PJ O'Rouke Hits Another Home Run

Be sure to check out O'Rourke's latest in the Weekly Standard. Just a taste:

You say I didn't have the answers in Iraq? Well, what were the questions? Was there this bad man? Was he running a bad country? That did bad things? Did it have a lot of oil money to do bad things with? Was it going to do more bad things? If those were the questions, was the answer "more time to let international sanctions and U.N. weapons inspections do their job"? No, the answer was blow the place to bits.

Top 10 Songs of 1979

1979 wasn't a very good year for music if you ask me.

1. My Sharona - The Knack
2. Bad Girls - Donna Summer
3. Le Freak - Chic
4. Da Ya Think I'm Sexy - Rod Stewart
5. Reunited - Peaches & Herb
6. I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
7. Hot Stuff - Donna Summer
8. YMCA - Village People
9. Ring My Bell - Anita Ward
10. Sad Eyes - Robert John

Sultans of Swing by Dire Straits was by far the best hit song of the year.

Sportsguy's Game 1 Diary

Here's Bill Simmons game 1 diary.

Here's mine.

OK - I'll say it! My diary is just as good. That's a damning indictment on the Sportsguy. I mean he gets paid for his - it should be better than mine by a wide margin but it's not.

I've said it before - Bill Simmons is the sportswriter equivalent of Bruce Hurst.

Hurst took big free agent money to leave Boston and go to California and was never the same. Simmons has been a weak imitation of himself ever since le affaire Kimmel.

It's like Sollozzo said in The Godfather, "The Don is slowing down. Ten years ago I never would have been able to get to him." I am now picturing Simmons growing tomatos in his Californian backyard scaring young readers with a piece of orange peel in his mouth. (OK - maybe this last bit only makes sense to me but that's OK because I don't get paid for this.)

Today's Links

- Elvis and Belushi? Somebody will turn this into a movie script for sure

- So much for "over-selling" the case for war -[Hans] Blix Believed Iraq Dossier was 'Understated'

- Lileks for Senate '06 - if I lived in Minnesota I would volunteer to campaign for him

- Hardball Times looks at Red Sox / Yankees Game 1

- This looks like an interesting development in Iraq - hand over Zarqawi or we will not be "lenient"

Just a Reminder of What Red Sox Nation is Up Against

Red Sox / Yankees Game 1 Diary

Just like last year - I have decided to try and keep a running diary for the Red Sox / Yankees series. Yes I know the idea is a blatant rip off of Bill Simmons but if I didn't care last year - what makes you think I care now?

My wife is at a meeting so it is up to me to get the four kids ready for bed. Part of the bedtime routine for my youngest is to have her read one story to me - and then I read a story to her. She gets to pick out the stories.

The story my daughter is reading is a HR Pufnstuf book. (We literally have about 1,000 kids books but this is the first time I've seen this one.) My daughter is reading out loud to me but I am distracted by how much HR Pufnstuf looks like Jason Giambi. Maybe it's just me.

I read "Brown Rabbit's Shape Book" awfully quick.

I also start to think about how David Ortiz was brought in last year to be Jeremy Giambi's backup at first base last year. Now neither Giambi is playing in this series. I hadn't thought about Jeremy Giambi for a long time. It occurs to me that Jason Giambi was about as productive for the Yankees this year (.208 BA / .379 SLG and one HR per 22 AB) as his brother was for the Red Sox last year (.197 BA / .354 SLG / and one HR per 25.4 AB). At least the Red Sox were able to just cut Jeremy - the Yankees will be stuck with Jason and his munga contract.

Hmmmm... I crack open my first beer. There is nothing like the first sip of your first ice cold beer of the night.

The Star Wars opening to the Fox broadcast was pretty cute. I especially liked Johnny Damon as Chewbacca. They did miss an opportunity for Yoda to use his famous phrase - "There is no try. There is only do." That would have been perfect for the Red Sox fans in the audience.

Fox brings it back to the studio and I look around for Jeanie Zelaska's fireman pole. It looks like Kevin Kennedy has a dollar bill out in front of him on the desk.

Let me just mention that Mike Mussina has never won 20 games in a season and is 0-4 when opening a series for the Yankees. I should also mention that nobody in Boston likes Tim McCarver very much.

No National Anthem? Remember after 9/11 - all the games included playing the National Anthem? Now the networks have gone back to getting the extra commercial dollars. When did that change back?

McCarver on the first out of the game: "Bernie Williams with his speed... and his glove... and his reach (and his lungs... and his heart... and his eyes... and his....)". Jerry Remy is 1,000 times better than McCarver.

Curt Schilling gives up 2-two out runs on three consecutive hits. I'm just as concerned with the 21 pitches it took to get through the first. Mussina only has 22 pitches thrown after two innings. Yankees 2-0.

McCarver just said that Jeter has "calm eyes". Tim McCarver thinks Derek is dreamy. If Tim McCarver ever made the A-List - he would be a "FOD pushy bottom linked with Derek Jeter."

Yuck! 5-0 Yankees. I'm eating Tums and drinking beer. Derek Lowe is looking good at this point. 6-0 - double Yuck! I check the on-screen TV guide for the first time tonight. Nothing else good is on - otherwise I would be tempted.

"Curtis Leskanic" is Hungarian for "Scott Sauerbeck". I think I may spend the next few innings over at Zombo.com - anything is possible at Zombo.com.

Right now I just want the Red Sox to get a hit. Then I want the announcers in the Fox booth to pass out from carbon-monoxide poisoning. God I hate that Scooter thing. However, I do think it would be cool if the Red Sox did something with Nelson de la Rosa along the same lines. Have Nelson explain the fastball vs. the cutter - who cares if it would be in Spanish and you would need subtitles? In fact Nelson should throw out the first pitch when the series gets back to Boston (I'm curious if Nelson can throw the ball better than John Kerry).

Mussina is perfect after 6 innings. I should never have mentioned that he never had a 20-win season and was 0-4 in game 1's for the Yankees. My stomach is a vat of acid and I feel like I may be physically ill.

Tim Wakefield gives up a HR to Kenny Lofton. 7-0 Yankees. How about them Patriots? 8-0 Yankees. Hey - how many games in a row do you think the Patriots can win?

Here's a discouraging thought for Republicans. Curt Schilling and the Red Sox were about the same betting odds tonight (-$150 for Red Sox vs. +$135 Yankees) as the betting odds for Bush to win re-election (-$155 for Bush vs. +$130 for Kerry).

OK - this is more like it. Red Sox get three runs. 8-3 Yankees. Why keep Mussina in there when you'll need him fresh for the rest of the series? OK - now Mussina is out and Worcester's own Tanyon Sturtze is in and Jason Varitek says "How do you do." 8-5 Yankees.

If the Yankees blow this game - Mike Mussina will go completely Kevin Brown in the lockerroom after the game.

David Ortiz comes up F'n huge! A triple for Ortiz that scores two more runs? Ortiz only had 3 triples this year and only 8 in his career. 8-7 Yankees. Michelle at A Small Victory ain't so cocky now. Bring in Rivera. We no scared of any stinking Rivera!

No matter what happens - Jon Lieber is probably shitting his pants tonight.

Bernie Williams always kills the Red Sox. A two-out triple plates two and the score is 10-7 Yankees. That is probably the ballgame but I think the Red Sox made a big impression with their come-back.

Yankees win 10-7 and I hear Sinatra playing when I really wanted Liza (baseball fans know what I mean).

Pedro will come up big. Don't worry (be happy).

Fellowship 9/11

Some seriously good satire - Fellowship 9/11

(Hat tip to MartiniPundit)

Two Third Basemen in the News

On Monday, two third basemen were in the news. Most of the attention was paid to the death of Ken Caminiti of an apparent heart attack and very little attention was paid to the fact that Robin Ventura announced his retirement from the game.

This seems very unfair to me.

Ken Caminiti was known as the 1996 NL MVP, a three time All-Star, an admitted steroids user and a convicted drug abuser. When Jeff Bagwell was coming off the field last night after the first post-season series win in Astros history - one of the first questions he had an answer was about the death of Caminiti.

Nobody grabbed Roger Clemens to ask what he thought about Ventura (Clemen's teammate in New York) hanging up the cleats.

I know that a death is much different from a retirement. I'm not heartless and I'm not stupid. My heart goes out to the family of Ken Caminiti. I just can't help myself from comparing and contrasting these two players who will now forever be linked in my mind because of the news from Monday.

They were very similar.

Both played third base. Both were about the same height and weight (Caminiti was 6'0" and 200 while Ventura is 6'1" and 198). Both were slick fielders (Caminiti had 3 Gold Gloves and Ventura six). Both were well liked by their teammates and fans. Both were also from California.

They were also very different.

The most obvious difference is the fact that Ventura is still alive. Ventura also was different in that he did not have a sudden power surge like Caminiti did. Ventura hit 20 or more HR 9 times in his 16-year career. Caminiti topped 20 HR only 4 times (they just happened to be the four years when he was in San Diego and the four years he admitted to using steroids). They were also very different off the field.

To get an idea of what each player has given back to their communities - Google their name plus the word "charity". When you Google "Ken Caminiti charity" - you come up with 454 hits. Most of the hits have nothing to do with Ken Caminiti being directly involved in a charity - it is just coincidence. In the hits that do have to do with a charity - Caminiti's involvement was mostly relegated to some autographed item by him being auctioned off.

When you Google "Robin Ventura charity" - you come up with about 3,390 hits. Many of these hits speak of Ventura's direct involvement in a charity or of hosting a charitable event.

Interestingly enough, when you Google the player's name plus the word "drugs" - you might expect many more hits associated with Caminiti but that isn't the case.

When you Google "Ken Caminiti drugs" - you get hits with phrases like "pleaded guilty", "admitted using" and "was arraigned today." Most of the hits have to do with Ken Caminiti being directly linked to drugs (either steroids or cocaine).

When you Google "Robin Ventura drugs" - most of the hits have nothing to do with Ventura and drugs - unless it is Ventura speaking out against drugs. A typical Robin Ventura anti-drug statement would be this:

"People worry about the numbers and the history of the game, but it's more about the kids that are coming up behind you and they feel they have to take that stuff to stay at a level," veteran major leaguer Robin Ventura told the New York Post. "I'm not worried about what somebody's numbers are; I'm worried more about somebody's kid feeling they have to do this to compete."

Robin Ventura lived his life as an anti-drug message. Ken Caminiti's death was the ultimate anti-drug message. It just seems unfair to me that one got all the attention.

Bush / Dukakis Debate 16 Years Ago

Tomorrow will mark the 16th anniversary since George H. W. Bush and Michael Dukakis had their second and final Presidential debate. I thought it would be worthwhile to look back at their closing statements to get a glimpse what the priorities were then, how much has changed and how much remains the same.

The debate was held in Los Angeles and the transcripts come via the Commission on Presidential Debates website. I have added emphasis where I thought appropriate.

[DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE MICHAEL] DUKAKIS: 28 years ago, as a young man just graduated from law school, I came to this city, came clear across the country, to watch John Kennedy be nominated for the presidency of the United States, right here in Los Angeles. I never dreamed that some day I would win that nomination and be my party's nominee for president. That's America. That's why I'm proud and grateful to be a citizen of this country. 26 days from today you and millions of Americans will choose two people to lead us into the future as president and vice president of the United States. Our opponents say, things are okay. Don't rock the boat. Not to worry. They say we should be satisfied. But I don't think we can be satisfied when we're spending $150 billion a year in interest alone on the national debt, much of it going to foreign bankers; or when 25 percent of our high school students are dropping out of school; or when we have 2-1/2 million of our fellow citizens, a third of them veterans, who are homeless and living on streets and in doorways in this country, when Mr. Bush's prescription for our economic future is another tax giveaway to the rich. We can do better than that. Not working with government alone, but all of us working together. Lloyd Bentsen and I are optimists, and so are the American people. And we ask you for our hand for your hands and your hearts, and your votes on the 8th of November so we can move forward in the future. Kitty and I are very grateful to all of you for the warmth and the hospitality that you've given to us in your homes and communities all across this country. We love you, and we're grateful to you for everything that you've given to us. And we hope that we'll be serving you in the White House in January of 1989. Thank you, and God bless you.

All domestic issues. No mention about the military or foreign policy. The line about "tax give away for the rich" easily could have been lifted from one of today's debates. In hindsight - would you be so concerned about the national debt knowing that the Internet growth was to fuel the economy?

[REPUBLICAN NOMINEE GEORGE] BUSH: Sometimes it does seem that a campaign generates more heat than light. So let me repeat, I do have respect for my opponent, for his family, for the justifiable pride he takes in his heritage. But we have enormous differences. I want to hold the line on taxes, and keep this the longest expansion in modern history going until everybody in America benefits. I want to invest in our children. Because I mean it when I say I want a kinder and gentler nation. And by that I want to have child care where the families, the parents, have control. I want to keep our neighborhoods much, much better in terms of anti-crime, and that's why I would appoint judges that have a little more sympathy for the victims of crime and a little less for the criminals. That's why I do feel if some police officer is gunned down that the death penalty is required. I want to help those with disabilities fit into the mainstream. There is much to be done. This election is about big things. And perhaps the biggest is world peace. And I ask you to consider the experience I have had in working with a President who has revolutionized the situation around the world. America stands tall again, and as a result, we are credible. And we have now achieved an historic arms control agreement. I want to build on that. I'd love to be able to say to my grandchildren, four years after my first term, I'd like to say, your grandfather, working with the leaders of the Soviet Union, working with the leaders of Europe, was able to ban chemical and biological weapons from the face of the earth. Lincoln called this country the last best hope of man on earth. And he was right then, and we still are the last best hope of man on earth. And I ask for your support on November 8th. And I will be a good president. Working together, we can do wonderful things for the United States and the Free World. Thank you very, very much.

Low taxes, education, crime and a strong America abroad. The apple didn't seem to fall far from the tree. I find it interesting that the death penalty has fallen by the way-side as a campaign issue for both sides (it was a big issue in 2000). Has America come to the consensus that some criminals deserve to die? (I guess that is a post for a different time.)

Heh Heh

From Beer Haiku

Cold brown frothy drink
Makes me dance like I am black
Proof that god loves us

Ice chest full of quarts.
We started drinking at noon.
I have no memory.

Into my belly
The tasty drink will be put
To get me piss drunk

Steady! Touch the nose.
Act cool! Cop watching me close.
Who's touching my ear?

MMQB Review

Here are five things I think I think about today's Monday Morning Quarterback from Peter King:

1. Peter spends a good amount of ink on Corey Dillion. I'm on record as being a big fan of Dillion having the flying Elvis logo on his shoulders. Best running back in New England since Curtis Martin - who is the name King should have dropped in his column - instead King mentions passing emails (like notes in school among 6th grade school girls) with bill Simmons during the off season.

2. Why is King so infatuated with Atlanta? Detroit beat Atlanta in Atlanta and King still has the Falcons ranked above the Lions? It makes no sense.

3. This bit from King seems more likely to be lifted out of Burrough's Naked Lunch then from the pages of Sports Illustrated:

ENJOYABLE/AGGRAVATING TRAVEL NOTE OF THE WEEK

A slice of subway life, Oct. 6, 2004:

I'm on the subway, the Lexington Avenue line, around 9 in the morning, on the way to HBO Studios for Inside the NFL. There are four girls, I would guess 17ish, maybe senior-in-high-school age, in the center of this very crowded car. One girl is applying her morning makeup. One girl is holding Makeup Girl's shoulders steady. One girl is holding the mirror. One girl is watching.

Makeup Girl says: "I am soooo pale!'' She spends three stops, my length of time on the train, applying the makeup, and just before I get off, Mirror Girls says: "You're a little white here, a little streaky.'' Makeup Girl moans, agrees, evens out the color.

Behind them is an advertisement for Manhattan Mini-Storage, which shows a man sitting on a narrow chair, eating a plate of steaming pasta with a pained look on his face. The plate is sitting right in his lap. The ad shouts: "Imagine having room for a table instead of burning your crotch!"

WFT? Over.

4. I would have to agree with this 100%: "The Brentson Buckner lip balm/Visa commercial is the worst football commercial in years. Maybe ever. It makes no sense, people." The only commercial on the air now that is worse than the Buckner commercial is that Capital One commercial where the people pretend to be stranded. I envision the camera cutting away and one of the helicopter guys shooting a flare gun up that guy's ass and then having their way with the guy's wife all the while saying, "Did you get that one honey?" and "what's in your wallet."

5. No mentions of any of Peter's kids. Hooray!

Red Sox vs. Yankees - A Look Back

Last year I did running diaries for the entire Red Sox / Yankee's series. I thought it might he interesting to take a look back at what some of us were thinking and feeling just about this time last year.

Game 1

Game 2

Game 3

Bonus Thoughts on Pedro vs. Zimmer

Game 4

Game 5

Game 6

Overcoming Grief and Obsession

Baseball Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscelaneous baseball thoughts and observations.

- Ken Caminiti is dead at age 41. So many wrestlers who used steroids died early. It is well known that cocaine is bad for your heart. I hope the death of Caminiti is not the start of a trend and I also hope that it acts as a warning to young players who may be tempted to use either steroids or cocaine. Part of me also wonders how Mike Piazza feels about Caminiti. In 1996 Piazza finished second to Caminiti in the MVP voting but later Caminiti admitted to using steroids that season. Piazza will finish as a Hall of Fame player but he will never win an MVP Award. 1996 was his best chance.

- Right now the Tampa Bay Devil Rays are about $108 million away from the 2005 Luxury Tax threshold. The Yankees are already about $50 million over the 2005 threshold. The amount the Yankees are over the threshold will probably be $10 million (at least) greater than what the Devil Rays pay in salaries in 2005.

- With Steve Finley's $6.75 million and Matt Mantei's $7 million off the books - the Diamondbacks should be able to offer Richie Sexson a pretty good contract. The question will be whether Sexson will want to sign on with the down on their luck Diamondbacks. Who else will be interested in Sexson? Will the Yankees make a play thinking Giambi is a lost cause? What about the Mariners or Mets?

- My guess is that Adrian Beltre will re-sign with Dodgers who will have some money freed up via the contracts of Nomo ($8 million), Todd Hundley ($6.5 million), Paul LoDuca ($3.9 million) and Brian Jordan's $2.5 million that was on this year's books. That's $20.9 million right there. I'm sure $5 of it could go toward giving Beltre a $10 million per year deal (Beltre already makes $5 million per year). With the normal raises and maybe signing Brad Penny and Steve Finley - the Dodgers could field a very good team for less payroll than they spent this year.

- Barry Larkin and BJ Surhoff may call it quits after this season. Did you know that they were both picked before Barry Bonds in the 1985 MLB draft? Surhoff was picked first overall by the Brewers and Larkin was taken 4th by the Reds. Also taken in front of Bonds in 1985 were Will Clark (2nd by the Giants), Bobby Witt (3rd by the Rangers) and a catcher from Glendora, CA named Curt Brown taken by the White Sox at number 5 (right in front of Bonds). White Sox fans probably realize that Brown never played an inning in MLB.

Happy Halloween

Fun Halloween time waster.

Blogroll Update

Earlier today I updated my Blogroll. I truly appreciate when people link to my blog and like to reciprocate. If you have linked to me and I missed you somehow - please let me know and I'll fix that.

I also want to say thank you to the people who click my Google ads.

No Way To Run a Campaign - October Timeline - Update

October Timeline

Full September Timeline

Full August Timeline

Oct. 7th - Kerry's foreign policy plan falling apart. Kerry's plan for mandatory service for high school age students is "disappeared" from the Kerry website coincidently just before the second debate and right after a proposal to reinstate the draft is soundly defeated in the House. When John Kerry says he has a plan and that it is on his web site - check it quick before the campaign deletes it (thank heaven for web archiving).

Oct. 8th - The second debate is viewed as either a draw or a Bush win by most commentators (I had it as a Bush win)

Oct. 9th - ABC tries to give Kerry an assist but instead just joins CBS among those not to be trusted to tell the truth. Rassmussen puts Bush at 50% - not good news for the Kerry campaign

Presidential Odds

Even though I thought for sure that Bush won the debate Friday night - the odds continue to slide into close to a dead heat.

The odds have dropped from Bush -$170 and Kerry +$140 (meaning you would have to risk $170 to win $100 on Bush or risk just $100 to win $140 on Kerry) on Friday to Bush -$160 and Kerry +$130 on Saturday. Today (Sunday) the line had dropped again. The current line is Bush -$150 and Kerry +$120.

Please note that -$120 is considered even money (the $20 goes to the house as "vig"). The last time the betting line was at "even" was right after the DNC in Boston.

To give some perspective to the odds on the Presidential race consider that the NFL game between the Tennessee Titans and Green Bay Packers has a similar line (Titans -$160 to Packers +$140) but the point spread is just 3 points (Tennessee is giving Green Bay 3). In football terms - Bush is favored by less than a field goal over Kerry on November 2nd.

Morning Links

- Operation: Puppet Power

- Mike Ganis' Crier's Corner - if you are going to bet football - read what Mike has to say

- Gordon Edes' Sunday Baseball Notes

- Ron Borges' Sunday Football Notes

- The Belmont Club on John Howard being re-elected in Australia

Top 5 Favorite Movie Characters

1. Rick Blaine - Casablanca
2. Atticus Finch - To Kill a Mockingbird
3. Maximus - Gladiator
4. Reggie Dunlop - Slap Shot
5. Inigo Montoya - The Princess Bride

Presidential Odds

I thought for sure that Bush won the debate last night but the odds makers must feel otherwise.

Yesterday the odds were Bush -$170 and Kerry +$140 (meaning you would have to risk $170 to win $100 on Bush or risk just $100 to win $140 on Kerry). Today the line has dropped to Bush -$160 and Kerry +$130.

Please note that -$120 is considered even money (the $20 goes to the house as "vig"). The last time the betting line was at "even" was right after the DNC in Boston.

Baseball Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous baseball related thoughts and observations:

- I get tremendous joy from going to the Red Sox website and seeing the schedule section say Curt Schilling vs. winner of the Twins /Yankees series.

- I felt kinda bad for Troy Percival last night. The guy was the closer for the Angels for years and his final memory of playing for Anaheim will be sitting in the bullpen - ready to go - while starter Jarrod Washburn is called in to relieve in the 10th and then seeing Washburn give up a HR to David Ortiz.

- The Red Sox have to be the hottest team right now but the second scariest team has to be the Astros. Clemens and Oswalt isn't quite Schilling / Martinez but it's close. It will be interesting to see what the Astros do in regards to second base and the outfield next year. Lance Berkman and Roy Oswalt have to be the priority signings. I would look for both to stay put and that probably means Jeff Kent and his $9 million option have to move on (with Craig Biggio moving back to second base).

- Doug Mientkiewicz is said to be a great lockeroom presence. Here's exhibit A:

"David [Ortiz] is one of those guys that I couldn't have been happier for anybody in the big leagues," Red Sox first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz said. "For what that man has gone through in the last three or four years, my gosh. The one thing I told him when I hugged him when he crossed that plate was, 'Momma would be proud.' He lost his momma a couple of years ago, and she was a big part of his life and the first thing I thought of when he hit it was, 'Come on momma, blow it out of here.'"

- Watch out for the Blue Jays next year. They will have Carlos Delgado and his $18.5 million off the books. They have Halliday, Bush, Lilly and Batista as a rotation - they should be very good.

- The next Presidential debate may very well be up against a Red Sox / Yankee showdown on October 13th. The debate will get killed in the ratings.

- The Braves will have some interesting offseason choices. What do they do about Rafael Furcal? Personally I don't think he's worth the money that Furcal will be asking for. Maybe they let Furcal walk but make a reasonable (3-year $33 million) offer to Georgia Tech alum Nomar Garciaparra. Signing Nomar will certainly take away any sting of losing Furcal and maybe JD Drew (who had 34 win shares this year and will be sure to be looking for big bucks. 34 win shares! That was seventh in the NL but would have led the AL.) The Braves also have big decisions on Paul Byrd and Russ Ortiz.

- Jose Lima pitches for the Dodgers today. No word on whether he'll sing the National Anthem again.

Thoughts on the Second Presidential Debate

You can check the transcript of the debate here:

- I just don't like Charlie Gibson. Never have. I can't explain it - just a gut dislike.

- The first question was from Cheryl Otis. I chuckled at that because I can recall some comic (I can't recall who - maybe Dennis Miller) was bemoaning the town hall format because the candidates end up taking questions from "some Otis."

- If you played a drinking game where you have to imbibe every time Kerry mentioned having "a plan" - by the end of the night EMS would be pumping your stomach.

- On the question about Americans traveling abroad and the anti-Americanism they have to face, I'm glad Bush mentioned Reagan because anti-Americanism was rampant then too. I do wish that one of the candidates pointed out that maybe one of the causes of this anti-Americanism is just envy. The United States is the land of opportunity. Even highly developed countries like England and Canada see thousands of people flocking to the US. If we are such a bad place - how come everyone wants to live here?

- On the question of a nuclear Iran - I wish one of the candidates also mentioned holding Russia responsible for selling them the nuclear capability and building their nuclear plants.

- When Kerry said that he was going to run a foreign policy like President Reagan - Bush should have hammered home the fact that Senator Kerry fought Reagan tooth and nail on everything regarding foreign policy. And now he says he would be just like Reagan?

- Senator Kerry, "That's why I will never stop at anything to hunt down and kill the terrorists." Unless the terrorists are in Iraq - then Kerry would have suggested diplomacy with Saddam and inspectors from the UN.

- When Kerry said, "I'm a lawyer too" - I wish Bush countered with "I'm not a lawyer. My advanced degree from Harvard was in business administration."

- On the question about environmentalism I wish Bush spoke of freedom. The Eastern European Communist countries were environmental nightmares. Now that they have freedom - their environments have drastically improved to the point where the "iron curtain" literally is becoming an eco-tourism zone. In Iraq the marshes are being restored. This is the area that many biblical scholars believe was the home of the garden of Eden and today because Saddam Hussein was driven from power the area is being restored. Bush should have spoke of freedom because free people all value clean air and clean water.

- This comment got me pretty pissed:

KERRY: Boy, to listen to that -- the president, I don't think, is living in a world of reality with respect to the environment.

Now, if you're a Red Sox fan, that's OK. But if you're a president, it's not.

I'm a Red Sox fan and let me just say "Screw you jackass!"

- Bush should have noted that the Kyoto treaty was voted down in the Senate by 97-0. Now Kerry either voted against it or he abstained. Either way he wasn't standing up for the accord.

- Bush actually does get that $84 in income from a timber company. The main point that needs to be made is that you don't want to set up barriers to small business. If a small businessman is making $197,000 - you don't want to incent him to go no farther by putting up higher tax brackets at $200,000. What incentive does this guy have to grow his business and add more employees?

- When it came to stem cells and Kerry invoked Michael J. Fox (who Kerry called Michael Keaton the other day) I sorta wished that Bush said something like, "I love Michael J. Fox. John Candy and Michael J. Fox are my two favorite Canadian actors and I feel for his current sickness but I don't think it's wise to count on Hollywood types for policy decisions whether it be Michael J. Fox on stem cells or Barbara Streisand on noise pollution." (I know that this comment probably would not have played very well but anyway.... )

- On the question about Supreme Court appointees - I will probably tackle this one in more depth later in the day because it is the one that really got under my skin.

Red Sox MVP

The Red Sox web site has a poll asking viewers to chose the MVP for the 2004 season. The choices are among Manny Ramirez, Curt Schilling, David Ortiz and Johnny Damon. Over 84,000 people have cast their votes and right now it stands:

- Ramirez 40%
- Schilling 38%
- Damon 14%
- Ortiz 7%

I found several things interesting about the poll.

First - over 84,000 votes? Wow! That shows you just a glimpse of how much a passion the Red Sox are for fans in New England.

Second - why no Jason Varitek? Is it because this is a team website and Varitek is a free agent? If Varitek won the poll then it would give him more leverage when it comes to offseason negotiations.

Third - it is good to see fans properly appreciate how valuable Johnny Damon has been to this team. Although I agree that Manny is the team MVP - I would say that Schilling, Ortiz, Damon and Varitek would be just behind Manny. This Red Sox team is truly a team with no one person shouldering the load.

Presidential Odds

President Bush remains the favorite to be re-elected but the odds are shrinking. Currently the line stands at Bush -$170 and Kerry +$140 (meaning you would have to risk $170 to win $100 on Bush or risk just $100 to win $140 on Kerry). Please note that -$120 is considered even money (the $20 goes to the house as "vig").

The change in the betting line is clearly due to the performance of both candidates at the first Presidential Debate.

Prior to the debate Bush was an overwhelming favorite - -$250 for Bush and +$200 for Kerry. The day after the debate the line dropped to Bush -$195 and Kerry +$165.

It will be interesting to see what happens to the betting line after tonight's debate.

No Way To Run a Campaign - October Timeline - Update

October Timeline

Full September Timeline

Full August Timeline

Oct. 4th - The Kerry campaign's plans to keep Theresa under wraps go awry. Theresa claims that the Taliban is back in power in Afghanistan and that Iraq was a simple matter of "blood for oil".

Oct. 5th - Cheney and Edwards square off at the VP debate. We want Cheney on that wall. We need Cheney on that wall. John Edwards, "Do I seem soft to you?" Babs from Animal House, "Honey is it supposed to be this soft?" Oh and just for good measure:

In 2002, John Edwards told CNN’s Late Edition:

“I think Iraq is the most serious and imminent threat to our country. And I think Iraq and Saddam Hussein present the most serious and most imminent threat.”

His story has seemed to have flip-flopped.

Oct. 6th - Kerry takes the day off and admits that there's no way France or Germany will be sending troops to Iraq even if Kerry is elected. Both things are good news for the Kerry campaign because most Americans really don't want French or German soldiers in Iraq (we are already busy training the Iraqi soldiers and we don't have time to train others) and Kerry's numbers go up whenever he's out of the public's sight. On another front - the House overwhelmingly votes down Rangel's (D-NY) Draft proposal - hopefully this puts to bed the rumors / smears of a secret draft plan.

New York State of Mind

I spent the past day and a half in New York City. I drove down last night and by the time I got checked into my hotel and over to the ESPN Zone it was close to 9:00. On the way down I started thinking about heading over to Yankee Stadium and scalping a ticket (if I was in Atlanta I could just go over the boxoffice). Once it got to be 8:00 - I put that idea out of my head.

Last night Times Square was as dead as I've ever seen it. When I got to the ESPN Zone I was able to get one of the big leather seats down front with no waiting. When the ESPN Zone first opened they had these big leather recliners that had speakers built-in so that you could chose the TV feed you wanted to listen to. Those bigger older recliners have now been replaced with fewer more traditional leather seats. Don't get me wrong - these seats are still very comfortable but they are not space-age cool like the old ones.

Obviously, the Yankees / Twins game was on the two munga-big screens. That was a good game but I started getting antsy for the game to end because it was getting close to 10:00 and I wanted the Red Sox on the big screens.

The crowd was mostly Yankee fans but Red Sox fans were well represented. It didn't take long for a chant of "1918" to break out. (As an aside - my room number was 1917 and the room next to me was 1919. I checked the floor and there was no room number 1918. I took that as a good omen.)

The Yankee game went into extra innings which forced the Sox game to stay on the smaller screens. It was strange because for every out in either game there was a loud cheer. If the Red Sox made an out - the Yankee fans would cheer. If the Yankees made an out - the Red Sox fans would cheer.

By 11:30 I was pretty beat so I headed back to the hotel. By the time I got into my room the score was tied 3-3. I put the TV on sleep timer and almost immediately fell asleep.

This morning Sportscenter dutifully filled me in on what I missed. Here are some additional thoughts about the playoffs:

- I think it is very significant that Mariano Rivera blew the save. Keep in mind that he also blew a save in the last Red Sox series. He is now beatable. Before he used to be automatic.

- People should get off Pedro's back. He has been the best pitcher in baseball for years. This year he was maybe the third best starter in the AL and people are complaining about that? The way I look at Pedro is right now he's about the same as what Greg Maddux was at the same age. Take a look at what Maddux was able to do at age 31 and beyond.

- I keep wondering if Larry Walker is the first Canadian to hit two HR in a playoff game.

- The best scenario would be for the Red Sox to sweep and for Johan Santana to pitch the final game of the Yankees / Twins series. I don't care who wins that series - I just want to insure that either way - Santana will be unable to pitch two games against the Red Sox (obviously if the Twins lose then Santana gets zero starts against the Red Sox). Santana is the only thing between the Red Sox and the World Series.

Larry King Wednesday (Relax – it’s just parody)

Is there a nicer person in show business than Susan Lucci? I tell you she’s a honey and I predict great things from this young lady…...Sports Illustrated should go to a Magic Eye type cover where you have to squint and unfocus your eyes in order to see the picture on the cover…..I’ve never actually watched the Sopranos but I have placed bets with the Russian mafia….Was it just me or did everyone get Marge Schott and Madeline Albright confused…..In my hometown there’s this cemetery ….Danny DeVito is this generation’s Orson Wells…..I’ve been stealing women’s lacy underwear from Bloomingdale’s for years…...Shouldn’t Spring Training be called Baseball Training instead? …..Volkswagen’s will always be Hitlermobiles to me….Somebody told me that Bryant Gumble doesn’t like cheese – what’s wrong with cheese? Everyone likes cheese – come on Bryant get with the program…..I’ve yet to find the penis enlargement medicine or equipment that really lives up to its billing….OK – I admit that I can’t keep Fred McGriff and Mr. French from a Family Affair straight in my head…...The recurring dream I really hate is the one where I get gang raped by Tex Cobb and Jeff Ruland…Even with all my success – I’m still just Larry from the Hood….I enjoy eating Mrs. Fields pie – Mrs. Sally Fields…...Am I crazy or is it about time that Bette Midler did a nude scene?….Jack Daniels is not just for breakfast anymore….The other night I was checking the program guide on my TV and I saw a show called Angry Beavers on Nickelodeon – it wasn’t the type of show that I hoped it would be…..Sometimes you see a sports star with the nickname “the juice” but how come you never see anyone with the nickname “the banana”?…..Nothing symbolizes the spread of anti-Semitism more than Christmas Tree Shops…...Trust me on this one – use Nair to remove the hair on your testicles and your penis will look bigger in the pictures – trust me – you’ll thank me later... Can anyone recall a New York Knicks team sucking this bad?….DNA tests scare me because I’m afraid to find out that I’m part reptile…....Danny Thomas really knew his way around a glass table – or should I say under a glass table if you scat masters know what I’m saying….At one time I considered converting to Christianity but those crazy Davy and Goliath cartoons scared me away. A talking dog? Do you think David Berkowitz watched these things?…. Until I was 23 years-old – I thought I had ovaries…..”Lost another loan to Ditech” – that always cracks me up….This just in – cock fighting actually involves two roosters. Who knew?….Walk like an Egyptian – now I’ll be humming that song all day.

Morning Links

- Transcript of last night's debate

- Dick Morris - "Cheney looked like a man and Edwards looked like a boy"

- I've heard of "hand-me-down" clothes - but a "hand-me-down" Navy? First French aircraft carriers - now Canadian submarines.

- Buster Olney on the Red Sox / Angels game

- Puppet sex! I can't wait to see this movie.

VP Debate

Here are some of my thoughts and observations after watching the VP Debate:

- When Cheney said that Kerry voted against the $87 billion because of anti-war pressures from the Dean campaign - I really wished he also said, "and if John Kerry can't even stand up to 240 men who served in the same unit with him in Vietnam - how can you expect him to stand up to Al Qaeda?"

- Cheney's best answer was a non-answer when he declined the 30-second response time on gay marriage. I have no doubt that Cheney is a good dad.

- In regards to the political atmosphere being very divisive today - I wished Cheney mentioned that the last time the atmosphere was this divisive was during the Reagan Presidency and I think most people (maybe even Kerry) would agree that even though Reagan was divisive at the time - he was also 100% right at the time.

- Was it just me or could you condense Edwards every response into "We have a plan for that but time doesn't allow me to go into detail. The President continues to mislead us and hey how about that Haliburton deal?"

- Dick Cheney wasn't added to the ticket for Wyoming's 3 electoral college votes. Senator Edwards why were you added to the ticket again? Oh yeah - the great hair.

Red Sox / Angels - Game One - Live Diary

I had a very busy day and now I need to catch up on emails. At the same time I thought I would post my thoughts on Game 1 between the Red Sox and Angels.

4:00 Chris Berman is doing the game - how long before the first Hotel California reference?

As an aside - the best rendition of the National Anthem I have ever heard was done by Sammy Davis Jr. before one of the 1986 playoff games. I'm disappointed that ESPN didn't bother showing the singing of the anthem before the start of the game.

I'm glad that Gabe Kapler is playing in right instead of Trot Nixon.

Vlade Guererro is running like Fred G. Sanford.

Manny gets a two out "double". Ortiz hits the first pitch for a single and Manny "races" around to score. (I may use "scare quotes" all day.) One run may just be enough for Curt Schilling.

Washburn throws 21 pitches in the first - my guess is that he doesn't make it out of the 5th.

I think many Red Sox fans saw that bloop to center and had visions of Johnny Damon colliding into Carbrera coming out from the infield. Damon slamming into Damian Jackson was probably the scariest thing from last years playoffs.

Washburn is getting wild but still gets out of the inning with just 10 pitches. Let me remind you that Washburn is just 1-2 with a 5.02 ERA in 5 post season starts. I'm sticking to my 5th inning prediction.

Richard at Pearly Gates is also liveblogging the game. During commercials he is molesting collies.

Berman says that Damon has a House of David look going. Based on the link - the comment would be more appropriote for Gabe Kapler (or Kevin Youkilis).

4:49 Manny is going to hit a BOMB off Washburn. (That last pitch was not a strike. OK you want an angry Manny - you got an angry Manny. Washburn is up to 53 pitches.)

It took ESPN until the 3rd inning to talk about "the curse". They are getting better (it used to be all during pre-game). People in New England think talk about a curse is just plain stupid. The only people you see talk about a curse are Dan "Chinless" Shaughnessy, out of town college students and idiots who want to get on SportsCenter.

Kevin Millar two-run bomb. 3-0 Boston.

Boston goes up 5-0 on a wild throw to home with the bases loaded. Washburn comes out of the game (told you he wouldn't make it till the end of the 5th).

You wanted an angry Manny - you got a angry Manny! BOMB! 8-0 Red Sox.

Troy Glaus breaks up the shut-out. Man - when Glaus gets hot there may be no scarier batter in either league. (Note: Glaus was the third pick in the 1997 draft. Matt Anderson was picked first by the Tigers and JD Drew was picked second by the Phillies. Do you think the Tigers wish that had that pick back?)

At the end of 5 innings - Schilling is up to 76 pitches. I hope Schilling doesn't go more than 7 innings. We will need him fresh for a game 5 or the next series.

Ramiro Mendoza did not make the playoff roster for the Sox. The Mendoza Embedded Yankee Era ends with a wimper. Maybe the Sox have Ramiro scouting tonight's game in Minnesota.

Erstad hits a HR - 8-2. Take Schilling out.

Great - it looks like Schilling may be hurt. Now Glaus slams one (at least it wasn't a HR). 8-3 Red Sox.

9-3 Red Sox. Don't ask me how they scored I had to referee a disagreement between two of my kids.

Just one more inning to go. I find myself wishing that someone would throw about three chickens and two monkeys into the ESPN booth just to liven things up.

9-3 final score. Pedro goes tomorrow.

Oh My Gawd!

This has to be the strangest, most disturbing thing I have ever read.

I'm going to have nightmares about Snawsauges now!

Morning Links

- Jay Nordlinger's Impromptus

- This was interesting

- Peter Gammons names his postseason award choices

- Gordon Edes on the Red Sox (Note: Edes points out that even though Manny had a great year - his OBP was down 30 points. This is because last year Nomar hit in front of Manny and often made the final out. Manny would be first up and would be pitched around. This year with Ortiz behind him and Manny batting 3rd instead of 4th - he wasn't pitched around as much and the result was more HR but a lower OBP).

- HOLY CRAP! Sheffield admits to using steroids and says Bonds was the guy who put him in touch with BALCO!

The Angels

The Angels are a good team and they will be getting better. Just look at some of the payroll that will be cleared off the books this offseason:

- Kevin Appier - $12 million
- Troy Glaus - $9 million (Glaus may be re-signed but I doubt it)
- Troy Percival - $7.5 million (Percival may also be re-signed but I doubt it)
- Aaron Sele - $8.5 million
- Jose Guillen is owed $3.5 million for next year but I doubt we'd see him back in an Angels uniform.

So even if they have to eat Guillen's contract - the Angels will still be clearing $33.5 million off the books. The big need is obviously a top starter but that will still leave about $20 million to shore up the rest of the line-up and add a big bat. The Angels could even drop payroll and still wind up next opening day at about $110-115 million.

Nomar? Pavano? Delgado? The Angels should add some interesting pieces this offseason and potentially they could be a 100-win team next year. My guess is that the series against the Red Sox will expose some weakness that will be addressed with this "extra" money during the offseason.

No Way To Run a Campaign - October Timeline

Keeping the tradition alive (can something that's only two months old be considered a tradition?). Here is the running diary of the Kerry campaign's ups and downs (mostly downs so far). The links for the complete August and September Timelines are below

Full September Timeline

Full August Timeline

Oct. 1st - Terry MacAuliffe's email spam campaign may have sounded like a good idea at the time but in hindsight no so much.

Oct. 2nd - If I was in charge of the Kerry campaign - the first thing I would do is ban any footballs from getting within 100 yards of the candidate. In addition to footballs - I would also try to keep Theresa out of the public eye as well - it seems like the real managers may have the same idea.

Oct. 3rd - The Lowell Sun (of Massachusetts) endorses President Bush. Kerry still has the Boston Globe in his back pocket though. "Global Test" is turning into this year's "where's the beef" punchline. Oh and about that nuclear fuel for Iran - the mullahs (or in Bush-speak "Moo-lahs") say no thanks.

Oct. 4th - The Kerry campaign's plans to keep Theresa under wraps go awry. Theresa claims that the Taliban is back in power in Afghanistan and that Iraq was a simple matter of "blood for oil".

Oct. 5th - Cheney and Edwards square off at the VP debate. We want Cheney on that wall. We need Cheney on that wall. John Edwards, "Do I seem soft to you?" Babs from Animal House, "Honey is it supposed to be this soft?" Oh and just for good measure:

In 2002, John Edwards told CNN’s Late Edition:

“I think Iraq is the most serious and imminent threat to our country. And I think Iraq and Saddam Hussein present the most serious and most imminent threat.”

His story has seemed to have flip-flopped.

Oct. 6th - Kerry takes the day off and admits that there's no way France or Germany will be sending troops to Iraq even if Kerry is elected. Both things are good news for the Kerry campaign because most Americans really don't want French or German soldiers in Iraq (we are already busy training the Iraqi soldiers and we don't have time to train others) and Kerry's numbers go up whenever he's out of the public's sight. On another front - the House overwhelmingly votes down Rangel's (D-NY) Draft proposal - hopefully this puts to bed the rumors / smears of a secret draft plan.

Oct. 7th - Kerry's foreign policy plan falling apart. Kerry's plan for mandatory service for high school age students is "disappeared" from the Kerry website coincidently just before the second debate and right after a proposal to reinstate the draft is soundly defeated in the House. When John Kerry says he has a plan and that it is on his web site - check it quick before the campaign deletes it (thank heaven for web archiving).

Oct. 8th - The second debate is viewed as either a draw or a Bush win by most commentators (I had it as a Bush win)

Oct. 9th - ABC tries to give Kerry an assist but instead just joins CBS among those not to be trusted to tell the truth. Rassmussen puts Bush at 50% - not good news for the Kerry campaign.

Oct. 10th - The elections in Afghanistan go smoothly with the first voter being a 19-year old woman. Good news for the United States - bad news for the Kerry campaign. This is probably why Kerry stopped doing interviews: In an interview with the NY Times Kerry calls terrorism a nuisance and compares it to gambling and prostituion. A nuisance? Are you friggin' kidding me?

Oct. 11th - The "nuisance" comment has legs and Rudy Giuliani hammers Kerry for not understanding the threat of terrorism.Meanwhile, after a rash of office break-ins and a seemingly co-ordinated strategy of intimidation and disruption - the Bush Cheney Campaign complains to the AFL-CIO. The public image of union members has certainly taken a big hit in this campaign. Busy day, General Tommy Franks (who was in charge of both the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq) sums up Kerry thusly:

“If his voting record ruled the day, Saddam Hussein would not only be running Iraq but Kuwait,” Franks told about 200 people Sunday at a Reno rally.

Oct. 12th - Sinclair Broadcasting decides to run the documentary Stolen Honor. The DNC threatens to sue to stop the broadcast. The Kerry campaign just threatens:

Kerry Senior Advisor Chad Clanton to SINCLAIR Broadcasting: 'They better hope we don't win' [said on FOX NEWS DAYSIDE]..

Oct. 13th - Unfortunately for Kerry - the only thing that people will remember from the third Presidential debate is the fact that he tried to use Dick Cheney's daughter for political gain. Whatever campaign advisor suggested that as a strategy should be fired on the spot.

Oct. 14th - What does Dick Cheney think of John Kerry using Cheney's daughter as a campaign prop?

You saw a man who will say and do anything in order to get elected. And I am not speaking just as a father here, though I am a pretty angry father, but as a citizen.

Oct. 15th - Kerry continues to use the myth of a draft on the campaign trail. Maybe Kerry wants a draft because the volunteer armed forces overwhelming don't like him? Meanwhile Teresa uses a home remedy (i.e. gin and white raisins) to deal with the aches and pains of the campaign trail. Teresa's snake oil is probabbly better than what Edwards and Kerry are offering - at least in the eyes of Charles Krauthammer.

Oct. 16th - Cops who want nothing to do with Kerry:

"As the elected leader of the largest organization representing America's Federal, State and local law enforcement officers, I believe it's important to point out yet again that we do not support his candidacy for President," [Fraternal Order of Police President Chuck] Canterbury said. "And to be perfectly frank, the groups which do support him actually share the same membership rolls and, taken together, probably comprise less than one-quarter of our nation's police officers."

Remember Kerry claiming 56 pieces of legislation during the debate? (In my best Maxwell Smart voice) "Would you believe 11? How about 5?"

Oct. 17th - Gallup poll has Bush up by touchdown and two point conversion.

Oct. 18th - Terrorist Yasser Arafat endorses Kerry. The Kerry campaign tries to deflect the news with more silly sports photo ops. Meanwhile, the idea to mention Mary Cheney was not a good one. The Kerry campaign heads to its logical conclusion.

Oct. 19th - The Kerry campaign will have to deal with a very emotional commercial on behalf of President Bush. The Ashey ad debuts today. Meanwhile Kerry speaks French on the campaign trail (maybe he was telling people that he served in Vietnam in a different language just for a change?). Kerry also has to deal with General Tommy Franks taking the hammer to him in a frank comparison between Bush and Kerry.

Oct. 20th - Hmmm...another relatively quiet day. Is there irony in the fact that Kerry spent this relatively quiet day in Waterloo, IA?

Oct. 21st - The "youth" vote choses Bush by a 55% to 40% margin. A Kerry aid is rumored to respond "Don't they know that Bush has a secret plan to draft them?" Meanwhile Al Gore goes on the stump for Kerry in Florida (and Oliver Stone goes on record as saying this is a Karl Rove conspiracy by the Republicans aimed at annoying independent voters).

Oct. 22nd - The new Bush ad "Wolves" debuts today. The Kerry campaign says they will counter with their own animal ad - one showing an ostrich with his head in the sand and a soaring eagle. Problem is - most people associate Kerry with the ostrich.

Oct. 23rd - The election in a nutshell - Kerry thinks of Osama bin Laden as the world's "number one criminal" while Bush thinks of him as vermin to be exterminated.

Oct. 24th - The New York Times reports that Bush has a higher IQ then Kerry. Questions abound in regard to who is to blame for the failure to get out the "over the hill Diva" and "lesbian talk-show host" vote. Rosie blames Tom Selleck and the NRA. Maybe the October surprise is that Democratic Hawaii is in play?

Oct. 25th - Ouch! This has to hurt Kerry in Wisconsin. Meanwhile Elizabeth Edwards promises / threatens "no riots if we win". In related news - John Edwards sues all you can eat buffet on behalf of wife (sorry cheap shot - I know - but my road to hell is already paved). Oh and those members of the UN Security Council that Kerry claimed to have met with - seems like that meeting most likely occurred in Kerry's Swift boat in Cambodia maybe even over Christmas vacation. Meanwhile Kerry hammers Bush over "disappearance" of explosives from a place that is phonetically called AL - Caa - Caa (later reveiled that US Army removed and destroyed munitions - oops Kerry's bad!).

Oct. 26th - Bad news for Kerry - will he be terminated in Ohio on Friday? More bad news from Hollywood - and the rumor surfaces that Kerry /Edwards enjoy gladiator movies.

Oct. 27th - Won't you think of the children! (As free get out the vote labor.)

Oct. 28th - Ouch - the German paper BILD (the largest paper in Europe) endorses Bush - at least Kerry still has the French. Double ouch - the Cape Cod Times also endorses Bush.

Oct. 29th - Is "Wake Up!" the new Kerry campaign slogan? Did it beat out "time for school" or "don't forget to bring a jacket"? Oh and about those munitions at Al Qaqaa - the US Army has them. Meanwhile Osama bin Laden sends election greetings (appearently the words - "I'm John Kerry and I approved this message" were edited out at the last minute).

Oct. 30th - The latest poll numbers are all pretty much bad news for Kerry.

Oct. 31st - John Kerry's stepson Chris Heinze bemoans the "Israel lobby" and call Bush a "cokehead". Yup - the Kerry campaign - all class right till the very end. Jack Welsh - former CEO of GE - has five questions you should ask before casting your vote. The New York Daily News endorses Bush.

MMQB Review

Here are the five things I think I think about today's Peter King Monday Morning Quarterback column:

1. The essense of Peter King - "I spread the iBook out and spew -- in between soft tacos, of course." The essense of Peter King Part II - "Key lime pie and the stadium PA guy shake me out of my drooling stupor."

2. Just a reminder - last week he was sticking up for Dan Rather:

"Most dominating lineman of his era,'' the NFL Network announcer intones about Lincoln Kennedy. That is one of the funniest lies I have ever heard in my life. Lying does not attract listeners, Park Avenue. That's been my experience, anyway. ...

3. Sports Illustrated pays him money to write things like this:

Coffeenerdness:

While Ichiro was tying and breaking the all-time hits record Friday in the Land of Espresso, I tied the all-time King record Friday, a busy work day for me, with four grande hazelnut lattes. Ichiro got an ovation for his feat. I hung my wired head for mine. That's eight espresso shots in one day. Might be time to acknowledge the disease.

America - what a country!

4. Pot - kettle. Kettle - pot:

Have you seen Sidney Ponson lately? Geez, he'd be overweight in Ted Washington's house. It's absurd. Have some pride, fella. How about this guy, who everyone in baseball thinks should be an ace, or at least a quality No. 2. He threw 215.2 innings and put 334 men on base. That is just pathetic. How long can a career last when you're putting 1.6 men per inning on base?

This is after King has talked about his soft tacos and four grande hazelnut lattes. Peter King - resident of casa de glass.

5. Second week in a row with no Mary Beth King mentions (although today included a quick Laura King mention).

Just for the record - people may get the idea that I don't like Peter King. I actually like him very much. When King talks football - there are few better. Sometimes King goes off on non-football tangents and offers up what is best called "drooling stupor" to use his own phrase.

Morning Links

- Former Blue Jays pitcher and announcer John Cerutti found dead

- Lileks

- Not sure how I missed this but Mark Cuban reminds us that even the super rich have priorities

- Aaron Gleeman defends Billy Beane and their Moneyball technique (plus nice jab at John Kruk)

THE IRISH, THE IRISH, GOD LOVE THE IRISH

(My wife sent me this email - a couple of them are pretty funny)

How can you possibly not love the Irish?

Real "Personal ads" in the Dublin News
----------------------------------------------------------
Heavy drinker, 35, Cork area. Seeks gorgeous sex addict interested in a man who loves his pints, cigarettes, Glasgow Celtic Football Club and starting fights on Patrick Street at three o'clock in the morning.
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Bitter, disillusioned Dublin man, lately rejected by long-time fiancee, seeks decent, honest, reliable woman, if such a thing still exists in this cruel world of hatchet-faced bitches.
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Ginger haired Galway man, a trouble-maker, gets slit-eyed and shirty after a few scoops, seeks attractive, wealthy lady for bail purposes, maybe more.
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Bad tempered, foul-mouthed old bastard, living in a damp cottage in the arse end of Roscommon, seeks attractive 21 year old blonde lady, with a lovely chest.
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Devil-worshipper, Offaly area, seeks like-minded lady, for wining and dining, good conversation, dancing, romantic walks, and slaughtering cats in cemeteries at midnight under the flinty light of a pale moon.
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Limerick man, 27, medium build, brown hair, blue eyes, seeks alibi for the night of February 27 between 8 PM and 11:30 PM.
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Optimistic Mayo man, 35, seeks a blonde 20 year old double-jointed supermodel, who owns her own brewery, and has an open-minded twin sister.

Presidential Debates vs. Playoff Baseball

President Bush is likely to get a big assist from Major League Baseball in his efforts to get re-elected.

Conventional wisdom says that Bush can only really harm himself with his performances at the debates and that Kerry really needs to hit home runs in each of the remaining debates to have a chance to win on November 2nd. Kerry needs to reach a wide audience especially the so-called "NASCAR dads" to have a chance but Major League Baseball will be putting a major league crimp in his chances.

Most people have already decided who they are going to vote for but many voters (enough to swing the election) haven't given the matter a whole lot of thought and might be swayed at the last moment by a strong performance in a debate. But to be swayed - the voter will probably have to actually see the debate. That's where baseball comes in.

Today was the end of the regular season and playoffs start October 5th. That also happens to be the date of the Vice Presidential Debate. The debate starts at 9:00 EST but there will be a playoff game between the New York Yankees and Minnesota Twins already in progress (8:00 starting time). The baseball game is sure to drag off many of the undecided men.

On October 8th we will have the second Presidential Debate - again starting at 9:00 EST. Again the debate will be head to head with a Yankees / Twins playoff game. The closest some guys will get to politics on this night is seeing Rudy Giuliani root on the Yankees at the Metrodome (and that could have a subconscious effect on the undecideds as well). This game is scheduled to be broadcast by ESPN and I'm willing to bet that ESPN pulls in three-times the ratings of Fox News (and Fox will have the best ratings of all the people carrying the debate).

The final debate is scheduled to start at 9:00 on Wednesday, October 13th. There is the potential that debate could be head to head with a prime-time battle between the Red Sox and Yankees. October 13th is scheduled to be game 2 of the American League Championship Series and game 1 of the National League Championship Series. One of those games will be in prime-time. The debate has no chance of getting "regular guys" to tune in.

It should be recalled that President Bush was President of the Texas Rangers before he was President of the United States - so the possibility exists for the Kerry camp to cry foul on the baseball programming. There is absolutely no chance MLB would reschedule the games though because why should they give up the chance to broadcast the games with little programming competition? If they rescheduled the games then they might line-up against a CSI show and thus harm their advertising revenue.

The first debate only had to contend with an Air Force vs. Navy football game on ESPN in terms of head to head programming (and I'm pretty sure that those who watched those two teams play are pretty much decided on who they want as Commander in Chief). If the service academies didn't have to reschedule - why should baseball?

It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

Go Red Sox!

Angels Likely Starters

Jarrod Washburn (Game 1 starter): Two games against Boston this year (both in Anaheim - 1-0 with a 6.10 ERA). Career Washburn has been OK against Boston (3-2 in 7 starts with a 4.43 ERA). Career Washburn has had a 3.50 ERA at Fenway.

John Lackey (Game 2 starter): Two games against Boston this year and shelled in both (a combined 8.45 ERA - Boston hit .341 off him including 4 HR in just 9 1/3 innings). The Angels would be crazy to pitch Lackey at Fenway. In three starts there - Lackey has a 10.13 ERA and has given up 5 HR in just 13 1/3 innings.

Bartolo Colon: Good second half 12-4 with a 3.63 ERA but not so great against Boston this year - 1-1 in 3 starts with a 5.52 ERA (Boston hit .333 against Colon this year). His one start at Fenway was awful (for the Angels - the Red Sox loved it hitting .435 and pinning Colon for 4 runs in 4 2/3 innings). In his career Colon has limited success against the Red Sox - 6-9 in 20 starts with a decent 4.06 ERA (4.11 at Fenway but his BAA is .315). The Sox would look forward to facing Colon at Fenway.

Kelvim Escobar: Only one game against Boston this year. The game was at home and Escobar lasted 6 innings but gave up 3 runs on 8 hits (1 HR). Career Escobar has a 5.12 ERA against Boston (5.20 at Fenway). Escobar has been the Angels best pitcher this year.

Miscellaneous Baseball Thoughts

Somebody please explain to me why Lew Ford is not eligible for the AL ROY... John Donovan makes his post season awards picks... The best nickname from this year has to be calling Kevin Youkilis "Jelly" (because Youkilis' initials are "KY")... Did you know that Vinnie Castilla of the Rockies led the NL in RBI this year with 131? In his last two years in Atlanta - Castilla only had 137 RBI's combined...

A Year Ago - Red Sox / A's Game One

I just re-read a column I wrote for Sportspages.com last year and it gave me a good chuckle - so I'm posting the link. It was a running diary of the game and here's a flavor of the column:

Speaking of the ESPN crew – is David Justice the worst commentator in all of sports? Not only is he captain obvious but his voice hurts my ears. I keep thinking that this guy was once lucky enough to be married to Halle Berry and he cheated on her. I have also read that Justice is addicted to porn. Plus he’s bald. If George Costanza were a professional athlete – he’d be David Justice

Heisman Trophy Watch

I know that I touted Ryan Fitzpatrick of Harvard as the surprise pick for the Heisman and I also know that if you watch any of the sports shows today that most people are ready to give the trophy to Purdue's Kyle Orton but let's not forget Cedric Benson of Texas.

Heisman Leaders:

1. Kyle Orton - Purdue - first in passing efficiency (194.11) and second in total offense (355.25)

2. Cedric Benson - Texas - first in rushing (186.5 per game)

Dark Horse Pick:

Ryan Fitzpatrick is 19th in 1AA in passing efficiency (143.19) and just 38th in total offense (210.00 yards per game) - so unless he picks up the pace he's not going to get any attention. The Heisman Dark Horse may still come from Harvard though as running back Clifton Dawson has been averaging 166 yards per game (3rd in 1AA) and is first in scoring (18 points per game) in all 1AA.

Seedy Hotels

Yesterday I read about Ed Harris taking the directors reigns in a play about two lovers stuck at a "seedy hotel." This got me thinking about the phrase "seedy hotel".

As a frequent traveler - I can tell you that although they change the sheets daily - the bedspread can stay there for months. That's why one of the first things I do at a hotel is pull the beadspead down. I would honestly be afraid of running a blue light over almost any hotel room (if you know what I mean).

I don't know the origin of the term "seedy hotel" (or "gone to seed" for that matter). I can tell you that now when I hear the term "seedy hotel" I think of "seed" in the Onan biblical sense and it oogs me out.

Morning Links

Here's what I found worth reading this morning:

- Mark Steyn is always a good read.

- This is a story worth following.

- Sunday baseball notes from Gordon Edes (one of the best in the business)

- The Battle for Iraq

- Ron Borges Sunday football notes

- Peter Gammons and a fresh cup of coffee - nothing better

No Way To Run a Campaign - September Timeline - Update

Full September Timeline

Full August Timeline

Sept. 30th - John Kerry finally has something go good for him as he performs very well in the first Presidential debate. Unfortunately - it seems to be too little too late. The phrase "Global Test" is sure to make all the Republican talking points from here on in too.

Thank You

A sincere thanks goes out to the folks who have purchased items from Amazon.com by clicking on the links at the top of my blog. Just a reminder - you can buy almost anything at Amazon by clicking those links (I just put up some that I find of interest in the hope that you will too).

Also thank you to the folks who click the Google ads. Every click on the Google ads helps me and I thank you for taking the ten seconds or so to help support my site.

Thanks again

- Chris

Morning Links

Here's what I found worth reading this morning:

- I wasn't a big The Practice fan but Boston Legal has me interested.

- MRE's are scary enough as it is - never mind the thought of Al Qaeda poisoned MRE's

- Jason Stark's MLB Awards picks (Stark doesn't even mention Lew Ford as a ROY choice and I'm sure he'll get lots of emails on that)

- "Hate Fatigue" - I have to agree with the premise. They wanted ABB and they got Kerry. Now they either want to send their meal back to the kitchen for something else or skip the main course all together.

- Kudlow puts Kerry to the "Global Test"

- The Belmont Club explains the taking of Samarra in Iraq. Note: I really hate the word "insurgents". If the people we are fighting are not from Iraq then they cannot be "insurgents" - they are terrorists. The sources sited don't say whether those fighting in Samarra are native Iraqi's r foreigners (but I guess that a good deal are from Iran and Syria and elsewhere).

Shortstop Comparisons

Time to update how Orlando Cabrera and Nomar Garciaparra have done since being traded.

Cabrera - 55 G / 221 AB / 31 R / 5 HR / 27 RBI / .294 BA / .773 OPS

Nomar - 41 G / 156 AB / 26 R / 4 HR / 19 RBI / .301 BA / .836 OPS

Cabrera is better on defense and more importantly he has been healthy and available for the Red Sox - so even if the trade was straight up Cabrera would have been the better value. I have to wonder if the Cubs traded for Cabrera (which was their original intention) if they would be in the playoffs right now.

I also think it is worth noting Miguel Tejada's performance.

Tejada - 105 R / 33 HR / 146 RBI / .312 BA / .896 OPS

Tejada signed with Baltimore for 6-years at $12 million per year last off-season (and many thought the Orioles overpaid just to get someone to sign in Baltimore). Garciaparra is hoping for a contract north of $15 million per year but I think his days of matching Tejada's above stat line are behind him. Nomar would be lucky to match Tejada's $12 mill per year (maybe 3-years $36 million from the Cubs). My guess is that he gets greedy but doesn't get the offer he's looking for (unless the Yankees throw a ton of money at Nomar to make him a second basemen). Best guess is that Nomar ends up accepting arbitration from the Cubs.

Miscellaneous Baseball Thoughts

With the way the Cubs have collapsed - you just have to shake your head. Excellent starters (at least on paper), a decent offense and they even added a big piece of the puzzle mid-season with Nomar Garciaparra. It is the sort of thing that would make you believe in a curse if you were so disposed... People are down on Sammy Sosa (.252 with 34 home runs and 79 RBI in 124 games) but the folks in Cincinnati are happy with Adam Dunn (.264 with 45 home runs, 101 RBI, 107 walks and six stolen bases in 158 games). It's basically the same stat line (except for the number of games)... Prediction: the Yankees will keep Jason Giambi on the post-season roster and it will come back to haunt them in a big game... I am definitely rooting for the Astros for the NL Wildcard... I think Johan Santana is still the choice for Cy Young but his last outing against the Yankees may have cost him the award. Some writers may think he was fattening up against teams like the Royals in the Central while Curt Schilling was toiling in the pressure cooker of Boston and give the edge to Schilling... If the Angels make the playoffs - then Vlade Guererro is the AL MVP (and this is coming from a huge Manny Ramirez fan)... Cleveland has to win their last two games to finish at .500... 26-years ago today Bucky Dent earned a new middle name among all Red Sox fans. I still blame Mike "F*cking" Torrez...

Posting This For Absolutely No Reason at All



Peter Gibbons : What would you do if you had a million dollars?
Lawrence : I'll tell you what I'd do, man, two chicks at the same time, man.
Peter Gibbons : That's it? If you had a million dollars, you'd do two chicks at the same time?
Lawrence : Damn straight. I always wanted to do that, man. And I think if I had a million dollars I could hook that up, cause chicks dig a dude with money.
Peter Gibbons : Well, not all chicks.
Lawrence : Well the kind of chicks that'd double up on a dude like me do.
Peter Gibbons : Good point.
Lawrence : Well what about you now? what would you do?
Peter Gibbons : Besides two chicks at the same time?
Lawrence : Well yeah.
Peter Gibbons : Nothing.
Lawrence : Nothing, huh?
Peter Gibbons : I'd relax, I would sit on my ass all day, I would do nothing.
Lawrence : Well you don't need a million dollars to do nothing, man. Just take a look at my cousin, he's broke, don't do shit

Gallup Poll Flap Update



Heh Heh - Read the whole thing.

If God registered to vote - where would he register?

Presidential Odds

The only poll I pay attention to in regard to the Presidential election is the betting line.

Two days ago the betting line (via Bodog.com) increased from -$250 on President Bush and +$200 on John Kerry (this means that you would have to risk $250 to win $100 on Bush but just risk $100 to win $200 on Kerry) to -$255 for Bush and +$205 for Kerry.

Today Bodog.com has dropped the odds considerably. The new odds are Bush -$195 and Kerry +165 (meaning you would have to risk $195 on Bush to win $100 or risk just $100 to win $165 on Kerry).

Another one of the boards I check is via the World Sports Exchange (warning the address of www.wsex.com may be NSFW). Today they have Bush at -$200 and Kerry at +$160.

The drop in odds is excellent if you can put some cake on Bush because this is as close to a sure thing that you can get. Kerry got a momentary drop in odds but look for them to go back up in the near future (maybe back to Bush -$250).

The World Sports Exchange also has Bush a big favorite to win Florida (Bush -$190 / Kerry +$155) and an even bigger favorite to win Ohio (Bush -$240 / Kerry +$195).

Morning Links

Here's some good reads this morning:

- Instapundit points out some archive gold from the Vodkapundit on Kerry and North Korea

- You can read the transcript and view the video from the first debate here. Bush comes off much better on the transcript - Kerry comes off better on the video.

- Heh Heh - now we know who is referred to when someone mentions, "They said"

- Victor Davis Hanson Friday. Always a must read.

- Good debate thoughts from Jay Nordlinger

- Vitamins are bad for you? Cancer of the gullet?

Presidential Debate

If I had to pick a winner from last night's debate - I would have to pick John Kerry.

Some observations:

- President Bush was determined to make the point that a person who wants to be President can't go around using phrases like "wrong war, at the wrong time". He should have had a couple different ways of saying that. Saying it the same way every time came off as carping.

- John Kerry mentioned the US guarding the oil facilities in Iraq but not the nuclear facilities twice last night. Since when did Iraq have nuclear facilities? This was a slip by Kerry that the President should have jumped all over.

- John Kerry is physically bigger than Bush and that worked to great advantage last night. In comparison Bush looked small.

- For all the build-up prior to the debate - there was very little lightning. Not much memorable about last night's debate. Unless you are a politics wonk then it was honestly pretty boring. This hurts Kerry because I imaging fewer people will tune into the next debate and Kerry needs all the undecided voters to tune in and see that he can be "Presidential".

- I get a kick out of how Bush pronounces the word "mullahs". He says "moo-lahs." That sounds like either a kind of ice cream treat or a PBS children's show along the lines of Telly Tubbies.

- Kerry did better than expected on Foreign Policy but I would look for Bush to do better than Kerry on Domestic Issues. Bush hasn't cut any programs and he can constantly point out that Kerry will have to raise taxes to pay for all the programs he's promising.

- Kerry keeps talking about being able to bring a "true coalition" together. I wish President Bush put him on the spot and asked what nations specifically Kerry would bring to the tale that aren't already in the coalition. France? Germany? Bush should have called him on this.

- Kerry repeated his idea of offering nuclear fuel to Iran. That is an unbelievable statement and completely indefensible.

- Kerry kept using the 90% of the casualties and 90% of the costs line. I would have loved for Bush to point out that the US is the world's sole Superpower and to steal a line from Spiderman - "with great power comes great responsibility". Does Kerry expect us to apologize for being a Superpower?

- How come John Kerry never has to answer questions about his record in the Senate? He talks about his experience in Vietnam and then he talks about what he would do as President. Nothing in between. It's as if his 20-years in the Senate didn't exist.