FootBlogging Week #3 (NFL Wk #4)

The only thing in my favor, as I sit 1-5 to Foot’s 5-1 is that it is early. Thank God we post simultaneously or all Foot would have to do is match my picks the rest of the year and win with his 4 ticks already on the board.

The King has picked three more killers, not so much in who is going to win, but the large point spreads. Blowouts are hard to come by in the NFL. It will be tough to pick any favorite and leave the points on the table, especially when it is a touchdown or more.

With that, here goes my attempt to make up some ground:

1. at (-5)

Sunday, 1 p.m. on CBS
New England is king of the NFL. Until someone can knock this giant off the hill, I will be hard pressed to bet against them, even with 5 points on the table. Take the Pats, leave the points. UPDATE: The Pats take a drubbing from the Bolts, 41 - 17. I don't think many people saw that coming.

2. at (-7.5)

Monday, 9 p.m. on ABC
Packers suck, plain and simple. But they aren’t a club that gives up very easy, especially with Favré at the helm. It takes an awfully bad team in this world of NFL parity to go 0 - 4, and even though the Pack will probably do just that, they won’t go down without a fight. The Panther’s are a suspect club simply because they are at 1-2 themselves. Both clubs are facing must win situations, and my gut says the Packers will come up short, but not shorter then 7. Pick the Pack, and take the points, all 7.5 of them! UPDATE: The Pack falls short, but well within the 7.5

3. (-7) at

Sunday, 1 p.m. on CBS
Seven Points! That magic number that any line better shudders at. Like I mentioned already, one must deliberate long and hard before leaving those kind of points on the table. But the Dolts (sic) are as solid of an NFL club as any out there, and have one of the best (if not THE best) coaching staffs in the league. I need to make up some ground, and that means taking risks. So I am picking the Colts and leaving the points, simply because i don’t think Freddie the 'Foot' has the guts to do it! UPDATE: The Colts offense finally lights up and easily covers the 7, 31 - 10. YEAH!! I got one right!

Now I am going to worship before the kegerator in preparation for this weekend’s tilts and hope I can make up a game or two.

Flash

UPDATE: Foot posts, and after picking opposite that last two weeks, this week's picks match. Looks like another week in the cellar. I'll catch him eventually!

Hoof 'N Mouth Disease

Bill, Bill, Bill *shaking head*:

"If you wanted to reduce crime, you could -- if that were your sole purpose -- you could abort every black baby in this country and your crime rate would go down.

In fairness, he did follow it up with a disclaimer:

"That would be an impossibly ridiculous and morally reprehensible thing to do, but your crime rate would go down," he said.

I see the Right wing fringe taking the same approach they did with Robertson's assassination gaff a few weeks ago. 'He shouldn't have said it, even though it's true'. Items like that come from the morally bankrupt. And the scary part is, they are the ones running the country.

Flash

Roberts Confirmed

Roberts is in:

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- John G. Roberts Jr. was sworn in Thursday as the 17th chief justice of the United States after winning Senate approval with a solid majority (78 - 22).

Roberts, 50, was given the oath of office by the senior associate justice, John Paul Stevens, at a ceremony in the White House's East Room.

I said my piece on Roberts not that long ago:

I'm not a big Roberts fan, but respect the right of the President to chose a nominee that best fits his ideology

But Mr Sponge at Clever Peasantry did a better job of echoing my position:

Ladies and gentlemen, Judge Roberts is undoubtedly a competent jurist. As liberal Democrats, we would like him to agree with us 110% of the time. However, until folks like us start winning presidential elections, we don't possess the luxury of getting all up in his face. In the meantime, all we can and should do is be on the look-out for incompetent nominees. Judge Roberts is not incompetent by any stretch of the imagination.

The Right has won the right to select jurists that mirror their ideology. If you don't like it, then bust your ass electing officials that will change the course. But left of Wellstone whiners spending their time crying about stolen elections and our of touch nominees are just spinning their wheels and being counter productive. Quit yer beefin' and get to work. You have an opportunity in a year to retake the Senate, and then you can have a say on who the President picks. Until then, shut yer yaps and get to work!

But that's just me!

Flash

Dominos?

Is the first domino falling.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Rep. Tom DeLay said Wednesday he will step aside as House majority leader following his indictment by a Texas grand jury on conspiracy charges.

DeLay attorney Steve Brittain said DeLay was accused of a criminal conspiracy along with two associates, John Colyandro, former executive director of a Texas political action committee formed by DeLay, and Jim Ellis, who heads DeLay's national political committee.

I wonder how many more chips will fall in the process, be it related to DeLay's actions or other corruption within the administration.

Flash

I Knew It Wouldn't Last

The high road was a short one at that. The Bush administration is back to playing their favorite grade school game 'It's Not My Fault':

'Brownie' blames local officials

In testimony this AM, Brownie states:

. . . Mississippi and Alabama had evacuated properly, but said New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin and Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco were reluctant to order an evacuation.

"My mistake was in recognizing that for whatever reasons ... Mayor Nagin and Governor Blanco were reticent to order a mandatory evacuation," he said.

Objective members of the panel were not amused:

"I find it absolutely stunning that this hearing would start out with you, Mr. Brown, laying the blame for FEMA's failings at the feet of the governor of Louisiana and the mayor of New Orleans," Jefferson said.

"I think it's fair to say that perhaps mistakes (were) made all around, but I don't think the response of the federal government can be explained on the basis of, as you have said here, you could not persuade the governor and the mayor to sit down and coordinate a response."

Also, it is common knowledge that BEFORE Katrina hit:

Jefferson noted that the governor had requested a disaster declaration from the federal government three days before Hurricane Katrina made landfall, which was approved by President Bush two days before the storm hit.

I though President GDub had turned the corner on his pass the buck presidency, but it is still clear that he is presenting his minions to the public to try and spin his way out of this failure of leadership!

Flash

Would you believe ... ?

Don Adams, aka Maxwell Smart died today at the age of 82.

Flash

Sen. Bill 'Martha Stewart' Frist

Sen. Frist is in trouble. The big questions is, what did he know, and when did he know that which he isn't suppose to know.

Frist, R-Tennessee, received regular updates of transfers of assets to his blind trusts and sales of assets. He also was able to initiate a stock sale of a hospital chain founded by his family with perfect timing. Shortly after the sale this summer, the stock price dived.

OH, but that isn't what he has said in the past.

Another political problem for Frist: His own statements suggest he had no knowledge of his blind trust investments.

Asked in a television interview in January 2003 whether he should sell his HCA stock, responded, "Well, I think really for our viewers it should be understood that I put this into a blind trust. So as far as I know, I own no HCA stock"

Frist, referring to his trust and those of his family, also said in the interview, "I have no control. It is illegal right now for me to know what the composition of those trusts are. So I have no idea."

What's that, "It is illegal right now for me (Frist) to know what the composition of those trusts are.".

I have to think that the Senator would be awfully careful of these types of transactions, especially considering his Presidential aspirations. His spokesman confirms:

Frist spokesman Bob Stevenson said the senator received approval from the Senate Ethics Committee before he initiated the stock sale. All the information Frist received complied with federal law and Senate ethics rules, Stevenson added.

Considering how the justice department zeroed in on Martha Stewart and convicted her regardless of her ignorance of the transaction, what kind of pressure will they put on Frist. Frist may be in a similar situation, and a fading political future may become the least of his worries.

O'fer or the Big Goose Egg

My prognosticating prowess took a big credibility hit this weekend. I missed all three games giving Foot an early lead in out season long battle. I can't even blame it on the spreads, as I it wouldn't have mattered.

I am prepared to take my lumps this week, knowing that there are better days ahead, and much football to be played.

At least the Queenies figured out how to play football. Maybe as the Packers continue to fade, the OPG (Obnoxious Packer Guy) will be unable to assist Freddie the Foot in future picks. I could only hope!

Flash

UPDATE: The Foot sings his own praises:

Sung to the tune of Yesterday, by the Beatles:

Yesterday,
LaDanian took our breath away
And the Bears played like they were gay
Oh, and New England won yesterday

Suddenly,
The Flash found himself Oh-and-three
Now LearnedFoot looks quite mighty
My victory came suddenly

Click through to sing the rest! Oh it's going to be a loooong week!

FootBlogging Week#2 (NFL Week#3) - MY PICKS

The King has posted this week's tilts.

Be sure to click through and read his take on these gridiron match-ups.

My take:

1. New England @ Pittsburgh (-3).

Here we have a rematch of last year’s AFC Championship game which the Pats dominated. But this years Pat club is starting too look like the shadow of it’s former self. If Cowher was able to beat New England last year during the regular season, this years contest may even be a blowout. Well. maybe not a blowout, but anyone would be hard pressed to bet against the Steelers at home, even when playing the Patriots. Pittsburgh easily covers and takes the rematch!

2. NY Giants @ San Diego (-5.5).

I had to double check this one and am still confused why SD would be favored, let alone by almost a touchdown. This one seems like taking candy from a baby, but my sure things haven’t been panning out all that well lately (See Oakland game last week). I’d pick the Giants without the points, but as long as they are there, I’ll take ‘em.

3. Cincinnati (-3) @ Chicago.

Not many would have had the Bungles at 2-0 right now, but then not many would have predicted a complete collapse of the Queenies by week 2 either. But daBears defense has shown that they can be stingy when it comes to points, while the offense scored at will last weekend. I’m not ready to hop on the Carson Palmer bandwagon yet. Watch the Bears play with continued vigor as they continue to lead the NFC Norris division after this weekend games are complete. Take the points and Pick BEARS.

Foot's are here, and once again, we are on opposite ends, so I'll either makeup lost ground, or fall deeper in the hole. Let's hope for the former!

Flash

Jet Blue Analogy

Mitch tried to be cute today:

Yesterday, in an Alternate Universe

"Hello, this is your pilot, Kathleen Blanco."

"The nose wheel on our landing gear is jammed ninety degrees in the wrong direction."

"Each of you is now responsible for getting yourself safely to the ground. If it doesn't work...blame the Feds for not having a plan to get you out of a crippled airplane".

"So long, and thanks for flying Jet Blue"

Fecke couldn't let that pass, so offered this:

"Hello, this is your pilot, George W. Bush."

"The nose wheel on our landing gear is jammed ninety degrees in the wrong direction."

"I'll be getting around to taking a look at the problem sometime in the next four to six days. Hey, nobody could've predicted that there might be a problem with the landing gear, anyhow."

"At any rate, I'd like to thank the Senior Vice President in charge of Repairs, Michael Brown, for his fine work in preparing us. You're doing a heckuva job, Brownie."

"So long, and thanks for flying Jet Blue"

Two perceptions, one admittedly from an alternate universe, the other from the Reality based community. One based in fantasy, the other based on fact.

Flash

Bush is Kicking Ass . . . For Now!

I overheard a comment made yesterday regarding the latest storm heading towards the Gulf coast of Texas. ‘I suppose Bush is doing nothing again’. I quickly responded, ‘Actually, he is kicking ass right now’

See, the mark of a true leader is being able to recognize your mistakes, make the necessary adjustments, and guide your subordinates down a path of success. With Katrina, all levels of government were caught with their britches in a bunch. The Feds were ill prepared and had faulty plans, the state failed to communicate effectively their needs to the federal level. The local municipalities were too busy pointing fingers and dropped the ball on several occasions.

The President won’t let that happen again. He has acknowledged his mistakes, and has made adjustments to protect as many individuals as possible as Rite steamrolls it’s way through the Gulf. Over 300,00 troops are staged and poised at the ready (compared to 10,000 set for Katrina). An open line of communication exists at all levels of government so that response times will be minimal. The goal here is to protect lives, and preserve lifestyles. Politics seems removed from the formula as the hatches are battened down while Rita approaches.

Which makes me wonder why Bush hasn’t done this sooner on other issues. I have been a supporter of the Iraq war since the beginning, albeit not for the same reasons as this administration. SoDamn Who’s Insane was a bad guy and needed to be dealt with. He had multiple second chances and refused to conform to the expectations of the international community. We didn’t need to make up stories of WMD’s and mobile chemical factories which only rocked our credibility with our allies once the truth was discovered. Bush should have and could have sold this war based on the truth and the credible facts available.

As we approach the 2,000 death mark of American troops in this battle against extremism, I wonder why the President hasn’t taken the same approach as he has with the Hurricane double shot. At least as many mistakes have been made regarding the Iraq war as were made with Katrina. Why wouldn’t it be prudent to reevaluate the failures and trump up the successes as the administration reformulates and readjusts our strategy there.

With his approvals knocking on the 30’s, the President has an opportunity to prove to those of us in the center, and center left, that he is committed to what is best for the country, and not necessarily what is best for him and his ilk’s political future. I hope he realizes how eager the American people are to see a True leader, one that is determined to do their job, listen to everyone as the plan or plans pan out, and readjust as necessary. If he refuses, and falls back into the trap he set for himself, refusing to recognize mistakes and adjust accordingly, he will entrench himself as a lame duck who can’t get anything down, while the remaining leaders of his party battle for power and control, instead of battling for what is best for their constituencies.

But that’s just me!

Flash

Doran to run for Governor?!?

MDE had the scoop, the STRIB has the story.

WASHINGTON, D.C.-- Kelly Doran is dropping out of the Minnesota Senate race to run for governor, a high-ranking Democrat told the Associated Press on Tuesday.

Doran, a DFLer, planned a news conference in St. Paul today. The campaign would only say that he planned "an announcement regarding the future of his campaign for Minnesota." Spokeswoman Tonya Tennessen declined to comment Tuesday.

So that leaves Amy, Patty and Ford in the front row. The Bench has been updated.

Flash

Bloomberg Bails on Roberts

The Mayor of New York, in a tact only a spin doctor could love, bails on his party to play to the middle in an attempt to resurrect his fledgling re-election campaign:

Breaking with his party, Mayor Michael Bloomberg says he's against President Bush's pick for Chief Justice.

In a statement Friday, Bloomberg said he's unconvinced John Roberts accepts the Roe vs. Wade decision as settled law.

I'm not a big Roberts fan, but respect the right of the President to chose a nominee that best fits his ideology. Bloomberg knows this to, and deep down is as elated as the rest of the Right with this choice. But it would destroy what little hope is left in his campaign to speak his true mind.

Bloomberg is a political read shirt, phasers on stun.

Flash

FootBlogging Week #2 - My Picks (Updated 9/19/05)

OK, here goes. I’ve been pretty successful in the past, picking games outright, but I have never played the spreads before, so I may be at a disadvantage. But considering who my opponent is, all smack no tact Freddie the (Learned) Foot I don't see why I won't be able to hold my own. In fact, he just posted his take and we are on opposite ends of the spectrum. As it should be I guess, since now there will be no pushes and a clear winner for the week!

1. Kansas City (-1) @ Oakland

I can’t believe Kansas City is favored in this game. Randy Mawsome will light up the field on a suspect Chef (sic) secondary and come out blazing after his somewhat stealthy performance (at least for him) last week. Oakland big. UPDATE: Randy wasn't Mawsome. Foot wins the rubber game of Week two with a Chefs victory.

2. Miami @ NYJets (-6)

The Jets are a better team then Miami, but it didn’t look that way in their bumbling defeat last week. But a strong club like the Jets will recover from those mistakes and show the home town crowd they are capable of putting together a consistently executed game plan. The Fish are no slough team themselves, but I have a strong hunch that the Jets will keep them in check. Jets win, but fail to cover the 6 points. UPDATE: The Jets cover, and win by 10

3. Buffalo @ Tampa Bay (-2.5)

I was one of the few in week 1 that was prepared for a ViQueen defeat. Gruden is arguably one of the best coaches in the league, and a well coached team is hard to beat. Tampa Bay will win, and easily cover this week. UPDATE: As predicted, Tampa wins handily and covers the 2.5. TB 19 - BUF 3

==

The Flash!

Deal Breaker

When Randy Kelly backed President George Bush, he stated that he was fed up with the negativity and pointed out an 'I Hate Bush' bumper triggered the endorsement:

"The common good will be better served on the path we're on than with an abrupt change of direction, especially one paved in part with political hatred," he told the state in an announcement from his backyard. The mayor cited an "I Hate Bush" bumper sticker he'd recently seen as evidence of this political hatred.

Now we have this in this AM's STRIB:

That is only one sign that Republicans are aligning themselves with Kelly, a lifelong DFLer who broke from his party to endorse Bush in 2004. A political action committee called Campaign for St. Paul's Future was launched last month by Joe Weber, a well-known Republican activist in Minnesota and brother of former Republican U.S. Rep. Vin Weber.

The group has hired Michael Brodkorb, a former state Republican spokesman, and paid him $4,000 so far to do issues research, according to campaign documents filed this month. The group's first $5,000 donation came from a Kelly backer Bruce A. Larson, who contributed $500 to the mayor in January.

Coleman said Wednesday that Brodkorb and Weber are Kelly's Republican "surrogates and they're clearly gearing up to run a negative campaign" even though the mayor has pledged to stay positive.

Kelly disavowed any connection with the group Wednesday

Kelly went on to talk about how he has signed a 'clean campaign pledge' to contain himself from his surrogates.

Randy is conforming to a GOP Rovian campaign. It looks like he will try to stay high road, and let the surrogates do the dirty work. I am wise enough to know how this process works. If Kelly chooses to go negative, alla Rove, SmearBoaters, and wolves in the woods, my vote in November becomes a no brainer. Kelly has enough he can tout to prove his worthiness to continue as mayor, but if he chooses to go negative, or allow those around him to do the same, it tells me he isn't very sure of himself.

I so desperately want to vote FOR someone in November, and Kelly is making it more and more difficult each day, as he aligns himself with the far Right failures, and a machine whose only goal is winning, not necessarily what is best for the city.

Flash

FootBlogging Week #2

King has posted this weeks games. The theme for his choices, former Vikings:

1. Kansas City (-1) @ Oakland

2. Miami @ NYJets (-6)

3. Buffalo @ Tampa Bay (-2.5)

Interesting match-ups for the first sparring. Remember, we are picking against the spread, not just a winner.

I'll have my breakdowns on Friday.

Flash

I voted for Randy

It was hard, but Coleman hasn't sold me yet. I don't think I'll ever forgive Randy for the stunt he pulled during the Presidential election, but that wasn't enough to just arbitrarily write him off. Apparently, it was for many others. Kelly almost didn't make it past the Primary:

With 104 of 104 precincts reporting, Coleman had a nearly 2-to-1 lead in votes cast over incumbent Mayor Randy Kelly, despite a strong showing by Green Party contender Elizabeth Dickinson, who sought to succeed Coleman and narrowly missed getting into the general election in 2003.

Final results:

RESULTS: ST. PAUL MAYORAL PRIMARY

104 of 104 precincts reporting

13,041 - Chris Coleman
6,740 - Randy C. Kelly
4,905 - Elizabeth Dickinson
216 - Sharon Anderson
135 - Nick Tschida
59 - Bill Dahn
40 - Glen Mansfield
36 - Jacob Perasso
25,172 - TOTAL VOTES

The general election is a couple months away. Coleman still has some time to close the sale, but I WON'T vote for him just cause I'm pissed at Randy. He has to show me he is the best candidate to move St. Paul forward.

Scapegoat

Brown resigns.

It will take me awhile to get over the shock of a member of this administration accepting responsibility for their actions (or inaction in this case) Could this be the beginning of a honest and open Presidency. No, I didn't think so either. But stranger things have happened.

Flash

Remembering 9/11

My 9/11 Story

Flash

FootBlogging

The gauntlet has been tossed, and appropriately retrieved. Seems good ole LearnedFoot wants some more butt kicking.

Throughout the NFL season, the King will select 3 games for us to predict the outcome based on the point spreads. This is no wussy contest, spreads will matter, no gravy train parlay card here!

A running tally will be kept until the end of the year, where the loser will respectfully honor the victor with beverages of their choice.

GAME ON!

Flash

PS: I'll be heading to Racine in a bit, to say goodbye to a close friend. Blogging will resume Monday (What's that you say, the FEMA director has been recalled to Washington. Can you say 'Red Shirt!'!)