2008	C	Jesse Boone	Reserve/Future Signing

Lady Vols & Jayhawks Men Are Champions!

It's April, and the Madness of March is finally sprinkling showers of confetti for the two teams standing. Yes, the NCAA Championships, both women's and men's, have concluded tonight with one repeat champion and another returning after many years.

The Tennessee Lady Vols downed the Stanford Cardinal tonight in a fairly dominating way. Pat Summit wins again and all is normal in the Women's league. I wasn't able to watch the game, shame on me.

As for the Men's, league, it took a very lucky 3-pointer and over-time for the Kansas Jayhawks to whip the Memphis Tigers. Some may call this game a case of one team choking under pressure while others will say the other team wanted it more. Whatever your view, it was a great game, ranking right up there with the best.

Congratulations Tennessee Lady Volunteers and Kansas Jayhawks on your successful Basketball Championship Drives.


Final Scores

Tennessee 64
Stanford 48

Kansas 75
Memphis 68

Good Luck Chris Carr

Chris Carr, the Oakland Raiders punt and kick-off returner since 2005, has been signed by the Tennessee Titans. Carr was and always will be a Raider at heart. He gives the game his all and has made the most of his playing opportunity.

I don't understand why the Raiders didn't re-sign Carr. Is 2 million dollars too much for a proven return man? He has been one of the few positives in these four win seasons of late. It would've been nice to have given JaMarcus Russell decent field position come this season. There must be a plan to replace Carr with someone better, though who that might be is a mystery to me. We can't risk injury to any of the highly paid speedsters. I suppose Johnnie Lee Higgins might be the guy, if he can hold on to the ball. That's the one thing Carr did regularly, hold on to the ball.

I wish Chris Carr the most of success with his new Titans team. And mark my words, Carr will help make the Titans a better team and a playoff contender.

My greatest memory of a Chis Carr play was when he intercepted that Ben Rothlisberger pass around the Pittsburgh goal line and returned it 100 yards for a Raiders touchdown. We beat the defending Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers that day in our house. It was a game to savor.

Good Luck Chris Carr, and thanks for the Silver and Black Memories!

Just Because it's Basketball Season

If only he'd been just a bad boy off the NBA court, he'd be remembered as a great basketball player with two championships under his belt. On the court you loved him. He brought excitement, energy and total competition to the game. He could shoot the 3 pointer with a soft stroke and his defense was game altering. He once held Michael Jordan to 9 points total in a game. If you weren't around to see his act then you missed seeing a player who comes along once in an era. He was electrifying, he was tenacious and did I mention..........He Was MAD....as in 51/50 MAD.

Vernon Maxwell, better known as Mad Max, played basketball in the NBA throughout the 90's and gave us fans one heck of a show. Love him or hate him you knew Mad Max would do something to make the game exciting. He was a great basketball player, but was also a walking time bomb on and off the court. He went into the stands to attack heckling fans long before Ron Artest was in the league. Maxwell just simply didn't have that filter in him to control his emotions. He didn't just wear his emotions on his sleeves, he came out swinging, cursing and spitting with them. Yeah, he spat into the stands too, a la Bill Romanowski. The moniker Mad Max fit him better than actor Mel Gibson who played the character in the movie. I suppose you could say he was the bad athlete of the future.

By the time he left the NBA in 2001 his personal life was in shambles. The sad thing is because Mad Max was so.......MAD........nobody seemed to be surprised or even care about his troubles off the court. As with most people who show signs of madness (schizophrenia) you remember analyzing the two opposite sides of them. Mad Max had a warm charm about him when all was well. He seemed to gel well with his teamates, well enough to win championships. But when his alter ego arose and his, for lack of a better fitting word, MAD button was pushed he went into MAX mode and was a monster. In MAX mode he could help his team take over a game and win, but if winning was out of reach it seemed all that pent up energy went into negative eruptive actions.

I'd like to remember the Mad Max who played good ball while keeping his emotions in check. As for that other side of Max, I hope he's found help for taming the monster inside. And it was a monster inside no doubt.

I went searching for a "Where is he now?" story on Mad Max and found nothing current. Figured he must be in jail or hopefully in rehab. Here are two write-ups that highlighted some of Mad Max's actions on and off the court:

Story #1

Story #2

Story #3

Story #4

9/8/2008-715PM Oakland,California

RAIDERS! ESPN! SEASON OPENER!
MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL!

The Oakland Raiders open the regular season in prime time for the third time in the past four seasons when The Team of the Decades hosts the Denver Broncos on Monday night, September 8, on ESPN, the NFL announced today.

Only 5 months and counting.
I Predict a Sellout.
I Expect a Win.

I Already Smell the Blood!

Scary News Reporting

If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area and happen to read the local SF Chronicle Newspaper, add a little horror to your mornings by reading the section titled Earthweek: A Diary of the Planet.

Now I'm a man who gobbles down horror for breakfast. Though as I get older I like gentler non-abusive news stories, but give me a headline that reads Man Attacked by Alligator, Tiger Attack or Severed Finger Found in Chili, and I'm zoned in reading all the details and spilling coffee on the paper while oogling at the picture.

Reading the Chronicle's Earthweek section is a Horror of a different color. As stated, its a diary of the planet's actions in the past 24 hours and the gossip ain't usually good. As a horror junkie I can handle the man-made type horrors; shootings, plane crashes, oil spills, car crashes and building fires are now just common daily news. These horrors fall under the "Shit Happens" column. Violent crime is just that, violence acted upon one human being by another, actions that can be attributed to emotional, economic or social/domestic disturbances.

But you give me a report on the Antarctic's Wilkins Ice Shelf collapse due to climate change or Rio de Janeiro's state confirmed outbreak of dengue fever being spread by mosquitoes and I get that deer caught in the headlights look.

And never mind the usual roarings of Mother nature in the forms of Volcanic rumblings (Kilauea) in Hawaiia or Earthquake Temblors and Tropical Cyclones in the Orient (China & India), there's a new scientific discovery that sends chills down my spine.

Keep in mind that this Earthweek section gives an icon that relates to whatever happening for that paragraph. For example, the diary entry for Antarctic collapse pictures an iceberg, that for Hawaiian volcanic activity pictures a volcano spewing ash/lava, and so on and so forth.

Well, there's this one icon that when you see it you know its bad news. This icon is a simple picture of a Rat in a circle of green. I assumed the diary entry would be a case of plague or something worse. It was worse. With a heading that reads Rodent Tools the following diary entry makes one wonder:

A highly social, intelligent rodent native to the highlands of Chile has been trained to use a tool and understand its function. Researchers at Japan's Riken Brain Science Institute say they trained six adult degu rodents to use a tiny rake to obtain food at a 75 percent success rate. The findings suggest that many animals could use tools, although such ability may be doubtful for fish.

So me being the horror buff that I am immediately envision a degu rodent being trained to use a small caliber handgun to obtain whatever the trainer needs obtained. Sounds a bit far fetched? What about rodents being trained to carry out terrorist acts? Starting to get a bit scary isn't it. Bet you could train a rodent to pull the pin out of the metal pineapple that's been placed ever so strategically. Or maybe saw through an elevator cable. How about nuclear power plants? Now that's a man-made disaster waiting to happen. Nothing like a trained rodent to squeeze in through the nuclear cooling coils and follow some mad man's trained instructions to the letter.

Remember, the initial report did say Rodent Tools. In other words, some foolish human had to provide the tools and training for the rodent to carry out the mission. And the foolish human experimenting with this is a scientist who'll probably end up with a Nobel prize. This the same Nobel prize award named after the man (Alfred Nobel) who invented dynamite without considering man's violent intentions in its future use. Seems anytime man invents something supposedly for the good, sooner or later it ends up being used for something terribly bad.

So should you ever find yourself in a public place or on some form of public transportation , and you happen to see a furry rat squeezing itself underneath a locked door or cabinet, think about the Earthweek Diary Entry with the heading Rodent Tools. Then start being afraid. Be Very Afraid.

Talk About Classic Hollywood

Talk about Classic Hollywood. The "Dame" above would be a classic whistle getter in any era. But it was the 1940's movie era when her star shined brightest and U.S. soldier's fighting in Europe in World War II couldn't have been more grateful.

Unfortunately for this blonde bombshell who spawned the infamous "peek-a-boo" hair style ( a cascade of golden tresses that obscured one heavy-lidded eye), her life and career would flame out and end without much fanfare.

Who was she?

Classic Hollywood Actor Richard Widmark

It was actors the likes of Richard Widmark who's craft stood the test of time. For those of us who remember him, his acting and looks left a lasting impression. I was fortunate to grow up in a time with Black & White war movies and Technicolor westerns. A time in which the broadcast of a late night or Sunday afternoon classic movie was a family event. There weren't many channels to choose from and sports on television was seldom shown in the evening. Sunday afternoon television usually had an old war or western movie playing.

My mother enjoyed the classic drama movies and we kids watched what she watched. We got to know the older actors and actresses from my mom's youth. I always mistook Bette Davis and Joan Crawford for one another until I saw them together in " Whatever Happened to Baby Jane," a psychological thriller.

Richard Widmark played many roles where he was cast as a gangster, a soldier/lieutenant or an sheriff/outlaw in westerns. Though I would confuse the names of the many great actors of the day, I always remembered their unique faces. Jimmy Stewart, Henry Ford, Jack Palance, Richard Burton, William Holden and many more.

Richard Widmark had the perfect face for the roles he played. His eyes were dark and piercing, his facial bone structure was skeleton-like and sharp with leathery skin that seemed pulled on as if it were a mask. He seldom smiled and usually had a look of surprise, anger or disappointment, or at least that's how I remember him. You always took his character serious and new that wherever he was trouble or conflict was sure to follow. On the screen he was the long sizzling fuse slowly approaching the powder keg.

A bit of sports trivia about Richard Widmark, he was father-in-law to the late great Dodgers pitcher Sandy Koufax.

Richard Widmark, Classic Hollywood Actor


1914-2008

Beat L.A. Beat L.A. Beat L.A.

The Golden State Warriors blow a 26 point lead but find a way to put out the hot L.A. Lakers in Los Angeles this evening. On a night when Dallas Mavericks star player, Dirk Nowitzki, goes down with an ankle injury during a loss to the Spurs, the Warriors find themselves a half game away from tying Dallas for the seventh seed in the West. If the two week projected absence of Dirk is accurate, the Warriors could find themselves going into the playoffs as a number seven or possibly number six seed. And as long as Stephen Jackson continues making back-to-back three pointers in the last minute of games, the Golden State Warriors will continue to scare the teams at the top of the standings.

Jack, say hello to Jack!

Final Score
Warriors 115
Lakers 111

"Ghost" by J.N. Williamson

Book Review

Ghost

By J.N. Williamson

For a book written in 1984, it sure was a mysterious and interesting read. I found the story excellent. And although I had a hard time with keeping track of the heaven and hell characters, I understood their roles in the story. I may read it again sometime soon just to get a better hold on their intentions and battle, which probably had a much deeper meaning than I found in its ending.

This book had just the right mix of spiritual, racial, gender, love, trust, parenthood, youth, old age, heaven and hell, and of course a Ghost.

I’m sure that someone involved in the movie Ghost, which came out around 1990, must’ve read this book to get their initial idea.

What I found interesting were the relationships of the characters. There’s much conflict and change going on in the families of the White Ghost and the little Black boy who helps the ghost. It takes the love between family members to bring about the success of the story.

To have a ghost narrate to you about what it feels like to be dead does get a bit spooky. The ghost, being a writer in his earth life, has the skill to describe his after death existence in a way the reader finds believable and captivating. Constantly while reading this book I found myself putting my being in the ghost’s position. What if I’d died and had to watch my ex-wife and family move on with their lives without me. The resentments and apologies in you can no longer be shared with your family. You’re cut off from any form of contact. Your anger drives you to haunt the living as you become an introverted unhappy entity without a home and no future to think of. What would you do?

I suppose the isolation is what makes the book so real and scary. Not knowing who’s running the show and after awhile not caring about anything.

To have a child be the hero and savior in this book was perfect. Reminds me of a biblical quote which says “In order to enter the kingdom of heaven we must become as children.” Yes, it took a child to see and do what adults were unable or too busy to even see. And it took a wise old man to help prepare that child for the day when he’d need to use his special gift.

I’m still not sure if the plan was for all of them to end up in heaven or not. Maybe the ghost was resurrected as talked about earlier in the book. If that was the case, then the ghost was the second coming of Christ and his supporting cast were maybe disciples.

The book leaves you with so many thoughts. The one thought that hits me the strongest is that my Mother and other loved ones who’ve passed over most likely visited me before moving on. And I wonder just where that beyond is and what they’re all doing in that far away place. This book also awakens in an individual all the childhood beliefs about death along with some of those young fears. Maybe it took a child’s mind to concoct such a story. Or maybe it just took a real ghost to tell it. I think I’d better read it again and make sure it’s not me who wrote this story.

Not an exciting book and definitely not horror. But a philosophical/metaphysical journey down a mysterious path that we all must take and this one writer found in him to narrate one possibility. I know, it’s a mystery book. What is death and where do we go once we die? What is heaven and hell and who determines our destination?

I almost forgot to mention the humor written effortlessly into this story. The author talks intimately with the reader about his dilemma and if the reader’s mind can respond to the nifty flow of dialogue then the story becomes alive. I really couldn’t put this book down. It was a quick 283 pages that I couldn’t guess what would happen and didn’t want to end. The ending was very mystical and nothing corny at all. It would take Hollywood to screw up this story and make it something of a tear jerker. Fortunately for the movie Ghost, it had a love story, comedy, good special effects and a great soundtrack. Where as this book had a real ghost, a gifted child and a struggle between good and evil. A very good read indeed.

DeAngelo Hall Deal Is Done!

We Got Hall!

DeAngelo Hall, two-time pro bowler and former cornerback of the Atlanta Falcons, is a Raider. He comes to the Raiders to join Namdi Asougha in the defensive backfield, making it one hell of a show.

I know we need defensive and offensive linemen, but adding Hall in our defensive backfield is an upgrade of monolithic proportions. Did we really want to see Fabian Washington or Stuert Schweigert caught out of position and unable to make plays for another season? I don't think so. Expect this Dynamic Duo to wreak havoc on opposing quarterback passes. Also, their man coverage shutdown should free up a safety or two for blitz packages. Can't wait to see it Live!

They can say all they want about Al Davis, but when it comes to negotiating with a player to join the Silver and Black, Al gets the damn job done. So what if he gave up our second round pick in this year's draft, "We Got Hall." And its been proven time and again, "Defense Wins Championships."

Welcome To The Oakland Raiders DH.

$4,300.00/HR. Hookers?

Take My Wife......Please!

Emperor's Club VIP was a high priced escort/prostitution service that catered to wealthy clients. Unbeknownst to it's client's, the Federal Government had been gathering information to bust the club and shut it down. And as with many sting operations, someone who's an upstanding leader or role model gets snagged in the net.

For New York Governor Eliot Spitzer, who's allegedly an Emperor's Club regular customer, the snag could cost him his governorship. It could get worse for Big Daddy Spitzer if they find he used State monies for some of those non-civic hanky panky hours.

Now if I were a governor with a sinful habit I'd just legalize the activity throughout my state, make it lawful. Think about it, if Marion Barry had legalized crack in Washington D.C., If Bill Clinton had legalized intern acts of fellatio in the White House, if Jeb Bush had legalized voting poll tampering in Florida. Scratch that last one, Jeb was a man ahead of his time. But you get my drift. If it’s legal it must be ethical and acceptable to others and definitely not investigated.

Unfortunately for Big Daddy Spitzer, the only legal proceeding in his future will most likely be at a congressional hearing. Whatever you do Big Daddy, don't hire Roger Clemens lawyer as your counsel for defense.

On the brighter side Big Daddy, you're a hero to many men who get busted with prostitutes who cost far less than what you paid and have no dental plan. Sometimes it’s the wife who hires investigative reporters (see show Cheaters) and the poor sucker is caught in the act. Looks like Mama Spitzer is still in your corner. You Dah Man!

Is It Football Season Yet?